[00:00:02]
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
HOW'S EVERYBODY DOING TONIGHT?
[WORKSHOP]
>> GOOD. NEW YEAR, NEW REPORT, MAYBE. THERE YOU GO.
[NOISE] SHOUT OUT AND THANK YOU TO MY TEAM.
SUPERVISING 12 DEPARTMENTS IS QUITE INTERESTING SOMETIMES, BUT MY TEAM MAKES IT SEEM VERY EFFORTLESS, SO I APPRECIATE THEIR SUPPORT AS WE MARCH THROUGH THE MANY TASKS THAT WE CARRY FORWARD IN THE CITY.
ALSO A BIG SHOUT OUT TO OUR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS WHO COME ALONGSIDE THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF AND HELP US WITH THE MANY PROJECTS.
SOME OF YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THAT IN THE PAST CALENDAR YEAR.
MY REPORT IS A SUMMARY OF '23 AND HOW WE'RE LOOKING IN '24 AND THEN A LOOK TO FY '25.
A QUICK RECAP OF OUR GOALS IN 2023.
WE PRIORITIZE CUSTOMER SERVICE.
WE INCREASED EMPLOYEE RETENTION AND ENGAGEMENT.
WE'VE INCREASED OUR PREPAREDNESS.
WE ENHANCED CONTINGENCIES, BOTH MONETARY STAFFING, AND THEN WE ATTEMPTED TO REDUCE BARRIERS TO GREAT COMMUNICATION.
AS WE ALL KNOW, THAT'S AN ONGOING PROCESS.
WE CAN ALWAYS FIND WAYS TO IMPROVE EVERY SINGLE DAY.
CURRENT PROJECTS UNDERWAY IN THE CITY.
THESE ARE BIG PROJECTS THAT DON'T NECESSARILY LIVE IN ADMINISTRATION, BUT WE HAVE A HEAVY HAND IN ASSISTING THE DEPARTMENTS WITH THEM.
WEBSITE REDESIGN, IMPACT FEE AND WATER RATE STUDY, WATER AND WASTEWATER PROJECTS.
WE HAVE SEVERAL OF THOSE UNDERWAY.
SOME OF THEM ARE BRAND NEW IN TERMS OF THEIR KICKOFF TIMELINE.
FINANCIAL SOFTWARE AND PROCESS UPDATES.
IF YOU REMEMBER, OUR FINANCIAL SOFTWARE WAS OUTDATED PAST ITS END OF LIFE, AND YOU GUYS SUPPORTED US IN ATTACKING A NEW FINANCIAL SOFTWARE PLATFORM AND NEW CREDIT CARD PROCESSES.
THAT GAINED US A WHOLE LOT OF EFFICIENCIES, SPECIFICALLY OUT OF CITY HALL, BUT MAINLY TO SUPPORT THE OPERATION OF FINANCE.
THEN WE'RE EAGERLY AWAITING THE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR A NEW POLICE FACILITY.
I KNOW CHIEF CAMPBELL AND HIS TEAM ARE RIGHT THERE IN ANTICIPATION WITH US.
SOME ORDINANCES THAT ARE CURRENTLY BEING REWRITTEN OR RECONSIDERED.
OUR HISTORIC OVERLAY RULES AND REGULATIONS, SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE, WHICH WE'RE HOPEFUL TO BRING THAT TO YOU NEXT TO COUNCIL SESSION AS A FIRST LOOK AT A FULL REWRITE ON THAT ORDINANCE.
WE'LL TALK MORE ABOUT CARPORTS TONIGHT, AND THEN WE'RE ALSO CONSIDERING FOOD TRUCK AND EVENTS ORDINANCES TO HELP US WITH THOSE PROCESSES AS THEY SEEM TO BE RECURRING NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY.
THIS TIME OF YEAR, IT'S ALWAYS A REMINDER FOR ME AND A REMINDER I'LL PASS ALONG TO YOU.
WE'RE STARTING THE BUDGET PROCESS FOR FY '25.
RIGHT NOW THE DEPARTMENTS ARE WORKING ON NEEDS ASSESSMENTS, ESTABLISHING NEW GOALS, GETTING QUOTES AND ESTIMATES FOR ITEMS THAT THEY ANTICIPATE THEY'LL ASK FOR IN THE BUDGETING PROCESS.
QUARTER 2 IS WHEN WE ESTIMATE OUR REVENUES AND WE BEGIN STAFF WORKSHOPS INTERNALLY, TALKING ABOUT THE PROCESS AND THE ANTICIPATION ON STAFFING OR EQUIPMENT AND WHAT WE THINK THAT THE NEW REVENUES WILL YIELD IN TERMS OF GROWTH INTERNALLY.
THAT'S ALSO WHEN WE BEGIN THE PROCESS OF FORMING A BUDGET COMMITTEE.
BE THINKING THROUGH THAT, WHO OF COUNSEL MAY SERVE ON THE BUDGET COMMITTEE? THEN QUARTER 3 IS WHEN WE REALLY DIVE INTO THE MEAT OF PREPPING A BUDGET TO BRING FORTH.
WE ALWAYS ESTABLISH THAT BUDGET COMMITTEE EARLY IN QUARTER 3, AND THEN BEGIN MASSAGING THAT BUDGET AND TAX RATE, AND BY QUARTER 4, WE'RE READY TO HAVE A BUDGET IN MOTION AND HOPE THAT WE HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET THAT MEETS ALL THE NEEDS AND PRIORITIES THAT NOT ONLY COUNCIL ESTABLISHES BUT THE STAFF BRING FORWARD.
MANAGING YOUR EXPECTATIONS AS WE MOVE IN CLOSER TO FY 2025.
MY GOAL IS ALWAYS TO TAKE THE STAFF NEEDS AND MARYAM WITH THE COUNCIL EXPECTATIONS AND PUT OUT A BALANCED BUDGET.
THAT'S WHAT WE'LL HOPE TO CONTINUE DOING YEAR AFTER YEAR.
HERE'S MY PRIORITIES FOR FY '25.
I'D LIKE TO CREATE A DECATUR UNIVERSITY PROGRAM THAT WOULD BE FOR STAFF TO LEARN ABOUT OTHER STAFF AND PROCESSES INSIDE THE CITY.
EVERY YEAR WE WOULD HAVE A MINIATURE PROGRAM WHERE EACH DEPARTMENT COULD NOMINATE ONE OR TWO PERSONS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DECATUR UNIVERSITY PROGRAM.
THEY COULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL AMONGST THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AND LEARN ABOUT THEIR PROCESSES AND HOW EACH OF THOSE DEPARTMENTS COMPLEMENT THE OVERALL MISSION OF THE CITY AND THEN KEEP THE TEAM AFLOAT.
I'D LIKE TO SECURE FUTURE LAND FOR OPPORTUNITIES SUCH AS POLICE AND FIRE TRAINING FACILITY, PUBLIC WORKS FACILITIES,
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MAYBE FUTURE USE FOR PARKS.EACH OF US HAVE HAD SOME CONVERSATION OVER THE LAST 12-16 MONTHS ABOUT LAND AND WHAT IT MEANS TO US AND HOW WE CAN BEGIN TO IDENTIFY THOSE KEY PIECES OF LAND THAT WE NEED TO TRY TO SECURE FOR THE GROWTH OF THE FUTURE AND THE FUTURE OF THE CITY.
INCREASE OUR LOCAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES WITH AN INFILL PROJECT.
I'VE REACHED OUT TO A COUPLE OF YOU GUYS AND ALL OF MY STAFF FOR FEEDBACK ON INFILL OPPORTUNITIES.
I WOULD LIKE TO CREATE A ROADMAP AND OPPORTUNITY TO INCENTIVIZE INFILL AROUND THE HISTORIC DOWNTOWN FIRST.
I'D LIKE TO EMBARK ON A LONG-TERM FACILITIES STUDY.
WHEN WE THINK ABOUT BUILDING A NEW POLICE FACILITY, THAT'S VERY WELL TIMED, BUT THERE'S OTHER FACILITIES THAT ARE GOING TO BE RIGHT BEHIND IT IN TERMS OF NEEDING TO BE THINKING ABOUT WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO GO? ARE WE GOING TO REFRESH BUILDINGS? ARE WE GOING TO TEAR DOWN AND BUILD NEW? WHAT DOES THAT BEGIN TO LOOK LIKE FOR THE FUTURE OF THE CITY? WHAT WOULD COUNCIL'S DESIRE BE FOR THAT? THEN OBVIOUSLY, GREG HALL AND I TALK EVERY DAY ABOUT WATER AND WASTEWATER AND THOSE PROJECTS THAT NEED TO BE IMPROVED UPON CONSTANTLY.
THOSE ARE MY GOALS FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2025.
THESE ARE THE GOALS THAT I'LL USE TO ESTABLISH MY PRIORITIES FOR THE BUDGET, AND I HOPE THAT WE CAN MARRY YOUR EXPECTATIONS AND OUR GOALS UP AS THE PROCESS CONTINUES ALONG.
RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE 171 FULL TIME EMPLOYEES WITH FIVE OPENINGS.
ANY OF OUR FRIENDS THAT ARE WATCHING THIS ONLINE OR IF ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE KNOWS OF A POLICE OFFICER, A PARKS TECH, FINANCE DIRECTOR, AN HR GENERALIST, OR A WATER OPERATOR, THAT WOULD BE A GOOD FIT FOR THE CITY OF DECATUR TEAM.
I'D LOVE TO TALK TO THEM OR HAVE THEM VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR AN APPLICATION.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT MY PRESENTATION.
>> COUNSEL, QUESTIONS? THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION, NATE.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. UP NEXT ON YOUR AGENDA, YOU'LL NOTICE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS SLATED FOR A PRESENTATION.
I WOULD RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT WE MOVE THAT TO A FUTURE COUNCIL DATE AS CHIEF BENNETT IS DEALING WITH THE MEDICAL SITUATION IN THE FAMILY.
>> THANK YOU. WELL, THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS THERE.
THAT'LL BRING UP PLANNING THEN.
>> WELL, WHILE WE WAIT ON SHERYL.
IT SAYS ANNUAL REPORT, BUT IT REALLY IS THE LAST QUARTER OF 2023. NEXT SLIDE.
NEXT SLIDE, WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT PLANNING FIRST, THAT ACTUAL PLANNING SECTION.
THIS IS INFORMATION ABOUT THE APPLICATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN REVIEWED OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS.
AS YOU CAN SEE, THE TREND, 2019 WAS PROBABLY THE HIGHEST MONTH WHERE WE PROCESSED APPLICATIONS IN.
2023 FELL A LITTLE SHORT BY 20 PLUS APPLICATIONS.
FEES WERE FAIRLY REASONABLE, THEY WERE GREATER THAN 2022 EVEN THOUGH THE APPLICATIONS WERE HIGHER IN THAT YEAR.
I'M NOT SURE WHAT THAT'S ATTRIBUTED TO.
WE HAVE NOT CHANGED OUR FEES IN QUITE SOME TIME. NEXT SLIDE.
>> COULD JUST BE PAYMENTS IN JANUARY FROM THE PRIOR YEAR OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
>> COULD BE. THIS IS JUST THE TABLE SHOWING ALL THE DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS FROM LAST YEAR AND THEN THE YEAR PRIOR TO THAT.
LIKE I SAID, WE'RE DOWN ABOUT 24 APPLICATIONS.
I EXPECT THAT WON'T BE THE SITUATION THIS YEAR.
WE'RE MOVING FAST AND FURIOUS WITH APPLICATIONS, AS YOU'LL SEE TOWARDS THE END OF THE PRESENTATION. NEXT SLIDE.
THIS IS JUST, AGAIN, THE COMPARISON BETWEEN 2022 AND 2023 IN TERMS OF THE APPLICATIONS WE PROCESS PER MONTH.
INCLUDED IN THIS APPLICATION SCENARIO IS OUR SITE PLAN REVIEW, SO WE HAVE TO CATCH THAT SOMEHOW AND SO WE INCLUDED WITH THE APPLICATIONS.
NEXT SLIDE. CITY COUNCIL DID APPROVE IN THE LAST QUARTER,
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SEVERAL APPLICATIONS, A TOTAL OF NINE.OCTOBER, THERE WERE TWO VARIANCE APPLICATIONS.
IN NOVEMBER, WE HAD A PRELIMINARY PLAT AND SPECIFIC USE.
PERMIT APPLICATION ENDED IN DECEMBER.
WE HAD A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT, PRELIMINARY PLAT, SPECIFIC USE PERMIT, AND THEN A ZONING CHANGE APPLICATION THAT WAS STAFF-INITIATED.
NEXT SLIDE. GIS THE GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM IS REALLY, I TELL YOU GUYS, EVERY YEAR AS AN ASSET TO THE DECATUR, WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE TO BE A CITY OUR SIZE, TO HAVE A GIS, AND TO HAVE A GIS ANALYST WHO IS WELL VERSED IN GIS AS WILLIAM IS.
HE HAS REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION, THEY'RE DOWN FROM LAST YEAR SUBSTANTIALLY, AND WE THINK THAT'S BECAUSE HE HAS TRAINED FOLKS ON HOW TO USE GIS AND HOW TO LOOK FOR MAPS AND INFORMATION AND SO THAT'S WORKING VERY WELL.
HE'S CONCERNED ABOUT PUTTING HIMSELF OUT OF BUSINESS, BUT THAT WON'T HAPPEN.
NEXT SLIDE, HE STILL PROVIDES SUPPORT TO WISE COUNTIES AND TO THE INTERDEPARTMENTAL SUPPORT.
HE DID COMPLETE APPROXIMATELY 255 GIS RELATED TASK, AND THAT INCLUDED ADDRESSING.
HE GENERATED OVER 153 ORIGINAL MAPS.
HE WORKS WITH WISE COUNTY ON THEIR 911 ADDRESSING.
HE PROVIDES GOVWELL GIS INTEGRATED SUPPORT.
THE ETJ INFORMATION PUBLIC WORKS, HE DID SOME WORK FOR THEM ON SIDEWALKS.
THEN WISE COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT, HE WORKS WITH THEIR STAFF FOR WHEN THERE'S ISSUES WITH ACREAGE AND JUST DATA.
HE CATCHES A LOT OF THOSE AND WILL INFORM CHARLIE.
NEXT SLIDE, FOR PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT.
NEXT SLIDE, WE DO SEVERAL PLAN REVIEWS.
WE HAD QUITE A FEW IN OCTOBER AND THEN IT SLOWED OFF IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, WHICH IS VERY TYPICAL GIVEN THOSE ARE THE HOLIDAY MONTHS.
GO BACK CHERYL. WE HAD SEVEN PRE-APPLICATION MEETINGS AND WE'RE TRYING TO PUSH THOSE MORE OFTEN THAN NOT BECAUSE WE FIND THEM TO BE VERY HELPFUL TO MEET WITH THE APPLICANTS, TALK OVER THEIR ISSUES AND CONCERNS, AND THEN GIVE THEM WHAT OUR ISSUES AND CONCERNS MAY BE SO THAT THEY CAN ADDRESS THEM BEFORE THEY SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATION AND THEN FIND OUT, OOPS, WE'VE GOT A PROBLEM.
NEXT SLIDE, WE'VE GOT SEVERAL UPCOMING AND COMPLETED PROJECTS.
THERE'S ZONING AMENDMENTS THAT'S STILL UNDER REVIEW, WHICH INCLUDE THE EXPANSION AND REGULATION OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT.
WE STILL WANT TO LOOK AT VOTING PRIVILEGES FOR OUR CHAIRMAN, SO THAT THERE'S NOT A SITUATION WHERE THERE'S A TIE OR THERE'S NOT A VOTING QUORUM AT THE MEETING.
WE NEED TO POSSIBLY AMEND THE ZONING ORDINANCE TO ALLOW LIGHT INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING IN THE C-2, THOROUGHFARE ZONING DISTRICT WITH AN APPROVED SUP, AMENDED ZONING ORDINANCE TO ALLOW FENCES IN FRONT YARDS.
WE WANT TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF ACCESSORY DWELLINGS ON A LOT.
ALLOW GARAGE CONVERSIONS THAT'S PROHIBITED IN THE ORDINANCE AND WE TALKED ABOUT THAT WHILE WE WERE GOING THROUGH THE CARPORT DISCUSSION.
WE'RE LOOKING AT ALLOWING CARPORTS IF THAT'S YOU ALL DESIRE.
TO ALLOW SINGLE-FAMILY ATTACHED IN THE C-1A DECATUR SQUARE BUSINESS.
THIS IS A GOAL OF OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
WE REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT FIXING THAT.
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NEXT SLIDE, WE'VE GOT A WHOLE HOST OF COMPLETED PROJECTS WHICH YOU GUYS SEE.ALL OF THE PROJECTS THAT COME BEFORE THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT AND THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
YOU'VE ALREADY SEEN THEM AND DISCUSSED THEM.
NEXT SLIDE, WE'VE GOT QUITE A FEW UPCOMING PROJECTS.
WELL, ACTUALLY, THESE ARE ALL ACTUAL PROJECTS.
THEY HAVE CASE NUMBERS ASSIGNED TO THEM.
SO IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THEM, YOU'LL GET TO SEE THEM SHORTLY.
NEXT SLIDE, AND AGAIN, THESE ARE JUST SOME ORDINANCES THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE WORKING ON, COMMUNICATION, ORDINANCE REWRITE, THE ZONING ORDINANCE, CARPORT, SUBDIVISION, AND OIL AND GAS WELL ORDINANCES, AND THOSE WILL BE LED BY OTHER DEPARTMENTS.
WE WILL PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THOSE DEPARTMENTS, WHICH MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, IS WHAT THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT DOES.
WE PROVIDE THE SUPPORT TO THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS FOR REWRITES AND WHEN THEY'RE WRITING ORDINANCES.
NEXT SLIDE, THESE ARE JUST PROJECTS THAT ARE CURRENTLY UNDERWAY: 380 DEVELOPMENT, NOUVELLE TERRACE LOFTS, BISHOP HEIGHTS, CHISHOLM TRAIL, DECATUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE TA, MEADOW CREEK, PALOMA TRAILS, ROSE AVENUE APARTMENTS.
THERE'S A SEWELL-HULEN RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.
WE'VE NOT HEARD ANYTHING FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS ON VINEYARDS.
THEN VISTA PARK, WHICH YOU GUYS ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH.
NEXT SLIDE, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
>> QUESTIONS FROM COUNSEL? DETRA, THANK YOU.
>> EXCUSE ME. BUILDING INSPECTIONS. WAYNE.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR COUNSEL.
>> WE'VE GOT THE LAST QUARTERLY REPORT FOR THE BUILDING INSPECTIONS DEPARTMENT, AS DETRA WAS TALKING ABOUT IN THERE.
YOU'LL SEE A LOT OF SIMILARITIES WITH OUR NUMBERS AS THEY CORRESPOND TO PLANNING NUMBERS.
GENERALLY, EVERYTHING COMES THROUGH THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT FIRST.
