Oct 01, 2024 City Council

[A. CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:11]

>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. WELCOME TO THE OCTOBER 1ST REGULARLY CALLED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL. MS. HOLDER, WILL

YOU PLEASE CALL ROLE? >> HELMSMAN DELAGARZA? COUNCILMAN BUTLER? COUNCILMAN SCOTT? MAYOR PRO TEM YOUNG? COUNSELOR HOFFMAN? MAYOR CROCKER?

>> YEAR PERIOD >> IF YOU PLEASE RISE FOLLOWING ME IN THE PLEDGES FOLLOWED BY 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, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

>> I HONOR PLEDGE THE TEXAS FLAG. ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE.

>> THANK YOU. YOU MAY BE SEATED. WELCOME, EVERYONE. I SEE WE HAVE A LOT OF GREEN JACKETS IN THE HOUSE WHICH IS ALWAYS EXCITING. THAT MIGHT MEAN THERE ARE GOODIES FLOATING AROUND. WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

[1. Announcements/Reminders:]

>> OR MASTERS WINNERS. >> OR MASTERS WINNERS. EITHER WAY, IT WORKS, IT WORKS. WE HAVE A RELATIVELY SHORT MEETING TONIGHT SINCE IT IS NATIONAL NIGHT OUT. BUT WE WILL JUMP RIGHT INTO IT. MR. GARZA, DO YOU HAVE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS OR

REMINDERS FOR US? >> I DO, ACTUALLY. YOU THINK I WOULD'VE KEPT THEM SHORT, BUT WE HAVE QUITE A FEW, AND I HAVE A COUPLE OF STAFF WHO WILL COME UP AND HELP ME WITH A COUPLE OF

THESE. >> NO WORRIES.

>> ON BEHALF OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, TODAY, OCTOBER 1ST, MARKS THE BEGINNING OF THE VICTORIA FIRE DEPARTMENT COLLECTING NEW SMOKE DETECTORS. THEY WILL DO THIS AT THE WALMART STORES ON HOUSTON HIGHWAY. NUMBERS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL USE THE DONATED SMOKE DETECTORS TO SAFEGUARD HOMES THROUGHOUT VICTORIA. THE VICTORIA FIRE DEPARTMENT 2020 FOR FIRE PREVENTION SHOW KICKS OFF ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8TH AT 9:00 A.M. AT THE VICTORIA FINE ARTS CENTER. THIS YEAR'S FIRE PREVENTION WEEK THEME IS SMOKE ALARMS, MAKE THEM WORK FOR YOU.

LOCAL SCHOOLS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ARE INVITED TOO ATTEND.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE REACH OUT THE FIRE MARSHAL OFFICE AT 361-485-3430 OR EMAIL THEM. ADDITIONALLY, THE SMOKE DETECTOR DRIVE EVENT WILL BE HELD SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12TH AND 10:00 A.M. UNTIL 2:00 P.M. AT THE WALMART ON HOUSTON HIGHWAY.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT WITH FIRST RESPONDERS FROM OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS TOUCH A TRUCK SO THE KIDS CAN COME OUT AND ENJOY THAT INTERACTION. ON BEHALF OF THE PARKS DEPARTMENT, REGISTRATION FOR THE LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE IS ON NOW THROUGH OCTOBER 31ST UNTIL ALL SPOTS ARE FILLED. REGISTRATION IS FREE TO THE PUBLIC AND CAN BE FOUND ONLINE. ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT, TODAY ALSO MARKS THE BEGINNING OF THE APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2025 CITIZENS ACADEMY. THIS IS A FIVE-WEEK EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES RESIDENTS WITH AN INSIDE LOOK AT LOCAL GOVERNMENT HIM AND THAT IS OPEN FOR NOVEMBER 1ST. WE ENCOURAGE ALL RESIDENTS TOO APPLY BEFORE THE DEADLINE BY VISITING THE WEBSITE . AND AS I ALLUDED TWO EARLIER, I'M GOING TO CALL UP A COUPLE STAFF TO HELP WITH A COUPLE ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS. TO START THAT EFFORT, I WILL CALL JOEL TO COME UP AND TALK A LOT ABOUT ABOUT TEXAS FEST.

>> WELCOME. >> THANK YOU, GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. I AM HERE IN MY FESTIVAL WHERE A FEW WEEKS EARLY TO PROMOTE OUR HUGE INAUGURAL FESTIVAL TEXAS FEST HAPPENING THIS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY IN DOWNTOWN VICTORIA.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THE RESPONSE WE ARE SEEING FROM THE COMMUNITY IS PHENOMENAL. WE THINK WE WILL HAVE A HUGE EVENT. IT'S A WONDERFUL LINEUP OF ENTERTAINERS ON FRIDAY NIGHT WITH RAM HERRERO WHICH HAS BEEN A RECENT ADDITION INTO THE LINEUP, LOSS OF PHOENIX, THEN A HUGE STAR, WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT. THEN SATURDAY, OUR MAIN STAGE FEATURING JARRETT BIRMINGHAM, CHRIS CAGLE, AND COUNTRY FAVORITE, THE JOSH ABBOTT BAND. WE HAVE A TON OF FAMILY ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE DAY. ON SATURDAY WE WERE VERY INTENTIONAL ABOUT THAT THIS YEAR ABOUT HAVING MORE FAMILY ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE DAY. WE WILL HAVE A PETTING ZOO, LUCHA LIBRE, ARMADILLO RACES, A KIDS CORRAL, THANK YOU TWO MOTHER CLOCKERS FOR THE MARKET. WE HAVE 15 FOOD VENDORS THERE. AGAIN, BEST OF ALL, IT'S AN ABSOLUTELY FREE EVENT BELL RINGER BICENTENNIAL, CELEBRATING OUR HERITAGE AND THE CULTURE WE ARE TODAY IN VICTORIA. SO, WE REALLY INVITE THE COMMUNITY OUT. YOU CAN SEE MORE AT OUR WEBSITE OR GO TWO HOUR DISCOVER VICTORIA TEXAS WEBSITE. WE ALSO HAVE THE TEXAS FEST FACEBOOK PAGE AND ENCOURAGE THE COMMUNITY TWO CHECK THAT OUT AND COME OUT THIS WEEKEND. IT WILL BE A FANTASTIC TIME.

>> VERY GOOD. THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATE. WE ARE ALL LOOKING

[00:05:04]

THE SAME ENTHUSIASM. >> OKAY. I CAN DO THAT.

>>

>> COUNCIL. SO, WE, ON NOVEMBER 9TH, WE HAVE OUR SECOND NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUP OF THE YEAR. THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, I WROTE THIS DOWN TO MAKE SURE I GET IT RIGHT. THEY WIN THE AWARD FOR LONGEST TITLE OF A NEIGHBORHOOD, ORIGINAL TOWN INSIDE SOUTH-CENTRAL IS WHAT I WAS TOLD THE NAME OF THIS NEIGHBORHOOD IS. SO, CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM. WE WILL SEND THEM A TROPHY OR SOMETHING. SO, THIS WILL BE ON NOVEMBER 9TH. IT IS FROM 9:00 UNTIL 11:00. WE ARE GOING TO MEET AT THE ART LEAGUE ON BRIDGE STREET, AND WE HOPE TO HAVE AS GOOD OF LUCK WITH PHONES AS WE HAVE HAD IN THE PAST. PEOPLE HELP US CLEAN UP THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THIS IS ONE SECTION. SO, FOR THE NEIGHBORS WHO MIGHT BE LOOKING AT THIS MAP SAYING, WHAT ABOUT US? THAT WILL BE PART TO THAT WE WILL DO NEXT SPRING. SO, WE WILL STOP AT THE RAILROAD TRACK , THEN NEXT SPRING, WE WILL ACROSS THE RAILROAD TRACKS AND FINISH ON THE SIDE WHERE THE SCHOOL IS AND EVERYTHING. SO, WITH THAT, IF YOU ARE FINE, I WILL INTRODUCE. OR DO YOU WANT TO

WAIT FOR THE AWARD? >> YEAH, WE WILL WAIT UNTIL

AFTER. >> SO, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO VOLUNTEER, THEY CAN GO TO KEEP VICTORIA BEAUTIFUL.ORG. AND SIGN UP. WE WILL HAVE HOT

[a. National 4-H Week Proclamation. Duane Crocker, Mayor]

WE CARE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, DARRELL. >> THAT IS ALL THE

ANNOUNCEMENTS WE HAVE. >> VERY GOOD. WE WILL MOVE THEN TO B 2 WHICH IS PUBLIC AND EMPLOYEE RECOGNITIONS. MS. HILBERT, CAN YOU TAKE CARE OF THE FIRST COMMISSION FOR US?

