[00:00:02]
[CALL TO ORDER]
AND WELCOME TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BEAUMONT CITY COUNCIL.TODAY IS TUESDAY, OCTOBER THE 11TH, AND GIVEN TODAY'S INVOCATION WILL BE PASTOR JASON CARR WITH THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH, IF YOU PLEASE COME FORWARD.
EVERYONE, PLEASE SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONES.
PLEASE SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONES.
ALSO, PLEASE STAND IF YOU SO CHOOSE FOR THE PLEDGE TO OUR NATION'S FLAG AND YOU CAN REMAIN STANDING.
LORD, WE COME BEFORE YOU RIGHT NOW, SO THANKFUL FOR YOUR FAITHFULNESS AND YOUR GOODNESS TO US THIS DAY.
LORD, YOU SAID, IF ANYONE LACK WISDOM, LET THEM ASK AND YOU WOULD GIVE DELIBERATELY, LORD.
BEECHING YOUR WISDOM UPON THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE, GOD, THAT WILL BE MAKING DECISIONS TODAY, NOT OUT OF PERSONAL OPINION GOD, BUT BASED ON THE GOOD OF THE PEOPLE AS A WHOLE.
AND I ASK RIGHT NOW, YOU WOULD DIRECT GIVE WISDOM AND GUIDANCE, OH LORD, AND THE CONVERSATION THAT IS TO BE HAD HERE TODAY.
OH LORD, LET IT BE CONSIDERATE OF ONE ANOTHER AS A BROTHER AND SISTER IN THE LORD GOD, THAT ALL OF US ARE YOUR CREATION AND YOUR CHILD.
BLESS THIS GREAT COUNSEL AND JESUS NAME WE PRAY.
PLEASE JOIN US TO THE PLEDGE TO OUR NATION'S FLAG.
I PLEDGE ALLEG TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES, AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC NATION FOR LIBERTY FOR ALL.
MAY I HAVE THE ROLL CALL, PLEASE? MAYOR MOTON, PRESENT MAYOR PRO, TIM DIO HERE, COUNCIL MEMBER GETZ PRESENT, COUNCIL MEMBER TURNER HERE, COUNCIL MEMBER SHAW PRESENT, COUNCIL MEMBER SAMUEL PRESENT AND COUNCIL MEMBER NEIL PRESENT.
[Proclamations, Presentations and Recognitions]
ONE PROCLAMATION TODAY, AND THE PROCLAMATION TODAY IS FOR THE GIFT OF LIFE BREAST AND OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS DAY.WHEREAS SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER, OUR NATIONAL OVARIAN AND BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH WITH CAMPAIGNS ESTABLISHED TO HEIGHTEN INFORMATION ON THE RISK OF SYMPTOMS AND THESE DISEASES TO ADVANCE EARLY DETECTION AND INTERVENTION.
WHEREAS OVARIAN CANCER IS KNOWN AS A SILENT DISEASE DUE TO ITS VAGUE SYMPTOMS THAT MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO DISCOVER UNTIL LATER STAGES WITH A PROGNOSIS.
WHEREAS BREAST CANCER IS THE MOST COMMON CANCER AMONG AMERICAN WOMEN EXCEPT FOR SKIN CANCERS.
AND APPROXIMATELY ONE IN EIGHT WOMEN IN THE US WILL DEVELOP INVASIVE BREAST CANCER DURING HER LIFETIME.
WHEREAS THIS YEAR IT IS ESTIMATED THAT MORE THAN 310,000 WOMEN WILL BE DIAGNOSED WITH EITHER BREAST OR OVARIAN CANCER.
AND NEARLY 57,000 WOMEN WILL DIE FROM THIS DISEASE IN THE UNITED STATES.
WHEREAS IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT SOUTHEAST TEXANS ARE EDUCATED ABOUT BREAST CANCER AND THE AVAILABILITY OF FREE MAMMOGRAMS FOR WOMEN WHO CANNOT AFFORD HEALTH INSURANCE THROUGH GIFT OF LIFE, WOMEN'S BREAST HEALTH AND CENTER PREVENTION PROGRAM.
WHEREAS GIFT OF LIFE ANNUALLY PROVIDES THOUSANDS OF BREAST CANCER SCREENINGS AND DIAGNOSTIC MAMMOGRAMS, ULTRASOUNDS, BIOPSIES WITH ACCESS TO CANCER TREATMENTS TO MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED SOUTHEAST TEXANS.
WHEREAS GIFT OF LIFE HAS HELPED EXTEND THE LIVES OF 275 WOMEN WHOSE BREAST CANCER WAS DETECTED THROUGH ITS FREE CLINICAL SERVICES, WHEREAS TO HEIGHTEN AWARENESS OF THESE DISEASES AND RAISE FUNDS FOR ITS PROVISION OF CANCER PREVENTION AND EDUCATION OUTREACH GIFT OF LIFE WILL HOST THE 12TH ANNUAL JULIE RICHARDSON PROCTOR 5K RIBBON RUN MONSTER DASH IN DOWNTOWN BEAUMONT ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29TH, 2022.
NOW, THEREFORE, I ROBIN MUAN, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT DO HEREBY PROCLAIM OCTOBER THE 11TH, 2022
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AS GIFT OF LIFE BREAST AND OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS DAY IN BEAUMONT AND URGE ALL WOMEN IN OUR COMMUNITY TO PURSUE PREVENTIVE HEALTH PRACTICES AND EARLY DETECTION EFFORTS.ACCORDINGLY, I MAYOR ROBIN MUAN HAS SET MY HAND AND CAUSE THE SEAL OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT TO BE AFFIXED THIS DAY, OCTOBER THE 11TH, 2022 SIGNED MAYOR ROBIN MUAN AND THE GIFT OF LIFE BREAST AND OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS DAY WILL BE ACCEPTING.
THIS PROCLAMATION IS NORMA SAMPSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND OTHER GIFT OF LIFE SUPPORTERS AND VOLUNTEERS.
UM, THANK YOU SO MUCH ON BEHALF OF THE THOUSANDS OF WOMEN'S WHOSE LIVES HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY OUR FREE LIFE SAVING SERVICES AND THESE WONDERFUL WOMEN AND ADVOCATES THAT ARE STANDING NEXT TO ME.
WE THANK YOU, THE MAYOR AND THE COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE OUR LIFE SAVING MESSAGE WITH YOU.
AND EVERYONE TODAY WITH ME IS OUR CHAIR AND FOUNDER, WHO, AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, IS THE CATALYST FOR THIS INITIATIVE AND FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS, OKAY.
AND FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE AND SUSTAIN THESE SERVICES BECAUSE OF YOUR SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT SOUTHEAST TEXAS.
AND SO I AM SO HONORED THAT I ALSO HAVE ONE OF OUR BREAST CANCER CLIENTS WHO HAS BEEN A LEADING FORCE AND ADVOCATE TO ENCOURAGE WOMEN TO GET SCREENED WITH ME, ERNESTINE ANDERSON, WHO IS ALWAYS THERE PAYING IT FORWARD.
NOT ONLY IS SHE A SURVIVOR, BUT SHE'S ON THE BOOTS ENCOURAGING OTHER WOMEN TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR SCREENINGS.
AND WITH ME ARE OUR OFFICERS FOR THE GIFT OF LIFE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, UH, DO NSBE, OUR PRESIDENT, LINDA DOMINO.
AND I THOUGHT I HAD, AND MARTY CRAIG'S NOT HERE, SHE WAS GOING TO BE HERE.
AND ALSO AS A SURPRISE, BE WITCHING VISIT IS OUR CHAIRS THIS YEAR.
THE, UH, NOT REALLY FRIGHTENING, BUT THE BE WITCHING WIGGINS SISTERS WHO ALL GOING AROUND TOWN, UH, YOU PROBABLY SAW THEM.
OCTOBERFEST OCTOBERFEST AND ALL OF THE FESTIVITIES, UH, THIS LAST WEEKEND.
SO THESE ADVOCATES OF OUR CAUSE ARE HERE TO SAY THANK YOU AS WELL AND TO ENCOURAGE WOMEN THROUGHOUT SOUTHEAST TEXAS, PARTICULARLY THOSE IN BEAUMONT, TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR SERVICES AS THE MAYOR JUST READ, OUR LIFE SAVING SERVICES INCLUDE FREE SCREENINGS, DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND BIOPSY WITH NAVIGATION TO WOMEN TO CANCER, PREVENT TO CANCER TREATMENT.
AND THESE ARE FOR WOMEN WHO CAN'T AFFORD HEALTH INSURANCE.
AND THIS YEAR, JUST IN THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, WE PROVIDED NEARLY 700 SCREENINGS AND OVER 500 DIAGNOSTIC TEST PROCEDURES WITH ONE WOMAN THAT'S BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER.
SO, SO FAR WE'RE TAKING CARE OF EIGHT WOMEN THROUGHOUT SOUTHEAST TEXAS THAT BEFORE, WITHOUT YOU AND EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ATTRIBUTE THE, THE PROLONG OF THEIR LIFE.
SO WE'RE GOING TO THEN CELEBRATING THIS ON THE RIBBON RUN WITH THE JULIE RICHARDSON PROCTOR 5K ON OCTOBER THE 29TH.
WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO PLEASE REGISTER, SIGN UP THOSE INDIVIDUALS, THOSE WOMEN WHO ARE, UH, CANCER, OVARIAN GEOLOGICAL CANCER SURVIVORS.
THEY'RE FREE, AND WE ENCOURAGE THEM TO CALL US AND BE WITH US THAT DAY.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A HERO'S CELEBRATION THAT MORNING AT EIGHT O'CLOCK WHERE WE'LL HAVE OUR ANGELS AND OTHER SPONSORS WHO WILL BE WITH US.
AND THEN THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND THIS MONTH AS WELL, WE'LL BE DOING GRASSROOTS INITIATIVES THAT INCLUDE FREE EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH THAT ARE A MYRIAD OF OUR PROGRAMS FROM DON'T SMOKE YOUR LIFE AWAY, DON'T VAPE YOUR LIFE, VAPE YOUR LIFE AWAY, AS WELL AS EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH.
SO WE WANT TO JUST SAY THANK YOU AND WE'VE INCLUDED THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE RIBBON RUN.
WE ALSO HAVE EXTENSIVE OUTREACH THAT'S GOING ON THIS MONTH FOR OVARIAN CANCER.
AND THEN A SPECIAL PROGRAM CALLED ACTIVE LIVING AFTER CANCER IS FREE AND AVAILABLE TO ALL CANCER SURVIVORS.
SO WE JUST WANT TO, AGAIN, ENCOURAGE PEOPLE, BE GOOD STEWARDS OF THEIR HEALTH, AND TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES AND JOIN US IN THIS REGIONAL INITIATIVE TO BASICALLY HAVE SAFE AND HEALTH LIFE PRACTICES.
SO I WOULD, IF I HAVE JUST A MOMENT, I KNOW YOU'RE BUSY WITH A FULL AGENDA, IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A STATEMENT OR ANYONE.
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WE'RE SO GRATEFUL TO Y'ALL.THIS CITY MEANS SO MUCH TO US, TO ME PERSONALLY, OR AS I GET OLDER AND OLDER, HAVING VERY QUICKLY I REALIZE THE TREMENDOUS RESOURCE THAT WE HAVE IN THE CITY OF BEAUMONT AND THE LEADERS AND YOUR LEADERSHIP IS SO IMPORTANT.
AND I AM JUST SO GRATEFUL FOR IT.
BUT PARTICULARLY WHERE WE ARE TAKING CARE OF INDIVIDUALS WHO CANNOT AFFORD MEDICAL CARE, CANNOT AFFORD ACCESS TO SERVICES LIKE THOSE OF US WHO HAVE INSURANCE.
SO AS MY MOTHER ALWAYS USED TO SAY THERE BEFORE THE GRACE OF GOD, GO, I, AND, UH, I'M JUST SO, SO ELATED WHEN WE ARE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE WHO CANNOT DO IT FOR THEMSELVES, MORE VULNERABLE, MORE DISENFRANCHISED, MORE MARGINALIZED, ALL THE WORDS THAT MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE THE CARE THAT SO MANY OF US ARE ENJOYING AS A NATURAL, NATURAL ABILITY, I GUESS YOU MIGHT SAY.
SO THANK YOU AGAIN AND THANK YOU TO THESE WONDERFUL PEOPLE.
UH, I JUST WANNA SAY ONE MORE THING ABOUT, OH, AND I ALSO, I HAVE OFFICER MOORE OVER HERE.
COME FORWARD, WE, I DON'T KNOW HOW WE, OUR PINK PATROL CAR, THE THANKS TO THE BEAUMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT, IF YOU'VE SEEN THAT WONDERFUL WRAPPED PINK CAR THAT'S HEIGHTENING AWARENESS.
OFFICER MORROW IS DRIVING OUT BREAST CANCER PERSONALLY.
SHE'S GOING TO ANY OF THE BUSINESSES AND, UH, LOCAL NON-PROFITS TO AGAIN, HEIGHTEN AWARENESS AND SAY THANK YOU TO THOSE THAT ARE SPONSORING OUR CAUSE.
OFFICER MO, WE JUST WANNA SAY THE MONT POLICE DEPARTMENT IS GRATEFUL TO PARTICIPATE.
THIS IS OUR FOURTH YEAR FOR THE PINK PATROL CAR, AND WE ARE VERY BUSY THIS MONTH WITH THE EVENTS AND JUST GRATEFUL TO GIVE BACK TO THE GIFT OF LIFE.
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY YOU ALWAYS STAND IN THE BACK, IN THE SHADOWS.
NO, AND IT'S, AND AND IT'S NOT FINE.
IT'S NOT FINE BECAUSE OF YOUR GENEROSITY AND WHAT YOU HAVE GIVEN.
GREAT GRATITUDE, GRATEFUL HEART.
SO, THIS BEAUTIFUL LADY IS AMAZING.
SHE'S SUCH AN INSPIRATION AT THE YOUNG AGE OF 91.
THERE'S NO SECRETS WITH THE GIFT OF LIFE.
PLEASE SAY, JUST LET ME ADD MY THANKS TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR THIS OUTSTANDING PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE HAD FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS.
NOT EVERY CITY CAN BOAST AND HAVE THIS KIND OF PROGRAM, SO WE ARE ABSOLUTELY GRATEFUL TO REGINA AND HER FAMILY AND ALL OF THOSE WHO HAVE FOLLOWED BEHIND HER AND ALL OF US.
IT'S A BLESSING TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS.
CAN I SAY DETO TO THAT? AND WE'VE TAKEN UP ENOUGH OF YOUR TIME.
AND MAYOR ROBIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU ON THE COUNCIL, WE THANK YOU SO MUCH.
WE FEEL VERY THANKFUL, GRATEFUL, AND BLESSED.
AND SO, COULD WE JUST TAKE A QUICK PICTURE? OKAY.
MEAN, CAN I SAY SOMETHING? I JUST WANT TO THANK THE GIFT OF LIFE FOR SAVING MY LIFE.
SO ERNESTINE ALWAYS WILL COME, BUT SHE'LL SAY NEVER IF I SPEAK.
SO ERNESTINE, COME BACK FOR JUST A MOMENT.
I JUST SAID, UM, I, I THANK THE GIFT OF LIFE FOR SAVING MY LIFE.
I'M NOT FROM JEFFERSON COUNTY, I'M FROM HORTON COUNTY, KOONS, TEXAS.
AND I JUST WANT Y'ALL TO KNOW THAT THEY DON'T ONLY SAVE LIVES IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, THEY SAVE LIFE ALL OVER AND EVERYTHING.
I JUST WANT TO THANK THEM FOR SAVING MY LIFE BECAUSE I WAS DETECTED EARLY AND I JUST WANT TO THANK THEM.
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THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.IF YOU WERE HERE FOR THE PRESENTATION AND WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE NICE.
ARE YOU WELCOME TO STAY FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE MEETING, I WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE CLOSE OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING THE COUNCIL WILL HOLD AN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONSIDER MATTERS RELATED TO CONTEMPLATE OUR PLANT PENDING LITIGATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 5 51 0 7, 1 OF THE GOVERNMENT CODE, THE CLAIM OF STEVEN NER, THE CLAIM OF SCOTT STAKES, MICHAEL DAVIS JR.
CAUSE NUMBER A 0 2 0 9 8 43, JEREMY BRANDON VERSUS THE CITY OF BEAUMONT CAUSE NUMBER D 2 66 36.
[Public Comment]
THE TIME FOR ANY CITIZEN THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON PUBLIC COMMENT.YOU MAY MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT ON CONSENT AGENDAS ITEM ONE THROUGH SIX.
IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY DONE SO, PLEASE FILL OUT THE GREEN SLIP TO THE BACK OF THE ROOM, HAND IT TO THE CLERK AT THE FRONT OF THE ROOM IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON CONSENT AGENDAS.
ITEM ONE THROUGH SIX, UH, RYAN SMITH, 600 MAIN STREET, BEAUMONT, TEXAS, ITEM C ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
GOOD AFTERNOON, UH, AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE TEXAS ENERGY MUSEUM FOR ABOUT 30 YEARS NOW.
AND I JUST WANNA EXPRESS APPRECIATION TO THE, UH, TO THE COUNCIL AND THE CITY, AND ALSO ON BEHALF OF OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR, AGAIN, THE SUPPORT THAT Y'ALL SHOWN THROUGH THE HOT TAX MONIES IN SUPPORTING THE MUSEUM AND TOURISM IN BEAUMONT.
SO, JUST FOR A QUICK FEW NOTES ABOUT SOME OF THE TOURISM THINGS THAT WE'VE DONE AT THE MUSEUM OF THE PAST YEAR, SINCE OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR, ABOUT 7,000 VISITORS FROM 39 STATES AND, UH, 21 FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
SO AGAIN, WE'RE WE'RE, UH, PART OF THAT TOURISM IN BEAUMONT.
UH, LAST YEAR'S DINOSAUR DAY WAS A HUGE SUCCESS WITH ABOUT 2,400, UH, PEOPLE PARTICIPATING.
AND THIS YEAR'S DINOSAUR DAY IS OCTOBER 22ND IN CONJUNCTION WITH MUSEUM BADNESS, WHICH IS A WEEKEND OF ALL THE MUSEUMS IN THE AREA DOING SOMETHING FOR THAT WEEKEND IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE, UH, UH, CONVENTION BUREAU.
UH, AND WE, WE ARE WORKING WITH 19 DIFFERENT CLASSES IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO MAKE MORE PAPER MACHE DINOSAURS.
SO IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS, YOU'RE GONNA SEE THESE BIG PAPER MACHE DINOSAURS OUT IN THE LAWN.
SO, AND THEY'RE VERY COLORFUL AND CREATIVE DONE BY THE, UH, ART CLASSES, THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
UH, LAST YEAR WE HAD OUR, UH, CHRISTMAS PARTY AGAIN, WE OPENED UP A LOT OF THESE THINGS.
SO THE KIDS, WE HAD ABOUT 1800 THIS YEAR.
THE DOWNTOWN CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PARTY IS GOING TO BE DECEMBER THE FIRST, UH, AFTER THE, ALL OF THE CLOSINGS WE HAD WITH COVID, WE RE REOPENED EVERYTHING, UH, THIS LAST SPRING.
SO WE BACK TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND HOMESCHOOL PROGRAMS. UH, WE'VE DONE A LOT OF PRESENTATIONS FOR THE INDUSTRY IN THE AREA.
UH, THIS WOULD BE SOME OF THE IN SUMMER INTERNS THAT THE, UH, THE PLANTS HAVE AS WELL AS INDUSTRY NEW HIRE TRAININGS, PARTICULARLY WITH GOLDEN PASS L AND G, VALERO AND SHINER.
UH, WE, Y'ALL REMEMBER THE LAST MAY WHEN WE HAD THE ART TACO HERITAGE FESTIVAL MM-HMM.
WE WERE OUT THERE DOING WIND CRAFTS, SO WE DID A LITTLE EXPERIMENTS WITH WIND ENERGY THAT KIDS COULD PARTICIPATE IN.
UH, WE'VE DONE A LOT OF COLLABORATIVE PROGRAMS. WE'VE COLLABORATED AT TERRELL LIBRARY IN DIGITIZING ABOUT A THOUSAND PHOTOGRAPHS THAT ARE NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE TO PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE, THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.
WE WORK, WE PARTNER WITH THE BEAUMONT CHILDREN'S MUSEUM ON SP ON THEIR SPACE CAMP AND THEIR ROBOTICS CAMP THIS SUMMER.
SO YOU SEE A LOT OF COLLABORATION.
AGAIN, WE APPRECIATE THE SPORT Y'ALL SHOWN TO THE MUSEUM OF THESE LAST MANY YEARS.
WE ALSO APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU'RE PUTTING A NEW ROOF IN OUR BUILDING, SO YOU'LL SEE THAT CONSTRUCTION OVER THERE.
BRANDON, 66 95 NOBLE DRIVE BY MY TEXAS ITEM F ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BEAUMONT HERITAGE SOCIETY, AND I'M REALLY EXCITED TO BE HERE TODAY TO TALK TO YOU GUYS ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING AT THE JOHN JAY FRENCH MUSEUM.
WE, AT BEAUMONT HERITAGE SOCIETY, STAFF AND BOARD INCLUDED, ARE INCREDIBLY THANKFUL FOR THE HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX GRANT FROM THE CITY OF BEAUMONT AND OF COURSE, CITY COUNCIL.
WITH THIS GRANT, THE JOHN J. FRENCH MUSEUM WILL CONTINUE ITS MISSION OF FOSTERING A CONNECTION TO OUR
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PAST WITH EMPHASIS ON LOCAL HISTORY.I'D LIKE TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT WE'VE DONE OVER THE LAST YEAR TO IMPROVE OUR SITE FOR ALL OF OUR GUESTS, LOCALS, AND TOURISTS ALIKE.
LAST YEAR, WE COMPLETED THE FIRST PHASE OF UPDATES WITH A NEW BRICK WALKWAY AND HAD A NEW FIT FENCE BUILT AND PAINTED AROUND THE MUSEUM.
THIS YEAR, WE ARE COMPLETING A MAJOR UPDATE ON OUR OFFICE BUILDING, WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY BE HOME TO A NEW PERMANENT INTERACTIVE CHILDREN'S EXHIBIT.
WE ARE CURRENTLY DOING MAINTENANCE WORK ON THE MUSEUM'S KITCHEN, AND WE'LL FINISH PHASE TWO OF UPDATING OUR BRICK WALKWAY FOR EASIER AND SAFER ACCESS FOR OUR GUESTS.
WE'VE MADE STRIDES AND EFFORTS TO CREATE NEW PROGRAMMING IN ADDITION TO OUR USUAL ANNUAL EVENTS, ALL WHICH FOCUS ON EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE JOHN JAY FRENCH MUSEUM, OR ITS TIME PERIOD.
THESE EVENTS AND PROGRAMS RANGE FROM FREE TO LOW COST TO PAID ENTRY FUNDRAISING.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 1ST, WE HOSTED A FREE TALK ON SPIRITS AND SPIRITUALISM, OF WHICH THREE FOURTHS OF THE AUDIENCE HAD NEVER STEPPED FOOT ON OUR GROUNDS BEFORE.
WE WOULD LIKE TO PERSONALLY INVITE YOU TO OUR BIGGEST FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR, THE PUMPKIN WALK HAPPENING SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22ND, FROM SIX TO 9:00 PM ON THE FRENCH MUSEUM GROUNDS.
AND WE HAVE A STACKED CALENDAR THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE YEAR WITH OUR POPULAR HERITAGE, HAPPY HOURS, A TREE DEDICATION TO DR.
WILLIAM SEAL, HAPPENING ON OUR GROUNDS, AND A BRAND NEW MUSIC EVENT COMING IN DECEMBER.
WE'VE ALSO JOINED MUSEUMS FOR ALL AN INITIATIVE BETWEEN THE ASSOCIATION OF CHILDREN'S MUSEUMS AND THE INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SCIENCES TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY MUSEUM EXPERIENCES FOR FAMILIES OF ALL BACKGROUNDS.
WITH THIS PROGRAM, WE PROVIDE FREE ADMISSION FOR YOUR GENERAL ENTRY FOR UP TO FOUR GUESTS WITH THE PRESENCE OF ANY E B T CARD AND A VALID ID.
WE BELIEVE THIS PROGRAM WILL HELP KEEP OUR HISTORY EQUITABLE AND AVAILABLE TO ALL PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND BEYOND, AND WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO BE A PART OF IT.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR SUPPORTING OUR MISSION AND FOR ENSURING THAT THE JOHN J. FRENCH MUSEUM WILL BE AROUND FOR GENERATIONS TO ENJOY.
SETH WILLIAMS. 68 90 GLEN WILLOW DRIVE BY MY TEXAS.
UM, CHECK THE CONSENT AGENDA, BUT I'M NOT SURE WHAT ADAM HERE.
MY NAME IS SETH WELLS, AND I AM HERE TO DISCUSS ITEMS, UH, B THROUGH I, OR MORE SPECIFICALLY THE, THE, THE MISSING, A MISSING ENTITY THAT I BELIEVE SHOULD BE INCLUDED ON THIS LIST.
UM, I'M HERE TODAY AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BEAUMONT CHILDREN'S MUSEUM.
AS A RECENTLY APPOINTED DIRECTOR ON THEIR BOARD, I'M HERE TO REQUEST ACTION FROM THIS COUNCIL TO CORRECT AN ISSUE PLAGUING ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL CREATIVITY INSPIRING TOURISM DRIVING ENTITIES IN OUR GREAT CITY, THE BEAUMONT CHILDREN'S MUSEUM.
THE IMPACT TO OUR COMMUNITY IS UNDENIABLE.
IN 2001, THE FIRST YEAR IN THE POST COVID ERA, OUR CHILDREN'S MUSEUM SAW APPROXIMATELY 45,000 VISITORS THROUGH ITS DOORS, WHERE 25% WERE OUTSIDE OF AN EIGHT COUNTY AREA, MORE THAN QUALIFYING FOR A FAIR SHARE OF HOT TAX DOLLARS.
BASED ON THE STIPULATIONS OF THESE MONIES, THE PROJECTED NUMBER OF CLIENTS FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR, BASED ON CURRENT DATA IS 55,000 VISITORS TO THE MUSEUM.
A 20% INCREASE IN CONSUMERS MIGRATING TO OUR BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN AREA.
DESPITE THIS DATA, BEAUMONT CHILDREN'S MUSEUM STILL RECEIVES ZERO MONETARY SUPPORT FROM OUR CITY'S TAX REVENUE, INSTEAD PAYING 50 TO $60,000 BACK TO THE CITY.
NO OTHER MUSEUM IN BEAUMONT IS SUBJECTED TO THIS TYPE OF FINANCIAL DARE ELECTION.
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE VISITING OUR HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, AND OTHER MUSEUMS IN WHICH WE ALL LOVE.
AND THE BCM CONTINUES TO RECEIVE NONE OF THE TAX BENEFITS AS THE MUSEUM CAPITAL OF TEXAS.
HOW CAN WE ALLOW ONE OF OUR MOST HIGHLY VISITED MUSEUMS TO BE AFFECTED IN THIS WAY? BEAUMONT CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OFTEN SEES MORE VISITORS IN A BUSY WEEKEND THAN OTHER LOCAL MUSEUMS SEE IN AN ENTIRE YEAR.
AND THOSE MUSEUMS ARE RECEIVING 30, 40, 90, A HUNDRED AND UP TO $180,000 IN CITY TAX FUNDS.
WE WANT PEOPLE TO THINK OF DOWNTOWN BEAUMONT AS A FUN PLACE TO BE.
THE BCM CREATES THAT BRIDGE COULD TO CONNECT VISITORS WITH ALL THE FUN IN DOWNTOWN.
OUR CITY IS BETTER BECAUSE OF ITS PRESENCE AND IT NEEDS MORE CITY SUPPORT.
MUSEUMS ARE, THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM SPECIFICALLY ARE THE FASTEST GROWING DIVISIONS OF MUSEUMS IN THE COUNTRY.
EVERY DIRECT JOB IN A MUSEUM SUPPORTS AN ADDITIONAL JOB IN THE ECONOMY.
THIS IS A HIGHER RATE THAN MANY OTHER INDUSTRIES IN MUSEUMS AND NON, IN NON-PROFIT CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS RETURN MORE THAN $5 IN TAX REVENUE FOR EVERY DOLLAR THEY RECEIVE IN FUNDING FROM ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT.
THIS IS FROM THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN MUSEUMS. SO THE CITY OF BEAUMONT HAS BEGINNING A PRETTY GOOD DEAL FROM THE BEAUMONT CHILDREN'S MUSEUM.
I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN IT SINCE ITS INCEPTION.
[00:25:01]
OF THE STEERING COMMITTEES THAT HELPED CREATE IT WITH THE JUNIOR LEAGUE.AND WE WILL BE INVOLVED IN THE BEAUMONT CHILDREN MUSEUM AT NYEM AS LONG AS IT IS AVAILABLE BECAUSE WE HAVE SAID CONSTANTLY THAT THE FUTURE OF THIS CITY IS DEPENDENT ON HOW WE EDUCATE OUR YOUTH.
PLEASE HELP US SUPPORT THAT IDEA.
BOTH A 26 35 MCFADDEN, BEAUMONT, TEXAS I ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
ON BEHALF OF THE SPINDLE TOP GLAD CITY MUSEUM DIRECTOR, TROY GRAY AND THE REST OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, I'M HERE TO EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND A GRANT FROM LAST YEAR.
THIS YEAR, THE OVERALL ATTENDANCE IMPROVED BY 4,000 MORE VISITORS THAN LAST YEAR.
ATTENDANCE AND REVENUE ON RECORD.
VISITORS INCLUDED PEOPLE FROM 48 STATES AND THE ARMED FORCES PACIFIC, PLUS 34 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES.
VISITORS FROM NEW PLACES THIS YEAR INCLUDED SOME FROM CAYMAN ISLANDS, ESTONIA, JAMAICA, MARTINIQUE, SINGAPORE, SLOVENIA, AND ST.
EVENTS AT THE CHRISTMAS EVENTS INCLUDED THE CHRISTMAS BOOM TOWN, THE COUNTRY LIFE FESTIVAL, AND THE SPINEL TOP ANNIVERSARY, WHICH IS AN ANNUAL THING I'VE BEEN PARTICIPATING IN SINCE THE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY IN 2001, IMPROVEMENTS TO THE MUSEUM INCLUDE A NEW EXHIBIT, EXTENSIVE REPAIRS AND UPGRADING OF AN ADDITIONAL EXHIBIT.
YOUR GRANT HELPED US ACHIEVE THESE MILESTONES, AND WE INVITE YOU TO THE MUSEUM TO SEE THE RESULTS YOU HAVE, HAVE YOU HAVE HELPED MAKE POSSIBLE.
IF YOU COME FRIDAY NIGHT, OCTOBER 21ST, BETWEEN FIVE 30 AND 7:30 PM WE WILL GIVE YOU SOME HALLOWEEN CANDY.
AND YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BRING A CHILD
WE CERTAINLY HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE, CONTINUE YOUR SUPPORT OF THE SPIN TOP MUSEUM AS PART OF BEAUMONT AND SOUTHEAST TEXAS HERITAGE.
IT'S THE BASIS OF OUR ECONOMY TODAY.
5 0 5 ORLEANS, SUITE 1 0 3, BEAUMONT, TEXAS, ADAM E ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
ALWAYS BRING MY PARTNER WHEN I COME TO PLACES AND TALK.
UH, I WANTED TO FIRST OFF BEAR COUNCIL MAKE OFFER LETTING US COME TODAY AND VISIT WITH YOU.
UH, WE'RE, WE SURVIVED THE WEEKEND WITH OUR DOGS, AND, UH, WE, WE, UH, THANK Y'ALL FOR, UH, LETTING US COME OVER.
IF WE LOOK A LITTLE TIRED, WE'VE GOT SOME BOARD MEMBERS THAT ARE HERE THAT HELPED.
UH, IT WAS A BIG DAY, HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE.
THANK YOU FOR LEADING OUR STRU UP PARADE.
UH, I THINK EVERYBODY HAD A GREAT TIME AND WE, UH, APPRECIATE Y'ALL PARTICIPATING THAT DID PARTICIPATE.
IT'S BEEN 30 YEARS SINCE WE'VE BEEN Y'ALL'S PARTNERS AND, UH, WE, UH, HAVE ENJOYED EVERY MINUTE OF IT.
AND I WANTED TO THANK Y'ALL FOR LETTING US COME OVER AND KIND OF TELL US WHO WE'RE GONNA HAVE A 31ST YEAR, HOPEFULLY, UH, AS OUR FUNDING, UH, COMES IN, UH, WAS IN A GOOD MEETING WITH CAROL AND OUR NEW CITY MANAGER, MR. WILLIAMS, UH, A COUPLE OF WEEKENDS AGO.
AND WE KNOW THERE'S SOME NEW COUNCIL PEOPLE THAT ARE SITTING ON THE COUNCIL THAT MAYBE DON'T KNOW A WHOLE LOT ABOUT WHAT WE DO, AND I APOLOGIZE.
BUT WE PUT A PACKET TOGETHER FOR EVERYBODY, AND WE'RE GOING TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH Y'ALL A LOT MORE THAN WE HAVE IN THE PAST SO THAT THE NEW MEMBERS OF MR. GETZ AND MR. NE AND A FEW PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, UH, AND OWIN AND, AND OF COURSE, UH, YOU KNOW, MR. F Y'ALL HAVE BEEN AROUND AND YOU KIND OF KNOW WHO WE ARE, BUT WE WE'RE GONNA KIND OF REINTRODUCE OURSELVES TO Y'ALL.
SO, WHILE CAROL'S HANDED THESE OUT TO Y'ALL, UH, WE HOPE YOU HAVE ENOUGH TO
SHE JUST KIND, WE JUST WANNA LET Y'ALL KNOW WE'VE HAD SOME GREAT INTEREST FROM SOME INVESTORS IN THE LAST WEEK OR TWO THAT, UH, WE'RE MEETING WITH LATER THIS WEEK TO LOOK AT SOME BUILDINGS THAT, UH, WE HOPE ARE AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE TO COME IN AND TRY TO REHABILITATE AND CAN'T,
[00:30:01]
CAN'T TELL YOU WHO IT IS YET, BUT WE WILL.UH, WE'RE DOING A LOT OF THINGS AS FAR AS SOME PLANNING IN THE FUTURE.
WE'VE GOT SOME NEW EVENTS THAT WE'RE GONNA TRY TO COME UP WITH THIS YEAR THAT MIGHT BE PRETTY FUN.
WE THOUGHT A ONE OF 'EM MIGHT BE A GOOD DEAL TO HAVE WOULD BE A, A WIENER DOG RACE.
BUT WE WERE GONNA TRY TO DO IT AT THE, AT THE ART, UH, FESTIVAL IN THE, IN THE DOG FESTIVAL WHEN WE HAD IT.
BUT WE WERE SO TIGHT ON SCHEDULE, WE, WE FIGURED WE COULDN'T HAVE IT.
SO WE MAY HAVE A YY HOUR AND DO NOTHING BUT WIENER DOG RACES.
SO THAT MIGHT BE A NEW THING THAT WE DO.
BUT WE JUST BASICALLY CAME TODAY TO THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING Y'ALL DO.
YOU'VE DONE A WONDERFUL JOB KEEPING THE CITY PROPERTIES IN GOOD SHAPE.
UH, WE LOVE, UH, THE BICYCLES ROLLING AROUND TOWN.
WE LIKE THE SCOOTERS THAT PEOPLE ARE ON.
UH, WE LIKE EVERYTHING THAT Y'ALL DO AND WE SUPPORT IT.
AND IT'S, UH, A WONDERFUL THING TO SEE PEOPLE HAVING A GOOD TIME AND GETTING OUT THIS TIME OF YEAR.
AND I THINK THERE WERE A LOT OF GOOD EVENTS THAT HAPPENED LAST WEEKEND AND HOPEFULLY, UH, YOU KNOW, WE'LL KEEP DOING A LOT OF THAT.
I AM GONNA TELL YOU THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE BATTLESHIP COME HERE.
UH, I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE KINDA BROUGHT OUT MR. BELL FIRST.
I'M SORRY, I THINK YOUR BEEPER WENT OFF A FEW MINUTES AGO WHEN WE GOT, I BETTER GET OUTTA HERE.
I'D JUST LIKE TO SAY ONE THING IN THE PACKET IT SAY WHO WE ARE, WHAT WE DO, AND OUR QUARTERLY REPORTS FOR THE LAST YEAR, AND OUR REQUEST FOR FUNDING THAT WE HAD SENT.
SO IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT TO TOMARA AT THE OFFICE.
WE'LL BE HAPPY TO MEET, SIT DOWN AND MEET WITH ANY OF Y'ALL.
I HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THE PUBLIC COMMENTS.
UH, THIS WASN'T JUST LIMITED TO THE CONSENT AGENDA, BUT ALSO TO THE, UH, REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS THAT PEOPLE WANTED TO SPEAK, FOR INSTANCE, ON THE BATTLESHIP, THEY COULD DO THAT NOW, IS THAT CORRECT? SO, THEY CHECKED THE BOX SO THEY CAN SPEAK ON PUBLIC COMMENT, THEY CAN SPEAK ON, UM, ANYTHING ON THE CONSENT AGENDA IN ONE THROUGH SIX.
SO THEY WERE ABLE TO SPEAK ON IT, BUT MOST OF THEM CHECKED THE BOX TO SPEAK DURING PUBLIC HEARING, WHICH ALLOWS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AS WELL.
SO ARE WE GONNA ALLOW, SO IT'S, IT'S REALLY UP TO THE SPEAKER, BUT MOST OF THE, UM, TINA WAS VERY DI DILIGENT IN MAKING SURE WHEN THEY CHECKED THE BOX, WHAT THEY WANTED TO SPEAK AND WHEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE BATTLESHIP DOES ALLOW FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
AND SO AFTER THE PRESENTATION, UM, AND THE DISCUSSION, THE MAYOR, MAYOR COUNCIL CAN OPEN UP TO EITHER HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC, THEN YOU CAN RESERVE IT AND WAIT TO HEAR AB YOU KNOW, WITH THE CONCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC HEARING.
BUT MOST PEOPLE CHOSE TO SPEAK DURING THE PUBLIC HEARING.
BUT THEY HAVE THE OPTION TO SPEAK NOW.
WELL, HE, HE'S WELCOME TO COME UP AL ALTO WATSON, 26 15, GLADYS BEAUMONT, TEXAS.
Y'ALL KNOW WHERE I STAND ON THE BATTLESHIP, TEXAS.
I'VE BEEN WITH IT SINCE THE BEGINNING.
I BROUGHT, I'VE ONLY FOUND ABOUT THIS YESTERDAY.
SO I BROUGHT SOME LITTLE PAMPHLETS HERE WITH SOME FACTS AND SOME NUMBERS BECAUSE THAT'S SOMETHING THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HERE.
YOU CAN FOLLOW ALONG WITH ME IF YOU WANT TO.
UM, I, I LOOKED AT EVERY SINGLE BATTLESHIP MUSEUM IN THE COUNTRY, PLUS SOME OTHER SHIPS TO LOOK AT THE, THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT GO, CUZ THERE'S BEEN A PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH PEOPLE SAYING, WELL, DON'T BATTLESHIP ONLY HAD 60,000 PEOPLE.
AND THAT'S BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GET TO IT.
I, DOWN THE WAY OVER HERE, I HAD THIS COPIED AT, AT, UH, THE OFFICE DEPOT AND ONE OF THE GUYS, THEIR MANAGER WAS A SCHOOL BUS DRIVER.
AND HE SAYS, YEAH, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO GO THERE.
YOU HAD TO GO ALL THE WAY TO BEDTIME, YOU HAD TO GO ALL THE WAY BACK.
HE HAD TO GO ACROSS THAT SUPER CRAZY LITTLE FERRY, OKAY? WHICH IS DANGEROUS.
SO I WENT THROUGH, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MASSACHUSETTS, WHICH I COULDN'T GET ANY NUMBERS YESTERDAY CUZ IT WAS COLUMBUS DAY.
I GOT THE NUMBERS FOR HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN THERE.
AND IF YOU JUST FOLLOW ALONG WITH ME, THE BATTLESHIP, NORTH CAROLINA HAS 191,000 PEOPLE AVERAGE GOING TO IT.
AND WITH THE, WITH DOCUMENTATION, THE USS IOWA HAS 250,000.
THESE ARE WORLD WAR II BATTLE SHOPS, UH, WITH BACK UP THE WISCONSIN HAS 250,000 PEOPLE A YEAR.
THE MISSOURI HAS HAD 8 MILLION PEOPLE SINCE 1999.
THEY JUST DON'T HAVE A TOTAL NUMBERS.
THE USS YORKTOWN, WHICH IS IN CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, I'VE BEEN SPENDING A LOT OF TIME THERE BECAUSE MY WIFE'S SON LIVES THERE.
THE US S YORK TOWN IS A WORLD WAR II ESSEX
[00:35:01]
CARRIER, LIKE THEY HAVE DOWN IN CORPUS CHRISTI.UM, IT IS THE NUMBER ONE HERITAGE ATTRACTION IN SOUTH CAROLINA, BIGGER THAN FORT SUMTER, WHICH IS IN THE SAME BAY.
THEY DRAW MORE PEOPLE TO A BOAT THAN TO WHERE THE CIVIL WAR STARTED.
SO, AND THE LAST ONE I HAVE ON HERE IS USS ALABAMA, WHICH SITS ON INTERSTATE 10 ON A POINT WITH A PARKING LOT AND NOTHING AROUND IT.
NO DOWNTOWN, NO CROCKETT STREET, NO THEATER, NO ENERGY MUSEUM, NO CHILDREN'S MUSEUM, NOTHING.
THEY DREW 350,000 PEOPLE LAST YEAR AND THEY HAVE HAD 18 MILLION PEOPLE GO ACROSS ITS DECK SINCE 1965, WHICH IS 17,999,999.
MORE PEOPLE THEN WE'RE GETTING HERE RIGHT NOW.
I MEAN THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM, THAT'S 45,000 PEOPLE WENT, LITTLE CHILDREN 25 FROM OTHER COUNTIES.
THOSE KIDS WOULD GO TO THE BATTLESHIP TEXAS WHILE THEY'RE AT THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM.
THEY WOULD SHOW UP THEN MY WIFE BEING SMART, SHE WENT THROUGH, SHE'S THE NUMBERS LADY, SHE RUNS THE CHECKING ACCOUNT, HAVE ANOTHER HANDOUT.
THE USS ALABAMA HAS THREE AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.
AND I, I'D FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE, UM, LEXINGTON AND CORPUS CHRISTI.
BUT THOSE PEOPLE DOWN THERE ARE INVENTIVE.
THEY HAVE ESCAPE ROOMS ON THE THING, THE ESCAPE ROOM THING.
THEY HAVE TEACHING, THEY HAVE MOVIE NIGHTS ON THE FLIGHT DECK.
THEY HAVE OVERNIGHT CAMPS, WHICH WE'VE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE.
THEY HAVE NOT ONLY THE LARGEST HAUNTED HOUSE IN TEXAS, BUT THE LARGEST HAUNTED HOUSE IN THE COUNTRY ON THIS SHIP.
AND SO PEOPLE COME FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY TO GO TO IT.
AND SO IT'S, THEY HAD 270,000 VISITORS LAST YEAR AT $18 AND 95 CENTS A TICKET FOR THE HAUNTED HOUSE.
THEY CHARGED 30 AND THEY ARE FULLY BOOKED UP.
MAYOR, I DIDN'T TURN THE TIMER ON, BUT HIS TIME IS UP.
AND THEN THE LAST ONE HERE IS OF COURSE THE INTREPID IN NEW YORK.
I'VE BEEN TO A WEDDING THERE, I'VE BEEN HAD DRINKS ON IT.
THEY, THEY HAVE $34 MILLION IN REVENUE.
OKAY? BUT THAT'S THE KIND OF THING YOU COULD HAVE HERE.
I MEAN, I KEEP SAYING THAT BEAUMONT'S IDEA OF HISTORICAL RESTORATION IS TO TEAR DOWN A BEAUTIFUL OLD BUILDING AND PUT A PLAQUE INSTEAD OF BEAUTIFUL OLD BUILDING USED TO BE HERE.