THEN YOU'LL SEE A BIG JUMP IN BUILDING INSPECTIONS AND IT FOLLOWS THAT WAVE, JUST LIKE IT DOES WITH EVERYTHING ELSE.
OF COURSE, WHENEVER THE NUMBERS ARE DOWN IN THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, THEN YOU CAN EXPECT THE NUMBERS TO COME DOWN IN THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT SHORTLY AFTER THAT.
RIGHT NOW WE'VE GOT A FEW THINGS GOING ON IN THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT THAT WE'RE CHASING AFTER.
WE DO HAVE A NEW PERMITTING SOFTWARE THAT WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF IMPLEMENTING.
CURRENT PROJECTIONS HAVE THAT BEING IMPLEMENTED IN APRIL.
THAT'S OUR GOAL RIGHT NOW AS WE MOVE THROUGH THAT.
THEY'LL BE FURTHER IMPLEMENTATION INTO THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT AS WE MOVE THROUGH THAT.
YOU'LL SEE SOME OF THE DIVISIONS INSIDE OF THE BUILDING INSPECTIONS HAVE ALREADY STARTED IMPLEMENTING AND USING THAT SOFTWARE.
IT'S BEEN A VERY GOOD DECISION SO FAR.
OUR BUILDING CODE EFFECTIVENESS GRADING SCHEDULE, THE ISO AUDIT FOR THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT, IS UNDERWAY.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THAT FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS NOW.
WE'VE ACTUALLY GOT THE AUDIT, THE AUDITOR WILL BE ON SITE WEDNESDAY, AND WE'LL BE FINISHING THAT UP, SO WE'LL GET OUR NEW GRADING SCHEDULE OUT OF THAT.
BUILDING STANDARDS COMMISSION IS IN THE PROCESS OF REVIEWING AND MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BUILDING CODES, TO UPDATE OUR BUILDING CODES, SO WE CAN KEEP THAT ISO AUDIT UP.
YOU'LL BE SEEING THOSE IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS AS WE MOVE THROUGH THOSE REVIEWS ON THAT.
WE'RE WORKING ON SEVERAL ORDINANCES THAT'S BEEN ALLUDED TO IN THE CITY MANAGERS REPORT, AS WELL AS THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT TO UPDATE THESE ORDINANCES AND BRING FORWARD NEW PROPOSALS ON DIFFERENT ASPECTS ON THAT.
[00:20:02]
YOU'LL BE SEEING THOSE IN THE COMING MONTHS.SOME OF THE BUILDING NUMBERS THAT WE'VE GOT ON THIS.
WE'VE GOT THE PERMITS ISSUED FOR 2023 ENDED UP AT 741.
YOU'LL SEE HERE IN A MINUTE, WE DIDN'T SEE AS BIGGER PROJECTS COME IN IN 2023, BUT THE NUMBERS ON THE PERMITS WERE ACTUALLY UP FOR THAT TIME PERIOD.
YOU CAN SEE THAT THIS IS ACTUALLY THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF PERMITS THAT WE'VE ISSUED SINCE 2017.
VALUATIONS FOR BUILDING PROJECTS.
YOU CAN SEE THE NUMBER FOR 2023 IS SIGNIFICANTLY DOWN FROM 2022.
BUT I DO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT 2022 WAS A VERY LARGE YEAR.
$64 MILLION IN VALUATION THAT CAME IN ON THAT.
THE NEXT CLOSEST NUMBER ON THAT WAS IN 2019, AND THAT WAS AT 30 MILLION, SO YOU'RE OVER DOUBLE THAT NUMBER.
THAT WAS JUST A VERY LARGE YEAR FOR PERMITS.
YOU'LL SEE HERE IN A SECOND ON THE GRAPH THAT THE $20 MILLION IS RIGHT IN THERE IN THE SAME NUMBERS THAT WE'VE BEEN STAYING AT.
IT'S A LITTLE BIT LOW FOR WHERE WE WOULD LIKE TO BE, BUT WE'LL SEE THAT NUMBER TURNING AROUND AS SOME OF THIS NEW DEVELOPMENT KICKS OFF.
PERMIT FEES COLLECTED, OF COURSE, WITH THE LARGE NUMBER OF PERMITS THAT WERE ISSUED IN THE LARGE PROJECTS THAT WERE ISSUED IN 2022 AND NOT SEEN IN 2023, THOSE NUMBERS ARE DOWN, BUT THEY WILL COME BACK AROUND.
PERMIT FEES OVER THE LAST SIX YEARS, AND BUILDING INSPECTIONS COMPLETED, THAT NUMBER WAS UP SIGNIFICANTLY.
WE'VE BROUGHT ALL VENTS BUILDING INSPECTIONS BACK IN HOUSE.
WE'RE DOING THAT ALL HERE, AND SO WE'RE ABLE TO CAPTURE THAT NUMBER A LITTLE BIT MORE ACCURATELY AND PRODUCE BIGGER NUMBERS OFF THAT BECAUSE WE'RE ABLE TO BE ON SITE MORE.
THAT'S NOT THE BIGGEST NUMBER THAT WE HAD, BUT THAT NUMBER IS DEFINITELY ON THE RISE, YOU CAN SEE.
OUR HEALTH INSPECTIONS DIVISION.
SOME OF THE SIGNIFICANT FEATURES OF THAT DIVISION JOHNNY CALHOUN JUST COMPLETED LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, HIS CERTIFICATION AS A CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL FOOD SAFETY.
ALL OF THE CERTIFICATIONS THAT WE ARE NEEDED FOR THAT ARE COMPLETED AND IN PLACE.
THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS IMPLEMENTED THE GOVWELL SOFTWARE.
WE DID SEE A SIGNIFICANT LOWERING IN THE AMOUNT OF TIME IT TOOK TO PROCESS APPLICATIONS AND BEING ABLE TO GET THOSE IN HERE.
IT WAS AMAZING TO SEE THAT PROCESS AND WORK.
WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME WORKING ON THAT AND TRYING TO REFINE IT, AND THAT'S PAYING OFF.
WE'RE HOPING TO SEE THOSE SAME TYPE OF RESULTS OUT OF THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT WHEN WE IMPLEMENTED FOR THAT.
ANNUAL MOBILE FOOD PERMITS HAVE INCREASED OVER THE PAST YEAR.
EVENT PERMITS HAVE DECREASED, BUT THAT'S SAYS A LOT OF THE TEMPORARY EVENTS ARE USING ANNUAL PERMIT HOLDERS FOR THEIR EVENTS.
A LOT OF THE TEMPORARY PERMIT HOLDERS HAVE CHOSEN TO GO TO AN ANNUAL PERMIT.
THAT'S DEFINITELY A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION ON OUR SIDE OF IT.
2023 SAW 203 FOOD ESTABLISHMENT PERMITS ISSUED.
WE HAD A FEW NEW FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS, SOME OF THEM WERE ALREADY THERE AND WERE REPLACED ON THAT.
BUT WE DID SEE A FEW NEW ONES THAT CAME INTO PLAY WITH THAT. BACK THAT UP.
NEW FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS, SO THERE WAS EIGHT OF THEM IN THE LAST YEAR.
MOBILE PERMITS WENT UP TO 23 IN 2023.
TEMPORARY EVENT PERMITS, LIKE I SAID, IT'S DOWN DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY'RE USING THE ANNUAL FOOD PERMITS MORE OFTEN FOR THAT.409 INSPECTIONS,
[00:25:01]
ROUTINE COMPLAINT, AND MISCELLANEOUS WERE CONDUCTED IN 2023, AND THEN 177 GREASE TRAP TICKETS WERE RECEIVED DURING THAT SAME TIME.ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE PERMITS, WE'VE GOT 33 ACTIVE PERMITS AT THIS TIME, AND WE SEE THOSE ON THE RISE AS WE GET NEW BUSINESSES INTO PLAY.
CODE ENFORCEMENT HAS ALSO STARTED USING THE GOVWELL PERMITTING SOFTWARE.
THEY'VE MOVED COMPLETELY OFF OF THE MY GOV SYSTEM AND THERE INTO THIS THIS NEWER SYSTEM.
ONE OF THE ASPECTS THAT WE REALLY LIKE ABOUT THIS IS THAT PEOPLE CAN NOW SUBMIT COMPLAINTS ONLINE.
THEY GO TO THE CITY'S WEBSITE, THERE'S A DIRECT LINK TO THAT, AND SO THEY CAN TURN THAT IN ON THAT.
IT'S VERY INTERACTIVE AND IS WORKING REALLY WELL FOR US.
UPDATED ORDINANCES FOR JUNK VEHICLES, RV'S, DONATION BINS, AND RIGHT OF WAY MAINTENANCE ARE BEING REVIEWED, WILL BE BROUGHT FORTH AS WE GET THOSE IRONED OUT.
CODE ENFORCEMENT CASES OPENED AND CLOSED.
FOR 2023 HAD 236 CASES THAT WERE OPENED DURING THAT TIME AND 258 CASES WERE CLOSED DURING THE SAME TIME PERIOD.
SOME OF THE CATEGORIES THAT WE TRACKED OFF OF THAT WERE HIGH WEEDS AND GRASS, OUTDOOR STORAGE, WORKING WITHOUT A BUILDING PERMIT, AND YOU CAN SEE THE CONFISCATED SIGNS.
WITH THE NEW SIGN ORDINANCE, WE STARTED TRACKING THE NUMBER OF SIGNS THAT WE WERE CONFISCATING.
WAS 115 IN THIS LAST QUARTER AND 241 THAT WERE TRACKED FROM JULY THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR.
ANY QUESTIONS THAT WE CAN ANSWER?
>> QUESTIONS FROM COUNSEL? WAYNE, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. PUBLIC WORKS IN AIRPORT.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
THIS IS A QUARTER 4 FOR PUBLIC WORKS IN THE AIRPORT.
THE FIRST SLIDES FOR OUR FRIENDS THAT DO OUR FIBER OPTIC CABLE INSTALLATION RIGHT NOW.
NEXT LINK HAS ONLY ONE CREW IN TOWN DOING [NOISE] MAIN LINE STUFF BORING.
THEY'RE OVER ON MULBERRY IN THAT AREA RIGHT NOW.
THERE'S NO SUBCONTRACTORS AS THEY ARE ALL NEXT LINK EMPLOYEES, AND SO FAR BEEN DOING A REAL GOOD JOB POTHOLING EVERYTHING AND GOING WAY SLOWER THAN THEY WERE GOING BEFORE.
IT'S WORKING OUT FINE, BUT THEY ONLY HAVE ONE CREW IN TOWN, AND THEY ONLY HAVE TWO MORE PHASES TO GO, THIS ONE IN ONE MORE.
>> AN IDEA OF PERCENTAGE OF WORK TO BE COMPLETED?
I WOULD SAY PROBABLY THE WAY THEY TALKED, PROBABLY 90 PERCENT DONE.
THE OTHER COMPANIES ARE STILL DOING WHEN SOMEBODY REQUESTS SERVICE, SO THEY'RE DOING THE SERVICE LINES TO THE HOUSES AND ALL THAT SERVICE DROPS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
BUT THIS IS THE MAIN LINE, A BORING STUFF.
YOU'VE HEARD DEDRA AND WAYNE TALK ABOUT SOME OF THESE PROJECTS.
I'LL JUST GIVE YOU A QUICK RUNDOWN AS THEY RELATE TO PUBLIC WORKS.
THE ROSE AVENUE APARTMENTS, THE OFFSITE LIFT STATION ENFORCE MAIN IS COMPLETE.
VISTA PARK PHASE 1 CONCRETE PAVING SHOULD START SOON.
WE JUST MET ON SITE TODAY WITH THE PAVING CONTRACTOR AND DEVELOPERS.
THE RAIN GOT MESSED UP OVER THE WEEKEND, BUT THEY'RE LOOKING TO PROBABLY SET FORMS LATER IN THE WEEK AND HOPEFULLY GET SOME CONCRETE ON THE GROUND.
>> THAT'S PROBABLY THE MOST ACTIVE.
ALONG WITH TA TRAVEL CENTER, THE ONSITE WATER IS ABOUT 95 PERCENT COMPLETE, AND THEN THE OFFSITE WATER IS ABOUT 80 PERCENT.
>> THAT JOB IS GOING REAL GOOD.
THEN THEY'RE ACTUALLY POURING CONCRETE IN THE PARKING AREAS, IN THE FIRE LANES NOW, SO THEY'VE BEEN DOING THAT TO THE LAST WEEK OR SO.
[00:30:03]
LET'S SEE WHICH ONE SECOND TO HIGHLIGHT.PALOMA TRAILS HADN'T HEARD MUCH ON THEM LATELY, BISHOP HEIGHTS, SAME.
PIPER ADDITION OUT BY THE AIRPORT.
THEY DID SOME CLEARING AND GRADING, AND THAT ONE HAS BEEN AT A STANDSTILL.
THEN OF COURSE, OUR THOMPSON ELEVATED WATER TANKS IN SERVICE STILL NOT ACCEPTED FULLY, BUT THEY'RE WORKING ON GETTING THE COMMUNICATION STUFF TRANSFERRED OVER.
WE HAVE A PRE CONSTRUCTION MEETING HERE COMING UP FOR THE DEMO OF THE OLD THOMPSON.
THIS IS JUST SOME OF OUR WORK ORDERS THAT WE KEEP TRACK OF.
YOU MIGHT NOTICE I'LL CALL OUT A COUPLE OF THEM.
THE SEWER STOPS ARE UP FROM LAST YEAR.
LAST YEAR WE DID 99, THIS YEAR WE DID 137.
WATER LEAKS ARE UP 126-259 THIS YEAR, FOR A TOTAL OF 5,846 TOTAL WORK ORDERS THAT WE DID.
THIS IS NOT EVERYTHING THAT WE TRACK SOME STUFF DOESN'T GET TRACKED, SO JUST STUFF MAYBE SOMETIMES WE RUN AND DO IT REAL QUICK AND IT DOESN'T EVER GET TRACK.
AT THE AIRPORT, [NOISE] ON THE FUEL SALES, YOU RECALL, WE GET $0.05 ON EVERY GALLON THAT GETS PUMPED OUT THERE FOR FUEL.
FOR THE YEAR THIS YEAR WE COLLECTED $3,596.80.
[BACKGROUND] I CHECKED BACK IN 22 IS WITHIN $100 OF THE SAME DOLLAR AMOUNT SO IT'S REAL CONSISTENT ON WHAT WE'RE DOING FUEL WISE OUT THERE.
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT LUD? YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW THAT'S OUR THREE LETTER AIRPORT CODE LIKE DFW.
IT'S LUD OUT THERE, SO MAYOR MAY NOT KNOW THAT.
RIGHT NOW WE'RE NEGOTIATING WITH THE DECATUR JET CENTER FOR THE CONTRACT FOR HIS FIXED BASED OPERATOR.
WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF HOPEFULLY GETTING OUR LAYOUT PLAN PROJECT STARTED.
THAT WAS A GRANT PROJECT AND IT'S TEXT DOT RELATED, AND THEY [BACKGROUND] NEGOTIATE THE CONTRACT AND WE'VE PAID OUR FEES AND NOW WE'RE JUST WAITING TO GET THE PROJECT STARTED.
WE HAVE A NEW HANGAR BEING CONSTRUCTED OUT THERE.
SEAN RICH, HE'S DOING A LOT AT THE AIRPORT LATELY.
HE'S ACTUALLY RELOCATING FROM MEACHAM.
HE'S GOT A FLIGHT SCHOOL OUT THERE.
I THINK HE'S GOING TO BE LEADING THE VICTORY SCHOOL.
I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A FLIGHT PROGRAM AND HE'S LEADING THAT.
WE HAVE A GRANT TO RELOCATE OUR AWOS, THAT'S OUR AUTOMATED WEATHER STATION.
IT'S OVER ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE AIRPORT NOW AND IT'S GOING TO GO TO THE EAST SIDE.
THEN THE FAA REQUEST TO CLOSE THE GUN RANGE.
THEY PRETTY MUCH SAID WE HAVE TO CLOSE THE GUN RANGE ON AIRPORT PROPERTY.
IF THE CITY HAS COMPLIED WITH THAT, AND DELVIN WILL BE WORKING WITH SOME OTHER CITIES TO TRY TO FIND A PLACE TO GO SHOOT.
I THINK THEY WILL ALLOW DELVIN TO CERTIFY IF WE HAVE TO JUST HAVE A ONCE A YEAR DEAL.
BUT BASICALLY, THEY SAID WE NEED TO RELOCATE THAT.
ON THE PARKS DEPARTMENT, SO WE HAD OUR SECOND PUBLIC INPUT MEETING ON THE SKATE PARK IN DECEMBER, AND THEY GAVE US TWO CHOICES AND THE GROUP THAT WAS IN ATTENDANCE PICKED ONE OF THEM, AND THIS IS JUST A FEW PICTURES RENDERINGS WHAT IT COULD LOOK LIKE FROM SOME OF THE AREAS THEY WANTED TO DEVELOP AND EVERYTHING IN DIFFERENT I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU CALL THEM, THE LITTLE TRICK AREAS OR WHATEVER [LAUGHTER] PLACES YOU GET HURT ON THE WAY I LOOK AT THAT.
>> ANYWAY, WE HAVE ANOTHER MEETING COMING UP AND THEY'RE GETTING REAL CLOSE ON THE FINAL DESIGN.
AT THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT.
RIGHT NOW WE'RE AT 60 PERCENT OF OUR CAPACITY, AND YOU GUYS KNOW WE TALK ABOUT THIS ALL THE TIME 75, 90 PERCENT RULE AND WE'RE AT 60 RIGHT NOW.
IT'S INTERESTING IN 2022 AND 2023.
THE CHART OR THE GRAPH ON THE RIGHT, IT LOOKS MORE DECEIVING BUT IT'S REAL CLOSE.
IT'S THE SAME 264 MILLION GALLONS OF BOTH YEARS IN ROUND NUMBERS.
[00:35:01]
WE AVERAGE YEAR TO DATE ON DAILY AVERAGE 1.46, IN THE SUMMERTIME WE WERE UP AROUND.IN AUGUST, I LOOK BACK AND WE'RE OVER TWO MILLION EVERY DAY, 2.1 2.2 AND 2.3 DAYS IN THERE SO DURING THE SUMMER, A LITTLE BIT HIGHER.
WE'RE STILL DOING GOOD ON OUR TREATMENT, AND NOT GETTING BEHIND AND ABLE TO KEEP UP.
WE KEEP, LIKE NATE SAID, WE KEEP EYE ON THIS STUFF EVERY DAY AND TALK ABOUT IT DAILY.
WE DID MAKE 35 MILLION MORE GALLONS THIS LAST YEAR, THOUGH THAN THE YEAR BEFORE.
NOT EVERYTHING MAKES IT TO THE SEWER SO IT COULD BE WATER LEAKS, FIRE HYDRANT FLUSHING, AND FIRES, ALL THE UNACCOUNTED METERED WATER AND STUFF.
AT THE LAKE, IT'S 15.43 FEET LOW RIGHT NOW.
I JUST PUT THIS UP HERE TO REMIND US THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE SWITCHING TO CELLULAR METERS.
