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[I. INVOCATION, PLEDGE & ROLL CALL]
MORNING.I THANK YOU ALL FOR WAITING FOR ME.
UH, WE'RE GONNA BEGIN THE MEETING NOW.
IT IS, UH, I CAN'T REALLY SEE VERY WELL.
HE JUST TOLD ME WHAT TIME IT WAS AND SO AS I'M GONNA GO FROM MEMORY AND WOULD YOU DO, JUST READ THOSE NUMBERS OUT FOR ME WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY PARK WILL CONDUCT A REGULAR MEETING SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, MAY THE 20TH, TWO 20 2025 AT 9:30 AM HERE AT CITY HALL.
YOU MAY BY TELEPHONIC VIDEO CONFERENCE IN ADDITION TO ALLOW ANY PERSON ATTENDANCE, A QUORUM OF THE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE PHYSICALLY PRESENT IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, FIFTH FLOOR CITY HALL, 4 44 FOURTH STREET, PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS.
THE PUBLIC MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE MEETING IN PERSON OR BY DIALING ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TOLL FREE NUMBERS AND ENTERING THE MEETING ID 8 6 0 6 6 4 6 1 7 1 8 4.
AND THE PASSCODE WILL BE FIVE THREE TWO FIVE NINE TWO.
OR YOU COULD CALL THE TOLL FREE NUMBER AT 8 7 7 8 5 3 5 2 4 7 R 8 8 8 7 8 0 0 9 9 IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICAN DISABILITY ACT.
THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR WILL PROVIDE FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR A PERSON'S ATTENDED CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS TO BETTER SERVE YOU.
CAN YOU MUTE YOURSELF, PLEASE OR WHOMEVER'S ONLINE? WOULD YOU PLEASE MUTE YOURSELF? THANK YOU.
TO PROVIDE VETERAN SERVICE REQUEST, YOU SHOULD BE RE YOU SHOULD RECEIVE 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE MEETING.
PLEASE CONTACT THE CITY SECRETARY OFFICE AT 4 0 9 9 8 3 8 1 1 5.
AT THIS TIME, IF YOU HAVE ANY MOBILE DEVICES, WOULD YOU PLEASE TURN 'EM OFF OR MUTE 'EM AT THIS TIME, PLEASE STAND FOR THE ENTER VOCATION AND A ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE.
PLEASE, FATHER GOD IN THE NAME OF JESUS, WE APPROACH THE THRONE OF GRACE AND MERCY AT THIS OUR DEAR GOD, THANKING YOU FOR ALLOWING US YOU'RE AWAKEN ON THIS MORNING AND TO BEGIN OUR DAY, WE ASK AND WE INVOKE YOUR PRESENCE IN THIS ASSEMBLY.
DEAR GOD, AS WE CONDUCT THE BUSINESS OF THIS CITY, ONE IN WHICH YOU'VE BLESSED US WITH AND YOU'VE ALLOWED US TO BE ABLE TO HANDLE IT EVEN UP UNTIL THIS POINT.
AND WE ARE MIGHTY THANKFUL FOR THAT.
SO WE ASK YOU TO LEAVE WITH US TODAY AS WE CONTINUE, BUT YOU'VE BLESSED THESE THINGS.
WE ASK IN THE NAME OF JESUS, FORSAKE WE PRAY.
LET'S RECITE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC WHICH STANDS, ONE NATION TO THE GOD AND INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY AND I JUSTICE FOR ALL.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INDULGENCE.
CITY SECRETARY, WILL YOU ESTABLISH A ROLL CALL, PLEASE? MAYOR BART.
COUNCIL MEMBER HAMILTON, EVER FIELD PRESENT.
COUNCIL MEMBER FRANK, PRESENT.
[II. PROCLAMATIONS]
HAVE ONE PROCLAMATION AT THIS TIME.THE FONT IS LARGE ENOUGH ON THIS.
UH, THIS IS FROM THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR FOR WATER SAFETY MONTH.
AND IT READS HERE, CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, OFFICE OF THE MAYOR.
WHEREAS NATIONAL WATER SAFETY MONTH IS AN ANNUAL AWARENESS CAMPAIGN, CELEBRATED EACH MAY TO PROVIDE WATER SAFETY EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS AHEAD OF THE PEAK SUMMER SWIM SEASON.
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CITY OF PORT ARTHUR UNDERSTANDS THE ESSENTIAL ROLE THAT EDUCATION PLAYS IN PREVENTING DROWNING AND RECREATIONAL WATER RELATED INJURIES.AND WHEREAS WE RECOGNIZE THE VITAL ROLE THAT SWIMMING AND AQUATIC, UH, RELATED ACTIVITIES PLAY IN ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL PEOPLE.
AND WHEREAS WE UNDERSTAND THE VITAL IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATING WATER SAFETY RULES AND PROGRAMS TO FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES, WHETHER THEY ARE OWNERS OF PRIVATE POOLS, USERS OF PUBLIC SWIMMING FACILITIES, OR VISITORS TO WATER PARKS.
NOW, THEREFORE, I THURMAN BILL BOCHY, MAYOR OF THE GREAT CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MAY 20, MAY, 2025 AS WATER SAFETY MONTH HERE IN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.
WE ENCOURAGE ALL RESIDENTS TO RECOGNIZE THE ONGOING EFFORTS AND COMMITMENTS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON WATER SAFETY ISSUES AND INITIATIVES IN WITNESS
I HAVE HERETO SET MY HAND AND CAUSED THE SEAL OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR TO BE AFFIXED THIS 20TH DAY OF MAY IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 2025.
AND IT SIGNED MAYOR THURMAN, BILL BCI.
AND I'M NOT SURE IF SOMEONE FROM OUR PARKS AND RECREATION IS HERE TO RECEIVE IT.
ALRIGHT, CRYSTAL, YOU GOT A PHOTO? CAN YOU PHOTO? YES, SIR.
OH, WHAT I'M SAYING IS IN MY DISTRICT, SO OH, OKAY.
WELL, DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANNA SAY? WELL, I'VE GOT A PRESENTATION IN A MINUTE, SO I'LL I'LL DO IT THEN.
WE HAVE NO OTHER PROCLAMATIONS.
[III.A.(1) Recognition Of Sabine Pass Independent School Students Regarding Employment ]
PETITION AND COMMUNICATIONS SPEAKERS.THE FIRST SPEAKER WE HAVE TODAY IS RECOGNITION OF SABINE PASSED INDEPENDENT SCHOOL STUDENTS REGARDING EMPLOYMENT.
WE HAVE REPRESENTATIVES FROM BECHTEL AND WE'VE GOT REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
COULD YOU PLEASE COME FORWARD? WE'VE GOT THE COACH HERE AND I THINK WE HAVE SOME OF THE STUDENTS THERE AS WELL.
THIS IS SABINE PASS SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT'S BEEN REPRESENTED HERE.
IS IS ANYONE GOING TO GIVE UM, A FEW WORDS AS TO COACH? DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY AS SURE TO THE PROGRAM? YES SIR.
WE WANNA THANK YOU FOR ANY KNOWLEDGE ON OUR SENIORS.
UH, THEY PLAN TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE AND, UH, HOPEFULLY HIT IT WITH A GOOD STRIDE AND DO GREAT FOR THEMSELVES.
ANY COMMENTS? SO I'D ALSO, MY NAME IS WALKER KIMBALL, REPRESENTATIVE BECHTEL.
MR. MAYOR, HOW ARE YOU TODAY? I'D LIKE TO THANK THE COUNCIL JUST FOR MAKING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE THESE STUDENTS.
SABINE PASS ISD FOR PROVIDING A CURRICULUM THAT'S BROAD ENOUGH TO HELP TRAIN THESE YOUNG PEOPLE AND MOTIVATE THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VERY IMPORTANT WORK OF BUILDING AMERICA AND PROVIDING ENERGY THAT PORT ARTHUR DOES.
AND I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK EMRA INFRASTRUCTURE FOR MAKING THE INVESTMENTS IN THE COMMUNITY.
AND WE'RE A PROUD PARTICIPANT IN BEING ABLE TO BE THE BUILDER THERE.
AND I'M SUPER EXCITED THAT THESE THREE
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GENTLEMEN WILL BE PLACED INTO OUR CARE TO HELP TO TRAIN, DEVELOP, AND BECOME A FUTURE CRITICAL PART OF THE PORT ARTHUR AND ENERGY WORKFORCE.SO, THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND THANK YOU GENTLEMEN.
I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO HELENE ON THE WAY UP THIS MORNING.
WE MET AT THE ELEVATOR AND I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET MR. THOMAS AND MR. GIDRICK, UH, WHO WERE TWO STUDENTS AND I DIDN'T HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THE THIRD.
CAN YOU TELL US WHO YOU ARE THIS MORNING? MY NAME IS LORENZO CETO.
MS. FRED? I HAVE THE OTHER TWO TO INTRODUCE.
BUT ALL OF YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELVES THIS MORNING, ALL OF YOU.
I MET YOU TWO AT THE ELEVATOR AND I MET, UH, THE THIRD ONE JUST NOW.
BUT THESE STUDENTS REPRESENT THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST OF OUR CITY.
AND, UH, THEY HAVE GONE ON TO BE LAUDED BY, UH, BECHTEL AND SELECTED BY BECHTEL.
AND THEY'RE GONNA BEGIN, UH, TO BE A PART OF THE WORKFORCE THAT WE NEED, UH, TO HAVE TRAINED TO DO THE CRITICAL WORK OF BUILDING, UH, THESE REFINERIES AND THESE LNG PLANTS.
THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING YOUR CAREERS.
I WANNA APPLAUD YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE HERE.
WHY DON'T YOU ALL STAND ON TODAY? FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE WITH THEM.
COME ON, LET'S APPLAUD THEM TODAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GUIDING YOUR CHILDREN AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE DIRECTION THAT THEY NEED.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
UM, WHEN I SEE THINGS LIKE THIS, I, I REALLY BELIEVE IN COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND PARTNERSHIPS.
SO THIS IS ONE OF THOSE TYPE OF, UH, KUDOS I LIKE TO SEE AND GIVE OUT THAT, UH, THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN, UH, REFINERY AND, AND ISDS WORKING TOGETHER TO HELP BENEFIT YOUNG PEOPLE.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH THEY'RE GONNA BE GETTING PAID AN HOUR, BUT I'M SURE WHEN THEY'RE WORKING IN REFINERIES IS GONNA BE SOMETHING OTHER THAN WORKING IN A FAST FOOD.
SO I APPLAUD YOU GUYS FOR WORKING WITH THESE GREAT STUDENTS AND FINDING WAYS THAT WE CAN IMPLEMENT THEM INTO THE INDUSTRY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, COUNCILMAN LEWIS.
I, AND APPRECIATE ALL THE FINE OUTSTANDING JOBS THAT YOU ALL HAVE DONE.
AND, UH, I LOOK AT THE SABINE PAST AS ONE OF THE RICHEST SCHOOLS.
ONE OF THE RICHEST OR MAYBE THE RICHEST SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.
SABINE PASSED AS ONE OF THE, UH, SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT IN, IN PORT ARTHUR.
WE HAVE FIVE OR SIX SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN PORT ARTHUR, BUT YOU ALL MAKE US LOOK GOOD.
AND BY YOU ALL, SOMEONE MENTIONED THE FAST FOOD.
YOU ALL MOVED OUT OF THE FAST FOOD INTO THE MANUFACTURING.
SO THAT CREATED AN INPUT FOR SOMEBODY ELSE TO, TO GET A JOB.
APPRECIATE ALL THE GREAT WORK THAT YOU ALL HAVE DONE AND LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU ALL IN THE FUTURE.
YOU, YOU HAD SOMETHING ELSE FOR COUNCIL.
I JUST WANNA MENTION TO YOU GUYS AND ALSO THE, THE, UH, OTHER PEOPLE THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EARLIER IN THE YEAR THAT YOU GUYS ARE GONNA GET TO RETIRE EARLIER THAN ANYBODY ELSE THAT STARTS AT THE PLANT RIGHT NOW.
MOST OF THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT START THIS TYPE OF WORD, THEY'RE WELL INTO THEIR TWENTIES BEFORE THEY'RE ABLE TO DO IT.
AND YOU GUYS ARE GONNA BE ABLE TO RETIRE EARLIER THAN THEM.
AND YOU'LL BE SITTING ON THE BEACH SOMEWHERE OR SITTING AT THE HOUSE WATCHING SPORTS AND THEY'RE STILL AT WORK.
SO I KNOW THAT'S SOMETHING YOU PROBABLY DON'T THINK ABOUT NOW, BUT AS YOU GET OLDER AND YOU SEE THE END OF THAT LINE COMING A LOT QUICKER THAN THE PEOPLE THAT YOU START WORK WITH, YOU'RE GONNA APPRECIATE IT.
DO YOU HAVE COUNCILWOMAN, UH, EVER FEEL? THANK YOU MA'AM.
TO EVERY STUDENT THAT SPEAKS THEIR NAME ON THIS MICROPHONE, I TELL THEM WE EXPECT GREATNESS FROM YOU.
WE ARE DEPENDING ON YOU, NO PRESSURE, BUT PRESSURE.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M SAYING? YES MA'AM.
BE WHERE YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE.
DO WHAT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DO.
KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO KNOW BECAUSE OTHERS COMING BEHIND YOU ARE LOOKING TO BE ABLE TO STEP INTO THAT SAME PATH.
AND SO WE WANNA SET GOOD EXAMPLES AND YOU GUYS HAVE THAT PRESSURE NOW, BUT IT'S GOOD PRESSURE.
AND SO WE ARE EXPECTING GREATNESS FROM YOU AND WE WILL PRAY GOD'S BLESSINGS FOR YOU, FOR YOUR SUCCESS.
AND IF I MAY, COUNCIL DO SAY, UH, TO EACH OF YOU.
AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO, UH, GREAT THINGS HAPPENING FOR YOU ALL.
AND I GUESS YOU, YOU ALL WERE REALLY ABLE TO WORK WITH THOSE TOOLS YOU ALREADY GOTTEN.
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WAS, THAT WAS LAST YEAR.UH, AND AND MAYBE YOU ALL, YOU ALL WERE IN THAT GROUP, RIGHT? OR THEY WEREN'T.
SO WE HAD A WHOLE NOTHER GROUP.
THEY HAD BEEN, I WANNA APPLAUD Y 'CAUSE YOU ALL HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR, UH, MAYBE A FEW YEARS OR MAYBE EVEN LONGER, PREPARING SOME STUDENTS, UH, TO BE EMPLOYABLE AND ATTRACTIVE TO EMPLOYERS WITH, UH, A SKILL SET THAT'S NEEDED IN, IN OUR COMMUNITY AS WE, UH, BUILD, UH, THE INDUSTRIES, VARIOUS INDUSTRIES HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
SO WE APPRECIATE THAT AND WE APPRECIATE YOU ALL AND EVERYTHING THAT EACH OF THESE INDIVIDUALS HERE HAVE SAID, HAVE SAID.
AND ANYBODY'S A SENIOR OR OKAY.
AND MAYBE I JUST DIDN'T HERE, WHATEVER, BUT SO IT, IT MEANS YOU ARE REALLY, REALLY, UH, GRADUATION THIS WEEK ANYWAY, RIGHT? FRIDAY.
SO AND SO, I MEAN, I KNOW YOUR PARENTS ARE HAPPY 'CAUSE YOU GRADUATED WITH A JOB AND ALL THOSE OTHER THINGS AND ALL THOSE BLESSINGS.
AND AS, UH, COUNCILMAN BECKHAM SAID, YOU KNOW, YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT, MAN, BECAUSE IN 30 YEARS IT LOOK LIKE A LONG TIME.
AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO TO WORK IN 30 YEARS, YOU WON'T BE LIKE ANY OF THESE FOLK UP HERE.
TURN AROUND WE STUDENTS YOU WANT ME TO ALL RIGHT.
CAN WE GET, UH, CAN WE GET ALL OF Y'ALL MOVE IN NICE AND CLOSE? YOU GOOD? ALRIGHT FOLKS SET UP REAL SIT UP REAL TALL, BACK'S NICE AND STRAIGHT.
AND SIR, LET'S HAVE Y'ALL SLIDE OVER.
WE ARE GOING TO MOVE BACK TO PROCLAMATIONS.
UH, THINK THIS ONE FOR THE GIFT OF LIFE.
UH, FOR MEN'S, UH, HEALTH AWARENESS DAY, WE HAVE SOMEONE FROM GIFT OF LIFE.
Y'ALL CAN COME UP AND, AND I, I WILL.
NOW I HAVE THIS OTHER PROCLAMATIONS FROM THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR OFFICE OF THE, UH, THE MAYOR, THE STATES.
WHEREAS, UH, JUNE, 2025 IS NATIONAL MEN'S HEALTH MONTH.
AND WHEREAS GIFTED LIFE IN COLLABORATION WITH ITS MEDICAL PARTNERS WILL MAKE AVAILABLE FREE MEN'S HEALTHCARE SERVICES, INCLUDING PROSTATE SPECIFIC ANTIGEN, WHICH IS NORMALLY CALLED PSA SCREENING PRIMARY CARE TESTS, INFECTIOUS DISEASE TESTS ALONG WITH ONSITE PHYSICIAN CONSULTATIONS TO REVIEW TEST OUTCOMES AND NAVIGATE MEN TO CARE.
AND WHEREAS GIFT OF LIGHT PAYS THE IN CHARITY OF PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING, DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT COSTS FOR ITS CLIENTS.
AND WHEREAS GIFT OF LIFE WILL HOST REGIONAL MEN'S HEALTH SCREENING AND EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE MONTHS OF JUNE AND JULY.
AND WHEREAS PROSTATE CANCER IS THE MOST FREQUENTLY DIAGNOSED CANCER
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IN MEN, ASIDE FROM SKIN CANCER.AND ABOUT ONE IN EIGHT MEN WILL BE DIAGNOSED WITH PROSTATE CANCER DURING THEIR LIFETIME.
AND WHEREAS TEXAS IS THE MEDICALLY UNINSURED CAPITAL OF THE UNITED STATES WITH 4.9 MILLION TEXANS WITHOUT COVERAGE.
AND WHEREAS IN 2025, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT 20 1070 MEN IN TEXAS WILL BE DIAGNOSED WITH PROSTATE CANCER AND APPROXIMATELY 2,470 WILL DIE FROM THE DISEASE.
AND WHEREAS SINCE 2000 MORE THAN 12,000 SOUTHEAST TEXAS MEN HAVE RECEIVED GIFT OF LIFE FREE PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING, HELPING TO EXTEND THE LIVES OF 82 MEN WHO WERE DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER AND WHO WERE PROVIDED ACCESS TO DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATIONS AND TREATMENT.
NOW THEREFORE, I THURMAN BILL BTI, MAYOR OF THE GREAT CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM JUNE, 2025 AS MEN'S HEALTH MONTH AND TUESDAY, MAY 30TH AS GIFT OF LIFE, MEN'S HEALTH AWARENESS DAY IN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.
AND I ALSO URGE ALL MEN IN OUR COMMUNITY TO PURSUE PREVENTATIVE HEALTH PRACTICES AND EARLY DETECTION EFFORTS.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I HAVE HERE AND TRU SET MY HAND AND CAUSED THE SEAL OF THE GREAT CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS TO BE AFFIXED THIS 20TH DAY OF MAY IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 2025.
AND ITS SIGNED THURMAN BILL BCE MAYOR, AND I'LL COME DOWN AND PRESENT IT.
AND YOU ALL WANT LIKE TO SPEAK? YES.
THAT IS MAYOR COUNCIL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PROCLAMATION TODAY.
UH, THE GIFT OF LIFE HAS FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, HELD AND RECOGNIZED MEN'S HEALTH SCREENING MONTH.
I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT WE GREATLY APPRECIATE YOU SUPPORTING US AND THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND ITS DIRECTOR IN OFFERING THIS PROGRAM THIS YEAR AT THE PORT ARTHUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
THAT DATE WILL BE JUNE THE 21ST.
THE MAYOR HAS ELOQUENTLY SHARED WITH YOU THE SERVICES THAT WE WILL BE OFFERING AND WE ENCOURAGE ALL MEN TO COME OUT AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE SCREENING EFFORTS.
EVERYTHING THAT I WOULD'VE SAID HAS BEEN SAID IN THE PROCLAMATION.
BUT MAYOR, IF YOU WILL INDULGE ME JUST A MINUTE, I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE TWO GENTLEMEN WHO NO BETTER COULD SHARE WITH YOU THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE SCREENINGS.
MR. MACARTHUR ENGLISH, WHO IS A LONGTIME SURVIVOR, AND MR. CUOMO, WHO IS A RECENT SURVIVOR.
GENTLEMEN, GOOD MORNING MAYOR.
MY NAME IS MACARTHUR ENGLISH AND I AM SO HAPPY AND PROUD TO BE HERE THIS MORNING IN THIS MEETING TO TELL THE MEN WHEN WE ARRIVED HERE ON THE 21ST OF JUNE, WE, LAST YEAR WE SET A RECORD.
THIS YEAR WE'RE GONNA TRY TO BREAK THAT RECORD.
BUT LADIES, WE NEED YOUR HELP.
'CAUSE SOME, FOR WHATEVER REASON, OUR MEN SEEM LIKE THEY GET AFRAID, BUT THAT LITTLE DISEASE WILL BITE YOU.
YOU SEE WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR FORMER PRESIDENT NOW THAT JUST DIDN'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.
SOMETHING, SOMEBODY ROLLED A BALL DOWN THE ROAD OR, OR WHATEVER.
BUT IF YOU DETECTED EARLIER IS 100% KILLED SOMETHING.
20 YEARS AGO I DEVELOPED PROSTATE CANCER.
AND I WANT TO TELL YOU, I WAS SCARED TO DEATH.
BUT THEN I WENT TO MD ANDERSON.
NO, I WENT TO MY PHYSICIAN IN, IN BEAUMONT.
AND, AND USUALLY I CHECK WITH A UROLOGIST AND, AND THAT'S THE KEY, A UROLOGIST.
'CAUSE SOMETIMES NOTHING AGAINST, UH, MD'S MEDICAL DOCTOR, BUT A M UH, UROLOGIST KNOWS WHAT HE'S LOOKING FOR.
HE KNOWS WHAT HE'S LOOKING FOR.
BUT I WANT TO TELL MEN, IF YOU GET THAT CHECK EARLIER, IT'S 100% KILLED.
AND I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU, MAYOR COUNSEL FOR THE PROPOSITION THAT Y'ALL GAVE US TODAY.
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THANK YOU.I'M MICHAEL CUOMO, MAYOR, UH, COUNSEL.
I'M, I'VE BEEN IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, UH, IS DIAGNOSED WITH PROSTATE CANCER AND, UH, RECOVERY.
I JUST FOUND INFORMATION OUT IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR AT PROSTATE PSA LEVEL ZERO.
AND, UH, AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR THIS PROGRAM.
UM, GOT ME THROUGH THE FRIGHTENING MOMENT OF IT.
I'M THANKFUL FOR THIS PROGRAM AND I ENCOURAGE ALL MEN TO GO OUT AND GET TESTED.
YEAH, I NEEDED THE OLD FASHIONED WAY THROUGH THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.
AND, UH, I'M THANKFUL FOR TRACY, UM, ROSSLYN, THE WHOLE, THE STAFF DOWN AND PULLED OUT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
MS. HOLMES, SIR, WE HAVE COMMENTS.
WOULD YOU PLEASE HAVE 'EM TO REMAIN? THANK YOU.
YEAH, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THE GIFT OF LIFE AND ALL THAT YOU DO.
AND I WANNA SAY TO MR. AUTHUR AND TO THE OTHER GENTLEMAN ON TODAY, UH, YOUR LAST NAME IS CUOMO, YOU SAID? YES, MR. CUOMO, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON TODAY.
I WANT TO ENCOURAGE ALL OF THE MEN, UH, WHO ARE LISTENING, WHO MAY BE LISTENING TO THIS TO KNOW YOUR PSA SCORE.
LIKE, YOU KNOW, YOUR BIRTHDAY, IT'S THAT IMPORTANT TO KNOW IT.
MY DAD SUCCUMBEDED TO THE DISEASE OF PROSTATE CANCER AT 80 YEARS OF AGE.
AND, UH, UNLIKE YOU MAC, HE NEVER WENT TO THE DOCTOR.
AND SO BECAUSE HE NEVER HAD IT CHECKED, UH, IT DID BITE HIM.
AND ULTIMATELY HE DIDN'T HAVE TO SUCCUMB TO IT, BUT HE DID.
AND BECAUSE OF HIS DISEASE, I CONTINUALLY GO TO THE DOCTOR, HAVE IT CHECKED, BUT I WANT ALL MEN AND WOMEN, IF YOU LOVE YOUR MAN, THERE YOU GO.
IF YOU LOVE YOUR SONS, MAKE US GO TO THE I SAID US, MAKE US GO TO THE DOCTOR, MAKE US HAVE IT CHECKED BECAUSE IT IS A LIFE AND DEATH SITUATION.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.
THANK YOU FOR COMING AND REMINDING US CONTINUALLY.
MY PSA, THE, THE, THE DOCTOR, THE PSA DIDN'T PICK IT UP, BUT MEANS, YOU KNOW WHAT PICKED IT UP, WHAT WE ARE AFRAID OF, SO, RIGHT, SURE.
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE GIFT OF LIFE.
IT IS THOSE THINGS, THOSE EARLY DETECTION REALLY HELPED.
I LOST A BROTHER BECAUSE HE DIDN'T GET DETECTED EARLY ENOUGH.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU WANT TO BE CAREFUL WITH AND, UH, HE BROUGHT IT UP.
UH, YOU WANNA WATCH YOUR PSA IF YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER TELL YOU YOUR PSA IS WITHIN RANGE.
IF IT IS MOVING AND IT'S IN RANGE, WE'RE GOING TO MONITOR IT.
I TRACK MY PSA, IT USED TO BE 0.1, THOSE KIND OF THINGS, REAL LOW.
THEN IT STARTED BUMPING, MOVING UP, AND I STARTED PURSUING IT, PURSUED IT, PURSUED IT, PURSUED IT UNTIL I FINALLY GOT A SECOND OPINION.
I FOUND OUT WHAT A PROBLEM WAS.
I'VE HAD THE SURGERY AND EVERYTHING.
I HAD THE SURGERY AND EVERYTHING AND I DON'T, I DO NOT HAVE TO TAKE ANY, ANY CHEMO.
NO, NONE OF THOSE KIND OF THINGS.
I DON'T HAVE TO TAKE THAT KIND OF STUFF.
ANY TIME YOU HAVE TO GET IT OR TWICE A YEAR, BE CAREFUL WITH
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YOUR INSURANCE COMPANIES.THEY'LL TELL YOU IF YOU'RE CLEARED, UH, FIVE YEARS, SIX YEARS NOW, NO.
IF YOU HAVE TO PAY OUTTA YOUR POCKET, GET IT CHECKED EVERY SIX MONTHS.
IF IT'S MOVING, GET IT CHECKED EVERY SIX MONTHS OR, YOU KNOW, PAY OUTTA YOUR POCKET OR WHATEVER, GET A, OR WHATEVER IT IS WORTH IT.
I WOULDN'T BE HERE TODAY IF I HADN'T PURSUED IT BECAUSE MY PSA WAS BUMPING UP.
THAT'S THE BEST THING YOU COULD POSSIBLY DO AND LIVE.
I ALSO WANT TO JUST ACKNOWLEDGE THE PORT ARTHUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN ALL OF THE WORK THAT THEY DO.
THE GENTLEMAN, MR. CUOMO MENTIONED APPRECIATION FOR MS. ROSLYN AND, UM, FOR MS. JUDITH.
AND HE MENTIONED ANOTHER NAME, BUT DON'T, AND MS. TRACY, PLEASE, PLEASE DON'T THINK THAT YOU HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL SUMMERTIME COMES WHEN THIS EVENT ROLLS AROUND.
IN ORDER TO GET CHECKED, THE PORT ARTHUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT, PLEASE CORRECT ME, MS. JUDITH IF I'M WRONG, BUT YOU ALL MORE THAN WELCOME TO SEE ANYONE AT ANY TIME AND HAVE YOUR LEVELS TO BE CHECKED.
THE PORT ARTHUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS READY AND AVAILABLE TO ACCEPT, UM, ACCEPT RESIDENTS.
AND WE, UM, HAVE THIS LITTLE FLYER.
SO IF YOU ARE NOT AVAILABLE ON THE 21ST IN PORT ARTHUR, IT SAYS, UH, JUNE 7TH IN LUMBERTON, PORT ARTHUR ON THE 21ST IN ORANGE ON SATURDAY, JUNE 23RD.
I'M ASSUMING YOU ALL START FIRST THING IN THE MORNING AT NOT WE ARE, I'M SORRY.
PLEASE, PLEASE TELL US WHAT TIMES THEY NEED TO SHOW UP.
THEY NEED TO CALL AND SCHEDULE FOR AN APPOINTMENT.
WE WILL BE TAKING WALK-INS, BUT IT'S OFFERED FROM NINE TO THREE IN THE BACK OF THE ROOM.
THERE ARE LARGER FLYERS IN ENGLISH AND IN SPANISH FOR, UH, INDIVIDUALS WHO WANT TO TAKE ONE.
BUT IT'S NINE TO THREE AT ALL OF THE LOCATIONS.
AND YOU DON'T, AS YOU INDICATED, YOU DON'T HAVE TO LIVE IN THAT CITY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SCREENING IN IN THAT CITY.
AND SO THEY CAN GO ONLINE OR SCHEDULE THE APPOINTMENT AT 4 0 9 8 3 3 3 6 6 3 4 0 9 8 3 3 3 6 6 3.
OR THEY CAN GO ONLINE AT GIFT OF LIFE BMT.ORG.
MY RECOMMENDATION IS TO CALL THE PHONE NUMBER BECAUSE SOMEONE WILL HAVE TO CALL YOU BACK AND GET ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, BUT YOU CAN REGISTER ONLINE WITH A BRIEF OVERVIEW.
WE HAVE OUR FINAL PROCLAMATION.
THIS IS MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH.
WE HAVE A GROUP, UH, PRESENT FOR THAT TO RECEIVE IT.
MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH.
WHERE IT SAYS, UH, FROM THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, OFFICE OF THE MAYOR.
WHEREAS FREEDOM OF THE OPEN ROAD IS AN IMAGE THAT REFLECTS THE AMERICAN SPIRIT AND FEW IMAGES PORTRAYED THE ESSENCE OF THAT SPIRIT BETTER THAN A MOTORCYCLE ON THE OPEN ROAD.
MOTORCYCLES HAVE BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR MILITARY AND OUR POLICE FORCES FOR GENERATIONS.
MOTORCYCLES ARE A MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION AND RECREATION FOR MANY.
AND WHEREAS ALL DRIVERS CAN TAKE PROACTIVE MEASURES TO IMPROVE MOTORCYCLE SAFETY, NAMELY ALLOW FOR GREATER FOLLOWING DISTANCES WHEN, UH, BEHIND MOTORCYCLES YIELD THE RIGHT OF WEIGHT WHEN APPROPRIATE, AND TAKE CAUTION AT INTERSECTIONS WHERE MOST MOTORCYCLE COLLISIONS OCCUR.
AND WHEREAS DURING MAY BUSINESSES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND GOVERNMENT ENTITIES COME TOGETHER TO RAISE AWARENESS OF MODAL MOTORCYCLE SAFETY IN HOPES OF REDUCING MOTORCYCLE RELATED COLLISIONS AND FATALITIES.
NOW THEREFORE, I THURMAN BILL BARTY, MAYOR OF THE GREAT CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF MAY, 2025
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AS MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AND AWARENESS MONTH IN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.I REMIND THE COMMUNITY THAT TO PROMOTE SAFER ROADS FOR ALL TRAVELERS, WE MUST SHARE THE ROAD.
WE MUST OBEY TRAFFIC LAWS AND WE MUST WATCH OUT FOR MOTORCYCLISTS IN WITNESS UB.
I HAVE HEARING TO SET MY HAND AND CAUSE THE SEAL OF THE GREAT CITY OF PORT ARTHUR TO BE AFFIXED THIS 20TH DAY OF MAY IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 2025.
AND IT IS TWO SIGNED MAYOR THURMOND, BILL BCE.
AND WE WILL HAVE THIS HERE IN THE CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE FOR THE ORGANIZATION TO ACTUALLY, UH, RECEIVE IT.
THERE WOULD BE ANY OTHER, NO OTHER, UH, PROCLAMATIONS.
WE'VE ALREADY ASKED SABINE PAST SCHOOL.
[III.A.(2) Mitchell Prevost Regarding Public Trust, Transparency, And Operations]
OUR NEXT SPEAKER, UH, MR. MITCHELL PROVOST REGARDING PUBLIC TRUST, TRANSPARENCY, AND OPERATIONS.UH, AND YOU'LL BEGIN BY STATING A, YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS, MR. MITCHELL.
YES, MAYOR, UH, MITCHELL, PRE 53 0 7 GULF WAY DRIVE PORT ARTHUR ADDRESS, 240 MOCKINGBIRD LANE.
THERE'S A LOT OF GREAT THINGS THAT'S BEEN SPOKEN THIS MORNING.
BUT LET ME GET TO MY SUBSTANCE.
UH, ON THE 1ST OF MAY, UH, I WENT TO THE PORT ARTHUR POLICE DEPARTMENT TO PULL MY PUBLIC RECORDS.
AND IN THOSE RECORDS, I FOUND SOME, I MEAN, JUST AMAZING THINGS THAT CAUSE TWO HORRIBLE THINGS TOWARDS MY DEMEANOR AND MY CHARACTER.
UH, I FOLLOWED EVERY PROCEDURE TO SPEAK AND I ASKED TO SPEAK, UH, FREELY ON THE TEXAS, UH, LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 5 5 1 0.07 SUBSECTION E.
NOW, WHAT I THOUGHT WOULD BE, I'M SORRY, WHAT I THOUGHT WOULD BE A REMEDY TURNED INTO A POTENTIAL RETALIATION AND AN INFRINGEMENT ON MY RIGHTS.
THE CITY'S SECRETARY OFFICE HAS REDACTED THE TIMES ON MY EMAILS, ON MY EMAIL, IN MY PERSONAL EMAIL.
AND I DON'T MEAN TO DISTURB ANY OF THIS, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF GREAT THINGS GOING ON, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT I WANNA BRING ATTENTION TO THIS COUNCIL, THAT AGENCY IS PARTICULARLY, IN MY OPINION, COMPROMISED.
AND THE, AND THERE'S A CONFLICT OF ENTRIES HERE, BECAUSE TWO OF THOSE ARE HERE TODAY AS THE SERGEANT AT ARMS. I HAVE BEEN TRACK AND MONITORED BY THIS ENTITY SINCE APRIL, 2024.
FROM MY PERSONAL INVESTIGATION.
RECORDS SHOW THAT MY LOCATION, AS OF RIGHT NOW, I'M IN NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.
BUT WE ALL KNOW I'M RIGHT HERE IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER.
UM, ANOTHER INCIDENT I'D LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT.
ON APRIL 8TH, I TRIED TO, UH, REMEDY A CITATION.
I WAS ISSUED, WE JUST, WE COULDN'T FIND IT.
THE BAILIFF WOULDN'T LET ME IN THE COURT.
I WENT DOWN TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THEY COULDN'T FIND IT.
SO WHAT I UTILIZED WAS THE TEXAS OPEN COURT PROVISIONS ACT.
AND AS SOON AS THE JUDGE ASKED, DID ANYBODY NEED ANYTHING, I STOOD UP AND ASKED HIM, MAY I SPEAK.
HE ALLOWED ME TO GO, YOU KNOW, TO THE PODIUM OR WHATEVER.
I EXPLAINED TO HIM THE SITUATION AND HE SAID THAT I NEEDED TO GO TO THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
I GOT CONFIRMATION FROM, UH, I DON'T, I DON'T KNOW IF HE'S STILL EMPLOYED, BUT I GOT CONFIRMATION FROM THE, UH, UH, CITY PROSECUTOR THAT THERE WAS NO, UH, UH, CHARGES.
AND HE HAS NO CONTROL OVER THAT.
PUBLIC TRUST FOLKS, PUBLIC TRUST.
HOW MANY PEOPLE'S REPUTATION AND RIGHTS HAVE PARTICULARLY BEEN TAMPERED? IF I CAN BRING THIS TO THE BODY, WILL WE INVESTIGATE? I SPEAK TRUTHFULLY AND HONESTLY.
THERE WAS A TIME BEFORE THE AGE OF THE MILLENNIALS WHERE 50% OF OUR INDUSTRIAL PLANTS WAS CONSUMED RIGHT HERE IN OUR CITY.
[00:40:02]
RIGHT HERE WE ARE.WE OWE THE PORT ARTHUR POWERHOUSE.
AND I RESPECT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU'S PERSPECTIVE.
YOU WOULD NOT BE IN THAT SEAT IF YOU DIDN'T CARE ABOUT THIS CITY.
NOW I'M GONNA FINISH WITH TWO MORE ITEMS. AND THE SUBSTANCE I REQUESTED, I FOUND OF FRIVOLOUS CLAIMS OF ME BEING A TERRORIST.
IF I WAS A TERRORIST, I WOULD'VE BEEN ARRESTED AND INVESTIGATED THIS, THIS CLAIM WAS FILED A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, A YEAR AND A HALF AGO.
THAT THAT WOULD, THAT WOULD TAKE MY RIGHTS FROM BEING ABLE TO HAVE MY CHILDREN RUN FROM PUBLIC OFFICE, GET A GOOD PROPER JOB.
I JUST GRADUATED CLASS OF 25 AS AN INSTRUMENTATION TECHNICIAN.
I ASKED THE COUNCIL TO INVESTIGATE, TERMINATE, REPRIMAND, ANY VIOLATORS.
I ASKED THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, I ASKED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY TO HELP US TAKE THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, THE BANK.
[III.A.(3) Walter J. Jackson Regarding Pump Noise And Diesel Fumes]
NEXT WE HAVE MR. WALTER JACKSON REGARDING THE PUMP NOISE AND DIESEL FUMES.I'M SPEAKING ON THE BEHALF OF, UM, BEGIN BY STATING YOUR NAME AND YOUR ADDRESS.
I'M FROM THE RESIDENTIAL PORT ARTHUR OF VESA.
AND, UM, WE LIVE IN A COMMUNITY THAT EVERYBODY'S, UM, YOU KNOW, PRETTY MUCH GOOD WITH EACH AND EVERY ONE.
I HAVE A COPY UP THERE FOR EVERYBODY.
EVERY COUNCIL MEMBER HAS A, A BULLETIN THAT YOU CAN FOLLOW ME.
AND THE NOISE THAT'S BEEN MAKING IT GOES ON FROM 2:00 AM ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE NIGHT OF TWO PUMPS RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO MY HOUSE.
AND NOT ONLY DOES IT MAKE NOISE ALL NIGHT, IT'S GOING TO BE ON WHEN YOU GET ON AND THERE'S NO WATER.
THERE'S NO WATER RUNNING THROUGH THE SYSTEM, BUT THE PUMPS ARE ON AND THEY'RE THROWING DIESEL RIGHT AT THE HOUSE.
I HAVE HERE WITH ME, UH, MY CHARACTER WITNESSES AND MY FATHER IS HERE, MY BROTHER'S HERE, AND, UM, A FEW OF MY FRIENDS.
AND WE ARE HAVING A PROBLEM SITTING OUTSIDE, TRYING TO ENJOY THE EVENING OR WHEN THE OUTSIDE, THE PUMPS COME ON EVERY 15 TO 20 MINUTES.
AND I HAVE A DOCUMENTATION OF EVERY TIME THE PUMPS WILL COME ON.
WE START NEAR FROM APRIL 28TH, 2:00 AM 3:00 AM 5:00 AM 6:00 AM AND THROUGH THE WHOLE NIGHT, MAY THE FIRST 2:00 AM 4:00 AM 8:00 AM 1:00 PM THREE 30, RUNNING THROUGH THE NIGHT.
MAY THE SECOND 3:00 AM 5:00 AM 7:00 AM I CALL ONE OF THE, UH, ONE OF YOUR, YOUR REPRESENTATIVES.
AND HE, UM, INSTRUCTED ME TO GO GET A HOTEL FOR ME AND MY DADDY.
AND I DIDN'T KNOW IF HE HAD AUTHORIZATION TO DO IT OR WHAT.
AND I DIDN'T, I DIDN'T EVEN GO THROUGH IT.
BUT NOW, ON MAY THE THIRD, MAY THE THIRD, THE NOISE WAS SO BAD UNTIL, UH, WE HAD TO LEAVE AND GO SOMEWHERE.
AND, UM, MY FATHER JUST GOT BACK FROM SAN ANTONIO.
HE NEEDED A BREAK FROM THE FUMES THAT ARE COMING OUT OF THOSE, THOSE TANKS NEXT DOOR, MAY THE SEVENTH WAS MY BIRTHDAY, AND MY GRANDCHILDREN WANTED TO COME TO THE HOUSE, BUT I ASKED THEM NOT TO COME BECAUSE IT WAS TOO MUCH TOXIC AIR.
SO I'M HERE TODAY TO SEE IF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR CAN HELP ME ON THIS ISSUE AND SEE WHAT WE CAN COME UP WITH BECAUSE THIS GONNA GO ON.
AND I HAVE ALL THE DOCUMENTATIONS, THE FRONT AND THE BACK, AND EVERY DAY I HAVE EVERYTHING WRITTEN DOWN.
NOW WE'RE GETTING TO THE POINT
[00:45:01]
THAT MY EYES ARE BURNING AND SOMETHING MAY BE HAPPENING.SO I'M GOING TO TAKE THE ADVANTAGE OF WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT, YOU KNOW, GOING TO THE, GOING TO THE DOCTOR FOR SURE.
