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Sure appreciate it. Welcome to today's meeting of city council. Today's date is tuesday,

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october 21st, 2025, and today's invocation will be given by pastor donnie flippo, pastor of

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the gospel center church. If everyone would please silence your cell phones and if you so

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choose, please stand and remain standing for the pledge of allegiance. Heavenly father, we

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come to you today in the name of jesus. You said in your word, if any lack for wisdom, all we

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have to do is ask. So, father, we ask today that you give us the wisdom that we need to

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direct this city into the direction it needs to go for our citizens. Father, you tell

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us to lean not to our own understanding, but in all our ways acknowledge you, and you will direct our paths. So, father, today give them the wisdom. Give them the wisdom

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for the finances. Give them the wisdom for the future, and give them the wisdom for our

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citizens and the protection that they need. Father, we give you the praise, the glory, and

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the honor for it. In jesus name, amen. Pledge allegiance to the five states of america and to

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the republic for which it stands. One nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and

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justice for all. May I have roll call, please? Mayor west. Present. Mayor pro tem turner.

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here. Council member. Sawyer. Here. Council member. Hilliard. Councilman. Here. I'm sorry.

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councilmember williams. Council member. Sherwood and council member. Crenshaw. Here. Thank

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you. And as we right before the proclamation, certainly want to extend our condolences to

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councilwoman sherwood on the loss of her sister since the last council meeting. So we are

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going to have two proclamations and three presentations. And and for those that are here for

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the proclamation, we welcome all the photographs. We just ask that city staff gets the

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first one, and then we'll stay put for as many as you'd like. And first proclamation is

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recognizing october 19th through the 25th, 2025 is international infection

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prevention week, and accepting will be cara singleton, r.n. Cic, christa saint elizabeth

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infection prevention list, as well as the rest of the group from saint elizabeth. And they

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have too much of this. Thank you. Oh, and let me. Thank you all for being here. Always good

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to see you. Yes. Appreciate y'all. Thank you. I love it. Thank you. Thank you. Alright,

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guys, let's. Perfect. You guys. Here. One. Two three. We're one picture. Yes. Okay. Okay. One.

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two. Three. One more. Okay. So, in addition to international infection prevention week, it

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is also international hand hygiene day. So we shared some love with that, that little

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short song that we heard while we were playing. Was that full 20s that appropriate hand

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hygiene actually should occur if you're washing your hands with soap and water. So just

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take it. You can sing twinkle, twinkle little star the alphabet to get through the 20s,

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but it is an absolute honor to stand here today as we celebrate infection prevention

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week 2025, along with international hand hygiene day, a time when we shine a

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well-deserved spotlight on the incredible work of infection preventionist everywhere. Today,

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we proudly accept the city proclamation from the city and the city council of beaumont,

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recognizing the vital role infection prevention plays in protecting our community on

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behalf of all infection. Preventionists, thank you for this meaningful acknowledgment.

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this year's theme, stand up, unite, protect, prevent and prevail perfectly captures the

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spirit of what we do every single day. Infection preventionist are the quiet

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force behind the scenes, working tirelessly to keep patients, families, and

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healthcare teams safe. Whether it's through education, surveillance or simply

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reminding someone to wash their hands. We are committed to making a difference. Hand

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hygiene may seem simple, but it's one of the most powerful tools we have. It's a small act

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with a big impact, one that saves lives, prevents outbreaks, and keeps our healthcare

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environment safe and resilient. So today, let's celebrate the science, the dedication, and

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the people behind infection prevention. Let's continue to stand up together to protect

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our community and prevail over preventable harm. Thank you very much. Thank you. Now we

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have a proclamation recognizing the month of october as national disability awareness

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month here in beaumont. Accepting will be melanie williams, executive director of

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workforce solutions, southeast texas. Mark duran, deputy director, workforce solutions,

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southeast texas, and doctor harold whitfield, manager, texas workforce commission,

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vocational rehabilitation or anybody else that is here to accept that. And if not, we. Oh,

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yes. Please come up.

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yes, sir.

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okay. Right here. One. Two. Three. Get one more. This way. Okay. Get one. Yeah. Do you

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want me to take it for you? Sure. Please, ma'am. Thank you. Okay. One. Two. Three. Got it.

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thank you. You're welcome. Thank you. Mayor west and members of the city council, on

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behalf of the disability community advocates and inclusive employers across the

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city. I'm honored to accept this proclamation recognizing national disability employment

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awareness month. This month reminds us that individuals with disabilities are talented,

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capable, and vital contributors to our workforce and our communities. It also challenges

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us to continue breaking down barriers and creating opportunities that ensure full

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inclusion, access and equity and employment. We deeply appreciate the city's

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recognition and ongoing support. Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive

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economy where everyone has the chance to thrive. Thank you. Thank you. Next, we have city

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of beaumont communications update. And I do want to remind people, starting november 4th,

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our proclamations and recognitions will take place once a month at the first

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meeting of the month, at 1030 in the morning, and we will continue to push that

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information out. So it does affect on when you need to put in your information for the

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proclamations. Thank you. Good afternoon. In this week's announcements, as you just

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heard from our mayor, we want to remind you that this is our last city council meeting to

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include those proclamations and recognitions. They will now happen once a month on the morning of the first council meeting of each month. These presentations will each begin

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at 1030 in the morning, and they'll start, as he said, november 4th. Do you have a

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loved one who may wander or become disoriented? The beaumont police department has launched the take me home program to help safely reunite individuals with their families.

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this program is designed for those with alzheimer's or dementia, autism spectrum

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disorder, intellectual or developmental disabilities, or any condition that makes communication or navigation difficult. Families can register by providing a photo,

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physical description, medical information, and emergency contacts. To register, go to

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beaumont, texas. Gov. Take me home. Early voting is now open for the citywide bond election

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coming up november 4th. Here's a look at what you'll find on the ballot.

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this november. Beaumont voters will see several bond propositions on the ballot. These will determine whether the city can fund certain major projects in

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the state of texas. Many cities do general obligation bonds, and they are for projects that

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you don't have in your general revenue to be able to complete. So if you want to do special

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projects, you go to the voters and let the voters decide. Typically, anywhere from every

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5 to 7 years, municipalities have bond elections. Even school districts have them

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typically more often than cities every 3 to 5 years to provide infrastructure. So

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beaumont hasn't had 1 in 4243 years, so it's time to have one. The 2025 city of beaumont bond

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package includes five propositions, which comprise three categories. Prop a

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includes infrastructure with improvements to streets, sidewalks and drainage across

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all four wards. Prop b covers facilities and public safety projects, things like a new

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animal care facility, a new fire station and police headquarters, a large multi-purpose sports complex, a multi-purpose community center in alice keith park, and public

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safety enhancements like cameras around the city that connect to our real time crime

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center. Prop c builds on quality of life in the city, with parks and recreation

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enhancements including ada accessible playground equipment, upgrades to park and the

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botanical gardens, as well as a field conversion at the athletic complex. Prop d would

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connect the riverfront to the city and add family friendly amenities along the river, and

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prop e would allow for economic development and ease traffic near parkdale mall by extending

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point parkway from northwest parkway to state highway 105. So for people asking, where did

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these projects come from? Well, some of them have been on the books and talked about for

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years. These are things that the city and residents have targeted that need change.

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however, we with current budgets, we're not able to meet those changes. We need to catch

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up on some infrastructure projects. We need to catch up on some quality of life projects. And so this is a way of doing that. If all five propositions are approved, the

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estimated impact for the average homeowner would be about $14.25 per month on the

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city's website. Beaumont, texas.gov bond and on the city's facebook page. Pinned at

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the top, you can find a tax impact estimator to see exactly what it would mean for your

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family. If approved, these funds could only be used for the projects outlined in the

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bond package. So when you read the propositions, it tells specifically what we're going

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to do with that money. And it is accounted for in that way, it's not the city manager

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making the decision, it's not the city council making the decision. It's something that's

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decided by the voters and citizens of our community. And it's important to note by law,

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if there are propositions the voters don't approve, the city would not be allowed to issue

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debt for those projects for the next three years, which means they could be significantly delayed. But we want to have everybody look at these propositions, understand them,

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and see if they believe they're important for the city. To find out more, go to beaumont,

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texas.gov or beaumont bonds.com. These websites include project details, maps, cost breakdowns

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and answers to frequently asked questions. And this is just an additional tool. And it's a

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tool that you as a resident get to vote on. And you get to decide the future of our city.

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early voting begins october 20th and runs through october 31st. Election day is tuesday,

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november 4th. For all of your election information, including polling locations, go to beaumont, texas. Dot gov slash election. Adult basketball league registration is now open.

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register your team through october 24th, monday through friday, 8 a.m. To 5 p.m. At the

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sterling pruitt activity center. Don't miss your chance to compete, connect and enjoy a great season of basketball. Thanks to a generous donation by the mamie mcfadden award,

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heritage foundation, the jefferson theater's robert morton pipe organ is fully

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restored, and you can hear it played live during a special showing of the phantom of the

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opera. That's friday, october 24th at 7 p.m. As part of our 13 nights of halloween series

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at the jefferson. Doors open at six. The show starts at seven. Admission is just $10. You can

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get your tickets online or at the beaumont civic center box office. Happy halloween from

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beaumont animal care. Before you head out for a night of tricks and treats, stop by for

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some paranormal fun and meet your forever best friend. Join us october 31st from 10 a.m. To

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5 p.m. For our halloween adoption event, where adoption fees are just $20 for one day

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only, with over 90 dogs, 30 cats ready to find their forever homes, now's the

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perfect time to adopt. Every adoption includes spay neuter, microchip vaccines, flea

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prevention and dewormer all treats. No tricks. They're put on your costume. Head over to

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the beaumont police department for a spooktacular afternoon of treats, laughs, and halloween fun. Join us for our fifth annual trunk or treat, a safe and not so spooky event for all

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ages. That's sunday, october 26th from 2 to 5 p.m. At 255 college street. And finally,

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you can celebrate halloween at the sterling pruitt activity center. Friday, october 31st

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from 6 p.m. To 9 p.m. Come enjoy an evening of free and safe trick or treating and

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festive entertainment for the entire family. That's on halloween night at the sterling. And that's all for this week's announcements. Thank you. Next, we have a presentation of the

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beaumont firemens relief and retirement fund 2025 actual actuarial audit by mr. Ryan

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falls with. Milliman. Milliman. All right. Thank you sir. There's someone clicking for me

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okay. Great mr. Mayor thank you. Members of the council staff appreciate you having me here

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this afternoon. So my name is ryan falls. I work with milliman where actuaries and

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consultants I work with public pension funds across state of texas and across the country.

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we recently completed an actuarial audit, an independent actuarial audit. We are engaged

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by the city to conduct an actual audit or an actuarial peer review, if you will, of

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the pension fund and the financial results you're getting from the pension fund.

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and I know this council took up a pretty significant enhancement to the funding of

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the pension fund, the fireman's pension fund, a few months ago. This is really an unrelated

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topic, just coincidental. These are both coming up about the same time, but they are

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correlated and they do tie together. So jump into it here just to let you know what the

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purpose is, why we're here and what the primary results were, some of the areas of our review.

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and then any questions you have I'm happy to help dive into them if that's if you have some

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questions, we'll know a little bit more. But most importantly again, we just completed a peer

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review of the actuarial work that the fund, the fund's actuary, the fund has their own

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actuary, they produce financial results. And then the fund communicates those to the city

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for your financial statements and for your conversations about funding the plan. This

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the state of texas requires every pension fund over $100 million to conduct these

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actuarial peer reviews every five years. So we're here presenting that this is the third time I believe that the city has gone through it. It's the city's requirement to do

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this peer review. So we looked at december 31st, 2024 is the most recent actuarial

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evaluation that the fund completed, which is basically the health checkup for the fund.

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and so what we did is basically just dove in, looked at the assumptions and methods. If you've ever looked at a pension valuation, there's a blizzard of assumptions and methods that

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go into those calculations. And we just were here to give you an independent peer review,

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third party analysis of what the numbers are giving you. So the bottom line is the big

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there and the bold. This is what you want to see. After an actuarial peer review. We

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reviewed the data, the experience study documents. We replicated the liabilities and reviewed the reports. And we believe that that most recent actuarial valuation is

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reasonable based on reasonable assumptions and methods. And the report complies with the

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actuarial standards of practice. And the way this ties back to some of the recent decisions

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you made, is just that this december 31st measurement that we reviewed is the basis of all

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the negotiations and the discussions you had with the pension fund about enhancing the funding. So what basically, I'm here telling you is that the foundation of those

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discussions you had recently with the pension fund and enhancing the funding of the plan, we reviewed those kind of bedrock valuation results that went into it. And so you

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started from a good place. Those were decision useful numbers you received from the

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pension fund. So we have a if you think of an audit, if there's a finding or a

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recommendation, usually that's a bad thing. Something wasn't accounted for right. In an

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actuarial audit or actual review. There's just a lot of different things going on. And so any time there's a there's always room for improvement and enhancement. So we do have some

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recommendations. But the bottom line is everything was appropriate for you all to use

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as a city to use those numbers you're getting from the pension fund to make decisions about

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the right way to finance the plan. So we look to the liabilities, the assumptions, the data, very briefly just power through these. The liability, we were able to

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replicate the pension funds actuaries results within about $100,000. It's about as close

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of a replication that I've ever been a part of. And we had some recommendations for ways to

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enhance estimating what future active retirement benefits will be when they ultimately retire

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can enhance that calculation. We looked at the assumptions and gave the actuary a few

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suggestions around inflation, salary increases and life expectancy and future

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valuations things to from our perspective and our experience with the in the industry,

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working with public pension funds and the bottom line, the data that went into it, the

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asset values, the money that the fund has on hand. We're all appropriate. I'm going fast

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just to you have all the documentation with you. And then ultimately the funding of

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the plan again. Again, this council took up some important enhancements to funding the

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fire pension fund. So the funds actuary talked a lot about, you know, what types of

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contribution increases were needed to shore up the finances of the fund. And they did a

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good job communicating that. And y'all did a good job considering those issues. And

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finally, there's a their documentation, their valuation report. It's all just

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communication. We had some recommended enhancements to their written communication

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about the valuation results. That last bullet doesn't include any impact to the

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valuation results. It's all just communication. So with that that's the end of my

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prepared remarks went kind of fast. I just know y'all have been talking about the pension a lot lately. Just wanted to let you know that the numbers you're getting are good numbers,

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and you can rely on them and go forward and happy to answer any questions you have about the

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process we just completed. Does anybody have any questions on council? It's the result you

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want. So it's should be easy breezy. Thank you thank you appreciate it. All right. For

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those of you that are here for proclamations, recognitions or presentations and you would

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like to leave, now's the time to do so. And thank you for coming. But since I don't see

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anybody moving, I'm going to proceed. At the close of the meeting today, city council will adjourn into executive session to discuss or deliberate economic development

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negotiations in accordance with section 551.087 of the government code, to wit,

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specifically, project sport and. Oh yeah, we do, and I did. All right. And now we're going to

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have a presentation by texdot.

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good afternoon, mayor and council members. I'm ana mijares. I've had the privilege

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of working with some of you as the deputy district engineer for the past three and a half

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years. I am now stepping into the role as district engineer. I guess you can say I really

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like challenges, so. But just want to say that I'm here to to listen. We're we're going to

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try and improve our communication. I think we've been doing that, been in this

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role for a whole 21 days. But we've we've been trying to improve on the social media

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communication and looking forward to the collaboration and the partnership with the

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city of beaumont. I know we've got a lot of construction in the city. Just would like to

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ask you all to bear with us. Construction is a you know, it's troublesome for the

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traveling public, but it's, you know, we're trying to improve mobility. It's going to be

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great when it's finished. It's just we've got to get through the construction. So appreciate

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it. We're we're going to do everything we can to try and minimize the impact to the

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traffic. So anything that y'all can do to help us, we would appreciate it. Today. I do have

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my pio, tanya avila, my management analyst sarah dupree and dave collins, my area

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engineer, and richard bradley, the assistant area engineer, are going to give a brief

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presentation on current projects in beaumont. Thank you. Appreciate it. Thank you. Thank

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you. Mr. Thank you, mayor west, council members and city of beaumont. So we have here today

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we have a oh, I guess this doesn't work. Thanks, richard. Oh. All right. So got an agenda

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here. We're going to talk about the I-10, us 69 interchange projects and our upcoming

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future projects within the next 3 to 4 years. As you can see here on this display, the

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beaumont area office, we cover three counties tyler, hardin, jefferson county. I got a zoom

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up here, jefferson county. And here's yay, that's here. Here's some projects we're working on

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right now. So I-10 right here between pretty much from hampshire road all the way up

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to walton road. We got a completion date about early mid 2027. Of course, you know, we

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got the interchange job right here. But we're looking at somewhere around late 2030 or

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early 31 and given some good highlights, we have completed the furniture jobs early summer

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this year. This is this red area here. That's from spur 93 to spur 380. So that's been

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completed. Richard's going to talk about some other jobs coming up from spur 93 to 124.

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also not shown on here early this year. As you all know we have completed the overlay of

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the main lanes where we configured to three lanes in each direction, or six lanes

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highway from all the way from delaware to tram road. And also we overlaid the frontage roads

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to within the city of beaumont, around parkdale mall, up through delaware. All right. So

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move along. Kind of mentioned this last, last. Okay. Thank you. I don't know where the

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button is. All right. So some of the highlights here. So up here on the top here we have

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we're going to do some connectivity around delaware street on the frontage roads. Of course the main focus is that we are expanding from a four lane divided highway to a

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six lane divided highway. And a couple other good highlights we have here is down here on the

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cardinal drive project. We are continuing, and when we are constructing right now, you can see we're connecting the furniture roads from tinseltown and pappadeaux going across

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hillebrandt bayou to tie into sam's club and elegant in that area. And also we're going to

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continue off of bnsf over 124, and I'm going to show some pictures. In fact, we just poured a bridge deck today that you all can see. So we are connectivity of the frontage

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roads over there on us 69 north and south. Here are some previous pictures. As you can

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see we are doing some foundations right here. This is around the pretty much the

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eastex freeway. We're looking at some foundations of I-10 east and some of the connectors.

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here. You can see how deep the foundation is. The drill shafts are. Here are some of the box

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culverts drainage that we are placing around 11th street. Continue on here. This is the

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drainage we got on the eastbound frontage road as we get past the harrison street.

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and here are some more of the footings that we're pouring around louisiana street. Okay,

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so these two pictures right here, this is the overpass at bnsf around 124. This is about

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a couple weeks ago. And what we call this is a pmds and panels. And these are the I-beams that

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will cross. As you can see this is what we have today. So we have poured our first bridge

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deck over 124 over bnsf. So we are continuing to pour that and we continue to work in that

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area. Some other projects here. Pictures as we go along. Construction. This is some of

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the connector caps and columns for the direct connect on the cardinal drive. As we go to

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I-10 69 north, it connects to I-10 east and west. Right here is a temporary shoring wall

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that we surround area. And this is to build the furniture road bridge over hildebrandt bayou.

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and here's some more. These are a little bit older. This is probably about 3 or 4 months.

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these are some of the foundations on the cardinal drive that you just saw previously. And as you can tell how deep this is in this area right here, here are some of

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the caps and columns that were poured for those direct connects. Like I said, this is probably about a couple of months ago. The first few pictures are just recently,

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within about a week or two. And this is the washington. Oh thank you. Appreciate it. If I

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talk too fast, just tell me I'll start slowing down here a little bit. This is the

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retaining wall right there at washington street. This is where one of our connectors

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that we connected, we have finished this wall already and we are continuing in that area

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also. So I will is there another green button okay. So I'll want to hand it off to

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richard. But these are our kind of progress meetings we got going on. So just as I noted,

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we got a lot of construction around east texas, around 11th street and delaware building a lot of the foundation footings. We are doing some drainage improvements still on the

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eastbound frontage road on I-10 from calder to pass harrison. As you all know, we shut down

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one lane going westbound. We are building some temporary detours that improve that

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drainage in that area, and we continue the construction around hildebrand. So that's a

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whole bunch of a lot of talking. In a couple of minutes, I'm going to hand it off to richard

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and then we'll open up for some questions. All right. So as dave mentioned, I'm richard

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bradley. I'm his assistant out of the beaumont area office. It's nice to meet quite a few

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of y'all. I apologize, I don't believe I was able to make it to the last meeting, but I do

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look forward to working with you all going forward. What I have prepared for you today is

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unfortunately not going to be as picturesque as what dave had just went through. The projects that I'm here to talk about have yet to kick off. So just to give you a taste as to what

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we have coming down the pipeline with some of our larger projects just going through the list, the first two projects that we have up here on us 69, they are both going

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to be rehabilitations and they're both going to be along the frontage roads adjacent to

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us 69 between erie street and florida street, going back to 124. So similar to what we did

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to the frontage roads earlier this year in the lamar area, where we tore out all that old

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deteriorated concrete, and we replaced it with new, smoother concrete and improved the

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drainage. That's going to be very similar to what we do with these two sections of frontage

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road also. And once these two sections are completed, then we'll have gone through and

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replaced all the frontage roads between 124, going all the way down to the 347 area, all the

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way down towards lamar area. The next project let's see, that is a spur 380 project.

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this one is also going to be a rehabilitation of the roadway. We're going to be doing some

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full depth repairs, some base repairs, joint seal, as well as an overlay. And also, if you've

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recall from driving through that area between threadneedle to jim gilligan way and the

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median, there is a double sided metal beam guard fence. We're going to be taking that out and

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replacing it with a concrete traffic barrier. That center that you see along, say, I-10

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or us 69. The purpose behind that is the concrete barrier provides additional protection

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for motorists traveling the opposite way, in addition to it being just a bit easier to

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maintain in the long run. Also, let's see the next project in fm 365 bridge replacement that

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is closer to south county, the port arthur area. We are just going to be replacing a bridge

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over road air gully with that one. Below that we have a restoration on sh 124 and

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almost similar kind to the two projects on the us 69 frontage road. Being that the frontage

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roads are made of concrete and 124 is an asphalt road, we're also going to be doing a

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similar kind of project in which we come through. We do base repairs, we do full depth

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repairs, and we're also going to be doing an overlay on that roadway as well. So there are

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some patches on 124 that can be pretty hairy at times. This project is definitely going to

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look at extending the life of that pavement as it nears the end of its lifetime. Below that,

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we have a widening project on us 69. This is the project that would take the three lane

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configuration, three lanes going north and three lanes going south between tram road

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all the way back to I-10. We're going to extend that configuration from tram road,

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going all the way up to the split just south of lumberton. That project is going to be a

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very good mobility project for the commuters that travel from the northern counties down into jefferson county for for work, and also as they head back to, to their homes that they the

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day. Also let's see below that we have a us 69 safety improvement project. This is

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going to be a multifaceted project. We're going to be looking at constructing some

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paved shoulders through the area all the way from major drive out to the county line.

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so we'll have new paved shoulders. We're going to be looking at doing some safety

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improvements to the crossovers as well as we're looking at adding some new signalization

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at keith road and wooten road, I believe, as well as some additional safety lighting. And

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I believe we're also looking at including some median barrier there also for additional

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safety measures. And then below that second to last on fm 364 a widening a widening project.

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this is that small section of major drive between I-10 and 124. What we're going to be

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doing here is we're going to be widening that section to include a center left turn lane.

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and I believe we're also going to be looking at increasing the width of the shoulders through

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this area also. And then right below that, this is another project out towards the port

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arthur area. And similar to what we're doing on the rainbow bridge with bridge maintenance.

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after that finishes, we're also going to be looking at the veterans memorial bridge to do

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some additional bridge maintenance. All right. And that is, I guess in a nutshell,

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the scope of the larger projects that we have coming down the pipeline. But if there

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were any questions, you know, dave or myself would be happy to field them for you. Well,

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thank you. And I know we are going to probably have some questions. I just want to applaud y'all on coming before us regularly. And also the benefit this will be for our

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kids and grandkids. And it certainly can be an inconvenience for us at this time. But interstate ten and highway 69 are such vital parts of southeast texas and bring a

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lot of cars through every day. So thank you all for that. And, councilman turner, yeah, first

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and foremost, thank y'all. I know it's not easy to stand in front of people when

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everybody's looking at the construction. And I understand what growth comes pain. So I get it and I understand I kind of don't share those same sentiments. But I did have a

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question with our txdot. Is it one contractor working on everything or is it bid it out

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to multiple contractors doing all these projects at different times. So a lot of the

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interchange job, it is one contractor. So it's broken two sections. We got east texas

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kind of north section around delaware street and 11th street. Then we got cardinal drive, which is around the elegant that goes down 69 going to port to port arthur lamar. So that

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is one contractor in that area. From walton road going to 365. That is a different contractor.

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that's where we're one of the interstate from three to 4 to 6 lanes, then from 365 to

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hildebrandt, that goes back to williams brothers. So for the big contracts, that's what we

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have. Those two contractors, williams brothers and johnson brothers. Did you have them listed on one of the slide? The different contractors? No, it didn't show. No, but I can I

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can kind of talk about it. I thought I saw some contractors on one. Let's go back here.

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that one okay. Oh it does. How about that. That's great. Okay. So that's that's good. I

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appreciate mr. Williams. So okay. So yeah right here this is the furniture rail. So this

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is texas materials. Or previously named apac. Apac also did that widening from six

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lanes from delaware. It's not showing here but from delaware up to tram road. They're also

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the contractor did the widening right there. I'll just kind of talk about this area right here.