WE'VE GOT 10 OF THEM OUT IN THE SYSTEM NOW.
I THINK THEY'RE ALL WORKING REAL WELL.
WE'RE EXPECTING A DELIVERY OF ABOUT 700 WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH OR SO.
WE'LL BE OUT GETTING THESE PUT OUT PROBABLY ON OUR TROUBLE AREAS FIRST.
WE HAVE TROUBLE EVERY MONTH READING OR THEY'RE NOT PICKING UP RIGHT ON OUR RADIO READ.
WE'LL START WITH THOSE FIRST AND GET THOSE REPLACED AND THEN JUST START WORKING THROUGH THEM ON AN ANNUAL BASIS UNTIL WE GET DONE. LET'S SEE HERE.
I DIDN'T PUT A SLIDE BUT I WANTED TO JUST BRING IT TO YOUR ATTENTION THAT THE CEMETERY THE CEMETERY BOARD IS USING SOME ENDOWMENT MONEY, AND THEY'RE GOING TO REPLACE THE CHAIN LINK FENCE THAT RUNS ALONG CEMETERY ROAD WITH THE WROUGHT IRON FENCE AND NEW GATES.
IT'S A PRETTY BIG PROJECT. IT'S GOING TO LOOK NICE.
OUR UTILITY MAINTENANCE GUYS ARE BUSY KEEPING SEWER STOPS DOWN, WATER LEAKS.
THEY'RE LAYING A WATER LINE NOW FOR [NOISE] LIBRARY TO TIE ON FOR THEIR FIRE SYSTEM.
THEN OF COURSE, OUR STREET GUYS ARE OUT PATCHING, AND THEY DID SOME NEW CONCRETE WORK AT THE END OF ROSE AVENUE FOR THAT WORKMAN ROAD TIE IN [NOISE] AND ALREADY TALKING TO THE COUNTY ABOUT PARTNERING UP ON HATCHER STREET THIS YEAR.
WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO DO HATCHER STREET WITH THE COUNTY TO GET THAT OVERLAID.
IT'S PRETTY REAL ROUGH ACTUALLY.
>> ANY PLANS FOR CHICO STREET THAT CUTS THROUGH TO 380.
>> I KNOW IT'S BEEN WELL USED OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS.
>> OH, YEAH. I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF SPEEDING GOING ON AND I THINK CHIEF HAS BEEN LOOKING AT THAT AND TRYING TO.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE. UNLESS YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME.
>> ALL RIGHT. FINANCE. ANNA, CANADA.
>> CAN I USE THIS? I'LL MAKE IT FAST.
>> THE FINANCES ARE IMPORTANT, SO PLEASE PROVIDE US THE INFORMATION NEEDED.
>> AGAIN, I'M HERE TO SHARE GOOD NEWS.
>> THIS IS OUR FIRST QUARTER IN FY24, SO FOR OCTOBER THROUGH DECEMBER.
AS YOU SEE ON THE SLIDE WITH PROPERTY TAXES.
WE ARE LOOKING WHERE IS THE FIRST QUARTER? YOU'RE LOOKING 25 PERCENT OF YOUR BUDGET.
HERE WE HAVE ADD 42 PERCENT ALREADY WITH PROPERTY TAX.
THEY'RE BECOMING DUE IN JANUARY.
THEY'RE STARTING TO TRICKLE IN, BUT WE ALREADY CAPTURE 42 PERCENT OF THAT.
THE SALES TAX IS AT 24 PERCENT ALREADY.
FRANCHISE, HOTEL, MIXED DRINK IS 12 PERCENT.
COURT FINES WE HAVE IT AT 18 PERCENT.
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES 19 AND THE CONFERENCE AT 23 PERCENT ALREADY FROM THE BUDGET.
HERE, IT JUST GIVE YOU A PICTURE OF HOW IT LOOKS COMPARED TO THE BUDGET.
THE NEXT SLIDE HERE, JUST THE PICTURE OF THE PI, WHEREAS 43 PERCENT IS OUR PROPERTY TAXES, THE 25 PERCENT IS THE SALES TAX, AND THE NEXT ONE IS OUR FRANCHISE AND OTHER TAXES.
HERE ON THE REVENUES, THEY'LL LOOK WITHIN.
THIS WAS FY23 AND FY24 COMPARE.
THEY'RE PRETTY CLOSE TO EACH OTHER.
THEN ON THE SALES TAX FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER,
[00:40:05]
COLLECTIONS, IT WAS UP BY 10 PERCENT.IN NOVEMBER WAS UP BY SIX PERCENT.
SADLY, TO SAY, EVEN THOUGH THIS IS GOOD NEWS, WE ONLY HAD AN INCREASE OF ONE PERCENT IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER FOR COLLECTIONS, SO IT WASN'T DOWN.
THEN ON THE GENERAL FUND, ON THE EXPENDITURES, EVERYBODY'S WERE WITHIN THE 25 PERCENT WITH EXCEPTIONS OF ADMIN AND TECHNOLOGY.
WE HAD A LOT OF ACQUISITION, BUYING STAFF WEAR, DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT USING OUR ARP FUNDS AND THE MAIN IN THE ADMIN FUND.
THEN ON THE UTILITIES, WE'LL COMPARE FROM FY24-FY23.
WE'RE AT 22 PERCENT RIGHT NOW.
ON THE EXPENDITURES, THEY'RE ALL 10 PERCENT OR AROUND THE 25 PERCENT.
UTILITY BILLING IS A LITTLE HIGHER.
IT'S 29 PERCENT ON THE BUDGET.
WE'RE NOT VERY EXPENDITIOUS IN OUR FIRST QUARTER.
THEN HERE ON THE UTILITIES FUND EXPENDITURES, REMEMBER LAST YEAR WE HAD A LOT OF THOSE PROJECTS THAT THEY WERE FUNDED BY THE BOND, SO THAT'S WHY IT'S REALLY HIGH COMPARED TO THIS YEAR TO THIS QUARTER.
THEN ON THE NEXT SLIDE, WE HAVE ALL THE UTILITIES.
THE CONNECTS, DISCONNECTS, THEY'RE NOT THAT QUITE DIFFERENT ON THE PAST DUE ACCOUNTS THOSE ARE HIGHER.
THEY'RE HIGHER IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER.
IN DECEMBER, THEY WENT DOWN A LITTLE BIT, SO THEY WERE 32 PERCENT HIGHER THAN THE YEAR BEFORE.
THOSE NUMBERS WERE HIGH FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER.
THEY WERE 29 PERCENT UP IN OCTOBER, 24 IN NOVEMBER, AND A LITTLE BIT HIGHER THAN LAST YEAR IN DECEMBER JUST BY 18 PERCENT.
THEN HERE ON THE COURT, THE CASES DISPOSED, THEY WERE UP FOR OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER, BUT SLIGHTLY DOWN BY 18 PERCENT FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER.
THEN FOR FINES COLLECTED, IT WAS VERY BIG SPIKE IN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER BY 36 PERCENT AND THEN SLIGHTLY WENT LITTLE DOWN TO 19 PERCENT IN DECEMBER.
SOME OTHER HIGHLIGHTS AS YOU KNOW, WE HAD STARTED WITH CASELLE IN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER.
WE HAVE BEEN TRAINING DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS ON THE DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS.
THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, REQUISITIONS, PAYROLL, DIFFERENT THINGS.
ALSO SWITCH TO EXPRESS BILL PAY FOR THE UTILITY BILLING PAYMENTS.
THE FOCUS IS THE CUSTOMER SERVICE.
HOW MANY DIFFERENT WAYS THAT YOU CAN PAY YOUR BILLS.
THERE'S 24 HOURS, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
THEY CAN GO ONLINE, THEY CAN PAY THEIR BILL.
THEY CAN STILL COME IN PAID CASH WITH THE CREDIT CARD.
THEY HAVE DIFFERENT WAYS OF PAYING BILLS.
CURRENTLY, JUST TO ADD AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SCREEN IS WE HAVE 1,262 CUSTOMERS THEY ARE SET UP ON AUTOPAY.
WE'RE JUST TRYING TO TARGET A LITTLE BIT OF THAT NUMBER.
WE HAVE 541 PAPERLESS CUSTOMERS AND 496 SET UP FOR ACH.
THAT'S AROUND 65 PERCENT OF THE CUSTOMERS THAT THEY'RE ALREADY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THAT TECHNOLOGY AND CHOOSING THAT WAY TO PAY. IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS?
>> WELL, I DO HAVE ONE QUESTION, BEFORE I ASK YOU MY QUESTION, I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND SERVICE TO THE CITY OF DECATUR.
IT'S BEEN A REAL PLEASURE HAVING YOU A PART OF OUR TEAM AND THE FINANCIAL GROUND THAT YOU'VE LAID FOR US.
YOU'VE GOT A GREAT FOUNDATION FOR US, SO WE APPRECIATE ALL YOUR EFFORTS AND WORK ON THAT.
MY QUESTION IS AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME, I'D LIKE FOR YOU TO LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE.
I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR COMING TO THIS MEETING AND THOSE THAT ARE ONLINE.
WE WILL START OUR REGULAR MEETING AT 06:16.
[CALL TO ORDER]
IF YOU ARE ABLE, PLEASE STAND AND JOIN ME IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE.HANNAH, YOU'LL LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE.
[00:45:02]
>> I PLEDGE MY ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY, AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
ITEM 1 IS A PUBLIC HEARING ITEM,
[1. CONSIDER FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AND A PUBLIC HEARING GIVING ALL INTERESTED PERSONS THE RIGHT TO APPEAR AND BE HEARD ON AN AMENDMENT TO APPENDIX “B,” “ZONING” OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF DECATUR, TEXAS TO GRANT A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT TO ALLOW A BOARDING OR ROOMING HOUSE IN A C-1, RESTRICTED BUSINESS ZONING DISTRICT, ON APPROXIMATELY 0.645 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT 1900 W. US HIGHWAY 300 BUSINESS, DECATUR, TEXAS. (SPECIFIC USE PERMIT APPLICATION 2024-01—MS. DEBORAH LUSK) SUP2024-01]
AND WE WILL OPEN UP THAT PUBLIC HEARING ITEM AT 06:17.CONSIDER THE FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AND PUBLIC HEARING, GIVING ALL INTERESTED PERSONS THE RIGHT TO APPEAR AND TO BE HEARD ON AN AMENDMENT TO APPENDIX B, THE ZONING OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF DECATUR, TEXAS.
DO WE HAVE A REPORT FROM THE CITY ON THIS?
>> I'LL GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED.
WHILE THEY WORK ON THE PRESENTATION, THIS ITEM, AS THE MAYOR INDICATED, IS TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING, HEAR COMMENTS, AND CONSIDER FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE REGARDING AN AMENDMENT TO APPENDIX B ZONING.
THIS IS MISS DEBORAH LUSK REQUESTS TO GRANT A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT SUP TO ALLOW A BOARDING OR ROOMING HOUSE IN A C1 RESTRICTED BUSINESS ZONING DISTRICT.
THE PROPERTY IS APPROXIMATELY 0.645 ACRES OF LAND, LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS JB WILLIAMS SURVEY ABSTRACT NUMBER 830 IN WIDES COUNTY.
THE PROPERTY IS MORE COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS 1,900 WEST US.
THE DECATUR ZONING ORDINANCE, AS YOU MAY RECALL, WAS AMENDED AND ADOPTED MARCH 23RD, 2015, ARTICLE 6.
AS PART OF THAT ADOPTION IN THE ZONING DISTRICTS, IT DOES PROVIDE THAT BOARDING AND ROOMING HOUSES ARE PERMITTED WITH AN APPROVED SPECIFIC USE PERMIT IN CERTAIN ZONING DISTRICTS.
THAT WOULD INCLUDE THE C1 RESTRICTED BUSINESS ZONING DISTRICT, WHICH THIS PROPERTY IS LOCATED.
THE PROPOSED APPLICATION FOR BOARDING ROOMING HOUSE AND SITE PLAN ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH GRANTING THE SUP AS LONG AS THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE ADHERED TO AND OR MET.
NEXT SLIDE. UNDER THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, PER THE ZONING ORDINANCE, PROVIDE PARKING PER SECTION 7.3, PROVIDE SCREENING, 7.5.2, PROVIDE TRASH RECEPTACLES PER 7.4.1.
I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT, THESE ARE SOME OF THE MORE IMPORTANT REGULATIONS.
THESE ARE NOT ALL THE REGULATIONS THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED.
WHEN WE GO THROUGH THE SITE PLAN REVIEW, WE WILL POINT WHATEVER IS MISSING OR IS NECESSARY FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
SAME WITH THE FIRE AND BUILDING INSTALLATION OF FIRE SUPPRESSION AND FIRE ALARM MONITORING FLOOR PLAN, DISPLAYING EMERGENCY EGRESS ROUTES, EMERGENCY EGRESS SIGNS, AND FIRE EXTINGUISHERS UNDER BUILDING A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY SPECIFIC OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION.
THEN AN R OCCUPANCY IS REQUIRED FOR FIRE SPRINKLER. NEXT SLIDE.
THIS IS THE EXISTING LAND USE MAP AND THE EXISTING ZONING. NEXT SLIDE.
THIS IS THE PROPOSED SITE PLAN AND FLOOR PLAN. NEXT SLIDE.
WE DID RECEIVE A LETTER OF INTENT FROM THE PROPOSED PROPERTY OWNER. NEXT SLIDE.
THAT IS INCLUDED IN YOUR PACKET NEXT SLIDE.
IN TERMS OF RESPONSES, WE SENT OUT 12 NOTIFICATIONS TO PROPERTY OWNERS, BUT THEN WE RECEIVED 25 RESPONSES, 24 WERE OPPOSED, AND ONE WAS IN FAVOR.
THE ONE THAT'S IN FAVOR IS OBVIOUSLY THE APPLICANT.
THEN IF YOU LOOK AT THE MAP, THE 24 THAT WERE IN OPPOSITION WELL, 23 THEY'RE OUTSIDE OF THAT 200 FOOT PROPERTY OWNER NOTIFICATION.
HOWEVER, THE ONE THAT'S IN THE NOTIFICATION CIRCLE,
[00:50:02]
THAT ONE REPRESENTS MORE THAN 25% OPPOSITION AND BECAUSE OF THAT, YOU GUYS WILL NEED TO HAVE A SUPER MAJORITY VOTE TO PASS THIS APPLICATION.NEXT SLIDE. THIS IS A LETTER OF SUPPORT THAT THE APPLICANT PROVIDED.
NEXT SLIDE, AND IT EXPLAINS WHY THIS IS NECESSARY OR THEY THINK IT'S NECESSARY.
THEN THESE ARE THE OPPOSITION RESPONSES.
LIKE I SAID, THERE WAS QUITE A FEW 24 AND SO WE'VE PROVIDED THEM IN YOUR PACKET AND IN THE PRESENTATION.
IN SUMMARY, THE OPPOSITION HAD TO DO WITH TRAFFIC SECURITY, NO AREA OF SECURITY AGAINST WITH QUESTIONABLE DECISION SKILLS.
SAFETY WAS A CONCERN, CONCERN TO THE PROXIMITY TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
SOME DON'T WANT THIS TYPE OF FACILITY AROUND THEIR KIDS.
THEY FEAR FOR THEIR KIDS SAFETY AND THEN THEY DON'T WANT CRIMINALS IN THEIR YARDS.
WE JUST TOOK THAT INFORMATION DIRECTLY FROM THE RESPONSES. NEXT SLIDE.
AGAIN, THESE ARE ALL THE RESPONSES.
I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR, THIS APPLICATION MEETS THE ZONING REGULATIONS, THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND BECAUSE OF THAT, STAFF HAS NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL.
IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE SUPPORTED OR WE DON'T SUPPORT IT, IT'S JUST BASED ON THE FACTS.
>> IF YOU WERE TO APPROVE THIS APPLICATION, STAFF IS RECOMMENDING ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS WHICH I WENT THROUGH EARLIER.
NEXT SLIDE. THEY FALL UNDER PLANNING, FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE BUILDING INSPECTIONS DEPARTMENT.
>> JUST TO GIVE YOU SOME HISTORY ABOUT THE VOTE AT THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION, THERE WERE TWO MOTIONS.
THE FIRST MOTION WAS TO RECOMMEND DENIAL AND IT WAS A TIE.
THEN CHAIRMAN LEMON BROKE THE TIE NOT IN FAVOR OF RECOMMENDING DENIAL, ACTUALLY.
THEN SO ANOTHER MOTION WAS MADE TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION, BUT WITH CONDITIONS.
AGAIN, A TIE RESULTED AND CHAIRMAN LEMON VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE CONDITION.
>> DO YOU MIND REMINDING US OF THE CONDITIONS?
>> WOULD YOU MIND REMINDING US OF WHAT THOSE CONDITIONS ARE?
>> OH, SURE. CHARL, IF YOU COULD GO BACK A COUPLE OF SLIDES, I'M SORRY.
ONE HAD TO DO WITH PARKING, OFF-STREET PARKING, PROVIDE PARKING. OH, YEAH.
SCREENING, TRASH, FIRE SUPPRESSION, EGRESS, FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, AND THEN THE RESTRICTION OF NO MORE THAN FIVE RESIDENTS PLUS ONE RESIDENT SUPERVISOR.
THEN BUILDING INSPECTIONS, A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY.
>> THANK YOU. AGAIN, FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS MEETING, CAN YOU JUST GIVE US A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF WHAT THIS PROPERTY'S USE IS GOING TO BE FOR?
>> IT'S FOR A BOARDING HOUSE FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE DRINKING ISSUES OR HARD DRINKING ISSUES.
I BELIEVE THAT THE APPLICANT IS HERE AND SHE COULD PROBABLY TALK TO YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT IT.
I BELIEVE DRUGS, THEY'RE REHABILITATING FROM DRUG USE TOO.
>> AGAIN, I WANT TO GET A SUMMARY OF WHAT THE PURPOSE FOR THE HALFWAY HOUSE IS.
SO IT'S FOR SOBRIETY AND ANYTHING ELSE ON THAT?
[00:55:01]
>> THAT WAS FROM THE CITY AT THIS POINT.
DO WE HAVE ANYONE IN THE PUBLIC WHO HAS SIGNED UP FOR THIS?
>> OH, SURE. YEAH. IF YOU HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR DEDRA.
>> DEDRA ON THIS PARTICULAR PROPERTY, IT'S CURRENTLY C1, CORRECT?
>> WITH THE BOARDING OR ROOMING HOUSE IN A C2 DISTRICT, THEY WOULD BE COMPLETELY APPROVED WITHOUT A SPECIAL USE PERMIT, CORRECT?
>> THEN THE 2050 PLAN, DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT THAT IS ZONED FOR IN THE 2050 PLAN? I LOOKED IT UP EARLIER.
I THINK IT'S EITHER ACTIVITY CENTER OR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND LIGHT INDUSTRIAL.
>> IT'S PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND LIGHT INDUSTRIAL.
>> WHICH WOULD NOT INCLUDE PLACES LIKE THIS?