BUT, UM, ALL I CAN SAY IS SOMETHING'S PUMPING THROUGH THAT, THOSE TWO PUMPS ON THE SIDE OF MY HOUSE, AND THE WIND CONSTANTLY BLOWS FROM THE PUMPS TO THE PROPERTY AND THROUGH THE HOUSE AND THROUGH THE AIR CONDITION.
AND I HAD, UM, ONE OF THE, THE ASSOCIATES COME IN THE HOUSE TO HEAR IF HE CAN HEAR THE PUMPS.
I THINK HE'S GONNA OWN UP TO IT AND SAY THAT HE DID HEAR THE PUMPS RUNNING.
BUT EVERY ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE, THEY SMELL THE DIESEL, THEY HEAR THE NOISE, AND IT'S JUST A SOLUTION FOR OUR COMMUNITY THERE.
AND UM, AS I SAID, I HAVE ALL THE REG RESIDENTS THAT ARE, THAT SIGNED THIS PETITION THAT ARE LISTED ON THOSE ON MY CHART THAT Y'ALL CAN JUST TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND, UM, LET'S SEE IF WE CAN GET THIS MATTER, UH, RESOLVED BECAUSE IT'S NOT GETTING ANY BETTER.
WE'RE ABOUT TO GO HOME RIGHT NOW, AND I GUARANTEE THOSE PUMPS ARE GOING TO COME OUT FOR SOME REASON OR ANOTHER.
THEY'RE JUST GONNA GO ON THROUGH THE DAY AND GO ON THROUGH THE NIGHT AND GO ON TO THE NEXT NIGHT, AND THEN THEY COME SUNDAY AND PUT MORE DECENTS FOR A BIG WEMY.
SO I WOULD ASK YOU, MAYOR TO JUST SEE WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT THIS DECISION AND THEN THIS SITUATION.
YES, I, I WENT OUT TO THAT LOCATION AND I SAW THE PUMPS AND IT'S AN OUTFALL AND IT'S, IT'S DRAINING WATER FROM THE COMMUNITY AT, UH, IN A HOLE.
IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY COME FROM RIGHT THERE, BUT IT'S KIND OF FROM THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM ITSELF.
IT'S SET UP WITH THE DOWNFALL THAT HAS, UH, FLOATS IN THEM LIKE YOUR TOILET.
IF YOU GO, LOOK, YOU GOT THESE THREE FLOATS.
SO EVERY TIME THE WATER LEVEL GETS UP TO THE FLOATS, THE PUMPS KICKS ON.
UH, WHEN I WENT OUT THERE, I DIDN'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE PUMPS OR HEAR THE PUMPS RUNNING AND SMELL THE DIESEL.
UH, WE, WE HAVE A STAFF MEMBER THAT WAS ABLE TO GO AND DO THOSE TYPE THINGS.
THE OTHER THING THAT I QUESTIONED WHEN I CALLED WAS THE TIMEFRAME AND THE LENGTH OF TIME THAT THESE PUMPS ARE ON.
WHEN THEY DO COME ON, I GOT CLARIFICATION ON THAT.
AND THEY SAY THAT I'VE BEEN RUN ABOUT FIVE MINUTES.
SO IF THEY DID COME ON AND THOSE TOOTH PUMPS DRAINING IT, THEY WON'T BE ON THERE FOR LONG BECAUSE THEY'RE PUSHING IT INTO A POND.
SO AS FAR AS THE DIESEL SMELL, WHEN THE PUMPS ARE RUNNING AND HOW MUCH NOISE IT MAKES INSIDE THE TRAILER WITHOUT TO HAVE MR. FLOOD TO COME IN FOR THE STAFF, BECAUSE HE WENT OUT THERE ALONG WITH THE CONTRACTOR.
SO THE COUNCIL, UH, WILL HAVE TO LISTEN TO, UH, MR. FLOOD'S ANALOGY ON WHAT HAPPENED ON SITE.
ALL I KNOW WHEN I WENT OUT, I DID NOT, THE PUMPS WERE NOT RUNNING, DID NOT COME AT A TIME.
BUT I PRETTY MUCH KNOW HOW EVERYTHING IS, HOW IT SET UP.
SO I KNOW THAT SO FAR HOW MUCH, UH, DIESEL IS SMELLED OR HOW LONG THE PUMP RUN, UH, MR. FLOOD GONNA HAVE TO ATTEST TO THAT BECAUSE HE WENT OUT THERE.
AND ALSO, HOW DO THEY SOUND WHEN HE IS IN THE TRAILER? SO, UH, CITY MANAGER, I THINK YOU NEED TO HAVE THE STAFF TO TELL COUNCIL WHAT THEY OBSERVED WHEN THEY WENT OUT.
JUST, JUST COUNCILMAN LEWIS, YOU WANTED TO SPEAK BEFORE, UH, UH, YES.
HAVE THAT PUMP ALWAYS BEEN DIESEL? YES, SIR.
UM, CITY MANAGER, TWO OF THEM, TWO PUMPS.
WHY DO WE HAVE TO HAVE DIESEL? I, I
[00:50:01]
CAN UNDERSTAND SAVE MONEY, SO, BUT WHY, WHY CAN'T THAT PUMP BE ELECTRICAL? THOSE ARE PUMPS THAT ARE ENGAGED AS PART OF THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT FOR THE DRAINAGE, THE DRAINAGE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT THAT'S TAKING PLACE OUT THERE THAT MR. MR. MR. FLOYD, COULD YOU COME? THOSE ARE DIESEL PUMPS THAT, UH, THE CONTRACTOR IS USING AS PART OF THE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT THAT'S TAKING PLACE IN ELVIS.SO IT'S A TEMPORARY, IT'S, IT'S, IT IS NOT A PUMP.
IT'S, ITS A TEMPORARY SITUATION ON THE SKI OR SOMETHING.
HOW LONG IS IT GONNA BE BEFORE THEY COMPLETE THE PROJECT? UM, OKAY, GO, GO AHEAD.
THE, THE ANTICIPATED DATE MAY BE SOMEWHERE AROUND, UH, AUGUST AT THE LATEST.
UM, IT IS NOT COMING FROM THOSE PUMPS.
THE FUMES THAT I SMELL WHEN I WENT OUT THERE, IT IS COMING FROM THE TANK FORM.
THE SAME EXHAUST THAT COME OUT OF THOSE PUMPS IS THE SAME TYPE OF EXHAUST THAT COME OUT OF THE BACK OF YOUR TRUCK WHEN YOU'RE BUYING A DIESEL TRUCK.
THERE'S NO WAY ANYBODY CAN TELL ME, LOOK, I'M FAIR ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT I DO.
I'M GONNA PROTECT THE CITIZENS.
I'M GONNA PROTECT THE CONTRACTOR.
NOW, HIS WITNESSES THAT WAS THERE WITH ME ALSO SAID THAT HE WAS IN THE BACKYARD.
IT WASN'T TO THE POINT WHERE HE COULD NOT STAND IN THE BACKYARD AND STAND OUT THERE.
THERE'S NO WAY THE CONTRACTOR HAS TO HAVE THOSE PUMPS THERE IN ORDER TO HELP THIS NEIGHBORHOOD PUMP THIS SYSTEM DOWN AND, AND, AND PUT THAT SYSTEM IN SO THAT WE CAN GET IN AND OUTTA THERE.
IF WE SHUT THOSE PUMPS ON, WATER'S GONNA BACK UP ON THAT CONTRACTOR, IT'S GONNA SHUT 'EM DOWN.
AND THEN WE GOT ANOTHER PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH.
CITY MANAGER, THIS IS A TEMPORARY SITUATION AND IT'S GOING TO, YOU THINK IT'S GOING TO BE COMPLETED BY DECEMBER? OH YES, OF COURSE.
AND THOSE PUMPS DO NOT COME OFF.
SO DO IT GO IT, GO BACK TO THE ELECTRICAL PUMPS.
WHAT? WHATEVER THAT SERVICE IS, THE CONTRACTOR USING DIESEL, THAT'S WHERE THE NOISE AND STUFF ARE COMING FROM.
NORMAL OPERATION IS THAT SERVICE.
YOU DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM DOING A NORMAL OPERATION.
DO YOU HAVE A, IS THAT, IS THAT, IS THAT A ELECTRICAL PUMPS? NO, THE GASOLINE PUMPS.
THE DIESEL PUMPS AND THEY BRING THE DIESEL ON SUNDAYS AND FILL IT UP.
I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT WHAT I'M HEARING IS A TEMPORARY SITUATION.
BUT, BUT, BUT THE CITY MANAGER, UM, IT'S BEEN THERE SINCE MARCH.
AND THIS IS EVERY DAY, THE TIME I GIVE YOU THE TIMEFRAME TO GET ON THE MIC FOR PUBLIC RECORD.
ONCE AGAIN, THE TIMEFRAME IS, UM, WHEN I GO HOME, THEY'LL BE ON, THIS IS, UH, 10 O'CLOCK THIS MORNING.
MAYBE APRIL 28TH, 2:00 AM 3:00 AM 5:00 AM 6:00 AM THROUGH THE DAY.
WHEN I DID, WAS ABLE TO TALK TO HIM, HE SENT ME A TEXT AND SAY, WOW, MAYBE WHEN YOUR DAD NEED TO GO GET A HOTEL ROOM.
HE SAID TO ME THAT WE NEED TO GO AND GET A HOTEL ROOM.
I SAID, OKAY, GO GET A HOTEL ROOM.
IT WAS A SARCASTIC REMARK THAT I MADE BACK TO YOU.
'CAUSE YOU SAID, HEY, I NEED TO GO GET A HOTEL ROOM, GO GET ONE.
BUT THE CITY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE, THE TANK FARM.
WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTRACT THAT IS OUT THERE RIGHT NOW.
THAT PUMP IS NOT DOING ANYTHING THAT WILL CAUSE ANYONE TO HAVE TO LEAVE THEIR HOUSE OR THE RESIDENCE FOR ANY POINT AT ALL.
I MEAN, THESE GENTLEMEN SIT OUT THERE ALL DAY, EVERY DAY, ALL DAY, EVERY DAY.
THEY SIT OUT THERE, THEY CAN ATTEST TO IT, AND THEY'VE BEEN THERE SINCE THEN.
AND THEY CAN ATTEST WHY THEY SITTING OUT THERE.
NOW, IF IT'S THAT BAD, WHY WOULD YOU SIT OUT THERE? AND IF IT'S SO BAD IN YOUR HOUSE, WHY WOULD YOU GO IN THE HOUSE? AND THEN HE TELLS ME THE REASON THEY'RE GETTING INTO THE FUEL TO GET INTO HIS HOUSE IS BECAUSE THE SEALS AT HIS DOOR AND HIS WINDOW IS GONE.
THE EXHAUST IS GETTING INTO THE HOUSE.
IT'S, I WENT INSIDE THE HOUSE.
ONCE I WAS INSIDE THE HOUSE, I CAN HEAR, BUT IT WASN'T TO THE POINT WHERE IT WOULD DISTURB ME.
I HAVE A GENERATOR IN MY HOUSE.
IF IT COMES ON, I CAN HEAR IT.
IS THERE ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO GIVE HIM SOME KIND OF RELIEF? WHAT, WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GIVE HIM SOME KIND OF A RELIEF? THAT'S WHAT I WANT.
[00:55:01]
NOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL TELL YOU NOISE CAUSE DISEASE.WELL CAUSE ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS. BUT WHAT, RIGHT NOW HE'S LIVING THERE.
HE'S, WHAT CAN WE DO TO GIVE HIM SOME RELIEF? YOU HAVE A RESPONSE.
I, I TELL YOU WHAT, I'M GONNA LET LET HIM ANSWER THAT QUESTION BECAUSE I CAN'T ANSWER IT FOR HIM.
I'M GONNA LET HIM ANSWER THAT QUESTION AS TO WHAT HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE FOR THE RELIEF, BECAUSE I HAVE IT ON RE-RECORDED.
MR. JACKSON, YOU LIKE TO RESPOND? YES.
COUNCILMAN? I MEAN, WE DON'T WANT TO GO BACK AND FORTH FOREVER ON THIS SUBJECT.
WE HEAR THE CITIZENS LOUD AND CLEAR.
THEY HAVE A CONCERN, THEY HAVE A COMPLAINT.
LET US SPEAK TO THE CONTRACTOR AND LET US FIGURE OUT A RESOLUTION IF THERE IS ONE.
MR. JACKSON, HE WAS ASKING YOU TO RESPOND.
UM, IT, IT'S, UM, IT'S GETTING TO THE POINT NOW.
THAT, UM, IT'S HAVING AN EFFECT ON MY FATHER, MY BROTHER, AND ME.
WE KNOW IT'S THERE, BUT I'M HEARING THAT CERTAIN PEOPLE SAY IT'S NOT THERE AND IT'S HAD ANOTHER TANK FARM.
NO, IT'S RIGHT THERE IN MY BACKYARD.
AND THE, I'M ABOUT READY TO JUST, YOU KNOW, THIS IS WHY I'M HERE TODAY.
I THANK Y'ALL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO LET ME COME AND, UH, THE, THE PHONE WILL TELL THE STORY OF THE HOTEL AND, UM, OKAY.
I'LL JUST CATCH IT ANOTHER TIME.
ANYWAY, TURN THIS OFF FOR ME, PLEASE.
MR. LEWIS STANFORD IS GOING TO BE GETTING BACK WITH, THEY'RE GONNA COME OUT AND, AND, AND LOOK AT YOUR SITUATION.
CAN YOU COME OUT? NO, I'M SENDING, WE GOT PEOPLE, WE PAY BIG BUCKS.
HE'S GOING TO COME AND SEE ABOUT YOUR SITUATION AND COME BACK AND MAKE, COME BACK TO COUNCIL, MAKE A RECOMMENDATION.
HE'S GONNA TAKE CARE OF IT FOR YOU.
UH, COUNCILMAN HAMILTON, YOUR LIGHT IS ON.
MY QUESTION WAS ACTUALLY TO MR. FLOOD.
HE WAS GIVING US AN EXAMPLE OF THIS BEING A TEMPORARY, UM, SITUATION.
BUT THE QUESTION WAS, WHAT HAPPENS? DOES THAT TANK FORM, UH, NOT TANK FORM.
I'M SORRY, THAT GENERATOR BE REMOVED AFTER AUGUST? YES.
THE PUMPS BE, THEY MAY MOVE BEFORE AUGUST IS THE MOMENT WE FINISH, UH, SOME OF OUR SIDE STREETS, ALL THE SIDE STREETS ARE CONTRIBUTORS TO THAT MAIN TRUNK LINE.
ONCE WE GET ALL OF OUR PIPES IN, THEN WE CAN PROBABLY MOVE THE PUMPS IN AND, AND CONTRACT AND LET IT GO FROM THAT POINT ON.
BUT IT WON'T BE, BUT THE SMELL IS GONNA STILL BE THERE.
'CAUSE IT'S NOT COMING FROM THE, THE, THE PUMPS NOT FROM.
TOME MENTIONED, THAT HE WILL SPEAK WITH THAT CONTRACTOR, OR THIS IS A DIFFERENT CONVERSATION WITH THE PUMP FARMER THAT YOU TALKING.
I SPOKE WITH THE CONTRACTOR AND I DON'T THINK THE CONTRACTOR'S GONNA CHANGE HIS ANSWER AS TO SAYING THAT IT'S NOTHING WRONG WITH HIS PUMPS.
EVEN THE, THE, THE, THE PEOPLE THAT OWNED THE PUMPS WAS OUT THERE YESTERDAY.
AND I SPOKE WITH THE GENTLEMAN AND HE SAID TO MR. JACKSON AND MYSELF, SIR, IT'S THE SAME TYPE OF EXHAUST THAT COMES OUTTA THE BACK OF A DIESEL TRUCK.
AND IT'S NOT HAZARDOUS UNLESS YOU JUST STANDING RIGHT OVER IT.
BUT THE WIND BLOWS SO HARD IN THAT AREA THERE, BY THE TIME IT, IT HAD WIND, IT'S, IT'S OVER THE TOP OF THE, THE HOUSE AND IT'S GONE BY THAT TIME.
SO I DON'T KNOW, MR. JACKSON'S GONNA HAVE TO ANSWER THE QUESTION AS TO WHAT YOU GUYS WANT HIM TO DO TO, UH, ALLEVIATE HIS CONCERNS.
SO AT LEAST AUGUST, THE CURRENT GENERATOR THERE WILL BE REMOVED AT LEAST BY AUGUST.
AND THEN AFTER THAT'S MOVED, THEN IF THE, IF YOU'RE STILL HAVING THAT SAME SITUATION, THEN WE'LL HAVE TO ADDRESS SOMETHING ELSE.
IT WON'T BE THE SERIOUS PROBLEM.
IT'S NOT TO SEE THIS PROBLEM RIGHT NOW, BUT THAT PROBLEM THAT HE'S HAVING STILL WON'T BE OUR PROBLEM.
UH, COUNCILMAN FRANK, JUST, JUST FOR INFORMATION'S SAKE, MR. JACKSON, HOW FAR IS THE, HOW FAR IS THE PUMP FROM YOUR HOUSE? UM, IN YARDS.
[01:00:01]
20 YARDS.20 YARDS FROM YOUR HOUSE? YES SIR.
AND, UM, ANYBODY ELSE? COUNCILMAN YOU SAID YES? YES.
STAFF, WHEN YOU GO OUT THERE, MAKE SURE THAT YOU GIMME A CALL.
IN FACT, SET UP A TIME, GET WITH THE CONTRACTOR.
SET UP A TIME WHEN THE CONTRACTOR GOING TO BE AVAILABLE AND I'LL BE AVAILABLE.
I WANT TO BE OUT THERE WHEN THE PUMPS ARE RUNNING.
THE PUMP'S ABOUT 40 YARDS FROM MR. JACKSON'S TRAILER, BY THE WAY.
I WANT TO BE THERE AT THE TIME.
AND ALSO, UH, WHAT WE CAN DO, PUT THIS BACK ON FOR A DISCUSSION, SHERRY, YOU COULD PUT IT ON FOR A DISCUSSION FOR THE NEXT MEETING.
AND AT THAT TIME, UH, YOU COULD PUT ME DOWN FOR IT.
WE'LL, WE'LL GET WITH STAFF AND WE'LL FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT, WHAT WE HAVE.
ALSO, UH, AT THAT TIME, I WILL ALSO HAVE TALKED WITH MR. JACKSON AND FIND OUT.
SO WE'LL KNOW TO WHAT WE HAVE.
WE'LL HAVE SOME PRETTY FINAL TIMES AND DATES AT THAT TIME SINCE WE KNOW WHAT IS AT THE ISSUE HERE.
I THINK THE ISSUE HERE IS FINDING OUT A TIMEFRAME AND THEN VERIFYING IS IT COMING FROM US OR IT'S COMING FROM
SO WE'LL DE WE'LL DECIDE THIS NEXT WEEK.
I'M, I MEAN, NEXT MEETING, I'LL, I'LL MAKE SURE THAT, UH, I'M INCLUDED THIS TIME AROUND.
'CAUSE I, I KNOW ABOUT THE SITE.
I KNOW ABOUT THE, UH, I'LL FALL, YOU KNOW, THEM PUMPS AIN'T GONNA COME ON IT.
IN CASE COUNCIL, UNDERSTAND, THE PUMPS WON'T COME ON AT NO SPECIFIC TIME.
IF IT AIN'T NO WATER RUNNING IT, IT AIN'T, THEY'LL BE ON WHEN I GET HOME.
THE PUMPS WORK WITH A FLOAT LIKE I DESCRIBED AT FIRST.
SO IT WAS, NO ONE GONNA SAY EXACTLY WHEN THOSE PUMPS GONNA COME ON.
'CAUSE THEY WITH A, A, A FLOAT AND THE WATER'S COMING FROM THE OUTFALL.
SO IF IT'S RAINING, I'M QUITE SURE THEY'RE GONNA RUN BECAUSE THE WATER'S GONNA BE COMING INTO OUTFALL.
BUT WITH NO RAIN AND NO WATER HARDLY, IT'S PRETTY, IT TAKES A LONG TIME.
AND NO TELLING WHEN THEY GONNA COME ON.
'CAUSE THEY WORK WITH THE LEVEL WATER LEVEL.
BUT I, BUT I WANNA BE THERE FOR THE SMELL AND I WANNA BE THERE FOR THE NOISE.
INSIDE, I'LL, I'LL GET WITH THE CONTRACT AND WE'LL SET UP A MOCK RUN ON THAT PUMP.
SO IT SHOWS HOW LONG IT RUNS THE SOUNDS IT EXHAUST.
WE DID IT A COUPLE DAYS AGO WHERE WE, YOU AND I MISSED EACH OTHER CALLS.
UH, WHEN DID DO IT? SO PUT THAT UP AGAIN.
AND, UH, MR. JACKSON, WE ARE GONNA BRING THIS BACK UNDER A DISCUSSION ITEM SO YOU CAN HEAR WHAT STAFF AND WE ALL FOUND WHAT WENT OUT THERE.
ALSO, UH, IN THE MEANTIME, BEFORE WE GET THERE, UH, WHAT YOU PLEASE GIVE ME A CALL.
LET ME KNOW WHAT YOUR, UH, RESOLVE, WHAT YOU THINK THE RESOLVE IS, IS SO THAT WHEN WE COME BACK NEXT TIME, WE'LL HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION PERTAINING TO SOUND IN YOUR HOME.
THE F AND THE SMELL AND HOW LONG IT RUN, WHEN IT COMES ON.
UH, BECAUSE I SAID IT'S HARD, IT'S HARD FOR TIME.
IT WORKS WITH THE FLOW, SO NOBODY CAN SAY WHEN THEY COMING ON.
SO THAT'S NOT GONNA BE AN ISSUE.
BUT NEXT, NEXT COUNCIL MEETING, WE'LL GIVE YOU SOMETHING SOLID.
UM, UM, MR. MR. FLOOD, WHEN YOU CHECK THAT PUMP, MAKE SURE THAT IT, IT IS GOING.
I'LL WAIT TILL YOU GET UP THERE.
THEY, THEY'LL DROP DOWN TO A MINIMUM FLOW, THEN THEY'LL REFLUX IT BACK TO THE INPUT TO KEEP IT RUNNING.
WHERE YOU WON'T HAVE TO SHUT DOWN.
MAKE SURE THAT, THAT THE, THAT'S NOT WHAT'S GOING ON.
IT SOUND LIKE TO ME THERE'S A LOT OF CONTINUOUS DUTY GOING ON.
SO IT'LL, EVEN THOUGH YOU GOT THE FLOAT, IT SHUTS, IT'LL SHUT DOWN THE DISCHARGE, IT'LL, AND YOU'LL FEED BACK TO THE SUCTION TO KEEP THE PUMP RUNNING.
THAT'S THE WAY A LOT OF PUMPS RUN.
WELL, THAT'S THE ONLY DIFFERENT SYSTEM.
IT'S ONLY D WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT SYSTEM, IT'S A PUMPING SYSTEM, NOT A RECYCLING.
SO IT'S NOT RECYCLING, IT'S PUMPING OUT, NOT IN, BACK IN.
[III.B.(1) A Presentation By The YMCA Chief Executive Officer Kevin S. Pearson And Aquatics Director Crystal Meadowcroft Regarding Water Safety Month (Requested By Councilmember Beckcom)]
NOW WE HAVE A PRESENTATION BY THE YMCA, UH, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, UH, KEVIN PEARSON AND AQUATICS, UH, DIRECTOR, UH, CRYSTAL, UH,[01:05:01]
CRO REGARDING WATER SAFETY, UH, MONTH.AND THIS HAS BEEN REQUESTED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BECKER.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR COUNCIL STAFF.
UH, WE APPRECIATE YOU LETTING US COME HERE AND TALK ABOUT WATER SAFETY DURING WATER SAFETY MONTH.
UH, I WANT TO BEGIN BY SAYING THIS.
WE, WE DID NOT PLAN ON WEARING BLUE AND WHITE STRIPES TOGETHER.
UH, DO WE HAVE THE PRESENTATION UP OR, OH, RIGHT OVER THERE.
SO, AND THEN I GUESS I'LL JUST WAVE MY HAND WHEN WE'LL GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.
SO FOLKS, UH, UH, LET START WITH THE DAUNTING FACT.
UH, AND, AND THAT IS DROWNING IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF CHILDREN, UH, BETWEEN THE AGES OF FIVE AND, AND 18.
AND, BUT LEMME BRING, GIVE YOU THIS OTHER FACT THAT PEOPLE DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT THE LARGEST DEMOGRAPHIC FOR DROWNING ADULT MEN.
ADULT MEN IN THE STATE OF TEXAS ARE THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF DROWNING VICTIMS. OKAY? BUT NOW, LET ME SAY THE, THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS.
WE TEACH CHILDREN HOW TO SWIM.
AND WE ALSO THEN OPEN UP THEIR LIVES TO ALL SORTS OF EXPLORATION.
YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO EXPLORE NATURE IN A BOAT.
IF YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO SWIM YOU, YOU'RE NOT GONNA ENJOY GOING TO THE BEACH.
YOU'RE GONNA MISS OUT ON THE PARTIES AND ALL THAT GOOD STUFF IF YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO SWIM.
SO WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT WATER SAFETY? WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT TEACHING KIDS TO SWIM? WELL, WE START WITH SWIM LESSONS AT THE YMCA NATIONWIDE.
THE YMCA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OVER 9 MILLION CHILDREN LEARNING HOW TO SWIM EVERY YEAR HERE IN OUR, IN OUR LITTLE NECK OF THE WOODS, WE GET ABOUT 700 KIDS AT THE YMCA THAT WE TEACH HOW TO SWIM.
WE CAN TEACH MORE, BUT, BUT THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW.
UH, WE OFFER SWIMMING LESSONS YEAR ROUND.
WE HAVE AN INDOOR HEATED POOL, AND SO WE OFFER SWIM LESSONS MONDAY, WEDNESDAY NIGHTS FROM JANUARY THROUGH DECEMBER.
WE START AT THE AGE OF SIX MONTHS AND WE GO ALL THE WAY UP TO HOW OLD ARE YOU? UH, WE DO ADULT SWIMMING LESSONS ON WEDNESDAY NIGHTS FOR, FOR, FOR ADULTS AT EIGHT O'CLOCK.
THAT WAY THEY DON'T HAVE CHILDREN SWIMMING AROUND THEM.
UH, BUT IT'S, IT'S A AND WE HAVE CLASSES FOR ALL LEVELS AND, AND ALL AGES.
UH, DURING THE SUMMERTIME, WE'RE ABOUT TO HIT THE PEAK SEASON.
WE'RE GOING TO BE OFFERING THE, THESE SWIM LESSONS ON MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY MORNINGS, MONDAY, WEDNESDAY EVENINGS, TUESDAY, THURSDAY AFTERNOONS.
AND THEN WE'LL BE DOING OUR SATURDAY LESSONS OUTSIDE.
SO WE OFFER SOME LESSONS YEAR ROUND.
WE DO THIS IN ORDER TO, TO ATTRACT CHILDREN, TO ATTRACT ADULTS, AND TO GET PEOPLE TO LEARN SO THAT THEY HAVE, UH, BETTER LIVES.
NOW WE DO THESE LESSONS AT THE Y BUT WE ALSO DO LESSONS OUTSIDE OF THE Y THE YMCA OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS MANAGES THE DORN BOS, UH, THE, THE SWIMMING POOL FOR THE CITY OF NILAND AT DORN BOS PARK.
UH, EVERY YEAR WE TEACH SWIMMING LESSONS THERE IN THE MORNING UNTIL THE Y GOT INTO MANAGEMENT.
THEY HADN'T HAD SWIM LESSONS FOR OVER FIVE YEARS.
AND SO WE GOT INVOLVED, WE'RE DOING OVER A HUNDRED.
LAST YEAR IT WAS 130 KIDS THAT WE HAD IN SWIMMING LESSONS THERE.
AND THAT'S JUST DOING THREE SESSIONS OF CLASSES.
SO REALLY EXCITING AND, AND, AND A GREAT WAY, AGAIN, WE'RE GETTING KIDS OUT, GETTING KIDS ENGAGED, GETTING THEM ACTIVE, UM, GETTING THEM CONFIDENT.
I, WE WERE JOKING ABOUT THIS BEFORE.
I'VE, I'VE BEEN IN IN AQUATICS FOR A LONG TIME.
THIS IS MY 37TH SUMMER AS A LIFEGUARD.
I'M, I'M AN OLD LIFEGUARD, RIGHT?
BUT I SAY THIS ABOUT TEACHING SWIMMING LESSONS.
WHEN I TEACH SWIMMING LESSONS, IT'S NOT JUST TEACHING A, A CHILD THESE SKILLS.
I'M TEACHING A CHILD HOW TO BE CONFIDENT.
ALL THE SKILLS COME RIGHT AFTER THAT.
ONCE THEY FEEL CONFIDENT WITH THE INSTRUCTOR, FEEL CONFIDENT IN THE WATER, BUT THEY, IT'S LIKE NATURAL.
UH, AND, AND THAT SORT OF CONFIDENCE GOES ON TO OTHER ASPECTS OF LIFE.
SO LEARNING HOW TO SWIM IS SUPER IMPORTANT.
ANOTHER YMCA PROGRAM THAT WE DO HERE LOCALLY IS CALLED SAFETY AROUND WATER.
UH, SAFETY AROUND WATER IS A PROGRAM THAT'S KIND OF LIKE SWIM LESSONS, BUT REALLY IS GEARED TOWARDS THE IDEA OF HOW CAN WE PROTECT OUR CHILDREN IF THEY ACCIDENTALLY FALL IN THE WATER? HOW CAN A CHILD PROTECT SOMEBODY ELSE IF THEY SEE SOMEBODY ACCIDENTALLY FALL IN THE WATER? IT IS ALL ABOUT WATER SAFETY.
WE'RE NOT TEACHING THE BUTTERFLY, WE'RE NOT TEACHING COMPETITIVE STROKES OR DIVING.
CAN YOU JUMP IN THE WATER WITHOUT FREAKING OUT? CAN YOU JUMP IN THE WATER AND COME TO THE SURFACE AND JUST HOLD YOURSELF AT THE SURFACE? KINDA THAT SWIM, FLOAT SWIM SORT OF THING.
AND THEN FINALLY, AND THE, THIS IS THE COOL SKILL AND YOU JUMP INTO THE POOL IN THE DEEP END.
TURN AROUND, PUSH OFF THE BOTTOM AND PULL YOURSELF OUT.
BUT WE TAKE KIDS IN SAFETY AROUND WATER, AND THAT'S A TWO WEEK LONG PROGRAM.
AND THOSE KIDS THAT START, THAT WILL NOT JUMP IN THE WATER AT THE BEGINNING, AT THE END OF TWO WEEKS, WILL BE JUMPING INTO THE WATER AND STAYING AT THE SURFACE.
AND THOSE KIDS THAT ARE NOT AFRAID OF JUMPING IN AT THE END OF TWO WEEKS, ELBOW, ELBOW, BELLY, KNEE, THEY'RE CLIMBING OUT OF THE POOL.
SO SAFETY AROUND WATER IS A GREAT PROGRAM.
WE HAVE ACTUALLY DONE THIS PROGRAM WITH A COUPLE OF LOCAL SCHOOLS.
WE HAD ALL THE SECOND GRADERS FROM BOOKER T WASHINGTON, UM, AND UH, WE'VE ALSO HAD THE SECOND GRADERS FROM PORT ACRES COME OUT AND DO SAFETY GENERAL WATER.
SO IT'S A GREAT PROGRAM, A GREAT WAY TO GET KIDS ENGAGED.
WE DO THIS PROGRAM WITH ALL OF OUR SUMMER DAY CAMP KIDS, AND ALSO WITH THE SCOUTS THAT COME TO THE YMCA.
NOW, AS I SAID, WATER SAFETY IS NOT JUST, YOU KNOW, WE
[01:10:01]
TALK ABOUT WATER SAFETY, NOT JUST LEARNING HOW TO SWIM, BUT HOW DO WE EXPAND UPON THAT? HOW DO WE BUILD, SO, SOMETHING ELSE THAT WE DO AT THE YMCA IS WE'VE EXTENDED THESE SWIM LESSONS, EXTENDED THIS, THIS WATER SAFETY PROGRAM INTO THE OUTDOORS.UH, WE DO MONTHLY PADDLE IN THE POOL AT THE YMCA WHERE PEOPLE COME AND THEY LEARN HOW TO, HOW TO OPERATE A KAYAK, HOW TO GET IN, HOW TO GET OUT, HOW DO YOU CLIMB BACK IN IF YOU FALL OUT IN THE WATER.
UH, WE'VE EVEN HAD BIG THICKET COME DOWN AND BRING CANOES, AND SO THEY TEACH PEOPLE HOW TO, HOW TO CANOE.
UH, AND THEN THIS LEADS TO US DOING TRIPS AT BIG THICKET.
UH, JUST, IT WAS TWO WEEKS AGO, TWO WEEKS AGO, THREE WEEKS AGO, THREE, THAT WE TOOK A TRIP TO BIG THICKET.
WE HAD 16 PEOPLE COME OUT FOR THAT TRIP.
WE HAD THREE SETS OF, OF PARENT CHILD.
WE HAD ONE FAMILY THAT WAS LIKE A BIG OLD, FOUR, TWO HUSBANDS AND WIVES.
IT WAS THIS FANTASTIC WAY TO SEE PEOPLE BOND.
THEY'D NEVER BEEN IN THAT SORT OF ENVIRONMENT FOR THEY'D NEVER BEEN IN A, IN A, IN A CANOE.
SO SEEING THAT, OPENING PEOPLE'S EYES AND GETTING THEM ENGAGED, THAT THAT'S AN IMPORTANT PART OF, OF WHAT WE DO AS FAR AS WATER SAFETY, AS FAR AS AQUATIC TEACHING AND, AND DEVELOPMENT.
UM, ALONG WITH THAT KIND OF THESE, THESE LITTLE ANCILLARY THINGS THAT WE DO WITH THAT OUTDOOR REC.
UH, DURING, UH, EASTER, THE WEEK BEFORE EASTER, WE DID AN EASTER EGG HUNT IN THE POOL.
SO WE HAD HOW IT WAS 60 KIDS ALTOGETHER.
UH, YEAH, ABOUT THAT, ABOUT 60 KIDS COME IN.
THE OLDER ONES WERE GOING DOWN AND DIVING, GETTING THOSE EGGS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POOL.
THE YOUNGER ONES WERE JUST KIND OF BOBBING AROUND, LIKE CORKS AND THEIR LIFE JACKETS, SCOOPING UP EGGS AND PUTTING 'EM IN THE BASKET.
BUT AGAIN, THIS IS HOW WE GET PEOPLE TO THE WATER.
WE GET PEOPLE TO THE WATER BECAUSE IT'S FUN.
NOW WE GET TO TEACH THEM HOW TO SWIM.
UM, AND THEN THE SLOW ROLL, THIS IS SOMETHING ELSE KIND OF GOES, NOT SWIMMING AGAINST THAT OUTDOOR RECREATION.
I JUST WANNA THROW THIS PLUG IN BECAUSE WE'RE DOING A SLOW ROLL AT THE SEA WALL ON THE 29TH, SO THAT'S NEXT THURSDAY.
IT'S A FAMILY BIKE RIDE, NICE AND SLOW.
BUT THIS IS PART OF THAT OUTDOOR RECREATION THAT WE'VE INCORPORATED INTO THE AQUATICS.
AND THEN LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THIS WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE, WERE IT NOT FOR THE FACT THAT WE TRAIN A LOT OF PEOPLE AT THE YMCA.
UH, IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, WE'VE CERTIFIED 140 LIFEGUARDS.
WE'VE CERTIFIED 23 LIFEGUARD INSTRUCTORS.
THOSE LIFEGUARD INSTRUCTORS THEN GO OUT AND ALSO DO CPR FIRST AID CLASSES AT THE Y UH, WE HAVE, I DIDN'T PUT THIS NUMBER IN HERE, BUT WE'VE HAD OVER 600 CPR CLASSES AT THE YMC IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
WE'RE TEACHING PEOPLE HOW TO SAVE LIVES.
AND, AND THEN TO ADD INTO THIS, WE HAVE, UH, WE'VE CERTIFIED 35 SWIM INSTRUCTORS AT THE YMCA BECAUSE YOU CANNOT TEACH IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE INSTRUCTORS.
AND SO, SO WE TAKE THAT AS BEING, THAT'S SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT.
WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS IN HOUSE.
WE'RE GONNA MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE CAPACITY IN ORDER TO BRING MORE PEOPLE IN.
AND, UH, AND, AND WE KEEP ON PLUGGING AWAY WITH TEACHING CHILDREN HOW TO SWIM, MAKING THIS A SAFE COMMUNITY.
THIS IS A WONDERFUL PLACE TO BE IN THE WATER.
AND WE WANT TO GET, UH, AS MANY CHILDREN AND ADULTS ENGAGED IN OUTDOOR FUN, SAFE RECREATION AS POSSIBLE.
SO FOLKS, I, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU GUYS GIVING US THE TIME TO MAKE THIS, THIS PRESENTATION.
UH, AND, AND I WANT THANK YOU FOR THE PROCLAMATION.
UH, THIS IS, THIS IS FANTASTIC.
THIS IS THE, I WANNA SAY THIS IS THE THIRD PROCLAMATION I'VE GOTTEN THIS YEAR.
AND THE STATE OF TEXAS, I'VE GOT A, A PROCLAMATION FROM GOVERNOR ABBOTT AS PART OF THE TEXAS WATER SAFETY COALITION OF WHICH WE ARE MEMBERS.
UH, SO, SO WE REALLY APPRECIATE Y'ALL RECOGNIZING THAT WATER SAFETY IS IMPORTANT IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND, UH, AND THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THE TIME TO COME TALK ABOUT WHAT WE DO.
THANK YOU KEVIN AND CRYSTAL SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
WHAT, WHAT YOU DO AT THE Y IS INVALUABLE TO OUR COMMUNITY, TO OUR CITY, AND PARTICULARLY TO DISTRICT THREE.
AND, AND WE JUST CAN'T SAY ENOUGH GOOD THINGS ABOUT WHAT YOU DO.
AND I'VE EXPERIENCED IT FIRSTHAND, UM, WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN GOING TO THE, THE HOMESCHOOL PROGRAMS THAT YOU DO FOR PE MY GRANDDAUGHTER LEARNED HOW TO RIDE HER BIKE WITHOUT HER TRAINING WHEELS THERE.
UM, YOU KNOW, DOING ALL OF THE GOOD STUFF IN THE POOL THAT GETS 'EM CONFIDENT AROUND ANYBODY OF WATER.
AND IT'S, IT'S JUST, IT'S INVALUABLE.
UM, BUT I HAVE TO SAY, MY CONNECTION TO THE Y GOES WAY BACK.
SO I TOOK SWIMMING LESSONS AT THE Y AT THE OLD LOCATION, WAY DOWN ON NINTH AVENUE.
AND THEN WHEN THE NEW BUILDING WAS CONSTRUCTED, MY DAD SERVED ON THE BOARD, AND THEN I BECAME A LIFEGUARD AND TAUGHT SWIMMING LESSONS AT THE NEW LOCATION.
SO I FEEL A CONNECTION TO EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO.
AND I'M JUST SO EXCITED NOW THAT MY GRANDKIDS ARE GETTING TO EXPERIENCE IT.
SO THE, YOU KNOW, THIRD AND FOURTH GENERATION OF THE FAMILY IS, IS COMING THROUGH THE DOORS OF THE YMCA.
SO THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO.
IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT I CAN DO, UH, AS FAR AS GETTING THE WORD OUT ABOUT PROGRAMS AND, YOU KNOW, THINGS THAT ARE COMING, JUST LET ME KNOW.
I'LL BE HAPPY TO BLAST IT OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
[01:15:01]
YOU.AND CRYSTAL, GREAT TO HAVE YOU.
KEVIN, WE'VE HAD A LOT OF, UH, DIRECTORS AT THE Y MAN, I'VE REALLY GOT TO SAY THAT FOR OVER THE 40 YEARS I'VE BEEN A MEMBER OF THE Y MAN, YOU ONE OF THE BEST.
AND I APPRECIATE YOUR STAFF, MAN.
ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU DO, UH, FOR US.
CAN YOU GET US ANOTHER LANE,
WE NEED, I JUST NEED ANOTHER POOL.
I COULD TEACH MORE IF I DON'T ANOTHER POOL.
BUT OTHER THAN THAT, MAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO, MAN.
AND WE APPRECIATE YOU SO MUCH.
AND AGAIN, WELL COUNCILWOMAN, UH, EVER FIELD.
AND THANK Y'ALL VERY MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO.
I, UM, MY, WE GREW UP GOING TO THE YMCA AND MY PARENTS ARE AVID MEMBERS OF THE YMCA.
THEY LEFT TO SWIM AND THEY LEFT PICKLEBALL
AND SO I JUST WANT TO ENCOURAGE, UM, EVEN WE TALK A LOT ABOUT THE SWIMMING SURROUNDING FOR CHILDREN, BUT LIKE YOU MENTIONED THAT THE, UM, NUMBER ONE YEAH.
DEMOGRAPHIC OF, UM, THOSE DROWNING ARE ADULT MALES.
SO I WANT TO ENCOURAGE THE ADULTS TO ALSO GO AND, AND SWIM, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.
AND FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH AILMENTS MM-HMM
AND IT WILL HELP WITH YOUR, YOUR ACTIVITY.
THE AQUATIC AEROBICS HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN VERY BENEFICIAL FOR OUR FAMILY.
