Feb 10, 2026 City Council

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OKAY. AT THIS TIME, WE'D LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE FOR ATTENDING AND COMING IN TO OUR CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY THE 10TH, 2026 AT 5:30 P.M. YOU MAY JOIN IN WITH THIS MEETING BY VIDEO CONFERENCE AND OR TELEPHONIC, AND YOU MAY DO SO BY CALLING 877853524 7 OR 8 887880099. ONCE YOU ENTER THE NUMBER, YOU MAY ENTER THE MEETING ID WHICH IS 86447730461 AND THE PASSCODE OF 651736. ALSO, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. AND WE'D LIKE TO HAVE YOU TO CALL OUR CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE BY DIALING 409 9838115. AT THIS TIME, I'M GOING TO ASK EVERYONE TO PLEASE MUTE YOUR CELL PHONES OR MOBILE DEVICES. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE OUR INVOCATION, OUR PLEDGE, AND OUR ROLL CALL. AT THIS TIME. I'M GOING TO ASK PASTOR MOSES IF HE WOULD COME UP AND LEAD US IN PRAYER, AND THEN WE'LL HAVE OUR PLEDGE AND OUR ROLL CALL. THANK YOU. YOU WOULD BOW YOUR HEADS WITH ME AND WORD OF PRAYER. FATHER GOD IN HEAVEN, IT IS IN THE NAME OF JESUS AND WE DO COME BEFORE YOU. WE GIVE YOU PRAISE AND GLORY AND HONOR AND THANKSGIVING. WE BLESS YOUR NAME THIS DAY THAT YOU HAVE MADE. WE DO REJOICE AND WE ARE GLAD IN IT, FATHER, AND WE THANK YOU FOR TAKING CARE OF US ALL OF THIS DAY, ALLOWING US TO GATHER FOR THIS MOMENT, THIS TIME, THIS PLACE. FATHER, WE PRAY THAT YOUR SPIRIT WILL ABOUND AND ABIDE IN EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US. WE PRAY, FATHER, FOR YOUR GUIDANCE, YOUR PEACE. AND FATHER, WE PRAY THAT, FATHER, THAT YOU WILL BLESS, THAT ALL THAT BE SAID AND DONE HERE BE TO THE GLORY AND HONOR OF YOUR NAME, AND TO THE BENEFIT OF THE CITIZENS.

THAT MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPRESENT. BLESS US, ONE AND ALL, AND WE SHALL ALL BE MINDFUL AND CAREFUL. WE'LL REMEMBER TO GIVE YOUR NAME, THE PRAISE, THE GLORY, AND THE HONOR FOREVER MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS. WE PRAY ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN SAID TOGETHER. AMEN, AMEN. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

CITY SECRETARY, WOULD YOU ESTABLISH A ROLL CALL? I'M SORRY, MAYOR MOSES HERE. MAYOR PRO TEM DOUCETTE HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER. LEWIS. COUNCIL MEMBER. HAMILTON, EVER PRESENT COUNCIL MEMBER. BECKHAM. HERE ARE COUNCIL MEMBER. KINLAW. HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER. FRANK. PRESENT.

YOU HAVE A QUORUM, MAYOR. THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO NUMBER TWO.

ACCORDING TO OUR AGENDA PROCLAMATIONS, WE HAVE NONE. NUMBER THREE, PETITIONS AND

[III.A.(1) Deric Outley, Regarding Park-Public Partnership For The Redevelopment Of Logan Park, Facility Use Agreement Approach]

YEAH. GOOD EVENING. MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS, CITY MANAGER, CITY ATTORNEY AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. MY NAME IS DEREK OTTLEY. I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF LANTIS. GUY, REGARDING A PUBLIC PARK PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP FRAMEWORK FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF LOGAN PARK. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS COUNCIL AND PLACE THE MATTER CLEARLY ON THE PUBLIC RECORD. I WANT TO BEGIN BY ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THE CITY HAS ALREADY COMPLETED THE FIRST ROUND OF DILIGENCE ON LOGAN PARK, INCLUDING TITLE REVIEW, DEED HISTORY AND LEGAL ANALYSIS. WE APPRECIATE THE TIME AND EFFORT THE CITY STAFF AND LEGAL HAVE INGESTED, AND WE UNDERSTAND THIS ITEM HAS ALSO BEEN DISCUSSED AT EXECUTIVE SESSION EARLIER TODAY. MY PURPOSE TONIGHT IS TONIGHT IS NOT TO INTRODUCE A NEW PROPOSAL, RESTART NEGOTIATIONS OR REQUEST A VOTE. IT IS TO RESPECTFULLY CLOSE THE LOOP FOLLOWING THE DILIGENCE AND TO CONFIRM WHETHER THE CITY WISHES TO CONTINUE EXPLORING THE LEGAL, COMPLIANT PATH FORWARD, OR TO CONCLUDE CONSIDERATION SO THAT ALL PARTIES HAVE CLARITY. THERE IS NO DISPUTE ABOUT THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK. LOGAN PARK IS DEED RESTRICTED FOR PUBLIC USE AND CANNOT BE SOLD OR LEASED WITHOUT VOTER APPROVAL. WE WE FULLY ACCEPT THAT LIMITATION. WE'RE NOT CHALLENGING IT AND

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REMAIN CONSISTENT WITH THE ORIGINAL PUBLIC USE DEDICATION OF LOGAN PARK. UNDER THIS FRAMEWORK, THE THE LAND REMAINS CITY OWNED. THE FACILITIES ARE CITY OWNED. LAND TO SKY WILL PROVIDE PRIVATE CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATIONS UNDER DEFINED PERFORMANCE STANDARDS. THIS. THIS APPROACH REQUIRES NO CITY FUNDING, NO CITY DEBT, NO CITY GUARANTEES, NO OPERATIONAL RISK TRANSFER TO TAXPAYERS. ALL CAPITAL WILL BE PRIVATELY SOURCED IF THE PROJECT PERFORMS THE CITY BENEFITS. IF IT DOES NOT, THE LAND REMAINS FULLY UNENCUMBERED.

THIS IS NOT A PRIVATIZATION PROPOSAL. KEY COMMITMENTS INCLUDE 100% PUBLIC USE ON NONEVENT DAYS, CONTINUED RECREATION AND PARK USE, LOCAL HIRING AND MWB PARTICIPATION, CULTURAL ACTIVATION AND WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION. FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE PARK'S PUBLIC USE INTENT. IN SHORT, THE PARK REMAINS A PARK, JUST BETTER ACTIVATED AT THIS POINT.

FEASIBILITY. FEASIBILITY HAS BEEN EXPLORED AND LEGAL CONSTRAINTS ARE UNDERSTOOD THAT REMAINS UNRESOLVED. WHAT REMAINS UNRESOLVED IS NOT FEASIBILITY, BUT INTENT. DOES THE CITY WISH TO CONTINUE EXPLORING THIS COMPLIANT FRAMEWORK OR NOT? I'M NOT ASKING THE CITY FOR AN APPROVAL TONIGHT. I UNDERSTAND NO ACTIONS CAN BE TAKEN IN THIS PORTION OF THE AGENDA. I'M RESPECTFULLY ASKING THAT FOLLOWING TONIGHT'S DISCUSSION, THE EXECUTIVE AND EXECUTIVE SESSION COUNCIL PROVIDES CLEAR ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTION, EITHER TO PROCEED WITH THE FURTHER STAFF EXPLORATION UNDER THIS FRAMEWORK OR TO FORMALLY CONCLUDE CONSIDERATION, WHATEVER THAT DIRECTION MAY BE. WE WILL RESPECT IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, YOUR DILIGENCE AND OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK OPENLY AND TRANSPARENTLY. THANK YOU.

DEREK. MR. OUTLAY, WE APPRECIATE YOUR PRESENTATION. OKAY, OKAY. NEXT WE HAVE MR.

[III.A.(2) Kenneth Loftin Of The Veterans Of Foreign Wars, Post 4820 Regarding Operation Desert Storm]

NOW, YOU CAN PROCEED. YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU. JOHN WAYNE SAID, TALK LOW, TALK SLOW, AND DON'T SAY TOO MUCH. IN THIS CASE, THOUGH, I'M GOING TO USE MY MILITARY TRAINING, WHICH IS THE THREE B'S. BE BRIGHT, BE BRIEF, AND BE GONE. I WILL BE DOING THAT BEFORE I GET STARTED.

QUICK ADVERTISEMENT CAN GET OUT OF HERE WITHOUT THAT. VFW 4820 IS HAVING AN AUXILIARY MARKET AND CAR SHOW ON THE 7TH OF FEBRUARY MARCH AT THE PORT NECHES RIVERFRONT PARK, AND IT'S GOING TO BE PRETTY MASSIVE. THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE LIVE BANDS, A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON IN THE CAR SHOW. ALSO, I WANT TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE'RE DOING AMERICA'S 250 AT THE PARK OUT ON HIGHWAY 73. WE HAVE TALKED WITH BANDS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE ARE STARTING TO GET IT TOGETHER. GEORGE STRAIT'S NOT GOING TO BE THERE, BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME PRETTY EXCITING PEOPLE THERE, AND WE'RE GOING TO GO WITH THAT. SO I'M HERE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING THAT'S CONGRESSIONALLY MANDATED FOR THE VFW TO DO, AND THAT IS TO BE OUT IN THE PUBLIC. AND THIS IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO AS FAR AS THAT GOES. WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT TONIGHT. WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT OPERATION DESERT STORM. SO ON OCTOBER, JANUARY 9TH FORT, I GUESS I GOT STAGE FRIGHT. THAT'S OKAY. THAT'S CRAZY. OPERATION DESERT STORM, RIGHT, CAME TO AN END WHEN THE AIR CAMPAIGN OF OPERATION DESERT STORM BEGAN.

TASK FORCE NORMANDY CONSISTED OF NINE APACHE HELICOPTERS FROM THE U.S. 101ST AVIATION REGIMENT, ACCOMPANIED BY FOUR AIR FORCE MH 53 HELICOPTERS. OPENED FIRE AT 236 BAGHDAD TIME ON THE 17TH OF JANUARY, AFTER THEY SENT 27 HELLFIRE MISSILES AND DESTROYED IRAQI RADAR SITES.

THEY THEN FOLLOWED WITH 100 HYDRA 70 ROCKETS THAT KNOCKED OUT ASSOCIATED ANTI-AIRCRAFT

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SIMULTANEOUSLY, U.S. AND ALLIED FORCES IN THE EAST ATTACKED DIRECTLY NORTH OF KUWAIT CITY.

THE TIGER BRIGADE PUSHED DIRECTLY NORTH FROM SOUTH SAUDI ARABIA THROUGH BLAZING KUWAITI OIL FIELDS SET ON FIRE BY RETREATING IRAQIS. BY MID-AFTERNOON ON THE FIRST DAY OF BATTLE, ELEMENTS OF THE 101ST AND 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION WERE DEEP INTO IRAQ.

EARLY SUCCESSES BY THE SEVENTH CORPS TO BEGIN ITS ATTACK AHEAD OF SCHEDULE EARLY ON THE AFTERNOON ON THE 24TH, BASICALLY THE SAME DAY THE WAR STARTED, THEY WERE WAY AHEAD OF SCHEDULE. U.S. SOLDIERS FROM THE FIRST INFANTRY DIVISION OVERRAN IRAQI POSITIONS. WITHIN A FEW HOURS, THE IRAQI TROOPS STARTED SURRENDERING IN DROVES. THE NEXT DAY, THE FIRST ARMORED DIVISION QUICKLY CRUSHED THE IRAQI 26TH INFANTRY DIVISION AS THE SEVENTH CORPS PIVOTED TO THE EAST. THE 24TH INFANTRY DIVISION'S HEAVY ARMOR MOVED NORTHWARD, MEETING SPORADIC RESISTANCE FROM DEMORALIZED IRAQI TROOPS LINKING UP WITH THE 101ST BATTLE POSITIONS. THE 24TH DIVISION MOVED 200 MILES NORTH TO THE EUPHRATES RIVER VALLEY. BY NOON ON THE 26TH, BLOCKING A MAJOR IRAQI SUPPLY ROUTE. THE BATTLES OF DESERT STORM SOON WOUND DOWN AGAINST A CRUMBLING RESISTANCE, WITH THE SEVENTH CORPS POISED TO CRUSH THE REMAINDER OF THE REPUBLICAN GUARD UNITS, ONLY THE DECLARATION OF A CEASE FIRE SAVED THE IRAQIS IN 100 HOURS.

U.S. AND ALLIED GROUND FORCES IN IRAQ AND KUWAIT DECISIVELY DEFEATED A BATTLE HARDENED ENEMY DURING AIR AND GROUND OPERATIONS. THE U.S. AND ALLIED FORCES DESTROYED OVER 3000 TANKS, 1400 ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS, AND 2200 PIECES OF ARTILLERY. BUT WE NEVER FORGET THAT THIS CAME AS A COST OF 96 AMERICAN MILITARY PERSONNEL WHO DIED IN ACTION. TALKING A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE AFTERMATH WHEN KUWAIT WAS LIBERATED, U.S. FORCES TURNED TO. I HATE TO INTERRUPT YOU, MR. LOFTON. HOW MUCH MORE TIME DO YOU THINK YOU NEED? WE ONLY HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR SPEAKERS. I'M ALMOST DONE, MA'AM. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. SO ANYWAY, JUST TO FINISH THAT, THE STORY DOESN'T END THERE. AND IN FACT, IT CONTINUES TO THIS DAY. THERE'S APPROXIMATELY JUST BARELY UNDER 2000 TROOPS STILL IN IRAQ. PEOPLE THINK THERE'S NOBODY THERE. BUT I'VE BEEN THERE. I THINK, CONGRESSMAN, CAN I SAY COUNCILMAN KINLAW HAS BEEN THERE AND WE'VE STILL GOT PEOPLE THERE. THAT'S ALL I HAVE, MA'AM. THANK YOU. MR. LOFTON, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PRESENTATION. AND THANK YOU FOR COMING BEFORE CITY COUNCIL ON TODAY. THANK YOU. YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU. OKAY. AT THIS TIME, WE HAVE MR. JOSEPH THOMAS

[III.A.(3) Joseph Thomas, Regarding Environmental Health And Animals]

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SO WE HAVE A ORDINANCE THAT SPECIFICALLY STATES WHAT IS ALLOWED AND WHAT'S NOT ALLOWED.

AND THE QUESTION THAT WE AS COUNCIL NEED TO UNDERSTAND TODAY IS THAT IF WE ENFORCE THE ORDINANCE, THEN THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE HOMES LIKE MR. THOMAS DOES NOT HAVE TO BE SUBJECTED TO THAT. IF WE LIVED WHERE MR. THOMAS LIVED, WHAT WE WANT TO HAVE, THAT TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT, PEOPLE COME TO VISIT OUR HOMES. DO THEY NEED TO BE SUBJECTED TO THAT? THIS IS A SIMPLE, SIMPLE FIX. ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS GO OUT THERE AND NOTIFY PEOPLE. PEOPLE WHO HAVE ANIMALS WITHIN 200FT OF A RESIDENT. YOU VIOLATING THE ORDINANCE. IT DON'T WORK. YOU KNOW THE CITIZENS OUT THERE, THEY DON'T. THEY DON'T COMPLAIN IF IT'S OUT THERE AND THERE'S NO HOUSES AROUND IT, IT'S NOT AROUND THEIR HOME. BUT IF YOU LOOK AT MONTROSE IN THE LAST THREE, FOUR YEARS, MOST OF THE PROPERTY THAT HAS BEEN BOUGHT HAS BEEN BOUGHT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PUTTING HORSES ON IT, OR CATTLE. AND PEOPLE LIVE THERE. I, I'M, I'M, I'LL PUT SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA WHERE COUNCIL NEEDS TO GET PERSONALLY INVOLVED IN THIS AND WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT CITIZENS AND MONTROSE ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THIS TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT, BECAUSE MOST OF THE PEOPLE OUT THERE DON'T EVEN LIVE THERE, AND NOBODY SHOULD BE SUBJECTED TO IT. SO I'LL PUT SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA THAT WE CAN PUT. WE CAN ISSUE A DIRECTIVE. WE NEED TO CLEAN THAT UP. THAT IS NOT AN EXCUSE FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE TO LIVE IN THOSE CONDITIONS. THANK

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[III.B.(1) A Presentation By The Youth Advisory Council Regarding Activities (Requested By Councilmember Hamilton Everfield)]

I LOVE TRAVELING AND MY DREAM IS TO SEE ALL SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD. GO AHEAD KAYLA.