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we got some materials which we're going to be finished in december. I apologize, I didn't

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mention that earlier. This is norfolk bayou on 124. That's also texas materials. There's

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johnson brothers, as I mentioned, and williams brothers on these two jobs right here. We got regal that's doing a man's job. We've got ici that's 347 up here in port

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arthur and we've got a few other jobs, but those are some of our local. We're on a

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bidding system and the contractor gets the low bid. That's the one that awards the

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contract? Yes. The reason the reason I asked because I noticed the delays. The reason

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I asked is I noticed delays. And I understand that even in the city of beaumont, you know,

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sometimes we have change orders and delays, so that's to be expected. But when I was riding

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through dallas, I was out there with my wife a few weeks back, and it actually had the

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contractor's name and phone number highlighted on the road. So when you had issues with

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whether it be a pothole or something that may not have been to write honestly, I got

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to give corey credit, he's done a good job when it comes to putting it out there on things

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that could be better. But, you know, I think it would be advantageous if we did that in

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beaumont. I had our contractors do that because honestly, y'all, we all can't see everything.

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when people see things, the quicker you report it, the quicker it can be addressed. So

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that's just something I seen in that dallas area, and it kind of stood out like a sore thumb,

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like. And people actually were on the internet talking about how they were using that number. And things were happening very quickly. Yeah. Right now on our sheets, we don't show that the

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contractor does put their company board name, usually with the address or p.o. Box.

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we do not specify a phone number at this time. It might be something we might look in

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dallas to maybe implement here. But if there is some potholes, councilman crenshaw does it

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quite a bit. I'm sure I don't mind. Notify us. We will get those fixed. Absolutely. It is

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important that we keep our travelers safe as they drive our highways. And I had a few

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more follow ups. I noticed there was a change in leadership. So first and

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foremost, congratulations and welcome. We talked about things like maintenance on the

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freeways. Currently the city of beaumont. We do do the maintenance on the side of the

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freeways. And I know txdot gives a certain portion, but we do budget a significant amount

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of money that we don't recover to kind of maintain the integrity of the esthetics that

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we want our city to look like when people travel since since it is new leadership, maybe

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could we kind of re explore that, that deal of that relationship? Yeah, absolutely.

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we're willing to have that conversation. You know, just communicate have that

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conversation. Definitely willing to to explore what options we have. You know, we

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we as a state as a state agency do have to abide by certain rules. But but we definitely

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can can look at some out of the box ideas. I'm willing to always try something different.

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you know, if things aren't working. Let's let's try something different. If that's

375
00:41:19,100 --> 00:41:19,100
not working, we'll pivot. So yes, I'm absolutely willing to work with you all to see if

376
00:41:24,100 --> 00:41:24,100
there's alternatives to the way we're doing things now. Yes, ma'am. And my last question,

377
00:41:29,466 --> 00:41:29,466
similar to the esthetics, the previous txdot director was saying he wasn't big on medians,

378
00:41:38,133 --> 00:41:38,133
intersection esthetics. It was kind of like a boring view, not similar to like the mountain

379
00:41:43,400 --> 00:41:43,400
views. And the more, you know, beautification projects we see. I am supportive that we do

380
00:41:51,033 --> 00:41:51,033
explore working relationships to kind of get the esthetics of our appearance with our city

381
00:41:56,133 --> 00:41:56,133
and txdot. I do support that. I'm one of seven, but maybe if we can see what we can do to

382
00:42:02,933 --> 00:42:02,933
work together to improve the esthetics, you know, like I like the red, but I like it

383
00:42:07,366 --> 00:42:07,366
over there by lamar and I-10. But I do like the red, but I just want to know if it's

384
00:42:12,933 --> 00:42:12,933
something you guys would be open to as well, to see if we can revisit it. Because again,

385
00:42:17,200 --> 00:42:17,200
I know that was his sentiment, but it's a new regime and I'm looking forward to working with

386
00:42:22,266 --> 00:42:22,266
you and hearing your ideas. Well, just to be fair to him, you know, on the esthetics and

387
00:42:26,900 --> 00:42:26,900
the cardinal jobs, we did add a lot of esthetics to those projects. You know, everything

388
00:42:31,933 --> 00:42:31,933
done previously, you know, is hard for us to, to, to change that. But moving forward, that

389
00:42:38,466 --> 00:42:38,466
is the direction the beaumont district will be moving into is looking at at esthetics. You

390
00:42:44,033 --> 00:42:44,033
know, I we do we do need to work with our cities and, and our counties of when we do that

391
00:42:51,733 --> 00:42:51,733
esthetics is is who's going to maintain like if we do let's see if we do vegetation, if we

392
00:42:57,300 --> 00:42:57,300
do plants. And you know that the maintenance of that becomes an issue, but absolutely

393
00:43:02,966 --> 00:43:02,966
willing to partner with with the city of beaumont to, to see how we can improve esthetics. I

394
00:43:10,533 --> 00:43:10,533
want, you know, I want as much as y'all for for our roadways to look, you know, to have some

395
00:43:18,033 --> 00:43:18,033
esthetic views like other like other districts have. I, I don't know if if dave went

396
00:43:26,366 --> 00:43:26,366
through the there's a 69 project from lamar in 2028. We are looking at, you know adding

397
00:43:35,000 --> 00:43:35,000
esthetics to that. Working with lamar. You know we want to add some esthetics to our retaining

398
00:43:41,100 --> 00:43:41,100
walls. You know, just just whatever we can do within within our regulations. So we

399
00:43:46,900 --> 00:43:46,900
definitely willing to have that conversation, willing to include y'all in in those

400
00:43:53,366 --> 00:43:53,366
decisions. And but we also need some partnership from, from cities and counties to get that

401
00:43:59,633 --> 00:43:59,633
done. So absolutely. Thank you. Sure. Just one thing again. Congratulations miss harris.

402
00:44:08,233 --> 00:44:08,233
thank you. On your motion. We look forward to working with you, incorporated and

403
00:44:13,233 --> 00:44:13,233
collaborating with you on these projects. We mentioned maintenance I think. Have we

404
00:44:18,333 --> 00:44:18,333
completed the mou. We're in the middle of negotiating mou. I think it's it's still in in

405
00:44:25,100 --> 00:44:25,100
draft form. So I think this is an opportunity to to talk and negotiate some things because

406
00:44:30,300 --> 00:44:30,300
we are in the middle of negotiating the mou as we speak. You can explain what an mou is.

407
00:44:35,466 --> 00:44:35,466
it's a memorandum of understanding where it's an agreement with txdot, the city,

408
00:44:40,200 --> 00:44:40,200
to who's going to be responsible for what along the highways, or we're going to mow

409
00:44:45,500 --> 00:44:45,500
or they're going to mow. Who's going to fix potholes, you know, different. We just have an

410
00:44:50,100 --> 00:44:50,100
agreement on who's responsible for the maintenance of the different things along the

411
00:44:55,800 --> 00:44:55,800
highways, state highways just okay. You done, councilman turner? All right. I know

412
00:45:02,233 --> 00:45:02,233
everybody may have some. I'm going to go to councilman hilliard, then I'm going to go

413
00:45:07,266 --> 00:45:07,266
to councilman durio, and then I'll come to this side. So again, I want to say welcome

414
00:45:11,466 --> 00:45:11,466
and congratulations and thank you for being here. We you know, this is it's really awesome to

415
00:45:17,233 --> 00:45:17,233
have you all here and to keep our citizens updated. And the one thing that I'm hearing a

416
00:45:21,966 --> 00:45:21,966
lot about is there any way we can get these blinking lights at washington fixed? It seems

417
00:45:28,166 --> 00:45:28,166
to be a big concern, especially for people that are trying to avoid the calder area using the

418
00:45:34,100 --> 00:45:34,100
washington when we have the blinking red lights, and at 5:00 and at 830 in the morning,

419
00:45:39,133 --> 00:45:39,133
it's it's pretty crazy. So is there I understand that that we control the lights, but there

420
00:45:44,366 --> 00:45:44,366
is a short or something in the lights that when it rains, it causes the lights to go back to

421
00:45:50,366 --> 00:45:50,366
blinking. Is there anything we can do to get those blinking lights back to working like

422
00:45:55,166 --> 00:45:55,166
they should? So in my short 21 days that I've been in this role, I've been working with

423
00:46:01,166 --> 00:46:01,166
the city of beaumont, the traffic section. Actually, my very first day I think I met

424
00:46:06,166 --> 00:46:06,166
maybe, maybe second day met with the city of city of beaumont. It is the city of

425
00:46:12,033 --> 00:46:12,033
beaumont's traffic lights, but it's our construction that is affecting the traffic lights.

426
00:46:18,066 --> 00:46:18,066
so I pledged to partner with the city of beaumont. We've been using our traffic

427
00:46:27,533 --> 00:46:27,533
engineering consultant to help. Look at timing. Look at what we can do to that light. I believe

428
00:46:35,133 --> 00:46:35,133
there's a part that the washington traffic light is needed. It's been ordered, but

429
00:46:43,300 --> 00:46:43,300
we are definitely partnering. That is how I would like to work moving forward is

430
00:46:49,400 --> 00:46:49,400
partnering with the city because it is a a major project in the heart of the city of

431
00:46:56,600 --> 00:46:56,600
beaumont. So although it is the the city's traffic light, we we need to partner with each other

432
00:47:05,133 --> 00:47:05,133
because our construction is is affecting some of the the timings and the and you know,

433
00:47:11,033 --> 00:47:11,033
the mobility through those frontage roads. I will say when we change the traffic on the

434
00:47:20,300 --> 00:47:20,300
westbound, a couple of those lights went to blinking. We've we've looked at that. Our

435
00:47:26,100 --> 00:47:26,100
traffic engineers have studied that and and actually the blinking is, is actually

436
00:47:30,166 --> 00:47:30,166
working better than the traffic light. So I'm definitely willing to sit down with the

437
00:47:35,166 --> 00:47:35,166
city and explain, you know, and show them the data of of why you know what, you know what

438
00:47:43,500 --> 00:47:43,500
the best option is. My my goal is to make sure that that we we try to minimize the, the impact

439
00:47:50,400 --> 00:47:50,400
to the traveling public. And so just working together with the city, I think we can do that.

440
00:47:57,866 --> 00:47:57,866
thank you. You're welcome, councilman dario thank you councilman. Yeah, I may have

441
00:48:03,200 --> 00:48:03,200
missed it, but I seem to remember at one time you said 124. Y'all were changing to two

442
00:48:09,000 --> 00:48:09,000
lanes each way. 124 two lanes, four lanes, four lane turns it into a four lane. One of your

443
00:48:19,366 --> 00:48:19,366
prior presentations, 124 itself was always going to be two lanes in each direction. Now

444
00:48:26,266 --> 00:48:26,266
we're going to rehab all of 124. It's we have two projects. One that richard shows goes from 69

445
00:48:33,066 --> 00:48:33,066
to pretty much labelle road. The 364. We do have another one that's set out a few more years,

446
00:48:42,166 --> 00:48:42,166
which is outside the three year. It's about 4 or 5 years out. We're going to rehab from

447
00:48:46,200 --> 00:48:46,200
pretty much from 365 all the way back to 364, and that's going to be rehabbed. But we

448
00:48:52,000 --> 00:48:52,000
had we didn't have any plans to go to four, four lanes at least. I don't remember of any. You

449
00:48:57,066 --> 00:48:57,066
said two lanes each way. No, one lane each way. Two. Okay. So let me reclarify. So when I

450
00:49:02,100 --> 00:49:02,100
say a two lane highway, that's really one lane in each direction. When I say four lane

451
00:49:06,133 --> 00:49:06,133
highway, that's a two lanes each direction. And if it's a six lane highway, I really mean

452
00:49:11,000 --> 00:49:11,000
three lanes each direction. So 124 will always stay a two lane highway, one lane. Well, excuse

453
00:49:15,266 --> 00:49:15,266
me, not always. It depends. It depends what traffic studies show. And if it does increase

454
00:49:20,200 --> 00:49:20,200
we might go to four. But right now it's not planned. Okay. No other thing because I traveled

455
00:49:25,233 --> 00:49:25,233
this route a lot when you mentioned potholes on interstate ten between 69 and

456
00:49:32,166 --> 00:49:32,166
all the way, probably to calder. There's quite a few of them because I hit them a few times

457
00:49:38,400 --> 00:49:38,400
myself. Yeah. So please reach out to my office. We'll definitely try to get those

458
00:49:45,100 --> 00:49:45,100
handled as quick as possible. We are trying to maintain that system. Like ana and richard

459
00:49:49,200 --> 00:49:49,200
said, we are on an old system that's, you know, coming to its life expectancy. So we are

460
00:49:54,933 --> 00:49:54,933
trying to keep it going. I also, as mr. Said, we are trying to look at out of the box to try

461
00:50:00,933 --> 00:50:00,933
to keep our area going here. So we are just kind of things out of the box that we are looking

462
00:50:06,233 --> 00:50:06,233
at. So there is a bad section in. Councilman crenshaw brought it to our attention to. We're

463
00:50:11,066 --> 00:50:11,066
working on it. The connector us 69 north to I-10 west. So there's a huge blowout, which

464
00:50:17,200 --> 00:50:17,200
we're doing a plan to do a full repair next couple days. And then we're going to mill an

465
00:50:22,266 --> 00:50:22,266
inlay because that's that was old pfc. And that asphalt is unraveling. So we need to get a

466
00:50:27,366 --> 00:50:27,366
better surface to keep that traffic going out there smoothly and restripe that area

467
00:50:31,566 --> 00:50:31,566
too. We did that about two years ago. If you all remember, six I-10 west to 69 south, all

468
00:50:38,066 --> 00:50:38,066
that asphalt was kind of torn up and falling apart. And that's where we milled all that

469
00:50:43,400 --> 00:50:43,400
out and overlaid it because we needed to last for about 3 or 4 more years as traffic keeps on

470
00:50:48,333 --> 00:50:48,333
driving that area. But if there's something pop up, please reach out. We are going

471
00:50:52,566 --> 00:50:52,566
to try to hit that as quick as possible. And one last question. Were you saying that the

472
00:50:57,100 --> 00:50:57,100
flashing red lights are better than if it was regular red, yellow, green? As far as the

473
00:51:02,433 --> 00:51:02,433
traffic flow, I believe it's north street is what they were looking at washington boulevard.

474
00:51:07,266 --> 00:51:07,266
no, not washington, no washington. We're getting there's a part that's missing

475
00:51:12,233 --> 00:51:12,233
that that went out in those lights. And so it's it's been ordered it it's that traffic

476
00:51:18,200 --> 00:51:18,200
light needs to be fixed. That traffic light does not need to be in flashing the

477
00:51:23,233 --> 00:51:23,233
intersections. It's it's it's not a complete t. And so I've said through that intersection

478
00:51:32,733 --> 00:51:32,733
I've seen accidents about to happen. We have a lot of close calls. I've seen I've seen some

479
00:51:39,833 --> 00:51:39,833
accidents there. Flashing red at washington is not what you know, what the traffic

480
00:51:45,366 --> 00:51:45,366
engineers recommend. It needs to be fixed. But they they are also looking at timing it so

481
00:51:51,166 --> 00:51:51,166
that it works better. Because I know a lot of the public saying that the flashing red, you're

482
00:51:56,233 --> 00:51:56,233
moving fast, that it's got better movements. So we're working on getting the timings

483
00:52:01,300 --> 00:52:01,300
on those on those lights corrected so that so that it it the lights actually are more

484
00:52:09,300 --> 00:52:09,300
efficient. So is that something that the city is going to do. We're going to do that together.

485
00:52:15,933 --> 00:52:15,933
we're going to give them the we we have had people in the field with the traffic, the city of

486
00:52:25,166 --> 00:52:25,166
traffic employees. My consultant has been in there working in the cabinets, will

487
00:52:30,300 --> 00:52:30,300
be giving them the the I'm not a I'm not a traffic engineer, but I do have people that are

488
00:52:37,433 --> 00:52:37,433
experts at this. They they know what the timings need to be for the for the lights. They do.

489
00:52:45,066 --> 00:52:45,066
they'll do what's called different studies. So they and they configure the lights so

490
00:52:53,166 --> 00:52:53,166
that it's, it's optimized. And this part that's on order that's going to fix it. Yes it

491
00:53:00,833 --> 00:53:00,833
should. But we're going to continue to monitor it, continue to to I, I pledge to

492
00:53:07,133 --> 00:53:07,133
have my people continue to help the city, you know, partner with the city so that we can

493
00:53:16,100 --> 00:53:16,100
get so this light can can get back to working and optimize as much as possible. Okay. Thank

494
00:53:25,133 --> 00:53:25,133
you. You're welcome. Thank you. Councilman. Anybody? Councilman crenshaw I'll be brief. I just

495
00:53:35,266 --> 00:53:35,266
would like to say how remarkable the change with tex-dot has been communicating

496
00:53:45,400 --> 00:53:45,400
with me and addressing the needs of this city since the last time tex-dot came before

497
00:53:50,400 --> 00:53:50,400
this council. And, ana, you know, thank you. And congratulations to your

498
00:53:58,400 --> 00:53:58,400
promotion for your promotion. And I don't think dave ever thought he would receive daily

499
00:54:06,133 --> 00:54:06,133
texts and emails from me. I don't mind and but we've we've fixed a lot of things together

500
00:54:12,433 --> 00:54:12,433
and y'all are doing a great job. I'm so excited about the the true aspects for partnerships

501
00:54:19,400 --> 00:54:19,400
moving forward. I can think of 4 or 5 projects right now off the top of my head that we've

502
00:54:24,400 --> 00:54:28,333
already talked about, that we're going to get together and try to fix things together with our amazing public works director and and get the ball rolling and really bring some

503
00:54:33,166 --> 00:54:33,166
change to this city that is going to make our roads safer and better for all. So thank

504
00:54:38,300 --> 00:54:38,300
you so much to the the effort that y'all are putting forward and the enhanced communication

505
00:54:45,000 --> 00:54:45,000
and godspeed. Thank you. Thank you, councilman crenshaw, councilman turner, lastly,

506
00:54:51,333 --> 00:54:51,333
mister manager, between txdot and the city, is there any kind of way we can get a joint

507
00:54:56,666 --> 00:54:56,666
statement that explains the washington boulevard situation? Because what's taking place is,

508
00:55:02,666 --> 00:55:02,666
you know, I had a citizen who reached out to me. And, you know, when she reached out to

509
00:55:07,166 --> 00:55:07,166
txdot, txdot stated, you know, it's the city light, which is the truth. But then on the flip

510
00:55:12,133 --> 00:55:12,133
side, you know, we can't actually move forward with fixing the city light because

511
00:55:17,066 --> 00:55:17,066
we're waiting on the part. So most, most people may be at work. They may not have the

512
00:55:22,166 --> 00:55:22,166
capability to watch this. They may want to go back and watch it. But it's a long meeting. So

513
00:55:27,166 --> 00:55:27,166
any way we can put out a joint meeting, I mean a joint messaging saying stating what's

514
00:55:31,533 --> 00:55:31,533
really going on because people are a little confused about it. Sure. And we should be able to

515
00:55:36,033 --> 00:55:36,033
do that by tomorrow. Does that sound reasonable? And we'll give council an update on this

516
00:55:41,400 --> 00:55:41,400
part, whatever this part is, and when we expect it in and when we have that fixed. Okay.

517
00:55:49,033 --> 00:55:49,033
thank you, councilman turner. And thank you all for the thorough presentation. Thank

518
00:55:56,100 --> 00:55:56,100
you, thank you. And now we're done with our proclamations and presentations. And for those

519
00:56:09,000 --> 00:56:09,000
leaving, thank you for coming. And I do want to remind people, since I got out of order, that

520
00:56:14,300 --> 00:56:18,266
at the close of this meeting, city council will adjourn into executive staff executive session to discuss or deliberate economic development negotiations in accordance with

521
00:56:23,733 --> 00:56:23,733
section 551.087 of the government code, to which specifically project sport. And

522
00:56:30,066 --> 00:56:30,066
as we move into public comments, I would also like to say we did cover it. Our communications

523
00:56:36,033 --> 00:56:36,033
director did a great job. I've received several direct. Questions regarding the

524
00:56:46,466 --> 00:56:46,466
different propositions and being able to move money around, and there's been some things

525
00:56:52,000 --> 00:56:52,000
circulating on the internet that we can move more money. If a proposition is approved to

526
00:56:58,133 --> 00:56:58,133
another proposition that is incorrect, we will follow the law. The money has to stay

527
00:57:04,900 --> 00:57:04,900
within the propositions. The flip side to that is, you know, we have estimated cost for

528
00:57:10,166 --> 00:57:10,166
whether it's the fire station, police station, you can look through their again estimated

529
00:57:15,100 --> 00:57:15,100
cost. And if there's money between those projects can be shared. If something came in

530
00:57:22,566 --> 00:57:22,566
under or something came in over, those can be shifted. Those would be approved by this

531
00:57:27,433 --> 00:57:27,433
council, obviously. And any oversight or facilitation committee would be reviewing

532
00:57:33,233 --> 00:57:33,233
that. But again, it would stay within the proposals a, b, c, d and e and, and our city

533
00:57:42,033 --> 00:57:42,033
attorney has faced. So in case I'm saying something wrong, please address it. And. And

534
00:57:49,200 --> 00:57:49,200
I'll stop with that. So she, my wife gives me that same signal. I recognize it. So now is the

535
00:57:59,200 --> 00:57:59,200
time for any citizen who wishes to speak. You may make public comments on the consent agenda.

536
00:58:04,966 --> 00:58:04,966
regular agenda items one through eight or any other topic. Citizens wishing to

537
00:58:09,566 --> 00:58:09,566
speak on items nine and ten will also be given an opportunity to speak during the

538
00:58:14,133 --> 00:58:18,100
public hearing. But if you choose to speak at the beginning, you may. The city clerk will call your name when it's your time to speak. When you approach the podium, please

539
00:58:22,233 --> 00:58:22,233
say your address, city and state. If it hasn't been stated, you will have three minutes for

540
00:58:28,100 --> 00:58:31,966
public comments. The green light will come on when you approach the podium, and the red light will come on when your time is up. And please be reminded that we cannot respond

541
00:58:36,600 --> 00:58:36,600
to your comments at that time. However, we will follow up with you and somebody from staff

542
00:58:41,433 --> 00:58:41,433
might be with you before you leave the meeting. Delilah johnson, 2840 glenwood avenue,

543
00:58:47,966 --> 00:58:47,966
beaumont, texas. Okay. That was that. Good day. I'd like to extend my condolences with you.

544
00:59:13,933 --> 00:59:13,933
our community, our heart is with you. And I have a paper to pass out. Who would I need to

545
00:59:22,333 --> 00:59:22,333
get this to? We're having our first annual farmers market in pear orchard in ward four.

546
00:59:33,266 --> 00:59:33,266
we've been working hard for six years on our community garden, and so we hope to see you guys

547
00:59:40,533 --> 00:59:40,533
out there. Our goal is to teach the community to be self-sufficient, how to change

548
00:59:47,966 --> 00:59:47,966
the composition of the soil in our community, how to add more trees to our community and

549
00:59:55,300 --> 00:59:55,300
stuff to change the quality of the air. So we've been working hard for six years, and we've

550
01:00:02,033 --> 01:00:02,033
gotten a lot of support from different people on the board. And what we're going to do on

551
01:00:06,100 --> 01:00:06,100
saturday, we're going to open up at 10:00 to the city officials, so you guys can come

552
01:00:11,366 --> 01:00:11,366
in comfortably and see what we're doing from 10 to 11, and then we're going to open up to

553
01:00:17,100 --> 01:00:17,100
the community at 12:00. So we're going to have vegan cheese, vegan boudin, we're

554
01:00:22,166 --> 01:00:22,166
going to have fruits and vegetables. We're going to have some other foods as well too.

555
01:00:28,900 --> 01:00:28,900
and so we want to encourage you to purchase a pumpkin for a dollar. And the proceeds of the

556
01:00:34,133 --> 01:00:34,133
money is going to go to beaumont united for project graduation. So this is just the

557
01:00:40,666 --> 01:00:40,666
beginning of many things that we want to do inside of the community. We want to change

558
01:00:45,833 --> 01:00:45,833
that whole street and show that community how everybody can keep their yard cut, grow their

559
01:00:51,600 --> 01:00:51,600
own fruits and vegetables, keep the neighborhood clean. And our hopes is that that becomes

560
01:00:57,133 --> 01:00:57,133
contagious to the whole fourth ward area. And we hope we see we hope to see you guys out

561
01:01:03,866 --> 01:01:03,866
there on saturday. I know there's a lot going on that day, but even if you stop by for ten

562
01:01:10,066 --> 01:01:10,066
minutes, that means a lot to us and all our volunteers and the people that helped put this

563
01:01:15,333 --> 01:01:15,333
together. So thank you. Thank you. All right. Rose randall, 6550 lexington drive, beaumont,

564
01:01:25,766 --> 01:01:25,766
texas. Good afternoon. Today I'm going to tell you some news. Because of ongoing legal cases,

565
01:01:38,066 --> 01:01:38,066
I will be omitting the names. On october 7th, immigration officials in beaumont once

566
01:01:43,933 --> 01:01:43,933
again heroically cleaned up our streets by detaining an aging grandfather on his way to work.

567
01:01:49,233 --> 01:01:53,200
they also valiantly harassed several citizens and legal residents with suspiciously brown skin, who were told that they resembled criminal illegal aliens and would need to show

568
01:01:57,766 --> 01:01:57,766
their papers. Later, they showed up at the jefferson county probation office to

569
01:02:03,066 --> 01:02:03,066
defend america by arresting responsible people showing up for their legal appointments.

570
01:02:07,900 --> 01:02:07,900
they were able to prevent a father, husband and permanent legal resident from stealing

571
01:02:13,233 --> 01:02:13,233
the job. He was weeks away from starting by refusing to allow him to produce documents that

572
01:02:18,100 --> 01:02:18,100
would prove he has a legal right to be in the country that he has called home since he was

573
01:02:23,900 --> 01:02:23,900
two years old. He is not the first documented person detained by ice in beaumont.