AND, UM, SO BECAUSE OF THE MEMBERSHIPS, I NEVER ASKED THE QUESTION, BUT FOR THOSE WATCHING AND INTERESTED, HOW MUCH ARE SWIMMING LESSONS IF THEY WANT TO JUST COME AND BRING THEIR, THEIR FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN THIS SUMMER? I'M, I'M GONNA QUOTE YOU A COUPLE PRICES HERE, AND THEN I'M GONNA GIVE YOU THE TAGLINE.
SO, SWIMMING LESSONS, WE HAVE A MEMBER AND THE NON-MEMBER RATE.
SO FOR, FOR YMCA, THE NON-MEMBERS, IT'S $96 FOR, UH, FOR EIGHT LESSONS.
AND FOR YMCA MEMBERS, IT'S $64 FOR 8 72, 72, 70 $2.
BUT HERE'S THE TAGLINE, NOBODY'S DENIED THE ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE DUE TO AN INABILITY TO PAY AT THE YMCA.
AND WE PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO COME IN AND PARTICIPATE.
OKAY? WE, THERE'S A COST ASSOCIATED WITH OPERATING A PROGRAM, AND WE HAVE TO, WE HAVE TO ACCOMMODATE THAT MM-HMM
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE RAISE THOSE DOLLARS EVERY YEAR SO THAT WE CAN OFFSET THOSE FEES FOR THOSE THAT NEED IT.
OKAY? SO Y'ALL HEARD IT STRAIGHT FROM THE DIRECTOR, STRAIGHT FROM THE DIRECTOR.
PLEASE DO NOT LET THAT PROHIBIT YOU FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAMS. UM, SPECIFICALLY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS, THE, THE WATER PROGRAMS AT THE YMCA.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SHARING, AND THANK Y'ALL FOR COMING.
ALL THAT YOU DO WILL CONTINUE DOING IT.
[III.B.(2) A Presentation By Harry Crawford Or Representative Regarding The Ongoing Negotiations With Diligence Offshore Services LLC For The Proposed Ground Lease (Requested By Councilmember Lewis)]
NOW TO, UH, PETITIONS AND, UH, COMMUNICATIONS CONTINUE.WE HAVE THE SECOND, UH, PRESENTATION WILL BE A PRESENTATION BY MR. HARRY CRAWFORD, OR REPRESENTATIVE, UH, REGARDING THE ONGOING NEGOTIATIONS WITH DILIGENCE OFFSHORE SERVICES LLC FOR THE PROPOSED GROUND LEASE, SINCE IT'S BEEN REQUESTED BY COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS.
I, I DON'T SEE ANYONE HERE TO DO THE, OH, I'M SORRY.
UH, CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, SIR.
UH,
UM, I, I INVITE, I CAN'T SEE, UH, MS. ROXANNE, YOUR, YOUR, YOUR ATTORNEY, BUT I GUESS I INVITE HER TO, TO CHIME IN IF THERE, THERE IS A TIME WHERE SHE FEELS THAT SOMETHING HERE IS, UH, FALLS UNDER CONFIDENTIALITY, UH, OF WHAT'S GOING ON, UH, WITH THE LEASE.
UH, FOR THE RECORD, I'D LIKE TO, IF YOU DON'T MIND, IF BAR YOU START BY JUST SAYING THAT UNDER, UH, CHAPTER 2 52 OF THE TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, IT SAYS THAT COMPETITIVE BID REQUIREMENTS APPLY TO CONTRACTS INVOLVING EXPENDITURES EXCEEDING $50,000.
HOWEVER, THESE REQUIREMENTS DO NOT EXTEND TO THE LEASE OF REAL PROPERTY, UH, WHICH MEANS
[01:20:02]
MUNICIPALITIES CAN ENTER INTO LEASE AGREEMENTS FOR REAL ESTATE WITHOUT ENTERING AN RFQ ARE ENGAGING IN COMPLETE BIDDING PROCESSES.CAN, CAN YOU HEAR ME, MA
SO IN, IN SEPTEMBER OF 24, SEPTEMBER 23RD, TO BE EXACT, BILL SENT A LETTER OF INTENT FOR AN EXCLUSIVE LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR TO, UH, MS. ANNE AND TO, UH, THE CITY MANAGER.
AND THAT AGREEMENT ASKED FOR BASICALLY A NON-COMPETITIVE SITUATION, AND IT ASKS FOR A, UH, EXCLUSIVE LEASE AGREEMENT.
WELL, THE CITY OPERATIONAL LAW, YES, WE, WE, WE ENTERED INTO THAT REQUEST, AND ALONG THE WAY, THERE HAS BEEN THE SPREAD OF PROSPERITY THAT WE DIDN'T GO THROUGH RF, UH, PROCESS, RFQ PROCESS, BUT WE DIDN'T HAVE TO ACCORDING TO THE LAW.
UH, AND EVIDENTLY WE DIDN'T HAVE TO BECAUSE THE LAWYER DIDN'T OBJECT TO IT THE WAY THAT WE CAME TO THE CITY, AND NEITHER DID THE CITY MANAGER.
SO I JUST WANTED TO POINT THAT OUT, THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT FALSE NARRATIVE HAS NOW LEAKED INTO THIS, UH, NEGOTIATION AND, AND HAS CAUSED A WHOLE BUNCH OF PROBLEMS, UH, AS WE GO FORWARD.
MAINLY BECAUSE THE INDIVIDUAL THAT, THAT, THAT SPREAD THE FALSE NARRATIVE, EVIDENTLY DIDN'T KNOW THE LAW, UH, OR WASN'T PRIVY TO OUR APPROACH, AND DIDN'T ASK ANY SIMPLE QUESTIONS TO TRY TO CLARIFY, YOU KNOW, HOW WE CAME BY BEING IN A POSITION TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE CITY.
AND SO BY THAT, WE, WE GOT ACCUSED OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, WE GOT ACCUSED OF ALL KINDS OF STUFF THAT CAUSED A BUNCH OF CONFUSION, AND IT CAUSED A LOT OF, UH, BAD TASTE IN, IN, IN BOTH SIDES.
NOW, AS FAR AS NEGOTIATION, AND SO NOW, YOU KNOW, I'LL MOVE TO, YOU KNOW, THE, THE BACKGROUND OF THIS THING AND, AND THIS ROX SAYING, IF YOU FEEL LIKE I'M, I'M, I'M STEPPING OUT OF BOUNDS, JUST, JUST SAY, SO, UH, I, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT.
UH, NEIL JUST PROVIDED A REVISED ENVIRONMENTAL PROPOSAL TO THE CITY AFTER WE FINALLY HEARD FROM THE OUTSIDE COUNCIL.
AND SHE SWORE THAT WHAT WE NEED, AND SHE WAS GONNA GIVE US A RESPONSE.
AND, AND UNTIL THIS DAY, WE STILL DON'T HAVE, UH, WHAT WE DID WAS CAME TO A COMPROMISE THAT REFLECTED FAIRNESS AND MARKET NORM, UH, WHERE THERE WOULDN'T BE ANY, UH, UNNECESSARY LIABILITY ON EITHER, EITHER THE CITY OR, UH, DILIGENCE PART WHEN IT COMES TO POTENTIAL EXISTING LIABILITY ON THIS PROPERTY.
BUT THE WAY THAT IT WAS WRITTEN UP, YOU KNOW, THE LANDLORDS RARELY SHIP ENVIRONMENTAL, I DUTY TO TENANTS FOR EXISTING CONTAMINATION.
AND SO WHAT WE DID WAS OFFER A PATH FORWARD THAT BASICALLY PROTECTED BOTH PARTIES.
AND, YOU KNOW, THE OUTSIDE COUNCIL HASN'T, HASN'T RESPONDED, HASN'T SAID ANYTHING TO US ABOUT MAYOR, WHETHER THE CITY CAN ACCEPT WHAT WE, WE CAME TO THE TABLE WITH OR NOT.
THE OTHER ISSUE WAS, WE'RE STILL HERE WITH THE EASEMENT TERMS. WE WERE, EXCUSE ME, MR. CRAWFORD.
UH, MR. CRAWFORD, CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, SIR.
SEE THAT ATTORNEY? WHAT, WHAT DID YOU HAVE? YES, SIR.
MR. CRAWFORD, THE OUTSIDE COUNSEL HANDLING THIS CASE DID EMAIL YOUR ATTORNEY THIS MORNING WITH A RED LINE.
OH, UM, UNFORTUNATELY SHE HAD A MEDICAL ISSUE THIS WEEKEND, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN NEW RED LINES AND, AND NEW MEMOS THAT WILL BE ADVISED IN THE COUNCIL IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
MAYOR, MAYOR, POINT OF ORDER, LET, LET HIM FINISH HIS PRESENTATION.
MR. CRAWFORD DIDN'T, SAID HE DIDN'T MIND ME INTERRUPTING TO MAKE SURE HE WAS AWARE OF INFORMATION.
HE KEPT CONTINUALLY SAYING THAT HE HADN'T RECEIVED INFORMATION.
SO I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT HE, HIS ATTORNEY HAS RECEIVED INFORMATION THIS MORNING, BUT HE MAY NOT HAVE SPOKEN TO HIS ATTORNEY TO KNOW THAT.
OKAY, CONTINUE, MR. CRAWFORD? YEAH, I'M, I'M ACTUALLY, I'M ACTUALLY, UH, AND, AND EXCUSE MY VENUE, BUT I'M ACTUALLY AT CAMPUS OF MOREHOUSE TODAY SPEAKING, SO I WASN'T ABLE TO BE IN PORT ARTHUR AND CHRIS HAD NOT SENT ME A MESSAGE TO SAY THAT HE RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM
[01:25:01]
YOUR ATTORNEY BY THE TIME, UH, I LOGGED ON AND OFF THIS MORNING.UH, SO I'M SORRY THAT, YOU KNOW, WE, WE, WE EXPECTED IT TO COME THIS PAST WEEKEND, SO WE COULD FINISH THIS UP TODAY BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, I, I KNOW I'M SUPPOSED TO BE DOING A PRESENTATION, BUT I DON'T WANT TO, YOU KNOW, SO MUCH GOOD STUFF THAT'S GOING ON TODAY.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE, UH, PRESENTED EASEMENT TERMS, UH, BECAUSE WE NEVER, WE'VE NEVER SEEN WHERE THE CITY, UH, WOULD PROPOSE TO TERMINATE EASEMENTS, UH, AT, AT, AT WILL.
THAT SEEMS TO BE OFF MARKET TO US.
SO WE HAD SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT THAT BECAUSE IT WAS BASICALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND IT MADE THE PROJECT NON-FINANCIAL AND IT JEOPARDIZES ALL OF OUR FUTURE INVESTMENTS.
SO THAT'S WHY WE, WE HAD A CONCERN ABOUT IT.
WE WERE INSTRUCTED TO GO TO, UH, THE WATERPARK PARTY, MR. SELL.
AND AGAIN, AS I STATED BEFORE, IN THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING, THEY'RE TELLING US THEY DON'T HAVE A RIGHT TO DISCUSS THAT PROBLEM.
SO, I, I, YOU KNOW, I DON'T, I DON'T KNOW HOW WE GET PAST THAT.
AND THEN THE OTHER THING WAS THE SUBLEASING REVENUE.
IN THAT LETTER THAT WE SENT ON SEPTEMBER THE 23RD, THE LETTER GAVE THE STRUCTURE FOR HOW WE COULD, UH, GIVE ADDITIONAL REVENUE TO THE CITY WHERE THE OUTSIDE COUNCIL SEEMS TO NOT REALLY UNDERSTAND, UH, HOW SUBLEASING WORKS ON DATA CENTERS.
AND SO WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS, UH, THEY INTRODUCED A, UH, A PROVISION IN THE LEASE THAT CONTAINED, UH, SHARING, BUT IT WASN'T SOMETHING THAT'S ECONOMICALLY SOUND FOR, FOR THE PROJECT.
AND IT, IT IS NOWHERE NEAR WHAT WE GAVE AND OUR LETTER OF INTENT.
SO I WOULD JUST LIKE, YOU KNOW, TO ASK THE COUNCIL TO THINK ABOUT THAT WHEN THEY, UH, GO IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION TODAY, IF POSSIBLE.
YOU KNOW, WE, WE'VE ATTEMPTED THREE TIMES TO TRY TO, WE, WE'VE ATTEMPTED THREE TIMES TO TRY TO TRY TO SETTLE ANY ISSUE THAT THE CITY, UH, HAS OR THAT WE HAVE WITH, UM, MOVING FORWARD.
AND IT, IT JUST APPEARS THAT WE KEEP COMING UP WITH THE SAME OLD THINGS OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
SO, YOU KNOW, I, I SENT A MESSAGE TO CHRIS AND TOLD HIM, LOOK, UH, LET'S JUST GET THIS OVER WITH, YOU KNOW, IT DOESN'T APPEAR THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A, A GUIDELINE FOR HOW EASEMENTS ARE OFFERED ON, ON RENEWABLE PROJECTS.
AND IT DOESN'T SEEM THAT WE'RE GONNA BE ABLE TO GET ANY KIND OF, UH, GOOD FAITH PHONE CALL BECAUSE OUTSIDE COUNSEL REFUSES TO TALK TO OUR LAWYERY ON THE TELEPHONE.
SO WE HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING BY EMAIL.
AND, AND IF SHE HAD A, A PROBLEM THIS, THIS WEEKEND, SHE SHOULD HAVE JUST SENT US AN EMAIL AND SAID, HEY, WE GOT ER, MEDICAL EMERGENCY.
I MEAN, I'M A FAMILY MAN MYSELF, I UNDERSTAND MEDICAL EMERGENCY AND WHAT HAS TO WAIT, HAS TO WAIT.
BUT, YOU KNOW, FINDING THAT OUT ON THE DATE OF IS, IS, IS JUST, YOU KNOW, TO US IT IS UNACCEPTABLE.
BUT, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, IF THAT'S THE WAY THINGS ARE DONE, THAT'S FINE.
SO IN MY CONCLUSION, BECAUSE I, I DON'T WANT TO TAKE OVER A BUNCH OF TIME, I HAVE ANOTHER, UH, OBLIGATION RIGHT NOW ALL I'M ASKING IS THAT WE, YOU KNOW, WE ARE ON THE, WE'RE ON THE BRINK OF DELIVERING A HISTORIC, UH, INVESTMENT TO THE CITY OF COURT, ARTHUR.
ONE THAT WE, WE FEEL IS, UH, BADLY NEED.
AND SO WE BRINGING, YOU KNOW, $2.5 MILLION INVESTMENT, UH, RIGHT OFF THE BAT.
AND THEN WE CREATING, YOU KNOW, A THOUSAND PLUS DIRECT AND INDIRECT JOBS, UH, OVER A PERIOD OF INITIAL INITIAL CONSTRUCTION AND UP, UP TO INCLUDING OPERATION.
AND THEN WE'RE POSITIONING PORT ARTHUR AS A NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY AND CLEAN ENERGY HUB, AND WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO THE PARTNERSHIP, UH, NOT TO CONFLICT.
MR. CRAWFORD SUPPORT, YOU KNOW, FINALIZING THE LEAST THROUGH FEDERAL TRANSPARENCY, MR. CRAWFORD, TO SHARE PURPOSE.
WE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT, WE'RE NOT TRYING TO JUST KEEP GOING ON AND ON.
I HAD TO AUTHORIZE THIS MORNING, UH, A BUDGETARY INCREASE TO $300,000.
OKAY, MR. MR. CRAWFORD, LINE OF ORDER.
MR. CRAWFORD, HOW DO WE, I DUNNO IF HE CAN HEAR ME.
I DON'T KNOW IF HE CAN HEAR ME, MR. MR. CRAWFORD.
HE COULD HEAR, CAN YOU HOLD ON, SAY THAT ATTORNEY HAS SOMETHING TO SAY? HOLD ON A SECOND.
YES, I, I WANNA MAKE IT CLEAR TO THE COUNCIL AND TO THE PUBLIC LISTENING, THESE ARE NEGOTIATIONS THAT EXIST INVOLVING A LEASE.
UM, THERE WAS A LETTER SENT BY MR. CRAWFORD TO THE CITY WHEREBY HE THREATENED LITIGATION AGAINST THE CITY.
[01:30:01]
AND IT WAS A HORRIBLE THREAT TO MANY PEOPLE IN THAT MEMO.AND SO, AS A RESULT OF THAT THREAT, WHICH HAS NOT BEEN RESCINDED, OUR OUTSIDE COUNSEL FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO HAVE ANY AND ALL COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.
THAT IS THE CITY AND DILIGENCE TO BE IN WRITING.
OKAY? SO THAT'S WHY THERE'S NO BEEN ANY PHONE CALLS.
BUT ASIDE FROM THAT, IT IS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
OUR OUTSIDE COUNSEL IS LISTENING RIGHT NOW, AND SHE IS READY TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND LEGAL ADVICE TO THE COUNSEL FOR CONSIDERATION ON THE, UH, NEXT POINTS THAT MR. CRAWFORD WANTS US TO CONSIDER.
SO IF WE COULD DISCUSS THAT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AND LEAVE THOSE COMMENTS THERE BY THE COUNSEL, I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT.
MR. CRAWFORD, UH, YOU DID SAY SOMETHING ABOUT, YES, SIR.
MR. CRAWFORD, YOU, UH, WOULD, WOULD YOU AND YOUR ATTORNEY BE AVAILABLE WHEN WE GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION WHERE OUR, UH, UH, COUNSEL IS? CHRIS IS, UH, SUPPOSED TO BE CONTACTING MS. ROXANNE AND MS. RA FOR HIM TO BE CONTACTED, UH, JUST LIKE HE DOES ALL THE OTHER TIMES HE'LL BE AVAILABLE FOR, UH, COMMENT.
YEAH, BECAUSE TODAY, WELL, UH, UH, AND THEN WE CAN PROBABLY FURTHER GET TO SOME TYPE OF RESOLVE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION MAYBE, BECAUSE I DON'T, I DON'T THINK IF, IF IT SAID IT'S GOING TO BE MR. MAYOR, SIR.
UM, CAN I SAY ONE THING CONCERNING, CONCERNING WHAT, WHAT MR.
I WAS ASKING IN THAT LETTER TO, TO STOP VIOLATING MY, MY RIGHTS.
I, I DIDN'T, YOU KNOW, I'M NOT, IT IS NOT MY, UH, IT IS NOT MY PURPOSE TO, TO COME AND TRY TO SUE THE CITY OF
I'M TRYING TO GET A DEAL DONE.
I, I, I, I'D RATHER WORK ON A, ON A BUSINESS TRANSACTION VERSUS BEING TIED UP TO COURT.
IF THAT'S WHERE WE WERE GOING, YOU WOULD'VE BEEN THERE A LONG TIME AGO.
YOU'RE TRYING TO GET FINISHED WITH HIS LEASE.
AND I THOUGHT THAT MADE THAT CLEAR ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.
AND I TALKED CHRIS, I SAID, CHRIS, WHEN, WHEN, WHEN THE CITY GIVES US A LEASE AND WE NEGOTIATE, THEN YOU MAKE SURE THAT THEY KNOW THAT ALL OF THOSE, ANYTHING THAT'S IN THAT LETTER IS OFF THE TAPE.
IT'S ALREADY BEEN TOLD ABOUT THAT.
THE WAY HE TOLD, UH, MS. ROXANNE OR NOT, I DON'T KNOW.
HE'S PROBABLY WAITING ON, ON A LEASE.
BUT, YOU KNOW, IT, IT'S, IT IS WHAT HAPPENED HAPPENED.
I, I, I CAME TO THE TABLE WITH THAT BEFORE, BUT I DON'T WANNA TALK ABOUT THAT.
I WANNA TALK ABOUT PROGRESS LIKE WE'VE BEEN HAVING THIS MORNING, THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN THE COURT THAT ARE GOOD THINGS.
WE NOT, I'M NOT INTERESTED IN CONFLICT.
I'M INTERESTED IN TRYING TO GET THIS DONE SO WE CAN PROVIDE JOBS AND COMMUNITY BENEFITS AND, AND, AND JUST MOVE ON DOWN THE ROAD.
WE CAN GET THERE SOON AS OKAY.
COUNCILMAN DO SAY, I JUST WANNA SAY THAT THIS IS ON THE TOPIC FOR THE EXECUTIVE SESSION.
THINGS THAT WE TALK ABOUT IS, UH, LOOK, IN NEGOTIATIONS, WE NEGOTIATE AN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
MR. CRAWFORD'S, UH, FRUSTRATION AND COMMENTS I CAN AGREE WITH.
AND THAT'S WHAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO TODAY IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, IS THAT WE, UH, COME TO A DECISION, 'CAUSE THIS HAS GONE ON TOO LONG, BUT WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT NOW, A LOT OF THIS IS CLOSED SESSION ITEM.
AND FOR THE SIMPLE REASON THAT IT'S NEGOTIATING POINTS, ANYTHING THAT'S NOT DEALING WITH NEGOTIATED POINTS ARE WELL TAKEN.
I THINK HE'S GOT HIS MESSAGE OVER TO US, BUT THIS CONVERSATION AND THE WAY THIS HAS GONE, WE NEED TO BRING THIS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
CAN I SAY, CAN I SAY ONE THING? CAN I SAY ONE THING, MR. DOUCETTE? GO AHEAD.
UH, WHEN THAT LEASE WAS, WHEN THAT LEASE WAS FILED INTO PUBLIC RECORD, LIKE IT WAS, UH, A LOT OF OUR BUSINESS TRADE SECRETS WERE PUT OUT THERE, AND THAT SEPTEMBER 23RD LETTER, WE ASKED FOR CONFIDENTIAL NEGOTIATION AND, AND, AND IT, IT, IT, IT SEEMS IT DIDN'T GO THAT WAY.
SO I THINK WE, WE GOT A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT'S OUT IN THE PUBLIC THAT SHOULDN'T BE ALREADY, SO, BUT I AGREED TO WORK.
HOWEVER, THE CITY, WHATEVER YOUR GUIDELINES ARE, THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO WORK WITHIN.
THAT'S HOW WE CAME BY, UH, BEING INVOLVED IN THIS NEGOTIATION.
I TOLD YOU WHEN I FIRST STARTED, IT WAS TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 52.
AND YOU KNOW, IT, IT DIDN'T, THE CITY WASN'T REQUIRED TO HAVE AN RFQ.
THE CITY WASN'T REQUIRED TO HAVE A COMPETITIVE BID PROCESS.
AND, AND THAT'S, THAT WENT ALL OUT ACROSS THE NATION AND THAT, AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT STARTED
[01:35:01]
THIS WHOLE, THIS MIX UP.AND WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.
WELL, WELL, RIGHT NOW, MR. CRAWFORD, RIGHT NOW WE ARE INTO NEGOTIATIONS.
SO ALL WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT IS WELL TAKEN.
UH, YOU'VE BEEN BEFORE US BEFORE AND TOLD US THAT.
AND AT THIS TIME, IT'S LISTED FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS. ALL INFORMATION YOU'VE GIVEN US, YOU HAVE GIVEN US BEFORE.
AND AT THIS TIME, WE NEED TO CEASE DISCUSSING THIS.
AND YOU WILL BE AVAILABLE AND YOUR ATTORNEY CAN BE AVAILABLE WHEN WE GO INTO CLOSED SESSION.
AND THEN WHENEVER WE FINISH A CLOSED SESSION, IF WE COME OUT AND MAKE A DECISION, WE MAKE A DECISION THAT BE KNOWN TO THE PUBLIC.
BUT RIGHT NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FRUSTRATIONS AND WE TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT I AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY.
I'VE NEVER SEEN SOMETHING THIS TIME CONSUMING.
BUT WE GONNA, WE GONNA MEET TODAY AND I'M QUITE SURE THE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND, AND EVERYBODY'S JUST FED UP WITH THE GOING AROUND IN CIRCLE.
SO WE NEED TO RESOLVE SOMETHING.
WE NEED TO RESOLVE IT TODAY, BUT THIS AIN'T THE TIME AND THE PLACE TO DISCUSS NEGOTIATIONS.
SO LET'S, LET'S, LET'S DO THIS, MR. CRAWFORD.
AND I GUESS WE FIGURE OUT SOME TYPE OF WAY TO GET BACK WITH YOU AT THE TIME WE GO IN AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AND GET YOU BACK ON, OKAY? OKAY.
[III.C.(1) A Presentation By Deputy Fire Chief Antonio Mitchell Regarding Emergency Services ]
LET'S MOVE TO, UH, NOW THE CITY MANAGER STAFF REPORTS.AND THE FIRST ONE WE HAVE IS A PRESENTATION BY, EXCUSE ME, DEPUTY, UH, FIRE CHIEF ANTONIO MITCHELL REGARDING EMERGENCY SERVICES.
THINK I'M GONNA TRY TO GET THE RED LINES UP FOR YOU GUYS.
UH, DO Y'ALL HAVE THAT, UM, PART TWO OF THE CDR, THAT'S CHAPTER ONE 14.
UM, ARTICLE TWO, THE EMERGENCY, UM, MEDICAL SERVICE VEHICLE.
DO Y'ALL HAVE THAT IN Y'ALL PACKETS? OKAY, DO Y'ALL, I'M OKAY.
YEAH, IT'S ALSO ON THE SCREEN AS WELL.
UM, SO I KINDA WANNA GO THROUGH THESE ARTICLES, UM, GO THROUGH PAGE BY PAGE AND KINDA EXPLAIN, UH, THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO YOU GUYS.
AND, UM, AT THE END OF THIS, I'LL GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO, OR ASK ME ANY QUESTIONS.
I CAN ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS FOR YOU.
SO THE VERY FIRST PAGE, PAGE ONE, UH, THE DEFINITION OF, UH, DISPATCH FACILITY.
THAT WAS THE ONLY THING THAT WAS ACTUALLY ADDED TO THAT, UH, SECTION.
SO PREVIOUSLY OR CURRENTLY HOW, UM, THAT SECTION READS, IT'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT DEFINITIONS OF, UH, DISPATCH WE HAVE, UM, DISPATCH, LOCATION, DISPATCH, PLACE, DISPATCH, UH, SITE, UH, DISPATCH FACILITY.
SO WE JUST WENT TRANSPARENTLY THROUGH THE WHOLE DOCUMENT WITH DISPATCH FACILITY.
UM, AND ALSO SPELLS OUT WHAT GOES INTO THAT DISPATCH FACILITY AS WELL.
SO THAT'S THE REASON FOR THAT.
UH, RED LINE ON THAT PAGE ONE, IF YOU GO TO PAGE, UM, SIX, THAT'S YOUR NEXT RED LINE.
UM, JUST SIMPLE CLEANUPS WE DID, LIKE I SAID, UH, DISPATCH THIS.
WE JUST, UH, TRANSPARENT THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE DOCUMENT IS DISPATCH TO A FACILITY.
UM, IF YOU LOOK AT SECTION E, IT JUST GIVES YOU A DEFINITION OF WHAT THE GENERATOR SHOULD DO TO A BACKUP LOCATION FOR A DISPATCH, UH, LOCATION OR DISPATCH FACILITY.
IT JUST GIVES YOU THE DEFINITION OF, UM, WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING THAT A GENERATOR IS.
THE VERY NEXT PAGE, THE SAME THING.
WE HAVE A FEW, UH, THINGS THAT WE CLEANED UP JUST FOR AS THE, THE DEFINITION OF DISPATCH FACILITY AND DISPATCH SYSTEM.
UM, NUMBER FIVE, WE ADDED 20 SECONDS TO 80 SECONDS FROM, I'M SORRY, FROM 60 SECONDS TO 80 SECONDS.
UH, NFPA STANDARD 1710S ALLOWS FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO HAVE 80 SECONDS TURN TURNOUT TIME WHERE EMS HAVE 60.
THE REASON WHY WE WENT TO 80 TO PUT THEM UNDER THE SAME STANDARD AS US IS BECAUSE OF, UH, WE OWN THE PSAP.
AND I'LL EXPLAIN WHAT THAT MEANS, UH, LATER ON IN THE DOCUMENT AS WELL.
SO IT'S JUST A PROPOSED CHANGE TO GIVE THEM A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME FOR THE TURNOUT TIME.
UM, OUR ORDINANCE CAPTURE THREE THINGS.
UM, TURNOUT TIME, TRAVEL TIME, AND OVERALL RESPONSE TIME.
UM, THE VERY NEXT PAGE, PAGE EIGHT, WE JUST ADDED A LINE AT THE VERY END OF THAT SECTION, WHICH IS ACTUALLY ON PAGE NINE.
WE ADDED A SHALL ERASE CHANGE IS THE REQUIREMENT TO BRING THAT THOSE INSURANCE RATES BACK UP.
I MEAN THEIR, UH, OBLIGATION TO THOSE INSURANCE.
THE CURRENT INSURANCE RATES MINIMUM.
UH, EMS, WE WENT WITH FOUR, UH, DUE TO OUR CALL VOLUME.
[01:40:01]
1500 CALLS, UH, A MONTH.UH, HAVING FOUR EMS UNITS IN SERVICE FULL TIME WOULD BE SUFFICE.
IT'S THE MINIMUM STANDARD WHICH, UH, WE BELIEVE WE CAN OPERATE WITH WITHIN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.
UM, IF THEY GAVE US SIX OR WHATEVER, OR EIGHT, THAT'S OF COURSE THAT'S BETTER AND THAT'S, UM, MORE EFFICIENT AS WELL.
BUT THE MINIMUM STANDARD WE THINK WE SHOULD HOLD 'EM TO IS, UH, FOUR, JUST BECAUSE OF OUR TIME VOLUME AND, UM, THE HIGH LIQUIDITY, LOW LIQUIDITY CALLS.
UM, THE VERY NEXT PAGE, PAGE 10, NUMBER SIX, WE ADDED A STAIR CHAIR.
THE REASON FOR THAT, UH, WHEN WE RUN THE NUMBERS, WE SEE, UH, WHAT WE CALL HOT BEDS.
WE CAN SEE WHERE WE HAVE MOST OF OUR CALL VOLUME TO HIGH, UM, HIGH LEVEL CALL VOLUMES.
ONE OF THOSE IS OW COLLINS, UH, OW COLLINS.
UM, HAVING A STAIR CHAIR, GETTING PEOPLE UP AND DOWN THAT FACILITY, THE, UM, ELEVATOR FREQUENTLY GOES DOWN.
SO HAVING A STAIR CHAIR, THAT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT TO GET THEM UP AND DOWN, UH, IT SUFFICE, IT, IT MEANS REALLY GOOD FOR US TO OVERALL, INSTEAD OF USING THE BED SHEET TO CARRY 'EM DOWN OR USING A, A REGULAR STABLE CHAIR.
UM, LOOKED AT THE COST OF THAT, A REGULAR STA CHAIR, ROUGHLY ABOUT $130 COST.
UM, PAGE 12, ONLY THING WE CHANGED HERE, UH, WAS THE DATE WHERE THEY, WHERE EMS PROVIDES THAT DATA FOR US.
THEY PROVIDE THAT DATA ON THE 15TH.
WE WANTED TO MOVE THAT UP TO THE, THE FIFTH DAY OF THE MONTH, NO LATER THAN THE FIFTH DAY.
THAT JUST TO GIVE US ENOUGH TIME THROUGHOUT THAT MONTH TO, UH, RUN THROUGH THAT DATA TO CHECK THAT DATA.
CURRENTLY WE, WE GET THAT DATA ON THE 15TH.
IT TAKES US 15 TO 20 DAYS TO DO ALL WE NEED TO DO TO LOOK AT THAT.
IT JUST PUSHES US TO THE NEXT MONTH.
AND IT JUST KIND OF GET KIND OF LOOTED WITH THAT.
UM, UM, THE BIG SECTION WE CHANGE, WELL WE DIDN'T CHANGE ANYTHING.
WE JUST ADDED SOME LANGUAGE TO IT TO KIND OF CLEAR IT UP.
UM, SO CURRENTLY HOW LIQUIDATED DAMAGES THE FIRE CHIEF, UH, GETS THOSE DAMAGES AND THEN HE JUST ASSESS THOSE DAMAGES.
HE ASSESSED HIM ON HIS OWN BEHALF.
UM, HOW WE CHANGED IT UP TO NOW, IT WOULD BRING EVERYBODY TO THE TABLE.
WE CAN ALL SIT DOWN AND TALK ABOUT IT, LOOK THROUGH THOSE NUMBERS AND CAUSE THAT WE THINK THAT ARE OUTTA COMPLIANCE.
WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT PRIOR TO, UM, ASSESSING THOSE LIQUIDATED DAMAGES.
IT JUST MAKES IT THAT THEY KNOW WHAT'S COMING OR WHOEVER THAT A MS PROVIDER KNOWS WHAT'S GOING ON, WE ARE VERY TRANSPARENT WITH THEM WORKING ALONGSIDE THEM, WORKING WITH THEM VERSUS OPPOSED TO THEM.
IT JUST PUTS US ALL IN ONE ACCORD.
AND IT DOES ALLOW FOR, UM, APPEAL PROCESS AFTER WE, THE DAMAGES HAVE BEEN ASSESSED.
UM, AND THE LAST CHANGE IS ON PAGE.
UH, WE ADDED ANOTHER SECTION ON PAGE 15 GOES INTO PAGE 16.
UH, THE GUIDELINES FOR MULTIPLE PROVIDERS.
UM, THAT'S ONLY BECAUSE COUNCIL HAD ONE TIME SAID SOMETHING ABOUT, UM, HAVING MORE THAN ONE EMS PROVIDER.
NOT SAYING WE WANT MORE OR THAT'S KIND OF UP TO YOU GUYS, BUT IT GIVES US THAT OUTLINE JUST IN CASE WE DO HAVE MORE THAN ONE.
UH, TRY TO BE FORWARD THINKING AND HAVE THAT PUT INTO OUR DOCUMENT WHILE WE CAN.
MAKES IT EASY FOR US GOING FORWARD.
UM, ALSO, I WANTED TO GIVE A FEW NUMBERS AS WELL.
CAN WE GET THE OTHER SIDE PULLED UP PLEASE? NEXT? THIS IS THE NEXT ONE, MR. LIZZIE.
IT'S KIND OF HARD TO SEE THOSE NUMBERS, BUT I KIND OF WANTED TO EXPLAIN WHEN I, WHEN I SAID THAT, UH, GIVING THEM THE EXTRA 20 SECONDS OF, UM, OF PSAP.
A PSAP IS JUST THE 9 1 1 PROVIDER'S.
THE PERSON WHO TAKES THAT CALL WHEN YOU, THE PHONE TUMS OFF A NINE ONE ONE SYSTEM.
UM, THE CITY OF PARK ARTHUR OWNS THAT PSAP.
SO CURRENTLY WE ASKING HIM FOR PERFECTION IN A IMPERFECT WORLD.
SO WHEN A CALL COMES INTO NINE ONE ONE, WE GET THAT CALL ON OUR PSAP.
WE MAY LOOK AT THAT CALL FOR 15 TO 20 SECONDS, IF NOT LONGER TO SEE IF WE NEED TO DISPATCH FIRE EMS POLICE OR WHATEVER THAT IS.
UM, MAYBE FOR THE ANIMAL CONTROL OR WHATEVER OUR DISPATCH LOOKS AT THAT.
SO IT SOMETIMES WE HAVE THOSE CALLS FOR 20 TO 30 SECONDS BEFORE EMS EVEN KNOWS THOSE CALLS ARE EVEN COMING THEIR WAY.
WE HAVE TO, WHAT WE DO TUMBLE THOSE CALL TO ROLL THOSE CALLS TO EMS. SO GIVING THEM AN EXTRA 20 SECONDS WHILE ALL PSAP, 'CAUSE THE TIME ACTUALLY STARTS BY NPA STANDARDS.
IT STARTS WHEN WE RECEIVE THAT CALL IN OUR P SAP.
SO IF WE HAVE THAT CALL, 20 TO 30 SECONDS, SOMETIMES LONGER BEFORE WE EVEN ROLL THAT CALL TO THEM WHERE THE CLOCK IS ALREADY ROLLING FOR THEM AS THE OVERALL, UM, TURNOUT TIME.
SO PROVIDING EXTRA 20 SECONDS OR 10 SECONDS OR WHATEVER WE GO VITAL TO THEM.
SO IF YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS WHERE, UH, CO COMPLIANCY RATES, UM, ALSO WITH THE LIQUIDATED DAMAGES, WE ALSO PUT THAT THE DATA WE WILL BE USING IS OUR DATA.
'CAUSE UH, THAT'S THE DATA WE CAN ACTUALLY CHECK AND VERIFY.
AND EVEN WITH THAT, THERE'S GONNA BE SOME, SOME, SOME GRAY AREAS WITH THAT.
[01:45:03]
IF WE GET THE CALL AND WE DON'T EMERGENCY DISPATCH, WE DON'T EMD CALLS.SO WE ACTUALLY ROLL ALL OUR MEDICAL CALLS TO THE EMS SERVICE.
SO THE CLOCK HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR 20 SECONDS, 30 SECONDS.
OUR UNITS GO EN ROUTE, WE'RE EN ROUTE PRIOR TO THEM EVEN GOING EN ROUTE.
SOMETIME WE GET, WE GET ON SCENE.
IF THEY CHANGE THAT CALL TO A, UH, LOW LIQUIDITY CALL, THE NON-EMERGENCY CALL, THEY DON'T HAVE TO PROVIDE THAT DATA FUZZ.
SO IF YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, WE HAVE ROUGHLY 14, 1500 CALLS, 800 OF THOSE CALLS AT EMS WHERE THEY HAVE A SIGNIFICANT LOWER NUMBER OF CALLS.
AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS THEY DON'T HAVE TO REPORT THE NON, THE LOWER LIQUIDITY CALLS, THE NON-EMERGENCY CALLS.
SO THAT'S THE KIND OF THE CONFLICT IN THE DATA.
UM, IF WE ARE LOOKING AT IT AND BEING TRUTHFUL AND HONEST ABOUT IT, NEITHER ONE OF THE DATAS CAN BE, WE CAN'T, I CAN'T SAY IF THEIR DATA IS CORRECT BECAUSE WE HAVE NO WAY OF VERIFYING, WE HAVE NO WAY OF, UM, GOING THROUGH THEIR SYSTEM, PULLING THEIR DATA.
THAT'S SOMETHING THEY PROVIDE TO US.
WE DON'T KNOW HOW THAT DATA IS GIVEN TO US.
WE DON'T KNOW ACTUALLY WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR, WHAT THEY'RE INPUTTING.
WE'RE JUST CAPTURING THEIR DATA.
UM, YOU LOOK AT OUR DATA, OUR DATA IS GONNA BE SOMEWHAT OFF AS WELL BECAUSE WE HAVE 'EM AT 20, UH, 69% COMPLIANCE RATE AND THERE'S A LOT OF FACTORS THAT GOES INTO THAT.
SO SIMPLY SAYING THERE OUTTA COMPLIANCE, WE CAN'T DO THAT OR WE SHOULDN'T DO THAT.
IT'S, UH, IT SHOULD BE A PROCESS TO THAT.
AND THE REASON BEING IS THAT WE GET THROUGH ALL P EP AND THERE'S TIMES WE DON'T TRANSFER THE CALL.
THEY DON'T EVEN CALL EN ROUTE.
IT'S A LOT, A LOT OF OTHER VARIABLES THAT GOES INTO THAT.
SO JUST WANT TO GIVE Y'ALL SOME INSIGHT ON WHY WE KIND OF PROPOSE THESE CHANGES KIND OF CLEAN UP FOR THE CITY.
AND I THINK THIS IS ALL IN REFERENCE TO PROPOSED ORDINANCE 73 23, CORRECT? YES SIR.
SO AFTER GOOD DISCUSSION, WE COULD GO DOWN.
WELL, I, I, I HAD SOME NOTES FOR THAT ONE.
THE FIRST UH, THING WE WANT, I HAD THE DEFINITION OF DISPLACED FACILITIES, THE STAIR CHAIR WHEN I WENT THROUGH ALL OF THE CHANGES THAT WERE MADE.
MY QUESTION IS, HAVE YOU ALL SAT DOWN WITH OUR AMBULANCE SERVICE PROVIDERS AND WENT OVER ALL OF THESE BEFORE COMING TO US? UH, NO SIR.
THIS IS, THIS DOCUMENT IS THE CITY WE OWN THIS, THIS IS, BUT NO SIR, WE HAVE NOT SIT DOWN WITH THEM.
THE THE REASON I SAY THAT BECAUSE WE HIRED THEM ON THE CURRENT DOCTOR YES.
AND WE DON'T CHANGE ORDINANCE AND HAVE SOMEBODY IN THEIR CONTRACT.
IF WE'RE GONNA CHANGE IT, THEN IT'LL BE EFFECTIVE THAT DAY FORWARD WITH GRANDFATHER.
THAT'S WHY I ASKED THE QUESTION, HOW AND DID WE GET WITH THEM? 'CAUSE A LOT OF TIMES IF WE CHANGE IT, THEN BOTH PARTIES CAN AGREE AND WE CAN MAKE IT EFFECTIVE.
BUT MY QUESTION WOULD BE US TRYING TO CHANGE IT, PUT THEM UNDER THIS CHANGE, BUT THEY CONTRACT WAS ASSIGNED WITH THE CHANGE.
SO MY QUESTION ONCE AGAIN IS A SIMPLE QUESTION.
HAVE YOU ALL SAT DOWN WITH THEM AND TOLD THEM WHAT OUR POSSIBLE CHANGES WERE GOING TO BE? NO, SIR.
AND THE REASON BEING IS THIS DOCUMENT IS GETTING US READY GOING FORWARD.
THIS IS NOT THE IMPLEMENT PUSH THIS ON THEM RIGHT NOW BY ABSOLUTELY NOT.
WE'RE NOT TRYING TO PUSH THIS ON THEM NOW.
