[CALL TO ORDER]
          [00:00:07]
          COME TO TODAY'S MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL. TODAY'S DATE IS TUESDAY, AUGUST 19TH, 2025. 
          TODAY'S INVOCATION WILL BE GIVEN BY CHAPLAIN TRACY MIDDLETON. ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL AND SAINT MARK'S. IF EVERYONE WOULD PLEASE SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONE. AND IF YOU SO CHOOSE, PLEASE STAND AND REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. LET US PRAY. HEAVENLY FATHER, IN YOUR WORD, YOU HAVE GIVEN US A VISION OF A HOLY CITY WHERE THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD BRING THEIR GLORY. 
          BEHOLD AND VISIT, WE PRAY THE CITIES OF THE EARTH, INCLUDING OUR CITY OF BEAUMONT. GIVE YOUR SPIRIT OF WISDOM, LOVE, AND JUSTICE TO THE MEMBERS OF OUR CITY COUNCIL. GUIDE THEM IN THEIR WORK TODAY THAT THEY MAY FAITHFULLY FULFILL THEIR ROLES AND USE THEIR AUTHORITY TO PROMOTE THE WELL-BEING OF ALL. BLESS ALL WHO LIVE AND WORK HERE IN BEAUMONT AND ALL THOSE WHO VISIT. AID US IN BUILDING AND RENEWING THE TIES OF MUTUAL REGARD THAT FORM OUR CIVIC LIFE. 
          MAY WE STRIVE TODAY TO BE GOOD NEIGHBORS THAT AT TIMES WE MAY APPROXIMATE ON EARTH THE KIND OF COMMUNITY THAT YOU MAKE PERFECT IN HEAVEN. AMEN. PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE UNITED STATES OF. LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. MAY I HAVE ROLL CALL, PLEASE? MAYOR WEST, PRESENT MAYOR PRO TEM TURNER, PRESENT. COUNCIL MEMBER PRESENT. COUNCIL MEMBER. HILLIARD. PRESENT. COUNCIL MEMBER. WILLIAMS. COUNCIL MEMBER. SHERWOOD. PRESENT AND COUNCIL MEMBER. CRENSHAW. HERE. 
          [ Communication Update]
THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. TODAY WE HAVE TWO PRESENTATIONS. FIRST, WE HAVE CITY OF BEAUMONT COMMUNICATION UPDATE. AND THAT IS WITH MISS TRACY KINNICK. GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. IN THIS WEEK'S ANNOUNCEMENTS, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 43 YEARS, THE CITY COUNCIL HAS VOTED TO HOLD A GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND ELECTION. VOTERS WILL GO TO THE POLLS NOVEMBER 4TH TO CONSIDER FIVE PROPOSITIONS TOTALING $264.1 MILLION. WE WANT TO BREAK THOSE DOWN A BIT FOR YOU. 
          CONSIDERING A HOME VALUED AT $154,000, IT'S ESTIMATED TO COST THE AVERAGE TAX CITIZEN ABOUT 1425 PER MONTH. SO PROPOSITION A WILL COVER INFRASTRUCTURE IF YOU WANT TO SWITCH TO THAT. TINA. 
          THANK YOU. THERE WE GO. INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND DRAINAGE ESTIMATED TO COST THE AVERAGE CITIZEN 314 PER MONTH. PROPOSITION B CONTAINS CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW ANIMAL CARE FACILITY, FIRE STATION, POLICE HEADQUARTERS, A MULTI-PURPOSE SPORTS AND COMMUNITY FACILITY, AND A MULTI-PURPOSE FACILITY AT ALICE KEITH PARK. IT ALSO INCLUDES IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CURRENT FACILITIES AND PUBLIC SAFETY UPGRADES. THIS PROPOSITION IS ESTIMATED TO COST THE AVERAGE CITIZEN 7.94 PER MONTH. 
          PROPOSITION C INCLUDES UPGRADES TO CITY PARKS, INCLUDING PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AND RESTROOMS, THE ATHLETIC COMPLEX ON COLLEGE STREET, AS WELL AS DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE HENRY HOMBERG GOLF COURSE AND THE BEAUMONT BOTANICAL GARDENS, WITH AN ESTIMATED COST OF $2 PER MONTH FOR THE AVERAGE HOMEOWNER. PROPOSITION D IS RIVERFRONT PARKS EXPANSION, ENHANCING THE RIVERFRONT AREA WITH NEW FAMILY FOCUSED AMENITIES. IT'S ESTIMATED AT ABOUT $0.67 PER MONTH FOR THE AVERAGE HOMEOWNER, AND PROPOSITION E EXTENSION OF POINT PARKWAY FROM NORTHWEST PARKWAY TO STATE HIGHWAY 105, ESTIMATED TO COST THE AVERAGE CITIZEN ABOUT $0.48 PER MONTH. 
          WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT ALL THE VOTERS ARE INFORMED ABOUT EACH PROPOSITION BEFORE HEADING TO THE POLLS, AS WELL AS THE VENUE TAX. THAT WOULD ADD A 2% TAX TO OUT OF OUT OF THE AREA VISITORS TO OUR HOTELS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, YOU CAN VISIT BEAUMONT.COM OR BEAUMONT, TEXAS GOV BOND. AND WE ALSO HAVE AN ONLINE CALCULATOR THERE AVAILABLE FOR THE CITY'S WEBSITE FACEBOOK PAGE, SO YOU CAN EASILY ESTIMATE HOW MUCH EACH OF THESE PROPOSITIONS WOULD POTENTIALLY AFFECT YOUR INDIVIDUAL FAMILY BASED ON YOUR HOME VALUE. AND ON TO THE NEXT THING. NOW YOU'RE INVITED TO OUR BACK TO SCHOOL BASH ALONG THE RIVER AS WE CELEBRATE THE OFFICIAL GRAND REOPENING OF BEAUMONT'S RIVERFRONT PARK, WE INVITE EVERYONE TO JOIN US FOR THE RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY THIS THURSDAY, AUGUST 21ST AT 5:30 P.M. WE'LL HAVE LIVE MUSIC, 
          [00:05:02]
LOCAL FOOD TRUCKS, FREE SWEET TEA AND ICE CREAM FOR THE FIRST 100 GUESTS FOR SALE AFTER THAT, AND WE HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE THIS THURSDAY ALONG THE RIVERFRONT WITH BACK TO SCHOOL IN SESSION. 
          WE WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE TO STAY ALERT AND SLOW DOWN. NEVER USE YOUR CELL PHONES IN SCHOOL ZONES. REMEMBER TO STOP FOR SCHOOL BUSSES WITH FLASHING LIGHTS AND PAY ATTENTION TO STUDENTS CROSSING THE STREET. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR STUDENTS ARE SAFE. JOIN US FOR THE NATIONWIDE CLEAR THE SHELTER EVENT THROUGH THE END OF AUGUST. BEAUMONT ANIMAL CARE IS OVER CAPACITY, SO ADOPTION FEES ARE JUST $20 AND THAT INCLUDES SPAY NEUTER, MICROCHIP VACCINES, FLEA PREVENTION, AND DE-WORMER. SO IT'S A GREAT DEAL. GO BY AND GET ONE OF THESE SWEET PETS A FOREVER HOME. AND FINALLY, GET READY TO EXPLORE, CREATE, AND CONNECT WITH THE WITH NATURE AT THE NATURE EXPLORERS EXTRAVAGANZA. YOU WANT TO JOIN US? SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH FROM 9 A.M. TO 2 P.M. AT THE PARK NATURE AND VISITOR CENTER FOR A FREE, FAMILY FRIENDLY CELEBRATION OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS WETLANDS AND WILDLIFE. ENJOY FREE CRAFTS, GAMES, FACE PAINTING, YOGA, FOOD TRUCKS AND HANDS ON NATURE FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY. AND THAT'S ALL FOR THIS WEEK'S ANNOUNCEMENTS. THANK YOU MA'AM. AND LASTLY, WE HAVE A PRESENTATION HIGHLIGHTING 
          [ Permitting Process and Public Outreach Overview]
PERMITTING, PROCESS AND PUBLIC OUTREACH OVERVIEW. AND THIS IS PRESENTED BY BY BO HANSON, CITY OF BEAUMONT DEPUTY BUILDING OFFICIAL. GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR. THANKS FOR HAVING ME. COUNCIL. 
          GLAD TO BE HERE WITH YOU GUYS. AND COUNCILMAN SHERWOOD, THIS COUNCIL HAS ASKED US TO WORK ON DEVELOPING A NEW COMMITTEE TO EVALUATE OUR PERMITTING PROCESS. AND SO THIS PRESENTATION IS TO SHARE SOME OF THE EXISTING OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT AROUND OUR EXISTING PROCESS. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. SO BEFORE GETTING INTO OUR COMMUNICATION AND ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY, I WANT TO QUICKLY HIGHLIGHT THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE, SPECIFICALLY HERE IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS. BUT REALLY MOST PLACES FOR THAT MATTER, AS I'M SURE YOU KNOW, THERE ARE THREE BASIC CONSIDERATIONS HERE. FEDERAL REGULATIONS ESTABLISH NATIONWIDE STANDARDS, SUCH AS FEMA'S DISASTER RESILIENCE REQUIREMENTS THAT APPLY REGARDLESS OF LOCATION. SO NO MATTER HOW RURAL YOU ARE, THESE STANDARDS ARE STILL OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE. TEXAS SPECIFICALLY, HAS ADOPTED A MINIMUM STANDARD OF CODES AND REGULATIONS THAT ARE TAILORED TO OUR REGIONAL AREA. FOR INSTANCE, STATEWIDE, TEXAS HAS ADOPTED NEARLY ALL OF THE SAME INDUSTRY STANDARDS AS WE HAVE HERE IN BEAUMONT. SO HYPOTHETICALLY, IF WE ADOPTED NOTHING, BUILDERS WOULD STILL FALL UNDER STATE LAW. THIS IS TRUE GOING BACK AS FAR AS 2001 AND THE SENATE BILL 365, WHERE THE STATE OF TEXAS MANDATED A MINIMUM STANDARD OF CONSTRUCTION. AND SINCE THEN, THERE HAS BEEN A CONSISTENT ADOPTION OF CODES ON A STATE LEVEL, STATE LEVEL FOR THE ENTIRE STATE TO FOLLOW. THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT SIMPLY DON'T REALIZE THAT. AND SO JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE BUILDING IN A RURAL AREA DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE CODE DOESN'T EXIST. IT JUST MEANS THAT THERE'S NO ONE THERE TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE. LOCALLY, WE FOLLOW BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATION. AND THEN IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE ADOPT OUR OWN ORDINANCES FOR TWO KEY REASONS. FIRST, SOUTHEAST TEXAS STANDARDS ARE DIFFERENT THAN WEST TEXAS STANDARDS. AS AN OBVIOUS EXAMPLE. MOST NOTABLY, OUR SOILS ARE DIFFERENT, THE WIND SPEEDS ARE DIFFERENT, AND THE CODE ENSURES QUALITY AND RESILIENCY STANDARDS ARE UPHELD AND OUR UNIQUE CLIMATE. THE SECOND REASON IS THAT IT BENEFITS. WE'RE ABLE TO PASS THESE BENEFITS ON TO THE CITIZENS DIRECTLY. NOT ONLY ARE WE FIGHTING TO PROTECT THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY, BUT EVEN BEYOND THE AND EVEN BEYOND THE DESIRE TO FOR OUR CITIZENS AND TO PROTECT OUR CITIZENS FROM CONTRACTORS CUTTING CORNERS. EXCUSE ME, BUT WITH INSURANCE RATES LARGELY IMPACTED BY ADOPTING THE NEWEST INDUSTRY STANDARDS, WE ARE ABLE TO REDUCE THE PRICE OF INSURANCE PREMIUMS FOR BEAUMONT RESIDENTS. 
          I BELIEVE I'VE SHARED THIS INFORMATION WITH YOU BEFORE, SO THE ARGUMENT IS THAT CODES MAY SAVE MONEY ON INSURANCE, BUT IT'S DRIVING UP THE COST OF PERMITTING AND PRICING PEOPLE OUT OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS ALTOGETHER. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HEAR REGULARLY. SO I WANT YOU TO HAVE SOME ACCURATE DATA WHEN YOU HEAR THIS ARGUMENT. ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, PERMIT FEES AMOUNT TO HALF A PERCENT TO 2% OF TOTAL CONSTRUCTION COST. IN BEAUMONT, SPECIFICALLY, A NEW 2500 SQUARE FOOT HOME WILL COST YOU ROUGHLY $375,000 IF YOU BUILD IT AT 150 FOOT, THE PERMIT OF THAT HOUSE WILL COST ROUGHLY $1,250. THIS IS 0.33% OF THE TOTAL CONSTRUCTION COST. ADDITIONALLY, ACROSS MULTIPLE SOURCES, THE CONSENSUS IS CLEAR THAT MATERIAL COST IN CONSTRUCTION HAVE INCREASED ROUGHLY 40% OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS ALONE. SO THERE IS A VERY REAL STRAIN ON THE INDUSTRY. IN FACT, THAT STRAIN IS ONE OF THE REASONS I'M NO LONGER IN THE GENERAL CONTRACTING WORLD AND GET TO WORK HERE. SO IT'S A TOUGH IT'S TOUGH BEING A GENERAL CONTRACTOR AND ONE I PERSONALLY EMPATHIZE WITH. BUT PERMITTING IS NOT THE REASON FOR THIS STRAIN. AND ALL OF THESE REGULATIONS FEDERAL, STATE AND 
          [00:10:03]
LOCAL. THE BIGGEST PAIN POINT IS BEING DELAYED OR PENALIZED IN THE FIELD. ONCE A CONTRACTOR ALREADY HAS A PERMIT. WE RECOGNIZE THAT IF I COULD PUT MY FINGER ON ONE THING, IT WOULD BE THAT PAIN POINT RIGHT THERE. AND THIS PRESENTATION AIMS TO ANSWER BOTH WHAT WE HAVE EXISTING AND WHAT WE'RE AIMING TO DO TO HELP COME ALONGSIDE CONTRACTORS. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. SO A QUICK NOTE ON COMMITTEES I WANT TO BRING FIVE OF THEM TO YOUR ATTENTION. FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, WHEN IT COMES TO THE CONTRACTORS WORLD, WE ARE A PART OF THEIR THING. I'M GOING TO GET TO OUR THING IN A MINUTE, BUT WE BELIEVE HAVING A SEAT AT THEIR TABLE AND INTERACTING AND LEARNING FROM THEM IN THEIR MEETINGS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT WE CAN DO AS A BUILDING CODES DEPARTMENT, REGULARLY AND OFTEN MONTHLY. WE ARE SITTING DOWN WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE HOMEBUILDERS ASSOCIATION AND THE ASSOCIATION OF GENERAL CONTRACTORS TO BETTER PARTNER AND WORK WITH THE CONTRACTORS IN OUR AREA. SECOND IS OUR OUR ADOPTION PROCESS IS COMPLETELY INTERACTIVE WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND LOCAL PROFESSIONALS. NOT ONLY DO WE PRESENT AND RECEIVE FEEDBACK AT THE HBA AND AGC, BUT WE ALSO HOST OUR OWN TOWN HALL. THE LAST ONE THAT WE HAD WAS AT THE EVENT CENTER, WHERE WE WALKED THROUGH WHAT WE WERE LOOKING AT ADOPTING AND WHY WE WERE CONSIDERING CERTAIN AMENDMENTS IN BEAUMONT. WE NEVER MAKE THESE DECISIONS IN A VACUUM, AND WE INVITE FEEDBACK AND REMAIN TRANSPARENT THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS. AND THEN THIRD, I WANT YOU TO KNOW COUNCIL HAS APPOINTED A BOARD OF APPEALS, WHICH IS THE PRESCRIBED METHOD WITHIN OUR CODE TO APPEAL ANY DECISION IN BEAUMONT AND REALLY ANYWHERE FOR THAT MATTER. 
          SO IF SOMEONE EVER DISAGREES WITH ANY CODE RELATED ISSUES IN BEAUMONT AND THEY BRING IT TO YOU, I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS BOARD BECAUSE IT IS SPECIFICALLY THERE FOR THEM. 
          AND THEN THE FOURTH AND FIFTH ARE MAYBE THE MOST IMPORTANT, THOUGH. THE FOURTH IS WHAT WE ARE DOING TO STRENGTHEN CONSISTENCY ACROSS JURISDICTIONAL LINES. SO YOU HAVE BUILDING OFFICIALS, INSPECTORS, ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS AND EVEN CONTRACTORS COMING TOGETHER UNDER THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE INSPECTORS ASSOCIATION TO IMPROVE OUR AREA AS A WHOLE. 
          IT'S NO SECRET THAT THERE IS LESS AND SOMETIMES ZERO ENFORCEMENT OUTSIDE OF BEAUMONT. 
          SO THE QUESTION ISN'T HOW CAN WE LOWER OUR STANDARDS IN BEAUMONT TO BE LIKE THE SMALL RURAL COMMUNITIES? THE QUESTION IS, HOW CAN BEAUMONT AND THE OTHER LARGER MUNICIPALITIES SERVE THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES WITH FEW PERSONNEL TO MAKE THE WHOLE AREA SAFER? AND THAT'S WHY THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE INSPECTORS ASSOCIATION EXISTS. SO IF THE FOURTH IS TO ESTABLISH CONSISTENCY AMONGST MUNICIPALITIES, THEN THE FIFTH IS TO ESTABLISH CONSISTENCY FOR THE LOCAL CONTRACTORS. AND I'M VERY EXCITED TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT LATER IN THE PRESENTATION, IF YOU'LL ALLOW ME. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. SO I ALREADY MENTIONED THE TOWN HALL. AND JUST TO CLARIFY, WE DO THIS EVERY FIVE YEARS. THE NEXT SCHEDULED ADOPTION FOR US CODES AND AMENDMENTS WILL LIKELY BE LATE 2027 OR EARLY 2028. SO IN THE MEANTIME, WE'RE NOT JUST WAITING ON THAT TO HAPPEN. WE HOST EDUCATIONAL EVENTS ON SPECIFIC, SPECIFIC TOPICS THAT OUR COMMUNITY WANTS TO DIVE DEEPER ON. THE ONE WE DID JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO WAS ON TINY HOMES, AND IT WAS A GREAT INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP WITH LOCAL DEVELOPERS WHERE WE COULD HEAR FROM THEM AND WORK TOGETHER OF HOW TO MAKE THESE MORE, MORE REALISTIC. IN BEAUMONT, WE ALSO STRIVE TO SHARE HELPFUL INFORMATION ON FACEBOOK AND CAN EVEN SEND TARGETED EMAILS IF THERE IS AN INDUSTRY SPECIFIC CHANGE. SO AS AN EXAMPLE, IF THERE ARE ELECTRICAL UPDATES ON A STATE LEVEL, WE CAN TARGET ALL ELECTRICIANS IN OUR AREA THAT ARE PULLING PERMITS AND UPDATE THEM WITH THAT INFORMATION. AND THEN I ALREADY MENTIONED THE IMPORTANCE OF PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE LOCAL CONTRACTORS AND THEIR ORGANIZATIONS. BUT THIS IS OUR GENERAL STRATEGY. BUT IT STILL DOESN'T QUITE COVER EVERYTHING. AND I'M GOING TO COVER THAT IN THE NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. SO FROM HERE WE REALLY NEED TO CONSIDER HOW DIFFERENT A COMMERCIAL JOB IS FROM A RESIDENTIAL JOB. IF I WERE TO GUESS, I WOULD IMAGINE THAT WHEN YOU GUYS GET COMPLAINTS, IT'S BROADLY ON THE PERMITTING DEPARTMENT. AND THIS IS A VISUAL OF WHAT THAT DEPARTMENT CONSISTS OF. YOU'VE GOT PLANNING AND ZONING, YOU'VE GOT ENGINEERING, YOU HAVE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, YOU HAVE WATER, UTILITIES, HEALTH, QUALITY CONTROL, BUILDING CODES. AND TO BE HONEST, EVEN A COUPLE OF EXTERNAL ENTITIES ARE SOMETIMES LUMPED IN WITH BEAUMONT PERMITTING. AND THAT'S A LOT TO NAVIGATE FOR ANYBODY. SO FOR THIS REASON, I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU GUYS KNOW ABOUT OUR PREDEVELOPMENT MEETINGS THAT WE HOST EVERY THURSDAY FOR FREE FOR CONTRACTORS. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. 
          AND IF THERE'S ONE THING I WANT CITIZENS TO KNOW ABOUT, IT IS OUR PREDEVELOPMENT MEETING. 
          WHETHER YOU ARE A LONGTIME CONTRACTOR OR YOU'RE A CITIZEN WHO IS OPENING UP THAT NEW BUSINESS THAT YOU'VE BEEN SO EXCITED ABOUT OPENING UP, COME AND MEET WITH US. WE OFFER FREE PREDEVELOPMENT MEETINGS EVERY THURSDAY WHERE ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS ARE IN ONE ROOM TOGETHER, FIRES THEIR PLANNING AND ZONING THEIR ENGINEERING'S THEIR QUALITY CONTROL IS THERE. 
          THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S THERE, BUILDING CODES IS THERE. AND THAT MEETING IS SO IMPORTANT BECAUSE, AGAIN, KNOWING WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU BEFORE YOUR JOB BEGINS IS GOING TO SAVE YOU BOTH TIME AND MONEY WHEN YOU HIT THE GROUND RUNNING. AND THAT'S OUR GOAL AS A DEPARTMENT. SO THANKS 
          [00:15:04]
TO OUR COMMUNICATIONS TEAM, WE'VE WORKED WITH THEM OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS TO HELP IMPROVE SOME OF OUR MATERIAL THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE. THAT'S ONE OF THE VIDEOS THAT WE PRODUCE WITH THEM TO LET CITIZENS KNOW ABOUT OUR PREDEVELOPMENT MEETINGS. YOU ALL KNOW AS WELL AS I DO. GETTING EVERYONE IN THE ROOM IN ONE ROOM IS ALWAYS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO DO BUSINESS, AND THAT'S WHY WE DO THIS, FOR CONTRACTORS TO MEET WITH US BEFORE THEY GO TO PERMIT, TO HELP THEM NOT ONLY FLY THROUGH THAT PROCESS, BUT ALSO THE JOB AS A WHOLE. YES, SAFETY, PROPERTY PROTECTION AND HEALTH IS OUR ULTIMATE GOAL WITH OUR CITIZENS, BUT WE ARE THINKING OF THE CONTRACTORS TOO, AND DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE TIME TO DISCUSS A PROJECT BEFORE IT BEGINS. SHOW OF HANDS. HOW MANY OF YOU GUYS HATE DEALING WITH AN AUTOMATED PHONE SYSTEM? WHEN YOU CALL A LARGE COMPANY? ANYBODY? SO ONE OF THE THINGS THEY GET AT THIS MEETING IS A CONTACT SHEET OF A REAL PERSON FROM ALL THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS, EVEN TEX-DOT AND SIX ARE ON ARE ON THIS SHEET. AND THAT ONE SHEET MIGHT BE THE MOST BENEFICIAL THING THAT WE CAN GIVE TO CONTRACTORS AND DEVELOPERS. A REAL PERSON TO TALK TO WHEN THEY CALL AND ASK FOR A SPECIFIC DEPARTMENT. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. THIS IS A SCREENSHOT OF WHAT WE CALL OUR PERMITTING PORTAL. AND YOU HAVE THE PERMIT NUMBER AT THE TOP. YOU CAN SEE IT'S A NEW COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT. THERE. ON THE UPPER LEFT HAND CIRCLE. AND ON THE RIGHT IS BASICALLY A STEP BY STEP CHECKLIST THAT EVERY CONTRACTOR HAS ON ANY GIVEN PERMITTED PROJECT WHERE THEY CAN KEEP UP WITH IT IN REAL TIME. AND ONE KEY NOTE FOR THIS SLIDE THAT I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU KNOW ABOUT, BEAUMONT OFTEN GETS THE FIRST PLAN REVIEW DONE IN UNDER TWO WEEKS. THAT MEANS ALL DEPARTMENTS THAT I JUST COVERED IN THE PREVIOUS SLIDE, LOOKING AT THE PLANS AND OUR CLERKS ISSUING THE PERMIT. IF YOU HAVE A MAGNIFYING GLASS, YOU MIGHT SEE THE LITTLE COMMENT BUBBLES NEXT TO EACH TASK THERE ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE. THOSE BUBBLES ALLOW US TO COMMENT ANY CONCERNS OR NOTE NOTES QUICKLY TO THE APPLICANT THAT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO 24 SEVEN, NO MATTER WHERE THEY ARE, IF THEY'RE ON THE JOB, IF THEY'RE IN THEIR OFFICE, OR IF THEY'RE ON THEIR COUCH AT HOME, THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THIS PORTAL 24 OVER SEVEN ON THEIR MOBILE DEVICE. AND THEY ALSO GET AN EMAIL WITH ALL OF THIS INFORMATION IN REAL TIME. AND ONE OF THE REOCCURRING CALLS THAT I GET IS THAT THE REVIEW PROCESS IS TAKING TOO LONG. SO I ASK THEM, HAVE YOU CHECKED YOUR PERMIT? AND NINE TIMES OUT OF TEN THEY SAY NO. AND IT TURNS OUT WE LET THEM KNOW WEEKS BEFORE THAT. WE NEED ONE SMALL THING AND THEY NEVER EITHER LOGGED IN OR CHECKED THEIR EMAIL TO SEE WHAT WE WERE ASKING OF THEM. AND SO IT SITS THERE, LYING DORMANT. SO IF I COULD, IF YOU COULD HELP US ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO SIMPLY LOG INTO THEIR PORTAL, THAT'S ONE OF THE QUICKEST WAYS WE CAN GET COMMUNICATION OUT TO CONTRACTORS. AGAIN, THIS IS GOING TO THEIR MOBILE DEVICES, WHEREVER THEY ARE IN REAL TIME, EVEN FOR INSPECTIONS. IF AN INSPECTION PASSES OR FAILS, THEY GET AUTOMATICALLY UPDATED IN THEIR PORTAL IF THEY LOG IN. THE OTHER THING IS HOW LONG WE TAKE. AND AGAIN, I WANT YOU ALL TO HAVE ACCURATE DATA WHEN YOU GET THESE CALLS. I HEAR REGULARLY THAT A JOB IN LARGER MUNICIPALITIES CAN TAKE UP TO SIX MONTHS OR LONGER JUST TO GET A PERMIT, AND THAT'S HORRIBLE. 
          AS A RESPONSE TO THIS, TEXAS HAS ADOPTED A LAW THAT STATES MUNICIPALITIES ARE REQUIRED TO REVIEW PLANS WITHIN 15 DAYS OR LESS. BUT AGAIN, I'M PLEASED TO REPORT THAT WE'RE TYPICALLY WELL UNDER THAT THRESHOLD, ESPECIALLY WITH RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS. WE CAN SOMETIMES TURN THOSE PERMITS OUT IN 1 TO 2 DAYS. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. IF YOU NOTICE, THIS IS THE RESIDENTIAL PERMITTING DEPARTMENT, SIMILAR TO THE COMMERCIAL PERMITTING DEPARTMEN. AND SIGNIFICANTLY LESS ACTUAL DEPARTMENTS ARE INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS, THUS MAKING IT A MUCH SIMPLER PROCESS TO NAVIGATE. SO HERE'S THE VISUAL I REALLY WANT TO SET UP WELL FOR YOU GUYS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. ANYONE CAN BE A GENERAL CONTRACTOR TOMORROW IF THEY CHOOSE TO BE. THERE IS NO TEST, NO LICENSE, NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED IN BEAUMONT. WE DO REQUIRE A $25,000 CONTRACTOR'S BOND, BUT THAT ESSENTIALLY IS THE REGISTRATION PROCESS TO BUILD ANYTHING YOU WANT IN BEAUMONT. YOU CAN FLIP A HOUSE, YOU CAN BUILD $1 MILLION CUSTOM, YOU CAN BUILD A POOL IF YOU WANT TO. YOU CAN BUILD OUT AN OFFICE SPACE. AND ONE OF OUR HISTORIC DOWNTOWN BEAUMONT BUILDINGS. YOU CAN BUILD A STATE OF THE ART COMMERCIAL PROJECT. THERE IS ZERO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. SO OFTEN WHAT WE SEE WITH OUR FRIENDS WHO HAVE SOME SUCCESS IN THE RESIDENTIAL WORLD DEALING WITH 1 TO 3 PEOPLE, THEY SLOWLY MIGRATE INTO THE COMMERCIAL WORLD. AND THAT'S REALLY WHERE THE BIGGEST PAIN POINT EXISTS, BECAUSE ALL OF THE SUDDEN THEY ARE BEING HIT WITH THINGS THAT THEY NEVER HAD TO DEAL WITH. AND IT CAN BE A VERY, EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING PROCESS. THINGS LIKE A TRAFFIC IMPACT STUDY, LANDSCAPING ORDINANCE, POOL INSPECTIONS, FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS, GREASE TRAP REQUIREMENTS, THINGS THEY NEVER HAD TO DEAL WITH IN THE RESIDENTIAL WORLD. YOU WILL NOT MEET SOMEONE MORE PRO ENTREPRENEUR THAN MYSELF. HOWEVER, I REGULARLY WATCH ALL OF THESE ITEMS GET LEARNED ON THE FLY IN REAL TIME AFTER A CONTRACTOR HAS ALREADY COMMITTED TO THE JOB AND GOT THE PERMIT. THIS IS THE BIGGEST PAIN POINT I CAN BRING BEFORE YOU TODAY. SO 
          [00:20:05]
THE QUESTION IS WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT IT? I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. WE RECOGNIZE THAT WE HAVE GOT TO DO A BETTER JOB OF COMMUNICATING UPSTREAM TO SOLVE DOWNSTREAM PROBLEMS. SO IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE INSPECTORS ASSOCIATION, THE ASSOCIATION OF GENERAL CONTRACTORS AND THE HOMEBUILDERS ASSOCIATION, WE ARE ALREADY WORKING WORKSHOPPING WHAT A CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION COULD LOOK LIKE. AND TO BE CLEAR, WE ARE NOT ROLLING THIS OUT TOMORROW, BUT WE ARE SEEKING INPUT FROM ALL THE NECESSARY STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING THE CONTRACTORS THEMSELVES, TO CREATE SOMETHING THAT HELPS ALLEVIATE THIS PAIN POINT THAT I JUST BROUGHT UP. AND OH, BY THE WAY, AS WE THINK THROUGH THIS ON A REGIONAL, MORE SOUTHEAST TEXAS LEVEL, NOT JUST A BEAUMONT THING, THIS HELPS US COME ALONGSIDE OUR SMALL NEIGHBORING MUNICIPALITIES, WHO ARE OFTEN FALLING VICTIM TO THE FLY BY NIGHT CONTRACTORS. WE NOT ONLY SEE IT AS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP THEM IN ANY WAY WE CAN, BUT ALSO SEE THIS AS A GREAT MECHANISM TO DO SO. SO WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE PRACTICALLY? IT WOULD BE AN ANNUAL TOUCH WITH ANYONE ACTING AS A GENERAL CONTRACTOR, WHERE WE GIVE THEM ALL THE ANSWERS THEY NEED TO NAVIGATE WHAT MANY CALL RED TAPE. THIS IS NOT A TEST FOR COMPETENCY. IT'S AN ANSWER SHEET BEFORE THEY BEGIN THE TEST. THAT'S THE BEST WAY I CAN DESCRIBE IT. AS AN EXAMPLE. THIS CAN BE ACHIEVED AS A WORKSHOP AND A MONTHLY HOMEBUILDERS ASSOCIATION MEETING, SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO ATTEND ANOTHER CLASS. THEY'RE ALREADY AT THOSE MEETINGS. OR THIS CAN BE ACHIEVED IN OUR ALREADY EXISTING PRE-DEVELOPMENT MEETING. MEANING IF YOU ARE PRIMARILY A RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR, YOU HAVE TO ATTEND A PRE-DEVELOPMENT MEETING ON A COMMERCIAL PROJECT BEFORE YOU BEGIN FOR THEIR BENEFIT. AND LASTLY, WE WOULD HAVE A WEEKLY MEETING ESTABLISHED FOR ANYONE WHO MAY HAVE MISSED THE FIRST TWO OPTIONS AND NEEDS TO REGISTER FOR A DIFFERENT TYPE OF JOB QUICKLY OR ON THE FLY. MAYBE THAT'S A HOUSTON CONTRACTOR COMING IN, AND THEY HAVEN'T BEEN A PART OF THOSE EXISTING MEETINGS OR THOSE PREDETERMINED MEETINGS. WE'VE WORKSHOPPED THIS IDEA WITH SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS AND HAVE RECEIVED ZERO NEGATIVE FEEDBACK FROM THE ORGANIZATIONS WE'VE SPOKEN WITH. IN FACT, SINCE FIRST BRINGING IT UP, I'VE HAD MANY OF OUR LOCAL GCS FOLLOW UP WITH ME EAGER TO IMPLEMENT THIS. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COULD BENEFIT EVERYONE, AND WE SHOULD HAVE A MORE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO PRESENT IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. SO AS I WRAP UP, I WANT TO NOTE THAT WE ARE REGULARLY WORKING WITH OUR INSPECTOR TEAM TO RAISE THE BAR THROUGH TRAINING. IT'S MY BELIEF THAT WHEN IT COMES TO DEVELOPMENT, THERE IS NOT A MORE FORWARD FACING PERSON PERSON THAN OUR INSPECTOR TEAM. THEY ARE THE ONES WHO ARE CONSISTENTLY WALKING ALONGSIDE DEVELOPERS AND CONTRACTORS TO BUILD A BETTER BEAUMONT. I PREACH THIS AND THEY BELIEVE THIS. IT'S SOMETHING WE TALK ABOUT REGULARLY. PEOPLE DO NOT CARE HOW MUCH WE KNOW UNTIL THEY KNOW HOW MUCH WE CARE. AND SO WE LISTEN. WE WALK ALONGSIDE THEM. BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE ARE THERE TO PROTECT OUR CITIZENS BY ENSURING SAFETY IN ALL OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT. I'M EXTREMELY PROUD OF THE TEAM. 
