[1. CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:06]
GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. I'M MAYOR RACHEL PROCTOR AND I WANT TO WELCOME YOU TO OUR SPECIAL MEETING. TODAY IS MONDAY, MAY 20TH, AND IT IS 6 P.M. I WANT TO START OUR MEETING BY ASKING OUR CITY SECRETARY, MISS ALICIA THOMAS, TO CONDUCT A ROLL CALL. MAYOR RACHEL PROCTOR HERE. MAYOR PRO TEM LATISHA HUGHES HERE. COUNCILMEMBER PARKER HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER NICOLE RAPHAEL HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER ANDRE BIRD, COUNCIL MEMBER DINA MARKS HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER CRYSTAL CHISM
[a. Presentation of proclamation honoring National Public Works Week]
HERE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS THOMAS. WE'LL HAVE THE FIRST ITEM ON THE AGENDA. YES, MA'AM.FIRST WE HAVE PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATION HONORING NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK. MAKING THAT PRESENTATION IS COUNCIL MEMBER DIANA MARKS RECEIVING IS OUR DEVELOPMENT SERVICES STAFF.
PAUL, FEEL THE EFFECTS VERY QUICKLY. SO IT IS MY HONOR TO PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS PUBLIC WORKS PROFESSIONALS RESPONSIBILITIES CONCENTRATE ON MAINTAINING INFRASTRUCTURE, FACILITIES, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND SERVICES THAT ARE VITALLY IMPORTANT TO THE SUSTAINABLE CITY AND THE RESILIENCY COMMUNITIES, AS WELL AS PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE PEOPLE HERE IN THE ALL AMERICAN CITY OF DE SOTO. WHEREAS THESE SERVICES COULD NOT BE PROVIDED WITHOUT THE DEDICATED EFFORTS OF PUBLIC WORKS PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE FEDERALLY MANDATED FIRST RESPONDERS. THEY ARE ENGINEERS, MANAGERS AND EMPLOYEES AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR REBUILDING, IMPROVING, AND PROTECTING OUR NATION'S TRANSPORTATION, WATER SUPPLY, WATER TREATMENT AND SOLID WASTE SYSTEMS. PUBLIC BUILDINGS, AND OTHER STRUCTURES AND FACILITIES ESSENTIAL TO OUR CITIZENS. AND WHEREAS IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC FOR ALL OF THE CITIZENS IN THE CITY OF DE SOTO TO BE EDUCATED ON THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC WORKS TO THEIR DAILY LIVES, PLANNING, BUILDING, MANAGING AND OPERATING AT THE HEART OF THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO IMPROVE EVERYDAY LIFE HERE IN DE SOTO. WHEREAS THIS YEAR MARKS THE 64TH ANNUAL NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK, SPONSORED BY THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION, THE CANADIAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION, WITH THE THEME FOR THIS YEAR IS ADVANCING QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL, EMPHASIZING HOW PUBLIC WORKS PROFESSIONALS CONTRIBUTE TO AND ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITY. NOW THEREFORE, I, RACHEL L PROCTOR, BY THE POWER VESTED IN ME AS MAYOR OF THE ALL-AMERICA CITY OF DESOTO, TEXAS, DALLAS COUNTY, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MAY 19TH THROUGH THE 25TH, 2024 AS NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK IN THE CITY OF DESOTO AND CALL UPON ALL CITIZENS TO RECOGNIZE AND EXPRESS THEIR APPRECIATION FOR THE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES AND COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS THROUGHOUT THE CITY AND AROUND THE WORLD. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I HAVE SET MY HAND AND CAUSED THE SEAL OF THE ALL-AMERICAN CITY OF DESOTO, TEXAS, TO BE AFFIXED. THIS 20TH DAY OF MAY 20TH, 24, RACHEL L PROCTOR, MAYOR ALICIA THOMAS ATTESTED THIS PARTICULAR PROCLAMATION. AND AGAIN, I'M DOCTOR DENA MARKS, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER. PLEASE BE THE READER. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME'S WADE WILLIAMS. I AM THE STREETS, TRAFFIC AND FLEET SERVICES MANAGER, THE STAFF, A FEW OF THE REPRESENTATIVES THAT YOU SEE BEHIND ME REPRESENT OUR FLEET DEPARTMENT, OUR TRAFFIC DEPARTMENT AND OUR STREET DEPARTMENT. USUALLY WHENEVER YOU SEE MY STAFF OUT IN THE FIELD, IT'S BECAUSE THERE'S AN ISSUE AND WE ARE THERE TO RESOLVE IT IN A TIMELY MANNER. I'D LIKE TO PERSONALLY THANK MY STAFF FOR BEING HERE THIS EVENING AND FOR EVERYTHING THAT THEY DO THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, DAY IN AND DAY OUT. BE AT 2:00 IN THE MORNING OR 2:00 IN THE AFTERNOON. MY GUYS ARE ALWAYS HERE TO SERVE YOU THE PUBLIC. THANK YOU VERY MUCH
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. THANK YOU ALL AGAIN FOR ALL THAT YOU DO. AND CONGRATULATIONS, ON THIS, THIS OCCASION, AGAIN, AS THEY MENTIONED, THE JOB THAT THEY DO IS TIRELESS. AND WE THANK THEM FOR EVERYTHING THEY DO. CAN WE GIVE THEM ANOTHER HAND CLAP? AT THIS TIME, MISS[b. Recognition of the Police Department promotion for Corporal Alberto Michaelson]
THOMAS WILL HAVE THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA. YES, MA'AM. NEXT, WE HAVE RECOGNITION OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. PROMOTION FOR CORPORAL ALBERTO MICKELSON. MAKING THAT PRESENTATION IS POLICE CHIEF JOE COX. MR. THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. CITY COUNCIL, ONE OF THE ONE OF THE BEST THINGS I SAY THIS ALL THE TIME THAT I DO AS A CHIEF IS TO, SWEAR NEW PEOPLE IN AND TO, CONGRATULATE AND PRESENT, NEW PROMOTIONS. AND TONIGHT WE HAVE ONE PROMOTION FROM OFFICER TO CORPORAL, AND THAT IS OFFICER ALBERTO MICKELSON, WHO'S GOING TO BE PROMOTED TO CORPORAL. HE HAS HIS WIFE HERE WITH HIM. MICHAELA. SHE'S GOING TO PIN ON HIS BADGE. IT'S NOT A BIG CEREMONY, BUT IT'S SOMETHING WE LIKE TO DO TO PRESENT THEM TO THE PUBLIC. SO THAT WE CAN SEE THAT, OUR DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO, PROMOTE PEOPLE AND HELP THEM ON THEIR JOURNEY, PROFESSIONALLY TO GAIN THAT FIRST STEP AS A CORPORAL, BUT ALSO TO CONTINUE THEIR PROFESSIONAL, ADVANCEMENT IN, IN OUR, OUR DEPARTMENT. SO THEREFORE, ALBERTO MICKELSON, YOU'RE GOING TO BE PROMOTED TO CORPORAL AND, CHIEF RESNICK, ASSISTANT CHIEF CHEZNIK WILL GIVE THE BADGE TO HIS WIFE, WHICH I GUESS HE'S ALREADY DONE, AND SHE'S GOING TO PIN ON HIS BADGE FOR HIM. AND WE WILL, WE'LL TAKE IT FROM THERE. YOU CAN STAB THEM AND WE CAN GET AWAY WITH IT. VERY GOOD.CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU. SIR. THANKS THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU CHIEF, AND CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU, CORPORAL MICKELSON. AT THIS TIME, WE'LL HAVE THE NEXT ITEM ON THE
[a. Presentation of Certificate of Election to re-elect Councilmember Place 6 per the Texas Election Code.]
AGENDA. YES, MA'AM. NEXT, WE'LL MOVE INTO OUR ELECTION PROTOCOL. WE HAVE PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION TO REELECT COUNCIL MEMBER. PLAY SIX PER THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE.MAKING THAT PRESENTATION IS MAYOR RACHEL PROCTOR. RECEIVING IS REELECTED COUNCIL MEMBER CRYSTAL CHISHOLM. GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF PRESENTING THIS CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION. COUNCIL MEMBER CHISHOLM, YOU CAN COME ON CLOSE. YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL TONIGHT. THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO READ IT FOR YOUR HEARING. AND IT'S CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF DESOTO, TEXAS. THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT AT THE GENERAL ELECTION HELD ON SATURDAY, MAY 4TH, 2024, CRYSTAL CHISHOLM, HAVING RECEIVED 86.51% OF THE VOTES, FOR A TOTAL OF 2732 VOTES, THAT BEING THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF VOTES CAST AS SAID ELECTION FOR ANY CANDIDATE FOR THE OFFICE HEREIN NAMED WAS DULY ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF DESOTO, TEXAS, FOR THE OFFICE OF COUNCIL MEMBER. PLAY SIX. