[0:03] Meeting to order and announce that we do have a quorum present. We'll begin with the Pledge of Allegiance. If you all don't mind, I'm going to ask the mayor, Pro Tem Carl Clemencich, to lead us in the pledge.
[0:13] Please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
[0:31] Well, if you will just join me for a moment of silence, please.
[0:46] Thank you.
[0:51] Well, I'm looking around to see if there's any scouts in the room. Or do we have any scouts? Big scouts, little scouts. Everybody's a scout. Um, well, I don't see any scouts. So we're going to move on to citizens comments. Um uh, citizens comments is a time to speak on agenda items of interest or concern that are not specifically listed on our agenda. As a reminder, the council is prohibited from deliberating on items not listed on the agenda, including items raised during citizens comments. I so I have one registered speaker. Um, so.
[1:33] I apologize if I misspelled your name or mispronounced your name. Um, please, uh, you're welcome to come up. Um, share your name and your address.
[1:44] My name is.
[1:46] 1209 Bentley Drive, 75013.
[1:51] Namaste. Honorable mayor and City Council members. Thank you for the opportunity to join you today as we celebrate an ancient tradition known as Raksha Bandhan, or as we call it in our community, Universal Oneness Day. We are here with the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh HSS USA, a sociocultural nonprofit organization active since 1989. Carrying forward the timeless motto motto of Vasudhaiva kutumbakam in Sanskrit, which means in English, the world is one family with 236 chapters. Across the United States, we strive to nurture values of unity, service, and mutual respect in communities, just like this one here in our Allen chapter. We meet every weekend bringing together children, youth, adults, and seniors to build strong character, leadership qualities and a spirit of selfless service. Our work spans value based learning for the next generation, physical and mental wellness activities, and hands on community service projects throughout the year. We aim to serve not just our own community, but the entire community. We are blessed to be a part of. Regardless of background or belief, Raksha Bandhan means a bond of protection. Its name comes from the two Sanskrit words raksha, meaning protection, and bandhan, meaning bond or obligation. Its roots stretch back 2500 to 3000 years to the Vedic era and the stories of the Mahabharata, where it appears in tales of loyalty and sacrifice between those who protect and those who are protected. Traditionally, it honors sacred relationships between the public and rulers or warriors. Citizens and administrators, students and teachers, husbands and wives, and most commonly between brothers and sisters. Through the ritual of tying Araki a sacred thread in ancient times, during moments of danger, this simple thread was tied as a reminder of one's sacred duty to stand by one another no matter the cost. This symbolic act is a reminder of the lifelong duty of the protector, be it a king, teacher, administrator, husband or brother to stand by and safeguard the ones in their care. But Raksha Bandhan is not limited to brothers and sisters. It is a promise of care, respect and protection between friends, mentors, protectors, and all that we hold dear. A reminder that the bonds that matter most are not always bonds of blood, but bonds of commitment. For over two decades, H.S. has celebrated this day as Universal Oneness Day, extending that same spirit of protection beyond our own families to first responders, community leaders, and neighbors from every background. Every year, our members visit civic leaders, police officers, firefighters, and others who serve on the front lines to thank them and honor the sacred duty they carry. We believe that when we protect one another, we strengthen the fabric of humanity itself, and that our identity as human beings, as children of the same Mother Earth, should rise above every other identity that might otherwise divide us. We invite you to join us in this festival of Raksha Bandhan as children of the Mother Earth, in a shared vow to protect and uplift one another as neighbors, as citizens, and as members of one human family. Thank you again for the opportunity to share this human Hindu tradition with you today. May the spirit of Raksha Bandhan inspire us all to be more compassionate, inclusive, and unified community. Namaste.
[5:06] Well, thank you for that. Appreciate it.
[5:13] Very good. Um, I don't see that I have any other registered speakers. So, um, we're going to go ahead and move on to the consent agenda. The consent agenda contains non routine or non-controversial items. Now the city secretary Shelley George will read the agenda.
[5:29] Following is a summary of the consent agenda. Please refer to the posted agenda for full details. Agenda item 5.1 approve minutes of the August 21st through 23rd City Council Budget Workshop agenda item 5.2 approved minutes of the August 25th Regular Council meeting. Agenda item 5.
[5:55] 3 Adopt resolution number 4236-9-26R S5:
[6:12] Veritas. North America for building inspection services for an amount not to exceed $175,000 annually. An agenda item 5.5, except the required certification from the Collin Central Appraisal District Office of the 2026 tax year appraisal roll.