>> YES, SIR. WHERE IS THE CITY OF VICTORIA IS PROUD TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE SERVICE FOR 116 YEARS OF PROVIDING EXPERIENCE-BASED VACATIONS TO YOUNGSTERS THROUGHOUT THE LONE STAR STATE AND WHEREAS THIS ADMIRABLE PROGRAM WHICH SEEKS TO PROVIDE A LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR THE WHOLE CHILD INCLUDING HEAD, HEART, HANDS AND HEALTH HELPS YOUNG TEXANS TO ACQUIRE KNOWLEDGE, DEVELOP LIFE SKILLS, AND HAVE ATTITUDES TO BECOME SELF-DIRECTED, PRODUCTIVE AND CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF OUR SOCIETY, AND WHEREAS IT IS MORE THAN 550,000 URBAN, RURAL AND SUBURBAN PARTICIPANTS FROM 8 TO 19, HEALING FROM DIFFERENT SOCIO-ECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS, AND TRULY WERE PRESENTED ACROSS A SECTION OF THE STATE AND WHEREAS THE PROGRAM UNDOUBTEDLY COULD NOT HAVE ACHIEVED THE SUCCESS IT HAS TODAY WERE IT NOT FOR THE SERVICE OF ITS MORE THAN 22,000 VOLUNTEERS WHO HAVE GIVEN GENEROUSLY OF THEIR TIME, TALENTS, ENERGIES AND RESOURCES TO THE YOUTH OF TEXAS, WHEREAS THROUGHOUT ITS PROUD HISTORY THE 4-H PROGRAM HAS DEVELOPED POSITIVE ROLE MODELS FOR COUNTLESS TEXANS, AND THROUGH ITS INNOVATIVE AND INSPIRING PROGRAMS CONTINUES TO BUILD CHARACTER AND INSTILL THE VALUES THAT HAVE MADE OUR STATE STRONG AND GREAT, NOW THEREFORE I, THE MAYOR OF CITY OF VICTORIA OF TEXAS DO DECLARE OCTOBER 6TH THROUGH 12TH OCTOBER 24 TO BE NATIONAL 4-H WEEK IN VICTORIA, TEXAS AND COMMEND THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AND THE MANY MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE MADE A PROGRAM A SUCCESS.

>> GOOD EVENING, THANK YOU, MAYOR FOR HAVING US. MY NAME IS PAIGE MELTON. I AM THE LIFE EXTENSION AGENT FOR THE 4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IN VICTORIA COUNTY. I AM SUPER THANKFUL FOR EVERYONE'S SUPPORT, CITY, COUNTY, ALL THE VENDORS, SPONSORS, EVERYONE THAT MAKES OUR 4-H PROGRAM THE SUCCESS THAT IT IS. IF YOU FOLLOW MY FACEBOOK PAGE, YOU WILL SEE LOTS OF ACTIVITIES, OR JUST TALK TO ANYBODY WHO IS IN THE 4-H CLUB THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY, THEY WILL TELL YOU HOW AWESOME OUR PROGRAM IS, AND WE CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT THE SUPPORT FROM EVERYONE IN OUR WONDERFUL CITY AND COUNTY.

THAT'S WHY WE ARE HERE TODAY, IS TO TELL YOU GUYS THANK YOU WITH SOME GOODIES, OF COURSE, THAT MY KIDDOS MADE. SO FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE EVERYONE IN THE GREEN JACKET, THEN FOUR OF THEM HAVE A LITTLE BRIEF UPDATE OF THE 4-H PROGRAM. AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND HAVING US. SO, I HAVE -- I WILL GO IF YOU WANT TO STAND UP, TOO, I WILL RECOGNIZE YOU, TOO. I HAVE THOMAS, CODY, NOAH, PEYTON, AND THEN LEVI OVER THERE ON THE RIGHT, THEN ABIGAIL, EMORY, WALDEN, MAGGIE, AND MADDIE GARRETT. SO, THIS IS

[00:10:18]

ALL. >> MORE THAN 6 MILLION YOUNG PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY WILL BE CELEBRATING NATIONAL 4H WEEK. IT'S AN ANNUAL SALVATION OF 4H HELD THE FIRST FULL WEEK OF OCTOBER. THIS IS A WEEK THAT ARE USED SHOWCASE OFFERS YOUNG PEOPLE AND HIGHLIGHTS THE INCREDIBLE 4-H YOUTH IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO WORK EACH DAY TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THIS

COMMUNITY. >> NATIONAL 4H GROUP RECOGNIZES VOLUNTEERS, SPONSORS, DONORS AND SUPPORTERS. WE KNOW THE PROGRAM WOULD NOT FUNCTION WITHOUT THE TIME, DEDICATION AND PASSION OF THESE HARD-WORKING INDIVIDUAL'S IN

OUR COMMUNITY. >> THE VICTORIA COUNTY 4-H PROGRAM HAS A 15 DIFFERENT COMMUNITY AND PROJECT CLUBS ACROSS THE COUNTY FOR YOUTH TO BE A PART OF. SOME OF THE MAJOR PROJECTS ARE YOUTH PARTICIPATING IN SHOOTING SPORTS, LIVESTOCK, AND LEADERSHIP.

>> LAST YEAR, WE HAD OVER 500 ACTIVE 4-H MEMBERS AND HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS. OUR GOAL AS AMBASSADORS IS TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE OUR MEMBERSHIP EVEN MORE FOR THE NEW 4H YEAR AND CONTINUE TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT 4H AND ALL IT HAS TO

OFFER. >> THAT WAS OUR LITTLE BRIEF SPIEL. WE HAVE SOME THINGS GOING ON. WE HAVE OVER 500 ACTIVE MEMBERS, SO MANY MORE THAN JUST A LITTLE BRIEF UPDATE WE GAVE. SO, IF YOU DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT 4H, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO LEARN AND ASK SOME MEMBERS ABOUT THEIR INVOLVEMENT. AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR HAVING US.

[b. Keep Victoria Beautiful October Beautification Award. Christy Youker, ...]

>> THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE. CERTAINLY, IT'S A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOUR GROUP AT OUR MEETINGS. THANKS FOR THE

GOODIES. >> OF COURSE.

>> MOVING ON, THEN. ITEM B 2 B IS A KEEP VICTORIA BEAUTIFUL

OCTOBER BEAUTIFICATION AWARD. >> DARRELL IS GOING TO PRESENT

THIS. >> GOOD EVENING, AGAIN, MAYOR COUNCIL. I WILL ASK MEREDITH TO COME UP HERE IN JUST A SECOND.