MAKAYLA. THAT'S IT. SO MY EXPECTATIONS AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE CLUB FOR YAC IS AS THE PRESIDENT, I WANT TO DO THE BEST JOB THAT I CAN OF BRINGING JOY AND OPPORTUNITY TO THE COMMUNITY. FOR THOSE WHO FEEL LIKE THEY DON'T HAVE ANY, BEING ABLE TO TEACH THE YOUTH THAT OPPORTUNITY LIES IN PORT ARTHUR IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME, AND AT THE LAST CONFERENCE LAST YEAR IN BEAUMONT, IT SHOWED ME HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO EDUCATE THE YOUTH BECAUSE THEY HAD MANY

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AND SO THAT'S WHAT I EXPECT TO SEE MORE OF OUT OF YAC. CAITLIN WASN'T ABLE TO BE HERE WITH US TONIGHT. HE'S ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE STUDENTS WHO'S INVOLVED IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT SCHOOL ACTIVITIES. HIS INTEREST ARE ASSISTING PEOPLE IN ALL ASPECTS WITHIN HIS CAPABILITIES AND RESOURCES. HE ENJOYS MEETING NEW PEOPLE AND BEING A BEING POSITIVE IN THE WORLD WHERE EVIL WON'T HAVE A LAST SAY. AWESOME. DANNY ■NGUYEN ALSO WASN'T ABLE TO BE HERE WITH US THIS EVENING. HE IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE MARCHING HEAT BAND. HIS INTEREST ARE, HE SAYS, I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT PLAYING THE FLUTE AND LOVE EXPRESSING HIMSELF THROUGH MUSIC. HE

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I AM A VARSITY TENNIS. I AM THE PRESIDENT OF THE ASIAN CULTURE CLUB, THE ECO CLUB AND THE ART CLUB AND A. I AM ALSO IN THE NATIONAL HONOR CLUB AND I AM PART OF LCPA SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTOR, C LEADER AND ALSO ALUMNI ANNUAL SHOWCASE NOMINEE. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GUYS HEARD OF THEM. THEY'RE LIKE NEAR BEAUMONT. AND THEN SOME OF MY INTEREST IS I PUT THEM IN PICTURES BECAUSE I WAS KIND OF TIRED OF LOOKING AT THE WORDS, BUT YOU SEE THE MINION OVER THERE, IT'S SHOWING MY INTEREST IN MOVIES. I LOVE WATCHING MOVIES. AND YOU CAN SEE THE GREEN LITTLE FIGURE LISTENING TO MUSIC, SITTING ON A STACK OF POEMS. MY FAVORITE QUOTE THAT I THINK A LOT ABOUT WHEN I THINK ABOUT YAC IS CARPE DIEM, WHICH IS SEIZE THE DAY. I BELIEVE ALL OF THE YAC AND THE SPONSOR, MISS HAMILTON, HAS REALLY TAUGHT US TO SEIZE THE DAY AND EVERYTHING THAT WE DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND OURSELVES. AND THE LIBRARY CARD IS SHOWING MY INTEREST IN BOOKS. I LOVE READING CLASSIC BOOKS, AND THE PINK FIGURE IS SAYING, LIKE, I JUST LOVE GAMING ON MY LAPTOP, OR MAYBE BROWSING AND SHOPPING AND ADDING LIKE A THOUSAND THINGS IN THE CARDS. BUT MY EXPECTATION FOR YAC IS, WELL, I WANT TO TELL IT IN KIND OF A STORY FORM. SO TWO WEEKENDS AGO I WENT TO MY FIRST YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL SUMMIT AND ONE OF THE EVENT THERE, I HAD A GUEST SPEAKER NAMED WES, AND HE WAS TALKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH.

AND DURING THE SPEECH HE INTRODUCED US TO A VERY UNIQUE BREATHING EXERCISE. AND A WEEK AFTER THE YAC SUMMIT, I WENT TO MY ELEMENTARY BECAUSE I AM A STUDENT INTERN FOR LIKE SUBSTITUTE AND STUFF. AND ONE OF THE STUDENT. IT WAS 8 A.M. BRIGHT AND EARLY IN THE MORNING, SHE CAME UP TO ME AND SHE WAS CRYING AND I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON AND SHE WOULDN'T SPEAK TO ME. THEN I REMEMBER WHAT WAS SAID ABOUT THE BREATHING EXERCISE. SO I TOLD HER, LET'S DO THE BREATHING EXERCISE. AND SHE ACTUALLY LISTENED TO ME. AND AT THE END OF THE EXERCISE, INSTEAD OF CRYING, SHE WAS LAUGHING. SO I WANTED TO SHOW YOU GUYS KIND OF THE EXERCISE THAT HE SHOWED ME. SO YOU'RE GOING TO PUT YOUR RIGHT HAND UP, YOUR LEFT HAND UP, AND YOU'RE GOING TO PUT IT ON YOUR BELLY. YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND THEN BLOW OUT LIKE YOU'RE BLOWING A BALLOON. OKAY. YOU CAN PROBABLY TELL WHY KIDS LOVE DOING THAT.

THEY'RE LIKE, OKAY, MY BALLOONS THIS BIG. AND I TOLD HER, WELL, MY BALLOONS AS BIG AS THE CLASSROOM. AND THEN SHE KEPT DOING THE BREATHING EXERCISE, AND SHE REALLY, REALLY CALMED DOWN AFTER THAT. AND SEEING HOW MUCH I LEARNED AND HOW MUCH INFORMATION I HAVE GAINED FROM JUST THREE DAYS AT THE SUMMIT, NOW I'M THINKING ABOUT, WELL, WHAT ABOUT THREE MONTHS? WHAT ABOUT THREE YEARS WITH MY COMMUNITIES AND MY MEMBERS AND HOW MUCH I'VE LEARNED FROM

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OKAY. THANK YOU, MISS PIERRE, FOR TAKING THAT PHOTO. AND THANK YOU ALL ONE MORE TIME. I HAVE A COUPLE OF LIGHTS. COUNCILMAN KINLAW. THANK YOU. MAYOR. THIS IS WHAT IT'S ABOUT.

WHEN WE ARE CREATING IN OUR OWN COMMUNITIES LEADERS. AND I'D LIKE TO COMMEND COUNCIL MEMBER HAMILTON EVERSFIELD. I REMEMBER WHEN YOU WANTED TO START GET IT BACK HOT. AND I REMEMBER CHRISTIE WAS ALSO DOING THIS A COUPLE YEARS AGO. BUT THANK YOU, THANK YOU. BUT COUNCILMAN EVERSFIELD, I MEAN, SHE WAS REALLY ON IT. SHE CALLED ABOUT TWICE A WEEK ON MAKING SURE THAT I HAD MY APPOINTEES AND ENSURED THAT THE TRAINING WOULD BE EFFECTIVE. AND AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE SLIDES, THEY ALL MANY OF THE STUDENTS ARE IN OTHER ACTIVITIES. BUT THE LEADERSHIP ASPECT THAT'S GOING TO TAKE YOU A LONG WAY. SO I COMMEND YOU GUYS. I COMMEND YOU, YOUR INSTRUCTORS AS WELL. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. OKAY. AT THIS TIME, WE THANK YOU ALL AGAIN FOR COMING AND TO YOUR SPONSORS. THANK YOU. AS WE SAID, THANK YOU SEVERAL TIMES. WE

[III.B.(2) A Presentation By The United Board Of Missions Coordinator, Debbie Perkins, Regarding The Values Of Building A Community Together (Requested By Councilmember Kinlaw)]

AND THIS IS REQUESTED BY COUNCIL MEMBER KINLAW. MISS PERKINS, IF YOU'LL COME WITH YOUR PRESENTATION. GOOD EVENING. HONORABLE MAYOR, ARE WE ON? YES. GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN KINLAW, FOR FOR ACTUALLY INVITING ME HERE. THIS HAS BEEN A GOAL FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK TO YOU ALL, TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON WHAT'S

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IT'S AMAZING BECAUSE WE BEGAN WITH CHURCHES IN THE 70S. WE HAD 75 CHURCHES THAT WERE ACTIVELY SUPPORTING OUR MISSION TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY WITH SERVICES. AND TODAY, OUR NUMBERS THAT WE ARE PROVIDING ARE NEARLY THE SAME. OVER 10,000 INDIVIDUALS LAST YEAR ALONE WERE HELPED BY UNITED BOARD OF MISSIONS. UNFORTUNATELY, WE DON'T HAVE THAT BASE THAT WE USED TO HAVE FROM CHURCHES, SO OUR GOAL THIS YEAR IS TO ACTUALLY DEVELOP A CHURCH COALITION IN OUR COMMUNITY TO HELP ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORS MUCH STRONGER THAN WHAT WE'RE ABLE TO DO WITH WHAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW. THE MISSIONS ATTIC HAS REPLACED HAVING CLOTHING IN OUR HOUSES, AND THAT IS OUR RESALE STORE ON TWIN CITY HIGHWAY 3300, TWIN CITY HIGHWAY AND GROVES ACROSS FROM BURGER KING. AS EVERYBODY SAYS FOR THE LANDMARK, WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL MURAL ON THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING. SO WHEN PEOPLE ARE IN NEED, THEY COME TO OUR OFFICES ON NINTH AVENUE AND WE GIVE THEM A VOUCHER AND THEY CAN GO TURN THAT VOUCHER IN WITHIN THREE DAYS AND PICK OUT SOME CLOTHING. AND THEN EVERY 3 TO 4 MONTHS THEY CAN COME BACK AND GET MORE CLOTHING FROM US. BY THAT METHOD, THE DONATIONS THAT COME INTO MISSIONS ATTIC ARE VARIOUS. THIS DRESS ACTUALLY CAME FROM MISSIONS ATTIC FOR $3, IF YOU CAN BELIEVE THAT EVERYBODY NEEDS TO SHOP AT MISSIONS ATTIC, IT DOES WELL FOR THE COMMUNITY AND YOUR POCKETBOOK AS WELL. NOT EVERYBODY CAN DRESS AS WELL AS MISS MOSES, BUT YOU KNOW, WE TRY. SO THE MISSIONS ATTIC ALSO DOES A LOT OF UNDERCOVER WORK FOR THE COMMUNITY. WHEN WE RECEIVE STUFFED ANIMALS THAT AREN'T SELLABLE OR USABLE, BUT FOR HUMANS. BUT THEY COULD BE FOR DOGS. WE GIVE THEM TO THE ANIMAL SHELTER ALSO. THAT GOES FOR THE LINENS, TOWELS, THAT TYPE OF THING FOR BEDDING FOR THEM. WHEN WE HAVE TO HAVE A WARMING CENTER, WHEN THE JUST RECENTLY WE SEND BLANKETS DOWN TO THE WARMING CENTER TO HELP WITH THAT AS WELL. WE ALSO SHARE SOME OF THE EXCESS CLOTHING THAT WE HAVE WITH THE HOSPITALITY CENTER ON GULF WAY.

THEY HAVE SUCH A SMALL SPACE. WE'RE KIND OF AN EXTRA HOLDING PATTERN FOR THEM, AND THEY SEND A VOLUNTEER EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS TO REPLENISH THEIR STOCK THERE SO THAT WE CAN BE SURE AND HELP WITH OUR PROCEEDS THAT WE HAVE. OUR IN-HOUSE FOOD PANTRY IS VERY, VERY, VERY POPULAR THESE DAYS TO THE TUNE OF ALMOST 200 HOUSEHOLDS A MONTH THAT WE SERVE. THAT'S OVER 550 INDIVIDUALS. LAST YEAR, WE DISTRIBUTED 2200 HOUSEHOLDS WITH FOOD, 6000 PLUS INDIVIDUALS, 85,500 POUNDS OF FOOD IN ONE YEAR. WE ARE ALLOWED TO, WITH OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE, WITH THE PANTRY, WITH THE FOOD BANK TO BUY FOOD FOR OUR PANTRY ONCE EVERY EVERY MONTH. BUT THAT DOESN'T LAST VERY LONG. SO WE RELY ON FOOD DRIVES AND FUNDING THROUGH GRANTS AS WELL. SOME OF OUR CHURCHES RECENTLY, ONE ALLOWED US TO TO PARK OUR TRUCK ON ON THEIR PROPERTY FOR THEIR THREE SERVICES, AND THEY BROUGHT IN FOOD FOR US THERE.

ANOTHER ONE ALLOWED US TO BRING OUR TRUCK TO BRUCE'S, AND THEY PROVIDED A FOOD DRIVE THERE.

BUT AS YOU CAN SEE, FOOD GOES IN, BUT A LOT MORE GOES OUT. OUR BACK TO WORK PROGRAM IS ANOTHER LEAD OFF OF THE UNITED WAY PARTNERSHIP. THEY HAVE A FIRST IMPRESSIONS CLOSET, SO WE SHARE THAT WITH THE COMMUNITY. IF SOMEONE HAS A NEW JOB AND THEY NEED FRC OR EVEN JUST NON-SLIP SHOES FOR A JOB AT BURGER KING, THEY CAN COME SEE US AND WE WILL HELP THEM GET READY FOR FOR WORK. IF THEY HAVE A LETTER FROM THEIR NEW EMPLOYER STATING THEIR NAME AND WHEN THEIR START DATE IS, AND SPECIFICALLY WHAT THEY NEED, WE CAN EVEN SUPPLY THEM WITH SOME TOOLS IF THAT'S WHAT THEY NEED, UP TO A LIMIT, OF COURSE, OUR POWER TO CARE IS THROUGH

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ENTERGY IS ANOTHER PARTNER ON THAT. THEY BRING US ABOUT 125 FANS BOX FANS EVERY MARCH OR APRIL, AND THEN WE DISTRIBUTE THOSE FOR THEM AS WELL. OUR MAIN AREA OF CONCERN, LIKE I SAID, IS REBUILDING OUR CHURCH COALITION THIS YEAR. SO IF YOU ALL WOULD TAKE THIS INFORMATION AND SHARE IT AS MUCH AS YOU CAN WITH ALL THE CHURCH MEMBERS, YOU KNOW, I WAS BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK TO THOMAS BOULEVARD CHURCH OF CHRIST LAST WEEK AND NEDERLAND FIRST BAPTIST THIS WEEK, AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY CALENDAR FILLED WITH TELLING OUR STORY ONE MORE TIME. IT'S BEEN A BLESSING TO BE HERE. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR. OH, THANK YOU FOR COMING.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE INFORMATION AT THIS TIME. COUNCILMAN KINLAW HAS HIS LIGHT ON. THANK YOU. DEBBIE, BEFORE YOU LEAVE, COULD YOU GIVE THE LISTENING AUDIENCE. AND THEN, OF COURSE, THE AUDIENCE IS OUT THERE, CONTACT NUMBER OR WEBSITE. SO, YOU KNOW, IF WHEN YOU'RE BUILDING THIS COALITION OF CHURCHES. YES. SO THEY CAN CONTACT YOU, COULD YOU DO THAT FOR YOUR CELL PHONE NUMBER? OKAY. AREA CODE 713204. IT'S ON THE CARD THAT I DISTRIBUTED TO YOU. ALL AREA CODE 713204 3137 DEBBIE PERKINS. OUR WEBSITE IS UNITED MISSIONS DOT. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING, IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN DONATING, IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN JUST COMING BY FOR A TOUR, WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE ANYBODY. ONE DAY. I'M GOING TO GET KINLAW OVER THERE. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. OH, COUNCILMAN ELBERFELD. OH, YES. THANK YOU, MISS DEBBIE, FOR ALL YOU DO FOR THE COMMUNITY. AND I JUST WANT TO LET THE COMMUNITY KNOW THAT OFTEN WHEN WE TALK ABOUT DONATIONS FOR FAMILIES, WE TALK ABOUT THE CLOTHES, SHOES, FOOD.

BUT SOMETIMES A COUPLE OF WEEKS, MAYBE TWO WEEKS AGO, THERE WAS EIGHT UNITS IN A BUILDING ON GULFWAY DRIVE WHO HAD A FIRE. AND SO THEY NEEDED FURNITURE, THEY NEEDED DISHES, THEY NEEDED EVERYTHING THAT WE USE ON A DAILY BASIS. SO PLEASE KEEP THAT IN MIND TO LIGHTLY USE.

DON'T PLEASE DON'T BRING ANYTHING THAT YOU WOULDN'T USE FOR YOURSELF, BUT JUST KEEP THAT IN MIND OF WANTING TO TO HELP PEOPLE HAVE SOME HONOR AND RESPECT FOR WHEN THEY'VE LOST EVERYTHING. SO KEEP THOSE ITEMS IN MIND TOO, PLEASE. THAT'S SO GREAT THAT YOU BROUGHT THAT UP.