          THROUGH THE INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL, OUR STAFF MAKES UP THE MOST CREDENTIALED TEAM IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS. THERE ARE NINE OF US HOLDING A TOTAL OF 32 CERTIFICATES IN BUILDING SAFETY. 
          IT'S SOMETHING WE TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY AND TRAIN ON REGULARLY. CERTIFICATES ARE GREAT, CERTIFICATIONS ARE GREAT, BUT I THINK YOU WOULD AGREE THAT CONSISTENCY IS EVEN BETTER. AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE IMPLEMENTED IN THE LAST YEAR IS ROTATING INSPECTORS ACROSS TOWN TO ENSURE THAT IF THERE ARE INCONSISTENCIES IN BEAUMONT, THAT THEY'RE MADE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. THERE USED TO BE AN INSPECTOR FOR THE NORTH AND AN INSPECTOR FOR THE SOUTH, BUT NOW THEY ROTATE PERIODICALLY AND WE'VE GOTTEN BETTER BECAUSE OF IT. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. THE LAST THING I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU IS HOW TO SUBMIT FEEDBACK OR APPEAL. ONE OF THE DECISIONS IN THE BUILDING CODE DEPARTMENT. I'VE ALREADY MENTIONED THE BOARD OF APPEALS, BUT AGAIN, PLEASE MAKE SURE TO LET ANYONE KNOW WHO CALLS THAT THIS IS THEIR RIGHT. BY LAW, WE ARE A DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC EVEN IN THE BUILDING CODE. NEXT, WE HAVE AN ANONYMOUS FEEDBACK FORM RIGHT NEXT TO THE PERMITTING PORTAL ON OUR WEBSITE. IF EVERYONE IF ANYONE EVER NEEDS TO SUBMIT SOMETHING AND THEY WANT TO STAY ANONYMOUS THROUGH THE PROCESS. AND THEN LAST, HELP US ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO JOIN THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE INSPECTORS ASSOCIATION. THIS IS A GREAT PLACE TO GET TO KNOW INSPECTORS FROM ALL OVER THE AREA, AND EVEN GET INVOLVED IN SHAPING FUTURE REGULATION. IT'S ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THIS THAT CAN FORMALLY TAKE THINGS UP THE CHAIN AND CONTINUE TO IMPROVE INDUSTRY STANDARDS FOR ALL OF US. WE NEED MORE VOICES IN THAT PROCESS. SO AGAIN, PLEASE ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO GET INVOLVED IN THAT PROCESS. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM THEM. WE AGREE THAT OUR CODES, OUR AMENDMENTS AND EVEN OUR PERMITTING PROCESS SHOULD BE REVIEWED REGULARLY, AND WE HOPE THIS PRESENTATION HELPS YOU POINT PEOPLE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO GET INVOLVED IN THAT VERY PROCESS. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME TODAY. DEMI, DID YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING TO THAT? I DID THANK YOU. BEAU, I WANT TO ADD A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO COUNCILMAN HILLIARD FOR HIGHLIGHTING THE NEED FOR US TO REALLY DIVE INTO OUR PERMITTING PROCESS AND OUR PUBLIC OUTREACH. 
          [00:25:02]
I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE ARE MAKING ACTIVE AMENDMENTS TO OUR CHAPTER 24, WHICH IS OUR BUILDING CODES. WE'RE HOPEFUL TO BRING THAT TO YOU GUYS AND WORKSHOP IT WITHIN THE MONTH. 
          ALSO, I WANTED TO KNOW IF IT'S OKAY WITH THIS COUNCIL RATHER THAN DEVELOPING A COMMITTEE. IF WE COULD HOST QUARTERLY TOWN HALL MEETINGS WHERE WE INVITE EVERY DEVELOPER THAT IS WITHIN OUR PERMITTING DATABASE, AND ALSO DO SOCIAL MEDIA BLASTS TO PROMOTE THE TO PROMOTE THE MEETINGS THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE. MAINLY, I WANT US TO BE ABLE TO HIGHLIGHT A CERTAIN INDUSTRY TRENDS OR ALSO AT THE END OF IT, BE ABLE TO SET UP WHERE DEVELOPERS CAN GO TO PERMITTING THE PERMITTING DEPARTMENT AS HIGHLIGHTED ON THERE, WHICH WILL HAVE ENGINEERING, PLANNING AND ZONING, BUILDING CODES, ALL OF THE ENTITIES ASIDE FROM HOPEFULLY WE'LL INVITE DD SIX AND TEXDOT IF THEY'D LIKE TO ATTEND, BUT IF THEY DON'T, THAT'S OKAY TOO. WE ALWAYS HAVE THEIR CONTACT, BUT BE ABLE TO HAVE DEVELOPERS GO AND TALK TO US DIRECTLY TO TALK ABOUT EITHER THEIR PROJECTS, ANY DEVELOPMENTS THEY WANT TO DO. ALSO, LIKE ANY PROCESSES THAT THAT WE HAVE, OR MAYBE THERE'S PAIN POINTS THAT THEY'RE SEEING IN THE FIELD THAT WE CAN ADDRESS IMMEDIATELY. WE ALSO CAN BE CONTACTED AT ANY POINT IN TIME TO REVIEW ANY OF THESE PROCESSES. SO THAT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT I WANTED TO PUT OUT THERE IF YOU GUYS ARE OKAY WITH IT. BUT OF COURSE I WILL. WE WILL CARRY OUT THE COUNCIL'S WISH ON THAT. AND THANK YOU BOTH AGAIN. THAT WAS A GREAT PRESENTATION. THANK YOU BOTH. THAT WAS THAT WAS VERY GOOD. 
          COUNCILMAN HILLIARD. YEAH, I WANT TO COMMEND YOU. THANK YOU FOR THAT. AND THE REASON THAT I'M CALLING FOR A COMMITTEE IS, IS, IS TO GIVE YOU A FRESH SET OF EYES AND, YOU KNOW, FOR THIS COMMITTEE TO MEET ONCE A MONTH AND IT'S ELECTRICIANS, PLUMBERS, IT'S DEVELOPERS, IT'S CONTRACTORS, THINGS THAT THEY SEE THAT MAYBE YOU DON'T SEE OR MAYBE, YOU KNOW, IN A LOT OF CASES YOU'VE GOT MORE WORK THAN YOU HAVE PEOPLE TO DO IT WHICH WHICH CAN BOG YOU DOWN. AND SO HAVING A, A COMMITTEE OF PEOPLE THAT ACTUALLY DO THIS, WE CAN SHOW THAT WE'RE OPEN, WE'RE PUTTING THE OPEN SIGN BACK BACK ON. AND, YOU KNOW, I WANT TO COMMEND YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU'RE DOING AND THE STEPS THAT YOU'RE TAKING. BUT I THINK THE NEXT STEP WOULD BE TO GET THESE PROFESSIONALS IN HERE TOGETHER TO SAY, HEY, WE KNOW WE KNOW A BETTER WAY. WE KNOW A DIFFERENT WAY. OR MAYBE THERE'S SOMETHING THAT YOU DIDN'T SEE OR SOMETHING THAT YOU DIDN'T LOOK AT AND YOU KNOW, AND TELL THEM THAT THAT WE'RE AN OPEN CITY AND THAT WE'RE WILLING TO WORK WITH ANYBODY, NOT JUST ON A ON A MONTHLY OR YEARLY BASIS, BUT I MEAN A QUARTERLY OR YEARLY BASIS. BUT ON A MONTHLY BASIS, THESE MEN AND WOMEN GET TOGETHER AND THEY SAY, HEY, THIS IS HOW WE CAN SPUR DEVELOPMENT IN OUR CITY AND, AND GET THROUGH THE RED TAPE THAT IS BUILDING CODES. 
          AND SO, YOU KNOW, I, I FIRMLY BELIEVE AND I SPEAK JUST FOR MYSELF, BUT THAT WE SHOULD HAVE A COMMITTEE OF THESE INDIVIDUALS TO HELP STEER Y'ALL. I THINK YOU'VE GOT EVERYTHING ELSE IN PLACE. BUT I THINK A COMMITTEE OF PEOPLE THAT DO THE WORK WILL HELP TREMENDOUSLY. AND I'VE GOTTEN TREMENDOUS FEEDBACK ON THIS, AND THE CONTRACTORS ARE EXCITED AND THEY WANT TO BE A PART OF THIS. YOU KNOW, LET'S NEVER LOSE OUR ABILITY TO LEARN, NO MATTER WHERE IT COMES FROM. 
          THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN HILLIER. COUNCILMAN TURNER, ACTUALLY, I SUPPORT COUNCILMAN HILLIARD WITH JUST LETTING CITIZENS WEIGH IN ON OUR PROCESS. I THINK OFTEN IN THE CITY OF BEAUMONT AND JUST BEING PROFESSIONAL, PERIOD. WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH PEOPLE AND WE'RE THE IN BETWEEN WHEN THEY'RE OPERATING OPEN A BUSINESS, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THAT OPEN DIALOG WHERE IT CAN BE SOME FEEDBACK. IT'S JUST FOR MAYBE ADVICE OR THINGS THEY SEE IN ANOTHER CITY. NOT NECESSARILY A DICTATOR, Y'ALL, OR TO Y'ALL. WHAT TO DO. ONE THING THAT I REALIZED THAT A LOT OF CONTRACTORS CALL ME ABOUT IS I NOTICED YOU SAID ROTATING THE INSPECTORS. WHAT'S HAPPENING IS WHEN ONE INSPECTOR COMES OUT AND GIVES FEEDBACK, ANOTHER INSPECTOR COMES OUT AND SEES SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. SO NOW THIS, THIS, THIS BUILDER OR THIS OWNER HAS THE MINDSET OF THIS IS ALL I HAVE TO DO TO MOVE FORWARD. AND WHEN SOMETHING'S ADDED NOW, IT KIND OF IT WILL EXTEND THE TIMELINE OR MAYBE MORE COMPLICATE THE PROCESS. SO THAT'S SOMETHING I HAVE HEARD CONSISTENTLY FROM DEVELOPERS. ANOTHER THING THAT'S AN ISSUE IS INSPECTIONS. I'M BEING TOLD FROM DEVELOPERS, SOMETIMES THEY HAVE TO STAY FROM LIKE 8 TO 5. AND FOR A BUSINESS OWNER OR A PARENT, IT'S KIND OF TOUGH TO HAVE TO STAY STILL IN THAT TIME BLACK AND KIND OF WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO COME. WHAT I'VE SEEN IN OTHER CITIES, I'VE DONE PROJECTS IN OTHER CITIES WHERE 
          [00:30:02]
YOU HAVE A TIME BLOCK 8 TO 10, 10 TO 12, 1 TO 3. IF WE CAN KIND OF BE THAT, BE THAT MUCH MORE FLEXIBLE FOR OUR BUILDERS. I THINK YOU CAN KIND OF SEE A LOT OF THOSE COMPLAINTS ABOUT HOW THE COMPLEXITY IN BEAUMONT KIND OF SLOW DOWN. EXCUSE MY VOICE. I'M A LITTLE HOARSE, BUT THIS IS JUST SOMETHING I'VE TALKED TO A LOT OF DEVELOPERS ABOUT, AND IT'S CONSISTENT. THEY DO WANT TO GET SOME FEEDBACK AND SOME FLEXIBILITY WITHIN HOW WE DO OUR BUSINESS IN BEAUMONT, IF I COULD. YES. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP. THAT'S A GREAT ONE THAT I WOULD LOVE Y'ALL TO HELP US COMMUNICATE ON. WE DID LOOK INTO HOW WE COULD. CURRENTLY WE OFFER NEXT DAY INSPECTIONS. SO IF YOU NEED AN INSPECTION TOMORROW WE CAN PROVIDE THAT FOR YOU. WE LOOKED INTO WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE TO DO SCHEDULED INSPECTIONS FOR A SPECIFIC TIME, AND IT WOULD JUST BACKLOG OUR INSPECTORS TOO MUCH. AND SO WE DETERMINED THAT THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION WAS TO CONTINUE WITH NEXT DAY INSPECTIONS. BUT WHAT WE DO OFFER CITIZENS, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY KNOW ABOUT, IS IF THEY CALL THE MORNING OF OR EVEN THE AFTERNOON BEFORE AND TALK TO THOSE INSPECTORS, THEY CAN GIVE THEM A PRETTY CLOSE UP TIME OF WHEN THEY'LL BE THERE, BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN THEY'RE PLANNING THEIR DAY AND REALLY TRYING TO IRON IT ALL OUT. SO HELP US ENCOURAGE THOSE CONTRACTORS TO GIVE US A CALL AND WE'LL TELL THEM A PRETTY CLOSE TIME. COUNCILMAN TURNER, SO IS IT DOCUMENTED? LET'S JUST SAY YOU GO OUT AND THEY HAVE THIS PLUMBING ISSUE HERE. IS IT SOMETHING DOCUMENTED THAT THEY CAN SEE? SO WHEN THEY DO GET THEIR PLUMBER TO COME BACK OUT AND ADDRESS THIS, THAT THEY KNOW SPECIFICALLY, THIS IS THE ONLY THING WE HAVE TO ADDRESS OR INSPECTORS COMING BACK OUT TO LOOK FOR MORE THINGS, BECAUSE THAT'S SOMETHING I KIND OF BEEN GETTING CONSISTENTLY FROM CITIZENS. YEAH. YES, SIR. 
          OCCASIONALLY THAT DOES HAPPEN, UNFORTUNATELY. AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT ONGOING TRAINING AND WE'RE CONSISTENTLY TALKING ABOUT SITUATIONS LIKE THAT. SO IT DOESN'T HAPPEN SO THAT WE MAKE A SOLID THOROUGH INSPECTION ON THE FIRST PASS. BUT OCCASIONALLY WE DO SEE A LIFE SAFETY SITUATION THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS WHEN WE GO BACK A SECOND TIME. DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. BUT YOU'RE RIGHT, IT DOES HAPPEN. IT'S SOMETHING WE'RE ACTIVELY WORKING ON. SO THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN. REAL QUICK, I DO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT WE'RE ABOUT TO PULL BACK UP THE PORTAL. YOU SEE WHERE THOSE BUBBLES ARE NEXT TO. IT'S IN THAT WORKFLOW WHICH IS ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE WHERE IT SAYS PC REVIEW, ENGINEERING REVIEW, FIRE AND SO ON DOWN THERE. FURTHER ON THERE, ONCE THE PERMIT HAS BEEN ISSUED, THERE IS ALSO INSPECTION TABS WHERE THE CONTRACTOR OR THE GC THAT'S LISTED ON THE PERMIT CAN GO IN, AND HE CAN READ THOSE COMMENTS DIRECTLY. ALSO, YOU CAN ALWAYS CALL CALL OUR GIRLS 409880 3100 THEY'RE ALWAYS THERE MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, 8 TO 5. 
          BUT IF IT'S ANYTIME OUTSIDE OF THOSE PARAMETERS, YOU CAN LOG IN. AND OUR INSPECTORS DO, IN REAL TIME PUT NOTES INTO THE PORTAL. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? COUNCILMAN TURNER? NOT A QUESTION. JUST, YOU KNOW, ONE THING THAT HAPPENS OFTEN IS KIND OF STAFF NEEDS CLARITY ON WHAT DIRECTION TO GO IN. MR. WILLIAMS, DO YOU GUYS HAVE CLARITY BASED UPON FEEDBACK OR YOU NEED TO HEAR FROM EVERYBODY ON THE COUNCIL? YEAH, WE'RE GOING TO NEED MORE DEFINITIVE ACTION FROM THE COUNCIL OR DIRECTION FROM THE COUNCIL. YOU CAN EITHER DO IT THROUGH A COUPLE OF WAYS OR BUT YOU WE CAN PLACE IT AS AN AGENDA ITEM WHERE COUNCIL CAN FORMALLY VOTE ON IT AND DECIDE WHETHER IT'S SOMETHING YOU WANT TO DO OR NOT. I THINK THAT'D BE APPROPRIATE I AGREE. OKAY, OKAY. ALL RIGHT. SO WITH THAT, FOR THOSE THAT WERE HERE FOR THE PRESENTATION, IF YOU'D LIKE TO LEAVE, NOW'S THE TIME TO DO SO. AND CERTAINLY APPRECIATE YOU COMING. 
          [PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA/CONSENT]
WE'RE GOING TO MOVE INTO PUBLIC COMMENTS. AND NOW IS THE TIME THAT FOR ANY CITIZEN WHO WISHES TO SPEAK, YOU MAY MAKE PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. THE REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS ONE THROUGH TEN AND 12 OR ANY OTHER TOPIC. ITEM 11 HAS BEEN ALREADY HEARD IN THE PUBLIC HEARING AND PUBLIC HEARING. THEREFORE, CITIZENS CAN'T SPEAK ON THIS TODAY. THE CITY CLERK WILL CALL YOUR NAME WHEN IT'S YOUR TIME TO SPEAK. WHEN YOU APPROACH THE PODIUM, PLEASE SAY YOUR ADDRESS, CITY AND STATE. YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS. THE GREEN LIGHT WILL COME ON WHEN YOU WALK UP AND APPROACH THE PODIUM, AND THE RED LIGHT WILL COME ON WHEN YOUR TIME IS UP. I'D LIKE TO REMIND EVERYBODY THAT WHILE YOU'RE AT THE PODIUM, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL CANNOT RESPOND TO YOU. YOUR COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS REGARDING ANY OF THE ITEMS. WE'LL ADDRESS THEM IN POSTED AGENDA ITEMS. AND IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, AGAIN, STAFF WILL MEET WITH YOU AFTER WE'VE AFTER YOU SPOKE. BROUSSARD SETH WELLS, 6890 GLENWILLOW 
          [00:35:05]
DRIVE, BEAUMONT, TEXAS. GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL STAFF. IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU. MY NAME IS SETH WELLS. I LIVE AT 6890 GLENWILLOW DRIVE. I ALSO WORK FOR SOUTH 11TH STREET BETWEEN STAGG AND FANNIN, AND I PROMISED MYSELF THAT I WOULDN'T BECOME A COMMENT SECTION. SO THAT'S WHY I'M COMING HERE TO TALK TO YOU TODAY. JUST REMIND SOME PEOPLE ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT THE UPCOMING BONDS, ESPECIALLY THE SIDEWALKS AND SOME SOME DIFFERENT THINGS GOING ON AROUND THE CITY. I'M A DISABILITY ADVOCATE. I'M ALSO A VETERAN WITH DISABILITIES. YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THEM, BUT ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE HAVE SUCH AN ISSUE WITH PEOPLE WITH PEDESTRIAN ISSUES OR INJURIES TO OUR PEDESTRIANS IS WE DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET PEOPLE OFF THE STREET, RIGHT? THEY'RE WALKING IN THE STREET, WE SEE THEM PUSHING STROLLERS. WE SEE THEM TAKING RASCAL SCOOTERS DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, THINGS LIKE THAT. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ADDRESS. AND ONE THING I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE REMEMBER IS THAT, YES, THESE IMPROVEMENTS WILL HELP PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES OR SIGNIFICANT MOBILITY ISSUES, SENIORS. BUT IT ALSO IT'S BEST FOR EVERYBODY. RIGHT, IS THE IDEA OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN. SO WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THAT WE'RE NOT HAVING TO GO BACK AND REDO BRIDGES, RIGHT. EVEN THOUGH I KNOW THAT THAT MIGHT NOT NOT BE A DESIGN FLAW, BUT LIKE THE BRIDGE AT SALLY CURTIS, NOT ONLY ARE WE DEALING WITH THAT AND THERE'S NO HANDRAILS, BY THE WAY STILL YET WE'RE AND WE'RE ASKING THE KIDS TO BE WALKED ACROSS THAT BRIDGE NOW OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL, AFTER SCHOOL, THEY CAN'T BE WALKED UP AND THEIR PARENTS CAN'T PICK THEM UP. WHAT YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WITH THESE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IS ALSO THAT THE SIDEWALKS LEADING UP TO THAT BRIDGE ARE NOW DAMAGED, RIGHT? SO YOU'VE GOT KIDS ON SCOOTERS ON BIKES SCREAMING THROUGH THERE ON THAT CORNER, AND THERE'S NOTHING TO STOP THEM FROM GOING OVER THE SIDE RIGHT NOW. AND I KNOW YOU WERE WORKING ON IT, AND I KNOW WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE THINGS BETTER, BUT A PLASTIC NETTING OVER THE TOP OF THIS BARRIER IS NOT ENOUGH. I WON'T LET MY SON GO ACROSS IT. ONE THING I WANTED TO ASK THE COUNCIL, AND I CAN CERTAINLY REACH OUT TO MY COUNCILMAN DIRECTLY IN THE FUTURE, BUT WHAT IS THE TIMELINE FOR Y'ALL TO LET US KNOW ABOUT STREET CLOSURES? WHAT IS THE REGULATION FOR THAT FOR YOU? BECAUSE 3:00 THE BUSINESS DAY BEFORE, YOU'RE GOING TO SHUT DOWN TWO FOR TWO OF THE FOUR LANES OF ONE OF THE MOST MAJOR THOROUGHFARES IN THE CITY IS PRETTY FRUSTRATING. I DON'T KNOW IF THE BUSINESS OWNERS WERE CONTACTED ABOUT THAT, THAT THAT ROAD IS ALREADY TWO LANES FROM 230 TO 4:00 EVERY SCHOOL DAY, WITH THE PICKUPS ON THE SIDE. SO JUST AND I'M JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW. WHAT WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR THAT. SO WE CAN BE OF A BETTER BETTER KNOWN ABOUT THAT. AND I APPRECIATE THE INCREASED COMMUNICATION BETWEEN OUR CITY AND LARGE GOVERNMENT ENTITIES. BUT I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE INCREASED COMMUNICATION BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR CONSTITUENTS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SIR. TRUE. AND I'M NOT REALLY SURE WHAT THE LAST NAME IS. I CAN'T MAKE IT OUT. 4695 CHADWICK BEAUMONT, TEXAS. WHAT'S THE LAST NAME? DAVIDSON. 
          DAVIDSON. THANK YOU. I'M AN ENGINEER. HANDWRITING IS NOT MY FORTE. I APOLOGIZE, I DIDN'T INTEND TO SPEAK TODAY, BUT THE PRESENTATION FROM CODE ENFORCEMENT I THOUGHT WAS EXCELLENT. AND I WILL SAY, AS SOMEONE WHO'S RECENTLY BUILT A BUSINESS IN BEAUMONT, I'M THE OWNER OF FREEDOM FIREARMS AND DEFENSE. GETTING ANSWERS FROM THE CODE FOLKS HELP RETURN CALLS. THAT ACTUALLY WAS NOT A PROBLEM. I WILL SAY THAT I DO THINK WE'RE LEAVING OUT ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT STAKEHOLDERS IN THESE DISCUSSIONS. CONTRACTORS LOVE CODES BECAUSE IT'S EXTRA WORK, RIGHT? WHO DOES NOT LIKE CODES IS THE BUSINESS OWNER WHO'S ON THE HOOK FOR BUILDING THESE FACILITIES. SO I CAN STILL LINE OUT RIGHT AT HALF $1 MILLION OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS THAT I HAD TO OUTLAY TO BUILD IN BEAUMONT, THAT MY CONTRACTOR AND ALL OF THE SUBCONTRACTORS TOLD ME I WOULD NOT BE PAYING TO BUILD RIGHT OUTSIDE OF BEAUMONT. SO I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT. I UNDERSTAND WE WANT TO BE QUOTE UNQUOTE FIRST CLASS, BUT PART OF THAT IS ALSO ENSURING, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT OUR CODES DON'T GO BEYOND THE FEDERAL AND TEXAS CODES UNLESS IT IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL FOR OUR AREA AND HAS A REALLY GOOD REASON TO BE THERE. AND I THINK THAT LEAVING THE BUSINESS OWNER, THE ENTREPRENEUR, THE PERSON WHO'S ACTUALLY FUNDING THE PROJECT OUT OF THOSE DISCUSSIONS, REALLY LEAVES US AT A DISADVANTAGE. AS SOMEONE WHO WOULD I WOULD LIKE TO BUILD ANOTHER BUSINESS IN BEAUMONT RIGHT NOW. A COUPLE OF THE COUNCILMEN UP HERE ARE AWARE OF THAT, BUT I'M ACTUALLY NERVOUS TO DO SO BECAUSE I'M NERVOUS THAT WHATEVER I GET QUOTED AT THE END, THE CONTRACTOR COMES BACK TO ME AND SAYS, OH, WE MISSED THESE THINGS IN CODE. WE HAVE TO ADD THESE IN, AND THEY'RE NOT THINGS I WOULD PLAN FOR. I'D ALSO LIKE TO ECHO COUNCILMAN TURNER'S COMMENTS. I KNOW MY PARTNER'S WIFE JUST PUT 
          [00:40:02]
A BUILDING IN, AND SHE HAD THE ISSUE WITH SCHEDULING. I NEED TO BE THERE BETWEEN 8 AND 5, AND THEY SHOWED UP AT 445. SO YES, THAT IS STILL AN ISSUE. AND THAT WAS JUST TWO WEEKS AGO. BUT BUT YES. SO THAT'S JUST SOMETHING I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE WE'RE INCLUDING THE FOLKS WHO ARE ACTUALLY OUTLAYING THAT CAPITAL IN THOSE DISCUSSIONS, BECAUSE I DO THINK THAT THAT'S STILL A BIT OF AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, WHERE YOU COULD MAKE BEAUMONT MORE COMPETITIVE FOR ENTREPRENEURS, WHICH IS GOING TO JUST BRING IN MORE TAX DOLLARS. SO I JUST WANT TO LEAVE THAT STAKEHOLDER OUT. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. THANK YOU SIR. EDDIE ALLEN 9695 BEAUMONT, TEXAS. GOOD AFTERNOON, CITY MANAGER, THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF. I'M STANDING HERE BECAUSE THERE WAS A TIME, MAYBE LAST YEAR WHERE I THINK COMMISSIONER, NOT COMMISSIONER. I'M SORRY, COUNCILMAN RJ ASKED FOR MAYBE AN ORDINANCE ON CHANGE ORDERS, WHETHER THERE TO GIVE MONEY BACK OR TO RECEIVE MONEY OR WHATEVER. I SEE TODAY THERE ARE THREE. I THINK EVEN MY COUNCILMAN, JOEY, ALSO ASKED THAT QUESTION. SO I DON'T KNOW IF STAFF IS WORKING ON THAT OR NOT, BUT I DID SEE AN ORDINANCE THAT'S BEING PROPOSED TODAY, AND I'M WONDERING WHERE THAT IS. THE OTHER THINGS IS, AND LIKE SOME OF MY FRIENDS ARE SAYING, YOU GET UP THERE AND SAY SIRENS. WELL, I'M SAYING SIRENS TODAY. I DON'T KNOW AT THIS POINT THAT WE'RE GOING INTO A BUDGET YEAR IF THAT'S BEING THOUGHT OF, IF THERE'S A GRANT. BUT EVEN WITH KERRVILLE AND GOD BLESS THOSE SOULS THAT PERISHED, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I DON'T KNOW. I THINK THAT SOMEBODY NEED TO BE TALKING ABOUT FROM COUNCIL, BECAUSE THAT'S SERIOUS. AND I'VE BEEN READING ARTICLES ON IT. THEY HAD GAUGES FOR THE WATER, BUT THEY HAD NO PUBLIC ALERTS. AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT REALLY SHOULD BE PARAMOUNT. THE OTHER THING IS, THANK YOU FOR THE SIDEWALKS AND I KNOW COUNCILMAN DARIO IS HAPPY ABOUT THAT TOO. ON FANNETT. HOWEVER, I GO TO CHURCH IN THAT AREA AND THERE'S A CRACK FROM THE STREET TO THE NICE SIDEWALK, SO I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S ON THE WAY OR NOT, BUT WE'RE GETTING SHOOK UP GOING INTO THE PARKING LOT. I APPRECIATE EACH ONE OF YOUR SERVICES, AND I'M NOT GOING TO RUN OUT OF TIME TODAY. HAVE A GOOD DAY. THANK YOU MA'AM, THAT'S ALL I HAVE. MAYOR. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR THE PUBLIC COMMENTS. NOW WE'RE GOING TO 
          [CONSENT AGENDA]
MOVE INTO THE CONSENT AGENDA. IS THERE A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA? MOTION WE APPROVE. SECOND, THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. 
