* This transcript was created by voice-to-text technology. The transcript has not been edited for errors or omissions, it is for reference only and is not the official minutes of the meeting. [00:00:03] WELL, WE ARE GONNA GO AHEAD [OPENING ITEMS] AND GET STARTED AND THANK THE LORD THAT WE HAVE STAFF MEMBERS THAT CAN HELP US WITH OUR TECHNOLOGY GREMLINS. SO, UM, WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND CALL AND IF I WOULD ASK YOU TO RISE FOR THE INVOCATION AND WELCOME SENIOR PASTOR DAN NEWBERG FROM FAN AND TERRACE BAPTIST CHURCH TO OPEN US IN OUR INVOCATION. MORNING. MORNING YOU COME. I INVITE YOU TO BOW YOUR HEADS. COME TO THE MICROPHONE IF YOU WOULD PLEASE. SORRY. THANK YOU. THIS IS MY FIRST TIME HERE. WE'RE GLAD TO HAVE YOU. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. IF I CAN INVITE EVERYBODY TO BOW THEIR HEADS AND JOIN THEIR HEARTS WITH ME, LET'S GO BEFORE THE LORD TOGETHER, OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN, LORD, YOU WHO ARE GRACIOUS AND SOVEREIGN, WE PAUSE AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS NEW YEAR TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ALL AUTHORITY ULTIMATELY BELONGS TO YOU. YOU, OH LORD, ARE THE GIVER OF LIFE, THE SOURCE OF WISDOM, AND THE ONE WHO ESTABLISHES LEADERS AND NATIONS ACCORDING TO YOUR PURPOSES. AND TODAY. DEAR LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR THE CITY OF MIDLAND. WE THANK YOU FOR ITS HISTORY. ITS PEOPLE, ITS RESILIENCE, AND ITS HOPE. WE GIVE THANKS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED FAITHFULLY IN SEASONS PAST. WE ASK YOUR BLESSING UPON THOSE WHO NOW STEP INTO LEADERSHIP, INCLUDING THOSE WHO ARE NEWLY ELECTED AND THOSE WHO CONTINUE THEIR CALLING TO SERVE. LORD, WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD GRANT TO OUR MAYOR AND OUR COUNCIL WISDOM BEYOND THEMSELVES, DISCERNMENT IN COMPLEX DECISIONS, COURAGE TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT, AND HUMILITY TO LISTEN WELL, UH, LORD, WE ASK THAT THEY GOVERN WITH INTEGRITY SEEKING NOT PERSONAL GAIN, BUT THE GOOD OF ALL, ESPECIALLY THE VULNERABLE AND THE OVERLOOKED AND THOSE WITHOUT A VOICE. AND WE WOULD ASK, LORD, THAT THIS CHAMBER WOULD BE MARKED BY HONESTY AND CIVILITY AND A GENUINE DESIRE FOR THE COMMON GOOD. AND WHEN DISAGREEMENTS ARISE, WE ASK THAT THERE BE MUTUAL RESPECT. AND WHEN CHALLENGES COME, MAY THERE BE PERSEVERANCE. AND WHEN SUCCESS IS ACHIEVED, MAY GRATITUDE AND NOT PRIDE BE THE RESPONSE. AND LORD, WE ACKNOWLEDGE OUR DEPENDENCE UPON YOU AND AS YOUR WORD REMINDS US, UNLESS THE LORD BUILDS THE HOUSE, THOSE WHO BUILD IT, LABOR AND VAIN. SO WE ENTRUST THE WORK OF THIS CITY AND THOSE WHO LEAD IT INTO YOUR CARE. WE ASK THIS ALL IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. AMEN. AMEN. I BLESS Y'ALL. THANK YOU, PASTOR. I PUT TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AGAINST THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND I JUSTICE FOR ALL, HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. I COLLECTIVELY MISSISSIPPI A TEXAS ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE INDIVISIBLE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND YOU CAN BE SEATED. WE ARE GOING [PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS] TO MOVE OVER HERE TO THE, UM, THIS AREA AND WE'RE GONNA RECOGNIZE A FEW DIFFERENT FOLKS. WE HAVE A LOT TO CELEBRATE TODAY, THE FIRST WEEK OR THE FIRST MEETING OF THE NEW YEAR. AND SO I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE WITH US. UM, WE'RE GONNA START WITH PRESENTATIONS OF TROPHIES FOR OUR CHRISTMAS PARADE WINNERS. AND COUNCILMAN NORMAN'S GONNA HELP ME TO GIVE THOSE OUT. ARE THESE IN RANK ORDER? YEAH. SO WE'RE GONNA START AND WELCOME. LET'S SEE MIDLAND MARY LIGHTS PARADE. BEST BAND WAS THE ALAMO SCOUTS. DO WE HAVE ANYBODY REPRESENTING THE ALAMO SCOUTS HERE? CONGRATULATIONS. YOU GUYS COULD GATHER UP HERE AND WE'RE GONNA TAKE A PICTURE TOGETHER. ALRIGHT, 1, 2, 3. HOLD ON. 1, 2, 3. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS GUYS. I ALWAYS THINK THAT THE, THE MAIN EXCITEMENT OF GETTING TO COME TO THESE COUNCIL MEETINGS IS THAT YOU GET TO MISS SCHOOL. SO CONGRATULATIONS ON GETTING TO MISS SCHOOL. UM, AND RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU WERE ABLE TO GO TO OUR CHRISTMAS PARADE. WERE ANY OF YOU ABLE TO ATTEND? IT WAS A REALLY GREAT EVENT. I WAS NOT ABLE TO MAKE IT THIS YEAR, BUT IT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS THAT WE DO AS A COMMUNITY. SO, UM, THE NEXT ONE IS THE MOST SPIRIT. THIS IS, SO ROSS STATE UNIVERSITY, THE PERMIAN BASIN ALUMNI CHAPTER. IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO REPRESENT THEM? JOIN US PLEASE. CONGRATULATIONS, SIR. THANK YOU. I'M SO WHAT. THANK YOU. [00:05:01] 1, 2, 3. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, NEXT WE HAVE THE MOST SPIRIT IS THE MIDLAND COLLEGE AGGIE CLUB. ANYBODY HERE TO COME, COME JOIN US. CAN ONE OF US, CAN ONE OF Y'ALL GIVE US A BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE MIDLAND COLLEGE AGGIE CLUB? THIS IS THE FIRST I'M HEARING ABOUT THIS CLUB. OKAY, SO HOWDY. UH, MY NAME IS BRIANNA. THIS IS ARIEL. WE ARE STUDENTS, WE PART OF THE TEXAS A AND M ENGINEERING ACADEMY. UM, SO THE MIDDLE COLLEGE AGGIE CLUB, WE ARE STUDENTS WHO ARE BOTH DUAL IN MIDLAND COLLEGE AND A AND M. SO WE'RE ENGINEERING STUDENTS, UM, WITH THE AGGIE CLUB. AIM TO DO IS OBVIOUSLY GET IN THE COMMUNITY AND PRESENT OURSELVES AND JUST KINDA GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER. UM, OF COURSE MEET PEOPLE AND INTRODUCE THAT THERE ARE ENGINEERING OPPORTUNITIES OUT HERE FOR STUDENTS WHO MAY BE FROM MIDLAND OR FROM SURROUNDING AREAS. EXCELLENT. THANKS SO MUCH. ALRIGHT, 1, 2, 3. 1, 2, 3. THANK YOU. WELL, CONGRATULATIONS. THANKS ALL. SO I, I DO WANNA JUST HIGHLIGHT PART OF WHAT SHE SAID THERE. A AND M AND TECH AND UH, MIDLAND COLLEGE ARE PARTNERING TOGETHER ON AN ENGINEERING ACADEMY, WHICH WE'VE NEEDED FOR A LONG TIME. I DIDN'T KNOW WE HAD A SPIRIT CLUB TOO, BUT I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE HIGHLIGHT THIS PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN MIDLAND COLLEGE AND A AND M. IT'S A HUGE ASSET TO OUR COMMUNITY AND TO THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY. 'CAUSE WE NEED THOSE ENGINEERS HERE. ALRIGHT, THE NEXT ONE IS THE BEST GROUP. I WONDER WHAT THE CRITERIA WERE FOR THE BEST GROUP. UM, THE REX OIL FIELD SERVICES, IF YOU COULD JOIN US. CONGRAT, CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE WITH US. 1, 2, 3. 1, 2, 3. ALRIGHT, NOW WE HAVE THE MOST CREATIVE, SECOND PLACE IS THE SAN MIGUEL ARCHANGEL YOUTH GROUP. DO WE HAVE ANYBODY HERE FROM THAT GROUP? 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3. NOW WE HAVE THE MOST CREATIVE FIRST PLACE IS THE FAT BOYS PRODUCTION. ANYBODY HERE? CONGRATULATIONS. 1, 2, 3. 1, 2, 3. NOW WE HAVE THE THIRD PLACE, WHICH THIS IS THE THIRD PLACE OVERALL. SO THESE ARE THE, THE OVERALL WINNERS. THE THIRD PLACE WINNER IS THE CYCLE BAR. ANYBODY HERE TO REPRESENT THE CYCLE BAR? I LIKE HOW YOU'RE ALL, WE ALL COORDINATE. I, 1, 2, 3. 1, 2, 3. SECOND PLACE WINNER OVERALL, OUR, OUR BILLY BLACK HVAC. WELCOME GUYS. CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU. 1, 2, 3. 1, 2, 3. AND THEN OUR FINAL FIRST PLACE OVERALL FOR THE MIDLAND MERRY LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE IS HEB. DO WE HAVE SOMEONE HERE FROM HEB 1, 2, 3. 1, 2, 3. ALRIGHT, AT THIS TIME I'M GONNA WELCOME COUNCILMAN STEPSS AND THEN ANYONE WHO'S HERE TO RECEIVE A PROCLAMATION FOR NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK. WE'D INVITE YOU TO COME UP HERE AS WELL. [00:10:05] OKAY. UM, AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, EDUCATION'S A GIGANTIC THING I'VE WORKED MANY YEARS FOR, SO THIS IS AN AWESOME DAY TO CELEBRATE HERE IN MIDLAND, TEXAS. SO THANK YOU OFFICER CU. UM, WHEREAS ALL CHILDREN IN MIDLAND SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO HIGH, UH, HIGHEST QUALITY EDUCATION. AND WHEREAS EDUCATION OR MIDLAND ACADEMY CHARTER THAT WE DO SCHOOL RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANT ROLE THAT AN EFFECTIVE EDUCATION PLAYS IN PREPARING ALL STUDENTS TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL ADULTS. WHEREAS QUALITY EDUCATION IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO THE ECONOMIC VITALITY OF MIDLANDS. WHEREAS MIDLAND, IT'S HOME TO A MULTITUDE OF HIGH QUALITY TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PUBLIC MAGNET SCHOOLS, PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS, AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS FROM WHICH PARENTS CAN CHOOSE FROM FOR THEIR CHILDREN. WHEREAS EDUCATE EDUCATIONAL VARIETY NOT ONLY HELPS THE DIVERSITY OF OUR ECONOMY, BUT ALSO ENHANCES THE VIABILITY OF OUR COMMUNITY. WHEREAS MIDLAND HAS MANY DEDICATED TEACHERS, PROFESSIONALS, AND TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS WHO ARE COMMITTED TO EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN. WHEREAS NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK IS CELEBRATE ACROSS THE COUNTRY BY MILLIONS OF STUDENTS, PARENTS, EDUCATORS, SCHOOLS, AND ORGANIZATIONS TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR THE NEED OF EFFECTIVE EDUCATION OPTIONS THAT CHALLENGE AND INNOVATE ALL STUDENTS TO SUCCEED. NOW, THEREFORE, I BRIAN STUBS ON BEHALF OF, UH, LORI BLANC, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS, DO HEREBY RECLAIM JANUARY 21ST THROUGH 25TH, 2026 AS NATIONAL SCHOOL OF CHOICE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL Y'ALL DO. 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3. APPRECIATE Y'ALL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YES, SIR. ALL RIGHT. AND AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE COUNCILMAN BERKHOLDER TO JOIN US. HE'S GONNA OFFER A PROCLAMATION FOR CRIME STOPPERS MONTH. WHICH SCHOOL? THE LIGHTS, OH, SORRY. DO WE HAVE ANYBODY HERE FOR TIME STOPPERS? WE SHOULD HAVE, OH YEAH, THERE YOU GO. ALRIGHT. SO PROVIDING A SAFE, UH, AND A SAFE CITY IS A HUGE PRIORITY FOR THE ENTIRE COUNCIL AND FOR THE CITY OF MIDLAND. SO IT'S ONLY FITTING THAT, UH, WE WOULD RECOGNIZE, UH, CRIME STOPPERS MONTH AND, AND APPRECIATION OF ALL THAT THAT IS DONE. SO WE'RE HERE TO ISSUE A PROCLAMATION TODAY. WE CRIME STOPPERS IS AN ORGANIZATION IN EVERY STATE IN THE UNITED STATES, WHICH FORM A NETWORK DEDICATED TO SOLVING CRIMES IN EACH LOCAL JURISDICTION. AND WHEREAS JANUARY, 2026 MARKS THE 42ND ANNIVERSARY OF CRIME STOPPERS OF MIDLAND AND SERVING THEIR COMMUNITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT. AND WHEREAS THIS COMMUNITY BASED NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION OPERATING PRIMARILY ON PRIVATE SECTOR DONATIONS, HAS HELPED LAW ENFORCEMENT ARREST. LISTEN TO THIS, 10,103 SUSPECTS RECOVER $3,574,512 IN PROPERTY, SEIZED $6,291,364 IN NARCOTICS, AND HAS PAID $592,841 IN A REWARDS SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN JANUARY OF 1984. THAT'S AMAZING. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WHEREAS CRIME STOPPERS DESERVES OUR PRAISE, A RECOMMENDATION AND SUPPORT. SO THANK YOU. NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOHN BERKHOLDER ON BEHALF OF THE LORI BLANC, THE MAYOR OF MIDLAND, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM JANUARY, 2026 AS CRIME STOPPERS MONTH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALL 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3. VERY MUCH. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THEY ALSO HAVE VERY FUN FUNDRAISERS, SO IF YOU EVER WANT TO JOIN IN ANY OF THEIR FUNDRAISERS, I'D INVITE YOU TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT THEY DO. SO WE APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT THEY DO AND WE'RE REALLY THANKFUL FOR YOU GUYS. UM, AT THIS TIME I WANT TO WELCOME JOHN NORMAN TO COME JOIN US AND A BUNCH MORE KIDS. THEY GET TO ENJOY A DAY OFF FROM SCHOOL OR AT LEAST A LITTLE BIT OF TIME OFF FROM SCHOOL. UM, BUT THE, THE PROCLAMATION FOR THE WEST TEXAS BUFFS 12 U FOOTBALL TEAM, COUNCILMAN NORMAN, CAN YOU GIVE US A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND ON THIS TEAM AND TALK TO US ABOUT THAT? ABSOLUTELY. ABSOLUTELY. SO, UH, AS, UH, MANY PEOPLE MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW, YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN, UH, PLAYING IN A YF, WHICH IS AMERICAN YOUTH FOOTBALL, UM, FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS. AND, UH, WE'VE GONE TO FLORIDA EVERY YEAR, UM, [00:15:01] SINCE ITS INCEPTION, SINCE WE, UH, JOINED AND, UM, YOU KNOW, WE WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP. AND SO THIS TEAM RIGHT HERE, UH, SO IT IS DIFFERENT DIVISIONS AND, AND, AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE THAT YOU WENT IN. WE WANTED IT IN, UH, ALL STARS AND, AND, UH, AND A AND ANOTHER TEAM LAST YEAR, A 10 U TEAM LAST YEAR. UH, WHAT, WHAT MAKES THIS TEAM SPECIAL, MAN, IT, IT IS A 12 U TEAM. THAT WASN'T IT, IT, THEY, THEY WEREN'T MADE UP OF ALL STARS, YOU KNOW, WHERE YOU CAN JUST GO AND PICK THE, UH, DIFFERENT, UH, KIDS THROUGHOUT THE UH, LEAGUE. UH, BUT THESE, THESE KIDS BEEN PLAYING TOGETHER, YOU KNOW, THEY'VE BEEN PLAYING TOGETHER FOR A WHILE AND, UH, CAN'T NOBODY TELL ME WE DON'T HAVE THE TALENT OUT HERE IN WEST TEXAS. SO, UH, THEY WENT OUT THERE AND WANTED, UH, UH, BIG SHOUT OUT TO, UH, COACH COBO. SIMON WAS THE HEAD COACH, AND UM, MAN, THEY DID AN EXCELLENT JOB. WENT OUT THERE AND WE BEAT, UH, WHO, WHO, WHO WERE THE UH, THE PHILADELPHIA. PHILADELPHIA WAS THE FIRST ONE. WE BEAT OHIO, THEN OHIO. AND THEN LASTLY WEST VIRGINIA WAS WEST VIRGINIA. SO, UH, WE BEAT ALL OF THOSE STATES, UH, THAT HAD THEIR TEAMS AND UH, WE BROUGHT BACK THE TROPHY. THAT COACH IS GONNA SHOW YOU HERE IN JUST A SECOND. WELL, I WANNA INVITE ALL YOU GUYS TO COME UP HERE. WE GOT TO, YOU GOTTA ALL CELEBRATE TOGETHER UP HERE. JOIN ME. Y'ALL ARE ALL LOOKING SHY. Y'ALL CHECK OUT THIS, THIS, UM, TROPHY. THIS IS A LEGIT TROPHY. WHERE'S THIS GONNA BE STORED? YOU GONNA KEEP IT AT YOUR HOUSE? EXCELLENT. WELL GUYS, I WANNA SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU. YOU'VE REPRESENTED MIDLAND WELL AND I HOPE YOU ENJOYED YOUR TIME IN FLORIDA AND YOUR TIME TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP. WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF THE WORK THAT YOU PUT IN. YOU DON'T JUST SHOW UP TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP AND WIN. YOU GOTTA PUT IN THE WORK DAY AFTER DAY AFTER DAY, PRACTICING AND DOING ALL OF THAT WORK IN ADVANCE. SO THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE AND FOR THE WAY THAT YOU'VE REPRESENTED OUR COMMUNITY. I WANNA OFFER THIS PROCLAMATION TO YOU, WHEREAS THE 12 U WEST TEXAS BUFFS COM COMPETE THROUGH THE POWER FIVE SPORTS LEAGUE AND UM, AS PART OF THE AMERICAN YOUTH FOOTBALL BLACK GOLD CONFERENCE REPRESENTING WEST TEXAS WITH DEDICATION, WITH TEAMWORK, AND WITH SPORTSMANSHIP. WHEREAS PRIOR TO YOUR NATIONAL RUN, YOU, YOU COMPETED IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA. DO YOU ALL GET TO GO TO VEGAS? AWESOME. UM, WHERE YOU COMPETE, UH, COMPLETED AN UNDEFEATED REGIONAL CAMPAIGN AND EARNED THE HONOR OF REPRESENTING THE DARE DESERT MOUNTAIN REGION AS 12 U DIVISION TWO TEAM. AND WHEREAS YOU FOLLOWED YOUR REGIONAL SUCCESS, UM, TO THE A YF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN NAPLES, FLORIDA, WHERE YOU SECURED DIVISION TWO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BY DEFEATING TEAMS FROM ACROSS THE NATION, INCLUDING COMPETITORS FROM PENNSYLVANIA, OHIO, AND WEST VIRGINIA. THANKS FOR BRINGING THE HAT FROM WEST TEXAS TO THOSE FOLKS. AND THEN WHEREAS UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF HEAD COACH SIMON COBOS AND HIS COACHING STAFF, THE 12 U WEST TEXAS BUFFS DEMONSTRATED DISCIPLINE, PERSEVERANCE, AND TEAMWORK, DISCIPLINE, PERSEVERANCE, AND TEAMWORK. THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES GUYS. ESTABLISHING YOURSELVES AS THE TOP YOUTH FOOTBALL TEAM IN WEST TEXAS. NOW, THEREFORE, I LORI BLANC, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS DO HERE BRIDE PROCLAIM JANUARY 13TH, 2026 AS WEST TEXAS BUFFS 12 U NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP DAY IN THE CITY OF MIDLAND. THIS IS YOUR DAY GUYS. CONGRATULATIONS. ALRIGHT, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3 TROPHY MAKES THE LOMBARDI. I KNOW YOU CAN TELL WHICH ONE ALL CORNERBACK. GIVE THEM A MINUTE TO GO. OKAY, THOSE SOME BIG OLD BALL FOR 12-YEAR-OLD. GOLLY, SOME OF THOSE ARE GONNA BE SOME D ONE GUYS. , GEEZ, MY GRANDMA, MY SON WHEN HE WAS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL. LIKE THOSE KIDS AREN'T LIKE, WAS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL WHEN I WAS 13, 14. THEY'RE KIDS. ARE THEY FROM ALL OVER MIDLAND. OKAY. UM, BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR MEETING, I WANTED TO DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO THESE YELLOW CARDS. THIS IS THE WAY THAT WE MANAGE OUR MEETING FOR THOSE THAT WISH TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. UM, SO IF YOU'RE NEW TO OUR MEETINGS, THEN I JUST WANNA EXPLAIN HOW THIS WORKS. YOU FILL THIS CARD [00:20:01] OUT, THEY'RE AVAILABLE IN THE BACK, YOU PROVIDE THAT TO THE LADIES IN THE BACK OR UP HERE TO THE CITY, SECRETARY'S DESK. AND THEN I WILL CALL ON YOU TO SPEAK ON THE APPROPRIATE ITEM. UM, WE ARE GOING TO FOLLOW THIS PROTOCOL TO MAKE SURE THAT WE RUN OUR MEETING. YOU CAN SEE THAT WE HAVE QUITE A FEW REQUESTS TO SPEAK ALREADY AND WE MAY RECEIVE MORE AND WE WILL GIVE YOU EACH TIME TO SPEAK, BUT WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE DO IT ALL DECENTLY AND IN ORDER. AND TO THAT END, I WANNA SHARE, UM, SOMETHING THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT AS A COUNCIL. UM, THIS IS PART OF OUR TEXAS PENAL CODE SECTION 42.05. UM, IT'S ENTITLED DISRUPTING MEETING OR PROCESSION. AND IT SAYS THAT A PERSON COMMITS AN OFFENSE IF WITH THE INTENT TO PREVENT OR DISRUPT A LAWFUL MEETING PROCESSION OR GATHERING, WHETHER IN PERSON OR VIRTUAL THE PERSON OBSTRUCTS OR INTERFERES WITH THE MEETING PROCESSION OR GATHERING BY PHYSICAL ACTION, BY VERBAL UTTERANCE OR BY ELECTRONIC DISTURBANCE INCLUDING HACKING OR VIRTUAL. THIS IS NOT RELEVANT TO US HERE, UM, BUT A, AN OFFENSE UNDER THIS SECTION IS A CLASS B MISDEMEANOR AND I JUST READ THAT TO HIGHLIGHT THE FACT THAT WE DO WANT TO RUN OUR MEETING WHERE WE PROVIDE EVERYONE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK, BUT WE'RE GONNA DO IT AT THE MICROPHONE IN THE RIGHT ORDER IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR RULES HERE IN IN THE CITY OF MIDLAND. SO WITH THAT, GRAB A REQUEST TO SPEAK CARD IF YOU'D LIKE. AND I DO WANNA MOVE [CONSENT AGENDA] FORWARD TO THE CONSENT AGENDA AND WE'LL START OVER HERE WITH YOU. COUNCILMAN BURKHOLDER, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WISH TO PULL? NO. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WISH TO PULL? DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WISH TO PULL? NO. THANK YOU. ANYTHING YOU WISH TO PULL? COUNCILMAN NORMAN? ALRIGHT, SO WE WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH THE CONSENT AGENDA WITH NO ITEMS PULLED TODAY. MOTION. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN STUBBS AND A SECOND FROM COUNCILWOMAN. AMY STRETCHER. BURS. YEAH, IF THERE IS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. AND MINE'S NOT POPPING UP. THERE WE GO. DID YOURS POP UP? MAYOR LAW? OH, I FORGOT. HIT SAFE. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU VERY [12. 10699 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE X, “TRAFFIC REGULATIONS”, CHAPTER 16, “REGULATED PARKING”, OF THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS, SO AS TO ESTABLISH REVISED REGULATIONS GOVERNING METERED PARKING SPACES AND TIME-LIMITED PARKING SPACES; CONTAINING A CUMULATIVE CLAUSE; CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR A MAXIMUM FINE OR PENALTY OF FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500.00); ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF FEBRUARY 1, 2026; AND ORDERING PUBLICATION (FIRST READING HELD DECEMBER 16, 2025) (DISTRICT: ALL) (DEVELOPMENT SERVICES) (STRONG ECONOMY WITH MORE QUALITY JOBS)] MUCH. WE ARE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD TO SECOND READINGS. ITEM NUMBER 12, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 10 TRAFFIC REGULATIONS CHAPTER 16, REGULATED PARKING OF THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS. SO AS TO ESTABLISH REVISED REGULATIONS GOVERNING METERED PARKING SPACES AND TIME LIMITED PARKING SPACES CONTAINING A CUMULATIVE CLAUSE CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND FAVORABILITY CLAUSE, PROVIDING FOR A MAXIMUM PENALTY OR FINE OF $500, ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE, ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF FEBRUARY 1ST, 2026 AND ORDERING PUBLICATION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. UM, SO WE HAVE WITH SECOND READINGS YOU MAY BE AWARE, BUT WE'VE ALREADY SEEN THIS ITEM ONCE AND HAD PUBLIC DISCUSSION. SO DOES ANYBODY ON COUNCIL HAVE ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS OR WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO OFFER A MOTION OR A SECOND? WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCIL MEMBER BUR HOLDER AND A SECOND FROM AMY S STRETCHER BURS. IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES FIVE TO ONE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE'LL MOVE FORWARD [13. 10700 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE IX, “PUBLIC WAYS AND PROPERTY”, OF THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS, BY ADDING CHAPTER 8, “RIGHT-OF-WAY PATIO PROGRAM”, SO AS TO ESTABLISH REGULATIONS GOVERNING BUSINESSES’ USES OF PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY; CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR A MAXIMUM FINE OR PENALTY OF FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500.00); ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF FEBRUARY 1, 2026; AND ORDERING PUBLICATION (FIRST READING HELD DECEMBER 16, 2025) (DISTRICT: ALL) (DEVELOPMENT SERVICES) (STRONG ECONOMY WITH MORE QUALITY JOBS)] TO ITEM NUMBER 13, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE IX PUBLIC WAYS AND PROPERTY OF THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS BY ADDING CHAPTER EIGHT RIGHT OF WAY PATIO PROGRAM. SO AS TO ESTABLISH REGULATIONS GOVERNING BUSINESS' USE OF PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY, CONTINUING CONTAINING SAVINGS AND FAVORABILITY CLAUSE, PROVIDING FOR A MAXIMUM FINE OR PENALTY OF $500, ESTABLISHING THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF FEBRUARY 1ST, 2026 AND ORDERING PUBLICATION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. DO WE HAVE ACTION FROM COUNCIL? WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCIL MEMBER HOLDER AND A SECOND FROM COUNCILWOMAN STRETCHER. BURS. IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, LET'S VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU. ITEM NUMBER [14. 10701 - AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A SPECIAL EXCEPTION FOR LOT 12, BLOCK 13, GREENWOOD ADDITION, THIRD, FOURTH, AND FIFTH SECTIONS, CITY AND COUNTY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS (GENERALLY LOCATED AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE INTERSECTION OF EAST KENTUCKY AVENUE AND SOUTH CLAY STREET), BY PERMITTING (1) A REDUCED MINIMUM FRONT YARD SETBACK AND (2) A REDUCED MINIMUM SIDE YARD SETBACK ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE LOT; CONTAINING A CUMULATIVE CLAUSE; CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR A MAXIMUM PENALTY OR FINE OF TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2,000.00); ORDERING RECORDATION BY THE CITY SECRETARY IN THE DEED RECORDS OF MIDLAND COUNTY, TEXAS; AND ORDERING PUBLICATION (FIRST READING HELD DECEMBER 16, 2025) (DISTRICT: 2) (DEVELOPMENT SERVICES) (QUALITY OF LIFE AND PLACE)] 14 PLEASE. AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A SPECIAL EXCEPTION FOR LOT 12 BLOCK 13 GREENWOOD EDITION. THIRD, FOURTH AND FIFTH SECTION, CITY AND COUNTY IN MIDLAND, TEXAS, GENERALLY LOCATED AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE INTERSECTION OF EAST KENTUCKY AVENUE AND SOUTH CLAY STREET. BY PERMITTING ONE, A REDUCED MINIMUM FRONT YARD SETBACK AND TWO REDUCED MINIMUM SIDE YARD SETBACK ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE LOT CONTAINING A CUMULATIVE CLAUSE CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE PROVIDING FOR A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF FINE OF $2,000. ORDERING RECORDATION BY THE CITY SECRETARY IN THE DEED RECORDS OF MIDLAND COUNTY, TEXAS AND ORDERING PUBLICATION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN NORMAN. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? WE HAVE A SECOND. FROM COUNCIL MEMBER BUR HOLDER. IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU. ITEM [15. 10702 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND TO REZONE LOT 2, BLOCK 4, MOODY ADDITION, SECTION 3, CITY AND COUNTY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS, FROM SF-2, SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT TO SF-3, SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT (GENERALLY LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF SOUTH CARVER STREET, APPROXIMATELY 265 FEET NORTH OF CLOVERDALE ROAD); CONTAINING A CUMULATIVE CLAUSE; CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR A MAXIMUM PENALTY OR FINE OF TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2,000.00); AND ORDERING PUBLICATION (FIRST READING HELD DECEMBER 16, 2025) (DISTRICT: 2) (DEVELOPMENT SERVICES) (QUALITY OF LIFE AND PLACE)] 15 PLEASE. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY AM MID TO REZONE LOT TWO BLOCK FOUR MOODY EDITION SECTION THREE, CITY AND COUNTY IN MIDLAND, TEXAS. FROM SF TWO SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT TO SF THREE SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT. GENERALLY LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF SOUTH CARVER STREET, APPROXIMATELY 265 FEET NORTH OF CLOVERDALE [00:25:01] ROAD CONTAINING A CUMULATIVE CLAUSE CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, PROVIDING FOR A MAXIMUM PENALTY OR FINE OF $2,000 AND ORDERING PUBLICATION. THANK YOU. UM, MY MACHINE IS NOT MOVING FORWARD. IT SAYS WE'RE STILL ON 14. IS YOURS MOVING FORWARD PROPERLY? YES. LEMME SET IT. OKAY. IS THAT ONE OKAY? IT IS NOW. SO WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN NORMAN. WE HAVE A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN BERKHOLDER. IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [16. 10703 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND TO REZONE A 1.992-ACRE TRACT OF LAND OUT OF TRACTS 2 AND 3, MIDKIFF HEIGHTS, CITY AND COUNTY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS FROM MF16, MULTIPLE-FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT TO O-1, OFFICE DISTRICT (GENERALLY LOCATED EAST OF THE INTERSECTION OF AUSTIN STREET AND PRINCETON AVENUE); CONTAINING A CUMULATIVE CLAUSE; CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR A MAXIMUM PENALTY OR FINE OF TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2,000.00); AND ORDERING PUBLICATION (FIRST READING HELD DECEMBER 16, 2025) (DISTRICT: 3) (DEVELOPMENT SERVICES) (QUALITY OF LIFE AND PLACE)] ITEM NUMBER 16 PLEASE. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND TO REZO. 1.992 ACRE TRACT OF LAND OUT OF TRACKS TWO AND THREE MIDKIFF HEIGHT, CITY AND COUNTY IN MIDLAND, TEXAS FROM MF 16, MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT 2 0 1 OFFICE DISTRICT GENERALLY LOCATED EAST OF THE INTERSECTION OF AUSTIN STREET AND PRINCETON AVENUE CONTAINING A CUMULATIVE CLAUSE CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE PROVIDING FOR A MAXIMUM PENALTY OR FINE OF $2,000 IN ORDERING PUBLICATION. THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN STUBBS AND A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN NORMAN. IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ITEM NUMBER [17. 10704 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND TO REZONE LOT 3, BLOCK 68, WEST END ADDITION, CITY AND COUNTY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS FROM PD, PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT FOR AN OFFICE CENTER AND TRANSITION DISTRICT TO AN AMENDED PD, PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT FOR AN OFFICE CENTER AND TRANSITION DISTRICT (GENERALLY LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF WEST ILLINOIS AVE, APPROXIMATELY 130 FEET WEST OF NORTH I STREET); CONTAINING A CUMULATIVE CLAUSE; CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR A MAXIMUM PENALTY OR FINE OF TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2,000.00); AND ORDERING PUBLICATION (FIRST READING HELD DECEMBER 16, 2025) (DISTRICT: 3) (DEVELOPMENT SERVICES) (QUALITY OF LIFE AND PLACE)] 17, PLEASE. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND TO REZONE LOT THREE BLOCK 68 WEST END EDITION CITY AND COUNTY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS FROM PD PLAN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT FOR AN OFFICE CENTER AND TRANSITION DISTRICT TO AN AMENDED PD PLAN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT FOR AN OFFICE CENTER AND TRANSITION DISTRICT. GENERALLY LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF WEST ILLINOIS AVENUE, APPROXIMATELY 130 FEET WEST OF NORTH I STREET CONTAINING A COMMUNITY CLAUSE CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE PROVIDED FOR A MAXIMUM PENALTY OR FINE OF $2,000 AND ORDERING PUBLICATION. THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN NORMAN AND A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN AMY STRETCHER BURS. IF THERE IS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. LET THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU. ITEM 17 PLEASE. AND ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND TO ARIZONA. 1.173 ACRE TRACT OF LAND OUT OF BLOCK 27 MORNING SITE EDITION CITY AND COUNTY IN MIDLAND, TEXAS 18. I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY I SAID THE WRONG NUMBER. 18. READY? OKAY. OKAY. AND ORDINANCE AMENDING [18. 10705 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND TO REZONE A 1.173-ACRE TRACT OF LAND OUT OF BLOCK 27, MORNINGSIDE ADDITION, CITY AND COUNTY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS FROM O-1, OFFICE DISTRICT TO LR, LOCAL RETAIL DISTRICT (GENERALLY LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE INTERSECTION OF NORTH MAIN STREET AND WEST SCHARBAUER DRIVE); CONTAINING A CUMULATIVE CLAUSE; CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR A MAXIMUM PENALTY OR FINE OF TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2,000.00); AND ORDERING PUBLICATION (FIRST READING HELD DECEMBER 16, 2025) (DISTRICT: 2) (DEVELOPMENT SERVICES) (QUALITY OF LIFE AND PLACE)] THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND TO ARIZONA. 1.173 ACRE TRACT OF LAND ON A BLOCK 27 MORTON SIDE EDITION CITY AND COUNTY IN MIDLAND, TEXAS FROM OH ONE OFFICE DISTRICT TO LR, OUR LOCAL RETAIL DISTRICT GENERALLY LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE INTERSECTION OF NORTH MAIN STREET AND WEST SCARBOROUGH DRIVE CONTAINING A CUMULATIVE CLAUSE CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND ACCEPTABILITY CLAUSE PROVIDED FOR A MAXIMUM PENALTY OR FINE OF $2,000 AND ORDER IN PUBLICATION. THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN NORMAN. WE HAVE A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN STUBBS. IF THERE IS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU. ITEM NUMBER [19. 10706 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND TO REZONE A 24.091-ACRE TRACT OF LAND OUT OF SECTIONS 3 AND 10, BLOCK 39, T-2-S, T&P RR CO. SURVEY, CITY AND COUNTY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS FROM RR, REGIONAL RETAIL DISTRICT, IN PART, AND BP, I20 BUSINESS PARK DISTRICT, IN PART, TO BP, I-20 BUSINESS PARK DISTRICT (GENERALLY LOCATED AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE INTERSECTION OF EAST INTERSTATE 20 AND RANKIN HIGHWAY); CONTAINING A CUMULATIVE CLAUSE; CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR A MAXIMUM PENALTY OR FINE OF TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2,000.00); AND ORDERING PUBLICATION (FIRST READING HELD DECEMBER 16, 2025) (DISTRICT: 2) (DEVELOPMENT SERVICES) (QUALITY OF LIFE AND PLACE)] 19, PLEASE. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND TO RE ARIZONA 24.091 ACRE TRACT OF LAND OUT OF SECTIONS THREE AND 10 BLOCK 39 TOWNSHIP TWO SOUTH T AND P RAILROAD COMPANY, SURVEY CITY AND COUNTY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS FROM RR REGIONAL RETAIL DISTRICT IN PARK AND BPI 20 BUSINESS PARK DISTRICT IN PART TO BPI 20 BUSINESS PARK DISTRICT. GENERALLY LOCATED AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE INTERSECTION OF EAST INTERSTATE 20 AND RANKIN HIGHWAY CONTAINING A CUMULATIVE CLAUSE CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE PROVIDING FOR A MAXIMUM PENALTY OR FINE OF $2,000 IN ORDERING PUBLICATION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. UM, DO WE HAVE ACTION FROM COUNCIL? I'LL MAKE WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN STUBBS. WE HAVE A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN NORMAN. IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ITEM 20, PLEASE. [20. 