[0:01] >> I have this at six o'clock, and we'll call this meeting to order.
[0:06] if able, if you would stand and join me in a moment of silence.
[0:24] at this time, we have several guests with
[0:29] our public safety department here. Let's recognize them.
[0:33] hello. At this time,
[0:38] I want to do the pledge of allegiance, but I'd like for all of our public safety individuals lead us in
[0:45] the pledge, please. In unison.
[1:07] thank you. To start our meeting today.
[1:18] I do have a proclamation or patriots day.
[1:25] whereas on september 11th, 2001, our nation experienced an unprecedented tragedy when terrorists carried out attacks that
[1:34] claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people and caused immense destruction.
[1:40] whereas the bravery and sacrifice of the first responders emergency personnel,
[1:47] and ordinary citizens who risked their lives to help others in the face of
[1:53] this calamity exemplifies the enduring spirit of american resilience and solidarity.
[2:02] whereas patriot day is a time to honor and remember the lives lost and to pay
[2:10] tribute to the strength of the survivors and the ongoing efforts of those who work to prevent future tragedies,
[2:19] and whereas the values of courage, unity,
[2:23] compassion that emerge from this tragedy continue to
[2:27] inspire us to build a stronger and more resilient nation.
[2:32] whereas the national day of service and remembrance is
[2:37] an opportunity to engage in acts of service and volunteerism,
[2:42] to honor those affected by the attacks and to strengthen our communities through collective action.
[2:51] now, therefore, I mike mcquiston, mayor of the city of decatur,
[2:57] do hereby proclaim wednesday, september 11th,
[3:02] 2024, as patriot day and national day of service and remembrance.
[3:09] thank you to all those.
[3:25] we appreciate our first responders.
[3:30] item 1. This is a public hearing item. We will open this public hearing at 6:03.
[3:39] this is to conduct public hearing and receive comments regarding fiscal year 2024 and 2025
[3:46] and that on tax rate of 0.57751.
[3:55] >> good evening, mayor and counsel. No changes since you first heard the tax rate.
[4:01] just a reminder your advalor rate is split with 0.399127 being dedicated to maintenance and operation tax,
[4:10] and then 0.178424, being dedicated to interest in sinking,
[4:14] also called the debt fund. Happy to answer questions from the council.
[4:18] >> all right. Any questions from counsel? Do you have anyone signed up for comment on this item?
[4:25] >> no, sir. We don't. >> we'll stand for a motion.
[4:30] >> mayor. >> yes, sir. This is just your public hearing.
[4:34] >> thank you, city manager. >> your action comes on item number 6.
[4:40] >> all right. We will close this item at 6:05.
[4:47] item 2, we will open up at 6:05.
[4:51] conduct a public hearing to consider public comments regarding the creation of
[4:56] the meadow-brook pid and act upon a resolution creating the meadow creek public improvement district.
[5:04] >> mayor, in similar fashion, your action for this item will come on number 7 in the form of a resolution.
[5:10] >> thank you, sir. >> item 2 is simply public hearing for those who wish to speak for against the meadow creek public improvement district.
[5:18] >> any comments from counsel? Questions? Do have any signed up?
[5:23] >> no, sir. We don't. >> all right. We will close item 2 at 6:05.
[5:31] item 3, at public hearing, opening that up at 6:05.
[5:37] consider first reading of an ordinance and a public hearing
[5:41] giving all interested persons the right to appear and be heard on the amendment to
[5:45] appendix b zoning of the code of ordinance as the city decatur to grant
[5:50] specific use permit to allow the veterinarian clinic door pens only.
[5:56] >> mr. Mayor, this is a request on dr. Joe abel's behalf of wise associates lp to
[6:05] grant a specific use permit to allow vet clinic with indoor pens only in a ceo that's an office business zoning district.
[6:14] it's approximately 0.76 acres of land being legally described as jb williams survey abstract 880 wise county,
[6:23] texas, and more commonly known as 1,600 west us highway 380 business.
[6:29] this is in substantial compliance with the sup requirements.
[6:35] staff is recommended approval of sup 2024-07,
[6:40] planning and zoning commission, recommended approval, 5-0 with chairman lamond and commissioner absent.
[6:52] there is a site plan and a floor plan that is included.
