[A. CALL TO ORDER] [00:00:28] >> COUNCILMAN? >> >> JOIN ME FOR THE PLEDGES AND A MOMENT OF SILENT. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG, I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO YOU, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE. THANK YOU. PLEASE BE SEATED. AGAIN, WELCOME EVERYONE, GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE IN THE [1. Announcements/Reminders:] RESCHEDULED MEETING. WE WILL JUMP RIGHT INTO OUR AGENDA AND START WITH ITEM B-1, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REMINDERS. MR. GARZA? >> PART OF IT IS BECAUSE OF THE UNPLEASANT WEATHER, ALTHOUGH I THOUGHT IT WAS FAIRLY PRESENT. >> FAIR ENOUGH, A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE. >> ON BEHALF. UTILITY BUILDING OFFICE WE WANT TO REMIND THE PUBLIC OF ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PEOPLE IMPACTED. WATER USAGE HIGHER THAN NORMAL BECAUSE OF THE FREEZE MAY CONTACT THE UTILITY BILLING OFFICE FOR AN ADJUSTED BILL. IT'S TEMPORARILY WAIVING FEES TO DISCONNECT AND RECONNECT FOR REPAIRS. AND PAST DUE WATER BILLS DUE JANUARY 10TH, WILL NOT HAVE WATER BILL DISCONNECTED UNTIL THE 31ST. IT WILL WAIVE THE FEE IF IT'S PAID IN THE GRACE PERIOD. THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH HOW WE'VE HANDLED PREVIOUS WINTER EVENTS. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US AS ON ORGANIZATION TO BE EMPATHETIC WHEN WE CAN AND THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT THAT. ON BEHALF OF THE PARKS DEPARTMENT, INVITE THE PUBLIC TO JOIN US IN RIVERSIDE PARK FEBRUARY 1ST, 8:00 A.M. , THE HEART AND STROKE WALK. THE CITY TEAM WILL BE PARTICIPATING TO CELEBRATE HEART HEALTH, HONOR SURVIVORS AND SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION. WWW.TWO.HEART.ORG. WE INCREASED OUR SUPPORT AFTER THE PASSING OF MAYOR MCCOY TO CONTINUE TO HONOR HIS MEMLY AT MEMORY AT THIS EVENT. WE'D LIKE TO INVITE THE PUBLIC TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON THE VICTORIAN METROPOLITAN PLANNING ON THE TRANSPORTATION PLAN, A SET OF RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM THE NEXT 25 YEARS. THE METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION WILL HOST TWO OPEN HOUSES WHERE RESIDENTS CAN VISIT WITH STAFF, LEARN ABOUT THE PLAN AND ASK QUESTIONS. THIS WILL TAKE PLACE MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3RD, 1:30 TO 3:30. TUESDAY FEBRUARY 4TH, 8:00 A.M. TO 12:00 P.M. A HARD COPY OF THE PLAN WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC VIEWING IN BUSINESS HOURS AT CITY OF VICTORIA DEVELOPMENT SERVICES OFFICE. AND FINALLY, HOPE YOU SAW THE TODAY'S RELEASE THAT AIRPORT DIRECTOR SAT DOWN WITH US -- NOT US, WITH ASHLEY AND THE TEAM, ON THE CITY'S PODCAST "TOWN TALK" TO DISCUSS THE AIRPORT'S ROLE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. AND IT DEBUTED TODAY. WATCH OR LISTEN, VICTORIATX.GOV/TOWNTALK. [a. School Board Recognition Month Proclamation. Duane Crocker, Mayor] >> LET'S MOVE INTO PUBLIC AND EMPLOYEE RECOGNITIONS. THERE'S SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE. WELCOME. B-2A. >> THE MISSION OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS MEET EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF ALL CHILDREN AND EMPOWER THEM TO BECOME COMPETENT, PROSPECTIVE [00:05:05] CONTRIBUTORS TO A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY AND EVER- CHANGING WORLD AND SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS ARE ELECTED BY THE COMMUNITY TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR ALL STUDENTS AND WORK CLOSELY WITH PARENTS, AND MEMBERS TO CREATE THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS FOR STUDENTS AND THE STRUCTURE FOR A SOLID FOUNDATION, WHEREAS LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS ARE STRONG ADVOCATES FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION. NOW THEREFORE I, DUANE CROCKER DO DECLARE JANUARY 2025 AS SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION MONTH IN VICTORIA, TEXAS, AND URGE ALL CITIZENS TO JOIN ME RECOGNIZING THE HARD WORK AND DEDICATION OF THE MEMBERS, WORKING TO MOLD AN EDUCATION SYSTEM THAT MEETS THE NEEDS OF TODAY'S AND TOMORROW'S CHILDREN. >> GOOD EVENING. >> NORMALLY HERE. THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, TONIGHT I -- I'M MIKE MERCER, CURRENT PRESIDENT OF THE SCHOOL BOARD JOINED BY SEVERAL COLLEAGUES TONIGHT. START WITH THE ONES THAT COULDN'T MAKE IT. VICE PRESIDENT, MARGARET PRUITT HAD A DEATH IN HER FAMILY. AND TRUSTEE BJ NELSON ALSO HAD A FAMILY EMERGENCY TODAY AND COULDN'T BE WITH US AS WELL TONIGHT. OTHERWISE WE'VE ALSO GOT TRUSTEE MICAH PATTON WITH US TONIGHT, TRUSTEE KATHY BELL WITH US. TRUSTEE RICK JONES WITH US. AND TRUSTEE -- BRIDGET MARSHALL. JUST WAITING FOR ME TO FORGET THAT. I LIKE TO TAKE A PAUSE FOR THAT. I'M VERY FORTUNATE TO WORK WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE ABSOLUTELY AND ALWAYS DEDICATED TO WHAT IS BEST FOR THE CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY. ON BEHALF OF THE SCHOOL BOARD, I ACCEPT THIS PROCLAMATION AND EXTEND MY GRATITUDE TO EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU. THIS IS MAYBE THE THIRD OR FOURTH TIME I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE THIS AS PRESIDENT OF THE SCHOOL BOARD. WITH SOMEWHAT SIGH OF RELIEF, I CAN SAY IT'S THE LAST TIME I WILL BE UP HERE TO DO THIS. BUT I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU THAT OVER THESE FOUR YEARS, YOU HAVE BEEN AN INCREDIBLE PARTNER TO WORK WITH IN OUR COMMUNITY AND I WANT TO THANK EVERY SINGLE ONE FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE. I KNOW I'VE NEVER, THE BOARD HAS NEVER FELT OUT OF LOCK STEP WITH THE CITY, THE COUNCIL AND MAYOR ANY POINT OF TIME THAT I HAVE BEEN ON THE BOARD. SO I THINK YOU FOR THAT. WE'VE MOVED TOGETHER FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES ALL THE WAY THROUGH PARKS AND REC UP TO THE OFFICE OF MAYOR, YOU'VE BEEN AN INCREDIBLE PARTNER ENSURING WE DO THE ABSOLUTE BEST FOR THE CHILDREN AND STUDENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY. I WOULD BE REMISS WITHOUT SAYING NOT ONLY DO WE RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THOSE INVOLVED IN PUBLIC EDUCATION, BUT WE SHARE THIS ALSO WITH OUR COLLEAGUES AT WORK IN PRIVATE EDUCATION AND THAT WE ALSO SHARE WITH A NUMBER OF PARENTS THAT ALSO WORK IN HOMESCHOOL. WE KNOW THERE ARE MANY PATHS FOR STUDENTS AND WE RESPECT ALL OF THOSE PATHS AND SHARE THAT WITH THEM. BUT I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN, AND I KNOW THAT WE'LL LOOK FORWARD TO A FRUITFUL PARTNERSHIP AS TIME MARCHES ON. THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN. >> MR. MERCER, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THOSE KIND WORDS. MUCH DESERVED RECOGNITION FOR EACH OF YOUR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, AND WE APPRECIATE YOU GUYS BEING HERE. I HEAR THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE THAT MAYBE THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT IS HERE AS WELL? IS THAT CORRECT? >> GLAD YOU BROUGHT THAT UP, SHE AND MR. MEYER, THE DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT WOULD BE HERE TONIGHT, WOULD HAVE BEEN HERE LAST WEEK AND I WOULD HAVE FORMALLY INTRODUCED YOU. THEY'RE AT AN ADMINISTRATORS CONFERENCE I BELIEVE IN AUSTIN UNTIL TOMORROW. >> THAT'S MORE IMPORTANT THAN BEING WITH US. LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THEM NEXT TIME. >> ABSOLUTELY. >> THANK YOU ALL FOR WHAT YOU DO, VERY IMPORTANT FOR EDUCATION IN VICTORIA. WE ENJOY THE COMMUNITY OF RELATION AND COOPERATION WITH YOUR BOARD. THANK YOU ALL. MR. GARZA, ANY ANOTHER PUBLIC AND EMPLOYEE RECOGNITIONS? >> NO, SIR. >> ITEMS FROM COUNCIL? ANYTHING THIS EVENING? [4. Citizen Communication:] ALL RIGHT. SEEING NONE, I WILL JUMP [00:10:01] INTO CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS. I HAVE TWO CARDS, WE'LL START WITH LISA KURTY. >> HELLO. >> YOU ARE CORRECT, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE ITEM YOU WOULD -- ARE HERE TO SPEAK ON IS PUBLIC HEARING. IF YOU'D RATHER SPEAK AT THE PUBLIC HEARING THAN CITIZENS COMMUNICATION, YOU'RE MORE THAN WELCOME. EITHER WAY, IT'S ENTIRELY UP TO YOU. >> WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE? >> NONE FOR ME. I WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOU SAY EITHER WAY. YEAH. LET'S DO IT. >> I'M A SEXUAL ASSAULT ADVOCATE AND SURVIVOR AS WELL. I MOVED HOME FOUR YEARS AGO AND WANT TO THANK VPD AND VICTORIA SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT FOR KEEPING OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE. I'VE NEVER FELT SAFE BUT THE LAST FOUR YEARS I'VE BEEN HOME. TODAY I WILL BE ADVOCATING FOR WOMEN, CHILDREN, PREGNANT MOTHERS, FATHERS WITH TEENAGERS DENIED THE PRIVILEGE OF STAYING AT THE SALVATION ARMY. CURRENTLY IT'S A MEN'S ONLY SHELTER WHICH ALLOWS SEX OFFENDERS TO STAY OVERNIGHT. SURELY, I THOUGHT TO MYSELF, THIS MUST BE WRONG. TO MY SURPRISE, IT WAS 100% ACCURATE. THESE SEX OFFENDERS ARE LET OUT EARLY IN THE A.M. HOURS TO ROAM OUR STREETS. I AM PLEADING THAT NOT A 500 FEET PROXIMITY BUT A THOUSAND FEET PROXIMITY BE SET FOR PLAYGROUNDS, DAY CARES AND SCHOOLS, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. SO THAT THE COMMUNITY CAN BE SAFE, ALL OF THE WOMEN AND ALL OF THE CHILDREN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, GOD BLESS YOU ALL. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. I APPRECIATE IT. AND THEN, THE OTHER CARD I HAVE IS MS. WILMA EDWARDS. WELCOME BACK. >> GOOD EVENING. I JUST QUESTIONS TO ASK THE CITY COUNCIL. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE READ THE MASTER PLAN WE HAVE ALREADY PLANNED, SOME OF THE THINGS THAT'S BEEN DONE IS NOT IN THE PLAN. IF I DON'T REMEMBER IT, BECAUSE I KNOW IN THE PROCESS OF ENLARGING THE COMMUNITY CENTER, WAS THAT IN THE PLAN? NO? >> I BELIEVE THERE IS A COMMUNITY CENTER IMPROVEMENT PLAN, YES, MA'AM, POSTED ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE. >> THAT WAS IN THE MASTER PLAN? >> YES, MA'AM. >> OKAY. OKAY. WHAT ABOUT THE COMMUNITY BLOCK GRANT, ARE Y'ALL FAMILIAR WITH THAT? >> WE ARE, AND I REMIND YOU, THIS IS COMMENT, NOT QUESTION AND ANSWER. >> OKAY, I'M MAKING A STATEMENT. >> IF YOU WOULD LIKE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS I'LL MEET WITH YOU OUTSIDE THE MEETING. . >> I'LL MAKE IT. THAT'S WHY I NEED OTHERS TO TALK TO YOU INSTEAD OF ME TALKING. I WILL SAY WE'RE STILL IN NEED OF A BUILDING FOR THE FREE CLOTHES MINISTRY AND WE NEED HELP GETTING A BUILDING AND MONEY. WE STILL TAKING DONATIONS, MONEY, CLOTHES AND WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DONATE. NOW THIS IS GOING TO -- MIKE WAS WORKING ON THIS ISSUE WITH ME. SO HE LEFT, AND I WANTED TO SEE THAT WE CONTINUE TO DO WHAT HE WAS PLANNED FOR THIS PROGRAM. OKAY. WE NEED A BUILDING. THIS IS STATEMENT, NOT A QUESTION. >> FAIR ENOUGH. >> WE NEED A BUILDING, AND ALREADY STATED WE NEED MONEY, CLOTHES, HOUSING, OTHER ITEMS. BUT THE OTHER ISSUES WE HAVE, I THINK WE'LL TALK TO THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, IS SUPPOSED TO TALK TO US, IS THAT CORRECT? >> THAT WOULD BE PREFERABLE, YES, MA'AM. >> OKAY. I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY TONIGHT. >> FAIR ENOUGH. >> I WANT TO ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS BUT THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT TIME. >> VERY GOOD, WE'LL MAKE SURE YOUR QUESTIONS ARE ADDRESSED. >> THANK YOU. >> YOU'RE VERY WELCOME. GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN. THAT IS THE LAST CARD THAT I HAVE. [1. An ordinance amending Chapter 24 of the City Code for various changes ...] I WILL CLOSE CITIZENS COMMUNICATION AND WE'LL MOVE INTO SECTION C, ITEMS [00:15:01] WITH PUBLIC HEARING. WE'LL BEGIN WITH ITEM C-ONE. >> AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 24 OF THE CITY CODE FOR VARIOUS CHANGES IN FEES. >> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. THE FEES WE'RE PROPOSING WE HAD DONE PRESENTATIONS NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER. THE ONLY ADDITIONAL ITEM IN THE PACKET ARE CHANGES TO PRINT FEES. MOST ARE AVAILABLE ELECTRONICALLY ONLINE, AND IF A PRINTED COPY IS REQUESTED, TO DISCHARGE THE CITY'S ACTUAL PRINT CHARGES. THIS IS JUST THE NEXT STEP IN THE PROCESS, AND WE'RE HERE WITH STAFF TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE ON THE PROPOSED FEES. >> I WILL ADD PER COUNCIL DIRECTION, WE'RE NOT CONTINUING THE FEES PROPOSED FOR DOWNTOWN RELATED FACILITIES. THOSE ARE STILL UNDER REVIEW, THAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS SLATE OF FEES BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING. >> THANK YOU. ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FEES? I THINK WE'VE SEEN THE PRESENTATIONS ON THESE, THESE ARE JUST CONSOLIDATING INTO ONE ORDINANCE AT THIS POINT. OKAY. I DON'T THINK WE HAVE QUESTIONS. WITH NONE, I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM C-1. ANYBODY WISHES TO SPEAK TO COUNCIL, PLEASE COME FORWARD. SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ENTERTAIN MOTIONS WITH RESPECT TO SAME. >> I MOVE WE ADOPT. >> I SECOND. >> I'VE GOT A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THE ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 24. ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. [2. An ordinance amending Chapter 15 of the Victoria City Code to include ...] >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? AND THE AYES HAVE IT, C- 1 PASSES. MOVING ON TO ITEM C-2. >> IT'S AN IN ORDERANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 15 OF THE VICTORIA CITY CODE TO INCLUDE SEX OFFENDER RESIDENCY RESTRICTIONS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, I'M CLAY FETTERS, DEPUTY CHIEF OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. SEX OFFENDERS CONVICTED OF CRIMES INVOLVING MINORS CAN LIVELIVE IN THE CITY. WE HAVE NO CURRENT ORDINANCE THAT LIMITS WHERE THEY CAN LIVE. ONCE THE SEX OFFENDERS REQUIRED TO REGISTER ARE OFF PAROLE OR PROBATION, NOTHING PREVENTS THEM FROM LIVING ACROSS THE STREET FROM A SCHOOL OR ANYWHERE ELSE THAT CHILDREN CONGREGATE. WE'RE SPECIFICALLY CONCERNED WITH SEX OFFENDERS WITH CONVICTIONS INVOLVING MINORS. THE SOLUTION WE'RE PROPOSING IT 1500 FEET AROUND PLACES THAT CHILDREN GATHER, INCLUDING CITY PARKS, RECREATION CENTERS, PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SCHOOLS- DAY FACILITIES AND OTHER AREAS THAT CHILDREN CONGREGATE AND MAKE IT A VIOLATION FOR A SEX OFFENDER CONVICTED OF A CRIME INVOLVING AA TO ESTABLISH A TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT RESIDENCE WITHIN THE CHILD SAFETY ZONE. WE NEED THIS ORDINANCE TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN. FROM 2021 TO 2024 WE'VE OBSERVED 40% INCREASE IN REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS IN THE CITY. 92% WERE CONVICTED OF CRIMES INVOLVING MINORS, MAJORITY WERE 9 TO 14 YEARS OLD. THE MAP ON THE RIGHT SHOWS THE CHILD SAFETY ZONES LAYERED OVER THE CITY. APPROXIMATELY 100 SEX OFFENDERS CURRENTLY LIVE IN THESE AREAS. THEY WOULD BE GRANDFATHERED INTO THEIR CURRENT RESIDENCE BUT WOULD HAVE TO COMPLY WITH THE ORDINANCE IF THEY WERE TO MOVE. THERE ARE OVER 194 CITIES IN THE STATE WITH SIMILAR ORDINANCES AND COURT RULINGS SUPPORT THEM AS COMPLEMENTARY TO STATE LAW. WE NEED THE ORDINANCE TO GIVE OUR OFFICERS ENFORCEMENT ACTION TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN FROM SEX OFFENDERS WHO ARE NO LONGER ON PROBATION OR PAROLE BUT REQUIRED TO REGISTER. WE HAVE A PLAN TO ADD RESOURCES TO OUR WEBSITE TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC AND IMPLEMENT A PROCESS TO ENFORCE THIS ORDINANCE IF IT'S ADOPTED. DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS? >> ANY QUESTIONS? NO. I DO WANT TO SAY I THINK THIS IS A -- AN IMPORTANT STEP FOR THE CITY, THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN. I APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU AND YOUR DEPARTMENT HAVE PUT IN ON IT. IT'S A LABOR OF LOVE BECAUSE YOU RECOGNIZE THE NEED [00:20:01] AS WELL. THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE TO WORK ON THIS WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY. >> THANK YOU. >> WITH THAT, LET ME OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM C- 2, IF ANYONE WISHES TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL PLEASE COME FORWARD AT THIS TIME. SEEING NO ONE, I CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND WILL ENTERTAIN ANY MOTIONS. I WILL MAKE A POINT, THERE WAS A COMMENT EARLIER ABOUT THE DISTANCE. THE ORDINANCE PROPOSED TONIGHT IS ACTUALLY 1,500 FEET FROM THE IDENTIFIED LOCATIONS AND FACILITIES. WITH THAT THEN, I WILL ENTERTAIN ANY MOTIONS. >> MOVE WE ADOPT C-2. >> EVERYBODY MOVED TO ADOPT. >> I'LL SECOND. >> EVERYONE SECONDS. FURTHER DISCUSSION? >> NO. THE OTHER AREAS BESIDES SCHOOLS, DAY CARE CENTERS AND POOLS, ANY OTHER FACILITIES WE CAN THINK OF THAT WOULD INCLUDE. >> I KNOW THAT THE CITY ATTORNEY AND I HAD DISCUSSIONS ABOUT OTHER POTENTIAL LOCATIONS IN THERE. THESE WERE WHAT -- >> SKATING RINK? >> IT WAS THESE THAT WE FELT WERE DEFENDABLE AND SUPPORTABLE IF THEY WERE TO BE CHALLENGED. >> YES, SIR, THESE ARE THE PLACES WE KNOW WILL STAND UP. WE DID A RISK ANALYSIS ON THE OTHER OPTIONS OF PLACES WE KNOW THAT CHILDREN GATHER AND FELT LIKE THESE WERE THE PRIMARY PLACES THAT ARE, I GUESS YOU COULD SAY, MORE AIMED AT CHILDREN. UNDERSTAND SOMETHING LIKE A SKATING RINK, BUT I'M SURE THERE'S LOTS OF ADULTS THAT ALSOALSO THAT KIND OF FACILITY. WE TRIED TO NARROW IT DOWN TO WHAT WE FELT LIKE WILL STAND UP BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN CHALLENGED AND STOOD UP. THEN DID A RISK ANALYSIS OF THE OPTIONS. THAT'S HOW WE CAME UP WITH THE PLACES DEFINED IN THE ORDINANCE. >> THANK YOU. >> I THINK IT'S OKAY TO BE TRANSPARENT WITH WHAT ONE OF THOSE LEADING ITEMS WAS, PLACES OF WORSHIP. THAT WAS ONE OF THE ONES THAT ROSE TO THE TOP AS A PLACE TO EXPLORE BEING ON THIS LIST, BUT THAT WAS ONE OF THOSE ITEMS THAT GETS TRICKY WITH -- >> IT GETS TRICKY. WE WERE CONCERNED -- THERE'S A CONCERN WITH CHURCHES AND PLACES OF WORSHIP, FREEDOM OF RELIGION, RESTRICTING SOMEBODY'S ABILITY, THEY DON'T HAVE TRANSPORTATION AND WAY TO GET THERE IS TO WALK, THAT WASN'T A RISK WE WERE WILLING TO TAKE AT THIS POINT. IT'S SOMETHING THAT IF IT COMES UP IN THE FUTURE AND YOU FEEL STRONGLY WE CAN CONSIDER ADDING IN LATER. >> END OF THE DAY THE GOAL WAS TO PROVIDE AS MUCH PROTECTION AS WE COULD WITHIN WHAT WE THOUGHT THE CURRENT STATE OF THE LAW WOULD ALLOW US TO DO. THIS DOES THAT. >> IF YOU LOOK AT THE MAP, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF CHILD SAFETY ZONES AND PUT A LOT OF RESTRICTIONS ON WHERE THESE INDIVIDUALS CANNOT RESIDE. WE FEEL LIKE IN TERMS OF PLACES THAT CHILDREN COMMONLY GATHER, WE'VE DONE A PRETTY COHESIVE JOB OF COVERING THEM AS WELL AS WE CAN. >> GREAT. FURTHER DISCUSSION? WITH THAT, WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND FOR APPROVAL. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. [D. Consent Agenda:] >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSES? ITEM C- 2 PASSES. WE WILL JUMP THEN TO THE CONSENT AGENDA, WHICH DUE TO A CONFLICT I HAVE IN ITEM D- 2, WE'LL [1. Adoption of Minutes of the regular meeting held on January 7, 2025 and...] SKIP AND MAKE THEM ACTION ITEMS. MS. HILBRICH, CALL D-1. >> IT'S THE ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING AND SPECIAL MEETINGS IN JANUARY 2025. >> DO I HAVE A MOTION? >> I MOVE WE ADOPT. >> SECOND. >> MOTION AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? AYE. >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? D- 1 PASSES. I TURN IT OVER TO DR. YOUNG AS MAYOR PRO TEM, I WILL BE IN ABSTENTION OF D-2. [2. Approve the purchase of a 2005 Spartan Fire Pumper from Jackson County...] >> ITEM D- 2 IS A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF A SPARTAN PUMP FOR $65,000. >> MOTION? >> MOVE WE ADOPT. >> SECOND. >> ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, I'LL CALL FOR THE VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED? ITEM D-2 PASSES. [1. Accept a donation from The Marsha Shanklin Foundation for improvements...] >> WELL DONE. [00:25:04] >> THANK YOU. JUMPING TO E-1. >> RESOLUTION ACCEPTING A DONATION FROM THE MARSHA SHANKLIN FOUNDATION FORFOR SPLASHPAD FOR $553,000. >> EXCITING DAY. I DON'T HAVE A PRESENTATION BUT A FEW REMARKS. WE'VE BEEN BLESSED TO PARTNER WITH MARSHA SHANKLIN FOUNDATION. THIS WAS A PRIORITY ITEM FOR THE FOUNDATION, WHEN THEY GAVE THE FIRST DONATION TO GO TO A SPLASHPAD AT RIVERSIDE PARK. UNFORTUNATELY IT TOOK TIME TO DEVELOP THE VISION FOR THAT. I MENTION THAT BECAUSE I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR PATIENCE WITH US AS WE'VE WORKED THROUGH A LOT OF TRANSITION, LEADERSHIP AND DEPARTMENT LEADERSHIP AT THE PARKS DEPARTMENT. THEIR PATIENCE WORKING THROUGH US AS WE SUGGESTED SHIFTING DOLLARS TO DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT, THEN THE PANDEMIC AND EVERYTHING ELSE. THROUGH IT ALL, THEY REMAINED SUPPORTIVE AND STEADFAST FOR THEIR VISION FOR A SPLASHPAD IN RIVERSIDE PARK AND CULMINATED IN THEM PROVIDING ADDITIONAL DONATIONS, COLLECTIVELY, ADD UP 2018 TO THE MOST RECENT, OVER HALF A MILLION DOLLARS. WE THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE IN EXCHANGE FOR THAT DONATION, WE RECOGNIZE THEIR CONTRIBUTION BY BASICALLY GIVING THEM NAMING RIGHTS FOR THAT SPLASHPAD WHEN IT COMES TO BE. AND SO I HOPE THAT -- IN SPITE OF HOW LONG IT'S TAKEN US TO GET TO THIS PLACE -- EVERYBODY WILL BE BETTER OFF FOR IT. AND I'M PLEASED TO MENTION THAT WE WILL BRING THE DESIGN FOR THAT SPLASHPAD IN THE CHILDRENS PARK TO YOU FOR CONSIDERATION IN THE NEXT MONTH TO FORMALLY BEGIN THE DESIGN AND WE PLAN ON HAVING THEM INVOLVED IN THAT PROCESS AS WELL. WITH US TODAY, MYRA AND JANET REPRESENTING THE FOUNDATION. WE HAD A PRESENTATION BEFORE THE MEETING, BUT I WANT TO ASK MYRA IF SHE WOULDN'T MIND SAYING A FEW WORDS ON BEHALF OF THE FOUNDATION. >> FIRST, I WANT TO SAY I KNEW JESUS WOULD GET IT DONE. INSTEAD OF JESUS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. MARSHA WOULD BE SO PROUD. SHE DIED IN ABOUT 2018 AFTER LIVING MANY YEARS HERE, THEN MOVING UP TO WASHINGTON. SHE WAS A REALTOR AND FRIEND TO A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE REAL ESTATE COMMUNITY. BECAUSE THIS WAS HER HOME, SHE CREATED A FOUNDATION THAT BENEFITS CHILDREN, AND SO ALTHOUGH WE HAVE MANY REQUESTS IN A YEAR, WE FELT THAT IT WAS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT TO MOVE TO THIS -- THE DUCK POND BUMPED UP, BUT THAT'S OKAY. SO FINALLY WE WILL GET IT DONE. ETHEL E. TRACY FOUNDATION THAT I ALSO SIT ON HAS A SPLASHPAD AND IT'S WELL USED. IF YOU EVER DRIVE AROUND THE CITY, LOOK AT THE SPLASHPAD PARKS, THAT IS ONE PLACE THAT CHILDREN ARE EVERY SUMMER. SO TRY TO KEEP THOSE GOING. THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND I KNOW MARSHA WOULD BE PROUD. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> TO ECHO MR. GARZA'S COMMENTS, THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PATIENCE WITH THE CITY. ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO OUR PARKS AND FOR OUR KIDS. WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. I WILL ENTERTAIN ANY MOTIONS WITH RESPECT TO ITEM E-1. >> I MOVE WE ACCEPT. >> SECOND. >> I'VE GOT A MOTION AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR SAY [1. Community Center Improvements Update . Jesús A. Garza, City Manager] AYE. >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? ITEM E- 1 PASSES. SO WE MOVE INTO SECTION F, CITY MANAGER REPORTS. MR. GARZA. >> ALL RIGHT. SO I AM EXCITED TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION ON IMPROVEMENTS TO THE COMMUNITY CENTER. SPECIFICALLY WE WILL BE PRESENTING TO YOU SHORTLY THE RESULTS OF THE POLLING EXERCISE THAT WE'VE UNDERTOOK EARLIER IS THIS MONTH. YOU MAY RECALL FROM OUR PREVIOUS PRESENTATIONS THAT THAT WAS PART OF OUR DUE DILIGENCE EXERCISE, WE LOOKED TO CONSIDER WHETHER TO TAKE THE VENUE TAX MEASURE TO THE VOTERS OR TAKE IT AT ALL. THAT'S ONE OF THE STEPS THAT I THINK IS KEY AND WILL HOPEFULLY HELP INFORM YOU AND YOU CAN PROVIDE GOOD DIRECTION TO US AFTER YOU SETHE RESULTS. [00:30:01] BEFORE I TURN IT OVER TO OUR CONSULTANT, I WANT TO PROVIDE ANOTHER UPDATE THAT WAS PART OF THE DUE DILIGENCE PROCESS AND THE SOLE PURPOSE OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING WE HAD A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. WE MENTIONED A VERY IMPORTANT STEP, ADOPTING THE VENUE PROJECT, WHICH WE WOULD SEND TO THE STATE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, BECAUSE GETTING THEM TO SIGN OFF IS A CRITICAL STEP FOR US TO HAVE THE OPTION TO ADD THE MEASURE TO THE BALLOT. I'M PLEASED TO REPORT WE DID RECEIVE THAT FROM THE OFFICEOFFICE NEXT WEEK AND THEY DEEMED THE PROJECT WILL HAVE NO NEGATIVENEGATIVE FINANCIAL IMPACT ON THE STATE, AS EXPECTED. AND WE'RE FREE TO CALL THE VENUE TAX ELECTION AS YOU SO CHOOSE TO. WE'VE PASSED THAT HURDLE AS WELL. SO NOW I'D LIKE TO TURN IT OVER TO JASON MEYER, THE PRESIDENT OF COOKSEY COMMUNICATION, A FIRM HELPING US WITH POLLING AND WILL CONTINUE TO HELP US DEVELOP A MORE STRATEGIC MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS PLAN. JASON. >> THANK YOU, JESUS. MAYOR AND ESTEEMED COUNCIL, THANK YOU FOR HAVING US TODAY TO PRESENT THE RESULTS OF THE RECENT SURVEY EXERCISE WE TOOK THE PAST FEW WEEKS. I'M JASON MEYER, PRESIDENT AND COOWNER. WE'RE A STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS FIRM IN BUSINESS SINCE 1994. WE SPECIALIZE IN WORKING WITH TEXAS GOVERNMENTS, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS SPECIFICALLY. WE'VE WORKED WITH DOZENS OF CITIES ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS. WE'VE WORKED ON NUMEROUS ELECTIONS, BOND ELECTIONS IN EXCESS OF SEVERAL BILLION DOLLARS THROUGH THE YEARS. WE'RE EXCITED TO BE WORKING WITH YOU ALL AND TO BE PROVIDING YOU WITH GOOD, I THINK, INSIGHTS. PARTICULARLY HERE BEFORE WE GET STARTED IN AN ELECTION CYCLE. WE'RE GOING TO -- JUST A SECOND, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO MIKE. I THOUGHT I WOULD ASK IF Y'ALL HAVE QUESTIONS ON THE FRONT END OF WHAT OUR WORK ENTAILED OR SOMETHING YOU PARTICULARLY WANT TO ASK ME BEFORE I TURN IT OVER? >> ANY QUESTIONS. >> COPY OF THE QUESTIONS PRESENTED? >> YES, I CAN SEND YOU A COPY OF THE QUESTIONS INCLUDED IN THE POLL, YES, MA'AM. >> I THINK FOR THE MOST PART WE'RE ANXIOUS TO HEAR THE RESULTS. >> GOOD. I'M HOPEFUL YOU WILL FIND THIS TO BE A GOOD EVENING AND THAT THE RESULTS ARE TO YOUR LIKING. WITH THAT, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO MIKE BASSALIS, HE'S DONE THIS WORK FOR CITIES AND COMMUNITIES ALL OVER TEXAS AND THE COUNTRY. TAKE IT AWAY. >> THANK YOU, CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY? MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL? >> YES. >> VERY GOOD. I STARTED THE FIRM IN 1997, IT'S 28 YEARS IN MY OWN FIRM, EIGHT YEARS AT ANOTHER FIRM I LEARNED THE TRADE, BASED IN HOUSTON, TEXAS. ALONG THE WAY I'VE WORKED ON A LOT OF DIFFERENT PROJECTS, OVER 3,400 DIFFERENT SURVEY PROJECTS. ONE OF THE ONES THAT'S SIGNIFICANT IS BACK IN 1999, I WORKED ON THE SPURS CAMPAIGN TAKING THE SIGHT IN SOUTHEAST SAN ANTONIO WITH A VOTE FOR A NEW ARENA FOR BASKETBALL AND OTHER EVENTS SUCH AS CONCERTS. AND ALSO WORKED ON OTHER FACILITIES SUCH AS ONE IN AMARILLO FOR A MULTIPURPOSE FACILITY THERE. COMING INTO THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION, I HAPPEN TO HAVE EXPERIENCE IN THESE TYPE OF PROJECTS. AND I HAVE WAYS TO COMPARE YOUR DATA TO OTHERS AND TELL YOU WHERE YOU STAND. WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, LET ME GET STARTED WITH THE PRESENTATION. I'LL TRY TO GO THROUGH THIS AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF DATA. AND JESUS WILL BE ABLE TO SHARE ALL THIS WITH YOU AS WELL. BUT LET ME GO THROUGH AND GET YOU FAMILIAR WITH WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE. FIRST THING YOU SEE, WE CONDUCTED A SURVEY OF 300, MARGIN OF ERROR IS 7%. WHAT THAT MEANS, IF WE DID THE SAME SURVEY ON JANUARY 13, 14 AND 15 WITH 300 RESPONDENTS, WE SHOULD BE 95% CONFIDENT THAT THE RESULTS WE HAVE HERE ARE PLUS OR MINUS 5. 7% OF A SIMILAR SURVEY WE DID AT THE SAME TIME [00:35:05] UNDER THE SAME METHODOLOGY. HALF RECEIVED A TEXT TO CELL INVITE. THAT'S MORE COMMONPLACE, PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO SPEND TIME TALKING ON THE PHONE AND THEY CAN READ THE SURVEYS FASTER. HALF WERE CONDUCTED WITH LIVE INTERVIEWERS, HALF BY INDIVIDUALS TAKING THE SURVEY THEMSELVES. ALL THE RESULTS ARE ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST WHOLE PERCENT. WE DID THIS TO LOOK AT SUPPORT FOR A POSSIBLE BALLOT MEASURE TO IMPOSE A HOTEL AND RENT-A- CAR TAX FOR THE RENOVATIONS TO THE COMMUNITY CENTER. SO THE FORM AT STARTS OUT TALKING TO A REGISTERED VOTER. IF YOU WANT THIS ON THE BALLOT, VOTERS WILL DECIDE THE ISSUE. GENERAL QUESTIONS ARE EARLY, DIRECTION OF THE CITY, THEN INITIAL BALLOT. WE READ THEM THE TYPE OF LANGUAGE THEY WOULD SEE IN THE BALLOT BOX OR THEY READ IT THEMSELVES. THEN WE CAN SAY ANYTHING WE WOULD LIKE ABOUT INFORMATION PROVIDED IN A POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE FASHION, AND THEN MEASURE THE IMPACT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS ON AN INFORMED BALLOT QUESTION, HAVING LEARNED MORE, HOW WOULD YOU NOW VOTE. I'LL RUN SOME ANALYSIS TO GET OUT THERE WITH THE MATHEMATICS BUT DON'T WANT TO LEAVE YOU WITH TOP LINE DATA. WANT TO FIND OUT IF ANYTHING PRESENTED CORRELATES WITH INFORMED SUPPORT AND WHICH WAY THE ITEMS WORK. AND DEMOGRAPHIC QUESTIONS, AGE, RACE, ETHNICITY, PARTISANSHIP AND GENDER. WHY ASK PARTISANSHIP? DOING POLLING AROUND THE STATE OF TEXAS, THERE'S FOUR THINGS WE CAN TIE INFORMATION BACK TO ON A VOTERS÷÷ SURVEY. AGES, ETHNICITY, GENDER AND THE WAY PEOPLE TEND TO VOTE IN PARTISAN ELECTIONS. I WANT TO PRESENT A REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE OF VOTERS VOTERS IN THE COUNTY. ONE OF THE DEMOGRAPHICS IS IF THEY HAD CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE LIVESTOCK SHOW IN VICTORIA. 