[00:00:01]
>> GOOD EVENING. THE CITY COUNCIL AND PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD OF THE CITY OF ANNA,
[1. Call to Order, Roll Call, and Establishment of Quorum. ]
WE'LL MEET ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH, 2025 AT 5:30 PM.IN THE ANNA MUNICIPAL COMPLEX COUNCIL CHAMBERS LOCATED AT 1:20 WEST SEVENTH STREET TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING ITEMS. WELCOME TO THE MEETING.
IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK ON AN OPEN SESSION AGENDA ITEM, PLEASE FILL OUT THE OPINION SPEAKER REGISTRATION FORM AND TURN IT INTO THE CITY SECRETARY BEFORE THE MEETING ENDS.
AT THIS TIME, I'M GOING TO CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER FOR THE CITY COUNCIL.
THE ENTIRE COUNCIL IS PRESENT.
>> I CALLED THE MEETING FOR THE PARKS ADVISORY BOARD.
WE HAVE ONE MEMBER ABSENT TODAY.
>> I'M GOING TO INVITE HUNT TO DO OUR PLEDGE AND OUR INVOCATION AND OUR PLEDGES.
>> LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY AND ALLOWING US TO BE ABLE TO ARRIVE SAFELY.
WE ASK THAT YOU WATCH OVER THE SEEDING AND THE DECISIONS THAT ARE MADE AND THAT YOU ALLOW EVERYBODY TO BE ABLE TO RETURN HOME SAFELY AS WELL.
>> THAT TAKES US TO NEIGHBORS COMMENTS.
[3. Neighbor Comments. ]
AT THIS TIME, ANY PERSON MAY ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL REGARDING AN ITEM ON THIS MEETING AGENDA THAT IS NOT SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING.ALSO, AT THIS TIME, ANY PERSON MAY ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL REGARDING AN ITEM THAT IS NOT ON THE MEETING AGENDA.
EACH PERSON WILL BE ALLOWED UP TO THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK.
NO DISCUSSION OR ACTION MAY BE TAKEN AT THIS MEETING ON ITEMS NOT LISTED ON THIS AGENDA, OTHER THAN TO MAKE STATEMENTS OF SPECIFIC INFORMATION IN RESPONSE TO A CITIZENS INQUIRY OR TO RECITE EXISTING POLICY IN RESPONSE TO THE INQUIRY.
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. THAT TAKES US TO AGENDA ITEM 4,
[4. Reports. ]
RECEIVE REPORTS FROM THE STAFF OF THE CITY COUNCIL ABOUT ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST.FIRST UP, I HAVE A PROCLAMATION THAT I WOULD LIKE TO READ AND THEN PRESENT TO MR. JOY GRISHAM.
I NEED MORE ROOM. CITY OF ANNA TEXAS PROCLAMATION, STAFF APPRECIATION MONTH, DECEMBER 2025.
WHEREAS THE EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF ANNA ARE DEDICATED TO SERVING THE COMMUNITY WITH PROFESSIONALISM, INTEGRITY, AND CARE, AND WHEREAS THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE CITY STAFF INCLUDE THE BILLING DEPARTMENT, CITY COUNCIL, CITY MANAGER, CITY SECRETARY, CODE COMPLIANCE, COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT, COMMUNICATIONS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ENGINEERING, FINANCIAL SERVICES, FIRE DEPARTMENT, HUMAN RESOURCES, LIBRARY, MAINTENANCE, AND HOUSEKEEPING, MUNICIPAL COURT, PARKS, PROGRAMS AND EVENTS, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT, POLICE DEPARTMENT, PUBLIC WORKS, AND UTILITY BILLING ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE OPERATION OF THE CITY OF ANNA, AND WHEREAS RECOGNIZING THE HARD WORK, COMMITMENT, ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF CITY EMPLOYEES, HELPS FOSTER MORALE, PRIDE, AND A POSITIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT, AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF COUNCIL OF ANNA WISHES TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND CELEBRATE THE DEDICATION AND SERVICE OF ALL CITY STAFF.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF ANNA, TEXAS, DOES HEREBY THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2025 AS STAFF APPRECIATION MONTH IN THE CITY OF ANNA AND ENCOURAGES ALL RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO JOIN IN EXPRESSING GRATITUDE TO THE CITY EMPLOYEES WHO MAKE ANNA A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, PLAY, AND VISIT.
WITNESS HERE TO SET MY HAND TO THIS 17TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2025, AND CALL THIS SEAL TO BE AFFIXED, PETE KAINE MAYOR. [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT UP ON OUR AGENDA IS NEIGHBOR ACADEMY GRADUATE RECOGNITION.
THAT I DON'T THINK WE HAVE ALL OF OUR GRADUATES HERE SO I'M GOING TO MOVE THAT DOWN A LITTLE BIT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET HERE.
I THINK THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF MISCOMMUNICATION ABOUT WHAT TIME THIS MEETING WAS GOING TO KICK OFF TONIGHT.
THAT BEING SAID, I'LL TAKE US INTO AGENDA ITEM 5, WORK SESSION.
[5. Work Session. ]
[00:05:06]
ITEM A, JOINT MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL AND PARKS ADVISORY BOARD, INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND TRENDS AND AMENITIES BY INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL, AND I DON'T SEE YOU'RE HERE, IS SHE HERE?>> JEFF FREE, I BELIEVE SHE IS ON HER WAY.
SHE'S A LITTLE BIT RUNNING TRAFFIC SO IF YOU DON'T MIND, WE CAN MOVE THAT ITEM UP.
>> I THINK THE TIME CHANGES GOT EVERYBODY ON THIS ONE.
WE'LL GO AHEAD AND MOVE ON TO ITEM B.
DISCUSS PAST ONGOING AND PRIORITIES, FUTURE PARKS, CAPITAL OF IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
>> JEFF FREE, ACTING DIRECTOR.
TONIGHT, WE WILL BE BEFORE PARKS ADVISORY BOARD AND COUNCIL, WE WILL BE GOING OVER PAST CIP PARKS PROJECTS.
WE'LL ALSO COVER ONGOING OUR CURRENT ONES AND THEN A LITTLE BIT OF A SNAPSHOT INTO THE FUTURE AND SOME OF THE ALLOCATED FUNDS IN THIS BUDGET YEAR AND THE PROJECTS THAT ARE ON THAT.
TONIGHT, I'LL HAVE DAN WALKER, WHO IS OUR PARKS PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER GO THROUGH THAT PRESENTATION THAT WILL COVER ALL OF THE AREAS THAT I JUST MENTIONED.
>> GOOD EVENING, I'M READY TO GO.
PERFECT. AS JEFF MENTIONED, I'M JUST GOING TO GO OVER WHAT WE'VE DONE WITH A BOND, WHAT WE HAVE TO DO WITH THE BOND AND THEN HOW MUCH UNOCATED WE CURRENTLY HAVE AND WHERE WE ARE WITH OUR ACTIVE PROJECTS.
PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN COMPLETED SINCE 2021, WE HAD A $28 MILLION PARK BOND.
A LOT OF THESE HAPPENED IN TWO PARKS, NATURAL SPRINGS, AND SLATER CREEK, WHICH I'LL GET TO IN A MINUTE.
BUT EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE OF THOSE TWO PARKS INCLUDED BALLFID LIGHTS AND JOHNSON PARK.
THE TRACK FOR THE TRAIN AT SHIRLEY HERITAGE PARK, PHASE 1 OF BRYANT PARK, YAK PARK, WHICH HAPPENED AT THE SAME TIME THE PICKLE BALL COURT PROJECT DID, PEONGOVE TRAIL, WHICH WAS JUST COMPLETED A FEW MONTHS AGO, AND THEN COMMUNITY REC CENTER FEASIBILITY STUDY, THOSE ALL TOTALED 1.5 MILLION.
WE DID SEVERAL THINGS AT NATURAL SPRINGS PARK, SOME PICKLE PARK IMPROVEMENTS, THE SECONDARY PARKING LOT, AND THEN THE PLAYGROUND THAT WAS DONE LAST YEAR.
ACTUALLY, NO BOND FUNDS WERE EXPENDED TOWARD ANYTHING IN THAT PARK THAT WAS COMPLETELY PARK DEVELOPMENT FUND.
THEN WE HAD A LOT OF THINGS COMPLETED AT SLAYTER CREEK PARK, SPLASH PADS, SKATE PARK, PICKLEBALL, BASKETBALL, TENNIS COURT RESURFACING, THE FITNESS COURT AND SHADE, PRACTICE FIELD LIGHTING, A NEW RESTROOM, AND THEN THAT DISC GOLF COURSE REDESIGNED BACK IN 2022, AND THEN PRETTY SIGNIFICANT IRRIGATION REPAIR AND IMPROVEMENT.
OUR ACTIVE PROJECTS, THE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX PLAZA, JUST RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU.
WE'RE ON PUNCH LIST WITH THAT.
SLAYTER CREEK PARK PLAYGROUND AND IMPROVEMENTS.
THAT WILL BEGIN DEMOLITION THIS WEEK.
TINY PARK ALMOST DONE WITH DESIGN.
I'M REALLY HOPING TO BID THAT IN JANUARY.
BRYANT PARK PHASE 2, OKALO TRAIL EXTENSION DESIGN THAT HAS NOT BEEN STARTED IN ERNEST, THAT'S IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.
PARK ID REGULATORY AND WAY FINDING SIGNS.
THAT'S COMPLETELY FUNDED WITH PDF AND SO ARE THE NEXT TWO, THE PARK SYSTEM MASTER PLAN, WHICH WE WILL BE BRINGING BEFORE COUNCIL IN JANUARY FOR REVIEW, AND THEN A SUBSEQUENT MEETING FOR ADOPTION.
FINALLY, THE JOHNSON PARK PARKING LOT PAVING.
AGAIN, THAT ONE IS ALSO FUNDED WITH PDF.
JUST A QUICK OVERVIEW OF OUR BOND FUNDED ACTIVE PROJECTS, THE PLAZA.
I SAW MANY OF YOU OUT HERE SATURDAY. WE HAD A TON OF PEOPLE.
THIS WAS PART OF THE LIBRARY PROJECT BUILT BY THE SAME CONTRACTOR.
AND AS I MENTIONED, WE'RE SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE ON THAT AND WE ARE WORKING ON PUNCH LIST ITEM.
SO THAT WAS $3.5 MILLION FROM THE BOND.
WE HAVE SLAYTER CREEK PARK FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS.
[00:10:04]
THE BIGGEST PART OF THIS PROJECT IS THERE ARE SEVERAL PROJECTS OUT THERE, INCLUDING A NEW MAINTENANCE BUILDING, SOME DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, BUT THE BIGGEST PART OF THAT RIGHT NOW IS GOING TO BE THE PLAYGROUND, WHICH WE ARE STARTING DEMO ON THIS WEEK.FINLEY PARK, HOPING TO BID IN JANUARY.
THIS IS A 28 ACRE NEIGHBORHOOD PARK, WHICH IS VERY LARGE FOR A NEIGHBORHOOD PARK, AND WE HAVE A CURRENT COST ESTIMATE ON THAT PROJECT, INCLUDING ALL ALTERNATES IS 7 MILLION THAT INCLUDES DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION.
THEN BRYANT PARK PHASE 2, PROBABLY GOING TO BID AROUND MARCH OF NEXT YEAR.
THIS INCLUDES REST ROOM, WALKING TRAIL, AROUND THE FIELD, SOME ADDITIONAL PARKING THAT WILL CONNECT TO THE EXISTING PARKING AT THE SCHOOL, AND THEN SOME PARKING ALONG THE STREET, IRRIGATION, LANDSCAPING.
OKOLO TRAIL EXTENSION, WE'RE LOOKING TO FUND THE DESIGN OF THAT.
WE HAVE STARTED SOME PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS, BUT WE HAVEN'T GOT A SURVEY.
WE DON'T HAVE AN ENGINEER. WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE UNDER CONTRACTOR RIGHT NOW WORKING ON THAT PROJECT.
THE TOTAL OF ALL OF THOSE PROJECTS IS 17.8 BILLION.
THIS IS A BREAKDOWN OF THE ORIGINAL BOND MONEY THAT'S BEEN SPENT, WHICH IS AROUND 9.3, THE ACTIVE PROJECT BUDGET PROJECTS THAT WE'RE ACTIVELY WORKING ON OR THAT ARE FUNDED IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET, 17.8 MILLION AND THEN THAT PLUS HALF 1 MILLION IS WE ACTUALLY HAD SOME SIGNIFICANT COST SAVINGS ON THE PLAZA PROJECT.
THAT WOULD GO BACK IN TO THE BALANCE OF ABOUT 1.3 MILLION.
I WANTED TO ALSO JUST GIVE YOU A QUICK UPDATE ON THE PARK DEVELOPMENT FUND BALANCE.
THIS YEAR'S BUDGET, THE CURRENT BALANCE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR WAS 4.2 MILLION.
THE 794,000 IS THE REC PARK OFFS AND CAPITAL EQUIPMENT.
THE ONE NEW PROJECT THAT WE HAVE IN THERE IS THAT 120,000 IS TO PAVE THE JOHNSON PARK PARKING LOT, WHICH IS CURRENTLY GRAVEL, AND WE MAKE THAT ASPHALT.
THE MASTER PLAN, WHICH WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF AND WE'LL WRAP UP IN JANUARY SO PROJECT MANAGEMENT, ENGINEERING, SURVEY AND THE PLAT FOR SLAYTER CREEK PARK IS JUST UNDER 370,000.
OUR PORTION OF THE CARL PARK TRAIL SPORTS COMPLEX FEASIBILITY STUDY, WHICH WE JUST HAD OUR KICKOFF MEETING FOR LAST WEEK.
THEN FINALLY, THE PARK ID REGULATORY AND WAY FINDING SIGNS, 350,000.
WE HAVE A BALANCE BY THE END OF THE YEAR ONCE ALL OF THESE FUNDS ARE EXPENDED OF AROUND 2 MILLION.
WE HAVEN'T BEEN BRINGING IN A LOT OF NEW FUNDS IN THE LAST YEAR HERE AND A HALF BECAUSE WE'VE HAD SO MANY DEVELOPERS DESIGNING AND BUILDING THE PARKS THEMSELVES, AND SO THEY GET CREDIT FOR THAT.
IT DOESN'T GO INTO THIS FUND THEY BUILD IT.
THEY'RE BUILDING IT NOW. THAT WOULD INCLUDE HESSE THAT'S HOW HESSE MORGAN PARK.
THAT'S HOW JOHN FLAV GREER PARK, WHICH JUST OPENED.
THAT'S HOW THAT PROJECT WAS FUNDED AS WELL AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY OF THESE PROJECTS.I CAN GO BACK TO A SLIDE IF YOU NEED ME TO.
>> COUNSEL, ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS?
>> YES, I'LL GO. FIRST OFF, THANK YOU FOR I'VE BEEN ASKING FOR THE PRICE OR THE BALANCE OF TWO OF THOSE TWO FUNDS FOR THREE MONTHS NOW, SO I'M GLAD I FINALLY FOUND OUT.
WHAT COMES FIRST? FINLEY, WELL, FIRST, LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT FINLEY.
WE'RE PAYING 7 MILLION OF IT, ISN'T FINLEY PART OF THE ANNA RANCH NEIGHBORHOOD?
>> WHAT PORTION OR DID THEY PAY IN?
>> THOSE FUNDS THEY DID PAY INTO THE PARK DEVELOPMENT FUND AND THEN THAT LAND WAS DEDICATED BY THEM 20 ACRES.
>> NOW, WHAT COMES FIRST WHAT'S THE STAFF'S IDEA OF COMING FIRST? FINLEY OR BRYANT?
[00:15:02]
>> LET ME ASK YOU THIS. IS THERE A WAY AND I'M PROPOSING SOMETHING TO THE REST OF THE COUNCIL AS WELL.
IF I THINK I'VE TALKED ABOUT IT AT ONE COUNCIL MEETING, I LEARNED AT A PARKS BOARD WHERE I LEARNED JUST TALKING TO NEIGHBORS.
WE HAVE A LOT OF KIDS WANTING TO PLAY SOCCER, BUT WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH FIELDS AND BRYANT PHASE 2 GIVES US WAY MORE FIELDS.
I THINK I LEARNED IT FROM YOU.
IS THERE A WAY OF US SWAPPING THOSE PROJECTS?
>> RIGHT NOW, IT'S JUST A MATTER OF SCHEDULE, HOW FAR ALONG THEY BOTH ARE IN DESIGN.
WE'VE DONE A 90% PLAN REVIEW OF FINLEY, AND WE'RE NOT QUITE THERE YET ON BRYANT SO IT'S JUST A MATTER OF HOW FAR BOTH OF THEM ARE ALONG IN THE DESIGN PROCESS.
>> I GUESS I'M ACTING AS CITY MANAGER FOR THIS WEEK.
CAN WE TAKE NOTE AND MAYBE WE LOOK INTO THAT AND REPORT BACK TO THE COUNCIL? BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU GUYS.
BUT AFTER I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE WHOLE SOCCER ISSUES A LOT OF KIDS DIDN'T GET TO PLAY BECAUSE THERE'S NOT ENOUGH FIELDS.
THAT WOULD BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANOTHER PLAYGROUND.
>> COUNCILMAN, I APPRECIATE THE FEEDBACK AND INPUT.
WE HAVE EXPANDED GEAR PARK AND OUR STAFF WORKED ON IRRIGATION AND HAD ADDED SPLIT RAIL FOR ADDING CAPACITY IN PRACTICE FIELDS.
WE'RE GOING TO DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN TO FIND THE SPACE, WE ALSO PURCHASE MORE GOALS FOR THAT.
WE'RE ALREADY ANTICIPATING NEXT YEAR AND BRINGING IN MORE.
>> PRACTICE FIELDS OR GAME FIELDS?
>> TEMPORARY PRACTICE FIELDS AND THEN ALSO THE AREA AT SLAYTER CREEK PARK TO THE SOUTH.
WE GAVE IT A YEAR TO ESTABLISH.
WE'RE GOING TO EXPAND THAT MORE FOR GAME PURPOSES.
IN THE MIDTERM, WE ARE LOOKING AT WHAT YOU MENTIONED IS THE EXPANSION OF THE LEAGUE, HOW WE CAN BALANCE THAT OUT, ALLOW FOR MORE PRACTICE CAPABILITIES, BUT ALSO ENHANCING THE GAME AND PUSHING INTO IT.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING CURRENTLY, BUT I APPRECIATE THE FEEDBACK.
>> APPRECIATE THAT EFFORT, BUT I WOULD STILL BE INTERESTED IN EXPANDING DOING BRYANT BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT BRYANT FOR A LONG TIME WAY BEFORE FINLEY EVER CAME AROUND.
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO FINISH BRYANT FIRST.
>> I JUST WANT TO STATE, REALLY APPRECIATE YOU GUYS FOR GIVING US A BREAKDOWN OF OUR OVERALL FUNDS AND JUST WHERE OUR PROJECTS ARE AND THE OVERALL SCHEME OF THINGS.
I DO WANT TO SAY COUNCILMAN TOAD MAKES A GREAT POINT.
I WOULD AT LEAST LIKE TO EVALUATE IT.
SPECIFICALLY, IS THERE A WAY TO GENERATE REVENUE FROM ANY OF THOSE PRACTICE FIELDS ONCE THEY COME ONLINE?
>> COUNCILMAN, THERE'S ALWAYS THE CAPABILITIES FOR US TO OPEN THEM UP FOR WHAT YOU'RE I THINK TALKING ABOUT OUTSIDE OF RESERVATIONS.
THAT IS DEFINITELY A POSSIBILITY.
RIGHT NOW, WE'VE HALTED ON THAT A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE IF YOU DO THAT, THE FIELDS THAT OUR TEAMS ARE CURRENTLY PRACTICING ON, AND YOU HAVE OVER USE THEN BY THE TIME, IT DOES COME BECAUSE THERE IS LIMITED SPACE AND YOU CAN'T REALLY ROTATE SO.
BUT AS WE EXPAND, THAT IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT WE CAN LOOK INTO.
>> PERFECT. JUST WHEREVER THE FLEXIBILITY LIES, JUST CONSIDER THAT.
BUT ONCE AGAIN, AS YOU SAID, SOME OF THE DESIGNS ARE ALREADY, PRETTY MUCH DONE FOR FINLEY.
WE'RE NOT REALLY QUITE THERE FOR THE OTHER PARK, BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US AT LEAST EVALUATE IT.
IF THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO FINISH THE FINLEY ONE, PAUSE, WAIT FOR THE OTHER ONE, AND THEN RE EVALUATE AGAIN THEN AND SEE WHICH ONE DO WE WANT TO DIVE INTO.
BUT ONCE AGAIN, THAT'S WHERE WE'LL TAKE YOUR LEAD.
YOU GUYS ARE THE PROJECT MANAGERS ON IT.
THIS IS WHAT WE NEED A LITTLE BIT OF YOUR CONTEXTS TO. BUT OTHERWISE, GREAT JOB.
>> I WANT TO JUMP IN THERE AND TELL YOU I'VE JUST REREAD THE PROPOSITION.
IT'S SO NICE TO SEE THE BOXES CHECKED FOR EVERY SINGLE ITEM THAT ARE ON THERE.
IT'S NOT UNCOMMON WHEN WE VOTE ON THINGS, THE EXECUTION.
NOT SAYING HERE IN THE CITY OF ANNA BUT MAYBE AT A HIGHER LEVEL THAT LITTLE BIT DISAPPOINTING AT TIMES.
IT LOOKS LIKE YOU'VE GREATLY MAXIMIZED WHAT WE'VE DONE WITH THIS BOND.
WHAT DO YOU SEE A FUTURE BOND LOOKING LIKE
[00:20:04]
ARE WE GOING TO NEED ONE SOON IN THE NEXT YEAR, NEXT THREE YEARS? HAVE YOU ALL ANY CONSIDERATION OF THAT AS FAR AS UPCOMING CIP PROJECTS?>> AS YOU CAN SEE, SOME OF THE FUNDS THAT ARE ALLOCATED, AGAIN, WE'VE GOTTEN A LOT DONE IN THE PAST.
WE'VE GOT A LOT OF ONGOING PROJECTS.
AS THOSE BALANCES COME DOWN, THEN THE QUESTION IS, WHAT IS THE PRIORITY OF THE COUNCIL LEANING INTO THE FUTURE? I THINK WE HAVE TWO REALLY GOOD TOOLS THAT WE HAVE COMING UP.
THAT'S GOING TO BE ONE, THE PARKS MASTER PLAN.
AS DALAN, HAD INDICATED THAT IN JANUARY AS FAR AS IMPLEMENTATION.
YOU'LL SEE THAT AND THEN FOLLOWING THAT IN ADOPTION.
IT'S GOING TO BE A REALLY GOOD REVEALING TO ALL THAT MAP ON WHAT OUR NEIGHBORS HAVE INPUT, FIGURE OUT THOSE PRIORITIES, FIGURE OUT THAT LIST OF PRIORITIES, AND WE CAN BEGIN WORKING ON THE SCOPE OR THE AMOUNT THAT WE SHOULD ALLOCATE FOR THOSE.
THEN ALSO, WE ARE DOING THE FEASIBILITY STUDY WHEN IT COMES TO THE POTENTIAL COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER, AS WELL AS A SPORTS COMPLEX.
AGAIN, THAT WILL GIVE YOU INFORMATION THAT YOU NEED ON THIS IS HOW IT LOOKS, THE PRO FORMA, A DIFFERENT LEVELS THAT YOU CAN CHOOSE FROM AS FAR AS SUBSIDY, PRIVATE AND PUBLIC PARTNERSHIPS.
THOSE TWO ELEMENTS, I THINK WILL HELP INFORM YOU SIGNIFICANTLY ON THE PATH THAT THE CITY IS READY TO TAKE.
FINALIZING THE PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE ON THIS LIST IF THAT'S WHAT YOU ALL DECIDE AND APPROVE ON PROJECT TO PROJECT, BUT ALSO HAVING THAT PATH AND WHERE WE CAN LEAN FORWARD AND THEN FIGURING OUT THE FUNDING MECHANISMS, USING THOSE ELEMENTS TO INFORM ALL AND HOW YOU WANT TO STEP FORWARD.
I KNOW YOU GOT A GREAT PARKS BOARD AND THEY'RE SITTING HERE WITH US TONIGHT TO HELP BE A PART OF THAT.
I DO THINK THAT WE NEED TO HAVE A TOWN ONE OF THE PHONE MEETINGS.
LAST TIME, IT WAS DAN, MARTIN, MYSELF, AND THEN PARKS BOARD PRESIDENT ERIC HANSON.
HOPE YOU'RE UP FOR THAT. THE COMMUNITY GAVE US A LOT OF GREAT INPUT.
I KNOW WE JUST DID A SURVEY RECENTLY THAT'S GOING TO HELP AS WELL.
LOOK FORWARD TO SEE WHAT WE HAVE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
>> I DO WANT TO REMIND THAT LES OFF FOR THE PARKS BOARD.
YOU GUYS THIS IS A JOINT MEETING SO ALL CAN SPEAK.
HERE'S YOUR CHANCE IF YOU'LL FEEL UNDER USED.
AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK THAT YOU KNOW IF YOU'RE NOT BEING IF YOU'RE JUST SHOWING UP AND YOU JUST GET TO APPROVE WHAT THEY SHOW YOU.
HERE'S YOUR CHANCE TO GIVE SAY IT BECAUSE WE AS YOUR COUNSEL APPOINT YOU GUYS.
IF THERE'S CONCERNS, HERE'S YOUR CHANCE TO VOICE IT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WE'RE LISTENING.
>> I'LL TALK. A YEAR I'VE BEEN ON THE PARKS AND REC BOARD.
I LOVE BEING ABLE TO WORK WITH THE CITY AND HEAR FROM THE DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN THE CITY OF ANNA.
BUT I DO WISH THAT THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT MORE COLLABORATION WITH THE COUNCIL.
IT DOES SEEM LIKE IT IS THAT A LOT OF TIMES WE'RE JUST APPROVING STUFF THAT COMES ACROSS EITHER FROM THE CITY OR FOR THE COUNCIL. I KNOW WE'RE ADVISORY.
BUT HAVING ACTIVE FEEDBACK OR MORE ACTIVE INTERACTION WITH THE COUNCIL, I THINK WOULD BE BENEFICIAL AS WELL.
OTHERWISE, IT'S JUST CHECKING BOXES.
>> I WANT TO GO BACK JUST A LITTLE BIT TO WHAT HE SAID TO POINT OUT THE FACT THAT WE HAD A COUPLE OF PARKS THAT WERE DEVELOPED BY THE DEVELOPERS IN LIEU OF PAYING THE FEES.
WHILE THAT DOESN'T ADD TO THE PARK DEVELOPMENT FUND, I THINK IT'S SAFE TO SAY THE QUALITY OF THE WORK THAT WE GOT ON THOSE PARKS EXCEED WHAT WE COULD HAVE DONE ON OUR OWN WITH THAT MONEY. GOOD JOB ON THAT.
>> I WANTED TO PUT MY INPUT OUT HERE.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY AS OUR PARKS ADVISORY BOARD, WE DO LISTEN.
WE GIVE OUR PERSPECTIVE ON WHAT THE STAFF BRINGS TO US.
THEY DO THE LEG WORK, THE REALLY HARD WORK OF GATHERING THE DATA, PROVIDING SURVEYS FOR OUR CITY, SECURING GRANTS, AND JUST CREATING ALL OF THOSE, BEAUTIFUL PARKS.
HONESTLY, WE DO GET TO PROVIDE OUR INPUT, BUT WE ARE NOT VERY HANDS ON AS FAR AS BUILDING, THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO GO OUT AND HELP WHEN A PARK IS OPENED, WE DO GET TO PUT OUT THE SAWDUST OR WE GET TO HELP AND GET THINGS GRADED AND READY.
I DO LIKE TO THINK THAT WE DO GET A LOT OF INPUT FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
[00:25:04]
WE ASSIST WITH THE MASTER PLAN.WE DO GET TO ADVISE ON THINGS THAT ARE BROUGHT FORWARD TO OUR CITY COUNCIL AS FAR AS PARKS.
AS FAR AS MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, A STAFF HAS TREATED US WITH THE UTMOST RESPECT.
WE'RE NOT JUST SHOWING UP AND APPROVING EVERYTHING THAT COMES ACROSS OUR DESK.
WE DO SOMETIMES DECIDE OR ASK QUESTIONS OR THINK SOMETHING IS A LITTLE ODD OR WE DO GIVE OUR INPUT.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU REALIZE THAT.
I FEEL LIKE AS AN ADVISORY BOARD WE ARE FUNCTIONING THE WAY THAT WE SHOULD.
I FEEL LIKE EVERYBODY HAS TREATED US WITH THE UTMOST RESPECT, AND IT HAS BEEN A JOY TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH THIS GROUP OF FOLKS.
I THINK THAT WHAT WE'RE DOING IS WHAT IS EXPECTED AS FAR AS AN ADVISORY BOARD.
WE DO COLLABORATE AND I THINK I PERSONALLY THINK WE'RE DOING A PRETTY GOOD JOB FOR ANNA. ANNA IS WINNING.
>> I'M NOT QUIET DURING OUR MEETINGS.
I'M FAIRLY VOCAL DURING OUR MEETINGS AND IT'S AMAZING HOW MANY TIMES RIGHT AFTERWARDS, I'LL GET A CITY COUNCIL PERSON OR A CITY EMPLOYEE COME TO ME AND GO IT WAS A GREAT IDEA.
A COUPLE OF TIMES THAT'S A GREAT IDEA.
LET'S NOT DO THAT. IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE WE ARE FAIRLY INVOLVED WITH EACH OTHER.
IT MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE IN THE PUBLIC EYE, BUT I THINK AFTER LAST MONTH'S MEETING JEFF AND I TALKED FOR A GOOD 45 MINUTES, SOME OTHER BOARD MEMBER OR ADVISORY COUNCIL WERE THERE, HE ADDRESSED A LOT OF MY CONCERNS AND GAVE ME SOME GREAT TIPS ON HOW TO WORK WITH SOCCER IN THE FUTURE AND DO THINGS LIKE THAT, AND I APPRECIATE YOU LISTENING AND BRINGING THAT UP AS WELL.
I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF MAYBE NOT PUBLIC FACING TOGETHERNESS, BUT I HAVE ALWAYS FELT LIKE THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITY EMPLOYEES HAVE LISTENED TO THE PARKS ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND I APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU.
>> I AGREE WITH EVERY ONE OF THE BOARD MEMBERS THAT ARE UP HERE.
IT'S BEEN MY PRIVILEGE TO SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND WORK ALONG SO EACH ONE OF THE BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT HERE.
I'M EXTREMELY THANKFUL FOR THE ACTING DIRECTOR, JEFF, DAN.
WE DO HAVE PRETTY ACTIVE INTERACTIONS.
LIKE DAVID MENTIONED, WE MAY NOT BE OUT THERE IN THE PUBLIC, BUT WE DO EXPRESS OUR CONCERNS AND THERE IS DISCUSSION.
THANK YOU FOR THAT FOR THAT, SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT INPUT AND FEEDBACK. THANK YOU.
>> ALIS DOMAN. I DID IT FOR MANY YEARS AND ON THE PARKS BOARD.
WHAT I THINK I'M HEARING IS YOU'LL WANT TO DO MORE.
MORE HANDS ON, MORE PARTICIPATION.
>> YES. WHEN I SAY MORE, AND YOU HAVE THE INTERACTION PART, BUT NOT SO MUCH ME.
MORE OF WHEN WE SEND STUFF UP BEING ABLE TO GET FEEDBACK BACK ON WHAT IT IS, THE CITY EMPLOYEES ARE AMAZING WHEN WE ASK FOR SOMETHING, WE GET SOMETHING BACK RIGHT AWAY, BUT SOMETIMES WE HAVE OPINIONS ON STUFF OR WE'LL SEND STUFF AND THEN WE DON'T HEAR ANYTHING UNTIL IT IS THAT IT'S ACTUALLY FINISHED BEING VOTED ON BY THE COUNCIL.
THAT'S WHAT I MEANT ON MY SIDE.
>> SURE. I CERTAINLY NOT TRYING TO PUT IN THE HOT SEAT.
>> IT'S ALMOST A FRUSTRATING POSITION BECAUSE IT IS ADVISORY.
IT MEANS WHOMEVER WILL OR WILL NOT LISTEN TO WHAT YOU OR ACT UPON THE INFORMATION IN THE MANNER YOU THINK.
WE'VE ACTIVATED AND NAMED MORE PARTS IN RECENT TIMES THAN WE'VE EVER HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO EVER AND THEN THIS Y'ALL WERE PART OF IT.
THIS PAST WEEKEND WITH OPENING THE LIBRARY, OPENING YET ANOTHER PARK WITH ALL WONDERFUL FEATURES, SETTING UP OUR FIRST MILITARY RECOGNITION MONUMENT.
ANYBODY HADN'T SEEN THAT YET, IT'S RIGHT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WINDOWS OF CITY HALL.
Y'ALL DO A GREAT. I KNOW THERE'S ALWAYS A DESIRE TO DO MORE.
[00:30:02]
AND I'M SURE THEY'VE LET OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS KNOW WHENEVER YOU CALL AND INTERACT WITH THEM.I THINK THERE'S MERIT BADGES AND THINGS THAT THEY LOOK FORWARD TO EARNING TO BE ABLE TO INTERACT MORE WITH YOU BECAUSE IT HELPS THEM KNOW WHAT THE GENERAL FIEL IS.
THEIR INTERPRETATION IS, THAT STUFF.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE EACH OF YOU TO CONTINUE TO INTERACT WITH STAFF.