[6:59] there's the site plans with the existing land use,
[7:07] I'm sorry, I've lost that one. Services and light industry,
[7:14] and then the property of interest is zoned as commercial office and there was the notification of property owners within 200 feet.
[7:26] there were 16 property owners notified and we did not receive any responses.
[7:32] next slide is the site plan and floor plan for this property.
[7:37] for the time being, dr. Abel's plans to occupy business suite a,
[7:44] which is on the north side of the building, and we'll later move into the other part,
[7:52] but the sup is for the entire property. That is all we have.
[8:01] >> thank you, wayne. Any questions or comments from counsel?
[8:06] do we have anyone signed up for this item?
[8:11] >> no, sir. We don't. >> all right. Anything else from the city?
[8:15] >> no. >> very good. Then we will close that item at 6:08.
[8:22] we'll open up item 4 at 6:08.
[8:27] this is considered the first reading of an ordinance and a public hearing giving all interested persons the right to appear and be heard on
[8:32] the amendment to rezone approximately 0.4541 acres of land.
[8:39] this is ordinance 24-09-28.
[8:47] >> mr. Mayor, this is a request from rick de falco on behalf of oscar fonseca,
[8:54] to amend the zoning map from c-2 thoroughfare business zoning district
[9:00] to single family to residential zoning district.
[9:04] this is 0.6 acres of land generally located from the center line of old chico road,
[9:11] and 0.541 acres of land located at the 1102 through 1202 old chico addresses.
[9:21] the applicant is requesting the zoning change from c-2 to sf-2 for the purpose of building three single family residences at that location.
[9:34] this is one of those enclaves that was from the original zoning map was still zoned as a c-2 commercial district.
[9:45] however, it's been used as residential for many years and so all we're doing is putting it back
[9:50] into a c-2 or its sf-2 zoning district for the use as residential.
[9:56] it does meet the comprehensive plan objectives with the compact neighborhood,
[10:02] that is the existing land use that is already for that property,
[10:07] which supports a variety of housing types,
[10:12] including small family, single family, detached and patio homes with small commercial businesses also.
[10:21] the zoning maps that are attached to this shows the existing land use,
[10:28] which is compact neighborhood. The existing zoning, which is c-2 and the proposed zoning,
[10:36] which is sf-2 and that you can see that all around that is sf-2
[10:40] zoning so it's very complimentary to that area.
[10:47] there were 12 property owners that were notified for this.
[10:52] we did not receive any responses for this. Planning and zoning commission recommended approval
[10:59] 5-0 with chairman lamond and commissioner absent,
[11:03] and staff does recommend approval of zone change 2024-05.
[11:11] >> thank you, wayne. Counsel, any questions, comments?
[11:17] do you have any one signed up for this? >> no, we don't. >> all right. Any other report from the city? Very good.
[11:27] we will then close this item at 6:11,
[11:32] and that will get us to our non public hearing item actions items.
[11:38] item 5, consider second reading of an ordinance of the city decatur, texas and take appropriate action to adopt
[11:44] a budget for the fiscal year beginning october 1st, 2024 and ending september 30th, 2025.
[11:53] >> mayor and counsel, no changes to the budget as presented during your last two council meetings.
[11:59] the full budget can be detailed starting on page 1 through
[12:04] 7 by department by line and then there's also an explanation of the tax,
[12:09] which supports it next in item 6. Happy to answer any questions about the budget.
[12:14] this is an item 4 action consideration, and it will require a record vote, mayor.
[12:20] >> very good. Thank you. Counsel, any questions or comments?
[12:25] >> no, but I'll make a motion if you would have one. >> I would love a motion.
[12:31] >> move to approve ordinance 2024-09-23.
[12:35] >> second. >> all right. Any further discussion on that motion?
[12:40] if we would, we'll just start at this end of the table and let's say you on the motion?
[12:48] >> aye. >> aye. >> aye.
[12:53] >> aye. >> that is unanimous. Thank you.
[12:58] item 6, consider second reading of an ordinance of the city of decatur,
[13:02] texas and take appropriate action to approve the 2024 certified appraisal role,
[13:07] leving an advom tax for 2024 at 0.57755 per $100 assessed valuation.
[13:18] >> mayor, the only thing I would add is you just completed the requirement for public hearing on this item.
[13:23] this is your second reading of the ordinance. You take action tonight to approve it.