>> AGAIN, SPECIAL USE PROBABLY REQUIRE A SPECIAL USE PERMIT.
>> A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT, YES.
>> YEAH, C1 ALLOWS THAT AS A SPECIFIC USE SO YOU HAVE TO GET IT INCLUDED.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR DEDRA? OF COURSE, WE CAN ASK OTHER QUESTIONS AT ANY POINT.
DO WE HAVE SOME PEOPLE THAT HAVE SIGNED UP FOR THIS?
>> YES, SIR. WE HAVE MR. DWIGHT REEVES, 402 SOUTH VALCIK DRIVE, DECATUR.
>> WHEN YOU COME UP, STATE YOUR NAME AND YOUR ADDRESS, PLEASE.
>> NO WORRIES, SIR. MY NAME IS DWIGHT REEVES.
I LIVE AT 402 SOUTH VALCIK DRIVE, DECATUR, TEXAS.
I'VE BEEN UP HERE MANY TIMES AND NO I'M NOT RUNNING FOR OFFICE.
[LAUGHTER] SEEM LIKE WE ARE HERE FREQUENTLY.
BUT ANYWAY, OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS COMPOSED OF ABOUT 25% OF SINGLE MOTHERS OR THEIR GRANDMOTHERS ARE CURRENTLY OUR MOTHERS.
THEN WE HAVE ANOTHER 25% APPROXIMATELY THAT'S MADE UP OF ABOUT 65 PEOPLE AND OVER.
I DON'T KNOW THE PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT IT'S A CONCERN FOR THEM AND THEY RANGE FROM BABIES TO HIGH SCHOOL.
HOPEFULLY, I'M NOT MISSTATING THIS, BUT THE PAROLE BOARDING HOUSE IS APPROXIMATELY TWO-TENTHS OF A MILE FROM PETTIT DAYCARE CENTER, WHICH IS ABOUT 1056 FEET.
THE ROGER STATES THERE IS ANOTHER RESIDENTIAL SECTION, JUST LIKE US IS THREE-TENTHS OF A MILE FROM THE PROPOSED PAROLE BOARDING HOUSE.
THEN WE HAVE RAND ELEMENTARY, WHICH IS FOUR-TENTHS OF A MILE, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 2000 FEET.
THEN WE HAVE THE NEW DEVELOPMENT GOING OUT BEHIND LOWE'S AND WALMART WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY FOUR-TENTHS OF A MILE, WHICH IS ABOUT 2000 FEET.
AS PROPOSED, THERE WILL BE NEW FENCES OR SCREENING AROUND THE PROPERTY.
AS YOU KNOW, FENCES HAVE NOT STOPPED 6 MILLION HOMELESS ILLEGALS COMING ACROSS THE BORDER.
SO WE FEEL LIKE THAT IS NOT A REAL SECURE FEELING.
WE DON'T GET A WARM, FUZZY FEELING ABOUT THAT.
IF YOU HAVEN'T ASKED THE DECATUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, SORRY CHIEF I'LL PUT YOU ON THE SPOT HERE, MIGHT GET HIS VIEWS.
I KNOW THIS IS JUST A READING TONIGHT SO YOU'LL HAVE TIME TO CHECK OUT WHAT I'M SAYING IS BEING CORRECT OR NOT.
THEN BECAUSE IT IS IN THE CITY LIMITS, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WOULD BE THE FIRST TO BE CALLED NOT THE COUNTY BECAUSE OF JURISDICTION FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND.
>> THEY WILL BE THE FIRST CALLED.
THEN RIGHT NOW YOU HAVE 24 TAX-PAYING RESIDENTS THAT ARE REQUESTING THAT THIS BE DENIED.
THERE ARE OTHERS THAT DID NOT SIGN THE PETITION THAT ARE IN FAVOR OF THIS BEING DENIED.
THEN THE LAST THING I HAVE IS YOU'LL BE SETTING A PRECEDENCE FOR PAROLE BOARDING HOUSES IN THE CITY EVEN THOUGH IT MEETS THE ZONING REQUIREMENTS.
IT WOULD BE A PRECEDENCE THAT YOU'D BE SETTING.
>> SORRY. IT COULD BE NEXT IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
[01:00:02]
>> THANK YOU, SIR. DO YOU HAVE ANYONE ELSE THAT'S SIGNED UP?
>> YES, SIR. MISS LORIE SHERWOOD.
>> LORIE SHERWOOD, 208 MEADOWBROOK LANE.
MY CONCERN IS THE AMOUNT OF SINGLE WOMEN IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, MY MOM BEING ONE.
WHEN MISS BARBARA MADE HER PRESENTATION, SHE TALKED ABOUT A 10:00 PM CURFEW BUT OTHER THAN THAT THERE WASN'T MUCH SECURITY.
I WORRY ABOUT MY MOM BEING OUT IN HER FLOWER BEDS WORKING AND SOMEONE WALKING THROUGH TO GET TO 380 FOR A RIDE AND BEING APPROACHED BY THEM.
I ALSO WORRY ABOUT THE SECURITY BEING WATCHED AT WHAT TIME I LEAVE FOR WORK, WHAT TIME I COME HOME.
WE'VE WORKED REALLY HARD TO KEEP A SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS EVERYBODY AND EVERYBODY TAKES CARE OF EACH OTHER AND I WANT US TO CONTINUE TO OFFER THAT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. SUSIE ANYONE ELSE?
>> NO, SIR, BUT I DID PASS OUT A LETTER EARLIER, 1803 OAKMEADOW. I'M SORRY,
>> NO, SHE WILL. WELL, I'M ASSUMING WE CAN ASK HER TO. DO YOU HAVE ANYONE ELSE SIGNED UP? WE'D LIKE TO HAVE THE APPLICANT COMMUNICATE TO THE GROUP.
OBVIOUSLY, THERE'S BEEN CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN COMMUNICATED.
I'M SURE YOU'RE VERY WELL OF THAT FROM THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING AND TODAY.
MAYBE YOU CAN ADDRESS SOME OF THOSE.
>> I HAVE SOME PAPERS THAT I MADE COPIES OF THAT I'D LIKE TO GIVE YOU JUST FOR YOUR OWN INFORMATION.
>> I'M SO SORRY. MAYOR. MA'AM, IF YOU COULD NAME PLACE AND ADDRESS. THANK YOU.
>> MY NAME IS DEBORAH CASHLUSK. THANK YOU.
>> MAIN ADDRESS, PLEASE. SORRY.
>> THE ADDRESS IN QUESTION WOULD BE 193.
>> IT'S 166 NORTH ROLLING PLAINS DRIVE, RHOME, TEXAS.
>> PLEASE PROCEED. I'M SO SORRY.
I HAVE BEEN WORKING INDICATOR FOR 29 YEARS, DELIVERING TREATMENT TO ALCOHOLIC AND ADDICTS THROUGH THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT AND THROUGH JUVENILE PROBATION, AND WORKING WITH THEIR MULTI FAMILIES SETTING.
I'VE WORKED WITH THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE COMING THROUGH DECATUR AND TREATMENT THROUGH EDUCATION CLASSES FOR THE LAST 29 YEARS.
I AM OVER RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO THIS HOUSE.
MY TREATMENT CENTER IS RIGHT NEXT DOOR, BACK BEHIND THE JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT AND NEXT TO THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.
I AM THERE EVERY DAY, AND THIS HOUSE IS RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO ME AND IT HAS ALL KINDS OF SECURITY IN IT.
IT HAS WIRELESS, SMOKE DETECTORS.
IT HAS SECURITY WHERE I KNOW WHETHER A WINDOW IS OPENED OR A DOOR IS OPEN.
YES, I WILL KNOW THROUGH THE MONITOR WHO HAS 10 YEARS IN RECOVERY, HOW HE'S GOING TO HELP.
ALCOHOLIC SYNONYMOUS IS COMING IN ONCE A WEEK TO BRING THESE GUYS SPONSORS AND MEETINGS.
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS IS GOING TO BE BRINGING A MEETING EVERY WEEK.
THERE ARE RANDOM DRUG SCREENS FROM ME AT ANY POINT IN TIME.
THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT, THESE REFERRALS ARE COMING FROM PEOPLE COMING OUT OF LONG TERM TREATMENT ANYWHERE BETWEEN SIX AND NINE MONTHS OF STAYING CLEAN AND SOBER, AND THEY ARE MONITORED THROUGH THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT, NOT POLE, BUT PROBATION DEPARTMENT.
WHAT WE HAVE FOUND, BECAUSE I HAVE AN 82% SUCCESS RATE IN MY TREATMENT CENTER, AND THIS IS SIX MONTHS LATER, 18 MONTHS LATER.
I'M NOT ONLY SEEING THE ONE THAT I SAW 25 YEARS AGO.
I'M SEEING THEIR CHILD AND THEIR GRANDCHILD NOW.
WE HAVE A PROBLEM, AND WE'RE LOOKING AT IT.
THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT HAS ASKED ME TO DEVELOP THIS PROGRAM I'LL DEVELOPED.
THEY SAY, DEB, WE'RE SEEING AN INFLUX OF PEOPLE COMING BACK OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.
THEY LIVE HERE ALREADY, BUT THEY'RE GOING BACK INTO AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THERE'S STILL ALCOHOL OR DRUGS OR IT'S NEGATIVE.
[01:05:02]
LET'S PROVIDE THEM A SAFE PLACE WHERE THEY CAN CONTINUE WITH THEIR SOBRIETY, CONTINUE WORKING ON THEIR PROGRAMS, AND CONTINUE TO BE SUCCESSFUL.I HAVE PEOPLE THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH MY PROGRAM, THAT ARE BUSINESS OWNERS IN DECATUR.
THEY'RE FROM THE COURTHOUSE TO EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD IN THIS COMMUNITY.
IT'S NOT LIKE I'M BRINGING IN ANYBODY FROM OUTSIDE.
THESE ARE RESIDENTS OF DECATUR THAT ARE REQUESTING.
I HAVE TWO SITTING IN DECATUR RIGHT NOW THAT HAS CALLED ME AND SAID, I DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO GO.
I JUST GOT OUT OF TREATMENT AND I AM NOT GOING TO GO BACK TO THAT HOUSE, AND I SAID, WELL, WE'RE IN LIEU RIGHT NOW.
WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN BEFORE I CAN GIVE YOU A PLACE TO STAY? THESE ARE HEAVILY MONITORED TO MYSELF AND THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT AND ANOTHER MONITOR WITH LONG TERM RECOVERY, AND TWO ALCOHOLIC SYNONYMOUS, AND NARCOTIC ANONYMOUS WITH OVER THREE DECADES OF SOBRIETY THAT ARE GOING TO BE HELPING THESE PEOPLE TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
TRUST ME, I DIDN'T PUT EVERY DIME OF MY RETIREMENT TO REMODEL THIS HOME FROM THE DUMP THAT IT WAS TO WHERE IT IS AESTHETICALLY VERY NICE AND HAVE THEM GO IN AND RUIN IT.
THAT'S NOT ME. THERE WON'T BE ANY USING IN THIS HOUSE AND LIKE I SAID, I'M THERE EVERY DAY.
NOW, I FULLY UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS OF THE PEOPLE.
REALLY, THERE'S ONLY ONE GENTLEMAN AND HE'S BACK BEHIND ME AND I HAVE TOLD HIM I'LL DO WHATEVER YOU NEED ME TO DO.
I CAN PUT UP A SIX FOOT BEAUTIFUL MAHOGANY STAINED CEDAR FENCE IF THAT WILL HELP YOU FEEL MORE SAFE.
BUT THESE ARE NOT USING PEOPLE.
THESE ARE CLEAN AND SOBER PEOPLE THAT WANT TO SUCCEED AND I WANT THIS COMMUNITY TO BE SAFE.
IT'S A LOT SAFER TO GO IN TO A HOUSE WHERE THEY'RE MONITORED THAN IT WOULD BE FOR THEM TO GO RIGHT BACK OUT TO THE SAME PLACE THAT LED THEM WHERE THEY WENT.
THAT'S MY SPILL ON THAT, BUT I AM WILLING TO DO WHATEVER THE GENTLEMAN BEHIND ME.
THE REST ARE SO FAR AWAY IN ANOTHER STREET, IN ANOTHER NEIGHBORHOOD.
I HAVE TWO COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS RIGHT HERE AND MORE COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS RIGHT THERE WHICH EMPLOY MY PEOPLE.
>> I WANT TO ASK SOME CLARIFICATION QUESTIONS IF YOU WILL.
NUMBER 1, ARE YOU TELLING US THAT THE COUNTY SUGGESTED THIS?
>> WHEN WE TALK ABOUT WHAT COULD BE BETTER.
WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS, WELL, IF THEY HAD A PLACE TO GO TO AFTER THEY GET OUT OF TREATMENT, THE HIGHEST RELAPSES OCCUR WHEN THEY GO BACK INTO A HIGH RISK SITUATION.
>> I UNDERSTAND ALL THAT, BUT DID THE COUNTY RECOMMEND THIS FACILITY TO YOU?
>> IS THIS A NONPROFIT OR A FOR PROFIT?
THE RESIDENTS THERE PAY FOR THAT.
THEY PAY FOR THEIR FOOD, THEY PAY FOR THEIR CLOTHING.
THEY'RE PAYING RENT AT A SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER COST IN AN EFFORT FOR THEM TO SAVE MONEY AT THEIR JOB BECAUSE THEY ALL HAVE TO BE EMPLOYED OR THEY WILL BE IN SCHOOL, WHICH WILL PROVIDE ME WITH THEM BEING IN SCHOOL AND THE PAPERWORK THAT THEY'RE BEING EDUCATED.
NOW, I HAVE HAD PEOPLE GO THROUGH CDL SCHOOL AND ALL OF THESE PEOPLE ARE IN MY TREATMENT PROGRAM AND IN AFTERCARE.
THEY'RE IN MY TREATMENT RIGHT NEXT DOOR FOR ANOTHER SIX MONTHS AND MONITORED FOR ANOTHER SIX MONTHS AFTER THAT.
>> MISS LOS, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
IT'S A GREAT THING THAT YOU'RE DOING AND I KNOW WE NEED IT IN THE COMMUNITY.
DID YOU PURCHASE THIS PROPERTY RECENTLY, AND DID YOU PURCHASE IT FOR THIS SPECIFIC USE?
BECAUSE WHEN THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS PROPERTY WAS ALREADY ZONED FOR BOARDING HOUSES, FOR BOARDING HOME AND ROOMING HOUSES, THEN I THOUGHT, WELL, I WANT THIS METAL BUILDING FOR MY TREATMENT AND THIS HOUSE.
I'M NOT SURE, IT CAN BE A RENTAL.
IT WAS A TERRIBLE DUMP, A VERY BAD EYESORE AND THERE WERE MARIJUANA PEOPLE LIVING IN IT PRIOR TO THAT BECAUSE OF ALL THE MARIJUANA APPLICATIONS ON ALL THE WALLS THAT I HAD TO RIP OFF AND REPAINT AND FIX.
I KNOW THAT WE DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT.
IT'S EVERYWHERE BUT I DON'T WANT TO RENT OUT.
[01:10:04]
I WANT TO BE ABLE TO HELP THOSE THAT NEED IT AND THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.>> WHO TOLD YOU THAT IT WAS ZONED FOR A BOARDING HOUSE?
>> IN THE C1, IT STATED THAT IT WAS BOARDING HOME, ROOMING HOUSE.
>> BUT THAT YOU HAVE TO APPLY FOR A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT?
>> IF YOU COULD HAVE GOT A PROPERTY IN THE C2, THEN YOU WOULDN'T HAVE TO BE GOING THROUGH THIS? > I WASN'T AWARE BECAUSE I'M NOT.
>> I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.
>> YOU SAID YOU WERE GOING TO HAVE WEEKLY AA MEETINGS AND NARCOTICS MEETINGS THERE?
>> ONLY WITH THE HOUSE MEMBERS.
>> ONLY WITH THE HOUSE MEMBERS.
THE GOBERS, I'M NOT SURE IF YOU'LL KNOW THEM.
GARY AND LARRY GOBER ARE GOING TO COME OVER AND SIT WITH THE GENTLEMAN TWICE A WEEK AND CONDUCT A MEETING IN THE HOUSE WITH JUST THOSE THAT LIVE THERE.
>> ALSO, YOU MADE A COMMENT THAT YOU WERE WILLING TO PUT UP A WOOD FENCE?
>> HOLD ON. I KNOW YOU'VE TALKED TO MISS RAGSDALE.
A WOOD FENCE WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR THIS.
I BELIEVE IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE 6-8 FOOT CONCRETE CINDER BLOCK FENCE IS WHAT IT'S GOING TO BE REQUIRED FOR THIS?
>> IT'S NOT REALLY RESIDENTIAL AESTHETIC.
BUT, IF THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO BE REQUIRED.
I THOUGHT IT WAS BETWEEN FOUR FOOT AND SIX FOOT THE LAST TIME I SAW.
>> 6-8 FEET FROM WHAT I'VE READ ON ALL THE RESTRICTIONS.
ALSO HAVE TO HAVE YOU TALKED TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ABOUT THE COST OF THE SPRINKLER SYSTEM?
>> IS THAT NORMAL IN A 1,600 SQUARE FOOT [OVERLAPPING]
>> IN A COMMERCIAL PROPERTY LIKE THIS IT'S GOING TO BE BOARDING PEOPLE.
>> I CAN TALK TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
I'M WILLING TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO CONTINUE TO HELP PEOPLE, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT, AND I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
I WANT THE COMMUNITY TO FEEL SAFE.
YOU KNOW, THIS HAS BEEN MY LIVELIHOOD FOR MANY YEARS, SO I'M NOT AFRAID.
I HAVE NOT ONE TIME HAD TO CALL THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OUT.
IN ALL THE YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN IN MINISTERING TREATMENT EVER.
>> DEDRA THE FIRE SUPPRESSION IS THAT A CITY ORDINANCE OR WHERE'S THAT COMING FROM, THE FIRE SUPPRESSION?
>> CHRIS IF YOU WOULD MIND COMING UP TO A MICE AND AGAIN, JUST ANNOUNCE YOUR NAME AND YOUR POSITION PLEASE WITH THE CITY.
>> CHRIS MERCER, I'M THE DIVISION CHIEF OF PREVENTION, DEDICATED FIRE DEPARTMENT.
THIS RIGHT HERE IN THIS PARTICULAR APPLICATION, AND THE FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM WOULD BE NEW DEDICATOR, IT'S RIGHT ON THE EDGE OF RESIDENTIAL, WHICH WE DON'T GENERALLY DO, RESIDENTIAL SYSTEMS. BUT IT WOULD BE REQUIRED FROM WHAT I'VE FOUND IN NFPA, BASED ON THE USAGE OF IT BEING A BOARDING HOME, AND NOT JUST A SINGLE FAMILY HOME.
>> THE BOARDING HOME DOESN'T HAVE OCCUPANCY TAG ON IT AS WELL, IN THE NFPA?
>> I WOULD HAVE TO REFERENCE BACK, I BELIEVE IT'S ONCE YOU HIT SIX.