I HAVE NEVER HEARD ONCE THAT THAT A STAFF MEMBER HAS NOT RETURNED ANY OF YOUR CALLS OR EMAIL.
I HOPE THAT CONTINUES BECAUSE THE COLLABORATION IS GREAT.
THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY AT STAKE AND A LOT OF TIME AT STAKE, AND SO KEEP THAT UP.
IF THAT ISN'T ADDRESSING THE CONCERN OF A PARKS BOARD, I WOULD ENCOURAGE US TO EXPLORE IT MORE.
I WILL TELL YOU FROM MY STANDPOINT, I HAVE ALWAYS ENCOURAGED OUR CITY MANAGERS AND INCLUDING MY CURRENT ONE.
MARK MARCHAN, WHO WAS THE DIRECTOR OF ALL OF THIS AT ONE TIME, TO BE HIGHLY ENGAGING OF THE PARKS BOARD.
EVEN TO THE POINT OF THE PARKS BOARD AND OUR OTHER ADVISORY BOARD LEAD THE MEETING.
YOU HANDLE YOUR AGENDAS, GET STAFFS INPUT, GET IT ON THERE, WHATEVER IS WITHIN THE LEGAL RESPECTIVE CREATING AGENDAS BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT TO IT THAT HAS TO CHECK OTHER BOXES.
PROCEED IN THAT MANNER AND KEEP DOING GREAT WORK.
>> ONE FINAL THING I'D LIKE TO FINISH ON IF COUNSEL IS OKAY.
CAN WE GO AHEAD AND GIVE DIRECTION TO AT SOME POINT IN 2026 SET UP A TOWN HALL WITH PARKS AND CITY COUNCIL AS A COUNCILMAN CARVER ENGINE? PLEASE, THANK YOU.
>> TO THE POINT WHERE COUNCILMAN CARVER MENTIONED, I DO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH JEFF.
WELL, WE USED TO BE WITH MARK, THE DIRECTOR AND THE ACTING DIRECTOR JEFF READ BEFORE OUR BOARD MEETING.
WE DO GO OVER THE AGENDA IN DISCUSS PRIOR TO THE MEETING SO THAT I'M WELL PREPARED TO ADDRESS THE BOARD IN THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.
>> ANYBODY ELSE? IF NOT, MS. DEMINGS, ARE YOU PREPARED? I THINK WHAT WE'LL DO IS WE'LL CIRCLE. THANK YOU JEFF.
I APPRECIATE IT. IF ASHLEY SHOWS UP, CAN YOU LET ME KNOW?
>> THANK YOU. LET'S CIRCLE BACK UP TO 4B.
WE HAVE A NEIGHBORHOOD ACADEMY GRADUATE RECOGNITION AND PRESENTING AS COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT COORDINATOR OLIVIA DEMINGS.
>> THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL, OLIVIA DEMINGS, COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT.
I AM PLEASED THIS EVENING TO RECOGNIZE THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE 8TH NEIGHBOR ACADEMY COHORT WHO HAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE CITY'S 10 WEEK PROGRAM IN CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.
NEIGHBOR ACADEMY IS DESIGNED TO EDUCATE AND CONNECT NEIGHBORS, STRENGTHEN AND UNDERSTANDING OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND SUPPORT A MORE INFORMED, ENGAGED COMMUNITY.
THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM, PARTICIPANTS GAINED AN INSIDE LOOK AT CITY OPERATIONS, MET WITH PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND STAFF, AND LEARNED HOW KEY SERVICES FROM PUBLIC SAFETY TO PARKS AND PLANNING WORK TOGETHER TO SUPPORT A GROWING CITY.
THEY EXPLORED MANY AVENUES FOR CIVIC FOR PARTICIPATION, PRACTICE REAL WORLD DECISION MAKING THROUGH A MOCK PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING, AND STRENGTHEN THEIR COLLABORATIVE SKILLS.
EACH COHORT ALSO UNDERTAKES A COMMUNITY GROUP PROJECT TO APPLY THEIR LEARNING IN A MEANINGFUL WAY.
THIS YEAR'S GROUP CREATED A COMMUNITY CHALKBOARD FOR THE ANNA COMMUNITY LIBRARY, AND WE WERE ABLE TO USE THIS INTERACTIVE FEATURE AT OUR LIBRARY'S GRAND OPENING THIS PAST SATURDAY.
THE CHALKBOARD IS MOBILE AND WILL BE ABLE TO ROTATE BETWEEN THE LIBRARY AND THE PLAZA TO SPARK COMMUNITY CONNECTION BY UTILIZING PROMPTS SUCH AS WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY TRADITION? THIS PROJECT REFLECTS THE COHORTS COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING CREATIVITY AND NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR ENGAGEMENT.
NEIGHBOR ACADEMY CREATES OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR RELATIONSHIPS TO BE BUILT BETWEEN NEIGHBORS OF CITY STAFF AND THE BROADER COMMUNITY.
THIS PROGRAM ENCOURAGES UNDERSTANDING AND HIGHLIGHTS AVENUES FOR SERVICE AND INSPIRES A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY FOR SHAPING THE FUTURE OF ANNA.
WE EXTEND OUR SINCERE APPRECIATION AND CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 19 NEIGHBORS WHO COMPLETED THIS YEAR'S COHORT.
WE WILL BE RECOGNIZING EACH OF THEM WITH A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE PARTICIPANTS ON COMPLETING THE 8TH NEIGHBOR ACADEMY.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE MANY WAYS THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN THE CITY OF ANNA.
I HAVE EACH OF THEIR CERTIFICATES, MAYOR,
[00:35:02]
IF YOU'D LIKE TO.IF YOU'RE A PARTICIPANT IN THE AUDIENCE, YOU'LL JUST COME DOWN AND WE'LL GIVE YOU YOUR CERTIFICATE AND TAKE A QUICK PICTURE.
>> CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU.
>> SCOTT. APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU.
>> VANDA M SMITH. NEXT WE HAVE HEIDI.
>> THANKS. DETRA WALTER AND DWIGHT WILLIAMS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL AGAIN FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION AND CONGRATULATIONS.
>> WHAT ABOUT OUR GROUP [APPLAUSE]
>> WE ALWAYS DO A GROUP PHOTO.
CAN COUNCIL AND CLASS COME UP.
[00:41:31]
>> A QUICK PLUG FOR NEIGHBORHOOD ACADEMY BECAUSE THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS THAT THE CITY OFFERS.
I DEFINITELY WOULD HAVE CONSIDERED EVEN BEING BOARD MEMBER WITHOUT A BOARD.
[LAUGHTER] A MEMBER OF THE PARKS AND REC BOARD WITHOUT GOING TO NEIGHBORHOOD ACADEMY.
A LOT OF THE COMMENTS AND EVERYTHING THAT I SEE FROM THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS IS BECAUSE THEY JUST DON'T KNOW HOW THINGS RUN.
NEIGHBORHOOD ACADEMY IS A GREAT PLACE FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO COME AND ASK THE QUESTIONS.
WE WERE A TOUGH GROUP. WE ASKED ALL THE HARD QUESTIONS, BUT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE ALL THE DIFFERENT LEADERS THROUGHOUT THE CITY COME IN INDIVIDUALLY AND TELL YOU HOW ALL THE DIFFERENT SYSTEMS IN THE CITY WORKS.
THIS IS THE PLACE THAT YOU DO IT.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE ALL, I WISH EVERYBODY IN THE CITY OF ANNA COULD TAKE THE NEIGHBORHOOD ACADEMY BECAUSE IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO BE ABLE TO GET YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED, BUT ALSO TO GET INVOLVED.
I JUST WANT TO DO THAT QUICK UNSOLICITED PLUG FOR YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD ACADEMY.
IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE CITY FOR THIS ACADEMY TO CONTINUE TO GROW AND TO HELP PEOPLE LEARN HOW THE CITY WORKS, WHAT GOES ON BEHIND THE DOORS.
I KNOW SOME OF IT WAS PROBABLY VERY EYE OPENING, BUT WE APPRECIATE YOU INVESTING THE TIME AND TAKING TIME OUT OF YOUR SCHEDULE TO DO THAT.
THAT ACTUALLY WORKED OUT GOOD TIMING WISE, BECAUSE I THINK MY INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL HAS ARRIVED.
I KNOW I TOLD YOU 6:00, AND MY APOLOGIES IT WAS 5:30.
BUT WHENEVER YOU'RE READY IF YOU COULD COME ON UP, WE'D LOVE TO HEAR.
>> HELLO, EVERYONE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING US WITH YOU TONIGHT.
MY NAME IS ASHLEY COSTA, AND I'M HERE REPRESENTING CUNNINGHAM RECREATION.
I COVER NORTHEAST TEXAS FOR OUR COMPANY, AND I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING WITH COMMUNITIES ACROSS NORTHEAST TEXAS TO PROVIDE MEANINGFUL SPACES THAT ENGAGE ALL LEVELS OF ABILITY PLAY.
I'VE ALSO BROUGHT NICK WITH ME AS WELL.
>> NICK WESTHAM, THE REGIONAL MANAGER FOR OUR COMPANY AS WELL.
I LIVE AND WORK OUT OF OKLAHOMA, DONE PROBABLY CLOSE TO THOUSANDS OF INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUNDS AT THIS POINT ALL ACROSS THE MIDWEST.
OUR IDEA HERE TODAY IS TO HELP DISCUSS HOW WE APPROACH AN INCLUSIVE SPACE, AND IT CERTAINLY IS A SPACE.
ALL THE AMENITIES NEED TO WORK COHESIVELY.
SHOW YOU SOME OF OUR BEST PRACTICES APPROACH, BUT ALSO GET YOUR FEEDBACK OF WHAT YOUR CITIZENS ARE ASKING FOR BECAUSE I DO FEEL LIKE THE DEFINITION OF INCLUSION IS CHANGING RAPIDLY, AND WE'RE TRYING TO STAY ON THE FOREFRONT OF THAT.
I'M GOING TO WALK YOU THROUGH HOW WE DEFINE IT AND WHAT OUR APPROACH IS, BUT CERTAINLY WOULD WELCOME YOUR FEEDBACK AS WELL, AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE.
I'M GOING TO START WITH DEFINING INCLUSION, AT LEAST OUR APPROACH TO IT.
I REALLY DON'T THINK THERE IS ONE OVERARCHING DEFINITION OF INCLUSION AS I SEE IT.
I SAY THAT BECAUSE I'VE WORKED ON A LOT OF PROJECTS.
ONE OF THE PROJECTS I WORKED ON, ACTUALLY,
[00:45:03]
IT'S A GOOD EXAMPLE OF WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT IS A PROJECT I DID IN CENTRAL OKLAHOMA, AND IT WAS AN INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND PROJECT.ONE OF THE THINGS WE WERE ASKED BY THE LOCAL DISABILITY COALITION WAS THEY WANTED TO FENCE IN THE AREA.
ONE OF THE REASONS THEY WANTED A FENCE IN THE AREA, WHICH I'VE NEVER HEARD THIS WAS ABOUT EIGHT YEARS AGO WAS THAT THEY WANTED TO MAKE IT AS MULTI GENERATIONAL AND COMFORTABLE FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS AS POSSIBLE.
YOU CAN IMAGINE THE STRESS OF CHASING A LITTLE KID AROUND WHEN YOU'RE NEXT TO A BUSY HIGHWAY AND YOU'RE TRYING TO ENJOY THE SPACE AS WELL.
I'VE NEVER HEARD THAT APPROACH BEFORE.
WE ACTUALLY DID A FENCE AT THIS PLAYGROUND.
BUT I POINT THAT OUT BECAUSE YOU CAN CERTAINLY DO AN INCLUSIVE SPACE WITHOUT DOING A FENCE AS WELL.
THAT'S WHY I'M SAYING THERE'S NOT REALLY ONE DEFINITIVE DEFINITION OF INCLUSION. CAN YOU GO TO THE NEXT ONE? THIS, I THINK ENCAPSULATES IT WELL.
ON THE LEFT ARE A PERSON'S ABILITIES AND ON THE RIGHT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO USE AN ENVIRONMENT.
I REALLY THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT DISABILITY AND ABILITIES DIFFERENT.
THE REASON I SAY THAT IS, I THINK WE NEED TO CELEBRATE ABILITIES RATHER THAN FOCUS ON WHAT A USER CANNOT DO.
LET'S FOCUS ON WHAT THEY CAN DO.
IF I WAS GOING TO SHOW ONE THING THAT ENCAPSULATES OUR INCLUSIVE APPROACH, I THINK THIS IS IT.
WE ARE TRYING TO NARROW THAT GAP BETWEEN A USER'S ABILITY AND THE CONSTRAINTS WE PLACE ON THAT ENVIRONMENT TO INTERACT WITH THAT ENVIRONMENT.
BECAUSE HONESTLY, AS DESIGNERS AND CONSTRUCTORS OF THOSE ENVIRONMENTS WE'RE THE ONES DETERMINING WHAT THE REQUIREMENT TO USE THAT ENVIRONMENT IS.
WE'LL NEVER CREATE A PLACE SPACE THAT EVERY KID CAN USE EVERY COMPONENT OUT THERE.
THAT'S JUST NOT OUR APPROACH TO INCLUSION.
WHAT WE ARE APPROACHING IS TRYING TO MAKE A SPACE AS USABLE TO THE GREATEST NUMBER OF PEOPLE TO THE GREATEST EXTENT POSSIBLE.
I THINK THAT'S TRUE INCLUSION.
I JUST USE THIS AS AN EXAMPLE BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING EVERYBODY CAN RELATE TO.
OBVIOUSLY, THAT'S GOING TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE SPACE AND THE COMPONENTS IN THAT SPACE.
ACCESS DOES NOT EQUAL INCLUSION.
WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE'RE PROVIDING ACCESS TO MEANINGFUL PLAY.
ONE THING YOU MAY NOT NOTICE ABOUT THIS RAMP IS IT IS TWICE AS WIDE AS A NORMAL RAMP.
WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT? BECAUSE WE WANT TO CELEBRATE ABILITIES? WE DON'T WANT TO HIGHLIGHT NEGATIVE STIGMA.
PICTURE YOURSELF AS A CHILD OF MOBILITY DEVICE COMING TO ACCESS AS PLAYGROUND.
THE REASON HAVING THAT RAMP THAT WIDE IS IMPORTANT IS BECAUSE AGAIN, WE'RE CELEBRATING ABILITIES.
THAT IS WIDE ENOUGH FOR A FULL SIZE WHEELCHAIR TO ACCESS AND A FULL SIZE WHEELCHAIR TO EGRESS OR DESCEND.
WHY THAT'S IMPORTANT, AGAIN, IS WE'RE TRYING TO BE EQUITABLE.
WE'RE TRYING TO BE FAIR. WE'RE TRYING TO CELEBRATE ABILITIES.
OFTENTIMES I FIND WITH DESIGN OF THESE INCLUSIVE SPACES, THE DETAILS MATTER A LOT.
PROVIDING THESE WIDER RAMPS, PROVIDING SHADE, YOU MAY NOT EVEN LOOK AT THAT AND THINK IT'S INCLUSIVE, BUT IT IS.
A LOT OF USERS OF THESE ENVIRONMENTS ARE ON CERTAIN MEDICATIONS THAT HAVE ADVERSE EFFECTS TO CONTINUE EXPOSURE TO SUNLIGHT.
WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THOSE THINGS AS WELL.
WE'VE GOT HALF PANELS THERE THAT ARE GOING TO PROVIDE FRONT REACH CAPABILITIES IF YOU'RE ON A MOBILITY DEVICE RATHER THAN SIDE REACH.
IT'S ALL ABOUT FUNCTIONALITY WHEN WE'RE DESIGNING THESE SPACES.
THAT PURPLE COMPONENT THERE, THAT'S CALLED THE ROCK WITH ME.
WHY THAT'S IMPORTANT IS BECAUSE THAT'S ONE OF THE FEW COMPONENTS WE PROVIDE THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY ACCESS WITHOUT TRANSFERRING OUT OF YOUR MOBILITY DEVICE.
AGAIN, IT'S FUNCTIONALITY, IT'S COMFORT.
IT'S ENCOURAGING EXPLORATION OF THE SPACE AS WELL.
BUT YOU ALSO HAVE MATERIAL LIKE THIS.
THIS IS A FAIRLY NEW MATERIAL IN OUR INDUSTRY, AND IF YOU CAN PICTURE, IT'S VERY SIMILAR TO A CONVEYOR BELT MATERIAL.
WHILE THAT RAMP I SHOWED IN THE PREVIOUS SLIDE IS A ONE AND 12 DEVIATION, BASICALLY, RAMP OR ACCESS.
>> THESE COMPONENTS RIGHT HERE ARE GOING TO BE A MUCH STEEPER INCLINE.
BUT THE REASON I CONSIDER THESE INCLUSIVE IS THE MATERIAL ITSELF IS VERY FORGIVING.
A LOT OF THE USERS OF THESE SPACES ALSO HAVE LOW MUSCLE DENSITY.
THEY'RE ON THEIR HANDS AND KNEES A LOT.
THAT'S GOING TO BE A MUCH MORE FORGIVING SURFACE TO CRAWL AROUND ON YOUR HANDS AND KNEES AND NOT NOT HAVE AS MUCH BRUISING BECAUSE OF JUST THE FUNCTION OF THIS MATERIAL.
NOW, WHILE IT'S NOT ONE AND 12, I THINK, AGAIN, THIS IS THE EVOLUTION AND THE REDEFINITION OF HOW WE BUILD THESE SPACES.
THIS WILL ALLOW A USER TO GET UP, HIGHER, QUICKER.
THERE'S ALSO RESEARCH COMING OUT OF UTAH STATE, WHO IS ONE OF OUR SCHOLAR PARTNERS ABOUT HEIGHT AND BREAKING DOWN SOCIAL BARRIERS.
THERE'S ACTUALLY A LOT OF RESEARCH, AND I'M HOPING HE'S GOING TO PUBLISH THIS STUDY THAT THE HIGHER KIDS GET THE MORE SOCIAL INTERACTION HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF AGE OR ABILITY.
BASICALLY, IF WE CAN GET KIDS HIGHER,
[00:50:01]
THEY'RE GOING TO INTERACT MORE. THEN IT WOULD AT THE GROUND LEVEL.AS THIS RESEARCH COMES OUT, WE REALLY NEED TO BE ON THE FOREFRONT OF THIS IN DESIGNING THESE SPACES TO PROMOTE SOCIAL INTERACTION, NOT JUST PHYSICAL INTERACTION.
THIS IS ONE OF MY PROJECTS AS WELL.
AGAIN, I'VE TALKED ABOUT DETAILS.
YOU WOULDN'T LOOK AT THIS AND THINK IT'S ANYTHING SPECIAL.
BUT IF YOU'RE A CHILD OR MOBILITY DEVICE AND YOU HAVE A 12 INCH ELEVATION TO TRANSFER OUT OF YOUR MOBILITY DEVICE ONTO THAT SLIDE, IT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD RATHER THAN TRANSFERRING OUT ONTO THE GROUND.
I'M TELLING YOU SMALL DETAILS LIKE THIS.
I'VE DONE ENOUGH OF THESE PROJECTS TO KNOW, AGAIN, THEY CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD TO A USER.
YOU MIGHT LOOK AT THIS AND WONDER WHY THIS IS INCLUSION.
WELL, THIS IS A JUMP IN POINT.
WE DON'T NEED TO JUST LOOK AT THE PHYSICAL.
WE NEED TO LOOK AT A SLIDE I'M GOING TO GET TO LATER THAT SHOWS THE BREAKDOWN OF ABILITIES AND DISABILITIES AND THE SMALLEST PORTION OF THOSE ARE PHYSICAL.
A LOT OF THESE ARE HIDDEN ABILITIES AND DISABILITIES, ONE OF WHICH MAY BE A CHILD OR A USER THAT ISN'T REALLY COMFORTABLE INTERACTING WITH THEIR PEERS UNTIL THEY'VE ACCLIMATED TO THE SPACE.
HAVING A TABLE NEXT TO ACTIVITY LIKE THIS.
REALLY THINKING ABOUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO LAY THESE SPACES OUT, CREATING LOOPING PLAY PATTERNS.
LITTLE OPPORTUNITIES LIKE THIS FOR, AGAIN, JUST A CHILD TO ACCLIMATE TO THEIR ENVIRONMENT BEFORE THEY INTERACT WITH THEIR PEERS.
SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THIS, ANOTHER PROJECT I DID.
THIS IS ACTUALLY ON THE PERIPHERY.
WE CALLED THIS THE WHAT DID WE CALL THAT? I CAN'T EVEN REMEMBER WHAT WE CALL THAT. I WAS SO LONG AGO.
BUT IT IS BASICALLY A SMALL AREA ON THE PERIPHERY OF THE PLAY AREA FOR A CHILD TO SIT AND ACCLIMATE BEFORE THEY GO INTERACT WITH THEIR PEERS.
IT IS REALLY LOOKING AT THE RESEARCH BEHIND HOW KIDS INTERACT, HOW THEY PLAY, AND TRYING AGAIN TO FACILITATE ENVIRONMENT THAT'S GOING TO BE COMFORTABLE TO THEM WHILE ALSO OFFERING A GRADUATED LEVELS OF CHALLENGE, INTERMEDIATE, BEGINNING, AND ADVANCED.
ALL THESE LITTLE THINGS THAT GO INTO THE DESIGN OF A SPACE, TO MAKE IT FUNCTIONAL.
THIS IS AN INCLUSIVE PIECE TO ME.
THAT EYE CONTACT IS CALLED A TUNEMENT RIGHT THERE.
WE'VE GOT A 2-5 BUCKET SEAT AND A DAD SWINGING WITH THEIR CHILD.
BUT WE ALSO HAVE THIS VERSION OF THE SEAT.
THIS VERSION OF THE SEAT IS GOING TO BE TO ME EVEN MORE INCLUSIVE.
IT'S GOING TO POSITION THE CHILD IN A MORE PRONE POSITION UPRIGHT SO THEY CAN HAVE THAT EYE CONTACT AS WELL.
SPECIALIZED ADAPTIVE DESIGN IS WHAT WE'RE GOING FOR AND THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST EXAMPLES OF THAT.
THIS IS AN INTERACTIVE SWITCH.
>> THIS IS AN INTERACTIVE SWITCH.
THAT YOUNG LADY BROUGHT THAT SWITCH TO THE POLICE BASE.
THIS IS AT THE SISKIN INSTITUTE, ONE OF OUR RESEARCH PARTNERS.
WE JUST MADE THAT PANEL ADAPTIVE TO THE ADAPTIVE SWITCH.
THAT YOUNG LADY CAN NOW PLUG INTO THAT AC JACK INSTEAD OF HITTING 12 BUTTONS ON THAT PANEL.
SHE CAN NOW CONTROL THAT ENTIRE PANEL FROM A SINGLE BUTTON IN HER LAP.
SHE NOW HAS CONTROL OVER SOMETHING.
IT'S GOT BUILT IN PAUSES SO SHE CAN PLAY THAT MUSIC.
THIS IS, AGAIN, SPECIALIZED ADAPTIVE DESIGN.
LOOKING AT THE SPECIFIC ABILITIES, NOT INABILITY, BUT ABILITY, AND TRYING TO PROVIDE A PLAY ACTIVITY FOR EVERYBODY OUT THERE.
OBVIOUSLY, ACCESSIBLE DESIGN IS THE LAW.
THAT IS TO ME, SOMEWHAT OF A LOW BAR IF YOU'RE GOING TO REALLY WANT TO BE INCLUSIVE.
THAT'S WHAT WE ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO PROVIDE.
BEYOND THAT A LITTLE BIT MORE IS UNIVERSAL DESIGN.
THE DESIGN OF PRODUCTS, ENVIRONMENTS TO BE USABLE BY ALL PEOPLE TO THE GREATEST EXTENT.
IT'S ONE STEP CLOSER WHERE WE'RE TRYING TO GET.
THEN WE GO ON TO INCLUSIVE DESIGN, RECOGNIZING EVERYONE'S RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE AND CONTRIBUTE IN MEANINGFUL PLAY INTENTIONALLY OFFERS ACTIVITY DESIGNED FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.
I THINK THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE TOO.
ON THE FAR LEFT IS WHAT WE WANT TO AVOID.
THAT'S BASICALLY CREATING A PLAY ENVIRONMENT THAT ADHERES TO THE DOJ STANDARDS FOR ADA, AND I DON'T KNOW, MAYBE WE PUT A COUPLE OF MUSIC PIECES ON THE OUTSIDE.
AS WE MOVE FARTHER RIGHT NOW WE'VE GOT SEGREGATION.
NOW WE'VE CREATED TWO PLAY AREAS.
ONE FOR ADAPTIVE AND SPECIALIZED NEEDS AND ONE FOR EVERYBODY ELSE.
THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO EITHER.
INTEGRATION IS A LITTLE BIT BETTER, BUT WE'RE STILL BASICALLY CREATING TWO PLAY ENVIRONMENTS, ONE THAT MEETS THE ADA STANDARD AND ONE THAT'S INCLUSIVE.
WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS ON THE FAR LEFT, THAT'S TRUE INCLUSION.
AS CREATING A SPACE AGAIN, USABLE BY THE MOST PEOPLE TO THE GREATEST EXTENT POSSIBLE, WE ARE PROMOTING SOCIAL INCLUSION AS WELL.
IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT PHYSICAL ACCESS.
IT IS SOCIAL INCLUSION, WHICH I'M PROUD TO SAY, I THINK OUR INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE IS REALLY STARTING TO GET ON BOARD WITH THAT AND NOT JUST LOOK AT PHYSICAL ACCESS.
[00:55:04]
THIS IS THE GRAPH I WAS TALKING ABOUT EARLIER.OUT OF 1,000 CHILDREN BETWEEN AGES OF THREE AND 21, RECEIVING SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES APPROXIMATELY 145 OF THOSE WILL HAVE DISABILITIES.
AND AS YOU CAN SEE, THE SMALLEST CATEGORY IS PHYSICAL.
IT'S GOING TO BE ONE, ONE OUT OF 145.
THE LARGEST GROUP BEING THOSE INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, COGNITION, THINGS LIKE THAT.
WHEN WE'RE DESIGNING THESE SPACES, AGAIN, DO THEY NEED RAMPS? YES, THEY DO.
DO THEY NEED ACCESSIBLE SURFACE? YES. DO WE NEED TO START WITH ACCESS? YES, BUT WE CAN DO BETTER.
WE CAN PUSH BEYOND THAT, AND WE REALLY DO WANT TO BE A PART OF THAT GOING FORWARD WITH THE CITY.
WE REALLY WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU AGAIN, ABOUT WHAT YOUR CITIZENS ARE SAYING ABOUT WHAT THEY NEED OUT THERE.
WHAT IS THE USER GROUP? WHERE ARE WE FAILING? WHERE DO WE NEED TO DO MORE? WE REALLY WANT TO BE PART OF THAT DISCUSSION.
ESPECIALLY WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE WHOLE CHILD.
WE REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT EVERY ASPECT OF THE CHILD FROM THE PHYSICAL TO THE SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, TO THE SENSORY TO THE COGNITION AND TO COMMUNICATION.
WE ARE REALLY LEARNING A LOT ABOUT HOW KIDS COMMUNICATE.
YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF THINGS LIKE COMMUNICATION BOARDS FOR THOSE USERS THAT DON'T COMMUNICATE AUDIBLY.
AGAIN, I REALLY AM PROUD OF OUR INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE ABOUT WHERE WE'RE GOING WITH THIS AND THE RESEARCH DOLLARS, WE AS GAME TIME AND PLAY CORE HAVE PUMPED INTO THE INDUSTRY TO REALLY LEARN HOW KIDS PARTICIPATE.
THE WAY WE'RE DIFFERENT, I THINK THE BIGGEST REASON IS THAT AGAIN, WE PARTNER WITH THESE SCHOLARS, AND WE HEAR WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY.
IT'S NOT ACTUALLY IN MYSELF SITTING IN A ROOM AND MAKING DECISIONS IN A VACUUM ABOUT WHAT AN INCLUSIVE SPACE LOOKS LIKE OR NEEDS TO LOOK LIKE.
WE'RE LISTENING TO OUR SCHOLARLY PARTNERS.
ON THE MAIN WAYS WE'RE DIFFERENT IS WHEN WE DO AN INCLUSIVE DESIGN, IF YOU'RE WILLING TO ADHERE TO OUR PRINCIPLES OF INCLUSIVE DESIGN.
WE CAN ACTUALLY GIVE YOU A METRIC RIGHT HERE AND SHOW YOU HOW WE'VE DEFINED IT, WHY IT'S IMPORTANT, WHO'S INTERACTING WITH IT, WHAT THE BENEFIT TO THE CHILD IS.
I DON'T KNOW ANYBODY ELSE OUT THERE IN OUR INDUSTRY THAT DO IN THIS KIND OF THING.
THERE'S A LOT OF BUZZWORDS GOING AROUND ABOUT INCLUSION, BUT COMPANY A IS GOING TO DEFINE IT DIFFERENT COMPANY B. I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO ASK HOW THEY GOT THAT DEFINITION.
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT, HOW THEY'RE GOING TO INTEGRATE THAT INTO YOUR SPACE.
I THINK WE DO THAT BETTER THAN ANYBODY.
WE HAVE FIVE WHAT'S CALLED NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION SITE APPROACHES.
THEY'RE BASICALLY BEST PRACTICE DESIGN GUIDES FOR EVERYTHING FROM INCLUSION TO ADULT FITNESS TO TRAILS TO NATURE.
THE COOL PART ABOUT THIS IS WE'RE NOT ONLY APPLYING OUR BEST PRACTICE DESIGN GUIDES TO ANY OF THESE FIVE DESIGNATIONS BY DOING THIS.
WE CAN ACTUALLY COLLECT DATA FROM YOUR SITE.
WE'RE GOING TO COMPILE THAT DATA.
WE USE A THREE REPORT SYSTEM THAT'S GOING TO GIVE YOU AN ANTICIPATED IMPACT.
AFTER 60 DAYS OF OPENING AND AFTER A CERTAIN NUMBER OF SCANS, WE CAN ACTUALLY PRODUCE A WHITE PAGE, WITH OUR PROPRIETARY ALGORITHM, WE CAN ACTUALLY GIVE YOU AN ANTICIPATED MENTAL HEALTH AND PHYSICAL HEALTH SAVINGS FOR EVERY USER OUT THERE.
WE ALL KNOW DATA IS DRIVING A LOT OF DECISIONS.
WE CAN HELP WITH THE PLANNING, WE CAN PULL SOME DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE USER POPULATION IN A THREE TO FIVE MILE RADIUS.
WE LET DATA DRIVE OUR DECISIONS AS WELL.
NOW, THE DAY, WE WANT TO MAKE IT FUN AS WELL.
THAT'S WHERE YOU GUYS COME IN AND YOU GIVE US NOT ONLY WHAT THE LOCAL POPULATION IS SAYING THAT THEY WANT AT A CERTAIN PARK, BUT WHAT ARE THE DEMOGRAPHICS? HOW DO WE DESIGN THE SPACE IF WE DON'T KNOW WHO'S USING IT? WE CAN HELP WITH THAT AS WELL.
WE CAN PULL THAT DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION AND GIVE YOU SOME DATA POINTS TO MAKE SOME DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT NEEDS TO BE IN THIS SPACE.
A LOT OF TIMES WE WILL START WITH IT NEEDS TO BE AN INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT, AND THE DATA TELLS US IT CAN STILL BE AN INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION THAT'S TELLING US SOME ADULT FITNESS EQUIPMENT WOULD BE ABOUT BE GREAT OUT THERE.
WELL, THAT GOES ALONG WITH INCLUSION BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE THESE MULTI GENERATIONAL SPACES.
THERE'S A LOT OF DATA OUT THERE THAT SAYS, IF YOU PROVIDE A CAREGIVER AND ADULT SOMETHING TO DO, THE KID GETS TO STAY AT THE PLAYGROUND LONGER BECAUSE THE ADULT HAS SOMETHING TO DO OTHER THAN STAY AT THEIR PHONE.
THAT'S DEFINITELY OUR APPROACH, AND IT WOULD TAKE ME A LONG TIME TO GO INTO ALL THE DETAILS OF THE NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION SITE PROGRAM, BUT THAT'S OUR PARTNER, UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY.
THAT'S OUR SCHOLAR PARTNER, AND THAT'S WHO'S DRIVING NOT ONLY OUR PROGRAM IN COLLATERAL, BUT ALSO OUR BEST PRACTICE DESIGN GUYS.
WE BASICALLY TOOK AN EXISTING SEVEN PRINCIPLES INCLUSIVE DESIGN, WHICH WAS ALREADY BUILT ENVIRONMENT.
WE WORKED WITH UTAH STATE AND KEITH CHRISTIANSEN, WHO'S A REGISTERED LA.
WE HAVE A RESEARCH SITE OUT THERE, BUT WE ALSO ALLOW HIM TO TAKE THOSE EXISTING SEVEN PRINCIPLES AND TAILOR THEM FOR THE PLAY AREA. ACTUALLY WANT TO HERE.
>> HERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW WE CAN IMPLEMENT THOSE PROCESSES IN A PARK AND A NEW DESIGN.
[01:00:07]
IF YOU SAW THIS SLIDE FROM EARLIER, YOU NOTED THAT THERE WERE THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF INCLUSIVE DESIGN, AND THAT IS THAT HAS THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES IN DESIGN IN THE PARK LAYOUT HERE.THE MORE WE'RE PROVIDING FOR KIDS TO ENGAGE WITH EACH OTHER AND OPPORTUNITIES TO HAVE MEANINGFUL CONNECTION AND BONDING OPPORTUNITIES WITH THEIR PLAYMATES, AS WELL AS THEIR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS, THE BETTER OFF WILL BE.