YES. IF IF THERE ARE FIRE VICTIM, THEY JUST NEED TO BRING THE FIRE REPORT TO OUR OFFICE.

FIRST OF ALL, THEY HAVE TO CONTACT RED CROSS. THAT'S STEP ONE ALWAYS. AND THEN COME TO US WHEN THEY'RE READY TO GET SET UP AGAIN. AND WE WILL HELP THEM THROUGH THE ATTIC. WE HAVE HOUSEHOLD GOODS THERE. LIKE YOU SAID. WE HAVE EVERYTHING BUT THE KITCHEN SINK. AND THEN ONCE WE EVEN HAD A KITCHEN SINK. SO JUST COME SEE US. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU SO MUCH AGAIN. WE

[III.B.(3) A Presentation By Motiva Regarding The Downtown Redevelopment Progress And Update (Requested By Councilmember Kinlaw)]

[00:50:01]

[III.F.(1) A Discussion Regarding A Forensic Audit (Requested By Mayor Pro Tern Doucet)]

HOW IS IT FUNDED? DO WE AMEND THE BUDGET? DO WE CREATE A NEW BUDGET FOR IT? OKAY, I CAN ANSWER THOSE. I'VE BEEN HERE WITH ONE BEFORE. OKAY. WHAT NORMALLY HAPPENS? YOU SET UP A TIME FOR WORKSHOP WITH COUNCIL AND COUNCIL DEVELOPS SCOPE. AS FOR FUNDING, IT'S LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE. YOU AMEND YOUR BUDGET AND YOU PUT MONEY IN FOR IT AND YOU FUND IT. SO THAT'S HOW IT'S DONE. SO BASICALLY WE NEED TO GET STARTED BECAUSE CITIZENS ARE ASKING, AND I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT ASKS ABOUT THIS. IT'S BEEN APPROVED PROBABLY ABOUT THREE MONTHS PROBABLY. SO WE NEED TO GET IT DONE. SO CAN WE DECIDE ON A DATE OR DO WE WANT TO GET POLLED FOR A DATE, TO DO A WORKSHOP IN WHICH WE COULD DEVELOP A SCOPE? I JUST KIND OF WANT TO JUST SO FOR CLARITY, FOR MYSELF, I THINK THE COUNCIL VOTED ON THE FORENSIC AUDIT PROBABLY IN NOVEMBER, BUT THE PERSON REQUESTING MAYOR PRO TEM WAS YOURSELF. SO WHAT THE SCOPE OF WORK AND WHAT YOU WANT COUNCIL TO DELVE INTO, WOULD THAT NOT COME FROM YOURSELF? OH WELL, I MEAN, BECAUSE YOU'RE REQUESTING THE YOU REQUESTED THE FORENSIC AUDIT, SO WOULDN'T THAT COME FROM YOURSELF? WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I CAN'T DO ANYTHING. BUT IF COUNCIL AGREES TO ALLOW ME TO DEVELOP A SCOPE AND BRING IT BACK TO COUNCIL AND LET COUNCIL LOOK AT IT AND TWEAK IT BEFORE THEY APPROVE IT, I'LL DO THAT. OH, OKAY. THAT'S NOT A PROBLEM. BUT I CAN'T DO ANYTHING ALONE. SO IF COUNCIL'S ALLOWED ME TO DO IT, I'LL DO IT. I'D HAVE BEEN DONE IT. I DON'T THINK ANY COUNCIL MEMBER KNEW WHAT TO DO OR HOW TO PROCEED BECAUSE WE WERE WAITING. YOU CALLED FOR THE FORENSIC AUDIT IN THE MEETING. SO I THINK EVERYBODY WAS WAITING ON YOUR PERIMETERS OF WHAT YOU WERE YOU WANTED TO DO AND THE DIRECTION. I DON'T THINK ANY OF US HAVE THAT KNOWLEDGE. OKAY. SO IF ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS, Y'ALL CAN PUT YOUR LIGHTS ON. COUNCILMEMBER KINLAW, I REMEMBER COUNCILMAN DOUCET, ONE MEETING YOU WASN'T HERE, AND SO YOU WANTED TO PULL THAT. SO I DIDN'T WANT TO OVERSTEP MY BOUNDARIES. AND, YOU KNOW, KNOWING THE SCOPE OF WORK. SO I DON'T KNOW IF WE WANT TO DO A WORKSHOP OR IF YOU WANT TO, YOU KNOW, GIVE YOU THE AUTONOMY OF ACTUALLY COMING UP WITH A SCOPE BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHERE WE WANT TO, YOU KNOW, GO WITH THIS. WELL, YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID, I CAN I CAN DEVELOP A SCOPE, OKAY.

AND THEN I COULD BRING BEFORE COUNCIL AND LET COUNCIL LOOK AT IT. IT MEANT A CHANGE TO DO WHAT COUNCIL WANT SO THAT WE ALL CAN AGREE ON IT AND STUFF. IF THAT'S IF THAT'S THE WAY WE'RE GOING TO DO IT, YOU KNOW. BUT I DON'T SEE NO REASON. BUT I CAN DO THAT. OKAY, OKAY.

SOUNDS GREAT. ALRIGHT. AND THEN I'LL JUST PUT IT ON FOR A DISCUSSION. OKAY. ITEM AT A FUTURE COUNCIL MEETING IF THAT'S OKAY WITH COUNCIL COUNCILMEMBER EVER FEEL LET ME GET A COUPLE MORE LIGHTS AND THEN WE CAN DETERMINE THAT. BUT I THOUGHT THAT'S WHAT I WAS

[00:55:01]

AND WE WERE IN WE WERE IN WE WERE IN JEOPARDY OF LOSING THAT MONEY BECAUSE WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE TALK OF A FORENSIC AUDIT WOULD AFFECT THE ABILITY OF OUR BOND, OUR BOND AGENTS, TO SELL THOSE BONDS, BECAUSE IT HAD CREATED A CRISIS OF SORTS. SO THAT'S WHY ULTIMATELY IT TOOK THE BACK BURNER UP UNTIL THIS POINT. AND SO IF WE'RE IF WE'RE IF WE'RE CHOOSING TO GO FORWARD STILL WITH THAT, WHICH WE DID VOTE FOR, I THINK THAT IT WOULD BEHOOVE US TO KNOW AS WELL. AND I WANT TO KNOW AS WELL THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT IT'S GOING TO COST. SO WHEN YOU BRING THE SCOPE OF WORK TO THE FOREFRONT AS WELL, LET'S HAVE THAT DISCUSSION OR DO WHATEVER IS NEEDFUL TO KNOW HOW MUCH THIS FORENSIC AUDIT WOULD COST US AS A CITY. WELL, I'LL DO THAT, COUNCILMAN FRANK, I HAVE A COUPLE MORE LIGHTS. COUNCILMEMBER DOUCET, I HAVE COUNCILMEMBER LOUIS LIGHT BEFORE YOURS. AND COUNCILMEMBER BECKHAM, I SEE YOU. I FINALLY LOOKED UP. GIVE ME ONE SECOND, COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, AND THEN I'LL COME BACK TO YOU. THAT WAS A WHAT I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND. HOW WAS THE FORENSIC AUDIT GOING TO IMPACT OUR FUNDING? IT'S TOTALLY UNRELATED. YEAH. I JUST TOLD YOU THAT OUR BOND. NO, I RELAYED, I RELAYED THE INFORMATION THAT WE WERE GIVEN, THAT WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE TALK OF THE FORENSIC AUDIT AFFECTED INDIVIDUALS AND HAD FEARS THAT OUR BONDS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SOLD THE BORROWING CAPACITY. RIGHT. YOU KNOW. OH, SOMEBODY TOLD YOU THAT THE BOND COUNCIL. THE BOND COUNCIL, WHAT DID WE. WELL, IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS PRIVILEGED INFORMATION. I DIDN'T GET THAT INFORMATION WASN'T PRIVILEGED. BUT ANYWAY, ANYWAY, WE CAN WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH IT. BUT ONE OF THE THINGS AS WE MOVE FORWARD, I WANT TO INCORPORATE IN THE FORENSIC AUDIT THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS OWE US MONEY. THEY LEASE LEASE OUR LAND OUT AND THEY KEPT THE MONEY. SO I WANT TO INCORPORATE THAT SO WE WON'T HAVE TO END UP WITH A CONSULTANT TO GO AFTER TO GO AFTER THE FUNDING. I GOT THE DOCUMENTATION AND EVERYTHING GOT CANCELED. CHECKS AND EVERYTHING. OKAY. COUNCIL MEMBER THAT IN IN THE IN THE FORENSIC AUDIT. COUNCILMAN BECKHAM IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE'S AN AWFUL LOT OF MOVING PARTS TO THIS AND THAT IT WOULD MAKE A LOT MORE SENSE FOR US TO DO THIS IN A WORKSHOP. MY CONCERN IS IF WE COME BACK AND COUNCIL MEMBER OR MAYOR PRO TEM DO GIVES US A SCOPE OF WORK, THAT'S THAT'S STILL GOING TO REQUIRE A WHOLE LOT OF DISCUSSION AND A WHOLE LOT OF OPINIONS. AND IT SEEMS LIKE WE CAN GET A LOT MORE WORK DONE MORE EFFICIENTLY IF WE DID A WORKSHOP ON THE SCOPE OF WORK OF THE FORENSIC AUDIT, AND THEN WE CAN GET ALL THESE OTHER QUESTIONS ANSWERED AT THE SAME TIME, I'M OPEN TO EITHER WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO, WHATEVER COUNCIL DECIDES, WE CAN DO A WORKSHOP, WE JUST NEED TO GET A DATE AND WE CAN DO A WORKSHOP. I'M OPEN, BUT I AGAIN, NONE OF US REALLY UNDERSTOOD THE DIRECTION BECAUSE OF THE THE MAYOR PRO TEM ASKED FOR THE FORENSIC WORKSHOP. OKAY. IS THAT CITY MANAGER? YOU'RE LIKE, IF MAYOR PRO TEM IF YOU DEVELOP A A DRAFT, A ROUGH DRAFT AND YOU SUBMIT IT, I COULD ASK FOR INPUT. AND COUNCILMAN BAILEY HAS JUST SUGGESTED SOMETHING. IF ALL THEY ALL FIT TOGETHER,

[01:00:06]

[V. REPORTS / ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST (LIMITED TO A TOTAL OF TWO (2) MINUTES PER COUNCILMEMBER)]

[VII. CONSENT AGENDA]

THE AYES HAVE IT. ANY NOS THE AYES HAVE IT. THE CONSENT AGENDA PASSES. AT THIS TIME

[VIII.A.(1) P.R. No. 24677 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Approve The Purchase Of Six Dispatch Workstations For Police And Fire Dispatch From Russ Bassett Corporation, Of Whittier, California, Through HGAC Cooperative Contract Number EC07-23 In The Total Amount Of $116,762.03, Funding Is Allocated In The Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget Capital Improvements 625-17-000-8522-00-00- 000]

DASH 00000. CAN I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? SO MOVED. SECOND, IT'S BEEN MOVED. AND SECOND, ANY QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE AYES HAVE IT. RESOLUTION PASSES.

[VIII.A.(2) P.R. 24701 — A Resolution Ratifying The City Manager’s Authorization Of An Emergency Work And Authorizing Payment To Global Drilling, Inc., Of Winnie, Texas, For Emergency Repairs To Sanitary Sewer Lines And A Manhole Located At Vicksburg Avenue And 5th Street, In An Amount Not To Exceed $110,000.00, With Funding From CIP Account No. 405-40-000-8516-00-00-000 Project No. WS0032.OTH]

[VIII.A.(3) P.R. 24704 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Nlanager To Purchase A 2100i Vactor Truck From Kinloch Equipment And Supply, Inc. In The Amount Of $620,222.00, Through Doggett Freightliner Of South Texas, LLC Under TIPS Cooperative Purchasing Contract No. 230802, And Further Authorizing The City Manager To Enroll In The Mile After Mile Service Program With An Annual Service Fee Of $12,000.00; Funding In The Amount Of $408,636.62 Is Available In Capital Equipment Account No. 625-40-220-8523-00-00-000, Motor Vehicles; $211,585.38 Is Available In Water Account No. 405-40- 220-8523-00-00-000, Motor Vehicles; And The Annual Service Fee Of $12,000.00 Is Available In Water Account No. 405-40-220-8523- 00-00-000, With Subsequent Years Subject To City Council’s Annual Appropriation]

[01:05:01]

MOTOR VEHICLES $211,585.38 IS AVAILABLE IN WATER ACCOUNT NUMBER 4054022085230000000.

MOTOR VEHICLES AND THE ANNUAL SERVICE FEE OF $12,000 IS AVAILABLE IN THE WATER ACCOUNT NUMBER 40540220, DASH 85230000000. WITH SUBSEQUENT YEARS SUBJECT TO THE CITY COUNCIL'S ANNUAL APPROPRIATION, CAN I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? SO MOVED. SECOND, IT'S BEEN MOVED. AND SECOND, ANY QUESTIONS? COUNCILMEMBER. KINLAW, CITY MANAGER, IF YOU CAN HAVE SOMEONE COME UP HERE. I KNOW LAST BUDGET YEAR IS AM I CORRECT THAT WE WE PURCHASED A VACTOR TRUCK LAST YEAR AND HOW MANY WE DO WE HAVE IN IN OPERATIONAL SERVICE AT THIS TIME? I'VE BEEN WATCHING THE VACTOR TRUCKS PURCHASE AND IF LAST BUDGET YEAR WE PURCHASED AND I THINK YOU CAME THIS THIS IS IDENTICAL TO THE ONE WE PURCHASED THE WE PURCHASED A USED ONE, I DON'T KNOW, 2023 TO GET THROUGH BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO BUY A NEW ONE.

WHEN WE ADJUSTED THE BUDGET THAT YEAR, THE AND THEN WE BOUGHT A NEW ONE AND OUT OF THE BUDGET AND WE'RE CREATING A THE SECOND PIPE BURSTING CREW. AND THIS IS PART OF THAT WORK BECAUSE WE NEED A FACTOR THAT CAN WORK ON THAT. AND UNDER THE PC, WE'RE HAVING TO DO REGULAR SERVICING ON SEWERS. SO THE EXISTING VACTOR TRUCK STAYS PRETTY BUSY. I MEAN, IT'S NOT ALWAYS ROLLING, BUT IT'S IT'S GOING TO, I THINK, HAVE MORE SEWERS ADDED TO THE LIST THAT IT HAS TO CONTINUALLY CLEAN AS A MAINTENANCE ACTIVITY. SO, KEVIN, IN YOUR DEPARTMENT, YOU SAID YOU HAVE THREE, WE HAVE TWO. WE HAVE AN OLD RED ONE THAT RUNS, BUT WE DON'T. IT'S A MANUAL AND IT'S IT'S VERY LARGE. IT'S IT'S USED WHEN WE HAVE TO USE IT. IT'S WE HAVE THREE. WE HAVE THREE. ONE IS NOT SUPER DEPENDABLE AT DIFFERENT DAYS. SOME DAYS IT RUNS AND SOME DAYS IT DOESN'T. SO BUT IT IS WORTH KEEPING BECAUSE IT HAS A VERY LARGE JET PUMP ON IT. OKAY, SO WE WON'T HAVE TO BUY A TRUCK IN A COUPLE OF BUDGET YEARS, RIGHT? I HOPE NOT. OKAY SIR, I'M GOING WITH MILE TWO. BRAND NEW ONE USED. I REMEMBER WE BOUGHT THE USE. I QUESTIONED ABOUT THE USED ONE AND IT WAS HARD TO DRIVE OR HARD TO OPERATE UNLESS YOU HAVE SOME, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A STANDARD LICENSE. AND AND ONE OF OUR OPERATORS PASSED AWAY THAT HAD THAT. SO WE ONLY HAVE I THINK WE HAVE TWO OPERATORS NOW THAT CAN DRIVE IT. OKAY. BUT WE THESE NEW TRUCKS HAVE MILE TO MILE. THEY'RE LIKE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. SO THEY PRETTY MUCH KEEP THEM RUNNING.

IT TAKES THEM A COUPLE OF DAYS IF THEY BREAK DOWN. OKAY. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU OKAY.

YOU'RE WELCOME. COUNCILMEMBER MAYOR PRO TEM DOUCET. YES. I'M SORRY I DIDN'T SEE YOUR LIGHT.

YES. CALVIN, THE FACT THAT TRUCKS, YOU KNOW, HOW DO YOU ASSIGN THOSE TO WORK? I KNOW WE DO THEM WHEN THEY HAVE SERIOUS PROBLEMS, WHEN THEY NEED TO BE BLOWN OUT OR SOMETHING.

