San Angelo City Council 12-2-25

[0:00:00] and welcome to the San Angelo City Council. This morning is December 2nd, 2025. Uh let's go ahead and call this meeting to order. We've got a lot to cover today. With that, Johnny, want you to come up and do our prayers and pledges, please, sir. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we ask you to come down and grace us all with your presence. Open the minds and hearts of those who may have to make decisions to be open to your guidance and your wisdom. We dedicate this day to you as an offering. Do not do not let us offer anything that is evil. Remain with us this whole day, Lord. Let your grace be a son that never sets. May the love of the Holy Spirit direct our hearts and our lips. And may we always act in accordance with your will. We ask all of this in the name of Jesus Christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen. >> Amen. >> To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, [clears throat] with liberty and justice for all. >> Honor the Texas flag. I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible. [clears throat] >> Thank you, Johnny. >> See that? Good morning everyone. As I read some proclamations here this morning, we'll make sure that the group that's attending for this specific proclamation, come up here and stand up here with me. First one we're going to

[0:02:02] do is Koncho Christmas Celebration Day, Lee, Monica, will you all come up here and stand at the front while we read this? >> How are we? Absolutely. >> Absolutely. >> All right. The year of 2025 marks the 32nd annual Concho Christmas Celebration Tour of Lights. The Concho Christmas Celebration featuring more than three million dazzling lights is recognized as one of the largest and most spectacular Christmas lighting events in the state of Texas. This beloved holiday tradition offers a 2 and 1 half mile walking or driving tour beginning behind the main post office at the corner of Abe Street and First Street and concluding at El Po de Santael. The success of the celebration is made possible through the efforts of approximately 400 dedicated community volunteers who warmly greet tour guest the inmates from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Daniel Webster Wallish unit who assists with the installation of the Christmas scenes and the members of the San Angelo Restaurant Association who generously provide meals for those inmates. [clears throat] The annual community Christmas tree lighting ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 6th, 2025 at 5:15 p.m. featuring performances by the San Angelo Community Band conducted by the Dr. Constance Kelly of Angelo State University and the Twin Mountain Tonesmen directed by Mark Clark. Following the tree lighting ceremony, the 23rd annual Lights of Christmas parade will commence at 6 p.m. in the downtown area. The tour of lights will be open to the public from December 6th through December 31st, 2025 and may be enjoyed Sunday through Thursday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and each Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. until midnight. Therefore, I Tom Thompson, the mayor of the city of St. Angelo, Texas, on behalf of the city council, do hereby declare Saturday, December 6th, 2025 as Concho Christmas Celebration Day. And we extend our gratitude to all those whose dedication and community spirit make the Koncho Christmas celebration a cherished holiday tradition and invite residents and visitors alike to take part in the

[0:04:04] joy and wonder of this annual event. >> Monica can share some words. >> Yes. Monica Ramos, director of downtown St. Angelo. Um we are very grateful to carry on the torch that Mr. Fluger has had with Contro Christmas Celebration for 32 years. Um, and this year with concho Christmas celebration, we're going to add a few little fun elements and we'll see more coming in the future. Um, but December 15th will be Grinch along the concho where the guests that tour the lights can meet and greet with Cindy Lhoo and the Grinch. Uh, we'll also have a Chick-fil-A night on December 9th and a salute to service on December 31st. So, please come out and join us. Um the minimum donation of $8 just helps us continue the tour of lights. Uh this has been a longtime tradition. It's something great for St. Angelo and the surrounding counties and cities and for visitors that come from out of state to visit our holiday festivities. And there's many other activities that take place. You can visit Concho Christmas Celebration on our website as well as our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram. And also right now, um, Jade Marty, who is our membership and events coordinator for downtown St. Angelo, um, Yes. Yes. Welcome, Jade. Um, has also organized a window decorating contest for downtown St. Angelo merchants. And, um, there are six merchants that you can go and view their displays in the evening. They have them all lit up and decorated with festive decor. And you can vote now until December 6th. Voting ends at 1 pm. Vote on the Contro Christmas Celebration Facebook page for your favorite display and that merchant will win a Contro Christmas gift card to be placed along the river for next year. Um so please help them out and um thank you all um for being a part of this community and welcoming us today. Thank you mayor and thank you city council. Let's get a photo up here. I apologize for that.

[0:06:35] All right, National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. If anybody wants to come up here and stand at the front, please do so at this time. Larry JJ On Sunday, December 7th, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in attempt to break the American will and destroy our Pacific Fleet. The attack left over 3,500 Americans killed or wounded and marked the United States entrance into World War II. President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared December 7th, 1941, a date which will live in infamy. In his official speech on December 8th, 1941, he included, "No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win to absolute victory and and with confidence in our armed forces with the unbounding determination of our people. We will gain the inev we [clears throat] will gain the inevitable triumph. So help us God." Our service members violently answered the call by defending their positions, fighting back against our attackers, and caring for our wounded. The sacrifices made by the members of our armed forces and civilians to protect America and its people will never be forgotten. On August 23rd, 1994, Congress by public law 103-308 designated December 7th of each year as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, authorizing and requesting the president to issue to issue annually a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities to urge all our federal agencies and interested organizations, groups, and individuals to fly the flag at half staff each December 7th in honor of the individuals who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor. Commemoration of the attack on Pearl

[0:08:38] Harbor will instill in all people of the United States a greater understanding and appreciation of the selfless sacrifices of the individuals who served in the armed forces of the United States during World War II. Therefore, I, Tom Thompson, mayor the city of St. Angelo, Texas, do hereby proclaim national uh proclaim December 7th, 2025 as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day in St. Angelo, Texas. Further, be it known that the citizens of St. Angelo remember with eternal respect those who were injured or killed on December 7th, 1941 at Pearl Harbor, including Seaman First Class Walton A. Irwin, a citizen of St. Angelo, whose mortal remains are forever in the USS Arizona. Somebody needs to come say some words. As the mayor said, there was 3,500 who were wounded or killed on the island of Oahu that day. And as he pointed out, we have an individual who is among those who did not survive the attack and is forever intombed in the United States Arizona. He is memorialized on that uh monument over the top of the Arizona, but that was the only monument for him until a few years ago when the Veterans Organizations of St. Angelo placed a marker by his mother and father out at Fairmont Cemetery. Don't let us ever forget what happened that day. Get up here and get us a picture. >> All right. Anyone

[0:10:54] here with St. Angelo Reeds? All of you can't hide in the back. Stand over here. That way we'll get y'all front and center. Doctor got that look like where do I go? Anywhere want you to know I practiced this this morning. It's still a tongue twister. Okay, we'll see if we get through this. This proclamation is for St. Angelo Reads Day. St. Angelo ISD is committed to promoting literacy and instilling a passion for reading in the St. Angelo community. As part of this commitment, SISD is proud to continue partnering with the city of St. Angelo local businesses and other community groups in the communitywide literacy initiative St. Angelo Reeds to increase awareness of the importance of literacy. Statistics show how vitally important literacy is in providing a fundamental base for success. SISD administrators, principles, and educators and superintendent understand that reading should extend beyond school hours and classroom walls and focus on this initiative through a variety of literacy programs, readalouds, and community events to inspire love for reading. I together with the district invite the Concho Valley community to join in this special day and get to reading. Whether reading to a special loved one, donating a book to a child in need, or other creative ways, celebrate today. Therefore, I Tom Thompson, mayor of the city of St. Angelo, Texas, on behalf of the city council and together with San Angelo Independent School District administrators, principles, educators, superintendent, and students to hereby recognize December 11th, 2025 as the 6th annual St. Angelo Reads Day and urge all citizens in St. Angelo, Texas to acknowledge the occasion of this day in our celebration of the importance of literacy and instilling a passion for reading in our youth. Keep reading San Angelo. In witness whereof, I have here unto set my hand and caused the seal of

[0:12:58] official seal of the city of St. Angelo, Texas to be affixed this second day of December, 2025. Dr. Thank you. >> Absolutely. Some words, please sir. >> Just a quick word. Uh good morning everyone. If um if education is the great equalizer, reading is the door we all must walk through to gain that. And we hope that for all of our students um we say to them that readers are leaders. As a child, I don't know that I really love to read. As an adult, I have fallen in love with reading. And we want our children not only to be able to read, but to love to read and find the literature that really connects with them. And so I appreciate the fact that we're recognizing this, all of the community partners that provide and donate books that read to kids. And uh we just encourage our community to continue the journey uh to help our children fall in love with reading. Thank you for this today. Absolutely. Thank y'all. Thank you. Absolutely. Anyone here with the Boys and Girls Club? And it's the crowd. There we go. Couple of you. Harry, shouldn't you be down here for this? Harry, come on. Sure. All right. For 60 years, the Boys and

[0:15:02] Girls Clubs of the Concho Valley has been a cornerstone for youth development in St. Angelo. Founded in 1965 as the St. Angelo Boys Club, the organization initially served boys in the Tom Green County. In 1990, the club expanded its membership and officially changed its name to the Boys and Girls Club and later merged it with the Boys and Girls Club of Manard. Over the years, the Boys and Girls Club of the Concho Valley has provided thousands of children and teens with educational support, leadership training, and character building activities to help them build a strong foundation for future success. The organization is committed to promoting academically, excuse me, academic achievement, good citizenship, and healthy lifestyles, particularly amongst the youth who are the most in need of its resources. With the help of its dedicated staff, volunteers, and strong community partnerships, it continues to expand its reach and its mission to ensure that every child can learn, grow, and thrive. Therefore, I, Tom Thompson, mayor of the city of St. Angelo, Texas, on behalf of the city council, do hereby recognize and applaud the Boys and Girls Club of the Concho Valley, for being a beacon of hope, a champion for youth, and a trusted pillar of service in our community. Their ongoing efforts uplift families and strengthen neighborhoods and help shape the leaders of tomorrow. Somebody's got to give us some words up here. >> Good morning and thank you. Over 60 years ago, a group of concerned citizens got together and realized that there was a need to serve the youth, specifically boys running around um running a muck around St. Angelo and they formed the boys club. that same group of citizens got together with another group of citizens and realized that girls need those same services. And so I'm proud to be a part of an organization that have served thousands of kids and I look forward to serving thousands more. >> Thank you. Where's Frank?