THEN I THINK HERE, JUST TO WRAP MOST OF THIS UP BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S A LOT OF INFORMATION.
BUT ULTIMATELY, OUR GOAL IS JUST TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CREATING AN ACCESSIBLE PLAYGROUND, WHICH IS MORE OF A BASELINE.
OUR GOAL IS TO GO BEYOND THAT AND TRY TO SET CLEAR EXPECTATIONS FOR YOUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ARE GOING TO BE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THESE PLAYGROUNDS MOVING FORWARD, AND JUST TRY TO PROVIDE AS MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR SIDE BY SIDE, MULTI GENERATIONAL PLAY, AS MANY ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES AS WE CAN.
ONE LAST THING I WILL SHOW YOU.
TALKING ABOUT THE PROGRESSION OF INCLUSIVE DESIGN.
WE KNOW NOW THAT SINCE THE RAMPED ENTRANCE SETS THE ACCESSIBILITY STANDARD, IF WE GO BEYOND THAT, WE'RE NOT ONLY CREATING THE RAMPED ENTRANCE THAT HAS THE EASE OF ACCESS FOR SOMEONE IN A MOBILITY DEVICE, BUT YOU'RE ALSO INCLUDING COMPONENTS ATTACHED TO THE FEATURE THAT ALLOW A CHILD TO HAVE SIDE BY SIDE PLAY, NOT TO MENTION THE DOUBLE WIDE RAMPS AS NICK SAID BEFORE.
BUT THIS IS A FULLER VERSION OF THE EVENT AS TOWER, WHICH GAME TIME WAS TASKED WITH COMING UP WITH.
EVERYONE IN OUR INDUSTRY IS ALWAYS BEING CHALLENGED TO PROVIDE WHAT'S NEW, WHAT'S GOING TO BE PUSHING THE ENVELOPE ON WHAT KIDS OF ALL DIFFERENT ABILITIES CAN ACCESS.
THIS WAS THE TOWER THAT WAS MOST RECENTLY DESIGNED BY GAME TIME AND IT FEATURES THAT SHOW GRIP MATERIAL.
WHICH ALLOWS A CHILD TO TRANSFER OUT OF THEIR DEVICE AND THEN ACCESS THOSE TALLER DECKS UP TO AN EIGHT OR 12 FOOT DECK WITHOUT THE USE OF STAIRS OR LADDERS.
TO A CHILD IN A MOBILITY DEVICE, HAVING THAT INDEPENDENCE BACK IS HUGE.
THEY ARE ABLE TO CRAWL OR SCOOT AND TRAVERSE UP A RISE CLIMBER THAT YOU'RE SEEING THERE WITH THAT MATERIAL.
THEN GOING UP TO THOSE HIGHER DECKS, THEY FEEL THAT INDEPENDENCE AGAIN.
BUT IT'S OPEN ENOUGH TO WHERE THEIR PARENTS CAN SEE THEM PLAYING.
THEY MIGHT BE SIDE BY SIDE WITH THEM.
BUT IT ALSO INTEGRATES THE OTHER ITEMS THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT, THE COZY SPACES FOR SENSORY REGULATION OR MUSIC COMPONENTS, AND WHAT HAVE YOU.
I THINK ULTIMATELY OUR GOAL WAS JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHERE WE ARE AND HOW DESIGN HAS CHANGED OUR INDUSTRY AND MOVING FORWARD, AND ALSO JUST TO GIVE YOU A PERSPECTIVE FROM OUR POINT OF VIEW AND THE TRENDS AND CHANGES THAT WE'RE SEEING ON OUR SIDE OF THINGS.
THIS IS A MAIN REASON WHY I'M HERE TONIGHT.
A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AT A TRADE SHOW IN FORT WORTH, MAYOR AND MAYOR PRO TEM APPROACHED OUR BOOTH AND THEY WERE ASKING, DO YOU GUYS HAVE A WHEELCHAIR SWING? I'M LIKE, WE GAME TIME DOESN'T MAKE ONE.
WE'RE TALKING THROUGH SOME OF THE IDEAS THAT WE HAVE ON INDIVIDUAL PIECES OR COMPONENTS THAT WE CAN LINK TO A STRUCTURE THAT ALLOWS A CHILD TO STAY IN THEIR DEVICE IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO USE THEIR UPPER EXTREMITIES.
THE WHEELCHAIR SWING WAS BROUGHT UP.
WE TALKED ABOUT HOW WE DON'T HAVE ONE.
BUT IN TALKING WITH NICK AND DOING SOME DIGGING INTO SOME OF THE PROJECTS THAT WE'VE COMPLETED ACROSS OUR COMPANY, WE HAVE BEEN TASKED WITH INTEGRATING ONE OF THESE WHEELCHAIR SWINGS INTO A DESIGN.
EVEN THOUGH GAME TIME DOESN'T MAKE ONE, IF YOU HAD SOMEONE IN YOUR COMMUNITY OR EVEN SOMEONE THAT'S ON THE COUNCIL MEMBER, SOMEONE THAT'S HELPING MAKE A DECISION IS VERY ADAMANT ABOUT HAVING SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
WE DON'T PROVIDE IT OR INSTALL IT.
THE CITY WOULD HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LIABILITY AND MAINTENANCE ON THE ACTUAL ITEM.
BUT WE CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH ACCESSIBLE SURFACING TO THE EQUIPMENT, AND THEN WE ALSO WOULD RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO KEEP IT IN AN ENCLOSED SPACE WITH FENCING AROUND IT BECAUSE IT CAN BE SOMEWHAT OF A HAZARD IF IT'S USED IMPROPERLY.
HOPEFULLY THINGS IN OUR INDUSTRY AND IN THE PLAYGROUND INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE ARE MOVING TOWARDS DESIGNING MORE ITEMS THAT THAT ALLOW A CHILD TO STAY IN THEIR DEVICE.
THIS IS THE ANSWER OR CERTAIN MANUFACTURERS ANSWERS TO PROVIDING EQUIPMENT LIKE THIS.
>> THANK YOU. I WANTED TO HAVE THIS BOARD AND THE CITY COUNCIL BE ABLE TO HEAR ALL OF THAT STUFF BECAUSE IT'S NOT SOMETHING I EVER THOUGHT OF WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT BUILDING A PARK.
I NEVER EVEN CONSIDERED IT BECAUSE, WELL, I DON'T HAVE ANY PHYSICAL OR MENTAL DISABILITIES, DEPENDING ON WHO YOU ASK.
IT'S JUST SOMETHING WE NEED TO START PAYING ATTENTION TO.
I WOULD REALLY LOVE FOR US TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO INTEGRATE SOME OF THIS STUFF IN EVERY PART GOING FORWARD, AND I WOULD REALLY LIKE US TO THINK ABOUT GOING
[01:05:02]
BACKWARDS AND LOOKING AT PARKS THAT WE ALREADY HAVE.I KNOW THE SWING. I TALKED TO EVERY PARK PERSON THAT WAS AT TML, AND THAT SEEMS LIKE A PRETTY DANGEROUS DEVICE.
BUT I KNOW THAT THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES OUT THERE.
I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN LOOK AT, BUT I REALLY APPRECIATE THE INFORMATION.
THANK YOU BOTH FOR SHOWING UP.
SORRY, I TOLD YOU THE WRONG TIME.
>> IT'S OKAY. [OVERLAPPING] THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> I'M GOING TO SCOOT OVER, SORRY.
HONESTLY, THIS WAS A GREAT PRESENTATION.
ONE THING I REALLY LIKE IS YOU GUYS HAVE MULTIPLE LAYERS OF INCLUSIVE ACCESS.
WHAT I REALLY LIKED IS THAT YOU GUYS PAIRED IT WITH THE WHOLE CHILD GRID.
I'M A DATA PERSON, AND THAT WAS REALLY DIGESTIBLE AND REALLY RELATABLE, SO REALLY GOOD ON THAT.
A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I WANTED TO FOLLOW UP ON.
I KNOW THIS WOULD PERSONALLY AFFECT QUITE A FEW FAMILIES THAT I KNOW PERSONALLY, SO YOU GUYS ARE DOING GOD'S WORK HERE.
YOU'RE PROVIDING HAPPINESS AND GOOD MEMORIES TO A LOT OF CHILDREN, AND ESPECIALLY A LOT OF PARENTS WHO GO THROUGH A LOT OF THEIR OWN STRESS, AND THIS IS AN ESCAPE FOR THEM.
YOU GUYS ARE DOING SOMETHING BIGGER HERE.
ONE THING I DID WANT TO ASK IS, I'VE BEEN TO OTHER PARKS AND THEY HAVE, FOR EXAMPLE, BRAILLE OR HAND SIGNS.
FOR EXAMPLE, IF THERE'S A SLIDE, THERE'LL BE A LITTLE PICTURE OF A HAND SIGNAL OR, WHATEVER, THE SIGN LANGUAGES FOR A SLIDE, AND THEN YOU PUT YOUR HAND ON IT, BRAILLE AS WELL.
DO YOU GUYS HAVE ANY OF THAT INTEGRATED INTO THIS?
>> FROM GAMETIME, THEY'RE CALLED WAYFINDER SIGNS.
THEY CAN BE ATTACHED TO AN EXISTING UPRATE, AND IT BASICALLY ALLOWS SOMEONE WITH LOW VISIBILITY OR A BLIND CHILD ACCESS TO DIFFERENT PLAY FEATURES ON THE PLAY STRUCTURE.
YES, WE CAN ATTACH THOSE TO AN UPRATE, OR THERE'S COMMUNICATION PANELS THAT HAVE MAYBE YOUR EMOTIONS OR LETTERS OR THINGS LIKE THAT THAT KIDS CAN ENGAGE WITH.
>> FANTASTIC. WHEN YOU THINK OF YOUR TOP 3 PARKS THAT YOU BUILT, WHAT WOULD MAKE THEM THE TOP 3, OUT OF CURIOSITY?
>> WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 PARKS THAT YOU'VE MADE SINCE YOU'VE MADE A COUPLE OF THOUSAND? JUST ANY THREE YOU CAN THINK OF THAT YOU GUYS WOULD PUT ON A PEDESTAL, AND WHAT WOULD MAKE THEM DIFFERENT? WHY ARE THEY SO GOOD? BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE'RE CURIOUS ABOUT.
>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION. YOU WERE ASKING ABOUT WAYFINDER SIGNS.
ONE OF THE BEST PROJECTS I DID, IT'S NOT THE BIGGEST, BUT IT WAS AN INCLUSIVE PROJECT AT CENTRAL OKLAHOMA.
IT WAS THE SAME PROJECT I WAS TALKING ABOUT WITH THE FENCING.
WASN'T THE BIGGEST, BUT I THINK IT WAS ONE OF THE BEST BECAUSE WE HAD PROBABLY FOUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MEETINGS BEFORE WE DESIGNED ANYTHING.
THE LAST ONE WAS ON OU-TEXAS WEEKEND, SO I'LL NEVER FORGET IT, EXCEPT SITTING IN THERE INSTEAD OF WATCHING THE GAME, BUT IT REALLY TURNED OUT WELL BECAUSE THE WAYFINDER SIGNS CAME UP.
WE THOUGHT WE HAD KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK.
WE WERE ON OUR THIRD MEETING, WE HAD LISTENED.
WE THOUGHT, WELL, WE'VE ADDRESSED EVERY CONCERN, WE'RE GOING TO START DESIGNING.
ONE LADY RAISED HER HAND IN THE BACK AND SAID, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR THE SIGHT-IMPAIRED COMMUNITY?" NOW I SAID, WE'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING, LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.
THE WAYFINDER SIGNS SHE'S TALKING ABOUT, THAT'S WHERE THAT CAME FROM.
WE TALKED IT OUT AND WE DECIDED LET'S PUT ONE UP RIGHT AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE PLAY AREA WITH ALL THE DIFFERENT ARROWS AND ALL THE DIFFERENT BRAILLE.
THEN WE ALSO DID EXACTLY WHAT YOU DISCUSSED, WHICH IS NEXT TO A SLIDE, THERE WAS AN ARROW WITH BRAILLE SLIDE, CLIMBER THIS WAY.
EVERY PROJECT I'VE DONE THAT I THINK TURNED OUT THE BEST IS WHEN WE TAKE OUR TIME AND WE ACTUALLY LISTEN TO THE COMMUNITY AND GET THEIR FEEDBACK BEFORE WE DESIGN ANYTHING, BECAUSE WE AS DESIGNERS MAKE A LOT OF ASSUMPTIONS A LOT.
A LOT OF TIMES, WE'RE NOT AFFORDED THAT OPPORTUNITY TO GET CREATIVE AND TAKE OUR TIME.
USUALLY, THE BIDS ON THIS DATE, HERE IS THE BUDGET, GO AFTER IT.
WHENEVER WE'RE GIVEN THAT OPPORTUNITY, I THINK IT TURNS OUT WELL.
THE OTHER ONE WAS A SIMILAR SITUATION.
WELL, WE DID MULTIPLE, BUT ONE OF THE LARGE THEMED PROJECTS WE DID FOR HUMBLE SCHOOL DISTRICT NEAR HOUSTON, AND THEY GAVE US A DINOSAUR THEME.
SIMILARLY, WE HAD A LOT OF DESIGN BIDDINGS AND REALLY GOT IT RIGHT.
IT TURNED OUT IT'S PROBABLY THE COOLEST PROJECT I'VE EVER WORKED ON.
IT WAS A DINOSAUR THEME, WE USED A LOT OF DIFFERENT MATERIALS.
I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT TOO, FROM A TACTILE NATURE FOR THAT SENSORY EXPERIENCE.
WE USED CONCRETE, WE USED PLASTICS, WE USED BIG HPL PANELS, AND MADE 20-FOOT T. REX COMPONENTS OUT THERE.
I'M A BIG PROPONENT OF THEMING.
THOSE TWO JUMPED TO MY MIND, AND THEY BOTH HAD THAT SAME COMPONENT OF COMMUNITY FEEDBACK AND TAKING OUR TIME WITH DESIGN.
I THINK IT REALLY TURNED OUT WELL.
>> THE ONLY HUMBLE REQUEST THAT I WOULD HAVE IS WHEN YOU THINK OF THESE TOP 3,
[01:10:02]
WHATEVER YOU BUILD HERE, WE WOULD LIKE TO BE IN THAT TOP 3 MOVING FORWARD.[LAUGHTER] THEN ONE FINAL QUESTION: WHAT IS THE MAINTENANCE ON THESE PRODUCTS? WHAT IS THE LIFE CYCLE OF THEM? IS IT BEYOND WHAT IS THE STANDARD PARK? DOES IT GO ABOVE AND BEYOND THAT? CAN YOU MAYBE TOUCH ON A LITTLE BIT OF THAT? I THINK YOU GUYS HAVE A UNIQUE PRODUCT.
>> WE DEFINITELY CAN. I WOULDN'T SAY AN INCLUSIVE SPACE IS MORE MAINTENANCE THAN A STANDARD PLAYGROUND.
I THINK THE NUMBER 1 THING THAT PEOPLE ASK US ABOUT IS THE SURFACING BECAUSE IT'S EXPENSIVE TO DO THAT IMPACT ATTENUATION.
WE TYPICALLY DO A PORT IN PLACE RUBBER, AND IT'S NOT MAINTENANCE-FREE.
THERE ARE PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE THINGS YOU CAN DO EVERY TWO YEARS, SEALING THE CAP, THINGS LIKE THAT.
IT'S SIMILAR TO ANYTHING ELSE.
ANYTHING THAT MOVES IS GOING TO BE MORE MAINTENANCE.
IF IT'S A SPINNER, IT'S GOING TO HAVE A BEARING IN IT.
YOU NEED TO LUBRICATE IT AND POSSIBLY REPLACE IT.
BUT THERE'S SOME OF THE ELECTRONICS, LIKE THE ADAPTIVE SWITCH I SHOWED EARLIER, THERE'S REALLY NO MAINTENANCE TO DO ON IT.
THE OTHER THING IS THESE ARE PUBLIC PARKS, SO THERE'S SOME THINGS THAT GO ON AT A PUBLIC PARK AFTER HOURS THAT ARE PLAY, SO THEY GET ABUSED.
BUT I WAS JUST SPEAKING TO SOMEBODY.
WE DID A BIG PROJECT IN SAN ANTONIO, AND IT'S BEEN OPEN FOR RIGHT AT A YEAR AT THANKSGIVING, AND WE'RE GETTING SOME MAINTENANCE CALLS.
I WAS TALKING TO THE CITY JUST THE OTHER DAY, AND I SAID, IT'S A GOOD SIGN TO ME, AND THEY COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY I WAS SAYING THAT.
I WAS LIKE, WE BUILT A SPACE THAT'S GETTING USED SO MUCH, YOU'RE GETTING MAINTENANCE ALL THE TIME.
THAT'S HOW I LOOK AT IT. IF WE HAVE A PLAYGROUND WE OPENED IN A YEAR AND IT'S STILL SHINING, YOU DIDN'T HAVE ANY DIRT ON, WE DID SOMETHING WRONG. NOBODY'S USING IT.
THIS ONE'S GETTING USED SO MUCH THAT THERE'S MAINTENANCE.
THERE'S DEFINITELY PREVENTATIVE THINGS YOU CAN DO, BUT I WOULDN'T SAY THERE'S MORE MAINTENANCE ON AN INCLUSIVE SPACE THAN THE STANDARD SPACE.
>> THAT'S A VERY CLEAR ANSWER. I LOVE IT. THANK YOU.
>> SPEAKING OF THE SURFACES AND THE MULTIPLE SURFACES, I NOTICED THAT ON THE RAMP THAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT, THAT YOU HAD A BLACK SURFACE, AND WE'RE HERE WITH 100 DEGREES, 105, 110, IF WE'RE HAVING A NICE SUMMER, HOW'S THAT AFFECT THE SURFACES AND THE KIDS' ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO PLAY ON THOSE SURFACES WHEN IT COMES TO THE HEAT? IS THERE GOOD HEAT TRANSFER? BECAUSE THAT SEEMS LIKE I WOULD BE CONCERNED WITH THE DARK MATERIAL.
>> [LAUGHTER] IT'S HOT IN TEXAS, WE KNOW THAT.
FOR THAT REASON, I ALWAYS ADVISE IF WE HAVE TO MAKE A SMALLER PLAYGROUND AND ADD MORE SHADE OVER IT, I WILL ABSOLUTELY DO THAT BECAUSE THE LAST THING YOU WANT IS A CHILD TRANSFERRING OUT OF THEIR DEVICE AND SITTING ON THE GROUND AND GETTING BURNED, OR A BABY WHO GOES TO USE AN OVERHEAD CLIMBER BECAUSE THEY WANT TO EXPLORE AND BE INDEPENDENT AND THEY BURN THEIR HANDS.
I WOULD SAY THAT THERE'S REALLY NO DEFINITIVE ANSWER ON WHETHER IT'S GOING TO BE TEMPER-PROOF.
IT'S GOING TO BE WARMER THAN THE GRASS EVEN BECAUSE THE SURFACING IS RUBBER PELLETS, AND THEN THE DECK IS RUBBER-COATED.
THEY DO GET WARMER, BUT I GUESS FROM AN INDUSTRY STANDARD, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD?
>> NO. SHE'S RIGHT. ANYBODY THAT TELLS YOU THEY CAN SELL YOU A RUBBER OR TURF THAT DON'T GET HOT, I'D ASK THEM SOME MORE QUESTIONS.
WE CAN ASK ABOUT SHADE ALL THE TIME BECAUSE IT'S EXPENSIVE.
THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE A PARK, ESPECIALLY IN TEXAS, USABLE AT EVERY DAY IN THE SUMMER IS TO SHADE THE ENTIRE SPACE.
WE CAN DO INTEGRATED SHADES, BUT THEY'RE GOING TO MOVE WITH THE ROTATION OF THE EARTH AROUND THE SUN, SO MAYBE FROM 11:00-2:00, THAT PLAYGROUND WILL BE SHADED.
AS THE SUN GETS LONGER, OR IT'S IN THE MORNING, THOSE SHADOWS ARE GOING TO MOVE, SO IT'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING TO CONSIDER.
IT'S JUST THAT, DO YOU WANT TO DO A GIGANTIC FREESTANDING SHADE OR BE SELECTIVE WITH WHERE YOU SHADE? BUT IT DOES GET HOT. YES.
>> ASHLEY AND NICK, I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU.
IT JUST SEEMS LIKE YOU'RE REALLY IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR SO MANY CHILDREN, AND I APPLAUD THAT.
I WANTED TO ASK ABOUT THE LONGEVITY OF THE PARK.
ARE WE TALKING A 10-YEAR, 15-YEAR PARK IF WE DO USE YOU GUYS FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS?
>> THANK YOU, BY THE WAY, FOR RECOGNIZING THAT.
IT'S ALWAYS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK IN FRONT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE HELPING MAKE THOSE DECISIONS THAT WE'RE HERE DISCUSSING.
THANK YOU FOR ENGAGING WITH US ON THAT.
AS FAR AS LONGEVITY, I CAN TELL YOU THIS MUCH.
I WORK A LOT IN EAST TEXAS AS WELL AS NORTH TEXAS.
CITY OF LUFKIN, IN PARTICULAR, HAS ALL GAMETIME PLAYGROUNDS IN THEIR PUBLIC PARKS.
WE ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING AT REPLACING THEIR PLAYGROUNDS THAT HAVE BEEN IN THE GROUND IN PUBLIC SPACES FOR 25-30 YEARS.
FROM A MATERIAL STANDPOINT, THAT IS THE BEST REFERRAL THAT I CAN GET FROM A CUSTOMER IS WE WANT TO BUY FROM GAMETIME AGAIN BECAUSE IT'S BEEN IN THE GROUND FOR SO LONG.
WHETHER YOU HAVE TO REPLACE A PLASTIC PANEL THAT HAS BECOME, WHAT IS IT,
[01:15:02]
SUN-WEATHERED OVER TIME, IF IT'S NOT UNDER THE SHADE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, IF THE METAL DECK IT RUSTED AFTER IT'S BEEN 30 YEARS, THAT'S NOT TOO BAD.IT'S GETTING USED. FROM A MAINTENANCE PERSPECTIVE, GAMETIME HAS BEEN IN BUSINESS LONG ENOUGH THAT IF WE DON'T MANUFACTURE THAT EXACT SAME PIECE ANYMORE, THEY'LL HAVE SOMETHING THAT IS ADVISABLE FOR FUTURE USE IN REPLACEMENT.
>> I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION BECAUSE IT ALWAYS COMES DOWN TO BUDGET.
MY QUESTION IS, SINCE YOU'VE BEEN DOING THIS SO LONG, ARE YOU AWARE OF GRANTS OR WAYS THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY USE YOUR PRODUCTS AND NOT HAVE TO SPEND QUITE AS MUCH?
>> ABSOLUTELY. GAMETIME HAS A GRANT EVERY YEAR THAT THEY OFFER TO THEIR CUSTOMERS.
IT'S BASICALLY WHAT WE REFER TO IT AS A COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS GRANT.
IT'S A MATCHING GRANT THAT GOES TOWARDS EQUIPMENT, BUT WE ALSO HAVE RESOURCES THAT ARE OUT THERE THAT ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH, WHAT'S THE WORD THAT VICTORIA HAS?
>> YES. THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO PARTNER WITH A CITY, A SCHOOL DISTRICT, AN HOA TO HELP STRETCH THAT BUDGET EVEN FURTHER.
THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES OUT THERE FOR THAT.
>> WE'RE GOING TO BE LAUNCHING A PARTNERSHIP WITH TRAPS IN FEBRUARY THAT'S GOING TO BE REALLY FOCUSED ON A LOT OF THIS DATA AND BEST PRACTICES DESIGN.
THERE'LL BE SOME FUNDING ATTACHED TO THAT AS WELL.
I WOULD SAY IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, WE SAW A MAJOR INFLUX OF PRIVATE FUNDING SPECIFICALLY TO INCLUSIVE PROJECTS.
THERE'S PHILANTHROPIC ARMS OF PRETTY MUCH EVERY COMPANY OUT THERE, AND THERE'S A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE TRYING TO MAKE BIG CHANGES TO EVERY COMMUNITY.
I WOULD SAY THERE'S A LOT OF RESOURCES OUT THERE, AND WE CAN DEFINITELY HELP CONNECT YOU WITH THEM IF NEEDED.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY? I'M GETTING OVER BEING SICK.
I LIKE THIS TYPE OF PLAY STRUCTURE.
I THINK SOMETIMES GREAT IDEAS HAVE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.
YOU PUT A SLIDE UP ON THE WHEELCHAIR SWING, AND YOU PUT THE WORD LIABILITY UP THERE, SO I WANT TO ASK ABOUT LIABILITY FOR A SECOND FOR THE CITY.
I DON'T MEAN TO BE INSENSITIVE.
I'M PLAYING DOUBLE TO ADVOCATES HERE, BUT THE FIRST THING I SAW WHEN I SAW THE WIDE RAMP, AND I SAW THE STRUCTURE WHERE PEOPLE CAN CRAWL UP IT.
MY KIDS ARE OLDER, SO THEY DON'T GO TO THE PARK ANYMORE, NOT TO PLAY STRUCTURE, BUT WHEN THEY DID, IT WAS A MADHOUSE.
KIDS WERE JUMPING OFF OF THINGS, AND I WAS ALWAYS AFRAID OF MY CHILDREN GETTING HURT.
I UNDERSTAND WHY, AND I'M NOT TRYING TO BE INSENSITIVE, BUT IF YOU'RE PUTTING PEOPLE THAT ARE DISABLED ON THESE STRUCTURES AND THEY'RE GETTING OUT OF THEIR DEVICES AND THEY'RE CRAWLING UP THESE THINGS, HAVE YOU SEEN AN UPTICK IN INJURY TO THEM? BECAUSE I COULD SEE SITUATIONS WHERE THE MADNESS OF A PARK AND KIDS ARE STEPPING ON FINGERS, WHERE THINGS ARE HAPPENING, AND PEOPLE ARE GETTING HURT.
I'M JUST CURIOUS, HAVE YOU SEEN AN UPTICK IN INJURY, AND DOES IT CREATE ANY UNINTENDED LIABILITY FOR THE CITY BECAUSE THERE'S MORE INJURIES?
>> I WOULDN'T SAY UNINTENDED LIABILITY, THAT'S AN INTERESTING STAT.
ASHLEY AND I HAVE BOTH BEEN THROUGH THE CERTIFIED PLAYGROUND SAFETY INSPECTOR, AND ALL THE DATA THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT TELLS YOU THAT THE NUMBER 1 SERIOUS INJURY THAT HAPPENED ON THE PLAYGROUND IS FROM A FALL.
WE'RE NOT COLLECTING THAT DATA.
I CAN'T REMEMBER OFF TOP OF MY HEAD WHERE THEY GET THAT DATA, BUT I'M NOT AWARE OF ANY DATA SETS ABOUT INJURIES, NUMBERS, OR TYPES FROM AN INCLUSIVE SPACE COMPARED TO JUST A STANDARD PLAYGROUND AREA.
I WILL SAY THIS, I ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE, KIDS DON'T READ SIGNS.
OUR INDUSTRY IS WE HAVE TO DESIGNATE WHAT AGE GROUP IS SUPPOSED TO USE THEM.
I ALWAYS LAUGH WITH PEOPLE BECAUSE I'M LIKE, I'VE GOT KIDS.
MY FIVE-YEAR-OLD IS NOT GOING TO LOOK AT THAT.
IT'S TOO OLD FOR ME, I'M NOT DOING IT. THEY'RE GOING TO GO DO IT.
SUPERVISION IS PART OF IT, BUT THESE ARE ALSO PUBLIC PARTS.
I WOULD SAY, FIRST OF ALL, SURFACING IS NOT MEANT TO KEEP A KID FROM SKINNING THEIR KNEE OR, FRANKLY, BREAKING AN ARM.
THE REASON YOU HAVE PLAYGROUND SURFING IS TO PROTECT AGAINST TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY, A FALL FROM A CERTAIN HEIGHT.
I THINK THEY'RE DOING A BETTER JOB OF THAT LATELY BECAUSE TOWERS ARE COMING BACK.
THEY'RE BACK IN STYLE, SO EVERYBODY'S GOING HIGHER NOW.
WELL, THAT'S A SITUATION WHERE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT IS OUTPACING STANDARDS.
THERE'S NOTHING ON THE BOOKS YET.
THEY ACTUALLY JUST PUBLISHED ONE, BUT THEY'RE GOING TO GO BACK IN NOVEMBER AND REPUBLISH IT.
THEY'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS, WELL, IF I BUILD A TOWER AND IT'S ENCLOSED ON ALL SIDES, WHERE'S A KID GOING TO FALL FROM? MY ARGUMENT IS A KID WILL CLIMB ANYTHING.
IF YOU BUILD A 20-FOOT TOWER, I DON'T CARE IF THE DECK'S AN EIGHT-FOOT, THEY'RE GOING TO CRAWL UP 20 FEET.
>> ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE SLIDE?
>> YEAH, ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE SLIDES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
[01:20:03]
THE SURFACING IS THE NUMBER 1 THING THAT'S GOING TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY, BUT YOU'RE NOT WRONG.THAT'S HONESTLY WHERE THEY'RE LEARNING SOCIAL BEHAVIOR.
THERE'S A LOT OF LEARNING GOING ON AT A PLAY SPACE THAT KIDS DON'T EVEN REALIZE.
THEY'RE LEARNING HOW TO INTERACT WITH THEIR PEERS.
I DON'T HAVE ANY INJURY STATISTICS ON IT, BUT I UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERN.
PLAYGROUNDS, IT'S LIKE LORD OF THE FLIES SOMETIMES.
THOSE KIDS ARE MAKING THEIR OWN RULES OUT THERE, SO I CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
WE JUST DON'T HAVE ANY DATA ON THAT, UNFORTUNATELY.
>> I'D LIKE TO FURTHER WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT.
I REMEMBER WE HAD ANOTHER VENDOR UP HERE, AND THEY HAD SHOWN SLIDES OF A WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE SWING.
THERE WERE SEVERAL DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF IT.
I ALSO HAPPENED TO SEE THAT VENDOR WHEN WE WERE AT TML.
YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THAT BEING A LIABILITY FOR THE CITY, AS FAR AS THAT, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THAT WOULD DEFINITELY BE AN ACCEPTABLE LIABILITY.
BUT TO ME, IT WOULD SEEM THAT THAT WOULD BE ONE OF THOSE KEY THINGS FOR PEOPLE THAT, IF YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT THEM GETTING IN AND OUT OF A WHEELCHAIR, TO WHERE THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO GET OUT OF THE WHEELCHAIR AND COULD HAVE SOMEBODY WITH THEM AND SWING WITH THEM.
IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU ALL SHOULD BE SERIOUSLY LOOKING INTO?
>> THE PROBLEM WITH IT IS, YOU CAN SEE IT THERE.
ONCE YOU PUT A CHILD IN A WHEELCHAIR AND A SWING, AND IT'S ON A PLATFORM AND THAT ENTIRE PLATFORM SWING WITH NOT ONLY THE WEIGHT OF THE WHEELCHAIR, BUT THE PLATFORM AND THE USER.
YOU MIGHT HAVE 400 POUNDS SWING BACK AND FORTH AT A RAPID RATE.
THAT COULD BE A SERIOUS INJURY.
THAT PICTURE WE JUST HAD UP THERE OF IT BEING FENCED IN, THAT'S WHY WE TRY TO AVOID DOING IT, HONESTLY, BECAUSE I WISH WE COULD FIGURE OUT A SAFE WAY TO DO IT.
BUT THAT POTENTIAL FOR INJURY MEANS WE PUT IT UNDER LOCK AND KEY.
A LOT OF PEOPLE, A LOT OF CITIES I'VE WORKED WITH, THEY'LL GO AS FAR AS TO PUT UP THE FENCE AND BASICALLY PRINT OFF 1,000 KEYS AND KEEP THEM AT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
IF YOU WANT THE KEY, GO TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND GET IT.
THAT'S ONE ADDRESS OF IT, BUT THAT'S NOT INCLUSION TO ME.
WE'RE CREATING A SPACE FOR IF YOU'RE IN A WHEELCHAIR, YOU WANT TO SWING, YOU GO OVER HERE.
I WISH I HAD A BETTER ANSWER AND A PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT THING FOR IT.
I KNOW THERE'S SOME THINGS OUT THERE THAT ARE TRACK RIDES.
THEY'RE NOT NECESSARILY SWINGING BACK AND FORTH, BUT THEY'RE ON A TRACK. THAT'S NOT.
>> [OVERLAPPING] THE GLIDER, WHAT DID YOU CALL IT ACTUALLY?
>> THAT'S CALLED THE ROCK WITH ME.
THERE ARE OTHER MANUFACTURERS OUT THERE THAT HAVE SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THIS THAT HAS LIMITED MOBILITY BACK AND FORTH, SO THAT IT CAN'T BECOME A PENDULUM.
[OVERLAPPING] I THINK THERE ARE OTHER ANSWERS TO THAT STRUCTURE THAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR, THE WHEELCHAIR SWING, THAT TERMINOLOGY SPECIFICALLY DOESN'T EXACTLY FIT THIS, BUT THIS IS THE CLOSEST THAT WE CAN GET THAT ALLOWS SOMEONE TO STAY IN THEIR DEVICE, BE INDEPENDENT, AND ALSO HAVE THAT SWING MOTION BACK AND FORTH.
