Good morning, Witchah. And good morning to  all of you. Welcome. Thank you for attending   today's city council meeting. Please  take a moment to again. Good morning,   Witchah. Good morning to all of you. Uh thank  you for joining us for this morning's meeting.   We'll call this meeting to order. With us this  morning is Rabbi Schmolik Greenberg of Habad   uh of Witchah here to provide our  invocation. Following that invocation,   we will have the pledge of allegiance  and we ask you please stand for both. Sovereign of the universe, look favorably upon all  of us gathered here this morning and bestow upon   us the joy of life, good health, and prosperity.  Bless the distinguished individuals of the city   council who have been chosen to make laws and  decisions with wisdom and understanding in their   noble pursuit of justice and equality. This is  not only a civic responsibility, but also a holy   endeavor. Our tradition teaches of seven universal  laws given to mankind by God through Noah,   including the instruction to foster a moral  society governed by law. These laws also include   the importance of serving God alone, respecting  God's name, and the prohibitions against murder,   theft, adultery, and cruelty against all  living creatures. We have just concluded   the Jewish festival of Kaneka, commemorating  a great miracle that occurred over 2,000 years   ago in ancient Israel. Oppressed by a ruthless  enemy that endeavored to destroy the treasured   traditions of the Torah, a small band of devout  and courageous Jews, famously known as the Mcabes,   revolted against their oppressors and miraculously  won the war. Upon regaining control of the holy   temple, they could only find one day's worth  of ritually pure oil to kindle the monura,   the ritual candalabra. Undeterred, they  lit up the lamps and hoped for the best.   A great miracle occurred and one day supply of  oil burned for eight days and nights. The miracle   of the oil and religious freedom is celebrated  each year by lighting a minora. Starting with one   candle on the first night, we add another candle  each night until the eighth night. The lesson of   the minora is simple yet profound. In a world of  darkness, all it takes is one single flame, one   selfless good deed to usher in a reality of light  and hope. However, once you have lit one flame,   it is crucial to consistently increase it. Never  be satisfied with the positive accomplishments of   yesterday. A new day brings fresh opportunities  for goodness and kindness. Last week, a Kaneka   celebration in Australia was shattered by a brutal  terrorist attack. And we pray for the victims,   their families, and all who were deeply affected  by this act of evil. But the framework of our   response will be to listen to the story the  Kaneka flames tell us that we can brighten our   world every single day and banish much darkness  and evil through routine and consistent actions   of goodness and kindness. We would like to thank  the mayor who on behalf of the city council joined   and addressed our own public lighting here in  Witchah. Our response of strength and light.   Sovereign of the world, grant us all the  wisdom and courage to apply the powerful   lessons of the monora so that we be able  and peace to ourselves, our families,   communities, and to the entire world.  May our our heartland region serve as a   beacon of light to all of humanity as we do  our part in preparing the world for an era   of global global peace and tranquility.  May it this occur speedily in our times. I aliance to the flag of the United  States of America and to the republic   for which it stands. One nation under God,  indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Rabbi. Madame clerk, can you please call the first  item? Public agenda. The public agenda allows   for up to five speakers to have five minutes  each to address the council. No action will be   taken relative to items on the public agenda  other than referral to the city manager for   information as necessary. Speakers will please  state their name and address for the record.   A time clock will display the speaker's  remaining time to speak. Order and rules   of decorum will be observed. The first speaker  is Tyler Williams. Proposed ordinance change. Hello, city council members, Mayor Woo. Thank  you so much for having me today. My name is Tyler   Williams. I'm a member of district 6 and today  I am here to propose an update to the Witchaw   Municipal Code around personal electronic mobility  devices. Currently, uh, ordinance 11.50.090   classifies any electronic device that is not one  of the scooters from the city as a toy. As you can   see, vehicles like mine are not a toy. Um, this  is the Meo Vader Hurricane, a civilian commonly   purchased electric vehicle meant to top out at  35 miles per hour and have stability on streets.   So, as you can see to my left, I have a motorcycle  helmet integrated with a blinking red light for   safety at night and an LED headlight. I'm not  going to turn on. It's very bright. And as you   can see, enthusiasts like myself and similar to  other people on the road who love these devices,   we wear safety gear because safety is first.  We would just like to create a distinction to   separate us or not really separate us but to  treat us the similar to the cityowned scooters   and the bicycles in our community. So my  proposal would look to create a personal   electronic mobility device class as listed on  the paper that I presented to you all today.   um capping top speed at 35 mph for usage on  35 mph roads and below, similar to that of   the electric scooters of bicycles only used  in the far right lane. Um similar cities who   have passed ordinances similar to this would be  Austin, sorry, I lost my track. Uh Austin, Denver,   and the state of California. uh I believe AB-605  for the state of California already codifies use   of similar devices. So today we are just looking  to create legal clarification both for enthusiasts   as well as for law enforcements on where we can  ride because these are not toys. We should not be   limited to just the sidewalk. We should be able to  ride just like anyone else with the bicycles and   the electric scooters on the road for safety for  both civilians and the public. Thank you. Thank   you, Tyler. Council member Hohheisle. All right.  Thank you, Mayor. Uh thank you, Tyler. We did   have a little bit of a back and forth over email  here last week. Yes, sir. Um now, in places like   Colorado, I know they have a lot more of the bike  lanes that are established there. Is that where   these can operate to or is it on the strictly on  the roads? Um, so if I'm remembering correctly,   uh, in Colorado they have it just like bicycles.  They have the bike lanes and then any lane that   does not have a bike lane specifically, you're  supposed to ride in the far right. Okay. Um,   any fatality um, statistics from any of those  places as well? No, sir. Not to my knowledge.   Okay. Thank you. I appreciate it. Council member  Johnson. Thanks, Mayor. Thank you, Tyler. Um,   appreciate you bringing this to our attention. I  think some of this was talked about when we got   those electric scooters here in town. So, we were  looking at the brand that was here versus everyone   who had their own. I can't remember where that  conversation went, but I am open to looking at   this. There's a lot of people who have these and  rightly want to use them on the streets. I see   them a lot during open streets and that's where I  have most of the conversation. So, I'm supportive   of that. I'm happy to work with you while I have  time left and try to connect with legal on that.   Awesome. And if y'all have any questions, feel  free. Thank you, Tyler. Again, when ordinances   like these are proposed, uh, council member,  it seems like council member Hisel and Council   Member Johnson want to work with you. Um, and I  believe your contact information is available. Um,   I would just ask that you provide your email  address to the clerk and uh that that way the   council members can contact you as well. Yes,  ma'am. I can do that. Thank you. Thanks, Tyler. We will continue with public comment. Would anyone  from the public like to address the council? Sorry. Good morning, city council members.  My name is Elizabeth Timsaw and I currently   serve as the youth mayor of the Witchah Mayor's  Youth Council. In front of you, you will see a   collected progress report which shows all of the  work that NYC has recently done in the community.   