[13:29] this item also requires a record vote. >> very well. Any questions from counsel?
[13:35] >> no. I'll make a motion to approve ordinance 2024-09-24.
[13:40] >> second. >> you've got a second. Any further discussion on this item?
[13:48] we'll start again, at this end of the table. >> aye. >> aye.
[13:53] >> aye. >> aye. >> aye. >> that passes. Thank you, everybody.
[13:58] item 7, consider and take appropriate action on a resolution of the city of decatur texas authorizing creating meadow creek public improvement district.
[14:17] >> is bob dransfeld online?
[14:24] >> hi, this is jordan sawyer and I am here as well. >> hi, welcome.
[14:28] >> hi. Thank you so much. >> can we hear who this is?
[14:35] >> this is jordan. Go ahead jordan. >> yes. This is jordan sawyer on the city's bond, counsel.
[14:41] we have prepared this resolution. I lost my voice this weekend so I'm sorry I'm speaking here.
[14:46] we have prepare this resolution that's based on the petition to create the mato public improvement district that was filed by the landowner.
[14:53] we're here to answer any questions should there be any,
[14:58] but this is the resolution that the public hearing was held for earlier.
[15:03] >> all right. Does anyone on counsel have any questions or comments?
[15:09] we have no questions or comments.
[15:14] >> I'll make a motion to approve resolution r2024-08-18.
[15:23] >> so we have a motion or second. Any further discussion on that motion?
[15:28] all those in favor of that motion, say aye. >> aye. >> oppose, same sign.
[15:34] and that passes. Thank you. Item 8, consider first reading of an ordinance of the city of decatur, texas,
[15:41] to repeal and replace ordinance 2024-03-07, amending and adopting a new schedule of fees.
[15:47] this is ordinance 2024-09-26. >> mayor, and council, this is the first reading of
[15:52] your ordinance for consideration tonight. You're probably very familiar that oftentimes we adjust our fees as needed,
[16:00] depending on what's happening in the market. Fees are coming online, fees are going offline.
[16:05] law changes or local ordinance change depict when and how we do these things.
[16:11] tonight, I'm going to speak to you from pages 53-71 of your packet.
[16:17] I just want to hit the high points here. You're looking at the sheet that has
[16:22] highlighted areas that will call your attention to the various items. We're adding a storable swimming pool permit for
[16:29] those pools that are higher than 18 inches in water depth.
[16:34] the reason we're doing that is because the in ground swimming pool permit is $300.
[16:40] it's not feasible to ask a person who just has a temporary pool to pay $300 for a pool permit,
[16:46] so adding the simple $50 fee covers that item. Moving on to get into donation bins.
[16:54] we changed that to a very clear annual donation bin permit for $40 per location.
[17:01] I would say that in event a nonprofit organizes that or a church or a school,
[17:06] there would be a consideration and staff would be allowed to make the consideration to waive that fee if it was appropriate.
[17:12] but that cleans that item up, making it an annual fee. Moving on into restaurants,
[17:17] mobile foods, and community farmers markets. Working with wayne and his team in the health department,
[17:25] they went through the process of determining the 3% cpi being applied to these fees.
[17:30] each of those fees, I just mentioned, restaurant, mobile food,
[17:34] and community farmers market items along with food establishment plan review,
[17:43] all received a 3% cpi to their total cost.
[17:48] then if the last item is related to parks.
[17:55] we snuck that one in there. Apologies. Thank you, greg.
[17:59] we added this. Greg and I both missed it, small clerical error.
[18:03] you should have a one loose item at your das seat that basically we're just taking fees
[18:09] away and giving it a combined fee for a court or pavilion reservation,
[18:16] is $20 per hour. Instead of having numerous different fees and means to collect those fees,
[18:22] we just streamlined it into one fee. Very simple. And just a reminder, this is first reading.
[18:29] happy to provide any more clarity or bring additional clarity at your next meeting.
[18:37] >> thank you, sir. Any questions or comments from council?
[18:43] well, let's move on to item 9. Consider and take appropriate action to approve
[18:48] an easement and maintenance agreement with industrial diesel.
[18:53] >> mayor and council, item 9 is a simple easement to allow
[18:58] the city access to a water line that was previously dedicated to the city.
[19:03] this will help two different projects in the industrial park. It's a simple document.