RESIDENTS AND STUFF, COMMERCIAL. ALSO, WE USE THEM NOW. IS YOURS WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH DRAINAGE WHEN THEY'RE BLOWING OUT CULVERTS, THE DRAINAGE HAS A SEPARATE FACTOR TRUCK. OKAY.

BECAUSE WE WE SUCK UP SEWAGE. WE CAN'T DUMP IT. I JUST THAT'S WHAT I'M ASKING, WHETHER IT WAS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THAT. IF IT'S NOT, THEN THAT ANSWER MY QUESTION. OKAY. THANK YOU. OKAY.

ALL IN FAVOR, SAY I ANY NOS. THE AYES HAVE IT. THE RESOLUTION PASSES. NUMBER

[VIII.A.(4) P.R. 24741 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Execute A Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Interdepartmental Agreement With The Grants Management Division For Grant Administration Programs, And Further Authorizing The City Manager To Execute Ten (10) Sub-Recipient Agreements With Non-Profit Organizations For Public Service Activities That Benefit Low And Nloderate Income Residents, For A Total Funding Allocation Of $313,776.00 From The 2025 CDBG Program Year (Fund 105)]

MAYOR PRO TEM DOUCETTE YES, I HAVE QUESTIONS. OH, GO AHEAD, I'LL WAIT FOR ME. OH SHE'S

[01:10:04]

1 MILLION RIGHT. GOES TO NONPROFITS. WE CAN GO UP TO 15%. I DON'T THINK WE WENT ALL THE WAY UP TO 50% ALLOCATION. NO. BUT THEN WE OKAY, WHERE DOES GRANT MANAGEMENT ADMIN FALL IN? BECAUSE THAT'S THAT'S A CONCERN OF MINE. WE GET GRANTS. AND IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE FOR THE NONPROFIT, THE 15%. YOU SAID YOU DIDN'T GO UP TO IT THIS YEAR. ADMIN IS SEPARATE FROM THE PUBLIC SERVICES CAP. ADMIN HAS A DIFFERENT CAP 20%. HOW MUCH? 20% OF THE GRANT FUNDING.

YOU KNOW WHAT THAT'S THAT'S THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. SO OKAY THEN I'LL THEN I'LL HAVE TO WAIT TILL WE GET TO THE, TO THE OTHER ONE AND THEN I'LL ADDRESS IT THEN. OKAY OKAY OKAY.

ALRIGHT. THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. MAYOR, MAYOR. OH, WAIT. OH I'M SORRY. THANK YOU. OKAY. AND LOOK UP. I JUST NEEDED SHERRY TO NOTE. FOR THE RECORD, I NEED TO RECUSE MYSELF FROM VOTING ON THIS BECAUSE ONE OF THE ORGANIZATIONS IS ONE THAT I DO WORK WITH IN MY LAW PRACTICE, AND I DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE PROPER FOR ME TO VOTE ON THIS.

SO I'M RECUSING MYSELF FROM THIS VOTE. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE. ANY NOS? THE AYES HAVE IT. THE RESOLUTION PASSES. WE'RE GOING

[VIII.A.(5) P.R. No. 24743 — A Resolution Reappointing Members To The Port Arthur Library Board And To The Friends Of The Port Arthur Public Library]

[VIII.A.(6) P.R. No. 24748 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Nlanager To Execute A New Agreement With Traylor And Associates, Inc. For The Administration Of The Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Hurricane Harvey Infrastructure Program In An Amount Not To Exceed $221,000.00; Funding Is Available In #148- 00-00-8515-00-10-000; Projects DR1P01, DR1P02, DR1P03, And DR1P04]

[VIII.A.(7) P.R. No. 24754— A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Professional Services Agreement With WTC, Inc. Of Andrews, Texas, For Design Renovations At The Port Acres Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), In The Total Amount Of $130,000.00. Funds Are Available In Account No. 410-40-200-5420-00-00-000, Professional Services]

[VIII.A.(8) P.R. No. 24755 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Execute A Professional Services Agreement With STV, Inc., Of Houston, Texas, To Provide Additional Design Services For Miscellaneous Improvements At The Port Arthur Water Purification Plant, In An Amount Not To Exceed $205,598.00, Funds Are Available In CIP Account No. 405-40-000-8516-00-00-000, Project No. WS0020]

[01:15:07]

[VIII.A. (9) P.R. No. 24756 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Execute The First And Final Renewal Of The Contract With Coburn Supply And Company, Inc. Of New Caney, Texas, For The Purchase Of Curbstops, Unions, Corporations Stops, Adapters, And Couplings For The Water Utilities Department, Water Distribution Division, With A Projected Budgetary Impact Of $200,000.00. Funding In Water Utilities Account No. 410-40-215-5315-00-00-000, Water System Maintenance]

[VIII.A.(10) P.R. No. 24757 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Execute The First And Final Renewal Of The Contract With Hawkins, Inc. Of Roseville, Minnesota, And Catalynt Solutions Of Edmonds, Washington, For The Purchase Of Liquid Sodium Bisulfite For The Water Utilities Department, Wastewater Treatment Division, With A Projected Budgetary Impact Of $165,000.00. Funding In Water Utilities Account No. 410-40-225-5217-00-00-000, Treatment Chemicals]

DASH 00000. TREATMENT CHEMICALS. MAY I GET A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? SECOND, IT'S BEEN MOTIONED. AND SECOND, ANY QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR SAY I. ANY NO'S? THE AYES HAVE IT. THE RESOLUTION PASSES.

[VIII.A.(11) P.R. No. 24760 — A Resolution Approving Amendment No. 1 To The Contract Between The Texas Department Of State Health Services And The City Of Port Arthur For The Healthy Texas Nlothers & Babies Community Coalition Grant; Increasing The Initial Funding Of $75,000.00 By An Additional $85,000.00 For A Total Contract Amount Not To Exceed $160,000.00; Amending The Scope Of Work And Reporting Requirements; Extending The Contract Term Through August 31, 2027. No Cash Match Required]

ANY NOS? THE AYES HAVE IT. THE RESOLUTION PASSES. NUMBER 12 PR NUMBER 24780. A RESOLUTION

[VIII.A.(12) P.R. No. 24780 — A Resolution Establishing A Charter Advisory Committee With Each Councilmember Appointing Two Members To Said Committee To Make Recommendations To The City Council On Possible Charter Amendments (Requested By Mayor Pro Tern Doucet)]

[VIII.A.(13) P.R. No. 24787 — A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Execute A Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Interdepartmental Agreement With The Housing And Neighborhood Revitalization Division For Housing Assistance Programs That Benefit Low And Moderate Income Residents, With A Total Funding Allocation Of $692,000.00 From The 2025 CDBG Program Year (Fund 105)]

IT'S BEEN MOTION AND SECOND. COUNCIL MEMBER. MAYOR PRO TEM DOUCETTE. YES, I HAVE A QUESTION. YES, SIR. SHE'S COMING RIGHT BACK. SHE'S STAYING. MAYOR. YES, I'LL RECUSE MYSELF FROM THIS ONE. THANK YOU. AND THIS IS FOR REAL ESTATE PURPOSES, BECAUSE I MAY HAVE CLIENTS AS A REALTOR THAT MAY GET PRE-APPROVED FOR HOUSING ASSISTANCE. SO I DON'T KNOW THAT NOW, BUT I'M GOING TO RECUSE MYSELF FROM THIS VOTE BECAUSE I COULD HAVE CLIENTS THAT NEED TO BE APPROVED FOR HOUSING DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE. SO I'M GOING TO RECUSE MYSELF FROM THAT, AND I'LL LET MAYOR PRO TEM MAYOR PRO TEM TAKE IT OVER. OKAY? OKAY. NOW WE GET BACK TO THIS ONE. I THINK I'M GOING TO GET STRAIGHT ON THIS. OKAY? ALRIGHT. NOW WE'RE GIVING 692,000 FOR THE HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION PROGRAM. YES, SIR. WHAT DO WE

[01:20:05]

OKAY. I DIDN'T WANT TO MIX APPLES AND ORANGES, BUT LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS ONE BECAUSE OKAY, THIS 217 217,000 IS 31% OF 600 MANATEE. AND THAT ONE JUST IS CALCULATED DIFFERENTLY FROM MY ADMIN. THIS IS JUST RELATED TO DELIVERY COSTS FOR THE PROGRAM. SO IT'S NO LIMIT ON THAT ONE. IT'S NO CAP ON THAT ONE. IT'S JUST CONSIDERED DELIVERY COSTS. YOU KNOW ME MARY, I'M NOT GOING TO HOLD UP THIS MEETING. BUT I'LL TELL YOU WHAT I'M HAPPY I'LL BE OUT OF TOWN TILL MONDAY. BUT MONDAY I'LL BE BACK IN YOUR OFFICE BECAUSE, OKAY, IT'S WHEN WE START PUTTING THAT KIND OF MONEY IN ADMIN. YOU KNOW, WE'RE GETTING MONEY TO FUND THINGS AND ADMIN, YOU KNOW, WE PAY YOU TO, TO TO MONITOR THESE GRANTS. WE PAY YOU, YOU KNOW, KNOW WHEN IT COMES OUT OF THE GRANT. OH OKAY. NO IT CAN'T COME OUT THAT ALL GRANTS GOT ADMINISTRATION FEES I UNDERSTAND THAT OKAY. BUT I DON'T WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT ARE WE DOING WITH IT.

BECAUSE 217,000 IS 31% OF 692,000. AND THAT COVERS OKAY, WE'LL GET INTO IT. BUT IT DOES COVER SALARIES. I DON'T WANT TO HOLD UP COUNCIL, BUT I NEED TO COME BY. YOU NEED IT BECAUSE I CAN ALWAYS BRING YOU BACK. THAT'S A LOT OF THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MONEY WE'RE GETTING GOING TOWARD THE WORK, YOU KNOW, AND STUFF. OKAY? OKAY. SURE. SO I HAVE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? OKAY. THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS. ALL RIGHT.

COME ON, MAYOR, OH. OH, WE AIN'T VOTING. OH. OKAY, THEN. ALL IN FAVOR? ALL. ALL OPPOSED.

MOTION PASSED. THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO TEM. WE'RE GOING TO GO NOW TO NUMBER 14 PR NUMBER 24771. A

[VII.A.(14) P.R. No. 24771 — A Resolution Instructing The City Manager To Prepare And Develop A Request For Qualifications For The Study, Design, Permitting, Construction And Operations Of The Remaining City Landfill (Requested By Councilmember Frank)]

CAN I GET A SECOND? I NEED A SECOND. SECOND. SO I'VE GOT A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSIONS? ANY QUESTIONS? MAYOR? YES, YES. GLORIOUS PRINCE. OKAY. MAYOR. PRINCE. AM I ALLOWED TO SPEAK AT THIS POINT? OH YES, MA'AM. YOU ARE WELL. THANK YOU. WELL, GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. GOOD EVENING. THE CITY ATTORNEY. I JUST HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS ABOUT. THIS ITEM. WITH THE LANDFILL. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MASTER PLAN THAT INCLUDED THE LANDFILL. AND WHY WAS IT ALLOWED TO COME THROUGH TO FRUITION BEFORE TRYING TO LEASE IT OUT TO A COMPANY WHERE WE COULD REALIZE 100% PROFIT VERSUS A 5% PROFIT? AND WILL THE CITIZENS HAVE TO PAY TO UTILIZE THE LANDFILL? WILL THE CITY'S COST TO USE HAVE COST TO USE ITS OWN LANDFILL? AND SHOULD THIS COMPANY REALIZE THAT THEY ARE ABOUT TO GO INTO THE RED, WILL THEY IMPOSE RATE INCREASES ON THE CITIZENS? WHAT ABOUT OUR EMPLOYEES? AND AND I'M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I CAN REMEMBER WHEN I WAS IN OFFICE, WE HEARD ABOUT NOT IN PORT ARTHUR, BUT WE HEARD ABOUT COMPANIES THAT WOULD COME INTO CITIES AND OFFER TO TAKE OVER SOME OF THEIR DEPARTMENTS, AND THEY WOULD KEEP THEIR EMPLOYEES.

WELL, AFTER A WHILE, THEY FIRED THE EMPLOYEES AND THEY BROUGHT ON THEIR OWN EMPLOYEES. AND THAT IS DISTURBING TO ME. THAT BOTHERS ME. IF THIS COMPANY IS GOING TO USE EQUIPMENT THAT IS

[01:25:07]

BUT I NEED TO GET THE ANSWER TO MAYOR PRINCE. AND SHE'S ASKING US A QUESTION FOR ANSWERS. SO I NEED HER TO. I NEED HER TO BE CITY MANAGER. YOU WANT TO ANSWER OR YOU HAVE SOMEONE THAT CAN ANSWER HER QUESTION. LET ME ATTEND. OKAY. WITH WITH THE MAYOR. PRINCE'S QUESTION ON THE MASTER PLAN. MAYOR PRINCE, I WAS NOT AWARE, BUT WE COULD LOOK AT THE ARCHIVES TO SEE WHETHER THE MASTER PLAN DID EXIST. I GUESS IT WAS DURING YOUR TIME THAT THE MASTER PLAN FOR THE LANDFILL MUST HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED. IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE REFERRING TO? BASICALLY, YES.

AND HAS IT HAS IT BEEN ACTED UPON? OKAY. SO WE COULD WE COULD I COULD ASK STAFF TO RESEARCH IT AND WE COULD COME BACK WITH AN ANSWER TO THIS TO SEE WHAT WERE THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WERE BEING PROPOSED ON THE MASTER PLAN FOR THE LANDFILL. I AM NOT PRIVY TO THAT, BUT I'M I'M VERY MUCH WILLING TO RESURRECT IT AT THIS POINT AND TO PROVIDE COPIES OF IT TO THE COUNCIL IN AN ATTEMPT TO ANSWER THE OTHER QUESTIONS, THOUGH I THINK THE PROOF OF THE PUDDING IS IN THE EATING WHEN IT COMES TO NEGOTIATION WITH OUR COUNCIL THAT WE HAVE ENGAGED NOT THE CITY COUNCIL, BUT OUTSIDE COUNSEL, WHICH WE HAVE ENGAGED TO MAKE SURE THAT, YOU KNOW, THE CITY IS BEING TREATED FAIRLY AND THE CITY GETS THE OPTIMUM AND THE MAXIMUM BENEFIT OF WHATEVER CONTRACT THAT'S BEEN ENTERED INTO. AND I'M NOT PREPARED TO DISCUSS THROUGHOUT THEIR PERCENTAGES OR ANYTHING OF THAT NATURE, BUT AS BEING PART OF THE NEGOTIATION TEAM, I WILL ENSURE THAT THE CITIES GET THE BEST BANG FOR ITS BUCK. THAT'S ALL I CAN PROMISE AT THIS POINT. WHEN WE GO INTO NEGOTIATION. I APPRECIATE YOUR RESPONSE, CITY MANAGER, BUT WHAT'S REALLY IRONIC IS THAT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE VOTING ON THIS. AND I'M SAYING THIS RESPECTFULLY, OKAY, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE VOTING ON THIS. SO SOMEBODY WHO'S VOTING ON IT SHOULD HAVE SOME ANSWERS TO SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS. IT'S ON THE AGENDA FOR TONIGHT. IT'S GOTTEN THIS FOR AND. CITY MANAGER SHOULDN'T HAVE TO ANSWER IT. IT IS ON THE AGENDA FOR A VOTE. SO OKAY. COUNCIL MEMBER HOPE MAYOR PRINCE IF YOU'LL HOLD RIGHT THERE COUNCILMEMBER BECKHAM I'M GONNA LET HER SPEAK BECAUSE SHE'S HAD HER HAND UP SINCE YOU CAME ON. AND THEN I'LL GO TO COUNCILMEMBER DOUCET AND THEN COUNCILMEMBER FRANK. OKAY.

COUNCILMEMBER BECKHAM, THANK YOU. I HAVE SOME OF THE SAME CONCERNS THAT MAYOR PRINCE HAS, BUT MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS WHY ARE WE DOING AN RFQ WHEN WE ALREADY RUN THE LANDFILL? IF THIS OTHER COMPANY IS GOING TO COME IN AND ONLY TAKE OVER A CELL. AND OPERATE IT FOR THIS INDUSTRIAL WASTE THAT WE DON'T HAVE A PERMIT FOR, WHY DOES THAT KICK THE CITY OUT OF THE REST OF IT? WHY DON'T WE CONTINUE TO OPERATE THE REST OF THE LANDFILL RATHER THAN GO OUT FOR AN RFQ? BUT IF WE DO GO OUT FOR AN RFQ, IS THE CITY GOING TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO THAT AND CONTINUE TO RUN THE LANDFILL AS WE HAVE? SO THAT'S THAT'S MY BIGGEST QUESTION

[01:30:05]

EMPLOYEES AIN'T GOING TO QUIT NO JOB BECAUSE THE PERSON ON THE THING DON'T WANT IT NO MORE.