574
01:02:28,966 --> 01:02:28,966
the local immigrant community has sounded the alarm, stating that many of their documented

575
01:02:33,933 --> 01:02:33,933
family members have been detained, being born on u.s. Soil to parents born on us soil

576
01:02:39,100 --> 01:02:39,100
is no longer good enough either. When a man's wife contacted the montgomery processing center in

577
01:02:45,033 --> 01:02:45,033
conroe, she was told by someone over the phone that the man's child, a citizen born on u.s.

578
01:02:50,300 --> 01:02:50,300
soil to a mother who is also a citizen born on u.s. Soil, would probably be detained and

579
01:02:56,300 --> 01:02:56,300
deported to. In june, abbott signed senate bill eight into law, requiring that texas

580
01:03:04,433 --> 01:03:04,433
sheriff's departments enter into agreements with ice to support immigration enforcement.

581
01:03:09,266 --> 01:03:09,266
jefferson county sheriff's office, eager to be more helpful to the federal

582
01:03:14,133 --> 01:03:14,133
government than the community they supposedly serve, immediately signed their

583
01:03:18,466 --> 01:03:18,466
contract a full 18 months before they were legally required to do so. They say all

584
01:03:24,033 --> 01:03:24,033
it takes for evil to succeed is for good people to do nothing. But I disagree with that. Evil

585
01:03:31,533 --> 01:03:31,533
is most successful when it convinces everyday people to play small little parts to keep

586
01:03:36,233 --> 01:03:36,233
the gears running. Things like unnecessarily signing agreements early, letting ice

587
01:03:45,966 --> 01:03:45,966
ambush people in our government offices, and using local police departments to lay bait and

588
01:03:51,333 --> 01:03:51,333
switch traps that result in ice mysteriously showing up 20s into a routine traffic stop

589
01:03:57,200 --> 01:03:57,200
that happens in our community. Is this the america you want to live in? One where people who

590
01:04:02,866 --> 01:04:02,866
forget their wallet at home may wake up the next day in a holding cell, hours from being

591
01:04:07,133 --> 01:04:07,133
put on a flight to a foreign prison, one where even documented people and citizens

592
01:04:12,033 --> 01:04:12,033
aren't safe from being deemed too close to the profile of the undesirable minority. Is this

593
01:04:17,333 --> 01:04:17,333
our america? Is it the racist, ignorant cruelty of current federal policy that represents

594
01:04:23,166 --> 01:04:23,166
us, or is what represents us, how we dutifully play our small part in keeping those gears

595
01:04:28,733 --> 01:04:28,733
running? I'm asking my city to stop playing their part. Chance 932 west lucas, beaumont, texas.

596
01:04:51,433 --> 01:04:51,433
good afternoon. George retz is a 25 year old u.s. Army veteran who served a tour in iraq on

597
01:05:00,433 --> 01:05:00,433
july 10th while on his way to work as a security guard in southern california cannabis

598
01:05:05,066 --> 01:05:05,066
farm. He was detained by federal immigration agents despite telling them that he

599
01:05:10,366 --> 01:05:10,366
was an american citizen, that his wallet and identification were in his nearby, nearby car.

600
01:05:16,200 --> 01:05:16,200
leo venegas, who was born in the united states, was first detained in may at a

601
01:05:23,166 --> 01:05:23,166
construction site by armed men in camouflage. Two weeks later, venegas was arrested again on

602
01:05:28,600 --> 01:05:32,333
another private construction site when another immigration patrol saw him working and assumed without reasonable suspicion that leo was undocumented. Both times,

603
01:05:37,933 --> 01:05:37,933
venegas told the officer he was a citizen and showed them his real id. I should not be able

604
01:05:44,800 --> 01:05:44,800
to violate the rights of citizens with impunity. Pseudo venom was wrongly imprisoned

605
01:05:53,266 --> 01:05:53,266
for 43 years for a murder he did not commit. 14 days ago, he won his freedom. Ice arrested

606
01:06:01,200 --> 01:06:01,200
him. The next day. He received multiple degrees during his time at huntington state

607
01:06:07,133 --> 01:06:07,133
correctional institute. Sue, who is in fact the first prisoner in the history of

608
01:06:12,066 --> 01:06:12,066
pennsylvania to get a master's degree while incarcerated. Yet even while having been

609
01:06:17,300 --> 01:06:17,300
exonerated for the murder, he had a 40 year old possession that ice found. He had pled

610
01:06:23,200 --> 01:06:23,200
guilty and received probation 43 years ago. But that's all ice needed. Ice wants to deport

611
01:06:28,100 --> 01:06:28,100
sidhu to india. He left india when he was nine months old. This is an injustice. This is

612
01:06:36,966 --> 01:06:36,966
horrible reflection on our country, our culture and our government. Ice should not be

613
01:06:43,300 --> 01:06:43,300
able to violate the rights of immigrants with impunity. Ward. Sleek. 22 years old, was

614
01:06:53,233 --> 01:06:53,233
married on january 31st. She was detained at a miami airport in february after returning

615
01:06:58,333 --> 01:06:58,333
from her honeymoon in the us virgin islands. Around the time of her wedding, she applied for

616
01:07:03,300 --> 01:07:07,066
a green card and successfully cleared the initial stage of process. She has palestinian descent, born in saudi arabia but holds no citizenship there. When she was eight, family came

617
01:07:12,966 --> 01:07:12,966
over here on a visa, applied for asylum that was denied, but they couldn't be deported

618
01:07:19,166 --> 01:07:23,133
because they have no country, they have no citizenship anywhere. So they were required to stay here or they were allowed to stay here and place an order of supervision. She

619
01:07:30,466 --> 01:07:30,466
graduated from high school, got a bachelor's degree, launched a wedding photography business.

620
01:07:35,200 --> 01:07:35,200
she was held for over five months in detention before finally being released. I

621
01:07:42,333 --> 01:07:42,333
should focus on the criminals and gang members, not good people doing honest work. In

622
01:07:47,100 --> 01:07:47,100
june, hays county county commissioners passed a resolution calling for humane

623
01:07:52,433 --> 01:07:52,433
treatment and the process of immigrants within the county. Thank you sir, I would ask you

624
01:07:57,300 --> 01:07:57,300
all to do the same. Bill robinson, 52, 95 gale drive, beaumont, texas. Hello. Okay.

625
01:08:24,833 --> 01:08:24,833
as the other individuals have already mentioned, there's been a lot of distressing incidents

626
01:08:31,066 --> 01:08:31,066
with immigrants and ice. At one time, these were rare. Unusual, abnormal. Today, they've become

627
01:08:40,300 --> 01:08:40,300
the norm. The united states is a nation of both laws and promises, and our history and

628
01:08:47,366 --> 01:08:47,366
identity consists of how well we either fulfill those laws, those promises, or we break

629
01:08:54,166 --> 01:08:54,166
them. Currently, we are in the process of breaking them. We made promises to immigrants, to

630
01:09:02,366 --> 01:09:02,366
people coming here, that if they come here and they go through the process, they can

631
01:09:08,766 --> 01:09:08,766
live here and they can have better economic stability, safety, education. We made that

632
01:09:18,633 --> 01:09:18,633
promise. We set up laws that guide how that is accomplished. Today, though, we are not only

633
01:09:29,433 --> 01:09:29,433
breaking those promises, we are breaking those laws. We are failing our ideals, our

634
01:09:37,900 --> 01:09:37,900
promises, our humanity and our people. It's happening all across the nation and it's

635
01:09:48,400 --> 01:09:48,400
happening here in beaumont. As I said, we are a people of laws and promises and humanity, and

636
01:10:03,100 --> 01:10:03,100
if we want to remain the same, then we need to take actions, no matter how small, to fight

637
01:10:10,566 --> 01:10:10,566
this, to stop it and to rectify it. Thank you. Abigail morales, 1045 church street, beaumont,

638
01:10:29,033 --> 01:10:29,033
texas. Hello, council mayor, please excuse my nervousness. My name is abigail morales, and

639
01:10:37,433 --> 01:10:37,433
I'm a beaumont resident and a us citizen. But I came to this country as a and the city as an

640
01:10:44,466 --> 01:10:44,466
undocumented child. Growing up, I knew the fear that someone I love might be taken not because

641
01:10:50,066 --> 01:10:50,066
they were bad people. Excuse me, but because borders and papers seem to matter more than

642
01:10:58,200 --> 01:10:58,200
families and love. And that fear really never leaves you. In fact, for many in the

643
01:11:06,200 --> 01:11:06,200
immigrant community, it has only grown stronger. That fear isn't imagined, it is real. And

644
01:11:11,433 --> 01:11:11,433
it is something that is happening here in beaumont, and families are living through now.

645
01:11:16,933 --> 01:11:16,933
in fact, just a few weeks ago, immigrant immigration agents detained a man in our city. I

646
01:11:23,033 --> 01:11:23,033
don't know every detail about his case, but I've seen what moments like that do to a

647
01:11:29,266 --> 01:11:29,266
family. They leave behind fear, confusion, silence. And I'm here because silence can't be

648
01:11:35,166 --> 01:11:35,166
our answer. The man that was detained has a little girl, just nine years old, who sees

649
01:11:43,033 --> 01:11:43,033
him as her father. She wrote a letter and with her family's permission, I want to share it.

650
01:11:51,466 --> 01:11:51,466
I've removed the names for their privacy. Dad, I miss you. You are like a dad to me. If

651
01:12:00,266 --> 01:12:00,266
you come back, I will feel excited and I will be happy. I cry every day for you. I am his

652
01:12:07,400 --> 01:12:07,400
daughter, I love him. Please let him go home to his family. Please, please god, let him

653
01:12:14,900 --> 01:12:14,900
come back to us. Those are the words of a child, a nine year old heartbroken and scared. Let

654
01:12:22,933 --> 01:12:22,933
her letter remind us what is at stake. When families are separated. The innocence that

655
01:12:29,300 --> 01:12:29,300
is lost, the fear that lingers, and the deep ache that no law or paperwork can measure. And

656
01:12:35,066 --> 01:12:35,066
this is just one story. There are many families, many neighbors, living quietly with

657
01:12:40,900 --> 01:12:40,900
the same fear for our city and our city. We may not know every story, but they are here. It

658
01:12:48,333 --> 01:12:48,333
isn't about politics. It is about people. It is about what kind of community we want to be

659
01:12:54,500 --> 01:12:54,500
here in beaumont. You, our city leaders, help set the tone, showing that you care can start

660
01:13:00,666 --> 01:13:00,666
small by making sure that our public spaces are safe for everyone. By being transparent

661
01:13:05,966 --> 01:13:05,966
about how our city cooperates with ice, and by standing with families when they're afraid.

662
01:13:12,000 --> 01:13:12,000
because if one child in our community is crying herself to sleep, scared that her family

663
01:13:18,300 --> 01:13:18,300
might be torn apart or praying for someone she loves to come home, that is not someone

664
01:13:23,100 --> 01:13:23,100
else's problem. It is all of ours. Thank you. Christy de la sota, 4590 kenneth avenue,

665
01:13:39,100 --> 01:13:39,100
beaumont, texas. Good afternoon. I was completely unprepared for this. My kids called me at the

666
01:13:49,200 --> 01:13:49,200
last minute. I'm sorry. Excuse me. Are you wanting to speak on a dilapidated structure or.

667
01:13:57,933 --> 01:13:57,933
okay, that will be towards the end. I'm sorry. Carlton sharp, 5150 plant road, beaumont,

668
01:14:09,500 --> 01:14:09,500
texas. Councilwoman sherwood, you have our deepest condolences and prayers. Mayor,

669
01:14:17,333 --> 01:14:17,333
council and city manager, I'm speaking today to follow up on an email I previously sent to

670
01:14:23,966 --> 01:14:23,966
each one of you regarding the current conditions of the tennis complex located on

671
01:14:28,600 --> 01:14:28,600
college street. As we prepare to host the southland conference tennis tournament in

672
01:14:33,900 --> 01:14:33,900
april 2026, we have an opportunity not just to improve the facility, but to reshape

673
01:14:40,100 --> 01:14:40,100
how people see beaumont. When you look on online, there's a mixed picture of our city

674
01:14:48,000 --> 01:14:48,000
residents and visitors often mentioned beaumont affordable living, friendly people and

675
01:14:54,266 --> 01:14:54,266
community spirit. But there are also recurring concerns about crime, limited attractions and

676
01:15:00,466 --> 01:15:00,466
a lack of things to do compared to other cities. These comments influence how outsiders, and

677
01:15:06,200 --> 01:15:06,200
even our own residents perceive the quality of life here in beaumont, and this event

678
01:15:12,433 --> 01:15:16,400
presents a tremendous opportunity for the city to showcase our community to a national audience. By revitalizing the tennis complex, we can begin to change the

679
01:15:22,833 --> 01:15:22,833
narrative. This espn televised event gives us the chance to highlight a different story.

680
01:15:28,400 --> 01:15:28,400
one of progress, one of investment, and one of pride. When viewers see

681
01:15:34,400 --> 01:15:34,400
well-maintained courts and vibrant facilities, they'll associate beaumont with

682
01:15:39,100 --> 01:15:39,100
excellence and hospitality. When visitors come for the tournament and experience clean,

683
01:15:45,100 --> 01:15:45,100
safe and welcoming spaces, they'll leave with a positive impression that ripples through

684
01:15:49,733 --> 01:15:49,733
word of mouth and social media. And when residents see our city taking pride in its public

685
01:15:55,766 --> 01:15:55,766
facilities, it builds a sense of ownership and optimism that encounters that counters the

686
01:16:01,500 --> 01:16:01,500
negative perceptions circulating online. Furthermore, lamar university success is

687
01:16:08,200 --> 01:16:08,200
beaumont's success. The university is a cornerstone of our community, and its athletic

688
01:16:12,866 --> 01:16:12,866
achievements reflect directly on our city. When lamar hosts and performs well in front of a

689
01:16:18,066 --> 01:16:18,066
national audience, it strengthens beaumont's reputation as a city that

690
01:16:22,933 --> 01:16:22,933
supports excellence in education, sports, and community life by ensuring the

691
01:16:27,966 --> 01:16:27,966
tennis complex meets championship standards. We're not just supporting the

692
01:16:32,666 --> 01:16:32,666
university, we're investing in the image and future of beaumont itself. So don't think

693
01:16:38,100 --> 01:16:38,100
that this is just about resurfacing courts. It's about rebranding beaumont as a city

694
01:16:43,200 --> 01:16:43,200
that invests in itself, supports athletics, and creates experiences worthy of being

695
01:16:48,166 --> 01:16:48,166
televised on national platforms like espn. So thank you for your leadership and for

696
01:16:53,900 --> 01:16:53,900
consistently and for considering this timely matter. We have a chance to make a

697
01:16:58,333 --> 01:16:58,333
strong impression on national on the national stage and take actions now will ensure that we

698
01:17:04,100 --> 01:17:04,100
seize this opportunity. Thank you. Thank you sir. Albert harrison, 1240 ashley beaumont,

699
01:17:14,566 --> 01:17:14,566
texas.

700
01:17:36,000 --> 01:17:36,000
mayor, city council of the concerned citizens that are present of the city employees I

701
01:17:44,733 --> 01:17:44,733
hate to. Ride on the same track each time I come here for the last three meetings, but the

702
01:17:52,966 --> 01:17:52,966
other day I received a water bill with a $10 late charge. I know I've expressed to you

703
01:18:01,300 --> 01:18:01,300
before that I pay the water bill one day after the due date. I'm here to inform you that

704
01:18:12,000 --> 01:18:12,000
this particular ten hour charge I'm going to place in escrow. I'm not going to pay it to the

705
01:18:19,933 --> 01:18:19,933
city. Okay? And at the same time, I'm going to encourage other citizens at the same

706
01:18:29,266 --> 01:18:29,266
identical situation to not pay as well. Thank you. Now, I've also noticed in looking at the

707
01:18:39,600 --> 01:18:39,600
water bills, there's a certain amount of inconsistency, as city has, for instance, my

708
01:18:46,366 --> 01:18:46,366
water bill was read july 1st to august 1st. Due date the 28th. Next time it was read august

709
01:19:03,666 --> 01:19:03,666
1st, august 29th. Due date and 27 days, which is different from the first one. What I'm

710
01:19:14,266 --> 01:19:14,266
saying is that your consistency shows me that on some days the water bill is due in 28 days,

711
01:19:24,733 --> 01:19:24,733
some is due in 25 days and in some cases is due 31 days. So I don't see that as being

712
01:19:34,200 --> 01:19:34,200
inconsistent because I'm concerned. I would also indicate that not only does the

713
01:19:43,200 --> 01:19:43,200
water bill seem to be have some inconsistency to do it to it, but there are also other issues

714
01:19:51,566 --> 01:19:51,566
that involve the water bill. Now, my main reason for indicating to you that I'm not

715
01:19:58,300 --> 01:19:58,300
paying that $10 charge is because no one has, still has not given me an answer as to

716
01:20:05,033 --> 01:20:05,033
what in house means, because that's what I was told. That's how this charge came about in

717
01:20:12,566 --> 01:20:12,566
house. I appreciate it very, very much. If somebody would explain to me what in house

718
01:20:18,066 --> 01:20:18,066
means on this particular water bill. Thank you. Thank you sir. Larry gauthier, 59, 26 green

719
01:20:29,800 --> 01:20:29,800
moor lane, beaumont, texas. Good evening, mr. Mayor. City council members, staff. City

720
01:20:54,500 --> 01:20:54,500
employees. I've spoken on several topics in the past, and I started off with my lord. And

721
01:21:05,200 --> 01:21:05,200
my god tells me and shows me what I need to see and do. Well. We look at washington boulevard,

722
01:21:17,266 --> 01:21:17,266
traffic jams, people getting off at 4 p.m. In the afternoon, and they want to be home by 2

723
01:21:27,033 --> 01:21:27,033
p.m. Well, you got a flashing traffic light. If you yield to the right and you look, you'll

724
01:21:33,333 --> 01:21:33,333
get through there. It may not be as fast as you want to, but you'll get there. Okay. We

725
01:21:41,066 --> 01:21:41,066
talked about magnolia street. If you want to make buttermilk, just go down magnolia. You can

726
01:21:50,766 --> 01:21:50,766
start at the 1500 block of magnolia heading north. Or you can go to the 3100 block of

727
01:21:57,400 --> 01:21:57,400
magnolia, where I almost had a head on collision. Nobody called me. I called them, said,

728
01:22:04,000 --> 01:22:04,000
meet with me and we'll discuss it and see if we can rectify the problem. Nothing was solved.

729
01:22:11,400 --> 01:22:11,400
no phone calls, no meetings, trespassing on my property. I've called. I discussed with

730
01:22:20,233 --> 01:22:20,233
the police department. They came out. Come to find out the people that was out there

731
01:22:27,166 --> 01:22:27,166
didn't even have a permit. City of beaumont didn't even know what they were doing. That's

732
01:22:32,733 --> 01:22:32,733
trespassing. Then dirty electricity. I spoke about dirty electricity, 247v on 110

733
01:22:40,200 --> 01:22:40,200
volt line. I talked with the utility company. Didn't get the right answer. I spoke about

734
01:22:49,800 --> 01:22:49,800
abuse after it happens more than three times, then it becomes discrimination as to

735
01:22:57,066 --> 01:22:57,066
what is going on with seismograph testing pile driving in the south end of

736
01:23:03,333 --> 01:23:03,333
beaumont off of the village near beaufort and carroll street. I just need some people

737
01:23:10,133 --> 01:23:10,133
to pick up the phone and call me. I've talked with texdot people before. I've given them

738
01:23:16,233 --> 01:23:16,233
an issue that took place. I almost had a collision up on 69 where it comes into I-10 right

739
01:23:22,933 --> 01:23:22,933
there at that exchange, people, one of the lanes goes away and you have only one lane that's

740
01:23:32,033 --> 01:23:32,033
going to come in to the I-10 exchange. The person cut me off. I had to slam on the brakes,

741
01:23:40,666 --> 01:23:40,666
skid off the road, and could have killed a bunch of people. Nothing done. No return phone

742
01:23:47,500 --> 01:23:47,500
calls. I'm glad I come to this meeting. Thank you sir. Billy. And I think it's willie 7710.

743
01:23:58,633 --> 01:23:58,633
and I cannot make out the street name, but my texas. Mr. Willie. Okay, I have no more

744
01:24:13,100 --> 01:24:13,100
mayor. That's it. All right. If there's no other public comments, we will move on. Is

745
01:24:22,433 --> 01:24:22,433
there a motion and a second for approval of the consent agenda? With the exceptions of items e,

746
01:24:28,933 --> 01:24:28,933
g and h make a motion pulled for today. Make a motion. We approve. There is a motion and

747
01:24:37,900 --> 01:24:37,900
a second for approval of the consent agenda. With the exceptions of e, g, and h that

748
01:24:44,066 --> 01:24:44,066
have been approved. Yes. Councilwoman sherwood, can you somebody scroll up to t? I

749
01:24:50,266 --> 01:24:50,266
think I need to have it pulled. I need to recuse myself. On t. I think council member sherwood

750
01:24:59,033 --> 01:24:59,033
wants to want it to be voted on separately. So she can recuse herself from voting on that

751
01:25:04,400 --> 01:25:04,400
item. Okay, so we will. We can certainly do that. So we will. We're also removing t from the

752
01:25:17,066 --> 01:25:17,066
consent agenda. And we will discuss that right after this. So all those in favor of

753
01:25:22,166 --> 01:25:22,166
approving the consent agenda, with the exception of e, g, h and t, please signify by saying

754
01:25:29,000 --> 01:25:29,000
I. Mayor. Yes, the motion was to approve with t, so the motion would need to be amended

755
01:25:35,033 --> 01:25:35,033
to exclude t as well. And you would also need. I was checking you and I thought you were

756
01:25:40,700 --> 01:25:40,700
sleeping, so good catch. Yeah. So? So make a motion that we approve the consent agenda

757
01:25:47,066 --> 01:25:47,066
minus t no, minus e, g, h and t your motion. It will be to amending your motion to approve

758
01:25:59,366 --> 01:25:59,366
the consent agenda. Removing items e, g and t. Okay, I make a motion that it's e g and h e

759
01:26:08,966 --> 01:26:08,966
g h and t. Write it down. Yeah. Is there any other letters? No. That's it. Okay, well, I make a

760
01:26:20,200 --> 01:26:20,200
motion that we approve consent agenda e g except for e g h and t I second. Yeah. All right.

761
01:26:30,300 --> 01:26:30,300
the. So with that, all in favor of approving the consent agenda, with the exception of items e,

762
01:26:37,966 --> 01:26:37,966
g and t, please signify by saying I, I any opposed the motion is carried. Mayor. Yes.

763
01:26:47,333 --> 01:26:47,333
we didn't get a chance to we didn't ask if there was any discussion on the consent

764
01:26:52,266 --> 01:26:52,266
agenda and I had my hand up. Oh, okay. All right. That is. Is it too late? Well, I mean, we have

765
01:27:04,866 --> 01:27:04,866
voted on it. So is it something you feel like you need to say? Yeah. No, I just on on item l,

766
01:27:14,300 --> 01:27:14,300
I just wanted to someone to explain how people can get into that program. And the the home

767
01:27:25,000 --> 01:27:25,000
repair program for the public so they can see how that they can get into that program and,

768
01:27:31,233 --> 01:27:31,233
and have access to some of those monies. That'll be fine. It won't change the vote. I

769
01:27:36,133 --> 01:27:36,133
didn't understand there was any problem. So. Yes, sir, I would like to invite jess prince up.

770
01:27:40,900 --> 01:27:40,900
she's our community services manager and she oversees that program. Good afternoon. That

771
01:27:45,533 --> 01:27:45,533
program is typically open when we receive our cdbg funds. However, we have a waitlist

772
01:27:53,133 --> 01:27:53,133
that exceeds two years of projected funding. So we're not taking applications at this

773
01:27:58,433 --> 01:27:58,433
time. We encourage people to check back in january. The application is online on our

774
01:28:06,066 --> 01:28:06,066
website beaumont, texas.gov. And you would click on services and go to housing. And that's

775
01:28:12,166 --> 01:28:12,166
where the application is. Yes. I say check after the first of the year. Yes. That's all I

776
01:28:18,133 --> 01:28:18,133
wanted. Thank you. All right. With that mr. City manager may we have the reading of item

777
01:28:26,533 --> 01:28:26,533
number t t yeah. Because we're going to we're going to revisit item t. Okay. Council, consider

778
01:28:35,166 --> 01:28:35,166
authorizing acceptance of a sidewalk easement. And the council with the recommendation

779
01:28:41,200 --> 01:28:41,200
of approval of the resolution. All right. Is there a motion to accept item t? So move to

780
01:28:48,533 --> 01:28:48,533
approve. Second, there is a motion and a second for approval. Is there any

781
01:28:53,733 --> 01:28:53,733
discussion? You you want to recuse? I need to recuse myself. All right. If there's no other

782
01:29:02,966 --> 01:29:02,966
discussion, all those in favor of approving item number two, please signify by saying aye.

783
01:29:08,933 --> 01:29:08,933
aye. Any opposed? All right. The motion is carried. Mr. City manager, may we have the

784
01:29:16,233 --> 01:29:16,233
reading of item number one? Council, consider resolution authorizing the city manager to

785
01:29:27,133 --> 01:29:27,133
award a contract to gulf coast electric company, incorporated of beaumont, for electrical

786
01:29:33,266 --> 01:29:33,266
control improvements for mulberry street, piney point lane and wall street lift

787
01:29:39,166 --> 01:29:39,166
stations rebid project. And it comes with the recommendation of approval. All right. There

788
01:29:45,533 --> 01:29:45,533
is a motion for item number one. Is there is there a motion for item number one move to approve

789
01:29:51,766 --> 01:29:51,766
second. There is a motion and a second for approval of item number one. Is there any

790
01:29:56,466 --> 01:29:56,466
discussion? Councilman turner yes, I had a discussion. It's something that kind of jumped

791
01:30:02,066 --> 01:30:02,066
out to me that we sent this to. 674 vendors were notified, and we got one bid received. Is it

792
01:30:10,166 --> 01:30:10,166
possible that as a council, we can do a bid workshop? Because a lot of people are asking

793
01:30:17,166 --> 01:30:17,166
about understanding the process, and I think this is kind of somewhat alarming to me. I just

794
01:30:23,333 --> 01:30:23,333
like a clear understanding of what our process is, how thorough it is, how do we get

795
01:30:27,866 --> 01:30:27,866
the information out? Because that's a little alarming. 674 and one in return. Sure, you

796
01:30:33,400 --> 01:30:33,400
can do a workshop. Is that for the benefit of vendors, possible bidders? Yes, sir.