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I, RACHEL PROCTOR, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DESOTO, STATE OF TEXAS, HAVE HEREUNTO SUBSCRIBED MY NAME AND CAUSED THE SEAL OF THE CITY OF DESOTO, TEXAS TO BE AFFIXED TO THIS CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION ON THE 20TH DAY OF MAY, 2024. CONGRATULATIONS. COUNCILMEMBER CHISHOLM
[b. Conduct Oath of Office for re-elected Councilmember, Place 6 per the Texas Constitution. ]
. NEXT WE HAVE CONDUCT THE OATH OF OFFICE FOR REELECTED COUNCILMEMBER. PLAY SIX PER THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION. MAKING THAT PRESENTATION IS THE HONORABLE JOHN WILEY PRICE, DALLAS COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT THREE RECEIVING IS REELECTED COUNCILMEMBER. CRYSTAL CHISHOLM.[00:10:24]
I NEED TO BE NEAR THE MARK. OKAY. I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY. OKAY. REPEAT AFTER ME. YOUR NAME AND YOUR. WHETHER YOU SOLEMNLY SWEAR OR AFFIRM IS UP TO YOU. I, I, CRYSTAL CHISHOLM, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT SIX. THE OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, PLAY SIX AND DESOTO, TEXAS IN DESOTO, TEXAS. AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY PRESERVE, PRESERVE, PROTECT, PROTECT AND DEFEND AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS, THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF THE UNITED STATES AND OF THIS STATE AND THIS STATE. SO HELP ME GOD. SO HELP ME GOD. CONGRATULATIONS.THANK YOU . OKAY OKAY, GREAT. THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR, IF YOU GIVE ME A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE, I JUST WANT TO SAY TO, COUNCILMAN MEMBER CHISHOLM, THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY, I WAS TELLING. I WAS CALLING, AND I WAS IN A PANIC. I WAS TELLING THE JUDGE THAT I WAS A JUVENILE BOARD MEETING, AND THAT FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO KNOW, THAT'S ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD AND, REGARDLESS OF WHAT I THINK I CAN DO AND TRY TO DO, I CANNOT MAKE AMENDS FOR TRAFFIC AND TRAFFIC ON MONDAY. I'M CLOCK IS A REAL CHALLENGE, BUT I WOULDN'T HAVE MISSED THIS FOR THE WORLD. THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH COUNCIL MEMBER CHISHOLM, MY STAFF AND, SEE DAPHNE FAYE, MY CHIEF OF STAFF HERE. I JUST WANT TO THANK ALL OF THOSE WHO WERE INVOLVED IN CANVASING, GOING DOOR TO DOOR AND MAKING SURE THAT, COUNCIL MEMBER CHISHOLM, THIS NEXT OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THE CITIZENS OF DESOTO. THANK YOU. CITIZENS OF DESOTO. THANK YOU.
COUNCIL MEMBER CHISHOLM, THANK YOU SO MUCH. TO GOD BE THE GLORY. TO GOD BE THE GLORY. I HAD WRITTEN OUT A SPEECH AND I LEFT MY PHONE UP THERE IN NERVOUSNESS. SO I'M GOING. I WANT TO THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER PRICE, ONE I BEING A GIRL FROM DALLAS. YOU ARE. YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THE PILLAR OF BLACK EXCELLENCE, BLACK LEADERSHIP AND HOPE AND WHAT WE CAN ASPIRE TO BE, RIGHT HERE AT HOME. AND SO I THANK YOU, BECAUSE WHEN I FIRST GOT ELECTED, YOU WERE ONE OF THE FIRST ELECTED OFFICIALS I REACHED OUT TO. AND YOU OPENED YOUR OFFICE, YOU SAT ME DOWN, YOU GAVE ME HOMEWORK TO WALK AWAY WITH, TOO. AND I LOVE THAT THAT YOU ARE A TEACHER, BECAUSE I LEARNED THINGS ABOUT DESOTO, ABOUT THE INLAND PORT THAT I DID NOT KNOW GOING INTO THIS JOB.
