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Recording in progress.
>> Good evening. It is August 25th is

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special meeting of the Lewisville City
Council.

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Can we get a roll call, please?

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» Mayor Lee
>> here.

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Uh, Council Member Hamilton. Oh, sorry.
Uh, Mayor Prom Hamilton

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» here.
>> Council member Dickinson

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» here.
>> Council member Fe

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here.
>> Council member Hefner

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» here.
>> Council member Coopermanman

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» here.
>> And council member Kern present.

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If you'd join me as able for the pledge
of allegiance. Great.

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Pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the

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republic for it stands. One nation under
God, indivisible, with liberty and

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justice for all.

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» Welcome all.
Um we have tonight uh several things on

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the agenda but the first one is joint
meeting with uh library board of

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trustees. So welcome to the meeting all
of you. Um, I think before we go any

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further, probably good to introduce
ourselves to you, uh, and you, uh, to

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us, even though we've met before.
Um, so perhaps we can start with you,

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Jamie.
>> I am Turn this on. Good evening. I'm

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Jamie Drain. I've been a resident of
Lewisville for nine years and on the

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library board of trustees for eight
years now. Way back, this is my last

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time here. I hearken all the way back to
the day when council members used to

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come and sit in on our meetings. And I
would like to say this is an auspicious

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board to be related to because our most
recent mayors Chris and Ashley were both

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our representatives to the library
board. So politically, I I just want to

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point that out.

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And then hi everyone. Uh my name is Ally
Benz. I've been living in Lewisville for

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about three years now. Um and I've been
this is the second year that I've been

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on the board. Um I don't have nearly the
credentials that you do uh in terms of

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the uh history year, but I am happy to
be here.

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» Hi, I'm Jean Baker. Um I am the newest
um board member here. This is my first

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year serving and I've lived in
Lewisville for eight years now.

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» Hello, my name is Cheryl October. Um,
I've been on the board three years I

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guess and I'm actually the superior
representative. Um, very very pleased to

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be here and to meet all of you.
>> Good evening. My name is Laurel Cole.

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Um, I have lived in Lewisville for six
years now. This is my fifth year on the

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board and my third year as chair. Um,
and we're so happy to be here tonight.

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» Great. Go ahead.
>> Hi everyone. I'm Samma Fox. I'm the

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deputy city manager.
>> Hi, I'm Diana Langley, city manager.

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» Uh, Judy Kern. I'm W 2 representative.
>> Caleb Dickinson, ward one.

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» Deb Fehey, W two.
>> Crystal, mayor.

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Barbara Hamilton, w three.
>> Josh Coopermanman, ward one.

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» Dietrich Hefner, W three. Thanks for
coming.

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» Brandy Cummings, director of cultural
services.

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» Right. I think um the first thing on tap
tonight is presentation.

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Um not sure how how are you handling is
one person doing the presenting or

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multiple? We're all going to share what
we value about the Lewisville Public

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Library tonight. And Brandy has a
slideshow up there that she will be

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driving as as we talk uh this evening.
>> Um I did want to mention we are missing

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three board members this evening. Um
Carol Burkett was our alter alternate

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representative from Superior and she is
moving out of state as of this summer.

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So we will be working with the town of
Superior to find a replacement for her.

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Heather Wigan has served for almost
three years now and she is also moving

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out of state very unfortunately. She's
been a really wonderful member of our

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board. And Alan Halpern, this is his
second year serving and he is out of

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town just this week to celebrate a
family member's 90th birthday. So I

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believe Brandy sent an email to you all
of a statement from him. He wishes he

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could be here but wanted to send his
thoughts as well.

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Okay. So last year I was here last
spring presenting to all of you and I'm

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so happy to be joined by the board this
evening and it's not just me. Um but

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last year we had quite a laundry list of
things that we were wanting to

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accomplish as a library board and we
wanted to support uh your master plan

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and your priorities. We have worked on
some of those things but we've also

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faced a few obstacles in the last year
and a half. Um, we have onboarded a new

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director. Not an obstacle, but a
wonderful opportunity. Um, and we're so

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glad that Brandy is here.
It's been a long day. Um, and we only

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meet once every other month. So, you
know, maybe that's something we can

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discuss in the future about maybe
meeting a little bit more, maybe monthly

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with all that is on our plate. Um we
have also learned more from the state

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libraries and also dug into state
statute and uh city statutes as well

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about more of our responsibilities. Um
so it's really been a learning year for

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us. Um we have put together or Brandy
has put together matters pertaining to

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budget for us. That's not something we
have done in the past is really advise

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her on budget areas and really get more
in involved in those details. Um, we

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have also been updating library um,
policies, which we did a little bit uh,

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with Sharon, the former director, but
Brandy seems to have more of a master

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plan and we're going through and making
sure all the the policies are relevant

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and applicable to libraries today. Um,
and we've also learned that we need to

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do some of our own education. So, that's
been fun, really learning what our

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responsibilities are as um, a board of
trustees of a Colorado library. So, it's

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been a great year for us and we're so
glad that Bry's here leading the way for

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us. Um,
in our last meeting, I brought up the

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idea that the we as a board really felt
that the library was a core service here

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in Lewisville. Now, granted, we are not
water, we are not sewer, we are not

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police, we are not fire. However, in our
our last meeting, Brandy brought up the

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the idea of a core quality of life
service and that really resonated with

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us. You'll hear from all the board
members tonight about how we really

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connect to the library and we feel it's
really the living room of the city of

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Lewisville and it means many different
things to us and also to our fellow

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residents in Lewisville and Superior.
So, we're hoping tonight to share some

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stories about what we value at the
library, but also show you some numbers

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about how we think other residents value
the library as well. Um, I think

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everyone who walks into the library can
see the value right away of our

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beautiful building, the outstanding
collection that we have, the beautiful

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community spaces. I mean, the library
really speaks for itself. Um, but I

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think when you hear from us tonight,
you'll hear about some of the other

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values that maybe are unseen when you
walk through the community doors. Um, I

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wanted to share a personal story to
start us out with that I moved to

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Lewisville with my two-month-old six
years ago. And if you recall, um, that

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was like six weeks into CO. That was
kind of a scary time to have a newborn.

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Um, but as he grew and we learned a
little bit about COVID and the library

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reopened, the library really offered me
as a stay-at-home mom who was so

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isolated at that time, a community.
Sorry.

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Um, we saw people and, you know, we made
friends and I made mom friends

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and it was just we go to Tuesday story
time, Friday music time and that's how I

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started to feel connected here. My kids
are older. We still come. The library is

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one of their favorite places. Now they
read to a dog,

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which is amazing. My six-year-old is
reading to a dog. Um, but the library

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has really fostered not only that sense
of community, but a love of learning and

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a love of reading. As an as an educator
and a mom, there's nothing better.

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» Sorry.

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Yeah,
that's something to follow up on.

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Thank you. Um, it just happened a very
auspicious evening. You perhaps heard

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that Dolly Pardon passed away today. Um,
and I just heard an interview where it

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was stated that her single from her
perspective, her single greatest

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accomplishment was starting the
Imagination Library. Um, and that's

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because of the value she learned. She
knew growing up uh in a family where her

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parents were illiterate how important
reading and access to books was. I feel

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the same way. I moved here to Colorado
almost four years ago now and

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I felt immediately to get involved in
community. I wanted to work with the

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library. Why? Because the library as
this goes back more than 200 years, the

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concept is it's the foundation for
democracy. It's the foundation for

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community. Democracy will not work in an
illiterate society.

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We can teach children how to read in our
schools, but to give all of our

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community members access to all of the
books and resources that they need to be

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educated and aware and um
also to stimulate new ideas, curiosity,

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partnership with others in the
community, a deeper level of knowledge.

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The library is absolutely essential in
any community in this country and I'm

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just so happy and so pleased to serve
and that I was welcomed here as a a

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newcomer from another state um to join
and to represent my community of

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superior as well. Thank you.

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Okay. Well, um, my library story is kind
of similar to Laurel's, um, in that I am

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the mom of a 5-year-old boy. Um, and
when I first moved to Lewisville in

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2018, the first week I was here, I got a
library card. It's one of the first

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things I did and started using the
library the way most people do, checking

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out books. Also used the library of
things to check out, you know, state

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parks, passes, things like that. Um once
my son was born, you know, once he got

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to be a little bit older, it was, you
know, the became the center of our

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universe. Basically, we're here at least
once a week. Um not just for checking

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out books, but you know, for story time,
like Laurel mentioned, for the events

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that are put on throughout the year.
Last year, my son got his Halloween

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costume at the Halloween costume
exchange. Um, and particularly,

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you know, at a time when the cost of
things is just going through the roof,

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it's it's so nice to have a place that
provides quality, enriching programs um

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for for young people um of all ages, not
just for little kids, but you know, for

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middle schoolers and adults, too. Um
it's nice that we have a place where we

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can meet up with friends and you know we
don't have to worry about um you know if

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everybody can afford to you know go to a
museum or something like that we can all

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get together you know get books for our
kids hang out in the play area and then

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you know if we feel like it hop on over
to Sweet Cow or something like that. Um,

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but it is such a huge part of our lives
and um, like Laurel mentioned, I have

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made friends hanging out at the library.
My son has made friends. It truly is

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like the town center for us. Um, and
just being able to go there and use it

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the way you normally would, a library,
but then also you've got the wonderful

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town of Lewisville right outside the
door and so many great things to do

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afterward.

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I'll echo a lot of what's already been
said. Um, for me, I have always been

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very passionate about my community. I
believe very strongly in giving back.

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Uh, when I was in undergrad and then
grad school, a lot of my focus was on

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um, uh, national and international
politics. And for the longest time,

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that's what I wanted to go into. But
then as I uh went into internships, as I

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sort of explored what that looked like
and given the uh everchanging landscape

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um at the federal level, it it felt
unmaring. It felt like it was difficult

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to make a change at such a great and
grand scale. And I happened to uh start

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getting involved more in uh local
organizations, nonprofits, and really

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feel the impact that you can have on a
small community. uh how you can maybe

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not change the world uh but you can
brighten up your corner of the world. Um

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and so that's part of the reason why I
actually started working at the Denver

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Public Library um four years ago uh was
to give back to the community and to

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work for an organization that I was so
passionate about and that I saw doing so

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much good. And then when I moved to
Lewisville um out from Denver um I

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wanted to still be involved in the
community that I was now in. So while I

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still work for DPL, it felt very
important to be attached to this library

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and to care about uh the way in which
the library reaches community as one of

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the last free third spaces that we have.
I think it's so important that we have

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this community center and cultural
center and a way to meet one another and

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talk to each other without the need to
be anything other than yourself. Um and

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the library gives back so much, not just
in terms of books, though that's

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fantastic. and as an avid reader, I very
much make use of it. Um, but in all the

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other services that it provides, um,
with programming, with computers, um,

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with just a way to not feel so isolated
in an increasingly isolated world. Um,

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and so I'm just very happy and proud to
be here today and to talk with all of

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you.
So, you'll find that I'm going I've been

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given the task of talking about library
funding, which is fairly appropriate.

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Um, I like my numbers and I like to see
what a community values financially. One

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of the reasons that I made the decision
to buy a house in Lewisville was because

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I went to the library and I saw the
quality of this library. I brought my

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son here and saw where your funding
goes. And I said, "This is the type of

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community I want to be in." Clearly a
learned community. Clearly one that

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values their library. Um, and that was
indeed the main reason that we decided

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to buy our house in Lewisville instead
of Lafayette, instead of Boulder,

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instead of a lot of different locations.
The other thing that drew us was not

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just the library itself, but the fact
that it was right in the middle of

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downtown. I knew that we could go to the
library and then go get a cookie at Moxy

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or go get Sweet Cow. Um, and I think I I
want to highlight that for a lot of

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folks in Lewisville, the library is part
of a stop downtown. It is a part of a

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bigger package. And I want to make sure
we keep that in focus. It's a heart of

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our community, but also the heart of our
business community.

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Okay. So, just to kind of start us off
here, um this is a snapshot of um just

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some numbers from uh January through
June of this year. Um as you can see, we

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are increasing in in just about every
way in terms of um visitors, checkouts,

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um people signing up to get a library
card for the first time. What stands out

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to me about this is the program
attendance um increased by 49%.

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In this first six months of this year,
that's pretty wild in my opinion from

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last year. Um and just goes to show, you
know, something a lot of us talked about

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is um the library being more than just a
place to check out books, kind of a

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meeting place, a place for people to get
together, have community. Um, you know,

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you said it really well, Ally. Um, in an
increasingly isolated world, finding a

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place to get together, um, that's free.
And so, um, people are using these

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programs and they're really loving them
and they're coming regularly and they're

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bringing their friends. And so, I think
it just goes to show that's a really

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important service that's not a
traditional library service that that

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we're providing here. Um and of course
you know um just the increase in

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checkouts, unique digital users, you
know this is all going up. People are um

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reading books and coming to see us at
the library.

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» Next slide.

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So, as you can see from this next slide,
which describes how the library is

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staffed, these extraordinary services
are offered to the to the city of

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Lewisville um 7 days a week. And
those services um are being offered when

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we compare to other communities and
other libraries with a surprisingly

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small number of staff. There are 32
people who work in total at the library.

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Only 20 actually 19 plus 3/4 of another
person um are full-time for seven days a

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week. And um there are quite a few
part-time and volunteers that make the

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library um work as as we know it. 22 are
part-time. And you can see the number of

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volunteer hours and volunteers
um that contribute to the library as

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well. Um 70 hours per week. That means
the library is open to students after

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school. It means it's open on weekends.
It means it's open in the evenings.

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Truly making it accessible to everyone
at some point um in time during the day

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as well as on the weekends. Um
so I I think that's that's what we have

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to share so far about the staff.

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So I hope I don't need to harp too much
more on how libraries are such a

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foundational cornerstone to our
community. um they help uh connect

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people to each other and to needed
resources. We serve around 22,000 folks

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in Louisville and about 13,000 in
Superior. But I think what we lose when

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we look at these aggregate totals, these
large numbers, is uh we forget the

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individual folks and the folks that are
most in need. It's very easy to

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generalize what someone in Lewisville or
Superior looks like, acts like, or

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wants. But I wanted to dive into some of
the data surrounding marginalized and

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vulnerable populations within our city.
Uh so first around a quarter of our

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00:21:42,240 --> 00:21:48,480
service population is under 18. Um
compared to the national average of

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about 20% um Lewisville has a large
child population. Uh the library serves

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00:21:51,039 --> 00:21:56,960
our young community through early
childhood education uh story times and

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00:21:54,720 --> 00:22:00,799
distinct spaces for children and teens.
Um, as I hope you all noticed with the

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49% increase in program attendance for
the first half of 2026 compared to 2025,

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uh, the programming is very very popular
with children and families. Um, I also

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want to talk that about how 4% of um,
our households uh, within Lewisville uh,

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00:22:15,840 --> 00:22:24,000
do not have access to internet. While
that does sound like a small percent uh

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00:22:21,200 --> 00:22:29,360
as we shift towards an increasingly um
digital infrastructure uh for our basic

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00:22:26,559 --> 00:22:33,840
needs, what that means is that about 900
people a month may experience undue

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00:22:31,760 --> 00:22:39,360
barriers in doing something as simple as
paying their utility bills. The way that

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they go to access uh those resources to
be able to pay for their electricity,

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their gas, uh is to come to the library
and use our public computers. And you

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can see with our um data for PCs uh that
they are incredibly high demand.

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00:22:51,679 --> 00:22:57,760
Additionally, it's not just computers
that the library provides, but staff

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time to help those folks. Um I have
worked in the past with people that uh

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have struggled with digital literacy. I
have sat down with someone that has uh

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tried to pay a medical bill uh and they
did not know uh their username or

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00:23:09,039 --> 00:23:15,200
password to their health portal and they
did not know the password to their email

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to be able to reset that health portal.
It was a very long and frustrating

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00:23:17,440 --> 00:23:24,960
conversation with a lot of fear. And
what our staff do is they're able to sit

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00:23:22,640 --> 00:23:30,159
down and help those folks and make sure
that they don't feel alone. And without

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00:23:27,280 --> 00:23:34,480
PCs, without staff, uh without that help
to combat that digital literacy, we have

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00:23:32,720 --> 00:23:38,880
a lot of folks that are in very
vulnerable positions, especially older

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folks.
I also want to highlight that around 5%

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00:23:40,880 --> 00:23:46,400
of people in Lewisville are at or below
the national poverty line. And while

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00:23:44,799 --> 00:23:51,600
this number is significantly lower than
the national poverty line of 12.2%, that

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00:23:49,200 --> 00:23:55,360
statistic is pretty misleading. The
poverty line is set at the national

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00:23:53,440 --> 00:23:58,400
level, not at the local level. Um, and
does not account for the additional

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costs of high cost of living areas,
which I hope you all know Boulder County

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is a high cost of living area. Um, if
you look at uh what the federal poverty

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00:24:06,559 --> 00:24:13,200
level estimates that you need, it says
that a single person can comfortably

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00:24:10,159 --> 00:24:18,559
live off of $16,000 a year and that an
adult with one child can survive off of

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00:24:15,039 --> 00:24:23,919
$21,000 a year. Um, that's not the
reality in which we live. Uh, using the

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MIT's cost of living calculator, it's
estimated that a single person in

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00:24:25,520 --> 00:24:32,640
Boulder County needs to make $56,000
annually. A single adult with one child

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00:24:30,960 --> 00:24:36,400
needing child care needs to make
$113,000

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00:24:34,240 --> 00:24:41,760
annually. And a single adult with two
children needs to make $156,000

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00:24:39,120 --> 00:24:46,640
annually. Uh just to meet basic food,
housing, and childare needs. Uh to do

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some quick math, that's about 426 times
higher than what the federal poverty

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00:24:48,320 --> 00:24:55,360
level says. Um, so using those
statistics in Lewisville, it is

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00:24:52,240 --> 00:25:00,240
estimated that 58% of single adult
households with children under 18 in

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00:24:57,520 --> 00:25:05,520
them are at or below the cost of living
that they need to survive in this

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00:25:02,400 --> 00:25:10,000
county. Um, if the library has to reduce
or eliminate programming for children or

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00:25:07,520 --> 00:25:13,520
its support services for adults, that
can absolutely be annoying or

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00:25:11,679 --> 00:25:17,760
frustrating to a married couple with
children that are in private school. But

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00:25:15,600 --> 00:25:21,200
for a single mom working multiple jobs,
that is going to be lifealtering because

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00:25:19,679 --> 00:25:25,360
that family cannot afford to pay for
alternatives. The services that are

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00:25:23,200 --> 00:25:30,000
provided at the library cannot be met
anywhere else for free or for an

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00:25:27,679 --> 00:25:34,080
affordable cost.
Um, so I hope that you can hear that

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00:25:32,640 --> 00:25:38,400
it's vital that these communities
continue to receive services uh catered

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00:25:36,480 --> 00:25:41,919
toward their unique needs and the
library is fortunately very uniquely

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00:25:40,640 --> 00:25:46,080
equipped to provide many of these
services. However, I think that there's

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00:25:44,080 --> 00:25:50,240
an immense opportunity here for all city
services and departments to work

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00:25:47,679 --> 00:25:56,679
together um to prioritize that care for
all of our residents because no one

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00:25:52,240 --> 00:25:56,679
deserves to be forgotten or overlooked.

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00:25:57,120 --> 00:26:03,600
Thanks, Ally.
So, I told you I'd be back to talk about

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00:26:01,120 --> 00:26:08,400
funding. Here we are. Um I don't think
it'll come as a surprise to council that

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the library funding comes from four main
sources. Those four that you see right

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00:26:10,159 --> 00:26:16,799
there.
Our total operating budget is just over

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00:26:14,480 --> 00:26:23,120
2.2 million. The city of Lewisville
provides the bulk of that funding at

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00:26:19,120 --> 00:26:29,360
76%. The town of Superior provides 20%
of our funding. Um, serendipitously that

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00:26:26,320 --> 00:26:35,279
happens to correspond with the usage of
the library by Superior residents. Uh,

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00:26:31,840 --> 00:26:40,400
they have about 20% of our library cards
and usership. Just so happens to work

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00:26:37,600 --> 00:26:45,039
that way. The Lewisville Public Library
Foundation supplies us with a grant

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00:26:42,720 --> 00:26:49,679
every year. This fluctuates based on
what they bring in. The number that you

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00:26:47,200 --> 00:26:54,559
see there, the $73,000, which makes up
3% of our budget, is about $20,000

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00:26:52,480 --> 00:26:59,760
higher than what we typically receive
from the library foundation. This is

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00:26:57,039 --> 00:27:06,159
because they received a very large uh
grant uh or a very large donation um

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00:27:03,360 --> 00:27:10,080
from a resident last year. So typically
we do not see that level of funding from

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00:27:08,080 --> 00:27:17,039
the foundation. The state of Colorado
grant to libraries that fluctuates

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00:27:12,799 --> 00:27:21,360
slightly based on our um our citizenship
numbers. So if our citizenship numbers

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00:27:19,200 --> 00:27:26,720
go up, that number goes up slightly, but
it should stay fairly constant.

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00:27:24,080 --> 00:27:32,080
I also want to let give you an
opportunity to compare our library

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00:27:28,880 --> 00:27:39,840
funding and where our money goes to a
similar size um library and population.

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So Lafayette's library, you can see that
um their operating budget, they spend

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00:27:42,240 --> 00:27:49,520
75% of their budget on personnel. We
spend a higher amount at 86%.

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00:27:47,200 --> 00:27:55,520
We are staffing our library. We're using
our funds to keep programming and bodies

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00:27:52,480 --> 00:28:01,279
um in our library and keep things going.
We spend a great deal less on operations

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00:27:58,559 --> 00:28:07,240
than corresponding sized libraries do.
We make very efficient use of the

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funding that we have.

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00:28:08,240 --> 00:28:17,360
All right. Thank you Jamie and Ally and
Jean Cheryl. Um so our priorities

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00:28:14,559 --> 00:28:21,279
um our first priority is to represent uh
every citizen of Lewisville in Superior

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00:28:19,600 --> 00:28:26,080
and to ensure the highest level of
library services and as you have heard

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00:28:24,480 --> 00:28:31,200
from us all tonight that is really
important to all of us as board members

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00:28:28,480 --> 00:28:36,640
and we we love supporting Brandy and
everything bless you that she's been

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00:28:33,039 --> 00:28:41,840
doing for the library. Um, so in our
role as the board of trustees, we

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00:28:39,120 --> 00:28:45,679
support staff as they work to complete,
finalize, and implement the strategic

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00:28:43,600 --> 00:28:50,159
plan. We're very excited to hear what
Bry's team has compiled in our next

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00:28:47,520 --> 00:28:56,399
meeting in September and to help her and
her team move things forward. Um, we

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00:28:53,840 --> 00:29:00,080
also are here tonight providing
meaningful information to city council

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00:28:58,559 --> 00:29:03,679
uh to help you with your citywide
decisions.

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00:29:01,679 --> 00:29:09,600
Um, as I mentioned before, we also
review policies uh to make sure our

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00:29:06,240 --> 00:29:14,240
library is up to date uh with national
policies, state policies, and city

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00:29:11,919 --> 00:29:20,320
policies uh so that we can provide the
best services to all residents. Um, and

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00:29:18,000 --> 00:29:25,600
we need to ensure ongoing alignment with
Colorado library law, which is has been

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00:29:23,440 --> 00:29:30,799
one of our our big learnings this year,
as I mentioned earlier.

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00:29:29,120 --> 00:29:35,679
All right. So, we just had a couple of
discussion points, but you know, we're

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00:29:32,480 --> 00:29:40,720
also here to open conversation. Um, you
know, we'd love to hear what you all

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00:29:37,279 --> 00:29:45,120
think about the library being um a core
service when we talk about the quality

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00:29:42,559 --> 00:29:49,679
of life here in Lewisville and love to
hear what you feel are the priorities at

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00:29:47,919 --> 00:29:53,840
the library as, you know, we start to
hear about the strategic plan and all

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00:29:51,360 --> 00:30:01,840
the feedback that Brandy and her team um
has gathered. Um so I guess I'll pause

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00:29:57,279 --> 00:30:08,080
here and open for comment or questions.
>> Sure. Um why don't we uh take just

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00:30:06,080 --> 00:30:13,440
briefly if people have clarifying
questions for you about the presentation

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00:30:09,760 --> 00:30:17,679
and then we can um address some of the
questions

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00:30:14,960 --> 00:30:23,640
um that we've got. Any questions about
the presentation?

348
00:30:19,919 --> 00:30:23,640
Yes. May prom.

