[ ♪ MUSIC PLAYING ♪ ] >> Mayor Guajardo: GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. WE'RE GOING TO GET OUR MEETING STARTED. IF YOU COULD PLEASE HAVE A SEAT. THANK YOU. WELCOME TO -- I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER. WELCOME TO COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND TO CITY HALL, OR TO CITY HALL AND COUNCIL CHAMBERS. THIS MORNING OUR INVOCATION WILL BE GIVEN BY PASTOR STEVE LOPEZ WITH KOINONIA CHURCH. >> LET'S BOW OUR HEADS THIS MORNING. FATHER, WE WANT TO THANK YOU THIS MORNING AS WE'RE ABOUT TO HAVE THIS MEETING AND WE PRAY AS IT COMES TO ORDER IT WOULD BE YOUR PRESENCE AND SPIRIT THAT GUIDES EVERYTHING THAT TAKES PLACE HERE TODAY. LORD, WE THANK YOU. WE CALL UPON YOU RIGHT NOW AS WELL, LORD, DUE TO THE CIVIL UNREST THROUGHOUT OUR COUNTRY, LORD, CALIFORNIA AND AUSTIN. WE JUST PRAY RIGHT NOW, LORD, BY YOUR SPIRIT, BY YOUR MIGHT, BY YOUR POWER THERE WOULD BE A PEACE. THAT DECISIONS WOULD BE MADE, LORD, FAIR DECISIONS. LORD GOD, AS A CHURCH WE'RE NOT EITHER SIDE, WE JUST PRAY YOUR PEACE AND YOUR GUIDANCE, LORD. WE PRAY THAT YOU WOULD GUIDE EVERY CITY COUNCILMEMBER HERE THIS MORNING AS THEY CARRY THE BURDEN OF THIS CITY. LORD, WE PRAY YOUR PROTECTION AND YOUR PEACE IN EVERYTHING THEY DO. GUIDE THEM, JESUS. WE PRAY RIGHT NOW, ALL THESE THINGS IN THE BLESSED, THE MATCHLESS NAME OF JESUS, AMEN. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, PASTOR. OUR PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES AND TO THE TEXAS STATE FLAG WILL BE LED BY TWO YOUNG BEAUTIFUL LADIES, MARIAH STITH. SHE'S A FOURTH-GRADER AT FLOUR FOURTH-GRADER AT INCARNATE WORD ACADEMY AND SLOAN MURPHY, A FOURTH-GRADER AT ANNAPOLIS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY. >> PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. [PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE] >> PLEASE JOIN ME IN HONORING THE TEXAS FLAG. [HONORING THE TEXAS FLAG] >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, GIRLS. Y'ALL DID A GREAT JOB. [APPLAUSE] MS. HUERTA, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? [ROLL CALL] >> City Secretary: OKAY. WE DO HAVE A QUORUM PRESENT TO CONDUCT THE MEETING. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MS. HUERTA. BEFORE I PASS IT OFF TO OUR CITY MANAGER, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A QUICK ANNOUNCEMENT. IT HAPPENED LAST WEEK. OUR BEAUTIFUL TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM HAS BEEN VOTED THE THIRD BEST AQUARIUM. ON TOP OF THAT, THEY HAVE A MILESTONE THIS YEAR. IT IS THEIR 35th ANNIVERSARY AND I THINK IT WAS AFTER SEVEN NOMINATIONS AND THIS PRESTIGIOUS CATEGORY, THIS MARKS THE FIRST TIME THE AQUARIUM HAS CLIMBED INTO THE TOP THREE RANKINGS. CONGRATULATIONS. THIS IS A HUGE -- IT'S A HUGE MILESTONE, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, BECAUSE WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF VISITORS THAT COME TO THE AQUARIUM EVERY SINGLE YEAR. THANK YOU FOR THE JOB YOU'RE DOING OUT THERE. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE RECOGNIZED YOU QUICKLY FOR THAT. THANK YOU. OKAY. CITY MANAGER, WE HAVE YOUR COMMENTS AND UPDATE ON CITY OPERATIONS. >> Zanoni: GOOD MORNING. WE DO HAVE TWO ITEMS ON THE CITY MANAGER'S REPORT TODAY. THE FIRST ONE IS VERY TIMELY AND VERY IMPORTANT. IT'S AN UPDATE ON OUR HURRICANE SEASON. HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS. JACE JOHNSON WILL PROVIDE THE UPDATE BUT I'M GOING TO DO A COUPLE OF QUICK COMMENTS. THE 2025 HURRICANE SEASON BEGAN LAST WEEK ON SUNDAY. ON JUNE 1st. AND IT WILL LAST THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, THAT'S A TOTAL OF SIX MONTHS THAT THE SEASON LASTS. WHILE TROPICAL ACTIVITY CAN OCCUR OUTSIDE THESE DATES, THE MAJORITY OF THE STORMS FORM WITHIN THAT SIX-MONTH TIME-FRAME FROM NOW UNTIL NOVEMBER 30. SO THIS YEAR'S HURRICANE SEASON, AS JACE WILL TELL US, IS EXPECTED TO BE ABOVE NORMAL WITH ACTIVITY IN THE ATLANTIC BASIN. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST AND THE NAAOH ARE FORECASTING 13 TO 19 NAMED STORMS AND OF THOSE BETWEEN SIX AND TEN ARE PREDICTED TO BECOME HURRICANES INCLUDING THREE TO FIVE MAJOR HURRICANES. WE DO NEED RAIN BUT WE DON'T NEED A DESTRUCTIVE HURRICANE SO WE HOPE WE CAN GET THE BEST OF AN EVENTFUL, IN TERMS OF RAIN ACCUMULATION, HURRICANE SEASON. WITH THAT, LET ME TURN IT OVER TO JACE AND HE'S GOING TO WALK US THROUGH THE FORECAST BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY HOW WE PREPARE TO ADDRESS A TROPICAL STORM OR HURRICANE, SHOULD ONE APPROACH OUR REGION. JACE. >> THANK YOU, SIR. COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING ME. HARD TO BELIEVE IT'S BEEN A YEAR SINCE WE DID THIS LAST TIME. HOW TIME FLIES. BUT WE'VE BEEN PRETTY BUSY. THROUGH THIS PRESENTATION, I'M GOING TO STAY AT THE 40,000 FOOT LEVEL. THERE'S A LOT OF DETAILS THAT GO ON BUT WE'LL GIVE YOU A GOOD SNAPSHOT OF WHERE WE ARE TODAY. THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT STAFF, MYSELF AS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR, AND NOW OUR NEW DEPUTY IS MARY FROM COMMUNICATIONS. WE HAVE A COMPLEMENT OFFICE OF THREE INCLUDING OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST. SO THE CITY'S EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER IS LOCATED AT THE OLD FROST BUILDING ON LEOPARD BUT REALLY THAT FOURTH FLOOR AREA IS THE HEART OF THE OPERATIONS SHOULD WE BECOME ACTIVATED. IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND THE PHYSICAL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER. WHEN WE SAY WE'RE ACTIVATING ONE, WE'RE REFERRING TO THE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER. WHAT DO WE DO THERE? THAT IS THE HUB WHERE WE MAKE SURE WE HAVE UP TO DATE INFORMATION. WE HAVE OUR PLAYERS IN THERE, WHETHER IT'S FROM OUR LOCAL DEPARTMENTS REGIONAL STATE FEDERAL PARTNERS, AND SUPPORTING STAKEHOLDERS TO MAKE SURE WE TAKE THE PRIORITIES SET OUT BY THIS CITY AND ASSIGN OBJECTIVE STRATEGIES, TACTICS AND RESOURCES TO WHATEVER EMERGENCY IS LAID OUT BEFORE US TO INCLUDE HURRICANES. HOW DOES THE CITY PREPARE? EVERY DEPARTMENT PRESENTS AN ALL HAZARDS PLAN ANNUALLY. TO INCLUDE THAT, WE ALSO RECEIVE PLANS FROM OUR NURSING HOMES AND OUR SENIOR CENTERS. WE DO NOT APPROVE THOSE PLANS BUT WE DO REVIEW THEM TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE ACCURATE AND THAT THEY ARE TAKING ALL THINGS INTO CONSIDERATION LIKE RECEPTION FACILITY TRANSPORTATION KEY ITEMS THAT THEY NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE. BUT IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT IN ADDITION TO THE EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER, THE MAIN DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE CITY, INCLUDING POLICE, FIRE, WATER, HEALTH, PUBLIC WORKS, AND SOLID WASTE, THEY EACH HAVE THEIR DEPARTMENT OPERATION CENTERS. NOW KEEP IN MIND WHEN WE ACTIVATE FOR AN EMERGENCY, WHATEVER APPLIES TO THOSE DEPARTMENTS, THEY ACTIVATE THEIR LOCALLY IN THEIR OFFICES BUT THEY REPRESENTATIVES INTO THE EOC AT THE LEOPARD STREET BUILDING AND THAT COMMUNICATION IS SET UP TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE OPERATING EFFECTIVELY IN OUR GOAL TO MITIGATE A RESPONSE. SO THE CITY HAS EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAMS. AS WE KNOW, EVERY CITY EMPLOYEE IS ESSENTIAL SO IF YOU'RE NOT DEPARTMENT ESSENTIAL, IF YOU DON'T HAVE A WAIVER, IF YOU'RE REQUIRED TO STAY BACK DURING THE STORM, OUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAMS ARE MADE UP, AS AN EXAMPLE OUR REFUGE TEAMS, VOLUNTEER, MANAGEMENT, POINTS OF DISTRIBUTION, AND SO ON. BUT EVERY TEAM IS GONE OVER AND PRE-IDENTIFIED AT THE BEGINNING OF EVERY SEASON WITH HUMAN RESOURCES AND THEY'RE TRAINED ACCORDINGLY EVERY SEASON. BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT IT'S A TEAM APPROACH. WE'RE AN OFFICE OF THREE BUT REALLY WE'RE AN OFFICE OF 3500 OR WHATEVER THE CURRENT NUMBER IS, BECAUSE ALL OF US PLAY A ROLE, NOT ONLY AS CITY EMPLOYEES, DEPARTMENTS, BUT ALSO WITH OUR REGIONAL PARTNERS, STATE, LOCAL, FEDERAL, AND OUR PUBLIC PARTNERS AS WELL. WITH REGARD TO PLANNING AND EXERCISES, IT'S SOMETHING WE DO YEAR ROUND. OBVIOUSLY, WE RAMP UP AND WE'RE HEADING INTO HURRICANE SEASON BUT SOME OF THESE EXERCISES INCLUDE OUR WEB EOC DRILLS. WEB EOC IS A SOFTWARE PLATFORM THAT WE USE TO MANAGE RESPONSE. DOCUMENTS, WE ORDER RESOURCES FROM THE STATE WITH IT. WE'RE SET UP TO SHARE THAT PLATFORM THROUGHOUT THE COASTAL BEND AREA WITH OUR REGIONAL PARTNERS, WHICH WOULD REALLY KICK IN IF WE HAVE THAT KIND OF RESPONSE THAT INVOLVES THEM AS WELL. REVERSE ALERT DRILLS, BUT WE DO THAT MONTHLY AS WELL, BOTH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL. THE COASTAL BEND HURRICANE EXERCISE, FOLLOWING THE COASTAL BEND CONFERENCE THAT WE JUST HAD, THE SECOND DAY WE HAD A TABLETOP EXERCISE. AND I THINK THE PARTICIPATION WAS AROUND 500 PARTNERS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. FULL-SCALE EVACUATION EXERCISE, WE DO THAT ANNUALLY. THIS YEAR IT'S HAPPENING THIS FRIDAY AT THE NATATORIUM WITH OUR PARTNERS THE ROTA, RED CROSS, OUR CITY DEPARTMENTS. SO WE'LL DO THAT ON THIS FRIDAY. INCIDENT COMMAND TRAINING. WE WORK WITH OUR LOCAL AREA, WHETHER IT'S THE PORT OR THE COUNTY OR OTHER COUNTIES IN THE AREA TO MAKE SURE THAT WE SPREAD OUT THE TRAINING TO MAKE SURE THAT NOT ONLY DO WE MAKE TRAINING AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE REGION BUT WE'RE REALLY MAXIMIZING OUR TIME. AND THEN THE INCIDENT COMMAND TRAINING. WE MAKE SURE THAT EVERY YEAR OUR STAFF THAT ARE CALLED IN TO SUPPORT THE EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER HAVE THAT TRAINING. WE'RE NOW IN HURRICANE SEASON, HERE WE GO. THESE ARE THE NAMES OF THE STORMS THIS YEAR. OF COURSE WE WOULD HAVE A KAREN SOMEWHERE IN THERE. KAREN HAS ALWAYS GOT TO COME IN SOME HOW, SOME WAY. AGAIN, THE MANAGER TOUCHED ON WHAT THE OUTLOOK IS AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO REALIZE TO ME, PEOPLE ARE ASKING ME WHAT DO YOU THINK? LAST YEAR IT WAS THE WORLD'S COMING TO AN END. IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER BECAUSE WE PLAN FOR WHATEVER'S GOING TO COME AND WE ALWAYS PLAN ONE ABOVE BECAUSE AS WE WROTE UP THERE, IT ONLY TAKES ONE TO MAKE IT A REALLY BUSY DAY FOR US HERE. AND SO WE'RE PREPARED NO MATTER WHAT THE FORECAST IS. BUT WHAT IS IT THAT WE FOCUS ON WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, AS AN EXAMPLE, THINGS LIKE DOING EVACUATIONS OR PROVIDING INFORMATION AS IT COMES FROM THE WEATHER SERVICE. WE KNOW THAT IF A HURRICANE HITS NORTH OF US, THE MAIN THING WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IS WINDS AND RAINS INLAND. BUT IF IT HITS SOUTH OF US, AS THE STORMS MOVE COUNTERCLOCKWISE, THAT'S WHERE IT BRINGS THE WIND AND THE SURGE. TO GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE, FOR A CATEGORY ONE, IF WE LOOK AT A STORM SURGE OF 4 TO 5 FEET, LAST YEAR WE WERE LOOKING AT 4, 4.5 FEET OF INUNDATION. THAT JUST GIVES US AN IDEA OF WHAT DOES 4 FEET LOOK LIKE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO NORTH BEACH OR THOSE LOWER-LYING AREAS. COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION WITHIN OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT PARTNERS. WE ARE WORKING WITH NUECES COUNTY. WE'RE WORKING WITH THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE. FORTUNATELY WE HAVE A FACILITY HERE AT THE AIRPORT. THE PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI, DPS, TEXAS DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, OUR COASTAL BEND COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS, OUR COASTAL BEND REGIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL AND THEN 211 TEXAS INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE. THIS IS NOT THE COMPLETE LIST. THIS IS JUST THE ONES WE CAN GET AT THIS TIME. ALSO WE HAVE OUR PARTNERS LIKE AEP, THE RED CROSS, OUR HOUSES OF WORSHIP, THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, DEL MAR COLLEGE. WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T MENTION THE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY AND H-E-B. HUGE SUPPORTERS OF WHAT WE HAVE GOING ON AND THINGS LIKE THE COAST GUARD AND TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY. BUT THE LIST IS PRETTY EXTENSIVE AND THIS ISN'T ALL OF THEM. SO PARTNER COMMUNICATION. OUR OFFICE STRIVES TO MAKE SURE THAT OF THESE CATEGORIES UP HERE, INCLUDING BUSINESSES, HOSPITALS, DIALYSIS CENTERS, SCHOOLS, NURSING FACILITIES, OUR STEER PARTICIPANTS, WHICH IS THE STATE OF TEXAS EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE REGISTRY. AS INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE TO US WE DISSEMINATE INFORMATION OF THESE FOLKS AS WELL AS POSSIBLE. WE KEEP OUR LIST UPDATED. AN EXAMPLE WOULD BE ONCE WE START RECEIVING THESE WEATHER BRIEFINGS WHEN WE KNOW WE HAVE A SYSTEM IN THE GULF, WE MAKE SURE THAT AS SOON AS WE'RE DONE WITH THOSE BRIEFINGS WE SEND THOSE PRESENTATIONS OUT TO OUR FOLKS THROUGH E-MAIL BECAUSE WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO GIVE THEM IS, NUMBER ONE, TIME. AND AS MUCH INFORMATION AS THEY CAN HAVE TO MAKE THE DECISIONS THEY NEED TO MAKE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY WITH REGARD TO HURRICANES. SO WITH REGARD TO OUTREACH, EVERY YEAR, INCLUDING THIS YEAR, WE'RE SENDING OUT 100,000 HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS BROCHURES WITH THE UTILITY BILLS. WE DO PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS, COMMUNITY TOWN HALLS, SATURATING OUR FACEBOOK AND TWITTER, ALL OF OUR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS. WE HAVE A REALLY ROBUST PROGRAM WE'RE WORKING WITH WITH OUR COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT, MAKING SURE THAT OUR BRANDING AND MESSAGING IS SUCCINCT AND CLEAR AND FORWARD LEANING. REVERSE ALERT MESSAGES THAT WILL GO OUT, E-MAIL, HURRICANE SPECIAL, AND THEN MULTIPLE TV INTERVIEWS AS INCIDENTS DEVELOP. AGAIN, ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY. THERE'S REVERSE ALERT, THE NEWS, WEBSITES, CITY MEDIA, SOCIAL MEDIA. WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO STAY AHEAD OF THE TRENDS, MAKING SURE THAT WE DO ALL WE CAN TO REACH EVERY RESIDENT, NO MATTER THEIR SITUATION, THEIR LOCATION. ANY CHALLENGES THAT THEY MAY HAVE, IT'S ALWAYS ON OUR PLATE AND WE'RE ALWAYS TRYING TO USE THE BEST TECHNOLOGY THAT WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T MISS ANYBODY. PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THIS YEAR WITH REGARD TO REVERSE ALERT ARE OUR COMMUNITY EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM. WE WERE ABLE TO BRING ON, THROUGH OUR LEPCs, OUR OTHER THREE COUNTY PARTNERS TO INCLUDE ARANSAS, RE REFUGIO, AND SAN PATRICIO COUNTIES UNDER ONE UMBRELLA OF EMERGENCY MESSAGING BEFORE THEY HAD THEIR OWN. THIS GIVES US THAT REDUNDANCY. IT ALLOWS US AT NO EXTRA COST TO THE CITY TO MAXIMIZE ALL THE PRODUCTS THAT EVERBRIDGE, WHO IS THE PROVIDER, THAT THEY HAVE FOR US. SOME OF THESE THINGS WILL BE ROLLING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY THIS YEAR. BUT IT ALLOWS US TO BRING ALL THESE AREAS UNDER ONE BRAND, UNDER ONE TITLE. AND SHOULD THE REASON ARISE THAT THEY CAN'T, FOR SOME REASON PROVIDE EMERGENCY MESSAGING, WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO SUPPORT OUR NEIGHBORS AND FILL THAT R ROLE FOR THEM. THIS IS A QUICK SNAPSHOT FRESH OFF THE PRESS. I APOLOGIZE FOR THE SMALL PRINT BUT THIS IS OUR NEW UPDATED WEBSITE, THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WEBSITE. UNDERNEATH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. WHAT YOU CAN SEE IS THAT WE'RE REALLY FOCUSING ON PREPARING, RESPONDING, AND RECOVERING. AND OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE A ONE-STOP SHOP THAT WE CAN ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO GO VISIT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE PLANNING INFORMATION, THAT IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY, IF WE ARE RESPONDING, THERE'S SOMETHING GOING ON THAT THEY HAVE THE MOST UP TO DATE WEATHER INFORMATION OR SOCIAL MEDIA INFORMATION OR PRESS RELEASE INFORMATION. THEN WHEN WE GET INTO THE RESPONSE SIDE OF AN EMERGENCY, THAT WE HAVE THE LINKS THAT FOLKS CAN GO TO, NOT ONLY TO GET TO FEMA, SMALL BUSINESS, ET CETERA. BUT WHEN WE KNOW SOMETHING IS GOING ON, WE'RE SET UP TO HAVE A LIVE DOCUMENT THAT'S READY TO GO ALL THE TIME WITH UP TO DATE INFORMATION THAT WE CAN SEND FOLKS TO IT AT ANY TIME. YES SIR. >> [OFF MIC] >> BUT PLEASE DO GO TO THIS WEBSITE. LOOK THROUGH IT. IT'S HOT OFF THE PRESS. WORKING OUT A FEW LITTLE KINKS BUT I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE PROPS TO OUR COMMUNICATIONS TEAM AND I.T. TEAM THAT PUSHED HARD TO GET THIS OUT IN TIME WITH ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WE ASKED THEM TO DO. IT WAS QUITE A LOT AND IT IS A BIG IMPROVEMENT. WITH REGARD TO EVACUATION, SHOULD WE EVACUATE? WE MAKE SURE IN EVERY PRESENTATION, EVERY PUBLICATION, EVERYTHING WE DO WE PUSH FOLKS TO KNOW THIS IS AN EVACUATION CITY. KNOW WHAT YOUR ROUTES ARE, PLAN AHEAD SHOULD THAT ORDER COME OUT. AGAIN, HERE'S THE EVACUATION ROUTES AND THE DIFFERENT ZONES. AND THEN IF WE DO NEED TO EVACUATE AND WE HAVE A PROCESS IN PLACE TO WHERE WE WILL HELP THOSE EVACUATE THAT DO NOT HAVE TRANSPORTATION. WE WILL PARTNER WITH QUITE A FEW FOLKS, INCLUDING OUR CITY TEAMS, THE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY, RED CROSS, ANIMAL CARE. BUT WE'LL SET UP TO WHERE THE RTA WILL PROVIDE FREE TRANSPORTATION. THEY ARE ALLOWED TO BRING THEIR PETS. DOGS ON LEASHES, CATS IN CRATES. PACK LIKE YOU'RE GOING TO GO ON AN AIR FLIGHT. MAKE SURE YOUR BAG ISN'T A JUMBO BAG BUT YOU HAVE YOUR DOCUMENTATION AND MEDICATION. THEY ARE TAKEN TO A TRANSFER STATION AND EVENTUALLY THEY ARE BROUGHT TO THE NATATORIUM WHERE THEY ARE PROCESSED. THEY ARE PUT IN LINE WAITING FOR THE EVACUATION BUSES AND THEN WE PARTNER WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND STATE OF TEXAS RESOURCES TO TAKE FOLKS TO THE SAN ANTONIO AREA OR WHENEVER THE STATE DETERMINES IS THE BEST LOCATION. WITH THOSE TEAMS THAT ARE EVACUATED, WE SEND A CITY TEAM WITH THEM DURING THE DURATION THAT THEY MIGHT BE OUT OF THE CITY AND TO HELP US WITH THE REUNIFICATION ONCE IT'S SAFE TO COME BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY. JUST A QUICK SNAPSHOT OF THE NATATORIUM AND TRAFFIC PATTERNS FOR ARRIVING FROM RTA AND DEPARTING WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE STATE BUSES. WE ARE HAVING A FULL-SCALE EVACUATION EXERCISE ON FRIDAY AT THE NATATORIUM. YOU'LL SEE PRESS RELEASES IN SOCIAL MEDIA INVITING THE PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE. WE ENCOURAGE VOLUNTEERS AND ANYONE WHO WANTS TO COME TO COME AND ROLE PLAY. HELP US TO WORK OUT AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE FRESH AND READY TO GO. RETURNING BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY, IT IS A PHASED REENTRY. THE FIRST PHASE IS GOING TO BE OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, OUR MASS CARE. FOLLOWING THAT WILL BE RESTORATION OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES, POINTS OF DISTRIBUTION, MASS CARE OPERATIONS, ET CETERA. ONCE IT IS DEEMED SAFE TO DO SO, THERE IS FOOD, THERE IS FUEL, THE ROADS ARE CLEAR, IT'S SAFE, THEN WE'LL OPEN IT BACK UP TO BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS. BUT WITH THAT SAID, WE DO HAVE REQUESTS THAT ARE SUBMITTED, NOT ONLY WITH THE CITY BUT THE COUNTY AS WELL. OUR KEY ROLE PLAYERS, WHETHER THEY ARE GOVERNMENT OR BUSINESSES THAT SUPPORT RESPONSE, NURSING HOMES, UNIVERSITIES, THEY ALL SUBMIT FOR REENTRY REQUEST THAT WITH PRIOR APPROVAL AND SIGNATURE FROM THE MAYOR WILL GIVE THEM ENTRY BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY WHEN WE GET TO THAT PHASE AND THEY'RE AVAILABLE TO COME BACK IN TO DO SO. LIKE I SAID, THAT'S EVERYTHING IN A NUTSHELL AND I CAN GUARANTEE THERE'S A WHOLE LOT MORE BUT I COULDN'T WORK IT IN IN THE TIME THAT I HAD. ANY QUESTIONS? >> Mayor Guajardo: JACE, THANK YOU. I KNOW WE HAD A MEMO AND IT WAS A SANDBAG DISTRIBUTION, WHICH IS RELATED. COULD YOU GIVE US A LITTLE BIT -- MAYBE PETER TOO. WILL THERE BE OTHER SANDBAG DISTRIBUTIONS? >> Zanoni: OH, SANDBAGS. YES. SORRY. I COULDN'T HEAR THE FIRST WORD. YES, THERE'S TWO SATURDAYS. I BELIEVE THE FIRST IS THIS SATURDAY. AND THEN THERE'S ONE I THINK THE FOLLOWING SATURDAY. BOTH LOCATIONS AT THE CABANISS FIELD. BOTH LOCATIONS ARE THERE. THERE WILL BE TWO AND THE GOAL IS TO GET THEM OUT NOW WHILE IT'S CALM AND PEOPLE HAVE TIME. THAT WILL BE THE GENERAL MAXIMUM AMOUNT THAT WE GENERALLY NEED TO USE BUT IF THERE IS A HURRICANE, PEOPLE STILL SAY DO WE HAVE SANDBAGS AND WE'LL STILL RESPOND. IT'S JUST A LOT EASIER NOW. WE DO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO COME OUT NOW. WE'LL GAUGE THE SECOND AMOUNT OF SANDBAGS ON THIS FIRST EVENT SO IF THESE GO PRETTY QUICK, WE MAY MAKE MORE FOR THE SECOND ONE. THESE ARE COMPLETELY MADE SANDBAGS. WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE RESIDENTS USE A SHOVEL AND WE LOAD THEM IN THE VEHICLES. IT'S A FULL-SERVICE OPERATION THAT WE HAVE. >> Mayor Guajardo: GREAT. I JUST WANTED TO POINT THAT OUT BECAUSE THIS IS BEING VERY PROACTIVE, AS YOU MENTIONED, PRIOR TO US KNOWING THERE'S A STORM COMING. COUNCILMAN HERNANDEZ. >> Hernandez: REAL QUICK. LAST TIME WE HAD ONE OF THESE EVENTS, THE HURRICANE PASSED NORTH OF US. BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION AROUND TOWN WITH REGARDS TO STREETS AND STUFF LIKE THAT AND THERE'S A LOT OF BARRICADES AND BARRIERS THAT WERE NOT PICKED UP DURING THAT EVENT. IS THERE A SPECIFIC -- HOW DO YOU WORK THAT OUT TO MAKE SURE? THOSE COULD BE HAZARDS FLYING AROUND IN 100-MILE AN HOUR WINDS. >> AT A POINT WHERE WE KNOW WE'VE GOT SOMETHING ON THE HORIZON AND WE'RE ACTIVATING OUR TEAMS, GETTING INTO READINESS LEVEL THREE, WE START HAVING MEETINGS WITH DEPARTMENT HEADS AND AGENCIES. ONE OF THE TOPICS IS MAKE SURE YOU'RE REVIEWING YOUR PLANS, EQUIPMENT, EVERYTHING THAT'S IN EACH OF THEIR PLANS. BUT WE'RE WORKING SPECIFICALLY WITH PUBLIC WORKS, SOLID WASTE TO LOOK AT THINGS LIKE THAT. TAKING OUT THE FILTRATION SYSTEMS AND THE WATER OUTFLOWS. SECURING CONSTRUCTION SITES, YOU KNOW, SECURING THE BARRIERS, WORKING WITH BEACH AND PARKS TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE BEACH THINGS WERE BROUGHT BACK. I CAN'T TALK SPECIFICALLY ON ONES THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT ON THAT BECAUSE I WASN'T PURVIEW TO THAT SPECIFICALLY. BUT THAT IS THE INTENT AND THAT'S HOW THIS WORKS OUT. >> Hernandez: I KNOW A LOT OF OUR STREET CONSTRUCTION IS CONTRACTED OUT SO IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD HAVE A MAP OF OR SHOULD I SAY HAVE, YOU KNOW, AN INVENTORY OF THOSE KIND OF BARRIERS AND, YOU KNOW, BLOCKADES OR WHATEVER THAT ARE OUT THERE. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT IS A THOUGHT PROCESS IN THERE BECAUSE, LIKE I SAID, I DIDN'T SEE ANY OF THOSE COLLECTED DURING OUR LAST EVENT WHERE IT PASSED NORTH OF US. >> I CAN TELL YOU WHERE OUR CITY CONTRACTS THAT WE DO REACH OUT TO THEM AND SAY, HEY, SECURE YOUR SITE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. >> Zanoni: YEAH, COUNCILMAN. ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS BOTH ARE PRIME DEPARTMENTS AND, YOU'RE RIGHT. THE PRIVATE SECTOR, THE CONTRACTORS ALSO, THROUGH THOSE DEPARTMENTS, ARE ENGAGED. AND SO WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO REMOVE BARRIERS AND THEN HAVE SOMEBODY DRIVE OFF A HAZARDOUS ROAD, SO IT'S A DELICATE BALANCE BUT THAT IS ONE OF THE BASICS, JUST LIKE LIFE SAFETY AND ANIMAL CARE. MAKING SURE YOU CAN DRIVE AND THOSE OBJECTS DON'T PROJECTTILES. BUT THE CONTRACTORS ARE PUT ON NOTICE TO SECURE THEM AS GOOD AS THEY CAN AND IF THE WINDS ARE PREDICTED TO BE VERY STRONG, THERE'S REMOVAL PROCESS AS WELL. GOOD POINT. THANK YOU. >> Hernandez: THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: YEAH. COUNCILMAN CANTU. WE'RE GOING TO BREAK. IT'S 12:02 SO, PETER, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT AND COME BACK AND FINISH YOUR REPORT. >> Cantu: I WANT TO THANK YOU, GUYS FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO. ALSO, I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE CITY MANAGER. SOME TIME BACK, A FEW WEEKS AGO, WE HAD REALLY BAD STORMS THAT CAME INTO CORPUS CHRISTI AND OUR NEIGHBORS CALLED FROM ALICE AND DIFFERENT CITIES AND ASKED FOR HELP. AND PETER WAS RIGHT AWAY HELPING THEM. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO. AND THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. >> Zanoni: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN. I APPRECIATE THAT. >> Mayor Guajardo: OH, WE HAVE ONE MORE QUICK QUESTION. COUNCILWOMAN. >> Paxson: THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION AND FOR HELPING TO FOSTER THIS ROBUST RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR SURROUNDING ENTITIES. THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT, SO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR EFFORTS THERE. MY QUESTION WOULD BE IT'S A HUGE CONCERN. I KNOW IN MY DISTRICT, SPECIFICALLY, IF WE SEE EVEN A SUBDUED WEATHER EVENT, WE LOSE CERTAIN CRITICAL THINGS. ELECTRICITY, TOWER RECEPTION. AND SO MY CONCERN IS WE MOVE INTO THE SEASON WHERE WE VERY WELL COULD SEE EVEN FURTHER AGGRAVATED WEATHER EVENTS. HAVE WE HAD ANY DISCUSSION OR IS THERE A DISCUSSION THAT WE CAN BEGIN TO HAVE TO STRENGTHEN THOSE TYPE OF INFRASTRUCTURE PIECES? IT WASN'T BUT A FEW WEEKS AGO WE HAD A TWO OR THREE-HOUR THUNDERSTORM, LIGHTNING STORM AND THE ENTIRE AREA WAS OUT FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS. NO CELL SIGNAL, NO POWER. THAT REALLY DOES CAUSE EXTENDED SUFFERING, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE DON'T DECLARE THIS IS SOMETHING YOU SHOULD SEEK OTHER SHELTER. IT'S A LIGHTNING STORM. DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? TO ME, THEY'RE VERY RELATED. >> Zanoni: COUNCILWOMAN, THAT INFRASTRUCTURE, THE ELECTRICITY, TELEPHONES TELECOMMUNICATIONS ARE ALL OUT OF THE PURVIEW OF THE CITY SO WE DON'T MANAGE THOSE. HOWEVER, WE DO HAVE CLOSE-WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WITH AEP TEXAS, WHO MANAGES THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL GRID. ADMITTEDLY SOME AREAS ARE WEAKER THAN OTHERS. I KNOW ON THE ISLAND, THOUGH, ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO THEY REPLACED, AT THE INTERSECTION OF WHITE CAP AND PARK ROAD 22, THAT WHOLE INTERSECTION, TO ENABLE IT TO WITHSTAND A STORM. THERE ARE MANY THAT NEED THAT TYPE OF AN UPGRADE AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH AEP ON. >> Paxson: PERHAPS THERE'S SOMETHING WE CAN DO TO ADVANCE THE CONVERSATION PROACTIVELY BEFORE THE SITUATIONS DETERIORATE. WE'RE SEEING INCREASES IN POPULATION AND BUSINESS UTILIZATION. I KNOW THEY PURCHASED MORE LAND TO INCREASE THEIR FOOTPRINT, BUT WE'RE SEEING ISSUES NOW. >> Zanoni: WE'LL GET A MEETING SET UP WITH JUDITH SO WE CAN FORECAST AND PROVIDE TO THE COUNCIL WHERE ARE THE AREAS IN THE CITY THAT MAY RECEIVE UPGRADES OR ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE. A LOT OF IT DEPENDS ON WHERE THE STORM IS COMING. YOU'RE RIGHT. WE DO SEE THAT IN OUR CITY AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN TRY TO GET ADVANCED NOTICE TO THIS COUNCIL ABOUT. >> Paxson: I WOULD LOVE TO SAY INVOLVED IN THAT CONVERSATION, IF POSSIBLE, SO WE CAN JUST TRACK AND HELP MOVE THAT ALONG. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. >> Zanoni: NO PROBLEM. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILWOMAN, GO AHEAD. >> Vaughn: YOU MAY HAVE ANSWERED THIS BUT I'M MAKING SURE. I KNOW YOU SAID YOU CAN GO TO A BUS STOP AND WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO EVACUATE. WHAT IF YOU HAVE AN ELDERLY PERSON AT HOME, HAS NO ONE, HAS NO FAMILY AND THEY CAN'T GET OUT BY THEMSELVES TO A BUS STOP? >> THERE'S A COUPLE OF WAYS FOR THAT. A LOT OF FOLKS THAT MAY HAVE SOME CHALLENGES ARE REGISTERED WITH THE STATE OF TEXAS EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE REGISTRY. THERE'S A PUSH EVERY YEAR TO REDO THAT LIST, TO MAKE SURE WE KNOW WHO THOSE FOLKS ARE. ALSO, IF THEY'RE WORKING WITHIN 211 OR 311, THEY CAN CALL ANY OF THOSE NUMBERS AND REQUEST HELP AND WE'LL DO WHAT WE CAN TO MAKE SURE. THAT IS MY ULTIMATE GOAL. NO RESIDENT LEFT BEHIND. >> Mayor Guajardo: I MIGHT JUMP IN AND ADD TO THIS. OUR MEALS ON WHEELS CUSTOMER BASE, WHICH IS HUNDREDS -- I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NAME. I DON'T KNOW IF LISA AND ROBERT ARE HERE. BUT THE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ON THAT ELDERLY PROGRAM, THEY PROACTIVELY CHECK ON THEM TOO. THANK YOU. >> THANK Y'ALL VERY MUCH. >> Mayor Guajardo: WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO PUBLIC COMMENTS, IT'S 12:06, AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK AND FINISH MR. ZANONI'S REPORT. AS YOU KNOW, WE HANDLE SIGNIFICANT MATTERS CONCERNING TAXPAYER DOLLARS MAKING IT IMPERATIVE THAT WE UPHOLD ADHERENCE TO OUR POLICIES. WE AIM TO ACHIEVE THEM WHILE RESPECTING OUR CITY COUNCIL POLICY. PUBLIC COMMENT SERVES AS ONE AVENUE OF COMMUNICATION. YOU CAN ALSO REACH OUT TO MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL OR MYSELF BY WAY OF PHONE CALL, E-MAILS, OR EVEN SCHEDULING AN IN-PERSON APPOINTMENT . WITH THAT SAID, WE WILL PROCEED TO PUBLIC COMMENT, KEEPING IN MIND PUBLIC DECORUM AND ADHERENCE TO THIS POLICY. BEFORE WE BEGIN, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK OUR CITY ATTORNEY IF SHE WOULD PLEASE RECITE THE RULES OF DECORUM. [RULES OF DECORUM] >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. OKAY. INDIVIDUALS WILL BE CALLED UPON IN THE ORDER THEY SIGNED UP ELECTRONICALLY. WE WILL FIRST HEAR IN-PERSON COMMENTS FOLLOWED BY VIRTUAL PUBLIC COMMENTS. RESIDENTS OF CORPUS CHRISTI WILL HAVE PRIORITY OVER NON-RESIDENTS. IF YOU'LL PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND THE CITY IN WHICH YOU LIVE BEFORE YOUR COMMENTS, THAT WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED. YOU HAVE TWO OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AN AGENDA ITEM OR CITY-RELATED BUSINESS. FIRST AT ITS PRESENT TIME AND SECOND WOULD BE AT THE TIME WE ACTUALLY HEAR THE ITEM. PLEASE SELECT ONE OPTION. CITIZEN COMMENTS ARE LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES WHILE NON-RESIDENT COMMENTS ARE LIMITED TO ONE MINUTE. A VISIBLE TIMER WILL ASSIST IN MANAGING THE ALLOTTED TIME. IF YOU HAVE A PETITION OR ANY RELEVANT INFORMATION, IF YOU'LL PLEASE HAND IT TO THE CITY SECRETARY. SHE'LL DISTRIBUTE IT TO US BEFORE SPEAKING. SO TODAY WE HAVE 43 PUBLIC COMMENTS WHICH CONSISTS OF IN-PERSON AND SOME -- WELL, ONE WEBEX. WE ARE GOING TO START WITH DAVID LAYFELT. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, MR. ZANONI. THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK IN THE MEDIA LATELY ABOUT THE CITY -- >> City Secretary: CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME AND CITY. >> DAVID LAYFELT, CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, DISTRICT 5. THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION LATELY ABOUT A DIFFICULT BUDGET YEAR WITH THE $7 MILLION SHORTFALL. SO I'M HERE THIS AFTERNOON TO MAKE A COUPLE OF RECOMMENDATIONS TO HELP YOU CUT THAT DEFICIT BY ABOUT $2.5 MILLION. THERE'S TWO PROGRAMS THAT I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH THAT IN MY PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL OPINION ARE BOTH A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY. THE FIRST IS THE LITTER CRITTER EVENT. THIS IS AN EVENT THAT ESSENTIALLY DUPLICATES THE TRANSFER STATION. IT PROVIDES IT THE SECOND SATURDAY EVERY MONTH. A SERVICE THAT CITIZENS CAN BE SIX DAYS A WEEK. CUTTING THAT ONE PROGRAM WOULD SAVE MAYBE $125,000. THE SECOND ONE THAT I REALLY THINK OUGHT TO BE CUT IS OUR CITY'S RECYCLING PROGRAM. THE CITY HAS THE BEST RECYCLING PROGRAM MONEY CAN BUY. IT'S THE MOST EXPENSIVE PROCESSING CONTRACT IN THE STATE, AND IT'S ONE THAT YOUR CUSTOMERS DO NOT WANT AND DO NOT USE AND DO NOT USE PROPERLY. YOU SAY, HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT? PEOPLE SAY THEY WANT TO RECYCLE. YOU DON'T LISTEN TO WHAT PEOPLE SAY, YOU OBSERVE WHAT PEOPLE DO. OUR CITY'S RECYCLING RATE IS 5%, DEPENDING ON HOW YOU CALCULATE IT, WHICH IS ATROCIOUS FOR A PROGRAM THAT'S BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR AS LONG AS IT HAS. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS PEOPLE DON'T USE IT AND IF THEY DO USE IT THEY USE IT IMPROPERLY. I CITE THE CITY'S CONTAMINATION RATE. 26, 27, 28% ON A GOOD YEAR. IT'S BEEN AS HIGH AS 42%. THAT MEANS PEOPLE WHO ARE USING IT ARE USING IT IMPROPERLY. WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT PEOPLE PUT IN IT, IT'S NOT THAT THEY'RE CONFUSED, THEY DON'T CARE. THE THINGS THEY PUT IN THE RECYCLE BIN ARE NOT THINGS THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, THE WRONG TYPE OF PLASTIC OR A LID ON THE BOTTLE. THEY PUT TRASH IN THERE. THEY PUT TRASH, TRASH, AND MORE TRASH. AND THAT'S EXPENSIVE. YOU CAN SAVE $2.5 MILLION BY REDUCING THIS VERY EXPENSIVE PROGRAM THAT MANY OF YOUR NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS HAVE DECIDED REALLY ISN'T THAT GOOD. PLASTIC RECYCLING WILL NEVER ACCOMPLISH THE PURPOSE THAT YOUR PLASTICS PRODUCERS SAY IT WILL. IT'S A WASTE OF MONEY AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE AS CITIZENS REALLY CAN'T AFFORD. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MR. LAYFELT. MR. ZANONI, COULD YOU GET US SOME MORE INFORMATION ON THOSE TWO PROGRAMS, JUST BY WAY OF MEMO? >> Zanoni: WE CAN. THE LITTER CRITTER IS WELL REGARDED BY THE COMMUNITY AND THE RECYCLING, WE CAN GET SOME INFORMATION. DAVID WAS OVER THE PROGRAM FOR MANY YEARS. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MR. SEAN FLANAGAN. AFTER THAT WOULD BE SHANNON RUTH. MY UNDERSTANDING PATRICIA ANDERSON IS GOING TO SPEAK ON THE ITEM. AND THEN SUSIE SALDANA. DO YOU HEAR THAT BUZZING? >> I'M SEAN FLANAGAN. I LIVE IN DISTRICT 2 OF CORPUS CHRISTI. IT'S A PLEASURE TO TALK WITH Y'ALL TODAY. I'M SPEAKING ON AGENDA NO. 20, WHICH IS A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY. FOLKS, TO USE A SPORTS ANALOGY, THIS IS A HANGING CURVEBALL. Y'ALL NEED TO SWING AT THIS AND KNOCK THIS OUT OF THE PARK FOR THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI. BECAUSE THIS MEMO, THIS AGREEMENT, A, WILL ALLOW US TO GET A MAJOR WATER SOURCE WITHIN 24 MONTHS AT THE LATEST. B, IT SCALES UP TO ABOUT -- YOU CAN GET AS MANY AS 25 MILLION GALLONS A DAY OUT OF THIS WATER SOURCE. B OR C, WE DON'T HAVE TO DO ANY BUILDING. THE PIPELINE EXISTS. WE DON'T HAVE TO BORROW MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO DO THIS, NOR DOES IT PRECLUDE US FROM PURSUING OTHER WATER SOURCES BECAUSE WE USE OUR CAPITAL RESOURCES. FOUR, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE PRICE FOR THIS WATER WILL BE CONSIDERABLY LESS THAN THE PRICE OF WATER FROM OTHER WATER SOURCES. NOW, LOOK, I'M A RETIRED FOLK AND I'M ON A FIXED INCOME AND SOME FOLKS DON'T WORRY ABOUT THEIR WATER BILL BUT MY HOUSEHOLD, YOU KNOW, WE KNOW IT'S GOING TO GO UP. WE'RE IN A DROUGHT. OKAY. BUT HOW MUCH IT GOES UP IS A SIGNIFICANT MATTER. IF YOU ALL APPROVE THIS MEMO OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY AND THE CITY, YOU ARE PROVIDING US WITH A HUGE SOURCE OF WATER THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING FOR. IT JUST COMES TO US. ALL THE OTHER ALTERNATIVES WE'VE LOOKED AT -- AND WE'RE NOT SAYING THIS PRECLUDES YOU FROM DOING ANYTHING ELSE -- IT'S JUST THIS IS A GIMME. THIS IS A WIN-WIN FOR EVERYBODY. AND I'M HOPING Y'ALL CAN UNANIMOUSLY AGREE ON THIS. MY CONGRATULATIONS TO THOSE OF YOU THAT BROUGHT THIS FORWARD. I WAS SO HAPPY WHEN I READ THIS AND LOOKED INTO IT. THIS IS REALLY A HUGE DEAL IF WE CAN BRING IT OFF. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MR. FLANAGAN. SHANNON RUTH. IS SHANNON RUTH WITH US? SHE'S NOT? SUSIE SALDANA. >> I'LL WAIT FOR THE ITEM. >> City Secretary: WHAT ITEM IS IT? WHICH ITEM? >> [OFF MIC] >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. BRAD BARTLESON. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M A RETIRED ENGINEER, SCIENTIST, ENTREPRENEUR WITH EXPERIENCE IN SUPER COMPUTING. >> City Secretary: CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME AND CITY? >> BRAD BARTLESON, I'M IN CORPUS. DISTRICT 5. LOVE THE CITY. DECIDED TO MOVE BACK HERE FROM D.C. AFTER I HAVE BEEN HERE FOR A WHILE. WHAT I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT IS SOMETHING I JUST LOOKED AT A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND SAID THAT'S KIND OF FUNNY. THAT'S BEEN MY NATURE MY WHOLE LIFE. WHEN I PUT WATER BARRELS OUT THAT THE CITY PROMOTES, BOY, THEY FILLED UP REAL QUICK. I GOT TO THINKING WHERE DOES ALL THAT WATER GO? IT GOES IN THE DRAINS AND WE DUMP IT INTO THE BAYS. I STARTED REALIZING, IF YOU LOOK AT THE ROOFS, DITCHES, AND EVERYTHING, WE COLLECT AND WE PAY A LOT FOR A STORMWATER SYSTEM. WHAT ARE WE DOING WITH ALL OF THAT? SO I STARTED LOOKING AT THIS. WE NEED WATER. THERE'S WATER COMING DOWN HERE. WE HAVE AN EXPANSIVE STORMWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM. I GUESS MY PRESENTATION -- THERE WE GO. AND THEN WE WASTE IT TO THE BAYS. NOW, IT IS USED ECOLOGICALLY, TO SOME EXTENT, BUT IT ALSO PRESENTS BACTERIA LOADING THAT I KNOW FROM MY RUNNING GROUP WE SOMETIMES CLOSE DOWN THE BEACHES. COULDN'T WE DO SOMETHING A LITTLE SMARTER WITH THIS RESOURCE THAT'S COMING AT US? YES. WE'RE IN A DROUGHT BUT WE'RE NOT WAY DOWN THERE. WE'RE AT 84% OF AVERAGE RIGHT NOW. OLD REPORTS SHOW IT GOT AS LOW AS 25 IN HISTORY. I'M NOT GOING TO GO THROUGH THE NUMBERS, WE DON'T HAVE TIME, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF WATER COMING AT US. WE HAVE DONE SOME THINGS IN THE PAST TO RETAIN THAT AND USE THAT. BUT THEY PRESENT ISSUES I'LL TALK ABOUT IN A MOMENT. THE DESAL PLANT YOU SEE THERE ITS NUMBERS, IT'S COMING UP ABOUT 30 MILLION GALLONS PER DAY. WE HAVE MAYBE 150,000 POTENTIAL CAPTURE THAT WE COULD GO AFTER IN OTHER WAYS, THOUGH. YOU SEE IN THE RIGHT-HAND CORNER IS THE CALCULATOR. A LOT OF IT IS INDUSTRY SAND THAT DOES WONDERFUL THINGS FOR US TOO. SO THESE FACTORS IMPACTING THE FRESH WATER INFLOWS, A REPORT SHOWED THAT AFTER WE BUILT THE RESERVOIRS UP THERE, CHOKE CANYON, LAKE CORPUS CHRISTI, WE HAD ABOUT A 55% DECREASE IN FLOW. SO WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT WHEN WE BACK THESE UP AND RETAIN THEM, THEY GIVE THE STEADY WATER WE NEED BUT THEY LOSE A LOT TO EVAPORATION. SO THERE'S A SOLUTION TO THAT AND IT'S COVERED PONDS. THE SECOND PART IS YOU START LOOKING AT ALL THE STREETS AND THE ROOFS AND ALL THE MEANS WE HAVE TO COLLECT WATER AND THEN MAKE SURE WE DON'T GET FLOODED OUT. WE WASTE IT ALL. BUT IT ALSO -- [TIMER] >> IS THAT IT? ALL RIGHT. SO I HAVE JUST A QUICK SYSTEM. I HAVE A COUPLE OF SOLUTIONS HERE THAT WE CAN LOOK AT AND TO RETAIN THAT, PUMP THAT, NOT ADD TO THE GRID. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MR. BARTLESON. YOU'RE WELCOME TO E-MAIL THE COUNCIL AS WELL, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE. >> [OFF MIC] >> Mayor Guajardo: HOLD ON. >> WHAT WAS YOUR QUESTION? >> Campos: MAYOR, IS THERE ANY WAY -- >> Mayor Guajardo: IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE IT. >> Campos: AND MAKE A COPY TO ONE OF THE STAFF PERSON SO WE COULD HAVE A COPY. I WOULD BE GRATEFUL. >> ONE LAST QUICK CONCERN IS IF YOU LOOK AT THE STUDIES ON THIS DESAL, WE STAND -- >> Mayor Guajardo: MR. BARTLESON, I'M SORRY. THANK YOU, SIR. >> Campos: WE WOULD LIKE A COPY. >> Mayor Guajardo: MS. PAXSON. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MAYOR. PETER, PERHAPS, TO HIS POINT, PERHAPS IN OUR ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLY UPDATES, MAYBE WE CAN MAKE A REFERENCE TO THE FACT THAT WE DID APPROVE MOVING FORWARD WITH THE STUDY TO RECAPTURE THE EFFLUENT WATER. AND WE DID DISCUSS LOOKING INTO THE PROJECT THAT WAS TO PUT KIND OF THOSE COVERS OVER THOSE LAKES, JUST SO WE MENTION THOSE AND SO THE COMMUNITY SEES THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT THAT EFFLUENT. WE KNOW IT'S A LOT THAT'S GOING DOWN. >> Zanoni: THAT'S A GOOD IDEA. YEAH, WE'LL DO THAT. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. ROBIN SANDERS. >> MADAME MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL. MY FAVORITE. WHAT I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT IS RELEVANT TO EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS IN THIS CITY. >> City Secretary: CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME AND CITY? >> ROBIN SANDERS, CORPUS CHRISTI. SORRY ABOUT THAT. AND THAT IS THIS CITY COUNCIL. YOU ARE THE ADMINISTRATIVE PEOPLE FOR THE SEVENTH LARGEST CITY IN TEXAS BUT YOU'VE GOT A PROBLEM. THE IDIOM: ONE BAD APPLE SPOILS THE WHOLE BUNCH HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH APPLES. IT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH WHAT ONE NEGATIVE PERSON CAN DO TO A GROUP, A FAMILY, AND OFFICE. AND WE'VE ALL HEARD THERE'S ONE IN EVERY CROWD. WELL, THERE'S ONE IN YOUR CROWD. JUST AS WE OPERATE UNDER DECORUM HERE WHEN WE SPEAK BEFORE YOU, THERE'S DECORUM FOR THE CITY COUNCIL. YOU HAVE RULES OF ETHICS. ABUSING A CITY EMPLOYEE IS A RULE OF ETHICS. AND YOU AS A COUNCIL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO CORRECT ATTENTION SEEKING BAD BEHAVIOR. ATTENTION SEEKING IS A PRECURSOR OR A HARBINGER OF MENTAL ILLNESS. IT CAN BE BIPOLAR. IT CAN BE SOCIOPATHIC. IT COULD BE PSYCHOPATHIC. BUT IT IS GOING TO DESTROY THIS CITY COUNCIL. WHENEVER YOU HAVE SOMEONE THAT'S ON THE STREETS DEMONSTRATING AGAINST OUR CITY MANAGER, WANTING ATTENTION. AND ATTENTION SEEKERS, THEY DON'T CARE IF IT'S GOOD ATTENTION. >> MAYOR, I'M GOING TO OBJECT. THE SPEAKERS MUST BE RESPECTFUL AND ADDRESS THE COMMENTS TO COUNCIL AS A WHOLE AND NOT ONE SPECIFIC COUNCIL MEMBER. >> I DON'T BELIEVE THAT I HAVE MENTIONED ANY PARTICULAR COUNCIL MEMBER MA'AM. >> Mayor Guajardo: CAN YOU PULL YOUR MICROPHONE DONE A LITTLE BIT? >> YOUR CITY ATTORNEY IS THE ONE -- I DON'T KNOW WHO THIS LADY IS -- THAT HAS THE RULES OF ETHICS AND THE CITY CHARTER. BUT YOU HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO CENSURE REPRIMAND. YOU CAN EVEN REMOVE FROM OFFICE A BAD APPLE. AND IF THAT DOESN'T WORK, THERE'S ALWAYS AN ELECTION RECALL. SO FOR THE SAKE OF COMMENTING ON THIS COUNCIL, I WOULD SUGGEST THAT EVERY ONE OF YOU READ AND UNDERSTAND WHAT THE ETHICS ARE. AND I WILL SAY TO OUR CITY MANAGER. PART OF YOUR JOB IS NOT BEING WARM AND FUZZY. YOU'RE DOING A GOOD JOB AND YOU KEEP AT IT, NO MATTER WHAT THEY SAY. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MS. SANDERS. PATSY VASQUEZ. >> I'M GOING TO READ, BECAUSE I CAN TALK AND TALK AND I JUST PREFER TO READ. MY NAME IS PATSY VASQUEZ CONTES, I AM A FIVE-TIME AMERICAN GI FORM ELECTED NATIONAL CHAIRWOMAN AND A SIX-TIME CONSECUTIVE ■ELECTED AMERICAN GI FORUM TEXAS STATE GI FOR WOMEN, CHAIR WOMEN. GOOD AFTERNOON, HONORABLE COUNCILMEMBERS, MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY. >> City Secretary: CAN YOU STATE YOUR CITY, PLEASE, MA'AM. >> MY CITY IS CORPUS CHRISTI, I APOLOGIZE, AND DISTRICT 3. AGAIN, GOOD AFTERNOON TO ALL OF YOU HONORABLE COUNCILMEMBERS. IT IS AN HONOR TO STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY MILLE TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND MAYOR PAULETTE GUAJARDO FOR HER STEADFAST DEDICATION, THE MAYOR'S FOURTH OF JULY BIG BANG CELEBRATION. FOR OVER 50 YEARS, THIS EVENT HAS CARRIED THE NAME AND SPIRIT OF CORPUS CHRISTI MAYORS. SERVING AS A SYMBOL OF CIVIC PRIDE, UNITY AND PATRIOTISM FOR OUR COMMUNITY. MAYOR GUAJARDO IS NOW IN HER THIRD TERM, HAS PROUDLY CONTINUED THIS LEGACY ENSURING THAT OUR FAMILIES, ESPECIALLY OUR CHILDREN, EXPERIENCE A FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION THAT IS BOTH MEANINGFUL AND MEMORABLE. WITH THE SUPPORT OF COUNTLESS VOLUNTEERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS, MAYOR GUAJARDO HAS WORKED TO ENSURE THAT TRADITION REMAINS STRONG. SHE INSPIRES CHILDREN OF OUR CITY TO DREAM BIG, ESPECIALLY THE 60% OF THEM WHO ARE HISPANICS AND SEE THEMSELVES IN HER STORY. AS A DAUGHTER OF A VETERAN, A HARD-WORKING PUBLIC SERVANT AND A PROUD MEXICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN, SHE REPRESENTS THE VALUE OF SERVICE, INCLUSION AND OPPORTUNITY THAT WE, AT THE AMERICAN GI FORUM, HOLD DEAR. MAYOR GUAJARDO REMINDS US THAT LEADERSHIP IS ABOUT CARRYING FORWARD THOSE BEFORE US HAVE BUILT HONORING TRADITIONS WHILE INSPIRING FUTURE GENERATIONS. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, SHE STANDS ON THE SHOULDERS OF MAYORS WHO CAME BEFORE HER, AND I WORK WITH A LOT OF THOSE MAYORS. SORRY. BUT SHE HELPED PAVE THE WAY FOR ALL FELLOW. AS A LATINA, I RESPECT THAT IN CLOSING WE HONOR THIS FOURTH OF JULY MAYOR GUAJARDO'S BIG BANG CELEBRATION TRADITION TO KEEP IT ALIVE. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MRS. VASQUEZ CONTES. ANDREA PEEL? >> HELLO. ANDREA PEEL, DISTRICT 2. I'M HERE TODAY TO TELL THE COUNCIL TO VOTE AGAINST THE REZONING OF THE HILLCREST NEIGHBORHOOD. I KNOW IT GOT PUSHED UP ON THE AGENDA, BUT I'D ALREADY SIGNED UP FOR COMMENT SO I DIDN'T THINK IT WOULD HURT TO COME. JUST PLEASE DON'T APPROVE THE REZONING. THE CITY HAS CAUSED SO MUCH HARM AGAINST THE HILLCREST NEIGHBORHOOD FROM ABANDONING IT TO NOW ACTIVELY DESTROYING IT, IT HAS TO STOP. RESIDENTS OF THE HILLCREST -- RESIDENTS FROM HILLCREST AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT THIS FOR YEARS, AND I KNOW THAT SOME OF Y'ALL DO NOT CONSIDER HILLCREST A NEIGHBORHOOD ANYMORE. WELL, IT IS, AND THERE'S PEOPLE THERE, AND THERE'S THEIR HOMES AND THEIR HISTORY, AND THEY DO NOT DESERVE TO BE FORGOTTEN, NEGLECTED OR DESTROYED. MY FRIEND CHLOE TORRES SAID, NEIGHBORHOODS DON'T DIE, THEY ARE KILLED. IF THE REZONING GOES TRUE AND THROUGH AND IT'S APPROVED, PLEASE DO NOT APPROVE THE REZONING. >> Mayor Guajardo: JUST FOR CLARITY, THIS PARTICULAR ITEM WAS ACTUALLY MOVED, IT WILL BE ON THE JUNE 24TH AGENDA, WHICH IS FINE TO TALK ABOUT IT TODAY, BUT I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU KNEW. CHARLIE WEBB. AND AFTER CHARLIE WEBB, WE'LL HAVE SAMUEL ANDRE FRYER, LEAH ARISE ZA ZA MARCH QUEEZ. >> I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU FOR A FEW BRIEF MOMENTS THIS MORNING. FIRST WHAT I'VE LEARNED THIS MORNING, EVERYONE SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO GO TO A CITY COUNCIL MEETING, AND I APPRECIATE THAT. >> City Secretary: CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME AND CITY FIRST. >> PARDON ME. CHARLIE WEBB AND I'M IN DISTRICT 4. I LIVE IN CORPUS CHRISTI. I SERVE ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTOR FOR THE RITZ THEATER AND WE'VE BEEN IN THE NEWS LATELY RECEIVING SOME PRETTY GOOD NEWS, WHICH WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT, BUT I WANTED TO COME HERE TO THIS COUNCIL AND BEFORE MAYOR GUAJARDO TO THANK YOU ALL FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE FOR US IN THE PAST, BECAUSE REALLY, WE WOULDN'T BE WHERE WE ARE AND WE WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE FUNDS FROM THE STATE OF TEXAS UNLESS YOU HAD BEEN WITH US OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS AND HELPED US GET STARTED. SO THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. WE'RE VERY EXCITED. WE'RE IN A CONTRACT WITH A WORLD-CLASS ARCHITECTURAL FIRM FROM BALTIMORE THAT SPECIALIZES IN RESTORING HISTORIC THEATERS. I CAN'T TELL YOU WHAT IT'S GOING TO COST AND I CAN'T TELL YOU WHEN IT'S GOING TO OPEN, BUT I DO ANTICIPATE INVITING EVERY ONE OF YOU THERE WHEN IT DOES OPEN, AND I KNOW IT WILL OPEN. REALLY, THAT'S ALL I HAVE. I JUST WANTED TO EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE TO THE CITY. >> Mayor Guajardo: MR. WEBB, THANK YOU. BUT WHY DON'T WE LET EVERYBODY KNOW THE AMOUNT YOU ALL WERE AWARDED AT THE TEXAS LEVEL. >> WE WERE HUMBLED TO RECEIVE $30 MILLION FROM THE STATE OF TEXAS LEGISLATIVE. [APPLAUSE] >> Mayor Guajardo: AWESOME. THAT'S AWESOME. THAT'S AWESOME. THANK YOU, MR. WEBB. >> [OFF MIC] >> Mayor Guajardo: SAMUEL ANDRE FRYER. >> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL. I'M SAMUEL ANDRE FRYER, I LIVE IN CORPUS CHRISTI, DISTRICT 4. YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU LOOK ABOVE YOUR NAME THERE, YOU LOOK ABOVE, YOU SEE CITY OF SUNSHINE COTTAGE. CORPUS CHRISTI. I KNOW WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT WATER AND I APPLAUD ALL THE EFFORTS THAT YOU'VE BEEN DOING TO HAVE ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLY AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE, I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. WE DO NEED WATER. WHAT DO YOU THINK WOULD TAKE PLACE IF WE TOOK CORPUS CHRISTI, WHICH STANDS FOR THE BODY OF CHRIST, WHICH IS THE SON OF THE CREATOR OF HEAVENS AND EARTH AND WE REALIGNED OUR VALUES AND OUR PURPOSE AND EVERYTHING THAT WE DO ALONG WITH HIS VALUES? WHAT DO YOU THINK WOULD HAPPEN WITH RAIN? YOU KNOW, EXODUS 20 SAYS THIS, IT SAYS GOD SPOKE ALL THESE WORDS SAYING I AM YAHWEH, WHO BROUGHT YOU OUT OF LAND OF EGYPT OUT OF THE HOUSE OF BONDAGE. YOU SHOULD HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME, THAT IS IN THE WATER UNDER THE EARTH, YOU SHALL NOT BOW YOURSELF DOWN TO THEM OR SERVE THEM, FOR I, YAHWEH, VISIT INEQUITY OF THE FATHERS ON THE CHILDREN, ON THE THIRD AND FOURTH GENERATIONS OF THOSE WHO HATE ME AND SHOWING KINDNESS TO THOUSANDS OF GENERATIONS WHO LOVE ME. YOU SHALL NOT TAKE THE NAME YAHWEH IN VEIN, FOR HE WILL NOT HOLD THEM GUILTLESS WHO TAKES HIS NAME IN VEIN, REMEMBER THE DAY OF THE SABBATH, TO KEEP IT HOLY. YOU SHALL LABOR SIX DAYS AND DO ALL YOUR WORK, BUT THE SEVENTH DAY IS A SHABBOT. YOU SHALL NOT DO ANY WORK IN IT. YOU OR YOUR SON OR YOUR DAUGHTER, YOUR MALE SERVANT OR YOUR FEMALE SERVANT OR YOUR LIVESTOCK OR YOUR STRANGER WITHIN YOUR GATES. FOUR IN SIX DAYS YEAH WAY MADE THE DAYS OF THE EARTH. THEREFORE YAHWEH BLESSED THE SHABBOT DAY. YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, COMMIT ADULTERY, STEAL, GIVE FALSE TESTIMONY AGAINST YOUR NEIGHBOR, SHALT NOT COVET YOUR NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE, WIFE, HIS MALE SERVANT, HIS FEMALE SERVANT, HIS OX, HIS DONKEY, OR ANYTHING THAT IS YOUR NEIGHBOR'S. YOU KNOW, THE 89TH LEGISLATURE JUST PASSED A BILL AND IT'S AT THE GOVERNOR'S DESK TO BE SIGN, SENATE BILL 10 AND IT TALKS ABOUT PUTTING THE 10 COMMANDMENTS IN A PROMINENT PLACE IN ALL THE CLASSROOMS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN CORPUS CHRISTI -- THROUGHOUT TEXAS. >> Risley: MAYOR. >> WHAT DO YOU THINK WOULD TAKE PLACE IF THOSE VERY THINGS WERE POSTED HERE IN THE CITY COUNCIL ITSELF. >> Mayor Guajardo: MR. FRYER I'M GOING TO INTERRUPT YOU. >> Risley: THIS IS NOT CITY RELATED. >> YES, IT'S CITY RELATED. WHAT DO YOU THINK WOULD HAPPEN ON THE PLACES, BEHIND THE MAYOR, SO EVERY TIME PEOPLE GET UP HERE TO TALK, THEY WILL HAVE CIVILITY BECAUSE THEY WILL SEE THOSE COMMANDMENTS. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. >> WHAT DO YOU THINK WOULD HAPPEN IF WE WOULD DO THAT. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH, GOD BLESS YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. LEAH ARAISA ORTIZ. >> HELLO, COUNCILMEMBER. HI NAME IS LEAH ARAISA ORTIZ, I COME FROM DISTRICT 2 AND I LIVE IN CORPUS CHRISTI. I AM 16 YEARS OLD. I'M HERE TO SPEAK BECAUSE -- I'M HERE BECAUSE I WANT TO SPEAK ON HOW MUCH I'M WORRIED ABOUT POLLUTION IN CORPUS CHRISTI. INDUSTRY AND OIL HARMS US AND LITTLE REGULATIONS ARE PUT IN PLACE TO PROTECT CITIZENS AND OUR FAMILIES. PEOPLE LIVING BY INDUSTRY HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO HAVE MORE HEALTH PROBLEMS WITH OIL AND GAS POLLUTION BEING LINKED TO CANCER. IN FACT, THE INTERNATIONAL AGENCY FOR RESEARCH ON CANCER HAS CLASSIFIED OUTDOOR AIR POLLUTION AS A GROUP 1 HUMAN CARS NO GENERAL. WE HAVE MORE IN THE NATIONAL AND STATE AVERAGE OF HAVE BEEN STRONGLY LINGED TO LUNG, BREAST, STOMACH AND BRAIN CANCER. DEATH CERTIFICATES ARE BEING SIGNED. PEOPLE WHO LIVE BY INDUSTRY IN CORPUS CHRISTI ARE IN THE 80 TO 100TH PERCENTILE FOR LOW LIFE EXPECTANCY. THOSE WHO LIVE BY THE UNIVERSITY ARE IN THE BELOW 20TH. YOU RELY ON PEOPLE NOT KNOWING THAT THE AFFECTS OF POLLUTION HAS ON US OR NOT HAVE ENOUGH INCOME TO MOVE OUT OF THESE HARMFUL AREAS. I ASK YOU TO REMEMBER THAT YOU REPRESENT THE PEOPLE, AND NOT THE INTEREST OF INDUSTRY. AND ALSO I DO KNOW THAT THIS WAS PUSHED BACK, BUT I STILL AM HERE -- I'M JUST GOING TO SAY THIS, YOU SHOULD NOT LET HILLCREST BE ZONED FOR INDUSTRY, THAT WILL ALLOW REFINERIES THAT MUCH CLOSER TO OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND OUR PEOPLE. I'M GOING TO END THIS ON A QUOTE BY GANDHI, EARTH PROVIDES ENOUGH TO SATISFY EVERY MAN'S NEED BUT NOT EVERY MAN'S GREED. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MRS. ARAISA ORTIZ. TONY REYES. >> I'LL SPEAK ON AGENDA 11. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. MARRY LYNN THAT GARZA. >> I'M ALSO SPEAKING ON 11. >> Mayor Guajardo: SOPHIA HERNANDEZ. >> HI. GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS. MY NAME IS SOPHIA HERNANDEZ. I AM FROM CORPUS CHRISTI, DISTRICT 2. I'M A STUDENT CURRENTLY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AUSTIN HOME DURING THE SUMMER. THE HOME OF TEXAS PROGRAM BASICALLY IS DESIGNED TO BRING STUDENTS BACK TO THEIR HOMETOWNS, RECONNECT WITH THEIR ROOTS, CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR COMMUNITY AND BETTER UNDERSTAND THE ECONOMIC FACTORS SHAPING OUR FUTURE. IT'S MORE THAN JUST A SUMMER INTERNSHIP. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO BRIEFLY THANK Y'ALL AND THANK THE CITY FOR ALL THAT THEY DO AND FOR ALLOWING ME TO INTERN AT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THIS SUMMER, AND IT HAS BEEN ENLIGHTENING TO SIT IN FOR COMMITTEE MEETINGS, ADDRESSING ISSUE AND THE CITY AND CHAMBER MEMBERS CAREFUL ATTENTION TO AIM TO HELP THE OVERALL COMMUNITY WITH WATER. OVER THE PAST WEEK OF INTERN WITH THE CHAMBER, I'VE HAD A FRONT-ROW SEAT TO THE WAYS THIS CITY HAS GROWN AND HOW MUCH CARE AND COMMUNICATION IT STAKES TO SUPPORT THAT GROWTH. I'VE SEEN HOW PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LEADERS LIKE YOURSELF WORK TOGETHER TO CREATE OPPORTUNITY, SMALL BUSINESSES AND INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF OUR REGION. BECAUSE OF THE HOME OF TEXAS PROGRAM, I AM CURRENTLY PARTICIPATING IN IS ALL ABOUT BRINGING KIDS HOME TO FALL IN LOVE WITH THEIR HOMETOWN AGAIN AND HOPEFULLY WORK POSTGRAD HAS BEEN A PLEASURE WORKING WITH THE CHAMBER AND SEEING FIRSTHAND HOW MEMBERS IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE WORKING HARD TO MAKE THIS CITY A BETTER PLACE. WHO KNOWS, MAYBE I'LL COME BACK HERE POSTGRAD AND BECOME A CATALYST FOR POSITIVE CHANGE. AND I WANT TO THANK THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE HARD WORK YOU DO BEHIND THE SCENES AND IN THE PUBLIC EYE. COMING HOME TO CORPUS HAS REMINDED ME WHY THIS PLACE MATTERS, WHY IT'S WORTH COMING BACK AND WHY I WANT TO STAY CONNECTED AND INVOLVED. I'M HERE FOR THE SUMMER NOT JUST TO LEARN, BUT TO LISTEN, SERVE, AND BE PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER, SO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND DEDICATION TO THIS COMMUNITY. I'M GRATEFUL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY AND I'M EXCITED FOR WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FORCE CORPUS. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MRS. HERNANDEZ. ADAM RIOS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. ADAM RIOS, CORPUS CHRISTI, DISTRICT 5. I WANTED TO JUST TAKE A MOMENT, WE WERE DISCUSSING -- I HEARD THIS DISCUSSED EARLIER AND IT CHANGED THE TRA JECT TWRI OF WHAT I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT MY WIFE, CHERYL RIOS WHO WE ALL KNOW IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE RITZ. SHE CAME INTO THAT POSITION ABOUT TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO, AND, OF COURSE, A LOT OF THINGS HAVE HAPPENED AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THAT. SHE PUT TOGETHER A STRONG EXECUTIVE BOARD, SHE WORKED WITH EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY, EVEN OUTSIDE OF THE COMMUNITY, ON LOCAL, STATE AND EVEN A FEDERAL LEVEL TO ENSURE THIS PROJECT WOULD HAPPEN, DESPITE A LOT OF NEGATIVITY THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN OUT THERE, IT ENDED UP COMING TO FRUITION. I'M REALLY PROUD OF HER, BUT FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW, HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO THIS COMMUNITY GO FAR DEEPER THAN THE RITZ, AND I JUST WANTED TO ELABORATE ON THAT. IF YOU DON'T KNOW, MY WIFE IS A GRADUATE OF TEXAS A&M, SHE GOT HER BFA, AND IS AN INCREDIBLY SUCCESSFUL PAINTER AND SCULPTOR. AS A MATTER OF FACT, WE JUST HAD A SCULPTURE RETURNED TO US THAT SHE DID IN BERLIN. AND IT HAD BEEN OUT THERE IN THE UNIVERSE IN DIFFERENT MUSEUMS OF EUROPE, NEW YORK, EVENTUALLY MADE ITS WAY BACK HERE, WE FINALLY GOT IT BACK AFTER ABOUT THREE YEARS. I'M REALLY PROUD OF HER ACCOMPLISHMENTS, I'M PROUD OF HER BEING INVOLVED IN THE TEXAS WOMEN FOR THE ARTS, WHO THROUGH THOSE EFFORTS BROUGHT THE ARTS TO MORE THAN 3.6 MILLION CHILDREN ACROSS TEXAS. THE ART EDUCATION PROGRAM THAT SHE STARTED AT K SPACE AND WATCHED THAT COME INTO FRUITION. A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO -- ACTUALLY LAST YEAR, I WATCHED HER SPEAK AT THE ANTONIO GARCIA CENTER FOR A SUMMER ARTS PROGRAM THAT WAS THERE. I WAS THERE WITH MY COMPANY, PONYBOY SKATE COMPANY AND I WAS LIKE THE OPENING ACT FOR HER. BUT IT'S INCREDIBLE WHEN I WATCH HER ENGAGE WITH EVERY SOCIOECONOMIC LEVEL A PERSON YOU CAN POSSIBLY ENGAGE WITH IN THIS COMMUNITY, AND I REMEMBER TELLING THE KIDS, YOU KNOW, I WAS TALKING ABOUT SKATEBOARDING, THEY WERE LIKE, CAN YOU HURRY UP, I WANT TO GET TO WHAT SHE'S TALKING ABILITY. I WAS JUST GRAD TO BE THERE BECAUSE NORMALLY SHE MAKES ME WAIT IN THE TWRUK, TRUCK, IT WAS COOL TO BE PARTICIPATING IN SOMETHING LIKE THAT. SHE ALSO WANTED TO START AN ART EDUCATION PROGRAM ON THE RESERVATION WHEN I TOOK HER THERE TO VISIT. EVENTUALLY SHE WAS GIFTED A RIBBON SKIRT TO WEAR AT CERTAIN CEREMONIES AND AT POWWOWS, AND IF THERE'S ANYTHING I CAN EVER EXPRESS ABOUT MY WIFE IT'S THAT SHE WILL ALWAYS PUT OTHERS BEFORE HERSELF. YOU MIGHT NOT SEE THAT, YOU MIGHT PRESUME TO KNOW WHAT HER POLITICS ARE, PRESUME TO KNOW WHAT KIND OF PERSON SHE IS, BUT I PROMISE YOU, SHE'S WAY MORE THAN WHAT THE RITZ IS. HOWEVER, OF COURSE, WE ARE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THE $30 MILLION GRANT THAT WAS AWARDED TO THE RITZ, BUT THAT TOOK ALMOST THREE YEARS. BUT SHE'S GOT 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS COMMUNITY PRIOR TO THAT. I LOVE HER VERY MUCH, I'M VERY PROUD OF HER, I CAME UP -- NOTICE, I DIDN'T TALK ABOUT SKATEBOARDING ONE BIT. THAT'S HOW MUCH I LOVE HER. AND I'M A LOT TO PUT UP WITH, BUT, YOU KNOW, I'M THAT KITE THAT FLIES OUT OF CONTROL AND SHE HELPS REEL ME IN AND I LOVE HER FOR THAT. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR COLLECTIVE EFFORTS TO HELP MAKE THE RITZ COME INTO FRUITION. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MRS. RIOS. MRS. CINDY BARRERA HAD TO LEAVE SO SHE WON'T BE SPEAKING TODAY, BUT WE'LL GO TO JAKE HERNANDEZ. JAKE HERNANDEZ? OKAY. DEANNA KING? >> HELLO. MY NAME IS DEANNA KING. LIVE HERE IN CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS. I WAS INITIALLY HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE REZONING OF HILLCREST, WHICH I UNDERSTAND WAS MOVED, BUT I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND TALK ABOUT THIS ANYWAY. WE ARE IN THE BODY OF CHRIST, SO I THINK WHAT I'M ABOUT TO SAY, IT WOULD RESONATE WITH EVERYBODY. IN THE BIBLE, THERE'S A SCRIPTURE, IT IS JOHN 4:4-42 WHERE JESUS CHRIST MEETS THIS WOMAN, A SAMARITAN WOMAN, AT A WELL. BUT BEFORE HE DOES THAT, HE SENDS HIS DISCIPLES AWAY AND HE DOES THAT BECAUSE HE KNOWS THAT THE DISCIPLES WILL NOT WANT HIM TO TALK TO THIS SAMARITAN WOMAN. SO HE TALKS TO THIS SAMARITAN WOMAN AND HE GIVES THE SAMARITAN WOMAN WHAT SHE NEEDED, WHICH WAS A WORD FROM GOD. AND YOU ASK HOW THIS RELATES TO HILLCREST? OR TO ANYTHING? SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE. SOMETIME YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THEIR PLIGHT. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO HELP THEM WHEN YOU CAN, WHEN YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY. THAT'S WHAT JESUS DID. HE GAVE THE WOMAN WHAT SHE NEEDED. SO AS PART OF CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CITY, YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHERE PEOPLE COMING FROM NO MATTER WHAT THEIR RACE, WHAT THEIR LANGUAGE, WHAT THEIR LIFESTYLE, WHETHER IT'S COMING FROM THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT, SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO SEND THE MASSES AWAY TO THINK FOR YOURSELF. WHAT WE NEED TO REALLY DO IS, AS A PEOPLE, IS TO GET BACK TO THE BASICS. AND REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT JESUS WOULD REALLY DO. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, PLMRS. KING. GILBERT AGUIRRE? >> HELLO. MY NAME IS GILBERT AGUIRRE AND I'M FROM CORPUS, I LIVE IN CORPUS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ZONE IT IS. I HAVE PROPERTY AROUND TOWN, I'M SURE IT'S IN ONE OF YOUR ZONES. WE -- I JUST HAVE SOME QUESTIONS. WHO VOTES FOR THE ZONING COMMISSION? >> Mayor Guajardo: PARDON. >> Risley: MAYOR. >> Mayor Guajardo: WE CAN'T. >> Risley: OBJECTION, QUESTIONS. >> Mayor Guajardo: I'M SORRY. YOU CAN'T ASK QUESTIONS TO THE COUNCIL, BUT YOU CAN MAKE SOME STATEMENTS. >> HMM. I'M JUST LIKE -- THIS IS MY SECOND TIME HERE AND WE ALREADY BEAT THE H1 REZONING AND WE'RE COMING AGAIN. AND VERY SNEAKY ABOUT IT, THEY MOVE IT AROUND, EVERYTHING GETS KIND OF MOVED AROUND, BUT LIKE THE ONLY REASON THAT THEY'RE DOING THIS IS TO KILL THE LAST OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE THERE. THESE ARE THEIR LEGACIES. ME, I HAVE A PROPERTY I INVESTED 20 YEARS AGO THERE BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ALL THIS GROWTH. AND I SURVIVED WHEN PORT STREET WAS -- WENT BANKRUPT AND I HAD TRACTORS PARKED IN FRONT OF MY BUILDING FOR MONTHS, AND I SURVIVED ALL THAT TO BE HERE. AND THEN NOW, IT'S LIKE GET THE FUCK OUT. I'M SORRY. BUT LIKE JUST GET OUT. YOU KNOW, AND SO I GOT DUPED. I WAS BUYING THE PROPERTY NEXT TO ME, AND RIGHT WHEN I WAS IN CLOSING WITH THE TITLE COMPANY, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CITY AND THE PORT PUT $20,000 OF LIENS ON THE PROPERTY. AND AT THE TIME, I WAS STUPID, WOE, THESE PEOPLE DIDN'T PAY THE BILLS, YOU KNOW. BUT, NO, IT'S BECAUSE THEY WANT ME TO BUY THE PROPERTY. SO NOW I'M THE LAST ONE ON THE STREET, THE VERY LAST ONE, AND THEY DON'T WANT ME THERE, BECAUSE WE WERE SUPPOSED TO GET A SWIMMING POOL AND ALL THESE PARKS AND ALL THESE RENDERINGS OF ALL THESE COOL THINGS AND NOW IT'S H1. LET'S PUT A BOMB UNDER THE BILLION DOLLAR BRIDGE WE JUST BUILT. LET'S PUT ALL THESE CHEMICALS. THE FIRST THING COMING TO CORPUS, HEY, LET'S SEE ALL THE REFINERIES. I THINK THEY'RE DOING THAT TO GET ME OUT OF THERE. TO DROP MY PROPERTY VALUE, THEY TOLD ME TO MOVE OUT, THEY OFFERED ME MONEY, IT WOULD BE BETTER TO GO TO THE SOUTH SIDE. SO I FEEL BAD BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE CANCER THERE. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT CANCER, BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE CANCER, THEY'RE LIVING THERE WITH ALL THE STUFF THEY'RE BRINGING IN. SINCE I'VE BEEN DOING THIS, I FOUND A LOT OF RULES THE PORT IS BREAKING ILLEGALLY. I'M GOING TO BRING IT UP NEXT WEEK. THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT'S NOT LEGAL, OUT OF THEIR OWN MOUTHS AT THAT MEETING, I WAS SITTING RIGHT THERE, AND HE ADMITTED TO FENCING. I DON'T WANT TO BRING IT UP NOW BECAUSE I DON'T WANT Y'ALL TO COVER IT UP FOR THE NEXT TIME, BUT I'M JUST KIND OF DISGUSTED BECAUSE LIKE I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE GROWTH AND ALL THIS NICE STUFF, AND NOW IT'S LIKE "GET OUT," WE NEED THIS FOR US. AND THEY DON'T NEED IT. THEY'RE ALREADY PARKING HELICOPTERS EVERYWHERE ELSE, BUT THEY'RE TELLING US THAT THEY NEED TO MAKE IT H1 TO PUT HELICOPTERS THERE. AND THAT'S -- [DESCRIPTIVE NOISE] NOT TRUE. