Aug 04, 2025 City Council Regular Meeting

[1. Call to Order]

[00:00:05]

ALL RIGHT, LET'S GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE THIS EVENING.

UH, THIS, UH, FOURTH DAY OF AUGUST.

UH, YOU MAY HAVE A ITEM ON THE AGENDA, BUT WHETHER YOU DO OR NOT, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, AND THANK YOU FOR CARING ABOUT OUR WONDERFUL CITY.

AND, UH, WITH THAT, IF YOU'D STAND FOR THE INVOCATION.

DO WE HAVE ANYONE HERE TONIGHT? UH, SOMETIMES SOMEONE'S HERE TO DO THE INVOCATION.

IF NOT, I DON'T WANNA MISS YOU.

IF YOU ARE, THANK YOU.

GO AHEAD, CHIEF.

OKAY.

PLEASE JOIN WITH ME.

YOUR LORD.

THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY THAT YOU PROVIDED FOR US.

THANK YOU FOR EACH OF THESE COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT ATTEND TO THE BUSINESS OF THIS CITY.

THANK YOU FOR ALL OF OUR WORKERS THAT, UH, MAKE THEIR CAREER HERE.

THANK YOU FOR PROTECTING THEM EACH DAY AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS.

WHEN THEY'RE AWAY, JUST ASK THAT YOU WATCH OVER THESE PROCEEDINGS.

IT MAY BE TO YOUR GLORY IN CHRIST PRAY.

AMEN.

AMEN.

IF YOU WOULD JOIN US IN THE PLEDGE, I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE.

JUSTICE FOR ALL.

HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO BE, TO BE TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.

THANK YOU.

MAY BE SEATED.

WE HAVE A COUPLE ITEMS. UH, WE'RE GONNA TAKE CARE OF THE, UH, IN THE, UH, HONORARY

[4. Announcements/Presentations]

BUT WE'RE GONNA START WITH THE, UH, HONORARY COUNCIL MEMBER.

WE HAVE A VERY SPECIAL MEMBER FROM THE WAXAHATCHEE POLICE DEPARTMENT HERE, JAMES TAYLOR, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, JT.

THANK YOU.

UH, IT'S A REAL HONOR TO TO HAVE JT HERE.

UM, I HAD THE PLEASURE OF SUPERVISING HIM FOR SOME YEARS, UH, WHEN I WAS STILL ON THE POLICE FORCE.

AND I WILL TELL YOU, UM, I DON'T KNOW IF THEY MAKE 'EM ANY BETTER THAN THAN JAMES TAYLOR.

SO IT'S A REAL HONOR TO HAVE HIM HERE TONIGHT.

I ASKED FOR A BIO, AND IF I WERE TO READ EVERYTHING AND ALL OF HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS, WE WOULD BE HERE UNTIL TOMORROW.

SO I'M NOT GONNA DO THAT.

I'M GONNA PARAPHRASE IT, BUT THANK YOU FOR ALL THE INFORMATION.

I APPRECIATE THAT.

SO, JT HAS BEEN WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR JUST OVER 16 YEARS.

HE SERVED IN SEVERAL ROLES AND INCLUDING CID, UM, SWAT.

HE'S, UH, BEEN A, IN SOME OF THESE, HE STILL HOLDS THOSE TITLES, BUT HE'S BEEN A FIELD TRAINING OFFICER.

UM, AND HE SERVED EVERY, EVERY, SEVERAL OTHER ROLES, INCLUDING THE, HIS CURRENT POSITION, WHICH IS THE COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER'S POSITION.

YOU MAY HAVE SEEN JT OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.

HE IS A PRIMARY FACE OF THE WAXAHATCHEE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

IN 2013, UH, HE MADE THE DECISION TO START DONATING, UH, BLOOD AND PLATELETS, UH, TO CARTER BLOOD CARE.

AND THIS IS FOLLOWING, FOLLOWING HIS FIERCE BATTLE WITH TESTICULAR CANCER IN 2008.

UM, THAT WAS A STAGE FOUR WHEN HE WAS DIAGNOSED IT.

AND, UM, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, HE'S STILL HERE TODAY AND HEALTHY, AND MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE IN NOT ONLY OUR COMMUNITY, BUT IN THE WORLD.

UH, BUT IN 2013, HE DECIDED TO, UH, FURTHER HIS WORK BY DONATING BLOOD AND PLATELETS TO THE CARTER BLOOD CARE.

UH, HE WAS FEATURED ON WFAA IN 2017, AND MOST RECENTLY HE COMPLETED APPROXIMATELY SIX HOURS OF FILMING WITH THE CARTER BLOOD CARE.

UM, HIS STORY OF HOPE WILL BE FEATURED

[00:05:01]

UM, HIS CURRENT GOAL IS TO GET 50 GALLONS DONATED BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR.

UH, I THINK THAT DESERVES AN APPLAUD.

YEAH.

IN 2013, UH, THE WAXAHATCHEE POLICE DEPARTMENT PARTNERED WITH TESTICULAR CANCER FOUNDATION, AND, UM, THEY PRESENTED A CHECK THIS YEAR FOR $15,720 TO SUPPORT, EDUCATE, AND RAISE AWARENESS OF THIS VERY TREATABLE DISEASE.

AND, UH, SO FAR, NEARLY A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS TOTAL FOR TESTICULAR CANCER AWARENESS, UH, HAS BEEN RAISED.

UM, IS THAT, IS THAT BY, BY YOUR GROUP, UH, SINCE YOU STARTED, RIGHT.

JT? YES, MA'AM.

OKAY.

UH, HE'S DEDICATED HIS LIFE, UH, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, TO, UH, HELPING OTHERS.

HE CONTINUES TO DO THAT EVERY DAY.

UH, HE LOVES HIS JOB, UH, HIS, THE ROLE OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICES OFFICER, AND, UH, HE ALSO, UH, VOLUNTEERS IN THE COMMUNITY IN SEVERAL WAYS TO MENTION A FEW, UH, MIRACLE LEAGUE FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS.

AND, UM, SEVERAL OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT HE, UH, ALSO VOLUNTEERS.

AND I WILL TELL YOU WITH JT, UM, HE'S GONNA FIND WAYS TO SERVE.

HE JUST IS, IF THERE'S NOWHERE TO SERVE, JT ISS GONNA FIND A PLACE TO SERVE.

AND THAT'S JUST, THAT'S JUST WHO HE IS, AND THAT'S WHAT HE LIVES FOR.

AND WE SHOULD ALL, UH, STRIVE TO BE A LOT LIKE JT.

UM, HE'S COMMITTED A SECOND CHANCE TO SERVING OTHERS, UH, BEFORE HIMSELF AND RAISING MONEY TO TESTICULAR CANCER AWARENESS.

UH, HE ASSISTS WITH THE PLANNING, WITH PLANNING OF NUMEROUS EVENTS, INCLUDING COPS AND KIDS PICNIC, THE TRUNK PALOOZA SHOP WITH A COP, MOM AND DAUGHTER.

DEFENSE CLASSES, THE POLICE MEMORIAL, UH, SALVATION ARMY ANGEL TREE WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND COORDINATES BLOOD DRIVES AT THE POLICE STATION.

UM, HE, UM, THERE'S A CONSTANT FOCUS HE SAYS, ON TRAINING TO BUILD THE BEST POLICE DEPARTMENT, UH, THAT THEY CAN HERE AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

VERY PROUD TO, TO BE A MEMBER OF THE WAXAHATCHEE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

I CAN TELL YOU THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S VERY PROUD TO HAVE HIM A PART OF THEIR TEAM.