[6:32] Very good. Thank you. Does Council wish to remove any items from the consent agenda?
[6:39] Seeing no motion, do I have a motion to approve the consent agenda?
[6:43] Motion.
[6:45] Second.
[6:45] Second.
[6:46] I have a motion and a second. Does everyone understand what they're voting on? Please vote. Now.
[6:58] It passes. Okay, um, we'll move on to the regular agenda. Um, agenda item 6.1. Um, to authorize the city manager to execute an agreement with Ambassador Services, LLC for housekeeping services at Credit Union of Texas Event Center. For an amount not to exceed $510,000 annually, with the option to automatically renew for an additional two one year terms. Presenting is Jason Cooley, our Community Development Corporation director. Welcome, Jason.
[7:31] Good evening. I have a short presentation on this one. Thank you sir. So thank you. Thank you for the opportunity to speak about this. This is our housekeeping contract for the Housekeeping and Event Center at the Allen Event Center. Uh, typically for housekeeping, what we mean is basically the cleaning and maintenance of the facility. And so this was originally the last council item was in 2021. And I was in a bid that was awarded to Starwood for a three year contract with two one year extensions. And so that contract is up. And so we went out and worked with purchasing to do a full RFP for housekeeping services. So we did the RFP specifically looking at addressing some of the issues that we have currently, and the need is for our expanded level of service in the event center. We've seen over the last couple of years that we've had larger events, national nationally televised events, bigger events, but also multi-day events. And so leading up to League of Legends, where we'll be in a facility for 22 straight days, but also items like where we'll have actually multiple events in one day, one day like Disney on Ice, where we'll have a four hour turnaround. So the need was to expand our level of service. So we went through the RFP process and Ambassador Service came out as the best vendor that we would like to move forward with, and that is the contract amount of $510,000. And that is a contract there that that amount of 510,000 is actually in the budget to 2026 budget for the event center and fully funded. We don't expect to actually use the entire amount, but we have to do that. It's up to $510,000, but we do expect to be reimbursed for a multitude of that. And also, if we can tap into the event trust fund. We will get reimbursed for hospitality services. Housekeeping services as well. So that's our item that we have here and happy to have any questions.
[9:20] Council any additional questions for for Jason.
[9:26] Thank you director. Can you speak more about this trust fund?
[9:29] Sure. It's the event trust fund. So typically it's we work with Brandy and the Convention and Visitors Bureau. If we can attract a, a multi-day event or a larger event that would generate room nights, specifically room nights, we can tap into the event trust fund as a state trust fund, and we can reimburse for a variety of different services, mainly housekeeping and some other issues that we can do. So we can make money back off those, those, those events. It's really good for us, and we've done it a couple of times. The last League of Legends event, and we fully expect and Ross Gerard is with me. He's my event trust fund master. Um, but we, we think that we'll have a couple of event trust fund events this year as well.
[10:09] Excellent. Thank you. And so I'm assuming that how this contract is working is that they've got so many turnarounds built in there. And so you're saying, okay, if we don't use them all, then we'll have a rebate. Can you use more than you expect.
[10:23] Does it go up? S3:
[10:46] Yeah. Thank you.
[10:48] Very good. Any other questions? Council? I don't see anybody moving. So do I have a motion to approve item 6.1.
[10:58] Mr. mayor, I make a motion to award bid and authorize the city Manager to execute an agreement with Ambassador Services. Housekeeping Services at Credit Union of Texas Events Center for an amount not to exceed $510,000 annually, with the option to automatically renew for an additional two year, two one year terms at the sole discretion of the City of Allen.
[11:21] Thank you. Second. Second. I have a motion and a second. Does everyone understand what they're voting on? Please vote now.
[11:34] Very good. It passes unanimously. Thank you. Okay, we'll go on to 6.2. And Mr. Cooley gets to stick around. And we're going to authorize the city manager to negotiate and execute a contract agreement for the Credit Union of Texas Event Center Commercial Concession Services with RS3 Strategic Hospitality for a management fee in an amount not to exceed 4% of gross revenue, plus 5% of net profit after expenses for an initial three year term, with an option for two one year renewals. Mr.
[12:06] Cooley? S3:
[16:00] It's exciting stuff. Um. Council questions.
[16:03] Yeah doctor I just you know, I, if I remember correctly, those six FTEs that the city is no longer going to be responsible for, they're going to be able to be hired on by the company.