I'M NOT SAYING THAT. OFF CUT FOR THAT READING FROM A VERBATIM FROM THE BOOK.
I KNOW I HAVE SOME OTHER QUESTIONS.
DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? [OVERLAPPING]
>> THE WALL HAS TO BE A CENTER BLOCK WALL?
>> OUR ORDINANCE SAYS A SOLID MASONRY WALL, AND I WOULD NEED TO CHECK WITH PAM BECAUSE THE LATEST PASSAGE BY THE STATE WITH REGARDS TO MATERIALS.
I DON'T KNOW THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY DICTATE THAT NOW, EVEN THOUGH OUR ORDINANCE DOES SAY MASONRY.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM COUNSEL AT THIS POINT? I WAS QUITE CURIOUS ABOUT THE FUNDING OF THE OPERATION.
DO YOU HAVE ANY GRANTS OR ANY OTHER KIND OF INCOME THAT'S COMING IN, SO IT WOULD BE STRICTLY FROM THE RESIDENTS THAT ARE REFERRED TO THIS.
>> WHAT HAVE YOU IDENTIFIED? WHAT EXACTLY IS YOUR TARGET POPULATE EXCUSE ME, TARGET POPULATION?
[01:15:02]
>> ANYTHING ELSE THAT'S A TARGET POPULATION?
>> YOU HAVE TO BE CLEAN AND SOBER AND YOU HAVE TO BE IN TREATMENT.
COMING OUT OF TREATMENT, AND IN MY TREATMENT PROGRAM OR IN ANOTHER TREATMENT PROGRAM, OF COURSE, THEY DO GRADUATE THAT AND THEY GO INTO A TO CARE.
>> IS THERE A SET CRITERIA THAT THE CLIENT DOES HAVE TO MEET OR PRECLUDE THEM FROM BEING A CLIENT AT YOUR PROPOSED RESIDENCE.
>> WE ARE LOOKING AT NO SEX OFFENDERS, NO MEDICATIONS.
I NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT, BUT THIS IS A REALLY RIGOROUS APPLICATION PROCESS.
I HAVE TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT THAT DIAGNOSIS WOULD BE, BUT WE'RE LOOKING AT JUST PRIMARY PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO GET BACK ON THEIR FEET, THAT ARE WORKING, THAT ARE THERE TO SAVE MONEY TO GO OUT AND GET IN THEIR OWN PLACED.
>> RIGHT. I'M MAKING AN ASSUMPTION THAT THERE IS SOME LICENSE PROCESS THROUGH THE STATE TO HAVE THAT.
NOT AT ALL, JUDGE. SO THERE ISN'T ANY CRITERIA THAT'S ESTABLISHED FROM THE STATE FOR THIS KIND OF FACILITY?
>> IT REALLY COMES DOWN TO WHAT YOU WOULD PUT IN PLACE FOR YOUR CRITERIA?
>> AND THESE FOLKS ARE NOT NECESSARILY COMING OUT OF PRISON, THEY'RE JUST GETTING FROM REHAB.
>> COMING OUT OF LONG-TERM REHAB.
THEY'RE NOT REQUIRED TO COME TO YOUR FACILITY?
>> I HATE TO PUT THIS IN. WHAT DOES A LONG TERM REHAB MEAN? WHAT IS THE TRUE DEFINITION OF IT? AND WHERE IS THAT DONE AT?
>> WELL, THERE ARE DIFFERENT RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE.
THE COUNTY MAY USE A THREE MONTH REHAB, AND THOSE ARE TYPICALLY IN THE INNER CITY METROPLEX AREAS.
THEN YOU HAVE A SIX MONTH SAP, WHICH ALSO INCORPORATES A TRANSITIONAL DOWN HOUSE, WHICH WOULD BE THE HALFWAY HOUSE, AND THEN THEY COME TO ME, I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO TARGET THOSE THAT ARE COMING STRAIGHT OUT OF THE SIX MONTH REHAB BECAUSE THEY ARE AWESOME, ABSOLUTELY, GREAT ATTITUDE.
THEN THE OTHER 6-9 MONTHS, IT JUST REALLY DEPENDS.
IT REALLY DEPENDS IF THEY ARE IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM, WHICH PROBABLY MOST OF THEM WILL BE, THEY'VE GOT TO BE COMPLIANT, THEY'VE GOT TO SUIT UP, THEY'VE GOT TO SHOW UP.
IF THERE'S NONCOMPLIANCE, THEN THE LEGAL SYSTEM TAKES THEM WHERE THEY NEED TO BE TO GET COMPLIANT.
>> NO, GO AHEAD, PLEASE. THIS IS RUSS.
GOOD EVENING. HAPPY MONDAY TO YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME THIS EVENING.
SAY THE POPULATION, YOU'RE AT FULL CAPACITY AND SAY THERE'S SOMEBODY LEGITIMATE THAT WANTS TO COME THROUGH AND BE A PART OF YOUR PROGRAM.
DO YOU HAVE A COLLABORATION OR SOME OTHER COLLEAGUE NEIGHBORING THAT I'VE BEEN DOWN ON? MY LUCK BEFORE, AND TO BE PERFECTLY HONEST WITH YOU, WITH THE LINE OF WORK I'M IN, I'VE PROBABLY EXACERBATED SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS. I'M NOT SAYING THAT THE LOCATION I LIKE THE IDEA OF THE THOUGHT PROCESS, BUT IS THERE A NETWORK OR SIMILAR MINDED FOLKS AS YOURSELF WITHIN THE COUNTY?
I DO NETWORK WITH BROTHER'S HOUSE, AND OXFORD HOUSE, BUT THEY'RE REMOVING THEMSELVES FROM THEIR JOB IN THEIR HOME WHERE THEIR FAMILY IS AT, POSSIBLY VISITATION WITH THEIR CHILDREN TO GO ALL THE WAY TO DALLAS TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE, AND THAT WAS A MOTIVATOR FOR ME.
THOSE ARE, A MATTER OF FACT, THE ONLY ONE THAT WE COULD FIND.
THERE WERE TWO GENTLEMEN THE ONLY ONES THAT WE COULD FIND, ONE WAS IN EL PASO, AND ANOTHER ONE WAS IN SAN ANTONIO.
>> YES, SIR. I HAVE A MASTER'S DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK AND I'M A LICENSED CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY COUNSELOR, AND I'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR 29 YEARS HERE.
>> YOU HAD MENTIONED EARLIER THAT YOU HAD A 82% [OVERLAPPING] SUCCESS RATE.
CAN YOU GIVE US WHAT THAT MEANS? I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT [OVERLAPPING]
>> WHERE SOMEBODY BEGINS THE PROGRAM AND SUCCESSFULLY DISCHARGES.
[01:20:05]
NOW, IN OUR PROGRAM, THEY COME IN FROM LONG-TERM AND THEY STILL HAVE TO DO OUTPATIENT TREATMENT.THEY COME IN ONCE A WEEK, THEY DO THREE HOURS OF GROUP AND THEY DO INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS.
NOW THEY HAVE SIX MORE MONTHS OF ONE HOUR A WEEK THAT THEY COME IN AND DO PEER SUPPORT, OF WHICH THEY'RE STILL BEING MONITORED BY ME.
I GET TO SEE THEM AND TALK WITH THEM, BUT THEY'RE DOING ONE HOUR OF PEER SUPPORT, THAT'S ANOTHER SIX MONTHS.
SO THE ONES THAT DROP OUT, THAT WOULD BE YOUR OTHER 18% THAT DON'T COME BACK FOR WHATEVER REASON.
MAYBE THEY MOVED, BUT I'M ONLY GOING BY WHERE MY SUCCESS RATE IS IN THE PROGRAM AND THE MAINTENANCE OF THAT PROGRAM.
>> DO YOU HAVE A FOLLOW-UP IN THE YEARS PREVIOUS? DO YOU GO BACK AND TOUCH BASE WITH THEM AFTER ONE YEAR, AFTER TWO YEARS?
>> WELL, THEY USUALLY COME SEE ME.
>> I CAN GO UP TO ABOUT 18 MONTHS.
I DO FOLLOW-UPS, WE'LL CALL, BUT A LOT OF THEM JUST COME BACK AND SAY HI.
THEY COME BACK AND THEY SPEAK AT SOME OF THE GROUPS ABOUT WHAT IT WAS LIKE FOR THEM WHEN THEY FIRST GOT OUT AND WHAT THEY'RE DOING TO STAY CLEAN AND SOBER.
>> RIGHT, BUT IS THERE A FOLLOW-UP FURTHER THAN THAT FURTHER ON DOWN THE LINE?
>> I THINK SHE'S ASKING IF YOU HAVE DATA PAST 18 MONTHS.
>> NO, I DON'T HAVE LONG-TERM DATA LIKE THAT OTHER THAN WHEN THEIR CHILDREN COME IN AND TELL ME OR THEY'RE BRINGING THEIR CHILDREN IN.
AND I SAY CHILDREN MEANING 20, 22-YEARS-OLD IF NOT TEENAGERS.
>> MS. RUSKY, COULD YOU WALK ME THROUGH THE INFORMATION FINDING? OBVIOUSLY, YOU SAW A LETTER FROM A COUNTY JUDGE.
THE LEVEL OF COMMUNICATION, SAY THERE'S AN ATTORNEY THAT'S TRYING TO HELP SOMEBODY OUT, SOMEBODY'S OFF PAPER, PROBATION OFFICER, HOW DO THESE FOLKS FALL INTO YOUR LAP?
>> LET'S SAY I'VE GOT TWO PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE.
IF THEY COME IN AND I KNOW THAT THEY'VE COMPLETED TREATMENT AND THEY'RE DOING EVERYTHING THEY POSSIBLY CAN, LET'S SAY, THEY GOT DIVORCED AND A LOT OF THEIR MONEY FROM THEIR JOB IS INHIBITING THEM FROM GETTING $1,800 $2,000 HOUSE TO RENT SO THEY NEED TO SAVE MONEY, THEY NEED TO GET THROUGH THIS DIVORCE.
IN SOME CASES WHAT I'VE DONE IS I'VE EVEN TALKED TO THEM AND HAD MARITAL COUNSELING ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THEM.
NOW, USUALLY, ALCOHOL OR DRUGS WAS THE PRECIPITATING FACTOR TO BEGIN WITH AND THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET BACK ALONG AGAIN AFTER THEY'VE GOTTEN CLEAN AND SOBER, SO IT'S NOT WORKING OUT.
SO I'LL DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO TRY TO GET THEM TOGETHER, SEE IF WE CAN WORK THAT OUT, AND IF NOT, AND THIS GENTLEMAN I KNOW IS CLEAN AND SOBER NEEDS A PLACE TO STAY UNTIL HE CAN GET BACK ON HIS FEET OR GET HIS OWN PLACE AND WE DO TRY, WE'RE VERY DILIGENT IN FINDING RENT HOMES THAT ARE AVAILABLE.
IT'S DOING THE BEST THAT WE CAN, BUT IF THEY CAME IN AND THEY WERE OFF A PAPER AND I ONLY HAVE TWO PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE, AND THERE'S SOMEBODY THAT I KNOW FROM MY PREVIOUS PROGRAM THAT THEY WERE IN, AND THEY'RE DOING THEIR BEST TO GET BACK ON THEIR FEET, I WOULD DEFINITELY HELP THEM, BUT I WOULD KNOW THEM.
IT'S NOT SOMEBODY OFF THE STREET.
>> ON YOUR 82% SUCCESS RATE, THAT'S A DIFFERENT PROGRAM THAN WHAT YOU'RE SAYING THIS HOUSE WILL BE, CORRECT? THAT YOU HAVE A WHOLE DIFFERENT PROGRAM THAT IS FROM [OVERLAPPING].
>> WE HAVE AN OUTPATIENT TREATMENT FACILITY.
>> IT'S BASICALLY SOMEBODY'S HAVING A LOT OF DIFFICULTIES.
THEY COME TO YOU TO GET CLEAN IN THAT PROGRAM AND THEN FROM THAT PROGRAM, IF THEY NEED A HOUSE, THAT WOULD BE AFTER THEY COMPLETED SIX MONTHS OF YOUR TREATMENT.
>> THEY HAVE TO BE CLEAN AND SOBER, YES.
>> BEFORE YOU WOULD LET THEM COME STAY TO THIS.
>> PROBABLY 98% OF THE PEOPLE THAT COME TO ME COME FROM A RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT CENTER.
THEN THEY COME INTO MY PROGRAM.
SO AS THEY'VE CONTINUED TO STAY CLEAN AND SOBER, THEY NEED A PLACE TO STAY.
THEN WE WILL LOOK AT IF WE HAVE A BED AVAILABLE, WE WOULD PLACE THEM AND THEY WOULD BE IN MY TREATMENT PROGRAM.
>> WHERE ARE THEY STAYING WHEN THEY'RE IN YOUR PROGRAM? IF THEY'RE COMING OUT OF A RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITY AND THEY'RE SEEING YOU ON A WEEKLY BASIS, WHERE ARE THEY STAYING DURING THAT TIME PERIOD?
>> RIGHT NOW THERE'S A COUPLE UP IN THE [INAUDIBLE] DECATUR MOTEL
[01:25:03]
OR THEY'RE BACK INTO THE SAME ENVIRONMENT THEY WERE WHEN THEY LEFT, WHICH IS, I'M GETTING PHONE CALLS, I NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE. WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO GO?>> [OVERLAPPING] NOT ALL OF THEM NEED A PLACE TO STAY.
>> NO. NOT ALL OF THEM. NO. THIS IS JUST TO HELP THOSE FEW THAT DON'T.
>> SO WILL THEY GO FROM THE FACILITY TREATMENT STRAIGHT INTO THE HOUSE ONCE THEY GO THROUGH YOU, OR ARE THEY GOING TO GO BACK IN THEIR ENVIRONMENT WHILE THEY'RE SEEING YOU AND THEN GO INTO THE HOUSE?
>> WELL, IT WOULD BE IDEAL IF THEY HAD A PLACE TO GO, AND THE MAJORITY DO, THE MAJORITY GO BACK IN WITH THEIR FAMILIES, BUT THERE ARE SOME, A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO COME OUT TO.
NOW, IF I'M NOT AVAILABLE, LIKE I SAID, THEY'RE GOING TO EL PASO, THEY'RE GOING OVER HERE, OR THEY GO BACK TO THIS HOUSE DOWN THE STREET THAT IS STILL USING IN THERE.
>> SO ANOTHER QUESTION THAT I HAVE IS, IS THIS HOUSE JUST SERVING ONE GENDER?
>> WHAT IS YOUR REQUIREMENT FOR CLEAN AND SOBER? HOW LONG HAVE THEY HAD TO BE CLEAN AND SOBER BEFORE THEY'RE ADMITTED IN YOUR HOUSE, OR DID THEY JUST GET SOBER YESTERDAY, OR THEY'VE HAD TO HAVE BEEN SOBER SIX MONTHS?
>> YES. THEY HAVE TO HAVE LONG-TERM RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT AND THEY HAVE TO BE MAINTAINING SOBRIETY AND COMPLIANT WITH ANY LEGAL REQUIREMENTS.
>> I'M SORRY, JAKE. GO AHEAD, DEBORAH.
>> AND THEY HAVE TO AND THEY HAVE TO MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT, THEY HAVE TO MAINTAIN THEIR MEETINGS, AND THEY HAVE TO SUBMIT RANDOM DRUG TESTS UPON REQUEST.
ANY REFUSAL, 30 MINUTE EVICTION, YOU'RE OUT OF HERE.
>> I WAS JUST GOING TO ASK HER IF SHE HAS ALL THAT WRITTEN UP IN THE FORMAT OF THE POLICIES THAT YOU INTEND TO USE.
ALSO, RELIVING TRANSITIONAL HOMES IS WHAT I LIKE TO CALL THIS.
THEY'RE TRANSITIONING BACK TO GETTING BACK ON THEIR FEET AND BEING OFFERED A CLEAN AND SOBER HOUSE TO DO IT IN FOR THOSE THAT DON'T HAVE THAT.
WE NEED WAY MORE THAN THAT, BUT ALL I'M GOING TO DO IS A HANDFUL.
THAT'S ALL THIS HOUSE WILL HOLD.
>> SO HAVE YOU RUN ONE OF THESE HOUSES BEFORE?
>> AND HAVE YOU REACHED OUT TO ANYONE THAT HAS DONE THAT?
>> AND YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A RESIDENT AGREEMENT, OR HAVE YOU GOT OTHER POLICIES OR PROCEDURES THAT YOU WOULD BE FOLLOWING OR HAVE IN PLACE FOR THIS BUSINESS?
>> FOR THIS BUSINESS. SO I HAVEN'T LOOKED AT IT AS A BUSINESS.
I JUST LOOKED AT IT AS A HOUSE, SO I UNDERSTAND.
>> YOU HAVE REVENUE THAT'S COMING IN.
>> YEAH, I HAVE POLICIES THAT ARE GOING TO GO ALONG WITH THIS PROCEDURES OR A LOT OF WHAT I'VE JUST TOLD YOU.
RENTAL AGREEMENTS, I GOT THAT TYPED UP AND READY TO GO, WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO, THIS AND THIS AND THIS, AND THIS IS GOING TO BE FOLLOWED UP, AND I'VE GOTTEN A MAJORITY OF ALL OF MY STUFF FROM ALL THESE OTHER SOBER LIVING HOMES THAT HAVE SUCCEEDED.
>> RIGHT. WELL, AND THAT'S WHERE I WAS GOING WITH THAT, IS WHEN YOU CONTACTED THEM HOW YOU COULD SHARE, BEST PRACTICES, AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS, AND WHAT YOU'VE BEEN ABLE TO THAT YOU BELIEVE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO PUT IN PLACE.
THE OTHER THING, I'M JUST CURIOUS IF YOU'VE PUT TOGETHER A BUSINESS PLAN OR THAT KIND OF THING.
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE EXPENSES. HAVE YOU FIGURED OUT WHAT YOUR EXPENSES ARE GOING TO BE?
>> YES. I'VE GOT UTILITIES AND I'VE GOT THE MORTGAGE PAYMENT.
>> YOU HAVE A STAFF MEMBER YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HIRE?
NO, [LAUGHTER] I'M NOT A LIVE IN.
HE HASN'T ASKED FOR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
HE HASN'T ASKED FOR IT OTHER THAN HE WON'T BE PAYING RENT.
>> DO YOU HAVE A PERSON IN MIND THAT WOULD BE [OVERLAPPING] ON SITE? JUDGE.
>> I DO HAVE A QUESTION. GOING TO WHERE YOU WERE AT, THE OTHER HOUSES, GOING TO LUBBOCK, OTHER HOUSES.
HOW MANY OTHER HOUSES OUT THERE ARE LIKE THIS?
[01:30:02]
>> BECAUSE YOU KEEP REFERENCING HUNDREDS OF HUNDREDS OF MILES AWAY, AND THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT.
>> IT'S BASED ON AVAILABILITY.