349
00:30:23,679 --> 00:30:29,600
» Thank you. um appreciate the
presentation and you all sharing your

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00:30:28,159 --> 00:30:36,240
personal stories about connections to
libraries as well. Um two clarifying

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00:30:34,000 --> 00:30:42,799
questions. The first one is Ally, the
data you presented on our community. Can

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00:30:39,440 --> 00:30:46,880
you all help me understand what survey
that came from?

353
00:30:45,440 --> 00:30:52,240
» Absolutely. So that comes from the
American Community Survey. Um it happens

354
00:30:49,600 --> 00:30:56,960
every uh year. Um, usually best practice
for data is to pull 5-year aggregates.

355
00:30:54,320 --> 00:31:01,279
Um, so that's what we did for 2025. Um,
it's basically the annual equivalent of

356
00:30:58,960 --> 00:31:04,559
the census. Um, it's considered highly
valid.

357
00:31:02,159 --> 00:31:10,000
» Okay. Thank you very much. Um, and then
my other question is I wanted to um

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00:31:08,000 --> 00:31:15,919
unpackage a little bit more the
statistic regarding program attendance

359
00:31:12,480 --> 00:31:21,200
and the 47% increase. Can you help me
understand what is behind driving that

360
00:31:20,080 --> 00:31:25,520
increase?
>> Absolutely. Thank you for the question.

361
00:31:22,960 --> 00:31:30,000
Um, looking at national trends, when we
see economic factors that downturn for

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00:31:27,679 --> 00:31:33,360
the everyman, so John Q public, um,
we're starting to see some of those

363
00:31:31,440 --> 00:31:38,960
recession indicators show up in our
programming. Typically, if we look back

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00:31:35,360 --> 00:31:44,320
to LA public libraries in 2007 to 2008,
similar program attendance results show

365
00:31:41,120 --> 00:31:48,320
up, but also as a visitor attraction and
an economic engine for tourism in

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00:31:46,399 --> 00:31:52,559
downtown Lewisville. I think we pull in
higher numbers for some of our programs

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00:31:50,159 --> 00:31:57,360
there that also influence that. Looking
back at 2025, there was a time frame

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00:31:54,799 --> 00:32:02,640
where the library was closed um for the
carpeting and remodeling project. those

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00:32:00,000 --> 00:32:06,799
programs were shifted to other locations
which could also have an impact. But

370
00:32:04,320 --> 00:32:11,840
looking programtogram, month-to-month
aggregates rather than just an

371
00:32:08,720 --> 00:32:16,399
overarching six-month um those program
attendance did not fluctuate greatly

372
00:32:13,919 --> 00:32:20,640
outside of increased attendance at the
things that we're doing. So a good

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00:32:18,399 --> 00:32:24,080
example would be the um which is not in
this poll, but the summer reading

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00:32:22,399 --> 00:32:29,760
carnival, which is an annual event we
host each year on French Street. This

375
00:32:26,320 --> 00:32:33,679
year it saw um just about 1,800
attendees and last year it was 1,200. So

376
00:32:32,320 --> 00:32:38,799
we're continuing to see percentage
growth in almost every program we do.

377
00:32:36,080 --> 00:32:47,039
» Okay, that's really helpful. So is it
fair to say that that increase is in

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00:32:43,519 --> 00:32:51,760
part driven by increase attendance in
existing programs, not necessarily

379
00:32:49,440 --> 00:32:57,039
addition of a lot of new programs.
>> Correct. We haven't increased the number

380
00:32:53,840 --> 00:33:02,799
of programs we're doing. In fact, in um
in line with 2025 six month, we are

381
00:33:00,080 --> 00:33:06,159
about 20 programs less than we did in
January through June of 2025 for the

382
00:33:04,720 --> 00:33:10,840
same snapshot.
>> Okay, that's really helpful. Thank you.

383
00:33:11,120 --> 00:33:17,840
» Others? Yep. Council member,
>> thank you for asking those questions,

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00:33:14,880 --> 00:33:21,360
Mayor Prom. They were mine as well. Uh
and thank you all. Really appreciate you

385
00:33:19,440 --> 00:33:25,760
being here and and I agree. Um
interesting to hear your connection to

386
00:33:23,279 --> 00:33:29,600
the to the library. Uh this is probably
more for the director. So same thing

387
00:33:27,840 --> 00:33:34,159
with the programming. I was curious is
the att the increase across the board on

388
00:33:32,240 --> 00:33:39,440
every type of programming or is there
like a heavier lean toward um young and

389
00:33:37,600 --> 00:33:44,720
children's programming is it seems like
that's a a really popular item.

390
00:33:42,480 --> 00:33:48,080
» Yeah. Nationally, public libraries are
definitely known for their bread and

391
00:33:46,399 --> 00:33:53,039
butter being how we serve families with
young children and how we serve an aging

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00:33:50,000 --> 00:33:57,760
population. We are um gratefully seeing
increase across programs at all levels.

393
00:33:55,120 --> 00:34:02,159
In fact, with a higher growth percentage
for our adult programming um especially

394
00:34:00,000 --> 00:34:08,600
looking for those sort of midday focused
at senior community opportunities.

395
00:34:04,559 --> 00:34:08,600
» Okay. Interesting. Thank you.

396
00:34:08,800 --> 00:34:18,960
» Yes, Council Fee. I'm going to continue
on with this topic. Um, I'm wondering

397
00:34:15,679 --> 00:34:26,960
when you have an increase, which sounds
pretty significant in attendance, how do

398
00:34:22,159 --> 00:34:30,639
you staff or manage those larger events?
>> It's a great question. Thank you. Right

399
00:34:28,639 --> 00:34:34,960
now, we are relying on volunteer labor
for that core operation. We are far

400
00:34:33,119 --> 00:34:39,359
exceeding our ability for our volunteer
capacity to help us manage those rooms

401
00:34:36,960 --> 00:34:42,480
and those larger events. And so it does
take a little bit more finagling.

402
00:34:40,960 --> 00:34:46,800
Sometimes it's pulling me off of
whatever I'm working on to come be

403
00:34:44,639 --> 00:34:51,919
another body during a tie-dye program or
a bubble festival um or even a very

404
00:34:49,440 --> 00:34:55,760
interesting science program. So we are
doing our best to be as responsive and

405
00:34:53,760 --> 00:34:59,520
flexible as possible and nimble within
the restraints of our staffing.

406
00:34:58,160 --> 00:35:04,800
» All right. Well, thank you and thank you
for what all of you do.

407
00:35:02,720 --> 00:35:08,400
» Council member Cooperman.
Um,

408
00:35:06,400 --> 00:35:12,720
I was also going to ask a qu questions
about the the program number uh

409
00:35:10,960 --> 00:35:16,000
increasing, but I'll ask a very
different question. Um, I'm just

410
00:35:14,240 --> 00:35:20,800
curious, how does the library foundation
raise most of its funds?

411
00:35:19,119 --> 00:35:25,359
» It's a fantastic question. Thank you.
So, the library foundation currently

412
00:35:22,560 --> 00:35:30,640
operates two major fundraisers uh per
year. One being Colorado Giving Day um

413
00:35:28,640 --> 00:35:34,720
which will come up in November. They
give run that through the Colorado Gives

414
00:35:32,480 --> 00:35:39,680
platform. Otherwise, they do a targeted
summer reading program sponsorship. Um,

415
00:35:38,000 --> 00:35:43,839
traditionally, they have relied on
unsolicited donations. As we work closer

416
00:35:42,320 --> 00:35:47,200
with the foundation to set up some of
those structural and foundational

417
00:35:45,280 --> 00:35:52,079
policies, procedures, and processes much
like the board has spoken to, we hope to

418
00:35:49,359 --> 00:35:56,160
see a more concerted and targeted effort
in fundraising. The large challenge is

419
00:35:54,400 --> 00:36:00,160
that we are competing in a community
with many wonderful organizations. Um,

420
00:35:58,640 --> 00:36:03,920
and we're fighting for some of the same
dollars. Yeah.

421
00:36:02,640 --> 00:36:07,320
Thank you.
>> Other questions?

422
00:36:07,760 --> 00:36:17,040
Um
I have a couple um about the library

423
00:36:12,480 --> 00:36:21,760
snapshot in particular. Um
I guess I'm one of the things I was

424
00:36:19,520 --> 00:36:25,839
curious about is
um there's you know you've broken it

425
00:36:23,920 --> 00:36:30,640
down into
um full-time

426
00:36:27,839 --> 00:36:34,720
uh employees, part-time, and then
volunteers.

427
00:36:32,640 --> 00:36:41,599
um as well as volunteer hours. But just
the numbers of those three um full-time,

428
00:36:39,040 --> 00:36:49,200
part-time, and volunteers, how do those
compare with other libraries say in

429
00:36:45,680 --> 00:36:52,240
Colorado and if you know and same thing
nationally?

430
00:36:50,079 --> 00:36:55,760
» Yeah, I appreciate the question. So
looking at the front range and

431
00:36:53,839 --> 00:37:00,720
especially within our consorcia, so
Lafayette, Longmont, Loveland, Boulder,

432
00:36:58,640 --> 00:37:03,839
um Westminster for some things, we tend
to leave Boulder out because they're the

433
00:37:02,480 --> 00:37:09,280
big guy, so it's hard to compare
ourselves to them, right? We are more

434
00:37:07,040 --> 00:37:14,240
heavily staffed by part- timerrs than
any of our comparable um neighbors.

435
00:37:12,000 --> 00:37:20,400
Lafayette is our large our most similar
in service size. And so if we flash back

436
00:37:17,680 --> 00:37:24,800
to the January presentation, we have
about 120 less staffing hours than

437
00:37:23,040 --> 00:37:29,359
Lafayette does for the same number of
open hours to the public. So we are

438
00:37:27,040 --> 00:37:33,680
staffed 70 hours per week open to the
public 58 because we need opening

439
00:37:31,920 --> 00:37:38,240
shifts, we need closing shifts, we need
processing, things like that. So um

440
00:37:36,560 --> 00:37:43,040
looking at the same number of staffed
hours, we're about 120 hours less than

441
00:37:40,640 --> 00:37:48,079
our regional peers. Nationally, public
libraries have always been served by a

442
00:37:45,440 --> 00:37:52,720
combination of professional, full-time,
part-time staff. Um, I would say that we

443
00:37:50,880 --> 00:37:56,320
are probably still lagging behind a bit
with a stronger part-time presence than

444
00:37:54,480 --> 00:37:59,960
a full-time presence, specifically in
our professional librarians.

445
00:38:01,040 --> 00:38:05,240
» That's helpful. Thank you,

446
00:38:07,200 --> 00:38:13,680
» Council Member Dickens.
Just curious because I didn't see it in

447
00:38:11,200 --> 00:38:18,000
here if you guys are
um

448
00:38:15,520 --> 00:38:22,720
what role you guys might be playing in
you know what is the revamp of front and

449
00:38:20,320 --> 00:38:28,320
center and what I see as sort of the
outdoor library for much of the year

450
00:38:26,480 --> 00:38:32,000
like obviously street fair and farmers
market and things are are known as

451
00:38:30,000 --> 00:38:37,920
popular events there but I think there's
a lot of intention on making that space

452
00:38:35,359 --> 00:38:40,880
sort of you know hopefully feel like the
outdoor

453
00:38:39,040 --> 00:38:45,440
portion of the library and I'm wondering
if you guys are involved at all in

454
00:38:43,920 --> 00:38:49,520
conversations in that direction, if you
have excitement towards it, if it's kind

455
00:38:46,880 --> 00:38:54,920
of like news or how Yeah. how you feel
about the the redo of the Steinba Plaza.

456
00:38:55,599 --> 00:39:04,000
» Yeah. Can I hop in? I've been working
the winter festival in particular for

457
00:39:00,720 --> 00:39:09,200
the first f first light Friday um for
the last eight years and I think our

458
00:39:05,920 --> 00:39:16,720
revamp of our patio area has kind of
allowed more um participation. I mean I

459
00:39:13,280 --> 00:39:22,160
think our numbers in our art Friday are
up dramatically. It makes us more a part

460
00:39:19,599 --> 00:39:26,640
of those happenings to have that outdoor
platform to have the shading. Thank

461
00:39:24,240 --> 00:39:33,599
goodness. So, it's not so terribly hot
there. Um, I think all of the citywide

462
00:39:31,040 --> 00:39:38,000
events become the library becomes more
part of them because of what we've done.

463
00:39:35,839 --> 00:39:43,119
And I also have to say I think all the
artwork that has been added around that

464
00:39:40,240 --> 00:39:46,400
area, it's it's such a draw to folks. I
mean, I I don't know if you've seen, but

465
00:39:44,800 --> 00:39:49,599
little kids are always stopping and
pointing things out and talking about

466
00:39:47,839 --> 00:39:55,599
the squirrels and the books and and all
the different things. um both as a

467
00:39:53,280 --> 00:39:59,040
volunteer at the library and as a
citizen. I love the combination and what

468
00:39:57,760 --> 00:40:03,520
it's done for us and I'm thankful that
money was put aside for that.

469
00:40:01,359 --> 00:40:06,320
» Thanks Jamie. Um Council Member
Dickinson, as far as the front and

470
00:40:04,960 --> 00:40:10,400
center project, the board has not been
engaged on that project as it hasn't

471
00:40:08,000 --> 00:40:14,640
moved past LRC yet. While we have had
conversations about hopes of activating

472
00:40:12,800 --> 00:40:19,200
that space, we recognize that again our
restraint is in budget and staffing

473
00:40:16,240 --> 00:40:22,880
resources. We hope that as that design
comes to fruition, we're able to find

474
00:40:20,800 --> 00:40:27,880
ways to continue to activate it as we do
now, not overstretching past our

475
00:40:24,880 --> 00:40:27,880
capacity.

476
00:40:28,000 --> 00:40:34,320
» Yeah, I think that's my hope and
concern, right? This great opportunity

477
00:40:32,320 --> 00:40:39,359
for more programming and like more
programming, how do we do more, you

478
00:40:36,720 --> 00:40:45,280
know? So, I think it's it's a yeah, it
is an opportunity and uh and potentially

479
00:40:42,720 --> 00:40:52,720
a problem area as well.
I just wanted to add toss out um even

480
00:40:48,400 --> 00:40:58,560
before your your comments um that it all
depends on volunteerism,

481
00:40:55,200 --> 00:41:02,240
the the outdoor programming, the in town
programming,

482
00:41:00,160 --> 00:41:06,920
it depends on the number of volunteers
and their particular interests as well.

483
00:41:07,200 --> 00:41:16,640
» Um why don't we move to some of your
questions? I I I want to start by kind

484
00:41:13,119 --> 00:41:20,720
of maybe
well hitting hitting the first one. What

485
00:41:19,119 --> 00:41:26,560
are council's top priorities? I think
you've laid out some some good

486
00:41:22,800 --> 00:41:32,720
priorities. I I want to and this is
don't take don't take this negatively.

487
00:41:29,440 --> 00:41:39,839
This is a question or this is kind of a
comment that I have about about what the

488
00:41:36,000 --> 00:41:49,920
boards generally do and frankly what we
do. Um what we do is we hit policy

489
00:41:45,599 --> 00:41:54,960
broadly um and we when we're doing our
best work I think leave the operational

490
00:41:51,760 --> 00:42:01,920
stuff to the staff who do terrific job
and you know that Brandy does. Um so a

491
00:41:59,119 --> 00:42:10,960
couple of the priorities that I looked
at here um particularly the first and

492
00:42:05,920 --> 00:42:15,040
the last that is sort of supporting I
supporting staff as they work to

493
00:42:12,640 --> 00:42:19,599
finalize a strategic plan, encouraging
teamwork and shared success. I think to

494
00:42:17,040 --> 00:42:26,560
the extent that's like moral support,
we're all for that. And I know that

495
00:42:21,680 --> 00:42:33,680
that's um um an issue. Ensuring ongoing
alignment with the Colorado Library law

496
00:42:29,119 --> 00:42:40,160
is really more um more the director's
role. Um but I I do wonder on the middle

497
00:42:38,560 --> 00:42:48,880
two
um when we talk about um kind of

498
00:42:44,880 --> 00:42:53,440
priorities I I am in interested in
whether you feel like you have good

499
00:42:51,680 --> 00:43:01,319
opportunities
to present or provide information

500
00:42:57,200 --> 00:43:01,319
through staff to us

501
00:43:02,079 --> 00:43:08,960
» to that. Um, so as I mentioned at the
beginning of our presentation, uh, we

502
00:43:06,960 --> 00:43:14,160
have learned more about Colorado Library
Law and part of the way we have shifted

503
00:43:11,760 --> 00:43:20,319
our bimonthly meetings is that Brandy
makes a budget presentation to us now.

504
00:43:17,359 --> 00:43:26,160
Um, so we see every line item and what
the library is spending um, you know,

505
00:43:23,359 --> 00:43:32,000
across the board um, not only personnel
but with programs and technology and um,

506
00:43:29,359 --> 00:43:36,240
the New York Times subscriptions. Um, so
it's been interesting for us. You know,

507
00:43:34,240 --> 00:43:40,880
I'll speak for myself being on the board
now for five years. We we didn't do this

508
00:43:38,480 --> 00:43:47,599
before. We didn't get this detailed
level um of library operations. So, you

509
00:43:45,359 --> 00:43:53,839
know, Brandy has bounced ideas off of us
and said, "Hey, you know, I need to cut

510
00:43:50,160 --> 00:43:58,240
my budget by 3%. What is this is what my
team and I are thinking. You know, can

511
00:43:56,160 --> 00:44:02,000
you give me some feedback on that?" So,
you know, I I feel that we're a good

512
00:44:00,160 --> 00:44:07,520
sounding board for her and we can give
her, you know, some feedback on that.

513
00:44:04,720 --> 00:44:15,400
Um, and really get into the weeds a bit
about how much it costs to to really

514
00:44:10,560 --> 00:44:15,400
operate a successful library.

515
00:44:17,200 --> 00:44:24,520
» Um, we should probably take public
comment before we go into council

516
00:44:24,640 --> 00:44:29,440
kind of ask. It doesn't look like we
have any

517
00:44:27,760 --> 00:44:34,119
» public comment.
>> Okay. All right. Then back.

518
00:44:42,720 --> 00:44:49,599
» Questions about priorities. I know that
that's a question we get from every

519
00:44:47,599 --> 00:44:56,000
single
um board and commission. Yeah. Council

520
00:44:53,119 --> 00:45:00,319
member Coopermanman. Um, actually, I'd
ask like to ask a follow-up question

521
00:44:57,680 --> 00:45:05,680
first. Um, sort of coming off the
mayor's comments and questions. Um, so

522
00:45:04,400 --> 00:45:09,440
right, you're called the library board
of trustees rather than say the library

523
00:45:07,920 --> 00:45:13,040
advisory board.
>> Um,

524
00:45:11,040 --> 00:45:19,040
I'm just not I don't remember from our
statutes and s and such, but is is the

525
00:45:16,880 --> 00:45:23,839
library board of trustees more formal
than an advisory board? And could you

526
00:45:22,000 --> 00:45:27,760
clarify that for us? Yeah, that's a
fantastic question. Thank you. So,

527
00:45:26,000 --> 00:45:32,480
public libraries are governed by state
law. Part of our state law in Colorado,

528
00:45:30,319 --> 00:45:36,400
um believe it's statute 249 outlines
what a library board of trustees is

529
00:45:34,240 --> 00:45:41,520
charged with. That includes things like
budgetary oversight. Um typically hiring

530
00:45:39,440 --> 00:45:47,280
and some sort of performance management
of the director. Um things like policy

531
00:45:44,560 --> 00:45:51,280
and and including up to like our
budgetary discretion. So, if we were to

532
00:45:49,119 --> 00:45:55,920
make major changes, they have input in
all of that. So public libraries also

533
00:45:53,680 --> 00:45:59,839
operate as an odd entity in throughout
Colorado because you can be a municipal

534
00:45:57,760 --> 00:46:04,160
library which we are or a district which
is a special taxing district as a

535
00:46:01,680 --> 00:46:08,480
municipal library. Typically there is a
joint agreement between the board and

536
00:46:06,079 --> 00:46:11,920
the municipality about who's governing
the library director who's overseeing

537
00:46:10,319 --> 00:46:17,119
their performance who's doing the hiring
and firing there. Um but a lot of the

538
00:46:14,720 --> 00:46:22,000
dictation of policy approval um lies
with the board of trustees as a more

539
00:46:18,640 --> 00:46:26,960
formalized body than an advisory board.
And I don't know if anyone from the

540
00:46:24,319 --> 00:46:31,440
board would like to sort of comment on,
you know, whether I mean, you said

541
00:46:28,640 --> 00:46:37,040
you're learning a lot about how uh
library law works in Colorado and so

542
00:46:33,280 --> 00:46:40,560
forth. So, I don't know. Do you have any
thoughts or concerns about how you're

543
00:46:38,800 --> 00:46:48,319
functioning as a board of trustees
currently or or not or I don't know.

544
00:46:44,960 --> 00:46:54,000
» I can speak to that. So, uh, in the
past, um, prior to Brandy coming on

545
00:46:51,280 --> 00:46:57,599
board, I don't believe that we were
meeting our full duties and

546
00:46:55,599 --> 00:47:01,920
responsibilities, um, as a governing
board. Um, there were certain things

547
00:46:59,839 --> 00:47:05,599
that, uh, slipped through cracks. So,
it's been a lot of restructuring,

548
00:47:03,839 --> 00:47:09,839
ensuring that everyone has been trained
on what they need to do and what they're

549
00:47:08,079 --> 00:47:14,400
responsible for. And I think that we're
moving towards a much better state of

550
00:47:12,079 --> 00:47:18,240
being able to be not just a group of
people that meets um bimonthly and talks

551
00:47:16,800 --> 00:47:23,040
about how much we love the library,
although that's great, but also actively

552
00:47:20,960 --> 00:47:29,680
is informing the governance of the
library um and uh serving as uh

553
00:47:27,359 --> 00:47:34,079
responsible leasins um both to you all
and uh to the community as well.

554
00:47:32,640 --> 00:47:38,480
I'm actually going to hop in off what
Ally just said and and point out having

555
00:47:36,240 --> 00:47:43,839
seen the transition when Brandy came on
and and been for such a great deal of

556
00:47:40,240 --> 00:47:47,760
time, this board is more involved with a
lot of the detailed decisions and serves

557
00:47:46,000 --> 00:47:53,200
more of a role of representing our
fellow citizens um than we did before.

558
00:47:50,960 --> 00:47:59,680
I'll give you a small example that may
seem like nothing. Brandy came to us

559
00:47:55,599 --> 00:48:07,040
talking about an issue of needing to um
have folks empty out the the study rooms

560
00:48:04,480 --> 00:48:12,880
10 minutes 10 15 minutes early and make
that a library policy that we start

561
00:48:09,839 --> 00:48:18,480
shoeing people out not exactly the best
words. Sorry Brandy.

562
00:48:15,280 --> 00:48:26,000
We kindly ask our patrons
to exit the study rooms 15 minutes early

563
00:48:22,079 --> 00:48:30,079
because our staff is is limited and they
need to be able to clear the library out

564
00:48:27,440 --> 00:48:35,920
on time. We need to find ways to
maximize our staff our staff usage.

565
00:48:34,079 --> 00:48:39,760
But this is something she brought to the
board and said, "Is this reasonable?

566
00:48:38,000 --> 00:48:43,839
What things do you think should be put
in place along with this? How should we

567
00:48:41,920 --> 00:48:48,000
address this with our patients? With
sorry, I'm a nurse. With with our

568
00:48:45,920 --> 00:48:50,880
patrons,
what policies do we need to put in

569
00:48:49,599 --> 00:48:56,079
place? What announcements should we
make? All of these details the board

570
00:48:54,000 --> 00:49:01,119
addressed. This is not something that
would have happened before. Our role is

571
00:48:57,760 --> 00:49:08,160
very different than it used to be.
I'll pop into uh based on my past

572
00:49:04,319 --> 00:49:14,079
experience. I formerly was serving on a
school board for 10 years. Um, and then

573
00:49:11,280 --> 00:49:19,280
as as a dean in higher education, I
oversaw three libraries. So, I had a

574
00:49:16,800 --> 00:49:25,200
sense of the way boards
are expected to work in a variety of

575
00:49:21,599 --> 00:49:32,720
settings. And previously, I think with
no criticism directed to toward any

576
00:49:28,000 --> 00:49:38,400
given person. Um, the board wasn't in
compliance either with state law or what

577
00:49:35,599 --> 00:49:44,160
would generally be expected by other
boards. um to public serving

578
00:49:41,599 --> 00:49:49,200
organizations. And so I'm I'm very
grateful to see the changes that have

579
00:49:46,800 --> 00:49:54,160
occurred in the last year
and it's been I think a little bit of a

580
00:49:51,440 --> 00:50:00,400
surprise to all of us as members how far
off we were in terms of the state law

581
00:49:57,680 --> 00:50:05,599
and compliance. So that's when we've
said a big learning curve, that's what

582
00:50:02,400 --> 00:50:09,200
it refers to. you know,
>> add to that, too. I feel like as a

583
00:50:07,440 --> 00:50:13,200
volunteer, it gives me more of a sense
of purpose and I I know, you know, what

584
00:50:11,200 --> 00:50:17,520
direction we're going in, you know, so
Bry's kind of steering the ship and, you

585
00:50:15,520 --> 00:50:21,599
know, we can help her correct course as
needed. But, um, going in every month,

586
00:50:20,079 --> 00:50:28,240
it's like, okay, this is what we're
doing. And it it feels more purposeful

587
00:50:25,119 --> 00:50:34,079
and also that my time is more valuable
and it's it's really um, sorry,

588
00:50:31,440 --> 00:50:38,640
respected and and valued.
So, all sorts of positive uh changes and

589
00:50:36,880 --> 00:50:43,319
I think we're on a really great
trajectory and a great path moving

590
00:50:40,319 --> 00:50:43,319
forward.