[19:08] it is attached in your binder starting on page 72, and you may approve this by action of your choice tonight.
[19:19] vary has approved it on our side. >> council, any questions or comments regarding this item? Look for a motion.
[19:28] >> mr. Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to approve an easement and maintenance agreement with industrial diesel for an eight inch water line.
[19:34] >> very good. We have a motion?
[19:39] I have a second. Any further discussion on this motion?
[19:44] all those in favor say aye. >> aye. >> oppose same sign.
[19:49] that passes. Thank you. Item 10, consider and take action to approve
[19:55] a parking lot use agreement between emmanuel baptist church, wise county and the city of decatur.
[20:01] >> mayor and council, this is an unusual but interesting item for us to deal with.
[20:07] it's a perfect example of public private partnership.
[20:11] as we all know, parking around our historic downtown can be a bit problematic at times.
[20:17] we recognize that, our partners in the county recognize that,
[20:21] and our friends at emmanuel baptist church also recognize that. They have a piece of property that's otherwise unimproved.
[20:28] folks park on it at will anyways. The intent of this agreement is for us to provide the materials to surface that space,
[20:38] and the county would assist with equipment in laying down those materials to create a smooth asphalt parking spot.
[20:46] then the churches lift on the back end, they are removing an old fuel tank that is going to have to be removed at some point.
[20:54] they're going to pay the cost to remove that fuel tank and then allow us to have this agreement for eight years,
[21:00] that it can be used as a public parking spot throughout the week and on the weekends.
[21:06] it would benefit the wise county court annex, which is right across the street.
[21:11] and then obviously, emmanuel would have an improved parking space for increased attendance at their various functions throughout the week at the church.
[21:19] so just to be clear, we are asking for permission to invest $66,000
[21:25] in asphalt and paving materials as our contribution to this eight year agreement.
[21:30] if you approve us to enter into this agreement, the church will then proceed with executing
[21:36] a contract to remove the fuel tank that's existing on site, and then the county, their part would be
[21:42] providing the labor and the equipment to actually do the paving. I'm happy to answer questions.
[21:47] this is in your packet in a little more detail, starting on page 83,
[21:52] and there's an image on page 87 just to get you familiar geographically with where this is in the city.
[22:00] it sets it at the corner of west main and lane street.
[22:04] and that is an estimated cost based on the scope of work we've identified.
[22:13] >> very good. Any questions or comments from council? >> yes, I have a question.
[22:18] what happens at the end of eight years? Is this renewable or are we leasing
[22:25] or what's the thought process or has that even been discussed?
[22:30] >> great question. Talking to the leadership of the church, and I'm not sure if there's any folks from the church here or not tonight.
[22:37] but in communicating this deal with the church, we ask if it would be unreasonable to ask for renewal at the end of the eight years.
[22:45] they didn't feel like it would be unreasonable to ask and felt like it would be an okay renewal process for us.
[22:52] the eight year term was decided on because we felt that we could get our $66,000 investment back over the course of eight years.
[23:00] and it would also give the church time to identify any of their own capital projects if they needed to improve any space around there.
[23:08] they would know future land purpose at the eight year point. I'm not sure if I directly answered your question, but yes,
[23:14] I think there would be an opportunity to renew that relationship and that contract at the eight year mark.
[23:19] good question. Very good. >> other questions? Look for a motion?
[23:33] >> I will make a motion to approve an agreement between emmanuel baptist church,
[23:39] wise county, and the city of decatur, and authorize a city manager to sign the contract.
[23:44] >> second. >> so we have a motion and a second. Any further discussion on that motion?
[23:52] all of those in favor of that motion say aye. >> aye. >> oppose same sign.
[23:58] that passes. Item 11, is a discussion regarding naming and renaming of roadways.
[24:05] this was asked by council person reeves. >> yes, sir. I'll start out the discussion.
[24:11] I asked to put this on the agenda because we've all attended board meetings and council meetings,
[24:19] and we appreciate our public coming forward and speaking to us,
[24:24] but we sit up here and we cannot answer. And so this has come before us for at least a month now,
[24:32] and I wanted a chance to respond to the constituents that were asking for this.
[24:39] I feel very strongly that a lot of the problems in our world today are partisan politics.
[24:46] I'm very proud that we are a bipartisan council, and I feel strongly that we should stay that way and
[24:54] not do anything that would influence anything politically one way or the other.