I HAVE ONE MORE THAT WANTS TO SPEAK.
UH, BRIAN NIFO, 34 15 LAUREL, UM, BEAUMONT, TEXAS.
IT'S HARD TO COME BEHIND THAT.
UH, JUST WANTED TO SPEAK THAT I'M A PROPONENT OF THE BATTLESHIP OBVIOUSLY.
UH, ONE OF THE COUNCILMEN OVER THERE IS AS WELL.
UH, SO GET ME ONE OF THESE COOL LITTLE PINS IF I CAME UP HERE AND TALKED TO YOU GUYS ABOUT IT.
BUT, UM, HE GAVE ALL THE FACTS AND THE DETAILS.
SO IT'S DIFFICULT TO COME UP WITH ANYTHING THAT HE HASN'T ALREADY STATED.
AND I THINK THAT ALL THE SIDE BUSINESS THAT IT WOULD BRING WOULD HELP REVITALIZE DOWNTOWN.
AND OBVIOUSLY WHEN YOU GET OFF OF THE SHIP, UH, GOT ALL THE REST OF THE MUSEUMS THAT ARE HERE.
I THINK THAT'S ALL I HAVE, MAYOR.
CAN I, KATHY, MAYOR, SO BEFORE SHE STARTS, I NEED TO FIND OUT CUZ EVERYBODY ELSE THAT I HAVE GREEN SLIPS FOR EXCEPT FOR MAYBE FOUR, WANNA SPEAK ON BATTLESHIP.
SO I JUST NEED TO DO WE, BECAUSE I DON'T IS THIS BATTLESHIP? IT'S BATTLESHIP, YES.
SO, AND IT'S ALSO TOURISM, SO BOTH, BUT DO YOU NEED TO LEAVE? NO, I DO NOT LEAVE TO LEAVE.
COULD YOU WAIT? I CAN WAIT UNTIL WE GET TO BATTLESHIP.
YEAH, I JUST DO MY KIND OF TIED IN.
[CONSENT AGENDA]
AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO CALL FOR A MOTION FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA.MAY I MOVE TO, I MOVE TO APPROVE EXCLUDING, UH, ITEM M FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECUSAL.
I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THE FLOOR.
CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE PROCESS ON HOW WE, HOW WE SELECT THE MUSEUMS THAT WE'RE GIVEN MONEY TO?
[00:40:06]
SO THE PROCESS FOR HOT TAX DONATIONS TO THE MUSEUM DISTRICT AND ARTS, UH, SUPPORT HAS BASICALLY BEEN THE SAME FOR, FOR YEARS.WE HAVE AN APPLICATION THAT WE SEND TO INTERESTED PARTIES.
WE USUALLY DO THAT IN JUNE OR TRY TO DO IT IN JUNE.
THAT WAY WE CAN INCORPORATE THE NUMBERS WHEN WE'RE WORKING THROUGH THE BUDGET DRAFTS IN, IN JULY AND AUGUST.
AND, UM, WE PRESENT THOSE TO THE CITY MANAGER.
AS YOU ALL KNOW, THE CHARTER STATES THAT THE, UH, BUDGET IS THE CITY MANAGER'S BUDGET.
SO IN THE PAST WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN GIVEN DIRECTION BY THE CITY MANAGER AS TO WHICH, WHICH ENTITIES DEFINED AND, AND, AND HOW MUCH TO FUND.
BUT IN ACTUALITY, IT'S, IT'S PRETTY MUCH BEEN THE SAME SINCE 2013.
THE SAME ENTITIES GET THE SAME AMOUNT OF FUNDING, EXCEPT FOR MAYBE TWO YEARS AGO.
I THINK THE SPINDLE TOP MUSEUM APPROACHES ANY MANAGER AND ASKED FOR SOME FUNDS.
THE, SO THEY WERE AT IT MAYBE TWO YEARS AGO.
AND THEN I THINK CAG UM, KIND OF SPLIT WITH THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS, UH, CULTURAL ARTS DISTRICT.
THEY SPLIT, BUT THEY SHARED THE SAME ANNUAL ALLOCATION BETWEEN THE TWO.
SO, LIKE I SAID, SO SINCE 2013, IT'S BEEN PRETTY MUCH THE SAME ENTITIES RECEIVING THE SAME AMOUNTS EVERY YEAR, EXCEPT FOR THE EXCEPTION OF THE SPEND ON TOP MUSEUM.
SO DID THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM APPLY FOR THIS FUNDING? I KNOW THEY CAME AND TALKED LAST YEAR.
IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN AFTER THE BUDGET PROCESS, BUT YES, THEY DID APPLY THIS YEAR.
AND WHAT'S THE CITY'S REASONING FOR OVERLOOKING THEM? I DON'T KNOW IF DEAN OR CHRIS BOONE WANTS TO, UM, CHIME IN AT THIS POINT OR NOT, BUT BASICALLY I, I KNOW IT WAS DISCUSSED, THE APPLICATION WAS DISCUSSED, BUT I WAS NEVER GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT TO PUT IT IN.
THERE'S, THERE'S, I KNOW, JUST TO GIVE YOU SOME BACKGROUND IN CASE ONE OF THE TWO WANNA, WANNA TALK MORE ON IT, YOU KNOW, UM, I THINK BY STATUTE, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN SPEND UP TO 15% OF YOUR HOTEL FUNDS ON SUPPORTING THE ARTS.
SO 3 MILLION TIMES 15%, THAT'S ABOUT 450,000.
WE USUALLY ALLOCATE CLOSE TO 300,000 A YEAR.
SO I KNOW WE'RE GETTING CLOSE TO THE CAP, ALTHOUGH THERE'S ANOTHER 150,000 IN THAT, IN THAT CAP, IF MY INTERPRETATION OF THE STATUTE'S CORRECT.
AND ALSO, THIS WAS PROBABLY THE WORST YEAR FOR THE HOTEL FUND BECAUSE COUNCIL'S BEEN ASKED TO HAVE THE HOTEL FUND SUPPORT THE NEW, UH, NATURE CENTER OUT THERE.
SO THAT'S ABOUT ANOTHER $800,000 OF OPERATIONAL COST THAT CVB, THE HOTEL FUND HAS ABSORBED AND THEIR FUND BALANCES AT 300,000.
WELL, THAT'S WHAT THE BUDGET NEXT YEAR'S BUDGETED ENDING FUND BALANCE IS 300,000.
SO I DON'T KNOW IF ALL OF THOSE WERE FACTORS OR NOT, BUT CHRIS, IF YOU WANNA CHIME IN OR DEAN CONWELL'S HERE, THEY CAN, THEY CAN ADD TO IT.
YEAH, THE ONLY THING I'LL ADD IS, IS TODD MENTIONED IT'S A COMBINATION OF, UM, YOU'LL SEE GENERAL FUNDS CONTRIBUTING TO SOME OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS.
THE BULK OF IT BEING HOT TAX, WHICH OF COURSE IS THE IDEA BEHIND THAT IS COMES FROM HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAXES TO HELP, UH, YOU KNOW, ENCOURAGE VISITORS, UH, AND TOURISM TO OUR AREA.
UM, AND AGAIN, AS TODD MENTIONED, FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS, THIS HAS KIND OF BEEN OUR, THIS HAS BEEN OUR ALLOCATIONS TO THESE ORGANIZATIONS.
UM, AND SO THE IDEA WAS TO KEEP THAT, UH, THE SAME GOING FORWARD.
I GUESS MY, MY THOUGHT THOUGH IS HEADCOUNT WISE, AS FAR COMPARING THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM TO THE OTHER MUSEUMS, DO WE KNOW WHERE THEY, WHERE THEY RANK? I MEAN, IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY'RE ONE OF THE BIGGER CROWDS, RIGHT? SO EACH OF THE ENTITIES IS REQUIRED TO REPORT.
UM, BUT THERE, THERE'S NOT A, THERE'S NOT A STANDING PROCESS OTHER THAN WHAT TODD MENTIONED FOR EVALUATION RANKING.
UM, IN OTHER WORDS, YOU KNOW, PER DOLLAR PER VISITOR, WE, WE DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF, UM, PROCESS SET IN PLACE.
SO THE COUNCIL SO CHOOSES TO ADD THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM TO THIS ALLOTMENT OF MONEY THIS YEAR.
HOW WOULD THAT WORK? WE COULD HANDLE THAT, UM, IN THE BUDGET THROUGH SAVINGS IN OTHER AREAS, OR IF IT CAUSES US TO GO OVER BUDGET, WE'LL OF COURSE COME TO BACK TO COUNCIL AND ASK FOR OUR BUDGET AMENDMENT.
I GUESS MY LAST QUESTION I'D BE INTERESTED IN HEARING FROM THE CVB WHERE THE MONEY ACTUALLY RUNS THROUGH TO SEE IF THEY HAVE ANY COMMENTS ON THIS.
UH, WE, WE STRONGLY SUPPORT THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM.
WE THINK IT'S ONE OF OUR TOP MUSEUMS, BUT WITH THIS NEW NATURE CENTER, IT'S GONNA COST US ABOUT 3 MILLION TO DO WHAT WE PROPERLY WANT TO DO.
UH, WE USED TO MANAGE TWO BUILDINGS, NOW WE MANAGE FOUR BUILDINGS.
UH, OUR EXPENSES ARE GETTING INCREDIBLE.
UH, THE HOTEL TAX COLLECTIONS FOR THIS YEAR WERE NOT NEAR AS GOOD AS LAST YEAR.
I THINK LAST YEAR WHEN THE HURRICANE
[00:45:01]
HIT LAKE CHARLES, OUR TAX COLLECTIONS GREW UP ABOUT $600,000 FOR THE YEAR.UH, WE WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT THE MUSEUM, BUT IF WE'RE EVER GONNA OPEN UP THE NATURE CENTER THE WAY WE WANT TO DO IT, UH, IT PROBABLY WILL NOT OPEN UP AT LEAST MAYBE TWO OR THREE MORE YEARS.
WHAT IF WE WERE TO, UM, WHAT IF WE WERE TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT THAT WE'RE GIVEN SOME OF THE OTHER PEOPLE TO GIVE THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM? SO I THINK THAT WOULD BE THE MOST LOGICAL AND EQUITABLE.
UH, I'M NOT SURE HOW MUCH, HOW MANY MUCH THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM WANTS OR IS REQUESTING.
WHEN I CAME HERE 20 YEARS AGO, IT WAS BASICALLY THE WAY IT IS NOW.
IT'S A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THIS MUSEUM, A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THIS MUSEUM.
IT'S, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE GREAT MUSEUMS, THEY GET GOOD HEAD COUNTS, BUT HOW MANY OF THOSE PEOPLE ACTUALLY STAY IN HOTELS? SO THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE HOTEL TAX DOLLARS.
SO THERE'S JUST, I'M NOT SURE THERE'S ENOUGH FUNDS TO GO AROUND TO DO EVERYTHING WE WANT TO DO.
WELL, THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER SAMUEL.
AND COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, I KNOW OVER THE YEARS, UH, I'VE NOT KNOWN ANY, UH, SET STRATEGY THAT WAS USED TO, UH, ALLOCATE THE FUNDS.
UH, AT ONE TIME, YOU KNOW, IT WASN'T A PROBLEM.
BUT WE ARE SEEING GROWING NUMBERS NOW.
UM, UH, THERE'S A SPECIAL, THERE'S A CRITERIA THAT MUST BE MET TO EVEN APPLY.
AM I CORRECT? THAT IS CORRECT.
AND, UH, HOW DO WE GET THAT INFORMATION OUT? BECAUSE I DON'T THINK, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, OVER THE YEARS WE'VE SIMPLY BEEN REFUNDING THOSE WHO HAD APPLIED BEFORE AND THAT'S THE WAY IT WAS DONE AND THE MAJORITY OF THE CASES.
SO NOW WE'RE AT A POINT THAT WE HAVE MORE, UH, INDIVIDUAL ENTITIES WANTING TO GET FUNDS.
SO, BUT WE DON'T HAVE A CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING HOW MUCH WE WILL GO TO THEM AND WHETHER THEY WILL GET ANYTHING.
SO DO YOU BELIEVE THAT, UH, I, I ASKED THIS TO YOU AS WELL AS, UH, TODD AND UH, CHRIS, DO YOU THINK WE'RE AT A POINT NOW WE NEED TO GET PUT IN PLACE A MECHANISM TO DETERMINE HOW THIS IS GONNA BE DONE? YEAH, I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT COMPLETELY.
LIKE I SAID, IN THE PAST IT'S, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN, YOU KNOW, UP TO THE CITY MANAGER TO DELEGATE HOW MUCH MONEY WENT TO EACH ENTITY AND IT STAYED THE SAME FOR YEARS.
UM, WE'RE TO THE POINT NOW, ESPECIALLY WITH MORE FUNDS BEING REQUESTED AND IF WE DO REACH THE CAP OF 15% OF HOTEL TAX REVENUE, THAT LIMITS WHAT WE CAN DOLL OUT.
SO THERE ABSOLUTELY SHOULD BE SOME KIND OF CRITERIA TO MEASURE AND EVALUATE AND MAYBE WITH THE NEW CITY MANAGER ON BOARD, YOU KNOW, WE CAN DISCUSS THAT WITH HIM AND DEVELOP SOMETHING FOR NEXT YEAR.
AND WITH THAT, UM, THIS IS FOR THE 2023 BUDGET YEAR, THESE APPLICATIONS, THE FUNDS WILL COME FROM THAT, CORRECT? THAT'S CORRECT.
AND MOST OF THESE CAME FROM HOT FUNDS, BUT A FEW CAME WITH HOT FUNDS AND FUNDS FROM THE CAPITAL RESERVE OR GENERAL GENERAL FUND.
NOT THE CAPITAL RESERVE, BUT THE GENERAL FUND.
BUT THAT ALSO IS EQUATED TO THE PURPOSE OF THE TAX HOT FUNDS, WHICH IS FOR, UM, TOURISM AND UH, YEAH, IT NEEDS TO DIRECTLY ENHANCE AND PROMOTE TOURISM, THE CONVENTION AND THE HOTEL INDUSTRY.
THOSE ARE THE THREE, YOU KNOW, OBJECTIVES OF THE HOTEL TAGS.
AND WITHIN THAT CRITERIA OF MEETING, YOU KNOW, ENHANCING TOURISM, THE HOTEL AND THE, AND THE, UH, CONVENTION INDUSTRY, YOU HAVE NINE CATEGORIES THAT ARE STATUTORY ALLOWED TO SPEND HOT TAX ON.
AND ONE OF 'EM IS SUPPORT OF THE ARTS.
SO MR. MANAGER, THAT'S AN ISSUE THAT WHEN THAT COULD BE EASILY RESOLVED BECAUSE WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH SOME MECHANISM, UH, FOR ALLOCATING THESE FOR UH, COUNCIL MEMBER.
I'M SORRY, WHO WAS GETTING READY TO SPEAK? IT'S ON ME.
COUNCIL MEMBER TURNER, THEN COUNCIL MEMBER GATES.
I AGREE WITH, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER SAMUEL ON THE MECHANISM, I BELIEVE, YOU KNOW, BASED UPON WHAT WE HEARD TODAY, I THINK IS, YOU KNOW, ADAMANT THAT WE CREATE A SYSTEM SO WE CAN MAKE SURE WE GET THESE FUNDS OUT FAIR AND EQUITABLE TO EVERYBODY.
I'M A COMPONENT OF CHILDREN AND I DEFINITELY THINK WE SHOULDN'T OVERLOOK ANYTHING THAT RESULTS TO CHILDREN BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS THAT WERE ON THIS OR THAT WAS ON THIS LIST THAT HAD TO DO WITH CHILDREN.
UH, THE HIGH TECH FUNDS, I ADDED IT UP, THAT'S ROUGHLY $292,000 THAT WE SPENT.
SO THAT WAS THE EXACT DOLLAR AMOUNT.
[00:50:01]
MORE CONCERN IS THE MONEY THAT CAME OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND, WHICH CAME OUT TO BE $210,000 ROUGHLY.SO I HAD OTHER PEOPLE ASK ME WHEN THEY SEEN WE WERE GIVING OUT FUNDS, OKAY, IF WE'RE GIVING OUT FUNDS, HOW DO WE APPLY, WHAT DO WE DO TO GET 'EM? SO THE MONEY COMING OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND, WHAT IS THE PROCESS? WHAT IS THE SYSTEM? IS IT SOMETHING THAT'S OPEN TO THE PUBLIC OR IS IT SOMETHING WE KIND OF JUST SENT IT TO OR WHO WE NORMALLY DEAL WITH? IT'S A JOINT APPLICATION THAT'S ALL INCLUDED IN THE SAME APPLICATION.
I CAN ONLY GUESS AS TO WHY FUNDS CAME OUTTA THE GENERAL FUND.
MY MY ASSUMPTION IS THAT HOTEL TAX REVENUE WAS A LOT LOWER BACK IN 2013.
AND SO IF YOU CAN ONLY ALLOCATE 15% OF THAT TO THE SUPPORT OF THE ARTS, THE OVERFLOW WENT TO THE GENERAL FUND.
AND SO WE JUST CARRIED THAT, THAT TRADITION WITH, YOU KNOW, WITH THE CITY MANAGER IN PLACE AT THE TIME.
SO, BUT IT IS ALL INCLUDED ON THE SAME APPLICATION.
SO EVEN WITH THE FUNDING THAT COMES OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND, AND I THINK MY PERSONAL OPINION WHEN IT COMES TO THE CHAMBER AND MAIN STREET, YOU KNOW, WE AS THE COUNCIL, I THINK IT'LL BE GOOD FOR US TO WORK BETTER TOGETHER AND WE PROBABLY HEAR FROM 'EM MORE ON A MAYBE QUARTERLY BASIS SO WE CAN BE UPDATED AND KNOW WHAT THEY'RE GOING ON, YOU KNOW, VERSUS, YOU KNOW, WE GOTTA GO TO 'EM, BUT WE ACTUALLY WORK TOGETHER AND KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON TO SEE HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER.
CAUSE I THINK HEARING FROM 'EM ON A QUARTERLY BASIS, WE CAN KIND OF BE ABREAST OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE COMMUNITY.
BECAUSE OFTEN WHEN PEOPLE SEE DEVELOPMENT AND THEY WANNA KNOW INFORMATION ABOUT DOWNTOWN, A LOT OF PEOPLE CO CONTACT THE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
SO IF WE CAN ESTABLISH A BETTER WORKING RELATIONSHIP OR WE CAN KIND OF COMMUNICATE MAYBE QUARTERLY, MAYBE THEY COME IN AND GIVE A REPORT SO WE CAN ALL BE ON THE SAME PAGE.
I THINK THAT WOULD BE VERY BENEFICIAL IF WE CAN LOOK AT DOING THAT IN THE FUTURE AS WELL.
YOU KNOW, JUST CREATE A GOOD STREAMLINED PROCESS SO THE COMMUNICATION COULD BE CLEAR THROUGH EVERYBODY.
MAY I SAY ONE WORD? A FEW WORDS? UH, BUT THREE YEARS AGO WE HAD NO IDEA WE WERE GOING TO BE TAKING OVER THE TASK OF REDOING THE NATURE CENTER OUT THERE.
SO THAT'S BASICALLY GONNA BE, IT'S ALMOST BEEN A $2 MILLION HIT AND IT'S GONNA BE ANOTHER MILLION DOLLARS TO DO IT PROPERLY.
AND COULD I BRING UP BRIAN SMITH FOR A SECOND IF YOU'D LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING, PLEASE? SURE.
I JUST WANTED TO, I JUST WANTED TO BRING UP A HISTORICAL POINT GOING BACK TO 1985 AND 1987, I CAN'T SPEAK AND THERE'S NO ONE HERE FROM THE ART MUSEUM, BUT I KNOW THE ART MUSEUM AND THE TEXAS ENERGY MUSEUM WE'RE CREATED AS PART OF THAT REVITALIZATION IN THE, IN THE EIGHT, IN 19 87, 19 85, AS A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY.
SO THE CITY WAS INSTRUMENTALLY A PARTNER IN CREATING THE ART MUSEUM AND IN CREATING THE TEXAS MUSEUM.
SO WE'RE NOT COMING BACK AS AN EXISTING ENTITY.
NOT, NOT I SUPPORT EVERY MUSEUM IN THE AREA, BUT JUST GIVE YOU A HISTORICAL CONTEXT.
THESE TWO MUSEUMS WERE CREATED AS A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ART MUSEUM AND A PRIVATE ENTITY.
I MEAN WITH THE, WITH THE CITY AND THE, UH, THE, UH, THE ENTITY INVOLVED.
SO I JUST WANNA GIVE YOU THAT HISTORICAL PER PERSPECTIVE CUZ THE TEXAS ENERGY MUSEUM WAS CREATED WITH THE GIFT FROM FORT WORTH BECAUSE THE CITY AND LAMAR UNIVERSITY GAVE SOMETHING LIKE 80%, UH, OF CREATING THAT ENTITY.
SO I HOPE THAT GIVES SOME PERSPECTIVE.
AND, AND LASTLY, UH, WE AS A COUNSELOR WAS PRIVILEGED TO VISIT NASHVILLE IN TENNESSEE.
AND ONE THING THAT I SEEN WITH THE MUSEUMS OUT THERE WAS PRETTY COOL.
I ACTUALLY TOOK MY KIDS TO DO IT.
THEY HAD ONE MUSEUM TICKET THAT GAVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO SEE ALL THE DIFFERENT MUSEUMS DOWNTOWN.
SO, YOU KNOW, IF OUR MUSEUMS COULD COME TOGETHER AND KIND OF CREATE A MECHANISM SIMILAR TO THAT, I THINK THAT WOULD BOOST TOURISM AS WELL BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE REAL BIG ON HISTORY.
SO IF WE CAN LOOK IT AWAY MAYBE ON WEEKENDS, THAT, THAT ONE PARTICULAR DAY WE COULD DO ONE TICKET AND ALLOW FAMILIES TO MOVE FROM MUSEUM TO MUSEUM, I THINK THAT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO ALL OF THEM TOGETHER.
SO THAT'S JUST A SUGGESTION OF ANOTHER CITY I SEEN.
COUNCIL MEMBER GETS, AND THEN MAYOR PRO TIM DUO.
SO I THINK THAT, UH, WHAT YOU JUST SAID, UH, COUNCILMAN RETURNER IS GONNA BE KIND OF A COMPONENT OF THIS MUSEUM MADNESS WHERE YOU CAN GET INTO ALL THE MUSEUMS, BUT I THINK YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT DOING IT MORE THAN JUST ONCE A YEAR.
YOU KNOW, I REMEMBER WHEN THE BEAUMONT CHILDREN'S MUSEUM DID NOT HAVE A BRICK AND MORTAR PLACE.
THEY JUST HAD A DOLL NAMED STUFFY AND THEY WOULD GO AROUND AND THAT WOULD BE, UH, THE BEAUMONT CHILDREN'S MUSEUM'S, UH, WAY OF EDUCATING CHILDREN ABOUT ANATOMY.
AND THEY DID VARIOUS THINGS, BUT THEY PROCEEDED THROUGH THE YEARS TO GROW AND GROW AND GROW TO WHERE THEY ARE NOW, 45,000 VISITORS A YEAR.
I, I MEAN, THEY ARE BY FAR THE LARGEST, UH, MUSEUM IN TERMS OF VISITORS.
WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO SUPPORT THEM AND I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO PUT THAT OFF TO NEXT YEAR.
[00:55:01]
TO ITEMS B THROUGH I ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, I WOULD ASK IF WE COULD CONSIDER LOOKING AT THESE ITEMS SEPARATE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, BECAUSE I'M PREPARED TO MAKE A MOTION TO REDUCE ACROSS THE BOARD ALL THE ALLOCATIONS THAT ARE PROPOSED ON HERE BY 5% AND BRING THAT MONEY TO THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM, WHICH GIVE THEM ABOUT $27,000.I THINK IT'S THE FAIREST AND EQUIT MOST EQUITABLE WAY TO DO IT BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, 5% IS NOT GOING TO BREAK THE BANK FOR ANY OF THESE, UH, VARIOUS ENTITIES THAT ARE GIVING, BEING GIVEN THIS MONEY.
BUT IT WILL MEAN A LOT WHEN YOU ADD ALL OF THAT UP TO THE, UH, UH, MOUTH, THE MONEY THAT THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM WOULD GIVE.
SO COUNCIL MEMBER SHAW, WOULD YOU, UH, ACCEPT AN AMENDMENT TO YOUR MOTION FOR ALL OF THE CONSENT AND AGENDA TO JUST, UH, LET'S TALK ABOUT ITEMS, BE THROUGH I RIGHT NOW AND THEN GO TO THE REST OF THE CONSENT AGENDA? YES.
SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, UM, I, I MOVE THAT WE THERE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR? THERE'S A MOTION ON THE FLOOR.
THERE'S A MOTION ON THE FLOOR AND MAYOR PRO TIM DIO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT BECAUSE HIS DISCUSSION.
ALSO, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE IT KNOWN.
OF COURSE WE SUPPORT THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM, BUT ISN'T THE NATURE CENTER GEARED MORE TOWARDS CHILDREN, KIND OF LIKE A CHILDREN MUSEUM? I HAVE INTERACTIVE THINGS FOR THE KIDS AND, AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
IT'S FOR CHILDREN AND IT'S FOR VISITORS, IT'S FOR PEOPLE THAT RESPECT NATURE.
NOT ONLY ARE WE PLANNING ON REDOING THAT BUILDING, WE'RE PLANNING ON BUILDING A TRAIL, A RACE TRAIL THROUGH THE PARK THAT WILL CONNECT CATTAIL MARSH TO THE NATURE CENTER.
SO WHEN PEOPLE DRIVE UP, INSTEAD OF GOING IN ONE MUSEUM, LOADING THE KIDS UP, DRIVING AROUND THE OTHER ONE, NOW THEY CAN JUST WALK PRETTY MUCH BE A SEAMLESS APPROACH.
AND OF THE, UM, YOUR CURRENT PLAN, WHEN THAT CURRENT PLAN AND FUNDING, WHEN SHOULD THAT BE COMPLETE WITH ACTUALLY BE IN USE FOR KIDS? WELL, WE'RE GONNA CONCENTRATE ON THE LARGER SIDE OF THE BUILDING, THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE BUILDING.
UH, WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING SOME BIDS.
WE'RE, WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE COMPANY OUTTA HOUSTON, THAT'S SHOWN US SOME DIFFERENT RENDERINGS.
UH, WE THINK THAT'LL COST ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS TO HAVE THE MAJOR PART OF THE BUILDING DONE.
THEN WE WANNA MOVE TO THE OUTSIDE AND THEN WE'LL MOVE TO THE RIGHT SIDE AFTER THAT.
PROBABLY OPEN UP ONE SIDE OF THE BUILDING A YEAR FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
UH, AS MENTIONED AS THE, UH, UH, MO THE PROPOSED MOTION THAT COUNCIL MEMBER GETS IS PUT ON, UH, THAT'S NOT GONNA CHANGE.
UH, THE, IT'S NOT GONNA CHANGE THE IMPACT ON THE NATURE CENTER AT THIS POINT, WOULD IT? IN TAKING THE 5%? IT, IT WOULD BE THE SAME AMOUNT OF FUNDS, SO IT REALLY SHOULDN'T CHANGE, CHANGE ANYTHING.
VERY, VERY, UH, WHILE HERE AND THE PROPOSED MOTION WAS MADE.
I WILL, I ACCEPT THE MOTION THAT'S BEEN MADE OR THE AMENDMENT AND I WILL REMAIN WITH THE SECOND ON THAT AMENDMENT.
UH, ONE OF THE MOST DISCUSSED THINGS, DISCUSS THINGS, UH, COUNCIL WILL DO IS EVERY YEAR IS TALK ABOUT DISTRIBUTION OF HOT PROTECT FUNDING, BUT ALSO NONPROFIT FUNDING, UH, WITH GROUPED AROUND THE CITY.
SO, UH, IN LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE, FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD FROM YOU TODAY, WE WILL GO, COME UP WITH SOME GUIDELINES.
WE, WE'LL, UH, PUT TOGETHER A SET OF GUIDELINES AND A PROCESS FOR THIS TO, UH, PLAY THROUGH FOR NEXT YEAR IN THE FUTURE.
UH, STAFF WILL PUT IT TOGETHER AND THEY END, THEY'LL BE APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL.
SO THAT WILL ALL BE ON THE SAME, UH, PAGE.
YOU KNOW, STAFF'S DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB.
THEY WERE WORKING WITH WHAT THEY HAD IN THE PAST, BUT IT'S JUST AN IMPERFECT SCIENCE AND, AND IT GETS REAL DIFFICULT TO DO.
UH, BUT WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND TOO THAT BASICALLY IF WE COULD KEEP THE FUNDING THE WAY IT IS AND WE CAN FUND THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM IF YOU SO CHOOSE OUT OF JAIL FUND.
AND THAT WAY WE WON'T, WE WON'T HAVE TO REDUCE ANYONE ELSE.
THAT'S AN OPTION TWO THAT YOU CONSIDER.
WE, WE DO HAVE SOME DOLLARS, UH, AVAILABLE TO DO THAT IF YOU SO CHOOSE.
UM, JUST A COUPLE OTHER THINGS.
UPDATES, UH, YOU WILL START GETTING REGULAR UPDATES UP.
AS TOM SAID, I MET WITH THE, UH, UH, MAIN STREET AND YOU'LL START GETTING THE QUARTERLY UPDATES FROM THEM AND THE CHAMBER UP THERE ON THAT.
[01:00:02]
FUTURE I WOULD, I WOULD RECOMMEND SEPARATING THE, THE NONPROFIT FUNDING FROM THE, UM, UH, HOT TAX FUNDING.YOU KNOW, CAUSE THE HOT TAX, THE MAIN CRITERIA IS PUTTING HEADS IN BEDS.
IF IT DOESN'T PUT HEADS IN BEDS, YOU, YOU'RE NOT TO PULL TO FUND EVEN WITH THE OTHER EIGHT CRITERIA, EIGHT OR NINE CRITERIA.
IT'S GOTTA SATISFY THAT FIRST.
AND THEN THE OTHER NONPROFIT THINGS, UH, ITEMS, WE COULD DO THAT WITH DRONE FUND, BUT THERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU CAN CONSIDER IF YOU SO CHOOSE.
THANK COUNCIL MEMBER GETZ, I AGREE WITH, UH, WHAT OUR CITY MANAGER RECOMMEND, CONSIDERING THAT MOST OF THESE ENTITIES HAVE PROBABLY JUST GONE THROUGH BUDGET SEASON AND HAVE ALREADY, UH, PROBABLY COUNTING ON THIS MONEY COMING IN.
UM, BUT IF WE COULD FIND A WAY TO GIVE THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM SOME MONEY THIS YEAR, BUT THEN HAVE EVERYTHING SHORE BACK UP BEFORE NEXT BUDGET SEASON COUNCIL MEMBER GETS MAYOR, I, I'LL WITHDRAW THAT MOTION AND MAKE ANOTHER MOTION THAT WE, UH, ALLOCATE THAT THAT WOULD'VE RAISED $27,000 FOR THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM IF WE WERE TO CUT EVERYBODY ELSE BY 5%.
BUT I'M, I'M PREPARED TO WITHDRAW THAT MOTION AND, UH, MOVE THAT WE, UM, SAY $27,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND IF, UH, IF THAT'S THE DESIRE OF THE CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL.
SO YOUR MOTION
LET'S GET THE CONSENT AGENDA APPROVED AND THEN WE CAN COME BACK AND DISCUSS THESE MUSEUMS. OKAY, WE DO THAT.
SO, UH, I MOVED THAT WE APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA EXCLUDING ITEMS B THROUGH I AND ITEM M, YOU'RE EXCLUDING YOURSELF FROM M CORRECT? I WE'RE GONNA VOTE ON IT.
SEPARAT, WE, WE'LL VOTE SECOND, WE'LL DEAL WITH B AND I, WE'LL DEAL WITH B AND I SEPARATELY AND ITEM M SEPARATELY.
BUT LET'S GET PAST THE CONSENT AGENDA, THEN WE CAN DO WITH THE MUSEUMS AND M SEPARATELY.
OKAY, SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THE FLOOR.
ALL IN FAVOR, MAYOR PRO TIM DIAN, IF WE'RE GONNA FUND THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM WITH MONEY FROM THE GENERAL FUND, IT'S NO REASON TO DELAY VOTING ON BEAT THROUGH I CUZ THEY'RE GETTING THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY.
SO WE'RE NOT DELAYING AND WE'RE JUST GONNA HOLD IT FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION SEPARATELY.
SO WE JUST WANNA PROVE I THE, THE OTHER ITEMS AND THEN COME BACK TO DISCUSS THOSE ITEMS SEPARATELY, RIGHT? OKAY.
SO WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE SECOND ON THE FLOOR FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA.
ALL FOR ITEMS A, J, K, L, L, N, O, P, Q, R, S, AND T, EVERYTHING BUT EXCEPT B THROUGH I, B THROUGH I, B THROUGH I AND M, B THROUGH I AND M.
ALL IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THOSE ITEMS, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING I.
ANY OPPOSE? THE MOTION CARRIES.
[M. Approve a resolution rejecting all bids received for a six-month contract for paper products, trash liners, and miscellaneous janitorial supplies]
MAY I HAVE A MOTION FOR ITEM M? SO MOVE FOR ITEM M.HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THE FLOOR.
ANY DISCUSSION FOR ITEM M? I HAVE A QUESTION THERE.
THE, SO TALKING TO THE ATTORNEY I GUESS.
ALL IN FAVOR OF A PROVEN ITEM M.
[B - I Confirmation of board and commission member appointments]
MAY I HAVE A MOTION FOR ITEM B THROUGH I MAYOR, I MOVE THAT WE, UH, APPROVE ITEMS FEED THROUGH I, UH, BUT ALSO THAT WE ALLOCATE $27,000 OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND TO GO TO THE BEAUMONT CHILDREN'S MUSEUM BEFORE WE HAVE A SECOND TO THAT ITEM.THAT REALLY NEEDS TO COME BACK AS AN A SECOND POSTED ITEM NEXT WEEK.
SO YOU CAN REQUEST IT TO BE ADDED TO THE AGENDA, BUT WE CAN'T APPROVE IT TODAY CAUSE IT WASN'T A POSTED ITEM THEN I WILL CHANGE THAT SO THAT I WILL REQUEST THAT TO BECOME BACK AS AN ITEM NEXT WEEK ON FUNDING THE BELMONT CHILDREN MUSEUM OUTTA THE GENERAL FUND.
SO TAPE, TECHNICALLY WE'RE TABLING IT TILL NEXT WEEK.
SO THE MOTION IS TO APPROVE ITEMS, BE THROUGH I WITH, WITH THE CONDITION THAT THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM COMES BACK FOR APPROVAL NEXT WEEK OUT OF THE GENERAL TIME.
CAN I JUST MENTION ONE THING SOMEONE ON COUNCIL ASKED EARLIER, AND I HAVE THE INFORMATION, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS GONNA CHANGE COUNCIL'S
[01:05:01]
DIRECTION OR NOT, BUT ON THEIR APPLICATION THEY DID ASK FOR 61,500 OUT OF THE HOTEL FUND AND 46,000 OUTTA THE GENERAL FUND.IF YOU DON'T WANT TO ASK THEM QUESTIONS, THEY SHOULD COME BACK NEXT WEEK AND IT'S A POSTED ITEM.
ALL IN FAVOR OF APPROVE ITEMS BE THROUGH I WITH YOU.
OH, MAY I HAVE A SECOND? A SECOND.
HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THE FLOOR.
ALL IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THOSE ITEMS THAT WE JUST DISCUSSED.
ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES.
WHOEVER CELL PHONE THAT IS, COULD YOU PLEASE EXCUSE YOURSELF AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR CELL PHONE AS ANNOUNCED INITIALLY, I ASK IF YOU WOULD PLEASE SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONES AT THE BEGINNING.
SO WHOEVER'S CELL PHONE THAT IS, PLEASE TURN YOUR CELL PHONE OFF OR I WILL ASK TO HAVE YOU REMOVED.
SO LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THIS IS COUNCIL WORKING TOGETHER AND WORKING TO THE BENEFIT OF OUR CITIZENS AND OUR MUSEUMS AND ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS IN THE CITY.
SO TO ALL OF THE COUNCIL, THANK YOU.
SO WE'RE GONNA MOVE RIGHT, RIGHT ALONG.
[1. Consider approving the purchase of one articulating dump truck for use in the Solid Waste Divison]
MANAGER, MAY I HAVE THE READING OF ITEM NUMBER ONE, PLEASE? THANK YOU BEAR AND COUNCIL, ITEM ONE IS TO COUNCIL CONSIDER RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF ONE ARTICULATING DUMP TRUCK FOR USING THE SOLID WASTE DIVISION.THIS IS, EXCUSE ME, UM, MR. CITY MANAGER.
OKAY, COULD YOU PLEASE? THANK YOU.
OKAY, COUNCIL, CONSIDER RESOLUTION IMPROVING THE PURCHASE OF ONE ARTICULATING DUMP TRUCK FOR USING THE SOLID WASTE DIVISION.
THIS IS TO REPLACE AN EXISTING DUMP TRUCK, UH, THAT IS OUTLIVE, THAT IT'S EXPECTED LIFE.
YOU'VE HEARD THE READING OF ITEM NUMBER ONE.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION? PLEASE MOVE TO APPROVE.
SECOND, HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THE FLOOR.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? NO DISCUSSION.
ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING I, UH, MY PLEASURE.
ANY OPPOSED? YOU KNOW WHAT, NOW IT'S GETTING DISRESPECTFUL.
OKAY, BUT YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO TURN YOUR CELL PHONE OFF, BUT IT'S STILL, IT'S STILL INTERRUPTING THE MEETING.
THAT WASN'T, HE WASN'T, IT WASN'T HIM.
SO WHOEVER CELL PHONE KEEPS GOING OFF, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE TURN YOUR CELL PHONE OFF.
WELL SIR, IF IT'S OFF, I'M, I'M NOT SPEAKING TO YOU.
WHOEVER I, I CAN'T TELL WHOSE CELL PHONE IT IS, BUT THE NEXT TIME IT GOES OFF, I'M GONNA HAVE OFFICER RALEIGH ESCORT YOU OUT OF THE MEETING.
[2. Consider approving the purchase of miscellaneous equipment for use in various City Departments]
OKAY, MAY NEXT ITEM, MS. COUNCIL, CONSIDER RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT FOR USE IN VARIOUS CITY DEPARTMENTS.THIS IS TO REPLACE, UH, MOORE'S ATV VEHICLE, UH, TRACTORS, ET CETERA.
YOU'VE HEARD THE READING OF ITEM NUMBER TWO, MAY I HAVE A MOTION? PLEASE MOVE TO APPROVE.
I HAVE A MOTION IN THE SECOND ON THE FLOOR.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? COUNCIL MEMBER TURNER, THEN MAYOR PRO.
TIM DIO, JUST A QUESTION JUST FOR STAFF IN GENERAL.
WHEN WE REPLACE THIS EQUIPMENT, DO WE WHAT SURPLUS IT IN RESALE OR DO WE KIND OF JUST UTILIZE IT IF WE NEED, IF SOMETHING BREAKS DOWN, MOST OF 'EM ARE, UM, SOLD OFF IN AN AUCTION PER STATE LAW.
BUT, UM, IN THE CASES WHERE THE FLEET MANAGER FEELS THAT WE NEED ONE FOR RESERVE, HE'LL HOLD IT FOR RESERVE.
BUT MOST OF THE TIME THEY JUST GO TO AUCTION.
YEAH, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE HE WAS A PROFIT FOR THE ONES THAT WAS LEFT.
TIM DIO? YEAH, I NOTICED THAT WE BUYING THIS FROM ABO, UH, KUBOTA TRACTOR PLACE IN GRAPEVINE.
[01:10:01]
AND I KNOW WE GOING THROUGH THE CO-OP, THERE'S A BIG KUBOTA TRACTOR PLACE RIGHT HERE ON COLLEGE STREET.DO THEY NOT BELONG TO THE CO-OP? LOOK IN THE TOP RIGHT HAND CORNER OF THE QUOTE, IT IS WHAT? FLEET MANAGERS IN THE BACK.
HE SAID THAT'S FROM THE LOCAL OFFICE.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING I.
ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES.
[3. Consider approving the purchase of one Case wheel loader for use in the Water Utilities Department]
THE READING OF ITEM NUMBER THREE, PLEASE.MAYOR COUNCIL, UH, CONSIDER RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF ONE CASE WILL LOADER FOR USE IN THE WATER UTILITIES DEPARTMENT.
AGAIN, THIS IS TO, UH, REPLACE AN, AN EXISTING PIECE OF EQUIPMENT WHICH IS EXCEEDED THE EXPECTED SERVICE LINE.
YOU'VE HEARD THE READING OF ITEM NUMBER THREE.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION PLEASE? SO MOVE FOR, FOR APPROVAL.
I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THE FLOOR.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? NO DISCUSSION.
ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY CNI.
ANY OPPOSE THE MOTION CARRIES.
[4. Consider authorizing the City Manager to execute Change Order No. 5, to the contract with Pro-Pipe, Inc., for the Sewer Evaluation Work Order Contract-Phase IV (Rebid) Project]
I HAVE THE READING OF ITEM NUMBER FOUR, PLEASE? COUNSEL, CONSIDER RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE CHANGE ORDER NUMBER FIVE TO THE CONTRACT WITH PRO PIPE INC.FOR THE SEWER EVALUATION WORK OR THE CONTRACT PHASE FOUR REBI PROJECT.
AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PART, WE'LL GO.
YOU'VE HEARD THE READING OF ITEM NUMBER FOUR.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION MOVE TO APPROVE.
HAVE A MOTION IN THE SECOND ON THE FLOOR AND DISCUSSION.
HEY, BOARD, I NOTICE IT SAYS CHANGE ORDER NUMBER FIVE IS IF THE FIFTH CHANGE ORDER TO THIS PARTICULAR COMPANY HAS REQUESTED THIS CHANGE ORDER IN PARTICULAR WAS TO ADD ITEMS THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE ORIGINAL CONTRACTS.
SO IT'S THE NUMBER OF STORM DRAINS THAT ARE OF DIFFERENT DIMENSIONS AS WELL AS A 26 INCH SANITARY SEWER.
AND WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT SIZE IN THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT.
SO THIS WAS AT OUR REQUEST ALSO.
IT'S JUST ADDITIONAL, IT'S NOT EXISTING.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? NO OTHER DISCUSSION PLEASE SIGNIFY, UM, IF YOU'RE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING ITEM NUMBER FOUR BY SAYING I ANY OPPOSE THE MOTION CARRIES.
[5. Consider authorizing the City Manager to execute Change Order No. 4, accept maintenance, and authorize final payment to Placo, Ltd., for the Lift Station & WWTP Repairs Tropical Storm Harvey Group 2 Lift Stations Project]
ITEM NUMBER FIVE, PLEASE.COUNCIL, CONSIDER RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE CHANGE ORDER NUMBER FOUR EXCEPT MAINTENANCE AND AUTHORIZED FOUND PAYMENT TO PLAY CO LIMITED FOR THE LIFT STATION AT AT WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT REPAIRS.
TROPICAL, TROPICAL STORM HARVEY GROUP TWO LIFT STATIONS PROJECT.
YOU'VE HEARD THE READING OF ITEM NUMBER FIVE.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION PLEASE MOVE TO APPROVE.
COUNCIL MEMBER? NE COUNCIL MEMBER NE SECOND MAYOR PRO.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? MAYOR, I NEED TO RECUSE MYSELF FROM THIS VOTE ALSO.
AND COUNCIL MEMBER FELL CHAR RECUSE.
ANY OTHER COMMENT OR DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR OF APPROVING ITEM NUMBER FIVE.
ANY OPPOSE THE MOTION CARRIES.
MAY I HAVE THE READING OF ITEM NUMBER SIX, PLEASE? ACTION.