I wanted to come today and give updates on your  investment in young people in our city. Currently,   we have members in our council serving on the  sustainability and integration board, and we have   multiple members serving as advocates in the youth  violence forum. For those of you who don't know,   the Youth Violence Forum was put together by  Mayor Woo and brings together young community   leaders to weigh in their ideas for solutions to  the youth violence epidemic. On the first page,   you will see a list of recent volunteer  events that NYC has been active at. In   the last month alone, we have been present at  three volunteer events. Volunteering at the parks   and recreation's winter wonderland event, the  community the Brewer Community Center opening,   and bringing multiple members to the Adelita's  toy run. Our volunteering by this time compared to   last year has increased by 103% and those numbers  do not include our most recent events. Eight major   volunteering events have been offered in the first  semester period and these events happen on top of   our regular twice monthly meetings. On the next  page, you will find our four issue group focuses,   homelessness, sustainability, freedom and  equity, and Witchah history. Currently,   our issue groups have not completed their final  project, but listed below is the ideas that   they're currently working on. So, these projects  should be executed in the next semester. Um,   and we're looking at different ways that  we can get together with the community,   and we separate our 20 council members into  four different groups. And they focus on what   they think the most important community issues  in Witchaw are. Our social media presence has   increased significantly, and with it, so has  the visibility of our council. One of our major   projects throughout the year is our councilwide  project, the Witchah Gems Uncovered program,   which explores local businesses and showcases  the great places people can go to in Witchah.   We have experienced a 450% increase in  our views on Councilwide Project videos,   moving from 2,000 views per filming location  to over 11,000 views on our first Witchaw Gems   Uncovered video. Our next steps for the council  are applications for the National League of Cities   Congressional Conference, engaging in fundraising  and advertising for our next application cycle.   And lastly, we'd like to hold a culminating event  to showcase what community resources Witchdaw has   and the finished work that NYC has done this year.  So, with the rest of the time that I have, I'd   just like to talk about the amazing opportunity  that Marish Youth Council has given to so many   young people in our community. And that's one  of the major reasons why moving forward I would   like to look at an expansion of our council  so that more young people can experience what   Marriage Youth Council truly has to offer. Um a  major part of what we do is bringing people to   volunteer events in Witchaw and kind of just being  active and present in different spaces and showing   that young people are interested in the city of  Witchaw. We want to stay here and we want to be   active politically and then also on top of that we  want to be active with volunteer hours to help the   people surrounding us in our community. If you  look over here, we've got a few of the council   members that were able to show up today. Um, we  love being at events like this because it lets us   learn more about the civic process, especially at  the city level. Um, move like with when it comes   to the expansion of the council and advertising,  if you know any young people in high school that   you think would be great for this council, please  let us know because it truly has been one of the   most transformational pieces of my high school  career. And if I had the chance to go back,   I would tell so many people about it because  it has given me so many opportunities,   connected me with so many amazing people, and  really given me the ability to use my voice,   talk with other people, and become a better person  through that process. Um, we're also very open for   future city events. If you guys would like to  invite us to any events that you're holding or   hosting, please email us, let us know. We would  love to be there. We'd love to be at any parades,   all of that sort of stuff. That's totally right up  our alley. So, I mean, just let us know. We love   being present. And really, that's all I've got  to say. We've we've done so many great things in   the community so far. We're interested in doing  more things. Co really set us back a few years,   but we're starting to revamp the council, get  a lot more people interested, and improve the   visibility. And with that, we can engage with  so many more young people and allow them the   opportunity to change their lives through the  mayor's Youth Council. Thank you. Thank you,   Elizabeth. Council member Glascock. Mayor, thank  you for being here. We appreciate your advocacy.   Uh I do have an opening on my district advisory  board for youth member. So, please extend that to   everybody on mayor's youth council if they live  in district 4. Um that's an easy appointment,   an easy yes for me. And so, I would love to engage  somebody uh to serve on my district advisory   board. So, that is something that we've actually  been talking about recently is the fact that   um I've been talking with Joseph Shepard about  um getting young people and having it to be a   requirement for young people to be on the district  advisory boards because obviously it gives young   people a chance to voice their perspective. I  will definitely advertise that opportunity and in   the future maybe we can work together and find a  way to make that a required piece of the district   advisory boards. Awesome. Thanks. Thank you. Can  council members share if you have a youth uh seat   in your district advisory board? Raise your hand.  So district every council district has a youth   except for district two. You mean open or if you  actually have a youth spot? Yeah. So everyone has   a youth spot except for is it council member  Tuttle? Go ahead. Council member Tuttle. Um, I   was just going to ask if the other council members  is there a voting is there they don't vote. So,   because otherwise we'd have to change the makeup  of the board because if they were voting then   you'd have 12 members and not at 11 and we have to  have an odd number. So, I was just curious. Okay.   Thanks. Yeah. And if you guys have vacancies,  please email us. We'll let our council know,   advertise that opportunity. I've been engaged  with the sustainability and integration board   before. Um, and that is a great opportunity and  it is a voting opportunity for young people. So,   that's something I've really appreciated and an  opportunity that has given me some vital insight   on our city. Council member Johnson. Thanks,  Mayor. Thank you for the presentation. Um,   just wanted to say you all do a lot of great work.  Appreciate seeing you all out in the community and   thank you for your help at the Brewer Center.  That was fun. Uh, two things. I also support   what you were talking about. I think the council  member Tuttles's point maybe that means that we   need two youth members so we can have an odd  number and I think that you all should be able   to vote. There's a lot of things that come before  the council and we need the youth perspective. So   I'd be supportive of that. Uh but you have council  member Shepard that you'll be working with on that   one. Lastly, I just wanted to say at NLC you  all do a good job of getting around and talking   to folks. if you can find a way to talk to other  electeds. It's great to like open your mind to the   experiences that they have in these other cities.  Like it's really blown me away that even in like   Florida, they have laws where they can't even talk  about issues. Had no idea about that. But it's   it's cool to get that experience. So anytime you  can find other electeds in other cities, try to   talk to them. And we love seeing our electeds at  all the events that we go to. So please come up to   us, please talk to us. we can introduce you to so  many young people that might live in your district   as well. Um, when it comes to NLC, we're currently  working on some fundraising efforts or at least   some ideas for that because we'd like to keep this  council strong. We'd like to keep it well funded   and in the future we'd like to make it bigger  so that when we show up for events like that,   we can really show out with the young people  of Witchah and talk with people from across the   United States, especially young people that have  experienced unique issues that are unique to their   states that we can fully understand better. Thank  you, Elizabeth. Council member Hohisel. Thank you,   Mayor. U man, I considering what I was doing  when I was your age, kudos. um you guys are   light years ahead of where I was for sure. Um  I know that Justice Together is making juvenile   violence um one of their main points that they're  going to focus on this next year. Yep. Um as well   as we have violence interrupter programs, Open  the Hood. Uh there's a number of organizations   out there that are working on this. Um so feel  free to reach out to us and we can help point   you in those directions. I know they would love  to have uh the people who it immediately impacts   um along for the ride as well and um giving your  perspectives as well. So again, thank you for all   that you're doing for our community. Please  stay active whether you're in Witchah or not   um and reach out to us. Yeah. Thank you so much.  And the Youth Violence Forum, I'm going to assume   that that is an open meeting. Is that an open  meeting where we can and we're meeting again   on I want to say January 3rd. I think that's the  right date, but that's an open meeting. It brings   together people from the Young Life group, which  is a church group in Witchaw. It brings together   lots of people from different youthled nonprofits,  and it's a great opportunity to engage, especially   on the violence issue. So, yep. Thank you again  uh to the mayor's youth council. We appreciate   that you're staying active in our community and  staying engaged. Um, I know that for many of you,   um, you have attended city council meetings. For  some of you here in our audience, this is your   first time. I just like seeing our young people  staying engaged at in their youth. Um, because   we have an example right here in council member  Glascock. He was a mayor's youth council member   and now he's the council member for district 4.  