          [K. Acceptance of the grant for International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Economic Mobility and Opportunity (EMO) Grant Program.]
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION, COUNCILMAN TURNER? YES. ON ITEM K, THE GRANT FUNDING FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND SOME OTHER THINGS. COULD THIS POSSIBLY UTILIZE TO AUDIT INDUSTRIAL AGREEMENTS? MY REASON FOR ASKING THAT IS, YOU KNOW, I'VE ASKED THIS IN THE PAST, THESE INDUSTRIAL AGREEMENTS, WE GIVE THESE TAX ABATEMENTS AND THEY UTILIZE TERMS LIKE LOCAL JOBS. BUT WHO'S ACTUALLY AUDITING THAT AND GIVING THE REPORT BACK TO THE CITY. SO WE CAN ACTUALLY COMMUNICATE THAT TO THE CITIZENS BECAUSE WE DON'T GET THESE TAX ABATEMENTS TO CITIZENS. I JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN WHAT LOCAL IS AND HOW MANY JOBS ARE LOCAL, AND I'M JUST GOING TO HAVE A HARD TIME MOVING FORWARD SUPPORTING INDUSTRIAL AGREEMENTS IF IT'S NOT SPELLED OUT WHAT BEAUMONT IS GETTING IN RETURN FOR, INDUSTRIAL AGREEMENTS ARE PROBABLY BETTER SUITED TO BE ANALYZED THROUGH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICE. THEY DEAL WITH MORE PROJECT ORIENTED. THIS IS TO ECONOMIC MOBILITY THAT DEALS WITH INDIVIDUALS, WITH PEOPLE IN YOUR TOWN THAT ARE IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS IN LIFE, AND YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO TRAIN THEM, HELP THEM REALIZE HOW THEY CAN BECOME MORE ECONOMICALLY VIABLE OR SUITABLE IN THEIR LIFE LIFESTYLES. SO IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT. THIS IS A GREAT GRANT. IT'S GIVEN TO US THROUGH ACMA, THE INTERNATIONAL CITY MANAGERS ASSOCIATION FROM THE GATES FOUNDATION, BILL AND MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION, IN CONJUNCTION WITH NFPA, THE NATIONAL FORUM FOR BLACK PUBLIC ADMINISTRATORS. SO WE'RE ONE OF 16 CITIES IN THE COUNTRY TO RECEIVE THESE DOLLARS IS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR EXECUTIVE STAFF, PERSON IN THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE TO ASSIST WITH THIS 
          [00:45:03]
EFFORT. AND THEY PROVIDE PAY FOR TWO AND A HALF YEARS FOR A POSITION FOR THIS POSITION FOR THE AREA AND ALSO TRAVEL AND OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION AND EVEN AN INTERN THEY'LL PAY FOR. SO WE'RE IT'S A TOTAL OF $416,000 OVER TWO AND A HALF YEARS. WE'RE LOOKING AT FILLING IT INTERNALLY WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT, WHICH WILL HELP DEFRAY EXISTING SALARIES. SO THIS IS A THIS IS A GOOD DEAL FROM THE INTERNATIONAL CITY MANAGERS ASSOCIATION, WHICH I'M NOT GOING TO MENTION. I JUST CAME OFF THEIR BOARD, BUT THEY CHOSE BEAUMONT FOR ONE OF THESE. 
          AND I REALLY APPRECIATE Y'ALL GOING AFTER GRANT MONEY. I WAS JUST TRYING TO SEE WHAT ALL IT CAN BE UTILIZED FOR AND CAN IT. YOU ALWAYS DO A GOOD JOB, YOU KNOW, TRYING TO FIND ADDITIONAL 
          [M. Council to consider a resolution ratifying the City Manager's execution of an agreement with the Beaumont Firemens Relief Fund (BFRF).]
STREAMS OF REVENUE. AND MY SECOND QUESTION WAS ITEM NUMBER M, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE PENSION, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE KIND OF CONFUSED HOW THIS WORKS. DOES IT? YOU KNOW, WE JUST DID THE CONTRACT AND NOW WE'RE DOING THE PENSION. I KNOW A FEW YEARS BACK WE TOOK SOME FUNDING AND DID SOME INVESTING IN THE PENSION. CAN SOMEBODY KIND OF SPEAK TO HOW THIS WORKED FOR PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT MAY NOT UNDERSTAND? YEAH, WE CAN DOUBLE TEAM THIS ON THIS. THE CITY ATTORNEY AND I THIS IS A PENSION FOR LOCAL 399 FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THEY HAVE A SEPARATE PENSION THAN OTHER CITY EMPLOYEES WHO ARE IN THE PENSION OF MRS. TEXAS MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT SYSTEM. IN THE PAST THIS THIS WAS ADDRESSED THROUGH THE CONTRACT WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. CONTRACT THE FIRE LOCAL 399 REQUESTED THAT THAT NOT BE A PART OF THE CONTRACT DISCUSSIONS ANYMORE TO BE A SEPARATE AGREEMENT. SO WE ARE WE'RE WORKING TO MAKE THE PENSION WHOLE. IT HAD BEEN UNDER SOME STRESS, TO BE FRANK. AND SO THIS THESE ACTIONS WILL MAKE THE PENSION WHOLE. WE'RE LOOKING AT PUTTING AT THE END OF THIS FISCAL YEAR, PUTTING 398,000, IF I GET THE NUMBER WRONG, 325 325,000 PAYMENT INTO THE PENSION FROM VACANT POSITIONS THAT ARE NOT IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, WE'RE TAKING MONEY OUT OF THOSE VACANT POSITIONS, PUTTING IT DIRECTLY IN THERE. WE'RE ALSO PROPOSING A 2% INCREASE. IN WHAT? THE CITY CONTRIBUTES EVERY YEAR. RIGHT NOW, THE CITY CONTRIBUTES 20%. THIS WITH THIS NEW BUDGET, WE'RE PUTTING 2% MORE, WHICH WOULD BE 22% CONTRIBUTION BY THE CITY OF BEAUMONT INTO THE PENSION. AND AT THE END OF THE 26TH FISCAL YEAR, WE WILL LOOK AT SEEING IF WE HAVE THOSE VACANT POSITIONS, PUTTING ANOTHER $328,000 INTO THAT PENSION. AND AT THEN AT THE BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR, IF IT'S STILL NOT SOLVENT, WE'RE PROPOSING TO PUT AN ADDITIONAL 1% INTO THAT PENSION. AND WE SUBMITTED THIS THIS PLAN TO THE BOARD. TRB, TRB BOARD, TEXAS PENSION REVIEW BOARD, PENSION REVIEW. AND THEY FEEL GOOD ABOUT ACCEPTABLE ABOUT IT. LOCAL 389 FEELS GOOD ABOUT IT. AND THEY AGREE TO IT. AND WE'RE THINKING THIS WILL SOLVE OUR PENSION, THEIR PENSION ISSUES FOR SOME TIME TO COME. SO ONE CORRECTION, LOCAL 399 WASN'T A PART OF THIS AGREEMENT AT ALL. THIS AGREEMENT WAS BETWEEN THIS AGREEMENT IS BETWEEN SPECIFICALLY BETWEEN THE CITY OF BEAUMONT AND THE PENSION BOARD. SO BEAUMONT PROFESSIONAL RETIREMENT BEAUMONT RETIREMENT FIREMEN'S RELIEF FUND IS THE ENTITY THAT MANAGES LOCAL 399 PENSION. SO IT'S A SEPARATE ENTITY MADE UP OF THREE MEMBERS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THREE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, AND TWO INDIVIDUALS FROM THE CITY, ONE APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR AND THEN THE CITY'S ACTING OR THE CITY CFO, SO THAT THAT'S WHO COMPRISES THAT BOARD. THIS AGREEMENT WAS NECESSITATED BY THE PENSION REVIEW BOARD SAYING THAT THE CITY IN THE PENSION BOARD HAD NOT MET THEIR FUNDING OBLIGATIONS. SO THERE'S A LAW THAT SAYS THAT THE PENSION HAS TO BE FUNDED. AT THE TIME, IT WAS OVER UNDER 30 YEARS AND THE CITY WAS AT INFINITY. WE'RE CURRENTLY AT 33 YEARS. THE PROPOSED AGREEMENT OVER TIME WOULD TAKE THE CITY SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 26 AND 27 YEARS. THE GOAL IS TO GET DOWN TO UNDER 25 YEARS AND THEN UNDER 20 AGAIN. THE NECESSITY OF THE AGREEMENT IS BECAUSE THE PENSION IS NO LONGER A PART OF THE CONTRACT. WE DO NEED TO HAVE SOME ACCOUNTABILITY ON BOTH SIDES. 
          THERE'S SOME STRUCTURES THAT ARE OUTLINED IN THE AGREEMENT THAT REQUIRE SOME THINGS ON THE CITY, BUT THERE'S ALSO SOME THINGS THAT THE PENSION IS REQUIRED TO DO AND TO MAINTAIN. FOR EXAMPLE, THEY CAN'T INCREASE OR DECREASE THEIR BENEFITS. THEY CAN'T CHANGE THEIR TIERED SYSTEM. 
          [00:50:01]
THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO COME COLLECTIVELY TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO IMPACT THE ABILITY OF THE PLAN. SO IT DOES KIND OF LOCK IN SOME SOME BENEFITS FOR OUR EMPLOYEES AND JUST KIND OF, YOU KNOW, ADD SOME ADDITIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ALL PARTIES. ALL RIGHT. MY FOLLOW UP QUESTION IS WHAT WHAT I KNOW WE'RE CONTRIBUTING, IT'S BEING PROPOSED TO BE AT 22%. AND WE'RE GOING TO DO ADDITIONAL $325,000. WHAT WHAT WHAT ARE WE REQUIRED TO CONTRIBUTE? I KNOW IT'S AT 22, BUT WHAT ARE WE REQUIRED TO CONTRIBUTE? BY LAW, YOU'RE ONLY REQUIRED TO CONTRIBUTE 12%. HOWEVER, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO ENSURE THAT THE FUND IS SOLUBLE. SO IT HAS TO BE ABLE TO FUND ITSELF. SO AT 12%. AND I WANT TO SAY IT WAS PROBABLY NOT NOT THE CURRENT CONTRACT THAT WE ENDED, BUT THE CONTRACT BEFORE THAT, IT WAS NOTED THAT WE WERE NOT WE WERE REACHING, NOT HITTING OUR AGREEMENT. AND AT THE TIME, I BELIEVE THE PARTIES WERE EQUALLY CONTRIBUTING. ABOUT 16 OR 14%. AND SO DURING THAT CONTRACT TERM, WE OPENED UP THE CONTRACT TO INCREASE EACH YEAR, EACH PERCENTAGE. DURING THAT TIME, THE PENSION ALSO CREATED A TWO TIER SYSTEM. AT THE TIME YOU VESTED IN 20 IN 20 YEARS, I BELIEVE. NOW, EMPLOYEES HIRED AFTER THAT CONTRACT VEST IN 25 YEARS AND THEY RECEIVE A DIFFERENT TIER OF BENEFITS. THE GOAL AND THE HOPE IS THAT WE COULD ELIMINATE THAT SECOND TIER OF BENEFITS AND ALLOW EMPLOYEES TO VEST AT THE 25 OR 20 YEAR PERIOD WITH EQUAL BENEFITS ACROSS THE BOARD. IS THIS FUNDING COMING OUT OF GENERAL FUND SO IN THE MANAGER CAN JUMP IN? WE ARE REQUIRED WHEN YOU HAVE A CERTAIN Y'ALL ESTABLISHED BY ORDINANCE A CERTAIN NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN EACH LEVEL. GRADE ONE, GRADE TWO. HOW MANY EMPLOYEES YOU HAVE, YOU'RE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN ENOUGH FUNDING TO FILL THOSE VACANT POSITIONS. SO THIS IS MONEY THAT'S ALREADY AVAILABLE. IT'S JUST NOT GOING TO BE A SALARY SAVINGS. WE'RE GOING TO ALLOCATE THAT FUND DIRECTLY TO THOSE VACANT POSITIONS TO MOVE. SO IT'S EXISTING MONEY THAT WE'RE GOING TO ALLOCATE TO THAT FUND. AND MY LAST QUESTION IS I KNOW BY STATE LAW WE ONLY REQUIRE TO DO 12% AND WE'RE AT 22% BECAUSE OF SOME THINGS THAT AT 22% OCTOBER 1ST. WELL, SO WE'LL EVENTUALLY BE THERE BECAUSE OF SOME THINGS THAT TOOK PLACE IN THE PAST WITH HOW WE MANAGED IT, WHAT BARRIERS ARE PUT IN PLACE SO YOU AS A COUNCIL DON'T MANAGE IT? I KNOW WE DON'T, BUT THE COMMITTEE, THE PENSION BOARD MEETING, THE BOARD, THE PENSION BOARD COMMITTEE, WHAT BARRIERS ARE PUT IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T KEEP TRENDING IN THIS DIRECTION? BECAUSE THIS IS A LOT OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING THAT WE'RE SPENDING. SO AGAIN, THE AGREEMENT DOES OUTLINE SOME PLANS ON THE PLACE THAT THEY CAN'T, AGAIN, INCREASE OR DECREASE THEIR CURRENT BENEFITS. THEY CAN'T ESTABLISH A DIFFERENT TIER. THEY CAN'T REDUCE THEIR CONTRIBUTION RATE. CURRENTLY THEY'RE AT 18% AS WELL. SO THEY CAN'T REDUCE THEIR CONTRIBUTION RATE AT ALL. SO IT DOES LOCK BOTH PARTIES INTO SOME ACCOUNTABILITY TO MAINTAIN THAT FUNDING BALANCE. AND ESSENTIALLY, THE TEXAS REVIEW BOARD DOESN'T ALLOW YOU TO MAKE CHANGES THAT ARE GOING TO BE HARMFUL TO YOUR PLAN. YEAH, I THINK IT'S UNFORTUNATE ON BOTH SIDES, NOT JUST THE CITY, BUT WE'RE KIND OF GETTING IN THIS POSITION WHERE IT'S TRENDING UP. 
          IT'S NOT ACTUALLY TRENDING DOWN. IT ACTUALLY IS. SO LIKE I SAID, WE WERE AT AFFINITY AND THROUGH SOME CHANGES THAT WE MADE, ADDING ADDITIONAL POSITIONS, WAGE INCREASES, THOSE KIND OF THINGS, IT TOOK US DOWN TO 33 YEARS WITH THE ADJUSTMENTS THAT WE'RE PREPARED TO MAKE. IT'LL TAKE YOU DOWN BETWEEN 26 AND 27 YEARS. THOSE ARE CONSERVATIVE NUMBERS. IT COULD ACTUALLY BE LESS. AND THEN AS AGAIN, TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THEIR CURRENT CONTRACT INCREASES IN WAGES, THE ADDITION OF NEW EMPLOYEES, ALL THOSE THINGS YOU CAN EASILY GET UNDER 25, 20 YEARS WITHIN A SHORT SPAN. YEAH, I'M LOOKING AT IT FROM THE ASPECT WE IT WAS AT 12% AND NOW WE'RE AT 22%. THAT'S WHAT I'M SPEAKING TO. WELL THAT'S I THINK THAT'S AVERAGE. I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE'S ANY CITY IN THE STATE CONTRIBUTING JUST 12. RIGHT. WHEN WE DID OUR COMMUNICATION I THINK THE MAYOR PARTICIPATED ON THAT CALL. THEY ACTUALLY SAID BEAUMONT WAS LOW. THEY WERE LIKE, AND WE WERE AT 18%. WE WERE LIKE, WE THOUGHT WE WERE DOING GREAT AND WE WERE LOW. I THINK THE AVERAGE CONTRIBUTION RATE IS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 22 AND 25%. SOME OF THE FUNDS THAT ARE IN DIRE NEED. I THINK DALLAS IS AT 28, ALMOST 30%. SO THERE ARE SOME SOME CITIES THAT HAVE LIKE WAY BIGGER ISSUES THAN CITY OF BEAUMONT. WE'RE ACTUALLY IN THE MIDDLE, SO WE'RE AT A GOOD SPOT. SO 22%, EVEN 23% IS NOT ABOVE THE AVERAGE. IT IS STILL CONSIDERED ON THE LOW END IN TERMS OF CONTRIBUTION. IF YOU LOOK AT IT A DIFFERENT WAY FOR CITIES, FOR CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES, I BELIEVE THE CITY CONTRIBUTES ABOUT 18, ALMOST 20% PER EMPLOYEE. DUNCAN CAN CORRECT ME IN MY NUMBERS, BUT THAT SEEMS ABOUT RIGHT, FOR THEY DON'T. FIREFIGHTERS DON'T RECEIVE SOCIAL SECURITY, SO THAT KIND OF BALANCES OUT THOSE NUMBERS. SO IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, APPLES NOT THAT YOU CAN COMPARE. IT'S ALMOST ON PAR WITH WHAT YOU WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO A CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE. 
          UNDERSTANDABLE. JUST PEOPLE ASK AND I JUST WANTED TO BE EXPLAINED ON THE RECORD. SO IT'S TRANSPARENT. THEY KIND OF CAN SEE WHAT'S GOING ON. UNDERSTOOD. THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN. 
          [00:55:02]
COUNCILMAN WILLIAMS, JUST SO I UNDERSTAND, WOULD SO WE HAVE TO FUND IT AT A CERTAIN LEVEL TO KEEP IT AFLOAT. WOULD DO VACANT, OPEN POSITIONS OF IMPACT TO US IF WE FILLED VACANT POSITIONS. 
          SO THE AGREEMENT BASICALLY SAYS THAT WE FILL THE VACANCY. SO IF THERE ARE NO VACANCIES, THERE'S NO MONEY THAT WE NEED TO CONTRIBUTE. RIGHT. SO WE'RE ONLY CONTRIBUTING THE VACANT POSITIONS TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT FUND IS WHOLE. SO IT'S AS IF THOSE INDIVIDUALS WERE CONTRIBUTING TO THE PLAN OR ON THEIR BEHALF. SO IF THOSE POSITIONS ARE FILLED RIGHT NOW, I BELIEVE WE HAVE THE CALCULATION THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IS AT 25. COUNCIL ADDED, I BELIEVE 12 POSITIONS. LAST APRIL THERE WERE SOME RETIREMENTS AND SOME THINGS MOVED AROUND. SO THAT KIND OF CREATES THE ADDITIONAL 21 POSITIONS THAT CAME FROM THAT. SO IF THERE'S NONE, LET'S JUST SAY NEXT YEAR WE HAVE NO VACANCIES, THEN WE CONTRIBUTE $0 IN THE TERMS OF VACANCY CONTRIBUTIONS. ALL RIGHT. BUT WE WOULD STILL CONTRIBUTE THAT 22% OKAY. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. SO NO OTHER DISCUSSION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING I. AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION IS CARRIED. MR. CITY MANAGER, WOULD YOU TAKE US INTO ITEM 
          [1. Council to consider a resolution receiving the proposed FY 2026 Budget and scheduling a public hearing.]
NUMBER ONE, PLEASE? YES, MAYOR. COUNCIL TO CONSIDER RESOLUTION RECEIVING THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET AND SCHEDULING A PUBLIC HEARING. AND IF I MAY, I WILL STEP DOWN TO THE PODIUM. 
          YES, SIR. THANK YOU. 
          THIS IS A ONE OF THE FEW TIMES OF THE YEAR I GET TO STAND DOWN HERE AND SPEAK TO COUNCIL AND STAND BEFORE YOU AND HAVE A DISCUSSION. TODAY I'M GOING TO PRESENT THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 PROPOSED BUDGET OR FINANCIAL PLAN TO USE A COUNCIL. WE'VE BEEN WORKING SINCE PROBABLY MARCH APRIL ON THIS DOCUMENT, AND TODAY YOU'RE GOING TO RECEIVE THE DRAFT OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET. NEXT SLIDE, TINA, YOU'RE GOING TO WE'RE GOING TO BE ON THIS OKAY. I KNOW HER. THIS THIS PRESENTATION WILL GIVE YOU AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT'S IN IT AND TALK ABOUT WHAT'S THERE TO. WE'RE GOING TO TOUCH ON AT THE BEGINNING ABOUT SOME THINGS ABOUT THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS, BIT OF A BUDGET OVERVIEW AND WHAT'S INCLUDED IN IT. TOUCH ON LIGHTLY SOME OF YOUR PRIORITIES. WE HAD OUR FIRST VERY FIRST BUDGET WORKSHOP. YOU LISTED YOUR PRIORITIES FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR. AND SO THIS BUDGET IS COMPRISED OF THOSE PRIORITIES AND FUNDING. 
          WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE DOLLARS, REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES. THAT'S ALWAYS A CONVERSATION. WE'RE GOING TO DO SOME COMPARISONS FROM 25 TO 26 AND DOING THAT. AND OF COURSE THE GENERAL FUND, BUT NOT ONLY THE GENERAL FUND. WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE WATER AND WASTEWATER FUND AND THE SOLID WASTE FUND, AND THEN TALK ABOUT THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT PLAN, BECAUSE YOU'LL BE ACCEPTING THAT DOCUMENT TODAY, TOO. NEXT SLIDE. BUDGET CALENDAR. ON YESTERDAY, A COPY OF THIS DOCUMENT WAS SUBMITTED TO THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE, WHICH IS REQUIRED BY LAW. SO WE SUBMITTED THAT TO CITY CLERK TINA. IT'S ALSO A COPY WAS POSTED ON OUR WEBSITE, SO IT'S AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AT THIS POINT. ALREADY TODAY I'M DOING THE PRESENTATION OF THE BUDGET TO YOU AS REQUIRED. YOU'RE GOING TO SET A DATE FOR A HEARING, WHICH WILL PROBABLY BE SEPTEMBER 16TH, WHICH IS THE SAME DAY YOU'LL BE LOOKING AT ADOPTING THE BUDGET. SO TODAY YOU'RE YOU WILL RECEIVE A DRAFT, BUT YOU HAVE ALMOST A FULL MONTH BEFORE YOU ACTUALLY ADOPT THE BUDGET. SO THERE'S STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS. MAKE SURE THAT YOU KNOW THAT IT'S STILL WORKING PROGRESS. TODAY YOU WILL SET A PROPOSED TAX RATE. YOU HAVE TO DO A PROPOSED TAX RATE. YOU CAN SET A PROPOSED TAX RATE. JUST REMEMBER THAT WHATEVER RATE YOU SET, YOU CAN LOWER IT, BUT YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO RAISE IT ON THE 16TH. SO IT'S ALSO STATE LAW. SO WHATEVER YOU SET IT AT TODAY, MAKE SURE IT'S HIGH ENOUGH TO COVER THE EXPENSES THAT YOU'RE GOING TO ANTICIPATE. ANY CHANGES GOING TO HAPPEN FOR THE NEXT MONTH. AGAIN, THIS IS NOT AN ADOPTION OF THE OF THE BUDGET. 
          THIS IS JUST PROPOSED. WE'RE STILL IN THE DRAFT PROCESS. AND WE CAN MAKE CHANGES UP UNTIL THE 16TH ON WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO THERE. AND BUT ON THAT DATE, YOU WILL ADOPT THE BUDGET, YOU WILL ADOPT A TAX RATE, ETCETERA. I MENTIONED IT CAN BE LOWERED BUT BUT NOT RAISED. NEXT SLIDE A FEW 
          [01:00:08]
HIGHLIGHTS. SOME THINGS THAT WE DID ACCOMPLISH IN 2025. WE DID THE STRATEGIC PLAN IN 2023, WHICH LAID OUT A LOT OF THINGS FOR A 15 YEAR PERIOD WITH THE CITY OF BEAUMONT. WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO, AND WE ARE WAY AHEAD OF SCHEDULE ON THAT STRATEGIC PLAN. AND WHILE WE'VE DONE THAT, WE HAVE SOME MORE THINGS IN THIS BUDGET, AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE THINGS IN OTHER BUDGETS TO COVER THAT TOO. SO WE'RE WAY AHEAD OF PLAN. ONE THING I REALLY WANT TO HIGHLIGHT IN THIS BUDGET, OF COURSE, WE WANT TO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE, BUT THIS BUDGET HAS PRESENTLY PUT TOGETHER AND BEEN PROPOSED, DOES NOT CALL FOR A TAX INCREASE. IT'S FUNDED ON THE EXISTING TAX RATE, 0.655, WHATEVER THAT NUMBER IS, IT'S A LOT OF DECIMAL DECIMALS OUT THERE, BUT THERE'S NO PROPOSED TAX RATE INCREASE. THAT'S MY GOAL, IS TO PROVIDE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE TO MAKE SURE WE'RE EFFICIENT, PRODUCTIVE IN WHAT WE DO THERE. BUT COUNCIL HAS THE ABILITY TO RAISE THAT AS WE WOULD TALK ABOUT A LITTLE BIT MORE. SO THAT'S GOOD NEWS. 
          THAT'S ALWAYS GOOD NEWS. THE CITY OF BEAUMONT HAS A GOOD HISTORY OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS OF NOT RAISING THE TAX RATE. THIS THIS PROPOSED BUDGET DOES NOT ALSO DOES NOT CALL FOR AN INCREASE IN RESIDENTIAL WATER RATES. WE LISTEN TO YOU AS A COUNCIL WHEN YOU HAD THOSE CONCERNS ABOUT RESIDENTIAL RATES. SO THIS HAS ZERO INCREASE FOR RESIDENTIAL WATER RATES FOR RESIDENTIAL HOMES WITH A FIVE EIGHT INCH WATER LINE OR LESS. IT DOES CALL FOR AN ADJUSTMENT FOR COMMERCIAL RATES OF ABOUT 8% FOR THIS YEAR. BUT THE IMPACT IS YOU'LL SEE THE IMPACT AS WE LOOK AT THE NUMBERS. OTHER THINGS WE SAID, SOME THINGS WE ACHIEVED THIS YEAR. WE RECEIVED A STATE PLANNING AWARD, WHICH IS A GREAT FEAT FOR US FOR OUR WHICH PLAN? PARKS, PLAN, PARKS PLAN FOR OUR PARKS MASTER PLAN. AND WE RECEIVED A GRANT AWARD FOR OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, WHICH MEANS WE GOT FUNDING 300,000 OR MORE FOR THE FOR OUR PLAN FOR A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, WHICH ALLOW US TO SET UP ZONING USES THROUGHOUT A CITY TO SO YOU WON'T HAVE TO SIT HERE AND WORK THROUGH THAT. EVERY WEEK WE'LL HAVE A BOOK THAT THAT IDENTIFIES WHAT THAT'S THAT'S PLANNED TO BE. WHEN YOU LOOK AT AN AREA, WHEN YOU LOOK AT A STREET, WHEN YOU LOOK AT A MAJOR DRIVE, WHEN YOU LOOK AT WASHINGTON STREET, WHATEVER IT MAY BE, WE'LL HAVE A DOCUMENT TO SUPPORT THAT. THE REAL TIME CRIME CENTER, THAT'S BEEN A SUCCESS FOR US, FOR SURE. WE'RE DOING SOME THINGS IN THIS BUDGET TO EXPAND UPON THAT. OF COURSE, WE'RE DOING TWO THINGS WITH AN ELECTION IN NOVEMBER. 
          ONE IS THE VENUE TAX. IF IT PASSES IT, WE'LL BE ABLE TO USE HOT TAX TOWARD A POSSIBLE CONVENTION CENTER PROJECT. AND ALSO JUST THE FUNDS ITSELF. AND WE HAVE A LOT OF PROJECTS IN THERE NOW. A LOT OF THOSE BOND PROJECTS ARE INCLUDED IN OUR CIP BECAUSE IT HAS TO BE ACCOUNTED FOR IN THAT DOCUMENT. SO WHILE IT'S GOING TO BE IDENTIFIED AS FUNDING FOR A BOND PROJECT, SO YOU HAVE IT THERE. AND ANOTHER GOOD NEWS. YOU KNOW, WE TALKED ABOUT THE VENUE TAX. BUT IN 20 DECEMBER 12TH, 2023, WE CREATED THE TOURS AND WE LOOKED AT THOSE NUMBERS AND WE WERE EXPECTING TO FIND MAYBE WE'D GATHERED 3 OR $400,000. AND TO OUR SURPRISE, THAT TOURISM ONE YEAR ACCUMULATED $1,715,000. THAT'S GREAT. YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, IF WE CAN PUT THINGS TOGETHER LIKE THE TOURIST, THE VENUE TAX, THAT HOUSE BILL 5012, WE'LL BE ABLE TO AFFORD A LOT OF THINGS SO THAT THAT GENERATED MUCH MORE MONEY THAN WE ANTICIPATED. AND THAT'S WHAT ABOUT THE COOPERATION SO FAR OF THE COUNTY, JEFFERSON COUNTY OR D6. THAT'S STRICTLY MONEY. THAT WAS THAT CAME THROUGH THE CITY OF BEAUMONT. NEXT SLIDE. A FEW COUNCIL PRIORITIES. PUBLIC SAFETY. THIS BUDGET IS HEAVILY ON PUBLIC SAFETY. IT'S HEAVY ON POLICE. IT'S HEAVY ON FIRE. 