AND YOU DEPOSITED SEEDS IN ME THAT I. THAT I LIVE BY TODAY. AND SO I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND FOR BEING MY HERO WHEN I WAS LITTLE. BUT BEING MY HERO NOW THAT I AM ELECTED, BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE. AND THANK YOU FOR THE YEARS OF SERVICE THAT YOU HAVE POURED INTO NOT JUST DESOTO, BUT DALLAS COUNTY, I WANT TO THANK MY HUSBAND BECAUSE THESE LAST THREE YEARS, WE WHAT WE WHAT TIME WE THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO COMMIT TURNED OUT TO BE TRIPLE AND DOUBLE AND SO THANK YOU FOR LOVING ME AND FOR HAVING GRACE AND LEARNING HOW TO COOK AND ALL THOSE GREAT JAZZ AND ALLOWING ME TO BE IMPERFECT. AND I APPRECIATE THAT FROM YOU AND ALLOWING ME BECAUSE A SPOUSE DOESN'T HAVE TO ALLOW YOU TO LIVE YOUR DREAM. AND THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO LIVE MY DREAM. THAT MEANS A LOT. SO FOR THE PAST FOUR MONTHS, MY TEAM AND I HAVE AND ACTUALLY A LITTLE BIT BEFORE THAT, MY TEAM AND I HAVE BEEN ON THIS CAMPAIGN
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TRAIL, IT WAS NEVER ABOUT THE A CHALLENGER. IT WAS ALWAYS ABOUT CRYSTAL. DID YOU DO THE WORK THAT YOU SAID YOU WERE GOING TO DO IN 2021, IT WAS CRYSTAL 2021 VERSUS CRYSTAL 2024. AND THAT EVERYBODY WHO ASKED ME WHY ARE YOU CAMPAIGNING SO HARD? THAT WAS WHAT I WAS CAMPAIGNING FOR, AND THEN BEING THE ONLY CONTESTED RACE, YOU HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO GET PEOPLE OUT TO THE POLLS. AND I WANT TO THANK MY TEAM, I HAD AN AMAZING TEAM, AND I WILL BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T SAY HER NAME. DAPHNE FEIN AND SEVERAL OTHERS, POLITICS UNITED, AND THE DESIGN FACTORY FOR HELPING ME PUT ON THE CAMPAIGN THAT I INSPIRED THAT I WANTED TO HAVE, BECAUSE OF THE COLLECTIVE WORK WE DID TOGETHER. WE TOUCHED ALMOST 7000 DOORS, THE WORK THAT WE COLLECTED TOGETHER, WE THE REACH WAS EXPANDED BEYOND MY WILDEST. WHAT I SET OUT TO DO, I'M SO GRATEFUL AND HUMBLED TO BE ABLE TO, SERVE ANOTHER THREE YEARS. AND I DON'T TAKE IT FOR GRANTED. PLEASE KNOW I DON'T. I EAT, I LIVE, I SLEEP, DESOTO, I CARRY DESOTO IN MY HEART EVERYWHERE I GO. AND I WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT, I JUST WANT TO THANK MY MOM AND MY DAD WHO ARE HERE IN THE AUDIENCE AND MY MAMA FOR GIVING ME THE FIRE THAT I HAVE. AND MY DADDY, WHO HAS HAD ONE OF THE MOST, LIFE THREATENING THINGS THAT HAPPENED TO US THIS LAST THREE YEARS. BUT HE HAS BEEN A WARRIOR, TOO, AND WE ARE GETTING THROUGH IT. I WANT TO THANK Y'ALL FOR STANDING BY ME AND FOR MY MAMA, FOR CONSTANTLY, REMINDING ME TO KEEP MY CROWN ON STRAIGHT. BUT, I WE DID. WE ACCOMPLISHED A LOT THESE LAST THREE YEARS. AND THAT WAS A MESSAGE THAT I WAS HAPPY TO GET OUT, THE WINS THAT WE HAD BEING ABLE TO WAY RAISE MINIMUM WAGE IN A CITY TO SHOW THAT WE APPRECIATE THE PEOPLE THAT WORK FOR THIS CITY, TO INCREASE STAFFING SO THAT WE CAN SHOW THAT WE TAKE OUR, THE SERVICES THAT YOU ALL NEED AND DEPEND ON ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS IS TAKEN SERIOUSLY TO OUR PARKS AND IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE'VE MADE. HAVING THE ONE OF THE ONLY INCLUSIVE PARK IN THE IN THE REGION TO JUST COMPLETE MAINTENANCE, TO TAKE AN INFRASTRUCTURE STREET INFRASTRUCTURE SERIOUSLY AND INVESTING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO INFRASTRUCTURE. YOU SAID SIDEWALKS. WE GAVE IT TO YOU. WE ALSO HAVE DONE SO MUCH JUST FROM A COMMUNITY SERVICE PERSPECTIVE, FROM HOSTING, CONTINUING ON JOB FAIRS, MAKING SURE MWB IS STILL A PRIORITY FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND THAT THEY KNOW THAT REPRESENTATION MATTERS. BUT THE WORK IS NOT DONE YET, AND I KNOW THAT. AND SO I'M EXCITED ABOUT THESE NEXT THREE YEARS BECAUSE WE GET TO HIRE A NEW CITY MANAGER FOR OUR CITY TO TAKE US TO THE NEXT LEVEL, PUTTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AT THE FOREFRONT SO THAT WE CAN GET THE RESTAURANTS AND RETAIL THAT WE'VE SOLD, DESIRED AND ASKED FOR TO CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVE UPON CITY SERVICES, BECAUSE THAT IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT WE DESERVE IN THIS CITY, AND TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY PERSON IN THIS CITY FEELS REPRESENTED FROM THE PEOPLE WHO WORK HERE, THAT COME HERE AND CLOCK IN EVERY DAY TO THE CITY OF DESOTO, TO THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE HERE AND PAY TAXES. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR VOICE IS HEARD AND THAT YOU FEEL REPRESENTED ON THIS DAIS. AND I WANT TO ASSURE YOU THAT I WILL DO THAT EVERY SINGLE DAY, TO MY COLLEAGUES, I HATE THAT MY BACK IS TURNED TO YOU BECAUSE I DON'T WANT MY BACK TURN TO YOU, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR OFFERING ME GRACE. I CAN SAY THAT EACH OF YOU HAVE BEEN AN INTRICATE PART OF MY SUCCESS. AND THE SUCCESS OF THIS CITY. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO GROW. BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. THESE NEXT THREE YEARS. AND I DON'T CARE WHAT NOBODY SAY OUTSIDE THESE DOORS. I WILL RIDE FOR EACH OF YOU. EACH OF YOU. Y'ALL KNOW I CAN TALK, BUT I WON'T TALK ANY FURTHER. I WILL SAY THAT, I'M EXCITED ABOUT THESE NEXT THREE YEARS. I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF DESOTO. AND IF YOU'RE NOT EXCITED, YOU SHOULD GET EXCITED BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD, AND THOSE FRUITS OF LABOR WILL COME AND THEY WILL COME TO FRUITION.THANK YOU. DESOTO THANK YOU TO THE 3100 PEOPLE THAT SHOWED UP TO THE POLLS ON A NON MAYORAL ELECTION WITH ONE CONTESTED RACE. THANK YOU FOR SHOWING UP AND SHOWING AND PROVING THAT THAT I HAVE EARNED YOUR SUPPORT AND YOUR TRUST FOR ANOTHER THREE YEARS. LET'S GET TO WORK. THANK
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YOU. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CHISHOLM, FOR THOSE HEARTFELT WORDS, WE ARE EXCITED TO CONTINUE THE WORK, THAT YOU STARTED. YOU GOT ME EXCITED ALL OVER AGAIN THINKING ABOUT THE PROGRESS THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE. SO THANK YOU AGAIN AND[c. Presentation of Certificate of Election to re-elect Councilmember Place 7 per the Texas Election Code. ]
CONGRATULATIONS AT THIS TIME, MISS THOMAS WILL HAVE THE NEXT ITEM ON OUR AGENDA. YES, MA'AM.NEXT WE HAVE PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION TO REELECT COUNCIL MEMBER PLAY SEVEN PER THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE. MAKING THAT PRESENTATION IS MAYOR RACHEL PROCTOR.
RECEIVING IS REELECTED COUNCIL MEMBER. LETICIA HUGHES. COUNCIL MEMBER. CHISHOLM COUNCIL MAYOR PRO TEM HUGHES I'M FEELING A TYPE OF WAY BECAUSE I DIDN'T GET THE MEMO TO WEAR WHITE TONIGHT, BUT IT'S OKAY. CONGRATULATIONS COUNCIL MEMBER, EXCUSE ME, I KEEP MAYOR PRO TEM.
MAYOR PRO TEM HUGHES, I WANT TO DO THE ISSUANCE OF THIS CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION, AND IT READS CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF DESOTO. THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT AT THE GENERAL ELECTION HELD ON SATURDAY, MAY 4TH, 2020, FOR LETICIA HUGHES, HAVING RECEIVED 100% OF THE VOTES, THAT'S A MANDATE. FOR A TOTAL OF 2907 VOTES. THAT BEING THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF VOTES CAST AT SAID ELECTION FOR ANY CANDIDATE FOR THE OFFICE HEREIN NAMED WAS DULY ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF DESOTO FOR THE OFFICE OF COUNCIL MEMBER.
PLAY SEVEN AND WITNESS WHEREOF I, RACHEL PROCTOR, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DESOTO, STATE OF TEXAS, HAVE HEREUNTO SUBSCRIBED MY NAME AND CAUSE THE SEAL OF THE CITY OF DESOTO, TEXAS, TO BE AFFIXED TO THIS CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION ON THE 20TH DAY OF MAY, 2024, SIGNED RACHEL L PROCTOR, MAYOR TESTED TWO BY ALICIA THOMAS, CITY SECRETARY. CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN.
[d. Conduct Oath of Office for re-elected Councilmember, Place 7 per the Texas Constitution.]