HE'S HONORED TO SERVE AS A POLICE OFFICER HERE FOR THE CITY OF WAXAHATCHEE, AND AN HONOR TO SERVE UNDER ALL OF THE LEADERSHIP HERE AT WAXAHATCHEE.

IN HIS SPARE TIME, YOU MIGHT CATCH HIM AT AN EVENT AT RAIL YARD PARK, A CAR SHOW AT THE GETTS AND DANA PARK.

UH, HE ENJOYS GOING TO THE GYM, ATTENDING CHURCH, SPENDING TIME WITH FAMILY.

UH, HE LOVES THIS CITY AND LOVES SERVING THE RESIDENTS HERE.

SO, WITH THAT, I INTRODUCE YOU TO JAMES TAYLOR.

THANK YOU FOR BEING OUR HONORARY COUNCIL MEMBER FOR AUGUST.

THANK YOU.

ALRIGHT.

UH, WITH THAT, UH, WE'RE GONNA DO A, UH, PROCLAMATION, UH, RECOGNIZED IN AUGUST 3RD THROUGH THE NINTH AS NATIONAL HEALTH CENTER WEEK.

AND MAYOR PRO TEM PAT SER WILL READ THAT PROCLAMATION.

THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR.

UM, THIS IS ACTUALLY VERY NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART.

UM, I'LL READ IT AND THEN TELL YOU THE REASON WHY.

ALRIGHT.

WHEREAS SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 1999, HOPE HEALTH HAS BEEN A STEADFAST PROVIDER OF HIGH QUALITY, AFFORDABLE, AND COMPREHENSIVE PRIMARY AND PREVENTATIVE CARE, HEALTHCARE AND MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED COMMITTEE COMMUNITIES.

FOR OVER 25 YEARS, HOPE HEALTH HAS DELIVERED COMPASSIONATE CARE AND BUILT TRUST WITH GENERATIONS OF PATIENTS CONTRIBUTING TO THE HEALTH AND RESILIENCE OF THE COMMUNITY SERVED.

AND WHEREAS, AS PART OF THE NATION'S LARGEST PRIMARY CARE NETWORK, HOPE HEALTH PROUDLY SERVES AS A MEDICAL HOME FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ACROSS ELLIS COUNTY, HELPING TO ENSURE THAT HEALTHCARE IS A RIGHT, NOT A PRIVILEGE.

AND IN ALIGNMENT WITH OVER 1400 COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, HOPE HEALTH PROVIDES CRITICAL CARE TO POPULATIONS REGARDLESS OF INSURANCE INCOME OR BACKGROUND.

AND WHEREAS HOPE HEALTH PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN BRIDGING ACCESS GAPS IN BOTH RURAL AND URBAN COMMUNITIES, OFTEN SERVING AS THE ONLY ACCESSIBLE AND RELIABLE PRI PROVIDER

[00:10:01]

HOPE HEALTH STANDS COMMITTED TO REACHING EVERY CORNER OF THEIR SERVICE AREA THROUGH FIXED CLINICS, COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND INNOVATIVE CARE DELIVERY MODELS.

AND WHEREAS IN THE FACE OF RISING CHRONIC DISEASES, HOPE HEALTH CONTINUES TO EXPAND ACCESS TO INTEGRATED CARE, ENSURING PATIENTS HAVE ACCESS NOT JUST TO PRIMARY CARE, BUT ALSO TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, DENTAL, NUTRITION, PHARMACY, AND VISION SERVICES.

THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM WORKS TOGETHER TO TREAT THE WHOLE PERSON PERSON WITH A FOCUS ON LONG-TERM HEALTH OUTCOMES.

AND WHEREAS GOVERNED BY A PATIENT MAJORITY BOARD HOPE HEALTH IS SHAPED BY THE VERY PEOPLE IT SERVES.

THIS MODEL OF COMMUNITY DRIVEN GOVERNANCE ENSURES ACCOUNTABILITY, CULTURAL RELEVANCE, AND RESPONSIVENESS TO LOCAL HEALTH NEEDS.

AND WHEREAS HOPE HEALTH HAS GROWN INTO A VITAL ECONOMIC AND EMPLOYMENT ENGINE IN THE REGION, SUPPORTING JOBS, TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, AND PARTNERSHIPS THAT STRENGTHEN BOTH THE HEALTH AND ECONOMY OF THE COMMUNITY.

AND WHEREAS HOPE HEALTH CONTINUES TO LEAD IN INNOVATION, DELIVERING MOBILE OUTREACH SERVICES, SCHOOL-BASED CARE, TELEHEALTH AND WRAPAROUND PROGRAMS TO MEET PATIENTS WHERE THEY ARE, AND ADDRESSING SOCIAL DETRIMENTS OF HEALTH AS PART OF THE MISSION TO PROMOTE HEALTH EE EQUITY.

AND WHEREAS IN 2024, HOPE HEALTH WAS HONORED AS THE BEST PEDIATRICIAN'S OFFICE IN ELLIS COUNTY BY THE READERS OF THE WAXAHATCHEE DAILY LIGHT, AND THE MIDDLE OTH AND MIRROR RECOGNIZING THE DEDICATION TO PROVIDING EXCEPTIONAL CARE TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES OF THE COMMUNITY.

AND WHEREAS THE NATION CELEBRATES 60 YEARS OF COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS AND THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF NEARLY 1500 HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS, WE ALSO HONOR THE DEDICATED STAFF, BOARD MEMBERS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS, AND PATIENTS WHO HAVE MADE HOPE HEALTH, A TRUSTED BEACON OF CARE AND HEALING SINCE 1999.

THEIR NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT BILLY WALLACE MAYOR, THE CITY OF WAXAHATCHEE, TEXAS, ALONG WITH THE ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM AUGUST 3RD THROUGH NINTH 2025 AS NATIONAL HEALTH CENTER WEEK AT HOPE HEALTH IN THE CITY OF WAXAHATCHEE, AND ENCOURAGE ALL RESIDENTS TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THE ESSENTIAL ROLE THAT COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS AND HOPE HEALTH IN PARTICULAR PLAY IN STRENGTHENING THE WELLBEING AND FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

PROCLAIM THIS FOURTH DAY OF AUGUST, 2025, MAYOR BILLY WALLACE.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO JUST ADD SOMETHING.

IS THE REASON WHY THIS IS NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART IS THAT, UH, ABOUT A YEAR AGO, I WAS ASKED TO BE ON THE BOARD OF HOPE HEALTH.

AND IN THAT SHORT TIME, I'VE SEEN WHAT BENEFITS IT PROVIDES TO EVERYBODY ACROSS ALL WALKS OF LIFE, NOT JUST IN WAXAHATCHEE IN ELLIS COUNTY.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT, THAT TREATS EVERYBODY, WHETHER YOU, WHETHER YOU, YOU'RE INDIGENT TO WHETHER YOU HAVE THE BEST INSURANCE OUT THERE, THEY TREAT EVERYBODY THE SAME.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE COULD BE PROUD THAT IS JUST A COUPLE OF MILES FROM HERE AND DELIVERING HEALTHCARE TO THE CITIZENS OF ELLIS COUNTY.

SO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO READ THAT.

DO WE HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE HERE FOR A PHOTOGRAPH THAT BRINGS US

[5. Public Comments]

THIS IS THE APPROPRIATE TIME FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON ANY CONCERN WHETHER

[00:15:01]

THE COUNCIL MAY NOT COMMENT OR DELIBERATE SUCH STATEMENTS DURING THIS PERIOD, EXCEPT IS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 5 5 1 0 4 2 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SPEAKERS MUST OBSERVE THE FIVE MINUTE TIME LIMIT.

ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK, PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM AND GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE CITY SECRETARY, PLEASE.

THANK YOU.

GOOD EVENING, MAYOR.