[25:03] and so I really think that we should not be making that decision.
[25:09] I think that it should be something that the citizens of decatur make.
[25:15] but I think I need to know that there are enough citizens that
[25:19] want to do this before I would be comfortable asking for it to be voted on.
[25:24] I don't know if we want to do that in perhaps a petition with people that live
[25:32] within our city limits telling us if they want it or not.
[25:36] I know I personally got phone calls and it was just 50/50 with what I got.
[25:42] I don't feel like I could make a vote based on that, and I really don't want to even start getting into
[25:49] bipartisan politics as our city council.
[25:55] so that's what I wanted to say. >> well, I totally agree with the concept of municipalities not get into politics.
[26:08] and I would leave it at that. I would feel that as a governing body,
[26:16] we should not even get into the concept of whether we should or shouldn't name it through a petition or what have you.
[26:24] I think we should continue to remain as a non partisan entity, period.
[26:30] >> I've lived here for 31 years. And one of the things I've always looked at is that our council represents everybody.
[26:39] every single person that lives in the city, every person that pays taxes.
[26:44] I also try to look at the people that live outside the city that use our city every day.
[26:50] but when melinda and I were elected,
[26:54] we represent every single person. We don't represent one district,
[27:00] one area, we represent everybody. And it doesn't matter which way they vote when I hear someone tell me
[27:08] that we're a certain percent conservative, I represent everybody.
[27:13] I represent everybody in what we're trying to do best for our city to grow and to move forward as a city.
[27:20] we've got a lot of things on our plate every day. I made a comment to somebody the other day.
[27:26] I said, if we had 10 days in a week, nate still wouldn't get finished with his work.
[27:31] that is how much is going on every single day. We have developers, we have people trying to improve our city.
[27:39] and this is in my mind, not something that needs to be on our table right now.
[27:44] we're trying to take care of the citizens that are here. As I look back and I look at things that have been named in our city.
[27:51] it is people that have committed their lives to our city.
[27:56] it's educators. It's people that have committed money. You look at the parks.
[28:01] every one of those parks are named after somebody that donated land, that donated money.
[28:06] and that's the way we've always done it. And I just look at it that I don't want to get into politics.
[28:15] at no point do politics have anything to do with this up here. We have always agreed to disagree,
[28:21] and find a way through whatever it is we're working on.
[28:25] at the end of the day, we figure out a way to make it happen and what we think is best for
[28:32] our community. I guess that's about it.
[28:36] >> very good. >> well said, sir. >> I think that's well said, eddie and to touch on what you said and what melinda said.
[28:46] I've gone back and forth on this issue over the last couple of weeks several times.
[28:50] I probably shouldn't say my politics. I support what these folks are trying to do as far as that side of the aisle, yes.
[29:00] however, I'm 100% with eddie on we've always
[29:05] named streets after local contributors to our city.
[29:10] I almost think it'd be a slap in the face for that road to be named after anybody other than fabio labrada.
[29:19] eddie has been touched by him. The guy takes 90-100 trips per year to
[29:25] houston to md anderson free of charge for anybody in airplane.
[29:30] took eddie's son this last year, I don't know how many times, for free, free of charge.
[29:37] and he owns fbo out there and if we were going to name it anything other than him,
[29:43] I think it'd be a slap in the face to him. He actually probably wouldn't let us name it after him knowing the guy.
[29:50] I personally think we should stay local who we're naming streets,
[29:57] if we have to name streets. I agree the citizens should be able to vote,
[30:08] but I think we would have to see a large petition of
[30:14] decatur residents before I could vote to put it on a ballot.
[30:22] that's what I would say. >> any other comments? I think
[30:36] that's not on this agenda at this point.
[30:40] I think I would want to echo one other thing is,
[30:45] I think this is from council. I do appreciate the enthusiasm of the body in communicating to us.
[30:52] and I do appreciate everybody on council's communication at the dias tonight.
[30:57] thank you. [background]
[31:11] we'll have a public session shortly, sir.
[31:16] item 12, consider and take appropriate action on a request by keeping decatur beautiful to waive
[31:22] garage sale fees and permit processes for a citywide garage sale on october 12th, 2024.