MAYOR, THERE'S, IT'S SUCH A PUBLIC HEARING, BUT BEFORE WE ENTER INTO THE PUBLIC HEARING, UM, THE ITEM FOR BATTLESHIP TEXAS IS
[PUBLIC HEARING]
ACTUALLY LISTED AS A WORK SESSION AND NOT A PUBLIC HEARING.SO IF THE INDIVIDUALS CHECKED PUBLIC HEARING, BUT WE'RE ACTUALLY WANTING TO SPEAK ON THE BATTLESHIP, THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO SPEAK NOW.
SO ANYONE THAT WANTS TO SPEAK ON THE BATTLESHIP, IF THEY HAD SPOKE, IF THEY REQUESTED TO SPEAK DURING THE PUBLIC HEARING AND WE'RE EXPECTING TO SPEAK ON THE BATTLESHIP DURING THE PUBLIC HEARING, THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO SPEAK NOW.
DO YOU HAVE ANY, DOES THAT MEAN WE CAN SPEAK AFTER THE BOARD SESSION? YOU CAN SPEAK NOW.
WELL, YOU CAN SPEAK NOW OR AFTER.
YEAH, WELL IF THEY SPEAK AFTER, THEY'LL SPEAK DURING, DURING JOURNAL COMMENT.
UM, THE PUBLIC HEARING IS FOR THE MANAGE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN.
AND YOU HAD ORIGINALLY SAID THAT IT WAS POSTED AS A PUBLIC HEARING.
IT'S POSTED AS THE WORK SESSION.
[01:15:01]
IN AND THEY CHECKED PUBLIC HEARING, IF THEY WERE INTENDING TO SPEAK ON THE BATTLESHIP, THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO SPEAK BEFORE.BECAUSE THE BATTLESHIP ISN'T A PUBLIC HEARING, IT'S A WORK SESSION.
SO THEY SHOULD GET TO SPEAK NOW.
AND THEN IF THEY CHOOSE TO SPEAK AFTER DOING GENERAL COMMENT, THEY CAN AS WELL.
SO YOU ARE ALLOWED TO SPEAK NOW BECAUSE IT WAS DOWN AS I GOT THEM A PUBLIC HEARING, A WORKSHOP INSTEAD OF A PUBLIC HEARING.
IF YOU WANNA SPEAK, UH, WHEN SHE CALLS YOUR NAME, IF YOU CHOOSE TO SPEAK DURING PUBLIC COMMENT, YOU'LL JUST SAY THAT YOU WANNA RESERVE A PUBLIC COMMENT.
IF SHE CALLS YOUR NAME, YOU COULD JUST SAY YOU WANNA RESERVE IT FOR AFTER.
STEVE HOFFMAN, 70 45 BARNEY STREET, BEAUMONT, TEXAS WANTS TO SPEAK ON THE BATTLESHIP BATTLE MAYOR.
YOU'VE SEEN HIM BEFORE UP HERE WITH SOME, SOME SHIRT OR ANOTHER FROM THE BATTLESHIP TEXAS.
UM, I REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME I SAW THE BATTLESHIP, TEXAS WAS RIGHT AFTER K ARRIVED HERE IN TEXAS.
MY DAD HAD BROUGHT ME OVER THERE AND TOLD ME ABOUT THINGS THAT HAPPENED IN THE WAR WORLD WAR II WITH HIM.
UH, HE WAS NOT ON A SHIP THE LINE, BUT HE WAS A, A MOVIE, UH, SUPPLIES BACK AND FORTH.
HE WENT DOWN TO SOUTH AMERICA TO PICK UP RUBBER, WHICH THEY HAD YOUO LOOKING FOR SHIPS THE ENTIRE WAY.
AND THEN HE WAS DOING THE CROSS THE ATLANTIC.
UM, AND THEY LOADED HIM WITH THE SHIPS, FLOATED WITH THE HEMO OR TANKERS.
SO IT WASN'T LIKE HE WAS SHOOTING GUNS, HE WAS JUST MOVING SUPPLIES.
AND THEN HE PARTICIPATED IN WORLD WAR, WORLD WAR II IN, UH, UM, UM, UM, WELL, WELL IT, UH, ON, ON THE, UH, WHEN THEY, THEY THEY TOOK OVER TO, UM, LANDED IN EUROPE.
OKAY, I'M JUST HAVING A HARD TIME WITH THE, THE PHRASES I WANTED TO SAY.
AND SO, AND THEN HE ALSO FOLLOWED IT TO ITALY WHEN THEY TOOK ITALY.
AND THEN HE ALSO WAS THERE WHEN THEY BROUGHT SUPPLIES IN, IN, UP IN NORTH AFRICA.
AND HE WOULDN'T, LIKE MOST SOLDIERS, HE DIDN'T WANNA SPEAK ABOUT IT BECAUSE THEY WERE ASKED NOT TO WHEN THEY, THEY WERE MUSTERED OUT.
THE PROBLEM IS THAT HE SAW THE BODIES WASHED ASHO FROM DDAY AND FINALLY GOT, AND, AND THEN ITALY, THE SAME THING.
AND HE SAID THAT IT WAS SOMETHING HE DIDN'T WANNA TALK ABOUT IN FRONT OF HIS CHILDREN.
AND HE SAID HE, HE FOLLOW THE REQUEST OF THE MILITARY.
YOU KNOW, HE, HE, HE VOLUNTEERED TO GO TWO DAYS AFTER PEARL HARBOR.
AND, UH, THEY ASKED WHAT HE WANTED TO DO.
HE SAID, PUT ME IN THE BEST JOB THAT DOES THE WORK FOR THE COUNTRY.
MY MYGRANDFATHER IN THE SAME WAY.
AND, UH, HE FOLLOWED THE SHIP IN, IN BERKELEY CUZ HE DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS MOVING AROUND.
BUT THE SHIP WAS IN THE SAME PLACE WHERE THE ACTION WAS.
THE BATTLES OF TEXAS WAS THERE.
AND, UH, I HAVE A HAVE A LITTLE THING I PICKED UP OVER THE YEARS THAT WAS A COMMEMORATIVE, UH, FLYER WHERE THEY HAD THE POST OFFICE, THEY SENT OUT ENVELOPE WITH A CARD IN IT.
AND, AND THIS IS A COMMEMORATING NAVY DAY IN 1933, OCTOBER 27.
AND, UH, IT, IT, UH, IT TAKES, IT SHOWS ON THE INTERIOR CARD THAT WAS PUT IN THERE.
IT SHOWS TODD TEDDY ROOSEVELT, WHO WAS IN HEAD OF THE NAVY.
AND THEN IT ALSO, UH, TALKED ABOUT WHERE IT CAME FROM.
THEY, UM, THE ENVELOPE WAS POSTMARKED WITH THE, WITH POSTAGE STAMP.
AND IT WAS POKE SMART IN THE CLOSEST OF A POST OFFICE FOR THE, FOR THE CREW.
IT USED THE ONBOARD BATTLESHIP TEXAS, UH, POST OFFICE.
THEY, THEY, THEY HAD THE POST OFFICE, THEY LEFT.
SO I LOOKED AT, AND UH, THEY LATER TOOK, TOOK THE, THE, IT TOOK THE S**T, TOOK THE MAIL TO THE, TO LAND AND ST.
PEDRO, AND THEY TOOK IT AND TRANSPORTED TO THE NAVY POST OFFICE AND IT WENT OUT.
AND WITH, EVER SINCE I'VE GOT AROUND THAT, I'VE BEEN KIND OF IN LOVE WITH THAT SHIP.
AND WHEN I CAME BACK LATER WHEN IT WAS IN GREAT SHAPE, I WAS RELEASED DOWN.
AND THEN TO SEE WHAT THE, THE LEY IS DOING IS DOING WITH THE SHIP NOW AND THE CREW OF THE FOUNDATION.
THAT'S REALLY GREAT THING THAT WILL BRING PEOPLE TO US BECAUSE IT'S GONNA GIVE US CITY ONE THING.
SO MR. HOLLAND, YOUR TIME IS UP.
UM, JOHN GOODYEAR SEP, UM, I THINK THAT'S 70 20 BLARNEY BY MY TEXAS.
[01:20:02]
GOOD AFTERNOON.UM, I'M HERE TO HELP TO SEE IF I CAN GET YOU GUYS TO DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO BRING THE BATTLESHIP TEXAS TO, UH, BEAUMONT.
IT'S A GREAT WAY OF REVITALIZING SOUTHEAST TEXAS, NOT JUST BEAUMONT.
WE'RE SITTING OUT THERE WITH A ROAD THAT GOES WHERE YOU CAN SEE IT FROM THE BRIDGE AND YOU, YOU'VE GOT A HUNDRED, 200,000 CARS GOING BY THEIR EVERY DAY.
IF 1% OF THOSE PEOPLE COME IN AND IT'S 1.5 PEOPLE PER CAR, THAT'S 1500 PEOPLE A DAY THAT WOULD BE DRAWN INTO DOWNTOWN BEAUMONT.
WE'VE ALSO HAVE A REVITALIZATION OF CROCKETT STREET.
YOU'RE GONNA HAVE ENTREPRENEURS THAT ARE GONNA COME IN AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT T TRAFFIC FLOW, PLUS OTHERS THAT MIGHT OPEN UP IN OTHER AREAS OF THE CITY.
AND YOU ALSO WANT TO PROMOTE IT WITH BILLBOARDS, SAY IN ORANGE OR VIDDER OR WINNIE OR MOUNT BELLEVUE WITH THE EXIT SAYING 90 SECONDS OFF OF INTERSTATE 10.
YOU CAN BE AT THE BATTLESHIP, TEXAS.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO HUNT FOR IT.
UH, ANOTHER NICE THING IS YOU WANT TO PUT BILLBOARDS ABOUT THE SIZE OF THAT SCREEN IN THE PARKING LOT WITH A MAP OF DOWNTOWN BEAUMONT AND THE WHERE THE ART MUSEUMS ARE, WHERE THE RESTAURANTS ARE, UH, ANY KIND OF ATTRACTIONS THAT WE CAN BRING THEM IN THERE, PLUS OTHER ATTRACTIONS LIKE SPITTLE TOP OR PLACES THAT ARE AWAY FROM DOWNTOWN.
AND YOU WANT TO HAVE THOSE THERE TOO.
WE GOT RV PLACES IN THIS TOWN POPPING UP LIKE MUSHROOMS. AND THOSE PEOPLE ARE COMING INTO TOWN AND THEY WANT SOMETHING TO DO ALSO.
SO YOU'RE GONNA BRING IN A LOT OF MONEY, SALES TAX INCREASE IN, UH, UH, PROPERTY VALUES.
YOU'RE GONNA TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL THESE PEOPLE COMING IN.
THIS IS THE BEST THING AS FAR AS TRYING TO GROW TOURISM IN BEAUMONT THAT I'VE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE.
AND I'VE BEEN HERE A LONG TIME.
SO I URGE YOU TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS AND BRING IN SOMETHING THAT'S GONNA GENERATE A LOT OF CASH.
WE CAN TALK ABOUT THE TRADITIONS OF TEXAS AND WHERE IT'S BEEN, BUT THE BOTTOM LINE FOR Y'ALL IS THE MONEY.
OKAY? AND I'M CERTAIN THAT THAT'S THE REAL REASON WE WANTED TO COME HERE.
I MEAN, IT'LL BE A GREAT ATTRACTION, BUT THINK OF SALES TAX, THINK OF HOTEL TAX.
THINK OF THE MONEY THAT PEOPLE ARE GONNA SPEND IN THIS AREA.
AND PLEASE BRING TEXAS TO BEAUMONT, BEN.
AND I THINK THIS IS A AON YES MA'AM.
1 47, 31 BOOM DOCS ROAD, BEAUMONT, TEXAS.
I THANK YOU COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO GET UP AND SPEAK ON THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM.
WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED MORE THAN MANY COMMUNITIES.
WE HAVE GOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THIS BATTLESHIP, THIS GLORIOUS SHIP BROUGHT HERE TO BEAUMONT.
I AGREE WITH WHAT ALL THOSE BEFORE ME HAS SAID.
I GUARANTEE YOU THAT BEAUMONT WILL BE KNOWN NATIONWIDE FOR HAVING IT.
IT IS THE ONLY, ONLY DREAD NUT THAT IS STILL FLOATING.
DREAD KAU BEING A TYPE OF SHIP USED AROUND WORLD WARI OR WORLD WAR I, EXCUSE ME, IT IS A VETERAN OF WORLD WAR I.
IT IS A VETERAN OF WORLD WAR II.
NOT ONLY IS IT A GLORIOUS SHIP, IT HAS BEEN CONSIDERED BY ITS CREW MEMBERS A LUCKY SHIP IN ALL ITS WARS IN ALL ITS DAYS.
IT HAS ONLY LOST ONE MAN THROUGHOUT THE PACIFIC AND THE ATLANTIC.
THE TEXAS WAS KNOWN WHEN THE TEXAS CAME ON THE SCENE, THE BATTLE WAS WON.
YOU KNOW, I I CAN SIT HERE FOR HOURS AND EXPLAIN TO YOU THE MERITS OF THE SHIP.
LET US FORGET THAT FOR JUST A MOMENT.
AND LET'S LOOK AT WHAT WE CAN DO AS A CITY.
THERE ARE MORE THAN YOU ALL THAT CAN CONTRIBUTE MONEY HERE.
I WILL GUARANTEE YOU THAT IF IT BECAME KNOWN THAT DEFINITELY POSITIVELY THE SHIP WAS COMING TO THIS LOCATION, THERE WOULD BE BENEFACTORS OUT THERE.
I CAN GUARANTEE YOU THAT THE BOY SCOUTS, THE LOCAL BOY SCOUTS WOULD BE INTERESTED IN HELPING OUT.
[01:25:01]
A LONG TIME AGO, THE CONSTITUTION CAME HERE TO BE REFITTED.WE CAN DO IT AGAIN BECAUSE AS THE CONSTITUTION IS A GREAT SHIP FOR AMERICA, THE TEXAS IS A GREAT SHIP FOR BEAUMONT.
I CAN ONLY THANK ALL OF YOU FOR LISTENING TO ME, AND I HOPE THAT YOU CONSIDER THIS WELL BECAUSE TRUST ME, IT IS WORTH IT.
IT IS WORTH IT FOR THE OLD SAILORS, THE MILITARY PATRIOTISM, YOU NAME IT.
IT'S MUCH MORE THAN JUST A MUSEUM.
AND, AND A LOT CAN BE DONE WITH IT.
IT IT CAN BE A MINI CIVIC CENTER.
BUT THE MAIN THING IS, IT IS THE BATTLESHIP TEXAS.
AND WE HAVE THE ONE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE IT WITH US.
68 15 TALLOW, BEAUMONT, TEXAS.
MADAM MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS WELCOME MR. WILLIAMS. UH, ONE QUESTION.
HAVE YOU EVER STARTED A JOB? THEY ASKED YOU TO GET A WORLD ONE, ONE BATTLESHIP PARKED OUT FRONT.
WELL, WE'RE ABOUT TO ASK YOU FOR THAT.
UM, THIS IS REALLY A NO BRAINER FOR 36 YEARS.
THE, YOUR PREDECESSORS, OH, I'M SORRY.
THANK YOU FOR THE TIME, UH, FOR 36 YEARS.
CAN YOUR PREDECESSORS HAVE THROWN IDEA UPON IDEA AGAINST THE WALL AND NOTHING IS STUCK? THIS IS A NO BRAINER.
A NO BRAINER YOU'VE HEARD FROM OTHER CITIES.
THE ONE MOST CLOSE TO US IS BATON ROUGE WITH THE USS KID.
THEY SEE 80,000 PEOPLE A YEAR.
THAT'S APPLES COMPARING APPLES AND APPLES.
I TEND TWO CITIES, FOUR HOURS APART.
SO WHAT I'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU, OTHER THAN THAT, OH, EVEN DURING THE PANDEMIC, IT ONLY DROPPED TO 50,000.
AND THIS IS COMING STRAIGHT FROM THE GREATER BO UH, BAT ROUGE ECONOMIC DEVELOPED COUNCIL AND THE, UH, USS KID FOUNDATION.
I HAD THAT INFORMATION FOR YOU, IF YOU'D LIKE ME TO EMAIL IT TO YOU.
WHAT I REALLY WANNA SHARE BRIEFLY IS, UM, WHEN THIS FIRST CAME TO, UH, BECAME KNOWLEDGE THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE FOR US TO ACQUIRE THE BATTLESHIP TEXAS, THE, UM, FIRST THING I DID WAS I, I PUT AN ONLINE, UH, PETITION THROUGH CHANGE ORG JUST TO GAUGE IF ANYBODY FELT AS STRONGLY ABOUT IT AS I DID.
AND AS OF THIS MORNING, THERE'S 1500 MORE THAN 1500 SIGNATURES SAYING YES, IT NEEDS TO COME TO BEAUMONT.
THAT'S, THAT'S PARTIALLY STATEWIDE.
THERE ARE SOME FROM THE ACROSS THE STATE.
UM, WHAT I FOUND INTERESTING WAS 22,000 PEOPLE WERE INTERESTED ENOUGH TO READ THE PETITION.
NOW, SOME PEOPLE ARE SKITTISH WITH TECHNOLOGY, THEY DON'T WANT TO COMMIT TO ANYTHING, YOU KNOW, SO, BUT 22,000 PEOPLE WERE INTERESTED ENOUGH TO READ WHAT WAS GOING ON HERE AND STATEWIDE.
AND THEN WE HAD, OF THOSE 22,000 MORE THAN 400 SHARED IT, THEY FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO BE SHARED AND FOR OTHER PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT IT.
SO I HAVE LOTS OF MORE INFORMATION IF YOU'D LIKE.
I TOO, AS THE GENTLEMAN WHO FIRST SPOKE, DID LITTLE RESEARCH WITH, UH, CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHO HAVE A SIMILAR SITUATION, WHAT IT DOES FOR THEM.
NO NEGATIVES, NOTHING BUT POSITIVES.
AND I WANNA REITERATE THE, THE, THE FACT THAT WITH THESE LAST 10 SECONDS THAT WHEN YOU CROSS I 10 AND YOU LOOK OVER TO YOUR LEFT AND YOU SEE THIS MAJESTIC BATTLE, S**T, YOU'RE NOT SHUTTING THE KIDS UP.
THEY'RE GONNA WANT TO GO SEE IT.
FREDERICK LYER, 49 55 A STREET BY MY TEXAS.
1 65 EAST CALWOOD DRIVE BY MY TEXAS.
UM, I JUST WANTED TO COME TO YOU AS A TOURISM PERSON, UH, AS WELL AS A CITIZEN OF, OF BEAUMONT.
AND UM, I HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO MEET YOU YET, BUT I'M GOING TO,
[01:30:01]
I WORKED FOR THE CITY FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS.UM, I WAS THE, UH, DIRECTOR OF TOURISM AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS CITY.
AND I CAN REMEMBER WHEN I FIRST STARTED HERE IN THE LATE EIGHTIES, UM, THAT JEFF RUSSA WAS MY BOSS.
WE WOULD BE STOPPING AND I'D BE GETTING ON A BUS AND I'D BE THERE STEP ON GUIDE AND TELL HIM HOW GREAT IT IS.
BUT IN THAT TIME, WHILE WE WERE WAITING FOR THE BUS TO GET THERE, WE'D BE SITTING ON I 10.
AND YOU GOTTA DO WHAT YOU GOTTA DO TO GET TOURISM.
AND SO WE'D SITTING THERE AND HE WOULD SAY, COUNT THE CARS.
HOW MANY CARS ARE GOING DOWN I 10? WHAT CAN WE DO TO GET THOSE PEOPLE OFF OF I 10? IF YOU ASK SOMEBODY, ANYBODY.
AND THEY HAVEN'T SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN BEAUMONT.
HAVE YOU BEEN TO BEAUMONT, TEXAS? OH YEAH.
THAT'S RIGHT CUZ WE'RE ON I 10.
BUT WHAT DO WE NEED? SOMETHING THAT SAYS YOU HAVE ARRIVED.
NOW WE'VE GOT THIS BEAUMONT SIGN NEXT TO THE VISITOR CENTER.
OH, DID I TELL Y'ALL I REPRESENT JEFFERSON COUNTY TOURISM.
I'M THE DIRECTOR AT THE BEN ROGERS REGIONAL VISITOR CENTER.
UM, AND SO YOU WANT SOMETHING THAT TELLS YOU, YOU COME ACROSS I 10.
MY HUSBAND DRIVES IT EVERY DAY, COMING BACK AND FORTH FROM ORANGE.
AND HE TELLS ME, MAN, IF WE GOT THAT BOAT, IT'D BE CRAZY.
I'VE HAD VISITORS AND I'M GONNA TELL YOU ONE IN PARTICULAR.
UM, WE CAME TO A MEETING HERE, I DON'T REMEMBER HOW, A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, BUT IT WAS IN THE SUMMER.
AND I GOT BACK TO THE OFFICE AND I LOVE TO WORK THE FRONT DESK.
I KNOW I HAVE TO DO ALL THE GRIT WORK AND THE, CUZ YOU KNOW, BEING THE DIRECTOR, ALL THAT, EVERYBODY WANTS TO GET PAID.
BUT MY FAVORITE PART IS WORKING THE FRONT DESK BECAUSE IT REMINDS ME WHY I GOT INTO THIS BUSINESS.
I WANNA TELL PEOPLE HOW GREAT IT IS AND HOW WONDERFUL IT IS TO GET PEOPLE TO STOP AND SPEND MORE TIME AND SPEND THEIR MONEY.
UM, AND SO I HAD THIS WOMAN AND HER SON AND I SAID, WELL, HI, WHERE ARE YOU FROM? AND SHE WAS FROM, UH, NEW MEXICO OR ARIZONA, AND SHE HAS FAMILY IN FLORIDA.
AND SHE WAS DRIVING BACK AND FORTH AND I SAID, WELL, HOW WAS YOUR TRIP? SHE GOES, IT WAS GREAT.
HE PIPED UP, HE WAS LIKE THIS, YOU KNOW, ON HIS PHONE.
AND HE PIPED UP AND HE GOES, WE SAW THE USS ALABAMA.
SHE SAID, WELL, I HAD BEEN TELLING HIM FOR YEARS.
EVERY TIME WE DRIVE BY, WE'RE GONNA STOP WORKING.
WE STOPPED AND WE'RE GONNA MAKE IT OUR STOP EVERY TIME.
I'M SORRY, BUT I'M GONNA TELL YOU, YOU GOTTA SPEND MONEY TO MAKE MONEY.
ANYBODY WAS AT, WENT TO GRAPE VINE WHEN IT DIDN'T HAVE ALL THEIR LEGO LAND AND THEY JUST HAD THE TRAIN.
YEAH, THEY'VE DONE A WHOLE LOT IN 30 YEARS AND I'VE BEEN IN THIS BUSINESS LONGER THAN 30 YEARS.
BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? BAY TOWN'S DONE IN THE LAST SEVEN TO 10 YEARS, GROWN HUGE, HUGE IN TOURISM.
LOOK AT ALL THE THINGS THAT HAVE COME IN THERE AND IF YOU WANNA KNOW, I'LL SHARE IT WITH YOU.
I GET HER NEWSLETTER EVERY MONTH AND EVERY WEEK.
IF Y'ALL HAVE ANYTHING, YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, HOLLER AT ME, BUT IT'D BE A GREAT THING.
VIRGINIA SASSER, 33 0 5 REDWOOD DRIVE, BEAUMONT, TEXAS.
I'M VIRGINIA SASSER, A LONGTIME HOMEOWNER AND TAXPAYER HERE IN OUR CITY.
I AM ANOTHER VOICE IN FAVOR OF PROVIDING A HOME TO THE BATTLESHIP OF TEXAS TO HELP RESTORE ITS DIGNITY AND THE REVERENCE FOR HER FOR FOUR REASONS.
ONE, IF MY RESEARCH IS CORRECT, AND I'M SURE IT'S PRETTY CORRECT, THE BATTLESHIP OF TEXAS IS THE ONLY NAVAL BATTLESHIP THAT SERVED IN TWO WORLD WARS, THE ONE AND THE SECOND WORLD WAR TWO, THE ONLY DREAD KNOT LEFT ON THE PLANET.
AND THREE, SHE ALSO SERVED AS FLAGSHIP IN THE DDAY INVASION.
AND FOURTH, SHE EARNED SEVEN RIBBONS DURING WORLD WAR II, WHICH REMINDS ME OF A STUDENT WHO'S WORKING VERY HARD AND GRADUATED VALEDICTORIAN WITH A CLASS THAT'S THE BATTLESHIP OF TEXAS.
AND SHE DESERVES ALL THE RESPECT FOR ALL THOSE ACHIEVEMENTS AS A, AS A BATTLESHIP.
THE BATTLESHIP REMINDS ME OF VETERAN WHO FOUGHT FOREIGN WARS AND CAME HOME TO AMERICA HOMELESS PROBABLY, AND JOBLESS, AS IS THE CASE WITH SOME VETERANS THAT WE HAVE.
IT IS UTTERLY SHAMEFUL, I THINK, NOT TO COME TO ITS AID AND NOT TO PROVIDE A HOME FOR HER IN OUR CITY.
SOMEHOW THE BATTLESHIP ALSO REMINDS ME OF THE ALAMO OF THE 13 DEFENDERS WHO DUG IN, IN ORDER TO WIN AGAINST THE
[01:35:01]
THOUSANDS OF ENEMIES AND THE 13 DEFENDERS WHO LEFT US A LEGACY THAT IS NOW A WORLDWIDE TOURISM DRAW.ALSO REMINDS ME OF, UH, UM, NO, I ALREADY SAID IT.
A VETERAN AND THE, AND, UH, THE ALAMO FOR, UH, THOSE OF US WHO MAY PUT MORE VALUE ON, UH, MONEY, I'M SORRY TO SAY, WHO PUT MORE VALUE ON MONEY THAN OUR HISTORY AS A NATION, AS A COMMUNITY AND OUR HERITAGE, THEN I AM LIKE THE OTHERS WHO CAN GUARANTEE THAT THE BATTLESHIP IS A TOURISM DRAW.
I AM FROM HAWAII ORIGINALLY AND I CONSIDER MYSELF ONE OF THE TOURISTS WHO VISITED, UH, THE BATTLESHIP TWICE IN LA PORT.
AND DURING THE VISIT, I GAVE QUITE A BIT OF MY MONEY TO LA PORT, UH, IN TERMS OF, UH, SHOPPING AFTER THE VISIT AND OTHER THINGS ELSE.
I THANK YOU FOR THIS CHANCE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE BATTLESHIP.
UH, JOE SASSER, 33 0 5 REDWOOD DRIVE, BEAUMONT, TEXAS.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR OF COUNCIL.
UH, THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO, OH, DONKA UH, THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO, UH, SPEAK TO YOU ABOUT THE TEXAS, UH, I CAN REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME I SAW IT.
19, OH NO WRONGER THAN 19, UH, 76.
AND, UH, GOING THROUGH IT AS A LITTLE KID AND JUST BEING AMAZED AT EVERYTHING THAT I SAW.
AND OF COURSE YOU WANT TO TOUCH IT, YOU WANNA PLAY ON IT.
YOU WANNA GET ON THE GUNS AND PRETEND THAT YOU'RE THERE AND HAVE FUN.
AND CHILDREN CAN STILL DO THAT.
AND I 10 JUST DOESN'T GO AROUND HERE.
IT GOES FROM CALIFORNIA TO FLORIDA.
SO IT'S, YOU'VE GOT AN ENDLESS ARRAY OF CARDS FROM WHO KNOWS WHERE IN THE COUNTRY THAT'S GONNA PASS IT EVERY DAY, GONNA SEE IT AND GO, OOH, I DIDN'T KNOW THEY HAD THAT.
UH, AND IN 1994, I WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PARCEL WILDLIFE TO PHOTOGRAPH THE SHIP.
THEY HAD IT DRESSED AS IT WAS IN 1944.
SO THEY WANTED A RECORD OF HOW IT LOOKED.
TOOK ME THREE MONTHS TO DO IT.
AND THE FIRST THING I SAID WAS, TAKE EVERYWHERE.
CUZ THAT'S WHAT YOU WANNA SEE.
I WANNA SEE WHAT EVERYBODY DOESN'T GET TO SEE.
IT TOOK ME THREE MONTHS TO DO IT, AND I HANDED THEM THE PHOTOS AND EVERYTHING, AND IT WAS TO, THERE'S SO MUCH TO SEE.
AND EVEN NOW, MORE TO DO ON THE SHIP.
IT WILL COST NOTHING FOR BEAUMONT PRACTICALLY, UH, BECAUSE IT'S GONNA BE PAID FOR BY THE STATE AND THE BATTLESHIP TEXAS ORGANIZATION.
SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT.
IT'S JUST GONNA BE, AS EVERYBODY SAID, NOTHING BUT A POSITIVE FOR THE CITY.
YOU'RE GONNA GO BY AND YOU GOTTA GO.
I WANNA SEE THAT, WHETHER YOU'RE GOING THIS WAY OR GOING THAT WAY, WHICHEVER WAY YOU GO, YOU'RE GONNA GET 'EM.
AND THEY'RE GONNA STOP AND THEY'RE GONNA SPEND THEIR MONEY.
AND, UH, WHICH I KNOW IS LIKE THE THE BOTTOM LINE THING.
BUT, UH, AS MY WIFE SAID, AND OTHERS HAVE SAID, IT'S THE LAST EXISTING DREAD KNOT IN THE WORLD.
IT'S THE LAST THAT SERVED IN BOTH WORLD WARS.
AND IT'S, IT'S A PIECE OF TEXAS HISTORY.
AND GALVESTON WANTS BAYTOWN, WALNUT.
THEY HAVE ENOUGH WHO WANTS TO DRIVE ALL THE WAY TO, I DON'T.
I JUST WANT TO COME DOWNTOWN AND SEE IT AND SPEND, SPEND MY MONEY DOWNTOWN AND HAVE A GOOD DAY.
UH, IT'S, IT'S A NO-BRAINER AS SOMEONE ELSE HAS SAID, BUT, UH, I DO BELIEVE THAT TODAY IS GONNA BE A HISTORIC DAY FOR BEAUMONT.
AND, UH, TO FINISH UP, IF Y'ALL WOULDN'T MIND, UH, SIGNING THE LITTLE AGENDA, THEN I'M GONNA PUT IT IN A FRAME NEXT TO MY PHOTO AT THE BATTLESHIP ONCE IT'S HERE.
EJ SHEPHERD, 47 10 CLEVELAND, BEAUMONT, TEXAS.
[01:40:07]
UM, I'D LIKE TO THANK Y'ALL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME AND TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE BATTLESHIP TEXAS.I THINK ALL THESE PEOPLE HAVE GIVEN YOU ALL THE NUMBERS THAT YOU POSSIBLY COULD WANT IN ORDER TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION.
UM, I LOOKED AT IT AS A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY THAN, THAN THEY DO ECONOMICALLY AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
I KNOW IT'S GONNA BE A PLUS, BUT EVERY TOWN I'VE BEEN TO THAT'S HAD A BATTLESHIP, AND WHEN I GO TO LOOK AT THAT BATTLESHIP, I FEEL A LITTLE TWINS IN MY BACK.
IT MAKES ME WANT TO STAND UP A LITTLE STRAIGHTER, A LITTLE STRONGER.
YOU KNOW, THAT'S, THAT'S OUR MILITARY, THAT'S WHAT AMERICA IS.
AND YOU, YOU, YOU CAN'T HELP BUT STAND UP.
WHEN YOU COME ACROSS THAT BRIDGE AND YOU SEE THAT, THAT SHIP, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE GONNA STAND UP A LITTLE STRAIGHTER, BE A LITTLE PROUDER AND SAY, YES, I'M AN AMERICAN.
MY DAD TOOK ME TO THE BATTLESHIP WHEN I WAS A LITTLE BOY.
I TOOK MY SON TO THE BATTLESHIP IN BOY SCOUTS.
THE ONLY NEGATIVE THING I CAN SAY ABOUT THE BATTLESHIP TEXAS IS IT'S A TERRIBLE PLACE TO SLEEP.
AND I WOULDN'T WANT ANYBODY TO HAVE TO DO THAT, UH, AT, AT, AT OUR AGE.
THOSE KIDS, THEY LOVED IT AND THEY ENJOYED IT.
I JUST, UM, APPLAUD YOU FOR LOOKING AFTER AND TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY TO, TO, UH, BRING THIS TO BEAUMONT.
AND I THINK EVERYBODY HERE IN THIS PROUD CITY WILL STAND UP A LITTLE STRAIGHTER IF THAT THING'S IN THE, IN THE, UH, NEXT TO THE EDISON PLAZA.
CHRISTOPHER MATTHEWS, 38 75 NORTH MAJOR DRIVE, BEAUMONT, TEXAS.
UH, MADAM MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL.
UM, I WANNA PREFACE WITH, UH, I WANNA PREFACE MY COMMENTS WITH THIS.
UH, LAST YEAR WE HAD A TOWN HALL ABOUT THE AT AND T DEAL.
COUNCIL MEMBER AWARD TWO, YOU WERE OPPOSED TO THAT DEAL.
AND YOU BROUGHT UP THE BATTLESHIP TEXAS.
I CALLED MY CITY COUNCILMAN OF WAR I AND I CALLED CITY COUNCILMAN AT LARGE, AND I ASKED THEM, WHY CAN'T WE DO BOTH? SO I WANNA START WITH SAYING THAT I WAS OPEN MINDED TO THIS IDEA, OKAY, BUT YOU WERE OPPOSED TO WORKING WITH OTHERS FOR THE AT AND T DEAL.
SO I JUST WANNA PREFACE MY COMMENTS WITH THAT.
UM, I'M NOT OPPOSED TO THIS BATTLESHIP COMING TO BEAUMONT, AS LONG AS IT'S NOT A BURDEN ON THE TAXPAYER AND CITIZENS OF BEAUMONT, IF THEY'RE STATE FUNDING FOR THAT, I'M, I'M OPEN TO IT.
I'M NOT OPPOSED TO, HEY, LOOK, I LOVE HISTORY.
MY GRANDFATHER FOUGHT IN WORLD WAR II.
OKAY? UM, BUT I'D REALLY LIKE TO SEE THE PARK DOWNTOWN, UM, THE RIVER WALK THING.
AND I THINK THE BATTLESHIP COULD BE COMPLIMENTARY TO IT, NOT SUPPLEMENTARY TO IT, OR STANDALONE.
UM, ONE MORE THING I WANT TO BRING UP IS THAT THE MEDIAN AGE GROUP OF BEAUMONT IS 34, 35 YEARS OLD.
ALL RIGHT? AND I BELIEVE ANOTHER 25% LATINO WHEN YOU TAKE AN ACCOUNT FOR THE UNDOCUMENTED LATINOS, THERE'S ONLY ONE DEMOGRAPHIC MAJORITY THAT HAS COME AND ADVOCATED FOR THIS, THIS BATTLESHIP TODAY.
OKAY? AND I HAVEN'T SEEN ANYBODY ELSE FROM THAT OTHER DEMO MAJORITY DEMOGRAPHIC OF BEAUMONT COME AND ADVOCATE FOR THIS.
AND THEIR SILENCE SPEAKS JUST AS LOUD.
OKAY? I'M NOT OPPOSED TO IT, BUT IT'S GOTTA MAKE SENSE.
IT'S GOTTA BE DONE RIGHT? IT'S GOTTA BE DONE RIGHT.
UM, PEOPLE THAT LIVE HERE AREN'T JUST GONNA GO TO SEE THE BATTLESHIP EVERY DAY, YOU KNOW? NOW MAYBE IF YOU WERE TO PUT A RAILS COFFEE SHOP ON THE DECK OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THAT WOULD MAKE IT KIND OF DOPE.
YOU KNOW, THAT WOULD MAKE IT SOMETHING FOR MAYBE EVEN SOME OF THESE OLDER PEOPLE THAT THEY WOULD GO EVERY MORNING AND HAVE THEIR COFFEE.
BUT ANYHOW, I'M GONNA END MY COMMENTS THERE.
[01:45:01]
UH, CASEY MATTHEWS JUNIOR OF 52 15 BURWICK DRIVE, BEAUMONT, TEXAS.UH, I PROBABLY HAD A WHOLE LOT MORE TO SAY, BUT IT'S ALL BEEN SAID PRETTY WELL.
I'M DEFINITELY FOR THE BATTLESHIP.
I THINK WE HAVE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY HERE AND IT WILL TRANSFORM BEAUMONT FOR SURE DOWNTOWN.
SO I'M FAR, I ALSO THINK IT'S BEEN IN THE WRONG PLACE FOR A LONG TIME.
AND ANY NUMBERS OR HISTORY ON IT, CAN'T APPLY IT TO THIS.
WE'RE, WE'RE THE BEST PLACE FOR IT.
FRESH WATER PROTECTION, SOMEWHAT FROM HURRICANES, I HOPE WILL ALL URGE IT TO COME ON.
AND DEAR DARREN LOPEZ, 71 SEVENTIES SHADY LANE, BEAUMONT, TEXAS, UM, HONORABLE MAYOR, HONORABLE MEMBERS.
UH, MY NAME IS DARREN LOPEZ, AS SHE STATED.
UH, I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS AND SO I DIDN'T REALLY HAVE ANYTHING PREPARED, BUT I HAD A COUPLE MINUTES AND MY CLOCK IS TICKING HERE, SO I WANT TO GET TO IT AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.
I'M NOT YOUR RESIDENT HISTORIAN.
UH, I AM A FORMER, FORMER NAVAL INTELLIGENCE PROFESSIONAL, UH, WHO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY, STUDY EVERY SHIP IN PLATFORM IN THE ENTIRE WORLD.
UM, THERE'S ARGUABLY NO SHIP SURVIVING, UH, WITH MORE HISTORY THAN THIS SHIP.
UH, AND MUCH LIKE THE HISTORY OF BEAUMONT AND SOUTHEAST TEXAS, AND I TAKE A LOT OF PRIDE IN THAT IN SAYING THAT AS A BEAUMONT PERSON AND AS A NAVAL VETERAN, UM, I'D LIKE TO BRING THE LIGHT.
YOU, YOU KNOW, IF YOU'LL HEAR FROM HISTORIANS AND OTHER PEOPLE, BUT ONE OF THE MAJOR THINGS THAT STICK OUT TO ME IS THAT IT'S, UH, ONE OF THE EIGHT REMAINING SHIPS IN THE ONLY REMAINING CAPITAL SHIP TO HAVE SERVED IN BOTH WARS.
AND, UM, I GUESS THE HISTORY LESSON HERE IS A CAPITAL SHIP IS GENERALLY A LEADING SHIP OR A PRIMARY SHIP IN A NAVAL FLEET.
AND, UH, LIKE THE BATTLESHIP, TEXAS HAS LED THE FLEETS OF THIS COUNTRY FORWARD FOR OVER A HUNDRED YEARS.
UM, I BELIEVE THAT THE ADOPTION OF THIS SHIP TO BEAUMONT, TEXAS, WE'LL DO ALL THE THINGS THAT EVERYBODY HAS SAID AND THE THINGS THAT YOU'LL TALK ABOUT IN THE FUTURE.
BUT I ALSO BELIEVE THAT IT'LL MAKE A STATEMENT THAT GOING FORWARD, WE ARE PREPARED TO LEAD THE NEXT A HUNDRED YEARS AS WELL.
AND, UH, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO END WITH THIS.
I'M NOT GONNA TAKE ALL MY TIME.
GOD BLESS TEXAS WITH HIS OWN HANDS, BROUGHT DOWN ANGELS FROM THE PROMISED LAND.
HE GAVE THEM A PLACE WHERE THEY COULD DANCE.
IF YOU WANT TO SEE HEAVEN, BROTHER, HERE'S YOUR CHANCE.
I'VE BEEN SENT TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE.
I WANNA SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
UH, STEVE KURTZ, TWO 15 EAST FLORIDA, BEAUMONT, TEXAS, WAY TO GO.
HELLO, CITY COUNCIL AND THANK YOU FOR CITY EMPLOYEES AND ALL THE CITY, UH, PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THE CITY.
AFTER THE WAR OF 1812, UH, SETTLED THE LEGITIMACY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
THE PUSH WESTWARD DONORS MANIFEST DESTINY BEGAN IN 1817.
NOAH TE MARRIED NANCY NIXON TE NANCY NIXON IN, UH, NORTHEAST LOUISIANA.
AND GILBERT STEVENSON CAME AROUND DECEMBER, 1824, HERE, ALMOST 200 YEARS AGO, AND I BELIEVE WENT BACK AND TOLD MY ANCESTOR, OH, I'M THE DESCENDANT OF NOAH.
NANCY TES GILBERT STEVENSON CAME THROUGH HERE IN 1924, AND I BELIEVE HE WENT BACK AND GOT THEM AND BROUGHT HIM BACK HERE.
SO NOAH, NANCYS MIGRATE TO THE WEST BANK OF THE SNOW RIVER, THAT ORIGINAL NAME THEY OWN, I IMAGINE DOGWOOD FLOWERS OR SOMETHING FLOW FLOATING DOWN THE RIVER, SNOW RIVER.
HE CLEARED THE LAND HIMSELF, BUILT AND OPERATED A FERRY.
DAVID BROWN IS SURVEYOR AND LAND SPECULATED CHI CHEATED THE TES OUT OF HALF OF THEIR LEAGUE OF, UH, 4,428 ACRES, WHICH WENT BASICALLY FROM COLLEGE STREET TO CALDER OUT TO, UH, LUCAS.
AND SO AFTER NOAH DIED, THEY DISCOVERED THIS THEFT AND NANCY TOOK HIM TO COURT TO LIBERTY AND GOT 500, I GOT THEIR LAND BACK AND 500 ACRES OF HIS LAND.
NANCY TES MAY BE THE FIRST FEMALE LANDOWNER IN IN TEXAS.
WHEN TAB NANCY TE DIED, SHE GAVE THIS VALUABLE RIVERSIDE LAND TO BE
[01:50:01]
PROPERTY TO BE A PARK FOR ALL OF BEAUMONT TO ENJOY.SO AS CHRIS SAID, THE COUNCIL VOTED TO TEAR DOWN THE AT AND T BUILDING, BUT I UNDERSTAND POLITICS SOMEWHAT.
AND SO I DO UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S A VALUABLE ASSET AND WE SHOULD LOOK AT ALL OPTIONS.
AFTER SPEAKING TO MY NEW FRIEND THAT I MET HERE, DARRELL, DARREN LOPEZ, I REALIZED THAT, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND ALL OF ALL OF THE SERVICE MEMBERS THAT MY OPPOSITION MAY NOT SO BEEN OPPOSING THE SHIP COMING TO BEAUMONT.
I REALIZE THAT MY CONCERN IS WHERE, UH, THE SHIP WILL BE PLACED, THE VIEW OF THE BEAUMONT.
SO PLACEMENT OF THE SHIP IN RELATION TO THE PARK IS CRITICAL.
I WANNA SEE, I WANNA SEE INTERSTATE 10 BECAUSE WE DON'T, I'M A FISHERMAN AND I KNOW ABOUT THE WHEELHOUSE AND THEY GOT SHIPPED GOING UP, DOWN.
AND TO ME, WHEN I WALK DOWN TO THE, I KINDA LOOK AT THE INTERSTATE 10, SO IT'S THE PLACEMENT OF IT IS THAT I, THAT I THINK.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, JUST IMAGINE AN 18 WHEELER, I WAS GONNA TRY TO SHOW YOU AND TRY TO COME UP AND BLOCK YOUR VIEW AND SHOW YOU WHAT I WAS WORRIED ABOUT.
YOU KNOW, THAT, THAT IT WOULD BLOCK YOUR VIEW.
AND I WAS GONNA SAY, IMAGINE 18 WHEELER IN FRONT OF YOUR HOUSE OR AN RV OR BUS, BUT PLEASE FULFILL NANCY TE'S VISION FOR A PARK FOR EVERYONE IN BEAUMONT, AND PLEASE DO NOT BLOCK THE VIEW OF THE NEW PARK.
[* Receive comments regarding the City's Emergency Management Plan]
READ THE CAPTION OF THE PUBLIC HEARING? YES, MA'AM.I RECEIVED COMMENTS REGARDING THE CITY'S EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN, AND AT THIS TIME I LIKE TO ASK, UH, TIM OXNER CHECK EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR, AND NOBLES THE DEPUTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR.
PLEASE COME FORWARD WITH THE PRESENTATION.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR, COUNCIL, MR. MANAGER, DIRECTORS AND STAFF.