And so I really appreciate uh that you're taking   a leadership role within your own high schools,  but also through Mayor's Youth Council. So again,   thank you for taking the time on a day off during  your winter break to be here at city council and   sharing uh what has been happening with Mayor's  Youth Council. Thank you for your leadership,   Mayor uh Youth Mayor Elizabeth. Thank you so  much. And hopefully we'll be back with updates   later on the issue groups. Thank you. Thank you.  We have we have uh three more spots available. If   anyone would like to address your council, please  state your name and you will have five minutes. Hi. You guys all know I love hearing from the  Witchah Mayor's Youth Council. Such a great   organization. But hello everyone. My name is Amaya  Williams. I'm a freshman political science major   at Howard University and I'm a recent graduate  from Witchah East High School. Hi everyone,   I'm Alexis Borcus. I am a freshman honors  criminology major at Howard University and   I'm a recent graduate of Witchaw South High  School. So we are here to share an upcoming   event that is focused on access education and  opportunity for Witchah's youth and is hosted by   the Wish Witchah H.B.CU PCU collective and it's  the Witchah H.B.CU showcase. So, historically,   black colleges and universities have proven to  have a legacy producing leaders, professionals,   and public servants. However, many students even  in Witchah and like middle school students and   high school students from marginalized communities  are not fully aware of these opportunities that   H.B.CU's offer and they may not even feel that  that goal is even within reach. However, our   goal is to change that. So this showcase is being  organized by H.B.CU alumni and current students   who have un who have the firsthand understanding  of the value that these institutions create. Um,   the event will feature alumni panel, a current  student panel, and a speed networking event,   giving students the chance to hear from real  stories and real experiences to ask questions and   build connections with people who look like them  and have the backgrounds of them and that are on   the similar path that they want to be on to give  them more opportunities. This event is more than   college awareness. It's about empowerment. We want  students to leave feeling informed, confident,   and inspired to pursue higher education. So, the  Witchaw H.B.CU showcase will take place on January   3rd, 2026 at the Boys and Girls Club. Doors will  open at 1:30 and the program will run from 2 to 4   p.m. By creating a space for these conversations,  we are investing in Witchaw's future leaders and   strengthening pathways to higher education. We  appreciate your continued commitment to youth and   educational equity and thank you for allowing  us to share this initiative today. Thank you.   So, please, everybody that's watching online or  in the audience, if you have youth, especially   middle school and high school, especially those  seniors and juniors that are looking about college   and what they want to do next, please, please,  please have them come out on January 3rd so that   they can see all the different experiences because  Alexis and I just at our first semester at Howard   University, we've had countless countless  opportunities, especially professionally,   um, especially being in Washington DC for our  majors and what our career aspirations itions   are. It's It's such an amazing experience and it's  such a a very culturally enriching opportunity   to go to an H.B.CU. So, we really want to get  that word out and we really want more youth to   look towards H.B.CU for their next step. Thank  you. Have a good morning. Thank you. Thank you,   Amaya and Alexis. Um, one thing about Amaya,  she's the former mayor's youth council mayor.   Um, and again, I appreciate that you're inviting  the community u regarding this opportunity for   youth. And again, it's during winter break. Um,  so Saturday, January 3rd. I know that council   member Johnson and I will be in attendance and  we're looking forward uh to that event. Yes,   it'll be a great one. Thank you so much, Council  Member Hoheisel. Thank you, Mayor. Uh, usually   it's tradition to say what district you're from.  Oh, yes. Okay. I am from district three. However,   I recently moved and I now reside in district  one. All right, never mind. But but both both   amazing districts. Both amazing districts  that I love. I also live in district one. Thank you. It's good to see you guys. But I  served on district 3's advisory board. Yes.   Thank you very much. And again, that was another  opportunity as that was mentioned. Each of the   council members uh most of them have a youth spot  in their district advisory board and Amaya served   in the district 3 district advisory board. So uh  community you can see that our young people want   to be engaged in our community and want to stay  active. Um so there are opportunities for youth   as well as adults. So thank you very much. Thank  you so much. We now have two more spots uh for   anyone who would like to address the council.  I see none. Thank you again uh to our youth   uh who wanted to come here during their winter  break to speak to their council. Madame clerk,   can you please call the next item?  Consent agenda items 1 through 18. Council members, are there items to be pulled? Council member Johnson. Thanks,  Mayor. I'd like to pull item 17. I move to approve consent agenda items  1 through 18 without number 17. Second   motion and a second. Any further discussion?  I see none. Madam clerk, please open the role. I. Motion passes. 70. Council member Johnson. Uh,  item number 17 is the first amendment to funding   agreement with Witchaw Habitat for Humanity.  Thank you, Mayor. Due to a conflict of interest,   I have to abstain from this vote. Any  questions uh for staff? I see none. Uh   we will open it up for public comment. I  see none. I'll bring it back to the bench.   I move to approve consent agenda item  number 17. Second motion and a second.   Any further discussion? I see none.  Madame clerk, please open the role. I. Motion passes. 60 with one abstension.  Madame clerk, please call the next item. Board of bids and contracts  dated December 22nd, 2025. Morning, mayor, city council. Josh Lober,   Department of Finance. The board of  bids and contracts convened yesterday,   December 22nd for the following items. For  engineering, we have paving improvements   on the 1600 block of Eisenhower Court for  Pearson Construction LLC for amount of $260,391 subject to your approval of the engineer's  estimate and budget authorization.   We have the water distribution system sanitary  sewer improvements to serve Avalene Place   edition phase 2 tide for PSC contractors  LLC for an aggregate bid of $474,815. Group two has been negotiated for  your engineers estimate for a new   contract award amount from  the original bid of $480,85. We have the water distribution  system sanitary sewer improvements   to serve Turkey Creek fourth edition  phases four and five tide for dueling   construction company incorporated for  an aggregate bid total of $778,92525. We have the LW Clap Memorial  Parking lot improvements for   Multicon Incorporated for $354,164.80 for purchasing. We have the roof and gutter  replacement at 19 residential sites, excuse me,   for roof masters roofing and sheet metal company  incorporated for groups one and two for $113,41. We have the PRCO saddles and saddle tes  for witchaw wind waterworks company for an   estimated annual usage of $78,5. We have  the tire recycling for Brooks Landfill   for Champlain Tire Recycling Incorporated  for an estimated annual usage of $34,545. We have the library newspaper subscription service   for NewsBank Incorporated for an  estimated annual usage of $38,485. We have the horizontal split bottom suction bear  pump for Patterson Pump Company for $347,875. We have the Cisco Catalyst Wireless Access  Points for CDW Government LLC for $52,61789. And we have the Dell VX Rail Production and   Test Environment Renewal for  Logicalis for $86,000 $719.56. This is how to become a vendor with the city.  This is a purchasing calendar of small business   resource partner events the city's hosting or  participating in. And these are open public   opportunities out on the street today.  And I'd be happy to try to answer your   questions and recommend your approval. Thank  you, Josh. Questions for staff? I see none. I   will move to approve the board of board of bids  and contracts dated December 22nd, 2025. Second   motion and a second. Any further discussion? I  see none. Madame clerk, please open the role.   I. Motion passes. 