[31:30] >> mayor, and council, this request, it came to me via
[31:35] keep decatur beautiful and thinking through a larger citywide effort for an event,
[31:40] they're calling declutter decatur, which will be october 19th,
[31:44] in which we will provide the opportunity for rollofs to be here.
[31:49] confidential papers can be shredded. Cooking oils and fats can be recycled.
[31:54] it's various things that can be dropped off here at city hall.
[32:00] but as a primer to that, the weekend before, which will be the weekend of october 12,
[32:06] we're asking the council if you're okay with us waiving the garage sale fees and processes for that weekend to allow for a citywide garage sale.
[32:16] something that keep decatur beautiful is willing to advertise for. They should receive all the credit for these ideas.
[32:22] I'm just here making the requests on their behalf. We estimate it to be somewhere around $500-100
[32:29] if you have a large amount of participation that we would be waiving the fees on.
[32:34] I'm happy to answer other questions. There's also a flier on page 92 of
[32:40] your packet that talks about the declutter decatur event.
[32:45] >> very good. Any questions or comments from council?
[32:50] well, I would say I really appreciate the declutter decatur group.
[32:55] that's very forward of them.
[33:00] >> look for a motion. >> go motion, mr. Mayor.
[33:06] I move that we approve a request by decatur beautiful to waive
[33:12] the garage sale fees and permits processes for a citywide garage sale on october 12th, 2024.
[33:22] >> thank you, miss reeves. >> second. >> we have a second. Any further discussion on that motion?
[33:29] all those in favor. Say aye. >> aye. >> oppose, same sign.
[33:34] that passes. Item 13. Consider and take appropriate action regarding revisions of
[33:41] the city of decatur personnel policies regarding merit pay and public safety step plan.
[33:46] >> mayor and council, if you will recall in last year's budget, this group agreed to fund a public safety step program.
[33:54] this year the need is to step forward those officers and firefighters that need to step in through the process,
[34:02] so we're asking to create a public safety step policy.
[34:08] also by your actions on items 5 and 6 tonight, you approved the merit pay program for all of those folks in the city
[34:17] that are not public safety officers for them to receive some form of merit program.
[34:22] we need policies to ensure that there's consistency with both the step and merit program.
[34:28] >> yes. >> there's a clear path for both programs. I worked with the chiefs and hr to get us to both of these drafts.
[34:38] they are available in your packet, starting on page 93. They are drafts at the moment,
[34:43] unless you have comments or corrections, I would ask that you offer a motion to approve them.
[34:51] >> any questions or comments from counsel? Look for a motion?
[34:58] >> mr. Mayor, I'd like to make a motion for
[35:02] the revisions to the city of decatur personnel policies regarding merit pay and public safety step plan.
[35:09] >> second. >> motion to approve? >> yes, ma'am. I moved to approve.
[35:14] do I need to repeat it again? >> we have a motion and a second.
[35:20] any further discussion on that motion? All those in favor, say aye.
[35:25] >> aye. >> oppose same sign. That passes. Thank you.
[35:30] >> thank you, mayor, counsel. >> item 14, is there consent agenda, and we'll look for a motion.
[35:37] >> I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda as written. >> so we have a motion?
[35:42] >> second. >> a second. Any further discussion on that motion?
[35:46] all those in favor say aye. >> aye. >> opposed, same sign. That passes. Thank you.
[35:54] item 15, is our counsel to hear public input. Do we have anyone signed up?
[36:00] >> yes, sir. We have mr. Scott robertson.
[36:07] >> when you get to the podium if you just state your name and your address, please.
[36:14] >> scott robertson. I live in alvord 116 cody cave lane.
[36:19] I'll bet you don't know why I'm up here to talk about. I just wanted to lend support to the motion to rename airport bridgeport to trump way.
[36:28] I think the reasons for it outweigh the reasons not to.
[36:33] in my mind, president trump is about the economy, about economics, renaming the road to trump way,
[36:41] I think would open the door to a lot of economic development to decatur,
[36:47] would bring a lot of unprecedented media attention to
[36:52] decatur and possibly who knows a lot of funding for decatur.
[36:57] I think that the reasons to have the road renamed for trump outweigh the reasons not to.
[37:06] we can all say that we don't make political decisions, but I think the decision not to bring that up is a political decision.
[37:14] I don't see any harm in having a road named after president trump.
[37:20] there are countless numbers of martin luther king boulevard in this state and nationwide.