UM, I'M, I'M GONNA BE VERY BRIEF, UM, WITH THIS.
UM, SO FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, UM, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE FOUR 18 REQUIRES THE CITY TO HAVE A PLAN, AN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN, OR BE A PART OF A MULTI JURISDICTIONAL PLAN.
AND IN APRIL 15TH, APRIL 15TH, 2008, AS YOU KNOW, THE CITY OF BEAUMONT ADOPTED AN INDEPENDENT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN.
AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE TODAY TO DISCUSS.
GOVERNMENT CODE FOUR 18 ALSO REQUIRES THAT WE HAVE AN ANNUAL PUBLIC HEARING OF THE NON-SENSITIVE PORTIONS OF THE PLAN.
AND SO I WILL BE ADDRESSING WHAT THE PROGRAM IS DOING AND WHAT OUR PLAN CONSISTS OF OVER THE NEXT FEW SLIDES.
UM, FOR FURTHER REFERENCE, BEAUMONT CITY ORDINANCE 1.03 ADDRESSES EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, THE PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES, UM, CITY POLICIES, FURTHER SUPPORT, UM, THAT PARTICULAR ORDINANCE AS IT RELATES TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AS A WHOLE.
AND I'VE LISTED A FEW OF THOSE THERE FOR YOU.
SO THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AND PLAN CONSISTS OF THE BASIC PLAN IN, IN AN ADDITIONAL 22 FUNCTIONAL ANDS THAT SUPPORT THAT BASIC PLAN.
ALL OF THOSE CAN BE FOUND ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE.
UM, UNDER THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TAB, OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ALSO PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN KEEPING THE CITY PREPARED FOR A COORDINATED RESPONSE TO ANY MAJOR EVENT, EMERGENCIES OR DISASTERS.
AND OUR COORDINATION EFFORTS INCLUDES ALL FIVE MISSIONARIES, MISSION AREAS OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AS DEFINED BY FEMA.
AND THOSE ARE BULLET HIT BELOW IT.
UM, ALL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL, THE OFFICE NUMBER, AS WELL AS, UM, MY NUMBER AND 10 NUMBERS CAN BE FOUND ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE FOR ANY CITIZEN THAT REACHES THAT WISHES TO HAVE FURTHER COMMENT ABOUT THE PLAN THERE AS WELL.
SO OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, WE, UM, ARE INVOLVED IN MANY MAJOR INCIDENTS CURRENTLY.
OUR ONGOING RECOVERY EFFORTS INCLUDE HARVEY, THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC, HURRICANE LAURA, AS WELL AS WINTER WEATHER AND ADDITIONAL HAZMAT INCIDENTS THAT HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAYS.
UM, WE COORDINATE WITH THE MAJOR EVENT PLANNING TEAM, WHICH CONSISTS OF MULTIPLE, UH, REPRESENTATIVES FROM EACH OF THE DEPARTMENTS IN THE CITY.
UM, CURRENTLY WE HAVE GIFT OF LIFE COMING UP.
THAT'S A REALLY BIG MAJOR EVENT THAT ATTRACTS A LOT OF, UH, TENSION DOWN TO DOWNTOWN BIG.
BRING A BRICK, BIG CROWD TO DOWNTOWN AS WELL.
UM, AND WE ARE INCREASINGLY ADDING MORE EVENTS AS WE MOVE PAST A NEW POST PANDEMIC AREA.
SO THAT IS, THAT IS INCREASING AS WELL.
UM, WE PARTICIPATE IN MANY EXERCISES, INCLUDING THE MASS NOTIFICATION DRILL THAT GOES OUT ANNUALLY, AS WELL AS RESPONSE DRILLS TO
[01:55:01]
OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND DIVISIONS AND, UM, BUSINESSES AND GOVERNMENT SECTORS AS WELL.UM, OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, UM, PARTICIPATES IN SEVERAL ADDITIONAL TRAININGS AS WELL.
WE PROVIDE AND OR HOST TRAINING IN ALL FIVE OF THE MISSIONARIES OF THE EMERGENCY, UH, MANAGEMENT, THOSE MISSIONARIES AS WELL.
AND THE PLAN AND THE TRAINING INCLUDES ALL DIFFERENT TYPES AND ENTIRE GAMUT OF TRAINING AS WELL.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE FACILITATE THE AFTER ACTION REVIEWS OF ALL MAJOR INCIDENTS AND DISASTERS AND EVENTS AS WELL, UM, JUST TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE CAN DO BETTER AND HOW WE CAN IMPROVE THE PROGRAM WITH EVERY EVERY INCIDENT WE HAVE.
UM, IN ADDITION TO THE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLANNING, WE TRY TO, UH, PLAN OUT OVER A THREE YEAR PERIOD WHAT ARE, WE'RE GOING TO BE FOCUSING ON WHAT TRAININGS WE'RE GOING TO TARGET FOR FIRST RESPONDERS, AS WELL AS CITY EMPLOYEES, UM, THAT HAVE A ROLE IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICE.
WE PARTICIPATE IN CU COMMUNITYWIDE PLANNING EVENTS, AND WE DO A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF OUTREACH TO THE CITIZENS SO THAT, THAT WE KNOW.
AND THAT OUTREACH DOES INCLUDE, UM, EOC TOURS, WE SOLICIT CELL PHONE REGISTRATION SO THAT WE CAN DO THAT.
AND THEN WE ALSO PARTICIPATE IN MANY OF THE STATE LEGISLATIVE ADVISORY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES, UM, THAT GIVE VOICE FOR THIS AREA TO THE STATE AS WELL.
AND LASTLY, WE HAVE, UH, THE EMERGENCY MANAGE MITIGATION PLAN THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON.
AND THIS IS A FIVE YEAR PLAN THAT WE'VE PARTNERED WITH, UM, THE ENTIRE REGION THROUGH THE SOUTHEAST TEXAS REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION.
AND WE'VE PUT TOGETHER THIS HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN.
UM, THAT PLAN REQUIRES A FIVE YEAR UPDATE TO BE REVIEWED BY FEMA, AND THAT'S CURRENTLY WHAT'S BEING, UM, SUBMITTED.
WE WORKED ON THAT PLAN AT THE BEGINNING PART OF THE YEAR, AND IT'S REVIEWED AT THE STATE LEVEL, AND THEN IT'LL BE FORWARDED TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR FINAL APPROVAL.
AND WE EXPECT TO BRING THAT BEFORE COUNCIL IN, IN THE COMING WEEKS.
SO IN ORDER TO HELP, UH, THE BUDGET ISSUES, THE LOCAL BUDGETED AND FUNDING ISSUES, WE DO TRY TO LEVERAGE, UH, WITH COLLABORATED, UH, COLLABORATIVE, UH, PARTICIPATION FROM ALL THE DEPARTMENTS AND EVEN THE REGION.
UM, SOME FAITH BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHERS, SOME FUNDING TO, UH, SUPPORT THE PROGRAM, THE VARIOUS PREPAREDNESS, MITIGATION, ALL THE, THE DIFFERENT RESPONSE EQUIPMENTS AND SO FORTH.
SO WE, WE POSTED SOME OF THE, UH, FUNDING STREAMS WE HAVE, AND THAT INCLUDES, UH, QUITE A BIT OF RECOVERY FUNDING THAT'S BEING FACILITATED FROM FEMA FOR THE FIVE ACTIVE DISASTERS.
UM, WE ALSO TRY TO FACILITATE TRAINING, WHETHER WE BRING IT IN, UH, GET TRAINERS THAT CAN TRAIN LOCALLY OR, UM, LEVERAGE BY SENDING PEOPLE OUT TO PLACES THAT HAVE FREE TRAINING.
UH, WE HAVE SOME ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELP US WITH OUR MATCHES.
THAT INCLUDES THE EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM, UM, RADIO MAINTENANCE AND, AND SOME OTHER ISSUES THERE.
THERE'S ONE, UH, MILITARY SURPLUS PROGRAM TO LAW ENFORCEMENT SUPPORT OFFICE PROGRAM.
THIS IS ONE OF THEM THAT WE HAVE A MANDATORY, UH, REQUIREMENT TO BRING TO Y'ALL.
I, I PASS THAT ATTACHMENT OUT.
I LEFT SOME IN THE BACK AND IT'S ALSO POSTED ON THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WEBSITE UNDER THE ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION.
UM, SO THAT IF PEOPLE WANT TO SEE WHAT ITEMS CAN BE REQUESTED, UM, IT'S ON THERE.
UH, RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE ANY OF THOSE ITEMS. WE DON'T ANTICIPATE ASKING FOR ANY OF THOSE ITEMS THIS YEAR, BUT, UH, WE ARE REQUIRED STARTING A WEEK AGO TO NOTIFY EVERYBODY ABOUT THAT NEXT SLIDE.
SO, UH, AGAIN, UH, WE DO HAVE AN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WEBPAGE.
WE HAVE A LOT OF LINKS ON THERE FOR EVERYTHING FROM SIGNING UP FOR CELL PHONE REGISTRATION, WHICH WE REALLY NEED TO ENCOURAGE AND, UH, GETTING TRAINING AND SO FORTH.
UM, POSTINGS OF RECOVERY OPPORTUNITIES AND, AND OTHER THINGS.
SHA QUEEN ALREADY MENTIONED SOME OF THE PROGRAMS THAT WE OFFER, YOU CAN GO ON THERE TO THE WEBSITE, GET OUR CONTACT INFORMATION AND REQUEST THESE THINGS.
UH, WE ALSO HAVE SOME TEMPLATE PLANS.
SO IF, UH, EVERYBODY NEEDS TO BE PREPARED, NOT JUST THE CITY OR, OR THE BUSINESSES, EVEN YOUR HOMES HOUSEHOLD, UH, COLLEGE STUDENTS WHERE WHEREVER, MAKE SURE YOUR FAMILY'S PREPARED AS WELL AS YOUR, YOUR ORGANIZATION.
AGAIN, OUR GOAL IS THE WHOLE COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER FOR COLLABORATION.
UM, I THINK YOU CAN, WE HAVE DEMONSTRATED A
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VERY RESILIENT COMMUNITY.UNLESS THERE'S QUESTIONS, ANY QUESTIONS, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
WE APPRECIATE ALL OF THE WORK THAT YOU DO.
MAY MAYOR, THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING, SO IF CAN OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING INCLUDE THAT.
YES, THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW OPEN.
CITY CLERK, ARE THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ADD ALLEN 96 95 GROSS, BEAUMONT, TEXAS.
CITY MANAGER, MAYOR, COUNCIL, ADD ALLEN 9 6, 9 5 GROSS STANDING HERE AS I DID LAST YEAR WHEN THE MANAGEMENT PLAN WAS PRESENTED, AND I STILL STAND ON AND HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONSIDER AN AUDITABLE SOUND IN THE MANAGEMENT PLAN.
FOR EXAMPLE, IN DALLAS, WHICH IS MUCH LARGER THAN US, BUT AS JEFFERSON COUNTY AND ALL THE SURROUNDING AREAS, I DID SOME RESEARCH AND THERE IS NO INDUSTRY OTHER THAN LAMAR AND EXON THAT HAVE AUDITABLE SOUNDS.
SO I'M ASKING, IT'S GONNA BE, AND I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST A LOT LAST YEAR, BUT WHAT COST A LOT IF YOU LOSE LIVES, SO IN THE MANAGEMENT PLAN, AND THAT CAN BE FOUND IN THE CODE OF FEDERAL, UH, IN THE CODIFIED, UH, FEDERAL REGISTRY, THAT A MANAGEMENT PLAN SHOULD HAVE SOME KIND OF SOUND.
SO I'M JUST ASKING, PLEASE CONSIDER THAT.
UM, FOR EXAMPLE, LAST OCTOBER WE HAD AN INCIDENT, HIGH WINDS.
MY NEIGHBOR HAD A HOLE IN THEIR, UH, HOUSE, IN THEIR BEDROOM.
AND THEN OUT AT LAMAR, THERE WAS DAMAGE I DIDN'T HAVE A TV ON.
AND THE, THE TELEPHONES CAN GO DOWN.
SO IF THAT HAPPENS, WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO? YOU HAVE TRAINED PERSONNEL, BUT THEN THEY'RE GONNA BE SUBJECTED TO HOW THEY'RE GONNA GET TO ALL THE PEOPLE.
SO KINDLY CONSIDER IN THE MANAGEMENT PLAN SOME KIND OF AUDIBLE SOUND.
IF YOU WANT SOME INFORMATION, I I HAVE IT.
YOU KNOW, SO, UM, I'M JUST ASKING, LET'S SAVE SOME LIVES IN OUR MANAGEMENT PLAN BY HAVING AN AUDIBLE SOMETHING, NOT A COW BELL
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
UH, THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW CLOSED AND IT'S THE CITY MANAGER.
[* Review and discuss the operation of Bird Scooters within the City of Beaumont]
WILL YOU TAKE US INTO OUR WORK SESSION? THANK YOU, MAYOR.UH, FIRST WORK SESSION IS TO REVIEW AND DISCUSS THE OPERATION OF BIRD SCOOTERS, UH, WITHIN THE CITY OF BEAUMONT.
AND I THINK WE HAVE MR. MICHAEL ELLIS HERE TODAY WITH BIRD SCOOTERS, UH, TO COME FORWARD AND, AND GIVE US A DISCUSSION.
UH, THANK YOU MADA MAYOR AND COUNCIL FOR HAVING ME AND CITY STAFF AS WELL.
I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE AN UPDATE ON THE BIRD SCOOTER PROGRAM HERE IN BEAUMONT.
UH, BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION, I AM MICHAEL ELLIS, THE ACCOUNT MANAGER FOR BIRD HERE IN BEAUMONT.
UH, I WORK CLOSELY WITH CHRIS BOONE AND DEMI EGGMAN FROM THE PLANNING DIVISION TO HELP MANAGE THE PROGRAM AND ENSURE THE PROGRAM IS RUNNING SMOOTHLY FOR THE CITY RESIDENTS AND OUR AS WELL.
UH, I'VE BEEN AT BIRD FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS NOW, TEXAS BASED, AND I HELPED TO MANAGE OTHER PROGRAMS IN TEXAS SUCH AS AUSTIN, SAN ANTONIO, AND OTHER MID SIDE CITIES LIKE ABILENE, PLANO, AND TEXAS ARCHANA MORE RECENTLY.
SO I'M HERE TODAY TO GIVE A PROGRAM UPDATE, UH, WHERE I'LL COVER THE PROGRAM FROM A HIGH LEVEL, UH, INCLUDE SOME BACKGROUND, SOME KEY RIDERSHIP STATISTICS, UH, AS WELL AS SOME OF THE CITY CONCERNS AND THE STEPS THAT WE'VE TAKEN TO ADDRESS THOSE.
UM, SO IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE MY COLLEAGUE, UH, MIKE BUTLER CAME TO PRESENT TO YOU GUYS EARLIER THIS YEAR.
UH, SO AS A REMINDER, BIRD'S MISSION IS TO MAKE CITIES MORE LIVABLE BY REDUCING CAR USAGE, TRAFFIC AND CARBON EMISSIONS.
UH, WE OFFER A FORM OF ALTERNATIVE LAST MILE OR FIRST MILE, LAST MILE TRANSPORTATION IN ABOUT 400 CITIES ACROSS THE GLOBE.
UH, SO IN OUR EYES, LESS CARS ON THE ROAD THE BETTER.
UH, WE LAUNCHED IN B WE LAUNCHED IN BEAUMONT IN FEBRUARY OF THIS PAST YEAR.
AND SINCE THEN WE'VE SEEN A SIGNIFICANT
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ADOPTION OF THE PROGRAM, UH, IN A FAIRLY SHORT TIME, UH, TIMEFRAME.SO, FOR EXAMPLE, WE'VE SEEN OVER 42,000 TOTAL TRIPS SINCE OUR LAUNCH IN FEBRUARY BY 11,000 UNIQUE USERS.
SO TO PUT THAT INTO PERSPECTIVE, THAT'S ABOUT 10% OF THE BEAUMONT POPULATION.
UH, THEY'VE TAKEN, UH, TRIPS THAT HAVE TOTALED ABOUT 180,000 MILES RIDDEN ON BIRDS AND AVOIDED ABOUT 25 METRIC TONS OF CO2.
UM, SO ALSO TO PUT THAT INTO PERSPECTIVE, 180,000 MILES IS ABOUT THREE QUARTERS TO THE MOON.
SO THAT'S ALSO JUST SINCE FEBRUARY.
UM, SO THOSE ARE SOME INCREDIBLE NUMBERS.
BUT ANOTHER IMPORTANT THING TO NOTE OUT OF THOSE 11,000 UNIQUE USERS IS THAT A THOUSAND OF THOSE ARE JUST ABOUT UNDER A THOUSAND FALL UNDER OUR COMMUTER PROFILE.
UM, WE CREATED THIS PROFILE TO SHOW THAT RIDES ARE NOT JUST BEING TAKEN RECREATIONALLY, WHICH I'M SURE YOU GUYS KNOW THEY ARE.
UH, BUT RATHER TO SHOW THAT RESIDENTS OF THE COMMUNITIES WE OPERATE IN ARE, UH, ARE USING THIS ON A REGULAR BASIS TO GET TO AND FROM WORK.
SO THESE COULD BE RESIDENTS WHO DON'T HAVE A CAR WHO, WHO DON'T USE EXISTING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION OR DON'T HAVE PUBLIC TRANSIT NEARBY.
SO THE COMMUTER NUMBERS WE'RE SEEING ARE, ARE PRETTY SIGNIFICANT, UH, AS A PORTION OF THE TOTAL RIDERSHIP TOTALLING ABOUT 3,500 RIDES.
UH, MOREOVER, RESIDENTS IN BEAUMONT ARE USING BIRD ACROSS THE CITY, UH, AND NOT JUST IN THE DOWNTOWN COURT.
SO WE SEE RIDERSHIP ACROSS THE FOUR WARDS WITH HIGHER CONCENTRATIONS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA, BUT ALSO, UH, A PRETTY LARGE SEGMENT IN THE SOUTHWEST AND NORTHWEST CORRIDORS OF THE CITY AS WELL.
SO SOMETHING TO NOTE ABOUT THIS LEVEL OF ADOPTION IS THAT IT'S HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON LOCAL BUSINESS.
UH, THERE'S A NEW STORY DONE BY KF DM BACK IN, UH, LATE APRIL, WHERE A LOCAL RESTAURANT OWNER OF CRACKLING KINGS APPRENTICE, UH, SIEMENS OF, UH, HE CREDITED THE ARRIVAL OF SCOOTERS WITH A SURGE OF BUSINESS.
HE SAYS, QUOTE, PEOPLE WHO ARE OUT HERE, THEY'RE OUT AND ABOUT, AND OF COURSE THEY WERE HUNGRY.
THEY DIDN'T WANT TO GO HOME AND EAT.
SO THEY STOPPED IN AND CAME INSIDE.
IT ACTUALLY SAVED OUR BUSINESS.
IT HELPED US OUT TREMENDOUSLY.
SO WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE SCOOTERS.
SIEMENS STATEMENT ECHOES THE FINDINGS OF A 2021 STUDY DONE BY EMORY, UH, EMORY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, UH, THAT FOUND THAT EVERY DEPLOYED ECU BRINGS IN AROUND $2,200 IN ANNUALLY IN INCREASED INCREMENTAL SPENDING AT LOCAL SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS.
SO WITH JUST A COUPLE HUNDRED SCOOTERS ON THE ROAD FOR A A GIVEN YEAR, THAT'S ALMOST HALF A MILLION DOLLARS SPENT AT LOCAL BUSINESSES AND RESTAURANTS.
SO, AND THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE POSITIVE IMPACTS THAT WE'VE SEEN ON THE GROUND THUS FAR.
UH, BUT I DID WANT TO COVER SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP AND ALSO SOME OF THE STEPS WE'VE TAKEN TO ADDRESS THEM.
SO FIRST, WHILE RESIDENTS RIDE ACROSS BEAUMONT, WE HAVE SEEN THE HIGHEST CONCENTRATION OF RIDES TAKING PLACE NEAR THE EVENT, EVENT CENTER, UH, CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN.
SO THIS INITIALLY RESULTED IN SCOOTERS BEING PARKED ON THE PROPERTY.
UH, AND SINCE THEN I'VE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH EMILY WHEELER, THE DIRECTOR OF EVENTS AT THE EVENT CENTER, UM, TO PUT IN SOME, SOME SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS THOSE CONCERNS.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, AN INITIAL GEOFENCE WAS SET UP AROUND THE EVENT CENTER AND IT WAS MARKED AS A NO PARK AND NO RIDE ZONE SHORTLY AFTER LAUNCH.
UH, WE HAVE RECENTLY INCREASED THAT TO INCLUDE THE HALF BLOCK ACROSS THE STREET AS WELL AS A BUFFER SLOW ZONE, UM, AROUND THE ENTIRE EVENT CENTER AREA.
SO THE RED IS WHAT TO MARKS THE PARK IN THE RIDE ZONE.
AND THEN THE BLACK IS WHAT TO MARKS THE SLOW ZONE OF 10 MILES AN HOUR, JUST AS A SAFETY PRECAUTION FOR PEDESTRIANS WHO ARE IN THE AREA.
ADDITIONALLY, TO GIVE MATT SOME OF THE CLUTTER AND OVERSATURATION OF SCOOTERS IN THE AREA, WE HAVE RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED A DEPLOYMENT CAP OF 25 IN THAT EVENT CENTER AREA, AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE FAR RIGHT, AS WELL AS A DEPLOYMENT CAP OF 45 IN THE BROADER DOWNTOWN AREA.
UH, WHILE THIS HAS AFFECTED RIDERSHIP A GOOD DEAL, UH, WE WANNA WORK WITH THE CITY AND THE PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PROGRAM'S WORKING FOR EVERYBODY AND THAT SCOOTERS AREN'T ENDING UP ON THEIR PROPERTY, UH, AND THE LIKE.
SO THE SECOND CONCERN THAT'S BEEN RAISED IS TIED TO UNDERAGE RIDING.
WHILE OUR RIDER AGREEMENT REQUIRES RIDERS TO BE 18 YEARS OR OLDER, WE SAW A LARGE UPTAKE IN UNDERAGE RIDING, PARTICULARLY ONCE SCHOOLS GOT OUT IN JUNE.
THIS TYPICALLY HAPPENS FOR TWO REASONS.
THE, THE FIRST PARENTS ARE ALLOWING THEIR KIDS TO USE THEIR ACCOUNT AND THEIR CREDIT CARDS, UH, WHICH IS ADMITTEDLY HARDER TO POLICE IF YOU HAVE PARENTAL CONSENT.
AND THEN THE SECOND KIDS, UH, DOWNLOADING THE APP AND CREATING THEIR OWN ACCOUNTS USING THEIR OWN PAYMENT METHODS.
SO IN JUNE WITH, UH, WE WITNESSED AN ABNORMAL LEVEL OF USERS USING CASH APP AND PREPAID DEBIT CARDS AS THEIR PAYMENT METHOD.
AND FROM MY EXPERIENCE IN OTHER CITIES, THIS IS TYPICALLY A PROXY BETWEEN UNDERAGE RIDERS WHO DON'T HAVE A CREDIT CARD AND SIGN UP FOR THE APP USING PREPAID DEBIT CARDS OR CASH APP THAT THEY CAN USE ON THEIR PHONE.
SO, TO COMBAT THAT, WE OUTRIGHT BANN CASH APP AND, UH, PREPAID DEBIT CARDS UNDER A CERTAIN PREAUTHORIZATION AMOUNT OF $20.
AND SINCE THEN WE'VE SEEN A LARGE REDUCTION OF REPORTED UNDERAGE WRITING INCIDENTS IN THE CITY ITSELF.
SO I'LL ALSO BE WORKING WITH DEMI AND LAUREN MO FROM THE CITY, UH, ON A NEW SOCIAL CAMPAIGN TO ADD, UM, A DIFFERENT LEVEL OR AN ADDITIONAL LAYER OF COMMUNICATION TO OUR RIDERS, AS WELL AS UTILIZING SOME OF THE CITY'S
[02:10:01]
SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS TO RAISE AWARENESS OF OUR EXPECTATIONS AND THE RISKS REGARDING UNDERAGE RIDING.ON TOP OF THAT, WE'VE BEGUN BANNING ACCOUNTS THAT HAVE BEEN FLAGGED OUR WAY AS POTENTIAL FOR BEING UNDERAGE.
AND I HAD A MEETING WITH ASSISTANT CHIEF PLUNKETT LAST WEEK WHERE WE DISCUSSED UNDERAGE RIDING AND THE CAPABILITIES THAT WE HAVE TO BAN RIDERS OUTRIGHT AND HE'LL BEGIN FLAGGING INCIDENTS MY WAY AS WELL.
SO LASTLY, THE ISSUE OF CLUTTER AND TIPPED OVER BIRDS HAS COME UP, UH, THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM.
SO WANTED TO TOUCH ON THAT A BIT AS WELL.
UH, SPECIFICALLY IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA, IF YOU SEE A TIPPED OVER BIRD, WE'VE RECENTLY DEVELOPED A TECHNOLOGY WHERE THAT'S ALSO BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN BEAUMONT AS OF A FEW WEEKS AGO.
UM, THAT NOTIFIES OUR FLEET MANAGERS WHO RUN THE LOCAL OPERATIONS HERE ON THE GROUND.
AS SOON AS A BIRD IS TIPPED OVER, THEIR RESPONSE WOULD BE TO GO OUT INTO THE FIELD AND REBALANCE IT AND PUT IT UP IN A PROPER DEPLOYMENT MANNER.
SO IT COULD BE IN THE SAME LOCATION, IT COULD BE BACK TO OUR, ONE OF OUR NEST LOCATIONS, WHICH IS A DEPLOYMENT HUB.
BUT THE IDEA BEING THAT WE WANT TO HAVE OUR FLEET MANAGERS NOTIFIED IF A BIRD IS TIPPED OVER SO THEY CAN ADDRESS THE SITUATION IMMEDIATELY.
WE'VE SEEN SUCCESS THUS FAR IN THE RECENT STRATEGIES WE'VE TAKEN AND THE STRATEGY WE'VE BEEN TAKING OVER THE COURSE OF THE PROGRAM, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINU ON IMPLEMENTING SOLUTIONS AS ADDITIONAL FEEDBACK COMES UP.
UH, I DID WANT TO INCLUDE A, A SPEC SHEET HERE OF THE BIRD THREE, WHICH IS OUR LATEST AND GREATEST MODEL HERE AT BIRD.
UM, IT IT'S ALSO THE BIRD THAT WE OPERATE IN BEAUMONT AS OF THE PROGRAM START.
SO I WANTED TO KEEP THE SPEC SHEET UP THERE, BUT FOR THE SAKE OF TIME, WANTED TO, UH, LEAVE IT UP TO QUESTION AND ANSWER OR AT LEAST WAIT UNTIL THE, THE COMMENTS.
COUNCIL MEMBER SAMUEL? UH, I'M IN.
I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING ABOUT ACCIDENTS.
UH, I'VE SEEN A LOT OF, UH, NEAR MISSES AND I JUST, I WONDERED ABOUT THAT.
YEAH, SO, UH, I CHECKED IN WITH OUR SAFETY TEAM WHO, WHO'S DEDICATED TO, UH, INCIDENT RESPONSES.
AND WE DO HAVE A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT MANNERS FOR FLAGGING INCIDENTS THAT HAPPEN, UH, BOTH NON-MEDICAL AND NON-MED, OR BOTH MEDICAL AND NON-MEDICAL THROUGH THE APP AND EMAIL.
AND SINCE THE PROGRAM START FROM FEBRUARY UNTIL NOW, WE'VE ONLY HAD ONE REPORTED MEDICAL INCIDENT.
UM, SO IT MAKES BEAUMONT ONE OF THE SAFER PLACES TO RIDE IN TEXAS.
IT EQUATES TO ABOUT 99.99% OF OUR RIDES NOT GOING WITHOUT INCIDENT.
UM, OF COURSE THESE ARE REPORTED RATES, BUT COMPARABLY, THIS IS, UH, HIGHER THAN AVERAGE.
I MEAN, IT'S, UH, BETTER THAN AVERAGE ACROSS THE STATES.
THAT'S SURPRISING CUZ I, FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN, I JUST KNEW THERE'S BEEN SOME SERIOUS ACCIDENTS.
BUT FINE, I'M, WE, WE DO RECOMMEND THAT IF SOMETHING DOES OCCUR THAT IT'S FLAGGED OUR WAY EITHER VIA THE CITY, BUT THERE ARE METHODS TO FLAG DIRECTLY TO OUR SAFETY TEAM AND WE REACH OUT TO THE RIDERS, UM, DIRECTLY AFTER THAT.
COUNCIL MEMBER TURNER, I'M SORRY, COUNCIL MEMBER NOW.
SO RIGHT NOW YOU GUYS REIMBURSE THE CITY A FEE OF WHAT? UH, IT IS 5 CENTS PER RIDE.
SO HOW DOES THIS COMPARE TO OTHER, LIKE CITIES, UH, IN TERMS OF REVENUE SHARE? YES, SIR.
UH, A LOT OF THE CITIES I WORK WITH DON'T HAVE A REVENUE SHARE MODEL.
UH, SOME MIGHT BE 5 CENTS, SOME MIGHT BE 10.
SO THE, THE CURRENT AGREEMENT RIGHT NOW IS 5 CENTS, UH, PER RIDE.
AND WHEN IS THAT AGREEMENT UP? UH, I BELIEVE IT'S UP AT THE END OF THE YEAR.
OR ONE COUNTER YEAR FROM THE, UH, THE SIGNING OF THE AGREEMENT? YEAH, ROUGHLY, ROUGHLY MARCH, APRIL, MARCH, APRIL.
AND SO JUST TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTOOD, YOU SAID THERE'S ONLY BEEN ONE MEDICAL CASE FILED? UH, YEAH.
REPORTED TO US THROUGH THE SAFETY TEAM.
SO NOT TO SAY THAT THAT HASN'T, UH, THAT IT HASN'T OCCURRED, BUT WHAT'S BEEN FLAGGED OUR WAY, UM, WE, WE, LIKE I MENTIONED, DO RECOMMEND THAT PEOPLE FLAG IT OUR WAY IF AN INCIDENT DOES OCCURRED, BUT THAT'S WHAT, WHAT IS ON OUR BOOKS.
SO, AND I KNOW YOU HAVE TO TREAT THESE THINGS SOMEWHAT LIKE A BICYCLE WALL, BUT HOW DO WE MINIMIZE THE KIDS THAT ARE RIDING IN THE MIDDLE OF THESE BUSY STREETS? WE EVEN IN AND OUTTA TRAFFIC MM-HMM.
UM, WE DO HAVE GEOFENCING TECHNOLOGY WHERE IF THERE IS A SPECIFIC AREA THAT IS CONSIDERED DANGEROUS TO BE RIDING, UH, WE IMPLEMENT NO RIDE ZONE AND WE'VE DONE THAT ON A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT AREAS, WHETHER IT BE A, A PARK BECAUSE OF PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC, UH, THE MALL BECAUSE OF THE CARS THAT ARE GOING THROUGH THE PARKING LOT.
UM, BUT WE RECOMMEND THAT THE CITIES FLAGGED THEM OUR WAY AND I'D BE HAPPY TO GET THEM IN PLACE.
AND I GUESS MY LAST CONCERN I'VE SEEN, I'VE SEEN SEVERAL OF THEM LEFT ON THE MIDDLE OF THE SIDEWALKS, UH, KIND OF BEEN OVER OR BROKE AND SOMETIMES THEY SIT THERE FOR WEEKS.
UM, WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE SURE THIS STUFF'S CLEANED UP QUICKER? YEAH.
UM, WE DO HAVE A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT WAYS TO REPORT WHETHER A SCOOTER IS BROKEN OR LEFT ON A PRIVATE PROPERTY OR SOMEWHERE IT SHOULDN'T BE.
UM, YOU CAN GO THROUGH THE APP COMMUNITY MODE.
IT'S A GREAT FEATURE WHERE YOU CAN TAKE A PICTURE OF THE BIRD AND THE FLEET MANAGER IS SIGNIFIED THE SAME WAY THAT A TIPPED OVER BIRD MIGHT BE.
NOW THAT WE HAVE THE, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THAT.
UM, BUT ALSO I'LL PROVIDE YOU GUYS MY, MY CONTACT INFORMATION AND YOU CAN FLAG THINGS
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AS THEY COME UP.AND I, I WORK WITH THE LOCAL TEAM DAY IN DAY OUT TO MAKE SURE THAT THINGS ARE HA HANDLED QUICKLY, SO I'D BE HAPPY TO TAKE CARE OF IT FOR YOU.
SO Y'ALL DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO SEE IF SOMETHING, IF ONE'S BEEN SITTING IN THE SAME AREA FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME? WE, WE DO.
SO BASICALLY EVERY BIRD HAS GPS ON IT AND, UH, ACCORDING TO THE ACTIVITY, OUR FLEET MANAGERS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE REBALANCING, UH, A BIRD THAT IS IN A PLACE THAT DOESN'T HAVE HIGH RIDERSHIP, UH, FOR A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT REASONS.
ONE, WE WANT THE SCOOTERS IN PLACES THAT THEY'RE GONNA BE RIDDEN.
IT'S LOST REVENUE FOR OUR FLEET MANAGERS.
IF THERE'S A SCOOTER THAT'S LEFT ON THE ROAD, EITHER BROKEN FOR A WEEK AT A TIME, SO IT'S WITHIN THEIR BEST INTEREST TO COME PICK IT UP, REBALANCE IT, AND PUT IT INTO A SPOT THAT'S GONNA GET ACTUAL RIDES.
SO IF IT IS LEFT THERE FOR A WEEK AT A TIME, I DO RE RECOMMEND REPORTING BECAUSE OUR FLEET MANAGERS, UH, THEY DO COME OUT REGULARLY AND REBALANCE PROBABLY ONCE OR TWICE A DAY.
BUT IF SOMETHING IS MISSING, IT COULD BE THAT THE GPS IS BROKEN ON IT AND WE NEAR OUR FLEET MANAGERS TO GET OUT THERE.
COUNCIL MEMBER TURNER NAMED MARI TIMUR.
SO I NOTICED YOU SAID YOU BANNED CASH UP AND PRE PREPAID DEBIT CARDS UP TO $20.
YES, $20 STILL TECHNICALLY ISN'T A LOT OF MONEY FOR A TEENAGER THESE DAYS.
IS IT ANY KIND OF WAY WE COULD LOOK AT INCREASING THAT CASH APP ARE PREPAID DEBIT CARD BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, $20 TO THE AVERAGE MIDDLE SCHOOL KIDS, THERE'S NOT A LOT OF MONEY ANYMORE.
SO I THINK THAT REALLY SHOULD BE CONSIDERED THE UP BECAUSE ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT IS THE SAFETY OF OUR YOUTH RIDING ON THOSE SCOOTERS.
I'M A BIG ADVOCATE OF THINGS FOR YOUTH TO DO, BUT I JUST DON'T WANNA SEE ANY KIDS GET INJURED.
UM, YEAH, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO RAISE THE, RAISE THE PRE-AUTHORIZATION AMOUNT.
SO CASH APP IS OUTRIGHT BAND IS THE PREPAID DEBIT CARDS THAT HAVE A LIMIT OF $20 RIGHT NOW? YEAH, I WANNA, YOU WANNA KEEP, I'M LOOKING AT A LIMIT THAT, YOU KNOW, PROBABLY MOST MIDDLE SCHOOLERS WOULDN'T BE COMFORTABLE TO HAVE ON A PREPAID CARD.
SO I THINK THAT WOULD ELIMINATE A LOT OF THE KIDS RIDING AS WELL.
WE, WE DO WANT TO BE COGNIZANT OF, OF FOLKS WHO MIGHT BE UNDER BANKED, WHO MIGHT NOT HAVE A CREDIT CARD OUTRIGHT TOO.
UH, BECAUSE FOR THEM THIS MIGHT ALSO BE A SERVICE THAT THEY USE.
SO IT IS ABOUT FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE, BUT I'D BE HAPPY TO TO THE AMOUNT TO, TO SOMETHING MORE REASONABLE.
UM, IF YOU THINK THAT $20 IS TOO LOW, WHAT DO YOU THINK IS MORE REASONABLE? UM, I MEAN, WE START WITH $20, THAT'S TYPICALLY WHAT WE SEE, AND IF WE STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM, WE'D RAISE IT TO, TO 40.
UM, BUT AS OF RIGHT NOW IT'S AT 20.
UM, SO IF YOU GUYS ARE STILL SEEING REPORTS OF UNDERAGE RIDING, THEN I'D DEFINITELY BE HAPPY TO HAVE IT.
AND MY SECOND THING IS, I UNDERSTAND YOU SAID FLEET MANAGERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PICKING UP THE BIRDS.
WHAT'S THE ACCOUNTABILITY IF THE FLEET MANAGERS DON'T PICK THEM UP? LIKE IS IT ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM PUT IN PLACE IF THEY'RE STILL LAYING ON SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME? LIKE HOW DO WE BALANCE THAT? WE, WE DO HAVE KPIS THAT WE HOLD OUR FLEET MANAGERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR.
UM, SO IF THEY DO FALL UNDER A CERTAIN THRESHOLD, WE PUT 'EM ON A FLIGHT PLAN.
UH, SO ESSENTIALLY THEIR JOB IS AT RISK IF THEY'RE NOT STAYING ON TOP OF IT.
UM, SO WE, WE HAVE WEEKLY MEETINGS WITH THEM TO REALIGN ON THOSE KPIS, AND IF THEY DO DIP, WE HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THEM THAT, OR CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM.
AND TYPICALLY WITH ONGOING DISCUSSIONS, THEY, THEY KIND OF GET IT.
UH, WE HAVE THREE FLEET MANAGERS CURRENTLY OPERATING IN, IN BEAUMONT.
UM, SO LOOKING TO EITHER BRING ON MORE THAT COULD HAVE INCREASED LIKE KPIS IF, IF THEY DO LAG AFTER A FEW WEEKS OR A COUPLE OF MONTHS.
BUT AS OF RIGHT NOW, UM, I, I PERSONALLY HAVEN'T SEEN THE KPIS IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS, BUT IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT COMES UP, DEFINITELY FLAG OUR WAY AND WE CAN HAVE A MORE SERIOUS CONVERSATION WITH OUR FLEA MANAGERS.
DO YOU HAVE ANY INCENTIVES IN PLACE FOR YOUR FLEET MANAGERS THAT ARE PERFORMING WELL, DOING EVERYTHING THE WAY THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO? UH, YEAH, WE DO.
WE, WE GIVE BONUSES FOR HITTING CERTAIN METRICS.
UM, IF YOU CAN IMAGINE, OUR FLEET MANAGERS ARE LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS.
WE BRING 'EM ON BOARD AND THEY'RE ESSENTIALLY RUNNING THEIR OWN BUSINESS.
SO THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEPLOYMENT, MAINTENANCE AND, AND REBALANCING OF THESE SCOOTERS DAY IN, DAY OUT.
UH, SO LIKE I MENTIONED EARLIER, IT'S IN THEIR BEST INTEREST TO BE PICKING THEM UP AND PUTTING 'EM IN PLACES THAT ARE GONNA GET RIDES.
UH, SO WE DO OFFER BONUSES FOR DEPLOYED PERCENTAGES, TIME AND COLLECT, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY A KPI OF HOW LONG IT TAKES TO COME RETRIEVE A SCOOTER THAT'S BEEN OUT, UH, AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
WELL, AND THE LASTLY I SPEAK, YOU KNOW, THOUGH, OUR CITY IS VERY DIVERSE IN AGE AND POPULATION.
UM, THE MEDIAN AGE IN BEAUMONT IS ROUGHLY 33 YEARS OLD OUT HERE.
AND I HAVE HAD A LOT OF MY DEMOGRAPHIC GROUP COMPLIMENT AND SAY THANK YOU FOR ACTUALLY HAVING SOMETHING THAT CATERS TO THAT AGE GROUP AND FAMILIES OUT HERE IN BEAUMONT.
UH, WE WANTED TO BE PART OF THE REVITALIZATION.
I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK TODAY ABOUT REVITALIZING DOWNTOWN AND WE FOUND THAT OFFERING THIS SERVICE IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA DOES BRING, LIKE I MENTIONED, BUSINESS TO LOCAL BUSINESSES, BUT ALSO TOURISM.
UH, SO WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT GETTING TO SOME OF THESE MUSEUMS DOWNTOWN, UH, MORE THAN HAPPY TO PARTNER WITH THE MUSEUMS THEMSELVES AND, AND OFFERING POTENTIALLY PROMO CODES OR DISCOUNTS.
THE IDEA IS TO GET PEOPLE OUT THERE AND UTILIZE THE SERVICE TO GET FROM POINT A TO POINT B.
SO WE THINK IT'S A HELPFUL SERVICE TO BE OFFERING AND WE'RE REALLY HAPPY WITH HOW THE RIDERSHIP IS GOING, BUT KEEPING, UH, LOOKING FORWARD, KEEP ME UPDATED ON ANY FEEDBACK YOU GUYS HAVE AND I'D BE HAPPY TO IMPLEMENT OTHER SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS THEM.
[02:20:03]
MAYOR PRO TIM.YEAH, HOW MUCH, UH, WHAT IS YOUR COST OF YOUR AVERAGE RIDE? HOW MUCH ARE THEY SPENDING? SO IT'S A DOLLAR TO START IN ABOUT 39 CENTS A MINUTE OR 42 CENTS A MINUTE THEREAFTER.
SO IF YOU GO, YOU KNOW, A COUPLE OF MILES, YOU ASSUME THAT IT'S SOMEWHERE BETWEEN FIVE AND $8.
ALSO, YOU, UH, MENTION THE, UM, NO RIDE ZONE.
DO THEY SHUT OFF OR IS JUST WHAT HAPPENS? THE WAY THAT IT WORKS IS, UH, THROUGH GEOFENCING, OUR GPS SYSTEM KIND OF COMMUNICATES WITH THE BACKEND PROGRAMMING THAT WE HAVE, AND ONCE THEY CROSS THAT INVISIBLE FENCE, THE SCOOTER'S NO LONGER ALLOWED TO ACCELERATE.
SO THAT'S WHY WE CREATED THE BUFFER ZONE ALSO AROUND THE EVENT CENTER, BECAUSE AS SOON AS IT HIT THE THRESHOLD, THERE WERE STILL KIND OF SLOWING TO A STOP ON THE PROPERTY, AND THAT'S WHAT WE WANTED TO AVOID.
SO WITH THE GEOFENCING TECHNOLOGY, THEY'RE NOT ALLOWED TO ACCELERATE AND WITH A NO PARK ZONE, THEY'RE NOT ALLOWED TO PARK OR END THEIR RIDE THERE.
SO IT'S IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE RIDER TO GO BACK TO A PLACE THAT THEY'RE ALLOWED TO PARK IT, UH, OR ELSE THE METER KEEPS RUNNING.
AND TYPICALLY THEY ONLY MAKE THE MISTAKE ONCE ALL.
LIKE I DON'T HAVE HIS HAND THOUGH.
WELL, I'M, I'M PLEASANTLY SURPRISED.
I, I WAS SURPRISED THAT, UH, THERE WERE NO REPORTS OF, UH, INJURIES.
UM, BUT MORE SO I'M, UM, SOMEWHAT IMPRESSED WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF, UH, THE SCOOTERS, UH, THAT YOU'RE DOING IN BEAUMONT.
UM, I DID NOT ANTICIPATE IT BEING QUITE AS SOPHISTICATED, UM, BUT I APPRECIATE IT.
I, I GOT A REPORTED INCIDENT WHEN I FELL OFF, BUT I DIDN'T REPORT IT.
SO
WELL, I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS THAT, UM, WERE NOT ADDRESSED.
UM, SO LIKE I MENTIONED, IT GOES FROM FIVE TO POTENTIALLY 15 CENTS.
UM, SO NOT CERTAIN WHAT THE HIGHEST WE'VE EVER DONE IS.
UH, I DO KNOW THAT MIKE BUTLER, MY COLLEAGUE, WHO PRESENTED AND, AND DOES THE CONTRACT REMOTE WITH YOU GUYS, UH, HE WILL PROBABLY BE A BETTER RESOURCE IN TERMS OF THE CONTRACT STUFF.
