[A. CALL TO ORDER]
[1. Announcements/Reminders:]
[00:01:25]
SECOND, 2024 COUNCIL MEETING. IS YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLE?
JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGES, FOLLOWED BY A MOMENT OF
SILENCE. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITEREMINDERS TODAY.
>> I HAVE A FEW ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THIS EVENING. A COUPLE ARE RELATED TO THE BICENTENNIAL WEEKEND, WHICH IS ALREADY TWO WEEKENDS AWAY. WHICH IS CRAZY TO THINK THAT IT IS ALREADY HERE. ON BEHALF OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AND THE GROUP THAT IS PLANNING THAT ENTIRE WEEK AND WE WANT TO REMIND THE PUBLIC THAT IN COLLABORATION WITH THE UNITED WAY, -- AND JUST SERVE, WE ARE HOLDING A UNITED DAY OF CARING ON SATURDAY, INVITING RESIDENTS AND THOSE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MANY OF THE LOCAL NONPROFITS , VOLUNTEERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REGISTER IN ADVANCE AND CHOOSE THEIR SERVANTS -- SERVICE OPPORTUNITY. SIMILARLY, THAT SAME WEEKEND WE WILL HAVE DOZENS OF VENDORS LOCATED DOWNTOWN AND THE PUBLIC CAN ENJOY LOCAL FOOD TRUCKS, FREE KIDS ACTIVITIES, AT THE HOME OF THE SIX FLAGS MARKET. THE MARKET BEGINS AT 10:00 A.M. AND ENDS AT 4:00 P.M. OUR PLAN IS TO HONOR VICTORIA'S RICH HISTORY. AND OUR FOUNDERS AT THE RIBBON CUTTING AND STATUE UNVEILING THAT WILL HAPPEN AT 1:00 P.M. THAT SAME SATURDAY.
WE INVITE THE PUBLIC TO COME OUT AND HELP CELEBRATE OUR BICENTENNIAL THAT WE CAN. ON BEHALF OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES WE WANT TO REMIND THE PUBLIC THAT APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN FOR THE 2024-25 PUBLIC SERVICE AGENCY AND FACILITY GRANT.
LOCAL NONPROFITS THAT SERVE LOW TO MODERATE INCOME RESIDENTS MAY BE ABLE FOR FUNDING. THEY MUST HAVE ATTENDED LAST MONTH. TYPICALLY WE GET A GOOD RESPONSE BUT NOT ALWAYS HAVE FOLKS FOLLOW THROUGH. WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE THOSE THAT REPRESENT THE NONPROFITS TUNING IN TO DO THAT. AND THAT IS ALL THE ANNOUNCEMENTS THAT I HAVE FOR
THIS EVENING. >> VERY GOOD. THANK YOU. WE WILL MOVE ON TO PUBLIC AND EMPLOYEE RECOGNITIONS, ITEM B
[a. Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month Proclamation. Duane Crocker...]
2 A. A PROCLAMATION FOR CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AND AWARENESSMONTH. >> A SERIOUS CRISIS AFFECTING EVERY SEGMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY RESULTING IN 1527 REPORTS OF REPORTS OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT IN 2023, ENDING INPUT IN ACTION FROM EVERYONE. OUR CHILDREN ARE MOST VALUABLE RESOURCES AND WILL SHAPE THIS FUTURE OF TEXAS. CHILD ABUSE CAN HAVE LONG-TERM PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS THAT HAVE LASTING CONSEQUENCES FROM VICTIMS OF ABUSE. PROTECTIVE FACTORS ARE CONDITIONS THAT REDUCE AND ELIMINATE RISK AND PROMOTE THE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN. THE EFFECTIVE CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION SUCCEEDS BECAUSE OF THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN PROFESSIONALS, EDUCATION, HEALTH, COMMUNITY, AND FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, BUSINESSES, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND FAMILIES. AND COMMUNITIES MUST MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO PROMOTE STRONG AND THRIVING CHILDREN'S AND FAMILIES. WE ACKNOWLEDGE WE MUST WORK TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF CHILD ABUSE AND CONTINUE TO PROMOTE THE WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN IN A SAFE AND STABLE ENVIRONMENT. THE BEST DEFENSE FOR THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, NOW I THEREFORE MAYOR CROCKER DO PROCLAIM APRIL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AND AWARENESS MONTH IN THE CITY OF VICTORIA. BY DEDICATING OURSELVES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.
[00:05:16]
FREE TO SAY A FEW WORDS. >> THANK YOU MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I AM THE EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH COORDINATOR FOR THE ADVOCACY CENTER HERE IN VICTORIA, TEXAS. I STAND HERE NOT ONLY FOR MY ORGANIZATION BUT ON BEHALF OF THE CHILDREN'S PROJECT WHICH IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT OF DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS WORKING FOR THE CHILD WELFARE SERVICE.
IN VICTORIA ALONE WE HAVE OVER 1000 REPORTS OF ABUSE. WE SERVICED ABOUT 500 CHILDREN INCLUDING ABOUT 54 TO 56 FORENSIC INTERVIEWS. WE BELIEVE IT IS A COMMUNITY EFFORT. WE ALWAYS TALK ABOUT IT BEING A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD. IT TRULY TAKES A VILLAGE TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN. OUR GOAL IS TO END CHILD ABUSE PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL ABUSE, BY INCREASING THE AWARENESS AND RECOGNIZING WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE AND HOW TO REPORT IT. WE HAVE SEVERAL EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH THAT RECOGNIZE CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS. TWO I WOULD LIKE TO BRING TO LIGHT. OF COURSE OUR DARKNESS TO LIGHT, THE NATIONAL RECOGNIZED INTERVENTION. IT TEACHES THE SIGNS OF CHILD ABUSE AND HOW TO REPORT THEM. AS WELL AS OUR MDT PANEL DISCUSSION, BOTH WILL TAKE PLACE APRIL 11TH AT THE VENUE. AND THEN TO END THE MONTH WE HAVE THE 5K AT RIVERSIDE PARK, LACE UP AGAINST CHILD ABUSE. EVERYONE ASKS, WHAT CAN I DO? THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS YOU CAN DO THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, INCLUDING SUPPORTING OUR ORGANIZATION AND OTHERS AND YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE TWO EVENTS I MENTIONED, INCLUDING LACE UP AND CHILD ABUSE. BOTH OF THOSE AND MORE INFO CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE. AND OUR SOCIAL MEDIA.
AGAIN, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE AND THANK YOU FOR TAKING A STEP AND SHOWING SOLIDARITY AND ENDING
[b. Keep Victoria Beautiful April Business Beautification Award. Christy Y...]