[16:11] Correct. So. So for clarification. Yes. That's great. So for clarification, uh, six full time FTE, four of those FTE were actually filled by city employees. So two of them, two and a half were vacant. We've had conversations. They had, we'll call it interviews last week. And I talked to the RSVP today. And he's going to get back to me in regards to how those interviews went. But my full expectation is that they are hired. They have the opportunity to be hired back with SES three. Yes.
[16:40] All right. Thank you.
[16:41] Councilman Shaeffer.
[16:44] Yeah. Thank you again. You know, as you look to redo five, there's four inlaid kiosks and then the upstairs premium area a million sounds like a lot until you start doing it right. Is there going to be any, uh, capital, do you think matching on our end to do some of that work. And then secondly, on how that ties together.
[17:09] Do you think that we have everything in the back of the house in terms of kitchen equipment to execute everything that they want to do? S3:
[18:06] Yeah. And then lastly, if you can get Nolan there for the grand opening, that'd be great.
[18:10] Which one?
[18:11] Nolan. Okay, sure.
[18:13] We'll work on that.
[18:17] All right. Yes. So I know during the budget workshop, we talked about how we were able to divest our liability potential from a liquor liability and from a foodborne illness liability and transfer that risk through contracts with the new organization. Is that true? And tell me a little bit about that.
[18:36] So there will be a separate we're working with legal right now on that. There is a separate beverage for working with T, A, B, C there's a separate beverage contract that we have that will be working, that will be under the umbrella of Rs three for sure. So that's a separate agreement that we'll have. They will hold the liquor license eventually.
[18:54] Okay, great. Thank you.
[18:55] And just to add to that, since they will be an independent contractor and under municipal city is not liable for the acts of its independent contractor.
[19:09] Well, I think, you know, through time, many of us on council have charged you and others and, um, to find, find efficiencies, find ways by which we can, um, uh, make, make the event center more profitable or at least more efficient. And, uh, I guess I just say, um, well done. And, um, I'm, I'm confident it'll be successful. We'll take it from there. So Council, um, any, any other things, any other questions for Mr. Cooley? Um, if not, do I have a motion to approve item 6.2.
[19:45] Mr. mayor, I'll make a motion to authorize the city.
[19:48] Manager to negotiate and execute a contract agreement for the Credit Union of Texas Event Center Commercial Concession Services with R. S three strategic hospitality for a management fee in an amount not to exceed 4% of gross revenue, plus 5% of net profit after expenses for initial three year term, with an option for two one year renewals.
[20:12] Thank you Councilman. Second.
[20:15] Did you second? I'll second.
[20:18] Okay. Thank you. Um, I have a motion and a second. Does everyone understand what they're voting on? Please vote now.
[20:29] Thank you. Jason.
[20:30] Thank you. Thank you very much.
[20:31] All right. Ross. Thanks.
[20:35] Okay. Um, we'll be moving on. Transitioning to item 6.3 and 6.4. Uh, we'll continue with the regular agenda item 6.3 and 6.4 together. And our Chief Financial Officer, Pete Phillips will make one presentation for both items. 6.3 conduct a public hearing on the fiscal year 2026 2027 budget as required by article four, section 4.04 of the Ashland City Charter and adopt an ordinance approving the fiscal year 2026 2027 budget, amending the fiscal year 2526 budget and approving the 2027 2031 Capital Improvement Program and item 6.4 conduct a public hearing regarding the fiscal year 2026 2027 city tax rate and adopt an ordinance setting the tax rate for the fiscal year 2026 2027 budget. Our Chief Financial Officer, Pete Phillips, welcome.
[21:36] Thank you mayor. Thank you, city Council, city manager. Deputy city manager.
[21:45] And our illustrious council, he's been involved in the preparation of what we have before us tonight as well. Excuse me, I do I do have a brief presentation. Um, and we won't take up too much of your time tonight, but we do want to walk through the last several months with the council, uh, as this is a final action of the council, and it prepares us for our operational plan for fiscal year 2027. Um.
[22:27] On August the 11th of last month, we, the City Council announced to the public that the City Council would be having a public hearing tonight, September 8th of this fiscal year or of this this calendar year, 2026 for next fiscal year 2027 regarding the budget for fiscal year 2027, and that this council will be voting to adopt a budget for the next fiscal year 2027. Also on August the 11th, this council announced to the public that we would be holding a public hearing on the city's tax rate and that we would be voting on the city's tax rate for fiscal year 2027 tonight. Since that time, council management staff have spent a considerable amount of time moving through the service plan. The budget for 2027.