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MR. AGUIRRE. TINA BUTLER? >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS TINA BUTLER, I'M FROM CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS. MY DISTRICT IS 2. I'M HERE REGARDING THE JUNETEENTH PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF BLACK PERSONNEL IN HIGHER EDUCATION. I AM ONE OF THE COFOUNDERS OF THE CHAPTER. EACH YEAR, SINCE 2018, WE HAVE BEEN COMING TO THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI FOR OUR JUNETEENTH PROCLAMATION. I SUBMITTED THE PROCLAMATION TO THE CITY SEVEN WEEKS AGO, AND WAS TOLD THAT WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET A PROCLAMATION DURING THE MONTH OF JUNE. MAYBE IN JULY, BUT THAT'S JUST LIKE CHRISTMAS AVENUE YEAR'S AFTER NEW YEAR'S FOR US. EACH YEAR WE HAVE BEEN PROVIDING A COMMUNITY--WIDE FESTIVAL FOR THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI. WE HAVE BEEN HAVING ROOM BLOCKS AT SEVERAL HOTELS THAT HAVE BEEN SELLING OUT. THE LAST TIME WE HAD THREE HOTELS AND EACH ROOM BLOCK SOLD OUT. WE OFTEN ASK THE CITY FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT AS ONE OF OUR SPONSORS. WE DON'T GET IT, BUT WE CONTINUE TO STRIVE. ALL OF US ARE IN HIGHER EDUCATION OR CCISD EMPLOYEES OR RETIREES. WE ARE ALL VOLUNTEERS, WE'RE 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION AND WE CONTINUE TO DO THIS FOR OUR AFRICAN-AMERICAN CULTURE, OUR JUNETEENTH HOLIDAY. TODAY -- THIS YEAR IS 160TH ANNIVERSARY, SO SINCE WE WERE NOT ABLE TO GET OUR PROCLAMATION READ TODAY, I WANT TO REVERSE THAT AND INVITE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU, AND ALSO SAY THANK YOU TO COUNCILWOMAN SYLVIA CAMPOS WHO CAME OUT LAST YEAR AND READ THE PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF THE CITY, FORMER COUNCILMEMBER JAMES KLEIN WHO CAME OUT, SINCE WE DIDN'T HAVE ANYONE OR ABLE TO SUBMIT THAT, WE HAVE ASKED OUR STATE ORGANIZATION, OUR HEADQUARTERS TO SEND SOMEONE DOWN TO READ OUR PROCLAMATION CITYWIDE. WE HAVE SEVERAL INITIATIVES, AND ONE OF THEM IS OUR HEALTH AND WELLNESS. WE HAVE A FREE -- WE ARE OFFERING FREE MAMMOGRAMS THIS YEAR AS PART OF OUR HEALTH AND WELLNESS, AND WE HAVE A MOBILE UNIT COMING DOWN FROM ARIZONA. WE ALSO HAVE A GRAMMY-NOMINATED ARTIST NAACP IMAGE AWARD WINNER WHO IS ONE OF OUR HEADLINERS, AS WELL AS TWO OTHER HEADLINERS WHO WILL BE HERE. AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, EACH YEAR WE GET BIGGER AND BIGGER WITH LESS AND LESS. THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR WE HAVE A THREE-DAY FESTIVAL. NORMALLY WE HAVE A ONE-DAY. THE FESTIVAL WILL BE JUNE 20 THROUGH 22ND. I'D LIKE TO FLIP THE SCRIPT AND READ OUR PROCLAMATION TO YOU AND INVITE YOU TO ATTEND IF YOU HAVE TIME. I'M SURE SOME OF YOU SEE ME AROUND CORPUS CHRISTI AND I OFTEN SEE A LOT OF OUR COUNCILPEOPLE AT OTHER EVENTS. FOR JUNETEENTH, WE HAVE CONTACTED ORE STATE. IT READS WHEREAS JUNETEENTH ALSO KNOWN AS FREEDOM DAY MARKS THE HISTORIC MOMENT OF JUNE 19TH, 1865, WHEN THE ENSLAVED -- WHEN THE LAST OF THE ENSLAVED PEOPLE WERE HERE. WELL, LET ME JUST END. THE FESTIVAL FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC WILL FEATURE HEADLINE PERFORMANCES, SOUTHERN SOUL, FREE MAMMOGRAM AS WELL AS CPR BY THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION AND OTHER THINGS.MRS. BUTL ER. >> IF YOU HAVE TIME, PLEASE COME. >> Mayor Guajardo: MRS. PUT LETTER, STAFF WILL COME OVER AND SPEAK WITH YOU ABOUT -- I DON'T KNOW WHY THE PROCLAMATION WASN'T BEEN ABLE TO -- >> I SUBMITTED IT ON MAY THE EIGHTH AND I IMMEDIATELY GOT AN E-MAIL. >> Mayor Guajardo: I UNDERSTAND, BUT THE PEOPLE WHO HANDLE THAT ARE GOING TO COME OVER AND SPEAK WITH YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> Mayor Guajardo: AL [INDISCERNIBLE] THEN WE'LL HAVE RACHEL CA CABALLERO, SCOTT MARSH. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. THANK YOU FOR NOTICING, MY CHAIR HAD TO UNFORTUNATELY LEAVE. LIKE MANY, I WANT TO COMMEND THE IDEA OF MOVING PUBLIC COMMENT. >> City Secretary: CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME AND CITY, PLEASE. >> I'M SORRY. AL AREOLA, DISTRICT 2. I'M A PROUD RESIDENT OF CORPUS CHRISTI. FIRST, THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING LEMONADE DAY. YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT REINFORCES THE VALUE OF LEADERSHIP AND ECONOMIC TO OUR YOUTH. I ALSO WANT TO COMMEND THE COUNCIL FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN ADDRESSING OUR REGION'S LONG-TERM WATER NEEDS. WATER IS MORE THAN A UTILITY, IT'S A KOORNENER STONE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HAND QUALITY OF LIFE. OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY DEPENDS ON RELIABLE, SUSTAINABLE WATER SOLUTIONS TO GROW, COMPETE AND THRIVE. WE URGE THE CITY COUNCIL TO CONTINUE ADVANCING THE INNER HARBOR SEAWATER DESALINATION PROJECT AND ALL COMPLIMENTARY EFFORTS THAT SUPPORT A DROUGHT-RESILIENT FUTURE. DELAYS WILL ONLY COST US MORE, TIME, OPPORTUNITY AND DOLLARS. NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT DECISIVELY AND CONTINUE LEVERAGING THE STATE AND FEDERAL RESOURCES THAT ARE CURRENTLY WITHIN REACH. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO SMART PLANNING. AS I NOTED BEFORE, I WAS MENTIONING THE PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES, MANY OF OUR MEMBERS ARE 800 PLUS MEMBERS DO WANT TO BE PRESENT AND SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS. IT IS DIFFICULT FOR WORKING PEOPLE TO BE HERE. SO I WOULD SUBMIT THAT MAYBE IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO START GIVING OPPORTUNITIES MAYBE AT A LATER HOUR, CERTAINLY THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVISIT THAT PROCESS. SO, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MR. AREOLA. RACHEL CABALLERO? >> WELCOME BACK. RACHEL CABALLERO, DISTRICT ONE. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CITY COUNCILMEMBERS WHO ARE PROVING TO HAVE A BACK BHOAN AND HAVE PUT ITEMS ON THE AGENDA THAT COULD POSITIVE IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY. I AGREE THAT THE ANNUAL FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS ARE TRULY NOT THE MAYOR'S FIREWORKS AND I'M A LATINA FEMALE. THE POSSIBILITY OF THIS CELEBRATION IS BECAUSE OF THE CORPUS CHRISTI TAXPAYERS. THAT'S IT. CORPUS CHRISTI TAXPAYERS. AND THE INVESTMENT THAT THEY MAKE BACK INTO THIS COMMUNITY VIA TAXES AND FEES, WHETHER ERRONEOUS OR NOT, WE'RE SO TIRED OF THE NARCISM. TODAY PUBLIC COMMENT IS UP FOR DISCUSSION AS IT APPEARS IT COULD SEEM LIKE A GESTURE TO INCLUDE THE COMMUNITY'S INPUT; HOWEVER, IF YOU ALL HAVE THE MEETING BEFORE THE NIGHT OF THE CITY COUNCIL, THEN YOU HAVE ALREADY MADE YOUR DECISIONS AND OUR PUBLIC COMMENTS WILL BE IRRELEVANT. WE CURRENTLY HAVE A CITY MANAGER THAT ONLY ALLOWS THE COMMUNITY FOUR DAYS TO REVIEW THE AGENDA BECAUSE OF LACK OF PREPAREDNESS. WITH THE WAY THIS IS BEING PRESENTED, WE WILL ALWAYS BE GIVEN OUR PUBLIC COMMENTS AFTER THE FACT. THIS IS A VIOLATION OF OUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS, OUR FIRST AMENDMENT CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. SO IF THERE IS GOING TO BE A MEETING AT 6:30, THE SCHEMATICS HAVE GOT TO BE FIGURED OUT, BECAUSE THERE'S NO POINT IN GIVING YOU GUYS OUR OPINION IF YOU'VE ALREADY MADE YOUR DECISION EARLIER IN THAT DAY. THIS IS A FINAL RHETORICAL QUESTION, WHY ARE YOU ALL SO AFRAID TO MOVE INTO STAGE IV WATER EMERGENCY? IT IS TIME. IT IS TIME TO CURTAIL AND FORCE THE HAND OF THE HEAVY WATER USERS AND DEMAND THAT THEY CONSERVE. THE COMMUNITY HAS DONE THEIR PART. WE HAVE RECEIVED 91% OF OUR AVERAGE RAINFALL. YOU ALL HAVE OVERSOLD OUR WATER. WE ARE SO SICK OF YOUR POLITICAL GAMES AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR WATER. MAKE THE DECISION ALREADY. CONSIDERING THE LACK OF WATER ALTERNATIVES AND THE LACK OF BACKBONE TO MOVE INTO STAGE IV, IT IS TIME WE MOVE FORWARD WITH A NEW CITY MANAGER WITH REAL LEADERSHIP AND AUTHENTIC OPERATIONS EXPERIENCE. LET'S NOT PASS THE REVIEW ANY FURTHER THAN WE ALREADY HAVE, PLEASE. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MRS. CABALLERO. JOHNNY STOBBS. >> MAYOR, COUNCIL, CITY MANAGER, CITY STAFF, JOHNNY STOBBS ANABELLE TEXAS. TODAY I'LL BE ADDRESSING AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 9, A CRUCIAL TOPIC THAT IMPACTS OUR FIREFIGHTERS. THE NECESSITY OF CANCER SCREENING AND ASKING EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. WOE BEGAN BARGAINING FOR A NEW CBA IN MAY OF 2024, AND BY THAT SUMMER, WE HAD A NEW CBA THAT COUNCIL PASSED BY A 9-0 VOTE. INSIDE THAT CBA IS A NEW PROVISION CREATING A VOLUNTEER WELLNESS INITIATIVE. THE PROGRAM THAT I BELIEVE WILL SAVE AN UNTOLD NUMBER OF CORPUS CHRISTI FIREFIGHTERS' LIVES. CANCER IS SUCH A HUGE RISK WITHIN FIREFIGHTING, BUT THE 89TH TEXAS LEGISLATURE TOOK UP THE ISSUE AND PASSED HB 198, IT'S CALLED THE WADE CANNON ACT. MAKING LAW WITH OUR BARGAINING TEAM AGREED TO LAST SUMMER. FIREFIGHTERS RISK THEIR LIVES DAILY TO SAFEGUARD OUR COMMUNITIES, BUT IT COMES WITH UNIQUE DANGERS, INCLUDING AN ELEVATED RISK FOR CANCER. FIREFIGHTERS ALWAYS ANSWER THE CALL. WE SHOW UP, WE DO OUR JOBS, AND WE GO HOME. THE PROBLEM IS THE THINGS WE TAKE HOME WITH US FROM THE EMERGENCY SCENES. FOR FIREFIGHTERS, REGULAR CANCER SCREENING ISN'T JUST A HEALTH MEASURE, IT'S A LIFELINE. EVERY CALL EXPOSES FIREFIGHTERS TO TOXIC SUBSTANCES, CARCINOGENS SUCH AS BENZENE, ASBESTOS, POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS FOUND IN BURNING STRUCTURES AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT FIREFIGHTERS FACE A 9% HIGHER CHANCE OF CANCER DIAGNOSIS AND A 14% INCREASED RISK OF DYING FROM CANCER COMPARED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. CANCER'S LIKE COLON, PROSTATE, LUNG, SKIN AND BLOOD CANCERS ARE ESPECIALLY COMMON. THESE AREN'T MERE NUMBERS, THEY REPRESENT MY COWORKERS, MY FRIENDS, MY LOVED ONES, OUR LOVED ONES. THIS MAKES EARLY DETECTION THROUGH CANCER SCREENING ESSENTIAL. TESTS LIKE THE ONE YOU WILL VOTE ON TODAY IN AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 9, MAMMOGRAMS, COLONOSCOPIES, LOW-DOSE CT SCANS FOR LUNG CANCER AND ROUTINE SKIN EXAMS CAN DETECT CANCER EARLY WHEN IT'S MOST TREATABLE. FOR FIREFIGHTERS, EARLY DETECTION CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FULL RECOVERY AND A TRAGIC OUTCOME. TO MY FELLOW FIRE FIREFIGHTERS, I UNDERSTAND THE MINDSET, I FEEL FINE, I'M HEALTHY, I'M TOO BUSY. BUT CANCER OFTEN LURKS SILENTLY, SHOWING NO SYMPTOMS UNTIL IT'S ADVANCED, MAKING TREATMENT TOUGHER AND OUTCOMES LESS CERTAIN. A BRIEF SCREENING COULD EXTEND YOUR LIFE BY YEARS, MORE TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY, YOUR CREWS, YOUR COMMUNITY. TO MY BROTHER, SISTERS -- BROTHERS AND FIREFIGHTERS, SISTER FIREFIGHTERS, LET'S MAKE A PLEDGE, BOOK YOUR SCREENINGS. UNION REPS AND FIRE CHIEFS, PUSH YOUR TEAMS TO GET TESTED. SPOUSES AND FRIENDS, URGE YOUR FIREFIGHTERS IN YOUR LIVES TO PRIORITIZE YOUR HEALTH. FIREFIGHTERS ARE THE STRONGEST PEOPLE I KNOW CHARGING INTO DANGER WITHOUT HESITATION TO HELP OTHERS ON THEIR WORST DAY. BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO FACE THIS BATTLE ALONE OR UNPREPARED. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU -- >> REGULAR CANCER SCREENING IS YOUR DEFENSE, YOUR EARLY ALERT SYSTEM. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MR. STOBBS. SANTIAGO GARCIA. >> SANTIAGO GARCIA, DISTRICT ONE, CORPUS CHRISTI. MAYOR, COUNCIL -- CITY COUNCIL, I WISH TO BEGIN BY EXPRESSING MY PROFOUND GRATITUDE FOR THE FORESIGHT AND COMMITMENT TO THE WELL-BEING OF OUR FIRST RESPONDERS. A ROBUST CANCER SCREENING PROGRAM IS NOT MERELY AN INVESTMENT IN THE HEALTH OF OUR FIREFIGHTERS, IT IS A VITAL INVESTMENT IN THE RESILL SENSE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY. FIREFIGHTERS BY ITS VERY NATURE OF OUR PROFESSION ARE ROUTINELY EXPOSED TO A MYRIAD OF CARCINOGENS THROUGH SMOKE, HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND BYPRODUCTS OF COMBUSTION. THIS CONSISTENT EXPOSURE SIGNIFICANTLY ELEVATE OUR RISKS OF DEVELOPING VARIOUS FORMS OF CANCER COMPARED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. BY DETECTING EARLY ONSET CANCER, WE CAN ENSURE TIMELY INTERVENTIONS LEAD TO MORE SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OUTCOMES, REDUCING RECOVERY TIMES AND ULTIMATELY A HEALTHIER AND MORE CAPABLE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THIS PROGRAM WILL MINIMIZE THE LONG-TERM HEALTHCARE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH ADVANCED CANCER TREATMENT. REDUCE THE NUMBER OF FIREFIGHTERS OUT ON MEDICAL LEAVE AND ENSURE A CONSISTENT EXPERIENCE WORKFORCE READY TO ANSWER THE CALL. THROUGH MY OWN EXPERIENCE, COMPREHENSIVE CANCER SCREENING UNDERSCORES A CRITICAL NEED FOR SUCH A PROGRAM. AS A FIERT DEDICATED TO SERVING THE CITY, I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH STAGE IV CANCER BY ACCIDENT. I WAS -- WHEN I VISITED A CITY CLINIC FOR AN ENTIRELY UNRELATED INJURY. A SERIES OF REFERRALS TO -- LED ME TO TWO SPECIALISTS WHO AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS IDENTIFIED A TUMOR LARGER THAN A GRAPEFRUIT. I HAD TO ACTIVELY CONVINCE ONCOLOGIST THAT IT WAS INDEED CANCER BEFORE THEY RAN THEIR OWN TESTS. AND TO CONFIRM THE DIAGNOSIS, WHAT THEY REVEALED WAS A STAGGERING. I HAD BEEN LIVING WITH CANCER FOR OVER TWO AND A HALF YEARS WITH NO SYMPTOMS. AT THE POINT -- AT SOME POINT, THE TUMOR RUPTURED AND SPREAD AGGRESSIVELY THROUGHOUT MY ABDOMINAL CAVITY AFFECTING MY DIAPHRAGM, MY LIVER, MY SPLEEN AND MY LARGE INTESTINE. THE INITIAL PROGNOSIS WAS TERMINAL, I WAS SENT HOME AND -- SENT HOME TO PLACE MY AFFAIRS IN ORDER. HOWEVER, TWO MONTHS LATER, I RECEIVED A LIFE-ALTERING CALL, MY CASE HAD BEEN SUBMITTED TO MEDICAL BOARD AND AFTER DILIGENT REVIEW A TREATMENT PLAN WAS DEVELOPED. WITH ALL THAT BEING SAID, THANKFULLY BEHIND ME, I AM HERE TODAY TO STATE UNEQUIVOCALLY THE ENTIRE OR DEAL OF THIS LIFE LIFE-THREATENING BATTLE COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED, IT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED WITH COMPREHENSIVE CANCER SCREENING. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> PRECISELY THE KIND THAT OUR CITY COUNCIL HAVE ALREADY AGREED TO, PUTTING IN PLACE TO PROTECT THOSE WHO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MR. SANTIAGO. -- I'M SORRY, GARCIA. SCOTT MARSH. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR, COUNCIL AND CITY STAFF. I'LL BE ADDRESSING AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 9, MY NAME'S SCOTT MARSH, DISTRICT 2. I'M A BATTALION CHIEF OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. IN JULY, I WILL COMPLETE 30 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH CCFD. IN MY TIME HERE, I'VE SEEN MORE THAN 40 FIREFIGHTERS CONTRACT CANCER. I AM ONE OF THOSE FIREFIGHTERS. I'VE BEEN DIAGNOSED THREE TIMES WITH MALIGNANT MELANOMA. I WAS ORIGINALLY DIAGNOSED IN 2009, THE MELANOMA THAT WAS FOUND IN MY FOOT, BY THE TIME TREATMENT STARTED IT HAD SPREAD INTO MY LYMPHATIC SYSTEM AND GROIN. AFTER TREATMENT I WAS DECLARED CANCER-FREE IN 2011. MELANOMA WAS FOUND IN MY BRAIN IN 2018. AFTER TWO YEARS OF TREATMENT, I WAS CONSIDERED CANCER-FREE, AND, AGAIN, IN 2023, AFTER A ROUTINE SKIN CHECK, I HAD MELANOMA REMOVED FROM MY LOWER BACK. I'VE USED THOUSANDS OF HOURS OF SICK TIME AND IT'S COST MY FAMILY TO RECEIVE TREATMENT IN HOUSTON AT MD ANDERSON, THE ONLY PLACE THAT DEAL WITH THE TYPE OF CANCER APPROPRIATELY FOR WHAT I HAD. I WAS TOLD AT THE TIME, I HAD A 50% CHANCE TO LIVE FIVE YEARS. LUCKILY FOR ME AND MY FAMILY, I'VE BEATEN THOSE ODDS. I CURRENTLY GO TO HOUSTON EVERY THREE MONTHS FOR DERMATOLOGY AND EVERY FOUR MONTHS FOR ONCOLOGY, MRIS AND CTS. I HAVE BECOME THE GO-TO FIREFIGHTER IN THE DEPARTMENT WHEN YOU OR YOUR FAMILY MEMBER ARE DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER. MY WIFE AND I HAVE SAT WITH SO MANY FAMILIES TO EXPLAIN TO THEM HOW THEIR LIVES ARE GOING TO CHANGE GOING FORWARD WITH THIS DIAGNOSIS. I HOPE THAT YOU'RE IN SUPPORT OF THIS ITEM, I WILL NOT HAVE TO HAVE THESE HARD CONVERSATIONS AS OFTEN. I FEEL THAT IF THE DEPARTMENT HAD A CANCER-SCREENING PROCESS WHEN THIS ALL STARTED MY CANCER COULD HAVE POSSIBLY BEEN CAUGHT. WE FIREFIGHTERS TAKE CARE OF OTHERS WITH NOT TOO MUCH REGARD FOR OURSELVES. AS PARAMEDICS, WE THINK WE CAN FIX ANYTHING THAT'S WRONG WITH US. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS NOT THE CASE. AFTER EVERY FIRE WE DECONTAMINATE OUR GEAR AND OUR BODIES. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS PUSHED ON US NOW THAT THE STUDIES HAVE COME BACK SHOWING HOW QUICK DECON REDUCES THE CARCINOGENS ABSORBED BY OUR BODIES. SOME OF US NEED HELP. PLACED ON THE TABLE FOR US TO TAKE -- TO TAKE IT. WE'RE STUBBORN IN THAT WAY. THAT'S WHAT THIS CANCER SCREENING WILL DO FOR US. IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, I'VE BEEN ASKED TO SPEAK AT TWO FIREFIGHTER FUNERALS. THEY WERE BOTH MY FRIENDS, THEY BOTH WORKED FOR ME AND WITH ME FOR YEARS. FIREFIGHTER 2 ENGINEER MARK SOLIS AND CAPTAIN SIM SMITH BOTH DIED FROM COMPLICATIONS OF CANCER. BOTH CANCERS THAT THEY DIED FROM ARE ON THE LIST OF CANCERS THAT ARE SCREENED FOR IN THIS TEST. NEITHER OF THESE N FUNERALS NEEDED TO HAPPEN. WE WOULD NEVER KNOW IF THEY WOULD STILL BE HERE IF THEY HAD BEEN SCREENED, BUT THERE IS HOPE. ALL OF US IN THIS ROOM HAVE BEEN TOUCHED BY THIS HORRIBLE DISEASE. WITH YOUR HELP TODAY, I HOPE WE CAN CATCH THE DISEASE IN ITS EARLY STAGE SO THAT OUR FIREFIGHTERS AND THEIR FAMILIES DO NOT SOMEWHERE TO EXPERIENCE THE PAIN AND SUFFERING THAT GOES ALONG WITH A CANCER DIAGNOSIS. MY GOAL WHEN I GO TO WORK EVERY DAY IS TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE GOES HOME. I WANT EVERYONE TO GO HOME AT THE END OF THE SHIFT LIKE THEY CAME TO WORK, HOPEFULLY THAT IS CANCER-FREE. WITH YOUR HELP IN APPROVING THIS AGENDA ITEM, WE CAN MAKE THAT A LITTLE EASIER. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MR. MARSH. JENNIFER GRACIA. >> OKAY. GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS JENNIFER GRACIA, DISTRICT 2, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE TODAY. I AM A MEMBER OF TAFE, WHICH STANDS FOR TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF BLACK PERSONNEL IN HIGHER EDUCATION, AND WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE JUNETEENTH FEST EVERY YEAR. I AM THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, AND I'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR ABOUT FOUR YEARS AND EVERY YEAR WE CHANGE IT UP IN THE COMMUNITY AND DO DIFFERENT THINGS, BUT EVERY YEAR I'M IN CHARGE OF THE LITTLE ARTIST POSTER CONTEST, WELL, ME AND MRS. BEVERLY IN THE AUDIENCE. AND I WANT TO JUST SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT TAFE ON THIS PLATFORM. ONE, TAFE IS AN AWARD-WINNING ORGANIZATION. WE WERE AWARDED THE CORPUS CHRISTI CULTURAL LANDMARK COMMISSIONS AWARD FOR PRESERVATION OF HISTORY AND EDUCATION, AND SO I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THAT. AND THEN WE ALSO -- EXCUSE ME. WE ALSO ARE -- WE'RE GOING -- THIS IS 160TH ANNIVERSARY. WE'RE GOING TO BE HAVING A THREE-DAY FESTIVAL, AND THIS FESTIVAL IS TRULY A COMMUNITY EFFORT. IT'S A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT. WE BRING IN VARIOUS MUSICAL ARTISTS, WE CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS LOCAL BUSINESSES AS FOOD AND CUSTOMER VAL VENDORS TOGETHER. THERE'S ALSO A SIDE BEAT TO THIS, WE COLLABORATE WITH DIFFERENT CITY DEPARTMENTS LIKE THE CORPUS CHRISTI FIREFIGHTERS, CORPUS CHRISTI POLICE DEPARTMENT, CORPUS CHRISTI PARKS AND REC, AND WE ALSO COLLABORATE WITH THE NUECES COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, SO JUNETEENTH ALSO POURS BACK INTO COASTAL BEND TOURISM, WE BORK WITH CCIB, CCIA, HOSPITALITY, TRAVEL AND THE HEALTH INDUSTRY. WE ATTRACT VISITORS THROUGHOUT THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS AND SURROUNDING AREAS. WE BRING IN REVENUE WHICH WE TURN AROUND AND POUR BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY SUCH AS SCHOLARSHIPS, FOOD BOXES FOR THE ELDERLY AND EDUCATIONAL TRAINING. WE'D LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO JOIN US IF YOU CAN, EITHER GET YOUR BOOTS ON THE GROUND WITH US ON FRIDAY NIGHT OR SATURDAY NIGHT COME AND BE A GUEST JUDGE FOR THE JUNETEENTH POSTER CONTEST OR COME AND ENJOY THE COOL SOUNDS OF THOMAS ON SUNDAY NIGHT. IF NOT, WE'D LIKE TO BE ABLE TO COME BACK AND DISPLAY SOME OF THE LITTLE ARTISTS' WORK, AND IF NOT, WE'D LIKE TO START TALKING ABOUT BLOCKING FOR NEXT YEAR OF WHAT SOME OF THE CITY COUNCILMEMBERS WOULD LIKE TO DO FOR US NEXT YEAR AND COLLABORATE. THIS IS TRULY A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT ON BOTH SIDES A OF THE COMMUNITY AND SIDES B OF BUSINESS FOR THE COMMUNITY AS WELL, SO I HOPE YOU CAN RECOGNIZE THAT. WE KNOW THAT THE WORK CAN GET HEAVY SOMETIMES BUT JOIN US FOR TAFE WITH SOME CONNECTION, SOME CULTURE AND JUST SOME FUN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MRS. GRACIA. JASON HALE. >> OKAY. THANK YOU, MAYOR. GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCILMEMBERS. JASON HALE, CORPUS CHRISTI. TODAY I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE INNER HARBOR DESALINATION PLANT. FIRST, I WANTED TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT IT HAS BEEN 14 DAYS SINCE GHD'S MODELING FOR THE PLANT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE COMPLETED. THE STUDY IS IMPORTANT TO ME BECAUSE I'M CONCERNED THAT THE WASTE FOR THE PLANT WILL EITHER SINK AND CREATE DEAD ZONES OR IT WILL NOT SINK AND IT WILL OVERLOAD THE INTAKE WITH SALT BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT THAT FAR AWAY. KNOWING THAT NEITHER OF THESE SCENARIOS WILL HAPPEN WOULD GIVE ME PEACE OF MIND AND I IMAGINE IT WOULD GIVE OTHER PEOPLE PEACE OF MIND, TOO. BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, ULTIMATELY, WATER CUSTOMERS ARE ON THE HOOK FOR THIS PROJECT, IT'S AN EXPENSIVE PROJECT, AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE ARE GIVEN THE RESULTS IN A TIMELY MANNER FOR THIS STUDY. NOW, I DON'T EXPECT AN INSTANT TURNAROUND ON THE REPORT BEING PRESENTED TO COUNCIL, BUT I AM HOPING WE CAN SEE THE RESULTS SOONER THAN LATER. MOVING ON, I WANTED TO MAKE A REQUEST REGARDING WHO WILL BE PRESENTING THE RESULTS OF THIS STUDY. I'M NOT SURE WHO EXACTLY WILL ALL BE PARTICIPATING IN THE PRESENTATION OF THE RESULTS, BUT I AM HOPING THAT GHD WILL BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE, EVEN IF IT'S JUST ON WEBEX. I THINK COUNCILMEMBERS, YOU KNOW, WILL HAVE GOOD QUESTIONS. THEY'VE HAD GOOD QUESTIONS BEFORE REGARDING THE MODELING AND I THINK IT WILL BE HELPFUL TO HAVE GHD THERE TO ANSWER THEM DIRECTLY, SINCE THEY DID WORK ON THE MODEL. ANYWAYS, THAT'S IT. THANKS. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MR. HALE. ISABEL ARAIZA. COUNCILMAN CANTU? >> Cantu: PETER, CAN YOU FR FIND OUT THE TIME FRAME FOR THAT STUDY. >> Zanoni: YES, SIR. WE'LL TRY TO GET IT VIA TEXT BUT I'LL GET IT TO THE COUNCIL TODAY. IT WON'T BUTS, I BE US, KIEWIT WILL BE HERE, MAYBE FREEZE AS WELL. IT'S PLANNED. I JUST DON'T KNOW THE DATE. >> Cantu: THANK YOU. >> Zanoni: YEAH, THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN. MRS. ARAI SA, ISABEL ARAIZA, DISTRICT 2. I'M GOING TO BE ALL OVER THE PLACE, THERE'S BEEN SO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT. FIRST, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I SUPPORT PUBLIC COMMENT BEING MOVED TO THE AFTERNOON, BUT I ALSO THINK IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN THE DAY BEFORE A CITY COUNCIL MEETING SO THAT WE CAN SPEAK TO THE ITEMS BEFORE THEY'RE ACTUALLY VOTED ON. I ALSO AM IN FAVOR OF ANY CHANGE TO THE MEETING PROCESSES THAT ALLOW FOR MORE PUBLIC MEETINGS AS OPPOSED TO FEWER ONES, SO IF ONE IS 24 MEETINGS PER YEAR AND ONE IS 28 MEETING, I WOULD SAY DO THE 28 MEETINGS BECAUSE DEMOCRACY IS ABOUT HAVING CONVERSATIONS AND DISCUSSION AND HEARING THE PEOPLE'S VOICES. SO WE SHOULD EMBRACE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES TO INCREASE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO SPEAK AND GIVEN PUT. I CAME ORIGINALLY TO TALK ABOUT THE HILLCREST REZONING AND VOICE MY OPPOSITION TO IT BEING REZONED AS ANY TYPE OF INDUSTRIAL LEVEL. WE'VE ALREADY DONE A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THAT COMMUNITY. I WAS ALSO THINKING ABOUT THE -- THE BUDGET SHORTFALL OF $7 MILLION AND THE RECENT CONTROVERSY AROUND THE NAMING RIGHTS TO THE AMERICAN BANK CENTER, AND THE SO-CALLED CONFLICT OF INTEREST WITH OUR PARTNERS IN THE CITY PERO L PER ROLAND BARRERA, BECAUSE PARTNERS WEREN'T NAMED AND THEY TALKED ABOUT HOW MUCH THEY GAVE TO THE CITY AND I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY GAVE TO THE CITY, EXCEPT A LOT OF REALLY BAD STUFF. AND THEN I'M HEARING THE FIREFIGHTERS ASKING POR FOR MORE SCREENING, AND IT JUST TRIGGERS ME, BECAUSE I LOST MY MOTHER TO CANCER, AND SHE WORKED AT VALERO. AND THEY FOUND OUT HER DIAGNOSIS BY ACCIDENT, AND WE ALSO HAD TO GO TO MD ANDERSON BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT DOCTORS THAT WE TRUST HERE. AND WHY IS THAT? IT'S BECAUSE OUR QUALITY OF LIFE SUCKS. YET SOME OF US COME BACK AND FIGHT FOR A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE OVER AND OVE OVER AGAIN AND YOU CALL US AGITATORS AND YOU MAKE US SEEM LIKE WE'RE PROBLEMATIC. YOU SAY THAT WE DON'T LIVE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD BUT YOU HAVEN'T BEEN HERE LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE THERE. AND I WANT YOU TO HAVE GOOD SCREENINGS, BUT I ALSO DON'T WANT TO LIVE IN A CITY THAT CREATES CONDITIONS FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE CANCER AT THE RATES THAT WE DO. DO YOU KNOW THAT CITGO WAS FOUND GUILTY OF POISONING OUR COMMUNITY FROM 1994 TO 2003, THEY OPERATED OPEN TANKS THAT SPEWED BENZENE INTO THE AIR AND POISONED THE HILL CREST, WASHINGTON COLES, DONNA PARK NEIGHBORHOOD, THE BROADER COMMUNITY. WE HAVE SOME OF THE HIGHEST CANCER RATES, BIRTH DEFECT RATES, NOT JUST IN THE STATE OF TEXAS BUT IN THE COUNTRY. AND IT'S THEIR FAULT. IT'S THEIR FAULT. CENTER PEOPLE, NOT POLLUTE FORS, CENTER PEOPLE, NOT PROFITS. . >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MRS. ARAIZA. LALAIR MI FEIGN. IS LARRY MI FEIGN HERE? MELISSA ZAMORA. >> HELLO, I'M ME LIS ZAZAMORA, CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS. DISTRICT 2. CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS, ALL MY LIFE. I WAS ONE OF THOSE WHO TRIED -- IS TRYING TO STAY AND CHANGE THINGS. I'M NOT AN OUTSIDE AGITATE TATR, I'M AN INSIDE AGITATOR, BECAUSE I LOVE MY HOME, BECAUSE I WAS BORN HERE FOR A REASON. I'M NOW A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER AFTER GOING THROUGH THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM HERE IN CORPUS CHRISTI, I HAD A SERIES OF GUEST SPEAKERS COME IN AND TALK TO MY STUDENTS AND ONE WHO IS HERE IN THE AUDIENCE, I CAN SEE ON THE SCREEN. A VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION THAT SHE ASKED MY STUDENTS THAT I HAD NEVER HEARD BEFORE AND I WANT TO CONTINUE ASKING THEM EVERY YEAR IS, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT CORPUS CHRISTI? WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT LIVING IN THIS PLACE? ONE WORD THAT YOU CAN DESCRIBE LIVING IN CORPUS CHRISTI, LET US KNOW. HEARING FROM THE MOUTHS OF THE YOUTH, AND THEY SAID, TRASHY, POLLUTED. THIS IS COMING FROM SIXTH GRADERS, BY THE WAY. SMALL, NOTHING TO DO, WEIRD, I'M SURE THIS WOULD CHANGE THROUGHOUT DIFFERENT STUDENTS IN THE AREA DEPENDING ON WHERE THEY LIVE AND HOW THEY WERE BROUGHT UP, BUT I THOUGHT THAT WAS REALLY INTERESTING. BECAUSE I THOUGHT THE SAME THING GROWING UP HERE. AND I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO KIND OF LIVE IN CENTRAL, KIND OF SOUTH SIDE AREA. BUT I NOTICE THE POLLUTION, I WANTED TO STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF CARE FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT, EVEN THOUGH I SEE IT IN SOME PLACES, BUT THEN IN THE OVERALL PICTURE, NOT SO MUCH. SO I WANTED TO COME TODAY BECAUSE I'M OFF FOR THE SUMMER AND I'M ABLE TO COME BACK AND GIVE PUBLIC COMMENT, AND I SUPPORT ALSO HAVING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS BEING GIVEN AT A LATER DATE, LIKE SAN ANTONIO OR OTHER AREAS IN TEXAS WHERE THEY HAVE LATER CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS. MAN, I HAVE SO MUCH TO SAY. AND THEN I SAW DAVID LATHELT COME IN AND I KNOW THAT HE WAS WORKING ON A COMPOST PROGRAM HERE FOR THE CITY. I HOPE THAT DIDN'T DIE WHEN HE LEFT. I THINK COMPOSTING IS SUPER IMPORTANT, AND THAT WE NEED TO TRY TO MAKE EFFORTS TO SAVE THAT, BECAUSE THAT COULD SAVE A LOT OF WATER. HEALTHY SOIL CAN CONTAIN WATER BETTER. BUT I AM A DESAL OPPONENT. I THINK THAT WE CAN DO BETTER AS FAR AS FIXING INFRASTRUCTURE AND DEFINITELY CURTAILING INDUSTRY. I ALSO HEARD DREW MOLLY ON KIII, WE ARE WORKING HARD TO NOT TAKE US INTO THE NEXT LEVEL OF DROUGHT RESTRICTION, WHICH I WAS QUESTIONING WHY NOT. HE WAS BOASTING ABOUT HOW THE COMMUNITY STEPS UP, AND -- WHEN THEY'RE ASKED TO, AND WE DID AND WE ARE, AND WE'RE USING LESS WATER THAN EVER BEFORE. AND EVAPORATION RATES DO, YES, OF COURSE, PLAY A PART, BUT IT'S ALSO THE INDUSTRIAL TAKING OF THE WATER, AND THAT'S GROWING. AND WE'RE TRYING TO BRING IN MORE INDUSTRY WHEN WE DON'T HAVE WATER TO GIVE, SO PLEASE PUT PEOPLE BEFORE PROFITS LIKE WAS MENTIONED AND I'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MRS. ZAMORA. LAMONT TAYLOR? AND AFTER LAMONT, WE'LL HAVE CHRISTINA ENGLISH, MONA LIED L LYTLE AND ELI McKAY. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL. LAMONT TAYLOR, DISTRICT ONE. I STAND BEFORE YOU REGARDING ISSUE THAT WAS TAKEN OFF THE AGENDA AND PLACED ON JUNE 24TH AGENDA, THIS IS THE REZONING REGARDING REZONING CHANGE. THESE PROPOSED CHANGES WERE WILL GREATLY IMPACT RESIDENTS THAT ARE REMAINING IN THE COMMUNITY OF HILLCREST. FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND YOU FOR YOUR RECOGNITION OF THE JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION THAT WAS PRESENTED EARLIER THAT YOU ACKNOWLEDGED THROUGH THE NAACP AND MISSED THE JUNE DEENT THAT TAFE HAD PROVIDED ALSO. I'D LIKE TO PER INFORM YOU THAT THOSE OF YOU WHO MAY NOT KNOW THAT THE BLACK COMMUNITY IS NOT A MONOLITH COMMUNITY. THERE ARE THOSE OF US WHO IN THIS LOCAL COMMUNITY DO NOT TRUST LOCAL GOVERNMENT. AND IT HAS BEEN GREATLY DECREASED IN THE LAST DECADE. I'VE BEEN A LIFELONG RESIDENT IN HILLCREST FOR THE PAST 60 YEARS. AGAIN, I'VE HAD STAGE IV CANCER, I WENT TO MD ANDERSON AND I THINK THE EARLY SCREENING WOULD DEFINITELY HELP. ALSO I'D LIKE TO JUST ADD WHY DON'T YOU SCREEN THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE IN THE HILLCREST AREA THAT HAS HAD CANCER AND THAT HAS DIED FROM CANCER AND YOU'RE STILL PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR INVITING MORE INDUSTRY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT I DIGRESS. THIS PROPOSED ZONING CHANGE WILL ENTERTAIN -- THAT YOU WILL ENTERTAIN ON THE 24TH BY YOUR COMPADRE SUPPORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI IS FURTHER PROOF OF ENCROACHMENT INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS AND CHANGING OUR NEIGHBORHOOD INTO AN INDUSTRIAL AREA. I'M NOT SURE THAT YOUR FIVE YEARS PLAN AGREES WITH THIS PLAN. IF SO, IN THE HILLCREST COMMUNITY, WE'RE BEING IMPACTED BY THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI WITH YOUR PLAN DESALINATION PLANT ON THE WEST SIDE AND THE OPPOSED CHANGES FOR INDUSTRIAL AREA ON THE EAST SIDE. SO IN ESSENCE, WE'RE BEING SQUEEZED, THE COMMUNITY IN HILLCREST ARE BEING SQUEEZED. TECHNICALLY, THEY WOULD CALL THAT A PINCER MOVE, IF WE WERE DOING A MILITARY TACTIC, BECAUSE YOU'RE SQUEEZING US ON ONE SIDE AND THE OTHER SIDE. THE CITY HAS PROPOSED A DESALINATION PLANT ON THE WEST SIDE AND THERE ON THE EAST SIDE, WE KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING. AND WE DISAPPROVE OF YOUR ALLOWING IT TO HAPPEN BECAUSE YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF ZONING, YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF INDIVIDUALS COMING IN AND OUT OF THE CITY, SO WE RECOGNIZE THAT PLEASE ASK YOU TO DO NOT LET THIS ZONING GO FORTH. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MR. TAYLOR. CHRISTINA ENGLISH. >> CHRISTINA ENGLISH, DISTRICT ONE. BEFORE I START, I AM SO SORRY TO EVERY PERSON IN THIS ROOM WHO IN THE NAME OF DECORUM WAS FORCED TO SIT THROUGH UNHINGED, DISGUSTING AND ABLEIST COMMENTS MADE BY A MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY EARLIER CONCERNING MENTAL HEALTH. I AM SO SORRY TO EVERYONE HERE. NOW, I HAVE BEEN PROFOUNDLY DISAPPOINTMENTED AT THE LACK OF CIVILITY AND THE LACK OF HUMANITY THIS DAIS HAS DEMONSTRATED TO MY NEIGHBORS AND TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS. RECENTLY I LISTENED WHILE AN AT-LARGE MEMBER OF THIS COUNCIL, MEANING HILLCREST AND WASHINGTON COLES DIRECT REPRESENTATIVE PRETENDED I HOPE, TO NOT KNOW WHERE THOSE PLACES WERE. THOSE HISTORICALLY BLACK NEIGHBORHOODS IN THIS COMMUNITY. AND CONTINUUALLY REPEAT THE LIE THAT NOBODY LIVES THERE. I WATCHED OUR CITY MANAGER WHO I BEG YOU TO FIRE WAVE HIS HAND IN DISMISSAL LAMENTING THE TITLE VI VICTORIES ACHIEVED BY THESE RESIDENTS AS THEY FIGHT FOR THEIR OWN SURVIVAL AND DIGNITY. I WATCHED MY OWN COUNCILMEMBER DO NOTHING TO SPEAK UP FOR HIS OWN COMMUNITY. DISGUSTING SHAME. SOME OF YOU DON'T EVEN WANT THESE NEIGHBORHOODS TO HAVE A PARK, NOW UPON EVERY THING ELSE, THE PUSH TO BY FAMILY HOMES AT DISCOUNT PRICES, DEEPLY IMPACTING THIS KIND OF FAMILY TO GENERATE MY KIND OF WEMENT, WE'RE NOW SAYING WE SHOULD TAKE EVEN MORE. EVEN THOUGH THE PROPOSED USE OF THIS LAND FILES UNDER LIGHT INDUSTRIAL, IT'S ALMOST LIKE MAYBE THE ULTIMATE PLAN FOR THIS LAND IS NOT STORAGE, IT KIND OF FEELS LIKE MAYBE THERE'S A PLAN NOT BEING TALKED ABOUT. THE PORT WANTS TO GET BACK WHAT THEY PERCEIVED TO HAVE LOST OFF OF THE BACKS OF THE VERY PEOPLE THEY TOOK IT FROM. THEY SAID WE NEED IT BACK, WE LOST IT WHEN WE BUILT THE BRIDGE. WHO LOST WHAT WHEN WE BUILT THE BRIDGE? THIS IS A WELL-WORN STORY PLAYED OUT IN POOR AND MINORITY COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND THE WORLD, PLACES WHERE LESS WEALTHY, LESS POWERFUL PEOPLE ARE CONTINUOUSLY INJURED AND OPPRESSED FOR THE BETTERMENT OF FACELESS AND SOULLESS INDUSTRY. BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN TREATED AS EXPENDABLE AND NOW BEING FORCED OUT OF THE COMMUNITIES THAT YOU'VE BUILT. WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT, LIKE ALL OF US, YOU'RE ALREADY A PART OF THE HISTORY OF RACISM IN THIS COMMUNITY AND THIS COUNTRY. SOON, YOU'LL DECIDE IF YOU'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO ABUSE AND DRIVE OUT OUR NEIGHBORS, THE PEOPLE YOU'VE BEEN CHARGED TO REPRESENT OR IF YOU'LL BE A CYCLE BREAKER. REZONING ANY AMOUNT OF LAND FOR ANY INDUSTRIAL USE IS ABSOLUTELY AN INTENTIONAL ACT TO MAKE HILLCREST AND WASHINGTON COALS LESS LIVABLE, CLOSING OR REROUTING ANY STREETS IN THESE NEIGHBORHOODS WOULD ONLY SERVE THE NEEDS OF ENCROACHING INDUSTRY AND MAKE IT LESS SAFE AND HARDER TO EXIST FOR A VALUED AND AGING POPULATION. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MRS. ENGLISH. MONA LYTLE. >> >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS MONA LYTLE. I LIVE IN A HISTORICAL NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY OF HILLCREST, DISTRICT ONE. I'M HERE IN REGARDS OF THE REZONING. I'M REQUESTING THAT THE CITY DENIES THE PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI REZONING IN HILLCREST AND IN WASHINGTON COLES. THE CITY -- THE PORT WANT TO REZONE TO HEAVY INDUSTRY, AND IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. AND THEN THEY WANT TO CLOSE THE STREETS OF WIN BNEBEGO, NUECES AND BROADWAY. IF YOU CLOSE THE STREET, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE SISS CITIZENS OF HILLCREST OR ANYONE ELSE, IN CASE THERE'S A DISASTER, HUMAN DISASTER, WE HAVE NO WAY OUT EXCEPT FOR GOING TO PORT, GOING TO THE RIGHT OR GOING TO THE LEFT. SO, IN OTHER WORDS, YOU WANT US TO DIE. WE NEED THESE STREETS TO REMAIN OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD. NOT ONLY THAT, THE REZONING FOR HEAVY INDUSTRY, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT BUILDING A SWIMMING POOL, I GUESS YOU WANT IT TO BE A MUD POOL. I MEAN, IT'S NOT MAKING SENSE. WHY ARE YOU GOING TO REZONE HEAVY INDUSTRY AND YOU'RE GOING TO PUT UP A SWIMMING POOL. AS FOR THE SWIMMING POOL, THERE'S OTHER PEOPLE IN OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WOULD LOVE TO COME TO A NEW SWIMMING POOL. SO THERE'S SO MUCH I CAN SAY, BUT YOU KNOW, ALL OF YOU KNOW, HAVE BEEN HEARING ABOUT HILLCREST, YOU'VE BEEN SAYING, OKAY, WHY ARE THEY COMPLAINING? WE'RE NOT COMPLAINING. WE'RE JUST TELLING YOU. WE WANT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD JUST LIKE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. I DON'T LIKE GOING TO MY NEIGHBORHOOD, THEN THE NEXT DAY I SEE A REZONE. I SEE A REZONE. WE SEE REZONES, THE CITY HAS CLOSED BROADWAY WITH NO NOTIFY KAIG. NOTIFICATION. WE HAD NO NOTIFICATION. WE'RE BLOCKED IN. WE WANT TO BE FREE. AND IT'S UP TO YOU TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS. DISTRICT ONE HAS NOT REACHED OUT TO US, SAY, HEY, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S GOING ON? WE DON'T GET NOTHING. I GET MORE WITH SYLVIA CAMPOS, YOU KNOW, SHE SAYS HOW'S THINGS GOING? EVEN MR. CANTU. WE GET. YOU KNOW, WE SEE. THEY CARE, THEY'RE PEOPLE. EVERYONE ELSE, I KNOW YOU'RE BUSY, I KNOW THERE'S OTHER THINGS, BUT, YOU KNOW, HILLCREST WAS HERE BEFORE ANY OF US WAS HERE. WE'VE BEEN FIGHTING FOR DECADES. AND WE NEED A BREAK. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. BUT CLOSING OF THE STREETS, UNACCEPTABLE. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MRS. LYTLE. DID YOU HAVE A QUESTION, MRS. PAXSON? GO AHEAD. >> Paxson: THANK YOU, MAYOR. MR. ZANONI, I KNOW THE ITEM'S NOT ON THE AGENDA TODAY. >> Zanoni: RIGHT. >> Paxson: OUR LAST COMMENTER BROUGHT UP A VALID POINT. IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE SOME SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ON THE IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED ROAD CLOSURES FOR WHEN THAT ITEM COMES TO US? >> Zanoni: YES. YEAH, WE CAN. AND JUST FOR THE RECORD, THE ITEM WAS NOT MOVED. THERE WAS SOME CONVERSATION ABOUT IT WAS MOVED. IT WAS PLANNED FOR THE 17TH, WHICH IS NEXT TUESDAY; HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF POSTING NOTICES, IT WILL ACTUALLY BE ON THE 24TH OF THIS MONTH, THE 24TH, BUT IN ADVANCE OF THAT, WE CAN GET YOU INFORMATION. AND WE EXPECT THE PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI WITH US WILL BRIEF THE COUNCIL, IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS. YEAH, THIS IS REALLY THE PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI'S APPLICATION. >> Paxson: SURE. BUT TO THAT NOTE, IF WE CAN HAVE SOMETHING ON THOSE ROADS. >> Zanoni: YEAH. >> Paxson: BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT THE ENTIRE PROCESS. >> Zanoni: ABSOLUTELY. THAT'S WHY THE PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI NEEDS TO COME AND VISIT WITH THE COUNCIL ON ROAD CLOSURES AND REZONING, BUT WE'LL SET THAT UP FOR YOU BEFORE THE 24TH. >> Mayor Guajardo: AND I'M SORRY, I SAID IT WAS MOVED. I THOUGHT IT WAS MOVED, APOLOGIES. >> Zanoni: I THINK SOME OF THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WERE CONFUSED. >> [OFF MIC] >> Zanoni: EXCUSE ME. YEAH, WE DID MOVE SOME THINGS FROM TODAY'S AGENDA TO NEXT WEEK, HOWEVER THIS ITEM WAS NEVER ON THE AGENDA. IT WAS NOT ON THE MONDAY MOSTING. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. I MISSPOKE. >> Zanoni: IT WAS ALWAYS PLANNED TO THE 17TH, BUT IT WILL BE MOVED TO THE 24TH BECAUSE OF THE POSTING NOTIFICATIONS, WE HAVE TO SEND OUT NOTIFICATIONS. YEP. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, PETER. ELI McKAY. AND THEN WE'LL HAVE NICHOLAS CRAMBRON, DANIEL PEÑA AND PAT CRAIG. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR, COUNCIL, CITY MANAGER. MY NAME IS ELI McKAY. I LIVE IN BEAUTIFUL UPTOWN CORPUS CHRISTI, DISTRICT ONE. SO I AM HERE TODAY TO STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH MY NEIGHBORS WHO LIVE IN THE HILLCREST AND WASHINGTON COALS NEIGHBORHOOD. I ATTENDED THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING IN LATE APRIL WHERE WE HAD LIKE ABOUT 30 PEOPLE TAKE TIME OUT OF THEIR DAY TO COME AND SPEAK AGAINST REZONING THAT IS BEING REQUESTED BY THE PORT. AS YOU KNOW, THE PLANNING COMMISSION DECIDED INSTEAD OF HEAVY INDUSTRIAL TO RECOMMEND LIGHT INDUSTRIAL, WHICH I COMMEND THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR THAT. IT WAS A REALLY INSPIRATIONAL MOMENT TO BE HEARD. SO I HAVE TO REQUEST THAT THE COUNCIL ALSO DENY THESE REZONING REQUESTS SO THAT HEAVY INDUSTRIAL IN AND AROUND THE HILLCREST AND WASHINGTON COLES NEIGHBORHOODS, PLEASE ALSO DENY ANY REQUEST TO CLOSE ROADWAYS THAT WOULD IMPACT PEOPLE'S EASE OF ENTERING OR EXITING THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD. THIS IS A BIG DEAL FOR ME. I LIVE IN AN AREA THAT'S NOT REALLY A NEIGHBORHOOD, IT'S JUST A FEW HOUSES ON A STREET, BUT I AM OFTEN BLOCKED IN BECAUSE OF PARKING CONCERNS AT THE AL CRUZ TENNIS CENTER, I'M GLAD THEY'RE BUSY, BUT THERE'S PARKING ISSUES, AND IF THERE WAS A FIRE ON MY STREET, FIRE TRUCKS WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET IN MANY, MANY TIMES BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF CARS PARKING. THAT'S -- I'LL CALL MY CITY COUNCILMAN ON THAT. SO I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THIS COUNCIL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY -- IN THE HISTORY OF OUR CITY BE THE COUNCIL WHO DOES THE RIGHT THING FOR THE HILLCREST AND WASHINGTON COLES NEIGHBORHOODS BECAUSE I'VE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH AND THE HISTORY OF THAT NEIGHBORHOOD, THEY'VE NEVER HAD ANYTHING DONE RIGHT BY THEM. SO I ALSO WANT TO TOUCH ON THE ITEM DISCUSSING PUBLIC COMMENT. IT'S BEEN MENTIONED BEFORE, I'M A BIG PROPONENT OF PUBLIC COMMENT BEING MOVED TO THE EVENING SO THAT WORKING-CLASS PEOPLE COULD ATTEND AND COMMENT, BUT WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IS THAT, JUST LIKE SAN ANTONIO, IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN THE NIGHT BEFORE AS HAS BEEN SAID. SO A MONDAY NIGHT AT 5:30. THAT WOULD ENSURE THAT THE PUBLIC CAN SHOW UP AND THAT WOULD BE BEFORE ANY DECISIONS ARE MADE. AND I THINK FOR MY LAST 15 SECONDS, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY FROM THE HILL CREST AND WASHINGTON COLE'S NEIGHBORHOOD. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MRS. McKAY. NICHOLAS CAMBRON. IS NICHOLAS WITH US? NO? DANIEL PEÑA. >> DANIEL PEÑA, CORPUS CHRISTI. I LIVE IN THE AREA OF HILLCREST FOR NOW. I MEAN, YOU GUYS HAVE VIRTUALLY TRIED EVERY EFFORT IN THE WORLD TO GET US OUT OF THERE. YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN LED BY THE NOSE RING, I GUESS THAT'S THE SAYING, YOU KNOW, FOR YEARS, BY THIS CITY, BY THE MAYORS TELLING US HOW THEY'RE GOING TO, YOU KNOW, REHABILITATE OUR NEIGHBOR, HOW THEY'RE GOING TO FIX IT, OW THEY'RE GOING TO -- PORT STREET. THEY CLEARED PORT STREET OF ALL THE BUSINESSES BECAUSE THEY TOLD US THEY WERE GOING TO PUT STOREFRONTS, HOTELS, BARBERSHOPS, ALL OF THIS IS WRITTEN DOWN. THE COUNCIL -- I MEAN, IF THE COUNCIL ASKED, I'M SURE THE STAFF CAN PROVIDE YOU HOW MANY TIMES THEY'VE PROMISED US THEY'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING. WE'VE BEEN SILENT FOR A LONG TIME BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN LED BY THE NOSE RINGS TO BELIEVE THAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING. THEY HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING AS OF YET. YOU KNOW, THEY'RE WORKING HARD ON GETTING US OUT OF THERE, YOU KNOW. ANYTHING YOU CAN IMAGINE, ANYTHING CROOKED, ANYTHING DIRTY, ANYTHING NASTY, WE'RE GOING THROUGH IT. WE'VE ASKED OUR CITY MANAGER TO COME AND VISIT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. WE HAD COMPLAINTS ABOUT LIGHTS AND TRASH AND BRUSH NOT BEING PICKED UP. AND SO WHAT HE DID WAS HE BROUGHT CODE ENFORCEMENT IN THERE. WELL, I SEE A LOT OF VIOLATIONS, YOU KNOW. IT WASN'T ABOUT US, WHAT WE SAID. IT WASN'T ABOUT THE PORT WITH THREE OR 4-FOOT GRASS. IT WAS ABOUT VIOLATIONS. SO WHATEVER WE STARTED TO DO, WENT INTO THE TRASH. HE CAME BY AGAIN TO TALK TO US ABOUT THE POOL. HE SAYS HE TALKED TO US. TALK ABOUT THE -- YOU KNOW, THERE'S SO MANY THINGS, THERE'S SO MANY THINGS. YOU KNOW, I -- I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE THAT ALL THIS IS GOING ON. TAXES. BEFORE THEY BOUGHT US OUT, THE PORT DIDN'T PAY MORE THAN 43,000 FOR ANY PROPERTY IN THE AREA. WORST OF ALL IS, THE PERSON WHO HAD THE COMPLAINT AGAINST THEM WAS TXDOT. PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME HOW THE PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI ENDED UP THE OWNER OF THOSE PROPERTIES? THE PORT INITIALLY INVESTED $20 MILLION, WHICH THEY PAID 17.5 TO THE DRA WAS THE PEOPLE THAT WAS INVOLVED TO GET THE JOB DONE. SO HOW DID THEY END UP -- HOW DID THEY END UP THE OWNERS OF THE PROPERTY? NOW WE'RE FIGHTING BECAUSE AT THE TIME OUR TAXES -- I CAN TELL YOU -- $43,000 FOR MY PROPERTY, AND NOW 217,000. WHY DIDN'T YOU DO THAT WHEN THE SALE WAS GOING ON AND WE COULD HAVE GOTTEN A BUT NO. NOW WE'RE AT $217,000 BEING TAXED TO DEATH BECAUSE IF WE CAN'T GET YOU OUT ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, WE'RE GOING TO TAX YOU TO DEATH. WE HAVE NUECES BAY CLOSED TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD. WE HAVE BROADWAY CLOSED TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD. DO YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING? WE'RE SURROUNDED. DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? AND NOW THEY WANT TO CLOSE BROADWAY. THE CITY IS GOING TO CLOSE BROADWAY. NUECES. AND THEN ON THE OTHER SIDE THE -- >> Risley: MAYOR, TIME LIMITS. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MR. PENA. PAT CRAIG. IS PAT? YES. MS. HUERTA, DO WE HAVE MR. HENDRICKS ONLINE? >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS PAT CRAIG. I LIVE IN DISTRICT 5. SO MUCH TO GO OVER TODAY. I APPLAUD YOU GUYS FOR ASKING QUESTIONS. YOU'RE ASKING A LOT OF QUESTIONS. I LOVE TO SEE HALF OF THE AGENDA WITH WHAT YOU HAVE PUT ON. THANK YOU. BECAUSE IT IS A COUNCIL MEETING AND YOU ARE LISTENING TO SOME FOLKS. I DO NOT AGREE WITH PUTTING A NAME ON A FOURTH OF JULY EVENT. I DON'T THINK ANYBODY'S EARNED THAT. I THINK WE SHOULD KEEP IT THAT WAY. A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE DONE A LOT OF WORK. AND, YES, THE TAXPAYERS HAVE FUNDED THAT. EXCUSE ME. I HOPE YOU VOTE IN FAVOR FOR THAT WATER SUPPLY THAT SEEMS TO BE VERY REASONABLE AND VERY PRICEBLE. I HOPE YOU'RE ASKING ALL THE RIGHT QUESTIONS. I DON'T HAVE A LOT OF INFORMATION ON IT. I THINK IT'S ITEM 20. THERE IS A QUESTION ABOUT WATER. IT'S NEARLY 4 BILLION GALLONS THAT ARE UNACCOUNTED FOR IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS. AND I DID THE NUMBERS FOR THE EVAPORATION. THAT'S INCLUDED. PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT THE INFORMATION. SOME OF YOU HAVE THAT. EVAPORATION IS SIGNIFICANT AND IT'S NOT THE REASON THAT WE'RE MISSING WATER. I THINK IT'S ITEM 22, THE PUBLIC COMMENT. I DIDN'T SERVE 20 YEARS IN THE MILITARY TO BE TOLD I CAN'T ASK A QUESTION OF MY COUNCIL MEMBERS IN PUBLIC. I DON'T KNOW WHEN THAT RULE CAME IN. I'VE ALWAYS ASKED QUESTIONS BECAUSE NOT ONLY DOES THAT TRIGGER SOMETHING IN THE BRAIN, IT GIVES YOU GUYS SOMETHING TO TAKE NOTE ABOUT. THAT'S HONESTY. WE SHOULDN'T BE TOLD WE CAN'T ASK QUESTIONS. WE KNOW YOU CAN'T ANSWER. I'VE BEEN ON THE RECEIVING END OF THAT TOO. I GET THAT. BUT NOT ASKING QUESTIONS? I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THAT CAME FROM. THAT'S NOT CONSTITUTIONAL. AND THE LAST THING I WOULD LIKE TO SAY, THERE'S A LOT OF PRAYER FOR ALL OF YOU. PLEASE KNOW THAT. I'VE TOLD SOME OF YOU. IT'S A TOUGH JOB. APPRECIATE YOU DOING WHAT YOU CAN. PLEASE LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE. LET US ASK QUESTIONS BECAUSE I KNOW YOU CAN GET SOMETHING DONE BECAUSE WE HAVE, WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MS. CRAIG. JOHN HENDRICKS. DO WE HAVE HIM ON? >> City Secretary: MR. HENDRICKS? >> HELLO. CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> City Secretary: YES. WE CAN HEAR YOU. YOU WANT TO STATE YOUR NAME AND MAKE YOUR COMMENT -- AND YOUR CITY. >> YES. YOU GOT A GOOD COPY ON ME HERE? >> City Secretary: WE CAN SEE YOUR POWERPOINT, YES, SIR. YOUR SLIDE. >> OKAY. SHOOT. [BACKGROUND NOISE] OKAY. DISTRICT 2, CORPUS CHRISTI, JOHN HENDRICKS. THE VFW POST 2397. A COUPLE OF WEEKS BACK I COMMENTED ON HOW NICE IT WOULD BE IF WE COULD HONOR OUR HISTORY, OUR IDENTITY, NOT TO MENTION OUR LORD AND SAVIOR BY MAKING IT A HOLIDAY. I UNDERSTAND THAT HAVING THE CITY MAKE THE FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI AN OFFICIAL CITY HOLIDAY MIGHT OFFEND [INDISCERNIBLE]. MY PARENTS, MAY THEY REST IN PEACE, WERE SOUTHERN BAPTIST MISSIONARIES. WE WENT UP NORTH TO CONVERT THE YANKEES. MY DAD WAS BAPTIZED BY BROTHER ROLOFF. I CAN RECALL ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS HOW MY DEAR MOTHER WOULD SPEAK TO US IN HUSHED TONES AND WITH TEARS IN HER EYES WHEN SHE TOLD US THE STORY OF HOW A SPANISH EXPLORER NAMED IT FOR THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING, THE CRUCIFIED BODY OF OUR SAVIOR. I DO NOT THINK DECLARING THE FEAST OF THE BODY OF CHRIST AN OFFICIAL HOLIDAY WOULD OFFEND ANYONE NOR DIVIDE US IN ANY WAY. ON THE CONTRARY. I THINK PEOPLE LIKE BROTHER ROLOFF AND MOM AND DAD WOULD HAVE SEEN THE HOLIDAY AS A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO PAUSE AND CELEBRATE THE NAME OF CHRIST. NOT JUST INDIVIDUALS OR INDIVIDUAL CHURCHES BUT ALL TOGETHER AS A CITY. AFTER ALL, HIS NAME IS OUR NAME. SLIDE 5. IN THE VOICES OF THE CLASS, I OFFER THE OPINION OF ONE OF CORPUS CHRISTI'S LARGEST CHURCHES. HE TEXTED ME REGARDING MAKING THE FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI A HOLIDAY. I QUOTE, QUOTE, I MUST STAY. I AM NOT OFFENDED AND I SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION, UNQUOTE. MANY THANKS FOR BEARING WITH ME. >> City Secretary: THANK YOU, MR. HENDRICKS. >> THANK YOU. >> City Secretary: NEXT WE HAVE RALPH WINEGARDEN. FOR THE RECORD, MR. WINEGARDEN IS NOT A CITY RESIDENT. >> [OFF MIC] >> Mayor Guajardo: SURE. THANK YOU. LAUREN CARGILL. >> [OFF MIC] >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. MYRA ALANIZ. MYRA ALANIZ AND THEN -- SORRY. I THINK THAT'S MYRA. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MYRA ALANIZ, ROBSTOWN, TEXAS. THE CITY OF ALICE AND SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY AND NOW NUECES WATER DISTRICT 3 ARE ALL PURSUING STAGES OF BRACKISH DESALINATION. OUR LEADERS HAVE CHOSEN TO DRAIN AQUIFERS FOR THE SAKE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH. BUT LOOK AROUND. NUECES COUNTY IS SURROUNDED BY REFINERIES TERMINALS CHEMICAL PLANTS. WE SHOULD BE THRIVING BUT WE'RE NOT. OUR STREETS ARE CRUMBLING, RATES, FEES, AND TAXES ON RESIDENTS KEEP RISING. CITY AND COUNTY BUDGETS CAN'T BE MET. WE'RE SPENDING $10 MILLION -- MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON TEMPORARY WATER SOLUTIONS AND NOW DESALINATION THREATENS TO LEAVE US WITH GENERATIONAL DEBT. IF INDUSTRY BRINGS SO MUCH MONEY, WHERE IS IT? WHY ARE WORKING FAMILIES AND SMALL BUSINESS BEING ASKED TO PAY MORE AND STRUGGLING? WHILE INDUSTRY GETS DISCOUNTED WATER, TAX BREAKS, AND FROZEN PROPERTY TAX. THE THEORY THAT INDUSTRY LEADS TO PROSPERITY HAS BEEN PROVEN FALSE. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL. ALIDA CASTILLO, CITY OF TAFT OR PRESIDENT OF TAFT HERE TO SPEAK ON THE ZONING ISSUE, WHICH I KNOW WAS MOVED TO JUNE 24th. BUT I ALSO WANT TO TALK TO Y'ALL BECAUSE WE ONLY GET A MINUTE. BUT THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI APPOINTS THREE MEMBERS TO THE PORT AUTHORITY. NUECES COUNTY APPOINTS THREE MEMBERS TO THE PORT AUTHORITY. AND THEY ARE MAKING VARIOUS CHANGES, NOT ONLY TO OUR COMMUNITIES IN SAN PATRICIO COUNTY BUT HERE IN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI . IT IS ON Y'ALL TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE DECISIONS ARE GOING TO BE BENEFICIAL TO EVERYBODY BECAUSE RIGHT NOW CORPUS IS NOT OPERATING AS A GOOD NEIGHBOR. THE SAME AS THESE INDUSTRIES. WE'RE ONLY GIVEN A MINUTE TO TALK WHEN THE IMPACTS THAT Y'ALL MAKE IMPACT -- DECISIONS Y'ALL MAKE IMPACT EVERYBODY. WE HAVE ONE MINUTE BUT WE PAY THE SAME RATES THAT Y'ALL PASS ON TO THE RESIDENTS BECAUSE YOU ARE OUR REGIONAL WATER PROVIDER. SO I WANT Y'ALL TO CONSIDER THAT. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MS. CASTILLO. OKAY. THAT WILL CONCLUDE OUR PUBLIC COMMENT. IT IS 1:48. THE COUNCIL IS GOING TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON ITEMS -- WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON 25 THROUGH 27 PER TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 551.071 AND 551.072. AND WE WILL RETURN. [EXECUTIVE SESSION] [EXECUTIVE SESSION] [EXECUTIVE SESSION] [EXECUTIVE SESSION] [EXECUTIVE SESSION] >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. WELCOME BACK. WE'VE GOT SOME NEW FACES, WE LOST A FEW FACES. OKAY. I THINK WE HAVE COUNCILWOMAN PAXSON, YOU HAVE A MOTION. >> Paxson: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION AUTHORIZING A TEXAS REELTSES FARM AND RANCH CONVERSATION WITH VAPO LAND, INC., FOR THE PURCHASE OF TW 50 ACRES OF LAND NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF FM 6 -- GOSH, CAN WE CHANGE THEIR NAME? >> Mayor Guajardo: I KNOW. >> Paxson: STAY SAFE AND FM624, WHICH MAY ALSO BE DESCRIBED AS 250.116-ACRE TRACT OUT OF THE VINCENT LOPEZ HERRERA PORTION OF THE BARANCO BLANCO RANCH -- >> SECOND. >> Mayor Guajardo: WE HAVE A MOTION. MR. BARRERA HAD THE SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR VOTE. >> City Secretary: AND MR. SCOTT? >> Scott: AYE, YES. >> City Secretary: CAN WE SEE MR. SCOTT, PLEASE. >> Scott: DON'T YOU SEE ME? >> City Secretary: NOT YET. THERE YOU ARE. THANK YOU. >> Scott: I SHAVED TODAY. >> Mayor Guajardo: THE MOTION CARRIES. MR. SCOTT'S ONLINE. OKAY. UNANIMOUSLY. >> Barrera: AND THEN MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO SUGGEST -- MAKE A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO SETTLE A CLAIM OF THOMAS JOSEPH MOORE AGAINST THE CITY FOR ALL PERSON PERSONAL INJURIES IN THE RAMENT NOT TO EXCEED 125,000. >> Roy: MASECOND MOTION. >> Mayor Guajardo: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR VOTE.MR. SCO? >> Scott: YES, AYE. >> City Secretary: THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU, MRS. HUERTA -- OR I'M NOT SURE WHY I'M THANKING YOU. NOW WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK TO OUR CITY MANAGER'S UPDATES ON CITY OPERATIONS. YOU HAVE ONE OTHER ITEM, MR. ZANONI. >> Zanoni: YES, THANK YOU, MAYOR. WOE HAVE ONE OTHER ITEM WHICH IS A QUICK FINANCIAL UPDATE. THIS IS OUR SECOND QUARTER BUDGET FINANCE REPORT AND IT WOULD COVER SIX MONTHS, THAT WOULD BE OCTOBER 1, 2024, THROUGH MARCH 31, 2025. SO THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF OUR CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, AND JUST AS A REMINDER, OUR FINANCIAL POLICIES THAT THE COUNCIL APPROVES, AS WELL AS THE CITY CHARTER REQUIRES THAT THE CITY MANAGER PROVIDE QUARTERLY UPDATES TO THE CITY COUNCIL ON OUR FINANCIAL PROGRESS AND SO THIS IS ANOTHER QUARTERLY UPDATE. THIS IS A BRIEFING, BUT WHICH DO HAVE -- IT'S BEEN ATTACHED TO THE AGENDA ITEM AND WILL BE PLACED ONLINE, THE ACTUAL FINANCIAL REPORT, SO IT DOES INCLUDE OUR CAPITAL BUDGET AND ALL OF OUR OPERATING FUNDS. IT'S ABOUT 70 PAGES IN LENGTH, SO THIS IS A REAL CONDENSED SUMMARY. BUT ON THE NEXT SLIDE, YOU CAN SEE THAT OUR GENERAL FUND REVENUES ARE COMING IN AS WE HAD PLANNED FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS. YOU CAN SEE THE FIRST COLUMN ON THE LEFT THERE AFTER THE DESCRIPTORS OF A $334 MILLION REVENUE BUDGET FOR THE GENERAL FUND OF SIX -- SIX MONTHS OF THAT IS ABOUT 225 MILLION, AND WE BROUGHT IN FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS 229, OR ABOUT 4.2 MILLION MORE. SOME OF THE VARIANCES THAT ARE ATTRIBUTED TO THAT IS MORE PROPERTY TAX THAN WHAT WAS PLANNED. DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN WE'LL BRING IN MORE FOR THE FULL FISCAL YEAR, BUT AT LEAST FOR THOSE FIRST SIX MONTHS, WE RECEIVE MORE THAN WE ANTICIPATED. WE BELIEVE THAT WILL SMOOTH OUT WITH THE REST OF THE YEAR. PUBLIC SAFETY, WE'VE RECEIVED MORE, EMS TRANSPORT REVENUE THAN PLANNED OF 1.2 MILLION. AND THEN OTHER REVENUES INCLUDE OUR -- WE CALL OUR OIL AND GAS LEASE, THAT'S FOR OUR PROJECT THAT WE HAVE AT THE CEFE LANDFILL WITH MORREY ENERGY. ABOUT 4.2 BETTER THAN PLANNED FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS. ON THE EXPENDITURE SIDE, THIS IS JUST A PIE CHART, SORRY, ON THE REVENUES. ONE THING HERE TO SEE IS THAT IF YOU TAKE THE PROPERTY TAX AND THE INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT IN LIEU OF, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY PROPERTY TAX, ABOUT 54% OF ALL OF OUR REVENUES IN THE GENERAL FUND, MORE THAN HALF, ARE JUST PROPERTY TAX DERIVED. AND THEN THE SALES TAX IS 16%, SO THOSE TWO MAIN REVENUE SOURCES FOR THE CITY IS 70% OF OUR REVENUES. SO OTHER CITIES IN TEXAS HAVE OTHER REVENUES LIKE UTILITY PAYMENTS, LIKE SAN ANTONIO HAS CPS ENERGY, MAKES A SIGNIFICANT PAVEMENT. I THINK SIMILAR IN -- PAYMENT. I THINK SIMILAR IN AUSTIN AND DALLAS AREA AS WELL. WE HAVE TWO MAIN REVENUES, OUR PROPERTY TAX AND SALES TAX. THAT CONSTITUTES ABOUT 70% OF OUR GENERAL FUND REVENUE. THE OTHER SIDE OF THE EQUATION IN OUR GENERAL FUND IS OUR EXPENSES AND WE DO THE SAME THING HERE AS WE DO IN REVENUES. WE LOOK AT A SIX-MONTH BUDGET, EXPECTED BUDGET, AND SEE HOW THE DEPARTMENTS ARE DOING. AFTER THAT SIX MONTHS HAVE PASSED AND SO THE ANNUAL BUDGET FOR THE CURRENT YEAR ARE 362 MILLION. WE ANTICIPATED OR FORECASTED WITH THE DEPARTMENTS, THEY HAVE A MONTHLY SPENDING PLAN, THAT THEY WOULD HAVE SPENT ABOUT 177 TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY AND THE SECOND QUARTER ACTUALS ARE COMING IN AT 166 MILLION OR ABOUT 11 MILLION UNDERBUDGET. IF YOU NOTE, THE OTHER REVENUE HAS A LITTLE BIT OF SAVINGS, 2.9. 2.3 OF THAT IS FROM INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS WHERE WE ACTUALLY RECORDED THE REBATE IN THE PRIOR YEAR, SO THE MONEY'S BEEN SPENT, BUT IT REFLECTS IN THIS BUDGET, SO IF YOU -- IF YOU TAKE THAT OUT OF THE EQUATION, WE'RE ABOUT $9 MILLION UNDER THE PLANNED AMOUNT IN OUR GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES. SO SOLID WASTE HAS A BIG PART OF THAT, 3.4 MILLION. AND THAT'S ATTRIBUTED PRIMARILY TO LESS PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACTS, LESS SPENDING IN THAT CATEGORY THAN WHAT THEY THOUGHT. THIS JUST SHOWS YOU THE PIE CHART. THE TAKEAWAY HERE IS THAT OUR TWO BIGGEST OPERATIONS, PUBLIC SAFETY, POLICE AND FIRE, IS MORE THAN 50% OF OUR BUDGET, 52%. AND THEN STREETS IS ANOTHER BIG COMPONENTCH THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE ALL OF OUR STREET FUNDING, BUT YOU CAN SEE THOSE TWO PRIMARY SERVICES CONSTITUTE 65% OF OUR SPENDING IN THE GENERAL FUND. OKAY. NOW WE'RE GOING TO TURN TO A FEW OTHER FUNDS, OUR HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX WE'RE WATCHING CLOSELY. WE KNOW THAT THIS INDUSTRY IS REFLECTIVE OF THE ECONOMY AND PEOPLE'S DISCRETION TO SPEND ON TRIPS AND THAT TYPE OF THING. SO THE ANNUAL BUDGET FOR THE REVENUE IS JUST UNDER 20 MILLION. WE EXPECTED THROUGH THE SECOND QUARTER TO RECEIVE ABOUT 7.1 MILLION. WE ACTUALLY RECEIVED ABOUT 6.6, AND SO JUST A LITTLE BIT UNDER THE PLANNED AMOUNT, WHICH IS -- WHICH IS OKAY. AND WE'RE MONITORING EXPENDITURES WITH VISIT CORPUS CHRISTI AND OTHER EXPENSES WHERE WE USE THESE HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX DOLLARS IN MAKING SURE WE DON'T GO OVERBUDGET. OKAY. NOW IN OUR TWO UTILITY FUNDS, THIS IS OUR BIGGEST OPERATION IN THE CITY, THE WATER FUND FIRST. THIS SHOWS THE SAME THING, THE ANNUAL BUDGET, THE SECOND QUARTER BUDGET, THE TOTAL SIX MONTHS THAT WE THOUGHT. THE ACTUALS, AND THEN THE VARIANCE. IN OUR WATER OPERATION, WE'RE ACTUALLY RECEIVING A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN WHAT WE THOUGHT WE WOULD FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS, THAT'S PRIMARILY DUE TO MORE WHOLESALE WATER SALES TO OUR WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS, LIKE A SELF -- OR SAN PAT WATER DISTRICT, THEY'RE BUYING MORE WATER. OUR RESIDENTIAL ACCOUNTS ARE ACTUALLY A LITTLE BIT BELOW WHERE WE THOUGHT THEY WOULD BE, BUT THIS IS MADE UP BY LARGE VOLUME WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS. SO 2.7 MORE IN REVENUES, WHICH IS GOOD. ON THE EXPENDITURES ABOUT AN 83% SPEND RATE FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS, AND THIS IS DUE TO SAVINGS IN SOME OF OUR CHEMICALS, WHERE WE THOUGHT THERE WOULD BE MORE EXPENSIVE FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS. ALSO LESS MAINTENANCE OF LINE WORK IN OUR WATER OPERATION, WE'VE HAD LESS WATER BREAKS, WHICH IS A GOOD THING, SO THAT SAVES FUNDS THERE IN THAT WATER OPERATION. AND THEN MANY THE COMPANION FUND, OUR WASTEWATER FUND, THE ANNUAL BUDGET'S 98 MILLION. SECOND QUARTER PLANNED AMOUNT THAT WE THOUGHT WE WOULD BRING IN IS 48, AND JUST ABOUT MADE THAT, 47.9, SO JUST 200,000 UNDER THE PLANNED AMOUNT, WHICH IS OKAY. AND ON THE EXPENDITURE SIDE, MORE CLOSE TO THE PLANNED AMOUNT AT ABOUT 93% SPENT FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS. WE MAY RECALL THAT IN THIS BUDGET WE HAD SEVERAL INITIATIVES THAT WERE FUNDED AS PART OF THE BUDGET, AND ALL FUNDS, THERE'S A TOTAL OF 42. SOME OF THE EXAMPLES INCLUDE PURCHASING VEHICLES FOR OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, NORTH BEACH RESTROOM AND PARKING FACILITY MAINTENANCE, SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDS THERE, RESTRUCTURING OUR BEACH RESCUE DIVISION. THAT TOOK SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDS AS WELL. SO WE TRACK THESE WITH ALL THE DEPARTMENTS, ALL THE DEPARTMENTS HAVE AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, AND EACH MONTH THE BUDGET STAFF WORKS WITH THE DEPARTMENTS TO SEE IF THEY'RE ON TRACK OR NOT. AND SO 11 OF THE 42 INITIATIVES ARE COMPLETED. 