THEY'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK. SO ONCE AGAIN, IT'S ABOUT OPERATING THAT LANDFILL. WE OWN THAT LANDFILL. WE PROTECT OURSELVES AND OUR CITIZENS BY THE CONTRACT. JUST BECAUSE WE AGREE THE CONTRACT. THE CONTRACT IS WHAT'S GOING TO DETERMINE IT. THE TIPPING FEES.

IN A WAY, YOU'RE PAYING. BUT WE THEY CHARGE THE CITY FOR IT. AND WHEN WE DO A CONTRACT, THOSE ARE THE TYPE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE IN THE CONTRACT. THAT WHEN A CITIZEN GOES TO THE LANDFILL WITH A WATER BILL OR ELECTRIC BILL, THEY ARE ALLOWED TO DUMP. SO IF WE DON'T HAVE THOSE TYPE THINGS, WE SHOULDN'T HAVE A CONTRACT. WE SHOULD NOT HAVE A CONTRACT. SO BECAUSE SOMEONE IS OPERATING DOESN'T MEAN THEY GET TO DO WHAT THEY WANT, OR THEY CONTROL HOW MUCH YOU PAY. THAT'S WHERE OUR CONTRACT SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THAT ABILITY TO JUST RAISE NO RATE ON OUR CITIZENS WITHOUT APPROVAL. WE NEED TO PUT IN THE CONTRACT THAT IF THEY GO BANKRUPT. SO, HEY, ALL THAT EQUIPMENT YOU GOT, IT STAYS HERE. YOU KNOW. SO

[01:35:02]

THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING. MAYOR. THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER, MAYOR PRO TEM, BUT I DO THINK THAT THIS IS A REQUEST. AS COUNCILMEMBER BECKHAM SAID, THIS IS A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL THAT QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE STUDY DESIGN, PERMITTING, CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATIONS OF THE REMAINING CITY LANDFILL. IF WE'RE DOING A CONTRACT, AS YOU GUYS VOTED ON BEFORE I BECAME MAYOR, THAT WAS ON A SALE. WE'RE SHOULD BE NEGOTIATING THAT. BUT WHY ARE WE THE QUESTION THAT, AS COUNCILMEMBER BECKHAM ASKED, WHY ARE WE GOING OUT FOR THE REMAINING LANDFILL WHILE WE'RE NEGOTIATING A CONTRACT ON THE SALE, WHEN IN FACT WE NEED TO JUST HANDLE THE SALE AND THEN HANDLE THE AND THIS IS WHAT CITIZENS WANT TO KNOW. WHY ARE WE GOING OUT FOR CONTRACT TO PUT THE REMAINING LANDFILL WHEN WE HAVE NOT EVEN BROUGHT BACK THE NEGOTIATION AND THE CONTRACT FOR THE ONE SALE? WE, IN MY OPINION, AND A LOT OF CITIZENS, IS THAT ONCE WE HANDLE THE SALE, THEN WE COME BACK AT A LATER TIME AND HOW IT'S PRODUCING WHAT'S TAKING PLACE, WE'VE OBSERVED IT. AND IF THIS COMPANY IS A THIRD PARTY, WHEN THEY COME OVER AS A THIRD PARTY OPERATOR, COUNCILMAN, MAYOR SAID, WE KNOW HOW CONTRACTS GO. WE DO HAVE THE LAST WORD. I AGREE WITH YOU 100% ON THE CONTRACT BECAUSE THAT'S THE FINAL SAY. THAT'S RIGHT. BUT WHY ARE WE PUTTING TO ME ADDING THIS REMAINING LANDFILL? AND WE NEED TO REALLY JUST CONCENTRATE ON WHAT THEY CAN DO WITH THE ONE SALE THAT THEY PROPOSE TO DO, BECAUSE THEY THEMSELVES EVEN SAID THE COMPANY ISG IS WHAT I'M SPEAKING OF, SAID IN THE WORKSHOP THAT THEY WERE GOING TO BE FEES THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO CHARGE. AND IF YOU GO BACK TO THEIR PRESENTATION, CITIZENS, YOU CAN GO BACK AND LOOK. AND THEY IN THAT PRESENTATION THAT WE THAT I WATCHED AND THAT EVERYBODY WAS HERE TO SEE, THERE WERE FEES INVOLVED TO THE CITIZENS. AND THAT WAS A PROPOSAL IN THE WORKSHOP. SO MY CONCERN IS WE HAVE NOT EVALUATED NOR NEGOTIATED A CONTRACT, NOR EVALUATED THE WORK, NOR EVALUATED THEIR THEIR PROCESSES BY WHICH SO WHY ARE WE GOING OUT FOR THE WHOLE THING AT WHAT'S THE RUSH? WHY DON'T WE WAIT UNTIL WE HAVE SEEN THE OPERATION OF THE ONE SALE? HOW IT'S PRODUCING, WHAT TAKES PLACE BEFORE WE JUST GIVE AWAY WHAT WE OWN? BECAUSE WHEN YOU OPERATE UNDER A CONTRACTUAL BASIS, WHETHER IT'S A LEASE AS THE GOLF COURSE IS UNDER A THIRD PARTY CONTRACT, THE CITY REALLY, ACCORDING TO THE CONTRACT, HAS. NO, YOU DON'T INTERFERE WITH THAT. YOU DON'T INTERFERE. I HAVE YOUR LIGHT ON. JUST A SECOND. SO I SEE YOUR LIGHT. BUT I DON'T REALLY GET A CHANCE TO SPEAK. SO THIS IS MY TIME. SINCE I CHAIR THE. I DO GET TO SPEAK. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WELL, WELL, RIGHT NOW IT'S IN DISCUSSIONS AND I'M GOING TO SPEAK. SO ANYWAY, I DO HER I DID CONTRACT IS THE FINAL SAY AND THERE ARE MANY STAGES. YOU GO OUT FOR BID, YOU'RE GOING TO GET BIDDERS IN. YOU'RE GOING TO CONSIDER THOSE BIDDERS. YOU'RE GOING TO SEND THE THEY'RE GOING TO EVALUATE THEM. IT'LL COME BACK TO THE CITY IN A IN A WITH A PROPOSAL OF WHOEVER OUTBID OR WHOEVER CAME OUT TOP. SO THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT TAKE PLACE IN GETTING GOING FROM AN RFQ, ASKING FOR US TO GO OUT FOR BID. THERE'S STILL A LOT OF STEPS IN THE PROCESS, AND THE STEPS IN THE PROCESS IS IT GOES OUT. THE SCOPE IS DEVELOPED. AFTER THAT SCOPE IS DEVELOPED, THEN YOU WILL THEN FIND IT GO OUT FOR BID FOR 2 TO 3 WEEKS. THEN IT WILL COME BACK TO US TO ACTUALLY ACCEPT THE HIGHEST BIDDER. AND THEN AFTER THAT, THEN WE NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT. BUT RIGHT NOW WE'RE NEGOTIATING A CONTRACT ON THE SALE. SO OUR PROPOSE AS A, AS A, AS A CITIZEN OF PORT ARTHUR AND THE MAYOR THAT WE WORK WITH THE SALE AND NOT PUT OUR WHOLE ENTIRE REMAINING 240 ACRE LANDFILL OUT FOR PROPOSAL AT THIS TIME. BUT THAT'S THAT'S JUST ONE PERSON. SO I HAVE OTHER LIGHTS. AND SO I'VE HAD A CHANCE TO SPEAK, TO EXPLAIN THE PROCESS. AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU UNDERSTAND IT A LITTLE BIT MORE CLEARER. BUT I DO AGREE

[01:40:02]

WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT NOW, BY GOING FORWARD NOW IS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT NOW ALLOWING THIS COMPANY TO MAKE AN INFUSION OF $25 MILLION INTO OUR LANDFILL. FOR SO LONG, OUR LANDFILL HAS LOST MONEY. IT IS AN ENTERPRISE FUND. THAT SIMPLY MEANS THAT THE MONEY THAT IS GENERATED OUT THERE AT THE LANDFILL HAS TO BE PUT BACK INTO THE LANDFILL. YOU CANNOT TAKE MONEY OUT OF ANY OTHER FUNDS EXCEPT THE MONEY THAT IS BEING GENERATED AT THE LANDFILL. AND WE, UP UNTIL THE LAST TWO YEARS, WERE LOSING MONEY AT THE LANDFILL. THE ONLY REASON THAT WE WERE MAKING MONEY NOW AT THE LANDFILL IS BECAUSE WE WORKED OUT A DEAL. STAFF WORKED OUT A DEAL WHEREBY WE WERE BEING GIVEN DIRT. TEXAS COMMISSION ON ON EQUALITY, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY STIPULATES THAT THE LANDFILL HAS TO BE COVERED. YOU CAN'T JUST ALLOW THE TRASH OUT THERE TO BE OPEN, AND THE BIRDS AND ALL OF THOSE KINDS OF THINGS HAPPENING, JUST ALLOW IT TO HAPPEN. IT HAS TO BE COVERED WITH DIRT. OUR STAFF WORKED OUT A DEAL WITH THE SURROUNDING COMPANIES, THE LNG PROJECTS. THERE WERE SO MUCH DIRT AND SO THEY WORKED OUT A DEAL WHEREBY WE WERE GETTING FREE DIRT AND REDUCED PRICE DIRT, WHICH CAUSED US TO BE IN THE BLACK FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ANYWHERE FROM 10 TO 15 YEARS. THAT DIRT, THAT DIRT AGREEMENT IS GOING TO BE GOING AWAY, WHICH MEANS THAT THE LANDFILL WILL BE GOING BACK IN THE RED, THE LANDFILL WILL BE GOING BACK IN THE RED, WHICH MEANS THAT WE DON'T HAVE MONEY FOR WE DON'T HAVE MONEY TO GO AND TO BUY THE DIRT. WE WON'T HAVE THE MONEY THAT WILL BE NECESSARY FOR SOME UPGRADES OUT THERE AT THE LANDFILL, BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN OPERATING THE LANDFILL IN THE MANNER IN WHICH WE HAVE BEEN OPERATED, WE HAVE ALLOWED SO MUCH WASTE TO LEAVE OUR CITY AND TO LEAVE JEFFERSON COUNTY, WHICH WOULD CAUSE MONEY TO BE GENERATED FOR OUR CITY AND TO BE GENERATED FOR THE PROJECTS THAT ARE NEEDED TO UPGRADE THE LANDFILL. THERE WAS NOT EVEN WATER OUT THERE FOR OUR EMPLOYEES TO BE ABLE TO HAVE RUNNING WATER FOR TOILETS. THEY WERE USING PORTA POTTIES OUT THERE, SO THEY WE HAVEN'T HAD MONEY TO EVEN TO RUN WATER LINES OUT TO THE LANDFILL. IT IS THAT ANTIQUATED BECAUSE WE WERE IN THE THE RED. WE HAVE NOT MADE ANY IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LANDFILL. THE INFUSION OF THE $25 MILLION THAT THIS COMPANY IS SEEKING TO BRING WILL GENERATE THE KINDS OF IMPROVEMENTS THAT WILL PRODUCE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR MOTIVA, TOTAL AND EXXON AND ALL OF THE OTHER LANDFILL. ALL THE OTHER PLANTS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR CITY TO BRING THEIR WASTE TO THE LANDFILL, THEREBY GENERATING CAPITAL NOT THREE YEARS FROM

[01:45:06]

NO, I'M NOT FINISHED. I NEED TO SAY ONE MORE THING. I NEED TO SAY ONE MORE THING. THE OTHER THING THAT I NEED US TO UNDERSTAND IS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT NOT GIVING BECAUSE WE GOTTA WATCH OUR VERBIAGE. WE'RE NOT GIVING AWAY OUR LANDFILL. WE MAINTAIN OWNERSHIP. WE ARE SIMPLY TALKING ABOUT THE MANAGERIAL ASPECTS OF IT, BECAUSE NOBODY IN OUR NOBODY ON OUR STAFF HAS THE EXPERTISE NEEDED AND NECESSARY TO OPERATE THE LANDFILL IN A MANNER THAT IT WILL PRODUCE THE MOST CAPITAL AND RUN IN THE MOST EFFICIENT MANNER. AND SO WHEN YOU NEED THAT, WHEN YOU NEED THAT, THAT'S LIKE ASKING ME TO WORK ON SOME ON YOUR CAR. DON'T ASK ME TO WORK ON YOUR CAR BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW HOW TO WORK ON A CAR. SO YOU HAVE TO HAVE A CERTAIN EXPERTISE IF YOU WANT TO ALLOW SOMETHING TO RUN OPTIMALLY. AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE DOING THIS, BECAUSE THIS COMPANY HAS THE EXPERTISE. THEY HAVE BUILT LANDFILLS ALL ACROSS THE LENGTH AND BREADTH OF BREADTH OF THIS COUNTRY. THEY'VE BUILT IT FOR OTHER COMPANIES. THEY HAVE DONE IT IN SAUDI ARABIA, QATAR, IN OTHER COUNTRIES. THEY HAVE THE EXPERTISE TO DO IT. SO THAT IS WHY. SO NOBODY'S LOSING THEIR JOBS. AGAIN. THANK THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN DOUCET. BECAUSE THE THE THE THE DETAILS IN THE CONTRACT WILL PROTECT YOU AS THE CITIZEN CITIZENS AWAY FROM TIPPING FEES AND EXTRA FEES AND ALL OF THAT. IT'S IN THE DETAILS OF THE CONTRACT. THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER. EVER FEEL THANK YOU MAYOR. I WANT TO MAKE SOME POINTS OF CLARIFICATION. IN THIS PROCESS. WE'VE CONTINUOUSLY SPOKEN ABOUT ISG WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT OUR LANDFILLED. ISG WAS AWARDED A CONTRACT FOR A SALE. THEY WERE AWARDED A CONTRACT FOR A SALE. SPECIFICALLY THEY WE HAD A UNANIMOUS VOTE ON JUNE 4TH, 2025 TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT WITH ISG PURSUANT TO REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS, THE CONTRACT WITH ENVIRONMENTAL INDUSTRIAL SERVICES GROUP FOR WASTE NOT CURRENTLY PERMITTED AT THE CITY LANDFILL. WE UNANIMOUSLY, UNANIMOUSLY VOTED ON THAT. IT'S DONE. IT'S OVER. THEY WERE AWARDED. NOW THE QUESTION IS COMING FOR THE REMAINING OF THE LANDFILL. THE NAME ISG CONTINUES TO COME UP BECAUSE THEY PROPOSED TO THE CITY TO MANAGE THE ENTIRE LANDFILLED. II IS ONE COMPANY THAT DOES NOT COLLECTIVELY, AS

[01:50:01]

WHEN IT COMES TO THE REST OF THE LANDFILL, WE WERE GIVEN OPTIONS. ONE. WE COULD DO NOTHING AT ALL. ONE WE COULD PUT OUT ANOTHER RFQ FOR OTHER COMPANIES TO COME IN AND LET IT BE A FAIR PLAYING FIELD, IF THAT'S WHAT WE CHOSE TO DO. ANOTHER OPTION WAS WHAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW. PUT OUT ANOTHER RFQ AND ALLOW ISG TO MAINTAIN THE SALE, OR WE COULD MOVE FORWARD AND LET ISG TAKE ON THE WHOLE LANDFILL AND NOT GO OUT FOR ANOTHER RFQ. THAT WAS NOT A WISE DECISION. THAT WOULD HAVE PUT US IN FURTHER LITIGATION. IT IS IMPERATIVE.