1 OF 5 SAID YES. THOSE THAT LIVE OUTSIDE THE CITY OF VICTORIA ARE MORE LIKELY THAN THOSE THAT LIVE INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS BY 2- 1 MARGIN TO HAVE A CHILD OR GRANDCHILD THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE LIVESTOCK SHOW OR RODEO. IF THEY'VE ATTENDED A COMMUNITY CENTER EVENT IN THE LAST YEAR, ALMOST TWICE AS LIKELY AS SOMEONE WHO HAS NOT TO SAY -- LIVESTOCK SHOW OR RODEO, THAT THEY HAVE ONE OF THE ITEMS THEY PARTICIPATED IN AS THE LIVESTOCK SHOW. WE ASKED IF THEY'VE ATTENDED AN EVENT AT THE VICTORIA COMMUNITY CENTER. 52%, IN CITY LIMITS OR REMAINING COUNTY, SAID YES, THEY'VE BEEN TO AN EVENT IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS. ABOVE AVERAGE RESPONSES FROM MALES UNDER 65 COMPARED TO 65 OR OLDER. AS INCOME INCREASES, SO DOES THE LIKELIHOOD ONE HAS ATTENDED AN EVENT AT THE VICTORIA COMMUNITY CENTER. A CHILD OR GRANDCHILD THAT'S PARTICIPATED, ALMOST 20% MORE LIKELY TO HAVE ATTENDED AN EVENT AT THE VICTORIA COMMUNITY CENTER IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS. WE ASKED RESPONDENTS IF THEY THOUGHT THINGS WERE GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION OR WERE ON THE WRONG TRACK IN THE CITY, THE LAST TIME I SAW NUMBERS LIKE THIS STATEWIDE IN TEXAS WAS JANUARY FIVE YEARS AGO. EVERY SURVEY SINCE MARCH OR APRIL OF 2020 WHEN COVID STARTED THROUGH THE LAST ELECTION HAS A HIGHER WRONG TRACK NUMBER STATEWIDE THAN RIGHT DIRECTION. WHATEVER YOU'RE DOING IN VICTORIA, I SAY KEEP DOING IT. YOU'RE DOING IT WELL. ALMOST A 2- 1 RIGHT TRACK/WRONG TRACK NUMBER. A LITTLE BIT HIGHER HAD IN THE CITY THAN THE REMAINDER OF THE COUNTY. AS AGE INCREASES, WE SEE THE RESPONSES OF RIGHT TO WRONG ACTION INCREASE. HERE'S THE NUMBERS FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS I WAS TELLING YOU ABOUT. IN JANUARY OF 2020 WAS THE LAST TIME THE BLUE WAS AHEAD OF THE RED LINE. [00:40:04] NATIONWIDE, JUST LOOKED AT THIS LAST WEEK, CLEAR POLITICS NUMBER YOU CAN SEE, PUBLICLY AVAILABLE, 2- 1 WRONG TRACK NUMBER OVER THE RIGHT DIRECTION IN THE COUNTRY. NATION OR STATE, YOU'RE DOING BETTER. THAT'S THE INITIAL BALLOT. LOOKS LIKE THERE'S A LOT ON THE PAGE BUT REALLY ALL I DID WITH VERSION A OR B IS FLIP WHERE THE USE OF THE TAX COMES IN THE QUESTION. BY STATE LAW THERE'S A WAY YOU HAVE TO DO THESE THINGS IMPOSING A HOTEL OR RENTAL CAR TAX. FOR IN THIS CASE THE RENOVATION OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER. THERE'S NO BIAS TO THE TAX COMING FIRST, WE READ HALF THE TIME IF THERE'S ELECTION FOR THE RENOVATIONS AND TO IMPOSE A HOTEL OR RENTAL CAR TAX, HOW WOULD YOU VOTE. SO THERE'S NO BIAS. I'M HAPPY TO REPORT, 61% WOULD BE IN FAVOR, 28% AGAINST. THAT'S A 2- 1 POSITIVE TO NEGATIVE. IT'S IMPORTANT NOT WHAT VERSION CAME, IT AVERAGED OUT TO THE 61-28. BUT THE INTENSITY IS CRITICAL DOING TRACKING SURVEYS IN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER, ELECTION YEAR, I DO A LOT OF WORK ON INITIATIVES IN CALIFORNIA, MULTIMILLION- DOLLAR CAMPAIGNS. IN 2006, A CAMPAIGN BY THE SIDE I WAS ON, 60 MILLION BY THE OTHER SIDE, A LOT IS SPENT ON THESE THINGS. BEST PREDICTIONS COME AT LOOKING AT INTENSITY. STRONGLY YES, STRONGLY NO, ON THE FINAL WEEK OF THE ELECTION. LOOKING AT 29 STRONGLY YES ANDAND STRONGLY NO MIRRORS OVERALL NUMBERS ABOUT 2-1. THAT'S GOOD PLACE TO BE RIGHT NOW. THAT'S JUST THE BALLOT LANGUAGE. INSIDE THE CITY OF VICTORIA, 65 YES, 25 NO. YOU CAN SEE HERE THAT DEMOCRATIC RESPONDENTS ARE A LITTLE BIT MORE SUPPORTIVE THAN REPUBLICAN OR INDEPENDENT RESPONDENTS, DOESN'T MEAN BECAUSE YOUR CHILD HAS BEEN TO THE LIVESTOCK OR RODEO THEY'RE MORE SUPPORTIVE THAN SOMEBODY WHO WAS NOT. I THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING. I KEEP SAYING LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEO, I HAVE IT FROM BACK IN MY HEAD, HELPING FOLKS IN BEAR COUNTY. HAVE YOU ATTENDED AND EVENT, ABOUT THE SAME, DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU'VE BEEN THERE OR NOT, THERE'S WIDESPREAD SUPPORT. I LOOK AT A TURNOUT MODEL. ISN'T 100% OR 67% TURNOUT. WE LOOK AT THE LIKELIHOOD OF SOMEBODY VOTING BASED ON AGE AND VOTE BEHAVIOR IN THE VOTER FILE, MORE OFTEN THEY VOTE, OLDER THEY ARE, MORE APT THEY HAVE TO USUALLY SHOW UP AND VOTE. I DON'T SEE AT THIS TIME A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LOWER TURNOUT ELECTION LIKE IN MAY OR HIGHER TURNOUT LIKE THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION THAT JUST PASSED. NO DIFFERENCE THERE. SOMETIMES THERE'S A PATTERN. I DON'T SEE ONE. FOLLOW-UP QUESTION, A MEASURE FOR PARTIAL IMPROVEMENTS, HOTEL TAX OF 2% BUT NOT CAR RENTAL OF 5%, WOULD YOU VOTE YES OR NO. SUPPORT INCREASES A FEW POINTS. 65% SUPPORT, AND OPPOSITION FALLS TO 26%. WHEN YOU LOOK IN THE CHANGE FROM QUESTION TWO TO QUESTION THREE, IN QUESTION THREE, WE HAVE THE SAME 65% SUPPORT, WHETHER IT'S INSIDE THE CITY OR REMAINDER OF THE COUNTY. THERE'S NO CHANGE IN THE CITY. BUT REMAINDER OF THE COUNTY, DROPPING THE CAR RENTAL TAX SHOWS AN INCREASE IN SUPPORT FROM THOSE THAT LIVE OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS BY 17 POINTS MORE NET POINTS IN FAVOR THAN BOTH HOTEL AND CAR RENTAL TAX IS INCLUDED. AGE DOESN'T REALLY MATTER ON THE FOLLOW- UP QUESTION. WHAT WE ALSO SAW, THE PREVIOUS QUESTION, KIDS OR GRANDKIDS THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE LIVESTOCK SHOW, THE SUPPORT BEHIND THOSE WHO DIDN'T, NOW WE SEE GREAT MOVEMENT BY DROPPING THE CAR RENTAL TAX AND PICK UP A LOT MORE SUPPORT THERE. WE ASKED RESPONDENTS IF THEY WERE AWARE THAT THE CITY AND STATE CHARGED A TAX ON THE HOTEL FOR PEOPLE WHO VISITED -- MOST SAID THEY DID. IT'S SIMILAR. AS INCOME INCREASES, SO DOES [00:45:04] THE LIKELIHOOD SOMEONE RESPONDS YES. WHAT WE DID NEXT, AFTER THIS BASE, THE LANDSCAPE, WE CAN PROVIDE INFORMATION WE RANDOMIZE. THIS IS HARD TO READ. I'LL NOT READ ALL OF THEM TO YOU, BUT WE LOOK AT THRESHOLD, 70/20/10 RULE. IF WE ARE GOING TO SAY SOMETHING POSITIVE ABOUT THE COMMUNITY CENTER THAT WOULD COME ABOUT, WOULD 70% WANT THAT. IT'S MET ON EVERY ONE BUT 17. 5 THROUGH 15, 18, ALL MET THE THRESHOLD. I'LL COME BACK TO THOSE. ASKED THE INFORMED POSITION, HAVING LEARNED MORE, HOW WOULD YOU VOTE. AND SUPPORT INCREASED. 72% WITH THE OPPOSITION FALLING TO 21%. AGAIN, THERE'S NO STATISTICAL DIFFERENCE IN A OR B LANGUAGE, JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT FOR THE AMOUNT OF TAX INCREASES WOULD YOU SUPPORT RENOVATIONS FOR THESE TYPES OF EVENTS. LOOK AT THE INTENSITY. WE TALKED ABOUT IT 2- 1 IN FAVOR ON THE INITIAL BALLOT. IT'S 4- 1 ON THE INFORMED BALLOT. THIS SHOWS THE POWER OF COMMUNICATIONS. STARTED OUT 61-28 ON QUESTION TWO. INFORMED, 72 YES, 21 KNOW. 57% STAYED YES IN FAVOR OF THIS MEASURE. ANOTHER 14%, 1 OF 7, SWITCHED FROM AGAINST OR UNSURE TO BE IN FAVOR OF IT. 8% ENDED UP UNSURE, 3% SWITCHED TO NO. NOT A BAD TRADE- OFF ALMOST 5- 1 IN THE SWITCHING. 18% STAYED AGAINST NO MATTER WHAT THEY HEARD. ON THE LEFT PANEL, THIS LOOKS AT JUST THE INFORMED BALLOT. WHEN YOU SEE -- WHAT I CIRCLED IN THE UPPER LEFT- HAND CORNER, 73% SUPPORT INSIDE VICTORIA CITY LIMITS, AND YOU GET CLOSER TO PARITY WITH ALL THE INFORMED STATEMENTS. LARGE MAJORITIES OF AGE GROUPS, DOESN'T MATTER THE POLITICAL STRIPES, INCOME LEVELS, HIGH MAJORITIES OF INDIVIDUALS SUPPORT THE MEASURE ON THE INFORMED. AND THERE'S NO REAL DIFFERENCE ON LEVELS OF TURNOUT, LOW OR HIGH TURNOUT ELECTION. ON THE RIGHT, I WANT TO TAKE A LOOK REAL QUICK AT WHO SWITCHED AT ABOVE AVERAGE LEVELS FROMFROM TO NO. ONE OF THE GROUPS SUPPORTED THAT SWITCHED TO HIGHER, DEMOCRATIC VOTERS, 18-1. HOUSEHOLD 40,000 TO 80,000 SWITCHED 12-2. 2% SWITCHED TO NO. SENIOR CITIZENS SWITCHED 17-2. THOSE WHO ATTENDED THE CENTER SWITCHED 9- 1, 18-2. WHAT'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SOLIDIFICATION AND SWITCHING? I'LL NOT SPEND MUCH TIME, BUT THE MATHEMATICS IS HERE TO TEST EACH STATEMENT AS ITS INDEPENDENT VARIABLE AND LOOK TO SEE IF IT TOOK RESPONDENTS WHERE WE WANTED THEM TO GO. 53% SAID I WOULD BE MORE IN FAVOR BECAUSE CONSTRUCTION JOBS WOULD BE CREATED TO RENOVATE RENOVATE EXPAND IT AND THE WORKERS WILL SPEND MONEY IN LOCAL PLACES. VERY SIMILARLY, QUESTION EIGHT WAS VOTERS OF THE CITY OF VICTORIA WILL OWN THE NEW AND IMPROVED COMMUNITY CENTER, ABOUT THE SAME RESPONSES. THERE'S A STRONGER CORRELATION BETWEEN THOSE WHO RESPONDED INTENSE IN QUESTION EIGHT AND THOSE WITH THE SAME DEPENDENT OR INDEPENDENT STAYED IN THE DIRECTION. QUESTION EIGHT CORRELATED MORE WITH SUPPORT THAN QUESTION 11, ALTHOUGH ON THE SURFACE THEY LOOK SIMILAR. MATHEMATICALLY WE COMBINE THE NET IMPACTS WITH MEASURES OF CORRELATION SIGNIFICANCE TO GET AN OVERALL PERSUASION SCORE. QUESTION EIGHT WITH THE HIGHER CORRELATION IS BETTER THAN QUESTION 11. HOW MUCH SO? IT'S ABOUT SEVEN TIMES GREATER. 2.2 TIMES 7, 15.4. QUESTION EIGHT IS AT 15.3. NOW YOU'RE INTERESTED IN WHAT [00:50:04] WERE ALL THE PERSUASION SCORES. I HAVE THEM FOR THE COUNTY AND 67% MOST LIKELY TO VOTE. SCORES ASSOCIATED WITH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS AND OTHER SUBGROUPS. I'M TENDING TOTO FOR YOU THE TOP FOUR SCORES. WHY? I'VE BEEN IN CAMPAIGNS FOR POLITICS, PUBLIC AFFAIRS, LEGISLATIVE BATTLES SINCE 1989. TO BE FLIPPANT, I DON'T CARE WHAT MESSAGES DRIVE SUPPORT, MY JOB IS FIGURE IT OUT AND SHARE THE INFORMATION WITH YOU AND JASON SO THEIR TEAM AND THE WHOLE EFFORT CAN BE DIRECTED INTO COMMUNICATING THE THINGS THAT ARE MOST VALUABLE. WE DON'T KNOW WHY THE ONES HIGHLIGHTED IN BLUE WERE THE ONES THE VOTERS LIKED MOST. THIS WAS NOT A FOCUS GROUP, TELL ME ABOUT QUESTION EIGHT, CIRCLE THE WORDS IN QUESTION NINE THAT THAT BEST. BUT I CAN TELL YOU THOSE WHO RECEIVED THE SAME TREATMENT, WHETHER THEY READ THEM OR HAD THEM READ TO THEM. IF I DON'T GIVE YOU FOUR BECAUSE I THINK YOU CAN DIRECT WHAT NEEDS TO BE DIRECTED IN YOUR COMMUNITY BETTER THAN MOST. TOP FOUR, AND KNOW THESE ARE RELATIVE MEASURES THAT SHOULD BE COMPARED WITHIN A SUBGROUP, NOT BETWEEN THEM. THAT MEANS I DON'T COMPARE THIS 15.3 HERE ACROSS THE WHOLE COUNTY FOR QUESTION EIGHT TO THE 14. 3 FOR QUESTION 12 IN THE CITY OF VICTORIA. WHAT THAT 15. 3 MEANS, IT'S ABOUT TWICE AS POWERFUL COUNTYWIDE AS QUESTION SEVEN, ALMOST THREE TIMES STRONGER THAN 5.5. THIS 19. 3, ALL THAT MEANS, IT'S BETTER THAN THREE TIMES MORE POWERFUL THAN THE 6.0. QUESTION SIX IN THE CITY OF VICTORIA. IN A PERFECT WORLD, WE'D HAVE FOUR BLUE ROWS ACROSS THE PAGE, LEFT TO RIGHT. THE REALITY IS THE CHECKERBOARD EFFECT YOU SEE HERE. IF ALL OF US WENT OUT FOR A BITE TO EAT AFTER THIS MEETING, IT'S UNLIKELY ALL OF US WOULD ORDER THE SAME THING OFF THE MENU. SOME MAY WANT CHICKEN, FISH, SALAD, VEGETABLES. WE HAVE DIFFERENT THINGS WE FIND APPEALING. VOTER SUBGROUPS HAVE CERTAIN THINGS MORE APPEALING THAN OTHERS. THERE'S NOTHING NEGATIVE ABOUT IT, IT'S HOW HIGHLY CORRELATED THEY ARE. THESE ARE TOP FOUR. QUESTIONS EIGHT, NINE, 17 AND 18. I'LL SUMMARIZE THEM IN A MINUTE. BUT LET ME SAY THIS, IF THIS IS ON THE BALLOT IN CITY OF VICTORIA ONLY, MAY FOCUS ON QUESTIONS 7, 12, 13 AND 18. THEY'RE THE MOST HIGHLY CORRELATED THERE. NOT FAR OFF, 11. 2, 11. 3, THE FIFTH AND SIXTH BEST MESSAGESMESSAGES THE CITY. WE HAVE IT BROKEN DOWN BY REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, DON'T HAVE AS MANY INDEPENDENTS SO I DIDN'T INCLUDE THEM. I DON'T LIKE TO LOOK AT SUBGROUPS UNDER 75 CASES GENERALLY. BROKEN DOWN BY MALES AND FEMALES. AGE, INCOME LEVELS, KIDS OR GRANDKIDS PARTICIPATING IN THE LIVESTOCK SHOW, WHETHER OR NOT THEY'VE BEEN TO THE COMMUNITY CENTER IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS. I SAW SOMETHING I NEED YOU TO TAKE NOTE OF BECAUSE I DID, THERE'S DIFFERENT BATTERY OF MESSAGES THAT WORK IN TERMS OF DRIVING SUPPORT FOR 18 AND 64-YEAR-OLDS FROM THOSE MESSAGES THAT WORK FOR 65 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER. I FOUND SOMETHING THAT WORKED FOR THOSE THAT HAD SPENT MORE TIME AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER, QUESTION 12 IS GREAT FOR THEM. SO DOES QUESTION 17. QUESTION SIX WORKS REALLY WELL FOR THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE KIDS OR GRANDKIDS PARTICIPATING OR HAVEN'T BEEN TO THE COMMUNITY CENTER IN THE LAST YEAR. SO DOES QUESTION 15. THIS IS WHY WE SAY WE RUN TARGETED CAMPAIGNS. IF THE RESOURCES ARE THERE, LOOK AT WHAT MESSAGES WORK WITH DIFFERENT SUBGROUPS, TRY TO REPEAT THEM. ONE WAY TO LOOK AT ALL THIS, I WOULD SAY, SUMMARIZE IT IN AN INFORMATION MATRIX. LOOK AT WHAT WORKS ACROSS THE COUNTY VERSUS THE 67% MOST LIKELY TO TURN OUT IN AN ELECTION SUCH AS THIS. AGAINST ONE OF THE TOP FOUR STATEMENTS THAT CAN BE COMMUNICATED TO VOTERS THAT LIVE IN THE CITY OF VICTORIA VERSUS THE REST OF THE COUNTY, THIS PAGE SUMMARIZES THE TOP MESSAGES [00:55:02] OF THE FOUR SUBGROUPS. THE FIRST COLUMN IS THE TOTAL SAMPLE. WE LOOK AT WHERE THAT OVERLAP CAN OCCUR. THAT BECOMES VERY HELPFUL KNOWING CERTAIN THINGS TO BE COMMUNICATED LIKE QUESTION 18 WORKS VERY WELL WHETHER IN THE CITY OR REMAINDER OF THE COUNTY. IN CONCLUSION, 67% OF THE RESPONDENTS WOULD VOTE FOR, 28% AGAINST THE MEASURE. BUT 65% SUPPORT IN THE CITY LIMITS COMPARED TO 67% IN THE REMAINDER OF THE COUNTY. INFORMED STATEMENTS, SUPPORT IN THE REMAINDER OF THE COUNTY IS WITHIN FOUR POINTS OF THE CITY OF VICTORIA VOTERS SIDE, 69/73 PERCENT RESPECTIVELY. THERE IS SPECIFIC INFORMATION THAT WORKS BEST. THESE ARE THE TOP FOUR PERFORMERS. ALMOST SPELLS OUT, IMAGINE AS I READ THE TOP FOUR. THIS WILL BE THE LAST THING I SHARE WITH YOU, THIS WILL BE MAYBE A RADIO AD IF YOU COULD THINK OF IT THIS WAY. A COMPLETE RENOVATION OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER IS NEEDED TO ATTRACT MORE EVENTS AND USERS. THIS INCLUDES REORGANIZING INTERIOR SPACES TO TRANSFORM THE BUILDING INTO A TRULY FLEXIBLE VENTURE CAPABLE OF HOSTING SEVERAL EVENTS AT THE SAME TIME. AND THIS PROVIDES RENOVATIONS TO THE FACILITIES, BETTER LIGHTING, SOUND, DISABILITY ACCESS. BY PROVIDING A BETTER VENUE, THE IMPROVEMENTS WILL HELP VICTORIA ATTRACT LUCRATIVE OUT-OF- TOWN EVENTS AND PROVIDE A HIGH QUALITY SPACE FOR PRIVATE AND/OR LOCALLY HOSTED EVENTS. A NEW AND IMPROVED COMMUNITY EVENT CENTER WILL GENERATE MONEY AND HELP THOSE WHO LIVE HERE. THERE'S THE SUMMARY. I'LL STAY ON, JASON WOULD LIKE TO ADD ON AND YOU'LL HAVE QUESTIONS HOW JASON WOULD ADVISE USING THIS INFORMATION. >> THANK YOU, MIKE. OBVIOUSLY VERY THOROUGH, FLASHING BACK TO STATISTICS CLASS I HAD AT A&M. ANYBODY HAVE ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS? >> SPSS. >> THEY TOLD ME THERE WOULD BE NO MATH, TURNS OUT THEY LIED TO ME. >> WHAT WERE THE CHANCES? >> ANYBODY HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT WE'VE SEEN THUS FAR? >> MY ONLY QUESTION WOULD BE, WHY WOULD WE LOOK AT PERSUASIVE NUMBERS VERSUS WHAT THE ACTUAL NUMBERS LOOK LIKE WHEN THEY POLLED? BECAUSE THOSE ARE VERY PERSUASIVE STATEMENTS, BUT WHAT ACCURACY DO THEY HAVE BEHIND THEM IF SOMEBODY WERE TO APPROACH US AND SAY, WELL, I VOTED FOR THIS BECAUSE IT SAYS IT WILL GENERATE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN ECONOMIC IMPACT. AS A COUNCIL SHOULD WE JUST LOOK AT METRICS BEFORE THE PERSUASIVE STATEMENTS WERE ADDED? WHICH STILL SEEMS TO BE IN FAVOR OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER IMPROVEMENTS WITHOUT THE PERSUASIVE ADDED TO IT. >> DO YOU THINK THE QUESTIONS WERE INAPPROPRIATE OR INACCURATE? >> THINK THEY MIGHT BE MISLEADING TO SOMEBODY ON THE OTHER END OF THE LINE ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS AFTERWARDS. I CAN'T SPEAK, HAVEN'T SEEN IT UNTIL NOW. >> WHAT ARE YOU BASING IT ON RIGHT HERE? >> I THINK IT WAS DR. YOUNG THAT ASKED IF WE HAD METRICS TO SUPPORT WHAT KIND OF REVENUE THIS IMPROVEMENT WOULD GENERATE, AND MR. GARZA INDICATED WE DON'T HAVE THOSE METRICS YET BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT A NEW ARENA WOULD LOOK LIKE TO BRING IN REVENUE, I THINK THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING. SO TO SAY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, MAYBE TO SAY WE'LL BRING IN ADDITIONAL REVENUE WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE. BUT MY ISSUE ISN'T WITH THE STATEMENTS, JUST AS COUNCIL SHOULD WE BE LOOKING AT JUST THE INITIAL RESPONSES? WHICH ARE IN FAVOR, RATHER THAN -- >> I THINK EACH MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL IS FREE TO LOOK AT WHICHEVER THEY WOULD LIKE. >> AGREED. >> IN THE EXERCISE. I THINK THE VARIETY OF THE QUESTIONS AND THE TOPICS THEY COVERED WERE VERY BROAD. SO I THINK YOU CAN PICK AND CHOOSE FROM WHAT YOU LIKE ON WHAT YOU THINK MAY BE MORE IN LINE WITH YOUR THINKING ABOUT WHAT THIS PROJECT WOULD OR WOULDN'T DO AND DECIDE FOR YOURSELF, BASED ON THAT IT LOOKS LIKE THIS OR THAT. ULTIMATELY, END OF THE DAY, I THINK THESE TYPES OF QUESTION ONE, 18, 15, IT'S NOT [01:00:01] WHAT'S GOING TO BE ON THE BALLOT, BUT THE QUESTIONS ARE DESIGNED TO FIND OUT HOW DOES THE COMMUNITY FEEL ABOUT IT. I THINK WE'VE SEEN IT OVERWHELMINGLY POSITIVE SUPPORT FOR IT. >> YEAH. >> I THINK IN LARGE PART THAT'S DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE COMMUNITY RECOGNIZES THIS IS A NEED FOR VICTORIA, NOT JUST SOMETHING THAT MAN, IT WOULD BE COOL TO HAVE. I THINK IT'S A NEED THAT PEOPLEPEOPLE RECOGNIZE HAVE RECOGNIZED OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. THE NUMBERS BEAR THAT OUT, REGARDLESS OF WHICH QUESTION YOU'RE LOOKING AT. >> MAYOR, IF I MAY, THE ECONOMIC IMPACT TOPIC, AS I ALSO MENTIONED IN A FOLLOW- UP MEETING ON DR. YOUNG'S QUESTION, THE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO HELP US ASCERTAIN WHAT RESONATES WITH INDIVIDUALS, RIGHT. THIS POLLING EXERCISE IS NOT REFLECTIVE OF WHAT THAT EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN WILL LOOK LIKE MOVING FORWARD. AS AN EXAMPLE, IF THERE'S SOME HESITATION AROUND EMPHASIZING THE ECONOMIC IMPACT BECAUSE WE'RE CONCERNED -- OR WE DOUBT HOW PEOPLE MIGHT REACT OR CONCERNED WE MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO SHOW THE DOCUMENTATION TO SHOWCASE THAT, THEN IT'S AN EASY CONSCIOUS DECISION ON OUR PART TO NOT DO A MESSAGING CAMPAIGN AROUND THE ECONOMIC IMPACT. TO YOUR POINT, EVEN IN THE ABSENCE OF IT, THERE'S SUPPORT FOR IT. AND THERE'S PLENTY OF OTHER PERSUASIVE STATEMENTS CAN CAN BE UTILIZED TO YIELD THE SAME OR BETTER RESULTS THAN ADDRESSING ECONOMIC IMPACT. HENCE WHY THERE WAS FOUR PROVIDED. FOR EXAMPLE, INSTEAD OF A CAMPAIGN ON ECONOMIC IMPACT AND JOB CREATION, WE CAN FOCUS ON THE IMPROVEMENTS AND FACT IT WOULD BE MULTIPURPOSE, THE EVENTS IT COULD BRING, STUFF LIKE THAT. SPEAKING FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, I WOULD ACTUALLY ALSO STAY AWAY FROM TALKING ABOUT ECONOMIC IMPACT AND JOB CREATION AND THINGS OF THAT SORT BECAUSE YOU HEARD MIKE TALK ABOUT THE EXAMPLE OF THE AT&T -- WELL THE FROST BANK CENTER NOW WHERE THE SPURS PLAYED IN 1999, WHEN THAT WAS SOLD. IT WAS SOLD TO HELP REJUVENATE AND REDEVELOP THE EAST SIDE OF SAN ANTONIO AND THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN AND THERE WAS A LOT OF NEGATIVE PUSHBACK THAT COUNTY LEADER RECEIVED BECAUSE THE PUBLIC WAS SOLD ON THE FACT THAT BUILDING THIS ARENA WOULD BRING HOTELS, BARS AND RESTAURANTS NEAR IT AND IT NEVER HAPPENED. SO WE CAN LEARN FROM OTHERS' EXPERIENCES AND STAY AWAY FROM UTILIZING VERBIAGE THAT OTHERS ATTEMPTED TO UTILIZE IT, LIKE THEY DID IN 1999, AND IT DIDN'T HAPPEN. AND FOCUS ON THE THINGS WE THINK WOULD RESONATE MORE WITH VICTORIANS, BRINGING OUT MORE EVENTS, SOPHISTICATED EVENTS. HOPE THAT HELP. >> IT DOES. AND FOR ME, THE SUPPORT IS THERE, JUST WANTED TO UNDERSTAND WHY WE WOULD NOT LOOK AT THOSE NUMBERS SPECIFICALLY, AND MORE AT THE VARIABLES PRESENTED. >> I THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK AT ALL THE NUMBERS. >> ABSOLUTELY. >> ACROSS THE BOARD. >> AND TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE RESULTS COULD HAVE LOOKED COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. THE RESULTS COULD HAVE COME BACK TO TELL US THAT THE PUBLIC DOES NOT SUPPORT THE PROJECT. AND IN THAT SITUATION, THE PERSUASIVE STATEMENTS WOULD HAVE HELPED INFORM WHAT AREAS WE COULD FOCUS ON TO TRY AND CHANGE I PEOPLE'S MINDS ABOUT IT. HERE WE'RE LUCKY WE DIDN'T NEED PERSUASIVE STATEMENTS TO GARNER MORE THAN 60% SUPPORT FOR THE MEASURE. BUT THAT COULD HAVE LOOKED COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. I'M SURE MIKE CAN SPEAK TO EXAMPLES WHERE IT'S BEEN THE OPPOSITE AND PERSUASIVE STATEMENTS PLAY A LARGER ROLE THAN THEY WOULD WITH US. >> YEAH, I WAS SURPRISED IN THE POLLING. I WOULD HAVE BET THAT LIVESTOCK PEOPLE AND PEOPLE OUT IN THE COUNTY WOULD HAVE BEEN A HIGHER YES TOTAL. I'M ACTUALLY PLEASED THAT THE CITIZENS OF VICTORIA INSIDE THE CITY SEE IT AS A WHOLE COMMUNITY CENTER VERSUS JUST A LIVESTOCK ARENA. >> RIGHT. >> MULTIUSE, MULTI EVENTS. I'M ENCOURAGED BY THAT. >> IT'S USED YEARROUND FOR A NUMBER OF EVENTS, NOT JUST LIVESTOCK. >> CORRECT. >> I THINK THAT MAY HAVE BEARING ON THE ANSWERS, JUST [01:05:03] SPECULATING. GLAD THEY POLLED SOLID AS WELL SINCE IT'S THE VICTORIA COMMUNITY CENTER. >> RIGHT. OTHER QUESTIONS? MR. MEYER HAD MORE. NO? OKAY. MR. MEYER. >> THINKING ABOUT THIS ENTIRE EXERCISE, WE STARTED NOT REALLY KNOWING ANYTHING AND WHAT WE'VE DONE IS ESSENTIALLY PROVIDED A LOT OF DIFFERENT SCENARIOS, QUESTIONS, MESSAGES THAT COULD WORK, THAT MAY NOT WORK. WHAT WE HAVE NOW IS A PRETTY GOOD ROAD MAP FOR WHAT AN ELECTION CAMPAIGN COULD LOOK LIKE. THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THIS IS A SNAPSHOT IN TIME. WE LIVE IN A DYNAMIC ENVIRONMENT. YOU'RE IN A VERY UNIQUE POSITION, AS MIKE MENTIONED, THESE TYPE OF NUMBERS ARE NOT NORMAL COMING OUT OF THE GATE. YOU'RE IN A PRETTY GOOD SPOT BUT I THINK IT'S STILL IMPORTANT YOUYOU THINK IT'S GOING TO PASS WITHOUT EFFORT. YOU STILL NEED A COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM AND MAKE SURE MESSAGES DO GET OUT ABOUT WHAT IS IN THIS REFERENDUM. AND YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING TO BE THINKING ABOUT THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS, IF WE HAD COME BACK TO YOU AND WE WERE UNDER WATER ON IT, WE WOULD PROBABLY BE LOOKING AT A NOVEMBER ELECTION WHERE WE WOULD HAVE TO USE PERSUASIVE MESSAGES FOR EIGHT TO NINE MONTHS FOR PUBLIC SUPPORT TO GET IT ON THE BALLOT AND MAKE A SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN. THAT'S A GOOD THING TO LEAVE WITH. I STILL SUGGEST THERE BE SOME COMMUNITY EFFORT TO DO A PERSUASIVE CAMPAIGN FROM THOSE THAT HAVE A STAKE IN IT, LIKE THE LIVESTOCK SHOW PARTICIPANTS AND PEOPLE THAT CARE ABOUT THE COMMUNITY CENTER FOR NUMEROUS THINGS THEY'RE INVOLVED IN, AS WELL AS THE REGULAR INFORMATIONAL CAMPAIGN THAT THE CITY SPONSORS. >> VERY GOOD. >> THANK YOU, JASON. AS WE STARTED OFF, THIS WAS JUST ANOTHER STEP IN THE PROCESS FOR COUNCIL TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. AS YOU DELIBERATE WHETHER OR NOT YOU WANT TO PURSUE THE PROJECT AND THE TAX, AND IF SO, WHEN. AT THIS POINT THAT DIRECTION IS ALL FROM Y'ALL. >> AND CERTAINLY, YOU KNOW, I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR, THE CITY'S INTENTION GOING FORWARD, WE CAN ALL STAND BEHIND THIS, WHATEVER WE PUT UP BEFORE THE CITIZENS AS IT RELATES TO INFORMATION ABOUT THIS, WE HAVE TO BE AND INTEND TO BE VERY TRANSPARENT ABOUT WHAT WE KNOW, WHAT OUR INTENTIONS ARE, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO AND NOT GOING TO DO. MAKE SURE WE PROVIDE SOLID, ACCURATE, WELL- ROUNDED INFORMATION FOR PEOPLE TO MAKE A DECISION ON THIS. CERTAINLY, I THINK MR. MEYER HIT ON, IF WE HAD SOME DIFFERENT RESULTS, WE MAY BE LOOKING AT A LONGER CAMPAIGN, THAT SORT OF THING. SEEMS TO ME WE DO HAVE SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY, AT LEAST BASED ON THIS POLLING, AND I THINK WITH SOME OF THE TIMING INVOLVED AND THAT SORT OF THING, WE NEED TO LOOK REAL HARD. I'LL GO ON RECORD SAYING I'M SUPPORTIVE OF GET THIS OUT THERE, GET THE PROCESS GOING. PEOPLE WANT IT, WANT TO SEE IT HAPPEN. I'M IN FAVOR OF MOVING THIS FORWARD IN MAY IF WE CAN, OBVIOUSLY WE'RE NOT DECIDING THAT TONIGHT. COME AT A LATER TIME, BUT THIS DATA BACKED UP AT LEAST WHAT I HAD IN MY MIND GOING INTO IT, WAS THAT THE COMMUNITY NEEDS AND WANTS THIS, AND WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH IT. ALL RIGHT. ANYTHING ELSE, MR. GARZA? >> NO, UNLESS THERE'S FEEDBACK. BECAUSE YOU MENTIONED DECISION TO COME ANOTHER TIME BUT WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF TIME. WE'RE CURRENTLY SCHEDULED TO CALL FOR THE ELECTION IN MAY NEXT TUESDAY AT OUR REGULAR MEETING. WE HAVE UNTIL FEBRUARY 14TH THOUGH TO DO IT. SO IF COUNCIL IS NOT IN A A POSITION TO, LET'S SAY, REACH CONSENSUS TO ADD IT IN MAY THIS WEEK, THEN WE WOULD -- I WOULD NEED DIRECTION ON IS A WEEK GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN ORDER FOR US TO SCHEDULE A SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING THE SECOND WEEK OF FEBRUARY, OR WILL COUNCIL FEEL COMFORTABLE DELIBERATING THE NEXT 24 TO 48 HOURS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION THE END OF THE WEEK TO KNOW WHETHER TO÷÷ ADD TO THE AGENDA. >> YEAH, I SEE YOUR POINT ON THAT. I WOULDN'T TRY TO SHUT DOWN OTHER COMMUNICATION. >> I HAVE FULL SUPPORT FOR THIS MEASURE IN PUTTING IT ON THE MAIN BALLOT. >> SO DO I. >> BASED UPON POLLING. [01:10:02] >> SO DO I. >> AND THE NEED. >> ONE OF THE THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT IS WHEN WE CAN GET STARTED AND WHEN IT WOULD BE DONE. THERE'S A YEAR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE MAY AND THE NOVEMBER BALLOT. SO I'M IN FAVOR OF THE MAY BALLOT. >> I'LL PLAY THE ROLE OF MR. LOFFGREN FOR A MINUTE. HAS THERE BEEN ANY COMMUNICATION WITH THE COUNTY REGARDING THIS? >> I'M ASSUMING TO FINANCIALLYFINANCIALLY TO THE PROJECT? NO, THERE'S NO THE. >> I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT AFFECTS TIME LINE, BUT PUTTING IT ON THE BALLOT IN MAY, IS THERE POTENTIAL FOR COUNTY SUPPORT BEHIND IT? >> I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT, NOT SURE IT AFFECTS THE TIME LINE, CAN PUT IT ON THE BALLOT IN MAY. I THINK WE WILL HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS. I HOPE WE WILL. I INTEND TO, MR. GARZA INTENDS TO AS WE GO THROUGH THE PROCESS. THANK YOU FOR ASKING, YOU'VE MADE MR. LOFFGREN'S EVENING I'M SURE. >> JUST A PROXY. >> ANY OTHER COMMENT? >> NEED TO KNOW WHETHER WE SHOULD DISCUSS THIS NEXT MEETING, IS THAT? >> WELL, WE HAD FOUR OF YOU SAY YOU WANT IT IN MAY. BUT BASE ICALLY IT'S THE DIRECTION WHETHER TO PUT IT IN MAY. FOUR OF YOU HAVE SAID YES, WE WOULD ADD IT TO THE VERBIAGE TO COME BEFORE YOU NEXT WEEK, WHICH IS TO CALL THE ELECTION, BASICALLY. IF YOU NEED MORE TIME TOTO ABOUT IT, WE WOULD LOOK AT CALLING A SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING THE SECOND WEEKEND OF FEBRUARY IN ORDER TO DO THAT. >> I'M IN FAVOR OF US DISCUSSING THIS AGAIN IN TWO WEEKS AS OPPOSED TO -- SOONER THAN LATER IS WHAT I'M SAYING. >> NEXT WEEK BECAUSE THIS IS MOVED. >> NEXT WEEK, CORRECT. >> I NEED YOU TO ELABORATE ON WHAT YOU MEAN BY DISCUSSING. >> WE'D LIKE IT ON THE AGENDA TO VOTE. >> FOR MAY? >> CORRECT. >> THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING. >> SOLID FEEDBACK. >> I'LL SAY. YEAH. THANK YOU FOR THAT. THAT'S HELPFUL FOR STAFF. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT DIRECTION. >> GREAT. ALL RIGHT. ANYTHING FURTHER? >> YEAH, WE HAVE TWO MORE ANNUAL -- >> CAN WE TELL THESE GUYS THANKS AND BYE? >> THEY'RE GONE. >> BOOM, REMOVED FROM VIRTUAL MEETING. >> SEND THEM A NOTE. >> THANK YOU, JASON AND MIKE. >> APPRECIATE YOU ALL. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> NOT USED TO HAVING PEOPLE ON ZOOM ANYMORE, RIGHT? BUT ANYHOO, WE HAVE TWO MORE REPORTS FOR YOU THIS EVENING, [2. Environmental Services 2024 Annual Report. Darryl Lesak, Director of E...] SAME APPROACHES AS LAST TIME. BUT FIRST, DARRYL LESAK WILL TALK ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. >> GOOD EVENING. I'M GOING TO START OFF AND CHRISTIE WILL COME IN AND TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT COMMUNITY APPEARANCE BECAUSE SHE OVERSEES THAT. THEN I'LL COME BACK AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT CHALLENGES WITH WHAT WE FACE ON A WEEKLY BASIS. THERE WE GO. ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, WE OVERSEE RESIDENTIAL GARBAGE, RECYCLING, YARD WASTE, BULKY WASTE, TREE PICKUP. LANDSCAPE BEDS, CITY RIDEAWAYS, ABATEMENT. I OVERSEE MULTIPLE CONTRACTS, LANDFILL, LANDFILL GAS, COMPOST FACILITY, COMMERCIAL SOLID WASTE, STORM AND MANAGEMENT DEBRIS, FOR HURRICANES AND MONITORING. AND CITY MOWING CONTRACTS FOR ALL CITY PROPERTIES. AND LAST BUT DEFINITELY NOT LEAST IS WE OVERSEE KEEP VICTORIA BEAUTIFUL. SO THESE ARE JUST -- YOU'LL NOTICE THE STICKERS WE PUT ON TOP OF THE RECYCLE CONTAINERS, PICTURES FROM ONE OF OUR GARDENS AT THE HILLER HOUSE AND VOLUNTEERS. SO WE SERVICE -- I LIKE TO TELL PEOPLE WHEN I TALK AT CITIZENS ACADEMY AND DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY, WE'RE THE ONE DEPARTMENT THAT PHYSICALLY TOUCHES EVERY ADDRESS IN THE CITY EVERY SINGLE WEEK. MY GARBAGE GUYS GO BY EVERY SINGLE HOUSE. MY RECYCLE GUYS GO BYBY TWO WEEKS, MY YARD WASTE GUYS GO BY EVERY SINGLE HOUSE EVERY WEEK. THAT ADDS UP TO ABOUT 20,225 [01:15:03] CUSTOMERS THAT WE PICK UP WEEKLY ON GARBAGE AND ON RECYCLING. AND WE HAVE A LOT OF ADDITIONAL PARTS OUT THERE. 