[0:17:28] [clears throat] Frank, come on up. You might try to hide, but we got to have you up front, bud. This one's special. Why don't y'all stand over here, Shane? This one's special for the city this morning, y'all. I take great pride in reading this one um amongst all of them, but this one shows an extreme amount of dedication. In honor of an extraordinary 45 years of dedicated service, the city of St. Angelo proudly recognizes Frank Lopez with deep gratitude and profound respect. Since joining the city of St. Angelo in 1980. Frank has embodied unwavering commitment, exceptional craftsmanship, and a spirit of mentorship that has shaped generations of municipal employees. Whether rebuilding grinder pumps, helping construct the utility maintenance shop, or sharing his extensive expertise in CDL certification, plumbing, electrical work, and equipment repair, Frank has consistently gone above and beyond. His knowledge, skill, and steady leadership have saved the city invaluable resources and strengthened the foundation of our workforce. Frank's positive attitude, willingness to lend a hand, and the genuine care he shows for his colleagues and community have made him not only a trusted team member, but a true cornerstone of the city of St. Angelo. With our deepest appreciation, we celebrate Frank's remarkable milestone and honor the legacy of his excellent, service, and integrity he continues to leave behind. Frank is not retiring, but this is just a recognition of 45 years of outstanding service to the city of St. Angelo. Welld deserved, Frank. >> [applause] >> Frank, would you like to say some words? [laughter] >> If you don't want to, I'm going to make Shane Kelton come over here and say some

[0:19:31] words. Or Daniel, we're Canon let you escape. No, we uh sincerely um as as as the executive director of public works and and the one that oversees the utility, um I I can't uh thank Frank for his service uh enough. Uh what they do every day is is just short of incredible. Well, actually, it is incredible. Uh I mean, when you look at that, you know, it's 22 degrees this morning. These guys um I don't guess we had to this morning because Frank was actually here. he was able to make it today. But a lot of mornings when we have issues, these guys are out there in the water. They're out in the field. They're working. They're doing whatever it takes to make sure that we we stay we have water service, we have sewer service, and that the everything runs within the city. And so I can't thank these guys enough. And uh for doing this for 45 years and being as happy and cheerful as Frank is is just it it is it's nothing short of incredible. So, thank you for your service, Frank, and everything you do for us. >> [applause] >> microphone. At this point in time, we're going to move in public comment. Members of the public may raise issues or concerns not listed on the regular agenda during this time. To participate, please sign in with city clerk prior to the beginning of the meeting. Speakers will be called in the order they are signed in. When

[0:21:34] speaking, citizens must speak from the podium. Address all comments to the dis. Begin by stating your name and and address or single member district number and limit the remarks to three minutes or less. Heather, do we have any public comment? >> Yes, sir. Uh, Gerard Sidlovski. Good morning, mayor, council, and citizens of St. Angelo. It's brother Stephen Gerard Siddlowski visiting before you. My voting address is 11:09 West 8th Street of Lorraine, Ohio. I would like to open up with holy scripture from Matthew 19:14. Jesus said, "Let the children come to me and do not hinder them for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." I got this from your YMCA today. I did a wonderful swim and shower there. Beloved mayor, council, and citizens, I am a pro-life speaker. I travel the country, and I'm delighted that I'm actually speaking at a wonderful city that has become a sanctuary city for the unborn. That is a precursor step however for your city and the 50 other so Texas cities that h have already moved in this new direction. I have provided all of you a USA personhood city Bible bookmark. It has vital information on that particular bookmark. I hope you'll cherish it and put it in your Bibles so that you can conveniently call me in the future to ask questions. For the citizens who have not received the Bible bookmark, if you would like information,

[0:23:37] my email is brothersteeenjergmail.com and my cell phone number textable is 619735-5935. I am before your city council really because of Nelly Gray. For those of you who do not know who Nelly was, she is the wonderful Texas conservative lawyer from Big Spring, Texas who started the Washington DC March for Life. Nelly saw the life peace on banner that is on your wonderful Bible bookmark and she asked me the question, "Brother Steve, tell me what you're doing." And at that time when I met Nelly, I was working on new wonderful life peace zones in the Queen City of Cincinnati. And I met Nelly at one of the Walk for Lives in Washington DC. And I encourage everybody here to still attend that. So now you can declare personhood. You can pass a personhood resolution which you're now being delivered and your citizens can actually vote in the preamble covenant personhood language into your city charter. I call that the USA personhood twostep. Thank you for allowing me to speak before your wonderful city council. Do I have enough time to sing a song? Mayor, >> you're almost out of time. We have a three minute. >> Okay. God bless you all and please move in this new direction. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> You need to leave those with the city clerk. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. No problem. >> Jamal Schumpert. >> Jamal. >> Um Jamal Shumpert, SMD3. I'll try to be a little brief. Um, I'm up here today to speak about I guess youth sports in this

[0:25:40] town. I noticed that Councilman Keley had mentioned it in previous uh meetings. I was wondering if we got quite a bit of money in economic development ballot corporation. So, I was wondering if maybe we could bring it to a vote and see if citizens would want to build like competition jails. Maybe one on the north, one on the south or the east and the west. Uh these competition gym can be convertible into concert gyms, maybe seat 2,000 people, but you can also have basketball tournaments. Uh there quite a few quite a few little smaller towns around here that will travel into St. Angelo uh to do those tournaments, but you also I would also like to look into building a flag football field just like we did with the uh softball complex. uh having those three things where you can have turnups going on at the same time within your town will bring a surplus I mean a a huge surplus of tax revenue and businesses that that come along with it. Uh that's really all I wanted to say about that. I have another agenda item I want to speak on, but I really would like y'all to uh encourage and maybe support youth sports in the town. Thank you. Oh, and I'd also like to shout out to the parks and recck department. They they've they've done an amazing job in the last two years. They've come up with some great things. Some great things. Thank you. >> You bet. Thank you, Jamal. And I will say just wait. You're on the right page. I don't know what we can't say, but just wait. You're on the right page. >> Anyone else? >> That concludes. >> Did Mario know? All right. All right. With that, we will conclude public comment. We will move into did we have anything else? We'll move into the uh consent agenda. Moving forward that I'll move from the dis from Mary over to Tommy. Mary, do you have anything you'd like to pull on the consent agenda? >> No sir.

[0:27:42] >> Karen >> J. >> Karen wants to pull Jay. Tra Patrick. >> No sir. >> I have nothing to pull. Harry, >> no sir. >> Joe, no sir. Tommy motion. >> All right, with that, can I have a motion for all items except Jay? >> So move. >> Second. >> First from Harry, a second from Joseph. Is there any public comment on any of those items except Jay? With that, we'll take a mo a motion to approve all items except J. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? When opposed, all items except J pass 70. Now we'll move to item J. Consider approving the 2024 consolidated annual performance and evaluation report caper from Angela Bloss. Angela, you're on. >> Good morning, council mayor. I'm Angela Bloss, the interim assistant director of neighborhood family services, and I'm here to answer any questions you might have. I also have our program supervisor here if you have any detailed questions. >> Morning, Angela. Morning. >> Um, I'll start. We were just um one I wanted people to know all what the those two grants went towards and kind of how the city goes about um helping those and if there's any other that goes to like first-time home buyer programs or things like that if y'all if y'all support those or how that works. Um just kind of as much information as you can give us on that so people know where to go, where to look and where that money is going. >> Okay. So the keeper just involves our performance from the following year. So it' be a program year for FY or not fiscal year, I'm sorry, program year 2024, which is equivalent to our fiscal year 2025. And so that just breaks down everything that we were able to do in that year. As far as specific programs, I'm going to bring Mari up here to speak toward those. >> I'm Mari Rodriguez. Um [clears throat] right here um well our we have two grants uh the CDBG grant and the home grant. With the

[0:29:46] CDBG grant we are able to um do emergency repairs for homeowners that live within the city limits and minor repairs um also for homeowners. And then um a sizable chunk of that goes to paying our section 108 loan that we have. And on the home side, we have um the CHTO program um is run by Gallig is the only city Chto that we have and they um currently do new construction in our target areas only with the funds we give them. And we also give funds to MHMR for rental assistance for their clients. And the rest of the home goes towards um uh down payment and closing cost assistance for first-time home buyers. um on those on that the section 108 108 loan is that um section 8 housing is that what that is or what is that? >> Um we it's for the uh two parks we built producers park and the uh higher drone park. >> Gotcha. [clears throat] >> And um we'll be done paying for that in 2030. >> Gotcha. Thank you. Um that's all I had. You anything else, Karen? >> No, I think that's it. >> Thank you. That's what we were just kind of um >> I'm curious about the details. Yeah, the details and where people can go to kind of that need the help that these would go towards, but it sounds like GI runs a lot of that part of it. >> Uh, yes. Um, well, they built four homes um in conjunction with the economic development funds that they also get. Um, they do like a gap financing so to make those new homes affordable for our clients or for their clients. >> And then on the um first-time home buyer programs is that do y'all work with the lenders and they know where to go to find those to help clients? >> Yes. Um, we have participating lenders. They sign an agreement with us. Um, they actually apply for the program or clients apply for the mortgage first. Once they're approved, if the lender believes they qualify, they'll submit their application with all the documents that they already have. So, they don't have to go back and forth and they'll

[0:31:47] give those to me. Um, if they need help with approval, I can give them a yes or no ahead of time. But um other lenders that have been doing it for a while um give it to me whenever they're ready to sign the contract and um then at that time those funds are reserved for the first-time home buyer. >> That's right. >> And that's also within the city limits. >> Thank you. >> So I've got another question. >> Okay. >> Amongst Galilee, who would be the initial point of contact if we were going to summarize if somebody was curious in working or applying for some of these funds? Who is the initial point of contact with the city? um with the city >> uh [clears throat] we would refer them to Galilee directly. >> Okay. So Galilee is the initial start point all the way through. >> Yes. So with that for that program now. Yes. >> All right. Thank you ma'am. >> With that I'll look for a motion. >> Move approval. >> Have a first from Tommy. >> A second. >> Second from Patrick. >> Any public comment on Jay Heather? >> Jamal Shimpert. Jamal. >> Um, Jamal Shumpert, SMD3. I actually do have a little criticism and probably a a complaint on page five, six, and maybe seven. I don't think those are filled out correctly. Uh, on there, one of them says helping minority business owners. They do help, I think, minority business owners. I I don't think they understand how to fill it out. This may be their first year filling it out or a second year. I'm not sure, but Mr. Silus is usually the one coming up here doing this, but he's retired. Um, the programs are failing. The rehab program, y'all want want to know how you actually get access to it? You have to be very low income and go to the wick office. I'm not sure you can somebody that's making less than 20 $30,000 going to go to a bank to go buy a home. uh most of the time they're not going to be approved a lot of times unless you got this gap fun button. So most of those people you're getting are coming from wick. Uh maybe