[23:38] The total budget for fiscal year 2027 is $366,482,931 S11:
[23:53] This budget is a balanced budget. It's a budget that is in the best interest of all stakeholders of the community. It's a budget that provides for property tax relief. It's a budget that allows for policies of past councils. This council, current councils and future councils to be consistently implemented within the community over time. Of course, our mission is to provide the best in class municipal services, be financially responsible and sound plan and invest in our future, engage in our community, provide for fair and equitable community services, provide for fair and equitable city government and enhance our island community character and stimulate economic growth and business investment in our community. Of course, these services come in the form of public safety, recreational services, water, sewer services, drainage services, sanitation services, revitalization services, as well as commerce, trade and transportation. After all, we're in the business of providing services. The budget and tax rate before us tonight will allow us to continue to provide these best in class services for our citizens and for our business community. And Allen, Texas. Programmatically, we spend about 50% of our revenue on the safety of our community. We are a safe community. We have an excellent public safety program. We also have a recreational system that is second to none, and the services that we offer to our community, of course, to provide these services, we engage and employ a skilled and professional workforce to serve our citizenry and our business community. It's been said that we are in the people business, and we are in the business of serving a community of people. Or more simply stated. Everything we do involves people. During the workshop, we spent a good amount of time moving through the science of how we employ, engage, and empower our team to fulfill our mission. In fact, 70% of our budget is directly associated with retaining people to complete the mission. And it can also be stated that 30% remaining 30% of our budget is needed by the team to provide the services for our community to exist as it exists today. Yes, we are proposing a tax rate of 0.414 $0.07 per 100 per $100 in valuation. It is a slight reduction in last year's tax rate of 0.415 $0.04. The maximum tax rate that the city can adopt this year is 0.417 $0.04. We do recognize we do recognize that this is a slight decrease in the tax rate from last year. Of note though, this will be the 34th the 34th year in the history of the city of Allen of Allen, Texas, that the city has reduced its tax rate. If you'll oblige me, I would like to quote our city manager and his transmittal letter, if I may, because I think this captures the essence of what we're about to do tonight. For more than three decades, Allen City Council has has reduced the city's property tax rate. Year after year. That record reflects a consistent commitment to responsible financial stewardship across multiple generations of elected leadership.
[28:04] So the result is we have one of the lowest tax rates of all the cities in Texas. Of all the cities in Texas, when we're comparing ourselves to cities of a population over 100,000 people. Mayor concludes our presentation. I'm going to turn the floor over to you. We do have two action items tonight. I do want to give you guys a minute to move through those and make ourselves available for questions.
[28:36] Thank you sir. Um, Council, do you have any questions before we open up the public hearing?
[28:44] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[28:45] Um.
[28:46] Can you go back to the calendar real fast? Sorry.
[28:55] Please.
[28:56] Sorry.
[28:59] Thank you. Director, would you mind sharing right here? Obviously, you're articulating some decisions that council made, but correct or wrong, this process began back in January.
[29:20] Is that accurate? And can you talk a little bit about the the efforts that the city has done to get us to where we are today? S11:
[30:04] Thank you.
[30:08] Good question. Um, any other questions for Mr. Phillips? Okay. Well, um, Don, I'm going to open up the public hearing for the budget and tax rate. At this time. Anyone has registered to speak. I don't see anybody that's registered to speak for or against these items at this time. Each speaker is limited to three minutes. Please be sure to state your name and address for the record. So I invite anyone that wants to speak to this. I see no movement. So, uh. Note with no one else speaking, I will close the public hearing at this time and turn the questions back to Counsel Council. Any additional questions for Mr.
[30:49] Phillips? S6:
[31:59] Thank you Councilman. Um, any anyone else? Um.
[32:06] Any questions, Councilman Barrett? S10:
[33:47] I believe this speaks to the strong financial foundation this community has built over many years. Our responsibility, though, is to preserve that strength, continue to provide the services and infrastructure our residents and businesses expect, while being thoughtful about priorities, trade offs and the burden on taxpayers. I sincerely appreciate all the work that our city manager, the staff, the mayor, my colleagues on council and everybody who contributed to this process, and I look forward to continue working those deep relationships and keeping Allen moving forward.
[34:24] Thank you, Councilman.