5,900 ON GARBAGE, 2,900 ON RECYCLING. AND YOU'LL REMEMBER, WE DID THE LAST AUDIT IN 2022 AND FOUNDFOUND 159 OUT THERE WE DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT. PEOPLE MOVE OUT, NEIGHBORS GRAB THEM, WHATEVER THE REASON, SOME OF THEM GET STOLEN TIME TO TIME. BUT IN THAT AUDIT, WE FOUND THOSE, BROUGHT IN AN ADDITIONAL $12,592 IN REVENUE. SO CURBSIDE RECYCLING. THAT'S LESS THAN LAST YEAR. LAST YEAR AROUND 1,000, THIS AROUND 674 TONS. 64% OF WHAT WE PICK UP IS RECYCLED. THAT'S REALLY BAD. WE HAVE PLANS TO DEAL WITHWITH THIS YEAR. 44% IS CONTAMINATED. DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO THE BIG GREEN PIE CUTOUT ON THE RIGHT SIDE THAT TALKS ABOUT CONTAMINATED ITEMS. THOSE ARE ALL RECYCLABLE ITEMS THAT CAN'T BE RECYCLED BECAUSE THEY'RE WET, WOULD COVERED WITH SOMETHING, ATTACHED TO SOMETHING THEY SHOULDN'T BE. THAT 44% ADDED TO 56% WOULD MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE. CHRISTIE IS GOING TO TALK ABOUT THINGS WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS YEAR TO TRY TO GET THAT CHANGED AROUND. IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE, NOT BETTER. HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE, THIS DROPPED OFF A LITTLE BIT THE PAST YEAR. WE NORMALLY PICK UP 50 TONS, IT WAS LESS. WE'VE PICKED UP A LOT -- I'M LOSING MY VOICE, THIS IS THE QUIETEST YOU'LL EVER HEAR ME. 65% OF THAT IS ELECTRONICS. NOW ADAYS, THAT IS THE BIGGEST HHW PROBLEM WE HAVE, HOW TO DEAL WITH TVS AND DIFFERENT THINGS. THANK YOU. SO I'M GOING TO LET CHRISTIE TALK THROUGH A FEW THINGS, THEN I WILL GET BACK UP HERE SHORTLY. >> OKAY. HELLO, EVERYONE. I ALWAYS THINK I GET TO TALK ABOUT THE BEAUTIFUL, FUN STUFF. OKAY. THE CITY ALERT CENTER, SPECIFICALLY AS IT RELATES TO SOLID WASTE. AS YOU HEARD FROM THE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, THIS HAS BEEN A REAL GAME CHANGER ALREADY. AND THE FACT THAT WE CANCAN RESIDENTS WITH INDIVIDUAL ROUTES, WITH SERVICE DAYS, IS A REALLY BIG DEAL. THIS WAY THEY'RE NOT GETTING MESSAGES ABOUT THE WHOLE CITY, IT'S TARGETED TO THEM. THIS WAY, IF THERE'S AN EQUIPMENT ISSUE OR CHANGE IN SCHEDULE DUE TO HOLIDAY SERVICE, WE CAN GET THAT MESSAGE OUT. THE EXAMPLES ARE ONES WE ACTUALLY USED OVER THE HOLIDAYS. AND THEY'RE VERY TO THE POINT, SHORT, EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED THEM TO BE. THANK YOU TO COMMUNICATIONS AND I.T. AND UTILITY BILLING FOR ALL THEIR WORK ON THIS. OUR COMMUNITY APPEARANCE DIVISION, WE HAVE SIX TEAM MEMBERS PLUS A CREW LEADER AND SUPERVISOR IN THIS TEAM. AS DARRYL MENTIONED, THEY DO THE MOWING, THE LANDSCAPING BEDS AND WEEDY LOTS, A NEW THING WE'LL TALK ABOUT IN A MINUTE, OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS. THEY DO THE WORK THAT WHEN PEOPLE COME INTO TOWN, LANDSCAPING AND WHAT THINGS LOOK LIKE, AND WHEN YOU DRIVE AROUND TOWN, WHAT YOU NOTICE, FRONT FACING OF THIS COMMUNITY, AS YOU ALL WELL KNOW. MAINTENANCE IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THAT. YOU CAN SEE HOW MANY BEDS THEY HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF, AND THEY DO IT WITH GREAT CARE. WHEN WE FIGURE IN ANY NEW PROJECT, WE HAVE TO ALWAYS THINK ABOUT THE MAINTENANCE COST, NOT JUST -- THAT INCLUDES IRRIGATION, COMPOST, REPLACEMENT OF PLANTS, ALL OF THAT. IT IS A BIG PART OF WHAT THEY DO, THEY SPEND A LOT OF TIME DOING IT. AND IF THEY'RE RUSHED TOO MUCH -- THEY WANT THEIR QUALITY OF WORK TO BE HIGH AND WE REALLYREALLY PROUD OF THAT FACT. ONE OF THE BIG -- THE PROJECTS YOU LIKELY SAW THIS PAST YEAR FOR BICENTENNIAL WERE SOME OF THE BEDS AROUND TOWN, THE COMMUNITY CENTER WAS A BIG ONE, AND CITY HALL, DE LEON PLAZA AND THE PLANNERS. [01:20:02] THEY THOUGHT ABOUT HOW IT SHOULD GO IN AND HAVE THE EXPERIENCE. COMMUNITY CENTER IS EXPANSIVE, TOOK A LOT OF PLANTING, LOT OF PLANTS, COMPOST AND MULCH, AND FIGURING OUT IRRIGATION, WORKING WITH PARKS. NOW THE COMMUNITY CENTER STAFF IS TAKING CARE OF IT, THAT'S WONDERFUL, THAT'S THE WAY IT SHOULD WORK WHEN THEY WORK TOGETHER. SOME OF THE STAFF THERE BEHIND THE 200, JOSEPH VARGAS IS THE CREW LEADER, JACKIE YEATS IS THE CREW SUPERVISOR AND SHONDA PERRY IS ONE OF THE TEAM MEMBERS. THE BEDS AT THE PLAZA, I'M SURE YOU NOTICED THOSE IN THE PLANTERS. WE WORKED CLOSELY WITH MAIN STREET CREW GETTING UP AND GOING. THIS WAS AROUND THE SAME TIME, GETTING THEM TRAINED AND COLLABORATING WITH THEM WAS KEY. WE CONTINUE TO COLLABORATE WITH THE MAIN STREET CREW. THEY'RE GOING A GREAT JOB TAKING CARE OF ALL OF THE BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENTS AND WE CONTINUE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THEM AS WELL. WEEDY LOT ABATEMENT. PRIOR TO 2023, THESE WERE ANYTHING THAT NEEDED -- THAT LOOKED TERRIBLE WHEN YOU DRIVE BY THAT HAD TOO MUCH GRASS, DEBRIS, THOSE WERE CONTRACTED OUT. CODE ENFORCEMENT HANDLES THAT, AND THEY WERE CONTRACTED OUT. WE TOOK THAT IN- HOUSE EARLY 2023, MAINLY FOR RESPONSE TIME SO WE CAN GET TO THESE QUICKER, MORE EFFICIENTLY, AND FOR COST SAVINGS. WE'VE BEEN DOING THAT, WORKING WITH CODE, AND REALLY WE HAVE THAT PROCESS DOWN. I THINK WE'VE ALL DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB ON THAT. MOWING AND DEBRIS REMOVAL. THE ONLY ONES WE DON'T DO ARE JUST TOO HUGE, WE DON'T HAVE THE EQUIPMENT FOR, ARE JUST TOO BIG OF PROPERTIES. YOU CAN SEE HOW MANY WE DID, 510 TOTAL LOTS WERE ABATED THIS PAST YEAR. THE VAST MAJORITY OF THOSE WERE DONE BY OUR COMMUNITY APPEARANCE TEAM. KEEP VICTORIA BEAUTIFUL, MANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN TO SOME OF THESE EVENTS. IT BECAME A CITY PROGRAM IN 2020, WITH 501 C 3 STATUS AND GOVERNING BOARD TO ENHANCE THE BEAUTY OF VICTORIA. WE DO FOUR HUGE CLEANUPS A YEAR, DOESN'T INCLUDE THE CLEAN SWEEPS AND SMALLER CLEANUPS. MONTHLY BEAUTIFICATION AWARDS, YOU SEE THOSE TO HONOR THE BUSINESSES DOING A STAND- UP JOB. BEAUTIFICATION GRANTS, $3,000 IN GRANTS LAST YEAR FOR BUSINESSES, NONPROFITS AND CHURCHES. WE PLAN TO UP THAT. A FUNDRAISER THIS YEAR, A LOT OF THAT GOES TOWARD MORE GRANTS. EDUCATION, BOOTHS, OTHER WAYS, WORKING WITH SCHOOLS. PUBLIC ART, WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT DOING MORE OF THAT IN COOPERATION WITH OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS GOING FORWARD. THESE ARE THINGS THE BOARD HAS RECOGNIZED AS REALLY IMPORTANT, THE GRANTS AND PUBLIC ART. I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT KBB HAS GROWN A LOT IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN A GOLD STAR AFFILIATE STATUS FOR TWO YEARS WITH KEEP TEXAS BEAUTIFUL. AND WE ALSO PRESENTED AT KEEP TEXAS BEAUTIFUL CONFERENCE LAST YEAR ON OUR EXEMPLARY NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUP PROGRAMS. THE BOARD UP THERE AT THE TOP WAS FROM A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AT OUR VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION EVENT, WE HAD THE BIGGEST TURNOUT YET, OVER 200 PEOPLELE. HAD TO BRING OUT MORE TABLES. SOME OF Y'ALL WERE THERE. REALLY PROUD OF THE BOARD AND VOLUNTEERS. WE HAD TO OPEN UP A NEW CIRCLE OF HONOR BECAUSE WE WANT TO WELCOME MORE PEOPLE IN TO GET AWARDS. THAT'S A GOOD PROBLEM TO HAVE. OOPS, SORRY ABOUT THAT. OKAY. OUR WASTE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN, AS YOU KNOW, IT'S IMPORTANT. YES ABOUT RECYCLING, BUT ALSO OTHER SERVICES. THE CITY OF VICTORIA HAS INCREDIBLE SERVICES FOR HANDLING WASTE, REALLY. AND WE CAN HAVE ALL THOSE GREAT SERVICES, BUT IF THE RESIDENTS ARE NOT AWARE OR USING THEM EFFECTIVELY, WE'RE MISSING THE POINT. SO WE'RE REALLY GETTING FOCUSED ON A CAMPAIGN TO DO THAT. AND WE'VE DONE THAT THROUGH RAISING GRANT FUNDS AND WE DID THAT IN 2024, GOT MORE RAISED IN 2025, MAINLY THROUGH UNION PACIFIC, COCA- COLA AND A TCU GRANT. STICKERS ON THE CARTS. [01:25:04] WE'RE LAUNCHING THE WASTE WIZARD ONLINE TOOL. I'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT BUT IT'S FOR REAL, IT'S IN TESTING PHASE NOW, LAUNCHED IN MARCH. AND THE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM IS DOING MORE VIDEOS FOR US. HOW DO YOU CLICK ON THE VIDEO? WE HAVE A 20- SECOND VIDEO ALREADY DONE. >> CAN YOU HEAR IT? NO. OH, NO. SORRY, SAM. >> THIS IS HER BIG MOMENT. SHE'S REALLY GOOD IN THIS. >> SILENT MOVIE. >> WHY HASN'T THE CITY COME TO PICK IT UP. >> DID YOU SET AN APPOINTMENT? CALL OR USE THE 311 APP. TWO PICKUPS PER YEAR AT NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE UNDER SIX CUBIC YARDS. >> I'M SURE IT IS LESS THAN THAT. HANG ON. >> THANK YOU, VICTORIA, FOR KEEPING BULKY TRASH OFF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS. >> WE HAVE SUCH TALENT ON THAT TEAM, I'M TELLING YOU. SO THE WASTE WIZARD TOOL TO BE CLEAR IS AN ONLINE TOOL, ANYONE CAN GO IN AND PUT ANY ITEM, AND WE'RE WORKING ON, YOU KNOW, TESTING IT, ADDING MORE THINGS. IT WILL TELL YOU WHAT TO DO WITH IT IN VICTORIA. IF YOU HAVE A PROPANE TANK, IF YOU HAVE A STYROFOAM CUP, IT WILL TELL YOU WHAT TO DO IN THIS TOWN, WHICH IS GREAT. GIVES YOU OPTIONS, EVEN TO DONATE. WE HAVE PLACES YOU CAN DONATE THINGS AND WE'RE PARTNERING WITH THE COUNTY, SO YOU CAN INDICATE IF YOU'RE IN THE COUNTY AND IT WILL SWITCH YOU TO THE COUNTY. IT'S A JOINT EFFORT. AND OUR CLEANUPS, BIG ROADWAY CLEANUPS, WE GET 300 TO 400 REGULARLY, TWO OF THESE A YEAR. AND WE DON'T JUST CLEAN UP ALONG THE LOOP, WE CLEAN UP NORTH OF THE LOOP, ALL THE WAY SOUTH TO SOUTH MOODY AND BLOOMINGTON HIGHWAY OUT OF TOWN. WE CLEAN UP A LOT OF ROADWAY. ONE THING I WANT TO POINT OUT IS THE VALUE THIS BRINGS TO THE CITY. THERE'S TWO WAYS WE CAN THINK OF THIS, ONE IS THAT THIS GETS AT THE ROOT CAUSE OF LITTER AND ILLEGAL DUMPING, GET PEOPLE OUT CLEANING IT UP. COMMUNITY MEMBERS, SO THEY NEVER LOOK AT TRASH THE SAME AGAIN. PEOPLE SEE THEM CLEANING UP, IT CHANGES THEIR PERSPECTIVE OF THE COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE CARE. OF COURSE, SECOND ONE IS THE COST TO THE CITY. IF WE HAD STAFF OUT THERE CLEANING TRASH ALONG THE ROADWAYS AND AREAS, IT WOULD COST A LOT. THIS NUMBER IS A NONPROFIT NATIONAL NUMBER, BUT THE POINT IS THAT IT WOULD LITERALLY TAKE ONE FULL- TIME PERSON, WE ESTIMATED, ALL THE TIME CLEANING UP ALL OVER THE CITY, AT LEAST ONE PERSON ALL DAY, ALL THEY DID. THIS IS VALUABLE. IN MANY WAYS. THEN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUPS, THIS IS THE ONES WE PARTNER WITH RESIDENTS AND CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS TO BRING SERVICES TO THESE AREAS THAT NEED A LITTLE EXTRA HELP. WE SEND BROCHURES WITH INFORMATION TO THOSE RESIDENTS, AND LET THEM KNOW THEY CAN PUT ITEMS OUT FOR TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE CLEANUP AND WE'LL COME BY AND PICK IT UP AT NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE. WE TELL THEM HOW TO PLACE IT OUT, ABOUT HHW SERVICES, HOW MANY PICKUPS THEY GET. IT'S ANOTHER WAY TO EDUCATE. THIS IS HOW WE TELL THEM ABOUT THE SERVICES. WE BLOCK WALK THE AREA AS WELL, AND HELP THEM MOVE ITEMS TO THE CURB ON THAT DAY IF THEY NEED HELP AND WE'LL PICK THEM UP. OF COURSE WE DO A LOT OF OTHER THINGS. FIRE DEPARTMENT INSTALLS SMOKE DETECTORS. WE HAVE THE MUNICIPAL COURT, THE LIBRARY, VICTORIA COLLEGE, PARKS AND REC. DONATE FLOWERS TO RESIDENTS TO PUT A SMILE ON PEOPLE'S FACES. THIS BUILDS TRUST, BUILDS PRIDE IN VICTORIA, ENCOURAGES EVERYONE TO TAKE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN COMMUNITY AND TAKE PRIDE IN IT. THESE HAVE BEEN REALLY SUCCESSFUL AND THESE ARE THE ONES THAT WE HIGHLIGHT THAT STATEWIDE, PEOPLE ARE MOST INTERESTED IN HOW WE DO THESE. I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO DARRYL. BEFORE I DO, POINT OUT TWO THINGS TO LEAVE YOU WITH ON THIS END OF BEAUTIFICATION. ONE IS THE RIPPLE EFFECT THIS HAS. FOR AN EXAMPLE, THIS PAST WEEKEND, WE HAD OVER -- JUST UNDER 100 YOUNG PEOPLE CLEANING UP ALL OVER TOWN. AND I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING EXCEPT GIVE THEM SUPPLIES. [01:30:01] YOU WANT. THAT'S WHAT KEEP VICTORIA BEAUTIFUL HAS DONE. SECOND THING I WANT TO POINT OUT IS PEOPLE THAT STUDY -- WHEN WE LOOK AT CITIES AND ECONOMIC GROWTH, WE'VE NOTICED A LONG TIME THAT BEAUTIFICATION EFFORTS ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THAT, BUT HAVEN'T HAD A WAY TO SAY THIS IS WHY, AND THERE'S A NUMBER TO IT. IT'S CALLED THE BEAUTY PREMIUM. IN 2019, RICHARD FLORIDA COINED THAT. THOSE COMMUNITIES WITH BEAUTIFICATION EFFORTS GROW THAT MUCH MORE AND IT'S TIED TO TAX RATES ON POPULATION GROWTH AND JOB GROWTH. THERE'S ACTUAL BENEFITS WE CAN POINT TO NOW. WITH THAT -- >> I HAVE A QUESTION ON THE WEEDY LOTS BEFORE YOU LEAVE. CONGRATULATIONS BY THE WAY WITH ALL THE VOLUNTEERS AND VALUE FOR THE CITY. WEEDY LOTS, IS THERE REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE OWNERS OR IS IT A NET LOSS? >> ON THE WEEDY LOTS -- >> WE BASICALLY PLACE LIENS ON THE PROPERTY, NO DIFFERENT THAN IF WE WERE TO HIGH SOMEBODY TO DO IT. REALLY THE ONLY REAL DIFFERENCE IS WE DO IT IN- HOUSE AND WE GET IT DONE QUICKER. THAT WAS A BIG ITEM OF CONCERN FOR SOME COUNCIL MEMBERS. I REMEMBER HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH RICKY ABOUT IT, BECAUSE PROPERTIES WOULD GO WEEKS WITHOUT BEING MOWED, WASN'T BECAUSE WE WEREN'T TRYING, BUT SEND THE WORK ORDER TO A THIRD- PARTY CONTRACTOR, IT WILL JUST TAKE LONGER FOR THEM TO GET TO IT. BUT THERE'S A LIEN PLACED ON THE PROPERTY WORTH THE TIME AND MONEY THAT STAFF PUT INTO IT. >> JUST WANT TO CLARIFY, WE DO BILL THE WORK THAT'S DONE. AFTER THREE MONTHS OF NONPAYMENT IS WHEN WE PUT THE LIEN ON THE PROPERTY, BUT WE DO INTEND TO COLLECT THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH THE CLEANUP. AND THE LIEN IS ON THE PROPERTY, IF THEY SELL IT, WE CAN COLLECT IT DURING THE SALE. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS BEFORE I MOVE ON? THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE. ESSENTIALLY THREE CHALLENGES. PROBABLY NOT A SURPRISE, FLEET, IT TAKES TWO YEARS TO GET MY VEHICLES. STAFFING, AND THEN FACILITIES. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT OUR FLEET, WE RUN NINE ROUTES EVERY DAY. SEVEN OF THOSE ARE YOUR GARBAGE TRUCKS, TWO ARE RECYCLE TRUCKS. TWO RESERVE TRUCKS. AFTER LIFE IS SEVEN YEARS. NOW, I'VE TALKED TO COUNCIL MANY YEARS AND SOME OF YOU MAY REMEMBER, WE PUSHED THAT TIME OUT TO NINE YEARS FOR VEHICLES, STARTING TAKING BETTER CARE AND DOING MORE MAINTENANCE ON OUR VEHICLES AND WERE ABLE TO PUSH THAT OUT. BUT THE PROBLEM IS NOW NINE YEARS TURNS TO 11 BY THE TIME I GET A TRUCK. WHILE IT'S GOTTEN A LITTLE BIT BETTER, IT HASN'T GOTTEN THAT MUCH BETTER. AS WE MOVE FORWARD, I GOT FOUR 2016 TRUCKS SITTING THERE RIGHT NOW THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED. I'LL BE TALKING ABOUT THAT A LITTLE LATER, BUT THOSE ARE THINGS COMING UP WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO ADDRESS IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS AS WE DO BUDGETS. AVERAGE COST OF THE TRUCK, $525,000. THEY'RE NOT CHEAP. SO YOU CAN SEE THERE WHAT IT WOULD COST TO REPLACE OUR FLEET. BUT TO REPLACE THE FOUR TRUCKS I NEED TO REPLACE NOW, THAT IF I ORDERED NOW WOULD GET IN PROBABLY 1 1/2 YEARS IS ABOUT $2. 