70. Madame clerk, please call  the next item. Petitions for public improvements. Good morning, mayor, city council members. Paul  Gman, public works and utilities. For the record,   have a few locations for your consideration  this morning. The signatures on the petitions   represent 100% of the improvement districts and  the petitions are valid per Kansas statute. Colder   Ridge Edition located in district 4. The project  will provide water improvements, storm water drain   improvements, sanitary sewer as well as paving  improvements for a new residential development.   And 47th Street edition also in district 4.  The project will provide water, storm water,   sanitary sewer, and paving improvements for a  new residential development. It is recommended   that city council approve the new petitions and  budgets, adopt the new resolutions, and authorize   the necessary signatures. And I will stand for  questions. Thank you, Paul. Questions for staff?   I see none. I will go ahead and move to approve  the petition for public improvements. Second   motion and a second. Any further discussion? I  see none. Madame clerk, please open the role. I motion passes 70. Madame clerk,  please call the first new business   item. Resolution regarding sales tax proceeds  for new downtown public performing arts center. Good morning. Sharon Negraph City Law Department.  I'm here today to present an ordin I'm sorry,   present a resolution that was discussed at last  week's meeting um regarding the use of certain   sales tax. Um last week, city council approved  an ordinance calling for a special election   um asking voters to approve a 1% sales tax. Um,  one of the areas uh that is proposed for the   sales tax to be utilized um is for a new downtown  public performing arts center um for an amount not   to exceed $75 million. Um staff was directed to  draft a resolution which would outline how these   uh proceeds would be collected and utilized  by the city council um in conjunction with uh   raising the funds or the matching funds by Witchaw  Forward. Uh the analysis the resolution provides   that no public funds collected from the sales tax  revenue are to be expended until a matching amount   of private funds have been raised, collected  or pledged for the development of the public   performing arts center. Um the resolution also  provides that staff is directed upon passage   of the sales tax to present the city council a  private or I'm sorry public private partnership   um which we'll further outline in detail in uh  much more detail as to how those revenues will   be expended. Recommended action is that you  propose approve the proposed ordinance and I   would stand for any questions. Thank you Sharon.  Council member Hohheisle. Thank you mayor. Um,   so when we talk about a matching amount, is that  like, okay, we they come up with $68 million,   so then we only match up to 68 million, or  do they have to hit that 75 million? I think   those details would be would be included  in that public private partnership. I mean,   I think the goal is to get to the 75 million at  the end of that seven years. If you're not there,   um, then I think the council would either dictate  that in that public private agreement or it would   come back to the city council as how to proceed.  And I'm going to look for Mark Manning. Do you   have anything else, Mark? No. Okay. I'd be curious  to hear what the rest of council's thoughts are   on that one. My interpretation would be they would  have to get to the 75 million. But then that would   also say leave the issue of what do we do with  that money if they don't get to the 75 million.   So look forward to some conversation on that. Uh  the second thing is is this the a resolution? Are   these the the most powerful things that we can do  to lock these policies in up until after the vote?   because I know we're going to be looking  at clarifying a few other things too in the   upcoming months before the election. There's what  I would could call a hierarchy of actions that the   council could take. Lowest is policy, next would  be resolution, the next would be ordinance. Um   my concern with passing an ordinance is that if  you pass it, you're going to have to go back in   and you're going to have to actively do something  with that ordinance. resolution can set there for   lack of a better term. Um if if those criteria  are not met. Okay. So if we look at ordinance in   the future, we can't make that dependent on the  passage of the sales tax. You you you you could.   It's just a matter of whether or not you then  want to if the sales tax fails um whether you   have an ordinance on the books that is not worth  much. Could we design the ordinance and that way   it goes away if the sales tax does not pass? on  the passage. We could. Okay. All right. Yeah, I'd   be interested in looking at that in the future.  You could you could have a sunset clause that the   ordinance would be invalid if the sales tax didn't  go or it would be repealed upon unsuccessful votes   accumulated. Okay. Well, I appreciate that. Thank  you, Council Member Johnson. Thanks, Mayor. Um,   Council Member Hohheisle, my interpretation was  the same as yours. it would be that the 75 would   have to be raised before this would be touched.  How I viewed it. Um Sharon or Bob, I saw some   questions online about the word pledged in here.  Is there a reason Well, we've talked about this   for the public. Is there a reason why we don't  just say have it all and we recognize a pledge?   Uh, council member, u I think it recognizes  the realities of a fundraising campaign for   a significant u investment like this. 75 $75  million is uh a very significant number. And in   many cases, donors will want to pledge that over  a period of time, make an initial contribution,   but then pledge over a two to four, fiveyear  period. And that recognizes the that reality.   but they would have to have um cash on hand to  be able to cover initial expenses and then um   the sound pledges to move forward. Thank you, Vice  Mayor Johnston. Thank you, Mayor. Uh to Councilman   Hohisel, I would say we don't know what a public  performing arts center would cost. Was it going to   cost 130 million, 140 million, 150 million? So I  I think that uh a onetoone match would be a better   way to go than saying the full 75. If it only  cost 140 million, why should they have to raise   75? Maybe it's only 70. So that that's what I  would say would be just a onetoone match for what   what until they know what's going to what it's  going to be. Now of course if it's more than 100,   you know, 50 million, it's on them. The extra's  on them because the maximum is 75 million. So   that that's my thoughts and I think pledges  are important. Um being in fundraising a lot   of people want to pledge over a number of years.  Um and also people some people want to pledge and   don't want to write the check until they know it's  going to happen. So that's another factor too. I think we have lots of discussion regarding this.  So but no questions and concerns. Yes. Thank Um,   so I have concerns uh regarding the  resolution. I think that it currently   is worded where there's not enough uh  protection for taxpayers. So I have   three specific concerns and I want to know who  might be able to answer this. But number one,   what happens if the group is only able  to raise 25 million in private dollars? May my interpretation is the project would not go  forward. So then what would be what would happen   to the dollars raised that have been um collecting  towards that amount? Um I'll let Sharon double   check me on this, but the uh up to the 75 million  would be able to be distributed to the other   categories if there should be a funding shortfall  in any of those categories. If you achieve the   projected revenue in those categories, then you  could expire. then the sales tax could expire   early similar to what's been done um in other  projects. I I I would agree with that analysis. So   is the trigger 75 million then? Not to exceed 75  million. Again, I think uh the vice mayor brought   up a good point. If the project comes in under  150 million, then what you're talking about is a   onetoone match. So the city's contribution could  be 65 million for instance if the project cost   comes in less. My second concern is if someone is  building a new project with a loan, all of their   money must be expended on that project first  before they could draw on a loan to finish   the balance of that project. And that's completely  reasonable. So I want to know they the group would   have to raise the private dollars first and all  the first phase expenses would have to come from   their end first before public dollars would come  in. I think this envisions a dollar fordoll ex   uh uh contribution. Help me Sharon again if I'm  wrong with that. Um but what it doesn't allow   for is the city to frontend the funding. Is that  codified in that resolution so that it is clear   that no city dollars which means taxpayer dollars  would come into play first? So design costs would   not come from the city first. All of this would  be the group first then public dollars. No,   it would be equal dollars. So if you had design  cost of I don't know a half million dollars each   side would put 250,000 in. Absolutely. Doc I  I don't think that city dollars or taxpayer   dollars should come in playing onetoone  until there has been a certain threshold   that has been met. So if it's say $50 million  then public dollars would kick in. However,   I don't believe that public dollars should  be matching as you go along. Absolutely not. So, I'd like to see how that could be worded  because I don't believe that city dollars should   be or taxpayer dollars should be gambled on in  that matter. Vice Mayor Johnston. Thank you,   Mayor. Um, in the fundraising world, if you  do not raise the funds to complete a project,   you must return the money to the donors. you  cannot reallocate it to another project without   their written permission. So, I think that  would take care of that. Um, you just can't   do that. Those dollars are meant for that  project. They must be spent on that project.   