NEXT WE HAVE CONDUCT OATH OF OFFICE FOR REELECTED COUNCIL MEMBER PLAY SEVEN PER THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION. MAKING THAT PRESENTATION IS THE HONORABLE RAQUEL ROCKY JONES, PRESIDING JUDGE FOR THE DALLAS COUNTY 203RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT. RECEIVING IS REELECTED COUNCIL MEMBER. MAYOR PRO TEM LETICIA HUGHES. WELL, GOOD EVENING. FIRST, LET ME SAY, UNLIKE COMMISSIONER PRICE, I DON'T HAVE THIS MEMORIZED BECAUSE I HAVE NOT HAD TO DO THIS AS MANY TIMES AS HE HAS. SO WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS FOR THE THIRD TIME. AND THIS TIME, I DIDN'T SURPRISE HER KIDS. THEY ALREADY KNEW TO COME UP THIS TIME, DIDN'T YOU? LAST TIME I YEAH, GOOD. LAST TIME I CAUGHT HIM OFF GUARD. SO WHO. OKAY. WHO'S GOING TO HOLD IT? WHO'S GOING TO HOLD IT FOR US I GOT YOU. ALL RIGHT. IF YOU WOULD PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND FOR ME AND THANK YOU, MAYOR. YOU KNEW WHAT I WAS GOING TO DO. I WAS GOING TO DO MAYOR PROCTOR'S PART AGAIN. ALL RIGHT. NOW, IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, I PETITION YOU. DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR OR AFFIRM THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF COUNCIL MEMBER. PLACE SEVEN IN THE CITY OF DESOTO, IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, AND WILL, TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OF THIS STATE. SO HELP YOU GOD. I DO ALL RIGHT. I FEEL LIKE SHE'S GETTING MARRIED AGAIN, DON'T YOU? SO LET'S TRY THIS AGAIN. I'M GONNA NEED YOU TO REPEAT AFTER ME. I WILL PAUSE, OKAY? BECAUSE Y'ALL, SHE JUST STOPPED TALKING. YES.YOU NOTICED THAT? OKAY, ALL RIGHT. I WILL PAUSE THIS TIME. THANK YOU. I, I SAY YOUR NAME.
THANK YOU. DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR OR AFFIRM. DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR OR AFFIRM THAT I WILL, THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE, FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTY. THE DUTIES OF COUNCIL MEMBER PLACED SEVEN.
COUNCIL MEMBER PLACED SEVEN. AND THE CITY OF DESOTO IN THE CITY OF DESOTO IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, AND WILL TO THE BEST AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY OF MY ABILITY.
PRESERVE, PRESERVE, PROTECT, PROTECT AND DEFEND AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION, THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, OF THE UNITED STATES, AND OF THIS STATE AND OF THIS STATE. SO HELP ME GOD. SO HELP ME GOD. IT'S OFFICIAL. THANK YOU.
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THERE YOU GO. BRING IT IN. OKAY I'LL TAKE IT. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. OKAY, OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. OKAY ALL RIGHT. OKAY. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. MR. PRICE SAID I GOT TO GIVE TO THE SECRETARY. MAKE A PITCH. SHE'S WE'RE. GOOD EVENING. DESOTO. WHO I HAVE NO REASON TO BE NERVOUS. SHAKE THESE NERVES OFF. I WANT TO SAY THANK GOD BECAUSE WHAT? YOU SEE, THE WORK YOU SEE ME DO, IT IS HIM WORKING THROUGH ME. SO I HAVE TO GIVE GOD ALL THE PRAISE AND ALL THE GLORY. I DID NOT HAVE ANY INSPIRATION ABOUT BEING IN POLITICS, AND WHEN IT DID COME OVER ME, IT WAS HIM POKING AND PUSHING ME AND TELLING ME THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I NEEDED TO STEP OUT AND DO. AND SO I'M THANKFUL FOR THAT PRIVILEGE. AND I'M ALSO THANKFUL FOR MY CHILDREN THAT ARE HERE. TWO OF THEM, MY OLDEST SON, HIS WIFE KRISTA, MY TWO GRANDSONS, MY OLDEST