[A. CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:07]
>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. WELCOME TO THE TUESDAY, MARCH 5 CITY COUNCIL MEETING. HAPPY SUPER TUESDAY TO EVERYONE.
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> YES, SIR.
COUNCILMAN DE LA GARZA? >> I AM PRESENT.
>> COUNCILWOMAN SCOTT? >> HERE.
>> PLEASE JOIN ME FOR THE PLEDGES AND A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. ONE STATE, UNDER GOD, ONE,
AGAIN, WELCOME TO EVERYBODY. MR. GARZA, HOW ARE YOU THIS
AFTERNOON? >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND
[1. ANNOUNCEMENTS/REMINDERS]
COUNCIL MEMBERS. I'M GREAT.THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> VERY GOOD.
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REMINDERS TODAY?
>> WE HAVE SOME ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR EVERYONE THIS EVENING.
ON BEHALF OF THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
WE WANT TO REMIND THE PUBLIC THAT THEY WILL BE HOLDING A MANDATORY WORKSHOP ON THURSDAY, MARCH 7 AT 1:00 P.M.
AT THE 700 MAIN CENTER. FOR ORGANIZATIONS INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR FUNDING THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM. LOCAL NONPROFITS THAT SERVE LOW TOED NO RAT-INCOME-- MODERATE-INCOME RESIDENTS WILL BE APPLYING FOR FUNDING. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR AN APPLICATION, NONPROFITS CAN VISIT VICTORIA TF. GOV.
ON BEHALF OF THE LIBRARY, WE WANT TO INVITE THE PUBLIC TO A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY. MONDAY, MARCH 11 AT 10:00 A.M.
FOR THE ANYTIME PICKUP LOCKER. THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO CELEBRATE THIS NEW SERVICE OFFERED TO THE COMMUNITY.
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE CEREMONY, LIGHT REFRESHMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE BRONTE ROOM.
WE WANT TO REMIND THE PUBLIC THAT STUDENTS IN GRADES K-8 FROM ANY PUBLIC-PRIVATE OR HOME SCHOOL IN VICTORIA COUNTY CAN SHOWCASE THEIR COMMUNITY SPIRIT IN OUR VICTORIA, TEXAS BICENTENNIAL POSTER CONTEST. THIS ALLOWS STUDENTS TO CAPTURE THE ESSENCE OF 200 YEARS OF LIFE IN THE CITY OF VICTORIA THROUGH ORIGINAL ARTWORK. WINNERS WILL WIN VISA GIFT CARDS AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE IN FUTURE EXHIBITIONS AND VIDEOS. THE CITY WILL ACCEPT ENTRIES FROM MARCH 11-22. FOR MORE INFORMATION AND DETAILS ON HOW TO ENTER, VISIT VICTORIA DP TF.
WE WANT TO REMIND THE PUBLIC THAT WE WILL BE HOSTING A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY FOR THE DUCK POND AS WELL AS A KIDS FISHING CAMP. THAT WAS RESCHEDULED FROM A FEW WEEKENDS AGO. IT IS NOW TAKING PLACE ON THURSDAY, MARCH 14. THE RIBBON-CUTTING WILL START AT 10:00 A.M. WITH THE FISHING CAMP TO FOLLOW AT ROUGHLY 1 # 1:00 A.M. RESIDENTS WHO HAVE SIGNED UP FOR THE FISHING CAMP BUT ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND ON THIS NEW DATE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO CANCEL THEIR RESERVATIONS SO OTHER RESIDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE. AS A REMINDER, FISHING IS NOT ALLOWED AT THE DUCK POND NOW. WITH THE EXCEPTION FOR THE CITY-HOSTED EVENT. FISHING AT THE POND IS EXPECTED TO REOPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON SEPTEMBER 1.
AND LASTLY, I PROMISE THE LAST ONE.
LASTLY, ON BEHALF OF THE MAIN STREET PROGRAM, THE MAIN STREET PROGRAM WILL HOST A FREE ST. PADDY'S SHOPPING EVENT.
IN HISTORIC DOWNTOWN VICTORIA. ATTENDEES WILL BE TREATED TO FREE RIDES THROUGH DOWNTOWN. IF PARTICIPANTS FILL THEIR SHOPPING PUNCH CARD, THEY WILL RECEIVE A SPECIAL SURPRISE FROM GREEN COW CREAMERY, COURTESY OF THE VICTORIA MAIN STREET PROGRAM. A LOT GOING ON.
>> ABSOLUTELY. >> I HOPE EVERYBODY CAUGHT ALL OF THAT AND TOOK NOTES. BECAUSE I EXPECT TO SEE EVERYBYBODY THERE AT EVERY SINGE ONE OF THESE EVENTS.
(LAUGHTER). >> DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC AND
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITIONS? >> NOT TONIGHT.
[a. March 2024 Keep Victoria Beautiful Business Beautification Award. Christy Youker, Assistant Director of Environmental Services]
>> DO WE HAVE THE-- 36 ACTUALLY, SORRY.
THAT IS ON ME, CHRISTY. DON'T GET UPSET.
I WILL ASK CHRISTY TO COME UP AND HELP PRESENT THE MARCH, 2024 KEEP VICTORIA BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFICATION AWARD.
SHE WILL ALSO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE RECENT NEIGHBORHOOD
CLEANUP THAT OCCURRED. >> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND
[00:05:03]
COUNCIL. BEFORE WE DO THE AWARD, I DO WANT TO THANK THE COMMUNITY IN GENERAL FOR COMING OUT FOR THIS SILVER CITY PHASE TWO CLEANUP. IT WAS FABULOUS.I SPECIFICALLY WANT TO THANK GREATER MOUNT CAVALRY BAPTIST CHURCH WHO HOSTED US. THAT WAS INCREDIBLE.
A LOT OF NEIGHBORS CAME OUT AND HELPED MAKE THAT SUCCESSFUL.
I WANT TO THANK OUR SPONSORS. HEB, THE BOX COFFEE.
JUST SOME STATS FROM THAT EVENT. WE HAD 170 VOLUNTEERS.
WE HAD-- WE HELPED 113 TOTAL HOUSEHOLDS.
31 TONS OF BRUSH AND BULKY IT ITEMS. 165 TIRES. 65 BAGS OF LITTER COLLECTED.
AND FIRE DEPARTMENT INSTALLED 30 SMOKE DETECTORS.
THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR ALL THAT THEY DO TO HELP THESE-- TO HELP MAKE THESE WONDERFUL.
WE ALSO HANDED OUT 170 POTTED PLANTS.
THANKS TO HEW-- HEB THIS TIME. THAT WAS SUPER FUN.
I HAVE TO GIVE A SHOUT-OUT TO THE MAYOR.
I ASKED HIM THE DAY BEFORE IF HE WOULD LEAD A TEAM.
HE SAID YES. HE GOT TO HELP HAND OUT PLANTS.
I WANT TO THANK THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR COMING AS WELL. AND NOW FOR OUR BEAUTIFICATION AWARD. I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE MEREDITH BYRD TO COME UP AND DO THE HONORS.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
AS ALWAYS, IT IS THE HIGHLIGHT OF MY WEEK TO COME BEFORE YOU AND PRESENT OUR MONTHLY BUSINESS BEAUTIFICATION AWARD.
OUR MARCH WINNER IS THE STRIP ON BROADMORE, WHICH IS A COLLECTIVE OF BUSINESSES ON NORTH NAVARRO, ACROSS FROM, LIKE, SAM'S.
IT IS RIGHT BEHIND CAVENDERS. THIS STRIP OPENED IN 2022.
AND HOUSES 7 BUSINESSES. WE HAVE ASTORIA WINES.
CARPLUM CRAZY AESTHETICS. MAKE ME CHIC HAIR STUDIO, THE SPOT NUTRITION AND ENERGY. AND BLACK DAHLIA BEUD WAR.
THIS SHOPPING CENTER, IT IS SO CLEAN AND CONTEMPORARY.
AND UNIQUE. FOR SOMETHING FOR OUR TOWN.
IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU SEE AROUND VICTORIA. AND IT IS REALLY AMAZINGLY WELL-KEPT. IT IS A LITTLE GEM NESTLED BACK ON BROADMORE STREET. I ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO GET OUT AND SUPPORT THESE BUSINESSES. BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT WE WANT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES TO STRIVE FOR. YOU KNOW, WE WANT EVERYBODY TO LOOK AS GREAT AS THE STRIP ON BROADMORE DOES.
I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE STRIP ON BROADMORE FOR BEING OUR BEAUTIFICATION WINNER. (APPLAUSE).
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE THIS AWARD. SO WHEN WE WERE WORKING ON DEVELOPING THIS PROJECT, WE DEFINITELY WANTED TO BRING SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO VICTORIA THAT YOU DON'T SEE EVERY DAY.
AND IT TOOK A LOT OF HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO DEVELOP THIS.
WE ALSO HAVE OTHER PLANS IN THE WORKS FOR OTHER ESTABLISHMENTS.
WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT. WE DEFINITE IT WILL BRING NICE FACILITIES HERE TO VICTORIA. A NICE PLACE TO HANG OUT AND HAVE AN ESTABLISHMENT. WE WANT TO DO IT HERE FROM OUR HOMETOWN. WE HAVE SOME AMAZING TENANTS.
WE ARE HAPPY TO SAY THAT THE WHOLE STRIP IS LEASED.
AND BUSINESS IS THRIVING. WE ARE EXCITED FOR WHAT OUR FUTURE LOOKS LIKE FOR OUR TENANTS AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.
AGAIN, THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF THE STRIP ON BROADMORE FOR THIS
>> A VERY WELL-DESERVED AWARD. THAT IS A GREAT-LOOKING FACILITY. VERY NICE.
THANK YOU ALL FOR WHAT YOU DO. HOPE YOU KEEP IT UP.
ANY OTHER PUBLIC AND EMPLOYEE RECOGNITIONS?
>> NOW I CAN SAY NO. >> ALL RIGHT.