[0:33:51] one person two years ago who was maybe moderate maybe didn't go to the wick office to receive those programs or understand understand those programs. But for the most part I've been researching that about three years because I bought a house within the last four years and I didn't know anything about the program and I wasn't like high income. moderate that uh uh this this issue with this department has been going on and Mr. saw us kind of saw how you were going to be building less and less houses. As you see on page five or six, you go from four houses as the goal to only building two. And the actual reality there is city council authorized five houses [clears throat] not to spend more than $350,000 year and now we're I don't think we built any this year and only two last year. Uh so the program does need looking at and when I talked to Mr. he recommended maybe a rehab repair loan program uh and some other stuff. Uh but they've told me and I've been in contact with them about their committees and and all these things that they're trying to come up with to fix the housing issue. None of them seem to have worked. Uh they haven't implemented. And just to end this real quickly, they're mostly a monitoring department. They monitor the funds. Uh they go in and they monitor them and they go out and sometimes they don't do a good good job monitoring. There's mis [sighs] I don't know how to put this plainly but they put certain expenses in in the wrong areas. So I don't know if that's their fault or if that's finances part fault but it happens almost once every year at least two or three times once every year and then the allocation to to the affordable housing should be at 350.

[0:35:54] It's almost always over $350,000 but they don't use it. So thank you. >> Thank you Jamal. >> Any additional public comment on Jay? All right, we have a first and a second. I'll take a vote. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Item J passes 70. That will conclude the consent agenda. We'll move to the regular agenda. Comments regarding items on the regular agenda may be made by the public when each item is discussed as outlined above. To participate, please sign in with the city clerk prior to the beginning of the meeting. Speakers will be called in the order they are signed in. Comments are limited to less than three minutes. Applicants, proponents, and appellants are exempt from the time limit above and instead must limit their remarks to less than five minutes. We'll go into item A. Consider awarding RFQPK04-25 Santa Fe Downtown River Parks master plan design services to S SWA Group in the amount of $198,600 sourced from the TI KOSA DC and general capital project fund balance and authorize the city manager to negotiate and execute all related documents. presentation by made by parks and recreation director Carl White. >> Yes, sir. Good morning. So, back in May, council uh adopted a resolution that endorsed private fundraising efforts to commission and install a series of sculptures entitled the Koncho River Legacy Trail, which will depict the history of the Koncho Valley in sculpture. At that time, we were also given direction to look to hire a firm that would help incorporate these sculptures into the river parks. Then back in July, we came back to council. One, because the council had changed, and two, because we wanted to clarify that we wanted to look at doing a master plan for all the downtown core parks. Um, not just we wanted to look to see how we could incorporate these sculptures into the river parks. and that would include

[0:37:58] several of the properties shown here on this map. So we we did that. We we we um solicited requests for qualifications. We received 11 submissions. We methodically and tediously scored all those submissions a committee and uh we narrowed it down to five uh three firms. we shortlisted and we invited those firms to come make a presentation uh to the committee and uh after that we we selected SWBA group to move forward with and that's what we would like to do is to award uh the master plan project to SWBA group um the scope of this project is shown on this map the intent is to look at all the entire parks in the core center of the city along the river. So, this includes Civic League Park where the Waterl Collection is, which is sometimes looked at as our unofficial botanical garden um and maybe one day an official botanical garden. See how that might connect to over the river to Santa Fe Park. So, the this plan includes Santa Fe Park as well. It includes um the [clears throat] sunken garden park where the the canas can lias are and also the sculpture garden. how that connects also uh with with the river parks includes kids kingdom which is which is part of Santa Fe Park this section which is Park Heights but it's all part of the same river parks Bart Dwit Park and then part of Rio Koncho Park look at a whole entire master plan that incorporates all those properties and incorporates the sculpture project cuz it's going to take up some ground along the We we the steering we have a steering committee. Uh and this is mostly the folks who are on the the review committee. Uh we have two city council members. One member from the Santa Fe

[0:40:02] Park Commission, one member from the parks and recreation advisory board, one member from the public art commission, one member from this um the development corporation, the curator of the Koncho River Legacy Trail, Mr. Tim Newton and four city staff. Now, this this steering committee may evolve a little bit along the way. It's this process is going to take about 8 to nine months, and we may add some folks to this steering committee to help us along with the process. Um, and of course, we need to work close with different stakeholders groups, [clears throat] engage them, get their opinion, make sure that we're all on the same page as we move forward with this plan. Santa Fe Park Commission, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, the public art commission, the development corporation, the tears board, the [clears throat] school district, adjacent neighborhoods, city council, and there's other folks. Um, but so we'd like to uh award this this bid. Uh the cost is $198,000. It's funded uh from the development corporation 50,000 75,000 from tiers for public [clears throat] projects and then 73,600 from general uh capital project fund balance. >> Rick, do you have anything to add? >> No, I think Carl covered it directly. just once more to reiterate this project is is spurred sort of by the legacy group coming to council but at the end of the day it's about what does St. Angelo want to see in this entire corridor and how do we incorporate uh this legacy project in with all those other elements that the citizens may also want in that area whether that be a botanical garden or golf or open space or trails or whatever that may be. How do we blend it all together? Carl, I'll start off with this has been a project that was actually brought up by private industry that came forward,

[0:42:06] but it's a way to develop to develop some of the core parts of San Angelo that in the future will help bring more people to town. Um, I've seen a similar project in Omaha, Nebraska, and it's outstanding. The number of people that go in and see it, the bronzes, everything there. Um, you see some things like this in Fort Worth. Uh, I think we're we're moving this. I would love to see it move faster than nine months, but I think what we have to do is remember our efficiencies when we look at this. You know, what will be the most efficient thing and also probably, you know, one of the classiest things we can ever bring to the city that'll be permanent to last for, you know, years and years to come. And with that, I'll kind of open it up to the DAS to ask any questions. We'll move across starting with you, Tommy. >> No question. >> Joe, >> no question. Harry, >> I was on the task force, so I'm I think I'm good. >> Okay. Daniel, you have any comment? >> I have no comment, mayor, other than we're pretty excited about the whole project and actually moving forward with it. So, won't be here when it's completed and but I'm really excited to enjoy it while I'm at my retirement. >> We we'll make sure you're here to look at it. Okay, >> there you go. Thank you, sir. Appreciate it. >> Exactly. Patrick, comments? >> Uh, yes. Hey, Carl. Uh, so I was one of the new members, so I came in, you know, afterwards. um the the scope of the project is it the baseline is the art project and then the rest is going to be how do we um put in everything else around that is that the idea >> well it's one it's look the entire scope of all the parks how they connect how do they interact with each other what what do we want for these different parks in the longer term it's not just the sculpture project so the sculpt sculpture project kind of got this started and we need to see how we can incorporate that project into all the River Parks, but it's not that's not the only thing we're going to be looking at. >> And and it's something [clears throat] that's been discussed by the Santa Fe board, the parks board, the community for a while now as far as that area. Do we how do we want to see that develop? So, I think this was spurring in the background even before this this

[0:44:09] sculpture project came forward. So, it's actually a good thing because it's actually bringing it forward and and we can develop what wants there. And then on their um the company coming in is is a large majority of what they're going to be looking at is citizens uh requests or what they're looking for or is it um do they look at what's worked in other towns and and say, "Well, here's what we think will work." >> No, they're going to have they're going to have three public engagement meetings that the entire public will be invited to attend. Of course, some some groups will be specifically invited to say, "Hey, this is going on. please come give your input, but it's it's going to be open up to the entire community plus those stakeholder groups >> and and they'll also give suggestions. They they hold all these public meetings, but like at our their presentation, they made some some ideas of what might go there just to kind of spur creativity and so forth. So, they're they're real good at at helping us along the path as well. >> And then how will the public know about those meetings? How are they going to spread the word? We'll get the word out through social media and all of our channels. >> Thank you, >> Karen. I had the privilege also of serving on the task force and I think I think people might enjoy knowing that there I think I'm allowed to mention this that the chosen firm includes a person who is native to St. Angelo. >> Good point. >> Which was significant to us when we reviewed the three finalists and we liked it that they made their presentation personal. They came to town early. They walked the river. They sat in restaurants. They engaged with children in the parks and folks having meals. And when they presented to us, they were able to make it personal. And I think that made a difference to all of us on the review committee. And there's a lot of excitement.