Um to to your second point I think you could  have a resolution where all of the money for   design would be from the private private dollars  and public dollars maybe would not be spent until shovel ready or till the first till they begin  construction. I don't know what the wording on   that is but until they begin construction. And I  don't think that's a problem. I mean, if they're   going to raise 75 million, they're going to  have a certain amount of cash what they can   expend up first, but in the total, it'd be dollar  for dollar. Again, I want to make sure that it is   not dollar for dollar beginning at the forefront.  So I'm afraid that if the public do the private   dollars cannot be raised, why are we expending  dollar for-dollar design costs? I don't believe   that that's a wise thing to do and that does not  protect taxpayer dollars. Council member Johnson.   Thanks, Mayor. Um, I was going to say something  similar to the vice mayor, but also I I think   if there's a provision that talks about design  work that comes from the private dollars that   covers those concerns cuz once you have the pot,  if they have 75 million and we have $75 million,   now there's just a pot of $150 million. So,  I mean, we could say we want theirs first,   but that money is there for the project. So  I think a resolution or whatever it is that   designates any design work up front so the public  can see what would be built that would come from   the private sector and not from the public piece  but I think past that it would just be the money   for the project at that point to get it built.  Council member Hohheisel. Thank you mayor and   council member or vice mayor Johnston. When you  talk about the fundraising going back to them,   are you referring just the private funds or are  you also referring to um the sales tax fund that   comes in as well? No, just the private funds.  Okay. So, a private donor invest in in a project   if it's not used for that project, that money must  go back to to that. Okay. I'm just trying to think   of the process. If the private donor funding does  not get to where we need it to be and we have a   $75 million pot left over that we can't touch  after. So, I'm just trying to think about what   we would do with that 75 million. Does that go  back to the to the voters if we can't spend it on   anything else that's in the uh sales tax question?  I I think manager's address city manager. Yeah,   I I' I've addressed that already with to answer  the mayor's question. That money would go back   into the other authorized categories until you  reach the maximum amounts and then and once you   reach those maximum amounts, then you would  retire the sales tax. Yeah. And that's what   I'm thinking is um because we'll be trying to  address those other amounts on the front end,   the homelessness and whatnot. I think we're trying  to fill those pots first from what I understand.   So the sales tax or the performance arts center  is that kind of along the last little bit to try   and address if it's seven years out from now  in long in all likelihood your large capital   projects will take longer and so will be towards  the back end performing arts center Century 2   Bob Brown improvements all of those will take  time for design and con construction process   so in all likelihood yes those are towards the  back end. Yeah. Okay. Yeah, I'm just yeah just   trying to think about potential scenarios in the  future. The third concern I have is uh regarding   operations of this performing arts. So, I'd like  to see the resolution also talk about that because   obviously we have second light right now and one  of the things that has been talked about is the   ongoing operation costs. And so I'd like to see  whether it's the dollars raised, the philanthropic   dollars raised go to at least some sort of  operational ongoing costs at the very least   the very first year, first few years. something  needs to be codified that shows that you're going   to have to pay for staff for maintenance of  this new facility. So even if you raise 150,   10% would need to be set aside for operations  because it's not currently on our in our budget. But that's the problem. I think that we're in  this very same issue with Second Light where we   have a building and now we need ongoing costs  and we're trying to figure out how we're going   to pay for ongoing costs and it's a it's it's an  issue and so I'm just trying to have foresight   on a new performing arts which would be a whole  new building somewhere. Council member Ballard.   Thank you. Mayor Bob, can we do that? and we  because I thought it was just for capital. I   know I know the homeless is a different um  situation, but I thought this was just for   capital. I'm going to I'm going to defer to  Sharon regarding the language on the ballot. The way the ballot is written is that  the sales tax funds will be used for   the development and construction of a new  downtown performing arts center. So I do not   think that those funds can be reallocated into  a maintenance fund or a a fund for employees.   Um I I think the statement that that's the capital  fund is is what the ordinance is intended to cover   that's going to be on the ballot. So those are  the public dollars that must be spent on capital   um the capital improvement. What I'm asking  for is the philanthropic dollars which would   be the private dollars. This is really a  question um I guess for Mark. Yes. maybe   because I'd like to know if the philanthropic  dollars can be can have parameters and one of   those parameters be hey we're going to have  to operate this facility philanthropic dollar   should come into play immediately at least for  oper uh initial operating I'm going to defer   to Mark but I don't think that we can control  those public funds one until they're collected   um and then two what representations are made  from witchah forward as to what those funds   are going to be going to be utilized for Sharon  if I can this resolution talks about the city's   expenditure of funds and brings clarification  on how how sales tax will be uh used I think   what the mayor's referencing would be in what  you had talked about in terms of public private   partnership agreement u the roles of the public  and private parties could be outlined in that case   but it goes beyond what's in this resolution  and what the purpose of this resolution is. You agree with that? Yeah, I would agree with  that. That would be in the public private   agreement. Yes. I'd like to start making notes  of all of these items that I have concerns and   council members other concerns that other council  members have raised. I think that that agreement,   the public private agreement will have to outline  a lot of these Yes. details. Absolutely. Whereas   this resolution right now, um, again, I brought  this up last week because I wanted to make sure   that no public dollars would come into play first  and that private dollars would have to be raised   before even public dollars would be matched. So,  I want to make sure, does this resolution cover   that? I believe that it does. Um, if you want  language, and I know we've talked about what   the private funds would be used for, you could  add to this that private funds collected will be   utilized for for design costs um for the  performing arts center prior to the expenditure   of any sales tax revenue collected, which I  think will get you where you would like to be,   Mayor Woo. Um, I know there's been some discussion  about at what point does the money kick in? Um,   if it's the will of the council that that  doesn't start until the full 75 million is   um raised. Um, you could alter the language in  paragraph one of the resolution rather than until   such time a matching amount of private  funds until 75,000 or 75,000 75 million   um of private funds has been raised  collected in the rest of that paragraph. Vice Mayor Johnston. Thank you, Mayor.  I think if we put the 75 million,   it's going to be the wrong  incentive to design a building.   