          WE'RE LOOKING AT CRIME REDUCTION INITIATIVES AND PUTTING DOLLARS THERE. OF COURSE INFRASTRUCTURE IS BIG. WE'VE HEARD WE'VE HEARD OUR CITIZENS ABOUT SEWER ISSUES. WE'VE HEARD OUR CITIZENS ABOUT WATER ISSUES. SO WE'RE CONTINUING TO PUT LARGE AMOUNTS OF DOLLARS INTO THOSE PROJECTS TO IMPROVE OUR INFRASTRUCTURE. ALSO OUR STREETS, ETCETERA. SO WE'RE DOING IT THAT YOUTH 
          [01:05:05]
PROGRAMS, FOR SURE. A LOT OF INTEREST IN YOUTH AND WHAT THEY'RE DOING. WE JUST WANT TO IMPROVE OUR OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE. YOU KNOW, QUALITY OF LIFE IS NOT SOMETHING YOU ALWAYS ■CAN PUT YOUR HANDS ON, BUT IT'S SOMETHING YOU CAN CERTAINLY FEEL WHEN IT'S THERE, WHEN IT'S RIGHT, WHEN THINGS ARE GOOD IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND WHAT'S GOING ON. AND OF COURSE, WE WANT TO ALWAYS CONTROL COST, COST CONTAINMENT, BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE. AND THIS BUDGET DOES THAT. IT DOES THAT THROUGH LACK OF A TAX INCREASE. IT DOES THAT THROUGH NOT RAISING RESIDENTIAL WATER RATES AND ETCETERA. NEXT SLIDE. SOME COUPLE OF OVERVIEWS OF THE THIS DOCUMENT. WE HAVE A CONTRACT WITH OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR YOUR CONTRACT EXISTS. AND THIS IS THE LAST YEAR. AND IT CALLS FOR A 4% CONTRACTUAL PAY INCREASE. SO THAT'S IN PLACE IN THIS BUDGET. AND I WILL SAY THAT WE'VE ALREADY STARTED PRELIMINARY DISCUSSIONS. THANK YOU FOR NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE NEXT CONTRACT. WE'VE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT UNION AND WE ARE GOING BACK AND FORTH. SO THE EXISTING CONTRACT WILL LAST UNTIL OCTOBER 1ST OF NEXT YEAR. SO OUR GOAL IS TO BE WAY AHEAD OF THAT. SO THEY'RE WORKING WITH US AND WE'RE WORKING WITH THEM ON THAT. WE JUST DID THE 7% FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT JUST THIS AUGUST. AND WE'RE GOING TO DO ANOTHER. THIS BUDGET CALLS FOR ANOTHER 4% ON OCTOBER 1ST. SO WE'RE LOOKING AT AN 11% PAY INCREASE FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN LESS THAN A TWO MONTH PERIOD. 
          SO THAT'S ACCOUNTED FOR IN THIS BUDGET. NOW, WHILE WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY AND THEY'RE IMPORTANT, OUR CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT. WE CAN'T FORGET THE SACRIFICES THEY MAKE AND WHAT THEY DO. YOU KNOW, THEY GO IN FREEZING WATER AND WINTERTIME, ETCETERA. SO WE'RE PROPOSING A 3% ACROSS THE BOARD CIVILIAN COST OF LIVING RAISE FOR ALL THE CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES. BASICALLY, THAT'S EVERYBODY WHO'S NOT CIVIL SERVICE CIVILIAN. WE'RE ALSO PROPOSING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE THIRD YEAR OF OUR COMPENSATION PLAN. WE DID A COMPENSATION PLAN THREE YEARS AGO. AND THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER TURNER. WHEN I GOT HERE, HE WAS REALLY KEEN ON GETTING SALARY SURVEYS AND GETTING THINGS PAID FOR OUR CITY EMPLOYEES. AT THAT TIME, WE HAD MANY EMPLOYEES WHO WERE LESS THAN $10 AN HOUR. HIS FIRST GOAL, AND OUR GOAL WAS TO GET EVERYBODY TO $15 AN HOUR, WHICH WE ACHIEVED THAT GOAL, WHICH WAS SURPRISING FOR A CITY THIS SIZE. 
          AND NOW THIS THIRD YEAR OF THIS COMPENSATION, WE'VE TAKEN ALL THOSE POSITIONS THAT WERE NOT IMPACTED IN PRIOR YEAR'S BUDGET TO THIS YEAR. THEY'RE THEY THE ENTIRE CATEGORY OF EMPLOYEES WILL BE INCREASED FOR THE PHASE THREE PHASE YEAR THREE. WE COULDN'T DO ALL OF IT AT THIS YEAR. WE'D PROBABLY HAVE TO SPLIT SOME FOR NEXT YEAR, BUT WE'RE GETTING THERE. THE CITY'S GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES ARE AT THE MINIMUM LEVEL OF THAT SALARY SURVEY. 
          THAT WAS A THAT WAS A MINIMUM LEVEL, EXCUSE ME, MIDPOINT AND A HIGH POINT. OUR FIRST GOAL IS TO GET EVERYBODY TO THE MINIMUM LEVEL. THEN THE GOAL IS TO GET EVERYBODY TO THE MIDPOINT LEVEL. 
          AND SO WE ARE WELL ON OUR WAY. SEGREGATION OF RECURRENT EXPENSES. WE GOT A NEW DEFINITION FOR THE BUDGET THIS YEAR. SO WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR EXPENDITURES, REVENUES DON'T EXCEED OUR RECURRENT EXPENSES. PLUS WHAT'S IN RESERVE FUND BALANCE. THANK YOU. AND THEN THIS SUPPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES I TALKED ABOUT NEXT SLIDE. THE TAX RATE I MENTIONED THAT THIS BUDGET IS PROPOSED THAT THE EXISTING EXISTING EXCUSE ME TAX RATE OF 0.659663, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS FOR THIS YEAR. BEAUMONT OVER THE LAST EIGHT YEARS HAS BEEN PRETTY CONSISTENT IN TAX RATES AND BEEN A SLOW DECLINE. TAX RATE SPLIT INTO TWO THINGS OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE, AND INS, WHICH IS DEBT SERVICE GENERAL FUND UP HERE. THAT'S OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE. SO WE HAVE 0.478 $0.06 THIS YEAR PROPOSED FOR OPERATIONS. THAT'S ACTUALLY A PENNY LESS THAN WE HAD LAST YEAR, BECAUSE ANOTHER PENNY GOES TOWARD DEBT SERVICE. BUT WE FEEL LIKE WE CAN OPERATE WITHIN THOSE PARAMETERS. NEXT SLIDE. ASSESSED VALUES OF OUR CITY. YOU KNOW, CITY OF BEAUMONT CONTINUES TO INCREASE ON ASSESSED VALUES. 
          [01:10:06]
THIS YEAR. WE'RE LOOKING AT ABOUT A $330 MILLION INCREASE IN ASSESSED VALUES WITH THE CITY. 
          IT'S OVER THE $11 BILLION MARK OF ASSESSED DOLLARS IN THE CITY OF BEAUMONT. IT'S BEEN A PRETTY STEEP INCREASE SINCE 2022. WHAT NOW IS KIND OF LEVELED OFF. IT'S BEEN AROUND THAT 300,000 FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS OR SO. SO THAT'S GOOD NEWS FOR THE FOR THE CITY OF BEAUMONT. NEXT SLIDE. 
          THIS IS DEBT. THIS IS A SNAPSHOT OF YOUR DEBT PICTURE FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS. AND WHAT YOU WHAT YOU OWE IN DEBT. THIS BUDGET 2026 PROPOSED WILL BE ABOUT A $20 MILLION DEBT PAYMENT OUT OF YOUR PROPERTY TAX REVENUES, THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF DEBT THAT YOU HAVE ON THE BOOKS FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS, AT THIS POINT IS ABOUT $250 MILLION. AND YOU CAN SEE AS TIME GOES ALONG, THAT AMOUNT DECREASES, AND DEBT PAYMENTS ARE TYPICALLY TWO PAYMENTS DURING THE YEAR ONE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR WHERE WE PAY INTEREST, AND THEN LATER IN THE YEAR WHERE WE PAY THE PRINCIPAL. THE INTEREST IS USUALLY PAID OR PAID EARLIER BECAUSE WE RECEIVE MOST OF OUR REVENUES LATE IN THE YEAR. PROPERTY TAXES ARE NOT DUE TO THE END OF JANUARY, AND SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THOSE DOLLARS TO PAY. NEXT SLIDE. OKAY. NEXT 25 VERSUS 26. NEXT SLIDE. TINA OKAY. GENERAL FUND REVENUES. PROPERTY TAXES. THIS TOO IS A SNAPSHOT OF WHAT THOSE NUMBERS LOOK LIKE. WE'RE LOOKING AT INCREASED NUMBERS FOR PROPERTY TAXES. IT'S BEEN ABOUT A $3.5 MILLION INCREASE SINCE 2020. FOR WHAT YOU'VE RECEIVED IN DOLLARS ON PROPERTY TAXES AND SALES TAXES, WE'RE PROJECTING ABOUT A 2% INCREASE THIS YEAR FROM 2025 TO 2020. WE FEEL GOOD ABOUT THAT NUMBER MUCH RATHER BE ON THE CONSERVATIVE SIDE AND PROJECTING THAT ALTHOUGH THE AMOUNT FROM THE BUDGET IT WAS BUDGETED AT THE BEGINNING OF 2025 IS ABOUT 5.5% INCREASE. BUT WE'RE ONLY BUDGETING FOR A 2% INCREASE. SO WE'RE LEAVING A LOT OF WIGGLE ROOM IN THERE TO WORK INDUSTRIAL PAYMENTS. BUT BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THAT'S YOUR THIRD LARGEST SOURCE OF REVENUE IN THE GENERAL FUND. COUNCIL MEMBER TURNER MENTIONED ALL THE AGREEMENTS. THIS IS BASICALLY THOSE THE MONEY YOU RECEIVE FROM THOSE ABOUT $20 MILLION A YEAR FOR THOSE. AND WE'RE LOOKING AT A TOTAL AMOUNT OF REVENUE FOR ABOUT $169 MILLION IN GENERAL FUND. NEXT SLIDE. THIS IS A PIE CHART GIVES YOU AN IDEA OF YOUR REVENUE, REVENUE SOURCES FOR YOUR GENERAL FUND. AND THIS IS THERE'S GOOD NEWS IN THIS SLIDE HERE. YOUR TWO LARGEST SOURCE OF REVENUES OR SALES AND USE TAXES AND PROPERTY TAXES. AND THEY'RE ALMOST EQUAL. PROPERTY USE IS 33% AND PROPERTY TAX IS 32%. AND WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT THAT IS RECESSION PROOF. YOUR CITY. YOU KNOW, IF THERE'S A REAL DOWNTURN IN THE ECONOMY AND SALES TAX SUFFERS, YOU CAN STILL RELY ON PROPERTY TAX TO HELP KEEP YOU AFLOAT. THERE'LL BE SOME CUTBACKS FOR SURE, BUT IT WON'T BE AS SEVERE IF NOT. AND LIKEWISE IF PROPERTY TAXES SUFFER THROUGH THROUGH ASSESSMENTS, GOING DOWN SALES TAX CAN HELP KEEP YOU AFLOAT. SO IT'S GOOD TO BE BALANCED LIKE THAT IN A CITY 3,332%. SOME CITIES ARE 6020 AND WHEN THE ECONOMY TANKS, IT REALLY PUTS THEM IN A REALLY BAD SITUATION. SO BEAUMONT'S FORTUNATE TO HAVE A BALANCED SOURCE OF REVENUE FOR ITS GENERAL FUND LIKE THAT. AGAIN, THE INDUSTRIAL PAYMENTS ARE 12% AND UTILITY IN LIEU OF US IS 8%. NEXT SLIDE. AND THIS IS JUST A GRAPH KIND OF SHOWING THE HISTORY OF YOUR SALES TAX AND WHAT IT'S DONE. YOU CAN SEE IN 2020 DURING COVID IT TOOK QUITE A DIP ON YOU. AND THAT'S HOW ECONOMIES CAN FALL OUT. AND SALES TAX YOU WERE APPROXIMATELY 46,000,000 IN 2019 AND COVID HIT. THEN YOU WERE DOWN AROUND 4243 MILLION. SO YOU LOST ABOUT $3 MILLION IN REVENUE IN THAT ONE YEAR. THAT'S HARD TO OVERCOME. BUT BUT CITY OF BEAUMONT HAS HAD A STEADY INCLINE SINCE THAT TIME. AS YOU CAN SEE NOW, IT'S UP OVER THE 55, $56 MILLION MARK FOR REVENUES FOR SALES TAX. AND AS I MENTIONED, IT'S A 5.5% INCREASE 
          [01:15:05]
FROM 2024. AND WE'RE PROJECTING A 2% INCREASE NEXT YEAR. NEXT SLIDE. THESE ARE SOME OF YOUR DEPARTMENTS HERE. AND WHAT'S BUDGETED FOR EACH DEPARTMENT UP THERE. YOU KNOW. OF COURSE THE TWO BIGGEST POLICE AND FIRE POLICE IS YOUR LARGEST DEPARTMENT. IS MOST OF YOUR DOLLARS INCREASES CONTRACTUAL INCREASES INCREASES THAT BUDGET. THINGS WE'VE PUT INTO IT INCREASES IT. LIKEWISE WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. IT'S GOT APPROXIMATELY $3 MILLION OR SO INCREASE FROM WHAT WE PROJECTED IN THIS YEAR WITH THE FOR THAT DEPARTMENT. SO WE'RE LOOKING AT APPROXIMATELY $177 MILLION IN EXPENDITURES FOR THE GENERAL FUND THIS YEAR. BUT IF YOU GO BACK TO 2025 REVISED BUDGET, WE BUDGETED THAT AT 167 MILLION. AND THAT WAS A LOT OF CONSTERNATION ABOUT WHERE WE COME WITHIN OUR LIMITS. YOU SEE, WE PROJECTED ONLY SPENT $161 MILLION. SO IT'S $6 MILLION PLUS COMING IN UNDER WHAT WE HAD BUDGETED TO EXPAND. YOU KNOW, BUDGET IS ALWAYS YOUR BEST ESTIMATE UNTIL THINGS ACTUALLY HAPPEN. SO YOUR BEST ESTIMATE. 
          SO WHAT WE PROJECTED EXPENDITURES AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR. WE'RE PROJECTING THOSE EXPENDITURES TO COME IN $6 MILLION LESS. NEXT SLIDE. AND THIS IS ANOTHER PIE CHART THAT GIVES YOU AN IDEA OF YOUR SPENDING EXPENDITURE BY DEPARTMENT OF COURSE. POLICE IS 29% VERSUS 28%. AGAIN, THIS IS ONE OF COUNCIL MEMBER TURNER'S FAVORITE PIE CHARTS. IT SAYS PUBLIC SAFETY. IT'S ABOUT 57% OF OUR TOTAL GENERAL FUND BUDGET HERE. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT IS ABOUT EIGHT. THAT'S KIND OF HARD TO SEE RIGHT THERE. BUT BUT THOSE THOSE TWO MAKE UP THE MAJORITY OF YOUR GENERAL FUND BUDGET. NEXT SLIDE. LET'S GET INTO A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SOME NEW POSITIONS WITH THIS BUDGET. WE'RE LOOKING AT SOME POSITIONS. WE HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH DEPARTMENT HEADS. THEY SUBMIT SUPPLEMENTS TO US, SUPPLEMENTS AND NEW THINGS, NEW PROGRAMS, NEW IDEAS. AND SO BASED UPON THAT THEY RANK THEM THEIRSELVES THEMSELVES, THEY RANK THOSE PROJECTS. AND THEN WE SIT DOWN AND FILTER THROUGH ALL THAT AND COME UP WITH A LIST OF PROJECTS. 
          SO THESE ARE SOME OF THE NEW POSITIONS THAT WE ARE PROPOSING FOR THIS BUDGET. OF COURSE THE FOUR CRIME CENTER ANALYSTS THERE FOR THE CRIME CENTER IN THAT BUDGET, ABOUT $363,000. AND THEN THE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT, WHILE THAT POSITION WAS STILL IN THEIR BUDGET. IT WASN'T FUNDED LAST YEAR BECAUSE WE WERE TRYING TO DETERMINE IF HE NEEDED THAT POSITION. SO THAT POSITION IS BEING PUT INTO THIS BUDGET AND BEING FUNDED WITH THIS BUDGET, WHICH WILL GIVE THEM FOUR EMPLOYEES, EQUIPMENT OPERATOR FOR WATER UTILITIES, IT NEEDS SOME MORE PEOPLE. AND THEN ANOTHER ONE IS FACILITIES, A PLUMBER. YOU KNOW, WE CONTRACT ALL OF OUR PLUMBING. SO WE'RE PROPOSING TO BRING IN AN IN-HOUSE LICENSED PLUMBER INTO THE CITY OF BEAUMONT TO HELP EXPEDITE WORK AND GET SOME THINGS DONE. WE ANTICIPATE QUITE A SAVINGS IN DOING THAT AND SOLID WASTE. WE'RE LOOKING AT ADDING TWO MORE EQUIPMENT OPERATORS FOR THAT DEPARTMENT AT A COST OF $135,000. NEXT SLIDE. CONTINUING WITH SUPPLEMENTALS. THESE ARE MORE THINGS THAN PEOPLE, I THINK. WE HAD A PARALEGAL FOR TWO FOR LEGAL DEPARTMENT, BUT IT WASN'T NEW DOLLARS. WE JUST KIND OF TOOK ANOTHER POSITION AND RECLASSIFIED IT. OTHER SUPPLEMENTALS THE JEFFERSON THEATER HAS SOME MINOR WORK BEING DONE. BIG 25,000 FOR THE BOTANICAL GARDENS MASTER PLAN. WE TALKED ABOUT THAT FITNESS EQUIPMENT FOR THE STERLING PRUITT CENTER, APPROXIMATELY $18,000. THEN THERE'S SOME OTHER THINGS WITH CAMERAS AND IT I.T. 
          ITEMS. NEXT SLIDE. JEFFERSON THEATER. WE HAVE A WALL. WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET THIS PROJECT DONE FOR A FEW YEARS NOW. RIGHT NOW, IT'S STILL LOOKED LIKE IT MIGHT GET DONE SOME WORK ON A WALL THAT NEEDS REPAIR AND COST OF AROUND $300,000. THEN THERE'S A CHILLER HVAC SYSTEM OF APPROXIMATELY 700 AND SOME THOUSAND DOLLARS THAT NEEDS SOME WORK. OVER THERE. THEY REPLACED 
          [01:20:01]
A GENERATOR, FIRE STATION FIVE AT $60,000. NEXT SLIDE. CAPITAL RESERVE FUND FLEET. NOW, THIS IS A BIG TICKET ITEM THIS YEAR IT'S A BIG TICKET ITEM BECAUSE LAST YEAR WE ONLY SPENT APPROXIMATELY 400,000 IN THIS ITEM ON SOME FLEET REPLACEMENT. SO WE'RE WE'RE PLAYING CATCH UP THIS YEAR AT ABOUT $3.5 MILLION FOR THIS GROUP OF PROJECTS THAT ARE IN GENERAL FUND. OF COURSE, FIRE, POLICE. WE GOT SOME TAHOES HAD THEM ENGINE OF TAHOES, AMBULANCE BOXES FOR EMS, A PUMPER TRUCK FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, $1 MILLION VEHICLE. FIRE TRUCKS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE FOR SURE, FOR SURE. AND THEN THERE ARE SOME OTHER THINGS FOR OTHER DEPARTMENTS MOWERS, TRACTORS, ETC. AND THE GOLF COURSE IS ACTUALLY GETTING SOME CARDS. THANK YOU. NEXT SLIDE. BUDGET VERSUS ESTIMATE I KIND OF TOUCHED ON THIS A LITTLE BIT. YOU KNOW GENERAL FUND. WE PROJECTED THE EXPENSE AT 167,000,006 MILLION 397, LESS THAN WAS LAST THAT WE HAD PLANNED. SO THIS IS JUST KIND OF A SNAPSHOT OF WHAT WAS PROPOSED FOR REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES IN 2025, AND WHERE WE ACTUALLY THINK WE'LL END UP AT THE END OF THE YEAR. NEXT SLIDE. AND YOU HAVE THIS PRESENTATION IN FRONT OF YOU ON YOUR DESK ENDING FUND BALANCE ESTIMATES. THIS IS ALWAYS THIS WAS A GOOD TOPIC. FUND BALANCE ESTIMATES. AND THIS IS FOR 2025. AT THE END OF THIS YEAR WE'RE ANTICIPATING A FUND BALANCE OF APPROXIMATELY $46 MILLION IN THE GENERAL FUND. AND IT'S REQUIRED. WE HAVE A 20% REQUIREMENT IN THE GENERAL FUND. SO THAT WOULD CALL FOR 32,000,003 TEN, 864. THAT WILL LEAVE US IN EXCESS OF REQUIRED FUND BALANCE OF 13,000,987. SO THAT'S ACTUALLY WHERE THE REQUIRED 20% THAT WILL THAT WILL PUT YOU QUITE A BIT OVER WATER FUND. 9 MILLION I MEAN REQUIRED FUND BALANCE ABOUT 9.5. AND WE'RE LOOKING AT 15. AND THEN THE SAME WITH SOLID WASTE 2,000,002 MILLION. AND THE WATER FUND. WE DO HAVE PROJECTS PLANNED FOR THAT EXCESS OVER, YOU KNOW, PART OF THE DEBT PAYMENT WILL COME OUT OF THERE. 
          WE WANT TO GET TO WHERE WE CAN PAY CASH FOR SOME OF THESE PROJECTS INSTEAD OF FINANCING ALL OF THEM, AND WHICH SAVES US MONEY, TOO. SO WHILE THAT LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF EXCESS MONEY THAT THOSE DOLLARS ARE BUILT INTO YOUR CIP AND PAYING FOR SOME OF YOUR PROJECTS TO. AND ALSO IT HELPS TO KEEP YOUR WATER RATES DOWN, WATER AND SEWER RATES DOWN. LET'S SEE, HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX. IT'S STILL WE'RE LOOKING AT ABOUT 421,000 FUND BALANCE. THAT'S ONE WE WOULD LIKE TO GET UP. WE NEED TO WORK ON GETTING OUR HIGH TAX INCREASE NUMBERS U, BECAUSE THAT'S A SOURCE OF REVENUE WE CAN USE ON SOME OF THE PROJECTS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. IT CAN BE USED ON A CONFERENCE CENTER HOTEL PROJECT. SO WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO PUT THAT THAT IN A POSITION TO BE ABLE TO HELP SUPPLEMENT SOME OF THE THINGS WE'RE THINKING ABOUT DOING. IF THEY COME TO FRUITION. 
          NEXT. SLIDE 26. PROPOSED BUDGET. WE'RE LOOKING AT 38,000,306 BY THE END OF THE YEAR. AGAIN, WE LOOK AT THAT. AND THEN IT DEPENDS ON HOW WE ACTUALLY SPEND AND STUFF. BUT THAT WOULD PUT US 6,000,001 59 OVER REQUIRED FUND BALANCE FOR GENERAL FUND. THEN AN 8 MILLION FOR WATER FUND AND SOLID WASTE OF ABOUT 2,000,001. NOW OUR OTHER FUNDS THAT'S IN A THEY DON'T HAVE A REQUIRED FUND BALANCE. ALTHOUGH WE HAVE FUND BALANCES. THERE'S NO PERCENTAGE REQUIRED. THAT IS THAT 20%, 15% OR EVEN 10%. BUT WE DO HAVE DOLLARS IN THOSE FUNDS AND THOSE FUNDS. ARE THERE FOR DOLLARS THAT CAN BE USED FOR PROJECTS. NEXT SLIDE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT FUND BALANCE POLICY. IT'S EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS. IN 22 IT WAS JUST YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT THE TOTAL ANTICIPATED EXPENSE IS NOT EXCEED REVENUES. IT WAS AMENDED IN 25. AGAIN BALANCED BUDGET REPRESENTS TOTAL EXPENDITURES NOT EXCEEDING TOTAL ANTICIPATED REVENUES AND AVAILABLE RESERVES ABOVE THE POLICY REQUIREMENT. 
          AND 26 NEXT YEAR, WE'RE LOOKING AT A BALANCED BUDGET REPRESENTING REVENUES GREATER 
          [01:25:02]
THAN OR EQUAL TO RECURRENT EXPENDITURES, AND ADOPTED BUDGET AND AVAILABLE RESERVES ABOVE THE POLICY REQUIREMENT. SO IT CHANGES. SO WE HAVE TO WHAT WE'RE TAKING INTO EFFECT IS RECURRENT EXPENSES. NOW WE CAN'T EXCEED RECURRENT EXPENSES PLUS FUND BALANCE. NOW IF IT'S A NON-RECURRING EXPENSE IT DOESN'T IT DOESN'T COUNT AGAINST IT. SO WHATEVER WE HAVE TO PAY YEAR TO YEAR LIKE PERSONNEL COSTS AND THINGS, WE KNOW WE HAVE TO PAY, THAT'S A RECURRING EXPENSE. AND THIS PROPOSED BUDGET FOR 2026, WE ANTICIPATED HAVING A 23.8% GENERAL FUND FUND BALANCE AT THE END OF THIS YEAR. AGAIN, 20 ONLY 20% IS REQUIRED, BUT WE ANTICIPATE IT BEING AT 23.8% AT THE END OF 26. NEXT SLIDE. WATER RATES, WATER AND SEWER. YOU KNO, WE'VE HEARD A LOT OF THINGS. WE YOU HEAR IT FROM GRADY READ IN THE LAST WORKSHOP WHERE HE TALKED ABOUT THAT. GOT FEEDBACK FROM FROM SOME OF YOU WHO WERE CONCERNED ABOUT SOME OF THOSE RATES. AND IT'S ALWAYS GIVE THAT FEEDBACK BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE FLEXIBLE. THERE'S SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN DECIDE HOW YOU WANT TO STRUCTURE IT. SO BASED UPON THAT, RESIDENTIAL WATER RATES, WE'RE ANTICIPATING A 0% INCREASE THIS NEXT YEAR. IT SAYS IT'S VARIES, BUT THAT'S BECAUSE OF 585 EIGHT INCH WATER LINE IS WHAT GOES TO RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY. AND ANYTHING WITH THAT WON'T HAVE AN INCREASE. LOOKING AT FOR NEXT YEAR. FIVE THREE. AGAIN, ALL THAT'S FLEXIBLE. AS WE GET TO IT, WE'LL ADDRESS IT. BUT IT DEALS STILL INCLUDES THE 8% FOR WASTEWATER RATES INCREASE BECAUSE OUR WASTEWATER SYSTEM AND WHAT WE'RE CHARGING DOES NOT COVER THE COST OF US OPERATING THE SYSTEM. WE'RE NOT EVEN RECOVERING OUR COST TO OPERATE. SO WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO PUT SOME THINGS IN PLACE. SO IT'S NOT SUSTAINABLE OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. AGAIN, THAT'S ABOUT ALL I HAVE ON THIS SLIDE. THANK YOU. NEXT SLIDE. KIND OF A REPEAT. BUT WHAT IT KIND OF A SUMMARY. THE TOTAL WASTE WATER AND WASTEWATER INCREASE WOULD BE ABOUT A 3.7% INCREASE WHEN YOU AVERAGE IT. I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FOUR EIGHT AND ZERO. BUT THEY SAY IT'S 3.7 INCREASE. 
          SO TO OUR CUSTOMERS INSTEAD OF THE WITH THE WATER HAVING ZERO INCREASE. YOU KNOW WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO MEET THOSE GOALS, MEET THE GOALS, WHAT WE WANT TO DO, BE ABLE TO FUND OUR PROJECTS, BUT ALSO BE ABLE TO BE CONSIDERATE OF OUR CITIZENS. NEXT SLIDE. AND THIS GIVES YOU AN IDEA OF THOSE ACROSS THE BOARD NUMBERS. AND YOU CAN SEE IF YOU LOOK OVER TO THE RIGHT IN THE TOP ONE IS COMBINED WATER AND SEWER. THAT COMES OUT TO AVERAGE OF ABOUT 3.7% INCREASE. 
          AND AT THE BOTTOM WITH COMMERCIAL, IT AVERAGES ABOUT 4.7 FOR COMMERCIAL CUSTOMER. 
          NEXT SLIDE. AND THIS GIVES YOU THE RESIDENTIAL BILL SNAPSHOT. YOU KNOW WE LOOKED AT THIS WHEN I THINK WHEN GRADY SHOWED IT LAST TIME WE WERE EXACTLY IN THE MIDDLE FOUR ABOVE AND FOUR BELOW. NOW WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING NOW IS. NO INCREASE FOR THE 5000 CUSTOMER USE THERE, AND ONLY ABILENE NEEDLE AND GROWTH WILL BE LOWER THAN US. ORANGE, BAYTOWN, TYLER AND PORT ARTHUR AND WACO WILL BE HIGHER. BUT TO BE SURE, THEY'RE GOING THROUGH THE SAME EXERCISE TODAY, LIKE WE ARE GOING THROUGH WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DETERMINE WHAT THEIR WATER RATES ARE GOING TO BE FOR THIS YEAR. EVERY CITY DOES THAT AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR. SO EVEN WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE SHOWS THIS PICTURE. BUT THEIR RATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE TO NEXT SLIDE. AND THIS IS THE COMMERCIAL BILL. AND IT PUTS US MORE SQUARELY IN THE MIDDLE WITH FOUR CITIES BELOW AND FOUR CITIES ABOVE THERE. NEXT SLIDE. TRY TO GET THROUGH THESE WATER AND SEWER FUND HIGHLIGHTS I WON'T GO THROUGH EVERY ONE OF THESE BUT THERE'S A LOT OF SUPPLEMENTS. THESE ARE NEW THINGS FOR WATER UTILITIES DEPARTMENTS. I'LL HIGHLIGHT A FEW. ONE THAT I TRY AND MEET IS AT $500,000. THAT'S OUR AUTOMATED METER READING SYSTEM. SO IT'S TIME TO PUT SOME DOLLARS INTO THAT, SOME MAINTENANCE INTO THAT. SO WE'LL BE DOING THAT. YOU KNOW, DIRECTIONAL FLUSHING PLAN 165,000. IT HELPS KEEPS THE BROWN WATER CALLS AND THINGS LIKE THAT IN ABEYANCE. AND THE 
          [01:30:06]
SATELLITE WATER LEAK DETECTION, YOU KNOW, THE FUEL LEAKS. WE HAVE THE MORE EFFICIENT OUR WATER SYSTEM IS. AND OF COURSE IT BECOMES MORE. IT CREATES MORE DOLLARS FOR US. NEXT SLIDE AND MORE WATER UTILITIES, BIG TICKET ITEMS. THE BIG ONE IS A VECTOR TRUCK YOU SEE AROUND TOWN. THIS BIG TRUCK THAT GOES WITH THE BIG HOLES OVER THE TOP OF IT THAT BLOWS OUT SEWER LINES, ETC. 
          THERE'S ALSO A CAMERA TRUCK ON HERE THAT WE CAN CAMERA OUR SEWER LINES WHERE THEY CAN FIND OUT EXACTLY WHERE THERE'S A PROBLEM AND BE ABLE TO WORK WITH IT. AND THEN THERE'S SOME EQUIPMENT, EXCAVATORS, ETC. IN HERE. NEXT SLIDE. AND SOLID WASTE. YOU KNOW, THERE'S A TROUBLE WITH WIND BLOWING TRASH OUT OF THERE. SO WE PUT IN SOME WIND FENCES. THERE ARE A COUPLE OF NEW RESIDENTIAL SIDE LOADERS. THOSE ARE THE BIG TRUCKS THAT COME CLOSE TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND EMPTIES TRASH. THERE'S TWO OF THEM IN THERE, $762,000. THERE'S SOME LARGE DOZER EQUIPMENT. IT'S 600,000 APIECE. NEXT SLIDE, CIP. YOU'VE SUFFERED THROUGH THIS TWICE A LONG PRESENTATION, SO I WON'T DARE MAKE YOU SUFFER THROUGH THAT AGAIN. SO BUT I'LL HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE OF THINGS IN HERE BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO ACCEPT THAT TOO. I JUST ASK YOU TO LOOK AT THE LEGEND. AND THE LEGEND WILL GIVE YOU AN IDEA HOW THESE PROJECTS THAT ARE LISTED ARE PAID FOR. 