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR IMPORTANT WORK. WE APPRECIATE
IT. >> KRISTI CANNOT BE WITH US THIS EVENING. I AM INTRODUCING AND ASKING OUR KEEP IT BEAUTIFUL CHAIR TO COME UP AND PRESENT THE AWARD.
>> THANK YOU. I AM A POOR SUBSTITUTE FOR KRISTI BUT I AM HAPPY TO BE HERE.
NICE EVENING. YOU KNOW THAT WE LOVE TO CELEBRATE OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES, THAT ARE DOING A FANTASTIC JOB OF MAKING VICTORIA LOOK GOOD. THIS MONTH'S WINNER IS NO EXCEPTION. WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT THIS AWARD TO KC HATS AND THIS IS AN ADORABLE LITTLE SHOP JUST BLOCKS FROM HERE ON MOODY. BRITNEY TOLD ME THAT APRIL MARKS ONE YEAR IN THIS LOCATION. PREVIOUSLY SHE HAD HAD A SMALL SPOT INSIDE A BOUTIQUE. AND SALON. AND THAT SHE HAD FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS BUILDING ON MOODY, THAT HAD BEEN BLANK , VACANT FOR A LONG TIME. NOBODY HAD DONE WITH IT FOR QUITE A WHILE. THERE IS VIRTUALLY NO GREEN SPACE, NOT A WHOLE LOT OF COLOR GOING ON.
BUT IT IS AMAZING WHAT A CREATIVE PERSON WITH A VISION WHO REALLY CARES CAN DO. BECAUSE THIS IS JUST ABSOLUTELY -- IT IS SO CUTE IN PERSON. AND VERY DESERVING. AND IN FACT KC HATS HAS GARNERED TWO NOMINATIONS SINCE JANUARY, BY TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE. PEOPLE ARE DRIVING DOWN MOODY AND NOTICING THIS BRIGHT LITTLE RAY OF SUNSHINE. SO WITHOUT FURTHER ADO I WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT THIS AWARD TO BRITNEY
>> CONGRATULATIONS! >> THANK YOU. FIRST OFF, THANK YOU SO MUCH. IT IS A LABOR OF LOVE ANYTIME YOU START A SMALL BUSINESS AND THE 10TH WILL BE ONE YEAR. I AM VERY EXCITED TO HIT THAT BENCHMARK AND HOPE THERE IS MANY MORE TO COME. I SPECIALIZE IN RESTORATION FOR WESTERN HATS, FEDORAS, GRANDPA'S OLD HAT. THERE IS NO NEED TO CONTINUE TO BUY THEM WHEN YOU CAN JUST RESTORE THEM. THAT IS WHAT I SPECIALIZE IN,
[00:10:01]
BRINGING LIFE AND KEEPING THE MEMORY IN THE HAT. WE ALSO OFFER HATS AND HAD PARTIES, FUN THINGS FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN.AND YOU KNOW, THE MEN, I GET MOST SURPRISED BY THE MEN. , ONCE THEY REALIZE THEY CAN CUSTOMIZE A HAT, THEY ARE THE ONES THAT THEY ARE HAT BANDS ARE NOT ONES THAT I NECESSARILY WOULD THINK THEY WOULD CHOOSE, OR DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE A VELVET RIBBON. AND I HAD TO BUY MORE VELVET FOR MY MEN.
WOULD NOT THINK. AND I ACTUALLY SEE THAT MORE IN THE OLDER GENERATION THAN THE NEWER GENERATION. LIKE OH! YOU CAN DO THIS FOR ME.
IS IN THE SHOP ALMOST EVERY DAY. MY KIDS HELPING. I HOPE TO KEEP IT A FAMILY-RUN BUSINESS. GROWING UP HERE, THAT MEANS A LOT. ROOTS IN DOWNTOWN VICTORIA. THANK YOU,
>> THANK YOU. THE SHOP LOOKS GREAT. ANY OTHER EMPLOYEE
>> OKAY, MOVING TO ITEMS FROM COUNCIL. DOES ANYONE HAVE
[4. Citizen Communication:]
ANYTHING? NO? OKAY. ITEM B 4, CITIZEN COMMUNICATION. AND I HAVE MICHAEL -- MAYOR, COUNCIL. I AM MICHAEL, 2204 EAST NORTH STREET. I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH. WE HAVE PEOPLE AT MURPHY'S, IT IS OVER BY WHATABURGER ON DELMORE. THEY ARE FORCING THEIR KIDS TO PANHANDLE. ONE KID IS LIKE 15 AND THERE IS A 12-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER. AND THEY ARE MAKING THEM PUT SIGNS UP AND PANHANDLE. IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS THE ADULTS THAT SHOULD BE PANHANDLING. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS CHILD ABUSE BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS OPPRESSION.THEY REALLY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO OBEY THEIR PARENTS. KIND OF LIKE WHEN YOU WORK FOR SOMEONE, YOU DO IS YOUR BOSS TELLS YOU TO A POINT. THEY STARTED AT THE WENDY'S AT THE HIGHWAY AND THEN WORKED TO MURPHY'S. I AM WONDERING WHY THEY ARE NOT AT SCHOOL. IT SEEMS LIKE THEY ARE ALWAYS THERE AT THE HOTTEST PART OF THE TIME AND IT JUST CONTINUES. IT IS NO MORE THAN USING THE KIDS AS A RUSE TO GET MONEY. YOU KNOW? AND SHE IS A MIDDLE-AGED WOMAN IN HER 40S AND IT APPEARS THAT HER CHILDREN ARE PANHANDLING. THIS GOES ON AT THE HOTTEST PART OF THE DAY AND THEY DO NOT PROVIDE THEM, SHE DON'T PROVIDE HER CHILDREN WITH NO WATER OR NO FOOD OR ANYTHING LIKE THIS.
AND I DO NOT KNOW IF IT IS CHILD ABUSE OR ANYTHING, BUT IT SURE SEEMS LIKE IT SHOULD BE CHILD ABUSE. THIS IS A COMMON DEAL IN VICTORIA, PARENTS WILL USE THEIR KIDS LIKE AS A RUSE, LIKE A BABY, I HAVE SEEN IT AT WALMART AND STUFF. THEY ARE IN THE HOT SUN AND YOU KNOW, YOU FEEL SORRY FOR THE BABY, SO YOU GIVE MONEY TO THE PARENTS. BUT I THINK THERE SHOULD BE SOME LAW AGAINST THIS. YOU KNOW? THANKS AND HAVE A GOOD DAY.
[1. An ordinance approving a budget amendment to the FY2024 budget in the ...]
APPRECIATE IT. >> THANK YOU. THAT WAS THE ONLY GREEN CARD I HAD. SO THEN WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM C1.
>> AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE FY2024 BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $45,000.00 TO COVER THE COST THE MAY 2024 ELECTION. THIS ITEM IS ON FIRST READING.
>> GOOD EVENING MAYOR AND COUNCIL. THIS ITEM IS TO AMEND THE FISCAL BUDGET FOR THE MAIN 21 ELECTION. -- MAY 2024 ELECTION. WE AWARDED AT THE TIME THAT WE EXPECTED TO COVER THE COST OF THE ELECTION, DUE TO SOME CHANGES TO THE STATE LEGISLATOR IN THE ELECTION CODE, THE COUNTY HAD TO PURCHASE NEW EQUIPMENT TO BECOME COMPLIANT WITH THE VOTING SYSTEM REQUIREMENT. WHICH IF YOU HAVE VOTED THIS YEAR YOU WILL NOTICE THE CHANGE THAT YOU NOW HAVE A PAPER BALLOT YOU PUT IN A MACHINE, PULLOUT INPUT AND ANOTHER MACHINE. THAT HISTORICALLY THE CITY HAS BEEN CHARGING A RENTAL FEE OF 10% OF THE COST OF THESE MACHINES. SO DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF THE NEW EQUIPMENT THE FEE WENT UP SIGNIFICANTLY. FOR THE FEBRUARY ELECTION WE JUST HAD THE TOTAL COST WAS 113,000
[00:15:01]
DOLLARS. COMPARING THAT TO JULY OF 2021, WE HAD A SPECIAL ELECTION THAT ONLY THE CITY PARTICIPATED IN AND THE COST WAS $61,000. THE OTHER TWO LISTED WERE SPLIT WITH OTHER ENTITIES AND THAT IS WHY THOSE ARE A LITTLE LOWER. THANKFULLY FOR THE ELECTION IN MAY WE WILL SPLIT THE COST OF THAT ELECTION WITH SOME OTHER ENTITIES. APRIL AND I MET WITH THE ADMINISTRATOR RECENTLY TO GO OVER THE COST BASED ON NUMBER OF POLLING CENTERS AND MACHINES THAT WILL BE IN USE. SHE PROTECTED OUR COST RELATED TO THE MAY ELECTION WILL BE ABOUT $50,000. THAT IS WHAT WE ARE ASKING TODAY FOR THE BUDGET AMENDMENT. $45,000, YOU CAN SEE THAT WE DO HAD JUST OVER $7000 LEFT AFTER THE FIRST AMENDMENT. SO THAT SHOULD PROVIDE US WITH THE FUNDING THAT IS NEEDED TO COVER THE ME ELECTION. AND THIS WOULD COME FROM THE GENERAL FUND BALANCE.I WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> ANYBODY HAVE QUESTIONS? ANYONE TO SHARE AT THIS TIME? OKAY. THANK YOU FOR THE INFO. WITH THAT THEN I WILL OPEN UP A PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM C1. IF YOU COMMENT ON THE MATTER PLEASE PROCEED TO THE MICROPHONE. SEEING NONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. AND ENTERTAIN ANY MOTIONS.
>> IS GOING TO ASK A QUESTION.
>> YES. >> THAT WILL NOT AFFECT THE 25%
FROM THE BALANCE, MA'AM. IT WO' >> WHILE YOU ARE OUT THERE, I HAVE A QUESTION. OUR COST IS BASED UPON THE NUMBER OF
>> THE COST OF ABOUT 50,000, THE MAYORAL ELECTION WAS ABOUT
>> THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN BASED ON THE NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE
VOTERS AS WELL? CORRECT? >> NO, THEY ALLOCATE THE COST BASED ON THE VOTERS BUT SINCE WE ARE THE ONLY PARTICIPATING ENTITY WE GET THE 100% OF COST.
>> SO FOR THE WHOLE IT IS 113 BUT FOR ONE DISTRICT A COST
50? >> THAT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE.
>> FIGURE OUT THE MATH FROM THE STANDPOINT.
>> WE DISCUSSED THAT WITH HER. IT IS BECAUSE, I CANNOT REMEMBER WHAT YEAR IT IS BUT APRIL MAY HAVE MORE INFORMATION. YOU ARE ONLY ELIGIBLE FOR VOTERS IN THAT DISTRICT THREE WILL VOTE IN BLOOMINGTON? FOR THE DISTRICT 3 ELECTION, I WONDER. JUST PUTTING IT OUT THERE. LIKE ARE WE GETTING VALUE FOR THAT? I KNOW THAT THE PREMISE , THAT IT IS BASED UPON HAVING POLLING STATIONS EVERYWHERE. BUT WE ARE ACTUALLY HAVING VOTING STATIONS WELL WITHOUT THE DISTRICT WHICH I DO NOT THINK WILL RECEIVE ANY VOTES. SO WE ARE PAYING A PREMIUM FOR THAT. I WONDER IF IT IS WORTH IT AND THAT IS A DISCUSSION I THINK UP HERE TO HAVE.
>> THAT IS A GOOD POINT. >> THAT IS A SHARED OBSERVATION FROM THE STANDPOINT THAT THE DISTRICT 3 VOTERS ARE MOST LIKELY TO VOTE IN DISTRICT 3. O MANY VOTING MACHINES ARE WE PUTTING OUT TO LOCATION? IF WE PUT OUT MORE THAN WE NEED AND UNDERSTAND WE NEED ACCESS, THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE TYPICALLY, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, AND YOU CAN CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG, WE KIND OF RELIED ON ELECTION ADMINISTRATION TO APPLY. I THINK THEY HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB. BUT GIVEN THESE INCREASES I THINK OUR INTENTION IS TO BE A LITTLE MORE INVOLVED IN MAKING SOME DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT IS OPEN, HOW MANY POLLS ARE THERE, VOTING MACHINES, THAT SORT OF
THING. >> I THINK CERTAINLY WE HAVE LEARNED FROM THIS EXPERIENCE WE NEED TO BE MORE INVOLVED IN SOME OF THESE CONVERSATIONS AND DECISIONS. AND TO YOUR POINT DR. YOUNG, I THINK THE DECISION AND HOW IT PANS OUT AND COULD BE VERY TELLING AND HOW WE HAVE THE CONVERSATION. WILL HAVE REAL-LIFE DATA TO TELL US DID ANYBODY ACTUALLY VOTE IN BLOOMINGTON. SO ONCE WE GET PAST THIS MAY ELECTION WE CAN LOOK AT THE DATA AND TAKE A MORE EDUCATED AND INFORMED APPROACH TO HEY, YOU KNOW WHAT? NOBODY VOTED OUTSIDE OR A SMALL PERCENTAGE VOTED OUTSIDE THE PRECINCT. WE NEED TO LOOK AT THIS DIFFERENT. THERE IS DEFINITELY 1 MILLION WAYS, YOU KNOW, TO , I AM EXAGGERATING, BUT DIFFERENT WAYS THAT WE CAN GO ABOUT LOOKING AT THIS. BUT I THINK CERTAINLY THE INCREASED COST HAS AWAKENED US A LITTLE MORE TO BEING MORE INVOLVED WITH IT IN ONE WAY SHAPE OR THE OTHER.