COUNCIL MEMBERS AND AUDIENCE.

MY NAME IS MATT CRAIG.

I LIVE AT FIVE 15 BENT TRAIL IN RED OAK, IN, IN THE UNINCORPORATED PART OF RED OAK, UH, IN PRECINCT ONE.

SO I'M HERE TO SPEAK, UH, IN REGARDS TO THE, UH, UM, I'M SORRY I WASN'T ABLE TO ATTEND THE WORKSHOP THIS AFTERNOON, BUT, UH, I KNOW OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PET COALITION OF ELLIS COUNTY WE'RE IN ATTENDANCE.

AND, AND MAYOR, I APPRECIATE YOU ATTENDING OUR FIRST KICKOFF MEETING AS WELL AT THE PET COALITIONS.

YOU'RE WELCOME AS WELL.

SO, UH, ON THAT SIDE, IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE PET COALITION, A RELATIVELY NEW ORGANIZATION, 5 0 1 C3, IT'S HERE TO SUPPORT, UH, ANIMALS AND THE, UH, THE RESCUES THAT, THAT, UH, WORK TO, UH, TO SUPPORT THOSE ANIMALS IN NEED.

SO, UH, MYSELF, I'M A NOT ONLY SERVE ON THE BOARD FOR THE PET COALITION, BUT I ALSO AM A SUPPORTER AND A FOSTER FOR, UH, NUMEROUS ANIMAL RESCUE GROUPS, INCLUDING FLY BEE ANIMAL RESCUE OUT OF VENICE, UH, FUR BABIES IN LANCASTER, UH, TEXAS HALL CREATURES RESCUE, AND, UH, TEXAS GREAT PYRENEES RESCUE.

AND I HAVE FIVE FOSTERS RIGHT NOW.

SO IF ANYBODY'S INTERESTED IN A DOG, I'VE GOT ALL TYPES.

SO JUST LET ME KNOW AFTERWARDS.

I'D BE GLAD TO HELP YOU OUT.

BUT IT IS, UH, A, A TESTIMONY TO THE DEMAND IN OUR COUNTY RIGHT NOW.

I'M SURE YOU'RE WELL AWARE, WELL AWARE OF WHAT ELLIS COUNTY HAD TO DO WHEN, UH, SPCA PULLED OUT AND THE NEED FOR ANIMALS.

AND I KNOW ONE OF THOSE RESCUES I MENTIONED ACTUALLY HAD TO, UH, A TRAP, A LOOSE DOG THAT WAS IN THE CITY LIMITS OF WAXAHATCHEE.

AND THERE'S, UM, UH, AND, UM, AGAIN, I APPRECIATE THE WORK AND THE HARD WORK OF YOUR ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS, BUT IT'S ALSO A GREAT DEMAND OUT THERE AS WELL.

AND I DON'T THINK THAT DEMAND IS GONNA GO AWAY, UH, FOR A YEAR UNTIL A NEW SHELTER IS IN PLACE.

BUT I WOULD OFFER THAT, UM, IF IT'S NOT IN THE BUDGETS, UH, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE IS WILL BE PLANNING GOING ON IN THE FUTURE TO HELP EXPAND THAT.

AND WE'RE HERE TO HELP AND WE'RE OFFER OUR ASSISTANCE AND EXPERTISE IN, UH, PLANNING AND THE SUPPORT FOR A SHELTER.

IF THAT IS IN THE, UH, THE PLANS FOR Y'ALL FOR NEXT YEAR, I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE THAT.

AND THEN WE'D ALSO, IN SUPPORT OF WHAT YOUR CURRENT NEEDS ARE, I KNOW THAT WE'VE HAD OUR, UM, PET COALITION HAS HAD THE, UH, THE FOOD PANTRY, PET FOOD PANTRY, AND, UH, IN SUPPORT OF ANIMALS BOTH IN WAXAHATCHEE AND IN ALL OF ELLIS COUNTY.

AND THAT, UM, I THINK RIGHT NOW WITH BEING AT CAPACITY AND OVER CAPACITY OF THE CURRENT FACILITIES THAT REALLY PLACES AND WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IN ELLIS COUNTY, UH, IS PLACING A HUGE DEMAND ON OUR RESCUES AND ON FOSTERS LIKE MYSELF TOO.

I REALLY DON'T, UM, IT'S A BIT FULL, I SHOULD SAY, WITH MY CURRENT DOGS AND ALL.

AND IT IS PUTTING A GREAT STRESS ON OUR RESCUES AND WHATEVER CAN BE DONE TO EXPEDITE THAT.

WE'RE HERE TO HELP AND TO SUPPORT.

AND I'D REALLY LIKE TO SEE THAT NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET IF THAT CAN ALL BE DONE.

SO WITH THAT, I APPRECIATE YOUR, YOUR EAR FOR A FEW MINUTES AND WE'RE HERE TO HELP.

AND, UH, IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE CONTACT INFORMATION FOR OTHERS AT THE PAL COALITION, I'LL BE ABLE TO, UH, LEAVE SOME INFORMATION AS WELL WITH YOU.

OKAY.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

ANYONE ELSE? MY NAME IS JOHN WHEEL AND I LIVE AT FOUR 17 WEST JEFFERSON.

I WANT TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE ELLIS COUNTY RURAL HERITAGE FARM.

THE FARM, WHICH IS LOCATED AT ONE 30 CUNNINGHAM MEADOWS ROAD OFF OF FM 66, JUST WEST OF SCARBOROUGH FAIR.

I'M THE TREASURER OF THE ELLIS COUNTY RURAL HERITAGE FARM, INC.

AND ALL VOLUNTEER 5 0 1 C3 NONPROFIT CREATED IN 2017, WHICH RUNS THE FARM.

WHILE THE FARM HAS A COUNTYWIDE FOCUS BECAUSE OF ITS PROXIMITY, THE, ITS, ITS, ITS PRE ITS PRESENCE BENEFITS OF CITY OF WAXAHATCHEE DIRECTLY THE 145 ACRE PROPERTIES OWNED BY MS. LUANN DAY, WHO IS THE ORGANIZATION'S PRESIDENT.

THE FARM HAS A NO COST LEASE TO A PORTION OF THE PROPERTY IN ORDER TO PROVIDE PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT ITS MISSION, WHICH IS TO PRESERVE AND TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND APPRECIATION

[00:20:01]

THE ENTIRE PROPERTY IS PROTECTED WITH A CONSERVATION EASEMENT, WHICH WILL MAINTAIN THE PROPERTY AS OPEN SPACE AND PERPETUITY.

THE FARM PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL AND HANDS-ON LIVING HISTORY, OPPORTUNITIES TO SCHOOL CHILDREN AND LEARNERS OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS, ABOUT LATE 19TH AND EARLY 20TH CENTURY RURAL SMALL FAMILY FARM LIFE IN THE BLACKLAND PRAIRIE, WHICH DROVE THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTY, AND ABOUT CONSERVATION EFFORTS NEEDED TODAY TO PRESERVE THE RESOURCES OF OUR LAND FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

THE FARM AND ASSOCIATION WITH THE INDIAN TRAIL CHAPTER OF THE MASTER NATURALIST HOSTS A PRAIRIE WILDLIFE AND WILDFLOWER ADVENTURE IN APRIL IN THE FALL.

AND ASSOCIATION WITH A NUMBER OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS THAT HOSTS A FREE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FARM HERITAGE DAY WITH INTERACTIVE STATIONS, EXHIBITS, AND DEMONSTRATIONS OF FARM LIFE AND SKILLS OF THOSE BYGONE TIMES ON FAMILY FARMS, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON EDUCATIONAL CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES SUCH AS USING THE TREAD SEWING MACHINE, WASHING CLOTHES BY HAND, OR OTHER ACTIVITIES INVOLVING TYPICAL FARM CHORES REQUIRED OF CHILDREN OF THE TIME PERIOD.