[3. ITEMS FROM COUNCIL]
ALL RIGHT. THERE WE GO.ALL RIGHT. ITEMS FROM COUNSEL?
ANYTHING? >> I WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING.
I GOT WORD THAT SOMEBODY HAD POSTED ON THE ADVOCATE THAT I HAD RESIGNED. I HAVE NOT RESIGNED.
I HAVE, LIKE, FIVE MORE MEETINGS TO COME TO.
I PLAN TO COME TO ALL OF THEM. I'M STILL HERE UNTIL MY TERM IS
[00:10:02]
OVER. I APPRECIATE IT.>> THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION.
I GOT A LITTLE NERVOUS WHEN I READ THAT.
>> YOU CALLED ME REAL EARLY IN THE MORNING.
I'M GOING, LIKE, OKAY. I DIDN'T SEE IT.
THEN I SAW JESUS. HE SAID EVEN JEFF CALLED.
>> ANYTHING ELSE? I HAD ONE ITESTIMONY I WANTED TO BRING UP. AND CHIEF YOUNG.
IF YOU CAN COME UP TO THE MIC. TELL US A LITTLE BIT MORE AND GIVE A PLATFORM TO TELL THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE 2024 VICTORIA POLICE DEPARTMENT PATCH PROGRAM. I THINK THIS IS A R REALLY NEAT PROGRAM. IT IS A MONTHLY HELD AWARENESS PROGRAM. I WANTED TO GIVE THE CHIEF AN OPPORTUNITY TO TELL MORE FOLKS ABOUT IT.
IT IS A REALLY, REALLY COOL THING YOU ARE DOING.
>> I APPRECIATE THATTER CIRCUMSTANCES.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO TALK. IN FRONT OF YOU, YOU HAVE THE PROTOTYPES FOR THE EXAMPLES OF THE PATCH PROGRAM.
THE MONTHLY HEALTH AWARENESS. WITH THE PROGRAM, THE VICTORIA POLICE DEPARTMENT, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE VICTORIA POLICE FOUNDATION HAS A MONTHLY HEALTH AWARENESS INITIATIVE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. FOR EXAMPLE, YOU HAVE THE LITTLE GREEN RIBBONS THAT YOU WOULD WEAR FOR GLAUCOMA.
THAT AWARENESS RIBBON IS ACTUALLIED TURNED INTO A POLICE DEPARTMENT PATCH EMBRIDERED. FEBRUARY IS HEART HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH. IT IS NOT ANYTHING YOU CAN WEAR ON A SHIRT OR UNIFORM. IT IS MAINLY TO GET PEOPLE TO ANOTHER PLATFORM FOR THE AWARENESS.
MARCH NOW IS KIDNEY DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH.
EACH ONE OF THE MONTHS AND FEEL FREE TO-- PROSTATE CANCER IS THE BABY BLUE ONE. BREAST CANCER IS THE PINK ONE.
SARCOMA IS THE YELLOW ONE. POLICE, YOU CAN BUY THEM AT POLICE VICTORIA FP FOUNDATION OR EMAIL VPD PATCH PROGRAM PROGRAM@VICTORIA TX.GOV. IT TELLS ABOUT THE INCEPTION OF THE PROGRAM. THE IDEA OF THE PROGRAM.
AGAIN, THIS IS TO BRING AWARENESS TO A HEALTH, A HEALTH AWARENESS ISSUE IN THE FORM OF A POLICE DEPARTMENT EMBROIDERED PATCH. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, CHIEF.
>> ANYBODY HAVE QUESTIONS? >> YES.
CAN YOU BUY THEM ALL AS A PACKAGE OR ONE AT A TIME?
>> NO. WE ARE TRYING TO-- THANK YOU FOR. THAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO THEM ONE AT A TIME TO BRING THEM THAT EXCITEMENT ABOUT WHAT IS NEXT MONTH GOING TO BE. APRIL IS THE AUTISM MONTH.
THE PUZZLE PATCH. IF YOU LOOK AT OTHER DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THEY WILL DO THE BREAST CANCER AWARENESS.
THEY WILL DO AUTISM. I WANTED SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT. I THINK WE ARE THE ONLY ONE IN THE COUNTRY, IF NOT WE ARE ONE OF THE FIRST ONES IN THE COUNTRY TO DO THIS CONCEPT. BUT THANK YOU, SIR.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> CONGRATULATIONS.
APPRECIATE IT. >> ANY OTHER ITEMS FROM COUNCIL?
[4. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION]
OKAY. WE WILL MOVE, THEN, INTO CITIZENS COMMUNICATION. CHERYL JOHNSON.>> HELLO. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME A FEW MINUTES TO TALK WITH Y'ALL. FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DON'T KNOW ME, MY NAME IS CHERYL JOHNSON. I'M AN AUTHOR.
I HAVE WRITTEN NINE CHILDREN'S BOOKS.
I HAVE RECENTLY PUBLISHED A BOOK ABOUT VICTORIA.
IT IS GOING TO BE RELEASED APRIL 6.
THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE. IT IS CALLED CHARLIE'S ADVENTURE JOURNAL. I WROTE IT TO CELEBRATE VICTORIA AND OUR BICENTENNIAL. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT THIS BOOK WAS VERY, VERY MUCH OF A COMMUNITY COLLABORATION.
IT WAS UNDERWRITTEN BY DAVID AND TAMMY MURPHY WHO ARE THE LOCAL FRANCHISE OWNERS OF OUR CHICK-FIL-AS.
22 DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS. I'M SORRY.
12 DIFFERENT AREAS ORGANIZATIONS WORKED WITH ME ON THIS BOOK.
SUBMITTING PHOTOGRAPHS AND CONTENT AND INFORMATION.
AND THE VICTORIA CVB WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BOOK. THEY WERE JUST SUCH A WONDERFUL RESOURCE. THANK YOU TO JOEL AND HIS TEAM FOR HELPING ME ON IT. AS MENTIONED, THE BOOKS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON APRIL 6. AND CHICK-FIL-A AS THE UNDERWRITERS, HAVE VERY GRACIOUSLY DECIDED TO DONATE BOOKS THAT THEY WILL BE PUTTING IN THE CHILDREN'S PACK FOR THE RACE THAT THEY WILL BE HAVING ON APRIL 6.
A FUND-RAISER FOR YOUNG LIFE. THE GOAL FOR THESE BOOKS WAS FOUR GOALS WITH IT TO. ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD AROUND THEM, ENCOURAGE THEM TO TRY NEW THINGS, AND NOT BE AFRAID TO FAIL. INTRODUCE CHILDREN TO THE HISTORY, CULTURE, ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE RIGHT HERE TO THEM IN VICTORIA AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES AND TO ENCOURAGE
[00:15:01]
CHILDREN TO WRITE THROUGH JOURNALING.THE BOOK HAS BEEN APPROVED BY VISD.
I HAVE RECEIVED INCREDIBLE FEEDBACK FROM ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF. I'M IN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING A PROGRAM BASED ON THE BOOK TO PRESENT TO CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOLS FOR THE THIRD THROUGH FIFTH GRADE.
THE BOOKS ARRIVED TODAY. I WAS SWEATING BULLETS HOPING THEY WOULD BE IN ON TIME. I'M VERY, VERY EXCITED TO GIVE EACH OF YOU ON COUNSEL-- COUNCIL AND OUR CITY MANAGER A COPY OF THE BOOK. I'M NOT FROM VICTORIA ORIGINALLY. I MOVED HERE 30 YEARS AGO.
IT IS VERY MUCH MY HOME AND VERY MUCH MY COMMUNITY.
AND THIS WAS VERY, VERY MUCH A LABOR OF LOVE.
I'M EXCITED TO PREMIER TO THE COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
>> THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS ON THE PUBLICATION OF YOUR BOOK. IT IS REALLY SPECIAL.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE COPIES. THANK YOU.
>> YES. >> I'LL HAVE A SUGGESTION THAT, YOU KNOW, IF A LATER EDITION COULD HAVE ADVENTURE 23, ATTEND A CITY COUNCIL MEETING. (LAUGHTER).
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS JAMES COLLINS. I'M HERE TONIGHT AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE VICTORIA POLICE OFFICER ASSOCIATION.
FIRST OFF, I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR THE NEW PUBLIC SAFETY HEADQUARTERS. THE OFFICERS CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THE EFFORT THAT HAS GONE INTO THAT, TO BRING THAT TO FRUITION. WE LOOK FORWARD TO BEING ABLE TO USE THAT FACILITY SOMETIME NEXT YEAR, HOPEFULLY.
RIGHT? BUT I'M HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE OF ITEM 3 ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. THERE ARE CONTRACTS FOR THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY AS WELL AS OUR IMPENDING APPROACH TO OUR BUDGET DISCUSSIONS FOR THE YEAR.
I DON'T KNOW THE SPECIFICS OF THE-- OF THE CONTRACTS FOR THE CITY MANAGER OR CITY ATTORNEY. I'M SURE THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE WELL COMPENSATED FOR THEIR SERVICES.
AS EVERYBODY SHOULD BE. RIGHT? IF THE PUBLIC IS INTERESTED IN THOSE CONTRACTS OR IN PAY OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, ALL THOSE DETAILS, OF COURSE, ARE AVAILABLE ON-LINE.
BUT WE ARE APPROACHING OUR BUDGET SEASON.
WHAT ISN'T AVAILABLE ON-LINE IS A PICTURE OR SNAP SHOTS OF THE FEELINGS OF OFFICERS AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT RELATED TO THEIR PAY. RIGHT? OFFICERS LABOR DAILY FOR THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY.
AT A RATE THAT I BELIEVE IS NOT COMPARABLE TO OTHER CITIES OF OUR SIZE. AND CALL VOLUME.
THE RATE DOES NOT ALLOW US TO COMPETE WITH OFFICERS THAT ARE-- THAT WOULD BE MOVING TO OUR CITY FROM OTHER AREAS OF THE STATE, RIGHT? WE CAN'T COMPETE ON THE LEVEL THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DO AT OUR CURRENT PAY.