10707 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND TO GRANT A SPECIFIC USE DESIGNATION WITH TERM FOR LOTS 44 THROUGH 51, BLOCK 11A, FAIRWAY PARK ADDITION, SECTION 3, CITY AND COUNTY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS (GENERALLY LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF NORTH BIG SPRING STREET, APPROXIMATELY 665 FEET SOUTH OF PALMER DRIVE), WHICH IS PRESENTLY ZONED RR, REGIONAL RETAIL DISTRICT, ALLOWING SAID PROPERTY TO BE USED FOR THE SALE OF ALL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IN A NIGHTCLUB FOR ON-PREMISES CONSUMPTION; MAKING SAID DESIGNATION SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN; CONTAINING A CUMULATIVE CLAUSE; CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR A MAXIMUM PENALTY OR FINE OF TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2,000.00); AND ORDERING PUBLICATION (FIRST READING HELD DECEMBER 16, 2025) (DISTRICT: 2) (DEVELOPMENT SERVICES) (QUALITY OF LIFE AND PLACE)] ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND TO GRANT A SPECIFIC USE DESIGNATION WITH TERM FOR LOTS 40 THROUGH FOUR THROUGH 51 BLACK 11 A FAIRWAY PARK EDITION SECTION THREE, CITY AND COUNTY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS, GENERALLY LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF NORTH BIG STRING STREET, APPROXIMATELY 665 FEET SOUTH OF PALMER DRIVE, WHICH IS PRESENTLY ZONE RRR REGIONAL RETAIL DISTRICT, ALLOWING SAID PROPERTY TO BE USED FOR THE SALE OF ALL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IN A NIGHTCLUB FOR ON-PREMISES CONSUMPTION, MAKING SAID DESIGNATION, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN CONTAINING A CUMULATIVE CLAUSE CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE PROVIDING FOR A MAXIMUM PENALTY OR FINE OF $2,000 IN ORDERING PUBLICATION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. DO WE HAVE ACTION FROM COUNSEL ON ITEM 20? WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN BURKHOLDER AND A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN NORMAN. IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. ITEM NUMBER 21 [21. 10709 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE VI, “POLICE REGULATIONS” OF THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS, BY ADDING CHAPTER 11, “SEX OFFENDER REGULATIONS”, SO AS TO PROHIBIT A SEX OFFENDER (1) FROM RESIDING WITHIN 1,500 FEET OF PREMISES WHERE CHILDREN COMMONLY GATHER AND (2) FROM ENTERING PREMISES WHERE CHILDREN COMMONLY GATHER; CONTAINING A CUMULATIVE CLAUSE; CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR A MAXIMUM FINE OR PENALTY OF FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500.00); ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF FEBRUARY 1, 2026; AND ORDERING PUBLICATION (FIRST READING HELD DECEMBER 16, 2025) (DISTRICT: ALL) (POLICE DEPARTMENT) (SET THE STANDARD FOR A SAFE AND SECURE CITY)] PLEASE. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE SIX POLICE REGULATIONS OF THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS BY ADDING CHAPTER 11 SEX OFFENDER REGULATIONS SO AS TO PROHIBIT A SEX OFFENDER FROM ONE RESIDING WITHIN 1500 FEET OF PREMISES WHERE [00:30:01] CHILDREN COMMONLY GATHER. AND TWO, FROM ENTERING PREMISES WHERE CHILDREN COMMONLY GATHER, CONTAINING A CUMULATIVE CLAUSE CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, PROVIDING FOR A MAXIMUM FINE OR PENALTY OF $500, ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF FEBRUARY 1ST, 2026 AND ORDERING PUBLICATION. THANK YOU MAYOR. IF I MAY MAKE A BRIEF STATEMENT TO THE COUNCIL. UM, IN THE PAST NUMBER OF WEEKS SINCE THE FIRST READING, THE STAFF HAS, UH, HAS BEEN MADE AWARE AND RECEIVED FEEDBACK FROM, UH, COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS ON BOTH SIDE OF BOTH SIDES OF THIS ISSUE. AND, UH, GIVEN SOME OF THE FEEDBACK AND GIVEN THAT WE ARE NOW ON ON SECOND READING, UM, THERE, THERE MAY BE, UH, DEPENDING ON WHAT THE COUNCIL'S EVALUATION OF THAT FEEDBACK IS, SOME APPETITE FOR MAKING FURTHER AMENDMENTS TO THE ORDINANCE OR REVISING CERTAIN ASPECTS, PROCEDURES OF THE ORDINANCE OR HOW THE ORDINANCE IS ADMINISTERED. GIVEN THAT, AND GIVEN THAT WE ARE ON SECOND READING, I JUST WANTED TO, TO PUT OUT TO THE COUNCIL THAT THE COUNCIL DOES HAVE AN OPTION TO DEFER ACTION ON THIS ORDINANCE TODAY. AND THE PURPOSE OF THAT DEFERRAL WOULD BE TO ALLOW STAFF THE OPPORTUNITY TO EVALUATE SOME OF THIS FEEDBACK FURTHER, UH, AND TO LOOK AT INCORPORATING IT INTO THE ORDINANCE THAT THE COUNCIL FINALLY CONSIDERS. SO GIVEN THAT, AND GIVEN THAT WE'RE ON SECOND READING, AGAIN, IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO PREVENT HAVING FURTHER AMENDMENTS THAT, UH, NEED TO BE WORKED INTO AN ORDINANCE ON AN AD ON AN AD HOC BASIS. SO I WANTED TO PUT THAT OUT TO THE COUNCIL TODAY, UH, BEFORE THERE WAS A VOTE TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY SORT OF APPETITE FOR, UH, FOR TAKING A PAUSE AND FOR, UM, AND FOR DEFERRING ACTION TODAY, AS THE ORDINANCE CURRENTLY IS WRITTEN, ANY, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION FROM COUNSEL? I MEAN, I DON'T NECESSARILY WANT TO DEFER ANYTHING. I THINK THAT, UH, WE'RE FINE WHERE WE ARE AND JUST MOVE FORWARD. THANK YOU. YEP. I WAS SAVE THE CHILDREN. I WAS APPROACHED BY MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY WITH MULTIPLE CONCERNS ABOUT THIS ORDINANCE AND THEY WISH TO HAVE CLARIFICATION BEFORE THEY KNOW HOW TO ENFORCE IT. SO I WOULD MOVE FOR A DEFERMENT. YOU MAKE THAT IN FORM OF A MOTION? I DO. AND I'LL JUST SECOND THAT. THE, THE, THE ORDINANCE NEEDS TO GO IN, IN PLACE, BUT THERE IS SOME KIND OF ISSUES WITH HOW WE IN, IN INSTITUTE THIS AND CARRY IT OUT IN A FAIR AND JUST WAY. UM, AND LIKE I SAID, WE'VE BEEN TALKING TO LEGAL AND OTHER PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY. UM, THIS ORDINANCE NEEDS TO BE ENACTED, BUT IT NEEDS TO BE DONE RIGHT THE FIRST TIME. UM, AND I REALLY THINK WE DO NEED TO TAKE BACK AND LOOK AT HOW THIS, UM, SECTION 6 1 1 DASH ONE IS REALLY WRITTEN AND HOW WE MAKE SURE WE IMPLEMENT THIS CORRECTLY FOR ALL. SO I WILL SECOND THE MOTION ON THAT SO WE HAVE A MOTION TO DEFER AND A SECOND TO DEFER. UM, BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD TO ACTION. I, I WANNA CLARIFY. I AGREE THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT DOES NEED TO BE ENACTED. WE NEED THIS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE, UM, MAKING PRUDENT DECISIONS THAT SUPPORT FAMILIES AND CHILDREN AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE CONSIDERING ALL OF THOSE THINGS. UM, GIVEN THE FEEDBACK THAT WE'VE RECEIVED FROM SOME OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY, WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THAT IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT CAN BE CARRIED OUT EFFECTIVELY. AND SO, UM, I'M GONNA BE SUPPORTING THE DEFERRAL, BUT I DO THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO WORK FORWARD TO A SOLUTION. ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS? SO, REAL FAST. SO TO BE CLEAR, THE CONCERN IS THAT THEY'RE NOT SURE HOW TO ENACT, LIKE THEY'RE WANTING MORE INFORMATION ON THAT. IS THAT KIND OF THE FEEDBACK YOU'RE GETTING SO THEY CAN MAKE A SOUND DECISION? WELL THE QUESTION IS WHETHER OR NOT OUR CLASS C MISDEMEANOR COULD BE IMPLEMENTED TO ENFORCE A SECOND DEGREE FELONY PROBATION HAS NO IDEA HOW TO ENFORCE IT. THE JUDICIARY HAS NO IDEA HOW TO ENFORCE IT. THEY NEED FURTHER CLARIFICATION FROM US TO KNOW HOW THEY'RE GOING TO ENACT THOSE LAWS. IS THAT SOMETHING, IS THAT SOMETHING THAT, THAT COULD BE FLUSHED OUT AND WE COULD HAVE AN ANSWER SO THEY WILL KNOW MOVING FORWARD HOW TO HANDLE THAT? BECAUSE I DON'T WANNA KEEP DOING THIS, SO THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND. SO WE, WE, WE WILL WORK WITH, WITH ANYBODY INCLUDING THE, YOU KNOW, ANY, ANY PERSONS INTERESTED FROM THE JUDICIARY TO, TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S AN ORDINANCE PRESENTED TO COUNSEL THAT IS LEGALLY DEFENSIBLE. ANY FURTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM COUNSEL? RIGHT, I MEAN I, I'LL JUST MAKE, UH, YOU KNOW, I, I UNDERSTAND UH, WHERE WE'RE AT, YOU KNOW, BUT I'M GONNA SAY THIS IS AN ORDINANCE THAT WE'VE NEEDED FOR A VERY LONG TIME AND THAT'S WHY I JUST DON'T HAVE A LOT OF APPETITE FOR PUSHING IT BACK. I MEAN, I, I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING ENFORCEABLE AS WELL, BUT I THINK, YOU KNOW, THE PUBLIC'S, THEY, THEY'VE GONE LONG ENOUGH WITHOUT HAVING SOMETHING LIKE THIS IN PLACE AND I JUST DON'T WANT THIS THING TO CONTINUE TO GET DRUG ON AND CONVOLUTED AND CHANGED INTO SOMETHING THAT IT WAS ORIGINALLY NOT. I MEAN, I, I KNOW THAT THAT'S NOT THE INTENTION, BUT THAT'S WHAT SOMETIMES HAPPENS WHEN WE DO THINGS LIKE THIS. AND, AND SO THAT'S, AGAIN, THAT'S JUST KIND OF WHERE [00:35:01] MY STANCE IS, IS THAT I JUST DON'T HAVE AN APPETITE TO MOVE FORWARD DEFERRING IT. I WOULD JUST PREFER TO PUSH IT AS IT IS. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR, ALRIGHT. SEEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION AND HAVING NO REQUEST TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM, I WILL LOOK FOR ACTION FROM COUNSEL ON THE MOTION. AND SECOND TO DEFER. CRAIG, WE'RE JUST VOTING ON DEFERRING IT. SO IF I VOTE NO, THAT'S SHOWING THAT I DO NOT WISH TO DEFER, CORRECT? CORRECT. THE MOTION CARRIES FORWARD TO TWO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND TO BE CLEAR, WE'RE GONNA CONTINUE WORKING THIS. THERE WILL BE FURTHER DISCUSSION AND WE DO INTEND TO BRING THIS BACK WITH ACTION. ALRIGHT, ITEM NUMBER [22. 10710 - AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A FEE SCHEDULE; CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING AN APPEAL PROCESS; ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF FEBRUARY 1, 2026; AND ORDERING PUBLICATION (FIRST READING HELD DECEMBER 16, 2025) (DISTRICT: NONE) (FINANCE) (PROVIDE SOUND GOVERNANCE & FISCAL MANAGEMENT)] 22, PLEASE. AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A FEE SCHEDULE CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, PROVIDING AN APPEAL PROCESS, ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF FEBRUARY 1ST, 2026 AND ORDERING PUBLICATION. THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE ACTION FROM COUNCIL ON THIS? WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN LAD. WE HAVE A SECOND FROM COUNCILWOMAN, AMY S STRETCHER. BURKES. IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, LET'S VOTE. OOPS. HOLD ON. THE MOTION HERE PASSES SIX TO ZERO. THANK YOU. WE HAVE, [23. 10711 - AN ORDINANCE MAKING CERTAIN AMENDMENTS TO THE 2024-2025 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET SO AS TO INCREASE AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED TO CERTAIN FUNDS (FIRST READING HELD DECEMBER 16, 2025) (DISTRICT: NONE) (FINANCE) (PROVIDE SOUND GOVERNANCE & FISCAL MANAGEMENT)] UH, LET'S MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER 23 PLEASE. AN ORDINANCE MAKING CERTAIN AMENDMENTS TO THE 20 24 25 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET SO AS TO INCREASE AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED TO CERTAIN FUNDS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. UM, SORRY, I'M GETTING MY REQUEST TO SPEAK CARDS ON THIS. ALRIGHT, SO DO WE HAVE ACTION FROM COUNSEL ON ITEM 23? COUNCILMAN NORMAN OFFERS A MOTION. COUNCILMAN LADD OFFERS A SECOND. IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU VERY [24. 003-2026 - REVIEW ORDINANCE NO. 10619, WHICH GRANTED A SPECIFIC USE DESIGNATION WITH TERM FOR THE EAST 50 FEET OF LOTS 10 THROUGH 12, BLOCK 61, ORIGINAL TOWN ADDITION, CITY AND COUNTY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS (GENERALLY LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF WEST WALL STREET, APPROXIMATELY 110 FEET EAST OF SOUTH CARRIZO STREET) ALLOWING SAID PROPERTY TO BE USED FOR THE SALE OF ALL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IN A LOUNGE FOR ON-PREMISES CONSUMPTION. THE CITY COUNCIL MAY TAKE ACTION TO DIRECT CITY STAFF TO BEGIN THE PROCESS TO AMEND THE CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS OF THE SPECIFIC USE DESIGNATION WITH TERM OR TO REPEAL ORDINANCE NO. 10619 (DISTRICT: 3) (DEVELOPMENT SERVICES) (QUALITY OF LIFE AND PLACE)] MUCH. WE WILL MOVE FORWARD TO PUBLIC HEARINGS. ITEM NUMBER 24 IS A TO REVIEW ORDINANCE NUMBER 1 0 6 1 9, WHICH GRANTED A SPECIFIC USE DESIGNATION WITH TERM FOR THE EAST 50 FEET OF LOTS. 10 THROUGH 12 BLOCK, 61 ORIGINAL TOWN EDITION CITY AND COUNTY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS, GENERALLY LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF WEST WALL STREET, APPROXIMATELY 110 FEET EAST OF SOUTH CARRIZO STREET, ALLOWING SAID PROPERTY TO BE USED FOR THE SALE OF ALL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE IN A LOUNGE FOR ON-PREMISE CONSUMPTION. THE CITY COUNCIL MAY TAKE ACTION TO DIRECT STAFF TO BEGIN THE PROCESS TO AMEND THE CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS OF THE SPECIFIC USE DESIGNATION WITH TERM OR TO REPEAL THE ORDINANCE NUMBER 1 0 6 1 9. THANK YOU ION COUNSEL. SO AS MENTIONED, THIS IS FOR THE, UM, THE HOTSHOT, UH, SEVEN MONTH REVIEW AS REQUIRED BY THE ORDINANCE. SO I'LL KEEP THIS BRIEF JUST 'CAUSE WE HAVE SEEN THIS ITEM SEVERAL TIMES NOW. BUT, UM, JUST TO GO AND GO THROUGH THE HISTORY, JUST TO REMIND YOU THAT IT HAS BEEN SOME MONTHS, UM, BACK IN JUNE 10TH, THAT'S WHEN THE SED WAS INITIALLY APPROVED AND IT WAS APPROVED WITH THOSE CONDITIONS THAT REQUIRE THE SECURITY GUARDS, UM, AS WELL AS THE 60 AND SEVEN MONTH EXCUSE 60 DAY AND THEN SEVEN MONTH REVIEW. UM, WE THEN CAME BACK FOR THE SEVEN, UH, 60 DAY REVIEW ON AUGUST 12TH AND COUNSEL WILL MOVE TO, UH, UH, DIRECT STAFF TO AMEND THE ORDINANCE, UM, WITH THOSE CHANGES HERE. SO TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, 9:00 PM THROUGH TWO 30 FOR THE SECURITY GUARDS. UM, THAT AMENDMENT CAME BACK ON SEPTEMBER 9TH. UH, IT WAS ULTIMATELY DENIED SO THE ORDINANCE STAYED THE SAME. SO IT BRINGS US TO TODAY WHERE WE HAVE TO CONDUCT, UH, THIS LAST SEVEN MONTH REVIEW, UM, ESSENTIALLY WHAT THE COUNCIL'S OPTIONS ARE OR IS YOU CAN EITHER DIRECT STAFF TO AMEND IT, REVOKE IT, OR UM, YOU CAN TAKE NO ACTION, IN WHICH CASE THE SUD WILL JUST CONTINUE ON THROUGH THE REST OF ITS TERM UNTIL IT EXPIRES ON, UH, JUNE 10TH, 2027. AND THE APPLICANT HAS PROVIDED THE DOCUMENTATION NECESSARY FOR, UH, SHOWING THAT THEY PROVIDE THE SECURITY GUARDS, THEY PROVIDE CERTIFICATES SHOWING THAT THEIR CERTIFIED SECURITY GUARDS AS WELL AS, UH, PAY STUBS SHOWING THAT THEY'VE BEEN EMPLOYING THESE SECURITY GUARDS. AND THEN HERE WE'LL LOOK, TAKE A LOOK AT THE INCIDENCES. SO I HAVE THIS CHART HERE SHOWING THAT, UM, IF OUTSHOT HAS HAD 20 INCIDENCES IN THE PAST SEVEN MONTHS COMPARED TO THESE OTHER BARS, UM, AND THEN THAT MAKES UP TO A MONTHLY AVERAGE ABOUT 2.8 INCIDENTS PER MONTH. COMPARE THAT WITH A 60 DAY REVIEW WHERE WE HAD 36 INCIDENCES REPORT FOR 2025, AND THAT WAS JANUARY THROUGH JULY WITH AN AVERAGE OF 5.1 INCIDENTS PER MONTH. AND SO LASTLY, I'LL JUST LEAVE YOU HERE WITH THE CONDITIONS JUST TO REMIND YOU WHAT THEY CURRENTLY ARE AND IF HAVING TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. OKAY. QUESTIONS FROM COUNSEL FOR STAFF. WHAT CONSTITUTES, UH, AN INSTANT? [00:40:01] SO AN INCIDENT IS SIMPLY A, UM, A CALL REPORTED FOR THAT PROPERTY. SO ANYTHING THAT WAS REPORTED BY, BY PD THAT HAPPENED ON THAT PROPERTY. SO AN ANY 9 1 1 CALL, ANY 9 1 1 CALL. UH, WE DID REMOVE PATROL BUYS AND, AND THINGS LIKE, LIKE WALKTHROUGHS, UM, INSTANCES WHERE THEY HAD TO CHECK A PERSON OR CHECK AN AREA. OTHER THAN THAT, EVERYTHING ELSE IS, IS INCLUDED. OKAY. AND HAVE WE SEEN MARKET IMPROVEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF INCIDENTS OVER THE LAST SEVEN MONTHS OR IS IT RELATIVELY SIMILAR TO PRIOR TO THE PASSING OF THIS ORDINANCE? SO I THINK BASED ON THE DATA THERE, I MEAN THERE IS A REDUCTION INSTANCES. UM, I DON'T KNOW THAT REALLY BASED ON THIS DATA ALONE, YOU COULD CONCLUDE THAT THEREFORE THE CONDITIONS ARE HAVING THAT EFFECT. UM, OR IF IT'S SOMEONE, SOMETHING ELSE, RIGHT? 'CAUSE INSTANCES ARE REPORTED EVEN WHEN SOMETHING THAT'S, YOU KNOW, EVEN WHEN, UH, SAY, UM, IF SOMEONE JUST PULLED OVER AND UM, THEY'RE JUST PULLED OVER ONTO THAT PROPERTY, WELL THAT, THAT'S RECORDED FOR THAT, THAT LOCATION. SO THERE ARE SOME ISSUES WITH THAT DATA, BUT UM, NOW THIS IS, THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE TO SHOW AND SEE. YEAH, THE OVERALL INSTANCES HAVE BEEN REDUCED, BUT I CAN'T, YEAH, I WOULD SAY WE CAN'T MAKE THAT CONCLUSION. SO ONE, ONE OF THE CONCERNS WAS, YOU KNOW, FIGHTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, KIND OF VIOLENT OFFENSES. HAVE ANY OF THOSE OCCURRED IN THIS TIMEFRAME? THERE'S BEEN A, THERE'S A FEW ASSAULTS RECORDED. UM, LET'S SEE HERE. THERE'S, YES, THERE'S, THERE'S JUST A FEW ASSAULTS ABOUT FOUR OF 'EM RECORDED IN THAT TIMEFRAME. UM, BUT OTHER THAN THAT THEY'RE NOT, UM, THEY'RE PRETTY USUAL THINGS. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR STAFF JUST REAL QUICK OF THOSE INCIDENTS, UH, DO WE KNOW WHEN THOSE WERE PRIMARILY HAPPENING? ARE THEY HAPPENING ON THOSE KEY DAYS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT AT FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT? OR DO WE HAVE ANY KIND OF DATA SHOWING, UH, THAT, THAT YOU HAVE PRESENTABLE AT THE MOMENT THAT SHOWS WHEN THE MAJORITY OF THOSE ARE OCCURRING? UM, I DON'T HAVE THAT IN FRONT OF ME. UM, I'D BE GLAD TO OBTAIN THAT THOUGH IF NEED BE. SO I GUESS THE QUESTION IS, IS THAT THE CURRENT REGULATIONS NOT BEING, YOU KNOW, NOT LOOKING TO MAKE THEM MORE RESTRICTIVE, BUT AS THE CURRENT REGULATION SITS WITH SECURITY, UM, CERTIFIED SECURITY, IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THIS PARTICULAR LOCATION. YES, I THINK YOU COULD SAY IT IS POSSIBLE THAT IT'S MAKING AN IMPACT. DIDN'T THEY HAVE SECURITY BEFORE? NO, THEY, THEY DIDN'T. OKAY. I DIDN'T KNOW. I, I KNOW WE DIDN'T MAKE 'EM, BUT, UH, I THOUGHT THEY HA HAVE WE, I FORGOT, DID WE DO THIS WITH DOUBLE BAR? DID WE YES, SIR. REQUIRE THAT? YES SIR, WE DID. OKAY. BUT THOSE ARE THE ONLY TWO BARS THAT WE'VE IMPLEMENTED SOMETHING LIKE THIS. UH, WE DID DO THE, UM, WE DID FOR LIVE OAK A UM, FOR WHAT? I'M SORRY, THE REVIEW FOR THE LIVE OAK VENUE FOR THEIR SUD. WE DID THE, WHERE THEY HAD TO COME BACK AND, AND HAVE, UH, BE REVIEWED BY COUNSEL, BUT YES, JUST, UM, DOUBLE BAR AND HOT SHOTS FOR THE GUARDS. SO THE OTHER THING WE, WE ORDERED CAMERAS AND LIGHTS. HAVE THOSE BEEN INSTALLED YET? DO YOU HAVE AN UPDATE ON THAT PROJECT? I KNOW THAT'S WITH THE PD, BUT YEAH, I DON'T, MAYBE SOMEONE FROM PD CAN ANSWER THAT OR THE, UM, BICYCLES HAVE ARRIVED AND I THINK WE SENT OUT SOME INFO. I DON'T THINK WE SENT OUT SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THAT WITH THE POLICE OFFICERS. SO THOSE ARE THE, UH, ACTIVE IN FUTURE EVENTS AND THE CAMERAS HAVE BEEN ORDERED. UH, I DO BELIEVE THEY'RE IN ROUTE AND AT THE END OF THIS MONTH WE SHOULD RECEIVE THEM, UH, IF NOT IN FEBRUARY FOR SURE. AND THEN INSTALLATION SHOULD HAPPEN, UH, BEFORE, UH, IN THE MARCH TIMEFRAME. SO I'M, I'M UNDER PROMISING HERE, PROBABLY SOONER THAN THAT, BUT I THINK THAT THEY, THEY'VE MADE THOSE, UH, PROVISIONS OKAY. THAT, THAT, THAT HASN'T IMPACTED THE CHANGE IN OR LOWER RATES AND, AND IMPROVEMENTS WE'VE SEEN. THAT WAS REALLY WHAT I WAS ASKING. SO THAT'S GOOD. MM-HMM . SO MORE IMPROVEMENTS TO COME. YES, THEY'RE ON THEIR WAY, BUT WE DID SHOWCASE THE BICYCLES DURING MIDLAND MARY LIGHTS. ALRIGHT, IF THERE IS NO FURTHER QUESTION FROM COUNSEL FOR STAFF, THEN I'M GONNA GO FORWARD AND, UH, OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AND WE'LL START WITH SOME REQUEST TO SPEAK CARDS. I HAVE SEVERAL THAT HAVE INDICATED AT THE BOTTOM THAT THEY WISH TO HAVE, UH, PATRICK CORDERO SPEAK FOR THEM. AND SO I'LL PUT THOSE IN THEIR OWN STACK AND WE'LL CONSIDER YOUR, THEY'VE, THEY'VE REGISTERED THEIR POSITION IN FAVOR. UM, SO WE'LL PUT THOSE THERE AND THEN WE'LL CALL YOU IN A MINUTE. BUT WE WANT TO START, UM, WITH IRIS CERVANTES AND WELCOME YOU TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT AT THIS TIME. THANK YOU. AND WE'RE GONNA STICK TO OUR THREE MINUTE TIMEFRAME. THERE WILL BE A LITTLE [00:45:01] TIMER THERE, JUST SO YOU'RE AWARE. OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. I'M YOUR, CAN YOU GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD? YES, IT'S IRIS CERVANTES. 3 3 1 5 GODFREY STREET, MAINLAND, TEXAS. THANK YOU. UM, GOOD MORNING AND THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. I'M HERE TODAY, NOT JUST A CUSTOMER, BUT AS SOMEONE WHO TRULY VALUES WHAT THIS BAR BRINGS TO OUR COMMUNITY. THIS PLACE IS MORE THAN A BUSINESS. IT'S A SPACE WHERE PEOPLE COME TOGETHER AND WIN AFTER A LONG DAY. CELEBRATE MILESTONES, EVEN FEEL SENSE OF BELONGING. FOR MANY OF US, THIS BAR WELCOME A SAFE AND WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT. IT'S WHERE FRIENDSHIPS HAVE BEEN BUILT, MEMORIES HAVE BEEN MADE, AND WHERE PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE FEEL COMFORTABLE BEGINNING THEIR SELVES IN A TIME WHEN THE COMMUNITY SPACE ARE BECOMING RARE. THIS BAR CONTINUES TO PROVIDE EXACTLY THAT BEYOND THE SOCIAL IMPACT. THE BAR ALSO SUPPORTS OUR LOCAL ECONOMY. IT PROVIDES JOBS, SUPPORTS LOCAL VENDORS, AND BRINGS PEOPLE INTO THE AREA WHO SUPPORT BUSINESSES AS WELL. KEEPING IT OPENING MEANS CONTINUING TO INVEST COMMUNITY AND THE PEOPLE WHO DEPEND ON IT. THIS BAR ALWAYS SHOWN RESPONSIBILITY, RESPECT FOR ITS FOR ITS CLIENTS AND CARE FOR ITS SURROUNDINGS. IT LISTENS TO FEEDBACKS, ADAPTS WHEN NECESSARY, AND TO BE A POSITIVE PRESENCE THAT MATTERS. CLOSING THIS BAR WOULDN'T JUST MEAN THE LOSS OF BUSINESS, IT WOULD MEAN LOSING A PLACE THAT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER. AND I TRULY BELIEVE THIS BAR DESERVES A CHANCE TO STAY OPEN AND CONTINUE DOING WHAT IS BEST, SERVING THE COMMUNITY, SUPPORTING LOCALS, AND GIVING PEOPLE A PLACE TO FEEL AT HOME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND LISTENING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS. THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL, UM, NINA RODRIGUEZ TO COME AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM. WELCOME, SIR. IF YOU'D GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. UH, CHRISTINA RODRIGUEZ. UH, DISTRICT 2 11 0 1 JOHNSTON. I JUST, I JUST WANNA STATE THAT THE CHINS, YOU KNOW, THEY, UH, I WENT TO THAT BAR THE OTHER NIGHT, A COUPLE OF US, UH, WE HAD LIKE A MEETING THERE AND THEY'RE, UH, THEY'RE GREAT GUYS. THE PLACE WAS VERY, UH, UH, CALM. I DIDN'T SEE NOTHING CRAZY. AND, BUT WHAT I DO WANNA SAY IS, UM, I THINK THERE SHOULD BE EQUAL TREATMENT OF ALL THE BARS IN MIDLAND. UH, PARTICULARLY THERE'S TALL CITY BREWERY, UH, THAT GUY'S CONNECTED TO THE, UH, PANNING AND ZONING BOARD. UM, I THINK HE'S THE ONE THAT WAS HARASSING THESE PEOPLE LAST TIME. ALSO. UM, THE ONE OVER THERE ON, ON THE LOOP, UM, WHAT'S IT CALLED? THE LOOP. WHAT, WHICH ONE? THE OTHER ONE? TAILGATE. TAILGATE. THE TAILGATE. THE TAILGATE. I MEAN, THERE'S ISSUES WITH THE TAILGATE, UM, ALL THESE PLACES. SO I JUST WANNA SIT HERE AND SAY THAT, UH, UH, STATE ON RECORD THAT I THINK THAT THE CHINS NEED TO BE TREATED WITH RESPECT AND, AND THEY, THEY NEED TO BE, BE TREATED FAIRLY. AND I THINK IT'S, UH, PRETTY SORRY THAT THE WAY THEY'VE BEEN TARGETED AND SINGLED OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY FOR THEM BEING IN BUSINESS SO LONG, AND, UH, THEY'RE GREAT GUYS. I JUST WANNA ATTEST TO THEM TREATING US VERY, UH, RESPECTFULLY. IF YOU HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THESE MEN, YOU'RE GONNA SEE THAT THEY'RE VERY, UH, KIND PEOPLE AND THEY RUN A VERY PROFESSIONAL, UH, BAR. UH, AND IT WAS A, A GOOD TIME THERE HAVING THE MEETING. AND I JUST WANNA STATE THAT I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE FAIRNESS ACROSS THE BOARD IF YOU, UH, VOTE FOR WHICHEVER WAY, UH, FOR THEM. I WOULD HOPE THAT, UH, IT'S, UH, IT'S FAIR ACROSS THE BOARD, LIKE I SAID, AND I JUST WANNA SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THEM. THEY'RE, THEY'RE GREAT GUYS, EVEN THEIR LAWYER, ALL THEM AND PEOPLE THAT COME THAT COME SPEAK FOR THEM, UH, THEY SPEAK HIGHLY OF THEM AND I THINK THAT'S A ESTABLISHMENT THAT'S A GOOD LEGENDARY PLACE WHERE THEY'RE AT. AND I, I, I JUST WANNA SIT HERE AND, UH, STATE THAT I SUPPORT THEM. THE COMMUNITY SUPPORTS THEM, MANY PEOPLE SUPPORT THEM, AND, UH, I JUST WANT EQUAL, UH, PROTECTION AND TREATMENT FOR THE CHINS AND THEIR ESTABLISHMENT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL TYLER NORTON TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. WELCOME SIR. IF YOU'D GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. UH, MY NAME IS TYLER NORTON. I LIVE AT FER OH ONE LYNN AVENUE IN MIDLAND, TEXAS. UM, I JUST WANT TO STAY, UM, LIKE I MENTIONED IN THE LAST MEETING, YOU KNOW, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF INCIDENTS, OF COURSE, THAT HAVE GONE DOWN OR HAPPENED AT MULTIPLE OTHER BARS WITHIN THIS AREA, PARTICULARLY, YOU KNOW, LIKE THE BAR NEXT DOOR, THE FAR TO MIDLAND, THE BLUE DOOR FROM WHAT I HEARD NOW. UM, AND WITH HOT SHOTS, YOU KNOW, THE INCIDENTS HAVE GONE DOWN. UM, ME BEING A WEEKEND KIND OF DJ FOR THEM, I GET TO SEE ALL ASPECTS FROM THE ANGLE THAT I'M AT. AND I HAVEN'T REALLY SEEN MUCH CHANGES, LIKE IT'S MORE POSITIVE THAN NEGATIVE. UM, THERE ARE INCIDENTS THAT ARE MOVED OUTSIDE, HANDLED OUTSIDE. USUALLY IT'S SQUASHED INSTANTLY. UH, DAVE KONG, UM, THE BAR, THE BAR BACKS, BARTENDERS, THE SECURITY GUARDS MAKE THAT BAR SAFE. THEY ALWAYS ARE VIGILANT WALKING AROUND, CHECKING ON PEOPLE. THERE'S TIMES WHEN I SEE DAVE WALK AROUND THE BAR ABOUT FOUR OR FIVE TIMES, CHECKING ON PEOPLE JUST TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY'S HAVING A GOOD TIME BEING SAFE. IF SOMETHING WAS TO START UP, IT'S, IT'S SQUASHED. UH, VERY RARELY HAVE I SEEN PD COME AROUND. UH, I MEAN THERE ARE INCIDENTS OF COURSE OUTSIDE, THERE'S A TRAFFIC STOP, THE OCCASIONAL TRAFFIC STOP, THE TWO HAPPENS. UM, BUT ALL IN ALL, CALM, DAVE AND KELLY, UM, AND THE CHIN FAMILY HAVE MADE THAT BAR A HOME [00:50:01] ESSENTIALLY FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE. AND IT'S ALSO FED GIVEN MONEY TO PEOPLE TO WHERE, YOU KNOW, THEY CAN FEED THEIR FAMILIES, UH, TAKE CARE OF THE BILLS AND EVERYTHING THAT THEY NEED TO TAKE CARE OF. UM, SO I JUST SEE FIT THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S SOMETHING THAT HOTSHOTS USED TO HAVE THAT CHANCE TO GO BACK TO THE WAY IT USED TO BE ABOUT HAVING SECURITY AND ALL THAT. BECAUSE IN THE END, DAVE ALWAYS HANDLED EVERYTHING. AND LIKE I SAID, NOTHING GOT OUTTA CONTROL. NOTHING OUT OF THE FIVE YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN GOING THERE, YOU KNOW, I CAME FROM AUSTIN, WEST SIXTH STREET, THE SHOOTINGS ALL THE TIME HERE, THE, THIS PLACE HAS NOTHING LIKE THAT, YOU KNOW, SO, AND LIKE I SAID, HOTSHOTS IS ONE OF THOSE BARS THAT HAVE BECOME MY HOME AND I TRULY VALUE THEM VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS. I WAS, I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION. SO I WAS LISTENING INTENTLY KIND OF TO WHAT YOU WERE SAYING AND I, I HEARD YOU MENTION FIRST SECURITY AND EVERYBODY DID A REALLY GOOD JOB OF SQUASHING ANY ISSUES. THEN I HEARD MAYBE THEY DON'T NEED SECURITY, SO I WAS JUST UNDERSTANDING DID THEY HAVE SEPARATE SECURITY THAT'S DIFFERENT OR ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE SECURITY THAT WAS IMPLEMENTED? SO THE SECURITY THAT WAS IMPLEMENTED IS SOMETHING THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY NECESSARY FOR THEM TO HAVE, BECAUSE IN THE END THEY'RE ABLE TO HANDLE IT ON THEIR OWN. LIKE THEY'RE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THE INCIDENTS ON THEIR OWN. NINE TIMES OUTTA 10, DAVE WILL GET WITH SQUASHED INSTANTLY. AND IT'S NOT LIKE A MAJOR INCIDENT. IT'S KIND OF JUST LIKE A LITTLE DISAGREEMENT. YOU KNOW, PEOPLE GO THEIR WAYS, GO BACK TO PARTYING, ENJOYING THEMSELVES, NOTHING NEGATIVE EVER COMES OF IT. UM, I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING SPIRAL OUTTA THE TROUBLE WHERE WE HAVE BRAWLS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT THAT'S BEEN SPECIFIED. UH, IT'S MORE OR LESS JUST A CALM KIND OF LIKE, HEY, LET'S, LET'S TONE IT DOWN. LET'S HAVE, LET'S CONTINUE TO HAVE A GOOD TIME, HAVE SOME FUN, YOU KNOW. 'CAUSE IN THE END, EVERY, BY THE END OF THE NIGHT, EVERYBODY'S STILL THERE HAVING A GOOD TIME. NO FIGHTS ARE BROKEN OUT, NO COPS ARE AROUND. IT'S LITERALLY A GOOD NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN, ESSENTIALLY. YEAH. ALRIGHT. AT THIS TIME I'D LIKE TO CALL MELISSA VASQUEZ TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT KIND OF STUCK IN THE MIDDLE THERE. SORRY. WELCOME. IF YOU WOULD OFFER US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE. MELISSA VASQUEZ, 1110 EAST ABBEY AVENUE. UM, I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF DAVE. UM, I'VE BEEN VISITING HIS ESTABLISHMENT FOR AT LEAST THE LAST SEVEN YEARS, YOU KNOW, CONSISTENTLY. AND I HAVE GONE LOTS OF PLACES TO MEET UP WITH FRIENDS, FAMILIES AFTER WORK, WHATNOT. UM, BUT AT DAVE'S PLACE, AT HOT SHOTS, PARTICULARLY WITH THE CHIN FAMILY, I COULDN'T HAVE A BETTER TIME. THEY PERSONALLY GET TO KNOW EACH AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL, WHETHER IT'S WHO YOUR FAMILY IS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, OR WHERE YOU COME FROM, OR WHO YOUR FRIENDS, YOUR KIDS ARE, OR FOR INSTANCE, UM, HE COMES AND SPEAKS TO US PERSONALLY. MY HUSBAND AND I GREETS US BY HAND, SHAKES OUR HAND, ASK HOW WE'RE DOING. UM, WELCOMES US ALL THE TIME, YOU KNOW, JUST TRIES TO GET CHITCHAT. HOW ARE YOU DOING? HOW'S YOUR FAMILY? BUT NOT JUST US. IT'S ALMOST EVERY CUSTOMER THAT WALKS IN THERE. SO IN REGARDS IT, WE SAID, OH, MY SON'S LOOKING FOR A JOB. HEY, HOW OLD IS HE? YOU KNOW, WHAT IS HE CAPABLE OF DOING? WOULD HE BE INTERESTED UNTIL HE GETS ON HIS FEET? BECAUSE MY SON'S A YOUNG FATHER. FIRST TIME FATHER INSTANTLY OFFERED HIM A JOB. MY SON GOT THAT JOB. I WORK EARLY IN THE MORNINGS. UH, MY SON WASN'T ABLE TO DRIVE THAT EVENING. DAVE OUT OF HIS OWN POCKET, OFFERED TO DRIVE HIM OR GET AN UBER FOR HIM HOME. IF THERE'S PEOPLE THAT ARE INEBRIATED, HE HAS NO CONTROL OVER THAT. I UNDERSTAND WE'RE ALL OUR OWN PEOPLE, BUT DAVE IS SO ACTIVE ON THE FLOOR SAYING HELLO TO EVERYONE. IF I'M UP SINGING KARAOKE, HE'LL STOP AND CLAP FOR ME IF WE'RE WE'RE THERE. HE'S ENCOURAGING MY HUSBAND TO PLAY IN THE POOL TOURNAMENTS JUST SO THAT YOU'RE NOT THERE TO GET HAMMERED OR PLASTERED. THE PEOPLE THAT GO THERE, I DON'T FEEL LIKE NEED TO BE, UM, SUPERVISED BY THESE OFFICERS BECAUSE IT'S ALMOST A, A REALLY LIKE DOWNTOWN PLACE WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS EVERYBODY. REGULARS AREN'T REGULARS AS THEY FIGHTING ALL THE TIME. SO WE COME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY IN THAT ENVIRONMENT AND WATCH OUT FOR EACH OTHER. AND IF I SEE THAT ONE OF MY FRIENDS OR THEIR KIDS, OR, OR NOT KIDS, EXCUSE ME, SPOUSES ARE GETTING INTO SOMETHING, WE ALL KIND OF HONE IN ON THAT BECAUSE WE DON'T WANNA BRING THAT ATTENTION TO DAVE. HE IS A GENUINE MAN. HE SUPPORTS MY BUS, NOT MY BUSINESS PERSONALLY, BUT WHERE I WORK, HE VISITS ME. YOU KNOW, HE MAKES THAT IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY. SO FOR THAT REASON, I JUST DON'T FEEL LIKE IT'S NECESSARY. AS MR. RODRIGUEZ SAID, IF THIS GOES HERE, I THINK IT SHOULD GO EVERYWHERE. THERE'S PI SOCIAL, THERE'S SIP HOUSE, THERE'S, THERE'S EVERYTHING RIGHT DOWNTOWN. WHY ARE THESE TWO THE ONLY ONES TARGETED AND HAVING TO PULL ALL THIS MONEY OUT OF THEIR POCKET? WE'RE NOT GONNA SHOUT OUT FOR WHENEVER AUDIENCE, WHENEVER WE CAN, YOU KNOW, WE, WE COME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY IN THIS AREA. SO I'M JUST ASKING FOR FAIRNESS ACROSS THE BOARD. THEY'RE GENUINELY GREAT PEOPLE. SO THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE THAT. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL RACHEL, UH, I BELIEVE [00:55:01] TO COME AND MAKE, SHE'S NOT YET, SHE'S NOT HERE YET. SHE'S WAITING ON HER BABYSITTER. OKAY. BUT SHE'S ON HER LEG, SO WE'LL MOVE HER TO THE BACK. WE HA I'M GONNA CALL MIKAYLA EMMETT TO COME AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT AT THIS TIME. OKAY. OKAY. I MIKAYLA EMER 1701 NORTH FAIRGROUNDS ROAD, MIDLAND, TEXAS. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCILS MEMBERS. MY NAME IS MIKAYLA EMERETT AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF HOT SHOTS. HOT SHOTS IS NOT JUST A BAR, IT'S A LOCALLY OWNED FAMILY RUN BUSINESS THAT HAS BEEN PART OF THE COMMUNITY FOR 25 YEARS. THE SAME FAMILY HAS OWNED AND OPERATED IT THE ENTIRE TIME, PAYING TAXES, FOLLOWING CITY REGULATIONS, AND RUNNING THEIR BUSINESS RESPONSIBLY. I PERSONALLY HAVE BEEN GOING TO HOTSHOT FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS. I WORK IN THE OIL INDUSTRY MYSELF AND LIKE MANY OTHERS. IT'S BEEN A PLACE TO UNWIND AFTER LONG SHIFTS, RECONNECT WITH FRIENDS AND BUILD COMMUNITY. AFTER OIL FIELD EVENTS, MEETINGS, AND COMPANY FUNCTIONS, A LOT OF PEOPLE NATURALLY END UP AT HOT SHOTS. IT'S PART OF HOW PEOPLE GATHER IN THIS TOWN. HOT SHOTS IS WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF DOWNTOWN AFTER WORK EVENTS, DINNERS OR MEETINGS, WHETHER YOU'RE IN THE OIL FIELD OR ANOTHER LOCAL BUSINESS. PEOPLE WALK THERE. THE WALKABILITY KEEPS PEOPLE DOWNTOWN SPORTS SURROUNDING BUSINESSES AND ENCOURAGES SAFE LOCAL GATHERING. I CAN ALSO SAY FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE THAT I'VE MADE MEANINGFUL PROFESSIONAL CONNECTIONS THERE. I'VE MET PEOPLE WHO LED ME TO NEW WORK OPPORTUNITIES IN THE OIL INDUSTRY. HOTSHOTS ISN'T JUST A SOCIAL SPACE, IT'S A PLACE WHERE LOCAL PROFESSIONALS CONNECT, SHARE OPPORTUNITIES, AND STRENGTHEN MIDLAND'S WORKFORCE. IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT A FEW OF THE EMPLOYEES OF THE OLD PHONE COMPANY NOW SEEKING TO SHUT HOTSHOT DOWN, HAVE THEMSELVES BEEN PATRONS. THAT SPEAKS TO THE POSITIVE ROLE THIS BUSINESS PLAYS FOR THE VERY WORKFORCE THAT DRIVES OUR LOCAL ECONOMY. IN 25 YEARS OF OPERATIONS, HOTSHOTS HAS NEVER BEEN IN TROUBLE REGARDING THEIR TABC LICENSE OR THEIR SUD LICENSE. FINALLY, THE BUILDING ITSELF ISN'T VERY LARGE. REPLACING IT WOULD RESPECT REAL WOULD RESULT IN ONLY A LIMITED NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES. SHUTTING DOWN A LONGSTANDING SUCCESSFUL LOCAL BUSINESS FOR A SMALL PARKING LOT CREATES A SIGNIFICANT LOSS FOR THE COMMUNITY WITH MINIMAL BENEFIT. THE PROPOSAL TO CLOSE HOTSHOT MAY MAKE SENSE FROM A NARROW CORPORATE PERSPECTIVE, BUT IT COMES AT A REAL COST TO OTHERS AND FAMILY. ONCE A FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS LIKE THIS IS GONE, IT'S GONE FOR GOOD. YOU CAN ALWAYS ADD PARKING ELSEWHERE. YOU CANNOT REPLACE 25 YEARS OF HISTORY, RELATIONSHIP, AND COMMUNITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL FALLON FRANKLIN TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. GOOD MORNING. MORNING, MS. FALLON FRANKLIN, UH, ONE 10 PAVILION PARKWAY, UH, MIDLAND, TEXAS. I'M HERE AS ONE OF THE MANY VOICES FOR MR. CHIN. UM, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT WHAT TRULY MAKES A PLACE SPECIAL, IT'S RARELY JUST THE BUILDING OR THE BUSINESS ITSELF. IT'S THE PEOPLE BEHIND IT. AND TODAY I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOMEONE WHO REPRESENTS COMMUNITY, HARD WORK AND CHARACTER, WHAT IT REALLY LOOKS LIKE. UM, THIS IS A PERSON WHO DOESN'T JUST OWN A BAR. HE LOOKS FOR THE PEOP, HE LOOKS OUT FOR THE PEOPLE IN IT. MAKES SURE SINGLE WOMEN GET TO THEIR CARS AT NIGHT. UM, CALLS UBERS FOR CUSTOMERS WHO'VE HAD TOO MUCH TO DRINK, NOT BECAUSE HE HAS TO, BUT HE NOTICES, HE PAYS ATTENTION AND HE GENUINELY CARES ABOUT THEIR WELLBEING. HE PICKS UP TRASH AROUND THE COMMUNITY, UM, QUIETLY DOING HIS PART TO MAKE THE NEIGHBORHOOD BETTER WITHOUT ASKING FOR ANY RECOGNITION. UM, HE'S INCREDIBLY PERSONABLE WITH CUSTOMERS. IF YOU SIT AT HIS BAR LONG ENOUGH, YOU'LL HE'LL PLENTY OF STORIES. UM, NOT JUST ABOUT BUSINESS, BUT ABOUT STRUGGLES. ANYTHING HE IS GONE THROUGH IN LIFE. HE RELATES TO PEOPLE BY SHARING HIS OWN ADVENTURES AND STRUGGLES, WHICH MAKES EVERYONE FEEL SEEN AND UNDERSTOOD. THERE'S NO JUDGMENT HERE, JUST CONVERSATION, LAUGHTER, AND CONNECTION. HE ALSO, HE'S ALSO DEEPLY FA, FAMILY ORIENTED. UH, THREE GENERATIONS OF HIS FAMILY HAVE RUN THIS BAR. ALL OF THEM GRADUATED FROM LEE AND THEY'VE BEEN A PART OF THIS COMMUNITY SINCE THE EARLY NINETIES. UH, THAT LEGACY SHOWS IN THE WAY HE RUNS HIS BUSINESS AND IN THE WORK ETHIC. HE'S PASSED ON TO HIS EMPLOYEES. UM, HE LEADS BY EXAMPLE. HE DOESN'T SIT BEHIND A DESK. UM, HE'S THERE EVERY SINGLE NIGHT. HE SHOWS UP AND HE PUTS IN THE WORK. UM, WHAT TRULY SETS HIM APART IS THAT EVEN THOUGH HE'S THE OWNER, HE KNOWS EVERY SINGLE CUSTOMER. HE WALKS THROUGH THOSE DOORS. HE'S PRESENT, HE'S INVOLVED. UM, HE GIVES PEOPLE A CHANCE. HE'S BEEN THROUGH CONTROVERSY, REAL CHALLENGES THAT COULD HAVE HARDENED ANYONE. UM, HE'S HANDLED EVERY SITUATION WITH GRACE, RESPECT, AND INTEGRITY. UM, HE STRIVES TO KEEP A PEACEFUL ESTABLISHMENT WHERE EVERYONE CAN GET ALONG. WE ALL UNDERSTAND THAT YOU CAN'T CONTROL PEOPLE'S ACTIONS, BUT HE DOES EVERYTHING IN HIS POWER TO CREATE A CALM, WELCOMING AND RESPECTFUL ENVIRONMENT. UH, IF YOU ASK THE CUSTOMERS, THEY'LL TELL YOU EXACTLY THAT. THEY LIVE THE CHILL, COOL ATMOSPHERE. UM, THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE, THEY FEEL WELCOME. AND HE'S OUTGOING, HE'S FUNNY, HE'S CONSIDERATE. HE'S FULL OF CHARACTER AND HE SUPPORTS SMALL BUSINESSES. HE SELLS POPCORN IN HIS BAR, WHICH IS ACTUALLY REALLY GOOD. UM, HE TREATS PEOPLE LIKE PEOPLE NOT TRANSACTIONS. AND WHAT TRULY SETS HIM APART IS THAT EVEN THOUGH HE'S THE OWNER, HE KNOWS, HE KNOWS EVERY SINGLE PERSON THERE. AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S NOT JUST A BAR, IT'S A COMMUNITY HUB. UM, [01:00:01] THAT'S BECAUSE OF THE PERSON BEHIND IT. THE PEOPLE BEHIND IT. AND SOMEONE WHO WORKS HARD CARES DEEPLY IMPROVES EVERY DAY. THE KINDNESS, CONSISTENCY, AND RESPECT STILL MATTER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. MM-HMM . IS THIS TIME I'D LIKE TO CALL DAVID CHIN TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. WELCOME, SIR. IF YOU'D GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. DAVID CHEN, 32 0 3 HIGH SKY DRIVE. SO ON THE POLICE REPORT, I WENT AND GOT A COPY MYSELF, SO I DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT 20 CAME FROM. 'CAUSE I ONLY SEE NINE BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF CALL. WELL, I WENT DOWN TO THE POLICE STATION. I TRIED TO SUBPOENA ALL THE TELEPHONE CALLS AND THEY WOULDN'T GIVE IT TO ME. I JUST DON'T WANNA SEE LIKE, STOLEN, LIKE CHECK PERSON, WALK THROUGH, CHECK AREAS, STREET DEPARTMENT CHECK, VEHICLE CHECK, VEHICLE CHECK, WELFARE. I MEAN, THOSE ARE POINTS AGAINST ME, BUT THERE'S NO, THERE'S NOT A CASE NUMBER TO IT. SO I WAS JUST TRYING TO SEE SINCE THE LAST MEETING TO SEE IF I GET FOOT BACK IF IT'S THE SAME PERSON CALLING. BUT THERE'S NOTHING GOING ON JUST TO GET, I, I, I, I REALLY DON'T KNOW, BUT THERE'S ONLY NINE CASE NUMBERS OUTTA THE 20 THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. AND TWO OF THOSE WAS ON SUNDAY. AND I'M CLOSED ON SUNDAYS AND MONDAYS, YOU KNOW, DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATION. I THINK SOMEBODY GOT PULLED OVER OVER TWO ON MY PROPERTY, SO THEY PUT THAT AGAINST ME TOO. BUT I JUST DON'T SEE 20 IN MY POLICE REPORT. THAT IS FROM JUNE TO CURRENT TODAY. AND YOU KNOW, I JUST WENT AND GOT IT ON MONDAY. SO, YOU KNOW, AND, AND MY NEIGHBOR, WE ALREADY SHUT DOWN THE SIDE DOOR. WE PICK UP THE TRASH FOR 'EM. I TURN OFF ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE SIDE, SO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE, I DON'T WANT TO PEOPLE TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO PARK IN THE PARKING LOT. AND I HAVE SIGNS OUT THERE LETTING 'EM KNOW DON'T PARK OVER THERE. AND I ALSO RENT OUT THE PARKING LOT ACROSS THE STREET, THE FROST BANK FOR MY CUSTOMERS. BUT EVERYBODY PARKS OVER THERE, BUT I'M PAYING FOR IT. AND I HAVE TO CARRY A MILLION DOLLAR LIABILITY INSURANCE WITH THAT TOO, YOU KNOW, AND THE SECURITY GUARD, WHICH WHATEVER Y'ALL, I HAVE TO GET. POLICE OFFICER. THAT REALLY HURT ME BAD. MY BUSINESS WENT DOWN SO BAD. I DON'T HAVE ANY POOL PLAYERS ANYMORE, YOU KNOW, SO, AND THERE'S NOT REALLY ANYTHING GOING ON IN MY BAR. THERE'S NO VIOLENCE OR ANYTHING. THE ASSAULT AND EVERYTHING OUTSIDE, I REALLY DON'T KNOW BECAUSE IT HAPPENED OUTSIDE AND IT'S NOT MY CUSTOMERS. SO JUST BECAUSE IT'S AROUND MY NEIGHBORHOOD, OVER MY AREA, LIKE AROUND MY BUILDING, THEY PUT IT A POINT DE FOR ME WHEN I DON'T EVEN KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT OUTSIDE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL MARCUS OAKLEY TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. WELCOME, SIR. IF YOU'D GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. YES, MY NAME'S MARCUS OAKLEY. I LIVE AT 2 4 3 2 OPEN RANGE LANE. UH, I MOVED HERE ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO FROM NEW MEXICO, HOBBES, NEW MEXICO. BEFORE THAT WE WERE LOCATED IN CALIFORNIA. I WENT TO COLLEGE IN PORTALES, NEW MEXICO. AND THE ONLY REASON I BRING THOSE UP IS BECAUSE I'VE BEEN TO MULTIPLE BARS IN MULTIPLE CITIES. THAT IS ONE OF THE BEST BARS I'VE BEEN TO. WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT JUST FEELING SAFE, FEELING LIKE YOU'RE IN A GOOD LOCATION WITH THE PEOPLE THERE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ANY OF ANYONE'S TALKING ABOUT WHEN I HEAR THESE INCIDENTS. I'VE BEEN THERE THREE TIMES, I'VE NEVER SEEN AN INCIDENT. AND I HAVE SEEN BOTH THE GENTLEMAN WALKING AROUND BEING VERY FRIENDLY, INTRODUCING THEMSELVES. AND LIKE I SAID, I'M NOT A LOCAL. HERE I AM, I'M A STAY AT HOME PARENT. MY WIFE IS A PARTNER AT A LOCAL CPA FIRM, AND WE WENT TO SUMMER MURS, UH, DOWNTOWN. WE WALKED FROM SUMMER MURS TO THEIR BAR AND HAD A GREAT TIME WITH MULTIPLE STAFF MEMBERS OF HER FIRM. NONE OF US HAD ANY INCIDENTS. NONE OF US HAD ANY PROBLEMS. THEY TOLD ME THEY'VE BEEN THERE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. I'VE SEEN NOTHING OF THE WRONG SIDE OF THIS AREA. AND EVERYTHING THEY DO SPEAK ABOUT WHEN THEY SAY OUTSIDE, THAT IS WHERE YOU FEEL LIKE THERE MIGHT BE FEAR. AND IT'S NOT ANYWHERE NEAR THEIR BAR, INSIDE THEIR BAR. IT'S THAT THERES NO GOOD PARKING AROUND THERE. THERE'S NO PLACE WHERE YOU COULD FEEL SAFE TO LEAVE YOUR VEHICLE. AND THOSE THINGS MIGHT BE A, A DIFFERENT THING THAT WE NEED TO HANDLE. BUT THAT ALSO COMES DOWN TO MY WIFE'S WORKING IN AN OFFICE THAT THEY'RE REDOING THE WHOLE STRUCTURE OF THEIR PARKING, KNOCKED OUT ALL THAT PUBLIC PARKING TO THE WHOLE AREA. AND THEN THEY TOOK UP PRIVATE PARKING FOR MULTIPLE LITTLE AREAS JUST ACROSS THE STREET FROM THAT BAR, WHICH SAYS NO PARKING AT ANY TIMES. AND THOSE THINGS WOULD HELP THOSE COMMUNITIES AS WELL. I COME FROM AN AREA WHERE IT WAS MASTER PLANNED AND THEY THOUGHT OF WHAT THEY WERE GONNA DO NEXT. THIS AREA IS NOT DOING THAT AS WELL. AND I FEEL LIKE THAT'S SOMETHING THAT REFLECTS THE CITY NOT REFLECTING THEIR BAR. THEIR BAR IS VERY WELL ESTABLISHED FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN FROM THE MULTIPLE TIMES I'VE BEEN THERE. AS THEY SAY, THE POOL TABLES ARE EASY TO GET ONTO. NO ONE MAKES YOU FEEL THREATENED WHEN YOU'RE INSIDE. THERE'S MULTIPLE PEOPLE WALKING AROUND. [01:05:01] IT FEELS LIKE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FROM MY EXPERIENCES, WHICH IS THREE TO FOUR TIMES I'VE BEEN THERE SO FAR. AND I'M NOT A HEAVY DRINKER. I NEVER WILL BE, BUT EVERY TIME I FEEL THERE, I FEEL LIKE I'M HAVING A GOOD TIME. I FEEL LIKE I CAN DANCE. I FEEL LIKE I CAN LISTEN TO THE MUSIC. AND AS THEY SAID KARAOKES THERE, THERE'S THE POOL TABLES, THERE'S MULTIPLE AREAS YOU CAN GO TO. I ENJOY IT. AND FROM WHAT I'M, I DIDN'T EVEN COME HERE WITH THE INTENTION TO SPEAK ON THIS. I JUST HEARD ABOUT IT AND HAD TO PUT MY VOICE UPON THAT BECAUSE I HEARD THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO TURN IT INTO A PARKING LOT, WHICH MAKES ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE WHEN THERE'S MULTIPLE ABANDONED BUILDINGS DOWNTOWN THAT ARE NOT BEING TOUCHED. AND THAT DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME. AND THAT IS MY TIME. THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS. HAS RACHEL BEEN ABLE TO MAKE IT? OKAY, WELL THEN WE'LL MOVE FORWARD TO PATRICK CORDERO AND ALLOW YOU TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON BEHALF OF YOURSELF AND THE REST OF THOSE THAT YOU REPRESENT HERE. MAYOR. YEAH, UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S A HAZARD. UM, IF YOU GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. YEAH, GOOD MORNING. UH, THANK YOU. THANK YOU MAYOR AND COUNSEL. MY NAME'S PATRICK CORDERO, 29 0 9 WEST WALL STREET. UM, I BELIEVE IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WHAT WE TALK ABOUT, WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE, SO I MADE SURE THAT ALL OF Y'ALL WOULD HAVE A REPORT. AND IF WE COULD PASS THESE OUT, THERE'S, I THINK THERE'S 10, SO, UM, I KNOW THERE'S SEVEN OF Y'ALL, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW WHO ELSE WOULD WANNA LOOK AT IT. UH, ALONG WITH ME. UM, I THINK, I THINK, UM, YOU CAN LOOK AT THE REPORTS AND SEE THAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE FIRST LOOKED AT THIS, THERE WERE A LOT OF DRIVE-BYS OR WHATEVER THEY WOULD WHEN THE POLICE WOULD COME BY. AND THEN THAT'S SIGNIFICANTLY, UH, DROPPED. AND I THINK WHOEVER'S BEEN MAKING THOSE CALLS STOPPED MAKING THE CALLS. AND SO THAT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE REPORT NOW. SO YOU CAN SEE THAT, UM, FROM, UH, JUNE 7TH TO, UH, JANUARY, UH, THE FOURTH, WHICH IS WHAT THIS REPORT IS FOR ALL THE BARS THAT ARE ON HERE. OKAY. AND YOU CAN SEE THAT THERE'S NOT THAT MUCH. AND SO THEY'VE WENT THROUGH, UM, MR. CHEN WENT THROUGH ALL OF THIS AND SAID, LOOK LIKE, CHECK VEHICLE, CHECK PERSON. YOU KNOW, THERE'S A PUBLIC INTOXICATION AND STOLEN VEHICLE. I MEAN, SOME OF THESE THINGS AREN'T, UH, RELATED TO HIM. THERE'S ASSAULT, BUT IF YOU LOOK AT ALL THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S NOT SO MUCH THAT'S RELATED TO HIM ON THAT. AND SO THAT GIVES US TWO PAGES ABOUT A PAGE AND A QUARTER. OKAY, LET'S MOVE OVER TO FAIR TO MIDLAND. THAT'S THE NEXT FOUR PAGES. FOUR PAGES. OKAY. WHY AREN'T THEY UP HERE? OKAY. FAIR TO MIDLAND HAS FOUR PAGES OF, OF, OF THINGS. WE HAVE A A, A PAGE AND A QUARTER. OKAY, LET'S KEEP GOING. UH, RILEY'S IS PARTY ON PAR, BUT I WENT THROUGH THIS AND I THINK THE ONLY PLACE THAT HAS LESS INCIDENCES ON MY REPORT IS THE ANGRY ARMELL. EVERYBODY ELSE HAS MORE REPORTS INCIDENCES THAN WE DO. OKAY. ROCK AND RODEO HAS THREE PAGES. OKAY? UM, AND THEY ARE, I DON'T SEE THEM HERE. I DON'T SEE ANYBODY CALLING THEM UP HERE AND TELLING THEM THAT THEY NEED TO GET POLICE OFFICERS. ALL RIGHT, LET'S GO TO TRIPLE THREAT. ACTUALLY, TRIPLE THREAT IS VERY LOW. SO GOOD FOR THEM KIDDOS. UM, LET'S SEE WHAT ELSE WE GOT HERE. UM, YOU GOT KIND OVER THERE. THE BORGATA AREA. THAT'S NOT REALLY BIG, UH, TAILGATE THAT'S OPEN ONLY ON EVENTS IS A PAGE AND A HALF. OKAY. FAST. FREDDY'S IS TWO, TWO FULL PAGES. UH, TORINO'S IS A PAGE AND THREE QUARTERS DETOUR IS A PAGE AND A HALF DOUBLE BAR. OUR NEIGHBOR PRETTY GOOD. THEY'RE ABOUT THE SAME AMOUNT AS WE HAVE PAGE AND A QUARTER. OKAY? SO IT JUST FEELS LIKE WE'RE BEINGS. WE'RE, UH, WE'RE BEING PICKED ON. ALL RIGHT? WE HAD, UH, AND WE DIDN'T LOOK AT THIS. WE, WE, WE DIDN'T COMPARE APPLES TO APPLES. WE HAD SOME COMPLAINTS. WE CAME IN, WE, WE ADDRESSED THE ISSUES, WE DID THE THINGS THAT YOU ASKED US TO DO. BUT I DON'T SEE ANYBODY ELSE HAVING TO GO THROUGH THE SAME RIGAMAROLE THAT WE'RE HAVING TO GO THROUGH. AND I DON'T THINK THAT'S RIGHT. I MEAN, THERE'S A SMALL THING CALLED THE EQUAL PRODUCTION CLAUSE, WHAT YOU DO TO ONE, YOU DO TO ALL. OKAY? AND I THINK THAT THAT'S IMPORTANT, THAT IF YOU'RE GONNA COME AND DO THIS TO US, THAT EVERYBODY ON HERE NEEDS TO BE, AND I DIDN'T GET EVERYBODY . THIS IS JUST AS A SAMPLING. IT'S LIKE TAKING A CUP OF SAND AND TRYING TO SAY WHAT THE BEACH LOOKS LIKE. WE, WE, WE DON'T KNOW. AND IF WE NEED, IF WE'RE GONNA GO THROUGH THIS WHOLE THING. AND WE TALKED ABOUT IT, ABOUT HAVING A COMPREHENSIVE IDEA ABOUT HOW WE'RE GONNA DO ALL THESE THINGS. AND DOWNTOWN'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT, BUT IT'S HAPPENING ALL OVER TOWN. [01:10:01] OKAY? ALL THESE THINGS. AND WE SOMETIMES EMBARRASSING. WE'VE SEEN 'EM ON THE INTERNET. UH, WE'RE NOT IMMUNE FROM DUM DUMMIES GOING AND DRINKING. OKAY? IT HAPPENS AND IT HAPPENS EVERYWHERE. IT HAPPENS AT, UH, AT THE NICEST ESTABLISHMENTS HERE. AND THEY MAKE FOOLS OF THEMSELVES. AND THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT THEY'RE, YOU KNOW, THAT THAT'S JUST ONE OFF SOMETIMES. BUT THEY'RE, THOSE, THOSE SAME PEOPLE GO EVERYWHERE ELSE AND CAUSE PROBLEMS. SO I DON'T, I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT AND, AND RATHER THAN JUST CONTINUE TO, UH, SAY, WELL, WE NEED MORE OF THIS OR MORE OF THAT. I THINK DAVE HAS WHAT'S GOING ON UNDER CONTROL. YOU CAN SEE THAT IT'S GONE DOWN, UH, WITH THE KIND, UH, SECURITY THAT HE HAS NOW. I MEAN, IT'S, AND IT'S, UH, AND THEN, UH, BUT LET'S, LET'S, IF WE'RE GONNA DO THAT TO HIM, LET'S DO IT TO EVERYBODY. I MEAN, LIKE THE, HE HAD TO, HE'S PAYING FOR A PARKING LOT AND THE INSURANCE ACROSS THE STREET FOR THAT WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD, BECAUSE EVERYBODY WAS PARKING AT, UH, BTAS PARKING LOT. WHETHER YOU WERE GOING TO THE DOUBLE BAR OR WHAT WAS LONE STAR BEFORE, OR IF YOU'RE GOING TO THE BAR, THEY WOULD WALK OVER THERE IF IT HAD TOO MUCH PARKING. BUT NOW ON HIS OWN, HE TOOK THE WHOLE LOT. THOSE GUYS USE HIS PARKING, THEY USE HIS INSURANCE, AND THEY DO ALL THAT. I DON'T THINK THAT'S FAIR. THEY NEED TO PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE OF THAT. BUT HE'S, BUT HE'S DOING THAT OUTTA GOODNESS, HIS HEART, BECAUSE HE NEEDS TO STAY OPEN AND HE WANTS TO BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR AND DOESN'T WANT BTA TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH ANY OF THAT. SO I THINK THAT THAT'S, UH, HE'S DONE WHAT HE'S SUPPOSED TO DO. AND I DON'T THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE ANY MORE THAT, UH, TO BE DONE ON THAT. BUT I WOULD SAY THAT WE DEFINITELY NEED TO LOOK AT ALL THE OTHER BARS THAT ARE OUT THERE THAT ARE WAY WORSE THAN WE ARE. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS. ALRIGHT, THAT CONCLUDES THE REQUEST TO SPEAK CARDS THAT I'VE RECEIVED. SO I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND WE CAN HAVE SOME DIALOGUE WITH COUNCIL. I DO WANNA JUST START WITH, UM, MY OWN PERSPECTIVE OF THIS IS THAT YOU HAVE IMPLEMENTED THE THINGS THAT WE ASKED YOU TO DO, AND YOU'VE DONE THAT IN GOOD FAITH. AND SO I WANNA SAY THANK YOU FOR THAT. I THINK THAT THAT IS, SOMETIMES THAT'S A STRUGGLE. AND SO WE, I WANNA SAY THANK YOU FOR THAT. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THE CONSISTENCY PIECE. UM, WE NEED TO BE PROVIDING A CONSISTENT PERSPECTIVE ON ALL OF THESE BARS ACROSS TOWN. I THINK THE REALITY IS WE HAVE A HIGHER POPULATION THAN WE'VE HAD, AND WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT ILLEGAL ACTIVITY THAT'S MOVED IN. BUT WE ALSO HAVE, UM, A LAW ENFORCEMENT TEAM THAT'S HEARING US. WE'VE HAD INCREASED ENFORCEMENT AND TRAFFIC. WE'VE HAD INCREASED ENFORCEMENT IN, UM, THESE ILLICIT MASSAGE PARLORS THAT WE'RE CONFRONTED WITH AS A COMMUNITY. WE'RE HAVING INCREASED ENFORCEMENT, UM, IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA WITH THE THINGS THAT WE'RE IMPLEMENTING WITH CAMERAS AND WITH, UM, OFFICERS ON BICYCLES. WE NEED THAT INCREASED ENFORCEMENT TO CONTINUE ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY. AND SO THAT IS, WHEN I, WHEN I LISTEN TO ALL OF THIS, I HEAR CONSISTENCY AND I HEAR INCREASED ENFORCEMENT. AND I THINK THAT THOSE ARE THINGS THAT REALLY BENEFIT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY OF MIDLAND AND HELP US TO KEEP THINGS FAIR AND EQUITABLE. AND SO THAT'S MY PERSPECTIVE, UM, TO MAKE SURE, NOW IT IS TRUE THAT SOMETIMES HOT SPOTS OF CRIME POP UP AND THOSE THINGS NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. AND THEN WHEN ONCE THEY HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED, WE'RE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD. UM, AND SO LET'S NOT PROVIDE JUST CONSISTENCY TO THE POINT WHERE WE MISS HOTSPOTS. WE DO NEED TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THINGS WHERE THERE IS CRIME THAT POPS UP. BUT I THINK WHEN WE SEE STATISTICS THAT HAVE DROPPED, AND THEN WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PULL BACK ON THAT, I THINK WE SHOULD DO SO. SO THERE'S MY PERSPECTIVE. I'LL OPEN IT UP TO OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS IF YOU HAVE OTHER COMMENTS. YEAH. AND, AND MR. CADO, UH, CERO, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT INFORMATION. I MEAN, UM, YOU KNOW, YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THESE OTHER BARS OUT THERE TOO THAT YOU SEE AND YOU'RE LIKE, AND, AND BELIEVE ME, WE'RE AWARE OF SOME OF THESE, UH, PARTICULAR ESTABLISHMENTS, AND BELIEVE ME, IF THEIR SUD WAS UP, THEY'D BE IN THE HOT SEAT RIGHT NOW. UM, BUT, UH, I HAVE SPOKEN WITH MR. CHEN BEFORE IN THE PAST, AND, YOU KNOW, I ASKED HIM, UH, WE HAD A GOOD CONVERSATION. I ASKED HIM TO DO SOMETHING AND HE DID IT. UM, AND WHICH I GREATLY APPRECIATE. UM, YOU KNOW, ALONG WITH WHAT THE MAYOR SAID, YOU KNOW, WE NEED CONSISTENCY. AND I, I'M 100% BEHIND THAT. YOU KNOW, I DID MAKE A COMMENT THAT, UM, LIKE A PARENT, I LIKE TO HAVE CONSISTENT PARENTING BETWEEN ALL OF MY CHILDREN, BUT SOMETIMES ONE CHILD, UH, REACTS TO THINGS VERY DIFFERENTLY THAN ANOTHER ONE DOES. AND SO SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO MODIFY THAT CONSISTENCY IN ORDER TO, TO MAKE SURE THAT, UH, ONE CHILD UNDERSTANDS AND WHEN SOMETIMES THE OTHER ONE DOESN'T. SO, BUT ANYWAY, BUT I DO AGREE THAT WE NEED CONSISTENT, FAIR, UH, FAIRNESS BETWEEN ALL OF THESE PLACES. AND SO I DO APPRECIATE ALL THE STEPS THAT YOU HAVE TAKEN. I THINK IT'S IN NO MEANS, UH, NOBODY WANTS TO SHUT DOWN YOUR BAR. I MEAN, IT'S A LONG LASTING ESTABLISHMENT THAT'S BEEN HERE FOR A VERY LONG TIME. IT'S A, A LOCALLY OWNED ESTABLISHMENT AS WELL, WHICH I, I THINK THAT THAT'S BIG TO HAVE LOCALLY OWNED ESTABLISHMENTS HERE. I WOULD TELL YOU TO KEEP UP THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING. UM, I MEAN, IT IS VERY NOTICEABLE, I THINK, TO ME AND TO, TO QUITE A FEW OTHER PEOPLE. SO I, I WILL ONE FOR SAY THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO IMPLEMENT SOME OF THESE THINGS AND, AND KEEP, KEEP IT UP. [01:15:02] I'D LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING KIND OF ON THE SAME THREAD. SO I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU FOR GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS WITH US. UM, WE'VE LEARNED A LOT AS A COUNCIL AND AS CITY GOVERNMENT, UM, BECAUSE OF YOUR FEEDBACK AND YOUR INPUT, UM, IN WORKING THROUGH THIS WITH US. UM, I'LL REITERATE TOO, I, YOU KNOW, I, ONE OF THE CURRENTS I DO HAVE IS JUST SAFETY DOWNTOWN. UM, IT IS BUSIER. THERE'S, YOU KNOW, HIGHER DENSITY OF JUST PEOPLE DOING A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS. AND THAT'S, UM, BEEN A CONCERN NOW FOR ABOUT A YEAR. UM, AND HIGHLIGHTING WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, I THINK IS, UM, KIND OF WHERE WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD. SO THIS IS, I THINK, A GREAT SUCCESS STORY OF THERE WAS A PROBLEM. WE'VE SEEN IT. THERE'S A, THERE'S A, A POCKET IN DOWNTOWN THAT, THAT NEEDS SOME ATTENTION. POLICE HAS, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS STEPPED UP. UM, WE'RE DOING THINGS WITH THE MONEY FROM THE TURS TO ALLOW THAT TO BE MORE SECURE, MORE LIGHTING, MORE CAMERAS, UM, AND THE BICYCLES, UM, ALL BECAUSE WE, YOU'RE WILLING TO WORK THROUGH THIS PROBLEM WITH US. AND I GREATLY APPRECIATE YOU DOING THAT. UM, AND I DO GREATLY SEE AND APPRECIATE THE IMPACT YOU'VE MADE, UH, POSITIVE IMPACT YOU'VE MADE ON THIS AREA BY, UM, WORKING WITH US. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE. SO, YEAH. UM, I WANNA SAY SOMETHING AS WELL, UM, I DO APPRECIATE YOU GUYS GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I DON'T FEEL LIKE Y'ALL SHOULD HAVE HAD, HAVE HAD TO GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS. UM, I, I UNDERSTAND THAT. I UNDERSTAND THAT, UH, THINGS HAPPEN IN, IN, IN CERTAIN POCKETS AND ALL OF THAT TYPE OF STUFF, BUT, UM, LIKE, I MEAN, WE'VE HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE UP HERE WITH SUVS AND TO, AND TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, MR. CORDERO, I THINK THAT, UH, JUST LIKE MR. BERKHOLDER SAID, IF, IF IT WAS, IF THEIR SUVS WERE UP, THEN WE'D PROBABLY BE TALKING WITH THEM AS WELL ABOUT THESE THINGS. UM, HOWEVER, UM, WITH THAT BEING SAID, LIKE I, I DON'T, I DON'T FEEL LIKE, UH, THE SECURITY AND, AND, AND ALL OF THAT, UM, NEEDS TO BE IMPLEMENTED ON, ON HOT SHOTS, UM, UH, JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE HAS SAID, YOU KNOW, IT'S A, IT IS BEEN AN ESTABLISHMENT THAT'S BEEN THERE FOR A LONG TIME AND, YOU KNOW, WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS, UH, AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. BUT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE ONE OR TWO INCIDENTS THAT HAPPENED. I, I MEAN, AND, AND LET'S JUST BE HONEST, THEY, IT HAPPENS EVERYWHERE. UM, UH, LIKE THE MAYOR SAID, YOU KNOW, IT'S A GROWING CITY. WE, UM, WE, WE GETTING MORE AND MORE PEOPLE HERE EVERY YEAR. UM, AND, YOU KNOW, I JUST BELIEVE THAT, UM, JUST LIKE WE DID FOR THE OTHER SUVS THAT WE, UH, THAT WE, UH, PASSED OR, OR GRANTED, UM, YOU KNOW, I THINK WE SHOULD, UH, YOU KNOW, TAKE OFF THE RESTRICTIONS THAT WE PUT ON HOT SHOTS AS FAR AS THE, THE, UH, UH, SECURITY AND ALL OF THAT. NOW, THEY CAN HAVE SECURITY IF THEY WANT TO, BUT IN MY OPINION, THEY CAN HAVE SECURITY IF THEY WANT TO, BUT I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD MAKE THEM, UH, HAVE TO DO IT AND, AND, UH, NOT DO IT FOR EVERYONE ELSE. I THINK I RUN GREAT. YEAH. THANK YOU. UM, Y'ALL KNOW WHERE I STAND ON THIS, SO I WON'T GO TOO FAR INTO IT, BUT I, I COMPLETELY SUPPORT MR. CHEN AND HOT SHOTS BAR. I DO NOT THINK THAT WE SHOULD BE REQUIRING SECURITY, ESSENTIALLY TAXING THEM FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WHEN WE HAVE OTHER TOP 10 BARS LIKE ROCK AND RODEO, WHICH WE JUST APPROVED TODAY, THEIR SUD WITH NO CONDITIONS. SO, UM, I THINK WE SHOULD, I THINK WE SHOULD TREAT EVERYONE SIMILARLY. AND I WOULD BE FULLY IN FAVOR OF REMOVING ALL RESTRICTIONS. UH, REAL QUICK, I WANNA WAIT, MAKE ONE MORE COMMENT TOO, TO, TO THE GENTLEMAN THAT STOOD UP HERE A MINUTE AGO AND TALKED ABOUT MASTER PLANNING. I'M GONNA BE, I'M A HUNDRED PERCENT IN AGREEMENT WITH YOU. UH, THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT, YOU KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY IN THIS AREA, YOU KNOW, THIS WAS DEVELOPED A REALLY LONG TIME AGO. SO WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO GO IN THERE AND MASTER PLAN, BUT THAT'S WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE A MASTER PLAN AND WE LOOK AT SOME OF THESE THINGS AND WE MAKE SURE THAT DEVELOPMENT IS, IS BEING DEVELOPED PROPERLY. BECAUSE I'VE SAID IT MANY TIMES BEFORE, YOU HAVE ONE SHOT TO BUILD MIDLAND, LET'S DO IT. RIGHT? AND SO, I, SO I APPRECIATE YOU, UH, BRINGING THAT UP BECAUSE I MEAN, THAT IS A POINT THAT HAS TO BE MADE TOO, THAT AS WE LOOK FORWARD IN DEVELOPING MIDLAND, THAT WE NEED TO HAVE AN EXTREMELY STRONG PLAN AND UNDERSTAND WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE FOR TRAFFIC FLOW AND FOR BUSINESSES TO, UH, SUCCEED. SO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP. AND THERE'S GONNA CONTINUE TO BE EFFORTS FOR DOWNTOWN. AS YOU SAID, IT WAS DEVELOPED A LONG TIME AGO. AND SO WE'RE IN SOME CASES PAYING FOR THE, THE THINGS THAT WERE NOT DONE PROPERLY IN DECADES PREVIOUS TO US. SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE CLEAR ABOUT THAT. BUT AS WE'RE GOING FORWARD, WE NEED TO BE PLANNING AHEAD AND REQUIRING SOME OF THOSE THINGS. SOME OF THOSE THINGS GET A LOT OF PUSHBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY WHEN WE TRY TO ADD SOME MASTER PLANNING OR SOME ADDITIONAL PARKING, THAT SORT OF THING. SO I WANT US TO REMEMBER THAT IT REALLY DOES BENEFIT US ALL WHEN WE PLAN AHEAD FOR, UM, SOME OF THESE THINGS THAT ARE REALLY FUTURE LOOKING FOR THE COMMUNITY OF MIDLAND. THERE IS SOME PARKING THAT IS IN, IN THE WORKS RIGHT NOW, AND IT'S GONNA CONTINUE TO BE A PRIORITY FOR US. WE'RE GONNA BE WORKING ON THAT. UM, AND SO I JUST, I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT AS WELL. MASTER PLANNING IS A PRIORITY [01:20:01] WHERE WE GET TO HAVE NEW CONSTRUCTION AND THEN IMPLEMENTING SOLUTIONS FOR PLACES THAT WERE DEVELOPED DECADES AGO, UM, IS ALSO A PRIORITY. SO WITH THAT, ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS? OKAY. NO, THEN I, I HEARD SOME DIFFERENT THINGS THROUGH THE COMMENTS OF COUNCIL MEMBERS. I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE SOME DISCUSSION AND A MOTION. YEAH, I WOULD LIKE THE, CAN WE JUST BRING UP THE SLIDE THAT HAS THE CHOICES THAT YOU HAD? I THINK THERE'S TWO SLIDES. YEAH. THE ONE BEFORE THAT, UH, UH, OH, THE CONDITIONS, I THINK IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT. OH, YOU CONDITIONS, IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE ASKING? WELL, THERE'S ONE THAT SAID IF WE APPROVE OR DON'T APPROVE, LIKE OUR THREE, WELL, I THINK YOU HAD THREE CHOICES. THERE YOU GO. THIS IS IT. YEAH, THAT'S IT. YES, THAT ONE RIGHT THERE. SO JUST TO HIGHLIGHT THAT FOR THE, THOSE WATCHING AND LISTENING, WE CAN CONDUCT ANOTHER REVIEW AND CONSIDER WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO. WE CAN, UM, DIRECT STAFF, THEN THE PROCESS WILL BE THE SAME AS THE REZONING. AND THEN IF WE TAKE NO ACTION, IT WILL CONTINUE AS IT IS RIGHT NOW. WELL, I DON'T KNOW HOW TO, UH, I'M GONNA PUT IT WHERE THE GOATS CAN GET IT. I'D LIKE TO, UH, UH, ISSUE THEIR SUD WITHOUT THE RESTRICTIONS OF THE SECURITY WITHOUT REQUIRING THE SECURITY. DO YOU MAKE THAT IN THE FORM OF A MOTION? I DO. I SECOND THAT. SO WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN NORMAN AND A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN LAB TO ISSUE THE SUD WITH NO RESTRICTIONS. AND, AND REAL QUICK, I MEAN, THIS WILL STILL COME BACK ON JUNE 10TH, 2027 REGARDLESS. SO, UM, WHAT I WOULD ASK MR. CHEN IS CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING AND, UH, LET'S, LET'S JUST CONTINUE TO MAKE IT BETTER. SO THANK YOU. AND, AND ALL OF 'EM COME BACK, RIGHT? WITHIN A YEAR? WHAT, WHAT, UH, TWO, THREE YEARS. THREE YEARS, OKAY. YES, THIS IS WITH TERM. AND, AND JUST TO BE CLEAR, THE MOTION WILL BE TO DIRECT STAFF TO GO AND INITIATE THE PROCESS, THE SUD PROCESS ALL OVER AGAIN WITHOUT THE CONDITIONS CORRECT. ALRIGHT, SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. IF THERE IS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. THE MOTION TO APPROVE WITH NO CONDITIONS CARRIES SIX TO ZERO. THANK YOU [25. 10712 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND TO GRANT A SPECIFIC USE DESIGNATION WITH TERM FOR LOT 3, BLOCK 45, FAIRMONT PARK ADDITION, SECTION 13, CITY AND COUNTY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS (GENERALLY LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF WEST LOOP 250 NORTH, APPROXIMATELY 450 FEET SOUTH OF HENRY KOONTZ BOULEVARD), WHICH IS PRESENTLY ZONED RR, REGIONAL RETAIL DISTRICT, ALLOWING SAID PROPERTY TO BE USED FOR THE SALE OF ALL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IN A MOVIE THEATER FOR ON-PREMISES CONSUMPTION; MAKING SAID DESIGNATION SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN; CONTAINING A CUMULATIVE CLAUSE; CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR A MAXIMUM PENALTY OR FINE OF TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2,000.00); AND ORDERING PUBLICATION (DISTRICT: 1) (DEVELOPMENT SERVICES) (QUALITY OF LIFE AND PLACE)] VERY MUCH. WE WILL MOVE FORWARD TO ITEM 25, PLEASE. IN ORDINANCE OF AMENDING THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND, GRANT, A SPECIFIC USE DESIGNATION WITH TERM FOR LOT THREE, BLOCK 45 FAIRMONT PARK TRADITION, SECTION 13, CITY AND COUNTY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS, GENERALLY LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF WEST LOOP, TWO 50 NORTH, APPROXIMATELY 450 FEET SOUTH OF HENRY C***S BOULEVARD, WHICH IS PRESENTLY ZONED R OUR REGIONAL RETAIL DISTRICT, ALLOWING SAID PROPERTY TO BE USED FOR THE SALE OF ALL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IN A MOVIE THEATER FOR ON-PREMISES CONSUMPTION, MAKING SAID DESIGNATION, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN CONTAINING A CUMULATIVE CLAUSE CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND SEPARABILITY CLAUSE, PROVIDING FOR A MAXIMUM PENALTY OR FINE OF $2,000 AND ORDERING PUBLICATION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU MAYOR. AND COUNSEL. SO THIS IS THE SUD FOR SYNERGY. UH, YOU MAY REMEMBER THIS WAS, UH, THIS WAS DEFERRED BY COUNSEL ON NOVEMBER 18TH DUE TO SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE PROPOSED TIMES. UM, THEY RE LY REQUESTING TO SELL EACH DAY FROM 10:00 AM TO 2:00 AM. UM, WE DID TALK WITH THEM AND THEY STILL WANT TO SELL TILL 2:00 AM. UM, HOWEVER, THEY DID END UP CHANGING, UM, IT TO WHERE IT'S JUST ON FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS. SO 10:00 AM TO UM, EXCUSE ME, HOWEVER HERE, SO 10:00 AM TO 12:00 AM ON SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY, AND THEN FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, 10:00 AM TO 2:00 AM. UM, AND I, I DID THINK IT WOULD JUST BE HELPFUL EVEN TO KNOW THAT THE SYNERGY, UM, THE, OUR EXISTING SYNERGY OFF OF I 20 THAT HAS AN SUD THAT WHICH ALLOWS 'EM TO SELL TO 2:00 AM EACH DAY. AND THEN WE DID JUST WANNA LEAVE YOU, THIS, THIS CHART HERE THAT SHOWS THE, UH, NEARBY SUVS IN THE REGION AND THEIR ALCOHOL HOURS. I'VE, I'VE GONE AHEAD AND HIGHLIGHTED THE ONES THAT SELL TO, UH, 2:00 AM FOR ANY QUESTIONS. ANY QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS? ALRIGHT. ALL RIGHT. SEEING NONE, I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE WISHING TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND LOOK FOR DISCUSSION OR ACTION FROM COUNSEL. I WILL MOVE THE, UH, MAKE MOTION TO MOVE FORWARD, UM, AS PRESENTED. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN STUBBS AND A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN LAD TO MOVE FORWARD AS PRESENTED. THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION. LET'S VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ITEM 26, [26. 