UM, BUT I HAVE SEEN IT RANGE FROM FIVE TO 15 CENTS, MAYBE A LITTLE BIT HIGHER CASE BY CASE ON THAT.
UM, IF I MAY, YES, CASE IN POINT, STATE OF AUSTIN GETS 15 CENTS.
ALSO, UH, HOW MANY UNITS ARE IN BELMONT? IT RANGES.
WE, WE HAVE A FLEET OF ABOUT 300 TO THREE 50, BUT THEY'RE NOT DEPLOYED ALL AT ONCE ANY GIVEN TIME, GIVEN THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE TO BE MAINTAINED, CHARGED, ET CETERA.
SO ON AVERAGE, WE'RE SEEING ABOUT 200 TO 250 SCOOTERS DEPLOYED ACROSS THE FOUR WARDS AT ANY GIVEN TIME.
OBVIOUSLY ON THE WEEKENDS, UH, WE'RE GONNA BE GEARING UP FOR BIGGER, YOU KNOW, USAGE OF THEM.
UM, SO YOU MIGHT SEE A HIGHER INCREASE OF, OF DEPLOYMENT OVER THE WEEKENDS, BUT IT DOES HAVE THAT RANGE OF 200 TO 250.
AND BECAUSE I AM OF THE DOUBLE AGE OF, UH, THE AVERAGE CITIZEN IN THIS CITY, UM, AND I'VE GOTTEN A LOT OF REPORTS AND A LOT OF REQUESTS TO TURN IT OFF AT DARK MM-HMM.
UM, AND WE DID TALK ABOUT THE OPERATING AGREEMENT AND THE OPERATING HOURS THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE.
AS OF RIGHT NOW, UH, THE AGREEMENT STATES THAT WE CAN OPERATE BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 4:00 AM TO MIDNIGHT.
UM, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU GUYS ON SOMETHING THAT MIGHT WORK BETTER FOR THE CITY, BUT, UH, I DID PULL SOME OF THE DATA IN 30 TO 50% OF OUR RIDES DO TAKE PLACE WITHIN THOSE HOURS THAT WOULD BE CUT SHORT.
SO WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT MAKING THIS A SUSTAINABLE PROGRAM, OUR FLEET MANAGERS DO RELY ON THAT REVENUE TO SURVIVE.
SO IT WOULD TYPICALLY RESULT IN EITHER US LETTING GO OF ONE OR TWO OF THE FLEET MANAGERS OR POTENTIALLY LOSING THE PROGRAM OUTRIGHT.
SO DON'T WANNA BE ALARMIST BY ANY MEANS, BUT IT'S A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF OUR REVENUE.
SO FROM DARK TO 12, MIDNIGHT IS YOUR, AND THEN ALSO FROM 4:00 AM TO 6:00 AM 4:00 AM TO 6:00 AM YEAH, SO WE, WE, RIGHT NOW BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 4:00 AM TO MIDNIGHT IS WHAT WE CURRENTLY OPERATE.
AND THEN IF WE WERE TO, TO CUT OFF, UH, LET'S SAY SIX HOURS, FOUR HOURS AFTER DARK AND THEN TWO HOURS BEFORE THE SUN RISES, UH, THAT WOULD BE 30 TO 50%.
DO YOU THINK THEY'RE, THEY'RE USING THEM TO RIDE TO WORK? UH, THERE ARE SECOND SHIFT WORKERS THAT DO USE THIS AFTER
[02:25:01]
THEY, THEY GET OFF WORK.UH, AND THEN ALSO THE EARLY RISERS.
SO OUT OF THE 4,200 RIDES WE DO HAVE ABOUT A THOUSAND COMMUTERS.
SO TYPICALLY THE COMMUTER PROFILE TAKES PLACE, UM, DURING RUSH HOUR, LOCALLY ADJUSTED RUSH HOUR OF 4:00 AM TO 10:00 AM AND THEN ALSO FROM 4:00 PM TO 10:00 PM.
SO WITH THAT, ON TOP OF IT BEING A FREQUENT RIDER ROUTE, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY A RIDE ROUTE THAT THEY TAKE OFTEN ON THE, ON A FREQUENT BASIS, THAT'S WHEN THOSE RIDES ARE TAKING PLACE.
BUT OF THE 30 TO 50%, I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY HOW MANY OF THOSE ARE THE COMMUTERS, BUT I DO KNOW THAT IT WOULD BE AFFECTING THEM AS WELL.
AND I TOO WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND FOR, UH, A WELL RAN BUSINESS.
UH, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE WHEN YOU THINK SCOOTERS, YOU JUST THINK IT'S JUST A TOY AND IT'S NOT, I MEAN, IT COULD BE VERY, VERY DANGEROUS.
AND, UM, I'M REALLY SURPRISED THAT IT'S ONLY BEEN ONE AND THE ONE THAT COUNCIL MEMBER TURNER DIDN'T REPORT.
BUT, UM, I'M, I'M REALLY SURPRISED BY THAT.
AND I WOULD JUST HAVE TO SAY THAT THEY PROBABLY DID NOT REPORT IT, BUT THERE, UH, THERE ARE A LOT OF CHILDREN THAT ARE USING THE BIRDS AND IF THERE'S SOME WAY THAT WE COULD, UH, GET A HANDLE ON THE CHILDREN USING IT BECAUSE OF SAFETY, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE IT IS A, UM, A MOTORIZED, UM, PIECE OF EQUIPMENT AND IT COULD BE VERY, VERY DANGEROUS FOR A CHILD THAT'S OPERATING IT.
BUT OTHER THAN THAT, I THINK, UM, PUBLIC WISE, IT'S, IT'S BEEN GREAT.
YOU GET A LOT OF, UH, RIDERSHIP AROUND THE COLLEGES.
SO WHEN WE LAUNCHED THE PROGRAM, WE ACTUALLY EXCLUDED LAMAR UNIVERSITY, UM, FROM THE PROGRAM.
UH, WE WOULD TYPICALLY HAVE TO GET CONSENT FROM THEM TO OPERATE ON THEIR CAMPUS.
AND I KNOW THAT WE ALSO RECEIVED SOME CITY, CITY FEEDBACK THAT THE WAY DOWN THERE, THERE WASN'T A SAFE WAY TO GET DOWN THERE.
UH, CAUSE I DO BELIEVE IT'S JUST THAT, IS IT COLLEGE DRIVE OR, OR ESSENTIALLY MLK.
UH, SO WE DIDN'T SEE IT AS A SAFE WAY TO GET DOWN TO THAT, THAT PART OF THE UNIVERSITY ANYWAY.
SO AS OF RIGHT NOW, THE OPERATING AREA ACTUALLY CUTS OFF RIGHT BEFORE THE ROUTE DOWN THERE.
ALSO, THOSE, THESE SCOOTERS ARE, CAN THEY BE PUT ON THE BUSES, LIKE THE BICYCLES? I DON'T BELIEVE SO NOW, UH, NO.
UH, BECAUSE THEY'RE PUBLIC USE, UH, IF YOU DO TAKE IT OUT OF A RIDE ESSENTIALLY, UM, I MEAN, I GUESS IF IT IS ON A RIDE, YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO LIFT IT UP.
THEY WEIGH A GOOD AMOUNT THOUGH.
UH, BUT IF IT'S OUT OF A RIDE AND YOU'RE TRYING TO TAKE IT HOME WITH YOU TRYING TO STEAL IT, IT'LL ACTUALLY CHIRP AND NOTIFY OUR FLEET MANAGERS TOO.
THAT'S PART OF THE ANTI THEFT TECHNOLOGY THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE, CUZ YOU DON'T WANT PEOPLE PUTTING 'EM BACK IN THE TRUCK AND, AND TAKING IT WITH HIM.
COUNCIL MEMBER SAMUEL DIEGO? YES.
ARE THERE ANY OF THE, I SAW THE, UH, BICYCLE TYPE SCOOTERS IN SAN ANTONIO.
ARE THERE ANY OF THOSE HERE? UH, NO, NO BIKES IN BEAUMONT AT THE PRESENT MOMENT.
WE'VE HAD SOME SUPPLY CHAIN CONSTRAINTS THAT ARE, IT'S UNFORTUNATELY BOTTOM BOTTLENECKING UP A LOT OF THE, THE BIKES IN THE PORT OF LOS ANGELES.
SO WE'VE HAD ACTUALLY A PRETTY SHORT SUPPLY OF BIKES THIS YEAR.
CAN WE GET THEM, UH, POTENTIALLY IN THE FUTURE? UM, I, I'LL BE WORKING WITH CHRIS ON, ON THE NEXT CONTRACT AGREEMENT AND ALL OF THAT IN THE COMING MONTHS.
SO NOT OFF THE TABLE, BUT DEFINITELY ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT WE'RE AT A PRETTY SEVERE SHORTAGE, SO.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? COMMENTS? OKAY, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.
MAYOR, REAL QUICKLY, JUST BEFORE MICHAEL STEPS DOWN, I JUST WANTED TO COMMENT ON, WE ARE ROUGHLY JUST OVER SIX MONTHS INTO THE ONE YEAR PILOT PROGRAM.
UH, SO WE DID JUST WANNA INVITE BYRD TO COME AND GIVE AN UPDATE AS THEY DID.
AND AS MICHAEL MENTIONED, THE ONE THING THAT IS PENDING IS THE HOURS OF OPERATIONS.
SO WE'LL STILL BE IN CON CONVERSATION WITH THEM ABOUT THAT AND MAYBE BRINGING SOMETHING BACK TO COUNCIL.
[* Review and discuss Lanier & Associates Consulting Engineers, Inc. (Lanier) final report on the conceptual engineering associated with the proposed relocation of the Battleship Texas to the Neches River in Beaumont]
MR. CITY MANAGER, WILL YOU TAKE US INTO OUR SECOND WORK SESSION? THANK YOU, MAYOR.SECOND WORK, WORK SESSION IS TO REVIEW AND DISCUSS ING ASSOCIATES CONSULTING ENGINEERS INC.
ENGINEER FINAL REPORT ON THE CONCEPTUAL ENGINEERING ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROPOSED RELOCATION OF THE BALANCE SHIP TEXAS TO THE NAS RIVER IN BEAUMONT.
SO I'M GONNA ASK MR. DAVID COWARD, WHICH ARE NEAR TO COME FORWARD AND PRESENT.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR COUNCIL.
I APPRECIATE, UH, THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME AND PRESENT THIS, UH, CONCEPTUAL STUDY THAT WE PERFORMED FOR, UH, MOORING THE BATTLESHIP, UH, TEXAS AT RIVERFRONT PARK.
UM, WE'VE BEEN HERE QUITE A, QUITE A WHILE.
IT WAS GOOD FOR ME TO SEE THE COUNCIL WORKING FOR THE CITY TODAY, SO THANK YOU.
BAR TOLD ME TO ARRIVE AT ONE 30, SO I WAS HERE.
UM, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK BART AND,
[02:30:01]
UH, AND HIS STAFF WITH THE CITY FOR THEIR HELP.UH, THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS OF THIS STUDY, UH, AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE FIRST SLIDE THAT WE HAVE UP, UM, DURING OUR WORK FOR THE CITY ON THE RIVERFRONT PARK, UH, REHAB PROJECT, WE CREATED A 3D MODEL.
UM, IN THAT 3D MODEL, WE SHOW THE, THE NEW WORK THAT THE CITY'S GONNA DO HERE SHORTLY ON THE RIVERFRONT, UH, PARK AREA.
YOU CAN SEE IN THE BACKGROUND THE, UH, THE DOCK AREA AND THE PAVILIONS.
UH, SO EARLY ON IN THIS STUDY, WE ADDED THE BATTLESHIP, UH, TO THE MODEL JUST TO GIVE THE CITY A A NICE VISUAL.
UH, IF YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLACE THE SCOPE OF, UM, OUR STUDY WAS TO DEVELOP TWO OR THREE OPTIONS FOR WORRYING THE BATTLESHIP AT RIVERFRONT PARK.
UH, DEVELOP BUDGETARY COSTS FOR EACH OF THOSE OPTIONS.
UH, MEET WITH THE STAKEHOLDERS OF THE WATERWAY AND THEN PREPARE A SUMMARY REPORT FOR THE CITY.
AND TO SPEAK TO A LOT OF THE COMMENTS THAT WERE SAID EARLIER.
UH, OUR GOAL IN THIS WAS REALLY TO TRY TO POSITION THE BATTLESHIP IN A MANNER THAT WOULD REDUCE THE COST FOR THE CITY TO SEE IT COME HERE.
SO, UM, SO KEEP THAT IN MIND AS WE GO THROUGH IT.
WE REALLY LOOKED AT TRYING WITH OUR INITIAL FIRST OPTION TO TRY TO REDUCE THAT COST.
THE STAKEHOLDERS THAT WE SELECTED TO MEET WITH IN THIS INITIAL STUDY, THEY WERE SELECTED, UH, EITHER FOR THEIR ROLE ON THE WATERWAY OR FOR THEIR, UH, BECAUSE OF THEIR PROXIMITY TO THE RIVERFRONT PARK.
UH, WE MET WITH THE SEINE PILOTS, UH, THE US COAST GUARD.
WE MET WITH THE PORT OF BEAUMONT.
THEY HAVE PROPERTY IMMEDIATELY DOWNSTREAM AND IMMEDIATELY UPSTREAM OF THE RIVERFRONT.
WE MET WITH, UH, BEAUMONT CONTRACTORS.
THEY HAVE THEIR MARINE YARD THAT'S LOCATED OVER BY, UH, INTERSTATE 10.
SO THEY ROUTINELY TRANSIT THIS AREA WITH, UH, LARGE, UM, CRANE BARGES AND MATERIAL BARGES.
WE MET WITH THE KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN.
THEY HAVE THE NS RIVER RAILWAY RAILWAY BRIDGE THAT CROSSES THE RIVER JUST DOWNSTREAM OF RIVERFRONT PARK.
UH, WE MET WITH THE CIVILIAN NS NAVIGATION DISTRICT CUZ THEY'RE THE NON-FEDERAL LOCAL SPONSOR FOR THE WATERWAY.
AT THE REQUEST OF PORT BEAUMONT, WE MET WITH THE ALLEGIANT INDUSTRIAL, WHICH IS THE PORT OF BEAUMONT'S TENANT ON THE PROPERTY THAT THEY HAVE UPSTREAM OF THE RIVERFRONT PARK.
AND THEN FINALLY WE MET WITH THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS.
UM, SO I'LL GO THROUGH THE OPTIONS NOW.
WE CREATED THREE OPTIONS AT THE REQUEST OF THE CITY, BUT, UH, AFTER DISCUSSION WITH THE CITY, WE ONLY PRESENTED TWO OF THESE OPTIONS DURING OUR MEETINGS WITH THE, UH, STAKEHOLDERS.
SO, AS I WAS SAYING EARLIER, YOU KNOW, WE TOOK THEIR, UH, THIS OPTION ONE, WE TRIED TO LAY THE BATTLESHIP OUT IN A MANNER THAT WOULD, UH, LIMIT THE COST TO, UH, MORE IT HERE AND, AND, AND TO, UH, LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF DREDGING AND, AND, AND ALSO LIMIT THE CHANGE TO OUR RIVERFRONT PARK DESIGN THAT WE HAD ALREADY, UH, PERFORMED.
AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE SLIDE HERE, THOSE RED DASH LINES, THOSE REPRESENT THE TOE OF THE FEDERAL CHANNEL, THE CORE CHANNEL LIMITS.
YOU CAN SEE THAT THE BATTLESHIP IS WELL WITHIN THE CHANNEL.
UH, THIS IS A VERY DEEP PORTION OF THE CHANNEL.
UH, WE POSITION THE BATTLESHIP IN THIS LOCATION BASED ON ITS DRAFT, THE BATTLESHIP DRAFTS, UH, 28 AND A HALF FEET.
THAT MEANS HOW MUCH OF THE SHIP IS BELOW THE DECK OF THE WATER.
UH, SO WE POSITIONED THE INSIDE INSHORE SIDE OF THAT BATTLESHIP ON THE MINUS 30 CONTOUR.
UM, AND, UH, AND, AND WE DID THAT SO THAT THERE'LL BE NO DREDGING REQUIRED.
UM, AS YOU CAN SEE IN THIS OPTION, IT SHOWS THAT WE HAVE A VEHICULAR ACCESS, UH, APPROACH ON TO THE BATTLESHIP ON THE UPSTREAM END.
UH, WE HAVE A PEDESTRIAN APPROACH ON THAT DOWNSTREAM END.
THERE'S A GIFT SHOP AND A TICKET BOOTH AREA THERE NEXT TO THE PERSONNEL ACCESS THAT YOU SEE THAT'LL CROSS OVER THE BNSF RAIL LINE THAT RUNS, UH, ALONG THE RIVERFRONT.
THAT PERSONNEL ACCESS CROSSES OVER INTO, UH, THE BACKSIDE OF THE CIVIC CENTER PARKING LOT.
UH, THE ESTIMATED COST FOR THIS OPTION ONE WAS 6.6 MILLION.
SO ON THE, UH, VEHICULAR ACCESS AND THE PEDESTRIAN ACCESS, THE WAY I UNDERSTOOD AND UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS DRAWN UP IS THAT IT'S AN ELEVATED WALKWAY UP ABOVE AND LIKE, KIND OF LIKE WHAT LAMAR HAS OVER THE FREEWAY THAT'S IT'S UP ABOVE IS THAT THE, THE WALKWAY FROM THE CIVIC CENTER PARKING LOT, UH, ACROSS THE B NSF LINE WOULD BE AN ELEVATED WALKWAY LIKE THAT, BUT NOT NEAR LIKE WHAT YOU SEE GET LAMAR GOING ACROSS THE MLK.
IT'D BE SOMETHING MUCH SMALLER, BUT IT
[02:35:01]
WOULD BE ELEVATED TO THE PROPER HEIGHT TO ALLOW THE TRAIN TRAFFIC TO CONTINUE UNDER.UM, THERE WOULD BE ELEVATORS ON EITHER SIDE SO THAT YOU COULD HAVE HANDICAP ACCESS AS WELL.
UM, AND THEN THE VEHICULAR ACCESS TO THE BATTLESHIP ITSELF WAS MORE ABOUT FOR MAINTENANCE OR SUPPLIES OR, OR THINGS LIKE THAT.
UH, AND IT WAS ALSO TO GIVE TWO MEANS OF, UH, INGRESS EGRESS, UH, IN CASE THERE'S ANY KIND OF INCIDENTS, EXCUSE ME, ON THE SHIP.
AND YOU'VE GOT TWO MEANS TO, UH, TO GET ON OR GET OFF.
UH, THOSE WOULD BE BASICALLY AT GROUND LEVEL, HIGH BANK LEVEL ON THE CITY, AND THEN THEY WOULD JUST SLOPE UP TO THE EDGE OF THE BATTLESHIP.
SO EACH OF THOSE, IF I READ IT RIGHT, COST HALF A MILLION DOLLARS PROJECTED.
AND YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'M WONDERING IS COULD WE NOT JUST HAVE A SIMPLE GRADE CROSSING LIKE THEY HAVE AT PIER 21 IN GALVESTON OR, UH, AT KEMA AND JUST, UH, NOT HAVE THAT ELABORATE OF A, UH, WALKWAY AND HOW, HOW WOULD THAT AFFECT THE PRICE? CERTAINLY, I MEAN, WE DIDN'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF INPUT FROM THE CITY ON EXACTLY WHAT TO DO ON THE LANDSIDE PORTIONS OF IT.
I MEAN, REALLY THE GOAL OF THIS STUDY WAS TO SEE WHERE WE COULD POSITION AND BATTLESHIP IN THE WATERWAY MEET WITH THE STAKEHOLDERS OF THE WATERWAY TO SEE WHAT WOULD BE REQUIRED FROM A PERMITTING STANDPOINT.
UH, WE ADDED THESE ADDITIONAL FEATURES JUST TO SH TO PROVIDE A COST FOR THEM.
CERTAINLY IF THE CITY THINKS THAT A UPGRADE, UH, APPROACH THERE WOULD WORK, THEN THAT YOU COULD ELIMINATE THAT COST.
AND THEN ALSO ON THE TICKET BOOTH, UH, IF WE WANTED THAT, THAT'S A QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS ON YOUR PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE TICKET BOOTH, UH, IF WE WANTED TO USE AN EXISTING STRUCTURE FACILITY TO ALLOW THEM TO TAKE, SO WE COULD TAKE THAT OUT TOO.
AGAIN, WE, WE JUST PICKED A 500 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING THEN, YOU KNOW, UH, WE DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF INPUT ON EXACTLY WHAT Y'ALL WANTED TO DO THERE.
AND I SAY THESE THINGS BECAUSE I KNOW THAT COST IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE ARE SENSITIVE TO AND, UH, YOU KNOW, IF WE CAN ELIMINATE $1.25 MILLION JUST LIKE THAT, THAT MIGHT BE SOMETHING THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN HEARING.
I DON'T THINK IT'S QUITE THAT HIGH THOUGH, COUNCILMAN.
IF YOU LOOK, IT'S, UH, THE PEDESTRIAN ACCESS TO THE PARKING LOT IS 3 25 IN THE BUDGET, AND THE TWO ELEVATORS ARE ONE 50, SO THAT'S 4 75.
AND THEN THE, UH, TICKET BOOTH, AS YOU MENTIONED, IS A QUARTER MILLION.
THE OTHER TWO ITEMS ARE THE, UH, THE RAMPS TO THE SHIP.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO ADD, THESE ARE VERY, VERY CONCEPTUAL COSTS THAT, THAT WERE, WERE DONE WITH NOT A LOT OF INPUT, UH, FROM A STANDPOINT OF THE DESIGN OF WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE FROM THE GIFT SHOP BUILDING, LIKE YOU'RE SAYING, AND THE PEDESTRIAN ACCESS OVER THE RAILWAY, UH, WE JUST PUT SOME PLACE HOLDERS, BASICALLY.
IF, IF Y'ALL CAN, YOU CAN CERTAINLY ASK QUESTIONS AS WE GO OR WE CAN WAIT UNTIL I GET TO THE END.
HOWEVER Y'ALL WANT TO, UH, DO IT.
WELL, I'LL JUST LET YOU KNOW, UH, ONE OF MY MAIN CONCERNS, UH, IS HAVING A VISUAL IN MY MIND YES, SIR.
AS TO THE WAY IT'S GONNA APPEAR OUTSIDE MM-HMM.
AND, UH, THAT'S MY MAIN CONCERN.
SO I'M REALLY, AT THIS POINT, I'M NOT CERTAIN WHERE THIS IS, SO HELP ME TO GET A VISUAL YES, SIR.
IF, UH, I GUESS IF YOU GO BACK TO THE, UH, UH, FIRST SLIDE IN THE PRESENTATION, UM, THAT IS IN THE 3D MODEL.
THIS, THIS IS BASICALLY JUST, UH, NOT DIRECTLY BEHIND THE EDISON PLAZA, BUT A LITTLE BIT DOWNSTREAM OR TOWARD THE RIVERFRONT PARK FROM EDISON PLAZA.
AND IF I GO THROUGH SOME OF MY OTHER OPTIONS, YOU'LL SEE A LITTLE BIT MORE HOW WE LOOKED AT SHIFTING IT UPSTREAM TO ACTUALLY MOVE IT IN, UH, CLOSER TO, UM, THE BEARS VALUE I THINK IT IS, OR BREAKS VALUE.
UH, AND BEHIND EDISON PLAZA A LITTLE MORE, HOWEVER, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY WE CREATED THIS 3D MODEL AND WE DID IT FOR A REASON.
IT'S, IT'S PRETTY MUCH, I, I DON'T WANNA SAY A HUNDRED PERCENT ACCURATE, BUT WE'VE GOT THE AIR DRAFT OF THE VESSEL.
WE'VE GOT GENERALLY THE SHAPE OF THE VESSEL.
I THINK WE FOUND THE, THE MODEL OF THIS ONLINE SOMEWHERE.
BUT, UH, WE INCLUDED THAT IN THE MODEL AND I PROVIDED TO THE CITY TO BARTON THEM SEVERAL, UH, VIEWS OF THAT MODEL THAT WOULD GIVE YOU A PERSPECTIVE OF STANDING, YOU KNOW, BACK HERE ON THIS SIDEWALK, EXCUSE ME, JEEZ, BACK HERE ON THE SIDEWALK, UH, AT THOSE APPROACHES.
AND THE EDGE OF THE BATTLESHIP RELATIVE TO WHERE YOU'RE STANDING ON THE GROUND BACK ON THE SIDEWALKS ON SHORE, UH, IS ROUGHLY ABOUT 10 FEET HIGHER THAN WHERE YOU'RE STANDING.
SO IN THE PERSPECTIVE OF LOOKING AT IT FROM, YOU KNOW, A HUNDRED FEET AWAY, YOU
[02:40:01]
OBVIOUSLY WOULDN'T SEE LIKE DIRECTLY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BATTLESHIP, UM, LIKE THE, THE, UH, THE LAND THAT THE PORT OWNS THERE.BUT FROM A STANDPOINT OF LOOKING UP TO SEE I 10, YOU WOULD STILL SEE I 10.
SO I DON'T THINK IT'S GONNA BLOCK YOUR VIEW AS MUCH AS YOU THINK.
SO THAT, THAT WAS MY MAIN CONCERN.
AND I INITIALLY, I WAS WONDERING HOW TO SCALE THIS INITIAL PHOTOGRAPH WAS, SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, UH, SO WHAT IT ACTUALLY BE HAVING, THIS IS THE PRESENT SIDE OF, UH, RIVERFRONT PARK.
THAT IS THE PAVILIONS AND THE DOCK AREA OF RIVERFRONT PARK.
AND SO THE NOSE OF THE SHIP WOULD BE, UH, PRETTY MUCH ABOUT, WELL, IT'S, IT'S, IT'S, IT'S ABOUT, UH, AND I, I DON'T HAVE THAT DRAWN RIGHT HERE IN FRONT OF ME, BUT IT'S, IT, THE BATTLESHIP ITSELF IS 600 FEET, ROUGHLY IN, IN LENGTH, AND IT'S AT LEAST 600 FEET UPSTREAM OF THAT PAVILION AREA.
AND YOU SAY IT WOULD BE, UH, STANDING ON THE LEVEL ON THE SIDEWALK? IT WOULD POSSIBLY BE ABOUT 10 FEET FROM THE AIR DRAFT THAT'S LISTED ON THE DATA SHEET FOR THE VESSEL.
UH, THE AIR DRAFT IS THE AMOUNT OF THE, UH, VESSEL THAT'S OUT OF THE WATER TO THE DECK, UH, FROM THAT DIMENSION.
AND THEN THE ELEVATIONS THAT WE HAVE ON THE HIGH BANK OF THE RIVERFRONT PARK AREA, UH, THAT'S CORRECT.
IT'S ABOUT 10 FEET HIGHER THAN THAT HIGH BANK ELEVATION.
WHEN WE GET A LITTLE FURTHER DOWN TO THE CHANNEL REALIGNMENT SLIDE, THERE'S AN AERIAL THAT GIVES YOU A LITTLE BETTER, UM, PERSPECTIVE, PERSPECTIVE OF WHERE THE SHIP IS WITH IN RELATION TO THAT SHORELINE.
AND IT HAS THE, UM, THE, UH, SATELLITE IMAGERY BELOW IT SO YOU CAN KIND OF FIGURE OUT WHERE THAT'S AT.
AND, AND, AND ALSO THESE, THESE SLIDES THAT WE MADE, THEY'RE LIKE A FRACTION OF THE DRAWINGS THAT WE PROVIDED TO THE CITY, UH, WITH OUR REPORT.
UH, YOU KNOW, I MADE THE SLIDES THAT WE KIND OF TOOK A SNAPSHOT OF THE AREA THAT I WANTED TO PRESENT TO Y'ALL.
SO THE REPORT THAT WE SUBMITTED TO YOU IS IN MUCH MORE DETAIL IN THIS.
AND THEN IT ALSO HAS 11 BY 17 DRAWINGS THAT SHOW THE FULL SCALE OF THESE THINGS.
YEAH, THERE'S A GRAPHIC SCALE ON THOSE DRAWINGS THAT CAN SHOW YOU, YOU KNOW, THAT YOU CAN SCALE THINGS FOR DIMENSION DIMENSIONAL PURPOSES.
WE DIDN'T PROVIDE THE, UH, WE DIDN'T PROVIDE THE, UH, THE MODEL SHOTS, UH, IN THE REPORT, BUT WE DID PROVIDE THAT TO THE CITY EARLY ON IN THE PRO, YOU KNOW, BEFORE THIS PROCESS REALLY STARTED.
SINCE THEY'RE LOOKING, CAN I ASK THEM SOMETHING? SHALL I CONTINUE WITH THE YEAH.
COUNCIL MEMBER TURNER HAS A QUESTION OF WHY YOU'RE, YOU'RE, YEAH.
YEAH, THAT, THAT WAS MY CONCERN SINCE, SINCE THEY'RE LOOKING.
I WAS GONNA GO AND ASK A QUESTION.
I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST CONCERNS IS, YOU KNOW, LOCATION WITH ALL WHAT WE PLAN ON DOING, EVENTUALLY DOWN THE LINE IN THE RIVERFRONT TO ALLOW ACTIVITIES TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING.
SO I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE CONCERNS THAT EVERYONE'S LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW.
AND YOU CAN TELL FROM THIS, THIS MODEL SHOT THAT WHERE WE HAVE THE BATTLESHIP POSITIONED IN THIS OP, THIS IS THE OPTION ONE LOCATION.
IT'S AT THE, AND I KEEP USING UPSTREAM, DOWNSTREAM, YOU KNOW, UPSTREAMS TOWARD I 10 DOWNSTREAMS TOWARD THE, UH, 10 CITY, UH, RAILROAD BRIDGE.
UH, BUT AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, THE, UH, THE END OF THE, UH, THE DOWNSTREAM END OF THE BATTLESHIP IS, UH, JUST A LITTLE BIT, MAYBE A HUNDRED OR SO FEET BEYOND WHERE THE END OF THE BULKHEAD IS.
THAT'S, THAT COMES ALONG THERE, UH, TO, UH, STABILIZE THE SHORELINE OF THE RIVERFRONT.
AND THEN YOU HAVE, UH, ABOUT 500 FEET OF SHORELINE THAT'S IN THE RIVERFRONT PART, CURRENT DESIGN THAT IS, UH, REV, A CONCRETE REVETMENT MATTRESS.
ALL OF THAT IS UNAFFECTED BY THIS LAYOUT.
UH, THE SIDEWALKS THAT YOU SEE, ALL OF THAT'S CURRENTLY PART OF YOUR RIVERFRONT PART REHABILITATION PROJECT.
SO THIS WOULDN'T REALLY ALTER ANYTHING IN THAT PROJECT.
[02:45:01]
WOULD JUST ADD THESE, UH, VEHICULAR ACCESS, THE PEDESTRIAN ACCESS, AND THEN WHATEVER Y'ALL DECIDE ON FOR A TICKET BOOTH AND, AND THEN THE ACCESS ACROSS THE BNSF RAILWAY, BECAUSE THAT, THAT'S US FOR UPSTREAM THAT YOU CAN PUSH IT WITHOUT GETTING INTO.THERE'S SOME OTHER ISSUES WITH PUSHING IT UPSTREAM.
IF Y'ALL LIKE ME TO CONTINUE WITH THE OTHER OPTIONS, I'LL SHOW Y'ALL WHAT THOSE ITEMS BE.
WE'RE JUMPING THE GUN ON, ON THIS PARTICULAR OPTION HERE.
THE, THE LAND THAT'S UP AGAINST THE, THE, UM, SHIP WHERE THE GANG WEAR AND EVERYTHING.
THE CITY ALREADY OWNS THAT LAND.
WELL, THIS IS THE, IT'S, IT IS THE, UH, I WOULD SAY IT'S THE, UH, FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM, I'M NOT SURE IF THE GLO GOES UP THIS FAR, BUT THIS IS IN THE RIVER, SO IT WOULD BE PROBABLY TEXAS STATE WATER BOTTOMS, HOWEVER, YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID, WE'RE POSITIONED THE BATTLESHIP THAT IN SHORE SIDE ON THAT MINUS 30 CONTOUR, SO WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO DO ANY DREDGING.
UH, SO THE CITY'S PROPERTY LINE, I DON'T THINK IT GOES OUT THAT FAR, BUT THAT'S NOT REALLY A WELL, WHERE, WHERE YOU, WHERE YOU WALK THE SHIP, WHERE A GANGWAY HITS THE LAND THAT BELONGS TO THE CITY.
WE OWN ALL THE WAY PAST THE SEWER LIFT STATION, ALMOST TO THE POINT, BUT NOT QUITE AS YOU GO INTO BREAKS BY YOU, WE OWN IT.
SO, SO BOARD, I'M SORRY, MAYOR.
SO BAR THIS BASELINE, YOU'RE SAYING THIS BASELINE ON THIS PHOTO I'M LOOKING AT, WE OWN THAT AS WELL, RIGHT? YEAH.
FROM WHAT, WHAT PHOTO LOOKING AT, SO THIS BASELINE THAT I'M LOOKING AT, THERE'S A BASELINE ON THE DRAWING.
THERE'S JUST A BASELINE FOR OUR, UH, FOR OUR SURVEYING, UH, THAT SHADED LINE ON THAT DRAWING.
LIKE I SAID, THIS IS A SNAPSHOT OF, YOU KNOW, THE MODEL IS A SNAPSHOT OF THE ACTUAL DRAWING.
THAT SHADED AREA IS THE BNSF RAILROAD.
YOU SEE ON THIS SLIDE HERE, WE, WE OWN ALMOST THERE, THERE'S A LITTLE SECTION OF LAND, UH, RIGHT OFF OF, UH, I GUESS THAT'S ELIZABETH'S ELIZABETH OVER THERE.
WHERE YOU TURN TWO BREAKS BY YOU.
BUT WE OWN EVERYTHING UP TO THAT.
YEAH, THAT'S WHY I WAS ASKING WITH LOCATION, I THINK THINKING CLOSEST TO THE, AND WE'RE STILL BY AS POSSIBLE UNDER A LITTLE BIT ON OPTIONS TWO AND THREE, BUT WE DID LOOK AT PUSHING THE SHIP AS FAR NORTH AS POSSIBLE.
THE PROBLEM AS HE'LL SPEAK TO ON THAT SLIDE IS YOU, YOU END UP ADDING DREDGING, SO YOU'RE GOING TO INCREASE THE COST OF THE PROJECT QUITE A BIT IF WE MOVE THE SHIP NORTH ON THE, ON THE SHORE.
YOU'LL LET ME GO THROUGH THE NEXT TWO SLIDES.
YOU'LL SEE THE IMPACT TO YOU MADE ALREADY.
OPTION IF, IF THERE'S, IF, IF WE'RE OKAY WITH ADD ONE OTHER THING ON OPTION ONE.
AND WE GO BACK TO THAT LAST PICTURE WITH THE SHIP ACTUALLY SITTING INSIDE OF THE FEDERAL CHANNEL, WOULD THAT PRESENT ANY TYPE OF PROBLEMS? YES, SIR.
AND I'LL GET TO THAT WHENEVER I GO OVER OUR SUMMARY OF OUR MEETINGS WITH ALL OF THE DIFFERENT ENTITIES AND PRIMARILY THE CORE.
UH, THE CORE IS NOT, YOU KNOW, THEY, THEY, THEY'RE NOT ALLOWED TO PERMIT THAT IN THE FEDERAL CHANNEL.
THAT'S WHY WE MET WITH ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS THAT WE DID PRIOR TO MEETING WITH THE CORE.
WE MET WITH ALL THE FOLKS THAT WE THOUGHT WOULD HAVE ANY TYPE OF CONCERN OR, OR, OR EVEN SUPPORT, UH, SO THAT WHEN WE WENT TO THE CORE MEETING, WE COULD BRING THAT AND SHARE THAT WITH THE CORE AND THE HOPES THAT THEY WOULD WORK WITH US TO ALLOW THE CITY TO PUT THE BATTLESHIP IN THIS OPTION ONE LOCATION TO LIMIT THOSE COSTS.
UH, I'LL GET TO KIND OF WHAT THE CORE TOLD US, UH, WHEN WE GO THROUGH THE REST OF THESE SLIDES HERE, AND THEN WE CAN HAVE PLENTY OF TIME FOR QUESTIONS AT THE END.
SO OPTION TWO, UH, WAS THE OTHER OPTION THAT WE SHARED WITH THE STAKEHOLDER STAKEHOLDERS.
UH, THIS OPTION, UM, DOES EXACTLY WHAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT.
IT GETS THE BATTLESHIP SHIFTED, ENSURE OUTSIDE OF THE FEDERAL CHANNEL.
UH, YOU CAN SEE IT'S JUST INSIDE THE DASH RED LINE THAT'S KIND OF BORDERLINE REALLY ACCORDING TO THE CORE.
THEY WANT A LITTLE BIT MORE DISTANCE, BUT I THINK WE COULD WORK WITH THEM ON IT.
UH, AND THEY CONFIRM THAT WE COULD LIKELY PERMIT THIS, UH, JUST THROUGH THE GALVESTON DISTRICT.
UM, SHIFTING THE BATTLESHIP IN SURE.
TO GET IT OUT OF THE FEDERAL CHANNEL REQUIRES A COUPLE OF THINGS.
ONE, IT IT, UH, IT DOES IMPACT YOUR CURRENT, UH, RIVERFRONT PARK DESIGN.
AS YOU SEE, YOU NO LONGER HAVE THAT, UH, UM, CONCRETE RESENTMENT MATTRESS SLOPE THAT KIND OF EXTENDS UP FROM THE END OF THE BULKHEAD THERE ON, UH, ON THE ORIGINAL DESIGN.
SO WE HAVE TO PUT IN A DEEP DRAFT, UH, BULKHEAD THAT WOULD TIE INTO THE CITY'S BULKHEAD THAT WE HAVE IN THE RIVERFRONT PART REHAB PROJECT, THE RIVERFRONT PART REHAB PROJECT, THE BULKHEADS DESIGNED FOR LIKE A MINUS 15.
[02:50:02]
THIS BULKHEAD WOULD HAVE TO BE A HEAVIER BULKHEAD DESIGNED FOR A MINUS 30 CUT TO ALLOW THAT WATER LEVEL AND TO GET THE SHIP INTO THAT POSITION.UM, IT'S PRETTY EXPENSIVE, THE DEEP DRIVE BULK.
IT IS, UM, THE AREA THAT YOU SEE HATCH, THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE DREDGED DOWN TO THAT MINUS 30 ELEVATION IN O UH, IN ORDER TO FLOAT THE SHIP, THE BATTLE SHIP INTO POSITION.
UM, THIS FEATURE, THIS OPTION, JUST LIKE OPTION THREE HAS ALL OF THE OTHER, UH, FEATURES THAT OPTION ONE HAS AS FAR AS THE APPROACH FROM, UH, THE BATTLESHIP FOR THE VEHICULAR APPROACH, FROM THE UPSTREAM END, THE PEDESTRIAN APPROACH, AND THEN THE GIFT SHOP OR TICKET BOOTH, AND THEN THE ACCESS OVER THE BNS F RAIL.
UM, THIS OPTION WAS ESTIMATED AT 21.7 MILLION.
UM, IF YOU GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
WE DIDN'T, YOU KNOW, LIKE BART SAID, THE CITY REQUESTED THAT WE SH LOOK AT SHIFTING THE BATTLESHIP A LITTLE BIT FURTHER UPSTREAM BECAUSE THERE WAS SOME CONCERNS ABOUT, UH, YOU KNOW, BLOCKING VIEWS OF THINGS FROM THE RIVERFRONT PARK.
UH, THIS SHIFTS IT A LITTLE CLOSER BEHIND THE EDISON PLAZA.
UM, IT BASICALLY REQUIRES ALL THE MODIFICATIONS THAT OPTION TWO REQUIRED WITH THE DEEP DRAFT BULKHEAD.
UH, THE ADDITIONAL DREDGING, THERE'S A LARGER DREDGE VOLUME REQUIRED BECAUSE WE'RE SHIFTING IT FURTHER UPSTREAM.
THE DEEP DRAFT BULKHEAD IS ABOUT A HUNDRED FOOT LONGER.
UH, SO THIS COST FOR THIS OPTION THREE WAS 25 MILLION, UH, ESTIMATED AT 25 MILLION.
WE DIDN'T, I'M SHOWING AT THE YABA, WE DIDN'T SHOW THIS TO THE STAKEHOLDERS, UH, THAT WE MET WITH.
SO GETTING TO THE SUMMARY OF OUR MEETINGS, UH, WITH STAKEHOLDERS, AND I LISTED ALL THEM EARLIER.
UH, IN GENERAL, ALL OF THE STAKEHOLDERS THAT WE MET WITH WERE SUPPORTIVE OF SEEING THE BATTLESHIP COME TO RIVERFRONT PARK.
UH, NONE THAT WE MET WITH SAID WE DON'T WANT TO SEE THIS.
UM, MOST OF THE STAKEHOLDERS OUTLINED THEIR CONCERNS WITH, UH, MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE THE PROPER DESIGN CRITERIA, UH, FOR THE BATTLESHIP'S MORNING SYSTEM, UH, FOR EXTREME EVENTS LIKE WE HAD IN TROPICAL STORM HARVEY WITH THE SEVERE, UH, FLOOD WATERS.
UH, ALSO FOR LIKE A, YOU KNOW, IT WOULD NEED TO BE DESIGNED FOR LIKE A CATEGORY FIVE BECAUSE IT'S NOT, UH, LIKE A TYPICAL VESSEL THAT YOU HAVE MORE THAN ON THE CHANNEL.
WHEN WE SEE STORMS THAT ARE GONNA GET INTO OUR AREA, THOSE VESSELS ARE USUALLY REQUIRED TO LEAVE, UH, THAT FACILITY.
THIS WOULD BE A PERMANENT MOORING.
SO YOU WOULD HAVE TO DESIGN IT FOR THOSE EXTREME, EXTREME EVENTS.
LET ME, LET ME STOP YOU RIGHT THERE AND ASK THIS QUESTION.
UH, YOU'RE A MARINE ENGINEERING FIRM.
DO YOU BELIEVE YOU CAN ENGINEER SOMETHING TO MEET THAT CRITERIA? YES, SIR.
DO WE HAVE AN ESTIMATED CAUSE FOR THE, UH, YEAH, I MEAN, WE HAVE A BUDGETARY NUMBER IN OUR ESTIMATES FOR THAT ENGINEERING, AND I FORGET EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS.
SO IT'S NOT PART OF THE 24.5? NO, IT IS, IT'S PART OF THE OVERALL COST.
UM, FOR THAT OPTION ONE, I THINK IT WAS, UH, ROUGHLY A HALF A MILLION DOLLARS, 470,000.
WE JUST USE 10% OF THE, UH, OF THE CONSTRUCTION COST FOR THE, FOR THE ENGINEERING.
THERE WOULD BE SOME GEOTECHNICAL COST.
AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE A CONTINGENCY IN HERE, UH, BECAUSE THERE WILL BE SOME STUDIES REQUIRED, SOME HYDRAULIC STUDIES THAT WE'LL HAVE TO DO, UM, THAT WE, AND WE DID FOR THE RIVERFRONT PART STUDY, WE HAD TO DO SOME HYDRAULIC STUDIES, UH, FOR SCOUR AND DIFFERENT THINGS TO, TO LOOK AT, UH, UH, HARVEY TYPE EVENT AND PRIMARILY DESIGN FOR A HUNDRED YEAR FLOOD EVENT.
UH, IN THIS CASE, WE'RE GONNA HAVE STUDIES AND LOOK AT THOSE EXTREME EVENTS SO THAT WE CAN GET THE LOADINGS LOADS THAT WE WOULD NEED TO DESIGN THE STRUCTURES FOR, TO HOLD THE BATTLESHIP IN POSITION.
BUT CERTAINLY IT CAN BE DONE IN THEIR, THAT COST IS INCLUDED IN THAT 6.7 ESTIMATED COST.
UM, WE ALSO MET WITH ALLEGIANT INDUSTRIAL, WHICH IS THE PORCH TENANT FOR THE UPSTREAM PROPERTY.