>> WHILE I THINK THE DATA WILL BEAR THAT OUT. AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THAT. AND HAVING THE DISCUSSION ON HOW WE MOVE FORWARD. WE CERTAINLY WANT EVERYBODY TO HAVE THE
[00:20:03]
OPPORTUNITY AND AVAILABILITY TO VOTE. BUT, THERE ARE CERTAIN COSTS ASSOCIATED WITHIN, ARE WE GETTING RETURN TO THE INVESTMENT? WE ARE PAYING FOR NOTHING, ESSENTIALLY.>> AND OBVIOUSLY IF WE ARE CONDUCTING ELECTIONS WE WANT TO PAY OUR FAIR SHARE. BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WHAT WE ARE PAYING IS A FAIR SHARE OF THE DISTRIBUTED COST. I THINK WE NEED TO TAKE A DEEPER DIVE IN THIS AND GET MORE INFORMATION.
CERTAINLY SOMETHING TO PUT ON THE TO-DO LIST, NO DOUBT.
>> I THINK WE ARE GETTING, SEEING THE IMPACT, AND WE WILL GET GOOD INFORMATION FROM THIS PARTICULAR ELECTION. BUT I GUESS I HAVE GOT IN MY HEAD THAT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE HAVE PEOPLE VOTE ANYWHERE. REQUIRE US TO MAKE IT AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE TO VOTE EVERYWHERE. OR IS THAT OUR CHOICE? DO WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO NOT? I DO NOT KNOW IF YOU HAVE THE ANSWER FOR THAT RIGHT NOW.
>> ALSO IS IT THE CITY OR THE COUNTY? BECAUSE I CAN UNDERSTAND MAYBE BEING IN THE CITY. BUT WHY WOULD WE PAY FOR THE POLLING STATION IN BLOOMINGTON WHEN IT IS NOT EVEN
IN THE CITY? >> I AM NOT PERSONALLY
FAMILIAR, UNLESS APRIL IS. >> I MEAN WHEN THE LAW WAS CHANGED A FEW YEARS AGO THE COUNTY DECIDED TO GO TO THE POLLING SYSTEM WHERE YOU COULD VOTE AT ANY POLLING SYSTEM. SO IF SOMEONE IS WORKING AT DUPONT THEY COULD GO TO THE NEAREST POLLING PLACE ON THAT SATURDAY AND VOTE. IT DOES MAKE IT, I THINK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND STATE GOVERNMENT ARE TRYING TO MAKE VOTING MORE ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE. AS FAR AS YOUR CONCERN ABOUT THE MACHINES, WESLEY AND I DID SPEAK WITH HER ABOUT THAT. SHE DETERMINES HOW MANY MACHINES ARE NEEDED BASED ON HOW MANY PEOPLE HISTORICALLY VOTED ON THAT PARTICULAR POLLING PLACE. REMEMBER EVEN IF YOU HAVE ONE SHEEN AT A POLLING LACE, A REGULAR MACHINE, YOU HAVE TO HAVE AN A.D.A. MACHINE AND THEN THE ONE THAT HOLDS THE BALLOT. AND OF COURSE THE A.D.A. MACHINE COSTS MORE THAN THE REGULAR MACHINE AND THE FINAL MACHINE THAT YOU PUT YOUR BALLOT AND ALSO THEN HAS TO HAVE THE ADDITIONAL WORKER THAT STANDS AT THE DOOR TO MAKE SURE YOU DON'T TAKE YOUR BALLOT WITH YOU. THE COSTS ARE DRIVEN UP REGARDLESS. WE DID SPEAK WITH HER AND SHE DOES INTEND TO TRY TO CONTROL THE COST OF THE ELECTION BASED ON HOW MANY MACHINES SHE PUTS AT EACH POLLING PLACE. AND THIS TIME, GOING WITH VOTING BASED ON ELIGIBLE VOTERS, WHERE THE SECOND-HIGHEST ENTITY IN THIS PARTICULAR ELECTION DURING TIME. THEY FORCED MORE POLLING PLACES TO BE OPEN BECAUSE OF THEIR AREA, DISTRICT 3, WITHIN THE CITY AND COUNTY
THAT THEY CAN CONTROL. >> AND WE WILL NOT BE THE ONLY ONES THAT ARE OBVIOUSLY DEALING WITH INCREASED COST. I SUSPECT EVERY JURISDICTION WILL HAVE SIMILAR QUESTIONS.
>> WE HAD THE MAYORAL ELECTION, DID THEY HAVE PRECINCTS OPENED
IN BLOOMINGTON ? >> NO, ALL THE CITY POLLING PLACES WERE OPEN AND THAT WAS JUST CITY POLLING PLACES BECAUSE EVERYBODY INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS CAN VOTE FOR THE MAYOR. NO COUNTY PRECINCTS WERE OPENED.
>> I DON'T WANT TO BE PAYING FOR THEM NOW.
>> DON'T WE HAVE COUNTY POSITIONS IN THIS ELECTION?
>> >> NO, IT WILL BE DISTRICT 3, THE -- AND US AND THEN ONE OF THE WATER BOARDS AND THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THERE BUT I DON'T BELIEVE, THEY GOT TO CANCEL THE ELECTION. THERE IS FOUR OR FIVE ENTITIES, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY. BUT LIKE I SAID BECAUSE IT IS BASED ON NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE VOTERS, IT IS ABOUT 8000 VOTERS THAT WE HAVE IN PRECINCT 3. AND I THINK THE DRAINAGE DISTRICT HAD TWICE AS MANY'S.
>> STILL, THE TWICE , THE QUESTION IS, JUST BECAUSE THE COUNTY DECIDED TO OPEN ALL THE POLLING STATIONS, DOES THAT MEAN THE CITY HAS TO HAVE ITS BALLOTS AVAILABLE AT ALL STATIONS? OR CAN THE CITY SAY NO, DON'T MAKE THEM AVAILABLE
IN BLOOMINGTON . >> THAT WOULD BE A QUESTION WE
WOULD NEED TO POSE. >> WE CAN CERTAINLY LOOK INTO THAT FURTHER. BUT REMEMBER WE IN ESSENCE HIGHER THE COUNTY TO RUN THE ELECTIONS FOR US. SO WE ALSO HAVE TO BE MINDFUL OF THE FACT THAT WE ARE HIRING A THIRD PARTY, IN ESSENCE, TO RUN THE ELECTION FOR US. LEGALLY WE COULD RUN OUR OWN ELECTIONS.