591
00:50:46,240 --> 00:50:52,960
» Go ahead.
>> I'm going to kind of follow up on this a

592
00:50:50,400 --> 00:50:58,880
little bit. Um, I'm wondering with some
advisory boards, they're not allowed to

593
00:50:54,880 --> 00:51:03,520
accept donations from the public, um,
and then specifically use them for their

594
00:51:01,760 --> 00:51:12,240
priorities.
As a licensed board, are you a 501c3?

595
00:51:08,400 --> 00:51:15,680
Can you accept cash and no?
>> It's a fantastic question. Thank you for

596
00:51:14,079 --> 00:51:20,640
allowing me to clarify,
>> so yes, the library board of trustees is

597
00:51:17,920 --> 00:51:25,839
not an independent 501c3. They are an
appointed body by this body, this

598
00:51:22,880 --> 00:51:29,760
elected body. Um, but our foundation is,
so the library foundation is an

599
00:51:27,440 --> 00:51:34,000
independent 501c3 which acts as the
philanthropic arm for the library which

600
00:51:32,000 --> 00:51:40,640
we are able to direct gifts to whether
that be cash, goods or artwork.

601
00:51:37,359 --> 00:51:43,280
» And do those two boards interact and
cooperate?

602
00:51:41,440 --> 00:51:47,920
» Yes, quite deeply.
>> Let me speak to that. So myself or

603
00:51:45,440 --> 00:51:51,599
Cheryl, the the vice chair, we attend
every meeting so that there's great

604
00:51:49,839 --> 00:51:55,280
collaboration and, you know, we can make
sure that we're sharing what we're

605
00:51:53,280 --> 00:51:59,599
working on as a board and the foundation
can ask us, you know, any questions that

606
00:51:57,680 --> 00:52:03,760
they may have. And then once a year we
have a joint meeting. So that's planned

607
00:52:01,119 --> 00:52:08,720
for September 10th. Um, and it's it's
really great to sit down with everybody

608
00:52:05,760 --> 00:52:12,319
who loves the library, is working hard
uh to make sure that our library is the

609
00:52:10,880 --> 00:52:16,839
best it can be. They're a wonderful
group and uh they meet monthly.

610
00:52:18,800 --> 00:52:28,400
» Thank you. So um first it sounds like
then based on the discussion that the

611
00:52:24,640 --> 00:52:33,920
board of trustees parieties
priorities yeah

612
00:52:31,680 --> 00:52:39,680
» um
aligns with your duties as is spelled

613
00:52:37,040 --> 00:52:44,319
out um in a variety of different uh
documents. So, I'm going to move on then

614
00:52:41,520 --> 00:52:51,200
to the discussion points that you all
have up here um and kind of give you my

615
00:52:47,520 --> 00:52:54,319
my viewpoint on those. So, as far as you
know, council's top priorities for the

616
00:52:52,960 --> 00:53:00,960
next year, and I'm going to blend that
one and two kind of together uh for for

617
00:52:57,359 --> 00:53:05,280
for me, you know, one of the top
priorities we're discussing through the

618
00:53:02,800 --> 00:53:10,800
budget cycle is maintaining the assets
that we have and taking care of what we

619
00:53:08,160 --> 00:53:16,559
have. Um, and I think that naturally
extends to the library as well for all

620
00:53:14,079 --> 00:53:20,960
the reasons that you beautifully told us
about. It's a really important asset

621
00:53:18,559 --> 00:53:28,079
that we maintain.
Um, as far as um, you know, goals and

622
00:53:25,440 --> 00:53:32,240
investments and such, I would say we're
going to start discussions about our

623
00:53:30,160 --> 00:53:38,880
work plan for next year. So, that could
help inform the direction that you all

624
00:53:34,720 --> 00:53:44,640
go in maybe with some of your work. Um,
the thing that stands out to me that's

625
00:53:42,079 --> 00:53:49,520
going to hopefully be happening soon is
the front and center project. So, I I

626
00:53:46,800 --> 00:53:54,640
would really like to be able to lean um
on you all to help us ensure in

627
00:53:52,640 --> 00:53:58,559
coordination with with director Cummings
that the library, you know, still

628
00:53:57,200 --> 00:54:02,720
remains accessible, how you're going to
do your programs, everything else. Um we

629
00:54:00,880 --> 00:54:08,559
I think we talk a lot about how it
impacts the businesses but equally it

630
00:54:06,000 --> 00:54:16,319
impacts you all as well in your work
right. Um and then for three and four

631
00:54:12,720 --> 00:54:21,760
about partnering and collaborating more.
I think you have a phenomenal director

632
00:54:19,680 --> 00:54:26,480
who does a great job partnering and
collaborating with you all and then

633
00:54:23,440 --> 00:54:31,359
bringing that information to us. So, I
fully put my trust in Director Cummings

634
00:54:29,119 --> 00:54:35,680
to continue to do that because I think
that's the the really from my point of

635
00:54:33,760 --> 00:54:41,760
view, the best way for us to partner
with you all is through her expertise,

636
00:54:38,559 --> 00:54:46,559
her strategy and visioning, which I wish
I could channel some of that myself. Um,

637
00:54:44,559 --> 00:54:50,240
I think honestly is the most impactful
way to achieve three and four. So, I

638
00:54:48,400 --> 00:54:55,200
hope that's helpful and I'll open it up
to my fellow council members.

639
00:54:52,880 --> 00:54:58,800
» Others? Yes.
Council member Hefner.

640
00:54:57,200 --> 00:55:02,800
» Yeah, thank you. Thanks. Thanks to all
of you for coming and and sharing in the

641
00:55:00,800 --> 00:55:07,839
presentation. I I agree with everything.
Um my word three colleagues said I I

642
00:55:06,160 --> 00:55:11,839
would add, you know, on the sort of
taking care of what we have front. I I

643
00:55:09,839 --> 00:55:15,839
do think that's really important. The
other thing we've all been working hard

644
00:55:13,359 --> 00:55:20,079
on is we just finished our comprehensive
plan for land use and we'll be

645
00:55:18,000 --> 00:55:24,640
implementing that with a development
code rewrite. you know, and depending on

646
00:55:22,720 --> 00:55:29,359
who you ask, I think one of the outcomes
of that is going to be we're hoping to

647
00:55:27,760 --> 00:55:33,920
get
open Lewisville to to more and different

648
00:55:31,599 --> 00:55:39,520
kinds of people than necessarily live
here now. And, you know, assuming we're

649
00:55:36,800 --> 00:55:43,440
successful in some of those efforts, uh
your role in the library's role will be

650
00:55:41,839 --> 00:55:48,559
more important than ever and and
hopefully we can continue to drive the

651
00:55:46,000 --> 00:55:53,200
um wonderful growth in in program
attendance and circulation and

652
00:55:49,920 --> 00:55:56,240
everything else. Um, and so on that
note, I think that's one one thing to

653
00:55:54,559 --> 00:56:00,799
come and and another reason to keep up
the good work, but really appreciate all

654
00:55:58,000 --> 00:56:05,040
all the effort and all Bry's effort and
um the the library is one of our gems of

655
00:56:03,520 --> 00:56:08,960
the city and whether it's a core service
or not, I'll I'll leave for others to

656
00:56:06,880 --> 00:56:11,599
decide, but it's um I always think about
what are the things that would, you

657
00:56:10,319 --> 00:56:17,280
know, if they went missing, everyone
would notice and certainly on that list.

658
00:56:14,720 --> 00:56:21,839
Um so, thank you.
Um, we have just a few minutes, but are

659
00:56:20,319 --> 00:56:25,319
there other council members want to
weigh in on these?

660
00:56:25,440 --> 00:56:35,520
» I think council member or member Tan did
a wonderful job of explaining I think

661
00:56:32,319 --> 00:56:39,359
encapsulating what certainly I said or
want to say.

662
00:56:36,319 --> 00:56:44,559
» Yeah, I I would absolutely echo um what
council members Hamilton and Hefner uh

663
00:56:42,160 --> 00:56:50,520
just said. I just wanted to add um I
mean on point point number two um

664
00:56:50,799 --> 00:56:58,960
I would say like what one of the things
we're looking from for for from you uh

665
00:56:56,640 --> 00:57:06,880
is advice on that. I mean I I feel like
you all are much more um qualified to

666
00:57:04,799 --> 00:57:11,760
to advise on where right where we need
to invest or or not to invest for the

667
00:57:08,880 --> 00:57:15,040
library. Um, and so I would say, uh,
sort of in line with number three, you

668
00:57:13,359 --> 00:57:19,680
know, you should really feel free to
provide us with that information. Um,

669
00:57:17,680 --> 00:57:24,400
and you know, I for one am happy to have
conversations about that or I think, you

670
00:57:22,240 --> 00:57:31,000
know, if you just want to send us memos
or emails or anything like that, um,

671
00:57:26,319 --> 00:57:31,000
we're always welcome. So,

672
00:57:31,760 --> 00:57:38,880
» yeah, I agree. Um, the mayor prom stated
everything so well. I won't try to

673
00:57:36,240 --> 00:57:43,359
restate. Um, I just wanted to see if you
guys hear some of the same things that I

674
00:57:41,280 --> 00:57:48,400
do. Do you hear from the senior
community at all the the members who

675
00:57:45,359 --> 00:57:54,240
come in and need especially books and
the access or lack thereof to like new

676
00:57:51,760 --> 00:57:59,359
like the newest like novels that are out
especially in large print or newspapers

677
00:57:57,200 --> 00:58:04,319
in large print because what I've what I
have been hearing is the only access is

678
00:58:01,680 --> 00:58:08,160
a digital one and I find that that is
not actually typically used by our

679
00:58:06,480 --> 00:58:11,920
senior population. So I was just curious
to see if that was something that you

680
00:58:09,440 --> 00:58:16,079
guys have heard as well. Yeah. So,
looking at patron feedback specifically

681
00:58:13,839 --> 00:58:20,319
in our senior population, we do hear
quite often um a frustration or a

682
00:58:18,480 --> 00:58:25,200
dissatisfaction with the large print
collection. Um our print collection

683
00:58:22,880 --> 00:58:29,839
budget is is remarkably restrictive and
because we need to invest in the items

684
00:58:27,680 --> 00:58:34,880
that are most highly used, we try to
lean into our consorcia as best we can.

685
00:58:32,240 --> 00:58:38,079
The real the realities of our beautiful
library is that the footprint is

686
00:58:36,400 --> 00:58:44,960
relatively small. So we have about
82,000 items in our collection. Of that

687
00:58:40,960 --> 00:58:50,000
maybe 5% is large print for a colle this
size and with a growing aging

688
00:58:46,720 --> 00:58:55,200
population. Our goal um internally so
under staff's direction is to grow that

689
00:58:52,559 --> 00:58:59,599
to a 7% of our collection. However,
print newspapers becomes a whole

690
00:58:57,280 --> 00:59:03,520
different world. Um, as the print
publishing world continues to struggle

691
00:59:01,280 --> 00:59:08,559
in an increasingly digital age, we do
see increasing costs in print

692
00:59:05,839 --> 00:59:11,359
publications that just aren't feasible
with with some of our budget

693
00:59:09,920 --> 00:59:16,240
constraints. So, when we start to have
to compare like what priority do we

694
00:59:13,200 --> 00:59:20,160
meet, whose needs do we put where, um,
that is why we're turning to things like

695
00:59:17,680 --> 00:59:24,079
the strategic plan, which is engaging
the entire populace to be able to help

696
00:59:22,319 --> 00:59:28,880
identify some of those sort of shared
values and shared priorities. So yes, we

697
00:59:26,559 --> 00:59:32,480
do we do hear some of those echoes. Um
and we are looking for creative ways to

698
00:59:30,960 --> 00:59:36,799
stretch what we have and meet those
needs to the best of our ability.

699
00:59:34,640 --> 00:59:40,720
» Thank you, director.
>> If I may, just real quick, is that also

700
00:59:38,960 --> 00:59:44,720
something that you guys share with the
foundation since they're responsible for

701
00:59:42,880 --> 00:59:48,720
helping to do some fundraising that that
might be targeted type of fundraising

702
00:59:46,640 --> 00:59:53,040
and there's specific organizations that
maybe they would be able to communicate

703
00:59:50,559 --> 00:59:56,240
with to raise money when it's something
specific for that? I don't know.

704
00:59:54,640 --> 00:59:59,680
» Yes. So the foundation is aware of
library needs. We have um monthly

705
00:59:58,160 --> 01:00:03,040
meetings with them where we check in on
our goals and priorities. They've also

706
01:00:01,520 --> 01:00:07,280
been a part of the strategic planning
process. Their fundraising currently has

707
01:00:05,599 --> 01:00:11,200
focused on programmatic things like the
summer reading program which could not

708
01:00:08,880 --> 01:00:15,359
happen without fun foundation support.
Otherwise, the bulk of their gift that

709
01:00:13,119 --> 01:00:19,119
they give us every year does already go
to collections. Our collections budget

710
01:00:17,440 --> 01:00:22,720
is about 50,000 less than our
surrounding communities from our

711
01:00:20,480 --> 01:00:26,319
operating budget from the city. And so
we do rely on subsidy from the

712
01:00:24,319 --> 01:00:30,240
foundation. And as that is a variable
and unreliable source of money depending

713
01:00:28,559 --> 01:00:35,920
year after year, we have to make some of
those decisions on a on a less um

714
01:00:33,520 --> 01:00:39,119
strategic visionary base year-over-year.
>> Thank you.

715
01:00:36,880 --> 01:00:43,200
» If I could add a little bit um
representing the superior community, I

716
01:00:41,359 --> 01:00:48,480
can guarantee you that the senior
community um is very very interested in

717
01:00:46,160 --> 01:00:56,319
the library and what resources are
available. they are primarily interested

718
01:00:52,079 --> 01:01:02,160
in ebooks and our collection is very
small um relative to other libraries. So

719
01:00:59,760 --> 01:01:08,160
it's not unusual to have a wait list of
82 people or even sometimes over 200

720
01:01:04,880 --> 01:01:12,160
people for a given book. Um so that's
one of the strongest areas of senior

721
01:01:10,720 --> 01:01:16,079
interest.
>> I agree. I buy my ebooks because I can't

722
01:01:14,160 --> 01:01:20,319
rent them.
>> Thank you very much for getting

723
01:01:17,440 --> 01:01:27,040
together. Um, one thing I do encourage
you, and I think you've heard it a

724
01:01:21,760 --> 01:01:34,160
couple of times, is um, watching budget
and giving us input is the way we get,

725
01:01:31,839 --> 01:01:39,359
uh, good good input from the boards and
commissions. And I hope you'll, you

726
01:01:36,400 --> 01:01:46,079
know, continue to to work with um, the
director on that and on um, on the work

727
01:01:43,920 --> 01:01:50,720
plan which is coming up too. If you're
interested in making, you know, some

728
01:01:48,400 --> 01:01:56,400
suggestions, we're getting close to
finishing the budget, but there will be

729
01:01:52,319 --> 01:02:02,319
a a a draft um budget that comes from
our city manager um the the first. We're

730
01:02:00,000 --> 01:02:07,920
going to have to shut um down because
we've got other um things coming. But

731
01:02:05,280 --> 01:02:12,000
please, if you have questions, thoughts,
don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

732
01:02:09,599 --> 01:02:18,400
But I think working with Brandy is, as
we've said, the best thing um we can do.

733
01:02:16,799 --> 01:02:21,359
» Well, thank you all for your time this
evening and thank you for having us here

734
01:02:20,000 --> 01:02:23,520
and thank you very much for your
feedback. I appreciate it.

735
01:02:23,119 --> 01:02:26,599
» Thanks.
>> Thank you.

736
01:02:27,440 --> 01:02:35,920
» Do you need a minute to set up? Um are
we are we headed back upstairs here? Are

737
01:02:34,480 --> 01:02:42,280
we
>> okay?

738
01:02:38,400 --> 01:02:42,280
I'm going to use a quick

739
01:02:43,359 --> 01:02:50,040
Why don't we plan to come back in a
couple of minutes things are set.

740
01:06:41,280 --> 01:06:43,280
on

741
01:06:58,319 --> 01:07:09,039
on and we're ready for
um our item B which is discussion and

742
01:07:05,920 --> 01:07:21,440
direction on the draft cross guide book
that's um Parks Recre open space guide

743
01:07:12,799 --> 01:07:26,799
book. Um and um why don't we start with
the presentation.

744
01:07:24,720 --> 01:07:30,160
» Sure. Thank you, Mayor. Adam Blackmore,
director of parks, wreck, and open

745
01:07:28,000 --> 01:07:36,720
space. Thrilled to be with you tonight.
Um in our rough estimates, closing in on

746
01:07:33,680 --> 01:07:42,319
our 30th public meeting related to this
specific project. Um as we we move

747
01:07:39,440 --> 01:07:45,680
forward. So, it's it's very exciting uh
with that amount of engagement and and

748
01:07:44,240 --> 01:07:49,839
time spent with the community, with our
elected officials and our boards uh to

749
01:07:48,000 --> 01:07:58,559
be able to present to you and I'll
highlight in all air quotes a draft um

750
01:07:53,920 --> 01:08:03,920
guide book which includes a 10yearish
10 plus year long range plan uh for the

751
01:08:01,680 --> 01:08:10,960
entire department as well as what would
be our first um city's trail system plan

752
01:08:08,480 --> 01:08:15,359
uh referenced in um areas as a trails
master plan. And so the drafts you have

753
01:08:13,680 --> 01:08:22,480
tonight um as I mentioned, they're a
culmination of um what would be four

754
01:08:19,359 --> 01:08:26,000
plus years of work. Um, one one of the
first items when I started with the city

755
01:08:24,000 --> 01:08:31,759
nearly four and a half years ago uh was
a high demand from the community to have

756
01:08:29,199 --> 01:08:35,440
um some more concrete direction and some
understanding of where this version of

757
01:08:33,600 --> 01:08:40,319
Lewisville sits as it relates to
priority uh for resources, priority for

758
01:08:38,799 --> 01:08:44,880
amenities
um and all the ins and outs um of what's

759
01:08:42,960 --> 01:08:50,400
valued in this community throughout our
very broad uh very highly used

760
01:08:47,359 --> 01:08:56,719
department. And so, um, you know, we've
gotten to this point, um, with the

761
01:08:53,279 --> 01:09:02,319
drafts. Uh, we are currently in, we're
right in the middle of, uh, potentially

762
01:08:59,600 --> 01:09:08,239
one of our last, if not our last full
community engagement periods. Um, we're

763
01:09:06,239 --> 01:09:14,239
seeking some guidance on if we're on the
right track tonight from city council as

764
01:09:10,560 --> 01:09:18,880
well as um feedback that would be
relevant to uh just any public input

765
01:09:16,880 --> 01:09:24,159
process as well after uh you've had a
chance to review the drafts. Um so I

766
01:09:22,080 --> 01:09:30,480
would just I'm I reiterate that because
we do still have uh three two and a half

767
01:09:26,960 --> 01:09:35,359
three-ish weeks left of public comment
to gain. Um, we have had some pretty

768
01:09:33,679 --> 01:09:39,359
robust comments thus far through our
engaged Lewisville site. Um, which I

769
01:09:37,520 --> 01:09:43,040
would encourage, um, anyone who hasn't
done that to go and review the draft

770
01:09:40,719 --> 01:09:47,600
plans, but also review the litany of
supporting documentation that's gone in

771
01:09:44,960 --> 01:09:52,239
to help uh, get us to where we are, but
also any comments. We've had comments

772
01:09:49,199 --> 01:09:57,360
from typos that will inevitably, no
matter how many times we read it, be

773
01:09:53,839 --> 01:10:01,280
found um to uh more substance and
substantive feedback that we can

774
01:09:58,960 --> 01:10:06,080
certainly take into consideration as we
work to refine these to a plan that can

775
01:10:04,159 --> 01:10:11,760
uh proudly be brought before you
hopefully in October uh for adoption.

776
01:10:09,440 --> 01:10:17,360
And so tonight, Brian's going to go
through um a brief presentation for you.

777
01:10:15,199 --> 01:10:21,840
So, if you're unaware, Brian Weber is
our planning and project manager for

778
01:10:19,600 --> 01:10:25,199
PROS. He's uh wearing a ton of hats, as
has been mentioned through our budget

779
01:10:23,120 --> 01:10:31,280
presentations over the past few months.
He's also juggling a um incredibly high

780
01:10:28,239 --> 01:10:35,600
workload while trying to uh crank out a
really high quality product I think is

781
01:10:33,520 --> 01:10:41,280
before you tonight uh to guide the
department moving forward. And so, Brian

782
01:10:37,840 --> 01:10:47,440
will go through his um his presentation.
We're happy to take any feedback um as

783
01:10:44,320 --> 01:10:50,239
it fits into refinements. Uh Brian will
touch on a few things that we've already

784
01:10:48,960 --> 01:10:54,159
kind of heard as it relates to
formatting and some content uh that

785
01:10:52,640 --> 01:10:58,000
we're going to be relaying back to our
consultant. We'll meet with the

786
01:10:55,280 --> 01:11:02,080
consultant later this week. Uh DTJ is
our primary consultant, but we have subs

787
01:10:59,840 --> 01:11:06,239
for all of the divisions uh outlined in
the plans you see before you tonight,

788
01:11:03,679 --> 01:11:11,360
including the trails plan. Um and then
once the public engagement period has

789
01:11:08,320 --> 01:11:16,000
ended midepptember uh again we'll take
all of those comments which we'll seek

790
01:11:13,440 --> 01:11:21,840
some direction tonight on how you would
like to see us utilize those um comments

791
01:11:19,199 --> 01:11:25,440
and hopefully again in October get you a
final plan. So without further ado, I'll

792
01:11:24,000 --> 01:11:30,840
turn it over to Brian to go through a
brief presentation on kind of where we

793
01:11:27,120 --> 01:11:30,840
are and how we got here.