797
01:30:39,266 --> 01:30:39,266
okay. If I can get a second, I'd appreciate it. Second. All right. With that, we're going

798
01:30:46,266 --> 01:30:46,266
to move back to the discussion on item number one. If there's no other. Oh, councilman duryea,

799
01:30:55,133 --> 01:30:55,133
item one, is there a reason why we just got one? That y'all one bid returned after you sent out

800
01:31:06,033 --> 01:31:06,033
74. This is specifically related to the controls and the switches. Electrical

801
01:31:13,266 --> 01:31:13,266
improvements inside the lift station, and it's pretty specialized work. And there's

802
01:31:19,166 --> 01:31:19,166
not a lot of vendors that will do this scale of work at municipal cost. So we could

803
01:31:28,666 --> 01:31:28,666
compete with the industrial. We can't compete with the industrial scale electricians.

804
01:31:34,100 --> 01:31:34,100
and so in know how to insert, install these controllers, get them programed the way that

805
01:31:40,566 --> 01:31:40,566
they need to be programed, work with us after the after the sale. And so that's why you

806
01:31:46,400 --> 01:31:46,400
will only typically see for a lot of our bids, we cast a wide net across the state of texas

807
01:31:54,966 --> 01:31:54,966
and but we still only get back the one bid because they're they're more I believe they're

808
01:32:01,100 --> 01:32:01,100
more comfortable with working with us. They work with us every day. But at the end of

809
01:32:07,000 --> 01:32:07,000
the day, you know, the we're not attracting the industrial contractors to do work on

810
01:32:14,066 --> 01:32:14,066
municipal work. Okay. Is there anything you can do to change that? Money? That's it. Okay.

811
01:32:25,166 --> 01:32:25,166
all right. Is there any other discussion? All right. If not all those in favor of approving

812
01:32:31,033 --> 01:32:31,033
item number one, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? The motion is carried. Mr. City

813
01:32:39,566 --> 01:32:39,566
manager, may we have the reading of item number two? Council, consider resolution

814
01:32:46,133 --> 01:32:46,133
authorizing the city manager to award a contract to green spaces. Six of liberty for the

815
01:32:51,966 --> 01:32:51,966
whole street and lane. Pavement restoration project and the recommendation of approval. Is

816
01:33:00,133 --> 01:33:00,133
there a motion for item number two? Motion to approve. Is there a second? Second? There

817
01:33:07,700 --> 01:33:07,700
is a motion and a second for item number two. Is there any discussion? All those in favor

818
01:33:16,166 --> 01:33:16,166
of approving item number two, please signify by saying I. Aye. Any opposed? The motion is

819
01:33:22,900 --> 01:33:22,900
carried. Mr. City manager, may we have the reading of item number three? Council. Council,

820
01:33:31,100 --> 01:33:31,100
consider resolution authorizing the city manager to award a contract to portalis industrial

821
01:33:38,100 --> 01:33:38,100
enterprise, inc. Of houston for the cattail marsh wetlands 72 inch outfall pipe coating

822
01:33:44,366 --> 01:33:44,366
project. And it comes with the recommendation of approval. Is there a motion for item number

823
01:33:51,100 --> 01:33:51,100
three? Move to approve. There is a motion and a second for approval of item number three.

824
01:33:58,433 --> 01:33:58,433
is there any discussion? Councilman daria? Just wondering why the lowest bid

825
01:34:06,366 --> 01:34:06,366
didn't get it. And they're right here in beaumont. So the apparent low bidder, there's

826
01:34:13,133 --> 01:34:13,133
submission package had deficiencies, including failure to acknowledge all three

827
01:34:19,500 --> 01:34:19,500
project addenda. And they had a lack of responsive references. So when you ask if we go back

828
01:34:26,333 --> 01:34:26,333
and check these bids we do. And in this case, unfortunately for the apparent low bidder, there

829
01:34:33,200 --> 01:34:33,200
were issues that were missing that precluded us from awarding recommending award of the

830
01:34:39,066 --> 01:34:39,066
contract to that contractor. Okay. Thank you, thank you. Any other discussion? All those in

831
01:34:47,400 --> 01:34:47,400
favor of approving item number three, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? The

832
01:34:55,000 --> 01:34:55,000
motion is carried. Mr. City manager, may we have the reading of item number four?

833
01:35:04,000 --> 01:35:04,000
council, consider resolution authorizing the city manager to award a contract to capital

834
01:35:09,400 --> 01:35:09,400
underground utilities llc of houston for the water line replacement for street

835
01:35:15,166 --> 01:35:15,166
rehabilitation. Phase six oldham road, shamrock avenue and harriet street. It comes

836
01:35:21,933 --> 01:35:21,933
with the recommendation of approval. Is there a motion for item number four? Move to

837
01:35:30,266 --> 01:35:30,266
approve. Second, there is a motion and a second for approval of item number four.

838
01:35:36,666 --> 01:35:36,666
is there any discussion? All those in favor of approving item number four, please

839
01:35:43,166 --> 01:35:43,166
signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? The motion is carried. Mr. City manager, may we have

840
01:35:52,900 --> 01:35:52,900
the reading of item number five? Council, consider a resolution authorizing the city manager to

841
01:35:58,400 --> 01:35:58,400
award a contract to csx construction corporation of beaumont for the quiet zone

842
01:36:03,666 --> 01:36:03,666
median reconstruction project, and it comes with the recommendation of approval. Is

843
01:36:09,066 --> 01:36:09,066
there a motion for item number five? I make a motion. We approve. Is there a second?

844
01:36:14,900 --> 01:36:14,900
second? There is a motion and a second for approval of item number five. Is there any

845
01:36:21,633 --> 01:36:21,633
discussion? Councilman hilliard, I just want to say that thank you for for us getting this

846
01:36:28,933 --> 01:36:28,933
thing going. It is going to save the lives of a lot of people. It is it's about time.

847
01:36:35,033 --> 01:36:35,033
and also, if we could get the information out, is there a way to do that, mr. City manager,

848
01:36:41,333 --> 01:36:41,333
that we can get some kind of release, that we cast a wide net and let everyone know that

849
01:36:46,900 --> 01:36:46,900
the city is actually working to, to make sure that their lives are better without train horns.

850
01:36:53,033 --> 01:36:53,033
so we do have a dedicated website on the city's web page for the updates that we're

851
01:37:00,500 --> 01:37:00,500
publishing monthly, roughly about the progress of this project. So I was waiting for

852
01:37:07,366 --> 01:37:07,366
today's vote in order to push that update. And then we'll coordinate with our

853
01:37:13,966 --> 01:37:13,966
communications department to make sure that that gets pushed out as well. Yeah. Facebook,

854
01:37:18,100 --> 01:37:18,100
instagram, tiktok, everything that we can use because this is a really big deal and I can't

855
01:37:24,300 --> 01:37:27,800
say enough how much I appreciate the hard work that your department's put in and the long hours to make sure this happens. So thank you, thank you. Yes, councilman

856
01:37:34,200 --> 01:37:34,200
daria, so is this just the first of. And we have more of these to come. So this will

857
01:37:43,066 --> 01:37:43,066
address the west end quiet zone deficiencies. So those are the ones that roughly along keith

858
01:37:50,866 --> 01:37:50,866
road, todd street, todd street, wootten major drive and langham road. And that's known as the

859
01:37:57,533 --> 01:37:57,533
west end quiet zone. So once all of those crossings are completed then the quiet zone

860
01:38:02,900 --> 01:38:02,900
with fra's approval will be reestablished and they can quit sounding the horns. This does

861
01:38:09,500 --> 01:38:09,500
not address any other railroad crossings in the city. At this time. Do we have any that were

862
01:38:16,900 --> 01:38:16,900
going to address at a later date? We've been developing cost estimates for the other

863
01:38:23,366 --> 01:38:23,366
quiet zones, and that will probably be a discussion for when we come to you with the

864
01:38:28,000 --> 01:38:28,000
next capital program proposal, because each, depending on the level of complexity, the costs

865
01:38:36,000 --> 01:38:36,000
are in the millions of dollars. So it will be a topic for deeper discussion if you would

866
01:38:43,366 --> 01:38:43,366
like for us to, as we get closer to that point, discuss that further with council. Be

867
01:38:49,033 --> 01:38:49,033
happy to do so. Okay. Thank you councilman. Thank you. Councilman. Councilman turner.

868
01:38:55,600 --> 01:38:55,600
yeah, I would support us discussing it to kind of see a strategic plan to kind of get

869
01:39:02,466 --> 01:39:02,466
it across the city. I'm happy it has been addressed in the west end. It's been a

870
01:39:07,366 --> 01:39:10,466
consistent complaint. I see it on social media, too, councilman hilliard, and it's been consistent. But, you know, I also do support councilman dorio as well as I do support

871
01:39:15,200 --> 01:39:15,200
you with seeing if we can address form some form of strategic plan to address it

872
01:39:21,066 --> 01:39:21,066
across the community. Of course, we can't do it all at once, but I do want to make sure we

873
01:39:26,333 --> 01:39:26,333
decipher the money, to make sure we kind of take care of everybody. As far as quiet zone,

874
01:39:31,166 --> 01:39:31,166
at least have a plan to address it in the future, right? And to be clear, this is to make the

875
01:39:36,566 --> 01:39:36,566
repairs to the existing quiet zone, the establishment of the new quiet zone is is going to

876
01:39:43,233 --> 01:39:43,233
be an order of magnitude higher in cost. Yes, ma'am. I understand, I just I still want

877
01:39:50,033 --> 01:39:50,033
to create a plan to go there. Yes, sir. Yes, councilwoman. Also make a note that there are

878
01:40:00,600 --> 01:40:00,600
quiet zones that have been requested in ward three as well, particularly on hillbrook

879
01:40:06,666 --> 01:40:06,666
helbig. Just to put that on the record. Thank you. And in case it wasn't said, the projected

880
01:40:16,166 --> 01:40:16,166
as allocated 60 calendar days for substantial completion, I believe. Yes, sir. Okay. All

881
01:40:24,300 --> 01:40:24,300
right. If there's no other discussion, all those in favor of approving item number five,

882
01:40:29,366 --> 01:40:29,366
please signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? The motion is carried. Mr. City manager, may

883
01:40:38,000 --> 01:40:38,000
we have the reading of items number six? Council, consider resolution authorizing the city

884
01:40:43,000 --> 01:40:43,000
manager to execute. Change order number three to the contract with king solutions

885
01:40:49,666 --> 01:40:49,666
services, llc of houston for the grand avenue and magnolia avenue pipe bursting contract.

886
01:40:56,566 --> 01:40:56,566
phase one. And it comes with the recommendation of approval. Is there a motion for item

887
01:41:03,233 --> 01:41:03,233
number six? Move to approve. Is there a second? Second there is a motion and a second for item

888
01:41:11,033 --> 01:41:11,033
number six. Is there any discussion? Councilman turner, this sir. Staff, can someone

889
01:41:18,000 --> 01:41:18,000
answer with this being the third change order, is it like a timeline that how much longer

890
01:41:24,966 --> 01:41:24,966
it is? I see it's additional 15 days. But is it is it 15 days to get the work complete or is

891
01:41:32,033 --> 01:41:32,033
it 15 days just to address this particular thing? Those 15 days are just to address the work in

892
01:41:39,866 --> 01:41:39,866
proposed change order. Number three don't have a current construction schedule for when

893
01:41:45,000 --> 01:41:45,000
we anticipate completion of the project, but I can definitely get that information and share

894
01:41:50,066 --> 01:41:50,066
that with council. Yes, ma'am. I just wanted on the record so I didn't want citizens confused,

895
01:41:55,066 --> 01:41:55,066
thinking it was over in 15 days. Judging by the condition out there. No, we're not done yet.

896
01:42:02,566 --> 01:42:02,566
yes, ma'am. Thank you. Is there any other discussion on item number six? All those in favor

897
01:42:11,066 --> 01:42:11,066
of approving item number six, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? The motion is

898
01:42:17,433 --> 01:42:17,433
carried. Mr. City manager, may we have the reading of item number seven? Council, to

899
01:42:25,433 --> 01:42:25,433
consider amending the ordinance containing the master fee schedule for water, sewer and

900
01:42:30,933 --> 01:42:30,933
environmental health rates. It comes with recommendation of approval. Excuse me. Is there a

901
01:42:39,633 --> 01:42:39,633
motion for item number seven? Move to approve. Second, there is a motion and a second for

902
01:42:50,133 --> 01:42:50,133
item number seven. Is there any discussion? All those in favor of approving item number seven,

903
01:42:57,933 --> 01:42:57,933
please signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? The motion is carried. Mr. City manager, may

904
01:43:06,000 --> 01:43:06,000
we have the reading of item number eight? Council to consider amendments to chapter

905
01:43:10,833 --> 01:43:10,833
22 of the city code of ordinances. And it comes with the recommendation of a lot of

906
01:43:20,733 --> 01:43:20,733
stuff with the recommendation. It's it's I can read it. The city currently assesses a late

907
01:43:27,833 --> 01:43:27,833
fee the day after payment is due, providing customers with the with about 22 providing

908
01:43:34,200 --> 01:43:34,200
customers customers with about 22 days from the billing date to pay. A review of neighboring

909
01:43:39,133 --> 01:43:39,133
cities found that late fees were assessed within 1 to 10 days after the due date. Based

910
01:43:44,500 --> 01:43:44,500
on this comparison and potential impacts on revenue and cash flow, staff recommends

911
01:43:50,400 --> 01:43:50,400
implementing a ten day grace period. I think the request was for 21 days. So, mayor, before

912
01:43:57,200 --> 01:43:57,200
you vote on that, the memo is prepared by me. But the recommendation was a suggestion

913
01:44:02,233 --> 01:44:02,233
from the finance department. Just want to clarify that the the request came from

914
01:44:06,900 --> 01:44:06,900
councilman crenshaw, which was the second by councilman williams, as stated in the memo.

915
01:44:10,966 --> 01:44:10,966
and so normally staff would not have made a recommendation on items that are not proposed by

916
01:44:16,100 --> 01:44:16,100
staff. However, the finance department did ask that that language be included so that it

917
01:44:22,833 --> 01:44:22,833
could be a consideration with the vote. All right. Is there a motion for item number eight? I

918
01:44:28,033 --> 01:44:28,033
move that we go with the recommendation of the finance department to extend a ten day

919
01:44:34,100 --> 01:44:34,100
grace period. As the motion is presented. Second, there is a motion and a second for item

920
01:44:43,733 --> 01:44:43,733
number eight. Is there any other discussion, councilman williams, being as we're

921
01:44:48,266 --> 01:44:48,266
passing this today, is there any way we could waive late fees that maybe were incurred

922
01:44:55,133 --> 01:44:55,133
this month? So I think these are addressed by ordinance. So retroactively doing it, you

923
01:45:04,800 --> 01:45:04,800
would have to kind of amend your ordinance. It's a very tricky situation. So the answer

924
01:45:09,033 --> 01:45:09,033
is yes and no. You couldn't do that today if you wanted to do it retroactively. You could go

925
01:45:16,366 --> 01:45:16,366
back and amend your ordinance to allow that language to be included to do that, just kind

926
01:45:22,133 --> 01:45:22,133
of address it in this. Yeah. So there's some. So and here's the thing. It's not an issue before

927
01:45:35,233 --> 01:45:38,800
council today to kind of waive late fees. But if that's something council wanted to do you kind of have to do it because it's a the late fees are set by ordinance. And so to

928
01:45:43,900 --> 01:45:43,900
adjust that or to do that would probably need to be by ordinance as well. So it's a

929
01:45:48,000 --> 01:45:48,000
it's a yes and it's a no kind of scenario. Does that make sense. Are you saying it can be

930
01:45:53,000 --> 01:45:53,000
done. But it couldn't be done today. Yes. Because it's not something that's before council

931
01:45:57,233 --> 01:45:57,233
as a agenda item. I think that's an answer okay. Thank you. Councilman turner. Yeah I

932
01:46:04,200 --> 01:46:04,200
have no problem with what council member williams said that we could bring it from

933
01:46:10,166 --> 01:46:10,166
staff as an agenda item to see if we can get that addressed in the future, to kind of reflect

934
01:46:15,400 --> 01:46:15,400
what we're doing. So what you could do today, because there's we're currently in another

935
01:46:20,700 --> 01:46:20,700
billing cycle, which means bills are about to go out. Right. So you could obviously

936
01:46:24,933 --> 01:46:24,933
request that this become effective today. So it wouldn't impact any bills that had

937
01:46:29,066 --> 01:46:32,933
already went out. But any billing cycle that is current that has not become due would be impacted by this. So even if someone had already received their bill, but their due date

938
01:46:37,966 --> 01:46:37,966
had not passed, you could so say someone's bill is due tomorrow, right? You could say

939
01:46:44,233 --> 01:46:48,033
that this would not. This would go into effect and not impact that individual. So for anyone's bill who is not currently due that this be applied to that, but this

940
01:46:54,800 --> 01:46:54,800
doesn't do that. Like the motion that's before you does not. So what this would do,

941
01:47:00,300 --> 01:47:00,300
this would go into effect today and it would actually impact the next billing cycle. Unless

942
01:47:04,966 --> 01:47:04,966
you changed your unless the motion was amended to say that you wanted it to be impactful

943
01:47:10,033 --> 01:47:10,033
immediately. Okay. Which means which means it would affect anyone whose bill is not

944
01:47:15,933 --> 01:47:15,933
currently due I got you. Councilman crenshaw. Thank you, mr. Mayor. Several things. Just

945
01:47:31,100 --> 01:47:31,100
the the recommendation here brings up red flags to me. Providing customers with about

946
01:47:39,433 --> 01:47:39,433
22 days from billing date to pay. I do not understand why the city bills with the due

947
01:47:49,500 --> 01:47:49,500
date changing every month. I don't understand why we can't bill on 30 days. And that's

948
01:47:56,133 --> 01:47:56,133
when your your bill is due. That way the due date is consistent. Seems to me by

949
01:48:02,133 --> 01:48:02,133
changing everyone's due date every month, it creates confusion and allows for

950
01:48:07,533 --> 01:48:07,533
problems with the billing. So I understand that's not an issue for us today, but I really do

951
01:48:14,366 --> 01:48:14,366
believe that this that staff needs to sit down. And number one, be sure that our billing

952
01:48:20,933 --> 01:48:20,933
complies with state law, because while we are sitting here today, the city attorney

953
01:48:25,733 --> 01:48:25,733
is showing me that one aspect of the public utilities code, I believe that's what she showed

954
01:48:30,933 --> 01:48:30,933
me, said that the max late fee is $5 or 10%. I have routinely paid a $10 late fee on a $30

955
01:48:39,933 --> 01:48:39,933
and $40 water bill. So that tells me right there that we may be out of compliance with

956
01:48:46,333 --> 01:48:46,333
state law with the $10 fee. I don't know when it went from $5 to $10. To me, it seems like

957
01:48:52,300 --> 01:48:52,300
it's probably been within the last 3 or 4 years because it used to always be a $5 late fee.

958
01:48:57,033 --> 01:48:57,033
but I just I think there's a lot of issues here, and I think that we really need some

959
01:49:03,700 --> 01:49:03,700
lawyers to sit down with our water utilities. I'm sorry, water customer service and

960
01:49:11,300 --> 01:49:11,300
address these issues because I think that there's a lot going on here that's incorrect. And

961
01:49:18,100 --> 01:49:18,100
we hear it all the time from customers and residents that are frustrated with their water

962
01:49:22,333 --> 01:49:22,333
bills. And just by the language that we're using in the memos today, it brings up all kinds

963
01:49:28,000 --> 01:49:28,000
of red flags for me. Here's why I originally changed my recommendation from ten days to

964
01:49:33,966 --> 01:49:33,966
21 days. There was a bill, most recently in our legislature, to change the date to 21 days. It

965
01:49:42,266 --> 01:49:42,266
passed the texas house of representatives. It failed in the texas senate. That tells me

966
01:49:47,000 --> 01:49:47,000
that a lot of people in austin got together and this thing was able to pass the house, and

967
01:49:52,133 --> 01:49:52,133
they made the determination that it was better to have a 21 day grace period instead of a

968
01:49:57,166 --> 01:49:57,166
ten day. So that also tells me there's a very good chance that next legislative session, that

969
01:50:03,166 --> 01:50:06,600
that could actually pass and that that would then put the city of beaumont's water billing out of code. So that's why I think it's better that we go to 21 days if all we can do

970
01:50:13,300 --> 01:50:13,300
is go to ten days today, I guess that would be okay. It's better than nothing. But a lot

971
01:50:19,033 --> 01:50:19,033
of people tell me that are on bill pay with their bank, that by the time they get their bill

972
01:50:25,233 --> 01:50:25,233
and their bank pays the bill, pay automatically every month, they get a late fee because of

973
01:50:31,166 --> 01:50:31,166
the change in the due dates and because it's not enough time to get done. So I just don't

974
01:50:35,866 --> 01:50:35,866
understand why the city needs to have such confusing water bills. We keep having these

975
01:50:41,966 --> 01:50:41,966
problems over and over and over, so I am in favor of as much time as we can give our

976
01:50:49,433 --> 01:50:49,433
citizens today. So I like the 21 days, but I'm not going to vote against this if the ten

977
01:50:54,033 --> 01:50:54,033
days is all I can get. But I do want to make it noted why I thought that 21 days made more

978
01:51:01,233 --> 01:51:01,233
sense. And lastly, I believe that there was an audit done of our water customer service. We

979
01:51:16,933 --> 01:51:16,933
have still not seen the results of that, so I'm wondering if maybe it makes sense for us

980
01:51:23,833 --> 01:51:23,833
just to have a workshop where we can talk about water billing and air out some of these

981
01:51:29,933 --> 01:51:29,933
issues and invite the public to come and give their input, because it does seem to be

982
01:51:35,966 --> 01:51:35,966
problems acknowledged from both within the city, from our city staff, as well as obviously all

983
01:51:43,200 --> 01:51:43,200
the comments that that we have made over the last several months since I've been on

984
01:51:47,366 --> 01:51:47,366
council, that things need to change and things need to to be improved. Thank you. Councilman,

985
01:51:56,133 --> 01:51:56,133
councilwoman sherwood, originally, when we first got on council, I had an issue

986
01:52:02,066 --> 01:52:02,066
where there were an elderly couple that their son was paying their bill, but it was a

987
01:52:09,233 --> 01:52:09,233
requirement that he had to come and physically pay it. If it was, if it had been turned off

988
01:52:16,000 --> 01:52:16,000
or something to this effect. So I'd like to add to what councilman crenshaw is saying,

989
01:52:21,400 --> 01:52:21,400
that basically the process is a little cumbersome. And so inside of that workshop, if we

990
01:52:27,166 --> 01:52:27,166
could also look into the way that we pay these bills because it could get into, okay, now

991
01:52:34,000 --> 01:52:34,000
it's late, now there's a late fee, and now someone has to physically come here. That's

992
01:52:39,000 --> 01:52:39,000
creating a little bit of a hiccup in the giddyup. So I want to encourage us, when we

993
01:52:44,433 --> 01:52:44,433
do have this workshop that we incorporate, the way that we're paying the bill as well, not

994
01:52:50,533 --> 01:52:50,533
just the late fees and the ordinances about the ten days, but also the options of how we

995
01:52:57,033 --> 01:52:57,033
pay this. Just for the record, thank you, councilman turner. And just just lastly, you know,

996
01:53:05,000 --> 01:53:05,000
to that water customer service department, I know as a city council, nine times out of ten

997
01:53:11,033 --> 01:53:11,033
it's somebody call my phone. They're already upset. So just be mindful of, you know, the

998
01:53:17,333 --> 01:53:17,333
role and the job we signed up for. I get it, I understand I take phone calls sometimes and

999
01:53:23,066 --> 01:53:23,066
I'm in a good mood playing with my kid. And people can whatever their issue is, they don't care.