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE KEEP THE MAIN THING, THE MAIN THING. WE ALREADY AWARDED THE PREVIOUS CONTRACT. IN THE EVENT WE WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS COMPANY IN THE EVENT THAT THEY ARE THE HIGHEST BIDDER FOR THE NEW RFQ. ALL OF THOSE THINGS HAVE TO TO COME INTO PLAY. WE CAN'T JUST SAY ISG WILL RECEIVE THE AWARD. BUT IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE DO CONTROL THE CONTRACT. WE NOT SPEAKING UP FOR ISG. WE GOT TO BE SPEAKING UP FOR THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AND WHAT'S THE BEST FOR OUR CITIZENS. BUT WHEN IT COMES TO THAT, I HATE TO SAY IT. WE SOME CONTRACTS WE HAVE NEGOTIATED ON HAVE BEEN POOR CONTRACT NEGOTIATION. WE DID NOT LISTEN TO OUR LEGAL STAFF AND SO IT CONCERNS ME. IT DRASTICALLY CONCERNS ME OF WHAT PROTECTIONS WE WILL HAVE FOR OUR STAFF, CITIZENS AND LONG TERM FOR THE CITY IN THIS TYPE OF CONTRACT NEGOTIATION. BUT IN THE EVENT THAT WE WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS COMPANY FOR WHATEVER COMPANY WE CHOOSE, WHATEVER INVESTMENT THEY SAY THAT THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE, I WOULD ASK THAT WE PUT THAT MONEY IN AN ESCROW IN CASE THEY FALL OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH. WE STILL HAVE THE FUNDING TO BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH WHAT WE AGREED, WHAT WE OFFERED OUR CITIZENS TO DO. BUT IT IS IT'S DANGEROUS DUMPING GROUNDS, EXTREMELY DANGEROUS STOMPING GROUNDS WHEN WE DO NOT FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THE STRONGEST LEGAL ACTIONS IN OUR CONTRACT, LEGAL DECISIONS IN OUR CONTRACTS. AND IT IS VERY, VERY SHAKY FOR US TO SAY THIS COMPANY IS CONTINUOUSLY MENTIONING THEIR NAME. THEY HAVE NOT WON AN AWARD FOR THE REMAINING OF OUR LANDFILL. WHAT THE REQUEST IS TODAY IS ONLY FOR US TO ALLOW THE CITY MANAGER TO PUT TOGETHER THIS SCOPE OF WORK. WE STILL CAN DENY THE SCOPE OF WORK WHEN IT COMES BACK TO US. BUT I STILL SAY LET'S MOVE FORWARD WITH, IN MY OPINION, WE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY AGREED TO STRONGLY NEGOTIATE THIS CONTRACT FOR THE SALE. SEE HOW IT HELPS US TO IMPROVE ON OUR LANDFILL, TO STAY IN THE RED AND THEN MOVE FORWARD IN THE EVENT THAT WE NEED TO. BUT THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO DO AND HAVE TO NEGOTIATE TODAY.

BUT IN THE EVENT THAT MAJORITY OF COUNCIL CHOOSES TO DO THAT, THEN WE NEED TO BE HANDS ON WITH CONFIRMING THAT OUR NEGOTIATIONS ARE AIR TIGHT IN THESE CONTRACTS TO CONFIRM THAT WE ARE PROTECTING US FIRST. OKAY. COUNCILMEMBER KINLAW, THANK YOU. MAYOR. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME, AS YOU KNOW, AS A COUNCIL MEMBER. AND I POINT TO ALL THE COHORTS UP

[01:55:02]

WE HAVE TO GET THIS RIGHT. SINCE I'VE BEEN ON COUNCIL, WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN IN THE RED IN THE LANDFILL. IT'S WE TRIED TO, I THINK, A PROPOSAL AT ONE TIME WHEN I FIRST CAME ON WAS TO RUN A WATER LINE OUT THERE, WEIGHT, SCALE, ALL THESE OTHER THINGS THAT WE'RE IMAGINING THAT WE CAN DO TO KIND OF GET THE LANDFILL OUT OF THE RED. BUT, YOU KNOW, I THINK THERE ARE SOME BENEFITS IN A DEAL LIKE THIS, HOWEVER, BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE AT THE COST OF THE CITIZENS. AND I'M GOING TO STAND ON THAT, AND I'M GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE KNOWS THAT HOW I FEEL ABOUT THAT. BUT, YOU KNOW, I DO AGREE MY UNDERSTANDING. AND WE APPROVED THIS IN JUNE 25TH. YOU KNOW, ONE SALE. YOU KNOW, WE'RE HERE AT THIS TIME TALKING ABOUT A WHOLE SCHEME OF THINGS, OF TRYING TO GET TAKE OVER THE WHOLE LANDFILL. MY QUESTIONS, ALL MY QUESTIONS HADN'T BEEN ANSWERED. SO IT'S KIND OF LIKE GREAT FOR ME ON THIS TOPIC RIGHT HERE. I DON'T THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN TAKE LIGHTLY, BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S GOING TO AFFECT ALL OF US. EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM THAT LIVES IN THE CITY LIMITS OF PORT ARTHUR. BUT WE DO HAVE TO MAKE A CHANGE. AND OPERATING OUR LANDFILL OF WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING IN THE PAST. SO THOSE QUESTIONS NEEDS TO BE ANSWERED, AND WE HAVE TO BE EFFECTIVE IN WHEN WE COME WITH THE DECISION ON ANSWERING THOSE QUESTIONS, WE NEED TO MAKE A CHANGE, BECAUSE IN THE END OF THE DAY, I ASKED ABOUT THE PERMIT AND THEY SAID THAT WE CAN DO SOME TYPE OF AMENDMENT TO THE PERMIT AND RUSH IT, BUT IT'S STILL GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE TIME TO DO THAT. BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE BENEFIT THE CITIZENS OF PORT ARTHUR AT ALL COSTS. AND THAT'S JUST HOW I FEEL ABOUT IT. AND IF IT DOESN'T MATCH UP, IF THE PERCENTAGE, YOU KNOW, I WON'T BE IN FAVOR OF SOMETHING LIKE THAT, IT JUST HAS TO MAKE SURE THAT IT BENEFITS THE CITIZENS OF PORT ARTHUR. THANK YOU. MAYOR. OKAY. COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, YES, THE QUESTION KEEPS COMING UP. I'M. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT WHAT THIS QUESTION CAME UP ABOUT. ARE WE GOING TO BE CHARGING THE CITIZEN THAT HAS NEVER THAT SOMEBODY SPREADING RUMORS.

THAT'S ALL IT IS TO CREATE PROBLEMS. OKAY. THE CITIZENS OF PORT ARTHUR IS NOT GOING TO HAVE TO END UP PAYING. OKAY. NOW, I'VE HEARD AND I'M NOT GOING TO GO OVER SOME OF THESE THINGS. Y'ALL COVERED A PRETTY GOOD SUM. THE IN CASE WE GET A LAWSUIT. WELL, THE COMPANY IS WILLING TO TO PICK UP THE LEGAL FEES IF WE GET SUED. THIS IS NOT NEW. THIS IS NOT NEW.

GROUND BRIDGE CITY, CITY OF PORT ARTHUR HAS A POWER PLANT IN ORANGE COUNTY. WE'VE BEEN SUED THREE TIMES BY BRIDGE CITY. THE IT SAID THERE ETJ. WE'VE BEEN SUED THREE TIMES. THREE TIMES. BRIDGE CITY LOST. THEY LOST. AND GUESS WHO PAID THE BILL? ENTERGY PAID THE BILL.

AND AT ONE TIME, BRIDGE CITY HAD RAISED THEIR TAXES TO COVER THE LEGAL FEES. SO THIS COMPANY, IF THERE'S ANY POSSIBILITY OF SOMEBODY WANT TO SUE US AND THIS COMPANY IS WILLING TO PUT IT IN THE IN THE AGREEMENT, THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THE LEGAL FEES IF THERE'S A PROBLEM. WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT? AND OUR CITIZENS ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE TO PAY SO THEY CAN STOP THAT LIE NOW. OKAY? OKAY. ALL RIGHT, MISS JOANN, I'M SORRY, COUNCILMEMBER DOUCET, YOU HAD YOUR LIGHT ON. YES. IT'S JUST THE ONLY COMMENT I HAVE. I UNDERSTAND CITIZENS QUESTIONS BECAUSE THEY THEY DON'T BE IN A CLOSED SESSION WITH US. THEY DON'T. SOME OF THEM MAY NOT HAVE SEEN THE WORKSHOP, BUT I DO HOPE THAT THEY GO BACK AND LOOK AT THESE THINGS SO THEY CAN HEAR WHAT COMES OUT. PEOPLE MOUTH AND SAY SECOND HAND. BUT COUNCIL ASKING, WHY ARE WE DOING THIS? WHY ARE WE DOING THAT? WE TALKED WITH OUR LEGAL ADVISOR ON THIS AND WE HAD AN OPTIONS, AND THE OPTION WAS THAT WE SHOULD STICK WITH OUR INITIAL CONTACT WITH THAT COMPANY AND DO ONE SALE. AND THAT'S WHAT WE DID THE LAST MEETING. WE APPROVED THAT SALE.

NO, YOU GUYS APPROVED THAT SALE IN JUNE. IN JUNE, WE JUST REAFFIRMED I THINK THAT'S WHAT HIS WORDS WERE. I'M AFRAID WE HAD ALREADY APPROVED THE SALE BEFORE I GOT ON COUNCIL. YEAH.

Y'ALL VOTED ON THAT SALE BEFORE I GOT ON COUNCIL. WE COMPLETED THE SALE. SALE WAS APPROVED

[02:00:07]

I'M GOING TO ASK THAT YOU NOT REPEAT ANYTHING IN THE CITY ATTORNEY OR ANY LEGAL COUNSEL HAS PROVIDED TO YOU IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. THANK YOU. OKAY. PUT YOUR LIGHT ON, PLEASE.

BECAUSE WE I COULDN'T I'M GOING TO ASK THAT THE COUNCIL ON THE INDIVIDUAL COUNCIL MEMBERS NOT DISCUSS ANYTHING THAT WAS DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AND OPEN SESSION TO MAINTAIN THE ATTORNEY CLIENT AND ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT. THANK YOU. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. BUT ANYWAY, THIS IS NOT NOTHING NEW TO THE COUNCIL. THIS IS NOT A BIG DEAL. THIS IS NOT GIVING THIS COMPANY EVERYBODY TALKING ABOUT THIS COMPANY RUNNING THE LANDFILL, THIS THAT RFP IS NOT FOR THAT COMPANY. IT'S FOR ANYBODY WHO PUT IN FOR IT. OKAY. THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER. MAYOR PRO TEM JUST SAID CITY ATTORNEY, YOUR LIGHTS ON. YES, MA'AM. I JUST WANT TO MAKE A CLARIFICATION. THE CONTRACT. THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO ISG. THERE'S BEEN THE AUTHORIZATION FOR THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE ISG FOR THE SALE. WE'VE USED THE WORD AWARD AWARDED QUITE A BIT IN THIS OPEN SESSION. I JUST NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE CLEAR ABOUT THAT. IT HAS NOT BEEN AWARDED A CONTRACT. WE CORRECT? I THINK THEY'RE SAYING THEY WERE THEY WERE GIVEN THE BID. THEY WERE GIVEN THE RFQ, THEY WERE THE ONLY BIDDER. AND SO THEY WERE GIVEN THE SALE. BUT NO, WE'RE NEGOTIATING THE CONTRACT RIGHT NOW, AM I CORRECT? YES, MA'AM. GOT THAT RIGHT. AND THE SALE DOESN'T MEAN S A L E. THE SALE MEANS S E L L C E C L I SAID SL I'M SAYING YOU'RE TRYING TO SELL SOMETHING. I'M TIRED TO SELL PROPERTY. SO THE LANDFILL IS VERY LARGE CEO AND WE'RE ONLY DOING A SELL ONE SECTION, IF YOU WILL, OF THE LANDFILLED FOR NEGOTIATIONS TO ACCEPT AN INDUSTRIAL WASTE. BUT THE CONTRACT FOR THAT SALE HAS NOT BEEN AWARDED YET BECAUSE THE CONTRACT TERMS HAVE NOT BEEN DECIDED YET. OKAY. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK LYNN ONE QUESTION, AND THAT IS LYNN. IF I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS ON COUNCIL, JUST FOR MEMORY PURPOSES, THE THE LANDFILL WAS IN THE RED IN 2018, 2019. BUT CAN YOU GIVE ME THOSE JUST FOR THE PUBLIC CAN KNOW OUR WHEN WE WERE IN THE NEGATIVE AND HOW WE'VE WE'VE COME. WE HAVE NOT BEEN IN A NEGATIVE SINCE I WAS ON COUNCIL IN 2018 2019. I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT. AND IF I WAS OFF FROM 23 TO 24, SO I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS IN A POSITIVE OR NOT. GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR.

COUNCIL MEMBERS LYNN BOSWELL, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE I THAT PAPER IS ON MY DESK. BUT I DO REMEMBER IN THE FEW YEARS PRIOR TO ME BEING HERE, IT WAS IN THE RED. HOWEVER, IT HAS BEEN IN THE BLACK OR IN THE GREEN, I BELIEVE SINCE 2020, SINCE FISCAL YEAR 2024. AND THAT'S WHEN I WAS HERE AND HAS STILL CONTINUED TO DO WELL. AS MENTIONED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FRANK, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, IT PROBABLY HAS A LOT TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR A LOT OF THAT DIRT. WE HAD SOME SURPRISING INCOME THAT THAT ALSO HELPED THAT AS WELL.

THAT'S PERFECT. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE I CLARIFIED THAT WE WERE NOT OPERATING IN THE RED, STILL OPERATING IN THE RED. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, WE HAVE ANY MORE QUESTIONS? OH, WE GOT TWO. COME ON UP FROM THE AUDIENCE, MISS JOANN, I SAW YOUR HAND. AND THEN PASTOR GUIDRY. JOANN JONES, 640 EAST 10TH STREET. I AM VERY SATISFIED OF HOW YOU ALL ARE CONDUCTING THIS PARTICULAR EVENT WAS GOING ON. I'VE BEEN HERE QUITE A WHILE HERE IN PORT ARTHUR, AND THAT PLACE DO NEED IMPROVEMENT. I MEAN, ANYTHING, EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE IMPROVED AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN NOBODY BACK THERE OR I'VE NEVER HEARD ABOUT THE CITY IMPROVING

[02:05:02]

I'VE HAD I'VE HAD PEOPLE TO WORK OUT OF MY FAMILY BACK THERE, AND THERE'S NOTHING NICE TO WORK IN ALL DAY, EIGHT HOURS. AND WHEN IT COMES TIME, YOU NOT EVEN HAVE A BATHROOM ON A JOB SITE. THIS IS THIS IS OUT OF PLACE COMPLETELY. AND I THINK THE CITY CAN AFFORD TO DO BETTER THAN THAT FOR WORKING CONDITIONS. SO I WOULD ADVISE YOU TO KEEP ON WORKING FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE AND TRY TO CHANGE THE ENVIRONMENT OUT THERE FOR THE BETTERMENT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS JOANNE. HELLO. CITY COUNCIL. ERIC GUIDRY, 5250 LAKESIDE DRIVE. I JUST WANT TO ASK FOR SOME CLARITY ON SOMETHING THAT I HEARD WITH THE PERMIT. YOU'RE SAYING ONLY ONE COMPANY CAN CONTRACT UNDERNEATH THAT PERMIT? THAT'S WHAT HE SAID. SO WHY ARE WE EVEN REQUESTING THIS ITEM NUMBER 14. OKAY. WHAT'S YOUR QUESTION? THE QUESTION IS, IF I HAS ALREADY BEEN AWARDED THE SALE, RIGHT. THE SECTION. THE SECTION. HOW IS IT THAT WE'RE GOING TO PUT OUT ANOTHER BID FOR THE REST OF THE OF THE LANDFILL, WHEN ONLY IF THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE THE CONTRACT UNDERNEATH THE PERMIT, UNDERNEATH THEIR NAME. IT'S THE CITY'S PERMIT. IT'S NOT THE CITY'S PERMIT. THE CITY'S PERMIT, BUT ONLY ONE COMPANY.

THAT'S RIGHT. SO WHY ARE WE PUTTING OUT ANOTHER BID? BUT THAT'S NOT MY QUESTION. WE DON'T WANT YOUR QUESTION IS YOU. I KIND OF GET YOU WELL. HOLD UP, HOLD UP. I GOT A WHOLE BUNCH OF LIGHTS GOING ON. COUNCIL MEMBER. KINLAW. SORRY. GO AHEAD. IF I'M UNDERSTANDING YOUR QUESTION CORRECTLY, YOU'RE ASKING, WHY ARE WE GOING BACK FOR THIS? OR WHY IS THIS PUT ON THE AGENDA? THAT'S THAT'S YOUR QUESTION. THAT'S MY QUESTION. OKAY. WELL, IT'S DIFFERENT TYPE OF WASTE.

YEAH. YOU'RE NOT PRIVY TO SOME OF THE INFORMATION WE'VE GOT DOWNSTAIRS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

IT'S DIFFERENT TYPE OF WASTE THAT YOU HAVE TO APPLY FOR. NOW THE THE CITY HOLDER HAS TO HAVE THAT ONE PERMIT. BASED UPON MY UNDERSTANDING AND TO GET A PERMIT OR TO AMEND A PERMIT, YOU HAVE TO APPLY FOR IT. AND IT EITHER COMES WITH A COST OR YOU CAN WAIT TO TIME BASED UPON WHAT TYPE OF MSW WASTE OR WHATEVER YOU HAVE. AND CORRECT ME, DOCTOR, I THINK DOCTOR HANEY IS STILL HERE. IF I'M WRONG, YOU KNOW, CORRECT ME. BUT THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING.