THIS ANNUAL EVENT ATTRACTS UPWARDS OF 400 VISITORS EACH YEAR.

THIS YEAR, THE EVENT WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21ST FROM TWO TO FIVE IN THE IN IN THE FUTURE.

THE EVENT WILL MOVE TO OCTOBER.

EXHIBITS FOR THIS YEAR WILL INCLUDE EARLY RURAL FARM LIFE, THE HISTORY OF THE BLACKLAND PRAIRIE AND OF COTTON FARMING THAT EXPLODED THE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF ELLIS COUNTY AND GROUND AND WATER CONSERVATION.

PAST YEARS EXHIBITS HAVE FOCUSED ON THE ADVENT OF RURAL FREE DELIVERY MAIL SURFACE, THE EARLY DAYS OF RURAL MEDICAL CARE AND EARLY 20TH CENTURY FARM MODERNIZATION DUE TO ELECTRICITY AND TELEPHONE SERVICE COMING TO RURAL AREAS.

THE FARM IS SUPPORTED BY ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES AND DONATIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS, AS WELL AS GENEROUS SUPPORT FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES.

THE FARM HAS DEVELOPED CLOSE TIES TO MANY LOCAL AND REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND HAS RECEIVED GRANTS FROM THE ELLIS COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION AND WAXAHATCHEE FOUNDATION.

THE FARM HAS HOSTED WISD STEM GARDEN GROUP FIELD TRIPS AS THEY LEARN ABOUT GARDENING.

AND THE TEXAS BLACKLAND PRAIRIES.

NATURAL HERITAGE SUCCESSION PLANNING INVOLVES THE 145 ACRES BEING DONATED TO A 5 0 1 C3, OR TO A GOVERNMENT ENTITY THAT WILL MAINTAIN THE CONTINUANCE OF ITS MISSIONS AND PROGRAMMING.

THE FARM WAS APPROACHED BY COUNTY AND REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION TO FORMALLY APPLY FOR CONSIDERATION TO BE ADDED TO THE STATEWIDE TEXAS HISTORIC SITES PROGRAM.

THE PRINCIPLE RATIONALE FOR THE FARM BEING PUT FORWARD FOR CONSIDERATION IS THAT IT REPRESENTS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF TEXAS HISTORY NOT CURRENTLY REPRESENTED IN THE HISTORIC SITES PROGRAM.

SMALL FAMILY FARMS IN THE TEXAS BLACKLAND PRAIRIE THAT PROVIDED THE ECONOMIC FOUNDATION FOR THE GROWTH OF THE COTTON INDUSTRY AND ULTIMATELY OF THE CENTRAL NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS ECONOMY AND COMMUNITIES.

CURRENTLY, THERE ARE LESS THAN 50 SITES ACROSS THE STATE.

AFTER INITIAL REVIEW, THE TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION HAS NOW COMMITTED STAFF AND RESOURCES TO MOVE FORWARD INTO THE FIRST PHASE OF A THREE PHASE EVALUATION PROCESS, AND WILL BE COMING TO THE FARM LATER THIS MONTH FOR A SITE VISIT.

IF THIS VALU EVALUATION RESULTS IN THE FARM BEING ACCEPTED, THE MOST DIRECT ECONOMIC BENEFICIARY WILL BE THE CITY OF WAXAHATCHEE.

DUE TO THE TOURISM A TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION SITE BRINGS TO AN AREA ONE EVALUATION CRITERIA INVOLVES COMMUNITY SUPPORT.

WE VALUE SUPPORT OF THE PUBLIC AND OF THIS COUNCIL.

YOU MAY BE ASKING IN THE COMING WEEKS TO PROVIDE THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THE FARM.

BUT FIRST, YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU WOULD BE SUPPORTING.

I WOULD ASK YOU AND THE PUBLIC TO GO TO OUR WEBSITE, RURAL HERITAGE FARM.ORG TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FARM AND ITS PROGRAMS AND INVOLVEMENTS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.

YOU CAN ALSO SEND EMAIL INQUIRIES TO RURAL HERITAGE FARM@GMAIL.COM OR TO ME PERSONALLY.

WE VALUE YOUR SUPPORT AS WE TRY TO PROVIDE THE CITY AND THE COUNTY AN ENDURING EDUCATIONAL, HISTORY ORIENTED, RECREATIONAL AND RELAXING RETREAT.

REMEMBER OUR PAST IN AN OPEN RURAL SETTING AND A SEA OF GROWING DEVELOPMENT WE HOPE TO SEE AT THE FARM HERITAGE DAY ON SEPTEMBER 21ST.

WE ALSO INVITE THOSE, HEARING THESE COMMENTS TO HELP US THAT DAY WITH BEING DOCENTS FOR HOUSE TOURS AND ASSISTING IN CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES.

SO IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, YOU CAN, YOU CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE AND USE THE CONTACT PAGE TO SEND US AN EMAIL.

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU.

ANYONE ELSE? GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR.

COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, I SPEAK ALSO FOR PLANNING THE ZONING TO UNDERSTAND THIS.

UH, I HAVE WITNESSED, UH, UH, A HOUSE ON 800 DUNAWAY.

UH, IT'S ALREADY BEEN APPROVED FOR A SHORT TERM RENTAL.

THE HOUSE DIDN'T HAVE ANY QR CODE OUT ON THE SIGN AND NO WARNING FOR OTHERS TO EVEN TAKE A LOOK.

THE SIGN WAS PUT OUT BEFORE A HOUSE THAT HADN'T EVEN BEEN TORE DOWN, THAT WAS PART OF THE ORIGINAL NEIGHBORHOOD, AND THEN LATER IT WAS TORE DOWN AFTER HE GOT HIS SUP PERMIT.

THE PEOPLE, MORE PEOPLE AROUND HERE DIDN'T KNOW THEY THOUGHT THE HOUSE WAS GONNA BE THE ONE THAT'S GONNA BE FOR THE SHORT TERM RENTAL.

I SEE THAT UNFAIR FOR A LOT OF THE PUBLIC OUT THERE, BESIDES THE ONE JUST RECEIVING A LETTER WITHIN 500 FEET.

UH, I FEEL THIS IS A PUBLIC THING TO PREVENT THINGS FROM SPREADING ACROSS TOWNS.

WHENEVER YOU ACCEPT THINGS LIKE THIS, UH, I FEEL THAT Y'ALL WILLINGLY KNOW THE SOLE PURPOSE

[00:25:01]

MAYBE SOMETIME YOU NEED TO GO AHEAD AND MAKE A SHORT TERM RENTAL DWELLINGS, WHERE'S NOTHING BUT SHORT TERM RENTALS ON IT AND EVERYTHING THAT IT KIND OF HELP KEEP SO MANY OF THEM GOING AROUND ON THE PROPERTIES, TAKING UP PROPERTIES AND, YOU KNOW, AND THEN NOT LETTING THEM GO.

AND THEN CONTINUOUSLY, CONTINUOUSLY GO IN TIME THAT WILL AFFECT THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND TIME IT WILL BUILD UP.

AND, UH, AND THEN IN TIME THEY MIGHT BE SAYING IT WAS DONE ILLEGALLY AND ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF, YOU KNOW, SO IT'S JUST AN UNPREDICTABLE WHAT CAN BE THOUGHT IN THE FUTURE WHENEVER YOU MAKE DECISION.

IT'S NOT JUST FOR NOW, IT'S ALSO FOR THE FUTURE WHERE IS CORRECT IN THE FUTURE AS WELL.