SHE IS GOING TO INTRODUCE OUR WINNER FOR THE MONTH. SHE IS ALSO GOING TO DO A BRIEF TOUCHUP ON THE CLEANUP WE HAD THAT SEVERAL OF YOU PARTICIPATED IN A COUPLE WEEKS

AGO. SO, MEREDITH? >> GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY.

YES, BEFORE WE GET INTO THE AWARD, I WANT TO GIVE AN UPDATE ON THE FALL SWEEP, THAT WAS TWO SATURDAYS AGO? YES. SORRY, IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY. SO, FIRST OF ALL, ON THE HALF OF KEEP VICTORIA BEAUTIFUL, I WANT TO EXTEND A HUGE THANKS TO EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY WHO CAME OUT AND CLEANED UP VICTORIA THAT DAY. MAYOR, YOU DID A FANTASTIC JOB REMOVING THOSE DEAD TREES, GOING ON RECORD.

>> I HAD SOME HELP, BUT I WON'T -- YOU KNOW? COUNCILMAN

YOUNG WAS THERE, TOO. >> HE WAS.

>>

THE PROCESS. >> SO, WE HAD A TOTAL OF 368 VOLUNTEERS, WHICH WAS PHENOMENAL. WE WERE ABLE TO CLEAN 23 LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT VICTORIA WHICH EQUAL 24 MILES OF ROADWAY. WE COLLECTED 195 BAGS, AND ALSO ASSORTED DEBRIS THAT WAS TOO HEAVY TO FIT IN SOME OF THE BAGS. SO, IT WAS REALLY A HUGE SUCCESS. AND WE ARE VERY THANKFUL TO THE COMMUNITY, AND FOR EVERYBODY WHO CAME OUT, FROM OUR SPONSORS, YOU KNOW, WHO BROUGHT BREAKFAST, BROUGHT DRINKS, EVERYBODY WHO HELPED REALLY MAKE IT A SUCCESS, AND SO, WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUP NEXT MONTH. THEN WE WILL GET INTO PLANNING OUR SPRING ACTIVITIES FOR NEXT YEAR. SO, THANK YOU AGAIN. AND THEN, MOVING RIGHT ALONG, THIS MONTH'S BEAUTIFICATION AWARD IS BEING PRESENTED TO HALL ELECTRIC , WHICH, YOU KNOW, IT'S A LARGE PROPERTY ON NORTH NAVARRO, AND IT ALWAYS LOOKS SPECTACULAR.

THE BUILDING IS BEAUTIFUL. THE LANDSCAPING, THE TREES, EVERYTHING REALLY EMBODIES WHAT KEEP VICTORIA BEAUTIFUL IS ABOUT. AND HALL ELECTRIC HAS BEEN PART OF OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1967. THIS IS THEIR THIRD LOCATION WHERE THEY MOVED INTO

[00:15:03]

>> CONGRATULATIONS. >> I APPRECIATE IT.

>> IT ALSO GOES TO STEPHEN TURK WHO'S GOING TO HIDE BACK THERE IN THE CORNER. WE APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH. WE DO BELIEVE IN THIS COMMUNITY. I WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE. IT HAS BEEN A FAMILY BUSINESS AT 57 YEARS THIS YEAR. LIKE I SAID, THIS IS OUR THIRD LOCATION. WE HAVE GROWN QUITE A BIT FROM A SMALL ELECTRICAL COMPANY TO A DESIGN CENTER AND ELECTRICAL COMPANY NOW THAT SERVICE IS NOT ONLY VICTORIA, BUT THE DESIGN COVERS THE STATE OF TEXAS. I AM PROUD TO HAVE REACHED OUT TO THAT AND SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY. WE APPRECIATE THE CITY FOR RECOGNIZING OUR LONG TIME STANDING CUSTOMERS, WHICH WE CANNOT BE HERE WITHOUT THEM. SO, WE APPRECIATE IT. WE ARE VERY HONORED TO RECEIVE THIS AWARD. THANK YOU ALL.

>> CONGRATULATIONS, VERY WELL-DESERVED.

[3. Items from Council:]

>> MR. GARZA, DO YOU HAVE PUBLIC OR EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION?

>> NO, SIR. >> OKAY, ITEMS FROM COUNCIL, I DO HAVE ONE ITEM RELATED TO TONIGHT'S AGENDA, THAT IS ITEM B7 ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. WE WILL MOVE TO SECTION E WHICH

[4. Citizen Communication:]

>> WELCOME BACK. >> GOOD EVENING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. I AM MICHAEL DONDERO. I LIVE AT 2204 EAST NORTH STREET. I WANT TO THANK ATTORNEY SCOTT FOR HER PARTICIPATION IN KEEP VICTORIA BEAUTIFUL, AND ANY OTHER PEOPLE ON THE CITY COUNCIL THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THERE THAT I FORGOT AND STUFF, YOU KNOW? AND ALSO, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK STEVE SALINAS, HE IS NO LONGER WITH CODE ENFORCEMENT. HE SPENT A LOT OF TIME AT THE TRAILER PARK DOING CODING VIOLATIONS, YOU KNOW? I THOUGHT HE WAS THE MANAGER, BECAUSE I SEE THIS WHITE CAR GOING ALL OVER THE PLACE, YOU KNOW? AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK, AND HE COULD HAVE GOT OUT OF BEING THERE BECAUSE HE HAD ENOUGH RANK, BECAUSE HE WAS THE SUPERVISOR AT CODE ENFORCEMENT. HE COULD'VE ANSWERED PHONES OR MADE REPORTS, BUT HE TOOK CHARGE AND GOT A LOT OF VIOLATIONS.

BECAUSE OF HIS WORK IN PUBLIC WORKS, THEY FOUND THE SEWER LEAKS AND THE WATER LEAKS. ONE WAY YOU CAN FIND WATER LEAKS IS WHEN YOUR WATER BILL IS $30, THE NEXT MONTH IT'S $800.

THAT'S HOW YOU USUALLY KNOW WHEN YOU HAVE A WATER BILL. A LOT OF TIMES, THEY DON'T CUT YOU NO SLACK. THEY EXPECT YOU TO PAY THE $800 WATER BILL OR 600, 170, EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT. SO, I APPRECIATE STEVE'S LEASE AND EVERYONE ELSE INVOLVED IN DETECTING THE SEWER LEAKS , THE WATER LEAKS, AND WE HAD A SERIOUS SEWER LEAK ON TRAILER NUMBER 18. HE DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE CARE OF IT, SO THEY EVICTED HIM AND TOOK CARE OF IT. YOU KNOW? IT'S A SHAME THEY HAD TO EVICT HIM SO THEY COULD TAKE CARE OF IT. IT WAS TAKEN CARE OF, AND APPRECIATE EVERYONE INVOLVED IN CODE ENFORCEMENT FOR TAKING CARE OF THE TRAILER PARK. SOMEONE HAD BOUGHT IT LIKE SIX YEARS AGO, AND I HAVEN'T EVEN SEEN THEM AT THE TRAILER PARK EVEN ONE TIME. BUT I SEE CODE ENFORCEMENT THERE AT LEAST WEEKLY, AND I APPRECIATE THE EFFORT. THANKS, AND HAVE A GOOD

EVENING. >> THANK YOU. AND THEN I HAVE VICTORIA CALDERA? GOOD EVENING, WELCOME.