          GOLD PROJECTS ARE GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND, WHICH MEANS THEY WOULD BE PAID IF THE BOND ELECTION PASSES. THOSE ARE THE ONES IDENTIFIED FROM PAYMENT THROUGH THE BOND ELECTION. THE PEACH COLOR. MY COLORS ARE NOT ALWAYS GREAT. IS THAT PEACH? RIGHT? WHAT IS THAT? IT'S A CERTIFICATE OF OBLIGATION BOND THAT'S COMES THROUGH DEBT. WE WOULD ISSUE NORMALLY IN A NORMAL YEAR OF OPERATION. AND WHAT WE WOULD PAY FOR THAT. THE GREEN IS REVENUE BOND THAT'S PAID THROUGH REVENUES FROM WATER UTILITY BILLS AND SOLID WASTE BILLS. WE TAKE THOSE DOLLARS AND PAY FOR THOSE PARTICULAR PROJECTS. BLUE IS GRANT FUNDS AND GRAY IS JUST OPERATING BOND, JUST REGULAR ITEMS THAT ARE PUT INTO THE BUDGET. NOW, WE DID THE BOND PROJECTS WE COST. WE HAVE TO ACCOUNT FOR THEM AND THEY ARE INJECTED INTO THIS CIP PLAN. SO AGAIN, THOSE GO YELLOW ITEMS OR ITEMS THAT WOULD BE IN THE BONE, BUT THEY ALSO ITEMS AT BOND DOESN'T PASS. IF THEY WON'T BE DONE FOR SURE. THE TIMING WILL CHANGE. YOU KNOW SOME WE DON'T GET CAUGHT UP SO MUCH ON THE YEARS BECAUSE WE HAD TO ACCOUNT FOR IT, AND WE DON'T HAVE COMPLETE INFORMATION ON ALL OF THEM YET, SO WE PUT THEM IN AND ADJUSTED THE TIME AND AS BEST WE COULD AT THIS POINT OF THE PROJECT. AGAIN, THAT WAS, I'LL JUST SAY THIS TOTAL CIP IS OVER $1 BILLION. THIS IS $1 BILLION OF INFRASTRUCTURE OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS FOR THE CITY OF BEAUMONT THROUGH THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES, WHETHER IT'S DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT, KEEP GOING. DRAINAGE PROJECTS, STREET PROJECTS, THAT ONE MORE AND YOU HAVE IN YOUR CIP A TOTAL OF 221,000,000IN STREET PROJECTS. 
          THAT'S THAT'S A LOT OF WORK ON CITY STREETS THERE. AND ABOUT 273 MILLION FOR WATER PROJECTS OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS THERE. AND WASTEWATER. ONE MORE SLIDE. WASTEWATER IS ABOUT $146 MILLION. SO ALL THOSE PROJECTS WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT AND YOU'VE BEEN HEARING ABOUT, THEY ARE INCLUDED IN THE CIP AND THE CIP IS AN ESTIMATE. YOU KNOW, THERE'S NO DEFINITIVE FUNDING IDENTIFIED. IT'S IDENTIFIED, BUT IT'S A IT'S A ROADMAP. IT'S AN ESTIMATE OF PROJECTS YOU'RE GOING TO DO IN THE FUTURE. IT'S NO GUARANTEE YOU'RE GOING TO DO THIS. THIS DOCUMENT CHANGES. IT WILL CHANGE DURING THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR. IT WILL CHANGE DURING THE END OF THE YEAR. BASED UPON WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOUR CITY. NEXT SLIDE. AND I'M JUST GOING TO TOUCH ON THIS ONE BEFORE I START CLOSING THE TAX INCREMENT REINVESTMENT ZONE. I MENTIONED EARLIER ABOUT HOW ABOUT HOW MUCH HOW MANY DOLLARS THAT BROUGHT IN WHEN WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE 3 OR 400,000 AND IT BROUGHT IN 1,000,007. IT WAS CREATED AROUND DECEMBER 1223 THERE WHERE YOU TAKE A PORTION OF YOUR OF YOUR 
          [01:35:03]
PROPERTY TAX AND PUT IT INTO THIS DOCUMENT. YOU KNOW, IT DOESN'T CREATE AN INCREASE IN DEBT, IT DOESN'T INCREASE AN INCREASE IN YOUR TAX RATE. NO, NOT A NEGATIVE CHARGE TO TAXPAYERS, REALLY. BUT YOU CAN USE IT AND CREATE THEM AND THEN COME UP WITH A LIST OF PROJECTS THAT THESE DOLLARS CAN BE USED ON. AND WE'VE DONE THAT, YOU KNOW, AND IT PAYS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. NEXT SLIDE. THIS IS THE BOUNDARY OF THAT TOUR. SO THINGS WITHIN THAT ITEMS WITHIN THAT TERRORISTS WILL HELP CREATE THESE DOLLARS. IT JUST TAKES A SMALL PORTION OF YOUR PROPERTY TAX AND PUTS IT IN THERE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS. NEXT SLIDE. AND THIS IS A LIST. WHEN WE CREATE THE TOURS BY LAW YOU HAVE TO COME UP WITH A PROPOSED LIST OF PROJECTS. AND THIS IS THE LIST OF PROPOSED PROJECTS THAT WERE CREATED OR PUT INTO THE TOURIST WHEN IT WAS CREATED. AGAIN, THIS DOCUMENT CHANGES AND COUNCIL CAN CHANGE IT AT ANY TIME. AND IT HAS SOME FUNDING IN THERE FOR SOME DIFFERENT PROJECTS. THE YELLOW ONE, YOU KNOW, THAT WAS A JOINT PROJECT WE WERE LOOKING AT DOING WITH DRAINAGE DISTRICT SIX PROJECT. I THINK THAT MIGHT HAVE GONE AWAY. BUT IN ANY CASE, AT THIS TIME, D SIX, NO OTHER COUNTY HAS JOINED WITH US ON THIS, BUT WE'RE STILL TALKING WITH THEM TO GET THEM TO PARTNER ON THIS ZONE BECAUSE THEIR DOLLARS HELP CREATE A BIGGER, BIGGER FUND FOR US AND ESPECIALLY THE COUNTY'S FUND TWO, BUT JUST A FEW PROJECTS THAT ARE IN THERE. YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE THINGS, SOME OF THE THINGS THAT'S PROBABLY THAT BE IMPACTED BY THE BOND PROJECT ARE IN THERE. CIVIC CENTER IMPROVEMENTS. YOU KNOW, THESE DOLLARS COULD BE USED. YOU KNOW, IF WE DID $1.7 MILLION IN A YEAR, YOU KNOW, IF YOU TAKE 1.5 AND IT'S ONLY GOING TO GET HIGH INCREASE, AND THEORETICALLY YOU COULD APPLY THAT TOWARD THE PAYMENT OF A CONVENTION CENTER TO, ALONG WITH THE OTHER POTS OF MONEY WE HAVE OUT THERE. SO, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GETTING CLOSER THAN WE THINK. AND BEING ABLE TO DO THIS WITHOUT A. TAX INCREASE OR ANY TYPE OF LARGE TAX INCREASE OR USING TAX DOLLARS BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, HOUSE BILL 5012 WOULD GIVE US DOLLARS FOR THAT. THE TOURISTS WOULD GIVE US DOLLARS FOR THAT. THE VENUE TAX OF HIS PASSES IS PROJECTED TO GIVE ABOUT A MILLION AND A HALF A YEAR. AND THAT'S ONE OTHER VEHICLE WE HAVE TWO THAT CREATES REVENUE. THAT ESCAPES ME RIGHT NOW. BUT OTHER PROJECTS UP THERE, SOME OF THE STREETS AND SOME OF THOSE STREETS ARE IN THE BOND. SO THIS COULD CHANGE. THEY COULD EITHER STAY HERE OR THEY COULD GO INTO THE BOND. THE BOND PASSES. THEY'RE SAFE OVER THERE. WHAT WE'RE DOING, OF COURSE, THE TRANSMISSION DISTRIBUTION LINES FOR THE RELOCATION OVER HERE FOR THE REJECTED CENTER, IF THAT HAPPENED, AMONGST OTHER THINGS. NEXT SLIDE. AND AS I COME TO A CLOSE, YOU KNOW, YESTERDAY WE DID FILE WITH THE CLERK, WHICH IS MANDATED BY LAW. SO THAT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE CLERK. 
          IS AUGUST THE 19TH IS BEING PRESENTED TO YOU. AND YOUR NEXT REALLY BUSY DAY IS GOING TO BE SEPTEMBER THE 16TH TO GET READY FOR A PUBLIC HEARING TODAY, YOU WILL SET THE DATE FOR THAT PUBLIC HEARING. RIGHT NOW WE'RE PROPOSING IT AT SEPTEMBER THE 16TH TO RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS BUDGET. AND YOU ALSO, YOU'LL BE ASKED TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE BUDGET ON ON SEPTEMBER THE 16TH. YOU RATIFY THE BUDGET EVEN THOUGH IT'S THE SAME TAX RATE. IF YOU ADOPT IT, IT'D BE CONSIDERED A TAX INCREASE BECAUSE IT WILL RAISE MORE DOLLARS THAN THE PREVIOUS YEAR. AND THEN ACCEPT THE APPRAISED ROLLS. AND THEN THE NEW FISCAL YEAR STARTS OCTOBER 1ST. I DO WANT TO SAY AGAIN, THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU SAID, THAT PROPOSED TAX RATE AT THE DATE TODAY, BECAUSE WHATEVER YOU SET IT AT, YOU CAN'T WE WON'T BE ABLE TO RAISE IT AGAIN. YOU CAN LOWER IT. SO WHILE I'M PROPOSING THIS BUDGET AT 6.6559%, IF YOU WANT TO SAY 0.67 AND THEN 6.596.655, I'M SORRY, ON THAT DAY YOU CAN. BUT ANYWAY, THAT GIVES YOU FLEXIBILITY TO STILL BE ABLE TO DO SOME THINGS IF SOMETHING UNFORESEEN COMES UP BETWEEN NOW AND SEPTEMBER 16TH. 
          SO THAT'S A REAL CONSIDERATION. NEXT SLIDE. JUST IN SUMMARY AGAIN THIS INCLUDES PUBLIC SAFETY, INCLUDES POLICE INCREASE OF 4% THIS YEAR, A TOTAL OF 11% OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS 
          [01:40:08]
FOR FIRE COLA FOR THE CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES OF 3% WITH A COMPREHENSIVE WITH THE COMPENSATION STUDY BEING INCLUDED. YOU HAVE A VERY EXTENSIVE COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN HERE OF $1 BILLION. I WOULD ANTICIPATE IT'S PROBABLY THE LARGEST EVER FOR THE CITY OF BEAUMONT. WE'RE PUTTING LOTS OF MONEY INTO THE CITY FLEETS FLEET, WHETHER IT'S POLICE, PUBLIC WORKS, SOLID WASTE, ETC. AND PUBLIC WORKS. GREEN SPACE. NEXT SLIDE. AND I JUST LIKE SOME ACKNOWLEDGMENTS BEFORE I GET DOWN WHILE I'M THE ONE THAT JUST BY CHARTER, THE CITY MANAGER PRESENTS THE BUDGET, WE HAVE STAFF THAT PUTS THIS DOCUMENT TOGETHER, YOU KNOW, AND I SIT WITH THEM, DO THROUGH THESE STEPS AND THEY DO EXTENSIVE WORK FROM MARCH TO OCTOBER ON THIS DOCUMENT AS TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK. AND THEN THE OTHER HALF OF FINANCE STARTS ON THE AUDIT AFTER THAT. BUT I'D LIKE TO THANK THE DEPARTMENT HEADS BECAUSE EARLY IN IN THIS BUDGET PROCESS, THERE WAS SOME CONCERN ABOUT WHERE WE WOULD END UP AT THE END OF THIS YEAR. AND WE CONTINUE TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH DEPARTMENT HEADS TO MAKE THEM AWARE OF THEIR SPENDING AND SPENDING HABITS AND CREATING REVENUES AND WHAT TO DO. AND THEY DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB BECAUSE THEY BROUGHT IT IN SIX OVER $6.5 MILLION UNDER WHAT WAS BUDGETED TO BE SPENT FOR THE YEAR, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE IN A GOOD POSITION FINANCIALLY. AND BEAUMONT IS IN A GREAT POSITION FINANCIALLY. BUT THEY DID THAT. BUT I'D LIKE TO THANK DUNCAN BROWN, WHO'S DUNCAN'S OUR ASSISTANT CFO, AS DUNCAN'S OFFICIAL TITLE. WHO HEADED THIS UP? THAT'S DUNCAN'S FIRST OFFICIAL BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, AND HE'S DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB OF PUTTING THINGS TOGETHER AND PAYING ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND GETTING THINGS DONE. THEN AMY SMITH WAS HIS WAS HIS RIGHT HAND PERSON. AND I COULD COME IN. AMY, AMY, AMY IS THE GLUE TO THE WHOLE THING. AMOS. THE TRANSITION FROM PREVIOUS FINANCE DIRECTORS FROM TODD TO THE LAST ONE TO HERE AND AMOS BEAN RIGHT THERE ON POINT. SHE'S DONE A FANTASTIC JOB. 
          SHE'S PUT THIS ORGANIZATION FIRST. AND WHAT SHE'S DONE, WE REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT SHE'S DONE. AND THEN JUNE ELLIS IS OVER THEM AS A ACM. AND JUNE HAS EXTENSIVE BUDGETING EXPERIENCE ITSELF. HE HAS AWARD WINNING BUDGETS DOING WORK WITH ME. AND HE WAS THE CFO FOR FIVE YEARS WITH ME IN BUDA. SO HE HAS EXPERIENCE THEN. CHRIS CHRIS IS ANOTHER LINK FROM THIS ADMINISTRATION TO THE GROUND, BECAUSE CHRIS PUT TOGETHER A BUDGET AS INTERIM FUNDING INTERIM ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER. SO WE HAD A GREAT TEAM TO GET THIS DONE. IT'S BEEN A GREAT TEAM AND THE DIRECTORS AND CITY STAFF ARE GETTING THIS DONE. AND OF COURSE, CITY COUNCIL FOR YOUR WHAT YOU'VE DONE AND YOUR PATIENCE WITH US. AND I BELIEVE THAT'S IT. OKAY. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? COUNCILMAN DARIA. YES, ON THE MULTI-PURPOSE FACILITY AT ALICE KEITH PARK, YOU HAVE IT AS A REVENUE BOND. UNDER FACILITIES. IT'S GOT THE GREEN. WELL, PAGE 34. YEAH. FIND THAT ONE. WHERE IT'S A DIFFERENT PAGE. IT'S PAGE 34. YEAH, WELL, IT'S ACTUALLY SHOWING. IT'S SHOWING. THAT'S ACTUALLY BLUE. THAT'S BECAUSE PART OF IT'S FUNDED THROUGH THAT GRANT. AND THE BLUE IS FOR GRANT FUNDS. AND SOMETIMES THAT WILL DO BOTH YEARS IS GREEN OKAY. WELL WE'LL MAKE SURE IT'S CORRECT COLOR. YEAH. THAT'S CORRECT OKAY. WELL COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. 
          COUNCILMAN HILLIARD I GREAT JOB STAFF CITY MANAGER GREAT JOB. I KNOW THIS IS QUITE AN UNDERTAKING AND SO I JUST HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS. WHERE ARE WE ON THE AIRBNB TAX. SIR. THAT'S INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET. IT IS. YES, SIR. PERFECT. I HAVE A I HAVE A COUPLE MORE. SOMEONE HAD 
          [01:45:03]
ASKED ME WE I DON'T KNOW, 4 OR 5 YEARS AGO WE STRUCK GAS OR OIL OUT AT THE AIRPORT. ARE WE STILL RECEIVING FUNDS FROM THAT? I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T BELIEVE SO. THAT'S BEEN IT'S BEEN SEVERAL YEARS AGO. WE USE THOSE FUNDS TO CONSTRUCT NORTHWEST PARKWAY, SEVENTH AVENUE AND WASHINGTON BOULEVARD. IT SEEMS LIKE WE'VE WE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF FUNDING TRICKLING IN IN THE YEARS FOLLOWING, BUT TO MY KNOWLEDGE, I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYTHING COMING IN NOW. OKAY. THANK YOU. 
          COUNCILMAN. COUNCILMAN DICICCIO, I HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ON. IS ANY OF THE TERRORIST MONEY BEING ABLE TO USE BE USED ON BOND PROJECTS? THE ONES THAT ARE LISTED, THAT LIST THAT WAS UP THERE, YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE TO BE IDENTIFIED IN THAT PROJECT, CONSIDERATION TO BE ABLE TO USE THAT MONEY. THE COUNCIL HAS THE ABILITY TO AMEND THAT LIST AT ANY TIME. BUT ANY BOND PROJECTS THAT'S ON THAT LIST, THOSE DOLLARS COULD BE USED FOR, WE ACTUALLY DON'T HAVE ANY EXPENSES PLANNED FOR THE TERRORISTS AT THIS POINT, SO IT'S JUST REVENUE AT THIS POINT. WE'LL NEED SOME EXPENSES TO ALLOCATE THOSE REVENUE TO, AND THAT'LL COME FROM YOU WILL MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL AND WE'LL DECIDE. MR. WILLIAMS OKAY. A COUPLE MORE PART TIME EMPLOYEES RAISES THAT. IS THAT ANY OF THAT APPLY TO PART TIME EMPLOYEES, PART TIME THINKING ARE STILL AT THAT LEVEL. IT DID NOT IMPACT PART TIME EMPLOYEES. NO, SIR. OKAY. AND THE INFORMATION I GAVE YOU FOR FULL TIME EMPLOYEES. OKAY. AND ONE PLUMBER IS GOING TO BE ENOUGH. 
          WELL, WE WILL STILL CONTRACT OUT SOME WORK, BUT BUT THERE ARE SOME SMALL JOBS OR THINGS THAT WE THAT THAT PERSON CAN ANALYZE FOR US THAT WE THINK WILL HELP US SAVE SOME DOLLARS. DO WE HAVE ANY PLANS FOR THE FUTURE TO ADDRESS THE PAY FOR OUR PART TIME EMPLOYEES? I WILL LOOK AT IT, WE'LL LOOK AT IT. BUT OUR GOAL WAS TO ADDRESS THE FULL TIME EMPLOYEES. Y'ALL DID A GREAT JOB DOING THAT. THEY WERE SO FAR BEHIND. YEAH, I'M GLAD THAT WE CAME UP. BROUGHT THEM UP. THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN HILLIARD. I LEFT YOU BEFORE YOU WERE DONE. SORRY. THAT'S OKAY. 
          MAYOR, THANK YOU. AND I JUST HAVE A I JUST HAVE A COUPLE MORE QUESTIONS ON THE WATER RATES. I WOULD LIKE TO GET STAFF'S FEEDBACK ON ON DOING A FIXED RATE FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE OVER 65 THAT ARE ON A FIXED INCOME. IS THAT SOMETHING WE'VE LOOKED AT? I DON'T WE HAVEN'T LOOKED AT. WE JUST OFFER THEM A DISCOUNT. THEY GET A DISCOUNT. I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THAT KICKS IN 60, 60, 65, BUT THAT'S SOMETHING WE COULD CERTAINLY LOOK AT AND SEE WHAT THE IMPACT WOULD BE. OKAY, I GET IT THIS YEAR. COOL. THAT'S IT. I'M. THAT'S IT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. MAYOR. COUNCILMAN TURNER, JUST A FEW THINGS TO POINT OUT. MR. MANAGER. I JUST WANT TO REALLY THANK STAFF AND THANK YOU GUYS FOR THE TOURS BECAUSE WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT THIS BACK IN 2022. WE WENT TO A CONFERENCE AND WE'VE SEEN OTHER CITIES WERE DOING IT, AND IT WAS A LOT OF PUSHBACK AT THE TIME THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS BEAUMONT. WE GOT TO CONTINUE DOING IT THE WAY WE'VE BEEN DOING IT. AND FOR YOU GUYS TO BE OPEN TO LOOKING AT DOING THIS PROJECT AND SEEING IT GENERATED $1.7 MILLION IN THE FIRST YEAR IS EXTRAORDINARY. I EVEN REMEMBER WHEN WE EXPANDED THE ZONE FROM JUST DOWNTOWN TO I-10 AS WELL, TO MAKE SURE WE CAN CAPTURE ALL OF THAT, AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT THAT WILL DO FOR COUNCILS PRIOR TO ME EVEN BEING ON COUNCIL, THAT EXTRA REVENUE FOR YOU GUYS TO UTILIZE. THE SECOND THING I WANT TO KIND OF TALK ABOUT IS HOW THE TAX RATE HAS ACTUALLY DECREASED FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS. A LOT OF PEOPLE COME TO US AND SAY, WELL, THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT IS GOING UP. I JUST WANT TO TALK ABOUT ON THE RECORD THAT THE CITY WE DON'T CONTROL THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT, THE CITY COUNCIL, BUT WE CAN SET THE TAX RATE. CORRECT? CORRECT. YEAH, WE'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT. MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE TAX RATES WERE HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS TO DO SOME CATCH UP PROVISIONS. I CAN'T VERIFY THAT, BUT THAT'S WHAT I WAS TOLD. BUT YEAH, WE JUST SET THE RATE AND WE DON'T DO THE ASSESSMENTS. AND I JUST WANT TO JUST TO ALL OUR NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE ENTERPRISE FUNDS AND THE RATES, WHEN WE DON'T INCREASE THEM, WE GOT TO KEEP IN MIND THAT THESE ARE THE SEWER PROJECTS THAT WON'T GET ADDRESSED. SO ON ONE HAND, WE CAN'T SAY WE WANT TO ADDRESS THE SEWER PROJECTS. ON THE OTHER HAND, SAY DON'T RAISE THE RATES BECAUSE NOW YOU DON'T HAVE THE REVENUE TO DO SO YOU PULL IT OUT THE GENERAL FUND. IF YOU DO THAT NOW, WHEN YOU GET YOUR BOND RATING, YOUR BOND SCORE CAN GO DOWN. SO I JUST WANT TO BE MINDFUL OF WHEN WE'RE 
          [01:50:01]
TALKING TO CITIZENS. I'M OPEN TO BEING FLEXIBLE WITH THOSE RATES, BUT I LEARNED THAT WHEN I FIRST GOT ON. IF WE DON'T RAISE THESE RATES, YOU CANNOT ADDRESS THESE PROJECTS THAT THE CITIZENS ARE ACTUALLY COMPLAINING ABOUT. AND WE ACTUALLY DID A STUDY TO SHOW BECAUSE COUNCILS, IT WAS MORE POLITICAL TO SAY WE DIDN'T RAISE THE RATES, BUT THE SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE WAS BEING LEFT BEHIND BECAUSE WE WOULDN'T MAKE THOSE TOUGH DECISIONS. SO I JUST WANT TO KIND OF PUT THAT ON THE RECORD. WE GOT TO BE CAREFUL AND DELICATE HOW WE DEAL WITH THAT, BECAUSE THESE FUNDS OF MONEY HAVE TO BE UTILIZED FOR CERTAIN PROJECTS. AND THE LAST THING I JUST KIND OF WANTED TO POINT OUT IS OUR LICENSE AND PERMITS. IT DECREASED THE MOST OUT OF EVERYTHING, THE FUNDING, THE REVENUE THAT CAME IN. AND I THINK IT KIND OF CAN ATTEST TO A DECISION WE MADE AS A COUNCIL, WHICH I SUPPORT BECAUSE I WAS A PART OF IT. BUT I WANT TO BE I WANT US TO ALSO KEEP IN MIND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT DROPPING RATES AND WE'RE CUTTING REVENUE, IT GOT TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE. 
          SO I JUST WANT TO PUT THAT ON THE RECORD AS WELL. WE GOT TO BE CAREFUL AS A COUNCIL HOW WE BALANCE IN THIS BUDGET. VERY GOOD. AND I WANT TO COMMEND YOU AS WELL. BUT THE TIME I'VE BEEN ON COUNCIL EXPENSIVE EXPENSES HAS ALWAYS BEEN LESS THAN ANTICIPATED, AND OUR REVENUES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN MORE THAN ANTICIPATED. I KNOW LAST YEAR WE SPENT QUITE A BIT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT THAT, ABOUT DEFICIT SPENDING, BUT IN FACT, WE'RE NOT DOING DEFICIT SPENDING. AND THE COUNTY'S BUDGET AND THE STATE BUDGET FALL IN THAT SAME WAY. YOU YOU TEND TO ANTICIPATE AND ALSO THE MONTHLY FINANCIALS THAT ARE PROVIDED TO COUNCIL THAT I KNOW ARE FOLLOWED BY THE DIRECTORS AND BY THE ADMINISTRATION IN TERMS OF IF SOMETHING OCCURS, BECAUSE SOMETIMES PEOPLE SAY, WELL, WHAT IF? WELL, THAT YOU CAN PIVOT, YOU KNOW, JUST LIKE IN A BUSINESS. YOU KNOW, I WAS TAUGHT WITH TALKING TO THE ENTERPRISE YESTERDAY ABOUT HOW BUDGETS ARE SIMILAR TO HOUSEHOLD BUDGETS. YOU'VE GOT X AMOUNT OF DOLLARS AND YOU CAN HAVE UNEXPECTED EXPENSES, BUT YOU CAN PIVOT AND DO WHAT'S NECESSARY. AND THE CITY HAS DONE WELL DOING THAT. SO JUST APPLAUD THE ADMINISTRATION AND ALL OUR DIRECTORS FOR STAYING ON TOP OF THAT AND MANAGING AND CONTINUING OUR RESERVES. COUNCILWOMAN SHERWOOD, I WOULD BE INTERESTED TO KNOW WHAT YOUR THOUGHTS ON US INCREASING THE TAX RATE A LITTLE BIT, A FEW CENTS. DO YOU HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS JUST SO THAT WE CAN HAVE SOME FLEXIBILITY IN THERE IN CASE WE NEED IT? RIGHT. 
          OKAY. WELL, LONGEVITY IS A CITY MANAGER MEANS YOU KEEP THE TAX RATE DOWN FOR THE. YEAH. THAT'S WHY WE PUT THE BUDGET TOGETHER TO 6.655 NUMBER, WHICH IS THE EXISTING NUMBER FOR SURE. AND THAT'S WHAT AT NOW PUTTING IT A LITTLE. IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO GO A LITTLE ABOVE ON THAT WHEN YOU WHEN YOU SAID IT YOU KNOW, THEN YOU CAN PULL IT BACK DOWN WHEN YOU'RE ADOPTED BECAUSE AGAIN THINGS COME UP, THINGS HAPPEN, YOU KNOW, DO YOU WANT TO INCREASE. DO YOU WANT TO LOWER YOUR FUND BALANCE? YOU CAN PUT THOSE DOLLARS INTO THAT. AND YOU DON'T HAVE THESE OPPORTUNITIES TO DO THAT EVERY YEAR. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE YEARS YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT, BECAUSE NEXT YEAR IT MIGHT THE, THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE OF THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE COULD BE LOWER THAN THIS EXISTING RATE, THE RATE WE'RE SITTING TODAY. SO IT DEPENDS. SO IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO LOOK AT DOING SOMETHING TODAY. BUT YOU KNOW YOU CAN ALWAYS ADJUST IT TO WHAT THE BUDGET'S PROPOSED AT LATER. WELL I DID HEAR YOU SAY WE CAN ALWAYS LOWER IT IN MY MIND. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE CREATING SPACE FOR OPPORTUNITY. YEAH, YEAH. AND YOU CAN GO AS HIGH AS $0.69. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE DECIMAL NUMBER IS. 691065. YEAH. AND NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT A ROLLBACK ELECTION. YOU KNOW SOMEWHERE SIX SEVEN MIGHT BE GOOD JUST TO GIVE YOU SOME, SOME ABILITIES TO MAKE SOME DECISIONS LATER AND THEN SET IT WHEREVER YOU WANT IT TO HAVE. I HOPE I ANSWERED YOUR QUESTION. OKAY. COUNCILMAN CRENSHAW, DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION? YES. THANK YOU. 
          MAYOR. MR. CITY MANAGER, THESE NUMBERS LOOK GREAT AND JOB WELL DONE TO STAFF. I'LL COMMENT ON THAT. I BECAUSE I GET THIS QUESTION A LOT, I DO HAVE TO ASK WHAT IS THE STATUS OF A CFO FOR BEAUMONT? OKAY, I CAN ANSWER THAT. WE'LL BE MAKING A DECISION SOON. YEAH, WE'LL BE MAKING DECISIONS SOON. SO WE DO INTEND TO FILL THE POSITION OF A CFO? YES, ABSOLUTELY. WE'RE NOT GOING TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE THE CITY WITHOUT A CFO. NO. OKAY, GREAT. YEAH. WE FEEL GOOD ABOUT OUR 
          [01:55:01]
DEPARTMENT. WE HAVE ASSISTANT CFO THERE. WE HAVE CPAS THERE. AND WE HAVE WE HAVE JUNE, WHO'S BEEN A FINANCE DIRECTOR. SO WE FEEL COMFORTABLE GETTING THROUGH THIS PROCESS THERE. BUT BUT WE'LL BE DOING THAT SOON. I'LL SAY REAL SOON. GREAT. AND MR. DUNCAN DOES A GREAT JOB. AND OTHER PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE BUDGETING DO GREAT JOBS. BUT I THINK TO HAVE CONFIDENCE WITH THE PUBLIC, IT'S BEST TO FILL THAT POSITION. SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. AND AGAIN JOB WELL DONE. 
          THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. COUNCILMAN WILLIAMS YEAH I'LL ECHO EVERYBODY. GREAT JOB. IT LOOKS YOU CAN TELL Y'ALL PUT A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT AND FOLLOWED THE LEAD OF SOME OF THE THINGS WE SHARED. I JUST HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THE WATER FUND. WHENEVER THAT RATE SPECIALIST SPOKE WITH US HE SPOKE ABOUT HAVING A HIGHER AMOUNT. I MEAN, IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE I MEAN, ARE WE SITTING AT A HIGHER PERCENTAGE THAN THAN WHAT HE THOUGHT WE WOULD BE? OR PUT THAT SIGN BACK UP AND I DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THAT NUMBER HE HAD BEFORE. DUNCAN. YOU MIGHT HAVE THAT INFORMATION OR JUNE OR WHAT IT WAS BEFORE. WHAT WHAT GRADY PRESENTED VERSUS WHAT WE'RE SEEING TODAY. IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, COUNCILMAN? WELL, I JUST I FEEL LIKE HE RECOMMENDED THAT IT BE AT 20 OR 25% AND. NO, NO, NO. WELL, THE BALANCE OF THE FUND. BALANCE LEVEL OF THE. OH YEAH. OKAY. OKAY. YEAH. AND WE ARE PART OF WHAT WE'RE DOING TODAY IS GETTING US TOWARD THAT. AND IT WAS ON ONE OF THE SLIDES AND I GUESS I SKIPPED OVER IT. IT WAS IF WE FOLLOWED THIS PLAN THAT'S HERE, WE THINK WE MIGHT BE AT THAT 25% BY THE END OF THIS BUDGET YEAR. OKAY. AND I WANT TO THE LAST TWO YEARS, THE COUNCIL HAD BEGUN RAISING RATES BECAUSE OF THE FACT WE HAVE BEEN OPERATING. WE WERE DEFICIT SPENDING IN THOSE AREAS, SPENDING FUND BALANCE. AND AS YOU POINTED OUT, IT WASN'T SUSTAINABLE. BUT PRIOR COUNCILS DECIDED TO FOREGO RATE INCREASES. BUT THE PROBLEM IS, YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T HAVE THE CAPITAL. YOU NEED TO MAKE THE REPAIRS THAT ARE NECESSARY ON OUR SYSTEM. AND WE'VE BEEN MAKING GREAT STRIDES. AND I KNOW CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THAT. AND SO DO THE RESIDENTS, BECAUSE THE NUMBER OF CALLS HAS GREATLY DECREASED. LET ME SAY THANK YOU COUNCIL. THANK YOU MAYOR. IF YOU IF ANY COUNCIL IF YOU HAVE ANY MORE QUESTIONS AFTER TODAY, FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME, TEXT ME, SET UP A TIME TO SIT DOWN AND TALK ABOUT IT. I'LL BE GLAD TO. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. AND AT THIS POINT, CAN WE HAVE A MOTION FOR ITEM NUMBER ONE AS PRESENTED? SECOND, THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND. WE'VE HAD QUITE A BIT OF DISCUSSION, BUT THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS AGAIN IF YOU IF ANYBODY HAS ANY DISCUSSION. ALL RIGHT. I BELIEVE COUNCILMAN TURNER WILL RETURN. 
          BUT WITH THIS, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR WOULD SIGNIFY BY SAYING I. ANY OPPOSED? ALL RIGHT. THE 
          [2. Council to consider establishing and taking a record vote on the “Proposed” 2025 tax rate and schedule a public hearing.]
MOTION IS CARRIED. MR. CITY MANAGER, WOULD YOU READ ITEM TWO, PLEASE. COUNCIL TO CONSIDER ESTABLISHING AND TAKING A RECORD VOTE ON THE PROPOSED 2025 TAX RATE AND SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING, AND WE RECOMMEND A PUBLIC HEARING BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 16TH, 2025 AT 1:30 P.M. IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS. AND I BELIEVE THIS IS A RECORD VOTE. SO WE'RE GOING TO NEED COUNCIL MEMBER WRIGHT. WE'LL WAIT FOR HIM TO RETURN, BUT WE MAY HAVE WE CAN BEGIN WITH DISCUSSION. IF ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO LEAD DISCUSSION. I KNOW FROM MY PERSPECTIVE I APPRECIATE THE MEASURES THAT YOU'VE GONE THROUGH IN THIS. AND I KNOW AS A COUNCIL NOBODY'S EVER ASKING US TO SPEND LESS MONEY IN ANY AREA. THERE ARE ONLY, YOU KNOW, REQUESTING MORE IN TERMS OF AND SOMETIMES THAT CAN BE. OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, WE'VE ADDED SEVERAL ORDINANCES THAT REQUIRE ADDITIONAL TIME AND RESOURCES FROM THESE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS, AND WE HADN'T INCREASED THE DEPARTMENTS TO MEET THAT. BUT THEY HAVE THEY HAVE MET THE NEED. AND I THINK WE, YOU KNOW, IF WE HAVE OTHER THINGS THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT, THIS IS THE TIME 
          [02:00:05]
BECAUSE AGAIN, WE WON'T BE SETTING IT TODAY. WE'RE JUST DISCUSSING WE'VE GOT TO APPROVE A PROPOSAL THAT CAN BE LOWERED, BUT IT CANNOT BE RAISED. ALRIGHT. NO OTHER DISCUSSION. 
          ALL RIGHT WITH THAT, ALL THOSE IN THIS IS A RECORD VOTE. YES, SIR. SO IF YOU PROCEED, YOU NEED A MOTION. MAYOR, I THOUGHT WE DID DO A MOTION. WE DID THE RECORD VOTE. NO WE DIDN'T. NO, WE DIDN'T DO A MOTION. OH, SORRY. AND YOU NEED TO ESTABLISH WHAT THAT NUMBER IS. YES. SO THE MOTION WILL NEED TO ESTABLISH WHAT THE RATE WILL BE. AND THEN YOU'LL NEED TO. I GOT YOU COUNT. 
          AND COUNCILMAN TURNER HAS A QUESTION. SO WITH THE NEW DEFINITION THAT WE CHANGED THE DEFINITION TO OUR EXPENDITURES NOT EXCEEDING OUR REVENUES, WOULD US LOSING FUNDING DO YOU PROJECT US POSSIBLY AT RISK? WHEN I SAY LOSING FUNDING, WE GAIN FUNDING IN A LOT OF PLACES. 
          BUT I'M TALKING ABOUT SPECIFICALLY WITH LICENSING AND PERMITTING. DOES THAT STILL PUT US IN A SAFE PLACE, OR DO YOU THINK THAT THAT THAT CHANGE IN REVENUE, THAT DECREASE WOULD PUT US AT RISK? SO YOU THINK WE'LL BE OKAY? WELL, WE'VE WE'VE ACCOUNTED FOR THAT THAT NUMBER IN THIS DOCUMENT IN THIS BUDGET, YOU KNOW, SO, YOU KNOW, WE'VE ADJUSTED FOR IT. YOU KNOW, WE KNOW IT'S NOT MONEY WE'RE GOING TO GET. SO WE HAD TO ADJUST FOR IT. BUT YOU KNOW COUNCIL ALWAYS AGAIN YOU CAN GO ABOVE THAT NUMBER. WE PROPOSE TO YOU JUST TO MAKE YOUR MAKE COUNCIL FEEL BETTER ABOUT IT. BUT WE'RE ACCOUNTING FOR IT. WELL MY REASON FOR ASKING IS LIKE LIKE LIKE MAYOR SAID EARLIER IT WAS A HOT TOPIC. SPENDING DURING THE BUDGET ABOUT A YEAR, ABOUT A FEW MONTHS AGO. SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE IF WE'RE CHANGING THINGS, WE'RE BEING REALISTIC WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT WE'RE PUTTING ON STAFF. SO IF YOU GUYS ARE COMFORTABLE, I'M I'M OKAY WITH THAT. BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE IF AS A COUNCIL, IF WE'RE CHANGING THINGS, WE CAN'T CHANGE THINGS AND EXPECT Y'ALL TO MAGICALLY BE ABLE TO FUNCTION IF WE DECREASE IN REVENUE. YEAH, I'M GLAD YOU GLAD YOU REALIZE THAT. YEAH. SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S HARD FOR ME TO SAY WHAT WE'VE ACCOUNTED FOR IT. WHEREVER YOU WANT TO SET IT. FEEL GOOD. I DON'T KNOW IF STAFF WANTS TO ADD ANY COMMENTS. FEEL FREE. YES. SO JUST TO BE I MEAN, THE RATE THAT YOU'RE PROPOSING ISN'T RAISING IT. AND ALL THE WORK YOU'VE DONE IN HERE, YOU'RE COMFORTABLE WITH THAT. WE CAN MAKE THIS BUDGET. 
          THIS BUDGET IS BASED UPON THAT, THAT POINT. SIX NINE. WHAT IS THAT NUMBER? .659663 NUMBER. SO I FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT THAT WORKS. NOW IF I DO HAVE A RESERVATION IS HAVING APPROPRIATE FUND BALANCE. WHILE WE HAVE ALL SHOW ALL THE EXCESS DOLLARS, YOU KNOW, THERE'S SOME CONSIDERATIONS IF WE DON'T GET SOME REFUNDING THROUGH FROM HURRICANE HARVEY. AND WHAT'S THE OTHER ONE. THAT THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO MAKE A ACCOUNTING ADJUSTMENT ON THOSE NUMBERS FOR SURE. BUT EVEN AT THAT WE WOULD STILL BE ABOVE REQUIRED FUND BALANCE. BUT IT DOES GIVE THE CITY MORE OF A CUSHION. IF YOU DECIDED TO TAKE SOME OF THOSE DOLLARS AND ADD THEM TO YOUR FUND BALANCE. AND MISS ENGMAN PUBLIC WORKS, DID YOU WERE YOU WANTING TO SAY SOMETHING? I WAS JUST GOING TO REITERATE WHAT CITY MANAGER WAS SAYING. YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN BUDGETED AND WE'RE PRETTY CONFIDENT IN WHAT WE REPORTED. THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN HILLIARD. NO I'M GOOD. OKAY. OKAY. IF YOU TURN YOUR MIC ON, PLEASE, SIR, I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE KEEP THE EXISTING TAX RATE OF 0.659663 PER $100 OF VALUATION. SECOND, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. 
          IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THAT? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF A APPROVING ITEM NUMBER TWO HERE AS READ, PLEASE SAY WE'RE DOING A RECORD VOTE AT THIS TIME. I JUST ALWAYS HAVE TO SAY IT. 
          MAYOR WEST. YES, I VOTE FOR MAYOR PRO TEM. TURNER. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER. DORIO. YES. 
          [02:05:03]
COUNCIL MEMBER. HILLIARD. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER. WILLIAMS. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER. SHERWOOD. AND COUNCIL MEMBER. CRENSHAW. YES. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. AND THE PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR SEPTEMBER 16TH. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. WITH THAT, MR. CITY MANAGER, WOULD YOU TAKE US INTO ITEM 
          [3. Council to consider a resolution receiving the proposed 2026 Capital Program and scheduling a public hearing.]
NUMBER THREE, COUNCIL TO CONSIDER A RESOLUTION RECEIVING THE PROPOSED 2026 CAPITAL PROGRAM AND SCHEDULING A PUBLIC HEARING, WHICH WOULD ALSO BE ON SEPTEMBER THE 16TH, 2025 AT 130. 
          MAYOR. THE MOTION WILL NEED TO INCLUDE THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PUBLIC HEARING. FOR THE LAST MOTION, THE MANAGER SNUCK IT IN. SO IT'S OKAY. OKAY, LEAST I GOT ONE ON YOU. SO IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEM NUMBER THREE? MOVE TO APPROVE SECOND. SECOND. YEAH. YOU NEED TO TURN YOUR MIC ON. 
          THAT'S ALL RIGHT. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING ITEM NUMBER THREE, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION IS CARRIED. MR. CITY MANAGER, MAY 
          [4. Consider authorizing the Tyrrell Park Nature & Visitors Center, part of the Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau, to apply and accept funding from the Jefferson County Tourism Commission (JCTC) for $4,000 for partial payment of wayfinding, interpretative signage for the Rotary Pollinator Gardens located at the Tyrrell Park Nature & Visitors Center.]
WE HAVE THE READING OF ITEM NUMBER FOUR? THANK YOU. MAYOR. COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE TERRELL PARK NATURE AND VISITOR CENTER, PART OF THE BEAUMONT CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU, TO APPLY AND ACCEPT FUNDING FROM THE JEFFERSON COUNTY TOURISM COMMISSION, JTC, JC SORRY FOR $4,000 FOR PARTIAL PAYMENT OF WAYFINDING, INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE FOR THE ROTARY POLLINATOR GARDENS LOCATED AT THE TERRELL PARK NATURE VISITOR CENTER, AND IT COMES WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL. SO MOVED TO APPROVE. SECOND, THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NUMBER FOUR. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING ITEM NUMBER FOUR, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING . ANY OPPOSED. THE MOTION IS CARRIED. MR. CITY MANAGER, MAY 
          [5. Consider authorizing the Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau to apply for grant monies from the Jefferson County Tourism Commission (JCTC), in the amount of $13,210 for a split advertisement billboard in Mont Belvieu, TX with the Beaumont CVB.]
WE HAVE THE READING OF ITEM NUMBER FIVE? CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE BEAUMONT CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU TO APPLY FOR GRANT MONIES FROM THE JEFFERSON COUNTY TOURISM COMMISSION IN THE AMOUNT OF $13,210 FOR A SPLIT ADVERTISEMENT, BILLBOARD AND MONT. MONT BELVIEU, TEXAS WITH THE BEAUMONT CVB. AND IT COMES WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL. IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEM NUMBER FIVE? SO MOVED TO APPROVE SECOND. THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING ITEM NUMBER FIVE PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSED. THE MOTION IS CARRIED. MR. CITY 
          [6. Consider authorizing the Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau to apply and accept funding from the Jefferson County Tourism Commission (JCTC) for $12,522.50 to host the awards luncheon for TXDOT/Texas Travel Alliance Annual 2026 Conference and promote Beaumont as the host city for the year 2027.]
MANAGER, MAY WE HAVE THE READING OF ITEM NUMBER SIX, PLEASE? COUNCIL. I'M SORRY. CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE BEAUMONT CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU TO APPLY AND ACCEPT FUNDING FROM THE JEFFERSON COUNTY TOURISM COMMISSION. FOR $12,522.50 TO HOST THE AWARDS LUNCHEON FOR TXDOT, TEXAS TRAVEL ALLIANCE ANNUAL 2026 CONFERENCE, AND PROMOTE BEAUMONT AS A HOST CITY FOR THE YEAR 2027, AND COMES TO THE RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL THERE. A MOTION FOR ITEM NUMBER SIX MOVE TO APPROVE. SECOND, THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NUMBER SIX. 
          IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING ITEM NUMBER SIX, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION IS CARRIED. MR. CITY MANAGER, MAY WE HAVE THE READING 
          [7. Council consider a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an Interlocal Agreement with Jefferson County Drainage District No. 6 (DD6) for the Howell Street and Sue Lane Drainage Improvements Project.]
OF ITEM NUMBER SEVEN? COUNCIL, CONSIDER RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH JEFFERSON COUNTY DRAINAGE DISTRICT NUMBER SIX, WHICH IS D SIX FOR THE HOTEL STREET AND SUE LANE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT. AND IT COMES WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION. MAKE A MOTION. WE APPROVE. SECOND, THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NUMBER SEVEN. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? COUNCILMAN TURNER, CAN STAFF JUST KIND OF EXPLAIN HOW THIS WORKS? I SEE SIX INITIALLY A DO THE PROJECT AND WE'RE REFUNDING THEM 100%. AM I KIND OF READING THAT CORRECT? SO THIS INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH D SIX IS FOR THE HOWL AND SUE AND WADE PROJECT, WADE STREET PROJECT. THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT DOES REIMBURSE DD SIX FOR 100% OF THEIR COSTS, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO 
          [02:10:01]
EXCEED $100,000. THE COST FOR THE PROJECT ARE GOING TO BE MORE A LITTLE BIT NORTH OF $200,000. 
          DIDI SIX HAS BEEN VERY COMMITTED TO THE COMPLETION OF THIS PROJECT AND ASSISTING US WITH THESE COSTS AND THE CONSTRUCTION, AND SO THIS IS OUR PORTION TO PURCHASE THE STORM SEWER MATERIALS, THE BACKFILL MATERIALS, AND THE ROAD BASE TO RESTORE THE SITE. ONCE DIDI SIX HAS INSTALLED THAT THOSE DRAINAGE LINES. I JUST WANT TO COMMEND YOU ON SOME OF THESE PARTNERSHIPS. I THINK OFTEN WE DON'T KIND OF WORK, YOU KNOW, PROACTIVELY BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND OTHER OTHER ENTITIES. BUT THIS IS A GOOD THING MOVING FORWARD, ESPECIALLY TXDOT AS WELL. I'D LIKE TO SEE MORE OF THIS. THANK YOU. DIDI SIX HAS REALLY WORKED, HAS DONE QUITE A BIT ON THIS PROJECT TO ASSIST THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, AND WE'RE HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO PARTNER WITH THEM ON COMPLETION. GETTING IT DONE. THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN, WERE YOU FINISHED, COUNCILMAN? YES, SIR. COUNCILMAN HILLIARD, I ALSO WANT TO SECOND THAT THAT THAT IS VERY COMMENDABLE BECAUSE WHEN IT RAINS, I GET A LOT OF CALLS FROM THAT AREA. YES. AND SO I'M, I'M, I'M VERY EXCITED. I KNOW THE, THE CONSTITUENTS OR CUSTOMERS THERE ARE ALSO GOING TO BE VERY EXCITED. IT WILL HELP THIS PARTICULAR, YOU KNOW, THIS AREA THAT HAS SEEN ISSUES IN THE PAST. IT DOESN'T ALLEVIATE THE ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD, YOU KNOW, BUT WE ARE COMMITTED TO CONTINUING TO IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES TO ADDRESS THAT AS WELL. AND I THINK THIS IS A GREAT STEP FORWARD. I THINK THE DRAINAGE THAT Y'ALL PUT IN AND THEN THIS TYING INTO THAT WILL BE A BIG WELCOME TO THE PEOPLE OF THAT NEIGHBORHOOD. THANK YOU. THERE'S NO MORE DISCUSSION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING ITEM NUMBER SEVEN, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION IS CARRIED. MANAGER, 
          [8. Council consider a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute Change Order No. 1, accept maintenance, and authorize final payment to CZ Construction, LLC, of Houston, for the Seale Road Sanitary Sewer Pipe Bursting Project.]
MAY WE HAVE THE READING OF ITEM NUMBER EIGHT? COUNCIL, CONSIDER RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE. CHANGE ORDER NUMBER ONE. ACCEPT MAINTENANCE AND AUTHORIZED FINAL PAYMENT TO C CONSTRUCTION, LLC OF HOUSTON, HOUSTON FOR THE SEEL ROAD SANITARY SEWER PIPE BURSTING PROJECT. AND IT COMES TO THE RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL. IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEM NUMBER EIGHT? MOVE TO APPROVE. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR ITEM NUMBER EIGHT. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING ITEM NUMBER EIGHT, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING I. AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION IS CARRIED. MR. CITY MANAGER, MAY 
          [9. Council consider a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute Change Order No. 1 to the contract with MK Constructors, for the Concrete Pavement Repair Citywide - Phase III Project.]
WE HAVE THE READING OF ITEM NUMBER NINE? COUNCIL, CONSIDER RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE. CHANGE ORDER NUMBER ONE TO THE CONTRACT WITH MK CONSTRUCTORS FOR THE CONCRETE PAVEMENT REPAIR CITYWIDE PHASE THREE PROJECT. AND IT COMES WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL. 
          IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEM NUMBER NINE? MOVE TO APPROVE. AND THERE IS A SECOND. 
          COUNCILMAN WILLIAMS, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING ITEM NUMBER NINE, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION IS CARRIED. MR. CITY 
          [10. Council consider a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute Change Order No. 1 to the contract with SETEX Construction Corp, of Beaumont, Texas for the Highway 124 12-Inch Water Main Replacement (From Phelps Rd to Downs Rd).]
MANAGER, MAY WE HAVE THE READING OF ITEM NUMBER TEN? COUNCIL, CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE. CHANGE ORDER NUMBER ONE TO THE CONTRACT WITH CTEX CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS, FOR THE HIGHWAY 124 12 INCH WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT FROM PHELPS ROAD TO DOWNS ROAD. AND IT COMES WITH A RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION. IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEM NUMBER TEN SO MOVED TO APPROVE? SECOND, DID YOU GET THE SECOND OKAY. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON ITEM TEN? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING ITEM NUMBER TEN, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSED MOTION IS 
          [11. Consider a Rezoning of a property from R-S (Residential-Single Family Dwelling) and A-R (Agricultural-Residential) Districts to a PUD (Planned Unit Development) District for 112 acres more or less located north and east of 7220 Helbig Road.]
CARRIED. MR. CITY MANAGER, MAY WE HAVE THE READING OF ITEM NUMBER 11? CONSIDERING REZONING OF PROPERTY FROM R. S WHICH IS RESIDENTIAL, SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING AND R AGRICULTURAL RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS TO A PUD, WHICH IS A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT FOR 112 ACRES, MORE OR LESS LOCATED NORTH AND EAST OF 7220 HELBIG ROAD, AND IT COMES WITH THE 
          [02:15:05]
RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL, AND IT'S GOING TO REQUIRE A SUPERMAJORITY VOTE. IF I'M NOT OKAY, WHICH IS SIX OF THE SEVEN. ALL RIGHT. IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEM NUMBER 11. SO MOVE TO APPROVE. SECOND, THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL ON ITEM NUMBER 11. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING ITEM NUMBER 11 PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING I ANY 
          [WORK SESSION]
OPPOSED. THE MOTION IS CARRIED. MR. CITY MANAGER, WOULD YOU PLEASE TAKE US INTO THE WORK SESSION COUNCIL TO REVIEW AND DISCUSS THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE? CHAPTER 14, ARTICLE THREE DIVISION FIVE OBSTRUCTION OF ROADWAYS, ALLEYS OR RIGHTS OF WAY. OUR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR I KNOW. YES. GOOD AFTERNOON. SO TODAY WE WILL BE DISCUSSING THE ADDITION OF A DIVISION TO OUR PROPOSED ORDINANCE. CHAPTER 14, ARTICLE THREE OBSTRUCTION OF ROADWAYS, ALLEYS OR RIGHTS OF WAY. SO CHAPTER 14 OF OUR CODE OF ORDINANCES IS RELATED TO OUR PUBLIC WAYS AND PLACES. AND IT SPEAKS TO OUR AIRPORTS AND AVIATION, STREETS AND SIDEWALKS, PARKS AND RECREATION, EVENT SERVICES, OUR LIBRARIES AND OUR PARK FACILITY STRUCTURE AND FEATURE NAMING POLICY. AND SO TODAY WE ARE FOCUSING ON THE STREETS AND SIDEWALKS ASPECT OF CHAPTER 14. SO TO GIVE YOU A QUICK BACKGROUND, DIVISION FOUR. SO OUR RIGHTS OF WAY MANAGEMENT FOR ARTICLE THREE SPEAKS TO THE PLACEMENT OF STRUCTURES AND FACILITIES, DOING ANY CONSTRUCTION, EXCAVATION OR ENCROACHMENTS INTO OUR CITY'S RIGHTS OF WAY. AND THAT WOULD INCLUDE ANY CITY STREETS, ANY PUBLIC ALLEYS. AND SO WE ARE PRIMARILY FOCUSED ON CURRENTLY, AS IT'S WRITTEN, IT'S FOCUSED ON THE UTILITY CONSTRUCTION ASPECT. SO AND UTILITY PERMITTING, AND IT DOES NOT DO A GOOD JOB OF SPEAKING TO THE PREVENTION OR ENFORCEMENT OF OBSTRUCTIONS IN THESE PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY, WHICH IS CREATING CHALLENGES IN MAINTAINING SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE SPACES. SO ON THE NEXT SLIDE, WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING BY INCLUDING DIVISION FIVE INTO ARTICLE THREE OF CHAPTER 14 OF OUR PROPOSED ORDINANCE, IS ADDRESSING THOSE PARTICULAR THINGS, ADDRESSING THESE OBSTRUCTIONS THAT ARE MATERIALS OR MATERIALS THAT BLOCK AND RESTRICT THE USE OF THE ENTIRE WIDTH OF THESE ROADWAYS, ALLEYS AND SIDEWALKS. IT IS INTENDED TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC'S SAFETY AND MOTORISTS BY ENSURING THAT OUR ROADWAYS AND RIGHTS OF WAY REMAIN CLEAR AND UNOBSTRUCTED. 
          AND IF THERE ARE IMPROVEMENTS THAT THEY ARE CONSTRUCTED TO MEET THE NECESSARY STATE, FEDERAL OR LOCAL REGULATIONS. WE'RE TRYING TO ALSO PREVENT ANY OBSTRUCTIONS THAT CREATE A HAZARDOUS CONDITION, WHETHER BY LIMITING VISIBILITY, ENDANGERING PEDESTRIANS, CYCLISTS AND DRIVERS. CURRENTLY, OUR ENFORCEMENT PROCESS IS WE DO THE BEST WE CAN, SO THIS GIVES US A BETTER FRAMEWORK TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS. SO THE NEXT SLIDE INCLUDES EXAMPLES OF RIGHT OF WAY OBSTRUCTIONS THAT PUBLIC WORKS, CODE ENFORCEMENT, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT HAVE ADDRESSED WITHIN THE LAST 30 TO 60 DAYS. EASILY. THIS WAS JUST A TOP OF OUR MIND LIST OF ONGOING ISSUES THAT WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH RECENTLY. SO THAT CAN INCLUDE EQUIPMENT AND OBJECTS, BASKETBALL GOALS. THAT REALLY IS SOMETHING THAT COMES FORWARD AS SOON AS SCHOOL LETS OUT FOR THE SUMMER. THESE PORTABLE BASKETBALL GOALS GO INTO THE STREET, AND I UNDERSTAND YOU WANT TO PLAY BALL, BUT WE NEED TO DO THAT IN A SAFE LOCATION. DUMPSTERS IN THE ALLEYWAYS. 
          THERE ARE PUBLIC ALLEYS IN THE CITY, AND THE PLACEMENT OF THESE DUMPSTERS, ALTHOUGH MAY BE CONVENIENT FOR THE NEIGHBORING BUSINESS, IT IS AN OBSTRUCTION OF A PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY. THE PARKING OF CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY, PILES OF DIRT OR PILES OF BUILDING MATERIALS. ALSO, THE UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE PROPER BUILDING MATERIALS ARE FOR THE 
          [02:20:03]
CONSTRUCTION OF INFRASTRUCTURE IN OUR RIGHT OF WAY. THOSE ARE JUST DAY TO DAY THINGS THAT WE ADDRESS. THE UNPERMITTED WORK DRIVEWAYS AND CULVERTS YOU CAN GET, A DRIVEWAY GETS PUT IN WITHOUT A CULVERT IN THE DITCH. THAT THAT THAT'S ALWAYS INTERESTING CONVERSATION. OR THE CULVERT IS OFF GRADE OR IT IS OUT OF LINE. IT WAS INSTALLED WITHOUT A PERMIT, TRENCHES OR EXCAVATIONS IN THE CITY'S RIGHT OF WAY FOR IRRIGATION. MAYBE SOMEONE IS TRYING TO DRAIN THEIR BACKYARD OR THEY'RE TYING IN UTILITIES. THESE TRENCHES CAN CREATE A PEDESTRIAN HAZARD, A TRIPPING HAZARD, FENCES. YOU KNOW, A CITIZEN IS FENCING THEIR SIDE PROPERTY LINE AND THEY'VE EXTENDED IT TOO FAR OUT. AND NOW IT'S GOING INTO THE CITY'S RIGHT OF WAY. THAT CAN CREATE A VISUAL HAZARD FOR SOMEONE WHO, YOU KNOW, MAY BE CLOSE TO AN INTERSECTION AND YOU CAN'T SEE WHO'S COMING, OR YOU'RE BACKING OUT OF THAT DRIVEWAY AND YOU'RE LOSING THAT LINE OF SIGHT BECAUSE THESE FENCES ARE IN THE CITY'S RIGHT OF WAY, LANDSCAPING AND OR HARDSCAPING, THE PLANTING OF TREES, SHRUBS, LANDSCAPE STRUCTURES CAN BLOCK VISIBILITY OR BLOCK DRAINAGE OR ENCOURAGE TRAFFIC TO THINK THAT THERE IS A ROAD THAT CONTINUES THERE, WHEN IN FACT IT DOES NOT. THOSE ARE ALL CHALLENGES THAT WE'VE DEALT WITH RECENTLY. AGAIN, LIMITING PEDESTRIAN ACCESS, LIMITING MOBILITY, REDUCING DRIVER VISIBILITY AND REDUCING THE DRIVER SAFETY. SO OUR NEXT SLIDE WILL COVER WHAT IS PROPOSED IN DIVISION FIVE AS THE ENFORCEMENT PROCESS. OF COURSE, THE FIRST STEP IS IDENTIFY THE WELL. THE FIRST STEP ZERO. IDENTIFY THAT THERE IS A CONCERN. THESE CONCERNS ARE NOT ACTIVELY SEARCHED FOR BY CITY STAFF. MOST OF THESE ISSUES ARE CONCERNS THAT ARE BROUGHT TO CITY STAFF'S ATTENTION. SO IS THERE A PROBLEM? WE GO OUT AND WE INVESTIGATE. STEP ONE. YOU KNOW, BECAUSE THERE THERE IS AN ISSUE. THERE IS A VIOLATION. THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WILL ISSUE AND POST A WRITTEN NOTICE OF VIOLATION. WHEN AN OBSTRUCTION IS FOUND, THE NOTICE WILL HAVE A DATE ON IT. STEP TWO REQUIRES THAT THE VIOLATION BE REMOVED WITHIN TEN DAYS OF THE DATE OF THE NOTICE OF VIOLATION. IF THIS VIOLATION IS NOT CORRECTED WITHIN THE TEN DAYS, THE CITY MAY REMOVE THE OBSTRUCTION AND ASSESS THOSE COSTS OF THE REMOVAL TO THE VIOLATOR, OR THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER MAY ISSUE A CITATION OR SUMMONS. SO WE'RE NOT WE'RE NOT ACTIVELY TRYING TO BECOME THE NANNY STATE. BUT WE WHEN THERE ARE RISKS IN THE CITY'S RIGHTS OF WAY, THE CITY MUST BE ABLE TO HAVE A PATH IN ORDER TO ENFORCE THE REMOVAL OF THESE CONCERNS. AND THE LAST SLIDE, OR THE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION, IS WE RECOMMEND ADOPTING THIS PROPOSED ADDITION TO CHAPTER 14 OF THE CITY'S ORDINANCES TO STRENGTHEN OUR ABILITY TO REGULATE AND ENFORCE RIGHTS OF WAY USE, PROVIDE A CLEAR AUTHORITY AND MORE EFFECTIVE TOOLS IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THESE OBSTRUCTIONS AND ESTABLISH SPECIFIC PROVISIONS AND ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS. BECAUSE OUR ULTIMATE GOAL AT THE END OF THE DAY IS TO SUPPORT THE PUBLIC SAFETY, ENSURE ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL OF OUR CITIZENS, AND PRESERVE THE INTENDED FUNCTION OF THESE PUBLIC SPACES. SO I'LL ENTERTAIN ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE. 