SO ANYWAY, THE, UH, ABOUT ALL I HAD TO SAY ON THESE SHORT TERM RENTALS IS UNDERSTAND THE MAIN PURPOSE OF A SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING ZONE.

UNDERSTAND THE SHORT TERM RENTAL IS A GUEST TO SEEING A FAMILY D DWELLING ZONE.

NOT FOR THEM TO TAKE OVER WITH SOME KIND OF OTHER TYPE OF STRUCTURE.

THE STRUCTURE SHOULD BE MANUFACTURED WHERE THEY CAN GO BACK TO A FAMILY DWELLING ZONE AND WHERE IT CAN BE USED IMMEDIATELY AS A FAMILY DWELLING ZONE, NOT SOMETHING THAT'S GONNA PROBABLY SIT THERE ONCE THE SUP GETS TAKEN AWAY.

IF THEY VIOLATE ALL THE, YOU KNOW, THE CODES AND EVERYTHING ELSE AND THE DEALS, AND IT'S GONNA SIT THERE AND NOT BE EVER USED AGAIN.

IT TOOK UP A THAT WAS TORE DOWN.

SO, ANYWAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU.

ANYONE ELSE? SEEING NONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENTS.

THE NEXT ITEM IS THE CONSENT AGENDA.

[6. Consent Agenda]

THERE WILL NOT BE SEPARATE DISCUSSION OF THESE ITEMS. APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR OR CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL MATTERS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT EACH ITEM.

ANY ITEM MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR SEPARATE DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION BY ANY MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL.

MADAM MAYOR, I MOVE TO APPROVE ALL ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED AND AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER AND OR MAYOR TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND PLEASE.

MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU COUNSEL.

NEXT ITEM IS A,

[7. Continue Public Hearing on a request by Lexi Cassels, Kimley-Horn, for a Zoning Change from a Commercial (C) zoning district to Planned Development-Multi-Family-2 and Planned Development-Commercial (PD-MF-2 & PD-C) zoning district, for a mixed-use development, located directly east of 2050 Conquest Boulevard, (Property ID 191630 & 191636) - Owner: B&T Realty Services Inc (ZDC-91-2024)]

TRENTON, UH, THANK YOU.

AT THE LAST PLANNING ZONING COMMISSION, THE APPLICANT DID REQUEST A CONTINUANCE, UH, THUS REQUIRING CONTINUANCE AT THIS MEETING AS WELL.

DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO CONTINUE THAT TO SEPTEMBER 2ND.

MADAM MAYOR, I MOVE TO CONTINUE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ZDC 9 1 20 24 TO THE SEPTEMBER 2ND, 2025 MEETING.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.

MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU COUNSEL.

THAT MOVES US TO ITEM NUMBER

[9. Consider funding request from the Ellis County Woman’s Building in the amount of $10,000 to assist with building renovations, repairs, and upgrades]

CONSIDER FUNDING REQUESTS FROM THE ELLIS COUNTY WOMEN'S BUILDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,000 TO ASSIST WITH BUILDING RENOVATIONS, REPAIRS, AND UPGRADES.

HANNAH MCCLEARY? YES.

THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FOR HAVING ME.

UM, WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF UPGRADING THE ELLIS COUNTY WOMAN'S BUILDING, WHICH WILL BE 100 YEARS OLD AND AN ANNIVERSARY PARTY CELEBRATION, UH, FEBRUARY THE 11TH OF 2026.

WE'RE COMPLETELY REDOING THE KITCHEN AND MAKING, UM, THE DAVIS HALL HAS SOME DAMAGE IN THE FLOOR, DOING QUITE A BIT OF, UH, RENOVATIONS TO IT.

WE'VE RECENTLY INSTALLED SPEAKER SYSTEMS, A NEW SPEAKER SYSTEM.

THE, UH, GROUNDS HAVE BEEN UPGRADED.

WE'RE GETTING READY TO SPLIT THE COST WITH THE CITY FOR, UH, TREE REMOVAL AND, UM, TRIMMING OF ALL THE TREES BY A ARBORIST.

SO WE'RE GETTING IT READY FOR THE NEXT A HUNDRED YEARS.

OKAY.

OKAY, COUNSEL, DO Y'ALL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? UH, YEAH.

I, THIS IS A, NOT TELLING YOU HOW TO RUN THE BUILDING, BUT $71,000 IS A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY TO RENOVATE A KITCHEN.

THERE'S, THAT'S, OH, IT'S NOT JUST THE KITCHEN.

OKAY.

WELL, $28,000 IS A WHOLE LOT

[00:30:01]

UM, I HAVE, HAVE YOU GOTTEN MULTIPLE BIDS? MM-HMM .

YES, WE HAVE.

AND THEY WERE ALL IN THE SAME RANGE.

THIS IS UPGRADING OUR ELECTRICAL.

UH, THE ELECTRICIAN SAID THAT THE ELECTRICAL PANEL THAT WE HAVE IN THE BUILDING RIGHT NOW WOULD NOT BE INSURED BY PROBABLY NOBBING TUBE.

SO I YEAH, WOULD AGREE.

BUT, SO IT'S NOT JUST THE RENOVATION OF THE KITCHEN, IT'S UPGRADING THE ELECTRICAL INSIDE AND OUT.

IT'S RE REPLENISH OR REFINISHING THE FLOORS IN THE DAVIS HALL AND REPAIR.

'CAUSE WE'VE GOT SOME BOARDS THAT ARE JUST REALLY WORN AND DANGEROUS.

UM, THE FRONT DOORS, THE A HUNDRED YEAR OLD DOORS, WE'VE RECENTLY, UH, STARTED RENOVATION OF THOSE AND PUT NEW, YOU KNOW, PUT NEW, UM, HINGES.

IT'LL HAVE NEW HARDWARE AND BE PAINTED.

IT'S FOR A BUILDING THAT'S A HUNDRED YEARS OLD, I THINK THAT WE'RE, WE'RE DOING PRETTY WELL.

AND WE'VE RAISED, UM, UH, OVER HALF OF IT.

I SEE THAT, AND I'M, I'M MORE SO LOOKING OUT FOR Y'ALL.

UM, $40,000 FOR THAT KITCHEN, OR $44,000 IS A LOT FOR THAT SIZE OF THAT SPACE.

UM, JUST FROM A CONSTRUCTION SIDE, YOUR, YOUR COURTS COUNTERTOPS, YOU'RE BUYING TWO FULL SLABS OF THAT.

YOU DON'T HAVE TWO FULL SLABS WORTH OF COUNTERS IN THERE.

UM, SO, SO THE HESITATION THAT I HAVE FROM THROWING IN FUNDING RIGHT NOW IS ONE, THIS IS A VERY, VERY BASIC PRESENTATION.

UM, THAT'S ASKING FOR $10,000 ON TOP OF WHAT WE ALREADY DO AS A CITY.

AND THEN YOU'RE GOING TO FOUR B IN A COUPLE WEEKS, I THINK TO ASK THERE AS, AS WELL, DEPENDING ON OUR PAINTING OUTSIDE, WE'VE HAD ROOF DAMAGE, HAIL DAMAGE, AND SO WE'VE GOT A DEDUCTIBLE THERE.

WE'VE RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE A FAN IN THE AIR CONDITIONER.

DON'T HAVE THE BILL ON THAT.

I KNOW THE FAN WAS 13, UH, $1,300 PLUS THE LABOR, UM, SCREENS WILL BE REPLACED ON ONE SIDE, BUT FOR 'EM TO MATCH, WE'VE GOTTA PAY FOR THE OTHER SCREENS.

UM, THEY WILL REPLACE THE, OR THEY'LL PAINT THE SIDE THAT HAD HAIL DAMAGE, BUT WE'VE GOT TO FINISH OUT THE REST.