If they can design it for 140 million, it's  better for taxpayers design, better for   philanthropic people. And if if they're going  to have to spend another $10 million just how   to blow it just to get to that 75 million,  I don't think that's a good incentive. So,   I think a dollar for dollar is good, but we could  put something in there that it doesn't the public   dollars don't go into effect until construction  has commenced. I would be comfortable with that. But again, what if the private dollars don't  come in? What if the biggest question I I   have right now is what if the public the private  dollars they all all they can raise is what was   the initial number I mentioned? They can only  raise 25 or they can only raise 50. I I think   the question is what what can the performing arts  center be built for and if there isn't a matching   fund then then we don't build a performing  arts center. Um and then as the mayor mayor   as the manager has said that money then would get  reallocated um to another fund and I'm going to   again look at Mark and is that correct? Yes. Can  that be written into the resolution then? Yes. which would be going back to your to the  changes that I had stated in paragraph one   that if the sales tax measure is approved  then no public funds collected shall be   expended until the 75 million of private  funds has been raised which I think is   what you're wanting and then you could add a  paragraph GRA that um private funds would be   used for the design phases and then any public  money wouldn't be expended until construction commenced and I guess the question then becomes is 75  million enough to purchase the property do   the design phase I mean you're you're asking  that 75 million to cover lots of things Um,   and I think again the intent was  for every dollar that they raised,   we would put in a dollar so it would be  an equal partnership and we're shifting   that partnership a bit. And I don't know  that anyone from Witchah Forward is here   um because we're we're shifting the  allocation of how that money is used. Vice Mayor Johnston, I might disagree  with you, Sharon. I don't think we have   to spend dollar to dollar. No, no, no. I  don't I don't think we have to do that,   right? And I would agree with that. If if  they're fundraising, they if they have $20   million in pledges and they have $5 million  in cash in the bank, they can spend that   $5 million in cash towards the design of that  building. You know, not being matched with the   public money until they get all the money raised.  That is the expected cost of that building. Yeah, and I agree with Vice Mayor Johnston. So, that  wording again, I I know I heard Council Member   Tuttle say, "Are we voting on this?" I would  like to see the verbiage um much tighter and   again addressing all the concerns that have  been um raised before we pass a resolution. We can certainly bring it back with those  directions. Any further directions regarding   just performing arts? Um I know that that has  been a point of concern by the community is   details and this is one of five projects and this  is one project that we're asking for a resolution.   I know that uh council member Hohheisle has uh  asked for a workshop regarding homelessness and   housing in January. Uh there are three other  components. Sales tax uh sorry property tax   abatement um century 2 improvements and the third  um public safety uh CIP project. So, all of these   will have what I would like to see as resolutions  that tighten up how these dollars will be uh spent   if the sales tax passes. Council members, thank  you. Um, we will open it up for public comment   regarding this proposed resolution. I see none.  I'll bring it back to the bench. I will move   to just um council member Hisa. Uh just a point  for discussion. I would be interested in looking   at ordinances to where I think we might need to  strengthen some of those um barriers or barricades   try and keep us within and give the public a  little more um confidence in the proposals that   we have. So, it doesn't mean everything has to be  ordinance, but there are some areas that I think   um we should definitely look at that. I'm in  agreement that we need more guard rails and I   also think that we need to talk about prioritizing  those dollars. I know that someone mentioned from   here regarding where will the first dollars  from sales tax collection go and number one   uh will be in the middle of a budget discussion  and this 1% sales tax if it passes would have a   mill levy reduction. Therefore the budget would  have a mill levy reduction. Um, so there would   need to be a budget that reflects that and one  that doesn't reflect it. So there are multiple,   again, I think conversations that will be had from  this bench. And I'm appreciative that there was   at least a draft that came forward, but it still  needs more tightening. Council member Hoheisel.   Thank you again, Mayor. Um, I hear that we have  to look at the the mill levy reduction or whatever   property tax reduction. I'm not sure that the  revenue will be in as much as we can to to plan   for that one right away. I do think that Second  Light and homelessness services with Second Light   um the funding from the city stopping later in  the year, I think that would be priority number   one for us. I do I do respect that we need to  make sure and get our budget figured out too with   um any property tax reductions. I just think that  the homeless services would be number one just   to make sure that we get um a continuation  of services at Second Light. If I if I can,   I obviously council will have a further discussion  about this, but I I respectfully would suggest   that property tax relief is promised as part of  this and I believe you have to prioritize those   dollars into the property tax relief. I don't  think that's optional um in a proportion of   the revenues that you receive. I understand  the urgency of funding Second Light. Uh but   uh it's I think the first trigger has to be the  property tax relief based on the way it's written.   I'm not sure. I I'd like to get a interpretation  of that because it's pretty loosely drawn up just   like everything else to give us a little bit of  leeway. So that property tax court from my vantage   point anyways in theory could be weighed towards  the back. Um I don't think that's appropriate.   I do agree with what you're saying as far as  what is promised to the voters and the tax. Um,   but I think it gives us leeway to play with that  a little bit. My opinion though, I'd be interested   in hearing. Council member, sorry. Council member  Johnson. Thanks, Mayor. Um, not to take away from   the request of council member Hohheisle for  January, but maybe that workshop is just about   sales tax like in general. So, you look at all the  items. So, you could look at the homelessness, but   also work out prioritizing what the council wants  to do on that. And then, um, also, I think the   public safety piece is probably the easiest since  it's all in the CIP. So you could just have the   items out for the public to see, but that allows  an opportunity for folks to see that you pulled   it from a public document. Council's already  approved. They could see that any concerns about   the um buffer amount, people would understand  that sometimes construction or purchasing costs   go up. So that's why that buffer was in there.  You could talk through every piece of that. I   think that would provide the transparency of  conversation and the information that people   are looking for in all of it. And maybe the  first item is homelessness, but I think it   just sounds like there's a lot of discussion left  here and that might be an opportunity for January and I won't be here. I would be in uh favor of   having that January workshop be just  the sales tax and its five projects. Any other council members? We we can finish  this one quicker than that if you want instead   of waiting till the January workshop. We  could bring the one you're discussing today   could come back to you next your your first  meeting in January if you wish and you can   at least get that wrapped up. I would like  to see the next draft of this. So of course   we're not going to pass this resolution  as is. I would like to see the next draft,   but I think holistically it would be it would make  better sense if the workshop was all five projects   and there would be already a framework regarding  at least one of the five. So that gives us a a   starting point to continue uh refining. Vice Mayor  Johnston. Thank you, Mayor. Uh same manager. So,   it really wouldn't start until the 2027 budget.  Is that correct? The the the mill levy reduction. That part's correct because you would have  Well, go ahead, Mark. Yeah, you've already   set the uh taxes levied for 2026. So, you  don't have any flexibility to amend that. So,   it would be the 2027 uh tax levy that you  would reduce with with the sales tax funds.   Okay. So that's about $20 million, right  Mark? Yes sir. So in 2027 approximately.   So just a point um if we start if it does pass  and we do start collecting sales tax July 1,   we'll probably would have already collected about  $1 million. From July 1 to January 1 most likely.   Yes, sir. Um so we already have a running start  before we even get there. So okay. Thank you,   Council Member Tuttle. Thank you. I just have  a very logistical question for the manager on   your last meeting in the city of Witchaw. If we  have a workshop in January on sales tax, which   I'm not opposed to at all, I'm just curious if  you have suggestions on who would be presenting,   you know, is it folks from Second Light who are  talking about that? I mean, obviously staff, but   um is it the Witchaw Forward folks? I'm I'm just  curious to know and I I don't have an answer. I'm   just I'm just curious what the thought process  would be who would be presenting the workshop   to us. Thank you. Thank you. Off the top of my  head, I believe it would be a staff presentation   based on feedback from the players that would  be Witchaw Forward as well as for instance the   second light board and staff to help in terms of  identifying that piece of it. But staff is had   already been instructed to put a plan together  on the homelessness and housing dollars and uh   Sally Stang is coordinating that effort and we'll  be involving all the appropriate players in that   regard. I think Council Member Johnson was right.  