1 MILLION. THE KNUCKLE BONES, PICK UP THE BRUSH AND BULKY WASTE. AVERAGE LIFE SEVEN YEARS PUSHED OUT AS WELL. WE BOUGHT ONE A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND JUST ORDERED ONE PAST YEAR. THAT HELPS, BUT IN A COUPLE OF YEARS WE'LL HAVE TO LOOK AT REPLACING ANOTHER. AVERAGE COST ABOUT 300K FOR THOSE, 900,000 TO REPLACE THE TRUCKS. FOR US, REPLACEMENT IS PROBABLY GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE A CHALLENGE. FLEET CHALLENGES CONTINUED, REAR- LOAD TRUCKS. WE RUN FOUR. I STILL HAVE A 2011 REAR- LOADER, A 2014 REAR-LOADER. MY NEWEST ONE IS A 2016. WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO PUSH THOSE OUT, AGAIN, IN THE UPCOMING YEARS, WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO REPLACE THOSE BECAUSE OF HOW LONG IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO GET THOSE TRUCKS IN. SO HERE IS WHAT I PROPOSED TO GILBERT AND JESUS I'M LOOKING AT BUDGET- WISE THE NEXT THREE YEARS. FOUR AUTOMATED TRUCKS, THE 2016S, NEXT YEAR. [01:35:01] AFTER THAT, TWO AUTOMATED, ONE KNUCKLE BOOM, TWO REAR- LOADERS AND TWO AUTOMATED. SOMETHING THAT'S IMPORTANT TO SAY HERE, AND DEPENDING WHAT HAPPENS, I'LL GO OFF THE EDGE A LITTLE BIT. THERE'S SOME NEW EMISSIONS THAT TAKE EFFECT IN 2027, IF THAT HOLDS, I CAN TELL YOU, I'VE MET WITH SIX DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS AND NONE ARE UP TO SPEED ON THE NEW EMISSIONS FOR 2027. IF THAT HOLDS, WE MAY WANT TO GET TRUCKS BEFORE THAT NEW EMISSIONS KICKS IN BECAUSE IF NOT, OUR DOWNTIME AND WAIT TIME COULD GET WORSE. SO THAT'S SOMETHING I'LL KEEP UP WITH AS WE GO THROUGH AND WORK THROUGH THE BUDGETS. BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT IN, EPA WILL KICK IN, WE HAVE TO KEEP AN EYE ON THAT TO MAKE SURE IF SOMEBODY DOESN'T GET THAT FIGURED OUT, WE GET AHEAD OF THE GAME, NOT BE BEHIND IT. KIND OF NOT SO MUCH UNDER FLEET, BUT IT STILL IS -- DEALS WITH FLEET, THE CARTS WE PUT OUT. YOU KNOW, YOU CAN SEE OUR CUSTOMER COUNT, AVERAGE COST ABOUT 60. REPLACE ALL, 2. 7, WHICH WE WON'T HAVE TO DO. BUT REMEMBER THIS, WE STARTED DELIVERING THESE CARTS IN 2008. WE'RE IN 2025. WE'RE STARTING TO SEE MORE CARTS COME IN THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED. WE USUALLY RUN 30,000 TO 40,000 A YEAR IN CART REPLACEMENT. MAY SEE IT GO UP TO 50 OR MORE BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF THE CARTS. AS WE SEE THE EXTRA CART THING SLOW DOWN, THAT'S GREAT, BUT NOW WE'RE GETTING INTO THE LIFE OF THOSE CARTS AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I'VE MENTIONED THAT MULTIPLE TIMES IN THESE REPORTS. WE'VE BEEN LUCKY SO FAR WE HAVEN'T HAD TO DO THAT IN LARGE VOLUME. HEAVY DUTY CERTIFIED TRUCK MECHANICS. THE YEAH, BIG GUYS. >> SOUNDS BIG. >> GARBAGE TRUCKS HAVE THREE SYSTEMS, AIR SYSTEM, HYDRAULIC SYSTEM AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNLIKE CARS OR ANYTHING ELSE. THERE IS A LOT TO WORKING ON THEM IT'S HARD TO FIND MECHANICS THAT KNOW HOW TO WORK ON THESE TRUCKS. WE SEND A LOT OF OUR TRUCKS TO HOUSTON OR SAN ANTONIO, BACK TO THE MANUFACTURER TO BE WORKED ON WHEN WE CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEMS HERE. THAT'S ALWAYS AN ISSUE FOR US. ROGER DOES GREAT WITH FLEET, THEY WORK ON WHAT THEY CAN, BUT THEY'RE NOT TRAINED TO WORK ON $500,000 GARBAGE TRUCKS. THEY'RE DIESEL MECHANICS. THAT'S GREAT UNTIL YOU HAVE AN AIR PROBLEM. THAT'S ALWAYS AN ISSUE FOR US. STAFFING. STAFFING HAS BEEN AN ISSUE. YOU KNOW, I LIKE TO BRAG THAT WE ARE ONE OF THE DEPARTMENTS THAT CAN HOLD ON TO OUR EMPLOYEES THE LONGEST, AND WE CAN. THE PROBLEM IS FINDING ONES WHEN WE NEED THEM. CURRENTLY WE'RE TWO EMPLOYEES SHORT. I'M NOT LOSING EMPLOYEES TO TEXAS CONCRETE OR WALMART, MY LAST ONE WENT TO WASTE MANAGEMENT. I'M LOSING EMPLOYEES WHO WITH THEIR EXPERIENCE START AT $23. THAT'S AN ISSUE FOR US. THE OTHER THING THAT KINDKIND AFFECTS US, WE'RE IN THE 16. 37 STARTING TO $18 AN HOUR PAY. IT'S HARD TO COMPETE WHEN THE DRIVER JOBS COME UP. AND YOU MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW, THEY'VE CHANGED THE WHOLE WAY THE COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE ARE ISSUED NOW. IT'S NOT TWO TESTS AND A LICENSE BUT AN ACTUAL COURSE THAT TAKES A SEMESTER. AND SO IT'S CHANGED THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE EVEN OUT THERE IN THE POOL FOR US TO GRAB. WHAT DOES THIS LEAD TO? EXCESSIVE OVERTIME. I'M SURE COUNCIL MEMBERS, HEARD FROM A FEW OF YOU, THEY DIDN'T COME BY UNTIL 9:30 LAST NIGHT. REMIND COUNCIL THAT WE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO FINISH EVERY DAY BECAUSE NEXT DAY I HAVE MORE ROUTES. I CAN'T NOT FINISH. IF WE HAVE TO WORK UNTIL 10:00, THERE ARE TIMES I CALL IT JUST BECAUSE IT'S UNSAFE, BUT MOST NIGHTS WE WILL WORK UNTIL WE'RE DONE. IF WE HAVE TO LEAVE SOMETHING, IT'S SOMETHING SMALLER LIKE RECYCLING, BUT NEVER GARBAGE. THAT'S OUR GOAL. 100% OF THE TIME WE PICK UP ALL THE GARBAGE. THAT LEADS TO THAT EXCESSIVEEXCESSIVE OVERTIME NOT HAVING THE PEOPLE. [01:40:01] TWO YEARS AGO IN 23, I ASKED COUNCIL FOR AN ADDITIONAL HEAD COUNT FOR AN ADDITIONAL ROUTE TO LEVEL IT OUT. WE'VE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO HIRE THAT ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEE. WE GET SOMEBODY IN, TRAINED, AND SOMEBODY LEAVES. WE'VE STILL GOT THAT ROUTE WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO PUT ON THE ROAD BECAUSE I HAVEN'T HAD THE EMPLOYEE TO FILL IT. THE ROUTE IS DONE AND CREATED BUT I DON'T HAVE THE PERSONNEL TO RUN IT. DID YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING, JESUS? LEANING FORWARD. >> I THOUGHT ABOUT IT. >> WE'VE GOT THE TRUCK TO RUN IT, RIGHT? >> I DO HAVE THE TRUCK, CURRENTLY, YES. AND REMEMBER, IT WOULD BE THREE-DAY A WEEK ROUTE, NOT EVERY DAY, BECAUSE I NEED THE DRIVER TO FILL IN OTHER PLACES, BUT WITHOUT HIM I CAN'T EVEN GET STARTED. WE'RE STILL PUSHING OVERTIME, STILL AT THAT POINT WHERE WE RUN LEAN, IF I DON'T HAVE THE PERSON, I DON'T HAVE THE PERSON. >> JUST GOING TO ADD, PROBABLY SEEMS OBVIOUS BUT DON'T WANT TO ASSUME, TALKING ABOUT ADDING ADDITIONAL ROUTE, IT LESSENS THE NUMBER OF STOPS ON THE EXISTING ROUTES SO FOLKS DON'T HAVE TO WORK UNTIL 9:00 P.M. BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF CARTS. INTENT FOR THE ADDITIONAL ROUTE WAS LESSEN THE NUMBER OF STOPS EACH ROUTE WOULD HAVE EVERY DAY TO HELP THAT CAUSE, SPREAD THE LOAD OUT FURTHER. I DON'T WANT TO ASSUME THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTOOD THAT. I WANTED TO ADD IT. >> EXTRA CARTS ALONE, ONE INDIVIDUAL DRIVER SHOULD PICK UP AROUND 1,000 CARTS A DAY. THEY'RE PUSHING 1,200 TO 1,500 CARTS A DAY. 20 SECONDS PER CART, MS. SCOTT HAS BROUGHT THAT UP. OUR GOAL IS 16, BUT THE ROUTE IS SET, 20 SECONDS PER CART. ADD IN ADDITIONAL ALMOST 10,000 CARTS, THAT'S A LOT OF TIME IN A WEEK. WE NEED A LOT OF ABATEMENT CREW. TWO POSITIONS BUDGETED. TO GOT 1.9%. MY APPEARANCE CREWS HAVE BEEN DOING IT WITH THEIR REGULAR JOB BECAUSE I CAN'T HIRE TWO PEOPLE TO FILL THOSE POSITIONS. $15.93 AN HOUR. WE BRING THE BUDGET TO YOU, WE DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN SUSTAIN WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW. WE MAY IF WE CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT HAVE TO GO BACK TO USING CONTRACTORS. WE DO A WAY BETTER JOB, WAY QUICKER, THAN THEY DO. ONE HOUR PER LOT. IF YOU CALL AND SAY I NEED THIS DONE TODAY, IT WILL BE DONE TODAY. CONTRACTORS CAN'T DO THAT. BUT IF I CAN'T HIRE THE PEOPLE -- SUFFERING ON ONE SIDE, ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAUL, I DON'T KNOW WE CAN CONTINUE TO DO THAT MUCH LONGER. SO THAT'S JUST SOMETHING WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT. ON THE KEEP VICTORIA BEAUTIFUL SIDE, THIS IS A GREAT THING, WE'VE GROWN. JESUS WANTED TO BRING THIS BACK. I THINK WE'VE KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK. AND SO AS WE CONTINUE TO GROW THAT, WE NEED TO LOOK AT SOMEONE TO COME IN AND HELP SO THAT CHRISTIE CAN DO OUR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR PART OF HER JOB AND NOT SPEND AS MUCH TIME ON KEEP VICTORIA BEAUTIFUL. FACILITIES WE'RE KIND OF LIKE PUBLIC WORKS, WE OFFICE OUT OF 700 MAIN, BUT ALL MY PEOPLE ARE ACROSS TOWN. AND WE'VE TALKED TO COUNCIL IN THE PAST ABOUT A NEW BUILDING COMING UP IN WHATEVER YEAR. THAT WOULD HELP US WITH EFFICIENCY, HELP ME BEING IN THE SAME PLACE ALL OF OUR PEOPLE ARE. BUT IF WE CONTINUE TO DO THE WEEDY LOT, THAT'S ENFORCED BY CODE ENFORCEMENT, FROM 700 MAIN, FROM OUR OFFICE TO THAT OFFICE. IT'S DONE, TAKEN TO MY OFFICE, THEN TAKEN FROM MY OFFICE TO CODE ENFORCEMENT. WE WOULD LIKE TO FACILITATE THAT BUILDING QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE TO PUT US UP IN ONE PLACE AND HELPS PUT ME WHERE MY WORKERS ARE, MY DRIVERS, THINGS LIKE THAT%-Ú OVERALL PRODUCTIVITY AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN US AND THE DRIVERS. THEN, THIS IS KIND OF A NEW ONE, I'M GOING TO THROW THIS OUT THERE. I KNOW DEREK'S AWARE OF THIS, AS IS JESUS, CENTRALIZED FLEET LOCATION. MOST OF THE CARS FLEET WORK ON [01:45:02] NOW, MY TRUCKS, PUBLIC WORKS, STILL PD CARS, BUT FIRE'S GOT DEAL WITH SIMMS MARTIN AND WE JUST STARTED -- I HOPE IT WORKS OUT FORFOR THEM, SOMETHING I WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT IN THE FUTURE. WE HAVE PLENTY OF ROOM BETWEEN PUBLIC WORKS AND THE NEW SEWER PLANT TO MOVE FLEET. WHY? WHAT WOULD IT DO? WHAT THAT WOULD DO IS ONE, ALLOW ACCESS FOR MAINTENANCE CREWS TO WORK ON OUR VEHICLES WHEN WE DON'T NEED OUR VEHICLES LIKE AT NIGHT. IT WOULD ALLOW OUR MAINTENANCE CREWS TO PICK UP A VEHICLE FROM PUBLIC WORKS, WORK ON IT, TAKE IT BACK TO PUBLIC WORKS. WHAT HAPPENS NOW, ONE OF MY TRUCKS BREAKS DOWN, HE GOES TO FLEET, WILL STAY UNTIL SOMEBODY CAN PICK HIM UP, TAKE HIM BACK TO THE OFFICE, IF I HAVE A TRUCK FOR HIM TO USE TO WORK ON HIS ROUTE. HAVING EVERYTHING CENTRALIZED IN ONE AREA AND WORKING MOSTLY ON THOSE VEHICLES, IT ALLOWS THAT DRIVER TO DROP IT OFF AT FLEET, WALK BACK TO MY YARD, PICK UP ANOTHER TRUCK, GET ON THE ROAD. PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE CAN BE ALL DONE AT NIGHT. I COME FROM THE PRIVATE SIDE, THIS IS THE WAY WE DID THINGS AND IT WORKS SO MUCH BETTER. I'M THROWING THIS OUT THERE FOR COUNCIL TO THINK ABOUT AS WE MOVE FORWARD PLANNING FOR THE NEXT FIVE TO TEN YEARS. THE OTHER THING, HOUSE CERTIFIED MECHANICS. IF WHAT WORKS WITH MARTINS, IF IT WORKS GREAT FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, I WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT FOR GARBAGE TRUCKS, HIRING TWO FULL-TIME GARBAGE MECHANICS TRAINED BY THE GARBAGE COMPANIES WE BUY FOR, CHASSIS AND BODY, TO WORK ON GARBAGE TRUCKS. SAVES ME HAVING TO SEND THEM OUT OF TOWN. OUR PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE WOULD BE STILL DONE BY FLEET BUT ALL REPAIRS WOULD BE DONE BY PEOPLE WHO KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING. >> CAN WE PAUSE? CAN YOU GO BACK? >> YES, SIR. >> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT. ON THE FACILITIES PIECE. SOME OF YOU MAY RECALL THAT WE, A FEW YEARS AGO NOW, STARTED A FACILITIES MASTER PLAN PROCESS. THAT PROCESS IS YET TO BE COMPLETED BECAUSE THE FIRM WE HIRED HAPPENED TO BE THE ONE THAT DESIGNED THE PUBLIC SAFETY HEADQUARTER BUILDING AND IT HAS AND CONTINUES TO TAKE PRIORITY, RIGHTFULLY SO. BUT THIS CONCEPT OF EXPLORING A CENTRALIZED LOCATION FOR PUBLIC SERVICES, FLEET, ET CETERA, IS SOMETHING WE PLAN ON ONCE WE FIND MORE THAN LIKELY A NEW PARTNER TO HELP US COMPLETE THAT MASTER PLAN. WE HOPE THAT CAN COME OUT OF THAT PROCESS. BECAUSE THERE'S A TON OF OTHER EFFICIENCIES THAT COULD COME FROM THAT TO GET INTO ANOTHER DAY. BUT WANTED TO VERBALIZE SOME OF THE LEG WORK HAD BEEN DONE, WE STARTED THE PROCESS, AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE LOOKED AT AS WE PICK UP THE FACILITIES MASTER PLANNING PROCESS. CAN YOU GO BACK A SLIDE? I KNOW HE'S GOING TO TALK ABOUT THIS, WHICH IS IMPORTANT, BUT ALSO KEEP IN MIND AS WE TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES THAT HAVE DOLLAR SIGNS ASSIGNED TO THEM, A REMINDER THIS IS NOT THE GENERAL FUND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. THIS IS THE ENTERPRISE FUND, ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FUND BALANCE, COMPLETELY DIFFERENT APPROACH TO HOW WE HANDLE RATES AND EVERYTHING ELSE. IT'S IMPORTANT TO VERBALIZE THAT. THESE THINGS WE'RE LOOKING AT POTENTIALLY FUNDING ARE COMPETING WITH A FIRE TRUCK, A POLICE VEHICLE. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FUNDS. IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE TRANSPARENT WITH THAT. AND FRANKLY THAT'S WHY WE'VE BUILT UP THE RESERVE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES. DARRYL DIDN'T HIT ON THIS, BUT THERE WAS A DECISION MADE HOWEVER LONG AGO THAT WE WOULD BUY THESE -- THIS EQUIPMENT OUTRIGHT, CASH. SOMETIMES WE FINANCE THESE VEHICLES, LEASE TO PURCHASE MODELS FOR EQUIPMENT. WE DON'T DO THAT, WE BUY THIS STUFF STRAIGHT- UP CASH. WHEN WE GO THROUGH THE BUDGET, YOU DO NOTICE THE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES FUND BALANCE GROWS, GROWS, GROWS, BECAUSE THAT'S THE PLAN. THE PLAN IS FOR IT TO GROW SO WHEN WE HAVE TO BUY $2 MILLION [01:50:03] WORTH OF GARBAGE TRUCKS, WE HAVE THE $2 MILLION CASH TO BE ABLE TO DO IT. SOME OF THAT IS PLANNED, SOME OF IT IS NOT. SPECIFICALLY AS IT RELATES TO ONGOING, RECURRING EXPENSES, THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RECURRING AND CAPITAL, WE CAN SAVE UP TO BUY A ONE- TIME PURCHASE BUT MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO TACKLE THE RECURRING PIECE. TO THAT END, TO DARRYL FOR RATES. >> JESUS BROUGHT A GOOD POINT UP, AND I -- A LITTLE BIT FOR THE SLIDE. PRIOR TO 2008, WHEN WE KICKED OFF THE AUTOMATED PROGRAM, BONDS WERE USED TO BUY TRUCKS. WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT SAVINGS. SO WHAT'S IMPORTANT, I GUESS -- SEVERAL THINGS I WANT TO TALK ABOUT WITH RATES. YOU CAN SEE THE $13. 75 ON RESIDENTIAL COLLECTION, IT GOES BACK TO THE '90S, BUT REMEMBER THAT RATE COVERED EVERYTHING WE DID. AT ONE POINT. IN 2009, MYSELF AND GILBERT SAT DOWN AND WORKED OUT EACH LINE OF BUSINESS FOR ITSELF. THE RATE I CHARGE EACH MONTH FOR RESIDENTIAL PAYS FOR ALL RESIDENTIAL. RECYCLE PAYS FOR RECYCLE. EACH PAYS FOR ITSELF. WE STARTED THAT PROCESS. AFTER WE DID THAT, $13. 