SO WHAT I'VE REFERRED TO, THEY ARE PRETTY FAR AWAY, OTHER THAN MUNSTER AND OXFORD HOUSE, BUT YOU'RE STILL TALKING ABOUT 30-45 MILES AWAY WHERE BROTHERS HOUSE IS, BUT THEY HAVE, WELL, I SAY 100 BEDS, AND OXFORD HOUSE HAS A LOT LESS THAN THAT, BUT THEY HAVE A TURNOVER.
SO THEY COME IN, THEY STAY CLEAN AND SOBER, THEY GO TO MEETINGS.
AND ALL OF THIS INFORMATION THAT I HAVE ISN'T BECAUSE I'VE EVER RUN ONE BEFORE, BUT IT'S BECAUSE I'VE DEALT WITH THE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THEM.
AND ONCE I NOTIFIED THEM AND ASKED THEM IF THEY COULD SHARE THAT INFORMATION WITH ME ON THE SUCCESS OF A TRANSITIONAL HOUSE SOBER LIVING, THEY WERE VERY WILLING.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE ONES THAT ARE COMING BACK INTO DECATUR HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT IN DECATUR BECAUSE THIS IS WHERE THEY'RE WORKING.
I DON'T WANT TO SEE SOMEBODY FALL ON THEIR FACE AND GET SENT OUT OF TOWN BECAUSE THEY'RE TRYING TO GET BACK ON THEIR FEET.
>> WELL, 10:00 PM IS THE CURFEW.
THERE ARE NO WOMEN ALLOWED IN THE HOUSE.
ON THE WEEKENDS, THERE'S 10:00 PM CURFEW, IF THEY WANT TO BRING THEIR CHILDREN OVER, BUT THIS ISN'T PARTY TIME.
SO THESE ALL HAVE TO BE APPROVED VISITATION THROUGH ME.
I HAVE TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT'S GOING ON.
MORE THAN LIKELY THEY'RE GOING TO GO TO SEE THEIR CHILDREN WHEREVER THEY'RE LIVING.
BUT IF THEY WANTED TO BRING THEM OVER, THAT WOULD BE FINE.
THAT WOULD BE FINE IF THEY WANTED TO SPEND A FEW HOURS WITH THEM.
>> WELL, I IMAGINE THAT THERE'S PROBABLY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS EVERYONE ON THIS COUNCIL WOULD HAVE.
>> MAYOR MIKE ONE MORE. IF I WAS A FEMALE THAT WOULD QUALIFY FOR THIS PROGRAM, WHERE WOULD MY STEPPING STONE, BECAUSE I COULDN'T STAY IN YOUR HOUSE.
>> RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE A PLACE IN CHICO THAT IS TAKING FEMALES.
I THOUGHT OF THAT BECAUSE WOMEN ARE JUST AS MUCH IN NEED TOO.
BUT RIGHT NOW THE WAY THAT CHICO IS RIGHT THERE, IT'S RIGHT THERE NEXT TO BRIDGEPORT.
THEY HAVE A SERVICE AVAILABLE FOR WOMEN AT THIS TIME.
>> DON'T TAKE ANY MALE POPULATION.
>> VERY RARELY ARE YOU GOING TO FIND FEMALE MALE MIXED.
>> HAVE YOU LOOKED IN, ASKED THESE OTHER PLACES OR HAD LEGAL COUNSEL LOOK AT YOUR CONTRACTOR MAKING WITH THEM AND TO SEE HOW HARD IT IS TO EVICT THESE PEOPLE?
>> I HAVEN'T TALKED TO LEGAL COUNSEL BUT I DID GET MY RENTAL AGREEMENT FROM ROCKET LAWYER.
>> THAT MIGHT BE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO LOOK AT, EVICTIONS ARE NOT EASY.
>> I DO HAVE THE NAME OF AN ATTORNEY, I WAS GOING TO TALK WITH BUT I THOUGHT I WOULD TRY TO GET THIS.
I DON'T WANT TO KEEP SPENDING MORE AND MORE MONEY ON SOMETHING THAT I HAVE NO SURETY OF.
>> I ONLY HAVE TWO MORE REAL QUESTIONS.
ONE IS, DO YOU HAVE A JOB DESCRIPTION THAT'S IDENTIFIED WHAT THE ROLE OF THE RESIDENT WHO WOULD BE OVERSEEING THE FIVE, I GUESS, CLIENTS?
>> YES, AND I HAVEN'T TYPED THAT UP.
I'VE ONLY DISCUSSED THAT WITH HIM.
BEING IN THE HOUSE, HAVE MEETINGS, MEDIATE ANY TYPE OF DISCUSSION OR BEHAVIORS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED, LIKE ISOLATION, STAYING ON THE PHONE.
WE WILL GET TOGETHER WHEN OUR PUSH COMES TO SHOVE ON THIS, AND WE WILL GET TOGETHER TO SEE EXACTLY WHAT TYPE OF, BUT HE'S VERY QUALIFIED IN HANDLING THINGS LIKE THIS.
>> THE PERSON THAT YOU HAVE IN MIND IS SOMEBODY THAT HAS BEEN IN THIS TYPE OF ROLE IN HALFWAY HOME BEFORE?
[01:35:01]
>> YES, I HAVE A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM PEOPLE.
>> THE LAST QUESTION I WOULD HAVE IS, IT'S 24/7, 365.
THAT PERSON PROBABLY HAS OTHER THINGS THAT AT SOME POINT THAT THEY NEED TO DO OR [OVERLAPPING]
>> BRING THEM OUT BY ILLNESS OR WHAT HAVE YOU.
>> EVERYBODY IN THE HOUSE WILL WORK DURING THE DAY, DO YOU SEE? WHEN THEY COME IN, THEY'RE GOING TO BE EXPECTED TO CLEAN UP, EAT, AND DO WHAT THE MAJORITY OF US DO, AFTER WE'RE WORKING ALL DAY.
THE HOUSE, LIKE I SAID, CLOSES AT 10:00 PM.
>> HE'S BASICALLY LOOKING FOR ANY TYPES OF BEHAVIORS THAT WOULD DRAW ATTENTION TO HIM.
>> WE'RE ON VACATION TIME, CHRISTMAS, SOMEBODY, DO YOU HAVE A BACK UP PERSON?
>>NOTHING. I'VE GOT A HUSBAND, THAT HAS BEEN WORKING EVERY DAY AFTER WORK FOR THE LAST NINE MONTHS ON THIS HOUSE.
HE'S A TRUCK DRIVER AND HE WORKS 14, 16 HOUR DAYS.
HE COMES IN AND DEVOTES HIS TIME IN THE EVENING TIMES TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON THIS HOUSE.
I DON'T THINK MY HUSBAND AND WE'VE DISCUSSED IT, HE SAID, I'LL GO OVER THERE AND HE'S THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY.
>> MS. LUSK, WHEN YOU SAY THE FACILITY CLOSES AT 10, IT'S MAXIMUM STATE FIVE SECURITY.
>> THE DOORS ARE LOCKED OR YOU CAN STILL STEP OUT AND BURN ONE DOWN [OVERLAPPING]
I'M NOT TRYING TO TREAT THESE MEN LIKE BABIES.
>> YES, MA'AM. WHEN YOU SAY THAT THE FACILITY IS DONE AT 10 O'CLOCK.
>> AT 10 O'CLOCK EVERYBODY SHOULD BE IN THE HOUSE.
THEY'VE ALL GOT TO GET UP AND GO TO WORK.
I'VE GOT PLENTY OF ALSO OF JOBS AVAILABLE.
IF THEY WERE NEEDING A JOB, I'VE GOT THOSE AVAILABLE TOO.
>> DOES COUNSEL HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS AT THIS POINT? WELL, MS. LUSK, I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOU APPEARING BEFORE US AND COMMUNICATING YOUR DESIRE.
I THINK ON BEHALF OF THE COUNSEL, WE'VE ALL HAVE ADDRESSED THE CONCEPT.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR DESIRE TO PROVIDE THAT IN A COMMUNITY, SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.
>> I'LL MAKE A COMMENT IF I MAY.
I HAVEN'T CLOSED THIS. ANY OTHER COMMENT? I FEEL LIKE AS A COUNSEL NEXT TIME WE MEET, WE NEED TO EITHER APPROVE IT OR DENY IT.
I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD DRAIN ALL THE MONEY WE CAN FROM HER BY MAKING HER PUT FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS IN.
IF THE CODE IS THAT SHE PUTS FIRE SUPPRESSION, WE PUT FIRE SUPPRESSION.
BUT IF IT'S NOT, SHE DEFINITELY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO.
THIS NEEDS TO BE A MOTION THAT'S EITHER VOTED FOR OR AGAINST, AND WE DON'T NEED TO ATTACH A BUNCH OF RIDICULOUS THINGS TO DRAIN HER FUND. WE'RE NOT GOING [OVERLAPPING]
>> WE JUST IDENTIFIED THOSE CONDITIONS, COUNCIL MEMBER HAYES, SO THAT IT WOULD BE CLEAR TO HER THAT THESE ARE REQUIREMENTS.
THEY'RE NOT OPTIONAL, THEY ARE IN THE CODE.
>> CAN WE CLARIFY THE CODE BEFORE THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING? BECAUSE THERE SEEMS LIKE THERE'S A LOT OF QUESTIONS ON WHAT TYPE OFFENSE NEEDS TO BE PUT UP, IF SHE WILL ACTUALLY NEED FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM.
THERE'S SEVERAL FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM, THAT'S A HUGE EXPENSE, AND IF SHE DOESN'T NEED FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM, THEN THAT SHOULD BE COMMUNICATED AS WELL, IN MY OPINION. GO AHEAD.
>> IF YOU COULD ADDRESS THIS AGAIN, WAYNE.
>> THIS WOULD FALL UNDER AN R3 OCCUPANCY FROM WHAT I CAN SEE IN THE CODE CONGREGATE LIVING HOUSES.
AT THAT POINT IT BECOMES A COMMERCIAL FACILITY.
IT CLEARLY STATES WHAT THE REQUIREMENTS ARE WITH THAT, WHICH INCLUDES A RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLER SYSTEM THAT WILL BE INCLUDED WITH THIS, BOASTING, EGRESS, LIGHTING, EMERGENCY LIGHTING, ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A COMMERCIAL BUILDING.
[NOISE] THE CODE ADDRESSES THAT BECAUSE IT IS A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE ARE SLEEPING.
THIS IS A HABITATION THAT'S IN THERE, AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE AT THEIR MOST VULNERABLE IN THAT STATE.
[01:40:02]
EVERYBODY IN THE HOUSE ASLEEP, SOMETHING HAPPENS, AND OF COURSE, YOU HAVE MORE THAN JUST A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL USE THAT'S GOING ON HERE.THE FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM, THE FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM WOULD BE REQUIRED ON THAT.
>> R3, IT'S A RESIDENTIAL USE.
>> THANK YOU CHIEF, BUILDING OFFICIAL WAYNE SMITH.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS BEFORE WE CLOSE THIS ITEM? WE WILL CLOSE ITEM 1 AT 7:12 AND WE WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 2 AT 7:12.
[2. CONSIDER FIRST READING OF THE ORDINANCE AND A PUBLIC HEARING GIVING ALL INTERESTED PERSONS THE RIGHT TO APPEAR AND BE HEARD ON AN AMENDMENT TO APPENDIX “B,” “ZONING” OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF DECATUR, TEXAS TO GRANT A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT TO ALLOW A DETACHED ACCESSORY DWELLING IN AN SF-2, SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICT, ON APPROXIMATELY 0.22 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT 305 S. TRINITY STREET. (SPECIFIC USE PERMIT APPLICATION 2024-02— MR. MATTHEW COOKE) (THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMEND APPROVAL WITH THE CONDITION THAT PRIOR TO OCCUPYING THE DETACHED ACCESSORY DWELLING, THE APPLICANT MUST SCHEDULE A SITE VISIT TO INSPECT FOR MINIMUM STANDARDS WITH THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT, 4-0, VICE-CHAIRMAN KLOSE AND 201 E. Walnut P.O. Box 1299 Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 393-0200 Voice (940) 393-0201 Fax COMMISSIONER HICKS ABSENT.) SUP2024-02]
THIS IS CONSIDERED THE FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE IN THE PUBLIC HEARING, GIVING ALL INTERESTED PERSONS THE RIGHT TO APPEAR AND BE HEARD ON THE AMENDMENT TO APPENDIX B, ZONING CODE OF ORDINANCES, CITY OF DECATUR.THIS IS SPECIFIC USE PERMIT 2024/02. DEDRA.
>> THIS IS MR. MATTHEW COOK'S REQUEST TO GRANT A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT TO ALLOW A DETACHED ACCESSORY DWELLING IN AN SF-2 SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICT.
PROPERTY IS APPROXIMATELY 0.22 ACRES OF LAND, LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS BLOCK 3, STRATTON ADDITION, AND IS MORE COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS 305 SOUTH TRINITY STREET.
ACCESSORY DWELLINGS ARE PERMITTED WITH THE SPECIFIC USE PERMIT IN THE SF-2 SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICT.
THIS WAS IDENTIFIED IN THE 2015 REWRITE OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE.
THE STRUCTURE FOR THE PROPOSED DETACHED ACCESSORY DWELLING HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE SINCE 1940 PER WISE COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT.
THEY ARE NOW WANTING TO TAKE THAT STRUCTURE AND TURN IT INTO AN ACCESSORY DWELLING.
IT DOES MEET OUR MINIMUM STANDARDS OR IS IN SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE WITH THE CRITERIA FOR GRANTING AN SUP.
AS LONG AS THE APPLICANT DOES SCHEDULE SITE VISIT TO INSPECT FOR MINIMUM STANDARDS WITH THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT, PRIOR TO OCCUPYING THE DETACHED ACCESSORY STRUCTURE.
THIS IS EXISTING LAND USE, WHICH IS DOWNTOWN, AND THEN THE EXISTING ZONING MAP SF-2.
THIS IS THE PROPOSED SITE PLAN AND FLOOR PLAN.
WE DID NOTIFY 31 PROPERTY OWNERS.
WE DID NOT RECEIVE ANY NOTIFICATIONS BACK.
STAFF IS RECOMMENDING THAT THE SUP BE APPROVED WITH THE CONDITION, AS I MENTIONED THAT THEY SCHEDULE A SITE VISIT TO INSPECT FOR MINIMUM STANDARDS WITH THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT PRIOR TO OCCUPYING THE DETACHED ACCESSORY STRUCTURE.
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION ALSO RECOMMENDS APPROVAL WITH THAT CONDITION 4-0, WITH VICE CHAIRMAN KLOSE AND COMMISSIONER HICKS ABSENT.
>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER REPORT FROM THE CITY ON THAT? SUSIE, DO WE HAVE ANYONE SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS? THEN IS THE APPLICANT HERE? HEARING NO ONE RESPOND TO THAT, I ASSUME NOT.
COUNCIL, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? WE'LL LOOK FOR A MOTION.
>> THANK YOU. I WAS MOVING SO FORWARD ON THAT.
WE'LL LOOK FORWARD TO THAT NEXT TIME.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON THIS PRIOR TO CLOSING? WE'LL CLOSE THIS ITEM AT 07:16 THANK YOU, DETRA.
[3. CONSIDER TAKING ACTION ON A REQUEST TO PRELIMINARY PLAT LOTS 1X, 2X, 5X, 6X, 1- 114, BLOCK 1, LOTS 1-17, BLOCK 2, LOTS 4X, 1-81, BLOCK 3, LOTS 3X, 1-13, BLOCK 4, LOTS 1- 25, BLOCK 5, LOTS 1-11, BLOCK 6, LOTS 1-6, BLOCK 7, MEADOW CREEK ADDITION, TO THE CITY OF DECATUR, WISE COUNTY, TEXAS, BEING AN APPROXIMATE 137.02-ACRE TRACT OF LAND, OF WHICH 83.22 ACRES IS IN THE WILLIAM S. HOGUE SURVEY, ABSTRACT NUMBER 385, WISE COUNTY, TEXAS, AND OF WHICH 53.80 ACRES IS IN THE SMITH BOWEN SURVEY, ABSTRACT NUMBER 51, CITY OF DECATUR, WISE COUNTY, TEXAS. (PRELIMINARY PLAT APPLICATION 2023-11—MR. JODY BOYD, ON BEHALF OF RICK AND DEREK MCCARLEY) (THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMEND CONDITIONAL APPROVAL WITH THE CONDITION THAT NO FINAL PLAT BE APPROVED AND NO CONSTRUCTION BE ALLOWED UNTIL THE ACCEPTANCE LETTER OF APPROVAL FROM THE SERVICE PROVIDER, ENLINK, IS RECEIVED, 3-1, COMMISSIONER BERUBE OPPOSED, VICE-CHAIRMAN KLOSE AND COMMISSIONER HICKS ABSENT.) PP2023-11]
THIS IS CONSIDERING TAKING ACTION ON A REQUEST TO PRELIMINARY PLAT.THE PRELIMINARY PLAT APPLICATION IS 2023-11 AND RESOLUTION 2024-0201.
>> THIS IS JODY BOYD'S REQUEST ON BEHALF OF RICK AND DERRICK MCCARLEY TO PRELIMINARY PLAT THE MEADOW CREEK ADDITION.
IT'S APPROXIMATELY 137.02 ACRES OF LAND OF WHICH 83.22 IS IN THE WILLIAM S HOGUE SURVEY, ABSTRACT NUMBER 385 AND 53.8 ACRES IS IN THE SMITH BOWEN SURVEY ABSTRACT NUMBER 51.
[01:45:01]
PROPERTY IS MORE COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS 3363 SOUTH FM 730.WE DID PROVIDE YOU WITH SOME OUTSTANDING COMMENTS BY THE DRC.
THE PRIMARY ONE OR THE ONLY ONE ACTUALLY BEING WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE ACCEPTANCE LETTER BY THE OLEN GAS WELL INDUSTRY WITH REGARDS TO THEIR PRELIMINARY PLAT.
NOW, THEY'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS, EMAILS BACK AND FORTH, WHICH THEY HAVE FORWARDED TO US, BUT OUR LEGAL TEAM HAS TOLD US THAT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE.
WE'RE LOOKING FOR A SPECIFIC FORMAT TO BE SUBMITTED TO US WITH REGARDS TO THE GAS WELLS AND THE GAS LINES.
NEXT SLIDE. THESE ARE JUST THE CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE APPLICANT.
NEXT SLIDE. I'M TRYING TO ADDRESS OUR COMMENTS.
BECAUSE THEY DID NOT ADDRESS THE ONE COMMENT, THE PLAT DOES NOT MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF THE CITY OF DECATUR ZONING ORDINANCE, SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS, AND DESIGN STANDARDS.
WE'VE NOT RECEIVED ANY REVISED DOCUMENTS AS OF FEBRUARY 12TH.
THE APPLICANT WAS PROVIDED OUR COMMENTS BACK IN JANUARY 23RD, 2024, AND AS I MENTIONED, THEY DID PROVIDE US WITH A RESPONSE.
WE JUST DID NOT SEE IT AS ACCEPTABLE AS MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CODE. GO BACK, PLEASE.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 212 OF THE TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, WE DID POST THE ITEM FOR THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL WITH CONDITIONS OR DENIAL.