>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. MY NAME IS VICTORIA CALDERA. I DON'T NEED TO HAVE EVERYONE LET OUT A DEEP SIGH, BUT I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON ON OUR STREETS AS FAR AS THESE ACCIDENTS GO. WE ARE SEEING THEM ON THE HOUR, BY THE HOUR. AND IT IS, QUITE FRANKLY, RIDICULOUS. EVERYONE WANTS TO BLAME THE CITY. EVERYONE WANTS TO BLAME THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OR THE MEDIAN. BUT NO ONE IS REALLY TAKING ANY ACCOUNT ABILITY FOR THEIR OWN ACTIONS. I BELIEVE THAT IT WOULD BE, TO REMEDY THE SITUATION, IF WE COULD HAVE A FEW MORE PATROL CARS ON OUR STREETS THAT ARE ISSUING CITATIONS FOR WHAT PEOPLE MIGHT DEEM MINOR TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS, SPEEDING IS -- THESE THINGS ARE IN PLACE TO KEEP EVERYONE AROUND US SAFE. WE HAVE FAR TOO MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE COMFORTABLE DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, DRIVING, RUNNING MED -- RED

[00:20:07]

[D. Consent Agenda:]

VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU, MS. CALDERA. I

APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS. >> ALL RIGHT, THOSE ARE THE ONLY TWO CARDS I HAVE THIS EVENING. SO, WE WILL MOVE. WE HAVE NO ITEMS OF PUBLIC HEARING, SO WE WILL MOVE TO THE CONSENT AGENDA. MS. HELLER, CAN YOU READ THAT TO US, PLEASE?

>> ITEM D CAPITAL ONE IS APPROVING A VARIANCE FOR A PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3010 NORTH MAIN STREET TO ALLOW FOR THE ENCROACHMENT INTO PLATTED SETBACK LINES. ITEM D3 IS A RESOLUTION UPROOTING CONTRACTS WITH PMG OUR DEVELOPMENT GROUP CORPORATION AND APPROVED HOMEOWNERS IN THE CDBG HOMEOWNER OCCUPIED REHABILITATION PROGRAM TO PROVIDE REHABILITATION SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $149,000 $761.70. ITEM NUMBER FOUR IS A RESOLUTION OF APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF 120 25 MAC MD 742 WITH PAL FINGER M 100 L 72 CRANE BODY FROM VANGUARD TRUCK CENTERS USING EAST TEXAS MACA TIPS CONTRACT NUMBER 230802 IN THE AMOUNT OF $267,916. ITEM D5 IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A SUB RECIPIENT AGREEMENT UNREGISTERED GRANT AWARDS TO -- FOR THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RELATED TO HURRICANE PREPARATION ACTIVITIES DURING THE HURRICANE BERYL DISASTER DECLARATION. ITEM D6 IS A RESOLUTION APPROVING A SECOND AMENDMENT TO EXTEND THE X MANAGER DEADLINE FOR THE COMMUNITY GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE SOUTH TEXAS ZOOLOGICAL

SOCIETY. >> THANK YOU, MS. HELLER. DO I HAVE ANY MOTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE CONSENT AGENDA?

>> MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA.

[7. Approve the FY2024-2025 Victoria Sales Tax Development Corporation Bud...]

>> SECOND. >> THE MOTION AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AND HE OPPOSED? ALL RIGHT, CONSENT AGENDA ONE THROUGH SIX PASSES. WE WILL MOVE TO ITEM

D7. >> ITEM D7 IS A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FY 2024 2025 VICTORIA SALES TAX DEVELOP

INCORPORATION BUDGET. >> ALL RIGHT. SO, WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE PRUDENT TO TAKE A FEW MINUTES AND WALK YOU THROUGH , BASICALLY, THEIR PROPOSED BUDGET . IN DOING SO, WE WILL HIT AGAIN ON THE CIP, SO WE ARE PASSING OUT THE FISCAL 25 VERSION OF THE CIP DOCUMENT THAT DAVID ALLUDED TO ON FRIDAY, BEING COMPLETED AND DISTORTED TO YOU TODAY. REALLY QUICKLY, MECHANICALLY SPEAKING, I SHOULD PROBABLY START THERE.

AS YOU KNOW, THE CORPORATION IS A SEPARATE ENTITY THAT IS MADE UP OF REPRESENTATIVES APPOINTED BY YOU. IT IS ALSO MADE UP SOME OF YOU. BUT ULTIMATELY, CITY COUNCIL APPROVES THE BUDGET AND THE PROJECTS OF THE SALES TAX DEVELOP INCORPORATION UNDERTAKE. SO, THIS SPECIFIC OPPOSED BUDGET WAS DEVELOPED AND PROPOSED TO THE CORPORATION, AND THEY APPROVED IT. THAT'S WHY IT'S NOW HERE BEFORE YOU FOR FINAL ADOPTION AND APPROVAL. I WANT TO FOCUS JUST ON A COUPLE OF THINGS HERE, ONE BEING THE FUND BALANCE ASPECT OF IT. THE CORPORATION IS VERY HEALTHY AS IT RELATES TO ITS FUND BALANCE.

THIS PUTS THE GROUP IN A GOOD POSITION TO BE ABLE TO CONSIDER LARGE PRODUCTS DUE TO PROJECTS OR IF THEY COME. I KNOW WE HAVE TALKED WITH THEM ABOUT SOME, TALKED TO YOU ABOUT SOME PROJECTS AS WELL THEY COULD POTENTIALLY FINANCIALLY PARTICIPATE IN, THINK, FOR EXAMPLE, THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY HEADQUARTER MEETING OVER 10 YEARS AT $1 MILLION APIECE. -- OR PER YEAR. THERE IS WHAT'S ABILITY AND CAPACITY THERE TO CONTINUE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM ABOUT SOME OF THE PROJECTS WE CARE ABOUT THE MOST. I ALLUDED TO ON FRIDAY AS WELL WHEN WE DISCUSSED THE COMMUNITY CENTER MASTER PLAN IT WOULD NECESSITATE SOME COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIP WITH AN AUTOMATIC CORPORATION. I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE FUND BALANCE AND THE FUND OVERALL THE FINANCES FOR THE CORPORATION ARE IN GOOD SHAPE. I KNOW THIS IS A BUSY SLIDE. BUT I WANT TO CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO THE COLUMN TO THE LEFT OF THE DARK, SOLID BLACK LINE RUNNING

[00:25:02]