THEY DID HAVE SOME CONCERN ABOUT OPTION NUMBER ONE BECAUSE THEY HAVE SOME POTENTIAL FUTURE BUSINESS THAT WAS CONFIDENTIAL, UH, THAT COULD HAVE LARGER VESSELS TRANSITING TO THE PROPERTY THAT'S JUST UPSTREAM WITH THE RIVERFRONT.
UM, WE DIDN'T REALLY GO INTO TRYING TO ALLEVIATE ALL THEIR CONCERNS.
WE WERE REALLY JUST TRYING TO MEET WITH ALL OF THE DIFFERENT ENTITIES THAT MAY HAVE A CONCERN SO THAT WE WOULD KNOW IF WE MOVED FORWARD IN, INTO PERMITTING.
UH, THAT WOULD BE, UH, SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO ADDRESS.
UH, WHEN YOU PERMIT ANYTHING LIKE THIS, AND THE CORE PUTS IT ON PUBLIC NOTICE, UH, YOU GET COMMENTS BACK.
AND PART OF THE CORE PROCESS, THE PERMIT PROCESS, IS YOU HAVE TO RESPOND TO ALL THOSE PUBLIC COMMENTS.
SO, UH, WE DIDN'T REALLY GO INTO IT WITH ALLEGION INDUSTRIAL ON WHETHER OR NOT THEY WOULD HAVE A, UH, ENOUGH OF A CONCERN TO, TO OBJECT,
[02:55:01]
UH, TO THE PERMITTING.UH, BUT THAT WOULD, YOU KNOW, BE SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO ADDRESS DURING THE CORE PERMIT PROCESS.
UM, THEN WE, OUR LAST MEETING THAT WE HAD, WE MET WITH THE CORE.
WE MET HIM, THEM HERE AT THE CITY'S OFFICE.
UM, WE EXPLAINED, YOU KNOW, ALL OF OUR OTHER MEETINGS THAT WE HAD WITH THE STAKEHOLDERS AND, AND HOW THEY WERE VERY POSITIVE.
UM, THE CORE, WE KNEW THERE WAS GONNA BE AN ISSUE WITH THIS, BUT THE CORE STATED THAT THEY SAID, WELL, WE CAN'T PERMIT IT FROM THE GALVESTON DISTRICT.
UH, WITH IT BEING PERMANENTLY MOORED WITHIN THE FEDERAL CHANNEL, YOU WOULD EITHER HAVE TO HAVE THE CHANNEL REAUTHORIZED OR YOU WOULD HAVE TO DO A CHANNEL REALIGNMENT STUDY.
UM, SO AFTER WE MET WITH THE CORE, WE GOT THAT INFORMATION THAT REALLY KIND OF SUMMED UP OUR SCOPE OF THE STUDY.
SO WE PREPARED, UH, OUR SUMMARY REPORT, AND WE SUBMITTED IT TO THE CITY.
UM, AFTER THE CITY REVIEWED THE SUMMARY REPORT, THEY CAME BACK TO LANIER AND ASKED US TO, UH, ADD SOME ADDITIONAL SCOPE TO THE STUDY TO SEE IF WE COULD, UH, LOOK A LITTLE BIT FURTHER INTO, UH, THE CHANNEL DEAUTHORIZATION AND THIS REALIGNMENT INTO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
SO, THE ADDITIONAL SCOPE OF OUR STUDY WAS TO DEVELOP THE CHANNEL REALIGNMENT DRAWING, AND I'LL SHOW YOU THAT IN A SECOND.
AND MAYBE THIS WILL HELP YOU, UH, COUNCILMAN SAMUELS ON SEEING A LITTLE BIT MORE OF THE, UH, SCALE OF THINGS OF WHERE IT'S AT RELATIVE TO THE RAILROAD BRIDGE AND THE I 10.
UM, WE HAD TO DEVELOP AN INITIAL JUDGING COST FOR REALIGNMENT.
UM, THEN WE, AFTER WE GOT THOSE PUT TOGETHER, WE WERE TO MEET WITH THE PORT OF BEAUMONT, MEET WITH THE CORE AGAIN.
SO THIS DRAWING, AND IT DOESN'T SHOW LIKE A THOUGHT
BUT, UH, THE GREEN LINES ON THIS, UH, DRAWING REPRESENT THE, WHAT WOULD BE THE NEW CHANNEL LIMIT FOR THE CORE.
UH, THESE, THIS CHANNEL REALIGNMENT DOES CUT INTO THE OPPOSITE BANK, UH, QUITE A BIT.
THAT'S A PORT OF BEAUMONT PROPERTY.
UH, SO WE DID A ESTIMATE, AND THIS IS ROUGH BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE TOTAL SURVEY, UH, DATA ON THAT, UH, UH, OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE RIVER, BUT WE ESTIMATED THE DREDGING COSTS AND THE DREDGING VOLUME.
WE ESTIMATED THE COST TO BE 7 MILLION.
UM, THERE COULD BE POTENTIAL COSTS FOR FUTURE MAINTENANCE DREDGING OF THAT PORTION OF THE CHANNEL IF WE ALIGNED THAT WAY.
UH, BUT THAT WAS REALLY UNDEFINED.
SO THE NEXT SLIDE, AFTER WE CREATED THAT DRAWING, WE SHARED THAT DRAWING.
WE SENT THAT DRAWING TO THE PORT BEAUMONT.
WE SENT THE DRAWING TO THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS.
WE HAD A CALL WITH THE PORT OF BEAUMONT.
UH, WE DIDN'T MEET WITH THEM, WE JUST HAD A CALL WITH THEM.
UH, AND WE DISCUSSED THE REALIGNMENT OF THE CHANNEL THERE.
THE, UH, PORT WAS SUPPORTIVE OF THE REALIGNMENT.
WE DIDN'T REALLY DISCUSS THE AUTHORIZATION WITH THE PORT.
I THINK MAYBE THE COUNCIL AND THE CITY, UH, STAFF DID AT A, AT A LATER DATE.
UM, THEN I HAD A, UH, MEETING WITH THE CORE IN GALVESTON, JUST A LUNCH MEETING WITH THE CHIEF OF OPERATIONS OF THE GALVESTON DISTRICT.
UM, HE, I SHOWED HIM THE REALIGNMENT DRAWING.
UH, I EXPLAINED TO HIM THE CITY'S DESIRE TO BE ABLE TO POSITION THE BATTLESHIP IN THE OPTION ONE ALIGNMENT, YOU KNOW, TO REDUCE THEIR COSTS OR KEEP COSTS REASONABLE.
UH, AND I ASKED, YOU KNOW, WHAT, WHAT THE OPTIONS WERE.
UM, HE WENT BACK AND ABOUT A WEEK AFTER WE MET, HE SENT US AN EMAIL, UH, THAT BASICALLY OUTLINED THE OPTIONS.
AND THE TWO OPTIONS WERE TO EITHER REALIGN THE CHANNEL OR TO DE AUTHORIZE THE CHANNEL.
UH, HE EXPLAINED, UH, WHAT EACH OF THOSE OPTIONS WOULD ENTAIL.
UM, BOTH OF THOSE OPTIONS, HE EXPLAINED WOULD REQUIRE THAT THE NON-FEDERAL SPONSOR, THIS WOULD BE N JUST NAVIGATION DISTRICT, WOULD HAVE TO SUBMIT A LETTER OF INTENT TO THE CORE.
UH, THAT LETTER OF INTENT WOULD TRIGGER THE CORE STUDY.
AND, UM, FOR DEAUTHORIZATION THAT STUDY, THEY WOULD EXECUTE IT AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL, BUT THEN THEY WOULD HAVE TO SUBMIT IT TO HEADQUARTERS, UH, THE CORE HEADQUARTERS FOR APPROVAL.
AND THEN ULTIMATELY IT'D GET TO A RECOMMENDATION TO BE INTO A WATERS RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT ACT.
WOULD YOU TELL ME DEAUTHORIZATION OF THE CHANNEL, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? IT MEANS BASICALLY THE CHANNEL, UH, AS IT STANDS NOW, THE CHANNEL EXTENDS FROM THE, UH, WHAT EXTENDS FROM THE GULF.
BUT ALL THE WAY UP TO, UH, JUST NORTH OF RIVERFRONT PARK IS WHERE THE CHANNEL, THE FEDERAL CHANNEL ENDS.
THAT'S THE FEDERAL CHANNEL THAT WAS ESTABLISHED.
UM, YOU KNOW, WAY BACK WHEN, WHEN, WHEN THEY FIRST STARTED E ESTABLISHED CHANNEL.
THAT LITTLE SECTION WAS ADDED IN LIKE 1940 SOMETHING.
[03:00:01]
I, I LOOKED UP SOME INFORMATION AND SHARED THAT WITH COUNCILMAN GETZ TOO.UM, BUT DEAUTH RISING, THAT SECTION OF CHANNEL MEANS THAT THE CORE WOULD JUST NO LONGER BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT.
UM, SO WHEN THE FEDERAL CHANNEL'S ESTABLISHED, THAT MEANS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS GONNA MAINTAIN THE DEPTH THAT WHATEVER IT WAS ESTABLISHED TO.
SO AS THAT CHANNEL SCHS IN OR WHATEVER, YOU'RE NOT RESPONSIBLE OR ANY ENTITY AROUND THAT'S NOT RESPONSIBLE TO DREDGE, THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING THE DEPTH OF THAT CHANNEL.
SO IF YOU DE AUTHORIZE IT, THAT GOES AWAY.
SO NOW IF THAT SECTION OF CHANNEL WERE TO SHOW IN, THEN YOU SOMEONE ELSE IS RESPONSIBLE TO DO THE JUDGING.
IT WOULDN'T BE THE CORE OF ENGINEERS.
WHEN'S THE LAST TIME THEY HEARD? IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME.
I DON'T KNOW THE DATE, UH, BECAUSE IT'S BEEN SO LONG, BECAUSE NATURALLY DEEP, LIKE RIGHT OUT IN FRONT OF, UH, RIVERFRONT PARK, IT'S PROBABLY, YOU KNOW, IN THE 70 TO 80 FOOT DEPTH RANGE, THAT SECTION OF THE CHANNEL FROM THE RAILROAD BRIDGE UP TO THE END OF IT, WHICH ENDS JUST, UH, UH, JUST SOUTH OF THE, UH, ALLEGION ISLAND, UH, PORT PROPERTY USED TO BE CBI ISLAND UP HERE, UM, IS, UH, AUTHORIZED TO AEP OF MINUS 32.
SO IT'S QUITE A BIT DEEPER THAN AT LEAST OUT IN FRONT OF THE RIVERFRONT PARK.
NOW, UP ON THE UPSTREAM END OF IT, IT DOES SHOW IN, YOU KNOW, BUT THEY HAVEN'T DRED IT IN A WHILE.
THE PORT JUST DREDGED, UH, THEIR PORTION THAT'S SOUTH OF THE, UH, THE, UM, ALLEGION ISLAND DOWN TO THE EDGE OF THE FEDERAL CHANNEL.
UH, BUT AS FAR AS THE CORE MAINTAINING THAT AREA HADN'T BEEN MAINTAINED IN A LONG TIME.
EVEN THE SECTION BETWEEN, UM, THE NETS RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE AND THE TURNING BASE IN FOR THE CHANNEL IS WHERE THE MINUS 42 FOOT DEPTH OR MINUS 40 FOOT AUTHORIZED DEPTH NOW ENDS.
EVEN THAT SECTION THAT RUNS ALONG THE BACKSIDE OF THE PORCH 4, 5, 6, AND SEVEN HASN'T BEEN MAINTAINED BY THE CORE IN A WHILE.
THE PORT JUDGED IT THE LAST TIME IT WAS STRETCHED.
AND MR CAR PART, PART OF THAT IS THAT WE DON'T HAVE LARGE VESSELS GOING UP RIVER PAST THE KCS BRIDGE ANYMORE.
WE HAVE SOME BARGE TRAFFIC, AND THERE'S REALLY NOT BEEN THE NECESSITY, UH, FOR THE CORE TO DO THAT TYPE OF MAINTENANCE BECAUSE THE RIVER'S PLENTY DEEP FOR BARGES AS IT IS RIGHT NOW.
AND CURRENTLY THE DEPTHS ARE, ARE, ARE ADEQUATE FOR THAT TYPE OF TRAFFIC AND THERE HAVEN'T, THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY, YOU KNOW, WHAT I WOULD CALL SHIPS OR LARGER VESSELS GO BEYOND THE BRIDGE IN QUITE SOME TIME.
SO ONE OF THE CONCERNS THAT COMES UP IS, OKAY, WHAT IF YOU HAVE A HARVEY TYPE OF EVENT AND IT CHANGES, UM, MOOSE SOIL AROUND IT CAUSES SHOING IN, UH, IF IT'S UNAUTHORIZED, WHAT DO YOU DO THEN? BECAUSE YOU MIGHT HAVE A REAL NEED FOR DREDGING, WOULDN'T IT BE HANDY TO HAVE THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, UH, COME IN AND DO THAT? WHAT MY UNDERSTANDING IS, AND PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, LIKE IN HARVEY, YOU WOULD EXPECT TO HAVE FEMA COME IN, AND EVEN IF IT'S UNAUTHORIZED FEMA AS IT'S DONE, ANOTHER LOCALS, UH, CAN COME IN AND REQUEST OR EVEN REQUIRE THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO COME IN AND ALLEVIATE THAT SHELLING, UH, IN, IS THAT YOUR UNDERSTANDING? I'M NOT SURE OF THAT.
I, I'VE NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY SITUATION WHERE THAT WAS, THAT CAME UP.
I KNOW ON THE FEDERAL CHANNEL, UH, THE CORES RESPONSIBLE FOR IT.
SO WHEN WE HAD THE HARVEY EVENT, THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT SHOULDING IN THE PORT OF BEAUMONT'S TURNING BASIN AREA, AND THEY HAD TO DEPLOY, YOU KNOW, EMERGENCY DREDS TO THE AREA TO DO THAT.
BUT THAT WAS ALL DONE BY THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS.
UM, I DO NOT KNOW, I'M, I'M SURE THERE WOULD BE SOME AVENUE THERE WITH FEMA THAT YOU COULD POSSIBLY GET SOME OF THAT JUDGING DONE.
BUT IF YOU WERE TO DE AUTHORIZE THE CHANNEL, THEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S NOT RESPONSIBLE ANYMORE TO MAINTAIN IT FROM A MAINTENANCE JUDGING STANDPOINT.
AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, I'VE KIND OF PUSHED THIS ALMOST A LITTLE BIT OVER A YEAR NOW, AND LOOKING AT OPTIONS ONE, TWO, AND THREE, I WOULD HAVE TREMENDOUS DIFFICULTY SUPPORTING OPTIONS TWO OR THREE.
UH, TO ME, THE ONLY VIABLE OPTION IS OPTION ONE AND NOT REALIGNMENT, BUT, UH, DEAUTHORIZATION.
AND, AND TO ME, I THINK THAT IS, UH, SOMETHING THAT COULD BE DONE, UH, THROUGH SUPPORT OF CONGRESSMAN BABIN AND WEBER, WHO I'VE SPOKEN WITH BOTH OF THEM PERSONALLY ABOUT THIS.
AND I, AND I KNOW THAT THEY WOULD CARRY THIS, UH, TO CONGRESS AND YOU'RE ABOUT TO GET INTO HOW THIS ALL WORKS.
YEAH, LIKE I WAS SAYING, THE DEAUTHORIZATION WOULD ULTIMATELY HAVE TO BE IN, IN, UH, INCLUDED INTO, UM, WATER
[03:05:01]
RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT BILL, AND THEN ULTIMATELY IF APPROVED, SIGNED INTO LAW BY THE PRESIDENT, UH, YOU BASICALLY END UP WITH A SIMILAR, UH, OUTCOME WITH THE REALIGNMENT AS FAR AS DREDGING GOES.BECAUSE THE PROCESS THAT THE CORE OUTLINED TO US FOR REALIGNMENT WAS THAT IF YOU DID THIS REALIGNMENT, THEY WOULD DO A STUDY AT, AT THE GALVESTON DISTRICT LEVEL.
THAT STUDY WOULD DETERMINE ANY NEW DREDGING WORK THAT WOULD NEED TO BE DONE FOR THIS REALIGNMENT.
AND IT WOULD ALSO DETERMINE ANY ADDITIONAL LIFE CYCLE MAINTENANCE TYPE DRUDGING REQUIRED ALL OF THAT COST ASSOCIATED WITH THIS NEW DREDGING AND THE MAINTENANCE WOULD NOW BECOME THE RESPONSIBILITY OF, THEY JUST PUT IT AS THE NON-FEDERAL SPONSOR, WHICH IS THE NAVIGATION DISTRICT.
BUT I'M SURE THE NAVIGATION DISTRICT WOULDN'T WANT THAT RESPONSIBILITY EITHER.
BUT WE DIDN'T DISCUSS THAT WITH THEM.
BUT, SO THEN WHO'S FROM THE PROCESS THAT THE CORE OUTLINE TO US, IT'S CLEAR THAT WHETHER IF YOU DE AUTHORIZE IT OR REALIGN IT, THEY'RE NOT GONNA BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SPENDING MONEY TO MAINTAIN IT ANYMORE, OR DO THE INITIAL JUDGING CALLS THE JUDGING OF IT.
YEAH, YEAH, YOU JUMPED ME LAST TIME I BEEN WAITING.
SO EARLIER, I KNOW YOU TALKED ABOUT THE ISLAND THAT WAS ACROSS THE STREET.
I JUST WANT THE DOCUMENT, WHO DID YOU SAY? NOT ACROSS THE STREET, BUT ACROSS THE WATERWAY, THE ISLAND.
WHO OWNS THAT ISLAND? WELL, YOU HAVE, YOU HAVE THE ALLEGIANT ISLAND, AND, AND THAT'S JUST UPSTREAM OF RIVERFRONT, AND THAT'S OWNED BY THE PORT NOW, THE PORT OF BEAUMONT.
AND THEN THE PROPERTY JUST ACROSS THE RIVER FROM RIVERFRONT ALL THE WAY DOWN, REALLY ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE, TO THE, UH, PAST THE RAILROAD BRIDGE.
ALL OF THAT PROPERTY IS THE PORT OF BEAUMONT'S PROPERTY.
MY SECOND QUESTION, I NOTICED WE WERE TALKING ABOUT OPTION ONE.
I, I'M, THE OTHER TWO OPTIONS WAS JUST INSANE TO ME.
BUT THE, MY SECOND QUESTION WAS, SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ROUGHLY ADDITIONAL $7 MILLION TO DREDGING ACROSS THE WAY, POSSIBLY ON TOP OF THE 6.7 THAT WE'RE ALREADY DISCUSSING? YES, SIR.
AND THAT ADDITIONAL 7 MILLION WE'RE SAYING IT WOULD BE ALLOCATED FROM WHERE, CUZ THAT'S ROUGHLY 14 MILLION TOGETHER.
I KNOW YOU'RE REPORTING, THAT'S WHY I'M JUST TRYING TO MAKE SURE I'M FOLLOWING.
I WANNA MAKE SURE I HAVE THE NUMBERS ACCURATE AND CORRECT.
IT, THE TOTAL WOULD BE IF YOU DID OPTION ONE WITH THE CHANNEL REALIGNMENT, IT WOULD BE THE 6.6 PLUS THE SEVEN.
SO BASICALLY, AND THAT'S JUST THE INITIAL DREDGING, YOU KNOW, THE FACT THAT WE'RE, UH, SHIFTING THE CHANNEL INTO THE INSIDE PART OF A CURVE, UH, AND ONLY JUDGING IT TO THE REQUIRED DEPTH OF MINUS 32, UM, ON THE RIVER IN THE INSIDE PART OF A CURVE.
THAT'S WHERE SHOULDING TENDS TO HAPPEN.
YOU SEE IT ON SANDBAR, YOU KNOW, IF YOU GO TO EVEN THE CREEKS, YOU KNOW, ON THE INSIDE PART OF A CURVE, YOU'LL HAVE, UM, THIS SANDBAR DEVELOPED.
SO ANY MAINTENANCE DREDGING THAT WOULD OCCUR IN THE FUTURE FOR, IN PERPETUITY FOREVER, THEY WOULDN'T BE RESPONSIBLE TO TO DREDGE THAT AREA.
SO THE RESPONSIBILITY ULTIMATELY, I KNOW YOU'RE NOT SAYING IT, BUT WOULDN'T FALL ON THE CITY.
THEY, THE CORE SAID THAT IT WOULD FALL TO THE NON-FEDERAL SPONSOR, WHICH WOULD BE THE SCREEN THAT'S JUST NAVIGATION DISTRICT.
I'M SURE THAT THEY WOULDN'T, THAT THE S AND D WOULD NOT WANT TO BE TO BEAR THAT RESPONSIBILITY.
SO I'M SURE SOME AGREEMENT WOULD HAVE TO BE WORKED OUT IF YOU WENT THAT OPTION.
YEAH, THAT OPTION TO REALIGN THE CHANNEL.
YEAH, I'M JUST TRYING TO GET, I'M JUST TRYING TO BE HONEST.
I'M TRYING TO BE CLARITY BECAUSE IT'S A LOT OF CONFUSION AND I WANT THE CITIZENS TO UNDERSTAND.
YOU KNOW, I UNDERSTAND YOU SAYING IT WON'T FALL ON THEM, BUT BASICALLY WOULD FALL ON THE CITY.
SO WHO WOULD IT FALL ON? SABINE NATURE'S NAVIGATION DISTRICT WOULD HAVE THAT RESPONSIBILITY.
AND I HAVE SPOKEN WITH MR. REESE AND SABINE NATURE'S NAVIGATION DISTRICT, AND YOU KNOW, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THEY ARE SUPPORTIVE OF DEAUTHORIZATION, NOT REALIGNMENT.
I, I CAN'T SUPPORT, I CAN'T SUPPORT REALIGNMENT.
NOT, NOT AT THAT KIND OF COST.
YOU KNOW, DEAUTHORIZATION IS THE WAY TO GO FOR THIS.
COUNCIL, COUNCIL MEMBER NEIL, THE COUNCIL MEMBER SAMUEL, AND THEN COUNCIL MEMBER.
BUT JUST SO UNDERSTAND, BUT THE DEAUTHORIZATION WOULD STILL COST US AN ADDITIONAL $7 MILLION ON TOP OF THE ORIGINAL 6 MILLION, CORRECT? NO, THE DEAUTHORIZATION WOULD JUST DE AUTHORIZE THE CHANNEL AND THEN THE POSITION YOU WOULD BE IN AS FAR AS, UM, YOU KNOW, JUST THE, OR THE ENTITIES THAT WANT TO USE THE WATERWAY.
IF THERE WAS A, UH, HARVEY TYPE EVENT THAT CALLS SHOING IN THAT AREA, THEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WOULDN'T BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DREDGING IT.
IF YOU DE AUTHORIZE THE SECTION BETWEEN THE RAILROAD BRIDGE AND THE END OF THE CHANNEL, WHICH IS JUST UPSTREAM OF RIVERFRONT PARK.
AND I KNOW WE'RE NOT TO THE POINT THAT WE'RE READY TO VOTE YET, BUT HOW CAN
[03:10:01]
WE VOTE ON SOMETHING? WE STILL DON'T HAVE ALL THE FACTS ON WHETHER OR NOT THE SADINE, THEY JUST, UH, IS GONNA EVEN AGREE WITH THIS.ON TOP OF THAT, THE PORT BEAUMONT MAKING SURE WE GET SOME TYPE OF LETTER FROM THOSE GUYS SAYING THAT THEY SUPPORT THIS IN THE WAY THAT WE'RE GONNA BE VOTING ON IT.
UM, I, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING BOTH OF THOSE ENTITIES HAVE PREVIOUSLY SENT US LETTERS, UH, WANTING THE BATTLESHIP HERE.
BUT MAN, THEY NEED TO PROVIDE, THEY NEED TO PROVIDE A, A LETTER TO US TELLING US THAT THEY SUPPORT IT, UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE, UH, WHAT THE RISKS ARE WITH THESE.
UM, THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SPENDING 6,000,014 AND 14 MILLION
SO THERE HASN'T BEEN A MOTION MADE YET FOR APPROVAL.
BUT WHEN WE GET TO ITEM NUMBER SIX, THE RESOLUTION IS ONLY TO AUTHORIZE, UH, STAFF TO MOVE FORWARD WITH PUTTING OUR, OUR RQR BID TO OBTAIN IT.
IT DOESN'T AUTHORIZE US STAFF TO FUND OR TO SPEND MONEY, BUT, AND I APPRECIATE THAT.
BUT MY POINT IS, IS I DON'T THINK WE'RE READY TO PUT AN RFP UNTIL WE HAVE SOME TYPE OF LETTER FROM THE PORT AND FROM THE SABINE COUNCIL MEMBER.
NE THE, THE PROBLEM IS THERE HAS TO BE A STARTING POINT, AND THIS IS JUST THE FIRST STEP OF A LONG PROCESS.
AND WHAT YOU END UP HAVING IS WHEN YOU GET INTO THIS PROCESS, THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS IS GONNA DO SOMETHING CALLED A 4 0 8 REVIEW.
IS THAT RIGHT? THAT MR. COWER? YES, SIR.
I HAVE A FEW MORE BULLET POINTS THAT I'D BE DONE IF Y'ALL WANT ME TO GO THROUGH THOSE
I MEAN, I UNDERSTAND THE DISCUSSION AND I UNDERSTAND THE, THE LITTLE BIT OF THE CONFUSION.
I MEAN, YOU KNOW, WE'RE ONE, WE'RE WE'RE DEALING WITH THE CORE AND, AND, YOU KNOW, TRYING TO GET INFORMATION OUT OF THEM ON WHAT IT'S GONNA TAKE TO DO THE STUDY AND TIMING AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS.
SO MY LAST FEW BULLETS KIND OF COVER THAT.
AND I, AND I DON'T WANNA JUMP BECAUSE YOU'VE BEEN HERE SINCE ONE 30, BUT, BUT TO YOUR POINT, COUNCIL MEMBER, NEIL, IN THAT FOUR REVIEW PROCESS, ANY OF THESE ENTITIES HAS THE ABILITY TO JUMP UP AND SHOUT AND SAY, NO, NO, NO, WE, WE DON'T WANT THAT.
ESSENTIALLY, YOU KNOW, WITH THE CORE OF ENGINEERS.
SO THEY, THEY WILL HAVE THAT ABILITY.
IF I COULD EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT MORE, I'LL TRY TO MAKE IT CLEAR.
SO I DON'T WANNA INTERRUPT, BUT SINCE WE'VE BEEN HERE SO LONG, MY COMPUTER DIED, SO MY BATTERY'S LOCKED.
I'M AT THE END OF THE PRESENTATION ANYWAY, SO THAT'S, UH, I GOT, I THINK THAT'S PERFECTLY FINE.
UM, SO WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE, THE, THE ALTERATION AND THE REALIGNMENT, AND WE KIND OF WENT OVER THOSE COUPLE OF THINGS.
UM, THEN WE TALKED TO THE CORE ABOUT THE PROCESS OF THE TIMING OF THINGS.
YOU KNOW, HOW LONG WILL THIS TAKE? HOW LONG WILL THE DEAUTHORIZATION OR A, A CHANNEL REALIGNMENT TAKE? UH, THEY INDICATED THAT THAT PROCESS WOULD TAKE ONE TO TWO YEARS, UH, TO DO EITHER ONE REALIGNMENT OR DE AUTHORIZATION.
UM, THIS COULD POSSIBLY KIND OF RUN SIMULTANEOUSLY, BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT IT WOULD, I THINK THE CORE, YOU KNOW, AS FAR AS THE REGULATORY PROCESS, CUZ YOU WOULD STILL BE REQUIRED TO DO A, A CORE REGULATORY PERMIT FOR THE STRUCTURES THAT WOULD BE IN THE NAVIGABLE WATER TO, TO MORE THE VESSEL.
UH, THAT REGULATORY PROCESS GENERALLY TAKES 12 TO 18 MONTHS TO DO SIMILARLY, LIKE WE DID WITH THE CITY, CITY RIVERFRONT PROJECT.
UH, WHEN I WAS TALKING WITH THE CORE ABOUT THIS PROCESS, THEY DID MENTION THE SECTION 4 0 8 A SECTION 4 0 8 IS A, IS A MORE IN DEPTH, UH, REVIEW BY THE CORE OF YOUR ENGINEERING CALCULATION.
SO YOU HAVE TO BE COMPLETE WITH ALL OF YOUR ENGINEERING, YOU HAVE TO HAVE ALL THE CALCULATIONS DONE, ALL THE STUDIES, THE HYDRAULIC STUDIES THAT WE WOULD DO, ALL OF THAT WOULD BE REVIEWED BY THE CORE DURING THIS SECTION 4 0 8 PROCESS TO MAKE SURE THAT WHATEVER WE'RE PUTTING IN DESIGN WISE AND CONSTRUCTION WISE TO HOLD THE BATTLESHIP IN PLACE DOESN'T FAIL.
UH, SO THAT PROCESS WOULD TEND TO PROBABLY MAKE THE REGULATORY PROCESS STRETCH OUT TO THAT 18 MONTHS.
SO IF THEY DO IT IN A, YOU KNOW, SIMULTANEOUSLY, UH, GREAT, MAYBE IT'S DONE IN THE ONE TO TWO YEARS.
IF THEY DON'T AND THEY WAIT TO SEE IF YOU'RE GONNA DO THE DEAUTHORIZATION AND THEN DO THE REGULATORY SESSION, UH, PART OF THE PERMIT, IT COULD BE, YOU KNOW, TWO TO THREE YEARS.
SO JUST SO Y'ALL AWARE OF THE TIMING.
AND SO AFTER WE GOT THIS INFORMATION, THIS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM THE COURT, WE SUBMITTED A REVISED, UH, SUMMARY REPORT TO THE CITY, UH, THAT INCLUDED ALL OF THIS DISCUSSION.
NOW THAT IS THE END OF THE PRESENTATION.
OKAY, SAMUEL, COUNCIL MEMBER SAMUEL, COUNCIL MEMBER
I, AS I HEAR IT, SIGNIFICANT REALIGNMENT,
[03:15:02]
DEAUTHORIZATION, IF IT'S DEAUTHORIZATION CORPS OF ENGINEERS ARE OUT, THEN IT HAS TO BE AN AGREEMENT WITH SABINE AREA NATURES AND THE CITY AS TO WHO'S GONNA BE RESPONSIBLE, UH, FOR WHAT YOU CALL THAT.IF IN THE EVENT THERE IS THE SHOULDING SHOULDING YES, SIR.
SO THAT'S A FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY THAT WILL BE TAKEN ON BETWEEN THOSE TWO ENTITIES, THE CITY OF BEAUMONT AND POSSIBLY
I DON'T KNOW THAT I JUST, OUR STUDY, IN OUR STUDY WE TALKED TO THE CORE AND THEY INDICATED THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAINTENANCE DREDGING IF WE DID A CHANNEL REALIGNMENT.
THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE COORDINATED WITH THE LOCAL, NON-SPONSORED AND WHOEVER'S REQUESTING THIS TO BE DONE.
SO I WOULD ASSUME THAT THERE WOULD BE SOME TYPE OF AGREEMENT NEEDED BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE NAVIGATION DISTRICT TO ADDRESS WHO COVERS THAT.
IF IT WERE TO HAPPEN, THE DEAUTHORIZATION WOULD BE ANOTHER STORY THAT WOULD BE THE, THERE WOULD BE NO CHANNEL THERE WOULD REALLY NEED, THERE WOULD NEED TO BE NO AGREEMENT TO, TO MAINTAIN IT.
HOWEVER, THERE IS STILL USERS OF IT AND THERE'S STILL, YOU KNOW, THE POTENTIAL FOR ANOTHER HARVEY TYPE EVENT THAT COULD CAUSE SHOING.
AND THEN YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE USERS THAT WE MET WITH, YOU KNOW, EVEN THE COAST GUARD THAT WE MET WITH THAT HAS, UH, YOU KNOW, CONCERNS WITH THE YACHT CLUB TRAFFIC AND STUFF.
SO WE MET WITH THEM ABOUT THAT.
SO IF YOU HAD A SIGNIFICANT SHOULDING AND YOU NO LONGER HAD AN AGREEMENT TO, UM, MAINTAIN ANY DEPTH IN THAT SECTION OF THE CHANNEL, THEN YOU WOULD HAVE AN ISSUE.
SO IN REALITY YOU'RE SAYING 18 MONTHS TO THREE YEARS, AND WE KNOW, UH, IT IS A LONG PROCESS ANYTIME WE'RE DEALING WITH THE CORE OF ENGINEERS.
AND ONE OF THE, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK IS ALSO SIGNIFICANT IS IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DEVELOPMENT OF THE RIVERFRONT AREA, UH, AND WE KNOW THAT THE AT AND T IS A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THIS PROCESS, THEN THAT PUSHES THAT DOWN THE ROAD ALSO BECAUSE YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING, YOU CAN'T MARKET OR EVEN, UH, CONCEPTUALIZE WHAT AT AND T WOULD BE, WHETHER IT BE EXISTENT OR NON-EXISTENT WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN WITH THE CHANNEL.
BUT JUST TO BE CLEAR, LANIER WAS JUST LOOKING AT THE RIVERSIDE PART OF IT.
WE WEREN'T LOOKING AT RIVERFRONT DIVIDE.
I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT YES, SIR.
FROM A TOTALITY OF ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.
COUNCIL MEMORY NE THANK YOU, MAYOR.
SO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL COMMENT THAT I WAS TRYING TO MAKE.
SO PRIOR TO TODAY, WE WERE THINKING THAT THIS THING WAS SOMEWHERE AROUND THE $6 MILLION RANGE.
AND IT MAY STILL BE, SO LET ME PREFACE IT WITH SAYING, I SUPPORT WORKING ON, UH, BRINGING BATTLESHIP TEXAS TO BEAUMONT.
IF WE CAN MAKE THIS THING WORK THAT'S FEASIBLE FOR EVERYBODY INVOLVED.
BUT WITH THAT BEING SAID, ALL THIS EXTRA EXPENSE IS, IS ADDING UP AND GETTING PRETTY EXPENSIVE PRETTY QUICK.
BUT BEFORE I'M PREPARED TO MAKE A VOTE ON THIS TODAY, I WOULD STILL LIKE TO SEE A LETTER FROM THE PORT OF BEAUMONT AND THE SABINE NAVIGATION DISTRICT SAYING THAT THEY WOULD SUPPORT THE DEAUTHORIZATION AND IF THEY, IF THEY CAN GET THAT TO US, AND, UH, AND DE AUTHORIZE THAT THING, IF THERE'S NOBODY UPSTREAM OF HERE THAT NEEDS ANYTHING DEEPER THAN, THAN WHAT'S GONNA BE UNDERSTANDING IT'S NOT GONNA BE MAINTAINED BY THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, THEN YOU COULD POSSIBLY GET THIS THING BACK DOWN TO THE $6 MILLION RANGE.
BUT, OKAY, SO WHAT, WHEN DIDN'T YOU MENTION THAT THERE WAS AN ENTITY THAT SAID THEY WERE LOOKING AT SOMETHING UPSTREAM? PORTABLE ACCORDANCE THE PORCH TENANT ALLEGIANCE.
COUNCIL MEMBER NEILS WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, THERE IS NO REASON FOR EITHER THE PORT BEAUMONT OR THE SUBPOENA HS NAVIGATION DISTRICT TO DO ANYTHING UNTIL WE ACTUALLY INDICATE THAT WE WANT TO DO SOMETHING.
I CAN TELL YOU, I CAN REPRESENT TO YOU THAT I HAVE TALKED TO, UH, RANDALL REESE AND CHRIS FISHER, AND THEY'RE OKAY WITH GOING FORWARD WITH THIS.
BUT UNTIL WE AS A CITY COUNCIL ADOPT A RESOLUTION, WHICH IS WHAT IS ON THE AGENDA TODAY,
[03:20:01]
SAYING THAT WE WANT TO GO FORWARD AND DO SOMETHING AND BRING THE BATTLESHIP TEXAS TO BEAUMONT, THEY DON'T HAVE ANY REASON THEY'RE, THEY'RE NOT GONNA GO TAKE OFFICIAL ACTION, NOT EVEN SEND A LETTER.YOU KNOW, THERE'S JUST NO NEED FOR THEM TO DO THAT YET.
SO, I MEAN, THIS, WE'VE GOT TO START THE PROCESS.
AND THE WAY TO START THE PROCESS IS WHAT WE'RE ASKING TO BE DONE TODAY.
AND THAT IS TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION, ALLOWING MR. WILLIAMS TO DO WHATEVER IS NECESSARY TO GET WITH THE SABINE NATURE'S NAVIGATION DISTRICT TO ISSUE A LETTER OF INTENT, WHICH TRIGGERS THINGS TO DE AUTHORIZE THAT PORTION OF THE FEDERAL CHANNEL.
I CAN'T SUPPORT REALIGNMENT BECAUSE THAT IS GONNA ADD SO MUCH MONEY TO IT THAT IT DOESN'T MAKE IT FEASIBLE.
AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT ACCORDING TO THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, THERE IS PRECEDENT FOR CHANNELS THAT ARE NOT PART OF THE FEDERAL WATERWAY, THAT WHEN THEY'VE HAD AN EVENT AND FEMA COMES IN, FEMA HAS THE ABILITY TO GET THE CORE TO COME IN AND DO DREDGING.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH THAT OR NOT, BUT I'M NOT COUNCILMAN GETZ, BUT I, I DON'T DOUBT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
AND I UNDERSTAND THERE'S A CATCH 22 WHEN WE'RE GETTING INTO THE ARGUMENT OVER WHAT COMES FIRST, THE CHICKEN OR THE EGG, BUT THE, I'M JUST SAYING BY HAVING THAT LETTER FROM THE PORT AND BY, FROM SABE, THEN IT TAKES ONE MORE ARGUMENT AWAY THAT WE'RE NOT GONNA HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT.
AND IF THOSE GUYS WON'T PROVIDE THE LETTER EITHER NOW OR ONCE WE, ONCE WE UH, GET READY FOR THE LETTER OF INTENT, I MEAN, THIS THING'S DEAD ANYWAYS, RIGHT? WELL, THAT'S RIGHT.
SO, WELL THAT'S, THAT'S RIGHT.
AND SO WE'RE NOT SPENDING ANY MONEY TODAY.
WE'RE NOT ASKING TO SPEND ANY MONEY TODAY.
AND IF WE GET OFF INTO THIS PROCESS, UH, AND WE, UH, AUTHORIZE, UH, MR. WILLIAMS TO GO TO THE SUBPOENAS NAVIGATION DISTRICT AND SAY, LOOK, WE'VE ASKED YOU TO, WE'RE ASKING YOU TO DE AUTHORIZE THE FEDERAL CHANNEL, AND THEY SAY, WE'RE NOT GONNA DO THAT, THAT THAT MIGHT PUT US IN A SITUATION WHERE WE HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DREDGING.
WE'LL KNOW REAL QUICK, YOU KNOW, THAT THAT'S JUST NOT GONNA WORK.
AND THAT'S ALL I'M ASKING FOR IS TO TRY TO GET A LETTER FROM HIM.
AND THAT WILL HAPPEN REAL EARLY IN THE PROCESS.
BUT WE'VE GOT TO, WE, THE CITY HAS GOT TO START THE PROCESS ARE, THERE WILL BE NO PROCESS.
COUNCILMAN PHIL THEN, UH, MAYOR PRO TIM DIO, THEN COUNCIL MEMBER TURNER, I'M NOT SURE YOU CAN ANSWER THIS QUESTION.
I THINK THERE, THERE'S A CONSENSUS ON THE COUNCIL FOR OPTION ONE AT THE 6.595 MILLION.
WE'RE NOT INTERESTED IN, IN, IN, UH, THE REALIGNMENT OF THE CHANNEL KICKING IT UP TO 13 AND A HALF MILLION.
SO IZING, YOU KNOW, IT SEEMS TO BE OUR FOCUS, BUT THEN WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT WHO'S GONNA TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR DREDGING THAT THING IN THE EVENT OF A HARVEY AND SHOULDING, AS YOU SAID.
BUT IN YOUR RESEARCH AND YOUR LOOKING, YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ANSWER THIS, WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME A SHIP OF ANY SIGNIFICANCE THAT DREW THAT MUCH DRAFT WENT UP THAT PORTION OF THE RIVER? WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME THAT TOOK PLACE WAS IN, IN, IN 1943 WITH BETHLEHEM STEEL AND, AND THE SHIP BUILDING FOR WORLD WAR II.
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME ANYTHING OF SIZE WENT UP THE RIVER THAT FAR? YEAH, COUNCILMAN, I DIDN'T, IN OUR, I DIDN'T RESEARCH THAT TO SEE, LIKE, YOU KNOW, WHEN'S THE LAST TIME A, A SHIP THAT DRAFTS THAT 30 FOOT OR WHATEVER GOES UP BEYOND THE N RIVER BRIDGE AND MEETING WITH THE SEINE PILOTS.
THE NEW PRESIDENT HAS BEEN THERE 18 YEARS AND HE'S NEVER TAKEN A SHIP ABOVE THE, UH, NACHE RIVER BRIDGE.
SO I KNOW NOT IN THE LAST 18 YEARS, BUT I DIDN'T GO BACK AND LOOK INTO THE HISTORY OF IT TO SEE WHEN THE LAST MOVEMENT OF A VESSEL THAT SIZE WENT ABOVE THE RIVERFRONT PART.
SO, SO WE COULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT SOMETHING THAT'S NEVER GONNA HAPPEN.
UH, TRUE IT COULD, BUT YEAH, IT HASN'T HAPPENED IN A LONG TIME.
MAYOR PRO TIM, THE COUNCIL MEMBER TURNER, I'M JUST GONNA GO BY THIS REPORT THAT WE PAID YOU GUYS TO DO.
EVERYBODY AGREED THEY DON'T WANNA DO OPTION TWO OR THREE.
THE CONCLUSION OF THE REPORT SAID, UH, ACCORDING TO THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEER, OPTION ONE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A FEASIBLE LOCATION.
SO, I MEAN, THAT'S, THAT ANSWERS ALL OF MY QUESTIONS RIGHT THERE.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY THERE.
CAN YOU, CAN YOU ADDRESS WHAT YOUR UNDERSTANDING IS WHEN THEY SAY IT'S NOT A FEASIBLE LOCATION? DIDN'T THAT HAVE MORE TO DO WITH WANTING TO MAKE SURE THERE'S A SECURE MOORING SYSTEM FOR THE BATTLESHIP TO YEAH, THERE WAS TWO THINGS.
[03:25:01]
THE, THE FACT THAT, UH, WHEN WE WROTE OUR SUMMARY REPORT, UH, THE COURT DID SAY OPTION NUMBER ONE WASN'T A FEASIBLE OPTION BECAUSE YOU WOULD HAVE TO DO EITHER THE DEAUTHORIZATION, UH, OR THE REALIGNMENT.NOW I UNDERSTAND, AND, AND TWO, I WANNA MAKE IT CLEAR, NONE OF THESE OPTIONS OR, OR OUR OPTIONS, WE WERE JUST LOOKING FOR OPTIONS TO, TO SEE WHAT WAS DOABLE FOR THE CITY TO GET THE BATTLESHIP HERE.
UH, SO WHEN WE SAY IN OUR SUMMARY REPORT THAT THE COURSE SAID THAT THE, UH, OPTION ONE WAS NOT A DOABLE OPTION, IT WAS, UH, RELATING TO THE FACT THAT YOU EITHER HAD TO DE AUTHORIZE OR REALIGN THE CHANNEL FOR IT TO BE AN OPTION THAT THEY WOULD CONSIDER PERMITTING.
THIS MIGHT HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE, IN THE SUMMARY REPORT AS WELL, BUT WHEN I MET WITH THE, UH, THE CHIEF OF OPERATIONS AT THE GALVESTON DISTRICT IN HIS EMAIL BACK TO US, UH, OUTLINING THE PROCESSES THAT WE WOULD NEED TO DO TO PERMIT IT TO BE AN OPTION ONE LOCATION, HIS OPINION WAS THAT IT WAS IN AN ILL-ADVISED LOCATION JUST BECAUSE OF THE CHA THE, UH, ALIGNMENT OF THE RIVER.