AND WE'VE GOT ROTTED WOOD AND THINGS.

SO IT'S NOT JUST THE INTERIOR OF THE BUILDING, IT'S ALSO THE OUTSIDE.

THAT'S A, UM, AGAIN, I, I JUST REALLY THINK THAT YOU'RE, THE MONEY THAT YOU HAVE RAISED ALREADY MM-HMM .

SHOULD BE ENOUGH TO DO WHAT IS ON YOUR LIST RIGHT HERE.

AND I'M BEING COMPLETELY HONEST WITH YOU, I'M, I'M BEING VERY HONEST.

THERE IS NO WAY THAT KITCHEN IS A $44,000 KITCHEN.

THERE'S JUST NOT.

UM, THE CABINETS ARE 14,000.

I WHAT'S, WITHOUT ANYTHING ELSE, WHICH THEY SHOULDN'T, WHICH THEY SHOULDN'T BE.

I'M, I, LIKE, I'M LOOKING OUT FOR YOU RIGHT NOW SAYING THAT THIS IS YOU.

SOMEBODY HAS MARKED THIS UP EXPONENTIALLY.

WE'VE DONE MORE CABINETS THAN WHAT WE ORIGINALLY HAVE.

I'VE BEEN IN THERE A LOT, I MEAN, THREE, THREE WEEKS AGO.

UM, SO I, I KNOW WHAT THE KITCHEN IS.

I GREW UP TWO STREETS AWAY GOING IN THERE ALL THE TIME.

BUT I'M, I'M LOOKING OUT FOR YOU AND SAYING THAT THIS KITCHEN IS NOT A $44,000 KITCHEN.

SO WHEN YOU'RE ASKING CITI FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING ON TOP OF WHAT WE ALREADY DO, I'M SURE YES, WE WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE, BUT IT'S, BUT PARTICIPATING JUST FOR THE SAKE OF PARTICIPATING TO THROW MONEY AT SOME CONTRACTOR THAT GAVE YOU THIS NUMBER.

THAT'S, THAT'S NOT, THAT DOESN'T WORK FOR ME.

OKAY.

HANNAH, JUST FOR TRANSPARENCY PURPOSES, UM, CAN WE TALK ABOUT FUNDING THAT'S BEEN GIVEN BY CITY TAXPAYERS IN 2025 TO DATE? THE CITY DID THE FLOWER BEDS FOR US IN THE SPRINKLER SYSTEM, WHICH WAS 30,000.

WE'RE TAKING CARE OF THE LAWN OURSELF NOW, WHICH THE CITY'S NOT DOING.

I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T THINK Y'ALL GIVE US ANYTHING MONTHLY.

THE CITY, UH, COUNTY GIVES US TWO, $200 MONTHLY OUT OF THEIR BUDGET.

SO, AND, UM, CAN YOU, DO WE, YEAH, I CHECKED WITH CHAD TODAY.

I BELIEVE WE GIVE A $2,400 STIP IN A YEAR, WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, $200 A MONTH.

OKAY.

SO THE CITY GIVES 200 AND COUNTY, AND I BELIEVE WE, WE, I GUESS WE WAIVED THE WATER BILL, SO WE

[00:35:01]

YEAH.

WATER BILL.

YEAH.

AND FOR THE INSURANCE ON THE BUILDING.

AND SEEMS LIKE THERE WAS ONE OTHER THING.

UM, OH, I THOUGHT WE WERE TAKING CARE OF THE LAWN CARE.

YOU WERE.

BUT THAT WAS MY, THEIR STIPULATION WHEN THEY PUT IN THE FLOWER BEDS AND THE, UM, SPRINKLER SYSTEM IS THAT WE TAKE OVER THE LAWN CARE, THEY'LL CHANGE OUT THE COLORS, FLOWERS TWICE A YEAR, SPRING AND FALL.

THAT WE WILL.

YEAH, I WILL.

YEAH.

I THINK THAT WAS PART OF THE ASK TO ADD ON TO THE ANA CONTRACT, KYLE, IS THAT CORRECT? UM, YES.

THAT, THAT WAS INCLUDED IN THAT ADDITIONAL SUPPLEMENTAL FUND.

YES.

THAT 40,000 FOR THE 15.

YES.

SO THAT, I THINK THAT'S EVERYTHING THAT WE COULD FIND.

AND THEN HAVE WE, UM, AS FAR AS THE WOMEN'S BUILDING, HAVE WE BEEN TO THE FOUR B BOARD THIS YEAR? NO, WE HAVEN'T BEEN THERE THIS YEAR, BUT WE'RE PLANNING ON GOING.

UM, IT DEPENDS ON OUR COST, YOU KNOW, ADDITIONAL COST AS FROM THE HAIL DAMAGE.

OKAY.

AND HOW MANY OTHER DONATIONS COME THROUGH AND SUCH MM-HMM .

RIGHT.

IF WE'RE PAYING, IF WE'RE PAYING THE INSURANCE, WHO FILED THE HELP? WHO FILED THE CLAIM? Y'ALL DID.

THE CITY DID.

SO WHO, WHO PAY A DEDUCTIBLE? $2,500 DEDUCTIBLE.

WHO FROM THE CITY, I GUESS WAS THERE FOR THE INSPECTION.

THAT WOULD BE WHO WAS MY RISK MANAGER? MELISSA MCG.

WE SENT A RISK MANAGER TO MEET WITH AN ADJUSTER.

SHE WAS OUT THERE TODAY, WASN'T SHE? SOMEBODY FROM HR WENT TO GO MEET WITH AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER ON HAIL DAMAGE.

YES, SIR.

IT'S QUITE NORMAL, MA'AM.

IF I UNDERSTAND WHAT SHE SAID, THE 71,500 THAT'S HERE, WHAT HE STARTED OFF FROM THE BEGINNING IS BECAUSE IT, IT DOESN'T MATCH WHAT'S LISTED.

AND I UNDERSTAND BECAUSE IT DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING ON HERE ABOUT ROOFS AND ALL THE OTHER I KNOW IT DOESN'T.

SO THAT'S, THAT'S I THINK PART OF THE CONFUSING PART ON HERE, JUST MY 2 CENTS, IS THAT THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST HISTORICAL BUILDINGS IN TOWN.

IT IS.

AND WE USE IT FOR EVERY ELECTION.

WE TRY TO INVITE ALL OUR PEOPLE AND ALL OUR CITIZENS TO GO THERE AND VOTE AND USE THAT FACILITY.

UH, WE, IT'S OFFERED TO RENT TO ANY CITIZEN AT A VERY, VERY REASONABLE PRICE.

RIGHT.

AND I APPRECIATE THE SERVICE THAT YOU GUYS OFFER, AND I I THINK IT'S WORTH 10,000 FROM US.

THANK YOU COUNCILMAN ROD.

I'M NOT SAYING THAT WE SHOULDN'T PARTICIPATE.

MY POINT IS THIS, THIS CONSTRUCTION BID IS WAY OVERBLOWN.

WELL, I'M, I'M, I'M NOT ARGUING WITH YOU ON THAT POINT.

I'M SO, I DON'T, I'M SAYING, I'M JUST SAYING WHAT SHE'S GOT LISTED HERE ISN'T WHAT ACTUALLY MAKES UP THAT FULL 71,500.

I THINK THAT, THAT IT'S, IT SHOWS THAT THAT'S WHAT ADDS UP.

BUT SHE'S TALKING ABOUT ROOFS AND PAINTING ON THE OUTSIDE AND WELL, THE 71,000 IS ADDING MORE, ADDING MORE CABINETS THAN WHAT'S ALREADY IN THERE.

AND, AND I HAVEN'T SEEN THE PLANS.