SOME CITIES DO THAT, SOME WILL BUY THEIR OWN EQUIPMENT AND DO ALL THAT. I KNOW APRIL WOULD LOVE, JUST KIDDING REGIONAL SECRETARY MEETING A MONTH AGO AND ONE OF THE BIGGEST TOPICS WE WERE TALKING THERE AND WITH ANOTHER ADMIN FROM -- COUNTY, SHE SAID THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE IT HARDER
[00:25:08]
AND HARDER. ONLY TWO COMPANIES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS MAKE MACHINES THAT MEET THE STATE LAW AND WHAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE.SO THEY WILL NOT DIRECTLY RENT TO A CITY AND ONLY RENT TO COUNTIES OR ELECTION ADMINISTRATORS. YOUR HANDS ARE ALMOST TIED. THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THEY'RE ALMOST FORCING.
RAN HER OWN ELECTION BUT RENTED THE EQUIPMENT. FROM THE COUNTY.
YOU ARE TECHNICALLY NOT NECESSARILY SAVING MONEY ON THE RENTAL OF THE QUIT PART BECAUSE YOU STILL HAVE TO RENT IT. SO
THERE ARE PROS AND CONS. >> YOU ARE STILL HIRING --
>> I WILL SAY THAT I THINK OUR ELECTIONS DIVISION WITH THE COUNTY IS A PRETTY LEGIT AND SOPHISTICATED OPERATION. WE DON'T HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH THEM FROM STAFFING PERSPECTIVE OR CONCERNS OR ETHICAL CONCERNS. NO CONCERNS WHATSOEVER. THE ONLY CONCERN IS HOW WE CAN GET A BETTER HANDLE ON THE INCREASED COST. I THINK WE SHOULD LOOK AT THE DATA AND HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT BETTER CONTROL OVER THE
COST PART. >> AND I THINK THEY WOULD DO A FANTASTIC JOB FOR US. THIS IS IN NO WAY OF QUESTION OF WHAT THEY HAVE DONE. IT IS FANTASTIC SERVICE AND WE APPRECIATE THEIR WILLINGNESS TO MITIGATE WITH US AND PROVIDE US WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. I WOULD SAY ON THIS TOPIC THERE IS MORE TO COME, STAY TUNED. WHEN WE HAVE MORE INFORMATION WE WILL SHARE.
AND WITH STUCK DEALING WITH ITEM C1.
>> MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.
>> IVA MOTION AND APPROVAL. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
[2. An ordinance approving the annexation of 10 acres located on Highway 1...]
>> AYE. >> C 1 PASSES. MOVING ON TO
C 2. >> AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE ANNEXATION OF 10 ACRES LOCATED ON HIGHWAY 185 S, SPECIFICALLY DESCRIBED AS LOT 2 OF BLOCK 1 OF THE 3 MILE SUBDIVISION, NO.
1, AND BEING THE FUTURE SITE OF THE BILLY T. CATTAN RECOVERY OUTREACH CENTER, AND APPROVAL OF AN ANNEXATION DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR LOT 1 OF BLOCK 1 OF THE 3 MILE SUBDIVISION, NO.
1 . THIS ITEM IS IN FIRST READING.
>> ANYTHING. THE REQUEST IS ACTUALLY DEALING WITH TWO SORT OF ACTIONS. AND PIECES OF PROPERTY. THE MAP YOU SEE ON THE SCREEN DOES SHOW WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING TO ANNEX. THE 10 ACRES IS THE TRIANGULAR TRACK THAT IS OUTLINED HALF IN BLUE AND HAVE BEEN RED. AND THEN THE HATCHED AREA IS THE 12 ACRES THAT IS SUBJECT TO THE DEVELOPMENT ANNEXATION AGREEMENT. THE REQUEST CAME BECAUSE THE VICTORIA SALES TAX CORPORATION ACTUALLY ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THESE TWO PROPERTY OWNERS TO ASSIST WITH THE WATER LINE OR UTILITY EXTENSION DOWN STATE 185. SINCE THE PROPERTIES ARE GOING TO BE BENEFITING FROM CITY UTILITIES, PART OF THE AGREEMENT WAS AT THE REQUEST ANNEXATION. SO THE 10 ACRE TRACK IS READY TO BE DEVELOPED REALLY SOON. IT WILL BE THE SITE OF THE BILLY T. CATTAN CENTER. BUT THE TRACK IS CURRENTLY AGEE EXEMPT AND NOT READY TO BE DEVELOPED AT THIS TIME. BASICALLY THEY STATE THAT THE PROPERTY WON'T, AS LONG AS THE PROPERTY REMAINS VACANT FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES, WE WILL NOT ANNEX THEM. BUT THE AGREEMENT STATES AT THE TIME THEY DEVELOPED, THAT IS BASICALLY THE SAME AS THE VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION REQUEST. THE ITEM IS TO ANNEX THE BILLY T. CATTAN 10 ACRES AND PROVIDE THE AGREEMENT FOR THE ADDITIONAL 12 ACRES. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY
>> THANK YOU. THEN I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM C2.
SEEING NO ONE COME FORWARD. I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING
AND ENTERTAIN ANY MOTIONS. >> I MOVE THAT WE ADOPT.
[D. Consent Agenda:]
>> SECOND. >> I HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND.
>> ITEM C2 PASSES. >> ITEM D1 IS THE CONSENT
AGENDA. >> D1 ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD ON MARCH 19, 2024. D 2 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN, CHAPTER 13, ARTICLE II, DIVISION 3 OF THE CITY CODE. ITEM D 3, APPOINT A.
[00:30:05]
AND ITEM D 4, APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF ULTRAVIOLET BULBS AND MODULES FOR THE ODEM STREET WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT FROM XYLEM WATER SOLUTIONS INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $53,341.00. ITEM D NUMBER FIVE, APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF A RAW WATER PUMP FROM ODESSA PUMPS AND EQUIPMENT INC. FOR THE REGIONAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $108,937.50. AND ITEM CAPITAL D 6, APPROVE A CONTRACT WITH PRESTIGE BUILDING GROUP, LLC FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY EXTERIOR CONSTRUCTION INTEGRITY PROJECT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $221,500.00.>> THANK YOU. >> I MOVE THAT WE ADOPT
CONSENT AGENDAS AS RED. >> SECOND.
>> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ALL OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. ITEM
[1. Adopt the 2024 Revisions to the City of Victoria's Water Conservation ...]