          AND IF I CAN'T ANSWER THEM, I'M GOING TO DEFER TO MY LEGAL COUNSEL. COUNCILMAN HILLIARD, THEN COUNCILMAN CRENSHAW. SO LIKE TRAILERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT PEOPLE PARK IN FRONT OF THEIR HOUSE. YOU KNOW, I'VE GOTTEN SOME CALLS. THERE WAS A PLACE ON NORTH NORTH CIRCUIT THAT THEY HAD A TRAILER THERE. NOW, WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE PARKING THEIR OWN PERSONAL CARS IN FRONT OF THEIR HOMES? HOW WOULD THAT FALL INTO THE MIX? SO THEY'RE WITHIN THEIR DRIVEWAY. TYPICALLY THAT'S ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. SO IT'S NOT ALWAYS PERFECT. BUT YOU KNOW THE APRON THAT GOES FROM THE DRIVEWAY TO THE ROAD, NORMALLY THAT IS THE RIGHT OF WAY. SO YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO PARK IN THAT AREA AS FAR AS PARKING IN LIKE UNPAVED SURFACES OR GRASS AREAS. WE HAVE TWO OVERLAY DISTRICTS, ONES THE OAKS HISTORIC DISTRICT. THE OTHER IS THE NEIGHBORHOOD OVERLAY DESIGN DISTRICT, AND IT'S PROHIBITED TO PARK IN GRASSY AREAS OR UNPAVED SURFACES. WE DON'T HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THAT CITYWIDE, THOUGH, IN PLACE, AND THIS WOULDN'T COVER THAT CITYWIDE. 
          YEAH. AND THIS PARTICULAR ORDINANCE REALLY ISN'T INTENDED TO ADDRESS LIKE MOVABLE OBJECTS. 
          MOST OF THE TIME PEOPLE PARK ON THE STREET, THEY'RE GONE, YOU KNOW, FOR WORK OR SCHOOL. THE 
          [02:25:03]
NEXT DAY IT WOULD PROBABLY WE DO HAVE A JUNK MOTOR VEHICLE ORDINANCE. SO VEHICLES WHO HAVEN'T MOVED IN AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME WOULD PROBABLY BE MORE LIKELY TO BE IMPACTED BY THIS. THIS REALLY IS INTENDED TO ADDRESS PEOPLE WHO BUILD ILLEGALLY THAT OVERLAY INTO OUR UTILITY EASEMENTS. THE BASKETBALL GOAL IS A BIG THING. I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY CLAIMS WE GET BECAUSE A GARBAGE TRUCK HIT A BASKETBALL GOAL THAT YOU KNOW ISN'T PRESSED UP AGAINST A CURB. IT'S TYPICALLY A LITTLE A LITTLE FURTHER INTO THE CURB. AND SO SOMETIMES YOU'LL HAVE COMPLAINTS FROM NEIGHBORS SAYING THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY CAN'T GET AROUND THEM OR DESTRUCTIVE. BUT MORE LIKELY, WE GET A CALL THAT A GARBAGE TRUCK HIT THEIR HIT THEIR BASKETBALL GOAL, AND THEY WANT THE CITY TO PAY FOR IT. AND THE FIRST QUESTION IS, WELL, WHERE EXACTLY WAS YOUR BASKETBALL GOAL? RIGHT. SO THIS WILL ALSO HELP TO REDUCE THE CITY'S CLAIMS, WHICH IN TURN REDUCES YOUR INSURANCE LIABILITY AS WELL. OKAY, THEN, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER BOONE. YEAH, JUST TO ADD ON TO THAT, I THINK THIS PROPOSED ORDINANCE WORDING HAS AN EXCEPTION FOR THINGS THAT ARE PERMITTED BY ORDINANCE OTHERWISE. AND I BELIEVE YOU'RE ALLOWED TO PARK YOUR VEHICLE ON THE STREET, FOR EXAMPLE, I THINK IT'S 72 HOURS BEFORE YOU HAVE TO MOVE IT. SO THAT WOULD BE PERMITTED AGAIN AS LONG AS IT'S PASSABLE AND MOVED IN APPROPRIATE TIME PERIOD. YEAH. 
          SO THIS IT WON'T IT WON'T IMPACT THAT UNLESS AGAIN, IT'S A IMMOVABLE OBJECT OKAY. THANK YOU. IS THAT IT, COUNCILMAN? COUNCILMAN CRENSHAW, LET'S SAY SOMEONE HAS A FENCE THAT'S ON A THE CITY'S RIGHT OF WAY, BUT IT'S BEEN THERE FOR 20 YEARS. IS THERE ANY GRANDFATHER CLAUSE OR ANYTHING HERE? WHAT I'M NERVOUS ABOUT IS A, YOU KNOW, A CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER DOING THEIR JOB, BUT MAYBE, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE OVERZEALOUS, YOU KNOW, DECIDES TO TARGET A HOMEOWNER WITH A FENCE AND IT THEN BECOMES THE COUNCILMAN'S JOB TO MEDIATE THIS TYPE OF A DISPUTE. AND I'M TRYING TO AVOID THAT TYPE OF STUFF. SO IS THIS GOING TO BE JUST THINGS THAT WE RECEIVE COMPLAINTS ABOUT, OR OUR CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO GO OUT AND ACTIVELY LOOK FOR ISSUES, PICK ME, PICK ME. I WILL DEFINITELY TOSS THIS ONE TO SHERRY. I LOVE THIS QUESTION ONE BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT I WROTE MY LAW SCHOOL PAPER ON. AND TWO, IT'S JUST I LOVE PROPERTY LAW. BUT ANYWAY, YOUR FIRST QUESTION THERE'S NO SUCH THING. YOU CAN'T ADVERSELY POSSESS PROPERTY OWNED BY A GOVERNMENT ENTITY. SO THERE'S NO IT COULD HAVE BEEN THERE FOR 100,000 YEARS. IT'S STILL OUR PROPERTY AND WE WANT IT BACK. THE SECOND PART TO THAT IS THAT CODE ENFORCEMENT IS A COMPLAINT DRIVEN DEPARTMENT. SO THEY REALLY MOST OF THE TIME THE FENCE IS GOING TO PROBABLY BE IN THE BACKYARD OR SOMETHING THAT'S NOT VISIBLE FOR THEM TO SEE. SO IT'S NOT REALLY A BIG THING. AND THEY'RE NOT OUT, YOU KNOW, MEASURING PROPERTY LINE TO DETERMINE THE FENCE ISSUE MOST LIKELY COMES UP WHEN WE NEED TO GET TO OUR EASEMENT, OR WE NEED TO ACCESS THAT PROPERTY. AND WE'RE LIKE, HEY, YOU, YOU BUILT ON ON OUR SIDE. AND SO IN THOSE REGARDS AND WHAT WE'VE DONE, YOU KNOW, ROUTINELY IS GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO REMOVE IT SO THAT THEY CAN REMOVE IT IN A WAY NOT TO DO THE LEAST AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE PROPERTY, OR WE HAVE TO REMOVE IT, WE REMOVE IT DOING THE LEAST AMOUNT OF DAMAGE, BUT WE DON'T PUT IT BACK. OKAY. SO THE RECOURSE WOULD BE THEY'RE GOING TO GET A CITATION AND GO TO MUNICIPAL COURT, AND THE COUNCIL WOULDN'T HAVE ANY ABILITY TO TRY TO. SO NOT NECESSARILY. SO THE CITATION PART REALLY AGAIN LIKE ISN'T REALLY THE WHOLE POINT OF HAVING A CITATION IS THAT IN ORDER FOR YOU TO HAVE AN ORDINANCE THAT'S ENFORCEABLE HAS TEETH, YOU HAVE TO HAVE HAVE A CONSEQUENCE TO IT. RIGHT? OTHERWISE IT'S JUST IT'S NOTHING AND PEOPLE IGNORE IT. THAT'S KIND OF WHAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW, IS THAT WE SEND A LETTER SAYING, HEY, YOU HAVE TO KIND OF DO THIS. AND PEOPLE ARE LIKE, YEAH, NO, I DON'T. AND THEY GET VERY UPSET WHEN WE NEED TO DO THE WORK AND WE GO OUT AND WE REMOVE THE PROPERTY. SO HAVING SOMETHING THAT ALLOWS FOR THEM TO KIND OF HAVE A, A PROCEEDING DUE PROCESS, IF YOU WILL, DOES IN FACT PROTECT THE CITY AND COUNCIL IN THAT REGARD BECAUSE IT'S JUST NOT ONE PERSON SAYING IT'S IN OUR RIGHT OF WAY. IT GOES TO SOMEONE WHO WHO REVIEWS IT TO SAY, YEAH, IT IS IN THE RIGHT OF WAY, AND NOW YOU HAVE TO PAY A FINE FOR IT. BUT IT'S REALLY INTENDED, LIKE WHEN THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, WE HAVE PEOPLE SAID, YOU KNOW, YOU BUILD YOUR FENCE OR YOUR POOL SLIGHTLY EXTENDS AND PEOPLE ARE LIKE, HEY, I DIDN'T KNOW. AND THEY, YOU KNOW, WE DO OUR PART AND THEY FIX IT TO DO THEIR PART TO WHERE IT DOESN'T NEED TO DO THAT. THERE ARE SOMETIMES PEOPLE GO TO GET VARIANCES BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IT'S A SITUATION WHERE IT CAN'T BE HELPED. IT'S CLOSE TO OUR IT'S SLIGHTLY OVER OUR IN OUR EASEMENT OR SLIGHTLY IN OUR PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY. BUT IT DOESN'T IMPACT OUR ABILITY TO GET TO OUR LINE. SO THERE'S A PROCESS FOR THEM TO GO AND GET A VARIANCE. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT. THERE IS ALSO INSTANCES LIKE WHERE ONE ONE THAT RECENTLY CAME UP WAS OVER OFF OF WEST LUCAS, WHERE THEY NEEDED ADDITIONAL OR ADDITIONAL PROPERTY TO INSTALL A DRIVEWAY FOR A DRIVE THROUGH, 
          [02:30:06]
AND ALSO A FENCE. AND SO THERE'S ABANDONMENT APPLICATION PROCESS YOU CAN DO THROUGH PLANNING COMMISSION. THAT'S NOT THAT'S NOT BY ANY MEANS TO SAY THAT WE WANT TO GO OUT AND TAG EVERY FENCE AND REQUIRE THEM TO GET AN ABANDONMENT. THAT IS NOT WHAT I'M SAYING. BUT THERE IS SOMETHING WHERE IF IT'S BEEN THERE FOREVER, THE CITY IDENTIFIES THAT WE CANNOT OR WE DON'T NEED IT TO BE REMOVED, THEN THERE IS AN ABANDONMENT PROCESS THAT THEY COULD TO ACQUIRE THAT LAND. AND IN THOSE CASES, THERE'S NO UTILITY EASEMENTS, OR THE PLACEMENT OF THE ITEM NEAR THE EASEMENT DOESN'T IMPACT OUR ABILITY TO DO WORK. OKAY. AND THAT THE VARIANCE, I THINK WAS IS REALLY WHAT I WAS LOOKING AT. SO THIS ISN'T A CIRCUMSTANCE WHERE CODE ENFORCEMENT FINDS A VIOLATION, AND THE ONLY RECOURSE IS THE PERSON HAS TO GO TO MUNICIPAL COURT. THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY HERE TO GET A VARIANCE. IF A FENCE HAS BEEN ON THE CITY EASEMENT FOR 30 YEARS AND HAS NEVER BOTHERED ANYONE, I DON'T. I'M JUST TRYING TO MAKE SURE OUR NEW ORDINANCE DOESN'T CREATE THIS BRAND NEW ISSUE WHERE CODE ENFORCEMENT IS GOING TO GO OUT THERE AND TAKE ACTIONS AGAINST THIS PERSON. THIS PERSON HAS ZERO RECOURSE, AND THEY CAN GO TO THE CITY AND TRY TO GET A VARIANCE RIGHT. SO IF THE FENCE IS THERE AND IT DOESN'T IMPACT ANYTHING, CHANCES ARE THEY NEVER KNOW ABOUT IT. TYPICALLY WE DISCOVER VIOLATIONS LIKE THE FENCES AND THE POOLS WHEN WE NEED TO DO THE WORK. OKAY, SO IF THE FENCE IS THERE AND IS NOT NEAR EASEMENT, WE WOULD NEVER KNOW. VARIANCE IS FOR PRIVATE PROPERTY LICENSED TO ENCROACH IS FOR A PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY RIGHT OR ABANDONMENT IF THEY WANT THAT PROPERTY CORRECT. COUNCILMAN TURNER THEN COUNCILMAN DARIO. MADAM ATTORNEY, STOP ME IF THIS ISN'T THE TIME TO TALK ABOUT THIS. STOP. OKAY, I'M GONNA ASK ANYWAYS. SO I KNOW AT ONE POINT AND IT KIND OF GOES ALONG WITH THIS, YOU KNOW, THESE PODS, YOU KNOW, I SEE PEOPLE HAVE PODS IN THEIR FRONT YARD, AND I GET A LOT OF CITIZENS WHO CALL ME WITH COMPLAINTS THAT THEY HAVE THESE PODS. THEY'RE LIKE FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. I UNDERSTAND BUSINESSES, BUT I'M TALKING ABOUT RESIDENTS. PEOPLE WHO HAVE THESE IN THEIR FRONT YARD. DOES THIS WOULD THIS IMPACT THAT? SO NO, THIS IS REALLY GEARED TOWARDS OUR OUR PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAYS AND IN THOSE AREAS. SO MOST OF THE TIME THEY'RE AT THE VERY TOP OF THEIR DRIVEWAY OR THEY'RE IN THEIR YARD. IN SOME CASES THERE IS SOME LIKE THE OVERLAY DISTRICTS THAT DIRECTOR EAMON MENTIONED, THEY WOULD HAVE DIFFERENT RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THEM. BUT IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT DON'T HAVE THAT, THERE'S SOME OTHER POSSIBLE STORAGE RULES THAT WOULD APPLY. WE DO HAVE A SEPARATE POD SECTION OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE, THAT WHICH DOES PUT A TIME LIMIT ON THE POD. OKAY. BUT IS IT JUST FOR RESIDENTIAL OR IS IT COMMERCIAL TOO? I THINK IT'S FOR BOTH. YEAH. FOR BOTH. AND AGAIN, IT'S USUALLY COMPLAINT DRIVEN. SO USUALLY THOSE ARE COMPLAINTS WE GET. UNDERSTOOD. THANK YOU COUNCILMAN DARIO. COUNT ON WHAT AJ WAS SAYING. DOES CODE ENFORCEMENT ACTIVELY PATROL AND LOOK FOR THESE TYPE OF VIOLATIONS? OR IF SOMEBODY COMPLAINS YOU GO OUT THERE OR IF YOU JUST HAPPEN TO PASS BY AND SEE IT, YOU'LL YOU'LL WRITE UP A VIOLATION. SO CURRENTLY WE HAVE FIVE CODE OFFICERS FOR THE CITY OF BEAUMONT. SO NINE TIMES OUT OF TEN IT IS PRETTY COMPLAINT BASED DRIVEN. THAT'S WHY I HARP ON, YOU KNOW REPORTED TO 311 SO WE CAN GET IT IN THE SYSTEM AND GET AN INSPECTION DONE. OR EMAIL ME DIRECTLY AND I WILL ROUTE IT, I PROMISE YOU. SO THAT'S REALLY IT REALLY IS COMPLAINT BASED MOST OF THE TIME. A LOT OF TIMES I'LL ALERT MY STAFF TO WHENEVER I'M RIDING AROUND AND I SEE SOMETHING, BUT A LOT OF TIMES IT'S COMPLAINT BASED AND THE SAME FOR OUR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS LIKE OUR INSPECTORS WILL FIND AN OBSTRUCTION THAT COMES UP, YOU KNOW, AND THAT IS GOING TO LIMIT THE COURSE OF US TO BE ABLE TO DO OUR WORK. THEN OUR INSPECTORS WILL COORDINATE WITH CODE ENFORCEMENT TO WORK THAT WORK THROUGH THAT PROCESS. 
          WE ALSO HAVE EMPLOYEES LIKE OUR STREET SWEEPERS ARE CALLING ME LIKE, HEY, WE COULDN'T GET DOWN THE STREET BECAUSE THERE WERE BASKETBALL GOALS AND WE DIDN'T WANT TO HIT IT OR, YOU KNOW, WE DIDN'T. GARBAGE TRUCKS, WE WEREN'T ABLE TO MANEUVER DOWN THE STREET BECAUSE THERE WAS OBSTRUCTION IN THE WAY. AND SO OUR EMPLOYEES WOULD SAY, YOU KNOW, HEY, LIKE WE COULDN'T GET TO CERTAIN AREAS. SO IT'S NOT NECESSARILY LIKE IT'S SELF-REPORTING IN A WAY AS WELL. 
          OKAY. DOES THIS LIKE IN MY WARD A FEW TIMES, FOLKS BUILD A FENCE LIKE RIGHT AT THE CORNER TO WHERE YOU CAN'T SEE ONCOMING TRAFFIC, OR THEY'LL HAVE SHRUBBERY. IT'S ALWAYS LIKE ONE SPOT AT THE CORNER OF 12TH AND WASHINGTON BOULEVARD. IF YOU'RE COMING DOWN 12TH, I GUESS THAT'S WEST TOWARD WASHINGTON. WHEN YOU GET THAT STOP SIGN, IT'S A LOT OF WOODS THERE. IT'S RIGHT ACROSS FROM THE FIRE STATION YOU HAVE TO PULL OUT TO SEE. DOES THAT INCLUDE IS THAT WHAT THIS IS TO HANDLE THOSE TYPE OF SITUATIONS? THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING WE WOULD DEFINITELY WANT TO INVESTIGATE, BECAUSE I'VE WONDERED ABOUT THAT LOCATION AS WELL, IS HOW FAR IS THAT WOODED AREA EXTENDING INTO THE CITY'S RIGHT OF WAY? I DON'T KNOW SO MUCH THAT IT WAS PLANTED 
          [02:35:03]
OR PLACED THERE SO MUCH AS IS NEVER BEEN CLEARED ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE RIGHT OF WAY. BUT WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT IT. OKAY. AND MADAM, JUST WANTED TO FOLLOW UP REAL QUICK ON YOUR YOUR REQUEST THERE. THERE IS A SEPARATE ORDINANCE THAT ADDRESSES LINE OF SIGHT ISSUES FOR CORNERS. SO WHETHER IT'S A FENCE OR OVERGROWN VEGETATION THAT CAN BE HANDLED UNDER A SEPARATE ORDINANCE, YOU HAVE A LOT OF OVERLAPPING ORDINANCE. OKAY. AND. MR. ATTORNEY, YOU BROUGHT UP GARBAGE TRUCKS. IF A GARBAGE TRUCK, ONE OF OUR GARBAGE TRUCKS IS GOING DOWN THE STREET AND HIT A LINE AND PULLS IT OUT FROM SOMEBODY'S HOUSE, IS IT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF US OR THE PEOPLE THAT OWN THE LINE? TO REPORT A REPAIR? EITHER. DON'T DO THAT. NO, WE'LL TALK OFFLINE. 
          OKAY. THAT'S ALL I HAVE. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? OKAY. IF WE'LL MOVE INTO IF YOU'LL READ ITEM 
          [12.  Council consider adopting a new ordinance, Obstruction of Roadways, Alleys, or Rights-of-Way, to Sec. 14.03.218 through Sec. 14.03.223 of the Public Ways and Public Places Ordinance.]
NUMBER 12, MR. CITY MANAGER. COUNCIL, CONSIDER ADOPTING A NEW ORDINANCE. OBSTRUCTION OF ROADWAYS, ALLEYS OR RIGHTS OF WAY TO SECTION 14 .03.218 THROUGH SECTION 14 .03.223 OF THE PUBLIC WAYS, PUBLIC WAYS AND PUBLIC PLACES ORDINANCE, AND AS A RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL, IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEM NUMBER 12? MOVE TO APPROVE. SECOND, THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NUMBER 12. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING ITEM NUMBER 12, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSED MOTION IS CARRIED AND WE HAVE A. 
          [COUNCIL COMMENTS]
NOTHING ELSE. THAT'S IT. ALL RIGHT. AT THIS POINT WE'LL GO TO COUNCILMAN COMMENTS. AND I BELIEVE LAST WEEK I STARTED WITH COUNCILMAN CRENSHAW. SO COUNCILMAN DARIA THANK YOU, MAYOR. JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS. ONCE AGAIN, I WANT TO SAY GOOD JOB TO STAFF FOR THIS BUDGET PRESENTATION. IT WAS VERY INFORMATIVE. AND WE AND WE HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET PROPOSED. AND THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT. ALSO, I'VE BEEN GETTING QUITE A FEW EMAILS ABOUT THE HOMELESS PROBLEM OVER THERE. THE 1000 BLOCK OF CALDER. AND AS FAR AS TRESPASSING ON THOSE BUSINESSES, I MEAN, WE'RE GETTING I GUESS EVERYBODY'S GETTING 4 OR 5 OF THEM EVERY DAY. SO WE NEED TO REALLY LOOK INTO THAT AND, AND SEE WHAT WE COULD DO FOR THOSE BUSINESS OWNERS OVER THERE. 
          ALSO. THEY'RE BACK. HOMELESS FOLKS ARE AT THE CORNER OF I-10 AND COLLEGE. I JUST GOT AN EMAIL AS WE WERE SITTING IN HERE ABOUT THAT, ADDRESSING THAT, I GOT. I GUESS IT'S PD STILL HERE. I GUESS THEY LEFT, JUST WALKED OUT, GOT A LOT OF PHONE CALLS ABOUT THE TRAFFIC AT BINGMAN HEAD START. I GUESS IT WAS THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. YOU KNOW THOSE PRE-K, IT'S THEIR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. THE PARENTS WANT TO DROP THEM OFF AND TAKE PICTURES, BUT THEY CHANGED THE TRAFFIC. SO SOME FOLKS ON WINFREY STREET, BACK BEHIND THE SCHOOL, ARE HAVING THEIR DRIVEWAYS BLOCKED BY THE FOLKS THAT'S GOING TO DROP THE KIDS OFF. SO I THINK PD IS ALREADY ADDRESSING THAT. BUT I JUST WANTED TO WANT TO BRING THAT OUT. AND ONE OTHER THING OVER THERE IN THE PEAR ORCHARD THEY HAVE AND I KNOW THIS DOESN'T REALLY NOTHING WE CAN DO, BUT I FEEL SOMETIME, EVEN IF IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT THE CITY IS DOING, IF THEY COME TO US, THEN TO THE COUNCIL PEOPLE, THEN WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO ADDRESS IT. AND SO FOLKS ARE NOT GETTING THEIR MAIL OVER THERE AND THEY SAY IT'S BEEN, IT'S BEEN AT LEAST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND THEY DON'T HAVE ANYBODY AT THE POST OFFICE OVER THERE ON AVENUE A AS WELL. NO. COUNCILMAN TURNER AND I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE POSTMASTER, AND I'M GONNA TALK TO HER AGAIN TODAY, BECAUSE A LOT OF IT'S A LOT OF OUR SENIORS THAT LIVE OVER THERE, THEY DON'T PAY THEIR BILLS ONLINE. THEY PAY THEM THROUGH THE MAIL. THEY RECEIVE MEDICINE THROUGH THE MAIL. AND THE POSTMASTER SAYING THE PROBLEM IS THEY'RE JUST VERY SHORT HANDED. AND IT'S A HARD TIME HIRING PEOPLE. AND I'M JUST SAYING, IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A JOB OR IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A CAREER, THE POST OFFICE IS HIRING AND THEY START YOU OFF WELL AND YOU CAN STAY THERE TILL YOU RETIRE, YOU KNOW, AND THEY, THEY EVEN AND THIS YOU MIGHT NOT THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT, BUT I KNOW IT'S IMPORTANT. WHEN YOU RETIRE THEY PAY FOR ALL YOUR MEDICAL INSURANCE. AND THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE THE CITY DOESN'T DO THAT FOR ME. BUT AND THAT'S ALL I WANT TO SAY. THANK YOU MAYOR. THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN 
          [02:40:01]
DARIO. MEDICAL INSURANCE. COUNCILMAN HILLIARD. NO. I WANT TO I WANT TO I BASICALLY JUST I'M GOING TO SOUND LIKE CHRIS, OUR COUNCILMAN DARIO. BUT AGAIN, THANK YOU, STAFF, FOR THE HARD WORK AND THE LONG HOURS THAT Y'ALL PUT INTO PUTTING THIS THING TOGETHER. AND I COMMEND YOU ON COMING UP WITH A BALANCED BUDGET. AND I ALSO WANT TO ADDRESS THE HOMELESS PROBLEM. 
          I'M GETTING A LOT OF CALLS OF THAT. IT IT GOING ON. AND I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE DEFINITELY NEED TO ADDRESS VERY SOON. IT'S NOT JUST THE TRESPASSING BUT YOU KNOW, THE DEFECATION IN FRONT OF BUSINESSES ON WINDOWS. AND SO I BELIEVE THAT IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE DEFINITELY NEED TO ADDRESS. I KNOW THAT COUNCILMAN CRENSHAW BROUGHT IT UP MANY TIMES DURING THE CAMPAIGN, AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US FOCUS OUR ENERGIES ON ON TRYING TO FIND A SOLUTION TO IT RATHER THAN THAT. I'M GOOD. THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN. COUNCILMAN TURNER, MR. MANAGER, THE STAFF LIKE KIND OF HOW WE HAVE TECHS THAT COME BY AND GIVE AN UPDATE. I'M REQUESTING THAT WE GET THE RAILROAD TO COME BY WHERE WE CAN KIND OF HAVE SOME DIALOG AND GET SOME UPDATES. I KNOW, PARTICULARLY LUCAS AND HILBERT, WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THE CROSSINGS AND IT'S BEEN OVER TWO YEARS. SO AT SOME POINT I WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO COME IN FRONT OF COUNCIL. WE CAN HAVE SOME DIALOG, EVEN WITH THE DITCHES AND THE HORNS, LIKE WE JUST NEED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION SO WE CAN GET THEM. WE WOULD HIGHLY APPRECIATE IT. I KNOW I ONLY SPEAK FOR MYSELF, BUT I'M PRETTY SURE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL SUPPORT THAT. I SECOND IT, COME ON, I NEED YOU. 
          AND THE NEXT THING IS WE CAN CHECK ON OUR CONCRETE OVER THERE. BY THAT MISS ADDIE ALLEN BROUGHT UP. MAYBE WE CAN GET SOMEBODY TO RIDE BY THERE AND JUST CHECK ON THE STATUS OF IT. 
          THE NEXT THING WAS SALLY CURTIS. MAYBE EVEN IF WE DON'T HAVE ANOTHER COUNCIL MEETING NEXT WEEK, I'M REQUESTING THAT STAFF MAYBE UPDATE ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS BY EMAIL ABOUT THE STATUS OF WHAT WE PLAN TO DO SO WE CAN COMMUNICATE WITH CITIZENS. A LOT OF PARENTS HAVE BEEN CALLING ME IN THAT AREA ABOUT THAT AS WELL. THE HOMELESS PROBLEM, ONE OF THE ONE OF THE TOUGHEST THINGS THAT WE DON'T WANT TO KIND OF ADDRESS IS MOST OF THESE THINGS COST MONEY TO ADDRESS. AND I KNOW WE DID THE NO CAMPING ORDINANCE, BUT MAYBE WE MAY NEED TO REVISIT A HOMELESS WORKSHOP OR SOMETHING ON THE FUTURE AGENDA ITEM TO SEE IF THIS COUNCIL MAY HAVE AN APPETITE TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT, BECAUSE IT IS PRETTY MUCH A WHOLE NEW COUNCIL. SO I'M OPEN TO SEE THE APPETITE OF THE COUNCIL ON HOW WE WANT TO TACKLE AND DEAL WITH THIS HOMELESS SITUATION. I'M IN THE EMAIL THREAD AS WELL. AND YEAH, WE GET IT ALMOST EVERY DAY. AND LASTLY, I'VE BEEN KIND OF BREAKING DOWN TO A LOT OF CITIZENS THE MATH ON WHAT THE BOND WOULD DO TO THEIR HOMES. SO ON OUR WEBSITE, THROUGH MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME TYPE OF CALCULATOR WHERE YES, IT IS. OKAY, GOOD, GOOD. WELL, SEND ME THE LINK WHERE I CAN SEND IT TO THEM. SO I QUIT DOING THE MATH FOR ALL THESE DIFFERENT PEOPLE. ALL RIGHT. SO SEND IT TO ME IF IT'S THERE SO I CAN GET THAT OUT. SO I APPRECIATE STAFF GETTING AHEAD OF THAT. BUT YEAH I DEFINITELY WANT THAT LINK. YEAH I'M SORRY THAT THANK YOU COUNCILMAN. COUNCILMAN WILLIAMS. YEAH. YOU KNOW GREAT JOB ON THE BUDGET WORK. THANK YOU FOR OPERATING WITHIN THE CURRENT TAX RATE AND NOT KIND OF FORCING US TO RAISE THAT. AND THEN JUST TO REITERATE THE SALLY CURTIS DEAL, MY WIFE'S AUNT IS THE PRINCIPAL THERE. SO I HEAR IT DIRECTLY FROM FAMILY. AND IT'S JUST THAT THAT SCHOOL HAS A LOT OF KIDS THAT WALK TO AND FROM SCHOOL. AND SO JUST TO HAVE AN ANSWER FOR THEM, AND IF WE CAN GET THAT COMMUNICATED TO US TO FORWARD ON TO THEM. AND THEN I THINK ONE OF THE SPEAKERS EARLIER TALKED ABOUT THE, THE ROAD CLOSURES, I THINK IN, IN ALL THINGS COMMUNICATION IS KEY. 
          AND SO THE SOONER WE CAN RELAY INFORMATION, CITIZENS CAN MAKE ARRANGEMENTS. AND A LOT OF TIMES THEY THINK WE KNOW THAT THESE CLOSURES ARE GOING TO HAPPEN AND WE DON'T. SO, YOU KNOW, IF WE CAN FIND OUT ABOUT SOME OF THOSE THINGS SOONER AND PUMP IT OUT ON THE CITY'S PAGE, AND THAT ALLOWS US TO PUT IT OUT THERE, THAT WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THAT'S IT. THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN WILLIAMS. COUNCILWOMAN SHERWOOD, I'D LIKE TO GET BEHIND THE COUNCIL ON THE SALLY CURTIS SAFETY ISSUE. I'M NOT REALLY CERTAIN, BUT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR KIDS ARE SAFE. THAT'S A REALLY BIG DEAL. 