DAUGHTER. I HAVE A YOUNGER DAUGHTER WHO'S PROBABLY MAKING THIS WAY FROM WORK, AND I'M GOING TO THROW OUT A SHAMELESS PLUG. I HAVE A SON WHO IS THE BIRD MAN FOR THE LION KING ON BROADWAY. SO IF YOU EVER GO TO NEW YORK. IF YOU EVER GO TO NEW YORK TO SEE THE SHOW, LOOK FOR MARCUS WILLIAMS. HE IS A DESOTO ALUMNI. SO IT IS INDEED AN HONOR, A PRIVILEGE AND A PRIVILEGE TO STAND BEFORE YOU TO ONCE AGAIN STEP INTO THIS PRESTIGIOUS ROLE IN ONE OF THE BEST CITIES THIS SIDE OF THE SOUTHWEST, THAT. WE HAVE HAD SOME OF THE BEST LEADERS IN GOVERNMENT COMMISSIONER PRICE, JUDGE JONES, EDDIE, BERNICE JOHNSON, JASMINE CROCKETT, TO NAME A FEW. YVONNE DAVIS, TONY ROSE I COULD GO ON AND ON AND ON TO COME FROM THIS SIDE OF THIS, FROM OUR AREA AND REGION, TO BE THE FACE AND THE VOICES OF OUR NEEDS AND CONCERNS. AND I AM HUMBLED THAT YOU HAVE CHOSEN ME TO REPRESENT YOU AS ONE OF THEM, AS A RETURNING COUNCIL MEMBER, I COMMIT TO CONTINUE LEARNING, GROWING, CONNECTING, AS WELL AS MAKING THE BEST DECISIONS POSSIBLE. WHEN I HIT THAT BUTTON TO CAST MY VOTE ON YOUR BEHALF. AS I REFLECT OVER THE LAST TERM AND A PARCEL OF A TERM THAT I HAD, I FEEL THAT IT HAS BEEN A REWARDING EXPERIENCE. NOT BECAUSE OF THE TITLE. I AM ABLE TO THAT I'M ABLE TO WEAR, BUT THE REWARD HAS BEEN SEEING YOU ALL SMILE. IT HAS ALLOWED ME OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE PEOPLE SMILE. THE SERVICE GOES BEYOND THE DAIS. THE REWARD COMES WHEN SOMEONE SAYS THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR RETURNING MY CALL. THANK YOU FOR COMING TO THE MEETING. THANK YOU FOR HAVING MY STREET PAVED. THANK YOU FOR HAVING MY ALLEY REPAIRED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SPONSORSHIP. THANK YOU FOR PAYING A FINE OR SOME OF MY FEES. THANK YOU FOR TALKING TO MY NEIGHBOR FOR ME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HUMILITY. THANK YOU FOR BEING A VOICE OF CALM AND REASON . THANK YOU. THOSE WORDS ALWAYS SAID WITH A SMILE IS THE REWARD BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, ALL PEOPLE WANT TO DO IS BE HEARD. THEY WANT US TO SEE THINGS THE WAY THEY SEE THEM AND PUT THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE. IT'S IMPORTANT TO HOLD ON TO THE BELIEF THAT EVERYONE IS EQUAL, THAT NO MATTER WHAT FACET OF LIFE WE COME FROM, OUR NATIONALITY, GENDER, RACE, EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US DESERVE RESPECT. THIS RESPECT SHOULD BE UNCONDITIONAL. ONLY THEN CAN WE BEGIN TO REALLY HEAR AND NOT JUST RESPOND ONLY THEN CAN WE LOOK TO SEE AND UNDERSTAND, NOT JUST TO POINT OUT THE FLAWS. ONLY THEN CAN WE TRULY BEGIN TO SOLVE PROBLEMS. AND I LOVE BEING A PROBLEM SOLVER. I ENJOY SERVING ALONG OUR MAYOR AND COLLEAGUES. WE ALL BRING OUR OWN UNIQUENESS AND INDIVIDUALITY TO THE DAIS. DURING MY FIRST SHORT TERM AS A COUNCIL MEMBER, I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF JUMPING IN WITH MY SLEEVES ROLLED UP, TACKLING THE FIRST BIG PROBLEM WE HAD, AND THAT WAS THAT CRAZY ICE STORM. BUT IN THAT PROCESS, WITH A NEWLY ELECTED MAYOR WHO WAS ON FIRE AND I LOVE HER ENERGY, SHE SAID, GO, I'M LIKE, LET'S GO, OUR FORMER CITY MANAGER, OUR POLICE FIRED THE CITY DEPARTMENTS DEPARTMENT, THE PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR CHURCHES AND MANY OTHER RESOURCES. WE SURVIVED THAT STORM. WHEN YOU THINK BACK ON AN EVENT AND REMEMBER THE WATER DELIVERIES, THE HOUSE VISITS TO OUR SENIOR CITIZENS HOMES, SETTING UP WARMING SHELTERS AND MUCH MORE, IT JUST MADE YOU FEEL VERY WARM[00:30:04]