794
01:11:32,159 --> 01:11:39,520
» All right. Thank you, Adam, and thanks
to council for having us at this special

795
01:11:37,120 --> 01:11:45,199
meeting to review these plans. Um,
really foundational for our department

796
01:11:42,080 --> 01:11:50,800
and our future and, um, worthy of as
many discussions as possible. So, as a

797
01:11:48,400 --> 01:11:57,280
quick recap, um, we started almost two
years ago developing our RFP, uh,

798
01:11:54,400 --> 01:12:02,480
request for proposal for this project.
um that came before our advisory boards

799
01:12:00,640 --> 01:12:09,920
as well as council prior to being
posted. Um fast forward now to August of

800
01:12:05,840 --> 01:12:15,600
2026 and here we are with draft plans um
under public review. So it's been quite

801
01:12:12,159 --> 01:12:21,440
a process um for us to get to this
point. Um and that included really a

802
01:12:18,400 --> 01:12:29,440
foundation of robust community input.
Um, so over really the past 14 months or

803
01:12:26,000 --> 01:12:36,719
so, um, as Adam mentioned, we've had
over 20, uh, closing in on 30 now, um,

804
01:12:33,760 --> 01:12:41,760
meetings with various aspects of the
community, whether that's advisory

805
01:12:38,400 --> 01:12:47,360
boards, uh, popup events out at our, um,
trail heads or parks, rec center,

806
01:12:45,120 --> 01:12:56,640
um, opportunities for people to provide
input on, uh, surveys, both residents

807
01:12:51,199 --> 01:13:01,760
and an open link survey um as well as um
through open houses. So, we've had a

808
01:12:59,760 --> 01:13:06,960
number of opportunities for people to
engage and had great response to those

809
01:13:04,239 --> 01:13:11,520
opportunities. Um we've looked at a
variety of plans and policies, uh

810
01:13:09,520 --> 01:13:16,880
existing conditions, things that kind of
frame the plans that you see today, as

811
01:13:14,400 --> 01:13:21,600
well as getting uh guidance from a
variety of consultants on the team. um

812
01:13:19,600 --> 01:13:26,640
everything from trail and kind of
transportation experts to ecological

813
01:13:24,800 --> 01:13:31,520
u consultants,
survey experts that helped us draft and

814
01:13:28,800 --> 01:13:35,679
implement the survey itself and then DTJ
as our lead consultant kind of hurting

815
01:13:33,920 --> 01:13:41,360
everything and structuring the process
itself. Um, another thing that has been

816
01:13:39,280 --> 01:13:48,640
ongoing is obviously the budget and
planning process specifically this year

817
01:13:43,199 --> 01:13:55,040
as we look at um the 27 and 28 and on
capital improvement planning um as well

818
01:13:51,040 --> 01:14:00,239
as feedback from staff. So, not only our
superintendent of the various divisions,

819
01:13:57,120 --> 01:14:04,560
but field staff as well. Um, and so
really what this plan comes down to is

820
01:14:02,560 --> 01:14:11,360
we're trying to establish a clear
framework um, and a set of priorities

821
01:14:06,719 --> 01:14:16,640
for how our department can move forward.
The intent of the plans um, lots of

822
01:14:14,880 --> 01:14:21,440
terms out there that can be kind of
confusing, but ultimately a long range

823
01:14:19,440 --> 01:14:28,080
plan, a trail system plan, we would put
them in the category of strategic level,

824
01:14:24,640 --> 01:14:32,640
highlevel plans. Um, we're looking to,
hence the name guide book, we're looking

825
01:14:30,239 --> 01:14:38,400
to establish a direction for our future
and kind of guide the way. Um, help us

826
01:14:35,840 --> 01:14:44,159
to prioritize knowing that we can't
possibly accomplish everything that

827
01:14:40,719 --> 01:14:50,480
every single person wants us to do. Um
but looking at kind of the communitywide

828
01:14:47,040 --> 01:14:55,520
um high level, how can we
get kind of the most bang for our buck

829
01:14:52,320 --> 01:15:00,320
in investments um with limited resources
and kind of define the outcomes that the

830
01:14:57,840 --> 01:15:05,520
community as a whole desires
and then develop a framework um for

831
01:15:03,440 --> 01:15:09,760
action that we can really implement so
that we're not just talking about big

832
01:15:07,600 --> 01:15:14,000
ideas and lofty goals, but we're trying
to break that into a series of steps

833
01:15:12,000 --> 01:15:18,960
that we can actually take to achieve
these things. Um, identifying priority

834
01:15:16,800 --> 01:15:25,520
level, time frame, staff position
responsible, etc. That being said, uh,

835
01:15:22,480 --> 01:15:31,520
we do want our goals and strategies to
be actionable, but we by no means have

836
01:15:28,480 --> 01:15:36,960
all of the answers, um, or can these
plans provide all of the answers. um one

837
01:15:34,640 --> 01:15:40,960
for unforeseen challenges or shifting
priorities, but just the level of

838
01:15:38,719 --> 01:15:44,560
detail, meaning if we talk about a
certain amenity, we don't have it

839
01:15:42,800 --> 01:15:49,840
designed, right? So, we don't know
exactly how much it cost um or even

840
01:15:47,120 --> 01:15:54,960
exactly where it goes um within the
community, but we're just identifying

841
01:15:51,520 --> 01:16:00,400
that um some of these things like a
recreation field for example

842
01:15:58,080 --> 01:16:03,600
um are an amenity that's been desired by
the community and highlighted through

843
01:16:01,920 --> 01:16:09,360
this process and something that we need
to um carve out resources for going

844
01:16:06,560 --> 01:16:14,480
forward. So, um, we don't have all the
details today, um, on, you know, exactly

845
01:16:12,320 --> 01:16:18,000
how things will be implemented. Um, but
we do want to make sure that we're

846
01:16:16,080 --> 01:16:22,080
heading in the right direction and
pursuing the right, um, direction and

847
01:16:20,320 --> 01:16:28,880
priorities.
In terms of, um, kind of where we stand

848
01:16:25,040 --> 01:16:33,679
as staff, uh, I think one of the things
that we appreciate the most about the

849
01:16:31,840 --> 01:16:39,199
direction that these plans have gone is
that they're broken down by division. So

850
01:16:36,480 --> 01:16:44,640
looking at parks, the recreation and
senior services, open space, Cole Creek

851
01:16:42,239 --> 01:16:52,159
golf course and the trail system which
weaves between parks, open space and

852
01:16:48,800 --> 01:16:57,280
kind of public right away. Um
each division has its own unique needs.

853
01:16:55,360 --> 01:17:02,719
In some cases has its own funding
sources, has its own um governing

854
01:17:00,400 --> 01:17:08,239
documents in some cases such as the city
charter. So we really need to focus at

855
01:17:05,600 --> 01:17:14,800
the division level and these plans um
allow us to do that. Uh there also is a

856
01:17:11,840 --> 01:17:19,840
sentiment from the community to um
continue what we're doing right maintain

857
01:17:17,360 --> 01:17:24,320
what we have build on what's working. So
that to say, we're not starting from

858
01:17:21,600 --> 01:17:28,400
scratch, right? There's been a number of
um things in process for a long time

859
01:17:26,400 --> 01:17:33,760
that we want to look to continue to
leverage and continue um to build on the

860
01:17:31,360 --> 01:17:38,400
success of things that have been done
and and are ongoing. Now, more than

861
01:17:36,800 --> 01:17:42,800
anything, it's grounded in community
input. Um so we had great response from

862
01:17:40,960 --> 01:17:47,679
the community to help provide us
direction. At the same time, we're

863
01:17:44,880 --> 01:17:54,080
trying to balance lofty goals, big
picture ideas with the u realism of like

864
01:17:51,920 --> 01:17:58,880
where do we stand, you know, as a city
financially, what can we achieve, what

865
01:17:56,159 --> 01:18:04,080
resources do we have? Um, and trying to
strike that balance between goals that

866
01:18:01,760 --> 01:18:09,520
inspire us and pull us forward and
elevate us to a next level, but don't go

867
01:18:07,440 --> 01:18:13,040
so high that we could never achieve
them, and we're basically setting

868
01:18:10,960 --> 01:18:17,679
ourselves up for failure. So I think
we're striking um a good balance there

869
01:18:15,520 --> 01:18:22,800
as well.
Combined with that is uh guiding

870
01:18:20,159 --> 01:18:28,159
decision- making, right? We we can't say
yes to everything and every person. Um

871
01:18:25,440 --> 01:18:32,719
and so we can use this document as a
foundation for those decisions going

872
01:18:30,159 --> 01:18:37,679
forward for where we can say yes, where
we unfortunately do need to say no, um

873
01:18:35,360 --> 01:18:44,480
and how we can best focus our resources.
I think it's interesting timing coming

874
01:18:40,480 --> 01:18:49,679
to adoption here um with where we are in
the CIP process for the next couple

875
01:18:46,960 --> 01:18:56,080
years and kind of
balancing the community input of

876
01:18:52,320 --> 01:19:00,320
maintaining what we have the realism of
kind of where our budget is projected to

877
01:18:58,159 --> 01:19:05,360
be and the goals and objectives that
this plan sets and I think that there's

878
01:19:02,159 --> 01:19:10,320
a nice synergy there um between this
plan how it informs terms um CIP

879
01:19:08,320 --> 01:19:15,040
planning going forward and also what's
desired by our community of maintaining

880
01:19:12,320 --> 01:19:20,080
and leveraging existing assets. Um so I
think we're in a good place there. And

881
01:19:16,880 --> 01:19:26,320
then more than anything um the way that
this document set up that I've not seen

882
01:19:22,640 --> 01:19:30,640
before is there is a big booklet, right?
There's literally hundreds of pages to

883
01:19:28,320 --> 01:19:35,760
read through. But the spine and the
foundation of that is an action matrix

884
01:19:33,199 --> 01:19:40,400
that establishes the goals, strategies,
and action items for each division. And

885
01:19:38,080 --> 01:19:45,120
that's something that we can not only
use for implementation, but we can use

886
01:19:42,719 --> 01:19:50,080
that in ongoing fashion. Meaning that we
can update that, we can track progress,

887
01:19:47,840 --> 01:19:55,280
we can literally cross things off the
list as they're done. We can shift

888
01:19:52,640 --> 01:20:01,440
priorities and time frames um more
easily based on budget cycles. So it's

889
01:19:58,159 --> 01:20:06,239
not just a document that is intended to
sit on get adopted and sit on a shelf.

890
01:20:03,920 --> 01:20:12,320
It's a document that we can use on an
annual basis um and really be a living

891
01:20:09,120 --> 01:20:19,679
and working document um to guide us and
not be 10 years from now with another

892
01:20:16,239 --> 01:20:24,560
consultant going oh yeah back in 2025
and 2026 we did this. This action matrix

893
01:20:22,320 --> 01:20:30,480
is something that we can actively use on
a year-to-year basis. So, uh, staff are

894
01:20:27,840 --> 01:20:34,320
feeling good about, um, what we have,
the direction that we're headed, and,

895
01:20:32,800 --> 01:20:39,520
um,
the idea of, you know, building on what

896
01:20:36,239 --> 01:20:44,080
the community, um, input, uh, what the
community has told us over the past 14

897
01:20:41,440 --> 01:20:49,440
months. So, in terms of input, um,
tonight, there's a number of ways to

898
01:20:46,480 --> 01:20:53,679
kind of try to tackle all of the content
that was put before you guys and a lot

899
01:20:51,760 --> 01:20:57,199
of questions to kind of stew on as you
go through things. But ultimately, it

900
01:20:55,840 --> 01:21:00,960
really boils down to kind of this
central question at the bottom, and

901
01:20:59,199 --> 01:21:05,360
that's, you know, do we feel that the
long range plan and the trail system

902
01:21:03,199 --> 01:21:09,920
plan are setting the right strategic
vision for the department and each

903
01:21:07,440 --> 01:21:14,719
division going forward? Um, as we look
at a fiveyear and 10-year outlook, uh,

904
01:21:13,120 --> 01:21:21,440
some of the things that we've heard so
far, um, in terms of kind of refinements

905
01:21:18,000 --> 01:21:25,440
that are desired prior to adoption, um,
this idea of kind of connecting the

906
01:21:23,120 --> 01:21:30,320
dots. So, we have the long range plan,
we have the trail system plan, each one

907
01:21:27,280 --> 01:21:34,800
has an appendix with additional uh, very
thorough documents. So, how can we

908
01:21:33,040 --> 01:21:38,880
better connect the dots and strengthen
the plan so that a lot of that

909
01:21:36,880 --> 01:21:43,600
foundational work, specifically the
needs assessment and the community

910
01:21:40,400 --> 01:21:48,159
engagement summary is kind of more um
legible in the plans itself brought more

911
01:21:46,320 --> 01:21:53,040
to the to the forefront of those
documents um to understand kind of the

912
01:21:50,880 --> 01:21:58,639
context and the driving force. So, we've
heard that from some people um in kind

913
01:21:56,560 --> 01:22:03,520
of looking back to the earlier stages of
the project and how do we uh make sure

914
01:22:00,960 --> 01:22:08,560
that that information is present in the
final plans. Um at the same time, kind

915
01:22:06,080 --> 01:22:13,520
of looking forward uh with capital
improvement planning, how do we make

916
01:22:10,560 --> 01:22:17,840
sure that it's clear in these plans um
how the capital improvement planning

917
01:22:15,280 --> 01:22:22,880
will be informed by these plans? what
are some of the um key priorities coming

918
01:22:20,400 --> 01:22:28,880
out of these plans that will show up in
future capital requests, etc. Um and

919
01:22:26,159 --> 01:22:33,440
specifically with the trails plan, how
it relates to the transportation master

920
01:22:31,520 --> 01:22:38,320
plan that public works overseas, the
comp plan um with community development,

921
01:22:35,920 --> 01:22:44,080
and how is the trail system plan kind of
finding its home between those documents

922
01:22:41,199 --> 01:22:48,480
um building off of them, being informed
by them, and anticipating the future

923
01:22:46,400 --> 01:22:55,199
changes. uh specifically with the comp
plan that it kind of is projecting for

924
01:22:50,639 --> 01:23:02,719
Lewisville's future. Um and then
also kind of the prioritization. So um

925
01:22:58,560 --> 01:23:07,920
recognizing that each action item um and
strategy kind of has a high, medium or

926
01:23:04,719 --> 01:23:12,320
low and then has a time frame one to
fiveyear, 5 to 10 or is it something

927
01:23:10,000 --> 01:23:18,320
that we're doing in an ongoing fashion?
um that those are things that um we can

928
01:23:15,040 --> 01:23:23,920
get input on as well and kind of easily
tweak to meet um you know what what

929
01:23:21,440 --> 01:23:29,120
council thinks is the best direction um
for us. So with that, um just a quick

930
01:23:27,199 --> 01:23:35,600
recap, next steps. We're in public
comment till September 13th. Um seeking

931
01:23:31,920 --> 01:23:40,560
direction on kind of what happens after
September 13th with the feedback that we

932
01:23:38,400 --> 01:23:46,239
receive um through the website, through
email, um from this group, from our

933
01:23:43,520 --> 01:23:51,360
advisory boards who are also discussing
this plan at August and September

934
01:23:48,639 --> 01:23:54,960
meetings. Um, and really our goal is to
try to make these refinements,

935
01:23:53,120 --> 01:24:00,639
incorporate the input, and be able to
come back in October with a document um,

936
01:23:57,840 --> 01:24:05,120
that we feel is ready for adoption and
and get the thumbs up that this is the

937
01:24:03,199 --> 01:24:11,120
direction that we'd like to see the
department go um, for the next decade.

938
01:24:08,800 --> 01:24:15,600
So, with that, I'm happy to try to
answer any questions. I know there's a

939
01:24:13,360 --> 01:24:21,040
lot to digest with all of these plans
and appendices and all the things, but

940
01:24:18,080 --> 01:24:26,159
um if there's questions we can answer um
feedback we can incorporate or things

941
01:24:23,600 --> 01:24:35,679
that we can try to find an answer to,
happy to discuss.

942
01:24:30,480 --> 01:24:41,880
» Good. Um we will start with um council
questions. So who would like to kick off

943
01:24:38,480 --> 01:24:41,880
on this one?

944
01:24:42,560 --> 01:24:47,320
No questions at all. Wow.

945
01:24:48,719 --> 01:24:58,719
Okay. Um, we can go to public comment. I
I actually I've got a couple of

946
01:24:54,880 --> 01:25:01,719
questions myself, but yes, member
Goerman.

947
01:25:03,040 --> 01:25:11,040
Um,
let's see.

948
01:25:08,719 --> 01:25:16,159
Um
guess some a couple of smaller

949
01:25:13,360 --> 01:25:21,600
questions. Um
so on the there's the a map that shows

950
01:25:19,440 --> 01:25:27,040
all the open space properties and it has
the different designations of types of

951
01:25:23,840 --> 01:25:31,800
open space. Are those currently
established or are those suggestions?

952
01:25:32,080 --> 01:25:36,760
So, um that

953
01:25:37,120 --> 01:25:41,880
» um I can try to find it.

954
01:25:46,320 --> 01:25:50,040
» Yeah, I forget.

955
01:25:58,400 --> 01:26:07,280
Yeah, I think I know that you're talking
>> 45.

956
01:26:05,360 --> 01:26:13,360
» I'm off. I think I know the map you're
talking about and that map reflects uh

957
01:26:10,400 --> 01:26:18,719
the recent results of vegetation survey
that was done by open space staff. Um

958
01:26:16,080 --> 01:26:24,639
that is one of the reports um that you
can link to in the appendix and is

959
01:26:20,880 --> 01:26:28,719
available um on the engage website. All
of the different appendix um appendex

960
01:26:26,800 --> 01:26:32,400
items are there to read kind of that
full report.

961
01:26:29,840 --> 01:26:38,639
» But my understanding is that
>> as a result of the vegetation study,

962
01:26:34,880 --> 01:26:44,239
they correlated the types of vegetation
um to different classifications. And so

963
01:26:41,360 --> 01:26:51,199
in areas where they found more native
species, less weeds, etc. that warranted

964
01:26:48,320 --> 01:26:56,639
being um the highest like preserve
level. Things that were more like smooth

965
01:26:53,920 --> 01:27:01,840
broom, undesirable vegetation were in
the lower. So that map basically

966
01:26:59,120 --> 01:27:07,440
reflects classifications that were
informed by the vegetation survey data.

967
01:27:05,520 --> 01:27:11,920
So it's kind of a snapshot of where
things sit today.

968
01:27:10,000 --> 01:27:18,320
» Okay. But it's not like a formally
adopted in some sense.

969
01:27:14,960 --> 01:27:22,320
I mean like we haven't said like
>> No, it's meant to reflect current

970
01:27:20,080 --> 01:27:29,199
snapshot using the veg survey. We do
have designations and mapping for each

971
01:27:25,199 --> 01:27:33,199
property as it's came through council's
review or OSAB's review historically

972
01:27:31,199 --> 01:27:37,520
that we've been using for guidance as it
relates to um infrastructure

973
01:27:35,920 --> 01:27:40,880
improvements or the way that we manage
the properties. But that specific map I

974
01:27:39,440 --> 01:27:44,280
think is talking to just a snapshot of
the veg survey.

975
01:27:46,960 --> 01:27:55,520
» Okay. Um
and then another question about a map.

976
01:27:52,080 --> 01:28:00,639
Um so there's a one of the trails maps
showing existing

977
01:27:57,760 --> 01:28:07,199
um conditions. Again, it seems like it
shows some bicycle lanes but not all the

978
01:28:03,920 --> 01:28:12,080
bicycle lanes. So, I was wondering, you
know, is the is it supposed to is it

979
01:28:09,840 --> 01:28:16,800
supposed to show all bicycle lanes or
are there certain ones that have been

980
01:28:15,199 --> 01:28:19,760
emphasized or like there are there
actually ones that are sort of

981
01:28:17,840 --> 01:28:26,560
designated as parts of trails? I'm just
not sure. Yeah. So, we wrestled quite a

982
01:28:24,000 --> 01:28:31,920
bit with the classifications and try to
how to best adapt

983
01:28:29,440 --> 01:28:36,639
kind of industry standard or national
standard trail classifications to

984
01:28:35,440 --> 01:28:40,400
Lewisville.
>> Um,

985
01:28:38,159 --> 01:28:43,840
» it's interesting because for instance in
trails planning there's this idea of a

986
01:28:42,159 --> 01:28:47,440
regional trail.
>> In an industry standard, a regional

987
01:28:45,760 --> 01:28:52,639
trail would be something more like
Highway 36. you have this, you know,

988
01:28:50,480 --> 01:28:58,960
consistent width of concrete that goes
between jurisdictions, but then we have

989
01:28:55,360 --> 01:29:04,159
the Cole Creek Regional Trail, which is
anything but Highway 36, right? So, we

990
01:29:01,440 --> 01:29:07,120
we kind of looked at these breakdowns of
like what what does it mean for

991
01:29:05,520 --> 01:29:11,679
Lewisville? So kind of where we landed
was we do have these regional

992
01:29:09,360 --> 01:29:16,159
connections. We do have secondary
connections and then we also have um

993
01:29:14,080 --> 01:29:19,199
this this idea of kind of street routes
and those are things that are more in

994
01:29:17,679 --> 01:29:23,679
the public rightway.
>> Specifically for the bike lanes. That's

995
01:29:21,760 --> 01:29:28,880
something that I think we should go back
and look at that exhibit and kind of

996
01:29:27,120 --> 01:29:33,440
with a fine tooth comb say are we
showing these accurately or not? Um and

997
01:29:31,600 --> 01:29:38,639
double check that. In terms of the
trails planning, we are considering more

998
01:29:35,360 --> 01:29:42,960
of the street routes um being part of
the system, not just like a bike lane in

999
01:29:41,120 --> 01:29:48,320
the road, but more of something where
you have um kind of like a separated

1000
01:29:45,920 --> 01:29:53,040
bike lane. So, if you think along
>> like the north side of Cherry Street

1001
01:29:50,320 --> 01:29:58,000
over by Heritage Park, um there's like a
a concrete path on the north side of

1002
01:29:55,120 --> 01:30:04,080
Cherry. Um that's kind of a street route
trail, right? Um but not like just a

1003
01:30:01,280 --> 01:30:04,800
three foot wide section of a lane, so to
speak.

1004
01:30:04,400 --> 01:30:09,639
» Yeah.
>> Okay, that's helpful. Um

1005
01:30:12,239 --> 01:30:15,239
okay.

1006
01:30:15,280 --> 01:30:22,320
And uh maybe
um

1007
01:30:20,880 --> 01:30:25,360
» I don't know. Maybe that's all for now.
Thank you.

1008
01:30:22,719 --> 01:30:29,120
» Okay,
member Kern.

1009
01:30:26,719 --> 01:30:32,880
» Great. Thank you. Uh first off,
appreciate like this is huge amount of

1010
01:30:31,440 --> 01:30:36,400
work. I know that I've mentioned this to
you guys before, but I thought in a very

1011
01:30:34,560 --> 01:30:42,320
public setting I would I would offer
that as thanks because I think this is a

1012
01:30:38,400 --> 01:30:48,239
big project. Um so I I had a question
about it's under the open space and it's

1013
01:30:45,199 --> 01:30:54,800
I think in the details of the action
plan that we're kind of talking about

1014
01:30:50,480 --> 01:31:01,360
page 114 Chris to help you find it. Um
and I think it's under the open space

1015
01:30:57,199 --> 01:31:07,280
2.3 it has a mention of wildfire
mitigation in with vegetation management

1016
01:31:03,760 --> 01:31:13,520
practices and ecological restoration.
And then in 231 it's it like it talks

1017
01:31:11,040 --> 01:31:18,080
about um incorporating resource
protection measures uh into project

1018
01:31:15,920 --> 01:31:23,199
designs implementation and then aligning
projects with operational activities and

1019
01:31:20,239 --> 01:31:27,679
adopted plans. Is there something like
this one in also the parks area because

1020
01:31:25,600 --> 01:31:31,840
I know we also have to do this on that
kind of like unerrigated parks I think

1021
01:31:30,159 --> 01:31:39,199
I'm saying that right out on irrigated
parks land um and is this enough

1022
01:31:36,719 --> 01:31:44,080
information I mean given given like the
the importance of this to the community

1023
01:31:42,080 --> 01:31:48,480
to I guess since this is going to be a
staff document to make sure that future

1024
01:31:46,639 --> 01:31:54,320
people for the next 10 years or more
understand like what a high priority

1025
01:31:51,280 --> 01:32:00,320
this is my concern is where it's living
and how small it is and I just wanted to

1026
01:31:57,040 --> 01:32:06,520
see if if it felt the importance to you
because as I read this it doesn't strike

1027
01:32:02,719 --> 01:32:06,520
me as it's high level

1028
01:32:09,120 --> 01:32:17,679
for us it is
to your point though I think if there's

1029
01:32:14,800 --> 01:32:21,360
a way to make it more prominent or to
highlight the language we can certainly

1030
01:32:19,840 --> 01:32:27,199
consider that in the final draft for
future people that would be reading this

1031
01:32:24,080 --> 01:32:32,560
or implementing it. Um,
you know, I do think

1032
01:32:29,920 --> 01:32:36,480
and I'd have to go do a a word search of
sorts, but we did take the feedback from

1033
01:32:34,159 --> 01:32:42,320
the April meeting specific to
reinforcing that message. Um, and

1034
01:32:39,360 --> 01:32:49,040
incorporated that pretty substantially
throughout the document and all aspects

1035
01:32:45,760 --> 01:32:53,360
really. Um, so I think that for what
we're trying to implement and in the at

1036
01:32:50,800 --> 01:32:59,520
least the short term, it's definitely
got a high level of priority. Um,

1037
01:32:57,840 --> 01:33:04,320
yeah, I'll I'll leave it at that. I I
think for us it's good, but you know, we

1038
01:33:01,679 --> 01:33:08,800
can certainly consider ways to ensure
that number one, it is in parks and

1039
01:33:05,840 --> 01:33:14,639
number two that it's highlighted.
>> Yeah. And there is mention of it in

1040
01:33:10,880 --> 01:33:20,159
parks and golf also. um this idea of
fire mitigation. I think the how it fits

1041
01:33:17,280 --> 01:33:25,280
into specifically open space with the
concept of lands management of as we do

1042
01:33:23,280 --> 01:33:29,760
these restoration projects as we
increase um the percentage of native

1043
01:33:27,600 --> 01:33:35,679
grasses get rid of things like smooth
broom that that is supporting fire

1044
01:33:32,800 --> 01:33:39,199
mitigation um and managing those fuels.
So

1045
01:33:37,360 --> 01:33:44,960
my understanding from discussion with
open space staff is that the fire

1046
01:33:41,760 --> 01:33:50,480
mitigation falls under those um the land
management and kind of it's all the

1047
01:33:48,239 --> 01:33:55,440
goals are all they all align I guess if
that makes sense. So as we restore

1048
01:33:51,920 --> 01:34:01,520
native grasses we have better habitat
we're more resilient against wildfire

1049
01:33:58,960 --> 01:34:05,280
kind of all goes hand inand together.
Um, so that's why I think you see it

1050
01:34:03,360 --> 01:34:07,840
kind of nested under that broader goal
about the resource management.