ANOTHER ONE WOULD BE THE SALES TAX REBATE AGREEMENT THAT WE ENTERED INTO WITH WHOLE PROPERTY GROUP FOR THEM TO BUILD OUT MURDOCHS AND THE LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE AS AN EXAMPLE, RIGHT? SO, THIS WOULD BE THE LINE ITEM THAT THAT TYPE OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND COMMITMENT WOULD COME FROM. IF I CONTINUE GOING DOWN -- ANY QUESTIONS ON THAT ONE? OKAY. IF I CONTINUE DOWN ON THAT SAME COLUMN, YOU NOTICE THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AT $150,000. THIS IS SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, WE COULD EASILY TAKE FOR GRANTED. UP UNTIL THREE YEARS AGO, WE DID NOT HAVE THAT ALLOTMENT. ONE OF THE KEY OBJECTIVES OF THE CORPORATION THROUGH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOP A STRATEGIC PLAN AND THE WORKUP PLAN THAT WAS SPEARHEADED BY FORMER CHAIR PRESIDENT BILL BLANCHARD HAD A HEAVY FOCUS ON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. SO, WE PARTNER AND BASICALLY USE THESE FUNDS TO MATCH GRANTS THAT OUR LOCAL WORKFORCE GROUP TAPS INTO, VICTORIA COLLEGE TAPS INTO, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TAPS INTO , THE CONSTRUCTION ACADEMY TAPS INTO IT AS WELL. AND SO, WE ARE ABLE TO SUPPORT THEM IN ALL THOSE EFFORTS THROUGH SOME OF THE DOLLARS THAT WE ALLOCATE. YOU WILL SEE HOW THE PORT OF VICTORIA FIGURE IS BLANK NOW. AS I MENTIONED, WE FINISHED THAT SUPPORT. YOU SEE THE WORKFORCE HOUSING ASPECT THAT IS ALSO BLANKED OUT BECAUSE THERE IS NO EXISTING PROJECT. THE RESEARCH AND MARKETING, THAT'S WHERE WE ACTUALLY CONTRIBUTE TO THE VICTORIA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. SO, THE FUNDING ALLOTMENT TO THEM COMES IN THAT LINE ITEM. THE ONE FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES IS GOING UP FROM $200,000-$500,000, SO I DIDN'T WANT TO SPEND A MINUTE JUST TALKING A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHY THAT'S THE CASE. ON FRIDAY, WHEN WE PRESENTED, WHEN WE PRESENTED THE WATER SITUATION WITH GB RA, WE MENTIONED WE WANTED TO SOLICIT AN RFQ TO SOLICIT A WATER CENTRIC ENGINEERING FIRM TO HELP US EXPLORE ALL OF OUR OPTIONS. SO, THIS LINE ITEM WAS SPECIFICALLY INCREASED TO HELP PAY FOR WHAT THAT MIGHT COST, WHICH, AT THIS POINT, WE DON'T KNOW. THAT WAS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THIS LINEWENT UP. WE ALSO TALKED ON FRIDAY

[00:30:02]

SO, THERE IS SOME FUNDING HERE ALLOTTED FOR US TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH OUR CONSULTANTS TO HELP CONTINUE TO EXPLORE THE OPTIONS FOR THE COMMUNITY CENTER. WE ALSO TALKED ON FRIDAY ABOUT THE CONSULTANTS WE ARE HIRING TO HELP US DEVELOP A PLAN FOR RIVERSIDE STADIUM, THE AND ALBUM EXPORTS COMPLEX THAT IS COMING FROM THIS BUDGET LINE ITEM AS WELL. AND SO, YOU CAN SEE HOW THIS IS ALL CONNECTED BETWEEN, YOU KNOW, OUR PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION WITH THE CORPORATION AND OTHER PROJECTS WE DISCUSS WITH YOU LIKE WE HAVE DONE RECENTLY. THE LAST ITEM I WILL HIT ON BRIEFLY BEFORE I GO INTO SPECIFICS ON THE CIP IS THE ITEM RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION. I KIND OF FLEW THROUGH THAT ONE REALLY QUICKLY BUT THE TRANSPORTATION ITEM ACTUALLY INCLUDES TWO DIFFERENT ELEMENTS. IT INCLUDES THE ELEMENT OF OUR FUNDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE LOCAL REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION AND THE TRANSIT SYSTEM, AND IT ALSO INCLUDES AN ALLOTMENT TOWARDS THE AIRPORT. SO, YOU MAY RECALL WE RECENTLY ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY -- I SHOULD SAY THE ENEMA CORPORATION ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY TO HELP INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AVAILABLE FLIGHTS OUT OF HERE. SO, THIS IS WHERE THE MONEY IS COMING FROM. THE SPECIFIC ALLOTMENT THAT IS ALLOCATED TO THE TRANSIT SYSTEM IS NOT CHANGING. IT IS KEPT THE SAME.

BUT WE FULLY EXPECT THE FIGURE IS ACTUALLY GOING TO GO UP. SO, WE SORT OF PUT A CAVEAT TO THAT WHEN WE DISCUSSED IT WITH THE CORPORATION, AND I WILL WITH YOU AS WELL BECAUSE WE KNOW THE TRANSIT SYSTEM IS GOING THROUGH A LOT OF CHANGES. THEY ARE GOING THROUGH A ROUTE STUDY THAT WILL RECOMMEND A MORE EFFICIENT SYSTEM. SO, WE EXPECT THE TRANSIT REQUEST FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR TO INCREASE ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT IT HAS BEEN BECAUSE OF THEIR EFFORTS TO HAVE BASICALLY A BETTER SYSTEM.

AND SO, WHEN THE TIME COMES, WE WILL HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THE CORPORATION THAT NECESSITATES A BUDGET AMENDMENT SO I WANT TO GIVE YOU A HEADS UP ABOUT THAT. AND FINALLY, I WANT TO HIT A LITTLE BIT ON THE CIP BECAUSE THERE ARE A FEW NEW CIP RELATED PROJECTS THAT WERE NOT FORMALLY DISCUSSED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CIP WITH YOU THROUGH OUR WORKSHOPS, WE ENDED UP RECOMMENDING TO AN AUTOMATIC CORPORATION FOR INCLUSION AND ARE NOW INCLUDED, AND I ALSO WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THIS BOOKLET JUST REALLY QUICKLY, THE BOOK THAT YOU MAY REMEMBER WE TRANSITION BACK TO A THREE-YEAR CIP SO THE BOOKLET, THE 2025 VERSION IS INCLUSIVE OF 2025, 2026 AND 2027, PLEASE REVIEW THAT AT YOUR OWN LEISURE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS, EVERY SINGLE YEAR WE FORMALIZE AND PUT OUT A CIP BOOK SO THERE WILL BE, FOR EXAMPLE, THERE WILL BE A FISCAL YEAR 2026 ADDITION. OFTEN TIMES THERE ARE CHANGES, ADDITION, SUBTRACTION, YOU KNOW, THINGS OF THAT SORT, SO WE ARE VERY CLEAR TO CONVEY TO THE PUBLIC THAT, YES, EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A PRINTED DOCUMENT AND WE ARE COMMITTED TO DOING THESE PROJECTS, TECHNICALLY, EVERYTHING IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE FOR THE ANNUAL PROCESS WE GO THROUGH FOR A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT REASONS. VERY QUICK -- AND I APOLOGIZE TO WHOEVER SUBMITTED A BID ON AN OVER UNDER FOR TODAY'S PRESENTATION FOR COUNCIL MEETING. BUT JUST AS A QUICK REFRESHER, THE ENTIRE CIP FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 IS 40 1/2 MILLION DOLLARS. SO THE BIG TAKE AWAY FROM THIS IS, WHAT IS THE PORTION ASSOCIATED WITH THE SALES TAX OF A CORPORATION WHICH IS 6.43 MILLION OUT OF THAT 40.5. AND SO, 5.2 IS ALLOTTED TO THOROUGHFARES AND 1.2 IS FOR UTILITIES. THOSE ARE INCLUSIVE OF PROJECTS WE HAVE ALREADY DISCUSSED WITH YOU, SO I WON'T GO THROUGH THEM IN DETAIL OTHER THAN SIMPLY HIGHLIGHTING THEM ON THIS MAP TO GIVE YOU A SENSE OF HOW SPREAD OUT AROUND OUR COMMUNITY THEY ARE. AGAIN, THESE ARE PROJECTS WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING FOR YEARS THAT ARE SIMPLY JUST UP FOR -- UP TO GET DONE IN FISCAL YEAR 2025. SAME ON THE UTILITIES INSIDE. WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE ENHANCEMENT AND IMPROVEMENTS THAT UP FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025. AND YOU ALSO KIND OF GET A SENSE OF WHERE SOME OF THESE PROJECTS ARE. SO, NEW ONES, AND SO, WE ENDED UP RECOMMENDING TO THIS CORPORATION ADDING THE DESIGN FOR BUR ROSEVILLE. ROSEVILLE IS BASICALLY THE ONLY -- THERE'S A COUPLE THINGS HERE. BUT IF WE ARE TRYING TO FACILITATE MOVEMENT TO THE AIRPORT, IF YOU'RE COMING FROM BUSINESS 59, THIS IS THE QUICKEST AND EASIEST WAY TO GET TO THE AIRPORT. YOU WOULD OBVIOUSLY EXIT -- EXCUSE ME, LONE TREE, THEN TAKE A LEFT ON BURROWS HILL, THEN RIGHT ON HOUSTON HIGHWAY, BUSINESS 59 TO GET TO THE AIRPORT. IT'S NOT IN GOOD SHAPE. SO, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT AS WE LOOK TO POTENTIALLY EXPAND AVAILABILITY OF PROPERTY FOR EXPANSION OF INDUSTRIAL PARK OR OTHER THINGS, THAT THIS ROAD BE UP TO SPEED AND UP TO PAR, IF YOU WILL, I SHOULD SAY.