[0:46:11] >> Good point. >> Yeah. >> Carl, I have one one question. It kind of piggybacks on what Patrick was saying. uh we tend to have very low attendance. If there's a, you know, a public hearing on a zoning change or something, you know, we'll send out notices. And I'm not criticizing that process. Uh but are we going to do a little more than just mail out things? I mean, because with this being the center, kind of the heart of of St. Angelo and the Concho Valley and a and I know you can't, you know, correct human behavior or anything. I be great if you could the but to to have a a a constant more active engagement with the community. You know, they'll really come in full force after the fact and then criticize everything. But I I I just want to and maybe the steering committee with you know Karen and all h how can we help get that word out and really in get the people to engage and come come around besides just making a Facebook post. Does that make make sense to you? I just because it is such a huge legacy is the great word for it, but >> it's so important uh to the vitality in the future of our community. And so uh how can we help to make sure that everybody feels like they have a say? >> I think we're going to rely heavily on Brian and Laura, of course, to help us. They're the experts in that area. But this one, in my opinion, is a little unique in that the number of groups that are already have an interest in it. A lot of times it's just, you know, whatever one property that affects three neighbors. You know, in this case, he had a list of groups that are already impacted, who have already shown their interest, and we're already in discussion with them. So those groups themselves will help get the word out to all the neighborhoods, all the

[0:48:12] surrounding and we're going to work directly to make sure all of them are notified personally and that that word is is spread. But um anyway, that I think this one will be a little bit unique. I understand what you're saying and don't disagree at all. It's it's sad sometimes the amount of participation we have, but we will do what we can to make sure that people know. Well, and and two, even though this isn't in my district, uh how can I how can we all help make sure that this because we're all connected to this big heartbeat, you know? So, just keep that in mind if you can. Any anything that we can do, I can do. The rest of us, uh we'll gladly get on board with that. >> Good. Thank you, >> Carl. >> Thank you. >> All right. With that, I think we've drawn a consensus that everybody's in favor. So, I'll make the first motion to approve. Can I get a second? >> Second. >> I got a second from Joe Self. Any public comment on this item, Heather? >> Tim Newton. >> Tim has waved his public comment. Perfect. Any additional public comment? >> With all that, we'll look for a vote. All those in favor say I. I. >> Any opposed? Item A passes. 70. We'll move into item B. Consider awarding the RFP PKO2-25 events and venue feasibility study to CSL International in the amount of 125,000 sourced from hot fund balance and authorizing the city manager to negotiate and execute all related documents presentation made by Parks and Recreation Director Carl White. The Carl White >> I'm too slow to know how to respond to that. Um, if you forgive me, I'm going to read this just right quick uh as part part of the background. I'm sure Rick will help um present this as well, provide some backup information. So, in recent years, we've had discussions with the destination marketing organization and with city council regarding the city's limited ability to host larger

[0:50:14] conventions and more frequent midsize conferences. These conversations prompted an evaluation of how we might expand the existing convention center, adding an exhibit hall, additional breakout rooms, and other uh convention supporting facilities, and approve its connection to the adjacent hotel. On February 18, 2025, city council directed staff to explore the possibility of placing the venue tax on an upcoming ballot to measure voter support for such improvements. staff proceeded accordingly and obtained the required state approval to move the ballot item forward. However, that process is currently on hold. During the same period, stakeholders raised the idea of constructing a new hotel conference center on city-owned property along the downtown riverfront. Both concepts, the expansion of the existing convention center and the construction of a downtown riverfront hotel conference center offered meaningful advantages but also presented notable limitations. The convention center site can accommodate the expansion and lies near the river but is not located downtown. The potential hotel conference center would be downtown on the river, but may not be large uh may not be able to incorporate the an exhibit hall large enough to attract major conventions. Given these trade-offs, staff determined it would be prudent to engage an experienced consulting firm to evaluate the feasibility of each option and whether one, both, or neither would best serve St. Angelo. These firms specialize in assessing markets, regional demand, in industry trends, financing options, and other factors that guide municipal decision-making. Accordingly, we issued an nationwide request for proposals and received five submissions. A re review committee evaluated the proposals, shortlisted two firms for interviews, and ultimately recommended the selection of CSL International. And the cost is 125,000. Rick, do you have anything to add?

[0:52:17] >> I I think Carl covered it pretty well. This is this item that's [clears throat] been discussed for years. We all know that if if we're going to look at a hotel conference center or even expansion of this facility with a hotel, that's probably going to require some type of public private partnership. And the only way to see if that is viable and can move forward is to have a study such as this which then allows us to evaluate the options, work with potential developers who might be interested and make some informed decisions. So this is just moving that forward as council has directed us to do. >> Carl, I'll start with this. Um, sometimes we have to weigh the benefits of repairing what we have and trying to upgrade it versus starting something fresh and new. and the fact that development along the river corridor which is one of the key things we have we're we're starting to take advantage of that key uh let's say piece of property within us and I see a conference center development along the area that we're looking at would involve several different public private parties involved with this we've had this discussion a little bit in executive and from what we're going here this is a great start to make sure that you know minds that are professional about this and know how to judge the feasibility of, you know, can it be in this spot? Is it large enough to serve what we need? Is it large enough to get the groups we want? Does it accommodate our target market to make St. Angelo grow? And I think this whole study decides that, does it not, Rick and Carl? And with that, I just want to say I'm excited about it. of the things we've looked at over several years. This is one that will shape 15 or 20 years of destination marketing for here and should be great with the chamber. Also, with that, I'll open up to the dice. U Mary, have you got any questions? >> No, sir. >> Karen, >> I know. >> Patrick, just real quick, and I think basically y'all just alluded to it. This study, will it um also provide of what size of a

[0:54:20] convention center would be viable here? So, it's not going to say, "Well, here's where it could and this is how big it could be." It'll say, "This is what size convention center we think Sanzo needs to be utilized." >> Looking at the draw of the market, >> what we can bring in. >> Okay, perfect. That's what I was looking for. Thank you, >> Daniel. Any words? >> I have to teach you how to work that button. Yeah, boy. Mayor, Mayor, you talked about destination marketing and um you know, you hear that term all the time, if you build it, they will come. The issue right now, they're not coming to St. Angelo as far as the the conventions because we have really not much to offer. And you have a group going out there like destination uh the the DMO going out there and trying to bring in those uh individuals, those events here to to our community. Of course, that's an influx of money to our community. We always look for ways to bring in more revenue. We could do it through tourism and that's a big key. But we don't have the facilities to make that happen. And this project in itself as far as the review will give us the the opportunity to take a look at what what is more most advantageous to the city of St. Angelo. Is it expanding on on this facility or looking at down the river and look at the hotel with the with the cinder there. So again, I think this is a vital um thing that we're doing as far as recommending moving forward with this. But again, if you build that, they will come. And I really do believe that we have a group that can market it. It's just a matter of having the facilities. >> Awesome. Harry. >> Yeah. Couple quick quick comments. Uh before I became a councilman, I was working with destination marketing. This has been a dream vision if you say of several different groups. And we're certainly not going to be able to do it by ourselves. The city we're going to have this going to have to be public private partnerships. And I would hope that as we have this group come in and evaluate this that they give us recommendations that will allow us to grow. Quite honestly, I don't know if

[0:56:24] there's enough money out there to do this, but I'd like to see both facilities considered this one for the expansion and the one on the river. Uh, but both of them are going to take public private partnerships in order to make it work. So, I'm pleased with this. >> Mr. self. >> I I think this is a great thing. Uh we need it. We need, as they say, heads in beds and uh this will help do that. Abalene has a new one. Midland has one. Odessa has one. While we're not that town, we need that to to help as well. >> They just don't have one on the river. >> Yeah. And that we have a very unique situation that can really uh do good things. So, yeah, I'm in favor. >> Thank you, Joe. Comey, >> you know, we we discussed this in in budget uh two, three three or four years ago about about kickstarting something like this and it was alluded to, but I don't think we need to to skim over it too quickly. A developer that would be participating in a public private partnership is going to require a feasibility study on our part to see if in fact it's feasible. So, this is this in my opinion, this is the first step um to to go down that path. Um if you're ready for a motion, mayor, I'll make a motion that we uh accept as uh presented by staff. >> Let me hold it. Any other any additional questions? We all good. We're all good. So, we'll take your motion, Tommy. Move we approve. And I need a second. >> Harry >> from Harry Thomas. Heather, do we have any public comment on this item? >> With that, we'll look for a vote. All in favor in favor of item B say I. >> I. >> Any opposed. With no opposed, item B passes 70. Item C. Consider approving the sole source purchase of water meters from Cor and Main, Inc. in the amount of $4,299,996 source from the water fund balance and

[0:58:26] authorizing the city manager to negotiate and execute all related documents. presentation made by public works executive director Shane Kelton. >> Thank you, Mayor, City Council. Uh this is uh before you today. This is our final phase of our meter replacement program that we started three years ago. Um the reason that we didn't put this on consent today is because we do need a budget amendment to go along with this to pull funds from our fund balance, the water fund balance to cover the expenses of this. Um the reason we're doing it this way is one, our contractor believes that he can go ahead and get this uh project wrapped up this fiscal year uh instead of pushing this into the next fiscal year. And so again, we want to go we want to speed this project up along as fast as we can. There are uh EPA and federal regulations that are going along with this project uh with the lead and copper rule revisions that came out by the EPA. And so while we're doing this meter replacement program, our contractor is also doing all of the service line testing along with this as well. And so we believe we can get this wrapped up this fiscal year uh at the speed that we're going and we can get this project behind us and we can uh actually be able to move on to phase four of our uh of our lead and copper rule revision uh program. So with that, we are seeking approval. >> Shane, I'll start off with this. Could you give just a brief snapshot of what this process is and what the benefit of moving to these new meters are and this is all within your budget. We know the the funds are there. We've planned for it. But for those people that haven't been here, maybe you're new listening, talk about what these new meters provide you capability. >> With anything, especially the older mechanical meters, uh with age, everything starts wearing out and we start uh losing uh our ability to register the water that's moving through the meters. Um and actually with our old meters that were in place prior to the to the replacement program starting uh we had I think at one point in time we had over 600 dead meters that weren't registering per any water period. And so um uh and as we we're moving through and

[1:00:29] we're we're trying to sell water, of course it's very important that we are registering the water and registering it accurately as we move forward because it not only um not only can we not measure correctly how much water is being used, but we're also losing losing income to the water fund as well in in in the in that same manner. And so, uh, it's critical that we that we have adequ ad adequate readings, accurate readings, um, across our entire system as we move forward. And of course, water water counting and, uh, is is critical as we move forward, uh, as we start working with water development board and those as we're looking for long-term water solutions, uh, and water conservation throughout the city. So, again, this program's uh, just is critical to keep moving this program forward. Um, and unfortunately, everything does wear out in time. So, uh, while >> what do you think the lifespan of these meters will be? >> Uh, these will these will actually these meters should actually be a little longer than our than the last meters that we had um going to these newer meters or uh basically magnetic for the uh meters and so um they they have less wearable parts so we should last longer but most of the time you can expect 10 to 15 years uh for the lifespan of a meter. >> All right, thank you. With that, I'll open up the dice. Any questions? Start from left, Tommy. Joe, >> not for me. >> Harry? >> No. >> Patrick, >> uh, just two quick questions. Uh, the magnetic meters, um, so we used to use those a lot in the oil field and with our hard water. Does that affect them any need to go out and be maintained or cleaned every now and then? >> No, actually these meters are actually a lot more durable uh, than our old ones. And so, uh, we'll we'll see a lot lot longer lifespan with them. And so, they they actually should work much better and and stay cleaner a lot lot longer. And so again, we we'll probably start we'll probably need to replace these long before we would have any uh um corrosion or any other type issues that may affect the meter. >> And could they not have found like one more connector just to make a nice even 4.3.