SO IN THE ALIGNMENT OF THE RIVER, JUST LIKE YOU HAVE SHOULDING ON THAT INSIDE TURN OF THE RIVER, RIVER, YOU HAVE EXTREME CURRENTS ON THE OUTSIDE TURN OF THE RIVER.
SO HE WAS JUST POINTING OUT THAT IT'S AN ILL-ADVISED LOCATION AND YOU WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT SECTION 4 0 8 PROCESS TO DESIGN THE STRUCTURES AND WHAT YOU HAVE MORE IN THE BATTLESHIP IN, IN THAT LOCATION TO ACCOMMODATE THOSE FORCES.
AND MAYOR, IF I MAY, WHAT WHAT THEY'RE SAYING THERE IS THAT IT'S ILL ADVISED AS IT SITS RIGHT NOW, IF IT'S UNAUTHORIZED AND IF IT IS ENGINEERED TO HOLD THE BATTLESHIP WITH THE CATEGORY FIVE HURRICANE, THEN THEY DON'T HAVE THE OBJECTIONS THAT THEY DO WITH IT BEING IIES.
THEY, THE COURT SAID THAT THEY WOULD, THEY WOULD DO THE REGULATORY PROCESS AND ISSUE A PERMIT IF ALL OF THESE THINGS FELL INTO PLACE.
IF YOU HAD THE CHANNEL DE AUTHORIZE OR REALIGNED, IF YOU DID THE REGULATORY PROCESS WHERE YOU WENT THROUGH THE SECTION 4 0 8 AND YOU PROVIDED ALL THE DETAILED DESIGN CALCULATIONS FOR YOUR STUDIES, FOR YOUR STRUCTURES, ALL OF THOSE THINGS, AND THEY WERE REVIEWED BY THE CORES ENGINEERS THAT THEY WOULD ISSUE A PERMIT FOR THIS OPTION ONE LOCATION AND ALL THESE CALCULATIONS AND STUDIES FOR THE 4 0 8 DEAL.
AND THAT'LL BE ANOTHER EXPENSE FOR US.
IT'S INCLUDED IN THE 6.7 MILLION.
LIKE I JUST, JUST, I JUST FEEL A LOT MORE COMFORTABLE MOVING FORWARD, KNOWING ALL THE FACTS.
AND I THINK JUST FROM MY EXPERIENCE, FROM BEING HERE WITH DECISIONS, WITH SPENDING THE MONEY, I WANNA KNOW THE FACTS BEFORE I MOVE FORWARD ANYMORE FROM PAST EXPERIENCES.
UH, EVEN, I KNOW THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU, BUT EVEN THIS 6.7, THE ORIGINAL MONEY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SPENDING, WE HAVEN'T DISCUSSED WHERE IT WOULD COME FROM AND WHO WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT.
CAUSE A LOT OF CONSTITUENTS HAVE CALLED ME, ME PRIOR TO COMING TO THIS MEETING AND THEY WANT TO KNOW, OKAY, THIS SIX POINT WHATEVER OPTION, WHATEVER OPTION Y'ALL WANNA DO, WHERE'S THIS MONEY COMING FROM? WHO'S GONNA PAY FOR, WHO'S GONNA BE RESPONSIBLE FOR? SO I THINK, YOU KNOW, IT'S IMPORTANT PRIOR TO MOVING FORWARD, WE JUST TRY TO MAKE SURE THE COMMUNITY IS UNDERSTANDING OF EVERYTHING.
SO I THINK YOU CAN ATTEST TO THAT.
WELL, AND TODAY ALL OF US RECEIVED A LETTER FROM SENATOR BRANDON CREIGHTON.
AND IN THAT LETTER IT, SENATOR CREIGHTON EXPRESSES NOT ONLY HIS ADMIRATION FOR US TO SEEK BRINGING THE BATTLESHIP TEXAS TO BEAUMONT, BUT HE IS A MEMBER OF THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
AND HE EXPRESSES IN THAT LETTER THAT HE IS GOING TO COLLABORATE WITH HIS COLLEAGUES TO FIND THE FUNDING AND THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE TO BRING THE BATTLESHIP TEXAS TO BEAUMONT.
NOW, EVERY SINGLE CITY THAT IS INTERESTED IN BRINGING THE BATTLESHIP TEXAS TO THEIR VENUE IS FACED WITH THE SAME CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE.
THEY'RE GONNA HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS.
THEY'RE GONNA HAVE TO DEAL WITH 4 0 8 REVIEW.
THEY'RE GONNA HAVE TO FIND THE MONEY.
WHY DOES BEAUMONT HAVE THE ADVANTAGE? BECAUSE OF IH TEN'S PROXIMITY, ULTIMATELY, WHEREVER THE BATTLESHIP TEXAS GOES, IT'S GONNA GO IN A LOCATION WHERE THE BATTLESHIP TEXAS FOUNDATION BELIEVES THAT THEY CAN DRAW THE MOST VISITORS.
IT'S GONNA BE THEIR DECISION WHERE TO PUT THE BATTLESHIP.
THEY WOULD LIKE TO COME TO BEAUMONT.
BRUCE BRAMLET HAS SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO COME TO BEAUMONT.
THEY LIKE I TEN'S PROXIMITY, BUT THEY HAVE TO BE ASKED TO COME TO BEAUMONT
[03:30:01]
BEFORE THEY CAN COME TO BEAUMONT.AGAIN, THIS IS THE FIRST STEP THAT COMMITS US TO NO MONEY, BUT IT PUTS US ON THE PATH.
BUT RIGHT NOW, THE BATTLESHIP TEXAS IS BEING WORKED ON AT GULF COPPER SHIPYARDS IN GALVESTON.
AND THE STATE OF TEXAS HAS SPENT 37 MILLION TO REFURBISH THAT SHIP.
AND THE STATE OF TEXAS OWNS THAT SHIP.
AND IF IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE BATTLESHIP TEXAS ITSELF TO BE IN BEAUMONT, TEXAS, I BELIEVE THAT IT IS INCUMBENT UPON THE, THE STATE TO HELP FINANCE IT TO GET US HERE.
AND YOU NOW HAVE A STATE SENATOR THAT SITS ON THE FINANCE COMMITTEE SAYING HE'S GONNA DO THAT.
SO ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS START THE BALL ROLLING AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE BEING ASKED TO DO TODAY.
AND JUST MY LAST QUESTION TO FOLLOW UP, ANOTHER QUESTION THEY ASKED, AND I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN THE ONE IN CONTACT WITH HIM, MIKE, IF THE SHIP COMES TO BEAUMONT, THE CITY OF BEAUMONT ISN'T RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING THE SHIP AND THINGS TO THAT MAGNITUDE.
AND THE REASON I'M ASKING THIS IN THE PUBLIC SETTING, CUZ I HAVE A LOT OF CONSTITUENTS WHO'S BEEN ASKING ME AND I WANNA MAKE SURE WE'RE CRYSTAL CLEAR ON ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
NO, THE BATTLESHIP TEXAS FOUNDATION IS CHARGED WITH OPERATING AND MAINTAINING THE SHIP THAT WILL NEVER FALL ON THE SHOULDERS OF THE LOCAL TAXPAYERS.
IT'S NOT LIKE IN ORANGE WHEN THEY BROUGHT THE DESTROYER ORIC OVER THERE AND OBLIGATED THE CITY ITSELF TO DO THE MAINTENANCE.
COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SITUATION.
AND NO, WE WILL NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE MAINTENANCE OF THE SHIP.
AND YOU KNOW, THE OTHER THING IS WE, WE KEEP TALKING ABOUT HOW MUCH IT'S GONNA COST TO GET IT HERE.
THERE'S ALSO BEEN A STU AN ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY DONE BY DELOITTE, THE ACCOUNTING FIRM.
AND THAT STUDY SHOWS THAT THE CITY THAT GETS THIS SHIP IS GOING TO REALIZE AN IMMEDIATE ANNUAL ECONOMIC IMPACT OF 10 MILLION A YEAR, NOT JUST THE FIRST YEAR, BUT EVERY YEAR.
AND THAT MATH WORKS TO ME, I WOULD SPEND 5 MILLION TO GET 10 EVERY DAY AND TWICE ON SUNDAY.
I MEAN, YOU KNOW, THAT'S, THAT'S JUST THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT WOULD BE LARGE.
SO I'M DOWN TO TWO QUESTIONS THAT I HAVE LEFT.
COUNCILMAN GETZ, WOULD YOU STILL SUPPORT THIS PROJECT IF YOU HAD TO SPEND AN ADDITIONAL $7 MILLION FOR DR.
SO, AND YOU MAY WANNA PLEAD THE FIFTH ON THIS ONE, BUT I'M GONNA ASK THE QUESTION ANYWAY.
WAIT, COUNCIL MEMBER, NEIL, LET ME, WHY IS THERE SO MUCH CHATTER GOING ON IN THE AUDIENCE? I, I DON'T UNDERSTAND.
THE DECORUM POLICY HERE NEEDS TO BE ENFORCED.
SO MY QUESTION IS, IN YOUR EXPERT OPINION, DO YOU THINK THE SABINE NAVIGATION DISTRICT AND THE PORT BEAUMONT WOULD SUPPORT THIS WITH DE AUTHORIZING THE RIVER RIGHT THERE? I CAN'T SPEAK TO THAT COUNCILMAN.
LET, LET'S ASK BART IF HE HAS ANY INSIGHT INTO THAT AT ALL.
I HAVEN'T DISCUSSED IT WITH EITHER OF THEM.
UH, WE DID SEND A, AN EMAIL OFF TO SABINE NATURE'S NAVIGATION DISTRICT ABOUT A WEEK AGO, BUT WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANYTHING BACK FROM HIM.
I THINK YOU HAVE THE MOST DIRECT CONTACT WITH BOTH THE, THE PEOPLE AND THE ORGANIZATIONS AT THIS POINT.
YEAH, AND I'M JUST ONE COUNCIL MEMBER, SO, YOU KNOW, I'M OUT HERE, YOU KNOW, DOING A LOT OF THIS LEGWORK, BUT BOTH OF THEM HAVE SAID UNTIL THE CITY ACTUALLY INDICATES A DESIRE TO MOVE FORWARD.
WELL, I WILL, I WILL SAY THAT YOU'RE CORRECT.
THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING AS WELL.
I BELIEVE THE PORT AND SABINE NATURE'S NAVIGATION DISTRICT IS LOOKING TO THE CITY TO COMMIT TO GETTING THE SHIP HERE, UM, TO ASK THEM TO DE AUTHORIZE SOMETHING OR EVEN TAKE THE FIRST STEP ON THAT UNTIL THEY KNOW THAT WE'RE SERIOUS ABOUT BRINGING THE SHIP HERE AND THEY'RE NOT GONNA STEP OUT AHEAD OF US.
WHAT WE'RE ASKING IN THE ITEM THAT COMES UP NEXT IS, DO YOU WANT US TO PROCEED WITH DEVELOPING A PROPOSAL TO GET THE SHIP HERE AND DO THE THINGS NECESSARY, SUCH AS GET THE LETTER OF INTENT FROM THE SABINE NATURE'S NAVIGATION DISTRICT.
UH, ONCE WE GET THAT TOGETHER, WE'D HAVE TO COME BACK TO YOU WITH WHAT THE CONTENTS OF THAT PROPOSAL ARE, WHAT THE FINANCIAL RAMIFICATIONS ARE FOR APPROVAL FROM COUNCIL.
BUT AT THIS POINT, WE NEED SOMETHING OFFICIAL THAT SAYS WE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD AND ACTUALLY INITIATE OFFICIAL STEPS TO GET THE PROPOSAL TOGETHER.
[03:35:01]
THERE'S NO RECOMMENDATION BY THE ADMINISTRATION.I THINK THE ADMINISTRATION IS LOOKING TO COUNSEL FOR DIRECTION, CONSENSUS, AND WHETHER OR NOT WE EVEN WANNA MOVE FORWARD.
BECAUSE IF, IF WE DON'T, THEN WE JUST NEED TO GO ONTO SOMETHING ELSE.
AND IF WE DO, THEN WE NEED TO LET THE, UH, PARTNERS, THE PORT AND THE SABINE NATURE NAVIGATION DISTRICT KNOW THAT WE'RE SERIOUS.
AND BELIEVE ME, THEY WILL TELL YOU REAL FAST, IF THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT, THEY'LL LET YOU KNOW.
A COUNCIL MEMBER GETS CHARDAY FROM THE PORT IS HERE, SHE'S SITTING HERE IN THE AUDIENCE.
AND IF YOU COULD COME AND JUST GIVE US SOME TYPE OF CLARITY OR, SURE.
THE PORT OF BEAUMONT, UH, PLANS TO, TO MAKE A DECISION IN THE DIRECTION THAT COUNCIL SEES FIT.
SO AS LONG AS WE KNOW THERE'S CONSENSUS AMONG COUNCIL, THEN WE ARE ON BOARD WITH THE PLAN THAT YOU PROPOSE.
BUT FIRST WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THAT EVERYONE IS IN FAVOR OF WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED AS FAR AS THE BATTLESHIP TEXAS COMING TO BEAUMONT.
COUNCIL MEMBER SAMUEL, I CAN, UH, I CAN STATE MY POSITION.
I PROBABLY KNOW THAT, UH, I AM NOT IN FAVOR OF THE, UH, UH, OF MOVING FORWARD WITH, WHAT WAS IT? DE AUTHORIZING, DE AUTHORIZING, UH, THE FEDERAL CHANNEL.
I THINK THAT THAT OPENS TOO MUCH RISK TO THE CITY OF BEAUMONT AND ITS CITIZENS WITHOUT KNOWING.
UH, I, I THINK I'D RATHER STAY THE COURSE AND I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF MOVING FORWARD WITH, UH, TRYING TO GET THE BATTLESHIP.
UM, COUNCILOR MANU, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR HER? SO, SO YOU'RE SAYING THAT THE PORT BEAUMONT WOULD SUPPORT THE DEAUTHORIZATION, WE WOULD SUPPORT YOUR EFFORTS.
DEAUTHORIZATION EXPLORING THAT AS AN OPTION.
SO EXPLORING IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT WOULD, RIGHT NOW, AS WAS STATED BEFORE, THERE'S BARGE TRAFFIC, LIMITED BARGE TRAFFIC USING THAT PART OF THE CHANNEL.
BARGE TRAFFIC REQUIRES ABOUT 15 FEET OF DRAFT.
UH, WE BELIEVE THERE WILL BE INCREASED TRAFFIC AT THE ALLEGIANT TERMINAL IN THE FUTURE, BUT WE WOULD WORK WITH Y'ALL IN THE DIRECTION THAT YOU, YOU SEE FIT FOR THIS PROJECT.
FOR ME, IT, IT'S NOT ABOUT THE DIRECTION WE SEE FIT, IT'S THE DIRECTION THAT IT HAS TO GO.
BECAUSE IF IT'S NOT DE AUTHORIZE, THEN WE DON'T HAVE THE POSITION TO PUT THE SHIP.
AND OPTION ONE'S NOT AN OPTION.
SO IF IT'S NOT DOABLE AND THE DEAUTHORIZATION IT'S NOT AVAILABLE, THEN SABINE AREA CORE WOULD HAVE TO STEP IN.
SAB CONDITION, NATURES NAVIGATION.
AND THEY WOULD WORK WITH THE CITY TO DETERMINE WHO OR WHATEVER ENTITY THEY WOULD WORK WITH TO DETERMINE WHO WOULD COVER THE COST OF THAT DREDGING.
SO WE'RE BACK TO COUNCIL, COUNCIL MEMBER NEIL NEIL'S QUESTION OUR STATEMENT, RIGHT? IT'S ALMOST LIKE WE'RE PUT IN THE COURT BEFORE THE HORSE BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW THAT THEY WILL TAKE THAT RESPONSIBILITY AND WE CAN'T TAKE THAT BURDEN AND PUT IT ON THE TAXPAYERS.
SO I WOULD JUST LIKE TO RESTATE THAT THE RESOLUTION THAT THERE'S OBVIOUSLY NO MOTION ON THE FLOOR, BUT THE RESOLUTION THAT'S BEFORE COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL IS TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO SEEK A LETTER OF INTENT FOR THEM TO DE AUTHORIZE FOR THE, THE CITY MANAGER TO SEE, UM, IF IT, IF IT'S EVEN DOABLE.
THERE'S THIS, THE RESOLUTION APPROVAL DOESN'T COMMIT COUNCIL TO ANY FUNDING.
IT'S ONLY TO SEE ONE DOES TWO THINGS.
IT GIVES STAFF DIRECTION THAT COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE PROJECT HERE.
IT AUTHORIZES THE MANAGER TO TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO SEE WHAT IT'S GONNA TAKE FOR IT TO GET HERE.
AND THEN AT SOME LATER DATE, ONCE WE HAVE ALL THE NUMBERS AND FIGURES AND WE'VE, WE'VE SPENT THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO WHAT LINEAR AND WHAT THE OPTIONS ARE, IT WILL BE BROUGHT BACK TO COUNCIL AT SOME LATER DATE FOR OUR FUNDING PURPOSES.
AND AT THAT TIME, COUNCIL CAN DECIDE JUST LIKE ANY OTHER CAPITAL PROJECT TO DECIDE TO FUND OR NOT TO FUND, TO, TO MOVE FORWARD OR NOT MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROJECT.
BUT THE RESOLUTION THAT'S BEFORE COUNCIL, TODAY'S ONLY TO ONE EXPRESS INTEREST IN HAVING THE PROJECT HERE AND GET A CONSENSUS COUNCIL.
THERE'S, IF THERE'S A NEED FOR, FOR STAFF TO CONTINUE TO SPEND RESOURCES AND EFFORTS TO DO THAT, IF THAT'S NOT THE WILL OF
[03:40:01]
THE COUNCIL, AND THEN BE TO AUTHORIZE THE MANAGER TO, TO DO THOSE STEPS TO GET IT HERE.AND MAYOR, SO FOLLOWING UP ON WHAT THE CITY ATTORNEY JUST SAID, WE WILL KNOW QUICKLY,
BECAUSE WHEN WE GO TO THEM AND ASK IF YOU WILL GO FORWARD WITH A LETTER OF INTENT, THEY'RE GONNA SAY ABSOLUTELY OR HECK NO.
SO WE WILL KNOW CONSUMER FEEL.
COUNCILMAN SAM VIEW, AGAIN, A QUESTION YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ANSWER.
I'M NOT AN ENGINEER, BUT WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE BARGES TAKE 15 FEET.
WHAT'S THE PRESENT, UH, DEPTH OF THE CHANNEL AND THAT AREA RIGHT ADJACENT TO THE BATTLESHIP? IT'S, UH, PROBABLY 70 FEET.
SO TO FILL THAT END WHERE A BARGE CAN'T GO UP THAT RIVER, I, I'M ASSUMING IT WOULD TAKE AN EVENT EVEN HARVEY DIDN'T DO THAT.
SO TO GO FROM 70 TO LESS THAN 15 FEET YEAH, THAT'S APOCALYPTIC ISN'T, I MEAN, BUT I WOULD SAY THIS, THE FEDERAL CHANNEL EXTENDS BEYOND THE BATTLESHIP UP TO AROUND AND JUST SOUTH OF ALLEGION ISLAND, THE PORCH PROPERTY.
AND THAT AREA IS QUITE A BIT SHALLOWER.
IT'S IN THAT 2020 TO 25 FOOT RANGE PROBABLY.
AND WHERE IS THAT AT AGAIN? SAY THAT, I'M SORRY.
AS, AS YOU GO UP AROUND THE CURVE HERE, PAST THE BATTLESHIP, IT'S JUST SOUTH OF THE ALLEGION ISLAND PROPERTY THAT THE PORT OWNS.
IT'S, BUT RIGHT AT THE END OF THE FEDERAL CHANNEL, IT ENDS RIGHT THERE AT THE, UH, SOUTH OF THAT, UH, ISLAND, THAT'S WHERE THE FEDERAL CHANNEL ENDS ANYWAY.
AS FAR AS WHAT THE COURT'S RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING THE WATERWAY GOES, YOU KNOW.
MERA PRO TIM, UH, D UH, CONSTABLE GETZ, THE 37 MILLION OF THE STATE SPENDING, IT WAS OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT THAT WAS JUST GONNA REPAIR THE SHIP FROM THE DECK UP.
SO IT'S STILL GONNA NEED SOME MORE WORK DONE FROM THE DECK DOWN.
THEY'RE MAKING SURE THAT IT, IT FLOWS AND IT'S NOT GONNA LEAVE.
BUT THEN IT'S STILL, THE DECK UP WON'T BE READY FOR TOURISTS.
THERE'S, THERE'S NO WORK, UM, IN THIS DRY DOCK FOR ANYTHING UP ABOVE THE, THE WATER LINE.
BUT, BUT TO THAT POINT, THE BATTLESHIP TEXAS FOUNDATION IS EVEN NOW CURRENTLY DOING RENOVATIONS ON THE GUNS.
THEY'RE DOING THE SAND BLASTING AND THE PAINTING AND TAKING 'EM APART AND PUTTING THEM BACK TOGETHER.
UH, THEY HAVE MONEY THAT THEY HAVE RAISED TO REDO THE DECKING, BUT EVEN AS THE DECKING IS RIGHT NOW, THEY HAVE HAD EVENTS AND THEY WILL CONTINUE.
BELIEVE ME, THAT'S THEIR, THAT'S THEIR BANK ACCOUNT.
THAT'S, THAT'S HOW THEY GENERATE REVENUE.
SO THEY WANT TO BE, WHEN THEY WERE HERE EARLIER, THEY MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT US HAVING TO, I DON'T SEE IT ON THIS PICTURE, UH, LIKE BUILD A, A DOC FOR THE MUSEUM AND THE GIFT SHOP AND ALL THOSE.
THERE AGAIN, WE'RE GETTING KIND OF AHEAD OF OURSELVES, BUT I'M JUST TRYING TO, BEFORE WE, AS WE GO FORWARD OR IF WE GO FORWARD BEFORE WE GO FORWARD, I, I WAS JUST MAKING PEOPLE AWARE OF ALL THE COSTS THAT ARE GONNA BE INVOLVED WITH THIS.
NOT, NOT JUST THE 6 MILLION OR THE 13 MILLION.
CAUSE IT'S GONNA BE SOME MORE COSTS INVOLVED WITH THIS.
I'M NOT, I'M NOT GONNA SUPPORT THE 13 MILLION WITH A REALIGNMENT, BUT LET ME SHARE WITH YOU THAT THERE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSIONS WITH PRIVATE ENTITIES THAT HAVE OFFERED TO DONATE BUILDINGS WITHIN A BLOCK AND A HALF OF WHERE THE BATTLESHIP WOULD BE.
THAT WILL SUFFICE FOR THE BATTLESHIP TEXAS FOUNDATION AND MUSEUM CALLS.
SO THAT WILL BE SOMETHING THAT WILL BE WORKED OUT.
BUT AGAIN, THERE'S NO NEED TO EVEN PURSUE THOSE CONVERSATIONS UNTIL WE TAKE THE INITIAL STEP SAYING WE WANT TO GO FORWARD WITH THIS ALL.
ALSO, UM, IF WE CONTINUE ON DOING THE WILL ER, WILL YOU GUYS DO PART OF THE CALCULATIONS AND STUDIES FOR THE 4 0 8? WILL YOU STILL BE INVOLVED AT, IF WE MOVE FORWARD, THAT WOULD BE ENTIRELY UP TO THE CITY.
AND I'M SURE THERE'S PROCESSES THAT THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH TO SELECT AN ENGINEER TO, TO DO THAT WORK.
I I I THINK WE ARE MOVING BEYOND THE MERE FACT THAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR, YOU'RE SAYING FIRST WE HAVE TO, UH, LET OUR INTENT BE KNOWN, UM, BUT IN SUPPORTING THE RFP, BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT IT'S COMING DOWN TO.
IT'S GONNA COME DOWN TO WHETHER, UH, THE SABINE AREA, UH, COUNCIL, UM, THEY'RE GONNA TAKE ON, UH, A PART OF THE RESPONSIBILITY
[03:45:01]
IN THE EVENT SOMETHING HAPPENS, THAT'S WHAT'S GONNA HAVE TO BE DONE.SO WITH THAT, THAT PRETTY MUCH GIVES ME AN IDEA OF WHAT'S GONNA, THE POSITIONS THAT'S GONNA BE TAKEN.
BUT WHAT'S MORE IMPORTANT TO ME NOW IS HOW MUCH TIME AND EFFORT AND BILLABLE HOURS ARE WE PUTTING ON CITY STAFF WHEN THEY CAN BE DOING SOMETHING ELSE OTHER THAN GOING DOWN WHERE WE BELIEVE THIS IS GONNA GO.
BECAUSE EITHER WE ARE GONNA, UH, IT SOUNDS LIKE MORE MONEY WILL HAVE TO BE SPENT, OR WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO TAKE THE, IT IS GONNA HAVE TO BE, UH, UH, DE DE DE AUTHORIZE, WHICH WOULD PUT THE CITY AT RISK FOR SPENDING MORE MONEY.
AND IF THAT'S THE CASE, I DON'T THINK ANYBODY'S HERE IS WANTING TO DO THAT.
SO ARE WE GONNA SEND STAFF DOWN THIS TRAIL TO JUST DO ALL THIS FOR WHAT? AND AS WE'RE DOING THIS, WE ARE PUSHING THE DEVELOPMENT DOWNTOWN FURTHER DOWN THE WAY, COUNCIL MEMBER SAM MAY OR MAY, LET ME GET COUNCIL MEMBER NEIL, AND THEN I'LL COME BACK TO YOU SURE.
TO MAYOR TO TRY TO GET THIS THING OFF A HIGH CENTER.
I THINK WHAT SEVERAL OF US ON COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS IF WE COULD AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO SEE IF WE COULD NOT GO GET A LETTER OF INTENT FROM THE SABINE NAVIGATION DISTRICT IN THE PORT BEAUMONT SAYING THEY AUTHORIZE THE DEAUTHORIZATION.
AND I THINK IF WE HAD THAT AS THE FIRST STEP, I THINK IT WOULD MAKE IT A LOT EASIER FOR US TO ALL MOVE FORWARD.
THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THE RESOLUTION SAID.
THAT THAT IS, THAT IS EXACTLY IT.
THAT'S WHAT IT'S WELL, WE HAVE TO CLOSE THE WORK SESSION AND THEN READ ITEM NUMBER SIX.
AND, AND CALLING FOR THE VOTE.
I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE WE A HUNDRED PERCENT CLEAR.
THE RESOLUTION DOES NOT ALLOW, I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE IN THE CHARTER DOES NOT ALLOW FOR THE MANAGER OR ANY STAFF MEMBER TO SPEND MONEY THAT IS NOT BUDGETED FOR IT.
THIS IS NOT A BUDGETED EXPENSE.
LET'S BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO COUNCIL.
OH, CITY MANAGER I SHOULD RAISE, SAID IT IS BETTER THAN I COULD TWICE
SO BASICALLY THIS IS JUST GIVING US AUTHOR AUTHORIZATION TO, TO LOOK AT NECESSARY STEPS GOING FORWARD.
IT'S LETTING US KNOW IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN THE PROJECT.
IF SO, GO OUT AND FIND US SOME ANSWERS TO SOME QUESTIONS.
BRING US BACK THE INFORMATION THAT YOU WANT, THEN YOU CAN MAKE THE REAL DECISION LATER.
BUT ANY OF THESE PROJECTS, THERE'S PROS AND CONS.
YOU KNOW, THERE'S, YOU'RE GONNA BE PROBABLY RESPONSIBLE FOR MORE THAN YOU THINK BEFORE IT'S OVER.
BUT IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ENHANCEMENT TO, TO BEAUMONT.
YOU KNOW, THERE, THERE THINGS THAT THESE, UH, THESE TYPE THINGS CAN BE A DESTINATION.
IT CREATES A DESTINATION FOR YOUR CITY FOR PEOPLE TO COME AND DRAW, DRAW PEOPLE.
UH, AND SO IT'S MY JOB TO TELL YOU ABOUT THEM.
UH, YOU'LL PROBABLY SPEND MORE THAN YOU WANT, BUT YOU'LL, YOU COULD READ BENEFITS MORE THAN YOU EXPECTED THE SAME TIME.
BUT THIS GIVES US AUTHORIZATION JUST TO GO FORWARD, GIVE, GIVE YOU MORE INFORMATION TO MAKE THE DECISION YOU REALLY NEED TO MAKE GOING FORWARD.
[6. Consider authorizing the City Manager to pursue activities necessary towards developing a formal proposal for berthing the Battleship Texas in Beaumont on the Neches River]
THANK YOU, MR. CITY MANAGER.WITH THAT SAID, MAY I HAVE THE READING OF ITEM NUMBER SIX, PLEASE? ALL RIGHT.
CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO PURSUE ACTIVITIES NECESSARY TOWARDS DEVELOPING A FORMAL PROPOSAL FOR BIRTH IN THE BATTLESHIP TEXAS IN BEAUMONT ON THE NITS RIVER.
YOU'VE HEARD THE READING OF ITEM NUMBER SIX.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION PLEASE? I MOVE THAT WE AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO GO FORWARD AND, UH, TAKE WHATEVER ACTIVITIES NECESSARY TOWARDS DEVELOPING A FORMAL PROPOSAL TO, UH, BIRTH THE BATTLESHIP TEXAS IN BEAUMONT AND THE NACHES RIVER.
I HAVE A MOTION ON A SECOND ON THE FLOOR.
IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? COUNCIL MEMBER NE THANK YOU MAYOR.
I'M GONNA SAY IT FOR THE THIRD TIME.
THE MR. MANAGER, BEFORE WE SPEND A BUNCH OF OTHER TIME ON THIS PROJECT, CAN Y'ALL PLEASE START OUT WITH THE SABINE NAVIGATION DISTRICT IN THE PORT OF BEAUMONT GETTING A LETTER SAYING THEY SUPPORT THIS SURE.
AND THAT THEY SUPPORT THE DEAUTHORIZATION OF THE CHANNEL.
AND IT'S IMPORTANT WE DO THAT.
UH, IT'S IMPORTANT TOO THAT WE WORK AS A COUNCIL.
I KNOW COUNCIL MEMBER HAS GONE AND HAVE THOSE, HAD THOSE DISCUSSIONS, BUT PEOPLE WILL SAY IT'S NOT THE ENTIRE COUNCIL.
SO WITH THE STAFF BEING ABLE TO WORK THAT I THINK WOULD, COULD BE IN A BETTER POSITION.
[03:50:01]
OH, MAYOR PRO.I DON'T LIKE THE WAY THAT THIS READS.
I WISH THAT IT WOULD SAY, AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO TALK TO THE PORT OF BEAUMONT AND THE SABINE NATURES PILOTS ASSOCIATION AND GET, AND GET THEIR INPUT ON THIS.
I THINK THAT'S HOW THIS SHOULD READ.
NOW THE CITY ATTORNEY GET THAT.
THE REASON I PHRASED IT THAT WAY IS THAT MY UNDERSTANDING FROM BOTH ENTITIES IS THEY WANT TO SEE IF THE COUNCIL IS SUPPORTIVE OF BRINGING THE SHIP TO BEAUMONT.
AND THE, AND WITH THAT, WE CAN REACH OUT TO THEM AND ASK THEM FOR THAT LETTER OF INTENT.
ASK THEM TO CONSIDER DEAUTHORIZATION OF THE CHANNEL.
BUT THEY WANT FIRST AND FOREMOST TO SEE WHETHER YOU AS A COUNCIL WANT TO BRING THE SHIP HERE.
AND, AND THAT'S WHY I PHRASED IT THIS WAY.
AND IN THE, THE RESOLUTION, THE WAY THE RESOLUTION IS WORDED, IT SPECIFICALLY SAYS THAT WE'RE, WE'RE GETTING A LETTER OF INTENT FROM THE SABINE NATURES NAVIGATIONAL STRAIGHT.
IN, IN WORKING WITH THE, THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS.
SO, SO, SO THE MEMO IS SEPARATE FROM THE RESOLUTION.
IF, IF YOU SEND ME TO SABINE NATURE'S NAVIGATION DISTRICT AND IT JUST SAYS ASK THEM FOR THE LETTER OF INTENT, QUITE LIKELY I'LL BE BACK HERE SAYING THEY WANT SOMETHING OFFICIAL THAT SAYS THAT YOU, YOU SUPPORT BRINGING THE SHIP HERE.
AND SO JUST TO BE CLEAR, THE RE THAT'S THE RESOLUTION DOES TWO THINGS.
IT A GIVES COUNCIL OR IT EXPRESSES COUNCIL'S INTENT TO WANNA SEE THE PROJECT COME HERE.
AND B, IT AUTHORIZES A CITY MANAGER AND STAFF TO START SEEKING OUT, UH, THOSE THINGS NECESSARY TO SECURE THE BID FOR THE BATTLEFIELD TEXAS CITY HERE.
IT DOES EVERYTHING THAT'S NE THAT'S NECESSARY TO, UH, GET THE BATTLEFIELD TEXAS HERE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SPEND MONEY.
SO COUNCIL MEMBER ATTORNEY THEN COUNCIL MEMBER SAMUEL.
SO DOING THE STUDY DOESN'T SHOW WE
LIKE, SO LET'S, THE STUDY COSTS MONEY AND WE VOTED TO DO THE STUDY.
SO YOU VOTED TO DO THE STUDY TO SEE LIKE WHAT THE INTERESTS WOULD DO.
BUT IN A LOT OF SITUATIONS, AND I'LL JUST BRING YOU BACK TO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT COUNCIL'S DONE IN THE PAST, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS COME FORWARD AND THEY WANNA SUPPLY OR SEEK GRANT FUNDING FROM THE STATE OF TEXAS COUNCIL HAS TO PROVIDE A RESOLUTION IN ORDER FOR THEM TO DO THAT SO THAT THEY CAN SHOW THAT THEY HAVE COUNCIL SUPPORT TO BRING THAT, THAT BUILDING OR THAT ENTITY HERE.
AND ONE, ONE CASE IN POINT IS THAT THE SENIOR LIVING FACILITY IS BEING BUILT ON FEELING.
IF YOU REMEMBER, THAT INDIVIDUAL CAME FORWARD BEFORE COUNCIL AND SAID, HEY, WE NEED YOUR SUPPO, UH, COUNCIL'S VOTE OF SUPPORT IN ORDER FOR US TO APPLY FOR THIS GRANT FUNDING TO BRING THIS PROGRAM HERE.
A LOT OF TIMES IN A LOT OF SITUATIONS WHERE COUNCIL HAS TO SHOW FIRST THEIR INTEREST IN SUPPORT IS BY RESOLUTION.
UH, THE RESOLUTION THAT YOU VOTED FOR, LURE DIDN'T SHOW A SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT.
IT ONLY SHOWED A SUPPORT OR AUTHORIZED STAFF TO GO FOR AND GET A ESSENTIALLY WHAT THE COST WOULD BE.
BUT RESOLUTIONS, UM, FOR COUNCIL AND THIS MAGNITUDE SHOW TO ANOTHER ENTITY THAT COUNCIL HAS BOTH EXPRESSED AN INTEREST AND AUTHORIZED THE STAFF TO DO SOMETHING SAYING, MY COUNCIL IS IN FAVOR OF BRINGING IT HERE.
NOW THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WHEN THE NUMBERS COME OUT, THAT COUNCIL'S POSITION CANNOT CHANGE.
WE'VE SEEN SEVERAL TIMES WHERE COUNCIL HAS CHANGED ITS POSITION ON SEVERAL, UM, ITEMS WHEN THE FINAL PRICE TAG HAS BEEN BROUGHT FORTH.
SO COUNCIL CAN STILL SAY, NO, WE DON'T WANNA FUND IT BECAUSE THIS RESOLUTION DOESN'T FUND ANYTHING.
THIS ISN'T ADDING IT AS ALIGNED ITEM TO THE BUDGET.
THIS IS, THIS ISN'T GIVING STAFF ANY ABILITY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH MAKING MONETARY MONETARY ACTION.
ALL IT DOES IS JUST ALLOW STAFF TO SAY, MY COUNCIL HAS VOTED IN FAVOR, AND THEN SEEK OTHER OPTIONS FROM OTHER ENTITIES IN THAT MANNER.
AND I GUESS TO, TO JUST SHORTCUT THIS ALL THE WAY, IF I CAME TO YOU AND SAID THAT I COULD WAVE A WAND AND BRING THE SHIP HERE AND PLACE IT ON THE NATURES RIVER FOR $0, DO YOU WANT IT COUNCIL MEMBER SAMUEL? THAT WOULD BE A PERFECT ONE EXCEPT, UH, YOU COULD SAY $0 BUT NOT INCREASE LIABILITY.
AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT THIS COMES DOWN TO BY SAYING THAT WE WANT TO PURSUE, TO FIND OUT, WE ARE ASKING STAFF TO DO ADDITIONAL SPEND, ADDITIONAL TIME, AND IT'S GONNA COME BACK THAT WE'RE GONNA EITHER HAVE TO DE AUTHORIZE, UH, THE FEDERAL CHANNEL OR WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO SPEND ADDITIONAL MONEY.
AND EITHER ONE OF THOSE WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTABLE TO ME BECAUSE ONE INCREASES LIABILITY, THE OTHER INCREASES COST AND THAT'S NOT WHAT, SO I WILL BE VOTING AGAINST THIS FOR THAT REASON, EVEN THOUGH I WOULD LOVE TO BE A TEAM PLAYER, BUT IN MY DEEP DOWN, THAT'S JUST
[03:55:01]
NOT FOR ME.SO COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNCIL MEMBER NEIL, I'LL COME BACK TO YOU.
COUNCIL MEMBER GETS, SO WE ARE NOT GONNA INCREASE OUR LIABILITY IF THE SUBPOENA NAVIGATION DISTRICTS SAYS, HEY, WE'RE NOT GONNA DO THIS BECAUSE IT INCREASES OUR LIABILITY.
YOU KNOW, WE WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO SAY AT SOME POINT WE WILL RESPOND TO WHATEVER THE CIVILIANS NAVIGATION DISTRICT DOES.
THIS JUST GETS THE BALL ROLLING.
IF IT'S UNAUTHORIZED, THAT DOES INCREASE LIABILITY, BUT IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY INCREASE LIABILITY TO THE CITY OF BEAUMONT.
IT INCREASES LIABILITY TO BE NAVIGATION DISTRICT.
AND IF THE BE NATION NAVIGATION DISTRICT SAYS UHUH, WE'RE NOT GONNA GO THAT GAME, THEN WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.
WE HAVE A, UM, FIRST AND SECOND.
ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING I, AYE.
[COMMENTS]
TIME FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY DONE SO, PLEASE FILL OUT THE GREEN SLIP TO THE BACK OF THE ROOM.
HAND IT TO THE CLERK TO THE FRONT OF THE ROOM.
SHE WILL CALL YOUR NAME AT THE BEGINNING OF YOUR, UH, SHE'LL CALL YOUR NAME.
THE GREEN LIGHT WILL COME ON THE BEGINNING OF YOUR THREE MINUTES.
THE RED LIGHT WILL COME ON AT THE END OF YOUR THREE MINUTES.
SO PLEASE, WHEN YOU'RE RED LIGHT COME ON, PLEASE STOP.
UM, JOANNE HARVEY, 44 81 OALL ROAD, BEAUMONT, TEXAS.
THIS IS MY FIRST TIME COMING FOR THE COUNCIL FOR ANY REASON AT ALL.
I JUST RECENTLY MOVED BACK HERE FROM ARLINGTON, TEXAS AND THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF THINGS SAID HERE THAT, UH, BY LIVING AWAY FROM HERE, I CAN SEE WHERE A LOT OF THEIR COMMENTS ARE NEEDED HERE IN BEAUMONT.
LIKE, UH, THE SOUND SYSTEM FOR BAD WEATHER.
CUZ IN DALLAS WE'RE HEAR HORNS BLOWING WHEN THE WEATHER'S COMING, YOU KNOW, AND EVERYBODY KNOW TO TAKE COVER, YOU KNOW.
OH, AND ANYTHING THAT BRINGS REVENUE TO THIS CITY, I'M FOR WITHIN A CERTAIN LIMIT BECAUSE WE DO NEED MORE TOURISM, MORE REVENUE FOR THIS CITY.
I CAME BACK HERE AND I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE WAY BEAUMONT LOOK.
I, I WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE.
BUT, UH, I'M HERE BECAUSE, UM, AS A SENIOR CITIZEN LIVING IN A COMMUNITY, UH, WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF DISPUTE WITH MANAGEMENT AND I THINK SOME OVERLOOKED AREAS IN OUR CITY THAT HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY ADDRESSED OR, UM, COVERED AND TAKEN CARE OF.
THERE IS NO TENANT ADVOCACY HERE AND EVERYTHING SEEMS TO LEAN TOWARD THE LANDLORDS, BUT THE TENANTS HAVE REALLY NO PROJECT MANAGEMENT TO MANAGE THE WAY THESE DEVELOPMENTS AND THESE, UH, COMMUNITIES ARE, ARE HANDLED.
THEY SIT DOWN WITH A CLOSED LIP, THEY PAY THEIR RENT.
SOME OF 'EM ARE REALLY OVERCHARGED, THEY'RE UNDERMANAGED, UH, UNDER MAINTAINED AND YOU JUST HAVE TO LIVE WITH A SQUA OR WHATEVER YOU, I MEAN, IT'S REALLY BAD HERE IN A LOT OF AREAS.
AND WE NEED A TENANT ADVOCACY HERE.
WHEN WE WERE IN DALLAS, I WAS PART OF THE TENANT ADVOCACY.
AND IF YOU HAD ANY DISPUTES OR YOU HEAR THE DISPUTES OF THE TENANTS, BUT THESE PEOPLE ARE SO USED TO BEING JUST ABUSED AND MISUSED.
THEY JUST SIT, CLOSED, LIVED CUZ THEY DON'T KNOW NO BETTER.
AND I'M COMING BEFORE THE COUNCIL TO FIND OUT HOW AND IF WE CAN GET A TENANT ADVOCACY IN BEAUMONT TO HELP OVERLOOK ALL OF THESE RENTAL FACILITIES.
I JUST CAME DOWN 1 0 5, I WAS TAKING MY SON TO DALLAS.
[04:00:01]
AN ATTORNEY BY THE WAY,BUT I'M JUST, I'M JUST IN AWE IN THE WAY THAT MANAGEMENT FEEL LIKE THEY CAN JUST DO ANYTHING AND NOBODY'S GONNA SAY ANYTHING.
I JUST WANTED TO KNOW AND HOW AND HELP DEVELOP A TENANT ADVOCACY.
THANK YOU FOR TENANTS IN BEAUMONT.
ALL THANK YOU BY THE WAY, BY LETTING ME SPEAK.
JOHN RICHARDSON, 60 66 AFTON LANE, BEAUMONT, TEXAS.
THANK Y'ALL FOR LISTENING ME TODAY.
I KNOW IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY FOR EVERYBODY.
UM, I REALLY APPRECIATE Y'ALL'S LISTENING EVEN THOUGH WE'RE ALL TIRED.
I WANT TO TALK TODAY ABOUT THE COYOTES IN THE CANALS ALL THROUGHOUT BELMONT.
UM, I'VE SEEN THEM AT THE CORNER OF EDSON AND GLADYS.
I'VE SEEN 'EM NEAR MY OLD HOUSE, BYLINE PARK.
AND JUST LAST WEEK, UH, ONE OF MY CATS WAS MAED ON OUR FRONT PORCH AT OUR HOME OFF OF DOWN ROAD HERE IN TOWN.
AND, UM, I JUST WOULD LIKE TO GET WITH Y'ALL TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY, ANYTHING THAT THE CITY MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO, UM, CATCH SOME OF THEM AND MAYBE RELOCATE THEM TO A SHELTER OR TO UM, PUT OUT SOMETHING THAT MIGHT DETER THEM FROM ATTACKING OTHER PETS.
BECAUSE I SUSPECT CHARLIE IS NOT THE FIRST, UH, PET IN THIS TOWN THAT'S BEEN MAED BY A WILD ANIMAL AT THEIR HOME ON THEIR PORCH.
BUT I'D LIKE HIM TO BE THE LAST, UM, OUR PETS FOR OUR FAMILY.