D1. >> ADOPT THE 2024 REVISIONS TO THE CITY OF VICTORIA'S WATER CONSERVATION PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH TITLE 30, CHAPTER 288 OF THE TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE.
SECOND HALF OF THE WATER DISCUSSION, STARTING OFF WITH THE WATER PLAN. THE PURPOSE OF THE WATER CONSERVATION PLAN IS THE DOCUMENT. IT IS NOT ENFORCEABLE. IT IS AGAIN REQUIRED AND FOLLOWS IN PATH WITH THE DROUGHT CONTINGENCY.
THIS PROVIDES GOALS FOR THE WATER CONSUMPTION. AGAIN IT IS REQUIRED FOR SYSTEMS OVER 3300 CONNECTIONS. SOME OF THE CHANGES THAT WERE MAKING, THEY WERE ADMINISTRATIVE. OTHER CHANGES WERE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CIP METER REPLACEMENT PROGRAM AS PART OF THE CONSERVATION.
ADDED THAT WE HAVE INSTITUTED THE WATER WISE MONITORING FOR CUSTOMER ACCESS TO CONSUMPTION. AND IMPLEMENTING MORE PUBLIC INFORMATION AND SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS. WE ARE FOLLOWING THE NEW 2021 PLUMBING CODE, WHICH AGAIN ENCOURAGES WATER CONSUMPTION FACILITIES, FIXTURES YOU SEEK TO REDUCE THE CONSUMPTION. AND THIS IS THE CHART THAT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO READ. WE REDID IT, CLEANED IT UP, IT SHOWS WHAT YEAR IN OUR GOAL, WHAT ACTUAL, AND THEN THE PRODUCTION GOAL AND ACTUAL. YOU CAN SEE WE ARE FAIRLY CLOSE TO EACH ONE AND SOMETIMES WE GO UP, SOMETIMES WE GO DOWN. THIS 2020, ONE THING I WANT TO POINT OUT IS ACTUAL IS HIGHER ON PRODUCTION. A LOT OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH TEMPERATURE, THAT YEAR WE HAD SOME FREEZING ANOMALIES WHERE WE WERE REALLY PRODUCING A LOT OF WATER TO MAKE SURE THAT IF WE HAD PEOPLE USING OUR FAUCETS MORE, IT ALSO HAS TO DO WITH AS METERS GET OLDER THEY RUN A LITTLE SLOWER, NOT FASTER. THEY RUN A LITTLE SLOWER SO WE ARE PRODUCING MORE WATER BUT JUST NOT GETTING 100% ACCURACY ON THE METERS. AND I WILL ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS.
>> THANK YOU. >> I WILL THEN, IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS, ENTERTAIN ANY MOTIONS IN REGARD TO ITEM E 1.
>> SECOND. >> A MOTION AND SECOND FOR ADOPTION OF E1. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. OPPOSING? ITEM E1
[2. Approve a contract to Fun Abounds, Inc. for installation of new playgr...]
PASSES. ITEM E2. >> ITEM E2 IS APPROVE A CONTRACT TO FUN ABOUNDS, INC. FOR INSTALLATION OF NEW PLAYGROUND STRUCTURES AT BROWNSON PARK IN AN AMOUNT NOT
TO EXCEED $204,634.00 . >> GOOD EVENING MAYOR AND COUNCIL. I HAVE A SHORT POWERPOINT TODAY. SO TO BETTER SERVE OUR CITIZENS THE PARK MASTER PLAN AND RECENTLY APPROVED ACTION AGENDA IDENTIFIED THE NEED TO BRING ALL CITY PARKS TO STANDARD BY INVESTING IN OUR PARKS. SO FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS WE HAVE BEEN REPLACING THE OLD PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT WITH NEW AND MODERN EQUIPMENT. LAST YEAR AS YOU RECALL, WE REPLACED THE EQUIPMENT AT -- PARK.
THIS YEAR WE ARE REPLACING THE EQUIPMENT AT WINSOME PARK. IT IS AT THE CORNER OF -- AND GOODWIN STREET. THE PARK WAS BUILT BACK IN 1965, IT IS INDEED OUR SMALLEST PARK OUT OF THE 17 PARKS WE HAVE. IT IS ONLY 0.9 ACRES. NOW THE
[00:35:02]
EQUIPMENT IS ABOUT 30 YEARS OLD. SO IT IS OLD AND OUTDATED. THE EQUIPMENT IS PRIMARILY PLASTIC AND METAL. IT IS NOT COVERED, THEREFORE IT MEANS IT IS EXTREMELY HOT TO PLAY ON. ESPECIALLY DURING THE SUMMER. SO WHAT WE WANT TO DO WITH THIS CONTRACT IS TO DEMOLISH THE OLD PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AND ESSENTIALLY REPLACE IT WITH A NEW AND MODERN STRUCTURE AND IT WILL BE ONE THAT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW AND COVERED PLAY STRUCTURE. WE WILL REPLACE , WE WILL HAVE FOUR COVERED SWING SETS. WE WILL HAVE NEW PORT AND PLAY RUBBER SURFACE. WE WILL HAVE NEW PARK MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, AND OF COURSE WE WILL PUT A PERIMETER FENCE AROUND THE PARK. NOW YOU CAN SEE THE BEAM IS COVERED. IT GETS EXTREMELY HOT IN THE SUMMER HAVING THE COVERED EQUIPMENT IS VERY IMPORTANT. TOWER CITIZENS AND CHILDREN.SO THAT IS THE MAIN THEME THAT WE ARE UNDERGOING IN OUR PARKS, COVERED STRUCTURES. AND MODERN. SO THE TOTAL CONTRACT IS WITH FUN ABOUNDS, INC.. THE FUNDING IS FROM THE ONE TIME PARKS BUDGET. THE CONSTRUCTION DATE IN TERMS OF STARTING DATE IS JUNE 1ST OF THIS YEAR. WITH WEATHER PERMITTING. AND FUN ABOUNDS, INC. IS EXPECTED TO COMPLETE THE WORK SEPTEMBER 30TH. SO, STAFF, WITH THAT SAID STAFF IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF THE CONTRACT WITH FUN ABOUNDS, INC..
>> T THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS?
>> WOULD YOU GO BACK TO THE PICTURE OF THE EQUIPMENT ITSELF? I'M TRYING TO GET A FEEL FOR THE AGE RANGE. I GUESS WHAT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION WAS THE SWINGS. THEY LOOK A LOT LIKE THE SWINGS I SWUNG ON AND THEY HAVE CHANGED A LOT OVER TIME. SO THIS IS KIND OF RETRO FOR ME. BUT I AM JUST WONDERING, DO WE NEED SWINGS FOR SMALLER CHILDREN?