[1:02:31] [laughter] >> Thank you. >> Unfortunately, we we we always have to have some cents in there somewhere. So [laughter] >> Karen, >> all good. Thank you, >> Mary. >> Yes, Shane. this on the the ne the last phase four that's just for the mineral content and stuff right and for the meters just a additional >> testing but >> yeah this this is this uh this final this final purchase again we when we started this program we we spread it out over multiple years so we it wouldn't affect our operating budget uh we didn't want to take a $20 million hit all in one year and so we we phased this that over several years. And so this is our final phase of the meter replacement program itself. Now with the lead and copper rule revision uh program, we're actually in the phase three portion of that, the testing phase. Uh there will be another phase of the lead and copper rule revision program moving forward after this uh where we actually have to start replacing uh some of our uh galvanized service lines and some of those type things. Well, on on this, have and I don't mean to be splitting hairs here, but the have has every meter in St. Angelo been replaced? >> If when we get through this wheel right here, this right here, this this is the final final phase of our meter replacement program. So, uh when at at the end of this year, when we get through every meter in the city of Stangelo will be replaced. Which part of town do you do that in sections or how do you >> it it it goes by billing cycle. Uh we we work we work through building cycles on that. And so um and we have we've been all over different parts of town replacing it based on billing cycles. And of course we started with our smaller meters first. That's where we were seeing the majority of our failures was in the smaller meters. Uh mostly residential meters. So that's where we've concentrated most of our efforts at this time. Um, a lot of the meters that we're seeing in these are our bigger meters, our two to six inch meters. So, uh, we'll be replacing a lot

[1:04:33] more of those commercial industrial meters at this point. So, >> uh, just because I I'm anticipating some of the calls that we'll probably get, will there be any disruption of water service during this change out? >> Uh, we try to minimize that uh, as as best we can. We did we did have a few hiccups when we first started the program three or four years ago. We've worked through most of those. uh issues at this time. The company that we have doing the work for us contracted out to do the work for us. They um we have a really good process in place of notification. So, um they they try to notify everybody the day before or two or three days before that they're going to be in that area changing out meters. Most of the time, if there's no issues, it it takes 30 minutes >> uh or less. So, this it's it's your your your actually time without water is is minimal. And of course we try to do it during the day on the residential side uh for for less disruption uh from the household perspective uh working with the commercial businesses. We also work with them um to make sure that we actually if if their water is mission critical for for their for their business that we actually go visit with them to see what time is best for for us to be able to shut their water off and replace the meter. Uh, so we've worked through those processes over over the last three years and we've we've got a really good process going on. >> I appreciate you saying that because I've got several nursing homes and assistant >> we do we we we work with them quite closely to make sure that we're um that we're actually timing it that is most appropriate for them. >> Right. That's that's the main thing I was looking for. Thank you, Shane. >> Yes. >> With all that, I'll look for a motion to move. I got a first from Harry and a second from Tommy Heert. Heather, do we have any public comment? >> With no public comment, we'll look for a vote on item C. All those in favor say I. I. >> Any opposed? With none opposed, item C passes 70. We'll move over to item D. Presentation and possible direction

[1:06:37] regarding proposal to improve conditions at the animal shelter facilities, including new kennel pod structures and future administration building. Presentation made by animal services manager Amanda Wedle and construction manager Alfonso Torres. >> Good morning Al up there to press the button for you, Amanda. [laughter] >> Good morning. Al Torres, construction manager. Uh, of course, Amanda, animal services manager. Um, so wrong presentation. Keep going. Yes. Okay. So, we're here to talk about the animal shelter that's u located here. As you can see, it's out. Anybody not familiar with the animal shelter? Hopefully, everybody's had a chance to be out there so we know what we're talking about. So, as you as you know, uh several years ago or for a long time, we've had issues out at the animal shelter. And we we started several years ago to look at different ways to to improve conditions out there. We started with improving the trying to improve the lab. Then we added a a garage and looked at an outdoor kennel. Then we said, "No, let's fix the uh the [clears throat] the dog shelter itself, the large dog kennel. That seemed to be the area of of largest concern. So we came up with a plan, hired engineers. We've been working on on getting that improved. We were going to do a complete exhaust system for the entire facility. Uh lower the ceiling in a large kennel. Uh divide it into three smaller sections, install new trench strains, replace all the ceiling tiles everywhere, remodel the the tame cat areas, update the processing room, and construct a new garage intake area. The the primary issues were smell, noise, drainage. Uh and so that's why we looked at improving those uh items. We've been working on plans for a couple of years now. We've had issues with the

[1:08:39] fire alarm system, the electrical system. We had the transformer turned out to be undersized uh because of the shelter next door. And then uh the the key issue though that's brought us to where we are today is a temporary facility to bring to place our dogs while we were doing this construction. So, at first we thought we could house them somehow through shelters and stuff and then we thought, well, no, let's do a temporary facility offsite somewhere. We can move the dogs and then once we're done move them back. So, we picked a site. We did some plans for that. Uh came up with a uh had a contractor price it for us. Uh at first it was going to be roughly $200,000 and then it turned out to be over half a million dollars to do this temporary facility. So, we got together and decided for half a million dollars, why spend that on a temporary facility offsite that once we're done, it's going to be shut down. We won't be using it again. So, why not build something on site that we can use permanently that would help us out? So, when we did that, staff got together and said, well, if we're going to do that, do some some shelters, temporary shelters, let's make them permanent shelters. and they decided we're to shift to what we call a a pod concept. So basically this is something and Amanda could probably explain a little bit better what we're looking at. >> So regarding the pods, you want to think of them as dorms. Each would house about 20 to 25 kennels that would establish outdoor indoor areas for the dogs. These would improve the air flow for the animals as well as the humans. Uh sanitation would be easier. Um, and it would reduce disease spread. You would have open air flow through guillotine doors. You would have um outside access to sunlight, which also helps with health improvements of the animal. Um, and overall, it's going to be less of a burden as far as uh maintenance because you're not going to have one big system managing all 120 kennels. You're going to have 25 kennels per section. So if

[1:10:44] one section has an issue, you're not shutting down your whole system. You're only shutting down that pod. So looking at it, it is also the best practices that shelters are moving to nowadays because it is opening it up for um community involvement with the animals. It's not so abrasive going in. You don't have that the stadium echo of the animals, so people want to come and see them. It also allows for outdoor playyards so that people can meet and greet in a open setting. So, so essentially um what we were looking at was gohead. We have we have money already in place uh that was awarded for the improvement of the existing shelter and we could go ahead and move forward with spending that money on ex improving that existing shelter but essentially we we will still have what we have now. We have a system that's not really working as it should. So that's why we're looking at this new system that we think would be a much better um much better system. So design phase uh we think what we would like to do is move forward with the pods themselves. Uh we're talking about four months of design work from the engineers. Uh I've been visiting with them already on on what we could do. Uh construction phase one we would look at we we believe we have the money to build three pods possibly four but we're going to go ahead and look at three pods for phase one. staff feels like three pods would would get them a long ways towards taking care of the animals that we have there now. >> So, let's stop right there. Yes. What's the capacity of three pods or how much is the capacity of each individual pod, Amanda? >> So, looking at the size per kennel, uh, each would probably be 24 runs. So, 24 runs for animals to utilize. That's not to say that there couldn't be brothers

[1:12:46] and sisters or litters doubled up, but and the total of the four pods, you would have 96 runs. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> So, in phase two, uh would be the third the fourth pod because we're our target is to have four pods total. Uh and they could be built fairly quickly because the plans are already in place and everything. uh we would likely do an u an al alternate bid with phase one so that if we have the money we could go and build all four at once and then phase three we would consider a new admin building but that's I think down the road the existing admin building we could continue to use it the the main issue is the dog kennel area and since we will have taken care of that the rest we can kind of make do with until we make a decision on So again, like I said, we have a little over $2 million in available funds. Um that design admin cost really is that that's an area should be about 350,000. That 900,000 included designing and fees and permits for the large admin building as well. But that's a future thing. So I really should have changed that to 350. Uh the pods themselves, uh 1.4 to 2 million. I got that price from a facility that we visited that has a similar system. Theirs is brand new. They had asked for uh a price on building another pod and that's where I got uh they shared that with me. So, that's where I got this number. What I'm hoping is that um the facility we visited had all the bells and whistles and it was pretty fancy and had a lot of stuff that our staff feels we don't really need here. So, we're hoping we can get it down to the closer to the 1.5 million. So here's here's will be phase one. We have the existing facility here. Uh and the three new pods would be be hel bu built here. You can see we leaving space in between so that down the road if we needed to build an admin building we could do that here and then get rid of the other facility. So we

[1:14:49] would have the three pods and phase two would be the fourth pod here. And as you can see in between, we have little uh outdoor shared areas that the public can bring a dog out and sit with the dog and meet with it and play with it and stuff and find out if they're adaptable or not. And these are just pictures of the facility we we visited. Uh so you can see the pods themselves are fairly simple buildings. They're little CMU buildings. Uh, and they each have this run of outdoor kennels that are accessible to the kennels in indoor inside with a guil guillotine door so the dogs have free rain to go in and out access to the outdoor air. Um, and they have overhangs to give them some shade. And then we have these uh which again are meet and greet areas. The ones here, each one was sponsored by a local business. So that's you can do a little fundraising there for for those. But it's kind of a a nice shaded. This one's not shaded, but some of them had canopies and trees where you can again meet the dogs and play with them. So, >> Al, do you mind just Yeah. On this, you said that the Where were the pods be? Can you point to them there on the >> Okay. >> Sorry, I'm going backwards. >> When you're looking at the overarching view, uh, this is our barn right here. >> This is the corral. The corral would go away. the trees would go away in the back portion of the uh staff parking lot and then it would uh utilize that space for these pods. That would still give us room in the middle for our staff to continue to park um and utilize the back entrance. >> Yeah, that helps. I was just trying to visualize where where it's going to be what we have. So, sorry for the interruption now. Please continue. >> Actually, I believe that's all we had. um unless you have more questions. >> So, we'll start. I see Daniel made a big move for the mic here. So, let's start with you, Daniel.