1000
01:53:28,233 --> 01:53:28,233
they let you here. So just keep that in mind in this process. I also like to know, as a

1001
01:53:34,433 --> 01:53:34,433
recommendation from the water department, what we are lacking as a council to stop them from

1002
01:53:39,400 --> 01:53:39,400
being efficient as they request that we're making. You know, I think that's important too,

1003
01:53:43,866 --> 01:53:43,866
that we kind of can see if there's some things that we are lacking, because I know when it

1004
01:53:48,066 --> 01:53:48,066
comes to funding, often it's things that are requested and we put things in the budget and

1005
01:53:53,266 --> 01:53:53,266
we turn around. We want very efficient results. So I'm kind of open to kind of getting into

1006
01:53:58,133 --> 01:53:58,133
it all the way. As councilman sherwood and crenshaw said, to see what are we lacking. But

1007
01:54:03,300 --> 01:54:07,100
also keep in mind, you know, I get calls about complaints, but I understand because almost every time my phone rings, someone is upset. So I just want us to keep that in mind as

1008
01:54:14,133 --> 01:54:14,133
well with customer service. Just like city manager council, we had our first meeting. We

1009
01:54:22,300 --> 01:54:22,300
heard the findings of the audit study last week. Of course, we haven't been able to follow up

1010
01:54:28,000 --> 01:54:28,000
on that. City attorney's been out of town ever since, so we haven't been able to follow up

1011
01:54:33,166 --> 01:54:33,166
on some things there. We are implementing some things that we'll be doing, and I thought

1012
01:54:39,966 --> 01:54:39,966
we had already agreed to come to this council with the report on that finding. I could be

1013
01:54:44,833 --> 01:54:44,833
incorrect, but ialready determie going to do that. So that will be forthcoming to you. You know,

1014
01:54:51,000 --> 01:54:51,000
there are issues, but be mindful. We have 43,000 water customers. I don't know anybody

1015
01:54:57,100 --> 01:54:57,100
else. Anywhere around has got 43. Any kind of customers 43,000. So you're going to have

1016
01:55:03,166 --> 01:55:03,166
some things that happen that doesn't make what happened. Correct. But the but the

1017
01:55:08,233 --> 01:55:08,233
possibility of things happening is great. And when you got 43,000 customers but we get

1018
01:55:15,100 --> 01:55:15,100
about five that shows up at the dyess on a regular basis. So that percentage is not as bad

1019
01:55:20,200 --> 01:55:20,200
as it appears. Is it bad if if it's one it's too many. Okay. It's one, but I just wanted to

1020
01:55:26,933 --> 01:55:26,933
say that I want staff to talk about some reasons why it would be a problem to go to 21 days

1021
01:55:32,933 --> 01:55:32,933
of billing, some of the things that the city would face, and then I'll say something else.

1022
01:55:38,266 --> 01:55:38,266
so june, either you or bridget can address that. Yeah, I'll cover that. Staff did look at

1023
01:55:44,033 --> 01:55:44,033
some other cities. Council member and council members. We we have sister cities that we

1024
01:55:50,866 --> 01:55:50,866
compare ourselves to. So we reached out to many of our sister cities to see what their

1025
01:55:59,400 --> 01:55:59,400
late billing policy is. Five of those cities responded. And I can tell you what those who

1026
01:56:07,200 --> 01:56:07,200
those five cities are city of bel air, pasadena, la porte, deer park, and port arthur. Two

1027
01:56:13,833 --> 01:56:13,833
of those cities have a late payment policy very similar to ours. The next, the next day.

1028
01:56:22,000 --> 01:56:22,000
they're assessed a late, late fee, just like beaumont. One city, one cities policy. Every

1029
01:56:31,366 --> 01:56:31,366
month. The bills are due on a friday and come that monday morning, if payment isn't made

1030
01:56:38,866 --> 01:56:38,866
even throughout the weekend, they're assessed a late, late fee. So they have the weekend

1031
01:56:46,766 --> 01:56:46,766
to pay. Another city has a five day grace period and and another has a ten day grace

1032
01:56:52,966 --> 01:56:52,966
period. So there was no city that had anything greater than ten days. So that's why city

1033
01:56:59,066 --> 01:56:59,066
staff recommended a ten day grace period. To talk about billing and the the issues with

1034
01:57:07,600 --> 01:57:07,600
billing with a 20 day period. Late period. What will with 21 days, with the 21 day grace

1035
01:57:20,900 --> 01:57:20,900
period, what will really happen is that by the time a late fee is assessed, let's say somebody

1036
01:57:28,033 --> 01:57:28,033
waits until the 20th day or the 21st day, they won't know that they're assessed a late fee

1037
01:57:34,833 --> 01:57:34,833
until two billing cycles later. So it won't show on the next bill, because that bill will

1038
01:57:41,200 --> 01:57:41,200
have already gone out. So we think that would cause quite a bit of confusion if we went to

1039
01:57:46,266 --> 01:57:46,266
a 21 day billing grace period. Again, that's another reason why we assessed or recommended

1040
01:57:55,100 --> 01:57:55,100
the ten day late fee grace period. And also during that 21 days, you know, people are

1041
01:58:04,366 --> 01:58:04,366
still receiving water and sewer and garbage service, and we additionally think that it

1042
01:58:13,133 --> 01:58:13,133
could possibly cause. A cash flow issue. There may be people who are most citizens may wait

1043
01:58:22,900 --> 01:58:22,900
until the end of that 21 day cycle, and the revenue that comes to the city to pay for

1044
01:58:27,966 --> 01:58:27,966
operations may be impacted. We don't know. So those are things that that we thought of and

1045
01:58:32,966 --> 01:58:32,966
considered before we made the recommendation. Okay. Yeah. So basically in 21 days they will

1046
01:58:43,200 --> 01:58:43,200
have received another bill that won't reflect that late fee. If they're late. And then we'll

1047
01:58:48,200 --> 01:58:48,200
have a compounded the problem by the time they get another bill in the future. And it will

1048
01:58:52,933 --> 01:58:52,933
create confusion. That's why we're recommending the ten days it fits within the timeline of

1049
01:58:58,866 --> 01:58:58,866
billing. And and and there's two things I want to add. Just from my experience, my short

1050
01:59:04,966 --> 01:59:04,966
time on council is one is for people to understand that all the incoming calls are recorded.

1051
01:59:12,200 --> 01:59:12,200
because we had a we had a drought shortly after I became mayor, and I had a number of

1052
01:59:19,133 --> 01:59:19,133
people call me and tell me that they were frustrated because water bills went up and that

1053
01:59:24,066 --> 01:59:24,066
when they called water customer service, you know, they didn't feel like they got the proper

1054
01:59:29,933 --> 01:59:29,933
treatment. And I asked them, you know, if they had made calls from their cell phone and

1055
01:59:36,000 --> 01:59:36,000
without exception, every one of them that called me did say that. And I said, well, if you

1056
01:59:40,966 --> 01:59:40,966
go back to your calls, you can tell us the day and the time that you called, and we will be

1057
01:59:45,933 --> 01:59:45,933
able to pull that tape, and we can use that as a training, you know, for any employee. And,

1058
01:59:52,533 --> 01:59:52,533
and I never received anybody's response, which I would I'd have to go back to say for sure,

1059
02:00:00,233 --> 02:00:00,233
but I'd say as close to 15. And the other thing that I know that we need to address,

1060
02:00:05,400 --> 02:00:09,333
because we've had conversations about this with some other things, and in this workshop, I think it would be an appropriate time. Is a lot of it or some of these issues are

1061
02:00:15,233 --> 02:00:15,233
associated with our billing software and our software system, which is pretty

1062
02:00:19,666 --> 02:00:19,666
antiquated. And I know we've been researching on the cost of upgrading those, the software

1063
02:00:26,066 --> 02:00:26,066
so that we can be more efficient. But, you know, so maybe we can get an update on

1064
02:00:32,833 --> 02:00:32,833
that as well, so that we can see if any of this could be helped, perhaps solved with

1065
02:00:40,300 --> 02:00:40,300
software updates without it increasing, delaying efficiencies with the number of

1066
02:00:46,300 --> 02:00:46,300
employees that we have. But is there any other discussion, councilman hilliard? Well, I, I

1067
02:00:51,900 --> 02:00:51,900
can I can speak as a business owner and I'm sure mike will back me up. You know, we we

1068
02:00:57,333 --> 02:00:57,333
sell goods and service and we allow our customers a 30 day billing cycle. We give them 30

1069
02:01:03,300 --> 02:01:03,300
days to pay. And, you know, we've never had any financial hardship. And I have thousands

1070
02:01:09,333 --> 02:01:09,333
of customers. And I know mike does too. And so, you know, just to be fair to a lot of our

1071
02:01:15,066 --> 02:01:15,066
citizens that are living on fixed incomes, I think 21 days would be a fair assumption for

1072
02:01:21,300 --> 02:01:21,300
these individuals to give them time to make these water bill payments. So, I mean, from a

1073
02:01:27,933 --> 02:01:27,933
business standpoint, pretty much everybody I know does a 30 day billing cycle. And so, you

1074
02:01:34,033 --> 02:01:34,033
know, I don't know why a city would be different. You know, I could see us doing 30 days

1075
02:01:39,333 --> 02:01:39,333
instead of 21. Well, yes, sir, and I agree, I would I would put to councilman williams that

1076
02:01:46,833 --> 02:01:46,833
I when you buy retail you pay at the time of it. But and I know in the mortgage business

1077
02:01:52,266 --> 02:01:52,266
which I'm a part of, it's 15 day grace period. So it certainly can vary. But again

1078
02:01:56,966 --> 02:01:56,966
the only other thing I want to add that we address is oftentimes as a council, we're

1079
02:02:02,500 --> 02:02:02,500
talking about ways to enhance the customers that may cost the city additional money when we

1080
02:02:09,800 --> 02:02:09,800
don't, when we constantly struggle with having enough staff and being able to upgrade

1081
02:02:15,266 --> 02:02:15,266
our software to the degrees and, you know, and cutting budgets. So we also have to be mindful

1082
02:02:22,466 --> 02:02:22,466
of I mean, I think all of us ran because we want a better beaumont, and we certainly want

1083
02:02:27,366 --> 02:02:27,366
customer service. That's good. But we also have to pay for it. And if there is a cost, where

1084
02:02:33,200 --> 02:02:33,200
is that money going to come out of next, next annual budget? Because, you know, there are

1085
02:02:39,233 --> 02:02:39,233
things that do cost and that we do have to account for. I'm not saying we can't, we just want

1086
02:02:44,300 --> 02:02:44,300
to be mindful of it. So but we currently have a motion for the yes, thank thank you. Mayor.

1087
02:02:53,033 --> 02:02:53,033
yeah, I'd like to commend sheriff's department on the audit. They did a thorough job

1088
02:02:59,066 --> 02:02:59,066
and and to be currently up front there they did. There are some findings we need to fix.

1089
02:03:06,233 --> 02:03:06,233
there's some things that need to be fixed. So I'll be honest with you up front on that. So

1090
02:03:11,566 --> 02:03:11,566
when we come to you and have this discussion about the audit, we want to have solutions. We

1091
02:03:16,300 --> 02:03:16,300
want to have some solutions bringing them to you. Some things recommendations for

1092
02:03:21,200 --> 02:03:21,200
council other than just putting dumping it in your lap. So that's the plan is to have that

1093
02:03:27,500 --> 02:03:27,500
done. But to be clear now as they said, you already have 20 days to pay a bill, then 20 to

1094
02:03:36,866 --> 02:03:36,866
22. As council member, crenshaw said, it's can be inconsistent. But then you had 21 days on top

1095
02:03:43,900 --> 02:03:43,900
of that, 22 days. So that's where it gets cloudy. When it gets into that next billing

1096
02:03:51,266 --> 02:03:51,266
period of 21 days, it gets to be prepared. But whatever this council wants to do, we'll make

1097
02:03:57,866 --> 02:03:57,866
it work. But but it does create a hardship. And going to 21 days. We've just been honest

1098
02:04:04,633 --> 02:04:04,633
with you, I don't have a personal preference at all, but we just we don't want to add to

1099
02:04:09,800 --> 02:04:09,800
the problem, mr. Mayor. Yes, councilman. I just want to be sure I understood what mr.

1100
02:04:15,933 --> 02:04:15,933
ellis said. The city staff is telling us as to why they want ten days instead of 21 days.

1101
02:04:23,433 --> 02:04:23,433
are you justifying not going to 21 days because the city would run out of money and not being

1102
02:04:30,466 --> 02:04:30,466
able to collect that late fee in that 11 day difference? No, I'm not justifying that. What

1103
02:04:36,266 --> 02:04:36,266
was it then? What did you mean when you said that the city would not have the resources to

1104
02:04:43,133 --> 02:04:43,133
do that? I said potentially it could cause a cash flow issue potentially. But but I didn't

1105
02:04:50,833 --> 02:04:50,833
say that we are going to do a workshop on this and we can address those. That's just

1106
02:04:55,400 --> 02:04:55,400
remarkable to me. We don't we have $40 million in the bank. I mean, how much are we

1107
02:05:02,400 --> 02:05:02,400
generating on late fees a month, maybe a 100,000? How could that possibly impact the city's cash

1108
02:05:09,300 --> 02:05:09,300
flow? All right, councilman crenshaw, thank you. I just I don't know, that's just. And

1109
02:05:18,100 --> 02:05:18,100
now it's raining. All right, councilwoman sherwood, I. I get that the issue is extending the

1110
02:05:32,266 --> 02:05:32,266
time. I think what we want to do is land on something reasonable. And if 21 days on

1111
02:05:39,466 --> 02:05:39,466
top of 22 days puts you into the middle of another billing cycle, what we're I think what

1112
02:05:45,300 --> 02:05:45,300
they're suggesting is that ten days basically brings you to a full 30 days of 31 days, 32

1113
02:05:53,100 --> 02:05:53,100
days. I guess if you start with 22, without putting you into the next billing cycle, that

1114
02:05:59,733 --> 02:05:59,733
can create some contention for people that may create some more contention. In other words,

1115
02:06:07,066 --> 02:06:07,066
the ten day is a happy medium in between us going all the way for 21 days, not as few as a

1116
02:06:15,033 --> 02:06:15,033
week. And so ten days is in the middle somewhere. I'm not opposed to 21 days, but I get

1117
02:06:20,966 --> 02:06:20,966
that. That may create some more contention and controversy. I'm not really in the mind frame

1118
02:06:27,200 --> 02:06:27,200
that it's going to cost the city money, or we're going to lose any money or anything of

1119
02:06:32,100 --> 02:06:35,966
that. But I do work in insurance and I do work in medical transportation, and I know what a 30 day billing cycle looks like. If you start extending that to 40 and 50

1120
02:06:41,366 --> 02:06:41,366
days, then you've got some problems that could you could incur. Not that I'm going to

1121
02:06:46,033 --> 02:06:46,033
run out of money, but I think that ten days is a happy place to make a medium for the

1122
02:06:51,100 --> 02:06:51,100
staffers and give some grace. I mean, that's just my opinion. Just one more point of

1123
02:06:58,866 --> 02:06:58,866
clarification, councilmember crenshaw. Our fund balances for water is largest they've ever

1124
02:07:04,066 --> 02:07:04,066
been. So the city is not having distress to a dollars and and water fund. Yeah. Our bond

1125
02:07:09,900 --> 02:07:09,900
rating is improved because of the increase in the fund balance, which is maybe to your

1126
02:07:14,533 --> 02:07:14,533
credit. But again I just I'm lost over the argument that, you know, the city is going to

1127
02:07:18,900 --> 02:07:18,900
be cash strapped because we gave a longer an 11 day grace period extension. I just to me

1128
02:07:25,033 --> 02:07:25,033
it seems nonsensical. But, you know, and I was not speaking for mr. Ellis, but, you know, a

1129
02:07:32,933 --> 02:07:32,933
lot of those dollars are invested in different instruments, etcetera, and

1130
02:07:37,466 --> 02:07:37,466
they're not readily available all the time. You know, it depends on what those dollars

1131
02:07:41,900 --> 02:07:41,900
are. So maybe that can influence cash flow sometimes. But I'm not saying that's the

1132
02:07:46,200 --> 02:07:46,200
case, but I'm just saying, right. I just want to make clear there's plenty of money.

1133
02:07:52,133 --> 02:07:52,133
yeah. And I'm not saying that either. You know, mr. Williams, I guess just like today,

1134
02:07:58,100 --> 02:07:58,100
there's a lot of water and sewer related equipment, big dollar amounts that y'all just

1135
02:08:03,733 --> 02:08:03,733
approved. So that's going to that's going to encumber a lot of cash for a lot of these

1136
02:08:09,933 --> 02:08:09,933
major pieces of equipment up front. So again, I'm you know, these are just things that that

1137
02:08:17,133 --> 02:08:17,133
we thought of as we were, you know, coming up with a recommendation that we thought

1138
02:08:22,433 --> 02:08:22,433
would be most beneficial to the city of beaumont. Thank you. Thank you, councilman turner.

1139
02:08:28,933 --> 02:08:28,933
and lastly, just for the workshop clarification, I understand if we're going to do

1140
02:08:33,133 --> 02:08:33,133
it today, there's nothing wrong with the workshop comes back. If you guys do research and see

1141
02:08:37,966 --> 02:08:37,966
it's feasible to hit the longer mark. But my second question is within the workshop, let's just

1142
02:08:44,966 --> 02:08:44,966
say I know we asked why bills can't be between the first and the fifth or or what do we do

1143
02:08:51,066 --> 02:08:51,066
when a customer turns on their water on the 10th of the month, or turns on the money on the on

1144
02:08:58,166 --> 02:09:01,900
the water on the 20th of the month? Because it's no guarantee when you turn your water on. So how does that work? If we were looking to make it a particular time, is that

1145
02:09:07,100 --> 02:09:07,100
something staff can bring back to us, to those options? Because I think it's important

1146
02:09:11,233 --> 02:09:11,233
that we can't really control when people turn their water on, water on, and how do we deal

1147
02:09:15,866 --> 02:09:15,866
with the billing if it doesn't happen between the first and the fifth? If we did want to

1148
02:09:20,166 --> 02:09:20,166
kind of make it a standard date, so it could kind of be uniform. That's something we'll have to

1149
02:09:28,733 --> 02:09:28,733
bring back unless you have a response to that. I think that's probably something that

1150
02:09:36,933 --> 02:09:36,933
we're going to have to look at as a whole with, with the audit findings and everything. But I

1151
02:09:43,266 --> 02:09:43,266
did just just want to throw one more thing out there. Thank you, june, for that. But I did also

1152
02:09:50,100 --> 02:09:50,100
want to say that we do typically waive fees at least, you know, once every year on a

1153
02:09:56,800 --> 02:09:56,800
12 month rolling basis if it's requested by the citizen. So we are already we are doing that

1154
02:10:02,966 --> 02:10:02,966
concession. I just want to make sure we kind of clear on what we want to do with the workshop.

1155
02:10:10,066 --> 02:10:10,066
that's what I said. That's something I would like to see within that workshop. So we

1156
02:10:14,833 --> 02:10:14,833
know the options and what we're dealing with. I just want to make sure what we're asking for

1157
02:10:20,000 --> 02:10:20,000
is feasible, because I'm open to anything that makes sense. So, mayor, if I may, because

1158
02:10:25,000 --> 02:10:25,000
the audit that my office conducted specifically looked at the issues that were

1159
02:10:30,033 --> 02:10:33,900
requested at the time by council, councilman crenshaw and councilman turner, when that dealt with the individual having a disconnection improperly. And so what we did

1160
02:10:41,400 --> 02:10:41,400
is we reviewed the entire process from start to finish, and we made recommendations on

1161
02:10:46,900 --> 02:10:46,900
the efficiency of the the office. Some what we noticed as gaps in the process and the

1162
02:10:53,066 --> 02:10:53,066
procedure. We also interviewed department directors that oversee that department as well

1163
02:10:58,100 --> 02:10:58,100
as some some other departments to see, like what what they were seeing in terms of what

1164
02:11:03,633 --> 02:11:03,633
they consider that happened. So a lot of what's being requested now, in terms of when a

1165
02:11:09,266 --> 02:11:09,266
workshop could be presented, may push that deadline back. If you needed staff to do

1166
02:11:13,833 --> 02:11:13,833
additional research on a finding out if there's a different, different software,

1167
02:11:17,900 --> 02:11:17,900
which is something that we did recommend, but that's an ongoing process to see what

1168
02:11:22,633 --> 02:11:22,633
would work with the city. If we're also requesting some additional information as it

1169
02:11:27,100 --> 02:11:27,100
relates to effectiveness and procedures, that would change because what we did was audit

1170
02:11:31,533 --> 02:11:35,300
our current practices and make recommendations on what we currently do. And so the recommendations that were presented in the city manager, I believe that was last, last

1171
02:11:39,633 --> 02:11:39,633
week. So we completed the audit on september 30th and cleaned it out, and I reviewed it with

1172
02:11:48,000 --> 02:11:48,000
my staff internally, presented it to. To other members of executive office for review.

1173
02:11:54,200 --> 02:11:54,200
and then we met internally last week to discuss discuss those findings. If if council wants

1174
02:12:02,100 --> 02:12:02,100
something different at that workshop, it may take a while. Like I said, the audit itself

1175
02:12:07,166 --> 02:12:07,166
took over over 30 days to complete. And there was the reason for that. That gap in

1176
02:12:11,600 --> 02:12:11,600
between when it was discussed internally with executive staff, was to give them a chance for

1177
02:12:16,400 --> 02:12:20,100
feedback and for follow up. There were some questions that came out, the audit that required that they wanted to have follow up questions on. So we used that additional time

1178
02:12:24,033 --> 02:12:24,033
prior to our meeting of last week to to answer those questions, specifically wait

1179
02:12:28,666 --> 02:12:28,666
times, what was the average wait time for a citizen that wasn't included in the average,

1180
02:12:32,966 --> 02:12:32,966
the original audit? Because that wasn't an initial concern. But we did go back and look at

1181
02:12:37,833 --> 02:12:37,833
that. We also compared that to long term. Was the current wait time. Now was the current wait

1182
02:12:43,233 --> 02:12:43,233
time when it's peak time, the drought, what's overall like? You know, so if there's

1183
02:12:48,800 --> 02:12:48,800
something different, I'm just telling you that it does and it will require additional time of

1184
02:12:53,266 --> 02:12:57,100
council said, hey, we want it at the next meeting. That might not be feasible if we're requiring something different. That was already discussed internally. Well, just me as an

1185
02:13:00,900 --> 02:13:00,900
individual, you know, I understand what you're saying, but I don't want it to come to

1186
02:13:05,900 --> 02:13:05,900
us as a workshop if it's not as efficient as it can actually be. So I can only speak for myself.

1187
02:13:11,200 --> 02:13:11,200
but my thing is, how can we actually make it better and efficient? Because what's

1188
02:13:17,300 --> 02:13:17,300
happening is people are consistently coming with issues about the billing, and I don't

1189
02:13:22,200 --> 02:13:22,200
want to just kind of talk about within, how can we really make it efficient and better. So

1190
02:13:28,100 --> 02:13:31,933
that's the audit did focus on improving the overall operational efficiency of the office. And I think that that that could be addressed if council said we would like it

1191
02:13:37,266 --> 02:13:37,266
at the next workshop. I think that that could be addressed at the next workshop. But like I

1192
02:13:41,566 --> 02:13:41,566
said, councilman sherwood, councilwoman sherwood, yeah, it was more in line with like

1193
02:13:46,000 --> 02:13:46,000
software and software equipment, even though that's one of the recommendations that we brought

1194
02:13:50,766 --> 02:13:50,766
out in the audit. It's not something that we're prepared to say this will work for the

1195
02:13:55,833 --> 02:13:55,833
city. It's something that obviously we have to get with our it department, which again,

1196
02:14:00,266 --> 02:14:00,266
we haven't even that meeting only contained high level staff. Myself, the city manager, the

1197
02:14:06,166 --> 02:14:06,166
department directors that oversee it. And so it did not include our it director, who

1198
02:14:11,100 --> 02:14:11,100
would be the one who would need to do that search. Right. So we haven't expanded out with any

1199
02:14:17,166 --> 02:14:17,166
of the things that we do when we roll it out. It does. It's a multifaceted project. So there

1200
02:14:21,833 --> 02:14:25,266
is some other things that need to do. There's also some operating procedures that we discussed that we would need to kind of like operate and adjust for that department. That's

1201
02:14:29,733 --> 02:14:32,166
going to involve some cooperation with some other departments. So even though we're at the recommendation stage and again, we can present that to council, we have yet to

1202
02:14:37,233 --> 02:14:37,233
start implementing those things to do that, we did assess in that meeting myself internally,

1203
02:14:44,933 --> 02:14:44,933
we did look at what the timeline for some of those projects would be with anything.

1204
02:14:49,500 --> 02:14:53,000
when it comes for improvement, improvement is not something that you just fix overnight. It's going to be a continual thing. So obviously once we start implementing projects,

1205
02:14:57,300 --> 02:15:01,266
once we see how it goes, there might be some tweaking of that, that process as well. This might work and we might need to tweak it a little bit. We might have thought this was a good

1206
02:15:06,033 --> 02:15:06,033
thing and we need to change it. So like I said, we can present the findings of the audit as we

1207
02:15:11,600 --> 02:15:15,233
present to executive staff. But if there's something additional in terms of like what software we're proposing, what are some other things and what are the costs for those things, we just

1208
02:15:19,200 --> 02:15:19,200
don't have that yet. All right. Well, I'm okay with the the findings, with the expectations

1209
02:15:24,066 --> 02:15:24,066
that we're looking for more after that, I guess. I mean, but I'm just one of seven. So I

1210
02:15:29,233 --> 02:15:29,233
guess I got to see how other people feel. But I definitely want to see some true results,

1211
02:15:34,200 --> 02:15:34,200
not just the report. That's what I'm looking for. We might, councilman, we might could get

1212
02:15:40,666 --> 02:15:40,666
on on the november 18th meeting with council. If you have some other issues that you

1213
02:15:45,000 --> 02:15:45,000
specifically want to hear about, address. If you would send those to me, we can get that

1214
02:15:50,933 --> 02:15:50,933
information together for you and included in that workshop. Okay. Thank you. Mister, just a

1215
02:15:59,200 --> 02:16:03,066
point of clarification. I believe the city attorney covered this earlier, but my water bill is due today, the 21st. I plan to go pay it today by 5:00. If we pass this ten

1216
02:16:10,000 --> 02:16:10,000
days. I have ten days on this billing cycle to pay it. Because you said this would go

1217
02:16:15,866 --> 02:16:15,866
into effect today. If I could make it. So resolution's going go into effect when the mayor

1218
02:16:22,000 --> 02:16:22,000
signs it, when we have to adjust like ordinance language or things like that or other

1219
02:16:27,166 --> 02:16:27,166
things, it could be longer. But if it was made to say that he unaffected signing, which is

1220
02:16:33,366 --> 02:16:33,366
most of our things do go in effect when when some of your signs provided that the mayor

1221
02:16:38,400 --> 02:16:38,400
signed it before 5:00. Well, I'm just I'm wondering and I could care less about my

1222
02:16:46,233 --> 02:16:49,100
personal situation, but I'm wondering how I communicate this to people because questions are immediately going to be asked when we leave here and when they say so. If my

1223
02:16:54,233 --> 02:16:54,233
water bill is due this month, is this going to apply this month or is this going to apply

1224
02:16:59,833 --> 02:16:59,833
on the next billing cycle? Because earlier when you talked about it, it made it seem like

1225
02:17:04,900 --> 02:17:04,900
what we would do today is effective today, but it would not be applied until the next

1226
02:17:09,000 --> 02:17:09,000
billing cycle. So councilman williams had specifically asked, like, how would this impact

1227
02:17:13,133 --> 02:17:13,133
someone whose water bill was due today? So when a water when a mayor signs an ordinance or

1228
02:17:18,666 --> 02:17:18,666
resolution, it goes into effect that day. So the mayor signed it after five, which is when

1229
02:17:24,033 --> 02:17:27,066
somebody's water bill would be due. It obviously wouldn't apply because it's not signed until after five. So now we're getting into semantics and stuff. So it's due the it can

1230
02:17:32,000 --> 02:17:32,000
be effective upon signing, but it determines it's 347 right now. So if the mayor usually

1231
02:17:36,933 --> 02:17:36,933
signs a post meeting. So if the mayor signs it post meeting before 5:00, obviously we need

1232
02:17:42,300 --> 02:17:45,233
to adjust that. But there's some individuals who've already paid their water bill, paying their water bill, paying it online counseling. I told him he can make the the motion that

1233
02:17:51,966 --> 02:17:51,966
no one be assessed a late fee. Today with the passage of the bill, if that was the motion

1234
02:17:57,966 --> 02:17:57,966
that's on the floor, but the motion is on the floor only consists with the bill going

1235
02:18:02,266 --> 02:18:02,266
into effect today. So this would only impact someone whose bill was due on the 23rd, on

1236
02:18:07,966 --> 02:18:07,966
the 22nd, because the mayor would have signed it and that would have been in effect today.