10713 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND TO GRANT A SPECIFIC USE DESIGNATION WITH TERM FOR LOT 4A, BLOCK 2, WESTRIDGE PARK ADDITION, SECTION 34, CITY AND COUNTY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS (GENERALLY LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF NORTH LOOP 250 WEST, APPROXIMATELY 720 FEET SOUTH OF ANDREWS HIGHWAY), WHICH IS PRESENTLY ZONED RR, REGIONAL RETAIL DISTRICT, ALLOWING SAID PROPERTY TO BE USED FOR THE SALE OF ALL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IN A HOTEL FOR ON-PREMISES CONSUMPTION; MAKING SAID DESIGNATION SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN; CONTAINING A CUMULATIVE CLAUSE; CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR A MAXIMUM PENALTY OR FINE OF TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2,000.00); AND ORDERING PUBLICATION (DISTRICT: 4) (DEVELOPMENT SERVICES) (QUALITY OF LIFE AND PLACE)] PLEASE. AN ORDINANCE AMENING THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND FOR GRANT. A SPECIFIC USE DESIGNATION WITH TURN FOR LOT FOUR, A BLOCK, TWO WESTWARD PARK EDITION, SECTION 34, CITY AND COUNTY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS, GENERALLY LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF NORTH LOOP, TWO 50 WEST, APPROXIMATELY 720 FEET SOUTH OF ANDREWS HIGHWAY, WHICH IS PRESENTLY ZONE RR REGIONAL RETAIL [01:25:01] DISTRICT. ALLOWING SAID PROPERTY USED FOR THE SALE OF ALL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IN A HOTEL FOR ON-PREMISES CONSUMPTION, MAKING SAID DESIGNATION, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN CONTAINING A CUMULATIVE CLAUSE CONTAINING A SAVINGS OF SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, PROVIDING FOR A MAXIMUM PENALTY OR FINE OF $2,000 IN ORDERING PUBLICATION. THANK YOU MAYOR AND COUNSEL. SO THIS IS ANOTHER SUD. UM, THIS IS A BRAND NEW ONE FOR DOUBLETREE HOTEL, UM, THAT THIS IS GONNA BE LOCATED OVER JUST NORTH OF THE SPORTS COMPLEX. UM, LET'S SEE HERE. SO THEY'RE, THEY'RE REQUESTING THE HOURS OF MONDAY THROUGH SUNDAY, 11:00 AM TO 2:00 AM THEY'RE OPERATING 24 HOURS A DAY. UM, YOU CAN SEE THERE THE SERVICEABLE AREA IN THE PHOTO. UM, THE PROPERTY IS SURROUNDED BY ALL KINDS OF RETAIL AND, UM, THERE'S EVEN SAM'S NEXT DOOR OF COURSE. SO, UM, IT'S COMPATIBLE WITH THE SURROUNDING ZONING. SO AS THE SURROUNDING USE, SO HERE'S JUST A AERIAL SHOWING YOU THE DIFFERENT USES THERE OR THE DIFFERENT BUILDINGS. HERE'S A IMAGE OF THE PROPERTY AS IT IS NOW. THE HOTEL'S UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND WE'RE FINE WITH IT. UH, IS IT, UH, IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE COMP PLAN. UM, THERE'S NO SCHOOLS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT WITHIN THREE AND A FEET OF IT. UM, AND WE DIDN'T RECEIVE ANY OBJECTIONS AND WE'RE JUST RECOMMEND APPROVAL WITH THE STANDARD SED CONDITIONS THAT WE TYPICALLY RECOMMEND AND OPEN FOR QUESTIONS. SO THIS IS THE LOCATION THAT HAS BEEN UNDER CONSTRUCTION FOR A LONG TIME? YES, MA'AM. A VERY LONG TIME OVER JUST TO THE SOUTH OF HEB ON THE LOOP. UM, I'M THANKFUL TO SEE THAT SOMETHING PRODUCTIVE IS MOVING FORWARD THERE. DO WE HAVE A TIMELINE ON THEIR COMPLETION? I DON'T HAVE THE TIMELINE ON THE CONSTRUCTION ITSELF, NO MA'AM. BUT, UM, PERHAPS IF THE APPLICANT'S HERE, THEY CAN SPEAK ON THAT. OKAY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS? ALL RIGHT. SEEING NONE, I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE WISHING TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM 26? I'M SORRY. YEAH, 26. SEEING NONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND WE'LL LOOK FOR ACTION FROM COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN BERKHOLDER TO APPROVE. WE HAVE A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN NORMAN. IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. VERY THANKFUL TO SEE THAT PROJECT MOVING FORWARD AND THAT NOT TO CONTINUE TO BE A CONSTRUCTION SITE. THAT'S VACANT. ALRIGHT, ITEM NUMBER 27, [27. 10714 - AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A SPECIAL EXCEPTION FOR LOT 4, BLOCK 23, CRESTGATE ADDITION, SECTION 18, CITY AND COUNTY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS (GENERALLY LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF TIMBER COURT, APPROXIMATELY 240 FEET NORTH OF OAKRIDGE DRIVE), BY PERMITTING (1) A REDUCED MINIMUM REAR YARD SETBACK AND (2) A REDUCED MINIMUM SIDE YARD SETBACK ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE OF SAID LOT; CONTAINING A CUMULATIVE CLAUSE; CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR A MAXIMUM PENALTY OR FINE OF TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2,000.00); ORDERING RECORDATION BY THE CITY SECRETARY IN THE DEED RECORDS OF MIDLAND COUNTY, TEXAS; AND ORDERING PUBLICATION (DISTRICT: 1) (DEVELOPMENT SERVICES) (QUALITY OF LIFE AND PLACE)] PLEASE. AN ORDINANCE GRANTING SPECIAL EXCEPTION FOR LOT FOUR BLOCK 23 CREST GATE. ADDITION SECTION 18, CITY AND COUNTY IN MID TEXAS. GENERALLY LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF TIMBER COURT, APPROXIMATELY 240 FEET NORTH OF OAK RIDGE DRIVE BY PERMITTING. ONE, A REDUCED MINIMUM REAR YARD SETBACK. AND TWO, A REDUCED MINIMUM SIDE YARD SETBACK ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE OF THE SAID LOT CONTAINING CUMULATIVE CLAUSE CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, PROVIDING FOR A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF FINE OF $2,000. ORDERING RECORDATION BY THE CITY SECRETARY AND THE DEED RECORDS OF MIDLAND COUNTY, TEXAS AND ORDERING PUBLICATION. THANK YOU MAYOR AND COUNSEL. UH, AS MENTIONED, THIS IS A SPECIAL EXCEPTION, THE PROPERTY AT 49 0 6 TIMBER COURT, AND THEY'RE REQUESTING REDUCED SETBACKS 'CAUSE THEY'RE WANTING TO BUILD A GARAGE ADDITION. SO YOU CAN SEE IT HERE, WHERE THEY'RE WANTING TO BUILD THE ADDITION ALL THE WAY TO THE ALLEY, UH, THERE. AND SO THEY'RE REQUESTING ESSENTIALLY ZERO, A ZERO FOOT SETBACK FOR SIDE AND REAR. AND, UM, WE'RE, AS YOU CAN SEE IN THIS AREA TOO, THE SURROUNDING, UH, AREA IS, IS LIKE THIS. I MEAN, THEY'RE ENJOYING THE SAME SETBACKS AS THEY ARE. UM, HERE'S A, ANOTHER AREA, AERIAL, IT SHOWS MORE PROPERTIES. YOU CAN SEE HOW THESE HOMES ARE BUILT ALL THE WAY UP TO IT. SO, UM, I THINK THIS IS A, A GOOD EXAMPLE OF, OF ONE WHERE, UM, IT'S COMPATIBLE WITH THE SURROUNDING AREA AND WE RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF IT. UH, HERE'S JUST A PHOTO OF THE PROPERTY AND THEN WE DIDN'T RECEIVE ANY OBJECTIONS AND I RECOMMEND APPROVAL WITH THESE CONDITIONS. OKAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANY QUESTIONS FROM COUNSEL? SEEING NONE, I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE WISHING TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM 27? SEEING NONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND LOOK FOR ACTION FROM COUNSEL. MAKE A MOTION. WE HAVE A, A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN STUBBS AND A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN BURKHOLDER. THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION. LET'S VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU. ITEM 28, [28. 2026-006 - RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE AMENDMENT OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND’S 2025-2026 ACTION PLAN TO THE CONSOLIDATED PLAN FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING FUNDS FOR THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT’S FISCAL YEARS 2025-2029; AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS (DISTRICT: ALL) (DEVELOPMENT SERVICES - COMMUNITY SERVICES) (QUALITY OF LIFE AND PLACE)] PLEASE. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE AMENDMENT OF THE CITY IMMIGRANTS 20 25 26 ACTION PLAN TO THE CONSOLIDATED PLAN FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING FUNDS FOR THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT'S, FISCAL YEARS 2025 THROUGH 2029 AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS. THANK YOU. WELCOME, ISAAC. GOOD MORNING, MAYOR ISAAC GARNET, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. IN AUGUST, WE PASSED A FIVE YEAR CONSOLIDATED PLAN AND THE FIRST YEAR ACTION PLAN. AND WITHIN THAT, UH, PRIOR YEARS PRIOR, THERE WAS A 15% CAP WAIVER ON PUBLIC SERVICE. THAT CAP IS IN EFFECT. SO WE HAD TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF PUBLIC SERVICE AWARDS TO GET INTO COMPLIANCE. TELL US WHAT THAT MEANS, PLEASE. UH, IT MEANS THAT OF THE TOTAL AMOUNT TO 1.2 MILLION, ONLY 15% COULD [01:30:01] BE ALLOCATED FOR PUBLIC SERVICE, WHICH ARE THE MEALS ON WHEELS, WHICH ARE THE HOME CLEANING PROGRAMS, THE SENIOR NUTRITION, ANYTHING THAT DEALS WITH PUBLIC SERVICE. SO WHAT WE DID WAS WENT BACK AND HAD A CONVERSATION WITH OUR SUB-RECIPIENTS, AND WE AGREED THAT PART OF THE FUNDS WILL GO TO PUBLIC SERVICE, WHICH WOULD BRING US UNDER THE CAP. AND THEN THEY NEEDED SOME IMPROVEMENTS IN THEIR FACILITIES. SO THE OTHER PORTION OF THE MONEY THAT WE APPROVED WOULD GO TOWARDS FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS. THAT WAY WE'RE IN COMPLIANCE AND, UH, THE SUBRECIPIENTS ESSENTIALLY ARE WHOLE AGAIN. AND SO WITH THAT, UM, I WILL MOVE FORWARD, IF YOU DON'T MIND. YEAH. UH, I DO ASK THAT WORKS FOR THIS, THIS PROCEEDING FORWARD WITH OUR PLAN AS IT'S BEEN IMPLEMENTED. BUT HOW WILL THAT GO IN THE FUTURE? WE'LL HAVE TO REEVALUATE THAT. UM, WHAT WE'VE TALKED WITH SENIOR MANAGEMENT, UH, IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, WE'RE GONNA FOCUS UP TO 70% ON PUBLIC FACILITIES AND THINGS THAT THE CITY NEEDS TO GET DONE. SO THAT WILL RESTRICT OUR ABILITY TO FUND OTHER PROGRAMS IN THE FUTURE. BUT WE NEED TO GET THESE THINGS DONE. AND I, I THINK THAT THAT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT THING FOR US TO HIGHLIGHT. WE'VE HAD A LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP WITH MANY OF THESE NONPROFITS AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO PARTNER WITH THEM. BUT WITH THE RESTRICTION THAT'S BEEN PLACED ON US, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE IN COMPLIANCE AND WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE USING FUNDS THAT ARE REALLY INTENDED FOR SOME OF THE CITY RESPONSIBILITIES THAT WE'RE ADDRESSING THOSE CITY RESPONSIBILITIES WITH THOSE DOLLARS. AND SO I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE IMPORTANT FOR US TO PARTNER, UM, AS WE GO FORWARD AND MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S A PROCESS FOR THEM. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROACTIVE WORK THAT YOU'RE PUTTING IN ON THIS. YES, MA'AM. WITH LIMITED FUNDS, YOU HAVE TO MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS. THAT'S RIGHT. AND WITH THAT, UH, HERE'S WHERE WE ARE, AGAIN, THE STRATEGIC PLANS, TWO, THREE, AND FOUR. UH, THE FIRST YEAR ACTION PLAN, I'M NOT GONNA READ THAT FOR THE SAKE OF TIME. IT OUTLINES THE SPECIFIC PRIORITIES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE WHERE WE ARE IN THE PROCESS. OKAY. WE'RE HOLDING THE PUBLIC HEARING AND A RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE ACTION PLAN. AND ON, UH, DECEMBER 27TH, WE POSTED THIS ISSUE IN THE NEWSPAPER FOR 15 DAYS. NO COMMENTS WERE RENDERED. UH, THE FEDERAL AWARD AGREEMENT, WHICH WE WERE WAITING ON, WHICH FINALLY CAME IN ON JANUARY THE EIGHTH. UH, SO WE GOT OUR AWARD, WE'RE READY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH, UH, AND I'LL BRING THAT FORWARD IN THE NEAR FUTURE WITH THE ACTUAL CONTRACTS. UM, BEGINNING, UH, OUR SUB-AWARD, UH, WILL BE IN EFFECT ON OCTOBER ONE. SO WE WE'RE ALLOWED TO DO THAT GIVEN THAT THE, THE DELAY IN THE ACTUAL AGREEMENT. SO THEY, WE CAN, THEY CAN SUBMIT, WAIT, UH, SUBMIT INVOICES FROM THAT TIME PERIOD. AND THEN AGAIN, THE SUB 15% PUBLIC SERVICE CAP IS IN EFFECT. AGAIN, THESE ARE THE FEDERAL PROGRAM OUTLINES OF, UH, OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES. AND HERE WE ARE WITH THE PUBLIC SERVICE, UH, PORTION OF OUR GRANT AWARDS. CAS AMIGOS WILL REMAIN THE SAME AS BEFORE. UH, BOTH OF THOSE PROGRAMS THERE. SENIOR LIFE, WE MADE ADJUSTMENTS TO SENIOR LIFE, UM, WITH AN AGREEMENT WITH THEM. 20,000 GO TOWARDS THE ACTUAL WEEKEND MEAL PROGRAM. AND AS YOU'LL SEE DOWN THE LINE, 40,000 GO TOWARDS, UH, STORAGE IMPROVEMENTS AND, UH, REFRIGERATION CAPACITY. OKAY. THE CHURCH ON WHEELS REMAINED THE SAME. THE SALVATION ARMY WAS ANOTHER ONE WE HAD TO ADJUST. 33,000 WILL ACTUALLY GO TOWARDS THE MEAL PROGRAM, AND 30,000 WILL GO TOWARDS, UH, THE FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS, THE HOUSING AREA, PARKS AND RECS REMAIN THE SAME. AND SOLAR LIGHTS FOR HOGAN PARK AND SO FORTH. THERE'S ONE MINOR CHANGE IN THE PARKS AND REC, UH, BECAUSE HILDAGO POTENTIALLY HAVE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. WE MOVED THAT RESTROOM REPLACEMENT TO SPARKS PARK SPARKS. WE DIDN'T BELIEVE WE COULD GET A ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE ON THAT WITHOUT HAVING TO GO THROUGH A MAJOR UNDERTAKING. AND OF COURSE, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY REMAINED THE SAME. THE SALVATION ARMY. NOW IN THE FACILITIES, AGAIN, THOSE ARE THE FUNDS THAT WE MOVED FROM SALVATION ARMY TO FACILITIES. SAME THING WITH SENIOR LIFE. MIDLAND, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY REMAINED THE SAME ADJUSTMENTS WITH THE FOOD BANK. THEY WERE ORIGINALLY, UH, FOR THE FOOD. AND, UH, WE TALK WITH THEM, THEY DO NEED SOME SAFETY AND EQUIPMENT AND SECURITY UPGRADES. SO WE'RE GONNA USE THOSE FUNDS TO IMPROVE THE FACILITY ITSELF. AND AN ENGINEERING PROGRAM, UH, A HUNDRED, 196,000 REMAIN THE SAME. WE DID ADD, UH, GENERALIST DEMOLITION OF SUBSTANTIAL HOUSING BASED ON PRIOR CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COUNCIL, THAT THIS OFFERS AN ALTERNATE, UM, AN ADDITIONAL, UH, AVENUE OF LESSENING THE BURDEN ON CITIZENRY. [01:35:01] THESE ARE FEDERAL FUNDS AND WE HAVE 50,000 IN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES THAT'S ALLOCATED TOWARDS THIS. AND WE HAVE ANOTHER 50,000, SO THAT'S A HUNDRED THOUSAND. AND AS WE WERE HAVING DISCUSSION, WE WANT TO LESSEN THE BURDEN UPON OUR CITIZENRY. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT. AND OF COURSE, HOME BUYERS AND MINOR REPAIR REMAIN THE SAME. AND, UH, ONCE IT'S BEEN APPROVED, THEN WE'LL SUBMIT IT TO HUD FOR THEIR APPROVAL. THANK YOU. ISAAC. DO I HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM COUNSEL ABOUT THIS? I, I DO WANNA HIGHLIGHT THE FACT THAT BECAUSE WE ARE LOOKING AT THE CHANGES THAT ARE GOING FORWARD, AND THERE ARE SO MANY OF THESE NONPROFITS THAT HAVE COME TO RELY ON THESE FUNDS, WE NEED TO MAKE A CALL TO OUR LOCAL FOUNDATIONS, LOCAL PHILANTHROPY INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES, UM, TO CONSIDER THESE DIFFERENT NONPROFITS. THEY REALLY DO PROVIDE SERVICES THAT OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS. AND SO WE'RE GONNA NEED TO MAKE A PLAN FOR THAT AS A COMMUNITY AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE SUPPORTING THEM WELL AS WE GO FORWARD. SO I THINK THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO REALIZE. SO WITH THIS, UM, I WILL, IF ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL FIRST ALL RIGHT, THEN I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE WISHING TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE. I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND LOOK FOR ACTION FROM COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN BERKHOLDER. WE HAVE A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN STUBBS. UM, IF THERE IS NO FURTHER MORNING, OH, YOU SAID THAT YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO ARM WRESTLE. SORRY. COME FOR MY BAD. GO AHEAD. I DIDN'T, I DIDN'T SEE ALL. THANK YOU. WITH, SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU VERY [29. 2026-007 - RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ISSUANCE OF A PERMIT TO CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC. TO DRILL ONE OIL AND GAS WELL LOCATED IN SECTION 23, BLOCK 40, T-1-S, T&P RR CO. SURVEY, CITY OF MIDLAND, MIDLAND COUNTY, TEXAS (GENERALLY LOCATED 1,786 FEET NORTH OF BRIARWOOD AVENUE AND 910 FEET WEST OF GOLDEN GATE DRIVE) (DISTRICT: 4) (DEVELOPMENT SERVICES - OIL AND GAS) (SET THE STANDARD FOR A SAFE AND SECURE CITY)] MUCH. WE WILL MOVE FORWARD TO ITEM 29, PLEASE. I'M SORRY, AM I GETTING AHEAD OF MYSELF? NO, YOU'RE CORRECT. OKAY. ONE SECOND. ALL RIGHT. ITEM 29 IS A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ISSUANCE OF A PERMIT TO CONTINENTAL RESOURCES INCORPORATED TO DRILL ONE WELL ONE. OIL AND GAS WELL LOCATED IN SECTION 23, BLOCK 40, TOWNSHIP ONE SOUTH T AND P RAILROAD COMPANY SURVEY, CITY OF THE MIDLAND OF MIDLAND, UH, MIDLAND COUNTY, TEXAS, GENERALLY LOCATED AT 1,786 FEET NORTH OF BRIARWOOD AVENUE AND 910 FEET WEST OF GOLDEN GATE DRIVE. WELCOME, GARY. THANK YOU. AND THANKS, COUNSEL. AND I'M GARY CLAYTON, OIL AND GAS OFFICER, AND I'M HERE FOR IF YOU NEED A REVIEW FOR, WE ALSO HAVE REPRESENTATIVES HERE. OKAY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, WE APPRECIATE THAT. ANY QUESTIONS FROM COUNSEL? UH, YES. ACT. SO WITH THIS, UM, I WAS JUST WANTING SOME CLARIFICATION FROM, UH, THE CONTINENTAL, UH, GROUP. UH, I TALKED TO JAD, THEIR ATTORNEY OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST COUPLE DAYS. AND ANYWAY, JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE AND CLARIFY THAT THE, UH, SERVICE OWNER AND THE MINERAL OWNER, I KNOW THEY WERE HAVING SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE, UH, CONSENT PIECE SINCE THIS IS, UM, YOU KNOW, WE'RE TRYING TO, UH, TAKE CARE OF THIS FOR A LEASE. SO JUST WANTED TO HAVE, UH, SOMEBODY FROM CONTINENTAL DO THAT. WE'LL DO THAT DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IN JUST A SECOND. OH, SORRY. NO, IT'S GOOD. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR STAFF OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT? NO, NO, NO. WE'RE GOOD. OKAY. THEN WE WILL CLOSE OR WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. AND, AND DO, IS THERE SOMEONE, REPRESENTATIVE OF THE OPERATOR THAT'S HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF? ARE YOU JART MORRISON? YES. OKAY. I DO HAVE YOUR REQUEST TO SPEAK CARD HERE. SO PLEASE COME FORWARD AND OFFER US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE. JART MORRISON, UH, 20 NORTH BROADWAY AVENUE, OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA 7 3 1 0 2. UM, IN REGARDS TO THAT QUESTION, UM, WE HAVE PROVIDED PARK HILL, WHICH IS OWNED BY XTO, WITH ALL PROPER NOTIFICATIONS AND HAVE HAD NO OBJECTIONS OR OPPOSITION ON WHAT WE'RE ON, ON WHAT WE'RE, UH, TRYING TO DO. SO, NO THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL I NEEDED. YEP. OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM? RIGHT. SEEING NONE. WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND WE WILL MOVE FORWARD AND LOOK FOR ACTION FROM COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCIL MEMBER HOLDER AND A SECOND FROM COUNCILWOMAN BURS. IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES FIVE TO ONE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE WILL MOVE FORWARD [30. 2026-008 - RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A ROAD REPAIR AGREEMENT WITH CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC. REGARDING ITS APPLICATION TO DRILL AN OIL AND GAS WELL LOCATED IN SECTION 23, BLOCK 40, T-1-S, T&P RR CO. SURVEY, CITY OF MIDLAND, MIDLAND COUNTY, TEXAS (DISTRICT: 4) (DEVELOPMENT SERVICES - OIL AND GAS) (SET THE STANDARD FOR A SAFE AND SECURE CITY)] TO ITEM NUMBER 30, PLEASE. OH, HANG ON. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A ROAD REPAIR AGREEMENT WITH CONTINENTAL RESOURCES INCORPORATED REGARDING ITS APPLICATION TO DRILL AN OIL AND GAS WELL LOCATED IN SECTION 23, BLOCK 40 T TOWNSHIP ONE SOUTH TP RAILROAD COMPANY SURVEY CITY OF MIDLAND, MIDLAND COUNTY, TEXAS. OKAY. AND THIS ONE IS, IS A CUSTOMARY ROAD REPAIR AGREEMENT. IS THERE ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR FROM THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT OR TRAFFIC THAT WE NEED TO KNOW ON THIS ONE? NO, THIS IS ALL REAL STANDARD. YEAH, WE, I'LL MAKE ONE STATEMENT. WE DID WORK WITH THEM BECAUSE, UH, ACCESS INTO THE SITE WOULD'VE TO COME UP WITH BRIARWOOD, BUT WITH THE NEW CONSTRUCTION TAKING PLACE THERE, THEY HAVE REROUTED TO COUNTY ROAD 1250 TO GET ACCESS TO THE SITE, WHICH THE ROAD IS IN THE COUNTY. OKAY. SO THEY'VE WORKED WITH US ON THE THINGS [01:40:01] THAT WE HAD CONCERNS ABOUT. YES, MA'AM. OKAY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL? ALL RIGHT. SEEING NONE, WE DO NOT HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM. SO I WILL LOOK FOR ACTION FROM COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILWOMAN BURKES AND A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN LADD. IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE ON ITEM NUMBER 30. YOU SAID BURS AND LAD? YES. MOTION FROM BURS AND SECOND FROM LAD. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU. ITEM 31, PLEASE. [31. 10708 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE XI, “PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT”, CHAPTER 13, “MUNICIPAL DRAINAGE UTILITY” OF THE CITY CODE OF MIDLAND, TEXAS, SO AS (1) TO REVISE THE EXEMPTIONS TO THE DRAINAGE CHARGE AND (2) TO REVISE THE DRAINAGE CHARGE; PROVIDING FOR CRIMINAL ENFORCEMENT AND A MAXIMUM PENALTY OR FINE OF FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500.00); CONTAINING A CUMULATIVE CLAUSE; CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF FEBRUARY 1, 2026; AND ORDERING PUBLICATION (DISTRICT: ALL) (ENGINEERING SERVICES) (STRENGTHEN AND SUSTAIN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE)] AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 11, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER 13, MUNICIPAL DRAINAGE UTILITY OF THE CITY, CODE OF MIDLAND, TEXAS. SO AS ONE TO REVISE THE EXCEPTIONS TO THE DRAINAGE CHARGE, AND TWO, REVISE THE DRAINAGE CHARGE PROVIDING FOR CRIMINAL ENFORCEMENT AND A MAXIMUM PENALTY OR FINE OF $500 CONTAINING A CUMULATIVE CLAUSE CONTAINING A SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF FEBRUARY 1ST, 2026 AND ORDERING PUBLICATION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALL RIGHT. DO WE HAVE ANY PRESENTATION FROM STAFF ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM? WE DID A PRESENTATION AT THE LAST MEETING, MAYOR, UH, I'LL GO OVER SOME OF THE GENERAL, UM, PARAMETERS OR THE FACTS REGARDING THIS MATTER. UH, IN AUGUST OF 2025, THE COUNCIL APPROVED, UM, THE, UH, AGREEMENT WITH MISD TO DO IMPROVEMENTS, UH, FOR THE TWO NEW SCHOOLS THAT THEY'RE CONSTRUCTING. UM, AND DURING THAT TIME, WE MADE CLEAR THAT THERE WAS A $200 MILLION. THERE IS A $200 MILLION NEED IN DRAINAGE, UM, PROJECTS. AND THE FACT THAT THIS HAS, UM, BEEN ELEVATED BECAUSE OF THE, UM, IMPROVEMENTS, INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED AROUND THESE TWO PARTICULAR SCHOOLS. I SAY THAT BECAUSE THOSE $200 MILLION OF NEEDS, UH, WERE THERE LAST YEAR AND THE YEAR AFTER THAT, UH, BEFORE THAT RATHER. SO THE FACT THAT WE HAD TO ELEVATE THIS IS IMPORTANT. AND AS PART OF THIS DISCUSSION, AS I SAID LAST TIME, I DON'T SAY THAT IN A NEGATIVE WAY. UM, OR, OR POSITIVE. IT'S JUST, THOSE ARE JUST THE FACTS. UM, I, I DO THINK THAT THERE'S BEEN SOME WORK DONE BECAUSE THE OVERALL COST OF THE PROJECT IS A LITTLE OVER $28 MILLION FOR ALL THESE INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS. THE AMOUNT THAT WAS NEGOTIATED WITH, UM, MISD, UH, I DON'T WANNA THANK JOSE FOR THE WORK THAT HE DID THERE. UM, THEY'RE ONLY REQUIRED BY CODE TO DO 4 MILLION. WE GOT 'EM TO DO A LITTLE OVER 9 MILLION. AND SO THAT, THAT'S SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE THEY'RE ONLY REQUIRED TO DO $4 MILLION WORTH OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS. SO THAT 18 AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS, WE THEN WENT IN AND USED A MILLION AND A HALF FROM WATER. UH, IN ORDER TO REDUCE THAT NUMBER DOWN, WE ALSO USED $3 MILLION, UH, IN PERMIT FEES THAT WE CHARGED, THAT WE ASSESSED MISD THAT THEN DROVE THAT COST DOWN TO A LITTLE OVER $13 MILLION. SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THAT 3 MILLION GOES INTO THE GENERAL FUND, OF WHICH THAT 3 MILLION COULD HAVE BEEN USED FOR OTHER PROJECTS LIKE STREETLIGHTS AS AN EXAMPLE. YOU COULD DO FOUR SETS OF THOSE THROUGHOUT THE CITY AS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT YOU COULD HAVE DONE WITH THAT MONEY. AND THERE'S BEEN A LOT SAID ABOUT THAT BY COUNCIL MEMBERS. AND I'M JUST KIND OF CUTTING TO THE CHASE AND SAYING WHERE, HOW THAT MONEY COULD HAVE BEEN USED. SO NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 13 MILLION AND YOU HAVE DIFFERENT OPTIONS. AND WE TALKED ABOUT THOSE BEFORE. UH, YOU DO A PAY AS YOU GO BECAUSE THERE'S NOT A, AN APPETITE TO DO CERTIFICATES AND OBLIGATION. IF YOU DID THAT FOR THE FULL AMOUNT, YOU'D BE LOOKING AT $9 MILLION IN INTEREST OVER THE LIFE OF THAT, OF THAT DEBT OBLIGATION. IF YOU, UH, DO THAT DEBT OBLIGATION TO THE 13 AND A HALF MILLION THAT'S NOW REQUIRED, UH, YOU'D BE LOOKING AT A LITTLE OVER $6 MILLION IN INTEREST. SO AGAIN, YOU'D BE PAYING OUT INTEREST. WE ALSO TALKED TO COUNSEL ABOUT DOING AN INTERNAL LOAN. AGAIN, THAT'D BE DONE OVER A 10 TO 12 YEAR PERIOD, UH, THAT WE WOULD DO INTERNALLY. AND YOU WOULD STILL HAVE A FEE ASSESSMENT FOR THE DRAINAGE, UH, UH, FEE, UH, ENTERPRISE FUND IN ORDER TO PAY FOR THAT. UM, WE LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS. COUNCIL HAS MADE THAT A PRIORITY. UM, THAT'S WHY IN THE COUNCIL, UH, BUDGET BUDGETING PROCESS, WE HAVE REDUCED THE, THE, THE BUDGET, UM, TAX RATE EVERY SINGLE YEAR. NOW, THERE IS AN INCREASE TO VALUES IN HOMES. SO PEOPLE DON'T NECESSARILY SEE THAT. UH, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION TOO ABOUT THE TAX RATE IN GENERAL. UH, WE MAKE UP 23% OF YOUR TAX BILL. YOU PAY A DOLLAR TAX, YOU PAY US 23 CENTS, THE REST GOES TO THE OTHER TAXING ENTITIES. THERE'S BEEN DISCUSSIONS AND, AND COMMENTS MADE ABOUT, UH, DIFFERENT, UH, PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN DONE THROUGHOUT THE CITY WHEN WE DO A PROJECT AND WE'RE THE ONLY ONES INCENTIVIZING THAT PROJECT THE NEXT DAY AFTER IT'S ON THE GROUND AND IT'S, AND IT'S STARTING TO MAKE MONEY, GIVES THAT 77% OF YOUR DOLLAR A LIFT. SO IT HELPS THOSE OTHER TAX ENTITIES. SO WE NOT ONLY HELP KEEP OUR TAXES DOWN, BUT WE'RE HELPING THOSE OTHER ENTITIES KEEP THEIR TAXES DOWN AS WELL. SO WHAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU TODAY IS SOMETHING FOR Y'ALL TO CONSIDER IN TERMS OF, OF THE RATES IN ORDER TO PAY FOR THIS OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS. THAT AGREEMENT THAT WAS APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL IN AUGUST OF 25 CALLS FOR US TO MAKE A PAYMENT [01:45:01] IN JANUARY OF 2027. WE PUSHED IT OUT, IF Y'ALL RECALL, UH, JANUARY OF 2028. AND IN JANUARY OF 2029, THOSE ARE WHEN THE THREE PAYMENTS ARE DUE. UH, THE 27, 20 27, 20 28 AND 2029, WE MAKE A PAYMENT ON WHAT HAS BEEN CONTRACTUALLY NEGOTIATED. YES, MA'AM. THAT IS CORRECT. AND THE AGREEMENT THAT WAS FORGED BY THE COUNCIL AND THE MISD BOARD, UM, WAS DONE IN A WAY THAT THEY WOULD DO THE PROJECT SO THAT THERE WOULD BE NO, UH, DELAYS OR IF THERE WERE DELAYS, THEY WOULD OWN THAT SO THAT THEY CAN WORK AS WELL AS THEY CAN TO MAY MEET THOSE, UH, REQUIREMENTS AND THOSE DATES THAT THEY WERE SHOOTING FOR IN ORDER TO OPEN UP THOSE SCHOOLS ON TIME. AS YOU ALL KNOW, THERE WAS A BOND ELECTION THAT WAS DONE PRIOR TO THAT. AND THERE'S BEEN A LOT SAID ABOUT WHAT CAN BE SPENT WITH THOSE DOLLARS AND WHY, WHY WASN'T THIS ABSORBED WITH THAT? THAT IS TRULY THE EXCEPTION. I MEAN, THEY, THEY, THEY'RE CALLED INDEPENDENT FOR A REASON. THEY DON'T REPORT TO YOU OR, OR THE COUNCIL. THEY DON'T REPORT TO US AS A STAFF. WE DID WORK WITH THEM. WE DO HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM. WE DON'T ALWAYS GET EVERYTHING WE, WE NEGOTIATE OR, OR WHAT WE, WE ASK FOR, NEITHER DO THEY WHEN WE NEGOTIATE WITH THEM. UH, THERE ARE A FEW SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND I DID POINT THOSE OUT TO Y'ALL AND I POINTED THAT OUT TO THEM WHENEVER I MET WITH THEM THAT HAVE COME IN AND DONE MORE OF THE PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE. OKAY. BUT THAT'S, THAT IS THE EXCEPTION AND THEY'RE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN. SO I DON'T WANT TO GIVE YOU OR THE COUNCIL OR ANY OF THE PUBLIC THE ILLUSION, UM, THAT THAT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. 'CAUSE IT DOES NOT. SO AGAIN, THEY DID BRING IN MORE DOLLARS TO THE TABLE THAN THEY WERE, WERE REQUIRED TO DO BY CODE AND BY CODE I MEAN OUR CODE OF ORDINANCES THAT THE COUNCIL HAS IN, IN THE BOOKS. SO I THINK THAT KIND OF SURMISES KIND OF WHERE WE ARE IN THE ISSUES WITH RESPECT TO THIS ITEM. UM, AND I'LL TURN IT OVER TO JOSE AND SEE IF HE HAS ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS. YEAH, TOMMY DID A FANTASTIC JOB EXPLAINING THE SCENARIO. UH, THE OTHER THING I, I WOULD WANNA NOTE THAT THE, THE AGREEMENT IS SET UP THAT A HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE DOLLARS THAT ARE PUT INTO THIS BY MID AND THE CITY OF MIDLAND GOES INTO PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY. SO NONE OF THIS IS TO FUND ANYTHING THAT'S ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. AND ODDLY ENOUGH, WE CONSIDER MISD PROPERTIES PRIVATE PROPERTIES. SO A HUNDRED PERCENT GOES INTO THE RIGHT OF WAY. SO THAT'S ALSO GONNA BE BENEFICIAL BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW, AND WE MADE THIS STATEMENT LAST TIME, IS THAT THERE ARE REGIONAL NEEDS. THESE TWO HIGH SCHOOLS HAPPEN TO BE ADJACENT TO HIGH GROWTH AREAS. AND SO SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WE'RE DEALING WITH IS THAT WE ALREADY HAVE EXISTING TRAFFIC ISSUES IN THESE PARTS OF THE CITY. NORTHEAST MIDLAND IS, IS THE FASTEST GROWING PORTION OF THE CITY. YOU SEE THE TRAFFIC CONGESTION ON ANDREWS HIGHWAY AND THAT TRAFFIC'S COMING FROM ODESSA AND ALSO THE NEW GROWTH YOU'RE SEEING IN WEST MIDLAND. SO THESE PROJECTS WILL ACTUALLY HELP ADDRESS SOME OF THOSE REGIONAL ISSUES. AND TO TOMMY'S POINT, IN MANY SITUATIONS WE WORK WITH DEVELOPERS AND DEVELOPERS WILL ENTER AN AGREEMENT WITH US AND THEY'LL GO AHEAD AND PROVIDE US FUNDING AND WE'LL DO THE WORK. BUT IN AN EFFORT TO WORK ON THEIR SCHEDULE, WE DECIDED, OKAY, WE'LL FLIP THIS AND THERE, THERE, THERE ARE PUBLIC AGENCY, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND PROVIDE FUNDING TO YOU AND YOU GO AHEAD AND PROVIDE THE IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN OUR RIGHT OF WAY SO THAT WAY WE CAN GET THIS DONE ON THEIR SCHEDULE AND NOT ON OURS. SO, AND I JUST WANTED TO ADD THOSE NOTES AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, WE CAN ASK THOSE QUESTIONS. NOW THE OTHER THING I DID WANT TO ADD, UH, FOR, FOR COUNSEL'S, UH, CONSIDERATIONS, SINCE WE'RE TALKING FACTS HERE, UH, THESE WERE AND ARE ON THE CITY'S PLANS, THIS JUST GOT MOVED UP BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE A ROAD PLAN TO MAKE THESE IMPROVEMENTS. UH, THE BOND THAT WAS, THAT WAS PASSED BY THE CITIZENS IN 2017, THOSE FOR THOSE WERE FOR EXISTING MAINTENANCE TYPE OF PROJECTS FOR THE ROAD SYSTEM. UH, THIS IS NEW, THESE ARE NEW ROADS. SO OBVIOUSLY THOSE ARE TWO SETS OF FUNDS USED FOR TWO DIFFERENT DISTINCT PURPOSES. SO I BELIEVE THAT'S ALL WE HAVE UNLESS YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE, JOSE. SO HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT COUNSEL MIGHT HAVE ON THIS SUBJECT. I MEAN, WE'RE GONNA GET INTO THE PUBLIC DISCUSSION FIRST BEFORE WE GO IN OR IT'S UP TO YOU. I THINK IT'S, IT IS PROBABLY, I MEAN, WE'VE, WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY UNLESS Y'ALL HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. I MEAN, I THINK AT THIS POINT WE DEFER THAT TO THE MAYOR AND TO THE COUNCIL AS TO YOU WANT TO DO THE PUBLIC HEARING OR, OR DO THE YES, WE DO HAVE QUITE A FEW DIFFERENT FOLKS, UH, REQUESTING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM. I DID WANT TO OFFER AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCIL TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS, CLARIFYING THINGS OR MAKING COMMENTS BEFOREHAND. SO, UM, AND, AND MORE OF A, UM, SOME CONVERSATIONS THAT WE'VE HAD AS WELL. AND, UH, YOU KNOW, I THINK I'VE, I'VE BEEN QUOTED QUITE OFTEN AND BEEN SAYING THAT THIS GIVES ME A LOT OF HEARTBURN, WHICH IS REALLY A LITERAL STATEMENT BECAUSE, UH, I'VE EATEN QUITE A FEW TUMS OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST LAST MONTH WAITING FOR THIS. BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE LOOKED AT, UH, SOME OTHER THINGS, AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAD TALKED ABOUT WAS, UM, EVEN DOING AN AUDIT OF DRAINAGE [01:50:01] FEES THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY, UM, PULLING AS, BECAUSE AS YOU, AS YOU STATED, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S ALREADY ON A BILL. THIS IS A DRAINAGE FEE THAT'S SPECIFICALLY MADE FOR, CANNOT BE USED FOR ANYTHING ELSE, BUT IT GOES DIRECTLY INTO DRAINAGE INTO ROADS. SO, UH, WE'VE HAD SOME CONVERSATION ON THAT AND SO CAN YOU KIND OF EXPOUND ON BEING ABLE TO DO SOME AUDITS ON THAT? YEAH, Y YES SIR. SO YI THINK, I'M GLAD YOU SAID THAT, THAT IT CANNOT BE USED FOR ANYTHING ELSE. UM, THE STREET SYSTEM IS A PART OF OUR DRAINAGE, THE WAY WE'RE SET UP HERE IN MIDLAND. THAT'S NOT ALWAYS THE CASE IN EVERY CITY. IT IS THE CASE HERE IN OUR CITY BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE SYSTEM IS SET UP AND THE WAY THAT THE DRAINAGE IS, IS, IS DESIGNED. THE STREETS ARE PART OF THAT SYSTEM. SO THAT'S WHY, THAT'S WHY WE WE'RE RECOMMENDING THE, THE THIS, UH, ACTION. OTHERWISE YOU COULD HAVE DONE A DIFFERENT ACTION AND SET UP A DIFFERENT FEE, UH, IN ORDER TO AGAIN, PAY FOR THIS IN A DIFFERENT FORMAT. UH, WITH RESPECT TO WHAT YOU'VE ASKED IN TERMS OF LOOKING AT THIS, UH, ENTERPRISE FUND, WE'VE DONE THAT FOR WATER AS Y'ALL KNOW, AND WE WERE ABLE TO IDENTIFY SOME ACCOUNTS THAT WEREN'T BEING, UM, CHARGED APPROPRIATELY. AND SO WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS DO THE SAME THING FOR DRAINAGE AND SEE IF THERE'S ANY OTHER TYPES OF THINGS THAT WAY THAT WE CAN REVIEW AND, AND GET SOME, UM, ROI OUT OF IT AND COME BACK AND PRESENT THAT TO THE COUNCIL. AND WE THINK IF WE'RE ABLE TO DO THAT, UH, WE ABSOLUTELY THINK THAT THERE COULD BE AN ADJUSTMENT THAT WE COULD RECOMMEND AS WE COME BACK. SO THAT IS SOMETHING WE ARE COMMITTED TO DO. THAT'S SOMETHING YOU BROUGHT UP, UM, EITHER AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING OR IN IN, IN JUST, UM, PRIVATE MEETINGS WITH US OR DIFFERENT MEETINGS THAT YOU'VE HAD WITH THE, THE STAFF, BUT YES, WE ARE ABSOLUTELY CAN DO THAT. YEP. AND WE'VE ALSO HAD SOME CONVERSATIONS ABOUT, UH, MDC POTENTIALLY BEING ABLE TO HELP OUT WITH SOME OF THIS PROJECT. CAN, CAN YOU EXPOUND ON THAT A LITTLE BIT AS WELL? YES, SIR. YES SIR. SO THEY RECEIVED ROUGHLY, UM, A LITTLE OVER $16 MILLION A YEAR AND OF THAT COUNCIL PASSED A, UH, AN ITEM THAT CALLS FOR THEM TO ALLOCATE 35% OF THAT ALLOCATION FOR, UH, PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS FOR STREET IMPROVEMENTS. AND SO THIS WOULD QUALIFY FOR THAT, AT LEAST ONE OF THE SCHOOLS WOULD. SO WE WOULD LOOK AT UTILIZING THAT AND HAVING, UH, A REVIEW OF THAT AND BRINGING BACK A COCKTAIL OF FUNDING TO SEE IF THERE COULD BE AN ADJUSTMENT TO THE RATE. YEAH, AND, AND REALLY KIND OF THE FINAL PIECE OF THIS, I KNOW THAT UH, WE'VE HAD SOME CONVERSATION ALSO ABOUT LOOKING AT, UM, PROJECTS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED, COS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED. AND AS LONG AS THAT, IF THERE'S ANY FUNDS THAT ARE LEFT OVER THAT ARE NOT NECESSARILY E MARKED FOR, UH, LEGITIMATE PROJECTS THAT NEED TO BE COMPLETED, THAT IF THERE'S VANITY PROJECTS OR SOMETHING THAT CAN BE PUSHED BACK FOR US TO BE ABLE TO REALLOCATE THOSE FUNDS. I KNOW WE'VE HAD SOME CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT AS WELL. YES, SIR. AND I GUARANTEE YOU THE 2017 STREET BUTTON, UM, BOND, THERE'S NO VANITY PROJECTS THERE. UM, NUMBER ONE, BUT GOING BACK TO WHAT I SAID EARLIER, IT'S A LITTLE OVER $28 MILLION IS WHAT THIS, UM, ENCOMPASSES. THE ALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS, AS I SAID BEFORE, WE GOT A LITTLE OVER 9 MILLION FROM THEM. THEY WERE ONLY REQUIRED TO DO FOUR. WE THEN ALSO REDUCED IT SOME MORE BY USING 1.5 MILLION FROM THE WATER FUND THAT DID NOT INCREASE THE FEE. RIGHT. WE DID IT FROM THAT AND THEN WE DID 3 MILLION THAT WOULD'VE GONE OR SHOULD HAVE GONE TO THE GENERAL FUND THAT WE'RE ABSORBING. AGAIN, I WANT TO REPEAT THAT. WE'RE ABSORBING THAT $3 MILLION. UH, AND SO WE'RE ABSORBING THAT ALREADY. THAT TAKES IT DOWN TO A LITTLE OVER 13 MILLION. SO NOW WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS, CAN Y'ALL DO AN AUDIT? AND WE WILL. AND CAN YOU LOOK AT THAT? CAN YOU LOOK AT MDC FUNDING? CAN YOU LOOK AT ALSO IF THERE'S ANY BOND MONEY THAT CAN BE ALLOCATED FOR THIS, AND THEN COME BACK WITH A COCKTAIL OF FUNDING IN ORDER TO LOOK AT CAN WE ADJUST THE RATE AND MAKE THAT GO LOWER? AND WE ARE COMMITTED TO DOING THAT. AND WE WILL DO THAT. AND I WILL SAY, EVERY TIME WE HAVE SAID THAT Y'ALL HAVE ASKED US TO DO SOMETHING, WE DO COME BACK AND, AND REPORT BACK OUT ON IT. AND THERE HAS BEEN A RESULT EVERY TIME WE'VE DONE THAT. SO WE WILL DO THAT THIS TIME AS WELL. I WAS LOOKING THROUGH MY PHONE AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND THIS. I HAD ASKED YOU GUYS TO PROVIDE ME WITH THE TOTAL AUDITED NUMBERS OF OUR COLLECTION FOR PROPERTY TAX AND SALES TAX FOR LAST YEAR. YOU GAVE IT TO ME, BUT I CAN'T PULL IT UP IN MY PHONE. IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU OR TAYLOR CAN PULL UP QUICKLY? THE REASON THAT I'M ASKING THIS QUESTION, I WANT, I WANT FOR OUR COUNCIL AND FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT ARE OUR REVENUE STREAMS THAT ARE COMING FROM SALES TAX AND PROPERTY TAX RELATIVE TO ALMOST HALF A BILLION DOLLARS OF, OF A TOTAL BUDGET OBLIGATION. SO, SO I'LL LET, I'LL LET CHRISTIE HAS IT CHRISTIE COME UP, BUT I, GO AHEAD CHRISTIE. THE, UH, FINAL SALES TAX FOR 2025 WAS 69.1 MILLION, AND FINAL PROPERTY TAX WAS 62.5. SO 69.1 AND 62.5. 