1051
01:34:07,440 --> 01:34:11,360
» Okay.
>> Um, but yeah, the feedback's good. It's

1052
01:34:10,639 --> 01:34:15,320
important.
>> Thank you. I appreciate it.

1053
01:34:16,400 --> 01:34:19,719
» Other questions?

1054
01:34:20,320 --> 01:34:24,880
» Okay.
Um, I want to follow up on one of the

1055
01:34:23,760 --> 01:34:33,840
questions that council member
Coopermanman asked, which is, um, when

1056
01:34:30,480 --> 01:34:42,080
if and when we adopt this, probably when
we adopt this in some form

1057
01:34:38,000 --> 01:34:49,280
on as to that figure 11.
Um, what are we going to be adopting

1058
01:34:47,760 --> 01:34:56,159
and what are we not going to be
adopting? Are we going to be I mean is

1059
01:34:52,239 --> 01:35:03,040
that going to set in
priority I guess your

1060
01:34:59,679 --> 01:35:09,560
um future activity? Is that what we're
talking about or is there some something

1061
01:35:05,920 --> 01:35:09,560
different than that?

1062
01:35:12,320 --> 01:35:21,360
» So the way I understand it is I mean
everything in the document would be

1063
01:35:17,280 --> 01:35:26,480
adopted. um the key aspects in terms of
priorities or future goals and

1064
01:35:24,480 --> 01:35:31,760
objectives really comes down to that
matrix. So looking at the the goals,

1065
01:35:30,000 --> 01:35:37,360
strategies and action items for each
division,

1066
01:35:33,280 --> 01:35:42,880
priority level, time frame, etc. So if
there's something for instance that

1067
01:35:40,320 --> 01:35:46,960
we have as a low priority happening 10
years from now and council thinks it

1068
01:35:44,880 --> 01:35:51,840
needs to be a high priority happening
one year from now like that feedback's

1069
01:35:50,159 --> 01:36:00,480
great because that's going to you know
trickle into CIP planning and um

1070
01:35:56,880 --> 01:36:06,639
staff focus etc etc. So I think that's
you know the type of feedback from a

1071
01:36:02,560 --> 01:36:10,480
high level um now of like do we have the
right goals, strategies, action items

1072
01:36:08,639 --> 01:36:15,760
and are we thinking about this the right
way in terms of the priorities based on

1073
01:36:13,199 --> 01:36:19,960
input from the community.
>> Okay. Um

1074
01:36:22,000 --> 01:36:29,520
got a couple of
>> I think Adam has a thought too. I was

1075
01:36:27,360 --> 01:36:33,199
just I was going to maybe highlight
something. Not that anybody asked, but I

1076
01:36:31,440 --> 01:36:38,400
would. It's a it's a huge component of
the the plan that we were kind of able

1077
01:36:36,000 --> 01:36:43,920
to work with the consultant and
especially OSAB. I appreciate uh Vice

1078
01:36:41,520 --> 01:36:49,360
Chair Dorsy being here this evening and
the trails plan specifically as a a

1079
01:36:46,560 --> 01:36:54,159
framework and a rubric for how to start
addressing the social or undesated trail

1080
01:36:51,679 --> 01:36:59,679
issues throughout our system. And there
will be a direct tie-in to that with the

1081
01:36:56,960 --> 01:37:02,960
figure 11 uh classifications based on
current recommendations for what that

1082
01:37:01,360 --> 01:37:09,119
that's going to look like in the trails
plan. Um so there's definitely a tiein

1083
01:37:06,480 --> 01:37:13,520
that impacts day-to-day maintenance and
future larger scale investment.

1084
01:37:12,239 --> 01:37:21,360
Okay.
Um, another question I had relating to

1085
01:37:17,199 --> 01:37:32,080
the I guess it's trail 18.
Um, and I I think um if I'm recalling

1086
01:37:27,679 --> 01:37:38,239
one of the um emails that we received
suggested

1087
01:37:33,760 --> 01:37:44,239
perhaps running that along 96.
Um, and I guess I was interested if you

1088
01:37:41,280 --> 01:37:52,320
have any thoughts about that
um whether that's um something that was

1089
01:37:49,440 --> 01:37:58,000
evaluated
um and what your thought is around that.

1090
01:37:55,280 --> 01:38:03,440
I'm not suggesting thorough. I'm just
interested in what your thinking process

1091
01:38:00,320 --> 01:38:11,360
was around that.
>> Yeah. So, the intent of the maps was

1092
01:38:06,480 --> 01:38:16,080
really to cast out ideas and see um what
are potential connections that could be

1093
01:38:13,280 --> 01:38:21,520
made in the future. We had a trails
workshop last November um that involved

1094
01:38:19,119 --> 01:38:26,320
a variety of stakeholders from different
um kind of perspectives and and realms

1095
01:38:23,920 --> 01:38:32,480
within the city. Um and some of that
came out of that um workshop of you know

1096
01:38:30,239 --> 01:38:37,360
opportunities for new connections. I
think that trail in particular uh

1097
01:38:34,800 --> 01:38:42,560
relates to the Red Tail Ridge and that
kind of emerging development and how

1098
01:38:39,360 --> 01:38:48,960
that might shift um
circulation patterns around the city as

1099
01:38:45,360 --> 01:38:53,119
well as the um
uh the what do we call it acquisition

1100
01:38:50,719 --> 01:39:00,239
sorry drawing a blank of the Paradise
Lane properties um and how that kind of

1101
01:38:56,159 --> 01:39:05,840
extends um to the north. So there's an
opportunity there. Um I will say that in

1102
01:39:03,520 --> 01:39:10,560
the
prioritization of the different trails,

1103
01:39:08,239 --> 01:39:16,480
the feedback that we got that specific
trail was not a high priority. So we

1104
01:39:13,920 --> 01:39:22,000
asked for instance the OSAB group um and
trails task force of these you know

1105
01:39:19,119 --> 01:39:27,760
20some different potential trails which
are your top five. Um that trail was not

1106
01:39:25,520 --> 01:39:31,520
in the top five. So from that
standpoint, I don't think that

1107
01:39:29,679 --> 01:39:37,040
particular trail is something that we're
looking at as a a high priority item. It

1108
01:39:34,880 --> 01:39:41,679
was more captured on a map for the
purpose of conversation and feedback

1109
01:39:39,360 --> 01:39:48,080
collection and where the community
interest is in not only that connection,

1110
01:39:44,159 --> 01:39:52,400
but 20 others around the city. Um in
addition to underpasses, regional trail

1111
01:39:51,119 --> 01:39:57,040
connections, you know, there's some
different layers to that mapping um that

1112
01:39:54,719 --> 01:40:03,520
was done. So that's kind of where that
trail falls in the the bigger picture.

1113
01:40:00,000 --> 01:40:09,840
» So tell me if this is right that u
that's sort of a that's in the category

1114
01:40:06,159 --> 01:40:16,880
of things to be determined later. It's
not something that we would be if we

1115
01:40:13,040 --> 01:40:21,199
adopted this we would be adopting that
particular piece of it. I'll I'll go

1116
01:40:19,199 --> 01:40:24,880
back to the slide a couple PowerPoint
slides again about what the intent of

1117
01:40:22,960 --> 01:40:30,320
this plan is. Right? The intent of this
plan is to set strategy with clear

1118
01:40:27,119 --> 01:40:34,239
understanding that investment. We'll
reference back to this when we make

1119
01:40:32,159 --> 01:40:39,199
project recommendations,
infrastructure recommendations,

1120
01:40:35,840 --> 01:40:43,920
maintenance, infrastructure needs.
It's not intended to be overly

1121
01:40:41,040 --> 01:40:49,360
prescriptive. It's pretend it's intended
to showcase

1122
01:40:46,800 --> 01:40:54,560
an incredibly high amount of public
feedback that we were able to attain

1123
01:40:52,320 --> 01:40:59,199
that leads us to saying what we say we
think the community would like to see

1124
01:40:56,560 --> 01:41:03,040
implemented out of this plan. But every
one of those implementation items,

1125
01:41:00,960 --> 01:41:08,159
especially related to items like the
budget that council would be approving,

1126
01:41:05,440 --> 01:41:13,679
uh would have the same public engagement
that any other project or planning

1127
01:41:10,000 --> 01:41:17,280
process would have. Good. Thanks. Um,
any other questions? If there are any

1128
01:41:15,440 --> 01:41:20,280
more questions, we'll take public
comment.

1129
01:41:21,840 --> 01:41:28,360
» Um, first up is Matt Jones, followed by
Cindy Bedell.

1130
01:41:45,679 --> 01:41:52,000
that on now. Uh Matt Jones live in
Lewisville. Thanks for the opportunity.

1131
01:41:50,239 --> 01:41:55,199
I'm going to be talking about open space
tonight. I appreciate there's a lot more

1132
01:41:53,679 --> 01:41:59,600
in the pro plan than that, but I'm
talking about open space.

1133
01:41:57,760 --> 01:42:04,080
And you know, I'll remind you that the
city charter and the standards as

1134
01:42:02,480 --> 01:42:07,520
preservation and protection is a
priority. I can read it to you if you

1135
01:42:06,159 --> 01:42:11,360
want me to read the language. You
probably know it.

1136
01:42:09,199 --> 01:42:16,560
And this the language that sets up the
land classifications areas.

1137
01:42:14,239 --> 01:42:20,880
A lot of places in the plan you see the
word balance between recreation and

1138
01:42:18,400 --> 01:42:26,480
ecolog and environmental protection. And
it's phrased a lot of different ways. I

1139
01:42:22,719 --> 01:42:32,960
don't know why, but it is.
This plan is not even balanced between

1140
01:42:30,080 --> 01:42:37,119
environmental protection and recreation.
It is way out of balance. And in part

1141
01:42:35,920 --> 01:42:40,960
because there have been a lot of
decisions over the years that put it in

1142
01:42:39,199 --> 01:42:45,679
that place
and there's a prime example that so you

1143
01:42:43,679 --> 01:42:50,960
should be projecting right that's what
the charter says or constitution says

1144
01:42:48,719 --> 01:42:54,639
not even balancing but balance isn't
even happening that's how out of whack

1145
01:42:52,480 --> 01:43:01,679
this is a good example is the land
classifications you have them currently

1146
01:42:58,239 --> 01:43:05,199
uh that the new ones have when we put
this together when we these land

1147
01:43:03,280 --> 01:43:11,600
classifications went into I I was part
of that. We wanted roughly equivalent

1148
01:43:10,080 --> 01:43:17,280
property
acreage in these things. And if you look

1149
01:43:14,639 --> 01:43:24,960
at the map, preservation, the most
protective category is at 6%.

1150
01:43:22,159 --> 01:43:30,159
Protections at 30%. Those should be at
50% or somewhere near that. And they

1151
01:43:27,600 --> 01:43:33,679
should each be about 25%. And I'll tell
you where the most one of the most

1152
01:43:31,679 --> 01:43:38,199
glaring examples of where this is a
problem is in the land classifications

1153
01:43:38,400 --> 01:43:46,960
with in the Cole Creek. You can look at
Dutch Creek area and Cole Creek.

1154
01:43:43,520 --> 01:43:57,480
They used the vegetation mapping for
eastern cottonwood flood plane woodland

1155
01:43:53,360 --> 01:43:57,480
and only use part of it.

1156
01:43:57,840 --> 01:44:06,560
flood plane's a repairarian area, right?
It's huge, huge miss. It should have had

1157
01:44:04,239 --> 01:44:11,119
the whole part of that vegetation type
at a minimum. And then you should

1158
01:44:08,560 --> 01:44:18,239
overlay environmental
protection criteria

1159
01:44:14,560 --> 01:44:23,679
uh and use that such as repairing areas
of the highest value wildlife habitat

1160
01:44:20,800 --> 01:44:31,199
you have. That was all supposed to be in
in a preservation category in the 2001

1161
01:44:28,000 --> 01:44:36,960
in two two inventory. It was that way
and it's not. That should all be

1162
01:44:33,679 --> 01:44:42,560
protected and it should be 25%. And
that's relative importance. Uh the other

1163
01:44:40,560 --> 01:44:48,480
thing I would mention is the trail
connection you were talking about. I

1164
01:44:44,639 --> 01:44:52,320
would take that trail off the map.
>> Off the map.

1165
01:44:49,360 --> 01:44:55,840
» Mr. Jones, your time is over.
>> Okay.

1166
01:44:53,920 --> 01:44:59,040
If I've done a lot of trail planning in
my life, that one wouldn't even make the

1167
01:44:57,679 --> 01:45:01,360
list because of the environmental
impact. You can read my letter. Thank

1168
01:45:00,639 --> 01:45:07,800
you.
>> Thanks.

1169
01:45:03,840 --> 01:45:07,800
» Next up, Cindy Bedell.

1170
01:45:13,440 --> 01:45:21,360
» Oh, hi. Can you hear me? Yeah. So, I'm
Cindy Bedell. I live in war I and um

1171
01:45:19,280 --> 01:45:24,719
first of all I want to thank the open
space parks and recck department for

1172
01:45:23,119 --> 01:45:32,719
everything they do. It's a wonderful
amenity and I really enjoy it. Um one of

1173
01:45:29,520 --> 01:45:37,840
my concerns is bright flood lights from
properties bordering open space that

1174
01:45:35,199 --> 01:45:43,520
impact wildlife, bird migration, and
evening human walkers and bike riders.

1175
01:45:41,280 --> 01:45:47,600
As you probably know, city council was
presented with a possible dark sky

1176
01:45:45,679 --> 01:45:52,159
ordinance in the past which was not
passed.

1177
01:45:49,119 --> 01:45:58,239
That ordinance did include something
about residential light trespass on open

1178
01:45:54,960 --> 01:46:02,080
space. The dark sky lighting information
that used to be on the city of

1179
01:45:59,760 --> 01:46:06,480
Louisville website didn't make it to the
new website. And I'd like to see that

1180
01:46:04,560 --> 01:46:10,960
put back up so that people who are
interested can learn more about dark

1181
01:46:08,480 --> 01:46:16,880
night sky lighting and very simple
measures that can be taken to preserve

1182
01:46:12,719 --> 01:46:21,280
our dark skies. Just um light fixtures
that point light down amber and the

1183
01:46:19,600 --> 01:46:25,360
appropriate wattage. It's all that's
really needed. Um but a lot of people

1184
01:46:23,440 --> 01:46:29,760
have these super bright flood lights
that are on motion detectors. So I walk

1185
01:46:27,520 --> 01:46:34,960
at night in Coyote Run and they just
turn on and blind me, you know, and then

1186
01:46:32,159 --> 01:46:38,639
it's very bad for the wildlife. What and
when these thousands of new housing

1187
01:46:36,800 --> 01:46:44,560
units go in that's called for in the new
comp plan, especially the many planned

1188
01:46:41,440 --> 01:46:49,600
for west of McCaslin, our dark night sky
over open space is going to be greatly

1189
01:46:46,800 --> 01:46:55,679
impacted. Right now, many of us go to
Davidson Mesa to view planetary events,

1190
01:46:52,639 --> 01:47:01,280
night photography, dark night sky, and
all of that is going to be lost without

1191
01:46:59,280 --> 01:47:07,280
measures to protect the dark night sky
near Davidson Mesa and other open

1192
01:47:03,600 --> 01:47:12,639
spaces. And again, um, I've studied this
a little bit about dark skylighting and,

1193
01:47:10,239 --> 01:47:15,840
um, the measures can be very simple and
especially with new builds, I would

1194
01:47:14,320 --> 01:47:20,159
think it wouldn't be that more cost
prohibitive just to put in fixtures that

1195
01:47:17,760 --> 01:47:25,040
point down, have some measures in place
about wattage and, you know, amber

1196
01:47:22,800 --> 01:47:29,520
lighting instead of bright light. So, I
don't think it's very expensive,

1197
01:47:26,880 --> 01:47:34,320
especially at the new build. So, I'd
really like to see something about light

1198
01:47:31,600 --> 01:47:42,400
trespass and light trespass mitigation
measures on open space um addressed and

1199
01:47:38,080 --> 01:47:45,800
included in the um pros plan. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Cindy.

1200
01:47:47,119 --> 01:47:57,679
» Any others?
>> No, there's no um thanks. Um let's take

1201
01:47:54,800 --> 01:48:06,080
it back to council. I want to do a
little bit of framing on this one. Um,

1202
01:48:01,440 --> 01:48:12,400
first I others can speak to this
obviously, but I think I speak on behalf

1203
01:48:09,360 --> 01:48:16,880
of all all the council that this is a
monumental effort and we really

1204
01:48:14,560 --> 01:48:24,639
appreciate all the work that's gone into
this by staff and by the community. Um,

1205
01:48:21,199 --> 01:48:30,800
I was, um,
you know, I I I looked at the community

1206
01:48:28,320 --> 01:48:37,760
engagement and and we've talked about
this a bit and I thought it was a really

1207
01:48:34,400 --> 01:48:43,679
good example of community engagement
following on to the

1208
01:48:40,480 --> 01:48:51,199
uh, comp plan, but it's actually more
community engagement than in the comp

1209
01:48:46,400 --> 01:48:57,199
plan. And um I I really appreciate that.
I think that's this is you know uh open

1210
01:48:54,400 --> 01:49:02,800
space and parks are huge as assets to
the city and we all want to protect them

1211
01:49:00,639 --> 01:49:07,119
not just because the charter says we
have to protect the open space for

1212
01:49:04,639 --> 01:49:15,840
example but because it's critically
important to who we are.

1213
01:49:10,000 --> 01:49:21,760
Um, and it's worth maybe reminding us
based on some of the the stats there

1214
01:49:18,560 --> 01:49:31,040
that we have 34 parks, 173 acres of
parks. That's um

1215
01:49:25,920 --> 01:49:38,719
about what 8.2 to 8.5 acres um per
thousand. Uh that's below the average uh

1216
01:49:35,040 --> 01:49:43,360
nationally and it's below the average in
our peer communities

1217
01:49:41,440 --> 01:49:50,320
um
by a pretty significant amount. Um but

1218
01:49:47,280 --> 01:49:56,480
uh it is those are very important to us
and especially as we attract um families

1219
01:49:53,679 --> 01:50:01,840
and so forth. We're going to that's an
important concern in this on open space.

1220
01:49:59,840 --> 01:50:07,119
I I think it's important to recognize
that although there are 675

1221
01:50:05,600 --> 01:50:14,560
acres
of city-owned

1222
01:50:09,679 --> 01:50:23,199
open space, there's, you know, 2,000ish
acres that are owned not necessarily by

1223
01:50:18,960 --> 01:50:27,600
um the city, but others as well. So, um,
and we're second only to Boulder County

1224
01:50:25,840 --> 01:50:32,880
and that, I mean, it makes me very
proud, but it also,

1225
01:50:30,400 --> 01:50:38,960
you know, certainly informs the the
process. Um,

1226
01:50:37,119 --> 01:50:47,360
you know, the north star for certainly
for open space is charter, as Matt Jones

1227
01:50:42,560 --> 01:50:53,360
said. I um we can talk in just a minute
about that piece, but it's pretty

1228
01:50:50,480 --> 01:50:59,840
important. The two documents are going
to be community documents though they

1229
01:50:55,199 --> 01:51:07,280
have been um drafted with respect to
this wide community input and I am uh

1230
01:51:04,239 --> 01:51:13,520
confident in the staff and the work
that's been done that um

1231
01:51:10,560 --> 01:51:22,639
the content is consistent
with that um input. Um these are drafts.

1232
01:51:18,719 --> 01:51:25,920
Um, we're not making a decision tonight.
Um, I think you heard a little bit in

1233
01:51:24,560 --> 01:51:31,360
terms of what we're deciding on, what
we're not eventually, but um, there's

1234
01:51:29,119 --> 01:51:37,280
more time for community input and there
will be, um, that. So, um, I think

1235
01:51:35,440 --> 01:51:41,520
that's a pretty important thing for us
to

1236
01:51:38,800 --> 01:51:45,520
to think about and I think there, as I
understand what staff is looking for,

1237
01:51:43,119 --> 01:51:50,239
we're looking for some uh guidance on
forward direction

1238
01:51:47,520 --> 01:51:56,639
and that's what we're here for. So, with
that in mind, what kind of comments to

1239
01:51:54,239 --> 01:52:00,960
Yes. Council member Dickinson, what do
you have?

1240
01:51:57,679 --> 01:52:06,719
» Yeah. Um, you know, I I liken this to
the comp plan. Um I think I've said in

1241
01:52:03,520 --> 01:52:10,400
in other moments that you know something
this big is like it's everything and

1242
01:52:08,480 --> 01:52:16,000
it's nothing, right? Like it's this
really really really important document

1243
01:52:12,320 --> 01:52:21,119
and in the end it isn't what we actually
use on a on a daily basis. It's a

1244
01:52:18,719 --> 01:52:25,040
guiding light. Um and so it's very
important we get it right and then

1245
01:52:22,239 --> 01:52:29,599
there's a lot of work to do after its
eventual adoption um to think about like

1246
01:52:27,920 --> 01:52:34,239
yeah what where's the money actually
coming from? which specific project is

1247
01:52:31,760 --> 01:52:41,280
actually being funded and when. But I
think this is an awesome um

1248
01:52:37,679 --> 01:52:46,480
uh draft and an awesome plan. I think
one of the things that's really clear to

1249
01:52:43,119 --> 01:52:52,239
me and I just, you know, as as a council
person, I've actually been on council

1250
01:52:48,400 --> 01:52:58,400
for nearly seven years and yet I take
almost in my mind no credit for what we

1251
01:52:56,480 --> 01:53:02,480
have as a community when it comes to the
parks, the open space, uh our

1252
01:53:00,960 --> 01:53:08,639
recreational facilities, all those
things. It it for the most part predates

1253
01:53:05,520 --> 01:53:13,599
my time on council. And and I think, you
know, that's just a really cool story

1254
01:53:11,040 --> 01:53:19,920
as, you know, this is this is my turn
and I'm here and what I think is being

1255
01:53:16,639 --> 01:53:24,560
asked of me is don't screw it up. We've
done a really really good job over the

1256
01:53:21,679 --> 01:53:29,520
last 20 years, 30 years, 40 years. Uh we
have incredible open space, incredible

1257
01:53:26,960 --> 01:53:34,719
uh bike paths, amazing parks and
playgrounds and pools, and incredible

1258
01:53:31,360 --> 01:53:39,119
rec center. um all these amazing things.
A golf course that I love I love to play

1259
01:53:37,040 --> 01:53:45,199
at as well. There's so many wonderful
things that we have that you know it's

1260
01:53:43,440 --> 01:53:51,440
not to say that we don't have our own
goals but I really like this idea of you

1261
01:53:48,480 --> 01:53:58,719
know taking care of what we have because
we've done such a good job of creating

1262
01:53:55,119 --> 01:54:04,159
it and and having it. And I say we as in
all the people that came before me, not

1263
01:54:00,400 --> 01:54:10,800
so much me. Um, I I think we've done a
great job and I think this plan is

1264
01:54:07,679 --> 01:54:16,400
thoughtful and I like how you guys um I
think the conversation we had the other

1265
01:54:12,239 --> 01:54:20,560
day is uh less dreaming and more doing
like we have all these things that we

1266
01:54:18,960 --> 01:54:27,280
want to do and all these things that we
need to do and this plan is a little bit

1267
01:54:23,599 --> 01:54:31,520
more uh oriented towards you know
divisions getting their jobs done,

1268
01:54:29,920 --> 01:54:35,920
divisions doing what they need to do
over the next 10 years to to preserve

1269
01:54:33,360 --> 01:54:42,000
what we have. Um, take care of what we
have and and that's not just preserving

1270
01:54:39,679 --> 01:54:45,760
open space, it's preserving our
incredible rec center, preserving our

1271
01:54:43,840 --> 01:54:52,800
other incredible things. So, I think
it's great. Um, and I I'm I know it's

1272
01:54:50,080 --> 01:54:57,440
still in draft form and I think similar
to the comp plan, it's so much bigger

1273
01:54:54,639 --> 01:55:01,520
than the seven of us, right? This is a
living public document that so many

1274
01:54:59,599 --> 01:55:06,400
people have had input on. So many
departments, so many um boards and we

1275
01:55:04,480 --> 01:55:11,040
are another one of those groups that is
really important just like so many other

1276
01:55:08,239 --> 01:55:15,040
groups are really important. Um I don't
currently have you know any certainly

1277
01:55:13,119 --> 01:55:19,440
nothing substantial
uh to to change. I I think it's really

1278
01:55:18,320 --> 01:55:23,760
well done and I think we've gotten a lot
of positive feedback uh both directly,

1279
01:55:22,639 --> 01:55:27,280
you know, people speaking to me and
indirectly through comments I've heard

1280
01:55:25,440 --> 01:55:30,960
from all sorts of people, talking to all
sorts of people. But, um I I think you

1281
01:55:29,119 --> 01:55:33,679
guys have crushed it so far. It's not
done. I'm excited to hear other

1282
01:55:32,239 --> 01:55:39,719
people's, you know, continued feedback
and to see what the next iteration looks

1283
01:55:35,920 --> 01:55:39,719
like. But super impressed.