1237
02:18:13,933 --> 02:18:17,266
so it wouldn't necessarily affect somebody whose water bill is due today because he could sign it after five, technically. Y'all ready? Any other discussion? If not, we'll

1238
02:18:25,300 --> 02:18:25,300
proceed with the motion that we have for ten days and we will have a workshop. So do I need

1239
02:18:31,800 --> 02:18:31,800
to amend it to make it effective immediately? Your your motion would need to say

1240
02:18:38,200 --> 02:18:38,200
that you would like this, that you would like to approve it with a ten day grace period.

1241
02:18:43,900 --> 02:18:43,900
and you'd have to add the caveat that no one would be assessed a late fee today and

1242
02:18:51,166 --> 02:18:51,166
moving forward. So I move that we go with the recommendation of the ten day grace period,

1243
02:19:01,066 --> 02:19:01,066
with a caveat that no one be assessed a late fee as of today. Effective immediately. Second.

1244
02:19:15,100 --> 02:19:15,100
it was it was an amendment to a motion so that so that this. Wanted everybody to. Yeah. You

1245
02:19:25,900 --> 02:19:25,900
said make it. You said it. Don't be assessed a late fee as of today. What if they go past

1246
02:19:34,033 --> 02:19:34,033
the ten days that I believe the content of the motion is that they not be assessed a late if

1247
02:19:39,033 --> 02:19:39,033
their bill is due today, before the passage, before the signing of the bill, so that it would

1248
02:19:44,200 --> 02:19:44,200
basically pause any late fee that was due today. Okay. Correct? Correct. So it would

1249
02:19:52,000 --> 02:19:52,000
not erase late fees in their entirety, but only pause a late fee that was possibly due today.

1250
02:19:58,300 --> 02:19:58,300
okay. All right. If there's no other discussion, all those in favor of approving item number

1251
02:20:07,266 --> 02:20:07,266
eight as presented with the adjustments as read into the record, please signify by

1252
02:20:13,200 --> 02:20:13,200
saying I, I any opposed. The motion is carried. Mr. City manager, would you take us into

1253
02:20:20,900 --> 02:20:20,900
the public hearing? Thank you. Mayor. Council, to conduct a public hearing to declare the

1254
02:20:26,966 --> 02:20:26,966
following 50 structures to be unsafe and ordered the owners to to raise the said structures

1255
02:20:32,900 --> 02:20:32,900
within ten days. If the property owner fails to comply within ten days, staff is

1256
02:20:37,966 --> 02:20:37,966
requesting city council council authorization to demolish these structures without further

1257
02:20:42,933 --> 02:20:42,933
further notification to the property owner or city council action. Additionally, if the

1258
02:20:48,066 --> 02:20:48,066
property owner of a structure request and is authorized by city council to enroll in a

1259
02:20:53,500 --> 02:20:53,500
work program, all delinquent taxes shall be paid in full or payment plan shall be

1260
02:20:58,900 --> 02:20:58,900
established prior to the enrollment of the work program, enrollment and the work program

1261
02:21:03,966 --> 02:21:03,966
shall occur within ten days after the effective date of the ordinance. All right. The

1262
02:21:10,966 --> 02:21:10,966
public hearing is now open. Madam city clerk, do we have anybody that has signed up to

1263
02:21:19,233 --> 02:21:19,233
speak? We do. I have travis and jan mccall. 1239 mccall road, hampshire, texas. Item number

1264
02:21:28,733 --> 02:21:28,733
1060 85. Concord. First of all, thank you all for your your service to the city, all the

1265
02:21:38,266 --> 02:21:38,266
issues y'all y'all grapple with. I'm just glad I have my own water. Well, I'm here, I'm here,

1266
02:21:45,233 --> 02:21:45,233
here today to talk to y'all about just primitive baptist church. It's a new hope

1267
02:21:52,166 --> 02:21:52,166
primitive baptist church on 6085 concord. It's a small family church. It's been there

1268
02:21:57,966 --> 02:21:57,966
for 75 years. Over the years, the membership has dwindled down. We haven't had a preacher

1269
02:22:07,400 --> 02:22:07,400
in several years. And the homeless people in the area broken into the building to get

1270
02:22:13,366 --> 02:22:13,366
out of the cold, and we're in the process of trying to either get the building renovated,

1271
02:22:18,633 --> 02:22:18,633
have it moved, and the last resort have it demolished if we have to. But I won't take any

1272
02:22:27,500 --> 02:22:27,500
more of your time. But long story short, we just need some more time. And that's all we're

1273
02:22:33,133 --> 02:22:33,133
asking is a little more time to try to do something with the building before the city

1274
02:22:38,900 --> 02:22:38,900
demolishes it. And we're in the process of of looking at all our different options.

1275
02:22:45,766 --> 02:22:45,766
economically is the only thing that it's always the money. But we just appreciate your your

1276
02:22:51,900 --> 02:22:51,900
consideration and we just need more time. Thank you. Thank you sir okay. Mark barnes 4365 el

1277
02:23:06,400 --> 02:23:06,400
paso beaumont, texas, number 12. Hello mayor, council staff. I have a property at 4365 el paso

1278
02:23:20,833 --> 02:23:20,833
that I've been working on for a while, and excuse me, can I get some water? No, I'm just

1279
02:23:28,133 --> 02:23:28,133
kidding, I have. I thought I was in a work program, I believe I was, but some time

1280
02:23:35,466 --> 02:23:35,466
passed and we have gotten the structure up to code except for one item hvac. Vented hood.

1281
02:23:46,500 --> 02:23:46,500
we've passed our structural roofing. What had happened? We had a small fire in the front

1282
02:23:55,933 --> 02:23:55,933
ten feet of the the front room, and we got that all taken care of. It's got past electrical,

1283
02:24:08,100 --> 02:24:08,100
past structural. We had a building, I mean, a plumbing inspection today, I believe. I

1284
02:24:16,266 --> 02:24:16,266
don't know, all we had to do was put something on the outside of the hose. The whole

1285
02:24:22,033 --> 02:24:22,033
structure wasn't damaged, but it's a little bit is damaged. You got to bring everything up

1286
02:24:27,066 --> 02:24:27,066
to code and. That's not it. Well, that was it way back. But that's not what it looks like

1287
02:24:35,800 --> 02:24:35,800
now. Do y'all have current? That's all I have. I have a current picture if y'all want

1288
02:24:40,000 --> 02:24:40,000
to see it. But anyway, all that's been done painted new roof and past inspections. So

1289
02:24:47,300 --> 02:24:47,300
maybe I think I was going to ask silas more time on the how much time. We're close to being

1290
02:24:56,133 --> 02:24:56,133
finished with everything. As far as bringing everything up to code, all the electrical,

1291
02:25:01,766 --> 02:25:01,766
hvac. I'm still holding up on hvac because it's never had a vent hood, but we're getting

1292
02:25:09,700 --> 02:25:09,700
that done. So the water is on, the electrical drop is connected, but the electricity

1293
02:25:16,366 --> 02:25:16,366
is not on until the final final. So we've gotten it almost all the way finished. Thank you.

1294
02:25:28,066 --> 02:25:28,066
thank you sir. Edmund richards, 2020 bun street, beaumont, texas, 1165 goliad. Item number

1295
02:25:38,533 --> 02:25:38,533
17. Good evening, city council. I'm just my name is edmund richardson, 2020 bun. I have a

1296
02:25:46,166 --> 02:25:46,166
house at 1165 goliad. And I'm just simply here to ask for more time to finish the

1297
02:25:51,633 --> 02:25:51,633
property up. I understand this is the last end of the road, so. But I will get it done if you

1298
02:25:57,766 --> 02:25:57,766
all allow me to. Thank you. Thank you sir. Wilma spike, 1605 victoria. Excuse me.

1299
02:26:08,300 --> 02:26:08,300
beaumont, texas. Item number 27, 1952 sema. I don't know. Beaumont. Hi. Good afternoon.

1300
02:26:20,866 --> 02:26:20,866
mayor. City council, everyone. Good afternoon. I'm wilma spikes. I'm here to ask about

1301
02:26:32,166 --> 02:26:32,166
the property at 1950 j-comi j-comi. I would like to enter into a work program to pull

1302
02:26:39,800 --> 02:26:39,800
this property back up to standards to meet city code when it previously, when the

1303
02:26:47,900 --> 02:26:47,900
property did get red tagged, it was a little confusion and I think they had other department

1304
02:26:55,066 --> 02:26:55,066
heads. But back here once again the property is red tagged and I would like to enter into a

1305
02:27:03,966 --> 02:27:03,966
work program if it's okay. Thank you ma'am. Thank you. Christy de la sota, 4590

1306
02:27:19,866 --> 02:27:19,866
kenneth avenue, beaumont, texas. Item number 29. Good afternoon. Yes, my kids just called me

1307
02:27:30,966 --> 02:27:30,966
about this letter this morning, so I was completely unprepared. I'm just asking for a little

1308
02:27:36,266 --> 02:27:36,266
bit more time. The homeowner is currently not available for another week and his son is in

1309
02:27:40,400 --> 02:27:40,400
houston, so he's having to come down every weekend and work on it. And we're just gonna need a

1310
02:27:45,933 --> 02:27:45,933
little more time to get it done. Thank you. Thank you ma'am. And j.t. Hays, p.o. Box 963,

1311
02:27:56,533 --> 02:27:56,533
beaumont, texas. Item number 31 920 lockwood. Good afternoon. Council. I'm local lawyer here

1312
02:28:11,366 --> 02:28:11,366
in town. My client here, mr. Dyess, has inherited this property at 920 lockwood. The

1313
02:28:18,800 --> 02:28:18,800
biggest problem we have with the property is it does have some problems and needs to be

1314
02:28:23,233 --> 02:28:23,233
addressed, but it still has his parents furniture and things in there. A lot of antiques. We're

1315
02:28:29,800 --> 02:28:29,800
asking for a work program on the property. I've handled a handful of these cases before,

1316
02:28:36,966 --> 02:28:36,966
and I'm happy to say that every case I've handled has end up in a successful rehabilitation of

1317
02:28:43,000 --> 02:28:43,000
the property. So we'd ask you to give us that time. Thank you. Sure. Yeah. I just want you to

1318
02:28:51,200 --> 02:28:51,200
know that if you get to the mic. Please, sir. I'm sorry. My name is robert doss. How are y'all?

1319
02:28:58,000 --> 02:28:58,000
some of you might know me or not. I've been owned a business here in beaumont for over 40

1320
02:29:02,800 --> 02:29:02,800
years. Did a lot of work with scouts and our church youth program. The the house is I

1321
02:29:10,900 --> 02:29:10,900
have the hvac system already in my storage, most of the materials and everything to do

1322
02:29:15,866 --> 02:29:15,866
the repairs are already have in my shop. What happened was when I originally signed a work deal,

1323
02:29:20,933 --> 02:29:20,933
I found out my kidneys were failing and so I had to address that issue. And now that things

1324
02:29:26,366 --> 02:29:26,366
are back on track, I'd like an opportunity to be able to do the structure, if that be

1325
02:29:33,466 --> 02:29:33,466
possible. Thank you sir, thank you. Mark frazier, 801 laurel beaumont, texas. Item number 47

1326
02:29:47,900 --> 02:29:47,900
1056. Vermont. Council mayor I'm here appearing on behalf of the owner for this particular

1327
02:29:58,000 --> 02:29:58,000
property. And I'm pleased to, first of all, the the property situated at fronts vermont and

1328
02:30:06,033 --> 02:30:06,033
on the back side is jim gilligan. And so it's in the middle of lamar. And I'm happy

1329
02:30:12,600 --> 02:30:12,600
to announce that lamar has agreed to purchase the property. The effect of that is we're

1330
02:30:17,400 --> 02:30:17,400
going to need some more time. Property hadn't been in a work program, so the point or the

1331
02:30:24,066 --> 02:30:24,066
basis would be to allow for this, for this sale to go forward, lamar will have to, as

1332
02:30:29,466 --> 02:30:29,466
the state agency will have to go through some certain procedures. But. We would

1333
02:30:35,100 --> 02:30:35,100
request that extra time for that to happen. Thank you sir. That's all that I have. Mayor.

1334
02:30:41,933 --> 02:30:41,933
all right with that? If there's no one else to speak. Yes, sir. Steve, I'll. You can come

1335
02:30:54,800 --> 02:30:54,800
forward and just share your name and address, if you would, mr. Law. Oh. I'm sorry. Well, I

1336
02:31:00,200 --> 02:31:00,200
had two for 920. Lockwood. I thought y'all were together. I apologize, I thought you were

1337
02:31:07,033 --> 02:31:07,033
with him. No, that's no problem at all. Steve lyle, 975 lockwood. By my texas item

1338
02:31:12,200 --> 02:31:12,200
number 31. Thank you. Thank you, mayor. And the council and the demolition department, which is

1339
02:31:18,133 --> 02:31:18,133
kind of guided me through this process. I wasn't aware of mr. Mr. Diaz's problem, but I've

1340
02:31:23,966 --> 02:31:23,966
lived at this location, my house, for 25 years in. This house has been abandoned for 25

1341
02:31:29,800 --> 02:31:29,800
years. I didn't know he had furniture in the house. I knew he had inherited it. But we've

1342
02:31:36,566 --> 02:31:36,566
had we've turned in things to the city before about animals going in the house to the

1343
02:31:42,133 --> 02:31:42,133
garage door. It's fallen apart. They addressed it by putting some plywood up against the

1344
02:31:47,200 --> 02:31:51,100
door. And I'm not here to try to take somebody's home or house. But, you know, my neighbors have entrusted me to to work on this program, and nothing has been done except

1345
02:31:57,066 --> 02:31:57,066
for, you know, when the demolition department went out there and put some signs on, it

1346
02:32:01,900 --> 02:32:01,900
puts the red tags on it. Well, the next week the red tags were taken off and there was posted

1347
02:32:07,000 --> 02:32:07,000
signs put on it. So just our neighborhood would like the city to do something about it.

1348
02:32:12,400 --> 02:32:12,400
if mr. Diaz can get in a program and possibly get it done. Like I said, I'm not

1349
02:32:16,833 --> 02:32:16,833
looking to try to take the man's property. But I do know that if it doesn't get taken

1350
02:32:20,933 --> 02:32:20,933
and nothing gets done, I'll be back here to do this again. And just my neighbors would like to

1351
02:32:25,133 --> 02:32:25,133
see something done. So I appreciate what y'all are doing. I wish they had the pictures

1352
02:32:29,166 --> 02:32:33,100
because it looks pretty bad. But thank you all for what y'all are doing. And that's what I got to say. Thank you, thank you sir. I think that's all this time, mayor. Sorry.

1353
02:32:38,633 --> 02:32:38,633
all right. No other hands real quick. Mayor west, if I could have silas clutter, our

1354
02:32:42,933 --> 02:32:42,933
demolition coordinator, come up and speak on the items that came up, and I can tell you

1355
02:32:47,166 --> 02:32:47,166
which numbers they are to kind of guide you. Okay? Sure. Do you have the pictures available?

1356
02:32:53,100 --> 02:32:53,100
we can. We're trying to. They are also in your guys's packet that's in front of you as well.

1357
02:33:00,600 --> 02:33:00,600
we listed them with one, you know, one, two, three and so on. But we can try to pull it up.

1358
02:33:06,000 --> 02:33:06,000
yeah. We don't have those pictures. Just there's no packet. It's just electronic.

1359
02:33:11,666 --> 02:33:11,666
yeah. So it's I'm just saying it's electronic. So there's no like hard copy packet like

1360
02:33:16,066 --> 02:33:16,066
normal. Oh I'm sorry. Then we can try to pull that up. Just as some general info for the

1361
02:33:20,900 --> 02:33:20,900
councilors who haven't been through one of these red tags hearings before. When it comes

1362
02:33:25,733 --> 02:33:25,733
to residential structures that the city raises, we do not charge the homeowners for that

1363
02:33:31,833 --> 02:33:31,833
process, and we do not take the property itself. All we do is demolish the structures that

1364
02:33:38,000 --> 02:33:38,000
have been tagged. The property will stay in their ownership. Do you have any questions so

1365
02:33:44,300 --> 02:33:44,300
far as to the structures that came up? I believe we have seven structures. Councilman

1366
02:33:51,100 --> 02:33:51,100
turner, just for people watching from staff. Normally, if the structure is torn down

1367
02:33:56,033 --> 02:33:56,033
and taxes are old, like how does that normally work? Like what's the process? So so we

1368
02:34:02,266 --> 02:34:02,266
don't generally get involved in the tax aspect. That's more of a county issue. The one

1369
02:34:07,733 --> 02:34:07,733
exception is that in order to qualify for this work program post council, they will have to

1370
02:34:13,066 --> 02:34:13,066
be caught up on their taxes. Okay, I just I want to I knew that, I just thought it was

1371
02:34:19,233 --> 02:34:19,233
important that that said on the record. So people know up front this is one of the requirements

1372
02:34:24,400 --> 02:34:24,400
to even enter the program. They have to either pay it up in full or prove that they are on

1373
02:34:30,333 --> 02:34:30,333
a payment plan. I got a question. So for this first property, 685 concord, the

1374
02:34:37,000 --> 02:34:37,000
owner, as he said he did get in contact with me after he got his letter telling him about

1375
02:34:42,100 --> 02:34:46,066
this meeting. He is interested in selling the property. I do not have a problem with y'all approving a post council work program. If you want to give him more time, that's item ten.

1376
02:34:51,833 --> 02:34:51,833
okay, 4365 el paso. Item 12 from mark bounds. He has made some wonderful progress since

1377
02:35:00,133 --> 02:35:00,133
he got his letter about this council. The pictures for el paso were taken back in august.

1378
02:35:06,100 --> 02:35:06,100
he has since renewed his permits. He has passed a plumbing final and an

1379
02:35:11,966 --> 02:35:11,966
electrical final. If you all approve a post council work program, I'm optimistic that he

1380
02:35:17,500 --> 02:35:17,500
could complete his project. Item number 12, item 17. Sorry that we've discussed ten and 12,

1381
02:35:27,266 --> 02:35:27,266
council councilwoman sherwood, and he was favorable for both of those. Item number 17 1165

1382
02:35:34,000 --> 02:35:34,000
goliad. This property has struggled over the years, but if he wants to get on a post

1383
02:35:42,933 --> 02:35:42,933
council work program to complete, I do not object. I can't keep up with the scroll

1384
02:35:47,533 --> 02:35:47,533
she's trying to get to. We can hold tight till she gets to it. I agree, sorry, I'm talking

1385
02:35:52,400 --> 02:35:52,400
faster than her scrolling. Are there taxes out there are not taxes owed on that property. So

1386
02:36:01,600 --> 02:36:01,600
on ten, 12 and 17 no taxes are owed. Correct? Okay. The next structure is number 27.

1387
02:36:34,966 --> 02:36:34,966
god bless you. This is item number 27 1915. The owner has boarded

1388
02:36:49,933 --> 02:36:49,933
and secured the doors and windows fairly recently, which I am happy about. There has not

1389
02:36:57,466 --> 02:36:57,466
been any other progress. If you want to approve a post council work program. I do not object,

1390
02:37:02,966 --> 02:37:02,966
but the owner should be aware that there is pretty hefty taxes owed and they will not

1391
02:37:09,066 --> 02:37:09,066
qualify for that work program until that is resolved. What does that amount? She owes over

1392
02:37:16,866 --> 02:37:16,866
$30,000 in property taxes. That's 27. So the rule is they have to either pay the taxes in

1393
02:37:25,000 --> 02:37:25,000
full or in a in a payment plan before that time and be active. Next property is number 29.

1394
02:37:40,666 --> 02:37:40,666
this is for 590 kenneth. There are also over $10,000 in property taxes due at this

1395
02:37:48,566 --> 02:37:48,566
property. The individual who got in contact this morning is the first time I have ever had

1396
02:37:55,700 --> 02:37:55,700
any contact. We did send out letters quite some time ago, but they apparently discovered

1397
02:38:00,333 --> 02:38:00,333
them today. I do not object to a work program if they wish to try to fix this property up,

1398
02:38:06,766 --> 02:38:06,766
but the same issue with taxes would need to be resolved. I have a question. Yes,

1399
02:38:12,933 --> 02:38:12,933
councilman. Dario, mr. De la certa that came up and spoke. Is she the owner of the

1400
02:38:18,366 --> 02:38:18,366
property? No, she is okay. Do you have to? Can someone come up and ask for time? If they're

1401
02:38:24,066 --> 02:38:24,066
not the owner, you have to be an owner. That's that's the city's policy or a or listed.

1402
02:38:30,133 --> 02:38:30,133
so like if it was left to them like in co-ownership, like an airship. So if the person had

1403
02:38:36,000 --> 02:38:36,000
died and they were the children or the heirs of the property, that would work because the

1404
02:38:42,466 --> 02:38:42,466
property hadn't been through probate. But council typically only extends that to a spouse.

1405
02:38:50,400 --> 02:38:50,400
a. Question. So councilman hilliard, does this property have electricity? No, this

1406
02:38:58,866 --> 02:38:58,866
property has no utilities. Okay. And I guess never mind. Miss de la serna was trying to speak

1407
02:39:12,833 --> 02:39:12,833
just now. Can she come back up to the mic, say what she had to say? Technically, yes, because

1408
02:39:19,000 --> 02:39:22,933
it's in the public hearing and council had questions. Typically we would have went through all, all the properties, but in the past it's 50. So we staff opted to only present to

1409
02:39:29,933 --> 02:39:29,933
council the ones that showed up to speak on the property. So during public hearing is the

1410
02:39:35,800 --> 02:39:35,800
only time council can have open dialog with property owners. So if council has questions, post

1411
02:39:41,466 --> 02:39:41,466
the the presentation you can call her back up to answer any questions. You will let her

1412
02:39:46,900 --> 02:39:46,900
come back up, or if the mayor is at the discretion of the let him finish and then she can

1413
02:39:52,866 --> 02:39:52,866
come back up. The next property is 920 lockwood, which is number 31. The owner has been

1414
02:40:07,800 --> 02:40:07,800
in contact with me several times. I am not opposed to a post council work program, but

1415
02:40:12,900 --> 02:40:12,900
the same tax issue is present at this property. I checked this morning and that has risen

1416
02:40:20,966 --> 02:40:20,966
to $40,000. Can you repeat that number real quick? Because I want to make sure I heard it

1417
02:40:28,000 --> 02:40:31,233
because I'm documenting everything. I checked this morning on the owed taxes and it has risen to $40,000. So this is this is the house that one of the neighbors came up

1418
02:40:45,033 --> 02:40:45,033
and spoke on. Yes, sir. The last property is number 47. Which is a commercial property,

1419
02:40:58,166 --> 02:40:58,166
which means that there would be a charge for the demolition. Next time, we'll do a

1420
02:41:19,833 --> 02:41:19,833
powerpoint slide. It's tough to predict who's going to come up and speak when the packets are

1421
02:41:26,666 --> 02:41:26,666
due, but next time we'll put all of them on a powerpoint. Thank you. This is 156 vermont.

1422
02:41:38,600 --> 02:41:38,600
we have had contact with the owner for some time. If they would like to get on a post

1423
02:41:44,500 --> 02:41:44,500
council work program, I do not object. They are up to date on their taxes and they are

1424
02:41:49,133 --> 02:41:49,133
seeking to sell the property to a new owner who also plans to demolish the structure. Yes.

1425
02:41:55,866 --> 02:41:55,866
councilman turner, so this is actually the building behind the business center at lamar

1426
02:42:02,300 --> 02:42:02,300
university? I believe so, yes, right at the entrance. Okay. Depending on which way you're

1427
02:42:07,500 --> 02:42:07,500
coming from. So this is the property that he said lamar was planning to buy this property

1428
02:42:17,033 --> 02:42:17,033
here. Okay. Correct. And just so I'm clear, so of the seven properties that someone came

1429
02:42:25,266 --> 02:42:25,266
here to speak on today, four do not owe taxes and three do owe taxes. Correct. Thank you.