[37:26] countless number of obama elementary schools, so to say that it's too political to name
[37:34] a generic airport road for president trump, I don't know.
[37:40] I think it is short-sided. I would encourage to reconsider that and bring
[37:46] it to a motion to allow that to happen. Thank you. >> thank you sir.
[37:51] >> thank you for your comments. Do you have anyone else signed up? >> yes, sir, we have mr. Rick lifto.
[37:57] >> again, when you arrive, if you would announce your name and your address, please.
[38:02] >> rick lifto, I live at 1505 road and drive in decatur, texas.
[38:09] I've probably made a mistake because you're going to see,
[38:13] first of all, we have a petition that was not driven by me. I have 128 people from decatur that have asked that you put this as a referendum.
[38:22] you only had 450 people vote in your last election so to get
[38:26] 128 people of which I didn't even go out hardly I didn't solicit anything.
[38:31] there's people soliciting for this. We did a pool. I had 484 pool and only four against having a referendum.
[38:39] in fact, the vast majority of them want you just vote on it and do it. I've already provided for you from your own charter,
[38:46] from state statutes that you have the authority to do this. You could just vote on it and do it.
[38:51] you could vote on it to do a referendum, or you could get a petition from people in
[38:57] the local citizens and provide it to you and then you'd be mandated to put it on there as a referendum.
[39:04] it's not political. In the political year will be over. There are 17 presidents within
[39:11] texas that have roads named after him in over 300 communities of texas.
[39:15] president obama has obama academy in dallas. There is the obama elementary school in austin.
[39:23] I think this is really one of the least divisive things that you could do. I think the most divisive thing for you to do is not give it as a vote for the people.
[39:32] by not allowing the people to do it. I think what you're going to do is you're going to instill a lot of people in
[39:38] this town just because I was to a meeting two days ago with 60 some people.
[39:42] I didn't see one person opposed to it at ris church. There is a overwhelming number of people who have contacted me.
[39:48] now, I did not give them your phone numbers and your emails I regret that I didn't do
[39:53] that because I think you would have been flooded with hundreds of people wanting to do this.
[39:58] I'm afraid. I'm sad that I didn't do it because and I spoke to one of the council members.
[40:03] he said, well, I really didn't get anything. I said, because I've been screening him. Well, I'm going to give them all of
[40:08] your phone numbers and all of your emails if that's okay. If you object to it, tell me no.
[40:13] I won't do it. But if you want it, I'll do it. But you've got the petition. There's 128 names from people from decatur,
[40:20] you would have had 500 if it was wise county, but you don't have them.
[40:24] now, you've been provided the facts. I've shown you all six different pieces of legislation that president trump has
[40:31] passed that involved infrastructure for rural communities of which we've been impacted.
[40:37] bridgeport airports have been impacted. It's impacted us as far as I can understand for funding on high-speed internet.
[40:46] in addition, I know that you know that 82.1%, I think it was,
[40:52] people indicator voted for president trump in the last election,
[40:57] and 2% voted for the libertarian, I think 14% voted for the democrat and you want to remain nonpartisan.
[41:05] I get it. I understand that. >> [inaudible]
[41:10] >> I just asked you to[overlapping]. >> thank you, sir, and take a serious look and please look at that petition,
[41:14] and we're getting more and more. >> do we have anyone else signed up?
[41:18] >> yes, sir. We have mr. Rick devito. >> again, when you arrive to the podium,
[41:24] please announce your name and your address.
[41:30] >> I'm rick devito from albert, texas. I'm a farmer.
[41:34] I don't believe this is political at all. I believe everything that president trump did for america was for america. It wasn't political.
[41:40] I think if you look at all things president trump has done for america, infrastructure.
[41:45] big things, small things. He did grants for the farmers, he did stuff for everybody.
[41:49] he is the only president in all these years to sit there and let people on food stamps who have no money,
[41:55] don't eat good food, don't get access to any good vegetables, nothing.
[42:00] he lets them now because of president trump, allows food stamps to be used at farmer's markets.
[42:06] now that's a blessing. I don't care how y'all think. That's not political. People in this county are children,
[42:11] 40% of our children are overweight. Do you-all realize that? There's no good food out here.
[42:16] there's no farmers' markets. I live where all the farmers are. There used to be farmers' markets all over this place there's none.