1284
01:55:40,159 --> 01:55:48,560
» Others. Yes, Council Member Her.
>> Yeah, thanks. Um, you know, I know I've

1285
01:55:45,920 --> 01:55:55,840
shared a lot of my feedback directly
with staff. Um, it I think there's a lot

1286
01:55:53,280 --> 01:56:00,000
of things to like in here in terms of
the amount of community input. I think

1287
01:55:57,920 --> 01:56:03,760
we have a lot of really good sort of
statistical information about what

1288
01:56:01,440 --> 01:56:07,599
people asked for, sort of what what does
the wish list look like in terms of what

1289
01:56:05,920 --> 01:56:12,800
people want. I think there's a lot of
great descriptive information about what

1290
01:56:10,400 --> 01:56:14,960
um conditions are like now. um
especially in the trails plan. And I

1291
01:56:14,080 --> 01:56:19,920
think there's a lot of that good
information

1292
01:56:16,480 --> 01:56:25,199
um the vegetation survey the existing
condition the needs assessment the the

1293
01:56:22,800 --> 01:56:32,320
thing that I struggle with is I look at
the action items and a substantial

1294
01:56:28,880 --> 01:56:37,440
majority I mean well more than 50% feel
re just really generic like let's align

1295
01:56:35,119 --> 01:56:41,599
our budget with our priorities you know
let's let's assess our needs and then

1296
01:56:39,119 --> 01:56:47,119
figure out what to do about our needs
and it I don't know that it's going to

1297
01:56:45,599 --> 01:56:52,239
be at a point for me where it's like oh
let's go back and tweak those I think

1298
01:56:49,280 --> 01:56:56,239
it's kind of past that point now and so
the thing I'm struggling with and I

1299
01:56:53,520 --> 01:56:59,119
guess my question to all of you is and I
think that the mayor was getting at this

1300
01:56:57,760 --> 01:57:03,440
a little bit with his questions or
something similar is what does it mean

1301
01:57:01,119 --> 01:57:07,920
if we adopt this as a plan right I mean
a lot of the things in here to me are

1302
01:57:06,400 --> 01:57:10,719
like they're great wish list items
they're great best practices like we

1303
01:57:09,679 --> 01:57:14,960
should align our budget with our
priorities I agree with that and and

1304
01:57:12,719 --> 01:57:18,480
certainly wouldn't reject that idea. At
the same time, it doesn't The last time

1305
01:57:17,119 --> 01:57:22,080
we were in here with a consultant, he
said, "This is going to spell out what

1306
01:57:20,480 --> 01:57:25,440
we're doing in year one and year two and
year three, and it's going to be

1307
01:57:23,280 --> 01:57:31,440
specific actionable items and that sort
of checklist to check off." I I don't

1308
01:57:28,719 --> 01:57:36,880
totally see that here and I'm struggling
a little bit with how sort of how we

1309
01:57:34,080 --> 01:57:42,080
adopt this as a plan when at least in my
mind it it sort of doesn't quite rise to

1310
01:57:40,080 --> 01:57:45,920
the level of a of a plan that we could
implement in a meaningful way while at

1311
01:57:44,239 --> 01:57:49,920
the same time it has lots of value in
terms of what does the community want,

1312
01:57:48,159 --> 01:57:56,000
what are good practices for managing
open space and parks and recreation. Um,

1313
01:57:53,360 --> 01:57:58,639
so that that's where I'm at and
certainly don't want to discount all of

1314
01:57:57,520 --> 01:58:01,920
the work that went into it. I know
there's a tremendous amount of work and

1315
01:58:00,080 --> 01:58:06,239
community engagement and I think the
most valuable thing we got out of it is

1316
01:58:03,760 --> 01:58:11,679
the results of the community engagement
and the research into things we might

1317
01:58:08,960 --> 01:58:14,960
do. Um,
I I just would hate to be sort of locked

1318
01:58:13,599 --> 01:58:19,599
into saying these are all things we're
we're going to do. like if we did all

1319
01:58:17,119 --> 01:58:23,599
the high priority and ongoing items, it
would far exceed

1320
01:58:21,840 --> 01:58:31,280
our wildest dream of available
resources. So, um I think that's my

1321
01:58:27,840 --> 01:58:39,040
piece. Thanks all.
>> Other comments? Yes, Council Member Fee.

1322
01:58:35,440 --> 01:58:45,840
» I'll just build Well, sorry. Um on what
Councilman Hefner just said. I think

1323
01:58:41,760 --> 01:58:52,159
that this is this isn't a plan. It's a
guide book. And so this is just going to

1324
01:58:48,560 --> 01:58:58,480
guide us to the right plan and to the
right outcomes without specifying

1325
01:58:55,760 --> 01:59:03,520
because we don't know what will be the
best decision two years from now. This

1326
01:59:01,679 --> 01:59:08,639
is going to guide us and say, you know,
look at this and look at that and go

1327
01:59:05,280 --> 01:59:14,800
this way, but we need this isn't the
plan for what we're actually going to

1328
01:59:10,960 --> 01:59:19,679
do. And so I think it's it's been
wonderfully put together and it does

1329
01:59:16,800 --> 01:59:27,119
have the priorities of of the public and
the council and so we're just moving

1330
01:59:23,360 --> 01:59:32,719
forward in this direction and we can
change whenever we want.

1331
01:59:29,599 --> 01:59:38,159
» Do you mind if I just
is your proposal we take like long range

1332
01:59:34,800 --> 01:59:42,480
plan out of the title?
Well,

1333
01:59:40,560 --> 01:59:48,920
um
I'm not sure. Well, this is the pros

1334
01:59:45,599 --> 01:59:48,920
guide book.

1335
01:59:52,560 --> 02:00:01,119
» Yeah, but the sort of the core document
is called the the long range plan,

1336
01:59:57,360 --> 02:00:07,119
» right? But this is kind of guiding us to
a long range plan.

1337
02:00:04,239 --> 02:00:10,960
So,
I'm not sure exactly.

1338
02:00:09,520 --> 02:00:15,520
» I don't think we need to be that
specific

1339
02:00:12,159 --> 02:00:19,040
» in in what what the book says
>> because it's just saying we're going to

1340
02:00:17,199 --> 02:00:24,560
go in this direction. These are our
priorities and these are the order in

1341
02:00:22,800 --> 02:00:32,159
which we would like to do things but
it's not what we're actually going to

1342
02:00:26,960 --> 02:00:36,960
do. It's just possibilities and a guide.
That

1343
02:00:32,400 --> 02:00:36,960
» that's helpful. I think I agree. Okay.

1344
02:00:41,440 --> 02:00:49,840
Um
yeah. Um I guess first of all I I sort

1345
02:00:47,280 --> 02:00:56,719
of share um Council Member Hefner's
concerns. Um I I do think though that

1346
02:00:53,840 --> 02:01:02,080
Council Member Fehees comment helps to
delay that to some extent. Um

1347
02:01:00,000 --> 02:01:05,840
I wanted to make a few more specific
comments.

1348
02:01:03,679 --> 02:01:12,080
Um,
so reading through

1349
02:01:08,080 --> 02:01:16,960
um both the trails and the and the pros
um plans or whatever you might call

1350
02:01:13,840 --> 02:01:23,760
them. Um
so you know

1351
02:01:19,679 --> 02:01:28,239
we have our guiding principles, we have
uh goals, strategies, action items, but

1352
02:01:26,560 --> 02:01:31,599
then we also have places where there are
themes and where there are priorities

1353
02:01:29,920 --> 02:01:36,400
and where they're recommendations and
where there are challenges and

1354
02:01:32,639 --> 02:01:42,400
opportunities and next steps. And
I I just feel like it's kind of it needs

1355
02:01:39,280 --> 02:01:46,960
to be less confused or less
uh or or somehow these things need to be

1356
02:01:44,080 --> 02:01:53,040
condensed. Um
like because a lot of I mean if you if

1357
02:01:50,800 --> 02:01:57,280
you go to a page with some priorities or
if you look at the challenges a lot of

1358
02:01:54,719 --> 02:02:02,480
those are reflected in the goals or the
strategies or something like that. And I

1359
02:01:59,360 --> 02:02:05,679
I just find it's rather confusing to,
you know, to have like read the goals,

1360
02:02:04,239 --> 02:02:09,119
but then in next steps it's like, oh
wait, wait, like there are these next

1361
02:02:07,599 --> 02:02:13,280
steps, but they're not aligned with the
goals. Um, and I just feel like there

1362
02:02:11,760 --> 02:02:19,760
could be a lot more clarity in how we
present um all of those different

1363
02:02:15,520 --> 02:02:24,880
things. Um, and you know, a little
aspect of that, like I think the the

1364
02:02:22,320 --> 02:02:30,960
challenges is very nice. um especially
like how it really seems to have come

1365
02:02:27,199 --> 02:02:34,400
out of feedback. Um it the opportunities
just feel a little silly because they're

1366
02:02:32,400 --> 02:02:39,360
just like the the opposites of the
challenges. So it, you know, it's fine,

1367
02:02:36,800 --> 02:02:48,560
but uh I just feel like it's a little a
little silly. Um so that's one comment.

1368
02:02:44,719 --> 02:02:54,800
Again, something I brought up um
yesterday with staff um which kind of

1369
02:02:51,360 --> 02:03:00,000
feeds into that general comment um you
know we on engage Lewisville you can go

1370
02:02:57,119 --> 02:03:04,560
look at all the survey results um and
and such in full. Um I don't know if the

1371
02:03:02,719 --> 02:03:10,560
idea is to include those as appendices
in the guide book or not. Um that might

1372
02:03:07,840 --> 02:03:16,159
be a nice idea. Um, but I would just
like to reiterate I I feel a little bit

1373
02:03:12,560 --> 02:03:20,719
like it's reading the
the plan the the two plans by

1374
02:03:18,239 --> 02:03:25,520
themselves. It's a little hard to
understand how the community feedback

1375
02:03:23,280 --> 02:03:31,360
sort of directly
uh flows into all the goals and

1376
02:03:28,159 --> 02:03:34,560
strategies and so forth. So, um I don't
know if that could be clarified in in

1377
02:03:33,119 --> 02:03:38,719
some way. I think that would be helpful
too.

1378
02:03:36,639 --> 02:03:43,719
Um
okay. And then um

1379
02:03:44,320 --> 02:03:51,159
a little bit more specifically than
that. So um

1380
02:03:51,760 --> 02:04:01,440
let's see. Um I'll just go through a few
different comments. Uh there's talk

1381
02:03:57,760 --> 02:04:06,400
about parking facilities at
I think both trail heads and open space

1382
02:04:03,920 --> 02:04:10,320
properties and parks maybe. Uh but I
didn't really see anything about bicycle

1383
02:04:07,920 --> 02:04:17,280
parking at those locations.
Um

1384
02:04:13,119 --> 02:04:22,239
let's see in terms of the um the map
with the ideas for trails and so forth.

1385
02:04:20,480 --> 02:04:27,760
Um
I I mean I that's I think that's a great

1386
02:04:24,960 --> 02:04:33,360
part of the trails plan. I I would just
see and and in that section there is an

1387
02:04:30,800 --> 02:04:39,679
introductory paragraph that you know
sort of explains um

1388
02:04:36,560 --> 02:04:43,920
the the context for those maps. Um I I
would just think about making it more

1389
02:04:41,280 --> 02:04:49,280
explicit like on the maps themselves
like these are ideas or you know just to

1390
02:04:46,880 --> 02:04:52,960
just to be very clear like these are
ideas that our community has about where

1391
02:04:51,119 --> 02:04:57,679
we could do these all the improvements
but you know they still have to then go

1392
02:04:55,199 --> 02:05:02,719
through that whole kind of process that
you lay out in the plan. Uh just make

1393
02:05:00,000 --> 02:05:06,880
that more explicit than it is at the
moment.

1394
02:05:04,719 --> 02:05:11,520
Um
let's see.

1395
02:05:08,880 --> 02:05:17,840
Um
and then what else did I Oh, so then to

1396
02:05:14,000 --> 02:05:22,719
go back to the um the map with the open
space designations.

1397
02:05:19,840 --> 02:05:28,159
Um so on the one hand that map is like
based on the vegetation survey is really

1398
02:05:24,639 --> 02:05:35,360
informative. Um, I guess what I might
like to see is, you know, since we have

1399
02:05:31,599 --> 02:05:38,639
established management designations, I
feel like

1400
02:05:37,199 --> 02:05:44,239
that that should be shown maybe
somewhere and then like you could show

1401
02:05:42,560 --> 02:05:49,520
the information from the vegetation
survey as like informing

1402
02:05:47,520 --> 02:05:53,280
I don't know like possible changes to
that or something like or something

1403
02:05:51,199 --> 02:05:57,119
around like that. But, you know, since
we do have formally adopted management

1404
02:05:55,280 --> 02:06:01,040
practices for the open space, I feel
like that needs to be stated like those

1405
02:05:59,760 --> 02:06:06,080
things are not going to be changed
unless the council makes a new decision.

1406
02:06:04,480 --> 02:06:11,040
Um, and so it just needs to be clear
that what's being shown in that other

1407
02:06:08,000 --> 02:06:19,360
map is like uh information from this
survey that we did. Um,

1408
02:06:14,560 --> 02:06:23,800
okay, a couple other comments. Um,
let's see. Um,

1409
02:06:24,400 --> 02:06:33,040
what was I going to say? The
there was a suggestion in some of the

1410
02:06:29,280 --> 02:06:36,400
letters we got um about the open space
goals and whether or not they should be

1411
02:06:34,880 --> 02:06:39,520
prioritized.
Um, you know, on the one hand, I

1412
02:06:38,320 --> 02:06:44,320
understand why the goals are not
prioritized. Uh, but then on the other

1413
02:06:42,000 --> 02:06:50,400
hand, like it is established in the
charter sort of what the priorities are.

1414
02:06:46,800 --> 02:06:54,480
And so, I do feel like we should
I don't know what the best way to do it

1415
02:06:51,679 --> 02:06:59,920
is, but we should we should take that
prioritization from the charter and

1416
02:06:56,719 --> 02:07:07,520
somehow imprinted on those goals. Um,
that's one comment. Um, I know I'm just

1417
02:07:03,840 --> 02:07:15,360
kind of skipping around, but um an
another one um related mostly to parks

1418
02:07:11,679 --> 02:07:19,920
um and maps of parks. Um, so there's a
very nice map that shows all the parks,

1419
02:07:17,360 --> 02:07:24,639
kind of the main parks. Um, I actually
think it would be really helpful if we

1420
02:07:21,599 --> 02:07:31,119
have it to show those like smaller park
segments in some other map, the rights

1421
02:07:27,280 --> 02:07:36,159
of ways and things like that. Um,
I don't know. I I think that's useful

1422
02:07:32,560 --> 02:07:42,000
information. Um, not not crucial though.
Um, but then another there's another map

1423
02:07:39,599 --> 02:07:49,119
that shows places sort of for potential
park development. Um, and on that I had

1424
02:07:46,639 --> 02:07:53,599
two comments. one
um kind of related to the previous

1425
02:07:50,880 --> 02:07:59,040
comment like are there it might be nice
to know if there are smaller parcels

1426
02:07:56,800 --> 02:08:03,840
uh that could still see some kind of
park development um but are not

1427
02:08:01,520 --> 02:08:08,639
highlighted there. Uh and then the other
thing is um kind of coming back to a

1428
02:08:06,560 --> 02:08:13,679
comment that council member Heftter made
in the the first section of the meeting

1429
02:08:10,320 --> 02:08:17,440
today. um you know like we're expecting
to see residential development in

1430
02:08:15,520 --> 02:08:22,880
various places in the city and it might
be nice to say something about having

1431
02:08:20,079 --> 02:08:28,400
park facilities in those places uh on
that map. Um

1432
02:08:26,800 --> 02:08:31,400
okay.
Um

1433
02:08:33,840 --> 02:08:44,239
Okay. Um maybe I have one more comment
um about the golf course. Um

1434
02:08:42,639 --> 02:08:47,760
there was I don't know maybe maybe this
didn't come out in the community

1435
02:08:46,000 --> 02:08:54,239
feedback but there was nothing that sort
of addressed like the golf course as a

1436
02:08:50,800 --> 02:08:59,119
municipal golf course or or not very
directly I felt like and I was just

1437
02:08:55,840 --> 02:09:03,679
wondering like did we did we get any
feedback about like you know this being

1438
02:09:01,199 --> 02:09:09,119
the community's golf course a municipal
golf course rather than some other type

1439
02:09:06,000 --> 02:09:13,760
of golf course and I don't know if that
came through or not um I thought it

1440
02:09:11,520 --> 02:09:18,840
might be interesting if there were
something around that. Um

1441
02:09:19,440 --> 02:09:26,679
okay.
Yeah, those are some comments. Um I

1442
02:09:22,960 --> 02:09:26,679
think that's all for now.

1443
02:09:29,280 --> 02:09:33,920
» Mayor, if I may.
>> Yes.

1444
02:09:30,960 --> 02:09:41,280
» Um
comments. Thank you, Sam. It's important

1445
02:09:36,960 --> 02:09:45,199
to reflect that um you know as these
comments are made, we take these unless

1446
02:09:43,280 --> 02:09:50,079
we hear otherwise as direction from all
of council that you want us to make

1447
02:09:47,360 --> 02:09:55,119
these changes. And so it's helpful as
these comments come up to get

1448
02:09:51,599 --> 02:10:00,159
clarification from council as to is
there a majority support for some of

1449
02:09:57,840 --> 02:10:03,440
these requests? uh because the next
steps would be for Adam and Brian to

1450
02:10:02,079 --> 02:10:08,560
take this and then make these
modifications.

1451
02:10:05,119 --> 02:10:12,639
And also um you know, we we appreciate
these comments. I think that's part of

1452
02:10:10,560 --> 02:10:17,280
the direction that they're looking for
tonight as well as as we obtain

1453
02:10:15,280 --> 02:10:20,239
additional public comment, as we obtain
additional council comments, because

1454
02:10:18,560 --> 02:10:26,719
you'll continue to review these and have
comments like how do you want us to take

1455
02:10:22,639 --> 02:10:31,199
this in? And if if staff's goal is to
bring this back in October, is that a

1456
02:10:28,480 --> 02:10:35,280
realistic goal or do we need to take
these comments,

1457
02:10:33,520 --> 02:10:38,719
bring it back again because there's
probably going to be additional comments

1458
02:10:36,880 --> 02:10:44,639
and then say where are we drawing the
line on this or are we just bringing

1459
02:10:40,719 --> 02:10:49,040
this forward as the best bet of what it
reflects from a community standpoint and

1460
02:10:46,800 --> 02:10:53,199
then also from a council standpoint. And
then just one other thing that I really

1461
02:10:50,400 --> 02:10:57,040
want to to highlight and um Brian if you
could go back to this slide the plan

1462
02:10:55,119 --> 02:11:01,119
intent.
Um

1463
02:10:59,280 --> 02:11:05,760
the intent of this was to gather input,
establish direction and set priorities.

1464
02:11:03,760 --> 02:11:10,239
As we've noted, we've had tremendous
community input on this. We'll continue

1465
02:11:07,599 --> 02:11:16,719
to have community input on this. Um this
is as much as this has been an outward-f

1466
02:11:12,560 --> 02:11:19,920
facing process. this once this is moves
forward, it's going to be more of an

1467
02:11:18,400 --> 02:11:24,880
inwardfacing
implementation document. And so, you

1468
02:11:23,119 --> 02:11:29,119
know, staff wants to make sure that it
represents council and the community's

1469
02:11:26,800 --> 02:11:33,760
priorities because it is it really is
going to be a great decision tool. And

1470
02:11:32,480 --> 02:11:39,760
some of the things that we talked about
like yesterday is as we receive requests

1471
02:11:37,280 --> 02:11:43,840
from individuals like for specific
recreational amenity and you might get,

1472
02:11:42,320 --> 02:11:48,159
you know, sick people that submit an
email to council, but when you look at

1473
02:11:46,079 --> 02:11:51,520
the survey results, we received two
survey results for that item, but we

1474
02:11:49,840 --> 02:11:57,520
received a thousand results for another
item. That helps council and staff um

1475
02:11:54,880 --> 02:12:03,599
determine what projects move forward.
And to council member Hefner's point,

1476
02:12:00,239 --> 02:12:08,000
um, you know, this document, while
initially intended may have been to

1477
02:12:06,079 --> 02:12:12,000
outline more details related to
projects,

1478
02:12:09,520 --> 02:12:16,239
I think we're at a good point. I trust
staff to take this the next step in

1479
02:12:14,880 --> 02:12:20,800
terms of development of project,
particularly with the challenges that we

1480
02:12:17,679 --> 02:12:24,560
have with our budget and the CIP and
capital funding and figuring out

1481
02:12:22,560 --> 02:12:31,119
prioritization based upon the funding
available. I would not um while the

1482
02:12:28,000 --> 02:12:34,719
consultant is helpful, I would not rely
on the consultant to make those

1483
02:12:32,639 --> 02:12:40,639
recommendations or decisions. I would
rely on staff to do that. And so I just

1484
02:12:37,599 --> 02:12:47,199
want to say that um I I'm very
appreciative of staff and how you've

1485
02:12:42,719 --> 02:12:51,599
gotten it to this point. Um, and it is
very valuable. And when I hear staff

1486
02:12:48,880 --> 02:12:56,079
say, "This is what we need for the next
10 years to be able to operate this

1487
02:12:54,079 --> 02:13:00,560
department and be able to present
options to council that are supported by

1488
02:12:58,239 --> 02:13:04,639
statistically valid information and
supported by a lot of input from the

1489
02:13:02,719 --> 02:13:13,199
community.
That means a lot. And um, you know, I I

1490
02:13:10,000 --> 02:13:17,040
truly appreciate all the effort. I
appreciate council's input on this. I

1491
02:13:14,960 --> 02:13:22,239
appreciate the public comments and as
you noted, tonight is not adoption. We

1492
02:13:19,360 --> 02:13:27,119
will continue to make these changes, but
it is important for staff to understand

1493
02:13:25,199 --> 02:13:31,280
what are the specifics of what you would
like to see in the next round that comes

1494
02:13:29,119 --> 02:13:35,119
forward so that we're making sure that
we're using our time most effectively.