WE'RE GONNA TRY TO GET THEM GRANDFATHERED IN CURRENTLY, BUT THEN CLEAN IT UP GOING FORWARD.
WHAT? THAT'S WHY I ASKED THE QUESTION.
BECAUSE ACTUALLY SOME OF THE THINGS THEY, THEY MAY COMPLY.
THEY MAY SAY, YEAH, WE CAN DO IT.
SO WE COULD GET THIS ESTABLISHED SOONER.
AND IT, IT'D BE GOOD TO GET 'EM TO GET FEEDBACK TOO.
YOU SEE THAT, THAT'S WHY I ASKED, YOU KNOW, GET IT FROM A SERVICE BECAUSE WHOEVER WE HIRE, WE'RE GONNA HAVE THESE IN PLACE.
IT'S GOOD TO BE ABLE TO SEE HOW NOT CITY AMBULANCE WILL RESPOND TO THESE CHANGES, BUT HOW ANY YES SIR.
SERVICE WE'RE GONNA GET INTO THE CITY IN THE FUTURE.
NOW I UNDERSTOOD ALL YOUR CHANGES.
I JUST HAVE ONE COMMENT ON ITEM NUMBER THREE ON PAGE 18.
IS IT 16? THE ONE THAT, UH, GOES WITH RESOLVING THE ONE WHEREBY IF IT'S A VIOLATION OF HOW DOES WE, UH, YOU TALKING ABOUT A LIQUIDATED DAMAGES SECTION? THERE YOU GO.
[01:50:01]
WHICH ONE DEALS WITH THE APPEAL PROCESS? YES, SIR.THE, I READ THE APPEAL PROCESS AS THE, THE, UH, FIRE CHIEF AND THE, UH, PERSONS IN CHARGE OF THE AMBULANCE SERVICE.
AND THE FIRE CHIEFS IS THE ONE THAT MAKES THE DETERMINATION.
AND THEY SAID IF THERE'S NOT AGREEMENT THERE, THEN IT GOES TO THE CITY MANAGER AND THE CITY MANAGER HAS THE FINAL SAY.
NOW THAT ONE I THINK NEEDS TO BE CHANGED BECAUSE THE AMBULANCE SERVICE CONTRACT IS APPROVED BY COUNCIL.
AND THE AMBULANCE SERVICE SUPERVISOR DOES NOT WORK FOR THE CITY MANAGER
SO THEREFORE HE NEEDS TO HAVE AN APPEAL THAT COMES AWAY FROM THE CITY AND STAFF.
AND THAT SHOULD BE THE COUNCIL.
SO IF THE CITY MANAGER, THE, THE, UH, FIRE CHIEF AND THE PERSON IN CHARGE OF THE AMBULANCE SERVICE CAN'T RESOLVE THE ISSUE, I THINK THE APPEAL PROCESS SHOULD BE THE COUNCIL.
WE UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
UM, SO FAR AS LIQUIDATED DAMAGES, BRINGING BOTH PARTIES TO THE TABLE, TRYING TO HASH IT OUT BEFORE WE GET THERE.
'CAUSE THE GOAL IS NOT TO, UH, PUT DAMAGES ON.
IT'S NOT THE, THAT'S NOT THE GOAL.
THE GOAL IS TO WORK ALONGSIDE OF THEM.
SO IF YOU'RE SAYING PUT THOSE, UM, THE APPELLATE PROCESS, THE APPELLATE PROCESS BACK ON THE CITY COUNCIL.
I DON'T HAVE A, I THINK THE PROCESS IS GOOD.
BUT I THINK IF, IF THE PERSON OF THIS OVER THE AMBULANCE SERVICE AND OUR PERSON, WHICH IS THE CITY MANAGER, IF, IF THEY CANNOT AGREE ON THE LIQUIDATION, THEN IT SHOULD BE THE COUNCIL.
THAT'S WHAT SHE 'CAUSE THE COUNCIL HIRES THE AMBULANCE SERVICE.
SO WHATEVER THE FIRE CHIEF AND THE MANAGER TELLS THE AMBULANCE SERVICE, THAT'S FINE.
AND IF THE AMBULANCE SERVICE PERSON DOES NOT AGREE WITH THE FIRE CHIEF OR THE CITY MANAGER, THEN THEY SHOULD HAVE AN APPEAL PROCESS THAT GETS THEM OUT OF THAT AND THAT APPEAL PROCESS.
THE FINAL, IF IT CANNOT BE RESOLVED, THE FINAL DETERMINATION SHOULD BE THE CITY COUNCIL COUNCIL.
I THINK THAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED BECAUSE APPEAL PROCESS HAS TO BE SOMETHING WHEREBY IT COMES TO A PERSON THAT IS NOT PARTICULARLY INVOLVED.
YOUR FIRE CHIEF WORKS FOR THE CITY MANAGERS.
AND YOUR CITY MANAGER, HE RUNS A CITY FOR US.
BUT WHEN IT COME TO HIRING THE AMBULANCE SERVICE, NOW WE TALK ABOUT THEIR SUPERVISOR, THE MANAGER AND FIRE CHIEF DOES NOT APPROVE THEIR CONTRACTS THE CITY COUNCIL DOES.
SO, YOU KNOW, THAT WON'T CHANGE YOUR PROCESS.
IT'S JUST THAT IT MAKES THE APPEAL PROCESS ONE THAT IS MORE FAIR TO THE PERSON THAT WE GIVE A CONTRACT TO IN OUR CITY.
UM, I JUST PAT PAUL COUNSEL SPEAK FIRST.
JUST, JUST, JUST, JUST, JUST A MINUTE.
WERE YOU GOING TO ANSWER WHAT HE WAS SAYING? BECAUSE YES, I GONNA GIVE US A CHANCE TO ANSWER OR GO RIGHT AHEAD.
I, I WANT TO ADDRESS COUNCILMAN D UH, DOE'S COMMENT COUNCILMAN DEUCE, WOULD IT PERHAPS BE MORE DESIRABLE TO CREATE A APPELLATE BOARD, KINDA LIKE WE HAVE FOR, FOR ZONING TO WHERE THEY COULD APPEAL BEFORE AN APPOINTED, UM, BOARD? WELL, WELL CHIEF, I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT WHAT WE JUST DOING NOW, WE JUST, UH, CREATING A BOARD.
I THINK THAT IS NOT NECESSARY BECAUSE I FEEL THAT YOU AND THE CITY MANAGER AND THE PERSON IN THE FIRE, I MEAN OVER THE EMS SERVICE, I FIGURE THAT YOU ALL GONNA BE ABLE TO RESOLVE ANY, WE CAN, WE CAN RESOLVE ISSUES.
BUT JUST IN THE EVENT THERE'S SOMETHING THAT THERE'S A DISPUTE ABOUT, THEN I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT TO THE COUNCIL.
SO WE DON'T NEED TO GET A BOARD INVOLVED AND Y'ALL HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE BOARD.
YOU KNOW, WE LEAVE THE SYSTEM IN PLACE.
IT'S JUST THAT APPELLATE WHEN WE TALKING ABOUT APPELLATE AUTHORITY.
THE FINAL DECISION SHOULD RESCUE, EXCUSE ME.
[01:55:01]
ON THIS, WE DOING SOMETHING EARLIER.THIS MIGHT NEED TO BE DONE IN A WORKSHOP AND YOU ALL COULD DISCUSS IT.
'CAUSE NOW COUNCIL, OTHER COUNCIL, HE'S GIVING HIS OPINION.
ANOTHER COUNCIL MEMBER MAY HAVE ANOTHER TYPE OF OPINION AND SOMEONE ELSE MAY HAVE ANOTHER TYPE OF OPINION.
THEN I THINK SOMEONE FROM THE AMBULANCE SERVICE WANTS TO SPEAK.
I'M LET ALL THE COUNCIL SPEAK FIRST.
'CAUSE RIGHT NOW THE REASON WHY I AM SUGGESTING INSTEAD OF MANAGER MAKE THIS DECIDE WE CAN JUST MAYBE VACATE THIS FOR, FOR NOW AND MOVE AND HAVE A WORKSHOP SESSION BECAUSE I CAN SEE THIS IS GOING, UH, UH, A LOT DEEPER PROBABLY THAN IT WAS ANTICIPATED.
WELL, IF, IF THIS IS THE ONLY, LET'S HEAR FROM THE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS.
AND THEN IF THERE ARE A LEASE, IS THERE SHORT LIST WE COULD LOOK AT IT AND THEN, YOU KNOW, RIGHT.
COUNCILMAN LEWIS? THOSE WOULD BE AMENDMENTS.
SO COUNCILMAN ER KIND OF TOUCHED ON IT, BUT YOU KIND OF COMMENTED, LIQUIDATED DAMAGES, EXPLAIN THAT TO THE PUBLIC.
LIQUIDATED DAMAGE TO THE AVERAGE CITIZEN IS BANKRUPTCY AND YOU DIVIDING UP THE SPOILS OR WHAT IF THERE'S ANYTHING LEFT, BUT IN THIS CASE, LIQUIDATED DAMAGES IS FOR VIOLATING THE POLICY OR RULE OR SOMETHING.
UM, SO THE CURRENTLY THE CITY ORDINANCE AND ALSO THIS, LIKE I SAID, HASN'T BEEN CHANGED IN THIS EITHER.
UM, YOU, LIKE I SAID, WE CAPTURE THREE THINGS.
THE TURNOUT TIME, THAT'S FROM THE TIME WE RECEIVE THE CALL TO THE TIME THE UNIT GOES EN ROUTE.
THEN WE ALSO CAPTURE FROM THE TIME THE UNIT GOES EN ROUTE TO THE TIME THE UNIT WAS ON SCENE.
THEN OVERALL WE CAPTURE THAT ENTIRE TIME WHAT WE CALLED A, AN ENTIRE CALL.
ALL THREE OF THOSE YOU CAN ASSESS, I GUESS YOU WOULD SAY FINES.
UM, WE TITLED LIQUIDATE DAMAGES.
I, I LEFT THAT THE SAME AS IT AS IT WAS CURRENTLY, CURRENTLY IS.
BUT IT'S BASICALLY A FINE, YOU HAVE TO BE AT 90%, UM, 90% OF EACH ONE OF THOSE.
AND OVERALL, AND IT, IT IS ACTUALLY SPELLED OUT IN THE, IN THE ORDINANCE AS WELL.
ONE IS, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT.
BUT WITH AVERAGE CITIZEN READ IT, THEY SEE SOMETHING ELSE.
SO LET'S TAKE LIQUIDATED DAMAGES IS AMIL TO, TO THE PUBLIC.
SO LET'S PUT IT IN PLAIN SO ENGLISH, SO, OR PLAIN LANGUAGE.
SO AVERAGE CITIZEN PICK IT UP, THEY KNOW IT'S A FINE.
SO GET RID OF THE LIQUIDATED DAMAGES IF YOU DON'T MIND.
YEAH, WE CAN, I CAN GET WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY AND GET THAT LEGAL TERMINOLOGY RIGHT? YES SIR.
UM, I DO HAVE MORE QUESTIONS AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS, BUT THIS TODAY ISN'T THAT, UM, PROPER SETTING FOR IT.
BUT I WILL GIVE YOU MY SHORT LIST OF THINGS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS, UM, AT ANOTHER TIME WITH YOU ALL.
AND IT'S REGARDING THE NUMBER OF, UM, THE NUMBER OF BUSES THAT ARE ASSIGNED TO OUR POPULATION.
AND I WOULD ALSO WANT TO DISCUSS, UM, I ACTUALLY HAD POSSIBLE LIQUID DATE OF DAMAGES ON MY LIST.
SO WE'VE, I THINK WE'VE HASH THAT ENOUGH ALREADY.
UM, I ALSO WANT TO KNOW FROM THE, THE PSAP, THE TIME EXTENDING IT FROM THE 60 TO 80 SECONDS NOW WHEN THE, AT THE TIME THAT THE AMBULANCE PROVIDER ACTUALLY RECEIVES THE CALL.
AND OF COURSE OUR DISPATCH FIRST IS DETERMINING IF IT'S AN ACTUAL EMS, UM, IF EMS IS IS REQUIRED, BUT IN THE MEANTIME, YOU GUYS ARE, ARE MEANING THE FD IS ALREADY, YOU KNOW, EN ROUTE.
THIS MAY NOT TO, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT TODAY IS THE TIME FOR AND DEATH OF THIS PART OF THE CONVERSATION, BUT I WANT TO, TO TALK ABOUT WHAT A, UM, QUICK RESPONSE VEHICLE COULD BE.
UM, HOW MUCH IT COULD HELP IN THAT PROCESS.
WE ARE WORKING ON PRESERVING AND REPAIRING OUR ROADS.
SO GOD FORBID SOMEONE CALLS BECAUSE THEY HAVE A HANGNAIL AND THEIR TOW IS HURTING.
OR I DROP THE COFFEE CUP ON MY TOE.
THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE OUR HUGE FIRE TRUCKS TO BE DRIVEN DOWN THE STREET.
BUT THOSE ARE THINGS THAT I FEEL LIKE WE NEED TO, UM, INCLUDE IN THESE TYPES OF CONTRACTS TO HELP US BETTER, UM, STRATEGICALLY PLAN FOR THE, THE BIG PICTURE AND NOT JUST TAKE THIS AS AN IDOLIZED, UM, CONTRACT, BUT SEE WHAT WE CAN INCLUDE IN THESE TYPES OF CONTRACTS THAT WILL HELP US IN OTHER SECTIONS AS WELL.
WE ARE LOOKING AT QVS FOR LOW LIQUIDITY CALLS.
THAT IS GONNA BE, WE ARE WORKING TO WORKING TOWARDS
[02:00:01]
THAT.SO I GUESS THE QUESTION IS, I'VE ALWAYS BEEN TAUGHT JESUS IS LONG SUFFERING.
THEN THE QUESTION BECOMES HOW LONG IS YOUR LOAN? SO HOW LONG IS GONNA BE OUR LONG TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ADDRESS, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THESE ISSUES? AND I KNOW IT'S NOT ON Y'ALL.
I'M NOT, WE ADDRESS, WE'LL BE ADDRESSING THAT DURING NOT ON THE BUDGET PROCESS.
WE, BEFORE WE, WE COMPLETE THIS, THIS ORDINANCE IS ALL I'M SAYING.
WE, THAT'S MY REQUEST REQUEST.
WE KINDA ON ADDRESSING THAT DURING A BUDGET PROCESS.
UM, AND THEN I NEED A CLEAR EXPLANATION OF WHAT GRANDFATHERED IN, UM, HOW FAR THAT EXTENDS BECAUSE WE'LL BE UPDATING OUR ORDINANCE.
I TRULY UNDERSTAND THAT THEIR CONTRACT WAS IMPLEMENTED UNDER A DIFFERENT ORDINANCE.
AND, UM, HOW WILL WE BE HOLDING THE CURRENT CONTRACTOR ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE NEW RULES THAT WE'VE SET IN PLACE? YES MA'AM.
SO, UM, CURRENTLY WE HAVE THREE DOCUMENTS THAT WOULD, THAT THE UH, EMS FALLS UNDER.
WE HAVE THE CITY ORDINANCE, WHICH THAT'S A DOCUMENT THAT WE OWN.
THEN YOU HAVE A FRO AGREEMENT THAT HOLDS THEM TO A CERTAIN STANDARD AS WELL THROUGH DISHES.
THAT'S A DOCUMENT BETWEEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE, THE EMS. THEN WE ALSO HAVE A CONTRACT.
THE CONTRACT IS BETWEEN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AND BIKING ENTERPRISES CURRENTLY.
SO US GETTING THIS ORDINANCE IS ONLY TO GET THAT SET UP.
SO WHEN WE DO GO OUT FOR RFQ OR WHATEVER THAT IS, TO GET OUR NEXT SERVICE OR TO HAVE THEM RENEW THEIR CURRENT CONTRACTOR, WHATEVER THAT LOOKS LIKE WILL BE SOUND THIS WAY AND HAVE ALL THE OTHER DOCUMENTS FLOW.
CURRENTLY WE HAVE THREE DOCUMENTS AND THEY ALL KIND OF HAVE DIFFERENT LANGUAGE AND DIFFERENT UH, GO BYS.
SO WE JUST TRYING TO GET EVERYTHING LINED UP TO MAKE IT MORE EFFICIENT, NOT ONLY FOR US, BUT MORE EFFICIENT FOR THEM.
'CAUSE WE'RE NOT TRYING TO KICK THEM OUT.
WE'RE NOT TRYING TO GET RID OF 'EM.
IT'S JUST TO BE MORE EFFICIENT AND TO PROVIDE A BETTER SERVICE TO OUR CITIZENS.
THAT'S OUR ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO HAVE THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF CARE TO OUR CITIZENS.
UM, SO THE, THIS DOCUMENT WAS NEVER DESIGNED TO PUSH THEM OUT OR TO CHANGE.
IT WAS ONLY TO GET US READY FOR GETTING BETTER, GETTING BETTER AND ALSO BEING ABLE TO ACCOUNT FOR US GOING FORWARD AS WELL AS HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE AS WELL AS, AS WELL AS OURSELF.
IT'S BASICALLY GONNA LINE ALL THE DOCUMENTS UP TOGETHER IS THE IDEAL.
THAT'S GOOD TO, TO STREAMLINE AND, AND I HOPE I DIDN'T OFFER THAT OF INTENT TO SAY FIRE AND SEE THE AMBULANCE, BUT I MEAN HOLD ACCOUNTABLE TO WHOMEVER IS IN THAT.
YOU HAVE SOMETHING ELSE Y'ALL? YES.
I, I GOT MY LAST QUESTION THAT I WANT TO ASK.
AND IT WAS IN REFERENCE TO THE TURNOUT TIME.
AND I UNDERSTOOD YOU VERY WELL.
SO WHEN YOU TAKING THE 22ND, UH, THAT YOU DETERMINE WHETHER YOU'RE GOING TO SHOOT IT DOWN OR WHETHER YOU ARE HOLDING IT THERE.
SO 22ND IS IS A TIME THAT YOU KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DECIPHER THROUGH THAT BECAUSE WHEN YOU, LIKE YOU SAID, THE TIME'S GOING TO START ROLLING WHEN YOU GET IT.
WHAT IF YOU TAKE 25 SECONDS? SO, SO CURRENTLY, UM, THE, THE NUMBER OF TIME DOESN'T MATTER BECAUSE THE, THE PSAP THIS TIME STARTS WHEN ALL PSAP RECEIVES THE CALL.
WE'RE ONLY TRYING TO GIVE THEM EXTRA TIME THERE.
THERE'S NO DATA THAT SHOWS, UH, 'CAUSE IT DEPENDS ON WHAT THE KIND TYPE OF CALL IT IS.
IF IT'S A HIGH PRIORITY EMS CALL, OUR DISPATCH MAY HOLD THAT CALL TO GET MORE INFORMATION.
THE IDEAL IS TO ROLL THAT CALL AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.
BUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ALSO DOESN'T OWN THAT SIDE OF THE, UH, PSAP AS WELL.
SO THE IDEAL IS TO GIVE THEM MORE TIME TO MAKE SURE OUR DISPATCH IS DOING EFFICIENT FOR US AS WELL AS ROLLING THAT CALL TO THEM.
THE QUESTION IS WHEN YOU START PUTTING THE TIME IN THE SECTION MM-HMM
YOU, YOU SURE THAT THE 20 SECONDS IS GOOD? BECAUSE AS YOU STATED EARLIER, AND I'M FOLLOWING WHAT YOU STATED.
IT SAYS INITIALLY UNDER 62ND, BUT YOU ALL FOUND OUT THAT WHEN YOU ALL GET THE CALL, YOU ALL HAVE TO GO THROUGH Y'ALL PROCESS AND YOU SAYS IT, IT COULD TAKE UP TO 20 SECONDS AND BEFORE WE GET IT TO THEM AND THEY ROLL.
SO TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF TIME IN ORDER TO REACT.
SO MY ONLY QUESTION IS IT'S GONNA TAKE 20 SECONDS IS GONNA BE DONE.
YOU ALL CAN DO IT IN 20 SECONDS.
THAT'S MY QUESTION BECAUSE YOU JUST TOLD ME ONCE AGAIN IT MAY BE 25.
I'M, I'M CONCERNED BECAUSE WHEN YOU PUT DOWN A NUMBER,
[02:05:01]
IT HAS TO BE ONE THAT YOU CAN EVALUATE PERFORMANCE FROM THAT.AND I THINK THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT.
IF YOU'RE GONNA TELL THEM ONCE WE GET THE CALL, YOU GOTTA BE GONE IN 90 SECONDS.
WELL, IF YOU TOOK 70, UH, 25 SECONDS, YOU'RE GETTING IN THE DAY TIME IN THE 90 SECONDS.
SO I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WHEN YOU DO THIS FINAL, THAT WE ARE WITHIN THE TIMEFRAME AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS TIMEFRAME THAT WE HAVE IN HERE IS ALL IS NOT JUST ON THE AMBULANCE SERVICE.
THOSE ARE NOT, THOSE ARE NOT OUR TIMES.
THOSE ARE TIMES ON NATIONAL STANDARDS OR NP STANDARDS, OKAY'S NOT OUR TIMES.
THEN WELL, EVEN IF IT'S NATIONAL STANDARD.
THE WAY YOU EXPLAIN IT TO ME MM-HMM
YOU INVOLVED WITH A, WITH A TIMEFRAME.
SO YOU HAVE TO HAVE ABSOLUTELY SOMETHING ON YOUR BACK.
EVEN IF YOU SAY NATIONAL, YOU SAY NATIONAL, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT FROM THE TIME IT COMES IN UNTIL THAT DI TELL OUT AN AMBULANCE GET THE CALL.
SO IF IT'S 80 SECONDS, THEN YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND ALSO THAT YOU INCLUDED IN THE TIMEFRAME.
I JUST WANNA, YOU SEE, WHEN WE DISCUSS THESE THINGS, PEOPLE ARE NOT THOROUGH.
BUT WHEN SOMETHING COMES UP, THEN WE WANT TO START TALKING.
NOW I WANNA MAKE SURE I HAVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT I WANT TO VOTE ON.
AND, UH, MAYOR, THIS, THIS IS ONLY ONE SECTION OF THIS CONTRACT.
I MEAN THIS IS NOT THE WHOLE CONTRACT, IT'S JUST ONE SECTION THAT WE DELIBERATE ON TODAY.
AND THERE'S ONLY DEALING WITH THOSE CHANGES THAT THEY PROPOSED AND THE CHANGES THEY PROPOSED.
I UNDERSTOOD ALL OF THEM AND I I KNOW WHY.
IT'S JUST THE POINT THAT I'M TALK ABOUT THE PATE PORTION.
OTHER THAN THAT HE'S EXPLAINED EVERYTHING.
THE PATE PROPORTION IS SOMETHING THAT I, THAT I THINK COUNCIL NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND AND WE NEED TO MAKE A DECISION ON THAT, ON ACCEPTING THIS, AMENDING IT TO DO THE APPELLATE.
NOW SOMEBODY JUST HAVE TO CONVINCE ME THAT WE SHOULD LEAVE THE APPELLATE OUTSIDE OF COUNCIL WITH THIS 'CAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO APPROVE THESE CONTRACTS.
AND WHENEVER THERE'S A DISPUTE, THEN WE SHOULD BE THE APPROVING AUTHORITY.
IF IT CANNOT BE WORKED OUT, IF WE ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS, THAT WHILE WE APPROVING THE AMBULANCE CONTRACT, OKAY.
'CAUSE WE HIRED THEM TO WORK IN THE CITY.
IT'S NOT A STAFF OR CITY MANAGER'S RESPONSIBILITY.
SO THAT FINAL AUTHORITY, WE JUST NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T GET CAUGHT UP WITH US NOT BEING IN THINK THE WAY THIS HAPPENED, WHAT WE APPROVE, WE SHOULD HAVE FINAL SAY.
IF WE APPROVE IT, THE COUNCIL SHOULD HAVE FINAL SAY.
IF, IF WE DIDN'T APPROVE WHO COMES INTO THE CITY, THEN THIS MANAGER AND STAFF THE CITY.
BUT WHENEVER YOU, YOU COME TO US AND WE HAVE TO SAY YES, WE GONNA DO THEM, IT IS LIKE AN AN APPOINTEE AND WE GONNA GO BACK AND LOOK AT THAT ONE.
BUT WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR AND WHO WE HIRED.
THAT'S THE ONLY THING I THINK NEEDS TO BE CHANGED.
IN ORDER FOR ME TO SUPPORT THE CHANGE TO THESE SECTION, ALL OF IT IS PRETTY MUCH SIMPLE.
THAT'S THE ONLY THING THAT I SAW.
AND YOU ALL BOTH RESPONDED, MAYOR, THEY, THEY RESPOND WITH, THEY HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THAT.
SO I DON'T SEE WHY WE CAN'T AMEND JUST THAT SECTION TO SAY THAT THE, UH, COUNCIL WILL BE THE FINAL APPROVING AUTHORITY.
IF IT CANNOT BE RESOLVED FROM MANAGER, CHIEF, AND FIRE AN EMERGENCY SUPERVISOR, THEN I THINK IT SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO THE COUNCIL.
YOU AGREE WITH THAT? UH, THIS, THIS, THIS YOUR DOCUMENT.
I CAN CHANGE IT HOW YOU WANT TO.
UM, I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
NO, I'M, I'M, I'M ASKING YOU BECAUSE I MADE A STATEMENT.
I DON'T HAVE A, I DON'T PROPOSE THAT.
NO, I ALL, AND IF COUNCIL MEMBERS FEEL IT, THAT COUNCIL SHOULD NOT BE THE PROVEN AUTHORITY.
SO I DO WANNA CLEAR SOMETHING.
SO YOU WANT TO DO THE LIQUIDATED DAMAGE, THE SAME, UH, WAY WE DID IT.
UH, WELL NOW WE'RE GONNA BRING THE, THE CHIEF AND THAT PERSON, EMS PROVIDER TOGETHER, DO THAT PROCESS.
AND LET'S SAY THE FIRE CHIEF DECIDES TO MOVE FORWARD, LIQUIDATED DAMAGES, HE MOVES FORWARD, THEN THE APPELLATE PROCESS GOES TO THE CITY COUNCIL STATE.
NO, WHAT I'M SAYING IS JUST LIKE YOU HAVE IT WRITTEN MM-HMM
HE GOES TO THE FIRE CHIEF AND THE FIRE CHIEF AND HE DON'T AGREE.
THEN YOU HAVE IT WRITTEN RIGHT
[02:10:01]
NOW THAT IT GOES TO THE CITY MANAGER.AND YOUR SAY THE CITY MANAGER WILL THEN MAKE A DECISION.
I'M SAYING IT SHOULD BE, THEY GO TO THE FIRE CHIEF.
THE FIRE CHIEF AND HIM GO TO THE MANAGER.
BUT IF THAT CAN'T BE RESOLVED, THEN ADD, ADD THE CITY COUNCIL AS THE OVERALL FINAL APPROVAL.
SCRATCH CITY MAN, PUT COUNCIL AND I'LL MAKE THAT AMENDMENT OKAY TO THIS ORDINANCE RIGHT NOW AND WE CAN APPROVE IT.
LET, LET'S, LET'S MOVE AHEAD WITH IT.
YOU WRITE THOSE LAWS, IT DOESN'T WORK FOR YOU.
AFTER IT'S BEEN IMPLEMENTED, YOU CHANGE IT AGAIN.
LET'S MOVE, MAKE THE COUNCIL THE FINAL OPINION AND LET'S MOVE ON.
SO, UH, I'LL, I'LL RECOMMEND, LIKE, I HAVE A, I HAVE A QUE A QUESTION FIRST.
WE HAVE TO, WE HAVE A MOTION TO PUT ON THE BOARD.
I'M GONNA PUT THE MO JUST MINUTE.
WAIT, LET ME JUST, Y'ALL LET ME CONDUCT THE MEETING.
FOR THE, UM, WHEN IN YOUR RESPONSE, WE DIDN'T ADDRESS THE NUMBER OF BUSES, AND MY CONCERN IS ABOUT CATASTROPHES, MASS CASUALTIES, THAT CAN HAPPEN WHETHER WE HAVE A BRIDGE COLLAPSE, A, A, A PUBLIC SHOOTING, WHATEVER THE SITUATION IS.
I WANT TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE A COMMITMENT OF THE NUMBER OF, OF STAFF THAT OUR AMBULANCE SERVICE IS PROVIDING TO US WITHIN OUR CITY LIMITS.
SO, UM, ANYTIME THERE'S A DISASTER, UH, THE, THE MAYOR MAKES THAT DECISION, UH, DECLARES IT A DISASTER, WE CAN BRING IN WHATEVER SERVICE WE WANT TO.
THAT'S UNDER THE FRO AGREEMENT.
THAT, THAT'S, THAT'S SEPARATE FROM THE CITY OR THAT, THAT'S, THAT'S THE OTHER DOCUMENT I WAS TELLING YOU ABOUT.
I'M, I'M CLEAR ON THAT, BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M, WHAT I ASKED WHAT I WAS ASKING FOR.
SO ALREADY THIS YEAR IN THE CITY, WE'VE HAD TWO MASS CASUALTY INCIDENTS.
THE, THE BUS ACCIDENT ON HIGHWAY 73.
AND, UM, AND ANOTHER ONE AND CITY AM IS ABLE TO PROVIDE, UM, ADEQUATE SERVICE FOR, UM, 50 OR MORE PEOPLE.
UM, BUT OUR RESOURCES, WHICH WE CAN REACH OUT TO, UM, SET TRACK, UM, OTHER, OTHER AGENCIES THAT CAN BRING IN ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AT THAT TIME WITHIN THE HOUR OF AN ACTUAL MCI, WE CAN DO THAT.
SO WITH ALL OF US WORKING TOGETHER, A MINIMUM OF FOUR AMBULANCES WITH SAY ONE AS A BACKUP FOR A PRIVATE ENTITY IS FOR A CITY OF OUR SIZE WITH THE CALL VOLUME AND THE NUMBER OF CITIZENS IS MORE THAN ADEQUATE FOR TO PROVIDE EMS SERVICE FOR THE WHOLE CITY FOR OUR CITIZENS.
WE COULD HAVE A SITUATION AT A FOOTBALL GAME WITH THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THERE AND THREE OTHER PEOPLE HAVING, YOU KNOW, COULD HAVE A HEART ATTACK.
AND THEN WHAT, THEN WE HAVE TO CALL OUT FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICES FOR THOSE TYPES OF ROUTINE CALLS.
SO, SO THAT FOUR PROVIDES US BASED ON THE DATA, BASED ON OUR NUMBER, BASED ON THE NUMBER OF CALL, I'LL CALL VOLUME.
CURRENTLY, LIKE I SAY, WE'RE MAKING ROUGHLY 1200 TO 1500 CALLS, THEREFORE, UH, EMS UNITS, IF THEY'RE AVAILABLE, THAT WOULD, THAT DOES PROVIDE US THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENT WE NEED.
IF WE ARE GOING STRICTLY BY THE DATA.
BUT YOU JUST TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NO WAY FOR YOU TO HAVE ADEQUATE DATA VERIFICATION.
THAT'S, THAT WAS WHEN I SAID THAT I WAS IN REFERENCE TO ANOTHER SITUATION.
FOR THE COVERAGE WE HAVE FOR THE CITY.
FOR THE CALL VOLUME, WE HAVE FOR EMS UNITS, FOUR BOXES AVAILABLE IF SUFFICE.
EVEN IF WE WAS TO OWN OUR OWN EMS, WE WOULD STILL PROBABLY OPERATE WITH THAT SAME NUMBER.
NOW, IF YOU ASKING IF SOMETHING CRAZY CATASTROPHE HAPPENS, I DON'T KNOW IF ANY PROVIDER, EVEN IF WE HAD OUR OWN, WE COULD MOBILIZE THAT WITHOUT BRINGING IN OUTSIDE RESOURCES, BEING ON THE UNIFIED COMMAND AND WE DOING A UNIFIED COMMAND, BRINGING OTHER RESOURCES IN ANYBODY, NO MATTER IF YOU CITY WHATEVER AMBULANCE SERVICE IT IS, IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO MOBILIZE OTHER RESOURCES TO BRING IN FOR THAT.
BECAUSE THAT'S JUST NOT OUT, THAT'S OUT OF THE NORM.
THAT'S NOT SOMETHING WE HAPPEN EVERY DAY.
SO IF WE REQUIRE THEM AS A CITY TO HAVE SIX OR SEVEN UNITS WHEN THE MINIMUM IS FOUR, THAT THAT'S A DECISION FOR A COUNCIL.
BUT WE DON'T, THE NUMBER, THE DATA JUST DON'T SHOW THAT.
NOW, IF YOU ASK ME WHEN SOMETHING SPIKES, YES MA'AM, I CAN, I CAN BE OPENLY SPEAKING LIKE, OKAY, WE NEED MORE, BUT THAT'S NOT AN EVERYDAY OR EVERYDAY OCCURRENCE.
WE'RE JUST TALKING ABOUT THE MINIMUM STAFFING FOR OUR DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS.
UM, THE A HUNDRED, THE 1500 CALLS, THE 1200 CALLS WE'RE MAKING, UM, A A MONTH.
UM, MOST OF THOSE CALLS ARE LOW LIQUIDITY CALLS.
THEY'RE WE JUST ASSISTING PEOPLE OFF THE GROUND, MOVING 'EM OFF THE BED.
[02:15:01]
DON'T HAVE THIS HIGH CALL VOLUME.WE HAVING ALL THIS TRAUMA GOING ON.
IT'S JUST THAT WHEN WE DO HAVE TRAUMA, IT IS MAGNIFIED.
WE'RE NOT, THE DATA DOES NOT SHOW THAT WE'RE HAVING THAT HIGH OF A CALL VOLUME THAT IS HIGH ACUTE LIQUIDITY CAUSE OKAY.
UM, WHEN, BACK TO THE DATE OF VERIFICATION, WHEN CITY AMBULANCE PROVIDED PRESENTATION TO US BEFORE MM-HMM
THEY SAID THAT, UM, IT WAS REAL TIME DATA THAT HAD, I SAY SATELLITES, NOT SATELLITES, UM, SOME TYPE OF EQUIPMENT IN EACH OF THEIR BUSES TO BE ABLE TO GIVE US RIGHT NOW DATA, YOU CAN LOG INTO A SYSTEM AND SEE WHERE THEY ARE, HOW LONG THEY'VE BEEN ON A CALL.
IS THAT TRUE? IS THAT ACTIVE? AND HAVE YOU BEEN RECEIVING THAT DATA? SO HAS SOMEONE ON OUR SIDE BEEN ABLE TO LOG IN AND SEE IT? NO.
WHY NOT THAT THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THEY PROVIDE TO US.
UM, THEY, THEY MAY HAVE THAT EQUIPMENT.
I'M NOT SAYING THEY DON'T, I DON'T, I DON'T KNOW THAT ANSWER, BUT CURRENTLY THEY DON'T HAVE TO PROVIDE US WITH THAT.
NOW, I'M SURE IF YOU WANT, IF YOU ASKING ME TO REACH OUT TO THEM TO, UH, ACQUIRE THAT INFORMATION, ABSOLUTELY I WILL.
BUT CURRENTLY THEY DON'T HAVE TO PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION.
WELL, I'M, I'M ONLY ASKING BECAUSE THEY SAID THAT'S WHAT THEY WERE OFFERING.
THEY MAY OFFER THAT, BUT THEY'VE NEVER TALKED WITH ME ABOUT THAT.
WILL YOU PLEASE, BUT I I'M OPEN TO REACH OUT.
I'LL REACH OUT TO THEM ABOUT THAT.
CAN YOU WRITE IT DOWN FOR ME? WE'LL, WE'LL REACH OUT TO THEM ABOUT THAT.
AND WE'LL SEND IT TO THE CITY MANAGER VIA EMAIL AND HE CAN GET IT TO YOU.
DID YOU HAVE, YOU HAVE SOMETHING ELSE? COUNCIL, WE HAD A MOTION.
DID YOU NEED TO SPEAK, UH, SO BEFORE WE YEAH, GO.
THANK, INTRODUCE YOURSELF FIRST.
MAYOR, IF YOU DON'T MIND, JUST, JUST A MINUTE.
I'M THE VICE PRESIDENT OF CITY AMBULANCE SERVICE.
UM, SO TO ANSWER THAT LAST QUESTION, UM, MS. HAMILTON, UM, ONE OF THE THING IS THE PREVIOUS FIRE CHIEF DID HAVE FULL ACCESS TO OUR GPS.
NO ONE FROM THE, UH, NEW ADMINISTRATION HAS REQUESTED THAT WE ABSOLUTELY WILL OFFER THAT.
UM, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY THAT I BELIEVE, UM, THERE ARE SOME VERBIAGE, UH, USAGE IN THIS PROPOSAL, UH, CURRENTLY THAT IF WE COULD DO A WORK GROUP, UM, I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF PROCESSES, UH, THAT OVER THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF OF US BEING IN PORT ARTHUR, UH, WE CAN IMPROVE ON, UH, TO ADDRESS THE TURNOUT TIME, UM, THAT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED.
UH, NFPA, UH, DOES ACKNOWLEDGE, UH, THE 80 SECONDS, AND THAT IS FROM THE TIME IN WHICH THE UNIT IS DISPATCHED, UH, TO THE TIME WHICH THE WHEELS ARE TURNING.
UM, AND I, I KNOW THAT, UH, MS. HAMILTON, TO DISCUSS YOUR QRV, THAT MODEL IS, UH, POSSIBLE.
IT'S POSSIBLE, UH, IT IS PREVALENTLY USED AND, AND, UH, DUAL AGENCY, UH, RESPONSE AREAS.
AND I'D LOVE TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH YOU AS WELL.
UH, AND I BELIEVE THAT SOME OF THE VERBIAGE IN THIS ORDINANCE IS SOMETHING THAT, UH, WE COULD ABSOLUTELY, UH, SIT DOWN DURING A WORK GROUP AND HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT.
'CAUSE THERE ARE SOME AREAS THAT I BELIEVE WE COULD BETTER, UM, ADDRESS, UH, BECAUSE IT SOUNDS LIKE WE'RE GOING DOWN A ROAD OF MINIMUM UNITS VERSUS RESPONSE TIMES.
AND I JUST, UH, WANTED TO, UH, LET YOU GUYS KNOW THAT CURRENTLY OUR MINIMUM STAFFING FOR PORT ARTHUR IS SIX UNITS.
UM, MOST DAYS WE HAVE MORE THAN THAT, BUT THAT IS OUR MINIMUM STAFFING.
UH, AND THEN THERE, UH, DEPUTY CHIEF, UH, MITCHELL DID SPEAK ABOUT THREE DIFFERENT AGREEMENTS.
THE FRO AGREEMENT, WHICH, UH, WE HAVE STATUTORY OVERSIGHT OVER THAT AGREEMENT, UM, AND THE ORDINANCE AND THE CONTRACT.
AND I WOULD LOVE TO SIT DOWN AND, AND DISCUSS ALL OF THESE DOCUMENTS BECAUSE I BELIEVE, YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN A YEAR AND A HALF AND I THINK, UH, IT IS TIME TO, UH, SIT DOWN AND HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS AS THE FRO AGREEMENT DOES EXPIRE, UH, IN NOVEMBER 1ST, I BELIEVE.
UM, AND THERE ARE SOME AREAS OF THE FRO AGREEMENT THAT I KNOW THERE IS DISCUSSION ABOUT A DESIRE TO CHANGE, UH, WHICH, UM, HAS TO ALSO BE IN LINE STATUTORILY WITH DISHES SINCE THE FRO IS RECOGNIZED BY DISHES.
UH, AND SO I'D LIKE TO PROVIDE SOME OF THOSE INSIGHTS AS A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT OF EMS, UM, AS WELL AS, UH, I AM ALSO AN ADVANCED EMERGENCY MEDICAL DISPATCHER.
SO ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO, UH, DISCUSS IS EXPLAIN THE PROCESS OF DISPATCHING AS AN EMD.
UH, CURRENTLY THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR'S PSAP DOES NOT HAVE A CERTIFIED EMERGENCY MEDICAL DISPATCHING.
[02:20:01]
THAT PROCESS IS IMPERATIVE AS WE'RE MAKING THESE CHANGES, UH, TO AN ORDINANCE, BECAUSE I BELIEVE WE HAVE TO SEE THE WHOLE PICTURE TO MAKE, UH, VERY FORWARD, UH, THINKING APPROACHES TO THIS.AND THEN ADDITIONALLY, UH, I'M ALWAYS AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS YOU DO HAVE, UH, MR. DOUCETTE.
UH, I AM A HUNDRED PERCENT IN SUPPORT OF THAT ADDITIONAL LAYER, UH, FOR AN APPEAL PROCESS.
I BELIEVE THAT MAKES THE, UH, CONTRACT MORE CLEAN.
UH, AND I BELIEVE IT PROVIDES, UH, OVERSIGHT AS THE CONTRACT IS AWARDED BY THE COUNCIL.
UH, OUTSIDE OF THAT, THOSE ARE KIND OF THE IMMEDIATE COMMENTS THAT I HAVE, AND I'M AVAILABLE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME.
UH, COUNCILMAN, UH, EVER YOU LIKE CAME BACK ON? YES.
THANK YOU, UM, ANDRE, FOR BRINGING THAT UP.
I DO WANT TO FURTHER DISCUSS THE, UM, OPPORTUNITY FOR EMDS.
AND EVEN IF THERE IS SOME TYPE OF PROGRAM THAT CAN BE IN SYNC WITH OUR, UM, POLICE DEPARTMENTS DISPATCH PROGRAM, I'M MORE THAN SURE THERE COULD BE SOME COMPANY THAT WOULD OFFER, UH, THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A, A TRIAL PERIOD, WHETHER THAT WAS, YOU KNOW, SIX MONTHS, NINE MONTHS, SO THAT WE WOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COLLECT REAL DATA TO KNOW IF IT WILL INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OR NOT.