[34:27] Well, um, for those that may not know, this is my second year to be involved in the budget process. And last year I'd been on the council for two months. And I got to be honest with you, I don't think I had a clue what I was doing. the thing that I learned this year about this process, and it's a long one there, right? Starts in January. There's constant, you know, conversations with each one of the departments. They're getting out their pencils. They're sharpening them very, very closely, looking at every detail of their budget, looking for opportunities for other revenues that can offset some of the challenges that they run into with increasing expenses associated with fuel, materials, equipment, the fact that we have to invest in our public safety equipment as well, and personnel, all those things continue to drive our needs in our community. And so what was interesting for me when I was going through this process and we we were in a room, in case you missed it, for two and a half days, where we went into every bit of detail of this budget. And I loved it. I'm a numbers person. You guys all know that about me. Um, the one thing that I heard the whole time I was there from everyone staff members, my colleagues. The mayor was that we are resident focused. If we want to make sure our residents and the services associated with what we offer meet their needs today and in the future. And I think if you've lived here as long as I have, you know that you know it. We have wonderful services. If something there's a hiccup. You pick up a phone, an actual person answers it. That's always a nice thing. And you can get something changed or get something improved. It's amazing. And that's what makes Allen so special. And it's been an honor to be a part of this process. And I got to tell you, if I was not on up here on the dais and maybe not in my role, I would still be thinking that they do a heck of a job of putting this budget together. And I'm very proud of it and proud of this organization. So I had to say a few words. Thank you.
[36:28] Thank you, Councilwoman. Not appreciate that.
[36:32] Mayor. I would like to thank the city Manager and all his team members for their hard work over the past six plus months, and the preparation of a detailed budget and capital improvement plan whose focus was on fiscal responsibility, public safety, public infrastructure and maintaining the amenities and services our community expects and values. I believe the budget prepared looks at opportunities for savings and efficiencies that you've already heard. In an environment where costs seem to be increasing all around us. While the current budget sees slight increases in headcount in certain departments, the overall impact, as you've heard across the entire organization, is essentially net neutral. No net FTEs for next year. As already mentioned, for more than 30 years, the City Council has always looked for ways to maintain quality of life while reducing the property tax rate year after year. This year is is much the same as Allen looks to once again decrease the property tax to 0.4147 in 2027, continuing to be one of the lowest rates in North Texas. In addition, Allen is projected to be one of the lowest cost providers of water, wastewater, solid waste and drainage in Collin County as Allen ages as a community and continues to move from a fast growth city to a maturing one. I know and appreciate that our city leadership and our City Council have the strategic vision to ensure we continue to address all challenges and opportunities to ensure Allen remains fiscally strong and poised to continue to be a destination in a true jewel in North Texas and beyond. Thank you.
[38:26] Thank you Councilman.
[38:28] I kind of want to take a different look at it. Um, I think during the two and a half days, as councilwoman not noted. I learned more about my fellow council members that I never had. You know, we have a great collective of construction, health care, CPA, actuarial, um, underwriting for insurance. And then also just, uh, it was more, I think it was more accord than dis accord whenever everybody asked questions. And some, like Councilman Barry had 12 minute questions and I said, what were you asking? I have no idea what you just said, but it was it was interesting because we all brought something from our own personal experience, education and skills to the budget process. And even if I had a question, I took someone aside. Let's say it's Carl. Hey, how'd you come up with that? It was always an honest answer, and I think the back and forth of that made it one of my the best budget workshops, talking to the city managers, city staff, everybody. I think it was more accord, um, because we wanted to, to be open and honest with each other and ask all the questions. Uh, than discord and combative. So just wanted to commend the rest of you and, uh, just say thanks for a great budget workshop and a great budget and, uh, let's go.
[39:47] Very good.
[39:48] Well, now, uh, I'll echo everybody else's sentiments and just say that, you know, we live in a really great city. We have an excellent city management team. Um, Pete brought a great service plan for the city and the citizens. And, uh, it's my third budget. And, you know, I've learned something new every year. And as Ben said, we all just really seem to be all moving in the same direction with, you know, positive view on the, on the budget and the future of the city. So I'm just grateful to be able to sit up here with you all and have such a great team. City managers and staff. And, uh, I think we have, uh, a great, a great city we live in and looking forward to seeing how we can do next year. So thanks.