>> YES . HE IT IS GRADUATED SIZE. YOU HAVE SIZES FOR
ADULTS, YOUTH, AND CHILDREN. >> THAT IS JUST SHOWING THE COVER BUT IT WILL BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT. THEY WILL BE LIKE I
USED TO SWING ON. >> YES MA'AM. THEY ARE GRADUATED SIZES. BUT AT LEAST THEY WILL BE COVERED.
>> MINE WERE NOT. >> A TIMING ISSUE. IT GOES FROM JUNE 1ST, THROUGH SEPTEMBER. I SAW IT IN THERE.
ARE THE PARKS MOSTLY USED IN THE SUMMER WHEN KIDS ARE OUT OF
>> SO THIS WILL TAKE UP THE ENTIRE SUMMER, IS THIS IDEAL TIME TO DO PARK RENOVATION? WHEN CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ARE OUT OF SCHOOL AND MOST LIKELY USE THE PARK?
>> WE DID DISCUSS THAT WITH STAFF, IN TERMS OF TIMING. IN TERMS OF GETTING THE EQUIPMENT AND SO FORTH, THIS WAS THE BEST TIME THAT THE CONTRACTOR COULD GET IT DONE.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >> I MOVE WE ADOPT E2.
>> SECOND. >> IVA MOTION AND A SECOND FOR E2. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
[3. Award the 2024 Mill and Overlay Project to Clark Construction of Texas...]
>> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? E2 PASSES.
ITEM E3. >> E3 IS AN AWARD THE 2024 MILL AND OVERLAY PROJECT TO CLARK CONSTRUCTION OF TEXAS, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,520,504.20.
WILL BE DISCUSSING OUR 2024 OVERLAY PROJECT. THIS CONSTRICTS OF STREETS FROM AIRLINE ROAD TO RED RIVER.
COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE FROM NAVARRO STREET TO CRATER DRIVE.
EAST LARK STREET TO BARROW STREET, TWO -- DRIVE.
MOCKINGBIRD LANE AND JOHN DRIVE TO ZACH PARKWAY. AND PLEASANT GREEN DRIVE FROM THE RENT STREET TO PORT -- DRIVE.
ONE PROPOSAL WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS PROJECT FROM CLARK CONSTRUCTION OF TEXAS INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,710,229.20.
THIS BID WAS OVERBUDGET. AND STAFF THEN BEGAN NEGOTIATIONS
[00:40:04]
WITH CLARK CONSTRUCTION AND WE WERE ABLE TO IDENTIFY COST SAVINGS IN THE AMOUNT OF -- STAFF RECOMMENDS THAT WE , COUNCIL AWARD THIS PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF 3,520,504.20 THE PROJECT IS 240 DAYS AND IT IS ANTICIPATED THEY WILL BEGIN CONSTRUCTION IN MAY, WITH COMPLETION TO OCCUR BY DECEMBER OF 2024. THANK YOU. DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?>> I HAVE A QUESTION. IT SEEMS LIKE LATELY YOU ONLY GET ONE BID ON A LOT OF PROJECTS. EVEN THE PARKS THING, THERE WAS ONE BID. IS THERE SOME REASON BEHIND IT?
>> IRONICALLY THE MEIR BROUGHT THAT SAME ISSUE UP THIS MORNING DURING OUR ONE-ON-ONE. NOT ONE-ON-ONE, EVERYBODY ELSE WAS
THERE. >> YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE TALKING THOUGH.
WE AS STAFF AGREE IT WOULD BE IDEAL TO HAVE MORE THAN ONE SUBMITTAL. I DO THINK GEOGRAPHICALLY IT IS CHALLENGING TO RECEIVE MORE THAN ONE SUBMITTAL BECAUSE IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET CONTRACTORS OUT OF THE LARGER METRO AREAS TO COME OUT. THAT IS A CHALLENGE AND I DON'T THINK WE ARE RURAL, BUT WE ARE FAR ENOUGH AWAY FROM LARGE METRO AREAS WHERE IT CAN BE AN ISSUE. ESPECIALLY WITH A LOT OF WORK GOING ON, A LOT OF THE CONTRACTORS FEEL LIKE WHY WOULD I PUT ON A BID AND TAKE MY CREW TWO HOURS AWAY WHEN I HAVE PLENTY OF WORK LOCALLY? THE TIME THAT WE HAVE HISTORICALLY GOTTEN CONTRACTORS FROM LARGER METRO AREAS TO SUBMIT, THEY SUBMITTED A LARGER RATE BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT OVERNIGHT, HIGHER MOBILIZATION COST, ET CETERA. AND WHILE IT IS NOT IDEAL THAT WE ONLY GET ONE BID, WE ARE TRULY BLESSED THAT WE HAVE ONE COMPANY THAT IS BASED OUT OF VICTORIA. NOW, I KNOW THE NAME OF IT IS CLARK CONSTRUCTION OF TEXAS, INC. BUT THEY RECENTLY BOUGHT OUT BRANDON PAVING AND STILL HAVE A LOCAL PRESENCE. AND WE ARE FORTUNATE THAT WE HAVE A COMPANY HERE LOCALLY TO DO THAT. I AM SURE DAVID CAN ATTEST THAT WORKING WITH SMALLER RURAL COMPANIES, IT CAN BE IMPOSSIBLE TO GET SOMETHING SOMETIMES. ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT IDEAL, WE ARE BLESSED. WE DID COME UP WITH CREATIVE IDEAS WITH THE MAYOR THAT I AM HAPPY TO SHARE IN AN UPCOMING ONE-ON-ONE WITH STRATEGIES WE CAN PURSUE. TO STRIVE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE GETTING THE BEST, COMPETITIVE PRICING. EVEN IF WE ARE JUST GETTING IT FROM ONE. ANYWAY, I HOPE THAT HELPS AND
WE ARE MINDFUL OF IT. >> I SHARED THE SAME CONCERN, OBVIOUSLY, MARK. I BEGIN, I BELIEVE WHEN WE ORDERED THE CONTRACT, IN THE LAST MEETING OR THE MEETING BEFORE, AND 23 WAS THE ONLY BIDDER. AND THE QUESTION WOULD BE, IS THERE ANYTHING WE COULD BE DOING DIFFERENT? AND OBVIOUSLY WE
WILL NEED TO LOOK AT THAT. >> OCCASIONALLY IN THE PAST WE WOULD HAVE THREE BEDS FOR SOMETHING. AND IT MUST BE THAT LIKE HE SAID, THE METROPOLITAN AREAS HAVE A LOT OF PROJECTS GOING ON. WHY BID ON A PROJECT WHERE YOU HAVE TO DRINK YOUR PEOPLE ALL THE WAY TO VICTORIA? I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT.