[00:35:01]

AND BASICALLY, THAT'S IT. >> MR. GARZA?

>> YES. >> THOSE PROJECTS ARE NOT IN THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM QUIT THAT YOU HAVE JUST

GIVEN US, RIGHT? >> I DON'T KNOW IF WE DID -- DID WE? NO. THERE WERE ADDITIONS --

>> COULD YOU POSSIBLY GET THOSE TO US AT A LATER DATE SO WE CAN ADD THEM TO OUR BOOKS ? THE FUNDING IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT, AND WE DON'T HAVE CATEGORIES FOR FUNDING.

>> YEAH, WE CAN LOOK AT HOW EASY OR SMOOTHLY WE CAN --

>> THEY CAN BE LOOSE PAPER. I WOULD JUST PUT IT IN MY BOOK.

BUT -- >> WITH A STATEMENT?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT ALL THE PROJECTS AT

ONCE. >> SURE.

>> THANK YOU. >> I WANTED TO PERSONALLY THANK YOU FOR THE BREAKDOWN OF THE BUDGET AND THE RATIONALE BEHIND SOME OF THOSE SPECIFIC LINE ITEMS. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THAT OUR RESIDENTS UNDERSTAND OUR CITIES DEVELOPMENT GOALS MOVING FORWARD. THERE MAY BE QUESTIONS RELATED TO THIS BUDGET , AND TO WHOM SHOULD RESIDENCE DIRECT THOSE QUESTIONS? WOULD IT BE US AS COUNCIL? WOULD IT BE SOUTH

[00:40:04]

>> WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT THE QUESTIONS ARE, IT'S DIFFICULT TO ANSWER THE QUESTION. BUT ULTIMATELY, ALL THE PEOPLE YOU JUST MENTIONED ARE INVOLVED WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUDGET. AN AUTOMATIC CORPORATION INVOLVED WITH THE

CONVERSATIONS. >> I HEARD JESUS.

>> DID YOU HEAR THAT? >> IF THE QUESTION IS VERY, VERY SPECIFIC, OBVIOUSLY, THE COUNCILMEMBERS THAT ARE PART OF THE THE MONEY IS BEING SPENT, WHERE IT SITS, SOME OF THE PROJECTS THAT ARE DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION WITH THE CORPORATION. IF AT THAT LEVEL OF SPECIFICITY, MAYBE THOSE COUNCIL MEMBERS WOULD BE THE MORE APPROPRIATE COUNCIL MEMBERS JUST BECAUSE OF BEING MORE AWARE OF WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE

IS AWARE AS WELL. SO -- >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?

>> NO. AS A MEMBER OF SALES-TAX DEVELOPMENT BOARD, I WAS GLAD TO SEE THE UTILITY WORK COME BACK ON THE I-69 PROJECT. YOU DESCRIBED IT AS LOW HANGING FRUIT. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT IT IS. WE CAN OPEN UP, YOU KNOW, THAT AREA, WHICH WE KNOW IS COMING. I MEAN, I-69 IS COMING THROUGH THERE EVENTUALLY, YOU KNOW, BIGGER AND BETTER THAN IT IS EVEN. SO, I THINK GETTING AHEAD OF THAT AND BEING SMART AND STRATEGIC ABOUT HOW WE PLAN UTILITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THAT AREA, NOW IS THE TIME TO DO THAT RATHER THAN LATER. SO, I WAS GLAD TO SEE THAT COME UP

IN FORCE OF SALES-TAX. SO -- >> THANK YOU, THEN. WITH THAT, THEN, I WILL ENTERTAIN ANY MOTIONS WITH RESPECT TO ITEM

[1. Award the contract for the College Park Street Reconstruction Project ...]

ABILITY 7. >> I MOVE WE ADOPT THIS ITEM.

>> I SECOND IT. >> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED? ALL RIGHT, D 7 PASSES. WE MOVE TO ITEM E 1.

>> ITEM E 1 IS AN AWARD THE CONTRACT FOR THE COLLEGE PARK STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT TO CLARK CONSTRUCTION OF TEXAS IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,350,362.77

>> GOOD EVENING. COLLEGE PARK SUBDIVISION, THIS IS SECOND PHASE IN CULMINATION OF THE OVERALL IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SUBDIVISION . UTILITIES WERE RECENTLY COMPLETED EARLIER THIS SUMMER. BIDS FOR THIS STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WERE RECEIVED ON AUGUST 21ST. AND THE ENTIRE AREA COMPRISING THE WORK AREA IS FOUNDED ON THE NORTH BY HELLARD STREET RUNNING FROM MAIN STREET TO KNOW VERA ON EAST. ON SOUTH, IT'S RED RIVER. AND -- AND THE RAILROAD ON THE INTERMEDIATE STREETS.

THIS PROJECT WILL CONSIST OF PROXIMALLY 44,500 SQUARE YARDS OF ASPHALT, STREET IMPROVEMENTS, AND APPROXIMATELY 22,700 FEET OF GUTTER AND ROOF REPLACEMENT. THE STREET SECTION PROPOSED IS TO STABILIZE THE SUBGRADE OF LIMESTONE BASE, PRIME AND SEAL COATS, THEN TOP IT WITH 1.5 INCHES OF HOT MIX ASPHALT. THE STREETS THAT WILL BE CONSTRUCTED CONSIST OF HILLER, BLISTER, WARREN STREET, PARK AVENUE, VIRGINIA AVENUE, LIBERTY STREETS, DAILY OTHER STREETS, AND WINTER STREETS. WE HAVE NOT ESTABLISHED PROJECT BUDGET 7,151,000 $7,151,244. -- I WENT TOO FAR.

>> TWO PROPOSALS WERE RECEIVED. ONE FROM TEXAS, AND THE OTHER FROM LEICESTER CONSTRUCTION. CLARK'S PROPOSAL WAS

$7,350,362 >> TWO PROPOSALS WERE RECEIVED.

ONE FROM TEXAS, AND THE OTHER FROM LEICESTER CONSTRUCTION.

CLARK'S PROPOSAL WAS $7,350,362.70. -- $.77. WHEN PROPOSALS WERE SCORED AND RANKED, CLARK CONSTRUCTION PROPOSAL WAS DEEMED TO BE THE BEST VALUE FOR THE CITY.

PROJECT TIMELINE PROPOSAL IS 365 DAYS, CONTRACT SHOULD READ OCTOBER 1ST. THIS IS FROM THE PREVIOUS, WHEN I WAS PREPARED TO PRESENT THIS AT THE OCTOBER 17TH MEETING, AND I MISSED THIS WHEN I WAS EDITING. CONTRACT EXECUTED SHOULD BE IN OCTOBER.