[40:39] Yeah well said, well said team. Yeah I, I want to also commend the city staff for bringing forward what I consider a, a budget and tax rate that is extremely fair. And it reflects as, as our CFO pointed out, um, our commitment and history of, of, um, being a financially sound and disciplined city and, uh, and, you know, it actually aligns with our number one goal in our strategic plan. And that's to have a financially sound and transparent government. Um, this is my seventh budget. So I guess I'm the veteran, but this, I will say that this budget is the leanest budget that we've ever done. Would you agree? Uh, Eric um, times are changing folks and things are getting a little bit tighter and it's up to us here on this dais to, to find ways to reduce spending and continue to sustain our. The level of services that the first in class level of services that we have, our general fund increased less than 5% in this budget, which has never been the case. And and this is at a time when the inflation rate is 3.5%. So there's not a big delta there, folks. And and in September 11th, they're going to announce the August inflation rate. And I'm guessing most of the experts are saying that that 3.5% is going to either be the same or it's going to increase. Um, you know, when I was, uh, throughout the budget, I kind of, I watch and I read a lot about what other cities are doing. And, um, and there was one common theme that was among every city, uh, as they were deliberating on their budget. And that was the uncertainty of where things go. And Councilman Barry talked a little bit about that and that that uncertainty applies to all of us. And it certainly applies to Allen and and for us. You know, I've talked about this. We are transitioning from a city that, you know, of, of years of rapid growth to, to the characteristics and responsibilities of mature city that changes, that changes our, our, our dynamic. And, um, and then there's this persistent, uh, I guess, threat of, of higher inflation that we have to factor in not just for this year, but we talked during the retreat about, you know, this is not just about this year, it's about the following five, ten years. And finally, um, it's just the ongoing uncertainty about what's going to happen. Um, we always feel this, this, at least I do that, uh, that we're being stripped of our local control and our ability to manage our city. Uh, so, um, and that scares me and I'm. I hope that changes. But but I being the this seventh budget and and working with all of these individuals up here, it was it was one of the one of the better ones I had. I am so proud of this city. I mean, we have the lowest, you know, uh, we are the only city that decreased our tax rate. I mean, that I mean, every other city there left it the same or increased it. That says something. We have one of the lowest tax rates. Uh, we have one of the lowest water and wastewater rates. We have the lowest debt to capita rate of any city. We have the lowest debt service ratio of any city. Um, and, and yet we continue to bring forward, uh, services that are, I believe, are second to second to none. And, and, and how can you not be proud of that? So, uh, there's good things going on here and we all should be proud of it. Everyone should be proud of where we're at as a city. So, um, so with that, I'm going to move on and, um, I have to, we'll have to, the council will need to make two separate motions and take two separate votes. Uh, for item 6.3.
[44:43] Uh, may I have an ordinance number, please? S5:
[44:50] For the first vote on adopting the budget.
[44:54] Do I have a motion? S12:
[44:59] Approving the fiscal year 2026 2027 budget. Amending the fiscal year 2025 2026 budget and approving the 2027 2031 Capital Improvement Program.
[45:11] Second. Thank you. I have a motion. And a second, does everyone understand what they're voting on? Please vote now. Okay, hold on a minute.
[45:23] Hang on a second. Got a technical difficulty here.
[45:27] You see. What can you do about this screen is not going to work.
[45:45] You want us to do the old fashioned way?
[45:53] Um, Mister Councilman Trahan made the first motion and Councilman Mayor Pro Tem Clements seconded.
[46:06] There we go. Okay.
[46:07] Please vote now.
[46:13] Okay. It passes for the second vote, which is regarding our property tax revenues.
[46:24] Do I have a motion? S7:
[46:32] Second.
[46:34] I'll second.
[46:35] I have a motion in a second. Does everyone understand what they're voting on? Please vote now.
[46:50] Okay. Let's see. Very good.
[46:53] Um, and then we're going to move towards item 64.4 on the tax rate. Uh, I could I have a, uh, an audience number for this please.
[47:03] Ordinance number 4238-9-26.
[47:08] Council. Um, may I have a, uh, do I have a motion for item 6.
[47:13] 4? S8:
[47:23] 4147 and adopt ordinance S8:
[47:38] 4147, S8:
[47:43] Thank you. Councilman, a second.
[47:46] Second.
[47:47] Thank you sir. I have a motion and a second. Does everyone understand what they're voting on? Please vote now.
[47:58] The motion passes unanimously. Thank you, sir, very much, sir.
[48:02] I'd like to say thank you to the Council and also to Eric and the rest of the organization for the tireless commitment that they have made not only to this year, but years have passed and I'm sure future years as well. It's always a great honor.
[48:20] Well, that goes back to you and your staff. Staff. Finance. Having worked in budgets and planning in my. During my professional career can be a grind sometimes, and I. And I think all I can speak for all of us up here that we appreciate your diligence and your hard work. Thank you.