75 HAS REMAINED FLAT. HAD TO DO INCREASES ON BULKY AND BRUSH. YARD WEIGHT COLLECTION, LAST INCREASE ALSO 2021, NO INCREASES SINCE. FOR RECYCLING COLLECTION. BUT REMIND YOU, RECYCLING HAS CHANGED A LOT SINCE 2012. WE WILL TAKE EVERYTHING TO WE ONLY TAKE CERTAIN THINGS. WE PAY YOU FOR WHAT YOU GIVE TO WE WILL NOT PAY YOU. THE RECYCLING NUMBER WILL CHANGE. HHW CHANGES BUT MINIMAL THROUGH THE YEARS. WE'RE ONE OF THE FEW CITIES IN THE STATE THAT OFFERS ALL OF THESE THINGS. PRIME SERVICE ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. I HAVE CITIES I SIT ON, PLANNING COMMISSION ADVISORY BOARD, THEY'RE GOING CRAZY OVER HHW AND DON'T KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH IT. WE HAVE A WAY TO DEAL WITH IT. IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE UNDERSTAND MULTIPLE THINGS. ONE, THE MONEY WE MAKE FROM THE RATES PAY FOR EACH LINE OF BUSINESS. WHEN I NEED AUTOMATED TRUCKS, IT'S GARBAGE OR RECYCLING MONEY TO BUY THOSE TRUCKS. ALSO IT'S THERE TO HELP WITH CLOSURE/POSTCLOSURE. WE HAVE LANDFILL RESPONSIBILITIES WE HAVE TO PAY FOR. WE'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LANDFILL WHILE IT'S OPEN AND AFTER IT'S CLOSED. IT TAKES MONEY TO COVER THAT COST. AS WE FINISH CELLS IN THE FUTURE AND CLOSE THOSE CELLS, THE LAST CELL CLOSING WE DID WAS LITTLE OVER $5 MILLION, DONE IN I THINK 2010. WE'RE PUTTING MONEY BACK IN SO NEXT TIME WE HAVE TO CLOSE A CELL, WE'RE TAKING THE MONEY OUT OF THAT CELL. BEFORE I FINISH WITH RATES, THE LAST CAVEAT, AS JESUS SAID, GILBERT AND I GET TOGETHER EVERY YEAR, LOOK AT WHAT WE'RE MAKING, SPENDING, AND COULD WE NEED A RATE INCREASE OR NOT. WE DON'T EVER WANT TO DO THEM. YOU CAN SEE BY WHAT WE'VE DONE, WE HOLD OFF AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. BUT IT'S BASED OFF HOW THE YEAR GOES, WHAT WE NEED TO PUT BACK AND WHAT EQUIPMENT WE BUY. NOT GOING TO STAND HERE AND SAY WHETHER WE'RE HAVING THE RATE INCREASE THIS YEAR, WE HAVEN'T HAD THE DISCUSSION, IT'S ALWAYS OUT THERE BUT THE GOAL IS NOT TO IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. LAST, LOOKING AHEAD. WE HAVE STARTED THE WORK ON THE CLASS ONE AMENDMENT TO THE REPUBLIC CONTRACT WHICH I'LL BRING YOU TO IN THE NEXT MONTH OR SO TO GIVE THEM PERMISSION TO WORK ON OUR BEHALF FOR PERMIT MODCATION AND WORK ON THE CLASS ONE CELL FOR ADDITIONAL REVENUE TO THE CITY. [01:55:02] THAT TOP PICTURE, WE CAME TO COUNCIL, GOT $138,000 TO REPLACE ALL THE PROBES, THAT'S ONE OF THE NEW PROBES. I WAS OUT ON TUESDAY, TOOK THAT PICTURE. THEY HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED. WE'RE BACK IN GOOD GRACES AND WILL KEEP MOVING FORWARD. THE LANDFILL OPERATIONS RFP, WHICH I PRESENTED TO COUNCIL LAST MONTH, WE HAD A CALL TODAY WITH ATTORNEYS AND CONSULTANTS, WE'RE WORKING ON THAT, AN EIGHT- HOUR MEETING NEXT WEEK SCHEDULED HERE TO GET THAT PROCESS UP AND RUNNING. LANDFILL GAS WILL BE PART OF THAT. COMPOST MAY BE PART OF THAT. BUT SOMETHING THAT I WANT TO BRING UP IS WE GET ROYALTY FROM THEM FOR EVERYTHING THAT COMES IN THE LANDFILL. HERE LATELY WE'VE GOTTEN A FEW SPECIAL JOBS. THE REASON WE PUT INCREASED ROYALTY UP THERE IS WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT SPECIAL JOBS DIFFERENTLY IN THE NEW RFP THAN WE DO REGULAR DAY-TO- DAY BUSINESS. IF THEY'RE GETTING EXTRA MONEY OFF OF IT, WE WANT A BIGGER PIECE OF THE PIE. SOMETHING TO LET COUNCIL KNOW WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT, MAYBE IT COULD HELP US. IT GOES INTO THE GENERAL FUND, NOT INTO MY POT OF MONEY THAT'S USED. SORRY, GILBERT'S POT OF MONEY. I DID SAY MY, I TAKE IT PERSONAL. HIGHWAY 59/87 SIGNS, THAT'S BEEN ON THE LIST. WE OWN THE PROPERTY ON 87 TO DO IT. 59, HAD MULTIPLE DISCUSSIONS, MIGHT BE WE WAIT LONGER FOR THEM TO FINISH THE I- 69 CORRIDOR OR GET CLOSER OR GET PROPERTY BEFORE WE GET CARRIED AWAY. AND THE NAVARRO MURAL. WE'RE TAPPING KEEP VICTORIA BEAUTIFUL FOR POSSIBLY DOING THAT MURAL THERE THE UNDERPASS. THAT'S A LOT, BUT I WILL ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AND I'M ALWAYS AVAILABLE. >> QUESTION. >> YES, SIR. >> FIRST, YOUR COMMUNICATION WITH PUBLIC, EXCELLENT. I KNOW DURING THIS RECENT STORM, THERE WAS SOME ALERTS THAT WENT OUT. >> YES, SIR. >> IS THERE A WAY TO CUSTOMIZE SETTINGS? A PATIENT ASKED ME ABOUT A 2:00 A.M. ALERT. >> SO YES, I GET ALL OF THEM, NOT JUST ONE, I GOT THREE IN A ROW THAT NIGHT. THAT WAS JUST A MISHAP ON OUR SIDE, THE CITY'S SIDE. I BELIEVE THERE WAS AN APOLOGY SENT OUT. WE'LL MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. >> I EXPRESSED, HEY, WE'RE COMMUNICATING AND TRANSPARENT, AND THAT'S FANTASTIC, BUT I APOLOGIZED AS WELL AND SAID I WOULD LOOK INTO IT. >> WANTED THEM TO HAVE IT WHEN THEY WOKE UP, EVEN IF IT WOKE THEM UP. >> I DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE OVER HIS PRESENTATION, BUT THE QUESTION ABOUT CUSTOMIZING SETTINGS, WE REQUIRE AT LEAST ONE SETTING BE SELECTED, PREFER TEXT, PHONE, EMAIL, ALL OF THE ABOVE, WE REQUIRE THAT, SO VICTORIATX.GOV/CITYALERT. I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT. >> MY FIRST CALL WAS TO ASHLAND. >> THE APOLOGY DIDN'T COME IMMEDIATELY RIGHT? >> WE HAD TO THINK ABOUT IT. >> I HAVE A QUESTION, YOU MENTIONED EMISSIONS STANDARDS, AND THOSE ARE COMING IN -- >> '27. >> WHEN YOU SAY THAT THE MANUFACTURERS -- THEY DON'T HAVE A HANDLE ON THAT, DO THEY NOT HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY OR HOW MUCH IT'S GOING TO INCREASE THE COST? >> THEY DON'T HAVE A HANDLE ON THE TECHNOLOGY, PLAIN AND SIMPLE. I'VE TALKED TO FREIGHTLINER AND MAC AND OTHER MANUFACTURERS, AND HEARING IT FROM OTHER FOLKS. IT'S REALLY RESTRICTIVE. AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT WHEN THEY CAME OUT WITH THE LAST SET OF RULES IN 2016, WHATEVER IT WAS, THERE WAS A LOT OF PROBLEM. WE HAD A, AT THAT TIME, $400,000 WE ENDED UP GETTING RID OF AFTER FIVE YEARS BECAUSE WE NEVER COULD MAKE IT RUN. SO NOW YOU'VEYOU'VE ALL THESE DIFFERENT DEALS. IF SOMETHING DOESN'T CHANGE AND SOMEBODY GETS AHEAD OF THIS, IT'S GOING TO BE A PROBLEM ACROSS THE INDUSTRY, WHICH IS ONLY GOING TO DELAY TRUCKS FARTHER. [02:00:03] >> I'M ASSUMING WE CAN FURTHER ASSUME THAT WHATEVER THEY COME UP WITH FROM A TECH STANDPOINT, IT WILL COST MORE FOR EACH TRUCK. >> I'M SURE IT WILL. >> IT HAS TO. >> YES, SIR. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >> NO QUESTION, BUT A COMMENT. THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM. IT DOES NOT GO UNNOTICED BY ME OR ANYONE ELSE, THEIR BEING OUT THERE IN THE COLD, WHEN IT'S RAINING, DOESN'T MATTER WHAT THE TIME OF THE DAY IS, THEY'RE OUT THERE. THAT DOESN'T GO UNRECOGNIZED. WE APPRECIATE YOU AND EVERYTHING YOUR TEAM DOES. >> I APPRECIATE IT. I GUARANTEE YOU, IF THEY'RE OFF WORK, 79% ARE WATCHING THIS TIME. I ALWAYS HEAR ABOUT WHAT I PRESENTED AND WHETHER I'M WRONG OR RIGHT. >> YOUR DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO DO A FANTASTIC JOB. YOU GET RID OF THE STUFF WE DON'T WANT, MAKE THE STUFF WE DO THAT MUCH BETTER. AND TO HER POINT, AESTHETICS MATTER, COMMUNITY PRIDE. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. >> THANK YOU. >> WOW, HE TOOK UP EVERYBODY'S [3. Victoria Convention & Visitors Bureau 2024 Annual Report. Joel Nov...] TIME. JUST KIDDING. WE DO HAVE ONE MORE ANNUAL REPORT FOR YOU THIS EVENING, AND WE DO HAVE EXECUTIVE SESSION. BUT I KNOW JOEL WON'T TAKE AN HOUR. MAYBE LIKE SEVEN -- THAT WAS GREAT, DARRYL, JUST TEASING YOU. >> 8:30, A GOT THIS. MAYOR, TAKEN STATS AT A&M. IT WAS GREAT. >> GLAD YOU ENJOYED IT. THANKS FOR HAVING ME. WANT TO GO OVER THE ANNUAL REPORT THIS YEAR. EXCITING CAREER. I WILL TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT BICENTENNIAL. TAKE IT AWAY. WHAT DOES THE CVB DO, HELP OTHERS DISCOVER VICTORIA. YOU CAN SEE OUR NEW BRANDING. MY STAFF, I'M ON THE LEFT. BRIDGET POSTEL, ELIZABETH THEISS, AND ANGIE -- NANCY BRITTON. I HAVE REALLY AN AMAZING STAFF AND WOULD NOT HAVE GOT THROUGH THE YEAR WITHOUT THEM. THEY WERE PHENOMENAL, THEIR REGULAR JOBS AND ALL WE GOT TO DO FOR THE BICENTENNIAL. BUT HAD TO FULFILL THE REGULAR FUNCTIONS, MARKETING VICTORIA AS AN OVERNIGHT DESTINATION FOR GROUPS. AND SERVICING, WE DID FOR SPORTS GROUPS, TRYING TO RAMP UP EVERY YEAR. DEVELOPING SIGNAGE THAT GIVES PEOPLE A SENSE OF PLACE IN YOUR TOWN. TABLE OF CONTENTS. BICENTENNIAL, THE TOURISM BRAND, ACCOMPLISHMENT STATS AND WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS. BICENTENNIAL WAS A NOT SMALL PART OF THE YEAR. KICKED OFF FIRST WITH THE NEW YEAR'S EVE BLASTOFF, THAT WAS INAUGURAL EVENT IN 2023. BIG SUCCESS, BROUGHT IT BACK FOR 2024. THIS WILL BE SOMETHING WE DO ANNUALLY NOW, PARKS AND REC AND CVB WILL TAKE TURNS MANAGING THE FUN FAMILY FESTIVAL ASPECTS OF THE NEW YEAR'S EVE BLASTOFF. IT'S A GREAT, SAFE FAMILY- FRIENDLY EVENT AND IT WAS WELL RECEIVED. IN 2023, HAD DIGITAL PHOTO BOOTH, FACE PAINTER. FUN STUFF. THE FOUR FOOD TRUCKS ALL SOLD OUT, THEY WERE OVER THE MOON ABOUT THE EVENT. AND FIREWORKS WERE PHENOMENAL. ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR THINGS WE DID, GOT A WRITE- UP IN "TEXAS HIGHWAYS," WAS THE TOURS HERE. DIDN'T PRODUCE A LOT OF HOTEL NIGHTS BECAUSE LOCALS SNAPPED UP THE TICKETS. ALL 22 SEATS SOLD OUT ALL TOURS. YOU CAN SEE THE CITIES WHERE PEOPLE CAME FROM. HOUSTON, LOCALLY, AND THOSE ARE ALL MORE THAN 30 MILES OUT. EDNA, PEOPLE FROM ALL AROUND ATTENDING IT. THIS IS SOMETHING WE PLAN TO BRING BACK IN BUDGET FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR. LEARNED LESSONS AS FAR AS THE TROLLEY VERSUS A SHUTTLE BUS, THAT SORT OF THING. SHOUT-OUT TO JEFF WRIGHT WITH VICTORIA PRESERVATION. HE LED MOST OF THE TOURS. I LED A FEW AND USED WHAT I LEARNED FROM [02:05:02] WATCHING HIM. THEY WERE A PHENOMENAL ASSET FOR THAT. AND WE GOT RAVE REVIEWS. THE HISTORICAL STREET NAME SIGNAGE WAS DONE AROUND THE TIME OF THE BICENTENNIAL ON APRIL 13TH. ASHLEY HAD IT IN HER PRESENTATION LAST MEETING. THAT WAS ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL THEY HAD. OVER 140 COMMENTS, 600 RE, AS, GOT PEOPLE TALKING. SENSE OF PRIDE IN HISTORY AND HISPANIC HERITAGE. WE HAD OTHER WAYS TO SHOW UP HISTORY, WE HAVE STILL DISPLAYS UP IN CITY HALL, WORKING TO GET IT DOWN. HAD DISPLAYS FROM THE DE LEON FAMILY, AND MUSEUM. AND THE DE LEON CARRIAGE IS IN CITY POSSESSION. BLANCHE TOLD ME I'M GETTING RID OF IT, DOES THE CITY WANT IT OR NOT, OR I'LL GIVE IT TO ANOTHER TOWN. >> DIDN'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN AGAIN. THINGS IN THE PAST LIKE THE WINDMILL GOT LET GO AND PEOPLE MISS THEM. DIDN'T WANT TO MISS THE COOL PIECE THAT'S THE CARRIAGE. POSSIBLY WHEN WE REMODEL CITY HALL, THIS COULD BE ON DISPLAY, OR NEW VISITOR'S CENTER, SOMETHING LIKE THAT. COULD BE OPPORTUNITIES TO DISPLAY THAT. LONG STORY SHORT, DIDN'T WANT TO LOSE THAT. AND YOU KNOW, THE COMMUNITY GOT IN AS WELL. BICENTENNIAL CROSSWALK WITH THE FINE ARTS ASSOCIATION. BICENTENNIAL MERCHANDISE SOLD OUT LIKE HOT CAKES. WE HAVE NEW ONES IN IF YOU WANT TO RELIVE THE MEMORIES. THOSE SOLD OUT WITH THE GARDEN FLAGS. AND WE HAVE A FEW OTHER FLAGS LEFT. I REMEMBER YOU, MS. SCOTT, NOTICING THE TYPO ON THE FIRST DRAFT. >> I STILL HANG IT ANYWAY. >> THANK YOU. CHRISTIE DID THE RUNDOWN ON THE VICTORIA DAY OF CARING. HER AND LIZ DID A PHENOMENAL JOB WITH THAT. YOU REMEMBER THE GREAT DAY APRIL 13TH. WE ARE STILL WORKING ON A PLAQUE FOR THE STATUE. WE HAVE THE FUNDS, JUST WAITING ON COPY FROM THE HISTORIC COMMISSION. THEY WANTED TO BE INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT, I SAID HEY, WRITE COPY FOR IT. STILL WAITING ON THAT, AND WE'RE HOPEFULLY TO HAVE THAT PRETTY SOON TO HAVE THE PLAQUE MADE TO MATCH THE STYLE OF THE PLAQUE UP ON THE PERFORMANCE PAVILION. BICENTENNIAL, WONDERFUL TIME. AND THE EVENT TRANSFORMED THE COMMUNITY CENTER AND SHOWED WHAT KIND OF EVENTS CAN BE HELD THERE. IT'S GREAT TO THINK ABOUT IN LIGHT OF THE POSSIBLE CHANGES TO THE COMMUNITY CENTER. THE BICENTENNIAL ALL AROUND, THE CITY OF VICTORIA STAFF PITCHED IN, GREAT JOB. THIS HAPPENED THIS FISCAL YEAR, TWO EVENTS WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME PLANNING THROUGHOUT THE FISCAL YEAR I'M REPORTING ON. I'LL HAVE THE FULL REPORT IN THE SECOND MEETING IN FEBRUARY, SO NOT TOO MANY ABOUT THE TEJAS FEST. FOR MY EXPERIENCE, WE HAD THE BIGGEST DAYTIME SATURDAY CROWD, MORE THAN ANY BOOT FEST EVENT. THE LINEUP WAS A HUGE HIT. CROWD BIGGER THAN I'VE SEEN MOST FRIDAY NIGHTS AT BOOT FEST. AND THE FOOD VENDORS, ALL 17 SAID THEY WOULD COME BACK. I DID LOOK AT THE DATIFY. YOU CAN SEE NUMBERS, I SAW 29,500 PEOPLE FROM OUTSIDE 50 MILES OF VICTORIA COME THAT WEEKEND. WEEKEND BEFORE, 16,000, THE WEEKEND AFTER, 18,000. SAME WEEKEND THE YEAR BEFORE, ABOUT 23,000. WAS THAT ATTRIBUTABLE TO TEJAS FEST? I THINK IT WAS. WE CAN SEE THINGS HAPPENING FROM THAT EVENT. ANOTHER EVENT WE ENJOYED DOING, 1824. WORKED WITH A GROUP OF LOCAL HISTORY BUFFS AND MUSEUM, AND VICTORIA PARKS AND RECREATION, BIG SHOUT-OUT. PROBABLY THE MOST IMPRESSIVE PART OF THE EVENT IS PARKS AND RECREATION WANTED A 15- FOOT FLAG POLE. BASICALLY A 15- FOOT LIMB THAT WAS STRAIGHT TO MAKE A FLAG POLE FOR THE PIONEER VILLAGE AND I DIDN'T THINK THEY WOULD FIND IT BUT THEY DID. THIS WAS A TWO- DAY [02:10:01] EVENT, 350 FIFTH GRADE STUDENTS CAME ONE DAY FROM AREA SCHOOLS AND WE ROLLED OUT THE RED CARPET FOR THE REENACTORS. GOT MEALS, THEY STAYED OVERNIGHT, WE GOT SECURITY TO GUARD THEIR VALUABLES. THEY CAME ON THEIR OWN TIME FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE STATE. THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF MERCHANDISE, HISTORICAL MUSKETS. THEY TOLD US THIS IS THE BEST THEY'VE EVER BEEN TREATED AT ANY REENACTMENT EVENT THEY WENT TO. THEY SPENT A LOT OF TIME TO MAKE THAT SPECIAL. THE COMMUNITY CAME OUT AND IT WAS A REALLY GOOD EVENT. OKAY. MOVING ON FROM BICENTENNIAL BUT RELATED. NEW TOURISM BRAND. YOU CAN SEE, DISCOVER VICTORIA TUMBLERS ARE YOUR GIFT THERE. ENJOY THAT. IT'S -- WE'RE EMBRACING THE NEW BRAND, WE LOVE IT. SO MUCH FUN, VIBRANT AND TELLS THE STORY, EMBRACING OUR RANCHING ROOTS, HISPANIC ROOTS. WE'RE PUTTING IT ON EVERYTHING. IT JUST POPS OFF THE PAGE OF THE WEBSITE SO MUCH MORE THAN PREVIOUS VERSIONS. AND JUST A FEW PAGES FROM THE NEW VISITOR GUIDE, OLD VICTORIA DRIVING TOUR GUIDE, VISITOR MAP. TO GIVE YOU ANAN OF HOW THESE ASSETS OF OURS HAVE IMPROVED AND ARE JUST MORE APPEALING VISUALLY. WE HAVE A TOURISM BRAND LAUNCH. AND WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME GIVING AWAY ITEMS. PRIZE WHEEL, EVERYBODY WAS HITTING THE SILLY PINTS, MOST EXPENSIVE THING. I WAS LIKE HOW IS THIS HAPPENING. IN ADDITION TO THAT, NEW BRANDING AND BICENTENNIAL, WE KEPT UP THE WORK. SPECIAL EVENTS, THEY APPRECIATE OUR ABILITY TO GET RATES FOR THEIR ATTENDEES. MANY ARE SPORTING EVENTS. HOT FUNDS AWARDEES. WHEN IT COMES TO HOTEL ROOM DRIVERS FOR EVENT SPORTS, IT'S WHERE IT IS NOW FOR VICTORIA. WE GO FURTHER AND SET UP DEALS AND DISCOUNTS AT LOCAL BUSINESSES. NUMBER OF EVENTS TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THAT. AND WE'RE PRODUCING WELCOME BAGS FOR ANYBODY WHO WANTS THEM. NOT SAYING LET ME SEE YOUR EVENT AND HOW MANY NIGHTS -- IF IT'S A FAMILY REUNION, WE WANT ANYBODY COMING TO VICTORIA TO FEEL WELCOME. BRIDGET DOES A GREAT JOB PUTTING THOSE TOGETHER. SOMETIMES FULL WELCOME BAGS, SOMETIMES ITEMS IN BULK WITH THEIR OWN BAGS. THAT SORT OF THING. THAT'S HOW WE DIFFERENTIATE THAT. YOU KNOW, WHAT WE DO THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, NANCY BRITTON, OUR DESTINATION MARKETING MANAGER, DOES A FANTASTIC JOB WITH SOCIAL MEDIA. WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT ABOUT HOW WE SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES. I WENT THROUGH OUR