YES, I AGREE WITH YOU, MS. HAMILTON AND I, AND I THINK IT REALLY COMES ABOUT COMING TO THE TABLE AND HAVING OPEN DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THESE HIGH LEVEL ISSUES AND REALLY INVOLVING AND BEING INVOLVED IN THE COUNCIL SO THAT YOU GUYS UNDERSTAND THESE DECISIONS.
'CAUSE THE DISPATCH CENTER IS QUITE A LARGE INVESTMENT, SO I DO APPRECIATE THAT.
AND YOU ALL HAVE ANYTHING ELSE? I, NOPE.
NOW, WHAT I DO HAVE IS JUST AN OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE UP THE ACTUAL ORDINANCE THAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT AT PO NUMBER 73 23.
I DON'T KNOW IF HE WOULD LIKE TO, BUT YOU HAD SOMETHING YOU WANTED TO DO ON THAT ORDINANCE AT THIS POINT.
COUNCILMAN DE SAID YES IN VIEW THE DISCUSSIONS AND THE COMMENTS MADE BY BOTH OUR, UH, FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE EMS, UH, I MEAN THE AMBULANCE SERVICE PROVIDER AND COUNSEL'S QUESTIONS.
I MOVE THAT, UH, WE REMOVE THIS ITEM FROM THE AGENDA AND SCHEDULE A WORKSHOP IN WHICH WE WILL HAVE THE, UH, FIRE CHIEF AND HIS STAFF ALONG WITH MR. RUBY AND THE AMBULANCE STAFF, UH, COME BEFORE US AND WE BRING UP, IT IS OBVIOUS, NOT THAT SECTION, BUT THERE'S OTHER THINGS WITHIN IT THAT'S COME UP.
SO, MR. COUNCIL, FRANK, MR. MAYOR, UM, MR. DEUCE, COULD I OFFER UP THAT WE WOULD MAKE AMENDMENTS, COULD WE GO AHEAD AND VOTE ON THIS AND THEN MAKE THE AMENDMENTS AND THEN, UH, MAKE THE AMENDMENTS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT AND THEN HAVE THE WORKSHOP TO, TO FULLY EXTEND IT, TO GO FORWARD, BUT TO APPROVE IT ON TODAY TO MAKE THE, UH, WITH THE AMENDMENTS THAT YOU MADE, UH, AS WELL, AND THEN GO FORWARD.
I'M WILLING TO DO THAT UNTIL THE, UH, THE, THE INDIVIDUAL, MR. RUBY, OVER THE AMBULANCE SERVICE SAID THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO BE INCLUDED SO THAT HE COULD MAKE SOME COMMENTS ON SOME OF THE CHANGES THAT WE ARE GONNA BE APPROVING.
SO I THINK THAT WILL SAVE US TIME, BECAUSE IF WE APPROVE THIS AND THEN WE DO A WORKSHOP AND WE, UH, FIND OUT THAT THROUGH A AGREEING BETWEEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEM THAT WE WON'T LEAVE THEM, THEY'RE BE IN PLAY.
BUT IF THEY DISAGREE, THEN WE'LL HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION.
THEY'LL MAKE A DECISION TO CHANGE SOMETHING, COME BACK AND CHANGE THIS AGAIN.
AND, UH, WELL, I THINK, I THINK, BUT ADDING, AND, AND THIS HERE, THE, THE FINAL, THE FINAL QUESTION THAT THIS WON'T CHANGE THAT BEFORE THE CONTRACT IS IN.
EVEN IF WE DID IT TODAY, IT WOULD NOT CHANGE ANYTHING UNTIL WE DO A NEW CONTRACT IN NOVEMBER.
SO WE CONDUCT, CONDUCT THIS WORKSHOP AND WE GO OVER THE WHOLE CONTRACT AND ANYTHING ELSE, LIKE WHAT COUNCILWOMAN AFIELD, THE QUESTION SHE ASKED AND NOT PERTAINS TO THIS, THIS SECTION, BUT SHE'S TALKING ABOUT THINGS THAT ARE INCORPORATED IN THE WHOLE CONTRACT.
SO, UH, IF WE'RE GONNA DO THAT, WE MIGHT AS WELL DO THE WORKSHOP SO THAT WE CAN APPROVE SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY PUT INTO PLACE AND COME NOVEMBER THE CONTRACT IS SIGNED WITHOUT DISCUSSION.
WELL, I GUESS THE ONLY THING THAT I'M CON, THE ONLY ISSUE THAT I I SEE IS IF SOMETHING HAPPENS IN THE INTERIM, IF SOMETHING HAPPENS, WE ARE STILL HELD
[02:25:01]
TO WHAT OUR, UM, ORDINANCE SAYS.BUT IF WE CHANGE IT, IT WON'T PERTAIN TO ANY US DOING ANYTHING BEFORE NOVEMBER WHEN WE DO THE NEW NEW CONTRACT, THEY'RE ASKING US TO, TO, TO AMEND THIS NOW.
BUT IT WON'T IMPACT ON THE AMBULANCE SERVICE UNTIL THEIR NEW CONTRACT COME UP.
BUT IT IS NOT GONNA CHANGE ANYTHING.
LET ME SHARE THIS WITH YOU AS WELL.
BUT AFTER NOVEMBER, THERE IS, AND WHEN YOU PUT OUT AN RFQ ON RFP, THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OTHER SERVICES TO APPLY.
ARE YOU GOING THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS AGAIN WHEN YOU HAVE FOUR AMBULANCE SERVICES? YOU SEE WHAT I'M SAYING? SO WHY DON'T YOU JUST DO THE AMENDMENT RIGHT NOW AND GET IT JUST THIS AMENDMENT AND GET IT TOGETHER WHEN THE RFP OR THE RFU IS COMPLETED, YOU CALL EVERYBODY TOGETHER.
YOU CALL EVERYBODY TOGETHER AND YOU TAKE THEIR COMMENTS AS ONE AND YOU AMEND IT.
YEAH, I THINK THAT'S A, BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT BE REINVENTING THE WHEEL.
I THINK THAT'S A BETTER THING TO DO.
WE GO, YOU, YOU, YOU HAD A VERY SOUND COUNCILMAN ETT, YOU HAD A VERY SOUND SUGGESTION.
YOU KNOW, LET'S MAKE THAT CHANGE.
WE PUT OUT THE RFQ, THEN WE GET EVERYBODY TOGETHER AFTER WE HAVE HEARD THE RESPONSE BECAUSE WE'VE GOT TO MOVE ON WITH THE AMENDMENTS OF THE OTHER DOCUMENTS.
THAT, I THINK THAT'S THE BEST WAY TO DO IT.
NOW, UH, YOU SEE WHAT I'M SAYING? BUT, BUT IF WE DID HAVE, WE HAD HIS PLACED MOTION THERE, WE DIDN'T GET A SECOND ON THAT MOTION.
SO NOW I WOULD LIKE TO, IF I'M READY, I, WELL, I JUST WANNA BE SURE, MR. JUST IF Y'ALL LET ME CHAIR THE MEETING.
[VIII.B.(1) P.O. No. 7323 – An Ordinance Amending Part II - Code Of Ordinances, Chapter 114 - Vehicles For Hire, Article II Emergency Medical Vehicle, Providing For Changes Relating To The Definitions, Operation, Licensing, And Enforcement Of Emergency Medical Vehicles Within The City Of Port Arthur; Providing For Severability; Providing For Liquidated Damages; And Providing For An Effective Date]
I WANT TO GET A MOTION TO ACCEPT PO NUMBER 73 23, THAT, THAT IS AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PART TWO CODE OF ORDINANCES, CHAPTER ONE 14 VEHICLES FOR HIRE.ARTICLE TWO, EMERGENCY MEDICAL VEHICLES PROVIDING FOR CHANGES RELATING TO THE DEFINITIONS, OPERATION, LICENSING AND ENFORCEMENT OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL VEHICLES WITHIN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, PROVIDING FOR LIQUIDATED DAMAGES, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MAY I GET A MOTION? COUNCILMAN FRANK? SO MOVED.
MAYOR, MAY I GET A SECOND? COUNCILMAN LEWIS? SECOND.
NOW WE'RE READY FOR QUESTIONS.
ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS? NO QUESTIONS.
READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? NO.
WHAT I, I I HAVE A OH, OH, YOUR QUESTION? I HAVE A YES.
I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO AMEND THE ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE THE, UH, COUNCIL BEING PART OF THE APPEAL PROCESS.
WE GOT A SECOND FOR AN AMENDMENT ON THIS.
WE'LL VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT FIRST.
NOW THE MAIN AMENDMENT, I MEAN THERE.
ANY OPPOSES? OKAY, Y'ALL GOOD MAN.
ALRIGHT, NOW LET'S, UH, RETURN TO REPAIR.
I GOTTA SEE WHAT PAGE I WAS ON.
UH, NEXT WE HAVE, UH, WE HAVE A DISCUSSION.
BY A PRESENTATION BY FINANCE DIRECTOR.
I'M SORRY, I WAS THINK GET ALL THIS RIGHT.
UH, BY FINANCE DIRECTOR, UH, LINDA BOWELL.
WE GOING, HUH? HAVE A FIVE MINUTE BREAK.
CAN WE HAVE A FIVE MINUTE BREAK? NO.
AS LONG AS I KEEP EM HORRIBLE.
I CAN'T STAY SHAKING YOUR HEAD RIGHT? OKAY.
OKAY, LET'S JUST, IF WE CAN, BECAUSE I KNOW WE HAVE, WE FIGURE OUT A WHOLE REST OF THE DAY.
IF WE TAKE FIVE MINUTES, IT'S GONNA BE 15 MINUTES.
SO IF SOMEONE HAS TO GO, AS LONG AS I CAN KEEP A QUORUM UP HERE, I, I LIKE, I LIKE FOR US TO KEEP GOING.
[III.C.(2) A Presentation By Finance Director Lynda Boswell Regarding The Financial Report ]
GOOD AFTERNOON HERE.COUNCIL MEMBERS, I'VE GOT A PACKET THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN HANDED OUT TO YOU.
AND I'M JUST GOING TO GO OVER THE FIRST BRIEF ON THE QUARTERLY REPORT.
CURRENTLY A GENERAL FUND REVENUES, YOU CAN SEE THAT WE ARE TRENDING VERY WELL.
WE'RE ABOVE WHAT WE HAVE EXPECTED FOR THIS TIMEFRAME.
AND A LOT OF THESE REVENUES, SOMETIMES THEY COME IN AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.
[02:30:01]
THIS IS ACTUALLY VERY GOOD FOR HALFWAY THROUGH THE YEAR.AND THIS IS A MARCH REPORT, YOUR SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT OR YOUR SECOND, YOUR SECOND QUARTER REPORT.
THE GENERAL FUND, JUST FOR THE MONTH.
I'VE GOT A COMPARISON OF WHAT WAS SPENT DURING THE MONTH AND HOW THAT PAIRED ON WITH WHAT WE HAVE FOR YEAR TO DATE.
AND, UH, ARE YOU ON YOUR POWERPOINT PRESENT? OKAY.
AND SO IF YOU CAN SEE THE YEAR TO DATE, IT'S LOOKING VERY GOOD WITH AN $11 MILLION WE'RE DOING, UH, VERY WELL COMPARED TO OUR REVENUES ON EXPENDITURES THAT ARE THERE FOR THE YEAR UP TO THIS POINT.
THE NEXT ONE WE'VE GOT WATER AND SEWER FUND.
AND YOU CAN SEE THAT THAT IS CURRENTLY TRENDING WELL.
AND THAT IS JUST FOR THE BUDGETED PORTION ONLY.
SO WE ARE TRENDING WELL ON THE, ON THE YEAR TO DATE.
AND I CAN SAY THAT IT'S LOOKING VERY GOOD, UH, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE LAST AUDIT IN 2023 TO WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.
THEY'RE ACTUALLY TRENDING VERY WELL WHERE THEY SHOULD BE IN THE SOLID WASTE FUND.
SO I'M REALLY HAPPY TO SEE THIS HERE.
OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS AND DIRECTORS ARE DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB OF, OF HOLDING THE COST AND UNDERSTANDING WHERE WE MAY BE FINANCIALLY.
ON THE PLEASURE ISLAND FUND, THIS GOES THROUGH MARCH OF, AGAIN, THE ENDING OF MARCH.
AND ALTHOUGH YOU SEE A 140,000, YOU'LL SEE THAT THE EXPENDITURES ARE OUTPACING.
YOU'LL ALSO SEE THAT I DO ALL MY TRANSFERS OUT, WHICH WOULD BE TRANSFERS INTO DEBT SERVICE AND TRANSFERS INTO CAPITAL.
AND HAVE WE NOT HAVE THAT, THEY WOULD ACTUALLY BE IN GOOD POSITION.
SO BY THE TIME WE GET TO THE END OF THE YEAR, I SEE THAT THIS IS STILL GOING TO BE A GOOD FUND AS WELL.
I'VE NOT HAD ANY ISSUES WITH THE PLEASURE ISLAND AND THE DIRECTOR THERE.
UH, THIS IS A LITTLE BIT SMALL, IT'S JUST TALKING ABOUT UNDER GENERAL IMPROVEMENTS.
THESE ARE YOUR CAPITAL GENERAL IMPROVEMENTS.
THAT WOULD BE FUND 3 0 7, YOUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND.
AND THERE'S A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAIL IN OTHER PACKETS THAT I HAVE GIVEN TO YOU.
IT MIGHT BE THE LAST ONE THAT GIVES YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAILS ON ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS AND WHERE THEIR EXPENDITURES AT.
THIS ONE REFLECTS ALL THE WAY TO MARCH.
YOUR DETAILS REFLECT UP TO DATE, I BELIEVE, UP TO WHAT DATE? AS OF LAST FRIDAY.
SO WHAT'S IN YOUR PACKET IS GOING TO BE AS OF LAST FRIDAY.
AND THIS REPORT IS PARTICULAR TO AS OF THE END OF MARCH.
SO YOU CAN SEE THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS THERE AND THEIR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE FROM THE GENERAL FUND.
YOU HAVE OTHER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND THESE ARE FROM DIFFERENT FUNDS.
AND YOU CAN SEE WHERE YOUR EXPENSES AND YOUR BALANCES AND YOUR PERCENTAGES ARE.
THEN WE HAVE THE 2024 WAS THE MOST RECENT CERTIFICATE OF OBLIGATION AND JUST LETTING YOU KNOW WHAT WE HAVE SPENT OUT OF THAT CURRENT SET THAT WE RECEIVED LAST YEAR.
AND FINALLY, I JUST AM GIVING YOU STATUS ON YOUR DISASTER FUNDS.
AND THIS JUST SHOWS YOU THAT THE DISASTER FUNDS, I'M NEEDING JUST A LITTLE BIT, UH, OF, UH, THE REIMBURSEMENTS TO COME IN A LITTLE QUICKER.
AND WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON THAT.
WE'RE WORKING VERY HARD WITH OUR CONSULTANTS AND WITH THE CITY MANAGEMENT STAFF.
SO THAT ACTUALLY CONCLUDES MY PORTION OF THIS, THE PRESENTATION, BUT I DID WANNA BRING YOUR ATTENTION TO THE SEVERAL ASPECTS OF THE PACKET THAT I HAVE GIVEN TO YOU THAT GIVES YOU JUST A LITTLE BIT OF, A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAIL.
IT INCLUDES YOUR QUARTERLY REPORT IN THE NARRATIVE THAT HELPS EXPLAIN SOME OF THE BIG MAJOR FUNDS THAT WE'VE GOT.
I ALSO HAVE DETAILED OUT ALL OF THE FUNDS THAT YOU HAVE APPROPRIATED.
I, THIS IS A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAILED IN THE PAST IN TERMS OF I'VE INCLUDED ALL OF THE, UH, ALL OF THE FUNDS THAT YOU DID APPROPRIATE AND APPROVED LAST YEAR.
FINALLY, THERE IS TWO OTHER ONES.
I DID WANNA GIVE YOU YOUR ARPA REPORT.
AND PLEASE NOTE THAT THE TOTAL PROJECT DATE ON THE ARPA REPORT, WHICH IS A ONE PAGE REPORT AND WHAT WE'VE GOT LEFT IN THERE AND THE PROJECT THAT IS REMAINING.
SO WE'RE TRENDING VERY WELL AND HOPING TO GET ALL OF THOSE PROJECTS COMPLETED VERY SOON.
AND THEN YOUR VERY LAST SHEET IS YOUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT DETAIL.
THESE I BROKE OUT BY THE ACTUAL DEPARTMENTS.
I JUST FELT THAT IT WOULD BE EASIER TO TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THESE THINGS BY DEPARTMENT RATHER THAN BY FUND.
SOMETIMES IT GETS A LITTLE CONFUSING BECAUSE I ACTUALLY
[02:35:01]
HAVE MORE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS THAN I HAVE IN THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND ITSELF.CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT ALSO ENCOMPASSES THE DIFFERENT FUNDS THAT ALL HAVE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN THEM.
ONE OF THEM WOULD BE THE WATER AND SEWER, WHICH IS NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN OR YOUR SOLID WASTE, WHICH IS NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN.
HOWEVER, THEY'RE CAPITAL PROJECTS THAT ARE FUNDED OUT OF THE DIFFERENT FUNDS.
SO I'VE GIVEN YOU ALL THIS TO HAVE YOU, MY, THIS IS MY FIRST REPORT TO BE ABLE TO GIVE TO YOU WHAT I DON'T HAVE THAT I AM GOING TO BE WORKING ON AND WORKING WITH THE STREETS.
UH, AND THE ENGINEERING IS, I WANNA BRING BACK THE STREETS AND HAVE THAT SPLIT OUT.
WE, I DEFINITELY WANT TO INCLUDE THAT IN THE NEXT ONE.
AND SO THAT'S WHAT YOU SHOULD BE EXPECTING IN THE NEXT REPORT.
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THIS DEFINITELY A HABIT TO GET THIS IN HERE CONSISTENTLY AS PART OF MY GOAL, PART OF THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT'S GOAL, TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET THESE REPORTS MORE CONSISTENTLY.
AND THE, IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ANYONE, I AM OPEN TO ANSWERING QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.
IS THAT THE FUND BALANCE? THAT IS NOT THE FUND BALANCE, THAT'S THE APPROPRIATION.
SO IN THE BEGINNING WHEN YOU APPROPRIATED, WE HAVE 12 MILLION OF RESERVE FUNDS THAT WE APPROPRIATED.
AND THIS IS AN ADDITIONAL, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, THIS IS THE ADDITIONAL, THE $3 MILLION SO FAR THAT WE'VE ADDED.
WHAT'S REALLY GREAT ABOUT THE RESERVE FUNDS IS THE REASON WHY IT'S GOT A ZERO IS EVEN THOUGH I MAY, AND I'VE DONE THIS IN THE PAST, EVEN THOUGH WE MAY PUT RESERVE FUNDS IN THERE, WHAT I FIND IS WE DO HAVE ENOUGH REVENUE TO COVER AND I'VE NOT IN THE PAST HAVE HAD TO ACTUALLY USE ANY OF THE RESERVE FUNDS.
HOWEVER, IT IS PART OF THE APPROPRIATIONS THAT YOU ALL APPROVED LAST YEAR.
IF THAT'S CONFUSING ME AT, I'M SORRY, CAPITAL.
IN CAPITAL, WHEN WE DO CAPITAL, WE DOES IT, WE APPROVE CAPITAL AS IS COUNCIL.
SO ALL THE MONEY THAT WE ARE GOING TO PUT INTO THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FOR THAT YEAR, WE IDENTIFIED PROJECTS AND ESTIMATED COSTS.
AND THAT'S WHAT WE PUT IN THERE.
SO HOW DO WE GET RESERVE FUNDS FROM THE CAPITAL ONES? FOR EXAMPLE, YOUR BONDS, EVEN THOUGH WE HAD APPROVED THE BONDS, WE DON'T HAVE THOSE PROJECTS THAT HAVE STARTED.
SO THAT'S MONEY THAT I'VE GOT RIGHT NOW.
IF YOU SAW IN THERE, YOU'VE GOT THAT 19,000,900, 75,000 AND NOT ALL OF THAT WAS PUT INTO THE APPROPRIATION.
UNDERSTANDING THAT WE'RE NOT GONNA SPEND ALL OF THAT IN 2025.
THAT'S HELD BACK AND IT'S CONSIDERED RESTRICTED.
THERE NEEDS TO BE ANOTHER PAGE THAT I PUT IN MY AUDITS THAT I NOTICED THAT WE DON'T HAVE HERE.
AND THAT ACTUALLY DEFINES HERE ARE THE PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE THAT ARE RESTRICTED.
NOTHING CAN EVER BE SPENT BECAUSE WE'VE GOT THAT MONEY THAT'S OUTSTANDING.
AND IT'S RESERVED SPECIFICALLY FOR THE PROJECTS THAT YOU GUYS HAVE APPROVED.
IT MAY NOT, MAY NOT BE PART OF THE APPROPRIATION FOR 25 BECAUSE WE KNEW THAT MAYBE WE JUST NEEDED ENGINEERING, WE'RE NOT GONNA SPEND ALL OF IT.
BUT WE KNEW THAT THE WHOLE PROJECT IN ITS ENTIRETY WAS GONNA COST THAT.
I MAY NOT PUT THE ENTIRE AMOUNT OF THAT PROJECT IN THERE BECAUSE WE'RE NOT GONNA SPEND IT THAT YEAR.
AND SO THAT'S HOW YOU GET A RESERVE FOR CAPITAL SPECIFICALLY.
THEY ARE DESIGNATED AND ALLOCATED FOR THE MOST PART.
AND THEN IF THERE'S INTEREST THAT COMES IN, THOSE WOULD BE UNALLOCATED FUNDS AT THAT TIME.
BUT IF WE ARE GONNA PUT MONEY INTO OUR FUND FOR ANY PROGRAM, ANY PROGRAM, WE DO IT BY LISTING ESTIMATED COSTS.
WHEN YOU TELL ME THAT YOU DON'T PUT ALL OF THE MONEY INTO THAT YEAR BECAUSE YOU KNOW YOU'RE NOT GOING TO USE IT THAT YEAR, RIGHT? THAT IS CORRECT.
THE MONEY IS SUPPOSED TO BE FOR THE PROJECT.
SO WHY IS THAT CONSIDERED RESERVED? WHEN WE ALREADY APPROPRIATED IT FOR THE, FOR THE PROJECT? ALTHOUGH WE DON'T DO THE PROJECT.
IF IT'S A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT, THEN NEXT YEAR WHEN WE SEE A BUDGET AND WE
[02:40:02]
PUT IT IN THERE, IT JUST ROLLS OVER.IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY ROLL OVER AUTOMATICALLY, WHICH IS WHY I DO IN APPROPRIATION EVERY YEAR.
AND THAT'S ONE OF THE, THE CHALLENGES THAT I HAD WHEN I FIRST CAME HERE IS THAT I DIDN'T SEE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WAS APPROVED IN THE PREVIOUS BUDGET.
THAT MONEY JUST WASN'T PHYSICALLY THERE.
AND WHEN I WENT TO REDO A LITTLE BIT AND CHANGE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW I WANTED TO SEE THE BUDGET, I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THE MONEY WAS THERE.
AND THAT'S PROBABLY THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE BUDGET IN THE PAST.
AND THIS IS KIND OF THE TRANSITION ONE, YOU KNOW, HAVE A MUCH CLEARER BUDGET IN FOR 2026, I NEED TO KNOW THAT THE MONEY IS THERE.
AND THAT WAS, LIKE I SAID, THAT WAS ONE OF MY CHALLENGES IS COMING IN AND SEEING ALL THOSE PRO CAPITAL PROJECTS, SEEING THE AMOUNT OF DOLLARS THERE WERE AND NOT SEEING WHERE THOSE DOLLARS WERE AT.
SO THAT'S WHY THIS IS WHEN I'M, WHEN I USUALLY DO THIS, THERE'S ACTUALLY A RESTRICTED AMOUNT.
YES, YOU APPROVE THIS, THIS IS RESTRICTED, THIS IS FOR THIS THAT YOU GUYS HAVE APPROVED.
THAT IS GONNA BE CHANGING FROM 25 TO 26.
BECAUSE IF I'M NOT HERE AND SOMEBODY ELSE IS COMING OVER AND THEY DON'T KNOW THAT THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY IS SUPPOSED TO BE FOR THESE PROJECTS, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I WALKED INTO.
I WANT TO MAKE IT SUPER CLEAR.
AND SO NOW ONLY IS IT GOING TO BE EXPRESSED IN THE BUDGET, BUT IT'S ALSO GOING TO BE EXPRESSED IN THE AUDIT SO EVERYONE CAN FOLLOW.
AND NO ONE'S GOING TO SAY, WELL YOU DON'T HAVE THE MONEY.
I DIDN'T LET ANYONE USE IT TO APPROPRIATE IT FOR ANY OTHER PROJECT.
I DIDN'T TRY TO DOUBLE SPEND ON MONEY THAT WASN'T THERE.
AND THAT HAS BEEN ONE OF MY CHALLENGES AS I'VE BEEN GOING THROUGH ALL OF YOUR CAPITAL PROJECTS, INCLUDING YOUR STREETS.
WELL, I'M LIKE A HOLD COUNCIL.
I'LL COME BY YOUR OFFICE AND LET YOU TRY TO GET THIS CLEAR.
'CAUSE I'VE BEEN FOLLOWING FINANCE FOR THE LONGEST AND SOMEHOW OR ANOTHER THE MONEY IS THERE AND IT'S EASY TO FOLLOW.
LIKE YOU SAY, YOU SAY RESTRICTED, WE PUT ALL THIS, THIS DIFFERENT DENOMINATION.
DIDN'T YOU TELL ME THAT YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY WAS LEFT OR IT DOESN'T AUTOMATICALLY ROLL OVER.
I THINK IT'S AUTOMATICALLY ROLLS OVER BECAUSE IF YOU'RE DOING YOUR BUDGET AND YOU ARE A FINANCE DIRECTOR, AND WE HAD THESE PROJECTS FOR THIS YEAR AND WE HAD TO ESTIMATED COST FOR THIS YEAR.
WHEN YOU DO THE POP, THE CAPITAL APPROVAL PROGRAM FOR THE NEXT YEAR, IF YOU LOOKING AT THIS BUDGET FOR THE OUTGOING YEAR AND YOU SEE THAT WE DID NOT SPEND THAT MONEY ON IT, THEN IT'S LISTED IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR AND THAT AMOUNT IS LISTED AGAIN.
ALSO, IF WE LIST IT THIS YEAR AND WE DONE JUST THE ENGINEERING PORTION OF IT AND WE SPENT OUT JUST THE ENGINEER, THE MONEY HAVE REMAINING FOR CONSTRUCTION THEN THE NEXT YEAR UNDER CAPITAL, THAT PROJECT'S REALISTIC WITH THE MONEY.
AND WE KNOW THAT THAT'S FOR THAT, FOR THE, THAT THAT IS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.
THAT IS EXACTLY HOW I HAD UNDERSTOOD IT.
AND WHEN I CAME IN AND SAW THE BUDGET AND SAW HOW IT WAS DONE FOR THE CAPITAL, I HONESTLY AM TELLING YOU THAT I DID NOT SEE THAT TYPE OF GRANULARITY IN THAT YOU MAY HAVE IT IN THE BUDGET.
BUT I NEEDED TO ACTUALLY SEE WHERE IS THAT MONEY AND THAT'S WHAT'S GONNA BE JUST A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT FROM WHAT HAS BEEN DONE IN THE PAST.
I NEED TO KNOW THAT I HAVE OKAY.
OKAY, WE'LL, UH, WE'LL TALK MORE ABOUT THAT.
THE OTHER QUESTION IS FUND BALANCE.
I DIDN'T PUT FUND BALANCES IN THERE.
THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT I WANT TO TRACK AS A FUND BALANCE.
BECAUSE A FUND BALANCE, I WANNA KNOW IF YOU COULD WHAT WE ARE TAKING OUT OF IT.
WE START OUT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR WITH X AMOUNT OF DOLLARS IN OUR FUND BALANCE, BUT EVERY TIME WE GO TO OUR AMEND THIS BUDGET AND WE TAKE MONEY OUT THE FUND FUND BALANCE AND BRING IT TO THE GENERAL FUND IS REDUCING THE FUND BALANCE.
I WANT TO KNOW EVERY TIME, EVEN WHEN WE DO BUDGET AMENDMENTS IN THE FUTURE, YOU NEED TO INCLUDE THE MONEY COMING OUTTA THE FUND BALANCE.
WE IS, WE SHOULD KNOW THAT THIS MONEY COMING OUT THE FUND BALANCE AND WE SHOULD BE TOLD HOW MUCH IS REMAINING.
SEE, BECAUSE THE WATER UTILITY RESERVE FUND WAS ONE THAT STARTED OUT WITH 8 MILLION, WENT TO SIX, IT WENT TO THREE, THEN YOU TOLD US THAT IT WAS ZERO.
THE ONLY TIME WE KNEW IT WAS ZERO AND THAT'S A RESERVE FUND WAS WHEN IT WAS ZERO.
THE FUND BALANCE WE HAVE, WE ARE REQUIRED TO KEEP X AMOUNT IN IT AND WE NEED TO KNOW EVERY TIME WE TAKE MONEY OUT OF IT, WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT THE
[02:45:01]
BALANCE IS.IT'S LIKE YOU'RE SAVING ACCOUNTS.
SO IF YOU'RE GOING TO REMOVE MONEY OUT OF THE FUND BALANCE, THEN YOU NEED TO REPORT, UH, WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT THE FUND BALANCE IS EVERY TIME YOU GIVE US A FINANCE REPORT BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE OUR RESERVES ARE.
SO THE ONLY REASON WHY YOU DON'T HAVE IT JUST IN THIS PARTICULAR REPORT IS I'M TRYING TO FINISH UP MY 24 AUDIT.
THE AUDITORS ARE PROBABLY ON THEIR WAY OUT TODAY FOR MY 24.
AND I DIDN'T KNOW REALLY KIND OF WHERE WE STOOD UNTIL ALL THREE OF THE AUDITS WERE COMPLETED.
THE LAST AUDIT YEAR 2023 WAS, WAS COMPLETED JANUARY OF 2025.
THAT'S WHEN, AND, AND I BELIEVE BEFORE THEN I HAD AN INKLING, I HAD AN UNDERSTANDING, BUT UNTIL MY AUDIT IS DONE, I WASN'T QUITE COMFORTABLE.
I WANT TO GET THROUGH THIS 24 AUDIT AND I DO WANT TO MAKE THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN FUND BALANCE AND CASH BALANCE.
MY FUND BALANCE IS AN AUDIT TERM.
MY CASH BALANCE IS WHAT I CAN USE TO BUDGET WITH.
I CAN'T BUDGET WITH A FUND BALANCE.
I CAN ONLY BUDGET WITH A CASH BALANCE.
AND SO I DO WANT TO MAKE THAT DISTINCTION.
I DID WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I FELT COMFORTABLE WITH THE NUMBERS BEFORE ADDING IT INTO THIS REPORT.
I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH YOU AND IN THE FUTURE IT SHOULD HAVE THE CASH BALANCES, BUT I DO WANNA WAIT FOR THIS PARTICULAR AUDIT TO BE DONE, JUST TO MAKE SURE.
AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE HOPING TO FINALIZE IN THE NEXT MONTH.
WHEN ARE, WHEN ARE WE GONNA FI UH, FINISH THE 24 AUDIT? THE 24 AUDIT? I AM, I SAID NEXT MONTH.
WHAT MONTH ARE WE IN NOW? WE'RE IN, WE'RE IN MAY.
IT SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF JUNE.
ARE YOU GONNA GIVE US A REPORT ON THE, ON THE, UM, THE 24TH AUDIT PRIOR TO YOU BRINGING IT THE, I BELIEVE THE LAST TIME I HAD THE AUDITOR COME AND I WILL HAVE THE THE PERSON COME AND DO THE, I WOULD WANT THE AUDITOR TO COME AND PRESENT THE 24 AUDIT AGAIN.
UH, UH, SHE CAME TO PRESENT THE 23.
AND I WOULD LIKE FOR HER TO COME AND PRESENT THE 24 WHEN IT IS COMPLETED.
BECAUSE WE DO 24 THIS TIME, WE SHOULD HAVE ACTUAL SPENDERS THAT IS CORRECT.
EXPENDITURES INSTEAD OF PROJECTED.
UH, MS. BOSWELL, UH, IS IT MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IN OUR FINANCES THAT WE ARE, OR THAT WE HAVE EXTRACTED OR TAKEN OUT OF OUR, UM, 'CAUSE NOW NOW YOU GOT ME THINKING WHETHER I'M WANT TO TALK ABOUT, UH, GENERAL FUND OR, OR, OR, OR FUND BALANCE
BUT WE ARE EXTRACTING OR, OR HAVE ALREADY EXTRACTED ABOUT $3 MILLION OUT OF OUR SAVINGS.
AND YOU CAN TELL ME WHICH ONE.
WE CAN SAY CASH BALANCE FOR OUR WATER FOR OUR, WE, WE CAN SAY A CASH BALANCE OR CASH RESERVE.
THAT FOR OUR, FOR OUR WATER FUND, RIGHT? AT LEAST.
SO WE ARE LIVING OUT OF THAT BECAUSE WE ARE IN A DEFICIT IN OUR WATER FUND.
UM, NOW I, HERE'S THE THING, I I WAS DOING A A I WAS LOOKING AT OUR, OUR, OUR CHARTER, UH, ARTICLE, ARTICLE 12, SECTION 17, SECTION 16.
IT SAYS THAT REVENUES FROM CITY OWNED UTILITIES, ALL NET REVENUES DERIVED FROM THE OPERATION OF ANY UTILITY OR UTILITIES OWNED BY THE CITY OF PORT PORT ARTHUR SHALL BE USED ONLY IN CONSTRUCTION IMPROVEMENT, EXTENSION, AND BENEFIT OF SUCH UTILITY SYSTEM FOR THE RETIRING OF ANY BONDS ISSUED BY THE USE AND BENEFIT OF SUCH UTILITY OR UTILITIES PROVIDED.
HOWEVER, IN THE EVENT ANY EXCESS FUNDS ARE ACCUMULATED, SUCH AS EXCESS FUNDS MAY BE USED FOR ANY OTHER LAWFUL PURPOSE.
SO I'M, I'M WONDERING, ARE WE IN VIOLATION OF OUR CHARTER AS WE ARE EXTRACTING MONEY OUT OF OUR FUNDS TO SUPPLEMENT AND SUPPORT THAT, UH, THAT ENTERPRISE FUND? I'M GOING TO LEAVE THAT OPEN INTERPRETATION OF WHAT IS CONSIDERED A VIOLATION UP TO COUNSEL.
YEAH, I I WILL LEAVE THAT UP TO THEM.
UH, I WILL SAY THAT IT'S NOT HAPPENING SECTION SEVEN, SECTION 17, THAT OR SECTION SECTION 16 THAT YOU HAVE READ IS NOT OCCURRING IN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.
[02:50:01]
I CAN SAY THAT.AND, AND THAT'S THE THING THAT I WANT.
THAT'S THE THING THAT I WANT OUR COUNCIL TO RECOGNIZE AND REPRESENT MM-HMM
AND I KNOW THAT WE HAVE, UM, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE DONE EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO TRY TO HELP OUR CITIZENRY.
UH, BUT WE HAVE SOME, SOME DIRE ISSUES AND SITUATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY, UM, WITH SEWAGE, UM, WITH ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING.
WE ARE FACING THE SUMMER AND, AND I AND I, AND I WANT TO SAY TO US THAT WE HAVE BANDAIDED THE PROBLEM AS OPPOSED TO FIXING THE PROBLEM.
I WANT TO REMIND US, I KNOW THAT IT IS NOT A CONVERSATION THAT WE LIKE TO HAVE, BUT WHEN WE WERE PROPO, WHEN WE WERE GIVEN THE PROPOSAL FOR AN INCREASE, A SEVEN POINT, A 7% INCREASE, 11% TO THE STAKEHOLDERS, UH, TO INCREASE OUR WATER, WE, WE CHOSE RATHER TO DO AFTER SIX MONTHS, A 5%, 5.6%.
AND WE ARE STILL SINKING, WE ARE STILL GOING DOWN.
WE'RE STILL NOT FULFILLING, UM, WHAT WE HAVE BEEN MANDATED TO DO.
AND, UH, AND I JUST WANT TO KNOW, AND I WANT TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT IT AS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THESE FINANCES, ABOUT HOW LONG ARE WE GONNA LEAVE THIS DEFICIT INTACT AND HOW LONG IS THIS GOING TO BE STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR US? LET ME, LET ME ATTEMPT TO ALREADY LET ME ATTEMPT TO ANSWER THIS.
I KNOW THAT LYNN DIRECTED IT TO THE COUN TO THE COUNCIL, OUR COUNCIL, BUT I HAVE A SPREADSHEET THAT I'M KEEPING AND I SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT IT AND IT'S, LET ME CORRECT THE AMOUNT THAT YOU STATED IS A THREE POINT SOMETHING.
WE ARE, WE ARE PRETTY CLOSE TO $6 MILLION RIGHT NOW THAT WE OWE TO THE GENERAL FUND.
AND THAT'S BECAUSE OF THE VERY MUCH EMERGENCIES THAT THE UTILITIES DEPARTMENT, UM, HAVE REQUESTED THAT WE ADDRESS, INCLUDING TUBAL, FLU AND ALL THESE OTHER, THE PIPE BRICKS THAT WE HAVE BEEN HAVING.
SO WE HAVE HAD TO TREAT THOSE AS EMERGENCIES BECAUSE THEY AFFECT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR CITIZENS.
AND IF WE DON'T ADDRESS THEM, IT MEANS THAT THE STATE WILL ADDRESS THEM FOR US IN A MANNER THAT WE WOULD NOT LIKE.
AND WE, WE ARE THEY ALREADY, OKAY.
SO YES, WE DO OWE THE GENERAL FUND PRETTY MUCH CLOSE TO $6 MILLION.
AND YOU HAVE ALREADY STATED THE REASON WHY THAT WE DO THAT, UM, MOVING AHEAD, WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET BACK WHERE WE WILL BEFORE FOR $54 MILLION THAT WE OWE THE GENERAL FUND.
AND SO AS WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY AND WITH THE UTILITIES DEPARTMENT, WE WILL BE COMING UP WITH A PLAN THAT WILL PRO PROVIDE A REMEDY TO THAT SITUATION FOR US IN THE FUTURE.
YEAH, WE ARE, WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING CITY ATTORNEY, MYSELF AND, UM, THE UTILITIES DEPARTMENT, CALVIN AND IT TEAM, WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING.
UH, I THINK THERE'S AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA RIGHT NOW TODAY TO BE APPROVED FOR THAT.
SO IT'S WELL ON THE WAY, IT'S, WELL ON THE WAY TO ADDRESS IT.
UM, AND AS LYNN INDICATED, UM, BY THE END OF THIS MONTH, WE SHOULD GET A PRETTY FIRM NUMBER ON FROM THE AUDIT.
UM, THAT WILL LEAVE US, YOU KNOW, IN A PRETTY GOOD PLACE.
YOU KNOW, STARTING OFF OUR NEW BUDGET CYCLE.
AND ONE MORE THING, I THINK IT'S ALL ALIGNING RIGHT NOW.
IT'S ALL ALIGNING IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE.
ONE MORE THING, AND I THINK WE'VE, AND AND I'M NOT TRYING TO BELABOR THE POINT OF BEAT A DEAD HORSE, BUT I WANT US TO FULLY UNDERSTAND AND I THINK I WANT YOU TO JUST SIMPLY REPEAT FOR US AND SAY TO US AND SAY TO OUR COMMUNITY SO THAT THEY FULLY UNDERSTAND IN, IN THE, IN THE COURSE OF FULL TRANSPARENCY, THAT EVERY TIME WE LOWER OUR FUND BALANCE, WE ARE HURTING OUR CREDIT RATING.
I DID HAVE THIS DISCUSSION WITH OUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR AND SHE'S VERY CONCERNED THAT WE ARE USING GENERAL FUND TO FUND OUR ENTERPRISE ISSUES THAT WE ARE HAVING.
AND THAT'S GONNA BE A CONCERN FOR THE BOND HOLDERS.
AND IF THIS IS A A, A TREND, I, I BELIEVE NEXT TO YOU, WE WE MAY NOT HAVE THE RATING THAT WE HAVE CURRENTLY.
SO, SO MR. MR, MR. CITY MANAGER, LET ME ASK YOU THIS QUESTION.
SO I KNOW THAT YOU'RE SAYING THAT, I KNOW THAT YOU'RE SAYING THAT THIS IS FORTHCOMING, BUT I BELIEVE AND, AND, AND, AND I HOPE, AND I HOPE THAT THE REST OF COUNCIL CONCURS WITH ME THAT THIS IS, THIS IS CRITICAL.
[02:55:01]
WHEN YOU SAY IT IS FORTHCOMING, I I, YOU KNOW, HOW DO WE, HOW DO WE GET TO THAT POINT WHERE WE FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS CRITICAL FOR OUR BOND RATING? CRITICAL FOR, I HAVE PICTURES ON MY PHONE AND I'VE HAD PHONE CALLS, COUNCILMAN DE SAID, AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING TOGETHER AS WELL.COUNCILMAN LEWIS HAVE AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING, UH, TOGETHER AS WELL FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE SEWAGE IN THEIR, IN THEIR, IN THEIR BATHTUBS, SEWAGE IN THEIR HOMES, SEWAGE IN THEIR YARDS.