>> WITH THIS ONE, OTHER CHILDREN, THEIR FRIENDS, CAN GET IN THERE WITH THEM?
>> [OVERLAPPING] THAT'S NOT JUST A ONE-PERSON, YOU COULD ACTUALLY HAVE YOUR FRIENDS IN THE DEVICE WITH THEM.
>> THERE'S SEATS ON EITHER SIDE, AND THEN THERE'S ENOUGH ROOM IN THE MIDDLE FOR SOMEONE TO BE ABLE TO ENTER INTO THE PIECE AND TURN AROUND.
IT'S A LARGE ENOUGH PLATFORM FOR THEM TO HAVE ACCESS.
THEN, YOU CAN ROCK IT FROM INSIDE THE PIECE, AND THEN YOU CAN ROCK IT FROM OUTSIDE AS WELL.
>> IDEALLY, THEY'D BE INTERACTIVE AND BE COOPERATIVE PLAY.
THERE MIGHT BE SOME OF THEIR FRIENDS ON THE OUTSIDE, ACTUALLY MAKING A MOVE.
I'M NOT GOING TO OVERSELL IT. IT'S NOT LIKE.
[OVERLAPPING] THAT'S GOOD TO ME
>> THAT WOULD BE DEFINITELY SOMETHING EXCELLENT TO HAVE.
IT SEEMED LIKE ONE OF THE OTHER VENDORS HAD GIVEN A SLIDE WHERE THEY HAD A SWING SET WITH SEVERAL NORMAL SWINGS AND THEN ONE, THAT WAS TAKING UP THE SPACE OF TWO SWINGS, THAT WAS WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE, BUT THAT SOUNDS LIKE A BETTER DEAL THERE, WHERE YOU HAVE YOUR FRIENDS ON BOARD WITH YOU?
WE HAVE WHAT'S CALLED AN INCLUSIVE WORLD.
IT WOULD BASICALLY BE IF YOU CAN PICTURE A MERRY-GO-ROUND THAT'S AT GRADE, SO YOU CAN ACTUALLY TRAVERSE ONTO THAT. [OVERLAPPING].
>> WE HAVE OUT OF YOUR MOBILITY DEVICE.
>> THAT PART GETS USED A LOT BY ALL.
THAT'S WHY I WANT TO GO BIGGER, AND WE HAVE FINLEY COMING UP.
I WANT TO FIRST OFF, ASHLEY, THE REASON YOU'RE HERE IS BECAUSE YOU HAD THE BEST RESPONSE AND ANSWER, AND YOU MADE US FEEL WELCOME.
WHENEVER EVERYONE ELSE JUST HANDED US A BOOK.
SOME TRIED, BUT YOU AND YOUR TEAM AT TML REALLY ANSWERED OUR QUESTION AND SOLD ME ON THE GLIDER.
WE DON'T NEED A SWING BECAUSE WE LEARNED.
IT'S NOT ONLY UNSAFE, MAYBE FOR THE KIDS IN A WHEELCHAIR, BUT IT'S REALLY UNSAFE FOR 5,000 POUNDS, GET TO SWING AND THE KIDS RUNNING AROUND IN THE PLAYGROUND AND GET KNOCKED 20 YARDS.
I'M SOLD ON WE DON'T NEED A SWING.
[01:25:01]
BUT MY VISION IS, EVERY ONE OF OUR PLAYGROUNDS HAS SOME PART OF THIS.BUT ALSO INCLUDE EVERYONE IN IT, LIKE JOHNSON.
BUT ALSO, I WOULD LIKE TO GO BIGGER THAN JOHNSON.
THAT'S THAT, AND WE HAVE PLENTY OF PLAYGROUNDS COMING ON BOARD THAT WE CAN.
I DO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE COUNSEL.
ASHLEY TOLD US WE JUST GOT TURNED DOWN AND LOST THE BID FOR SLATER.
WE KNEW THAT WE HAD THIS JOINT MEETING, AND WE FOUND OUT THAT THIS WAS A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OF US TO LEARN BECAUSE I'VE LEARNED A LOT, AND I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU, CAN WE HAVE THAT PRESENTATION EMAILED TO US SO WE CAN READ MORE AND EDUCATE OURSELVES? WE FOUND THAT OPPORTUNITY, YOU KNOW, FOR YOU GUYS TO COME AND TEACH US ALL, THE PARKS BOARD, THE COUNSEL, THE STAFF ABOUT INCLUSION, AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS AND WHAT THE STANDARDS ARE GOING TO.
I ALWAYS LIKE TO BE ABOVE THE STANDARD.
BUT YOU WERE MORE WILLING, YOU JUMPED, YOU DIDN'T HESITATE.
I THANK YOU, AND YOU'VE FOUGHT THE COLLIN COUNTY TRAFFIC, AND I APPRECIATE THAT.
I LOVE THE PRESENTATION, AND WE CAN NEVER MAKE A PROMISE, BUT I HOPE WE GET TO WORK WITH YOU GUYS IN THE FUTURE.
>> I'M GOING TO SAY THANK YOU, ASHLEY, FOR THAT.
I'M PART OF A COMPANY THAT DOES DEVELOPMENTAL CHILD DEVELOPMENT BECAUSE IT'S HUGE.
DO YOU WORK WITH THE CHILD PSYCHOLOGIST DEVELOPMENT WITH THE UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY WHEN YOU DESIGNED THESE?
WE WORK WITH KEITH CHRISTIANSON.
HE'S A REGISTERED LA AND THE FATHER OF A DAUGHTER WITH A DISABILITY, AND WE BASICALLY UTILIZE UTAH STATE.
IT USED TO BE THEIR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, BUT NOW THEY'VE RETITLED THAT DEPARTMENT.
I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT IT IS OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, BUT WE ALSO PARTNERED WITH A YOUNG LADY NAMED JENNY SOMER.
SHE WORKED AT THE CISCIN INSTITUTE FOR YEARS.
SHE HER ONE OF HER MAIN CHARGES THERE WAS JUST TO WORK WITH CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH VARYING ABILITIES.
THAT WAS HER IN THAT VIDEO, ACTUALLY RUNNING THAT LITTLE ADAPTIVE SWITCH.
SHE'S DEFINITELY OUR GURU AND SOMEBODY I LEARNED FROM.
THAT'S THE ONE THING I'VE NOTICED ABOUT THESE PROJECTS.
I DON'T THINK I'VE DONE AN INCLUSIVE PROJECT WHERE I DIDN'T LEARN SOMETHING.
BUT IT'S NOT A BAD IDEA TO HAVE A THERAPIST OR A CHILD PSYCHOLOGIST OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT AS PART OF OUR SCHOLAR NETWORK?
>> BECAUSE INTERACTING WITH A CHILD, I MEAN, WITH THE HANDS ON IS VERY IMPORTANT, AND I'VE SEEN THE DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES OF THAT ALSO.
IN THE QUESTION, I KNOW THESE ARE PLAYGROUNDS.
HAVE YOU GUYS EVER THOUGHT ABOUT INCORPORATING SOME OF THESE COMPONENTS INTO A TRAIL SYSTEM?
YEAH. THAT'S ONE OF THE FIVE NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION SITES.
WE PARTNERED WITH AMERICAN TRAILS BECAUSE FAMILIES WEREN'T USING TRAILS.
WE PARTNERED WITH THEM. HOW DO WE DO IT? OUR CONCEPT THERE WAS TO CREATE SMALLER POCKETS OF PLAY, DOTTED ALONG A TRAIL WITH EDUCATIONAL SIGNAGE AND MAKE THEM THEMED TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
WHAT'S YOUR STATE BIRD, THESE THINGS? WHAT WE FOUND WAS, FAMILIES STARTED USING TRAILS MORE.
BUT KIDS WERE GETTING ACTIVITY.
PLAY TO ME IS A HIDDEN EXERCISE TO A KID.
THEY DON'T REALIZE THEY'RE LEARNING ANYTHING.
THEY ALSO DON'T REALIZE THEY'RE EXERCISING, BUT THEY STARTED PLAYING ON THESE TRAILS.
MOM, DAD OR CAREGIVER WAS WALKING BEHIND THE KID, THEY'D RUN UP, PLAY IN THE PLAY POCKET FOR A WHILE, RUN BACK, TELL THEIR PARENTS ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE ABOUT TO SEE, RUN AGAIN.
THEY WERE JUST RUNNING ALL OVER THESE TRAILS.
THAT EDUCATIONAL SIGNAGE HAS ACTIVITIES THAT THE PARENT CAN READ WHILE THE CHILD IS PLAYING, AS WELL, AND IT TEACHES ABOUT LOCAL FLORA AND FAUNA AS WELL.
AS FAR AS SPECIFIC TO INCLUSION, I MEAN, WE COULD CERTAINLY APPLY THAT TO A TRAIL AS WELL, PROBABLY JUST SMALLER INDEPENDENT PIECES RATHER THAN ONE LARGE STRUCTURE.
>> YEAH. LIKE THE MUSIC, THE SELF, AND THE MUSIC PART, AND IT'S BECAUSE MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL ASPECT IS HUGE.
A LOT OF THE TIMES, WE HAVE STUFF IN THE TRAIL, BUT NOT SOMETHING WITH THE SENSORY, THOSE THINGS. THAT'S WHY I ASKED.
WE KNOW WE HAVE A MINIMUM OF 5% OF OUR CITIZENS THAT ARE REGISTERED AS ADA.
I SAY THAT'S A MINIMUM BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE AN EXACT NUMBER, BUT IN 2020 CENSUS, THAT'S OVER 900 PEOPLE.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE GIVING THIS A LOT OF ATTENTION.
I APPRECIATE OUR COUNSEL BRINGING THIS BEFORE US TONIGHT. THANK YOU.
[01:30:02]
>> I WAS BLESSED WITH A DAUGHTER WITH DOWN SYNDROME.
FROM THE VERY ONSET, WE WERE TOLD TO TAKE HER TO A PLAYGROUND FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY.
I THINK ABOUT THIS PARK IN PARTICULAR THAT WE'VE SHOWN WITH ALL THESE RAMPS, AND I THINK TO MYSELF, SHE WOULD RUN UP THAT RAMP BEFORE SHE'D EVER CLIMB THOSE STAIRS.
HOW DO WE MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR THOSE WHO NEED THOSE STAIRS FOR DEVELOPMENTAL PURPOSES, BUT NOT TAKE AWAY FROM THOSE WHO NEED THOSE RAMPS FOR SOCIAL PURPOSES?
>> I MEAN, ONE WAY WE CAN DO IT IS THERE CAN BE MULTIPLE POINTS OF ACCESS.
WE CAN UTILIZE A RAMP, WE CAN UTILIZE WHAT'S CALLED A TRANSFER STATION, BUT WE CAN STILL DO STAIRS.
BUT AS ASHLEY POINTED OUT HERE, THIS IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF A HYBRID STRUCTURE, TRADITIONAL RAMPING.
BUT ALSO WE'VE GOT I THINK VARYING DEGREES OF CHALLENGE ARE IMPORTANT.
WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS, TO YOUR POINT.
IF WE'RE GOING TO DO CLIMBERS.
WE NEED ONE THAT'S BEGINNING, ONE THAT'S INTERMEDIATE, AND ONE THAT'S ADVANCED.
THAT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH INCLINATION.
IS IT BRACHIATING HAND OVER HAND OVERHEAD? ARE YOU SIMPLY ASCENDING SOME STAIRS? IS BALANCE INVOLVED? SO THAT SHOULDN'T BE AN ISSUE FOR US AT ALL.
WE CAN STILL DO A RAMP STRUCTURE AND STILL PROVIDE THERE'S THERE'S A MISNOMER OUT THERE THAT IF YOU DO AN INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT, IT DOES IT'S NOT PHYSICALLY CHALLENGING.
I'VE DONE INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENTS THAT HAVE 20 FOOT NETS ON THEM AS WELL. THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.
AGAIN, AS WE WERE TALKING ABOUT EARLIER, ABOUT WHAT ARE THE BEST PROJECTS I'VE BEEN A PART OF, IT'S WHEN WE GET THAT FEEDBACK.
I UNDERSTAND ACCESS IS GOING TO BE IMPORTANT, IT'S GOING TO BE PARAMOUNT, BUT WE STILL NEED CHALLENGING CLIMBERS. LET'S START THERE.
WE REALLY START THE DESIGN PROCESS WITH WHAT ARE YOUR KEY OUTCOMES THAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR? WHAT ARE THE MUST HAVES? IT MIGHT BE SHADE.
IT MIGHT BE MAKE SURE WE HIT THAT CONTINUUM OF CHALLENGE FOR CLIMBERS.
ADDRESSING THAT WOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE AT ALL. WE COULD DEFINITELY DO THAT.
IF YOU CAN GO BACK TO THE PICTURE THAT HAS A LOT OF THE SHADE. IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND.
ONE OF THE THINGS I DO LIKE IS THAT YOU GUYS HAVE A LOT OF SHADE, BUT ONCE IT STARTS TO GET PROBABLY AROUND FOUR OR FIVE, THAT SUN IS COMING IN FROM AN ANGLE.
IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO WITH THE LANDSCAPING TO HELP OFFSET THAT, MAYBE JUST A LITTLE BIT OF THINNER TALLER TREES TO HELP OFFSET SOME OF THAT SUNLIGHT AS IT COMES IN? IS THERE ANYTHING LIKE THAT WE CAN DO?
>> I MEAN, NATURAL LANDSCAPING AROUND THE PLAYGROUND IS DEFINITELY GOING TO HELP YOU.
THE CHALLENGE WITH THAT SOMETIMES MIGHT BE YOU'RE WORKING WITH AN OPEN AREA WHERE THERE IS NO LANDSCAPING, AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE YEARS FOR THOSE TREES TO DEVELOP.
BUT I WOULD SAY, THE ANSWER TO PROVIDING AS MUCH SHADE AS POSSIBLE WOULD BE TO INTEGRATE SHADE INTO THE STRUCTURE ITSELF OR TO COVER WITH A LARGE UNIT AND THEN PLAN TO HAVE NATURAL LANDSCAPING AROUND.
>> THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO TOUCH ON, IS IF YOU GO TO A PARK RIGHT OFF OF 75, IT'S BESIDE THE OLD AMC.
IT'S BEING CONVERTED INTO A CHURCH, I THINK I DON'T REMEMBER WHICH ONE IT IS BESIDE THE OLDS KINNEY HIGH SCHOOL.
BUT THEY HAVE A PARK SIMILAR TO THIS, BUT IT'S COVERED IN A CANOPY OF TREES, AND THAT PROVIDES A LOT OF THE SHADE.
TO YOUR POINT, I THINK LANDSCAPING IS GOING TO BE KEY WHENEVER WE BUILD THIS.
IF WE CAN BUILD A CANOPY, WE NEED TO PAY A LITTLE BIT EXTRA TO GET SOME MORE MATURE TREES, BUT I THINK THE VALUE WAS DEFINITELY THERE.
>> OR THINK ABOUT NATURAL SPRINGS PARK THAT YOU GUYS HAVE.
I MEAN, THAT WAS ADDED TO AN EXISTING TRAIL SPACE WHERE THEY WERE TRYING TO CREATE A PLAY ENVIRONMENT THAT'S NOT OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF EVERYWHERE.
IT'S NOT DESIGNED TO BE A BANNER PARK FOR THE CITY OF ANNA.
IT IS AN AREA THAT IS SURROUNDED BY NATURAL TREES, AND SO IT DOES GET A LOT OF THAT NATURAL SHADE.
ONE OF THE FIVE AREAS THE NDS THAT WE BRIEFLY COVERED IS NATURE GROUNDS.
IT'S INCORPORATING NATURAL TREES AND NATURAL PLANTS INTO THE PLAY SYSTEM.
BECAUSE NOT EVERY PLAYGROUND HAS TO LOOK LIKE THIS.
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A BLANK SLATE WHERE YOU START WITH NOTHING BUT DIRT.
WE CAN INTEGRATE THE NATURAL LANDSCAPING INTO THE PLAYGROUND, IF THAT'S THE LOOK THAT YOU WANT.
>> I WILL SAY THE NUMBER ONE THING TO THINK ABOUT IS IF YOU'RE GOING TO USE NATURAL SHADE, DRIP LINES AND WHAT'S GOING TO FALL OFF THE TREE ONTO THAT RUBBER? WE CAN CERTAINLY DO IT. WE'VE BUILT AROUND TREES.
THAT WOULD JUST BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE PROBABLY A WEEKLY THING THAT I WANT THAT I'D WANT, BUT THE SAY WOULD WANT TO DO IS, HEY, IT'S NOT THAT TAKE A BROOM OUT THERE AND BROOM IT OFF EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE BECAUSE ONCE THAT STUFF WORKS INTO THE RUBBER, IT STARTS BREAKING IT DOWN.
>> THAT'S FINE. THANK YOU FOR THAT.
THEN ONE FINAL THING, I DID SEE A AREA FOR PARENTS, AND FORGIVE ME IF I MISSED IT.
IS THERE A GAZEBO THAT PEOPLE CAN HOOK UP? MAYBE A LITTLE BIT OF MUSIC, HAVE A BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR SOME OF THESE KIDS? ALL THE FRIENDS CAN COME OUT TO A VERY INCLUSIVE PLACE IN THAT SENSE, TOO.
[01:35:03]
IS THERE ANYTHING LIKE THAT WE CAN DO? SORRY IF I MESSED UP.>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION BECAUSE, AS NICK MENTIONED EARLIER, THE SAME WITH ADDING ADULT FITNESS TO A PARK OR PLAYGROUND SO THAT PARENTS HAVE SOMETHING TO ENGAGE WITH AND WANT THE KIDS TO STAY LONGER.
HAVING SHADE IN A SEPARATE AREA THAT DOUBLES AS A VENUE FOR PARTIES AND PICNICS, AND WHATEVER ELSE CAN ABSOLUTELY BE INTEGRATED INTO AN OVERALL PLAN, IF THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE ASKING.
HAVING AS INCLUDED IN THE SPACE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WE CAN DO.
>> GUYS, THIS IS REALLY GOOD WORK.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. APPRECIATE YOU.
>> I'M JUST CHIMING IN REAL QUICK.
I WAS JUST OUT IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND GOT A CHANCE TO PLAY WITH MY GRANDKIDS OUT THERE, AND THAT PART WAS AN INCLUSIVE PART WITH THE WIDE RAMPS AND STUFF AND MY 67-YEAR-OLD BUT GOT UP ON THE SLIDE WITH THE GRANDKIDS AND LOVE THE FACT THAT I COULD DO THAT WITH THEM.
>> I JUST WANT TO THANK THE MAYOR AND THE MAYOR PRO TEAM BECAUSE THIS IS AWESOME, AND THIS IS WHAT WE NEED. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, GUYS. THAT'S REALLY WHAT I WAS HOPING TO DO IS TO SPARK ALL THESE MINDS AND START THINKING AND START TALKING ABOUT IT, AND THEN WE CAN START TO INTEGRATE THIS GOING FORWARD.
THANK YOU BOTH VERY MUCH FOR BEING WILLING TO COME UP HERE AND TALK TO US THIS EVENING.
>> OF COURSE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> BEFORE WE MOVE ANY FURTHER, I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND LET CHAIR JONES.
CLOSE YOUR MEETING, SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO SIT AND LISTEN TO ME RAMBLE ON FOR THE NEXT HOUR.
>> SINCE WE DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, ADJOURN THE PARKS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING AT 7:08 P.M. THANK YOU.
>> COUNSEL, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE ABOUT A FIVE MINUTE BREAK, GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET THEIR STUFF TOGETHER AND EXIT THE DICE.
>> PLEASE TAKE A CHAIR WITH YOU.
>> COUNSEL. AHEAD. IT IS 7:21.
LET'S GO AHEAD AND GET BACK INTO THIS.
WE'RE STILL IN OUR WORK SESSION.
WE ARE NOW ON ITEM 5D, WHICH IS DISCUSSED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATING AND STAFFING PROPOSAL WITH OUR FIRE CHIEF, RAY ISOM.
MAYOR CAIN. MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
GOOD EVENING. RAY [INAUDIBLE] CHIEF.
VERY HAPPY TO BE HERE TONIGHT BASICALLY TO ADVOCATE FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY EVERY DAY AND WHO SACRIFICE.
THE LAST OPPORTUNITY THAT I HAD TO PRESENT TO THIS BOARD A PROPOSAL LIKE THIS WAS MAY OF 2019.
I TOOK OVER THE DEPARTMENT IN FEBRUARY '19.
THAT PROPOSAL ACTUALLY REACHED OUT TO UT DALLAS TO HELP ME WITH THAT.
I'VE GIVEN A COPY OF THAT TO OUR CITY SECRETARY.
IF YOU GUYS WE ARE INTERESTED IN THAT.
THAT PLAN WAS ACTUALLY COMPLETED TWO YEARS EARLY.
IT WAS A FIVE YEAR STAFFING PLAN.
AND I BELIEVE IT WAS 2022 WHEN WE BASICALLY EXHAUSTED THAT PLAN AT WHICH POINT I SOUGHT OUT ANOTHER THIRD PARTY, WHICH IS MERCHANT SERVICES CONSULTING INTERNATIONAL.
I'M GOING TO COVER A LOT OF THAT STUFF TONIGHT, AND PLEASE EXCUSE MY VOICE.
I THINK I'VE GOT A BIT OF WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE HAS GOING AROUND IF IT'S ALLERGIES OR WHAT, BUT DON'T BELIEVE IT'S CONTAGIOUS.
SO WHAT YOU'LL SEE TONIGHT IS BASICALLY OUR DEPARTMENT'S BACKGROUND, WHO WE ARE, ESSENTIALLY, OUR CURRENT PLAN, WHICH IS OUR FRAMEWORK FOR HOW WE'VE PROCEEDED.
THE DOCUMENTS THAT SUPPORT AND DESCRIBE THAT PLAN AND THAT FRAMEWORK IN DETAIL.
THE CURRENT DFW MARKETPLACE, WHICH IS I WILL SAY VERY COMPETITIVE.
OUR CURRENT STAFFING SITUATION AND HOW WE GOT TO THIS POINT.
A REVIEW OF OUR CURRENT ROSTER AND WHAT'S CALLED A ROSTER TO MINIMUM RATIO, AND HOW THAT MATH WORKS, HOW THAT RATIO IS CALCULATED.
SOME HISTORICAL HIRING DATA AND INFORMATION, A VERY BRIEF REVIEW OF THE SAFER GRANT AND HOW THE SAFER GRANT OPERATES,
[01:40:04]
AND WHAT WE'VE DONE WITH THAT.AND THEN TOWARDS THE END OF THE PRESENTATION WILL BE MY PROPOSAL, WHICH HAS BEEN CONSISTENT FOR THE LAST THREE TO FOUR YEARS.
HOW FAR WE'VE COME AS DEPARTMENT, AND THEN WE WILL END THE PRESENTATION WITH A Q&A.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT IS WE'RE DEDICATED TO THE LIFE SAFETY AND PROPERTY CONSERVATION THROUGH PROFESSIONAL COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR VISITORS.
THIS MISSION STATEMENT WAS ACTUALLY A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT WITH SCI, MYSELF, AND OUR STAFF AT THE TIME.
OUR CORE VALUES, OUR INTEGRITY, CHARACTER, AND HONOR.
AND WE ACTUALLY DEFINE THOSE TERMS IN OUR POLICIES AND IN OUR CULTURE STATEMENTS.
WE CURRENTLY HAVE FOUR DIVISIONS, FIRE PREVENTION, FIRE OPERATIONS.
EMS TRAINING, LOGISTICS, AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
NOW, EVENTUALLY, EMS TRAINING AND LOGISTICS WILL BREAK OUT INTO THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL DIVISIONS.
RIGHT NOW, CHIEF WOOD OVERSEES FIRE OPERATIONS.
CHIEF BROWN OVERSEES EMS TRAINING AND LOGISTICS, I OVERSEE FIRE PREVENTION AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, AS WELL AS I OVERSEE THE ENTIRE DEPARTMENT AS THE FIRE CHIEF.
WE ALSO HAVE IN OUR POLICIES, WHAT'S CALLED A PERSONAL PLEDGE OF COMMITMENT.
AND THAT IS TO PLACE OUR CITIZENS FIRST.
AND I'VE GIVEN A COPY OF THAT TO KARRY AS WELL.
SO YOU SHOULD HAVE A COPY OF THAT, BUT IT'S POLICY 107. EXCUSE ME.
AND YOU CAN SEE CERTAIN HIGHLIGHTED AREAS WHERE EVERYONE IN THE DEPARTMENT COMMITS TO PLACING OUR CITIZENS FIRST, THE CITY ORGANIZATION SECOND AND THE DEPARTMENT THIRD.
ALONG THAT LINE, WE EMBRACE SACRIFICE AND SERVANTHOOD, AND ALL OF THIS IS FOR THE GREATER GOOD.
I WILL SAY AS THE FIRE CHIEF OVER MANY YEARS, ESPECIALLY THE LAST 2-3, IT'S GOTTEN A LITTLE MORE DIFFICULT FOR ME TO KEEP ASKING MY FIREFIGHTERS TO CONTINUALLY SACRIFICE AND GREATER AMOUNTS OF THEIR TIME.
THERE HAS BEEN SITUATIONS WHERE I HAVEN'T NECESSARILY BEEN HEARD FULLY OR PERHAPS UNDERSTOOD BY FOLKS ABOVE ME.
BUT THAT GETS A LITTLE HARD WHEN I HAVE TO ASK MY FOLKS TO KEEP SACRIFICING A LITTLE BIT MORE AND MORE OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, WHEN WE DO HAVE NEEDS THAT SOMETIMES AREN'T FULLY ADDRESSED.
FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DO NOT KNOW, WE WERE ACQUIRED BY THE CITY IN 2010, WHICH WAS 15 YEARS AGO.
THE DEPARTMENT WAS FOUNDED IN 1939, AND OPERATED FOR MANY DECADES AS A VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT AND DID JUST FINE.
IN 2010, THE CITY DECIDED TO TAKE IT OVER, AND I BELIEVE THEY STARTED FUNDING TWO OR THREE POSITIONS.
AND OBVIOUSLY, THE CITY WAS GROWING.
SO IN THE BIG SCHEME OF THINGS, YOU CAN SEE THAT RELATIVELY YOUNG PROFESSIONAL DEPARTMENT.
WE ACTUALLY ONLY BECAME FULLY PAID TWO YEARS AGO IN 2023.
WE HIRED OUR LAST VOLUNTEER IN 2023, AND THAT COMPLETED OUR FULL CONVERSION FROM VOLUNTEER TO COMBINATION PAID AND VOLUNTEER TO FULLY PROFESSIONAL PAID.
SO WE TRULY ARE IN OUR INFANCY IN THAT RESPECT.
WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK STILL TO GO.
WE ARE A YOUNG DEPARTMENT, AND THAT IS GOOD.
IT'S VERY GOOD BECAUSE YOUNG FOLKS TEND TO HAVE A LOT OF VIGOR AND ENTHUSIASM.
[01:45:01]
A BREAKDOWN BETWEEN OUR COMMAND STAFF AND OUR FIREFIGHTER RANK.SO WHEN YOU HAVE THIS GAP HERE, YOUTHFUL ORGANIZATIONS TEND TO NEED VETERAN LEADERSHIP THAT'S QUALIFIED, ASSERTIVE, AND CAPABLE.
SO EVERYONE KNOWS DOC, I KNOW, HE'S ONE OF OUR RECENT RETIREES.
I WAS HANGING OUT WITH HIM OVER THE WEEKEND AND HE AND I HAVE HAD MANY DISCUSSIONS.
HE STARTED WITH MCKINNEY BACK IN THE EARLY 1980S AND WE HAVE HAD MANY DISCUSSIONS OVER THE YEARS, BUT JUST HOW MUCH THE FIRE SERVICE HAS CHANGED IT'S CHANGED RADICALLY HERE IN ANNA SINCE I TOOK OVER IN 2019, BUT IT'S REALLY CHANGED SINCE 2023.
BUT HE WILL TELL YOU THAT THE YOUNGER GENERATIONS AS HE PUT IN 35 YEARS, I BELIEVE, CONSTANTLY NEED STUDY VISION AND GOOD GUIDANCE FROM THE TOP.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO LEADING THIS CHARGE.
GIVEN THE AGE OF OUR DEPARTMENT, LEADERSHIP HAS THEIR WORK CUT OUT FOR THEM AND I FEEL LIKE WE'VE MET THAT CHALLENGE.
IF ANYONE KNOWS ME, IF YOU'VE EVER BEEN IN MY OFFICE, YOU'LL SEE THAT I'M A QUOTE PERSON.
I REALLY LOVE QUOTES FROM LEADERS THAT I RESPECT.
THIS IS A QUOTE THAT'S ALWAYS RESONATED WITH ME.
THE FIRST RESPONSIBILITY OF A LEADER IS TO FIRST DEFINE REALITY.
THE LAST IS TO SAY THANK YOU, WHICH EVERY YEAR WE HAVE AN AWARDS BANQUET, WHERE WE DO OUR BEST TO THANK OUR PEOPLE.
IN BETWEEN, WE SHOULD BE SERVANTS.
DURING THIS PRESENTATION, I INTEND TO DEFINE REALITY BY PROVIDING THE FACTS AND THEN BUILDING CONSENSUS AROUND THOSE FACTS.
EVERYONE KNOWS WHO MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR IS, I THINK THAT HIS QUOTE RINGS TRUE AS WELL.
SHOULD BE A MOLDER OF CONSENSUS.
LET'S TALK ABOUT A LITTLE DATA NOW.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE TO GIVE YOU GUYS SOME DIRECTION AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC, IF THEY'RE NOT AWARE.
WE DO HAVE DOCUMENTS ON OUR WEBSITE.
IF YOU GO TO OUR WEBSITE, THE CITY FIRE PAGE, AND YOU GO TO THE REPORTS TAB, YOU WILL FIND OUR STANDARDS OF COVER, OUR MASTER PLAN, ALONG WITH OTHER THINGS, BUT THERE'S ALSO A SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN THERE.
THESE ARE OUR FOUNDATIONAL DOCUMENTS, AND THEY'VE BEEN ONLINE FOR ABOUT A YEAR YEAR AND A HALF SINCE THEY'VE COME OUT.
AGAIN, THESE DOCUMENTS BASICALLY ESTABLISH OUR FRAMEWORK FOR GROWTH.
AS I SAID BEFORE, ONCE WE COMPLETED THE INITIAL FIVE YEAR STAFFING PLAN EARLY, I MOVED ON TO THE NEXT PHASE AND I WANTED TO CREATE DOCUMENTS THAT WERE LONG TERM.
THESE REALLY ENCAPSULATE THAT.
YOU CAN'T BE OVERLY RIGID IN A PLAN, BUT YOU CAN HAVE A GOOD FRAMEWORK BECAUSE IT STILL NEEDS TO BE MALLEABLE, FOR INSTANCE, WE JUST HAD A JOINT SESSION WITH THE PARKS, OBVIOUSLY, PARKS BOARD.
THIS COUNCIL DECIDED, HEY, WE WANT TO SHIFT OUR FOCUS ON TO BUYING OR MAKING ANOTHER PARK AND WE WANT, SO THAT MAY CHANGE MONEY AROUND AND I WOULDN'T WANT TO TIE HANDS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT AND FORCE BUDGET MANAGERS TO GET MAD AT ME FOR MOVING MONEY TOWARDS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHEN THE COUNCIL'S AGENDA IS TO PERHAPS DO SOMETHING ON PARKS AND REC.
SO THE PLANS ARE BROAD, BUT THEY'RE VERY DATA DRIVEN AND THEY'RE EXCELLENT FRAMEWORK.
AND WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT THEM IS THAT THEY WERE ALL THREE DONE BY THE MOST REPUTABLE FIRM IN THE WORLD, ACTUALLY, ESCI.
SO THESE TOOLS HELP DEFINE REALITY AND THEY PROVIDE RELIABLE DATA.
MY JOB AS THE FIRE CHIEF IS TO SET CLEAR DIRECTION AND EXPECTATIONS, PROVIDE A SOLID PLAN FOR MY DEPARTMENT AND FOR THIS COUNCIL AND FOR THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE AND EXERCISE COMMITTED LEADERSHIP.
I WILL SAY WHEN PLANS ARE DIVERTED FROM, THE RESULTS CAN BE LESS THAN OPTIMAL, OBVIOUSLY.
EVERYONE'S HAD EXPERIENCE WITH THAT.
BUT I DO ENCOURAGE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND YOURSELVES TO REVIEW THESE DOCUMENTS.
[01:50:06]
I'VE ALSO GIVEN COPIES OF THESE TO KARRY.I ONLY HAVE ONE COPY OF EACH, BUT THEY'RE A LITTLE LENGTHY.
IF YOU JUST WANT TO JUMP BACK TO THE VERY BACK AND LOOK AT THE RECOMMENDATIONS, YOU'RE CERTAINLY WELCOME TO.
BUT IF YOU THUMP THROUGH THEM, YOU'LL SEE THAT A LOT OF THINGS WERE ANALYZED IN ORDER TO GET TO THAT POINT.
LET'S TALK ABOUT THE DFW MARKET.
THE DFW MARKET CAN BE SUMMED UP IN MY OPINION IN TWO WORDS.
IT'S SHOW ME THE MONEY TIME, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
IT'S BEEN THIS WAY REALLY, PROBABLY FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS.
CITIES THAT CAN THROW MONEY IN BUCKETS ARE THROWING MONEY IN BUCKETS.
IT IS A HYPERCOMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT.