WE LOSE OFFICERS TO OTHER LOCAL AGENCIES OFTEN.
WE ARE A TRAINING GROUND FOR OFFICERS LOOKING TO EXPERIENCE TO AID THEM IN GETTING A JOB ELSEWHERE.
MAYOR CROCKER, YOU MADE COMPENSATION FOR POLICE A CAMPAIGN PROMISE. I PUBLICLY INVITE YOU TO MAKE GOOD ON THIS VOW. MAKE VICTORIA A DESTINATION AGENCY. MAKE US COMPETITIVE.
DON'T MAKE THIS YEAR'S RAISES EXCLUSIVE TO THE CITY MANAGER AND THE CITY ATTORNEY. DURING YOUR UPCOMING BUDGET MEETINGS, MAKE CITY STAFF PRESENT TO YOU PAY PLANS THAT RESTORE PARODY TO PAY FOR YOUR PROFESSIONAL POLICE OFFICERS.
BE BRAVE, MAINTAIN, OR INCREASE THE TAX RATE IF NECESSARY.
RETAIN YOUR TRAINED OFFICERS. SO THAT BRAND NEW BUILDING DOES NOT ECHO EMPTY. JUST AS AN ASIDE, LOOK AT THE POPOLICE DEPARTMENT'S FACEBOOK PAGE.
LOOK AT THE GOOD WORK THAT THE OFFICERS FOR THIS CITY DO.
BOTH AS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS BUT AS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OFFICERS. THEY ARE ALL OVER THIS TOWN.
THEY ALWAYS PAINT THE CITY IN A GREAT LIGHT.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MR. COLLINS.
I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS. AND I HAVE ONE LAST ONE.
WOOD ROW WILSON WAGNER 2-RB. >> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR.
COUNCIL. MY NAME IS WOODROW WILSON WAGNER. I'M HERE TO EXPRESS MY THANKS TO UHV ALUMNUS AND COUNCILWOMAN JOSEPHINE SOLIZ.
NOW, JOCEY, I KNOWW YOU STILL HAVE FIVE MORE MEETINGS TO GO.
AND YOU ARE NOT RESIGNING. I THOUGHT THIS SUPER TUESDAY, AS WE LOOK AT SO MANY PUBLIC OFFICIALS ALL ACROSS THE NATION, IT IS A GOOD TIME TO LOOK AT PUBLIC OFFICIALS IN OUR OWN BACKYARD, ESPECIALLY THE ONES LIKE YOU, JOSIE, WHO HAVE GIVEN SO MUCH TO THIS COMMUNITY. WHEN I THINK ABOUT JOSIE AND HER YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE CITY OF-- THE CITY OF VICTORIA, I
[00:20:03]
THINK ABOUT HER SERVICE TO THE ENTIRE GOLDEN CRESCENT REGION AND THE STATE OF TEXAS. I'M REMINDED OF A PHRASE THAT HAS BEEN THE ANTHEM FOR MANY LATINOS IN OUR COMMUNITY.POWER IS IN SERVICE BECAUSE GOD IS LOVE.
JOSIE'S POWER IS NOT DERIVED FROM AN OFFICE OR A TITLE OR SITTING BEHIND THE DAIS. SHE HAS ALWAYS BEEN MORE INTERESTED IN EMPOWERING OTHERS RATHER THAN YIELDING POWER HERSELF. SHE HAS BEEN A CONSTANT CHAMPION FOR ALL THINGS SOUTH SIDE AND NORTH SIDE AND EAST SIDE AND WEST SIDE. AND SHE HAS MADE SURE THAT THE NEEDS AND VIEWS OF THE CITIZENS WHO HAVE SOMETIMES BEEN FORGOTTEN ARE LISTENED TO. NONE OF US WILL EVER FORGET THAT SAD DAY IN 2021 WHEN OUR BELOVED RALEIGH MCCOY PASSED AWAY AND HOW JOSIE STEPPED IN AND FULFILLED THE MAYORAL DUTIES.
SHE DID SO WITH IMMENSE GRACE, STRENGTH, AND DETERMINATION.
SHE PROVIDED OUR CITY GOVERNMENT WITH THE STABILITY AND FUNCTIONALITY AND WILL ALWAYS BE EXTREMELY FOR OUR-- WE WILL ALWAYS BE EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR HER NURTURING LEADERSHIP.
AS WE GET READY TO PASS THE TORCH, AND WE LOOK AT STEPHEN KITER, I PRAY THAT JOSIE'S LEGACY OF SENSITIVITY WILL CARRY ON. LIKE JOSIE, I BELIEVE THAT STEVE WILL DERIVE POWER FROM A SERVANT'S HEART TO CONTINUE PAVING A PATH OF PROGRESS FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
NO PRESSURE, STEVE. AS WE CELEBRATE ANOTHER TUESDAY, A SUPER TUESDAY, LET'S REMEMBER PUBLIC SERVANTS LIKE JOSEPHINE SOLIZ. SOCIAL MEDIA RANTS DON'T BUILD ROADS, PROVIED BETTER DRAINAGE OR KEEP CITIZENS SAFE.
QUALITY PUBLIC SERVANTS LIKE JOSEPHINE SOLIZ DO THAT.
THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN, FOR USING YOUR POWER TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF THIS COMMUNITY. POWER IS IN SERVICE BECAUSE GOD IS LOVE. THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN.
>> THANK YOU FOR THOSE KIND WORDS.
>> THANK YOU, MR. WAGNER. OKAY.
THOSE ARE ALL THE CARDS THAT I HAVE.
SO LET'S MOVE ON TO ITEM C. SECTION C, RATHER.
ITEMS WITH PUBLIC HEARINGS. >> ITEM C-1 AN ORDINANCE
[1. An ordinance declaring unopposed candidates elected to the offices of City Council District 1, District 2, and District 4. Emergency Reading. April Hilbrich, City Secretary]
DECLARING UNOPPOSED CANDIDATES ELECTED TO THE OFFICES OF CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT ONE, DISTRICT TWO, AND DISTRICT FOUR.THIS IS AN EMERGENCY READING. (SPEAKING GLOBAL LANGUAGE).
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I'M GOING TO KIND OF WING IT. I DON'T HAVE A PRESENTATION AS A POWER POINT. JUST SOME WORDING.
AS THE CITY SECRETARY, WHEN YOU HAVE ON POSED CANDIDATES, IN A SINGLE-MEMBER DISTRICT AND THERE IS NOT A MEASURE OR A PROPOSITION ON THE BALLOT, THE CITY CAN DECLARE THOSE UNOPPOSED CANDIDATES ELECTED. WE HAVE DONE THIS IN THE PAST.
WE DON'T HAVE DISTRICTS ONE, TWO, AND FOUR, THERE IS ONE CANDIDATE IN EACH RACE. AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AFTER THE DEADLINE, OF THE WRITE-IN KANDDAY DA SI, I'M REQUIRED TO DELIVER A CERTIFICATION TO YOU. THAT WE DO HAVE UNOPPOSED CANDIDATES. BASICALLY, BY DECLARING THEM ELECTED, WE ARE KIND OF CANCELING THE ELECTION FOR THOSE DISTRICTS. SO THERE IS A COPY OF THE CERTIFICATION AT EACH OF YOUR PLACES THERE ON THE DAIS.
AND SO IF-- THIS IS AN EMERGENCY READING.
SO IF YOU VOTE AFFIRMATIVE FOR THIS ACTION, THIS ORDINANCE, WE WILL DECLARE THOSE THREE INDIVIDUALS ELECTED.
WE WILL STILL HAVE AN ELECTION FOR DISTRICT THREE.
WE DO HAVE TWO CANDIDATES IN THAT RACE.
IN THE LATTER HALF OF APRIL, WE WILL BEGIN THE EARLY VOTING FOR THOSE RACES. AND THEN MAY 4 WILL BE THE ACTUAL ELECTION FOR DISTRICT THREE.
ANY QUESTIONS? >> ANY QUESTIONS? OKAY. THANK YOU, MS. HILBRICH.
I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING, THEN, FOR ITEM C-1.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THAT MATTER? SEEING NONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
AND ENTERTAIN ANY MOTIONS FROM THE DAIS.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND ON ITEM C-1.
ALL IN FAVOR, SAY IEVMENT. >> AYE.
[00:25:04]
ITEM C-2. >> ITEM C-2, AN ORDINANCE
[2. An ordinance approving a budget amendment to the FY2024 budget in the amount of $221,500.00 to cover the cost of modifications to prevent water intrusion at the City's Public Works Facility. First Reading.Wesley Janecek, Assistant Finance Director]
APPROVING A BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR THE FY2024 BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $221 5RBGS00 TO COVER THE COST OF MODIFICATIONS TO PREVENT WATER INTRUSION IN THE CITY'S PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY.THE FIRST READING. >> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. I REALIZE I SOUND LIKE I HAVE BEEN IN A FISTFIGHT WITH MY ALLERGIES AND I HAVE BEEN LOSING. BEAR WITH ME.
I'LL TRY TO KEEP IT SHORT. SO WE ARE REPRESENTING HERE A BUDGET AMENDMENT TO DO SOME REPAIRS ON OUR PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY. THE FACILITY, A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY. IT WAS CONSTRUCTED IN 2014.
IT IS A METAL BUILDING. METAL EXTERIOR.
STRUCTURAL STEEL. IT IS FINISHED ON HALF OF THE INTERIOR WITH CONDITIONED OFFICES AND MEETING SPACES.
THINGS OF THE LIKE. THE BUILDING SERVES AS OUR FIELD OPERATION CENTER FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION.
SPECIFICALLY, UTILITIES, TRAFFIC CONTROL, AND STREET DEPARTMENTS.
THE WATER INTRUSION, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED SINCE THE BUILDING WAS COMMISSIONED.
IT HAS BEEN LEAKING WATER INTO THE OFFICE SPACES OF THE BUILDING. DURING HURRICANE HARVEY IN 2017, THE FACILITY EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT INTERIOR DAMAGE DUE TO WATER INTRUSION. AFTER SPEAKING WITH SOME OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE FACILITY, THEY SAID THAT THEY STEPPED INTO SEVERAL INCHES OF WATER IN SOME OF THEIR OFFICES AS THEY ENTERED. IT IS PRETTY EXTREME.