1430
02:42:32,666 --> 02:42:32,666
thank you sir. You can call her back up if she wants. You're welcome to come back up. Okay.

1431
02:42:48,466 --> 02:42:48,466
so it's a family property. And his son is actually in houston. And he's currently in jefferson

1432
02:42:54,300 --> 02:42:54,300
county corrections. And he gets out in a week. He got picked up not long after the inspection

1433
02:43:02,033 --> 02:43:02,033
was done. So he didn't get there to fill out the paperwork he needed to fill out his since

1434
02:43:08,033 --> 02:43:08,033
the inspection is done. Kind of got pushed out to houston, so he hasn't really been able to

1435
02:43:13,166 --> 02:43:13,166
get in town with his work out there. It's a family property that's been in their family for

1436
02:43:21,166 --> 02:43:21,166
generations, and his wife just died just 3 or 4 years ago. And so he went through a lot of

1437
02:43:28,000 --> 02:43:28,000
hardship. And so the kids are really trying to pick it back up now. They just became of age

1438
02:43:33,200 --> 02:43:33,200
and they're just now getting on their feet. So they asked me to come be here today because they

1439
02:43:38,133 --> 02:43:38,133
couldn't. Thank you ma'am. There's no one else to speak. I'm going to. Go ahead and

1440
02:43:49,900 --> 02:43:49,900
close the public hearing, though. And then. Mr. City manager, if you could read item

1441
02:43:58,533 --> 02:43:58,533
number nine. Okay. Council, to consider an ordinance to declare the following 50

1442
02:44:05,966 --> 02:44:05,966
structures to be unsafe structures and ordered owners to raze the structures within

1443
02:44:10,800 --> 02:44:10,800
ten days. If the property owner fails to comply within ten days, staff is requesting city

1444
02:44:17,366 --> 02:44:21,166
council authorization to to demolish these structures without further notification to the property owner or city council action. Additionally, if the property owner of the

1445
02:44:29,000 --> 02:44:29,000
structure requests and is authorized by city council to enroll in a work program, all

1446
02:44:34,933 --> 02:44:34,933
delinquent taxes shall be paid in full or payment plans shall be established prior to

1447
02:44:39,633 --> 02:44:39,633
enrollment in the work program. Enrollment in the work program shall occur within ten days

1448
02:44:45,133 --> 02:44:45,133
after the effective date of this ordinance. All right. Is there a motion for item number

1449
02:44:52,500 --> 02:44:52,500
nine? Yes. Councilman turner, just want to make sure to the three that did all the taxes. I

1450
02:44:58,133 --> 02:44:58,133
just want to make sure it's clear that the work program, we couldn't get into it if a

1451
02:45:03,100 --> 02:45:03,100
payment plan wasn't arranged or if it was paid. I just want to make sure it's clear so

1452
02:45:07,400 --> 02:45:07,400
everyone here understands. Thank you. Councilman turner. Councilman daria on on the

1453
02:45:13,133 --> 02:45:13,133
three that. Oh, the back taxes. Can we because of reading this it says what he just what the

1454
02:45:18,800 --> 02:45:18,800
manager just read that they had to sign up for the for the work program within ten days of

1455
02:45:24,000 --> 02:45:24,000
today, and that the taxes had to be paid before they sign up for the work program. Can we

1456
02:45:30,533 --> 02:45:30,533
agree to give them an extension today and when and when they if they meet the requirements,

1457
02:45:36,233 --> 02:45:36,233
then they're in it? Or do they have to wait until after they meet those requirements to be

1458
02:45:41,233 --> 02:45:41,233
able to go into it? So the rules are you have to either pay in full or be on a payment

1459
02:45:48,366 --> 02:45:48,366
plan so they can establish a payment plan today in and enroll in the work program

1460
02:45:53,266 --> 02:45:53,266
tomorrow. Okay. So we we don't put them in the work program. They can't get in there today.

1461
02:45:59,266 --> 02:45:59,266
so no. So we give them an extension. Why do you need to do that. But you could there's.

1462
02:46:06,333 --> 02:46:06,333
councilman turner the the I understand what you're saying. The three that are behind. Can

1463
02:46:13,133 --> 02:46:13,133
we explain to them how the work program, any of the what they go to get into the work program

1464
02:46:18,066 --> 02:46:18,066
if we decide to move forward with it. So the they just go upstairs to do the work program,

1465
02:46:23,033 --> 02:46:23,033
floor left counter community development, they will have the work program prepared, and then

1466
02:46:27,866 --> 02:46:27,866
the owner would come up and prove that they are the owner, prove that they've paid any

1467
02:46:33,133 --> 02:46:33,133
taxes if they owe any taxes. And then we'll be able to sign the work program. And from

1468
02:46:37,900 --> 02:46:37,900
there, they have 90 days to dry in the structure and then 150 days to finish all repairs. And

1469
02:46:44,133 --> 02:46:44,133
director ingman, it has to be the owner of the property. Correct? Not a representative.

1470
02:46:49,866 --> 02:46:49,866
yes. Owner of the property. Okay. Or their heirship. If that's if as long as it's, you

1471
02:46:55,066 --> 02:46:55,066
know. So probate I think we need to be clear. So like it's heirship. But also there was an

1472
02:47:00,166 --> 02:47:00,166
attorney here who was representing the property. So he's a legal representative.

1473
02:47:04,533 --> 02:47:04,533
he's acting on behalf of his his client. That's appropriate. If the reason we require that

1474
02:47:10,366 --> 02:47:14,066
the owner or a legal representative be there is because you really can't compel someone to do this. Obviously, council can allow for an individual to be in the work

1475
02:47:20,133 --> 02:47:20,133
program, and if they don't, within the time frame, it doesn't it doesn't count

1476
02:47:25,233 --> 02:47:25,233
against the property. We just added back into the property because they fail to comply

1477
02:47:29,933 --> 02:47:33,900
with the ordinance. So that's at the discretion of council as well. But the reason why we do that is so that for the reasons we're discussing right now, if you wanted to allow them extra

1478
02:47:39,633 --> 02:47:43,466
time or give special instructions, they're here to to receive that information. Thank you. Councilwoman sherwood, I think one thing that we probably need to get

1479
02:47:49,400 --> 02:47:49,400
some extra clarity on for those that owe those taxes, they must go to the tax office to enter

1480
02:47:54,900 --> 02:47:54,900
into or call or contact the tax office in order to be entered into a payment plan or in order

1481
02:48:01,233 --> 02:48:01,233
to pay those taxes. Before you go to the second floor. You can't do that today if you

1482
02:48:07,100 --> 02:48:07,100
haven't contacted the tax office. Right. And I'm sure those individuals know that the

1483
02:48:13,166 --> 02:48:13,166
people who own the property because they call. All right. So with that, does anybody care

1484
02:48:23,833 --> 02:48:23,833
to amend, to exclude, to allow these to enter into the work program? Because currently the

1485
02:48:31,100 --> 02:48:31,100
way does not address that. So we would have to give them the numbers that would be

1486
02:48:39,766 --> 02:48:39,766
sufficient. The numbers typically how this is done is that there's a motion by

1487
02:48:44,533 --> 02:48:44,533
council made to. Allow certain properties to be included in the work program, and then the

1488
02:48:52,166 --> 02:48:52,166
the other properties to be demolished. Okay. And mr. Mayor, I make a motion that we proceed

1489
02:49:01,500 --> 02:49:01,500
with the exception of properties. Ten 1217 and 47 and we allow them to enter into the

1490
02:49:11,533 --> 02:49:11,533
post council work program, and we move forward with the remainder properties second.

1491
02:49:18,866 --> 02:49:18,866
all right. So we have a motion to exclude number ten, 1217 and 47. Correct. And all right. And

1492
02:49:32,233 --> 02:49:32,233
there is a second on that. Is there any other discussion regarding that. Just yes.

1493
02:49:40,200 --> 02:49:40,200
councilman williams, so can any of the other people that spoke today, can they still go enter

1494
02:49:45,966 --> 02:49:45,966
into the work program or. No, not okay. Mayor. Yes. You just just clarification. Typically

1495
02:49:55,000 --> 02:49:55,000
what we do is, is there's a motion to as the city attorney pointed out, there's a motion

1496
02:50:00,066 --> 02:50:00,066
to approve the recommended ordinance, with the exception of and the list of the numbers

1497
02:50:06,133 --> 02:50:06,133
if council so chooses. And that specified that they're able to enter into a work program. Now,

1498
02:50:12,033 --> 02:50:12,033
what I did kind of there were a few that were left out. So I had ten, 12, 17, 27, 29, 31, 40.

1499
02:50:20,700 --> 02:50:20,700
he's not including those. So the motion the motion was to for 1012, the motion was to

1500
02:50:24,900 --> 02:50:24,900
approve the the the ordinance as written, with the exception that ten, 12, 17 and 47 be

1501
02:50:31,000 --> 02:50:31,000
allowed to enter into a work program. Okay. So the other motion was seconded and those

1502
02:50:37,100 --> 02:50:37,100
other three were not included, so they wouldn't be included with this motion because of the

1503
02:50:43,233 --> 02:50:46,966
delinquent taxes, just because you didn't include them? Because you could technically, you can approve them and allow them to enter into a give them a chance to enter into a

1504
02:50:52,366 --> 02:50:56,300
payment plan or work program. And just so council is clear, even though you voted to allow these individuals a chance to enter into a work program, if they fail to do so by the ten

1505
02:51:00,933 --> 02:51:00,933
days, then it just goes into the raise property. You won't have to take any more action,

1506
02:51:06,233 --> 02:51:06,233
correct? Okay, so does that change anything for you, councilman? We're in discussion,

1507
02:51:11,100 --> 02:51:11,100
right? Yeah, yeah, we hadn't gotten out of discussion. Okay. Go ahead. No, we're still in

1508
02:51:16,233 --> 02:51:16,233
discussion. I'd like to amend the motion to include 27, 29 and 31. If they comply, fine.

1509
02:51:21,166 --> 02:51:21,166
if not. Still fine. We do. We need to accept the amendment or just we vote on the amendment

1510
02:51:29,133 --> 02:51:29,133
first. So she's asking to amend. If she made a second motion, you would have to vote on the

1511
02:51:34,100 --> 02:51:37,466
second motion. But if she's asking to amend, councilman crenshaw would have to accept her amendment. And then I believe councilman hilliard seconded. He would have to

1512
02:51:41,166 --> 02:51:41,166
agree as well. For the sake of getting out of here next five hours, I will accept the

1513
02:51:47,066 --> 02:51:47,066
amendment, even though I see zero realistic chance that someone that owes $40,000 is

1514
02:51:53,200 --> 02:51:53,200
going to show up with the money. Thank you. Councilman. Councilman hilliard and I will

1515
02:51:58,300 --> 02:51:58,300
second. All right. So now. We have all seven properties. Ten 12, 17, 27, 29, 31 and 47

1516
02:52:10,600 --> 02:52:10,600
included with that, they have ten days to enter a work program. And with the ones that

1517
02:52:15,900 --> 02:52:15,900
three owe taxes, they would have to either enter into a tax payment plan or pay them off.

1518
02:52:20,866 --> 02:52:20,866
so with that, unless there's any other discussion, all those in favor of of approval, please

1519
02:52:28,100 --> 02:52:28,100
signify by saying I. Aye. Any opposed? The motion is carried. Mr. City manager, would you

1520
02:52:35,800 --> 02:52:35,800
take us in to the next public hearing council to conduct a public hearing finding and

1521
02:52:40,866 --> 02:52:40,866
ratifying the determination of the public health director that public health nuisances exist

1522
02:52:46,900 --> 02:52:46,900
on the property owned by gwendolyn walden at 1792 broadway street, with the legal

1523
02:52:53,333 --> 02:52:53,333
description of mike mcfadden. L four through six w four four of three b 11 and ordered the

1524
02:53:03,133 --> 02:53:03,133
owner to abate public health nuisances within ten days. If the property owner fails to

1525
02:53:09,033 --> 02:53:09,033
comply within ten days, staff is requesting city council authorization to abate the

1526
02:53:14,066 --> 02:53:14,066
property without further notification to the property. Owner of city council action.

1527
02:53:21,133 --> 02:53:21,133
good evening mayor and council promise not to keep you any longer than you have to stay

1528
02:53:26,133 --> 02:53:26,133
here. You can go to the next slide. Tina. Miss bruce, I'm sorry, this is just to give you

1529
02:53:32,266 --> 02:53:36,133
some background on this particular property. That second bullet is the property has been red tagged and declared structurally unsafe, unfit for human occupancy and

1530
02:53:43,666 --> 02:53:43,666
in a state of deterioration likely to endanger the health, safety or the general welfare

1531
02:53:48,900 --> 02:53:48,900
of citizens of city citizens. On june 27th. So in september of 25, it was referred to the

1532
02:53:56,800 --> 02:53:56,800
public health department. Additionally, the property owner has failed to enclose the

1533
02:54:00,866 --> 02:54:00,866
pool on the premises properly. A reinspection was done on october the 6th. Next slide and

1534
02:54:07,333 --> 02:54:07,333
here's just some pictures. As you can see, the pool is green and so. And you can see that

1535
02:54:13,266 --> 02:54:13,266
water hose. Now we at the time pictures were taken, we haven't observed the owner draining the

1536
02:54:22,000 --> 02:54:22,000
pool, but it just implies that the the owner has been draining the pool from that water hose

1537
02:54:28,033 --> 02:54:28,033
onto the street. Next slide. And there's just some pictures of the particular property. And

1538
02:54:33,900 --> 02:54:33,900
with that standing water like that, that's just a breeding ground, breeding ground for

1539
02:54:39,766 --> 02:54:39,766
mosquitoes. And so which poses a health hazard to the questiont presentation. Is there is that

1540
02:54:54,900 --> 02:54:54,900
it. It's just the the pool the water. Yes. Problem. Well and it has other litter on the

1541
02:55:00,133 --> 02:55:00,133
property as well. But the property is red tagged. It's red tagged. But with that

1542
02:55:06,600 --> 02:55:06,600
standing water which becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which carries the west nile

1543
02:55:11,166 --> 02:55:11,166
virus. And so you're not allowed to have standing water on any property, even if it was

1544
02:55:16,000 --> 02:55:16,000
just in buckets. And the pool is not being kept on maintenance or maintained. Okay.

1545
02:55:24,266 --> 02:55:24,266
and has has she taken any steps to remedy the issue? No, sir. Have we had any contact with

1546
02:55:33,366 --> 02:55:33,366
her? We? Yeah, we've had contact with her. Does she live there? She says she doesn't.

1547
02:55:42,066 --> 02:55:42,066
but as the staff has gone out between public health and code enforcement, they've noticed a

1548
02:55:47,133 --> 02:55:47,133
dog on the inside of the property. But as far as we're told, she doesn't live there.

1549
02:55:55,300 --> 02:55:55,300
but we've made contact with her about cleaning. At least getting the pool maintained.

1550
02:56:01,166 --> 02:56:01,166
okay. And what's the status of the red tag? Because the structure is has been declared

1551
02:56:09,000 --> 02:56:09,000
uninhabitable. Okay. It would go to the historic landmark commission first because it is

1552
02:56:13,133 --> 02:56:13,133
an old town. So there's that's not gone to them first. It's just been tagged for unsafe.

1553
02:56:20,500 --> 02:56:20,500
it's an it's tagged for unsafe structure. Sorry. I'm like tripping over my words. Do we

1554
02:56:24,900 --> 02:56:24,900
have a picture of the exterior of the home? Other than the pool? I can pull one up. I'm

1555
02:56:30,633 --> 02:56:30,633
sure it's in the case. One moment, councilman turner. So, mayor. Why why, why she pulls

1556
02:56:35,566 --> 02:56:35,566
that up? This is one of those properties I think is a combination between the health

1557
02:56:41,000 --> 02:56:41,000
department as well as building codes. Correct? Well, code enforcement does initial

1558
02:56:46,733 --> 02:56:46,733
inspection, but it brings it to us when it's the. I wanted to be declared as a public health

1559
02:56:54,066 --> 02:56:54,066
nuisance. Okay. We have to give it that that teeth. So this is one at this time it's a

1560
02:57:00,066 --> 02:57:00,066
competing interest. So the properties the property's red tagged. So that remains in code

1561
02:57:04,300 --> 02:57:04,300
enforcement because differently from when it was like a ton of litter on the property, we

1562
02:57:09,066 --> 02:57:09,066
would have in no other issues. They would have transferred that to health. But the

1563
02:57:14,166 --> 02:57:14,166
property is red tagged as uninhabitable structure. And as director said, it does have to

1564
02:57:19,900 --> 02:57:19,900
go through the historic landmark commission first before it can be completely

1565
02:57:24,866 --> 02:57:24,866
brought before council for consideration for to be demolished code enforcement

1566
02:57:30,566 --> 02:57:30,566
whenever they are having problems with properties that present a public health issue,

1567
02:57:35,133 --> 02:57:35,133
will transfer those properties to public health, because that's the only way you can get

1568
02:57:40,100 --> 02:57:40,100
civil relief. So similar in in some other cases where we would be asking the court if it got

1569
02:57:44,166 --> 02:57:44,166
to that point, will we be asking the court to allow us to enter the property to clean it?

1570
02:57:49,733 --> 02:57:49,733
in this regard, we'll be asking to enter the property to essentially drain the pool.

1571
02:57:53,766 --> 02:57:53,766
right. And just just for perspective about how long have we been dealing with this

1572
02:57:58,200 --> 02:57:58,200
particular property? It came to public health in september, I think, on those previous if you

1573
02:58:07,066 --> 02:58:07,066
go back to that second slide since june. Since june of 25. Yes. Councilwoman sherwood, so

1574
02:58:20,100 --> 02:58:20,100
there's a I imagine, a proper way to drain this pool, which is not putting the water on the

1575
02:58:26,066 --> 02:58:26,066
street. Right? Yes, ma'am. So. I, I guess, can anybody speak to what is the right way to

1576
02:58:32,166 --> 02:58:32,166
drain the pool is to have a plumb drain. Okay. To the sewer system. Yes. It's a it's a a

1577
02:58:41,233 --> 02:58:45,166
pool company would come in like somebody would come and drain it. Yeah. So apparently they don't. The house is they don't have the money to drain the pool. And right now they're

1578
02:58:49,033 --> 02:58:49,033
just draining it onto the street, which is creating more. Something or other. So will we.

1579
02:58:54,000 --> 02:58:54,000
so I guess my question is the next step is for us to intervene into this. So the

1580
02:58:58,800 --> 02:58:58,800
next step would be obviously, if council determined that this was a public health nuisance,

1581
02:59:03,033 --> 02:59:03,033
the health department would send out a notice saying that the council has declared this

1582
02:59:07,100 --> 02:59:07,100
as a public health needs, giving them ten days to rectify the situation. So in all

1583
02:59:13,633 --> 02:59:13,633
honesty, the average cost to drain a pool would nothing else. If you call a regular pool

1584
02:59:19,000 --> 02:59:19,000
company could be anywhere from 100 to $200. They would charge you by the hour. So I don't

1585
02:59:23,900 --> 02:59:23,900
know how how big that pool is, but it could be a nominal fee if we if that didn't happen,

1586
02:59:30,933 --> 02:59:30,933
obviously we would file charges. This ordinance also allows for the city attorney to file a a

1587
02:59:39,866 --> 02:59:39,866
case in civil court, which we will be asking the court to go in and allow us to drain the

1588
02:59:45,100 --> 02:59:45,100
pool months down the line or whatever, because now we got to give them some time. Then we

1589
02:59:50,000 --> 02:59:50,000
got to know. So the timeline for this, obviously if we did ten days and if she said, you

1590
02:59:54,733 --> 02:59:54,733
know, I contacted the pool company, be at the discretion of the health director to allow

1591
02:59:59,000 --> 02:59:59,000
her additional time depending on how quickly she was moving, if she if it was determined

1592
03:00:03,766 --> 03:00:03,766
that she was nonresponsive and noncooperative. Obviously it would it would, it would then

1593
03:00:09,933 --> 03:00:09,933
it would go to court and you would pay a fine or fee or whatever the case may well, in

1594
03:00:14,833 --> 03:00:14,833
civil court, there's no fine. We just asked for our cost back. Okay. Okay. So councilman

1595
03:00:19,866 --> 03:00:19,866
hilliard, then councilman daria, so we're going to drain the pool, and then it's going to

1596
03:00:26,000 --> 03:00:26,000
rain and the pool is going to fill back up, and then we're back to square one. So what

1597
03:00:32,166 --> 03:00:32,166
kind of. What are we going to do to make sure the pool doesn't fill back up with water.

1598
03:00:39,766 --> 03:00:39,766
and you're not here again. So the only relief we can ask for the court would be to drain the

1599
03:00:44,700 --> 03:00:44,700
pool and fill it in, but that would be up to the court to to assess whether or not we could

1600
03:00:49,933 --> 03:00:49,933
do that. So again, if it if it got to that point, the only thing we can ask is that the

1601
03:00:55,300 --> 03:00:58,800
drain, the pool be drained and maintained. And for her to rectify the situation by draining it and maintaining the pool that way. It would have to rain significantly hard and a

1602
03:01:02,833 --> 03:01:02,833
lot for that pool to to fill to fill back up. So we'd have to have some, some, some heavy

1603
03:01:08,066 --> 03:01:11,766
torrential rains to happen. Because just because it would naturally evaporate if the pump isn't running. But if we had to file a civil case, one of the remedies we could request is

1604
03:01:16,366 --> 03:01:16,366
that we be allowed to drain it and fill it in. Well, I understand that, you know,

1605
03:01:21,033 --> 03:01:24,233
hopefully you don't have any biblical proportion rains, but anybody who lives in southeast texas, you you could have just a small thimble full of water and it could have millions of

1606
03:01:30,066 --> 03:01:30,066
mosquitoes in it. So the pool will hold water. It will not evaporate, especially if we get

1607
03:01:35,766 --> 03:01:35,766
1 or 2in of rain. And so we're going to continue to, to to mitigate this problem over and

1608
03:01:41,966 --> 03:01:41,966
over and over and over again. What the goal is, is to, you know, we can get with her to be

1609
03:01:48,833 --> 03:01:48,833
cooperative and to maintain the pool, to drain it, and she can cover it, and that would

1610
03:01:55,933 --> 03:01:55,933
prevent it from filling up again. And she's been very cooperative up until now. No,

1611
03:02:00,433 --> 03:02:00,433
sir. Okay. So is this is a possibility. We could be back before you, if that's what

1612
03:02:08,033 --> 03:02:08,033
you're asking. Is the is the pool enclosed by a fence? It is not. No. See that way? I mean,

1613
03:02:14,033 --> 03:02:14,033
with that thing full of water, a kid could go back there and drown. Yeah. This this is like

1614
03:02:19,200 --> 03:02:19,200
something I think needs to be done right now because it is a public safety, public health

1615
03:02:24,833 --> 03:02:24,833
issue, but it's also a public safety issue on private property. And they they are

1616
03:02:29,966 --> 03:02:29,966
here. So that is what we can do if we don't. So if that we'll close the public hearing unless

1617
03:02:40,866 --> 03:02:40,866
there's other things to say. And then we can move on to the motion. Thank you sir. All

1618
03:02:48,200 --> 03:02:48,200
right. If there's no one here to speak on item on this public hearing, I'm going to close the

1619
03:02:55,666 --> 03:02:55,666
public hearing. And, mr. City manager, will you read item number ten? Yes, ma'am. Council

1620
03:03:02,933 --> 03:03:02,933
to consider an ordinance finding and ratifying the determination of the public

1621
03:03:08,100 --> 03:03:08,100
health director that public health nuisances exist on the property owned by gwendolyn

1622
03:03:13,866 --> 03:03:13,866
walden at 1792 broadway street with the with the legal description of mcfadden l four

1623
03:03:21,366 --> 03:03:21,366
through six west fourth feet of three b 11 and ordered the owner to abate public health

1624
03:03:29,433 --> 03:03:29,433
nuisances within ten days. If the property owner fails to comply within ten days, staff

1625
03:03:35,000 --> 03:03:38,966
is requested. City council authorization to abate the property without further notification to the property owner of city council action, and it comes with the

1626
03:03:44,033 --> 03:03:44,033
recommendation of approval. Yes, sir. With that, is there a motion for item number ten?

1627
03:03:52,266 --> 03:03:52,266
move to approve. Is there a second on motion ten? Second, there is a motion and a second

1628
03:03:59,966 --> 03:03:59,966
for item number ten. Is there any discussion on item number ten? I still think this is

1629
03:04:06,066 --> 03:04:06,066
somewhat of an emergency as far as that water being there and that pool not being fenced in

1630
03:04:12,133 --> 03:04:12,133
to where we have, I don't know if we can go to judge or get permission, but we need to go

1631
03:04:18,000 --> 03:04:18,000
in there as soon as possible, like tomorrow, today if we can, because that's very dangerous.

1632
03:04:26,333 --> 03:04:26,333
and our kids over there in that neighborhood. Thank you councilman. Okay. You're

1633
03:04:30,733 --> 03:04:30,733
welcome. Staff, have any response on the timing to be able to address to. Councilman

1634
03:04:40,066 --> 03:04:40,066
dario's question? I would need to look into it. I'm hesitant to enter someone's property

1635
03:04:46,333 --> 03:04:46,333
without their without a judgment. It's not to say that we can't maybe look at a

1636
03:04:50,400 --> 03:04:50,400
building official side of it for unsafe structures or anything like that. I know that

1637
03:04:55,200 --> 03:04:55,200
we've done a board and secure before, so let me look into it. Well, you have, because you

1638
03:05:01,333 --> 03:05:01,333
have done like a they had a red tag house that looked like it was about to fall on another

1639
03:05:07,033 --> 03:05:07,033
house. And y'all done an emergency demolition of it, you know, right away. Yes, sir.