SOME OF OUR COMPARISON CITIES AND REGIONAL DEPARTMENTS WHERE THE THE OBVIOUS ONES, THE PLANO'S, THE MCKINNEY'S, THE ALLEN'S, THE FRISCO'S, THOSE ARE THE CITIES THAT OUR FIREFIGHTERS ARE WATCHING VERY CAREFULLY BECAUSE THEY'RE THE ONES THAT GENERALLY INJECT THAT LEVEL OF COMPETITION THAT THE SMALLER CITIES CAN'T KEEP UP WITH.
SO IT'S VERY SAFE TO SAY THAT WE'RE IN A SALARY ARMS RACE.
AGAIN, WE HAVE BEEN IN THAT SITUATION FOR SOME TIME.
ANOTHER ASPECT OF THIS IS THAT AS OUR DFW REGION CONTINUES TO GROW AND EXPAND, OTHER FIRE DEPARTMENTS HAVE TO GROW WITH THEIR CITIES, WHICH MEANS THAT CREATES ADDITIONAL HIRING NEEDS FOR THOSE CITIES.
IN THE LAST 10 YEARS OR SO, WE'VE SEEN THE MATERIALIZATION OF ALTERNATE WORK SCHEDULES.
MOST OF THESE HAVE BEEN PICKED UP ON THE WEST COAST AND IS A LITTLE BIT EAST COAST TOO, AND THEY'VE STARTED TO MIGRATE TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE COUNTRY NOW.
THEY ARE JUST ADDITIONAL HIRING SCHEDULES THAT ARE SIMPLY DIFFERENT FROM THE 2448 THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY OPERATING.
WE ARE WORKING ON AN ALTERNATE SCHEDULE RIGHT NOW, WHICH IS A 4896 SCHEDULE.
WE'RE TARGETING JANUARY TO ACTUALLY MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
THERE ARE SOME HOOPS THAT WE HAVE TO JUMP THROUGH WITH THE CITY PERSONNEL POLICY AND WITH THE PAYROLL, AND SO IT'S NOT AS SIMPLE AS JUST FLIPPING ON A SWITCH, BUT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THAT FOR SOME TIME.
HOWEVER, I MENTIONED THE STAFFING RATIO, THAT WAS ALWAYS OUR BIGGEST CONCERN.
UNTIL NOW, WE'VE DECIDED TO JUST MOVE FORWARD.
YOU GUYS MAY HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE'S A BUDGET AMENDMENT THAT'S FURTHER DOWN IN THE AGENDA.
THAT'S GOING TO ALLOW US TO BRING ON THREE MORE FIREFIGHTERS.
THAT GETS OUR RATIO HIGHER, WHICH MAKES THAT MORE WORKABLE.
HOWEVER, IT'S THE SAME AMOUNT OF HOURS.
BASICALLY, THEY CREATED A FOURTH SHIFT.
BUT THEY'RE GOING TO BE HIRING OVER 120 FIREFIGHTERS OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
WHERE DO YOU THINK THOSE FIREFIGHTERS ARE COMING FROM? BECAUSE PLANO LIKES TO HIRE FIREFIGHTERS THAT ARE A MANUFACTURED AND READY TO GO AND HAVE EXPERIENCE, THAT'S WHAT WE EXCEL AT.
WE LOVE GIVING PEOPLE THEIR FIRST CHANCE TO BE A FIREFIGHTER, SENDING THEM TO PARAMEDIC SCHOOL, GETTING THEM SET UP.
WE LIKE TO GIVE SECOND CHANCES AS WELL FOR SOME PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE MADE MISTAKES AND HAVE GOTTEN BEYOND THAT AND IMPROVED THEMSELVES AND ARE READY FOR A SECOND CHANCE.
BUT THE PLANO'S AND THE MCKINNEY'S AND ALLEN'S AND FRISCO'S, THEY LOVE TO GET EXPERIENCED FIREFIGHTERS.
SO THAT'S WHERE THEY'RE DRAWING A LOT OF THEIR FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD PRODUCT, THEY'RE ATTENDING TO STEAL OR ATTEMPTING TO STEAL OUR PRODUCT, PRINCETON, SALINA, MELISSA, YOU NAME IT, PROSPER.
THEY'RE GOING TO STEAL A LOT OF FIREFIGHTERS FROM A LOT OF OTHER AGENCIES.
[01:55:01]
>> JUST A LITTLE TASTE OF WHAT WE'RE UP AGAINST.
WHAT IS VERY APPEALING, OBVIOUSLY, FOR ANY FIREFIGHTER.
WHEN YOU START LOOKING AT, HIRING PATTERNS, THIS IS FRISCO, THERE'S PARAMEDICS THAT CAN MAKE UP TO $98,000 A YEAR.
ALAN, YOU'RE STILL PUSHING UP AGAINST THAT $98,000 A YEAR.
THEY'RE MAKING ALMOST $90,000.
PLANO, AGAIN, THEY HAVE ACTUALLY IMPLEMENTED THE 24, 72.
THEIR TOP OUT IS ALMOST $106,000 WITH AN EXTRA 5,000 FOR CERTIFICATION ON TOP OF THAT.
MCKINNEY, THEY'RE ON A 48, 96, BASE SALARIES ANYWHERE FROM 84-104.
YOU CAN SEE IT'S A HIGHLY COMPETITIVE MARKET, AND I DON'T BLAME ANY OF MY FIREFIGHTERS, ESPECIALLY THE ONES WITH FAMILIES AND CHILDREN AND WIVES AND MORTGAGES, WHEN THEY LOOK AT THESE NUMBERS, I CAN'T BLAME ANYBODY FOR CONSIDERING THEM.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW WE GOT HERE.
WHAT GOT US TO THIS POINT? THE LAST HIRING CYCLE THAT WE HAD WAS FOR STATION 2.
STATION 2 HAS NOW BEEN OPEN FOR A YEAR AND A HALF APPROXIMATELY.
OUR LAST STAFFING CYCLE WAS MAY OF 2023.
DURING THAT CYCLE, I RECOMMENDED TO THE CITY MANAGER AT THE TIME TO SECURE 15 ADDITIONAL FIREFIGHTERS TO FULLY STAFF STATION 2 AND THEN GET TO WHAT'S CALLED PLUS STAFFING.
THAT'S A BEYOND A ONE-TO-ONE RATIO, AND I WILL ACTUALLY GO OVER THAT RATIO HERE IN A MINUTE.
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE DECIDED TO HIRE NINE INSTEAD OF 15, WHICH THAT RATIO THEN CAME BACK DOWN TO ONE-TO-ONE.
HIS PREFERENCE WAS NOT TO APPLY FOR THE SAFER GRANT.
THE EFFECTS OF THAT WERE GREATER OVERTIME EXPENSES, ACCELERATED BURNOUT OF OUR OPERATIONS PERSONNEL, MORE FATIGUE, AND NOT REALLY THE BEST WORK-LIFE BALANCE FOR EVERYONE.
ACTUALLY, WHEN YOU WORK MORE OVERTIME, YOU END UP CREATING MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR INJURIES, WHICH WE'VE HAD THE INJURY BUG BITE US RECENTLY AS WELL, AND I'LL SHOW YOU THAT AS WELL.
SECOND REASON IS ONE-TO-ONE OPERATION STAFFING RATIO.
WE HAVE MAINTAINED THAT RATIO.
WE HAVE 39 FIREFIGHTERS IN THE OPERATIONS DIVISION, AND WE HAVE 13 AS OUR MINIMUM PER SHIFT.
THERE'S THREE SHIFTS, THAT'S 39.
WE'RE AT A ONE-TO-ONE RATIO, WHICH MEANS WE HAVE NO CUSHION.
THE THIRD ELEMENT IS THE VACANCY AND TRAINING FACTOR.
ANYTIME THERE'S A VACANCY OR WE HAVE GUYS THAT ARE GONE OFF TO PARAMEDIC SCHOOL.
THERE'S OVERTIME GENERATION BECAUSE SOMEONE HAS TO BACKFILL THEIR SLOT.
CURRENTLY, WE HAVE FOUR FIREFIGHTERS IN PARAMEDIC SCHOOL, WHICH INSTANTLY CREATES OVERTIME.
ALSO, AS I MENTIONED, THE EXTREME COMPETITION AND THE MARKET, WE'VE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT THE BIG FOUR CITIES THAT ARE REALLY SUCKING UP OTHER DEPARTMENTS' PERSONNEL.
ALTERNATE WORK SCHEDULES, ELEVATED SALARIES, WE'VE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT THAT.
THE FOURTH FACTOR IS THE INJURY FACTOR.
IF SOMEONE IS VACANT FROM THEIR POSITION ON SHIFT, WE HAVE TO BACKFILL THAT POSITION IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN OUR SERVICE LEVEL.
THAT INSTANTLY CREATES OVERTIME.
WE HAVE THREE SIGNIFICANT INJURIES RIGHT NOW.
HOPEFULLY, THOSE FOLKS WILL BE BACK ON OUR TEAM OFF THE INJURED RESERVE HERE, MAYBE JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH TIME FRAME, BUT THEY ARE SIGNIFICANT INJURIES.
AS I SAID EARLIER, A LOT OF OUR GUYS WORKING SO MUCH OVERTIME CAN SOMETIMES LEAD TO GREATER INJURIES.
[02:00:09]
SOMETHING TO NOTE.THOSE OF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH HOW OVERTIME IS NECESSARILY OR WHAT THE CITY CALLS APPROVED TIME OFF IS GENERATED IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
APPROVED TIME OFF IS VACATION AND HOLIDAYS.
THAT DOESN'T COUNT SICK LEAVE OR INJURIES.
THAT AUTOMATICALLY CREATES 314 HOURS OF OVERTIME PER FIREFIGHTER PER YEAR.
WE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY FOR THAT.
HERE IS A DEPICTION OF OUR ROSTER.
IF YOU LOOK DOWN AT THE TRAINING AND THE INJURED LEVELS, YOU CAN SEE THAT WE HAVE FOUR FIREFIGHTERS WHO ARE IN TRAINING, THOSE ARE PARAMEDIC STUDENTS, AND WE HAVE THREE THAT ARE INJURED, AND YOU CAN SEE THE CORRESPONDING GAPS IN COVERAGE THAT WE HAVE PER SHIFT.
EVERY TIME A SHIFT ROLLS AROUND, SOMEONE HAS TO FILL THOSE TWO SLOTS.
EVERY TIME B SHIFT ROLLS AROUND, THEY'VE GOT TWO SLIDES.
EVERY TIME C SHIFT ROLLS AROUND, WE'VE GOT THREE SLOTS TO FILL.
YOU CAN SEE BY RUNNING AT THAT ONE-TO-ONE RATIO FOR NOW, ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF, IT FINALLY CAUGHT UP WITH US.
LET'S LOOK AT SOME OF THE DATA ON THIS.
LET'S LOOK AT WHAT THIS MEANS.
THIRTEEN MINIMUM STAFFING, 13 ON THE ROSTER, THAT'S A ONE-TO-ONE RATIO.
FOR THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF, WE'VE BEEN OPERATING AT NEGATIVE RATIOS DUE TO INJURIES AND TRAINING.
OR 18% UNDER THE MINIMUM OPERATIONS DIVISION STAFFING.
THAT'S WHAT I WOULD CALL LINE-LEVEL FIREFIGHTERS.
WE'RE 23% UNDER AT THE ENGINEER. I'M SORRY.
18% IS TOTAL OPERATIONS, 23% WHEN YOU FACTOR IN ENGINEERS WHO ARE OUR DRIVERS, AND THEN THE PARAMEDIC RANK.
THEN 28% UNDER ADMIN STAFFING.
ESCI RECOMMENDS A STAFFING RATIO OF ADMINISTRATION BETWEEN 15 AND 20%.
THAT'S WHY I CHOSE TO SELECT 18%, WHICH IS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE.
THE RISKS OF THAT RETENTION CHALLENGES, OBVIOUSLY, AND THE PLANOS AND FRISCOS OF THE WORLD, THEY'RE GOING TO COME AFTER OUR BEST PEOPLE AND THEY ALREADY HAVE.
HOPEFULLY, WE WON'T LOSE ANYMORE.
WE HAVE HAD A FEW FOLKS THAT HAVE DECIDED TO STAY WITH US DESPITE HAVING OFFERS, WE'RE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THAT, AND WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO DO RIGHT BY THEM.
ON THE PERSONNEL LEVEL, AGAIN, ACCELERATED BURNOUT, WORK-LIFE IMBALANCE, OVER TIME, FATIGUE.
IF WE CONTINUE TO, WHAT I'M GOING TO SAY, BLEED PERSONNEL, IF WE CONTINUE TO LOSE PERSONNEL AND THEN ATTEMPT TO BACKFILL THEM AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN, WE ARE IN DANGER OF REMOVING UNITS FROM SERVICE.
THAT'S THE POINT WHERE I HAVE TO START MAKING HARD DECISIONS WITH CHIEF WOOD AND DECIDING WHAT PARTS OF THIS CHESSBOARD I AM GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE AWAY FROM THE CHESSBOARD AND STILL BE ABLE TO DO OUR BEST TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.
OUR NEW FIELD TRAINING OFFICER PROGRAM IS ALSO IN JEOPARDY BECAUSE WE WANT OUR BEST FOLKS TO BE OUR FTOS.
THEY'RE BEING TARGETED BY OTHER DEPARTMENTS.
WE USE THAT FIELD TRAINING OFFICER PROGRAM TO TRAIN OUR BRAND NEW FIREFIGHTERS ON HOW TO BE PARAMEDICS.
ONCE THEY COMPLETE PARAMEDIC SCHOOL, THEY HAVE TO LEARN OUR PROTOCOLS, AND THEY HAVE TO GO ON SO MANY AMBULANCE CALLS.
I'M GREATLY SIMPLIFYING THIS, BUT THAT PROGRAM IS VERY IMPORTANT, AND IT'S A NEW PROGRAM THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO FINALLY GET OFF THE GROUND.
ALSO FUNDING. OBVIOUSLY, THIS GENERATES GREATER OVERTIME EXPENSES.
I DON'T LIKE PAYING MORE OVERTIME THAN WE SHOULD BE.
[02:05:02]
BUT WHEN WE HAVE TO BACKFILL POSITIONS, I HAVE NO OTHER RECOURSE.LET'S TALK ABOUT HOW WE ACTUALLY CALCULATE THE RATIO, AND WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK DOWN TO FIFTH-GRADE MATH.
I'LL STRUGGLE, BUT EVERYONE ELSE IN THE ROOM WILL DO JUST FINE.
THIS IS HOW THE CALCULATION IS DONE.
DAILY STAFFING IS OUR ENTIRE ROSTER.
THAT'S THE NUMBER OF FIREFIGHTERS THAT WE HAVE ASSIGNED TO THE OPERATIONS DIVISION.
THE DAILY MINIMUM IS THE SHIFT MINIMUM.
THAT'S THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF FIREFIGHTERS THAT IS REQUIRED TO RUN.
CURRENTLY, WE RUN A BATTALION.
WE RUN ONE FIRE ENGINE, WE RUN ONE LADDER TRUCK, AND TWO MEDICS, TWO AMBULANCES.
WE NEED 13 PEOPLE MINIMUM TO DO THAT PROPERLY.
OBVIOUSLY, THE RATIO IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THOSE.
IF WE REDUCE THE DAILY MINIMUM, WHICH WE CAN DO, THAT EQUALS A REDUCTION IN SERVICE.
PERHAPS WE REMOVE ONE AMBULANCE OUT OF SERVICE, OR WE END UP CROSS-MANNING APPARATUS AT STATION 2, WHICH MEANS IF WE GET AN ACCIDENT WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE THE FIRE TRUCK, BUT THERE'S NO ONE THERE TO TAKE THE AMBULANCE IF WE CATCH A SECOND MEDICAL CALL.
THERE'S DIFFERENT WAYS TO CUT THIS.
THERE'S ACTUALLY, MANY WAYS TO SLICE THIS PIE.
BUT WE WANT TO SLICE IT AS THE LEAST AMOUNT AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.
ANYTHING LESS THAN A ONE-TO-TWO RATIO CREATES ADDITIONAL OVERTIME BEYOND THE APPROVED TIME OFF THAT IS ALREADY PLUGGED INTO THE CITY'S SYSTEM FOR VACATION AND HOLIDAYS.
WHAT I WOULD ASK IS THAT WE FOCUS ON THE RATIOS BECAUSE THAT'S MUCH SIMPLER TO DO THAN FOCUSING ON HOW MANY FTES DO WE NEED TO DO X, Y, Z? I CAN FIGURE THAT OUT BECAUSE THAT IS A CONSTANTLY CHANGING THING.
TO ME, IT'S MUCH EASIER TO TALK ABOUT MAINTAINING THAT RATIO.
I'VE TARGETED A ONE TO 1.2-1.3 RATIO.
IF WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT FTES, THREE MORE GETS US TO A RATIO OF 1.07, AND IF YOU GUYS APPROVE THE THREE FURTHER DOWN THE AGENDA, WE'LL BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE THAT WHEN WE GET OUR FOLKS OUT OF PARAMEDIC SCHOOL AND WHEN WE GET OUR INJURED PEOPLE BACK.
SIX MORE GETS US TO 1.15, NINE MORE GETS US TO 1.23.
NOW WE'VE GOTTEN TO WHERE WE'RE AT A DECENT CUSHION.
THIS IS A CHART THAT BASICALLY THE LINE INDICATES HOW MANY FIREFIGHTERS THAT WE'VE BEEN ALLOCATED, AT LEAST SINCE I TOOK OVER AS A FIRE CHIEF.
WHEN I TOOK OVER IN FEBRUARY OF 2019, WE HAD FIVE FIREFIGHTERS ON THE DEPARTMENT AND ONE PART-TIME EMPLOYEE.
I QUICKLY WENT TO THE CITY MANAGER AND SAID, CAN I PLEASE MAKE THIS PART-TIME FIREFIGHTER INTO A FULL-TIME FIREFIGHTER? I WAS GRANTED THAT.
I WAS ABLE TO PUT HIM ON SHIFT.
WE'VE BEEN HOVERING AROUND THAT PERPETUAL MINIMUM STAFFING FOR A FEW YEARS NOW.
ONCE I GOT THAT PART-TIME, WE PUT ON AND WE HAD SIX FIREFIGHTERS, NOW, I'VE GOT TWO PER SHIFT.
THAT GAVE US FIVE FIREFIGHTERS PER SHIFT.
IN 2021, WE ADDED SIX MORE FIREFIGHTERS THAT GAVE US SEVEN.
WE KNEW WE WERE BUILDING UP INTO A DEPARTMENT THAT WAS GOING TO RUN AMBULANCE BECAUSE THAT HADN'T OCCURRED YET, BUT THAT WAS A MAJOR OBJECTIVE OF THE COUNCIL WAS TO RUN FIRE-BASED DMS. WE HAD TO KEEP STAFFING UP FOR THAT, AND WE KNEW WE HAD STATION 2 COMING ALONG.
[02:10:04]
2022, WE ADDED SIX MORE.THAT GAVE US NINE FIREFIGHTERS PER SHIFT.
2023, WE ADDED 12, WHICH GAVE US 13 FIREFIGHTERS PER SHIFT.
I WANT YOU TO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO 2024 AND 2025.
THAT'S WHERE WE FELL OFF THE MOUNTAIN.
BACK TO MY REQUEST FOR 15 FIREFIGHTERS.
THAT WAS TO FULLY STAFF STATION 2 AS WELL AS REDUCE OVERTIME, AND GET TO THE CHASE, BASICALLY THAT PROPER RATIO.
THAT WAS THE TARGET RATIO, WHICH WE WERE CLIMBING TOWARDS, BUT OBVIOUSLY, WE FELL OFF THERE.
NOW WE'RE STILL IN 2025, SO WE CAN HELP THAT IN A MINUTE, IF YOU GUYS ARE WILLING. HELP CORRECT THAT.
WE ARE STILL IN THAT PERPETUAL MINIMUM POSTURE, WHICH WE'RE JUST ON HIGH CENTER, AND NOW IT'S LIKE I SAID, WE'VE GOT THE INJURY BUG AND WE'VE GOT COMPETITION, MAJOR COMPETITION FROM OTHER FIRE DEPARTMENTS, AND WE'VE GOT GUYS IN TRAINING, AND ALL THAT IS SORT OF A PERFECT STORM.
THIS IS WHAT I PROPOSED TO THE CITY MANAGER BACK IN APRIL 2023.
I WANTED TO GET 15, THAT WOULD GIVE US A PLUS-TWO STAFFING, WHICH WOULD HAVE GENERATED NO ADDITIONAL OVERTIME AND GIVEN US A LITTLE BIT MORE BREATHING ROOM.
YOU CAN SEE THAT'S WHAT YOU GET.
I ACTUALLY BROKE IT DOWN BY APPARATUS.
IT WAS A LITTLE EASIER TO UNDERSTAND WHEN YOU ACTUALLY SHOW A PICTURE OF, HEY, THIS IS A FULLY STAFFED LADDER TRUCK.
THAT HELPED WITH THE DISCUSSION.
OPTION 2 WAS 12, WHICH GOT US TO WHAT'S CALLED A PLUS-ONE STAFFING.
NOT AS GOOD, BUT AT LEAST WE WERE STILL HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
OPTION 3 WAS SELECTED, WHICH AGAIN KEPT US AT THAT MINIMUM STAFFING, AND YOU CAN SEE WHERE I SAID, RESULTS IN GREATER PERSONNEL FATIGUE.
THIS IS WHAT I WOULD CALL A COMPLICATING FACTOR AS WELL.
WE'VE ADDED OVER 2,400 MULTIFAMILY UNITS AND 62 TOWN HOMES.
ACCORDING TO EDC, IF JOEY DID THE NUMBERS RIGHT, OUR ACTING CITY MANAGER TONIGHT.
OUR POPULATION HAS INCREASED SINCE APRIL OF 2023 BY 27%, BUT WE HAVE NOT ADDED ANY MORE FIREFIGHTERS.
AT THE LAST BUDGET MEETING IN SEPTEMBER, I WAS I FORGET WHO ASKED ME, BUT SOMEONE FROM THE CITY COUNCIL ASKED ME ABOUT THE SAFER GRANT.
I WANTED TO JUST PRESENT A FEW FACTS ON THAT HERE.
KEEP IN MIND, I DID NOT APPLY IN 2024 BECAUSE THAT WAS THE CITY MANAGER'S DIRECTIVE.
BUT IN 2025, WE DID APPLY FOR SIX FIREFIGHTER POSITIONS.
AGAIN, INTENDED TO REDUCE OVER TIME AND GET OUR RATIOS.
THE AWARDS NOTIFICATION CONCLUDED JUST IN OCTOBER, WE WERE NOT AWARDED.
THE SUPPLANTING RULE WAS IN EFFECT.
THE DEFINITION OF SUPPLANTING ROOM SORRY RULE IS ESSENTIALLY THAT IF WE WOULD HAVE BUDGETED FOR THOSE POSITIONS, AND THEN WE WERE AWARDED THE GRANT, WE WOULD HAVE HAD TO HIRE THOSE POSITIONS AND THEN SIX MORE ABOVE THAT.
WE DID NOT HAVE THE FINANCIAL CAPACITY FOR THAT.
THEREFORE, THERE WAS NO WAY I COULD PRIORITIZE ANY FIREFIGHTERS IN THIS CURRENT BUDGET UNTIL THAT PROCESS WAS COMPLETED, WHICH JUST COMPLETED LAST MONTH.
IF WE HAD, OBVIOUSLY, WE WOULD HAVE HAD A BUDGET DEFICIT OF ALMOST THREE QUARTERS OF $1 MILLION,
[02:15:02]
AND THAT WOULD NOT BE GOOD FOR ME.I'M NOT GOING TO MAKE A MISTAKE LIKE THAT.
IF YOU NEED TO REFERENCE THAT, IT'S ON PAGE 7 OF THE SAFER GRANT PROGRAM.
HOW DO WE FIX ALL THIS? HERE'S MY PROPOSAL. PRIORITY 1.
OPERATES DIVISION STAFFING RATIO.
AT SOME POINT, THIS CITY, IN MY OPINION, NEEDS TO COMMIT TO PURSUING AND MAINTAINING THE PROPER RATIO, WHICH IS A 1-1.2 OR 1.3 RATIO.
IT COULD BE SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN AS WELL.
AS WELL, BASICALLY, COMMIT TO AN 18% OF ADMINISTRATIVE.
THOSE OF YOU WHO'VE BEEN IN THE MILITARY UNDERSTAND BEING IN THE REAR WITH THE GEAR.
FOR THE TROOPS OUT THERE ON THE FRONT LINES, IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE SUPPORT THEY NEED, IF THEY DON'T HAVE BULLETS AND FOOD AND EVERYTHING ELSE THEY NEED, WHICH IS AN ANALOGY OF WHAT WE GIVE THEM, IT'S BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO ACCOMPLISH THEIR MISSION.
THOSE TWO THINGS ARE WHAT I WOULD FOCUS ON? I WOULD SAY EVEN HYPER FOCUS ON.
A VERY DISTANT, PRIORITY 2, WOULD BE TO SECURE STAFFING FOR FUTURE STATIONS.
I WOULD RATHER GET PRIORITY 1 COMPLETED AND THEN MOVE ON TO, NOW LET'S PLAN HOW MANY FIREFIGHTERS WE NEED TO OPEN UP A STATION 3.
WHICH AT THAT POINT, WE NEED ONCE WE ACHIEVE THE PROPER RATIO, WE WOULD NEED 21 FIREFIGHTERS TO MAINTAIN THAT RATIO.
MY OPINION IS THAT WE NEED TO FIX WHAT'S BROKEN FIRST.
AGAIN, ALL THIS IS REFERENCED IN THOSE DOCUMENTS.
I KNOW THOSE DOCUMENTS ARE LENGTHY.
YOU CAN AGAIN, JUMP TO THE END IF YOU WANT, OR JUST COME ASK ME.
I'LL TRY TO EXPLAIN IT BEST I CAN AS WELL. HOW FAR WE'VE COME? THIS DEPARTMENT HAS COME A LONG WAY SINCE AUGUST OF 2021.
WE WERE STILL A COMBINATION DEPARTMENT.
WE HAD 15 FIREFIGHTERS, FIVE PER SHIFT, NINE VOLUNTEERS.
OUR BUDGET WAS ONLY 2.5 MILLION.
OUR ROSTER HAS 39 FULL TIME FIREFIGHTERS, 13 PER SHIFT.
THAT'S SEVEN AT CENTRAL AND SIX AT STATION 2.
THE SEVENTH AT CENTRAL IS THE BATTALION CHIEF AND HE OVERSEES THE ENTIRE SHIFT.
WE'VE TERMINATED THE OLD VOLUNTEER MODEL AS OF 2023, AND OUR BUDGET IS 7.2 MILLION NOW.
IN THAT SHORT TIME FRAME, WE'VE ADDED 24 FIREFIGHTERS AND INCREASED OUR BUDGET $4.7 MILLION.
THERE HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT COMMITMENT ON THE PART OF THE CITY AND THE CITY COUNCIL.
I DON'T WANT TO NEGLECT THAT POINT BECAUSE IT'S A VERY SALIENT POINT THAT THIS COUNCIL HAS BEEN COMMITTED TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
I THINK WE JUST GOT TO A POINT AND SOMEONE SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT, I THINK THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS GOTTEN EVERYTHING THEY NEED.
IT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN DONE WITHOUT ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT AND PREVIOUS COUNSELS.
BUT JUST A REALLY BRIEF REVIEW, I ACTUALLY ASKED ALL OF MY FIRE OFFICERS TO COMPILE EVERYTHING THAT WE'VE DONE OVER THIS TIME FRAME.
I'M NOT GOING TO GO INTO EACH ONE OF THESE.
YOU'RE CERTAINLY WELCOME TO LOOK AT THE SLIDES AND THESE ARE ALL MAJOR PROJECTS OR MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
IN 2021, 2022 YOU CAN SEE THAT'S WHERE THE MASTER PLAN AND THE STANDARDS OF COVER PROJECT, THAT WAS ESSENTIALLY BECAME A TWO YEAR PROJECT.
IT CROSSED. ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY NINE POLICIES WERE DEVELOPED.
TWENTY-TWENTY THREE WE DID THE FULL TRANSITION,
[02:20:04]
BOUGHT TWO MORE AMBULANCES, 2024 ELIMINATED ALL SALARY OVERLAP WITHIN THE STEP PLAN.THAT WAS HUGE. THAT THAT WAS A MAJOR MILESTONE.
WE ADDED A SECOND AMBULANCE TO OUR FRONT LINE.
THAT WAS DUE TO SOME MOVES BY THE COUNTY AND AMR, THAT FORCED OUR HAND INTO THAT.
THEN YOU GUYS ARE PROBABLY FAMILIAR WITH MOST OF THE THINGS WE'VE DONE SO FAR THIS YEAR.
BUT AGAIN, THESE WERE ALL DEVELOPED BY OUR FIRE OFFICERS.
HERE'S SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY DOING.
SINCE 2021, WE'VE INCREASED OUR SALARIES BY 40%.
WE'VE UPGRADED MULTIPLE SOFTWARE PLATFORMS, WHICH I'VE GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE I REALLY HATE SOFTWARE AND ESPECIALLY STARTING NEW SOFTWARE.
BUT I WILL TELL YOU THAT 40 MAJOR PROJECTS OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS AND THREE MONTHS, MOST DEPARTMENTS TACKLE TWO OR THREE MAJOR PROJECTS A YEAR.
THAT DOESN'T COUNT ALL THE DAY TO DAY, MID SIZED PROJECTS AND SMALL PROJECTS.
ALL THAT WHILE RESPONDING TO 11 THAN CALLS FOR SERVICE OVER THAT TIME FRAME.
LASTLY, BEFORE WE GET TO QUESTIONS, I JUST WANT TO GIVE EVERYONE AND OUR COMMUNITY JUST A LITTLE TASTE OF WHAT OUR GUYS FACE EVERY DAY.
OUR PEOPLE ARE OUR GREATEST ASSETS.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT ANTI FIRE DEPARTMENT AND YOU SEE CENTRAL STATION AND YOU SEE STATION 2.
THE ANTI FIRE DEPARTMENT IS NOT THE BUILDINGS THAT WE OPERATE OUT OF OR THE FIRE TRUCKS THAT WE DRIVE UP AND DOWN THE ROADS, IT'S THE PEOPLE THAT MAKE OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT THEY'RE COMMITTED.
IT'S A TOUGH, DIRTY, PHYSICAL, INTELLECTUALLY CHALLENGING CAREER THAT REQUIRES HEART, AND THAT'S WHAT WE LOOK FOR WHEN WE HIRE PEOPLE IS HEART.
THEY MISS TIMES WITH THEIR FAMILIES.
THEY MISS BIRTHDAYS WITH THEIR CHILDREN.
A LOT OF TIMES THEY'RE MANDATORY TO WORK.
THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF FIREFIGHTERS KILLED IN A LINE OF DUTY IS 90 PER YEAR.
I'M NOT PICKING ON CITY MANAGERS, BUT I'VE NEVER HEARD OF A CITY MANAGER GET KILLED IN A LINE OF DUTY.
MAYBE I'M WRONG, BUT JOEY, YOU'RE FINE. YOU'RE JUST TEMPORARY.
MY ASK IS THAT WE DO RIGHT BY OUR FOLKS.
WE REGAIN THE MOMENTUM THAT WE ONCE HAD BECAUSE OUR GUYS PLACED THESE CITIZENS FIRST.
WE WERE ON THE RIGHT TRAJECTORY.
I WANT TO RETURN TO THAT CHASING THAT RATIO.
I WANT TO GET BACK ON THAT RATIO.
THEY'VE WORKED HARD, THEY'VE BEEN PATIENT FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, AND IT'S TIME TO GIVE THEM SOME WELL EARNED REST AND RELIEF FROM THIS ENVIRONMENT.
I'M READY TO SEE THAT GO UP A LITTLE BIT.
GREAT. I THINK THAT'S A GREAT PLAN.
BUT IT'S RETURNING TO OUR ORIGINAL TRAJECTORY AND REALLY TAKING A LOOK AT THESE DOCUMENTS, THESE FRAMEWORKS THAT WE HAVE.
IT'S TAKEN A LOT OF WORK TO LAY ALL THIS OUT.
I'VE PERSONALLY WORKED VERY HARD TO GET US TO THIS POINT AND I WANT TO SEE IT RE ESTABLISHED.
WITH THAT, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, AND I'VE ALSO GOT CHIEF BROWN AND CHIEF WOOD HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ANSWER, BUT I WILL DO MY VERY BEST.
>> YOU'RE GOING TO TRY AND GO TO THE 4896, CORRECT?
>> HOW IN THE WORLD ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE THAT WORK WITH WHAT YOU'VE GOT RIGHT NOW?
[02:25:04]
>> WE ARE GOING TO GO TO IT, BUT IT WILL PROBABLY BE THE FIRST QUARTER OF 26.
BY THAT TIME, WE WILL HAVE HOPEFULLY, IF YOU GUYS APPROVE THE THREE ADDITIONAL FIREFIGHTERS, THAT WILL HELP.
WE ALSO ANTICIPATE I BELIEVE TWO OF OUR FIREFIGHTER PARAMEDICS WILL BE GETTING OUT OF PARAMEDICS SCHOOL.
WE'RE ALSO HOPING THAT ONE OR TWO OF OUR INJURY INJURED PERSONNEL WILL BE BACK ON THE TEAM.
THEY'RE STILL WORKING THE SAME NUMBER OF HOURS, BUT WHEN WE GET THAT WILL GET BACK TO FULL WHERE WE SHOULD BE.