          AND I SECOND WHAT AJ SAID AT HELBIG AND LUCAS WITH GETTING THE RAILROAD IN HERE TO HAVE 
          [02:45:06]
SOME CONVERSATIONS. AND I'D ALSO LIKE TO LOOK INTO SOMEONE SPOKE ABOUT OUR CODES BEING MORE STRICT OR GOING BEYOND THE STATE AND FEDERAL CODES. I'D LIKE TO SEE WHAT CODES DO WE HAVE THAT ACTUALLY INHIBIT PRODUCTIVITY MORE THAN IF WE'RE DOING MORE THAN WHAT IS RECOMMENDED BY THE STATE AND FEDERAL? I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THAT IS AND WHY. OUTSIDE OF THAT GREAT JOB ON THE BUDGET. IT'S A GREAT DAY IN BEAUMONT. I'M SUPER EXCITED ABOUT ALL THE WORK THAT'S BEEN DONE. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN. COUNCILMAN CRENSHAW, I WAS NOT PLANNING ON TALKING ABOUT THE HOMELESS SITUATION TODAY, BUT BECAUSE IT'S BEEN BROUGHT UP BY OTHERS, I FEEL LIKE I HAVE TO. NUMBER ONE, THERE'S NO EASY SOLUTION WITH THE HOMELESS SITUATION. AND WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO IGNORE WHAT IS GOING ON OVER THERE ON CALDER STREET. I BELIEVE THOSE ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING SERVICES FOR THE HOMELESS HAD GREAT INTENTIONS OF ALL LOCATING WHERE THEY DID OVER THERE, BUT THE CONSEQUENCES OF PUTTING ALL OF THE SERVICES IN ONE AREA OF TOWN, IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSINESSES AND RESIDENCES, HAS DESTROYED THAT CALDER NEIGHBORHOOD, AND WE ARE WATCHING BUSINESSES CLOSE AND LEAVE. WE'RE WATCHING PEOPLE MOVE OUT OF THEIR HOMES AND NOT BEING ABLE TO SELL THEM. I'VE DONE 3 OR 4 RIDE ALONGS WITH THE BEAUMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT SINCE I'VE BEEN SWORN IN ON COUNCIL, AND EVERY NIGHT WE DRIVE THROUGH THAT AREA OVER THERE WHERE THE HOMELESS ARE. AND IT'S ALMOST LIKE SOMETHING OUT OF A MOVIE. PEOPLE DO NOT REALIZE IT BECAUSE THEY DON'T GO OVER THERE LATE AT NIGHT, BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE LAYING ON THE STREETS, ON THE SIDEWALKS, IN YARDS, STRUNG OUT ON DRUGS OR SLEEPING OR DRUNK OR WHATEVER THE CIRCUMSTANCES MAY BE. IT'S AWFUL. WHAT I WOULD LIKE FOR STAFF TO DO IS LOOK AT WHERE WE COULD RELOCATE THESE SERVICES TO WITHIN THE CITY, IN AN INDUSTRIAL AREA AWAY FROM RESIDENCES AND SMALL BUSINESSES. I'M NOT TRYING TO BE HEARTLESS AND SAY WE DO NOT NEED TO PROVIDE FOR THE HOMELESS. WE ABSOLUTELY DO. AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR THESE ORGANIZATIONS THAT DO PROVIDE FOR THE HOMELESS. BUT WE HAVE GOT TO GET SOME RELIEF FOR THAT NEIGHBORHOOD OVER THERE THAT HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY DESTROYED BY WHAT'S GOING ON. 
          AND IF WE DO NOT ADDRESS IT, I FEEL IT'S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE. SO, MR. CITY MANAGER, I WOULD PLEASE ASK THAT STAFF TRY TO IDENTIFY SOME AREAS. LONG BEFORE I GOT ON COUNCIL, THERE WAS SOME TALK MAYBE ABOUT OVER OFF OF MLK NEAR CARDINAL DRIVE THAT THERE'S A THAT'S AN INDUSTRIAL ZONED AREA OVER THERE AND THERE'S REALLY NO BUSINESSES AROUND THERE THAT WOULD BE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED BY THAT BECAUSE THE BUSINESSES THAT ARE THERE, YOU KNOW, LARGE INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS. BUT ANYWAY, WE'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING. AND UNTIL WE'RE WILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT AND LOOK AT SOLUTIONS ON RELOCATING THOSE SERVICE PROVIDERS OVER THERE ON CALDER, THE SITUATION IS NEVER GOING TO IMPROVE. THERE'S NO MONEY WE COULD SPEND TO HELP PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, AND BUYING THEM BUS TICKETS TO ANOTHER CITY ISN'T A GOOD OR CHRISTIAN OPTION, BUT WE NEED TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES SOMEWHERE OUTSIDE OF THAT NEIGHBORHOOD. 
          NOW, WHAT I INTENDED TO TALK ABOUT TODAY WAS THE HARMONY TRAFFIC. CALDER NEXT TO CALDER PLACE NEIGHBORHOOD. BEFORE I GOT ON COUNCIL, THERE WAS APPARENTLY A MEETING WITH THE POLICE AND THE CITY AND THE AND THE HARMONY SCHOOL TO TRY TO COME UP WITH A PLAN. AND HARMONY WAS SUPPOSED TO DO CERTAIN THINGS, PROVIDE BUSSES TO SHUTTLE THE KIDS OFF OF THE SCHOOL PROPERTY TO OTHER LOCATIONS FOR THE PARENTS TO PICK THEM UP TO HELP WITH THE TRAFFIC. I DO BELIEVE THERE'S BEEN AN ATTEMPT AT THAT, BUT IT HASN'T BEEN GREAT AND THE TRAFFIC PROBLEMS ARE STILL PERSISTING AND WE NEED TO, I THINK, BRING HARMONY. MAYBE A WORKSHOP, INVITE THEM BACK BEFORE THE COUNCIL. I HEARD THE OTHER DAY, MAYBE THERE IS A PLAN TO BRING HARMONY BACK BEFORE THE COUNCIL ON OCTOBER OR MAYBE LATE SEPTEMBER, BUT IT'S A REAL ISSUE. THEY'RE BLOCKING OTHER BUSINESSES. CARS CAN'T GET INTO BUSINESSES. ON CALDER. I CAN'T IMAGINE BEING CARMELA'S AND HAVING, YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING RUN ON FRIDAY. I THINK THEY GET OUT AT NOON, WHICH IS THE RUSH HOUR FOR, FOR FRIDAY LUNCH FOR CARMELA. SO IT'S, IT'S A IT'S A BAD SITUATION OVER THERE. I APPRECIATE TIM CHIEF MACEK HAVING HIS OFFICERS OUT THERE THIS WEEK DOING SOME ENFORCEMENT. BUT THEY'RE BLOCKING DRIVEWAYS. THEY'RE BLOCKING BUSINESSES. THEY'RE 
          [02:50:03]
BLOCKING RESIDENCES. THEY'RE BLOCKING ENTIRE STREETS. YOU CAN'T EVEN GET DOWN 23RD. PEOPLE JUST SIT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AND DON'T MOVE. SO ANYWAY, IF WE COULD PLEASE HAVE HARMONY COME BACK AND SIT DOWN AND HAVE SOME SERIOUS DISCUSSIONS, BECAUSE AS OF RIGHT NOW, I THINK THAT THEY'RE NOT DOING ENOUGH, AND I THINK THEY'RE VIOLATING THEIR SPECIFIC USE PERMIT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SIR. MADAM CITY ATTORNEY COMMENT. MAYOR. SURE. YEAH, WE CAN DO THAT. COUNCIL MEMBER WE'LL GET THEM BACK IN HERE. IS THERE AN UPDATE? SCHEDULE SOME THINGS, BUT I WILL SAY THEY'VE ALREADY BEEN TO PLANNING COMMISSION. AND PLANNING COMMISSION ASKED THAT IT BE TABLED FOR 180 DAYS. IT WAS THREE MONTHS, THREE MONTHS BACK IN OCTOBER. YEAH. SO THEY'RE ALREADY SCHEDULED TO COME BACK. I THINK WITH THE AT THE TIME WITH THEY ASKED FOR THEM TO DO IS TO IMPLEMENT AND SEE WHAT WAS WORKING AND COME BACK WITH SOMETHING DEFINITE BECAUSE THEY HAD SO MANY DIFFERENT IDEAS THAT THEY WERE WILLING TO DO. THEY SAID, COME BACK WITH A SOLID IMPLEMENTATION AND PLAN FOR THAT AGAIN, BECAUSE IT'S PLANNING COMMISSION AND THEY ONLY MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL. YOU COULD JUST ASK THAT THEY BRING IT BACK TO YOU AND YOU'D HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, IN THE IN THE PUBLIC HEARING FORMAT SO THAT THEY COULD HAVE THAT DIALOG WITH YOU GUYS. BUT I WOULD CAUTION YOU TO KIND OF STAY WITHIN THOSE GUIDELINES OF HAVING THOSE THOSE COMMITTEES THAT YOU SET UP TO KIND OF MAKE A RECOMMENDATION SO THAT INDIVIDUALS DON'T AGREE. THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO APPEAL IT TO COUNCIL. YOU GUYS ARE THE FINAL AUTHORITY. SO KIND OF REMOVING THAT STEP MEANS THE NEXT STEP IS AUTOMATIC LITIGATION. AND ONE OTHER CLARIFYING QUESTION, COUNCIL MEMBER CRENSHAW, WHEN YOU SAY RELOCATE, YOU MEAN THE SERVICES THAT ARE PROVIDED IN THAT AREA. TRY TO FIND THEM A PLACE TO GO? YES. WORK WITH SOME OTHER PLACES. SALVATION ARMY TO MOVE THEIR FACILITIES TO A DIFFERENT AREA AND OUT OF THAT RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD. OKAY. THANK YOU. SO TODAY I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND BREAKFAST WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT, AND I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN OUR DISTRICT. I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE THINGS THEY HAVE PLANNED FOR OUR KIDS, AND I'M EXCITED TO CONTINUE VOLUNTEERING WITH BUSD AND BE ALL IN ALL YEAR. THANK YOU MA'AM. PUBLIC WORKS. GOOD AFTERNOON. SO LET'S LET'S START DOWN THE LIST. SO THERE WAS INFORMATION BROUGHT TO US ABOUT A ISSUE WITH THE PAVEMENT ON NORTH STREET JUST EAST OF INTERSTATE TEN. WE'VE IDENTIFIED THAT STREETS AND DRAINAGE WILL GO OUT THERE AND MAKE THAT REPAIR. SO SCHEDULED. HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET THAT ADDRESSED SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. I JUST DON'T HAVE A TIMELINE ON THAT REPAIR AT THIS MOMENT. THE THERE WAS AN ISSUE OF A DEBRIS PILE ON NORTH SEVENTH STREET, AND THAT HAS BEEN PICKED UP. THAT WAS A COMBINATION OF THE CITY DEBRIS AND RAILROAD HAD ALSO DONE SOME REPAIR WORK. SO ALL THAT HAS BEEN PICKED UP AND CLEANED UP. SO ON THE BRIDGE ON NORTH CIRCUIT, I THINK THAT THERE'S A LITTLE BIT THE BRIDGE IS OPEN, IS OPEN TO TRAFFIC. IT IS NOT FINISHED. SO WE'RE NOT DONE YET. 
          WE HAD TO MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO GET THE ROADWAY OPEN IN TIME FOR CLASSES TO START. AND THAT HAS IN FACT TAKEN PLACE PART OF WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO BE COMPLETED ARE THOSE SIDEWALK REPAIRS AT THE APPROACHES, AS WELL AS THE INSTALLATION OF THE HANDRAIL THAT IS GOING TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE TOP OF THE CONCRETE GUARDRAIL THAT IS THERE. SO I THINK BEFORE IT HAD A METAL BEAM GUARDRAIL, WHICH HAS BEEN REMOVED AND IS NOW THE SOLID CONCRETE WALL, IT WILL HAVE AN ADDITIONAL HANDRAIL OVER THE TOP OF IT. I BELIEVE WE HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT QUITE A BIT. COUNCILMAN WILLIAMS, WITH YOUR FAMILY MEMBER. AND WHAT WE COME TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT THEY WANT THE FENCES RETURNED IS THAT IS WHAT THEY WANT. NOT NOT SO MUCH THE HANDRAIL OR THE GUARDRAIL. THE GUARDRAIL IS THERE. THE GUARDRAIL IS TRAFFIC RATED. IT'S TWO TWO FEET, EIGHT INCHES TALL. 
          BUT WHAT THEY WANT IS THE FENCES. AND SO WE ARE WORKING ON GETTING THOSE FENCES REPLACED. 
          THEY WERE NOT PART OF THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT A TRAFFIC RELATED DEVICE THERE. TO KEEP PEDESTRIAN FROM EITHER GOING, STUMBLING INTO TRAFFIC OR STUMBLING OVER THE SIDE OF THE BRIDGE. SO THOSE FENCES WE ARE ACTIVELY WORKING ON GETTING THOSE INSTALLED RIGHT 
          [02:55:04]
AWAY. WE'RE HAVING TO GO THROUGH OUR PROCUREMENT AND GET PRICING FROM THE LOCAL VENDORS TO GET THAT FENCING INSTALLED AS EXPEDITIOUSLY AS POSSIBLE. SO IT IS IT IS STILL IN PROGRESS. IT'S NOT FINISHED. IT IS IN PROGRESS. ON THE LUCAS AT HELBIG. I ACTUALLY DO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF AN UPDATE ON THE LUCAS HELBIG RAILROAD CROSSING. THAT IS A PROJECT THAT IS BEING SPEARHEADED BY TXDOT WITH BNSF RAILROAD. AND THERE'S I THINK THEY KIND OF LOST SIGHT OF IT FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. AND NOW THEY ARE REFOCUSED ON GETTING THAT COMPLETED. AND WE WERE RECENTLY NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FACT THAT THEY ARE READY TO MOVE FORWARD. WE ARE WE HAVE ENGAGED A LOCAL CONSULTING FIRM WHO ALSO SPECIALIZE IN WORKING WITH RAILROADS AND GETTING THE CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS PUT TOGETHER, BECAUSE WE'LL HAVE TO HAVE AN ENGINEERED SET OF DRAWINGS TO CONSTRUCT THE CONNECTIONS OF THE EXISTING SIDEWALK TO THE PANELS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO INSTALL AT THE RAILROAD ITSELF. AND OUR PLAN IS TO EXTEND THAT SIDEWALK AND PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS ACROSS THE RAILROAD TRACK ACROSS EAST LUCAS TO ALLOW CONTINUOUS SAFE ACCESS TO THE LIBRARY AND COMMUNITY CENTER. SO THAT IS IN MOTION, AND WE HOPE TO WE'LL HAVE OUR PLANS DONE IN TIME THAT BY THE TIME BNSF DOES, THEIR CONSTRUCTION WILL BE READY TO CONNECT TO THE PANELS AND THE CROSSING IMPROVEMENTS THAT THEY MAKE THERE. SO THAT THAT WAS JUST A RECENT DEVELOPMENT THAT CAME UP PROBABLY WITHIN THE LAST FOUR WEEKS. BUT THAT IS ACTUALLY MOVING FORWARD NOW AND IS STARTING TO GAIN SOME MOMENTUM. SO I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT. WE WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO HELP THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE TO COORDINATE HAVING WHICH RAILROAD WERE. I WANT TO CLARIFY WHICH RAILROAD YOU WERE INTERESTED IN HAVING COME MEET COUNCILMAN TURNER WITH THE WITH US TO PRESENT THE ONES THAT NEVER RESPOND TO YOU. THAT NARROWS IT DOWN. SO YES, WE CAN, BUT WE ALSO DID HAPPY TO REPORT WE HAD A MEETING WITH THOSE REPRESENTATIVES LAST FRIDAY. I BELIEVE IT WAS THIS WAS A MEETING THAT TOOK SEVERAL MONTHS TO COORDINATE THERE, BUT WE DID GET TO MAKE A CONTACT WITH THEIR OPERATIONS MANAGER FOR THIS AREA. AND THEY HE HAS COMMITTED TO FINDING WAYS TO REMOVE THE OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE PERMITTING AND GETTING THE PLANS REVIEWED AND APPROVED, NOT JUST FOR, WELL, PRIMARILY FOR THE QUIET ZONE PROJECT. AND SO THAT WAS WONDERFUL TO HAVE A FACE AND A POINT OF CONTACT THAT HAS ELUDED US FOR YEARS. AND SO THESE NEW POINTS OF CONTACT THAT WE HAVE MAY BE ABLE TO FACILITATE THEM COMING TO, TO VISIT WITH US. IT WAS NICE TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK WITH THEM WITHOUT USING THAT THIRD PARTY INTERMEDIARY OF THEIR CONSULTING ENGINEER, AND HE IS ABLE TO HELP US MAKE THOSE CONVERSATIONS MORE DIRECT. AND SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THEM AS WE CONTINUE TO WORK THROUGH THIS QUIET ZONE PROCESS, AND BUT ALSO TO THE RAILROAD CROSSING ON MLK NEAR LAMAR UNIVERSITY. THAT'S ALSO A UP RAILROAD ISSUE THAT WE'VE TURNED INTO THEM AS WELL. ALL RIGHT, MISS MOLLY, I WAS ASKING SO IF WE I KNOW Y'ALL JUST MADE THE CONTACT, BUT IF WE CAN GET TO SPEAK TO HIM, I'M. I'M ASKED COREY. COREY IS GOING TO MISS COUNCILMAN CRENSHAW. HE'S GOING TO BE GOOD. WE JUST GOT THEM. WE JUST GOT THEM TO THE TABLE. WE NEED TO BE NICE FOR THAT. WE NEED TO GET THAT WORK DONE. ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT UNION PACIFIC? YES, SIR. AND THEY'RE MOVING ON THE WEST END, TOO. THEY THEY ARE. THEY'VE COMMITTED TO HELPING US FIND WAYS TO NAVIGATE THROUGH THEIR RED TAPE TO GET THIS MOVING FORWARD AS EXPEDITIOUSLY AS POSSIBLE. MISS VILLARREAL, HOW MANY ACTUAL RAILROADS ARE WE HAVING TO DEAL WITH IN THE CITY OF BEAUMONT? DIFFERENT ONES AS FAR AS QUIET ZONES. AND HOW MANY OF THEM HAVE CROSSINGS IN THE CITY OF BEAUMONT? WE DEAL WITH THREE DIFFERENT RAILROADS KCS, BNSF AND UNION PACIFIC. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. ARE ANY OF THEM EASY TO 
          [03:00:01]
WORK WITH? WE'VE BY THE NATURE OF THE WORK THAT THAT WE DO, WE HAVE DEVELOPED RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE OTHER ONES. AND UNION PACIFIC, I THINK HAS PROVEN TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE ELUSIVE. 
          THEIR PROCESS IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT. THEY DON'T USE THE SAME CONSULTING ENGINEER THAT THE OTHER TWO RAILROADS DO, SO IT'S MADE IT MUCH MORE CHALLENGING. BUT I AM OPTIMISTIC AS A RESULT OF LAST WEEK'S MEETING WITH IN THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE THAT THAT THAT WILL HOPEFULLY START TO CHANGE FOR THE BETTER. ALSO, THEY REALLY DON'T LIKE TO CUT THEIR GRASS EITHER. SO THEIR UNION PACIFIC IN PARTICULAR. BUT MOST OF THE RAILROADS NOW HAVE A WEBSITE WHERE A CITIZEN, ANY CITIZEN, CAN GO AND REPORT ISSUES. AND FOR EXAMPLE, UNION PACIFIC'S WEBSITE, YOU CAN REPORT HIGH VEGETATION, BUT WE ARE ALSO WORKING WITH BNSF BECAUSE WE HAD A HIGH VEGETATION CONCERN ON DELAWARE. AND SO JUST WORKING THROUGH THOSE AND BRINGING THAT TO THEIR ATTENTION BECAUSE OF THE WAY THAT THEY'RE STAFFED EACH THEIR STAFF IS RESPONSIBLE OFTENTIMES FOR MULTI-STATE AREAS. AND SO IT'S DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO FOCUS BACK ON US. BUT, YOU KNOW, ANYTIME THE MORE CITIZENS THAT REPORT ISSUES THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AND THEIR PHONE NUMBER, DEFINITELY THAT THAT REALLY DOES HELP BECAUSE WE'RE JUST ONE CALL CALLING THEM. IF THE CITIZENS ALSO DO REPORT THE ISSUES, IT HELPS AMPLIFY THAT CONCERN. OKAY. 
          YEAH. I HAD A CITIZEN CALL WITH THE RAILROAD OVER THERE ON VIRGINIA AVENUE A, AND THEY TOLD HER THEIR EXACT WORDS WERE, I HAVE 32,000 MILES OF TRACK TO WORRY ABOUT CUTTING THE GRASS. 
          AND THE CITIZEN SAID, I JUST NEED 100FT BEHIND MY HOUSE. CUT. BUT THE CITY WENT OUT THERE AND THEY DID. BUT I THINK THEY CAN ONLY DO LIKE UP TO 12FT FROM THE FROM THE ON EACH SIDE OF THE TRACK. AND THEN THE REST OF IT IS RESPONSIBILITY OF THE RAILROAD. YES. THE REGULATIONS ARE VERY SPECIFIC. THE PENALTIES ARE SEVERE. IF YOU GET OUT OF TOO FAR OUT OF YOUR LANE TRYING TO WORK IN PROXIMITY TO THOSE TRACKS. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. AND I JUST HAVE. 
          SO ARE WE STILL GOING OUT FOR BID FOR THE QUIET ZONES AND IN IN MY AREA? YES, SIR. WE HAVE SUBMITTED THE DRAWINGS FOR PERMITTING. THEY ARE THEY COMMITTED TO GETTING US THE RESPONSE, THE REVIEW OF THOSE PLANS. BUT THEY GOT THE FIRST. SORRY. SLOW DOWN MOLLY. THEY GOT THE FIRST ROUND OF COMMENTS BACK TO US. WE SENT ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS BACK TO THEM. THEY COMMITTED TO GETTING THE RESPONSE TO THAT TO US FASTER SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT. THE TYPICAL FOUR WEEK WAITING PERIOD WHILE WE TRY TO GET THE CLARIFICATION. SO THEY DID PROMISE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT, AND THEY ARE COMMITTED TO HELPING US EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT THAT WE HAVE TO SO THAT WE CAN WORK IN THE RIGHT OF WAY FASTER AS WELL. SO THEY'RE THEY'RE EXPLORING WHAT AVENUES THEY CAN TAKE THROUGH THEIR RED TAPE TO HELP US GET THROUGH THIS AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN. OKAY. THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME. ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER BOONE. YES, MAYOR AND COUNCIL, JUST FOLLOW UP REAL QUICKLY ON SOME OF THE COMMENTS, BECAUSE WE ARE ALSO COPIED IN THOSE EMAILS REGARDING THE HOMELESS. NEXT WEEK WILL MARK THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF WHEN WE INCREASED THE CAMPING ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY. AND IT'S SINCE THEN, YOU KNOW, WE'VE HAD A VERY SUSTAINED AND PRETTY INTENSE ENFORCEMENT EFFORT. BUT AS YOU CAN TELL, IT'S NOT IT'S NOT ACHIEVING THE GOALS THAT WE HAD HOPED FOR. SO I SUSPECT WE'LL BE SITTING DOWN AND DISCUSSING ON HOW TO LOOK AT SOME DIFFERENT OPTIONS TO TRY TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE. THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU SIR. ALL RIGHT. REAL QUICK. I KNOW COUNCILMAN OR COUNCILWOMAN SHERWOOD ASKED FOR THE DIFFERENCES IN CODES AND WHATNOT, LARGELY, WHAT WE'RE FINDING IN OUR BUILDING CODES IS OUR ELECTRICAL CODE IS DIFFERENT. SO WE'RE WORKING ON AMENDMENTS TO BRING THAT BACK TO YOU GUYS TO MORE SO ALIGN WITH THE STATE. ALSO A LARGE ONE THAT WOULD BE SEPARATE FROM THE STATE IS OUR ZONING CODE. SO THAT'S LIKE YOUR SPECIFIC USE PERMITS, THE REZONING THOSE KINDS OF THINGS. SO THAT THAT IS WHAT SETS US APART FROM THE STATE FOR HARMONY. THEY ARE DUE BACK TO PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 20TH, BUT ALSO WE HAVE A STAFF MEETING SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW AT 4 P.M. AND THEN ALSO ON THE 27TH. AND I BELIEVE WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING BI WEEKLY FROM THERE ON OUT IN HOPES THAT WE GET UPDATES FOR THE TRAFFIC OR TRAFFIC SAFETY AND RESPONSE PLAN 
          [03:05:06]
THAT THEY SUBMITTED TO PLANNING COMMISSION. THANK YOU. OKAY. YES. GO AHEAD, COUNCILMAN, ON THAT SAME NOTE, AND I DON'T I DON'T SEE TIM HERE ANYMORE. BUT THERE'S WE'RE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE SAME TRAFFIC AT WESTBROOK. IT'S BLOCKING THE ADULT LIVING FACILITY. HAVE WE HAVE WE MITIGATED THAT I KNOW WE WERE GOING TO MEET WITH BISD POLICE AND BEAUMONT POLICE TO TRY TO SET UP SOME KIND OF SOMETHING THERE TO KEEP THEM FROM BLOCKING THEIR DRIVEWAYS WHILE THEY WAIT FOR THE PICK THEIR KIDS UP. I CAN MOVE BACK WITH CHIEF FOR SURE. I DO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT HARMONY IS AT PLANNING COMMISSION, BECAUSE THEY ARE ONE OF THE NEWER SCHOOLS IN BEAUMONT, SO OUR ZONING CODE WAS ADOPTED IN 1981. SO BECAUSE THEY WERE ESTABLISHED BEYOND THEN, THEY DO REQUIRE A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT, WHICH IS WHY THEY'RE BROUGHT TO PLANNING COMMISSION REGARDING THEIR TRAFFIC CONGESTION, LARGELY BECAUSE THEIR THEIR SUV CONTAINED THAT THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE A MAXIMUM OF 350 STUDENTS AND TEACHERS COMBINED. 
          AND RIGHT NOW, I BELIEVE THAT THEY'RE SITTING AT 657 OR SO STUDENTS. SO THAT IS WHY HARMONY IS IN THE LIMELIGHT AT PLANNING COMMISSION. BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY SCHEDULE MEETINGS WITH OTHER SCHOOLS AS WELL. THANK YOU. MAYOR, I WON'T STEAL ALL OF YOUR THUNDER, BUT I JUST WANTED TO CONGRATULATE KENNETH RICKETT AND PARKS AND GREEN SPACE ON WINNING THE PARKS MASTER PLAN STATE AWARD. THEY HAD AN ARTICLE IN THE PAPER. BEAUMONT ENTERPRISE DID A WONDERFUL JOB ON ON REPORTING ON THAT. AND THEN I WANT TO THANK DUNCAN AND AMY AND THE REST OF THE STAFF WITH FINANCE ON A GREAT JOB WITH THE BUDGET. YOU GUYS DID A GREAT JOB. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. RIVERFRONT PARK DEDICATION IS THURSDAY AT 530 AGAIN. AND CHANGE ORDERS. WHEN I FIRST GOT HERE I ASKED MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT CHANGE ORDERS THAN THE COUNCIL DID BECAUSE I KNOW HOW CHANGE ORDERS IMPACT BUDGETS AND PROJECTS. SO IT'S SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN KEEPING AN EYE ON TO AND CERTAINLY DON'T WANT ANYTHING MORE TO DO. BUT OUR THRESHOLD THAT COMES TO COUNCIL IS A FAIRLY LOW NUMBER THAN MOST CITIES, AND THAT MAKE IT SEEMS LIKE IT GETS A LOT OF THEM. 
          BECAUSE IF YOU GOT A $2 MILLION PROJECT AND YOU'RE HAVING TO DO A $13,000 CHANGE ORDER, IT GETS TO BE A BIT CUMBERSOME FOR COUNCIL. SO THAT'S ONE THING YOU CAN LOOK AT TO DO THAT. BUT MOLLY, WHEN I GOT HERE, IT WAS BART AT THE TIME. AND BART AND I WENT BACK AND FORTH ON CHANGE ORDERS BECAUSE I THINK IF YOU PLAN THINGS BETTER UP FRONT, YOU HAVE MORE, LESS CHANGE ORDERS DURING THE PROJECT. AND BUT THEY ASSURE ME THEY'RE GOING THROUGH THE STEPS THAT THEY'RE DOING. 
          BUT WE'RE CONTINUING TO LOOK AT IT. SO BY CHARTER MAYOR, THE CHANGE ORDERS ARE $10,000 OR MORE. STATE LAW DOES ALLOW IT TO BE 50,000, BUT OUR CHARTER DICTATES THAT. SO IF COUNCIL WAS INTERESTED IN IT, THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING YOU NEED TO CONSIDER DURING THE NEXT CHARTER. CHANGE WOULD BE TO CHANGE THAT. YES. YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL I HAVE, MAYOR. THANK YOU. 
          ALL RIGHT. WELL, AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS, PARKS DEPARTMENT ON THE AWARD. AND AS WELL AS OUR FINANCE DEPARTMENT AND ALL THE DIRECTORS FOR WORKING ON THE BUDGET. AND IT'S A LOT OF TIME AND CERTAINLY ALL THE DIRECTORS GOT TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COUNCIL TO PRESENT THEIR BUDGET AS WELL. AND I THINK WE NEED TO SCHEDULE A WORKSHOP FOR THE HOMELESS SITUATION AND LOOK AT SOME OTHER ALTERNATIVES, BECAUSE AGAIN, WE DIDN'T GET THE DESIRED EFFECT FROM THE NO CAMPING ORDINANCE. BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT CLEARLY THIS CITY COUNCIL HAS BEEN WORKING TOWARDS GETTING A SOLUTION. AND I WAS LOOKING AT OTHER CITIES AND SAW THAT AUSTIN BUDGET, I BELIEVE THIS YEAR IS $101 MILLION. AND IF ANYBODY'S BEEN TO AUSTIN, YOU CAN SEE THAT MONEY DOESN'T FIX HOMELESS PROBLEM IN THE CITY BECAUSE THEY STILL HAVE SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS. AND IT'S THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER. ALSO, I'D LIKE TO GET ON THE GET A CALENDAR SET IN THE NEXT FOR NEXT COUNCIL MEETING WITH FOR TO HOST BOND WORKSHOPS AND EDUCATION BOND EDUCATION SEMINARS IN EACH OF THE FOUR WARDS AS WELL AS A COMMUNITY WIDE ONE. SO I BELIEVE GET FIVE ON THE BOOKS WHICH THIS IS GOING TO BE A BUSY FALL, BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET BOND EDUCATION AND THAT PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO ASK THE QUESTIONS THAT THEY DESIRE. 
          AND I WAS ALSO AT THE BREAKFAST THIS MORNING FOR BISD, AND THAT WAS ENLIGHTENING. AND I 
          [03:10:03]
APPRECIATE THE THEIR THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND SUPERINTENDENT ALLEN THAT SHE IMMEDIATELY ADDRESSED IT. AND I THINK THEY'RE HAVING A MEETING AGAIN TONIGHT TO MEET WITH PARENTS. 
          AND IT'S CERTAINLY A CONCERN FOR ALL OF US. AND WITH THAT, IT'S 440 AND WE ARE
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.