AT THIS TIME, ANY LITTLE RAIN THAT BLOWS SIDEWAYS ON TO THE WALL OF THE BUILDING, THE WATER WILL COME AROUND THE TRIM OF THE WINDOWS AND INTO THE BUILDING. THAT IS WHERE WE FOUND OUR PROBLEM TO BE. WE HAVE DONE SEVERAL THINGS TO MITIGATE THIS. EXTENSIVE CAULKING AND SALING, TAPING, AND WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO STOP THE WATER FROM COMING IN THE FACILITY. OOPS.
TOO MANY. SO-- DID I GO WAY TOO MANY? OKAY. SO WE CAME UP WITH A SCOPE OF WORK WE THOUGHT WOULD REMEDY THIS WITH THE HELP OF SOME OF OUR LOCAL CONTRACTORS. THE SCOPE INCLUDES REMOVING THE EXISTING METAL SIDING, INSTALLING METAL STUDS SURROUNDING THE ENTIRE CONDITIONED SPACE OF THE BUILDING. WE WILL INSTALL SHEATHING WITH A MOISTURE BARRIER. WE WILL REINSTALL THE SIDING, SEAL THE WINDOWS. WE WILL REMOVE THE EXISTING FLOORING THROUGHOUT THE BUILDING.
THE FLOORING IS PARTIALLY REMOVED RIGHT NOW AS IT WAS SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGED DURING HURRICANE HARVEY.
THE REMAINING FLOORING IS ALSO SLIGHTLY DAMAGED.
IN SPOTS,, IT IS THAT VINYL WOOD-LOOK FLOORING.
THAT WILL BE REMOVED. WE WILL STAIN AND SEAL THE CONCRETE. WE FELT THAT WAS APPROPRIATE FLOORING FOR THAT FACILITY. IT SEES HEAVY SOILED BOOTS AND THE LIKE. WE THOUGHT THAT FINISHED CONCRETE MAY STAND UP A LITTLE BIT BETTER TO THE TEST OF TIME THERE. AS FOR THE COST OF THE REMEDIATION, WE DID A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS.
IT WAS ISSUED ON JANUARY 15. IT YIELDED ONE PROPOSAL FROM PRESTIGE BUILDING GROUP OF HOUSTON, TEXAS.
PRETEENAGE SEEMS TO HAVE SOME EXAPPEARANCE WITH THIS TYPE OF JOB SPECIFICALLY. THEY HAD SOME IMAGES AND REFERENCES THAT WE CHECKED OF CLIENTS OF THEIRS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES AND HAVE SINCE BEEN REMEDIATED.
THE TOTAL COST OF REMEDIATION IS $22 #,500.
THAT IS THE END OF THE PRESENTATION.
I'LL BE HAPPY TO FIELD ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE.
>> WITH NO QUESTIONS, THEN,LY OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM C-2. BUDGET AMENDMENT.
ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK TO THIS MATTER, PLEASE COME TO THE MIC.
SEEING NONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ENTERTAIN ANY
MOTIONS RELATED TO ITEM C-2. >> SO MOVED.
>> SECOND. >> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM C-2. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
>> AYE. >> OPPOSED, LIKE SIGN.
[D. CONSENT AGENDA]
ON TO SECTION D. CONSENT AGENDA.>> ITEM D-1 IS THE ADOPTION AND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 20, 2024. D-2, AN APPLICATION TO FEMA'S 2023 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT.
TO FUND A VEHICLE EXHAUST REMOVAL SYSTEM FOR FIRE STATION NUMBER FOUR AND AN ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF $52,207.
[00:30:01]
OLUTION APPROVING THE RENEWAL OF THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY'S EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS.>> I MOVE WE ADOPT AGENDA-- THE CONSENT AGENERAL DAMENT.
>> I'LL SECOND. >> A MOTION AND A SECOND TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS READ.
ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. >> AYE.
>> OPPOSED, SAME SIGN. THANK YOU.
[1. Appoint/Reappoint members to the Tourism Advisory Board. April Hilbrich, City Secretary]
I HAVE SECTION E. ACTION ITEMS FOR COUNCILDISCUSSION. >> E-1, IS A RESOLUTION APPOINTING OR REAPPOINTING MEMBERS TO THE TOURISM ADVISORY
BOARD. >> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. SO TONIGHT THERE ARE SEVERAL APPOINTMENTS OR REAPPOINTMENTS THAT NEED TO BE MADE TO THE TOURISM ADVISORY BOARD. THE RESOLUTION BEFORE YOU MAY BE A LITTLE CONFUSING. I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT.
I TRIED TO EXPLAIN IT THE BEST I COULD IN THE AGENDA ITEM.
SO THE FUNCTION OF THE BOARD WAS CREATED TO ADVICE THE CVB ON MATTERS THAT ARE REFERRED TO FOR PROMOTION OF TOURISM.
THE COMPOSITION. THIS IS A LARGE BOARD.
18 TOTAL MEMBERS. 13 OF THEM ARE VOTING MEMBERS.
FIVE EX OFFICIO MEMBERS. NO ONE CAN SERVE MORE THAN THREE CONSECUTIVE COMPLETE TERMS. AS I EXPLAINED TO THE MAYOR EARLIER, JOEL AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THESE APPOINTMENTS SINCE DECEMBER. IT SEEMED LIKE EVERY TIME WE TURNED AROUND, SOMEBODY ELSE WOULD RESIGN OR SOMETHING WOULD HAPPEN. WE KEPT PUSHING IT OFF AND PUSHING IT OFF. I APOLOGIZE THAT IT IS COMING TO Y'ALL A LITTLE LATE. WE WERE TRYING TO GET IT ALL AT ONE TIME. GO BACK.
THERE IS THREE THAT REPRESENT THE LODGING AND ACCOMMODATION INDUSTRY. TWO WITH THE ARTS.
ONE WITH HISTORIC PRESERVATION. ONE WITH UHB.
ONE WITH REPRESENTING THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS DISTRICT.
ONE IN THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE INDUSTRY.
ONE IN RETAIL SHOPPING. ONE IN ATTRACTIONS.
ONE IN SPORTS AND OUTDOOR TOURISM.
THE EX OFFICIO ARE THE CVB DIRECTOR, CITY MANAGER, THE PUBLIC LIBRARY DIRECTOR AND THE PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR.
THE APPOINTMENTS TONIGHT WILL BE MADE FROM SEVERAL OF THOSE CATEGORIES. THE THREE LODGING.
PLACEMENTS. THE ONE FOR HISTORICAL PRESERVATION. ONE FOR UHV.
TWO FOR THE ARTS. ONE FOR SPORTS AND OUTDOOR TOURISM. SO FIRST THE DISCUSSION OR WHAT I WOULD LIKE YOU GUYS TO CONSIDER IS REAPPOINTING THE THREE LODGING INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES.
JAMES REARDON,-- THEY ARE ALL SEENING REAPPOINTMENT.
IF YOU WISH TO DO SO. >> CONSENSUS ON REAPPOINTMENT.
I MEAN, I KNOW THIS IS GOING TO BE --
>> I THINK SHE IS LOOKING FOR SOME DIRECTION.
I PICKED UP ON. THAT I'M NOT SMART, BUT I'M COACHABLE. (LAUGHTER) BECAUSE THERE IS SO MANY, WE NEED TO TAKE THESE A LITTLE BIT PIECEMEAL AND GET CONSENSUS. AND FIGURE OUT WHERE WE AGREE ON THESE. ANY ISSUES WITH THE REAPPOINTMENT OF THESE THREE ON THERE.
>> ALL RIGHT. >> THE REAPPOINTMENT OF THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HISTORICAL PRESERVATION HERE IN VICTORIA.
>> HE WAS THE ONLY APPLICANT. >> YES.
HE CURRENTLY SERVES ON THE BOARD.
>> AGREE. >> THOSE TWO THINGS ARE DECIDED.
NOW WE MOVE TO THE HARD STUFF. FOR APPOINTMENTS, WELL, THE FIRST ONE IS A LITTLE BIT EASY. JAY LAMBERT WITH UHB RESIGNED HIS POSITION ON THE BOARD. AND UHB HAD ANOTHER REPRESENTATIVE, JENNIFER ORTIZ GARZA.
THE DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT FOR UHB.
SHE HAS SUBMITTED HER APPLICATION TO REPRESENT THEM.
SHE IS THE ONLY APPLICANT ON THAT.
IN THAT CATEGORY. >> AGREE WITH APPOINTING
JENNIFER. >> THUS FAR, YOU ARE DOING GREAT. (LAUGHTER).
>> NOW HERE IS THE REAL HARD PART.
>> I WAS GOING TO SAY WHAT'S HARD ABOUT THAT ONE?
>> THAT ONE IS EASY. THAT WAS AN ADD-IN.
AT THE LAST MINUTE THERE. TWO POSITIONS FOR THE ARTS NEED TO BE APPOINTED. IN THE FOUR APPLICANTS THAT WE HAVE FOR ARTS, ONE OF THEM CURRENTLY SERVES ON THE BOARD.
MS. TALLY. THEN WE HAVE THREE ADDITIONAL APPLICATION THAT IS WERE SUBMITTED.
FOR THAT POSITION. MR. BUTTMORE.
MICHAELTEER. THEY HAVE SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS. THERE IS BALLOTS ON THE DAIS FOR EACH OF YOU THAT INCLUDE YOUR NAMES.
YOU CAN'T VOTE BY SECRET BALLOT. CIRCLE TWO PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD ELECT TO APPOINT TO THAT POSITION.
I'LL COME AROUND AND COLLECT THE BALLOTS.
THE BALLOTS ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE IN MY OFFICE FOR REVIEW IF ANYONE HAS QUESTIONS ABOUT THOSE.