THEN MAYBE NEXT CYCLE, WE CAN KEEP ADDING AND KEEP CHASING THAT RATIO.
BUT RIGHT NOW, WE REALLY NEED TO DO IT BECAUSE NUMBER 1, OTHER CITIES ARE DOING IT, AND IT'S A COMPETITIVE SUCH A COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT.
TERRY WOULD KILL ME IF I STOOD UP HERE AND SAID, WE CAN PAY FIREFIGHTERS $100,000 BECAUSE I KNOW WE CAN'T DO THAT.
BUT WE CAN AT LEAST DO EVERYTHING ELSE THAT WE CAN TRY TO DO WITH ALTERNATE ALTERNATE WORK SCHEDULES AND LISTEN TO THEIR THEIR WANTS ON THAT.
BUT YOU'RE RIGHT, IT WILL NOT RUN PERFECTLY YET UNTIL WE HIT THAT RATIO, BUT WE'RE GOING TO TRY IT.
>> I NOTICED ON YOUR CHART, YOU HAD THREE ENGINEERS INJURED?
>> WERE THOSE WORK RELATED INJURIES OR WERE THOSE JUST FATIGUE TYPE INJURIES?
>> I BELIEVE ONE OF THEM WAS A WORK RELATED INJURY.
ONE OR TWO? TWO WERE WORK RELATED.
>> MY NEXT QUESTION ACTUALLY IS FOR STAFF, NOT YOU.
IT WAS A BUDGETARY QUESTION. YOU'RE RELIEVED OF THAT ONE.
>> TERRY, DO YOU WANT ME TO LIE OR?
>> THERE SHE IS. SHE'S HIDING.
>> WELL, JOEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION.
>> THIS ONE'S FINANCIAL, SO IT HAS I GUESS I COULD ASK YOU, BUT TERRY IS MORE LIKELY TO BE ABLE TO ANSWER IT.
WILL THERE BE AN AVAILABILITY TO DO ANOTHER BUDGET AMENDMENT IN 2026 IF IT'S SO NEEDED FOR EITHER FIRE OR SOMEONE ELSE? IF WE'RE ADDING THE THREE TONIGHT, WE'RE PRETTY MUCH DONE.
THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL THE CAPACITY I FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH RIGHT NOW.
>> [INAUDIBLE] OVERTIME SAVINGS TO DO THAT ESSENTIALLY.
MORE COMMERCIAL COMING ON IN 2026, POSSIBLY, THAT MIGHT INCREASE THAT.
WELL, BUT THE THING IS, IS THE PROPERTY TAX CYCLE IS SET.
ONCE WE'VE SET THE BUDGET, OUR PROPERTY TAX REVENUE IS SET. GOT YOU.
>> THAT BEGS MY QUESTION, WHAT YOU'LL BOTH JUST TOUCHED ON.
THERE'S A FIGURE OF OVERTIME THAT YOU'RE USING RIGHT NOW.
>> IT'S GOING TO PAY FOR HOW MANY FIREFIGHTERS BY ELIMINATING THAT OVERTIME?
>> WE'RE NOT COMPLETELY ELIMINATING OVERTIME, BUT WE ALSO THINK THE 4896 IS GOING TO MAKE SOME CHANGES TO THE OVERTIME CALCULATION.
WE ALSO WITH THE ADDITION OF THE AMBULANCE SERVICE, WE'RE GETTING SOME AMBULANCE REVENUE THAT I AM ALWAYS HESITANT TO FOLD INTO THE BUDGET, BUT THAT IF WE REALLY NEED THESE THREE FIREFIGHTERS, I'VE UP THE REVENUE SIDE FOR AMBULANCE REVENUE AND LOOKED AT, LIKE I SAID, OVERTIME, SOME OTHER CALCULATIONS, YES.
BUT THREE IS ABOUT AS FAR AS I THINK I WANT TO STRETCH IT.
>> IS OVERTIME TIME AND A HALF OR IS IT STRAIGHT TIME?
>> THE WAY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SCHEDULE WORKS AND THE WAY [INAUDIBLE] LABOR STANDARDS IS, THERE'S A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MANDATORY OVERTIME FOR EVERY FIREFIGHTER.
GETTING INTO THE COMPLICATED SIDE OF IT.
RIGHT NOW THEY'RE ON A 28 DAY PAY CYCLE.
IF THEY GO TO 4896, WE'RE GOING TO FLIP THEM TO A 14 DAY PAY CYCLE, WHICH IS GOING TO CHANGE THE OVERTIME CALCULATION.
IT'S VERY COMPLICATED WHEN IT COMES TO FIRE BECAUSE THEY'RE IN THE FIREHOUSE 24 HOURS.
>> BECAUSE I WAS JUST DOING MATH AND THE HEAD THERE, JUST WHEN HE MENTIONED ABOUT THE APPROVED TIME OFF.
JUST BY MY MATH, THAT'S NEARLY SIX FIREFIGHTERS RIGHT THERE THAT'S COSTING OVERTIME.
IF OVERTIME COSTS MORE PER HOUR.
[02:30:03]
>> BUT REMEMBER, EVERY SINGLE FIREFIGHTER EVEN THESE ADDITIONAL FIREFIGHTERS ARE GOING TO EARN SOME OVERTIME.
LIKE I SAID, I'VE BEEN DOING THIS A FEW YEARS.
OVERTIME TO A FIREFIGHTER IS NOT THE SAME AS OVERTIME TO ANYONE ELSE.
>> THE POINT BEING THOUGH IS IT'S A COMPOUNDING ISSUE EVERY TIME YOU HAVE TO SOMEBODY'S OUT FOR TIME OFF.
IT COMPOUNDS THE PROBLEM EVEN MORE?
>> TO PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE TO WHAT ELDON WAS SAYING, HE WAS FIGURING THAT THERE'S ROUGHLY ABOUT THE EQUIVALENT TO SIX FIREFIGHTERS IN OVERTIME.
WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS THAT NORMAL USAGE FOR FIREFIGHTERS CONSIDERED WOULD BE EFFECTIVELY THE COST OF THREE FIREFIGHTERS IN OVERTIME, BUT THAT'S EXPECTED OVER TIME?
>> THAT'S THE APPROVED TIME OFF?
>> SINCE YOU'RE UP HERE TERRY, WHAT'S THE BUDGET?
>> OVERTIME, WE HAVE A BUDGET SO WHAT'S THE BUDGET FOR OVERTIME?
>> I THINK I HAD IT RIGHT AT ABOUT $600,000, AND WE'RE GOING TO BRING IT DOWN A LITTLE BIT.
>> WE'RE AT WHAT, 750,000 IN OVERTIME THIS YEAR ALREADY?
I HAVEN'T LOOKED AT OCTOBER, NOVEMBER BUT IT'S NOT THAT MUCH.
>> FROM WHAT I FOUND, EITHER WAY, IT'S A LOT.
>> I MEAN, YOU MAY BE LOOKING AT LAST YEAR.
>> [OVERLAPPING] I HAVE A QUESTION, BUT I WANTED TO ASK YOU THAT, SO THANK YOU.
>> I THINK EVERYBODY HERE ASKED REALLY GOOD QUESTIONS.
I HAVE A COUPLE TO FOLLOW UP WITH.
FIRST OF ALL, CHIEF, THANK YOU AND YOUR STAFF FOR A LOT OF YOUR HARD WORK.
YOU GUYS ARE DOING A LOT OUT HERE WITH VERY MINIMAL RESOURCES.
IT'S REALLY APPRECIATE YOU. COUPLE OF QUESTIONS THAT I DO HAVE.
ONE THING I DID WANT TO PUT OUT THERE IS IN THE FUTURE, TERRY, I KNOW, THINGS WERE DONE A CERTAIN WAY.
BUT MOVING FORWARD, LET'S MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE REALLY BUDGETING FOR THESE THINGS A LITTLE BIT FURTHER OUT.
WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE, WE CAN DISCUSS OFFLINE, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT IN THE SIMILAR POSITION ANYWHERE DOWN THE ROAD IN THE FUTURE.
>> I THINK WHAT I WOULD TELL YOU IS THAT WE DO LOOK AT IT FURTHER OUT, BUT THE REVENUES DON'T SUPPORT OUR NEEDS ALWAYS.
>> YEAH, AND THAT'S AN EDC THING IS WE NEED TO BRING THAT REVENUE AND HELP CLOSE THAT GAP FOR YOU GUYS.
IT'S A FULL CIRCLE OF LIFE IN THE CITY WORLD.
>> WHERE'S THAT GUY? I NEED TO TALK TO HIM.
>> THROW ANOTHER ONE OUT THERE ON THE EDC SIDE THEY'RE BACK TO YOU.
IF YOU WANT TO ATTRACT THOSE BUSINESSES, THEY HAVE TO KNOW THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE SAFE.
>> EXACTLY. IN EXCELLENT POINT.
THANK YOU, SIR. THAT LEADS TO A COUPLE OF MY OTHER THINGS.
WITH OUR ETJ AND A LOT OF THESE ESD DECISIONS THAT HAVE BEEN RECENTLY MADE.
IF NOT ALREADY, THERE'S A LOT OF WEAR AND TEAR ON OUR EQUIPMENT.
DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH OF A PERCENTAGE OF YOUR TIME YOU'RE SPENDING IN THE ETG VERSUS THE CITY LIMITS?
>> I DON'T HAVE THOSE NUMBERS TONIGHT.
NO. WE RAN THOSE NUMBERS PROBABLY SIX MONTHS TO A YEAR AGO.
I DON'T THINK THEY'RE ACCURATE.
>> ULTIMATELY, THE MAIN GOAL IS THAT OUR DEMAND IS INCREASING, BUT OUR STAFFING ISN'T IN CORRELATION WITH OUR POPULATION GROWTH.
ANOTHER THING TO KEEP IN MIND IS OUR CITY IS DIVIDED IN TWO WITH A TRAIN TRUCK.
WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ON THE EAST SIDE.
WE'VE HAD TWO DERAILMENTS IN RECENT MEMORY.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE'S A DERAILMENT AND THE FIRE STATION CAN ACCESS THE EAST SIDE? THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM.
THIS IS WHY I WOULD ALSO HUMBLY REQUEST THAT THE CITY AND COUNCIL, WE LOOK AT WESTMINSTER.
THEY HAVE A FIRE STATION OUT THERE.
IT'S NOT THE BEST, IT'S OLD, BUT IT GIVES US THE ABILITY TO HAVE AN EAST SIDE STATION BEFORE THE NEW DEVELOPMENT COMES UP.
BEFORE THAT COMES UP. I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE IMPORTANT AS WELL.
NOW, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON? WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE AVERAGE HOME OWNER? WHAT THIS MEANS IS THIS IS GOING TO AFFECT YOUR INSURANCE RATES.
IF YOUR FIRE STAFF IN YOUR LOCAL CITY IS NOT ABLE TO REACT FAST ENOUGH TO THE RESPONSE TIMES GO UP, YOUR INSURANCE IS REFLECTED BY THAT.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW A LOT ABOUT THAT.
ALSO, TO YOUR POINT, THE BURNOUT CREATES A LIABILITY FOR US, PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY AS WELL, FOR A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE.
THEN ALSO PUBLIC SAFETY IS KEY.
WE'VE APPROVED WHAT 18,000 APARTMENTS.
WE'VE GOT ALMOST OVER 10,000 HOMES IN THE PIPELINE.
I THINK IT'S ABOUT TIME WE FOCUS ON THIS, AND I THINK EVERYONE TONIGHT HERE IS ON THE SAME PAGE.
ONE THING I DO WANT TO AT LEAST COMMIT TO ON OUR SIDE AND JOEY IS EDC DIRECTOR AS WELL, IS WE WANT TO MAKE SURE ANYTIME WE HAVE ANY EDC DISCUSSIONS MOVING FORWARD,
[02:35:01]
THAT WE ARE ACTIVELY AND AGGRESSIVELY PURSUING OPTIONS TO GET FIRE AND POLICE BUILT OUT BY THOSE DEVELOPERS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE TO HELP MITIGATE ANY OF THIS IN THE FUTURE.ONCE AGAIN, I APOLOGIZE THAT THIS EVEN GOT TO THIS POINT.
THE SAFER GRANT QUESTION WAS MINE ORIGINALLY SO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR FOLLOWING UP ON THAT.
ULTIMATELY, WHAT THAT QUESTION WAS TO BRING HOME THAT WE CANNOT USE THIS GRANT TO COVER WHAT WE'VE MISSED.
THERE'S NO WAY OUT OF THIS NOW.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO COVER THE GAP, AND THEN ONCE WE DO, WE CAN GO BACK AND IF MY UNDERSTANDING IS CORRECT AND GO APPLY FOR THOSE, AND IT'LL HELP US IN THE FUTURE.
IF THERE'S ANYBODY ON THIS COUNCIL THAT HAS ANY CONCERNS, I'M GOING TO GO DOWN THE LINE AND LET ME KNOW.
>> DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS, SIR?
>> WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND LET EVERYBODY SPEAK IF THEY WANT TO.
I'LL RUN THE MEETING. THANK YOU.
>> I'M JUST ASKING, DOES ANYBODY HERE HAVE ANY CONCERNS WHILE I'M HERE? MAYBE THERE'S SOMETHING I CAN ADDRESS.
SIR, DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS? FANTASTIC. THANK YOU.
>> CAN I MAKE ONE COMMENT? JOEY AND HIS CREW THERE HAD BEEN EXCELLENT AND WHEN WE DEAL WITH POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS GETTING THIS PROPERTY, THE LAND IN HURRICANE CREEK FOR STATION 2 WAS DONATED BY CENTURY IN AMERICA.
I BELIEVE WE HAVE THREE OTHER PROPERTIES THAT HAVE BEEN DEEDED TO THE CITY SO THEY'VE DONE EXCELLENT WITH THAT.
JOEY ALWAYS LOOKS OUT FOR ME FIRST, WHAT CAN I SAY? HE'S JUST THAT WAY, THAT KIND OF GUY, I GUESS.
BUT NOW THAT IS FRONT AND CENTER, AND IT'S ALWAYS FRONT AND CENTER IN MY MIND.
IN FACT, I GAVE THEM A FORMULA TO USE.
ANYTIME WE HAVE A DEVELOPER THAT SHOWS UP AND SAYS, HEY, HOW MUCH LAND DO YOU WANT? HERE'S THE FORMULA.
PLUG AND CHUCK. THIS IS HOW MUCH LAND I NEED.
>> I GOT A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.
YOU'VE ANSWERED THIS QUESTION A LONG TIME AGO.
I DON'T REMEMBER THE ANSWER, BUT WE ALWAYS HIRE FIRE PARAMEDICS, CORRECT?
THAT'S OUR CHOICE, THAT'S WHAT WE WANT.
I'M SORRY. WE DON'T ALWAYS HIRE. THAT'S WHAT WE WANT.
>> YES. THAT'S OUR GOAL, IS TO HIRE FIREFIGHTER PARAMEDICS, BUT IT'S VERY DIFFICULT.
>> SINCE WE ARE IN A NEED FIRE EMT OR JUST FIRE WOULD COST US A LITTLE LESS THAN SALARIES, CORRECT?
>> FIREFIGHTER EMTS WOULD RUN LESS, YES.
>> COULD WE LOOK AT THAT OPTION?
>> WE HAVE A BIT OF A HYBRID SYSTEM RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WE CAN'T SEND EVERYONE TO PARAMEDIC SCHOOL THE FIRST DAY THAT THEY GET HERE BECAUSE THOSE SCHOOLS ARE SCHEDULED.
SOMETIMES THERE ARE EMTS ON OUR AMBULANCES.
AS THE FIRE CHIEF, I WOULD RECOMMEND AGAINST THAT.
>> TO THAT POINT, I THINK IT'S PRETTY RISKY TO BE CUT IN CORNERS.
I THINK IF WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS, WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS THE RIGHT WAY.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO PIECEMEAL IT RESPECTFULLY.
>> HERE'S WHY, BECAUSE OUR AMBULANCES ARE MOBILE INTENSIVE CARE UNITS.
THEY ARE PARAMEDIC LEVEL INTENSIVE.
>> I'M NOT TRYING TO PUT A FIRE EMT ON THE AMBULANCE.
WE HAVE ENOUGH AND IN TRAINING, WE CAN COVER AMBULANCES WITH OUR FIRE PARAMEDICS, CORRECT?
>> WITH NON FIRE CERTIFIED PARAMEDICS, ARE YOU SAYING?
>> I HAVE TROUBLE HEARING TOO.
FIRE PARAMEDICS, WHAT WE PREFER.
WE HAVE ENOUGH FOR THEM TO STAFF OUR AMBULANCE.
>> DO WE HAVE ENOUGH AFTER THE FOUR GET OUT OF THE TRAINING?
>> I WILL HAVE TO LOOK AT THE NUMBERS ON THAT.
I'LL HAVE TO PULL UP THE ROSTER AND SEE.
UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S NOT THAT SIMPLE BECAUSE ONCE SOMEONE IS OFF, NOW, LET'S SAY THEY'RE OFF ON VACATION FOR TWO WEEKS, WHO DO I HAVE ON THE BENCH TO PULL FROM?
>> IF IT'S NOT A PARAMEDIC, NOW I'VE LOWERED THE SERVICE LEVEL.
>> HERE'S ANOTHER ONE THAT I HOPE YOU DON'T ANSWER IT THE WAY I WANT TO ASK IT.
WHAT'S THE FIRST TRUCK YOU TAKE OUT OF SERVICE?
>> PROBABLY AMBULANCE TWO, BUT I WOULD NOT TAKE IT OUT OF SERVICE.
I WOULD SET IT AS A SECONDARY AMBULANCE THAT WOULD BE CROSS MANNED.
>> WHAT'S OUR WORKLOAD FOR OUR TWO AMBULANCES? FIVE YEARS AGO WE HAD AMR OR FOUR YEARS AGO,
[02:40:01]
WE HAD AMR, WE HAD ONE.TWO YEARS AGO, WE ADDED OUR SECOND OR YEAR AND A HALF, WE ADDED OUR SECOND SO WHAT IS OUR CURRENT WORKLOAD FOR BOTH OF OUR AMBULANCES?
>> OUR CALL VOLUME FOR STRICTLY EMS, I WOULD HAVE TO RUN THE NUMBERS PER HEAD, CHIEF BROWN.
>> TOTAL. SINCE HE'S NOT ON THE MICROPHONE, I'LL DO IT FOR THE RECORD.
SO 7-9 EMS CALLS PER DAY PER SHIFT.
>> WHAT WOULD THAT DO IF WE JUST HAD ONE AMBULANCE? I KNOW WE HAVE A SECONDARY BACKUP, BUT WHAT IF EVERYBODY ELSE WAS ON A CALL FOR A WRECK OR SOMETHING ELSE?
>> WELL, WHAT THAT WOULD DO IS THAT WOULD BRING AMR BACK INTO THE PICTURE.
>> THAT'S 20 MINUTES AWAY, CORRECT?
>> [OVERLAPPING] BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO ASSUME THAT VAN OLSTEIN OR MELISSA COULD PICK UP THAT DOUBLE DROP.
WE HAVE A LOT OF OVERLAPPING CALLS.
IN FACT, I THINK IT'S ABOUT 30% NOW.
SO THREE TIMES OUT OF 10, THERE'S AN OVERLAPPING CALL.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT OUR TRIPLE IS, BUT IT'S UP THERE TOO.
>> I THINK I GOT A COUPLE MORE.
I ASKED YOU A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, AND I ASKED YOU AT BUDGET AND WE WERE GOOD IN STAFF LEVEL.
BUT NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN, WE WERE THREE PER TRUCK, TWO ON THE AMBULANCE, AND ALL OF THAT.
I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE YOU'VE BEEN HERE AND LIKE YOU SAID, WE'VE BEEN A PART OF THIS GROWTH, AND IT'S BEEN AMAZING.
IT'S UPSETTING THAT WE'RE AT WHERE WE'RE AT.
IT REALLY IS AND ME PERSONALLY, I TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF WEIGHT OFF IT'S ON ME.
I'M JUST ONE VOTE, BUT I'VE BEEN HERE AND I'VE SEEN IT, AND I SHOULD HAVE PAID MORE ATTENTION.
THIS YEAR'S BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR, WE HAD AN ACTING CITY MANAGER, AND YOU FOR A WHILE, AS OUR ACTING ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER.
HOW COME YOU DIDN'T COME AND ASK FOR ANYBODY?
>> ANYTIME WE DID THE BUDGET WORKSHOPS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
I EVEN BROUGHT UP THE FACT THAT WE CUT BACK FROM THE POLICE AND CHIEF A, I WILL APOLOGIZE, BUT I'LL BRING IT UP AGAIN.
WE CUT BACK FROM THE POLICE AND WE HIRED FIRE AND YOU SAID NO NEED TO. THAT WASN'T YOUR EXACT WORDS.
>> [OVERLAPPING] DISAPPROVED FOR THE SAFER GRANT.
>> THEN ALSO THE PREVIOUS CITY MANAGER REBUFFED HIS REQUEST EARLIER.
>> THE PAST CITY MANAGER HE LEFT JUST BEFORE THIS BUDGET PROCESS STARTED.
WE HAD AN ACTING CITY MANAGER AND WE HAD YOU AS OUR ACTING ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER DURING THE WHOLE PROCESS.
I GET THERE'S SOME GEARING UP TO IT AND EVERYTHING, BUT WHENEVER IT ALL STARTS ALL THE MEETINGS AND ALL OF THAT STUFF, THE PROCESS, THE ASK AND EVERYTHING, THE PAST CITY MANAGER WAS NOT HERE.
YOU WERE AN ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER AND WE HAD AN ACTING CITY MANAGER.
HOW COME WE DIDN'T GET ASKED FOR FIRES IN?
>> I THINK WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WE BUDGETED EVERY SINGLE DINE OF REVENUE THAT WE WERE GOING TO RECEIVE AT THE TIME BASED ON THE PROJECTION.
>> WE COULD HAVE ADDED FIRE, BUT YOU NEED TO TELL ME WHAT I NEED TO CUT AND I HONESTLY DON'T KNOW OF A PLACE IN THE CITY I WOULD HAVE CUT.
>> COUNSELMAN SANG, I'M NOT ATTACKING ANYBODY.
I'M JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, I'M FRUSTRATED, JUST AS MUCH ANYBODY ELSE.
>> DO YOU KNOW WHAT I'M FRUSTRATED ABOUT? I'M FRUSTRATED THAT OUR LAST MEETING, WE FRIVOLOUSLY, AND I SAY WE BECAUSE A COUPLE OF MEMBERS ON HERE, NOT THE MAJORITY, PUT A $1.6 MILLION CHART OR ATTEMPTED TO PUT A $1.6 MILLION EXPENSE ON THE CITY FOR CHANGING THE COLOR TO PURPLE BUT TODAY, WE'RE NICKLING AND DIMING A FEW FIREFIGHTERS.
IS YOUR LIFE WORTH A FEW EXTRA DOLLARS? I THINK IT IS.
WE NEED TO FIND THE PRIORITIES.
OBVIOUSLY, SOME PEOPLE UP HERE DO NOT HAVE THE CORRECT PRIORITIES.
AT THE BOTTOM OF THAT LIST IS THE COLOR PURPLE.
THERE IS A TIME FOR IT, BUT $1.6 MILLION THAT WERE ORIGINALLY REQUESTED AT THE LAST NOT 10 MEETINGS GO TOUGH LAST MEETING.
>> SIX MILLION DOLLARS IS YOUR NUMBER?
>> NO. THAT WAS THE NUMBER THAT TAYLOR, THE PREVIOUS CITY MANAGER.
>> [OVERLAPPING] WE'RE GOING TO COME BACK TO THIS. WE'RE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT THE COLOR,
[02:45:01]
WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT NUMBERS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS RIGHT HERE.>> [OVERLAPPING] THIS COMES DOWN TO PRIORITIES.
WE HAVE A CERTAIN COUNCIL PERSON HERE, NICKLIN DIMING OVER ONE OR TWO FIREFIGHTERS WHERE SOME PEOPLE WERE WILLING TO SPEND $1.6 MILLION WITHOUT EVEN ACTUALLY KNOWING THE COST OF THE COLOR CHAIN IN THIS CITY, AND THEY WERE WILLING TO PUT THAT UP FOR A VOTE WITHOUT ANY DISCUSSION.
BUT HERE TONIGHT, WE'VE SPENT HOW MUCH TIME ARGUING OVER A FEW FIREFIGHTERS THAT'S IT'S A NO BRAINER.
>> THAT BUDGET ITEM. YET, WE'RE NOT ARGUING.
I'M ARGUING THAT WE NEED 12 OR 15.
WASN'T THAT 12 OR 15 TO GET US UP TO 1.5 OR 1.3? THAT'S WHAT I WANT.
>> YOU DON'T HAVE THE REVENUE TO DO THAT ANY WAY WITHOUT MAKING OTHER CUTS IN THE BUDGET BECAUSE OUR PROPERTY TAXES ARE CAPPED IN EVERY SINGLE BIT OF IT.
>> I'M GOING TO ASK YOU A QUESTION HERE JUST TO CUT THROUGH THIS.
YOU MADE THE STATEMENT THAT 2024, 2023, THAT YOU WERE TOLD NOT TO DO THE SAFER GRANT AND THAT THERE WERE NO ALLOCATIONS OR THERE WAS NO MENTION TO GET ANY MORE FIREFIGHTERS IN THE BUDGET FOR THOSE BUDGET YEARS.
WAS IT BECAUSE THERE WAS A BUDGETARY ISSUE? WAS THERE ANOTHER REASON? WHY WAS THE REASON WHY WE DIDN'T GET OTHER FIREFIGHTERS FOR THOSE TWO YEARS?
>> JUST FOR CLARITY, IN 2023, WE DID CHASE THE SAFER GRANT.
I WAS GIVEN APPROVAL TO DO THAT.
IN 2024, I WAS TOLD NOT TO CHASE IT.
IN 2025, IF YOU LOOK AT THE SLIDE THAT'S CURRENTLY ON THE SCREEN, YOU'LL SEE WHY WE DID NOT BUDGET FOR FIREFIGHTERS.
>> CORRECT. MY QUESTION IS, SO WE DIDN'T HIRE ANY EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS APPARENTLY A NEED TO HIRE THEM.
THERE ARE SOME BUDGETARY REASONING WHY WE DIDN'T HIRE THEM IN 2023, '24 EXTRA FIREFIGHTERS.
>> ONCE AGAIN, BOTH THE LAST TWO YEARS, WE ADOPTED RIGHT UP TO THE ROLLBACK RATE AND WE SPENT EVERY BIT OF MONEY THAT WE WERE ALLOCATED IN PROPERTY TAX.
WE COULD NOT LEGALLY HAVE RAISED THE PROPERTY TAX ANY HIGHER.
IN ORDER FOR US TO ADD TO FIRE, AND IT'S ABOUT COUNSEL PRIORITIES, UNDERSTAND THAT THAT IS GOING TO MEAN GOING INTO THE BUDGET AND CUTTING SOME OTHER AREA.
>> I WILL EXPLAIN IT DOWN A LITTLE BIT, TALK ABOUT WHAT'S IMPORTANT IS A MORALE AND HOW WE KEEP OUR FIREFIGHTERS.
FORTY EIGHT, 96 HAS BEEN A HOT TOPIC FOR FOUR YEARS, I BELIEVE, IF I CAN REMEMBER CORRECTLY, WHY NOW? IT'S FOR YOU CHIEF.
>> WHY NOW BECAUSE WE ARE FINALLY STARTING TO GET THE SUCCESSFUL RATIO.
MY DISCUSSIONS WHEN MARK TOOK OVER, MY IMMEDIATE DISCUSSION WITH HIM WAS MARK, IF WE DON'T GET THE SAFER GRANT, I WOULD LIKE TO PLEASE USE SALARY SAVINGS IN OVERTIME TO HIRE FIREFIGHTERS TO GET TO THE RATIO WE NEED TO OPERATE THE ALTERNATE WORK SCHEDULE.
>> WHAT I'M SAYING IS WHY NOT TWO YEARS AGO WHENEVER EVERYBODY ELSE?
>> WE'VE BEEN ONE TO ONE RATIO FOR FOUR YEARS.
>> BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE SLIDE, HERE I GUESS I'LL HAVE TO GO BACK TO THIS.
I'M NOT TRYING TO GET HEATED OR ANYTHING.
I JUST CARE ABOUT THE CITY AND I CARE ABOUT THESE YOU AND YOUR DEPARTMENT. JUST AS MUCH AS.
>> I DON'T THINK YOU DON'T. I WOULDN'T GET THAT IMPRESSION AT ALL.
I THINK YOU MAY HAVE HAD PEOPLE IN LEADERSHIP THAT MAY NECESSARILY NOT HAVE INFORMED YOU.
THAT WOULD BE MY GUESS, BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT FOR A FACT.
>> HOW'S THE MORALE AND HAVE YOU DONE OR CAN WE DO ANYTHING TO HELP YOU, HELP THE MORALE, HELP THE CULTURE? I WAS ALWAYS TOLD THE COURT IF THE PAY ISN'T THERE, THE CULTURE KEEPS THE FIREMEN AROUND.
I'M QUOTING SOMEBODY RIGHT OR WRONG OR IS IT IN THAT PART?
>> YOU'RE RIGHT, OUR OBJECTIVE AND COMMANDS HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO MAINTAIN THE CULTURE THAT WAS ORIGINATED HERE YEARS AGO.
>> HOW IS THAT CULTURE, AND IS THERE SOMETHING WE COULD DO OR YOU CAN DO OR
[02:50:04]
WE CAN HELP YOU DO INCREASE THAT CULTURE TO KEEP THOSE GUYS AROUND.I HOPE THAT KEEPS GUYS AROUND.
I'M SURE THEY'RE INTERVIEWING OR WHATNOT.
I WORK FOR A POWERLINE COMPANY, AND I SEE GUYS JUMP FROM POWERLINE COMPANY, POWERLINE COMPANY FOR THAT EXTRA DOLLAR.
>> THE CULTURE THE PEOPLE, THE LEADERSHIP IS IMPORTANT SO WE CAN KEEP THOSE GUYS AROUND AND EQUIPMENT.
WE GOT SOME NICE EQUIPMENT, TO BE HONEST.
>> IT'S ALL NEW BECAUSE WE'RE [OVERLAPPING] IN HER INFANCY.
>> IS OUR MORALE GOOD, IS OUR CULTURE GOOD? IS THERE SOMEWHERE TO IMPROVE THAT?
>> WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT MORALE, THAT'S THAT CAN BE A MYSTICAL THING TO PIN DOWN.
WE DO OUR BEST TO FIGURE OUT WHAT OUR GUYS AND GALS WANT.
RIGHT NOW, THEY WANT A 4896 SCHEDULE, AND THEY WANT COMPETITIVE SALARY.
IF YOU'RE ASKING ME WHAT YOU CAN DO AS A COUNCIL PERSON TO HELP WITH THAT, I CAN'T TELL YOU WHAT TO DO, BUT THERE'S AN AGENDA ITEM COMING UP WHERE YOU WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO IMPROVE OUR STAFFING RATIO.
COMPETITIVE SALARIES, WE'LL HAVE TO PROBABLY ADDRESS THAT IN THE NEXT CYCLE.
>> I HEARD THREE IS WHERE YOU'RE COMFORTABLE.
I HOPE CHIEF, IF WE HAVE TO TO GET A LITTLE UNCOMFORTABLE BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT KEEPS OUR NEIGHBORHOOD SAFE.
I DON'T WANT TO HOUSE FIRE AND THERE'S ONLY THREE FIREMEN ON THE TRUCK.
THEY CAN'T GO IN TO SAVE THE FAMILY'S HOUSE.
>> NO, I I'M NOT SUGGESTING THAT WE RE REDUCE OUR EFFECTIVE FIGHTING FORCE ON THE FIRE SIDE.
IF YOU RECALL, I SAID, PROBABLY MEDIC TOO WOULD BE IF I HAD TO MAKE A CHANGE.
I THINK ANY OF US WANT TO SEE AND REDUCE OUR AMBULANCE SERVICE.
>> I BELIEVE MARK FORWARDED YOU GUYS SOME MATERIAL A COUPLE OF WEEKS BACK THAT I GAVE TO HIM.
IF YOU LOOK THROUGH SOME OF THAT MATERIAL, YOU CAN SEE SOME CONVERSATIONS THAT WERE HAD AND SOME DOCUMENTS THAT WERE SENT TO PREVIOUS CITY MANAGERS, WHERE I SAID, THE LAST THING I WANT TO DO IS CUT SERVICES.
>> I PERSONALLY, I'M SPEAKING FOR MYSELF, BUT I'M HOPING THAT EVERYBODY ELSE TALKING.
WE JUST NEED TO FIGURE IT OUT AND WE NEED TO DO WHAT WE CAN SO WE CAN KEEP UP OR WE GOT TO CATCH UP AGAIN.
CAUGHT UP FIVE, SEVEN YEARS AGO.
NOW WE GOT TO CATCH UP AGAIN, AND WE GOT TO STAY AHEAD.
>> I AGREE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
PLEASE DON'T LEAVE THIS BUILDING TONIGHT THINKING THAT WE'RE NOT APPRECIATIVE OF YOUR SUPPORT. THANK YOU APPRECIATE.
>> JUST SOMETHING THAT HE SAID THAT MADE ME THINK OF IT.
THERE'S AN ADAGE WHEN IT COMES TO BUSINESS THAT YOU HAVE TO SPEND MONEY TO MAKE MONEY.