FACEBOOK POSTS FOR THE LAST FISCAL YEAR, AND SAW ALL THE POSTS RELATED TO JUST LOCAL BUSINESSES. YOU CAN SEE THOSE POSTS ADD UP TO ABOUT 550,000 IN REACH FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES. TWO OF THE MORE SUCCESSFUL POSTS THERE, ONE FOR DAIRY TREAT, ONE FOR EVANS PIZZERIA, OVER 45,000. THEY DON'T PAY A DIME. WE WANT ENGAGING CONSENT ON -- CONTENT ON THE PAGE AND WANT THEM TO SUCCEED. I HAVE NANCY FIND THE TOP FIVE POSTS AND SEND IT. THE PIZZERIA GOT THE EMAIL SAYING YOU WERE TOP POST IN SEPTEMBER. WE'RE COMMUNICATING THE VALUE WE'RE GIVING TO THE BUSINESSES. ALSO WERE VERY INVOLVED WITH SUPPORTING NEW AND EXISTING EVENTS, SPONSOR FOR COMICON, THE LIVESTOCK SHOW, USV ATHLETICS. SUPPORT FOR THE HOT ROD TOUR. TEXAS, WORKING WITH THE SYMPHONY, DAD'S DAY AT THE PARK. THAT'S ONE OF THEIR BIGGEST ATTENDED EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. WE DO GIVEAWAYS, IT'S A FUN PROMOTION TO SUPPORT OUR GENERALS WHICH ARE VALUABLE, A SUMMERTIME ACTIVITY FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS. THAT'S LIKE OUR WINTER, RIGHT? YEAH, I DID THROW A [02:15:01] STRIKE. >> I NEED VIDEO ON THAT. >> ONE TIME THEY MADE ME THROW IT TWICE BECAUSE THE GUY DIDN'T TAKE THE PICTURE, AND THE SECOND THROW WAS A LOT WORSE. WE ALSO SUPPORTED RED DIRT BARBECUE AND MUSIC FESTIVAL. THEY'LL BE COMING BACK. COOL WAY THEY TRANSFORMED THE PLAZA, GAVE US IDEAS FOR OTHER EVENTS AND HOW TO STRUCTURE THOSE. HOT FUNDS AWARDS, I TALKED ABOUT THAT LAST TIME, WE DIDN'T CHANGE THE PROCESS. IT'S SUCCESSFUL, THE NEW STRUCTURE. STILL PROVIDE SOME FUNDING FOR ARTS AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION GROUPS, BUT REALLY THE GROUPS THAT PRODUCE THE MOST HOTEL ROOM NIGHTS GET THE MOST MONEY. VERY EQUITABLE IN THAT WAY. USING NEW TECHNOLOGIES ON THE WEBSITE, STARTED USING TOOLS FROM ITI DIGITAL. ITINERARY BUILDER THAT CAME WITH THE SITE IS NOT USER FRIENDLY. WE'LL BE IMPLEMENTING THEIR EVENT CALENDAR MODULE. IT WILL BE ABLE TO GRAB INFORMATION FROM ALL AROUND THE WEB FROM LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS HOLDING BUSINESSES. >> HOLDING EVENTS. >> HOLDING EVENTS, EXCUSE ME. IT WILL AUTOPOPULATE THAT CALENDAR SO THERE'S LESS CHANCECHANCE MISS EVENTS AND LESS STAFF TIME MANUALLY PUTTING THEM INTO THE CALENDAR. AWARDS AND APPOINTMENTS. WE GOT ANOTHER DESTINATION EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR SECOND PLACE, WEBSITE DESIGN, I'LL KEEP TRYING FOR FIRST. I'M HAPPY TO BE PART OF THETHE ASSOCIATION OF CONVENTION VISITORS BUREAU, JOINED THE BOARD IN AUGUST AS CHAIR OF THE RESEARCH COMMITTEE, AND NANCY AND MYSELF HAVE ACHIEVED THE DESTINATION MARKETING DESIGNATION WITH THEM. DEPARTMENTAL STATISTICS AND HOW HOTELS ARE PERFORMING. 2020, LOW YEAR. THINGS HAVE HELD PRETTY STEADY THE PAST THREE YEARS. I'LL GET THROUGH A FEW MORE SLIDES TO EXPLAIN THINGS HERE. WE GET THESE NUMBERS FROM A COMPANY CALLED STR, NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH SHORT- TERM RENTAL. THEY SEND WEEKLY REPORTS ON HOTEL OCCUPANCY, NOT BROKEN DOWN BY HOTEL, BUT THEY SEND THE OCCUPANCY AND AVERAGE DAILY RATE. ONE THING MY FANTASTIC ASSISTANT DIRECTOR DOES IS LOOK AT THE OCCUPANCY RATE, BY HOW MANY HOTEL ROOMS REPORTED, MULTIPLY THE NUMBERS FOR THE NUMBER SOLD ON A GIVEN NIGHT, ADD THOSE UP, GET THE ANNUAL TOTAL. YOU CAN SEE THE TOTAL THERE IS HIGHER THAN PREVIOUS YEARS, BUT THE OCCUPANCY RATE IS HIGHER IN PREVIOUS YEARS. WHY IS THAT? IF YOU LOOKED AT STR -- NOT ALL HOTELS REPORT TO IT, THE FLAGGED PROPERTIES, NATIONAL CHAINS DO. LAST TWO YEARS, WE'VE HAD THE TEXAS INN, BECAME A SUPER 8, NOW REPORTING. NIGHT'S INN BECAME A SHORT STAY, WHICH WERE MORE REPORTING. THAT CAN AFFECT OCCUPANCY NEGATIVELY, TEND NOT TO HAVE AS MUCH AS COURTYARD MARRIOTT OR HAMPTON INN, SOMETHING LIKE THAT. IT'S NOT AN EXACT SCIENCE BUT HOW MANY ROOMS OVERVIEW IN VICTORIA IN A GIVEN YEAR. JUST LOOKING AT OTHER PERFORMANCE METRICS. ANOTHER BANNER YEAR AS FAR AS WEBSITE VISITS GOES. 160,000 MARK. WE ARE ON TRACK TO GO MORE THAN THAT THIS YEAR. JUST SHOWS MOST OF THAT IS ORGANIC SEARCH. IT'S NOT NECESSARILY FROM SOCIAL MEDIA ADS. IT'S PROBABLY THE SECOND BIGGEST SOURCE, BUT WE RANK HIGH IN ORGANIC TRAFFIC. IF YOU SEARCH ANYTHING IN VICTORIA, RECREATION, ATTRACTIONS, RESTAURANTS, WE'RE USUALLY ONE OF THE TOP HITS, OUR WEBSITE. THAT MEANS WE'VE GOT REALLY GOOD SEO, SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION [02:20:02] ON OUR SITE. FACEBOOK REACH WENT DOWN BECAUSE WE HAD TO LOWER SPEND, STOP SOME OF THE ADS BECAUSE WE ABSORBED COSTS FROM BICENTENNIAL. DIGITAL BILLBOARDS AND ADVERTISING WE DID TO ABSORB IT, WEREN'T ABLE TO SPEND AS MUCH ON SOCIAL MEDIA, BUT WE'RE COMING BACK FROM THAT THIS YEAR. VISITORS CENTER VISITS, REBOUNDED WELL FROM COVID. I'LL TALK TOWARDS THE END OF THE PRESENTATION ABOUT OUR NEW VISITOR CENTER HOURS. HOPING THAT THAT WILL SEE INCREASED NUMBERS BY BEING OPEN MORE HOURS. TRAVEL INFORMATION, LEAVE REQUESTS ARE REQUESTS FOR PRESENTED MATERIALS. AS WE GET MORE POPULAR, SEE FEWER REQUESTS, BUT WE FULFILL THEM WHEN WE GET THEM. CHALLENGES. WELL, WE ARE A SMALL STAFF, DEDICATED AND HARDWORKING BUT SMALL. WE'RE NOT LOOKING AT ANY PLANS TO EXPAND THAT ANYTIME SOON. WITH THAT COMES DIFFICULTIES HAVING DYNAMIC SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT. WE HAVE A CONTRACT WITH BUILDING BRANDS MARKETING AND THEY DO POSTS FOR US. IT'S HARD TO ESTABLISH A SCHEDULE WITH THEM TO GET SOMETHING RIGHT NOW. LIVES, REELS, STORIES CAN BE MORE DIFFICULT TO CREATE WITH A SET SCHEDULE WEEKS IN ADVANCE. AND CONVENTION AND MEETING SALES, WE DON'T HAVE A SALESPERSON, SOMETHING WE DON'T DO MUCH OF NOW. AGING DISPLAY AND SIGNAGE ASSETS. DRIVING AROUND VICTORIA, TRAIL THROUGH TIME, HISTORICAL TRAIL SIGNAGE, IT LOOKS ROUGH. AND LACK OF HOTELIER AND BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT. THIS DOES NOT JUST TOWARDS US. I HAVE TRAVEL PARTNERS PUT ON EVENTS, WHEN WE GET SPECIAL RATES FOR THEM, THEY WANT TO SEE HOW WELL THEY WERE PICKED UP, AND THEY EMAIL HOTELS AND NEVER HEAR BACK. I CAN TELL YOU, WE HAVE SOME OF THOSE DIFFICULTIES SOMETIMES, TOO, WITH HOTELIERS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES. LIZ PUTS OUT THE DEALS AND DISCOUNTS, WE HAD AN EVENT ONE TIME, TWO BUSINESSES RESPONDED. SENDING IT TO DOZENS OF RESTAURANTS AND ATTRACTIONS, SHOPPING LOCATIONS SAYING THERE'S AN EVENT COMING INTO TOWN, LOTS OF PEOPLE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO OFFER SOMETHING TO GET THEM IN, AND WE GET TWO RESPONSES. HOW CAN WE FIX THESE THINGS? REVISING SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT STRATEGY, GREATER USE OF EMBEDDED PIO STAFF WOULD BE WONDERFUL ADDITION TO OUR EFFORTS TO HAVE EMBEDDED STAFF RESPOND QUICKLY AND GET CONTENT FOR US IN-HOUSE. AS WELL AS THE CONVENTION MEETING SALES. THE PLAN IS DIVIDE THOSE AND DEVELOP A PROTOCOL BETWEEN MYSELF AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, MAKE EFFORTS FOR CONVENTIONS AND MEETINGS. WE DON'T HAVE A DEDICATED CONVENTION/MEETING HOTEL. THERE'S NOT A LOT OF INVENTORY BUT THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES. THEN WHEN IT COMES TO SIGNAGE, CREATING STANDARD EVALUATION AND MAINTENANCE/REPLACEMENT SCHEDULE. RIGHT NOW THE PROCESS IS DRIVING BY AND SAYING MAN, THAT LOOKS REALLY BAD. WE DON'T HAVE THINGS IN PLACE TO GET AHEAD OF THE PROBLEM. SO EVERYTHING WE HAVE OUT THERE IS LOOKING GREAT. THEN DEVELOPING A LOCAL HOTEL LODGING GROUP. IT'S INDUSTRY LED, NOT THE CITY, WE'D BE LIAISON OR ADVISER, BUT WORKING WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES ON THE TOURISM ADVISORY BOARD. WE HAD A MEETING AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER IN AUGUST, PRETTY WELL ATTENDED, DISCUSSING THE VENUE TAX, A GREAT WAY TO SEE HOW IT COULD GO. WE'LL WE WORKING WITH ROG, JAMES, LINDA TO GET THAT GOING, A REGULAR MEETING FOR HOTELIERS TO ENGAGE WITH US AND LEARN HOW TO USE US TO HELP THEIR BUSINESS, AND CREATE A BUSINESS AMBASSADOR PROGRAM TO GET LOCAL BUSINESSES MORE ENGAGED. LIZ IS WORKING ON THE DETAILS OF THAT. YEAH, THERE ARE SOME WAYS WE CAN SOLVE THOSE CHALLENGES WE'RE [02:25:04] HAVING. LOOKING TO THE FUTURE -- STOP YOU FOR A SECOND. CAN YOU GO BACK PLEASE? YOU MAY RECALL FROM ASHLEY'S PRESENTATION WE'RE SPENDING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY OUTSOURCING SOCIAL MEDIA DEVELOPMENT, MANAGEMENT, ALL SORTS OF THINGS. WHEN JOEL MENTIONS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF AN EMBEDDED PIO STAFF PROGRAM, IF WE ARE SUCCESSFUL GROWING ASHLEY'S TEAM, WE'RE ABLE TO -- THEY'RE ABLE TO SUPPORT DEPARTMENTS LIKE CVB TO A GREATER DEGREE AND WE LESSEN THE DEPENDENCY ON OUTSOURCING THAT. THERE'S BENEFITS TO HAVING THAT IN-HOUSE FOR THE NIMBLENESS OF IT. THAT'S HUMAN. AS IT RELATES TO GROUP SALES, CONVENTIONS THAT, TYPE OF THING, WE NEED TO BE MINDFUL IF WE ARE SUCCESSFUL MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE COMMUNITY CENTER, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT ADDING PERSONNEL TO HELP RECRUIT AND ATTRACT EVENTS. THESE THINGS DON'T HAPPEN BY MAGIC. JUST BECAUSE WE'RE LOOKING AT BUILDING THE FACILITY, DOESN'T MEAN ALL THE EVENT ORGANIZERS WILL KNOW IT'S THERE, AUTOMATICALLY FOLKS WILL KNOW IT'S GOING ON. WE HAVE TO BE INTENTIONAL HOW WE STRUCTURE OUR PERSONNEL TO COINCIDE WITH POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENT TO THE COMMUNITY CENTER SO WE CAN LOOK AT MAXIMIZING UTILIZATION OF IT. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN BY MAGIC. AN EXAMPLE, SPORTS TOURISM. YOUTH SPORTS COMPLEX. WHEN IT WAS BUILT TO COUNCILMAN BUTLER'S POINT, IT WAS SOLD AS THERE'S GOING TO BE ECONOMIC IMPACT, HOST MORE TOURNAMENTS, AND NEVER PLAYED OUT TO THE EXTENT IT WAS SOLD BECAUSE IT'S HEAVILY UTILIZED BY LOCAL LEAGUES AND LOCAL EVENTS. THERE WASN'T ANYBODY TRYING TO RECRUIT EXTERNAL TOURNAMENTS TO VICTORIA. ALMOST AS IF WE ASSUMED WE BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME BY MAGIC. THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORKS. WE NEED TO LEARN FROM THAT AND BE COGNIZANT AS WE LOOK TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS, WE HAVE TO ADD PERSONNEL UNDER JOEL'S TEAM OR PARKS TO MAKE SURE SOMEONE IS ACTIVELY PURSUING FILLING THE SPACES WE SPEND THE MONEY ON. HOPE THAT MAKES SENSE. >> LOOKING TO THE FUTURE. THE LOCAL HOTEL LODGING ORGANIZATION, AND SHORT-TERM RENTAL REGISTRATION. AIRBNBS AND VRBOS, WE HAVE ONLY A FEW IN THE COMMUNITY. IT'S A STICKY SUBJECT FOR A LOT OF COMMUNITIES, TALKING WITH FIRE MARSHAL AND LEGAL. AND HAVE COMMUNICATION WITH AIRBNB. SOUNDS LIKE THE RIGHT APPROACH. WE'RE BEING CAREFUL MOVING SLOWLY WITH THAT AND MAKE SURE WE DON'T WANT TO ROCK THE BOAT TOO MUCH ON THAT ONE. TRADITIONAL BED AND BREAKFASTS, HOW DO WE HAVE THE SHORT- TERMTERM PAYING TAXES WE NEED AS BED AND BREAKFASTS. THAT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE OUR EYE ON SUPPORT FOR SPORTS TOURISM, IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET FOLKS INTO OPPORTUNITY TO BUT ALSO KEEP COMING BACK. WE WANT THEM TO FEEL WELCOME THAT VICTORIA IS THE BEST CITY. IT REQUIRES THINGS LIKE HOTEL SPECIAL RATES, DEALS AND DISCOUNTS, WELCOME BAGS, VIP BASKETS, ALL THAT STUFF THAT MAKE THEM FEEL WANTED IN OUR COMMUNITY. ONE OF THE NEW INITIATIVES FOR THE CVB IS MANAGING FIREWORKS PROCUREMENT FOR JULY 4TH AND NEW YEAR'S EVE EVENTS. WE'LL APPROACH WITH A CONTRACT IN THE FUTURE. WE WENT THROUGH THE BIDDING PROCESS FOR THAT, AND IT'S BID OUT EACH TIME. THERE'S BENEFITS TO HAVING A KNOWN QUALITY PROVIDER WHO KNOWS VICTORIA, THE SITES AND CAN PROVIDE A QUALITY SHOW EVERY [02:30:05] TIME. >> DEVELOPING A LONG-TERM CONTRACT WITH OPTIONS TO KEEP IT FLEXIBLE FOR FIREWORKS, JULY 4TH IS A LONGSTANDING TRADITION AND NEW YEAR'S EVE THE COMMUNITY SEEMS TO LOVE. WE'RE GOING TO KEEP GOING. AND AGING SIGNAGE, NEW DIRECTIONAL SIGNAGE, AND REFRESHING THE TRAIL THROUGH TIME DISPLAYS. THAT'S SOMETHING WE'LL BE LOOKING TOWARDS IMPLEMENTING INTO THE NEW BUDGET REQUEST. EXCITED ABOUT NEW VISITOR CENTER HOURS. SOFT LAUNCH OF THAT THIS WEEKEND ON SATURDAY. BRIDGET WILL BE WORKING HER FIRST SHIFT. THURSDAYS AND FRIDAYS 5:00 TO 7 AND SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS 10:00 TO 3:00. WE CHANGED BRIDGET'S SCHEDULE. THIS AS GOOD IDEA, DO WE NEED TO EXPAND HOURS? WE'RE GOING TO BE SURE TO COLLECT THE DATA THAT SHOWS THE IMPACT OF HAVING DIFFERENT HOURS AND CHANGES WE MADE TO THE SPACE. IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN AT 700 MAIN YET, CHECK IT OUT, WE'LL BE DOING A GRAND OPENING FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7TH, WITH COOKIES, AGUA FRESCA AND ALL AMENITIES. LOOK FOR THE INVITE COMING SOON. HISTORIC TROLLEY TOURS, BRINGING THOSE BACK IS SOMETHING THE COMMUNITY ASKED ME MULTIPLE TIMES IF WE'RE GOING TO DO THEM, ESPECIALLY IF WE COULDN'T GET A TICKET. WE PLAN ON BRINGING THEM BACK. WE'LL MEET WITH JEFF AND TALK ABOUT LESSONS LEARNED TO MAKE IT BETTER. AND EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF OUR USE FOR YOU LOVE SHOPPING VICTORIA. THERE'S BEEN CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM TO USE IT MORE EXTENSIVELY. BARBECUE TRAIL, TRAIL THROUGH TIME. ONE OF THE COOL FEATURES OF BAND WANGO, YOU CAN GET REDEMPTION OR PRIZE. ORDER IT FROM E- COMMERCE AND WE'RE ILLED FOR IT. IT'S LEAN AND NIMBLE. THINGS WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO IN THE REST OF THIS FISCAL AND COMING FISCAL YEAR. IF ONE PICTURE HAD TO ENCAPSULATE THE YEAR, IT'S THERE. 4:00 A.M. I THINK. >> REMARKABLE. >> WHAT A NIGHT IT WAS. >> I HAVE A QUESTION, HAVE YOU LOOKED INTO DRONE SHOWS? >> WE HAVE, THEY'RE VERY EXPENSIVE. IF YOU WANT A REALLY COOL SHOW THAT WOWS YOU. >> EXPENSIVE AND SHORT IN TIME. >> RIGHT. MINIMUM, BARE BONES PACKAGE IS 50 GRAND. >> AND IT'S LIKE FIVE MINUTES. >> IT'S VERY COOL. >> I'VE SEEN THEM LONGER, BUT I KNOW THEY'RE EXPENSIVE. DO WE GET SPONSORS FOR FIREWORKS? >> WE HAVE FOR JULY 4T AND WE'RE GOING TO MEET ON THAT THIS WEEK OR NEXT WEEK, START TALKING ABOUT JULY 4TH. WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT FINANCE ABOUT FUNDING, ALL THOSE THINGS. THERE'S BEEN SPONSORS IN THE PAST FOR THAT, YES. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS. I KNOW LAST YEAR WAS A LONG YEAR. >> AWESOME. >> FOR YOU GUYS. >> LONG AND AWESOME YEAR. >> Y'ALL DID A FANTASTIC JOB, ALL THE BICENTENNIAL STUFF. >> THANK YOU FOR ALL Y'ALL'S SUPPORT, BEING BEHIND US EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. >> YOU BET. YOU AND YOUR STAFF ARE TO BE COMMENDED FOR ALL THE EVENTS AND HOW WELL THEY WERE PUT TOGETHER AND PULLED OFF. >> THANK YOU, JOEL. THAT'S ALL FOR THE CITY [H. Executive Sessions:] MANAGERS REPORTS. >> WE WILL HAVE AN EXECUTIVE SESSION. IT IS 7:34, LET'S TAKE A BREAK AND BE BACK AT 7:45. >> CITY COUNCIL RECESS FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION 28TH OF JANUARY, SUBJECT MATTER * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.