69.1 IS PROPERTY, 69.1 IS SALES TAX. OKAY. I KNEW ROUGHLY WHAT THEY WERE, BUT I DIDN'T HAVE THE AUDITED NUMBERS IN FRONT OF ME. WHAT WAS THAT FOR? PROPERTY TAX? UH, PROPERTY TAX IS 62.5 AND WE ARE UNDER AUDIT NOW. BUT I FEEL VERY CONFIDENT THAT THESE NUMBERS WILL BE WHAT IS FINAL. COULD YOU, COULD YOU REPEAT THOSE NUMBERS AGAIN? 6 69 0.1 IS SALES TAX COLLECTIONS FOR 2025, I'M SORRY, FISCAL BUDGET 2025. [01:55:01] AND THEN FOR THE 20 FOR THE PROPERTY TAX AT 62.5 CORRECT COLLECTIONS. SO WHEN WE LOOK AT THE TOTAL BUDGET, THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET, UM, JUST THE OBLIGATION THAT WE HAVE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY ALONE FOR OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT, IT'S JUST UNDER A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY TO PAY FOR THOSE SALARIES TO PAY FOR, UM, JUST THE THINGS THAT ARE, THAT ARE REQUIRED TO KEEP OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT GOING FORWARD. AND WE ARE A COMMUNITY THAT CARES ABOUT BACK IN THE BLUE AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY'RE WELL COMPENSATED, WE'RE NOT GONNA PULL BACK IN THAT AREA. AND SO WHEN WE LOOK AT 69.1 AND 62.5 ARE THE TAXES THAT COME IN TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY. WE'RE BARELY GETTING ABOVE THE, JUST THE PUBLIC SAFETY COST WHEN WE STARTED ADDING IN ROAD REPAIRS AND ALL OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DO FOR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE, FOR DRAINAGE INFRASTRUCTURE, FOR OUR AIRPORT, FOR OUR GOLF COURSE, FOR ALL OF THE THINGS THAT ARE DEMANDED UPON US AS A CITY TO PROVIDE FOR THE CITIZENS OF MIDLAND, THAT GOES REALLY FAST. AND SO WE HAVE TO FIND OTHER MECHANISMS TO PAY FOR THEM. UM, JUST IN THE LAST YEAR OR SO, WE'VE FOUND WAYS TO, TO GET HOGAN PARK GOLF COURSE TO PAY FOR ITSELF TO GET OUR AIRPORT TO PAY FOR ITSELF. SO WE'RE NOT USING THOSE SALES TAX AND PROPERTY TAXES TO SUBSIDIZE THOSE THINGS. BUT WE DO HAVE OTHER NEEDS LIKE WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT HERE. AND SO WHEN WE START LOOKING AT THE DEMANDS UPON OUR DOLLARS, AND I DO MEAN OUR DOLLARS, THESE ARE COMMUNITY DOLLARS, THEY'RE PUBLIC DOLLARS, WE HAVE TO ALLOCATE THEM IN THE MOST PRUDENT WAY POSSIBLE. AND THERE ARE A LOT OF DEMANDS ON THOSE THINGS. AND SO THAT IS WHERE WE'RE COMING TO WITH, WITH HOW DO WE PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS ACCELERATED IN THE TIMELINE. AND, AND SO THAT'S KIND OF WHERE THIS, THIS PROPOSAL CAME UP. UH, MR. GONZALEZ HIGHLIGHTED FURTHER THE THOUGHT PROCESS IN ARRIVING HERE, BUT I JUST WANTED YOU TO HAVE THOSE NUMBERS IN YOUR MIND AS WE HAVE THE REST OF THIS CONVERSATION. MAYOR, IF I, IF I MAY ADD TO THAT, MAYOR, UH, YOU'RE, THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET IS 187 MILLION THIS YEAR. AND THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT MAKES UP WHEN PEOPLE ASK ABOUT THEIR PROPERTY TAX, AS YOU POINTED OUT, IS $62.5 MILLION. OUR TOTAL, UH, GENERAL FUND BUDGET IS 187. SO THE TWO NUMBERS THAT YOU ADDED UP IS 131.6 MILLION, WHICH YOU'RE, YOU'RE ROUGHLY, UM, 56 MILLION, 50 55 MILLION AND CHANGE SHORT. SO I MENTIONED EARLIER THAT WE ABSORBED THAT 3 MILLION, THAT 3 MILLION FOR PERMIT FEES WOULD'VE GONE TO BALANCE BUDGET. SO SOMETHING HAD TO BE CUT IN ORDER TO THEN USE THOSE 3 MILLION FOR, FOR THIS PURPOSE. SO WE'VE ALREADY ABSORBED THAT. WE'VE ALREADY REDUCED THAT 18 POINT A HALF DOWN WITH THAT 3 MILLION, WHICH WOULD'VE GONE IN THE GENERAL FUND, WHICH WOULD'VE MADE UP PART OF THAT $187 MILLION MM-HMM . SO WE HAD TO ALREADY ABSORB THAT. SO I WANNA MAKE THAT CLEAR. SO WE, WE DID THAT AND WE DID OFFER TWO DIFFERENT OTHER OPTIONS TO THE COUNCIL IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE RATES SOME MORE. BUT THAT WOULD'VE CAUSED A, A DEBT INSTRUMENT OF SOME FORM. AND, AND THE COUNCIL WAS SET ON NOT DOING THAT FROM A POLICY PERSPECTIVE, AND WE RESPECT THAT, BUT WE WANTED TO SHOW DIFFERENT OPTIONS. WE, WE NEVER WANT TO JUST SAY, THIS IS WHAT, THIS IS THE ONLY THING YOU CAN DO. WE WANT YOU TO HAVE DIFFERENT OPTIONS. WE WANT THE PUBLIC TO SEE THAT THERE'S DIFFERENT OPTIONS THAT WE VETTED THIS AND WE LOOKED AT THIS ON FROM EVERY ANGLE IN ORDER FOR YOU TO HAVE THE BEST RECOMMENDATION IN FRONT OF YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER HOLDER, YOU KNOW, AND, AND I KNOW I'VE, I'VE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE CALL ME AND TELL ME, THEY'RE LIKE, WELL, JUST, JUST, JUST SAY NO. TELL MISD TO FIGURE IT OUT. WELL, THAT'S EASIER SAID THAN DONE BECAUSE WE'RE IN A CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION. AND YOU KNOW WHAT, WHAT HAPPENS AT THAT POINT IN TIME? I MEAN, YOU ENTER IN A CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION AND THEN YOU PULL BACK ON THAT, THEN THERE'S CONSEQUENCES TO THAT. THERE'S LEGAL CONSEQUENCES. AND THE FACT THAT, THAT, UM, WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION THAT WE HAVE TO PAY. SO YOU'RE IN THAT ROCK AND A HARD PLACE OF FIGURING OUT, OKAY, WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO TO PAY FOR IT? ARE YOU GONNA ISSUE PUBLIC DEBT? AND ABSOLUTELY NOT. UM, I'M NOT GONNA SIGN OFF ON, I'VE, I SAID THAT AT THE LAST COUNCIL. I WILL NOT SIGN OFF ON A CO THAT ADDS ANOTHER $9.3 MILLION IN DEBT TO, TO DEBT THAT WE ALREADY HAVE. I MEAN, WE JUST DON'T DO THAT. AND, AND SO IT BECOMES A VERY DIFFICULT WAY OF LOOKING FORWARD, OKAY, WHAT, WHAT DO WE DO? WHAT, HOW DO YOU PAY FOR IT? WHAT'S THE BEST PATH FORWARD? AND I THINK THAT THAT'S THE DISCUSSION THAT WE'RE WE'RE HAVING TODAY. AND, AND I WOULD SAY TO FURTHER WHAT YOU'RE SAYING THERE, NOBODY REALLY WANTS TO BE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION IN TERMS OF HOW DO WE FIGURE OUT WHERE TO GET MONEY TO PAY FOR THESE THINGS, BUT IT IS IN FACT THE ISSUE THAT WHERE WE FIND OURSELVES. AND SO THAT'S THE CONVERSATION THAT NEEDS TO BE HAD. THAT'S THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE TO SOLVE HERE. SO ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD WITH PUBLIC COMMENT? ALRIGHT, THEN WE WILL GO FORWARD. I'LL LIKE TO INVITE MARCUS OAKLEY FIRST TO COME AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM 31. WELCOME, SIR. IF YOU WOULD GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. MY NAME IS MARCUS. MY NAME IS MARCUS OAKLEY. I LIVE AT 2 4 3 2 OPEN RANGE LANE. UH, HONESTLY, I DIDN'T WANT TO SPEAK ON THIS ONE, BUT I WILL. ANYWAY, UH, [02:00:01] THE POINT THAT I WANTED TO MAKE WAS, OH, I'M SORRY, IS THAT THERE'S PLENTY OF MONEY IN THIS AREA FROM THE DRILLING, FROM THE OIL COMPANIES, FROM EVERYTHING I SEE THAT I'M VERY CONFUSED. WHILE WE'RE PICKING INTO THE POCKETS OF THE GENERAL PEOPLE, THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME. AND I DO KNOW THAT THIS AREA HAS A LOT OF MONEY. MY WIFE, AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, IS A CPA IN THIS AREA. SO SHE UNDERSTANDS THE FINANCES THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO. SO I'M VERY CONFUSED ON THAT ASPECT OF IT. AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, I COME FROM A MASTER POINT COMMUNITY IN BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA, IF YOU KNOW WHERE THAT IS. IT IS A OIL FIELD AREA JUST AS WELL. AND I'M ALSO CONFUSED ON HOW THESE ROADS DON'T MAKE ANY SENSE HERE WHEN THERE'S PLENTY OF MONEY, AS I SAID BEFORE, DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS PLACE IS IN ANY KIND OF DEBT. DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME. I WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ON THOSE TYPE OF THINGS. AND AS I SAID, I WASN'T PREPARED FOR THIS. I CAME TO LISTEN ON THIS ISSUE, BUT I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT MY POINT IS PUTTING OUT THERE THAT THERE IS A LOT MORE THAT PEOPLE CAN BE DOING. AND IT SEEMS LIKE THEY ALWAYS WANT TO TURN TO THE CIVILIANS AND PICK OUR POCKETS INSTEAD OF GOING TO THE BUSINESSES THAT THERE ARE PLENTIFUL OF THEM HERE THAT THEY CAN GO SPEAK WITH, GO WORK WITH AND GET THIS FIGURED OUT. BUT INSTEAD, AGAIN, WE'RE TURNING TO THE CITIZENS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS, MAYOR. I, I KNOW WE GENERALLY DON'T RESPOND ON THE, BUT I, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THE OIL AND GAS RESERVES BECAUSE I WILL TELL YOU, AT ONE POINT IN TIME WE DID HAVE AN OIL AND GAS RESERVE. UH, BUT WE HAD A LITTLE THING CALLED THE FIREMAN'S PENSION THAT, UH, WAS SOMETHING THAT GOT KICKED DOWN THE CAN OR THE CAN GOT KICKED DOWN THE ROAD FOR A VERY LONG TIME. AND SO THERE WE CAME TO A SITUATION TO WHERE, UM, I MEAN, REALISTICALLY IT COULD HAVE ALMOST BANKRUPTED THE CITY IN THE LONG RUN IF IT CONTINUED IN THE WAY THAT IT WAS. SO WE ACTUALLY HAD TO ALLOCATE THOSE FUNDS TO THE FIREMAN'S PENSION IN ORDER TO PAY FOR THAT TO OVER $54 MILLION FROM THAT FUND. YEAH. TO KEEP IT FROM, TO KEEP IT FROM GETTING ANY, ANY, ANY WORSE. AND THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT THIS COUNCIL ASKED FOR. THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT, UH, UNFORTUNATELY THAT, UH, WAS, IF YOU WANNA CALL IT SINS OF THE FATHER THAT WE HAD TO DEAL WITH. AND, AND NOW WE'VE GOT IT INTO A GOOD PLACE. SO UNFORTUNATELY THAT THAT DEPLETED THOSE FUNDS. AND THAT WENT BACK ALL THE WAY TO 2003 AND OH FOUR. AND I REMEMBER THAT BECAUSE COUNCIL ASKED FOR US TO BRIEF THAT, AND WE DID BRIEF THAT. AND THAT ALSO SAVED, UH, $62 MILLION IN PENSION OBLIGATION BOND INTEREST THAT WOULD'VE HAD TO BE PAID HAD WE DONE A, A PENSION OBLIGATION BOND. SO THE COUNCIL DID NOT WANNA DO A BOND. SO BY THAT DEC MAKING THAT DECISION, YOU SAVED 62 AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL DOUG ALER TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. WELCOME, SIR. THANK YOU. IF YOU WOULD, GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. MY NAME IS DOUG ALER. I LIVE AT 64 0 8 GLADIOLA IN MIDLAND, TEXAS. AND I HAVE, WHAT I CLEARLY SEE IS A LACK OF PLANNING. I MEAN, SERIOUS, WHEN WE LISTENED TO WHEN MISC WAS CONSIDERING BUYING THE PROPERTY AT RANCHLAND, UH, EVERY ONE OF US SAID, NO, THERE'S PIPELINES UNDER THERE. THERE'S NO STREETS. THERE'S NO WAY THEY'RE GONNA BUILD A SCHOOL THERE. AND SO THEN THE ELECTION, THEY BOUGHT IT, OF COURSE, AND, UH, OBVIOUSLY MISD DIDN'T DO THEIR HOMEWORK. AND, UH, BECAUSE CLEARLY THEY HAD MILLIONS OF DOLLARS MORE THAT THEY KNEW WAS COMING DOWN THE LINE AND FOR INFRASTRUCTURE. BUT YET WE WERE TOLD, THIS IS NOT GONNA RAISE YOUR TAXES AT ALL. THAT'S OUR SUPERINTENDENT SAID THAT. AND SO WE, UH, UH, VOTED FOR IT, YOU KNOW, OVERWHELMINGLY. AND SO, UH, THEN WE FIND OUT THAT NO, THERE'S GONNA BE MILLIONS MORE ON TOP OF 1.4 BILLION. AND THAT IS JUST OUTRAGEOUS. THAT'S STUPIDITY IN MY OPINION. THAT, UH, I AS A TEACHER HAD TO LEARN HOW TO BUDGET. I WAS A TEACHER FOR YEARS AND I KNEW WHEN I WAS LOOKING AND, AND WE BUILT A HOUSE DURING THAT TIME. AND ANYBODY THAT BUILDS ANYTHING KNOWS THERE'S GONNA BE TIMES IN THAT BUILDING PROCESS. YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO SAY NO TO SOME THINGS BECAUSE THERE'S NO MONEY THERE. AND SO WE HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO SAY NO. THERE'S GOOD IDEALS THAT COME DOWN THE LINE ALL THE TIME. AND, UH, BUT YOU HAVE TO SAY NO TO THOSE THINGS IF YOU'RE GONNA HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET AND WHATEVER EXTRA MONEY WE COME UP WITH, AND I'M HEARING THERE'S NONE NEEDS TO GO TO OUR ALREADY DEBT. THAT'S WHAT YOU DO WHEN YOU'RE IN DEBT. YOU PAY IT OFF. UH, AND, AND SO COMING UP WITH A, UH, UH, EXTRA FEE, AN EXTRA ANYTHING IS A LACK OF PLANNING ON MISE AND THE CITY. YEP. EVERYBODY KNEW THAT WAS GONNA HAVE TO BE DONE, EVERYBODY, [02:05:01] AND TO COME AND TELL US, WE FORGOT. IT'S LIKE ME STANDING IN FRONT OF MY CLASS AND HAVING THE WHOLE CLASS SAY THEY FORGOT THEIR HOMEWORK, NOT GOING TO FLY . AND SO, UH, I'M EMBARRASSED, UH, FOR MY CITY AND MYSELF THAT I DIDN'T COME LOUDER AT THIS TO BEGIN WITH, BUT, SO I BLAME ME, YOU KNOW, AND, BUT I ALSO SEE THAT OUR CITY IS AT A VERY, VERY BAD PLACE AS FAR AS STANDING AND SAYING, WE'RE MAKING A MASTER PLAN AND WE'RE TRYING TO PLAN AHEAD. I DON'T SEE ANY EVIDENCE OF THAT. SO I APPRECIATE YOU LISTENING TO ME. I I LOVE EVERY ONE OF YOU AND I DON'T, I WANNA SEE Y'ALL BE VERY SUCCESSFUL, BUT I ALSO WANT TO SEE ME, A RETIRED SCHOOL TEACHER, NOT HAVE EXTRA TAXES BECAUSE OF SOMEBODY ELSE'S, UH, LACK OF PLANNING. AND WE HAD A SIGN IN OUR TEACHER'S LOUNGE OR IN THE COPY ROOM FOR THE COPIER THAT WOULD SAY YOUR LACK OF PLANNING IS, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WOULD COME IN WANTING TO USE THE MACHINE IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T PLAN TOO WELL AND DOES NOT NECESSITATE AN EMERGENCY ON MY PART. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL BARBARA ALER TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. UH, CAN I DONATE MY TIME? YOU MAY. THANK YOU, UH, TO, UH, JUDGE, PLEASE. YES. WE'LL, WE'RE GONNA STICK TO THE THREE MINUTE, BUT I APPRECIATE THAT. IF YOU'D LIKE TO MAKE YOUR COMMENTS, THAT'S YOU'RE WELCOME TO DO THAT AS WELL. UM, AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL, WAIT A MINUTE. DO WE HAVE PRECEDENT FOR THAT? YES, WE DO. YES. WHAT THE HECK, WE ABSOLUTELY DO. I DON'T RECALL ANY PRECEDENT TO BEING ABLE TO HOT SHOTS WAS HERE. WE'RE NOT GONNA SHOUT OUT. EXCUSE. WE'RE NOT GONNA SHOUT OUT. EXCUSE. I'M, I'M SPEAKING. THANK YOU. I CAN SPEAK TOO, BUDDY. ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNMENT CODE THAT WE CODED EARLIER, SECTION 42.05, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SHOUT OUT IN THE MEETING OR YOU'LL BE ASKED TO LEAVE. PLEASE STOP DOING THAT. I WILL CALL YOU BASED ON THE REQUEST TO SPEAK. GOOD. I HAVE, YOU DIDN'T TAKE NOTHING TO HIM. HOW COME IT'S RULES FOR OTHERS PEOPLE AND DID NOT, I'VE ASKED YOU NOT TO SHOUT OUT AND I'M GOING TO ASK POLICE OFFICERS TO REMOVE YOU. YOU GONNA, PLEASE DON'T PUSH THAT. I'M ASKING YOU TO RESPECT THE RULE THAT IS PENAL CODE SECTION 42. OTHER PEOPLE WERE YELLING TOO. EXCUSE ME. RESPECT US. EXCUSE ME. YOU DON'T SHOW US ANY, EXCUSE ME. IF THERE ARE ANY MORE DISCUSSIONS FROM THE GALLERY, IF YOU ARE NOT CALLED UP TO SPEAK DURING PUBLIC COMMENT, YOU WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE. THAT'S IT NOW, MAYOR. YES, SIR. REGARDING THE COUNCIL AND THE RULES THAT THE COUNCIL HAS ADOPTED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, THERE IS NO PROVISION IN THERE TO ALLOW A PERSON THAT SIGNED UP OR HAS REQUESTED TO COMMENT TO YIELD THEIR TIME TO ANOTHER PERSON. THE WAY THAT THAT WORKED WITH PATRICK CORDERO EARLIER WAS THAT THEY SAID THEY WANTED HIM TO SPEAK ON THEIR BEHALF. HE RECEIVED THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK ON BEHALF, AND WE RECORDED THEIR POSITION. THAT'S THE SAME WAY WE WILL DO THAT FOR THIS ISSUE. SO JUDGE CAN SPEAK. SO IF, IF HE CAN SPEAK AND WE WILL ATTRIBUTE HIS THREE MINUTES, HE WILL GET THREE MINUTES FOR HIMSELF AND FOR EVERYONE ELSE WHO ATTRIBUTES THEIR TIME. BUT IT'LL STILL BE A TOTAL OF THREE MINUTES AS IT WAS FOR MR. CORDERO WAY. SO, MRS. MRS. ALER, WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE YOUR OWN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THREE MINUTES? UH, YES. IF YOU WOULD, GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. MY NAME IS BARBARA ALER AND I LIVE AT 64 0 8 GLADIOLA AVENUE IN MIDLAND. AND, UM, I'M JUST WANNA SAY THAT I'M NOT REAL CLEAR ON WHY WE NEED THIS. WE'VE GOT A RAINY DAY FUND, OR, AND WE'VE GOT FUNDS THAT WE COULD TAKE THE MONEY OUT OF. IT SEEMS LIKE THERE'S A SET AMOUNT THAT Y'ALL NEED FOR THIS, THIS IMBALANCE IN THE BUDGET. WHY CAN'T WE USE THE MONEY THAT WE'VE ALREADY GOT, UM, ALLOCATED FOR THAT? THIS IS SORT OF A RAINY DAY, ISN'T IT? WHEN SOMETHING COMES UP THAT YOU DON'T, YOU'RE NOT PREPARED FOR. IT JUST SEEMS LIKE IT'S LIKE A DUH TO ME, THAT THAT'S WHAT IT'S FOR. AND, UM, THIS FEE THAT PEOPLE ARE GONNA BE, UH, GIVEN IS GONNA BE PUT ON OUR WATER BILLS. IT AFFECTS, PROBABLY DOESN'T AFFECT THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THE MULTIMILLION DOLLAR HOUSES THAT MUCH, BUT IT IS GONNA AFFECT, AND FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, EVEN PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN APARTMENTS, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE GONNA BE PAYING THIS. PEOPLE THAT ARE BARELY MAKING IT, THEY CAN BARELY GET THEIR RENT TOGETHER. THEY'RE GONNA BE PAYING THIS AND IT'S GONNA BE FOREVER. YOU KNOW, AND HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO KNOW HOW THIS MONEY'S GONNA BE USED? WHERE DOES IT GO TO? IS THERE, ARE Y'ALL GOING TO SHOW US EVERY YEAR HOW MUCH IS BEING COLLECTED AND WHERE EXACTLY IT'S GOING TO? [02:10:01] UM, IT'S GONNA BE A LOT OF MONEY. THAT'S GONNA BE A LOT OF MONEY, LORI. UH, AND IT'S JUST NOT RIGHT, UH, TO BE TACKING THIS ON. I, AND THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT TO SAY. OKAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I, ONE ITEM THAT A QUESTION THAT YOU ASKED, WE ARE GOING TO BE SHOWING IT EVERY YEAR. WE DO NOW SHOW WHERE ALL OF THOSE DOLLARS GO, THAT'S PUBLICLY AVAILABLE ANNUALLY, AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR REVIEW ON OUR WEBSITE. IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE FINDING THAT, THEN WE'RE HAPPY TO HELP WALK YOU THROUGH WHERE THAT'S LOCATED. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL STAN SMITH TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. START IN THREE MINUTES. YEAH. LET'S SEE HERE. IF YOU WOULD GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE, SIR. STANLEY SMITH, 49 0 3 GRANITE LANE. AND I ENJOYED SEEING YOUR, YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AT CHURCH SUNDAY. UH, DIDN'T APPRECIATE NOT GETTING A RETURN ON MY EMAIL FROM STUBBS BLOWING OR YOU OR ROBIN. ANYWAY, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, MY NAME IS STANLEY SMITH. I'M A RESIDENT IN A TAXPAYER OF MIDLAND. I WANT TO BEGIN BY SAYING THAT I SUPPORT LAWFUL STORM WATER MANAGEMENT AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE. WHAT I OPPOSE IS FUNDING IT THROUGH MECHANISM THAT DOES NOT MEET TEXAS LEGAL STANDARDS AND APPEARS TO BE TO COMPENSATE FOR LONGSTANDING BUDGET DECISIONS. ACCORDING TO THE CITY OF MIDLAND'S, ADOPTED ANNUAL BUDGETS OVER MULTIPLE PHYSICAL YEARS. STORM DRAINAGE AND FLOOD CONTROL INFRASTRUCTURE HAS BEEN CONSISTENTLY LISTED AS A CAPITAL NEED. YET, FUNDING FOR THESE NEEDS HAS OFTEN BEEN DEFERRED OR LIMITED WHILE OTHER DISCRETIONARY SPENDING INCREASED. FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE CITY'S GENERAL FUND AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, STORM WATER AND DRAINAGE PROJECTS ARE ROUTINELY DESCRIBED AS FUTURE AS FUNDING ALLOWS, ARE DEPENDENT ON LATER FINANCING, EVEN AS THE CITY EXPANDED SPEND, EXPANDED SPENDING IN AREAS SUCH AS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, INCENTIVES, DISCRETIONARY PROJECTS, AND NON CARE, NON-CORE SERVICES, THAT CONTEXT MATTERS LEGALLY. UNDER TEXAS LAW, A CHARGE IMPOSED BY CITY MUST BE EITHER A FEE OR TAX, REGARDLESS OF WHAT LABEL IS USED. A LAWFUL FEE MUST MEET THREE REQUIREMENTS. IT MUST SO BE SOLELY REGULATORY. IT MUST BE PROPORTIONAL TO THE BURDEN IMPOSED, AND IT MUST BE AVOIDABLE OR REDUCIBLE BASED ON THE CITY'S OWN BUDGET DOCUMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS. THIS PROPOSAL DOES NOT MEET THOSE STANDARDS FOR THOSE FOR THE PROPOSED STORM WATER CHARGE, NOT LIMITED TO MS FOUR, PERMIT COMPLIANCE COSTS, WHICH ARE ALREADY ACKNOWLEDGED IN THE CITY'S OPERATING BUDGET. INSTEAD, IT'S BEING JUSTIFIED BROADLY FOR DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, FLOOD MITIGATION AND BACKLOG IN INFRASTRUCTURE. ITEMS THAT APPEAR, THAT CONVERT, SORRY, OR CONVERTS A FEE INTO A REVENUE REPLACEMENT MECHANISM, SUCH WHICH TEXAS COURTS TREAT AS A TAX. SECOND TO PROPOSAL LACKS PROPORTIONAL PROPORTIONALITY, THE CITY HAS NOT RELEASED A COST OF SERVICE OR RUNOFF IMPACT STUDY TYING THE PROPOSED RATE TO IMPERVIOUS SERVICE AREAS OR ACTUAL SYSTEM BURDEN. MIDLANDS OWN ENGINEERING AND PLANNING DOCUMENTS RECOGNIZE THAT THE RUNOFF IMPACT VARIES SIGNIFICANTLY PROPERTY TYPE, YET THE FEE STRUCTURE DOES NOT REFLECT THAT VARIATION. THIRD, THE CHARGE IS UNAVOIDABLE AS PROPOSED. PROPERTY OWNERS CANNOT REDUCE THE CHARGE THROUGH RETENTION, PERMEABILITY, OR ON SITE MITIGATION. DESPITE THOSE MEASURES BEING ENCOURAGED ELSEWHERE IN CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS, A MANAGEMENT, A MANDATORY CHARGE IS NO MEDICAL REDUCTION MECHANISM, NOT A FEE UNDER TEXAS LAW THAT LEADS TO THE CENTRAL LEGAL ISSUE. THERE IS NO STATUTORY AUTHORITY TO MIDLAND TO IMPOSE STORMWATER TAX AND NO VOTER APPROVAL HAS BEEN SOUGHT. TEXAS CITIES DO NOT HAVE INHERENT TAX POWER. I'LL FINISH WITH THAT, BUT I GOT MORE THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL CHRISTINA RODRIGUEZ TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. PLEASE DON'T START MY TIME. CAN I GET ADJUSTED HERE? YES. I GOTTA RECORD MYSELF IN THIS CITY FOR THE PEOPLE. IF YOU WOULD GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE. TINA RODRIGUEZ. DISTRICT TWO. OKAY, I THINK THIS, THIS SOUNDS ILLEGAL. Y'ALL WANT TO TAX US AND THEN CALL IT A DRAINAGE FEE. UH, COSTCO GOT A TAX ABATEMENT. [02:15:01] THE OMNI'S GETTING A BIG OLD TAX ABATEMENT, BIG OLD TAX DEAL. BUT Y'ALL WANNA TAX US AND THEN Y'ALL, AND THEN, UM, WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON'T PAY THIS? I REFUSE TO PAY THIS. ARE Y'ALL GONNA TURN MY LIGHTS OFF? Y'ALL GONNA TAKE MY PROPERTY? THIS, THIS SHOULD BE ILLEGAL. THIS IS LIKE A PROPERTY TAXES. Y'ALL ARE DOING OVER THE SQUARE FOOTAGE OF SOMEONE'S HOUSE. SOMEONE CALLED ME FROM THE OIL FIELD. THEY'RE P****D OFF THIS IN, UH, UH, THE, YOU KNOW, NINE, THE K WELL, THAT PIECE OF CRAP RADIO STATION. AND THEY SAID THAT THEY FOUND OUT THAT THEIR HOUSE WITH THEIR GARAGE, THEY'RE GONNA BE AT THE HIGHER TAX BRACKET AND THEY'RE P****D OFF. PEOPLE ARE VERY MAD. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE VERY MAD. UM, MR. NORMAN, MUCH RESPECT. YOU DIDN'T RESPOND TO MY EMAIL, JACK LAD. THEY SHOWED ME YOUR EMAIL. YOU JUST A COPY AND PASTER, YOU JUST COPY AND PASTE EMAILS TO EVERYBODY, DON'T YOU? UM, I JUST WANNA TAKE THIS AND, AND I, I'LL, I'LL LEAVE IT AT THIS. TODAY. I REPRESENT THE LOWLY TAXPAYER, THE WORKING MAN, THE FAMILY BARELY GETTING BY. I DON'T REPRESENT SOMEONE MAKING $350,000 A YEAR LIKE OUR CITY MANAGER, BECAUSE WHEN YOU MAKE THAT KIND OF MONEY, OF COURSE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS SOUNDS SMALL. OF COURSE, SPENDING ROLLS OFF THE TONGUE EASY. IT'S NOT YOUR GROCERY BILL, IT'S NOT YOUR RENT, IT'S NOT YOUR WATER BILL THAT KEEPS CREEPING UP. I REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF MIDLAND, TEXAS, AND ESPECIALLY THE PEOPLE OF DISTRICT TWO, JOHN NORMAN'S DISTRICT, THE SOUTHEAST SIDE, THE SIDE, THE SIDE THAT GETS FORGOTTEN UNTIL IT'S TIME TO COLLECT MORE MONEY. WE ALREADY HAVE REAL PROBLEMS OVER THERE. CRIME, HOMELESSNESS, FAMILY STRETCHED THIN. AND INSTEAD OF FIXING THESE PROBLEMS, YOU'RE STANDING HERE TODAY ASKING THE PEOPLE WHO CAN, WHO CAN AT LEAST AFFORD IT TO PAY MORE HOGWASH. LET'S CALL THIS WHAT IT IS. THIS IS NOT A FEE, THIS IS A TAX. CALLING IT A DRAINAGE FEE DOESN'T MAGICALLY MAKE IT HONEST. SLAPPING IT ONTO A UTILITY BILL DOESN'T MAKE IT A USER FEE. IT WALKS LIKE A TAX, TALKS LIKE ATTACKS. IT HITS FAMILIES LIKE ATTACKS WITHOUT GOING THROUGH THE LEGAL SCRUTINY ATTACKS INCREASE IT'S SUPPOSED TO FACE. AND WHAT MAKES THIS WORSE? IS IT, IT IS NOT EVEN ABOUT DRAINAGE. THE CITY MANAGER HIMSELF SAID ON RECORD THAT THIS IS A HUNDRED PERCENT TIED TO THE MISD BOND THAT I DIDN'T EVEN VOTE FOR. YEP. THAT MEANS THIS MONEY ISN'T EVEN FIXING FLOODED STREETS. IT ISN'T SOLVING DRAINAGE ISSUES IN DISTRICT TWO OF ANY PLACE. IT'S BEING USED TO BACKFILL MONEY TIED TO SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION. SO LET ME ASK THIS PLAINLY. WHY ARE RESIDENTS BEING BILLED EVERY MONTH FOR SOMETHING THEY ALREADY VOTED ON? THE MID BOND GOT PASSED, BUT NOW SOMEHOW WE'RE BEING TOLD THE MONEY WASN'T ENOUGH. AND THE SOLUTION IS TO QUIETLY SHIFT THE BURDEN OUT TO TAXPAYERS FOREVER. THERE'S NO SUNSET CLAUSE, NO END DATE, NO ACCOUNTABILITY. ONCE THIS THING IS CREATED, IT NEVER GOES AWAY. IT BECOMES ANOTHER PERMANENT PIPELINE PULLING MONEY OUT OF A, OUT OF WORKING FAMILIES WHILE CITY HALL GROWS BIGGER AND MORE COMFORTABLE. AND DON'T TELL US THERE'S NO OTHER OPTION. WE'VE BEEN TOLD THE CITY HAS MORE THAN TWICE THE RECOMMENDED RESERVES A RAINY DAY FUND. YET INSTEAD OF USING IT FOR AN ACTUAL RAINY DAY ISSUE, YOU'RE CREATING A NEW CHARGE CALLED THE RAIN TAX OR UTILITY, WHATEVER THE HELL IT IS. AND HOPING PEOPLE DON'T NOTICE. THAT'S NOT LEADERSHIP, THAT'S NOT TRANSPARENCY, THAT'S NOT RESPECT FOR THE TAXPAYER. ME AND JUDD CAMPBELL, WHO I VOTED FOR, MAYOR, WE'RE ON A LIVE BLAST OUT ON FACEBOOK, UH, TELLING THE COMMUNITY OF MIDLAND, LORI BOND. WHY WEREN'T YOU ON A LIVE, WHY WERE ANY OF Y'ALL TELLING ANYBODY ABOUT THIS TAX INCREASE? Y'ALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN TELLING EVERYBODY, YOU MIGHT NOT THINK FIVE $10 IS NOT A LOT OF MONEY FOR SOMEONE EVERY MONTH. BUT DAMN, THAT'S EGGS. AND THAT'S, THAT'S BREAD. ANYWAYS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I WANT Y'ALL TO, TO KILL THIS. I WANT Y'ALL TO VOTE IT NOW, AND I WANNA KNOW WHO'S NOT GONNA VOTE FOR IT, BECAUSE THIS IS, THIS IS HOGWASH. YOU'D THINK THERE'S NO WAY TO, TO FIGURE OUT WHERE TO GET THE MONEY FROM, FIND A WAY. BUT THANK YOU. STAY OUTTA MY WALLET. STAY OUTTA STAY OUTTA THE TAXPAYER'S WALLET. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. WHATEVER. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL ANDREW STERNS TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. WELCOME, SIR. IF YOU'D OFFER US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. UH, MY NAME IS ANDREW STERNS, UH, 56 14 RIO GRANDE AVENUE. UM, NINO SAID PRETTY MUCH WHAT I'M GONNA SAY. UH, FOR THOSE OF Y'ALL WHO DON'T KNOW, MAYBE Y'ALL DO. UM, A GOVERNMENT FEE IS LITERALLY A REASON FOR THEM TO RAISE YOUR PROPERTY TAXES WITHOUT, FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THE AMOUNT THAT THEY'RE PROPOSING, IF THEY TAXED ON YOUR PROPERTY TAX BILL, IT WOULD GO OVER THE PERCENTAGE AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO LET THE CITIZENS VOTE ON IT. SO ESSENTIALLY, Y'ALL ARE DEPRIVING US OF OUR RIGHT TO VOTE ON THINGS THAT ARE GONNA AFFECT US BACK DURING THE MIDLAND COLLEGE BOND. FIRST CONVERSATION I EVER HAD WITH MR. GONZALEZ, WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW MUCH DEBT THAT BOND WOULD'VE PUT THE CITY IN, HIS RESPONSE WAS, WELL, YOU KNOW, IF YOU HAVE A HOUSE, CAR, WHATEVER, ET CETERA, UM, YOU'RE GONNA BE IN DEBT. AND DEBT IS JUST A PART OF LIFE. SO PRETTY MUCH ACCEPT IT. AND AGAIN, LIKE MR. RODRIGUEZ POINTED OUT, I KNOW AT LEAST I KNOW HIM AND HIM BOTH MAKE A SIX FIGURE SALARY SO THAT MONEY DON'T HIT YOUR POCKET THE SAME WAY IT HITS MINE. I MEAN, AND ESPECIALLY SOME OF THE FAMILIES. I KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD TO MOVE OUT OF THIS CITY BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE HERE ANYMORE. AND, UM, I MEAN, IT IT IS JUST RIDICULOUS. I MEAN, FOR THE EIGHT YEARS THAT THIS MAN WAS IN CHARGE OF EL PASO, I DON'T KNOW IF HE'S THE ONE THAT IMPLEMENTED IT, BUT THEY'RE GOING THROUGH A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE CITY RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THEY DID THE SAME THING. THEY INSTITUTED A DRAINAGE FEE AND THEN SOME PEOPLE WENT THROUGH AND DID SOME STUDIES, A CITY COUNCILMAN, AND FOUND OUT THAT MONEY WAS NOT BEING USED FOR THE PROJECTS IT WAS PROPOSED FOR, AND NOW THEY'RE SUING THE CITY. SO, I MEAN, WE ALREADY KNOW, Y'ALL AREN'T HONEST ABOUT HOW Y'ALL SPEND OUR MONEY. BACK DURING [02:20:01] THE MAYORAL ELECTION, THERE WAS AN ARTICLE RELEASED ON FACEBOOK FROM A FOIA REQUEST THAT Y'ALL ARE USING TAXPAYER MONEY TO PAY FOR PERSONAL HEALTH EXPENSES FOR CITY EMPLOYEES. Y'ALL ARE USING OUR MONEY FOR STUFF IT'S NOT INTENDED TO. AND I'M SORRY, BUT I DON'T HAVE ANY TRUST IN ANY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT. I KNOW, AGAIN, BACK DURING THE MAYORAL ELECTION, UH, MAYOR BLANC STATED THAT BECAUSE WE SEE CORRUPTION IN THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS, THAT WE ASSUME THERE'S CORRUPTION, LOCAL GOVERNMENT, AND THEN WENT ON TO ASSURE EVERYBODY THERE'S NOT. BUT I MEAN, HOW IS THIS NOT, I MEAN, AND AGAIN, UH, MR. ALER A FEW MONTHS AGO SPOKE ABOUT, UH, HIS ADDRESS IN GLADIOLA WHERE Y'ALL ALLOWED A DEVELOPER TO COME IN. THERE'S A CITY ORDINANCE THAT STATED THOSE LOTS ARE SUPPOSED TO MAINTAIN A MINIMUM OF, I BELIEVE IT'S ONE ACRE, Y'ALL LET 'EM CUT IT IN HALF TO PUT TWO HOUSES ON THERE INSTEAD OF ONE. AND WHEN ASKED ABOUT IT, MAYOR BLANC IN AN INTERVIEW SAID, WELL, WE KNOW WHAT THE ORDINANCE SAYS, BUT UH, WE DID IT BEFORE. SO WE FELT IT WAS NECESSARY TO DO IT AGAIN. SO HOW DO I KNOW ONCE Y'ALL IMPLEMENT THIS FEE, THAT THAT'S GONNA STOP NEXT YEAR IT'S GONNA BE ANOTHER FEE, AND NEXT YEAR IT'S GONNA BE ANOTHER FEE. AND NEXT YEAR IT'S GONNA BE ANOTHER FEE. BECAUSE AGAIN, IN THE EIGHT YEARS THAT THIS MAN RAN EL PASO, HE RAISED THEIR TAXES EIGHT TIMES AND TO THE FACT THAT AFTER HE WAS, HE WAS FORCED TO LEAVE. 