[00:35:33]
>> SO YOU GUYS MADE MY JOB PRETTY EASY TONIGHT ON THIS ONE TOO. WREN BRENDA TALLY RECEIVED A VOTE BY EVERYONE. MICHAEL TIER RECEIVED THE MAJORITY. THOSE TWO NAMES WOULD BE THE POSITIONS FOR ARTS. THE LAST ONE, WE HAVE THREE APPLICANTS FOR THE POSITION OF SPORTS AND OUTDOOR TOURISM.
WE NEED TO FILL ONE SPOT. ALL SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS FOR THE SPORTS AND OUTDOOR TOURISM. IF YOU WILL CIRCLE ONE APPLICANT FOR THAT SPOT. I'LL COME AROUND AND COLLECT THE BALL OS AGAIN. IT HAS YOUR NAME.
THEY ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE IN MY OFFICE TO REVIEW.
>> SHE IS SMILING. >> IT IS A TIE.
THREE FOR MR. MARTINEZ. THREE FOR MR. BILES.
IF YOU HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CANDIDATES, JOEL IS ALSO HERE. ME PROBABLY KNOWS MORE ABOUT THESE GENTLEMEN THAN I DO. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM
HIM, YOU ARE WELCOME AS WELL. >> HEAR FROM JOEL.
I'LL LEAVE IT TO THE DAIS. YES?
>> JOEL, PLEASE. >> I HAVE TO SAY, I MEAN, RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A TIE VOTE. I MEAN, ALL OF THOSE APPLICANTS ARE VERY WORTHY. I'M WILLING TO CONSIDER CHANGING
I'M HAPPY TO SPEAK FACTUALLY ABOUT THESE TWO CANDIDATES.
I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH MR. STEPHEN BILES.
MR. MARTINEZ, I AM FAMILIAR WITH.
HE RUNS THE PRODIGY FAST-PITCHED TOURNAMENTS.
HE HAS BEEN AN AWARDE FOR THE HOT FUNDS AWARDS FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. HE ORGANIZE IT IS FAST PITCH TOURNAMENTS FOR THE TAF WINTER GAMES AS WELL AS A NUMBER OF FAST-PITCH TOURNAMENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
I KNOW THAT MR. BILES REPRESENTS VICTORIA YOUTH-- I'M NOT PERSONALLY FAMILIAR WITH HIM.
THOSE ARE THE TWO WAYS I CAN SPEAK FACTUALLY ON THE
CANDIDATES. >> WHY DON'T WE VOTE ONE MORE TIME? SEE WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.
GO FROM THERE. >> DOES ANYBODY HAVE A COIN?
>> THAT WAS THE NEXT SUGGESTION. >> A 4-2 VOTE FOR MR. MARTINEZ.
I HAD ASKED COUNCILWOMAN SCOTT TO KEEP TRACK OF NAMES FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE MOTION. I THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE GOOD.
>> IT IS ON THE SCREEN. >> BUT THESE ARE ALL OF THE --
>> YEAH. IF YOU READ THEM OFF OF HERE,
YOU CAN FOLLOW PRETTY MUCH. >> COME ON.
JOSEPHINE IS VOLUNTEERING. >> WOULD YOU LIKE HER NOTES?
>> I CAN FIGURE THIS ONE OUT. (LAUGHTER) I LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ACCEPT THE NOMINATIONS FOR THE-- OH, WHAT WAS IT? LET ME GO BACK.
OF THE TOURISM ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE LODGING, BRENDA, JAMES WEARDON. UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON, JENNIFER ORTIZ GARZA. ARTS, BRENDA TALLY.
AND MICHAEL TEER, SPORTS AND TOURISM.
>> EXCELLENT MOTION. >> I WILL SECOND THAT.
>> IS THERE A SECOND? >> I SECOND.
>> OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
TO APPOINT THOSE NAMES INTO THE RESOLUTION.
ALL IN FAVOR, SAY IEVMENT. >> AYE.
>> THANK YOU. >> IT IS NICE TO HAVE SUCH
EXCELLENT CANDIDATES. >> IT IS.
[1. Update City on Drought Contingencies. Ken Gill, Director of Public Works]
[00:40:02]
OKAY. ITEM F IS CITY MANAGER REPORTSFROM MR. GARZA. >> ABSOLUTELY.
WE HAVE ONE UPDATE FOR YOU THIS EVENING.
AND K KENGILL WILL SPEARHEAD IT. IT IS AN UPDATE ON THE DROUGHT
CONTINGENCY PLAN. >> GOOD EVENING.
TODAY WE WILL TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT DROUGHT CONTINGENCY AND THE GOAL IS GET Y'ALL'S INPUT AND FEEDBACK AS WE GO THROUGH THERE. WE WILL KIND OF GO OVER WHAT IT WAS-- BACKWARDS, JAMES. I DID.
TOPICS AND AGENDA. WHY DROUGHT CONTINGENCY? SOME BACKGROUND. WHEN IT WAS STARTED, WHY WE HAVE A DROUGHT CONTINGENCY ORDINANCE. SOME OF THE DROUGHT STAGES THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST KIND OF GO OVER THEM AGAIN.
DROUGHT RESTRICTIONS, GO OVER THOSE.
A LITTLE BIT OF AWARENESS AGAIN. AND THEN SOME PUBLIC AWARENESS.
WHERE WE WANT TO GO TO GET THE PUBLIC MORE INVOLVED.
THE KEY ASPECTS OF THE DROUGHT ORDINANCE WITH SOME RECOMMENDATIONS AND THEN WHAT'S NEXT.
WHY WATER CONSERVATION. WATER IS LIMITED RESOURCE.
WE ALL KNOW THAT. AS WE WATCH THE NEWS AND SEE THINGS, I SAW AN ARTICLE ABOUT GEORGETOWN.
IN TEXAS YESTERDAY. THAT MADE NATIONAL-- IT IS CR CRAZY, BUT TIMES ARE CHANGING. 20 YEARS AGO, NOBODY EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT WATER. BUT NOW IT IS A BIG ISSUE.
WE HAVE SEEN PAST SUMMERS HOTTER AND DRIER.
WATER CONSERVATION, IT AFFECTS EVERYONE.
IT IS NOT JUST ONE PERSON. IT IS EVERYBODY.
MORE PEOPLE, BIGGER POPULATIONS MEANS MORE WATER CONSUMPTION.
AND WITHOUT WATER, ECONOMIC GROWTH.
THAT IS A BIG FACTOR FOR A LOT OF COMPANIES COMING IN.
AND WHAT WE HAVE SEEN OR WHAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN HERE IN A WHILE IS DROUGHTS, THEY CAN BE SEASONAL. OR THEY CAN GO ON FOR YEARS.
WE KNOW CALIFORNIA, FOR YEARS AND YEARS, WENT ON FOR LONG PERIODS OF DROUGHT. LOOKING AT CANYON LAKE, IT IS PRETTY LOW. THEY ARE IN STAGE TWO RIGHT NOW.
AND THEN THE OTHER REASON IS WE WANT TO SUSTAIN THE BAYS, THE LAKES, AND RIVERS. KEEP THE WATER FLOWING.
WE HAVE CAN'T JUST, YOU KNOW, MAKE GOOD LEUP GUADELOUPE RIVER EMPTY. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE CITIZENS TO KNOW WE DID A GREAT JOB DURING THE FREEZE THIS LAST ONE.
DURING THE FREEZE, WE WERE UPWARDS OF 18 TO 20 MILLION GALLONS DURING THE HEART OF THE FREEZE.
WE GOT THE WORD OUT. WE TALKED TO THE PUBLIC.
WE TALKED TO THOSE BIG USERS. DURING THIS LAST FREEZE, WE AVERAGED ABOUT 15 MILLION GALLONS.
IT WAS THREE MILLION, THREE TO FOUR MILLION OVER OUR AVERAGE.
THAT IS WHERE, I THINK, THE PUBLIC, WE CAN CONSERVE.
IF WE CAN CONSERVE WATER, WE ARE HITTING A HOME RUN.
I WENT TOO FAST AGAIN. INFLUENCES.
ON THE WATER SUPPLY. THIS ONE IS JUST BROAD-REACHING.
YOU HAVE WATER PERMITS. YOU HAVE WATER CONSUMPTION.
YOU HAVE RIVER FLOWS. YOU HAVE-- THEN YOU HAVE THE PUMP CAPACITIES AT OUR PUMP STATIONS.
WE HAVE OCRS. OFF-CHANNEL RESERVOIRS.
HOW MUCH IS IN THERE? THEN YOU HAVE THE WEATHER YOU HAVE TO FACTOR. IN AND THEN WHAT TIME OF THE YEAR. THERE IS A LOT OF STRATEGIES AND A LOT OF THOUGHT PROCESS WHEN WE LOOK AT WHERE WE ARE WITH OUR WATER SUPPLY. WE LOOK AT ALL OF THESE FACTORS.
AND IT IS PRETTY COMPLEX. BUT ALL OF THEM INFLUENCE OUR WATER SYSTEM. SOME BACKGROUND.
DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN, THE-- WE MONITOR THE WATER SUPPLY OR CONDITIONS. SOME OF THE TRIGGERING CRITERIA BASED ON WATER SUPPLIES IS OUR PERMIT TO WITHDRAW APPROXIMATELY 20,000 ACRE FEET FROM THE RIVER. THAT IS OUR LARGEST PERMIT.
AND THAT WAS-- WE FILED IT IN 1993.
IT WAS GRANTED IN '96. THIS SHOWS YOU HOW LONG WE STARTED THE PROCESS. I GOT HERE IN '91.
WE WERE ALREADY TALKING TO TCQ ABOUT GETTING RIVER PERMITS.
SO IT'S BEEN-- I MEAN, THIS WASN'T JUST THOUGHT OF OVERNIGHT. IT IS A LONG PROCESS.
WE LOOK AT TRIGGERING EVENTS BASED ON OUR LEVELS AND OUR OFF-CHANNEL RESERVOIRS. AND THEN YOU ALSO LOOK AT EMERGENCY CONDITIONS. IT IS INITIATED PER TCEQ.