RIGHT NOW, WITH THE CURRENT BACKLOG, THEY ARE ANTICIPATING BEGINNING CONSTRUCTION IN FEBRUARY OF 2025. THERE ARE VARIOUS CONCERNS I HAVE HEARD EXPRESSED REGARDING THIS BID, REGARDING THIS TIMELINE ON THIS CONTRACT AND CONSTRUCTION. I THOUGHT I WOULD ADDRESS THIS A LITTLE BIT. THE PROJECT IS OVER BUDGET BY OVER $200,000. HOWEVER, THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT HAS FOUND ADDITIONAL FUNDS -- ENOUGH FUNDS TO FUND THIS

[00:45:05]

>> YES, SIR. HEY, DAVID. THERE IS A PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AT

HELLARD IN RIVERA FISHPOND. >> YES, SIR.

>> SO, WE ARE GOING TO TOTALLY RECONSTRUCT THESE ROADS, THEN THEY ARE GOING TO COME ON WITH HEAVY EQUIPMENT AND DO THAT? JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE PROTECT OUR INVESTMENT OF NEW ROADS SO WE DON'T DAMAGE THEM WITH HEAVY EQUIPMENT.

>> WELL, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THEY ARE PROPOSING AN ENTRANCE OFF OF NAVARRO , AND THAT'S WHERE WE WOULD ASK THEM -- REQUIRE THEM TO BRING IN OTHER HEAVY EQUIPMENT.

>> CORRECT. >> HOW IS THAT GOING TO WORK

WITH TRAFFIC ON RIVERO? >> I MEAN, I DON'T -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT SPECIFICALLY YOU MEAN BY THAT, YOU KNOW? WE HAVE A CONSTRUCTION SITE ON MAIN STREET WHERE TRAFFIC IS GOING IN. OBVIOUSLY, TRAFFIC CONTROL WOULD HAVE TO BE PART OF THEIR PROJECT, RIGHT? JUST HOW TRAFFIC CONTROL IS PART OF OUR PROJECT ON MAIN STREET, RIGHT? SO, REALLY, THE ONUS IS ON THEM TO ENSURE THEY ARE PROVIDING THE ADEQUATE TRAFFIC CONTROL IF THE STREET NEEDS TO BE BLOCKED, OR A BIG TRUCK NEEDS TO GET ON THE SITE, THINGS OF THAT SORT. SO, I MEAN, WE CANNOT EASILY COMMUNICATE WITH THEM AND ENSURE THAT IS ADEQUATE. I'M SURE THAT WILL COME UP AS PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW

PROCESS. >> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE PROTECT OUR INVESTMENT. SO, THAT ANSWER THAT. THANK YOU.

>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >> JUST OUT OF CURIOSITY, AND SIMPLY BECAUSE I MAYBE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M NOT AWARE OF IT, HOW DOES THAT SCORING WORK WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT TWO

DIFFERENT PROPOSALS? >> WHEN WE PUT THE PROPOSALS, ADVERTISE THE PROPOSALS, WE ESTABLISH A SET OF CRITERIA. WE HAVE SCORING PERCENTAGES. AND THEN, WHEN WE GET THE BIDS IN, WE REVIEW THOSE PROPOSALS -- THEY ARE BASED ON ANYTHING FROM PRICING TO CONTRACTORS EXPERIENCE LEVEL, TO THE EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE, TO EXPERIENCE WITH THE CITY, AND THOSE FACTORS ARE ALL GIVEN SCORE NUMBERS, AND WHEN WE SOME THOSE UP , THAT'S HOW WE DETERMINE WHICH ONE IS THE BEST

VALUE FOR THE CITY. >> AND I THINK THAT TERM IS KEY, REALLY QUICK, BECAUSE A FEW YEARS AGO WE DID TRANSITION FROM SOLELY TAKING A LOW BID APPROACH TO AWARDING CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS LIKE THESE TO A BEST VALUE APPROACH THAT TAKES, YOU KNOW, ALL THESE OTHER FACTORS INTO ACCOUNT.

NOW, IT'S MAYBE ONLY HAPPENED MAYBE ONCE OR TWICE WHERE WE HAVE ACTUALLY RECOMMENDED A CONTRACTOR THAT WAS SLIGHTLY MAYBE MORE EXPENSIVE THAN THE LOWEST BID BECAUSE OF IT BEING MORE OF A BEST VALUE, RIGHT? YOU KNOW, IN THIS INSTANCE, IF YOU GO BACK A COUPLE SLIDES, YOU KNOW, YOU WILL NOTICE THE SECOND RESPONDENT, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN SEE THE DIFFERENCE, RIGHT? AND SO, SOMETIMES, THESE AREN'T ANYWHERE NEAR CLOSE, AND IT CAN MAKE IT VERY DIFFICULT, YOU KNOW, TO OBVIOUSLY RECOMMEND A HIGHER NUMBER. YOU KNOW? THE TIMELINE

[00:50:01]

>> IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN, THIS ITEM WAS PULLED FROM A PREVIOUS AGENDA BECAUSE THERE WAS A QUESTION ABOUT THE BID . AND MS. LACEY, AS I UNDERSTAND, THAT HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED AND YOU ARE SATISFIED WITH THE BID, AND WE CAN PROCEED FORWARD?

>> YES, SIR. ABSOLUTELY. >> VERY GOOD. ANY OTHER

QUESTIONS? >> THANK YOU, MR. SCHINDLER. I WILL ENTERTAIN ANY EMOTIONS WITH ANY ITEM YOU WANT.

[2. Nominate a candidate or candidates to serve on the Victoria Central Ap...]

>> I MOVED TO APPROVE ITEM E 1.

>> I SECOND PERIOD >> MOTION AND SECOND, ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED? E ONE PASSES.

THAT MOVES US TO ITEM E 2. >> ITEM E CAPITAL 2 -- IS TO NOMINATE A CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATES TO SERVE ON THE VICTORIA CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT.

>> WE PROVIDE A NOMINATION TO THE CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS. SO I'M NOT ACTUALLY CASTING OUR VOTES OR ANYTHING THIS EVENING, JUST SIMPLY NOMINATING WHO WE WISH TO SERVE ON THAT BOARD. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ROLE IN THE PROPERTY TAX SYSTEM, SOME OF THE MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS ARE THEY HIRE THE CHIEF APPRAISER, THEY SET THE PORTRAIT, APPOINT THE APPRAISAL TOWARD MEMBERS, BUT THEY HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO SET VALUES OR DUTY APPRAISAL METHODS, THE CHIEF APPRAISER WOULD CARRY OUT THOSE DUTIES , THE LEGAL DUTIES, THEY HIRE THE STAFF, MAKE THE APPRAISALS AND OFFICE. SO, THE ELECTION PROCESS FOR THIS BOARD BEFORE OCTOBER 1ST, THE CHIEF APPRAISER HAS TO DELIVER THE VOTING ENTITLEMENT US. THE LETTERS ARE ADDRESSED TO DUANE AND CITY MANAGER GARZA, SO, THEY RECEIVED THE LETTERS. AND WE HAVE UNTIL OCTOBER 15TH TO NOMINATE UP TO FIVE CANDIDATES . BEFORE OCTOBER 30TH, THE BALLOT WILL BE PREPARED AND SENT BACK TO US. ALSO THROUGH LETTERS, THEN WE WILL -- THE CITY COUNCIL WILL HAVE TO CAST OUR VOTES BY RESOLUTION THEN I RETURN THAT TO THE CHIEF APPRAISER. AND THEN, FIVE CANDIDATES WITH THE MOST VOTES ARE DECLARED ELECTED AND VOTED FOR THE VOTING ENTITIES, THEY ARE NOTIFIED OF THAT. SO REMEMBER THIS APPRAISAL DISTRICT BOARD DOES NOW HAVE THREE ELECTED MEMBERS THAT ARE ELECTED BY THE VOTING PUBLIC.