WHEN I WAS DOWNSTAIRS, GAVE THUMBS UP, OKAY? HE GAVE THUMBS UP. UNDERSTANDING IT'S DIFFERENT TYPE OF WASTE THAT YOU'D HAVE TO AMEND YOUR PERMIT TO HAVE TO OPERATE TO ACTUALLY EITHER RECEIVE OR DO WHATEVER YOU DO WITH IT. THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING. SO IF I'M WRONG, PLEASE ENLIGHTEN ME A LITTLE BIT MORE. NO, THAT'S RIGHT. I THINK THAT WE'RE STILL TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, I THINK SO YOU'RE STILL. FOR ALL. IF ESG HAS ALREADY BEEN AWARDED

[02:10:07]

IF ANOTHER COMPANY BESIDES ESG WIN THE BID, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ESG AND ANOTHER COMPANY OUT THERE THAT CAN BE THAT SAME PERMIT. YES. THAT'S THE CLARITY THAT I'M ASKING FOR. RIGHT. AND THEY'D HAVE TO MAKE AN AMENDMENT TO THAT PERMIT TO BE ABLE TO ACCEPT WHATEVER WASTE WE'RE COLLECTING. SO THE NON-HAZARDOUS WASTE, FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, HAVE BEEN EXPLAINED TO THEY WILL HAVE TO APPLY TO TCDC FOR AN AMENDED TO AMEND OUR CURRENT PERMIT. AND THAT TAKES AT LEAST 24 MONTHS FOR THAT TO TAKE PLACE. SO THAT'S WHAT OUR LAWYER TOLD.

I'M SORRY. AGAIN, I GO OUT OF 2020, WE GET ON AN AVERAGE, ON AN AVERAGE IT COULD TAKE UP TO I'M GONNA SAY THAT, BUT IT CAN TAKE SOME TIME FOR THAT AMENDMENT TO TAKE PLACE. AM I GOING TO GET INTO THE BELLS AND WHISTLES? BUT THAT'S WHAT WE YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHAT THAT'S WHAT WE UNDERSTAND IT TO BE FOR, TO GET THE AMENDMENT DONE. ALL RIGHT. THAT'S WHAT I NEED. OKAY.

THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER. COUNCILMEMBER JASON I'M GOOD. OKAY. OKAY. YES. I DON'T NEED A MICROPHONE. YEAH. YES YOU DO, MA'AM. YES YOU DO. I'M SORRY, COUNCILMEMBER JASON, I KNOW YOU DON'T WANT TO WALK. I KNOW ALL THIS CRAP. THAT'S WHAT IT IS. ROSE CHASE ON POST OFFICE BOX 42, OH SEVEN, PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED IN THE COUNCIL BECAUSE YOU HAD SEVERAL CITIZENS THAT CAME UP HERE FOR THE LAST MEETING AND THEY WERE NOT HAPPY WITH THE CELL, WHICH HAD ALREADY BEEN APPROVED. I'M GOING TO SAY TWO THINGS, AND I'M GOING TO BE LIKE, JOHN, THAT'S WHY I WANT MY JOHN LEWIS SHIRT TODAY TO GET IN TROUBLE. GOOD TROUBLE.

NECESSARY TROUBLE. FIRST OF ALL, THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR. THE CITY OF NEDERLAND, PORT NECHES.

GROVES CAME UP WITH A PLAN TO HAVE A TAX APPRAISAL DISTRICT THAT IS NOW ON FOURTH STREET IN BEAUMONT. THEY ASSURED THE LEADERS AT THE TIME THAT THEY WERE GOING TO ABSORB ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO WORKED IN THE TAX DEPARTMENT WHEN THEY BUILT THEIR BUILDING. NOBODY FROM THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR WAS TAKEN TO THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT, SO THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR HAD TO ABSORB THOSE PEOPLE AND DO AMENDED BUDGETS BECAUSE THE MONEY WAS NOT THERE. LISTEN TO THAT. WELL, I'M NOT MAKING THIS UP. GO BACK AND LOOK. NONE OF THOSE LADIES WERE TAKEN. ONLY ONE PERSON WAS TAKEN TO THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT. WAS DAVE BRANNAN. BECAUSE OF HIS EXPERTISE. AND HE HURRY UP AND CAME BACK TO THE CITY. ENDED UP BEING THE PURCHASING AGENT.

WHEN I COME UP HERE AND TALK, I KNOW WHAT I'D BE TALKING ABOUT. SOMETIMES I JUST LET Y'ALL MAKE IT. BUT THIS IS SERIOUS. THIS IS MORE SERIOUS THAN WHAT YOU ALL THINK WITH THAT COMPANY.

IT'S MORE SERIOUS THAN WHAT YOU THINK. PORT ARTHUR INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, WHEN THEY STARTED TALKING ABOUT CLOSING THE HIGH SCHOOLS. OH, NO, WE'RE NOT GOING TO CLOSE THE HIGH SCHOOLS. WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THAT. WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO WHAT HAPPENED? I DIDN'T GO TO LINCOLN. I DIDN'T GO TO TJ. I WENT TO BISHOP BYRNE. THE PEOPLE WHO WANTED LINCOLN LOST LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL. THE PEOPLE WHO WANTED TJ LOST TJ HIGH SCHOOL. OKAY, LET'S GET REAL.

LET'S GET REAL. I DO NOT THINK THAT ANY ONE COUNCIL MEMBER SHOULD GO AND HAVE LUNCH WITH THE PEOPLE THAT YOU'RE IN NEGOTIATION WITH. NOW, IF YOU GET MAD WITH ME, I DON'T CARE BECAUSE NOBODY PAYS MY BILLS AT WORK IN HERE. YOU GOT TO BE CAREFUL. YOU DON'T KNOW WHO SEE YOU. WHERE YOU AT? I LEARNED THAT BEING ON THE COUNCIL PEOPLE WOULD SEE YOU PLACES. OH, I SAW YOU JUST A TALKING IN A MOUTH. WE WAS JUST CUTTING UP TALKING. BUT PEOPLE COME BACK

[02:15:03]

COUNCILMEMBER. KINLAW. NO. COUNCILMEMBER. LEWIS. YES. MAYOR. MOSES. NO. THE MEASURE FAILS FOUR. NOS. THREE. YES. ALL RIGHT. WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO NUMBER B ORDINANCES NON

[VIII.B.(1) P.O. No. 7391 — An Ordinance Providing For The Conduct Of A General Election 2026 For The Purpose Of Electing Councilmembers For Districts 1, 2, 3 And 4 In The City Of Port Arthur, Texas And Providing For A Joint Election With Jefferson County On day 2, 2026 In Accordance With Chapter 271 Of The Texas Election Code, And Providing For The Publication Of The Election Notice]

MADAM SECRETARY, IF I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE TIME NOT BEING LISTED ON HERE FOR EARLY VOTING, WE HAVE THE TIME LISTED FOR ELECTION DAY, AND IT DIDN'T HAVE LOCATIONS LISTED FOR EARLY VOTING. OR IS THAT TO COME LATER IN A DIFFERENT FORMAT? OKAY. IS THIS. YES. YOUR MIKE'S NOT ON. I'M SORRY. I CAN'T HEAR YOU. SOMETHING'S WRONG WITH IT. OKAY. WE WERE IN EARLY DISCUSSIONS WITH THE COUNTY. THAT AGREEMENT IS COMING UP LATER IN THIS AGENDA, BUT THAT IS INSUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME FORM. SO WE WILL IRON ALL OF THAT OUT ONCE WE GET THE INFORMATION FROM THE COUNTY CLERK. YES, MA'AM. OKAY. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THAT WAS A GOOD QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY I, I ANY ANY NO'S. ALL IN FAVOR. THE AYES HAVE IT. THE THE

[VIII.B.(2) P.O. No. 7393 — An Ordinance Authorizing The Sale Of A City-Owned Vacant Tract Of Land Located At 1025 Grannis Avenue (PID #95328) And Further Authorizing The City Nlanager To Execute A Special Warranty Deed For The Conveyance]

[VIII.B.(3) P.O. No.7394— An Ordinance Authorizing A Joint Election Agreement And Election Services Between The City Of Port Arthur And Jefferson County Pertaining To The Conduct Of The May 2, 2026 General Election]

[VIII.B.(4) P.O. No. 7399 — An Ordinance Amending The City Of Port Arthur, Texas Code Of Ordinances By Adding Chapter 18 Buildings, Article XIV. Minimum Property Standards, Sections 18-630 Through 18-637; Providing For Minimum Property Standards For Any Property Intended For Human Habitation Or Human Use; Providing For Penalties Not To Exceed $2,000.00 Per Day Per Violation; Providing A Savings And Severability Clause; And Providing For Publication And An Effective Date]

[02:20:01]

ATTORNEY, CITY ATTORNEY? YEAH, COUNCILMEMBER BECKHAM AND OUR CITY ATTORNEY HAS A PRESENTATION. YES. OKAY. I'LL LET HER SPEAK. OKAY. YES. OKAY. CITY ATTORNEY. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS ROXANNE COTRONEO, AND I'M YOUR CITY ATTORNEY AND CITY PROSECUTOR FOR THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR. WHAT A GREAT CITY IT IS. CODE ENFORCEMENT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY AND WELFARE OF OUR COMMUNITY. AND IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE STATE LAWS THAT GOVERN AND SAY THAT HOME RULE MUNICIPALITIES SUCH AS YOURSELF MAY CREATE THOSE ORDINANCES TO HAVE WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO YOU IN THIS COMMUNITY. WELL, THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR HAS GOT SOME REALLY GOOD CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, AND THEY WORK VERY HARD IN A CITY THAT NEEDS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF ATTENTION. SO THIS IS ABOUT THE PUBLIC HAVING FULL AWARENESS, TRANSPARENCY IN PARTICULAR, PROPERTY OWNERS AND SLUMLORDS ABOUT WHAT WE EXPECT OUR CITIZENS AND OUR RESIDENTS TO HAVE. AS YOUR CITY ATTORNEY AND YOUR CITY PROSECUTOR, I HAVE AN OATH TO BE YOUR STRONGEST ADVOCATE FOR THE PROTECTION OF OUR PEOPLE. YES.

NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT CODE ENFORCEMENT, BECAUSE CODE ENFORCEMENT SOUNDS EASY. IT'S A COUPLE OF WORDS, BUT IT'S ACTUALLY VERY COMPLEX AND IT'S IN COMPLEXITY. I WANT TO REFER YOU TO THE POWERPOINT PRESENTATION, THE PORT ARTHUR CODE OF ORDINANCES HAS A LARGE NUMBER OF CODE ENFORCEMENT ORDINANCES. WE HAVE CODES THAT RELATE TO BUILDING CODES, ELECTRICAL CODES, MECHANICAL CODES, PLUMBING CODES, HOUSING CODES, EXISTING BUILDING CODES, INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODES. AND I'VE GOT A PICTURE OF THE INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE UP THERE FOR YOU. EACH ONE OF THOSE CODES THAT WE TALK ABOUT UP THERE, THEY'RE ABOUT A 3 TO 4 INCH NOTEBOOK. AND IF YOU WERE TO OPEN UP THAT INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE TODAY, WHAT YOU WOULD READ IS VERY COMPLEX LANGUAGE THAT IS ACTUALLY WRITTEN FOR THE TRADE.

FOR EXAMPLE, HAVE YOU PULLED THE PLUMBING CODE AND YOU OPENED THAT BIG BOOK UP? IT WOULD BE SPECIFICALLY WRITTEN FOR PLUMBERS WHO UNDERSTAND WHAT SIZE OF PIPE, WHAT SIZE OF WRENCH, WHAT SIZE OF ANGLE, WHAT NEEDS TO BE WHERE. I MEAN, IT'S VERY INTENSE. AND SO THANK GOD FOR THE PLUMBERS WHO HAVE READ THAT AND HAVE PASSED TESTS FOR IT. CORRECT. IF I WAS TO HAND YOU THE PLUMBING CODE TODAY, YOU WOULD NOT REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT IT SAYS BECAUSE EVERYONE HAS THEIR SPECIALTY. SO AS YOUR STRONGEST ADVOCATE, I WANT TO NARROW THINGS DOWN. I DON'T WANT TO OVERRIDE THOSE CODES. THEY'RE VERY IMPORTANT CODES. THEY'RE COMPLEX AND WE MUST FOLLOW THEM IN DETAILS. BUT WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO ADVOCATE AND INFORM ALL OF WHAT WE EXPECT HERE IN THE CITY WHEN IT COMES TO ANY STRUCTURE INTENDED FOR HUMAN OCCUPANCY OR HUMAN USE. AND IT'S GOT TO BE IN PLAIN ENGLISH. IT CAN'T BE IN THESE BIG, FANCY NOTEBOOKS THAT REQUIRE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TRAINING AND LEARNING TO UNDERSTAND. AND SO, AS YOUR CITY ATTORNEY AND YOUR CITY PROSECUTOR, I AM MAKING THE STRONGEST RECOMMENDATION THAT THE CITY COUNCIL MOVE TOWARDS ADOPTING. AND THE SLIDE HAS STOPPED. CAN YOU MOVE ON TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE? ADOPTING MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR ALL STRUCTURES. AND IN THAT ORDINANCE YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE MINIMUM PROPERTY STANDARDS, MINIMUM STRUCTURAL STANDARDS, MINIMUM UTILITY STANDARDS, MINIMUM PLUMBING STANDARDS, MINIMUM ELECTRICAL STANDARDS, AND MINIMUM HEALTH STANDARDS. NOW I'M GOING TO NARROW THAT DOWN EVEN MORE. AND IF YOU COULD CHANGE THE SLIDE LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT MINIMUM PROPERTY STANDARDS. THIS IS NOT ABOUT HIGH WEEDS OR JUNK VEHICLES OR TRASH. THIS IS A LITTLE MORE SPECIFIC. THIS IS ABOUT NO HOLES IN THE LAND THAT CAN CAUSE INJURY. IF YOU'LL TURN TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE,

[02:25:03]

VERY SIMPLE. SO IF WE HAVE A WINDOW, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT'S BROKEN, THAT BROKEN WINDOW WILL LEAD TO FURTHER DETERIORATION. SO WE WANT TO GET THAT WINDOW FIXED REALLY QUICK. SO INSTEAD OF LOOKING THROUGH THE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODES, TRYING TO SEE WHERE WITHIN THE 3 TO 4 INCH NOTEBOOK IT SAYS YOU CAN'T HAVE A BROKEN WINDOW. WELL GUESS WHAT. WE CAN GO QUICKLY IF WE PASS THIS ORDINANCE TO CHAPTER 18. AND WE CAN QUICKLY FIND THAT IF YOU HAVE A STRUCTURE INTENDED FOR HUMAN OCCUPANCY AND IT HAS A WINDOW, IT HAS TO BE MAINTAINED.

VERY SIMPLE LANGUAGE. LET'S MOVE ON TO THE NEXT STANDARDS. ON THE NEXT SLIDE, UTILITY STANDARDS. WE HAVE TO HAVE AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING. WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE OPERABLE APPLIANCES. IF WE HAVE THEM IN THE FACILITY. YOU CAN'T JUST HAVE A REFRIGERATOR THAT'S NOT COOLING. IT AIN'T GOING TO WORK. WE NEED TO PROTECT OUR PEOPLE WITH WHAT IS NECESSARY FOR MINIMUM CARE. WE ALSO HAVE THE NEXT SLIDE, WHICH TALKS ABOUT PLUMBING STANDARDS. YOU GOT A KITCHEN SINK. IT'S GOT TO BE OPERATING. HOW ABOUT A TOILET OR A BATHTUB OR SEWER SYSTEM. THESE ALL MAKE SENSE, RIGHT? WE ALL KNOW THAT THESE ARE STANDARDS. BUT IN ORDER TO ENFORCE AND TO PROSECUTE, WE HAVE TO HAVE THEM ON THE BOOKS. VERY SIMPLE FOR ALL TO UNDERSTAND SO THAT WE CAN EASILY CITE TO THE ORDINANCE AND ISSUE OUT THE VIOLATION.