UM, SO I WANNA CHALLENGE Y'ALL TO SEE IF YOU THINK THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE.
MAYBE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED BEFORE.
UM, BUT UH, THIS IS ME WANTING TO BRING IT TO THE CITY COUNCIL'S ATTENTION.
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH AND I'M SO SORRY FOR YOUR LAWS.
JANETTA PRICE, 80 35 SAN BRUNO, BEAUMONT, TEXAS.
UH, I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE TRIS IS.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM MALE AND COUNCILMAN.
UM, I'M HERE AGAIN SPEAKING ON THE, UH, BEAUMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT ON DECEMBER 24TH THROUGH FEBRUARY THE THIRD, 2026.
THEY KICKED MY DOOR IN 35 TIME BEAUMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT, LEY NEW AND ATTENTION HARASSED ME, DISCRIMINATED AGAINST ME PHYSICALLY ATTACKING ME BY PULLING ME OUT MY BED, THROWING ME ON THE FLOOR AGGRESSIVELY AND PUTTING ME IN A PATROL CAR AND THEN LATER RELEASING ME, WHICH I AM DISABLE, VIOLATING MY PRIVACY OF MY HOME.
ILLEGAL SEARCH AND PROCEDURE OF MY HOME RACIALLY TARGETED ME AND HAD ME INCARCERATED FOR NINE MONTHS FOR A CRIME THAT DIDN'T COMMIT ALL WITHOUT A LEGAL SEARCH WARRANT FROM THE JUDGE.
THIS IS WHAT I CALL HOME VADEN PLUS VIOLATING MY FOUR OF EIGHT AND 14 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GANGSTER AND THE BEAUMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT IS THAT THEY HAVE LICENSE TO BE GANGSTER AND HAVE RACIAL ACTS AGAINST BLACKS.
I ASKED THIS SERGEANT WITH THE BEAUMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT WHILE THEY WAS HARASSING ME AND HE SAID, BECAUSE I HAD WHITE ROOMMATES AT MY HOUSE WHEN I HAD A RIGHT TO HAVE ANYONE AT MY HOUSE THAT I PLEASED TO HAVE.
AS LONG AS THEY'RE NOT OR DOING ANYTHING ILLEGAL, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE OTHER PERSON WHO FOUGHT FOR THE UNITED STATES ARM AND THE OTHER COUNTRY HAS A RIGHT TO BE VIOLATED IN SUCH MAL.
AND, UH, I HAVE LOST A LOT OF, I LOST PROPERTY.
[04:05:01]
I LOST A LOT OF GOODS IN, IN THE PROCESS OF THIS HERE.UH, I WAS LIKE, MY CHARACTER, UH, MY NAME WAS SLAMMED IN THE STREET, YOU KNOW, FOR THE CRIME THEY COMMITTED ME OF WAS A RAPE CHARGE.
I KNOW NO MAN WOULD WANNA, UH, CONSIDER BE A RAPIST WHEN HE NEVER DID IT.
SO, UH, YOU KNOW, THEY REALLY TOOK ME DOWN A WHOLE LOT IN THIS HILL.
AND, YOU KNOW, IT WAS, HAD ALL MY FURNITURE STOLEN OUT MY HOUSE HAD TO START ALL OVER AGAIN.
YOU KNOW, IT JUST, YOU KNOW, THEY, THEY TOOK ME DOWN.
I, I REALLY WOULDN'T DOING NOTHING BUT JUST TRYING TO HELP SOME PEOPLE THAT DIDN'T HAVE NO HOMES OUT THE HARBOR, YOU KNOW? AND THAT'S WHAT I DO.
I TRY TO HELP THOSE THAT WAS HOMELESS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, YOU KNOW, AND, UH, ONLY LOVE ONE COLOR AND THAT'S HUMAN BEING.
I HAVE NO, I'M BEING THROUGH MILITARY AND EVERYTHING ELSE, SO I DON'T DISCRIMINATE OR I'M NOT RACIST AGAINST ANYONE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY, LATASHA, Q 93 45 WESTGATE DRIVE, BEAUMONT, TEXAS.
I KNOW YOU ALL ARE TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT MY FRAUDULENT SKIN CASE, BUT I HAVE TO DO WHAT I HAVE TO DO.
LAST WEEK I LEARNED THAT THERE WAS ANOTHER JUDGE THAT WAS RECUSED FROM MY CASE.
NOW, WITHIN THREE WEEKS OR SO, THAT'S BEEN RECUSED FROM MY CASE.
THE INITIAL JUDGE HAD THREATENED TO MAKE MY SITUATION WORSE.
HE WAS TELLING THE LAWYERS THEY WAS, THOUGHT THEY WERE SPEAKING OFF THE RECORD, AS I MENTIONED A FEW TIMES BEFORE.
AND, UM, THEY'RE IN A LOT OF TROUBLE CUZ I HAVE SOME PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF TEXAS THAT'S BEEN LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER FOR SEVERAL MONTHS.
AND THEY'RE, THEY'RE IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING ACTION NOW.
SO I GO AND TALK TO THE COURT COORDINATOR YESTERDAY FOR THE SECOND JUDGE WHO RECUSED HIMSELF FOR MY CASE AFTER JUST TWO DAYS TO TRY TO SEE WHY HE RECUSED HIMSELF.
AND SHE SAID SHE DIDN'T KNOW THE REASON WHY.
AND SHE SUGGESTED I TALKED TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE GOOD JUDGE TO SEE WHY HE RECUSED HIMSELF OR TO SEE, UM, WHO THE THIRD JUDGE WOULD BE.
THE JUDGE SAID, WELL, I SENT THE CASE OVER TO THIS OTHER JUDGE, I'M NOT GONNA MENTION HIS NAME.
I UNDERSTAND Y'ALL ADOPTED NEW POLICIES.
AND HE SAID, WELL, HE DIDN'T WANT THE CASE.
HE HAS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
HE TOLD ME WHO THE NEW JUDGE WOULD BE, THE FOURTH AND FINAL JUDGE.
AND I'VE TOLD HIM, I SAID, WELL, I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR THAT MY CASE IS ASSIGNED TO HIM BECAUSE HE'S IN THE SAME CHAMBERS OF THE EXACT JUDGE WHO THREATENED TO MAKE MY SITUATION WORSE.
HE SAID, WELL, WHAT YOU COULD DO WHEN YOU GET THE ORDER MONDAY, TUESDAY, JUST FILE A MOTION.
BUT I'VE ALREADY TALKED TO MY PEOPLE ABOUT THIS WHOLE ORDEAL AND THEY ADVISED ME AS TO WHAT I SHOULD DO NEXT AND WON'T BE FOLLOWING MOTION ON THIS MATTER.
AT LEAST NOT FOR THAT PART OF IT.
AND SOME OTHER THINGS HAPPENED, MY CASE JUST GET EVEN MORE AND MORE CORRUPT BY THE DAY.
I WAS ADVISED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE SERGEANT THAT'S HANDLING THAT PART OF MY CASE, THE THEFT CHARGE WITH A $39,000 CHECK THAT MY FORMER ATTORNEY CASHED ILLEGALLY.
AND HE ADVISED ME TO REQUEST THE CASH CHECK FROM EITHER THE LAWYER OR THE, UM, ADVANCED COMPANY.
CAUSE I HAD TAKEN OUT A LOAN AGAINST MY LAWSUIT.
AND THEN WHEN THEY FINALLY DID SEND ME A COPY OF THE CHECK, IT WAS A HALF CHECK
HOW DO YOU SEND SOMEONE A COPY OF HALF OF THE CHECK? AND THEY'RE TELLING ME, WELL, THAT'S WHAT WAS SENT FROM YOUR ATTORNEY.
WELL, LIKE I TOLD HIM, HE'S NO LONGER MY ATTORNEY.
I TERMINATED HIM WHEN I FOUND OUT HE STOLE MY CHECK, CASHED IT ILLEGALLY AND OPEN MY EMAIL TODAY.
THEY'RE ACTUALLY THREATENING ACTUALLY AGAINST ME, ACCUSING ME OF THINGS AND ACCUSING ME OF HARASSING THEIR STAFF FOR MONTHS.
I'M NOT, ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I CONTACTED YOUR OFFICE MONDAY AS I WAS ADVISED TO.
TONY RENFRO, 61 10 BANKSTON LANE BY MY TEXAS.
THIS, WELL, MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE SPOKEN BEFORE AT THE PUBLIC, UM, SESSION.
UH, GOOD AFTERNOON, UH, COUNCILMAN AND MAYOR, MOOD TURN AND STAFF, LIKE I SAID EARLIER, UH, I SHOULD HAVE SPOKEN EARLIER ABOUT THE BATTLESHIP AND I WALKED ALSO PIGGYBACK ON, UH, CHRIS.
[04:10:01]
UH, SPOKE ON SOME THINGS THAT I WANT TO SPEAK ABOUT THAT'S REALLY VALUABLE AND ABOUT THE DEMOGRAPHIC OF OUR CITY.HOWEVER, NOW THAT YOU HAVE, UH, PLACED OR VOTE ON PUSHING AHEAD OR TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER PURSUED THE NECESSARY STEPS AND BRINGING THE BATTLESHIP TO TEXAS TO DOWNTOWN BEAUMONT, I'M NOT A, I'M NOT AN OBJECTIVE OF IT, I'M NOT, IT'S A GREAT MOVE.
AND, UM, SO REASON WHY I'M SAYING IS THAT I HAVE NO OBJECTIONS THAT THE CITY WOULD LIKE TO DRAW THE ATTENTION TO THE DOWNTOWN AREA BY BRINGING IN NEW BUSINESSES, MORE ATTRACTIONS, NEW VENUES TO THE DOWNTOWN AREA.
HOWEVER, THE CITY HAS MORE PRESSING NEEDS THAN A TO INVEST IN A BATTLESHIP.
WE'VE ALREADY HAD A MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INVESTED IN THE 5 55 MAIN STREET BUILDING.
I'VE ASKED YOU THE DAY, COUNCILMAN AND MADAM MAYOR, TO REFOCUS YOUR ATTENTION AND RECONSIDER THE MORE PRESSING NEEDS FOR OUR CITY BY PURSUING, SPENDING OUR TAX DOLLARS TO MAKING IMPROVEMENTS FOR BETTER DRAINAGE STREETS AND CLEAN AND RUNNING HOUSEHOLD WATER THAN THE WASTE I TAX DOLLARS ON A BATTLESHIP AT THIS PRESENT TIME.
LET NOT WASTE MORE OF OUR TAX DOLLARS ON ANOTHER DEAD END INVESTMENT.
CHRISTOPHER MATTHEWS, 38 75 NORTH MAJOR DRIVE, BEAUMONT, TEXAS.
UH, I HAD A THOUGHT, WHAT ABOUT SOME OF THE TEENAGERS THAT DO HAVE, UH, LIKE A DRIVER'S LICENSE OR PERMIT AND HAVE ACCESS TO, UH, OPERATE MOTOR VEHICLE? JUST A QUESTION, A THOUGHT.
UM, I WENT THROUGH THE CITIZEN'S POLICE ACADEMY AND I GOT A CHANCE TO TOUR THE, UH, BONE MONEY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
AND I WANNA GIVE KUDOS TO THAT LADY THAT KING SPOKE EARLIER TODAY.
SHE KNOWS A LOT OF INFORMATION, THEY DO A LOT OF THINGS THAT PEOPLE AREN'T AWARE OF THAT TAKE CARE OF US WHEN, WHENEVER WE HAVE ANY, UH, EMERGENCY SITUATION.
UM, I WANNA SPEAK AGAIN, AGAIN TO THIS BATTLESHIP CONCEPT.
Y'ALL PAID MONEY TO THEM FOR, TO DOING THAT STUDY.
UM, AND WHICH IT WAS, IT WAS POOR IN MY OPINION.
I MEAN, THERE WAS SOME INFORMATION, HELPFUL INFORMATION THERE, BUT THEY COULDN'T HAVE USED A DRONE TO GET, LIKE AN AERIAL VIEW TO HELP US WITH A, A BETTER VISUAL CONCEPT.
LIKE, I DON'T KNOW, THIS WAS JUST SOME THINGS THAT I WAS JUST THINKING ABOUT.
UM, BUT THAT WORK SESSION, IN MY OPINION, IT WOULD BE CHEAPER TO BRING A PERMANENT CIRCUS TO BEAUMONT.
LIKE, HONESTLY, YOU KNOW, AND THAT, THAT'S KIND OF WHAT IT WAS IN MY OPINION.
LIKE, IT'S ALMOST LIKE THE STARS HAVE TO ALIGN TO GET THIS BATTLESHIP HERE AND IT'S, IT'S TOO MUCH TROUBLE.
UM, THEY SHOWED SOME OF THEIR OPTIONS AND IT WAS VERY COSTLY.
AND I THINK IT'S GONNA BE WAY TOO MUCH TROUBLE.
UM, CITY COUNCILMAN AT LARGE, THIS IS WHAT YOU'RE ADVOCATING FOR.
LIKE WE HAVE A LARGER DEMOGRAPHIC OF BEAUMONT THAT HAVE LARGER NEEDS.
UH, I CAME HERE BEFORE A FEW MONTHS AGO AND I ASKED YOU ABOUT EDC AND YOU HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING IN THAT AREA.
AND YOU SAID IN YOUR CAMPAIGN THAT YOU WANTED TO GROW BEAUMONT AND THIS IS WHAT YOU'RE WORKING ON.
I I BET YOU HAVEN'T CONTACTED THE LADY THAT WAS OVER THE PORT ARTHUR EDC.
I GAVE YOU HER CONTACT NUMBER.
I BET YOU HAVEN'T DONE THAT YET.
I TOLD YOU IT WAS GONNA BE A LONG CAMPAIGN AND I'M GONNA BE ON YOUR HEAD THE WHOLE TIME.
AND I MEAN THAT LIKE, YOU'VE GOT TO DO BETTER.
YOU HONESTLY HAVE GOT TO DO BETTER.
YOU ARE WASTING TIME AND ENERGY WITH STUFF LIKE THIS.
IT'S TOO MUCH TROUBLE TO BRING THE BATTLESHIP TEXAS HERE.
UM, THE GUY THAT MENTIONED THE COYOTES, UH, I DRIVE DOWN, I LIVE ON MAJOR DRIVE.
I DRIVE DOWN TO NORTH WEST PARKWAY.
I SEE COYOTES A LOT, SO HE'S NOT LYING.
UM, THE GENTLEMAN THAT OWNS A LOT OF PROPERTY OVER THERE, THE SAME GENTLEMAN THAT COME AND SAID THAT THE CITY MANAGER'S GONNA HAVE TO PROVE HIMSELF, THAT'S HIS PROPERTY.
HE SHOULD PROBABLY BE TAKING CARE OF THAT ISSUE.
UM, FREDERICK 49 55 AISH STREET, BEAUMONT, TEXAS.
I WANNA ADDRESS THE BATTLESHIP THIS YEAR ALSO.
UH, BACK IN DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR, THE UH, WHEN WE FIRST BROUGHT THIS BATTLESHIP UP, ONE OF THE COST ESTIMATES WAS $10 MILLION AND
[04:15:01]
EVERYBODY HALL, OOH, THAT'S WAY OUTTA RANGE.NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN IT'S AT $6.5 MILLION AND THAT'S THE CHEAPEST WE CAN GET IT.
AND THAT'S NOT GONNA GET US OUT OF OUR LIABILITY.
UH, I'M PRETTY, I'M WELL AWARE OF WHAT YOU VOTED ON TODAY JUST TO MOVE CITY MANAGE THAT THE, UH, CITY MANAGEMENT MOVE TOWARD, UH, LOOKING AT WHAT IT'S GONNA TAKE TO GET THIS SHIP HERE.
I ONLY SEE ONE COUNCILMAN THAT'S PUSHING FOR THIS SHIP.
I SEE SIX, NONE OF THEM THAT ALL THEY HAD WAS QUESTIONS ON WHY IT SHOULDN'T BE HERE.
I DON'T KNOW WHY THE VOTE WASN'T SIX ONE AGAINST THIS, BUT WE COULD SAVE, UH, CITY MANAGEMENT'S TIME AND STOP EVEN FOOLING WITH THIS FOOLISHNESS.
BUT LET'S GO THROUGH WHAT WE GOT HERE.
WE ALWAYS WANT TO COMPARE WHERE OTHER SHIPS ARE AND WHAT THEY DO.
ALL OF THESE OTHER SHIPS THAT PEOPLE ARE COMPARING, THERE ARE PARKS THERE, THERE ARE MUSEUMS THERE.
THERE'S NOT JUST SOME RAGGEDY SHIP, UH, COUNCIL MADE DARIO ACTS TO COUNCILMAN GETZ ABOUT THE MONEY TO REFURBISH THE TOP OF THE SHIP THAT'S NOT BEING PAID FOR A YET.
COUNCIL MANGE SAYS THAT IT IS GONNA BE PAID FOR BY SOMEBODY.
COUNCIL MANGE HAS A LOT OF STUFF THAT HE'S SELLING US, BUT HAS HE BROUGHT TO ANY DOCUMENTATION TO ANY OF YOU? HAVE ANY OF YOU SEEN ALL THESE CONVERSATION SINCE HE'S HAD WITH ALL THESE PEOPLE THAT'S GONE BACK TO THIS POINT GOING BACK THIS BILL NOW NONE OF YOU.
WHAT WE DO KNOW IS THAT THE IDEAL PLAN THAT THE, THE THE LARA, I THINK THE NAME SO BROUGHT WOULD COST YOU $24 MILLION AND YOU'D BE OUT ALL, ANY LIABILITY AND YOU'D HAVE THE SHIP DOCK JUST WHERE IT WOULD SATISFY EVERYBODY.
THE MINIMUM PLAN IS SIX AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS AND WE DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF LIABILITIES WE'RE BUYING.
SO WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT WHAT WE DOING HERE AND QUIT WASTING OUR TIME CUZ THAT'S ALL I'M SEEING HERE IS A WHOLE BUNCH OF WASTED TIME.
I ASKED FOR, UH, THE MINIMUM COST BACK THEN WHEN WE SAID IT WAS 5.2 MILLION.
NOW WE KNOW IT'S SIX AND A, IT'S SIX AND A HALF.
THE MAXIMUM WOULD BE 10 MILLION.
THE MAXIMUM WOULD BE 24 MILLION IF WE DID IT RIGHT, BUT WE DON'T WANT TO DO IT RIGHT.
WE GONNA CUT COUNTERS AND THEN WE GO GO BIG IN THE GOVERNMENT TO COME HELP PAY US IF WE HAVE A STORM THAT MAKES US HAVE TO DR THE CHANNEL OUT.
SO I AM ASKING YOU, I KNOW WHAT YOU VOTED ON TODAY AND YOU'VE ALREADY COMMITTED UH, UH, RESOURCES FROM, FROM MANAGEMENT TO UH, MOVE FORWARD.
BUT I WISH YOU WOULD QUIT WASTING OUR TIME AND MONEY.
BEFORE YOU CALL THE NEXT NAME, UM, I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND THE PUBLIC THAT COUNSEL AND STAFF SHOULD BE REFERRED TO BY THEIR TITLES AND NOT BY THEIR FIRST NAMES.
THAT IS PART OF OUR COUNCIL DECOR RULES.
EDDIE ALLEN, 96 95 CROSS BEAUMONT, TEXAS.
I'VE ALREADY GREETED EVERYONE.
UH, CFR UH, 42 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS IS THE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS CODE.
AND ONE OF THE CORE ELEMENTS THAT I WAS SPEAKING OF EARLIER IS A COMMUNICATION PLAN.
AND WHAT I HEARD, UH, IN THE PRESENTATION THERE IS COMMUNICATION BUT VERBATIM IT SAID BUSINESSES AND GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES ARE NOTIFIED.
AND I'M SAYING WHAT ABOUT CITIZENS? SO THE AUDITABLE SOUND AND THERE ARE OTHER CITIES THAT ARE DOING IT.
UM, THERE'S ABOUT FOUR I FOUND AND YOU KNOW, IF YOU'D LIKE TO HAVE IT, I HAVE THE INFORMATION TO PASS ON TO STAFF AND THEY CAN MOVE IT FORWARD BECAUSE WE'RE IN THE HURRICANE SEASON.
YOU KNOW, GOD BLESS THE PEOPLE IN FLORIDA, WE HAVE NOT BEEN HIT THAT HARD.
BUT IT'S A POSSIBILITY CUZ YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE BATTLESHIP TEXAS AND YOU KNOW, WATER WATERWAYS, IT CAN HAPPEN.
SO, YOU KNOW, GOD BLESS US THAT WE DO THE RIGHT THING TO PRESERVE LIFE AND HEALTH AND COMMUNICATION IS A KEY BECAUSE YOU ARE OUR COMMUNICATORS AND YOU ARE THE ONES THAT ARE LOOKING OUT FOR US.
YOU'RE OUR VOICE AND WE NEED YOU.
I SAID IT LAST YEAR, NOT IN THE SAME WAY, BUT I'LL BE BACK HERE NEXT YEAR IF NOTHING HAPPENS AND IF GOD
[04:20:01]
SPARES MY LIFE AND HEALTH.SO PLEASE TAKE TO ACCOUNT WITH STAFF TO LOOK AT THIS PREPAREDNESS AND HAVE SOMETHING THAT WILL LET CITIZENS KNOW WE CAN'T DEPEND ON AT AND T WE CAN'T DEPEND ON SPECTRUM.
WE CAN'T DEPEND ON STAN CUZ ALL THE TOWERS MAY GO DOWN.
GOD BLESS YOU AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
UM, EJA SHEPHERD, 47 10 CLEVELAND, BEAUMONT, TEXAS.
I GUESS HE LEFT, UM, KENNETH EARLS, 1265.
I THINK THAT'S CON BEAUMONT, TEXAS.
I'M A RETIRED FIREMAN FROM THE CITY OF ARLINGTON.
THE YOUNG LADY JUST SPOKE BEFORE.
WE HAVE ALARM SYSTEMS ALL ACROSS THE CITY.
WE CAN'T DEPEND ON AT AND T A SPECTRUM.
LIKE SHE SAID, YOU HAVE TO HEAR THOSE ALARMS GO OFF IN DALLAS, FORT WORTH, ARLINGTON.
AND YOU'LL UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN A TORNADO COME OR EVEN A HURRICANE OR ANY OTHER MAJOR DISASTER, THAT THAT'S YOUR FIRST, YOUR FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF WHATEVER'S HAPPENING.
NUMBER TWO, UM, REPRESENTATIVE DIO, I KNOW THAT YOU'RE RETIRED FIREMAN AND THE E E O C THAT WAS UP HERE TO MANAGER.
HAVE WE SENT FIRE AND POLICE TO FLORIDA TO DO A STUDY AND BRING BACK TO BEAUMONT THAT INFORMATION SO THAT WE CAN PROTECT OUR PEOPLE EVEN FROM GETTING OUTTA HERE, WHICH WAS A DISASTER IN 2008 WHEN WE HAD TO GO DOWN WELL WHERE PEOPLE FROM HERE HAD TO GO DOWN I 45 TO DALLAS AND IT TOOK THREE DAYS.
WE NEED TO HAVE A BETTER WAY OF GETTING OUR PEOPLE OUT.
OTHERWISE YOU'LL GET CAUGHT IN ONE OF THESE CATEGORY FIVE STORMS AND YOU ARE WILL, YOU WILL BE OUTTA LUCK.
SO I'M GOING TO SUGGEST THAT WE HAVE A COMMITTEE MADE UP OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE IN THAT PROFESSION THAT WILL MITIGATE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE'RE HAVING PRESENTLY.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE ARE SITTING HERE HAVING DISCUSSIONS THAT WE KNOW POTENTIALLY THAT CAN KILL NOT 1000.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 10, 20,000 INDIVIDUALS.
SO WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO HELP THIS CITY ADDRESS THOSE NEEDS.
NUMBER UH, NUMBER TWO, UH, WHEN I SEE IT COMMITTEE, I TRULY MEAN COMMITTEE BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE CAN DO THAT I'VE SEEN FROM THE CITY OF ARLINGTON THAT WILL HELP YOU CLEAR OUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN IN DOWNTOWN BEAUMONT.
NOW'S THE TIME FOR COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENT.
AND I WILL START WITH A COUNCIL MEMBER.
OH, JUST A FEW THINGS ACTUALLY THAT STAN IS A VERY GOOD WAY OF COMMUNICATING.
SOUTHEAST TEXAS ALERT NETWORK.
UNFORTUNATELY A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T SIGN UP FOR IT TAKES LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES.
YOU COULD DO IT ON YOUR CELL PHONE, YOU COULD DO IT ON YOUR HOME PHONE.
AND THEY DO A GOOD JOB OF CONTACTING YOU.
ALSO THE E E O C HAS THIS THING CALLED BLACKBOARD CONNECT, WHERE THEY PICK A AREA OF TOWN AND THEY AUTOMATICALLY CALL EVERYONE AND WARN THEM.
ALSO, THERE WAS AN AUDIBLE ALARM ON THE CORNER OF IRONTON AND WILSON IN THE NORTH END FOR MANY YEARS CUZ IT'S RIGHT ABOVE THE FIRE STATION.
[04:25:01]
WAS LOUD AND CLEAR.I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S STILL THERE OR NOT, BUT IT WAS THERE.
THE E E O C, THE, I MEAN NOT E E O C.
THE E O C, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
EMS AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE VERY EXPERIENCED AND THEY'RE VERY CAPABLE.
WHEN HURRICANES COME, THEY COULD PROBABLY GIVE THE PEOPLE IN FLORIDA A STUDY BECAUSE THEY'VE, THEY'VE EMPTIED THIS CITY IN 24 HOURS WHEN THEY HAVE A MANDATORY EVACUATION, LESS THAN 24 HOURS EVERYBODY'S OUT.
CAUSE I KNOW AT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, CUZ I HELPED THEM EVACUATE THIS CITY ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION.
SO SINCE 2005, HURRICANE READER, 2008, HURRICANE IKE AND ALL THE OTHER HURRICANES, WE EVEN HAVE EVACUATED BEAUMONT.
UM, AND THE HURRICANE DIDN'T EVEN COME HERE, BUT WE EVACUATED BEAUMONT AND ABOUT 12 HOURS THE CITY WAS GONE.
SO THEY'RE VERY EXPERIENCED AT WHAT THEY DO AND THEY'RE VERY GOOD AT IT.
THEY WERE JUST HERE, GOT CAPTAIN OKTA AND CHECKED BACK THERE.
HE'S RIGHT THERE WITH THE TIE ON IN THE MAROON SHIRT.
BUT I JUST WANNA SAY WE'RE VERY LUCKY TO HAVE THE FOLKS THAT WE HAVE THAT ARE DOING THAT JOB.
CAUSE THEY'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR QUITE A WHILE.
THEY'VE DONE IT MANY, MANY TIMES.
THEY'RE VERY EFFICIENT AND THEY'RE VERY GOOD AT WHAT THEY DO.
FIRST, I JUST HAVE TO CONGRATULATE EMILY WHEELER AND HER STAFF ON AN INCREDIBLE OCTOBER FEST.
I DON'T THINK SHE HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE WEATHER.
BUT IT WAS A GREAT DAY AND THE, THE WAY THEY HAD THAT ORGANIZED WAS TOO PERFECTION.
AND I'D SAY THAT WE PROBABLY HAD THE BIGGEST CROWD EVER THERE.
WHEN I GOT THERE AT AT THREE O'CLOCK, IT WAS ALREADY PACKED.
I THINK THEY'RE ESTIMATING ABOUT 9,000 PEOPLE SHOWED UP.
UM, I'D LIKE TO, UH, YOU KNOW, THAT WAS ON THE HEELS OF HAVING A SHOOTING THE NIGHT BEFORE AT ROGERS PARK.
AND SO, UH, A COUPLE NIGHTS BEFORE.
AND IN THAT VEIN, I'D LIKE TO ASK THAT WE CONSIDER HAVING A WORKSHOP TO TALK ABOUT PUTTING CAMERAS IN THE PARKS, UH, THAT ARE AFFECTED BY CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR.
AS PART OF THAT, UH, WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT PROVIDE US SOME STATS, UM, YOU KNOW, AS TO WHICH PARKS ARE HAVING ISSUES.
UM, I KNOW ROGERS PARK HAS HAD NOW TWO SHOOTINGS IN THE LAST THREE OR FOUR YEARS.
SO I DO THINK WE NEED TO PUT A CAMERA OUT THERE.
UM, AND IF OTHER PARKS ARE HAVING PROBLEMS, WE NEED TO LOOK AT THAT AS WELL.
AND IF ANY COUNCIL MEMBER WILL SECOND THAT REQUEST FOR WORKSHOP, I'D APPRECIATE IT.
UM, LASTLY, I WANT TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION TO COUNCIL FOR TAKING THE NECESSARY STEP TO START DOWN THE PATH TO BRINGING THE BATTLESHIP TEXAS TO BEAUMONT.
WE MIGHT FIND THAT IT'S A SHORT PATH.
WE MIGHT FIND THAT THE OBSTACLES ARE INSURMOUNTABLE, BUT ANYTHING WORTH DOING DOESN'T NECESSARILY COME EASY AND THIS IS WORTH DOING.
THE RETURN ON OUR INVESTMENT IS POTENTIALLY LARGE.
SO THANK YOU FOR THOSE THAT SUPPORT IT AND FOR THOSE THAT DIDN'T, I HOPE YOU'LL GET BEHIND IT IF YOU SEE FIT AS WE GET MOMENTUM GOING FOR, FOR THIS.
UH, AT THE MOST RECENT CONFERENCE WE WENT TO, I NOTICED WHEN IT CAME TO CHARTER INITIATIVES AND THINGS ON THE BALLOT, OTHER CITIES HAD CHARTER COMMITTEES.
UH, IN THE PAST WE HAD SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE WE HAD THINGS ON THE BALLOT THAT MOST CITIZENS DID NOT UNDERSTAND.
AND TO MY UNDERSTANDING THAT CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, ONCE YOU GUYS PUT IT ON THE BALLOT, CUZ I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND MYSELF, ONCE YOU GUYS PUT IT ON THE BALLOT, Y'ALL NOT ABLE TO ACTUALLY EXPLAIN IT.
SO I THINK SOMETHING WE SHOULD REALLY CONSIDER IS CHARTER COMMITTEES BECAUSE WE NEED CITIZENS TO UNDERSTAND AND KNOW WHAT THEY'RE VOTING ON WHEN THEY'RE GOING THROUGH THESE THINGS IN THE BALLOT.
ANOTHER THING IS, I'VE HAD SEVERAL CITIZENS CONTACT ME ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS CURRENTLY ON THE BALLOT.
SO IF WE CAN FIGURE OUT A WAY THAT MAYBE WE CAN SET UP A MEETING IN THE COMMUNITY, MAYBE SOME OF THESE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS WOULD POSSIBLY THE CITY ATTORNEY OR SOMEBODY COULD COME SPEAK AND EXPLAIN TO THE CITIZENS SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE ON THE UPCOMING BALLOT.
CUZ I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THEY ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND.
SO IF THAT'S STILL CONSIDERED THAT THEY CAN'T EXPLAIN OR WE
[04:30:01]
CAN'T EXPLAIN.ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT FOR NOVEMBER? FOR NOVEMBER BE A COUNTY, UH, ISSUE? SO WE HAVE THREE, THREE THINGS THAT SAY CITY.
SO THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE COUNTY I WOULD THINK SO, YEAH.
SO IT'S JUST GOOD PRACTICE FOR COUNCIL, NOT TO ADVOCATE FOR AGAIN, RIGHT.
ITEMS THAT ARE ON THE BA ON THE BALLOT.
BUT AS IT RELATES TO CHARTER AMENDMENTS, THOSE ARE THINGS THAT OBVIOUSLY COUNCIL HAS APPROVED AND SET FORTH.
SO THE, THE LAW PROHIBIT ISSUE FROM NAVIGATING FOR AGAINST, THE ONLY ITEM THAT'S ON THE BALLOT, UM, THAT AFFECTS THE CITY IS THE MMD, UM, AND DISCIPLINARY DISTRICT.
AND THE ONLY INDIVIDUALS WHO CAN VOTE ON THAT ARE THE INDIVIDUALS WHO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.
WHICH, IF YOU REMEMBER, UM, THEY CAME FORTH AND PETITIONED THE COUNCIL TO UH, BE ALLOWED TO PUT TWO MOBILE HOMES IN THAT AREA.
SO THE ONLY THING THAT'S GONNA AFFECT THOSE TWO HOUSEHOLDS, WHICH TWO MOBILE HOME UNITS, I BELIEVE IS TWO INDIVIDUALS THAT LIVE THERE THAT MEET THE STATE MINIMUM REQUIREMENT TO VOTE FOR IT.
SO THAT'S NOT EVEN AN ITEM THAT THE ENTIRE CITY WILL BE VOTING ON, IT'S JUST GONNA BE THE INDIVIDUALS WHO LIVE IN THAT MUNICIPAL MANAGEMENT DISTRICT.
I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT THE REALITY IS ON THAT SAMPLE BALLOT, WHEN CITIZENS SEE IT, CUZ IT'S UNDER THAT SAMPLE BALLOT, THEY'RE CALLING US AND I JUST WANNA BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE SO THEY UNDERSTAND.
SO JUST TO EXPLAIN THE SAMPLE BALLOT FOR THE, THE COST OF PRODUCTION, THEY PRINT ONE SAMPLE BALLOT, EVEN IF YOU'RE LIKE, WHEN THEY DO AWARD ELECTIONS, EVERYONE, EVERYONE ON THAT SAMPLE BALLOT IS UP THERE, EVEN IF YOU DON'T LIVE IN THAT WARD.
SO THEY PRINT, THEY DO IT THAT WAY SO THAT WHEN THEY PASS OUT A SAMPLE BALLOT THAT A, THEY ONLY HAVE TO INCUR ONE COST, BUT THEN TWO.
SO YOU CAN SEE WHO'S ALL ON THAT BALLOT.
BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE ELIGIBLE VOTE FOR WHEN YOU GO INTO VOTE.
YOUR ACTUAL VOTING BALLOT MAY LOOK DIFFERENT BASED ON WHERE YOU LIVE BECAUSE IT WON'T COME UP IF YOU CAN'T VOTE FOR IT.
BUT THE MO THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS, LIKE WE SAID, COMMUNICATION AND WHEN THEY CALL, I WANNA BE THE ADEQUATE ANSWER.
BUT WITH THE CHARTER, I DO KNOW COUNCIL COULD NOT EXPLAIN IT.
SO IF IT IS CHARTER CHANGES IN THE FUTURE, I THINK IT'D BE WISE FOR THE COUNCIL TO ACTUALLY FORM A CHARTER COMMITTEE THAT CAN ACTUALLY NOT ADVOCATE, BUT EXPLAIN IT TO THE CITIZENS, WHAT THEY'RE ACTUALLY VOTING FOR.
C THAT LANGUAGE CAN BE FAIRLY CONFUSING WHEN THEY GO IN THERE BOOTH TO VOTE.
BUT I FEEL FOR THE MUNICIPAL MANAGE, WELL JUST IN ANY SAMPLE BALLOT, I THINK IT DOES TELL YOU THAT THIS IS JUST A GENERAL THING THAT ALL THE THINGS THAT COULD BE VOTED ON AND THAT YOU'RE PARTICULAR BALLOT COULD LOOK DIFFERENT.
SO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE CALLING AND REQUESTING THAT, IF THEY DON'T LIVE IN THAT MUNICIPAL MANAGEMENT DISTRICT, WHICH THEY, I'M SURE THAT THEY DON'T, THEN THEY'RE, THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WILL AFFECT THEM.
I GOT SEVERAL CALLS, THAT'S WHY I ASKED.
BUT AS FAR AS LIKE IF WE DO CHARTER CHANGES OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, ALL OF THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE DISCUSS AT THE MEETING, RIGHT? EVERY, EVERYTHING BEFORE IT GOES ON THE BALLOT THAT'S DISCUSSED AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING, THEY COULD EITHER COME TO THE MEETING OR THEY COULD LOOK AT IT ONLINE AND IT COULD BE EXPLAINED TO 'EM.
SO THEY JUST GIVE FOLKS MORE REASON TO EITHER COME HERE OR AT LEAST GO ONLINE AND LOOK AT IT.
CAUSE ALL THAT STUFF IS ALL THAT INFO I TELL EVERYBODY, EVERYTHING THAT YOU SEE OR ANYTHING THAT WE DISCUSS IS POSTED AHEAD OF TIME.
AND YOU COULD FIND IT BEFORE, DURING, OR AFTER, JUST HAVE TO GET PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE MORE.
AND JUST, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT FURTHERMORE, I'M JUST, IF I CAN MAKE IT ANYWAY POSSIBLE, EASY, SOMETIMES YOU GOTTA BRING IT TO 'EM.
I UNDERSTAND IT'S A FORM OF, IT COULD BE LIKE HANDICAPPING, BUT I JUST WANNA PUT THEM FOR INFORMATION OUT THERE AS MUCH AS I CAN, EVEN FOR LIKE OUR SENIORS AND SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND.
I WANNA SIMPLIFY IT AND, YOU KNOW, GO TO THE PEOPLE WITH IT.
BUT I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
COUNCIL MEMBER SHAW? NO COMMENT.
UH, IT'S GOOD TO HEAR ABOUT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND THE CONCERN FOR IT FROM THE PUBLIC, NOT JUST FROM THE PUBLIC, BUT ALSO FROM CITY COUNCIL.
HAVING SPENT ABOUT NINE YEARS IN THAT PROFESSION MYSELF, I I REALLY TAKE IT PERSONAL WITH THAT.
SO, UH, I THINK WE SHOULD BE FEEL FORTUNATE TO HAVE TIM AND, AND QUA QUE I KNEW IT.
I GOT IT RIGHT THE FIRST, TIM, I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT.
UH, AS A EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR AND DEPUTY COORDINATOR, UH, THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT YOU DON'T KNOW OR RECOGNIZE UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS
UH, FOR WHAT YOU DO AND WHAT YOU DO FOR THIS CITY, AND WE'RE APPRECIATE IT, UH, TOO.
UH, FOR PROBLEMS, UH, I ENCOURAGE CITIZENS NOT JUST TO AWAIT TO COUNCIL MEETINGS OR OTHER TO, TO, TO SUBMIT THEIR ISSUES OR, UH, PROBLEMS HERE.
FEEL FREE TO REPORT 'EM HERE AT CITY HALL, REPORT 'EM TO THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE.
UH, WE, WE TAKE A DIRECT LINE AND WE'LL ADDRESS YOUR ISSUES.
[04:35:01]
DON'T JUST SIT ON AN ISSUE OR A PROBLEM, BE SURE AND COMMUNICATE IT TO US SO WE CAN START TO WORK WITH IT AND GET THAT RESOLVED FOR YOU.UH, BECAUSE IF, IF WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT, IT'S KIND OF HARD TO FIX FOR US TO DO THAT.
AND, UH, LASTLY, THAT'S IT FOR NOW.
SHERAY, I THINK EVERYTHING HAS BEEN SAID IDI.
THE COMMENTS OF MAYOR PRO TIM DIO AS IT RELATES TO OUR FABULOUS EOC STAFF AND COUNCILMAN GETZ.
AND TO THE EVENTS THAT HAPPENED THIS SATURDAY.
UM, ME AND MY PUPPY GREATLY ENJOYED THAT.
WELL, IT'S 6 0 7 AND I'M GONNA WRAP THIS UP.
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY IT WAS A VERY, VERY EVENTFUL, UH, WEEKEND.
UM, AS COUNCIL MEMBER GETS, ALWAYS SAY, IF YOU COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING TO DO IN BEAUMONT SATURDAY, SOMETHING WAS WRONG BECAUSE I ATTENDED, UH, OCTOBER FEST, TRIED TO GET TO THE ALZHEIMER'S WALK.
THE STREET WAS SO BLOCKED OFF, I I COULDN'T NAVIGATE THROUGH AND I COULDN'T FIND A POLICE OFFICER TO LET ME THROUGH THE BARRICADE BECAUSE THEY WERE SOMEWHERE ELSE.
I HAVE NEVER SEEN THAT MANY PEOPLE.
AT OCTOBER FEST, THERE WERE CARS PARKED ALL THE WAY DOWN.
GLADYS, UM, EVERY PARKING SPACE THAT YOU COULD EVEN FIND WAS FULL.
UM, THE FOOD WAS GREAT, THE VENDORS WERE GREAT, THE STAFF WAS GREAT.
I MEAN, YOU COULDN'T ASK FOR A BETTER EVENT.
BUT AGAIN, TO EMILY AND ALL OF THE CITY, UH, STAFF, IT WAS EXCELLENT.
UM, I ATTENDED THE CHAMBER HOUSE, UH, MUSEUM, WHICH IS ON CALDER STREET.
YOU'VE PROBABLY PASSED THE HOUSE A MILLION TIMES.
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL, UH, COLONIAL TWO STORY HOUSE WITH A BIG WHITE POST, OF COURSE.
UM, THE INVITATION SAID THAT, UM, THERE WAS, I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO A BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR A LADY THAT WAS 110 YEARS OLD, AND I WOULD NOT MISS THAT FOR NOTHING IN THE WORLD.
BUT WHEN I GOT THERE, SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN 110.
AND IN HONOR OF HER 110TH BIRTHDAY, UH, THE CHAMBER HOUSE CELEBRATED BY OPENING UP THE HOUSE, ALLOWING YOU TO GO IN AND TOUR THE HOUSE.
AND THE HOUSE IS JUST AS IT WAS WHEN THEY LIVE THERE, BEAUTIFUL HOME.
SO DURING THE HOLIDAYS, IF YOU GET AN OPPORTUNITY, PLEASE GET A CHANCE TO GO BY AND VISIT.
IT HAD THE FINEST ALLIGATOR, UH, HANDBAG SITTING ON THE SOFA.
BUT THEY HAVE A QUITE UNIQUE STORY TO SISTERS THAT WAS LEFT A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS THAT THEY TURNED INTO $12 MILLION THAT THEY INVESTED AND LEARNED THE STOCK MARKET EARLY, EARLY ON.
AND SO IT WAS, UM, I REALLY ENJOYED IT, UH, BEING OUT THERE SATURDAY.
ALSO, UM, CONDOLENCES TO REVEREND VAN JORDAN.
HE WAS THE DIRECTOR OF THE HARLEY HOG CLUB, CHAPTER 49 74 AND 52 98.
UM, FUNERAL WAS, I'VE, I'VE NEVER SEEN A FUNERAL THAT BIG IN BEAUMONT.
UM, IT WAS, UH, HELD AT MY, UH, HOME CHURCH AND, UH, THEY SAID THEY NEEDED SOMEWHERE THAT THEY COULD HOLD 700 PEOPLE, BUT I THINK IT WAS MORE THAN 700 PEOPLE THERE.
AND SO CONDOLENCES, UH, A AGAIN TO, UH, THAT HARLEY CHAPTER AND ALSO TO REVEREND UH, JORDAN'S FAMILY.
ALSO, UH, ON TOMORROW, BEAUMONT SYMPHONY WILL BE CELEBRATING THEIR 75TH YEAR, UH, AT THE JULIE ROGERS THEATER ON TOMORROW.
ON LAST SUNDAY, I ATTENDED THE 150 YEAR CELEBRATION OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, WHICH IS A COUNCIL MEMBER NEIL'S, UH, HOME CHURCH, AND WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL SERVICE.
UM, HIS CURRENT PASTOR AND THE PASTOR THAT SPOKE, UH, DR.
[04:40:01]
ORIGINAL, UH, FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, WHICH IS THE TERRELL LIBRARY.UH, HE WAS LOCKED IN THE CHURCH AT FOUR YEARS OLD, BUT HE WAS ABLE TO GIVE, UH, UM, THE, THE SERVICE ON, UH, LAST SUNDAY.
BUT I REALLY ENJOYED IT, A LOT OF HISTORY IN THAT CHURCH.
AND AFTER 150 YEARS, I GUESS IT'S A LOT TO TALK ABOUT, BUT I REALLY ENJOYED ATTENDING THAT.
AND SO IT IS SIX 12 AND, UH, I GUESS THAT'S ABOUT ALL OF IT.
THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY AND BEING PATIENT AND BEING HERE.
[EXECUTIVE SESSION]
TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.