[48:44] Okay.
[48:45] Um, at this time, we're going to move to item seven other business, and then we're going to recess going in and go into an executive session. After the executive session, we'll return to item 6.5 for the appointment of members to the boards and commissions. So I'll begin with calendar items.
[49:05] Does anybody have any calendar items? S5:
[49:24] Right here.
[49:25] Right here in this room. And then on Tuesday, September the 15th is the anniversary, 30th anniversary of the opening of Joe Farmer Recreation Center. And there are activities for all different age groups throughout the whole day. So please visit. Um, the My Allen app calendar that council member Gnadt going to talk about in just a second. Um, but we also are hoping that day to have a surprise visit by a former mayor, Joe Farmer, who the center is named after. So please be sure to stop by and you might be able to shake his hand. And, uh.
[50:02] He's.
[50:02] He's a legend.
[50:03] He's a legend. Thank you.
[50:06] Um, any anybody else?
[50:08] I've got some fun calendar events coming up.
[50:09] Thank you very much. I am.
[50:11] All right. Has everybody got their what's it called. My an app. You can do this. Okay. We're going to teach you like I'm not a teacher, but I'm going to start to be one. Okay. So this Friday night it's 911. If you didn't know, we haven't watched anything. It's the 25th year of the tragic, tragic event. To this day, I still it just breaks my heart. I'll never forget it as long as I live. It's 730 at the Allen Public Library. The Allen Community Band will honor that event by doing a series of music, and it'll be open to the public. It's free. Please, everybody, consider attending on Saturday. We have lots of activities going on Saturday at 10:00 at the new Bravo Park, which is, um, off of the north part of Ridgeview, and probably waters would be my guess. Um we're going. Chelsea. Chelsea. Thank you. Thank you. We're going to have a very BEARY Beary. Like in a bear. A very, very special event where we are going to be naming our the little bear sculpture that he has. They have out there in their park. That's at 10:00 in the morning. Love to see some families out there again from 11 to 12, right up the street at the hub. The we're going to have a family fun day at the hub, and we're looking forward to the fire department being there with their equipment. So bring your children. They'll get a chance to be able to climb all over fun equipment for a couple hours and, and enjoy some fun activity and some food and things like that. That evening at the, the.
[51:43] Event center, we're going to have a Guns and Roses boxing event, as we all know. And it starts. You probably are going to announce it probably. Ken. Nope. Um, at 630. So that'll be interesting. That's kind of just like you think it's going to be competition from a boxing standpoint between those that are in the police department and those that are in the fire department.
[52:02] I thought Councilman Schaefer volunteered to participate in that. Yeah.
[52:08] And then lastly, a week from Saturday on 919 at early in the morning, usually it's very early in the morning, 930 or so at the Cottonwood Creek Church, the Allen Public Safety Recovery Fund will have their car show again free, open to the public. A very fun event. Great place to bring your kids and talk about little cars that we all remember and they have never seen before. So that's what I know.
[52:30] All right.
[52:30] Well thank you very much.
[52:31] Alright, well, I got one. Watters Creek Village and the Allen Arts Alliance are inviting everyone to attend this year's Crafts and Crafts Arts Festival on September the 25th, 26th and 27th, featuring over 50 national and local artists, live music, student showcases, kid and kids and family activities and beer tasting all around the village, all for the arts in Allen. So make some plans and go.
[52:58] Thank you. Anything else? Council. I will just say this on the Bravo Park. If you haven't been to Bravo Park, you need to go there. It's. It's really something to see. And and the art out there and the water and what the. And it's part of the Sloan Corners development and and I'll have to give a shout out to my wife, Jeannie. Um, uh, in the bear reading on Saturday. Um, she will be doing the reading. I will be out of town, so. And she's very a whole lot better at reading than I am. So, so she'll, she'll do a, I'm sure she'll do a good job. Anything. Uh, so you got a.
[53:37] Yeah. I just want to give a shout out to those Allen Eagles who got off to a great start. They took down Duncanville and DeSoto like warm butter. I also want to give a shout out to Lovejoy, who did the same thing to Frisco Reedy and Carrollton Creekview. So Eagles travel to South Lake would be another big, uh, heavyweight battle this weekend. And Lovejoy faces Midlothian. So good. Congratulations to both those teams on good starts and good luck this weekend.
[54:01] City of champions, city of champions. Um, I have one. Um, and I believe I have this right. Our former mayor Steve Terrell. His birthday is September 10th. So shout out to you, Mayor Terrill, for another birthday. Happy birthday. Um, items of interest.