1495
02:13:33,440 --> 02:13:41,440
Thank you.
>> Um, you anticipated me. I haven't made

1496
02:13:39,679 --> 02:13:47,520
my comments yet and I want to try to
bring together and try to summarize some

1497
02:13:44,239 --> 02:13:52,560
of the things that I hear so that we can
move forward and answer some of the

1498
02:13:50,719 --> 02:13:57,280
questions that you've raised manager
because I I think those are really

1499
02:13:54,960 --> 02:14:04,480
important particularly pra practical
questions about how we proceed. Um I I

1500
02:14:02,320 --> 02:14:12,480
really wholeheartedly
think of of council member Cooperman's

1501
02:14:08,560 --> 02:14:21,360
just uh um observations and
recommendations are terrific

1502
02:14:16,320 --> 02:14:27,119
and um maybe to the point I I think part
of this is that is difficult is what's

1503
02:14:25,119 --> 02:14:32,079
always difficult in this which is the
level of specificity

1504
02:14:29,199 --> 02:14:38,400
and the level of generality that we
bring to this. Um, and you know, almost

1505
02:14:35,599 --> 02:14:45,520
all of the comments, uh, you know, kind
of wrestled with that. Um, I I I agree

1506
02:14:42,480 --> 02:14:52,560
especially with if we can kind of clean
up the many different descriptions

1507
02:14:49,119 --> 02:14:56,560
and reference points of
um planning strategies, goal,

1508
02:14:54,639 --> 02:15:03,440
priorities, challenges, strategy, you
know, next steps. It I think it'll read

1509
02:15:00,320 --> 02:15:11,119
better for the public, for us. I think
we can uh that'll provide a good lens in

1510
02:15:08,320 --> 02:15:17,679
in which to see this in a way that I
think it's harder now. Um I don't think

1511
02:15:15,199 --> 02:15:24,400
you know I'm mindful of the timing in
the process because we're not going to

1512
02:15:20,320 --> 02:15:31,440
redo all this. We're just not. And this
is a and not nobody's suggesting that. I

1513
02:15:27,679 --> 02:15:35,440
mean, uh, I saw your eyes get very big
there for a second, Adam. Um, we're not

1514
02:15:33,920 --> 02:15:40,239
going to do that. We don't have the
resources, but we have an extraordinary

1515
02:15:37,360 --> 02:15:43,599
product to work with. These are, in my
mind, the things I'm talking about are

1516
02:15:41,840 --> 02:15:51,679
tweaks. And frankly, I don't think I've
heard anything from any council member

1517
02:15:46,400 --> 02:15:58,400
that is uh anything. But um
I I think from my perspective it may be

1518
02:15:55,280 --> 02:16:02,800
good to distinguish more
between

1519
02:15:59,920 --> 02:16:08,320
um the policy direction and the more
granular projects. Um I don't know how

1520
02:16:06,239 --> 02:16:12,639
you do that. I don't know that you
necessarily want to put them in a you

1521
02:16:10,400 --> 02:16:21,119
know in an appendex. I that may be too
much. But I think linking them to the

1522
02:16:16,480 --> 02:16:27,920
goals and and linking them to the public
comment a little bit more tightly will

1523
02:16:24,000 --> 02:16:36,559
be, you know, a I think a better result
at least for me. um

1524
02:16:32,000 --> 02:16:42,719
on on parks particularly it it would be
nice uh as I think was mentioned to

1525
02:16:39,359 --> 02:16:50,160
think about have some information
reference to the kinds of things that

1526
02:16:45,359 --> 02:16:55,760
we've we've uh decided or um the
direction we gave in the comp plan we

1527
02:16:53,280 --> 02:17:00,800
know certain parts of the city
particularly west of Mccasin are going

1528
02:16:57,920 --> 02:17:05,280
to develop over some period of time or
at least we believe that it will and we

1529
02:17:02,800 --> 02:17:10,719
certainly are encouraging that but it
might be nice to understand you know

1530
02:17:08,559 --> 02:17:17,040
some thoughts on that and how at least
have it referenced so it's not out there

1531
02:17:14,479 --> 02:17:23,920
um
and you know to uh Matt Jones point

1532
02:17:20,880 --> 02:17:29,599
before I think it's always critical to
be looking at what I call the guiding

1533
02:17:26,000 --> 02:17:34,639
star which is the uh charter I I don't
think anybody disagrees with that. And I

1534
02:17:31,920 --> 02:17:39,599
do believe that staff has done a a good
job with that. I think it may uh based

1535
02:17:37,920 --> 02:17:46,240
on what you've heard may be worth
fleshing out a little bit more. Um I'm

1536
02:17:42,880 --> 02:17:52,160
not going to try editing any of that and
I'll leave that to staff's good

1537
02:17:48,639 --> 02:17:57,439
judgment. Um, I really do appreciate the
degree to which you've worked with so

1538
02:17:54,240 --> 02:18:03,519
many different boards, commissions,
people, uh, you know, in all of the

1539
02:18:01,120 --> 02:18:09,920
public engagement. And I think we just
need to to bring that out. Um,

1540
02:18:07,519 --> 02:18:14,399
I think to
summarize,

1541
02:18:11,920 --> 02:18:21,439
um, and I would like some feedback on
these, um, because they are they're

1542
02:18:18,960 --> 02:18:25,920
different points, right? They're not I I
didn't hear a lot of conflict. You may

1543
02:18:24,399 --> 02:18:32,800
disagree with me on the level of
specificity. We may disagree a little

1544
02:18:28,240 --> 02:18:39,599
bit on that. Um, I think there were some
just questions about uh how the document

1545
02:18:36,559 --> 02:18:43,120
is written which I think you've taken in
and I don't know the are going to be

1546
02:18:41,519 --> 02:18:49,120
really things that we really need to
debate too much here. I think all of the

1547
02:18:46,000 --> 02:18:55,920
comments that were made about um you
know a revision of it were were pretty

1548
02:18:52,080 --> 02:19:00,080
good in in terms of just language and
organization.

1549
02:18:57,439 --> 02:19:04,880
Um
uh

1550
02:19:01,920 --> 02:19:10,960
you know I I think
um

1551
02:19:06,479 --> 02:19:18,000
one thing I certainly heard was the need
to establish connections between

1552
02:19:14,639 --> 02:19:26,399
um the a little bit better than than
perhaps was done between um the

1553
02:19:21,599 --> 02:19:34,559
vegetation survey and the the open space
app

1554
02:19:28,080 --> 02:19:41,200
um and um address you know perhaps a
little bit more what the decisions were

1555
02:19:37,120 --> 02:19:46,960
internally to get to that point. Um
uh I think we talked a little bit about

1556
02:19:43,120 --> 02:19:55,760
you know parks where parks might be uh
built. I think we talked a bit um

1557
02:19:52,720 --> 02:20:00,960
about maintenance. I I heard that coming
particularly from council member um

1558
02:19:59,439 --> 02:20:07,760
Dickinson
um that it's really important to address

1559
02:20:04,800 --> 02:20:12,800
um and maintain what we have and do it
well. Um

1560
02:20:10,319 --> 02:20:17,680
I I don't think it ought to be in there
in the language, but don't screw it up.

1561
02:20:14,640 --> 02:20:25,040
It is not a bad thing. We've got a
really good um sense of I think we've

1562
02:20:22,800 --> 02:20:29,520
done pretty well on open space and
there's a lot of there's some

1563
02:20:26,399 --> 02:20:35,760
disagreements around that but I do think
um we need to build we are building on

1564
02:20:32,560 --> 02:20:44,520
that and I do appreciate uh affirming
that. Um,

1565
02:20:39,920 --> 02:20:44,520
a couple of other um

1566
02:20:45,200 --> 02:20:53,760
things. Um,
and I may have mentioned this, but just

1567
02:20:49,520 --> 02:21:00,160
sort of the the distinguishing between
policy areas that council

1568
02:20:57,840 --> 02:21:05,319
really needs in there and has talked
about

1569
02:21:01,840 --> 02:21:05,319
as opposing

1570
02:21:06,720 --> 02:21:13,040
as a main issue. I mean, we're going to
be adopting the whole thing. So I I

1571
02:21:11,359 --> 02:21:18,080
don't want to minimize but I think
distinguishing

1572
02:21:14,880 --> 02:21:24,800
um the major policy goals from
uh the more granular projects and so

1573
02:21:21,680 --> 02:21:32,160
forth is something I've heard from
several folks. Um

1574
02:21:29,680 --> 02:21:39,200
let's see
those are those are the main things that

1575
02:21:34,880 --> 02:21:44,240
I've heard but I am I don't first I
don't know there any people agree with

1576
02:21:41,280 --> 02:21:51,280
the way I've the ones that I've stated
are should be in there, but two whether

1577
02:21:47,359 --> 02:21:54,640
I've left something out. Yeah.
>> Council.

1578
02:21:52,080 --> 02:22:01,840
» Yeah. So, I guess I think about it in a
slightly different way. Um,

1579
02:21:59,200 --> 02:22:06,720
which is it's been, you know, the better
part of two years of engagement. I am

1580
02:22:04,160 --> 02:22:12,319
reluctant to insert ourselves directly
into the editing process. I I think this

1581
02:22:09,439 --> 02:22:17,520
is all in my view this is all useful
feedback um to staff and they should

1582
02:22:15,359 --> 02:22:21,760
sort of think about it and chew on it
and consider whether it it makes sense

1583
02:22:19,840 --> 02:22:27,760
and whether there's sufficient remaining
resources to accomplish the feedback if

1584
02:22:24,240 --> 02:22:32,880
it does make sense. Um I I don't know
that I'm especially comfortable sort of

1585
02:22:29,600 --> 02:22:37,920
directing fine grain adjustments at this
point and and the one that I think I

1586
02:22:36,319 --> 02:22:42,319
the most of them I don't necessarily
object to. I just don't want to sort of

1587
02:22:39,760 --> 02:22:46,160
write from the dis. The one I do think
might be a problem is sort of

1588
02:22:44,160 --> 02:22:52,080
substantial reorganization to try and
collapse the recommendations and

1589
02:22:48,960 --> 02:22:57,520
opportunities and all, you know, action
items into a more better organized

1590
02:22:54,960 --> 02:23:01,840
format. Like that would be nice, but as
I understand it, we've run through

1591
02:22:59,439 --> 02:23:06,800
almost all of our $400,000 budget for
this. And I I don't want to send a

1592
02:23:04,319 --> 02:23:11,760
consultant back to rewrite the whole
report to organize it differently. Um,

1593
02:23:10,160 --> 02:23:15,040
even though I mean I I think I share the
quibble about I, you know, council

1594
02:23:13,760 --> 02:23:18,800
member Coopermanman said it very well
that there's like a lot of different

1595
02:23:16,800 --> 02:23:24,160
action items and recommendations and
things sort of scattered about and it's

1596
02:23:21,359 --> 02:23:29,120
difficult to follow them. I I also don't
know if it's the best use of our

1597
02:23:26,080 --> 02:23:33,359
remaining dollars to try and fix that.
So,

1598
02:23:30,800 --> 02:23:37,280
back to sort of the the bigger picture,
uh, my preference would be to let staff

1599
02:23:35,920 --> 02:23:43,280
continue through the remaining
engagement window. consider this input

1600
02:23:39,520 --> 02:23:48,240
as part of that engagement window. Um,
and then I I I really don't know and

1601
02:23:46,800 --> 02:23:53,359
others may feel differently like I don't
know that I necessarily want to adopt

1602
02:23:49,920 --> 02:24:00,080
this as a council plan per se. I I think
maybe we receive it as like you know the

1603
02:23:56,240 --> 02:24:04,160
plan the plan that we have um we receive
it from staff and say this is this is

1604
02:24:02,640 --> 02:24:07,680
good work and important work that you'll
be able to use in the future. But I

1605
02:24:06,479 --> 02:24:11,200
don't know if I'm at the point where I
want to, you know, sort of do a

1606
02:24:08,960 --> 02:24:16,640
resolution saying this this is the plan
for the city. Um, and so in that vein, I

1607
02:24:14,560 --> 02:24:23,920
I'd prefer to let staff just continue
doing the engagement they've done.

1608
02:24:19,680 --> 02:24:28,399
» Let me clarify one thing. Just I said I
I think I'm not interested in the staff

1609
02:24:26,560 --> 02:24:36,640
doing a rewrite either, and I'm not sure
council member Coopermanman was. Um but

1610
02:24:33,120 --> 02:24:43,040
you know these are I think suggestions.
There's a few suggestions. Um and

1611
02:24:40,319 --> 02:24:47,040
certainly the budget for this is we
don't want to blow it. We've already

1612
02:24:44,800 --> 02:24:54,000
spent plenty of that. We don't have very
much left. Um and we do you know we

1613
02:24:50,960 --> 02:24:59,680
trust you in terms of taking the input
that you've had and you decide what you

1614
02:24:56,399 --> 02:25:05,760
want to do with it. Um I think the the
suggestions have been useful but um and

1615
02:25:03,359 --> 02:25:13,880
I I think it's interesting
it's an interesting question about

1616
02:25:07,600 --> 02:25:13,880
whether we adopted or not. I I'm

1617
02:25:14,160 --> 02:25:27,359
um these it includes policy level um
recommendations and I think not to um

1618
02:25:23,840 --> 02:25:32,960
not to adopt some form of it is
uh

1619
02:25:29,200 --> 02:25:38,640
I think a real problem. I I understood
that there may be parts of it that you

1620
02:25:35,040 --> 02:25:43,439
don't want to adopt, but I mean I I
think that's what staff has presented,

1621
02:25:41,120 --> 02:25:48,960
what we have directed them to come up
with the has been spent in terms of the

1622
02:25:45,920 --> 02:25:54,720
consultant and the public process. I
think it would be irresponsible

1623
02:25:51,760 --> 02:26:02,160
not to
see that process through. Um but um

1624
02:25:59,600 --> 02:26:08,319
anyway, I'll I'll leave others to kind
of debate that, but I it's an it's an

1625
02:26:04,319 --> 02:26:15,200
important point. I just uh I think what
it may augur for is more time for staff

1626
02:26:11,920 --> 02:26:21,760
to work on things as much as they expect
as opposed to trying to push this too

1627
02:26:17,600 --> 02:26:27,840
fast you know to the October deadline
which I don't know is a you know it's

1628
02:26:24,399 --> 02:26:31,680
not a hard and fast deadline especially
given

1629
02:26:29,760 --> 02:26:38,000
you know the time that has been spent
but others

1630
02:26:35,200 --> 02:26:44,880
Yes, ment
>> I have a question for my W three team

1631
02:26:40,960 --> 02:26:51,840
member. Um, help me to understand from
your point of view

1632
02:26:47,040 --> 02:26:57,040
the difference between adopting it as
for council adopting it versus it being

1633
02:26:54,080 --> 02:27:02,399
a staff document. Walk me through that.
>> Yeah. So I mean I I think of it as are

1634
02:27:00,000 --> 02:27:07,600
we signing off sort of that these are
the right set of recommendations and

1635
02:27:05,520 --> 02:27:12,080
priorities
that have been sort of informed by our

1636
02:27:10,319 --> 02:27:14,640
input
and at least what I'm looking at

1637
02:27:13,520 --> 02:27:19,760
especially with respect to the long
range plan less so with respect to the

1638
02:27:16,160 --> 02:27:23,040
trails plan it's it's more of just a
sort of a summary of a lot of

1639
02:27:21,280 --> 02:27:27,840
information
and so to sign off on it as a plan and

1640
02:27:26,240 --> 02:27:32,080
thinking about 10 years into the future
when most of us, probably all of us,

1641
02:27:29,680 --> 02:27:35,200
won't be sitting here
and some proposal comes forward and it's

1642
02:27:33,920 --> 02:27:40,880
like, well, that's in the plan. We
should go do it. Um, there's like this

1643
02:27:38,000 --> 02:27:46,399
plan could justify almost any idea. It's
it just speaks in such broad

1644
02:27:44,479 --> 02:27:52,800
generalities that I would rather have it
as a as a tool than a plan. And maybe

1645
02:27:48,640 --> 02:27:57,439
it's just a semantics thing. Um,
I think about like for example the the

1646
02:27:54,720 --> 02:28:01,359
police strategic document that was
presented to us which was really a

1647
02:27:58,960 --> 02:28:06,160
police department
ideas that weren't substantially

1648
02:28:03,359 --> 02:28:09,920
informed by us on a policy basis. It was
just sort of brought to us as here's

1649
02:28:08,080 --> 02:28:14,720
some ideas we have and we're presenting
it to you and um this is all interesting

1650
02:28:12,640 --> 02:28:18,800
information. And I think we heard it and
said that's great. we've received your

1651
02:28:16,720 --> 02:28:23,840
strategic document, but I don't think we
adopted that as our plan. Um, I think I

1652
02:28:22,560 --> 02:28:28,160
think we did a similar thing with the
sustainability plan where there was some

1653
02:28:25,439 --> 02:28:32,319
question about does this really reflect
the sort of costbenefit analysis we were

1654
02:28:30,160 --> 02:28:36,399
interested in. Um, and I think we
received it but didn't necessarily adopt

1655
02:28:34,160 --> 02:28:39,520
it as a formal plan. I may be
misremembering that, but I know there

1656
02:28:37,680 --> 02:28:43,120
was discussion.
Um or maybe it was the decar plan,

1657
02:28:41,920 --> 02:28:50,479
» the community decar.
>> Community decar plan. Um

1658
02:28:47,439 --> 02:28:54,000
and so to me, like I think this these
documents have a lot of value in so far

1659
02:28:52,399 --> 02:28:59,600
as they're informative. I think they
have a lot of value in so far as the

1660
02:28:56,240 --> 02:29:03,280
information is persuasive, but as I I
think of a plan as something different,

1661
02:29:01,680 --> 02:29:08,479
like here's how we're going to go about
our business. This is what we intend to

1662
02:29:05,359 --> 02:29:12,640
do. um you know and even the best laid
plans you end up doing something

1663
02:29:09,680 --> 02:29:17,200
different but I don't see this like we I
don't see this as something we could

1664
02:29:13,920 --> 02:29:23,520
just say okay let's go execute the plan
um because to the level of generality

1665
02:29:20,399 --> 02:29:29,120
thing it's just a lot of it's a there's
a lot of plans to make a plan there's a

1666
02:29:26,319 --> 02:29:33,920
lot of best management practices
uh there's a lot of things we're already

1667
02:29:30,479 --> 02:29:37,680
doing but I don't see sort of a an
actionable

1668
02:29:35,760 --> 02:29:42,160
set of priorities and I I also you know
to the extent I had comments earlier I

1669
02:29:39,520 --> 02:29:45,160
just don't see those comments really
reflected

1670
02:29:45,760 --> 02:29:52,800
» others
council fee

1671
02:29:50,240 --> 02:29:59,280
» I'm wondering about the same kind of
thing um and instead of calling it our

1672
02:29:56,319 --> 02:30:05,120
long range plan we could just call it
our guide book our

1673
02:30:02,640 --> 02:30:12,640
pros guide book for what we would like
to see but it there is no requirement

1674
02:30:09,520 --> 02:30:17,120
there's no timeline there's and it's up
for discussion and changes

1675
02:30:15,920 --> 02:30:20,760
at any point
>> that's a long title

1676
02:30:21,520 --> 02:30:24,680
» um others

1677
02:30:26,720 --> 02:30:34,000
» yes may
>> so I'm I'm I would like to hear from the

1678
02:30:32,560 --> 02:30:43,680
city manager
and other staff about um council member

1679
02:30:39,439 --> 02:30:48,880
Hefner's thoughts around adoption versus
um not.

1680
02:30:46,560 --> 02:30:52,800
» So, Adam, are you okay with me taking
this first?

1681
02:30:50,000 --> 02:30:57,680
» Okay. Um
I think if council chooses not to adopt

1682
02:30:56,160 --> 02:31:03,080
it, it's going to create confusion
within the community as to whether or

1683
02:30:59,120 --> 02:31:03,080
not this is council supported.

1684
02:31:07,600 --> 02:31:13,600
We have other plans within the city that
are not council adopted. There's a storm

1685
02:31:11,680 --> 02:31:17,760
water plan as you know there's the
decarb plan. But I think that that has

1686
02:31:16,000 --> 02:31:22,800
also created questions within the
community of like well you created this

1687
02:31:20,960 --> 02:31:28,160
plan but why didn't council adopt is
this your official plan or is this just

1688
02:31:26,000 --> 02:31:34,319
staff's plan? and some fresh staff. I
think it'll be confusing too because as

1689
02:31:31,520 --> 02:31:38,880
there's um inquiries from the community
or we are uh referencing this plan to

1690
02:31:37,520 --> 02:31:42,800
say why we're not putting something
forward as a recommendation then that

1691
02:31:41,200 --> 02:31:47,280
could be challenged in terms of well
this wasn't adopted by council so does

1692
02:31:44,800 --> 02:31:52,479
this represent council's feelings on
this too. Um

1693
02:31:50,560 --> 02:31:57,640
you know so that's Adam do you have
anything to add on that or Samma as

1694
02:31:54,640 --> 02:31:57,640
well?

1695
02:32:01,040 --> 02:32:08,800
I would add that I think while I respect
the comments, I think that from a staff

1696
02:32:07,280 --> 02:32:14,240
perspective,
there is specificity in the draft. I

1697
02:32:12,479 --> 02:32:19,920
think we've heard that there's a desire
to tie more specificity

1698
02:32:17,600 --> 02:32:26,080
into the final product to kind of align
with where we got from a scope of work

1699
02:32:21,920 --> 02:32:30,240
or maybe be more clear. Um, we're we're
big fans of the matrix. I think the

1700
02:32:28,160 --> 02:32:36,240
matrix can be refined. It's specifically
outlining what we consider to be the

1701
02:32:33,040 --> 02:32:44,160
goals and future action items with
priority listing of where that would

1702
02:32:38,720 --> 02:32:47,280
fall based on available resources. Um,
you know, I also I also think to the

1703
02:32:45,920 --> 02:32:52,240
point earlier that I was I was going to
chime in on, I think there's real

1704
02:32:49,439 --> 02:32:56,479
validity to the comments we've heard
tonight about making it easier to read.

1705
02:32:54,960 --> 02:33:01,280
And I think that's really helpful for
us. I don't think we have to rewrite it

1706
02:32:58,640 --> 02:33:04,960
to reformat it in a way that combines
four or five of those areas of focus

1707
02:33:03,200 --> 02:33:08,640
into more of the executive summary
upfront. Here's what this is going to

1708
02:33:06,880 --> 02:33:12,800
say. And then you get into the charts
and the graphs and the other things

1709
02:33:09,840 --> 02:33:18,720
behind it. Um, so that's that's fine.
Um, you know, for for me I I I think it

1710
02:33:16,399 --> 02:33:24,800
may be a bit of semantics, but I do
think to city manager's point

1711
02:33:22,240 --> 02:33:28,399
there and and in our industry, right? So
I'm just speaking for how other

1712
02:33:26,479 --> 02:33:32,880
communities go about doing this process
with people in my role sitting in this

1713
02:33:30,080 --> 02:33:38,319
chair is there is real there's real
value to adopting

1714
02:33:35,920 --> 02:33:42,160
the document from a support standpoint
from a you know I think it can be

1715
02:33:40,319 --> 02:33:48,960
anecdotal it can have comments that are
associated with it about interpretation

1716
02:33:45,520 --> 02:33:53,439
um it's it's similar to the resolution
that accompanies parks and recreation

1717
02:33:51,120 --> 02:33:56,800
month for example and and aligning with
that designation I think it kind of

1718
02:33:55,040 --> 02:34:01,520
reinforces
to staff and to the mayor's point

1719
02:33:59,040 --> 02:34:08,479
earlier about the level of community
engagement even exceeding that of the

1720
02:34:03,680 --> 02:34:14,479
city's 20-year plan. Um the the value of
that community's input through the

1721
02:34:11,439 --> 02:34:18,160
adoption process. That being all said,
we're here to serve at the pleasure of

1722
02:34:15,680 --> 02:34:21,920
the council and the city manager. And so
if it's supported and it's

1723
02:34:20,640 --> 02:34:26,399
» Yeah. Yeah. I would support director
Black and Manager Langley as well in

1724
02:34:23,920 --> 02:34:30,479
that it's really helpful for us as staff
to have council adopting these because

1725
02:34:28,240 --> 02:34:34,960
we we have clarity for the community for
staff in what council supports. Now,

1726
02:34:32,800 --> 02:34:38,720
these plans are living breathing things
and I think that Brian has done a really

1727
02:34:36,720 --> 02:34:43,520
good job of explaining that this will
continue to breathe. I recognize that

1728
02:34:40,800 --> 02:34:47,439
some of these things are subject to
appropriations, right? We can't do all

1729
02:34:45,439 --> 02:34:50,960
of these things all the time, but this
will help guide staff when they're

1730
02:34:49,280 --> 02:34:54,720
bringing forward CIPs, when they're
balancing projects, and knowing what the

1731
02:34:52,800 --> 02:34:58,080
community has decided as a priority. And
having that council support and

1732
02:34:56,560 --> 02:35:01,760
community support through this robust
process and the board and commission

1733
02:34:59,520 --> 02:35:11,040
support really helps them use this as a
tool to do all of those things.

1734
02:35:05,920 --> 02:35:16,399
» Thank you. That's um very helpful. I I
hear Council Member Hefner's concerns

1735
02:35:14,399 --> 02:35:20,800
and comments.
My takeaway is

1736
02:35:18,800 --> 02:35:25,760
it's really important that it's an
adopted document.