AND I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, IF WE MOVE ON TO THE NEXT SLIDE, WE'RE ONLY GOING TO ALSO GOING TO HAVE HEALTH STANDARDS AND ELECTRICAL STANDARDS. RIGHT. YOU GOT ELECTRICAL OUTLETS.

THEY HAVE TO BE OPERATING. YOU'VE GOT YOU CAN'T USE ELECTRICAL EXTENSION CORDS AS PERMANENT WIRING. YOU JUST CAN'T. AND WE MOVE ON. NEXT SLIDE. WE HAVE HEALTH STANDARDS THE HEALTH STANDARDS. THERE'S NO INFESTATION. YOU CAN'T BE CREATING CONDITIONS THAT INFEST AND CAUSE RODENTS AND BUGS AND THINGS AND SNAKES TO INFECT OUR PEOPLE. IT'S JUST NOT GOING TO BE POSSIBLE. AND WE'LL HAVE A SIMPLE ORDINANCE THAT SAYS THAT. IF YOU'LL MOVE ON TO THE NEXT SLIDE, THIS IS WHERE THE MEAT COMES IN. NOT ONLY ARE THESE MINIMUM STANDARDS GOING TO BE ENFORCEABLE, THEY ARE GOING TO BE PUNISHABLE. AND THAT IS IF YOU VIOLATE THESE MINIMUM STANDARDS, EXPECT THAT YOU WILL BE PROSECUTED BY THE CITY PROSECUTOR. THE MINIMUM FINES WILL BE FROM $250, ALL THE WAY UP TO $2,000 PER DAY, PER VIOLATION. WHO? I'M SORRY. I'M SO EXCITED. IF YOU DOUBLE OR TRIPLE, DOUBLE THE OFFENSE. TRIPLE THE OFFENSE. WITHIN A 24 MONTH PERIOD, WE'RE DOUBLING AND TRIPLING THOSE FINES AS WELL. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. NOW I'M BEING ASKED, WHY DID YOU GO INTO CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THESE MINIMUM PROPERTY STANDARDS? I'M GOING TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR I AM YOUR CITY ATTORNEY. I AM YOUR CITY PROSECUTOR. I NEEDED TO SPEAK TO MY CLIENT, THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY COUNCIL, ABOUT THE METHOD OF ENFORCEMENT AND THE SEVERITY OF THE ENFORCEMENT, AND TO GET THEIR BLESSINGS TO MOVE FORWARD. BECAUSE ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. WE WILL PROTECT OUR PEOPLE, AND WE WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH NOT JUST THE ORDINANCE, BUT THE ENFORCEMENT AND THE PROSECUTION OF SUCH.

WHO. THANK YOU, CITY ATTORNEY. I'M SORRY. THANK YOU. I KNOW WE WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO DO THAT ANYWAY. I WAS SUPPOSED TO STOP THAT KIND OF REACTION. SORRY ABOUT THAT. BUT CITY ATTORNEY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT WORK. WE REALLY APPRECIATE THAT, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE BEING I'M NOT GOING TO SAY THAT ANYWAY. COUNCILMEMBER HAMILTON, EVER FEEL YOU HAD YOUR LIGHT ON

[02:30:03]

YOU'RE DOING EVERYTHING THAT I ENVISION YOU DOING WHEN WE HIRED YOU, AND I AM SO ELATED THAT YOU ARE ON IT. AND SO I APPRECIATE THAT TREMENDOUSLY. WE NOW HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A BETTER CITY. WE NOW HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A CLEANER CITY. WE NOW HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO CAN'T JUST GO TO THE THERMOSTAT AND TURN IT UP SO THAT THEY CAN BE HEATED. I THINK ABOUT THAT ALL THE TIME THAT EVERY TIME I JACK WITH MY THERMOSTAT, IT GOES UP AND DOWN. WHEN I GET COLD, I PUT IT UP. WHEN I GET HOT, I TURN IT DOWN. SOME PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THAT LUXURY, AND SO THIS WILL AFFORD US TO ADDRESS THIS SITUATION AND TO TELL INDIVIDUALS PORT ARTHUR IS NOT A PLACE FOR SLUMLORDS. PORT ARTHUR IS NOT A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN COME IN AND JUST TREAT PEOPLE ANY WAY YOU CAN, AND THAT YOU WILL DRAW MONEY FOR IT. SO I'M GRATEFUL. I'M THANKFUL. LET'S GET IT DONE.

COUNCILMEMBER. THANK YOU MAYOR. ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND I'M SURE YOU GUYS, SOME OF YOU GUYS KNOW THAT WE HAD A MEETING WITH CODE ENFORCEMENT, MANAGEMENT, CITY MANAGER, CITY ATTORNEY. WE WERE ALL THERE. THIS IS RIGHT ON POINT. CITY ATTORNEY WHERE WE WANT TO GO. I'M GOING TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, AND I'M GOING TO EVEN GO FURTHER DUMPING, YOU KNOW, THEY WANT TO COME HERE, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A PRICE TO PAY. AND I THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I WANT TO SEE. YOU KNOW, PEOPLE SOMETIMES FORGET WHERE THEY AT. AND THIS IS OUR TIME TO REMIND THEM WHERE THEY AT.

AND IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE DOING THIS, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A PRICE TO PAY. SO APARTMENTS, BUILDINGS, HOMES, SLUMLORDS, WE'RE ON YOU. AND AND THIS IS THE TIME THAT WE CAN MAKE AN IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY. AND I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'VE DONE CONTINUE DOING.

AND WHEN THEY GET DOWN TO THAT COURTHOUSE, LET'S PUT LET'S PUT THE PAINT ON THEM. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER KINLAW. COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, HE JUST SPOKE OKAY OKAY. THANK YOU.

AND YEAH. SO BEFORE WE TAKE OUR VOTE, I'M SORRY. OH, YES. MAYOR PRINCE, BEFORE YOU ALL VOTE,

[02:35:07]

IT'S ACTUALLY A WONDERFUL QUESTION. AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE ENFORCEMENT STRATEGIES BY WHICH WE CAN TAKE THAT'S GOING TO BE A FUTURE PRESENTATION SO THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS THE STRATEGIES THAT THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE GIVEN ME TO ENFORCE. SO SO STAY TUNED. I'M GOING TO STAY TUNED TO YOU. WE TALKED ABOUT. BEFORE ABOUT PARKING IN THE FRONT YARD.

I MEAN, OUR CITY HAS JUST BEEN OVERTAKEN BY, YOU KNOW, TEN AND 15 CARS AT ONE HOUSEHOLD. WHAT IS THE REMEDY FOR THAT? I THINK IT'S PLAIN ENGLISH. AGAIN, I THINK THAT WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO PUT A PARKING ON AN APPROVED SURFACES IN PLAIN ENGLISH, AND I ACTUALLY WILL BE BRINGING A DRAFT OF THAT TO THE CITY COUNCIL AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING FOR THEM TO CONSIDER THAT TOO WOULD BE ENFORCED THROUGH OUR CRIMINAL COURT SYSTEM. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

YEAH. OH, WELL, I GOT A COUPLE OF. SO WE THOUGHT WE THOUGHT THAT HE WAS SAYING OH, HE HAD ALREADY SAID IT. OH, OKAY. COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS. YES. WHEN YOU THOSE THAT HAVE QUESTIONS IN THE AUDIENCE, IF YOU WOULD JUST LINE UP REAL QUICKLY, WE'LL BE READY TO GO WITH YOU, COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS. OKAY, I REFERENCED I HAD MY LIGHT ON AND YOU ASKED COUNCILMAN KINLAW, WAS HE GOING TO SPEAK? I SAID HE JUST SPOKE. I STILL HAD MY LIGHT ON. OH, I'M SORRY, BUT ANYWAY, REFERRING TO THE CITY ATTORNEY WHEN HER INTERVIEW AND EVERYTHING, I RECALLED THAT AND SHE GOT HIGH MARKS FROM ME FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, AND I STATED IT PUBLICLY LONG BEFORE WE HAD THE VOTE, THAT SHE WAS GOING TO GET HIGH MARKS BECAUSE SHE COME OUT WITH THE CODE ENFORCEMENT. RIGHT. AND THAT'S THE ONLY ONE THING THAT'S LEFT NOW IN A LOT OF WEST OF HOUSTON AVENUE. I'M FINDING A LOT OF AND ALSO IN THE EAST OF HOUSTON AVENUE, I'M FINDING A LOT OF WOODEN FENCES ARE GOING UP IN THE BACKYARD, AND THEY'LL DEPOSIT IN OLD REFRIGERATORS AND ALL THAT KIND OF. NOW WE NEED TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION FOR THAT. IT'S A PRIVATE FENCE, BUT YOU CAN'T VIEW IT FROM THE FROM THE FRONT. BUT I'M AND I TALKED ABOUT DRONE SHOTS AND I'M THINKING THEY SAID THAT'S THAT'S ILLEGAL OR SOMETHING OR YOU KNOW, BUT ANYWAY, WE NEED TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT TO ENFORCE THE, THE CODE BEHIND THE ISSUE OF NONTRANSPARENT FENCES. OKAY. BECAUSE IT'S A LOT OF THEY ARE YOU PUT AN OLD REFRIGERATOR OUT THERE AND IT'S GOING TO END UP IN SOMEBODY'S NEIGHBORHOOD OR A WASHING MACHINE. WHAT THEY'RE DOING, THEY'RE STRIPPING THEIR THINGS OUT, BUT IT STILL ENDS UP IN SOMEONE'S NEIGHBORHOOD. WE GOT TO GET SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THAT. IT'S REALLY BAD BECAUSE I WALK A LOT OF NEIGHBORHOODS.

IT'S BAD. OKAY. CITY ATTORNEY IT IT'S ON THE LIST, SIR. BUT I ALSO WANT TO JUST MAKE A FINAL COMMENT. IT'S SO IMPORTANT WE CAN DRAFT LAWS AND PUT THEM ON THE BOOKS. IT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE ABLE TO GIVE THE SUPPORT AND THE TOOLS TO OUR CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS. AND SO I'M GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT I LEAVE WITH THAT. THEY ARE CRUCIAL. THEY ARE AS CRUCIAL AS OUR POLICE OFFICERS AND OUR FIREFIGHTERS. SO WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP THEM IN TRAIN THEM AND GET THEM WHATEVER SUPPORT THEY NEED, IS GOING TO BE IMPERATIVE FOR THIS TO BE SUCCESSFUL. BUT TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO GET THAT WORK DONE, YOUR CITY ATTORNEY, YOUR CITY PROSECUTOR WILL USE THE LAWS THAT WE'VE DRAFTED THAT YOU'VE PASSED FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO BE PROTECTED. OKAY. YES. MR. WAGNER, DWIGHT WAGNER, 822 WELLFORD PORT ARTHUR. I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE LONG BECAUSE I KNOW EVERYBODY'S READY TO GO HOME. BUT I JUST WANTED TO ASK, DON'T WE ALREADY HAVE AN ORDINANCE THAT PROHIBITS PEOPLE FROM PARKING THEIR CARS ON ESPLANADES GRASSY AREAS, SUCH AS THOMAS BOULEVARD? I DO KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE PARKING THEIR CARS THERE. IT CERTAINLY TAKES AWAY FROM THE BEAUTY. GRASS CANNOT GROW. I

[02:40:02]

WE DO. OKAY. BUT I'D LIKE TO DO IS STRENGTHEN THAT ORDINANCE AND MAKE IT A LITTLE MORE EASIER AND AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE TO READ AND UNDERSTAND. YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. WAGNER. JUST MISS COUNCILMEMBER LOU, IS THIS YOUR LAST TIME? OKAY. IN IN ADDITION TO WHAT HE SPOKE ABOUT THOMAS BOULEVARD? WELL, IN THE PLANNING, THE DESIGN FROM MEMORIAL BOULEVARD TO GILLIAM CIRCLE, I GOT THE I TALKED TO THEM ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT WE PUT A CURB. WHEN WE RECONSTRUCT THOMAS BOULEVARD, WE PUT A CURVE AROUND THOMAS BOULEVARD.

THEY WANT AND THAT'S THAT'S THAT'S IN THE FUTURE THEY WILL BE TEARING THEIR CARS UP. BUT RIGHT NOW WE RAISED THE WE DOUBLED THE FINES FOR BEING PARKING ON, ON, ON THE, ON, YOU KNOW, ON ON THAT MEDIUM THE FINES BEEN DOUBLED. IT'S I THINK IT'S $500 MINIMUM. NOW CHECK ON IT OKAY. ALL RIGHT. AND AS WE GET READY TO BEFORE WE VOTE, I'D LIKE TO THANK THE CITY ATTORNEY AGAIN. SHE MET WITH ME EARLY WHEN I BECAME GOT ELECTED. AND THAT WAS THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY FOR ME WAS SOME TYPE OF STANDARD THAT WE WOULD HAVE IN PLACE THAT WOULD HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE TO CLEAN UP OUR HELP US CLEAN UP OUR CITY. SHE DID THAT. AND IT'S GOING TO HELP, BECAUSE DURING THIS TIME, WE HAD SOME OF THE APARTMENT COMPLEXES TO GIVE US SOME CALLS, AND I INTERVIEWED, I WAS, I THINK, CALLED EVERYTHING BUT A CHILD OF GOD, BUT BASICALLY NOT THINKING THAT I WAS BEING TRANSPARENT HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO VIEW ONE OF THE PROPERTIES SATURDAY. AND AND IT'S IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS, AND I'M THANKFUL THAT EVERYBODY IS NOT A SLUM LORD. I HAVE TO SAY THAT IN DEFENSE OF THE OWNER AFTER I VISITED, IT WAS HEARTBREAKING TO SEE WHAT I SAW MYSELF AND WALKED THE PROPERTY ABOUT AN HOUR OR TWO HOURS MYSELF AND CONTACTED THE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO WHAT I NEEDED TO DO. I DON'T REALLY WORK PUBLICLY. I COULD HAVE CALLED THE NEWS, I DID NOT. I JUST SIMPLY PENNED A LETTER AND EMAILED IT MONDAY MORNING. DIDN'T TELL ANYBODY. NOBODY KNEW I WROTE THE LETTER. BUT TODAY THE OWNER OF THAT COMPLEX MET ME AND COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS AND HAS MADE A PLEDGE TO US THAT HE'S GOING TO BE ON THE GROUND, THAT HE'S GOING TO CLEAN IT UP. HE HAD HIS WORKERS WITH HIM. THE CITY MANAGER WAS THERE. BUT I'D LIKE THE WAY, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU OPERATE, YOU DON'T HAVE TO TELL EVERYBODY WHAT YOU'RE DOING. IT'S NOT ABOUT GLORY. IT'S NOT ABOUT POLITICS, IT IS ABOUT PEOPLE. AND SO WHEN I WAS ABLE TO SEE HOW PEOPLE WERE LIVING, IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR ANY OF US. IF WE'D SEEN THAT TO SLEEP. VERY DIFFICULT. BUT BEFORE NOON YESTERDAY, I DID PEN A LETTER TO THE PROPER COMPLIANCE PEOPLE.

ABOUT SIX DIFFERENT FACILITIES OR GOVERNANCE. AND BEFORE 903 THIS BEFORE 12:00 TODAY, BEFORE.

BEFORE 12 HOURS AT 24 HOURS HAD PASSED. THE YOUNG MAN HE'S I'M ON MY WAY AND I SAID I'LL WAIT FOR YOU. AND SO I MET HIM AT HIS FACILITY. SO THERE ARE SOME THAT REALLY CARE. AND I THINK THAT HE'S GOING TO KEEP HIS WORD AND DO WHAT WE'VE ASKED TO DO, BECAUSE HE SAW HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE IN THE ROOM. AND WE CAN NOW HOLD HIM ACCOUNTABLE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT THAT COMPLEX. WE'RE GOING TO SEND A MESSAGE TO EVERY COMPLEX IN THE CITY THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT. I DON'T HAVE TO GO TO THE MEDIA AND I DON'T HAVE TO MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT, AND I DON'T HAVE TO CALL A PRESS CONFERENCE. YOU JUST SIMPLY TALK TO THE PEOPLE IN CHARGE, MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD, AND MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN IN THAT MANNER. SO I'M THANKFUL THAT THAT IT DID COME TO A SOLUTION. SO WITH THAT, ALL IN FAVOR, SAY I. I ALL IN FAVOR SAY I, AND HE KNOWS THE AYES HAVE IT. THE ORDINANCE PASSES. WHO AT THIS TIME I'M GOING TO ENTERTAIN A.

MOTION TO ADJOURN THIS MEETING. CAN I GET A MOTION? MOTION. A MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT. SO MOVED. I NEED A SECOND. ANY. ANY DISCUSSIONS? ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. WE ARE ADJOURNED AT

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.