IT WASN'T ON THE BALLOT THIS PAST MAY SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY ONLY HAD THREE PEOPLE APPLY, SO THE KIND OF AUTOMATICALLY WON THE SEAT ON THE BOARD. SO, THE NUMBER OF VOTES, THE CITY OF VICTORIA HAS 839 VOTES. YOU CAN SEE BY THE LIST THAT VICTORIA ISD HAS THE MOST VOTES. AND WE ARE THIRD IN LINE WITH SLIGHTLY BEHIND VICTORIA COUNTY. IT'S A VERY CONFUSING PROCESS ON HOW THE VOTES ARE DETERMINED . SO, KERRY SENDS US -- WITHIN THE LETTER, SHE SENDS US THE VOTES IN THE ALLOTMENTS. SO, IT IS ACTUALLY IN THE TAX CODE THAT SPELLS OUT EXACTLY HOW SHE HAS TO DO IT. IT IS KIND OF BASED ON THE LEVEES FROM 2023. SO, THEY GO ONE YEAR BACK TO USE THOSE NUMBERS AND THEN IT'S A COMPLICATED PROCESS, SO, SHE SENT THAT OUT TO US. SO, THE CASTING OF THE VOTES, WE WILL DO, LIKE I SAID, THE COUNCIL WILL DO IT AT A LATER DATE. BUT YOU CAN ACTUALLY -- I WANT TO EXPLAIN THE PROCESS FOR OUR TWO NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS. THE BOATS -- WE CAN SPLIT OUR VOTES OR WE CAN PASS THEM FOR ONE MEMBER.

IF YOU LOOK BACK AT HOW MANY VOTES WE HAVE COMPARED TO THE OTHER ENTITIES, HISTORICALLY, THE CITY OF VICTORIA HAS PASSED ALL OF OUR VOTES FOR ONE PERSON TO KIND OF ENSURE THE PERSON THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SERVE ON THE BOARD WILL GET A NOMINATION. IF WE START PUTTING UP THE VOTES, THEN THERE IS LESS CHANCE THAT ARE PERSON THAT WE CHOOSE TO NOMINATE WOULD END UP ON THAT BOARD, AND HISTORICALLY, THE CITY OF VICTORIA HAS ALSO NOMINATED A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER. THAT'S COMPLETELY UP TO Y'ALL. CURRENTLY, MS. SCOTT INAUDIBLE ] SERVES IN THAT CAPACITY FOR THE CITY OF VICTORIA. AND I ASKED HER ON FRIDAY, AND SHE HAS AGREED TO ACCEPT THE NOMINATION IF Y'ALL SO CHOOSE. SHE CURRENTLY SERVES

AS THE PRESIDENT. >> BUT I DON'T WANT TO TAKE SOMEBODY ELSE -- TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY FROM SOMEBODY ELSE, BUT I'M WILLING TO AND HAPPY TO CONTINUE SERVING.

>> THANK YOU. >> YES, THANK YOU.

>> SEEING AS HOW YOU ARE PRESIDENT, I WOULDN'T WANT TO

DISRUPT THAT BOARD. >> I HAVE A QUESTION.

>> AND OTTO MACK >> I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A QUESTION FOR APRIL OR ALLISON, BUT HISTORICALLY, IT WAS CORRECT WE WOULD CAST ALL OF OUR VOTES FOR OUR

[00:55:02]

>> YES. I DO RECALL THAT. >> I THINK THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN

-- >> SO, I JUST WANT TO MENTION THAT TO KIND OF CLARIFY THAT THE CITIES APPROACH THAT DID CHANGE UNDER MAYOR BUCK KNIFE LEADERSHIP TO TRANSITION TO THAT , JUST PUTTING THAT OUT THERE FOR TRANSPARENCY, OBVIOUSLY, WE ARE NOT DOING THAT TONIGHT, JUST TO PROVIDE

THAT CONTEXT. >> TONIGHT IS JUST A NOMINATION. THAT COMES WHEN WE DO THE VOTES. YOU ARE CORRECT

ABOUT THAT, YES. >> AND I WOULD LIKE TO, FOR DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLY A CHANGE TO WHAT WE ARE ABOUT TO DO, HISTORICALLY, WE HAVE NOMINATED ONE, BUT WE CAN ALL NOMINATE UP TO FIVE, AND THEN LOOKING AT THOSE NUMBERS, I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE WE ADDITIONALLY NOMINATE DR. JOHN MCNEIL. HE CURRENTLY SERVES ON THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT BOARD HOWEVER, HE IS REPRESENTATIVE FOR NURSERY SCHOOL DISTRICT WHICH ONLY HAS 88 VOTES. DO THEY GET TO CAST A NOMINATION? I GUESS THAT'S WHAT MY THOUGHT PROCESS WAS, JUST TO GET HIS NAME IN THE RUNNING AS WELL. -- IF WE CAN --

>> I BELIEVE ALL ENTITIES -- >> ALL ENTITIES?

>> THEY DON'T ALWAYS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT, BUT THEY DO

ALL GET -- >> AND THIS PART WOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH US ACTUALLY CASTING OUR VOTES, BUT IT WOULD BE ANOTHER NAME THAT COULD BE PUT ON THAT LIST. SO, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THAT RECOMMENDATION ON THAT. -- THROWING EVERYBODY OFF, I AM SORRY.

>> YOU ARE FROM THE SAME POINT THAT, IF HE IS REPRESENTATIVE OF A CERTAIN ENTITY, I WOULD THINK IT WOULD BE INCUMBENT UPON THAT ENTITY TO DETERMINE WHETHER THEY WANT HIM TO CONTINUE TO BE THEIR NOMINEE RATHER THAN US ASSUMING THAT THEY DO, ALTHOUGH, I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY WOULDN'T, BUT I DON'T -- I -- I KIND OF VIEW THIS AS A STAY IN YOUR LANE FROM THE STANDPOINT IF HE IS THEIR NOMINEE THEN THAT'S GOING TO BE UP TO THEM TO PUT HIM UP AGAIN AS HIS NOMINEE, AND I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO BE SAYING TO THEM, HEY, HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO BE UP . I THINK WE NEED TO NOMINATE WHO WE WANT FOR THE CITY AND LET EACH ENTITY DECIDE THEIR OWN NOMINEE, AT LEAST THAT'S MY THOUGHTS, BUT I AM OPEN TO

EVERYBODY ELSE'S THOUGHTS. >> I AGREE.

>> I THINK WE NOMINATE JUST JEN SCOTT.

>> I LIKE THAT NOMINATION. >> IT IS JUST A NOMINATION FOR JAN SCOTT? IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THAT MOTION? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED? IT WAS UNANIMOUS INCLUDING MRS. SCOTT.

SLOGAN. VOTE FOR JUST JAN SCOTT.

>> THAT IS ALL OF OUR ITEMS FOR THIS EVENING. I BELIEVE WE WILL

[H. Executive Sessions:]

>> YES, SIR. WE ARE AT 5:58. WE WILL TAKE A SHORT FIVE MINUTE BREAK TO LET THE ROOM CLEAR, THEN WE WILL RE-ADJOURN INTO

EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> PLEASE CLEAR QUICKLY.

>>

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.