IF WE INVEST IN THIS PART OF OUR COMMUNITY, BACK TO WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, IT'S GOING TO FURTHER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WHICH WILL HAVE MORE MONEY AGAIN TO PUT MORE FIREFIGHTERS AND MORE POLICE ON THE STREETS, TO MAKE IT SAFER FOR MORE BUSINESSES TO COME TO TOWN TO PAY MORE OF THOSE TAXES SO THE CITIZENS DON'T HAVE TO SHARE THAT BURDEN. THANK YOU.
>> HONESTLY, IT'S ACTUALLY A PERFECT NIGHT TO DISCUSS THIS WITH THE NEIGHBOR ACADEMY GRADUATES.
WHEN WE DO OUR NIGHT WITH THE NEIGHBORS, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT NIGHT, WE TALK ABOUT HOW THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY IN GENERAL, IS A SERVICE INDUSTRY IT'S NOT A PRODUCTION MODEL.
YOU'RE INVESTING IN SERVICES THAT YOU HOPE YOU NEVER NEED.
IT'S LIKE INSURANCE ON THAT LEVEL.
BUT MAN, WHEN YOU NEED IT, IT'S THERE.
THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE PAYING FOR.
>> THINK ABOUT THIS, CIRCLING BACK TO THE POINT THAT WHEN YOU HAVE A FIRE STATION THAT'S STAFFED, ESPECIALLY IN A CITY, IT ACTUALLY LOWERS YOUR HOME RATES, YOUR HOME INSURANCE RATES.
A LOT OF PEOPLE DIDN'T ACTUALLY MAKE THAT CONNECTION.
THAT'S SOMETHING I HONESTLY FOUND OUT TODAY WHILE DOING SOME RESEARCH, BUT IT REALLY DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
THEN ALSO THE TYPE OF MATERIAL THAT THEY'RE GOING TO USE TO AND ANY TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT IN A CITY.
ONCE AGAIN, APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING THIS UP AND I'M SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG FOR US TO ADDRESS THIS.
>> CAN YOU GO BACK TO THE GRAPH? MINUTE ONE OR TWO SLIDES?
>> ONE OR TWO SLIDES FORWARD OR BACK? THIS ONE?
NOTHING IN 2024, NOTHING IN 2025.
THAT'S HOW WE GOT TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY.
>> WE HAVE TO CORRECT THAT. WE HAVE TO CORRECT THAT SOON.
[02:55:03]
OTHERWISE, WE'RE GOING TO BE IN BIG TROUBLE SHOULD SOMETHING CATASTROPHIC HAPPEN.>> THAT TRAIN DEMENT WAS JUST A WARNING FOR US.
WE'VE HAD TWO. CAN'T WAIT FOR A THIRD.
>> THANK YOU. APPRECIATE THE INFORMATION.
>> THAT TAKES US TO CONSENT ITEMS.
[6. Consent Items. ]
THESE ITEMS CONSIST OF NON CONTROVERSIAL HOUSEKEEPING ITEMS REQUIRED BY LAW.ITEMS MAY BE CONSIDERED INDIVIDUALLY BY ANY COUNCIL MEMBER MAKING SUCH REQUESTS PRIOR TO A MOTION AND VOTE ON COUNCIL ITEMS. FOR THE RECORD, I'D LIKE TO PULL 6D, AND THEN I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
>> I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE ITEM 6A-C, E-I AND K AND L.
>> BEFORE WE GO ANY FURTHER, CLARK, FOR 6C, ARE WE ABLE TO VOTE ON THAT AS A COUNSEL OR DO WE HAVE TO DO THAT ONE SEPARATELY? IT'S THE ANA PUBLIC FACILITY CORPORATION.
I RECOMMEND VOTING ON THAT SEPARATELY.
WE'LL DO ITEMS A-B, E-I, K AND L.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND, IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES.
>> ON THE NARRATION HERE IT SCOTT ITEMS A-C, WE HAD TO PULL C. A AND B.
>> I DON'T HAVE A PANEL. IT EARLIER.
>> IT DID GIVE US, I THINK SOMETHING AND I THINK I DID VOTE ON THE FIRST ONE, BUT THEN WE NOTICED THAT THE C WAS NOT [INAUDIBLE]
>> IT GAVE ME AN ERROR AND YOU CAME OVER HERE AND WORKED YOUR MAGIC AND THEN COME WORK IT AGAIN [LAUGHTER].
>> WE GOT A LOT OF MEETING TO DO.
>> ON THE ICE CREAM [OVERLAPPING] YOU DON'T EVEN MOVE IN.
THAT'S [INAUDIBLE] [OVERLAPPING] IT'S USUALLY UP WHEN I SIT DOWN. BUT IT GAVE AN ERROR.
>> I NEED A CHAIR RIGHT HERE [OVERLAPPING] WHAT IF WE GET A REFINER?
[03:00:36]
>>SORRY. THOSE CONSENT ITEMS PASS 70.
[6.c. Acting as the Anna Public Facility Corporation, approve a First Amendment to Trust Indenture, Loan Agreement, and Promissory Note for the Palladium East Foster Crossing project. (Director of Economic Development Joey Grisham) ]
ACTING AS THE ANA PUBLIC FACILITY CORPORATION, APPROVE A FIRST AMENDMENT TO TRUSTEE INDENTURE LOAN AGREEMENT AND PROMISSORY NOTE FOR THE PLATOM EAST FOSTER CROSSING PROJECT.>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. THIS ITEM WAS BROUGHT TO US.
IT'S JUST BASICALLY ASSIGNMENT THAT NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE.
BASICALLY ADDING THE LOAN AND DOCUMENTS TO THE FEDERAL HOME MORTGAGE CORPORATION, FREDDIE MAC, AND IT REQUIRES THE BOARD TO VOTE ON IT.
THAT'S WHY IT'S BEING BROUGHT BACK TO YOU TONIGHT AS THE PSC BOARD.
IS THIS AN INCENTIVE FOR A MULTI FAMILY? THIS IS A PREVIOUSLY DONE DEAL.
THIS IS A PALLADIUM EAST FOSTER CROSSING DEAL THAT'S ALREADY BEEN BILLED.
CORRECT. WHAT ARE THE EXACTLY REQUESTING FROM US? JUST AN UPDATE OR.
>> YES. IT'S JUST AN AMENDMENT AND BASICALLY AN ASSIGNMENT.
>> REMIND ME WHAT EXACTLY THEY NEED THIS FOR?
>> BECAUSE IT'S BEING ASSIGNED TO ANOTHER AND REQUIRES A VOTE OF THE BOARD TO AMEND THE AGREEMENT? IT'S JUST CHANGING ANOTHER'S LIKE YOUR HOME MORTGAGE GETS SOLD OFF OR I THINK THIS ONE'S JUST BEING ASSIGNED SOMEWHERE ELSE.
>> NO, FOR SURE. MY ONLY CONCERN IS JUST IT'S JUST THE APARTMENTS.
>> BUT THIS IS A DEAL THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN APPROVED IT'S ALREADY BEEN BUILT, SO IT'S NOT TO BUILD ANYTHING.
>> THE AMENDMENT IS FURTHERING THE PREVIOUS AGREEMENT WITH.
>> THERE'S NO GOING BACK ON ANY OF THIS? WHAT IF WE HYPOTHETICALLY DIDN'T APPROVE THIS TONIGHT? HYPOTHETICALLY.
>> I COULD TALK TO THE BOND COUNSEL.
THAT WOULD BE A QUESTION FOR MCCALL PARKERS WHO SENT IT IN.
>> I APPRECIATE THAT IS JUST IT'S A TOUGH PILL FOR ME TO SWALLOW JUST WITH THE MULTI FAMILY, BUT I UNDERSTAND. THANK YOU.
>> WHICH IS WHY IT'S ON THE HOUSEKEEPING ITEMS IS REALLY A WAY OF LOOKING AT THAT. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
>> YOU CAN MOTION I'LL SECOND.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND I SECOND.
IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES. OH, IT IS. I'M SORRY.
>> MOTION PASSES 6, 1 TAKES US TO ITEM 6D,
[6.d. Approve a Resolution setting a Public Hearing under Section 372.009 of the Texas Local Government Code to be held on December 9, 2025, on the advisability of the creation of a public improvement district and improvements within the City of Anna, Texas, to be known as Liberty Hills Public Improvement District No. 1 and authorizing the issuance of notice by the City Secretary of Anna, Texas, regarding the Public Hearing. (Director of Economic Development Joey Grisham) ]
APPROVE A RESOLUTION SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING UNDER SECTION 372-2009 OF THE ADVISABILITY OF THE CREATION OF A PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AND IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THE CITY OF ANNA TEXAS.TO BE KNOWN AS LIBERTY HILLS PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NUMBER ONE AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF NOTICE BY THE SECRETARY OF ANNA TEXAS REGARDING THE PUBLIC HEARING. MR. GRISHAM.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. THIS ITEM WE WERE ASKED TO TABLE BY THE CONSULTANTS TODAY, IT'S NOT READY YET, SO WE'RE JUST ASKING YOU TO TABLE THIS ITEM OR CLARK, JUST TABLE.
>> WELL, THEN I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO TABLE.
>> HAVE A MOTION AT A SECOND, IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE, CAST YOUR VOTES.
[03:06:08]
>> YOU MAY HAVE TO COME IN [INAUDIBLE] TO MAKE A MOTION, AM JUST SAYING.
>> MAYOR, CAN WE GO AHEAD AND DO A ROLL CALL?
[6.j. Approve a Resolution Amending the Park Development Fee Credit Agreement with Jefferson Villages of Waters Creek for the Construction of a Trail Through Carol Park. (Park Planning and Development Manager Dalan Walker)]
APPROVE RESOLUTION AMENDING THE PARK DEVELOPMENT FEE CREDIT AGREEMENT WITH JEFFERSON VILLAGES OF WATERS CREEK FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TRAIL THROUGH CARROLL PARK, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER DAN WALKER.>> GOOD EVENING, MARY, COUNCIL.
THIS ITEM IS A REQUEST FOR AN ADDITIONAL $540,500 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TRAIL THAT RUNS THROUGH CARROLL PARK.
THE CITY HAS ALREADY COMMITTED $660,000 TO THIS PROJECT.
THE DEVELOPER JPI IS USING THEIR PARK FEES THAT ARE JUST OVER $650,000, TO DESIGN AND BUILD THIS.
THIS IS A VERY DIFFICULT SITE.
IT'S BEEN IN DESIGN FOR OVER FOUR YEARS.
THERE'S QUITE A BIT OF DRAINAGE STRUCTURES, EROSION CONTROL STRUCTURES, AND A LOT OF GRADING JUST BECAUSE OF ITS LOCATION.
THERE WAS QUITE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE OPINION OF PROBABLE COST AS IT COMES TO EARTHWORK AND GRADING, AND THAT'S WHERE ALMOST ALL OF HALF A MILLION IS COMING FROM.
JPI WAS ABLE TO VALUE ENGINEER A LITTLE OVER $100,000 OUT TO GET THAT NUMBER DOWN A LITTLE BIT.
IF YOU WERE TO APPROVE THIS ITEM, THAT WOULD MAKE THIS PROJECT ABOUT A $1.8 MILLION TRAIL IN COMPARISON TO PECON GROVE TRAIL, WHICH WAS JUST COMPLETED.
THAT WAS A $1.4 MILLION PROJECT.
THAT TRAIL IS SHORTER THAN THIS ONE, AND IT WAS PRETTY EASY.
THERE WERE VERY FEW SITE CONSTRAINTS ON THAT PROJECT AT ALL.
THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.
IF WE WERE TO TAKE THE DESIGN THAT THEY DID AND BID THIS PROJECT OUT, I HONESTLY DON'T THINK WE COULD GET THE PRICE THAT WE'RE AT RIGHT NOW WITH THE DEVELOPER.
>> IN YOUR CIP PRESENTATION EARLIER TODAY, YOU NOTED THAT THERE WAS $330,000 SPENT ALREADY?
>> THAT WAS A PREPAYMENT TO JPI AS PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BECAUSE ONCE THEY GET STARTED, THEY'LL BASICALLY BE FINANCING THE REST OF THE PROJECT UNTIL IT'S COMPLETE.
PART OF THIS AMENDMENT IS THAT THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET A CO ON THEIR LAST BUILDING UNTIL THE TRAIL HAS BEEN BUILT.
>> THE REASON FOR THIS EXTRA $540,000 IS JUST TO TOPOGRAPHY AND MOVING THE EARTH?
>> YEAH. I WAS IT WAS A DIFFERENCE IN THE OPC AND THE ACTUAL BID.
THIS AGREEMENT CAME ALONG LATER THAN IT USUALLY DOES IN THOSE PROJECTS BECAUSE WE KNEW IT WAS A DIFFICULT SITE.
WE KNEW IT WAS EVEN GOING TO BE DIFFICULT TO BID, JUST BECAUSE SOME OF IT YOU CAN'T EVEN SEE BECAUSE OF VEGETATION OUT THERE.
WE WERE LATE TO THE GAME, BRINGING YOU THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT IN HOPES THAT WE WERE FAR ENOUGH ALONG IN THE DESIGN.
[03:10:01]
THEY WEREN'T BIDS, BUT THEY WERE ESTIMATES FROM CONTRACTORS WHO HAD LOOKED AT THE PLANS, AND THE REASON WE GOT IT TO YOU SO LATE IN THE PROCESS WAS WE DIDN'T WANT TO COME BACK LIKE WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW.WE WANTED TO HAVE A GOOD NUMBER.
BUT WHEN THEY ACTUALLY WENT TO BID, THEY FOUND OUT THAT THE GRADING NUMBERS WERE OFF QUITE A BIT.
>> WE'RE RECOMMENDING THIS COME FROM THE PDF, AND THAT BALANCE, AS YOU ALL SAID EARLIER, RIGHT NOW IS AT ABOUT TWO MILLION.
>> THANK YOU. THAT WAS EVEN A BETTER ADDITION ON TOP OF THAT. THANK YOU.
>> WITH THAT, I WILL MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT EXPLANATION, BY THE WAY.
>> WAS THAT A NO? WHAT WAS THAT?
>> WE NEED TO TALK A LOT MORE.
[7. Items For Individual Consideration and Public Hearings. (Part 1 of 2)]
ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION, AND PUBLIC HEARINGS.AT THE TIME AND PLACE OF ANY PUBLIC HEARING HELD DURING THIS MEETING, ALL PERSONS WHO DESIRE WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD IN OPPOSITION TO OR IN FAVOR OF THE ORDINANCE, APPLICATION, OR OTHER PROPOSED ITEM.
SEVEN A IS CONDUCTING A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER, DISCUSS, AND ACT ON AN ORDINANCE REGARDING A REQUEST TO AMEND AN EXISTING PLAN DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE NUMBER 1054-2023-06 FOR THE PARKS AT FOSTER CROSSING, PLANNING MANAGER, LAUREN MCKEE.
[LAUGHTER] THE LOCATION OF THIS PROJECT IS LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF FOSTER CROSSING.
IT'S ADJACENT TO THE ANNA RANCH DEVELOPMENT.
THE APPLICANT IS REQUESTING A TEXT AMENDMENT TO THE PLAN DEVELOPMENT, SO IT WOULDN'T CHANGE THE LAND USES WITHIN THE DEVELOPMENT.
BUT THE CATALYST FOR THIS REQUEST IS THE CONSTRUCTION TIMING OF THEIR AMENITY CENTER POOL.
THEY'VE ALSO IDENTIFIED SOME SCRIVENER'S ERRORS AND EDITS FOR CLARIFICATION WITHIN THE PLAN DEVELOPMENT LANGUAGE.
TO GIVE YOU SOME BACKGROUND ON THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, THERE'S TWO PHASES, 276 PLOTS WITHIN THE FIRST PHASE AND 239 WITHIN THE SECOND PHASE.
THE WAY THAT THE PLANNING PROCESS WORKS IS THE APPLICANT WILL GET THEIR BUILDING PERMIT, THEY WILL CONSTRUCT THE HOME, AND THEN THEY WILL GET THEIR CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY AFTER THEIR FINAL INSPECTION.
THIS WAS A COMPANION ITEM TO THE PARK FEE REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT THAT WAS APPROVED IN SEPTEMBER.
THEY HAD ASKED FOR INCREASING THE TRIGGERS FOR THE PARK FEE TO GO FROM THE 50TH CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY FOR THE FIRST PHASE OF THE PARK IMPROVEMENTS TO THE 100TH, AND THEN THE TRIGGERS FOR THE RESTROOM AND SOCCER FIELD FROM THE 100TH CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY TO THE 200.
I SPOKE TO NADER JERRY, OUR BUILDING OFFICIAL, ABOUT WHAT IS THE TYPICAL LENGTH OF A BUILDING PERMIT.
HE SAYS, USUALLY IT'S ABOUT SIX MONTHS, OBVIOUSLY, WHETHER IT HAS A BIG IMPACT ON HOLIDAYS.
ONE OF THE FIRST BUILDING PERMITS FOR THE PARKS AT FOSTER CROSSING WAS SUBMITTED IN JULY, AND THEY WERE SCHEDULED TO HAVE THEIR FINAL WALK ON NOVEMBER 10, SO THAT'S ABOUT 102 DAYS.
THE APPLICANTS HAVE STATED THAT THEY ARE EXPECTING TO COMPLETE THEIR AMENITY CENTER POOL IN MARCH OF 2026, WHICH IS ABOUT 112 TO 141 DAYS FROM TODAY.
AS OF THIS MORNING, THERE WAS 80 PERMITS RECEIVED AND 50 HAVE BEEN ISSUED, AND I DO HAVE TO CORRECT THAT, ONE IS ACTUALLY FOR THE PARK DEVELOPMENT.
EXCUSE ME. THE PRIMARY REQUEST IS TO AMEND THE LANGUAGE ABOUT THE AMENITY CENTER POOL.
THE APPLICANT HAD REQUESTED TO CHANGE THE WORDING TO THE LAST CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY WITHIN THE PHASE.
THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE COULD NOT RECOMMEND BECAUSE THE WAY THAT THAT WAS WORDED WAS THEY COULD GO THROUGH EVERY BUILDING PERMIT.
WE DID RECOMMEND TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION THAT THEY APPROVE THE SECONDARY REQUEST OF ALL THE SCRIVENER'S ERRORS.
WE GAVE PNZ A FEW DIFFERENT OPTIONS TO LEAVE IT AS SUBMITTED, LEAVE IT AS IS.
OR WE ALSO RECOMMENDED SOME ALTERNATE WORDING.
THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION CHOSE TO GO WITH THE WORDING OF THE 100TH CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY, WHICH IS THE SAME AS THE FIRST PHASE OF THE PARK IMPROVEMENTS.
[03:15:04]
THE DEVELOPER HAS COME BACK AND ASKED TO CHANGE THAT TO THE 200TH CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY.THAT IS THE END OF MY PRESENTATION.
THE APPLICANT IS ALSO HERE FOR QUESTIONS.
>> COUNCIL, ANY QUESTIONS? ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW WHAT? IT IS 859.
I'M GOING TO OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING.
DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKER CARDS? ANYONE? LAST CALL.
I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 8:59 P.M. COUNCIL, QUESTIONS, COMMENTS?
>> I DO HAVE A QUESTION. THE DOCUMENTS THAT WE WERE READING HAD THE RED LINED THROUGH AND THEN THE GREEN LANGUAGE.
BUT FURTHER DOWN IN THE PACKET, THERE WAS ONE THAT HAD JUST STRAIGHT RED.
IT STILL HAD THE STRIKEOUT, BUT IT ALSO HAD RED IN ANOTHER LANGUAGE.
THE ONE WITH THE RED AND GREEN LANGUAGE, THAT WOULD SUPERSEDE ALL THE OTHERS?
>> INCLUDING THE PD STANDARDS IN THE PACKET? THANK YOU.
>> SINCE THE PANSY VOTED ON AND APPROVED THE 100 CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY.
>> THAT WAS THEIR RECOMMENDATION.
>> THE DEVELOPER IS WANTING THE 200.
DOES THAT TRIGGER A SUPERMAJORITY VOTE FOR US?
>> A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR THE DEVELOPER, IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND STEPPING UP.
>> SURE. HI. FRANK SUE WITH MERY TOLMES?
>> PERFECT. FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR COMING TO OUR COMMUNITY.
>> PERFECT. THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING GREAT PRODUCTS FOR US.
>> WHY WAS THIS NOT ANTICIPATED? IF IT WAS, WHAT CHANGED?
>> I WOULD SAY IT TOOK LONGER TO GO THROUGH THE PERMIT PROCESS THAN ANTICIPATED.
WE DIDN'T BREAK AROUND UNTIL SEPTEMBER, TWO MONTHS.
SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, WE HAD ANTICIPATED TO BREAK AROUND A LOT SOONER, JUST TOOK LONGER THROUGH THE CITY PERMIT PROCESS AND TO GET THE PRE CONSTRUCTION MEETING.
THE REC THAT BROKE AROUND IN SEPTEMBER.
I KNOW IT SAYS MARCH FROM LAUREN'S PRESENTATION, BUT WE THINK BASED ON OUR CONTRACTOR'S SCHEDULE RIGHT NOW, IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE MAY.
THAT'S PRIMARILY WHY IT'S JUST TAKEN LONGER THAN IT HAS.
IT'S JUST THE TIME TO GET THROUGH THE PERMIT PROCESS.
>> NOW, WHEN IT COMES TO THE AMENITY CENTER.
>> HELP US UNDERSTAND WHY WE SHOULD GIVE YOU THAT FLEXIBILITY.
BECAUSE I DON'T SEE A BENEFIT FOR US OR FOR THE RESIDENTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE LIVING THERE EARLY ON, SO HELP ME UNDERSTAND.
>> UNDERSTOOD. WE JUST BROKE AROUND IN SEPTEMBER.
WE CAN'T BUILD IT ANY FASTER, IS WHAT I WOULD SAY, IT'S ALREADY BEEN PERMITTED.
IT'S ALREADY BEEN FUNDED. IT'S UNDER CONSTRUCTION TODAY.
LIKE I SAID, TO MAY RIGHT NOW IS WHERE OUR CONTRACTOR IS TELLING US TO.
WE CAN'T GET IT DONE ANY EARLIER. I WISH WE COULD.
WE WANT THE MENIT CENTER BUILT AS FAST AS POSSIBLE TO SELL HOMES.
RIGHT NOW, IT'S 250 BUILDING PERMITS.
THE 100TH COS IS ACTUALLY MORE PUNITIVE THAN A 250TH BUILDING PERMIT, 100 BUILDING OCCUPANCY, I THINK WE WOULD TRIGGER IN MARCH IS OUR BEST ESTIMATES BASED ON WHERE WE ARE TODAY, AND LIKE I SAID, WE THINK THAT THE [INAUDIBLE] IS GOING TO TAKE TILL MAY.
THAT WOULD HALT US IN THE MIDDLE OF SALES OF CONSTRUCTION, WHICH IS TERRIBLE FOR ANY PROJECT TO HAVE TO TURN BUYERS AWAY AND STOP CONTRACTORS BUILDING.
THAT'S WHY WE RECOMMENDED 200 THAT GETS US TO JUNE, WHICH I THINK THERE'S ALWAYS DELAYS AND WEATHER OR WHATNOT, THAT GIVES US A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME TO GET THERE.
>> IF WE WERE TO MEET YOU IN THE MIDDLE, AND ONCE AGAIN, THIS IS A HYPOTHETICAL.
>> THE MIDDLE BE LIKE A 150TH? IT WOULD DEPEND ON THE MARKET.
I WOULD SAY SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THAT MARCH AND JUNE DATE, SO WE'RE TALKING MAY.
I DON'T WANT HAVE TO COME BACK AND ASK YOU FOR ANOTHER EXTENSION.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE ASKING FOR THE 200TH.
THE 250TH BUILDING PERMIT, WHICH IS IN THE DOCUMENT TODAY, THAT GETS US TO ABOUT APRIL.
IT JUST GIVES US A LITTLE BIT MORE FLEXIBILITY.
WE'RE PLANNING ON DELIVERING IT, THE SAME DESIGN, WE'RE PLANNING ON PROVIDING IT.
TRUST ME AS FAST AS WE CAN TO SELL HOUSES.
>> FINE. THEN FOR THE ATTORNEY, JUST TO MAKE SURE THIS IS ALL ENFORCEABLE.
IF THERE'S ANY ISSUES, OR ANY DELAYS, WE CAN CIRCLE BACK TO THIS.
>> THIS WOULD BE A ZONING VIOLATION IF IT'S NOT DONE.
>> PERFECT. WE'RE TRYING NOT TO BE IN ANY VIOLATION.
>> WE WANT TO HELP THIS THING.
I WOULD SAY IF YOU GUYS ARE UNCOMFORTABLE THE 200, WE WOULD RATHER JUST LEAVE IT AS IT IS THEN.
>> I DON'T KNOW HOW THE REST OF COUNCIL FEELS, BUT I TRUST OUR STAFF AND IF THEY MADE A RECOMMENDATION, I WANT TO WORK WITH YOU.
[03:20:06]
BUT THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF A HURDLE FOR US.IF ANYONE ELSE HAS ANY THOUGHTS OR CONCERNS.
>> CAN YOU GO BACK THE SLIDE WHERE YOU TALKED ABOUT THE PLAYGROUND AND SOCCER FIELD.
ALL WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THOUGH IS THE AMENITY CENTER AND THE POOL.
WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT, THE PLAYGROUND AND SOCCER FIELD AREN'T CHANGING?
>> LAUREN, WAS THERE A SPECIFIC REASONING THAT THE BOARD GAVE THAT DIRECTION? THAT THEY DIDN'T WANT TO MOVE FROM THE 100TH, WHAT WAS THERE SPECIFIC?
>> THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED THE 100TH CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY BECAUSE THAT WAS IN LINE WITH THIS ITEM, THE PARKS FEE AGREEMENT IS THE 100TH CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY AS WELL.
>> I DON'T RECALL YOUR NAME. I APOLOGIZE.
ISN'T THE HOUSING MARKET STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW? I'M SORRY.
THE HOUSING MARKET ARE YOU NOT STRUGGLING A LITTLE BIT? THE SALE IS BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH [OVERLAPPING].
>> OPEN TO SAY TODAY, THE HOUSING MARKET WE ARE STRUGGLING A LITTLE BIT.
WE ARE PROJECTING TO DO A GOOD AMOUNT OF HOMES HERE AND SALES HERE AND WE WANT TO.
I WOULD SAY THE MARKET IN GENERAL IS A LITTLE SLOW.
>> THE 200 IT CAN DELAY THE POOL IN THE MAIN CENTER?
>> IT COULD, I SAY WE OPENED LAST MONTH, WE SOLD FOUR HOUSES.
ALL OF THIS IS NOT TRY TO DELAY THE REC CENTER.
WE WANT TO BUILD THE REC CENTER.
IT'S REALLY JUST TO NOT HALT CONSTRUCTION. IT'S ALL WE WANT TO DO.
IT'S THE ONLY REASON WE BROUGHT THIS ITEM UP IS TO NOT BE HALTED IN THE MIDDLE OF A PROJECT, WHICH IS THE WORST THING FOR ANY PROJECT.
I'LL BE HONEST, IF WE TURN BUYERS AWAY, WE TURN CONTRACTORS AWAY.
WE WANTED TO BE IN LINE WITH THE PARK CONSTRUCTION, WHICH IS THIS ITEM UP HERE.
THIS WAS GOING TO BE COMPLETED AS WELL IN MAY.
WE WANTED JUST TO BE IN LINE WITH THAT AS WELL.
BUT HONESTLY, IT'S JUST THE START DATE THAT WE HAD FOR THE REC CENTER.
IT IT TAKES NINE MONTHS TO BUILD A REC CENTER, NINE TO TEN MONTHS.
WE'VE DONE PLENTY OF THESE IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS.
WITH THE WEATHER THROUGH THE WINTER, IT JUST TAKES TIME.
LIKE I SAID, WE'D LIKE TO BUILD THIS AS QUICK AS WE CAN.
THAT'S WHY WE'VE ASKED FOR THE 200TH, IT GETS US INTO JUNE AND GIVES US AN EXTRA MONTH.
THAT'S THE ONLY REASON WE'RE ASKING.
LIKE I SAID, IF YOU GUYS ARE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THAT, WE WOULD ASK THAT WE JUST LEAVE IT AT THE 250TH BUILDING PERMIT THEN.
>> HAVE WE DONE ANYTHING SIMILAR FOR ANY OTHER DEVELOPER'S STUFF?
>> OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, I CANNOT THINK OF ONE.
>> THE REASON I ASKED THAT IS, IS THERE A RISK WE'RE SETTING A PRECEDENT HERE FOR OTHER DEVELOPERS?
>> THIS WAS PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED, YES.
WE HAVE OTHER PROJECTS WHERE THERE ARE TIMELINES ASSOCIATED WITH THEIR PROJECT.
TYPICALLY, THOSE ARE IN DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS FOR COMMERCIAL OR FOR MULTI-FAMILY WHEN THEY HAD TO START CONSTRUCTION.
>> THIS IS PROBABLY THE FIRST ONE THAT WE DID FOR A SINGLE FAMILY ASSOCIATED WITH THE AMENITY CENTERS BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD SUCH AN ISSUE IN TOWN SQUARE, PECAN GROVE, NORTH POINT CROSSING.
ALL THREE OF THOSE SUBDIVISIONS HAVE HAD ISSUES, WHERE THE DEVELOPER PROMISED ALL THESE AMENITIES AND THEN DIDN'T DELIVER.
>> THAT'S WHAT I WORRY ABOUT. I LIVE IN ONE OF THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS PECAN GROVE IS ANOTHER ONE.
SKORBURG IS VERY FAMOUS IN THE CITY FOR THAT SPECIFIC REASON.
LET ME ASK YOU AS WELL. DO YOU HAVE ANY RENTAL CAPS IN YOUR DEVELOPMENT?
>> RENTAL, WE SELL FOR SALE HOUSING.
>> FOR EXAMPLE, THE REASON I ASKED FOR RENTAL CAP IS SOME DEVELOPERS WILL PUT A 3% [OVERLAPPING] OF THE HOMES OR ANYTHING MORE IS NOT RENTABLE.
>> DO YOU MEAN THAT IF SOMEONE BUYS A HOME FROM US, THAT THEY TURN AROUND AND RENT IT? I BELIEVE, THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE CC&RS FOR A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, BUT WE TYPICALLY DO THAT.
>> LEON, DO YOU HAVE THAT ROUGH IF YOU DON'T, I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND.
AS LONG AS IT'S SOMEWHERE IN THERE, I'M PROBABLY PUTTING YOU ON THE SPOT.
BECAUSE THAT DOES HELP WEIGH THE SITUATION ON THE OTHER END.
ONCE AGAIN, I COME FROM A DEVELOPING FAMILY.
I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU MEAN THAT THE PROJECT STALLING IN THE MIDDLE IS ONE OF THE WORST THINGS YOU CAN DO.
I BANK TRYING TO PICK THAT UP, IT INCREASES THE RISK POTENTIAL FOR IT.
I UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM.
I'M ON THE FENCE, BUT I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM SOME OF THE OTHER COUNCIL.
DOES ANY OTHER CONCERNS WITH THIS? I THINK WE'RE READY FOR A VOTE.
[03:25:02]
SHE'S LOOKING TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION.>> WHILE SHE'S DOING THAT, DO YOU SEE ANY CONCERNS FROM YOUR END? [BACKGROUND] [LAUGHTER]
>> YOU GOT TO PICK YOUR OTHER SHOW IN THERE.
>> NO. I THINK LAUREN CAUGHT IT WELL.
I THINK GIVEN THE REPUTATION OF THE BUILDER, NO.
THEN THAT'S PROBABLY WHERE I STAND. THANK YOU.
>> I SAY ONE THING. I SAID IF YOU'RE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE 200TH, IT GIVES US A MONTH OF EXTRA TIME.
IT'S ALL REASON ASKING FOR IT.
I WOULD LIKE I SAID, ASK FOR TO JUST LEAVE THE DOCUMENT AT THE WAY IT IS, WHICH WOULD BE THE 250TH BUILDING PERMIT IF YOU GUYS ARE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH GOING TO THE 200TH CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY.
I JUST THINK 100TH IS DEFINITELY THAT'S GOING TO PUT US INTO MARCH, AND THAT WILL DEFINITELY STOP OUR PROJECT.
>> THOUGHTS FROM STAFF ON THAT?
>> I DON'T KNOW IF CALEB WANTS TO JUMP IN ON THIS ONE, BUT THE ONE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT THE CURRENT VERBIAGE IS ABOUT THE BUILDING PERMIT VERSUS THE CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY IS WITH THE 250TH BUILDING PERMIT, THEN THEY HAVE TO STOP CONSTRUCTION VERSUS CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY, THEY COULD STILL CONSTRUCT HOUSES, START POURING FOUNDATIONS AND ALL OF THAT.
>> WHAT CONCERNS DO YOU HAVE ABOUT THAT?
>> MY CONCERN ABOUT THAT IS THAT YOU BUILD THE HOUSE, YOU'D SELL IT, AND THEN YOU CAN'T CLOSE IT.
WE CAN'T GET A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY. WE'D HAVE A HOME BUILT.
WE HAVE A BUYER WAITING AND THEN THEY CAN'T GET A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY, SO THEY CAN'T CLOSE AND MOVE IN. THAT'S MY CONCERN.
IF WE PICKED 100 CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY, THAT'S WHERE WE'D BE AT, AND THAT WILL BE THE WORST CASE, I THINK FOR US TO HAVE HOMEOWNERS THAT PURCHASED A HOME RATE TO BE ANNA RESIDENTS AND CAN'T MOVE IN BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET A COO BASED ON THIS.