[54:25] Okay, so, um, we're going to the council will recess the regular session to convene into executive session at approximately 755 for the following item. Pursuant to section five, 51.074 of the Texas Government Code regarding personnel to discuss appointments to the Allen Community Development Corporation Board, the Allen Economic Development Corporation Board, the Board of Adjustments Building and Standards Commission, Downtown Design Review Board, and the Planning and Zoning Commission. We are now recessed.
[56:25] The council is now reconvened in regular session at 8:37 p.m.. There is action resulting from the executive session regarding item 6.5 of the board appointments. Um 6.5 is a motion to appoint to fill expiring terms and vacancies on the following boards, commissions, committees and corporations. The Allen Community Development Corporation Board, the Allen Economic Development Corporation Board, Animal Shelter Advisory Committee, the Board of Adjustments, Building and Standards Commission, Sign Control Board, the Capital Improvements Advisory Committee, Community Engagement Advisory Board, the Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Board. The Downtown Design Review Board, Keep Allen Beautiful board, library board, parks and recreation board. Planning and Zoning Commission and the public Art Committee. Mayor Pro Tem, you and your nominating committee, please present the report on behalf of your committee.
[57:23] Thank you. Mayor. I would like to first express my appreciation to all those residents of Allen who submitted applications for the various City of Allen boards and commissions. We are truly blessed as a community to have so many incredible and passionate individuals that just want to serve their community and ensure that Allen continues to be a great place to live, work, play and raise a family. With that said, I'd like to make the following recommendations of the nominating committee. Animal shelter Advisory Committee. Place number two. Priscilla Ortiz. Ortiz. Place number four. Lynn Stevens. Place number six. Kristie Gorczynski. Board of adjustments. Place number two. Dave Scott. place number four. Steve Minich alternate one. Swapna Condie alternate two. Michael Schmidt alternate for Jeff Burkhart, the Capital improvements Advisory Committee, place number one. Tonya Walker, place number two. Stephen Platt Jr. Place number three. Gary Rodenbaugh, place number four. Ken Fulk, place number five. Kurt Kaiser Community Development Corporation. Place number two. Matt Foster, place number three. Randy breeding place number four. Sarah Basham, place number six Jim Healy.
[58:57] For the Community Engagement Advisory Board. Place number one is Monica Gupta. Place number two. Heman Patel, place number four. Shannon Epner. Place number six. Robert Boone Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Board of directors, place number two. Anita Moran, place number four. Karen Yates, place number six. Crystal Mcgeever downtown design review board. Place number two. Kyle Jacobson, place number seven. Ron Alexander, the economic development Corporation board, place number one. Ben Trahan, place number three. Tamir Ali. Keith Allen. Beautiful board. Place number two. Zeeshan Nassar place number four. Peter Frechette place number six. Joseph Ashe and place number seven.
[59:52] Olivia Rodriguez thank you Congressman and councilman Schaefer Congressman. Planning ahead.
[1:00:03] All right. Um library board place two is Laura Ringrose. Ringrose plays for is going to be Emily Ecker. Play six is going to be Cassidy Parks and Recreation Board. Place two is going to be Hugh Brown. Place four is going to be Susan Ponder. Place six is going to be Becky Bradley Planning and Zoning Commission. Place two is going to be Thomas Thomas. Place four will be Cynthia Walker seven. Excuse me. Place seventh will be Cynthia Walker. Thank you. Can't read. Uh, public art Committee will be placed two. Ashley Berry place four will be Jane Bennett. Place five will be William Bill Walsh junior. And place six will be Bryce Farlow.
[1:00:50] Very good. Thank you for sharing that. Um, Council, are there any questions regarding any of the appointments that you just heard?
[1:01:00] Um if not, do I have a motion?
[1:01:04] Mr. mayor, I'll make a motion to accept the appointments for boards and commissions as they have been read.
[1:01:11] Very good. A second.
[1:01:12] Second.
[1:01:13] Thank you. I have a motion and a second. Does everyone understand what they're voting on? Please vote now.
[1:01:23] Well done. Um. Passes unanimously. Great work. Nominating committee. Appreciate all your labor, all your time. I know that we all know, as I said downstairs, we all have participated in this. And we know that it's.
[1:01:37] A labor of.
[1:01:38] Love. Yeah. So thank you. Um, so, um, with no other business, I am going to adjourn this council meeting.
[1:01:48] Always a.
[1:01:48] Pleasure.