WE'RE FACING A SITUATION WHERE TCQ HAS ALREADY SAID TO US, IF YOU CAN'T GET THE PROBLEM FIXED, WE'LL HELP YOU GET THE PROBLEM FIXED AND YOU WON'T LIKE IT.
SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT IT WITH ALL DELIBERATE SPEED, UM, WE NEED TO BE SURE THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING COMING BEFORE US SO THAT WE CAN TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY.
AND, AND WE, WE ARE GOING TO DO THAT BECAUSE, UM, YOU HAVE ALREADY APPROVED FOR US TO ENGAGE COUNCIL INITIALLY.
UM, WE'RE COMING BACK TO YOU FOR MORE FUNDING TO CONTINUE TO ENGAGE COUNCIL, TO ENGAGE IN THE STUDIES THAT ARE NEEDED SO THAT WE CAN COMPLY WITH THE ATTORNEYS GENERALS, WE CAN WORK WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT BEING PUT ON THE, UM, STRICT, UM, ENFORCEMENT, YOU KNOW, SO WE ARE, WE ARE WORKING OUR WAY THROUGH THAT.
UM, AND WE REALLY HOPE THAT WHEN THE RECOMMENDATIONS COMES OUT OF THE, THE OUR COUNCIL THAT WE HAVE ENGAGED IN, THAT THE COUNCIL WILL BE PREPARED TO LOOK AT THE RECOMMENDATIONS, IS GONNA BE A HARD DECISION WHERE WE CAN MAKE THOSE DECISIONS IN THE INTEREST OF THE HEALTH AND THE SAFETY OF THE CITIZENS.
NOW, AS LYNN SAID, YOU KNOW, THE PROBLEM THAT WE'RE HAVING IS CASH FLOW.
IT'S A BAD PROBLEM, BUT IT'S A GOOD PROBLEM.
WE ARE UNDERTAKING $78 MILLION OF JUST DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN THE CITY, AND THE MONEY'S GOING AS FAST OUT AS POSSIBLE, BUT THE NOBODY ANSWERS THE PHONE ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SIDE OR WE ARE HAVING THAT DIFFICULTY AT THIS POINT IN PEOPLE ANSWERING THE PHONE FOR US TO GET THE MONEY AS FAST AS POSSIBLE BACK IN.
BUT WE ARE WORKING ON THAT PART OF IT.
UM, COUNCILMAN HAMILTON JUST HAD A DISCUSSION WITH ME YESTERDAY WHERE SHE IDENTIFIED SOMEBODY ON THE FEMA SIDE THAT WE COULD GET IN CONTACT WITH TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY EXPEDITE THE ANSWER OR CALLS AND THAT PERSON, YOU KNOW, COULD ACTUALLY WORK WITH US TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CHECKS ARE COMING IN AS FAST AS WE ARE SPENDING IT.
BUT WE ARE SPENDING AN EXORBITANT AMOUNT OF MONEY RIGHT NOW ON ALL KINDS OF PROJECTS, ESPECIALLY FEDERALLY FUNDED PROJECTS.
YOU KNOW, JUST THIS WEEK WE GOT, AGAIN, A GRANT AWARDED TO US BY, UM, UM, TEDOM FOR GENERATORS.
YOU KNOW, WE'LL BE BRINGING IT TO YOU NEXT WEEK.
WE'RE GOING TO BE EXPENDING THAT MONEY, BUT AGAIN, IT'S GOING TO BE SIX, EIGHT MONTHS A YEAR BEFORE WE RECOUP THAT MONEY.
SO YOU SEE THE MONEY'S GOING OUT QUICK, BUT IT IS NOT COMING IN AS FAST AS IT SHOULD.
AND, AND SO I, I AGREE WITH LYNN, BUT WE'RE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING THAT, THAT MONEY COMES IN AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.
UH, COUNCILMAN LEWIS, UH, APPRECIATE YOUR PRE PRESENTATION.
ONE THING, LET ME GET OUT, OUT, OUT OF THE WAY OUT SALES, YOU MENTIONED SALES AND USE TAX.
DO YOU HAVE A, DO YOU HAVE A SYSTEM IN PLACE? I JUST GOT THIS A I DON'T WANT ABOUT THE AMOUNT THE SALES AND USE TAX.
DO YOU HAVE A SYSTEM IN PLACE THAT YOU MONITOR THE BUSINESSES THAT'S CURRENT ON THEIR SALES TAXES? THOSE ARE ACTUALLY DONE BY THE STATE.
WE DON'T GET THEM DIRECTLY FROM THE VENDORS.
IT ALL JUST COMES AS A PAYMENT FROM THE STATE.
SO THAT WOULD BE A QUESTION FOR THE STATE.
IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT I COULD ANSWER ON THIS BASED ON, SO YOU DON'T HAVE THE, THE, WELL LET ME SHARE SOMETHING WITH YOU.
EDC WAS, FLOYD BATISTE WAS THERE, HE HAD A PROGRAM THAT HE MONITORED.
HE KNEW WHO ALL WAS CURRENT ON THEIR, ON THEIR SALES TAX.
SO I'M ASKING, YOU MAY BE ABLE TO GET ACCESS TO THAT SAME THING SO WE AT LEAST YOU CAN HAVE SOME IDEA OF WHAT'S, WHAT'S OUT THERE AND WHAT MAY BE COMING IN THE FUTURE.
UH, WE WILL SEE WHETHER THAT ARRANGEMENT WHEN THE CONTRACT IS STILL VALID BECAUSE YOU'RE RIGHT, FLOYD HAD A, A THING IN PLACE.
HE, HE HAD WORKED WITH THIS COMPANY WHO PROVIDED IT ON ALMOST ON A MONTHLY OR QUARTERLY BASIS.
BUT LET ME CHECK WITH THE EDC TO SEE WHETHER THAT'S STILL IN PLACE.
AND LYNN WILL SHARE THAT WITH YOU.
WHEN WE, WHEN WE AWARDED GRANTS, THAT IS A DRAW DOWN.
YOU DON'T GET THE CASH THAT IS DRAW DOWN.
SO WE ARE SPENDING MONEY OUT OF OUR RESERVES
[03:00:01]
TO FUND THESE PROJECTS AND THEN WE'LL PRESENT AN INVOICES AND EVERYTHING LATER ON.HOW MUCH IS ACTUALLY OUT THERE THAT WE HAVE NOT BEEN REIMBURSED ON.
DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA, DO YOU CARE TO ANSWER THAT THEN? $21 MILLION MA'AM? $21 MILLION.
COUNCILMAN ETT, YOU HAD SOMETHING ELSE? YEAH, JUST TO REITERATE ON WHAT, UH, COUNCILMAN FRANK WAS TALKING ABOUT, THIS UH, WATER UTILITIES FUND.
WE JUST HAVE TO UNDERSTAND OUR POSITION IN IT AND IN ORDER FOR US TO GET IT BACK TO WHERE IT COULD BE SELF-SUFFICIENT, IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME.
WE TALK ABOUT IN INCREASING THE RATE AND I'VE HEARD THAT BROUGHT UP A MANY TIMES.
EVEN IF YOU INCREASE THE RATES, WE STILL WILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.
WE'LL STILL HAVE THE SAME DEFICIT AND WE'D STILL BE SPENDING OUT OF THE RESERVES.
I THINK THE KEY TO THIS, WE JUST HAVE TO BE ABLE TO FIND FUNDING EITHER ON A STATE OR FEDERAL LEVEL WITHOUT THE STATE OF FEDERAL LEVEL.
THEN WE ARE GONNA HAVE TO TAKE A LOOK AT OUR EXPENDITURES WHEN WE DO A BUDGET AND TO ALLOW FOR US TO COVER THESE EMERGENCY.
WHAT WE ARE HAVING IS NOT THAT WE ARE NOT FIXING THINGS, IT'S JUST THAT OUR INFRASTRUCTURE IS SO BAD THAT IS CONSTANTLY BURSTING AND THAT'S WHAT'S GIVING US THE EMERGENCY READING.
SO THAT'S SOMETHING UNTIL THIS SYSTEM IS REPLACED, YOU'RE GONNA BE DEALING WITH THIS.
AND THAT'S NOT NOTHING WE COULD JUST FUND BECAUSE THEY BREAKING.
BUT IT GOES BACK TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY WHEN WE TALK ABOUT WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO DO AS OPPOSED TO WHAT THE CITY'S RESPONSIBILITY THEY'RE HAPPENING AND ORANGES, IF THEY BREAK, WE HAVE TO FIX IT.
SO SINCE WE KNOW WE USING THAT, UH, GENERAL FUND, WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS WE HAVE TO TRY TO WORK OUR WAY AWAY FROM THE GENERAL DEPARTMENT.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT STAFF HAS CONSTANTLY WORKED ON TRYING TO FIND MONEY TO DO THESE THINGS.
'CAUSE WE'RE NOT THE ONLY CITY THAT'S HAVING ISSUE WITH INFRASTRUCTURE IS THROUGHOUT THE NATION RIGHT NOW.
BUT THE WAY WE COMBAT IT IS WE HAVE TO KNOW WHAT'S AHEAD AND WHAT WE KNOW WHAT'S AHEAD MEAN.
UNLESS WE FIND OTHER SOURCING, WE GONNA HAVE TO SOURCE IT OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND.
UNLESS WE GET ADDITIONAL MONEY, WE GOING TO HAVE TAKE MONEY OUT THE RESERVE, THE FUND BALANCE TO DO IT.
I DON'T CARE WHAT THE WATER RATE INCREASE IS.
YOU'RE NOT GONNA GET, YOU'RE NOT GONNA BE ABLE TO RAISE, INCREASE HIGH ENOUGH TO FIX THIS.
IT AIN'T, IT AIN'T GOING TO HAPPEN.
IT'S GONNA TAKE OUTSIDE FUNDING.
SO THAT'S WHERE WE NEED TO PUT A LOT OF EMPHASIS ON GETTING MONEY.
AND IF WE CAN'T GET THE MONEY, THEN WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WE'RE GONNA FUND IT OUT THE GENERAL FUND.
SO IF WE'RE GONNA FUND IT OUT THE GENERAL FUND, WHAT'S OUR NEXT GOAL? WE NEED TO NOW MONITOR OUR EXPENDITURES.
WE NEED TO START CUTTING BACK ON EXPENDITURES THAT ARE NOT NECESSARILY NEEDED RIGHT NOW AND PLACE IT ON THOSE THAT WE KNOW FIXING THIS SEW LINE, REPLACING THIS SEW LINE.
THOSE ARE THINGS WE HAVE TO DO.
SO THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO FOCUS ON.
AND, UH, I DON'T THINK ANY MORE LIFE, MS. BOSWELL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR REPORT.
WE'LL MOVE NOW TO, UH, WE HAVE, UH, DISCUSSION ITEMS AND UH, COUNCILMAN LEWIS IF YOU WILL, WE HAVE DISCUSSION ITEM, UH, POSSIBLE FOR ACTION TO TERMINATE A CONTRACT WITH OUTSIDE COUNSEL, UH, UH, BE BESSON, CRAIGLE OR LLP REGARDING THE, THE PROPOSED ROUND LEASE BETWEEN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AND DILIGENCE OFFSHORE SERVICES.
WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO, UH, YIELD THAT BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO GO IN EXECUTIVE SESSION ABOUT ALL THE BUSINESS YEAH, THE PHASE, YEAH, THE PHASE TWO OF IT.
WELL, JUST ANY PART OF IT AT ALL.
WELL, WE JUST, WE JUST DISCUSSED IT DOWN THERE AND NOT HERE FOR RIGHT NOW IF, IF YOU WILL.
[III.F.(2) A Discussion Regarding The 89th Texas Legislative Session (Requested By Councilmember Hamilton Everfield)]
WE HAVE THE SECOND DISCUSSION OUT WITH THE DISCUSSION REGARDING THE, UH, 89TH, UH, TEXAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.THIS HAS BEEN REQUESTED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HAMILTON EVER FIELD.
[03:05:01]
THANK YOU MAYOR.SO THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE IS STILL IN SESSION AND WILL BE UNTIL JUNE I BELIEVE, UNLESS, UM, THE GOVERNOR DECIDES TO EXTEND.
BUT THERE ARE SOME BILLS THAT I WANT TO MAKE COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY AWARE THAT HAVE A DIRECT REFLECTION ON HOW WE DO DAILY BUSINESS.
UM, BEFORE I GO INTO DETAIL ON THE, THE ITEM THAT I WENT TO TESTIFY IN AGAINST WAS SENATE BILL 28 58.
AND THAT WAS, UM, TO THE GOVERNMENT AFFAIR, THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.
BUT THERE ARE SOME OTHERS THAT WE NEED TO KEEP AN EYE ON THAT SENATE BILL 2 41 DEALING WITH PUBLIC CAMPING.
UM, CITY COULD ACTUALLY LOSE FUNDING IN THE EVENT THAT WE DO NOT IMPLEMENT A PUBLIC CAMPING, UM, A COUP PUBLIC CAMPING ORDINANCE HOUSE BILL, 23 THIRD PARTY INSPECTIONS THAT WOULD ALLOW A COMPANY TO HIRE THEIR OWN THIRD PARTY INSPECTIONS WITH THE, TO KEEP THEIR BUSINESS OPEN OR TO OPEN THEIR BUSINESS AND NOT HAVE TO BE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW THE MUNICIPALITY'S PERMITTING PROCESS OR INSPECTIONS PROCESS.
THAT WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY OUTRAGEOUS.
ANOTHER ONE IS THE HOUSE BILL 24 94 FOR, UM, DX D ANNEXATION.
UM, THAT WAS A BILL REGARDING OUR ET JS.
IT PASSED LAST WEEK, BUT FORTUNATELY TO OUR FAVOR, UM, IT WILL NOT HOLD THAT BILL AGAINST MUNICIPALITIES THAT HAVE INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS, WHICH WE DO.
THERE ARE SOME OTHER CAVEATS INCLUDED IN THAT BILL THAT COULD DIRECTLY AFFECT US, BUT WE DON'T WANNA RAISE ANY RED FLAGS RIGHT NOW.
UM, SO THAT IS A GOOD THING THAT IT HAD, UM, AN EXCLUSION TO CITIES THAT ACTUALLY HAD INDUSTRIAL AGREEMENTS.
UM, HOUSE BILL TWO WITH SENATOR PERRY FOR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE.
HOWEVER, THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT WE NEED TO STILL SPEAK UP ABOUT BECAUSE OUR GRANT, SOME OF OUR GRANT FUNDING FOR THE THROUGH THE TEXAS WATER BOARD, UM, MAIN IS MAINTAINED THE SAME, WHICH OFTEN WE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR.
WE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH POINTS TO QUALIFY FOR.
SO THERE'S STILL SOME LANGUAGE THAT WE'RE WORKING ON REQUESTING AMENDMENTS, UM, TO THAT BILL HB TWO AND THEN HB 28 67 IS A BILL THAT WOULD ACTUALLY CAP MUNICIPALITIES FROM HOW MUCH LATE FEES THEY CAN CHARGE ON WATER BILLS.
WE KNOW THAT WE'RE TRYING TO COOP ANY REVENUE THAT WE CAN FOR OUR, UH, WATER ENTERPRISE.
AND THEN, UM, SB 28 58, THIS IS A PREEMPTION BILL THAT DEALS WITH ELECTION CODES, PENAL CODES, AND HEALTH AND SAFETY CODES.
IT IS ACTUALLY BEEN ONE OF THE SPONSORS IS FROM, REPRESENTS OUR AREA, BRANDON CREIGHTON.
AND I AM ASKING THAT WE SPEAK UP.
FORTUNATELY, THIS BILL HAS NOT COME OUT OF COMMITTEE, UM, YET FOR THE HOUSE.
THIS BILL DIRECTLY AFFECTS HOW WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO OUR DAILY BUSINESS.
UM, THIS BILL ALLOWS, THIS BILL WOULD ALLOW A MUNICIPALITY OR ACCOUNTING TO BE SUED WITHOUT DUE PROCESS DUE TO A COMPLAINT FROM AN INDIVIDUAL OR A BUSINESS.
SOME OF THE DETRIMENT TO US WOULD BE DURING THIS LITIGATION PROCESS, THE STATE WOULD HOLD SALES TAX OR ANY OTHER PAYMENTS DUE.
THE CITY MAY NOT ADOPT ANY ADD VALERO TAX RATE THAT EXCEEDS THE CITY'S NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE, WHICH MEANS THE VALUE OF AN ITEM OR A SERVICE WOULD INCREASE, BUT WE WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO INCREASE THE TAXES ASSOCIATED WITH THAT ITEM OR SERVICE.
THE CITY MAY NOT ADOPT A BUDGET THAT EXCEEDS THE TOTAL EXPENDITURES OF THE BUDGET UNDER WHICH THE CITY IS OPERATING AT THE TIME THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL BRINGS ACTION AGAINST THE CITY.
AGAIN, WE WOULD NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE INCOME.
OUR INCOME, OUR REVENUE WOULD BE HELD IN THE COFFERS OF THE STATE.
THE MONEY THAT WE, THE, THE PRODUCTS THAT WE ARE BUYING AND EARNING
[03:10:01]
A SALES TAX ON WOULD ACTUALLY BE HELD AT THE STATE LEVEL BECAUSE SOMEONE MADE A COMPLAINT THAT IS ABSOLUTELY OUTRAGEOUS.IT'S NOT FAIR, IT'S NOT RIGHT.
UM, THIS MEANS THAT WE WOULD LOSE BY NOT BEING ABLE TO ADOPT A BUDGET THAT EXCEEDS THE TOTAL EXPENDITURES.
THIS WOULD MEAN THAT THE CITY WOULD LOSE THE ABILITY TO FUND CONTINGENCY PLANS.
WE JUST TALKED ABOUT EMERGENCIES.
MS JUST GAVE US DETAILS OF WHERE WE STAND.
WE KNOW WHAT OUR WATER, UM, SITUATION IS, AND WE KNOW WHAT TYPE OF EMERGENCIES WE HAVE.
UM, THE CITY MAY NOT RECEIVE STATE GRANTS AND ANY PENDING APPLICATIONS FOR STATE GRANT FUNDS WOULD BE DENIED.
EVEN IF THE CITY IS HELD HARMLESS.
THE STATE GRANTS MAY NOT BE ALLOWED FOR THE FI FOR FIVE YEARS FOLLOWING THAT COMPLAINT.
THIS WOULD DIRECTLY HAVE IMMEDIATE NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON OUR BUDGET, HOUSING, HEALTH AND SAFETY OPERATIONS, POLICE, FIRE, HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WATER, UTILITIES.
SO WHEN WE ARE ASKING FOR HELP AND SUPPORT REGARDING CALLING OUR STATE LEGISLATORS, THAT IS SERIOUS.
I'M SHARING THIS INFORMATION WITH YOU BECAUSE WE'RE ASKING FOR US TO SPEAK UP AND SAY NO TO SENATE BILL 28 58 AND NO TO HOUSE BILL 28 67.
I'M NOT EXPECTING ANYONE TO REMEMBER THE NUMBERS, UM, TO THESE HOUSE BILLS OR SENATE BILLS.
BUT I AM EXPECTING FOR YOU TO PLEASE CONTACT US SO THAT WE IN TURN, CAN GIVE YOU THE, EXCUSE ME, CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE MAKING THESE DECISIONS THAT DIRECTLY AFFECT OUR QUALITY OF LIFE HERE IN PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS.
I AM OPEN IF ANYONE HAS ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, OR CONCERNS ABOUT THE INFORMATION I'VE SHARED.
UH, COUNCILMAN ETT, LIKE ON THANK YOU FOR YOUR INFORMATION.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE, UH, CITY ATTORNEY 'CAUSE ALL THE BILLS.
I JUST KEEP GETTING THEM AND, UH, I READ THEM SO THEY'RE VERY INFORMATIVE AND THEY KEEP ME UP TO DATE.
MY QUESTION IS, DO WE STILL HAVE THAT THEY LOBBYISTS IN AUSTIN? UH, WE, THAT WE PAID TO WHO? TO WHO'S THE QUESTION TO CITY ATTORNEY? TO ATTORNEY? NO, I'M, I'M TO WITH YOU.
DO WE STILL HAVE THE, UH, WHAT'S THE LADY HERE IN CANARD? YEAH.
IS SHE STILL IN AUSTIN? YES, SIR.
IS SHE STILL BEING PAID? YES, SIR.
THEN WE PAY HER TO, TO BE ON SITE AND TO KEEP UP WITH THESE BILLS AND TO KEEP US ABREAST.
SO WHEN IS SHE GONNA COME AND UPDATE US? YEAH, I SHE USUALLY UPDATES TWICE BASED ON PAST PERFORMANCE THAT YOU'VE HAD HIRED HER FROM, SHE PRESENTS BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, WHICH SHE CAME AND SHE PURPORTS AFTER THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
SO I EXPECT HER PROBABLY SOMETIME IN JULY OR AUGUST.
BUT TO GIVE YOU THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION THAT SENATE BILL 28 58, WHICH THE STATE PREEMPTS THE CITY ON ANY PENAL CODE, HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE AND ELECTION CODE, IT PASSED THE SENATE AND IT JUST PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE IN WHICH YOU TESTIFIED.
SO IT'S GONNA BE GOING ONTO THE FLOOR SOON AND PROBABLY MAKE ITS WAY TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE RATHER QUICKLY.
WELL, AND MS. KENARD WAS VERY HELPFUL IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING ME ON THE CALENDAR TO BE ABLE TO, UM, TO TESTIFY.
OUR LOBBYISTS DO NOT TESTIFY ON OUR BEHALF.
UM, THE LEGISLATURES REQUEST AND ENCOURAGE, UM, CITY OFFICIALS GOV, UM, OR FROM COUNTY OFFICIALS TO COME AND TESTIFY FOR OR AGAINST, UM, THESE BILLS.
THEY WANT TO HEAR THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE AND WE REPRESENT THE PEOPLE.
BUT MS. KENARD WAS VERY, UM, HELPFUL WITH HELPING ME TO NAVIGATE, UM, ON THE HILL AND MAKING SURE THAT I ACTUALLY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO, UM, TO TESTIFY ON OUR BEHALF.
ONCE AGAIN, WE PAYING THE LOBBYISTS TO LOBBY UP THERE.
AND YOU'RE SAYING THEY CANNOT SPEAK BEFORE COMMITTEES, UH, COUNCIL VIA, DID I HEAR YOU SAY THAT THEY CANNOT TESTIFY BEFORE COMMITTEE? THEY, THAT IS NOT IN OUR CONTRACT WITH MS. ARD FOR HER TO
[03:15:01]
TESTIFY ON OUR BEHALF.WELL, I'M JUST, THERE'S THE REASON I'M ASKING THE QUESTION.
FIRST OF ALL, SHE CAN, IF WE PUT IT IN A CONTRACT, OKAY, NOT ONLY THAT, BUT IF WE GONNA HAVE SOMEBODY UP THERE, WE NEED TO PUT A CONTRACT SO THAT PRIOR TO THE SESSION, KIND OF LET US KNOW WHAT'S GONNA BE COMING BEFORE THAT WILL IMPACT ON US DURING THE SESSION.
WHERE ARE THEY, UH, WHERE THEY ARE WITH THE BILLS.
WHAT PARTICULAR BILLS YOU ALL WILL WANT ME TO GO AND, AND TALK, UH, TESTIFY.
AND THEN AFTER ALL THESE ARE THE ONE THAT PASSED AND THIS RIGHT.
THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD HAVE THE LOBBYISTS DOING.
YEAH, LET'S LOOK AT THE CONTRACT AND ENSURE THAT ACTUALLY SHE, GO AHEAD.
THERE'S ACTUALLY A BILL RIGHT NOW THAT'S ACTUALLY GONNA PREVENT CITIES FROM HIRING LOBBYISTS.
SO WE WON'T HAVE LOBBYISTS MORE THAN LIKELY IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
I'LL CHECK ON THE STATUS OF THAT, BUT THAT THE LOBBYIST THAT WE DO HAVE IS WORKING FOR US UP UNTIL THE END OF SEPTEMBER OF THIS YEAR.
IT WAS A TWO YEAR CONTRACT, I BELIEVE THAT WAS SIGNED PRIOR TO MY EXISTENCE.
WELL, I'M JUST SAYING IF WE'RE GONNA PAY SOMEBODY TO BE UP THERE WHO'S SUPPOSED TO KNOW HOW TO GO THROUGH THE SYSTEM, THAT'S WHY WE HIRED HER, THAT WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT WE IMPLEMENT SOMETHING THAT WE COULD BE INFORMED AND ON TOP OF IT, JUST LIKE ALL THE BILLS THAT COME BEFORE, YOU KNOW, YEAH, WE WANT TO KNOW HOW THEY'RE GOING TO IMPACT ON IT, BUT A LOT OF 'EM MAY NOT PASS.
SO WE NEED TO BE ABREAST TO WHAT BILLS ARE COMING UP THAT'S GOING TO IMPACT ON US.
WHEREAS IT THEN COME BACK, HEY, THIS IS THE ONES THAT HAVE WENT THROUGH, THESE ARE THE ONES THAT I HAVEN'T COME HERE.
SO WE NEED A BEGINNING REPORT, A MIDDLE REPORT, AND A END REPORT IF WE'RE GONNA PAY SOMEBODY.
IF WE'RE NOT, IF WE CAN'T GET THAT, WHY HAVE A LOBBYIST? BECAUSE THEY SPEND THEIR TIME UP THERE AND THEY, AND THEY KNOW THE PEOPLE AND THEY KNOW THE SYSTEM.
THAT'S WHY THE PEOPLE HIRED THEM.
SO LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE CONTRACT.
BUT LIKE I SAID, I'M PRETTY MUCH AWARE OF WHAT'S GOING ON 'CAUSE I GET MESSAGES FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY AND I GET COMMENTS FROM, UH, COUNCILWOMAN EVER FEEL, AND I FOLLOW HIM.
BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE'RE PAYING SOMEBODY.
SO WHOEVER WE'RE PAYING SOMEBODY, I WANT TO HEAR THEM.
IF I CAN'T HEAR THEM, WE WON'T PAY THEM.
'CAUSE WE GETTING INFORMATION ANYWAY.
UH, COUNCILWOMAN BECKER, THANK YOU.
THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER EVER FIELD FOR BRINGING ALL THIS TO THE PUBLIC'S ATTENTION.
UM, THESE BILLS ARE ONES THAT I'VE BEEN FOLLOWING AS WELL AS SEVERAL OTHER BILLS THAT WILL HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT ON, UH, SOME PROJECTS THAT ARE PENDING BEFORE THE CITY.
UM, AND THE PUBLIC DOES NEED TO BE AWARE OF THESE AND WHAT THEY WILL IMPACT SO THAT THEY CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.
UM, A FEW MEETINGS AGO, CITY ATTORNEY YOU PROVIDED US WITH A LIST OF ALL OF THE REPRESENTATIVES NAMES THAT WE COULD CONTACT, THEIR CONTACT INFORMATION, PEOPLE THAT WORK FOR 'EM, THAT SORT OF THING.
I'M WONDERING IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE COULD PUT ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE SO THAT EVERYONE CAN HAVE ACCESS TO THAT.
MAYBE EVEN HYPERLINKS TO THEIR EMAIL ADDRESSES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
IF THE COUNCIL WOULD LIKE ME TO DO THAT, CERTAINLY I I THINK IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA.
I MEAN, IF WE WANT PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, WE NEED TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THEM TO GET THE INFORMATION ON HOW TO CONTACT PEOPLE.
SO I, I THINK I'M NOT, I REALLY WANNA REITERATE WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER EVER FIELD DID AND WHAT SHE'S TALKING ABOUT.
SHE, SHE WENT TO AUSTIN TO TESTIFY ON BEHALF OF THE PORT ARTHUR AGAINST A BILL.
AND THIS BILL, I WANT YOU TO CLEARLY UNDERSTAND IT IS SIGNIFICANTLY BAD FOR CITIES.
THIS BILL SAYS THAT IF THE STATE OCCUPIES A FIELD OF LAW WITH ELECTIONS, HEALTH AND SAFETY CODES, OR EVEN THE PENAL CODE, THAT A CITY CANNOT DRAFT AN ORDINANCE FOR ANY OF THOSE TOPICS.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M? THAT'S HEALTH AND SAFETY PENAL CODE AND ELECTION CODE.
YOU CANNOT DRAFT ANY ORDINANCES RELATED TO THAT.
IF SOMEONE SAYS THAT YOU DO DO THAT, AND IT MAKES A COMPLAINT TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CAN AUTOMATICALLY SUE THE CITY AND WITH HOLD AWE
[03:20:01]
SALES TAXES FROM THE CITY UNTIL THE LITIGATION IS OVER IMMEDIATELY.THAT IS MILLIONS OF, MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR THAT CAN BE IMMEDIATELY STOPPED.
BUT MY QUESTIONS STILL HAVEN'T BEEN ANSWERED.
AND THAT BILL PASSED THE SENATE, IT PASSED THE HOUSE AND IT'S GOING TO THE HOUSE FLOOR SOON.
SO THE QUESTIONS THAT THEY ASKED ME WERE ABOUT OUR, OUR FIRE AND POLICE, UM, SERVICE.
THEY ASKED ABOUT HOUSING, THEY ASKED ABOUT INFRASTRUCTURE.
I SHARED THE, THE COMMENT THAT YOU SHARED WITH ME, COUNCIL MEMBER FRANK, REGARDING THE, THE SEWAGE BACKUP.
THIS WOULD BE DETRIMENTAL IN SOME CITIES ACROSS THE STATE, WILL LITERALLY BE BANKRUPT IN THE EVENT THAT THIS BILL PASSES.
WE HAVE TO, I WAS ACCUSED OF BEING CALLED AN ALARMIST.
WELL, UM, YES, I'M RAISING THE ALARM.
WE HAVE TO SPEAK UP AND I'M ASKING FOR HELP TO DO THAT.
SO MY QUESTION ABOUT GETTING THE INFORMATION ON THE, ON THE WEBSITE CITY MANAGER, COULD WE MAKE SURE THAT THAT HAPPENS? AND IF WE COULD TO FURTHER EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THIS SO THAT THEY UNDERSTAND WHO THEY NEED TO CONTACT AND WHAT THEY NEED TO SAY, THAT THEY NEED TO SAY, WE ARE AGAINST SENATE BILL, WHATEVER, WE NEED TO HAVE THAT INFORMATION REAL CLEAR FOR THEM SO WE CAN GET SOME MORE SUPPORT FROM, FROM OUR CITIZENS.
COUNCILMAN LEWIS CITY, UH, CITY ATTORNEY, I APPRECIATE YOU THE NOTIFICATION THAT YOU'VE BEEN SENDING US ALL ABOUT THESE BILLS.
WHAT WE NEED TO DO AS A COUNCIL, IF IT'S NOT, IF THERE'S NO PROBLEM IN IT, WE STILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO PASS RESOLUTIONS FOR AND AGAINST.
LET ALL OUR LEGISLATORS KNOW THAT WE ARE OPPOSED OR WE SUPPORT CERTAIN LEGISLATION.
WE'RE NOT PROHIBITED FROM DOING ANY OF THOSE THINGS.
AT THE BEGINNING OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, IF YOU'LL REMEMBER, WE PREPARED A LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE FOR YOU.
YOU ADOPTED THE LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE AND WHAT YOU WERE IN FAVOR AND WHAT YOU WERE AGAINST.
IT ALSO AUTHORIZED YOU TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE CITY TO TRY TO PREVENT ANY BILLS THAT MAY NEGATIVELY IMPACT YOU.
OR TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF BILLS THAT POSITIVELY IMPACT YOU.
WELL, WELL, WE NEED TO WEEKLY OR MONTHLY AS THE SESSIONS ARE GOING ON TO SEND RESOLUTIONS, UH, NOTIFY LOBBY UP THERE TO WHAT WE ARE FOR.
IT'S TOO LATE FOR RESOLUTIONS.
THIS IS ABOUT CALLING, COMMUNICATING, EMAILING.
KNOCKING ON DOORS BEING IN YOUR FACE.
WE'LL, DO WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO DO IT? THAT THAT'S EFFECTIVELY OKAY.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS, MA? YOUR LIGHT IS STILL THANK YOU, MAYOR.
[V. REPORTS / ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST (LIMITED TO A TOTAL OF TWO (2) MINUTES PER COUNCILMEMBER)]
WE WILL DO AT THIS JUNCTURE, UH, WE HAVE, UH, ANY REPORTS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST FROM ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS, ANY REPORTS OF, UH, COMMUNITY INTEREST FROM ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS.I JUST WANT TO, UM, ACKNOWLEDGE AND REMIND THE COMMUNITY THAT THE MONTH OF MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH.
AND SO PLEASE, UM, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE, ESPECIALLY THROUGH OUR, UM, PORT ARTHUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
DON'T SAY, OH, THAT'S JUST UNCLE JOE.
WE'VE ALREADY, ALWAYS KNOWN HE WAS CRAZY.
SHE JUST ALWAYS ACTS LIKE THAT.
PLEASE PAY ATTENTION AND BE OF SUPPORT.
UM, LOVING SUPPORT TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHEN YOU MAY RECOGNIZE THAT THEY NEED MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT.
IT COMES IN ALL DIFFERENT FORMS AND FASHIONS, SO PLEASE DON'T PASS JUDGMENT ON THEM, BUT OFFER, UM, OFFER SUPPORT.
AND WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW HOW, CALL SOMEONE TO BE ABLE TO DO IT.
IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, I THINK THE NUMBER IS, UM, 9 8 8 FOR THE SUICIDE, UH, PREVENTION LINE IS 9 8 8 THE SAME WAY WE CALL 9 1 1 4 EMERGENCIES.
SO WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO, UM, TO REACH OUT TO FIND SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS SUFFERING FROM MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.
UH, I SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS A LONG TIME AGO, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO THANK, UH, DIRECTOR JUDY SMITH AND SANITARIAN SAM COLLINS FOR THE WORK THAT THEY DID WITH THE PRINCE HALL PROJECT AND THE LEWIS MOUNTAIN PROJECT IN LEWIS MOUNTAIN.
[03:25:01]
DON'T HAVE TO WALK HOME THROUGH SEWAGE ANYMORE.AND THE PRINCE HALL, WE GO 108 APARTMENTS OF 40 UNITS FOR THE, THEIR HELP IN WORKING WITH THE, WITH THE, WE HAVE ALREADY REPLACED ALL OF ALL OF THE SEWER LINES.
OKAY? BUT THE, UH, THE TENANTS, WHEN THE POOR PEOPLE AND THE ELDERLY PEOPLE WHEN THEY TAKE VALVES, THEY DON'T HAVE TO COVER UP THE DRAIN ANYMORE TO KEEP THE SEWAGE FROM BACKING IT ON.
THANKS TO THOSE PEOPLE AND DOCTOR AND, AND THE REPLACEMENT OF THOSE SEWAGE LINES.
AND WE'VE DONE THIS BEFORE, THANKS TO DOC DR.
UH, HANEY AND THE, AND THE, AND THE PIPE BURSTING CREW.
WE STILL GOT PROBLEMS BECAUSE COUNCILMAN FRANK SENT ME SOME PICTURES.
YOU KNOW, I GOT TO GET BACK OUT THERE AND, AND, AND I TOLD COUNCILMAN FRANK, ANYTIME ON THE PROPERTY IT IS A PROBLEM, GET WITH DIRECTOR JUDY SMITH OR SAM COLLINS, CHIEF SANITARY TO GET THOSE, THOSE OWN PROPERTIES, UH, VIOLATIONS CORRECTED.
AND BE THERE, UH, ANY OTHERS WITH ANY, ANY, UH, REPORTS? COMMUNITY INTEREST? OKAY.
IF NOT, WE'LL MOVE TO ITEM ON PAGE THREE.
WE CAN MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER, UH, FORMER NUMERAL SIX, UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
AND, UH, THE FIRST ITEM THERE IS A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER TO A GROUND LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS AND DILIGENCE OFFSHORE SERVICES LLC FOR, UH, THE APPROXIMATE 2,274 ACRES OF LAND, UH, UH, EXCUSE ME, OWNED, UH, ON OR NEAR, UH, PLEDGE ISLAND FOR THE DEVELOPMENT, CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF WIND AND SOLAR ENERGY FACILITIES AND THE SERVICE STATION, UH, DATA CENTER, OFFSHORE ENERGY HUB AND OTHER NECESSARY, UH, TENANT.
AND I BELIEVE THIS IS THE SAME, UH, BUT WE TALKING ABOUT DISCUSSING AND IT, THIS, THIS, I BELIEVE THIS WILL BE, UH, DISCUSSED, UH, IN OUR CLOSED SESSION, UH, IN A LITTLE WHILE.
UH, NEXT WE HAVE, UM, MAYOR, OH, I'D LIKE, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A CORRECTION.
CHIEF SAN NATHANIEL COLLINS, NOT SAM COLLINS.
YOU TALKING ABOUT HIS DAD? YEAH.
[VI.(2) P.R. No. 24287 – A Resolution Acknowledging The Receipt Of The Third Distribution From The Opioid Abatement Trust Fund And Authorizing The Establishment Of An Opioid Review Board]
UH, NEXT, NEXT WE HAVE THE, UH, SECOND ITEM OF UNFINISHED BUSINESS, WHICH IS, UH, P 24 2 8 7 IS THE RESOLUTION THAT ALLOWS IN THE RECEIPT OF, UH, THIRD OF THE THIRD DISTRIBUTION FROM THE OPIOID ABATEMENT, UH, TRUST FUND AND AUTHORIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AND OPIOID REVIEW BOARD.UH, WHERE WERE WE ON THAT? UH, CITY ATTORNEY? NO, I, I, I RECALL IT, BUT I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY.
QUESTIONS WERE ASKED BY COUNCIL MEMBER DUETTE THAT DESERVED ANSWERS.
AND SO TORIA ROBERTS, WHO WORKS IN OUR LAW DEPARTMENT, WORKS VERY CLOSELY WITH THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE INVOLVING THE
SHE IS HERE IN PERSON, BUT THERE IS A WRITTEN MEMO IN YOUR AGENDA PACKET THAT ANSWERS ALL THE QUESTIONS THAT COUNCIL MEMBER DOUCETTE HAD.
SO IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE FOR US, WE'LL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO TRY TO ANSWER 'EM.
IS THERE SOMETHING, UH, ANYTHING ELSE? COUNCILMAN DOUCETTE THAT BEFORE? YEAH, I DON'T HAVE THE MEMO, BUT FOR THE RECORDS, WHAT WAS IT? WHAT WAS IT? UM, FOR THE RECORDS GO GO AHEAD.
I I THINK, UM, YOUR CONCERN COUNCIL MEMBER DOUCETTE WAS THE APPOINTMENT OF THE BOARD AND WHICH IS STATED THAT, UM, THE CITY MANAGER AND, UM, I INFORMED MISS, UM, THE YOUNG LADY THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD APPOINT THE BOARD, EACH COUNCIL MEMBER WOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE THE ADVISORY OF EITHER APPOINT ONE PERSON OR TWO PERSONS.
I WOULD ADVISE ONE PERSON FROM EACH MEMBER, EACH COUNCIL MEMBER TO ESTABLISH THE BOARD.
AND WE WOULD WORK WITH, UM, MS. JUDI AND, UM, WITH THE OTHER HEALTH ENTITIES IN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR TO SEE, UH, BASED ON THE GUIDELINES THAT HAS BEEN ISSUED, TO SEE HOW THE MONEY'S BEING SPENT.
AND THE OTHER QUESTION THAT COUNCIL MEMBER ETT HAD WAS HE WANTED TO KNOW IF THIS WAS THE THIRD DISTRIBUTION OF MONEY, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE FIRST DISTRIBUTION AND THE SECOND DISTRIBUTION? WELL, THIS IS THE THIRD DISTRIBUTION AND ALL THE DISTRIBUTION AMOUNT OF MONEY REMAIN IN THE COUNT.
THEY HAVE NOT BEEN SPENT AT ALL.
AND WE HAD AN AMOUNT OF $367,000 RIGHT NOW.
BUT SO THOSE, THOSE ARE THE TWO ISSUES.
WHERE IS THE MONEY AND WHAT ABOUT THIS BOARD? THEY'RE HELD.
THE MONEY REMAINS UNTIL WE, WE ARE GONNA GET THE BOARD A STAFF.
AS SOON AS WE GET APPOINTEES FROM THE VARIOUS
[03:30:01]
COUNCIL MEMBERS, WE WILL MOVE ON, UM, DETERMINING HOW THE MONEY'S BEING SPENT.WE'LL WORK WITH THEM AND I COUNCIL MEMBER DO, SAID, I KNOW HOW CAREFUL YOU ARE ABOUT THE AGENDAS.
IT IS IN YOUR AGENDA PACKET THE MEMO, SIR.
I'LL BE, I'LL BE TALKING, I'LL BE ADDRESSING ANOTHER ISSUE TODAY ABOUT GRANTS AND HOW WE HANDLE THEM.
I GOT ALL OF THIS INFORMATION, BUT MY CONCERN FROM WHEN I PULLED IT, MY CONCERN WAS WE RECEIVED A GRANT.
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE GRANT WAS THAT WE ESTABLISHED THE ORB AND THE ORB WORKS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND DETERMINES HOW WE GONNA USE THE MONEY THAT WE GET IN DEALING WITH DRUG EDITION.
MA MY CONCERN WAS THAT WHEN WE FIRST GOT THE DISTRIBUTION AND WE FOUND OUT WHAT THE REQUIREMENT WAS, WE SHOULD HAVE ESTABLISHED A ORB THEN.
AND THAT MONEY THAT WE RECEIVED, WE RECEIVED AND SUSPENDED IT.
I'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT GRANTS AND, AND MONIES.