>> I THINK IF WE THINK BACK TO SEVERAL YEARS BACK, YOU MAY RECALL OUR SHIFT TO TRY TO TAKE THE BEST VALUE APPROACH. I THINK WHAT HAPPENS TOO IS OFTEN TIMES YOU GET COMPANIES TO SUBMIT BIDS BUT WHEN THE COMPANIES ARARE NOT GETTING TH PROJECTS AWARDED TO THEM, YOU KNOW, THEY WILL JUST STOP WASTING THE TIME TO SUBMIT A BID IF THEY DON'T THINK THEY HAVE A TRUE CHANCE OF GETTING THE BID. RIGHT? AND WE HAVE HAD, YOU KNOW, IN THE LAST FEW YEARS SOME BIDS THAT HAVE BEEN WITHIN DOLLARS FROM EACH OTHER. AND WE HAVE ASKED OURSELVES, WELL, WOULDN'T IT MAKE SENSE TO TAKE THE BEST VALUE APPROACH AND DIVERSIFIED THE CONTRACTORS WE WORK WITH? RIGHT? SO NOW THAT WE TAKE THE BEST VALUE APPROACH IT IS PROBABLY WORTH REACHING OUT TO THESE COMPANIES TO TELL THEM WE ARE NOT TAKING THE LOW BID APPROACH ANYMORE AND NOW IT IS BEST VALUE. YOU KNOW? WE CANNOT BE GUARANTEEING THAT YOU WILL GET THE BID BUT YOUR CHANCES ARE HIGHER NOW THAT WE HAVE TAKEN THE BEST APPROACH VERSUS LOWEST BID. THAT IS SOMETHING WE CAN TRY
AND SEE HOW IT PLAYS OUT. >> I WILL POINT OUT THAT I KNOW WE ARE 2024 POST COVID-19 BUT THERE IS STILL MONEY FLOATING AROUND IN GOVERNMENT ENTITIES, SOME OF THOSE OUT-OF-TOWN CONTRACTORS , THERE IS PLENTY OF WORK WHERE THEY ARE. SO YOU KNOW, IF THAT CYCLES THROUGH WE COULD SEE SOME IMPROVEMENTS.
WE NEED TO LOOK AND SEE THAT WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN.
[00:45:04]
THE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDS WHEN YOU LIVE IN AN AREA THAT IS NOT A LARGE METRO AREA, YOU DON'T ACERRA WE HAVE ALL THESE PEOPLE BIDDING FOR A PROJECT. SOMETIMES THE ROAD MIGHT COST SLIGHTLY MORE THAN IT WOULD IN HOUSTON, SAN ANTONIO, OR AUSTIN, FOR EXAMPLE. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLEUNDERSTAND THAT. >> I MOVE THAT WE ADOPT E3.
>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND.
MISS SCOTT. >> HAVE A COUPLE OTHER QUESTIONS, IF YOU INDULGE ME. FIRST OF ALL, I THINK I UNDERSTAND ADDING A WHOLE BUNCH OF ROADS TOGETHER. EVEN THOUGH IT IS NOT A CONTINUOUS PROJECT. BECAUSE I THINK THAT MAKES THE BIDDING MORE ATTRACTIVE. HOWEVER, WITH THIS BEING ALL IN A PACKAGE WITH 240 DAYS, IS THERE A CHECK AND BALANCE SOMEWHERE THAT THEY WILL NOT SET UP THE ORANGE BARRELS ALL OVER TOWN? AND LEAVE THEM THERE. AND THEN BRING THE EQUIPMENT BACK INTO START MILLING OVER IT. BUT WE HAVE SOME TYPE OF CONTROL WE WILL NOT HAVE SOME TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION EVERYWHERE AT ONCE.
>> YES BEEN. I UNDERSTAND YOUR QUESTION. YOU ARE ASKING WILL THERE BE ONE STREET AT A TIME AND THEN MOVED TO THE NEXT AND NOT TRY TO DO A LITTLE BIT HERE AND THERE AND YONDER AND HAVE IT ALL ACROSS TOWN BE DISRUPTED FOR TRAFFIC? YES MA'AM.
TYPICALLY THE CONTRACTOR WILL WANT TO COME IN AND DO THE WORK ON ONE SEGMENT, COMPLETE THAT, AND MOVED TO THE NEXT.
RATHER THAN HAVE EVERYTHING WHERE SOMEBODY FROM THE COMPANY HAS TO GO AND MONITOR AND MAYBE RESET BARRELS THAT HAVE BEEN MOVED OR KNOCKED DOWN OR WHATEVER.
>> OKAY. THAT IS HELPFUL. >> AND THE MILLING AND OVERLAY PROCESS IS VERY QUICK. YOU KNOW, THEY TYPICALLY COME IN AT NIGHT AND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE MILKED IT ONE EVENING, RIGHT . AND THEN THE NEXT DAY, THE NEXT NIGHT, IT IS OVERLAID. IT IS A FAIRLY QUICK PROCESS. I DO NOT EXPECT
IT TO BE AN ISSUE. >> OKAY. MY SECOND QUESTION, THIS IS A LARGE, LARGE AMOUNT OF STREETS. AND A LARGE BID.
THE COST SAVINGS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO NEGOTIATE, WHICH ARE TO REDUCE THE QUANTITY NUMBER OF POINT REPAIRS AND ALSO REDUCE SMALL SAVINGS, ARE WE SACRIFICING THE END PRODUCT?
>> YES, IT IS WORTH IT. WHAT WE FEEL IS AFTER DRIVING THE STREETS, THE CONTRACTOR IS THEN, -- WE HAD A DISCUSSION BEFORE THE COUNCIL MEETING ABOUT JORDAN STREET. WE DID NOT REDUCE THE QUANTITIES THAT WERE IN THAT PORTION OF THE BID BECAUSE WE DO ANTICIPATE BECAUSE OF THAT CONDITION OF THE STREET, THAT ONE SEGMENT WILL NEED MORE REPAIRS.
>> OKAY. THAT HELPS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU.
>> IVA MOTION IN A SECOND, ANY OTHER DISCUSSION OR QUESTION?
>> ALL OPPOSED? ALL RIGHT, ITEM E3 PASSES. WITH THAT WE MOVED TO CITY MANAGER REPORT. MR. DELAGARZA.
>> NONE FOR THIS EVENING. >> WE'LL HAVE THE EXECUTIVE
[H. Executive Sessions:]
>> OKAY. VERY GOOD. >> ARE WE SUPPOSED TO STAY?
>> PLEASE DO. WE WILL MOVED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. THE TIME IS
5:40. >> CITY COUNCIL WILL RECESS ON THE SECOND DAY OF APRIL, 2024, 5:48. IS WITH AS FOLLOWS, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.