HAVE YOU SEEN THE PLANS? I HAVE.

I ON MY PHONE.

SO YOU'VE SEEN THE PLANS ON HOW MANY CABINETS ARE HAVING ADDING? I DON'T KNOW.

WOULD YOU LIKE IT? PARDON ME? I HAVE THE PLANS.

YEAH, IT, WELL, IT'D HELP IF WE HAD THAT WHEN WE WERE LOOKING AT IT TO SEE WHAT WE'RE, WE'RE VOTING ON GIVING MONEY FOR.

HOWEVER, I MEAN, I JUST SPENT ALMOST $60,000 ON A LITTLE BITTY TEENY WEENY HOUSE .

THEY JUST KEPT GETTING MORE AND MORE AND MORE EXPENSIVE.

SO I, I DO UNDERSTAND TO AN EXTENT, BUT IF I'M, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT DIDN'T YOU SAY Y'ALL GOT MULTIPLE BIDS FROM MULTIPLE PEOPLE? WE HAD TWO BIDS.

TWO BIDS.

WHAT WAS THE OTHER BID AT? UM, JUST THE CONSTRUCTION BIDS WERE 35,000 AND 20,000.

OKAY.

JUST THE CONSTRUCTION BID.

THAT WAS NONE OF THE, UM, EQUIPMENT, CABINETS, ANYTHING.

AND THE CABINETS, BURROWS IS DOING OUR CABINETS, WHICH USED TO BE CABINET SPECIALISTS AND THEY HAVE A COATING THAT'S GONNA BE BETTER FOR HIGH USE.

IT'S BAKED ON.

YEAH.

I WANNA PARTICIPATE.

I DO, BUT I, I, I CAN'T BLINDLY JUST THROW $10,000 AT IT.

IT'S, 'CAUSE IT'S NOT OUR MONEY, IT'S TAXPAYER FUNDING WHEN IT'S COMING FROM THE GENERAL FUND.

SO THAT'S, THAT'S COMING FROM PROPERTY TAXES.

NOT, NOT, NOT FROM SALES TAX OR ANYTHING ELSE.

UM, SO BLINDLY THROWING $10,000 AT IT IS TOUGH TO, TO DO.

BUT I DO WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN SOME WAY.

I, AGAIN, THIS, I MEAN, CHRIS JUST SAID HE DID A, A HOUSE FOR 60.

WE'RE DOING A KITCHEN FOR 44.

THAT KITCHEN'S

[00:40:01]

WELL, BUT THAT BEING SAID, IF IT WAS 30, THEN THEY ALREADY HAVE 4 46 RAYS.

SO WE COULD DO OTHER THINGS.

IS WHERE I'M TRYING TO GET TO IS THAT IF YOU'VE ALREADY RAISED 46, I'VE HONESTLY BELIEVE YOU COULD DO ALL OF WHAT'S IN THIS LIST FOR THE 46.

AND THEN IF YOU NEEDED ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM THE CITY FOR, THERE'S A ROOF LEAK ABOVE THE STAGE BECAUSE THE VENT HAS BEEN OPENED AND I WAS THE ONE THAT TOLD THEM TO SEND THAT TO YOU.

UM, SO WATER HAS BEEN COMING IN FROM THE RAIL PORT SIDE FOR WHO KNOWS HOW LONG.

AND NOW THE, THE CEILING OF THE STAGE IS ABOUT TO FALL IN.

SO THERE'S THINGS LIKE THAT THAT ALSO NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.

UM, HOPEFULLY THE INSURANCE WILL BE ADDRESSING THAT.

I'VE NOT REALLY, YOU KNOW, I'VE NOT WORKED WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY, SO I DON'T KNOW.

YEAH, THAT'S UM, I KNOW THAT THEY WENT BACK AND LOOKED AT LEAKS.

WE HAD A LEAK IN THE PARLOR IN THE MAIN ROOM.

I GUESS THAT'S, THAT'S A QUESTION I HAVE FOR ANY OF OUR CITY BUILDINGS.

WHAT IS OUR PROCESS THERE? WHO ARE WE SENDING TO MEET WITH THE ADJUSTERS? THE ASSISTANT? WELL THE RISK MANAGER, MELISSA MCDOUGALL.

AND THEN THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS, LIKE I KNOW STATION TWO WAS DAMAGED IN THE LAST HAILSTORM.

AND SO WHEN THAT MEETING IS SET UP, SOMEBODY FROM THE FIRE ADMINISTRATION GOES OUT WITH THAT MEETING.

IT USUALLY THERE'S A DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE THERE.

AND THEN MELISSA, OUR RISK MANAGER, 'CAUSE SHE HANDLES ALL OF OUR INSURANCE.

SO SHE HANDLES ALL ACCIDENT CLAIMS, DAMAGE CLAIMS, INJURY CLAIMS, ACTS OF GOD CLAIMS. SHE HANDLES ALL THAT.

OKAY.

BUT SHOULDN'T WE SEND SOMEBODY FROM THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT THAT WOULD KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? WELL, IT'S, I MEAN, I'M JUST HONESTLY ASKING.

'CAUSE IF, 'CAUSE IF THEY'RE GOING OUT THERE TO LOOK AT DAMAGE AND IT'S OUR INSURANCE POLICY THAT WE'RE PAYING, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE, THAT SOMEBODY THAT KNOWS WHAT THEY'RE DOING IS LOOKING AT IT AND WE'RE COVERED.

WELL, I KNOW THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT'S GONNA HAVE TO REVIEW THE PERMIT AND APPROVE THE PERMIT AND DO THE INSPECTION ON IT.

RIGHT.

BUT SHE'S WORRIED ABOUT SCREENS NOT BEING COVERED ON PART OF THE BUILDING OR PAINTING ON PART OF THE BUILDING.

THE INSURANCE ONLY COVERS THE PART, THE INSURANCE THAT WAS, THAT GOT THE DAMAGE, WHICH WAS THE WEST SIDE.

SO THE SCREENS ON THAT SIDE ARE GONNA BE REPLACED BY INSURANCE.

THE OTHER SIDE, IF THEY DON'T MATCH, WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO REPLACE THOSE.

WE'VE GOT ONE AT THE FRONT THAT'S, UH, DAMAGED AND THEY SAID IT WAS FROM A PUNCH FROM THE INSIDE.

SO, YOU KNOW, THAT'LL BE ON, ON US.

AND IT JAWS BUILDING.

WELL THAT AGAIN, THAT'S WHERE I'M TRYING TO PROTECT THE ASSET.

UM, BECAUSE THE ISSUE WITH THE SCREEN ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE BUILDINGS ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE BUILDING, AND THAT WAS CAUSED FROM WIND DAMAGE THAT BLEW IN THAT SCREEN IS WHAT I'M, IT'S, IT'S UP ON THE ROOF.

OH.

BUT YOU CAN SEE THE DAYLIGHT THROUGH.

SO THERE'S, THAT'S WHERE I'M SAYING IS THIS A, AS A CITY, DO WE NEED TO CHANGE OUR APPROACH ON HOW WE'RE HANDLING THESE CLAIMS? BUT THAT'S NOT YOUR FAULT.

UM, I KNOW WE NEED ROTTEN BOARDS REPLACED ON, YOU KNOW, AROUND THE BUILDING AT, AT THOSE CHURCHS OR WHATEVER THEY ARE.

THOSE LITTLE DOG HOUSES, , SOME OF THAT'S ROTTEN AND SOME OF THE FACIAL BOARDS ARE ROTTEN.

SO WE JUST NEED TO DO IT ALL WHILE WE'RE GETTING THIS RENOVATION DONE IN THE ROOF AND EVERYTHING NEEDS TO DONE.