[00:45:01]
THAT IS SOMETHING THAT TCQ HAD DEVELOPED.A KIND OF A DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR OTHER CITIES TO MODEL AND WHAT THINGS YOU HAVE TO HAVE.
THAT IS WHY WHEN YOU LISTEN ON THE NEWS, WE HAVE DROUGHT STAGE TWO. YOU MAY HEAR SAN ANTONIO, DROUGHT STAGE TWO. THEY ARE ALL VERY SIMILAR.
THAT WAY, IF YOU MOVE TO ANOTHER CITY, AND YOU HEAR STAGE TWO, STAGE THREE, STAGE-- YOU KNOW THE BIGGER THE NUMBER, THE MORE SERIOUS IT IS. TCQ DID THAT FOR A PURPOSE TO KEEP CONSISTENCY. THE ORDINANCE HAS TO BE REVIEWED AND UPDATED EVERY FIVE YEARS. THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WE ARE HERE, TO GET YOUR FEEDBACK. YOU KNOW, ANY CHANGES, ANY ADDITIONS THAT WE CAN MAKE. I'M GOING TO KIND OF GO OVER THIS. OUR CURRENT STAGES.
AGAIN, THESE ARE GUIDELINES THAT WE HAVE.
MILD SHORTAGE CONDITIONS. WE ARE TRYING TO REDUCE 2%.
THAT IS WHEN RIVER FALLS BELOW NORMAL FLOWS BUT STILL ALLOWS 10% DIVERSION. EACH MONTH, TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BACKGROUND, EACH MONTH, WE ARE GIVING THE RIVERS BASED ON THE FLOW AT OUR GAUGE STATION ON MOODY STREET.
SO EVERY MONTH THAT, RIVER FLOW HAS TO BE A CERTAIN AMOUNT FOR US TO PULL OUT OF THAT 20,000-ACRE FEET PERMIT.
TOTO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF HOW MUH WATER THAT IS, THAT IS ENOUGH WATER, IF WE PUMPED OUR MAXIMUM RATE OF ABOUT 45 ACRE A DAY DURING THE SUMMER, THAT IS 16,000 ACRE FEET.
THAT IS A LOT OF WATER. STAGE TWO IS A MODERATE WATER SHORTAGE. THAT IS 5% REDUCTION IN WATER USE. THAT IS WHEN IT FALLS BELOW THOSE LOW FLOWS. THEN YOU HAVE SEVERE WATER SHORTAGE WHICH IS 10% REDUCTION. AND THAT IS WHERE WE GET INTO THE OFF-CHANNEL RESERVOIR ELEVATIONS.
AND THAT IS WHEN IT FALLS BELOW 42 FEET OR APPROXIMATELY 50% CAPACITY. AND AT THAT POINT, WE MAY IMPLEMENT GROUNDWATER EXCHANGE. WE DON'T HAVE TO.
BUT WE MAY. CRITICAL WATER SHORTAGE IS 15% REDUCTION IN WATER USE. THAT IS WHERE WATER-- YOU KNOW, WE BASE THAT OFF OUR OFF-CHANNEL RESERVOIRS.
FALLING BELOW 37 FEET OR 75% DRAWDOWN.
THAT ONE YOU HAVE TO ENTER INTO THE GROUNDWATER EXCHANGE PROGRAM. IN STAGE FIVE, EMERGENCY WATER SHORTAGE, THAT IS WHERE IT IS A 50% REDUCTION IN WATER USE.
THAT IS PUMPING CAPACITY EXCEEDING BY CUSTOMER DEMAND.
THERE IS A STAGE SIX. WE DON'T SHOW IT UP HERE.
STAGE SIX IS JUST WATER RATIONING.
BASICALLY, YOU JUST-- YOU ARE ALMOST DONE.
AND THEN OUR RESTRICTIONS FOR CUSTOMERS, THIS FOLLOWS WITH OUR $THE STAGE THAT IS WE ARE IN. AND THERE IS A VOLUNTARY LIMIT IRRIGATION. 6:00 A.M. TO 10:00 A.M.
AND 8:00 P.M. TO 12:00 A.M. THEN THE MODERATE, STAGE TWO, IS THE SAME HOURS. AND YOU KNOW, POSITIVE SHUTOFF ON YOUR WATER HOSE. BASICALLY, YOU HAVE A NOZZLE THAT YOU CAN TURN OFF. TIME LIMITS FOR CAR-WASHING AND FILLING THE POOLS. AND RESTRICTIONS FOR GOLF COURSES. UNLESS IT IS BY A WATER WELL.
ALL THE GOLF COURSES DO HAVE WATER WELLS.
SEVERE WATER SHORTAGE WHICH IS STAGE THREE.
CONTINUED WITH LIMITED WATER TIMES.
AND THEN WE GO TO DESIGNATED DAYS.
THAT IS ON A TUESDAY. I MEAN, A WEDNESDAY AND A SATURDAY. AND A THURSDAY AND A SUNDAY.
AND THEN NO WATER USAGE FOR WASHING BUILDINGS, SIDEWALKS.
RESTAURANTS SERVE WATER WHEN REQUESTED BY PATRONS.
STAGE FOUR, IS DESIGNATED WATERING DAYS.
WITH HAND-POSITIVE SHUTOFF ONLY. DRIP IRRIGATION IS STILL OKAY.
PROHIBIT CAR-WASHING EXCEPT BY A COMMERCIAL FACILITY.
AND DURING ABOVE TIMES. AN EMERGENCY WATER SHORTAGE, YOU GET INTO RATIONING. CONDITIONS THREATEN PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY. THAT IS AUTHORIZED BY CITY MANAGER. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE WORKING ON AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON BUT WE REALLY WANT O GET THE WORD OUT IS THE PUBLIC AWARENESS.
THAT IS KEY TO THE CITIZENS. DO WATER BILLING INSERTS IN MAY.
TO LET CITIZENS KNOW, HEY, SURGER IS COMING UP.
BE CONSCIOUS OF CONSERVING WATER.
WATER-WISE BOOTH. WE HAVE ONE SET UP AT THE UTILITY BUILDING FOR YOU. I WILL SHOW YOU A PICTURE OF THAT NEXT. WE HAVE WANT TO TEAM UP WITH
[00:50:01]
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES WHEN THEY DO THE CLEANUPS.AND THEY DO OTHER PROGRAMS. GET INVOLVED WITH THEM.
GET SOME HANDOUTS TO THE CITIZENS.
THE OTHER ONE I WANT TO DO THAT I THOUGHT ABOUT, THIS IS, AGAIN, GETTING SOME FEEDBACK AND INPUT FROM YOUR-- THE PORT ABLE MESSAGE SITES. WE HAVE THOSE.
YOU WILL SEE THEM ON A CONSTRUCTION SITE.
YOU WILL DRIVE UP. IT SAYS "RIGHT LANE CLOSED." YOU WILL DRIVE. IT WILL SAY, HEY, ROAD TO BE CLOSED, YOU KNOW, NEXT WEEK OR LANE SHIFTED.
PEOPLE PAY ATTENTION TO THOSE. I MEAN, YOU DRIVE DOWN TO NAVARRO, IF YOU SEE ONE OF THOSE SIGNS UP, YOU ARE GOING TO READ IT. WELL, LET'S PUT THOSE UP.
WHEN WE ARE GETTING INTO DROUGHT STAGE TWO OR THREE, GOD FORBID, LET'S PUT THOSE UP. PUT THEM ON NAVARRO.
LET'S PUT THEM ON HOUSTON. I WOULD LIKE TO GET TWO OF THEM.
KIND OF STAGE THEM IN PLACES. WE CAN MOVE THEM AROUND, GET WHERE EVERYBODY SEES THEM. AGAIN, CITIZENS ACADEMY PRESENTATIONS. TOWN TALK.
SPECIAL PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS.
THE DOOR-HANGERS ARE FOR VIOLATIONS.
WE HAVE BEEN HANDING THOSE OUT IN THE PAST.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAND THOSE OUT.
JUST AS A WARNING TO GET CITIZENS-- YOU KNOW, IF YOU DID WATER, OOPS. I DIDN'T PAY ATTENTION IT TO.
THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION. ANY QUESTIONS SO FAR?
>> I HAVE A QUESTION, KEN. I SEE THAT THIS ONE HAS ON STAGE TWO, IT IS RED. WHEN YOU GO AND HANG THIS ON THE DOOR, ARE YOU TELLING THE PERSON THAT THEY ARE AT STAGE TWO AND
THEY ARE IN VIOLATION? >> YES.
>> WHENEVER THEY ARE PASSING TO STAGE THREE --
>> THAT ONE WOULD GO TO RED. THE OTHER ONE WOULD GO TO DARK.
THE OTHER THING. IT IS NOT 12:00 P.M.
IT IS 12:00 A.M. THAT IS AN AGGIE THING.
THAT IS ME. LY TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THAT.
I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY THOSE TIMES.
YOU KNOW, WHY 6:00 A.M. OR IS IT-- YEAH.
AND THEN 8:00 TO 12:00. THE MORNING WAS SET UP THAT WAY BECAUSE IN THE EVENINGS, OUR WATER PLANT BACK-WASHES.
WE HAVE SIX FILTERS. WE BACK-WASH ONE EVERY EVENING.
THAT IS 250,000 GALLONS TO BACK-WASH THAT FILTER.
THAT IS TO GET ALL THE JUNK THAT IS IN IT.
YOU BACK-WASH IT. YOU FLUSH ALL OF THAT SEDIMENT AND MATERIALS OUT TO SETTLE THROUGH.
GET IT OUT. THAT IS A QUARTER OF A MILLION GALLONS. THAT IS A LOT.
THE OTHER THING WE DO IN THE EVENINGS IS WE DO A LOT OF FLUSHING. OF THE MAINS.
WE DO THOSE AT NIGHT. THAT WAY, IT DOESN'T INCONVENIENCE THE PUBLIC. DRIVING THROUGH WATER.
IT IS ALSO EASIER FOR OUR STAFF TO FLUSH WATER AT NIGHT.