THEY DID RECOMMEND APPROVAL WITH CONDITIONS.
STAFF IS STILL RECOMMENDING DENIAL BECAUSE IT DOES NOT MEET OUR MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.
THE CONDITIONAL APPROVAL BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION, THE RECOMMENDATION IS THAT NO CONSTRUCTION BE ALLOWED UNTIL THE ACCEPTANCE LETTER OF APPROVAL FROM THE SERVICE PROVIDER, ENLINK, IS RECEIVED AND THIS WAS 3:1 WITH COMMISSIONER BERUBE OPPOSED, AND VICE CHAIRMAN KLOSE AND COMMISSIONER HICKS ABSENT.
>> VERY GOOD. DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS?
>> THIS HAS TO DO WITH GAS LINES, RIGHT?
>> AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THE HANG UP IN THE PAST WAS THAT THEY COULDN'T MOVE BECAUSE OF GAS LINES, EXPLAIN THIS TO ME, THE WORKS.
EXPLAIN IT IN THE WAY YOU EXPLAINED THIS TO ME.
>> YES, MA'AM. THEY ESSENTIALLY CREATE GRIDLOCK AMONGST THEMSELVES, THEY NEED MORE INFORMATION FROM THE PRELIMINARY PLAT TO BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH PROCESSING AN AGREEMENT THAT THE OIL AND GAS PROVIDER WOULD EXECUTE WITH THEM.
JODY OR TROY WOULD DO A MUCH BETTER JOB OF EXPLAINING IT, BUT THAT'S THE BASICS.
OUR ORDINANCE AND THEIR DESIRES ARE A GRIDLOCK AT THE MOMENT.
THAT IS ALL I WOULD OFFER. NAME AND ADDRESS [OVERLAPPING].
JODY BOYD 404 NORTH OAK STREET, RONAK, TEXAS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, MR. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
YES, MA'AM, MISS REEVES, ESSENTIALLY, HERE'S THE ISSUE FOR US FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE.
PART OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE FACILITY RELOCATION AGREEMENT THAT WE HAVE WITH THESE PIPELINE FOLKS, HAS TO BE TIED TO SOMETHING.
IN ORDER FOR US TO GET OUR CONSTRUCTION PRINTS DONE AND MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROCESS, WE HAVE TO HAVE A PRELIMINARY PLAT.
PRELIMINARY PLAT IN OUR OPINION, NEEDS TO COME FIRST SO THAT WE CAN THEN LAY OUT EXACTLY WHERE THAT PIPELINE NEEDS TO GO IN ORDER TO NEGOTIATE THAT FACILITY RELOCATION AGREEMENT.
WE UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS, WE'VE SPOKEN WITH STAFF, WE GET THAT, WE DISAGREE ON THIS ONE PARTICULAR ITEM.
WE DO HAVE EMAILS THAT SAY THEY AGREED TO MOVE THE LINES SO LONG AS WE PAY FOR IT, THAT STUFF.
>> THAT'S WHY THE PNC HAS APPROVED IT 3:1 WITH CONDITIONS?
>> THAT YOU CANNOT MOVE FORWARD.
>> THAT WOULD BE OUR REQUEST TONIGHT THAT WE'RE FINE WITH THAT CONDITIONAL APPROVAL.
WE UNDERSTAND ULTIMATELY WE HAVE TO GET THE OIL AND GAS COMPANIES TO SIGN OFF ON THE RELOCATION OF THE PIPELINE, AND WE'RE HAPPY TO GET THAT DONE AS WE COORDINATE THAT THROUGH THE CONSTRUCTION PRINTS FOR THE SUBDIVISION.
[01:50:02]
THAT WOULD BE OUR REQUEST THIS EVENING.>> VERY GOOD. MA'AM, AS OUR LEGAL, WHERE DO YOU STAND WITH THIS?
>> THE PNC COULD HAVE RECOMMENDED APPROVAL, THEY COULD HAVE RECOMMENDED DENIAL WITH REASONS, OR THEY COULD HAVE RECOMMENDED APPROVAL WITH CONDITIONS, OR IN THIS CASE, ONE CONDITION, AND THAT'S WHAT THEY CHOSE TO DO.
ALL THREE OF THOSE WOULD HAVE BEEN LEGALLY PERMISSIBLE.
I THINK THAT STAFF HAS DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB TOEING THE LINE OF WHAT THE ORDINANCE REQUIRES.
HOWEVER, YOU ALSO MAY BE UNDERSTANDING TO THE BUSINESS POSITION OF THE APPLICANT NOT BEING ABLE TO GET CERTAIN FUNDING UNTIL THEY GET A PRELIMINARY PLAT, THEY CAN'T GET A PRELIMINARY PLAT BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET THE GAS LINE OPERATOR TO SIGN A LETTER, BUT OUR ORDINANCE DOES REQUIRE A LETTER.
I'M NOT GOING TO RECOMMEND TO YOU WHAT TO DO BECAUSE THAT IS REALLY IN YOUR PURVIEW AS COUNCIL MEMBERS.
BUT TO APPROVE WITH CONDITION IS APPROPRIATE IF YOU BELIEVE IT'S APPROPRIATE, SO IS DENIAL WITH REASONS IF YOU BELIEVE, IT'S APPROPRIATE.
>> THE WAY THAT THE PLANNING ZONING PUT THAT FORTH, THAT CONDITION REALLY SAFEGUARDS US AND PUTS US IN THE SAME PLACE WE WOULD BE WITH THE ORDINANCE.
>> YES. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? IF NOT, WE'LL LOOK FOR A MOTION.
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION, MR. MAYOR, TO APPROVE THE PRELIMINARY PLAT APPLICATION 2023-11, WITH THE CONDITION THAT NO FINAL PLAT BE APPROVED AND NO CONSTRUCTION BE ALLOWED UNTIL THE ACCEPTANCE LETTER OF APPROVAL FROM THE SERVICE PROVIDER, ENLINK, IS RECEIVED.
>> I'LL SECOND THAT MORE, MAYOR.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT MOTION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> OPPOSED SAME SIGN. THAT PASSES. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
ITEM 5, CONSIDER TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF DECATUR AUTHORIZING APPLICANT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVISION OF THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR FOR THE RIFLE RESISTANCE BODY ARMOR GRANT PROGRAM.
>> MAYOR, A QUICK POINT OF ORDER.
I'M EXCITED TO MOVE ON AS WELL, BUT WE MISSED ITEM 4.
>> DID WE? WELL, I NEED TO REMOVE THIS PAPER CLIP.
LOOK, THERE'S ITEM 4 HIDING BUT NO LONGER.
THANK YOU, NATE, FOR THE POINT OF ORDER.
LET'S DO THAT. LET'S DO ITEM 4.
[4. CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING A RESOLUTION ORDERING AND CALLING FOR A JOINT GENERAL ELECTION BETWEEN THE CITY OF DECATUR, THE DECATUR INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND WISE COUNTY WATER SUPPLY DISTRICT TO BE HELD ON MAY 4, 2024 FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING A MAYOR (AT-LARGE) AND THREE (3) COUNCIL MEMBERS: PLACE 1, PLACE 3 (SINGLE MEMBER GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRICTS) AND PLACE 5 (AT-LARGE) FOR TWO (2) YEAR TERMS EACH TO SERVE AS MEMBERS OF THE DECATUR CITY COUNCIL; AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A JOINT ELECTION AGREEMENT WITH WISE COUNTY ELECTIONS OFFICE TO CONDUCT THE ELECTION; SETTING FORTH POLLING DATES, TIMES AND LOCATIONS FOR EARLY VOTING AND ELECTION DAY VOTING; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION OF NOTICES AS REQUIRED BY LAW AND PROVIDING PROCEDURES TO CONDUCT THE ELECTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH CITY CHARTER AND STATE LAW. RESOLUTION R2024-02-01]
CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING A RESOLUTION ORDERING AND CALLING OF A JOINT GENERAL ELECTION BETWEEN THE CITY OF DECATUR AND THE DECATUR INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT.THIS IS RESOLUTION 2024-02-01.
>> MAYOR AND COUNCIL, IT'S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR WHERE WE CALL FOR AN ELECTION, HOLD IT JOINTLY WITH OUR PARTNERS AT THE COUNTY AND OUR PARTNERS AT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE WATER DISTRICT, TEXAS ELECTION CODE, AND OUR LOCAL CHARTER REQUIRES A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THOSE ACTIONS.
IF YOU SO CHOOSE TO APPROVE THIS TONIGHT, IT WILL ALLOW SUSIE TO PREPARE THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS AND US TO CARRY OUT A JOINT ELECTION.
>> ANY QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL?
I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE RESOLUTION R 2024-02-01.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THAT? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY, AYE.
>> OPPOSED, SAME SIGN. THANK YOU.
ITEM 4 CHECKED OFF. THANK YOU.
ITEM 5, CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION
[5. CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF DECATUR AUTHORIZING APPLICATION WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVISION OF THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR FOR THE RIFLE RESISTANT BODY ARMOR GRANT PROGRAM; TO BE OPERATED FOR THE 2025 FISCAL BUDGET YEAR AND DESIGNATE THE CITY MANAGER AS THE GRANT’S AUTHORIZED OFFICIAL. RESOLUTION R2024-02-03]
REGARDING THE RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF DECATUR FOR THE GRANT FOR RESOLUTION 2024-02-03.>> I'LL LET CHIEF CAMPBELL HAVE [OVERLAPPING].
>> THIS IS GOING TO BE FOR THE RIFLE-RESISTANT BODY ARMOR GRANT.
WE'VE ACTUALLY RECEIVED THIS GRANT PROBABLY ABOUT SIX YEARS AGO.
ALL THOSE VESTS AND EVERYTHING THAT WE RECEIVED AT THAT POINT IN TIME HAVE STARTED TO EXPIRE, SO WE HAVE DECIDED TO RE-UP ON THAT GRANT TO BE ABLE TO PURCHASE SOME ADDITIONAL BODY ARMOR.
>> VERY GOOD. ANY QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL?
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION, MR. MAYOR, TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024-02-03.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THAT MOTION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THAT MOTION SAY AYE.
[6. CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON A RESOLUTION ADOPTING AN UPDATED INVESTMENT POLICY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. RESOLUTION R2024-02-02]
CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON A RESOLUTION ADOPTING AND UPDATING THE INVESTMENT POLICY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE RESOLUTION R2024-02-02. ANNA.[01:55:09]
>> THIS IS JUST A REQUIREMENT TO UPDATING OUR POLICY YEAR TO YEAR, AND THE ONLY THINGS THAT HAVE CHANGED IS UPDATING THE GOVERNMENT SECURITIES AND THE BROKERS, DEALERS AT THE VERY END OF THE POLICY, BUT THERE'S NO OTHER CHANGES.
>> COULD YOU READ THAT WORD FOR WORD FOR US FROM BEGINNING TO END?
>> [LAUGHTER] NO, EDDIE, BUT THANK YOU.
>> WE'LL JUST HOLD ON TAKE YOU A LITTLE BIT LONGER.
>> NO, HE SAID HE SAID HE WAS GOING TO ASK ME SOMETHING TO SAY.
>> ALL RIGHT. [LAUGHTER] NICELY ANSWERED.
ASKED AND ANSWERED. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
>> I MAKE A MOTION, MR. MAYOR, TO APPROVE RESOLUTION R2024-02-02.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ANY DISCUSSION ON THAT MOTION? BILL, YOU GOT ANY DISCUSSION ON THAT MOTION?
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THAT MOTION SAY AYE.
>> OPPOSED SAME SIGN. THAT PASSES.
[7. CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION AMENDING THE EXISTING PROCUREMENT POLICY GOVERNING THE EXPENDITURE OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR GOODS AND SERVICES. ]
CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING AN AMENDMENT TO THE EXISTING PROCUREMENT POLICY GOVERNING THE EXPENDITURES OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR GOODS AND SERVICES.THE ONLY CHANGES TO THE EXISTING PROCUREMENT POLICY WAS THAT WE SEPARATED INTO,ONE, TO MAKE IT THE POLICY THAT WE FOLLOW AS A CITY STAFF, AND THE OTHER PART IS JUST THE MANUAL, THE PROCEDURES, HOW ARE YOU HANDLING THE WORKFLOW OF THE POLICY.
THEN SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS ON THIS POLICY, WE INCREASED THE THRESHOLD, INCREASE IT FROM 2,500-3,000, AND JUST SPECIFYING ALL THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ANYTHING FROM BETWEEN 3,000-5,000.
WE INCORPORATED THE INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR POLICY AND PROCEDURES AS WELL.
THE MAIN REASON WAS THAT JUST TO SEPARATE THOSE IN TWO.
>> ANY QUESTIONS? HEARING NONE, WE'LL LOOK FOR A MOTION.
BILL, WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION?
>> OKAY. COUNCIL, WHAT'S YOUR PLEASURE?
>> MAYOR, I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THE EXISTING PROCUREMENT POLICY GOVERNING THE EXPENDITURE OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR GOODS AND SERVICES.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THAT MOTION?
>> MS [INAUDIBLE], DID YOU MEAN TO SAY WE APPROVE THE AMENDMENT TO THE EXISTING PROCUREMENT POLICY?
>> YES, MA'AM. THAT'S HOW I HEARD IT.
I'M JUST MAKING SURE I HEARD IT RIGHT.
>> I THINK I JUST READ WHAT WAS WRITTEN THERE.
>> ANY OTHER CLARIFICATION OF THAT MOTION? WE'VE GOT A MOTION BEFORE US.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THAT SAY AYE.
>> OPPOSE, SAME SIGN. THAT PASSES. ITEM 8.
[8. CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO APPROVE A PROCUREMENT CARD POLICY.]
LOOK, AND ANNA'S STILL WITH US. THIS IS AWESOME.CONSIDER TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO APPROVE A PROCUREMENT CARD POLICY.
>> THIS IS REQUIRED OF OUR POLICY, AND JUST TO PRESENT TO YOU TO COUNCIL OUR QUARTERLY INVESTMENT REPORT.
THIS IS THROUGH THE END OF DECEMBER.
>> ANY QUESTIONS? LOOK FOR A MOTION.
>> I'M SO SORRY. ANNA WAS ALSO READY TO MOVE AHEAD.
IF WE COULD, ANNA, WOULD YOU MIND TO SPEAK TO ITEM 8, WHICH IS THE SECOND PIECE OF WHAT YOU EXPLAINED IN ITEM 7?
I'M GOING TO MAKE THAT STATEMENT.
>> JUST FOR CLARITY, WE'RE ASKING FOR YOU GUYS TO APPROVE THE PROCUREMENT POLICY.
>> YES, SIR. YOU WERE CORRECT.
>> ANNA, DID YOU HAVE SOMEWHERE TO GO?
>> YES, WE INCORPORATED THE PROCUREMENT POLICY BECAUSE WE ARE SWITCHING THE CREDIT CARDS FROM FIRST FINANCIAL BANK TO JP MORGAN.
WE WANT TO HAVE ONE THAT'S EXCLUSIVELY FOR THAT CARD.
THAT'S WHERE THE POLICY IS ONE, PROCUREMENT POLICY.
>> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE A PROCUREMENT POLICY.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
[02:00:04]
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THAT MOTION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.>> OPPOSED THE SAME SIGN. THAT PASSES.
THANK YOU. HEY, HOW ABOUT ITEM 9?
[9. CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO ACCEPT THE QUARTERLY INVESTMENT REPORT.]
[LAUGHTER] THE QUARTERLY INVESTMENT REPORT, NUMBER 9. HERE WE GO.>> YEAH. THAT'S THE ONE THAT IS REQUIRED BY OUR POLICY.
>> THIS IS OUR FIRST QUARTER OF FY-'24.
>> I'LL MOVE TO ACCEPT THE QUARTERLY INVESTMENT REPORT IF THERE'S NO OTHER QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTION ABOUT THAT MOTION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> OPPOSED SAME SIGN. THAT PASSES.
>> ANNA, IT IS AGAIN, A PLEASURE.
WE'RE SO GLAD YOU'VE BEEN SO BUSY.
>> WE APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK YOU'RE DOING AND HAVE DONE.
IT'S A GREAT LEGACY. THANK YOU.
>> WE'RE GOING TO COME SEE YOU WHEN WE GO SKIING IN COLORADO.
[BACKGROUND] ITEM 10, DISCUSS AND PROVIDE APPROPRIATE DIRECTION TO STAFF REGARDING
[10. DISCUSS AND PROVIDE APPROPRIATE DIRECTION TO STAFF REGARDING REGULATIONS AND PROCESSES RELATED TO THE ALLOWANCE OF CARPORTS.]
REGULATIONS AND PROCESSES RELATED TO THE ALLOWANCE OF CARPORTS.LET'S HEAR WHAT THE CITY HAS GOT TO COMMUNICATE TO US AND THEN WE'LL RESPOND APPROPRIATELY.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I WANT TO START BY SAYING A QUICK THANK YOU TO OUR DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE CARPORT QUESTION, OUR LEGAL TEAM, BUILDING PLANNING, PUBLIC WORKS.
THOSE OF YOU THAT JOINED US FROM COUNSEL TO COME ALONGSIDE THOSE FROM PNC.
WHAT WE'VE LEARNED IS THAT THIS IS A REALLY BIG TASK AND THERE'S MULTIPLE LAYERS OF QUESTIONS IN TERMS OF CARPORTS.
TONIGHT WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS JUST GIVE YOU A QUICK UPDATE OF WHERE THE WORKING GROUP OR SUBCOMMITTEE IS AT AND THEN ASK FOR A LITTLE BIT OF CLARITY BEFORE WE INVEST ANY MORE STAFF, TIME, AND RESOURCE INTO A DIRECTION.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ON THE SAME PAGE WITH OUR POLICY MAKERS BEFORE WE CONTINUE POURING IN STAFF TIME.
>> TODAY WE'VE MET THREE TIMES AS A SUBCOMMITTEE.
I'VE HAD A REALLY GOOD CONVERSATION.
WE'VE DISCUSSED EVERY CORNER OF THIS ORDINANCE AND I THINK OTHER ORDINANCES AS WELL.
BUT WE'RE REALLY IN A CROSSROADS AT THE MOMENT, AND WE NEED TO MAKE A VERY DEFINED DECISION, WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE FOR US TO GO? WE'VE COME TO THE CROSSROADS WHERE WE HAVE TWO DIFFERENT OPTIONS HERE.
DOES THE COUNCIL DESIRE CARPORTS? IF THE ANSWER IS YES TO THAT QUESTION, THEN WE CAN GO DOWN THE ROUTE OF A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT, WHICH YOU'VE SEEN A COUPLE OF THOSE PLAY OUT HERE TONIGHT.
I THINK YOU'RE AWARE THAT THEY LAND WITH PNC.
FIRST, THEY RECEIVE A RECOMMENDATION, THEY FLOW UP TO COUNCIL.
COUNCIL APPROVES THEM AS AN ORDINANCE, WHICH REQUIRES TWO MEETINGS, A PUBLIC HEARING, AND THEN A MEETING WITH ACTION.