[1:16:50] >> Mayor, I think that uh I want to make sure that on the on the actual picture of the facility that was visited. Would you go back to that? And we have to understand right now that we have a facility is no longer just a shelter, right? We've taken on the adoption portion of it. Would you talk a little bit about that, Amanda? How this setup right here really helps with that part of it? >> Correct. Well, the first is appearance in general. Um, when you are wanting to look at an animal, it is overwhelming to hear all the barking, the echoes, the howlings, the whinings. Um, and addition to that, it is also overwhelming when you are going in there and you're smelling their urine, their feces because the staff is actively cleaning all throughout the day. This is a two-fold benefit. Number one, with them being outdoor indoor, the staff can put them outside, clean the inside, and people can still see those animals. They can also spot clean throughout the day, and it's going to make quicker cleaning and disinfection during that time frame because they're not going to have to take the animal out, put it in the hallway, block the entire row off for cleaning. It can take them two to three hours for one row because they cannot move the animal to another destination. Um, it is also healthier for the animals. So, you are giving them fresh air and helping to keep bacteria from building up by having that air flow, the sunlight, um, which makes for healthier dogs, which makes for more appealing adoptions. So, it's a two-fold portion of it. >> And I know that, uh, you touched on this, Al, as well. I just couldn't imagine uh the city spending a half a million dollars on a temporary facility that quite frankly we were going to use again. So I want to make sure that we incorporate that money into part of that plan moving forward to make sure we had permanent facilities and this is what this gives us. So I just that's all I wanted to say mayor about that. >> That's good. So let's start on the DAS. Mary we'll start with you questions. >> Yes. Uh so each of these pods will have their own HVAC system. Correct. >> Yes. uh the drain issue that's it'll be

[1:18:54] the proper size then now in these new pods. Does this include this money include anything with the like in the the main body that we have right now because that drainage system has been awful for a while. So this money is not allocating in that. However, on the side in our other budgetary money we are currently working on that. We've had the plumbers out multiple times assessing the main lines as well as the individual drains from the kennels. Um we have gotten an estimate to assess um they call them P traps between each of the kennels to the main line. Um we have gotten an estimate as far as them assessing every single one of them in that main area. Some of them are broke, some of them are just clogged. And so they're going to be going to each and every one to assess them and unclog the ones that are unclog the ones that are clogged. And then the ones that are broken, we are going to assess cost of repair or sealing off. >> And so you you've already have that cost. >> We're already working in that. Yes. >> Okay. And so that's a se that's an separate budget. Is that going to throw us over budget or >> um that is being more >> that's a separate agenda item than what we're discussing now. >> Okay. Well, so what's this going to increase our capacity to? >> Real quick though, I just want to say I guess an answer to your other last question. We are well aware that there are we have to continue to use that existing candle until this can be built. So yes, we are addressing those other issues through a separate budget. >> Okay. Yeah. Um, is this going to increase the capac overall capacity for our animals? >> No, it is not. Um, and that goes to the size of care versus size of building. So, just because we put more kennels, do we have the staff and the time of in the day to care to care for properly additional animals? We want to make sure that we are meeting the national

[1:20:57] standard of 15 minutes a day per animal. And in order to do that with the current staffing that we have, the 140 that we have reduced it to is the best accurate number. >> So this 140 is still going to we're still going to have a limit of 140 dogs, right? >> Correct. >> But this is uh so this is more of a facility uh improvement, not necessarily a program improvement. This is a program improvement because it is increasing the overall health of the animals that we are caring for right now to ensure that they are better for placement. >> And if I can add the the current plan that we have to improve the existing kennel was not going to increase the number of kennels either. It was still going to be the same. Uh but the health of the animals was not being considered. We we were considering really improvement of the of the conditions for the people that are visiting the facility and we're still doing that. But this also improves the health of the animals. >> Okay. So our capacity is still going to be at 140 dogs and how many cats? >> I believe it's 131 120 130 is where we sit at. >> Real regularly. >> Are these kennels primarily for dogs or is there going to there's not going to be any cats? >> This is all addressing the dogs at this time. um the proposed additional um admin building that we were looking at that would address the cats. It would also give us u better stability as far as our strays so that people could openly see that what strays have come in right from the start. >> So we're not going to have an increase in staff. We're not going to need more more people. We're not going to hire more people. Eventually, we would like to see a foster coordinator and a volunteer coordinator, number one, so we can get volunteers in there. Uh, someone that can manage them full-time, right? As well as a foster coordinator so that we can look at having a foster program that would in effect increase our capacity.

[1:22:58] >> Okay. On this, but back on the pods, it's not going to require additional staff to do the do extra cleaning or anything like that. >> No, let me let me interrupt. It's been pointed out by other council. We need to keep the discussion topic on the agenda item as as far as operations and things. Mary, we'll get with somebody at a different time, but we need to keep this to the discussion of the topic here. >> Okay. Yeah, I'm still on this pod part. It's not going to require any additional staff. >> No, this is actually going to hasten their cleaning process. >> Okay, good. So, it's going to take less off them so that they can do more throughout the day. >> So, this this $2 million will would get all this. We're not going to get another We need another 200,000 down the road. This This is what we're looking at >> for the pods. >> Yes. Uh >> we're comfortable that we can build at least three of these and that's our plan is to move forward to designing for three but with an alternate for four in case it does come in. >> Okay. But we're looking to work within this 2 million. >> Correct. >> All right. Good. >> I would just add on any project, keep in mind depending on I don't know what your time frame is, but if this waits, you know, 6 months, a year, or whatever, all of those numbers >> go out the window. So, just keep that in mind. Very true. >> And the sooner we can get this >> get it going, the better. >> Good deal. That's all I have. Thank you both. >> Karen, >> I'll be quick. So, could we please ask you to come back and see us in a few weeks and let us know what your progress is because we waited a long time and this is exciting. >> Of course, >> that would be awesome if we could have that on a repeating basis, maybe every six weeks or so. >> And um development triggers a pre-development meeting with planning and development services typically. Have you guys already sat down with the planning department and spoken to them about all the things that can come up

[1:25:02] and ensure that we are ready? >> Not yet, but but that is in the works. >> Okay, super good. Great. Thank you. >> Cool. Patrick, >> my math isn't mathing. At three pods, we're at 72, correct? >> Correct. >> That's half of what we're currently at at 140. >> Four would be a total of 96 kennels. Right now we have 120 kennels, but 30 of them are down because they flood. So we're down to uh 90. So we would have 96 kennels with four pods. So we would be right at the same >> at where we're at currently. >> Correct. >> Um is there any way to utilize the good parts of our old kennel and keep our capacity up in any way? So we would have to look at all of that because our goal in getting out of that main general mission area is to increase health and welfare of the animals. >> Agreed. >> I think if we stay with the old, we're still accumulating those problems that end up costing us in the end because of medical needs and things of that nature. >> No, agree. and and I love that and and from everything I've talked to you about that is at the end goal of everything you said it is the ultimate welfare of the animal. >> Correct. >> Um and so I commend you on that. I don't think enough people see that or understand that. I think you always have that in mind. Um I just I hate going down in capacity um overall over our original 140. Right. I understand why we've we've or 120 or 140. >> We're at 140. >> Okay. I understand our reasoning for for going lower. I just hate to the future plan to be that low number. I'd rather see it a high number. Um, is there a space to continue to add pods if somehow we found the funds to do it? >> Well, and remember when you're talking about these pods, that's 96 in general admission. Okay, that does not even include our isolation area, our quarantine area, our puppy area. Those accumulated is going to keep us at the 140, if not a little over from time to

[1:27:06] time. Um this morning we were sitting at 148. So um while we are over capacity, I have things in the works that a lot of animals are going out on Thursday. So I am withholding making any decisions until after Thursday. And that's the way it's it will work even with these pods. >> We'll still have the other facilities that >> we'll still have isolation. We'll still have quarantine. We'll still have the puppy ward and that would be assimilated into the additional admin building at a later time. >> Gotcha. Um, so back to that again and that's going to be this goes back to the funding part, but is there going to be with your overall plan, Alfonso, is there going to be room to add more if we were able to in the future? >> I I believe so. If you want to go back to the Yeah. So, this >> this area right here. >> Yes. This this this is this is the uh overall plan. So, I mean, you can see there's there's areas where she's just pointed out uh we could do some here and and move these large animal kennels around. I think there's areas where we could do that. >> Okay. Um and the we're calling them pods. Is that just the design of it? It's not an actual pre-built structure or anything like that. >> Correct. These are these are concrete block buildings on on a concrete slab. >> Thank you, Perry. Thank you. Uh I'm not going to reiterate everything that's been said, but I will have to say this is this is a unique concept and I think utilizing the money that we were going to spend on a temporary shelter going into this is better used for the taxpayers money. So I appreciate the concept whoever brought it forward and where we are today and I will have to say let's get it done. Joe, >> sounds good to me. Better animal welfare. I mean, we still have the old facility if we needed it. It's just we're not planning on because it needs to be fixed. So, technically, we're not

[1:29:08] losing capacity. We're just going to use a better one. >> Correct. >> So, we also have to have the staff for more capacity, which again, it's a compounding thing. So, again, I'm in favor of this. Great deal. Thank you. I'm I'm glad. Good concept. Like Harry said. Councilman Heert, >> I think my questions have been answered. Let me confirm. We'll have a final cost. Karen was talking about 6 weeks or so. We'll have a final cost of this. Whether we whether it's closer to 1.4 or two, >> we should have a better idea of it by that time. The engineers will have been hired and they will start designing. it. Um because the first thing we need to do is firm down the plan exactly how many um exactly how many can candles are in each one and and all that kind of stuff and then we can put a better dollar figure our own dollar figure on it rather than relying on enhance. >> Okay. So to Rick's point costs are only going to keep going up. >> Correct. It would be my preference as one council member that if we can find and and find the funding and see our way to do the four pods, let's do that because it's only going to cost us more if we say, "Well, we'll do that later." Um, that's just my one thought. Um, I'm I'm good. I I like the concept. Daniel, do you have an executive summary here? >> Yeah, the uh and Tommy, we can look at that. Basically, combine the phase one, phase two, that's what you're saying at this point. And you're right, the longer it drags out, the more expensive this can get. So, we'll take a look at that as well and see what that cost savings would be. >> See if we can make it work now, [clears throat] even if they have to come back possibly and look at a little additional funding above the 2 million. Let's just see how much above that would be if we can