SO IN THE EVENING, DURING THAT PEAK TIME, WE ARE BUILDING OUR SYSTEM BACK UP AFTER WE DO THOSE OPERATIONS EARLY IN THE EVENING.
WE ARE BUILDING IT BACK UP FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6:00 A.M.
THE OTHER ONE IN THE EVENING IS, EVERYBODY KNOWS THE BIGGEST FOR ANY CITY, WHEN YOU GET HOME FROM WORK, YOU ARE DOING EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO GET YOUR KIDS BATHED, YOU ARE CLEANING UP.
YOU ARE COOKING. RESTAURANTS ARE FULLY GOING.
AND IT IS JUST A LOT OF WATER USE BETWEEN THAT PEAK TIME OF
>> YES. >> IN THE STAGE FOUR, I ANTICIPATE YOU HAVE THE DESIGNATED WATERING DAYS WITH THE HANDHELD, BUT IT IS ALSO WITH THE LIMITED WATER TIMES AS
>> I WANTED TO VERIFY. >> YES.
IT WOULD BE THE SAME TIMES. GOOD QUESTION.
>> DOES THAT NEED TO BE UPDATED TO REFLECT THAT?
>> IT DOESN'T SAY IT ON THERE. THE LIMITED TIMES ON STAGE FOUR.
>> AND THAT WE CAN UPDATE ON OUR FLYER.
ONE OF THE THINGS -- >> IT IS GOING TO HAVE TO GET
UPDATED ANYWAY WITH THE TIME. >> YEAH.
WITH THE TIME. I HAVE TO REDO THAT.
WITH P.M. TO A.M. POINT TAKEN.
>> CAN YOU GO BACK TO THE ONE THAT SHOWS ALL THE STAGES?
>> THAT ONE. >> THEY ARE-- THERE IS A THINGS ABOUT POOLS ON THAT ONE. NO.
YOU HAD IT. THE ONE THAT WAS UP THERE.
>> THAT ONE IS GREAT. I THOUGHT ON THE ORIGINAL ONE, THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THEY COULD NO LONGER FILL THEIR POOL.
>> IT IS -- >> IT IS NOT LISTED ON HERE.
>> IT IS NOT. WHAT WE DO, IS THERE IS-- IF YOU HAVE A POOL, THERE IS-- DURING ONE OF THE STAGES, YES.
POOLS ARE LIKE NO MORE. THERE ARE SPECIAL EXEMPTIONS IF YOU ARE BUILDING A POOL TO ALLOW THAT POOL TO BE FILLED.
BECAUSE IF YOU BUILD A POOL AND YOU DON'T FILL IT, THAT THING WILL FLOAT. WE HAVE SPECIAL EXEMPTIONS.
[00:55:02]
A LOT OF THESE WE SURELY CAN UPDATE TO GET MORE SPECIFIC AS FAR AS WHAT IS ALLOWED AND WHAT ISN'T DURING SOME OF THESESTAGES. >> STAGE TWO DOES SAY TIME LIMITS FOR CAR-WASHING AND FILLING OF POOLS.
THE QUESTION IS WHEN DOES IT GO FROM LIMITING TO A BAN?
>> WELL, THERE USED TO BE ONE ON THE PREVIOUS THING THAT I SAW.
THERE WAS A TIME WHEN YOU COULDN'T FILL YOUR POOL.
AT ONE OF THE STAGES. I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS STAGE FOUR OR STAGE THREE. I THINK IT WAS STAGE FOUR.
YOU COULDN'T FILL YOUR POOL. >> THAT IS MY RECOLLECTION ALSO.
>> IT IS NOT THERE. THAT IS WHY I ASKED ABOUT IT.
>> I THINK BOTH ARE GOING THROUGH THE ORDINANCE.
WE HAVE A DRAFT ORDINANCE THAT EVENTUALLY, YOU KNOW, WOULD COME TO COUNCIL. IT COULD BE ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE IT IS IN THE ORDINANCE. NOT ON THE SUMMARY SLIDE.
WE WILL CONFIRM. >> IT IS ORNAMENTAL FOUNTAIN OR POOL FOR AESTHETIC OR SCENIC PURPOSES, MAY NOT BE OPERATED.
EXCEPT WHERE NECESSARY TO SUPPORT AQUATIC LIFE.
THIS IS WHAT WE SET UP IN OUR UTILITY BILLING OFFICE.
IT IS KIND OF OUR WATER WISE TABLE.
TRYING TO GET AWARENESS AGAIN OUT.
AS PEOPLE COME IN AND PAY THEIR WATER BILLS.
WE HAVE A WATER WHEEL. IT IS GIVEN OUT WHEN WE GO TO THESE EVENTS AND THINGS. IT IS PRETTY COOL.
YOU SPIN IT OVER AND IT SAYS IF MY FAUCET DRIPS ONE DRIP, HOW MUCH WATER ARE YOU LOSING? HOW MUCH OF THE TOILETS DO YOU USE? 75% OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD WATER USE IS WITH YOUR BATHROOM. AND THAT IS CRAZY TO THINK THAT.
BUT THAT IS TYPICALLY WHERE ALL YOUR WATER IS BEING USED.
A PICTURE OF A MESSAGE BOARD. AN OPTION TO GET OUT THERE.
GET IN FRONT OF THE PUBLIC. THAT IS JUST THE DOOR HANGER.
KIND OF SIDEWAYS. I PUT ONE ON Y'ALL'S DESK.
AND THEN SOME KEY ASPECTS. THESE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT FOR THE DROUGHT ORDINANCE.
SOME CHANGES. THE STAGES ARE BASED OFF OUR OFF-CHANNEL RESERVOIRS. SPECIFICALLY NUMBER EIGHT WHICH IS WHERE THE PUMP STATION IS. PUMPS OUT A NUMB-- PUMP IS OUT OF NUMBER EIGHT. OVER TO OUR WATER PLANT.
WE ARE RECOMMENDING INCREASING THAT LEVEL SLIGHTLY SO THAT BECAUSE-- YOU GET DOWN TO A CERTAIN POINT IN A LAKE WHERE IT IS HARD TO GET BACK. IT IS HARD TO GET THAT WATER BACK. DON'T LET IT GET DOWN TO THAT POINT TO WHERE IT IS-- RIGHT NOW IT IS 50% FOR STAGE THREE.
AND THEN 75%, WE WANT TO INCREASE THOSE SO THAT THERE IS WATER IN RESERVOIR NUMBER EIGHT. WE DO-- THAT IS WHERE OUR PUMPING FACILITY IS. WE HAVE THE OTHER OFF-CHANNEL RESERVOIRS THAT ARE LARGER THAN THAT.
WE DO PUMP FROM THEM MANUALLY. FROM 6:00 TO 8:00.
7:00 TO 6:00. WE GAUGE ALL OF THOSE TOGETHER, BUT THE KEY IS WE JUST DON'T WANT TO LET EIGHT DROP TO A CERTAIN POINT. IT IS HARD TO COME BACK FROM.
THE OTHER SECTION THAT IS A KEY SECTION THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT IS ENFORCEMENT. RIGHT NOW IT'S GOT A TEN-DAY NOTIFICATION, AND THE CITY MAY TERMINATE WATER SERVICE.
THE KEY WORD THERE IS "MAY." AND MAY ONLY BE RECONNECTED WITH A $200 RECONNECTION FEE. IN ADDITION-- OH.
OKAY. IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE PROVISION, THE CITY SHALL SUBJECT THE CUSTOMER TO CRIMINAL PENALTIES. THAT IS CURRENTLY IN OUR DROUGHT STAGE ORDINANCE NOW. THAT KEY WORD, AGAIN, IS "SHALL." THAT IS A VERY LIMITED-- LIMITING PROCESS FOR OUR STAFF. BECAUSE TO DO A CRIMINAL PEN PENALTY, WE HAVE TO GET THE POLICE OUT THERE.
AS YOU KNOW, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THEIR STAFFING IS SHORT. THEY HAVE TO PHYSICALLY SEE SOMEBODY. YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE RECOMMENDED CHANGES ON THAT SECTION IS GOING FROM TEN-DAY TO SEVEN. THOSE THREE DAYS-- IT IS A LOT OF WATER. THEN RECOMMENDING THAT CHANGING THAT WORD ON THAT CRIMINAL PENALTY TO MAY." THAT GIVES US SOME FLEXIBILITY TO PROCEED WITH THAT FIRST ST STAGE. IF WE HAVE TO TURN SOMEBODY'S WATER OFF, AGAIN, OUR KEY IS DOOR-HANGERS.
WE WILL GO KNOCK ON THE DOOR. WE WILL ASK THEM.
WE WILL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO GET THAT COMPLIANCE OUT THERE,
[01:00:03]
TO GET THE WORD OUT. BOSTON WE ARE NOT JUST GOING TO GO I IMMEDIATELY SEE SOMEBODY'S SPRINKLER ON AND SAY, YOU ARE DONE. TURN YOUR WATER OFF.IT WOULD BE A LOT OF NOTIFICATION TO THOSE CITIZENS AND THOSE PERSONS. SOME DON'T KNOW.
SOME GOT TIMERS SET UP. THE SPRINKLER COMPANY SET IT UP DIFFERENT. THE OTHER ONE, WE WANT TO DO-- THERE IS A SECTION WHERE IT IS SPECIAL LISTING OF-- YOU KNOW, SPECIAL EXEMPTIONS. LAST YEAR WE HAD A COUPLE OF NEIGHBORHOOD FUNCTIONS GOING ON THAT WERE-- ONE WAS BACK-TO-SCHOOL FOR A NEIGHBORHOOD AND ANOTHER ONE WAS THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WAS DOING ONE.
THEY HAD A BOUNCY HOUSE AND A WATER SLIDE.
WELL, THEY HAD TO COME IN TO ACTUALLY SPECIFICALLY ASK-- THEY STILL DO. WE WANT TO MAKE THAT OUT THERE SO THE PUBLIC KNOWS THEY DON'T USE THAT MUCH WATER.