BUT BEFORE THEY EVEN GET TO PNC, THERE'S A FEW STEPS THAT THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH.
THEY'LL SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO STAFF.
ENCROACHMENT AND PLATTING ITEMS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.
THE ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS MAY BE RECOMMENDED THROUGH THE STAFF PROCESS, BE IT PLATTING OR BUILDING OR BOTH.
THEN ULTIMATELY, YOU WOULD HAVE THE DECISION TO SEE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE CARPORT APPLICATIONS COME BEFORE COUNCIL.
ANOTHER WAY OF DOING IT, IF THE COUNCIL IS IN FAVOR OF CARPORTS IN CERTAIN AREAS OF TOWN AND THEY DO NOT DESIRE TO HAVE A SPECIFIC OR SPECIAL USE PROCESS IN PLACE, THEN IT WOULD BE A TRADITIONAL PERMITTING PROCESS.
WE WOULD WORK WITH COUNCIL TO SET THE STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS.
FOR CARPORTS, SUBMIT AN APPLICATION.
IT WOULD GO THROUGH THE INITIAL CHECKS AND BALANCES THROUGH THE OFFICE.
THE APPLICATION WOULD BE FURTHER REVIEWED.
IF IT'S MISSING ANYTHING, THERE WOULD BE THAT BACK AND FORTH OPPORTUNITY BETWEEN THE STAFF AND THE APPLICANT.
BUT THEN ULTIMATELY, IT WOULD LAND IN THE PERMITTING PROCESS JUST LIKE ANY OTHER PERMIT.
THEN IF THERE WERE AN OPPORTUNITY, OR THE NEED RATHER, TO GET OUTSIDE OF THAT STANDARD PERMITTING PROCESS, WE WOULD ALSO HAVE THE ELEMENT OF SUP.
I THINK I'M SAYING THAT CORRECT.
PLEASE WAYNE OR DEDRA OR ANYONE ELSE,
[02:05:03]
GREG, IN THE ROOM, CORRECT ME IF I'VE MISSTATED ANY OF THAT.REALLY, WHAT WE NEED CLARITY ON TONIGHT AS STAFF IS I THINK WE'VE CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD FROM OUR WORKING GROUP THAT THERE IS A DESIRE FOR CARPORTS IN CERTAIN AREAS OF OUR TOWN, SUCH AS THE HISTORIC DOWNTOWN, OR WHERE LOTS ARE MUCH SMALLER OR OLDER.
IF THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION IS STILL YES, THEN MY QUESTION IS, DO YOU WANT TO SEE ALL OF THE CARPORT APPLICATIONS IN THE FORM OF AN SUP OR NO? I'LL JUST BE QUIET AND LET YOU GUYS TALK AMONGST YOURSELF OR QUIZ MYSELF OR STAFF.
>> SOUNDS GOOD. WELL, I WILL ATTEMPT TO SPEAK FOR COUNCIL.
I THINK THE MULTIPLE MEETINGS THAT WE'VE HAD PRIOR REGARDING ANY OF THESE PROCESSES, WE'D LIKE TO STREAMLINE THE DECISION MAKING TO NOT HAVE TO HAVE SPECIAL USE PERMITS TO BE REVIEWED EVERY TIME FOR COUNCIL.
IT MAKES MORE SENSE IN MY OPINION THAT IF WE HAVE A VERY SPECIFIC ORDINANCE AND WE DO HAVE OTHER ORDINANCES THAT WOULD HELP REGULATE THE BUILDING OF THAT.
YOU HAVE SETBACKS AND WE HAVE HOW YOU COULD USE THAT AS STORAGE OR NOT STORAGE SPACE, THOSE THINGS.
THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT ORDINANCES THAT ARE IN PLACE TO HELP REGULATE THE INTEGRITY AND THE BEAUTY OF THE CITY.
THE OTHER THING THAT, IN MY OPINION, FOR CARPORTS IS REALLY JUST ABOUT, AND I'VE ALREADY GOT A COUPLE OF THINGS IN MY HEAD.
I FEEL LIKE THAT'S AN OBLIGATION THAT WE HAVE IS TO MAKE SURE IT'S A SAFE AND MEET SOME STANDARD OF ELEMENT.
I KNOW THAT'S A DISCUSSION THAT WE HAD THE ORIGINAL TIME THAT WE MET ON THIS.
WITH PNC IT WAS A JOINT MEETING THAT WE HAD, AND THAT'S WHAT I CAME OUT OF THAT MEETING WAS, LET'S MOVE FORWARD TO ALLOW CARPORTS, BUT MAKE SURE THAT THEY MEET THE SAFETY STANDARDS AND CRITERIA SO WE DON'T HAVE CALLS, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS, OR COLLAPSES AND THAT TYPE OF THING FROM WIND THAT IT NEEDS TO BE STRUCTURALLY SOUND.
I KNOW ON THE MATERIAL SIDE THAT THE STATE DOESN'T ALLOW US TO DICTATE WHAT MATERIAL GOES INTO THOSE THINGS, OTHER THAN WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S A SAFETY STANDARD.
THAT MAY PROHIBIT SOME MATERIALS, BUT ANYWAY, THAT'S MY GENERAL THOUGHT.
>> WE KEEP COMING UP WHERE YOU CAN'T DICTATE MATERIALS, THERE ARE STILL BUILDING MATERIALS.
YOU CAN'T BUILD IT OUT OF CARDBOARD.
WHEN PEOPLE ARE LIKE, WELL, YOU CAN BUILD IT OUT OF ANYTHING, [OVERLAPPING] NO YOU REALLY CAN'T.
WE STILL HAVE BUILDING MATERIALS.
WE CAN'T SAY IT HAS TO BE A BRICK, BUT THERE ARE STILL BUILDING MATERIALS THAT WE HAVE REQUIREMENTS ON.
EVERY TIME WE SAY THAT THERE'S NO WE CAN'T SAY WHAT IT HAS TO BE BUILT OUT OF.
THERE IS STILL A LIST THAT YOU MUST USE.
>> GREAT. THANK FOR CLARIFICATION.
>> I THINK IT WOULD BE VALUABLE IF WAYNE'S STILL HERE AND WILLING, WAYNE, COULD YOU GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY [OVERLAPPING] THAT CAME BEFORE US LAST TIME WHERE WE TALKED ABOUT A SPECIFIC SET OF PLANS THAT COULD BE [OVERLAPPING].
>> IT PROBABLY ISN'T GOING TO MEET THE SAFETY STANDARDS.
>> LET WAYNE TALK ABOUT ONE OPTION THAT CAME BEFORE US IN OUR WORKING GROUP. WAYNE.
>> SURE. COUNCILMAN ALLEN, YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
WHAT THAT STATE STATUTE DID IS IT DID LIMIT YOU TO THE BUILDING MATERIALS, BUT IT'S A BUILDING MATERIAL THAT IS ALLOWED BY CODE.
IF IT'S ALLOWED BY CODE, YOU CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT.
NOW, CERTAIN MATERIALS LEND ITSELF TO CERTAIN BUILDING TYPES AND THAT'S THE WAY THAT WOULD WORK.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAD LOOKED AT THIS TO ALLOW MORE FLEXIBILITY.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE LOOKED AT IS A WIND LOADING REQUIREMENT THAT GOES IN ON THIS AND WOULD BE DESIGNED TO.
IN ORDER TO MAKE THAT A LITTLE BIT MORE PALATABLE FOR SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T WANT TO GO OUT AND HAVE AN ENGINEER DESIGN FOR A SPECIFIC CARPORT IS TO HAVE A CITY STANDARD DETAIL.
WE WOULD GO TO AN ENGINEER AS THE CITY AND ASK THEM TO PROVIDE US SEVERAL DIFFERENT OPTIONS OR AT LEAST A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS AS TO WHAT CAN BE BUILT AS A CITY STANDARD DETAIL.
THAT WOULD GIVE SOMEONE AN OPTION.
THEY WOULD STILL HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.
I DON'T LIKE THE WAY THAT LOOKS. I WANT TO BUILD IT MY WAY.
YOU CAN ABSOLUTELY GO AND GET YOUR OWN ENGINEER AND PROPOSE YOUR OWN DESIGN THROUGH THAT.
[02:10:02]
BUT FOR SOMEBODY THAT JUST WANTS TO COME IN AND SAYS, LOOK, I JUST WANT TO THROW UP A CARPORT AND GET IT TAKEN CARE OF.I DON'T WANT TO GO BY A DESIGNED PLAN AND WORK WITH AN ENGINEER TO DO THIS.
THEY'D BE ABLE TO USE THIS CITY DESIGN DETAIL THAT WOULD GO IN THERE.
WE'VE NARROWED THAT DOWN IN SOME ASPECTS, WE HAVEN'T PURSUED IT AS OF YET.
WE WANTED TO WAIT FOR MORE DIRECTION FROM THE CITY COUNCIL SO THAT WE ARE ABLE TO GET THAT AND HAVE SOMETHING MORE SOLID TO WORK OFF OF.
>> I LOVE THAT FLOW CHART RIGHT THERE.
IT'S LIKE [OVERLAPPING] YOU GET IT APPROVED THROUGH THIS ENGINEERING AND IT MEETS THESE CRITERIA AND WE'VE GOT THAT DOCUMENTED.
OTHERWISE, YOU'VE GOT THE CITY'S CRITERIA.
>> THAT WOULD BE COMPLIMENTARY TO AN ORDINANCE PROCESS WITH A PERMITTING PROCESS ASSIGNED AND ATTACHED TO IT.
BUT BEFORE WE WENT DOWN THE ROUTE OF SPENDING ANY MONEY ON ENGINEERED PLANS, ANY MORE STAFF TIME IN DEVELOPING AN ORDINANCE OR REWRITING AN ORDINANCE, WE WANTED TO CONFIRM THAT WE'RE ALL SAYING THE SAME THING AND MOVING IN THE SAME DIRECTION.
>> ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE SOME INPUT TO PROVIDE ON THIS?
IT DEFINITELY IS THE DESIRE TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO BUILD CARPORTS, AND IT'S NOT THE DESIRE TO MAKE IT TO WHERE IT'S COST PROHIBITIVE.
IT'S A DESIRE FOR THEM TO BE ALLOWED TO BUILD SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO BE FUNCTIONAL AND THAT'S GOING TO BE SAFE BUT IT IS NOT MADE TO A STANDARD TO BE COST PROHIBITIVE.
THAT'S PRETTY MUCH HOW WE LEFT IT AND ONE OF THE REVENUES WAS TO DO THIS SPECIFIC USE PERMIT.
I THINK THAT THAT IS STILL AN OPTION IF SOMEBODY EITHER WANTS TO MODIFY THE WAY THE CITY PLAN LOOKS OR IF THEY WANT TO JUST DO THEIR OWN IS MY UNDERSTANDING. WHAT'S THE DESIRE?
>> THANK YOU, MISS REEVES. AGAIN, APPRECIATE YOUR ATTENDING THOSE MEETINGS AND ALL THE HELPFUL FEEDBACK.
MAYBE IT'S A GOOD TIME TO LET DEBORAH IF SHE'S WILLING TO TELL US IF WE DID HAVE A STANDARD ORDINANCE WITH A SET OF PERMITS REQUIREMENTS ATTACHED, HOW WOULD THE SUP PLAY IN? WOULD IT BE AS NEEDED? I'LL LET YOU EXPLAIN THAT.
>> IF WE GO THROUGH THE PERMITTING PROCESS ROUTE, THE WAY WAYNE HAD IT LAID OUT IS IF THERE WAS AN EXCEPTION OR THEY WERE WANTING A VARIANCE TO THE HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS OR THE WIDTH OR SOME VARIATION, THEY WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE SUP PROCESS.
WE'RE NOT TAKING THE SUP PROCESS OUT ALTOGETHER, ONE IS TO DO SUP FOR EVERY SINGLE CARPORT.
THEN THE SECOND OPTION IS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME HOMES THAT MEET ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS.
WHY WOULD THEY NEED TO GO THROUGH THE SUP PROCESS? WHY CAN'T THEY JUST GET US GO THROUGH THE PERMITTING PROCESS UNLESS, OF COURSE, THEY WANTED SOME EXCEPTIONS TO WHATEVER THAT STANDARD CRITERIA IS FOR THE PERMITTING SIDE OF IT.
>> DEBORAH, DANNY WAS IN ALL THE MEETINGS, TOO.
I JUST SAW HIM COME BACK IN, SO YOU MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD FROM YOUR INPUT, BUT THAT'S WHAT MY TAKEAWAY WAS, WHAT I JUST SAID.
THAT'S OKAY. I JUST WANTED YOU TO HAVE A CHANCE TO PUT YOUR TOO SOON WORTH IN BECAUSE YOU SERVED AT ALL THE MEETINGS AS WELL.
>> WAYNE AND DEBORAH, YOU'LL HAVE SEVERAL PRE-ENGINEERED PLANS OR PRE-ENGINEERED THAT CAN BE MODIFIED AS FAR AS HOW IT FITS ON THEIR HOUSE OR WILL THEY BE ENGINEERED? HERE'S THE DIMENSIONS, HERE'S WHAT YOU GET.
>> THERE IS SOME LATITUDE AND HOW THAT FIT IN.
BUT THERE'S ALSO LIMITATIONS WHAT A STANDARD DETAIL WOULD PROVIDE.
>> THEN IF THEY DON'T CHOOSE ONE OF THOSE, THEN THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE SUP PROCESS OR THEY CAN GO GET AN ENGINEER AND THEY CAN JUST GET IT PERMITTED WITH AN ENGINEER?
>> RIGHT. THEY WOULD GO GET THEIR OWN ENGINEER AND PROVIDE THEIR OWN DETAIL FOR HOW THAT WOULD BE STRUCTURED.
>> WITH THEIR OWN ENGINEER, THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO DO THE SUP PROCESS?
>> THE PROPOSAL THAT I HAD BROUGHT FORWARD WAS TO LIMIT THE AREA AND HEIGHT OF THE CARPORT.
>> IF IT GOES OUTSIDE THAT AREA, THEN YOU GO THROUGH?
[02:15:01]
>> BECAUSE SOME HOUSES HIGHER PITCH AND YOU MIGHT WANT THAT.
>> CARPORT MEANS CARPORT NOT AN RV PORT.
IF YOU'VE GOT A PREVOST BUS OR $40,000 FIFTH WHEEL.
>> THERE'S A HEIGHT RESTRICTION.
>> BUT IF YOU WANT TO DEVIATE, THAT'S AN SUP THAT YOU WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH.
>> YOU DON'T WANT TO PROHIBIT AN RV CARPORT OR SHED OUTRIGHT IN SOME INSTANCES AND THE PROPERTY MAY LEND ITSELF TO THAT TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION FOR THAT HIGHER HEIGHT OR LARGER AREA.
SOME PROPERTIES MAY NOT LEND THEMSELVES TO THAT, BUT AT LEAST THEY WOULD HAVE THAT AVENUE TO APPROACH THAT AND COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL FOR A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE RAN INTO AS WE LOOKED AT THIS, WE LOOKED AT SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE THAT HAD CALLED VARIOUS MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE SAYING WHAT ABOUT MY PROPERTY.
MANY OF THEM, LIKE THE PROPERTY, HAS TO BE REPLANTED, THERE'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE VARIANCES GIVEN.
THERE REALLY WAS NO WAY TO COME UP WITH JUST ONE BLANKET.
>> WE PLAT AND WE PUT A CARPORT, WE'VE ADDED SQUARE FOOTAGE.
>> WE'VE INCREASED THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY.
>> WELL, NOT JUST THAT, BUT IT'S ALSO THAT THEN WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A CURB AND GUTTER AND SIDEWALK COME IN FRONT OF US BECAUSE WE'VE ADDED SQUARE FOOTAGE.
>> WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO THOSE ITEMS, I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KEEP IT TO CARPORTS.
>> I'M JUST RABBIT-HOLED, SORRY.
>> I UNDERSTAND AND SYMPATHIZE. [LAUGHTER]
>> WE LOVE CURB. [OVERLAPPING]
>> IT'S NOT LIVING SQUARE FOOTAGE, SO THE SQUARE FOOTAGE IS GOING TO COUNT REGARDLESS WHEN IT'S NOT LIVING SQUARE FOOTAGE.
>> WELL, IT'S CHANGE IN THE FOOTPRINT.
BY DEFINITION THAT'S THE CHANGE IN THE FOOTPRINT UNLESS YOU GUYS DEFINE IT OTHERWISE AND SAY THAT IT'S NOT.
>> WELL, I DON'T KNOW. Y'ALL JUST CONFUSE ME ON WHAT DOES AND WHAT DOESN'T BECAUSE LIKE I SAID, AT MY OWN PERSONAL HOME, I PUT IN A CIRCLE DRIVE AND I DIDN'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING.
>> BUT YOU WEREN'T COVERING IT.
>> STRUCTURE ABOVE GRADE IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT THERE.
ACTUALLY YOU CAN GO IN AND ADD CONCRETE, ADD FLAT WORK ON ANY PROPERTY AND THAT'S NOT ANY ISSUE.
IT'S ONCE YOU START BUILDING ABOVE GRADE THAT GENERALLY TRIGGERS THAT.
>> WE'VE GOT THE EXCEPTIONS THAT WERE PUT IN PLACE FOR LIMITING WHEN PLATING COMES IN, BUT THAT'S NOT ONE OF THEM.
>> ALL RIGHT. I'M SO SORRY, WAYNE, GO AHEAD.
>> NO,ACCESSORY STRUCTURE IS NOT ONE OF THOSE EXCEPTIONS.
>> OKAY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL OR COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL? DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'VE GOT THE INFORMATION?
>> MAYOR AND COUNCIL, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I'M VERY CLEAR ON MOVING FORWARD WITH AN ORDINANCE AND A PERMITTING PROCESS SUP AS NEEDED. THANK YOU.
>> EXCELLENT. THAT GETS US THROUGH ITEM 10.
ITEM 11 IS OUR CONSENT AGENDA.
[11. CONSENT AGENDA]
AS NORMAL, IF YOU'VE GOT SOMETHING YOU WANT TO PULL, WE CAN PULL THAT, OTHERWISE, IT IS A CONSENT AGENDA.>> I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS WRITTEN.
>> WE'RE GIVING THAT TO MELINDA, THE SECOND.
DID YOU DECIPHER ANYTHING DIFFERENT THAN THAT? BUT HE HE SAID IT WAS MELINDA, SO HE DEFERRED IT.
ANY QUESTIONS ON THAT MOTION OR THAT SECOND? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> OPPOSE? SAME SIGN. THAT PASSES.
THAT CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED. THANK YOU.
THAT GETS US TO ITEM 13, WHICH IS NOT COVERED UP BY ANOTHER PIECE OF PAPER ON MY AGENDA LIST.
BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY ACTION ITEMS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ON AN UPCOMING COUNCIL MEETING, PLEASE LET US KNOW.
WE WILL ADJOURN AT 07:52. THANK YOU EVERYBODY.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.