[42:21] having president's name on the road does not make it political. We're just honoring a man who did things like that for america.
[42:28] I don't see where it's political. I'm sorry. I think it's a cop-out. I really do.
[42:34] I think you should put it up for a vote tonight, and all should vote on it so everybody can see how y'all stand on it.
[42:41] I think it's chicken to sit there and not do it. To be honest. I think you all owe us to sit there and put it to a vote,
[42:47] referendum. It's too late. It's too much down the road. As far as I'm concerned, I think you all should vote on it and let
[42:52] everybody see how y'all stand. Thank you for what you do. >> thank you. Anyone else signed up, suzy?
[42:58] >> no sir. >> thank you. >> pam, I have a question for you.
[43:04] >> no. We can't respond. >> I'm asking pam a question.
[43:08] >> I'm so sorry. You have a question for pam?
[43:12] >> will you explain the rules
[43:22] about naming anything after somebody whenever they are in
[43:27] the process of running for office because I don't believe that anybody's been made aware of that.
[43:33] it's in the election code that if there is a candidate for political office,
[43:41] no public monies or staff resources, staff time, equipment,
[43:46] or any type of money can be used in support or opposition of any current candidate.
[43:55] >> thank you for clarifying that for me. >> suzy, are you having something? I will stand by.
[44:17] suzy, do we have somebody else signed up for public input?
[44:23] >> he is on his way. >> I'm greenwood road. >> thank you, sir. Here we go.
[44:28] I'm reading a letter from a gentleman, big business owner here who has the same sentiments as people that I'm here with have.
[44:37] it says, thank you for allowing me this time to have this letter read aloud.
[44:41] unfortunately, soccer practice won the time battle this evening. Know if that means.
[44:46] I'm writing to counsel to encourage you all to take into serious consideration, allowing the city decatur opportunity to vote on naming
[44:55] a street after the 45th and possibly 47th president of the united states donald j. Trump.
[45:01] these are many positives to come from this doing. You're allowing he says, democracy,
[45:05] but I don't like that word our republic to work in our town by allowing the people to choose,
[45:12] in essence, giving people an opportunity for their voice to be heard.
[45:17] something that doesn't happen in all forms of government enough, and I think tried to be sidestepped by bipartisan language.
[45:25] there will be [inaudible] from honoring our highest office by naming a road after him.
[45:31] it is surely to make some waves and earn some recognition. I would imagine some positive press for
[45:36] city decatur council for choosing to put this vote to the people.
[45:41] our vp candidate, as you know, has very close family indicator,
[45:46] which increases likelihood of positive press. This also brings about patriotism amongst folks,
[45:52] which is desperately needed to heal and unite this community.
[45:56] I am aware that the country has turned this idea or has turned this idea down.
[46:01] that was only because they had adopted a code years ago to only name county roads after numbers.
[46:07] I don't know who genius came up with that, but the argument that some of you would make by saying it could
[46:12] offend some people is probably the lamest of them all. You guys make decisions that offend people every meeting and that's okay.
[46:21] if you choose to stand on the hill of potentially hurting feelings or potentially offending someone,
[46:27] well, what about the feelings of the folks who want to see this happen? That argument falls flat on its face.
[46:33] the wise republican party is doing what local political parties are supposed to do.
[46:37] one of those tasks being to honor the past and present leaders of the party for their accomplishments.
[46:43] you can debate those accomplishments, but that's not what this is about. Take your feelings of the figure in question out of the equation.
[46:51] wise county voted for president trump by more than 80% margin.
[46:55] it's safe to say we're a republican county. There was nothing more american than allowing the will of the people to play out.
[47:02] long live freedom, that's sign mark arie, and I want to talk about defensive,
[47:09] who came up with the idea of a moment of silence instead of a prayer. That's just what I want to say. Thank you.
[47:16] >> anyone else signed up, suzy? >> no, sir. That is all we have signed up.
[47:23] >> item 16 is an executive session, personnel matters under code 551.074,
[47:30] and counsel will adjourn into executive session at 6:47.
[47:36] [noise]
[47:48] we will reconvene into open session at 7:07 and there was no action.
[47:58] on that item, item 18, council members can request for future agenda items.
[48:06] that gets us to 7:08 for adjournment [noise].
[48:11] thank you, everybody. Miss suzy?