YOU KNOW, I DON'T, WE GET MONEY, WE NEED TO SPEND IT.
WE GETTING MONEY FOR A CERTAIN PURPOSE.
SO WE GETTING ONE ITERATION, THEN WE NEED TO GET THE BOY TOGETHER, SPEND THE MONEY BY THE TIME WE GET ANOTHER, WE SPEND THE MONEY.
WE SUPPOSED TO BE HELPING PEOPLE AND HELPING WITH DRUG ADDITION.
BUT FOR I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG A PERIOD OF TIME, WHAT WAS THE DATE ON THAT? I THINK IT WAS WHAT, 2 23.
SO IT IS LIKE ALMOST TWO YEARS.
AND NOW WE ARE JUST GETTING IT TO WORK.
WHEREBY WE SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT.
THE FIRST TWO DISTRIBU SHOULD HAVE BEEN GONE.
WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB OF, OF GETTING THE MONEY AND WHEN WE GET THE MONEY, WE NEED TO SPEND THE MONEY.
BUT, UH, SO THEY WAS GIVING US MO SO WE ACTUALLY GOT TWO ITERATIONS.
AND THEY DIDN'T TELL US WHAT TO DO WITH IT.
THAT'S WHEN THEY CAME AND INFORMED US THAT, YOU KNOW, THE CITY MANAGER.
BUT I WOULD, UM, I WOULD LEAVE THAT FOR THE COUNCIL TO DO I TELL WHAT? TO APPOINT THE MEMBERS? I'LL JUST, I'LL JUST CHECK AND SEE WHEN WE FIRST GOT IT, RON.
SO THEN I, I DON'T HAVE NO FOLLOW QUESTIONS.
IF YOU'RE SAYING IT JUST CAME, I'LL CHECK ON HIM.
UH, SO, UH, CITY ATTORNEY, AM I CORRECT? YOU SAID WE CAN VOTE ON ACCEPTING MR. I GET A MOTION TO ACCEPT PR NUMBER 24 2 8 7 AS PRESENTED COUNCILWOMAN EVER.
MAY I GET A SECOND? UH, COUNCILMAN? UH OH, HE'S GONE.
UH, IT MOVEMENT THE SECOND THAT WE WOULD APPROVE PR NUMBER 24 2 8 7 AS PRESENTED.
ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS? WE'RE READY TO VOTE.
NOW WE, AS WE MOVE OVER TO PAGE, UH, FOR, TO BEGIN THE CONSENT AGENDA AND IT IS NOW ONE, UH, 19 TO BE ALMOST ONE 20.
WE'VE LABORED STAFF HERE FOR ABOUT FOUR HOURS IN, UH, IN, IN, IN, IN THIS MORNING SESSION.
AND STAFF HASN'T HAD A CHANCE FOR THEIR LUNCH AND MAYBE EVERYONE ELSE.
SO, AND I KNOW THERE'S SOME WHO ARE HERE FOR SOME PRESENTATIONS, BUT WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO, WE'RE GONNA RECESS UNTIL TWO 30 AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK AND HOPEFULLY GOD WILL BLESS US TO FINISH AN HOUR.
WELL YOU COULD WISH FOR, YOU WISH FOR A WHOLE LOT.
OKAY, LET'S, LET'S, LET'S, LET'S RECESS.
CITY SECRETARY CAN MAY, WILL YOU REESTABLISH FOR US PLEASE? MAYOR BART, PRESENT MAYOR PRO.
TIM ETT, HEARING, COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS.
COUNCIL MEMBER HAMILTON, EVER FIELD
[03:35:01]
COUNCIL MEMBER BECKHAM.COUNCIL MEMBER FRANK, PRESENT.
IT IS NOW 2 36, UH, PM ON TODAY, MAY 20TH, 2025.
[VII. CONSENT AGENDA ]
WE WILL BEGIN NOW, UH, ON PAGE FOUR WITH OUR CONSENT AGENDA IN THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, BASICALLY OF, UH, ROUTINE IN NATURE AND ADMINISTRATIVE, UH, IN NATURE.AND, UH, THE COUNCIL HAS BEEN FURNISHED WITH THE BACKGROUND AND SUPPORT MATERIAL ON EACH ITEM.
AND IF THERE ARE ANY ITEMS THAT, UH, COUNCILPERSONS WHO ARE PRESENT WOULD WANT TO BE WITHDRAWN, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU.
JUST GIVE ME THE PAGE NUMBER AND THE ITEM NUMBER PLEASE.
ITEM NUMBER TWO, PAGE FOUR, MAYOR.
AND ITEM NUMBER SEVEN ON PAGE FIVE.
ITEMS NUMBER 11 AND 12 ON PAGE SIX.
ON PAGE, UH, MY FINGERS ARE STUCK HERE.
AND ITEM 14 ON PAGE SEVEN AND ITEM 14.
WOULD THERE BE ANY OTHERS? ANY OTHERS? IF THEY'RE NOT, I WOULD LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA WITH THE EXCLUSION OF ITEMS NUMBER 2, 7 11, 12 AND 14.
UH, COUNCILMAN FRANK, YOU GIVE US A MOTION PLEASE.
MAY I VOTE HIM? SECOND? WE MOVED.
AND SECOND THAT WE WOULD APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA WITH THE EXCLUSION OF THE SATED ITEMS. WE'RE READY FOR QUESTION.
ANY QUESTIONS? YOU READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.
ANY OPPOSES? AYE HAVE SOLE BE THE CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED WITH THE EXCLUSION OF THE STATED ITEMS. NOW
[VII.C.(2) P.R. No. 24295 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Accept The Fiscal Year 2026 Project Safe Neighborhood Block Grant Program (PSN) Funding In The Amount Of $90,790.00, With No Grant Match Requirement, In Fund 107 – Public Safety Emergency Fund]
THE ITEMS THAT WERE WITHDRAWN WILL BEGIN WITH ITEM NUMBER TWO ON PAGE FOUR, AND IT IS PR NUMBER 24 2 9 5 IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 PROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM PSN FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $90,790 WITH NO GRANT MATCH, UH, REQUIREMENT IN FUND 1 0 7 OF PUBLIC SAFETY EMERGENCY FRONT.MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVED COUNCILMAN FRANK? SO MOVE IN.
MAY I GET A SECOND? COUNCILWOMAN BECKHAM SECOND, THEN MOVED.
AND SECOND, THEN WE WOULD ACCEPT PR NUMBER 24 2 9 5 AS PRESENTED.
WE READY FOR QUESTION? COUNCILMAN DEUCE? YES.
UH, THE CITY MANAGER CAN HAVE THE FINANCE THERE OR YOU WANT TO ANSWER THE QUESTION? GO AHEAD
WE HAVE THE GRANT OF, UH, $90,790 AND WE SAID THAT, UH, WE GONNA PLACE IT IN THE POLICE.
I WAS WONDERING IT WAS, IT WAS SMALL.
NO, THIS IS THE PUBLIC SAFETY EMERGENCY FUND.
THAT'S WHERE I PUT ALL OF THE POLICE GRANTS THAT WE GET FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN THE, UH, YOU PUT IT IN THAT FUND? THAT IS CORRECT.
WHAT ABOUT THE BUDGET? NOW I HAVEN'T AMENDED IT BECAUSE I DIDN'T SEE AN APPROPRIATION OR EXPENDITURE THAT WAS GOING TO COME TO FRUITION BEFORE OCTOBER 1ST.
SO HOW DO WE ACCOUNT FOR IT BEING IN THE BUDGET? IT, IT'LL COME THROUGH ON YOUR 26TH BUDGET FOR OCTOBER.
AND, UH, BUT WE GOT THIS GRANT NOW, RIGHT? WE HAVE THIS GRANT, YES.
AND IT'S JUST A REVENUE GRANT, BUT BECAUSE IT'S NOT GOING TO HAVE ANY EXPEN, THERE'S NO EXPENDITURE THAT'S EXPECTED YET.
THAT'S WHY IT HA HASN'T BEEN PUT INTO APPROPRIATION.
IF I KNEW THAT THERE WAS GONNA BE AN EXPENDITURE THIS YEAR, I WOULD'VE GONE AHEAD AND ADDED AN APPROPRIATION.
BUT, UH, THE LAST I HAD ASKED ABOUT THIS, THIS WAS A 26 GRANT.
AND SO I, MY UNDERSTANDING WAS WE WERE WAITING UNTIL OCTOBER 1ST.
SEE, AND THAT'S, THAT'S MY QUESTION.
WE GETTING MONEY INTO THE CITY,
[03:40:01]
OKAY? AND THIS IS A GRANT IS NOT REVENUE.SO IF WE RECEIVED A GRANT, AREN'T WE SUPPOSED TO ACCOUNT FOR THAT MONEY EITHER IN THE BUDGET AT SOME LINE ITEM? UM, YOU GOT THE LINE ITEM, BUT THE BUDGET DOESN'T REFLECT THE AN INCREASE.
I I MEAN OUR GENERAL FUND DOESN'T REFLECT THE INCREASE.
NO, BECAUSE IT'S NOT GOING INTO GENERAL FUND AT ALL.
IT'S GOING INTO THIS FUND 1 0 7, WHICH IS COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE GENERAL FUND.
SO DID WE INCREASE THAT FUND? WE HAVEN'T INCREASED IT BECAUSE THERE WAS NO EXPENDITURES.
IT'S GONNA BE COMING OUT THROUGH YOUR 26.
WHATEVER WE DIDN'T SPEND IN ANY GRANTS OR ANY GRANTS THAT WERE GIVEN THAT WERE NOT SPENT IS GONNA BE IN THE 26TH APPROPRIATION.
AND HOW DO I KNOW THAT THAT MONEY IS THERE? IF I GO INTO ONE OF THAT'S, SEE, I FOLLOW THE, THE BUDGET, I FOLLOW THE DIFFERENT, UH, DEPARTMENTS AND THE DIFFERENT FUNDING ACCOUNTS.
AND WHEN I DO, I LOOK FOR MONEY.
SO IF I GET $90,000 WITHIN, GIVEN OR COMING TO THE CITY SOMEHOW OR ANOTHER, IF I AS A COUNCILMAN GOING BACK TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHERE THIS MONEY IS UNLESS IT'S BEING POSTED RIGHT, I'M NOT GONNA KNOW.
AND, AND, AND THAT'S MY QUESTION.
AND SO WHEN YOU, WHEN WE'RE COMING TO DO OUR BUDGET FOR 26, IT'LL HAVE THE GRANTS THAT I HAVE, I CAN ONLY DO THE BUDGET ACCORDING TO THE GRANTS THAT WE HAVE, NOT THE GRANTS THAT I THINK WE MIGHT HAVE IN THE FUTURE.
SO WHEN I'M DOING THE BUDGET FOR 26, IT'S GONNA BE FOR ANY OTHER LEFTOVER GRANT THAT WE HAVE IN 25 AND ANY OF THE WARDS, ALL OF THAT WILL BE IN THE 1 0 7 BUDGET.
CURRENTLY WE APPROPRIATED A CERTAIN AMOUNT AND THAT WAS ALL.
IF WE'RE GONNA GO BEYOND THAT APPROPRIATION, THEN I WOULD HAVE TO AMEND THE BUDGET, BUT WE HAVE NOT.
I'LL COME BY YOUR OFFICE ON THIS ONE.
I, I DON'T HAVE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS HERE.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON IT? THEY HONOR, WE READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? A ANY OPPOSES HIGHEST HABIT? SO PR NUMBER 24 2 9 5 IS APPROVED AS READ.
[VII.C.(7) P.R. No. 24317 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into An Agreement With Mike Barnett Construction Of Port Neches, Texas Through The Region 5 Education Service Center Southeast Texas Cooperative Purchasing Program Contract Number 20250202 To Replace Cabinetry At The West Side Development Center In The Amount Of $49,843.00. Funds Available In Account Number 307-15- 043-8512-00-10-000- Project BU 0021]
HAVE ITEM NUMBER SEVEN ON PAGE FIVE PRR NUMBER 24 3 1 7.IT IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER AND ENTER AN AGREEMENT WITH MIKE BARNETT, CONSTRUCTION OF PORT NATURES TEXAS THROUGH THE REGION FIVE EDUCATION SERVICE CENTER, SOUTHEAST TEXAS COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PROGRAM.
CONTRACT NUMBER 2 2 5 0 2 0 2 TO REPLACE CABINETRY AT THE WEST SIDE, UH, DEVELOPMENT CENTER IN THE AMOUNT OF $49,843.
BONDS AVAILABLE IN ACCOUNT NUMBER 3 0 7 DASH FIVE DASH, EXCUSE ME, 0 4 3 DASH 8 5 2 0 0 0 0.
THIS IS PROJECT NUMBER BU 0 0 2 1.
MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? UH, COUNCILMAN EVER FIELD, MAY I GET A, A SECOND? COUNCILMAN BECKER SECOND HAS BEEN MOVED IN SECOND AND WE WOULD APPROVE PR NUMBER 24 3 17 AS PRESENTED.
AND THIS ONE? THE, THAT'S FOR THE WEST SIDE CENTER AND COMMUNITY CENTER.
AND I WENT INTO THE CAPTOR AND I FOUND OUT, YES, WE PUT THE, UH, MONEY APPROVED, THE MONEY IN THE BUDGET FOR THE WEST SIDE ROOF REPLACEMENT AND ALSO THE FURNITURE AND FIXTURES AND ALSO FOR THE ROOF REPLACEMENT ON THE, UH, CLINIC.
I TOTALED UP THESE CONTRACTS THAT'S GONNA DO THAT.
AND I COME WITH THE 196,000 FOR THAT.
AND WHEN I LOOK INTO OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET FOR THOSE THREE THINGS I SEE WE BUDGETED $460,000.
YOU KNOW, THAT'S SOMETHING I'VE ALWAYS QUESTIONED ABOUT US PUTTING MONEY INTO PROJECTS IN A BUDGET AND IT GOING MORE THAN WHAT WE NEED.
SO I'D JUST LIKE TO HAVE SOMEBODY EXPLAIN TO ME WHY WE PUT $460,000 IN THE BUDGET AND THE WORK COMES UP TO LESS THAN TWO, $200,000.
[03:45:02]
AND WHO WOULD YOU BE DIRECTING IT TO? THE UH, WHOEVER CAN ANSWER.FROM, UH, THE CIVIC CENTER OR STAFF? YEAH.
THOSE, THOSE WERE IN THE BUDGET, THOSE WERE ESTIMATES AS WELL.
AND CLIFF WENT OUT FOR BIDS FOR THOSE.
SOME OF THE BIDS CAME IN MUCH HIGHER THAN THE AMOUNTS THAT, UM, THAN THE LOWEST BID THAT WE HAD THERE.
SO THE, THOSE WERE ESTIMATES THAT WERE BEING PLACED IN THE BUDGET BEFORE THAT.
AND WE ARE JUST LUCKY THAT THE BIDS THAT CAME IN WERE MUCH LOWER, BUT THOSE, THEY WERE, THIS BID WAS MUCH LOWER.
BUT THERE ARE MUCH HIGHER BIDS THAT CAME IN FOR THAT AS WELL FOR THOSE TWO ROOFS.
ISN'T THAT RIGHT, CLIFF? SEE, 'CAUSE WE DIDN'T GO AHEAD.
UH, YES, THE, THE BIDS CAME IN LESS THAN WHAT WE THOUGHT, BUT I, I CAN'T ANSWER TO HOW HE CAME UP THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE WHEN HIS FACE COME UP.
BUT YES, I KNOW THAT THE BIDS CAME IN LOWER THAN WHAT WE THOUGHT.
YEAH, BECAUSE WHAT I'M QUESTIONING NOW IS OUR ESTIMATION OF BIDS CITY MANAGER, WHEN WE START SELECTING PROJECTS IN THIS UPCOMING BUDGET, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET A PRETTY GOOD ESTIMATE.
YEAH, SOME OF 'EM, IT'S GONNA BE HIGH, SOME OF 'EM GOING TO COME BACK, WE'RE GONNA NEED MORE MONEY.
BUT WHEN WE PUT IN THE ESTIMATE, IT COMES TO 400, WE PUT $460,000 INTO AN ESTIMATE THAT COMES OUT TO 1 96, THAT'S JUST TOO FAR OFF.
THAT'S MONEY WE COULD HAVE PUT SOMEWHERE ELSE.
CLIFF, WHY DIDN'T WE GO OUT FOR BITS? I THINK THIS WAS WHAT YOU USED THE REGION FIVE.
THE REASON WE USED REGION FIVE FOR THAT PARTICULAR ONE, WE DID GO OUT FOR BIDS FOR THE ROOF AND SOME INTERIOR WORK ON THAT SAME BUILDING.
UM, ADAM'S ON IF YOU WANT TO ASK HIM.
SO, BUT THE, THE CABINETRY WAS THE DISCOVERED LATER.
SO BECAUSE THIS SAME COMPANY WON THE ACTUAL BIDS, WE JUST WANTED TO KEEP IT UNIFIED AND SINCE HE WAS ON THE CO-OP, WE DECIDED TO USE HIM FOR THE CABINETRY WORK.
SO ONCE AGAIN, WE GOT SOMEBODY IN PORT ARTHUR THAT PROBABLY COULD HAVE DONE THE CABINETRY WORK FOR THAT AMOUNT OR LESS TRUE.
OR THEY COULD HAVE LOST LIKE THEY DID ON THE ROOF.
I MEAN WE, WE DIDN'T, WE WENT OUT FOR THE BID AND WE JUST WANTED TO KEEP A UNIFORM.
WE DIDN'T WANNA GO OUT FOR QUOTES AND HAVE ANOTHER CONTRACTOR, ONE DOING THIS ONE DOING THAT.
THEN IF SOME STUFF GO WRONG, THEY EACH OF 'EM BLAMING EACH OTHER, YOU KNOW? SO WE WANTED TO KEEP IT UNIFORM.
SO IT JUST SO HAPPENED THAT THE COMPANY THAT WON HAPPENED TO BE ON A CO-OP.
SO WE JUST HAPPENED TO DO THE ADDITIONAL WORK SINCE IT WAS ALL GOING ON AT THE SAME TIME.
WELL IT SOUNDS EASY FOR US, CLIFF, IT'S LESS WORK FOR YOU GUYS.
BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IF WE SAY WE WANT BUSINESSES IN PORT ARTHUR TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BID ON JOBS, I THINK WE ARE VERY CLEAR WITH WITH WHAT WE ASKING.
AND WHEN WE ASK THAT YOU ALLOW PEOPLE FROM PORT ARTHUR TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BID ON EACH JOB, WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT KEEPING IT TOGETHER BECAUSE WHATEVER THEY SIGN UP FOR, THEY GOT SCOPE OF THE WORK AND EVERYTHING AND WE SUPPOSED TO CHECK THE JOB.
IF THEY DO A GOOD JOB, FINE, BUT THEY DO A BAD JOB, THEN WE DON'T USE 'EM NO MORE.
BUT EVERY TIME I SEE A BID THAT DOES NOT ALLOW A PORT ARTHUR BUSINESS TO BID ON IT, I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT.
AND YOUR ANSWER TO ME IS, WELL, WE JUST WANT TO KEEP ONE PERSON TO DO IT.
YEAH, YOU GOT ONE PERSON, BUT THAT ONE PERSON NOT DOING ONE JOB, OKAY, THAT'S, THAT'S TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A PERSON THAT'S DOING ROOFING AND YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT SOMEBODY THAT'S DOING CABINETRY WELL AND THEY'RE ALSO DOING SOME INTERIOR WORK ALSO.
UM, SO IT, IT WAS A COM COMBINATION OF, OF PROJECTS THAT WE BIDDED.
SO THAT'S WHY WE JUST WANTED TO KEEP IT UNIFORM.
ONCE AGAIN, YOU TELLING ME YOU WANNA KEEP IT UNIFORM, ALL YOU TELLING ME IS WE JUST WANT ONE PERSON DO IT AND WE HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE.
AND WHAT I'M SAYING IS I WOULD LIKE TO SEE JOBS THAT WE HAVE IN THE CITY SO THAT CITIZEN BUSINESSES IN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR HAVE A CHANCE TO COMPETE.
[03:50:01]
SAYS COMPETITIVE BUSINESS, THE FEDERAL LAW SAYS COMPETITIVE BUSINESS.WE SHOULD SAY WE GO SO FAR AS WE GIVE ADDITIONAL POINTS TO PORT ARTHUR PEOPLE, THEY GET THE BENEFIT, THEY GET THE POINTS.
SO PEOPLE IN THE CITY ARE TALKING ABOUT WHY WE DON'T GIVE THEM WORK EVERY OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE TO GIVE THEM WORK.
WE SAID IT MANY TIMES, WHY AREN'T WE DOING IT? IT'S NOT ABOUT CONVENIENCE TO ME, IT'S NOT ABOUT WHAT IT'S ABOUT.
DO I REALLY HAVE A JUSTIFICATION TO TELL A PORT ARTHUR BUSINESS PERSON, WELL WE CAN'T USE YOU WITH THIS ONE BECAUSE WE WANT ONE PERSON DO THE WHOLE THING.
I THINK EVERY CHANCE WE HAVE, WE SHOULD GET OUR PART OF THE BUSINESS.
I DON'T KNOW, I KEEP SAYING THIS, MAYBE I'M THE ONLY ONE THAT CARES ABOUT THIS.
I KNOW I, MAYBE I'M THE ONLY ONE THAT SAYS THINGS BECAUSE WE GETTING TO THE POINT NOW THAT THIS COUNCIL HAS TO SPEAK OTHER THAN DOUCETTE ON WHETHER WE WANT TO HAVE OUR BUSINESSES IN PORT ARTHUR, GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO BID ON JOBS THAT THEY CAN DO, THAT MONEY WILL COME BACK INTO OUR COMMUNITY.
THEY LIVE IN OUR COMMUNITY, THEY'LL ATTACK PAYERS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND JUSTIFICATION TO ME SHOULD BE ONE THAT SAYS WE ARE JUSTIFIED BY NOT USING OR NOT ALLOWING THEM TO DO IT.
AND I UNDERSTAND COUNCILMAN DEUCE AND I'M IN AGREEMENT AND I PUT ALL THESE BIDS OUT FOR PORT ARTHUR.
THERE'S TIMES WE COULD, I'VE, I'VE TOLD PEOPLE NOT TO USE A CO-OP BECAUSE WE WANTED TO GIVE PORT ARTHUR, WE GOT A FLOORING, I BIDED FOR PORT ARTHUR.
I BID IT BECAUSE WE WANTED TO GIVE PEOPLE FROM UH, PORT ARTHUR OPPORTUNITY.
LIKE I SAID, WE JUST LOOKED AT THIS ONE FROM A LOGISTICS THING.
IT'S NOT ABOUT CONVENIENCE, BUT WE JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG WITH SOMETHING THAT SOMEBODY'S NOT GOING TO, 'CAUSE WE'VE HAD THIS BEFORE, MULTIPLE CONTRACTS IN THERE AND EVERYBODY'S FINGER POINT AS WHO CAUSED THE PROBLEM.
SO WE JUST THOUGHT LOGISTICALLY THIS WOULD BE BETTER THAN HAVING TWO CONTRACTORS WORKING ON THIS SAME BUILDING.
WELL THE THING I SAY IS WHATEVER WE CONTRACT PEOPLE FOR, WE HAVE A SCOPE, DON'T WE? I UNDERSTAND, BUT SOMETIMES THINGS HAPPEN AND THEY SAY BECAUSE THEY DID THAT, THAT CAUSED THE ISSUE.
'CAUSE WE MIGHT SAY THE ISSUE WAS THE ROOF.
THEY MIGHT SAY, 'CAUSE THEY DID THIS, CAUSED THE ISSUE WITH THE ROOF.
YOU KNOW IT, OR THIS MIGHT HAVE CAUSED ISSUE WITH THE WALL BECAUSE WHAT THEY DID ON THE ROOF.
I'M JUST SAYING THESE HAVE HAPPENED BEFORE WHERE CONTRACTORS SAYING THE OTHER PERSON CAUSED THIS ISSUE.
OKAY, THEN I TELL YOU WHAT, THEN MAYBE THIS COULD PUT IT INTO OUR DISCUSSION.
YOU TELL ME HOW SOMEBODY WORKING INSIDE ON CABINETRY GONNA BLAME ANYBODY WORKING ON THE ROOF.
OR YOU TELL ME HOW ANYBODY WORKING ON A ROOF IS GONNA PLAY TO WHAT SOMEBODY DOING IN CABINETRY ON THE INSIDE.
IF YOU, IF YOU COULD CONVINCE ME THAT THEY WILL COMPLAIN ABOUT ONE ANOTHER, THEN I UNDERSTAND YOUR LINE OF THINKING.
OKAY, IF THEY WERE BOTH WORKING ON THE INSIDE, I CAN UNDERSTAND IT.
SO NOW YOU TELLING ME, YOU GAVE ME AN EXAMPLE, SO I WANNA TAKE YOUR EXAMPLE AND YOU EXPLAIN TO ME HOW SOMEBODY WORK ON THE ROOF IS GONNA COMPLAIN ABOUT SOMEBODY THAT DURING CABINETS OR YOU TELL ME HOW SOMEBODY DURING ON THE INSIDE IS DOING PAIN ABOUT SOMEBODY ON THE ROOF DURING THEIR JOB.
I MEAN I CAN'T ANSWER A PARTICULAR THING ON THIS.
I'LL JUST SAY THAT'S HAPPENED IN THE PAST WITH SITUATIONS LIKE THIS.
I CAN'T SAY IDEALLY IT MIGHT NOT, I JUST SAID IT FROM A LOGISTIC PART.
WE JUST THOUGHT IT'D BE BETTER IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE.
WELL THAT'S THE TIME I ASK YOU TO EXPLAIN IT TO ME.
YEAH, BECAUSE EVERY TIME YOU COME UP AND I ASK YOU OR YOU START TELLING US SOMETHING, YOU GIVE US A LOT OF EXAMPLES.
SOME OF THEM ARE, SOME OF 'EM ARE RELATED TO WHAT WE SAY, SOME OF 'EM ARE EXAMPLES THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.
AND THIS WHOLE DISCUSSION HERE IS WHY WASN'T SOMEBODY FROM PORT ARTHUR GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO BID ON THIS JOB AND YOU TELL ME THAT YOU DON'T WANT ONE BLAMING OR ANOTHER AND I ASK YOU HOW CAN THAT POSSIBLY BE? YOU RECOGNIZE WHAT I SAID? THAT'S WHY YOU ADMITTED IT.
WELL NOT IN THIS, BUT IN THE PAST I I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE PAST CITY MANAGER.
[03:55:01]
THAT WE CANNOT TRY TO GIVE CITY BUSINESS THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY AT ANY WORK THAT WE HAVE HERE IN THE CITY? WHY CAN'T THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BID BEFORE WE START GOING TO CO-OPS AND ALL OF THIS? PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS ONE.CONS SAY WE HAVE THOUGH, I GOTTA ANSWER.
WE HAVE, THERE ARE TWO OTHER, ALL THE AGENDA ITEMS DID NOT MAKE IT TO THIS AGENDA BECAUSE THERE ARE OTHER, THERE WERE OTHER AGENDA ITEMS THAT I PULLED BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT AS I TOLD CLIFF, LISTEN, NOW LET'S MAKE SURE YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE COUNCIL ASKING ABOUT WHY DID WE ISSUE IT TO SUCH AND SUCH A PERSONAL SIDE OF THE CITY.
MAKE SURE THAT YOU GO OUT THERE AND DIG UNDER EVERY STONE THAT YOU GET AND GET A VENDOR TO BID ON IT AS WELL SO THAT AT LEAST WHEN YOU COME BACK, YOU SURE THAT AT LEAST YOU HAVE MADE A GOOD FAITH EFFORT TO FIND IT.
THE THE THING FOR THE CONCRETE, I PULLED IT BECAUSE I, THERE WAS, THERE WAS NOT AN A PART OF A VENDOR.
AGAIN, IT WAS JUST A $50,000 PROJECT, YOU KNOW, BUT HE SENT IT OUT.
THERE WAS NOT A PORT ARTHUR VENDOR.
SO I SAID GO BACK AND DIG UNDER THE STOOL AND FIND THE PORT ARTHUR VENDOR UNDER THE STONE CLIFF AND BRING IT BACK.
OKAY? THAT'S THAT'S GREAT CITY MANAGER.
I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU DID 'CAUSE WHAT YOU JUST DESCRIBED IS EXACTLY WHAT I WOULD EXPECT.
OKAY? BUT, BUT, BUT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PLEASE DON'T INTERRUPT THE CLIFF.
I'LL LET YOU SPEAK WHEN YOU, WHEN YOU WANT TO.
I WILL NOT STOP YOU FROM SPEAKING.
I APPLAUD YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING 'CAUSE THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.
SEE THE MAN, EXACTLY WHAT YOU THINK.
BUT THIS PARTICULAR ITEM IS ONE THAT I DON'T AGREE WITH.
THIS IS ONE THAT I FELT WE COULD HAVE WENT OUT FOR BID.
AND THE REASON I SAY THAT BECAUSE I COULD GO EVEN FURTHER TO SAY THAT THE TIMEFRAME IN WHICH THIS WAS BIDDED OUT WAS LIKE IN MARCH WE IN MAGGIE AND WE JUST GETTING IT UP HERE TO COUNCIL TO APPROVE IT.
IF THOSE CABINETRY NEED TO BE REPLACED, I'M QUITE SURE THEY WERE DONE PRIOR TO OCTOBER BECAUSE WHEN I GO TO THE CAPTAIN IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, THEY'RE LISTED, WHICH MEANS THAT WE KNEW AT LEAST IN SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR THAT WE WERE GOING TO REPLACE CABINETS.
WE KNEW IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR THAT WE GOING TO REPLACE THOSE TWO ROOFS BECAUSE WE PUT 'EM IN THERE TO BE DONE.
SO THIS NOT OF A TIME ESSENCE, AND I'M NOT SPEAKING ABOUT THOSE THAT YOU PULLED, I'M TALKING ABOUT THIS ONE BECAUSE THIS IS ONE THAT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION AND I LIKE YOU, I LOOK AT IT AND I DON'T MIND SAYING YES WE HAVE, AND I LISTENED TO WHAT CLIFF SAID AND HE GAVE ME EXAMPLES AND ALL I DID WAS THIS.
SO I DON'T BUY A PERSON WORKING ON THE ROOF, IT'S GOING TO INTERFERE WITH SOMEBODY WORKING INSIDE A BUILDING.
SO THAT WAS UNACCEPTABLE TO ME AND THAT'S ALL I WAS SAYING.
AND SO THEREFORE, ONCE AGAIN, I EXPECT TO SEE SOMETHING WHERE PORT ARTHUR BUSINESS PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO AT LEAST BID ON JOBS.
AND ADAM SONNER SAYS HE IS ONLINE.
SO I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD.
I I'M OKAY THAT WE HAVE A DIFFERENT OPINION ON THIS PARTICULAR ONE.
I JUST WANTED TO COMMENT TO THAT WHY WE NEVER, 'CAUSE WE DO, I JUST WANNA MAKE THAT KNOWN AS MANY JOBS THAT I HAVE PUT TO THE SIDE.
THE BID FROM ROOTS ON PLEASURE ISLAND, THE ROOTS OVER THERE ON THE WEST SIDE, THE THE UH, THE LITTLE BOY WALKS ON PLEASURE ISLAND OR I'VE DONE ALL THAT TO INCLUDE PULLED OUT THE PEOPLE.
SO I JUST WANNA MAKE THAT KNOWN.
WE'VE AND PLUS STUFF FOR HOUSING, I'M JUST SAYING WE, I PUT OUT A LOT OF THINGS TO GIVE, PULLED OUT THE PEOPLE OPPORTUNITIES.
SO I JUST WANNA PUT THAT OUT THERE.
WE ARE BYPASSING STRAIGHT FOR CO-OPS.
I THINK YOU DO A GOOD JOB, BUT WHEN YOU BRING IT UP HERE AND I THINK IT'S ELIMINATING A JOB IS MY JOB TO SAY IT.
WHAT I SAID IS I'M DEALING WITH ONLY THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA.
I'M NOT DEALING WITH ALL THE OTHER ITEMS. I'M NOT DEALING WITH THE GOOD THINGS YOU DO.
AND I NEVER SAY YOU WAS INCOMPETENT.
I NEVER SAID YOU WASN'T DOING ANYTHING FOR WHAT I'M SAYING WAS THIS PARTICULAR ITEM IS THE ONE I'M ADDRESSING.
OKAY? AND I'M TELLING YOU WHEN YOU SAY WE DIFFERENT, NO WE AIN'T GONNA DIFFER.
IF YOU BELIEVE THAT GOING TO THIS CO-OP AND NOT GIVING PEOPLE IN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR BUSINESS PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BID ON IT, WE'RE NOT DISAGREEING.
BUT AS A COUNCILMAN, I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE A CHANCE TO BID ON IT.
AND I'VE SAID IT TOO MANY TIMES, SO
[04:00:01]
DON'T EVER THINK I'M QUESTIONING YOUR JOB THAT YOU DO, CHRIS.I MEAN CLIFF, IF THAT WAS THE CASE, I'LL TELL YOU, I'LL GO TALK WITH THE MANAGER ABOUT IT.
I'M DEALING WITH ONLY THIS ISSUE HERE.
SO WHAT YOU'VE DONE OTHER THAN THIS, I'M NOT, I'M NOT CONDEMNING IT.
I'M NOT SAYING YOU DON'T DO A GREAT JOB.
THIS IS THE ITEM I'M TALKING ABOUT AND I'M TALKING ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME I TALKED ABOUT IT ON COUNCIL AND I HOPE I NEVER HAVE TO TALK ABOUT IT AGAIN BECAUSE I THINK THIS TIME COUNCIL GONNA HAVE TO COME IN AND WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO HAVE A DISCUSSION AND WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO ISSUE A DIRECTIVE.
SO I HOPE THE NEXT TIME WHEN YOU LOOKING AT ITEMS AND WE KNOW SO FAR IN ADVANCE LIKE WE HAD THIS, THAT WE TAKE THE NECESSARY STEP TO ENSURE THAT COUNCIL AND THAT CITY PEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT.
UH, ANY OTHER, ANY OTHER COMMENTS NOW READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? A ANY OPPOSES AYES HAVE IT? PR NUMBER 24 3 17 AS APPROVED AS PRESENTED.
[VII.C.(11) P.R. No. 24327 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Contract With Inland Environments LTD., Of Kingwood, Texas Through Region 5 Southeast Texas Cooperative Purchasing Contract No. 20240403 For The Asbestos Abatement Of Flooring Material Located On The 2nd Floor Of City Hall And Offices On The 2nd Floor Annex Building, Both Located At 444 4th Street, Port Arthur, Texas In The Total Proposed Amount Of $46,800.00; Funding Is Available In FY 24-25 Account No. 307-07-015-8512-00-10-000 Buildings]
GO TO PAGE UH, NUMBER SIX, UH, PAGE SIX RATHER.ITEM NUMBER 11, WHICH IS P NUMBER 24 3 27.
IT IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH INLAND ENVIRONMENTALS LTB OF KINGWOOD, TEXAS THROUGH REGION FIVE, SOUTHEAST TEXAS COOPERATIVE PURCHASING CONTRACT NUMBER 24 20 24, UH, 0 4 0 3 FOR THE ASBESTOS, UH, ABATEMENT OF FLOORING MATERIAL LOCATED ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF CITY HALL AND OFFICES ON THE SECOND FLOOR.
ANNEX BUILDING BOTH LOCATED AT 4 44 FOURTH STREET, PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS IN THE TOTAL PROPOSED AMOUNT OF $46,800.
FUNDING IS AVAILABLE IN FY 24 25.
ACCOUNT NUMBER 3 0 7 DASH 0 7 0 1 5 DASH 8 5 1 2 DASH ZERO ZERO DASH 0 0 0 0 BUILDINGS ACCOUNT.
EXCUSE ME, MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? COUNCILMAN FRANK? SO MA, MAY I GET A SECOND? COUNCILMAN LEWIS? IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECOND THAT BE WOULD APPROVE PRE HONOR NUMBER 24 3 2 7 AS PRESENTED, WE READ UP A QUESTION.
I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS.
UM, FIRST OF ALL, I JUST WANNA BE SURE THAT THE, THE FOLKS IN THE CITY UNDERSTAND THAT THIS ISN'T THE TYPE OF ASBESTOS, UH, ABATEMENT THAT WOULD CAUSE SOME TYPE OF, YOU KNOW, HEALTH ISSUES OF THE WHOLE BUILDING HAS TO BE CLOSED DOWN.
BUT THIS HAS TO DO WITH BASICALLY THE ADHESIVE THAT WAS UNDER THE FLOORING, UH, IN THE, IN THE BUILDING.
UM, AND THEN IS THIS A, IS IT A 45 DAY START TO FINISH? IS THAT WHAT I'M SEEING IS DO WE KNOW? YES.
AND THEN WHERE ARE WE RELOCATING EVERYONE OUT OF ALL OF THESE OFFICES? WHERE ARE THEY GOING? WE ARE GONNA DO IT IN PHASES.
THEY'RE GONNA DO IT LIKE AFTER HOURS ON THE WEEKEND AND IT'S ON AND THEY DOING EACH SECTION.
THAT SHOULDN'T TAKE NO MORE THAN THE WEEKEND FOR EACH SECTION.
SO IT'S GONNA BE OVER THE COURSE OF VARIOUS WEEKENDS.
BUT THEN WHEN THEY PUT THE FLOOR BACK IN, ARE WE GONNA DO THE SAME THING? SO IT'S GONNA BE A, AND WE HAVE TO GET, GET TOGETHER WITH US AND THE CONTRACTOR THAT WE ARE AWARDING TO DO THE FLOORING.
SO WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO UH, COORDINATE IT WHERE THEY GO IN AND THEY'RE ABATED AND THEN THE FLOORING PEOPLE COME BEHIND 'EM, PUT THE FLOOR AND THEN BRING THE FURNITURE BACK.
SO WE'RE NOT DOING A BACK AND FORTH SEVERAL.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THIS? NOT WE ARE READY TO VOTE.
ANY OPPOSES AYES A SO P NUMBER 24 2 3 2 7 IS APPROVED.
[VII.C.(12) P.R. No. 24328 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Contract With Construction Managers Of Southeast Texas, LLC, Of Beaumont, Texas For The Replacement Of The Flooring Of The 2nd Floor Of City Hall, And The 2nd Floor Of The Annex Building At 444 4th St, Port Arthur, Texas, In The Total Not To Exceed Amount Of $34,754; Funding Is Available In FY 24-25 Account No. 307-07-015-8512-00-10-000 Buildings]
ITEM NUMBER 12 P NUMBER 24 3 2 8 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH CONSTRUCTION MANAGERS OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS LLC OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FLOORING OF THE SECOND FLOOR OF CITY HALL AND THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE ANNEX BUILDING AT 4 44 FOURTH STREET, FORT ARTHUR, TEXAS IN THE TOTAL NOT YET TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $34,754.UH, FUNDING IS AVAILABLE IN FY 24 20, UH, 24 25.
ACCOUNT NUMBER 3 0 7 DASH OH 7 0 1 5 8 5 2 0 0 0 0
[04:05:01]
BUILDINGS.MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF COUNCILMAN ETT? SO MOVED.
MAY I GET A SECOND COUNCILMAN EVER.
AND SECOND THAT WE WOULD APPROVE PR NUMBER 24 3 2 8 AS APPROVED.
COUNCILMAN BECKHAM? I THINK CLIFF ANSWERED MY QUESTION WITH OUR, OUR LAST DISCUSSION.
THIS IS A 28 CALENDAR DAY CONTRACT BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY'RE GONNA PROBABLY FINISH IT WITHIN A A SHORTER TIMEFRAME.
ANY OPPOSES A SOLE? IT IS APPROVED.
[VII.C.(14) P.R. No. 24332 – A Resolution Authorizing The Acceptance Of The Request For Proposal From Preferred Facilities Group Of Port Arthur, Texas And Further Authorizing The City Manager Or His Designee To Negotiate A Contract For The Photo Op Construction Project On Pleasure Island At Lakefront Park With Preferred Facilities Group ]
HAVE ON PAGE SEVEN, ITEM NUMBER 14.IT IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FROM PREFERRED FACILITIES GROUP OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT FOR THE PHOTO OP CONSTRUCTION PROJECT ON PLEASURE ISLAND AT LAKEFRONT PARK WITH PREFERRED FACILITIES GROUP.
MAY GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL COUNCIL, UM, COUNCILMAN FRANK.
SO MOVE MAYOR MAY GET A SECOND.
COUNCILMAN UH, LEWIS SECOND IS IT MOVED? AND SECOND.
AND WE WOULD APPROVE P NUMBER 24.
UH, WE'RE READY FOR A QUESTION.
COUNCILMAN BECK? I THINK LYNN IS THE ONE THAT NEEDS TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION.
UM, I'M SEEING ON THE, ON THE FRONT THAT UH, WE HAD THAT $200,000 GRANT FROM CHENE AND THAT THERE'S NO BUDGETARY IMPACT BUT THEN WHEN WE LOOK AT THE BID SHEET, THEIR BID CAME IN AT $539,000.
SO WHERE'S THE OTHER $339,000 COMING FROM? NO, I GET IT.
UM, THIS IS JUST FOR THE NEGOTIATION OF IT AND WE VALUE ENGINEERED IT.
SO IT'S NOT EVEN GONNA BE 400 AND I THINK, UM, 4 46 SOMEWHERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND WE ALREADY HAD THAT MONEY ALLOCATED 'CAUSE WE HAD THE 200,000 FROM SHANIE AND WE HAD THE REST SET UP IN UM, A PROJECT STREAM.