It's very easy on the public safety part. All it   frankly we have to do if you want a resolution is  itemize all the projects that already have been   identified. So that that piece is easy. It's  probably more definition of how you want to do   the property tax relief um and the our thoughts on  performing arts and C2 um which C2 is our project.   So that one which should be pretty easy to bring  back. I'm just thinking we might want to go ahead   and notify, you know, folks from Second Light,  folks from Witchah Forward. If it's Susie Santos   from Visit Witchaw because of convention, just go  ahead and alert them that when the workshop will   be so we can get it on their calendar because even  if I'm sure staff will do a fine job presenting,   but I'm sure there'll be other questions that  would be most helpful to have answered. Like   for example, with Second Light, um you know, money  will be allocated. I think there a trust is or is   supposed to be developed and then the money for  whatever but um or an endowment I'm sorry maybe   is going to be but I would be curious to know with  second light leadership um you know how is their   fundraising going are they still pursuing funding  fundraising maybe they don't need the money in 27   because they're doing a great job fundraising  I don't know so I I just think we need to make   sure we have everybody who we can be available to  answer the many questions that I'm sure will come I see no further comments. With that,   I will just defer this item. Do I have  to vote on deferring the item? We need a   motion to defer to a certain date. Motion to  defer this item until the January workshop. Excuse me before I second. Do you want to do  it the January workshop or the first meeting   in January for this for this item? I feel like  if we what would be most beneficial for staff,   would it be better to have that done at the  beginning of the year or wait until the whole   holistic conversation? I think the holistic  conversation is needed. Yeah. But mayor,   I'm not opposed to that. And I think that that  that way you're looking at the entire, you know,   all the categories. Okay, I'll second. motion  and a second. Council member Glass, if we're   deferring to a workshop though, we don't actively  vote on new business items in the workshop. So,   the difference to that wouldn't make sense and  probably the meeting subsequently after that. So,   the uh February, what would that mean? Okay, so  you run into a timing issue and the longer you   delay it, the more questions there are, I guess.  And the whole idea was to bring clarity to it.   What you could do is you could make that  meeting a regular council meeting similar   to what you did today and then the presentations  can be made by by staff and stakeholders and then   the council could adopt that day the whatever  resolutions you wanted. I'm fine with that. I will say the same thing then. Um,  I will move to defer this item to a   new regularly scheduled council meeting  on January 27th um to discuss sales tax   holistically. Second motion and a second. Any  further discussion? I see none. Madame clerk,   please open the role. I motion passes 70.  Madame clerk, please call the next item. Donations for drones first responder hive. Okay. Good morning, mayor, council members. Uh  thank you very much for giving me the opportunity   to come here today with the rest of you. Uh  today I am seeking your approval to accept a   2025 donation from Quicktrip for Axon drone as  a first responder hive. WPD currently operates   a Scaddio based drone program. Our DFR program  hive that I've already spoke to a lot of you   about is located at 1240 South Broadway. It is  on fire station 2 and we are already starting to   see some excellent results from implementing those  drones. Uh the DFR allows for a drone to deploy to   priority calls and respond normally within two  minutes or less. It disapproves response times   and the resource allocation for other police  re resources to get to those priority calls.   So, QuickRip is offering a donation in the amount  of $654,368 to come directly from Quicktrip. And   those funds will be used to purchase an additional  DFR hive, which is the three docks and three   drones that gives it 247 coverage and place it  on top of the Quick Trip at 1010 East Douglas,   which is there at Douglas and Washington. So, the  DFR program is located in a high calls for service   areas and it allows for the faster response  times. It provides a greater ability to assess   the situations and can be used to tactically  guide responses from the safest direction for   incoming officers. It helps reduce the risk  of harm to emergency services and the public.   And placing the DFR Hive on Quick Trip will allow  for coverage of the Oldtown area via the drones,   especially over the weekends. So, in the location,  we've received several complaints about the   congregating of street races at the 1010 East  Douglas location. WPD has asked a quick trip to   temporary close on numerous different occasions  to clear the large crowds, especially on the   Friday and Saturday nights around closing time  in Oldtown. And in 2025, there's been over 5,600   calls for service on 21 beat, which is where the  uh Quick Trip location is located. And in 2025,   we also made 3,214 police reports on 21B with 695  of those being classified as part one offenses,   which are our most serious crimes. A DFR hive  will allow for a more rapid response to these   uh with some being handled without the need of  dispatch of the additional officers because we   can better allocate our resources. This is a  map of the proposed location. As you can see,   the green dot in the middle is the Quick  Trip. It goes as far north as 13th,   as far south as Harry, to the west is  Senica, and to the east is Hillside. the financial considerations. Uh this donation  covers the entire first five years of the program   in its entirety. Uh should the program be extended  beyond the five years, additional fees for   maintenance and subscription services will apply.  This is currently priced at approximately 61,000   per hive uh per year, sorry, for the entire hive  and there is no required commitment beyond the   five years. legal considerations is that the  law department has reviewed and approved the   agreements and it so my recommendation today  is that the city council accept the donation   approve and authorize the signatures necessary  for the purchase of the Axon aircio DFR for the   listed amount uh for Axon Enterprises and direct  that the donated funds be used for this purchase   and I would be happy to take any questions at  this time. Thank you, Deputy Chief. questions   for staff. Council member Hoheisle. Thank you,  Mayor. Just two quick ones. One, is this going to   um increase the number of uh personnel we need  to run the real time information center? Uh no,   it will not. So, basically, it just gives us  extra coverage so we can operate the the drones   independently. And what's fantastic about the  Scadio drones is that if you have two operating   at the same time in different locations, they  will not collide and they will not hit each   other. That's the technology built in. Uh the  second one is we know that there's a and we've   talked about this um quite a biker population  down at this quick trip. Uh could you just kind   of describe how this would interact with them?  You know, we're doing the the no chase policy,   try to make sure that um people in the city stay  safe so that way we're not engaging in dangerous   high-speed chases through there. So um maybe just  a quick rundown of how this would affect any of   the bikers. So, uh, that tent 10 East Douglas  seems to be the main congregating point for a   lot of the street racing crowd, especially on  the weekends, including the motorcycles. Uh,   and having a DFR and drones specifically on that  building itself. That is one of the number one   locations for 911 calls. Uh, and that's why they  were very keen to have drones and work with us   in that partnership to have them on this building  specifically. uh not only for to respond but also   to deter the street racers, the different crimes,  the disturbances, the high amount of lossies that   they have in that location as well. So, it's  a win-win for everybody involved. Okay. So,   more deterrence and actually chasing people  there. Well, it depends on the situation. I mean,   that's the drones obviously it's we don't  like to chase anyone in that oldtown area,   but the drones can have the ability to obviously  track somebody to us to intercede in a more safe   manner if needs be. So if we can take someone  into custody, the drone can follow them to   their front door, then that's obviously  safer than chase them. So if that happens,   then that is something obviously we try to do.  Okay, appreciate it. Since the drones um or the   hive was first deployed uh second half of this  year, what has been the success rate of what it's   been doing? We've had immense success with this.  