[1:31:10] handle that. Let's >> we'll be we'll work through that. The goal will be to actually keep it below the 2 million and uh so we'll work toward that. But again, we really do feel that this as far as a facility and as Amanda mentioned a while ago, best practices is something that we want to get into. But if we're going to be doing the adoption uh portion of it as well, which we are, uh this is really the best way to go. And uh my recommendation of course is and all we're looking for right now is your direction at this point. So but the recommendation is to give us that direction and move forward and get this thing done. >> All that. So Brandon, at this point we need to vote on this one or we're just giving direction. >> So I think you've seen that we'd much rather see funds be sent and spent something that's going to last for many years instead of temporary. With that, thank you all so much for your presentation. All right, we'll move to item E. First reading and public hearing of an ordinance for PD25-07, a request for a zone change from a single family residential zoning district to a plan development with >> Yes, >> I'm sorry. We had public comment on this item. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Just on a presentation. All right, Heather, who do we have for public comment? >> Uh, Tiffany Watson. Tiffany, I'm sorry. >> My name is Tiffany Watson. I'm from single member district 2. Um, I do have a couple of points that are a little off agenda, so forgive me a little bit, please. >> Oh, yes. >> Thank you. >> Um, two months ago, I started sharing my videos of the shelter dogs. We've had thousands of views and at least six adoptions directly related to those videos. Last week, a dog a dog was adopted within hours of posting his video. Not just one person, but two people went that same day to adopt him. He was the second longest stay. He had been there for months and no doubt would have been euthanized a few days later. So, I encourage the city to put more effort towards promoting these dogs and it will lead to higher adoption rates. These poor dogs at the shelter do not

[1:33:11] even have a yard. They never see sunshine or breathe fresh air unless a volunteer walks them. But if the city builds a new shelter in town, a shelter with ventilation, drains that work, faucets with actual water pressure, a yard for the dogs to get a chance to run, a shelter with just an inch of pride, it would make all the difference for the animals and our community. The shelter would no longer be out of sight, out of mind. It would no longer bring instant thoughts of disgust. People would see it daily, visit, talk about it, hear about it, volunteer, and adopt. If it weren't repulsive, social media outreach would be even more effective. The animals would be happier and have higher success rates. Organizations could get involved. People would be more likely to come to adoption events and people could trust taking in strays because right now they do not. It appears they are trying to make living conditions better at the shelter, but they are killing dogs to do it. Our money is being wasted trying to fix something that does not work and instead should go to doing things the right way. And on that after hearing about the pods, I love the idea. I just think that there needs to be more of them. Um, also the $150 adoption fee is too high. If someone wants to adopt the dog, they don't want to pay $150. They can find a free dog any day of the week online. They they might say, "I'll get them fixed later." But they don't. And a year or so later, the problem is multiplied and it continues to multiply exponentially. But if that person knew you could save a healthy dog from the shelter for say 50 bucks, one that's already spayed, neutered, has all their shots, most people would choose that because people want to adopt. It really is that simple to prevent unnecessary unfixed dogs here. Animal services is currently only working with one vet. So adopted dogs are sitting at the shelter for three or more weeks waiting to go home. This has cost so many dogs their lives due to space. The animals also deserve to have a scheduled euthanasia date posted. The community needs to be aware of the consequences so that we can come together to save as many as possible. Right now, they are killing perfect, highly adoptable dogs every week. Now, they are even doing it with empty kennels available. In the past, our town really came together to help

[1:35:14] save the animals, and I know we could do it again. So, this behavior of killing so frequently without warning, especially when there are empty kennels, it has to stop. It is not okay. It is completely unethical. I don't know how any of you have convinced yourself this is anything but evil. This does not include unadoptable dogs, and I know we cannot save them all. And I know animal services workers may not appreciate the backlash, but it is our community and our leaders who are at fault, which must be emphasized. The public needs the truth in order to hold each other accountable. With that knowledge, change, without that knowledge, change will never come. And I passed out packets that just have um price comparisons for the adoption fees. Um you can adopt at pause for $85. Houston is $50. Heather's got it for us >> and Lebe is 30. So why is ours 150? Thank you. >> Thank you, Heather. Is there any more public comment? Now we'll move to item E. First reading and public hearing of ordinance for PD25-07 request for a zone change from the single family residential zoning district to a planned development with a base zoning of neighborhood commercial located at 617 East 42nd Street and 4101 Crockett. Presentation made by planning and development services director Aaron Venoy. Thank you, Mayor, City Council, Mr. Venuela. This morning, we're going to start with this planned development at the old Lincoln Middle School site. Uh you can see here uh on the image um the old gymnasium, an old facility there, and their maintenance building here. And what uh SISD is trying to do is to combine these areas um to use some workable space that the tin tiny Texans program is going to move in there which is a daycare program continue to have their maintenance facility there and then future items may come in uh to this property in the future. This is in the uh Lake View neighborhood district 2 Mr. Joseph. It is currently RS1 zoning and the request to zone changes to the plan development with a neighborhood commercialbased zoning. We did send out 55 uh notices. Uh we did not receive any

[1:37:19] back in favor or uh against. This did go through planning commission. Uh we did look at this property and this may be a little bit better, but this property here with the um vehicle storage, their their vehicle maintenance as well as maintenance for other facilities is kind of the the highlighting trying to work that into what would be just typically a school site. There was some discussion at uh planning commission about um meeting certain uh items of a of a school in our ordinance or is tiny Texans really a daycare program. Uh we did come to a compromise on that uh as well as the outdoor storage area um that works for both SASD as well as the city and the neighborhood. So we did recommend approval from staff um to the planning commission. Planning Commission did recommend approval with a 60 vote and they had these three conditions. Uh get your necessary building permits. Outdoor storage is allowed up to 10,000. 10,000. Wow. Uh 10% which is over one acre for that property. And then any of the outdoor storage locations that you just have opaque fencing around any outdoor storage locations. With that, I'll be happy to answer any questions. >> Thank you, Erin. With this one, it's uh SMD2. We'll roll this over to you, Joe, if you got anything you want to tee up on this one or you look good with it. I'm good with that. It's It's a It's an area where I went to junior high that is no longer there and needs to be cleaned up and and better utilized and this will help do that. >> Any questions, Tommy or Harry? This anybody? With that, we'll look for a motion. >> So moved. >> Second. >> I have a first from Joe. I need a second. >> Second. >> Second from Tommy Heert. Any public comment? >> With no public comment, we'll look for a vote. All those in favor say I. I. >> Any opposed? With no opposed, item E passes 70. Item F, first rig and public hearing of an ordinance for Z25-23, a request to reszone from the single family residential zoning district and the low-rise multif family zoning district to the central business zoning district located at 401 East Bogard.

[1:39:22] Presentation made by Aaron Venoy. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh Aaron Venoy, uh planning development services director. This property here is our PD station um here with our city. It actually has a split zoning that kind of comes in right about where that red line is. And to the right is an RS district. And this is central business district here. Well, as you guys know that y'all have approved through the budget that um PD needs to add a couple of portable buildings here that kind of triggered us to go in and clean this up for them to make sure that this works uh for their addition that they need to add. Uh this neighborhood is Fort Koncho East District 3. Mr. Harry Thomas. Uh it is a vision is downtown and is a request to ch uh change from the RS1 to the CBD. So we did send out our notifications. We had none in favor and none opposed. Here you can kind of see that split zoning. You also see the RM1 up here to the top part of the property. That really is just drainage that kind of comes in there and comes down into the concho area. It's all under property right now as opposed to a dedicated street and rightway. We may clean that up in a in a future process down the road, but today we're just trying to match this zoning over here, which is central business district, which matches the downtown vision plan. With that, the staff did recommend approval to the planning commission to reszone this from RS1 to central business district and the planning commission gave a recommendation of approval of 6 on November the 17th. With any with that, I'll take any questions. >> All right, we'll tee it up. What's in your district, Harry? Any questions? I think this is a good deal. So, I'd recommend approval on this. >> All right. Well, let me ask any questions over here. With that, I'll take that first motion from Harry. Can I get a second? Joe. >> Second from Karen. >> With that, is there any public comment, Heather? >> With no public comment, we'll take a vote on item F. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Item passes 70. We'll move into item G, first reading and public hearing for ordinances for one Z25-24, a request to reszone from the ranch and

[1:41:24] estate zoning district to the light manufacturing zoning district and two CP25-02, a request to amend the comprehensive plan to industrial for 345.27 acres south of the intersection of North US Highway 67 and Harriet Road. Presentation made by Aaron Venoy. >> Again, thank you, mayor. uh Aaron Benoy uh director of planning development services. This is an area that we just annexed in early uh part of the summertime and now we're going through the first zoning process to get this land to start moving towards development. Since we annexed this in the adjacent neighborhood is Paul land. So Pauland kind of uh goes all the way out here to this area. Now uh it also moves the SMD uh out to this area which is uh district number four. Mr. Patrick Keley, it comes in automatically zoned as ranch and estate, but that's not the intent of this property. So, we're going through the reszoning process and a comprehensive plan um process to reszone this because right now this part of the area does not have a vision plan. So, we're adding that to it. You can see that we're going from the zone change from the ranching estate to light manufacturing and a comprehensive plan to industrial. Apologize for the maps. That's the extent of our imaging on our mapping system. And so, that's why that top half is white. We just don't have imaging out there as of right now. We did send out notifications. Um we did kind of over notify in case we wanted to add some of these other properties down the road. Uh we will notify those again as things come through, but we were just trying to get a a flavor for the area to see if anybody had any issues. There were 15 not uh notifications sent out. There were zero in favor and zero opposed. We did do a significant analysis. It's a very large property, 345 acres. Um, again, it's surrounded by farmland. And while we say vacant farmland, um, it is still usable farmland or it's pasture land. Uh, as of right now, there is, and I can go back to the image real quickly. Many of y'all know, there is an A substation there. There are a couple of homes on the east side, outside of town,