28 ARE RIGHT ON SCHEDULE, AND ONLY THREE ARE BEHIND SCHEDULE FOR VARIOUS REASONS, SO THERE'S A RECOVERY PLAN FOR THOSE THREE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE WORK GETS DONE BY THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR. AND THEN THE FINAL ONE IS OUR CAPITAL BUDGET. THIS JUST HIGHLIGHTS OUR BOND PROGRAMS. WE KNOW THAT OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM INCLUDES UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE, AIRPORT INFRASTRUCTURE AND SO ON. BUT WHEN WE LOOK AT THE LAST THREE BOND PROGRAMS, WE CONTINUE TO MAKE TREMENDOUS IMPROVEMENT IN DELIVERING THESE PROJECTS, SO FOR BOND 2024, THAT HAD 38 PROJECTS. FOUR ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND THE REMAINDER ARE EITHER IN DESIGN OR PREDESIGN. EVERY ONE OF THEM. FOR BOND 2022, 32 PROJECTS IN THAT PROGRAM, SIX PROJECTS ARE COMPLETED, SIX ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND THEN THE REMAINING ARE ALL IN DESIGN. AND THEY WOULD BE AWARDED FOR CONSTRUCTION OVER THESE COMING MONTHS, AND THEN THE MOST -- OR THE FURTHEST OUT BOND, 2022, HAD 42 PROJECTS, MOST OF THAT WORK IS DONE, 37 PROJECTS ARE COMPLETED. FOUR PROJECTS ARE IN CONSTRUCTION AND ONE PROJECT WAS A DESIGN ONLY, AND THAT'S BEING DESIGNED, SO A GOOD REPORT ON THAT BOND PROGRAM. SO IN SUMMARY FOR OUR SECOND QUARTER BUDGET FINANCE REPORT, OUR GENERAL FUND REVENUES ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE PROJECTIONS. SIMILARLY ON OUR HOT FUND REVENUES, OUR HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX REVENUES, ARE PRETTY CONSISTENT WITH THE PROJECTIONS. WATER AND WASTEWATER REVENUES ARE CONSISTENT ALSO WITH THE PROJECTIONS, AS ARE THE EXPENDITURES. AND WE CONTINUE TO SEE STRONG DELIVERY IN OUR CIP PROJECTS, SO GENERALLY, WE'RE IN GOOD FINANCIAL CONDITION. WE HAVE A GOOD PLAN AND TEAM IN PLACE THAT WATCHES THE BUDGET VERY CLOSELY. WEEKLY IN SOME CASES, MONTHLY IN OTHERS, AND THEN QUARTERLY HERE WITH THE CITY COUNCIL. SO WE'RE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT MAKING SURE OWR REVENUES COME IN. IF THEY DON'T, THEN WE QUICKLY MAKE ADJUSTMENTS IN OUR EXPENDITURES SO WE STAY WITH A BALANCED BUDGET. AND THEN FINALLY WHAT COMES UP NEXT HERE, THIS IS JUST KIND OF A PROGRESSION TO GET TO THE END OF THIS CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, AND AS WE KNOW WE KIND OF OVERLAP WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW BUDGET, THAT WOULD BE THE FY '26 BUDGET. WE'VE ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED SEVERAL THINGS. WE DID PROVIDE A FINANCIAL FORECAST, THE FIRST TIME IN THE PAST SIX YEARS AT LEAST THAT SHOW COUNCIL WE DO HAVE DIS WHAT OF A GAP IN THE GENERAL FUND, INITIALLY ESTIMATED AT 7 MILLION, BUT REACHING ABOUT 13 NOW BECAUSE OF SOME RECENT THINGS THAT WE LEARNED ABOUT, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND SOME STATE LEGISLATION THAT RESULTS IN LESS REVENUE TO THE CITY, BUT WE'RE WORKING THROUGH THAT. WE PRESENTED THE CLOSEOUT FOR THE PRIOR FISCAL YEAR FOR 2024, THE COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT. WE DID HOLD A BUDGET GOAL-SETTING SESSION WITH THE CITY COUNCIL IN MAY AND THAT HELPED GIVE US SOME DIRECTION. IN MAY AND JUNE, WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW, THE SECOND QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORT. WE'RE WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENTS, OUR BUDGET MEETINGS ARE IN FULL SWING RIGHT NOW, AND WE SUBMITTED A BUDGET -- WE OPENED A BUDGET COMMUNITY INPUT SURVEY TO THE COMMUNITY TO GET INPUT FROM THEM, AND WE RECEIVED QUITE A FEW RESPONSES TO DATE. IT'S BEEN A REAL HELPFUL TOOL, AND I THINK THAT STAYS OPEN FOR THE REST OF THIS WEEK AND WEEKEND, THAT BUDGET SURVEY. AND THEN IN JULY, THE JULY 29TH IS WHEN I'LL PRESENT THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR '26, AND THAT WILL START A WHOLE SERIES OF MEETINGS FOR ABOUT FIVE WEEKS WITH THE COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY. WE'RE TAKING WHAT WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM THE COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY AND WE'LL RECOMMEND THE PROPOSED BUDGET, BUT THEN WE WANT TO SEE IS THIS WHAT YOU ALL MEANT AND IS THERE ANY OTHER CHANGES YOU WANT TO MAKE, AND THAT WILL HAPPEN IN THE FORM OF WORKSHOPS WITH THE CITY COUNCIL, WORKSHOPS WITH THE COMMUNITY. WE'LL HAVE SEVEN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS, INCLUDING THE FIVE DISTRICTS, A SPECIAL ONE AT CALALLEN AND A SPECIAL ONE ON THE ISLAND AS WELL. AND THEN ULTIMATELY, CITY COUNCIL WILL ADOPT THE BUDGET IN SEPTEMBER, THAT FIRST TUESDAY IN SEPTEMBER FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1ST. SO MAYOR AND COUNCIL, THAT DOES CONCLUDE THE FINANCIAL BRIEFING FOR OUR SECOND QUARTER AND WE'LL TURN IT OVER TO YOU FOR ANY QUESTIONS. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, PETER. GREAT PRESENTATION. WE DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS. WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD TO SECTION G, THIS IS OUR BOARD AND COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS. I THINK WE HAVE THREE. >> City Secretary: YES, MA'AM, THAT'S CORRECT. SO THE FIRST BOARDS WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT ARE THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION AND BOARD. SO THERE'S ONE VACANCY ON THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION, AND THAT HANDLES POLICE AND FIRE EMPLOYMENT MATTERS, CIVIL SERVICE BOARD HANDLES CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYMENT MATTERS, AND THERE ARE THREE VACANCIES ON THAT ONE. ONE REGULAR MEMBER AND TWO ALTERNATES. SO THE CITY MANAGER APPOINTS THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION SUBJECT TO COUNCIL CONFIRMATION AND THE CITY COUNCIL APPOINTS THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD. TRADITIONALLY THE SAME MEMBERS SER EF ON BOTH. CITY MANAGER ZANONI RECOMMENDS THAT DEBRA SABILLA BE REAPPOINTED AS A REGULAR MEMBER OF THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD AND THE CIVIL SERVICE COMITIONZ AND HE ALSO RECOMMENDS THAT JOEL MUM FORD AND ISRAEL TAL LA MAN TEZ SERVE AS ALTERNATE MEMBERS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD. >> Barrera: I MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> SECOND. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR VOTE. >> City Secretary: MAYOR, THESE ARE VOICE VOTES. >> Mayor Guajardo: ALL IN FAY ROR SAY AYE N AYES. >> Mayor Guajardo: ANY OPPOSED, SAY NO. THE MOTION CARRIES. >> City Secretary: THE LAST ONE IS THE ETHICS COMMISSION. TWO VACANCIES, MEMBERS ARE APPOINTED BY 2/3 VOTE OF THE FULL COUNCIL. THAT'S SIX VOTES. SO WE CAN OPEN THE FLOOR FOR NOMINATIONS MAYOR. >> Mayor Guajardo: YES. SO WE'LL OPEN FOR NOMINATIONS. MRS. PAXSON. >> Paxson: I'D LIKE TO NOMINATE CASEY OH, DON NEL AND JOE MICHAEL PARIS. >> Mayor Guajardo: CAN YOU REPEAT THAT. >> Paxson: CASEY O'DONNELL AND JOE MICHAEL PARIS ARE MY TWO NOMINATIONS. >> City Secretary: AND MICHAEL PEREZ? >> Paxson: YES. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. COMANG HERNANDEZ? HERNANDEZ GIV >> Hernandez: GIVE ME A SECOND MAYOR. ANY OTHER GNOME NATIONS? COUNCILMAN ROY? >> Roy: I NOMINATE CHRISTINA GARCIA. ANY OTHER NOMINATIONS? DID YOU HAVE ONE, COUNCILMAN? NO? SO WE HAVE OH DONNELL, PEREZ AND GARCIA. LET'S GO AHEAD AND START WITH COUNCILWOMAN VAUGHN. [ROLL CALL VOTE] >> City Secretary: OKAY. OH, DON NEL AND GARCIA ARE APPOINTED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. THANK YOU. SO THAT TAKES US TO OUR CONCEPT AGENDA. ARE THERE ANY REQUESTS FROM COUNCIL TO PULL ANY ITEM FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION ITEMS 4 THROUGH 12? PANGZ ITEM 9 AND 11. >> Mayor Guajardo: ITEM NUMBER 9 AND 11. ANY OTHERS? >> Cantu: 12. >> Mayor Guajardo: NUMBER 12. OKAY. I'M SORRY, ANY REQUESTS FROM THE PUBLIC TO PULL ANY ITEM? OKAY. THERE BEING NONE, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA WITH EXCEPTION OF ITEMS 9, 11 AND 12. >> Paxson: MAKE A MOTION. >> SECOND. >> Mayor Guajardo: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. (AYES.) >> Mayor Guajardo: ANY OP POPESSED, SAY NO. >> City Secretary: CAN WE SEE MR. SCOTT, I'M SORRY, MAYOR. I'VE GOT TO SEE HIM. >> Scott: AYE. >> City Secretary: THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: MOTION CARRIES. LET'S SEE. ITEM NUMBER 9 IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A TWO-YEAR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH GRAIL, INC., OF MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA, FOR GALLERI MULTICANCER EARLY DETECTION TEST FOR THE CORPUS CHRISTI FIRE DEPARTMENT. COUNCILWOMAN PAXSON? >> Paxson: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I AM IN FULL SUPPORT OF THIS. I WANTED TO PULL THIS TO TAKE A MOMENT JUST TO RESTATE THAT I REALLY AM LOOKING FORWARD TO -- AND PLEASE KNOW THAT AT LEAST FOR ME, AND I THINK MOST OF THE PEOPLE UP HERE -- SUPPORTING THE EFFORTS FOR THE WELLNESS INITIATIVES. YOU KNOW, WE TALKED ABOUT SAUNAS, WE TALKED ABOUT THOSE RESOURCES HELPING, YOU KNOW, TO PROVIDE ASSIMILATION AND EVEN JUST HELPING THEM MOVE FROM THE WORK THAT YOU GUYS DO EVERY DAY TO -- BACK INTO FAMILY LIFE, SO I WANTED TO JUST PUT THAT ON THE RECORD ONE MORE TIME. WE SUPPORT YOU GUYS, WE LOVE YOU GUYS, SO WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. >> Mayor Guajardo: WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. AND CHIEF WADE, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS FORTH. I KNOW THIS IS -- OBVIOUSLY WE HEARD SOME VERY, VERY STRONG TESTIMONY,N, AND SO THIS IS GOING TO BE REALLY, REALLY GOOD FOR ALL OF YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. (AYES.) >> Mayor Guajardo: ANY OPPOSED, SAY NO. PARDON? >> City Secretary: YOU DON'T WANT TO USE THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM TODAY? >> Mayor Guajardo: WELL, I DO. >> City Secretary: WE DON'T HAVE TO. JUST WHENEVER YOU'RE READY. JUST I HAVE IT. >> Mayor Guajardo: WE'LL GO BACK TO IT. I'M SORRY, BECAUSE. >> City Secretary: DO YOU WANT TO USE IT? >> Mayor Guajardo: WE ALREADY VOTED. >> City Secretary: AND THEN MR. SCOTT SO WE CAN -- >> Scott: AYE. >> City Secretary: THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. NEXT ITEM PULLED WAS ITEM 11 WHICH IS A RESOLUTION CANCELING THE 2025 HOMELESS HOUSING AND SERVICES PROGRAM AGREEMENTS WITH CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI AND MHID AND INCREASING THE AGREEMENT WITH MISSION 9-1-1. >> Paxson: I DID.MRS. PAXS ON? >> Paxson: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU FOR THE MEETING EARLIER LAST WEEK TO JUST KIND OF GO OVER THE TOPIC. MY UNDERSTANDING IS WHEN WE WERE ABLE TO KIND OF SPLIT THE FUNDS, THE MHMID -- IF I SAID THAT RIGHT, SAID THAT THEY DECLINED THAT PORTION, THE LESSER PORTION, WHICH THEN DELEGATES THAT REMAINING BALANCE OVER TO THE OTHER RECIPIENT, AND OUR REQUEST IS JUST TO SEAL THE DEAL HERE BASICALLY. >> CORRECT. >> Paxson: SO MY ONLY QUESTIONS WOULD BE, ONE, HAVE WE SPOKEN TO THE NEW RECIPIENT AND THEY'RE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE AND THEY'RE GOOD WITH THE NEW TOTALS AND EVERYTHING. AND SECOND, MAYOR, I KNOW WE HAD SEVERAL PUBLIC COMMENT SIGN UP, SO I JUST WANTED TO HEAR THOSE AS WELL. >> Mayor Guajardo: YES. >> OUR STAFF HAS TALKED WITH THEM, YES, AND THEY ARE READY TO TAKE THOSE MONIES AND PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES. >> Paxson: PERFECT. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: AND MARIE LYNN THAT GARCIA, DID YOU WANT TO MAKE COMMENT ON? . >> MARILYNNNA GARZA, DISTRICT ONE. I'M HERE IN REGARDS TO THIS AGENDA ITEM, NUMBER 11. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS REFLECTIVE OF WHY WE NEED A HOUSELESSNESS DEPARTMENT. YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE ANYONE TO DELEGATE AND OVERSEE THE DISBURSEMENT OF THESE FUNDS, YOU HAVE NO DEPARTMENT, YOU DON'T HAVE ANYONE TO QUOTE WHAT PETER SAID, TO EVEN MAKE THE PHONE CALLS. WE NEED THIS HOMELESSNESS DEPARTMENT. THIS MONEY, MISSION 9-1-1, HAS BEEN WAITING ON, FOR MONTHS. YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE TO APPLY FOR THIS, THEN WE HAVE THIS ON THE AGENDA SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, HERE IT IS AGAIN. MHID, NOWHERE TO BE FOUND, SURPRISE SURPRISE. WE NEED THIS HOMELESSNESS DEPARTMENT. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET SHORTFALL AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WHERE WE'RE GOING TO ALLOCATE MONEY, WE ALSO HAVE TO ALLOCATE MONEY FOR THIS DEPARTMENT. WE'RE GETTING CREATIVE ALLOCATING MONEY TO ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES, WHICH IS FANTASTIC. WE HAVE AN AGENDA ITEM, NUMBER 21, THAT COULD GET US SOME MORE MONEY. WHAT I REALLY WANTED TO COME UP HERE AND SAY IS THAT LACK OF LEADERSHIP, LACK OF CONSISTENT, QUALITY LEADERSHIP IS WHAT HAS LED US HERE. AND YOU CANNOT ALLOW PEOPLE WHO ARE HIREABLE AND FIREABLE TO JEOPARDIZE YOUR ELECTED SEATS. THE ELECTION SEASON IS COMING UP RIGHT -- I'M ALREADY LOOKING AT GETTING SIGNS, GUYS. OKAY? SO WHAT KIND OF LEADERSHIP ARE YOU GOING TO DEMONSTRATE FOR US TODAY WITH SOME OF THESE AGENDA ITEMS? WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE SOME DECISIONS THAT ARE NOT GOING TO BE POPULAR. AND HONESTLY, YOU DON'T REALLY HAVE MUCH OF A CHOICE BECAUSE THE LEADERSHIP BEFORE YOU HAS MADE IT TO WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE MUCH OF A CHOICE. PLEASE CREATE CHOICES FOR THE LEADERSHIP THAT IS GOING TO FOLLOW BEHIND YOU GUYS. I HOPE I ONE DAY AM GOING TO BE SEEN TO BE SITTING ON THAT DAIS MAKING THESE HARD DECISIONS AND GETTING YELLED AT JUST LIKE YOU GUYS ARE GETTING YELLED AT. IT'S HARD, THESE DECISIONS YOU'RE MAKING, BUT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS WHICH INCLUDES FINDING THE MONEY FOR THIS HOMELESSNESS DEPARTMENT SO THAT NONPROFITS MISSION 911, THE FREE STORE WHO ARE NOT HERE AND NOT ABLE TO MAKE COMMENT LIKE WE DO, CAN WORK WITH THE CITY TO TACKLE THIS ALMOST 18% POVERTY RATE THAT WE HAVE HERE. WE HAVE HIGH CRIME. WHEN I WENT AND SPOKE TO THOSE STUDENTS AT WEST OSO JUNIOR HIGH, I ASKED THEM WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT CORPUS, GOOD, BAD, INDIFFERENT AND THE MAJORITY OF IT WAS NEGATIVE. HIGH CRIME, UNSAFE. I THINK THE POPULAR ONE WAS GET TO. GHETTO. I USED TO THINK THAT, TOO, ABOUT CORPUS. THEN I DECIDED WHAT AM I DOING TO MOVE THE NEEDLE AND MAKE CORPUS WHAT I THINK CORPUS IS, WHICH IS GREAT COMMUNITY. WE COME TOGETHER AND CREATE INN INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO TACKLE QUALITY OF LIFE PROBLEMS. YOU HAVE A COUPLE OF QUALITY OF LIFE PROBLEMS COMING UP ON YOUR AGENDA TODAY AND I HOPE TO SEE GREAT LEADERSHIP THAT I CAN FOLLOW BEHIND. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MRS. GARZA. COUNCILMAN CANTU? >> Cantu: I'VE GOT A QUESTION. WE GAVE MISSION 9-1-1 HALF OF MHID'S MONEY, RIGHT? IS THAT WHAT HAPPENED LAST TIME? >> WELL, WE HAD INITIALLY AWARDED, AND THEN WE CAME BACK AND REVISITED THIS ITEM, AND THEN WE GAVE SOME ADDITIONAL MONEY TO MISSION 9-1-1. AFTER THAT AWARD, THEN, WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT FURTHER WITH MHID, AND THAT'S WHEN THEY TOLD US THEY WEREN'T INTERESTED IN THEIR AMOUNT, AND NOW WE'RE COMING BACK TO BASICALLY AMEND THAT CONTRACT AND GIVE THAT PORTION. SO THE TOTAL AMOUNT IS 217,000 NOW THAT WOULD GO TO MISSION 9-1-1. >> Cantu: AND HOW MUCH MONEY IS GOING TO MHID? >> NONE AT ALL. >> Cantu: THEY HAVEN'T BEEN SHOWING UP HERE, RIGHT? I MEAN, I VICE PRESIDENT SEEN THEM. >> THERE WAS NO REAL REASON FOR THEM TO COME TO THIS MEETING. >> Mayor Guajardo: THEY WERE HERE. >> Cantu: YEAH. >> IN WRITING THEY SAID THEY HAD SOME CONCERNS BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE THE STAFF IN PLACE TO DO THE MONITORING AND THE COMPLIANCE REPORTING THAT'S REQUIRED FROM THE STATE. >> Cantu: YEAH. ME PERSONALLY, IF I WAS GETTING A GRANT FROM THE CITY, I'D BE HERE, JUST LIKE HE IS. THAT'S MY OPINION. BUT OKAY. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: BUT TO BE FAIR, THEY -- >> Cantu: THAT'S MY OPINION, MAYOR. COUNCILMA N, THEY WERE HERE. AND I'M 100% FOR MISSION 9-1-1. >> Cantu: [OFF MIC] >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. IT'S NOT ABOUT YOUR OPINION, SIR. I COMPLETELY RESPECT THAT. I'M JUST BEING FAIR TO THEM. THEY WERE HERE, SO -- NOT TODAY, THEY WERE HERE THE FIRST TIME. BUT NONETHELESS, MRS. VAUGHN. >> Cantu: THEY WEREN'T HERE THE LAST TIME. >> Vaughn: MR. ZANONI, I REALLY THINK SHE'S GOT A POINT. WE GIVE THIS MONEY OUT, WE HAVE A HUGE HOMELESS PROBLEM, WE KNOW THAT. I'D LIKE FOR US TO LOOK AND SEE IF WE CAN PUT IT WITHIN A DEPARTMENT, UNDER SOME KIND OF DEPARTMENT. >> Zanoni: YEAH, SO WE -- WHEN I CAME HERE SIX YEARS AGO, WE HAD NO HOMELESSNESS PROGRAM. I WAS ABLE TO REDIRECT THREE POSITIONS THAT WERE DOING SOME PRIOR WORK, AND WE'RE ABLE TO KEEP THAT FROM YEAR 2 THROUGH JUST THIS LAST YEAR. >> Vaughn: YEAH. >> Zanoni: WITH THE DOUBLING OF THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION AND ELIMINATING THE STREET USER FEE, WE HAD A CHALLENGE IN THE BUDGET LAST YEAR, AND SO THIS WAS ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT WE CUT OUT OF THE BUDGET. WE REDUCED THOSE THREE POSITIONS LIKE MRS. GARZA SAID. THEY WERE A STAND-ALONE UNIT, AND THEN THEY MOST RECENTLY WENT TO PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, WHICH IS A GOOD HOUSE FOR THEM, BUT THAT'S WHY THE COMMENT MRS. GARZA SAID, WHICH IS WE DON'T HAVE ANYBODY EVEN TO MAKE PHONE CALLS WHEN IT COMES TO HOMELESSNESS. SO IT'S A MATTER OF PRIORITIES. IF THE COUNCIL GIVES US FEEDBACK THAT WE WANT TO CUT SOMETHING ELSE TO HAVE ONE OR TWO HOMELESSNESS-TYPE COORDINATOR POSITIONS, WE'LL BE GLAD TO ADD IT. >> Vaughn: I KNOW IT'S TIGHT RIGHT NOW, BUT I WOULD JUST LIKE AT LEAST HAVE THE DISCUSSION. >> Zanoni: UH-HUH. >> Vaughn: AND TALK ABOUT IT. >> Zanoni: OKAY. WE CAN. GREAT. WE HEAR YOU. >> Vaughn: THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: I AGREE. AND I THINK IT'S GREAT -- IN THE BUDGET, IN YOUR BUDGET PRESENTATION, AND LIKE YOU SAID, IT'S UP TO THIS COUNCIL TO SAY IF WE TAKE THIS, THEN WE DON'T DO THIS OR THAT. >> Zanoni: RIGHT. >> Mayor Guajardo: BUT I MEAN, A PERSON AT LEAST, LIKE YOU'RE SAYING. BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, TO YOUR POINT, THERE IS NO ONE TO ADMINISTER ANYTHING. COUNCILMAN ROY? >> Roy: COUNCILMEMBER VAUGHN, I KNOW WE'RE NEIGHBORS, I GUESS WE THINK ALIKE, TOO. YOU KNOW, I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WHEN WE HAVE OUR RETREAT OUR WHATEVER THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO. >> Zanoni: RIGHT. >> Roy: -- TO FURTHER TALK ABOUT WHAT'S IMPORTANT, I THINK THIS IS DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE A TOPIC THERE, AND I -- AND HOPEFULLY MOVE SOME FUNDS AROUND BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, EVEN IF WE GET ONE PERSON, I THINK THAT THAT'S GOING TO BE A START. BUT I REALLY WANT TO LOOK AT THIS BECAUSE I KNOW IN DISTRICT ONE THERE DEFINITELY HAS BEEN A SHIFT IN TERMS OF MORE UNHOUSED -- DID I SAY THAT RIGHT. >> Zanoni: YEAH, POPULATION. >> Roy: -- PEOPLE. WE'VE GOT TO LOOK AT IT. BECAUSE THE OTHER THING, I'M GETTING A LOT OF PHONE CALLS ON IS CRIME, AND CRIME-RELATED TO PEOPLE THAT ARE UNHOUSED. >> Zanoni: UH-HUH. >> Roy: AND WITH THE ECONOMY THE WAY IT IS RIGHT NOW, WE DEFINITELY, I THINK, NEED TO HAVE SOMEBODY. BECAUSE EVEN IF WE HAVE ONE PERSON, AND THAT PERSON THEN SOLICITS VOLUNTEERS. >> Zanoni: YEAH. >> Roy: OR THEY DO A COMMITTEE OR A BOARD OR SOMETHING, THEN IT'S BETTER THAN NOTHING. >> Zanoni: RIGHT. YEAH. >> Roy: SO I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE US TO LOOK AT THAT. >> Zanoni: OKAY. THIS IS GOOD FEEDBACK FROM THE COUNCIL SO... >> Roy: THANK YOU. COUNCILMA N CANTU? >> Cantu: ONE LAST THING, I'M 100% WITH CAROLYN, WHAT SHE SAID. WE DO NEED TO FIND SOLUTIONS FOR THIS HOUSELESS COMMUNITY. WE'RE GOING TO FIND YOU GUYS HELP, I PROMISE YOU THAT. WE'RE GOING TO FIGURE OUT THIS BUDGET THIS YEAR AND WE'RE GOING TO PUT SOME MONEY FOR THE HOUSELESS COMMUNITY, BECAUSE YOU GUYS NEED HELP AND THE CITY'S NOT HELPING YOU. SO I JUST WANTED TO VOICE MY CONCERNS. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, DAN. OKAY. ITEM -- DID WE -- >> [OFF MIC] >> Mayor Guajardo: OH, I'M SORRY. TONY, COME ON UP. >> TONY REYES, CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS. FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU. OKAY, FOR STEPPING UP AND HELPING OUR COMMUNITY. WE'RE NOW ABLE TO GET CASE WORKERS. LET ME TELL YOU WHAT OUR TAG LINE IS. CARING SOLUTION TRANSITION. Y'ALL ARE CARING, WHICH HELPS US TO CARE FOR OTHERS. WE'RE BRINGING SOLUTION TO PEOPLE THAT ARE OUT THERE CRYING, SAYING WHERE IS THE HELP? WHERE DO I GO GET THE HELP? HOW DO I GET THE HELP? NOW WE'RE IN POSITION. YOU PUT US IN POSITION TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. AND THEN YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THE TRANSITION. AND THE TRANSITION IS, OUR COMMUNITY IS GOING TO GET BETTER. BUT WE HAVE TO GET OUR NONPROFITS INVOLVED. SO IT IS IMPORTANT THAT A COMMITTEE OR SOMETHING GETS TOGETHER, SO WE CAN GET INVOLVED TOGETHER. I THINK I'VE GOT SOME SCHEDULED MEETINGS WITH SOME COUNCILMEMBERS AND ALSO WITH THE MAYOR, AND I WOULD LOVE TO DISCUSS THAT. AND I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A FORUM WITH ALL THE COUNCILMEMBERS WITH OUR NONPROFITS, THAT WAY YOU HAVE AN IDEA WHAT'S OUT THERE AND HOW WE CAN COMMUNICATE TO OTHERS. RIGHT? BECAUSE EVERYTHING'S INVOLVED, DISASTERS HEAT JUST FOR EXAMPLE, WE'RE GOING TO BE GIVING OUT 300 FANS IN JUNE. ALL RIGHT. OUR PARTNER HERE IS GOING TO PROVIDE SOME HOT DOGS, AND MAYBE EVEN SOME HAIRCUTS. SO WE'RE PARTNERING UP WITH PEOPLE AND MAKING IT HAPPEN. AND NOW WE JUST NEED TO COMMUNICATE. BECAUSE THERE'S SOME GREAT ORGANIZATIONS OUT THERE, WE JUST NEED TO GET THEM TOGETHER AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ALL IN LINE. >> Mayor Guajardo: AND MR. REYES, JUST TO ADDRESS THE COUNCILWOMAN'S CONCERN -- OR YOUR QUESTION, YOUR MISSION 9-1-1 IS ABSOLUTELY ABLE TO ADMINISTER AND CARRY OUT THE FULL AMOUNT? >> YES. WE'RE IN POSITION. >> Mayor Guajardo: GREAT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: YEAH, THANK YOU. YOU WANT TO MAKE A MOTION? YEAH? ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENT? OKAY. WE'LL GO AHEAD AND CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. WE HAVE A MOTION? >> SECOND. >> Mayor Guajardo: AND WE HAVE A SECOND. PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR VOTE.MR. SCO? >> Scott: YES. >> City Secretary: OKAY. >> Mayor Guajardo: THE MOTION -- YEAH. THE MOTION CARRIES. OKAY. OKAY. THE LAST ITEM PULLED WAS ITEM NUMBER 12 AN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT CHAPTER 12.5 OF THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES TO MODIFY AUDIT STANDARDS AND MAKE OTHER EDITS. COUNCILMAN HERNANDEZ, WAS THAT YOU? WAS THAT -- YEAH. OKAY. GO AHEAD. OH, GO AHEAD, COUNCILMAN HERNANDEZ? >> Hernandez: OKAY. I DIDN'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON YOUR PARTICULAR MOTION. I AGREE WITH ALL THE CHANGES THAT YOU HAD MADE, SOME UPDATES TO THE 12.5. HOWEVER, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 12.5-3, AUDIT COMMITTEE. COULD YOU PASS THAT DOWN? AND IT IS SECTION A, THE AUDIT COMMITTEE WILL PROVIDE GUIDANCE TO THE CITY AUDITOR'S OFFICE IN THE PERFORMANCE OF ITSABLE. THE AUDIT COMMITTEE WILL CONSIST OF FOUR COUNCILMEMBERS AND THEN I STRIKE OUT APPOINTED AND PUT SELECTED BY THE MAYOR AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH COUNCIL TERM. ARE YOU -- TO BE APPROVED BY THE MAJORITY OF COUNCIL. THE MAJOR SHALL APPOINT THE COUNCILMEMBERS AS -- ONE OF THE COUNCILMEMBERS AS THE CHAIRMAN. MAYOR OR MAJORITY OF COUNCIL MAY -- SCRATCH OUT CHANGE THE MEMBERSHIP -- REPLACE WITH A NEW MEMBER OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE AT ANY TIME. IF THE MEMBER'S REMOVED, THE MAYOR WILL SELECT A NEW MEMBER TO BE APPROVED BY THE MAJORITY OF COUNCIL. I MAKE THAT MOTION FOR THE AMENDMENT. >> Campos: I SECOND. COUNCILMA N ROY? >> Roy: COUNCILMEMBER GIL HERNANDEZ, DID YOU -- THE LAST SENTENCE, ARE YOU -- DID YOU -- IS THAT OKAY? ARE YOU IN AGREEMENT WITH THE LAST SENTENCE? >> Hernandez: YES. THAT IS PART OF THE ORIGINAL THINGS. WHATEVER. >> Roy: OKAY. >> Hernandez: WHATEVER IS IN BLACK IS THE ORIGINAL WORDING IN THAT PARAGRAPH. EVERYTHING IN RED IS WHAT IS ADDED. >> Roy: OKAY. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU WERE OKAY WITH ITS ENTIRETY. >> Hernandez: THAT'S THE ORIGINAL. >> Roy: OKAY. THANK YOU. COUNCILMA N CANTU? >> Cantu: GIL, I'M A LITTLE CONFUSED. SO WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE AGAIN? THE RED IS WHAT YOU WANT TO CHANGE RIGHT? >> Hernandez: THAT'S CORRECT. >> Cantu: SO THE MAYOR APPOINTS, IF THE COUNCIL DOESN'T LIKE WHAT'S GOING ON WITH HER APPOINTEE, COUNCIL REMOVES -- I DON'T UNDERSTAND. >> Hernandez: OKAY. SO THE INITIAL APPOINTMENTS ARE RIGHT AFTER THE ELECTION AND THE MAYOR SELECTS THEM AND ASSIGNS A CHAIRMAN. HOWEVER, THIS IS ADDING A COMPONENT OF COUNCIL PARTICIPATION, IF COUNCIL AS A WHOLE DOES NOT APPROVE OF THE MEMBERS SELECTED, WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISAGREE WITH THE MAYOR AND SHE CAN RESELECT A DIFFERENT COUNCILMEMBER. >> Cantu: GOT IT. THANK YOU. COUNCILMA N BARRERA? >> Barrera: MILES, YOUR THOUGHTS? I MEAN, ANY -- MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THERE'S SUPPOSED TO BE ANY CHANGES, THIS IS A CHARTER -- THIS IS A -- YEAH, THIS IS -- THE AUDIT COMMITTEE IS DRIVEN BY CHARTER. >> Risley: YEAH, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO THE LEGAL -- TO STAFF FOR US TO SEE, SO -- AND TO COUNCIL. >> Campos: SO IT -- >> Barrera: SO IS IT PERMISSIBLE? I KNOW WHAT THE COUNCILMAN IS TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH. I MEAN, I CAN ONLY MAKE AN ASSUMPTION, BUT I'M JUST WONDERING IF IT'S PERMISSIBLE? I MEAN, IF THE COUNCIL WANTS TO MOVE A CERTAIN WAY, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT. >> Risley: THE CHARTER PROVISION ON THIS IS -- LET ME PULL THAT UP. >> Hernandez: NO, THIS IS AN ORDINANCE. >> Risley: YEAH, BUT THERE IS A CHARTER PROVISION ON THE AUDITOR AS WELL. THAT'S WHAT COUNCILMAN BARRERA'S ASKING. >> Barrera: BECAUSE THE CHARTER SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT IT'S THE MAYORS, AND THEN IF THERE'S GOING TO BE A CHANGE SUCH AS THIS DOES IT GO BACK TO A REFERENDUM. BECAUSE THE YELLOW BOOK VERSUS RED BOOK IS BASICALLY THAT WE'RE GOING TO ADOPT A STRICTER STANDARD, THEN THAT FALLS IN LINE WITH THE CHARTER -- OR THIS WAS THE RESULT OF THE RE REFERENDUM OF THE VOTERS. >> Risley: SECTION 29 OF THE CITY AUDITOR, THE CITY COUNCIL SHALL APPOINT A CITY AUDITOR. THE CITY AUDITOR MAY BE REMOVED BY ONLY A MAJORITY OF THE CITY COUNCIL. THE CITY AUDITOR SHALL REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND HAVE SUCH DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND STAFF AS DETERMINED BY ORDINANCE INCLUDING THE RESPONSIBILITY TO CONDUCT OR CAUSE TO BE CONDUCTED FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE, INVESTIGATIVE AND OTHER AUDITS FOLLOWING GOVERNMENTAL AUDITING STANDARDS AS PROMULGATED BY THE -- WHICH MANDATES THE YELLOW BOOK. BUT IT DOESN'T MANDATE THE APPOINTEES OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE. >> Barrera: YEAH, BUT WHAT DOES THE CHARTER SAY. >> Risley: THAT IS THE CHARTER PROVISION. THAT IS THE TWO ITEMS IN THE CHARTER PROVISION REGARDING THE CITY AUDITOR. >> Barrera: SO THIS WOULD BE PERMISSIBLE. >> Risley: THERE IS NOTHING THAT MAKES THAT CHANGE IMPERMISSIBLE IN THE CITY CHARTER. >> Barrera: WELL, COUNCILMAN HERNANDEZ, I'D LIKE TO REQUEST AN ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINION BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD. >> Hernandez: YOU CAN ASK FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL POSITION AFTERWARDS. >> Barrera: OKAY. NO WORRIES. I MEAN, LESS WORK FOR ME. >> Risley: WELL, IT'S WITH THE -- >> Hernandez: THIS IS JUST CHANGING THE ORDINANCE, IT'S NOT CHANGING THE MAKEUP OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE. >> Barrera: DID YOU CONSULT WITH THE -- ANY -- DID YOU GET A LEGAL OPINION WHEN YOU DID THIS? >> Hernandez: THIS IS AN ORDINANCE LANGUAGE. I DON'T NEED. >> Barrera: SO THAT MEANS NO? >> Hernandez: I DON'T NEED TO HAVE A LEGAL OPINION ON IT. >> Barrera: OKAY. >> Mayor Guajardo: SO THIS WOULD ALLOW THE COUNCIL TO REMOVE A MEMBER AND REPLACE IT WITH? >> Hernandez: NO, THE COUNCIL WOULD NOT REPLACE ANYBODY. THE SELECTION IS SOLELY IN THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MAYOR. THE COUNCIL IS JUST LIKE A CONFIRMATION. IT'S LIKE WHEN THE. >> Mayor Guajardo: WELL, THAT'S DIFFERENT, THEN, THOUGH, I THINK. THAT'S DIFFERENT THEN. >> Hernandez: RIGHT. >> Mayor Guajardo: BECAUSE THE BEGINNING -- JUST FOR CONTEXT, THE BEGINNING OF EVERY YEAR, EVERY MAYOR APPOINTS FOUR PEOPLE TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE, FOUR PEOPLE TO THE MUNICIPAL COURT COMMITTEE. >> Hernandez: CORRECT. >> Mayor Guajardo: SO IF YOU'RE SAYING ANY ONE WOULD HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO REMOVE SOMEONE -- >> Hernandez: , NO THEAS NOT WHAT THIS SAYS. >> Barrera: YEAH, IT IS. >> Mayor Guajardo: THE COUNCIL. >> Hernandez: IT SAYS THE MAJORITY OF COUNCIL CAN REMOVE SOMEONE. >> Mayor Guajardo: RIGHT. SAME DIFFERENCE. THEN WHO ARE YOU REPLACING, BECAUSE EVERYONE IS APPOINTED ALREADY. >> Hernandez: I'M NOT REPLACING ANYONE. THIS IS CHANGING THE LANGUAGE OF THE ORDINANCE. IT'S NOT CHANGING THE MAKEUP OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE AT ALL. THIS IS JUST CHANGING THE LANGUAGE OF THE ORDINANCE. IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT YOU WOULD SELECT THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. IT JUST -- THERE'S -- >> Mayor Guajardo: NO, I UNDERSTAND THAT. >> Hernandez: THERE'S A CHECK AND BALANCE. IT'S LIKE WHEN THE PRESIDENT NOMINATES SOMEBODY FOR THE SUPREME COURT AND IS CONFIRMED BY THE SENATE. IT'S VERY SIMILAR. >> Mayor Guajardo: BUT IF A MEMBER IS REMOVED, THE MAYOR WILL SELECT A NEW MEMBER TO BE APPROVED BY A MAJORITY OF THE COUNCIL. EVERYONE IS APPOINTED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, SO TO BE ABLE TO SELECT A NEW PERSON, I'D HAVE TO PULL THEM OFF FROM THIS -- I MEAN, WE'RE PLAYING MUSICAL CHAIRS. >> Hernandez: WELL, YOU HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO THAT ANYWAY. RIGHT NOW AS IT'S WRITTEN, YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO CHANGE A MEMBER AT WILL AT ANY TIME. >> Mayor Guajardo: RIGHT. >> Hernandez: SO THAT HASN'T CHANGED. >> Mayor Guajardo: RIGHT. BUT THEN YOU HAVE EIGHT PEOPLE THAT HAVE THAT SAME -- SO IT COULD BECOME VERY MESSY WITH -- WELL, I DON'T THINK THAT PERSON SHOULD BE ON THIS COMMITTEE VERSUS THAT. I MEAN, THAT COULD HAPPEN ALL DAY. COUNCILWOMAN -- I'M SORRY, COUNCILWOMAN PAXSON, ACTUALLY, YOU WERE FIRST. >> Paxson: THANK YOU, MAYOR. IF I'M UNDERSTANDING, GIL, WHAT YOU WERE ANSWERING TO COUNCILMAN CANTU, THE WAY I READ THIS IS THE B BACKBONE OF THE WAY THE COMMITTEE IS ASSIGNED IS THE MAYOR. THE MAYOR APPOINTS. >> Paxson: BUT MY FIRST TIME, I WAS TOLD I'M APPOINTED AND I SHOW UP AT THE MEETINGS. THAT WAS THAT. THIS APPOINTMENT COMES BEFORE THE DAIS AND MUST REQUIRE THE MAJORITY VOTE. AT THAT POINT THERE COULD BE DISCUSSION. THERE MAY NOT BE DISCUSSION, BUT THERE COULD. INVERSELY, RIGHT NOW, IT DOESN'T CHANGE THAT THE MAYOR COULD SAY, I WANT TO CHANGE IN THE COMMITTEE THAT I'VE SELECTED AND SO I'M GOING TO COME BACK TO COUNCIL AND SAY, I'M PROPOSING A CHANGE, KIND OF LIKE THERE'S BEEN OTHER COMMITTEES RECENTLY THAT HAVE HAD CHANGES TO THEM. BUT THIS COULD ALSO BE TRIGGERED BY THE COUNCIL. >> Hernandez: THAT'S CORRECT. >> Paxson: AND I THINK TO THE COMMENT THAT THIS COULD CAUSE -- I THINK YOU USED THE PHRASE "MUSICAL CHAIRS," I THINK IT WOULD BE INCUMBENT ON WHOEVER SAID THERE'S AN ISSUE, I THINK WE NEED TO ADDRESS IT, I IMAGINE THEY WOULD STILL NEED THE SUPPORT OF THREE PEOPLE TO BRING IT FORWARD POTENTIALLY, AND THEN THEY WOULD HAVE TO WIN THE MAJORITY VOTE. SO THERE'S STILL THOSE CHECKS AND BALANCES, SO IT'S NOT JUST MUSICAL CHAIRS, IT JUST BECOMES LIKE ANOTHER COMMITTEE. >> Hernandez: THAT'S CORRECT. >> Paxson: THANK YOU YOU. >> Hernandez: IT'S NOT REQUESTED TO MAKE ANY CHANGES, IT'S -- WHAT IT IS IS REQUESTING FOR THE COUNCIL TO HAVE CHECKS AND BALANCES, THAT'S ALL. COUNCILMA N ROY? >> Roy: DIDYEAH, SO IF I UNDERSTAND THIS, I JUST WANT TO -- AGAIN, I'M TRYING TO LOOK AT -- MAYBE GIL, MAYBE YOU COULD ANSWER, WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE -- WHAT WAS YOUR INTENT BEHIND THE CHANGE, IN OTHER WORDS? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING IN TERMS OF WHAT IS GOING TO IMPROVE THIS BY PUTTING THIS IN PLACE? COUNCILMA N, PUT YOUR -- GO AHEAD. >> Hernandez: OKAY. SO THIS IS JUST SIMPLE, YOU KNOW, THOUGHT PROCESS THAT, YOU KNOW, AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS TERM THERE WAS SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHO WAS ON THE -- ON DIFFERENT COMMITTEES. AND THERE WAS SOME -- BUT THERE WAS NO RECOURSE FOR ANYBODY ON COUNCIL TO MAKE ANY REQUESTS OR CHANGES WITH -- BECAUSE THERE WAS JUST NO RECOURSE. IT WAS ALL THE MAYOR MAKING THE SELECTION. SO IF THERE WAS ANY -- YOU KNOW, IF WE HAD ANY PROBLEMS, WE JUST DIDN'T HAVE ANY OPPORTUNITY. THERE WAS NOT EVEN ANY OPPORTUNITY WITHIN THE -- WITHIN THE ORDINANCE IF THE COUNCIL BROUGHT IT TO THE FULL COUNCIL TO DISCUSS BECAUSE THE ORDINANCE SPECIFICALLY SAYS IT'S THE MAYOR AND SOLELY THE MAYOR. SO, YOU KNOW, THIS IS -- JUST PROVIDES SOME OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT. I WOULD -- WANTED TO DO THIS ONE FIRST, SINCE IT WAS COMING UP ON THE AGENDA, BUT THIS COULD ALSO BE SOMETHING DONE FOR THE MUNICIPAL COURT COMMITTEE AS WELL. >> Roy: YEAH, BECAUSE BASICALLY, WE HAVE -- THERE'S ONLY TWO COMMITTEES THAT YOU'RE PLACED ON. >> Hernandez: RIGHT. >> Roy: SO IF YOU'RE SAYING, FOR EXAMPLE, IF SOMEONE WAS PUT ON THE MUNICIPAL BUT REALLY WANTED TO BE ON THE AUDIT, RIGHT NOW THE AVENUE FOR THAT IS TO GO TO THE MAYOR AND SAY, HEY, I REALLY WANTED TO BE PUT ON THE AUDIT COMMITTEE. I DON'T -- YOU KNOW, THE JUDICIAL COMMITTEE'S NOT MY THING, WHATEVER, SO YOU COULD HAVE THAT DISCUSSION OR IF YOU'RE SAYING IF THE MAYOR STOOD FIRM AND SAID, NOPE, YOU'RE GOING TO BE WHERE I PUT YOU, THEN YOU'RE SAYING, WE HAVE THIS ADDITIONAL ABILITY TO GO AND GET THREE VOTES AND HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT IT. >> Hernandez: YES. IT DOESN'T GUARANTEE ANYTHING, IT'S JUST A DISCUSSION FOR THE FULL COUNCIL TO BE ABLE TO DO. >> Roy: OKAY. BUT WHAT HAPPENS IF I SAY I DON'T WANT TO BE ON THE JUDICIAL COMMITTEE, I WANT TO BE BACK ON AUDIT, AND NOBODY WANTS TO GIVE UP THEIR AUDIT SEAT. YOU CAN'T HAVE -- >> Mayor Guajardo: THAT'S WHAT I WAS SAYING. >> Roy: SO HOW DO YOU HANDLE THAT SITUATION. >> Hernandez: THAT'S TRUE. THAT HAS TO BE A DECISION OF THE FULL COUNCIL. IT'S NOT JUST AN INDIVIDUAL COUNCIL. >> Roy: SO THEN COUNCIL WOULD SAY, THAT'S TOO BAD, YOU'RE COMING ON BECAUSE EVERETT WANTS TO BE ON THE AUDIT COMMITTEE BECAUSE HE'S A BANKEBANKER AND HE'S ON JUDICIAL, SO THAT'S TOO BAD, I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND BUMP SYLVIA OVER TO JUDICIAL. >> Hernandez: AGAIN. THAT WOULD BE THE VOTE OF THE FULL COUNCIL IN AGREEING WITH THAT. IT'S NOT SOME PERSONAL ONE INDIVIDUAL THAT DOESN'T LIKE SOMETHING. OBVIOUSLY YOU HAVE TO GET FIVE PEOPLE TO VOTE WITH YOU. >> Roy: ALL RIGHT. COUNCILWO MAN VAUGHN? >> Vaughn: OKAY. I'M ALL ABOUT TRANSPARENCY AND HONESTY HERE, SO THERE'S SOMETHING UNDERLYING WITH THIS RIGHT HERE, AND I JUST THINK WE NEED TO BE HONEST, WHATEVER IT IS. WHY YOU WANT TO CHANGE SOMETHING. I GET WHAT YOU'RE DOING, BUT I THINK THIS -- IF YOU'RE GOING TO -- WHAT I'M SEEING IS IF SOMEONE WERE TO BE REMOVED, Y'ALL ARE JUST SAYING YOU CAN DO IT. YOU HAVE TO HAVE CAUSE. AND SO TO ME, IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS, YOU HAVE TO PROVE CAUSE BEFORE YOU REMOVE SOMEBODY BECAUSE SHE HAS THE AUTHORITY RIGHT NOW TO APPOINT WHATEVER. >> Hernandez: AND CHANGE. >> Vaughn: AND CHANGE, AND SHE CAN CHANGE IT ANY TIME SHE WANTS TO. >> Hernandez: WITHOUT CAUSE. >> Vaughn: OKAY. SO YOU'RE SAYING YOU HAVE A REASON TO THINK THAT SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE REMOVED WITH CAUSE OR WITHOUT CAUSE. I DON'T KNOW. >> Hernandez: WELL, YOU'D HAVE TO DEFINE WHAT CAUSE IS, RIGHT? >> Vaughn: OH, GOD, YOU SOUND LIKE A LAWYER. >> Hernandez: THE FACT -- I DIDN'T CHANGE WHAT THE MAYOR COULD DO. SO THE MAYOR CAN CHANGE ANYBODY AT ANY TIME. SO SHE COULD SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT? I DON'T LIKE YOU, COUNCILWOMAN VAUGHN, I'M GOING TO MOVE YOU FROM THIS COMMITTEE TO THE NEXT, BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE YOU IN THAT ONE. THAT IS ALREADY ALLOWED WITHIN THE ORDINANCE AS IT'S WRITTEN. SHE COULD CHANGE YOU AT ANY MOMENT. SO I MEAN, IF -- THE THING IS I DIDN'T -- I DIDN'T CHANGE THAT BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE A REASON TO REMOVE SOMEBODY. >> Vaughn: YEAH, I DON'T -- >> Hernandez: NOT JUST WILLY-NILLY LIKE IT'S WRITTEN NOW. SO IF YOU HAVE THE FULL VOTE OF COUNCIL WITH REGARDS TO IT, THEN IT'S NO LONGER WILLY-NILLY, YOU HAVE TO HAVE -- YOU HAVE TO MAKE YOUR CASE IN FRONT OF COUNCIL. >> Vaughn: I JUST DON'T LIKE THE WAY IT'S WORDED. I'M THROUGH FOR RIGHT NOW. COUNCILMA N -- ACTUALLY, COUNCILMAN SCOTT HAS A COMMENT. HOW DO WE GET HIM ON? >> City Secretary: JUST SHOW HIM ON THE SCREEN. >> Scott: I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT BEING THERE. SO THIS SEEMS TO ME LIKE IT'S A SOLUTION IN SEARCH OF A PROBLEM, NUMBER ONE. NUMBER TWO, IT ALWAYS ALARMS ME WHEN PEOPLE ARE HANDING OUT THINGS AT A COUNCIL MEETING THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PASSED OUT THE DAY BEFORE OR SENT TO THE CITY MANAGER, CITY SECRETARY TO SHARE WITH THE COUNCIL, THEN WE WOULD H ALL HAVE TIME TO DELIBERATE. THIRD, IF IT IS REMOVAL, I THINK IT SHOULD BE A MUCH HIGHER BAR THAN FIVE COUNCILMEMBERS. I THINK IT SHOULD BE 2/3 VOTE. I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD EVEN -- I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE DEALING WITH THIS TODAY. IF THIS IS SO IMPORTANT, THEN WE ALL SHOULD HAVE TIME TO FLUSH IT OUT. THAT'S JUST MY TAKE. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. >> Hernandez: AND MAYOR, THIS IS AN ORDINANCE UPDATE. SO THERE'S TWO READINGS; IS THAT CORRECT, MILES? SO WE HAVE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY NEXT WEEK TO HAVE MORE DISCUSSION ON THIS, IF NEEDED, SO KNOWING THAT IT WAS A TWO-READING ORDINANCE THAT WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE MULTIPLE DISCUSSIONS WITH IT BETWEEN NOW AND THEN. AND WE'VE DONE THIS MANY TIMES. WE'VE APPROVED AUDIT -- I MEAN, AMENDMENTS AND THEN -- AND THEN BROUGHT BACK -- STAFF BROUGHT BACHUS MORE INFORMATION THE FOLLOWING WEEK. SO I THINK SINCE THIS IS A TWO READING ORDINANCE, IT WOULD SUFFICE TO ANSWER COUNCILMAN SCOTT'S CONCERNS. >> Mayor Guajardo: AND MAN BARRERA? >> Barrera: SO WHAT PROBLEM ARE WE TRYING TO SOLVE? >> Mayor Guajardo: YEAH. GOOD QUESTION. >> Barrera: YEAH. IT'S YOUR AMENDMENT. >> Hernandez: I GOT TURNED OFF. OKAY. SO THIS WAS -- THIS KIND OF CAME ABOUT DURING THE FIRST INITIAL APPOINTMENTS THAT -- WELL, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE LOOKED AT THE APPOINTMENTS, WELL, IS THERE ANY RECOURSE FOR COUNCIL TO DO ANYTHING? AND THERE WAS NONE. SO THAT KIND OF DIDN'T SIT WELL WITH ME, SO I -- YOU KNOW, I THOUGHT ABOUT IT, I SAID OKAY, THIS WOULD BE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE SOME OF THE ORDINANCE SINCE THE ORDINANCE IS BEING UPDATED, TO INCLUDE SOME LANGUAGE FOR SOME, YOU KNOW, DISCUSSION AND WILL OF THE COUNCIL TYPE THING, AS OPPOSED TO HAVE ONE INDIVIDUAL MAKE THE UNILATERAL AUTHORITY ON THIS. SO THAT -- THIS IS SIMPLE PROCESS OF CONFIRMATION, JUST SIMPLE -- SOMETHING LIKE I SAID, WHEN A PRESIDENT APPOINTS THE SUPREME COURT JUSTICE, THERE'S A CHECK AND BALANCE WITH THE SENATE. THIS IS NO DIFFERENT. >> Barrera: SO YOU'VE BEEN HERE SEVEN YEARS, AND NOW YOU FEEL THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE MADE A CHANGE ON THE AUDIT COMMITTEE, NO SUGGESTION FOR MUNICIPAL COURT. SO THAT'S -- ONCE AGAIN, I STILL HAVEN'T FIGURED OUT WHAT IT IS -- THE PROBLEM IS YOU'RE TRYING TO -- >> Hernandez: I SAID THAT MUNICIPAL COURT SHOULD HAVE THE SAME ASPECT. >> Barrera: YOU DIDN'T. YOU HAVEN'T RECOMMENDED THAT. IN SEVEN YEARS -- >> Hernandez: I HAVEN'T WRITTEN IT. >> Barrera: AS ONE OF THE SENIOR COUNCILMEMBERS WHO SITS ALONGSIDE YOU, I'M JUST CURIOUS, BECAUSE ONCE AGAIN, OTHER THAN TRYING TO BE AS MARK CALLED IT A SOLUTION IN SEARCH OF A PROBLEM, WHAT -- WHAT PROBLEM IS IT THAT WE'RE TRYING TO RESOLVE THAT WE WOULD -- THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE COUNCIL WOULD WANT TO OVERTURN -- NOT SUPPORT HER -- THE MAYOR'S APPOINTMENT. SECONDLY, IF THAT COMMITTEE HAS SERVED AND THEN -- WHAT IS IT -- THAT COMMITTEE HAS SERVED, NOT TO THE PLEASURE OF THE MAJORITY OF THE COUNCIL, THEN THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO OVERTURN THAT FROM THE MAYOR. SO THAT'S -- I'M JUST WONDERING WHERE IS IT THAT YOU SEE THAT THAT NEEDS TO BE A PURPOSE? IS IT HYPOTHETICALLY FOR IN THE FUTURE? IS IT THAT YOU FEEL THAT THERE'S A PROBLEM RIGHT NOW WITH THE COMMITTEE? IS IT YOU FEEL THERE WAS A PROBLEM THAT WASN'T RESOLVED IN THE LAST COMMITTEE? >> Hernandez: YOU KNOW, YOU'RE TRYING TO ASPIRE SOME SORT OF NEFARIOUS PURPOSE FOR MY WANTING TO DO THIS. >> Barrera: NOT AT ALL, THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING QUESTIONS. >> Hernandez: IF YOU'D ALLOW ME TO ANSWER. >> Barrera: NO, YOU MADE A STATEMENT ABOUT MY INTENT, AND I'M TELLING YOU THAT'S WRONG. >> Hernandez: WHAT ARE YOU SAYING ABOUT MY INTENT. >> Barrera: THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING. >> Hernandez: THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING FOR A CHECK AND BALANCE, THAT'S ALL THIS IS INCLUDING, AS OPPOSED TO HAVING A UNILATERAL DECISION BY ONE INDIVIDUAL. THIS IS -- CONFIRMS THE WILL OF THE COUNCIL, NOT JUST ONE INDIVIDUAL. THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH HAVING CHECKS AND BALANCES. >> Barrera: AND MILES, HOW LONG HAS THIS -- HOW LONG HAS, I GUESS, THE REFERENDUM WAS APPROVED BY THE VOTERS WHEN TO BE ABLE TO CREATE THE AUDIT COMMITTEE? >> Risley: THE LAST ACTION ON THAT SECTION THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT THAT IS BEING PROPOSED FOR CHANGE WAS IN 2013. >> Barrera: OKAY. >> Risley: BUT I CAN'T TELL YOU EXACTLY WHAT THE CHANGE WAS IN '13. IT JUST HAS THAT NOTE. >> Barrera: SO I STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT PROBLEM YOU'RE TRYING TO SOLVE. JUST -- I MEAN -- YEAH, OTHER THAN TO MAKE A CHANGE -- DO YOU PLAN ON MAKING A CHANGE ANY TIME SOON? >> Hernandez: THIS IS ONLY CHANGE IN LANGUAGE IN THE AUDIT COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS. THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE EXISTING AUDIT COMMITTEE. BUT IT DOES PROVIDE CHECKS AND BALANCES FOR THIS -- ON THE SELECTION OF THIS COMMITTEE. NOW, MY INTENT IS TO ALSO INCLUDE THIS KIND OF LANGUAGE FOR THE MUNICIPAL COURT COMMITTEE. I JUST -- YOU KNOW, YOU'VE GOT TO DO THINGS ONE AT A TIME. >> Risley: AND LIKE I SAID, THIS IS A TWO-READING ORDINANCE. >> Roy: WHAT DO YOU THINK THE REASON IS, ROLAND. >> Barrera: I DON'T WANT TO SPECULATE. >> Roy: I'M SURE YOU NOTE. >> Mayor Guajardo: CAN YOU TURN YOUR LIGHT ON, COUNCILMAN? >> Mayor Guajardo: ALL RIGHT. >> Barrera: I DIDN'T KNOW WE WERE GOING TO HAVE A DEBATE. >> Mayor Guajardo: ARE YOU DONE? >> Barrera: I'M JUST CURIOUS WITH HIS FRUSTRATION WITH HOW MY LEADERSHIP IS. >> Cantu: BECAUSE YOU'RE A BULLY MAN. THAT'S THE TRUTH. >> Mayor Guajardo: STOP, COUNCILMAN. STOP. >> Paxson: COUNCILWOMAN VAUGHN, YOUR POINT ABOUT THE CAUSE? I SEE IN THE BLACK THAT CAUSE ISN'T WRITTEN PRESENTLY, AND BEING THAT WE DO HAVE TWO READINGS, PERHAPS IF WE PASS THIS, WE CAN GO BACK AND ADD SOMETHING LIKE THAT WITH SOME ADVICE OR SOMETHING PERHAPS, BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S A VALID -- LIKE TO ME, THAT REGISTERS, THAT MAKES SENSE, BUT I ALSO SEE THAT IT'S NOT INCLUDED PRESENTLY. SO I'M KIND OF SPLIT BETWEEN THOSE TWO CONCEPTS ON THAT. I LIKE THAT WE HAVE THAT DOUBLE READING SO WE CAN GO BACK, IF WE NEEDED TO DO THAT. BUT TO ME, IF I SEE THIS, WHICH THIS IS A NEW DOCUMENT, JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, THIS IS OPENING THE PROCESS UP TO THE FULL COUNCIL, AND THAT IS IT. IT IS A MATTER OF PROCESS. IT IS NOT -- I DO NOT INTERPRET THIS AS ANYTHING FURTHER, LOOKING FOR ISSUES. IT'S OPENING THE PROCESS. I THINK THAT ALL DAY TODAY AND QUITE FRANK LYSINS I'VE BEEN ELECTED, THE PUBLIC HAS ASKED FOR MORE TRANSPARENCY, MORE ACCESS TO DECISION-MAKING, A MORE UNILATERAL AND COHESIVE FORM OF MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNMENT, AND TO ME, THIS ALIGNS WITH THAT PURPOSE. SO I WOULD SUPPORT THIS FOR THE MUNICIPAL COMMITTEE AS WELL. I THINK THAT THAT'S WHAT THIS IS DOING, THE NUTS AND BOLTS. IT MAKES IT LIKE ANY OTHER COMMITTEE. IF WE HAD AN ISSUE, WE CAN POWWOW AND WE CAN SAY, HEY, I THINK THERE'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS ALIGNED DIFFERENTLY, OR MAYBE LIKE COUNCILMEMBER ROY SAID, I'M A BANKER, I SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON AUDIT COMMITTEE. YOU KNOW, HE COULD MAKE THAT REQUEST, SOMETHING LIKE THAT. SO TO ME, IT ALIGNS WITH TRANSPARENCY AND A MORE UNILATERAL EQUAL FORM OF GOVERNMENT. I THINK THERE'S A MOTION ON THE FLOOR. AND SO IF -- CAN SHE -- CAN SHE ADD, BECAUSE I ASKED HER A DIRECT QUESTION. CAN SHE ANSWER THAT REAL QUICK, COUNCILMEMBER VAUGHN? >> Vaughn: I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE WAY THIS IS WRITTEN. I DON'T LIKE THIS. I THINK IT -- YOU CAN JUST THROW SOMEBODY OFF WITHOUT ANY REASON. I'M NOT GLOING TO DO THAT. NOW, IF YOU WANT TO REWORD IT, IF THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE CONCERNED ABOUT, BUT I THINK THE MAYOR, THE COUNCIL, ANYBODY SHOULD HAVE A CAUSE BEFORE YOU GET RID OF ANYBODY. I DON'T LIKE THAT. IN BISES, YOU DON'T DO THAT, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A CAUSE AND YOU HAVE TO PROVE WHAT IT IS. >> Paxson: SO COULD WE THEN -- >> Vaughn: I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU GUYS JUST DON'T TABLE IT. >> Mayor Guajardo: RIGHT. >> Vaughn: REWRITE IT, REWORD IT, DISCUSS IT AND BRING IT BACK. WHAT'S IT GOING TO HURT? YOU HAVE TWO READINGS. I DON'T WANT TO PASS IT WITH A READING LIKE THIS AND VOTE FOR THIS. I'M JUST SAYING TABLE IT AND COME BACK AND REWORD IT. DON'T GET FRUSTRATED. I WANT TO BE SURE WHEN I'M VOTING FOR SOMETHING, AND I'M NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR SOMETHING THAT DOES NOT TELL ME THAT A PERSON CAN JUST GET THROWN OFF OF ANYTHING JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T LIKE THEM. >> Mayor Guajardo: WELL, AND COUNCILWOMAN VAUGHN, THIS IS SOMETHING -- I'M NOT SURE WHY THE COUNCILMAN DIDN'T GIVE ME A CALL AND SAY, HEY, MAYOR, I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THIS, I WANT TO TALK WITH YOU ABOUT IT. THIS WAS THROWN OUT HERE IN THIS MOMENT, AND THAT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE ON COUNCIL WHEN STAFF DOESN'T INCLUDE A PRESENTATION OR STAFF DOESN'T INCLUDE SOME SORT OF INFORMATION THAT THEY WANT MORE TIME TO RESEARCH AND LOOK AT. SO IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE AN ITEM ON THIS AGENDA TODAY IS ABOUT SCALING BACK MEETINGS. IT'S ABOUT LET'S NOT MEET EVERY WEEK, LET'S MEET TWICE A MONTH. WELL, TO DO THAT, YOU HAVE TO BE -- YOU HAVE TO HAVE A VERY EFFICIENT MEETING. AND SO WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS IS THROWN ON AND THIS IS VERY AWKWARD BECAUSE IT'S HAS TO DO WITH ME, I'M SORRY, I AGREE WITH COUNCILWOMAN VAUGHN. YOU DON'T JUST THROW THIS OUT. AND IF YOU REALLY WANT TO WORK THIS OUT, I THINK THE COUNCILMAN SHOULD HAVE CALLED ME AND SAID, I'D LIKE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THIS. AND LET'S FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU'RE WANTING AND HOW WE CAN WORK IT OUT AND FIND THE RIGHT LANGUAGE. SO -- >> Paxson: MAYOR, WITH THAT -- WELL, I STILL HAVE THE FLOOR. >> Mayor Guajardo: WELL, YEAH, I AGREE WITH THE TABLING FOR Y'ALL'S SAKE. >> Paxson: WHILE I STILL HAVE THE FLOOR, IT WAS PROBABLY TWO MONTHS AGO THAT I -- THAT I PERSONALLY PULLED YOU TO THE SIDE AND SAID I HAD AN ISSUE WITH A VERY SIMILAR TOPIC, AND THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION OR PATH TO RESOLUTION. AND SO WHEN I SEE THIS, IT RESONATES WITH THAT DIRECT EXPERIENCE THAT I HAD INDIVIDUALLY. SO MY QUESTION IS, IF I SKIP TO THE MIDDLE OF THE PARAGRAPH, IF WE WERE TO PUT THE MAYOR SHALL APPOINT ONE OF THE COUNCILMEMBERS AS THE CHAIRPERSON, THE NEXT SENTENCE, THE MAYOR OR MAJORITY OF COUNCIL MAY REMOVE A MEMBER OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE AT ANY TIME AND ADD FOR JUSTIFIABLE CAUSE THAT DOES NOT REFLECT AND SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE. AND THEN IF A MEMBER IS REMOVED, THE MAYOR SHALL SELECT A NEW MEMBER. DOES THAT SOUND AMENABLE FOR CAUSE? >> Mayor Guajardo: HOLD ON A SECOND. GO AHEAD. >> Vaughn: IT CERTAINLY SOUNDS BETTER THAN IT DID, BECAUSE WHAT WE WERE SAYING WAS THAT YOU COULD JUST THROW ANYBODY OFF FOR ANY REASON AT ALL. >> Paxson: RIGHT. SO IF THEY DO NOT REFLECT AND SUPPORT. >> Vaughn: I'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT. I'M NOT SAYING I DON'T WANT CHECKS AND BALANCES, BUT I JUST -- THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE AUDIT COMMITTEE. LET'S JUST SAY IT. THERE'S A PROBLEM IN THE AUDIT COMMITTEE, NOBODY IN HERE'S SAYING IT, THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE AUDIT COMMITTEE. AND WE'RE JUST SKIRTING AROUND IT. AND WE SHOULD NOT BE DOING THAT. WE SHOULD BE TRANSPARENT TO THE PUBLIC AND TELL THE TRUTH. DOES ANYBODY WANT TO TELL IT THAT'S ON THERE OR DO Y'ALL WANT ME TO DO IT. >> Mayor Guajardo: HANG ON. COUNCILMAN SCOTT HAD ASKED FOR FLOOR. YEAH, COUNCILMAN SCOTT? >> Scott: I'M GOING TO REPEAT THAT I THINK THIS LACKS SOME TRANSPARENCY. IT ALWAYS BOTHERS ME TO BE -- MAKING SAUSAGE ON THE SPOT. I THINK -- AND I -- TO ME, IF IT'S A 2/3 VOTE, I THINK THAT'S A MUCH BETTER -- I GET YOU COULD HAVE KIND OF -- I REMEMBER ONE TIME MAYOR GOT ELECTED FOR 20 DAYS AND MAYBE HE COULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING, BUT I THINK IT TAKES MORE THAN MAJORITY. THE POINT IS, THIS IS NOT READY FOR US TO DELIBERATE TODAY. I MAKE A MOTION TO TABLE THIS AMENDMENT. >> City Secretary: OKAY. THAT'S AN ORDER. IT'S A MOTION TO POSTPONE, SO IT'S AN ORDER TO DO THAT. SO -- IN ORDER TO DO THAT. IF YOU WANT TO POSTPONE, HE MADE A MOTION TO P POSTPONE, SO IF THERE'S A SECOND TO THAT, WE CAN POSTPONE IT TO -- SO THAT'S SECONDED BY MR. BARRERA. >> Mayor Guajardo: TO POSTPONE IT. >> City Secretary: YES, MA'AM. IS THERE A TIME IN PARTICULAR, MR. SCOTT OR... >> Scott: I'D LIKE FOR SOME DIRECTION. >> City Secretary: JUST LEAVE IT OPEN. >> Scott: [INDISCERNIBLE]. >> City Secretary: OKAY. >> Mayor Guajardo: WE HAVE A MOTION AND WE HAVE A SECOND. >> [OFF MIC] COUNCILWO MAN CAMPOS? >> Campos: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I ACTUALLY DO SIT ON THE AUDIT COMMITTEE, AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT I DON'T AGREE WITH THE STATEMENT ABOUT YOU NEED CAUSE TO GET OFF A COMMITTEE, BECAUSE THE MAYOR WILL, I THINK, YOU KNOW AGREE OR ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WHEN I WAS FIRST PLACED ON THE COMMITTEE, BECAUSE I WAS ON THE MUNICIPAL COURT, I SAID WHY? YOU KNOW, WHY DID YOU PUT ME? I WOULD LIKE TO, YOU KNOW, GO BACK. AND HER -- AND THERE WAS NO RECOURSE. IT WAS HER DECISION, AND THAT WAS IT. I STAYED ON THE COMMITTEE. I'M ON THE COMMITTEE NOW. I AM -- YOU KNOW, I'M GRATEFUL NOW. THANK YOU, FOR FORCING ME TO STAY ON THIS COMMITTEE AND REALLY GOING OUTSIDE, YOU KNOW, MY BOUNDARIES AS FAR AS, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING DURING THE AUDIT, BECAUSE IT IS VERY DIFFERENT. THIS COMMITTEE IN COMPARISON TO MY MUNICIPAL COURT, NIGHT AND DAY. AND I SAID THAT THE VERY FIRST DAY THAT I WALKED INTO THAT MEETING, I SAID, WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THIS AUDIT COMMITTEE? SO, AGAIN, I DON'T THINK YOU NEED CAUSE AND I THINK I EVEN -- TO BE TRANSPARENT, I EVEN DISCUSSED IT WITH CAROLYN -- WITH COUNCILWOMAN VAUGHN. >> City Secretary: MAYOR, THE DISCUSSION THAT'S TAKING PLACE IS ON THE MOTION TO POSTPONE. JUST TO MAKE SURE, THAT'S ON THE FLOOR. >> Campos: I NEVER DID GET A CHANCE. >> City Secretary: I'M JUST SAYING IT'S ON THE MOTION TO POSTPONE. >> Campos: I'M TRYING TO CLARIFY, I AM SERVING ON THIS COMMITTEE AND IT DID REFLECT ON THIS MOTION THAT I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO VOTE ON, WHICH IS YOU DON'T NEED CAUSE. THERE'S JUST NO RECOURSE, IF I WANTED TO CHANGE COMMITTEES, THERE'S NOTHING. IT WAS UP TO THE MAYOR, AND THAT WAS IT. SO THIS ORIGINAL MOTION WAS TO GIVE US JUST ANOTHER WAY TO GET OFF OR TRADE, YOU KNOW, MEMBERS TRADE. SO THAT WAS -- THAT WAS THE ONLY POINT. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN CANTU? >> Cantu: I THINK WE SHOULD BE TRANSPARENT WITH THE COMMUNITY, LIKE CAROLYN SAID, AND I THINK WE SHOULD JUST LAY IT ALL OUT THE REASONS WHY. AND THE MAN HIMSELF IS HERE. YOU KNOW, HOW DOES ROLAND BARRERA TREAT YOU IN THE AUDIT COMMITTEE GEORGE? >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. I DON'T THINK -- >> Cantu: I'M ASKING HIM A QUESTION MAYOR. >> I THINK WE CONDUCT OUR AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETINGS WITH THE INTENTION TO ACT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CONSTITUENTS, THE TAXPAYERS. >> City Secretary: MAYOR, IT'S A MOTION TO POSTPONE. THAT'S WHAT'S ON THE TABLE. NOT -- SO WE'RE JUST -- WE'RE -- THE COUNCIL -- IF THAT'S THE MOTION ON THE FLOOR, WE'RE DISCUSSING THE MERITS OF POSTPONING. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DISCUSSING. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. ALL RIGHT. COUNCILMAN, DO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT T THE MERITS OF POSTPONING? >> Cantu: ARE WE POSTPONING IT, WHAT ARE WE DOING? WHAT'S THE MOTION RIGHT NOW. >> Mayor Guajardo: THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND TO POSTPONE. >> [OFF MIC] >> Vaughn: REBECCA, WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN POSTPONING AND TABLING IT? >> City Secretary: SO A TABLE MEANS TO -- IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S USED TO -- WHAT'S THE WORD -- TO BRING IT UP AGAIN, USUALLY AT THE SAME MEETING. OUR RULES DO ALLOW US TO BRING IT TO ANOTHER MEETING, BUT IN THIS INSTANCE, A MOTION TO POSTPONE MAKES MORE SENSE BECAUSE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PUTTING ON A FUTURE MEETING AND WE CAN HAVE DISCUSSION ON A MOTION TO POSTPONE. ON A MOTION TO TABLE, WE DON'T HAVE DISCUSSION. >> Vaughn: NO, BUT YOU TABLE IT TO THE NEXT MEETING AND THEN YOU CAN HAVE DISCUSSION WHEN IT'S ON THE AGENDA THEN, SO THERE'S REALLY NOT A WHOLE LOT OF DIFFERENCE. >> City Secretary: WELL, PARLIAMENTARY, A MOTION TO TABLE, YOU JUST DO IT AT THE SAME MEETING. BUT A MOTION TO POSTPONE, YOU CAN HAVE DISCUSSION AND PUT IT ON A SECOND. I CAN PULL THAT FOR YOU. >> Vaughn: NO, I BELIEVE YOU, I JUST KNOW THAT IF YOU TABLE IT, KIT GO ON THE NEXT ONE PER OUR COUNCIL POLL. >> City Secretary: PER OUR COUNCIL POLICY, THAT'S TRUE. >> Mayor Guajardo: SO WE HAVE THE MOTION TO POSTPONE. >> City Secretary: UH-HUH. >> Mayor Guajardo: RIGHT. SO LET'S VOTE ON THAT. THIS IS TO POSTPONE. >> City Secretary: OKAY.MR. SCO? >> Scott: YES. >> City Secretary: OKAY. OKAY. SO IT FAILS, MAYOR. DO YOU SEE THE RESULTS. >> Mayor Guajardo: NO. >> City Secretary: OH. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. SO THE MOTION FAILS. >> City Secretary: YES. SO NOW WE'RE BACK TO THE MOTION TO AMEND AS PRESENTED BY MR. HERNANDEZ. >> Mayor Guajardo: HOLD ON A SECOND. GO AHEAD. >> Hernandez: COUNCILWOMAN PAXSON MADE AN AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT TO ADD THE LANGUAGE AFTER THE WORD "AUDIT COMMITTEE" FOR CAUSE THAT DOES NOT REFLECT OR SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE. >> City Secretary: OKAY. I DIDN'T HEAR A SECOND. WHO SECONDED THAT, PLEASE. >> Hernandez: WELL, SHE MADE THE MOTION. WE DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO GET TO THAT, SO. >> City Secretary: SO IT'S NOT. >> Hernandez: I WAS GOING TO SECOND HER MOTION TO AMEND THE AMENDMENT. >> City Secretary: OKAY. ARE YOU GOOD WITH THAT, MAYOR? SO MRS. PAXSON PROVIDED SOME LANGUAGE, WHICH I ASKED HER FOR. CAN YOU READ THAT AGAIN, PLEASE, MRS. PAXSON. >> Hernandez: HERE. I'LL GIVE IT TO YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: NO, GO AHEAD, READ IT. >> Hernandez: THIS IS WHAT SHE -- >> City Secretary: OKAY. SO THE LANGUAGE IS. >> Mayor Guajardo: GO AHEAD. >> Paxson: IT WOULD BE THE MAYOR OR A MAJORITY OF COUNCIL MAY REMOVE A MEMBER OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE AT ANY TIME FOR JUSTIFIABLE CAUSE THAT DOES NOT REFLECT AND SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE. TO COUNCILWOMAN CAMPOS' POINT, I DON'T FORESEE THAT IF SOMEONE DOESN'T WANT TO SERVE ON A COMMITTEE THAT WOULD FALL OUTSIDE OF THAT. THAT WAS MY LANGUAGE. I KNOW I WAS TALKING TO COUNCILMEMBER VAUGHN, BUT NOW I SEE A HARDHEAD SHAKE. >> Vaughn: READ THAT AGAIN. . >> Paxson: THE MAYOR OR A MAJORITY OF COUNCIL MAY REMOVE A MEMBER OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE AT ANY TIME FOR JUSTIFIABLE CAUSE THAT DOES NOT REFLECT AND SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE. >> Hernandez: I SECONDED THAT. >> Hernandez: READY TO VOTE? >> City Secretary: THAT'S UP TO THE MAYOR. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. SO. >> City Secretary: IS THERE DISCUSSION? SO THAT'S A SECONDARY AMENDMENT. SO THAT'S IN ORDER. >> Mayor Guajardo: IS -- DID EVERYBODY GET THAT? >> City Secretary: IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION... >> Mayor Guajardo: I DON'T BELIEVE SO. SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND? >> City Secretary: YES, MA'AM. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. >> City Secretary: ARE YOU READY. >> Mayor Guajardo: LET'S HAVE A VOTE.MR. SCOTT ? >> Scott: NO. >> Mayor Guajardo: THE MOTION CARRIES. >> City Secretary: OKAY. WE WOULD PASS THE MOTION AS AMENDED. >> SECOND. >> City Secretary: WE JUST DID THE SECOND AMENDMENT. >> Hernandez: [OFF MIC] >> City Secretary: THE FIRST AMENDMENT NOW WITH THAT AMENDMENT, SO I THINK WE'RE GOOD TO GOING TO PASSING THE ORDINANCE AS AMENDED, YES, BASED ON THE AS A RESULT OF THAT AMENDMENT. WELL, REMEMBER, MARK'S DOING IT VIRTUAL. >> [OFF MIC] >> City Secretary: YEAH, BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO SHOW IT ON THERE BECAUSE -- THANK YOU FOR POINTING THAT OUT, MRS. VAUGHN, BE BECAUSE MR. SCOTT IS VOTING VIRTUALLY. >> [OFF MIC] >> City Secretary: AT THIS POINT WE'LL JUST VOTE ON THE ORDINANCE AS AMENDED. >> Paxson: AND THIS IS FOR THIS ONE, NOT -- OKAY. >> City Secretary: SO FOR 12, YES, YOUR AMENDMENT WAS APPROVED, SO NOW WE HAVE TO PASS THE WHOLE ORDINANCE WITH -- INCLUDING THE AMENDMENT. OKAY? >> Paxson: OKAY. >> City Secretary: OKAY. ARE YOU READY, MAYOR, FOR THE VOTE? IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? >> Mayor Guajardo: YES. RIGHT, NO, GO AHEAD. >> City Secretary: HERE IT IS. MR. SCOTT IN. >> Scott: NO. >> Mayor Guajardo: THE MOTION CARRIES. OKAY. THANK YOU. REBECCA, ARE WE -- >> Paxson: PUBLIC HEARINGS. >> City Secretary: OKAY. SO WE WOULD BE ON THE PUBLIC HEARINGS MAYOR. >> Mayor Guajardo: RIGHT. BUT WHAT I'M GOING -- >> City Secretary: OH, 20. I'M SORRY. ARE YOU GOING TO MOVE THAT UP? >> Mayor Guajardo: YES. BUT I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU ABOUT 17. SO WE'RE NOT -- WE'RE JUST GOING TO 20 AND DOING THE PRESENTATION, IS THAT WHAT WE ENDED UP DOING? 17 AND 20, REMEMBER, WE HAD THE -- >> City Secretary: YEAH, 17 IS A BRIEFING. 20 IS AN ACTION ITEM. >> Mayor Guajardo: RIGHT. SO 20 IS THE ONE WE'RE GOING TO MOVE UP RIGHT NOW. >> City Secretary: YES, MA'AM. THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING. >> Mayor Guajardo: YES, AND 20 IS DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI AND THE SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY. AND THIS WAS BROUGHT FORTH BY COUNCILMEMBERS CAROLYN VAUGHN, ERIC CANTU AND SYLVIA CAMPOS. SO CAROLYN, WOULD YOU LIKE TO... >> Vaughn: [OFF MIC] >> City Secretary: SO YOU'D LIKE TO DO 17, THE PRESENTATION ON SEVEN SEAS FIRST OR -- >> City Secretary: SO MR. MAYO MARES WILL BE MAKING A PRESENTATION. >> Mayor Guajardo: GO AHEAD, MR. MARES. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME TODAY DURING A VERY BUSY AGENDA. JOHN MARES, REPRESENTING SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY AND I'M HERE TODAY JUST TO GIVE YOU A BRIEFING ON THE WATER PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN REFERRED TO AS SEVEN SEAS OR RO BRACKISH DESAL PLANT LOCATED IN DRISCOLL. I WANT TO FIRST OF ALL RECOGNIZE MY BOARD PRESENT JOSE GRAVELY, BOARD VICE PRESIDENT FRANCIS GARCIA, OUR COUNTY CLUJ FROM KLEBERG COUNTY JUDGE MADRID IS HERE, SO THANKS TO THEM, AND ALSO OUR ASSISTANT DIRECTIVE EXECUTIVE J JOELLA -- >> [OFF MIC] >> FORMER MAYOR OF KINGSVILLE. YES. SO JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU A BACKGROUND, A BRIEFING ON HOW WE GOT TO THIS POINT WITH OUR PROJECT, AND THEN SEE THERE IS ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU WANT FOR CLARIFICATION. THIS PROJECT IN DEVELOPMENT IS A BRACKISH WATER DESALINATION PLANT TO SUPPLEMENT OUR CURRENT WATER SOURCE FOR THE SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY. OUR PRIMARY AND ONLY WATER SOURCE COMES FROM CCW, FROM THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI. THAT IS A ROUGHLY 25-MILE LINE CONNECTION THROUGH A 42-INCH TRANSMISSION LINE. IT YOU KNOWED TO BE CONNECTED THROUGH THE OWENS STEVENS PLANT AND IS NOW CONNECTED AT COUNTY ROAD 52. THAT WAS A REROUTE THAT WAS YEARS IN THE MAKING AND FINALLY GOT COMPLETED JUST LAST YEAR. ON SEPTEMBER AUGUST THE SEVENTH OF 2024, THE SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY ENTERED INTO A WATER SUPPLY AGREEMENT WITH SEVEN SEAS WHERE SEVEN SEAS IS DESIGNING -- WORKING ON THE DESIGN, THE PERMIT, CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATE THIS BRACKISH WATER DESALINATION PLANT TO PROVIDE A SUPPLY OF WATER THAT IS DROUGHT-PROOF AND AFFORDABLE TO STWA. SEVEN SEAS HAS COMPLETED THE LAND ACQUISITION RELEASE WITH THE EDWARD SHALE GEOLOGIC AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE MONITORING WELL. SEVEN SEAS IS CURRENTLY DRILLING THE WELL, OBTAINING THE NECESSARY PERMITS FOR THE PROJECT, COMPLETING FINAL DESIGN AND PREPARING TO CONSTRUCT THE TREATMENT PLANT. COMPLETED PROJECT WILL PROVIDE A MINIMUM OF THREE MGD, 3 MILLION-GALLONS OF WATER PER DAY TO THE SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY AT A COST TO BE DETERMINED AFTER PERMITTING, FINAL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE TREATMENT PLANT. THE STWA, THROUGH OUR COUNSEL, CHARLES ZAHN, JR., HAS TAKEN THE NECESSARY LEGAL STEPS TO HAVE THIS AGREEMENT RELEASED MR. ZAHN HAS PROVIDED NOTICE OF SEVEN SEAS THAT THE CITY HAS REQUESTED A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT AND MR. ZAHN ALSO PROVIDED SEVEN SEAS THAT THE STWA WILL PROVIDE THE AGREEMENT TO THE CITY NO LATER THAN 10 BUSINESS DAYS FROM THE DATE OF RECEIPT OR IT RECEIVES AN OPINION OF THE TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL BECAUSE THERE ARE CERTAIN PORTIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT THAT ARE PROPRIETARY. I DO BELIEVE THAT THE STWA AND ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS SUPPORT THIS PROJECT. WE ARE -- THERE'S STILL PARTS TO BE WORKED THROUGH, BUT OVERALL, THIS IS AN OPTION, AN OPPORTUNITY THAT THE CITY -- THAT WE HAVE MADE AWARE OF SINCE WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON IT SINCE ITS INCEPTION. THE LAST TIME I WAS HERE BEFORE COUNCIL, PROBABLY A MONTH, MONTH AND A HALF AGO, I COMMENTED ON THE COLLABORATION AND SPIRIT OF COOPERATION THAT WE'VE HAD FROM MR. ZANONI AND ALSO FROM DREW MOLLY AND HIS STAFF. AND ONCE AGAIN, I CAN'T SAY THANK YOU ENOUGH TO THEM, BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN TRULY GOOD STEWARDS AND HAVE WELCOMED US, NOT ONLY AS STAKEHOLDERS, BUT AS EQUAL PARTNERS. AND SO WITH THAT, I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PLANT. WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT. WE PLAN TO BREAK GROUND OFFICIALLY, ALTHOUGH WE DO ALREADY HAVE SAMPLE WELL THAT'S GONE DOWN ABOUT 850 FEET TO TEST OUT THE WATER QUALITY AT THIS POINT. AND BEGINNING IN JULY AND MOVING FORWARD, WE'LL CONTINUE TO FINALIZE THIS PROCESS. THIS PROJECT ORIGINALLY STARTED OFF AS SIMPLY AS A PROJECT FOR US THAT WE HAVE MADE AWARE DURING OUR QUARTERLY STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS WITH CCW AND CITY MANAGEMENT, THAT THIS IS OUR PROJECT TO BE ABLE TO GIVE US A SECONDARY SOURCE. MOST WATER SYSTEMS, AS YOU KNOW, HAVE AT LEAST TWO OR MULTIPLE SOURCES. STWA HAS BEEN IN A VERY PRECARIOUS SITUATION FOR THE LAST 40 YEARS. WE'VE BEEN UNDER ONE AND ONLY ONE WATER CONTRACT AS THE WWC IS THE WATER PROVIDER. THAT IS EXECS PIERING AT THE EXPIRING AT THE END OF THIS YEAR. TO HELP ALLEVIATE THAT, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE MANAGEMENT TEAM ALLOWED MYSELF AND OTHERS TO GO OUT AND FIND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES. AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, IF YOU FOLLOW THE NEWS STORIES, SEVEN SEAS IS ALREADY PRODUCING WATER FOR THE CITY OF ALICE, I THINK THAT JUST STARTED YESTERDAY, SO WE'RE SOME OF THE FIRST TO KNOW THAT. I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT UNTIL EARLIER TODAY. SO WE ARE ALREADY ROUGHLY A YEAR INTO THIS PROCESS CONSIDERING THE BEGINNING OF THE DISCUSSIONS AND THE FINAL VOTE, SINCE AUGUST TO THIS POINT. WE'VE BEEN TALKING TO SEVEN SEAS A LITTLE BIT LONGER THAN THAT. BUT WE'RE AT THE POINT WHERE WE ARE MOVING FORWARD. LAND IS SECURED, AS WE MENTIONED, AND THAT IS VITAL. SO WE ARE ALREADY STEPS AHEAD OF ANY OTHER PROJECT OR COMMUNITY THAT'S LOOKING AT CONNECTING TO SEVEN SEAS OR SOMETHING SIMILAR. IT IS A P3, IT IS A PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP, SO THOSE ARE PRETTY UNIQUE IN THE WATER WORLD, BUT WE WILL NOT BE THE FIRST. WE WOULD BE THE SECOND IN THE STATE FOLLOWING ALICE. THE PROXIMITY HELPS, JUST FOR -- IF THERE'S ANY TECHNICAL EXPERTISE NEEDED, AND WE'RE CREATING A HUB BY BEING SO CLOSE TO EACH OTHER. WE DO FEEL THAT THIS IS A GREAT PROJECT. WE WOULD LOVE TO WELCOME ON ANY PARTNERS THAT WOULD BE WILLING TO JOIN US IN THIS ENDEAVOR, BUT TODAY I'M HERE JUST TO BASICALLY SHARE WITH YOU THE GOOD NEWS, THAT WE ARE TRYING TO FIND WATER THAT WILL HELP ALLEVIATE WE FEEL SOME OF THE BURDEN THAT'S BEING PUT ON THE ENTIRE REGION, SO WE CAN KIND OFFEND FOR PART OF OURSELVES THROUGH OUR INDUSTRIAL NEEDS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN OUR GENERAL AREA, AS MANY OF YOU ARE AWARE, AND SO WE HOPE THAT WE CAN PROVIDE WATER, AND WE KNOW THAT WE WILL PROVIDE WATER THAT WILL HELP ESTABLISH AND COVER THAT ALONE. OUR MAIN PRIORITY IS, OF COURSE, FOR THE RESIDENTS, TRYING TO KEEP THEM WITH GOOD WATER QUALITY AT A LOW PRICE. UNFORTUNATELY, WE KNOW WATER RATES ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO GO UP AS MATERIALS GROW AND AS TECHNOLOGY CHANGES, THAT IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT'S DIFFICULT TO CAPTURE. OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH SEVEN SEAS, THOUGH, ALLOWS US TO HAVE A CAPTURED RATE THAT DOES NOT CHANGE OTHER THAN GIVING SPECIFIC AMOUNT PER THOUSAND GALLONS IN ADDITION TO THE COST OF ELECTRICITY AND THAT IS CONTROLLED -- THAT PRICE IS ONLY CONTROLLED BY CPI. SO OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, THAT IS ALL COVERED AND INCLUDED IN THE PRICE THAT WE ARE RECEIVING FROM SEVEN SEAS. SO WITH THAT SAID, HOPEFULLY IT'S GIVEN YOU SOME INFORMATION ABOUT OUR PROJECT AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, WE'LL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ANSWER WHAT I CAN. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MR. MARES. COUNCILWOMAN PAXSON? >> Paxson: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION, MR. MARES AND FOR PIONEERING THIS PROJECT. WATER IS A HUGE PRIORITY, IF NOT THE TOP PRIORITY RIGHT NOW. I HAVE JUST A FEW QUESTIONS. I DO LIKE TO ASK THE QUESTIONS I KNOW THAT I'M GOING TO GET ASKED WHEN I LEAVE THIS ROOM. >> SURE. >> Paxson: DO YOU HAVE RIGHT NOW A BALLPARK PRICE FOR THIS WATER, MAYBE BY 1,000-GALLONS OR IS THIS -- AND I'M SKIPPING BETWEEN PRESENTATIONS. WE HAD SOME INFORMATION IN WHAT WILL BE OUR ITEM 17, AND THEN, OF COURSE, YOUR PRESENTATION NOW. >> RIGHT. >> Paxson: IS THERE A BALLPARK AT ALL FOR THAT? >> WE HAVE AN AMOUNT THAT WE HAVE WORKED AND NEGOTIATED WITH SEVEN SEAS. WE'RE TECHNICALLY STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE AGREEMENT TO FINALIZE, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THE FINAL DESIGNS AND THE PERMITTING. ALL OF THAT STILL NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED THAT WILL GIVE US A TRUE FINAL. BUT WE DO HAVE A NUMBER THAT WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN. I'M NOT AT LIBERTY RIGHT NOW TO GIVE THAT. WE EXPECT TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT TO YOU HOPEFULLY PRETTY SOON. SEVEN SEAS IS ACTUALLY HERE, SOME OF THE REPRESENTATIVES, AND THEY'VE ASSURED ME THAT THEY HAVE NO ISSUES WITH THAT INFORMATION BEING CLEARED, BUT SOMETIMES WHEN ATTORNEYS, LEGAL COUNSEL GET INVOLVED, THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS PROTECTED. AND THERE ARE SOME PROPRIETARY ISSUES THAT, AS WE DEAL WITH SEVEN SEAS, THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE GET CLEARED. BUT I ASSURE YOU, OUR DISCUSSIONS WITH YOUR CITY MANAGEMENT AND YOUR WATER TEAM HAVE BEEN VERY THOROUGH, AND IN FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND OFFLINE DISCUSSIONS JUST TO HEAR WHERE WE'RE AT, BECAUSE IT'S GOOD TO BE UP FRONT AND TRANSPARENT WITH WHAT WE'RE DOING. NONE OF THIS THAT WE'VE EVER HID HIDDEN FROM THE CITY OF WHAT OUR INTENTION WAS, AND WE SEE IT AS, YOU KNOW, GREAT OPPORTUNITY ONCE AGAIN TO HELP THE REGIONAL -- THE REGION ITSELF WITH WATER, BUT I -- THE A. THAT WE HAVE OR THE AMOUNT THAT WE COULD SELL TO ANYONE ELSE ARE VARIOUS NUMBERS. IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT A NUMBER, IF WE WERE TO TAKE ON ANY PARTNERS, IT WOULD DEPEND ON HOW MUCH THEY'RE ASKING. AND SO. >> Paxson: THAT WOULD BE -- G >> IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT A SPECIFIC AMOUNT OF WATER, THEN WE COULD PROBABLY GIVE YOU AN IDEA, BUT -- >> Paxson: THAT WAS ONE OF MY NEXT QUESTIONS. >> OKAY. >> Paxson: WHAT IS KIND OF THE MAXIMUM POTENTIAL YIELD WITH THIS SOURCE? I'VE HEARD SOME NUMBERS, I TRIED TO LOOK THROUGH SOME PRESENTATION PIECES. >> RIGHT. >> Paxson: IS IT 10, 20? HOW MANY MILLION GALLONS DO YOU THINK? >> THE 42-INCH TRANSMISSION LINE IS GREATLY UNDERUTILIZED, I'LL SAY THAT. THAT WAS CREATED BACK IN THE '80S AS A PART OF LEGISLATION. IT WAS TO SERVICE RURAL CUSTOMERS IN WESTERN NUECES AND SOUTHERN KLEBERG COUNTY. THAT 42-INCH LINE ROUGHLY ON A GIVEN DAY, WE'RE USING ABOUT TWO MGD, WE'RE NOT A VERY BIG SYSTEM, AND THAT'S TO ALL OF OUR WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS, SO WE PROVIDE TO ROUGHLY SEVEN WHOLESALE SYSTEMS -- OR CITIES, SPECIAL WATER DISTRICTS OR WATER SUPPLY CORPORATIONS. WITH THAT TWO MGD, WE'VE BEEN TOLD WE CAN USE UP TO ROUGHLY 30 MGD WITH THAT WATERLINE. >> Paxson: SO IT WOULD BE -- >> THAT'S A 40-YEAR-OLD LINE, SO WE ARE WORKING ON MAKING SURE THAT THAT IS A STABLE LINE. WE FEEL THAT IT IS. WE HAVE NOT HAD THANKFULLY ANY PROBLEMS WITH THAT TRANSMISSION LINE, BUT WE CAN TRANSMIT ROUGHLY UP TO 20 MGD. WE DO HAVE OUR ENGINEERS -- WE'RE SUCH A SMALL SYSTEM, WE DOPTD EVEN HAVE IN-HOUSE ENGINEERS, WE HAVE TO CONTRACT OUT, OUR ENGINEERS OF RECORD ARE ICE ENGINEERS, THEY ARE HERE TODAY, SO THEY'LL. [SIMULTANEOUS SPEAKING]. >> 28 MGD. >> Paxson: SO IT WOULD BE 30 CAPACITY, MINUS THE TWO THAT YOU'RE USING SO THERE'S ABOUT 20 THAT WE CAN NEGOTIATE WITH. >> RIGHT. >> Paxson: AND A TIMELINE ON PERHAPS BEING ABLE TO SECURE THE YIELD? >> ONCE AGAIN, WITH EVERYTHING CONSIDERED, PERMITTING IS GOING TO BE A BIG CHALLENGE, RIGHT? YOU YOURSELVES AS A CITY ARE DEALING WITH PERMITTING. >> Paxson: IT'S A BIG WORD. >> THE CITY OF ALICE, THAT'S WHAT TOOK A WHILE FOR THEM TO GET ONLINE. THERE ARE SOME OTHER ISSUES THAT WE'RE NOT REPEATING. WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING TURNKEY WITH SEVEN SEAS TO CONSIDER SOME OF THOSE SETBACKS, CONSIDERING TCEQ AND EVERYTHING ELSE, WE EXPECT IN THE EARLY TO MID2027 TIME FRAME AT THE LATEST TO HAVE THIS SYSTEM ONLINE. >> Paxson: 24 MONTHS. >> YES. >> Paxson: THEN MY VERY LAST QUESTION AND MY COLLEAGUES HAVE PLACED THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA BECAUSE WE'RE CURRENTLY IN ITEM 20 AND I'M REFERENCING ITEM 17, THERE WAS SOME INFORMATION LISTED THAT STWA HAD REQUESTED INFORMATION FROM THE CITY WITHIN TWO WEEKS INDICATING OUR INTEREST LEVEL OUT OF THE 25 MILLION-GALLONS A DAY. AND THEN I BELIEVE OUR CCW STAFF IS LOOKING FOR SOME MORE INFORMATION THAT COULD TAKE UP TO SEVEN WEEKS. I KNOW WE'RE FIGURING ALL THOSE DETAILS OUT. THAT BRINGS ME TO THIS ITEM, THE ITEM IN QUESTION THAT WE'RE ON RIGHT NOW IS REPRESENTATIVE OF AN MOU THAT'S BEING REQUESTED BETWEEN OUR ENTITY AND YOURS. WOULD THAT FULFILL YOUR NEEDS OSTENSIBLY FOR THAT TWO-WEEK QUESTION MARK INITIALLY? >> AND LET ME -- LET ME ADDRESS THE TWO WEEKS. THESE MEE MEETINGS HAVE BEEN INFORMAL, RIGHT, NOT ANYTHING SET. THIS IS JUST LET'S GET TOGETHER AND TALK ABOUT THE WHAT IFS, RIGHT? TO DO THE HOMEWORK SO YOU COULD BE PRESENTED WITH MORE UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION. THE TWO WEEKS IS NOT NECESSARILY TWO WEEKS. WE NEED TO KNOW NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER, REALLY, BECAUSE FOR OUR NEEDS, WHETHER IT'S A 3 MGD PLANT OR IT RAMPS UP TO A 30 MGD PLANT, WE STILL NEED TO KNOW BY SEPTEMBER AT THE LATEST. >> Paxson: SO AT MINIMUM -- >> YES. >> Paxson: -- THIS MOU WOULD HELP. >> ROUGHLY 60 DAYS TO GET THIS ALL PUT TOGETHER. SO IF THERE'S ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO JOIN US IN THIS PROJECT, THEN WE NEED TO KNOW SO WE CAN SCALE IT UP, KNOW WHAT THE SIZE IS, KNOW WHAT THE COSTS WILL BE. AND, OF COURSE, TYPICALLY WHEN YOU BUY MORE, CONSUMPTIONS USUALLY BRING DOWN THE UNIT PRICE, SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT. THE PRICE COULD BE ACTUALLY LOWER. UNTIL WE KNOW ANYTHING, UNTIL WE GET INTO A FORMAL -- ANY AGREEMENT, IF THAT'S THE DIRECTION THE COUNCIL WANTS TO TAKE, THEN WE WILL SIT DOWN IMMEDIATELY AND BEGIN WORKING WITH YOUR TEAM TO FIGURE THAT OUT. BUT -- BUT AT THE LATEST, NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, WE, AS STWA, NEED TO GIVE THAT INFORMATION TO SEVEN SEAS NO LATER THAN THE BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER. SEPTEMBER 1. >> Paxson: THANK YOU FOR THAT. >> SO ROUGHLY THIS SUMMER AND THEN THAT'S IT. >> Paxson: I APPRECIATE -- I APPRECIATE THE B WORK BEHIND THIS AND I APPRECIATE MY COLLEAGUES WHO BROUGHT THIS FORWARD, BECAUSE FINDING SOURCES OF WATER IS OUR FOCUS RIGHT NOW AND PRIORITY. SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTIONS COUNCILMEMBER. COUNCILWO MAN VAUGHN? >> Vaughn: HELLO, MR. MARES. AS SOON AS I SAW THIS, I WAS INTERESTED, SO I WANTED US TO BRING IT SO WE COULD TALK ABOUT IT BECAUSE WE'RE IN NEED OF WATER. I WILL SAY OUR STAFF, DREW MOLLY AND THE CITY MANAGER, WE'VE GOTTEN A COUPLE OF SOURCES GOING, WHICH IS GOOD, BUT I WANT TO PLAN FOR THIS CITY FOR 20 TO 50 YEARS. WE'VE NOT DONE THAT, AND SHAME ON US FOR NOT DOING IT. AND TO ANSWER MARK'S QUESTION BEFORE HE SAYS IT, THIS IS NOT AN EITHER/OR. I WANT ANY WATER SOURCES WE CAN GET. BECAUSE IT'S JUST GOING TO GO UP. SO I'VE GOT A COUPLE QUESTIONS FOR YOU. >> YES, MA'AM. >> Vaughn: YOU'RE SAYING IT'S GOING TO TAKE 24 MONTHS AND 20 -- ABOUT 29, 28 MGDS. HAVE YOU -- AND YOU'RE GOING TO APPRECIATE THIS, BECAUSE YOU'RE A COUNTY COMMISSIONER. AND YOU'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THE RURAL AREA. HAS THERE BEEN A HYDROLOGY STUDY DONE? >> YES. WE'VE DONE ALL THE STUDIES AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, HYDROGEOLOGIC STUDIES HAVE ALREADY BEEN CONDUCTED BY SEVEN SEAS. >> Vaughn: I WAS SURE THERE WAS. THANK YOU. OKAY. I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION ATTEND OF THIS FOR AN MO UMENT, BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT -- I WANT US TO MOVE FORWARD. I DON'T WANT US TO KEEP JUST WAITING, TRYING TO GET A WATER SOURCE. WE'VE DONE A LOT OF TALKING, I'VE BEEN HERE SIX MONTHS, I WANT TO SEE US MOVE FORWARD WITH ANYTHING THAT WE CAN GET. BUT THIS IS WHAT I WAS TOLD, AND I WANT TO SEE IF I'M CORRECT. I KNOW SEVEN SEAS IS HERE. THE RATE PER 1,000-GALLONS SEVEN SEAS PROVIDES TO YOU GUYS INCLUDES DESIGN, ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION OPERATION, INCLUDING ALL CONSUMABLES LIKE CHEMICALS, MANPOWER MAINTENANCE INCLUDING ALL PARTS THROUGH THE LENGTH OF THE CONTRACT AND ELECTRICITY BECAUSE ELECTRICITY'S A BIG DEAL. >> ELECTRIC'S SEPARATE. THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS I DID MENTION EARLIER, BUT EVERYTHING ELSE IS INCLUDED. >> Vaughn: SO THE CITY WOULD BE CHARGED ELECTRICITY? >> THERE WOULD BE A -- IT WOULD BE FACTORED IN SEPARATELY. NOW, MY PREFERENCE IS JUST TO HAVE THE NUMBER ALL COMBINED. >> Vaughn: YES. >> UNTIL WE GET THE ACTUAL NUMBERS DONE AND OUR ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS ON STATE BOARD FOR TCAP, SO SHE'S WORKING ON GETTING US THOSE NNS, BUT THAT WILL BE THE -- NUMBERS BUT THAT WILL BE THE ADDITIONAL COST ON TOP OF THE WATER COST. WHEN WE TALK WATER COST, IT'S EVERYTHING. THERE'S NO ADDITIONAL OR HIDDEN COST IN THERE. EVERYTHING THAT'S INCLUDED, WE DON'T HAVE OUR LAND, LIKE SAY THE CITY WOULD HAVE OR OTHER COMMUNITIES, WE HAD TO GET LAND. BUT THAT LAND PRICE IS SECURED ALREADY IN THE COST. >> Vaughn: IN THE COST. >> AND THAT WILL BE JUST ROLLED OVER TO OUR CUSTOMERS, TO OUR RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS IN THE END THROUGH OUR WATER SYSTEMS THAT WE SELL WATER TO. SO -- OF COURSE, IT'S GOING TO BE MANAGEABLE, REASONABLE AMOUNT. ONCE AGAIN, IT'S ONLY GOING TO BE INCREASED AND CONTROLLED BY CPI, CONSUMER PRICE INDEX. AND SO THAT LOOKS -- THAT'S THE ONE PREDICTOR THAT YOU HAVE YEAR AFTER YEAR THAT YOU CAN FOLLOW AND KNOW THAT IT'S GOING TO INCREASE. IT DOESN'T GO OFF THE WHIM OF POLICYMAKERS. >> Vaughn: YES. >> RIGHT, THAT WHAT CHANGES THE COST. IT'S JUST HERE'S THE RATE THAT WE START OFF WITH, AND EVERY YEAR, DEPENDING ON CPI, THAT WILL BE THE DETERMINING FACTOR FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR'S WATER RATE. >> Vaughn: NO SURPRISES. >> >> Vaughn: I THINK JUDGE MADRID IS HERE. I DON'T KNOW HIM BUT I'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT HIM. HE'S NOT LOOKING UP. HE MUST REALLY BE INVOLVED IN WHAT HE'S DOING BACK THERE. OH, THERE YOU GO. THE WRONG ONE. SO THIS QUESTION IS KIND OF -- I DON'T KNOW HOW TO ASK IT. >> [OFF MIC] >> Vaughn: WELL, I WANT TO KNOW IS THERE ANYTHING IN IT FOR YOU THAT YOU'RE GOING TO CHARGE US? LET ME BE BLUNT. >> [OFF MIC] >> City Secretary: CAN YOU PLEASE COME TO THE MICROPHONE, SIR? COME TO THE MICROPHONE, SIR. >> NO, NOT AT ALL. IN KLEBERG COUNTY, I MIGHT AS WELL GIVE YOU MY SPIEL. FIRST AND FOREMOST, I AM COUNTY JUDGE RUDY MADRID AND I WOULD NEVER PUT MY NAME BEHIND ANYTHING I DON'T ENDORSE. I WANT TO THANK YOU, GUYS FOR PRESENTING SUCH A MONUMENTAL PROPOSAL TO THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI BECAUSE THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT IT IS. IT'S A PROPOSAL THAT IS ABSOLUTELY AT NO RISK OR NO UPFRONT INFRASTRUCTURE COST TO THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI. SOMETHING THAT I THINK WILL GREATLY BENEFIT YOU GUYS AND GALS. THIS IS A PROPOSAL THAT'S NOT ONLY GOING TO SAFE HAVEN OUR WATER SUPPLY FOR CORPUS CHRISTI, NUECES COUNTY, THE CITY OF KINGSVILLE, AND ALL THE SURROUNDING AREAS FOR MANY YEARS TO COME, BUT IT'S ALSO GOING TO BE A BIG BENEFIT TO OUR BAY WATER SUPPLY. IT'S GOING TO DISCHARGE MILLIONS GALLONS OF FRESH WATER A DAY. IT'S GOING TO BRING BATH AND BAY BACK. I HAVE ADVOCATED FOR THIS AT THE STATE LEVEL. OUR EXECUTIVE BODY IS VERY IMPRESSED. THEY LIKE THE WORD "REGIONAL ALLIANCE." SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING HERE TODAY IS AN APPLIANCE BETWEEN THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, KLEBERG COUNTY, AND THE SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY. AS KLEBERG COUNTY JUDGE, WHEN I TOOK OFFICE, I CAN TELL YOU I HAD A LOT OF OBJECTIVES AND OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, BY DEFAULT, I AM THE EMERGENCY MANAGER. I SAW THIS AS A HUGE THREAT TO KLEBERG COUNTY, WHEN I STARTED SEEING ALL THE WATER RESTRICTIONS, IT'S NOBODY'S FAULT. WE'RE GROWING. YOU GUYS ARE GROWING. EVERYBODY'S GROWING. INDUSTRY IS GROWING. AS A RETIRED NAVAL COMMANDER, I AUTOMATICALLY SEE SOMETHING WRONG AND I'M GOING TO GO AFTER IT. WE GOT MISSION FOCUSED, GOT OUR TEAMS TOGETHER. I HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATING THIS PROJECT FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS BETWEEN SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY AND SEVEN SEAS. WE CAME UP WITH A SOLUTION. OUR INITIAL THOUGHT WAS, HEY, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THE BURDEN OFF OF CORPUS CHRISTI BECAUSE OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS YOU PROVIDED WATER TO US. WE NEED TO BE GOOD NEIGHBORS. TAKE THE BURDEN OFF OF THEM. ONCE WE GOT ALL THE SCIENTIFIC APPROACHES AND EVIDENCE-BASED RESEARCH INVOLVED, WE'RE IN A POSITION WHERE WE CAN RETURN THE FAVOR THAT THEY'VE DONE FOR US. LET'S GIVE THEM BACK THE WATER. ONCE WE GOT THE APPROVAL, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO GO ON FOR THE NEXT 100 YEARS, IT'S A NO-BRAINER. THERE'S NOTHING IN IT FOR KLEBERG COUNTY. I REPRESENT IT BECAUSE I REPRESENT THE SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY AS KLEBERG COUNTY JUDGE. I CAN TELL YOU THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF WORK. THE ONLY AGREEMENT YOU GUYS NEED TO WORRY ABOUT -- I KNOW YOU'RE ASKING FOR AGREEMENTS BETWEEN US AND SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY, WE ASSUMED ALL THE RISK, ALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE COST. THE ONLY AGREEMENT YOU GUYS HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT -- YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT'S YOUR AGREEMENT. THAT AGREEMENT THAT WE HAVE BEEN SIGNED FOR THE LAST 40 YEARS, ALL WE'RE GOING TO DO IS CHANGE THE NAME AND TURN IT AROUND. YOUR LAWYERS PUT IT TOGETHER. IT'S A NO-BRAINER. WHAT I'M GOING TO ASK YOU GUYS TO DO IS THIS. APPROVE THE MOU CONTINGENT UPON SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY AND THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS' APPROVAL ON THE RATE. I KNOW WHAT THE RATE IS. I WAS TOLD IN THE BOTTOM OF THE NINTH INNING THAT WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO TALK ABOUT THE RATE. BUT WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS THIS: WHEN YOU SIT DOWN WITH THEM AND YOU SEE THE RATE THAT THEY'RE GOING TO PROPOSE, IT'S RIDICULOUSLY LOW. IT'S A NO-BRAINER TO YOU GUYS. YOU'RE GOING TO SAVE MONEY. YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE MONEY OFF OF OUR WATER AND YOU'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEIGHBORS, SAN PATRICIO, ALL THAT NONSENSE IS GOING AWAY. WE'RE GOING TO SOLVE YOUR PROBLEMS FOR YOU. >> Vaughn: I LIKE THE IDEA OF WORKING AS A COMMUNITY BECAUSE WE'RE STRONGER WHEN WE DO THAT. I LIKE YOUR SPIEL. POLITICIAN, THAT WAS GOOD. AND I APPRECIATE YOU COMING. I REALLY DO. AND I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS. I LIKE THE PROJECT AND I APPRECIATE JOHN MARS FOR PRESENTING IT AND FOR YOU GUYS AND FOR SEVEN SEAS. IT LOOKS REALLY GOOD ON PAPER AND TO HEAR WHAT YOU GUYS ARE SAYING BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT IT AND I KNOW THAT. I'M GOING TO REQUEST AN MOU WITH YOU ALL. I HOPE THE COUNCIL APPROVES THAT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MA'AM. ANYBODY ELSE BEFORE I SIT DOWN? >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILMAN ROY. >> Roy: FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION AND THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING SOME OF THE QUESTIONS I HAD. I THINK YOU CLEARED UP MOST OF THEM SO IT MAKES IT PRETTY EASY. YOU KNOW, IT'S INTERESTING, I'M AN OLD KLEBERG BANK GUY. I STARTED MY CAREER AT KLEBERG BANK DOWN IN KINGSVILLE. AND WHEN JOE HIN HINKLE WAS THERE. THE HISTORY BEHIND THE FIRST ARTESIAN WELL IN THE AREA, GROWING THIS AREA, SO IT SEEMS KIND OF FITTING THAT YOU GUYS ARE BACK AT IT AGAIN AND BRINGING SIGNIFICANT WATER TO THIS AREA. I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS RIGHT NOW. I THINK MY QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED SO I JUST APPRECIATE YOU GUYS COMING FORWARD AND LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THE DIALOGUE. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILMAN SCOTT. >> Scott: YEAH, MAYOR. THIS IS A GREAT RISK BECAUSE WHEN CAROLYN VAUGHN QUOTES ME, I SHOULD CLOSE THE LAPTOP, CALL IT A DAY, AND GO DOWN TO THE BAR. >> I'LL JOIN YOU. >> Scott: JUDGE, JUST FOR THE RECORD, WE DON'T MAKE MONEY ON WATER. I THINK THE STATE IS VERY SENSITIVE TO THE COMMENT THAT WE MAKE -- >> WELL, YOU GIVE IT BACK TO YOUR CONSUMERS. >> Scott: JUST WANT TO PASS THAT ON. JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE. I APPRECIATE YOU, SIR, AND YOU KNOW I WAS RAISED IN KINGSVILLE SO I'M A BIG FAN. I WANT TO MAKE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS. CAROLYN IS RIGHT. NO STONE UNTURNED. I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT. I HAVE BEEN OUT OF TOWN FOR FOUR OR FIVE DAYS SO IF THERE'S ONE, I MISSED IT. I'M OKAY WITH HAVING A CONVERSATION BUT I DON'T THINK WE HAVE THE DOCUMENT TODAY. THEN I WANT TO JUST MAKE SURE EVERYBODY KNOWS WE HAVE A LOT OF STONES THAT WE'RE TURNING OVER. AT SOME POINT MAYBE YOU DON'T DO THEM ALL. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE, AT LEAST FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, THAT'S OUT THERE. YOU MADE A COMMENT ABOUT FRESHWATER BATH AND BAY. I FISH DOWN THERE A LOT. I GUESS THAT'S PART OF THE DISCHARGE CONVERSATION SO I PERSONALLY WOULD LIKE TO KIND OF LEARN ABOUT THAT. JOHN, YOU CAN PROBABLY SHARE THAT WITH ME WHEN IT'S CONVENIENT FOR YOU. I AM CURIOUS THAT IF YOU SEND WATER NORTH TO CORPUS, WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE 2 MGD THAT YOU'RE CURRENTLY BUYING FROM THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI? >> THAT'S A JOHN QUESTION. WHAT HAPPENS? IF YOU NEED 28, WE'LL SELL YOU 26. >> Scott: MY POINT WAS WE GET THAT WATER BACK, WHICH IS GOOD FOR US BECAUSE I DO THINK WE CAN SELL IT ELSEWHERE. I DO THINK Y'ALL WOULD BE SENSITIVE BECAUSE I THINK THE WATER YOU'RE BUYING FROM US IS PRETTY INEXPENSIVE BUT, AGAIN, I HAVEN'T SEEN THE SEVEN SEAS' RATE. AND THAT IS PART OF THAT MOU TO SAY LET'S DO A DEAL TOGETHER BUT YOUR CONTRACT RUNS OUT AND ARE WE ALLOWED TO SELL IT ELSEWHERE? >> YEAH. DON'T TURN OFF THE TAP UNTIL WE START PRODUCING WATER. >> Scott: MY MOM LIVES IN KINGSVILLE. WE ARE NOT CUTTING OFF HER WATER SUPPLY. BUT I DO THINK THAT OUGHT TO BE MAYBE PART OF THE MOU CONVERSATION. AND MY LAST THOUGHT IS THERE'S BEEN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE EV RANCH. AND I GUESS IF WE DO THIS DEAL, THEN THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BUILD THEIR OWN PIPELINE FROM THAT SITE EITHER TO Y'ALL OR -- I GUESS TO US. IF WE DO A DEAL WITH EV RANCH, RIGHT, IS THERE CAPACITY IN YOUR 42-INCH LINE FOR ALL THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PLUS THE EV RANCH? DOES THIS MAKE EV RANCH MORE EXPENSIVE? >> IT'S GOING TO BE WAY MORE EXPENSIVE AND ONE LITTLE PERSONAL COMMENT AS KLEBERG COUNTY JUDGE, BECAUSE I HEARD THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME THE OTHER DAY IN OUR PREDISCUSSIONS. MY QUESTION WOULD BE, BECAUSE I WEAR THIS ON MY SHIRT BECAUSE I REPRESENT KING RANCH AS WELL. I'M BRANDED BY THEM. FIRST OF ALL, HAS ANYONE SPOKE TO THE KING RANCH ABOUT THIS? BECAUSE THAT LINE WOULD HAVE TO GO ACROSS THE KING RANCH. GOOD LUCK WITH THAT. SECOND OF ALL IT WOULD HAVE TO RUN THROUGH THE SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY PIPELINE. WE'RE GOING TO GIVE IT TO YOU MUCH CHEAPER. I CAN ASSURE YOU IN YOUR WORKSHOPS BETWEEN SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY, WHEN YOU GET THE RATE, YOU'RE GOING TO BE VERY PLEASED. AS A BUSINESSMAN, I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE GONE HIGHER BUT WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE IT ALONE. AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHAT I WANT AND MY MARCHING ORDERS TO SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY WAS TO TAKE CARE OF OUR CONSUMERS AT THE END OF THE DAY. BECAUSE THAT, AT THE END OF THE DAY, IS WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT THAN ANYTHING. THE FOLKS THAT ARE USING IT. I DON'T WANT THE RATES TO GO SKY HIGH. WE'VE GOT TO SAVE MONEY HERE. >> Scott: JUDGE, I FEEL PRETTY COMFORTABLE THAT I HAD ASKED STAFF TO VISIT WITH SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY WITH THE EV RANCH. BECAUSE MY THOUGHT AT THE TIME WAS YOU JUST CHARGE A TARIFF TO MOVE THE WATER SOUTH TO NORTH AND THEN MAYBE SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY MAKES MONEY. THAT'S NEITHER HERE NOR THERE EXCEPT I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT BEING FROM KINGSVILLE THAT I MADE IT A POINT TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE CITY FOLKS THAT THEY MAKE SURE THEY HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH YOU ALL AND IF THAT GOT LOST, I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT. THAT'S ALL I WAS ASKING BECAUSE EV RANCH IS SAYING THEY COULD MAKE WATER AND SELL IT TO US FOR A NUMBER. PART OF THAT WAS YOUR ABILITY TO MOVE WATER. I THOUGHT YOU COULD TARIFF. I WASN'T PERSONALLY INVOLVED IN THIS CONVERSATION WITH SEVEN SEAS, SO THIS IS NEW INFORMATION. NO ARGUMENT FROM ME. NO STONE UNTURNED. AND I'LL SUPPORT THE CONVERSATION TO CREATE AN MOU AND I GUESS IT WOULDN'T BE BINDING UNTIL IT WAS BINDING. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> JUST KNOW THAT I'LL BE WORKING HAND IN HAND -- WE'LL BE WORKING HAND IN HAND WITH THE HEART RESEARCH INSTITUTE AND THE BAYS AND ESTUARIES BECAUSE NOBODY WANTS THAT BAY BROUGHT BACK MORE THAN I. IF YOU WANT TO SEE WHERE THE REAL FISH ARE CAUGHT, JOIN ME ONE DAY. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN. GO AHEAD. ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT. COUNCILMAN BARRERA. >> Barrera: YEAH. ABSOLUTELY. YOU KNOW, COMMISSIONER MARES AND JUDGE MADRID, THANKS FOR BRINGING THIS UP TO US. I THINK IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY, LIKE MARK SAYS. I'LL QUOTE CAROLYN AGAIN. IT'S NOT AN AN QUESTION, IT'S AN OR QUESTION . I WAS A LITTLE SKEPTICAL WHEN YOU BROUGHT THE MAYOR. AND SO BUT, YOU KNOW, I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY AND, YOU KNOW, I KNOW RIGHT NOW I THINK HOW MUCH ARE WE SELLING WATER AT 3.50 PER THOUSAND GALLONS, SOMETHING LIKE THAT? 3.32. >> HE'S JUST THE CEO. >> [OFF MIC] >> Barrera: IT DOESN'T MATTER. $3.32. THAT'S OBVIOUSLY VERY COMPETITIVE. AND I KNOW THE THING THAT WE HAVE ENGAGED TO -- I UNFORTUNATELY HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH DURING THE LAST SIX YEARS. THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE ANY INITIATIVE HAS, LIKE OUR FRIENDS IN HARBOR ISLAND, IS THE FACT THAT THEY DON'T HAVE ANY CUSTOMERS. >> SURE. >> Barrera: I KNOW IF WE SOLVED THIS OPPORTUNITY HERE, IF YOU HELP US SOLVE THIS OPPORTUNITY HERE, THEN WHAT THAT DOES IS THAT FREES UP OUR COLORADO WATER AND I'VE ALREADY, YOU KNOW, I HAVE RELATIONSHIPS IN CENTRAL TEXAS. AND MANY OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS HAVE SAID, HEY, HAVE YOU GUYS SOLVED YOUR PROBLEM THERE THEN WE CAN LEASE THE RIGHTS FROM YOU AND IT WOULD BE EASIER FOR US TO TAP INTO THOSE LINES. VERSUS ALL THE EXPENSE THAT THEY HAVE TO GO INTO. >> JUST KNOW THIS IS GOING TO BE A 30-YEAR FIXED RATE, ASIDE FROM YOUR ANNUAL INDEX INCREASE. THAT'S A 30-YEAR FIXED RATE. HOW'S THAT FOR RETURN ON INVESTMENT? 30 YEARS FROM NOW WHO KNOWS WHAT THE COST OF WATER IS GOING TO BE BECAUSE IT'S ONLY GETTING LESS AND LESS AND MORE SCARCE. >> Barrera: I THINK THE THING ABOUT -- NONETHELESS, WE'LL LET THE SMARTER PEOPLE FIGURE THAT OUT, YOU KNOW, COMMISSIONER MARES AND DREW AND PETER AND THE ADMINISTRATORS AND THE ENGINEERS AND THE FINE PEOPLE AT ICE WHO DO GREAT WORK. BUT, YEAH, DEFINITELY TO ENTER INTO AN MOU OR NEGOTIATE AN MOU, I'M ON BOARD. THANK YOU, SIR. >> YOU BET. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILMAN HERNANDEZ. >> Hernandez: OKAY. I WANT TO KIND OF GO OVER A FEW ITEMS BECAUSE I'M IN SUPPORT OF THIS. I KNOW THIS IS A BRACKISH WATER DESAL FACILITY. BUT YOU SAID SPECIFICALLY THERE WOULD BE ABOUT 20, 25 TO 30 MILLION A DAY? >> WE'RE HOPING TO GET 28. >> Hernandez: SO THE 2 MILLION GALLONS WE'RE SENDING TO YOU, WE WOULD GET THE 2 MILLION BACK SO NET IT'S 28 TO US? >> IT WOULD BE A 30 MGD FACILITY, IN TOTAL. >> Hernandez: HOW SOON CAN YOU DELIVER? >> THEY'RE TALKING 2027, SO 24 MONTHS. THAT'S WHAT THE BIG BOYS ARE SAYING. I'M GOING TO HOLD THEM TO IT. >> Hernandez: AND THEN YOU HAD MENTIONED SOME ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS. ARE YOU REFERRING TO THE DISCHARGE GOING INTO BRAV AND BAY? >> WE'LL BE WORKING HAND IN HAND WITH THE ART INSTITUTE. BATH AND BAY, ALAZAN, THAT'S A BIG PART OF OUR COMMUNITY. >> Hernandez: THERE'S BENEFITS BEYOND THE WATER? >> THE LARGEST DRUM-PRODUCING BAY IN THE WORLD. AND LET ME TELL YOU GUYS SOMETHING ELSE. IF YOU GUYS DO A 28 MGD, THAT WILL BE THE LARGEST BRACKISH WATER DESAL PLANT IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. GO LARGE OR GO HOME. HOW'S THAT? >> Hernandez: AND THIS IS HAS NO UP FRONT COST TO THE CITY? >> NO UPFRONT COST. >> Hernandez: WE HAVE NO DEBT? >> AND WE WILL MAINTAIN DEBT AND OPERATION. >> Hernandez: THIS IS YOUR PIPELINE? >> SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY. >> Hernandez: I'LL SAY YOURS IN TERMS OF THE SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY SO WE DON'T MAINTENANCE THE PIPELINE, SO NONE OF THAT COST TO US EITHER. >> BUT YOU DO HAVE TO PAY THE LIGHT BILL. >> Hernandez: I WAS LOOKING AT HOW ALICE DOES IT. THEY OWN THE WELL FIELDS AND PAY THE ELECTRICITY. IT'S DIFFERENT FROM THIS CONTRACT. THEY HAVE THE WELL FIELDS AND THE PROPERTY FOR THAT AND THE ONLY THING YOU'RE PAYING FOR IS ONCE YOU GET THE WATER. ARE YOU DOING THE ELECTRICITY SEPARATE? >> THAT'S THE WAY THE MODEL IS GOING TO WORK OUT. IT WILL GO OUT TO COMPETITIVE BIDS. >> Hernandez: I THINK THAT'S PRETTY GOOD BECAUSE MUNICIPALITIES CAN GET A BETTER ENERGY RATE THAN A PRIVATE COMPANY. THAT'S A POSITIVE. WE'RE NOT OUT ANY FUNDING. WE DON'T HAVE TO GO INTO ANY DEBT. WE JUST BUY THE WATER WHEN IT'S AVAILABLE. >> THAT'S ALL WE'RE GOING TO BE IS A WATER PROVIDER. YOU'RE GOING TO SIGN A SIMPLE WATER USER AGREEMENT. >> Hernandez: WHAT'S THE LENGTH THAT YOU REQUIRE US? HOW MUCH TIME WOULD YOU LIKE THAT CONTRACT TO BE FOR? >> IF THE MOU COULD BE DONE IMMEDIATELY, THAT WOULD AT LEAST GIVE US A DIRECTION. WE'RE GOING TO BUILD IT ANYWAY. THE SIZE OF IT IS WHAT WE'VE GOT TO PREPARE FOR. >> Hernandez: WHEN WE DO A CONTRACT WITH YOU -- THE MOU IS NON-BINDING AND IT OUTLINES THE DETAILS OF WHAT THAT CONTRACT IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE. >> IN SEPTEMBER. >> Hernandez: SO I HEARD THAT NAME. WE NEED TO HAVE A CONTRACT IN PLACE WITH YOU BEFORE SEPTEMBER? >> YES, SIR. >> Hernandez: OKAY. LAST QUESTION. HOW LONG DOES THE CONTRACT NEED TO BE FOR? >> 30 YEARS. >> Hernandez: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I APPRECIATE IT. >> Mayor Gua >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILWOMAN CAMPOS. >> Campos: THIS WAS THE EASIEST YES WHEN COUNCILWOMAN VAUGHN ASKED ME ABOUT THE MOU. THIS IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE BUT, OH, MY GOSH. THIS IS A VERY EASY YES AND YOU'RE RIGHT. YOU ARE PERFECT FOR SELLING THIS. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S YOUR ENTHUSIASM AND HOW YOU PRESENTED IT. IT'S A DEFINITE YES AND WHERE DO I SIGN. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT PRESENTATION AND THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING ALL THOSE QUESTIONS. I HAD ALL OF THEM AS YOU WERE GOING AND YOU HAVE ANSWERED THEM. YOU HAVE REITERATED THEM SO I'M GOOD TO GO. I'M READY TO VOTE. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. I APPRECIATE IT. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILMAN CANTU. >> Cantu: YOU SAID 28 MILLION PER DAY. >> YES, SIR. >> Cantu: AND YOU NEED THE CONTRACT SIGNED BY SEPTEMBER? >> SEPTEMBER. >> Cantu: AND THERE'S NO OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES FOR OUR TAXPAYERS? >> NO OUT OF POCKET ASIDE FROM WHAT YOU GUYS AGREE TO ON THE WATER RATE. >> Cantu: WE DON'T HAVE THE WATER RATE YET, RIGHT? >> NO. OUR LEGAL COUNSEL TOLD US FIVE MINUTES BEFORE THE MEETING THAT WE SHOULD NOT REVEAL IT JUST BECAUSE NOT ALL MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY ARE HERE, EVEN THOUGH THE PRESIDENT AND SOME OF THE BOARD MEMBERS ARE HERE. OUT OF PROFESSIONAL RESPECT, WE'LL LET YOU GUYS WORK WITH THEM TOGETHER ON THAT. THAT WAIL WE DON'T CROSS ANY BRIDGES. >> Cantu: IF WE SIGN A CONTRACT WITH YOU GUYS IN SEPTEMBER, Y'ALL START BUILDING IN SEPTEMBER? >> OUR TEST WELLS ARE ALREADY THERE. YOU GUYS ARE INVITED JULY 8 WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A GROUNDBREAKING RIBBON-CUTTING EVENT. THEY'RE ALREADY PULLING WATER OUT AS WE SPEAK. WE'VE GOT STUDIES AND THE TESTING RESULTS COMING OUT DAILY. THAT SEPTEMBER IS JUST GOING TO HELP US BECAUSE WE'VE GOT -- WE'RE GOING TO BUILD A 3 MGD, IF YOU GUYS DON'T SIGN ON. IF YOU TELL US NOW WE'RE GOING TO DO IT AND YOU SIGN ON IN SEPTEMBER, THEN WE'RE GOING TO GO LARGE. WE CAN DO THAT FREE OF COST FOR YOU RIGHT NOW. IF YOU WAIT A YEAR AND DECIDE LET US HOLD OFF FOR A LITTLE BIT. YOU COME BACK A YEAR LATER AND SAY WE WANT TO JOIN ON, NOW I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MUCH THAT'S GOING TO COST BECAUSE WE HAVE TO REDESIGN AND RECONSTRUCT. >> Cantu: YOU GUYS HAVE ONE TEST COMPLETED, RIGHT? >> CORRECT. >> Cantu: JUST ONE RIGHT NOW, RIGHT? >> IS IT ONE? YES SIR. >> Cantu: IS IT TRUE IT TOOK LIKE 18 MONTHS TO GET THAT DONE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT? >> NO. >> Cantu: HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU FOR THE TEST WELL? >> THE CONSTRUCTION? >> Cantu: CONSTRUCTION, PUMPING WATER. >> AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, WE HAD THE AGREEMENT SIGNED ON AUGUST OF 2024 AND SO HERE WE ARE. THIS WAS COMPLETED LAST MONTH, SO MAY. WE DID HAVE A WEATHER EVENT THAT KNOCKED DOWN THE EQUIPMENT AND SO THAT KIND OF HAD TO REBUILD. SO THERE'S BEEN A FEW DELAYS. BUT OTHER THAN THAT -- >> Cantu: AUGUST 2024 TO MAY 2025. >> THE THING IS WE'RE ALREADY PROCEEDING WITH EVERYTHING ELSE. IT'S NOT LIKE WE'RE STARTING FROM GROUND ZERO. AS THE JUDGE MENTIONED, THERE'S A LOT THAT'S ALREADY BEEN COMPLETE IN THIS SO IT'S NOT LIKE WE'RE STARTING FROM DAY ONE. WE'VE ALREADY GOTTEN A LOT COMPLETE. SEPTEMBER IS THE END BECAUSE WE NEED TO KNOW HOW TO SCALE THE SIZE. AND THEN ONCE THAT'S FINALIZED, THE PLANS, THE CONSTRUCTION WOULD TAKE NO MORE THAN -- I BELIEVE THE ALICE PLANT WAS BUILT IN SIX MONTHS, IS THAT CORRECT? SIX MONTHS. THE ACTUAL EQUIPMENT. >> Cantu: AND THERE'S NO ISSUE MONEY-WISE TO GET THIS DONE? >> IT'S ALL FINANCED BY SEVEN SEAS. THE REPAYMENT OF THAT UPFRONT COST IS WORKED IN OBVIOUSLY TO THE COST OF THE WATER TO US. >> Cantu: ONCE AGAIN, NO UPFRONT? >> NO UPFRONT COST TO SPEAK UNDER THE HOOD. >> Cantu: SO WE GET AN MOU SIGNED -- DREW, HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE TO GET A CONTRACT SIGNED OR A CONTRACT LOOKED AT FROM AN MOU TO CONTRACT STATUS TO GET A CONTRACT TO LOOK AT? >> [OFF MIC] >> Cantu: PERFECT. WE CAN DO THAT. I THINK THAT'S ALL MY QUESTIONS. THAT'S IT. THANK YOU, JUDGE, COMMISSIONER. >> A LITTLE UPDATE FROM OUR LAWYER, WHO IS WATCHING. OKAY. NOT TO EXCEED $5.50 PER 1,000 GALLONS FOR THE NEXT 30 YEARS GUARANTEED. NO MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION ON Y'ALL'S BEHALF. THAT'S YOUR DEAL. >> Zanoni: JUDGE, THAT'S PLUS ELECTRICITY ON TOP OF THAT. >> ELECTRICITY ON TOP OF THAT. AND IF THE PRICE INDEX CHANGES. >> Zanoni: RIGHT. THAT'S TODAY'S PRICE. TWO YEARS FROM NOW IT WILL BE TIMES TWO YEARS OF INFLATION IF THERE'S INFLATION? >> IF THERE'S INFLATION. >> Zanoni: AND 28 YEARS OF INFLATION ON TOP OF THAT. >> THAT'S OUT OF OUR CONTROL. >> Mayor Guajardo: JUDGE MADRID, THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. MARES FOR BEING HERE. AND YOU'VE HEARD SOME VERY POSITIVE COMMENTS AND OBVIOUSLY, AS YOU MENTIONED, WE'RE ALL WANTING TO DIVERSIFY AND MAKE CERTAIN THAT WE ARE LEAVING NO STONE UNTURNED. I THINK YOU JUST ANSWERED THE QUESTION. I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU WHO WAS FINANCING IT OR WHAT FUNDING ARE YOU USING. >> IS ROSANNA HERE? I THINK WE HAVE A $28 BILLION LINE OF CREDIT WITH YOU GUYS. WE'VE GOT THE MONEY. >> Mayor Guajardo: WHAT'S THAT? >> $23 BILLION, I'M SORRY, LINE OF CREDIT THROUGH SEVEN SEAS. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. WELL, AGAIN, I THINK THIS IS A GREAT COLLABORATION AND SO WE DO THANK YOU. WE HAD A GREAT MEETING AND I THINK THE NEXT -- I GUESS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM DREW BUT AFTER THAT WHAT WOULD BE THE NEXT STEP? >> Zanoni: WELL, THE NEXT STEP WAS SOMETHING WE WERE GOING TO DO BEFORE TODAY'S DISCUSSION. BUT THAT IS TO MEET WITH JOHN MARES, MAYBE THE JUDGE. AND E SEVEN SEAS. WE HAD ONE MEETING SO FAR AND WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF SCHEDULING THAT. WE'RE GOING TO GET A COPY OF THE SEVEN SEAS SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY AGREEMENT THAT WE REQUESTED SO WE CAN SEE THE CURRENT DEAL THAT THEY HAVE. WOULD THAT LOOK SIMILAR TO THE ONE WE WOULD GET. >> Mayor Guajardo: WAS THAT GOING TO BE AN ISSUE AT ALL? >> AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, MAYOR, WE THINK OUR LOCAL GROUP FROM SEVEN SEAS IS IN FAVOR OF GIVING YOU EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS. SO THAT WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE. OF COURSE WE WOULD WANT TO MAKE THAT PUBLIC AS WELL, NOT JUST FOR COUNCIL CONSUMPTION. ONCE WE GET THE GREEN LIGHT, WE'LL BE ABLE TO DELIVER THAT. WE THINK LOCALLY THERE'S SUPPORT BUT WHEN YOU GET LEGAL SET ON AN ISSUE IT'S KIND OF HARD TO GET THEM TO BACK OFF. THAT'S KIND OF WHERE WE'RE COMMITTED SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE BOTH SIDES AGREE THAT THAT INFORMATION -- OR WHAT COULD BE REDACTED. IT WASN'T A MATTER OF ALLOWING ANY OF IT TO BE DISTRIBUTED, IT WAS WHETHER THERE WAS ANYTHING PROPRIETARY. IF WE DO GO INTO TALKS, WE WOULD MAKE THAT AVAILABLE TO YOU AND BE ABLE TO RELEASE THAT. >> TO ADD ON TO THAT, THERE WAS MENTION ABOUT PUTTING, YOU KNOW, LEGAL NONDISCLOSURES INTO THIS, WHICH I OPPOSE, AS COUNTY JUDGE. I LIKE EVERYTHING TO BE TRANSPARENT TO THE PUBLIC. THAT'S THE REASON WHY WE DIDN'T GO THAT ROUTE WITH THAT. >> Zanoni: I WAS GOING TO SAY WE AGREE, JUDGE. YOUR ATTORNEY RECOMMENDED THAT THAT WAS AN OPTION FOR US BUT WE SAID NO THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: NO. NOT AN OPTION. WE WANT TO BE TRANSPARENT. THANK YOU. AGAIN, WE BELIEVE IN THE COLLABORATIVE EFFORT TO MOVE FORWARD AND FIND SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR OUR WATER ISSUES. SO WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE CONVERSATIONS FORTHCOMING. I THINK MS. VAUGHN HAS A COMMENT. >> Vaughn: THIS IS AN EXCITING PROJECT BUT AS WITH ANYTHING WE HAVE TO PROCEED CAUTIOUSLY. AND WE'RE TRUSTING THE CITY MANAGER AND HIS STAFF TO DO THEIR DUE DILIGENCE. I'M SURE YOU WILL. >> Zanoni: RIGHT. >> Vaughn: I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION -- I HAVEN'T MADE IT. [LAUGHTER] I WAITED ALL DAY FOR THIS. I MAKE A MOTION FOR THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI TO ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY WITHIN TEN DAYS. AND DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER TO BRING BACK A CONTRACT WITH SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY WITHIN 45 DAYS FOR A COUNCIL VOTE BASED ON THE RATE. >> SECOND. >> HOW MANY DAYS? >> Vaughn: 45. >> Mayor Guajardo: TEN DAYS FOR THE MOU. >> Vaughn: AND 45 TO BRING IT BACK FOR CONSIDERATION OF A VOTE. >> Mayor Guajardo: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR VOTE. >> City Secretary: MAYOR, ALSO THERE'S PUBLIC COMMENT. >> Mayor Guajardo: WE'LL GO AHEAD AND OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT. WOULD ANYBODY LIKE TO COMMENT ON ITEM NO. 20? I THINK GAIL ANDERSON. YEAH. YOU'VE BEEN WAITING. >> I DON'T WANT TO HOLD UP THE VOTE. GAIL ANDERSON, DISTRICT 2. JUST KUDOS TO VAUGHN AND CAMPOS AND CANTU FOR BRINGING THIS. JUST THANK YOU FOR TAKING THAT INITIATIVE. I MEAN, IT'S JUST A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY. IT'S JUST A NO-BRAINER, RIGHT? AND JUST EVERYTHING ABOUT IT. THE COST, THE NO OUTLAY, THE BENEFIT TO BAFFIN BAY. JUST SUPER EXCITED. SO, THANK YOU. JUST MOVING AHEAD. WE ALWAYS NEED MORE OPPORTUNITIES. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MS. ANDERSON. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE COMMENT ON ITEM NO. 20? OKAY. WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. I THINK WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR VOTE. >> City Secretary: MR. SCOTT? >> Scott: YES. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. THE MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, JUDGE. THANK YOU, MR. MARES FOR BEING HERE AND EVERYBODY HERE WITH YOU. WE'RE GOING TO GET BACK IN ORDER HERE. SECTION K, PUBLIC HEARINGS. ITEM NO. 13 IS AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A WASTEWATER TRUNK LINE CONSTRUCTION AND REIMBURSE AGREEMENT WITH MPM DEVELOPMENT. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. I'M GOING TO OPEN PUBLIC HEARING. WOULD ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT ON ITEM NO. 13? AND WOULD THE APPLICANT LIKE TO SPEAK AT ALL? NO? OKAY. WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR VOTE. >> City Secretary: MR. SCOTT? >> Scott: YES. >> Mayor Guajardo: THE MOTION CARRIES. COUNCILMAN BARRERA IS ABSENT. ITEM NO. 14 IS ZIKA CASE NO. ZN8545 M&R HOME SOLUTIONS, LLC ORDINANCE REZONING A PROPERTY AT OR NEAR 2345 YORKTOWN BOULEVARD. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. I'M GOING TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT ON 14? >> HI, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. RALPH WINEGARDEN, GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, HERE ON BEHALF OF THE APPLICANT. I WON'T TAKE ANY MORE OF YOUR TIME. I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW I'M AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS, IF THERE ARE ANY, ABOUT THE PROJECT. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT. ANYONE ELSE? WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THE APPLICANT HERE? THAT'S YOU. NEVER MIND. THANK YOU. PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR VOTE. >> City Secretary: MR. SCOTT? >> Scott: YES. YES. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. THE MOTION CARRIES. SECTION L, INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION ITEMS, 15 AND 16. THIS IS ITEM NO. 15 IS AN ORDINANCE BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF ITS UTILITY SYSTEM SENIOR LIEN REVENUE IMPROVEMENT AND/OR REFUNDING BONDS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. ALMOST GOOD EVENING. HEATHER HURLBERT, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER. SO THE ITEM WE HAVE HERE IS TO -- THE ISSUANCE OF THE DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO ISSUE REVENUE BONDS FOR OUR CIP, THAT IS FOR OUR WATER, WASTEWATER, OUR GAS, AND OUR STORMWATER UTILITIES. WE DO HAVE AN ISSUANCE OF $181 MILLION IN NEW MONEY THAT WILL BE NEW BONDS FOR THE PROJECTS. AND WE HAVE AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT THAT WILL BE REFUNDING FOR SAVINGS. THIS IS JUST A REMINDER ON THE REFUNDING WE DON'T EXTEND THE TERM ON THAT BUT WE DO REFUND FOR SAVINGS ON THE INTEREST. $162,000 FOR THE -- SORRY. $162MILLION FOR REFUNDING AND $181 MILLION FOR NEW MONEY. THESE ARE IN SUPPORT OF OUR ITEMS, OUR PROJECTS THAT ARE WITHIN OUR CIP. LIKE I MENTIONED, IT IS FOR OUR WATER WASTEWATER GAS AND STORMWATER UTILITY. THESE ARE SOME OF THE PROJECTS IT WILL BE SUPPORTING ON THE WATER SIDE. THE PROJECTS ON THE WASTEWATER SIDE. IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT, LIFT STATIONS. ON THE STORMWATER, THESE ARE PROJECTS FUNDED THROUGH THIS, WHICH WILL BE DESIGNATED PROJECTS ALONG WITH THAT INFRASTRUCTURE REHABILITATION. ON THE GAS SIDE THESE ARE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SYSTEM ALONG WITH THE ACQUISITION OF THE GAS UTILITY. SO THE STEPS FOR THE ISSUANCE IS JUNE 10, WHICH IS TODAY. WE'LL HAVE THE FIRST READING OF THE DELEGATION ORDINANCE. THE 17th WILL BE THE SECOND READING. JUNE 16th WE DO PLAN ON SELLING THE BONDS ON THAT DATE. JULY 17 THE TRANSACTION WILL CLOSE AND THE BONDS WILL BE FUNDED. AND SO WHAT THE DELEGATION ORDINANCE DOES IS IT SETS PARAMETERS FOR THE SALE AND THE REFUNDING. AND THEN AS LONG AS THE TRANSACTION FALLS WITHIN THOSE PARAMETERS, THEN EITHER THE CITY MANAGER, MYSELF AS THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, OR THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE CAN AUTHORIZE THE FINAL DOCUMENTS FOR THE SALE. ON THE SALE OF THE NEW MONEY, IT WOULD HAVE TO BE A MAXIMUM OF BASICALLY 30 YEARS WITH A MAXIMUM TRUE INTEREST COST OF 5.5% AND A MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF $343 MILLION, WHICH IS BOTH THE REFUNDING AND THE NEW MONEY. FOR THE REFUNDING, WE DO HAVE TO HAVE A SAVINGS OF 2.5% FOR US TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE TRANSACTION. AND SO THAT DOES CONCLUDE MY PRESENTATION AND I AM AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. COUNCILMAN HERNANDEZ. >> Hernandez: OKAY. SO HOW DOES THIS AFFECT OUR TOTAL DEBT FOR NEXT YEAR AND THE AMOUNT OF DEBT SERVICE THAT WE NEED TO PROVIDE? >> I DO NOT HAVE THE AMORTIZATION SCHEDULE HERE WITH ME. I'M NOT SURE WHAT OUR DEBT SERVICE WILL BE BUT WE ARE ISSUING THE $181 MILLION OF NEW AND THEN REFUNDING THE 162, $161 MILLION. >> Hernandez: SO THE $182 MILLION, HOW MUCH INTEREST ARE WE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT OVER THE NEXT 30 YEARS? >> I DON'T HAVE THAT IN FRONT OF ME. SOME OF THAT WILL BE DETERMINED ON HOW WE STRUCTURE THE DEBT AND WHAT WE ACTUALLY GET WHEN WE GO TO SELL IT. >> Hernandez: OKAY. SO THE 5.5% INTEREST RATE IS BASED ON WHAT YOU'RE PROJECTING, NOT NECESSARILY WHAT WE'LL GET? >> NO, THAT IS NOT WHAT WE'RE PROJECTING. THAT IS THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT. UNDER THE DELEGATION ORDINANCE WE COULD NOT SELL DEBT WITH A TRUE INTEREST COST OF HIGHER THAN 5.5. WE ANTICIPATE IT WILL BE LOWER THAN THAT. RIGHT NOW MOST OF THEM ARE PRICING BETWEEN 4% AND 5%. >> Hernandez: OKAY. SO WHEN YOU BORROW MONEY THIS YEAR OR REFINANCE IT AND IT STARTS PAYING IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR? >> FOR THE NEW MONEY, OUR FIRST DEBT PAYMENT WOULD BE IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR. THAT IS INCLUDED IN OUR RATE MODELING. WE HAVE ACCOUNTED FOR THAT. AS FAR AS THE REFUNDING AMOUNT, WE WOULD HOLD TO OUR ALREADY-SCHEDULED DEBT PAYMENTS SO THAT COULD INCLUDE THOSE THIS YEAR. IT'S JUST WE'RE REFUNDING FOR SAVINGS SO THE STRUCTURE OF THE DEBT DOESN'T CHANGE. THE MATURITY OF THE DEBT DOESN'T CHANGE BUT THE INTEREST RATE, WE'RE GOING OUT FOR A LOWER INTEREST RATE. >> Hernandez: OKAY. PETER, ON THIS, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF WE HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THIS AFFECTS OUR DEBT SERVICE AND TOTAL DEBT REPORTING. BECAUSE WE DON'T ACTUALLY REPORT OUR TOTAL DEBT UNTIL THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR. SO IF WE CAN HAVE -- CONSIDERING HOW MUCH DEBT WE HAVE, WE SHOULD HAVE A RUNNING TOTAL OF WHAT WE HAVE IN TERMS OF OVERALL DEBT. AND YOU CAN DIVIDE THAT INTO REVENUE, SUPPORTED DEBT, AND TAXPAYER FUNDED DEBT. >> NONE OF THIS IS TAX -- >> Hernandez: THAT'S WHY I SAID REVENUE-SUPPORTED. >> Zanoni: WE'LL SHOW THAT AS PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS COMING UP. THE RATE SETTING, ESPECIALLY FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER. >> Hernandez: I KNOW MY COUNTERPART DOESN'T LIKE WHEN I SAY WE'RE MAXING OUT THE CREDIT CARD. >> Zanoni: REVENUE HAS TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE SO WE'RE GOING TO SHOW THE CONTEXT OF INFRASTRUCTURE WE'RE BUILDING , INFRASTRUCTURE WE COULD BUY FROM SOMEBODY ELSE OR WATER. ALL OF IT HAS -- DOESN'T MATTER IF IT'S DEBT OR OPERATING, IT STILL HAS A RATE. AND SO THAT'S GOING TO BE A VERY IMPORTANT SERIES OF MEETINGS, PLURAL. IT'S GOING TO TAKE SEVERAL. >> Hernandez: ALSO YOU MIGHT WANT TO DO SOME COMPARISONS AS WELL. >> Zanoni: COMPARISONS? >> Hernandez: LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU HAVE NEW WATER PROJECTS, WHAT IS IT GOING TO DO TO YOUR RATE? >> Zanoni: EXACTLY. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING. AT SOME POINT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE A CHOICE. NOT AT SOME POINT BUT SOON. WE CAN'T DO EVERYTHING WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT. WELL, WE COULD BUT IT WOULD BE A MASSIVE RATE INCREASE. >> Hernandez: EXACTLY. >> Zanoni: YES, SIR. >> Hernandez: ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. >> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. I'M GOING TO OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE THAT. IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT ON ITEM NO. 15? OKAY. THERE BEING NO ONE, WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR VOTE. >> City Secretary: MR. SCOTT? >> Scott: YES. YES. >> Mayor Guajardo: ITEM NO. 15. THE MOTION CARRIES. ITEM NO. 16 IS AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A MID-YEAR BUDGET ADJUSTMENT IN AN AMOUNT OF $4,077,839 FOR THE ANIMAL CARE SERVICES DEPARTMENT -- >> I MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> Mayor Guajardo: I SECOND THAT BUT BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD, THIS IS A HUGE, HUGE DEAL. I THINK EVERYBODY KNOWS FOR MANY YEARS AND MANY COUNCILS WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TO MOVE FORWARD ANIMAL CARE SERVICES. AND THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CHAPTERS TO THIS DEPARTMENT. AND SO IN THAT, YOU KNOW, I THINK WE ALL KNOW THAT FUNDING IS CRITICAL. AND FUNDING IS EVERYTHING AND EVERY DEPARTMENT NEEDS FUNDING. SO I'M VERY PROUD TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, I CAN'T EVEN -- I WENT TO HEATHER ABOUT THIS INTEREST ON THESE ARPA FUNDS BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE, YOU KNOW, THIS FUNDING THAT WAS IDENTIFIED -- AND I WENT TO HEATHER ASKING ABOUT IT -- IT DOESN'T COME FROM ANYWHERE ELSE AND WE DON'T HAVE TO TAKE IT FROM HERE OR THERE. AND THAT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO DO. BUT I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO HAS WORKED IN ANIMAL CARE OR OVER ANIMAL CARE SERVICES AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO. THE WORK HAS JUST BEGUN AND SO THE ASSESSMENT IS A ROAD MAP. I THINK THAT IS PROBABLY THE BEST NEWS. AND I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE, SOME OF WHOM ARE HERE, APPRECIATE. AND THEY HAVE PUT IN A LOT OF BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS INTO ANIMAL CARE SERVICES. SO CLEARLY IT IS TAKING A VILLAGE. AND SO JUST THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING EVERYONE HAS DONE. PEOPLE THAT ARE PROBABLY JUST LISTENING TO THAT AREN'T HERE. BECAUSE THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT. I DON'T THINK I HAVE EVER SEEN ANOTHER COUNCIL WHO HAS WEIGHED IN SO HEAVILY REGARDING THIS DEPARTMENT. SO WE DO HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND BUT WE HAVE SEVERAL COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS. WE'LL START WITH MR. HERNANDEZ. >> Hernandez: YOU KNOW, I REMEMBER -- I APPRECIATE YOU GETTING WITH US AHEAD OF TIME ON SOME OF THESE ITEMS THAT YOU WANTED TO BRING. I WAS A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT THE CLOSE TO $900,000 -- WELL, $821,000 FOR A PARKING LOT. AND WE, A FEW YEARS BACK, OUR PUBLIC WORKS REDID THE PARKING LOT FOR DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AT A MUCH LOWER COST THAN WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE. AND I WENT TO LOOK AT THE CONDITION OF IT. YOU'RE RIGHT, IT DOES NEED SOME IMPROVEMENTS BUT IT WAS NO WORSE THAN WHAT THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES PARKING LOT WAS. I ASK THAT YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THIS AGAIN. IF WE CAN DO THIS IN-HOUSE, I THINK WE COULD SAVE 80% OF WHAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR IN COST HERE. THIS IS, YOU KNOW, OUT OF EVERYTHING HERE, THAT'S THE ONE THAT ACTUALLY -- >> Zanoni: YEAH, COUNCILMAN, SORRY TO INTERRUPT YOU, BUT COULD WE HAVE RAM MUNOZ, HE'S THE HIRED ENGINEER/PROGRAM MANAGER WITH MUNOZ ENGINEERING. THIS IS A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN JUST A PARKING LOT. THE REASON WE DIDN'T CALL IT A PARKING LOT BECAUSE IT'S REALLY A SERVICE YARD. IT'S WHERE THE ACO VEHICLES ARE WASHED OUT AND IT NEEDS A DRAINAGE SYSTEM. RAM IS THE ONE THAT ASSESSED IT, CAME UP WITH THE PRICE TAG AND THE RECOMMENDED ENGINEERING. >> Hernandez: YOU WANT TO ADD A DRAINAGE SYSTEM TO IT? THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. >> WE'RE GOING TO ADD A DRAINAGE SYSTEM FOR STORM AND A SANITARY SYSTEM. RIGHT NOW WHEN THEY GO WASH THE VEHICLES, NONE OF THAT IS BEING CAPTURED INTO AN OILY WATER SEPARATOR. IF WE DO THE PARKING LOT OVER, YOU'RE GOING TO END UP WITH THE SAME PROBLEM IN 15, 20 YEARS AGAIN BUT IF WE SOLVE IT NOW AND PUT THE STORM AND PARTICULATES WHEN THEY WASH THE VEHICLES, BECAUSE THERE IS A MATTER ON TOP OF THEM. THAT'S GOING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM LONG TERM. IF YOU DON'T DO IT, YOU'RE GOING TO WIND UP IN THE SAME SPOT. >> Hernandez: THAT WASN'T PRESENTED IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO IN TERMS OF DRAINAGE PROJECT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS. >> Zanoni: I'M NOT SURE HOW THE ONE-ON-ONE BRIEFINGS WENT BUT ALSO, RAM, IT WOULD BE CONCRETE, IS THAT THE PLAN? >> TO IMPROVE THE AREA FOR THE ACTUAL WASHING OF THE VEHICLES, CONCRETE IS GOING TO BE RECOMMENDED FOR THAT. >> Zanoni: RIGHT NOW THE SERVICE VEHICLES ARE THE ACO TRUCKS. THEY CAN'T GET INTO THE PARKING LOT. THERE'S HOLES EVERYWHERE AND WHEN YOU WASH IT DOWN -- >> Hernandez: I LOOKED AT IT. IT WAS OBVIOUSLY IF YOU DON'T DO MAINTENANCE ON SOMETHING, YOU'RE GOING TO END UP WITH A SITUATION LIKE THAT. >> Zanoni: IT'S A LITTLE MORE THAN AN OVERLAY, AS RAM DESCRIBED. >> Hernandez: SO THIS COST IS MAINLY THE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS? >> DRAINAGE AND SANITARY. >> Zanoni: AND MADE IN CONCRETE. THEY ARE PRETTY MUCH REDOING THE WHOLE SERVICE YARD, RIGHT, RAM? >> IF YOU BROKE IT UP, IT WOULD BE LIKE 20% HERE, 20% THERE AND, YOU KNOW, 60% ON THE OTHER PARTS. IF YOU BREAK UP THAT WHOLE NUMBER, IT'S NOT JUST THE CONCRETE PAVEMENT, IT'S OF COURSE STORM AND SANITARY IMPROVEMENTS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO OUT THERE. >> Hernandez: OKAY. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILWOMAN PAXSON. >> Paxson: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I LOVED GETTING TO HAVE THAT ONE-ON-ONE BRIEFING THAT WE HAD. THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION. I TOO, LIKE PROBABLY EVERYONE UP HERE, AM EXCITED THAT YOU GUYS WILL GET SOME MUCH-NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS AND SUPPORT. I ALSO HAVE THE SAME HEARTBURN OVER THE $821,000 PARKING LOT. I'M CURIOUS WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THAT COST WAS DESIGN. HOW MUCH OF THAT COST IS ACTUALLY GOING TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION OUT THERE? >> Zanoni: LET'S HAVE RAM EXPLAIN THAT. BETTER THAN THESE COSTS, A THIRD-PARTY COST FOR RAM. ENGINEERING DIDN'T HAVE THE CAPACITY TO DO THIS TYPE OF -- THIS ADDITIONAL PROJECT SO WE'VE HIRED RAM TO BE THE JEFF EDMONDS STAFF PERSON. THE COSTS INCLUDE HIS TIME TO DESIGN AND PROJECT OVERSEE. RAM, CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT? >> Paxson: WAS THIS SELECTION UNDER THE MASTER SERVICE AGREEMENT? >> Zanoni: YES, MA'AM. >> OVERALL, YOU TAKE THAT NUMBER RIGHT THERE AND YOU ALLOCATE A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE TO PROCUREMENT, CITY STAFF, AND EVERYTHING TO GO WITH THE PARK. YOU HAVE TO TAKE AWAY 30% OF THAT THAT'S GOING TO GO INTO CITY HALL FOR ALL THE MANAGEMENT STAFF AND ACCOUNTING AND DOCUMENTS AND BIDS. AND THEN DESIGN FEES ARE MAYBE 5.25 OVERALL. >> Paxson: 30% TO CITY HALL? >> Zanoni: NO, OUR FIGURES ARE LIKE 12%. JEFF EDMONDS ARE 12%. WHEN YOU INCLUDE THE 10% AND 12%, DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE PROJECT, THAT'S THE STAFF OVERSIGHT, THE INSPECTION SERVICES. SO RAM'S GOING TO DO ALL OF THAT. AND THEN THE DESIGN FEE IS 10%, GENERALLY, OF THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS. YEAH. >> Paxson: WHERE I AM IS OF COURSE I AGREE THAT ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE PRIORITIES. AS I DESCRIBED IN MY ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE DEPARTMENT, MY FIRST PREFERENCE, BECAUSE THIS COST RIVALS COMPLETELY OUTFITTING AND EQUIPPING ONE BUILDING WITH CLIMATE CONTROL. IT RIVALS THAT FOR ONE FULL BUILDING. FOR ME, THAT'S A MORE DIRECT IMPACT ON THE QUALITY OF CARE THAT WE PROVIDE. AND SO I'M NOT SAYING THE PARKING LOT'S NOT A PRIORITY. I THINK IT'S A HUGE PRIORITY, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO CONTAIN SANITATION CONCERNS. MY FIRST PRIORITY WOULD BE TO PERHAPS UTILIZE THAT $821,000 FOR ANOTHER AIR CONDITIONER. I KNOW WE WALKED THROUGH SOME OF THOSE EXAMPLES BUT THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN MY FIRST PRIORITY. AND THEN TO PERHAPS MAKE THIS PARKING IMPROVEMENTS SOMETHING WE CAN PUT ON THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR BUDGET. >> Zanoni: COUNCILWOMAN, WE DID HAVE A CONSULTANT STUDY THE ISSUE FOR A YEAR. THIS IS IN LINE WITH HER ASSESSMENT. SO WHILE IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S JUST A PARKING LOT, IT'S MORE THAN THAT IN THAT THE ANIMAL CARE OFFICERS, WHO WE HAVE A HARD TIME KEEPING ON STAFF BECAUSE OF THE TOUGHNESS OF THE JOB, FOR THEM TO HAVE TO COME INTO THE JOB SITE EVERY DAY AND GO THROUGH A REAL ROUGH PARKING LOT, FOR THEM TO HAVE TO WASH THE VEHICLES THAT EVERY DAY, AFTER THEY PICK UP ALL THE ANIMALS -- >> Paxson: IS THERE NO WAY, KIND OF LIKE WHAT COUNCILMAN HERNANDEZ WAS SAYING, WE COULD DO A VERY SIMPLE IMPROVEMENT THERE, INVEST THAT MONEY INTO THE CARE SIDE, AND THEN DO A MORE ROBUST UPGRADE? >> Zanoni: THERE IS BUT IT WOULD BE -- YOU WOULD BE DOING IT TWICE. OUR GOAL IS TO DO IT ONCE AND DO IT RIGHT WITH QUALITY. BUT THIS HAS A BIGGER IMPACT THAT YOU DON'T SEE. OF COURSE, WE CAN EASILY THINK OF THE ANIMALS AND THE KENNELS, AND THAT'S EASY FOR US TO THINK IN OUR MIND. WHAT WE DON'T SEE ARE THE EMPLOYEES THAT ALREADY DON'T EVEN WANT TO COME TO WORK. IT'S A TOUGH JOB. >> Paxson: I WANT TO SUPPORT THEM. >> Zanoni: SUPPORTING THE EMPLOYEES, MAKING SURE THEY HAVE THE CORRECT WORK ENVIRONMENT HELPS TO PROTECT INVESTMENTS OF HIRING THEM, OF TRAINING THEM, OF MAKING SURE WHEN WE GET A CALL FOR A PACK OF DOGS, THAT WE CAN GO SEND SOMEBODY TO PICK THEM UP BECAUSE THEY'RE WORKING. IT'S THE WHOLE TOTALITY. I THINK THE AIR-CONDITIONING, IF WE DO, AS RAM HAS RECOMMENDED, ONE BUILDING. WE CAN SEE HOW DOES IT WORK. REALLY, THESE BUILDINGS WERE BUILT TO NOT HAVE AC. THIS DESIGN IS GOING TO BE SOMEWHAT OF A TRIAL RUN, OF SORTS. ONCE WE GET THAT FIRST ONE DONE, THEN WE CAN PROGRAM MONEY FOR A SECOND ONE AND WE CAN SEE WHAT DO WE HAVE TO MODIFY IN THE AC. RATHER THAN DOING TWO AT ONCE AND YOU MAY HAVE TO GO BACK AND MODIFY BOTH. ANYWAY, THAT'S THE PLAN. THAT'S THE PLAN THAT THE PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANT LAID OUT FOR US. WE HAD RAM WALK THE SITE AND DOUBLE CHECK THOSE. HE'S THE ENGINEER OF RECORD. THOSE ASSESSMENTS FROM THE CONSULTANT. THAT'S OUR RECOMMENDATION. >> Paxson: I THINK IF IT WERE A DIFFERENT PROJECT, I WOULD PROBABLY DRAG MY HEELS IN A LITTLE BIT MORE. AGAIN, I THINK MY FIRST THING IS THE QUALITY OF CARE. AND I'M NOT SAYING THAT'S NOT THE PRIORITY IN THIS PRESENTATION. I'M NOT SAYING THAT. >> Zanoni: WE UNDERSTAND. >> Paxson: BUT I DO UNDERSTAND THE URGENCY OF THIS ITEM. OUR WHOLE CITY FEELS THE URGENCY OF THIS ITEM, SO I KNOW YOU NEED THE SUPPORT RIGHT NOW. BUT I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO CONTINUE THAT CONVERSATION. AND FOR ME, ONE OF THOSE STAFF MEMBERS AND THEN THE THREE THAT WE'RE ADDING IS THAT COMMUNITY OUTREACH. THE SOONER WE GET THAT IN PLACE AND WORKING, I THINK WE'D ALL LOVE TO HELP SUPPORT THEM IN THAT MESSAGING AND HOW WE CAN CONNECT TO THE COMMUNITY. >> Zanoni: WE AGREE. >> Paxson: HAD TO PUT MY TWO CENTS IN THERE. >> Zanoni: THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILMAN CANTU. >> Cantu: I'M GOING TO BE VERY BLUNT. $821,000 FOR A PARKING LOT. WE HAVE OTHER ISSUES IN THAT DEPARTMENT. I MEAN, I JUST CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE'RE GOING TO SPEND $821,000 FOR A PARKING LOT AND NOT SPEND THAT MONEY ON KENNELS, OTHER UPGRADES INSIDE THE SHELTER. CORPUS CHRISTI IS FULL OF POTHOLES. IT'S NO DIFFERENT. AND I HARDLY DOUBT THAT EMPLOYEES ARE NOT GOING TO GO TO WORK BECAUSE THEIR PARKING LOT IS SCREWED UP. IT MAKES NO SENSE. THAT'S MY OPINION AND I'M NOT TRYING TO GO AT YOU OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. BUT $821,000 AND WE'RE GOING TO SPEND ALMOST A MILLION DOLLARS FOR A BUILDING TO PUT AC? I KNOW I WANT IT DONE BUT THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY. YOU KNOW, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SO MANY YEARS WE'VE GOT $4 MILLION TO SPEND. AND I JUST FEEL LIKE WE'RE SPENDING IT -- HERE'S A BLANK CHECKBOOK. I'M GOING TO GIVE IT AWAY. WE HAVE SO MANY IMPORTANT ISSUES RIGHT NOW WITH ANIMALS IN CORPUS CHRISTI. THERE'S ANIMALS DYING EVERY DAY FOR SPACE. LIKE NO. LIKE, WE GOT TO DO BETTER THAN $821,000 FOR A PARKING LOT. LET'S PUT THE PARKING LOT TO THE SIDE. IT'S BEEN LIKE THAT FOR HOW MANY YEARS? >> IF I MAY? SO THE PARKING LOT IS NOT JUST A PARKING LOT. IT IS A FIELD MAINTENANCE YARD. SO THE OPERATIONS THAT WE CONDUCT IN THAT AREA INCLUDE SANITIZING THE VEHICLES. SO WHEN THE ANIMALS COME IN, WE BRING THEM IN ON THE TRUCKS. THE ANIMALS MAY BE SICK. THEY MAY HAVE CONTAGIOUS PARASITES ON THEIR BODIES, ANY NUMBER OF THINGS. WE HAVE TO USE THAT SPACE TO DISINFECT AND SANITIZE THOSE TRUCKS. SO THAT MEANS THAT EVERYTHING THAT IS CONTAMINATED ON THOSE TRUCKS IS WASHED OFF INTO A POROUS SURFACE THAT WE CAN'T SANITIZE. WE'RE TAKING THE ANIMALS FROM A CONTAMINATED ENVIRONMENT INTO OUR FACILITY HOPING THEY'RE NOT GETTING SICK. IF WE MAKE THESE CHANGES, WE WOULD HAVE A DESIGNATED SPACE, NOT JUST FOR ANIMAL UNLOADING, BUT FOR WASHING OUR VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT WHICH ELIMINATES THE RISK OF CROSS-CONTAMINATION THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING. >> Cantu: HAVING A NEW BLACK TOP WILL FIX ALL THAT? >> IT'S NOT JUST A NEW BLACK TOP. IT'S A WASH BAY, WHICH WILL HAVE A DESIGNATED SPACE TO WASH OUR EQUIPMENT. >> Cantu: SO IT'S A WASH BAY TOO? >> THE WASH BAY IS PART OF THE PROJECT. >> Cantu: HOW MUCH DOES THE PARKING LOT COST? >> SO THE PARKING LOT COST SPECIFICALLY -- 275? I'M SO SORRY, SIR. I'M SPEAKING ON THE STAFF. >> Cantu: YOU'RE OKAY. NO WORRIES. >> Zanoni: IT'S GOING TO BE IN CONCRETE TOO. >> SO THE ACTUAL HARD COST FOR THE ACTUAL WORK ITSELF, YOU'RE AROUND 275 TO 325. THE PARKING LOT IS GOING TO BE DONE FOR A RELATIVELY GOOD COST. IT'S JUST ALL THE SECONDARY PARTS INVOLVED INTO IT. >> Cantu: LOOK, I'M REALLY HAPPY TO FUND THIS MONEY, I REALLY AM. IT'S WAY BETTER THAN WE HAVE BEEN HAVING FOR YEARS. I'M JUST FRUSTRATED BECAUSE I JUST FEEL LIKE THE CITY IS JUST WRITING THESE BIG OLD CHECKS, DON'T CARE, AND JUST FIX IT. A MILLION DOLLARS AC, NO PROBLEM. IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE AND I JUST FEEL LIKE WE NEED TO DO MORE WITH THIS MONEY THAN WHAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW. LIKE, I JUST FEEL LIKE WE'RE OVERSPENDING. >> I'M GOING TO WATCH THE PROJECT. I'M GOING TO MAKE SURE IT GETS BID OUT PROPERLY. WE GET COMPETITIVE NUMBERS. EVEN THE SUBCONTRACTORS, IF WE GO THAT ROUTE. WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO GO IDIQ ON THE CONCRETE PAVEMENT. IT MAY BE TWO PARTS WHERE WE DO THE UNDERGROUND AT FIRST. WE MAY HAVE SOME SAVINGS AT THE END BUT WE ARE GOING TO WATCH IT. >> Zanoni: COUNCILMAN CANTU, THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF CITY OVERSIGHT AS WELL. >> Cantu: I GET IT, PETER. I DON'T KNOW. I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE SPEND SO MUCH MONEY ON STUFF FOR -- THERE'S SO MANY BUSINESSES OUT THERE THAT WANTS TO WORK WITH THE CITY AND I'M SURE THEY CAN GET A WAY BETTER PRICE. I'M JUST TIRED OF THE TAXPAYER ALWAYS OVERSPENDING. LIKE, SPENDING THEIR MONEY. I JUST -- $821,000 FOR A PARKING LOT, YOU KNOW, AND A WASH BAY. I MEAN, GOLLY, THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY. THAT'S JUST -- IT JUST BLOWS MY MIND, IT REALLY DOES. BUT IT IS WHAT IT IS, YOU KNOW, IF SOMEBODY BACKS ME UP ON MY MOTION TO GET THIS OFF, I WOULD DO IT RIGHT NOW. $821,000 FOR A PARKING LOT AND A WASH BAY IS TOO MUCH MONEY. >> Mayor Guajardo: CAN Y'ALL GIVE US A COMPARISON? I HEAR WHAT THE COUNCILMAN'S SAYING BUT THAT'S BASED ON WHAT? I MEAN, IT'S TOO MUCH MONEY BASED ON WHAT? YOU KNOW, NOT TODAY, NOT TODAY BUT THAT'S LIKE SAYING, WELL, THAT HOUSE COSTS TOO MUCH. BUT WHAT KIND OF HOUSE IS IT? WHAT'S INSIDE? IS IT A TILE ROOF? IS IT A SHINGLE ROOF? COMPARE HOUSES FOR US. BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW. NO ONE UP HERE IS AN ENGINEER. NO ONE UP HERE POURS CONCRETE OR ASPHALT. SO IN FAIRNESS, BECAUSE $800,000 IS A LOT. BUT CYNTHIA JUST SAID THIS IS NOT JUST A PARKING LOT. THIS IS MORE THAN A PARKING LOT. SO LET'S SEPARATE IT OUT. AND I DON'T WANT TO DO IT HERE. TODAY IS NOT THE DAY FOR THAT BUT I WOULD LIKE THIS COUNCIL AND I WOULD LIKE THAT INFORMATION. WHAT DOES THAT PARKING LOT COST PER SQUARE FOOT? I DON'T KNOW HOW Y'ALL DO IT. SO IF I'M SHOPPING FOR A 30-YEAR SHINGLE ROOF VERSUS A 20-YEAR VERSUS A 15-YEAR, I CAN SEE, RIGHT, WHAT I'M COMPARING TO. SO GIVE US A LITTLE SOMETHING LIKE THAT. BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND THE COMMENTS. I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE COMPARING IT TO WHEN WE SAY THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY. THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY FOR WHAT? WE NEED TO KNOW THE SQUARE FOOTAGE OR HOWEVER YOU DO IT FOR THE PARKING LOT, PLUS THE OTHER AMENITY THAT IT HAS, WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT. WHAT IS IT CALLED? >> WASH BAY. >> Mayor Guajardo: THE WASH BAY. RIGHT. OKAY. SO IF YOU'LL BRING THAT BACK TO US. COUNCILWOMAN VAUGHN. NOW WE HAVE THREE PEOPLE. >> Vaughn: [OFF MIC] >> Zanoni: CONCRETE. >> Vaughn: CONCRETE AND -- >> Zanoni: I KNOW. RAM COULD ANSWER THAT. IF YOU DID ALTERNATE ASPHALT AND NOT CONCRETE? >> Vaughn: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE? WE DO SOME OF OUR RESIDENTIAL STREETS LIKE THAT. >> [OFF MIC] TO ANSWER WOULD IT WORK? YES. BUT OUR INTENTION IS TO DO THE VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FOR THE 18-WHEELER DROPOFF. WE DON'T HAVE THAT MUCH TRAFFIC ON A DAILY BASIS ON A SMALL RESIDENTIAL STREET. HERE YOU WILL. AND THE OTHER PART, THEY WASH THEIR CARS IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE, BUT HERE YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE CONSTANT WATER MIGRATION TO THE TOP. TO PREVENT THAT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A CONCRETE SURFACE TO MITIGATE THAT AND TRANSFER THAT WATER TO THE STORM BASIN AND SEWER AND SANITARY. >> Zanoni: IT'S A BETTER INVESTMENT FOR THE TAXPAYER. IT WOULD HAVE A LONGER LIFE, I THINK IS THE ANSWER. >> Vaughn: AND I GET THAT BUT I'M LIKE THEY ARE. I HATE TO DO IT. >> Zanoni: I KNOW. >> Vaughn: I KNOW IT'S EXPENSIVE, BECAUSE WE JUST DID ASPHALT FOR THREE MILES, I THINK AT THE RANCH, AND I ALMOST FELL OVER. BUT IT'S NOTHING LIKE THIS AND IT COSTS LIKE $142,000 JUST FOR THREE MILES. YOU COULDN'T HAVE DONE ANY CHEAPER, COULD YOU? >> FOR CALICHE? >> Vaughn: ASPHALT. IT WORKS AND IT LASTS. QUESTION ON THE BUILDING THAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO -- LET ME FIND IT HERE. THE KENNEL BUILDING THREE AND ADMINISTRATION BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS. WHAT ARE THEY DOING TO THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING? >> THEY HAD A PROJECT A FEW YEARS BACK. THEY DID THE INTERIOR UNITS. YOU KNOW HOW THE HOUSES HAVE THE OUTSIDE AND INDOOR UNIT? THEY ONLY REPLACED THE EXTERIOR UNITS. THEY SHOULD HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED AT ONE GIVEN TIME. HOWEVER, MAYBE THE BUDGET WAS AN ISSUE SO WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK AND FINISH THAT WORK AND REPLACE ALL THE UNITS THAT ARE OUTSIDE. GO BACK INSIDE AND TRY TO CONDITION THE MEZZANINE A LITTLE BIT MORE APPROPRIATELY. GO BYPASS STUFF TO MAKE IT WORK BUT IT'S BASED ON AIR-CONDITIONING AND ROOF REPLACEMENT. >> Vaughn: SO THE AIR CONDITIONERS YOU'RE GOING TO REPLACE OUTSIDE ARE STILL WORKING? >> BARELY. THEY ARE 20-PLUS YEARS OLD. >> Vaughn: OH, THEY DID GOOD. OKAY. THAT'S THE QUESTION. >> Zanoni: COUNCILWOMAN, COULD I JUST ADD TO THAT? WHILE WE CALL IT AN ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, THAT'S WHERE THE CUSTOMERS COME IN. >> Vaughn: EVERYBODY? >> Zanoni: IT'S AN ALL POINTS ON BUILDING. EVERYBODY THAT NEEDS ANYTHING COMES TO THAT BUILDING. IT'S THE FRONT FACE OF THE OPERATION. >> Vaughn: OKAY. THIS IS A LOT OF MONEY BUT WITH ALL THE THINGS THAT WE'VE GOT GOING ON, IT'S NOT GOING TO GO REAL FAR. I THINK WHAT WE'VE GOT HERE IS GOING PRETTY FAR. I'M NOT THRILLED ABOUT THE PARKING LOT BUT I GET THE VALUE OF HAVING IT, BECAUSE OF THE SANITATION, I DO. ERIC, WELCOME TO GOVERNMENT. I WAS LIKE YOU WHEN I GOT ON THE FIRST TIME, I THOUGHT GOOD LORD. BUT THAT'S THE WAY THEY DO GOVERNMENT. IT'S UNFORTUNATE. THE STATE OUGHT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. BUT THEY DO BECAUSE THEY CAN. MAYOR, I HAVEN'T TALKED TO YOU ABOUT THIS, BUT THOSE PHYSICIANS AND STUFF, WE VISITED ABOUT THE ANIMAL CONTROL. I WAS JUST WONDERING IF WE COULD APPROVE IT BUT MAKE SURE THOSE POSITIONS ARE FILLED BY THE NEW DIRECTOR WHEN SHE COMES IN . I THINK SHE SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE HER OWN STAFF AND FIGURE OUT WHAT POSITIONS SHE NEEDS. JUST A SUGGESTION. >> Zanoni: YEAH, THAT'S ALWAYS IDEAL COUNCILWOMAN. OUR RECRUITER, THE RECRUITMENT FOR THIS PHASE HERE MAY TAKE TWO OR THREE MORE PHASES. BUT CLOSES, I THINK IT'S THIS WEEK. SO IF WE THINK WE CAN HIRE THE DIRECTOR RELATIVELY QUICKLY, I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT. BUT IF IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE MONTHS, THEN WE MAY WANT TO -- YEAH. WE JUST TRIED TO INTERVIEW FOR FOUR POSITIONS. ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, HEALTH DIRECTOR, AN AIRPORT DIRECTOR, AND ONE OTHER ONE. AND WE'RE HAVING TO GO BACK OUT AGAIN BECAUSE THE QUALITY OF THE CANDIDATES IS NOT THERE. OR THEY HAVE TAKEN A JOB SOMEWHERE ELSE. >> Vaughn: THAT'S UNFORTUNATE. I HOPE YOU MOVE OUR ANIMAL DIRECTOR UP TO THE TOP OF THE LIST. >> Zanoni: IT'S THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. >> Vaughn: IS IT REALLY? >> Zanoni: WE'RE HAVING TO GO BACK OUT FOR THE OTHER THREE. I THINK THE ANIMAL CARE IS THE FOURTH EXECUTIVE POSITION WE'RE RECRUITING FOR. IF ANYBODY IS LEGIS LISTENING, WE'RE INCLUDING A COMPANY BUILDING, CLOTHING ALLOWANCE, PROBABLY ONE OF THE HIGHEST-PAID POSITIONS IN THE CITY. AND OTHER INCENTIVES TO RECRUIT SOMEBODY HERE. WE HEARD IT FROM JAN GLICKMAN THIS IS A TOUGH PROFESSION AND THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WILLING TO WORK IN THESE LEADERSHIP ROLES IS VERY SMALL. AND SO THERE'S CHOICE. SO SAN ANTONIO JUST FILLED THEIR DIRECTOR NOT TOO LONG AGO SO WE'RE PUTTING IN THIS VERY GENEROUS PACKAGE AND I HOPE THAT WILL HELP. >> Vaughn: BUT YOU HAVE PEOPLE THAT APPLIED. YOU HAVE A GOOD NUMBER THAT HAVE APPLIED BUT Y'ALL HAVE NOT VETTED THEM YET? >> Zanoni: THE RECRUITER THAT WE'RE USING WON'T SHARE ANYTHING. IT'S PART OF THEIR PROCESS. THEY CLOSE THE RECRUITING PROCESS AND WHILE THAT'S HAPPENING, THEY'RE EVALUATING CANDIDATES. SOON AFTER THIS WEEK THEY'LL TELL US HOW MANY VIABLE CANDIDATES. THEY JUST DON'T SHARE INFORMATION ALONG THE WAY. >> Vaughn: SO AFTER THEY DO THAT, ARE THEY GOING TO COME TO YOU TO BE INTERVIEWED? >> Zanoni: YEAH. THEY'LL PROBABLY HAVE, IF WE DO HAVE, SAY, HALF A DOZEN CANDIDATES, MAYBE MORE. WE'LL WORK WITH THE RECRUITER TO SAY WITH HIS OR HER HELP TO SAY OF THESE EIGHT, I THINK THESE SIX ARE WORTH INTERVIEWING. THEN WE'LL DO AN INTERVIEW. WE MAY DO A WEBEX INTERVIEW TO GENERALLY SEE IF WE WANT TO SCREEN SOME OUT, BASICALLY. FROM THERE WE'LL BRING IN THE CANDIDATES FOR IN-PERSON INTERVIEWS. YEAH, AND IT WILL INCLUDE THINGS LIKE -- WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A STAKEHOLDER PANEL WITH ANIMAL CARE PARTNERS AND ADVOCATES IN THE COMMUNITY. THEY WON'T MAKE THE DECISION ON WHO TO HIRE BUT THEY'LL GIVE US ADVICE. WE'LL INCLUDE THE ANIMAL CARE ADVISORY BOARD IS ANOTHER GROUP THAT CAN MEET THE CANDIDATES. I JUST WANT TO CAUTION US AGAIN, THIS IS A TOUGH SPOT TO FILL POSITIONS, AS EVIDENCED BY THE THREE. WE HAVE JUST HAD TO GO BACK OUT FOR. ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, A PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR, AND THE AIRPORT DIRECTOR WE'RE STILL IN THE PROCESS. BUT ONE OF THE FINALISTS JUST WITHDREW AND TOOK A JOB SOMEWHERE ELSE. >> Vaughn: I JUST HATE THAT IT'S TAKING SO LONG. IT SEEMS LIKE A LONG TIME TO INTERVIEW PEOPLE. >> Zanoni: IT'S THE WHOLE PROCESS. IT'S FOUR TO SIX WEEKS, IF YOU WANT TO GET A VIABLE CANDIDATE IN, TWO TO THREE WEEKS TO INTERVIEW. ONE CANDIDATE WANTED TO TAKE FIVE MONTHS TO RELOCATE HERE AND WE SAID, NOPE, SORRY. WE'RE INTERVIEWING TO HIRE SOMEBODY RIGHT NOW, >> Vaughn: OKAY. THANK YOU. COUNCILMA N HERNANDEZ? >> Hernandez: OKAY. I FORGOT TO MENTION THIS ON THE LAST ONE, IN -- WHEN YOU IDENTIFIED ON PAGE 3 ABOUT THE SOURCES OF THE -- FOR THE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION, YOU SHOW 1,894,000, IN THE CIP PAGE FOR DESIGN THAT YOU'RE REPURPOSING SHOWS 1,271,000. I UNDERSTAND THERE'S SOME MORE REPURPOSING FROM SOME OTHER PROJECTS, SO THE ISSUE I HAD -- AND THIS IS TO PETER -- THESE THINGS NEED TO BE IDENTIFIED IF THERE'S MONEY SITTING OUT THERE THAT WERE UNUSED OR WERE SOLD CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION THAT NEED TO BE KIND OF REFUNDED. THEY SHOULDN'T JUST BE SITTING THERE. THEY SHOULD BE USED TO PAY OFF OUR CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION OR ACTUALLY BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION. AND THIS IS KINDS OF SIMILAR TO A -- KIND OF SIMILAR TO WHEN WE HAD A BUNCH OF MONEY SITTING OUT THERE FOR PAST BOND PROJECTS THAT WERE JUST SITTING IN AN ACCOUNT, AND ENGINEERING WAS USING IT AS KIND OF -- I'LL USE THE TERM SLUSH FUND TO MAKE UP FOR OTHER PROJECTS, BUT IT SHOULD BE IDENTIFIED TO THE -- TO US AS COUNCIL TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THAT MONEY'S SITTING. >> Zanoni: THAT'S WHY WE CHANGED THE PROCESS, COUNCILMAN. WE DO AN ANNUAL CLEARING OF ALL ACCOUNTS AND BRING IT TO COUNCIL. >> Hernandez: BUT YOU DON'T HAVE IT IDENTIFIED IN THIS ONE. >> Zanoni: YEAH, THAT ONE THE STAFF'S GOING TO HAVE TO HELP ME. I THINK THE KENNELS WERE INITIALLY BUDGETED. >> Hernandez: RIGHT, FOR 1.2 MILLION. >> Zanoni: AND THEN THERE WERE SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDS THAT WERE ADDED TO IT THAT WAS SAVINGS FROM A 2022 FACILITY MAINTENANCE CIP PROJECT. >> Zanoni: I DON'T THINK THE BUDGET PAGE WAS UPDATED IS WHAT IT WAS. I HEAR WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, COUNCILMAN. >> Hernandez: OKAY. AND I APPRECIATE THAT, AND I'LL GO BACK TO THIS PARKING LOT THING, BECAUSE I THINK IT'S BEEN HARPED ON A LITTLE BIT. GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING COSTS TWO AND THREE TIMES AS MUCH AS IT DOES THE PRIVATE SECTOR. OKAY. AND THAT'S WHY, YOU KNOW, WHEN I SUGGESTED THE PUBLIC WORKS IN USING SOME OF OUR IN-HOUSE STUFF, IT WOULD BE MUCH CHEAPER. AND I UNDERSTAND WE WANT TO DO CONCRETE, AND THERE'S SOME DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS THAT NEED TO BE DONE, BUT WE CAN DO THAT AS WELL. I JUST HAD A DRAINAGE PROJECT OFF OF SNOW GOOSE, ACTUALLY GRAND CENTRAL NOT TOO LONG AGO, WHERE WE PUT IN A DRAINAGE TO HELP AN AREA DRAIN WITH A PIPE GOING INTO A CHANNEL. SO I THINK THERE'S SOME THINGS THAT WE CAN DO INTERNALLY THAT AT A MUCH LOWER COST, BUT WE NEED TO ASK THOSE QUESTIONS. AND THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING IS I DIDN'T REALIZE SOME OF THE DRAINAGE ISSUES ALONG WITH THIS, AND FORGIVE ME FOR THAT, BUT EVEN THEN, IF YOU'RE STILL -- $200,000 FOR, YOU KNOW, A PARKING LOT, AND SHE DID 3 MILES FOR 142,000, YOU KNOW, IT -- IT'S KIND OF HARD TO SWALLOW, THAT KIND OF EXPENSE WHEN THOSE SAVINGS COULD BE SPENT SOMEWHERE ELSE. AND I WANT -- I DON'T KNOW HOW WE CHANGE THIS. I DON'T KNOW HOW WE LOOK AT IT, BUT I WANT YOU TO LOOK AT IN-HOUSE. >> Zanoni: RIGHT. THAT'S -- AND WE KNOW IN OUR STREETS PROGRAM WHEN I GOT HERE SIX YEARS AGO WE WERE DOING PRETTY MUCH ZERO IN-HOUSE WORK IN STREETS. SO WE KNOW THERE'S A 20 TO 30% MARKUP FOR PROFIT AND OVERHEAD WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR. WE'RE NOT SURE OF PUBLIC WORKS AVAILABILITY, IT WOULD BE ON AN OVERTIME BASIS, THEY DON'T POUR CONCRETE. >> Hernandez: THERE'S CONCRETE -- THERE'S A SECTION OF CONCRETE THERE ALREADY. >> Zanoni: THERE IS. SOMEBODY FILLED THE POTHOLE WITH A PIECE OF CONCRETE. THEY POURED CONCRETE TO THE POTHOLE. >> IT WAS PATCHWORK. >> Zanoni: RIGHT. >> Hernandez: OKAY. >> Zanoni: IT WASN'T A PLATFORM, FOR SOME REASON THEY USED CONCRETE TO FILL AN ASPHALT POTHOLE. >> Hernandez: THEY PROBABLY GOT TIRED OF IT NOT MAINTAINING. >> Zanoni: THAT'S WHAT IT WAS MAYBE YEAH. >> Hernandez: WE DID THIS OVER AT DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. THEY HAD POTHOLES THAT LOOKED LIKE SWIMMING POOLS, TOO. >> Zanoni: IT'S NOT JUST POTHOLES. IT'S THE QUALITY OF CARE FOR THE EMPLOYEE, IT'S -- THESE ARE VEHICLES THAT ARE COMING IN AND OUT ALL DAY LONG, TURNING RADIUSES EAT UP ASPHALT LIKE NOBODY'S BUSINESS, SO THE VEHICLES ARE BACKING IN, PULLING OUT, TURNING AROUND, THAT JUST EATS AND EATS AND EATS, THAT'S WHY THE CONCRETE'S BASICALLY WASHING AWAY RIGHT NOW. >> Hernandez: I WISH WE HAD THIS CONVERSATION WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT CONCRETE VERSUS ASPHALT STREETS SAZ THAT'S WHY A LOT OF THE STREETS YOU SEE RIGHT NOW ARE CONCRETE IN THE COMMUNITY. >> Hernandez: HOW MANY YARDS OF CONCRETE IN THIS PARKING LOT? >> I DON'T KNOW THAT. >> Hernandez: NO? I CAN'T PULL THAT NUMBER OFF -- >> Hernandez: WHAT'S THE TOTAL DIMENSION OF THE PARKING LOT? >> Zanoni: R. >> I DON'T HAVE THAT. WE DID SQUARE FOOTAGE, COST PER Y UNIT RATE, FOR THE REBAR, FOR THE CATCH BASIN, FOR THE LINE, WE DID ALL THAT BREAKDOWN ALREADY. >> Hernandez: MAYBE YOU CAN GET MOSES OVER HERE TO DO ROLLED CONCRETE. >> ROLLER COMPACTED CONCRETE. >> Hernandez: ROLLER COMPACT CONCRETE. I SHORT EARNED IT UP. SHORTENED IT UP. >> I KNOW. >> Hernandez: IF YOU CAN GET US THAT NUMBER, WAYN' WI WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT IS ON A PER SQUARE FOOT BASIS. >> Zanoni: WE'LL E-MAIL IT TO YOU. COUNCILMA N CAMPOS? >> Campos: I GUESS WHEN I WAS BEING BRIEFED ON THIS, I -- I JUST NOTICED NOW THAT WE ARE USING CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION, WHEN WE JUST HEARD THE CITY MANAGER THREE WEEKS AGO SAY THAT WE WERE MOVING AWAY, AND HERE WE ARE, OUR FIRST MEETING BACK AND IT'S INCLUDED. DO YOU WANT TO -- >> Zanoni: YEAH. >> Campos: -- SPEAK ON THAT? >> Zanoni: WHAT I SAID, WE WON'T BE ISSUING, ALTHOUGH COUNCILWOMAN VAUGHN AND OTHERS SAID, WELL, YOU CAN, YOU LET US DECIDE. WHAT I SAID IS NO ADDITIONAL COS BEYOND WHAT'S IN THE BUDGET. SO THE ANIMAL CARE KENNELS WERE BUDGETED A YEAR AGO. YEAH, SO WHAT I SAID WAS NO NEW COS. >> Campos: OKAY. >> Zanoni: RIGHT? SO THESE ARE REPROGRAMMING COS THAT WERE PROGRAMMED FOR THE KENNEL EXPANSION PROJECT, AND SO INSTEAD OF DOING THAT, WE'RE SAYING REUSE THEM FOR THIS WORK, SOME OF THIS WORK. >> Campos: OKAY. WELL, ONLY BECAUSE I AM -- I HAD ASKED FOR THE AGENDA ITEM FROM THREE WEEKS AGO, I WANT TO SAY IT'S 17, I THINK, THE NEXT ONE, THAT I AM GOING TO REVERSE MY VOTE BECAUSE OF THE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION. BECAUSE I'M TRYING -- YOU KNOW, WE'RE TRYING TO BE VERY -- EVEN THOUGH WE KNOW -- EVERYONE KNOWS HOW BAD, YOU KNOW, ANIMAL CARE SERVICES HAS BEEN. I MEAN, THANK GOD THAT WE ARE FINALLY GETTING SOME ATTENTION SOME MUCH MUCH MUCH NEEDED ATTENTION, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE DO NEED TO BE PRUDENT AND WE DO NEED TO BE TRANSPARENT, YOU KNOW, WITH OUR CONSTITUENTS AND LET THEM KNOW THAT THIS IS, YOU KNOW, HOW WE ARE USING TAXPAYER MONEY, THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE A SAY ON HOW THIS IS BE K USED. THAT IS MY RESERVATION ON THIS VOTE. I AM TOTALLY FOR THIS PROJECT, BUT THE USE OF THE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION, I'M LIKE, OH, MAN, I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT I'M PLACED ON THIS SPOT AGAIN. I'M STILL MULLING IT OVER, SO THANK YOU. COUNCILWO MAN PAXSON? >> Paxson: THANK YOU, MAYOR. TAG, YOU'RE IT, SORRY YOU'RE THE ONES HERE DURING THE DISCUSSION, BUT IT IS -- IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE TALK ABOUT ON A LOT OF ITEMS, AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, THE OBJECTIVE QUESTION IS A PARKING LOT AND AN AIR CONDITIONING SET UP. THE PRICE TAG IS ALMOST A MILLION DOLLARS EACH. I THINK WHAT COUNCILMEMBER CANTU'S FRUSTRATION THAT HE'S TRYING TO ARTICULATE IS THAT IT IS ALMOST A MILLION DOLLARS TO PUT CLIMATE CONTROL ON AN EXISTING BUILDING. AND I KNOW WHEN WE SAT DOWN, YOU EXPLAINED SOME THINGS THAT I WASN'T EVEN FAMILIAR WITH, LIKE THE ADDITIONAL AIR RETURNS THAT YOU NEED BECAUSE YOU ARE DEALING WITH PUBLIC SAFETY, BECAUSE THIS IS ANIMALS -- YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT JUST A HOME WHERE YOU WOULD BE, YOU KNOW, INSTALLING AIR DROPS AND RETURNS BASED ON SQUARE FOOTAGE AND ROOMS, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT LIVING CREATURES AND DISEASE CONTROL. SO THAT'S GREAT INFORMATION. THAT WAS HELPFUL FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS NOW -- THAT TELLS ME A MORE ROBUST UNIT THAN I'M USED TO DEALING WITH, BUT, AGAIN, IT IS. IT'S A MILLION DOLLARS TO PUT AIR CONDITIONING IN A BUILDING. AND I KNOW THAT THERE'S SOME INSULATION AND SOME EQUIPPING, BUT I'M ALMOST LIKE, WELL, DAD GUM, WE CAN GO BACK AND BUILD A WHOLE BRAND-NEW STATE OF THE ART THING FOR A MILLION DOLLARS, BUT PETER, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT A LOT. >> Zanoni: YEAH. >> Paxson: IS SAYING WHEN WE GO OUT FOR BID FOR THIS TYPE OF THING, AND I KNOW WE UTILIZE MASTER SERVICE AGREEMENTS FOR THIS AND WE TYPICALLY DO THAT TO EXPEDITE THE PROCESS, WE FOUND THIS FUNDING, COUNCIL INDICATED IT WAS A HUGE PRIORITY, WE NEEDED EXPEDIENCY OF TIME, BUT I THINK BEING ABLE TO BUILD IN THESE CAPS AS WE DO THESE BIDS. >> Zanoni: YEAH. >> Paxson: IT'S -- I DON'T KNOW MANY OTHER -- I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT ANOTHER MECHANISM IS, BECAUSE -- >> Zanoni: YEAH. >> Paxson: -- REGARDLESS OF WHICH PUBLIC ENTITY YOU'RE WORKING IN AS A GOVERNMENT, THE COST IS ASTRONOMICAL. >> Zanoni: ONE THING WE DID IN MY PRIOR PLACE WHERE I WAS IN SAN ANTONIO, THE COUNCIL THERE HAD THE SAME QUESTIONS. AND WE DID A STUDY TO SEE HOW MUCH MORE IS THE PRICE WHEN A CONTRACTOR WORKS FOR THE CITY. BECAUSE OF CITY-REQUIRED THINGS, BECAUSE OF STATE-REQUIRED ADD-ONS AND FEDERAL REQUIRED ADD-ONS, IT WAS ABOUT 25 TO 30%, AND WE DEMONSTRATED IT WITH SAMPLE PROJECTS. SO IN SAN ANTONIO AND IN OTHER PLACES, THERE'S A LIVING WAGE THAT YOU WANT TO PAY, THERE'S FEDERAL MINIMUMS THAT YOU HAVE TO PAY. DAVIS BACON WAGES. WE REQUIRE INSURANCES, WE REQUIRE. >> Paxson: BONDING AND -- >> Zanoni: IT JUST KEEPS GETTING ADDED ON AND ON AND ON FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THE STATE GOVERNMENT AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT. AND IT TURNS INTO -- WE CAN GET THAT PAPER, IT WAS 30%. >> Paxson: I KNOW THERE'S BEEN SO MANY TIMES GOING THROUGH AGENDA AGENDA AGENDA THIS IS OUR ENGINEER'S ESTIMATE, THERE'S SOME TIMES THAT WE GET A BID THAT COMES IN LOW OR COMPARABLE. >> Zanoni: A COUPLE OF TIMES, YEAH. >> Paxson: THERE'S A LOT OF TIMES, IT'S MUCH HIGHER. SO FOR US, IF WE'RE SAYING THIS IS WHAT WE'RE INTERESTED IN PAYING. >> Zanoni: YEP. >> Paxson: STARTING TO HOLD THAT LINE. I DON'T KNOW A BETTER ANSWER THAN THAT. I JUST WANT TO SAY, WE ALL WANT ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES TO HAVE THESE UPGRADES BUT WE ALL SHARE THE FRUSTRATION. IT'S REALLY HARD TO SAY A MILLION DOLLARS FOR AN AIR CONDITIONER AND A MILLION -- BECAUSE WE JUST WANT IT TO GO FURTHER. THAT'S ALL. >> Zanoni: WE DO, TOO. NOBODY -- YOU KNOW, WE DO AS WELL. >> Mayor Guajardo: RIGHT, RIGHT. >> Zanoni: JUST TO ADD TO YOUR COMMENT, THE FACILITIES FOR THE KENNELS, THERE'S A LOT OF WATER INFILTRATION THROUGH THE DAY WHICH DOES NOT HELP IN THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. WE'RE HOSING DOWN THE KENNELS TWO TIMES A DAY, MAYBE MORE. AT HOME, NOBODY'S HOSING DOWN THE KITCHEN FLOOR, YOU KNOW, OF THE LIVING ROOM, SO THERE'S A LOT OF MOISTURE BEING ADDED INTO THIS FACILITY, AND SO THEY NEED THE RIGHT TYPE OF SYSTEM TO GET ALL THAT MOISTURE OUT. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. COUNCILMAN CANTU? >> Cantu: HOW BIG IS THIS BUILDING THAT WE'RE PUTTING THE AC ON? >> IT'S ABOUT 3500 SQUARE FEET. >> Cantu: HOW MANY TONNAGE IS IT IN. >> RIGHT NOW THERE'S ZERO TONNAGE. THEY'RE NOT CONDITIONED. >> Cantu: I KNOW, HOW MANY TONNAGE -- >> WE'RE PROBABLY PUTTING IN NO MORE THAN A 7.5-TON, BUT PROBABLY BE ABOUT 4-TON. >> Cantu: UNIT? >> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DEHUMIDIFY IT, MODIFY THE DOORS. MAKE SURE WE SPECIALIZE -- THEY'RE ALL ENTIRELY OPEN. IMAGINE HAVING A 3500 SQUARE FOOT HOME WITH ONE WALL MISSING AND TRYING TO CONDITION IT. >> Cantu: YEAH, BECAUSE I LITERALLY JUST -- >> THAT'S HARD. >> Cantu: -- PAID FOR 15-TON UNIT INSTALLED AT ONE OF MY PARTNER'S LOCATION IN THE VALLEY, WHICH IS VALLEY PRICES, BUT I'M SURE THEY COME TO CORPUS, $21,200, MAN, FOR A 15-TON. IT BOTHERS ME. I'VE GOT SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU. IS OUR CREMATING MACHINE FIXED YET? >> SO THE TECHNICIAN IS ACTUALLY HERE TODAY. >> Cantu: HE IS HERE TODAY. >> THEY JUST NOTIFIED ME THAT IT WAS REPAIRED. >> Cantu: AWESOME. GOOD. AND THEN. >> Zanoni: COUNCILMAN, JUST SO PEOPLE CAN HEAR THAT, SO THE CREE MA TOREIUM HAS BEEN FIXED AS OF TODAY, SINCE IT WASN'T ON THE -- >> Cantu: I KNOW THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM CITY GATE WAS 53, 54 EXTRA EMPLOYEES OR SOMETHING. >> IT WAS 15 EXTRA. >> Cantu: 15 EXTRA? >> 15. AND WITH THIS MIDYEAR ADJUSTMENT, WE WOULD BE ADDING THREE OF THOSE 15. >> Cantu: OKAY. OKAY. AND THEN WHAT ARE WE DOING FOR A VET? >> SO RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A CONTRACT. WE HAVE CONTRACT VETS COMING IN. WE'RE OUTSOURCING, THEY'RE COMING IN ONCE A WEEK. WE'RE TRYING TO DO TWICE A WEEK, AND SO THEY'RE COMING IN PROVIDING SERVICES FOR US. >> Cantu: SO WHEN YOU NEED A VET, WHERE DO WE GO TO? >> SO IF WE DON'T HAVE ONE SCHEDULED AND AN ANIMAL COMES IN INJURED THEN WE TAKE HIM TO VCAO. SO CLINIC. >> THAT'S AN EXPENSIVE VET. >> YES, IT IS. >> Cantu: IS IT TRUE YOU GUYS SPEND ABOUT FIVE, $6,000. >> THAT ISN'T TRUE. >> Cantu: I TAKE BELLA THERE ONCE A MONTH BECAUSE I OVERREACT AND MY BILL'S LIKE TWO GRAND. THANK GOD FOR HEALTH INSURANCE FOR PETS. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE, WHEN I HEARD THAT NUMBER, IT WAS A LITTLE CONCERNING. >> NO. >> Cantu: IS THERE ANYONE ELSE IN TOWN WE CAN MAKE A DEAL WITH -- >> WE WILL CONTINUE TO TRY TO REACH OUT. BUT RIGHT NOW VCA OSO IS THE PARTNER WE USE. AND THEY ARE THE ONLY 24 HOUR CLINIC AND WE ARE A 24 HOUR SERVICE. >> Cantu: MAYBE WE NEED TO BUILD AN ER FOR THE PETS FOR THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, PROVIDE REASONABLE PRICE IT'S. PRICES. >> ONE STEP AT A TIME, COUNCILMEMBER. >> Cantu: I THINK THAT IS -- WHERE ARE YOU GUYS GOING TO PUT THE WASHING DEAL AT, THE -- TO RINSE OFF THE TRUCKS OR WHATEVER THE CASE IS, IS IT IN THE VERY BACK OF THE PARKING LOT IN THE CORNER SOMEWHERE? >> NO, IT'S GOING TO BE IN BETWEEN TWO OF THE BUILDINGS WHERE THERE IS AN EXISTING -- WELL, NO, NOT REALLY. YOU WANT TO DESCRIBE IT? >> WE'RE GOING TO GO OUT THERE AND FINISH THE INVESTIGATION. IF WE CAN TRY TO LOCATE IT BETWEEN THE TWO BUILDINGS AND TRY TO REUSE AN EXISTING SANITARY LINE, WE ONLY HAVE TO WATCH A WATER SEPARATOR, BUT IF WE CAN'T TIE INTO IT PROPERLY, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PUT IT ON THE WEST SIDE OF THAT PARKING LOT. WE'RE GOING TO TRY AN AVENUE WHERE WE CAN TRY TO REUSE SOME OF THE PAVEMENT, BUT IF WE CAN'T, WE'RE GOING TO GO SHOOT FOR THE WEST SIDE. TRY TO GREENFIELD IT. >> Cantu: NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT CATS. ARE WE OKAY WITH CAT SPACE, DO WE HAVE KENNELS FOR CATS? CATS TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES, I MEAN -- >> THEY DO, BUT WE DO TAKE CARE OF THEM VERY WELL. WE HAVE 39 CAT KENNELS AND WE HAVE AN ISOLATION SPACE FOR CATS. >> Cantu: AND WE'RE OKAY FOR KENNELS FOR CATS RIGHT NOW? >> AS OF RIGHT NOW, YES. >> Cantu: AND CREMATING MACHINE IS GOOD. AND WE'RE GOING TO ORDER ANOTHER ONE WITH THIS MONEY, RIGHT? >> YES, WE ARE. >> Cantu: HOW LONG WILL THAT TAKE TO GET IN? >> THAT DEPENDS BECAUSE CREMATION MACHINES ARE BUILT IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE CITY AND THERE'S ONLY. >> Zanoni: IN THE COUNTRY. >> AROUND THE COUNTRY. >> Cantu: IT WASN'T THAT MUCH, RIGHT? IT WAS LIKE 150. >> IT COMES OUT TO ABOUT 300. >> Cantu: OH, 300,000. >> Zanoni: FOR THE INSTALLATION COUNCILMAN TO INSTALL IT AND EVERYTHING. >> Cantu: AND THE WARRANTY'S PRETTY GOOD? >> WELL, SOMETIMES SOME OF THESE MANUFACTURES SAY THEY LAST A LIFE TIME. >> Cantu: THAT'S WHAT CHINA SAYS. >> YES. >> Cantu: THANK YOU, GUYS. I'M SORRY, IT'S JUST -- IT'S MY PASSION ABOUT IT, AND I JUST DON'T WANT TO SPEND THE MONEY THAT WE COULD SPEND ON SOMETHING ELSE, YOU KNOW, LIKE KENNELS, LIKE -- I DON'T KNOW WHERE Y'ALL BUY YOUR KENNELS AT, BUT I WANT A MARKETPLACE AND THERE'S A LOT OF KENNELS, NICE KENNELS FOR REALLY CHEAP. JUST SAYING, SO... BUT I JUST -- THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU GUYS ARE DOING AND TRYING TO FIX THIS MESS THAT WE'RE IN. THANKS. >> Zanoni: AND COUNCILMAN AND, MAYOR, IF I COULD, AS -- YOU COULD HEAR RAM, THINGS AREN'T 100% ENGINEERED OUT. SO AS PRICING COMES IN AND COSTS COME IN LESS, THE MONEY'S GOING TO STAY IN ANIMAL CARE. SO IT'S QUITE PROBABLE WE'LL COMB BACK TO REPROGRAM SAVINGS FOR ANOTHER PROJECT. SO ANY SAVINGS IN DESIGN OR CONSTRUCTION. >> Mayor Guajardo: WILL STAY. >> Zanoni: THEY'RE NOT GOING OUT AND SPENDING TRYING TO BUY THE MOST EXPENSIVE THING. WE ANTICIPATE SAVINGS, COME BACK WITH ANOTHER PROJECT. >> WE'RE GOING TO KEEP THEM WORKING. >> Mayor Guajardo: REAL QUICK, WE HAVE TWO MORE COMMENTS AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON. WE HAD HAD -- WHEN WE SAT WITH YOU AND CYNTHIA AND WE TALKED, YOU GUYS -- I HAD SUGGESTED TO REACH OUT TO ANIMAL MEDICAL. >> UH-HUH. >> Mayor Guajardo: I THINK VCA, I GET IT -- WELL, THEY'RE NOT THE ONLY 24, THOUGH. >> THEY ARE THE ONLY 24 HOUR. >> Mayor Guajardo: ISN'T THERE ONE ON AIRLINE. >> IT'S CLOSED. >> Mayor Guajardo: SO THEY'RE THE ONLY ONE. >> THE ONLY ONE. >> Mayor Guajardo: WHAT ABOUT, YOU GUYS WERE GOING TO REACH OUT TO THEM? > I GUESS THAT WAS JUST A PARTNER. >> JUST A PARTNER. >> Mayor Guajardo: JUST FOR SERVICES LIKE AN INJURED ANIMAL, BECAUSE VCA IS VERY EXPENSIVE. >> THEY DO GIVE US A DISCOUNT AND WE HAVE ENACTED SOME AGREEMENTS WITH THEM THAT HAVE LOWERED OUR OFFICE VISIT COSTS FROM ABOUT 130 TO $100, SO WE'VE MADE SOME SAVINGS THERE, BUT I HAVE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CALL -- I WANT TO BELIEVE -- >> Mayor Guajardo: AFTERNOON MALMEDICAL. SO VCA IS THE HURT ANIMAL. >> UNLESS IT'S EXOTIC, WE HAD SOME RABBIT, WE HAD TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH AN EXOTIC VET. THEY HAVE AN EXISTING ACCOUNT WITH US, WE'RE ABLE TO GO PAY THEM AND GET THE SERVICES. A LOT OF OUR INJUREDS DO COME IN OVERNIGHT OR ON THE WEEKENDS WHEN A TYPICAL CLINIC IS CLOSED. >> Mayor Guajardo: LET US KNOW ON THE OTHER ANIMAL MEDICAL. >> I WILL. COUNCILMA N VAUGHN AND THEN ROY AND THEN WE'LL WRAP IT UP. >> Vaughn: RAM, ONE MORE QUESTION, I'M NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SLEEP TONIGHT BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO NAG ME, ASKED YOU HOW MANY YARDS OF CONCRETE YOU DID FOR THE PARKING LOT AND YOU COULDN'T TELL US. HOW DO YOU BASE THE COST OF CONCRETE IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE YARDAGE. >> WE HAVE THE -- YOU DON'T KNOW IT. >> NO, I DON'T. I'M NOT GOING TO GO HOME AND DO MY MAKEUP EITHER. >> Vaughn: I REALLY DO WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE YARDAGE IS, SO PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO LET US KNOW. >> Zanoni: WE'RE GOING TO E-MAIL TA TO THE COST PER CONTACT. >> Barrera: YOU DON'T NEED TO SEND IT TO ME. >> Zanoni: COUNCILMAN BARRERA, WE'RE GOING TO -- >> Vaughn: HE WOULDN'T WANT TO KNOW. THANK YOU. COUNCILMA N ROY? >> Roy: THIS QUESTION IS DIRECTED TO STAFF OR ANYONE, WHEN I VISITED THE FACILITY, THE LOT THAT WAS ADJACENT THAT YOU SHOWED ME THAT WAS JUST KIND OF GRASS AND DIRT AND ALL THAT, IS THAT PART OF THIS WHOLE PARKING LOT THING? >> THIS IS NOT. >> Roy: THAT'S NOT. SO IT'S GOING TO STAY WHERE IT'S AT. WHAT WAS THE FEATURE AGAIN THAT YOU WANT FOR THAT? WHAT WAS THE DREAM FOR THAT AREA? >> THE DREAM WAS THE NEW KENNELS. THAT IS WHERE THE NEW 30,000 SQUARE FOOT 200 KENNEL BUILDING WAS GOING TO BE BUILT. >> Roy: AND THAT'S ON HOLD? >> YES. >> Zanoni: YEAH, IT'S KIND OF CANCELED AT THIS POINT. >> Roy: YEAH, I KNEW IT WAS CANCELED BUT I DIDN'T KNOW IF YOU WERE THEN GOING TO DECIDE, OKAY, WE'LL MAKE A LARGER PARKING LOT, BECAUSE I WAS TRYING TO ENVISION THE SPACE THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT AS FAR AS -- AND THE COST. OKAY. SO THE OTHER THING I WANTED TO MENTION, AND, AGAIN, ONE OF THE THINGS I TRY TO DO IS -- IS LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE. AND I'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE, AND I CAN'T HELP BUT THINKING ABOUT OUR CONVERSATION MAYBE TWO OR THREE WEEKS AGO WITH ENGINEERING WHEN IT CAME TO HIRING STAFF, BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS WE WERE TALKING ABOUT, JEFF, IS HOW FAST YOU COULD HIRE STAFF. AND THAT ONE -- WHEN WE WERE TRYING TO HIRE 20 PEOPLE AND YOU GAVE US TWO MONTHS, WE CAN'T GET THREE PEOPLE HIRED IN SIX MONTHS, SO I -- IT IS A CHALLENGE. I THINK IT'S HARDER TO HIRE PEOPLE NOWADAYS, AND I DON'T KNOW WHY THAT IS, I'M NOT AN HR EXPERT, MAYBE PEOPLE WANT TO WORK, MAYBE THEY DON'T WANT TO WORK, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SOLUTION IS TO THAT, BUT TRYING TO GET QUALIFIED PEOPLE TO COME AND WORK AND TAKE ON A POSITION OF RESPONSIBILITY, IT'S TOUGH. SO I'M SYMPATHETIC WITH THAT. THE OTHER THING IS AS AGAIN -- AND I GO BACK AND I TALK ABOUT HISTORICALLY IN THE CITY, IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT WHERE WE'VE COME FROM, YOU KNOW, WE USED TO VEND OUT OUR STREET SWEEPERS. WE USED TO VEND OUT THE GUYS THAT WERE CUTTING THE GRASS. WE USED TO -- PARKS AND REC FOR THE MOST PART HAD INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS FOR EVERYTHING. AND SO WE'VE PULLED THESE THINGS IN, AND I THINK IT'S BEEN SHOWN TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT IF WE PULL THOSE THINGS IN, THAT THE CITY CAN DO THOSE THINGS FOR MORE COST-EFFECTIVE WAY. AND SO I UNDERSTAND WHAT COUNCILMEMBER HERNANDEZ IS TALKING ABOUT AS FAR AS TRYING TO SEE, CAN WE USE THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS TO TRY TO GET SOME OF THE THINGS DONE. I DO THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO CONTINUE TO BRING THINGS IN-HOUSE, WHAT WE CAN DO TO CONTINUE TO KEEP COST DOWN, BECAUSE IT IS LIMITED. BUT THAT'S REALLY -- THAT'S THE MOST -- YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEAT THIS PARTICULAR TOPIC TO DEATH. AND I ALSO THINK WE'VE GOT TO BE FRUGAL, BECAUSE IF WE WERE TO GO OUT HERE AND WE WERE TO PUT THIS PARKING LOT IN AND THEN WE TURN AROUND AND GO OUT -- AND THAT'S THE THING THAT GETS ME SO MUCH, IS I -- I'LL GO TO A CERTAIN AREA AND I SAY, MAN, WE JUST DID THAT STREET LIKE THREE YEARS AGO, AND NOW I'M LOOKING AT THE STREET, AND I CAN'T BELIEVE I'VE GOT TO CALL IN ONE IN CAROLYN'S NEIGHBORHOOD, I WAS SUPPOSED TO CALL IN TODAY. OH, MY GOD, ALREADY WE'VE GOT POTHOLES, WE'VE GOT THIS, WE'VE GOT THAT. AND SO I'M TRYING TO FIGURE THAT WHOLE CONCRETE VERSUS ASPHALT DEAL OUT. I KNOW WE'VE HAD MULTIPLE, MULTIPLE CONVERSATIONS OVER THAT. AND WE JUST -- YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY TOLD ME WHEN YOU BUY CHEAP, YOU ALWAYS BUY. AND SO I KNOW THAT THERE'S A HAPPY MEDIUM TO THAT, BUT WE'VE GOT TO BE COST CONSCIENCE BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK AT THE REPORT WE HAD EARLIER ON THE BUDGET, SOME OF -- WE DIDN'T HIT OUR MARK ON SEVERAL THINGS, SO WE'RE EXPECTING SOME THINGS TO COME IN AND WE'LL GET A HIGHER REVENUE BASE AND WE DIDN'T DO THAT. SO WE'VE GOT TO BE ABLE TO ASK THOSE QUESTIONS, DOES THE BUDGET -- THE MONEY, WE HAVE TO BE GOOD STEWARDS, THAT'S REALLY 80% OF WHY WE SHOULD BE HERE AS COUNCILMEMBERS. SO I'VE SAID ENOUGH. JUST KEEP DOING WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING. I'M GLAD THAT THERE'S IMPROVEMENTS. I'M ACTUALLY IN THE MARKET MYSELF TO GO FIND ANOTHER DOG. THE DOG I HAVE NOW IS A SHELTER DOG, AND MY SON'S IN THE PROCESS OF HOPEFULLY IN ABOUT THREE OR FOUR YEARS, HE'LL BE APPLYING FOR THAT VET JOB HERE LOCALLY. >> NICE. >> Roy: BUT HE TOOK HIS DOG WITH HIM, AND SO WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO FIND A MATE FOR OUR CURRENT DOG. BUT YOU GUYS KEEP DOING THE GOOD JOB. I WAS REALLY ACTUALLY SURPRISED -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT I EXPECTED TO REALLY SEE, BUT YOUR CAMPUS WAS IMMACULATELY CLEAN AND WELL TAKEN CARE OF, AND YOU'RE DOING -- I REALLY DO THINK YOU'RE DOING THE BEST WITH WHAT YOU HAVE. SO KEEP DOING A GOOD JOB AND -- BUT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMP IMPROVEMENT. THANK YOU. >> YES, SIR. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK Y'ALL VERY MUCH. YOU CAN ACTUALLY SIT DOWN NOW. SO WE HAVE A MOTION, WE HAVE A SECOND. IS THERE ANYONE THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE ANY COMMENT ON ITEM NUMBER 18? OKAY. THERE BEING NO ONE, AGAIN, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. SO EVERYONE PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR VOTE.MR. SCOTT ? >> Scott: YES. >> City Secretary: ALL RIGHT. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. THE MOTION -- DID WE MISS -- >> City Secretary: GIL. I'M SORRY. I CLOSED VOTING BEFORE MR. HERNANDEZ HAD VOTED. SO WOULD YOU CARE TO VOTE? SORRY ABOUT THAT. >> Mayor Guajardo: JUST VOTE VERBALLY. >> City Secretary: FOR THE RECORD, MR. HERNANDEZ VOTED NO. >> Mayor Guajardo: ALL RIGHT. THE MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. ITEM NUMBER 18, WE'RE PULLING, SO WE'RE GOING TO SKIP RIGHT OVER THAT ITEM NUMBER 19 IS DISCUSSION REGARDING THE USAGE OF A CURRENT MAYOR'S NAME FOR A CITY SPONSORED EVENT. COUNCILWOMAN CAMPOS? >> Campos: YES. >> Mayor Guajardo: SORRY, AND THIS WAS REQUESTED BY COUNCILWOMAN CAMPOS, ERIC CANTU AND GIL HERNANDEZ. >> Campos: YES. THANK YOU, MAYOR. I JUST WANTED TO JUST KIND OF GO BACK IN HISTORY OF THE CITY HAVING THE FOURTH OF JULY EVENT. AND AFTER LOOKING AT THE HISTORY AND ACTUALLY LOOKING AT OTHER CITIES AS WELL, EVEN THOUGH IT MAY BE DONE BY THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OR WHAT HAVE YOU, IT'S JUST A CITY EVENT. AND THE REASON THAT I WOULD LIKE TO EITHER MAKE A MOTION OR I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROPER LANGUAGE WOULD BE, BUT TO START -- OR TO ELIMINATE "THE MAYOR" IN THE FOURTH OF JULY EVENT. I MEAN, IT SHOULD NOT BE, YOU KNOW POLITICIZED. FOR ME, THE FOURTH OF JULY IS, YOU KNOW, THE FOUNDING -- YOU KNOW, WHEN WE FOUNDED OUR COUNTRY. AND IT SHOULD NOT BE POLITICIZED. SO FOR ME, IT'S NOT ABOUT, YOU KNOW, YOU SITTING IN THIS CHAIR NOW, MAYOR, BUT ABOUT FUTURE -- BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IT'S ALREADY DONE FOR THIS YEAR. SO I JUST WOULD LIKE TO ELIMINATE THE LANGUAGE OF INSERTING THAT WE PUT "MAYOR" OR THE MAYOR'S NAME, I THINK WE NEED TO JUST LEAVE IT AS THE FOURTH OF JULY BIG BANG EVENT PERIOD. SO THAT'S THE REASON THAT I'M -- WAS BRINGING IT FORWARD. IT'S SOMETHING THAT I HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT. I KNOW THERE WAS A HISTORY OF IT BEING DONE BY THE PARK AND REC, AND THEN IT CAME BACK TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND WHAT HAVE YOU. AND I DO UNDERSTAND, I DO APPRECIATE WHAT YOUR OFFICE HAS DONE IN THE PAST YEARS. I'VE ATTENDED THE BIG BANG AS A CITY COUNCILWOMAN, AND I DO APPRECIATE THE SPONSORS OR WHAT HAVE YOU, BUT, AGAIN, IT'S ABOUT THE CITY AND WHEN STAFF ARE CALLING FOR SPONSORS OR WHAT HAVE YOU, IT'S ON BEHALF OF THE CITY. IT'S NOT ON BEHALF OF, YOU KNOW, THE MAYOR. IT'S THE CITY THAT'S ASKING FOR, YOU KNOW, H-E-B OR VALERO, WHOEVER IS DONATING, BUT, AGAIN, YOU KNOW, I JUST THINK HOPEFULLY, YOU KNOW, OTHERS WILL AGREE AND I HAVE BEEN ASKED ABOUT THIS AND IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT I'VE LIVED HERE ALL MY LIFE WITH, AND I'VE ALWAYS WONDERED, I MEAN, WHAT HAS HAPPENED? HOW DID IT -- HOW DID WE ARRIVE HERE, THAT NOW, YOU KNOW, THE MAYOR'S NAME IS INSERTED? I JUST THINK WE NEED TO ELIMINATE THAT SO I DON'T KNOW IF I NEED TO MAKE A MOTION OR IF THERE'S FURTHER DISCUSSION OR WHAT? >> Mayor Guajardo: SO COUNCILWOMAN, IT IS -- THIS EVENT HAS BEEN GOING ON, OBVIOUSLY, FOR 48, I THINK IT IS, YEARS, AND IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, AND IT IS NOT A CITY-SPONSORED EVENT. IT IS THE MAYOR'S OFFICE WHO DOES THE WORK, WHO DOES THE -- AND MANY VOLUNTEERS, BY THE WAY. MANY VOLUNTEERS. YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW HOW THE NAME IS SO RELEVANT. I'M -- IT'S -- I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO SAY ABOUT THAT, HONESTLY BECAUSE AGAIN THIS IS ABOUT THE FOURTH OF JULY, IT'S ABOUT THE WORK THAT'S BEING PUT FOURTH THROUGH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, IT IS ALL PRIVATE SPONSORSHIPS, THERE ARE NO CITY DOLLARS, RIGHT, THAT ARE PUT FORTH. SO IS IT COORDINATED WITH THE CITY? SURE, IT'S COORDINATED WITH THE CITY, JUST LIKE MY Z OTHER EVENTS ARE, BUT IT IS NOT A CITY-SPONSORED, PER SE, EVENT. AND SO MY TITLE, MY -- I MEAN, IT'S MAYOR PAULETTE GUAJARDO, I MEAN, THAT'S -- THAT'S MY TITLE, SO I'M NOT -- I DON'T FEEL THAT WHAT YOU'RE ASKING HAS A WHOLE LOT OF BASIS, BECAUSE, I MEAN, TO REALLY THINK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE WHOLE THING IS ABOUT THE FOURTH OF JULY, IT'S ABOUT CELEBRATING OUR COUNTRY. IT ISN'T NECESSARILY ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE, BUT BECAUSE YOU'RE BRINGING THIS UP, I THINK IT'S WORTH NOTING THAT THIS IS NOT -- THIS IS AN EVENT SPONSORED BY THE MAYOR. I MEAN, THAT'S AS SIMPLE AS IT GETS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE -- HOW ELSE TO EXPLAIN IT. >> Campos: OKAY. WELL, UNLESS IT'S REPORTED ON YOUR, YOU KNOW, CAMPAIGN OR WHAT HAVE YOU, BECAUSE I DON'T THINK IT'S IN YOUR CAMPAIGN REPORTS THAT YOU GET DONATIONS FOR THIS PARTICULAR EVENT. I MEAN, I DIDN'T CHECK INTO YOUR -- >> Mayor Guajardo: NO, NO, I DON'T GET DONATIONS, COUNCILWOMAN. >> Campos: THE CITY DOES. >> Mayor Guajardo: THE OFFICE. >> Campos: OKAY. THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, NOT THE MAYOR. >> Mayor Guajardo: NO, I. >> Campos: NO, THE OFFICE ITSELF. >> Mayor Guajardo: NO, MA'AM, IT'S NOT THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, IT IS AN ACCOUNT THAT'S FOR THIS EVENT. IT IS SEPARATE FROM THE CITY. >> Campos: I DON'T KNOW WHERE -- I COULDN'T FIND WHERE THIS -- THIS CHECK OR -- WHOEVER IS MAKING THESE DONATIONS, I COULDN'T FIND IT, SO IS THERE A NUMBER -- A CHECK DONATION NUMBER, PETER? WHERE VALERO IS SAYING, OKAY, WE'LL DONATE 50,000 AND THERE'S A -- >> Zanoni: YEAH, THIS IS NOT A CITY -- THIS IS NOT A CITY -- I HAVE NOTHING -- I DON'T HAVE ANY OVERSIGHT OVER THIS. IT'S NOT A CITY -- IT'S MORE OF A CAMPAIGN, I THINK -- CAMPAIGN THING. SO YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO ASK THE MAYOR OR MILES. >> Campos: EXACTLY. SO I DON'T THINK. >> Zanoni: IT'S NOT A CITY -- YOU KNOW. >> Campos: OKAY. BUT SOME OF OUR SPONSORS LIKE -- YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID, H-E-B, VALERO, WHAT HAVE YOU, HOW DO THEY MAKE THOSE DONATIONS? BECAUSE THEY ARE ON THE SPONSORS? YEAH. >> Mayor Guajardo: THEY WRITE A CHECK. AND I'D HAVE TO TELL YOU EXACTLY WHAT IT'S TO, BUT IT'S A -- I THINK IT'S AN ACCOUNT FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY BIG BANG. >> Campos: WELL, I DON'T THINK I WAS AWARE OF A CHECK ACCOUNT FOR JUST THE BIG BANG EVENT. >> Mayor Guajardo: WELL, I'M HAPPY TO GIVE YOU THAT EXACT NAME. AND, AGAIN, YOU KNOW, HAD YOU REACHED OUT PRIOR. >> Campos: I DID. >> Mayor Guajardo: NO, TO SAY I HAD A -- YOU KNOW, I HAVE AN ISSUE, AND THAT'S NEITHER HERE NOR THERE AT THIS POINT, YOU'RE CUS EXERCISING YOUR RIGHT. >> Campos: AND I DID, I REACHED OUT TO YOU AND LET YOU KNOW I WAS PUTTING THIS ON OUR AGENDA. >> Mayor Guajardo: YEAH. NO, YOU DID. >> Campos: I'LL GO AHEAD AND LET OTHERS SPEAK. COUNCILMA N HERNANDEZ? >> Hernandez: OKAY. MAYBE I MISUNDERSTOOD HOW THIS WUL AWES GOING TO HAPPEN. WHEN I FIRST GOT ON COUNCIL SEVERAL YEARS AGO MAYOR McCOMB WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PARTICULAR THING, BUT HE WOULD NEVER INCLUDE HIS NAME ON IT. IT WOULD JUST BE THE MAYOR'S BIG BANG BECAUSE I THINK HE WAS WORRIED THAT IT COULD BE MIS CONSTRUED AS CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS, BECAUSE IT'S IN JULY WHEN WE FILE FOR THE POSITION, SO IF YOU HAVE YOUR NAME ON ALL THESE T-SHIRTS AND ALL THESE BANNERS, IT CAN BE CONSTRUED AS A CAMPAIGN. AT LEAST FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND MAYOR McCOMB WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THAT SO HE DIDN'T INCLUDE HIS NAME ON IT. DO WE HAVE SOME SORT OF MAYBE POSITION ON THAT, A LEGAL POSITION OR FROM THE ETHICS COMMISSIONER -- I MEAN, AS TO -- I MEAN, INCLUDING YOUR NAME ON AN EVENT THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS, OR IN KIND CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS. >> Risley: CONSTITUTION NATURALLY, THE MAYOR IS THE CEREMONIAL HEAD OF STATE FOR THE CITY. THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN THE CASE. THE NAME IS GOING TO BE INCIDENTALLY CONTAINED WITHIN THAT. I THINK THERE'S -- THERE ARE SOME ETHICS COMMISSION OPINIONS ON THE USE OF PHOTOS AND NEWSLETTERS THAT WE CAN GET FOR Y'ALL, BUT I DON'T THINK ANY OF THOSE ETHICS OPINIONS TALK/DISCUSS NAMES, PER SE. MERELY USING NAMES ON A COMMUNITY CELEBRATION BECAUSE A COMMUNITY CELEBRATION, WELL, THAT'S WHAT A CEREMONIAL HEAD OF STATE DOES. >> Hernandez: IS THERE ANY TRACKING OF THE FUNDS THAT GO INTO THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT? OBVIOUSLY PETER SAID HE DOESN'T TRACK IT. WHERE IS IT TRACKED? >> Zanoni: I WAS LOOKING AT HEATHER. >> Mayor Guajardo: IN MY OFFICE. >> Zanoni: DOES IT GO INTO A CITIBANK ACCOUNT. >> Mayor Guajardo: YEAH, IT'S IN MY OFFICE, UH-HUH. >> Hernandez: SO IS THAT -- IS THAT NOT ACCOUNTED FOR IN, LIKE, SOME SORT OF CONTRIBUTIONS OR. >> Mayor Guajardo: A CONTRIBUTION FOR WHAT, COUNCILMAN? >> Hernandez: JUST, YOU KNOW, ANY TIME YOU DON'T HAVE ANY KIND OF OVERSIGHT -- AND I'M NOT SAYING THIS IS THE CASE WITH YOU, I'M JUST SAYING THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAD A 27-DAY MAYOR HERE THAT, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW WHAT HE WAS THINKING, BUT JUST THERE'S NO OVERSIGHT ON THE FUNDS THAT COME IN FROM THE DONATIONS. THERE'S NO ACCOUNTING VIA THE -- YOU KNOW, LIKE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS, THE CITY STAFF DOESN'T LOOK AT IT. I THINK IT DOES LEND ITSELF TO SOME QUESTIONS, AND LIKE I SAID, I'M NOT ACCUSING ANYBODY OF ANYTHING, IT JUST MAY OPEN US UP TO SOME ISSUES. AND I DON'T KNOW, MAYBE WE CAN GET SOME OPINION ON THAT. WE CAN DO SOME RESEARCH ON UTILIZING A NAME RIGHT BEFORE AN ELECTION ON, YOU KNOW, A VERY WELL PUBLICIZED AND UTILIZED EVENT. LIKE I SAID, MAYOR McCOMB ONLY USED THE TERM "MAYOR'S BIG BANG" AND NEVER USED HIS PERSONAL NAME ON THE EVENT. MAYBE WE COULD GO BACK TO THAT. >> Mayor Guajardo: WELL, YOU KNOW, I'M GLAD YOU'RE BRINGING HIM UP, BECAUSE UNLESS YOU CAN QUOTE HIM, I DON'T KNOW IF HE DID OR DIDN'T, OR PRIOR TO HIM. I THINK THAT YOU'RE COMPLETELY INCORRECT. I DON'T DO T-SHIRTS, SO -- AND I HAVE A CHIEF OF STAFF, AND HAVE A THOROUGH ACCOUNTING OF ALL FUNDS, SO THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT'S ACTUALLY -- IT'S ACTUALLY OFFENSIVE TO SAY -- I THINK THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, THAT -- YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER THAT, THAT THESE FUNDS COULD GO TOWARDS CONTRIBUTIONS? I MEAN, I'M NOT EVEN SURE WHERE THERE'S COMING FROM, BUT WE'LL MOVE ON. ACTUALLY, MARK SCOTT HAS A QUESTION OR COMMENT. MR. SCOTT. >> Scott: HEY, MAYOR, I'LL BE QUICK. IT'S GETTING LATE. HEY, LISTEN, I DON'T CARE IF YOU HAVE NAMES ON IT, NAMES NOT ON IT, I JUST KNOW I DON'T WANT TO GO OUT AND RAISE WHATEVER IT IS, $100,000. AND WHAT CONCERNS ME ABOUT THIS CONVERSATION IS IF I'M VALERO OR H-E-B OR WHOEVER ELSE THE SPONSORS ARE, I DON'T KNOW THAT I WANT TO PLAIK A CONTRIBUTION THAT HAS THIS PERCEIVED, I GUESS, CONTROVERSY ASSOCIATED WITH. I'M JUST GLAD IT HAPPENS. I'VE NEVER REALLY THOUGHT ABOUT -- YOU KNOW, I GO WAY BACK WITH DIFFERENT MAYORS, I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT WHO'S NAME WAS ON IT OR NOT, I JUST APPRECIATED THAT SOMEBODY TOOK THE TIME TO MAINING THE CALLS TO GET THE CONTRIBUTIONS, AND I KNEW I DIDN'T WANT TO MAKE THOSE CALLS. AND SO I DON'T HAVE -- I DON'T HAVE AN ISSUE. JUST WANTED TO WEIGH THAT IN BEFORE WE GOT TOO FAR. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN. COUNCILWOMAN PAXSON? >> Paxson: THANK YOU. SO IN ANOTHER MUNICIPALITY, THE FIREWORK DEMONSTRATION IS A COMMUNITY HOLIDAY, IT'S A COMMUNITY EVENT. A CITY DEPARTMENT GOES OUT AND RECEIVES THE BIDS FOR THE PYROTECHNICIAN SERVICES. THOSE GO THROUGH THE CITY, IF THEY'RE OFFSET WITH SPONSORSHIP DOLLARS, THAT GOES THROUGH THE CITY, BUT ALL OF THAT IS DONE DOING BUSINESS AS THE CITY. SO TO ME, I THINK WHAT THIS SPECIFIC MAYOR THAT WE HAVE, THAT WE'RE SERVING WITH RIGHT NOW, SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE VERY GIFTED AT, MAYOR, IS PUBLIC PERCEPTION, YOU'RE VERY GOOD AT VALIDATING THE COMMUNITY MEMBER, YOU'RE VERY GOOD AT CONNECTING TO THE COMMUNITY MEMBER. THAT'S A GIFT. I THINK IN PAST, MAYORS HAVE GRAPPLED WITH TRYING TO BRIDGE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT AND DOING THAT WELL, AND I THINK TO YOUR CREDIT, YOU DO THAT MASTERFULLY WELL. I THINK THAT THIS ITEM IS ASKING THE EVENT, HOWEVER, TO RETURN ITS FOCUS TO THE COMMUNITY. AND I'M NOT SAYING THAT THE INTENTION FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE WAS TO DEVIATE FROM THAT, I THINK THAT THERE'S COUNCILMEMBERS THAT PERCEIVE THAT IT COULD BE THOUGHT AS SUCH. SO I ACTUALLY DID SERVE ONCE ON THE -- MAYOR McCOMB'S BIG BANG COMMITTEE, AND SO IT WAS CALLED THE MAYOR'S BIG BANG BECAUSE HIS OFFICE PUT IN THE HOURS AD NAUSEAM TO DO THIS PRODUCTION, AND IT TOOK SO MANY DEPARTMENTS, IT TOOK SO MANY VOLUNTEERS, IT TOOK DAYS AND MONTHS AND WEEKS TO PLAN, BECAUSE IT'S A HUGE EVENT. AND I AM. I'M A BIG PROPONENT TO GIVING CREDIT WHERE CREDIT'S DUE, SO I THINK THE NAME, THE MAYOR'S BIG BANG, IS AN ATTRIBUTE TO THE MEN AND WOMEN IN YOUR DEPARTMENT WHO GO OFTEN UNSEEN, BUT DO A LOT OF WORK. AND I THINK THE FACT THAT THE FIREWORKS SHOW IS THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI'S INCIDENCE DAY CELEBRATION, IT SHOULD MAINTAIN A CERTAIN LEVEL OF STAND-ALONE. IT SHOULD BE -- IF WE WALKED AWAY FROM THIS ITEM, MY PREFERENCE WOULD BE NOW THAT WE'VE PUT IT ON THE TABLE, WHAT DO WE DO WITH IT? IT'S ALREADY BEEN ADVERTISED THIS YEAR. THERE'S THIS OPINION, THERE'S THAT OPINION, WHAT DO WE DO WITH IT? I THINK MOVING FORWARD THE THOUGHT PROCESS HERE WAS TURN THE FOCUS BACK TO IT BEING SIMPLY THE CITY. AND, AGAIN, I DON'T THINK -- THE COMMENT WAS MADE THAT THIS WAS A STAND-ALONE CAMPAIGN THAT THE CITY DOESN'T FACILITATE. WELL, THAT'S NOT FACTS. THE MAYOR'S DEPARTMENT IS UNDER THE CITY. IT IS A DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE CITY. WE ARE ELECTED OFFICIALS, BUT WE STILL REPRESENT AND ARE UNDER THE CITY. SO THE MAYOR'S DEPARTMENT IS NO DIFFERENT. SO TO ME, THE FIREWORK PRODUCTION AND ALL THE EVENTS THEREIN ARE A CITY PRODUCTION FOR THE COMMUNITY. EVEN IF ALL THE COSTS ARE OFFSET BY SPONSORS, AND WE APPRECIATE THOSE SPONSORS, BECAUSE FIREWORKS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE. AND EVERYTHING THAT GOES INTO THEM. SO I -- I THINK THAT MOVING AWAY FROM HERE WOULD BE -- AND I KNOW MRS MRS. CAMPOS, I KNOW COUNCILWOMAN CAMPOS WAS THE ONE WHO SPEARHEADED THIS AGENDA ITEM AND SAID WE'RE NOT SURE WHERE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT, I THINK THE MOTION WOULD BE TO MAINTAIN CITY BRANDING OF THE EVENT REGARDLESS OF THE NAME OF THE PERSON HOLDING THE OFFICE. BECAUSE, MAYOR, YOU'RE HERE, AND LIKE I SAID, YOU CONNECT TO THE PEOPLE VERY WELL THERE. AND WE HAD SOMEONE COME UP IN PUBLIC COMMENT AND SAID SOME VERY VALID THINGS, SHE DID. BUT ONE DAY, ONE OF THOSE LITTLE GIRLS WILL BE UP HERE AND THEY WILL BE MAYOR, AND THEY MAY NOT BE MAYOR GUAJARDO. >> Mayor Guajardo: AND THEIR NAME SHOULD BE ON THE -- >> Paxson: AND THAT'S AN OPINION, AND LIKE I SAID, YOU DO THAT BRANDING VERY WELL. YOU CONNECT VERY WELL. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. >> Paxson: BUT IF IT BE THE INTEREST OF THIS BOARD -- OF THIS COUNCIL THAT FOR THE SEASON WE'RE IN NOW, THAT THIS BODY OF LEADERSHIP WOULD LIKE THAT EVENT TO BE BRANDED SOLELY FOR THE CITY, I THINK THAT'S THE IMPETUS BEHIND THIS ITEM. >> Mayor Guajardo: WELL, I -- OKAY. I MEAN, THAT'S YOUR OPINION. AND I RESPECT THAT. AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND WORDS, BUT MY NAME AND TITLE IS MAYOR PAULETTE GUAJARDO, AND EVERY STATE OF THE CITY SAYS MAYOR PAULETTE GUAJARDO. IT DOESN'T -- NO, NO, NO, WE'RE GOOD. IT DOESN'T JUST SAY MAYOR. AND SO I'M -- I UNDERSTAND YOUR POINT, BUT I FEEL THAT IF A MAYOR IS RAISING ALL THE MONEY, IF A MAYOR IS THE ONE REACHING OUT -- AND BY THE WAY, THIS DID GO TO PARKS AND REC FOR, I DON'T KNOW, THREE DAYS, BECAUSE IT WAS TOO MUCH WORK. AND IT WAS -- IT WAS NOT SOMETHING -- THIS WAS YEARS AGO, BACK WITH HENRY GARRETT, IT BOUNCED RIGHT BACK TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE BECAUSE IT IS MORE OF A MAYOR'S POSITION TO BE ABLE TO RAISE MONEY FOR THIS TO HAPPEN, FOR OUR FAMILIES, FOR OUR CHILDREN, FOR OUR NATION, RIGHT, TO CELEBRATE THAT. AND SO, AGAIN, AS WAS MENTIONED, IT JUST SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS ANOTHER, YOU KNOW -- WHAT IS THE TERM -- >> Barrera: SOLUTION IN SEARCH OF A PROBLEM. >> Mayor Guajardo: SOLUTION IN SEARCH OF A PROBLEM. I'M SORRY, I THINK IT'S VERY PETTY, AND I THINK THAT, AGAIN, YOU KNOW, LET'S NOT START -- YOU KNOW, LET'S NOT PUT MAYOR PA LET GUAJARDO TO CALL MEETING TO ORDER. LET'S NOT DO THAT ANYMORE. SO I'M -- >> Paxson: REBUTTING ON MY COMMENT. >> Mayor Guajardo: WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK AND FORTH AND IT'S 6:00. SO WE'LL COME BACK. WE'LL COME BACK, BECAUSE, YES -- B WE'LL GO BACK AND FORTH. I HAVE TO, BECAUSE YOU'RE GIVING ME YOUR OPINION, WHICH I VERY MUCH RESPECT, BUT I AM RIGHT NOW BY THREE COUNCILMEMBERS PUTTING THIS ON AN AGENDA SAYING YOUR NAME AND YOUR TITLE AS MAYOR SHOULD NOT BELONG ON AN EVENT THAT THE MAYOR'S OFFICE HAS HEADED FOR 50 -- 48 YEARS. I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, I DO UNDERSTAND, BUT. >> Paxson: BUT WHERE IT'S NOT FAIR IS THAT YOU'RE LETTING ME TALK AND THEN YOU'RE REBUTTING ME WITH TURNING MY MIC ON. >> Mayor Guajardo: WE'LL GO BACK. WE'LL GO BACK BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO THEN GO BACK AND FORTH. >> Paxson: THEN YOU SHOULD LET EVERYBODY TALK AND THEN YOU TALK. >> Mayor Guajardo: WE'RE GOING TO COME BACK. COUNCILMAN BARRERA? >> Barrera: YOUR HYOU KNOW, I THINK FIRST OFF IF ANYBODY HAS ANY QUESTIONS, THEY COULD JUST CALL THE MAYOR. >> Mayor Guajardo: THERE'S ANOTHER THING. >> JUST TO LET HER KNOW? >> Barrera: NO, I'M JUST SAYING IF SOMEBODY. >> Campos: I CALLED HER. >> Mayor Guajardo: YOU DID IT AFTER THE FACT. >> Barrera: AND KEEP ME IN LINE IF I DRIFT OFF TOO FAR, MILES, LIKE THE PARKS FOUNDATION, PALS, YOU KNOW, IT'S A SEPARATE FOUNDATION, IT RAISES MONEY. I THINK A LOT OF THOSE FUNDS GO TO PAY FOR, YOU KNOW, ENDURANCE FEST OR WHATEVER IT IS, THOSE THINGS THAT WE HAVE. SO I THINK IF ANYBODY HAS ANY QUESTIONS, I KNOW THAT YOU CAN EASILY REACH OUT TO CITY STAFF OR REACH OUT TO THE MAYOR IN PARTICULAR AND IT DOESN'T HAVE TO GO ON THE AGENDA, IT JUST SPENDS A LOT OF TIME AND -- YOU KNOW, WE LOOK REALLY PETTY HERE. I THINK THAT'S PART OF THE REASON THAT WE CAN'T GET ANYBODY TO COME WORK FOR US IS BECAUSE THEY SEE THIS BACK AND FORTH. AND I THINK THIS COULD BE SOLVED WITH A SIMPLE PHONE CALL. AND IF YOU HAVE AN OPINION THAT, YOU KNOW WHAT? YOU DON'T WANT PAULETTE'S NAME ON THERE, THEN I THINK YOU OUGHT TO AT LEAST LET HER KNOW. I THINK THAT SHE DESERVES THAT LEVEL OF SIN SERRY. >> Campos: IT WASN'T ABOUT HER. >> Barrera: THAT'S ALL I'M SAYING. I THINK IT WOULD BE COURTEOUS TO HAVE THIS DISCUSSION WITH HER PRIOR -- WHEN THIS IDEA COMES TO MIND OR YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT FUNDS, HOW DO YOU MANAGE, WHAT ACCOUNT DOES IT GO INTO? I THINK -- I THINK IT'S JUST AT AN EXTENSION OF COURTESY JUST TO LET THAT INDIVIDUAL KNOW. I HAVE A SAYING, I TELEGRAPH MY PUNCHES. YOU KNOW, I TELEGRAPH MY PUNCHES AND EVERYBODY KNOWS WHERE I'M AT. EVERYBODY KNOWS WHERE I'M AT, WHETHER I BE GETTING SOMETHING IN RUSH FOR IT AS SOME OF MY COLLEAGUE LIKES TO SAY ON THE RADIO -- RETURN FOR IT AS MY COLLEAGUE SAYS ON THE RADIO. THAT'S OKAY IF THAT'S WHAT HE BELIEVES, THAT'S WHAT HE BELIEVES. ALL I'M SAYING IS -- BECAUSE NOW WE'VE GOT -- I MEAN, I GUARANTEE YOU IN THE HOURS THAT WE'VE SPENT ON SOME OF THIS STUFF, I PROBABLY -- A MEETING, A CITY COUNCIL MEETING PROBABLY COSTS, WHAT, AT LEAST $100,000. >> Zanoni: YEAH, PROBABLY. >> [OFF MIC] >> Barrera: THAT'S THE THING I'M SAYING IS -- >> Barrera: OKAY, YEAH, YEAH, IF THE PRIVATE SECTOR WERE DOING IT, IT WOULD BE CHEAPER, BUT THAT'S THE THING I'M SAYING. A LOT OF THIS COULD BE HANDLED WITH A PHONE CALL, A MEETING, A BREAKFAST, A COFFEE INSTEAD OF BRINGING IT TO ALL OUR ATTENTION, BECAUSE I DON'T -- I DON'T THINK IT MATTERS. I MEAN, YOU KNOW, AND SHE -- AND GOD BLESS HER, YOU KNOW, SHE WENT THROUGH A REAL -- SHE'S GONE THROUGH SEVERAL TOUGH CAMPAIGNS, LET HER PUT HER NAME ON THERE. I MEAN, SHE'S ENTITLED. SHE'S EARNED THE TITLE. AND HOW MANY PEOPLE VOTED FOR YOU? >> Mayor Guajardo: UM -- >> Barrera: I'M JUST SAYING AT LEAST 16,000 PEOPLE -- 60,000 PEOPLE AGREE, AND I THINK IT'S -- LIKE I SAID, THAT'S THE THING. IT JUST FRUSTRATES ME THAT WE'RE HERE AND WE'RE DISCUSSING THIS BACK AND FORTH AND IF THE COMMUNITY HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT, THEN IT PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE A HIT. I THINK THAT'S THE WHOLE THING. IT'S A BIG DEAL. IT'S WELL -- IT'S A WELL ORGANIZED EVENT AND I THINK WE WOULDN'T HAVE ANY FUNDRAISING FOR IT. I THINK JUST BY THE VERY NATURE, I MEAN, IT'S BEEN A LOT MORE BY THE NATURE OF FUNDS THAT SHE'S BEEN ABLE TO FUND, IT'S BEEN A LOT MORE ELABORATE AS A RESULT OF THAT. I'M JUST SAYING THAT THE OTHER ONES THAT I PARTICIPATED IN. YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN ACTIVE IN POLITICS FOR 20 YEARS, YOU KNOW, AND I MEAN, THAT'S THE THING I'M SAYING. AND SO I THINK IT'S AN ENTITLEMENT BECAUSE OF THE TITLE AND ALL THE HARD WORK THAT GOES INTO IT. JOE WAS A DIFFERENT PERSON. JOE WAS A DIFFERENT PERSON. NELDA WAS A DIFFERENT PERSON. 27-DAY MAYOR WAS OBVIOUSLY A DIFFERENT PERSON. I JUST -- I DON'T KNOW WHY WE'RE BRINGING THIS STUFF UP. I MEAN, I DON'T SUPPORT THE CHANGE. YOU KNOW, I THINK THE MAYOR, WITH THE RESPECT OF WINNING THE OFFICE. AND SHE'LL TELL YOU, THE FIRST TWO YEARS, WE DIDN'T GET ALONG, YOU KNOW, AND WE HAD TO HAVE A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS TO BE ABLE TO GET ON THE SAME PAGE. I JUST THINK THINK COULD BE HANDLED OVER COFFEE OR A TACO OR -- VERSUS SPENDING ALL OF STAFF TIME AND TRYING TO GET A LEGAL OPINION ON IT, I JUST THINK IT'S PETTY, SO, YOU KNOW -- AND THANK YOU, MAYOR, FOR PUTTING IT ON, AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE HARD WORK. AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK THE PUBLIC AND I APPRECIATE YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> Campos: AND I APPRECIATE YOU TOO. >> Mayor Guajardo: WELL, A LITTLE NOTICE WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE. COUNCILWOMAN VAUGHN? >> Vaughn: OKAY. I'M HAVING A REALLY HARD TIME WITH THIS ISSUE HERE. I JUST REALLY DON'T CARE. AND I GET IT -- WELL, SOME PEOPLE WOULD SAY DON'T PUT YOUR NAME ON IT. I GET IT. BUT I MEAN, I WOULDN'T DO IT. I'D JUST PUT MAYOR, BUT IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT TO DO, I DON'T WANT TO STRIP EVERY PIECE OF AUTHORITY SHE'S GOT. I'M JUST NOT GOING TO GO THERE. WE HAVE GOT SO MANY OTHER ISSUES TO TALK ABOUT THAT ARE SO MUCH MORE IMPORTANT, AND WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME HERE. I WILL JUST SAY THIS, I DID A LITTLE CHECKING INTO IT WHENEVER THIS CAME UP. THE COUNTY -- THEY HAVE AN ACCOUNT AND IT'S SIMILAR TO -- IT'S LIKE A HOST ACCOUNT. AND IT'S ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE COURT. SO I DON'T THINK WHAT SHE'S GOT FOR AN ACCOUNT'S ILLEGAL. I THINK YOU CAN DO THAT. AND IF IT'S NOT A CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION, IT'S THE WAY YOU LOOK AT IT. AND I'M SURE THE CHECK'S WRITTEN OUT TO THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI FOR THE BIG BANG CELEBRATION. SO I JUST -- I THINK WE NEED TO MOVE ON, GUYS. I'M NOT -- >> Paxson: I'M MOVING ON. >> Vaughn: WE NEED TO MOVE ON. WE DON'T NEED TO STRIP HER FROM ALL THE AUTHORITY SHE'S GOT. I JUST DON'T. JUST MY OPINION. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN. COUNCILWOMAN PAXSON? >> Paxson: THANK YOU, MAYOR. MY COMMENTS EARLIER, YES, THEY WERE MY OPINION, BUT TO ME, I -- YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHY WE EACH HAVE TIME TO SPEAK ON AN ITEM. I FIND OFTEN I FEEL LIKE MY ROLE SOMETIMES IS TO TRY TO HEAR ALL THE DIFFERENT VOICES AND TRY TO COMMUNICATE THEM ON ONE PLANE. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I'M VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT IS UNITING PEOPLE THAT ARE DIFFERENT VIEWS, DIFFERENT OPINIONS, DIFFERENT WALKS, AND IF I SEE THAT TWO SIDES AREN'T UNDERSTANDING WHAT EACH OTHER ARE SAYING, I TRY TO JUMP IN THERE. I DON'T -- I AGREE WITH CAROLYN TO AN EXTENT, I AGREE WITH SYLVIA. I THINK IT'S UP TO PREFERENCE. AND THAT'S ALL I WAS SAYING. THAT'S ALL. THE MAYOR, THE MAYOR'S BIG BANG IS AN OFFICE. THE NAME IS A PERSON. AND I THINK THAT WAS THE IMPETUS BEHIND THIS THOUGHT PROCESS. IT'S NOT MEANT FOR ME, FOR ANY OF MY COMMENTS, IT IS NOT MEANT AS A SLIGHT, IT'S NOT MEANT AS DISRESPECT, IT IS NOT MEANT TO DISCREDIT BECAUSE I DO HAVE HUGE RESPECT FOR YOU, MAYOR. THAT'S ALL. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN CAMPOS? >> Campos: THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MAYOR. AND, AGAIN, THIS IS NOT PERSONAL, LIKE WHEN I CALLED YOU, MAYOR, THIS IS NOT -- I MEAN, IT'S ALREADY BEEN PUBLICIZED. THIS IS JUST FOR FUTURE SO THAT WE CAN JUST BRING BACK THIS EVENT, MAKING IT JUST PLATONIC, THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OR THE MAYOR'S, YOU KNOW, BIG BANG. THAT'S IT. PERIOD. IT REALLY WASN'T ANYTHING CONTROVERSIAL. I DON'T KNOW WHY WE NEEDED TO SPEND SO MUCH TIME ON IT. BUT, AGAIN, MY -- I GUESS MY MOTION WOULD BE TO -- FROM HERE -- YOU KNOW, ON, THAT WE NOT USE THE MAYOR'S NAME IN ANY OF THE PUBLICATIONS REGARDING A CITY EVENT. SO THAT'S MY MOTION. AND IF NOBODY, YOU KNOW -- >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION. >> Campos: OKAY. >> Mayor Guajardo: WE HAVE NO SECOND, SO IT DIES. >> Campos: OKAY. >> Mayor Guajardo: WE'RE MOVING ON. >> WAIT A MINUTE. >> Mayor Guajardo: OH, WE'RE GOING TO DO PUBLIC COMMENT. YES, COME ON DOWN, IF YOU'D LIKE. WE'RE GOING TO OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM NUMBER -- WHERE ARE WE? 19. >> SUZIE SALDAÑA. YOU KNOW WHAT I WAS JUST SO PROUD OF YOU GUYS DOING THE ISSUES ABOUT THE WATER, TAKING CARE OF ANIMAL THINGS, AND YOU COME UP WITH SOMETHING SO MINUTE AND DISGRACING AND EMBARRASSING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. COME ON. GET REAL. YOU ARE ACTUALLY GETTING MAD BECAUSE OF THE MAYOR'S BIG BANG. IT'S ALWAYS BEEN THERE, ALWAYS BEEN THERE. AND IT HAS BEEN PRIVATE PEOPLE THAT DONATE TO IT. IT HASN'T BEEN THE CITY THAT SPONSORS IT. IT'S BEEN THE MAYOR'S. I KNOW BECAUSE I WAS WITH JOE WHEN HE WAS OUT TRYING TO GET MONEY FOR IT. AND YOU HAVE TO HUSTLE. AND IT'S THE PERSONALITY THAT GETS THE PEOPLE. I WANT YOU TO CONCENTRATE ON THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT, NOT SPEND TIME WITH PETTY THINGS. AND LET ME TELL YOU, WE HAVE ONE COUNCILWOMAN THAT SEEMS TO LOVE PETTY THINGS. AND THAT'S WHAT I'M LOOKING AT. AND YOU GUYS, YOU THAT ARE THERE, IF YOU WANT TO STRIP IT FROM NOW ON TO SAY THE MAYOR'S BIG BANG, THEN KEEP IT THAT WAY. IT'S ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY. MAYOR GUAJARDO WANTED TO HAVE HER NAME ON IT, SHE PUT IT ON. OKAY? SO TAKE IT OFF. YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO IT, BUT DON'T MAKE IT INTO AN ISSUE THAT TAKES TIME FROM THE CITY, THAT TAKES TIME FROM IMPORTANT THINGS THAT YOU GUYS SHOULD BE DOING. OKAY? THIS IS PETTY, THIS IS SMALL, THIS IS UNBECOMING TO YOU. AND, GOD, YOU GUYS BECAME COUNCILPEOPLE, NOT KINGS. SO GET THAT THROUGH YOUR HEADS. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MS. SALDAÑA. ANYONE ELSE? OKAY. WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. YOU HAVE A COMMENT? COUNCILMAN ROY? >> Roy: YOU KNOW, AS A LEADER, AS SOMEBODY THAT HAS SERVED THEIR COUNTRY, BEEN TO WAR, THAT -- AND THE REASON WHY THAT'S SO IMPORTANT IS THAT WHEN YOU'RE IN A POSITION LIKE THAT TO LOVE SOMETHING AND TO DO IT, EVEN THOUGH YOU DON'T KNOW IF TOMORROW'S GOING TO COME IS IMPORTANT. BUT EMPATHY IS IMPORTANT. AND WHEN I SEE PEOPLE DO WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE, COUNCILMEMBERS THAT ARE NOT EMPATHETIC, THAT WILL SIT HERE FOR WHATEVER REASON, OH, OKAY, IT'S NOT THAT I WANT TO BRING THIS TO THE ATTENTION, IT'S NOT THAT BIG OF A DEAL, BUT YOU GO AND YOU GET THE SIGNATURES AND YOU PUT IT ON THE AGENDA AND YOU PUT IT OUT THERE IN THE PUBLIC, BUT, OH, IT'S NOT A BIG DEAL. IT IS A BIG DEAL. ESPECIALLY WHEN WE HAVE COUNCILMEMBERS THAT HAVE HAD VERY PERSONAL THINGS HAPPEN TO THEM, AND WHEN THOSE THINGS WERE BROUGHT OUT AND PUT OUT THERE, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT'S LIKE, OKAY, WELL, WHY ARE YOU GUYS TALKING ABOUT ME? WE HAVE TO HAVE EMPATHY. WE HAVE TO BE PROFESSIONAL, WE HAVE TO CONDUCT OURSELVES BECAUSE WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE LEADERS. AND WE NEED TO LET SOME OF THIS PETTY STUFF GO BY. YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MY WIFE TOLD ME A LONG TIME AGO IS THAT CHOOSE YOUR BATTLES. AND WE, AS A COUNCIL, REALLY NEED TO CHOOSE OUR BATTLES AND THAT'S THE ONLY THING I'M SAYING. IT IS EMBARRASSING SOMETIMES TO SIT HERE AND LISTEN TO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE BRINGING FORWARD. AND I'M JUST GOING TO SAY IT THAT WAY. THAT IT'S EMBARRASSING. AND I EXPECT BETTER AS LEADERS THAN GOING DOWN SOME OF THE PATHS THAT WE GO. BECAUSE IT DOESN'T SERVE ANYTHING. AND, YOU KNOW, WHAT THE SAD PART ABOUT IT IS, WE TAKE A GOLDEN EGG LIKE THIS FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION, THE HARD STAFF AT THE MAYOR'S OFFICE THAT WORKS ON THIS ENDLESS, LONG HOURS, THE STAFF TO PUT IT TOGETHER, THE VENDORS, THE SPONSORS AND EVERYTHING. AND IF I WAS A SPONSOR OR A VENDOR OR IF I WAS AN INDIVIDUAL, I WOULD THINK TWICE ABOUT SUPPORTING IT IN THE FUTURE. AND THAT'S ASHAME, BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHO LOSES OUT? IT'S THE PEOPLE OF CORPUS CHRISTI THAT LOSE OUT. AND THE SAD PART ABOUT IT IS TODAY WE HEARD IN PUBLIC COMMENT EARLIER, ALL THESE PEOPLE STANDING UP HERE AND SAYING, OH, WHEN I ASKED MY FOURTH GRADER WHAT DO THEY THINK ABOUT CORPUS CHRISTI, THEY SAY THERE'S NOTHING TO DO, YOU KNOW, GHETTO, WHATEVER THE CASE IS, ALL THE THINGS THAT THEY SAID. AND WE HAD THIS ONE THING THAT WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO AND DO IT WELL, AND IT'S A TRADITION, AND WE TAKE THAT GOLDEN EGG AND WE THROW IT ON THE GROUND. IT'S UNBELIEVABLE. IT IS UNBELIEVABLE. BUT I THINK SOME PEOPLE NEED TO SIT DOWN TONIGHT AND TAKE A GOOD LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND REMEMBER WHAT EMPATHY DOES MEAN, BECAUSE THIS IS JUST RIDICULOUS. AND THIS IS A LOW POINT ON THIS COUNCIL. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN. WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON. WELL, NO, I GUESS WE DO HAVE -- NO, WE DID THAT ALREADY. SORRY. WE'RE MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER 21, THIS IS A NONBINDING MOTION OF SUPPORT FOR AWARDING THE NAMES RIGHTS FOR THE CONVENTION CENTER TO THE ENTITY THAT OFFERS THE MOST FUNDING TO THE CITY FOR SAID RIGHTS. >> Barrera: WE WEREN'T GOING TO DO 17? >> Mayor Guajardo: WHERE'S 17? >> WE SKIPPED AROUND IT. >> Mayor Guajardo: OH, WE DIDN'T DO IT. DID WE SKIP AROUND IT. >> Barrera: I MEAN, DREW'S RIGHT THERE. >> Mayor Guajardo: NO, I'M SORRY. I OVERLOOKED IT. I'M SORRY. DREW, COME ON UP. YEAH, I'M SORRY. WE'RE GOING TO GO TO 171ST, UPDATE ON ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLY PROJECTS. >> Zanoni: THIS IS PART OF OUR COMMITMENT TO PRESENT TO COUNCIL AT LEAST TWICE A MONTH -- OR ACTUALLY EVERY WEEK THAT WE HAVE A COUNCIL MEETING. TODAY, DREW'S GOING TO BE STAND-ALONE, AND THEN NEXT WEEK WE'LL DO AN UPDATE ON THE DESAL PROJECT, AND WE'LL HAVE THE UPDATE IN THAT PRESENTATION. DREW? >> Molly: YES, SIR. THANK YOU, PETER. MAYOR AND COUNCIL, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE YOU A QUICK BRIEFING, AS THE CITY MANAGER JUST DESCRIBED OUR ATTEMPT TO DO THIS EVERY WEEK, AS WE KNOW WATER IS DEFINITELY IN EVERYBODY'S MINDS. DREW MOLLY, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER. THIS IS OUR DROUGHT MONITOR SLIDE, IT'S IMPORTANT TO PUT A LITTLE PERSPECTIVE IN HOW WE'RE FAIRING WITH OUR CURRENT DROUGHT. SINCE LAST TIME WE PRESENTED THIS, THERE HAS BEEN SOME RELIEF ACROSS THE STATE OVER THE LAST 10 WEEKS WITH SOME MUCH-NEEDED RAINFALL IN PARTS OF THE STATE. LAKE TEXANA RECEIVED SOME BENEFICIAL RAIN AND INCREASED ITS SUPPLY FROM 77.9% TO 82.9%. EVEN THE COLORADO HAS ACTUALLY HAD SOME IMPROVEMENTS RECENTLY, BUT I WILL SAY THE BASIN DOES CONTINUE TO BE IN SEVERE DROUGHT, AND WE DO COMMUNICATE WITH THE LOWER LOWER COLORADO RIVER AUTHORITY ON A DAILY BASIS AS TO THE CONDITIONS OF WATER AVAILABILITY. AND IT IS DAY-TO-DAY. AS A REMINDER, IT WAS EXTREMELY BENEFICIAL THAT WE DID SECURE THE FORMOSA CONTRACT A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, BECAUSE TYPICALLY BY THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, WE'RE NORMALLY GRANTED INTERRUPTIBLE WATER, AND THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED AND IT'S NOT LIKELY TO HAPPEN. AND THEN, OF COURSE, UNFORTUNATELY THE NUECES RIVER BASIN CONTINUES TO DECLINE IN WATER LEVELS. THE COMBINED LEVELS TODAY ARE AT 14.7%, AND WHILE IT'S IMPORTANT TO WATCH THOSE METRICS CLOSELY, THE WATER SUPPLY DASHBOARD THAT I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT HERE IN A SECOND IS REALLY THE ONES THAT ACCOUNTS FOR ALL OF OUR WATER NOT JUST ON THE WESTERN SUPPLIES BUT THE EASTERN SUPPLIES AND SOME OF THE NEW WATER THAT WE'RE TRYING TO BRING ON. SO THE NEXT SLIDE, WE USED LESS WATER THIS MAY ON THIS SLIDE HERE YOU CAN SEE THAT LAST MONTH WE USED 3.22 BILLION GALLONS OF WATER. IT'S ON THE RIGHT SIDE. 3.22BILLION GALLONS OF WATER OR 103.79 MILLION GALLONS A DAY. LAST MAY OF 2024, WE USED 3.45 BILLION GALLONS. SO THIS IS A TESTAMENT TO THE CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR. IT'S A TESTAMENT TO THE FACT THAT UNFORTUNATELY WHILE WE'RE IN STAGE 3, THE COMMUNITY IS TRYING TO DO THEIR PART. THAT INCLUDES EVERYBODY IN OUR COMMUNITY. CCW DOES CONTINUE TO UPDATE OUR WEBSITE WITH MONTHLY WATER USAGE BY CUSTOMER CLASS SO THAT EVERYBODY CAN SEE HOW OUR WATER IS BEING USED. I WILL SAY EVERY CATEGORY OF WATER USERS IS GENERALLY USING LESS WATER TODAY THAN THEY WERE SIX MONTHS AGO WHEN WE WENT INTO STAGE 3. AS YOU CAN SEE ON THIS SLIDE, ALSO ON THE LEFT -- SO YOU CAN SEE ON THE LEFT WE HAVE MAY OF '24, MAY OF '25 YOU CAN SEE IN MAY OF '24, 60% OF OUR WATER WAS COMING FROM THE NUECES RIVER. MAY OF '25, 60% OR RIGHT THERE AT 59% IS NOW COMING FROM THE MARY RHODES PIPELINE. SO VERY DIFFERENT SITUATION TODAY THAN WHAT IT WAS YESTERDAY. AND THAT'S FRANKLY A TESTAMENT TO THE FACT THAT THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF HARD WORK THAT COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE EXPENDITURES NECESSARY TO DO THE CONDITION ASSESSMENT AND THE IMPROVEMENT TO THE MARY RHODES PIPELINE TO LEVERAGE THAT PIPELINE TO ITS FULLEST. NEXT SLIDE. ON FRIDAY LAST WEEK, BEFORE WE UPDATED OUR WATER SUPPLY DASHBOARD, WHICH WE DO EVERY TWO WEEKS, OUR WATER SUPPLY DASHBOARD PREDICTED THAT THE NEXT STAGE OF DROUGHT RESTRICTION WOULD OCCUR IN NOVEMBER OF NEXT YEAR, NOVEMBER OF 2026. AS I MENTIONED, THE MODEL IS UPDATED EVERY TWO WEEKS AND IT'S POSTED ONLINE, WHICH I'M GOING TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HERE IN A SECOND. I WILL SAY CCW IS WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK TO MAKE SURE THAT THE NEXT STAGE OF DROUGHT RESTRICTION, WHICH WOULD BE A LEVEL 1 WATER EMERGENCY, DOES NOT HAPPEN. AND DOES NOT HAPPEN BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT IT WOULD HAVE ON OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY. THE DASHBOARD MODEL INCORPORATES ALL OF OUR WATER SUPPLIES. THIS IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT. YOU KNOW, IN THE PAST, BEFORE WE WENT INTO STAGE 3, WE WERE REALLY FOCUSED ON LAKE CORPUS CHRISTI AND CHOKE CANYON. WHERE WE'RE AT, WE'RE LOOKING -- NOT THAT WE WEREN'T BEFORE -- BUT WE HAVE INCORPORATED ALL OF THE WATER SUPPLIES INTO THIS DASHBOARD. THAT INCLUDES WATER FROM THE MARY RHODES PIPELINE, WHICH INCLUDES LAKE TEXANA AND THE COLORADO RIVER. IT MAKES ASSUMPTIONS. THIS DASHBOARD MODEL DOES MAKE ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT HOW MUCH WATER IS COMING INTO THE WATERSHED THROUGH RAINFALL. IT ACTUALLY HAS A FAIRLY CONSERVATIVE APPROACH TO THAT. IT'S A FAIRLY DIRE LOOK BECAUSE IT'S BEEN PRETTY TOUGH OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS OF SO WE HAVE BEEN FAIRLY NEGATIVE ON OUR PREDICTIONS OF WHAT KIND OF RAINFALL WE'RE GOING TO SEE MOVING FORWARD. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? IF WE CAN JUST GET SOME AVERAGE RAINFALL, IT WOULD GREATLY IMPROVE THE PROJECTIONS HERE IN OUR MODEL. WE ALSO HAVE ON THIS MODEL THAT YOU CAN SEE, THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF ORANGE ON THE BOTTOM. AND THE ORANGE REPRESENTS WATER WELLS THAT WE'RE BRINGING ONLINE. WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE BUT WE BELIEVE THAT ONE OF THE PROJECTS THAT IS GREATLY IMPORTANT FOR US IS BRINGING ON SOME GROUNDWATER, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING. NEXT SLIDE. SO THE WATER SUPPLY DASHBOARD YESTERDAY, MONDAY, OR JUNE 9, IT WAS UPDATED WITH SOME CHANGED INPUTS INTO THE MODEL AND THE CHANGES ARE DESCRIBED HERE ON THIS SLIDE. SO THE ORIGINAL MODEL WAS BASED ON AN ASSUMPTION THAT WE WOULD BE PUTTING 75 MILLION GALLONS A DAY OF WATER IN THE MARY RHODES PIPELINE. WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS, WE'VE BEEN RUNNING SCHEDULE 4 FOR THE LAST MONTH AND A HALF. IT'S BEEN GOING FAIRLY WELL. HOWEVER, ONE THING THAT WE HAVE NOTED IS THERE'S A TEXTBOOK, THERE'S AN ENGINEERING SIDE, AND THEN THERE'S AN ACTUAL OPERATIONAL SIDE AND THE OPERATIONAL SIDE HAS SHOWN THE CONDITIONS THAT WE ARE IN RIGHT NOW, THE PIPELINE IS BASICALLY AT A STEADY STATE OF 70 MILLION GALLONS PER DAY A DAY. 70MILLION GALLONS PER DAY IS JUST A FUNCTION OF WHERE WE'RE AT. WE'LL BE ABLE TO GET HIGHER BUT THAT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME WORK TO DO THAT BECAUSE THERE'S SOME HEAD LOSS THAT'S OCCURRING THAT FRANKLY THE ONLY WAY TO REALLY FIGURE THIS OUT IS YOU NEED TO SHUT THE PIPELINE DOWN AND MAKE SOME ENTRIES INTO THE PIPELINE WHERE WE'RE SEEING SOME OF THESE ELEVATED PRESSURES, SOME OF THESE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING. SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS ON THE LIST OF THINGS TO DO BUT RIGHT NOW WE JUST CAN'T DO THAT. WE ALSO ADDED TWO ADDITIONAL WEEKS ON TO THE MODEL. WE HAVE TWO WEEKS PLANNED TO DERATE OR TO LOWER THE FLOW ON THE PIPELINE, JUST IN THE MODEL THAT'S BUILT IN, BUT WE ADDED AN ADDITIONAL TWO WEEKS BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE HAD A PUMP AND MOTOR THAT HAD TO BE PULLED OUT AT THE LAKE TEXANA PUMP STATION A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. THERE WAS A PUMP ISSUE AND SO WE HAD TO PULL THAT. I SAY "WE," OUR PARTNERS LAVACA NAVIDAD RIVER AUTHORITY, THAT TEAM HAS PULLED IT OUT. WE'RE ANTICIPATING THAT TO BE REPAIRED IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS AND SO WE'VE ADDED THAT TO THE MODEL AND THAT'S AN IMPORTANT INPUT THAT'S BEEN CHANGED. SO LASTLY, OUR GROUNDWATER SUPPLY -- SO THIS IS BASICALLY THE LAST LINE HERE OR THE LAST ROW, I SHOULD SAY, IS GROUNDWATER WELLS. SO THE INITIAL MODEL THAT WE HAD, THE BASELINE MODEL, MADE SOME ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT GROUNDWATER COMING ONLINE BASICALLY -- AND YOU CAN READ IT ON THERE. 3 MGD IN JUNE. 3 MGD IN SEPTEMBER AND 3 MGD IN NOVEMBER. WE'VE HAD SUCH SUCCESS IN OUR GROUNDWATER PROJECT THAT WE HAVE BROUGHT ON AND WILL BRING ON A LOT MORE WATER. SO THAT ADDITIONAL WATER HAS BEEN REFLECTED IN THE UPDATED BASELINE MODEL. SO 10 MGD IS NOW WHAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE AVAILABLE BY MID JULY AND THEN WE'LL HAVE AN ADDITIONAL 3 MILLION GALLONS A DAY IN AUGUST. WE'RE NOT STOPPING THERE. THERE'S ADDITIONAL WATER THAT WE FEEL WE CAN DEVELOP AND SO THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE CONTINUING TO WORK ON. SO WITH ALL THAT SAID, HERE IS THE UPDATED WATER SUPPLY DASHBOARD WITH THE NEW ASSUMPTIONS. SO IT ACTUALLY HAS -- INSTEAD OF NOVEMBER OF '26, BECAUSE OF SOME OF THOSE CHANGES, WE'RE NOW LOOKING AT OCTOBER OF '26. THAT'S BASED ON THE UPDATED MODEL. AGAIN, YOU KNOW, IF WE GET JUST AVERAGE RAIN, THAT DATE GOES OUT FURTHER INTO TIME. AS WE BRING MORE GROUNDWATER ON, THAT DATE GOES OUT FURTHER INTO TIME. SO OUR ULTIMATE GOAL, OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL, OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IS TO MAKE SURE WE PUSH THAT DATE OUT AS LONG AS WE POSSIBLY CAN. THE OTHER THINGS THAT YOU SEE ON THE WATER SUPPLY DASHBOARD -- AND, AGAIN, THIS IS HERE FOR THE COMMUNITY TO SEE IT. IT'S ON OUR WEBSITE. YOU CAN SEE WHEN WE BASICALLY CROSS BELOW THE 15% THRESHOLD ON OUR WESTERN SUPPLIES, NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT METRIC, AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, BUT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE WANT TO SEE. SO WE ARE PROJECTING THAT. WE'VE OBVIOUSLY DROPPED BELOW THE 15% THRESHOLD. WE'RE PREDICTING THE 10%, IF WE STAY ON THE SAME TRACK AND WE DON'T HAVE A PRODUCTIVE TROPICAL SEASON -- I DON'T WANT TO SAY HURRICANES. WE WANT TROPICAL SYSTEMS THAT HAVE LOW IMPACT WITH WINDS AND THOSE SORTS OF THINGS. WE WANT THE RAIN. BUT IF WE DON'T HAVE THAT HAPPEN, WE WOULD BE LOOKING AT HITTING THE 10% ON THE WESTERN SUPPLIES IN OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR. SO I JUST WANTED TO HAVE A LITTLE REMINDER, WHAT IS A LEVEL 1 WATER EMERGENCY. THAT IS WHEN WE CANNOT MEET OR WE'RE WITHIN 180 DAYS OF NOT BEING ABLE TO MEET OUR DEMAND. ADDITIONALLY ON THIS SLIDE, AS I MENTIONED, YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE OTHER METRICS THAT THE COMMUNITY IS OBVIOUSLY INTERESTED IN. THE OTHER THING I JUST WILL MENTION BEFORE I FLIP TO THE NEXT SLIDE IS THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS AN INTERESTING GRAPHIC ON THEIR WEBSITE, IF YOU'RE INTERESTED I CAN SHARE THIS SITE WITH YOU. BUT THEY DO HAVE A MAP OF THE UNITED STATES AND THEY HAVE DIFFERENT REGIONS WHERE CERTAIN AMOUNTS OF WATER OR RAINFALL ARE NEEDED TO TAKE A REGION OUT OF DROUGHT. WE ARE IN ONE OF THE WORST DROUGHTS, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE MAP OF THE UNITED STATES, THERE'S A BULLS EYE HERE IN SOUTH TEXAS. IN OUR REGION IT'S OVER 17 INCHES OF RAIN THAT WE NEED TO GET OUT OF DROUGHT. OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL IS TO KEEP PUSHING THOSE NUMBERS, THOSE DATES IN RED OUT AS FAR AS WE CAN. SO THAT LEADS ME TO MY NEXT SLIDE. THIS IS JUST AN UPDATE, AS MANY OF YOU HAVE ASKED FOR UPDATES. WE PROVIDE UPDATES. WE TRY TO PROVIDE UPDATES ON A WEEKLY BASIS, TYPICALLY FRIDAYS WE TRY TO GIVE AN UPDATE TO THE COUNCIL THROUGH A MEMO AND THEN OBVIOUSLY AT COUNCIL WE WANT TO TRY TO KEEP THE COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY INFORMED. SO THIS IS JUST GOING THROUGH VERY QUICKLY. WE TALK A LOT ABOUT THE NUECES RIVER GROUNDWATER WELLS PROJECT. WE KNOW THAT'S A GOOD PROJECT. IT'S ONE THAT HAS BEEN DONE IN THE PAST, DECADES AGO. THERE WERE A NUMBER OF WELLS DRILLED ALONG THE NUECES RIVER AND THEY WERE OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI AND THEY PERIODICALLY WOULD BE RUN. WE HAVE TRIED TO RESURRECT OR REHABILITATE THOSE WELLS LATE LAST YEAR AND THAT EFFORT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. SO NOW WE ARE ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND INSTALLATION OF NEW WELLS. THE EVANGELINE PROJECT, WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THAT. YOU KNOW, 12 MGD WOULD KIND OF BE THE FIRST PHASE AND 24 MGD WOULD BE THE SECOND PHASE. THEN WE HAVE THE EV RANCH PROJECT, WHICH IS ANOTHER PROJECT THAT I'LL TALK ABOUT HERE IN JUST A SECOND. I WANT TO GIVE AN UPDATE MORE SPECIFICALLY ON THE PHASE 1 OF THE NUECES RIVER PROJECT, WHICH IS ABOUT CONVEYING GROUNDWATER PUMPED OUT OF THE WELLS TO THE NUECES RIVER USING THE RIVER TO CONVEY IT DOWNSTREAM TO THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT. IT'S A GOOD PLAN. IT PROVIDES -- AND IT WILL PROVIDE A SHORT-TERM SUPPLY. THE WORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED SO FAR BY OUR TEAM QUICKLY. AND YOU CAN SEE JUST THIS. WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT -- WE HEARD SOME FOLKS EARLIER TALK ABOUT THE TIME IT TAKES TO DEVELOP JUST EVEN A TEST WELL OR A MONITORING WELL. WE HAVE STARTED THIS IN JANUARY. WE'RE AUTHORIZED TO BEGIN WORK. AND WE HAVE SINCE BEEN ABLE TO SECURE TWO WELL DRILLERS. THOSE ARE NOT EASY CONTRACTORS TO FIND. WE HAVE TWO WELL DRILLERS CONCURRENTLY DRILLING SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, 24 HOURS A DAY. AND SO THAT IS AN EFFORT THAT HAS PRODUCED SOME REALLY GOOD RESULTS. SO AS YOU CAN SEE RIGHT HERE, WE'VE GOT TWO WELLS ALREADY INSTALLED. A COUPLE OF YOU ALL HAVE SEEN IT. YOU'VE TASTED THE WATER. THOSE WELLS ARE READY TO GO. THEY HAVE POWER. THEY HAVE MOTORS. THEY HAVE PUMPS. THEY'RE READY TO GO. WE'RE WAITING FOR A PERMANENT PUMPING EQUIPMENT TO ARRIVE AT WELL 3. WE'RE EXPECTING THAT WELL TO BE OPERABLE BY MID-JUNE. WELL 4 WE'RE COMPLETING THE PUMP DESIGN AND WE ANTICIPATE TO HAVE THIS WELL OPERABLE BY THE END OF JUNE. AND WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF COMPLETING THE DRILLING ON WELLS 5 AND 6. WE ANTICIPATE HAVING THESE WELLS OPERABLE BY THE END OF JULY. AND THEN THE LAST TWO WELLS, WELLS 7 AND 8, WE EXPECT TO HAVE THOSE COMPLETED BY THE END OF AUGUST. THE NUECES RIVER -- SO THE BED AND BANKS PERMIT IS THE BIG KEY HERE RIGHT NOW. WE HAVE SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION TO THE TCEQ FOR THE BED AND BANKS PERMIT. THEY HAVE SINCE COME BACK TO US WITH A FEW QUESTIONS. WE HAVE ANSWERED THEIR QUESTIONS. WE HAVE SUBMITTED A REVISED DOCUMENT TO THEM. WE ACTUALLY HAVE A MEETING WITH TCEQ TOMORROW SO WE'LL FIND OUT A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WHERE WE STAND IN THE PROCESS. I WILL SAY THAT WE'RE A LITTLE BIT BEHIND SCHEDULE ON THIS, UNFORTUNATELY, AND SO TOMORROW IS AN IMPORTANT MEETING BECAUSE WE REALLY NEED TO SECURE THIS TEMPORARY BED AND BANKS PERMIT TO BE ABLE TO USE THAT WATER FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR COMMUNITY. I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH THIS REAL QUICK. THE CITY HAS BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH EVANGELINE OVER THE LAST 30 DAYS. IT HAS BEEN A CHALLENGING PROCESS BECAUSE SOME OF THE INFORMATION WE HAVE ASKED FOR HAS NOT BEEN PROVIDED. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE UNDERSTAND AND VALIDATE THE RISKS AND BENEFITS OF THIS PROJECT. HAVING CLEAR AND DEFENSIBLE TITLE TO THE GROUNDWATER IS IMPERATIVE AND WE DO NOT HAVE THIS YET. ON FRIDAY, MAY 20, THE CITY DID SEND A REVISED MOU TO THE EVANGELINE REQUESTING AN EXTENSION. WE'RE MEETING WITH THEM LATER THIS WEEK TO DISCUSS THE STATUS OF THAT EXTENSION AND THE NEXT STEPS. AS FAR AS THE EV RANCH PROJECT, JUST REAL HIGH-LEVEL OVERVIEW. IT'S A LARGE SITE, 100,000 ACRES. THE DEVELOPER OF THIS PROJECT IS SOMEBODY THAT HAS PRESENTED HERE BEFORE AT COUNCIL CALLED THE CATAHOULA COMPANY. THEY STATE THEY HAVE 26 MILLION GALLONS A DAY OF WATER AVAILABLE. AS YOU CAN SEE HERE ON THE MAP, YOU CAN SEE THE LOCATION OF THE RANCH AND YOU CAN SEE THE NUMBER OF MILES THAT ONE HAS TO GO TO GET THE WATER ULTIMATELY FROM THE RANCH TO THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI. THE WATER -- WE DON'T HAVE ANY TEST DATA. THERE'S NO TEST WELLS SO WE DON'T KNOW THE QUALITY OF THE WATER. WE DO KNOW THEY WOULD ULTIMATELY RUN THAT WATER THROUGH A BRACKISH RO SYSTEM THAT WOULD TREAT IT AND SEND THE WATER UP TO OUR PART OF THE REGION. AND THEN LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I JUST WANT TO TALK REAL HIGH LEVEL. I'M NOT GOING TO GET INTO A LOT OF DETAILS ON THIS BECAUSE FRANKLY WE HEARD THE PRESENTATION BY THE SEVEN SEAS' REPRESENTATIVES THAT WERE HERE TODAY. IN MY SHORT TIME I HAVE BEEN HERE, I HAVE HAD A GREAT WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH COMMISSIONER AND GENERAL MANAGER JOHN MARES AND HIS TEAM. I HAVE ACTUALLY HAD THE PLEASURE OF GOING DOWN TO THEIR BOARD AND PRESENTING TWICE. AND MY MESSAGE TO THEM IS THE SAME MESSAGE, WHICH IS WE'RE PARTNERS. WE WANT TO COLLABORATE. WE KNOW THAT WE NEED EACH OTHER TO BE SUCCESSFUL. AND SO WE WANT TO WORK IN A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY AND PERHAPS SEVEN SEAS. I DO WANT TO SAY THAT HERE LATELY WE HAVE BEEN IN CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS WITH SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY BECAUSE, AS WE JUST HEARD EARLIER TODAY FROM GENERAL MANAGER JOHN MARES, THEIR CONTRACT IS COMING UP. WE HAVE A 40-YEAR CONTRACT WITH THEM AND IT EXPIRES IN DECEMBER. WE HAVE BEEN SPENDING THE LAST FEW MONTHS TALKING WITH THEM ABOUT HOW IT MAKES SENSE TO RENEW A CONTRACT. WE WANT TO STAY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THEM. OBVIOUSLY SOME THINGS HAVE CHANGED HERE IN THE RECENT TIME. YOU KNOW, I THINK THERE'S SOME QUESTIONS THAT ALL OF US HAVE TO ASK EACH OTHER, WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE AND WE RESPECT THE FACT THAT CITIES ARE LOOKING FOR MULTIPLE SOURCES OF WATER. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE ALL NEED. AND SO AS WE HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS, AS WE DEVELOP AND GET AN MOU WITH SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY, I THINK THAT'S GOING TO PROVIDE A LOT OF GOOD CONVERSATION AND HOPEFULLY SOMETHING THAT TRANSPIRES EFFECTIVELY FOR ALL OF US IN THE END. WE DID MEET WITH THAT TEAM. I SAY "THAT TEAM," JUST A COUPLE OF BULLET POINTS ON MAY 27 THEY HAD REACHED OUT TO A COUPLE OF US HERE. I WAS IN A MEETING WITH SEVEN SEAS AND THE KLEBERG COUNTY JUDGE AND SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY. THAT WAS REALLY THE FIRST TIME THAT THERE WAS SOME DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE DOING. WE HAD PREVIOUSLY REACHED OUT THROUGH SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY THROUGH THEIR ENGINEER ICE, AND WE'RE TRYING TO GET SOME INFORMATION FROM THEM THROUGH THAT ROUTE. WE WERE ABLE TO GET SOME GOOD INFORMATION ON THIS DATE. SO WE'RE CONTINUING TO WORK THROUGH THIS PROCESS. THE LAST BULLET I THINK IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE, WHICH IS TO SAY WE'VE GOT A SECOND MEETING THAT IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING SCHEDULED AND OBVIOUSLY WE'VE GOT AN MOU THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE DEVELOPING AND WORKING COLLABORATIVELY. AND SO WITH THAT SAID, I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND I CERTAINLY STAND HERE FOR ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILMAN CANTU. >> Cantu: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I THINK THE ONLY QUESTION I HAVE RIGHT NOW THAT'S CONCERNING ME IS TODAY WE'RE AT 14.7 COMBINED LAKE LEVELS. CAN YOU BREAK DOWN THAT 14.7 AS IN THERE'S TWO LAKES, SO WHAT DO WE HAVE IN LAKE CORPUS CHRISTI RIGHT NOW? >> YEAH. RIGHT OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, I DON'T HAVE IT. I COULD PROBABLY PULL IT UP ON MY PHONE. >> Zanoni: ESTEBAN MAY BE GETTING IT. >> I WANT TO SAY IT'S ABOUT 13% FULL IN CHOKE -- >> Zanoni: ESTEBAN HAS IT. >> 13? >> SO THE VOLUME AT CHOKE CANYON IS 13.5. AND THE VOLUME AT LAKE CORPUS CHRISTI IS AT 17.9 CAPACITY. >> Cantu: WHEN ARE WE GOING TO STAGE 4? >> THAT'S WHAT THE WATER SUPPLY DASHBOARD IS DESIGNED TO DO. AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S A PROJECTION. IT'S NOT AN ABSOLUTE. IT'S NOT A PERFECT DATE. >> Zanoni: IT WAS OCTOBER 2026, RIGHT? >> OCTOBER OF 2026, YEP. >> Cantu: OCTOBER OF 2026 IF WE GET NO RAIN. >> CORRECT. >> Cantu: I KNOW WE HAD ISSUES WITH THE MARY RHODES PIPELINE SOMETIME BACK AND IT REDUCED TO HOW MANY GALLONS PER DAY? >> WE ARE AT 55 MILLION GALLONS PER DAY. >> Cantu: WHEN WE HAD ISSUES WITH IT A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, IT SLOWED DOWN A LITTLE BIT, CORRECT? >> CORRECT. IT WAS AT 70 AND WE HAD TO DROP IT DOWN FROM SCHEDULE 4 TO SCHEDULE 3. >> Cantu: IS IT STILL AT SCHEDULE 3? >> YES. >> Cantu: WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF SOMETHING HAPPENS AND THE WHOLE PIPELINE IS DOWN FOR A WEEK? >> Molly: IT'S GOING TO ADJUST THE DATE ON WHEN A LEVEL 1 WATER EMERGENCY IS LIKELY GOING TO HAPPEN. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT FRANKLY KEEPS A FULL OF US UP AT NIGHT. HAVING A SINGLE POINT OF FAILURE. >> Cantu: IT SEEMS LIKE IT TAKES TIME FOR PARTS TO COME IN. >> Molly: THE GOOD NEWS IS WE HAVE SPARE SECTIONS THAT ARE KEPT IN STRATEGIC LOCATIONS. WE HAVE AN ON-CALL CONTRACTOR THAT WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO CALL THEM AT 2:00 IN THE MORNING AND HAVE THEM OUT THERE. THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MOBILIZE. BUT WE HAVE A GOOD TEAM BEHIND US IN CCW AND WE HAVE CONTRACTOR SUPPORT. >> Cantu: I REALLY LIKE THIS SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY DEAL. WHAT DO YOU FEEL ABOUT IT? LIKE, WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON IT? >> Molly: YOU KNOW, YOU'LL NEED TO GIVE ME A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO SINK MY TEETH INTO IT BECAUSE I, FRANKLY, HAVEN'T HAD A LOT OF TIME TO REALLY UNDERSTAND IT. I'VE ASKED THE QUESTION HOW MUCH, THAT'S THE BIGGEST QUESTION. YESTERDAY THE ANSWER WAS $3.50 AND TODAY WE HEARD IT WAS $5.50. WHAT IS THE ESCALATION PRICE OVER TIME? HOW MUCH IS IT GOING TO BE FOR THE TRANSMISSION COST TO GET THAT WATER HERE? THERE WAS A GOOD QUESTION THAT WAS ASKED -- AND I THINK FRANKLY THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO SOME THINKING ABOUT HOW THIS PROJECT IS GOING TO WORK AND HOW ULTIMATELY THEY NEED A SECOND SOURCE OF WATER. BUT IF THE CITY NO LONGER IS THEIR SOURCE OF WATER, BECAUSE WE'RE NOW BUYING WATER FROM THEM, THEY'RE ON ONE SOURCE OF WATER. SO THEY MAY HAVE JUST EXCHANGED ONE CHALLENGE FOR ANOTHER. SO I THINK THESE ARE THE KIND OF THINGS THROUGH AN MOU THAT WE NEED TO SIT DOWN AND TALK ABOUT. >> Cantu: I REALLY WANT TO SEE PROGRESS ON THIS. LIKE, I REALLY DON'T WANT TO TAKE WEEKS ON IT. WE NEED WATER AND INNER HARBOR IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN UNTIL THREE, FOUR, POSSIBLY FIVE YEARS DOWN THE ROAD. AND WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE WATER FOR THE RESIDENTS. AT THIS POINT I KNOW THE REFINERIES AND EVERYBODY NEEDS WATER BUT RIGHT NOW WE NEED TO PROTECT THE RESIDENTS. I MEAN, 14.7, THAT'S SCARY. IT'S REALLY SCARY AND IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO THE PIPELINE AND WE DON'T HAVE NO PARTS FOR A MONTH, I MEAN, IT'S SCARY. SO I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY WANT YOU GUYS TO WORK ON THE SOUTH TEXAS AGREEMENT AND SEE WHAT WE CAN COME UP WITH AND GET A GOOD DEAL OUT OF IT. IT COSTS US NOTHING. AND I REALLY FEEL IT MIGHT BE A GOOD DEAL AND I REALLY DON'T WANT TO DRAG OUR FEET ON THIS. WE NEED TO FIND ANOTHER WATER SOLUTION. I KNOW WE'RE FINDING OTHER STUFF WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING LATER ON BUT WE NEED TO KEEP ON FINDING THEM BECAUSE DESAL IS ONLY 35 MILLION GALLONS A DAY? >> Molly: YOU'RE HITTING THE NAIL ON THE HEAD, COUNCILMAN, AND THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION IS WE NEED MULTIPLE SUPPLIES OF WATER. >> Cantu: ALL OF IT. WE NEED IT. WE HAVE TO. WE NEED IT. WE OWE THAT TO THE RESIDENTS. >> Molly: ABSOLUTELY. >> Cantu: I ALSO WANT TO DO SOMETHING -- I KNOW I COULD TALK ABOUT THIS BUT IT'S ABOUT WATER. BUT I WOULD LIKE CITY STAFF TO FIGURE OUT A NEW POLICY FOR SENIORS OVER 65 THAT ARE HAVING ISSUES PAYING THEIR WATER BILLS, AND GIVE THEM MORE TIME, DO SOMETHING ON A DIFFERENT POLICY. AND THEN WHEN THEY DO COME TO CITY HALL FOR A PAYMENT ARRANGEMENT, WE'VE GOT TO WORK WITH THESE SENIORS. THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE RIGHT NOW WHO ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF THEY'RE GOING TO PAY FOR THE WATER OR PAY FOR THEIR MEDICATION. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE PAYING FOR THE WATER BECAUSE THEY NEED IT. IT'S NOT A LUXURY THING THAT WE WANT, IT'S A NEED. AND I HEARD A COUPLE OF STORIES OF SOME SENIORS' WATER TURNED OFF AND I WANT TO BE ABLE TO HELP THEM. AND NOT ALL OF THEM KNOW ABOUT, YOU KNOW, PAYMENT PLANS OR KNOW ABOUT WHAT YOU GUYS DID FOR THEM A FEW WEEKS AGO RAISING MONEY. BUT I REALLY DON'T WANT TO TURN THEM OFF. I THINK IT'S A NEED. AND WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE SOMETHING OUT ON THAT. APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: CAROLYN. COUNCILWOMAN VAUGHN. SORRY. >> Vaughn: THANKS. REALLY QUICK, BECAUSE IT'S LATE. I HAD A WHOLE BUNCH OF QUESTIONS. I'M NOT GOING TO ASK THEM. FIRST, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR DOING THE WATER SUMMIT. YOU DID THAT ALL ON YOUR OWN AND THAT WAS GREAT THAT YOU DID IT AND I HOPE YOU TELL US HOW MUCH YOU MADE. THAT IS FOR SENIORS AND PEOPLE WHO CAN'T PAY FOR THEIR WATER BILLS. WE KNOW THE WATER BILLS ARE GOING TO GO UP. WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WITH THAT. IT'S IN THE CARDS IT'S GOING TO GO UP. HOW MUCH DID YOU MAKE? >> Molly: WE NETTED $87,000. AND, FRANKLY, IT EXCEEDED ALL OUR EXPECTATIONS. I MEAN, WE WERE KIND OF HOPING FOR MAYBE $30,000. AND $87,000, AND WE SOLD IT OUT AND THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO DONATE AND WE DIDN'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO ACCEPT IT. NEXT YEAR WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO DOUBLE THAT AND KEEP IT GOING. >> Vaughn: IT WAS PACKED. I WENT TO CHOKE CANYON THIS WEEKEND. IF YOU HAVEN'T WENT, YOU SHOULD GO BECAUSE IT'S AN EYE OPENER. WALK DOWN TO WHERE THE BOATS USUALLY LAUNCH, IT'S JUST DIRT. AS FAR AS YOU CAN SEE, IT'S JUST DIRT. IT'S SO SAD TO THINK THAT THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT. WE KNOW WE'RE IN A WATER CRISIS AND I'M HOPING THIS COUNCIL IS GOING TO BE THE ONE TO SAY WE'VE GOT MORE SOURCES THAN MARY RHODES. I TOO HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT SOMETHING HAPPENING TO IT. ONE COUNCIL DIDN'T GET HERE. IT'S BEEN OVER THE YEARS THAT WE GOT AND IGNORED THE FACT THAT WE ONLY HAD ONE WATER SOURCE. SHAME ON US. REAL QUICK, THAT CONTRACT YOU HAVE WITH SOUTH TEXAS WATER, HOW MUCH WATER DO THEY TAKE? >> Molly: THE LAST I CHECKED, THEY'RE TAKING ABOUT MAYBE 2 MILLION, MAYBE JUST A LITTLE BIT LESS THAN 2 MILLION GALLONS A DAY. >> Vaughn: OKAY. AND ON THE EV, DID Y'ALL DO ANYTHING WITH THAT? DO YOU HAVE AN MOU WITH THEM OR ARE Y'ALL IN DISCUSSIONS? YOU'RE DOING NOTHING WITH THEM? >> Molly: WE'RE STILL TALKING TO THEM. WE HAVE A CALL WITH THEM ONCE A WEEK. WE TOUCH BASE WITH THEM AND WE'RE SHARING INFORMATION WITH THEM. BUT, YOU KNOW, IT'S GETTING -- I'LL BE CANDID WITH YOU. IT'S GETTING A LOT MORE INTERESTING BECAUSE WE JUST HEARD SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY PROPOSAL THAT FRANKLY IS SORT OF IN BETWEEN US AND EV RANCH. SO THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS TO THINK ABOUT. >> Vaughn: THERE IS. AND EVANGELINE, JUST TRYING TO GET A RECAP. YOU WILL BE VISITING WITH THEM ON WEDNESDAY, I BELIEVE? >> Molly: CORRECT. >> Vaughn: JUST SO THE PUBLIC KNOWS, WE'RE STILL WORKING WITH DIFFERENT SOURCES. >> Molly: YOU KNOW, I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT PART IS EVERY PROJECT'S GOT ITS STRENGTHS AND THERE'S DRAWBACKS. ONE OF THE CHALLENGES -- AND WE TALKED ABOUT IT -- IS THE FACT THAT ANY TIME YOU TAKE GROUNDWATER ACROSS A GROUNDWATER DISTRICT, YOU HAVE TO GET THE LOCAL, AS YOU SHOULD, YOU HAVE TO GET THE LOCAL GROUNDWATER DISTRICT TO APPROVE. AND WE DON'T HAVE A TRANSPORT PERMIT FROM THEM. THAT'S NOT TO SAY WE CAN'T GET ONE BUT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT. BECAUSE THAT'S A RISK. AND SO WE COULD DO THE RISK-STRENGTH PROFILE HERE FOR A WHILE BUT TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, THE SHORT ANSWER IS WE'RE STILL TALKING TO EVANGELINE ABSOLUTELY. >> Vaughn: THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAVE WITH ALL OF THIS EVANGELINE THING IS ALL THE LAWYERS THAT ARE INVOLVED -- AND I KNOW WE HAVE TO GET ALL THE INFORMATION WE NEED. I KNOW THAT. BUT SOMETIMES THEY CONVOLUTE EVERYTHING. WHEN WE STARTED OUT, THEY HAD A SMALL LIST. MR. ZANONI, I APPRECIATE YOU GOING IN THERE -- AND YOU REALLY HAVE PUSHED THIS PROJECT, AND I APPRECIATE THAT. THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO KNOW THAT. THE LAST TIME WE WERE IN THERE Y'ALL SENT ME A LIST OF 15 THINGS. IT'S BECAUSE THE LAWYERS GET INVOLVED AND THEY CONFUSE IT. THEY CONFUSE IT. AND THEY'RE MAKING MORE MONEY THE MORE ISSUES THEY HAVE, WHICH I KNOW THAT THERE'S SOME REALLY IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT HAVE TO BE DONE. BUT YOU CAN'T CLOSE ON ANYTHING UNLESS YOU HAVE ALL THE PIECES OF PAPER THAT YOU NEED AND EVERYTHING. SO JUST MY OPINION. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILMAN HERNANDEZ. >> Hernandez: THANK YOU. DREW, CAN YOU TELL ME HOW MUCH WATER CAN GO THROUGH A 42-INCH PIPELINE? 50MILLION GALLONS PER DAY? >> Molly: 42-INCH, I'M GOING TO SAY 20, 20 MILLION? >> Hernandez: MARY RHODES PIPELINE IS 64-INCH AND WE GET -- >> Molly: REMEMBER, IT'S PI R SQUARED. EVERY DIAMETER YOU GO UP. >> Hernandez: CAN YOU GET THAT INFORMATION TO COUNCIL, HOW MUCH CAN GO THROUGH THERE? ALSO, YOU MENTIONED THE WATER WELLS. DID YOU PROVIDE A TDS REPORT TO COUNCIL AS TO HOW MUCH THE TDS IS IN THOSE WELLS? >> Molly: I DON'T KNOW THAT WE SENT A REPORT TO COUNCIL ON THE TDS BUT THAT IS ALL PART OF WHAT WE SUBMITTED IN OUR TCEQ APPLICATION. >> Hernandez: CAN YOU TELL ME HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH TDS TO BE POURING INTO THE NUECES RIVER BEFORE YOU START CREATING SOME PROBLEMS? >> Molly: OUR HIGHEST WELL HAS 5,000 MILLIGRAMS PER LITER OF TDS. THAT WAS INCORPORATED IN OUR PLAN TO THE STATE. WE HAVE A BIOMONITORING PLAN THAT WE INCORPORATED AS PART OF THIS APPLICATION. WE'RE TALKING TO TCEQ TOMORROW ABOUT THE EFFICACY OF THAT PLAN. >> Hernandez: DOES TCEQ HAVE A LIMIT? >> Molly: I DON'T KNOW THAT THEY HAVE A LIMIT. I THINK THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DEMONSTRATE THAT WE HAVE AN ACTIVE MONITORING PROCESS AND IF WE SEE SOMETHING THAT DEGRADES THE ENVIRONMENT, THAT WE MAKE CHANGES TO WHAT WE'RE DOING. >> Hernandez: WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? WHAT MONITORS DEGRADE THE ENVIRONMENT? >> WE'RE WORKING WITH THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY TO WORK THOSE QUESTIONS THAT YOU'RE ASKING. WHAT WE HAVE TO DEVELOP IS AN AQUATIC LIFE MONITORING PLAN. WE WORKED WITH OUR CONSULTANT DAVID BAZAN TO CREATE THIS PLAN WHERE TCEQ IS REVIEWING THAT AS WE SPEAK. SO IT'S AN ONGOING PROCESS. THERE'S NOT A SPECIFIC NUMBER RIGHT NOW, WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR, FIND IT. IT DOESN'T EXIST. WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS WORK WITH THE TCEQ, PROVIDE THEM THE PLAN FOR THE MONITORING, AND WE'LL HAVE TO CONTINUE THE MONITORING THROUGH THE DISCHARGE OF THAT WATER. >> Hernandez: OKAY. SO I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND THAT BECAUSE I THOUGHT WE COULD ONLY DO SEVEN, EIGHT WELLS AT 15 MILLION GALLONS PER DAY, SOMEWHERE IN THAT RANGE, SO WE WOULDN'T AFFECT ANYTHING LIKE THAT. BUT YOU'RE SAYING WE COULD DO MORE. >> THROUGH THIS MONITORING PLAN, DISCUSSIONS WITH TCEQ, PROVIDING THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, EACH OF THOSE WELLS PRODUCE AND WE GET BETTER INFORMATION ON THE TDS, IT'S AN ONGOING PROCESS SO I DON'T HAVE A STRAIGHT ANSWER FOR THAT QUESTION THAT YOU'RE ASKING. >> Hernandez: IF WE DO MORE, YOU MENTIONED WE WOULD HAVE TO DO SOME SORT OF SWAP WITH NO. 3 BECAUSE THE WATER WOULD NOT BE A HIGH ENOUGH QUALITY FOR THEM TO TAKE IT OUT OF THE NUECES RIVER. IS THAT CORRECT? AT WHAT POINT IS THAT GOING TO TAKE PLACE? >> Molly: LOOK, YOU'RE ASKING SOME GOOD QUESTIONS AND I WILL SAY THAT THE GENTLEMAN THAT ESTEBAN TALKED ABOUT, DAVE, HE'S A COASTAL ECOLOGIST AND ONE OF THE THINGS I RECALL HIM TELLING ME IS THAT THE NUECES RIVER IS CONSIDERED -- AND I MAY NOT SAY THIS RIGHT -- AN IMPAIRED WATER SYSTEM. IT ACTUALLY HAS, BEFORE THE SALTWATER BARRIER DAM WAS CREATED, THERE WAS A NATURAL SALINITY THAT WOULD COME UP THE RIVER QUITE A WAYS INLAND. SO THE CHARACTERISTICS IN THE RIVER ARE NOT THE SAME CHARACTERISTICS THAT YOU WOULD BE LOOKING AT FOR THE COLORADO RIVER. IT'S DIFFERENT. AND SO ULTIMATELY WE HAVE TO PROVE THAT WE AREN'T GOING TO IMPACT. AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT DAVE BAZAN, OUR COASTAL ECOLOGIST, HAS DEVELOPED THIS PLAN AND WE'RE GOING TO PRESENT THAT. WE HAVE ALREADY SUBMITTED IT TO THE TCEQ. WE HAVE SOME MORE WORK TOMORROW TO TALK TO THEM. AND WE'LL HAVE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW THAT UNFOLD AFTER WE TALK TO THEM TOMORROW. >> Hernandez: IF WE'RE HAVING TO PROVIDE WATER TO NO. 3 BECAUSE THE WATER COMING OUT OF NUECES RIVER IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR THEM TO UTILIZE FOR THEIR WATER PURPOSES, THEN THAT TELLS ME THAT WE'RE PROBABLY PUTTING TOO MUCH INTO IT. >> Molly: WHAT I WOULD TELL YOU IS WE HAVE SPENT QUITE A BIT OF TIME TALKING TO OUR PARTNERS OVER AT NO. 3 TO MAKE SURE THERE'S NO SURPRISES. ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE LEARNED IN TALKING TO THEM IS THAT THEY SOMETIMES SEE TDS UP AND AROUND 1,000 MILLIGRAMS PER LITER DURING DROUGHT. AND SO THEY DON'T WANT TO GO A LOT HIGHER THAN 1,000 BECAUSE THERE COULD BE SOME POTENTIAL ISSUES. BUT WHAT WE HAVE FOUND IS WHEN WE WERE DOING THE TEST WELL FOR THE HIGHER SALINITY WELL, WE WERE MONITORING THE WATER QUALITY DOWNSTREAM -- AND I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT DISTANCE. BUT THAT WATER WAS ATTENUATING WITHIN 500, 600 FEET. IN OTHER WORDS, IT WAS HIGHER INITIALLY WHEN WE PUT THE GROUNDWATER INTO THE RIVER. WITHIN A CERTAIN DISTANCE, I WOULD TO SAY IT WAS 500, 600 FEET. BUT THAT'S ALL CAPTURED IN THE PLAN. >> Hernandez: THE EXPECTATION IS TO GO ABOVE 1,000 TDS? >> Molly: WE WANT TO KEEP IT BELOW THAT BUT 1,000 TDS IS OUR TARGET. >> Hernandez: WITH REGARDS TO THE EVANGELINE, SINCE IT'S IN SAN PAT, I KNOW WE SEND 12 MILLION GALLONS A DAY TO STEEL DYNAMICS AND THE MUNICIPAL WATER -- WELL, COMBINING THEM. AND THE SAN PAT MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT. IF YOU JUST KEPT THAT WATER IN SAN PAT YOU WOULDN'T NEED AN EXPORT PERMIT. >> Molly: THAT'S RIGHT. >> Hernandez: MAYBE YOU CAN MAKE AN ARRANGEMENT TO GO SOUTH AND YOU CAN AVOID HAVING TO GET AN EXPORT PERMIT WITH EVANGELINE. WOULD THAT BE AN ISSUE? >> Molly: WE HAVE BEEN IN CLOSE COMMUNICATION WITH SOME OF THE PARTNERS THAT SERVE THAT AREA. >> Zanoni: COUNCILMAN, IT IS A DEFINED ISSUE FOR SAN PAT WATER DISTRICT AND ONE OF THEIR BIGGEST CUSTOMERS BECAUSE OF THE TDS CONTENT IS HIGHER THAN THE RAW WATER THAT THEY GET FROM US TODAY. >> Hernandez: STEEL DYNAMIC ONLY GETS HALF OF THEIR WATER TODAY. >> Zanoni: SAN PAT WATER DISTRICT AND THEIR BIGGEST CUSTOMER, GULF COAST GROWTH VENTURES. >> Hernandez: GULF COAST GROWTH VENTURES GETS IT DIRECTLY FROM US FROM O.N. STEVENS. THERE'S A PIPELINE THAT GOES DIRECTLY TO THEM. THIS DOESN'T AFFECT THEM. THIS IS GOING FROM SAN PAT TO THE MARY RHODES PIPELINE. THEY ALSO GET WATER FROM THE NUECES RIVER. >> Zanoni: RIGHT. >> Hernandez: YOU KNOW, THEY KIND OF HAVE A BLENDED KIND OF THING AS WELL. SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE IS THERE SOME WAY THAT WE CAN MASSAGE IT TO WHERE IT BLENDS WITH THE WATER FROM THE MARY RHODES PIPELINE AND STILL GOES TO THE SOUTH TEXAS MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT WHERE WE DON'T HAVE TO GET AN EXPORT PERMIT. >> Zanoni: WE HAVE LOOKED AT IT BUT THEY HAVE REGISTERED CONCERNS. THEY'RE NOT SAYING HELL NO, BUT THEY'RE WORRIED. >> Hernandez: I KNOW THERE'S -- WHAT'S THAT OLD SAYING, THERE'S MANY WAYS TO SKIN A CAT. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT CAME FROM, IT'S WEIRD TO SKIN A CAT. >> Zanoni: WE DON'T SAY THAT HERE COUNCILMAN. [LAUGHTER] WE JUST DID $4 MILLION FOR ACS. >> Hernandez: IT'S AN OLD SAYING. AND, DREW, I DON'T WANT TO HIDE THIS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE SEND IN INFORMATION ABOUT MISSING WATER BASED ON THE REPORTS THAT'S BEING PUBLISHED FROM US. >> Molly: WHERE DID IT GO? >> Hernandez: THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION BUT I HAVE NO WAY OF ANSWERING THAT BECAUSE AT THIS POINT I'M NOT SURE IF I TRUST THE READINGS. SO I NEED TO HAVE SOME INFORMATION FROM YOU. AND I KNOW YOU HAD SAID THE 20th? >> Molly: WE'LL SET SOMETHING UP. WE WILL LOOK AT -- WE'LL MEET ON FRIDAY JUNE 20th. WE'RE GOOD TO GO. >> Hernandez: THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: I THINK THAT'S ALL. DREW, THANK YOU. >> Molly: YOU BET. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU FOR THAT UPDATE. LET'S SEE HERE. SO THAT WAS 17. SO NOW WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK TO ITEM 21. AND ITEM 21 IS A NONBINDING MOTION OF SUPPORT FOR AWARDING THE NAMING RIGHTS FOR THE CONVENTION CENTER TO THE ENTITY THAT OFFERS THE MOST FUNDING TO THE CITY FOR SAID RIGHTS. OH, AND THIS WAS PUT ON BY COUNCILWOMAN CAROLYN VAUGHN, ERIC CANTU, AND SYLVIA CAMPOS. CAROLYN VAUGHN. >> Vaughn: I PUT THIS ON BECAUSE IT'S BECOME SUCH A PUBLIC NUISANCE, ALL THE STUFF THAT'S GOING ON. IT'S SILLINESS IS WHAT'S GOING ON. I THINK IT WAS THE PREVIOUS -- NOT THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL BUT THE ONE BEFORE THAT THAT VOTED THIS IN AND GAVE THEM THE RIGHTS. WE OWN THE BUILDING. I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU WOULD GIVE THE RIGHTS AWAY. IT'S DONE SO THIS COUNCIL HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT BUT YET WE'RE BEING CONTACTED BECAUSE IT'S ALL GOING IN THE PUBLIC AND EVERYBODY'S UPSET ABOUT IT. SOME FOR, SOME AGAINST. CAN'T SAY WHICH WAY IT LEANS BUT IT'S THERE. SO I THOUGHT WE NEED TO PUT A STOP TO IT. I KNOW THEY'RE WANTING TO MEET WITH US BUT OVG HAS THE NAMING RIGHTS. PUT ON YOUR BIG BOY PANTS AND NAME IT. THIS IS RIDICULOUS FOR US TO KEEP TALKING ABOUT IT. IF THEY WOULD DO IT THEN THE ISSUE WOULD GO AWAY. I DON'T KNOW THOMAS J. HENRY. I HAVE NEVER TAKEN MONEY FROM THOMAS J. HENRY. I AM NOT ADVOCATING FOR THOMAS J. HENRY OR ANYONE ELSE THAT'S THE BIDDERS. I DO NOT KNOW WHO THE OTHER BIDDERS ARE. I DON'T KNOW WHO HAS THE MOST. I DON'T KNOW HOW CLOSE THEY ARE. I DON'T CARE. BUT IT'S FOR ME, AS A BUSINESSPERSON, I WOULD GO WITH THE HIGHEST BIDDER. COMMON SENSE TELLS ME TO DO THAT. HE HAS BEEN TRASHED, MR. HENRY HAS, AND THAT'S UNFORTUNATE. HE HAS DONE A LOT FOR THE CITY. WE ALL HAVE HAD THINGS SPREAD ABOUT US THAT ARE NOT TRUE. PEOPLE HAVE CONTACTED ME, SOME NICE PEOPLE THAT I THOUGHT WHY WOULD YOU EVEN SAY THAT? WHAT IS YOUR EVIDENCE? THEY CAN'T GIVE A REASON THEY DON'T LIKE HIM. HE HAS HELPED THIS CITY. HE HAS ADVERTISEMENTS ALL OVER THE CITY. HE HAS BILLBOARDS. HE'S ON THE NEWS, THEY GET MONEY FROM HIM FOR THOSE ADVERTISEMENTS. TODAY I JUST THOUGHT YOU GUYS CAN VOTE FOR THIS OR NOT BUT I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION OF SUPPORT FOR OGV TO AWARD THE NAMING RIGHTS TO THE CONVENTION CENTER TO THE ENTITY THAT OFFERS THE MOST FUNDING TO THE CITY FOR SAID RIGHTS. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. COUNCILMAN BARRERA. >> Barrera: WELL, I'VE BEEN VERY VOCAL ABOUT THIS. YOU KNOW, I THINK WE JUST NEED TO LOOK AT EVERYTHING AS THE OVERALL VALUE. IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT MONEY. I MEAN, AND I THINK I HEARD AN INTERVIEW WITH THE PROPOSER YESTERDAY AND IT'S APPARENT -- I PERSONALLY THINK, BASED ON WHAT I HEARD, THAT SOMEBODY ELSE IS REALLY DOING THE NEGOTIATING BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THE FUNDS DON'T INTERMINGLE WITH STREETS AND PUBLIC SAFETY. IT'S TRUE WE HAVE A SHORTFALL BUT THE SHORTFALL IS IN THE GENERAL BUDGET. I OBVIOUSLY HAVE AN OPINION AND I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT. WE NEED TO LET OVG MAKE THEIR PROFESSIONAL -- PUT FORTH THEIR PROFESSIONAL OPINION OF WHAT NEEDS TO GET DONE. IT'S JUST WHEN THE PROPOSER DECIDED TO UTILIZE THE MEDIA TO LEVERAGE NEGOTIATIONS, I JUST -- OBVIOUSLY, YOU KNOW, I HAVE NEVER SEEN A MICROPHONE I DIDN'T LIKE OR A CAMERA WHEN IT COMES TO THE NEWS. AND SO WHEN THEY COME TO ME AND ASK ME QUESTIONS, YOU KNOW, I JUST GIVE THEM AN HONEST ANSWER. AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST MY OPINION THAT THAT'S NOT HOW YOU NEGOTIATE IN GOOD FAITH. NOW, I'M SURE OVG KNOWS SOME THINGS THAT I DON'T AND I WOULD LIKE TO LET THEM FOLLOW THE PROCESS AND I THINK WE SHOULD STAY OUT OF IT UNTIL WE DO THAT AND THEN LET THEM MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT. I MEAN, BECAUSE THEY'RE THE PROFESSIONALS. DANNY, CAN YOU COME UP HERE? I JUST HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS. I HOPE I DON'T SET YOU UP WITH EVERYBODY ELSE WANTING TO ASK YOU QUESTIONS. YEAH, I'M SORRY. THEY WERE GOING TO PULL YOU UP ANYWAY. SO HOW MANY PROPERTIES DOES OVG MANAGE? >> THE NEWEST NUMBERS, PROBABLY BETWEEN HOSPITALITY, VENUE MANAGEMENT, AND PARTNERSHIPS, 300 AND CHANGE. FACILITY MANAGEMENT WISE, PROBABLY 160. >> Barrera: I BET YOU LEARNED A LOT ABOUT THIS ONE, HUH? >> I HAVE LEARNED A LOT. >> Barrera: THAT'S MY THING. YOU'VE BROUGHT -- YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS BROUGHT -- AND THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF BUMPS AND BRUISES. I HAVE BEEN CRITICAL AND I HAVE ALSO PRAISED YOU GUYS. AND YOU'VE DONE -- YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS DONE AN AMAZING JOB TO BRING IT TO THE LEVEL IT IS. AND PARTICULARLY WITH THE FACILITY THAT WE LEFT YOU WITH. WE PUT YOU IN. AND, YOU KNOW, WE'VE NEGLECTED IT FOR QUITE SOMETIME AND YOU GUYS HAVE PUT LIPSTICK ON THAT PIG. AND I THINK I GOT SOME NUMBERS FROM HEATHER THAT IT ACTUALLY OPERATES IN THE BLACK. IS THAT CORRECT? FOR THE RECORD, HEATHER IS NODDING HER HEAD. >> YEAH. I THINK WITH THE FUNDING SOURCES THAT WE HAVE CURRENTLY IN PLACE, YES. WE'VE BEEN OPERATING THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS. >> Barrera: I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT BECAUSE THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN FOR A LONG, LONG, LONG TIME. AND I'VE USED THE FACILITY -- I GET FRIENDS THAT CALL ME. I DON'T KNOW WHY EVERYBODY THINKS, BECAUSE I'M A COUNCIL MEMBER, I CAN GET FREE TICKETS. BUT, ANYWAY, THAT'S REALLY MY WHOLE THING. YOU KNOW, I AGREE WITH YOU, CAROLYN -- COUNCILMEMBER VAUGHN -- I HAVE ALWAYS SAID WE NEED TO LET THE PROFESSIONALS HANDLE IT. AND THE ONLY REASON I'VE BEEN VOCAL IS BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THE PARTY THAT WE HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATING WITH MADE IT VERY PUBLIC. AND SO I ACTUALLY WANTED TO DEFEND THE ORGANIZATION AND DEFEND THE PROCESS AND THE ACCUSATIONS THAT I FELT WERE UNCALLED FOR. AND I'M A BIG BOY. I CAN TAKE IT. AND IT'S JUST PART OF BEING AN ELECTED OFFICIAL. SO I'M NOT IN SUPPORT, OBVIOUSLY, OF MAKING -- OFFERING A NONBINDING SUPPORT OF AWARDING THE NAMING RIGHTS. I'M NOT IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION, I JUST THINK WE OUGHT TO LET YOU GUYS DO YOUR JOB AND IF WE HAVE QUESTIONS WITH REGARD TO THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS, WHAT THE NORMAL PROCESS IS, WHAT THE MARKET CALLS FOR TYPICALLY ON SOMETHING LIKE THAT. IN FACT, NOW I THINK, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE COMMENTS THAT WAS MADE YESTERDAY WITH REGARD TO ME AND THE MAYOR AND ANOTHER AT-LARGE COUNCILMAN -- I GUESS YOU CAN GUESS WHO, PROBABLY. WAS THAT WHAT HAVE THEY DONE? YOU KNOW, WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO GO AND TRY TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE AMERICAN BANK CENTER? AND, YOU KNOW, I SAID TO THE RADIO, I WENT TO THE LEGISLATURE AND WE WORKED TO GET $192 MILLION SO WE COULD IMPROVE THAT FACILITY. SO WE'VE ALL BEEN WORKING HARD. WE'VE ALL PUT A LOT IN IT. PUBLIC SERVICE AND PHILANTHROPY IS TWO DIFFERENT THINGS. IT'S A BIG COMMITMENT. I'M SURE EVERYBODY HERE THAT HAS A JOB AND IF YOU HAVE YOUR OWN COMPANY, YOU HAVE LOST MONEY. SO THE IMPLICATION, ONCE AGAIN, I THINK IS MISGUIDED. I THINK WE OUGHT TO JUST LET THEM DO THEIR JOB AND NOT INTERFERE. AND THE ONLY REASON THAT I'VE INTERFERED, SO TO SPEAK, IS BECAUSE THOSE COMMENTS WERE MADE AND I JUST FELT I HAD TO COME TO THE DEFENSE OF THE ORGANIZATION. AND OUR COMMUNITY AND MYSELF. ANYWAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILMAN CANTU. >> Cantu: THANK YOU, MAYOR. FIRST OF ALL, DANNY, I WANT TO APOLOGIZE TO YOU LAST TIME WE HAD A DISCUSSION HERE IN CITY HALL. I GUESS I WAS ACTING WITH MY EMOTIONS AND I TRIED CALLING YOU A COUPLE OF TIMES. DIDN'T GET A RETURN PHONE CALL. I'M SURE I KNOW WHY. BUT JUST WANTED TO APOLOGIZE TO YOU BECAUSE I THINK YOU GOT STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF EVERYTHING. MY APOLOGY. >> I APPRECIATE THAT. >> Cantu: PETER, HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN SINCE WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS NAMING RIGHTS? >> Zanoni: ABOUT TWO YEARS, COUNCILMAN. OVG REMINDED US IT'S BEEN ABOUT TWO YEARS SINCE WHEN THE PROCESS BEGAN TO TODAY. >> Cantu: YOU KNOW, WHEN MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCILMAN BARRERA SAYS THOMAS J. HENRY DID THIS BIG PRESS RELEASE AND DID ALL THIS STUFF, HE DIDN'T DO IT BECAUSE HE -- HE DIDN'T DO IT BECAUSE HE WAS TRYING TO SAY THAT HE WAS THE BIGGEST BIDDER AND, YOU KNOW, HE DOES THIS, DOES THAT, WHATEVER THE CASE. HE DID IT BECAUSE OVG 360 REACHED OUT TO HIM AND TOLD HIM THAT EVERYTHING WAS GREAT. EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THEY HAD A CONTRACT. THEY TALKED ABOUT IT. IT WAS MORE OR LESS A DONE DEAL. AND THEN SOMEBODY HERE IN CITY HALL STOPPED IT, FOR WHATEVER REASONS. AND WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, MAYOR, THE BIG BANG FIREWORKS, I MEAN, YOU GUYS GET MONEY FROM THOMAS J. HENRY. HE'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST SPONSORS RIGHT NOW. AND WE TAKE HIS MONEY FOR OTHER THINGS, YOU KNOW, IN THIS COMMUNITY. I MEAN, WE CAN'T JUST SAY, HEY, THOMAS, I DON'T WANT YOUR NAME ON THE BUILDING BUT CAN YOU GO AND DONATE SOME MONEY TO THIS EVENT OR CAN YOU DO THIS AND DO THAT? I MEAN, IT'S NOT FAIR. AND THEY GIVE HIM A LOT OF HASSLE BECAUSE HE'S A PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY? WHO CARES? HE'S A SUCCESSFUL PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY. HIS FATHER SUPPOSEDLY WORKED FOR CITY HALL THROUGH A LONG TIME AND GOT HIM THROUGH COLLEGE. THAT'S A SUCCESS STORY, MAN. LIKE, I'M HAPPY HE HAS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND HE CAN DO WHATEVER HE WANTS TO DO. YOU KNOW, HE'S DONE A LOT FOR THIS COMMUNITY. HE'S DONATED TURKEYS EVERY YEAR. THE UNIVERSITY HAS HIS NAME. I MEAN, SO MUCH STUFF THAT HE'S DONE. REAL ESTATE, HE'S INVESTED IN THIS COMMUNITY. HE'S BUILDING A HOME HERE. HE'S PAYING TAXES HERE. HE HAS EMPLOYEES HERE. I MEAN, IF ONE OF MY CHILDREN GET HURT, I'M GOING TO HIRE A PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY. I MEAN, THAT'S JUST THE BOTTOM LINE. AND I FEEL THAT THE TAXPAYERS ALWAYS GET THE END OF THE STICK. IT'S $1.25 MILLION A YEAR. THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY. AND SOME SAY, WELL, OUR ADVERTISERS RIGHT NOW IN THE AMERICAN BANK CENTER IS GOING TO PULL OUT. WELL, THEN PULL OUT. WE HAVE $1.25 MILLION. I THINK IT'S OVER A MILLION DOLLARS COMBINED TOGETHER, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, HEATHER. WE'RE STILL IN THE WIN AND MAYBE WE COULD LEASE THOSE SUITES OUT TO SMALL BUSINESSES THAT WORK THEIR BUTT OFF EVERY DAY BUT CAN'T AFFORD IT BUT NOW WE COULD DO SOMETHING FOR THEM AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE BECAUSE OF THOMAS J. HENRY. TAKE THEIR EMPLOYEES THERE, HAVE A GOOD TIME, THEIR FAMILY. HE EVEN SAID HE WAS GOING TO PROMOTE CONCERTS AT THE AMERICAN BANK CENTER FOR FREE FOR THE COMMUNITY. AND YOU GUYS GET THE BEER SALES. I MEAN, I THINK IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO. YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE THE GUY. THAT'S EVERYONE'S DIFFERENT OPINION. BUT IF HE'S GOOD ENOUGH TO ASK FOR MONEYS FOR THIS AND THAT, HE SHOULD HAVE HIS NAME ON THIS BUILDING IF HE'S THE HIGHEST BIDDER. IF SOMEBODY COMES IN TOMORROW AND SAYS I'LL GIVE YOU 1.5, THEN GIVE IT TO THE $1.5 MILLION BIDDER. IT'S ABOUT THE MONEY AND THAT'S ALL I'M STRESSING ABOUT. RTA HAS HERMAN ON EVERY BUS. IT'S THE SAME THING AND NOBODY CARES. IF ROLAND PUT HIS NAME ON THERE, THE ROLAND BARRERA CENTER, AND BROOKS AND DUNN IS PLAYING, I'M GOING TO WATCH. I DON'T CARE IF HIS NAME IS ON THERE. I DON'T CARE. IT'S JUST THE NAME. AND I REALLY THINK THAT WE NEED TO ALLOW HIM, IF HE'S THE HIGHEST BIDDER. AND WHY SO SECRETIVE? WHO IS THE OTHER BIDDER? I THINK WE NEED TO LET PEOPLE KNOW. THERE WAS A RUMOR -- I DON'T KNOW HOW TRUE IT IS -- BUT IT'S A RUMOR THAT AUTO NATION IS THE HIGHEST BIDDER OR PEPSI WAS THE OTHER BIDDER. [TIMER] >> Cantu: I'LL COME BACK TO IT. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. >> Barrera: I WOULD THINK YOU WANT TO GO BECAUSE MY NAME IS THERE. >> Mayor Guajardo: FOR THE RECORD, JUST SO IT'S NOT MISCONSTRUED BECAUSE, YES, THERE WAS A SPONSORSHIP BY TOM HENRY TO THE BIG BANG. BUT I NEVER HAVE SAID, YOU KNOW, WE TAKE HIS MONEY AND THEN WE DON'T -- I'M NOT PART OF THAT PROCESS. AND HAVE ALWAYS SAID THAT AND STOOD BY THAT. NOW, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE SAYING A LOT OF THINGS, AS MENTIONED, AND WE HEAR THEM ON THE RADIO OR WHEREVER. THERE IS A PROCESS AND WE ARE FOLLOWING THAT PROCESS RIGHT NOW AND I RESPECT YOU PUTTING THIS ON THE AGENDA TO TALK ABOUT. BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S TO TALK ABOUT? I MEAN, LIKE YOU SAID, LIKE HIM OR NOT, HEY, I HAPPEN TO LIKE P.I. ATTORNEYS. I'M MARRIED TO ONE. BUT THE POINT IS EVERYBODY IS GOING TO HAVE THEIR OPINION. AND I THINK YOU GUYS -- I BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE FOLLOWING A PROCESS AND I THINK THAT, PETER, YOU'RE FOLLOWING THE PROCESS FOR THIS COUNCIL TO BE A PART OF THAT PROCESS. BUT WE'RE NOT INVOLVED IN WHAT YOUR TEAM IS DOING. ANYHOW, COUNCILMAN HERNANDEZ. >> Hernandez: THANK YOU, MAYOR. YOU KNOW, IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY THING TO WANT A FAIR PROCESS. I SAID DURING MY SWEARING IN THAT IT IS NOT FOR US TO PICK WINNERS AND LOSERS BUT TO ENSURE THERE'S A FAIR PROCESS FOR EVERYONE TO COMPETE EQUALLY. AND THE LAST TIME YOU WERE HERE THERE WAS CONCERNS THAT YOU WERE TOLD BY SOMEBODY ON OUR STAFF NOT TO NEGOTIATE WITH THOMAS J. HENRY. IS THAT CORRECT? >> THAT IS NOT NECESSARILY CORRECT NO. WE WERE -- AGAIN, WITHOUT GOING INTO ALL THE DETAILS, THERE WAS AN EXCLUSIVE PERIOD OF NEGOTIATIONS. THE GROUP THAT WE HAD THOSE NEGOTIATIONS WITH ASKED US TO GIVE THEM A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME. THERE WAS A LAPSE IN SOME OF THAT COMMUNICATION BUT WE DID AGREE TO THAT BECAUSE THAT PARTNER HAD THEIR NAME ON THE BUILDING FOR 20 YEARS. >> Hernandez: OKAY. SO, WITH THAT, THAT WAS THE PERCEPTION THAT THOMAS J. HENRY HAD, BASED ON COMMUNICATIONS THEY PROVIDED TO US. THAT THERE WAS NOT A FAIR PROCESS. SO, YOU KNOW, TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND OUR POSITION -- AND I THINK COUNCILWOMAN VAUGHN REALLY WANTED TO STATE THIS RESOLUTION TO GIVE YOU THE POSITION OF THE COUNCIL THAT WE WANT A FAIR PROCESS AND SHOULD GO WITH THE HIGHEST BIDDER. LIKE WE HAVE A PROCESS WHERE WE SELECT CONTRACTORS, GO WITH THE LOWEST RESPONSIBLE BIDDER. SO IT IS IMPORTANT I THINK THAT THIS RESOLUTION COMMUNICATES TO YOU THAT WE WANT A FAIR PROCESS, THAT WE WANT, YOU KNOW, THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF FUNDING ASSOCIATED WITH THE NAMING RIGHTS. AND IF THAT'S THOMAS J. HENRY, THAT'S THOMAS J. HENRY. I DON'T KNOW THOMAS J. HENRY FROM ANYBODY. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED MONEY FROM THOMAS J. HENRY. NO CAMPAIGN DONATIONS, NOTHING. I SEE HE HANDS OUT TURKEYS AND DOES A LOT OF ADVERTISING -- I HAVE NEVER GOTTEN A TURKEY FROM HIM EITHER. I JUST WANT A FAIR PROCESS. ULTIMATELY, YOU KNOW, IF HE OFFERS THE MOST MONEY, HE OFFERS THE MOST MONEY. YOU KNOW, I WOULD SAY I'M PROBABLY ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM FROM HIM BUT IF HE WANTS TO GIVE US MORE MONEY, I'M NOT GOING TO TURN HIM DOWN. I MIGHT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ROLAND BARRERA PUTTING HIS NAME. [LAUGHTER] THAT'S ANOTHER STORY. AND I WANT TO CLARIFY SOMETHING WHEN COUNCILMAN BARRERA SAID YOU WERE IN THE BLACK, IS THAT FOR THE ARENA OR FOR THE ENTIRE CONVENTION CENTER COMPLEX? >> IT WOULD BE THE ENTIRE COMPLEX AND THAT'S OPERATING IN THE BLACK. THAT DOESN'T COUNT CAPITAL OR ANY MAJOR PROJECTS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. >> Hernandez: THAT'S JUST THE OPERATION AND NOT THE TOTAL EXPENDITURES ASSOCIATED WITH -- >> THAT IS CORRECT. >> Hernandez: I THINK WE NEED TO CLARIFY THAT. I KNOW THE LAST TIME YOU BROUGHT SOME FINANCIALS TO US, IT WAS A LITTLE DISCOMBOBULATED. ARE YOU GOING TO BRING THAT BACK TO US SOMETIME SOON TO WHERE IT'S EASIER FOR US TO UNDERSTAND? >> THAT IS THE PLAN. >> Hernandez: OKAY. WELL, YOU KNOW, THE LAST TIME WAS TERRIBLE. >> UNDERSTOOD. >> Hernandez: THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILMAN ROY. >> Roy: YOU KNOW, I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN A TOPIC THAT EVERYBODY HAS BEEN LISTENING TO, TALKING ABOUT. YOU KNOW, WHEN I WENT BACK AND I RESEARCHED AND GOT WITH CITY STAFF AND I LOOKED AT THE DIRECTION AND THE VOTE ON THE COUNCIL THAT GAVE THE DIRECTION, IT WAS A 9-0 VOTE. THAT COUNCIL REALLY CAME TOGETHER AND NOBODY OBJECTED TO HAVING YOUR ORGANIZATION LEAD THE PROCESS AND GO OUT AND FIND THE NAMING RIGHTS. I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT. NOW, ONE OF THE THINGS I DO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IS THAT I DON'T WANT TO TELL YOU HOW TO DO YOUR JOB. IF THEY VOTED 9-0 TO BE ABLE TO SIT THERE AND SAY YOU GUYS HANDLE THE NAMING RIGHTS, I AGREE WITH COUNCILMEMBER HERNANDEZ, IT SHOULD BE A FAIR PROCESS. I WOULD EXPECT THAT. I WOULD EXPECT THAT YOU FOLLOW SOME TYPE OF PROCESS THAT WOULD TAKE EVERYBODY INTO CONSIDERATION. BUT I WON'T SIGN OR AGREE TO SOMETHING THAT SAYS THAT, OH, IT'S TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER. THE OTHER THING IS IS EVERYBODY IS MAKING THE ASSUMPTION THAT'S GOING TO BE THOMAS J. HENRY, AND IT MAY NOT BE. IT'S NOT OVER YET. THE LADY HASN'T SUNG. IT'S STILL OPEN. >> YES. WE'RE STILL IN THE PROCESS. >> Roy: WHAT'S INTERESTING ABOUT THAT IS IT MAY NOT GO TO THOMAS J. HENRY. AND I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST THOMAS J. HENRY. I DON'T KNOW HIM. I DO BELIEVE SOMEBODY TOLD ME THAT CORPUS CHRISTI IS THE BIRTHPLACE OF PLAINTIFF ATTORNEYS, AND MAYBE THAT'S TRUE. MAYBE IT ISN'T. BUT PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO BE REPRESENTED. SO I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM. I WOULD JUST ASK THIS COUNCIL THAT MAYBE WHAT WE CAN DO IS REVISE THAT AND INSTEAD OF SAYING IT HAS TO GO TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, WE'LL SAY WE STAND BY AND LET YOU DO YOUR PROCESS. BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, I WOULD EXPECT THAT THAT'S PART OF YOUR JOB IS TO SIT THERE AND AWARD IT TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, RIGHT? >> IT'S ABOUT THE BEST PARTNER FOR THE FACILITY OVERALL. >> Roy: THE BEST WHAT? >> THE BEST PARTNER OF THE CITY OVERALL. FOR THE FACILITY. >> Roy: AND SO YOU MAY NOT -- YOU'RE SAYING THAT YOU MAY NOT NECESSARILY DEFINE THAT AS SOMEBODY THAT IS BRINGING THE MOST MONEY TO THE TABLE. >> IF WE WERE TO HAVE SOMEBODY TO COME IN THAT'S ADAMANTLY AGAINST CERTAIN THINGS FROM THE CITY BUT HAD THE HIGHEST DOLLAR AMOUNT, WE WOULD OBVIOUSLY NOT WANT TO GO ABOUT THAT. >> Roy: YEAH. I'LL USE THIS -- AND THIS IS KIND OF A CRAZY EXAMPLE. BUT IF YOU WERE TO HAVE ALL OF A SUDDEN A PHONE CALL THAT SAID SOME RADICAL ORGANIZATION WANTED TO GIVE US $2 MILLION A YEAR AND IT'S A VERY RADICAL ORGANIZATION. YOU PROBABLY WOULD TAKE A LOOK AT THAT, RIGHT? >> 100%. >> Roy: AGAIN, MY THING IS THAT THE COUNCIL AT THAT POINT IN TIME GAVE THE DIRECTION A 9-0 VOTE. AND I SAY LET YOU GUYS DO THAT JOB. THAT'S ABOUT THE BEST WAY I CAN EXPLAIN IT. SO, THAT'S IT. THAT'S ALL I GOT. >> Zanoni: MAYOR, AND DANNY IS GOING TO HAVE TO HELP ON THAT. AT LEAST THE MOST RECENT PROCESS, WE SENT A MEMO ON THIS, OVG DID CLOSE THE INTAKE FOR BEST AND FINAL OFFERS, THAT WAS ON MAY 31. >> WE CLOSED THE INITIAL -- EVERYBODY HAD TO ANNOUNCE THEIR INTENTION TO BE INVOLVED IN THE DISCUSSION BY MAY 31. BEST AND FINAL WAS NOT PART OF THAT. I DON'T WANT IT TO BE MISCONSTRUED AS TO THAT WAS THE LANGUAGE. THAT WAS NOT PART OF THE LANGUAGE THAT WE SAID. WHAT WE SAID WAS ANYBODY WHO WANTED TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS AND HAD -- >> Zanoni: PROPOSAL IN BY MAY 31. >> HAD TO LET US KNOW. >> Zanoni: SO IF A NEW ONE CAME IN TODAY, WOULD YOU ACCEPT IT? >> I THINK GIVEN THE WAY WE ARE HAVING DISCUSSIONS, I THINK -- I DON'T THINK THAT ANYTHING -- I DON'T THINK WE'RE COMPLETELY CLOSED. >> Zanoni: I'M JUST TRYING TO, AS MY ROLE HERE IS SEVERAL BUT ONE IS TO GUIDE THE PROCESS BETWEEN OVG, THE CITY, STAFF, AND THE CITY COUNCIL. SO WE DO NEED SOME CLARITY. THE GOAL WAS TO GET -- WE KNEW THIS WOULD BE ON THE AGENDA LAST WEEK. AND SO THIS WILL HELP, IF THERE IS A VOTE, TO GUIDE OVG 360. AND WE ALSO HAVE MEETINGS SCHEDULED FOR A FEW COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT HAD SOME QUESTIONS STILL TOMORROW, WEDNESDAY, AND THURSDAY. ONE OF THE OVG EXECUTIVES IS GOING TO BE JOINING DANNY. YOU HAVE TO TELL US, DANNY, OVG DOES. I NEED SOME CERTAINTY ON THIS PROCESS. I THOUGHT THE PROCESS WOULD CONCLUDE WITH THE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON THURSDAY. BUT MAYBE I'M WRONG. THAT'S WHAT WE'VE TOLD COUNCIL VIA MEMO. TO ME, IT SEEMED LIKE THE PROCESS CLOSED BY THURSDAY AND THEN A DECISION WILL BE MADE. >> I THINK OUR PROCESS, AFTER WE HAVE FINAL CONVERSATIONS WITH COUNCIL -- >> Zanoni: THAT WILL BE THURSDAY. >> WOULD BE END OF THIS WEEK AND WE'LL DELIBERATE AND HAVE INFORMATION. >> Roy: YOU NEED TO CLARIFY WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. ARE YOU SAYING RIGHT NOW THAT IT'S CLOSED OR ARE YOU SAYING RIGHT NOW IT'S OPEN? >> I'M SAYING RIGHT NOW WE HAVE -- I WOULD SAY IT WOULD BE CLOSED FOR ANYONE THAT WE'VE HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH. WE'VE HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH, I BELIEVE, 90 DIFFERENT COMPANIES ON VARYING DEGREES OF WHAT THEIR INTERESTS ARE ON THE NAMING >> Roy: BUT IF YOU'VE HAD NEW DISCUSSIONS RECENTLY, ARE YOU SAYING THOSE ARE OPEN OR CLOSED? >> WE'RE STILL IN DISCUSSION, YES. >> Roy: OKAY. LET THE RECORD SAY, HE JUST SAID THAT. >> Zanoni: AND DISCUSSIONS WITH COMPANIES THAT HAVE SUBMITTED ALREADY, AS OF THE MAY 31 TIME. >> WE'RE -- ANYONE WHO WE'VE HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH PREVIOUSLY, WE'VE -- WE ARE STILL IN DISCUSSIONS WITH. >> Zanoni: YEAH, RIGHT. >> WE HAVEN'T CLOSED DISCUSSIONS ON ANYONE WE HAVE ALREADY TALKED TO. >> Zanoni: MY QUESTION, JUST SO WE'RE CLEAR, AS AN EXAMPLE, IF SOMEBODY CALLED YOU TONIGHT AND SAID I WANT TO PUT IN A PROPOSAL -- >> YEAH, IF WE HAVEN'T ALREADY HAD PREVIOUS CONVERSATIONS AND THERE'S A NEW COMPANY COMING IN AND SAYING WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU X AMOUNT OF DOLLARS, NO, WE'RE NOT HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS NOW. >> Roy: AS OF WHEN? >> AS OF MAY 31ST. >> ANYBODY WE'RE STILL IN CONTACT WITH RIGHT NOW IS PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE BEEN IN DISCUSSIONS WITH PREVIOUSLY. >> Roy: SO YOU'RE TRYING TO SAY RIGHT NOW THAT YOU'VE -- IF YOU'VE BEEN APPROACHED BY SOMEONE IN THE LAST FEW DAYS, YOU'RE SAYING THAT THOSE INDIVIDUALS ARE NOT CONSIDERED? >> IF WE'VE ALREADY HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH THEM, IF THEY'RE ON THEIST WILL OF PEOPLE THAT WE'VE HAD -- LIST THAT WE'VE HAD PREVIOUS CONVERSATIONS WITH, YES, THEY'RE STILL INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS. >> Roy: ALL RIGHT. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. I THINK WE NEED TO BE VERY, VERY CAREFUL IN WHAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW. AND MILES, YOU CAN HELP ME HERE. THERE IS A PROCESS THAT YOU ALL USE, AND IT IS NOT ONLY THE HIGHEST BIDDER AND THAT'S IT. >> CORRECT. COUNCILMA N HERNANDEZ JUST SAID LET'S MAKE IT -- IT GOES TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, JUST LIKE ALL YOUR CONTRACTS, OR YOU MADE SOME SORT OF STATEMENT LIKE THAT. AND THAT'S NOT -- THAT'S CHANGING -- THAT IS -- AND THAT'S WHY I DON'T AGREE KIND OF WITH WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE WE ARE NOW GIVING UNDUE INFLUENCE, IN MY OPINION -- THIS IS JUST MY OPINION BUT AGAIN IF THERE'S ALREADY A PROCESS AND YOU HAVE A COUNCILMEMBER WHO -- NOBODY STOPPED HIM, YOU HAVE A COUNCILMEMBER WHO SAID, LET'S MAKE THIS JUST THE HIGHEST BIDDER, WELL, THAT'S NOT PART OF -- THAT'S NOT THE ONLY CRITERIA. >> Zanoni: RIGHT. >> Mayor Guajardo: SO I THINK WE NEED TO BE VERY CAREFUL WITH WHAT WE'RE VOTING ON, BECAUSE IT CANNOT INTERFERE WITH WHAT THE PROCESSION IS, WHICH HAS MULTIPLE CRITERIA. IT ISN'T JUST ABOUT SUBMIT YOUR NUMBER AND IF YOU'RE THE HIGHEST BIDDER, YOU'RE THE ONE. SO I JUST THINK WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL. I MEAN, I THINK WE'RE TREADING -- >> Zanoni: RIGHT. THAT'S WHAT THE THREE SIGNIFICANT MEMO THAT COUNCILWOMAN. >> Vaughn: TALKED ABOUT. VAUGHN TALKED ABOUT THAT. IF THE COUNCIL VOTES ON THAT THAT'S INFORMATION WE'LL GET FROM THE COUNCIL. >> Mayor Guajardo: WHAT DO YOU MEAN. >> Zanoni: THE THREE SIGNATURE MEMO SAYS TO AWARD THE NAME AND RIGHTS. >> Mayor Guajardo: I NEED LEGAL HERE TO STEP UP. WHY -- IF THAT IS -- IS THAT RIGHT? I MEAN, IF IT IS, THAT'S FINE. BUT IS THAT CORRECT TO SAY IF -- IS THAT NOT CHANGING THE CRITERIA THAT YOU USE AND YOUR TEAM? >> Risley: I THINK THE PHRASE "NONBINDING." >> Mayor Guajardo: I UNDERSTAND NONBINDING, IT DOESN'T MATTER. PEOPLE WHO PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA ARE NOT INTERESTED IN VOTING ON SOMETHING THAT IS -- I KNOW THEY KNOW IT'S NONBINDING. EVERYBODY -- WE ALL DO, BUT IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE TO BE VOTING ON SOMETHING THAT ISN'T SO. SO LIKE CAROLYN -- COUNCILWOMAN VAUGHN'S INTENT WAS TO CLARIFY AND JUST KIND OF GET TO THE POINT AND MOVE FORWARD, BUT IF THIS IS INTERFERING WITH WHAT HE JUST SAID, WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE A CRITERIA, AND IT'S MULTIPLE FACTORS. IT ISN'T JUST ONE THING, THEN I WOULD JUST -- I'M NOT THE LAWYER, SO SOMEBODY NEEDS -- MILES? >> Risley: WELL, IT'S INTENDED NO T TO INTERFERE IN A LEGAL RELATIONSHIP. AND THE PHRASE "NONBINDING" IS INTENTIONAL -- AN INTENTIONAL WORD THAT IS -- APPEARS TO BE AS NONINFRINGING ON A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP AS POSSIBLE. >> Mayor Guajardo: CAN YOU, YEAH, TRANSLATE THAT? >> Risley: IT'S NONBINDING. >> Mayor Guajardo: WE KNOW IT'S NOT BINDING. I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE -- I KNOW YOUR INTENT AND I FEEL LIKE IF YOU SAY THIS, THE MOST FUNDING, YOU'RE CHANGING THE CONTRACT. YOU -- DANIEL, YOU'VE SAID, YOU DON'T JUST USE ONE FACTOR. Y'ALL DON'T SIT AROUND A TABLE AND GO, OKAY, LET'S LOOK AT THE NUMBERS. ALL RIGHT, YOU GOT IT. YOU SAID YOU LOOK AT A WHOLE BUNCH OF OTHER THINGS. I KNOW IT'S NONBINDING, BUT THEN THAT DEFEATS THE PURPOSE THAT THE COUNCILWOMAN WAS PUTTING THIS ITEM ON HERE FOR. >> [OFF MIC] >> Zanoni: RIGHT. THAT'S WHAT OVG HAS JUST SAID, ALL THE PROPOSALS -- ANYBODY THAT I'VE TALKED TO, AND TH THEY'VE REFERENCED 90 TO 100 ENTITIES, IF THEY HADN'T TALKED TO THEM BY MAY 31 AND THEY HADN'T SUBMITTED ANY TYPE OF PROPOSAL AS OF MAY 31, THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO DO SO NOW. SO MY ESTIMATION, THE NUMBER OF APPLICANTS IS FINAL AS OF MAY 31. I THINK WHAT DANNY'S SAYING IS HE COULD STILL TALK TO SOME OF THEM, BUT WE KNOW THAT YOUR LIST OF INTERESTED PARTIES IS NARROWED. >> Cantu: DANNY, I THINK THE REASON WHY WE PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA IS TO MAKE -- TO MAKE IT MAKE SENSE. WHO'S FOR THE TAXPAYER AND WHO'S NOT FOR THE THE TAXPAYER ON THIS DAIS. THAT'S IT. I AND OTHER COUNCILMEMBERS FEEL THAT WE NEED TO GIVE IT TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER BECAUSE THE TAXPAYER WINS. THEY WANT US TO PAY A BILLION DOLLARS FOR A DESAL PLANT, BUT WE CAN'T TAKE $1.25 MILLION FROM THOMAS J. HENRY EVERY YEAR? I MEAN, TALK ABOUT MORALS. I MEAN, IF IT IS PEPSI, THEY DID THIS TO ME, MAN. YOU KNOW, I MEAN, COME ON. IT IS WHAT IT IS. HE'S THE HIGHEST BIDDER, IT'S PUBLIC. GIVE IT TO HIM. THEY SAY, OH, HE'S SUING THE CITY NINE TIMES, HE'S IN ACTIVE LAWSUITS. HE'S NOT SUING THE CITY, HIS CLIENTS ARE SUING THE CITY, BECAUSE WE SCREWED UP FOR SOME REASON. VERY SIMPLE. I FEEL POLITICS GOT IN THE WAY OF THIS, THEY COULD SAY NO, BUT IT'S THE TRUTH. AND YOU GOT PUT IN THE MIDDLE OF IT. AND, YOU KNOW, I -- IF YOU WOULD TAKE THIS FOR A VOTE ON THE BALLOT FOR THE VOTERS, I BET THE VOTERS WOULD SAY TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN. $1.25MILLION EVERY YEAR FOR 10 YEARS. THAT'S A GREAT DEAL. YOU KNOW, AND IN ALL HONESTY, I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY WE GAVE THE NAMING RIGHT TO OVG360. THIS IS A CITY-OWNED BUILDING. WE AS A COUNCILMEMBER WHO GETS ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT DECISION. IF Y'ALL STILL WANT TO MAKE MONEY OFF THE DEAL, THAT'S FINE. BUT WE SHOULD BE, AS A COUNCIL, AS A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO GOT ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE, WE NEED TO MAKE THAT DECISION. AND THE SMART DECISION IS TO GET THE ONE POINTS $25 MILLION, SMILE, PUT HIS NAME ON THE BUILDING, AND COLLECT THAT PAYCHECK EVERY YEAR FOR THE TAXPAYERS. THE TAXPAYERS IS ALWAYS GETTING THE END OF THE STICK. WE'RE PAYING A MILLION DOLLARS FOR ACS, I MEAN, IT'S CRAZY. TAKE THE MONEY. YOU KNOW, AND -- AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK SOME OF THAT MONEY SHOULD GO TO PUBLIC SAFETY, IF SOMEBODY HAS A PROBLEM WITH IT, MAKE IT BETTER, PUT IT HALF IN PUBLIC SAFETY AND PUT THE HALF ON THE AMERICAN BANK CENTER. DO SOMETHING. I'M SURE IT GET A POLICE OFFICER OR SOMETHING ON THE PAYROLL. I MEAN, LOOK, HIS MONEY'S GOOD AS ANYBODY ELSE'S MONEY. IT DOESN'T MATTER, YOU KNOW, AND WHAT HE DOES IS LEGAL, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HATE. IT IS WHAT IT IS. WE LIVE IN CORPUS CHRISTI. WE'VE GOT HATERS, EVERYBODY'S GOT HATERS UP HERE. I MEAN, IT IS WHAT IT IS. THE RIGHT THING TO DO IS TO PROTECT THE TAXPAYER AND TAKE THAT MONEY. HE'S GOING TO DO SO MUCH MORE IN THIS COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW, AND I'VE NEVER MET THE GUY IN MY LIFE. I HAVE NEVER TALKED TO HIM. I HEARD HIM ON THE RADIO, BY THE WAY, ROLAND, THANKS FOR LISTENING, BUT, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST -- I THINK IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO. AND I AM NOT MAD AT YOU GUYS. AND IN MY OWN PERSONAL OPINION, YOU GUYS GOT IN THE MIDDLE OF IT, AND I APOLOGIZE, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S BUSINESS. IT'S NOT SUNDAY SCHOOL. THIS IS BUSINESS. AND WE'RE GETTING $1.25 MILLION. THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY TO PUT A NAME ON A BUILDING. AND FOR HIM TO INVEST IN CORPUS CHRISTI AND WE TREAT HIM LIKE THIS, HE'S GOING TO PULL OUT. HE'S GOING TO BE LIKE, I'M NOT GOING TO BE IN CORPUS CHRISTI, I'LL PUT BILLBOARDS ALL OVER CORPUS, GET THE CASES BUT I'M NOT GOING TO INVEST IN CORPUS CHRISTI, HOW THEY'RE TREATING ME LIKE THIS. PLEASE MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION. TAKE THE MONEY. YOU GET MORE COMMISSION OFF OF IT. YOU KNOW, TAKE THE MONEY. TAKE THE MONEY. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: CAROLYN VAUGHN? >> Vaughn: WELL, REAL QUICK, FIRST OFF, COUNCILMAN ROY, DON'T SPEAK FOR ME OR ANYBODY ELSE AND SAY THAT WE'RE MAKING AN ASSUMPTION IT'S THOMAS J. HENRY. I'M NOT MAKING AN ASSUMPTION. I HAVE NO CLUE WHO IT IS, YOU SAID THAT STATEMENT FOR ALL OF US, I'M NOT MAKING THAT ASSUMPTION. I WANT TO THANK THE BIDDERS, THANK THEM FOR BIDDING. TELL ME WHY -- THAT CONTRACT ENDED LAST YEAR WITH AMERICAN BANK CENTER. WHY HAS IT TAKEN SO LONG TO GET TO THIS POINT? >> I THINK FOR US, WE -- IT'S A GOOD PROBLEM TO HAVE. WE HAD-- LIKE I SAID, WE TALKED TO BETWEEN 90 AND 100 COMPANIES WITH VARYING DEGREES OF INTERESTS IN IT. SO I THINK FOR US THAT PROCESS KIND OF TOOK -- LIKE IT TOOK A LITTLE BIT LONGER. OBVIOUSLY, THE PUBLIC NATURE OF THIS HAS MADE IT A LOT MORE DIFFICULT TO GET AND HAVE SOME OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE WERE HAVING. AND I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE HAD TO KIND OF PUT THE DEADLINES ON IT THAT WE PUT ON IT SO THAT WAY -- AND EVENTUALLY TAKE THAT INFORMATION, GET IN FRONT OF ALL OF YOU COUNCIL, AND HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS SO THAT WAY WE CAN SPEAK CANDIDLY ON KIND OF WHERE WE ARE IN THIS SITUATION. TAKE THAT INFORMATION INTO -- INTO CONSIDERATION BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THAT HAS TO BE PART OF OUR DECISION-MAKING PROCESS. GET ALL THAT INFORMATION SO THAT WAY WE HAVE ALL THE DATA. WHAT WE DON'T WANT TO DO IS WE DON'T WANT TO MAKE A DECISION BASED ON ONLY HAVING SPECIFIC PIECES OF DATA THAT PEOPLE WERE VOLUNTEERING AT THE TIME. WE THINK THIS IS THE LAST STEP OF THAT PROCESS FOR US IS TO KIND OF GET THE INPUT HERE AND GET THE INPUT NOT ONLY IN THIS SETTING, BUT ALSO IN -- IN SOME INDIVIDUAL SETTINGS SO THAT WAY WE CAN HAVE SOME HONEST CONVERSATIONS ON THINGS. AND THAT WILL BE KIND OF WHAT OUR -- WHERE WE GET TO THOSE DECIDING FACTORS. >> Vaughn: WELL, I DON'T THINK THE PROCESS HAS BEEN WORKING, BECAUSE THEY GAVE YOU THE RIGHT TO NAME IT, WHICH I WOULD NEVER HAVE DONE. THAT DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT YOU, WHOEVER IS IN THERE, I WOULDN'T HAVE DONE IT. LIKE ERIC CANTU SAID, IT'S THE CITY'S BUILDING, WE SHOULD HAVE NAMED IT. BUT TO ME, WE DON'T MATTER. YOU'RE GOING TO NAME IT. IT IS YOUR SPORNLT TO NAME IT. AND I THINK -- RESPONSIBILITY TO NAME IT. IT'S GOTTEN POLITICAL BECAUSE YOU'VE INVOLVED ALL OF US AND IT SHOULDN'T BE THAT WAY. THAT'S WHY I'M TRYING TO MAKE THE MOTION, IF THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE WANTING TO KNOW WHAT WE THINK, I WANT YOU TO MAKE SURE YOU HEAR WHAT WE'RE THINKING. IT MAY BE A 3-2. WHO KNOWS THEY MAY ABSTAIN. YOU MUST HAVE THOUGHT THOMAS J. HENRY WAS A GOOD PARTNER BECAUSE YOU GUYS REACHED OUT TO HIM. >> TO BE HONEST, IF WE'RE GOING TO GO ALL THE WAY BACK TO BEFORE THE NAME -- ORIGINAL NAMING RIGHTS DEAL EXPIRED, THEY HAD REACHED OUT TO US FIRST. AND WE TOLD THEM FROM THE GET-GO THAT WE WERE IN EXCLUSIVE WINDOW, COULDN'T HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS GOING BACK, THIS IS WHERE IT'S GOTTEN A LITTLE BIT DIFFICULT IS THERE'S A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT'S BEING THROWN ABOUT RIGHT NOW THAT NOT ALL OF IT IS ACCURATE. AND THIS HAS GOTTEN -- IT'S GOTTEN VERY PUBLIC. >> Vaughn: IT HAS. >> -- IN HOW SOME OF THESE CONVERSATIONS ARE HAPPENING. THAT'S NOT PART OF OUR PROCESS. OUR PROCESS HAS DEVIATED QUITE A BIT FROM THAT ASPECT OF IT BECAUSE IT'S GOTTEN TO BE AS PUBLIC AS IT IS. >> Vaughn: RIGHT. >> BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, LIKE WE ARE WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW, AND WE HAVE MOST OF THE INFORMATION THAT WE NEED. AGAIN, PART OF -- PART OF THAT -- PART OF OUR CONTRACT IS FOR US TO KEEP THE CITY APPRIZED OF THE SITUATION AS IT IS. THAT'S WHAT THESE MEETINGS ARE GOING TO BE FOR THIS WEEK TO GET -- MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY IS INFORMED WITH THE INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE AND THEN WE'LL BE READY TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION GOING FORWARD. >> Vaughn: AND I UNDERSTAND YOU KEEPING US APPRIZED, I DO. BUT OUR OPINION TO ME DOESN'T MATTER. YOU TOOK THE RESPONSIBILITY, YOU ACCEPTED THE CONTRACT, YOU SAID I'M GOING TO NAME IT. SO I AM SO PRAYING THAT YOU HURRY UP AND NAME IT. THANK YOU. >> SO AM I. THANK YOU. COUNCILWO MAN CAMPOS. >> Campos: THANK YOU, MAYOR. WELL, I'VE BEEN SKIPPED OVER A COUPLE OF TIMES HERE. I AM GLAD THAT WE'RE FINALLY BRINGING THIS TO THE COUNCIL BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN TWO YEARS SINCE THIS ISSUE CAME UP, AND IT IS TERRIBLE THAT WE HAVE PUT YOU IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS. BECAUSE IF YOU'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR, YOU KNOW, LIKE YOU SAID, FOREVER, AND YOU'VE HANDLED OVER, WHAT, 130, YOU KNOW, PLACES, WHY IT GOT THIS POLITICAL, I DON'T KNOW. BUT, AGAIN, BACK TO NAMES, YOU KNOW, SO THAT MUST BE MAYBE THE THEME FOR TODAY. A NAME DOES MATTER. AND HAVING THE PROCESS, YOU KNOW, LAID OUT FOR YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN SIMPLE. AND I -- THIS IS WHAT I THINK THIS MOTION IS GOING TO DO. IF WE AGREE, WHICH IS THE BIDDERS HAVE ALREADY SUBMITTED THEIR NAMES, YOU'VE GOT THEIR NAMES, AND THIS MOTION WOULD GIVE YOU THE DIRECTION IT IS GOING TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER. NOT BASED ON, I DON'T KNOW, WHATEVER ELSE YOU HAVE IT ON, BUT, AGAIN, IT WOULD BE LIKE COUNCILMAN CANTU SAYS, IT WOULD BE FOR THE PUBLIC. THEY WOULD BE THE ONES WINNING. AND, NO, WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY. YOU KNOW, WE'RE HUMANS, RIGHT? WE'RE NOT. SO I JUST WANT YOU TO HEAR IT FROM ME THAT I SUPPORT THE PROCESS AND I WANTED TO BE TRANSPARENT AND I DON'T KNOW HOW WE GOT INTO YOUR BUSINESS, BECAUSE AFTER WE GAVE YOU THAT PERMISSION TO HAVE THE NAMING RIGHTS, WE SHOULD HAVE STAYED OUT OF IT AND THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN IT. BUT SOMEHOW WE INSERTED OURSELVES AND HERE WE ARE. WE NEED TO CLARIFY THINGS AND BY CLARIFYING, I HOPE THAT THIS MOTION DOES PASS AND THAT WE DO LEAVE IT UP TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER. I DON'T KNOW WHO THAT'S GOING TO BE, COULD BE, YOU KNOW, THOMAS J. HENRY, IT COULD BE PEPSI, IT COULD BE VALERO, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW. BUT WE -- I'M GOING TO LEAVE IT UP TO YOU, THE PROFESSIONALS, AND I THINK YOU'LL DO A GOOD JOB. YOU JUST NEED DIRECTION FROM US, AND HOPEFULLY YOU'LL GET THAT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. COUNCILMA N BARRERA. >> I HAVE A SOLUTION. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THAT AS A FRIENDLY COMMITMENT, AND LET'S CALL IT THE MAYOR PAULETTE GUAJARDO. AND THEN THE THREE-SIGNATURE MEMO. YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE I SAID, I'M NOT GOING TO HAVE A [INDISCERNIBLE] ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. I'M NOT GOING TO TRY AND JUSTIFY IT AND SAY THIS IS WHY WE SHOULD BE DOING IT OR WHATEVER. YOU KNOW, I THINK IN CONVERSATIONS WE'VE HAD, I'VE JUST -- I'M NOT -- YOU KNOW, I -- AND, YOU KNOW, AND LIKE I SAID, I JUST THINK IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO NEGOTIATE WITH PEOPLE THAT WAY, WHEN THEY DO THAT. I MEAN, I'M SURPRISED THAT YOU GUYS DIDN'T HAVE EVERYBODY SIGN AN NDA, BUT -- BUT ANYWAY, THAT'S ALL. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE CLARIFICATION. I -- I HAVE MY OPINION AND I'VE MADE IT VERY CLEAR AND -- WHAT IS IT -- I'M NOT GOING TO TELL YOU HOW TO DO YOUR BUSINESS. HOWEVER, YOU'VE DONE IT AND YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS MADE, YOU KNOW -- HAS DONE IT QUITE SUCCESSFULLY. AND YOU'VE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL FOR US, SO I WANT TO APOLOGIZE FOR YOU HAVING TO PUT UP WITH THIS -- ALL IT BEING POLITICIZED. IN FACT, I THINK IT'S -- I THINK IT'S -- IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR A PROBABLE SPONSOR WHEN THEY SEE ALL THIS POLITICS, THEN THEY MIGHT THINK, OH, I DON'T KNOW IF I WANT TO INVEST THERE. AND SO I THINK THAT WE ALL NEED TO BE CONSCIENTIOUS OF THAT AND I THINK THAT DISCOURAGES ECONOMIC INVESTMENT INTO OUR COMMUNITY. NOW, THE GOOD THING IS IS THAT, YOU KNOW, SEVERAL OF US, THE MAJORITY OF THIS COUNCIL, A LOT OF PEOPLE WORKED REALLY HARD, RYAN WORKED REAL HARD, WHAT IS IT, DENISE VILLALOBOS OBVIOUSLY WORKED WITH THE SPEAKER AND SO DID CHAIRMAN HUNTER. IT WAS A HOME RUN BY CHAIRMAN HUNTER FOR US TO BE ABLE TO GET THAT, OBVIOUSLY THE SUPPORT OF THE SENATE TO BE ABLE TO GET THOSE FUNDS FOR THE PROJECT FINANCING ZONE, CHAIRMAN HI HINOJOSA REDREW THE MAP, I THINK IT'S A DIFFERENT STORY NOW. I THINK WE HAVE MORE TO OFFER AND MORE VALUE NOW BECAUSE WE HAVE A COMMITMENT OF ONE -- IT'S $192 MILLION? 192. >> Zanoni: PROJECT FINANCE ZONE IS WHAT YOU'RE REFERRING TO. >> Barrera: PROJECT FINANCING ZONE. I THINK WE'VE HAD A HARD TIME BECAUSE WE WERE IN LIMBO, WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WE WERE GOING TO DO, WE WERE TRYING TO PUT THE ORGANIZATION -- WE HAD A HIGHLY NEGLECTED FACILITY AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S A TOUGH SALE. AND I THINK SOMETIMES IT'S HARD TO BE ABLE TO FIND GOOD PROPOSERS FOR THAT. BUT I THINK NOW -- AND THEN, YOU KNOW, AND IN SPITE OF OURSELVES, YOU KNOW, WE WERE GOING TO GET EVEN MORE MONEY TO INVEST IN IT AND THE COMMUNITY WAS DIVIDED BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO BUILD THE HOTEL. I THOUGHT THAT WAS MISGUIDED. AND SO I THINK THAT DIVISIVENESS DISCOURAGES AN ORGANIZATION FROM COMING IN AND INVESTING. I MEAN, I REALLY WOULDN'T BE OPPOSED, YOU KNOW, FOR -- IF IT WAS, YOU KNOW, THE CORPUS CHRISTI CONVENTION CENTER AND ARENA. I MEAN, I -- WHAT IS IT -- BECAUSE IT BELONGS TO THE COMMUNITY. IT'S A COMMUNITY CIVIC CENTER. AND THERE'S GRADUATIONS THERE. I HAD THREE CHILDREN GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL THERE AND I HAD -- WHAT IS IT -- AND MY OLDEST BOY GOT HIS DEGREE FROM TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY THERE, WHICH EVERYBODY SAID HE WASN'T GOING TO GET AND HE FINALLY DID. HE TOOK THE LONG WAY. BUT NONETHELESS, I'M SORRY, I'M TALKING ABOUT MY KIDS. ANYWAY, BUT, YOU KNOW, ONCE AGAIN, IT'S A COMMUNITY CENTER, IT'S ALL VERY NEAR AND DEAR TO OUR HEART, AND I MEAN, I'M JUST TELLING YOU, I WOULDN'T BE APPOSED TO THAT. YOU GUYS ARE THE EXPERTED I'M SURE THERE ARE SOME NAMED THAT WAY, CORPUS CHRISTI IS A BOXING TOWN, THEY'RE KNOWN FOR COMBATIVE SPORTS AND WHEN WE'VE HAD CBS SPORTS FOR THE RODEO, SHOW BOXING, HBO BOXING, YOU'RE THE ONES THAT SHOW TIME BOXING, HBO BOXING. I'M ALWAYS REALLY INTERESTED WHEN I SEE -- WHEN I SAW IT ON SHOW TIME BOXING, I REMEMBER ONE TIME I TURNED ON THE TV, I DIDN'T CLICK THAT IT'S US. AND THEN I SAW THE DRONE FOOTAGE OF THE BAY FRONT AND IT SAID THE AMERICAN BANK CENTER, I MEAN, THAT'S THE WHOLE THING. I JUST SAW THAT AND IT WAS SO -- SOURCE OF PRIDE TO BE ABLE TO SEE SOMETHING THAT WAS ON WORLDWIDE TELEVISION. AND, YOU KNOW, YOU GUYS PUT THAT TOGETHER. SO I MEAN, IT'S A POINT OF PRIDE FOR THE COMMUNITY, AND, YOU KNOW -- AND JUST FOR THE RECORD, I'VE HAD MUCH MORE SUPPORT -- I'VE HAD MUCH MORE OPPOSITION FOR THE PROPOSED VENDOR THAT'S BEEN IN THE -- BEEN IN THE NEWS AND I'VE ONLY HAD ONE PERSON -- ONE CONSTITUENT BASICALLY STATE THAT WE SHOULD GO -- WE SHOULD SUPPORT THE MONEY. SO OVERWHELMINGLY, I MEAN, IT'S LIKE MAYBE 12 PEOPLE REACHED OUT TO ME, AND THAT'S NOT AN EXAGGERATION. BUT ONCE AGAIN, YOU GUYS ARE THE EXPERTS. THANKS FOR PUTTING UP WITH US. THANKS FOR PUTTING UP WITH THE DYSFUNCTION OF THE NINE LAY MEN. I WANTED TO USE ALL MY TIME. . >> Mayor Guajardo: CITY COUNCILMAN SCOTT, HE HAS A COMMENT. IS HE STILL ON? COUNCILMAN SCOTT? >> Scott: OH, YEAH, I'M STILL ON. HEY, DAN, I WANT YOU TO LOOK AT ME. I WANT TO TALK TO YOU. I DIDN'T PUT THIS AGENDA ITEM ON, BUT I HAVE AN OPINION. I WANT TO GIVE IT TO YOU. I THINK YOU SAID THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I'VE HEARD ALL DAY, AND WE'VE BEEN IN THIS MEETING FOR OVER 24 HOURS, WHEN YOU SAID WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO PICK THE BEST PARTNER FOR THE FACILITY OVERALL. AND MY NOTES UP AHEAD WERE, WE DON'T ALWAYS PICK THE LOWEST BID. WE PICK THE BEST BID. YOU KNOW, THAT'S BEEN MY OPINION FOR A LONG TIME IS YOU FIND THE BEST FIT, YOU DON'T ALWAYS PICK THE LOWEST BID. SOMETIMES THAT'S JUST NOT WHAT WE THINK IS IN OUR BEST INTEREST, YOU PICK ONE THAT ACTUALLY MIGHT EVEN COST YOU MORE. THIS THING ALL CHANGED FOR ME WITH THE PROJECT FINANCING ZONE. I MEAN, $192 MILLION IN THE FACILITY OVER 30 YEARS, I HAD SOMEBODY COME UP TO ME IN THE LAST WEEK, MARK, HONORING THE STATE, THEY'RE THE ONES THAT ARE GOING TO PROFOUNDLY CHANGE. THAT LEGISLATION IS GOING TO PROFOUNDLY NAME THAT FACILITY, NAME IT LONE STAR ARENA. OH, WE ALWAYS NAME STUFF -- WAIT, NO WE DON'T. WE CALLED IT MEMORIAL COLOSSEUM FOR DECADES. I THINK THERE OUGHT TO BE A CONVERSATION ABOUT CALLING IT LONE STAR ARENA, COME TO LONE STAR A ARENA, ENJOY THE TEXAS AQUARIUM. WE OUGHT TO FOCUS ON WHERE THE MONEY'S REALLY COMING, I WAS IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER WHEN GIL BROUGHT IT UP BEFORE I WAS SWORN IN. I THOUGHT IT HAD NO CHANCE WHICH IS HOW SMART I AM. I'M TOLD THE MAYOR WAS IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME AND THEN OUR STATE LEGISLATORS. THE POINT BEING, CALL IT LONE STAR ARENA. THERE'S PROBABLY NO BAY TO AMEND THE CONTRACT, I DIDN'T SIGN THE CONTRACT, I WASN'T PART OF THAT NEGOTIATIONS, BUT, AGAIN, I THINK THE LANDSCAPE CHANGED. I WILL TELL YOU THAT I DO HAVE AN ISSUE WITH SOMEONE THAT'S IN LITIGATION AGAINST THE CITY, I THINK WE AT LEAST OUGHT TO PROTECT OUR INTEREST AND MAYBE SOMEONE IN THIS -- AT CITY STAFF, PETER, SOMEBODY HAS, MAYBE YOU'VE GOT AN AG OPINION THAT SAYS, NO, THAT'S FINE. BUT I DO THINK THERE WOULD BE OPPOSITION TO AT LEAST ONE OR MORE OF THE NAMES, AND I THINK WE SHOULD PROTECT OURSELVES TO MAKE SURE THE AG SAYS THAT DOESN'T VIOLATE THE AGREEMENT. I'M NOT A LAWYER. I DO HAVE ONE KIND OF FINAL THOUGHT, IS I WANT TO MAKE SURE NOBODY CHANGES THE NAME OF SELENA AUDITORIUM. AND MAYBE YOU CAN ADDRESS THAT, WHETHER THAT'S A POTENTIAL PART OF THE CONTRACT OR IF WE -- IF THERE'S ANYTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT IT, BUT I THINK SELENA AUDITORIUM IS KIND OF THE HEART AND SOUL OF THAT FACILITY AND WE HONOR THE NAME AND THE LEGACY. AND SO I JUST -- I -- SOMEHOW I THINK THERE MAY BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE NEW NAMING RIGHTS ENTITY TO CHANGE THE NAME OF SELENA AUDITORIUM AND I WOULD NOT WANT TO BE A PART OF ANYTHING THAT ALLOWED THAT TO HAPPEN. THOSE ARE MY THOUGHTS. I WOULD SEND YOU A WAY SAYING, DANNY, GO PICK THE BEST PARTNER FOR THIS FACILITY OVERALL. I DISAGREE ON A COUPLE OF COUNCILMEMBERS. I WOULD TALK TO THE SUITE HOLDERS. IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO TALK TO YOUR CUSTOMERS, SO IT'S A COMMUNITY FACILITY, BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT HAVE LEASES THAT PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF INCOME TO THE ARENA, AND I THINK THEY HAVE A VOICE. AND SO I WOULD HOPE THAT AT SOME POINT IN THIS, YOU'VE TALKED TO THOSE PEOPLE AND ENTITIES AND HAVE A SENSE OF WHERE THEY WOULD BE. BUT MY SENSE IS IT'S NOT ABOUT THE MOST MONEY, IT'S ABOUT WHAT'S BEST FOR THE FACILITIES, THE BEST FIT AS I HAVE ARTICULATED EARLIER, AND IF YOU GAVE ME A SECOND CHANCE, I'D CALL IT LONE STAR ARENA AND MOVE ON DOWN THE LINE. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER SCOTT. COUNCILMAN HERNANDEZ? >> Hernandez: OKAY. COUPLE THINGS I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY. I SAID THE LOWEST RESPONSIBLE BIDDER, NOT THE LOWEST BIDDER. AND THEN -- BUT I WANT TO SAY A COUPLE OF THINGS HERE. YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE PARTNER THAT WOULD GIVE US THE HIGHEST CONTRIBUTION, BOTH MONETARILY AND OTHER WITH REGARDS TO CHOOSING A NAMING RIGHTS PARTNER CORRECT? >> THAT'S -- >> Hernandez: YOU'RE LOOKING FOR THE HIGHEST CONTRIBUTION. >> THAT'S A FAIR ASSESSMENT. >> Hernandez: WHETHER IT'S -- [SIMULTANEOUS SPEAKING]. >> Hernandez: QUANTIFY IT TO US AS TO WHAT THAT HIGHEST BID IS. >> A COMBINATION OF THOSE THINGS YES. >> Hernandez: SO THAT -- WHAT COUNCILWOMAN VAUGHN'S DOESN'T REALLY CHANGE ANYTHING, YOU'RE LOOKING FOR THE HIGHEST CONTRIBUTION TO US, THE HIGHEST BIDDER, THAT KIND OF SCENARIO, SO I DON'T THINK THAT CHANGES ANYTHING. BUT I ALSO WANT TO SAY, YOU PROBABLY OWE A THANKS TO THOMAS J. HENRY. IN TERMS OF NEGOTIATIONS, YOU KNOW, YOU ALWAYS WANT TO PLANT THAT PRICE FLAG AS BE THE FIRST ONE TO DO IT. YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO DO IT. THOMAS J. HENRY DID IT FOR YOU, PLANTED THAT FLAG, 1.25 MILLION AND EVERY NEGOTIATION CAME FROM THAT SPOT RIGHT? HE DID YOU A TREMENDOUS FAVOR. EVEN IF IT'S JUST NEGOTIATING AND, YOU KNOW, AGAINST ANYBODY ELSE, THEY KNOW THE FLAG HAS BEEN PLANTED. I DID NEGOTIATIONS FOR 20 PLUS YEARS. I CAN TELL YOU, I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THAT PLANTED FLAG OF THAT PRICE AS A STARTING POINT RIGHT? ESPECIALLY SINCE AMERICAN BANK WAS ONLY GIVING YOU 190,000, BECAUSE THAT WAS YOUR PREVIOUS STARTING POINT, RIGHT? >> YEAH. >> Hernandez: OKAY. SO EVEN IF THEY DON'T GET IT, YOU SHOULD SEND HIM A THANK YOU NOTE TO SAY THAT, YEAH, THANK YOU FOR PLANTING THAT FLAG. THIS IS A NEGOTIATION TACTIC. YOU MAY THINK IT'S FUNNY, BUT IT IS A TREMENDOUSLY GOOD THING TO HAPPEN. SO I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU THINK ABOUT IT, BUT THAT'S A GREAT NEGOTIATING POINT. HEY, I'VE GOT 1.25 MILLION, CAN YOU DO BETTER? 1.3, COME ON? RIGHT? SO LIKE I SAID, I THINK IT'S ULTIMATELY WHAT THIS NONBINDING RESOLUTION GIVES YOU AN IDEA OF WHERE WE'RE STANDING AT, THE HIGHEST CONTRIBUTION, HIGHEST BIDDER, WHATEVER YOU -- HOWEVER YOU WANT TO PAINT THAT, BUT YOU HAVE -- YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU GO SELECT SOMEBODY, MAKE SURE YOU GIVE US ALL THE DETAILS AS TO WHY THEY'RE THE HIGHEST CONTRIBUTION BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO THAT. OKAY? THANK YOU. >> UNDERSTOOD. >> Hernandez: AND I WON'T TALK ABOUT MY KIDS. >> Mayor Guajardo: I GUESS I'M GOING TO ASK THIS FOR THE RECORD, BECAUSE IT IS MY OPINION WE ARE CHANGING. WE ARE CHANGING THAT CONTRACT BY WHAT HE JUST SAID AND BY THE WAY THIS IS WRITTEN. AND I THINK THAT -- I DON'T THINK THAT WAS THE INTENT, BUT I'M GOING TO NEED LEGAL, IF I SUBMITTED -- OR IF I PUT AN AGENDA ITEM ON THIS AGENDA THAT READ "NONBINDING MOTION OF SUPPORT FOR AWARDING THE NAMING RIGHTS FOR THE CONVENTION CENTER TO THE LOWEST BIDDER WHO ISN'T AN X, Y, Z, WHATEVER, I'M NOT GOING TO PICK ON LAWYERS, I LOVE THEM DOCTORS WHATEVER THAT ITEM CAN GO ON THIS AGENDA AND WE CAN VOTE ON THAT BECAUSE IT'S QUOTE NONBINDING. IS THAT CORRECT? >> Risley: THE PHRASE NONBINDING IS INTENDED -- >> Mayor Guajardo: NO, NO, NO, IT'S YES OR NO. >> Risley: YES. >> Mayor Guajardo: IF I PUT AN AGENDA ITEM THAT SAID AWARDING THE NAMING RIGHTS FOR THE CONVENTION CENTER TO THE LOWEST BIDDER WHO IS NOT A WHATEVER PROFESSION, THAT CAN GO ON THE AGENDA? >> Risley: YES. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. SO WHAT IS THE POINT TO A NONBINDING ITEM? MILES? >> Risley: NO, NO, I HOPE IT DOESN'T GIVE DIRECTION. IT'S NONBINDING. IF YOU'RE GIVING DIRECTION, THEN WE'RE IN TROUBLE HERE AND SOMEONE SHOULD BE TELLING US THAT. SO WHAT IS THE POINT TO A NONBINDING ACTION ITEM? I'VE NEVER SEEN IT, BUT I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY THERE'S ONE, SO... >> Risley: IT'S A POLICY OPINION OF THE CITY COUNCIL. THAT'S IT. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. AND THAT'S FINE. THAT'S -- THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT. BUT, AGAIN, WHAT THIS VERBIAGE SAYS, AND I THINK IT WAS -- IT WAS -- I THINK YOU MAY HAVE SUGGESTED -- OR WHO WAS IT? SOMEBODY SUGGESTED CHANGING THE VERBIAGE A LITTLE BIT. I THINK IT WAS YOU. THAT DOESN'T CHANGE -- I MEAN, IT'S NON- -- WE'RE NOT GIVING YOU DIRECTION BECAUSE IT'S NONBINDING; HOWEVER, IT'S LIKE YOU'RE A JUROR. YOU'RE HEARING THE EVIDENCE -- OR YOU'RE MAYBE LISTENING TO THE NEWS, YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO WHEN YOU LEAVE THE JURY ROOM RIGHT, YOU'RE INSTRUCTED NOT TO, YOU GO LISTEN TO IT, UNDUE INFLUENCE. SO FOR ME, I THINK THIS IS JUST A LITTLE BIT WALKING ON THIN ICE. AND I DON'T THINK THAT WAS YOUR INTENT, COUNCILWOMAN. I KNOW IT WASN'T. >> Vaughn: YOU CAN CHANGE THE VERBIAGE A LITTLE BIT, I'M GOING TO ADD ONE MORE -- >> Mayor Guajardo: THIS DOESN'T EVEN APPLY TO ME. I'M JUST SAYING I FEEL THAT IT IS IN DIRECT CONFLICT WITH WHAT WE'RE EXPECTING THEM TO DO BECAUSE HE'S TELLING US -- GIL JUST ASKED HIM, IT IS ABOUT THE MONEY AND YOU SAID OTHER -- WHAT DID YOU SAY, OTHER. >> THERE'S OTHER FACTORS. >> Mayor Guajardo: A WHOLE LOT OF FACTORS. >> Vaughn: [OFF MIC] >> Mayor Guajardo: WELL, I MEAN, LEGAL -- I MEAN, THAT'S WHERE YOU COME IN. AND I MEAN, THEY CAN VOTE. I'M OUT OF THIS, BUT -- >> [DISCUSSION OFF MIC] >> Risley: NO, ACTUALLY, THAT WOULD BE, YOU KNOW, ABSOLUTELY PROHIBITED TO BRING IT BACK, BECAUSE YOU -- THEY HAVE. [SIMULTANEOUS SPEAKING]. >> Risley: -- WITHIN THEIR CONFLICT. COUNCILMA N, SO EVERYBODY CAN HEAR WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, CAN YOU PLACE -- >> Cantu: CAN WE NOT EDIT THE CONTRACT? >> Risley: THE CONTRACT IS A BILATERAL AGREEMENT WITH THEM AS THE PARTY ON THE OTHER SIDE. THEY HAVE RIGHTS. YOU CAN REQUEST THAT THEY MAKE AN AMENDMENT, BUT THEY WOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO SAY IN EXCHANGE FOR THAT AMENDMENT, HOW MUCH ARE YOU GOING TO GIVE ME. >> Cantu: THEY GET THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY, BUT WE MAKE THE DECISION AS THE COUNCIL. >> Risley: WELL -- >> Zanoni: COUNCILMAN, YOU COULD DO THAT, WE WOULD JUST HAVE TO SEE IF OVG WOULD BE WILLING TO DO THAT. >> Cantu: I'M SURE THEY WOULD. THEY'RE A PARTNER OF US AND THEY WANT TO MAKE EVERYBODY HAPPY. >> Risley: TECHNICALLY, THEY ARE NOT A PARTNER, THEY ARE ANOTHER PARTY TO A CONTRACT. >> Cantu: YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN MILES. >> Risley: IN A LEGAL SENSE, THAT IS A VERY DIFFERENT THING. IF THEY'RE A LEGAL PARTY TO A CONTRACT, IT'S A BILATERAL AGREEMENT. YOU CAN'T FORCE THAT ON THEM, AND THAT'S WHY THE PHRASE "NONBINDING" ACTUALLY HAS REAL MEANING HERE. >> Mayor Guajardo: SO I GET THAT JUST -- I MEAN, WE CAN WRITE WHATEVER WE WANT UNDER THE SUN, AND YOU CAN'T LISTEN TO IT. AND THEY CAN VOTE AND IT'S NONBINDING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE POINT IS. >> Cantu: THAT'S FINE. LET'S JUST DO IT LIKE THAT. IT'S JUST SHOWING WHO'S FOR THE TAXPAYER, WHO'S NOT FOR THE TAXPAYER. THAT'S IT. THAT'S ALL WE WANT TO KNOW I SECOND THE MOTION. LT WHATEVER IT IS. >> Vaughn: I'M GOING TO MAKE AN MOTION. NON[INDISCERNIBLE] TO THE MOST RESPONSIBLE ENTITY THAT OFFERS THE MOST FUNDING TO THE CITY FOR SAID RIGHTS. AND I AM DOING THIS BECAUSE IT NEEDS TO END. Y'ALL WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE COUNCIL'S INPUT IN? THAT IS THE ONLY REASON I DID IT. BECAUSE I THINK THIS HAS TO BE CLOSED, AND I HOPE YOU PICK IT REALLY, REALLY SOON. >> UNDERSTOOD. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. I HAVE COUNCILMAN SCOTT SECOND TIME. I THINK EVERYBODY HAS THEIR SECOND TIME. >> Scott: OH, I'M KEEPING TRACK. SO FIRST OF ALL, THIS WHOLE FOR AND AGAINST THE TAXPAYER IS JUST NONSENSE. I THINK THE BEST -- THE BEST PARTNER -- WHAT DID YOU SAY, BEST PARTNER FOR THE FACILITY OVERALL, THAT IS A NET BUSINESS POSITIVE FOR THE CITY IS THE ANSWER. JUST WANTED TO GET THAT OFF MY CHEST. I THINK THE BEST PARTNER FOR THE OVERALL FACILITY, I THINK THERE'S AN EXPECTATION THAT WHEN YOU BRING US BACK YOUR DECISION, THAT YOU BE ABLE TO ARTICULATE WHAT THAT NET IS AND IF THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN THE OTHERS, WHY YOU CHOSE THAT ONE. SO I JUST -- I DON'T -- I DON'T KNOW THIS FOR OR AGAINST THE TAXPAYER. I DO THINK IF THAT'S THE CASE, WE JUST ALWAYS PICK THE LOWEST BID, SO I THINK I'M FOR THE TAXPAYER, BUT I'M EXPECTING YOU TO PICK THE BEST PARTNER AND I THINK IT SHOULD INCLUDE A NET, NOT JUST A GROSS INCOME. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. SO HE IS SUGGESTING A SLIGHT DIFFERENCE IN WORDING. >> Vaughn: I DIDN'T HEAR THAT. >> Mayor Guajardo: MARK, CAN YOU REPEAT YOUR WORDING? >> Scott: SURE. I WAS GOING BY WHAT HE TOLD US HE'S DOING WHICH IS -- I HEAR WHAT YOU'RE ASKING. BEST PARTNER FOR THE OVERALL FACILITY. AND I THINK IT'S A NET. IF I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU A DOLLAR, BUT SOMEWHERE IN THERE WE LOSE 50 CENTS THEN THE NET'S 50 CENTS, NOT THE DOLLAR. SO I WAS HOPING THERE WOULD BE A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE NET BEST ANSWER, NOT JUST THE HIGHEST BEST ANSWER. BUT I LIKED WHAT HE SAID BEFORE, WHICH WAS PICK THE BEST PARTNER FOR THE FACILITY OVERALL. I ASSUME THAT INCLUDED A NET CONVERSATION. >> Vaughn: OKAY. THAT'S BASICALLY WHAT I'VE SAID ANYWAY. I'M NOT GOING TO CHANGE IT, BUT THANK YOU, MARK, FOR YOUR COMMENTS. LET'S JUST DO IT. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. OKAY. SO, YES, WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT. MRS. LUNA AND ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE COMMENT. >> OKAY. SUZIE LUNA SALDAÑA, CORPUS CHRISTI. I AGREE WITH MRS. VAUGHN ON THIS ISSUE, BELIEVE IT OR NOT. AND LET ME TELL YOU WHY: BECAUSE I ALMOST FELL OUT OF MY CHAIR WHEN COUNCILMAN BARRERA SAID IT'S NOT ABOUT MONEY. I ALMOST FELL OUT OF MY CHAIR, AND THAT'S HARD TO DO. ALL RIGHT? SO LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING ELSE, YOU ARE THE COUNCIL, THE COUNCIL PREVIOUS TO YOU VOTED TO GIVE IT TO HIM. YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO OVERTURN THAT VOTE. DID YOU KNOW THAT? THERE HAVE BEEN ISSUES BEFORE WHERE PREVIOUS COUNCILS HAVE MADE DECISIONS AND THE NEW COUNCIL HAS OVERTURNED THEM. YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO DO THAT. SO YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO OVERTURN IT. WHAT I'M TELLING YOU IS AS A PERSON THAT LIVES IN CORPUS CHRISTI AND THAT CARES ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS TO THE PEOPLE, YOU SHOULD LOOK AT THE HIGHEST BIDDER BECAUSE THAT'S GOING TO SAVE MONEY AND THAT'S GOING TO PUT MONEY IN THE POCKETS OF PEOPLE THAT NEED IT. THINK ABOUT THE HOMELESS, COULDN'T YOU DO SOMETHING THEN WITH SOME OF THAT MONEY? ARE YOU SO CLOSED OFF THAT YOU DON'T CARE WHAT'S HAPPENING TO THE PEOPLE? BECAUSE THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR MRS. VAUGHN'S PROPOSAL ARE CERTAINLY AGAINST THE TAXPAYER, AND CERTAINLY AGAINST THE SENIORS AND CERTAINLY AGAINST THE HOMELESS AND CERTAINLY AGAINST THE PEOPLE THAT NEED IT. SO IT'S TIME TO MAKE A DECISION. LIKE I SAID, YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO OVERTURN THE DECISION. PREVIOUS COUNCILS HAVE DONE IT TO OTHERS, SO, PLEASE, THINK ABOUT IT, BECAUSE IT IS IN THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE. AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MS. SALDAÑA. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE COMMENT ON ITEM NUMBER 21? OKAY. WE'RE GOING TO CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING. COUNCILMAN ROY? >> Roy: I JUST WANT TO THANK -- I'M GLAD THAT YOU CHANGED THAT A LITTLE BIT, AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE I WAS KIND OF HEADING WITH THAT. AND SO I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. >> City Secretary: IT'S A MOTION TO AMEND, MAYOR. >> Mayor Guajardo: MOTION TO AMEND. AND WE DON'T HAVE THE SYSTEM AVAILABLE? >> City Secretary: NO, MA'AM, IF WE CAN JUST DO A VOICE VOTE FOR THE MOTION TO AMEND. MRS. VAUGHN INSERTED THE WORDS MOST RESPONSIBLE BEFORE ENTITY IN THE MOTION. >> Mayor Guajardo: SOMEBODY READ IT AGAIN. CAN YOU READ IT, PLEASE. >> City Secretary: SO IT SAYS NONBINDING MOTION OF SUPPORT FOR AWARDING THE NAMING RIGHTS FOR THE CONVENTION CENTER TO THE MOST RESPONSIBLE ENTITY THAT OFFERS THE MOST FUNDING TO THE CITY FOR SAID RIGHTS. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. OKAY. >> SORRY. ARE YOU OKAY? >> Mayor Guajardo: ALL RIGHT. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. (AYES.) >> Mayor Guajardo: ANY OPPOSED, SAY NO. >> NO. >> City Secretary: OKAY. SO ONE NO. MR. SCOTT? >> Scott: NO. >> City Secretary: OKAY. TWO NOS. >> Barrera: [OFF MIC] >> Mayor Guajardo: THE NET -- >> City Secretary: YEAH, SHE DIDN'T ACCEPT IT. >> Mayor Guajardo: WELL, THE NET WOULD HAVE BEEN MOST -- [OFF MIC] >> City Secretary: SO WE WOULD VOTE ON IT AS AMENDED NOW. >> Mayor Guajardo: WHO'S GOING TO MAKE THE MOTION. >> City Secretary: WE CAN JUST VOTE AS AMENDED. >> Paxson: MAKE A MOTION AS AMENDED. >> City Secretary: WE. >> Mayor Guajardo: I'M SOR RISKER ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. (AYES.) >> Mayor Guajardo: ANY OPPOSED, SAY NO. >> Barrera: NO.MR. SCOTT , ALSO NO? >> Scott: NO. >> City Secretary: OKAY. ALL RIGHT. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. SO WE'RE MOVING ON. THANK YOU. ITEM 22 IS A DISCUSSION WITH POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING CHANGES TO THE CITY COUNCIL'S PUBLIC COMMENT PROCESS TO ENHANCE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION. I'M SORRY, THAT'S COUNCILMEMBERS VAUGHN, CANTU AND CAMPOS. WHO WANTS TO -- GO AHEAD. ITEM 22. >> Vaughn: OKAY. I PUT THIS ON HERE SO THAT THE PUBLIC COULD HAVE MORE OF AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME AND SPEAK AT PUBLIC COMMENT. WE HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT WORK, TAXPAYERS, THEY DON'T GET TO COME DOWN HERE. THEY'RE WORKING. SO I JUST THINK WE SHOULD TRY IT. IF IT DOESN'T WORK, WE CAN ALWAYS GO BACK, BUT LET'S GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY. WE MAY BE PACKED, WE MAY HAVE TWO PEOPLE, WE DON'T KNOW UNTIL WE TRY IT. SO THAT'S THE REASON I PUT IT ON THERE. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THEY BE ALLOWED TO SPEAK AS WELL. WE'RE NOT TAKING ANYTHING AWAY FROM ANYBODY. YOU CAN STILL COME AND SPEAK ON THE AGENDA ITEMS, YOU CAN SEND SOMETHING IN, SO WE'RE NOT KEEPING YOU FROM DOING ANYTHING. I THINK THEY GET TO SPEAK ON CONSENT AGENDA BEFORE IT'S DONE AS WELL, AND MR. RISLEY CAN EXPLAIN IT MORE IF NEED BE, BUT THAT'S THE REASON I PUT IT ON THERE. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. SO LET'S SEE HERE. THE DETAILS, THOUGH, COUNCILWOMAN? >> Vaughn: THEY'RE ON THERE. AND I PRETTY MUCH SAID IT, MR. ZANONI. >> Zanoni: MILES HAD AMENDED COUNCIL RULES OR WHATEVER, BUT BASICALLY WHAT COUNCILWOMAN VAUGHN SAYS IS THAT THE GENERAL COMMENTS TO THE COUNCIL THAT ARE NOW AT NOON WOULD BE AT 5:30; HOWEVER, LIKE SUZIE SALDAÑA, MRS MS. SALDAÑA'S HERE AND HAS SPOKEN ON SEVERAL ITEMS, SO INDIVIDUALS COMING IN DURING THE COUNCIL MEETING CAN STILL ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON SPECIFIC ITEMS, BUT IT REALLY HAS TO BE ON THAT ITEM. AND THE PRESIDING CHAIR, THE MAYOR, IF SOMEBODY'S DEVIATING AND SIGNING UP TO SPEAK ON PURCHASE OF AUTOMOBILE BUT THEY START TALKING ABOUT DESAL PLANTS, THE MAYOR WOULD HAVE TO TELL THEM THAT'S NOT WHAT YOU SIGNEDP FOR. SO THE CITIZEN COMMENT FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE BUSINESS PORTION OF THE MEETING THROW THE ENTIRE MEETING IS STILL ALLOWED. PEOPLE CAN SPEAK ON ITEMS, THEY CAN COMBINE ITEMS AND SPEAK ON MULTIPLE AT ONE TIME. THIS JUST MOVES THE PUBLIC COMMENT, THE OPEN COMMENT FORUM, FROM THE NOONTIME FRAME TO THE 5:30 TO ACCOMMODATE WORKING FAMILIES. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. SO NOON, JUST FOR CLARITY, NOON IS GOING TO BE AGENDA-RELATED ONLY. >> Zanoni: YEAH, BUSINESS-RELATED ONLY. >> Mayor Guajardo: WELL, AGENDA AND CITY BUSINESS. >> Zanoni: YEAH. >> Mayor Guajardo: AND THEN 5:30 WOULD BE. >> Vaughn: PUBLIC COMMENT. >> Mayor Guajardo: ANY NONRELATED -- >> Zanoni: WE'LL HAVE TO WORK WITH REBECOME SAN ANTONIO SO WHEN PEOPLE SIGN UP, THEY'LL HAVE TO PUT. >> Mayor Guajardo: I'M SORRY, 5:30 WOULD BE. >> Zanoni: IT STILL SHOULD BE THE RULES OF THE DECORUM THAT MILES READS, IT SHOULD STILL BE PERTAINING TO CITY BUSINESS BUT NOT THE BUSINESS THAT'S ON THE AGENDA. >> Mayor Guajardo: I SEE, NONAGENDA CITY-RELATED. >> Zanoni: IT SHOULD. [SIMULTANEOUS SPEAKING]. COUNCILWOMAN VAUGHN, SHE AND I TALKED ABOUT IT, THIS ACTUALLY ENHANCES PUBLIC COMMENT. THEY ACTUALLY HAVE ALMOST MORE TIME TO TALK. >> Mayor Guajardo: SO WE WOULD PAUSE AT 5:30. >> Zanoni: YEAH, AT 5:30 MAINE 5:30. WE WOULD PAUSE AT 5:30. IF THE MEETING BROKE AT 4:00, WE'D COME BACK AT 5:30. >> Mayor Guajardo: AND IF IT DIDN'T WORK OUT, WE CAN GO BACK. >> Vaughn: THAT'S MY COMMENT. WE CAN GO BACK. LET'S GIVE IT A TRY, SEE IF WE GET PEOPLE TO SHOW UP THAT DON'T NORMALLY DO IT. GOT TO MAKE THE MOTION FIRST. >> Mayor Guajardo: OH, AYE M SORRY. SO COUNCILMAN PAXSON? >> Paxson: I -- THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION THAT WE'RE ADDING A 5:30 BECAUSE MY CONCERN WAS ALSO, YOU KNOW, FOLKS ARE HERE FOR ITEM NUMBER 10 AND THEN THEY CAN'T TALK UNTIL 5:30. I DID -- I DID WANT TO -- WELL, NOW THAT ONE DOESN'T MATTER EITHER. MY NOTES WERE BASICALLY IF FOLKS COULD SIGN UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT IN ADVANCE AND IF WE COULD GET -- WE GET THE SHEETS THAT BASICALLY. >> Zanoni: YEAH, WE'RE -- >> Paxson: I'M NOT SURE WHAT DISTINGUISHES WHEN WE GET THE SHEETS AND WHEN WE DON'T, BUT IT WILL HAVE THEIR FULL PUBLIC COMMENT AND ANY SUPPLEMENTAL DOCUMENTS. >> Zanoni: RIGHT. >> Paxson: THEY'RE NOT NECESSARILY IN THE EXCEL SHEET, BUT I THOUGHT THAT COULD BE, YOU KNOW, A WORKAROUND IF WE WERE ONLY TALKING IN THE EVENING, BUT NOW WE HAVE THE LUNCH SEGMENT, OR NOON, AND THE 5:30 SEGMENT, IF I'M UNDERSTANDING CORRECTLY. >> Zanoni: OR IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE AT NOON, TO ITEM 10 SOMEBODY SPEAKS ON BUT IT'S 12:45. >> Paxson: YEAH. >> Zanoni: SO MAYOR -- I HAVE TWO SPEAKERS THAT ARE GOING TO SPEAK ON NUMBER 10, COME UP AND SPEAK. >> Paxson: SO THEN I WOULD SAY IF THIS WERE TO PASS, AND WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS, I WOULD THINK OUR PUBLIC MESSAGING WOULD NOT EXCLUSIVELY BE GREAT NEWS, WE'VE ADDED AN EVENING SECTION. >> Vaughn: BUT WE'RE NOT ADDING ANYTHING. WE'RE CHANGING THE PUBLIC COMMENT TO 5:30. WE'RE NOT ADDING A PUBLIC COMMENT. >> Mayor Guajardo: WE'RE SPLITTING IT. BECAUSE YOU ARE. >> Zanoni: IT EXISTS TODAY. THE MAYOR CALLS PEOPLE, LIKE MS. SALDAÑA, SHE JUST SAID ANYBODY WANT TO SPEAK. [SIMULTANEOUS SPEAKING]. >> Zanoni: IT HAPPENS TODAY. >> Paxson: SO WE'RE NOT GOING TO KEEP THE DESIGNATED TIME SLOT AT NOON ACCORDING TO THIS AGENDA MEMO. >> Vaughn: YEAH, THEY STILL GET TO SPEAK ON ANY AGENDA ITEMS. DOES ANYONE LIKE TO SPEAK, LIKE SHE DOES RIGHT NOW. >> Paxson: OKAY. THAT'S FINE, BUT WHAT I HEARD WAS WE WERE ADDING A SECTION. >> Vaughn: NOW, I KNOW YOU HEARD THAT AT NOON AND 5:30. >> Mayor Guajardo: OH, WE OR NOT. I THOUGHT WE WERE DOING NOON FOR ANY. [SIMULTANEOUS SPEAKING]. OKAY. . >> Mayor Guajardo: WE'RE TALKING THREE DIFFERENT THINGS. I THOUGHT IT WAS NOON, PEOPLE COME AND SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS -- AGENDA ITEMS. AND THEN AT 5:30, IT'S NONAGENDA, BUT ALL CITY BUSINESS. >> Zanoni: NO. >> Mayor Guajardo: YOU'RE SAYING DO AWAY WITH NOON? >> Zanoni: YEAH, SO THE CITIZEN COMMENT OUTSIDE OF THE 5:30 TIME FRAME IS ALL ON THE BUSINESS PORTIONS OF THE AGENDA. SSO TO AS AN EXAMPLE, IF WE DID A BRIEFING FIRST THING AT 11:30, CITIZENS DON'T SPEAK, THE COUNCIL DECORUM IS NO SPEAKING. SO ANY PORTIONS OF THE BUSINESS MEETING, THAT MEANS THE CONSENT AGENDA, THE INDIVIDUAL AGENDA AND THERE'S A PUBLIC HEARING ONE, CITIZENS CAN SPEAK ON THOSE AND THEY SIGN UP AND AS WE GO THROUGH THE MEETING, JUST LIKE WE DO TODAY, THE MAYOR SAYS IT, ANYBODY WANT TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM, THEY CAN DO THAT. AND SO THEY COULD SPEAK AT NOON IF THEY WANTED TO, BUT -- IDEALLY FOR THE COUNCIL WHO WANTS TO REMEMBER WHAT THEY SAID SO YOU CAN USE THEIR INFORMATION AS GUIDANCE, YOU IDEALLY WANT THE PERSON TO SPEAK WHEN YOU'RE ABOUT TO VOTE ON THE ITEM. SO A PROLONGED MEETING LIKE TODAY IF SOMEBODY TOLD US SOMETHING AT 12:00 YOU'RE GOING TO BE HARD PRESSED TO REMEMBER TO VOTE ON AN ITEM. >> Paxson: THAT'S WHAT I WAS GETTING AT, IF WE WERE TO DO AN EVENING PUBLIC COMMENT. >> Zanoni: RIGHT. >> Paxson: -- I THINK WE WOULD NEED TO ARTICULATE VERY CLEAR EQUAL WHEN WE'RE SAYING IF WE MOVE THIS TO 5:30, IF YOU -- YOU KNOW, IF YOU ARE GOING TO GO SPEAK -- OR YOU WANT -- YOU'RE INTERESTED, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, ON AN AGENDA ITEM AND FORESEEABLY YOU CANNOT ATTEND THE MEETING TO SPEAK AT THE AGENDA ITEM, E-MAIL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE, CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE, SIGN UP IN ADVANCE, AND THEN MAYBE THAT'S WHERE IN THE SYSTEM WE CAN GET -- AND PETER, AGAIN, I'M NOT SURE WHAT -- WHAT DIVVIES THE DIFFERENCE, BUT WE GET SOME OF THESE PUBLIC COMMENTS WHERE WE GET THEIR FULL INPUT. >> Zanoni: YEAH. >> Paxson: IT'S DIFFERENT FROM -- SO IF WE -- IF THEY CAN SUBMIT THIS. >> Zanoni: YEAH, THE SECRETARY MANAGES THAT, BUT, YES. >> Risley: YEAH. >> Paxson: BUT I'M NOT FAMILIAR THE BACK END. IF WE GET THAT, BUT WE -- WE JUST HAVE TO OVERCOMMUNICATE. BECAUSE I'D HATE TO SAY YES, AND I THINK THAT THIS DOES. I -- LIKE COUNCILWOMAN VAUGHN IS SAYING, I THINK IT OPENS IT UP TO PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING, THEY CAN COME IN THE EVENING, BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT IT WILL DAWN ON EVERYBODY, WELL, THAT MEANS THEY'RE GOING TO VOTE ON MY ITEM BEFORE 5:30, POTENTIALLY AND THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO WAIT THROUGH THE WHOLE MEETING FOR THAT, AND THAT'S FINE. WE HAVE THAT SITUATION RIGHT NOW. NOTHING IS BEING TAKEN AWAY, IT'S JUST BEING CHANGED AROUND, SO WE'D HAVE TO OVERLY COMMUNICATE, BE PROACTIVE, SIGN UP, SEND US THE DOCUMENTS, REACH OUT TO US BEFORE IF YOU CAN'T BE THERE, THAT KIND OF THING. >> Zanoni: YEAH, OKAY. >> Risley: THERE -- I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT, THERE'S NOTHING IN HERE THAT WOULD CHANGE THE PROVISION IN HERE THAT SAYS THAT THERE IS A -- EACH SPEAKER IS LIMITED TO A TOTAL OF NO MORE THAN THREE MINUTES PER SPEAKER. THAT WOULD STILL BE IN PLACE. >> Vaughn: YES. >> Risley: AND -- BUT THERE IS ONE THING THAT WE DID HAVE ON OUR PROPOSAL TWO YEARS AGO THAT ISN'T ON HERE, AND YOU MIGHT WANT TO HAVE IT ON HERE; THAT IS THAT THE MEETING WOULD CONTINUE BEING A MEETING UNDER THAT PROPOSAL EVEN IF A QUORUM WAS LOST, BECAUSE COUNCIL WON'T BE ACTING. AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS THE PEOPLE THAT WANT TO COME AT 5:30 QUITE OFTEN COUNCIL, ONCE COUNCIL IS NO LONGER DOING COUNCIL ACTIVITIES, MAKING COUNCIL DECISIONS, IT'S -- THERE'S A HIGH LIKELIHOOD THAT COUNCILMEMBERS WILL THEN START TO FILTER OUT, BUT THE PEOPLE WHO COME TO SPEAK ARE STILL GOING TO WANT TO BE ON TV AND -- DURING THE TELEVISED PORTION OF THE MEETING, SO IT RESCUES THE -- SO THEY AREN'T INCONVENIENCED BY COMING TO A MEETING THAT JUST HAS DISAPPEARED. >> Vaughn: I CERTAINLY HOPE COUNCILMEMBERS DON'T LEAVE, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ELECTED TO DO IS LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE. I DON'T THINK THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, BUT THAT'S A GOOD POINT. >> Risley: THAT WAS IN THERE. AND IF YOU'RE GOING TO AMEND THIS TO ADD THAT, I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT YOU ADD THAT, OTHERWISE THERE MIGHT BE A HIGH PROBABILITY COUNCILMEMBERS WILL LEAVE ONCE BUSINESS OF COUNCIL OTHER THAN [INDISCERNIBLE] >> Vaughn: I CAN DO THAT, BUT WHEN I MAKE MY MOTION, YOU ADD THAT WHAT YOU JUST SAID SO I DON'T HAVE TO WRITE THAT DOWN. IT'S LIKE A BOOK. CAN YOU DO THAT, MILES? LET'SIT'S STILL MY MOTION, YOU'RE JUST ADDING IT FOR ME. >> Risley: MY RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE TO ADD THE LANGUAGE THAT CITY COUNCIL WOULD BE CONSIDERED TO STILL BE IN SESSION DURING THE SPECIAL PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD EVEN IF A QUORUM IS LOST. >> Hernandez: REBECCA, DID YOU GET THAT? >> VERBALLY, SO CITY COUNCIL WILL BE CONSIDERED STILL IN SESSION EVEN IF A QUORUM IS LOST. >> Mayor Guajardo: AT 5:30. >> City Secretary: SO WE'RE GOING TO SAY MOTION TO MOVE PUBLIC COMMENT FROM NOON TO 5:30 AND THEN WHAT I JUST SAID. >> Risley: YEAH. AND IT DOESN'T MOVE ALL PUBLIC COMMENT, JUST THE PUBLIC COMMENT THAT'S UNRELATED TO THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS THAT DAY. >> Mayor Guajardo: DON'T WE NEED TO SPECIFY THAT? WE'RE REFERRING TO PUBLIC COMMENT THAT IS NOT. >> Risley: YEAH, THIS IS THE COMMENT THAT WASN'T RELATED TO THE BUSINESS ITEMS OF THAT DAY. THE PUBLIC COMMENT THAT WOULD HAPPEN AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SESSION WELL, THAT HAS TO BE TIED TO A PARTICULAR ITEM ON THE COUNCIL THAT DAY. THAT'S THE BIGGEST CHANGE. >> Vaughn: OKAY. CAN I JUST MAKE THE MOTION? OH, SOMEBODY ELSE WANTS TO TALK. GO AHEAD. MIGHT TAKE OVER YOUR MEETING, MAYOR. >> Mayor Guajardo: QUICK QUESTION. WELL, I'LL -- REBECCA, REAL QUICK, SO ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS, SO WE'RE MOVING IT TO 5:30. SO WOULD THE SIGNUP PERIOD -- >> City Secretary: THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION. >> Mayor Guajardo: BE TO 5:30, UNTIL 5:00, OR HOW WOULD WE WORK THAT? >> City Secretary: MY STAFF LEAVES AT FIVE TIME, RIGHT, SO WE WOULD HAVE TO WORK OUT A TIME MAYBE 4:30 SO WE COULD PUT THE LIST TOGETHER AND HAVE IT READY AT 5:00, I GUESS. IF YOU'RE ASKING ME JUST RIGHT NOW, I HAVEN'T REALLY THOUGHT THAT THROUGH, MAYOR, BUT THAT'S A GOOD POINT. WHEN WOULD WE CLOSE IT. I DO HAVE THAT AS SOMETHING I'D HAVE AN ISSUE WITH, SO I'D HAVE TO WORK WITH MY STAFF ON HOW WE WOULD WORK THAT OUT, MA'AM. >> Mayor Guajardo: JUST SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT. >> City Secretary: IT IS. YES, THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: SURE. COUNCILMAN CANTU? >> Cantu: I JUST WANT TO SAY, I SUPPORT THIS. 5:30 PUBLIC COMMENT BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WORK AND THEY WANT TO GO AND TALK ABOUT ISSUES AND SOMETIMES THEY DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT ALL THIS AGENDA ISSUES, THEY WANT TO TALK ABOUT THEIR STREETS, TALK ABOUT ANIMALS, TALK ABOUT TREES SIDEWALKS WHATEVER. YOU KNOW, AND I THINK IT WOULD GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE ENGAGED WITH THE CITY COUNCIL. SEE A LOT OF NEW FACES, BUT IF IT DOESN'T WORK OUT, WE COULD ALWAYS BRING IT BACK TO 12:00. AND I THINK IT WOULD BE A GREAT, GREAT DEAL AND I DON'T KNOW IF SOMETHING WE COULD DO SOMETHING WITH THE WEBSITE OR -- TO SHOW THE PEOPLE WHERE THEIR AGENDA'S AT, IF THEY WANT TO GO TALK BEFORE THE AGENDA. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S SOMETHING WE COULD DO, YOU KNOW, SHOWING LIKE A TIME FRAME. HEY, THIS AGENDA ITEM ESTIMATED TO COME OUT IN 10 MINUTES, 20 MINUTES, OR WHATEVER, TO BRING THEM TO THE CHAMBERS, SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE WAITING ALL DAY FOR THAT AGENDA ITEM. BUT JUST SOMETHING WE COULD THINK ABOUT, BUT I DO SUPPORT THIS, YOU KNOW, AND SEE HOW IT GOES FOR THE NEXT 30 OR 45 DAYS. >> Vaughn: YEAH, JUST TRY IT. >> Mayor Guajardo: WE COULD POSSIBLY USE THE NEW TEXTING SYSTEM. >> Cantu: THERE YOU GO. >> Mayor Guajardo: TO SAY, HEY, ALERT, SEE THIS AND YOU COULD PUT A LINK OR SOMETHING. I THINK IT'S GOOD. >> Cantu: OKAY. >> Mayor Guajardo: SORRY. COUNCILMAN ROY? >> Roy: OKAY. SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND THIS. WE -- SO WE WOULD DO AWAY WITH THE 12:00 DEAL, BUT ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO MAKE COMMENT ON AN AGENDA ITEM CAN BE AT THAT AGENDA ITEM, MAKE COMMENT. AND THEN THEY WOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO COME BACK AND MAKE COMMENT AT 5:30? >> Zanoni: CORRECT. >> Roy: IF IT'S JUST ON A GENERAL ISSUE THAT THEY WANT TO DISCUSS. >> Zanoni: RIGHT. >> Roy: THE ONLY OTHER THING I WANTED TO ASK IS THAT PROCLAMATIONS AND ALL THOSE THINGS THAT YOU DO, WOULD WE MOVE THAT TO 5:00? >> Mayor Guajardo: OH, MY PROCLAMATIONS? ARE WE GOING TO DO YOUR PROCLAMATIONS AS 11:00. >> Mayor Guajardo: NO, WE'D STILL DO THEM AT 11:00. WAIT. >> Zanoni: I THINK YOU KEEP THEM AT 11. SO THE MEETING WOULD STILL START AT 11:30. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. >> Roy: WE'D JUST GET THROUGH FASTER. MAYBE. MAYBE NOT. OKAY. >> Mayor Guajardo: RIGHT. BRING A PILLOW. ALL RIGHTY. >> Cantu: ONE LAST THING. >> Mayor Guajardo: UH-HUH. >> Cantu: PETER, IF THIS PASSES, CAN WE DO THE CONCEPT AGENDA RIGHT AWAY SO WE GET CITY STAFF OUT OF THE CHAMBERS. >> Zanoni: WE COULD, IN FACT, I WAS EVEN THINKING MOVING THE CITY MANAGER'S REPORT. PART OF THE REASON WE DO HAVE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF CITY STAFF WAITING AROUND FOR ITEMS TO HAPPEN, FOR HOURS, IF WE TAKE CARE OF CONSENT RIGHT AWAY, GET THAT BIG PORTION OF THE AGENDA OVER, THEN MOVE INTO INDIVIDUAL ITEM AND THEN THE PUBLIC COMMENT, PUBLIC HEARING I MEAN ITEMS, YOU KNOW, THE BUSINESS MEETING HAS CONSENT, PUBLIC HEARINGS, INDIVIDUAL, SO IN THAT ORDER. SO WE'D OPEN RIGHT UP AT 11:30, GO RIGHT INTO CONSENT. >> Risley: ACTUALLY, WE COULDN'T DO THAT BECAUSE THE STATE -- THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS LAW NOW REQUIRES BEFORE WE ACTUALLY TAKE ACTION ON AN ITEM, WE HAVE TO GIVE THE PUBLIC A RIGHT TO COMMENT ON THAT ITEM. >> Zanoni: OF COURSE. THAT'S INHERENT, MIELSZ IN WHAT I WAS SAYING. IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO SPEAK ITEM NUMBER ONE ON CONSENT, YOU COME UP AND SPIKE SPEAK OR IF IT'S ITEM NUMBER 3. >> Mayor Guajardo: I WAS GOING TO ASK THAT. I MEAN, AS IS TODAY, WE CAN'T MOVE FORWARD IN OUR AGENDA WITHOUT HAVING PUBLIC COMMENT FIRST, SO HOW DO YOU ADDRESS THAT. >> Zanoni: IT'S PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA, AND WE'RE GOING TO GIVE THIS, JUST LIKE WE DO TODAY, WE GIVE THEM OPPORTUNITY TO COME UP ON ANY ITEM, MILES JUST SAID THERE'S NO LIMIT. >> Mayor Guajardo: SO AS LONG AS IT'S OPEN. >> Zanoni: YEAH, AS LONG AS THE PUBLIC HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ON THE BUSINESS OF THE AGENDA. >> Mayor Guajardo: WHILE WE'RE HEARING IT. >> Zanoni: YEAH, BEFORE YOU VOTE ON IT. >> Mayor Guajardo: I SEE. >> Zanoni: THE REASON BEING YOU WANT TO HEAR WHAT CONSTITUENTS HAVE TO SAY IS ONE MORE PIECE OF INFORMATION ABOUT YES OR NO. >> Mayor Guajardo: ALL RIGHT. COUNCILMAN HERNANDEZ? >> Zanoni: SO, YES, COUNCILMAN, THE ANSWER IS YES. >> Hernandez: I WANT TO MAKE AN AMENDMENT THAT ROLAND BARRERA HAS TO BE HERE FOR PUBLIC -- NO, I'M KIDDING. I'M KIDDING. NO, BUT I DID WANT TO MAKE A MOTION TO AMEND PER -- WHAT IS IT, MILES' COMMENTS, I THINK WE NEED THE AMENDMENT TO REFLECT THAT. RIGHT, YOU'VE GOT IT, BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO MAKE A FORMAL AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION. >> City Secretary: WAS THERE A SECOND. SHE HASN'T MADE A MOTION YET. >> Hernandez: SO YOU HAVEN'T MADE THE MOTION. I'LL MAKE THE AMENDMENT AFTER SHE MAKES HER MOTION. >> City Secretary: YEAH, UNLESS YOU WANT TO INCLUDE IT. >> Hernandez: OH, YOU'RE GOING TO PUT IT IN THE MOTION. EXCEPT I WOULD LIKE ROLAND TO BE HERE. NO, JUST -- >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. SO WHERE ARE WE? >> City Secretary: OKAY. SO MRS. VAUGHN WANTS TO MAKE A MOTION. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. WHAT? >> Vaughn: OKAY. I MAKE A MOTION TO MOVE PUBLIC COMMENT FROM NOON TO 5:30 P.M. EFFECTIVE JULY THE 15TH, 2025. CITY COUNCIL WILL BE CONSIDERED TO STILL BE IN SESSION EVEN IF QUORUM IS LOST; IS THAT CORRECT, MILES. >> City Secretary: DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD EVEN. >> Risley: DURING THE 5:30 PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, THE CITY COUNCIL WILL STILL BE CONSIDERED IN SESSION EVEN IF THE QUORUM IS LOST UNTIL ADJOURNED. >> Vaughn: OKAY. YOU GOT THAT REBECCA. >> Zanoni: AND SWOM VAUGHN YOU SAID JULY 15TH. >> Mayor Guajardo: ONE QUICK LAST QUESTION. LET'S SAY WE FINISH -- MILES, LET'S SAY WE FINISH AT FOUR, OKAY, DO WE NOT -- WE DON'T CLOSE OUT THE MEETING? I MEAN, IN HOPE -- >> Risley: YOU WILL CLOSE OUT THE BUSINESS PORTION OF THE MEETING. YOU WILL SAY THAT THE BUSINESS PORTION OF THE MEETING IS CLOSED MAIR.ADJOURNED . >> Risley: NOT FORMALLY ADJOURNED BUT THE MEETING WILL RECONVENE AT 5:30 FOR THE NONBUSINESS PART OF THE MEETING. AND THEN YOU MIGHT GET SOME CITY COUNCILMEMBERS THERE FOR THAT. >> Cantu: I JUST HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT, BECAUSE WHAT IF JUST SAYING -- I KNOW ME AND CAROLYN WILL BE HERE, BUT WHAT IF -- YOU AND -- OKAY, EVERYBODY ELSE, BUT WHAT IF EVERYBODY DOESN'T SHOW UP. NOBODY SHOWS UP TO PUBLIC COMMENT. SAN ANTON IO DOES THAT, AND IF YOU'VE GOT TWO OUT OF THEIR NINE, GUESS WHO YOUR AUDIENCE IS. TWO. >> Risley: THAT'S ACTUALLY WHY I MADE THE RECOMMENDATION BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS IN SAN ANTONIO. >> Mayor Guajardo: I MEAN, I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE PRIORITY FOR EVERYBODY. >> Cantu: I WAS JUST SAYING CAROLYN BECAUSE SHE WAS LOOKING AT ME. SO I JUST SAID HER NAME. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION AND WE HAVE A ESECOND. >> SECOND. >> Mayor Guajardo: IS THIS WORKING? NO. OKAY. ALL IN FAVOR -- >> Barrera: THIS IS CAROLYN'S MOTION RIGHT? SO I CAN VOTE FOR IT. >> Mayor Guajardo: YES, YOU CAN. I DON'YOU CAN. DID YOU ALL HAVE. >> YOU ALL HAVE VERY SHORT MEMORIES OR YOU HAVE NO IDEA OF THE HISTORY OF THIS CITY. THIS HAS BEEN TRIED BEFORE AT 5:30. >> Mayor Guajardo: OH, YEAH. >> AND IT CREATED A RUCKUS, REBECCA, YOU REMEMBER? OKAY. IT HAS BEEN TRIED BEFORE. AND IT HAS FAILED. AND I GUARANTEE YOU IF YOU CLOSE YOUR MEETING AND IF YOU TWO ARE PROMISING TO BE HERE, YOU PROBABLY WILL BE THE ONLY TWO HERE. >> [OFF MIC] >> HEY. OKAY. IF YOU WORK YOU HAVE TO GO. IF YOU HAVE OTHER COMMITMENTS, YOU HAVE TO GO. I GUARANTEE YOU I KNOW SOMEONE WHO WON'T BE HERE. OKAY. SO BOTTOM LINE TO THE SCENARIO, WHAT I WOULD LIKE YOU TO DO IS I UNDERSTAND YOU'RE TRYING TO GIVE PEOPLE A CHANCE AT 5:30 TO COME, BUT I GUARANTEE YOU THAT THE MINUTE THAT YOU GUYS DON'T HAVE PEOPLE TO LISTEN, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO COME. AND WHAT IS THE DURATION OF THE PERIOD THAT YOU WANT TO DO IT FOR? YOU'RE GOING TO TRY IT OUT? ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE A DURATION OF MAYBE TWO MONTHS TO TRY IT OUT? AND THEN IF IT DOESN'T WORK, YOU GO BACK TO IT? YOU HAVE TO PUT A KIND OF TIME LIMIT BECAUSE OTHERWISE YOU'RE GOING TO GET THE SAME THING THAT JOE GOT AT THE TIME THAT SAID YOU'RE TRYING TO SQUASH PUBLIC COMMENT AND NOT LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE. SO THINK ABOUT THOSE ISSUES. BECAUSE I'VE GOT TIME. I CAN STAY HERE. I'VE GOT TIME. YOU'VE GOT TIME. I'VE GOT TIME. I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH STICKING AROUND. BUT OTHER PEOPLE CANNOT. SO THINK ABOUT THAT. A TRIAL PERIOD, SET A TIME DATE. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILMAN ROY. >> Roy: I KNOW I'M ASKING A LOT OF QUESTIONS HERE BUT I DO THINK TIME IS IMPORTANT. AND CAN WE MAYBE LOOK AT, IF THIS THING WORKS, CAN WE LOOK AT MAYBE DOING THE TIRZ MEETINGS IN BETWEEN THE ONE OR SOMETHING? I MEAN, WHAT'S TOUGH IS WE DO A TIRZ MEETING AT 9:30 IN THE MORNING RIGHT? AND THEN WE'RE DONE WITH THAT AT 10:00 10:30. THEN I GUESS IT'S LIKE TONIGHT. WE'RE HERE TONIGHT AND THERE'S NO PUBLIC COMMENT BUT WE'RE GOING TO BE HERE A LOT LONGER THAN THERE WOULD BE. BUT I'M JUST THINKING THAT SOME OF THOSE OTHER MEETINGS THAT WE TRY TO DO DURING THE SAME DAY, LIKE THE TIRZ MEETINGS, MAYBE WE CAN SCHEDULE THOSE IN BETWEEN OR SOMETHING. >> [OFF MIC] >> Mayor Guajardo: YOU WOULD HAVE TO DO THAT SO MANY HOURS IN ADVANCE. >> Roy: ALL RIGHT. OKAY. I'M JUST TRYING TO COME UP AND UTILIZE OUR TIME THE BEST. >> [OFF MIC] >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. COME ON UP. YEAH. WE'RE IN A PUBLIC HEARING. >> JOSHUA FREDERICK, CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI. I HAVE A DIFFERENT PROPOSAL FOR Y'ALL. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HEAR MORE FROM THE PUBLIC, ADD A SECOND PUBLIC COMMENT TIME SO YOU CAN STILL ACCOMMODATE THOSE WHO CANNOT MAKE IT TO THE ACTUAL AGENDA ITEM TIME. AND YOU WOULD ALSO ALLOW FOR PUBLIC COMMENT TO HAPPEN AT 5:30. JUST PUT A LITTLE PAUSE IN THE MEETING AND COME BACK TO IT AFTER THE FACT. I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE ARE THINGS ON THE AGENDA THAT YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO HEAR ABOUT FROM THE PUBLIC AT THAT TIME. THEY CAN'T MAKE IT TO 3:00 ON A TUESDAY. A LOT OF PEOPLE CAN'T DO THAT. AND YOU MAY END UP VOTING ON SOMETHING THAT THEY DO WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT. SO JUST ADDING A SECONDARY TIME FOR THE PEOPLE THAT DO WORK ALL DAY THAT AREN'T FORTUNATE ENOUGH LIKE MYSELF TO WORK FOR THEMSELVES AND BE HERE ALL TUESDAY. >> Mayor Guajardo: YOU'RE SAYING KEEP THE NOON AND ADD A SECOND ONE? >> AND HAVE A SECOND ONE WOULD BE MY RECOMMENDATION. >> Mayor Guajardo: SO THE PERSON DOESN'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE ITEM. I HEAR YOU. >> JUST A FUN THOUGHT. THANK Y'ALL VERY MUCH. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. MR. RICE. >> I'M GLAD HE ADJUSTED THE MIC FOR MY HEIGHT. CONNOR RICE, DISTRICT 2. I SUPPORT THE AMENDMENT AND THE RESOLUTION. AT THE COUNTY, THEY HAVE A CLIPBOARD SO CITY SECRETARY AND STAFF WOULDN'T HAVE TO STAY. YOU COULD KEEP PUBLIC COMMENT OPEN UNTIL THE WORKING CLASS GETS HERE AT 5:30. THEY HAVE A CLIPBOARD AND AS SOON AS PUBLIC COMMENT STARTS THEY JUST GRAB IT AND GIVE IT TO THE COUNTY JUDGE. IF WE COULD FOLLOW SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THAT, THAT WOULD ACCOMMODATE THE WORKING-CLASS PEOPLE. THE OTHER THING IS I WOULD RECOMMEND STRIPPING THE RECOMMENDATION THAT CAME OUT. YOU SHOULD HOLD YOUR COLLEAGUES ON THIS COUNCIL ACCOUNTABLE. THEY SHOULD HAVE TO BE HERE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, IN ALL HONESTY. I WOULD RECOMMEND STRIPPING THAT FROM THE RESOLUTION. AND THEN KEEPING PUBLIC COMMENT, THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIGN UP OPEN UNTIL 5:30 AND POSSIBLY USING THAT CLIPBOARD IDEA THAT THEY USE AT THE COUNTY AND I THINK IT WOULD WORK WELL FOR US HERE. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, MR. RICE. ANYONE ELSE? I THOUGHT MR. FREDERICK'S IDEA IS WHAT WE WERE INITIALLY TALKING ABOUT, IS ADDING ONE, AS YOU MENTIONED. COUNCILWOMAN PAXSON. >> Paxson: I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE ARE. I THINK WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. NOT TO BELABOR THE PROCESS BUT WE'RE ALREADY AT 8:30, SO WHAT THE HECK? I THINK THE TWO HONESTLY MAKES THE MOST SENSE. AND I THINK WE WERE ALL PREPARED TO SAY YES TO THAT. NOW, HERE'S MY THOUGHT. MY INITIAL REACTION WAS, WELL, GOSH, WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET BUSINESS DONE? BUT IF THE DAY PREDICTS THAT MOST PEOPLE SHOW UP AT NOON, THEN THERE WON'T BE THAT LONG INTERRUPTION IN THE EVENING. IN THE DAY PREDICTS THAT MOST PEOPLE SHOW UP IN THE EVENING, WE WON'T HAVE THE LONG INTERRUPTION AT NOON. SO IT WILL BALANCE ITSELF OUT NATURALLY. I DO ALSO MISS THE CLIPBOARD. I MYSELF WAS TRIPPED UP BY THE NEW SYSTEM ONE DAY WHEN I WASN'T FAMILIAR WITH IT. WE USED TO HAVE ONE RIGHT OVER THERE. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THE CLIPBOARD. I LIKE THE CLIPBOARD. BUT HERE'S AN IDEA. DEVIL'S ADVOCATE. WHAT IS THE THOUGHT OF DOING 5:30 PUBLIC COMMENT MONDAY NIGHT. COUNCIL FULL BUSINESS DAY TUESDAY. BECAUSE, TO ME, IT KILLS TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE. AND I KNOW YOU SAID DON'T TALK ABOUT KILLING ANIMALS. [LAUGHTER] BUT, TO ME, IT MAKES US NOT HAVE TO DUPLICATE PUBLIC COMMENT BUT PEOPLE COME AFTER WORK, THEY CAN STILL SPEAK BEFORE ALL THE AGENDA ITEMS, AND IT DOESN'T BELABOR THE TUESDAY. THAT'S MY THOUGHT PROCESS. I SEE YOUR FACE, CAROLYN. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN. COUNCILWOMAN VAUGHN. >> Vaughn: I'M GOING TO LEAVE MY MOTION LIKE IT IS. I THINK WE CAN TRY IT. IF IT DOESN'T WORK, THEN WE CAN CHANGE IT AS WE GO. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILWOMAN CAMPOS. >> Campos: WELL, I ACTUALLY DID LIKE THAT IDEA, THE TWO, THE DUAL. BUT WE ALREADY HAVE A MOTION AND IT'S BEEN SECONDED SO I DON'T KNOW IF WE WANT TO AMEND IT. >> [OFF MIC] >> Mayor Guajardo: ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> [CHORUS OF AYES] >> City Secretary: MR. SCOTT? >> Scott: AYE. >> Mayor Guajardo: WE'RE VOTING ON HER -- >> City Secretary: ORIGINAL MOTION, WHICH IS TO MOVE IT TO 5:30. >> Mayor Guajardo: WHAT DID MR. SCOTT VOTE? ANY OPPOSED? I'M OPPOSING IT. I WOULD SUPPORT TWO, AND THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT THIS WAS FROM THE BEGINNING. I'M HAPPY FOR THE CLARITY BECAUSE I WAS COMING INTO THIS NOT VOTING AT ALL. BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS TWO. I THOUGHT WE WERE JUST GOING TO SEPARATE THE NON-BUSINESS TO THE 5:30 AND KEEP THE NOON. BECAUSE I THINK THAT I DON'T KNOW WHO CAN SIT HERE UNTIL 2:30 IN THE AFTERNOON TO HEAR THEIR ITEM AND SPEAK ON IT. FOR THAT REASON, YEAH. THE MOTION CARRIES. SO -- >> City Secretary: JUST ON ITEM 21, MAYOR GUAJARDO, YOU MEANT TO ABSTAIN ON ITEM 21? >> Mayor Guajardo: YES. >> City Secretary: IF THAT'S OKAY, I'M GOING TO CHANGE THE MINUTES TO REFLECT THAT, THAT SHE'S ABSTAINING ON 21, THE NAMING RIGHTS ITEM. >> Mayor Guajardo: THANK YOU. >> [OFF MIC] >> Mayor Guajardo: I AM. I HAD TOLD HER BUT IT WASN'T SPOKEN. ITEM NO. 23. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO REFER TO THE CITY AUDITOR FOR INVESTIGATION INTO POTENTIAL WASTE AND ABUSE OF TAXPAYER FUNDS BY CITY MANAGER AND STAFF RELATING TO CLAIMS AND PAYMENTS MADE BY THE CITY TO LUMINARE, INC. THIS WAS BROUGHT TO THIS -- OR THE MEMO WAS SIGNED BY COUNCILWOMAN CAMPOS, CANTU, AND HERNANDEZ. COUNCILWOMAN CAMPOS. >> Campos: ALL RIGHT. WELL, THE REASON THAT I BROUGHT THIS AGENDA ITEM UP IS TO LOOK INTO THE WASTE AND ABUSE OF TAXPAYER MONEY IN THIS ISSUE. I DID READ WHAT YOU HAD SENT, PETER. AND THERE'S STILL SOME QUESTIONS THAT HAVE, YOU KNOW, HAVE NOT BEEN ANSWERED. SO I WANTED TO MAKE A MOTION TO ALLOW THE AUDIT DEPARTMENT TO INVESTIGATE THIS ONE PARTICULAR ISSUE ITEM AND REPORT BACK TO US. JUST TO CLARIFY THAT NOTHING, YOU KNOW, FRAUDULENT OR WASTE. BECAUSE IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE THAT THE MEDIATION WAS FOR LESS, FOR $202,000, AND WE ENDED UP PAYING $262,000. SO I JUST WANT FOR THE COUNCIL TO LOOK AT THIS ITEM AND TO, YOU KNOW, SEE FOR OURSELVES THAT NOTHING, YOU KNOW, OUT OF THE ORDINARY HAPPENED. BECAUSE THE WAY IT LOOKS NOW, IT DOES LOOK LIKE WE HAD NEGOTIATED WITH THE MEDIATOR. THEY HAD AGREED ON THE 202 BUT WE ENDED UP PAYING $262,000. I WOULD LIKE THE AUDIT DEPARTMENT TO INVESTIGATE THIS ONE TRANSACTION. >> Mayor Guajardo: I JUST HAVE A QUICK QUESTION. SO DID I GUESS YOURSELF OR COUNCILMAN CANTU OR COUNCILMAN HERNANDEZ REACH OUT TO THE CITY MANAGER TO TALK ABOUT THIS BEFORE? >> Campos: NO, I DID NOT. >> Zanoni: NOBODY REACH OUT. >> Mayor Guajardo: THE WAY THIS IS WRITTEN IS A PRETTY BIG -- WELL, IT'S KIND OF SERIOUS. SO Y'ALL DID NOT REACH OUT? NO ONE REACHED OUT TO THE CITY MANAGER TO SAY WE HAVE QUESTIONS. WE HAVE CONCERNS. >> Zanoni: NOBODY REACHED OUT TO ANYBODY, THE CITY MANAGER OR ANY CITY STAFF. I'D LIKE TO PASS OUT THE MEMO. YEAH, IF I CAN, COUNCILMAN. >> [OFF MIC] >> Zanoni: YEAH. >> Cantu: WE'RE JUST TRYING TO BE TRANSPARENT WITH THE PUBLIC AND THERE WERE SOME PEOPLE THAT REACHED OUT TO US FROM THE PUBLIC AND THEY WANTED US TO LOOK INTO THIS. AND I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR FOR US TO JUST GO TALK TO PETER AND TELL THEM WHAT PETER SAID. THEY WANTED IT TO BE OUT IN THE OPEN BECAUSE IN ALL REALITY I HAVE BEEN SUED A HANDFUL OF TIMES AND WHEN I SETTLE IN MEDIATION, I PAY WHAT THE MEDIATION AMOUNT IS. MEDIATION WAS $202,000. WHY WOULD THE CITY PAY $262,000? I MEAN, THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. >> Mayor Guajardo: I UNDERSTAND AND IT'S PART OF THE PROCESS. MY QUESTION IS DID ANYONE REACH OUT TO THE CITY MANAGER TO SAY, HEY, BY THE WAY, THIS IS A PRETTY BIG ACCUSATION. BEFORE DOING THIS. DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN'T DO THIS. BEFORE DOING IT. IT'S A QUICK QUESTION BECAUSE TODAY THERE ARE MANY EXAMPLES OF THAT. AND IF THAT'S HOW PEOPLE WANT TO DO BUSINESS, OKAY. BUT IT'S NOT A GOOD WAY. AND YOU HEARD THAT TODAY. >> Zanoni: MAYOR, I'M GOING TO PASS THESE MEMOS TO COUNCILMAN CANTU, JUST HAVE PASS THEM AROUND. IT WAS WRITTEN BY THE CITY ATTORNEY, NOT THE CITY MANAGER. I'M ASKING REBECCA TO PUT ONE IN THE OFFICIAL RECORD WITH THIS AGENDA ITEM. BECAUSE THE WAY IS CAPTION IS WRITTEN IS PRETTY INFLAMMATORY. THE ANSWER TO THE COUNCILMAN'S QUESTION, WHY DIDN'T I RECOMMEND SETTLING? BECAUSE WE HAD A CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION TO PAY THE COMPANY $262,000. THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT WITH LUMINARE ON JUNE 14, 2022. AND WE PAID THEM FOR TWO YEARS. THE 262. ON THE THIRD YEAR, FOR SOME REASON, THE THEN-HEALTH DIRECTOR DECIDED ON HER OWN NOT TO PAY THE VENDOR ANY MORE MONEY WHEN WE HAD A CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION TO PAY A SMALL BUSINESS $262,000. AND WE ENTER INTO CONTRACTS, WE HAVE TO PAY THE MONEY, ESPECIALLY A DEPARTMENT HEAD CAN'T SAY I DON'T THINK I WANT TO PAY THIS COMPANY ANYMORE. EVEN THOUGH CITY COUNCIL APPROVED THE CONTRACT. WE HAD AN APPROVED CONTRACT WITH THIS VENDOR TO PAY THEM $262,000. THE THEN-HEALTH DIRECTOR DECIDED NOT TO PAY. THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE -- I DON'T AGREE WITH THE HEALTH DIRECTOR'S DECISION NOT TO PAY. THE SECOND THING I DIDN'T AGREE WITH IS THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SETTING UP A MEDIATION TO TRY TO SETTLE ON A LESSER PAYMENT AMOUNT. WHY WOULD WE DO THAT WHEN WE HAVE A CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION TO PAY A VENDOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT. WHY WOULD SOMEBODY TRY TO MEDIATE A LESSER AMOUNT? SO THAT WAS PROBLEM NUMBER TWO. WHEN THEY BROUGHT IT TO MY ATTENTION TO PUT IT ON THE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA, IT WAS A QUICK AND EASY ANSWER OF, NO. WHY ARE WE GOING TO TELL A SMALL BUSINESS WE'RE GOING TO PAY YOU $262,000, TAKE THEM THROUGH A MEDIATED CIRCUS AND PAY THEM SOMETHING LESS? WE DON'T DO THAT IN THE CITY. WE HAVE TONS OF CONTRACTS THAT COUNCIL APPROVES. IF WE'RE TELLING OUR VENDORS OUT THERE WE'RE GOING TO APPROVE A CONTRACT AMOUNT BUT IT MAY BE LESS IF A DIRECTOR DOESN'T FEEL LIKE PAYING YOU, WE CAN'T DO BUSINESS LIKE THAT. SO I REJECTED ALL THE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATIONS AND SAID DO WHAT THE CITY COUNCIL TOLD US TO DO. AND THAT'S PAY THE CONTRACT AMOUNT. SO THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED. IT IS WELL WRITTEN OUT IN THIS MEMO THAT I DIDN'T WRITE, MILES WROTE IT, THE CITY ATTORNEY, THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT. I'M NOT A LAWYER BUT HE IS AND HE HAS A LAW DEGREE -- WHAT DO YOU CALL IT? >> Risley: A JD. >> Zanoni: HE HAS A DUTY TO UPHOLD THE LAW. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S EQUIVALENT TO AN AUDITOR'S STANDING BUT THAT'S IT. THIS IS LAID OUT IN THIS MEMO THAT NOBODY ASKED ME ABOUT. BUT I DO WANT TO PUT IT OUT IN THE PUBLIC RECORD AND I WANT THIS INCLUDED IN THE OFFICIAL RECORD. AND I THINK THE DECISION IS THE RIGHT ONE. WE CANNOT TELL SMALL BUSINESSES THAT WE'RE GOING TO PAY THEM MONEY, HAVE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE A CONTRACT, AND THEN AT THE WHIM OF A DIRECTOR NOT PAY THEM. AND, BY THE WAY, TAXPAYER MONEY, IF WE HAD SETTLED, WE WOULD HAVE HAD TO USE GENERAL FUND LOCAL TAXPAYER MONEY. THE GRANT HAD SUFFICIENT FUNDING. IN FACT, WE TURNED BACK MILLIONS, $20 MILLION, SO WE COULD USE THE GRANT TO PAY THEM IN TOTAL, LIKE WE SHOULD HAVE DONE. HAD WE SETTLED, WE WOULD HAVE PAID GENERAL FUND TAXPAYER MONEY OF $200 MILLION. THAT'S IN THE MEMO TOO. MAYOR, THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME HAVE THE FLOOR. >> Campos: MAY I RESPOND? OKAY. YOU KNOW, THAT SOUNDS LIKE A REASONABLE EXPLANATION, RIGHT? >> Zanoni: IT'S THE TRUTH, COUNCILWOMAN. >> Campos: OKAY. IT MAY, I DON'T KNOW. THE ONLY THING THAT I WANT TO SAY IS THAT THE PARTIES THAT YOU'RE DESCRIBING ARE HERE. THE ASSISTANT, THE HEALTH DIRECTOR, THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, NONE OF THEM ARE HERE TO -- >> Zanoni: THAT'S PROBABLY WHY THEY'RE NOT HERE. >> Campos: WELL, IT GOES BOTH WAYS. SO I AM JUST ASKING FOR A SIMPLE AUDIT TO BE DONE IN THIS TRANSACTION. AND, YOU KNOW, THERE'S NOTHING TO BE FOUND, THEN GREAT. THERE'S NOTHING TO BE FOUND. I AM JUST ASKING FOR THIS PARTICULAR ITEM TO BE AUDITED. BECAUSE, LIKE WE SAID, I MEAN I KNOW YOU'RE SAYING WE AGREED IT WAS $262,000. BUT DURING THE MEDIATION, THEY HAD AGREED TO 202. NOW -- >> Zanoni: MILES CAN EXPLAIN WHY THEY -- GO AHEAD, MILES. >> Risley: FIRST THING I WOULD LIKE TO SAY IS A POLICY OF LIVING UP TO YOUR CONTRACTS THAT THE CITY MANAGER HAS ESPOUSED HELPS YOU OUT AS A CITY IN THE LONG RUN. IF YOU HAVE THAT CONTRACT, YOU'LL BE MORE COMPETITIVE. IN THE WORLD OF CONTRACTING YOU'LL GET MORE BIDS, MORE PROPOSALS BECAUSE PEOPLE KNOW THEY CAN COUNT ON YOU. I SUPPORT PETER'S POLICY 100% OF PAYING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONTRACT. WHEN WE WERE ASKED TO DEFEND THE NON-PAYMENT BY THE LOWER-LEVEL OFFICIALS WE ACTUALLY WENT TO MEDIATION BECAUSE WE HAD A STRONG SENSE THAT WE WEREN'T GOING TO WIN THE LAWSUIT IF THERE WAS A LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST US. AND THAT'S WHY YOU HAVE A SETTLEMENT VALUE THAT'S ALMOST 80% OF THE ORIGINAL CLAIM AMOUNT. THAT WAS PRETTY MUCH ALMOST JUST A NUISANCE LEVEL OF DISCOUNT THAT WE WOULD HAVE POTENTIALLY HAVE RECEIVED. AND WE WOULD HAVE HAD TO PAY IT PROBABLY WITH GENERAL FUND DOLLARS AS OPPOSED TO THE GRANT FUND DOLLARS THAT WE HAD TOP GIVE BACK. SO IT MADE PERFECT SENSE TO GET WHAT WE COULD GET IN THE MEDIATION FROM OUR LEVEL. IT MADE PERFECT SENSE FOR PETER TO LOOK AT IT AND SAY WE'RE GOING TO PAY OUR VENDORS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONTRACTS THAT WE EXECUTE. WE'RE GOING TO LIVE UP TO OUR WORD. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. COUNCILWOMAN PAXSON. >> Paxson: THANK YOU. I READ THE PACKET. I READ EVERYTHING THAT WE WERE GIVEN ON THE ITEM. I UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS. I MEAN, IF WE'RE IN A BUSINESS -- WHICH WE ARE. IF YOU HAVE AN EMPLOYEE WHO HAS RIGHTS, THERE'S MANY CASES WHERE THEY WOULD FEEL THEY CANNOT GO TO A SUPERIOR FOR AN ISSUE. THAT'S WHY WE HAVE AN HR DEPARTMENT. THAT'S WHY WE HAVE THESE AUXILIARY RESOURCES FOR THEM TO STILL BE ABLE TO VOICE A CONCERN, FIND INFORMATION, AND BE REPRESENTED WITHOUT PERCEIVED OR REAL CONSEQUENCES. SO I UNDERSTAND WHAT COUNCILMEMBER CANTU IS SAYING THERE, IF HE'S BEING APPROACHED BY PEOPLE THAT HAVE A CONCERN AND HE'S SAYING, WELL, HOW DO I GO -- MAKES SENSE. TO ME, ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS OR A BIG PROBLEM -- LET ME RESTATE THAT -- AS A COUNCIL MEMBER, IS WE DON'T ACTUALLY HAVE A STANDALONE ENTITY FOR COUNCIL RELATED TO THINGS -- I DON'T MEAN COUNCIL, LIKE MEMBERS, BUT COUNCIL RELATED TO THINGS WHEN ESPECIALLY NEW MEMBERS, WHEN WE'RE FRESH ON THE TEAM AND WE'RE STILL LEARNING WHO'S CONNECTED TO WHAT. THAT TYPE OF THING. WITH THE ABSENCE OF THAT, IT MAKES SENSE. TO ME, IT'S OVER $50,000. IT WENT THROUGH THREE INDIVIDUALS AND THEN IT MADE IT TO THE CITY MANAGER. IF I'M READING THIS RIGHT, YOU HAD THE HEALTH PERSON SEND A LETTER. WE'RE NOT PAYING YOU. YOU HAD AN ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER SEND A LETTER. WE'RE NOT PAYING YOU. YOU HAD A LEGAL TEAM FROM THE CITY SEND A LETTER. WE'D LIKE TO NOT PAY YOU. ENTER CITY MANAGER. TO ME, THAT'S WELL ABOVE THAT SPENDING THRESHOLD. STAFF SHOULD HAVE TAKEN IT TO CITY MANAGER WHEN IT WAS APPARENT OR AT FIRST PERCEIVED THAT THE GRANT HAD RUN OUT. BECAUSE IF MY STAFF HAD JUST GONE AND MADE A $262,000 DECISION WITHOUT ME, I WOULD HAVE SOME ISSUES. I WOULD BE A LITTLE UPSET. WHAT I THINK THIS WHOLE THING IS DEMONSTRATIVE OF IS OF COURSE IT'S A FAILURE OF CONTROL BECAUSE IT WENT THROUGH, IN MY OPINION READING THIS, IT WENT THROUGH SO MANY HANDS AND WASN'T CAUGHT. >> Zanoni: I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT. THAT'S PART OF THE PROBLEM AND THAT'S WHY SOME OF THE INDIVIDUALS HAVE MOVED ON FROM THE CITY. BAD DECISIONS. BAD CHOICES. >> Paxson: I THINK THAT'S WHAT COUNCILMEMBER CAMPOS IS SAYING IS THAT SHE'S RECOGNIZING THERE WAS CLEARLY SOME FAILURE OF CONTROLS AND IT RESULTED IN -- >> Zanoni: I WOULD SAY FAILURE OF JUDGMENT, NOT CONTROL. NOBODY PAID ANYBODY ANYTHING. $50,000 OR ABOVE. >> Paxson: WHEN I SAY "CONTROLS," I MEAN MY STAFF WOULD KNOW THEY ARE NOT SPENDING OR REFUTING -- WHETHER YOU ARE SAYING YOU ARE NOT GOING TO PAY IT OR YOU ARE, YOU'RE NEGOTIATING $262,000. THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A CITY MANAGER DECISION AND IF THEY HAD AN ISSUE, IF THEY SAID, HEY, WE SIGNED THIS CONTRACT, IT'S SUPPOSED TO COME OUT OF GRANT FUNDING, I LOST THE GRANT. I NEED HELP HERE. >> Zanoni: BUT THE GRANT WASN'T LOST. >> Paxson: BUT YOU COULD HAVE CAUGHT IT IF THEY HAD INCLUDED YOU. >> Zanoni: THAT'S RIGHT. THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT TO BEGIN WITH. >> Paxson: FOR MYSELF SAYING, OH, MY GOSH, DID WE SPEND GENERAL FUND TO COVER. GRANT, AND THEN CONTINUING TO READ THAT WE DIDN'T. MY HEART STOPPED RACING AT THAT POINT. BUT I WOULD THINK THEN WHERE YOU ARE NOW BROUGHT INTO THE PICTURE AND YOU'RE SAYING, NO, NO, NO. WE'RE NOT PUTTING THIS ON THE AGENDA. I WOULD HAVE PERHAPS PUT IT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AND SAID, HEY, THIS IS COMING DOWN THE PIPELINE. >> Zanoni: I DON'T WANT TO INTERRUPT. >> Paxson: THIS IS COMING DOWN THE PIPELINE, JUST SO YOU KNOW. I'M TAKING CARE OF IT. I'M GOOD. WE DID NOT LOSE GRANT FUNDING. IT'S GOING TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. AND I THINK WE WOULDN'T BE HERE TODAY. >> Zanoni: MAYBE SO. ONE THING I HAVE BEEN THINKING, AS YOU HAVE BEEN SAYING THAT, THIS CITY ORGANIZATION WITH 29 DIFFERENT LINES OF BUSINESS, 4,000 EMPLOYEES AND A $1.8 BILLION A YEAR IS MAKING HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF DECISIONS A DAY ON WHO TO PAY, HOW MUCH TO PAY. IT SHOULDN'T EVEN COME TO YOUR ATTENTION. YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE TO TRUST US, TRUST ME AS THE CITY MANAGER. IF YOU DON'T, THEN I DON'T NEED TO BE HERE. >> Paxson: I MEAN A DISPUTE ON A CONTRACT THAT'S ALMOST A MILLION DOLLARS. >> Zanoni: YEAH, IT WAS A SELF-IMPOSED ISSUE. SELF-INDUCED. THE LAYERS OF OVERSIGHT DID NOT MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS. DIDN'T BRING IT TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE AT THE RIGHT TIME. BROUGHT IT TO ME TO WANT TO SETTLE WHEN YOU SHOULD HAVE REJECTED IT HAD I BROUGHT IT TO YOU. BECAUSE THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED THE PAYMENT OF $262,000. I'M NOT GOING TO COME TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND SAY YOU ALL APPROVED TO PAY A SMALL BUSINESS BUT I WANT YOU TO PAY SOMETHING A LITTLE LESS, AFTER THEY PROVIDED ALL THE SERVICE TO US. WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD SAY, GREAT, PETER, I'M SO GLAD YOU DID THAT. >> Paxson: I HAVE A LITTLE PLACARD THAT SITS ON MY DESK AND IT SAYS BRING IT ALL. THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY. BECAUSE WE CAN MAKE A PLAN FOR IT IF WE KNOW. >> Zanoni: THAT'S MY JOB. THEY NEED TO BRING IT TO ME. >> Paxson: IF WE'RE FACING -- NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A GRANT MOVING INTO GENERAL FUND AND NOW THIS MANY YEARS LATER IF IT'S COMING BACK TO COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT THERE'S A DISPUTE, THE INFORMATION PERHAPS COULD HAVE BEEN THERE TO REFUTE THAT BEFORE COMING TO THIS LEVEL. THAT'S ALL. >> Zanoni: UNDERSTOOD. YEAH. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILMAN HERNANDEZ. >> Hernandez: PETER, I JUST HAD A FEW QUESTIONS ON THIS BECAUSE WHEN IT CAME, THEY ASKED ME TO PUT MY SIGNATURE ON THE MEMO, READING THROUGH IT. HOW DID THIS GO TO MEDIATION WITHOUT YOU KNOWING ABOUT IT? >> Risley: WE DO DOZENS OF MEDIATIONS A YEAR. THAT'S ROUTINE. PETER DOESN'T KNOW ABOUT ALL THE MEDIATIONS. >> Zanoni: I DON'T APPROVE -- ONE ANSWER IS I DON'T APPROVE WHAT GOES TO MEDIATION. I DON'T KNOW WHAT GOES. MILES IS THE CITY ATTORNEY, HE MANAGES THOSE. HOWEVER, IF IT'S A SERIOUS THING AND LEGITIMATE AND PEOPLE ARE MAKING RIGHT JUDGMENT CALLS, I PROBABLY WOULD KNOW BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT MILES HAS IN MEDIATION. >> Risley: IF IT'S GOING TO BE A SETTLEMENT OF MORE THAN $50,000, IN ORDER TO APPROVE THAT SETTLEMENT, THEN WE HAVE TO GO TO THE CITY MANAGER. JUST PAYING A BILL THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, THAT WOULDN'T NECESSARILY HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH IT. BUT THIS KIND OF SETTLEMENT WOULD HAVE GONE TO THE COUNCIL. BUT NOT WITHOUT THE CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDING THAT WE STICK TO OUR GUNS AND NOT PAY THE MONEY. PETER SAID THIS IS THE POLICY WE'RE GOING TO HAVE. WE'RE GOING TO LIVE BY OUR CONTRACTS. THAT'S A LEGITIMATE DECISION. AND YOU DON'T WANT A WEAK CITY MANAGER WHO IS GOING TO COME TO YOU ALL WISHY WASHY AND SAY, WELL, I DON'T REALLY RECOMMEND THIS, BUT YOU HAVE THE CHANCE TO MAKE A DECISION HERE. NO, THAT'S NOT THE KIND OF CITY MANAGER YOU HIRED. >> Hernandez: OKAY. WHEN YOU INCLUDED THIS INFORMATION, I DIDN'T REALLY SEE THE FULL CONTRACT WITH THE EXHIBITS. >> Zanoni: WE CAN GET YOU A COPY. >> Hernandez: ON THE LAST PAGE HERE -- >> Zanoni: ACTUALLY, THE CONTRACT IS THERE. >> Hernandez: AN E-MAIL FROM DENZEL OAKTOKOREN. SORRY IF I'M BUTCHERING THAT. YOU HAVE SEVERAL INVOICES THAT WERE PAID. $100,000 IN 2020. $203,000 IN 2021. >> Zanoni: THERE WERE SOME PRIOR. >> Hernandez: THEN WE SIGNED A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT IN 2022 FOR THE -- BUT ON THE LAST LINE THERE IT SAYS AUTO RENEWAL. WAS THERE A RENEWAL ASPECT OF THAT THIRD YEAR? >> Zanoni: YEAH, IT WAS A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT THAT CITY COUNCIL APPROVED TOTALING THE $786,000. >> Hernandez: NO, THAT WASN'T MY QUESTION. WAS THAT LAST YEAR OPTIONAL? >> Zanoni: NO. THE THREE YEARS WERE AUTOMATICALLY RENEWED AT STAFF'S DISCRETION. IT WAS A CONTRACT APPROVED ON ONE YEAR WITH TWO AUTOMATIC RENEWALS, IS THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION. >> Hernandez: OKAY. DID WE NOT -- SO IF I'M UNDERSTANDING, DID WE ASK NOT TO PAY FOR THIS BUT WAS IT A TIMING ISSUE WHERE WE DIDN'T GIVE THEM NOTIFICATION IN TIME TO NOT RENEW THE LAST YEAR? >> Zanoni: I DON'T KNOW IF DR. DANTE CAN ANSWER THAT BUT THE SERVICES WERE PERFORMED. THE DATABASES WERE SET UP. A LOT OF THIS WORK WAS SET UP TO LAST THREE YEARS SO A LOT OF WORK WAS DONE ON THE FRONT END. >> Hernandez: WHAT VALUE DID WE GET IN THAT THIRD YEAR? BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY DID IN THE CONTRACT. I MEAN, I UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY DID DURING COVID BUT ONCE WE GET TO 2024, THERE'S REALLY NO -- >> Zanoni: THE ISSUE IS WE HAD AN AGREEMENT TO PAY THEM. IT DIDN'T SAY IF SOMETHING HAPPENS WE MAY PAY YOU, IT SAID WE'RE GOING TO PAY YOU FOR THREE YEARS AT 262. >> Hernandez: OKAY. BUT YOU JUST SAID ONE YEAR WITH TWO RENEWALS. IT SAYS AN AUTO RENEWAL. BUT WHEN WAS THE NOTICE TO THEM TO TERMINATE THAT LAST YEAR OR THEY DIDN'T WANT TO USE THAT LAST YEAR? WAS IT A TIMING ISSUE? WAS IT THAT WE DIDN'T -- I MEAN, DID WE HAVE TO RENEW FOR ALL THREE YEARS? >> COUNCILMAN, DANTE GONZALES. I'M THE INTERIM DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH RIGHT NOW. SO THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT, IF THERE WAS ANY -- IF THEY WERE NOT PERFORMING, THAT WAS THE ONLY WAY WE COULD TERMINATE THE CONTRACT. THEY WERE PERFORMING. THEY WERE A GREAT PARTNER. THEY DID EVERYTHING THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO DO. WHEN WE TOOK THIS BACK TO THEM AND IT'S, HEY, WE'RE NO LONGER GOING TO KEEP DOING THE WORK AND WE DON'T WANT YOUR SERVICES ANYMORE, IT WAS A SURPRISE TO THEM. THEY WERE PERFORMING AT WHAT THEY WERE HIRED TO DO. EVEN WHEN WE TOOK THE ITEM TO THE STATE ASKING WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THIS, THE STATE SAID YOU HAVE TO PAY THE BILL. THE GRANT, YOU HAVE AN AGREEMENT AND PAY THE THIRD YEAR. THE LEGAL FEES IS THE ONLY THING, WHICH IS IN THAT E-MAIL THAT YOU JUST POINTED OUT. IT SAYS WE'RE NOT PAYING FOR LEGAL FEES. BUT THE CONTRACT IS INCLUDED IN THE GRANT. THE THREE YEARS WERE INCLUDED IN THE GRANT. >> Hernandez: NO, I GET THE GRANT. YOU DON'T JUST SPEND THE MONEY BECAUSE THERE'S A GRANT THERE. YOU DON'T JUST WASTE TAXPAYER DOLLARS. >> THIS IS ALL ABOUT THE SURGE CAPACITY THAT WE HAD ALSO. AS THE PROGRESSION OF COVID CONTINUED TO HAPPEN -- SURGE CAPACITY MEANS IF ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A MUTATION IN COVID AND WE NEEDED TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE VACCINES, WE NEEDED TO HAVE A REDUNDANCY OF THAT. FOR OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE THE VACCINES AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE TRACKING THE VACCINES IN THE DATA. SO THE THIRD YEAR THAT YOU ARE INQUIRING ABOUT IS THEY WERE PERFORMING AS THEY SHOULD. WE HAD THIS AVAILABILITY OF THE SYSTEM AND WE NEEDED TO PAY THE CONTRACTOR TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT SYSTEM. >> Hernandez: LET ME ASK THE QUESTION AGAIN BECAUSE I DON'T THINK YOU ANSWERED WHAT I ASKED. WAS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TERMINATE THIS CONTRACT BY NOTIFICATION BEFORE THE AUTO RENEWAL KICKED IN? >> THE ANSWER IS NO. THERE WAS NOT AN OPPORTUNITY. IT WAS NOT FOR FAULT OF PERFORMING. THEY WERE PERFORMING AS THEY SHOULD. THE CLAUSE IN THE AGREEMENT, WHICH IS LISTED ON THE MEMO THAT YOU HAVE -- >> Hernandez: I DON'T HAVE THE DOCUMENTATION TO SAY THAT'S THE CASE. >> IT'S ON THE MEMO. ISN'T THAT -- >> Zanoni: COUNCILMAN, IT'S IN THE PACKET. I READ IT YESTERDAY. THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN TERMINATE THE CONTRACT IS FOR FAILURE TO PERFORM. IT'S EXHIBIT C, COUNCILMAN. ITEM NO. 4. THE CLAUSE IS CALLED TERM AND TERMINATION. AND THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN DO IT SAYS EITHER PARTY MAY TERMINATE THIS AGREEMENT IF THE OTHER PARTY MATERIALLY BREACHES THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH THEREIN. THAT'S IT. THAT'S THE ONLY WAY. >> Hernandez: WHAT YOU PASSED OUT TO ME GOES FROM EXHIBIT B TO EXHIBIT D. >> Risley: THAT'S A TERMINATION FOR CAUSE. >> Zanoni: SOME OF THE EXHIBITS HAVE EXHIBITS. IF YOU GO TO PAGE 1, 2, 3 -- THE FOURTH PAGE. ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE FOURTH PAGE IT SHOULD HAVE AN EXHIBIT C IN THE UPPER LEFT-HAND CORNER. IF YOU LOOK AT 4, TERM/TERMINATION. EITHER PARTY MAY TERMINATE. BUT ONLY IF THE PARTIES MATERIALLY BREACH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS. I ASKED THIS TO MILES AND DR. DONTE. WAS THERE A PERFORMANCE ISSUE? DID WE EVER TELL LUMINARE THAT THEY WEREN'T PERFORMING? DID WE SEND THEM A LETTER? THE ANSWER IS NO TO ALL OF THOSE. WE NEVER TOLD THEM THEY WEREN'T PERFORMING. THERE'S NO EVIDENCE THEY WEREN'T PERFORMING. THEREFORE THE CONTRACT FOR THREE YEARS HAD TO HAVE BEEN PAID. >> Hernandez: SO WHAT WERE THEY DOING? >> THEY WERE PROVIDING THE SOFTWARE. PROVIDING THE LICENSE TO THE SOFTWARE. >> Hernandez: SO IT'S JUST A LICENSE TO A SOFTWARE? >> THEY HAVE THE DATABASE. THEY HAVE THE INFORMATION AND THEY'RE UPKEEPING WITH THE SOFTWARE FOR US TO INPUT THE DATA SO WE CAN CROSS COMMUNICATE WITH THE STATE DATABASE ALONG WITH OUR LOCAL DATABASE SO OUR STAFF DIDN'T HAVE TO MANUALLY INPUT AND KEY IN EVERY SINGLE OF PIECE OF INFORMATION. IT WAS TRANSMITTING INFORMATION BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE STATE DATABASE FOR VACCINES AND SPECIFICALLY FOR COVID. AND ALSO OUR INFORMATION THAT WE WERE INPUTTING IN OUR IPADS. WHENEVER YOU SAW THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE LINED UP WAITING TO RECEIVE A VACCINE AND WE WERE COMPUTING THE DATA AND MAINTAINING THE DATA -- >> Hernandez: SO IN 2024, WHEN PRETTY MUCH COVID WAS EFFECTIVELY OVER, WE WERE PAYING $262,000 FOR HOW MANY -- TRACKING HOW MANY VACCINES? >> I THINK IN THE WAY YOU'RE PHRASING IT RIGHT NOW, WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE KNOWN WHEN COVID WAS GOING TO END. WE HAD A THREE-YEAR AGREEMENT THAT WE STARTED BACK IN 2022. >> Hernandez: WHEN DID THE GOVERNOR DECLARE IT WAS OVER? >> WE STARTED THIS IN 2022 AND IT WAS A THREE-YEAR AGREEMENT. IT WAS GOING TO TAKE US TO 2025. >> Hernandez: WHY BOTHER TO GO THROUGH THE MEDIATION? >> Zanoni: IT WAS A BAD DECISION ON STAFF'S PART. THE HEALTH DIRECTOR WHO EXCLUDED DR. DONTE FROM ANY OF THIS INFORMATION, TOLD HIM TO GO TO THE MEDIATION, HE DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. I ASKED HIM WERE YOU AT MEDIATION? THE ANSWER WAS YES. WERE YOU PREPARED? NO. DID YOU GET PREPPED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE? NO. HE WAS INSTRUCTED TO GO BY THE THEN-HEALTH DIRECTOR TO REPRESENT SOMETHING HE KNEW VERY LITTLE OF. BECAUSE DR. KHAN AT THE TIME DIDN'T REALLY ENGAGE HIM IN THIS ISSUE. SO HE WENT TO MEDIATION. NOBODY TOLD ME FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND I SHOULDN'T BE SAYING IT HERE PUBLICLY, BUT TALK TO MILES ABOUT THIS, IF YOU'RE GOING TO GO TO A MEDIATION ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS YOU MAY WANT TO LET THE CITY MANAGER KNOW. HE MAY OBJECT. WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE THIS CIRCUS. YOU WENT TO MEDIATION, SOMETHING MAY HAVE BEEN UP. MILES KNOWS THAT ALREADY. MORE WORDS WERE SAID THAN WHAT I'M SAYING NOW ABOUT YOU GUYS HAVE TO HOLD UP YOUR END OF THE JOB HERE. THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER SHOULDN'T BE AT THE MEDIATION AND DOESN'T TELL THE CITY MANAGER HE'S GOING TO GO TO TRY TO GET OUT OF A CONTRACT THAT THE CITY MANAGER APPROVED TO PAY A SMALL BUSINESS? IT DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY. THAT'S THE ANSWER, COUNCILMAN. >> Risley: IF YOU WANT TO REALLY SEE WHY PETER MADE THE RIGHT DECISION, LOOK AT THE LETTER ON THE LAST THREE PAGES. HE EXPLAINS WHY OUR CASE WAS SO WEAK. THAT'S WHY WE WENT TO MEDIATION BECAUSE WE KNEW WE WERE GOING TO LOSE A POTENTIAL LAWSUIT. AND THAT'S WHY PETER SAID WE NEED TO JUST PAY THIS CONTRACT BECAUSE WE ARE IN THE WRONG. YOU OUGHT TO BE LUCKY YOU HAVE A CITY MANAGER THAT MAKES THAT MORAL DECISION, DECIDES TO PAY. AND HE DID. HE OVERRULED HIS ATTORNEY. BUT HE WAS RIGHT TO DO THAT. WE'RE THE ATTORNEYS. WE'RE GOING TO FIGHT FOR WHATEVER POSITION, WHATEVER LEVEL THAT THE CITY IS TAKEN IN. BUT HE MAKES THE MORAL DECISION AND HE MAKES THE DECISION THAT'S LONG-TERM SELF-INTEREST TO STAND UP TO OUR CONTRACTS. AND THAT'S WHAT HE DID. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. >> Hernandez: SO YOU -- I MEAN, THIS WHOLE THING I'M THINKING MUCH TO DO ABOUT NOTHING. >> Zanoni: THAT'S THE WAY WE SEE IT. >> Hernandez: WE WENT THROUGH THIS WHOLE PROCESS AND THIS IMPRESSION THAT THERE'S A WEIRD THING HAPPENING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT GOES IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION. THEN I'M NOT SURE HOW WE AGREED TO THIS OF ONE-YEAR RENEWALS BUT ONLY FOR BREACH OF -- WELL, THE ONLY PARTY THAT CAN BREACH IS LUMINARE. I MEAN, WHY AGREE TO A TERM LIKE THAT? >> Zanoni: THE CONTRACT WAS POORLY WRITTEN, COUNCILMAN, AND IT WASN'T -- >> Hernandez: WHO WROTE IT? >> Zanoni: THE FORMER PURCHASING AGENT THAT'S NO LONGER WITH THE CITY. [MULTIPLE VOICES] >> Zanoni: IT WAS A LEGACY ONE THAT KIM BAKER HAD DONE. IT GOES BACK PRIOR TO COVID. YOU TALKED ABOUT THE 100,000 AND IT GOES BACK TO 2001. THEY CONTINUED TO USE THE SAME CONTRACT TEMPLATE THAT THEY USED WITH THEM INITIALLY. BUT THE CONTRACT, ONE OF THE THINGS IS THE CONTRACT DIDN'T HAVE -- MOST OF OUR CONTRACTS, IF THEY WERE RUN THROUGH THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, WHICH IN THIS CASE I BELIEVE IT WASN'T. HAS A 30-DAY PROVISION THAT THE CITY CAN CANCEL. IT'S IN MOST OF OUR CONTRACTS. IT'S NOT IN THIS ONE, WHICH IS ANOTHER COMPELLING REASON THAT WE HAD TO PAY THE BILL. THERE WAS NO PROVISION THAT'S NOW IN MOST OF OUR CONTRACTS THAT SAYS WE CAN TERMINATE JUST BECAUSE WE WANT TO IN 30 DAYS. IF WE TELL YOU, IT'S NOT THE BEST WAY TO DO BUSINESS, BUT THAT'S IN OUR CONTRACTS. ALSO YOU CAN TERMINATE IF FUNDS AREN'T APPROPRIATED. BUT NEITHER OF THOSE TWO PIECES OF INFORMATION WERE IN HERE AS WELL. I DIDN'T WRITE THE CONTRACT BUT I DO OVERSEE THE TEAM AND WE HAVE COUNSELED MEMBERS INVOLVED THAT GOT US TO THE MEDIATION POINT, THE POINT WHERE WE'RE TELLING A VENDOR WHO WENT OUT AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE HE HIRED. HOW MUCH PROGRAMMING HE DID. THE 262 MAY HAVE BEEN JUST A SPLIT PAYMENT. >> Hernandez: AND SINCE THIS WAS A SOFTWARE CONTRACT, WAS I.T. INVOLVED IN THIS AT ALL? >> Zanoni: DO YOU THINK PETER COLLINS WAS INVOLVED? [MULTIPLE VOICES] >> THERE'S THE OPERATIONAL SIDE. ANY TIME THERE'S A VENDOR WHO IS GOING TO UTILIZE THE SAME SYSTEM THAT WE USE, THEY HAVE TO BE INVOLVED AT SOME POINT. TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE CONTRACT -- >> Hernandez: OBVIOUSLY, I DON'T SEE PETER COLLINS. >> Zanoni: IT GOES BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF COVID, EVEN PRIOR TO. WHO KNOWS, HE MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN AT WORK. HE HAD COVID, IN FACT. >> Hernandez: NOT FOR THREE YEARS. >> Zanoni: TO WRITE THE CONTRACT TO BEGIN WITH. >> Hernandez: THERE'S A LOT OF LESSONS LEARNED HERE ON THIS. >> Zanoni: WE AGREE. >> Hernandez: THE CONTRACT WAS POORLY WRITTEN. I.T. WAS NOT INVOLVED, IT DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE. >> Zanoni: WE HAVE TO GET THAT ANSWER. WE'RE NOT FOR SURE ON THAT ONE. WE'LL GET YOU THE ANSWER. >> Hernandez: THE LANGUAGE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO TERMINATE OBVIOUSLY IS TROUBLING. GOING THROUGH MEDIATION ON SOMETHING WITHOUT YOUR KNOWLEDGE. AND MAYBE IT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU NEED TO KNOW, BE TOLD ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS BUT MAYBE ON A WEEKLY OR MONTHLY BASIS, ABOUT THE MEDIATIONS WE'RE DOING OR THE AMOUNTS. IT JUST SEEMS LIKE THERE WAS A LOT OF THINGS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IN PROCESS AND IT ALL LED TO THIS. >> Zanoni: RIGHT. >> Hernandez: MESS. >> Zanoni: I WILL SAY THE EMPLOYEES INVOLVED, IT'S EITHER IN THEIR FILE THEY HAVE BEEN COUNSELED. >> Hernandez: WERE YOU HERE WHEN THIS WAS INITIATED? DID YOU INITIATE THIS? >> THE CONTRACT? NO. THAT WAS TWO DIRECTORS AGO. COVID STARTS IN 2019, RIGHT? AND THEN 2022, THAT WAS THE PREVIOUS DIRECTOR. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MARCH, RIGHT? >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. LET'S MOVE ON. >> Hernandez: THERE'S STILL SOME UNANSWERED QUESTIONS. >> THE ANSWER IS NO, COUNCILMAN. I WAS NOT THERE. I WAS THE INTERIM DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION. >> Vaughn: MY QUESTION IS GOING TO BE REALLY QUICK. MR. ZANONI, DID YOU EVER TELL THE STAFF NOT TO PAY THE CONTRACT? >> Zanoni: NO, I DID NOT. >> Vaughn: OKAY. WHY DID THE HEALTH MANAGER REFUSE TO PAY? >> Zanoni: WE DON'T KNOW. I ASKED DR. DONTE THAT. THE BEST ASSUMPTION SOMEBODY GAVE ME IS THE HEALTH DIRECTOR THOUGHT SHE WOULD BE SAVING TAXPAYER MONEY. >> Vaughn: IS IT NORMAL FOR ONE OF HER POSITIONS TO SAY WE'RE NOT GOING TO PAY? >> Zanoni: IT'S NOT NORMAL. IT'S NOT RIGHT BUSINESS AND IT'S NOT NORMAL. >> Vaughn: WAS DR. KHAN AT THE MEDIATION? >> Zanoni: NO, SHE WAS NOT. >> Vaughn: IS THAT NORMAL FOR THE HEALTH PERSON THAT REFUSED TO PAY NOT TO BE AT THE MEDIATION OR IS IT JUST USUALLY WHO? >> Risley: WE CAN'T MAKE PEOPLE COME TO THE MEDIATION. >> Zanoni: SHE PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE. I'M NOT SURE WHY SHE WASN'T THERE. >> Vaughn: DID Y'ALL ASK HER TO COME? >> Risley: I DON'T HAVE A RECORD OF WHETHER WE WOULD HAVE ASKED HER TO COME. WE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE OFFERED THE DEPARTMENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME. I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT WE WOULDN'T AND SHE SENT DONTE. >> Vaughn: THERE SHOULD BE AN E-MAIL OR SOMETHING WHERE YOU ASKED AND SAID THAT WOULD BE THE NORMAL THING. YOU WOULDN'T GO TO HER OFFICE AND SAY, DO YOU WANT TO GO TO MEDIATION? THERE WOULD BE A RECORD. DO YOU WANT TO COME TO MEDIATION. THERE SHOULD BE SOME RECORD. IS IT POLICY TO PAY CONTRACTS WHEN THERE IS DISPUTES AND HAVE OTHERS THAT HAVE DISPUTES NOT BEEN BROUGHT TO COUNCIL? IS THAT NORMAL TO GO AHEAD AND PAY THEM. >> Zanoni: SAY IT ONE MORE TIME COUNCILWOMAN? >> Vaughn: IS IT POLICY TO PAY THE CONTRACTS WHEN THERE ARE DISPUTES AND HAVE OTHERS NOT BEEN BROUGHT TO COUNCIL? >> Zanoni: I'M NOT AWARE OF OTHER ONES. >> Risley: IT'S UNIQUE IN THIS CONTEXT , HOWEVER IN CONSTRUCTION CONTEXT THERE'S OFTEN DISPUTES WHERE THERE IS SOME DISPUTE AS TO WHAT WAS BUILT, THE AMOUNT OF MATERIALS PROVIDED. SO THERE'S OFTEN DISPUTES IN CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS. IT IS NORMAL IN CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS FOR THAT TYPE OF -- FOR THERE TO BE A DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PERSON THAT'S REVIEWING THE WORK PROVIDED AND THE PERSON WHO'S PROVIDING THE WORK. SO I WOULD SAY IN THIS CONTEXT IT IS VERY MUCH A ONE-OFF. >> Zanoni: COUNCILWOMAN, THE KEYWORD IN YOUR QUESTION IS "DISPUTE." IF THERE'S A DISPUTE IN CONSTRUCTION WORK, WE MAY NOT PAY IT UNTIL THE DISPUTE IS SETTLED. I ASKED THAT IN THIS CASE, WAS THERE A DISPUTE? WAS THERE A SERVICE NOT BEING PROVIDED BY THE VENDOR, BY LUMINARE? DID THEY NOT PERFORM? WHAT WAS THERE TO BE A DISPUTE ABOUT RIGHT? THE ANSWER WAS NONE. THERE WAS NO DISPUTE. THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE VENDOR. THEY PERFORMED JUST LIKE THEY SHOULD HAVE. THERE WAS NO LETTER SENT. WE HAVE NO DOCUMENTATION OF ANY LETTERS SENT TO LUMINARE TO SAY YOU'RE NOT DOING WHAT YOU SAID YOU WOULD DO. YOU'RE NOT DELIVERING WHAT YOU SAID YOU WOULD DELIVER, THEREFORE WE'RE NOT GOING TO PAY YOU. NONE OF THAT EXISTED. I'M AT A LOSS BECAUSE THE DIRECTOR IS NOT HERE. DR. DONTE DOESN'T KNOW THE ANSWER. WHY DID THE DIRECTOR NOT WANT TO PAY THE CONTRACTUALLY-REQUIRED AMOUNT THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED TO PAY. >> Vaughn: THERE SHOULD BE A RECORD AND I KNOW THERE ARE SO MANY VENDORS Y'ALL PAY. THERE'S NO WAY YOU CAN JUST SIGN OFF. >> Zanoni: I DON'T SIGN OFF CHECKS FOR VENDORS. I DON'T DO THAT. THAT'S NOT MY JOB. >> [OFF MIC] >> Zanoni: THAT COULD BE TRUE, COUNCILWOMAN, BUT THAT'S POOR JUDGMENT ON HER PART BECAUSE THE GRANT, NOT ONLY WAS IT NOT CANCELED -- >> City Secretary: YOU NEED TO SPEAK INTO THE MICROPHONE. >> Zanoni: THE COUNCILWOMAN WAS SAYING DR. KHAN MAY HAVE THOUGHT THE GRANT WAS CANCELED. >> Paxson: I WAS JUST SAYING IN THE PACKET WE RECEIVED IT SAID THAT THE HEALTH DIRECTOR INTERPRETED THE DIRECTION AND THE CONTRACT FROM COUNCIL TO BE THREE YEARS FOR THIS SERVICE BECAUSE THERE WAS GRANT FUNDING. AND SO WHEN THE HEALTH DIRECTOR INTERPRETED THAT THE GRANT FUNDING WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE, THE HEALTH DIRECTORN SAID NEXT STEP IS THE CONTRACT SHOULD BE CANCELED. >> Zanoni: UNFORTUNATELY, DR. DONTE CAN ATTEST TO THIS. THE GRANT, IT WAS TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN GRANT FUNDING AVAILABLE. WE EVEN HAVE THE E-MAIL THAT SAYS USE OUR GRANT MONEY. IT'S AVAILABLE. I'M NOT SURE WHERE DR. KHAN CAME FROM. NOT ONLY DID WE KNOW WE HAD $20 MILLION AND WE GAVE BACK -- HOW MANY MILLION DID WE GIVE BACK TO THE STATE? >> 13. >> Zanoni: WE HAD THE AGENCY SAY USE OUR GRANT MONEY. IT'S AVAILABLE. SHE SENT THAT TO DR. KHAN SO I DON'T KNOW HOW SHE CAN THINK WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY AND SENT ERRONEOUS LETTERS TO THE COMPANY SAYING WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY YOU. THE AGENCY SAID DON'T GO TO MEDIATION BECAUSE IF YOU DO YOU HAVE TO USE REAL TAXPAYER MONEY FROM CORPUS CHRISTI. LOCAL TAXPAYER MONEY. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILMAN BARRERA. >> Barrera: AS SOON AS I SAW THE MEMO, I CALLED PETER. AND THE QUESTION WAS ASKED AND ANSWERED. AND WE PROBABLY SPENT 15 MINUTES ON THE PHONE. >> Zanoni: I DON'T EVEN THINK IT WAS THAT. >> Barrera: I'M SORRY. IT WAS QUICKLY ANSWERED AND IT WASN'T SURPRISING BECAUSE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT I KNEW THAT WERE ENGAGED WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AS WELL. AND, YOU KNOW, AND THAT'S BEEN THE CHALLENGE WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS HERE. BUT, YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN CRITICIZED FOR WHAT WE PAY PETER. AND I THINK WE NEED TO GET EVERY NICKEL WE CAN OUT OF HIM AND I THINK THIS IDEA OF MICROMANAGING IS REALLY OUT OF LINE. IT'S REALLY OUT OF LINE. AND I GO BACK TO I THINK THAT'S WHY WE CAN'T FIND ASSISTANT CITY MANAGERS BECAUSE HERE HE WAS HOLDING HIS RESPONSIBILITY AND EXECUTING THAT CONTRACT. EXECUTING A CONTRACT. I'M A SMALL BUSINESS AND I'VE BEEN SUED AND EACH TIME I FELT LIKE I WAS A VICTIM. AND EACH TIME I HAD TO PAY FOR TO BE REPRESENTED. AND EACH TIME WE PREVAILED. BUT WE GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS AND YOU HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION. WHAT'S IT WORTH TO GO TO -- TO HAVE TO FIGHT FOR IT AND THEN YOU END UP SETTLING. SO I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT. AND I THINK RIGHT NOW WE EMPOWER THE CITY MANAGER TO BE ABLE TO FULFILL HIS RESPONSIBILITIES IN A $1.8 BILLION ORGANIZATION WITH 29 DIFFERENT LINES OF BUSINESSES. THE CHALLENGE IS WHEN OTHER DEPARTMENTS DON'T FULFILL THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND A SYSTEM OF WHAT WE SHOULD HAVE AS CHECKS AND BALANCES AND THE CITY MANAGER PUTS HIS FOOT DOWN AND SAYS THIS INDIVIDUAL DESERVES TO GET PAID. ONCE AGAIN, IF YOU GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF WEIGHING ALL THE PLUSES AND MINUSES, YOU HAVE A SITUATION HERE WHERE IF WE SETTLE AND THE MONEY COMES FROM TAXPAYER MONEY. WE ACTUALLY LOSE MORE BECAUSE IT WAS COMING FROM GRANT FUNDS. BECAUSE THEN WE DON'T UTILIZE THE GRANT FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THE PAYMENT, WHICH WE RECEIVED. SO THAT ONCE AGAIN SAVES TAXPAYER MONEY BECAUSE THEY WERE GRANT FUNDED, WHICH WAS APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL, WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN EXECUTED. AND NOW, FOR SOME ARBITRARY REASON, WE GO AND DECIDE THAT WE'RE GOING TO MEDIATE AND IT'S GOING TO END UP COSTING US -- IF WE WOULD HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS MEDIATION, IT WOULD HAVE ENDED UP COSTING US -- >> Zanoni: $205 MILLION OF GENERAL FUND MONEY. >> Barrera: THE CONTRACT HERE WAS -- >> Zanoni: $205,000. NOT MILLION. SORRY. >> Barrera: SO IT'S $205,000 IN ADDITION TO WHAT WE WOULD HAVE SETTLED THAT WOULD HAVE COME OUT OF THE TAXPAYER MONEY. HOW MUCH WAS IT? >> Zanoni: WE PAID THE CONTRACTUAL AMOUNT OF $262,000. >> Barrera: $262,000 PLUS THE 2005. >> Zanoni: WE DIDN'T PAY THE 2005. >> Barrera: NO, IF WE WOULD HAVE FOLLOWED THROUGH WITH IT, WE WOULD HAVE LOST OUT ON $260,000 OF GRANT MONEY AND WE WOULD HAVE HAD TO PAY UP ANOTHER $205,000. >> Zanoni: IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ALMOST A $500,000 ISSUE. >> Barrera: AS WELL AS STAFF TIME AS WELL AS THE STAFF TIME AS WELL AS THE TIME OF LEGAL TO BE ABLE TO ARGUE THIS. HAD HE NOT INTERVENED, THIS WOULD HAVE COST US ABOUT HALF A MILLION DOLLARS. AND THAT'S WHY WE EMPOWER THE GENTLEMAN TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS, TO BE ABLE TO WORK ON OUR BEHALF AND TO SAVE THE TAXPAYER MONEY, WHICH I DO CARE DEARLY ABOUT. HOWEVER, FOR SOME REASON WE DON'T HAVE THIS CONFIDENCE IN THE GENTLEMAN THAT WE PUT IN CHARGE TO BE ABLE TO RUN THIS MULTIBILLION DOLLAR ORGANIZATION, OF WHICH IS VERY POPULAR, IS VERY POPULAR WITH THE PUBLIC. IS VERY POPULAR WITH THE PUBLIC. AND BUT HOWEVER, FOR WHATEVER REASON, THERE ARE SOME INDIVIDUALS WHO DON'T FEEL THAT WAY. SO THEY BRING THIS INFORMATION AND WE END UP PUTTING A THREE-SIGNATURE MEMO. WHY CAN'T WE EXTEND THE COURTESY OF PICKING UP THE PHONE OR GOING UP TO HIS OFFICE AND GOING IN A CONFERENCE ROOM AND JUST ASKING. AND DO YOU KNOW WHAT? IF YOU'RE NOT SATISFIED WITH THAT ANSWER, OKAY, THEN. TALK TO THE MAYOR AND SAY THIS IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO. TALK TO THE CHAIR OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE IF YOU WANT TO DO AN AUDIT. BUT THAT'S THE WHOLE THING. THERE'S A PROCESS THAT WE NEED TO FOLLOW THE EXTEND A COURTESY TO A PROFESSIONAL THAT WE HAVE EMPOWERED TO RUN THE EIGHTH LARGEST CITY IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND PROBABLY THE 50th IN THE COUNTRY. I'M A LAYMAN AND THE SOFTWARE DEAL, THERE'S A LOT OF FRUSTRATION BECAUSE I.T. HAS THEIR OWN CONTRACTS. THEY DON'T GET INVOLVED IN EVERY CONTRACT. I KNOW THEY DON'T WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN THE HEALTHCARE PLAN. AND I KNOW THEY DON'T WANT TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE AUDIT COMMITTEE SOFTWARE, THE LICENSE AGREEMENT THEY HAVE. THEY GET NO HELP. FOR US TO GO FROM THAT -- TO TRY AND ASK ALL THESE QUESTIONS WHEN ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS JUST GIVE THE MAN A CALL. HE'S HIGHLY ACCESSIBLE. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILMAN CANTU. >> Cantu: REAL QUICK. WHY DID THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT WRITE A LETTER TO TERMINATE THE CONTRACT? >> Risley: BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE DO. WE DEFEND THE CITY'S POSITION. THAT'S WHAT YOU EXPECT FROM YOUR LAWYER. I THINK ONE THING YOU'VE GOT TO ASK, IF WE HADN'T GONE TO MEDIATION, WE WOULD HAVE PAID -- AND HE FILED A LAWSUIT -- WE WOULD HAVE PAID THE ATTORNEYS' FEES AND POTENTIALLY A JUDGMENT FOR SUBSTANTIALLY MORE. YOU'RE SAYING WHY DID THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT WANT TO DO WHAT WE COULD TO DEFEND THE POSITION OF THE STAFF MEMBERS WHO CAME TO US. >> Cantu: DON'T YOU, MILES, LOOK AT THE DOCUMENTATION BEFORE YOU MAKE A JUDGMENT CALL AND SEE WHAT THE CITY HAS AND WHAT THEY'RE OBLIGATED TO PAY? AND WOULD YOU MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO SAY, HEY, WE'VE GOT TO PAY THIS. WE DON'T NEED TO SEND A LETTER OR DO MEDIATION, WE NEED TO PAY THIS BECAUSE THIS IS UNDER CONTRACT. >> Zanoni: THE ANSWER IS THEY SHOULD HAVE. >> Cantu: YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WASTES TAXPAYER'S MONEY ON ISSUES LIKE THIS WHEN WE COULD HAVE BEEN WORRYING ABOUT OTHER STUFF. WE HAVE TO BE PAYING THIS SMALL VENDOR, WE SAY THAT WE SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES AND WE OWE THEM MONEY, WE PAY THEM THE MONEY. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU DRAGGED ON MONTHS ON MEDIATION AND DOING ALL THIS STUFF TO PAY THEM THE MONEY. I MEAN, THEY'RE A SMALL BUSINESS. I'M SURE THEY NEEDED THE MONEY. IT WAS PROBABLY DURING THE HOLIDAYS TOO. I MEAN, I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND IT. WHO SIGNED THE CONTRACT? WHO SIGNED THE CONTRACT ORIGINALLY? >> Risley: KIM BAKER. >> Zanoni: THE THEN-PURCHASING AGENT COUNCILMAN. >> Cantu: YOU GO TO MEDIATION AND YOU SETTLE FOR AN AMOUNT OF MONEY. THEY SIGN THE DOTTED LINE AND WE PAY WHAT WE OWE THEM. WHY DID WE WASTE THEIR TIME? WHY DID WE WASTE OUR TIME? IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. THAT'S ALL I'M SAYING, MILES. IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. IT BLOWS MY MIND THAT WE WASTED ALL THIS TIME TO PAY THEM WHAT WE OWED THEM AND WE COULD HAVE JUST PAID WHAT WE HAD TO. I MEAN, HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU THINK THE CITY SPENT ON LEGAL FEES ON OUR SIDE TO REPRESENT, TO REPRESENT US ON YOUR PAYROLL, WHATEVER THE CASE IS, IN MEDIATION, HOW MUCH MONEY DID WE SPEND ON THAT? >> Risley: IT'S INTERNAL STAFF. >> Cantu: IT COSTS $100,000 TO HAVE THIS MEETING, SUPPOSEDLY. THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY. >> Zanoni: PROBABLY TOOK HOURS AND HOURS. >> Cantu: I'M JUST SAYING. WE'VE GOT TO DO A BETTER JOB IF THAT'S THE CASE. THEN YOU MAKE YOUR BOSS LOOK BAD. YOU KNOW, THAT'S JUST MY OPINION. I DON'T KNOW. IT'S ALREADY LATE. IT'S PAST MY BEDTIME. READY TO GO HOME. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILWOMAN CAMPOS. >> Campos: WELL, BOTTOM LINE IT SEEMS LIKE THERE'S STILL A LOT OF QUESTIONS. BUT I DO LIKE THE SUGGESTIONS THAT COUNCILMAN BARRERA MADE. YOU KNOW, SHOULD HAVE CALLED PETER. SHOULD HAVE MADE, YOU KNOW, THESE PHONE CALLS. AND I THINK ONE OF THE SUGGESTIONS THAT YOU MADE WAS, YOU KNOW, SHOULD HAVE MAYBE GONE TO THE AUDITOR. MAYBE I'LL JUST DO THAT. BRING IT UP TO THE AUDITOR AND HAVE HIM LOOK AT IT. >> Risley: THAT'S INTERESTING THAT YOU BRING THAT UP. WHEN YOU HAVE AN AUDIT, WHEN YOU HAVE AN INVESTIGATION BY THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE -- I HAVE GONE THROUGH THE OPEN MEETINGS AUDIT THAT WE WENT THROUGH, YOU SPEND HUNDREDS OF HOURS. IT IS ENORMOUSLY CONSUMPTIVE OF STAFF TIME. THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE DOING. WHAT WE DID HERE IS WE PUT OUR REASONING AND THE HISTORY ON THE TABLE WITH A CLEAR MEMO TO CITY COUNCIL. AND THE BASIS AND THE CONTRACTS, EVERYTHING IS ATTACHED. SO IT'S THERE. IT'S ALL OUT THERE. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILWOMAN VAUGHN. >> Vaughn: CLEARLY EVERYONE IS VERY TIRED. I SPEAK FOR EVERYBODY, I CAN TELL. WE'RE NOT ACCOMPLISHING ANYTHING AND WE'RE NOT MAKING SENSE. CLEARLY THERE WERE SOME MISTAKES MADE AND WHATEVER POLICY NEEDS TO BE CHANGED, I'M SURE YOU'LL DO THAT, MR. ZANONI. THE ATTORNEYS SHOULD HAVE TOLD YOU THAT AND, MILES, YOU SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT. I'M NOT GOING TO RAKE YOU OVER THE COALS FOR THAT. I THINK EVERYBODY IS TIRED AND TO SIT HERE AND KEEP DISCUSSING THIS, I KNOW MY MIND'S GONE. >> Mayor Guajardo: I AGREE. COUNCILMAN HERNANDEZ. >> Hernandez: THAT EXHIBIT YOU REFERENCED WAS FROM THE 2020 CONTRACT. >> Zanoni: YEAH, THE SAME TEMPLATE WAS CONTINUED. THEY AMENDED THE CONTRACT. THAT'S WHY THE CAPTION SAYS AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT. THE ITEM PASSED ON JUNE 14, 2022, IT'S A THREE-YEAR SOFTWARE LICENSE RENEWAL FROM LUMINARE SO IT RENEWED THAT INITIAL CONTRACT FROM THE 2020 TIME-FRAME. I DON'T KNOW WHY IT WAS DONE THAT WAY BUT THAT'S HOW THEY DID IT AT THE TIME. WE WERE USING LUMINARE PRIOR TO THE COVID THREE-YEAR SOFTWARE DEAL AND THE PURCHASING AGENT AT THE TIME USED THAT EXISTING CONTRACT AND AMENDED IT. THAT'S WHY THE MOTION THAT'S ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE MEMO TALKS ABOUT A RENEWAL OF A LICENSE AGREEMENT. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILWOMAN CAMPOS. YOU HAVE A LIGHT ON. SO WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON. PETER, THANK YOU FOR THAT. AND WE ONLY HAVE ONE ITEM LEFT BUT I'M GOING TO SAY WE JUST SPENT 35, AT LEAST 40 MINUTES. AND HONESTLY -- AND I'M GOING TO ASK EVERYONE TO GIVE EACH OTHER THE COURTESY. THERE IS NO PERFECT COUNCIL. NO ONE HAS TO BE BEST FRIENDS AND RUN OUT INTO THE SUNSET TOGETHER. BUT LET'S GIVE EACH OTHER THE COURTESY BECAUSE A LOT HAPPENED IN THIS MEETING THAT DID NOT HAVE TO. WE JUST SPENT 35 MINUTES OR SO ON AN ITEM THAT COULD HAVE STILL COME FORTH BUT THE PEOPLE THAT WERE VERY INTERESTED IN THIS COULD HAVE HAD THAT MEETING WITH THE CITY MANAGER AND HAD A LOT OF THIS ANSWERED ON YOUR OWN. AND THEN HE COULD HAVE SAID I'M GOING TO LET THE REST OF THE COUNCIL KNOW. AND IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS, THEY CAN GET WITH ME. BUT THIS IS NOT, WHICH IS A PERFECT SEGUE TO THE NEXT ITEM. THIS ISN'T A WAY YOU CUT BACK ON HAVING MEETINGS BECAUSE IF YOU WANT TO CUT BACK ON HAVING MEETINGS, YOU HAVE TO BE EFFICIENT. WE HAVE TO BE. WE HAVE TO STICK TO THE BUSINESS. AND I'M SORRY. THIS COULD HAVE BECOME BUSINESS BUT I THINK WE MISSED A BIG STEP. AND MY OFFICE IS ALWAYS OPEN TO TALK TO ME ABOUT ANYTHING, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT INVOLVES ME OR MY OFFICE. AND I THINK PETER FEELS THE SAME WAY. AND ANY OF YOU WOULD AS WELL. YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT A PLEASANT SURPRISE TO GO ABOUT BUSINESS THE WAY IT WAS GONE ABOUT TODAY. I'M JUST ASKING EVERYONE TO PLEASE LET'S NOT REPEAT WHAT'S TAKEN PLACE TODAY AND JUST BE MORE EFFICIENT AND COURTEOUS. OUR LAST ITEM OF THE EVENING -- BY THE WAY, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE ITEM NO. 26, WHICH IS AN EXECUTIVE SESSION BRIEFING, AND WE'RE GOING TO MOVE IT TO THE NEXT MEETING. AND THAT WAY WE CAN LEAVE AND MAYBE GET HOME BY 10:00. SO OUR 24 IS DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON COUNCIL POLICY REGARDING THE SCHEDULING OF COUNCIL MEETINGS. OKAY. THIS WAS REQUESTED BY COUNCILMAN ERIC CANTU, CAROLYN VAUGHN, AND GIL HERNANDEZ. MR. HERNANDEZ, GO AHEAD. >> Hernandez: OKAY. THIS KIND OF CAME ABOUT BECAUSE WE HAVE SOMEWHAT OF A DISCOMBOBULATED SCHEDULE. WE HAD THREE WEEKS OFF AND THEN WE'LL HAVE A SUCCESSIVE THREE WEEKS OF MEETINGS. I UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN I'M TALKING ABOUT THE COUNCIL MEETING, I'M TALKING TO DREW MOLLY AT 8:00 AT NIGHT ABOUT ITEMS THAT ARE ON THE AGENDA. IT TAKES A LOT TO PUT THESE MEETINGS TOGETHER, RIGHT? I UNDERSTAND IT FROM THE STAFF TIME AND APPROPRIATIONS. AND THEN YOU HAVE ONLY A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME TO GET THE INFORMATION. AND ACTUALLY, CREDIT TO PETER, HE EXTENDED THAT TIME. BEFORE IT USED TO BE JUST THREE DAYS. THEN WE GOT IT THE WEEK BEFORE BUT THEN THERE WERE CHANGES ON FRIDAY, WHICH IS, LIKE I SAID, BETTER THAN WHAT IT WAS. BUT CONSIDERING HOW MUCH TIME IT TAKES FOR STAFF AND HOW MUCH TIME AND EFFORT TO DO IT. AND, NOT TO MENTION, WE'RE CHANGING KIND OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT. SO IF WE'RE STILL HERE BY 5:30 BECAUSE THE MEETINGS ARE A LITTLE BIT LONGER AND MORE PRODUCTIVE, THEN WE CAN STILL BE HERE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, ALL OF US. BUT, YOU KNOW, JUST IN TERMS OF PREPARATION FOR NOT ONLY STAFF BUT ALSO OURSELVES AS COUNCIL MEMBERS. YOU KNOW, WE DON'T GET -- NOT ALL OF US HAVE THE TIME TO BE HERE EVERY SINGLE WEEK. THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT HAVE JOBS BECAUSE WE ONLY GET PAID $6,000 BY THE CITY AS PART OF THE CHARTER. SO IT'S NOT LIKE THIS IS, YOU KNOW, OUR FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT. SO I WANT TO SAY IF WE CAN EXTEND THOSE TIME-FRAMES -- AND IT CAN BE ADJUSTED FOR HOLIDAYS, LIKE THE AGENDA MEMO SAYS, TO BETTER PREPARE FOR THESE COUNCIL MEETINGS. >> Mayor Guajardo: SO YOU'RE WANTING TO GO TO TWO MEETINGS? >> Hernandez: I'M LOOKING AT EVERY OTHER WEEK BUT IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE SPECIFIC. OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE SOME BUDGET ISSUES LIKE WHEN WE HAVE TO GO TO BUDGET IN TERMS OF GETTING IT IN SEPTEMBER TO THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR. BUT IF YOU CAN KIND OF PLAN FOR THIS WHERE YOU HAVE A ONE-WEEK GAP, I THINK IT WILL BE BETTER FOR EVERYBODY, ESPECIALLY I'M THINKING STAFF AS WELL, BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF TIME IT TAKES FOR PEOPLE TO PREPARE. >> Mayor Guajardo: I THINK EVERY WEEK WE'RE A $1.8 BILLION BUDGET. I THINK THAT WE HAVE A LOT GOING ON AND WE WILL CONTINUE. IF ANYTHING, IT RAMPS UP. I THINK WE NEED WEEKLY MEETINGS. I THINK THE PUBLIC EXPECTS THAT. THEY HEAR WHAT IS HAPPENING EVERY SINGLE WEEK. THEY COME DOWN, THEY'RE A PART OF THIS PROCESS. AND FOR ME TO GO BACK, THIS IS WHAT IT'S GOING TO BE LIKE. WE'RE NOT GOING TO LEAVE HERE BEFORE 10:00 P.M. WE'RE GOING TO BE CALLING A LOT OF SPECIAL MEETINGS, A WHOLE LOT OF WORKSHOPS BECAUSE THERE'S GOING TO BE TWO WEEKS IN BETWEEN. I CAN'T SUPPORT IT BECAUSE, AGAIN, THE AGENDAS ARE GOING TO BE LOADED. AND WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE, YOU KNOW, AT 10:00 P.M. AND STAFF HAS TO COME BACK AND GO TO WORK AND GET MOVING AGAIN. I THINK THAT WE HAVE A VERY -- STAFF AND THE CITY MANAGER HAS A VERY OPEN POLICY ABOUT BRIEFINGS AND WELCOMING COUNCIL MEMBERS TO COME IN AND VISIT AND ASK QUESTIONS. AND IT IS A WEEK, PETER? >> Zanoni: YEAH. WE SEND IT OUT MONDAY. THERE ARE A FEW CHANGES BUT STATE LAW, BY THE WAY, THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION MANDATES THREE BUSINESS DAYS. SO ANYWAY, THE POINT BEING IS THAT SOON THERE WILL BE NO MORE CHANGES. ONCE MONDAY GOES OUT, THAT'S IT. >> Mayor Guajardo: SO YOU HAVE A WHOLE WEEK. THAT'S MY TWO CENTS. I THINK, AGAIN, AND BUT THE MAIN REASON IS PEOPLE EXPECT IT. AND THEY KNOW, THEY KNOW THAT WE ARE HERE. THEY KNOW THAT THEY CAN LISTEN IN OR BE A PART OF THE PROCESS AND KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING EVERY WEEK. LONG MARATHON MEETINGS LIKE THIS, I DON'T THINK THAT'S A GOOD MOVE FOR US. COUNCILMAN CANTU. >> Cantu: I DO A MOTION TO TABLE THIS. I'M REALLY TIRED. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILWOMAN PAXSON. >> Paxson: WAS THAT LEGIT? >> Cantu: THAT WAS REALLY LEGIT. THAT'S MY MOTION. >> Hernandez: A MOTION TO POSTPONE TO NEXT MEETING? >> Paxson: I DON'T WANT TO BE HERE LATER IF WE'RE GOING TO MOVE THIS OFF. >> Mayor Guajardo: IF Y'ALL WANT TO TABLE IT, THAT'S FINE. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. COUNCILMAN BARRERA. >> Barrera: PUT THE TIMER OUT. >> Paxson: THEN I'LL TAKE MY FLOOR BACK. >> IT'S 9:30. >> Barrera: IT'S JUST THAT THIS IS JUST MORE -- HONESTLY, I THINK A LOT OF THIS CAN BE CIRCUMVENTED IF WE GAVE THE MANAGER A CALL WHENEVER WE HAVE QUESTIONS. AND WE CALL STAFF. NOWADAYS, A WEBEX, YOU CAN EASILY MEET OR VISIT WITH SOMEBODY, THERE'S QUESTIONS. AND -- >> MARK, YOU STILL THERE? >> Barrera: I KNOW HE HAD SOMETHING TO GO TO. MY POINT IS THIS IS ANOTHER SOLUTION IN SEARCH OF A PROBLEM. AND I DON'T THINK WE HAD A PROBLEM. THAT'S THE THING. YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO ASK QUESTIONS. WE NEED TO ASK QUESTIONS BUT I THINK THE THING IS THAT OUR IDEA IS TO ASK QUESTIONS SO THAT WAY WE CAN VOTE YES OR NO, NOT TO FIX THE CITY MANAGER AND CHANGE HIS MANAGEMENT PRACTICES. AND I THINK THAT'S THE CHALLENGE THAT WE'VE HAD IS WE SPENT TOO MUCH TIME TRYING TO TELL THE CITY MANAGER HOW TO DO HIS JOB. AND IF YOU HAVE SUGGESTIONS FOR HIM GREAT. I MEAN, I'VE MADE A LOT OF SUGGESTIONS. I THINK WE HAVE DONE A LOT OF GOOD THING FOR THE HEALTH PLAN. WE DID A LOT OF GOOD THINGS AT MUNICIPAL COURT BUT WE DID THOSE BY SETTING UP A MEETING AND MEETING IN THEIR OFFICE, MAKING A RECOMMENDATION, AND THEN FOLLOWING THROUGH WITH IT. NOT HAVING A MEETING HERE AND THEN DISCUSSING IT AMONG NINE PEOPLE AND EVERYBODY -- BECAUSE WE'RE JUST A BOARD OF DIRECTORS WHO VOTE YES OR NO. ANY CEO AT ANY MAJOR CORPORATION, YOU KNOW, THEIR BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THEY'RE TYPICALLY MEETINGS, NOT OF MANAGEMENT. BECAUSE IF THEY'RE PAYING 400, 500, $600,000 A YEAR -- BUT A BOARD OF DIRECTORS -- AND THEY EXPECT THAT PERSON TO PERFORM. I SERVE ON A BOARD OF DIRECTORS WHERE WE LET SOMEBODY GO FOR $250,000 BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T MAKE A DECISION. WE LET THEM GO AFTER 11 MONTHS. IT WAS 280. BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T MAKE A DECISION. AND IF I HAVE TO BE TELLING THEM HOW TO DO THEIR JOB, THEN I DON'T WANT THEM IN THAT JOB. AND I THINK THAT'S THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE IS WE'RE TOO BUSY TRYING TO MICROMANAGE THE CITY MANAGER. BUT YOU CAN CALL HIM. TALK TO HIS STAFF, TALK TO ANY ONE OF HIS STAFF, TALK TO THE LIAISON. TRYING TO RESOLVE IT HERE FROM THE DAIS, THAT'S NOT GOVERNING. IF YOU WANT TO DO THAT, THEN APPLY FOR A JOB. APPLY FOR A JOB. WE NEED ASSISTANT CITY MANAGERS. >> Paxson: YOU HAVE TO TOGGLE. >> Barrera: I'M GOING TO USE MY WHOLE 2 MINUTES AND 34 SECONDS. I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD TABLE IT. I THINK WE SHOULD LEAVE IT THE WAY IT IS. NOW, FOR THE SAKE OF VOTING TO TABLE IT, I WILL, BUT IT'S A WASTE OF TIME. IT'S GOING TO WASTE STAFF'S TIME AND OUR TIME TO REVIEW IT AGAIN. THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN WORKING THIS WAY FOR DECADES AND IT'S NOT A PROBLEM. PICK UP THE PHONE. PICK UP THE PHONE. USE WEBEX. USE MICROSOFT TEAMS. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I REALLY OPPOSE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO MICROMANAGE THE CITY MANAGER. THE GENTLEMAN MAKES 409 PLUS ALL THE OTHER BENEFITS, BUT YET WE THINK WE KNOW BETTER? ANYWAY, ALL RIGHT. I'LL YIELD FOR A MINUTE AND 45 SECONDS. >> Mayor Guajardo: WHO WANTS THAT MINUTE? >> Paxson: THANK YOU. I THINK I YIELDED TO YOU SO I'M A HIGHER YIELD. NO, FOR ME, I SEE THE THOUGHT PROCESS BECAUSE I AM SOMEONE THAT WORKS A FULL-TIME JOB. SO I SEE THE THOUGHT PROCESS. I AM ALSO SOMEONE WHO LIKES TO READ EVERY LINE AND MAKE NOTES. AND I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT RIGHT NOW. MY BIGGER THING IS I'M A HUGE ADVOCATE FOR HOW MUCH CONNECTION CAN WE HAVE TO THE PEOPLE. THE MORE THE MERRIER FOR ME. SO I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA. FOR ME IT'S NOT FLESHED OUT ENOUGH, BUT THAT'S MY TWO CENTS. THERE. YOU CAN HAVE THE MINUTE BACK. >> Hernandez: IF I CAN ANSWER SOME OF THOSE QUESTIONS. YOU KNOW, SOME OF US DON'T HAVE AS GREAT A RELATIONSHIP AS MR. BARRERA DOES WITH THE CITY STAFF OR THE MAYOR. AND A LOT OF TIMES WE HAVE TO KIND OF FORCE THINGS ON TO AGENDAS. SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE, PERFECTLY CLEAR, THAT RELATIONSHIPS MATTER. RELATIONSHIPS MATTER. SO, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE -- IF IT SHOULD TELL YOU SOMETHING ABOUT THE DISCONTENT ABOUT SOME COUNCIL MEMBERS WITH THE PROCESS IF WE'RE HAVING TO DO THIS. SO IF YOU THINK THERE'S AN ISSUE, THERE IS AN ISSUE. I WOULD RECOMMEND FOR THE CITY MANAGER TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE FAIR WITH HIS TIME AND WITH THIS COMMUNICATION TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS SO WE DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS. I WILL AGREE TO TABLE THIS UNTIL NEXT WEEK. >> Mayor Guajardo: FOR THE RECORD, THERE WERE SIX ITEMS TONIGHT, TODAY, THAT WERE ADDED TO THIS COUNCIL AGENDA WITHOUT ONE BIT OF COMMUNICATION. THAT DEALT WITH ME. THAT DEALT WITH THE CITY MANAGER. BY THE WAY, WHOEVER THE GENIUS THAT WROTE THAT UP, LUMINARE, THAT WAS VERY UNFAVORABLE TO SOMETHING ABOUT YOU. >> [OFF MIC] >> Mayor Guajardo: IT WAS VERY UNFAVORABLE. VERY UNFAVORABLE. BECAUSE -- >> Cantu: [OFF MIC] >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILMAN, THAT'S NOT THE WAY -- YOU DON'T SIT DOWN -- THE AGENDA IS PUT TOGETHER. NO, THAT'S POLICY. THAT'S POLICY, SIR. THE WHOLE -- THE COUNCIL DOESN'T PUT THE AGENDA TOGETHER. >> Cantu: [OFF MIC] >> Mayor Guajardo: MY POINT IS THIS. MY POINT IS THIS. WE CAN TALK, YES. OKAY. OKAY. >> Cantu: [OFF MIC] >> Mayor Guajardo: YES, YOU CAN. SO WE HAVE SIX ITEMS, BECAUSE I'M GOING TO CORRECT THE RECORD, THAT GIL MADE THE COMMENT. THAT GIL MADE BECAUSE HE CAN'T SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, THE COMMENT ABOUT NOT HAVING -- THERE WAS NO COMMUNICATION. AND THAT'S A LOT OF ITEMS. AND MAYBE THEY ALL SHOULD HAVE GONE ON -- HANG ON, SIR. WE DON'T DO THAT, COUNCILMAN. NOBODY ELSE DOES THAT. PUT YOUR LIGHT ON IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK. ANYWAY, THAT'S MY POINT. COUNCILMAN HERNANDEZ, YOU HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND? >> Hernandez: MOTION AND A SECOND TO TABLE UNTIL NEXT WEEK. >> Mayor Guajardo: WAS THERE A SECOND? >> Hernandez: YES. >> City Secretary: ERIC MADE THE MOTION AND MS. VAUGHN SECONDED IT. >> Mayor Guajardo: MS. VAUGHN, DID YOU HAVE YOUR LIGHT ON? >> Vaughn: I JUST WANT TO SAY I DID HAVE COMMUNICATION WITH THE CITY MANAGER, JUST FOR THE RECORD. >> Zanoni: YOU DID, COUNCILWOMAN. YOU INITIATED IT AND I CALLED YOU AS WELL. I'M AVAILABLE TO ANY COUNCIL MEMBER. I KNOW WE HAVEN'T MET ONE-ON-ONE IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS HERE BUT I'M ACCESSIBLE ANY TIME OF DAY ANY DAY OF THE WEEK. AND EVERYBODY HAS MY PHONE NUMBER. AND YOU KNOW WHERE I LIVE AND YOU KNOW WHERE MY OFFICE IS. YEAH, COUNCILWOMAN VAUGHN CAN ATTEST TO THAT. WE'VE TALKED AROUND THE CLOCK RECENTLY ON SOME OF THESE ITEMS. >> Barrera: 6:00 THIS MORNING. >> Zanoni: IT WAS 5:30. [LAUGHTER] >> Cantu: THERE'S PROBLEMS WITHIN US. YOU CLEARLY SEE ON THE AGENDA. MAYOR, YOU SAID WE'RE A TEAM. I DON'T FEEL PERSONALLY WE'RE A TEAM. I FEEL THAT THERE'S THREE OR FOUR OF Y'ALL TOGETHER AND ALL OF US IS STUCK OVER HERE. THERE'S MEETINGS THAT GOES ON WITHIN THE CITY MANAGER AND YOU TOGETHER. WE DON'T GET NO MEMOS OF WHAT THE MEETING WAS ABOUT. JUST LIKE THE HOUSING AUTHORITY. WE DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THAT UNTIL THE BREAKING NEWS. WE HAVE NO IDEA BUT YOU GUYS KNEW ABOUT IT. >> Mayor Guajardo: WE CAN'T TALK ABOUT ALL THESE THINGS THAT AREN'T ON THE AGENDA, COUNCILMAN. >> Cantu: I HAVE TO PUT A MEMO TO PUT IT ON THE AGENDA. SEE? IF YOU WANT TO WORK ON RELATIONSHIPS, INCLUDE ALL OF US. THERE'S A PROBLEM. THAT'S ALL I'M ASKING. INCLUDE US. IT'S JUST THE RIGHT THING TO DO. WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE A TEAM TOGETHER AND I WANT TO BE A TEAM. I REALLY DO. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. THANK YOU. >> Barrera: ONE THING. AND WE'VE HAD THIS CONVERSATION BEFORE. I DON'T THINK WE'RE A TEAM. WE'RE A SET OF NINE INDIVIDUALS THAT WERE ELECTED BY THE PUBLIC TO BE ABLE TO GOVERN AND VOTE YES OR NO. AND THAT'S IT. NOW, IF YOU WANT TO GET INITIATIVES DONE FOR YOUR DISTRICT, THEN THE BEST THING TO DO IS FIND THE MONEY AND FIND STAFF AND FIGURE OUT A WAY TO GET IT DONE. WHEN THE MAYOR AND I WERE NOT IN A GOOD RELATIONSHIP, WE GOT A LOT OF WORK DONE DURING THOSE TWO YEARS. I THINK IT WAS AT A POINT WHERE WE DECIDED WE COULD DO BETTER TOGETHER. I JUST DON'T THINK THAT THAT'S GOVERNING TO BE ABLE TO -- I'VE SAID ENOUGH. THANK YOU. >> Mayor Guajardo: OKAY. HANG ON, COUNCILMAN SCOTT. COUNCILMAN SCOTT WANTS TO MAKE A COMMENT. WE'VE ALL SPOKEN LIKE 100 TIMES. >> Scott: I'M READY TO GO. LET'S VOTE. CALL THE QUESTION. >> Mayor Guajardo: COUNCILMAN, MAKE YOUR COMMENT. WHAT IS HE SAYING? >> Scott: I DON'T NEED TO SPEAK. I'M READY TO GO. I'M LATE FOR DINNER. >> Mayor Guajardo: THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED. >> City Secretary: WE DIDN'T VOTE ON THE MOTION TO TABLE. WE DIDN'T VOTE ON IT. >> AYE. >> Mayor Guajardo: WE'RE RECONVENING THE MEETING. ALL IN FAVOR TO TABLE -- WHAT ITEM WAS IT? >> City Secretary: 24. >> Mayor Guajardo: 24. SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> Scott: AYE. >> Mayor Guajardo: ANY OPPOSED? >> Barrera: NO. >> City Secretary: ROLAND. >> Barrera: I THINK IT'S A WASTE OF TIME. >> Mayor Guajardo: THERE'S TWO NOES REBECCA. THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED. [MEETING ADJOURNED]