HOW QUICKLY DO YOU NEED TO KNOW TO HAVE THIS $10,000? IT DOESN'T MATTER.

COULD WE KNOW IN TWO WEEKS, LIKE IF WE WERE TO OH, SURE.

TABLE THIS SO WE COULD GET A LITTLE MORE INFO FROM YOU AND SURE.

AND, AND COULD WE POSSIBLY GET ONE MORE, UH, ESTIMATE? UM, CONSTRUCTION STARTS WEDNESDAY.

SO THIS, THIS WEDNESDAY, THIS WEDNESDAY, THE BUILDING WILL BE CLOSED, WILL NOT BE OPENED UP UNTIL THE END OF FEBRUARY, UH, END OF FEBRUARY, END OF, UH, AUGUST.

SO THAT'S THE MONTH THAT WE'VE GOT SET ASIDE TO DO ALL OF OUR CONSTRUCTION INSIDE.

MM-HMM .

AND JUST FOR FUTURE.

AND YOU KNOW, WE DIDN'T REALLY HAVE A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT THIS HANNAH, BUT JUST IN THE FUTURE WE LIKE TO SEE THREE BIT, AT LEAST THREE BEDS ON, ON A JOB THAT, THAT MAKES US FEEL, UH, YOU KNOW, LIKE WE'RE BEING TRANSPARENT AND THAT WE'RE GETTING THE BEST, UH, FOR THE MONEY THAT THE, THE, UH, TAXPAYERS, UH, ARE PAYING.

UM, YOU KNOW, THAT'S KIND OF MY POSITION.

I KNOW THAT WE ALL VERY MUCH LOVE THE WOMEN'S BUILDING.

WE SUPPORT IT.

UH, WE WANT TO TO KEEP IT, YOU KNOW, BEAUTIFUL AND, UH, IN GOOD SHAPE.

UM, BUT YOU KNOW, I, I CAN SEE, UM, COUNCILMAN SMITH'S

[00:45:01]

UM, SO, YOU KNOW, FOR ME, UM, I MEAN I WANT TO SUPPORT IT.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, THAT I SUPPORT, YOU KNOW, THE, THE BUILDING AND UH, THE UPKEEP OF IT.

UH, BUT YOU JUST SAID THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO KNOW, YOU KNOW, TODAY.

UM, SO DO YOU HAVE A MOTION, PAT? DO YOU MA'AM? DO YOU NEED THESE BACK? I DON'T KEEP 'EM.

OH, THANK YOU.

SO WHAT WE, WE GET KIND OF QUEASY WITH THE, WITH THESE, BECAUSE UNFORTUNATELY CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES LIKE TO PULL ONE OVER ON CITIES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS AT TIMES AND INFLATE THE NUMBERS.

I F**K.

THAT'S WHAT HAS OCCURRED HERE.

UM, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO TABLE IT, UM, FOR OUR NEXT MEETING IF THAT'S THE APPETITE OF ANYBODY ELSE.

BUT IF, I MEAN, YOU'RE START, YOU'RE STARTING CONSTRUCTION NOW, BUT YOU CAN ALWAYS TELL THE CONTRACTOR TO STOP IF YOU GET A DIFFERENT BID TO COULD.

NO, I CAN'T.

COULD COULD WE GET A BID? DO YOU THINK WE COULD GET A BID? NO.

BEFORE WEDNESDAY ANOTHER BID? YES.

YOU DO THINK WE COULD? YEAH.

I MEAN THERE'S 170 GCS AND WALKS HATCH.

YOU CAN FIND SOMEBODY.

I HAVE CONTACTS THAT I CAN GIVE TO YOU.

I MEAN IT 11TH AND ACTUALLY THE NEW RULE FOR THE WEEK DOESN'T EVEN GO UNTIL EFFECT UNTIL SEPTEMBER.

YEAH.

WE'RE GONNA TRY AND MEET IT, YOU KNOW, FOR THIS WEEK.

SO WE COULD GET ONE MORE BID.

WE COULD TABLE IT TONIGHT.

I MEAN OBVIOUSLY WE, WE WANT TO SUPPORT THIS, BUT WE WANNA BE TRANSPARENT AND WE WANNA, WE WANT TO USE TAXPAYERS MONEY WISELY.

AND I KNOW YOU DO TOO, HANNAH.

SO THIS, I'M NOT SAYING THAT YOU DON'T, UH, BUT, YOU KNOW, WE WE'RE ENTRUSTED TO DO THAT AND UH, THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO DO.

SO I'D LIKE TO, TO HAVE A MOTION IF I COULD AND, AND IF WE COULD GET ANOTHER BID BEFORE WEDNESDAY TO, TO START THE CONSTRUCTION ON WEDNESDAY, THEN THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

UM, AND THEN, UH, GET IT ON THE NEXT AGENDA.

JUST TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE, YOU'RE ONLY PAYING HALF FRONT TO THE CONTRACTOR, RIGHT? I'M SORRY? YOU'RE, YOU'RE ONLY PAYING HALF FRONT TO YOUR CONTRACTOR, RIGHT? NOT BEFORE.

I HAVEN'T GIVEN THEM ANYTHING.

WELL, FOR THEM TO START ON WEDNESDAY, YOU'RE GONNA, YOU WON'T PAY THE FULL AMOUNT UP FRONT.

OH GOSH, NO.

OKAY.

JUST MAKING SURE.

SO WE DO HAVE TIME THEN FOR US TO, UM, MADAM MAYOR, I MOVE TO, UH, TABLE THIS AGENDA, UH, TO OUR, UH, AUGUST 18TH REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND PLEASE.

MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU, HANNAH.

OKAY, I APPRECIATE THAT VERY MUCH.

ALRIGHT.

OKAY.

CAN I ASK A QUESTION? I KNOW THAT'S OVER WITH, BUT JUST CURIOUS.

THEY COME BACK WITH A BID THAT'S $51,500.

IS THAT GONNA AFFECT THE $10,000 WE GIVE THEM? WE'RE NOT GONNA BE THERE RUNNING THAT JOB.

WELL, WE MIGHT HAVE TO GIVE MORE TOO TO GET IT DONE.

I MEAN, THEY'VE GOT, THEY'VE GOT 46,000 RIGHT NOW, AND RIGHT NOW IT'S 71,000.

THAT'S A BIG GAP THAT SOMEHOW WE'VE GOTTA I, I AGREE WITH YOU, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU GOTTA GIVE IT TO 'EM.

NO.

ALRIGHT, LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 10.

[10. Consider and approve an ordinance authorizing the issuance of City of Waxahachie, Texas, Combination Tax and Revenue Certificates of Obligation, Series 2025; establishing procedures and delegating authority for the sale and delivery of the Certificates; providing an effective date; and enacting other provisions relating to the subject]

YES.

CONSIDER AND APPROVE AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF CITY OF WOKS, HITCHY, TEXAS COMBINATION TAX AND REVENUE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION SERIES 2025, ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES AND DELEGATING AUTHORITY FOR THE SALE AND DELIVERY OF THE CERTIFICATES, PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND ENACTING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT, CHAD.

ALRIGHT, GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNSEL.

UH, AS YOU MENTIONED, THIS ACTION DOES APPROVE AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION TO FUND VARIOUS CAPITAL PROJECTS IN THE CITY'S, UH, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN.

UM, THE TOTAL BOND ISSUANCE IS $22.2 MILLION AND IT CONSISTS OF STREETS, PARKS, PUBLIC SAFETY AND WASTEWATER PROJECTS.

UH, IF APPROVED THESE FUNDS, UH, THESE PROJECTS WOULD BE FUNDED, UH, THROUGH THE A VALOREM TAX RATE AND WASTEWATER UTILITY FEES.