OKAY, WELL THEN WHERE DOES THIS $539,000 COME FROM? THAT WAS WHEN THEY BID IT OUT.
THE WHOLE UM, THE FIRST PROJECT BEFORE THE VALUE ENGINEER.
AND THAT THIS IS ASKING FOR THE NEGOTIATION OF THE PROJECT.
WE ALREADY JUST THE PHOTO OP, CORRECT? RIGHT.
IT'S NOT GONNA BE NO, WE'RE GONNA COME BACK TO YOU GUYS WITH THE ACTUAL, UM, AMOUNT, NOT THIS FIVE, WHATEVER.
THAT WAS, THAT WAS JUST ON THE SCOPE OF WORK THAT WE HAD THE FIRST TIME.
OKAY, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THIS? WE'RE READY TO VOTE.
ANY OPPOSES AS ADDED? SO PER NUMBER 24 3 3 2 IS APPROVED AS PRESENTED.
[VIII.A.(1) P.R. No. 24269 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Execute A One-Year Contract (First Renewal) With IPS Pump Services, Inc. Of Houston, Texas, To Provide On-Demand Mechanical Services For Various Equipment At The Water Utilities Department, In A Total Amount Not To Exceed $500,000.00. Funds Are Available In The Following Water Utilities Accounts: 410-40-210-5318-00-00- 000 ($100,000.00), 410-40-215-5318-00-00-000 ($100,000.00), 410-40-220-5318-00-00-000 ($100,000.00), 410-40-225-5318-00- 00-000 ($200,000.00), Equipment Maintenance]
NOW WE'LL MOVE TO PAGE EIGHT TO THE NON-CONSENT AGENDA.FIRST ITEM WE HAVE IS ITEM NUMBER ONE PR NUMBER 24 2 6 9.
IT WAS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A ONE YEAR CONTRACT FIRST RENEWAL WITH IPS PUMP SERVICES INCORPORATED OF HOUSTON, TEXAS TO PROVIDE ON DEMAND UH, MECHANICAL SERVICES FOR VARIOUS EQUIPMENT AT THE WATER UTILITIES DEPARTMENT IN A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $500,000.
FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE UH, FOLLOWING WATER UTILITIES ACCOUNT.
FOUR 10 DASH 40 DASH TWO 10 DASH 53 18 0 IN THE AMOUNT OF $100,000.
THEN IN ACCOUNT NUMBER FOUR 10 DASH 40 DASH TWO 15 DASH 53 18 DASH ZERO ZERO, ANOTHER 100 AND THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM THAT ACCOUNT.
AND THEN WITH ACCOUNT NUMBER 14 DASH 40 DASH TWO 20 DASH 53 18 0 0 0 0 0 AT $100,000 FROM THAT ACCOUNT.
AND IN ACCOUNT NUMBER FOUR 10 DASH 40 DASH 2 85 DASH 53 18.
THE AMOUNT OF $200,000 AND ALL OF THESE ARE EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE.
MAY I GET A, A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF COUNCILMAN FRANK? MAY I GET A SECOND? COUNCILMAN LEWIS SECOND IS MOVED.
AND WE WOULD APPROVE P 24 2 6 9 AS IT PRESENTED.
ANY QUESTIONS? YOU READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.
SO 2 4 2 6 9 IS APPROVED AS READ.
[VIII.A.(2) P.R. No. 24289 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Execute Contracts For The Purchase Of Water And Wastewater Treatment Chemicals For The Water Utilities Department With Pencco, Inc. Of Sealy, Texas; Brenntag Southwest, Inc. Of Lancaster, Texas; Tanner Industries, Inc. Of South Hampton, Pennsylvania; And Carus, LLC Of Peru, Illinois. The Total Projected Budgetary Impact For These Chemicals Is $1,586,159.59, With Funding Allocated From Various Water Utilities Accounts: $915,400.00 In Water Purification Account No. 410-40-210-5217-00-00-000 ($400,100.00 For FY 2025 And $515,300.00 For FY 2026 (Subject To FY 2026 Budget Approval); And $670,759.59 In Wastewater Treatment Account No. 410-40-225-5217-00-00-000 ($327,618.85 For FY 2025 And $343,140.74 For FY 2026 (Subject To FY 2026 Budget Approval)]
WE MOVE NOW TO ITEM NUMBER TWO, WHICH IS PR NUMBER 24 2 8 9 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS FOR THE PURCHASE OF WATER AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT CHEMICALS FOR THE WATER UTILITIES DEPARTMENT WITH PENN COAL INCORPORATED OF SEALY, TEXAS.[04:10:01]
UH, SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED OF LANCASTER, TEXAS TAN INDUSTRIES, UH, INCORPORATED OF SOUTH HAMPTON, PENNSYLVANIA AND UH, CHORUS LLC OF PERU, ILLINOIS.THE TOTAL PROJECTED BUDGETARY IMPACT FOR THESE CHEMICALS IS $1,586,159 AND 59 CENTS WITH FUNDING ALLOCATED FROM VARIOUS WATER UTILITIES ACCOUNTS.
$915,400 IN WATER PURIFICATION.
ACCOUNT NUMBER FOUR 10 DASH 40 DASH TWO 10 DASH 52 17 DASH ZERO ZERO DASH ZERO ZERO UH, AND 400,000 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 AND 515,300 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 SUBJECT TO FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET APPROVAL AND $670,759 AND 59 CENTS IN WASTEWATER TREATMENT ACCOUNT NUMBER FOUR 10 DASH 40 DASH 2 25 DASH 52 17 DASH ZERO ZERO DASH ZERO ZERO DASH ZERO ZERO UH, AND $327,618 AND 85 CENTS FOR A FISCAL YEAR 25 AND $343,140 74 CENTS FOR A FISCAL YEAR 2026.
AND THIS TWO IS SUBJECT TO FISCAL YEAR 2026.
MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? COUNCILMAN ETT? SO MOVED.
MAY I GET A SECOND? COUNCILMAN BECKER SECOND IS MOVED THE SECOND THAT WE WOULD APPROVE PR NUMBER 24 2 8 9 AS PRESENTED.
WE READY FOR QUESTION ON ANY QUESTIONS READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR A AYE, ANY OPPOSES AYES HAVE IT.
SO PR NUMBER 24 2 8 9 IS APPROVED AS READ
[VIII.A.(3) P.R. No. 24331 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Execute Contracts With The Following Vendors: Amelia Lawn Care & Landscaping Of Groves, Texas, For Groups A, B, C, D, And E, In The Amount Of $45,388.00; Southeast Texas Lawn Services Of Beaumont, Texas, For Group F, In The Amount Of $61,600.00; And BST Solutions LLC Of Port Arthur, Texas, For Groups G And H, In The Amount Of $112,000.00; For The Mowing Of Water Utility Operations Properties, With A Total Annual Projected Budgetary Impact Of $218,988.00. Funding Is Available In Account No. 410-40-230-5470- 00-00-000, Other Contractual Services]
ON TO PAGE NINE, ITEM NUMBER THREE, PR NUMBER 24 3 31.IT IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS WITH THE FOLLOWING VENDORS.
AMELIA LAWN AND CARE, LAWN CARE, EXCUSE ME.
AND LANDSCAPING OF GROVES, TEXAS FOR GROUPS A, B, C, D, AND E IN THE AMOUNT OF $45,388.
SOUTHEAST TEXAS LAWN SERVICES OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS FOR GROUP F IN THE AMOUNT OF $61,600 AND BST SOLUTIONS LLC OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS FOR GROUPS G AND H IN THE AMOUNT OF $112,000 FOR THE MOINES OF WATER UTILITY OPERATIONS PROPERTIES WITH A TOTAL ANNUAL BUDGETARY UH, IMPACT OF $218,988.
FUNDING IS AVAILABLE AND ACCOUNT NUMBER FOUR 10 DASH 40 DASH 2 54 70 0 0 0 0 AND IT'S CALLED OTHER CONTRACTUAL SERVICES.
MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? COUNCILWOMAN UH, VILLE, I GET A SECOND.
COUNCILMAN LEWIS, MOVE THE SECOND NOTE THAT WE WOULD APPROVE PR NUMBER 24 3 31 AS PRESENTED.
WE'RE READY FOR QUESTION, HONOR ANY QUESTIONS? READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.
ANY OPPOSERS? AYE HAVE IT SO IT IS APPROVED.
PR NUMBER 24 3 31 IS APPROVED AS READ.
[VIII.A.(4) P.R. No. 24333 – A Resolution Accepting The FY 2026-2027 Grant Agreement Between The City Of Port Arthur And The Department Of State Health Services, RLSS (Regional And Local Services System) Local Public Health Services In The Amount Not To Exceed $335,034.00. The Contract Period Is From September 1, 2025, Through August 31, 2027. No Cash Match Required]
ITEM NUMBER FOUR PR NUMBER 24 3 33.IT IS A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE FISCAL YEAR 20 26, 20 27 GRANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AND THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES RLSS, THAT'S REGIONAL AND LOCAL SERVICES SYSTEM, UH, LOCAL BEAUMONT, UH, HEALTH SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $335,034.
THE CONTRACT PERIOD IS FROM SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2025 THROUGH AUGUST 31ST, 2027 AND THERE IS NO CATCH MATCH REQUIRED.
MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? COUNCILMAN FRANK? SO MOVE MAYOR, MAY I GET A SECOND? COUNCILMAN DEUCE SECOND HAS BEEN MOVED THE SECOND AND WE WOULD APPROVE PR NUMBER 24 3 33 AS PRESENTED.
READY FOR QUESTIONS? YOU HONOR ANY QUESTIONS? READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.
[VIII.A.(5) P.R. No. 24334 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Execute Change Order No. 3 To The Contract Between The City Of Port Arthur And Brystar Contracting, Inc. Of Beaumont, Texas For Drainage Improvements Behind The Houses Of Greenway Pointe Estates Subdivision; Detention Ponds #5 And #6; Installation Of Two 16” Water Main Line Stops And Add Seventy-Five (75) Calendar Days. Funds Are Available In The Drainage Account 307-21-055- 8515-00-10-000. Project No. DR1P04]
FIVE, PR NUMBER 24 3 34.[04:15:01]
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE CHANGE NUMBER THREE TO THE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AND, UH, BRIGHT STAR CONTRACTING INCORPORATED OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS FOR DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS BEHIND THE HOUSES OF GREENWAY POINT ESTATES SUBDIVISION DETENTION POND PONDS NUMBER FIVE AND SIX.INSTALLATION OF TWO 16, UH, INCH WATER.
UH, MAIN, UH, LINE STOPS AND ADD 75 CALENDAR DAYS.
AND THE DRAINAGE ACCOUNT NUMBER 3 0 7 DASH 21 DASH 55 DASH 8 5 5 0 0 AND THIS IS PROJECT NUMBER D ONE P ZERO FOUR.
MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? COUNCILMAN DEUCE.
MAY I GET A SECOND? COUNCILMAN FRANK? SECOND MS. MOVE.
AND WE WOULD APPROVE P NUMBER 24.
ARE WE READY FOR, UH, QUESTION? ANY QUESTIONS? WE READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.
HAVE PUT P 24 3 34 IS APPROVED AS PRESENTED.
[VIII.A.(6) P.R. No. 24336 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Execute A Professional Engineering Services Agreement Between The City Of Port Arthur And Chica & Associates, Inc., Of Beaumont, Texas, For The Design Of Two Stormwater Pump Stations At The Babe Zaharias Golf Course With A Projected Budgetary Amount Of $298,000.00. Funding Is Available In The Capital Improvement Account Number 307-21-055-8515-00-10-000. Project No. DR1P11]
HAVE ITEM NUMBER SIX PR NUMBER 24 3 36.IT IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AND THE CHICA AND ASSOCIATES INCORPORATED OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS FOR THE DESIGN OF TWO STORM WATER PUMP STATIONS AT THE BABES HARRIS GOLF COURSE WITH A PROJECTED BUDGETARY AMOUNT OF $298,000.
FUNDING IS AVAILABLE IN THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT ACCOUNT.
NUMBER 3 0 7 DASH 21 0 5 DASH 8 5 5 0 0 0.
AND THIS IS PROJECT NUMBER DR ONE P 11.
MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? COUNCILMAN FRANK? SO MOVED.
MAY I GET A SECOND? COUNCILMAN DOUCETTE? SECOND WE MOVE.
AND SECOND WE WOULD APPROVE DR NUMBER 24.
WE READY FOR QUESTION ON ANY QUESTIONS? WE READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.
SO, PR NUMBER 24 3 36 IS APPROVED AS PRESENTED ONTO
[VIII.A.(7) P.R. No. 24337 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Contract With Corvus Communications LLC Of Cleveland, Texas, Through Tips Cooperative Contract No. 250104 For Replacement Of Generators At Fire Station One (1) Located At 1215 Woodworth Blvd, Fire Station Four (4) Located At 5036 South Gulfway Drive, And Central Fire Stations Located At 300 Waco Ave, In An Amount Not To Exceed $204,413.76; Funding Is Available In Fire Department, Capital Account No. 307-19-047-8512-00-30-000]
PAGE 10, ITEM NUMBER SEVEN, PR NUMBER 24 3 3 7.IT IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT.
CONTRACT, EXCUSE ME, WITH VERS COMMUNICATIONS LLC OF CLEVELAND TO TEXAS THROUGH TIPS.
COOPERATIVE CONTRACT NUMBER 2 5 0 1 0 4 FOR A REPLACEMENT OF GENERATORS AT FIRE STATION ONE LOCATED AT 1215 WOODWORK BOULEVARD FIRE STATION FOUR, LOCATED AT 50 36 SOUTH GOWAY DRIVE AND CENTRAL FIRE STATIONS LOCATED AT 300 WACO AVENUE, UH, IN THE DISH IN AND MOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $204,413 AND 76 CENTS.
FUNDING IS AVAILABLE IN FIRE DEPARTMENT CAPITAL ACCOUNT NUMBER 3 0 7 DASH ONE NINE DASH 0 4 7 DASH 8 5 1 2 DASH 0 0 3 0 0 0 0.
MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? COUNCILMAN DOUCETTE? SO MOVED.
MAY I GET A SECOND? COUNCILMAN FRANK SECOND.
IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED WITH APPROVE PR NUMBER 24 3 3 7 AS PRESENTED.
UH, WHAT TYPE OF GENERATORS ARE THESE? STANDBY? UM, THESE ARE REPLACEMENT GENERATORS, EMERGENCY GENERATORS, UH, FOR THE FIRE STATIONS.
ANY REASON WE DIDN'T GO OUT FOR BIDS? UM, WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET BIDS ON THESE GENERATORS.
NOW WE, WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET BIDS ON THESE GENERATORS FOR TWO YEARS.
FINALLY, ONE OF THE VENDORS THAT WE HAD BEEN WORKING WITH GOT ON THE CO-OP AND WE'RE USING, OKAY, WE SENT OUT BIDS.
I I'M NOT GONNA, I'M NOT GONNA BELABOR THIS AGAIN, BUT DID YOU HEAR WHAT I WAS TELLING CLIFF?
[04:20:02]
I HEARD IT.AND THAT'S SOMETHING ELSE WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT FOR THE, MY FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS.
WE SHOULD, OUR CONTRACTING SHOULD GO THROUGH THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT AND WE SHOULD HOLD A PURCHASING DEPARTMENT ACCOUNTABLE FOR CARRYING OUT WHAT WE DIRECT PURCHASING DEPARTMENT SHOULD LET, SHOULD NOT LET DEPARTMENTS DICTATE HOW THEY GO ABOUT DOING CONTRACTS.
THEY DON'T GET WHO THEY WANT, WE GET WHO GIVE US COMPETITIVE BIDS AND A PROCESS BY WHICH WE GO THROUGH.
UH, COUNCILMAN EVER FIELD I'LL HOLD.
DO, DID I UNDERSTAND YOU TO SAY THAT THE DEPARTMENT IS, IS IS DURING THE BID OR BYPASSING THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT? WELL, I JUST ASKED THE QUESTION AND, UH, THE PURCHASING DIRECTOR AND I, WE WENT THROUGH THE DISCUSSION.
AND WHEN I ASKED THE CHIEF ABOUT WHY THEY WOULD GO OUT FOR BID CHIEF EXPLAINED TO ME THAT, UH, THE GUY THAT DID IT OR WORKED FOR THEM BEFORE NOW JOINED THE CORPORATE.
SO THEY WENT TO THE CORPORATE JUST TO GET THE GUY THAT DID IT BEFORE TO DO THE JOB AGAIN.
YOU KNOW, I'M SAYING THAT, UH, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO SORT OF AT SOME POINT IN TIME UNDERSTAND THERE ARE CERTAIN TYPE WORK WE MAY ASK SOMEBODY TO DO.
ONLY CERTAIN PEOPLE CAN PROVIDE IT.
YOU KNOW, WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, UH, REPLACING GENERATORS, I LIKE, IF THERE'S NOTHING SPECIAL ABOUT IT, THEN I'M QUITE SURE WE GOT BUSINESS PEOPLE IN PORT ARTHUR THAT CAN, UH, CHANGE GENERATORS.
AND THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO SEE.
THAT WHEN WE DO USE PEOPLE OTHER THAN PORT ARTHUR BUSINESSES AND STUFF, AND THAT WE SENT OUT FOR A BID, EVEN WITH PORT ARTHUR VENDORS, IF WE GOT FIVE PEOPLE IN PORT ARTHUR THAT CAN DO IT, IN ORDER FOR US TO HAVE COMPETITIVE BIDDING, YOU KNOW, WE SHOULD GO AND HAVE PEOPLE TO BID.
THAT GIVES US THE BEST PRICE TO GET THE MOST, THE BETTER PRICE AND THE MOST RESPONSIVE BIDDER, UH, THE LAW ALLOW US TO SELECT.
SOMEBODY MAY NOT HAVE THE LOWEST BID, BUT IF THE PERSON DOESN'T HAVE THE LOWEST BID, THEN THERE'S WILL BE SOMETHING THAT TELLS US HE'S NOT THE, THE MOST RESPONSIVE.
BUT IF THEY'RE ALL RESPONSIVE BIDDERS, THEN THE LAW SAYS WE TAKE THE LOWEST BIDDER, LOWEST RESPONSIVE, AND, AND THESE COVE AND ALL THESE BUYING, THESE ARE THINGS THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS INSTITUTED TO SOMETIME WHEN YOU GET INTO AN EMERGENCY OR YOU NEED SOMETHING WITHIN THE TIMEFRAME, THEN THESE METHODS ARE THE METHOD THAT ALLOW US TO GO IN AND GET IT DONE REAL QUICK.
BUT IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'VE BEEN KNOWING, LIKE CHIEF SAID, WE'VE BEEN AFTER THIS FOR TWO YEARS.
SO THAT MEANS FOR TWO YEARS WE KNOW WE GOING TO REPLACE IT.
THAT'S AN AMPLE ENOUGH TIME FOR US TO GO OUT AND FIND SOMEBODY TO DO IT RIGHT.
OR AFTER ENOUGH TIME FOR US TO PUT OUT FOR BIDS.
YOU KNOW, I JUST, I'M JUST AGAINST US GIVING CONTRACTS THAT MAYBE SOME BUSINESS FROM PORT ARTHUR CAN GET IT.
AND LIKE I SAID, THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS AND WHEN THERE'S EXCEPTIONS, THEN I'M ACCEPTABLE TO THAT.
BUT IF IT, IF YOU GOT THE TIME TO GO THROUGH THE PURCHASING PROCESS, THEN WE NEED TO GO THROUGH THE PERSON PROCESS, WHICH ALLOW OUR BUSINESS PEOPLE IN PORT ARTHUR TO AT LEAST COMPETE FOR THE BID.
THAT'S ALL I'M SAYING AND STUFF.
I DON'T SAY THAT EVERY BID GOTTA BE THROUGH OUR PROCESS.
IF IT'S A TIME CONSTRAINTS, THEN THIS, THESE METHODS ARE WHAT WE USE USED.
BUT WHEN WE START TALKING ABOUT GOING TO GET THE GUY, 'CAUSE THE GUY LEFT FROM WHAT HE DID BEFORE, NOW HE'S WORKING WITH COOPERATE.
IT MAY BE OKAY WITH YOU, BUT IS IT THE BEST BANG FOR THE TAXPAYERS DOLLARS? ARE WE USING THE SYSTEM THAT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LAW SET
[04:25:01]
AS GUIDELINES FOR US WHEN WE DOING CONTRACTS AND PURCHASING? AND THAT'S WHAT I'M ABOUT BECAUSE THOSE LAWS ALLOW US TO GET THE PEOPLE FROM PORT ARTHUR.I DON'T THINK, UH, I MADE MYSELF CLEAR EARLIER.
OH, THE, FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET BIDS.
WE'VE GOT A LIST FROM PURCHASING SO WE COULD GET SOME VENDORS TO COME OUT AND TRY TO GIVE US, UH, SOME, SOME QUOTES.
UM, EITHER THEY WOULD NOT GIVE US A QUOTE OR THERE WAS JUST A LOT OF PROBLEMS. ONE OF THE VENDORS THAT WAS ON THAT LIST THAT WE HAD BEEN WORKING WITH BECAME PART OF ONE OF THE, UH, CO-OPS.
SO HE WAS ONE OF THE ONES WE SENT OUT TO TRY TO GET BIDS FROM.
THAT'S A WHOLE LOT DIFFERENT THAN WHAT, SO I, I'M SORRY.
I JUST NEED TO MAKE MYSELF CLEAR.
WELL YOU MADE A STEP CLEAR NOW.
NOW, WHEN YOU SITTING FOR THOSE SENT OUT FOR THOSE BIDS, I MEAN WE DIDN'T, DID YOU COME THROUGH US WHEREBY, UH, UH, APPROVAL FOR REQUEST FOR BIDS, UH, IF YOU GOT BIDS AFTER YOU HAD 'EM ALL, YOU KNOW, 'CAUSE MOST TIME IF YOU'RE GONNA SEND OUT FOR BIDS, WE NORMALLY APPROVE.
BUT DO YOU, AND THEN WHEN YOU GET THE BIDS, YOU NORMALLY GO THROUGH THE PROCESS AND YOU SELECT THE ONE, AND THEN WHEN YOU SELECT THE ONE, THEN IT COME BACK TO THE COUNCIL RIGHT.
TO APPROVE IT IN A FORM OF A RESOLUTION WHERE IT SHOWS ALL OF THE DIFFERENT BIDS ALSO TO US.
THERE WERE, THERE WERE THREE SEPARATE PROJECTS THAT WE SUBMITTED INTO THE BUDGET FOR GENERATORS AT EACH ONE OF THOSE STATIONS.
THAT'S WHAT THE COUNCIL APPROVED.
THEY APPROVED THE, THE CAPITAL, UH, IMPROVEMENT FOR THOSE THREE STATIONS TO HAVE THOSE GENERATORS REPLACED.
AFTER THE, UH, AFTER BUDGET WAS PASSED, WE STARTED CONTACTING VENDORS DIRECTLY SO THAT THEY COULD COME IN, LOOK AT WHAT WE HAD AND GET US BIDS.
IS THAT HOW WE DO THE BIDS? UH, COUNCILMAN, IF I MAY, I BELIEVE WHAT THE CHIEF IS TRYING TO CONVEY IS THAT WE DID GO THROUGH THE NORMAL BID PROCESS OF SOLICITING BIDS.
AND BECAUSE WE DIDN'T GET ANY, WE CONTINUED THE PROCESS AND IT JUST SO HAPPENED THAT ONE OF THE PERSONS FROM WHOM WE SOLICITED BIDS, THEY ACTUALLY BECAME PART OF THE CO-OP.
AND BECAUSE THE CO-OP IS CONSIDERED A VETTED PROCUREMENT SOURCE, WE WERE ABLE TO PURCHASE THE GENERATORS FROM THEM.
BUT WE DIDN'T GET TO THAT PROCESS TILL WE'D ALREADY GONE THROUGH THE WAY OF TRYING TO GET BIDS THROUGH THE NORMAL PROCESS.
WELL, YOU KNOW, ONCE AGAIN, DOC, WE GO BACK TO OUR PROCESS.
WHEN YOU TELL ME YOU GOT BIDS, WHY HAVEN'T THEY CAME BEFORE CANCER? 'CAUSE THAT'S HOW WE DO BIDS.
WE ASKED BUT WE DIDN'T RECEIVE ANY BIDS.
OKAY, WE COUNCILMAN LEWIS? YOU OKAY? YOU ARE GOOD? NO.
[VIII.A.(8) P.R. No. 24341 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Execute A Contract With Global Emergency Services, LLC Of Beaumont, Texas, For Trash Collection On An As-Needed Basis. Funding Is Available In The Solid Waste Trash Temporary Services Account, 403-50-305-5476-00-00-000, For The Not-To-Exceed Amount Of $150,000.00]
ITEM NUMBER EIGHT, RESOLUTION, UH, PR NUMBER 24 3 41 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH GROVE EMERGENCY SERVICES, LLC OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS FOR TRASH COLLECTION ON, UH, AN AS NEEDED BASIS.FUNDING IS AVAILABLE IN THE SOLID WASTE TRASH TEMPORARY SERVICES ACCOUNT NUMBER 4 0 3 DASH FIVE ZERO DASH 3 0 5 DASH 54 76 DASH 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 FOR THE NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $150,000.
I GET APPROVAL OR I MEAN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OR COUNCILMAN FRANK.
COUNCILMAN LEWIS SECOND, THEN MOVED IN SECOND THAT WE WOULD APPROVE PR NUMBER 24 3 41 AS PRESENTED.
WE READY FOR QUESTION? NO QUESTIONS.
YOU READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR A.
SO PR NUMBER 24 3 41 IS APPROVED AS READ NUMBER
[VIII.A.(9) P.R. No. 24344 – A Resolution Rescheduling June 3, 2025, Regularly Scheduled Council Meeting To June 4, 2025]
NINE.ITEM NUMBER NINE, PR NUMBER 24.
THERE IS A RESOLUTION RESCHEDULED IN JUNE 3RD, 2025.
REGULARLY SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETING TO JUNE 4TH.
THIS WOULD BE THE FOLLOWING DAY ON WEDNESDAY.
[04:30:01]
BE AT 5 4, 4 O'CLOCK.UH, MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVE OF COUNCILMAN FRANK? SO MOVE MAY GET A SECOND.
BEEN MOVED SECOND AND WOULD APPROVE PRE NUMBER 24.
ALL IN FAVOR? I HAVE A QUESTION.
I DIDN'T, I DIDN'T HEAR MISS SHERRY.
AND I, AND I'M SORRY, I DIDN'T EVEN SAY QUESTION.
I'M JUST GOING THROUGH, UH, BUT BUT YOU WANNA KNOW THE REASON WHY? NO, I JUST WANTED TO KNOW FOR SURE THE TIME.
I KNOW IT'S BECAUSE OF EARLY VOTING, BUT IS IT FOUR O'CLOCK? YEP.
OH, DID Y'ALL WANT TO HAVE IT IN THE MORNING? NO.
I JUST ACT, I JUST ACT, I JUST ACT Y ON.
[VIII.A.(10) P.R. No. 24346 – A Resolution Appointing New Members To The Port Arthur Youth Advisory Council (YAC) (Requested By Councilmember Hamilton Everfield)]
NUMBER 10 P NUMBER 24, 3 46.IT IS A RESOLUTION ADOPTING NEW MEMBERS OF THE PORT ARTHUR YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL REQUESTED BY COUNCILWOMAN, UH, HAMILTON EVER FIELD.
YOU HAVE THE NAMES OF CITY SECRETARY.
SO, UM, ONE WAS, I'LL PULL IT UP, BUT I THOUGHT ONE WAS ALREADY EMAILED.
I KNOW ONE MEMBER UNDER, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER KINLAW, SHE'S ACTUALLY ALREADY BEEN ACTIVE, BUT WE REALIZED SHE HADN'T OFFICIALLY BEEN ADDED TO THE LIST.
SO SHE'LL BE HIS THIRD APPOINTEE.
AND PLEASE FORGIVE ME BECAUSE I OPENED MY SCREEN AND NOW IT'S GONE.
SEE THE SECRETARY? I WILL, HE HAS TO ADD, I WILL EMAIL YOU.
I WILL EMAIL YOU THE, UM, THE OTHER APPOINTMENT.
AND IT'S ACTUALLY MY APPOINTEE, ANAYA HOPKINS.
YEAH, I WAS JUST GONNA SAY, HOW WAS IT KENNEDY? THAT MM-HMM
SO THOSE WILL BE THE, THOSE WILL BE THE TWO.
THANK YOU DR T ANAYA HOPKINS AND KENNEDY LADAY.
WE READY? WELL, I THINK, DID I GET THE MOTION I GOT WHERE I WAS ON THAT? WE DID.
YOU READY TO VOTE ALL? WELL, OKAY.
GIMME A MOTION COUNCILOR FRANK.
ON THE NAMES THAT WE'VE STATED.
WE'RE READY FOR QUESTIONS NOW.
ONLY ANY WE READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? A ANY OPPOSES AYES HAVE, SO THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHOM THE CITY SECRETARY HAS THEIR NAMES, I'M NOT GONNA TRY TO MESS 'EM UP.
I'LL MAKE SURE WE EMAIL YOU FOR THE CORRECT SPELLING OF BOTH OF THEIR NAMES TOO.
GO RIGHT IN ON PR 2, 4 3 4 8, WHICH IS AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 11 ON PAGE 10.
IF YOU COULD HOLD THAT UNTIL AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION, SIR, I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT.
I'D LIKE TO BRIEF THE COUNSEL ON IT.
[VIII.B.(2) P.O. No. 7332 – An Ordinance Approving A Collective Bargaining Agreement Between The City Of Port Arthur And The Port Arthur Police Association Effective October 1, 2024 Through September 30, 2027]
REMOVED TO PAGE 11 AND I THINK THERE'S ADAM.UH, TWO B WOULD BE THE ONLY ONE WE'VE ALREADY, UH, TAKEN CARE OF.
ADAM ONE B2B IS, UH, A PO NUMBER 30.
AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AND THE PORT ARTHUR POLICE ASSOCIATION.
SO IT'S RETROACTIVE RIGHT, UH, THROUGH, UH, SEPTEMBER 30, 20, 27.
UH, MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? COUNCILMAN DOUCETTE? SO MOVED.
MAY I GET A SECOND? COUNCILMAN FRANK? OKAY, THEN MOVE IS SECOND AND WE WOULD APPROVE PO NUMBER 73 32 AS, UH, PRESENTED.
WE'RE READY FOR QUESTIONING UNDER THE QUESTION.
WE READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.
UH, ANY OPPOSES AYES HAVE SO PO NUMBER 73 32 IS APPROVED AS PRESENTED.
THIS BRINGS US THROUGH THE COMPLETION OF THE PRINTED AGENDA.
[IX. *CLOSED MEETING (EXECUTIVE SESSION)]
NOW AT ROMAN NUMERAL NINE, WHICH IS, UH, THE CLOSED, UH, EXECUTIVE SESSION.AND FOR US TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 5 5 1 0.101 OF THE CHAPTER 5 5, 1 OF THE, UH, OPEN MEETINGS LAWS OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE FORM THE ARTICLE 62 52 DASH 17 SECTION TWO SUBSECTION A.
UH, PRIOR TO GOING INTO THIS MEETING BY BEING THE PRESIDING OFFICER, I SHOULD MAKE THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT.
A CLOSED MEETING LAW EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL NOW BE HELD PURSUANT TO THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 5 5 1, UH, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE.
AND WE WOULD LOOK TO SECTION FROM PAGE OR 12.
UH, IN THE CLOSED SESSION MEETING, WE WOULD DISCUSS SECTION 5 5 1
[04:35:01]
0.074 AND WE WOULD DISCUSS PERSONNEL A BEING THE DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND EVALUATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER, CITY ATTORNEY, AND CITY SECRETARY.THIS HAS BEEN REQUESTED BY COUNCILMAN KEN LAW.
AND THEN B, WE WOULD DISCUSS CREATING GUIDELINES AND TIMELINES FOR A CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE TO MEET WITH EACH APPOINTED OFFICIAL INDIVIDUALLY TO SUPPORT THEM IN ACCOMPLISHING THE CITY'S GOALS AND OBJECTIVES.
AND THIS HAS BEEN REQUESTED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HAMILTON EVER FIELD.
THEN WE WILL COVER SECTION 5 5 1 0.071.
THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT TO MEET WITH THE ATTORNEYS TO SEEK LEGAL ADVICE ON A MATTER IN WHICH THE DUTY OF THE ATTORNEY TO THE CITY COUNCIL UNDER THE TEXAS DISCIPLINARY RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT OF THE STATE BOARD OF TEXAS CLEARLY CONFLICTS WITH THE TEXAS OPEN MEANING ACT RELATING TO A, UH, HP HNP ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED VERSUS THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, WHICH A CITATION NUMBER 24 DCCV 1856, WHICH IS IN THE 172ND DISTRICT COURT OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS.
ALSO B, WHICH IS STATE OF TEXAS VERSUS CITY OF FORT ARTHUR, TEXAS.
CAUSE NUMBER D ONE DASH GN DASH 25 DASH 0 0 1 2 8 5 IN THE 201ST DISTRICT COURT OF TRAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS AND THE C KIRK THOMAS VERSUS CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AND ROSA ROBERTS, VILLE.
ACTION 1 23 DASH CCB DASH 2 82.
UH, THE US EASTERN DISTRICT, UH, COURT OF TEXAS AND D THE SABINE NAS GAVIN NAVIGATION DISTRICT AND E PROJECT CAROL CANAL.
AND ON PAGE 13 YOU WILL FIND F THE, UH, GROUND LEASE BY DILIGENCE.
OFFSHORE SERVICES LALC FROM THE CITY FOR CERTAIN TRACKS, UH, ARE CONTAINED IN APPROXIMATELY 13.79 ACRES, 900 ACRES AND 1,361 ACRES LOCATED ON PLEASURE ISLAND FOR THE DEVELOPMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND OPERATION OF WIND AND SOLAR ENERGY.
AND ALSO TURNING, WE WILL BE COMPILING SOME OF THE OTHER ITEMS THAT WERE, UH, PERTINENT TO THIS SAME TOPIC IN OUR, UH, CLOSED SESSION.
WE'LL NOW, UH, RECESS, THE CLOSED SESSION, IT IS NOW 3 38 OR 3 39, UH, PM IF THERE WOULD BE ANY, UH, MATTERS THAT WOULD CALL FOR ACTION, UH, ON THOSE DISCUSSIONS FROM THE EXECUTIVE SESSION, WE WILL CONDUCT THAT ACTION, UH, VOTING IN PARTICULAR ONCE WE RETURN TO, UH, OPEN SESSION HERE IN, UH, THE CHAMBERS.
SO WE WILL NOW RETIRE TO THE CONFERENCE ROOM DOWNSTAIRS AT 3:39 PM DROWN.
UH, CITY SECRETARY, WOULD YOU REESTABLISH FOR ME PLEASE? YES, SIR.
COUNCIL MEMBER HAMILTON, EVER FIELD PRESENT.
COUNCIL MEMBER? KEN LONG PRESENT.
MAYOR, I DON'T NEED, THANK YOU.
NO, I JUST, UH, I HAVE TO SAY I JUST HAD ACCUSED COUNCILMAN DEUCE OF TAKING MY CANDY.
Y YEAH, SOMEBODY GOT TWO OF THEM BECAUSE SOMEBODY TOOK MY, UH, COUNCILMAN FRANK.
COUNCILMAN FRANK? YEAH, HE, IT SOUNDS LIKE HIM.
ALRIGHT, EVERYONE, UH, WE, WE ARE BACK.
WE'VE BEEN IN A VERY SPIRIT FIELD, UH, EXECUTIVE SESSION AND, UH, BEFORE WE WOULD MOVE, UH, FURTHER, UH, I I, I WANT TO COMMEND MY, MY, MY, MY COLLEAGUES HERE FOR YOUR, UH, INDULGENCE YOUR DIALOGUE, UH, AND YOUR TRUTHFULNESS IN ACQUIESCING TO UH, POSITIONS ONCE YOU'VE EXPLAINED AND EXPRESSED YOUR OPINIONS AND WE APPRECIATE THAT.
UH, CITY ATTORNEY, WOULD THERE BE ANY ACTION ITEMS?
[04:40:02]
YES, YOUR HONOR, THERE ARE, THE CITY ATTORNEY ASKS FOR, FOR PERMISSION FOR THE COUNCIL TO MAKE A MOTION ON H AND P ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED VERSUS THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.I THINK, UH, COUNCILWOMAN ETT.
COUNCILWOMAN WHAT? BECKHAM? NO, SEE Y'ALL GOTTA BE SEEN.
UH, I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE IN THE CASE H AND P ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED VERSUS CITY OF PORT ARTHUR.
CAUSE NUMBER 24 DCCV 1 8 56 IN THE 172ND JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS IN THE AMOUNT OF $41,102 AND 31 CENTS.
AND SECOND THAT WE WOULD APPROVE THE JUST READ MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BECKHAM.
READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.
[VIII.A.(11) P.R. No. 24348 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Amend The Contract With Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend, P.C. (“Lloyd Gosselink”) For Professional Legal Services Related To State Of Texas Vs. City Of Port Arthur, Texas, Cause No. D-1-GN-001285 In The 201st District Court Of Travis County, Texas, To Increase Funding In By $120,000.00, For A New Total Contract Amount Not To Exceed $145,000.00; Funding Transferred From The City Manager’s Office Contingency Account No. 001-01-005-5470-00-10- 000 To The Law Department’s Professional Services Account No. 001-05-013-5420-00-10-000 To Cover The Increased Costs ]
CITY ATTORNEY, WOULD THERE BE ANY OTHER? YES, MAYOR.THERE'S ALSO THE CITY ATTORNEY REQUESTING THE STATE OF TEXAS VERSUS CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS.
THERE'S A MOTION THAT ALSO HAPPENS TO BE AN AGENDA ITEM ON PAGE 10.
AND I BELIEVE, UH, COUNCILWOMAN EVER FEEL, WILL YOU MAKE THAT MOTION FOR ME PLEASE? YES, SIR.
MAYOR, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO AMEND THE CONTRACT WITH LLOYD GOSLIN, ROCHELLE AND TOWNSEND PC FOR PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SERVICES RELATED TO THE STATE OF TEXAS VERSUS CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS.
CAUSE NUMBER D ONE GN 1285 IN THE 201ST DISTRICT COURT OF TRAVIS COUNTY TEXAS TO INCREASE FUNDING BY $120,000 FOR A NEW CONTRACT AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $145,000 FUNDING TRANSFERRED FROM THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE.
CONTINGENCY ACCOUNT NUMBER 0 0 1 DASH ZERO ONE DASH 0 5 5 4 7 0 0 0 0 TO THE LAW DEPARTMENT'S PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ACCOUNT NUMBER 0 0 1 0 5 0 3 5 4 2 0 1 0 0 TO COVER INCREASED COST.
OKAY, UH, SECOND IT IS BEEN MOVED.
AND SECOND THAT WE WOULD APPROVE THE JUST READ, UH, MOTION.
UH, WE READY FOR QUESTION UNDER ANY QUESTIONS? READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR, AYE.
A SO IT IS APPROVED CITY ATTORNEY, WOULD THERE BE ANY OTHER ITEM? YES, MAYOR, THE CITY ATTORNEY REQUESTS THAT THERE BE ACTION ON THE GROUND LEASE TO DILIGENCE OFFSHORE SERVICES LLC.
IT ALSO IS AGENDA ITEM ON PAGE THREE, NUMBER ONE UNDER UNFINISHED BUSINESS, WHICH IS PR NUMBER 2 4 2 8 5.
OKAY, COUNCILMAN, UH, ETT, ARE YOU PREPARED TO DO THAT FOR ME? PAGE THREE.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A GROUND AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS AND DILIGENT OFFSHORE SERVICES LLC FOR APPROXIMATELY 2.274 ACRES OF CITY OWNED LAND OR NEAR PLEASURE ISLAND FOR THE DEVELOPMENT, CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF WIND AND SOLAR FACILITIES, A SUBSTATION THAT CENTER OFFSHORE ENERGY HUB AND OTHER NECESSARY OCCUPANTS AND FACILITIES.
COUNCILMAN LEWIS, COULD YOU GIMME A SECOND ON THAT PLEASE, SIR? OKAY.
TURN YOUR MIC ON, PLEASE DO IT.
AND SECOND THAT WE WOULD ACCEPT THE PROPOSED LEASE, UH, AGREEMENT FROM MAY 20TH.
RIGHT? AM I CORRECT? I WANTED TO BE SURE THAT WE SAY THAT DATE.
AND FOR THE RECORD, MAYOR, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT BOTH MR. HARRY CRAWFORD AND HIS LEGAL COUNSEL HAVE ACCEPTED THE MAY 20TH, 2025 PROPOSED LEASE AS PRESENTED BY THE CITY COUNSEL.
AND WITH THAT BEING SAID, UH, ARE WE READY FOR QUESTIONING? NO QUESTIONS.
READY TO VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.
JUST DO A ROLL CALL THOUGH, PLEASE.
[04:45:01]
TURN, TURN YOUR MIC ON.COUNCIL MEMBER HAMILTON EVER FIELD? NO.
AND NOW WE HAVE COMPLETED, I BELIEVE, THE ITEMS THAT HAVE ALL BEEN DISCUSSED IN, UH, EXECUTIVE SESSION, IF THAT WOULD BE ANY OTHER BUSINESS.
IT IS NOW 7:10 PM ON THIS LORD'S DAY, MAY 20TH, 2025 IN THE GREAT CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS.
I DECLARE THIS AUGUST, FRIDAY NOW ADJOINED.
THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU, AND WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN ON JUNE 4TH AT 4:00 PM GOODBYE.