IT IS BASICALLY A WATER HOSE HOOKED UP TO A WATER SLIDE.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE CHANGES THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE ON THE STAGES THREE AND FOUR SPECIFICALLY.
THIS GOES BACK TO THAT OFF-CHANNEL RESERVOIR.
WE WANT TO GO TO 47 FEET AND 75% CAPACITY.
LET'S KEEP IT FULL. IN OTHER WORDS, DO NOT LET THAT THING GO EMPTY. ESPECIALLY AT STAGE THREE.
AND IN CRITICAL STAGE FOUR, IT IS 42 FEET OR 50%.
PRIOR WHAT'S CURRENTLY IN THE ORDINANCE, AND IT IS UP FOR DISCUSSION. 50% CAPACITY FOR STAGE THREE.
AND THEN 75% DRAWDOWN. WE ARE JUST TRYING TO GET A LITTLE BIT AHEAD OF THE CURVE SO THAT WE DON'T PUT OURSELVES INTO A SITUATION WHERE WE ARE STRUGGLING TO GET BACK, GET OUR
SYSTEM BACK UP. >> SO SAFE TO ASSUME THAT WITH THESE CHANGES, WE WOULD, IN THEORY, BE ENDING UP IN STAGE THREE AND FOUR QUICKER AND SOONER THAN WHAT WE HAVE BEEN
>> WELL, I SAY THAT BECAUSE YOU KNOW, THIS PAST YEAR, WHEN WE ENTERED STAGE-- I THINK WE GOT TO STAGE FOUR.
I'M SORRY. WE GOT TO STAGE THREE.
THERE WAS A COMMENT MADE AROUND, IT'S BEEN HOWEVER LONG SINCE WE HAD GOTTEN TO STAGE THREE. ET CETERA.
I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT, YOU KNOW, WITH THE PROPOSED CHANGES, WE ARE SUGGESTING THAT THE CONSERVATION OF WATER BEGINS SOONER. IN ESSENCE.
>> AND THAT IS GETTING THE WORD OUT.
IN OTHER WORDS, STAGE TWO IS WHEN YOU REALLY WANT TO GET THAT WORD OUT. THAT IS THE ONE STAGE WHERE YES, WE NEED TO GET-- GET THE PUBLIC INVOLVED.
I THINK THAT IS WHEN I WOULD LIKE TO GET THOSE MESSAGE BOARDS OUT THERE, START GETTING THE PUBLIC TO THINK ABOUT IT.
NATIONALLY, IT HAS BECOME AN ISSUE.
I THINK YOU ARE SEEING IT MORE IN THE NEWS.
THINGS ARE-- TALKING ABOUT INFRASTRUCTURE AND WATER SHORTAGES. JUST THE WHOLE ISSUE OF IT IS A LIMITED RESOURCE. WHAT'S NEXT? BRING AN ORDINANCE. THE UPDATED ORDINANCE.
NOT A LOT OF CHANGES. THOSE ARE THE KEY CHANGES THAT WE ARE RECOMMENDING. THAT WOULD BE FOR MARCH 19 FOR THE FIRST READING. THEN APRIL 1.
IF ADOPTED. THAT WOULD BE THE SECOND AND THIRD READING. AND THEN IN ADDITION TO THIS, WE HAVE A WATER CONSERVATION PLAN. THAT IS ALSO REQUIRED-- PART OF THE TCQ REQUIREMENTS. THAT ONE IS MORE OF A PLAN TO JUST KEEP THE CITY ON A PLAN TO KEEP CONSERVING WATER.
YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE SOME WAYS BESIDES THE CONTINGENCY ORDINANCE. WHAT ARE SOME OTHER WAYS TO CONSERVE WATER? TO BE SURE WE ARE THINKING AHEAD WHEN WE ARE BUILDING A PLANT OR DOING FLUSHING.
BACK-WASHING. WATERWAYS-- WHAT ARE WAYS WE CAN CONSERVE AS A CITY? THAT WILL BE BROUGHT TO COUNCIL AGAIN ON MARCH 19. AND WE WILL SUBMIT OUR ORDINANCE
BY MAY 1. >> IF I MAY JUMP IN REAL QUICK, TO CLARIFY. COUNCILMAN LOFFGREN'S QUESTION EARLIER. THE RESTRICTION ON FILLING POOLS IS CURRENTLY IN OUR ORDINANCE AS STAGE FOUR.
IT WILL REMAIN IN STAGE FOUR IN THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE THAT YOU
>> WE CAN PROBABLY SEND COUNCIL THE DRAFT OF THE ORDINANCE SOONER THAN WHEN WE POST THE AGENDA SO THEY CAN HAVE SOME TIME TO REVIEW IT AND REACH OUT TO US WITH ANY QUESTIONS.
>> YEAH. THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL.
YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY, WE SEE PROPOSED CHANGES.
I LIKE TO SEE THOSE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE WHOLE ORDINANCE.
[01:05:02]
>> WHAT WE HAVE CONE TO KEEP-- WHAT WE HAVE DONE IN THE PAST, THE ORDINANCE, ANY CHANGES IN RED, WITH CROSSOUTS.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO SIT THERE AND READ THE WHOLE THING AND COMPARE THEM. IT IS PRETTY SIMPLE ON THAT PART. YES.
>> KEN, I WAS GOING TO ASK, WHEN WE SUBMIT THIS PLAN AND THIS ORDINANCE TO TCQ, OR TCEQ, DO WE GET A RESPONSE BACK?
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE? >> WE WILL TYPICALLY GET A RESPONSE BACK. SOMETIMES TCQ, IF THEY DON'T RESPOND, THAT IS A GOOD THING. A LOT OF TIMES.
THEY TYPICALLY WILL RESPOND. WE WILL SEND IT CERTIFIED MAIL
TO MAKE SURE THEY GET IT. >> OKAY.
AT OUR WORKSHOP LAST WEEK, OBVIOUSLY, WATER WAS IDENTIFIED BY ALL OF US AS A VERY HIGH PRIORITY FOR US TO BE THINKING ABOUT THOSE SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM.
I THINK YOUR APPROACH TOWARDS COMMUNICATIONS AND EDUCATIONS TO THE PUBLIC IS SPOT-ON FROM THE STANDPOINT THAT I KNOW DURING LAST YEAR, THERE WERE PEOPLE THAT WERE WATERING AND HAD NO IDEA THAT THEY WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO BE.
YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? THEY DIDN'T GET THE WORD, SO TO SPEAK. THE SECOND PRONG TO THAT, EVEN GOING FURTHER IS PROVIDING TIPS, INFORMATION ON HOW TO CONSERVE WATER EVEN WHEN WE ARE IN A PERIOD THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO BE.
>> EXACTLY. >> SO WE CAN PROLONG THOSE FORCED CONSERVATION PERIODS EVEN FURTHER OUT WHEN WE DO HIT A SPOT WHERE WE ARE NOT GETTING MUCH RAIN NORTH OF US.
>> SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I HAVE READ IS IF YOU HAVE A SPRUNGLER SYSTEM, SET YOUR TIME UP.
SET IT UP FOR, YOU KNOW, YOUR WATERING DAY.
AND FOR THE TIMES. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I HAVE READ, TOO, WHICH IS REALLY INTERESTING, INSTEAD OF WATERING FOR 30 OR 40 MINUTES AT A TIME. THEY ARE SAYING NOW YOU WATER FOR TEN MINUTES. ESPECIALLY WITH OUR SOILS.
THEY ARE CLAY. LET THAT WATER SOAK IN.
TURN IT OFF FOR 30 MINUTES. TURN IT BACK ON TEN MINUTES.
THEY CALL IT-- I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT THEY CALL IT.
MARK, I KNOW YOU KNOW. >> I HAVE A SYSTEM, AND IT KNOWS TO DO THAT. YOU PUT IN WHAT KIND OF SOIL YOU HAVE. AND YOU ARE RIGHT.
OUR SOIL, YOU NEED TO WATER, LET IT SOAK IN FOR A WHILE.
I DON'T KNOW THE TERM FOR IT. >> YEAH.
THAT IS SOME OF THE COOL INFORMATION THAT I JUST-- I MEAN, I WAS, LIKE, WOW. THAT IS NEWS TO ME.
I THINK WE NEED TO GET THAT OUT TO THE PUBLIC.
THE MORE INFORMATION WE GET OUT AND THE MORE THAT WE SAY IT IS A LIMITED RESOURCE, I THINK WE CAN GET THERE.
WE DID IT WITH THE FREEZE. I COMMEND THE PUBLIC, THE MANAGERS OF THE APARTMENTS AND BIG COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS.
THEY DID A GREAT JOB. THIS LAST FREEZE.
THEY REALLY DID. AND IT SHOWS.
>> MR. GILL, COULD YOU GO BACK ONCE TO THE PROPOSED WATER STAGES? WHO COMES UP WITH THOSE PERCENTAGES? STAGE TWO IS 5% REDUCTION.
STAGE 3, 10% REDUCTION. >> A LOT OF THAT IS TCEQ.
PART OF THAT IS US. WE ARE JUST TRYING TO GET THAT
WATER CONSUMPTION DOWN. >> IT WOULD SEEM LIKE STAGE FOUR WOULD BE MORE LIKE A 20% OR 25% REDUCTION.
>> 15% IS QUITE A BIT. IT IS A LOT.
>> AND YES. OUR GOAL WOULD BE TO EVEN
>> THANK YOU. >> WELL, WE WILL LOOK FORWARD TO RECEIVING THOSE REVISIONS. AND TAKING THIS UP AT A FUTURE
>> THANK YOU. >> MR. GARZA, ANY OTHER
WE DO HAVE EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> OKAY.
[H. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS]
IT IS NOW 6:08. WE WILL MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION. WHY DON'T WE TAKE A TEN-MINUTE BREAK. THEN WE WILL RECONVENE INTOEXECUTIVE SESSION. >> THE CITY COUNCIL WILL RECESS FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THE FIFTH DAY OF MARCH, 2024 AT 6:08 6:08P.M. TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 551.087.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.