I'D RATHER NOT START THE HOUSE AT ALL.
>> FOR OUR ATTORNEY, IS THERE ANY WAY YOU CAN HELP US NAVIGATE THROUGH THIS? WOULD THAT BE AN APPROPRIATE QUESTION?
>> I THINK THE COUNCIL WOULD PROBABLY BE BEST OFF TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION IN CLOSED SESSION.
>> GOOD MORNING COUNCIL, IF I MAY, JUST HELP A LITTLE BIT WITH THE CLARIFICATION ON SOME OF THIS IS THIS DEVELOPMENT, MY UNDERSTANDING IT'S BEEN PICKED UP BY THE CURRENT DEVELOPER.
[LAUGHTER] THAT HAS TAKEN OVER THE PROJECT, AND I BELIEVE THIS IS ONE OF THOSE I GUESS, WHEN THE STARS IN SOME LINEUP JUST RIGHT WHERE YOU HAVE A SITUATION THAT PROBABLY YOU DIDN'T WANT TO GET INTO IN THE FIRST PLACE, BECAUSE REALLY THIS SHOULDN'T BE SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE HAVING TO EVEN WORRY ABOUT OR DISCUSS AT THIS TIME, BECAUSE REALLY I THINK THERE'S GOOD REASON TO HAVE CONCERNS FROM PAST EXPERIENCES.
WE LEARN FROM OUR HISTORY AND WE TRY NOT TO REPEAT OURSELVES ON THOSE THINGS.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THAT ORIGINAL DEVELOPER, I BELIEVE IS OUT OF THE PICTURE ON THAT, AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE A DEVELOPER HERE WHO HE'S REQUESTING THAT CHANGE IN OR TO WITHDRAW HIS APPLICATION OR REQUEST, AT THIS TIME, IF YOU'RE NOT WILLING TO CONSIDER THAT, HE WOULD JUST AS SOON LEAVE IT THE SAME AND WITHDRAW THIS REQUEST, WHICH WOULD MEAN YOU WOULDN'T HAVE TO TAKE ANY ACTION ON THAT.
>> WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND KILL?
>> THE COUNCIL COULD MAKE A MOTION TO TAKE NO ACTION IF IT DECIDED TO GO THAT ROUTE.
>> I THINK THERE'S EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES HERE.
I DON'T THINK THAT WOULD REALLY BENEFIT ANYBODY REALLY.
THERE'S NOT A WIN WIN IN TAKING NO ACTION.
I JUST NEED SOME ASSURANCE THAT IF WE DID GO FORWARD WITH DOING IT AT THE 200 CO. IS THAT GOING TO BE THE FIX? DO YOU ANTICIPATE ANY OTHER ISSUES COMING UP DOWN THE ROAD?
>> I DON'T. LIKE I SAID, THE REC CENTER HAS ALREADY STARTED ALREADY BID OUT, ALREADY CONTRACTED.
BUDGETS ARE THERE TO PAY FOR IT.
I DON'T SEE ANYTHING ON OUR SIDE THAT WOULD STOP IT.
THE 200 CO, I THINK GETS US TO JUNE, WHICH IS AN EXTRA MONTH OF WHERE THE CONTRACTOR SCHEDULE IS TODAY.
JUST A BUFFER, AS YOU GUYS KNOW IT RAINS.
WE HAVE ISSUES OVER THE WINTER.
I DON'T FORESEE ANY OTHER ISSUES.
WE'RE BUILDING A POOL AND A BATHROOM STRUCTURE.
THE FOUNDATIONS BEEN DUG OUT, REBARS IN, UNDERGROUND PIPING IS GOING IN RIGHT NOW.
[03:30:02]
I HOPE WE DO A LITTLE BIT BETTER THAN ME, BUT LIKE I SAID, WHEN I GET A SCHEDULE FROM OUR CONTRACTOR, IT RARELY IS SHORTER.>> IS THERE AN OPTION TO REQUEST FUNDS FOR ESCROW BE PLACED UNTIL THE AMENITY BE DONE AND THEN REIMBURSED?
>> THAT'S NORMALLY DONE DURING THE SUBDIVISION APPROVAL PROCESS, BUT NOT WITH ZONING.
>> STAFF, WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND CALEB HERE?
>> WELL, WITH THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT'S VIABLE THAT COULD BE ADDED AS PART OF THE WORDING WITH THE DEVELOPMENT.
>> I WAS THINKING IF WE CAN ADD SOMETHING LIKE THAT, IF YOU'RE WILLING TO WORK WITH US, I THINK THAT HELPS MITIGATE SOME OF A RISK AND ALLOWS US TO DEVELOP A BETTER RELATIONSHIP IN THE FUTURE, MAYBE WE DON'T NEED TO TALK ABOUT THIS.
>> IN TERMS OF PUTTING THE ESCROW AMOUNT OF THE REC CENTER INTO THE [OVERLAPPING] ESCROW.
>> MAYBE NOT THE FULL AMOUNT BUT A GOOD PERCENTAGE OF IT, WHATEVER STAFF WOULD FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH.
>> I THINK WE'D RATHER JUST LEAVE IT THE WAY IT IS HONESTLY THAN WE HAVE THE QUESTION IS, DO WE HAVE THE FUNDS, WE'RE A PUBLICLY TRADED COMPANY? WE HAVE THE FUNDS ITS NOT AN ISSUE.
I THINK I'D PREFER JUST TO LEAVE IT THE WAY IT IS THEN AND JUST WITHDRAW OUR APPLICATION.
>> STAFF, ARE YOU OKAY WITH THEM LEAVING IT THE WAY IT IS? WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND HERE?
>> THIS IS THE DEVELOPER'S REQUEST, AND IF HE'S REQUESTED TO WITHDRAW IT, I THINK WE COULD TAKE ACTION BASED ON HIS WITHDRAWAL REQUEST.
>> IT'S AT THE COUNCIL'S DISCRETION AT THIS POINT.
IT'S A ZONING ITEM, SO THE APPLICANT CAN REQUEST TO WITHDRAW, BUT HE'S NOT ENTITLED TO AT THIS POINT.
YOU CAN TAKE WHATEVER ACTION YOU DEEM NECESSARY.
>> WE WERE ASKING FOR A SIMPLE REQUEST.
I'M NOT SAYING THAT IT JUST BECOMES MORE COMPLICATED AS WE START DOING AN ESCROW AND ALL THOSE OF DIFFERENT THINGS.
LIKE I SAID, WE'RE ASKING FOR A SIMPLE REQUEST, IF IT'S A PROBLEM, THEN I THINK WE'RE OKAY WITHDRAWING.
>> I WANT TO REITERATE, WE WANT TO BE GOOD PARTNERS FOR DEVELOPERS.
WE'RE NOT HERE TO CREATE A WEDGE OR UNNECESSARY HURDLE, BUT WE'RE ALSO SHIFTING TOWARDS HIGHER END PRODUCT.
>> THIS UNFORTUNATELY STILL FALLS INTO THAT TRANSITIONARY.
IT'S WHERE WE'VE BEEN. THAT'S WHY I HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF HESITATION ON THIS.
I'M CURIOUS IF ANYONE ELSE ON COUNCIL.
>> JUST TO REITERATE, PUT THINGS BACK TOGETHER IN PERSPECTIVE.
YOU HAD A DEVELOPER THAT FOR WHATEVER REASON, STOPPED AND A NEW DEVELOPERS PICKED UP AND CARRYING THE BALL FORWARD.
THEY WERE JUST ASKING FOR A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT AGREEMENT THAN THE PREVIOUS.
THEY'VE GOT THE MONEY. THEY'RE JUST WANTING TO BE ABLE TO MAKE MONEY FROM THIS.
>> THAT'S THE VERY POINT WHY I THINK THIS BEING THE EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES THAT IT IS.
I THINK I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE 200 COS.
I DON'T FORESEE THIS SAME EXACT SCENARIO COMING UP AGAIN AND THIS HAPPENING NOW, THE NEXT TIME AROUND, WE CAN PUT BETTER LANGUAGE IN THERE, BUT HE'S WILLING TO PULL IT THAT'S FINE, BUT I THINK HE PREFERRED THAT WE GO AHEAD AND APPROVE IT WITH THE 200 COS. THAT WOULD BE MY RECOMMENDATION.
>> WHICH METRICS ARE WE GOING WITH BECAUSE THERE'S THREE NUMBERS ON THE TABLE?
>> THERE'S FOUR, IF YOU ADD IN THE MIDDLE.
>> TO ANSWER YOUR PREVIOUS QUESTION, NO, THIS WAS NOT ONE OF THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS THAT HAD THE RENTAL LANGUAGE.
>> SEE THAT HAD A LAYER OF COMPLEXITY OF THIS.
BECAUSE WHAT I'M WORRIED ABOUT IS IS GOING TO END UP LIKE ANOTHER [OVERLAPPING].
>> SHADOW BEND OR WHAT'S THAT NEIGHBORHOOD WITH THE BOTTOMLESS PIT RIGHT NOW? WHAT'S IT CALLED? WHAT'S THE NEIGHBORHOOD THE NEW ONE?
>> ANNA CAPRI. WE JUST DON'T WANT TO REPEAT.
WE'VE HAD MORE THAN I CAN COUNT ON ONE HAND, INSTANCES LIKE THIS.
ONCE AGAIN, GUYS, THIS IS A RISK.
WE'VE BEEN DOWN THIS ROAD BEFORE.
YOU YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN IN THIS POSITION, SO I'M GOING TO TAKE YOUR GUIDANCE ON THIS, BUT I JUST DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE.
>> MAYOR, ONCE YOU CLOSE YOU, I GOT A MOTION WHENEVER YOU'RE READY.
>> WELL, I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS FOR HIM.
>> YOU SAID THAT THE POOL [OVERLAPPING]
>> IF I MAY, JUST ONE POINT OF CLARIFICATION IS, YOU DO HAVE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION AND THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION BEFORE YOU AS WELL.
>> YOU SAID YOUR AMENITY CENTER HAS ALREADY STARTED BUILDING, THE POOL HAS ALREADY BEEN DUG OUT AND ALL OF THAT.
BECAUSE I COME FROM ONE OF THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ANOTHER DEVELOPER CAME IN AND FINISHED.
WE WERE SHOWN THIS BIG ELABORATE POOL, AND WHAT WE GOT WAS SOMETHING THAT WOULD FIT IN MY BACKYARD FOR 736 HOMES.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN.
>> TO CLARIFY, WITH THE PREVIOUS DEVELOPER GOT THE PROJECT APPROVED AND SOLD TO US.
THEY DIDN'T START THE PROJECT, THEN WE PHYSICALLY START THE PROJECT, THEN WE CAME IN AND DID ALL THE CONSTRUCTION OURSELVES.
THEY GOT THE APPROVALS AND THEN SOLD THE FOR SALE COMPONENT TO US.
[03:35:03]
THEY HELD ONTO THE OTHER COMPONENT OF THE PROJECT.>> BUT IT HAS BEEN STARTED, CORRECT?
>> YES. THE POOLS BEEN STARTED. IT'S BEEN DUG.
I'VE BEEN AERIAL AS YOU SAW. WENT OUT THERE TODAY.
THEY STARTED CONTRACTORS BEEN ON THIS PROJECT FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS.
GETS DUG LIKE I SAYS THE FOUNDATION FOR THE RESTROOMS DUG.
>> AND YOU ALSO SAID THAT IN YOUR HOA DOC, YOU HAD A RENTAL CAP ON THERE?
>> I BELIEVE SO I DON'T KNOW TOP OF MY HEAD.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING UP?
>> THE BOARD AGREE DOESN'T SPEAK TO THAT, BUT I BELIEVE WE PUT IT IN OUR CC&RS OURSELVES.
>> IT'S NOT CAN YOU REVISE IT AND PUT THAT IN THERE?
>> I DON'T SEE THAT BEING AN ISSUE AT ALL.
>> BECAUSE THAT WOULD GO ALONG WAY WITH US, IF YOU WILL.
>> NO. I HATE TO SAY THIS, BUT WE TRIED TO STOP INVESTORS BUYING HOMES AND RENTING THEM.
I WOULD SAY, WE USUALLY PUT THAT IN OUR CC&RS. I HAVE TO GO DOUBLE CHECK.
I DIDN'T LOOK AT THAT BEFORE I CAME HERE.
I DIDN'T KNOW THAT WOULD BE A QUESTION.
BUT I WILL LOOK IT'S NOT IN THERE WE'RE OPEN TO PUTTING IT IN THERE.
>> YOU COULD POSTPONE THIS ITEM, IF YOU CHOSE TO ALLOW THE DEVELOPER ENOUGH TIME TO IF HE NEEDS TO AMEND THE CC&RS, BRING THAT BACK TO THE COUNCIL SO YOU CAN SEE THAT.
IF YOU CAN WHEN YOU COME BACK, CAN YOU ALSO BRING PICTURES OF YOUR CURRENT PROJECT WHERE YOU ARE IN THE STAGES? JUST SO YOU GET A VISUAL, TOO.
I'LL DRIVE BY THERE MYSELF, BUT JUST IN CASE ANYONE ELSE COUNCIL IS IT?
>> WHAT ARE THE THAT TODAY, IF THAT'S WHAT YOU GUYS WANTED TO SEE?
>> THIS IS MY FINAL QUESTION FOR STAFF.
WE'VE BEEN REALLY FOCUSED THESE LAST FEW MONTHS ON SHIFTING THE CITY TOWARDS A HIGHER END PRODUCT.
NOW, WILL THIS CAUSE CONFUSION FOR STAFF OR DEVELOPERS? ARE WE BEING TRUE TO OUR VISION? LET ME ASK YOU THAT.
>> ARE WE BEING TRUE TO OUR VISION FOR HIGH QUALITY? I BELIEVE THAT WITH THIS SPECIFIC AMENDMENT, IT'S ENSURING THAT THE AMENITY CENTER IS GETTING BUILT FOR THIS DEVELOPMENT THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE ENTIRELY BUILT OUT WITHOUT ANY AMENITY, WHICH WE HAVE SEEN.
>> NO. SORRY, CALEB, YES. THANK YOU.
>> IF I COULD ADD TO THAT, I WOULD JUST ADD TO THE FACT THAT THESE STEPS ARE STEPS THAT ARE GOING TO BE TAKEN, AND SOME OF THESE THINGS HAVE ALREADY BEEN SET AND WE HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE CHOICES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE UNTIL THOSE ARE COMPLETED, AND THEN EVERYTHING NEW MOVING FORWARD, THOUGH, WILL BE AT THAT HIGHER LEVEL.
>> I APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU FOR LAYING THAT OUT.
I THINK IF EVERYONE'S OKAY, AM I OKAY TO MAKE A MOTION? CAN I MAKE A MOTION?
>> THE MOTION NEEDS TO INCLUDE IF YOU'RE GOING TO POSTPONE, IF THAT'S THE MOTION [OVERLAPPING]
>> IT NEEDS TO INCLUDE THE DATE, THE TIME AND THE PLACE WHERE THIS ITEM WILL BE BROUGHT BACK AGAIN.
>> CAN WE MAKE A MOTION TO POSTPONE THIS UNTIL OUR NEXT COUNCIL MEETING ON DECEMBER 9TH? IS THAT CORRECT?
>> YES. HERE AT [OVERLAPPING].
>> YES, 6:00 PM. THANK YOU FOR WALKING ME THROUGH THAT.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES.
>> COULD I ASK A QUESTION OR IS IT?
>> I GUESS MORE OF A LEGAL QUESTION.
IF FOR POSTPONING IT, I JUST NEED TO KNOW THE ANSWER.
WHY IS THE APPLICANT HAVE THE ABILITY TO WITHDRAW IF MY SENIOR EXECUTIVES DON'T WANT TO DO THAT?
>> I THINK YOU NEED TO GET WITH PLANNING STAFF ON THAT AFTER THIS MEETING.
>> JUST ASKING THE QUESTION, BECAUSE THAT'S A QUESTION WE'LL GET ASKED.
>> NO. GREAT QUESTION. THANK YOU.
ONCE AGAIN, WE'RE NOT TRYING TO BE DIFFICULT.
WE'RE JUST TRYING TO BE CAREFUL FROM PREVIOUS ISSUES.
WE TRULY APPRECIATE YOU COMING IN AND HELP COMPLETE A PROJECT.
I WILL GIVE YOU THIS COMMITMENT TODAY IF THERE'S A WAY FOR US TO WALK THROUGH THIS, WHERE EVERYBODY WINS, I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN ALL WORK TOWARDS.
I HOPE THAT'S A FAIR TAKEAWAY FOR YOU TODAY.
>> DID I HELP YOU UNDERSTAND, I THINK WHAT THE MOTION IS, IS FOR YOU TO COME BACK TO US IN DECEMBER WITH YOUR CCRS SAYING, HERE'S OUR RENTAL CAP, AND HERE'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO HOLD TO, AND MAYBE A LITTLE BIT OF PROGRESS.
AM I JUST TO CLARIFY SOME THINGS.
MAYBE THAT'S WHERE THE 200, WHAT YOU'RE ASKED FOR OR THE 250 RESIDENTIAL, WHICHEVER INSTEAD OF US DOING 100, THAT'S WHAT THEIR MOTION.
I'M JUST TRYING TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND BECAUSE I SEE YOUR FRUSTRATION AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT.
>> NO, I'LL GET ASKED THAT QUESTION BECAUSE OUR COMPANY WILL HAVE TO DECIDE.
[03:40:04]
IF WE CAN WITHDRAW, IT MIGHT MAKE SENSE FOR US JUST TO WITHDRAW.AND I'M HAPPY TO COME BACK ANYWAYS.
[OVERLAPPING] I AM NOT WORRIED ABOUT ANY OF THIS BECAUSE I SAID, IT'S NOT SOMETHING WE HAVE TO HAVE.
>> I WOULD SAY, RESPECTFULLY, LET'S GIVE THIS ONE MORE TRY.
I THINK THERE'S A WAY THROUGH IF YOU MEET US AND YOU FOLLOW UP WITH US, AND I THINK THERE'S SOME OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO FLEX AS WELL.
ONCE AGAIN, TO CALEB, OUR DIRECTOR HERE, HE MADE A GOOD POINT THAT THESE ARE ISSUES FROM THE PAST, AND WE APPRECIATE YOU COMING IN AND HELPING RECTIFY IT.
I THINK THAT WEIGHS A LOT, TOO.
I TRULY WANT TO CONSIDER THAT AND I TRULY APPRECIATE YOU COMING OUT.
THIS IS NOT A, NO. I THINK THERE'S A WAY THROUGH THIS.
I WANT YOU TO GO HOME AND SLEEP GOOD TONIGHT.
>> THERE YOU GO. MOTION PASSES. NO.
>> NOBODY VOTED. ADD THREE VOTES. [BACKGROUND]
>> CAN YOU CALL THE ROLL PLEASE?
THAT WILL TAKE US TO 7B, CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AND TAKE TESTIMONY PURSUANT TO SECTION 372-016, TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE REGARDING THE PROPOSED ASSESSMENTS TO BE LEVIED ON A PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN IMPROVEMENT AREAS NUMBER 3 OF THE WOODS AT LINDSAY PLACE, PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, MR. JOY GRESHAM.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. THE NEXT SEVERAL ITEMS THAT YOU SEE ARE VERY WORDY, AS MAYOR NOTED, BUT YOU CAN BLAME RUDY OUT THERE.
HE DID THAT. NOT TO THROW HIM UNDER THE BUS.
SPEAKING OF THAT, WE HAVE AN ALL STAR TEAM THAT WE WORK WITH, JAMIE WITH P3.
WE'VE GOT RUDY, OR BOND COUNCIL AND ANDREA, OR FINANCIAL ADVISORS WITH HILLTOP SECURITIES.
AGAIN, REALLY TONIGHT, IT'S MOSTLY WOODS AT LINDSAY PLACE AND CRYSTAL PARK, BUT THIS FIRST ITEM IS ABOUT TAKING UP THE ASSESSMENTS ON IMPROVEMENT AREAS NUMBER 3 FOR THE WOODS AT LINDSAY PLACE.
AGAIN, WE HAVE THE GROUP HERE THAT CAN GO INTO ANY MORE DETAILS THAT YOU WANT.
>> I'M GOING TO OPEN OUR PUBLIC HEARING AT 9:27 PM.
HAVE ANY CARDS OVER THERE, MS. LAND?
>> ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS LAST CALL? CLOSING PUBLIC HEARING AT 9:27.
COUNCIL, ANY COMMENTS, QUESTIONS? IF NOT, I'LL MAKE A MOTION.
NOW, WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO ITEM C. CONSIDER DISCUSS AND ACT.
C, CONSIDER, DISCUSS, AND ACT TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANNA, TEXAS, APPROVING A 2025 AMENDED AND RESTATED SERVICE AND ASSESSMENT PLAN, INCLUDING REVISED ASSESSMENT RULES FOR THE WOODS AT LINDSAY PLACE, PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHAPTER 372, TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE AS AMENDED, LEVYING SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS AGAINST PROPERTY WITHIN THE IMPROVEMENT AREAS NUMBER 3 OF SET DISTRICT AND ESTABLISHING A PAYMENT OF THE ASSESSMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHAPTER 372, TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE AS AMENDED, PROVIDING PENALTIES AND INTEREST ON DELINQUENT ASSESSMENTS, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MR. GRISHAM.
>> THIS IS THE ACTION ITEM OF WHICH YOU JUST DISCUSSED.
>> QUESTIONS, COMMENTS OR MOTION?
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO PASS 7C, IF I HAVE A SECOND?
>> MOTION TO SECOND, MS. LAND WOULD YOU CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE?
>> AYE. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
IT TAKES US ITEM D. CONSIDER DISCUSS AND ACT TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF CITY OF ANNA OF TEXAS, SPECIAL ASSESSMENT REVENUE BOND SERIES 2025, THE WOODS AT LINDSAY PLACE, PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, IMPROVEMENT AREAS NUMBER 2 THROUGH 3 PROJECTS, AND A PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $27 MILLION PAYABLE FROM SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS LEVIED UPON IMPROVEMENT AREAS NUMBER 2, AND IMPROVEMENT AREAS NUMBER 3 OF THE WOODS AT LINDSAY PLACE, PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT TO FUND PUBLIC.
IMPROVEMENTS IN SET DISTRICT, APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE INDENTURE OF TRUST, A BOND PURCHASE AGREEMENT,
[03:45:01]
A LIMITED OFFERING MEMORANDUM, A CONTINUING DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT, AND OTHER AGREEMENTS AND DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, MAKING FINDINGS WITH RESPECT TO THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH BONDS AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MR. GRISHAM.>> YES. ANDREA IS HERE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, BUT THIS IS AS JUST STATED NOT TO SEE 27 MILLION FOR BONDS FOR AREA 2 AND NUMBER 3 FOR LINDSAY PLACE.
>> COUNCIL, ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS OR MOTIONS?
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE 7D.
>> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
COUNCIL MEMBER CARVER? IF YOU WILL CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE?
>> AYE. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
THAT WILL BE TAKING US TO ITEM E, CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AND TAKE TESTIMONY PURSUANT TO SECTION 372-016, TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE REGARDING THE PROPOSED ASSESSMENTS TO BE LEVIED ON PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN IMPROVEMENT AREAS NUMBER 1 OF THE CRYSTAL PARK PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, NUMBER 2.
MR. GRISHAM? I'LL GO AHEAD AND DO THAT HERE.
I'M GOING TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 9:30 PM.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. THIS IS THE SAME THING AS PREVIOUS, BUT IT'S FOR THE CRYSTAL PARK DEVELOPMENT, WHICH IS THE BLOOMFIELD DEVELOPMENT FOR IMPROVEMENT AREAS NUMBER 1.
>> WE HAVE ANY SPEAKER CORDS ON THIS? ANYONE WHO WISH TO SPEAK? LAST CALL? CLOSING THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 9:31.
THAT TAKES US TO ITEM F. CONSIDER DISCUSS IN ACT TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANNA TEXAS, ACCEPTING AND APPROVING A SERVICE AND ASSESSMENT PLAN AND ASSESSMENT ROLE FOR THE CRYSTAL PARK PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NUMBER 2, MAKING A FINDING OF SPECIAL BENEFIT TO THE PROPERTY IN THE DISTRICT, LEVERING SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS AGAINST PROPERTY WITHIN THE DISTRICT AND ESTABLISHING A LIEN ON SUCH PROPERTY.
PROVIDING FOR THE METHOD OF ASSESSMENT AND THE PAYMENT OF THE ASSESSMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHAPTER 372, TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, AS AMENDED, PROVIDING PENALTIES OF AN INTEREST ON DELINQUENT ASSESSMENTS, PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MR. GRISHAM.
>> THIS IS THE ACTION ITEM FOR THE PREVIOUS ITEM.
>> ALL RIGHT. COUNCIL, I ACCEPT THE QUESTIONS, COMMENTS OR A MOTION, PLEASE.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION IN THE SECOND.
MS. LAND, WOULD YOU CALL THE ROLE, PLEASE?
>> AYE. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
TAKES US TO ITEM G, CONSIDER ASCUS AND ACT TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF CITY OF ANNA TEXAS, SPECIAL ASSESSMENT REVENUE BONDS.
SERIES 2025, CRYSTAL PARK IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NUMBER 2, IMPROVEMENT AREAS NUMBER 1 PROJECT IN A PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED NINE MILLION DOLLARS PAYABLE FROM A SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS LEVY UPON IMPROVEMENT AREAS NUMBER 1 OF CRYSTAL PARK PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NUMBER 2 TO FUND PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS IN SET DISTRICT.
APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING AN INDENTURE OF TRUST, A BOND PURCHASE AGREEMENT, A LIMITING OFFER MEMORANDUM, A CONTINUING DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT, A REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT, AND OTHER AGREEMENTS AND DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, MAKING FINDINGS WITH RESPECT TO THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH BONDS AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MR. GRISHAM.
>> MAYOR, I KNOW YOU'RE HAPPY. THAT IS THE LAST ONE.
THIS IS FOR THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS FOR CRYSTAL PARK.
>> COUNCIL, QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, MOTIONS?
>> MOTION IN A SECOND. MS. LAND, WOULD YOU CALL THE RULE, PLEASE?
>> AYE. MOTION PASSAGE UNANIMOUSLY.
TAKES US TO ITEM H, CONSIDER DISCUSS AN ACT AND AMENDED RESOLUTION FINDING THAT A PUBLIC NECESSITY EXISTS FOR ACQUISITION OF A PERMANENT SANITARY SEWER LINE EASEMENT AND TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT LOCATED IN THE P BURN SURVEY, ABSTRACT A 0100 NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF COUNTY ROW 290 AND COUNTY ROW 372, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, JOSEPH COTTON.
>> GOOD EVENING. I WILL TRY TO MAKE THIS ONE QUICK.
BACK IN MAY, YOU APPROVED A RESOLUTION FOR PUBLIC NEED FOR SOME EASEMENTS THAT WERE UP NEAR THE WESTERN SIDE.
IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY, I APOLOGIZE, OF THE LIBERTY HILLS TRACT.
IN THAT RESOLUTION, THERE WAS THE CALL THAT WE NEEDED TWO RIGHT OF WAYS,
[03:50:04]
A TEMPORARY EASEMENT, A SEWER EASEMENT, AND ANOTHER TEMPORARY EASEMENT.THIS IS JUST A REVISION OF THAT, CLEARLY DEFINING IT AS A RIGHT OF WAY, A WATER LINE EASEMENT, A TEMPORARY EASEMENT, A SEWER LINE EASEMENT, AND ANOTHER TEMPORARY EASEMENT.
THAT'S THE ONLY THING THIS IS.
IT JUST COULDN'T BE DONE AS A SCRIVENER'S ERROR.
IT ACTUALLY HAD TO BE A REVISED RESOLUTION.
WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF SENDING OUT INITIAL LETTERS TO THE LANDOWNER.
THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED AS OF YET SO WE MAY VERY WELL BE NEEDING TO HEAD TOWARDS OR SCHEDULING A SPECIAL COMMISSIONER'S HEARING FOR THIS.
WE JUST DIDN'T WANT THIS TO BE A STEPPING STONE AS WE GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS WHERE THEY POINT TO, WELL, THE RESOLUTION DIDN'T HAVE THE CORRECT WORDING IN IT BECAUSE IT'S ACTUALLY NOT TWO RIGHT OF WAYS.
IT'S A RIGHT OF WAY AND WATERLINE.
>> COUNSEL, ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
>> NO. I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE ITEM 7, 8.
>> YOU HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
MS. LAND, WOULD YOU CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE?
TAKES US TO ITEM I, CONSIDER, DISCUSS, AND ACT ON A RESOLUTION CASTING VOTES FOR THE COLLIN CAD BOARD OF DIRECTORS. MS. LAND.
>> YES, SIR. THE CITY OF ANNA HAS BEEN OPEN APPOINTED 11 VOTES TO CAST IN THIS FOR THE COLIN CAD BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN A COPY OF THE BALLOT.
THE DEADLINE FOR US TO GET THIS SUBMITTED BACK TO THEM IS DECEMBER THE 14TH.
>> WAS I GIVEN A COPY, OR WAS EVERYONE GIVEN A COPY?
>> EVERYONE WAS GIVEN THE BALLOT.
>> DO WE KNOW WHO THESE PEOPLE ARE THAT WE'RE VOTING FOR FOR THE CAT BOARD? ANY INFORMATION? THESE PEOPLE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR ASSESSMENTS?
>> NO. ARE ANY OF THEM INCUMBENTS?
>> I'M NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR SOMEONE IF I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHO THEY ARE.
>> I HAVE NO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
>> THAT'S FAIR. MAYBE IF THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY, I THINK OUR NEXT COUNCIL MEETINGS ON THE 9TH, MAYBE WE CAN GET SOME MORE INFORMATION.
PLEASE, THANK YOU. I'M MORE THAN WILLING, I JUST NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE FOCUS.
>> I THINK OUR NETWORK IS WALKIE [BACKGROUND]
>> POSTPONE THIS TILL THE DECEMBER 9 MEETING? WE'D STILL MAKE THAT DEADLINE.
>> I'LL MOTION TO POSTPONE TIL THE DECEMBER 9 MEETING HELD HERE AT CITY HALL AT 6:00 PM. I GET ALL THAT CLERK?
>> YES. SHE'S LEARNED IT. I'LL SECOND THAT.
>> I HAVE A MOTION. DID I HAVE A SECOND?
>> OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
MS. LAND, WOULD YOU CALL THE ROLE PLEASE?
>> AYE. MOTION PASSES. I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THAT IS.
>> THANKS. ITEM J, CONSIDER DISCUSS AND ACT ON THE RESOLUTION APPROVING BOARD AND COMMISSION MEETING RULES OF ORDER AND PROCEDURES. MS. LAND?
>> YES, SIR. THIS RESOLUTION IS TO ESTABLISH A UNIFORM SET OF RULES AND PROCEDURES THAT ENSURE FAIR, EFFICIENT, TRANSPARENT, AND LEGALLY COMPELLING COMPLIANT CONDUCT OF MEETINGS OF ALL BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.
THIS WOULD AFFECT ALL THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ACROSS THE BOARD.
ALSO IT WOULD REPEAL THE RESOLUTION 2010 1105, WHICH WAS ADOPTED BACK IN 2010, GIVING REGULATIONS AND RULES, FOOD MEETINGS.
>> IF NO ONE HAS ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION IN THE SECOND. MS. LAND, IF YOU WOULD CALL THE ROLE PLEASE?
[03:55:01]
TAKES US TO ITEM K. CONSIDER, DISCUSSING AND ACT ON AN ORDINANCE CANVASSING THE NOVEMBER 4, 2025 SPECIAL ELECTION AND DECLARING ADOPTION OF HOME RULE CHARTER AMENDMENTS VOTED ON BY ANNA VOTERS. MS. LAND.
>> YES. THIS IS THE CANVAS FOR NOVEMBER 4 ELECTION DOING CHARTER AMENDMENTS, AND I WILL READ TO YOU, WHICH PROPOSITIONS WERE PASSED IN THE CANVAS.
PROPOSITIONS A, B, D, E, F, G,I, J, L, M, O, R, AND, S HAVE PASSED.
>> VERY GOOD. COUNSEL, ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, OR MOTIONS?
>> MOTION IN A SECOND. MS. LAND, IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?
BEFORE WE GET TO ITEM L, OUR CITY ATTORNEY HAS ASKED WE ENTER INTO CLOSED SECTION.
[ 8. Closed Session (Exceptions).]
HE WANTS TO DISCUSS THIS WITH US.THAT BEING SAID, UNDER TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 551, THE CITY COUNCIL MADER IN A CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS ANY ITEMS LISTED OR REFERENCED ON THIS AGENDA UNDER THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 551071, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 551072, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 551087 AND TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 551074. DO YOU HAVE A MOTION?
>> MAKE A MOTION ON CLOSED SESSION.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
MS. LAND, IF YOU WOULD CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE?
>> AYE. WE ARE IN CLOSED SESSION AT 9:41 PM.
WE'RE OUT OF CLOSED SESSION AT 9:59 PM.
WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK UP INTO ITEM 7L.
[7. Items For Individual Consideration and Public Hearings. (Part 2 of 2)]
CONSIDER DISCUSSED AND ACT ON A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL GOVERNANCE GUIDE REGARDING THE PLACEMENT OF ITEMS ON CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDAS.>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO PASS. DO I HAVE A SECOND?
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
MS. LAND, WOULD YOU CALL THE ROLE, PLEASE?
I WAS INVOLVED WHEN WE PUT IT THIS WAY BEFORE, SO NO.
SEEING NO OBJECTION, WE'RE ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.