'CAUSE THE CITY AUDITORS STARTED INVESTIGATING AND SNOOPING AROUND. UH, I READ ARTICLES ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING TO EITHER MOVE ACROSS THE STATE LINE TO NEW, TO LITTLE TOWNS OF NEW MEXICO OR OUT IN EL PASO COUNTY 'CAUSE THEY COULDN'T AFFORD TO LIVE IN THE CITY ANYMORE. AND I'M SORRY, I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND SAY IT. THIS IS B******T. LIKE THIS IS RIDICULOUS. Y'ALL ARE BLEEDING US DRY. WE ALREADY PAID ENOUGH TAXES IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. Y'ALL CLAIM THAT Y'ALL ALL, WE ALL VOTED FOR TRUMP. WE'RE ALL CONSERVATIVE. EVERYTHING Y'ALL ARE DOING IS FUNDAMENTALLY ANTI-CONSERVATIVE AND ANTI THAT AGENDA. HE'S ACTUALLY TRYING TO CUT OUR PROPERTY TAXES. Y'ALL ARE TRYING TO INCREASE IT. SO I VERY STRONGLY URGE Y'ALL TO VOTE AGAINST THIS BECAUSE LIKE MR. RODRIGUEZ, I'M GONNA LOOK INTO THE LEGAL OBLIGATIONS OF WHAT I CAN DO TO NOT PAY THIS TAX BECAUSE IT'S RIDICULOUS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL MANDY STERNS TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. IF YOU WOULD OFFER US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. MANDY STERNS 56 14 RIO GRANDE. UH, MY HUSBAND PRETTY MUCH SAID EVERYTHING I WAS GONNA SAY, ACTUALLY HE DID IT A WHOLE LOT BETTER. BUT I'M GONNA TELL YOU, STOP TRYING TO EL PASO OR MIDLAND AND DO THE SAME THING THAT YOU DID IN URBAN. WE'RE NOT GONNA STAND FOR IT. AND I'LL CALL A RECALL. AND I, I SUGGEST ALL OF Y'ALL, Y'ALL BROUGHT HIM HERE. TAKE HIM OUT. I UNDERSTAND, I UNDERSTAND THAT GETTING RID OF HIM WILL COST US MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, BUT IN THE LONG RUN IT'S GONNA SAVE MIDLAND TO HAVE HIM GONE. HIM GONE, AND STOP HIRING NEW DEPUTIES. HOW MANY, HOW MANY PEOPLE DO WE NEED? HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE DO WE NEED THAT HE HAS BROUGHT ON? Y'ALL ARE BLEEDING US DRY. THAT IS IT GONNA COME OUTTA YOUR POCKET? YOU, YOU'RE A MULTIMILLIONAIRE. YOU HAVE SEVERAL DIFFERENT OIL COMPANIES. THIS DOES NOT AFFECT YOU. IT AFFECTS EVERYBODY ELSE. YES, I OWN MY OWN COMPANY AS WELL, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT, I'M NOT DOING NEAR AS GOOD AS YOU, LORI. NONE OF US ARE. JACK, YOU, YOU'RE AN ATTORNEY. YOU DO GREAT. YOU KNOW, I MEAN, I, AND THANK YOU FOR NOT EMAILING ME BACK, AMY. I DID EMAIL YOU AND YOU DIDN'T RESPOND EITHER. SO YOU KNOW WHAT? WE'RE TIRED. MIDLAND IS TIRED OF Y'ALL AND, AND EVERYTHING THAT Y'ALL ARE DOING TO US, AND NORMALLY I DON'T LIKE TO SPEAK, BUT THIS IS, THIS HAS GOT ME SO FIRED UP AND I AM TIRED, TIRED OF Y'ALL DOING THIS TO US AND KILLING MIDLAND. THERE ARE ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO ARE LITERALLY CANNOT AFFORD TO LIVE HERE BECAUSE OF WHAT Y'ALL DO. THEY LIVE ON FIXED INCOME. THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT LIVE ON FIXED INCOMES AND Y'ALL JUST DO NOT CARE. IT DOESN'T COME OUTTA YOUR POCKETS. I'VE HEARD THAT THERE'S, THERE'S SOME PEOPLE ON THE COUNCIL THAT DON'T EVEN HAVE TO PAY WATER BILLS BECAUSE Y'ALL DON'T HAVE TO. Y'ALL DON'T THINK Y'ALL HAVE TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE Y'ALL ARE ABOVE THE LAW. GUESS WHAT? YOU'RE NOT. NO ONE IS. AND WHAT'S DONE IN THE DARK WILL COME TO LIGHT AND JESUS WILL MAKE SURE OF THAT. BUT THIS TIME I'D LIKE TO CALL JARED SPARKS TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. UH, JARED SPARKS 39 17 BAYBROOK COURT. UM, I ACTUALLY APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT, UH, THE CITY HAS DONE TO HELP, UM, MINIMIZE COURSE YOU NEED TO GET THE IMPACT ON, UM, FOR THE, THE MISD. BUT I WOULD SAY THAT IN GENERAL, THE WAY THE CURRENT ORDINANCE IS IN PLACE, I BELIEVE IT PROVIDES AN UNDUE IMBALANCE OF COST TO SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS SURE. WHO ARE NOW GONNA HAVE TO START PAYING TWICE ESSENTIALLY. 'CAUSE THEY'RE GONNA BE PAYING IT ON THEIR HOUSE AND THEIR SMALL BUSINESS. AND AS ACTUALLY HAS ALREADY BEEN SAID, THERE'S NOTHING IN THE ORDINANCE THAT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO PUT IN STORM WATER DRAINAGE, RUNOFF, MITIGATIONS IN PLACE. SO FOR EXAMPLE, A COUPLE OF THE BUSINESSES THAT I HELP MANAGE, WE HAVE STORMWATER RUNOFF. I HAVE A DETENTION [02:25:01] POND, SO I ACTUALLY DON'T HAVE ANY STORMWATER THAT REALLY IMPACTS THE CITY STREETS, BUT AM I GONNA HAVE TO PAY IT BECAUSE THERE'S NO EXEMPTION ALLOWANCE AS TO THE CURRENT ORDINANCE. IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT CITY PROPERTY OWNERS, THAT BEING MAINLY HOMEOWNERS, HOMEOWNERS GENERATE THE MAJORITY OF THE STORM WATER RUNOFF INTO THE STREETS. AND SO THE WAY IT'S WRITTEN, IT ACTUALLY DOESN'T REALLY HURT NORMAL HOMEOWNERS AS BADLY AS IT DOES SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS BECAUSE OF THE MULTIPLIER THAT'S THERE AS PART OF THE, THE ORDINANCE I WOULD ASK THAT, THAT BE LOOKED AT AND REVIEWED. BECAUSE I THINK RIGHT NOW, COMPARED TO OTHER COMMUNITIES, HOMEOWNERS PAY PRETTY MUCH NOTHING COMPARED TO NEARBY HOMEOWNER, UH, NEARBY PROPERTIES OR COMMUNITIES. BUT BUSINESSES ARE ALREADY PAYING, UM, WELL IN THE AVERAGE OR UPPER AVERAGE. UM, SO IT JUST NEEDS TO BE FAIR VERSUS A HOMEOWNER AND A SMALL BUSINESS PROPERTY OWNER. AND THERE NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING IN THERE THAT ALLOWS FOR BUSINESS OWNERS OR HOMEOWNERS TO TAKE MITIGATION EFFORTS TO REDUCE THOSE FEE OR THAT IMPACT. UM, AS OF I SEE IT RIGHT NOW, I THINK THERE'S SOME WORK THAT'S GONNA BE DONE THAT COULD BE WORKED TO TAILOR THIS ORDINANCE A LITTLE BIT BETTER. UM, SO I WOULD ASK THAT IT JUST BE DENIED AT THIS TIME TO ALLOW FOR MORE WORK TO BE DONE TO ADDRESS ALL THOSE CONCERNS THAT I THINK PEOPLE WANT THIS TO BE A GREAT COMMUNITY AND THEY UNDERSTAND THAT IT WILL TAKE MONEY TO TAKE CARE OF SOME OF THESE THINGS, BUT THEY'RE NOT FULLY ADDRESSED IN THIS ORDINANCE AS IS. SO I WOULD ASK YOU GUYS TO DENY IT, TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT IT AND REALLY RETHINK ALL OF THOSE ASPECTS SO THAT IT'S NOT PUTTING AN UNDUE BURDEN ON SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND REALLY REFLECTING TO WHO IS CREATING THE STORMWATER, STORMWATER RUNOFF AND THE BURDEN ON THE CITY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. UH, AT THIS TIME I'D LIKE TO CALL HECTOR COVA RUBIAN TO COME FORWARD TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. MS. LORD MAYOR CITY COUNCIL, I AM HERE. AND I GUESS YOU KNOW WHY IT'S NO SECRET. I AM OPPOSED TO THE TAXATION OF PROPERTY AND DOING RESEARCH AND GETTING IN TOUCH WITH CRAIG ABBOTT'S OFFICE. IT IS AN ILLEGAL ACT TO CALL A TAX, TAX AND PROPERTY AND THEN CALLING IT A WATER BILL. AND HE ALSO COMMENTED TO THE POINT THAT THE REASON WE ARE WHERE WE ARE IN MIDLAND, TEXAS AND EVERYWHERE IN TEXAS, ALL THE CITIES IS BECAUSE CITY IS OVERSPENDING MONEY. AND NOW WE'RE TRYING TO FIND OUT HOW TO GET THAT MONEY FOR OTHER PROJECTS. AND SO HE'S REALLY COMING DOWN ON TEXAS AND CITIES AROUND, UH, TEXAS. BECAUSE HE SAID IT, I DIDN'T, IT'S NOT RIGHT. IT IS NOT RIGHT. IT IS WRONG. AND THOUGH IT WILL CATCH UP TO US, DOES IT BECOME A LEGAL MATTER? YES, IT DOES, BECAUSE HERE I'VE GOT IT AND IT'S SO LONG, I'M NOT GONNA HAVE THREE MINUTES, ONE MINUTE AND 40 SECONDS TO DISCUSS THIS. OKAY? I'M GONNA NEED MORE TIME. BUT I WILL SAY IT IS A LEGAL MATTER, MR. LADD, YOU'RE AN ATTORNEY, I'M A BUSINESSMAN, YOU'RE A BUSINESS LADY. EVERY CONTRACT HAS STIPULATIONS, TERMS, CONDITIONS, AND EVEN A CLAUSE FOR US TO HAVE SOME KIND OF THAT WOULD SAY, UM, UM, , I'M SORRY. UM, CLAUSE WHERE IT, IT, IT, IT GUIDES US TO WHERE WE DON'T STEP OVER THOSE LEGAL BOUNDARIES. OKAY? NOW ALL THIS BEING SAID, I WANT US TODAY, I WANT US TODAY TO BE TRANSPARENT AND TRUTHFUL AND I WANT THE CITY MANAGER TO CLARIFY WHETHER WE HAVE THE FUNDS WITHOUT HAVING TO PENALIZE THE TAXPAYERS AND INCREASE A WATER BILL. DO WE HAVE THE FUNDS? IS IT IN A COOKIE JAR SOMEWHERE? IS IT IN A COFFEE? CAN SOMEWHERE, DO WE HAVE THE FUNDS WITHOUT HAVING TO IMPOSE ON THE TAXPAYERS? YES OR NO? IT'S A SIMPLE QUESTION. IF WE DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS COUNSEL, DO WE HAVE THE FUNDS FOR THIS PROJECT? IT'S A SIMPLE ANSWER, YES OR NO. IF WE DO, LET'S REACH INTO THAT [02:30:01] COFFEE JAR AND CAN AND PULL 'EM OUT AND RELIEVE THE TAXPAYERS FROM THIS BURDEN. AND, AND, AND I KNOW WE CAN DO IT. WE CAN DO IT. YOU'RE PEOPLE OF INTEGRITY AND I BELIEVE THAT. I BELIEVE THAT. AND I'M NOT INTO POLITICS AND I'M NOT INTO COMING HERE AND POINTING FINGERS AND, AND AND DISLIKING PEOPLE. I AM A BUSINESSMAN AND I UNDERSTAND CONTRACTS AND I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT WE CAN COME TO A DISAGREEMENT, BUT ALSO AGREE AND FIND A RESOLUTION TO THIS MATTER WITHOUT HAVING TO HAVE SO MUCH HATE. AMERICA RIGHT NOW IS GOING THROUGH A TRANSITION THAT SIR IS AWFUL. I WISH, UH, UH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. YOU NEED TO WRAP THEM UP PLEASE. OKAY. AND THIS IS WHAT I'M SAYING, IF WE HAVE THE MONEY, BE TRANSPARENT, USE IT AND SPARE THE TAXPAYERS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL SHANDY WILLIAMS TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. KAY, BEFORE YOU START MY TIME, JUAN, DO WE NEED TO CALL TERRY JOHNSON AND SEE HOW THIS GOES WHEN YOU TAKE ME FROM THE MIC. NUMBER TWO, CAN YOU OFFER US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR NUMBER PLEASE? NUMBER TWO. MY GRANDMOTHER HAS WRITTEN A LETTER. SHE IS 86 YEARS OLD. SHE CANNOT PHYSICALLY BE IN THIS BUILDING. DO NOT START MY TIME. YES MA'AM. YOUR TIME HAS STARTED. PLEASE OFFER US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS DIRECT. WELL SHE BE ABLE WILL, I'LL BE ABLE TO READ THE LETTER THAT IS PROVIDED FOR HER BECAUSE OF HER HANDICAPPED. SHE CANNOT COME INTO THIS BUILDING. YOU CAN PROVIDE IT TO US AND WE WILL READ IT. ALRIGHT GUYS, LET'S GO. CAN YOU OFFER US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS TO DIRECT? SHE WILLIAMS 25 13 FANON AVENUE. I DON'T LIVE ON CUTHBERT IN A $1 MILLION HOUSE. MS. BLO AND I DON'T, UM, GO ABOVE PAYING MY PROPERTY TAXES. ARE WE, ARE WE SQUARE ON THAT THIS YEAR OR NOT? WE'RE STILL PAYING FOR A $500,000 HOUSE. I'M SORRY, 300,000 HOUSE. IS THAT, IS THAT CORRECT JACK LAD? I THOUGHT SO. YOU GUYS GOT ME FIRED UP. YOU CANNOT E EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU COUNCIL MEMBER MEN SITTING UP HERE, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO SAY, SOMEBODY GETS TO SPEAK AND YOU SAT THERE AND YOU DID NOT LET THEM SPEAK. SHAME ON EACH ONE OF YOU. FEES SHOULD BE OPTIONAL. JUST AS A FEE WOULD PAY A REDDIT CARD. IF I PAY WITH A CREDIT CARD OR I PAY CASH, IT'S OPTIONAL TO HAVE MY PIZZA DELIVERED TO MY HOUSE OR TO PICK IT UP. IT'S OPTIONAL. A FEE IS NOT MANDATORY. YOU CANNOT MAKE THE DRAINAGE FEE MANDATORY. I HOPE YOU SEE THE MASSES ARE COMING. THERE'S TOO MANY OF US. NOT ENOUGH OF YOU. OOH. CURRENTLY WE'LL BE PAYING A BOND THAT WILL NEVER BENEFIT MY FAMILY AND I'M NOT GOING TO PAY A DRAINAGE FEE THAT, AGAIN, WILL NOT BENEFIT ME OR MY FAMILY WHATSOEVER. THE DRAINAGE FEE WAS EXACTLY AS IT NEEDS TO BE. THE DRAINAGE THERE AT, LET'S TALK ABOUT WADLEY. IT WAS A GOLF COURSE. IT WAS ZONED A GOLF COURSE. YOU GUYS DECIDED TO GO ABOVE AND CHANGE THAT ZONING. THAT'S ON YOU, THAT'S ON YOUR BACKS. THAT SHOULD HAVE STILL BEEN A GOLF COURSE. THE DRAINAGE THAT GOES IN THERE NEEDS TO BE FOR A GOLF COURSE BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT IT'S CO THAT'S WHAT IT'S COATED AS. NOW, MIC POORLY RESEARCHED THE PURCHASE OF A PIPELINE THAT IS RIDDLED WITHIN THIS GOLF COURSE THAT FALLS ON OUR BACKS. I DON'T THINK SO. THEY PURCHASED LAND BEFORE THE BOND. THEY FAILED TO DO THEIR HOMEWORK AND HAVE CONTINUED TO DO SO WITH A DRAINAGE FEE. DRAINAGE FEE. THERE IS NO SUNSET ON THIS. IT NEVER ENDS. YOU KNOW WHAT WE CALL THAT? THAT'S A MUDDY GRAPH. YES. THERE'S NO ALLOCATION OR DIRECT USE OF THESE FUNDS. HOW DO I KNOW THAT? YOU WON'T BE USING THIS TO PAY FOR SOME RIDICULOUS PROCEDURE. MEDICAL PROCEDURE THAT HAS TO BE WITHHELD FROM THE PUBLIC MONEY GRAB IS FOREVER. FOREVER. THERE'S NO END. YOU PUT ANOTHER FIONA, US AND YOU PUT ANOTHER FIONA US UNTIL WE ARE FEE RIDDLED. YOU HAVE A GENTLEMAN SITTING HERE WHO CAME FROM CALIFORNIA, ONE OF THE WORST RAN STATES CONDEMNING YOU GUYS FOR YOUR RUN OF OUR CITY. YES. THAT'S RIDICULOUS. YOU EACH SHOULD FEEL ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES. YEAH, YOU'VE INHERITED A MESS, BUT YOU AREN'T DOING ANYTHING TO HELP CLEAN IT UP. THE IMPACT FEE FOR ALL, IT NEEDS TO BE AN IMPACT FEE FOR ALL, NOT JUST FOR SOME. AND SO THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE TAX FREE, THEY NEED TO HAVE AN IMPACT FEE. THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE A SMALL BUSINESS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT. PLEASE WRAP THEM UP. THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE A SMALL BUSINESS SHOULD PAY THE IN SAME. MRS. WILLIAMS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. WE, AS IN A CITY OF MIDLAND, DO NOT RUN AN MISD BAILOUT PROGRAM ON THE BACKS OF TAXPAYERS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS. YOU'RE WELCOME. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL DEREK SMITH FORWARD TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT IF YOU WOULD OFFER YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. MY NAME IS DEREK SMITH, BUT I WILL NOT GIVE MY ADDRESS AS IT IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER TEXAS MEETINGS ACT. PLEASE RESTART [02:35:01] MY TIME STILL COUNCIL. JUST LIKE THIS GENTLEMAN OVER HERE. SID. IS THAT TRUE? YES, IT'S IT. RESTART MY TIME. IF WE'RE GONNA DO THIS PART OF RESTART IT ALL OVER, ITS OF THE COUNCIL. START IT ALL OVER. IT'S PART OF THE COUNCIL'S PROCEDURES. IF HE DOES NOT WANT TO GIVE HIS TIME, THEN HE CAN MOVE ON. OKAY, WE'LL MOVE ON. CAN WE START HIS TIME? I HAVE IT RIGHT HERE. THAT DOESN'T REFLECT YOUR ADDRESS, SIR. GO AHEAD FOR THE RECORD. DO YOU WANT BE SUED? YOU CAN GET, YOU NEED TO LOOK UP JASON F YOUR ADDRESS, SIR. AND CJ GRISHAM, YOUR ADDRESS, SIR, BECAUSE WHAT YOU'RE DOING, AND I'M GONNA HAVE THE CHIEF PLACE YOU UNDER ARREST FOR TITLE 18. LET'S PROCEED. LET'S PROCEED. MR. DEPRIVATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS. LET'S, LET'S PROCEED. OKAY. CAN WE START OVER THEN? YES, SIR. JUST LIKE THIS GENTLEMAN OVER HERE SAID, THAT'S MANAGING THE TIME AND IT STARTED OVER. WE ARE A CITY OF MONEY AND SOMEBODY, YOU GUYS NEED TO SIT DOWN AND LOOK AT THINGS BECAUSE IF YOU LISTEN TO THE RADIO STATION YOU GO ONTO AND THE FACTS AND FIGURES THAT ARE PUT OUT THERE. AND IT'S NOT UNREASONABLE TO SAY THAT IF THE MEDIAN HOUSE PRICE IN THIS AREA IS $350,000 AND THAT WE HAVE A POPULATION OF 250 TO 300,000, THAT WE HAVE 60. AND WHEN YOU LOOK IT UP ONLINE, THAT IS ROUGHLY WHAT COMES UP IS 60,000 RESIDENTIAL HOMES. AND AT $300,000 PER HOME, THAT IS $18 BILLION A YEAR AND WITH 1% BETWEEN ALL OF THE TAXING ENTITIES, THAT IS THE BUDGET OF $180 MILLION A YEAR. THAT'S NOT INCLUDING ALL OF THIS COMMERCIAL PROPERTY, ALL OF THESE SHOPPING CENTERS, ALL OF THE AVALOR TAX AND THIS TAX THAT YOU'RE PROPOSING IS ACTUALLY A DOUBLE TAX ON THE RESIDENTS BECAUSE ALL OF THESE BUSINESSES THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE TO ABSORB IT, WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO IS TURN AROUND AND PLACE IT ON US AT A NICK OR A DIME FOR EVERY ITEM THAT THEY SELL. WHAT MR. SPARKS WAS SAYING, EVERY MUG OF BEER HE SELLS, HE'S GONNA RAISE THE PRICE FOR 10 CENTS. IT'S GOING TO BE ON THE PEOPLE. SO WE'RE GOING TO GET DOUBLE TAX. WE'RE NOT GONNA JUST PAY ON THAT. AND THE PEOPLE THAT PUSH THIS, LIKE SAY YOU'VE GOT COMPANIES THAT ARE BILLION DOLLARS IN PROFIT PER YEAR, AND THEN YOU GUYS GO AND GIVE SOMEBODY WHO MAKES 3 BILLION A YEAR IN PROFIT COSTCO, A 20 YEAR TAX ABATEMENT. IF YOU GUYS WEREN'T MAKING THESE IDIOTIC DEALS JUST TO TRY AND GET PEOPLE HERE THAT DON'T EVEN REPRESENT 10% OF THE POPULATION. YOU BROUGHT COSTCO HERE BECAUSE THERE WERE 6,500 PEOPLE IN TOWN WHO HAD A MEMBERSHIP AND COULD AFFORD TO GO DRIVE TWO HOURS AWAY. THEY'RE TOO HOITY-TOITY TO GO OUT TO SAM'S CLUB, WALMART OR HEB, LIKE THE WORKING CLASS PEOPLE. AND SO WE BEND OVER BACKWARDS AND SCREW US SO THAT THESE HOITY TOITY PEOPLE, LIBERALS CAN GO TO SOME DEI COMPANY AND THEN THAT'S SOMETHING ELSE THAT Y'ALL ARE DOING. YOU'RE GIVING AN ABATEMENT TO THE OMNI HOTEL FOR WHO KNOWS HOW MANY YEARS. AND IT'S A DEI PRACTICING COMPANY THAT IS CURRENTLY BEING SUED BECAUSE THEY WOULDN'T LET SOMEBODY RECOGNIZE THEIR RELIGIOUS PRACTICES AND GIVE 'EM THE DAY OFF LIKE THEY HAD BEEN. I MEAN, YOU GUYS JUST BACK THE MOST IDIOTIC THINGS AND IT MAKES NO SENSE. THESE COMPANIES THAT HELPED PUSH THIS WITH HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO GET THE PEOPLE TO BUY INTO IT, THEY SHOULD BE THE ONES PAYING FOR IT AFTER ALL 18 MILLION. IF THAT'S WHAT WE'RE NEEDING OUT OF SOMEBODY WHO PROFITS A BILLION A YEAR IS THE EQUIVALENT TO ANY OF US IN THIS ROOM HAVING A THOUSAND DOLLARS IN OUR POCKET. AND THIS GUY NEEDS 18 BUCKS. THAT'S THE EQUIVALENT. DO THE MATH ON IT. THE MONEY'S OUT THERE. AND IF WE'RE GONNA USE 42 0 5, IF THIS GUY'S GONNA KEEP INTERRUPTING PEOPLE WHEN THEY COME UP HERE TO SPEAK, HE NEEDS TO GO TO JAIL FOR VIOLATING THE RULES. THANK YOU. DOESN'T PLEASE WRAP THEM UP. I'VE STILL GOT TIME LEFT. WE STOPPED THAT. THIS IS THE NEW ONE. THIS IS WHAT WE'VE BEEN GOING ON. WELL MAKE SURE THAT HE STOPS INTERRUPTING PEOPLE AS WELL AS YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. JUST A OTHERWISE THEY CAN GO TO JAIL. JUST A A POINT OF CLARIFICATION, MAYOR. UH, GOTTA GO THERE. THE, THE SPEAKER JUST CORRECTLY POINTED OUT THAT THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE DOES NOT EXPLICITLY CONTAIN A REQUIREMENT THAT A PERSON STATE THEIR ADDRESS, UH, AS PART OF PUBLIC COMMENT. THAT IS, THAT IS COMPLETELY TRUE. THE PROBLEM IS, IS THAT THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, THE STATES THAT THE CITIES CAN ADOPT REASONABLE RULES RELATED TO PUBLIC COMMENT. THE CITY COUNCIL HAS ADOPTED THE REASONABLE RULE THAT YOU MUST STATE YOUR NAME AND YOUR ADDRESS WHEN YOU COME AND GIVE PUBLIC. DON'T COMMENT. OH, I'LL LOOK IT UP ON M DON'T WORRY. I GOT YOU CODE I SHELBY, YOUR DOORSTEP. WE'RE ASKING YOU LIKE THIS DURING THE MEETINGM AND YOU TIME APPROPRIATELY. THANK YOU. SORRY. WE'RE NOT GONNA CONTINUE TO GIVE WARNINGS. WE'VE SAID WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO. THE NEXT PERSON WHO SHOUTS OUT, WOULD YOU PLEASE ESCORT HER OUT? THANK YOU. OH NO. I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE. AND YOU DON'T HAVE A RIGHT TO WOW. LET'S GO CANYON. [02:40:01] WOW. ALL RIGHT. WE'RE GONNA MOVE FORWARD AT THIS TIME. I'D LIKE TO CALL ROBIN CAMPBELL TO COME FORWARD TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. I'LL NOT BE STATING MY ADDRESS. OKAY. ROBIN CAMPBELL, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT $13 MILLION. $13 MILLION. THERE'S LOTS OF WAYS THAT Y'ALL COULD FIND THAT. $13 MILLION. WE COULD PIECE IT TOGETHER. MY HUSBAND, JUDD CAMPBELL IS AN EXPERIENCED CPA WHO HAS LOOKED OVER THE BUDGET OF THE CITY OF MIDLAND. WELL, HE PROBABLY KNOWS THE BUDGET BETTER THAN ANYBODY IN THIS WHOLE ENTIRE ROOM AND HE KNOWS. HE IS VERY CONFIDENT THAT THAT MONEY IS IN THE BUDGET. SO Y'ALL COULD DO THAT. YOU COULD PULL SOME OUT OF THE BUDGET IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO. EVEN IF YOU DON'T PULL ALL OF IT OUT. YOU MAYOR STATED THAT WE HAVE A HEALTHY RAINY DAY FUND TWICE AS MUCH AS WHAT WE NEED. A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS IS IN THE RAINY DAY FUND. APPROXIMATELY. WE ARE RECOMMENDED TO HAVE 50 MILLION, TAKE A COUPLE OF MILLION OUT OF THE RAINY DAY FUND. IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ALL 13 MILLION. YOU COULD TAKE A COUPLE OF MILLION OUT. MDC HAS SAID THAT THEY, Y'ALL HAVE VOTED TO MAKE THEM PAY 35% INFRASTRUCTURE. THAT'S ABOUT $4 MILLION A YEAR. AGAIN, TAKE A MILLION FROM THEM. TAKE A COUPLE OF MILLION FROM THE RAINY DAY FUND AND CUT THE BUDGET SUM. THERE IS LOTS OF ROOM. ALSO, YOU STATED YOU'VE INFORMED US. WE HAVE, WHAT DID YOU SAY, OVER 2000 ACRES IN MARTIN COUNTY THAT THE CITY IS TRYING TO DECIDE THE BEST USE OF AND THAT WE'RE NOT DOING MUCH WITH IT. I SEE THAT THERE'S A LOT OF DRILLING ACTIVITY ON THERE. WHY DON'T WE SELL SOME OF THAT LAND? YOU DON'T HAVE TO SELL THE WHOLE 2000 ACRES. IT'S OBVIOUSLY VERY DESIRED LAND. WHY DON'T YOU SELL IT? I DON'T KNOW WHY IT HASN'T BEEN SOLD ALREADY AND PAID TOWARDS THE DEBT, BUT THERE IS LOTS OF SOLUTIONS HERE TO PAY FOR THIS $13 MILLION. THE LAST THING THAT Y'ALL SHOULD WANT TO DO IS COME IN THE TAXPAYER'S POCKETS AGAIN, IT'S NOT RIGHT. IT'S NOT RIGHT TO PUT THIS FIVE TO $10 ON PEOPLE OVER 65 THAT CAN'T GO WORK. I'VE GOT PLENTY OF RELATIVES HERE ON A LIMITED BUDGET. THIS HURTS THEM. THIS HURTS THEM. TOMMY GONZALEZ MAKES $359,000 A YEAR AT LEAST. THIS IS ACCORDING TO GOVERNMENT SALARIES.COM. IN 2024. MR. ORTIZ, $274,000. MORRIS WILLIAMS, $283,000. ELIZABETH RIGGS, I'M NOT SURE WHERE SHE IS. 218,000 IN 2024. I'M GUESSING THAT Y'ALL GOT RAISES. THIS WAS 2024. I'M WAITING FOR THE 2025 NUMBERS. THERE IS ROOM TO CUT MS. NOVAK OVER HERE WITH A NEW POSITION CREATED FOR THE CITY IN 2024. $144,000. I THINK Y'ALL ARE OUT OF TOUCH WITH THE REGULAR MID LENDERS. ALL OF Y'ALL UP HERE ARE MAKING, WELL, THE CITY STAFF UP HERE. YOU COULD CUT SOME OF THAT BUDGET. THAT'S RIGHT. WHERE'S THE ACCOUNTABILITY? YOU COULD HAVE HAD THIS CONVERSATION WITH MISD. YOU COULD HAVE TOLD THEM NO. IF WE HAVE $130 MILLION BUDGET AND YOU APPROVE 18 MILLION, THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. PLEASE CONCLUSION, YOU COULD HAVE TOLD THEM NO AND MISD COULD HAVE ABSORBED THIS IN THEIR BOND. WHERE'S THE ACCOUNTABILITY AND WHERE'S THE SUNSET IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE TO GO THIS ROUTE? THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL JUDGE CAMPBELL TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. MORNING, JUDD CAMPBELL, MIDLAND, TEXAS MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, I APPRECIATE THE TIME THIS MORNING. THREE MINUTES IS NOT MUCH, SO WE'RE GONNA MAKE IT AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE, BUT UNDERSTAND THAT MY CONCERNS ABOUT THIS, THE CONCERNS OF THE CITIZENS ARE SIGNIFICANT, NUMEROUS, AND THEY NEED TO BE CONSIDERED HEAVILY. THIS NEEDS TO BE VOTED NO. UH, THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT IT. FROM WHAT YOU'RE HEARING TODAY, FROM WHAT YOU ALL HAVE IN YOUR INBOXES, THE QUESTIONS AROUND THIS, THE NEEDS AROUND OF OUR CITY, [02:45:01] THE ANSWER IS NO. IF YOU WANT TO COME BACK AND YOU WANT TO FIGURE SOMETHING ELSE OUT AT A LATER POINT IN TIME, THEN DO THAT. BUT TODAY THE ANSWER IS NO. THAT'S THE ONLY ANSWER THAT IS REASONABLE AND APPROPRIATE FOR THE CITIZENS OF MIDLAND, TEXAS. FIRST OF ALL, THE CITIZENS OF MIDLAND, TEXAS HAVE ALREADY PAID THIS MONEY. WE HAVE WELL OVER WHAT WE NEED IN THE RESERVES AND THE WORDS OF THE MAYOR HERSELF THAT WE HAVE 200 DAY OVER 200 DAYS OF RESERVES AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW. RECOMMENDED RECOMMENDATION IS 990 TO 120 DAYS. WE ARE WELL. WE ARE A HEALTHY CITY. IN YOUR WORDS, WE'RE A HEALTHY CITY. WE WOULD STILL BE A HEALTHY CITY IF WE TOOK THIS MONEY OUT. MONEY THAT THE TAXPAYERS HAVE ALREADY PAID IN. WE'VE ALREADY PAID FOR IT, SO LET'S USE THOSE FUNDS TO THAT. WE COULD ADJUST OUR CURRENT BUDGET. THERE IS SO MUCH ROOM IN THE BUDGET. IF WE REALLY WANTED TO, IF YOU HAD THE MOTIVATION AND YOU HAD THE CARE TO DO IT, WE COULD SIT DOWN. MR. GONZALEZ AND I, I WOULD BE GLAD TO GO THROUGH IT. WE COULD DO IT THIS AFTERNOON. WE COULD GO THROUGH THE BUDGET AND WE COULD FIND FOUR AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS. THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT IT. WE CAN MAKE THOSE ADJUSTMENTS. MAYOR, YOU HAVE SAID WE NEED TO REPRIORITIZE THINGS. WHEN YOU VOTED FOR THIS, YOU SAID THESE ARE PROJECTS THAT WE ARE GONNA BE NEEDING TO DO ANYWAY, AND SO THIS IS JUST SHUFFLING THINGS IN LINE. WELL, THEN WE BUMP THINGS BACK. IF THIS IS A PRIORITY NOW, THEN THOSE THINGS THAT AREN'T THAT BIG OF A PRIORITY TO YOU, THEY NEED TO BE MOVED BACK. THAT MONEY NOW IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS. WE DON'T NEED TO BE GOING TO THE TAXPAYERS. THOSE ARE SOLUTIONS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS MORE THAT IF WE REALLY WANTED TO FIND IT, WE COULD GO DO IT. WE DON'T NEED TO BE DOING WHAT WE'RE DOING. THIS FEE IS DISHONEST. IT IS A TERRIBLE SOLUTION FOR THIS. IT IS NOT A DRAINAGE FEE. YOU MAY SAY, OKAY, WE CAN USE A DRAINAGE FEE FOR OUR ROADS AND OUR INFRASTRUCTURE BECAUSE OUR ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE DO INCLUDE DRAINAGE CONSIDERATIONS. BUT THAT IS NOT THE PURPOSE OF THIS. IT IS NOT TO RESOLVE OUR DRAINAGE PROBLEMS. WE HAVE DRAINAGE PROBLEMS IN THE CITY THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. THIS ISN'T FIXING THAT. WE STILL HAVE THOSE. THIS IS A NEW PROJECT. THIS IS SOMETHING ELSE. IT IS NOT A DRAINAGE FEE. IT IS A TAX. IF YOU HAD PASSED THIS AS A TAX, IF YOU HAD ADDED THIS FOUR AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS TO THE TAX WHEN WE, WHEN YOU VOTED ON THE BUDGET AND YOU VOTED ON THE TAX RATE, YOU COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT. IT WOULD'VE HAD TO GO TO VOTER APPROVAL, IT WOULD'VE BEEN OVER THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE. BUT YOU ARE DOING IT NOW AND YOU'RE AVOIDING THOSE PRECAUTIONS. IF THIS HAD BEEN, IF YOU HAD HAD LEADERSHIP AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS PROCESS, AND WE HAD PUT THIS IN THE MISD BOND, M MIS SD BOND, THAT'S NOT PAID. THOSE TAXES AREN'T PAID BY PEOPLE OVER 65. BUT THIS IS, THIS IS A BURDEN ON OUR ELDERLY, OUR PEOPLE THAT ARE LIVING ON FIXED INCOME. THIS IS SIGNIFICANT. YOU CANNOT GO FORWARD WITH THIS AND PUNISH OUR CITIZENS, OUR PEOPLE, BECAUSE YOU HAVE DIFFERENT PRIORITIES. AS ISAAC SAID EARLIER, IT WAS GREAT WITH LIMITED FUNDS, YOU HAVE TO MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS, MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS TO REPRESENT AND RESPECT THE TAXPAYERS, THE CITIZENS OF MIDLAND, TEXAS. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL STEVEN WILLIAMS TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. OKAY. STEVEN WILLIAMS, 25 13, FANON MIDLAND, TEXAS. UH, I CAN JUDGE QUITE A BIT ON THIS STUFF TOO. THE FAXES, THE FACTS AND THE MONEY AND STUFF LIKE THAT. SIMON HAD QUESTION TWO. WE'RE PAYING 1.2 MILLION FOR FIVE SALARIES. THE CITY, IS THAT WHAT I GOT FROM THAT NUMBER A WHILE AGO? FIVE PEOPLE MAKE 1.5, 1.2 MILLION FOR FIVE PEOPLE. THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY IN MIDLAND. OKAY. YEAH. I'VE GROWN UP MEN MY WHOLE LIFE. MY DAD OWN A CPA FIRM. I'M CPA'S SON. I'M SELF-EMPLOYED AS WELL. PAY A LOT OF TAXES MYSELF. OKAY? MY WIFE'S GRANDMOTHER, SHE SAYS SHE'S 86 YEARS OLD AND LIVES ON A FIXED INCOME. SHE'S 86 YEARS OLD, MAKES MORE DOLLARS A MONTH ON HER PENSION FROM TEACHING. THIS AFFECTS HER A LOT. AFFECTS US A LOT, AFFECTS EVERYBODY A LOT. I'M ASKING A CITIZEN NOT TO BE PASSIONATE. YELL AND SCREAM. MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION. IF YOU'RE FROM MIDLAND, YOU GREW UP IN MIDLAND, YOU UP IN , YOU'RE A 14 RAISED MIDLAND. YOU'VE BEEN HERE, YOU'VE SEEN IT. WE'VE GONE FROM A HUNDRED THOUSAND OUR HOMES TO 500,000 HOMES. MAKES NO SENSE, RIGHT? GROCERIES GO UP, FUEL GOES UP, CARS GO UP. EVERYTHING'S EXPENSIVE. PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY THESE TAXES. IT'S, IT'S, IT'S WHAT IT IS. YEAH. I MAKE GOOD MONEY. YOU MAKE GOOD MONEY. WE ALL MAKE GOOD MONEY UP HERE. WE DO. OKAY. WE ALL PAY A LOT OF TAXES AS WELL. OKAY? I'M ASKING AS A CITIZEN TO DO THE RIGHT THING. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SAYING. DO THE RIGHT THING. THE MONEY SHOULD BE THERE. OKAY? IF WE CAN PAY 1.2 MILLION FOR FIVE PEOPLE IN THE CITY, THAT'S A PROBLEM THERE FOR FIVE PEOPLE. OKAY? FOUR. FOUR PEOPLE. NO, THERE WAS FIVE. WE ADDED UP FIVE I THINK. OKAY, SO WE CAN DO THAT. WE GOTTA CUT SOMEWHERE, RIGHT? THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY. OKAY? YOU MAKE MORE THAN MOST PEOPLE MAKE, LIKE, YOU KNOW, A TRUCK DRIVER MAKES $50,000 A YEAR ON THE AVERAGE POST BONUS. OKAY? SIX TIMES THAT. SEVEN TIMES THAT. TO DO WHAT? TO SPEND MONEY. WE CAN, WE CAN COME BACK IN THE CITY. WE COME, A LOT OF THINGS WE DO, WE CAN CUT BACK IN A LOT OF THINGS. OKAY? BID STUFF OUT, GET LATER BIDS, CHEAPER. BIDDING PERMITS, $3 MILLION IN PERMIT FEES. I'D LIKE TO SEE THAT ON SPREADSHEET, HOW THAT BREAKS DOWN TO $3 MILLION PER PERMIT FEE, IF THAT'S WHY I HEARD THAT, RIGHT. 3 MILLION FOR PERMIT FEES. IS THAT WHAT YOU SAID? 3 MILLION FOR PERMIT FEES, BECAUSE I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THAT. THAT'S WHAT I HEARD. WAS THAT RIGHT? CAN WE CLARIFY THAT FOR ME? WE CAN GET INFORMATION BACK TO YOU. YEAH. 3 MILLION PERMIT FEE FEES, WHETHER PERMITS, $3 MILLION FOR PERMITS. WHAT ARE WE BUYING? WHAT ARE YOU BUILDING? I KNOW I DID MY HOUSE FROM ALL MY PERMITS. THAT MUCH. MY, MY PERMITS. I'M NOT BUILDING TO SCHOOL, [02:50:01] BUT 3 MILLION FOR PERMIT FEES. NUMBER 2 MILLION, PROBABLY DESIGN FEES. YEAH. WHY ARE WE DOING STUFF LIKE, WE HAVE PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE THAT CAN DO AUTOCAD, ENGINEERS IN C CAN DO THAT STUFF. WE'RE DOING OUTSOURCING IT FOR TWO, $3 MILLION AT A TIME. WHY? THAT'S THE MONEY IT COMES FROM. THAT'S ALL I'M ASKING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. JOB THIS TIME. I'D LIKE TO CALL RANDALL HICKS TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. MAYOR, IF BEFORE THEY START, CAN I ANSWER THIS QUESTION? SURE. SO IT'S NOT OUTSOURCED THAT THAT PARTICULAR ITEM, I DON'T BELIEVE WAS OUTSOURCED. IT WAS A FEE THAT OUR PEOPLE GO OUT AND DO THE WORK IF IT WAS OUTSOURCED, IT'S A FEE THAT THEY PAY TO THE CITY. AND WHAT I SAID EARLIER IS THAT FEE THAT WAS PAID TO THE CITY BY, BY MISD WE'RE USING TO REDUCE THIS AMOUNT, THAT THAT HELPED REDUCE THE 18 AND A HALF MILLION DOWN. AND THAT'S WHAT, UM, REDUCED THE OVERALL, UM, AMOUNT STILL OWED. I ALSO MENTIONED THE WATER DEPARTMENT. THEY DID 1.5 MILLION. THEY GOT IT TO A LITTLE OVER $13 MILLION. SO THAT'S WHERE THE FEES DISCUSSION CAME FROM OR WHERE THAT, THAT POINT IS. MISD PAID THAT TO THE CITY. 'CAUSE THAT WAS A SERVICE THAT IS A STATE LAW THAT YOU HAVE TO RECOVER 100% OF YOUR COSTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, WHICH DOES THE PERMITS, AND THAT'S ACROSS EVERY CITY IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. OKAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL RANDALL HICKS TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. IS MR. HICKS HERE? I WAS SPEAKING ON RANDALL'S BEHALF HOSPITAL. WE HAVE, UH, IS BEVERLY HICKS AVAILABLE TO, NO, SHE'S NOT. SHE'S HANDICAPPED AND CANNOT MAKE IT HERE, SO WILL ALL ALLOW ME OR SOMEONE TO READ HER LETTER. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. BEVERLY HICKS, 32 21 CA AVENUE. SHE'S BEEN A RESIDENT HERE FOR MORE THAN 60 YEARS. AT 86 YEARS OLD. AS A RETIRED TEACHER, I'VE GIVEN IN SACRIFICED MUCH FOR MISD WITH A PENSION OF ONLY $400 A MONTH, $400 A MONTH, AND NOT BEING ELIGIBLE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY. I HAVE MADE MORE THAN ENOUGH SACRIFICES TO MY COMMUNITY AND OUR LOCAL SCHOOL. THEY RECEIVED THEIR BOND AND THEY NEED TO LEARN TO WORK WITHIN THE MEANS OF THAT SET BOND. THE CITY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE, NOR THE TAXPAYERS FOR THE EXCESS DRAINAGE FEE THAT WILL NOT FALL UNDER ANY TAX LIMITATIONS. I'M ASKING THAT YOU BE MINDFUL AND RESPECTFUL OF THOSE SUCH AS MYSELF ON A FIXED INCOME. I OWN MY OWN HOME, MY TAXES ARE FROZEN, YET THEY SEEM TO GO UP. THERE IS, IT SEEMS TO BE A CONTINUE INCREASE THAT IS INSULT TO INJURY AT THIS POINT. THE TAXPAYERS ALREADY PAID MONEY FOR A PARKING GARAGE AT $45 MILLION. YOU CAN CALL IT MDC, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S STILL OUR TAXPAYER MONEY NO MATTER WHERE IT COMES FROM. SO I LOOK TO THE COUNCIL TO SEND THIS BACK TO, TO THE STAFF. STAFF TO SEARCH AND FIND YOUR MONEY, BUT NOT IN MY PURSE, COIN OR POCKETBOOK. THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL TERRY GARRETT TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. MY NAME'S TERRY GARRETT, AND I'M STILL AT 1605 MCDONALD'S FOR 46 YEARS. OKAY, THANK YOU. ALL OF MY CONSTITUENTS HERE HAVE PRETTY MUCH SAID A LOT OF WHAT I WANT TO SAY. BUT I HAD LUNCH WITH TOMMY DECEMBER 30TH. WE WENT OVER, HE WENT OVER SOME OF THESE RIDICULOUS NUMBERS ABOUT HOW MUCH MONEY HE SAVED HERE AND HOW MUCH MONEY HE SAVED THERE, WHAT HE DID FOR THE CITY OF EL PASO. WHAT WORKED IN DALLAS. THIS AIN'T DALLAS, THIS AIN'T EL PASO. EL PASO HAS A RIO GRANDE RIVER FOR WATER TO RUN OFF INTO DALLAS AND FORT WORTH'S GOT THE FORT WORTH BASIN AND THEY GOT THE TRINITY RIVER. THEY GOT PLACES FOR WATER TO RUN OFF MIDLAND, TEXAS. IT SIT IN THE BOTTOM OF THE MIDLAND BASIN, WHICH SETS IN THE BOTTOM OF THE PERMIAN BASIN. I DON'T KNOW IF Y'ALL REALIZE IT, BUT WATER RUNS DOWNHILL. IT ALWAYS HAS. EVER SINCE GOD CREATED THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH. WATER RUNS DOWNHILL. IT DON'T RUN UPHILL. YOU GOTTA PUMP IT. WE DON'T HAVE NO PLACE TO PUMP IT. IT'S A HUNDRED MILES TO THE PECOS RIVER AND IT'S 80 MILES TO THE COLORADO RIVER. THOSE ARE OUR NEAREST PLACES. THIS FEE, WE PAYING THESE FOUR PEOPLE A MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR TO SIT UP HERE AND TELL US WHAT WE NEED TO BE DOING BECAUSE EL PASO DID IT. NOW, WHEN, HOW IN THE CORNBREAD, HELL DO YOU JUSTIFY THAT? HOW DO YOU DO IT? I'M ASKING YOU. I'M NOT GONNA RESPOND. WE'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO RESPOND UNLESS THERE'S A DIRECT QUESTION. NO, NO, Y'ALL DON'T. DO YOU SET UP FOR LIKE A BUNCH [02:55:01] OF STONE FACE MONKEYS AND IGNORE US? WE'RE USED TO IT. WE IS EXPECTING IT. BUT YOU HAVE NO MORE RESPECT FOR US OR THE CITY OF THIS OR THE PEOPLE IN THIS CITY THAN YOU HAVE FOR HORNY TOADS. YOU IGNORE US. YOU DO WHAT YOU WANNA DO. YOU DON'T DO WHAT YOU DON'T WANT TO DO, AND YOU EXPECT US TO PAY FOR IT. THE IDIOTIC SCHOOL BOARD OUGHT TO HAVE TO PAY FOR WHATEVER IT TAKES TO, UH, FIX THE STREETS AT THE END OF WIDELY. THEY OUGHT TO HAVE TO FI PAY FOR THE ONE. THE OTHER ONES THAT, THAT BOUGHT THE LAND, THEY MADE THE DEAL MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, UNBEKNOWNST TO MOST EVERYBODY IN TOWN. THEY'RE THE ONES THAT THAT WERE TOLD. WE TOLD THEM. AND OVER AND OVER, ANYBODY THAT'S PLAYED GOLF OUT AT RANCHING HILLS FOR THE LAST 50 YEARS KNOW ABOUT THE PIPELINES. AND THEN THAT IDIOT STEPHANIE HOWARD IS GOING TO TRANSPLANT A TREE. SHE DESTROYED THE COUNTRY CLUB AND TRANSPLANTED, I DUNNO, WHAT WAS IT, 200 SOMETHING. THEY ALL DIED. WE KNEW THEY WOULD, EVERYBODY IN TOWN KNEW THE TREES THAT DIED. BUT Y'ALL, Y'ALL THINK YOU CAN TRANSPLANT A 75-YEAR-OLD TREE? GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY. YOUR, YOUR, YOUR IGNORANCE AND, AND AND STUPIDITY IS WHAT'S GOT US ALL HERE. AND YOU WANNA PUT, YOU WANT US TO PAY YOU MORE MONEY WITHOUT ANY, WITHOUT ANY, UH, ACCOUNTABILITY. YOU, YOU'RE JUST GONNA CALL IT A STORM. PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIX WALEY AVENUE SINCE, SINCE IT WAS FIRST YOUR REMARKS PAID. PLEASE, YOUR REMARKS. PLEASE CONCLUDE YOUR REMARKS. WADLEY AIN'T GONNA BE FIXED NO MATTER HOW MUCH MONEY TOMMY GONZALEZ SAYS WE NEED TO DO IT. IT AIN'T GONNA BE FIXED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR REMARKS. YEAH. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL MICHELLE REINER TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. OKAY? THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL KAYLA RICHARDSON TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. I WAS NOT PREPARED FOR THIS, SO I WAS PREPARED TO GIVE MY TIME TO NINO, BUT I COULD SEE WHY Y'ALL WOULDN'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN. I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT HERE ABOUT THE PRIORITIES, SPECIFICALLY HOW MIDLAND CITY COUNCIL IS CHOOSING TO SPEND TAXPAYER MONEY AND WHO ENDS UP PAYING THE PRI A PRICE FOR THOSE CHOICES. MIDLAND IS NOT A STRUGGLING CITY. WE ARE HARDWORKING ENERGY PRODUCING COMMUNITY THAT GENERATES REAL WEALTH. OUR CITIZENS PAY THEIR TAXES, MAINTAIN THEIR HOMES, AND EXPECT THE BASICS OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO BE HANDLED RESPONSIBLY. THINGS LIKE ROADS, DRAINAGE, FLOOD CONTROL, AND CORE INFRASTRUCTURE. YET INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON THOSE ESSENTIALS, THIS COUNCIL HAS CHOSEN TO SUBSIDIZE LARGE CORPORATIONS, POLITICALLY FASHIONABLE, DEI BRANDED PROJECTS, BUSINESSES LIKE COSTCO AND THE OMNI HOTEL. THESE ARE NOT MOM AND POP STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE. THEY'RE A BILLION DOLLAR CORPORATIONS FULLY CAPABLE OF FUNDING THEIR OWN DEVELOPMENTS WITHOUT HELP FROM MIDLAND TAXPAYERS. LET'S BE CLEAR. WHEN THE CITY USES PUBLIC MONEY TO SUBSIDIZE PRIVATE BUSINESSES, THAT MONEY COMES FROM NOWHERE. THAT MONEY DOESN'T COME FROM NOWHERE. IT COMES FROM THE PEOPLE SITTING IN THIS ROOM AND THE FAMILIES ACROSS MIDLAND WHO ARE ALREADY DEALING WITH RISING COST OF LIVING. YOU'RE LITERALLY TAXING US OUT OF OUR HOMES. AND NOW, AFTER YEARS OF NEGLECTING THE STORM CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, ESPECIALLY STORM WATER DRAINAGE, WE'RE TOLD THERE'S A CRISIS. FLOODING IS REAL, A REAL ISSUE. STORM RUNOFF IS A REAL ISSUE. BUT INSTEAD OF ACKNOWLEDGING THAT POOR PRI PRIORITIZATION CREATED THIS PROBLEM, THE SOLUTION PRESENTED YET ANOTHER FEE, A STORM RUNOFF FEE, EFFECTIVELY A NEW TAX. AND YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHAT IT IS. SO LET'S ASK THE OBVIOUS QUESTION. WHY ARE RESIDENTS BEING CHARGED MORE? BECAUSE THE CITY CHOSE CORPORATE SUBSIDIES OVER INFRASTRUCTURE. WHY ARE HOMEOWNERS AND SMALL BUSINESSES BEING ASKED TO TIGHTEN THEIR BELTS WHILE LARGE CORPORATIONS RECEIVE INCENTIVES AND PUBLIC PRAISE? THIS ISN'T ABOUT BEING AGAINST GROWTH. MIDLAND WANTS GROWTH, BUT GROWTH MUST BE RESPONSIBLE. AND IT MUST START WITH INFRASTRUCTURE, ROADS, DRAINAGE AND FLOOD CONTROLS SHOULD COME BEFORE LUXURY HOTELS AND POLITICALLY TRENDY DEVELOPMENT DEALS. WHEN GOVERNMENT PICKS WINNERS AND LOSERS, TAXPAYERS LOSE. WHEN ESSENTIAL SERVICES ARE DELAYED, CITIZENS PAY TWICE, FIRST THROUGH SUBSIDIES AND THEN THROUGH NEW FEES AND TAXES TO FIX WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED YEARS AGO. THE STORM RUNOFF FEE ISN'T JUST A LINE ITEM, [03:00:01] IT'S A SYMBOL OF MISPLACED PRIORITIES. IT TELLS CITIZENS THAT CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS MATTER MORE THAN BASIC SERVICES. AND THAT EVERY DAY RESIDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO FOOT THE BILL. I URGE THIS COUNCIL TO RETHINK ITS APPROACH. STOP SUBSIDIZING CORPOR CORPORATIONS THAT DON'T NEED IT. FOCUS ON CORE INFRASTRUCTURE FIRST AND STOP AND STOP BALANCING THE BUDGET ON THE BATS OF US. WE ALREADY PAY ENOUGH. MIDLAND DESERVES BETTER PRIORITIES AND BETTER STEWARDSHIP FROM OF TAXPAYERS MONEY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. THIS TIME I'D LIKE TO CALL SHEILA WILLIAMSON TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. IS SHEILA WILLIAMSON HERE? SHEILA WILLIAMSON. 4 0 4 SWEET BRIAR MIDLAND. UM, I SPOKE THE LAST MEETING THAT ALL OF THIS WAS DISCUSSED, AND THERE'S STILL THINGS ON THERE THAT IT'S NOT CLEAR. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE'RE HAVING TO DO THIS IF THERE WASN'T PRIOR PLANNING. I MEAN, LIKE PEOPLE ARE SAYING, WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO PAY TWICE AND THIS IF WE DO ADOPT THIS, OR IF YOU DO ADOPT THIS, IT WILL NOT GO AWAY. THERE WILL ALWAYS BE SOMETHING DOWN THE LINE THAT WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE ANOTHER FEE AND IT WILL BE CALLED A FEE BECAUSE WE WON'T GET TO VOTE ON IT. THAT'S RIGHT. SO I JUST, YOU NEED TO PRE-PLAN. I KNOW THERE IS MONEY SOMEPLACE. I MEAN, CITIZENS GROWING UP, YOU ARE TOLD TO SAVE FOR A RAINY DAY. OUR RAINY DAY HAS ARRIVED. WE HAVE GOT TO USE SOME OF THAT RAINY DAY MONEY. WE CAN REPLACE IT DOWN THE LINE BECAUSE YOU CAN PLAN BETTER FOR THE NEXT, UM, EMERGENCY. SO I KNOW IT'S, I'VE LIVED HERE 50 YEARS, THE SAME HOUSE, 50 YEARS, PAID MY TAXES WITHOUT ANY SQUABBLE ABOUT IT. NOW I'M RETIRED. I LIVE ON A FIXED INCOME AND IT'S TIME FOR SOMEBODY TO START GIVING BACK TO THE CITIZENS INSTEAD OF THE CITIZENS ALWAYS GIVING, GIVING, GIVING. YES. SO, OKAY. AND MS. BURS, I APPRECIATE YOU RESPONDING TO MY EMAIL. THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS. THAT CONCLUDES THE RESPE REQUEST TO SPEAK QUESTION OR, UH, CARDS THAT WE HAVE. AND SO AT THIS TIME, I'LL CONSIDER, OR, OR WE WILL CONSIDER DISCUSSION AMONG COUNSEL ON ITEM 31 AS WE MOVE TOWARDS THE DECISION. SO I DON'T DISAGREE WITH A LOT OF, UH, WHAT WAS SAID TODAY AND UM, YOU KNOW, THERE'S, THERE'S IMPLICATIONS. UH, I MEAN THERE'S, THERE'S, THERE'S CONSEQUENCES TO WHATEVER ACTIONS THAT ARE MADE. UM, YOU KNOW, WHETHER YOU PUSH BONDS, WHETHER YOU PASS THINGS, WHATEVER THE CASE. AND, YOU KNOW, AND, AND I CAN SAY THAT I NEVER WANTED TO BE IN THIS POSITION. UM, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT I SHARE A LOT OF THE SAME SIMILARITIES AND THE BELIEFS WHEN IT CAME TO THE MISD BOND IN ITSELF. UM, AND, AND A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN SAID, YOU KNOW, WE'RE, WE'RE KIND OF AT A CROSSROADS WHERE I UNDERSTAND THAT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WANT US TO SAY NO. I WANNA SAY NO. I MEAN, THERE'S THINGS THAT I DON'T LIKE, BUT THERE'S ALSO THE REALIZATION TOO, THAT THINGS HAVE TO BE PAID. AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, THIS IS WHAT'S REALLY TOUGH BECAUSE WE DO HAVE CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION. I DIDN'T WANNA SEND THIS CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION. I THOUGHT THAT, UH, YOU KNOW, MISD SHOULD HAVE PICKED UP SOME, SOME MORE THINGS. BUT YOU KNOW WHAT, THAT'S, THAT'S MORE HERE NOR THERE. THIS IS THE SITUATION THAT WE'RE AT TODAY. THIS IS THE SITUATION AT HAND THAT WE HAVE TODAY. SO, YOU KNOW, THE QUESTION IS, WHAT'S THE BEST PATH GOING FORWARD? ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I HAVE WORKED WITH STAFF OVER THE, THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS WAS FINDING A WAY TO AUDIT SOME OF OUR DRAINAGE SYSTEM AS, AS THE FEES THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY IMPOSING ON PEOPLE AND MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE, UH, YOU KNOW, SCRUBBING THROUGH THAT AND MAKING SURE THAT WE FIND EVERY DOLLAR POSSIBLE THAT WE CAN. BECAUSE IF WE'RE NOT COLLECTING FULLY IN SOME OF THOSE THINGS, THEN WE NEED TO BE COLLECTING FULLY IN THOSE THINGS. AND I'VE GOTTEN A COMMITMENT FROM STAFF TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT. UH, WE'VE LOOKED AT THE MDC OF BEING ABLE TO BRING IN SOME FUNDING AND WE'VE LOOKED AT SOME OF THESE OTHER THINGS. SO WE'RE, WE'RE HERE TRYING TO FIND THE BEST SOLUTION FORWARD. NOW THE OTHER THING IS, IS THAT WE DO KNOW THAT THERE IS SOME LONG TERM NEEDS. AND I, I KNOW, AND NOBODY IN THIS ROOM WANTS TO, TO PASS A ROAD BOND LATER ON DOWN THE ROAD WHENEVER WE HAVE SOME OF THESE NEEDS. AND SO THIS EVEN GOES BEYOND ON THESE, SOME OF THESE THINGS. AND I NOW, I AGREE WITH EVERYBODY IN HERE. THESE NEED TO BE, THINGS NEED TO BE ACCOUNTABLE. I MEAN, IF WE'RE GONNA BE SPENDING MONEY ON ROADS, DRAINAGE, AND INFRASTRUCTURE, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN ACCOUNT FOR WHERE THOSE DOLLARS ARE GOING AND WE CAN SHOW THAT THIS IS, THIS IS WHAT THIS IS FOR. 'CAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, NOBODY WANTS TO SEE THEIR FUNDS GOING INTO SOMETHING THAT IT'S NOT [03:05:01] GOING, IT'S NOT BEING USED FOR WHAT IT WAS INITIALLY DESIGNED FOR. SO JUST KINDA LEAVE IT AT THAT. YEAH. ANYBODY ELSE HAVE COMMENTS? I, I THINK SIMILAR TO WHAT YOU SAID, I, THIS IS NOT A THING THAT I, I DON'T THINK ANY OF US WANT TO DO THIS. I I THINK THAT WE WISH THAT WE HAD OTHER OPPORTUNITIES. UM, AND WE ARE GOING TO, WE DO, WE DO HAVE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES, BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT, UM, WE ARE PRIORITIZING AND WE ARE PLANNING AHEAD, UM, TO MAKE PAYMENTS IN 27, 28, AND 29 THAT WE'RE CONTRACTUALLY OBLIGATED TO PAY. AND SO WE ARE GONNA MOVE FORWARD WITH, UM, ANY OTHER COMMENTS THAT COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE TO MAKE THEN? WELL, I MEAN, WE DEFINITELY NEED TO COME BACK ON THIS. UM, YOU KNOW, I, I'VE TALKED TO, WELL, I, AND I'VE TALKED TO STAFF NOW, IT'S GONNA TAKE A WHILE. HERE'S THE PROBLEM. IT'S GONNA TAKE A LONG, IT'S GONNA TAKE A WHILE TO DO A FULL AUDIT OF ALL OF THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT. AND THE PROBLEM IS WE HAVE A, A TICKING CLOCK THAT A PAYMENT IS DUE. UM, SO IF WE DO PASS SOMETHING TODAY, I WANT THIS BROUGHT BACK IN FRONT OF COUNCIL WITHIN THE NEXT 12 TO 18 MONTHS THAT WE ACTUALLY GO IN AND WE, WE ASSESS THOSE FEES THAT WE'RE NOT COLLECTING. WE GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE BUDGET AND FIND PLACES WHERE THERE'S POTENTIAL FOR US TO GET MONEY. WE GET TO THE, THE MDC FUNDS AND WE APPLY THIS. AND THEN AT THAT POINT IN TIME WITH WHATEVER REDUCTIONS THAT WE FOUND, WE NEED TO REDUCE THOSE RATES. AGREE WITH THAT. FOR US ALL, WE ARE GOING TO LOOK FOR ACTION FROM COUNCIL. IF THERE ARE NO OTHER COMMENTS, DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING ELSE YOU WANTED TO SAY? WELL, DID HE MAKE A MOTION IN THAT? I MEAN, THAT WAS, I MEAN, THAT WAS, UM, I MEAN, IF I NEED TO MAKE MOTION, I THINK WE, WE ARE DIRECTING COUNSEL OR STAFF TO, TO COME BACK TO US. WELL DO WHAT I WAS GONNA SECOND, IF THAT WAS A MOTION TO ADD THAT THAT IS, YEAH. WAS THAT A MOTION IN, UH, THAT'S A MOTION. SO WE HAVE A MOTION TO CLARIFY YOUR MOTION IF YOU WOULD PLEASE. A MOTION THAT THIS IS TO COME BACK IN 12 TO 18 MONTHS FOR US TO COME IN AND REVIEW ALL OF THE POTENTIAL SAVINGS THAT WE CAN FIND THROUGH GOING THROUGH THE DRAINAGE AND SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT. AND TO BE ABLE TO REASSESS THAT AND TO BE ABLE TO REDUCE THOSE FEES. SO THAT'S A MOTION CLARIFY ON THIS ITEM THOUGH, WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. SO I UNDERSTAND THE COMING BACK TO LOOK AT IT. YES, IT IS. TO PASS THIS AS IS, BUT THEN COME BACK AND REDUCE IT 12 TO 18 MONTHS FROM NOW. IT'S AN AMENDMENT TO, YOU'RE ADDING AN AMENDMENT TO THAT, RIGHT? SO TO PASS AND LOOK GUYS, LEMME CLARIFY. I DON'T, I DON'T LIKE ANY OF OF THIS. I REALLY DON'T. DON'T. AND, AND I'M GONNA TELL YOU THAT'S COST TO BREAK THE CONTRACT. WE'RE NOT GONNA BE TRANSPARENT WITH ME. WHAT DOES IT COST EVERY, WE NOT GOING, EXCUSE ME. WE'RE NOT GONNA GET BACK AND FORTH. MS. WILLIAMS, YOU'VE BEEN WARNED. YOU A CITIZEN. EVERYONE. ARE YOU, WHERE YOU FROM PLEASE? WE'RE HORN HERE. WERE YOU, WE'RE GOING, WE HAVE A MOTION TO PASS THIS WITH A STIPULATION THAT WE BRING THIS BACK IN 12 TO 18 MONTHS. AM I RESTATING YOUR MOTION CORRECTLY? YES. UM, FOR CONSIDERATION TO LOWER THOSE FEES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. YES. THAT'S THE CORRECT. OKAY. SO WE HAVE A MOTION. WANNA CLARIFY, CAN, CAN WE ADD THE WORD AUDIT IN THERE? I I THINK THAT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT WORD THAT, THAT AN AUDIT GETS FIRST YOU, EVERYTHING FIRST, WOULD YOU LIKE TO AMEND YOUR MOTION? UH, YES. TO AUDIT, TO USE THE LANGUAGES TO AUDIT. OKAY, SO WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND AUDIT? FIRST COME BACK TO IT. ARE WE SUPPOSED TO, DO WE, I HAVE A SECOND. WE HAVE A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN SUB. SO A MOTION FROM COUNCIL MEMBER BUR BEHOLDER. A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN STUBBS. IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION AMONG COUNCIL? ALL RIGHT, AMY, I'M THINKING SO IT'S COMING BACK AND SO YOU'RE WANTING, LET'S FACE IT, YOU'RE NOT COMING BACK. WOULD WE PUT THIS LANGUAGE IN THERE? IT WILL COME BACK. IT HAS TO COME BACK EVERYBODY. IT'S GONNA BE MORE CONCRETE. 12 TO 18 MONTHS. THAT'S BIG. WHY DON'T SHE AUDIT 12 MONTHS. DO YOU WANNA SPECI? YOU CAN ADD AN ADDITIONAL AMENDMENT. AMEND THE MOTION TO CONSIDER A SPECIFIC DATES COME BACK. THAT'S WHAT WANNA DO. PLEASE. AT THE, AT THIS POINT, THE, THE PEOPLE THAT ARE TALKING IN THE GALLERY ARE NOW INHIBITING THE MEETING. THE COUNCIL IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE MOTION ON THE TABLE IS, PLEASE. OR FOR WHO MAYBE THERE'S MORE DISCUSSION WE'RE I DON'T WANNA HAVE TO, YOU KNOW WHAT, LET'S, LET'S JUST HANDLE THIS AND THEN WE WILL ADJOURN AND TAKE UP SOME BUSINESS. WE NEED A BREAK HERE IN A MINUTE, UNLESS SOMEBODY WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO HAVE A BREAK NOW. BUT WE HAVE A MOTION TO CONSIDER TO BRING THIS BACK IN 12 TO 18 MONTHS. WE HAVE A SECOND MIDLAND, UNLESS WE'RE GOING TO AMEND THAT FURTHER, WE NEED TO CONSIDER THE MOTION THAT'S IN FRONT OF US. OKAY. SO IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, LET'S VOTE ON THE MOTION AS PROPOSED. [03:10:01] COME ON. WOW. THE MOTION TO COME BACK IN 12 TO 18 MONTHS PASSES IS SIX TO ZERO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A 10 MINUTE RECESS AND WE'LL RESUME AT 1 23. IF YOU WILL TEXT MESSAGE ME OR CALL ME OR EMAIL ME. WE HAVE, UM, A FEW OTHER THINGS TO HANDLE BEFORE WE ARE FINISHED HERE. I'M [32. 004-2026 - MOTION APPOINTING A MAYOR PRO TEMPORE (DISTRICT: ALL) (CITY SECRETARY) (PROVIDE SOUND GOVERNANCE & FISCAL MANAGEMENT)] GONNA GO AHEAD AND DO, UM, ITEM NUMBER 32. FIRST, WE'VE, WE'VE COMPLETED 31. WE'RE GONNA MOVE FORWARD TO ITEM NUMBER 32, A MOTION APPOINTING A MAYOR PRO TIM. UM, WE TYPICALLY HAVE FOLLOWED IN DUE COURSE BASED ON TENURE. AND I BELIEVE THAT RIGHT NOW IT IS COUNCILWOMAN AMY STRETCHER BURKE'S OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT. I THINK SHE WOULD MAKE AN EXCELLENT MAYOR PRO TIM. AND, YOU KNOW, I'M NOT GONNA MAKE IT IN A FORM OF A MOTION 'CAUSE TYPICALLY COUNCIL MEMBERS DO THAT. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND THAT WE SUPPORT AMY'S TIME AS MAYOR PRO TIMM. I THINK SHE, SHE WORKS REALLY HARD AND I APPRECIATE THAT. I AGREE. AMY WORKS. I OH, I AGREE. AMY WORKS REALLY HARD AND I'D LIKE TO HAVE THE HONOR TO MOVE TO HAVE AMY NOMINATED AS MAYOR PRO TIMM FOR THE CITY OF MIDLAND. OKAY, WELL EMPHATICALLY SECOND. SO WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN LAD AND A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN STUBBS. UM, THE OTHER THING I WANNA SAY, COUNCILWOMAN, UM, ROBIN POOLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE HERE, BUT SHE'S BEEN OUR MAYOR PRO TIM FOR THE LAST YEAR. SHE'S DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB. AND SO, UM, JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE SAY THAT AS WELL. SO WITH THAT, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO SUPPORT AMY S STRETCHER BURKES AS OUR MAYOR PRO TIMM. IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ARE YOU WILLING TO ACCEPT THIS ROLE? OKAY, SO WE APPRECIATE THAT WE WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH ACTION FROM COUNSEL. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU VERY [PUBLIC COMMENT] MUCH. UH, WE DO HAVE INTERVIEWS THAT WE'RE GOING TO CONDUCT AND THOSE WILL BE HELD IN PUBLIC SESSION. BUT BEFORE WE DO THAT, I WANNA OFFER THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THOSE THAT NEED TO LEAVE, SINCE THIS HAS BEEN A LENGTHY MEETING. UH, FIRST I'LL CALL JUDD CAMPBELL TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. JUDD CAMPBELL, MIDLAND, TEXAS MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. IT'S GOOD TO BE UP HERE AGAIN TO TALK ABOUT. UM, I, I WANTED TO SAY A COUPLE OF THINGS I DIDN'T HAVE TIME FOR BEFORE AND APOLOGIZE THAT I GET REALLY HEATED, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE TIME CONSTRAINTS ARE SO TIGHT. IT'S LIKE I GOTTA SPIT IT ALL OUT. AND I DIDN'T GET IT ALL SPIT OUT. I'M OBVIOUSLY DISAPPOINTED IN HOW YOU ALL VOTED. UM, I'VE BEEN DISAPPOINTED IN HOW THIS WHOLE PROCESS HAS GONE. AND I THINK, UM, I THINK THE FOUR PEOPLE OVER HERE THAT HAVE VOTED TO TAKE ON THIS LIABILITY AND THEN ACTED LIKE, OH, NOW WE HAVE TO, UH, SURPRISE, SURPRISE, WE'VE GOTTA COME UP WITH A FUNDING MECHANISM. YOU KNEW THAT, YOU KNOW, SIX MONTHS AGO WHEN YOU VOTED FOR THIS, YOU DIDN'T PUT IT IN THE BUDGET AT THE TIME. YOU DIDN'T CONSIDER IT IN THE TAX RATE AT THE TIME. UM, YOU'VE KICKED THAT CAN, EVEN AFTER YOU TOOK ON THAT RESPONSIBILITY, YOU KICKED THAT CAN DOWN THE ROAD. AND THAT'S REALLY DISAPPOINTING. UM, LEADING UP TO THIS, THIS IS A REALLY DISCOURAGING THING THAT I SEE FROM OUR CITY IS THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT ITEM THAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR CITY FOR OUR CITIZENS. AND THERE WAS NO PUBLIC DISCUSSION. I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING ON SOCIAL MEDIA. I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING. THE NEWSPAPER WROTE AN ARTICLE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED AT THE LAST MEETING, BUT THERE'S NOTHING COMING FROM OUR CITY. WE HAVE STUART, DOREEN, OUR, OUR INFORMATION DIRECTOR, WHO PUTS OUT ALL SORTS OF INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE CITY. THE MAYOR YESTERDAY, YOU PUT OUT THREE THINGS IN MIDLAND FOR THE WEEK. NONE OF THEM MENTIONED WHAT'S HAPPENING TODAY AT CITY COUNCIL. WHY AREN'T YOU DISCUSSING THIS AND SHARING THIS WITH OUR CITIZENS? THAT PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. IF YOU BELIEVE IN WHAT YOU'RE DOING, YOU THINK WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS RIGHT AND YOU THINK IT'S REPRESENTING THE CITIZENS, THEN WHY AREN'T YOU TELLING THE CITIZENS BEFORE IT HAPPENS? DO THAT REPRESENT YOUR CITIZENS. HAVE SOME RESPECT. THE WAY THAT THE CITIZENS HAVE BEEN TREATED, I BELIEVE, IS VERY DISRESPECTFUL. I THINK THIS FEE IS VERY DISHONEST. IT IS THE WAY THAT IT'S PROPOSED. IT'S NOT A DRAINAGE FEE. IT IS NOT. AND YOU CAN CALL IT THAT. AND YOU CAN SAY IT'S LEGAL AND MAYBE IT IS. I'M NOT AN ATTORNEY AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND ALL THE LAW, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT IT'S NOT A DRAINAGE FEE. THIS IS NEW ROAD CONSTRUCTION THAT'S RELATED TO NEW PROJECTS FROM MISD. THIS IS NOT DESIGNED TO BE A SOLUTION FOR OUR DRAINAGE PROBLEMS. AND YOU'RE MISLEADING THE PUBLIC. YOU'RE MISLEADING THEM EVERY MONTH WHEN YOU PUT IT ON THEIR BILL. IT'S A LIE. THIS IS NOT TO SOLVE OUR DRAINAGE PROBLEMS, IT'S TO FUND ANOTHER PROBLEM THAT CAME ABOUT BECAUSE WE HAVE A LACK OF LEADERSHIP IN THIS CITY. STAND UP FOR THE PEOPLE. I ASK THAT YOU ALL REMEMBER THAT. COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR CITIZENS, YOUR CONSTITUENTS. ANSWER EMAILS. [03:15:01] MR. LAD, WHEN I EMAIL YOU A COUPLE OF TIMES LAST MONTH ABOUT THIS AND THIS MONTH ABOUT THIS, ANSWER YOUR EMAILS, I HEAR FROM OTHERS. MAYOR, I DIDN'T HEAR FROM YOU. I EMAILED YOU. ALSO, WE NEED TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THIS. SPEAK OUT TO THE PUBLIC. THERE'S NO REASON THAT WE CAN'T BE HAVING PUBLIC CONVERSATIONS. WHY IS IT ON ME OR NINO OR SOMEBODY ELSE IN THIS ROOM TO MAKE POSTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN CITY COUNCIL CITY? YOU ALL SHOULD CARE ABOUT THE CITIZENS KNOWING WHAT'S GOING ON. AND UNLESS YOU PLEASE CONCLUDE YOUR REMARKS, UNLESS IT'S NOT IMPORTANT TO YOU. SO PLEASE DO THAT. PLEASE REPRESENT OUR CITIZENS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL ROBIN CAMPBELL TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. ROBIN CAMPBELL, JUST LIKE TO SAY HOW INCREDIBLY DISAPPOINTED I AM IN EVERY ONE OF Y'ALL, YOU SAT UP HERE AND YOU HEARD FROM A LOT OF CONSTITUENTS, YOU HAVE RECEIVED EMAILS. THIS IS NOT WHAT THE PUBLIC WANTS. Y'ALL ARE ELECTED TO REPRESENT THE PUBLIC. AND YOU HEARD THAT THE PUBLIC DOESN'T WANT THIS. DO Y'ALL THINK YOU KNOW BETTER THAN THE PUBLIC? I MEAN, I THINK IT'S VERY ARROGANT. IT'S VERY DISRESPECTFUL. MIDLAND, THESE PEOPLE UP HERE COULD EARN THEIR PAYCHECK AND FIND THE MONEY IN THE BUDGET. WE PAY THEM A LOT OF MONEY. THEY COULD GET TO WORK. IT IS EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING IN ALL OF Y'ALL. YOU HEARD SOLUTIONS. YOU HEARD OTHER SOLUTIONS TODAY. WHY WOULD YOU NOT WANT OTHER SOLUTIONS? YES. WHY DO YOU YOU HEAR YOUR CITIZENS UP HERE BEGGING TO QUIT, TAXING US TO QUIT GIVE. YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO IT. OUR BUDGET HAS GROWN A LOT SINCE MR. GONZALEZ HAS COME A LOT MORE THAN OUR POPULATION HAS GROWN. HE BLEW UP EL PASO WITH DEBT AND PROPERTY TAXES. WE CAN'T AFFORD HIM. WE CANNOT AFFORD HIM. WE CANNOT AFFORD THIS LIFESTYLE THAT ALL OF Y'ALL WANT FOR OUR CITY. WE CAN'T AFFORD IT. Y'ALL COULD HAVE WENT TO MISD. YOU COULD HAVE HAD THEM PUT THIS IN THE BOND. THEY COULD HAVE SHORTENED A LITTLE SOMETHING IN THAT $1.4 BILLION. Y'ALL COULD HAVE STOOD UP FOR MID LENDERS AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF Y'ALL CHOOSE. CHOSE TO NOT STAND UP FOR MID LENDERS. THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL SHANDY WILLIAMS TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. SHANDY WILLIAMS, 25 13 FANON AVENUE. UM, SO I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS YOU COUNSEL MEMBERS. UM, WHEN YOU WALKED OUT OF THIS ROOM, WAS THAT A WALKING QUORUM OR ARE WE IN VIOLATION OF ANY LAWS? 'CAUSE WE'LL BE LOOKING INTO THAT. WAS IT RECORDED BACK THERE WHEN YOU LEFT? WE'LL BE LOOKING INTO THAT. WE'RE TIRED OF THINGS BEING DONE BEHIND OUR BACKS. WE'RE TIRED OF THINGS BEING DONE IN FRONT OF OUR FACES. WE'VE HAD ENOUGH. AND TOMMY GONZALEZ, YOU GOTTA GO. WE DIDN'T WANT YOU. WE DON'T NEED YOU. EL PASO IS NOT MIDLAND AND WE SURE AS HECK ARE NOT GONNA TURN THAT WAY. I DON'T KNOW WHAT Y'ALL GOTTA DO TO GET HIM OUT OF HIS CONTRACT, BUT DO IT NOW. THESE TWO GUYS RIGHT HERE, WE DON'T NEED THEM. I CAN HIRE A MONKEY AND A FOOTBALL TO DO HIS JOB. IT'S NOT THAT HARD. YOU LISTENED TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND YOUR CONSTITUENTS SPOKE AND THEY SPOKE ELOQUENTLY UP HERE. THEY SPOKE WITH PASSION AND YOU DENIED ANY DESIRE TO LISTEN TO THEM. I'M, I'M REALLY, REALLY ASHAMED IN YOU, JOHN. YOU GOTTA GIVE CLEAR AND PRECISE DEADLINES. 12 TO 18 MONTHS. WHY? SO YOU GUYS CAN THROW THIS UP ON MAYBE THE 13TH OR 14TH MONTH. 'CAUSE THAT'S WHAT IT FEELS LIKE. MAYBE NONE OF THESE CLOWNS WILL SHOW UP. WE KEEP RUNNING THE CITY COUNCIL THE WAY WE WANT TO. I UNDERSTAND YOU'VE INHERITED A MESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU, BUT YOU'VE BEEN HIRED AND VOTED TO DO A JOB FOR YOUR CONSTITUENTS. YOU'RE NOT DOING THAT. YOU'RE NOT STANDING UP FOR WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT. YOU HAD A ROOM FULL OF PEOPLE SITTING HERE TELLING YOU NO, SITTING HERE TELLING YOU, THIS IS NOT WHAT WE WANT. COME BACK TO IT. WHAT WOULD THAT HAVE HURT? TOMMY OVER HERE ALREADY FOUND MONEY. HE SAID THAT IN THE LAST MEETING. I WATCHED IT LIVE. HE FOUND SOME MONEY THAT COULDN'T COVER OUR COST UNTIL NEXT MONTH WHEN YOU GUYS GET THE AUDIT DONE OR WHENEVER THE AUDIT GETS COMPLETE, YOU BETTER DO BETTER BECAUSE IF NOT, I'LL MAKE IT MY PURPOSE THAT MIDLAND DOES BETTER AT THIS TIME. I'D LIKE TO CALL NINA RODRIGUEZ TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. [03:20:03] MAN, I THOUGHT, I THOUGHT I WAS HATED. UH, NINA RODRIGUEZ, DISTRICT TWO, YOU KNOW, THIS IS, THIS IS DESPICABLE DISGUSTING. SIX TO ZERO VOTE. SHAME ON ALL OF YOU. JOHN NORMAN. THE SOUTH SIDE'S IN A MESS, BRO. THERE'S BUMS EVERYWHERE. THERE'S CRIME. MY PARENTS CAN'T EVEN GO TO THE, TO THE SHOP RIGHT THERE BY THE, BY THE BREAKING BREAD. LET'S DO BETTER. BETTER THAN THE SOUTH SIDE. I DON'T KNOW HOW THE EAST SIDE'S GOING, BUT THE SOUTH SIDE HAS GONE TO CRAP. THERE'S VAPE SHOPS OPENING EVERYWHERE AND BUSINESSES CLOSING AND Y'ALL WANNA TAX US WITH THIS CRAP. UM, BUR HOLDER, GOD BLESS YOU, BRO, BUT YOU LET US DOWN. UH, AMY, AMY STRETCHER, BURKES LAST MEETING YOU SAID THAT WE SHOULD HAVE DID THIS MORE LIKE A SLOW BOY OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. MY WIFE SAID THAT WAS PRETTY DISGUSTING. LIKE, YOU WANT US TO BE TAXED LITTLE, LITTLE BY LITTLE LIKE A FROG IN A PAN, I GUESS LONG. I DON'T KNOW TO TELL YOU. I JUST KNOW THAT THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. OH, NO OLD LAD OVER HERE. YOU'RE STILL DEFENDING THOSE, THOSE, UH, CHILD PREDATORS. HUH? I JUST CAUGHT THAT. AND THEN YOU LIED. WE, WE FOUND OUT THAT WAS A LIE. YOU SAID ON TAPE LAST TIME ABOUT TIKTOK, THE GUY DOWNLOADED SOMETHING AND GOT, UH, WHAT WAS IT? A, A, A SNAPCHAT. THAT WAS A LIE. SO YOU LIED IN A COURT OF LAW TO PROTECT A CHILD PREDATOR. WHAT A SHAME. YOU'RE PATHETIC TO BE HONEST. UH, WE'RE P****D. AND YOU COULD TELL WHY I DRIVE AN 18 WHEELER HAWK CRUDE. I RISK MY LIFE EVERY DAY FOR THIS MONEY. AND YOU KNOW WHAT? I'M A FISCAL CONSERVATIVE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT Y'ALL ARE. I DON'T CARE IF IT'S A DAMN DOLLAR. I DON'T WANNA PAY IT AND I'M NOT GONNA PAY IT. MY WIFE TOLD ME. WELL, YOU DON'T TELL THEM THAT. HELL THE HELL NOT ARREST ME. I'M NOT GONNA PAY THIS CHARGE. AND I, I RECOMMEND EVERYBODY IN HERE DON'T PAY THAT DAMN FEE. I'M NOT GONNA PAY IT. THE PEOPLE IN ABILENE, THEY HAD A RAIN TAX AND I GOT, I GOT A BUDDY DAN ROGERS PATRIOT, PATRIOTS IN ACTION. HE, HE AIN'T PAYING HIS FEES. ARE Y'ALL GONNA ARREST ME? I'M NOT PAYING THIS CRAP. I'LL SEND IT TO YOUR, YOUR, YOUR PERVERT BUDDY. BLAD, HOW ABOUT THAT? AND I'M GLAD THAT THIS GUY, RIGHT, YOU'RE GONNA TREAT THE OFFICE TO SEE COUNSEL WITH RESPECT. YOU MAY NOT RESPECT ME. YOU KNOW WHAT IT'S CALLED. FREE SPEECH. ARREST ME THEN. ARE YOU GOING TO DISRUPT THE MEETING? I'LL DO WHAT I WANT. CAN I HAVE MY TIME BACK? I'M SPEAKING. SO LET ME TALK. YOU NEED TO REVIEW. YOU NEED TO TREAT THE, YOU NEED A BUKE IN THIS OFFICE WITH RESPECT YOU LOOKS SOBER TODAY WITH RESPECT. YOU NEED TO REBUKE, TREAT THE PEOPLE WITH RESPECT. YEAH, WE'RE P****D OFF. WHY DO YOU THINK WE'RE MAD? BECAUSE YOU OUR FREAKING MONEY. I JUST TOLD YOU LA YOU SIT BACK IN THE OFFICE WITH, WITH YOUR SORRY CLIENTELE OVER THERE WITH YOUR PERVERT BUDDIES. I DRIVE AN 18 WHEELER HAULING ASS IN THE OIL FIELD HAULING OIL. I GOT A DEADLY JOB. YOU'RE SITTING OVER HERE PROBABLY HAVING LUNCH WITH, WITH K WELL, AND ALL THEM LOSERS OVER THERE, AIN'T YOU? I'M IN THE OIL FIELD RISKING MY LIFE FOR MY MONEY AND I DON'T WANNA PAY THIS FREAKING TAX AND I AIN'T GONNA PAY THIS DAMN TAX. AND, AND I DARE YOU TO MAKE ME PAY IT. I'M NOT GONNA PAY IT. SHAME ON ALL OF Y'ALL VOTING SIX TO ZERO. HOW PATHETIC. NO STANCE. I SAW YOU DRUNK THAT NIGHT ON ELECTION NIGHT. YOU'RE PATHETIC. AND I'M GLAD THIS GUY'S QUIET BECAUSE I I FILED ON YOU ON HR, DIDN'T I? DIDN'T I FILE ON YOU TRYING TO TELL ME TO SHUT UP LAST TIME? YOU AIN'T TALKING NOW ARE YOU? EXACTLY. EXACTLY. YOU AIN'T SAYING NOTHING. ARE YOU THREATENING HIM? DID I, IS THAT A THREAT? ARREST ME IF IT'S A THREAT, IT'S NOT A THREAT. HE JUST SMILED AND WINKED AT ME. WAS THAT A THREAT? HOW, HOW PROFESSIONAL? HUH? ANYWAYS, THIS IS OUR MONEY AND WE'RE P****D OFF. AND IT WASN'T JUST THE REGULAR ONES. YOU GOT EVERYBODY IN HERE MAD ABOUT IT. AGAIN, I AIN'T PAYING A DOLLAR AND I TELL ALL THE CITIZENS OF MEN DON'T PAY THIS CRAP AND I AIN'T GONNA PAY IT AT THIS TIME. I'D LIKE TO CALL ANDREW STERN TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. DID YOU HAVE A COMMENT MORE? YEAH. BE BEFORE WE GO FORWARD, MAYOR AND MAYOR AND COUNCIL, UM, IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT THAT IS THERE THREE MINUTES IF WE CAN RESPECT THAT. I KNOW WE WANT TO, WE WANT TO TALK BACK TO 'EM, BUT IF WE CAN DO THAT, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I WANT TO ENSURE THAT, THAT YOU GUYS ARE HEARD AND THANK YOU HOLLERING OUT IN THE AUDIENCE WHILE SOMEBODY'S UP HERE SPEAKING. ALTHOUGH YOU MAY BE FEELING LIKE YOU'RE SUPPORTING, YOU ARE STILL KEEPING THE COUNCIL, YOU'RE TAKING THE FOCUS AWAY FROM THE SPEAKER AND PUTTING IT SOMEWHERE ELSE. SO IF WE CAN RESPECT IT BOTH WAYS, THEN WE WILL BE GOOD THERE, OKAY? AND, AND THAT WAY WE DON'T HAVE TO ASK PEOPLE TO LEAVE AND ESCORT PEOPLE OUT. THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL ANDREW STERNS TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. UM, ANDREW STERNS, DISTRICT FOUR. UH, I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO SAY THAT HADN'T ALREADY BEEN SAID. UM, ONCE AGAIN, Y'ALL ARE PROVING THAT Y'ALL DON'T CARE ABOUT OUR VOICE. Y'ALL DON'T CARE ABOUT OUR CONCERNS. UM, TO ME, Y'ALL ARE NO DIFFERENT THAN POLITICIANS IN WASHINGTON OR THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE ONCE YOU GET ELECTED, UM, WE DON'T BECOME YOUR VOTERS. WE DON'T BECOME YOUR CONSTITUENTS. WE BECOME YOUR PIGGY BANK. AND THAT'S WHAT IT IS. UM, I'D BE VERY CURIOUS TO SEE IF THERE'S EVEN A WAY TO FIND OUT. 'CAUSE WE KNOW Y'ALL AREN'T TRANSPARENT LIKE Y'ALL CLAIM. UM, IF Y'ALL ARE PAYING THIS FEE, AND IF Y'ALL ARE PAYING THE SAME RATE WE ARE. BUT AGAIN, MOST OF Y'ALL UP HERE MAKE MORE MONEY THAN I'VE EVER MADE IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. SO IT WON'T AFFECT Y'ALL THE SAME AS IT WILL ME. UM, [03:25:01] ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, UH, MAYOR BLANC, I'VE HEARD YOU CLAIM THAT YOU'RE A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST. I'M SURE A LOT OF Y'ALL GO TO CHURCH OR SAY YOU DO. SO I'D LIKE TO READ SOMETHING FROM THE BIBLE. PROVERBS 1431, WHOEVER OPPRESSES THE POOR SHOWS CONTEMPT FOR THEIR MAKER. BUT WHOEVER IS KIND TO THE NEEDY HONORS GOD, AND THAT'S WHAT Y'ALL ARE DOING. Y'ALL ARE SHOWING CONTEMPT FOR US BY DECIDING TO PASS THIS AS EVERYBODY ELSE HAS ALREADY STATED. AND SOME OF THESE PEOPLE KNOW THE DETAILS BETTER THAN I DO. Y'ALL HAVE THE MONEY, OR YOU COULD FIND IT IF YOU WANT. YOU KNOW, WITH ALL THE OIL AND GAS REVENUE WE HAVE OUT HERE, UH, I THINK IT'S WAS SAID A FEW MONTHS AGO, THIS PLACE SHOULD LOOK LIKE DUBAI AND IT DOESN'T, YOU KNOW, ALL THESE THINGS Y'ALL ARE BRINGING IN LIKE COSTCO AND THE OMNI AND ALL THIS, YOU KNOW WHAT, IF Y'ALL WANNA LIVE IN A BIG CITY THAT'S GOT ALL THAT CRAP, MOVE SOMEWHERE ELSE AND LEAVE US ALONE. QUIT DIPPING YOUR HANDS IN OUR POCKET AND TAKING OUR MONEY. I DON'T CARE IF YOU'VE LIVED HERE YOUR WHOLE LIFE. IF YOU GOT BIG CITY, THE REASON I LIKE LIVING IN WEST TEXAS, I HAVE FRIENDS WHO HAVE MOVED TO SAN ANTONIO AND AUSTIN AND DALLAS AND LUBBOCK BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING TO DO HERE. IT WAS BORING. WE DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING. AND THAT'S FINE. I MEAN, YOU KNOW, A FEW THINGS WE'VE ADDED COOL, BUT SOME OF THIS STUFF WE DON'T NEED. I MEAN, COSTCO, I'VE LIVED HERE MY ENTIRE LIFE. WE'VE GONE 40 YEARS DOWN A COSTCO. Y'ALL GIVE THEM A 10 YEAR TAX BREAK. BUT NOW YOU WANNA STICK YOUR HANDS IN OUR POCKETS AND TAKE MONEY OUT AND IT'S JUST RIDICULOUS. AND THE LAST THING I WANNA SAY, UM, COUNCILMAN BERKHOLDER, I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE WAY YOU VOTED FOR THIS. YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU RAN, UH, DURING THE OPEN CANDIDATE FORUM, YOU SAID THAT YOU'RE IN FAVOR OF SMALL LIMITED GOVERNMENT. AND THAT WAS THE ONLY STATEMENT I NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU. AND YOU HAD MY VOTE IMMEDIATELY, BUT NOW I WILL NOT VOTE FOR YOU AGAIN THE NEXT TIME YOU RUN. I MEAN, THERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU VOTED AGAINST AND YOU KNOW, THANK YOU FOR THAT. BUT I MEAN THIS MORE SPENDING AND MORE TAXES, IT'S RIDICULOUS. YOU KNOW, MY DAD TOLD ME THE OTHER DAY THAT HE TALKED TO YOU AND YOU SAID THAT, YOU KNOW, MY WIFE AND I, THE ADOPTION ISSUES THAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW, THAT YOU'VE BEEN PRAYING FOR US. AND I DO APPRECIATE THAT. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I ALSO DON'T APPRECIATE SOMEONE TELLING ME THEY'RE PRAYING FOR ME TO MY FACE AND THEN TURN AROUND AND STABBING ME IN THE BACK AT A COUNCIL MEETING, TAKING MONEY OUTTA MY POCKET. SO THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL STEVEN WILLIAMS TO COME AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. I JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. CAN Y'ALL ANSWER QUESTIONS? I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS, HOW THIS GOES. WE'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO RESPOND. LEMME JUST ASK YOU ON THE, THE AUDIT PART. SO I SAID, ALEX SAID, WHY DON'T YOU AUDIT THINGS FIRST AND COME BACK TO THE VOTE, GO BACK AND AUDIT SO THAT YOU CAN FIND AND COME BACK TO THE VOTE. THAT'S ALL I ASK HIM THE QUESTION. THAT'S WHAT I'M ASKING ABOUT. SO WE HAD THE MONEY, WE SHOULD HAVE MONEY. I'M FROM MIDLAND AS WELL. I GREW UP HERE, NOT FOURTH YEAR. I'VE BEEN HERE MY WHOLE LIFE. WE SHOULD HAVE MONEY SOMEWHERE, POSSIBLY CORRECT. SO WHY WE NOT AUDIT FIRST, THEN SAY, HEY, WE HAVE IT. WE CAN'T FIND, THEN COME BACK. HEY, BY THE WAY, WE, WE DON'T HAVE IT. WE NEED THIS VOTE TO GO. WHY DON'T WE DO IT THAT WAY? THAT'S A QUESTION I HAVE. I I GUESS YOU CAN ANSWER THAT FOR YOU. BUT THAT'S A QUESTION I HAVE BECAUSE YOU CAN GO BACK AND GET AUDIT. WE DON'T HAVE IT. THEN COME BACK AND SAY, HEY, BY THE WAY, WE DON'T HAVE THIS. WE HAVE TO DO THIS AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO GET PASSED. THEN PEOPLE AGREE WITH YOU ABOUT THAT. THEY SEE THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY, IT'S GONE. WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING FOR IT. IF WE CAN, IF WE GO BACK AND AUDIT, WE FIND MONEY, THEN WE HAVE TO DO THIS STUFF, RIGHT? THAT'S THE ONLY QUESTION I HAVE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. THIS TIME. I'D LIKE TO CALL STAN SMITH TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. STAN SMITH, 49 0 3 GRANITE LANE. UH, JUST SOME THOUGHTS. I I, MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED. I MEAN, WE GOT OUR RETIREMENT, WE GOT OUR, WE'RE BOTH ON SOCIAL SECURITY, BUT FOR MOST OF Y'ALL, Y'ALL, YOU KNOW, SOCIAL SECURITY WOULD BE YOUR PARENTS. AND MOST OF Y'ALL ARE, EXCEPT A COUPLE OF YOU MAY BE YOUNG ENOUGH TO BE MY KIDS, BUT, UH, GOVERNMENT GIVES SOCIAL SECURITY RECIPIENTS 3% COST OF LIVING RAISE THIS YEAR. OKAY? AND THAT PEOPLE THAT ARE LIVING ON THAT, THAT'S, THAT'S NOT A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THE HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES TOOK THAT 3% AWAY AND INCREASED THEIR COST. SO BASICALLY YOUR SENIOR CITIZENS HAD A NET ZERO GAIN. AND THEN WHEN YOU START ADDING FIVE AND 10 BUCKS A MONTH TO SOME OF THESE PEOPLE, I MEAN, TO ME, IT WON'T HURT ME THAT MUCH, BUT IT'S JUST THE FACT THAT IT'S A FEE, THAT IT'S ACTUALLY A TAX AND IT'S ALL BECAUSE OF MISD AND THE CITY OF MIDLAND NOT TALKING TO EACH OTHER AND WORKING THINGS UP. BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 2019. EVERYBODY KNEW WHAT WAS GONNA HAPPEN. SO I THINK THAT YOU NEED TO REALLY CONSIDER, I MEAN THE, THE, THE LARGEST POPULATION HERE. THERE'S A LOT OF SENIORS, THERE'S A LOT OF LOW INCOME. THERE'S, I MEAN, YOU EVEN GOT GROUPS HERE THAT HAVE TO PAY FOR KIDS LUNCHES AT SCHOOL. AND SO FIVE, 10 BUCKS A MONTH IS QUITE A BIT OF MONEY TO SOME PEOPLE. AND THAT'S ALL I THINK YOU NEED TO CONSIDER IS, AND I AGREE WITH THAT. AUDIT SHOULD BE DONE FIRST BECAUSE, AND THEN THE SUNSET CLAUSE, [03:30:01] I MEAN, THIS IS GONNA BE PASSED. AND JUST LIKE TOMMY SAID, YOU KNOW, NOT, NOT PRO OR AGAINST IT, BUT IT'S MIS D'S FAULT THAT WE GOT IN THIS SITUATION. BUT ALL IN ALL, IT'S IT'S CITY GOVERNMENT THAT KEEPS DIGGING IN PEOPLE'S BACK POCKETS. AND YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID, WE'RE TIRED OF IT EVERY TIME YOU TURN AND NOBODY WANTS TO TALK ABOUT IT. AND YOU KNOW, THE MRTS SENT OUT THAT REPORT THAT ONE DAY SAYS, OH, THIS HAS ALREADY BEEN DECIDED. WELL, THAT'S BASICALLY A DISTRACTION TO TELL EVERYBODY THAT IT'S BEEN DONE. DON'T COME UP THERE AND DON'T, DON'T BOTHER US. BUT, YOU KNOW, LOOK, LOOK AT, LOOK AT, LOOK AT WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO THE PE. THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE THAT DON'T LIVE LIKE YOU DO. THEY DON'T LIVE LIKE I DO. AND THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO TAKE, TAKE IN CONSIDERATION TOO. I MEAN, DON'T CALL IT A FEE WHEN IT'S A TAX AND LET US VOTE ON IT IF YOU'RE GOING TO GET IN OUR BACK POCKETS. THAT'S ALL I GOT. UH, CRYSTAL HAMMONDS, WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT? HI. HI, HOW ARE YOU? I'M WELL. IF YOU WOULD GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE. YES, MY NAME IS CRYSTAL HAMMONDS. ADDRESS IS 4 0 2 WEST PINE APARTMENT B, AND I'M COMPLETELY OFF TOPIC. UM, I JUST WANTED TO LET THE, UH, CITY KNOW THAT THE MIDLAND HOMELESS COALITION IS PARTICIPATING IN THE 2026 POINT IN TIME COUNT. UM, THAT POINT IN TIME COUNT IS TECHNICALLY CALLED THE PIT COUNT. IT'S A FEDERALLY, FEDERALLY REQUIRED, UM, ANNUAL COUNT THAT HELPS THE COMMUNITY, LIKE THE COMMUNITY OF MIDLAND BETTER UNDERSTAND THE, UNDERSTAND THE SCOPE AND NATURE OF HOMELESSNESS, UM, ON A SINGLE NIGHT. WHILE IT'S JUST A SNAPSHOT, IT IS A CRITICAL TOLL USED TO GUIDE FUNDING, UM, INFORM POLICY DECISIONS AND IMPROVE LOCAL SERVICES. IN PREPARATION FOR THIS COUNT, THE COALITION MEETING MEMBERS HAVE BEEN MEETING REGULARLY, CONDUCTING LOGISTICS AND PROVIDING TRAINING TO BOTH STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS. ALL PLANNING AND, UM, AND GUIDELINES ESTABLISHED BY THE TEXAS HOMELESS NETWORK OVERSEE THE PROCESS STATEWIDE. OUR GOAL IS TO ENSURE THAT THE COUNT IS CONDUCTED ACCURATELY AND SAFELY, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT FOR EVERY INDIVIDUAL THAT WE ENCOUNTER. UM, IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE PIT COUNT REPRESENTS A MINIMUM NUMBER OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS ON THIS NIGHT OF THE COUNT. WHILE IT DOES NOT CAPTURE EVERYONE WHO EXPERIENCES HOUSING INSTABILITY THROUGH THE YEAR, IT PROVIDES A CONSISTENT DATA TO ALLOW US TO TRACK TRENDS, MEASURE, PROGRESS, STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY RESPONSES OVER TIME. ONCE FINALIZED, THE RESULTS WILL BE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE AND USED BY SERVICE PROVIDERS, FUNDERS, AND POLICYMAKERS. I'D ALSO LIKE TO EMPHASIZE THAT THE PIT COUNT IS NOT JUST A ONE DAY EFFORT. IT REFLECTS A YEAR ROUND COLLABORATION OF THE HOMELESS COALITION. OUR MEMBERS MEET MONTHLY AND WORK TOGETHER EACH AND EVERY DAY TO SUPPORT OUR HOUSE LIST AS WELL AS OUR COMMUNITY AT LARGE THROUGH COORDINATING OF OUTREACH, REFERRALS AND SPECIAL INITIATIVES. THIS INCLUDES EFFORTS, UM, LIKE OUR HANDS OF HOPE CLINIC, WHERE WE PROVIDE CLINICAL SERVICES TO THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT MAY BE LOW OR NO INCOME, THAT NEED MEDICAL ATTENTION, UM, AND OTHER RESOURCES. WE DO A WARM HEARTS PROJECT AROUND THE HOLIDAY SEASON SO THAT PEOPLE HAVE, UM, MEALS TO TAKE HOME TO THEIR FAMILIES. AND THE, UM, SALVATION ARMY RESOURCE FAIRS, GIVING THEM CONNECTION TO RESOURCES TO HELP WITH A CONTINUUM OF CARE SO THAT THEY CAN BETTER HAVE, HAVE SELF EFFICIENCY AND SERVE THEMSELVES TOGETHER. THE COALITION MEMBERS, UM, ARE COMING TOGETHER NOT ONLY AS TO SERVE INDIVIDUALS, BUT FAMILIES WITH COMPASSION, UM, AND COORDINATION AND DIGNITY, NOT JUST DURING THE PIT COUNT, BUT FOR THE YEAR AT WHOLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED TO SUPPORT AND PARTNERSHIP, AND WE APPRECIATE THE CITY AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO HELPING US TO ADDRESS OUR HOMELESSNESS IN MIDLAND. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND THANK YOU FOR WAITING THROUGH A LONG MEETING. WE APPRECIATE IT. OH, IT'S COOL. THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL ILIO ROSA TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. ILIO ROSA'S 36 0 3, HUMBLE. UM, I WOULD LIKE TO START BY SAYING THANK YOU. YOU, UM, I I BELIEVE THAT ALL OF YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND THE WORLD RIGHT NOW. IRAN, VENEZUELA, BRAZIL, EVEN UNITED KINGDOM PEOPLE ARE BEING ARRESTED FOR WHAT WE JUST SAW HERE THIS MORNING. SO I APPRECIATE YOUR TOLERANCE. I APPRECIATE THE FIRE ON THE OTHER SIDE, AND I WANNA SAY THAT I AM, I FEEL SUCH AN HONOR TO BE HERE IN THIS COUNTRY AT THIS TIME, AND ESPECIALLY IN THIS CITY. I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU DO, ALL THAT YOU GUYS DO. UH, UM, THE NEHEMIAH SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT, WELL, I, I JUST STARTED A PODCAST THIS YEAR. IT'S CALLED, UH, COMMONWEALTH OF HOPE [03:35:03] BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT OUR LAST LINE FOR HOPE IS IN THE CITY. IT'S IN THE LOCAL LEVEL. IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR FOR US TO EXPECT ANY HOPE FROM ANYWHERE UP THERE. WASHINGTON, AUSTIN, IT'S HERE. OUR LAST LINE OF DEFENSE. AS PART OF THAT, SOME OF YOU KNOW THAT I HAVE BEEN DOING THE PUBLIC READING OF THE FOUND AMERICAN FOUNDING DOCUMENTS, DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, UM, THE CONSTITUTION AND BILL OF RIGHTS AND MAYFLOWER COMPACT. NOW, WE ADDED TWO YEARS AGO THE TEXAS DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. THIS YEAR WE'RE GOING TO DO THE EIGHTH PUBLIC READING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE ON JULY THE FOURTH. AND I'M HERE THIS MORNING TO, IT'S A REQUEST, IT'S A PETITION TO THE COUNCIL. THIS YEAR IS, IS IMPORTANT. IT'S, IT'S BIG 250 IS A, IT'S A LOT. IT'S MASSIVE. SO I WOULD, AGAIN, YOU DON'T NEED TO GET BACK WITH ME. I DON'T NEED ANY FEEDBACK ON THIS. IT'S JUST A SUGGESTION. I WOULD, UH, APPRECIATE IF THE COUNCIL WOULD ASK THE, UH, MIDLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO ADD THE PUBLIC READING OF THE TE THE, UH, DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE IN THE SPAR SPAR STAR SPAN SALUTE. WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR EIGHT YEARS, AND WHAT WE DO IS, UH, WE INVITE STUDENTS FROM PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, CHARTER SCHOOLS, TEACHERS, VETERANS, PUBLIC OFFICERS, POLITICIANS. WE INVITE PASTORS, VETERANS, WE INVITE EVERYBODY. AND I BELIEVE THAT AMERICA CAN STAND. THE ONLY WAY FOR US TO STAND IS FOR US TO KNOW OUR IDENTITY. AND NOW I SPEAK AS SOMEBODY THAT'S BEEN HERE FOR 10 YEARS NOW AND AGAIN, HONORED TO BE HERE. SO THAT WOULD BE MY SUGGESTION TO YOU. UM, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY FOLKS CAME TO ME ON THESE EIGHT YEARS AND TOLD ME, ELIEL, I HAD NEVER AMERICANS. I NE I HAD NEVER READ MY ENTIRE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, OR I HAD NEVER READ MY CONSTITUTION. THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS AND I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE SUCH A BLESSING FOR THE CITY. AND THE LAST, YOU WOULD PLEASE CONCLUDE YOUR REMARKS. THE LAST THING THAT I WANNA SAY IS, UM, WE CAN ONLY MOVE AHEAD IF WE KNOW WHO WE ARE. AND WHEN WE SAY IN THE PLEDGE ONE NATION UNDER GOD, I BELIEVE THAT THAT'S WHAT WE ARE. THANK YOU. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THANK YOU TIME AND THE OPPORTUNITY. WE APPRECIATE IT. THAT CONCLUDES THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. UM, WE DO HAVE A COUPLE OF OTHER THINGS. WE HAVE A COUPLE OF INTERVIEWS THAT WE NEED TO DO, AND THEN SOME APPOINTMENTS, WE WILL BE DOING THOSE INTERVIEWS AND THOSE APPOINTMENTS IN PUBLIC. SO THAT WILL BE IN AN OPEN MEETING, BUT WE NEED A BREAK. UM, AND I THINK WE NEED TO GO AND EAT SOMETHING AND RETURN. SO WE'RE GOING TO ADJOURN, UM, AND INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION WHILE WE EAT LUNCH, WE'LL DO THAT PART AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK AND DO THOSE INTERVIEWS. UM, IF YOU ARE HERE FOR THE INTERVIEWS, THEN I WOULD INVITE YOU TO MEET UP WITH MARCIA AND THE CITY SECRETARY'S TABLE HERE, UM, TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT WHEN WE WOULD REOPEN THE PUBLIC MEETING AND GO FORWARD FROM THERE. IT'LL ALSO BE AVAILABLE ONLINE, UH, IF YOU'D LIKE TO WATCH IT THAT WAY ON OUR CITY WEBSITE. SO WITH THAT, WE [EXECUTIVE SESSION (Part 1 of 2)] STAND ADJOURNED. UM, WELL, I'LL HAVE TO READ THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS AND THEN WE'LL STAND ADJOURNED. SO PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 5 5 1 1 0 1, THE CITY COUNCIL WILL HOLD AN EXECUTIVE SESSION, WHICH IS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC TO DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING MATTERS PERMITTED UNDER THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE. SECTION 5 5 1 0 7 1. CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY WILL DISCUSS MATTERS IN WHICH THE DUTY OF THE ATTORNEYS TO THE GOVERNMENTAL BODY UNDER THE TEXAS DISCIPLINARY RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT OF THE STATE BAR OF TEXAS CLEARLY CONFLICTS WITH CHAPTER FIVE FIVE. ONE OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE WILL DISCUSS PENDING AND CONTEMPLATE OR CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION. SECTION 5 5 1 0 7 2 DELIBERATION REGARDING REAL PROPERTY WILL DISCUSS THE PURCHASE, EXCHANGE, LEASE, OR VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY. SECTION 5 5 1 0 7 4 PERSONNEL MATTERS WILL DELIBERATE THE EMPLOYMENT EVALUATION AND DUTIES OF THE CITY MANAGER, THE CITY ATTORNEY, CITY SECRETARY, MUNICIPAL COURT, PRESIDING JUDGE, AND MUNICIPAL COURT ASSOCIATE JUDGE WILL DELIBERATE THE APPOINTMENT OF APPLICATIONS TO SERVE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDLAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, UH, SECTION 5 5 1 0 8 7 DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS. DISCUSS BUSINESS PROSPECTS THAT THE CITY SEEKS TO HAVE, LOCATE, STAY OR EXPAND IN OR NEAR THE CITY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS AND DISCUSS POSSIBLE INCENTIVES. SO WE STAND ADJOURNED FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 1 52 AND WE WILL RESUME OPEN SESSION FOR THOSE INTERVIEWS AND DISCUSSION AFTERWARDS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. HOW'S THAT? YEAH, PERFECT. UM, SO WE HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH, OH YES, I'M CALLING THE MEETING BACK TO ORDER. WE ARE [33. - CONDUCT INTERVIEWS OF APPLICANTS TO SERVE ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDLAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (DISTRICT: ALL) (CITY SECRETARY) (TRANSPARENT & CONSISTENT COMMUNICATION)] TAKING UP ITEM NUMBER 33. WE'RE GONNA CONDUCT INTERVIEWS OF APPLICANTS TO SERVE ON THE BOARD OF [03:40:01] DIRECTORS FOR THE MIDLAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. UM, AND SO WE ARE NOW INTERVIEWING HAYDEN BALDRICK. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND WE RECOGNIZE IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY OF MEETINGS. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE. WELL, THANKS. UM, WE ARE ON A LITTLE BIT OF A TIME CRUNCH BECAUSE WE HAVE COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT NEED TO SLIP OUT. SO WE'RE, WE'RE GONNA BE RELATIVELY SPEEDY HERE, BUT WE WANT YOU TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD AND WE'RE THANKFUL FOR YOUR INTEREST IN THE MDC. UM, AS WE'VE DONE THESE OTHER INTERVIEWS, WE'VE JUST KIND OF HAD A A ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION WHERE COUNCIL MEMBERS CAN ASK QUESTIONS. UM, SO I JUST WANNA KICK US OFF AND ASK YOU TO GIVE US A LITTLE BIT OF YOUR BACKGROUND AND WHY YOU'RE INTERESTED IN THE MDC. YEAH, ABSOLUTELY. WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME TODAY, AND I KNOW IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY FOR YOU ALL. SO, UH, JUST TO KIND OF GIVE YOU MY BACKGROUND, I WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE IN MIDLAND. I'M, I'M ACTUALLY REALLY PROUD TO SAY I'M A FIFTH GENERATION MIDLAND, UH, WAS NAMED AFTER MY GREAT-GREAT-GRANDFATHER WHO BROUGHT US DOWN HERE ON A LITERAL WAGON. SO , UM, BEEN IN MIDLAND MY WHOLE LIFE AFTER GOING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS. I CAME BACK AND, UH, BEEN WORKING IN THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY AND HAVE JUST BEEN KIND OF ALWAYS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO GET INVOLVED IN CITY AND THE COMMUNITY AS MUCH AS I CAN. I'M CURRENTLY, UH, BOARD DIRECTOR FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS IN MIDLAND, OR SORRY, YOUNG PROFESSIONALS IN ENERGY AND THE MIDLAND CHAPTER. AND WE WORK WITH LOT OF BUSINESSES TO GET FUNDRAISING TO THROW NETWORKING EVENTS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN MIDLAND. AND, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE WAYS I'VE GOTTEN INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY WITH THAT IS, UH, WORKING WITH PEOPLE TO USE THOSE EVENTS TO PROMOTE THINGS LIKE SCHOOL BOND OR OTHER, UH, THINGS IN THE COMMUNITY. SO, UM, MIDLAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION HAS ALWAYS REALLY INTERESTED ME BECAUSE SINCE I CAME BACK FROM COLLEGE, UH, MIDLAND HAS REALLY GROWN A LOT AND IT'S REALLY IMPROVED A LOT. AND I SEE MDC IS BEING KIND OF THE MAIN DRIVER OF THAT CHANGE. UM, SO I'VE ALWAYS HAD A, A BIG INTEREST IN GETTING INVOLVED IN IT. UH, FOR A LONG TIME I WAS, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE BIG DRAWBACKS WAS KIND OF MY AGE, JUST WANTING MORE TO FOCUS ON MY CAREER AND GET ESTABLISHED. RIGHT NOW I FEEL A LITTLE OLDER AND A LITTLE MORE READY FOR A ROLE LIKE THIS. AND, UM, ANOTHER THING THAT HAPPENED WAS, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE LARGEST PROPONENTS IN THE COUNTRY OF, OF YOUNG PEOPLE GETTING INVOLVED AND, AND DOING WHAT THEY CAN IN THEIR, IN THEIR GOVERNMENTS WAS CHARLIE KIRK. AND, AND THAT WAS A REAL INSPIRATION FOR ME AND FELT I HAD TO, UM, DO SOMETHING ONCE THAT HAPPENED. SO, UH, THAT'S A REALLY BIG PART OF, OF WHY I'M HERE AND, UH, WHY I WANNA GET INVOLVED. SO HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT MIDLAND AND, UH, MY VISION AND EVERYTHING YOU HAVE. EXCELLENT, THANK YOU. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? WELL, ONE, I WANNA THANK YOU FOR AND COMMEND YOU FOR YOUR DESIRE TO WANT TO GET INVOLVED. UH, THAT'S ONE THING THAT WE LACK A LOT AND ESPECIALLY IN THE YOUNGER GENERATION. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR DOING THAT. UH, APPRECIATIVE OF ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO GET IN THERE AND SERVE IN A ROLE, ESPECIALLY IN PUBLIC SERVICE. SO, JUST REAL QUICK QUESTION, WHAT IS YOUR VISION OF MIDLAND? WHAT DO YOU SEE THAT THE MDC CAN DO FOR MIDLAND TO CREATE IT IN YOUR VISION AND WHAT WOULD THAT BE? YEAH, SO MDC OBVIOUSLY KIND OF IS RESTRAINED BY THE FOUR A AND FOUR B DISTINCTION. AND SO WE DO HAVE TO ACT WITHIN CERTAIN CONSTRAINTS, BUT I THINK YOU CAN USE THAT TO OUR ADVANTAGE BECAUSE IT ALLOWS YOU TO FOCUS ON PROJECTS THAT DO HAVE A MORE DIRECT IMPACT ON JOB PRODUCTIVITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RATHER THAN, UH, BROAD QUALITY OF LIFE THINGS. BUT I THINK ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS THAT WE CAN DO WITH THAT IS WE CAN LOOK INTO WHAT THE SECOND AND THIRD ORDER EFFECTS ARE GONNA BE WHEN WE DO A JOB IN, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN WE WORK TO DEVELOP DOWNTOWN, UH, IF WE BUILD A HOTEL OR, YOU KNOW, A CONVENTION CENTER OR ANYTHING THAT'S WITHIN THE FORAY CONSTRAINTS. BUT WHAT CAN COME OUT OF THAT IS MORE RESTAURANTS AND, UH, PARK IMPROVEMENTS AND JUST BETTER COMMUNITY ATMOSPHERE. AND THAT'S GONNA BE DRIVEN A LOT FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND THROUGH OTHER GOVERNMENT ENTITIES. BUT THAT ALL STARTS WITH THE FORAY, UM, DIRECTIVES KIND OF, UM, KIND OF ON THE SAME THING. SO HOW DO YOU KIND OF WORK THROUGH SOME OF THESE PROJECTS? SO THERE'S A LOT OF PROJECTS THAT COME TO NBC, A LOT OF THEM ARE PRETTY VAGUE OR MM-HMM . OR HARD TO KIND OF DEFINE IN THE BEGINNING. SO HOW DO YOU KIND OF WORK THROUGH TO SEE IF A PROJECT'S, UM, WORTH MOVING FORWARD ON SUSTAINABLE AND, AND A POSITIVE IMPACT TO MIDLAND? YEAH. WELL, YOU DEFINITELY HAVE TO MEET WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE AND AND REALLY EVALUATE WHAT YOU THINK THIS IS GONNA DO. YOU HAVE TO BE VERY CLEAR ABOUT WHAT THE OBJECTION, WHAT THE OBJECTIVES ARE AND, UH, WHAT IT'S GONNA ACCOMPLISH WITHIN THE CONFINES OF MDCS DIRECTIVE. SO THAT'S A VERY BIG THING. UM, I'VE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE WITH KIND OF MY CURRENT JOB AND JUST NEGOTIATING DIRECTLY ON ACQUISITIONS. AND I THINK WHEN YOU TALK WITH PEOPLE, YOU'RE ABLE TO REALLY GET TO THE BOTTOM OF WHAT THE NUMBERS ARE, WHAT THE OUTCOME'S GONNA BE, AND JUST ALL AROUND, UM, FIND OUT IF THIS PROJECT IS GONNA BE SOMETHING THAT WILL BENEFIT MIDLAND. AWESOME. WHAT'S AN EXAMPLE OF AN MDC PROJECT THAT YOU THOUGHT WAS A GREAT PROJECT FOR THE CITY OF MIDLAND? UM, WELL, I THINK WE'RE WORKING ON A LOT OF REALLY GREAT PROJECTS RIGHT NOW. I THINK THE DIVERSIFICATION IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE'VE SEEN IN AEROSPACE. WE HAVE A A ST, THE SATELLITE COMPANY IS REALLY SOMETHING THAT CAN EXPAND A, A SECTOR AND [03:45:01] NOT JUST TAKE UP A PIECE OF THE PIE FROM OIL AND GAS, BUT ACTUALLY GROW THE PIE. SO I THINK THAT'S A REALLY GREAT, UM, INITIATIVE THAT WE'VE DONE. I ALSO THINK, UH, DOWNTOWN, UM, RENAISSANCE IS, IS REALLY IMPORTANT. I I REALLY HAVE BIG GOALS FOR MIDLANDS DOWNTOWN. I DON'T THINK IT'S JUST ONE OTHER DISTRICT LIKE A ALLY OR, OR ANYWHERE ELSE. I, I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE THE COMMUNITY CENTER OF, OF WEST TEXAS, PERIOD. AND I THINK THAT WE'VE DONE SO MUCH WORK TO, TO GROW IT AND MAKE IT A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN GO. AND THAT'S KIND OF SOMETHING I'D LIKE TO SEE. SO I WOULD SAY HOTELS HAS, HAS BEEN A BIG PART OF THAT, UH, AS WELL AS OTHER INITIATIVES WITH IT. OKAY. THAT WAS MY, I WAS THINKING JOHNNY. SORRY. OKAY. UM, I, I THINK ONE OF, WE, WE ARE GOING TO KIND OF CUT THIS SHORT MOSTLY JUST BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A COUPLE COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT NEED TO HEAD OUT. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT WE HAVEN'T ASKED YOU ABOUT SPECIFICALLY THAT YOU WANT US TO BE SURE TO KNOW OR ANY THINGS THAT YOU HAD PREPARED TO TALK ABOUT THAT WE HAVEN'T ASKED? YEAH, I, UM, A COUPLE THINGS. ONE, Y'ALL TALKED ABOUT, UH, PROFITABILITY VERSUS COMMUNITY NEEDS BEING A, A BIG FACTOR FOR OUR DECISION MAKING AND, UH, I JUST KIND OF WANTED TO MAKE THE DISTINCTION THAT, YOU KNOW, IN, IN PRIVATE BUSINESS THAT COMPANY I'M AT, WE, UH, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE OUR INVESTORS AND, AND WE HAVE THE OBLIGATION TO THEM TO SEE, SEND THEM A RETURN. AND THAT'S KIND OF OUR PRIMARY FOCUS. AND I THINK IN GOVERNMENT AND MDC, UH, WE ALSO HAVE SHAREHOLDERS, THE TAXPAYERS, BUT THE, THE NATURE OF THEIR RETURN IS, IS DIFFERENT THAN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. WE ARE NOT GONNA GIVE THEM A DIVIDEND OR A RETURN, BUT THEY'RE GONNA HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR ACTIONS. AND, AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT COMES DOWN TO. SO I THINK A GREAT THING IS YOU COULD TARGET PROJECTS THAT DO HAVE A RETURN ON INVESTMENT AND NBC HAS DONE A LOT OF THOSE. I THINK ONE FIGURE I SAID SAW, SAW, SAID, UH, 20%, BUT, UM, THAT'S A GREAT WAY BECAUSE IT RECYCLES THE CASH FLOW SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE TAXPAYERS. UH, HOWEVER, NOT EVERY PROJECT DOES HAVE AN ROI, ROADS DON'T. AND, BUT IT, IT FACTORS SO MUCH MORE AND THAT'S WHERE GOVERNMENT COMES IN TO PROVIDE SOMETHING THAT REALLY JUST BOOSTS SOMETHING THAT BENEFITS ALL THE CITIZENS. UM, SO THAT WAS ONE THING I WANTED TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT. AND UH, ALSO I'D SEEN Y'ALL, UH, ASK ABOUT INDUS TOP INDUSTRIES. I THINK I'VE COVERED A LOT OF THAT ABOUT DIVERSIFICATION AND DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT, BUT THE ONE THING I DID WANT TO ADD THAT MAYBE NOT EVERYONE TALKS ABOUT IS OIL AND GAS AND UH, THAT'S NOT REALLY SOMETHING THAT MDC NEEDS TO STEP IN AND AND FUND COMPANIES FOR, BUT, UH, I THINK THIS IS A CHALLENGING TIME FOR OIL AND GAS COMPANIES. WE'VE JUST GOTTEN OUT OF A THREE YEAR PERIOD OF CONSOLIDATION AND WE'VE SEEN ALL THESE LARGE COMPANIES COME IN BY LOCAL COMPANIES AND WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING THROUGH A MASS, UH, LAYOFFS RIGHT NOW AND WE'VE SEEN IT ALL OVER TOWN. SO I, I DO BELIEVE WE NEED TO BE HERE FOR OUR OIL AND GAS SECTOR. IT'S IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE RIDING THE WAVE THAT, UH, GAVE US OUR PREVIOUS SUCCESS IN ADDITION TO DIVERSIFICATION. AND SO I THINK ONE THING WE CAN DO IS JUST CONTINUING ON ALREADY ESTABLISHED EFFORTS OF TRAINING. YOU CAN WORK WITH WOMEN IN COLLEGE UTPB AND UH, GROWING A WORKFORCE HERE IN MIDLAND BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE GONNA STAY AND CREATE JOBS AND UM, YOU KNOW, I THINK LONG TERM THAT'S REALLY SOMETHING THAT IS WHAT MATTERS MORE THAN ANYTHING. I APPRECIATE THAT. YEP. ABSOLUTELY. ANY OTHER FINAL QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS? NO, I MEAN IT'S DEFINITELY EVIDENT THAT YOU'VE DONE YOUR HOMEWORK AND RESEARCH AND I GREATLY APPRECIATE THAT BECAUSE REALLY THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES TO BE INTO SOME OF THESE POSITIONS THAT SOMEBODY'S INFORMED AND, AND HAS A VISION. SO THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT. EXCELLENT. WELL THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE WITH US. THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALRIGHT, WELL THANK Y'ALL FOR HAVING ME. ALRIGHT. APPRECIATE [34. - CONSIDER ONE OR MORE MOTIONS MAKING APPOINTMENTS TO VARIOUS BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS (DISTRICT: ALL) (CITY SECRETARY) (TRANSPARENT & CONSISTENT COMMUNICATION)] IT AND WE'RE GONNA CONTINUE AN OPEN SESSION. UM, WE, THE GOAL HERE IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET AS MANY OF THESE POSITIONS FILLED AS POSSIBLE. WE DO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE MEETING A QUORUM REQUIREMENT FOR THE MDC TO CONTINUE TO CONDUCT BUSINESS. AND SO WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO ASK COUNSEL, FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE FOR YOU TO PUT YOUR NAME IN THE TOP CORNER BECAUSE THIS IS A TEACHER. THIS IS, I AM A TEACHER, BUT THIS IS AN OPEN MEETING AND WE'RE HAVING AN OPEN DIALOGUE. WE'RE USING A BALLOT NOT TO HAVE A SECRET BALLOT BUT JUST TO HAVE AN ORDERLY WAY TO DO THIS SINCE WE NEED TO CHOOSE FOUR ALL AT ONCE. AND SO, UM, I'M GOING TO JUST PLACE A CHECK MARK BESIDE MY FOUR TOP CHOICES AND THEN WE WILL GO FORWARD AND JUST QUICKLY WHILE WE'RE STILL SITTING HERE, SEE HOW MANY WE HAVE CONSENSUS ON AND THEN WE WILL DELIBERATE WHO WE NEED TO WORK WITH FURTHER. SO I WILL, YEAH, ARE WE PASSING THESE IN? YEAH, LET'S GO AHEAD AND JUST GIVE THEM TO MARCIA. CAN YOU QUICKLY TALLY PLEASE? YEAH, I'VE GOT APPOINTMENT THREE. [03:50:16] SO TO BE CLEAR, CONSENSUS OF CHOICE WILL BE ON ANY CANDIDATE THAT RECEIVES FOUR VOTES OR MORE. OKAY. SO THE TOP FOUR CHOICES, LET'S DON'T DO FOUR CHOICES. ALL OF THE ONES THAT GOT AT LEAST FOUR TO SUPPORT, DO WE HAVE MORE THAN FOUR CHOICES THAT GOT MORE THAN FOUR? THAT GOT FOUR VOTES? WE HAVE TWO THAT GOT MORE THAN FOUR. OKAY. SO WE JUST NEED THE FOUR. IF THEY RECEIVED FOUR VOTES OR MORE. OKAY. WE NEED TO KNOW WHO THOSE ARE. OKAY. ABRAHAM BAYHILL WITH FIVE. DARIN BTA WITH FIVE, HAYDEN, BALDRICK WITH FOUR. OKAY. SO THEN THOSE FOUR IN MY PER PERSPECTIVE, WE CAN CONSIDER THEM SELECTED. THOSE 3 3 3 3 3 SELECTED. WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AND MAKE A FURTHER SELECTION NOW OR WE CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION HOWEVER YOU GUYS WOULD LIKE TO PROCEED WITH IT. THE OTHER OPTION, WE HAVE ENOUGH FOR A QUORUM AND SO IF WE'D LIKE TO CONTINUE THIS CONVERSATION IN THE NEXT MEETING, WE CAN DO THAT. OR I'M GOOD WITH GOING AHEAD AND, AND APPOINTING THE LAST ONE. WE MIGHT AS WELL WE'RE HERE. SO PUSHING THIS. SO THEN, UM, DO YOU WANT JUST DO A MOTION TO LIKE THOSE THREE NOW? YEAH, LET'S DO A MOTION TO, WE HAVE ONE THAT'S ON FAVOR TERMS, SO THAT'S A DIFFERENCE. MEMBER SAY THAT. UM, WE DO HAVE FOUR, UM, AVAILABLE TO UM, APPOINT, BUT WE DO HAVE THE ONE THAT'S J LAW J ROSS LACEY'S IS A UNEXPIRED TERM. SO HIS IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT TERM THAN THE OTHER THREE THAT WOULD, WOULD BE APPOINTED. SO LET'S APPOINT THOSE THREE FOR THE FULL TERM AND THEN WE'LL TAKE UP THE UNEXPIRED TERM FOR THE FOURTH ONE. PERFECT. SURE. SO, UM, YOU HAVE YOUR LIST STILL IN FRONT OF YOU. SO WE HAVE ABRAHAM BEHILL, DARIN VODKA, AND HAYDEN BALDRICK FOR THE SO THOSE ARE ALL SELECTED? YES. AND THEN WE HAVE UNSELECTED RIGHT NOW AVAILABLE FOR DECISION OR DISCUSSION IS LUIS SANCHEZ, DENZEL WEST, JAMES GRIFFITH, ARMANDO SIGNS AND UM, WE WERE NOT ABLE TO INTERVIEW HILTON BUT HE'S STILL ON OUR LIST. SO OF THOSE CHOICES, DO WE WANNA HAVE ANOTHER CHECK SOMETHING OFF ON OUR BALLOT OR DOES SOMEBODY WANNA PROPOSE SOMEONE? I THINK WE SHOULD JUST DO THE BALLOT BUT JUST DO A CIRCLE. YEP, LET'S DO THAT. CAN YOU HAND THEM BACK? YEAH. DO A CIRCLE INSTEAD OF THE NEXT OR CHECK DO A CIRCLE JUST TO SEE IF WE GET FOUR THAT WAY. DO I NEED A NUMBER TWO PENCIL? YES, IF YOU WANT TO COUNT. THANK YOU. AND YOU HAVE TO FILL THE BOX IN ALL THE WAY TOO. GO HANGING CHECKS. THAT'S WHAT THOSE WERE CALLED. I TRYING TO THINK WHAT THAT WAS. GOLF TABS. SO WE CIRCLE ONE PERSON. OH YEAH, LET'S CIRCLE IT FIRST. THAT'S FINE. OKAY, THANK YOU MA'AM. AND THIS IS FOR THE UNEXPIRED TERM? MM-HMM . YES. THAT OVER? OKAY. YEAH, I KNOW I WAS GONNA GET ONE RIGHT. OKAY. DENZEL BUS RECEIVED FOUR. OKAY, SO WE HAVE, I GUESS WE NEED TO TAKE ACTION, BUT HE RECEIVED THE SUPPORT FROM FOUR FOLKS. SO DO WE HAVE THAT IN THE FORM OF A MOTION? YEAH. DO YOU WANT ME TO DO THAT? YOU, YOU WANNA DO ALL OF 'EM AT ONCE? SURE. OKAY. SO I MAKE A MOTION FOR ABRAHAM B HILL, DARIN VODKA AND HAYDEN BALDRICK BE NOMINATED FOR THE FULL TERMS. MM-HMM OPEN SEATS AND THEN DENZEL WEST BE UH, NOMINATED FOR REPLACING J RASH LACEY'S UM, [03:55:01] MID MIDTERM SEAT AND I'LL SECOND THAT. OKAY. SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION FROM COUNSEL? ALRIGHT, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSED? ALRIGHT THEN WE WILL GO FORWARD. NO ANYTHING LEFT AND UNDO WITH THAT. OKAY. SO THAT WE COMPLETED THE ITEMS 33 AND 34. WITH THAT WE DO STILL HAVE ITEMS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION THAT WE DID NOT COMPLETE. I KNOW A COUPLE OF YOU HAVE TO LEAVE. ARE WE GONNA BE ABLE TO HAVE A QUORUM TO HAVE EXECUTIVE SESSION? I JUST REMEMBER. I DIDN'T REALIZE IT WAS THREE O'CLOCK. I GOTTA GO TOO. SO SO YOU HAVE TO GO AND YOU HAVE TO GO JO JOHN, DO YOU HAVE WE DON'T HAVE TO BUT WELL, WE'RE ALL TIRED. I THINK WE WOULD ALL PREFER, I THINK THE CHOICE HERE IS DO WE CALL A SPECIAL CALLED EXECUTIVE SESSION TO TALK ABOUT THESE ITEMS OR DO WE GO BACK INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND HANDLE 'EM? I WOULD SAY IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT IS NOT OF UH, MAJOR IMPORTANCE THEN THAT CAN BE PUSHED TO ANOTHER TIME THEN I WOULD MOTION THAT WE DO THAT. I DO, LET ME LOOK. I DON'T HAVE, I'M NOT SURE THAT I HAVE ALL OF IT. NICHOLAS MAY KNOW. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT'S TIME SENSITIVE? NICHOLAS? NO MA'AM. HOLD ON. LET ME LOOK AT THE LIST THAT I DO HAVE IF I CAN FIND IT. IS THIS, THAT'S THE ONE LOOKING AT, OOPS. I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO GO BACK DOWN THERE FOR A FEW MINUTES FOR A COUPLE OF THESE THINGS 'CAUSE THEY ARE TIME SENSITIVE. UM, AND THEN IF WE, WE CAN GET STAFF TO BRIEF THOSE WHO HAVE TO LEAVE AND THEN WE'LL DEFER EVERYTHING ELSE TO A FUTURE MEETING. ARE WE GOOD WITH THAT? SURE. SO I NEED TO READ THIS WHOLE THING AGAIN. YES MA'AM. OKAY. SO WE ARE ADJOURNING [EXECUTIVE SESSION (Part 2 of 2)] TO COMPLETE OUR EXECUTIVE SESSION, UM, PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 5 5 1 1 0 1, THE CITY COUNCIL WILL HOLD AN EXECUTIVE SESSION WHICH IS CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC TO DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING MATTERS AS PERMANENT UNDER THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 5 5 1 0 7 1. CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY WILL DISCUSS MATTERS IN WHICH THE DUTY OF THE ATTORNEY TO THE GOVERNMENTAL BODY UNDER THE TEXAS DISCIPLINARY RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT OF THE STATE BAR OF TEXAS CLEARLY CONFLICTS WITH CHAPTER 5 5, 1 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE. WE'LL DISCUSS PENDING AND CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION. UH, SECTION 5 5 1 0 7 2 DELIBERATION REGARDING REAL PROPERTY WILL DISCUSS THE PURCHASE, EXCHANGE, LEASE, OR VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY. SECTION 5 5 1 0 7 4 PERSONNEL MATTERS WILL DELIBERATE THE EMPLOYMENT EVALUATION AND DUTIES OF THE CITY MANAGER, CITY ATTORNEY, CITY SECRETARY, MUNICIPAL COURT PRESIDING JUDGE, MUNICIPAL COURT ASSOCIATE JUDGE. WE'LL DELIBERATE THE APPOINTMENT OF APPLICANT'S TO SERVE. WE WON'T DO THAT 'CAUSE WE'VE ALREADY COMPLETED IT. SECTION 5 5 1 0 8 7 DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS, DISCUSS BUSINESS PROSPECTS THAT THE CITY SEEKS TO HAVE LOCATE, STAY OR EXPAND IN OR NEAR THE CITY OF MIDLAND, TEXAS TO AND DISCUSS POSSIBLE INCENTIVES. I ALSO WANT TO BE CLEAR, WE DID NOT DELIBERATE THE APPOINTMENT OF APPLICANTS TO SERVE AS BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE MIDLAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND EXECUTIVE SESSION. WE CONDUCTED ALL OF THAT IN PUBLIC FOR THIS ROUND. SO ANY OTHER COMMENTS THEN WE STAND ADJOURNED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 2:52 PM. * This transcript was created by voice-to-text technology. The transcript has not been edited for errors or omissions, it is for reference only and is not the official minutes of the meeting.