1640
03:05:11,600 --> 03:05:11,600
that's that's what I'm referring to. Let me look into that and I'll get you an answer.

1641
03:05:16,933 --> 03:05:16,933
okay. The action before us now is to we have a motion and a second on item number ten as it

1642
03:05:24,600 --> 03:05:24,600
is presented. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. Any opposed? The motion is

1643
03:05:31,066 --> 03:05:31,066
carried. All right. At this point, we're going to move into council comments. And I'm going

1644
03:05:38,200 --> 03:05:38,200
to start over with councilman crenshaw this time. No comment. Councilwoman sherwood. Thank

1645
03:05:43,933 --> 03:05:43,933
you. Councilman, I'd just like to thank everybody for all the thoughts and prayers and kind

1646
03:05:51,166 --> 03:05:51,166
words and council members that showed up and offered their condolences. I'm grateful for

1647
03:06:00,033 --> 03:06:00,033
the community and all the support. I appreciate it. If you've got time, I'd like to

1648
03:06:06,866 --> 03:06:06,866
see people go out to this farmer's market. Gardens are a big deal for me, so I'm excited

1649
03:06:11,000 --> 03:06:11,000
about that. I'd like to see some information on how we cooperate with ice and what our

1650
03:06:19,900 --> 03:06:19,900
role is. I know we've got a limited jurisdiction on what cities actually allow to do and

1651
03:06:26,000 --> 03:06:26,000
things of that nature, but this ice issue and detaining of u.s. Citizens and. It's it's

1652
03:06:36,166 --> 03:06:36,166
creating some heartache and trauma and drama in my heart goes out to this community. As

1653
03:06:43,000 --> 03:06:43,000
far as the tennis complex is concerned and it meeting national standards. I'd like to

1654
03:06:49,600 --> 03:06:49,600
see what we need to do to make sure that we are presenting ourselves as a city in the best

1655
03:06:54,900 --> 03:06:54,900
light, whatever that looks like, and whatever cost may be associated with that. Thank you

1656
03:07:06,133 --> 03:07:06,133
all. That's it mayor. Thank you. Councilwoman. Councilman williams. Yeah, just like to

1657
03:07:13,033 --> 03:07:13,033
echo everyone else's comments here today and and offer condolences to councilwoman

1658
03:07:18,666 --> 03:07:18,666
sherwood. And congratulations to our new cfo. I know we're we're happy to have filled that

1659
03:07:26,866 --> 03:07:26,866
position and are thankful to duncan for for filling in while we were were searching and and

1660
03:07:34,000 --> 03:07:34,000
also congratulations to miles on filling in and the economic development role. And

1661
03:07:41,966 --> 03:07:41,966
councilman hilliard, you might have me in trouble since you told everybody that I offer 30

1662
03:07:47,033 --> 03:07:47,033
days credit on liquor, beer and wine. So. That's it. Thank you. Councilman. Councilman turner.

1663
03:07:57,733 --> 03:07:57,733
yeah, just I'd like to follow up with the encouraging everybody to go out on 1025 to

1664
03:08:04,000 --> 03:08:04,000
the pumpkin spice event that miss delilah talked about at 2840 glenwood. I hope we gave

1665
03:08:13,866 --> 03:08:13,866
clear clarity on what direction we're looking to go in with the water bill workshop, and if we

1666
03:08:20,866 --> 03:08:20,866
didn't, we need to get clarity because I think we discussed it pretty thoroughly. The next

1667
03:08:28,166 --> 03:08:28,166
thing is, normally we go by every structure one by one. So to miss demi's department,

1668
03:08:34,833 --> 03:08:34,833
thank you. Because I've sat through almost two hours of structures and today we only

1669
03:08:40,233 --> 03:08:40,233
did the ones that actually put forward. So I appreciate that. One thing I want to know, mr.

1670
03:08:46,000 --> 03:08:46,000
williams, and you don't have to tell me today, but I want to know publicly the tennis

1671
03:08:52,366 --> 03:08:52,366
complex, what year was it built and how much did how much did it cost? Can I get some history

1672
03:08:57,933 --> 03:08:57,933
to how the tennis complex came about? And currently, is it considered a revenue generator

1673
03:09:04,900 --> 03:09:04,900
or just a quality of life thing? I'd like to know that at the next council meeting. I don't

1674
03:09:12,166 --> 03:09:12,166
want an email to me, I want to I want somebody to tell me out loud. And lastly, I want to say

1675
03:09:18,100 --> 03:09:18,100
thank you to the kenneth williams with the cfo appointment, also with the

1676
03:09:22,933 --> 03:09:22,933
economic development appointment, just to be more efficient and utilize staff

1677
03:09:27,766 --> 03:09:27,766
that's already existing and consolidate things to kind of make sure we have a healthy

1678
03:09:33,133 --> 03:09:33,133
balance. And I'm looking forward to it. I wish you nothing but success. You

1679
03:09:39,000 --> 03:09:39,000
willing to step into a big role and I know you will do good at it. I have nothing but

1680
03:09:44,000 --> 03:09:47,966
confidence in you, miles and and mr. Raggett. So thank everybody for what you do and looking forward to working together. But I just wanted to know that because a lot of

1681
03:09:52,000 --> 03:09:52,000
people have been asking me about that facility, and I want to make sure I give accurate

1682
03:09:57,066 --> 03:09:57,066
information. I want it to come from staff, not me. Thank you. Councilman turner. Yes,

1683
03:10:04,800 --> 03:10:04,800
councilman hilliard, your comments. Well, I would like to to say my condolences for the

1684
03:10:11,733 --> 03:10:11,733
loss of a great loss. And I'm so sorry that you're having to go through this in your family.

1685
03:10:16,966 --> 03:10:16,966
and my heart goes out to you. And we you're in our prayers every night. So also the the

1686
03:10:25,033 --> 03:10:25,033
garden. I think this is wonderful. I would love to see this across the whole city, to

1687
03:10:30,666 --> 03:10:30,666
get back to what we used to be, learn how to plant and feed and and not rely on on grocery

1688
03:10:36,766 --> 03:10:36,766
stores. But I think this is a neat thing and it brings a community together. And welcome

1689
03:10:42,266 --> 03:10:42,266
to our new cfo. I haven't really had a chance to meet you, but I'm I'm I'm happy to see

1690
03:10:47,000 --> 03:10:47,000
you sitting there. And thank you, duncan, for what you did. And miles and kenneth,

1691
03:10:51,933 --> 03:10:51,933
congratulations. I think that you guys are going to do a great job. And so, just so you

1692
03:10:57,833 --> 03:10:57,833
know, councilman williams, I was just I was just saying your commercial accounts, not your

1693
03:11:02,933 --> 03:11:02,933
walk in. So that being said, I know a company that can make tennis courts look really good

1694
03:11:12,000 --> 03:11:12,000
at a very low price. So just throwing that out there. It's pretty inappropriate. But

1695
03:11:21,966 --> 03:11:21,966
anyway, I. Thank you guys, the city, the staff, jimmy, you all have done a wonderful job.

1696
03:11:29,933 --> 03:11:29,933
especially we were I think we were going to have to go through all 50 houses. So you

1697
03:11:35,266 --> 03:11:35,266
did a great job and thank you, kevin. Jeremy. Thank you. I said, I know you were playing.

1698
03:11:45,466 --> 03:11:45,466
oh yeah. Yeah I just want to on that, I guess. I don't know who I would ask, but are the tennis

1699
03:11:54,066 --> 03:11:54,066
courts in shape? That's what I want to know. Are they ready to play this this nationally

1700
03:11:59,066 --> 03:11:59,066
televised southland conference tennis court there? We don't want to be out there playing in

1701
03:12:04,933 --> 03:12:04,933
with tv out there and is looking raggedy and all that. So I would think we would have

1702
03:12:10,900 --> 03:12:10,900
to make sure that I'm pretty sure they'll have them ready, but let's just make sure they

1703
03:12:15,966 --> 03:12:15,966
we, we really want to show off beaumont and that tennis court. And thank you for he's gone

1704
03:12:21,266 --> 03:12:21,266
already, pastor shaw, because he's been bringing that to our attention for the last couple

1705
03:12:26,166 --> 03:12:26,166
of months. Also, congratulations to the the cfo. And I guess miles really does

1706
03:12:35,133 --> 03:12:35,133
have a staff now. And mr. Raggett as well. And and just just a reminder about the farm

1707
03:12:44,233 --> 03:12:44,233
to fork farmers market saturday from it's from 12 to 4 and it's going to be at 2840 glenwood

1708
03:12:54,366 --> 03:12:54,366
avenue and miss delilah, she gave us all the invitation. She wanted us to be able to come

1709
03:13:02,100 --> 03:13:02,100
out a little early if we wanted to. So just take advantage of that. And I'm going to try to.

1710
03:13:06,966 --> 03:13:06,966
I'm. I'm might even buy a pumpkin and and I think she might have some fresh okra. So

1711
03:13:11,866 --> 03:13:11,866
I'm gonna try to get some of that from her too. But I think that's. Oh, and as far as the

1712
03:13:18,866 --> 03:13:18,866
that the people that came up and spoke about ice, I don't know if it's anything we can or

1713
03:13:25,033 --> 03:13:25,033
can't do about it, but it certainly is a concern to some of our constituents. And if

1714
03:13:29,466 --> 03:13:29,466
nothing else, at least we need to to look into it. What are we doing? Well, are we actually

1715
03:13:36,300 --> 03:13:36,300
apprehending? People with ice or because it's it's a concern and anything that's a concern,

1716
03:13:45,033 --> 03:13:45,033
I don't think we should just say there's nothing we can do about it. It's not our problem.

1717
03:13:49,933 --> 03:13:49,933
if it's a concern for our citizens, then we at least need to look into it. Thank you.

1718
03:13:53,966 --> 03:13:53,966
councilman. Okay. And just everybody keep a close eye on me. My wife is out of town for

1719
03:14:01,000 --> 03:14:01,000
the week, but I was able to get myself dressed for the meeting. You look very nice. Thank you.

1720
03:14:07,800 --> 03:14:07,800
I appreciate you wearing clothes. Yes. So, city attorney, I do want to address the isis

1721
03:14:17,033 --> 03:14:17,033
concerns, since it was brought up by several of our council members. The ice raids are

1722
03:14:24,100 --> 03:14:24,100
generated by our federal government with the consent of our governor. The house bill

1723
03:14:30,866 --> 03:14:30,866
that was referenced by the citizen does not require local police agencies to participate

1724
03:14:36,000 --> 03:14:36,000
unless. Unless they have a local interlocal agreement with with the sheriff's office. So

1725
03:14:42,800 --> 03:14:42,800
that does have a jail that doesn't really apply to city to city doesn't operate our jail

1726
03:14:48,900 --> 03:14:48,900
as a museum. We contract with the county for jail services. So I understand that the

1727
03:14:55,300 --> 03:14:55,300
citizens are concerned is a concern in our city. However, that really should be addressed

1728
03:15:01,333 --> 03:15:01,333
to their state legislator and the governor because there's really there's really not a lot

1729
03:15:05,933 --> 03:15:05,933
that the city can do. We don't have authority over ice agents. We can't put them out of the

1730
03:15:12,033 --> 03:15:12,033
city. And texas has texas has has, you know, obviously participated there. There are

1731
03:15:19,800 --> 03:15:19,800
some cities in other states who are essentially protesting the presence of isis and the

1732
03:15:28,233 --> 03:15:28,233
government has there are several lawsuits that have been filed subsequent to that,

1733
03:15:32,900 --> 03:15:32,900
because they do have a have a authority to be here pursuant to executive orders by the

1734
03:15:39,200 --> 03:15:39,200
president. So that's a it's a very tricky situation. It's definitely sad that it's

1735
03:15:44,966 --> 03:15:44,966
impacting legal citizens and legal residents. And it's and it's a shame that that there's

1736
03:15:52,000 --> 03:15:52,000
that there's fear amongst those communities. But unfortunately council doesn't have the

1737
03:15:58,500 --> 03:15:58,500
authority to impact that. So I hope that I hope that answers your question as well as

1738
03:16:05,966 --> 03:16:05,966
councilman sherwood's question. There's we haven't entered into any mou or consent decrees with

1739
03:16:13,933 --> 03:16:13,933
isis because that's not a requirement for us, mostly because we don't operate a jail.

1740
03:16:20,033 --> 03:16:20,033
on another note, congratulations to bridget. Looking forward to continue to

1741
03:16:24,066 --> 03:16:24,066
work with her. It's been a pleasure already. And also spoken with you privately. But

1742
03:16:29,833 --> 03:16:29,833
you know, my heart and my prayers are with you and your family. Thank you. Yes, ma'am.

1743
03:16:37,100 --> 03:16:37,100
miss miller? Yes. Sorry, molly, because I know you're going to say it, but also shout out to

1744
03:16:43,166 --> 03:16:43,166
lamar. They won. They won again last saturday. Hey, did I miss that game? But it was amazing

1745
03:16:50,066 --> 03:16:50,066
homecoming game and lamar is on a roll. So if you haven't caught a game this season,

1746
03:16:54,133 --> 03:16:54,133
you're missing out because lamar is on the road right now. Go will you? That's it. So

1747
03:17:02,400 --> 03:17:02,400
council councilman asked about the schedule for the pipe bursting work that was

1748
03:17:08,033 --> 03:17:08,033
discussed on the change order. So all of the work in the current contract is complete.

1749
03:17:14,200 --> 03:17:14,200
so those 15 days will they will start on the work that was approved today. They'll start

1750
03:17:19,200 --> 03:17:19,200
on that this week. And then that'll be 15 days worth of work. Do want to advise though,

1751
03:17:25,833 --> 03:17:25,833
that during the course of the of the construction of the contract, they've discovered

1752
03:17:32,566 --> 03:17:32,566
that there's about 2500ft of sewer pipe that was on the maps, was not in the ground. So we

1753
03:17:40,266 --> 03:17:40,266
are going to redirect that work. And the magnolia and grand area and bring forward a

1754
03:17:49,333 --> 03:17:49,333
consideration to instead then do since those pipes don't exist, pipe burst in that

1755
03:17:55,466 --> 03:17:55,466
immediate area as well. The lines that we do know do exist that need to be replaced. So

1756
03:18:01,866 --> 03:18:01,866
there is going to be good, more good coming to this area to correct or clarify an item that

1757
03:18:12,100 --> 03:18:12,100
the district engineer mentioned. There is not a part on order for the signal at washington

1758
03:18:20,200 --> 03:18:20,200
and interstate ten, but there are electrical repairs that are needed. There is a meeting

1759
03:18:26,033 --> 03:18:26,033
later this week with txdot's electrician and their traffic engineer, and we'll get those

1760
03:18:33,133 --> 03:18:33,133
repairs made. Once those repairs are complete, tex-dot is going to give city staff the

1761
03:18:39,933 --> 03:18:39,933
timings for those signals, and then we can put the signal back into service. I do want again,

1762
03:18:46,766 --> 03:18:46,766
like like she mentioned, I want to make sure that we're clear the traffic is going to move

1763
03:18:53,366 --> 03:18:53,366
faster through those intersections. And when they're in flash, it doesn't seem like

1764
03:18:59,100 --> 03:18:59,100
it, but it actually does. And I had a lot of chatter back on. About that. So they're going to

1765
03:19:08,833 --> 03:19:08,833
try to optimize the timing of that signal. But it will be slower. But it will be safer to

1766
03:19:14,833 --> 03:19:14,833
go through that signal because like she described, it's not a perfect 90 degree intersection.

1767
03:19:20,133 --> 03:19:20,133
it is at a skew. And so to improve the safety, we'll put the signal back in service. But

1768
03:19:25,200 --> 03:19:25,200
it will be a little bit slower to actually get through that intersection. And then one last

1769
03:19:30,400 --> 03:19:30,400
thing. The quiet zone construction is expected to start in early december. Once

1770
03:19:36,033 --> 03:19:36,033
all the contracts are executed, and we anticipate construction to be completed mid to late

1771
03:19:41,633 --> 03:19:41,633
february. So thank you. Thank you, assistant city manager. Boom. Yes. I just wanted to

1772
03:19:50,400 --> 03:19:50,400
echo condolences to councilwoman sherwood and the loss of her sister and

1773
03:19:55,200 --> 03:19:55,200
congratulate bridgett on her appointment to cfo. Of course, I'd like to thank duncan for

1774
03:20:00,000 --> 03:20:00,000
his work during the interim period. Congratulate kenneth regret on his overseeing of

1775
03:20:05,966 --> 03:20:05,966
facility maintenance. And then I would like to point out miles haynes being appointed the

1776
03:20:12,133 --> 03:20:12,133
interim economic development manager. So look forward to working with miles on that. And

1777
03:20:17,233 --> 03:20:17,233
that's lamar university 57 yards. If you missed the kick, it was it was something. That's

1778
03:20:22,000 --> 03:20:22,000
all. Thank you. Yes. Assistant city manager ellis thank you. Mayor, I just want to extend my

1779
03:20:30,800 --> 03:20:30,800
condolences to you, councilwoman, for your loss. And I would like to

1780
03:20:36,166 --> 03:20:36,166
congratulate miss zivic being appointed as the city's cfo. You have my support, always, as

1781
03:20:44,000 --> 03:20:44,000
all city staff do. So I know you'll do well for the city. And, mr. Haynes,

1782
03:20:50,166 --> 03:20:50,166
congratulations on your appointment as interim economic development manager. Best of

1783
03:20:56,033 --> 03:20:56,033
luck to you and all that you do for the city. And mr. Raggett back there, who stepped up to,

1784
03:21:01,833 --> 03:21:01,833
you know, take over the facilities maintenance division. Now it's it's no longer a

1785
03:21:06,933 --> 03:21:06,933
department, but a division within his department. So I think, mr. Raggett, for

1786
03:21:13,933 --> 03:21:13,933
stepping up and taking on that challenge, I would like to let remind the council that this

1787
03:21:21,866 --> 03:21:21,866
thursday, city has our joint meeting with busd. It begins promptly at 5 p.m. Dinner is

1788
03:21:30,933 --> 03:21:30,933
served at that time at the lakeside meeting room, and then at 6 p.m. The meeting starts

1789
03:21:37,433 --> 03:21:37,433
with busd next door in the auditorium. Thank you mayor, thank you. Madam cfo. Welcome.

1790
03:21:47,800 --> 03:21:47,800
thank you. And thank you for your congratulations and condolences to councilwoman

1791
03:21:54,733 --> 03:21:54,733
sherwood on the loss of your sister. I also want to say congratulations to miles and to

1792
03:22:02,900 --> 03:22:02,900
mr. Regret for your promotions as well. And I am excited to work with you all and make some

1793
03:22:12,633 --> 03:22:12,633
positive changes. Thank you. Yes, I'll keep it quick. There was an item today to form a

1794
03:22:20,666 --> 03:22:24,266
steering committee for the comprehensive plan that was pulled. I do apologize, I did not write it in a way that allowed for wiggle room due to internal deadlines to meet the

1795
03:22:28,900 --> 03:22:28,900
posting requirements on this agenda, I had to post it prior to planning commission, so

1796
03:22:35,166 --> 03:22:35,166
that's going to be moved to the november 4th. If you guys could look at that list and let us

1797
03:22:39,966 --> 03:22:39,966
let me know by friday, or let city manager know by friday if you need, if we need to amend

1798
03:22:47,133 --> 03:22:50,966
anyone on that list just so we can get it right for the november 4th resolution. Also, the comprehensive plan, just so you guys know, is a long range plan. It covers planning,

1799
03:22:56,933 --> 03:22:56,933
infrastructure, economic and housing goals, economic development and housing goals.

1800
03:23:02,200 --> 03:23:02,200
and it's an outlook for about 20 years for the city. It's a super high community engagement

1801
03:23:08,900 --> 03:23:08,900
process. It's about a year and a half long. So there's going to be multiple voices. It's not

1802
03:23:14,166 --> 03:23:14,166
just the steering committee. There's focus groups, there's town halls that happen with

1803
03:23:18,333 --> 03:23:18,333
these kinds of plans. I also want to say that it is fully funded by a grant through the

1804
03:23:23,400 --> 03:23:23,400
glow, which is great considering that our comprehensive plan is at about

1805
03:23:28,966 --> 03:23:28,966
20 years, the current one that we have and able city will be introduced. There are vendor

1806
03:23:35,000 --> 03:23:35,000
that was selected, so they'll be introduced on the fourth with a brief presentation.

1807
03:23:39,366 --> 03:23:39,366
thank you guys. Yes. And city clerk. City manager. Thank you mayor. And likewise with

1808
03:23:48,233 --> 03:23:48,233
council member sherwood. Condolences there. I too lost the older sister a short time

1809
03:23:56,166 --> 03:23:56,166
ago and it's tough. So I understand what you're going through. A couple of things

1810
03:24:02,766 --> 03:24:02,766
I'll just add to what city attorney said about ice. You know, immigration. Now a lot of

1811
03:24:09,000 --> 03:24:09,000
our grants are tied to cooperation with federal government now. And we accept

1812
03:24:14,900 --> 03:24:14,900
those grants and sign those documents. Now, we're basically saying we're going to we're

1813
03:24:19,900 --> 03:24:19,900
going to work with them on these type of issues. And now that's that's the standard

1814
03:24:26,000 --> 03:24:26,000
that's the norm in doing that. So just remember that as a city, you are committed to a lot of

1815
03:24:32,233 --> 03:24:32,233
things that you probably didn't know. Probably. It just didn't start. We cities have been

1816
03:24:36,766 --> 03:24:36,766
doing that for years, signing those agreements to accept those dollars. And those

1817
03:24:40,866 --> 03:24:40,866
dollars will go away more than likely if you don't cooperate. But I would like to have police

1818
03:24:47,066 --> 03:24:47,066
give a report to you about what we do, what they do in this situation. I think that would

1819
03:24:53,233 --> 03:24:53,233
be helpful. A couple other things. New employees, it's good to I was going to chris

1820
03:25:02,900 --> 03:25:02,900
and june were going to introduce them, but everybody else got to it before that. So

1821
03:25:07,700 --> 03:25:07,700
it's great. It's great to have them on board. It's even better to be able to promote within,

1822
03:25:13,866 --> 03:25:13,866
to have a good succession plan. When I came here, one of the things I wanted to do, an

1823
03:25:20,633 --> 03:25:20,633
organizational chart and one of my goals with the employees was to be able for them to promote

1824
03:25:26,033 --> 03:25:26,033
within and be able to. One of those times we were able to do that. So it doesn't always work

1825
03:25:35,766 --> 03:25:35,766
that way. So it was really great to see that happen and people be rewarded for their

1826
03:25:40,833 --> 03:25:40,833
hard work. We already made the announcement about the joint meeting. I would like to thank

1827
03:25:49,800 --> 03:25:49,800
the beaumont police officers association for their work in negotiating an agreement. It

1828
03:25:55,966 --> 03:25:55,966
was done very well. I'd like to thank president llewellyn and llewellyn and his group for a

1829
03:26:05,300 --> 03:26:05,300
very. Cordial, productive, collaborative negotiation that now there'll be something

1830
03:26:14,133 --> 03:26:14,133
coming to council for your consideration. But first, go to their membership for

1831
03:26:19,833 --> 03:26:19,833
consideration. So we anticipate that coming soon to you as a as a council after they they

1832
03:26:27,266 --> 03:26:27,266
consider it the guardian event is happening. The city is partnering with that we are

1833
03:26:33,233 --> 03:26:33,233
providing garbage containers etcetera, for that event. They've contacted us and we are

1834
03:26:39,800 --> 03:26:39,800
participating and and giving them some resources to make them successful out there.

1835
03:26:45,933 --> 03:26:45,933
great projects. Sounds like a great project. And last but not least, council member williams.

1836
03:26:55,366 --> 03:26:55,366
when I go through ivanhoe, I will think about you when I'm going up to northeast texas and

1837
03:26:59,766 --> 03:26:59,766
what you're giving away now. It's your store up there. That's. And that's all I have

1838
03:27:09,266 --> 03:27:09,266
here. Thank you. Thank you, mr. City manager. And again, councilwoman sherwood, we our

1839
03:27:18,033 --> 03:27:18,033
condolences. I would like to remind people that early voting has started and will continue

1840
03:27:24,400 --> 03:27:24,400
with november 4th. Our next council meeting will be the day of election. I want to thank

1841
03:27:30,033 --> 03:27:30,033
all the staff for their hard work and the cardiac cards for their last. They've won five

1842
03:27:38,866 --> 03:27:38,866
straight games, their last two games. Two weeks ago they made espn on that and then last week

1843
03:27:46,966 --> 03:27:46,966
winning with a 57 yard field goal in the last minute, which is a lot of fun. And the crowds

1844
03:27:53,566 --> 03:27:53,566
are growing. And certainly congratulations to our new cfo, miss eva. And mr. Raggett and

1845
03:28:03,066 --> 03:28:03,066
his expanded roles and miles for his interim appointment. Those are exciting. And

1846
03:28:07,866 --> 03:28:07,866
thursday evening we do have the joint meeting, and we certainly invite everybody back. And yes,

1847
03:28:13,833 --> 03:28:13,833
mister, I always want to give you the last word, but but on the tennis court, this is not

1848
03:28:18,333 --> 03:28:18,333
the first time we've we're hosting this event. This will be the fourth time in the last

1849
03:28:22,966 --> 03:28:22,966
eight years. The city of beaumont has hosted this event at our complex. So the complex

1850
03:28:27,833 --> 03:28:27,833
is held that event and and the facilities and the participants have really thought well of it.

1851
03:28:35,866 --> 03:28:35,866
so much so that they keep coming back and they want to do it. So we're going to make sure

1852
03:28:40,933 --> 03:28:40,933
it's it's it's up to par. It's excellent. But the facility has hosted this event four times in

1853
03:28:48,733 --> 03:28:48,733
the last eight years. Well with that the meeting is now we are going to recess into