[1:43:27] but here on the west side is mostly vacant. Uh, whether it be pasture land or farmland of some kind. Um, this area did come in as ranches state. It did not have a comp comprehensive plan designation, but as we look at that area uh today, we see that this is the area that's kind of been designated industrial kind of coming in from our um the highway 67 and where 277 meet. We know that we have our industrial park there that the city has. We know there's some other industrial facilities around and so we anticipate that that is going to be an industrial type land use. Um, in this specific case, uh, we believe that there's a potential data center that will be coming into this. So, we looked at our zoning ordinance. What do we have today in our zoning ordinance that would allow a data center, uh, to come in? And we believe that it fits our light manufacturing uh, the best, which is mostly, as you can imagine, some kind of manufacturing, but it can be warehousing, it can be large truck transport, um, it can be lots of different things. uh that even if a data center does not come to this property, it may be zoned appropriately for other industries to come in there and take advantage of that. Um this property is isolated from other developments and so it does kind of lend itself towards manufacturing. Housing is not close. While there are some adjacent houses, it's not a large housing development. Uh we know the Concho River is to the south of us. Uh but it is significant distance from that if you know about a mile and a half or so from that. So, um any kind of mitigation issues could be resolved very quickly. And so, having this uh larger property here, uh being uh like manufacturing is appropriate at this time. One of the ideas that with our um northeast um plan that's being looked at right now is having some kind of buffer area right in here. We cannot do that with this zoning, but we will look at our urban design review if and when something comes in to add some kind of uh buffering there so that as you're coming in on 67, which is one of our major entrances to our community, that

[1:45:30] it's going to look uh a little better, not just a bunch of stark buildings, things like that, we've actually talked to prospective folks that are looking at this property and they're they're they're good with that as well. Um, but again, today is just the comprehensive plan and the zoning approval for this 345 acres there off of Highway 67 and Harriet Road. Uh, that is staff's recommendation as well as we presented that to the planning commission and they gave a 60 vote in approval on November the 17th. With that, I'll be happy to answer any questions. >> Aaron, we'll kick this over to Patrick in a second, but my first question is I want to make sure we make one zone move and we don't end up making one or two. I think you've answered that. Does this suit the suitors that may be this is the requested zone they'd like to see? >> Yes. With communications with them, this is a typical zoning they would see in Texas. There are very few jurisdictions, only two that I found in Texas that have data center specific. There are some on the east coast, but we don't have anything data center specific. We talked to our um our Texas American Planning Association and they believe light manufacturing is the appropriate u zoning for a data center in in our community and other communities alike. Cool. >> I would just add to that if you'll look in the background in this case because it's specific as to what's going to be here, there's a a letter of interpretation by our planning uh director. >> Correct. >> It's attached to your background info stating exactly what is intended here. >> Awesome. With that, open it up for any questions. Patrick, your SMD >> uh all makes sense to me. The the one thing that was important to me was just keep the buffer. So, as long as that we can still do that in the future, >> we we can through that through the development processes based on what we project that's going to be there, their size would trigger an urban design review and that's something that is within our control of the urban design review process. >> We'll also be looking at that. You know, we just hired Westwood to do the plan out there. So, we'll be looking at the design standards and guidelines for that whole area to make it do exactly what you're saying. >> Perfect. Yes, sir. >> Any other questions? With that, Patrick, you want to start

[1:47:32] with a motion? I got a first from Patrick. >> Yes. >> Got a second from Karen. >> Heather, any public comment? >> Public comment. >> Michael Looney. >> We're good to go. >> You don't. >> Michael knows it. With no additional public comment, we'll look for a vote. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? With no opposed, item G, parts one and two, pass 70. With that, we'll moved into close session, executive session under the provision of government code, title 5, open government ethics, subtitle A, open government, chapter 551, open meetings, subchapter D, exceptions to requirements that meetings be open under the following conditions. Item A, section 551074, personnel matters regarding the city manager. With that, we'll move into closed executive session to session with item 8, follow up and administrative issues. Consider items discussed in executive session if needed. I believe nothing's no further nothing needs to be further discussed. Item B, consider approving various board nominations. Civic Events Advisory Board. John Flint SMD1 to a third term. Josh Hilton SMD2 to a second term. And Andy Marquee SMD6 to a first full term. All ending December of 2027. Do we want tohead and do this one right now or go ahead and do it with the parks and advisory or do them separately? >> You can do it. >> Do them all together. Okay. Parks and advisory. Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. William Kit, mayor, full first term. Sarah Mattis, SMD5, to a first term, both ending December 2027. Piers tax and increment reinvented zone board, Sandy Rohos, SMD6 to a first term ending July 2027. >> I move for approval from Tommy. >> I got a second from Harry Thomas. Any public comment? >> None. >> All those in favor say I. >> Any opposed? With no opposed, item B, all nominations are approved. 70. Item C, announcements and consider future agenda items. And number one, considering scheduling the February

[1:49:34] 17th, 2025 meeting to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday evening. Does anybody have any objections to that? >> Most open to discussion. Originally, Heather and I talked about maybe a 5:30, but I think that's better time basically, especially if you got a long agenda. It's going to be 9:30, 10:00 before we get out of here. If if you've got an agenda that might go ahead last >> you just sleep late that morning. I was fixing to say. [laughter] >> So, what's everybody think? Is 5:30 6:00? >> I think 5:30 people can come straight from work and not have the random time. Oh, I'm going to go home and then don't come back. >> All right, I'm good. That was our initial thought and then I thought, well, people might wanted to get here and in time to get here. >> Who's bringing is all I want to know. >> I know, right? >> Who's bringing what? >> Our cake. Our birthday cake. Birthday. Awesome. All right. Then also uh February 2nd, if that goes as planned, Heather >> Tommy Heert will be conducting that meeting, I will be out of town, so he will take the first meeting of February. >> That is if if the groundhog sees the shadow. >> Yeah, if the groundhog sees the shadow, Tommy Heert will be in charge or at fault at that. Um, one other thing I want to bring up before we uh you know what, let's go ahead and bring the meeting to a close. Well, and then I just want to um remind everyone that we will only have one meeting in January on the second Tuesday, which is January the 13th, regular 8:30 a.m. >> Let's let's let's not close the meeting. Let's let's keep it open. >> I'm going to I'm going to I'm going to do it. >> Let's do it. >> Michael Dayne, he's going to hate me for this. >> Don't care. He has been with the city forever and um love the guy. I was so blessed to come into my position having not just Mike but Rick there as well. Um he's done a tremendous job for the city and this is his last city council meeting. Um he's going to be greatly missed not just by myself, Rick, uh and staff. Uh but again, he's become part of that family on the fourth floor. We're a family up there and sometimes we argue,

[1:51:36] sometimes we cut each other down, sometimes we laugh, we laugh at it all. But Mike has a special kind of humor. He has a special kind of wit that is going to be missed up there as well. And I just wanted to say that because um he didn't want anything. He didn't want his name mentioned. He didn't want He's a very humble guy and uh we'll be doing something for him on the fourth floor and y'all are all going to be invited. But um with that said, Mike, love you, man. And you will be missed. >> Can I say something publicly about what it's like to work with? >> Yes, you [laughter] can. Yes, you can. >> Hey, don't ruin the moment, man. >> I don't want you to laugh it. I mean, he's a toy. >> Well, I will and I imagine he there's several of us that may want to voice something here. Michael, I'm sorry, bud. If you didn't want this to happen, we just can't let you get away. Um, some of the very first meetings we had where council got together, we went to Marty Self's house, had a meal and dinner. Michael went out of his way to introduce himself to me. He led me through so many difficult situations where I I say sometimes your wisdom is to remain quiet, sometimes you don't. Michael was good to always give a phone call and answer your questions. He always looked for a way to be a to to find a solution. All right? It never was an objection. Hey, we'll look at a way to find a solution. He's a can do person. He's always been that. And it was always a, oh, I don't know. where it was always, let's look at a way to make that work. And I can't tell you how many things financially and as we go down this path when it was always great knowing Michael was at the helm of the finance and the funds as an assistant city manager to help guide us down that path and and the the city of St. Angelo will never know what you've done behind the scenes, what you've done for the community, what you've done for all of staff. And I just say, you know, from me personally as the mayor, Michael Dayne, you've been a godsend to all of us and we've been far blessed to have you at our side very much. >> Awesome. >> Uh Harry Thomas. >> Well, I don't know how successful I've

[1:53:41] been over the last nine and a half years, but I will say this. Michael helped me early on in my tenure as a councilman. uh I would not have been able to do some of the things that I did with the with the city and and citizens had it not been for him giving me some directions. Uh and I hopefully the same thing can be said with all of us sitting up here. But Michael, appreciate what you did, appreciate how you showed me direction and a lot of times when I thought, well, this has got to be the only way you can do it. and Michael sit down and have a conversation with me. And guess what? We found a different solution. Thank you, >> Mr. Hever. I've known Michael since he came to the city because at the time he came, my wife worked for the city and that's how I originally met Michael. I was appointed to the development corporation uh when Michael was the finance director and came to appreciate more than he will ever know, his creative financial mind. If there's one thing that that the city will miss as a whole, it is Michael Dayne's creativity when it came to looking for solutions to financial issues. Um, I've I've never been around anyone before or since that had the uncanny ability to to create I'm I'm going to say uh a solution when it looked like what you were what you were facing was just a brick wall when it came to the financial side of it. Michael, uh I I came to appreciate that even more. Let me let me before I wrap up, I came to appreciate that even more as a

[1:55:43] council person because to Harry's and and Tom's point, Michael's solutionoriented. It's it's not no, we can't do that. It's le let's figure this out. And he always had and it wasn't just one uh option. It was a couple of options and there was one that was always seemingly the best. So, Michael, I appreciate you. I appreciate your service to the city. I appreciate your friendship as as much as anything. Thanks. >> With that, Michael, >> I'd like to appeal to Brandon to keep us on the agenda. [laughter] >> With that, I'll I'll look for a motion to close today's meeting. >> So move. Second. >> I got a first and a second. Anybody opposed? >> With that, all in favor say I. I. Meeting closes. Seven of them. Here's to Michael Day.

Captured 2026-07-26 · source: youtube.com/watch?v=yv0ay0ukb-s