1737
02:35:23,680 --> 02:35:29,280
I really don't have any interest in
workshopping tonight with council what

1738
02:35:27,600 --> 02:35:37,200
the title is or what we're going to call
it or anything, but I think maybe you

1739
02:35:33,680 --> 02:35:42,479
all can take that offline
um and maybe workshop it a little bit,

1740
02:35:39,760 --> 02:35:47,760
but I hear you that what I'm hearing is
it's really important that it's an

1741
02:35:44,240 --> 02:35:52,960
adopted document is what I'm hearing.
So, thank you for enlightening me on

1742
02:35:50,880 --> 02:35:58,200
your thoughts and staff for for sharing
your thoughts on that as well.

1743
02:35:54,319 --> 02:35:58,200
» Others who haven't spoken.

1744
02:35:58,399 --> 02:36:04,800
» Yes, Council Member Kern.
>> So, can do you mind if I like segue off

1745
02:36:03,120 --> 02:36:09,920
of this for a moment and just go to
actually something that's in here

1746
02:36:06,399 --> 02:36:14,880
combining trails and the guide book?
Thank you. Is that okay? So, one of the

1747
02:36:13,200 --> 02:36:23,280
things that you guys had mentioned in
here was providing trail connections to

1748
02:36:18,479 --> 02:36:27,040
parks, and there is one map that has uh
like the parks numbered so that it's

1749
02:36:25,359 --> 02:36:32,800
easier to see where they are on the map
and then have a reference sheet. is

1750
02:36:30,399 --> 02:36:40,000
would it be helpful or is it possible
because I I would find it helpful if one

1751
02:36:35,359 --> 02:36:46,160
of those trails plans actually had these
numbered 34 parks with it so we could

1752
02:36:42,960 --> 02:36:50,000
see where those connections were. And
you it mentions I think throughout

1753
02:36:48,319 --> 02:36:54,880
because I I I agree actually with
Council Member Heapner. I really um

1754
02:36:52,240 --> 02:36:59,840
think that the the trails guide book is
particularly well put together. Um, but

1755
02:36:58,000 --> 02:37:05,040
that was the one thing that I went I was
going back and forth between the two

1756
02:37:02,000 --> 02:37:08,399
plans to try to match that up and
thought maybe I'm missing something and

1757
02:37:06,880 --> 02:37:12,160
I would just bring it up with you guys.
You had said like take a little you

1758
02:37:10,800 --> 02:37:15,200
asked us the other day like look at it
in a little bit more detail and I

1759
02:37:13,520 --> 02:37:21,399
realized oh that that is the one thing I
couldn't find. So um I appreciate that.

1760
02:37:17,760 --> 02:37:21,399
Thank you for the indulgence.

1761
02:37:22,080 --> 02:37:29,640
Anybody else who hasn't?
>> Unless of course nobody agrees and then

1762
02:37:25,600 --> 02:37:29,640
they should not listen to me at all.

1763
02:37:35,439 --> 02:37:40,880
» Yeah, I don't think you have actually on
this issue.

1764
02:37:39,120 --> 02:37:45,840
» Um
I don't know. I mean,

1765
02:37:42,960 --> 02:37:52,240
I guess we never maybe made it explicit
in our previous conversations, but I um

1766
02:37:50,080 --> 02:37:57,280
I I just sort of assumed all along that
we would eventually this would come to

1767
02:37:55,040 --> 02:38:02,319
us and we would vote on whether or not
to adopt it. Um

1768
02:38:00,720 --> 02:38:05,319
so,
um

1769
02:38:05,520 --> 02:38:15,359
I don't know. I I I do like the sort of
the certainty that uh a formal adoption

1770
02:38:10,800 --> 02:38:19,680
would give to staff. Um I think
um I don't know, maybe I just need to

1771
02:38:17,680 --> 02:38:24,640
think a little bit more about um that
question, but I at the moment I I do

1772
02:38:22,640 --> 02:38:29,640
think it would be helpful to our staff
if we considered it for adoption.

1773
02:38:32,000 --> 02:38:43,200
» I agree. I think that uh staff needs the
assurance that uh we're supporting what

1774
02:38:39,920 --> 02:38:49,120
they've done and the public needs to
know that we're supporting what the

1775
02:38:45,120 --> 02:38:55,720
staff has done. So I would also support
um

1776
02:38:50,960 --> 02:38:55,720
supporting the long range plan.

1777
02:38:58,160 --> 02:39:09,840
Um, I I guess I want to
I want to push this a bit because I'm

1778
02:39:06,479 --> 02:39:14,560
very concerned about where we are right
now. I think we can take a vote about

1779
02:39:11,520 --> 02:39:20,240
how we do it. We've given direction on
this

1780
02:39:16,479 --> 02:39:25,280
uh for some time now. There could be a
question of course whether you followed

1781
02:39:22,479 --> 02:39:32,560
the direction or not. Uh I happen to
think you did. Um generally there's

1782
02:39:28,240 --> 02:39:36,479
things that we all u disagree, you know,
probably disagree with. It sounds like

1783
02:39:34,720 --> 02:39:42,399
the trails plan. Everybody I haven't
heard anybody complain about that. So

1784
02:39:39,120 --> 02:39:49,760
that one it would be awfully odd in my
view to accept the trails plan or and

1785
02:39:46,160 --> 02:39:54,800
and not do the same with the pros plan.
I think it would be equally bizarre to

1786
02:39:52,479 --> 02:39:59,920
all agree on the trails plan and not
adopt it. But um how much have we spent

1787
02:39:58,080 --> 02:40:06,000
on this? What is the budget for it and
how much have we spent?

1788
02:40:02,640 --> 02:40:11,760
» It's a $400,000 total budget, 300 for
the long range plan, 100 for the trails.

1789
02:40:08,720 --> 02:40:17,120
We have 14,000 remaining in contingency
and 5,000 contractually obligated.

1790
02:40:14,800 --> 02:40:24,160
» I mean, when I say it's irresponsible, I
that's what I mean. I can't imagine

1791
02:40:20,640 --> 02:40:32,080
anything I I certainly haven't done
anything in for in 14 years on council

1792
02:40:28,640 --> 02:40:36,479
where we had an idea and and I don't
think there was any question that we

1793
02:40:33,520 --> 02:40:45,760
were headed toward adoption
where we just said a month left to go

1794
02:40:41,280 --> 02:40:49,840
maybe not. Um I I do think that that you
know among other things it leaves staff

1795
02:40:47,600 --> 02:40:55,120
out to dry but I also think more
importantly because we are deciding how

1796
02:40:53,120 --> 02:41:03,840
to move forward
um I just don't think that's a a very

1797
02:40:58,399 --> 02:41:09,200
wise thing um on there you know I can
speak to one thing that council member

1798
02:41:06,000 --> 02:41:16,640
Hefner mentioned the I think I think it
was mentioned about well the the the

1799
02:41:13,840 --> 02:41:21,120
sustainability action plan or at least
that was kind of the illusion. I think

1800
02:41:19,280 --> 02:41:25,920
the sustainability action plan was
adopted by council because I did it. It

1801
02:41:23,280 --> 02:41:33,840
was part of that. Um and when we've
changed it, it was changed by council.

1802
02:41:29,280 --> 02:41:39,600
So um you know others the transportation
plan I mean you know go on and on about

1803
02:41:36,479 --> 02:41:48,040
the plans that we've had. Now you can
distinguish between them. I I suppose I

1804
02:41:42,479 --> 02:41:48,040
my view is fix it. Don't mix it.

1805
02:41:48,640 --> 02:41:56,080
I don't think it's good to throw the
baby out with a bath water. Not at this

1806
02:41:52,240 --> 02:42:01,120
point. Go ahead. So, mayor, if to to try
to move this along,

1807
02:41:58,160 --> 02:42:05,520
um what I'm hearing, so there's some
specific recommendations for map

1808
02:42:03,280 --> 02:42:11,040
changes, clarification on the map,
trying to make some connections between

1809
02:42:08,720 --> 02:42:15,359
um the action items, priorities, and the
public input, refining the executive

1810
02:42:13,200 --> 02:42:20,319
summary to make it more robust. Move the
matrix up to the executive summary to

1811
02:42:17,359 --> 02:42:25,920
identify um these action items. look at
nomenclature to see if we can try to

1812
02:42:22,880 --> 02:42:33,280
kind of make it more condensed or um
easier to read. Um I think those things

1813
02:42:28,880 --> 02:42:38,240
are all achievable. Um to address some
of of council member Hefner's concerns,

1814
02:42:35,439 --> 02:42:43,840
I would like to take a step. We have a
CIP meeting um in September um where

1815
02:42:42,240 --> 02:42:49,520
we're going to do further refinement of
the CIP. We have a meeting I believe

1816
02:42:46,479 --> 02:42:54,319
this week with pros related to CIP. I
would like to take a step to let us kind

1817
02:42:51,680 --> 02:43:00,240
of work through the CIP and see if we
can't somehow make a connection with

1818
02:42:56,560 --> 02:43:05,439
that. Um, so you can see that we are
taking this plan and implementing it,

1819
02:43:02,080 --> 02:43:09,760
applying it to the CIP. Um, it may not
be part of the document, but you can see

1820
02:43:07,120 --> 02:43:14,160
how we're applying it. And then so just
leaves a couple of specific items that

1821
02:43:12,160 --> 02:43:19,439
that I need direction on to move
forward. One being specific to trail 18.

1822
02:43:17,840 --> 02:43:24,479
So if you remember as part of the comp
plan process there was conversations

1823
02:43:22,319 --> 02:43:29,520
there was input received related to this
good hue ditch trail connection which is

1824
02:43:26,560 --> 02:43:33,920
trail 18. So I pulled up the comp plan
um one of the figures and it says uh

1825
02:43:32,479 --> 02:43:38,880
good hu ditch trail connection is
conceptual only future evaluation will

1826
02:43:36,319 --> 02:43:43,760
occur outside this plan eg trails master
plan and will consider ecological

1827
02:43:41,120 --> 02:43:51,279
agricultural and legal constraints.
So, the comp plan says that this trail

1828
02:43:48,479 --> 02:43:58,240
um will be, you know, considered as part
of the the trail's master plan. So we do

1829
02:43:55,439 --> 02:44:03,120
need direction at some point as to if
you would like to have this connection

1830
02:44:00,080 --> 02:44:07,840
removed from the plan, if you would like
further consideration of this trail 18,

1831
02:44:05,680 --> 02:44:13,200
if you would like further clarification
of the trail 18 to say, you know,

1832
02:44:10,319 --> 02:44:17,200
additional feasibility studies will need
to be required before um this is

1833
02:44:15,520 --> 02:44:21,200
conceptual only. You know, kind of
similar to the language that's in the

1834
02:44:19,040 --> 02:44:26,160
comprehensive plan. So that's that's one
of the specific items. Um,

1835
02:44:24,399 --> 02:44:30,800
and then we've heard, you know, through
some of the emails received today, we'll

1836
02:44:28,240 --> 02:44:34,560
condense those. Um, give you some themes
from the additional public comment

1837
02:44:32,640 --> 02:44:38,640
that's received, note how we've
addressed it. The other thing that I

1838
02:44:36,479 --> 02:44:43,520
want to point out that I, you know, hear
clear from council member Coopermanman

1839
02:44:40,640 --> 02:44:48,479
in terms of this and some of others of
you related to this open space map

1840
02:44:46,160 --> 02:44:55,200
that's based upon a vegetation survey
versus a map that is the actual um like

1841
02:44:51,840 --> 02:44:59,760
council designated classifications.
We can address that as well. And just to

1842
02:44:57,840 --> 02:45:04,800
note that that's based upon a vegetation
survey. So I think a lot of these things

1843
02:45:01,920 --> 02:45:10,080
can be addressed. um we do need specific
direction related to trail 18 and if you

1844
02:45:07,359 --> 02:45:15,680
would um give us some time to go back
and kind of digest all of these comments

1845
02:45:13,200 --> 02:45:22,240
and come with a recommendation to move
forward

1846
02:45:16,720 --> 02:45:28,880
» if um the council is inclined to both
give you the what you need and

1847
02:45:26,960 --> 02:45:33,600
the staff to go back and do the
reworking.

1848
02:45:30,479 --> 02:45:39,439
that time is going to have to slip. I
mean, based on where we set it, right?

1849
02:45:36,720 --> 02:45:43,840
This is not going to get done or is
>> I think it's to be determined. Okay.

1850
02:45:41,200 --> 02:45:48,800
» Um, you know, some of this information
exists already. And so, from a mapping

1851
02:45:46,560 --> 02:45:53,120
perspective, it might be additional
paragraph that's added to the map. Um,

1852
02:45:51,279 --> 02:45:57,120
or it might be taking a map from another
source. I'm looking to Adam and Brian. I

1853
02:45:55,760 --> 02:46:02,479
think we need to have more conversation
as to if this is going to make the

1854
02:45:59,359 --> 02:46:06,080
timeline slip. Um, some of these things
are pretty straightforward to address.

1855
02:46:04,000 --> 02:46:10,560
Others we already knew were going to
take a little bit more time in terms of

1856
02:46:07,840 --> 02:46:15,040
moving u things into the executive
summary. So I I would I wouldn't not

1857
02:46:13,359 --> 02:46:21,120
ready to say that it's going to slip
right now. We need to review it more.

1858
02:46:18,319 --> 02:46:28,240
» It's fair enough. It's premature. That's
what I'm hearing. Um

1859
02:46:25,279 --> 02:46:33,680
well, why don't why don't we take the
um the smaller, if you will, it depends

1860
02:46:31,600 --> 02:46:38,640
whether it's a small or big issue, but
it's not the the big issue that council

1861
02:46:36,080 --> 02:46:44,920
member Hefner made. How do people feel
about the uh that trail 18? Yes,

1862
02:46:44,960 --> 02:46:52,800
» thank you. I think um
there's a desire for from the community

1863
02:46:50,560 --> 02:46:59,840
to have connection.
Um and I would be in favor of of making

1864
02:46:57,680 --> 02:47:04,240
sure it's clear like we did in the comp
plan that it's conceptual and additional

1865
02:47:02,160 --> 02:47:08,080
due diligence would need to be had
before anything were to be implemented.

1866
02:47:06,720 --> 02:47:13,680
But I do believe people want a
connection between RTR and downtown and

1867
02:47:10,880 --> 02:47:16,880
other places within our community.
Council

1868
02:47:16,319 --> 02:47:21,680
member.
>> Yeah, I would agree, but I would I would

1869
02:47:18,479 --> 02:47:28,640
also say that that includes 17, 18, and
19. All three of which are heading south

1870
02:47:24,960 --> 02:47:32,720
and are in the like the the the uh
necessary to be expanded and evaluated.

1871
02:47:31,120 --> 02:47:38,640
I think all three could use greater
evaluation as to the mayor prom's point

1872
02:47:35,920 --> 02:47:43,680
um as we develop red tail and see where
those needs really lie. It could be that

1873
02:47:41,359 --> 02:47:49,279
it is greater access from a multi-use
wide path along 42, quicker, easier to

1874
02:47:47,359 --> 02:47:53,279
get to the hospital or the businesses or
what have you versus a recreational

1875
02:47:51,040 --> 02:47:59,960
trail. And I think that would be that
would require a lot more evaluation than

1876
02:47:56,080 --> 02:47:59,960
we should be doing tonight.

1877
02:48:03,359 --> 02:48:09,040
Um,
I mean the

1878
02:48:07,279 --> 02:48:14,880
staff can correct me, but you know, the
way that I look at that map with the

1879
02:48:11,600 --> 02:48:18,399
possible future connections is like we
went out to the community and we asked

1880
02:48:16,399 --> 02:48:23,920
them where they want to see connections
and then we tried to summarize that and

1881
02:48:20,640 --> 02:48:28,560
this is the summary of that engagement.
And so like I don't have any problem

1882
02:48:26,640 --> 02:48:33,359
just showing that. I just would want to
be very clear like this is the status of

1883
02:48:31,439 --> 02:48:38,880
that map. Like these are th these are
things that are ideas that our community

1884
02:48:35,279 --> 02:48:45,120
had. Um but you know to move forward
with any of them we'd have to go through

1885
02:48:40,800 --> 02:48:48,640
that process of figuring out you know
should you know should we actually go

1886
02:48:46,479 --> 02:48:52,160
through with any of these council
>> just to make that very clear

1887
02:48:50,319 --> 02:48:57,040
» could I just could I just read from the
plan and see if this solves the issue.

1888
02:48:55,200 --> 02:49:01,680
Uh, the proposed trail improvements are
for consideration purposes only, each of

1889
02:48:59,680 --> 02:49:06,160
which will require further evaluation
prior to final approval. All proposed

1890
02:49:04,319 --> 02:49:10,560
trail system improvements will undergo a
thorough staff review and city council

1891
02:49:08,399 --> 02:49:14,080
approval prior to implementation.
Evaluation criteria may include

1892
02:49:12,319 --> 02:49:18,000
connectivity, safety, ecological
protection, maintenance cost, and staff

1893
02:49:16,479 --> 02:49:21,040
resource ability.
>> That sounds good. Put that in there.

1894
02:49:19,200 --> 02:49:27,120
» That seems like a seems like a good
disclaimer to me. Does that solve your

1895
02:49:23,760 --> 02:49:31,600
uh issue on that? Um to the larger point
um I guess at this stage I mean I think

1896
02:49:29,600 --> 02:49:37,200
we've had
good discussion about whether to adopt

1897
02:49:34,960 --> 02:49:44,160
uh this or whether we're heading to that
direction whether people ultimately

1898
02:49:39,439 --> 02:49:50,960
choose to vote for it or not. Um
is the direction to bring back a plan? I

1899
02:49:48,960 --> 02:49:56,840
mean, in terms of something council
would adopt as opposed to just receive,

1900
02:49:58,080 --> 02:50:04,399
» we are we going to vote on it and adopt
it as a as

1901
02:50:01,680 --> 02:50:09,680
» as mayor. Can I ask one clarifying
question? I think also within

1902
02:50:07,200 --> 02:50:13,520
» that conversation is the conversation
for what

1903
02:50:10,880 --> 02:50:18,160
» staff would be bringing back to you next
as a whole. So based on the conversation

1904
02:50:15,920 --> 02:50:23,359
tonight, is there a desire to have
another bite at the draft apple or

1905
02:50:21,600 --> 02:50:27,520
adoption or supporting or whatever we're
going to call it when it gets to its

1906
02:50:24,640 --> 02:50:31,200
final stage? Is there a stage that we
should be considering that happens

1907
02:50:29,279 --> 02:50:39,200
between that?
>> I guess I had understood that we wanted

1908
02:50:34,000 --> 02:50:44,800
to get it back, but um
is that a hand up or is that a thumbs

1909
02:50:42,160 --> 02:50:50,479
up? and a merit
>> I think uh the city manager had proposed

1910
02:50:48,160 --> 02:50:56,240
earlier that we continue on the path
forward of adoption of a document and

1911
02:50:53,279 --> 02:51:03,200
she's planning through CIP conversations
to bring examples back to us of how the

1912
02:50:59,600 --> 02:51:06,960
document is going to be used to plan um
so that was my understanding of the path

1913
02:51:05,439 --> 02:51:11,520
forward is we're still planning for
adoption

1914
02:51:08,160 --> 02:51:15,680
» as as opposed to bringing back one more
and then making a final decision on

1915
02:51:14,720 --> 02:51:19,600
adoption.
>> Well, I think we are now blending

1916
02:51:17,920 --> 02:51:24,800
together two separate things. So, the
question you asked was, are we going to

1917
02:51:22,880 --> 02:51:29,680
adopt the document or are we going to
receive and file? And I think the city

1918
02:51:26,960 --> 02:51:33,439
manager earlier had proposed we move
forward with adoption because she thinks

1919
02:51:31,200 --> 02:51:38,800
she can show us how it's being used as a
plan through some CIP conversations with

1920
02:51:36,000 --> 02:51:44,319
staff. And then Adam just director
Blackmore just asked I think a separate

1921
02:51:41,040 --> 02:51:50,399
question which is between that point and
now is there another meeting where we

1922
02:51:47,600 --> 02:51:54,240
want to go into more detail about the
document so I think there's two right am

1923
02:51:52,800 --> 02:51:57,240
I hearing there's two separate things
here

1924
02:51:58,479 --> 02:52:06,160
» put that way um
first yeah go ahead

1925
02:52:04,319 --> 02:52:11,359
» I'll just say on the on the second
question for my money, the time is

1926
02:52:08,640 --> 02:52:15,600
better spent um having staff continue
the continue community engagement

1927
02:52:13,040 --> 02:52:19,760
window, focus on that process. That
that's who we really want to hear from.

1928
02:52:17,760 --> 02:52:24,240
Um and I'm sure to the extent any of us
have additional comments on the draft,

1929
02:52:21,920 --> 02:52:28,399
we'll share those. But that that's just
my view.

1930
02:52:26,560 --> 02:52:33,600
» Yeah, go ahead.
>> Yeah, I would support both adopting when

1931
02:52:30,319 --> 02:52:37,520
we're done and uh not having another
bite at the draft apple.

1932
02:52:41,279 --> 02:52:49,520
Fair enough. I keep I I I keep trying to
find places where you where staff might

1933
02:52:47,279 --> 02:52:56,720
want another chance to come back. I I
think that it sounds like

1934
02:52:52,240 --> 02:53:03,520
we want to keep moving toward uh one to
get the public input, two to keep

1935
02:52:59,840 --> 02:53:07,120
working toward a draft that or a draft
that we come back ultimately for

1936
02:53:05,600 --> 02:53:14,080
adoption.
Um and that

1937
02:53:10,319 --> 02:53:19,920
you know we will see the changes after
when we are on that path.

1938
02:53:17,040 --> 02:53:22,560
Any
thumbs up, thumbs down,

1939
02:53:21,840 --> 02:53:26,800
» thumbs up,
>> thumbs up.

1940
02:53:25,120 --> 02:53:33,560
» Okay.
Does staff have the direction that it

1941
02:53:30,560 --> 02:53:33,560
needs?

1942
02:53:34,720 --> 02:53:42,240
» I think so.
>> Okay. But from our side,

1943
02:53:38,479 --> 02:53:46,720
» we'll try to um incorporate some pretty
intentional

1944
02:53:44,080 --> 02:53:51,040
effort into when we provide that plan
for adoption, how this feedback has been

1945
02:53:49,520 --> 02:53:53,439
incorporated and we appreciate the
comments.

1946
02:53:51,920 --> 02:53:57,200
» Okay.
If council members have additional

1947
02:53:55,200 --> 02:54:02,880
thoughts they want to share with staff,
fine. We'll have thoughts from the

1948
02:54:00,240 --> 02:54:11,359
public most certainly and look forward
to that good discussion. Um thanks

1949
02:54:08,080 --> 02:54:16,880
uh for working through this with us.
Tough discussion but a good one. Um

1950
02:54:15,279 --> 02:54:23,520
right
I think uh the next part is uh see

1951
02:54:21,920 --> 02:54:30,240
appointment of council committee for
potential amendments to city manager

1952
02:54:25,920 --> 02:54:37,600
employment agreement. Um I think um
those who are working on the

1953
02:54:33,120 --> 02:54:45,840
uh evaluation of municipal judge
and the prosecutor are um I venture to

1954
02:54:42,880 --> 02:54:48,560
say not going to be those who work on
this next

1955
02:54:46,960 --> 02:54:53,840
» Mayor if I may yeah
>> just make a brief presentation on what's

1956
02:54:50,319 --> 02:54:57,120
in your packet here. So this is um staff
requesting C is council to appoint two

1957
02:54:55,920 --> 02:54:59,600
council members to serve on this
committee to review and recommend

1958
02:54:58,319 --> 02:55:02,800
council potential amendments the
employment agreement for the city

1959
02:55:00,720 --> 02:55:06,240
manager. As you pointed out this came up
after the city manager's review which

1960
02:55:04,640 --> 02:55:10,640
happened very recently and council
directed staff to follow up. We do have

1961
02:55:08,560 --> 02:55:14,080
two council members who have volunteered
to be on this committee and that is

1962
02:55:12,240 --> 02:55:17,920
Mayor Pertam Hamilton and council member
Hefner. So if council is supportive they

1963
02:55:16,479 --> 02:55:24,160
could make a simple motion to appoint
these two to the committee.

1964
02:55:20,880 --> 02:55:28,399
All right. I spoke too soon. Go ahead.
Council,

1965
02:55:24,640 --> 02:55:29,439
» I was just gonna say I'll make a motion.
>> Okay.

1966
02:55:29,120 --> 02:55:32,800
» Second.
>> As long as they're willing.

1967
02:55:31,200 --> 02:55:35,800
» Um, all in favor?
>> I

1968
02:55:52,560 --> 02:56:00,439
So moved that we journ second.
>> I I

1969
02:56:04,000 --> 02:56:11,359
fall apart in dry air and therefore
needed to be used almost immediately

1970
02:56:08,319 --> 02:56:13,760
after being mined. At first, the coal
was only