Uh we've prevented burglary in progress calls,   vandalis vandalism in progress calls. We've made  a significant arrest. We made just one recently   uh with a robbery in progress and we got the  guy with thanks to the drones and he here was   building Molotov cocktails as well. So the drones  have been a significant success for us and the   police department. Uh they do make things a  lot safer for our officers, for the citizens   that we serve. Uh and all the way around they've  been we've had I think I've got up to like nine   pages of significant results that we have right  now. So if you guys want any more, you know,   I'm more than happy to come down and share those  with you all. Thank you. Um, and can you just   share QuickRip is obviously donating or providing  this grant. Um, what have they said about their   commitment to providing public safety here in our  community? I do know that there's other projects   that are going to be involved. I think they're  making more donations too, but I'm not going   to talk about those. We'll let somebody else  talk about that uh later on. But Quick Trip has   been a fantastic partner with us for the police  department. Uh, they've got a large significant   presence here in Witchau. And I do know they chose  us specifically because of our police department,   our reputation, the guardrails we have with this  drone program program, and the fact that we have   a first class real-time information center and  some of the policies and processes that we have   in drones. We are we're at the very forefront and  best practices when it comes to drone operations.   Thank you. I see no further questions for staff.  We will now open it up for public comment. I see   no one from the public. I'll bring it back to  the bench with that. Um I'm appreciative that   uh QuickRip along with the Witchaw Police and Fire  Foundation um are collaborating with Witaw Police   uh to provide public safety in our community.  So with that, I will move that the city council   accept the donation, approve the purchase  of the Axon Air Sky DFR Hive for $654,368 from Axon Enterprises, Inc. authorize the  necessary signatures and direct that the   donated funds be used for this purchase.  Second motion and a second. Any further   discussion? I see none. Madame clerk, please  open the roll. Thank you all very much. I   motion passes 70. Madame clerk, please call the  next item. Municipal court judicial reappoints. Morning, Mr. Mayor, Council. Nathan Emory, court  administrator for the record. The background on   this is uh every four years we do reappoints  pursuant to charter ordinance number uh 223. Uh   we had a judicial evaluation committee consisting  of two council members review four years worth   of information regarding the performance of  the judges. And so that period began in 2021.   the uh committee recommended reappointment of all  five judges and the budget uh for 2025 includes   the raises that would be contemplated by this  measure. Likewise, uh law has and I apologize   for that typo that should be 223. uh but law  has uh reviewed this and uh uh it has complied   with the required process. So the recommended  action is that the city council reappoint each   of the municipal court judges to a 4-year term and  that each receives a 2 and a half% salary increase   retroactive to January 4th, 2025. And I'll stand  for any questions. Thank you, Nathan. Questions   for staff. Um, what does that amount to? The 2.5%  salary increase? It's roughly $4500 per judge. Uh,   some will get more, some will get less based on  their time with the city and position. And can   you explain why it's retroactive? Who missed it?  Because it should have started January, right?   Yeah. So, so this process does have a timeline  outlined in in the uh council policy. Uh typically   this would be done in April due to an illness of  one of our judges. We didn't get the data to to   uh the manager's office until roughly May uh when  that individual got back and we were able to get   survey data for that individual. By the time  we got to that point, uh there was question as   to how many judges would be reappointed and so  that further delayed uh this reappoint process and I believe council member Glascock and  Valor served on the reappointing committee.   So that's correct. Thank you, Nathan. I see  no further questions for staff. We'll open it   up for public comment. I None. We'll bring it  back to bench. Council member Rick. Thank you,   mayor. After reviewing all the applications, I  can just say that we have some incredible judges   in Witchah. And I just wanted to read some of  the comments because there was very little,   if not almost none or no um negative comments.  So, judge is a good and fair judge. Everything   went better than expected. I was very comfortable  in the courtroom. I was delighted with ease and   very professional. As a judge is a very nice  and forgoing time efficient. I felt like an I   felt like an actual person that was cared about.  They were polite and it was delight to see on the   bench. I was treated with respect and I was  guilty as they come. Patience, punctuality,   courtesy. Patience, fairness, and experience gives  her perspective and towards others. She has a good   temperament as a kind person which is apparent  to all parties that stand before her. I'm very   grateful for a judge giving me a chance to change  my life and finally start to do things right. I   think that's a testament of the people that serve  Witchah and a testament of the judges. And I don't   think there are very many courtrooms across the  country that will get that raving reviews every   single time. And so with that, I would move that  the city council reappoint each municipal court   judge to a 4-year term, receive a 2.5% salary  increase retroactive to January 4th, 2025. Second   motion and a second. Any further discussion? I  see none. Madame clerk, please open the role. I   Motion passes 70. Madame clerk, please call  the next item. Approve that pursuant to section   204090, council member Ballard, council member  Hohisel, and council member Johnston's travel   expenses as estimated on the travel authorization  and expense form to attend legislative day in   Tikica, Kansas, January 28th, 2026 for the purpose  of representing the city and discussing issues   that are important to Witchah with legislators  consistent with AR 3.1 be approved upon approval   from correction. Upon return from travel, actual  expenses shall be reported to the controllers's   office. I move to approve. Second. Motion in a  second. Any further discussion? I see none. Madam   clerk, please open the role. I motion passes 70.  Madame clerk, please call the next item. approved   that pursuant to section 204090, council member  GlassCox's travel expenses as estimated on the   travel authorization and expense form to attend  legislative day in Topeka, Kansas, January 27th   through 29th, 2026 for the purpose of representing  the city and discussing issues that are important   to Witchaw with legislators consistent with  AR3.1 be approved. Upon return from travel,   actual expenses shall be reported to the  controllers's office. I move to approve. Second   motion and a second. Any further discussion? I  see none. Madame clerk, please open the role.   I. Motion passes. 70. It is now time for council  member appointments. Are there any appointments? I   have one. Oh, council member Tuttle. Thank you.  I would like to appoint Carmine TZ to to the   sustainability integration board. Thank you.  And I would like to appoint Alex Dean to the   Cedric County Solid Waste Management Committee.  I move to approve these appointments. Second.   Motion and a second. Any further discussion? I  see none. Madame clerk, please open the role. Motion passes. 70. Council  member comments. Council member Johnson. Thanks, Mayor. Um, two things. One  thing I think the city of Witchah truly needs to   do that we did not get done a few years ago is  to have a resolution that bans the term boneless   wings in the city of Witchah. We still have these  things called boneless wings and those are truly   chicken nuggets. And I think we seriously should  have a resolution that does away with that. Maybe   you can do that in January when I'm gone, but I  will come back and support that 100%. There are no   such things as boneless wings. Mayor, if you would  like, we could have security remove this this elf   from the meeting. He's been disruptive already.  And that's my job. Council member Glasscock,   you've threatened to come back and speak in  public comment multiple times. So, that one,   that's fine. Thanks to this council, I get five  minutes and I can just keep coming back. workshops   or regular meetings. We'll extend it to 10 just  for you. With that, I see no further comments. I   just want to say thank you to the city of Witchah  staff. Um I know that several individuals and   departments will still be working during the  holidays. And so I'm very appreciative that   you keep the city going and working even during  holidays. So I wish y'all a merry Christmas and   thank you for your service to the community. With  that, I will move to adjourn this meeting. Second.   Motion and a second. Any further discussion? I  see none. Madame clerk, please open the role. Motion passes. 52. Merrywood.