INSIDE DESPITE THE COLD THAT WE WERE FACING. WHEN YOU SAW THE CITY COME TOGETHER AND TRULY SOLVE SOME PROBLEMS AFTER THAT WAS THE FAMOUS TREE ORDINANCE. HOW MANY REMEMBER THAT? I TELL YOU WHAT, YOU GOT TO HAVE SOME THICK SKIN WHEN YOU STEP INTO THIS ROLE FOR THOSE FOR JUST THOSE KIND OF, DECISIONS AND TAKE SOME HEAT. BUT WE GOT THAT TREE ORDINANCE, DIDN'T WE? THAT WAS A CHALLENGE. AFTER STARTING MY NEW ROLE, I WAS GRATEFUL TO HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO BE THE LIAISON FOR THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE DESOTO ISD PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD, AND THE AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE, AS WELL AS SERVING AS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS HOUSING FINANCE COMMITTEE. I HAVE THOROUGHLY ENJOYED SERVING ON THESE COMMITTEES.I'VE ENJOYED THE CULTIVATION AND COLLABORATION OF OUR TEAMS AND SEEING THE FRUITS OF OUR LABOR AS THE RESULTS OF THOSE RELATIONSHIPS. OVER THE COURSE OF MY FIRST TIME TERM. EXCUSE ME, I HAVE BEEN ECSTATIC TO BE INSTRUMENTAL IN CASTING THE VOTE TO PASS MANY DIFFERENT PROJECTS PROJECTS THAT INCLUDE THE MCALLEN AQUATIC AND RECREATION CENTER, THE MOSLEY POOL RENOVATION, SMOKE SHOP REGULATIONS, THE PUBLIC ART MURAL, THE SCULPTURE AT ERNIE ROBERTS PARK, MOST RECENTLY STARBUCKS IN ROOT AND CHICK FIL A THAT JUST OPENED. AS YOU KNOW, IT TAKES FOUR VOTES TO GET AN ITEM PASSED AND WHILE MY COLLEAGUES AND I HAVE A DIFFERENT MINDSET ON JUST A FEW THINGS, JUST A FEW, IT IS MUCH MORE REWARDING WHEN WE AS A WHOLE REACH A HAPPY MEDIUM FOR THE GOOD OF OUR CITY. DECISIONS THAT ARE MADE FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR RESIDENTS AND FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. WHAT OFTEN OCCURS IN COUNCIL MEETINGS? YOU'LL HEAR MY COLLEAGUES MORE OFTEN THAN YOU'LL HEAR ME BECAUSE, WELL, YOU KNOW, BY THE TIME HE GETS TO PLAY SEVEN, THEY SAID IT ALL. BUT DON'T THINK I'M NOT READY, OKAY? I'M ALWAYS OBSERVING AND PAYING ATTENTION, AND I PROMISE I'M ALWAYS READY TO MAKE A STATEMENT WHEN NEEDED.
THIS PAST TERM, IN A PARCEL OF A TERM, I'VE GROWN EVEN STRONGER, WISER, MORE RESILIENT. AND BECAUSE OF THAT IS WHAT IT IS NEEDED TO BE A LEADER OVER THIS NEXT TERM. I'LL CONTINUE TO LEAD, SERVE, LOVE AND SHARE AND GIVE BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT OUR RESIDENTS REQUIRE OF ME OVER THE NEXT TERM. MY COMMITMENT IS TO CONTINUE TO CULTIVATE THE RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR STAKEHOLDERS AND OUR RESIDENTS. I WILL FACILITATE FUNCTIONS FOR OUR YOUTH OVER THE SUMMER, INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE GENERATION. I WILL CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION WITH OUR CHIEF ABOUT GETTING THAT SPEARHEADING THAT GUN BUYBACK TO PROMOTE SAFETY. I WOULD LOVE TO HOST MORE FAMILY PICNICS TO CONTINUE TO BUILD THE COMMUNITY. OUR COMMITMENT TO MORE TOWN HALL MEETINGS, TO INCREASE MY AVAILABILITY TO YOU, OUR CITIZENS. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I WILL CONTINUE TO BE EFFECTIVE ON THIS DAIS. AS I CONCLUDE, I WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT THIS SEAT BELONGS TO ALL OF US. YOUR TRUST IN ME IS A TESTAMENT TO OUR COLLECTIVE STRENGTH AND UNITY. I STAND HERE NOT BECAUSE I'M THE MOST VALUABLE, BUT BECAUSE I'M THE MOST VISIBLE. TOGETHER WE CAN ACHIEVE GREAT THINGS, AND I AM HONORED TO REPRESENT OUR SHARED VISION AND DEDICATION. BLESSINGS . AND I'M SORRY. I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I DO HAVE MY OFFICE MANAGER HERE, AND ALSO PERSONAL ASSISTANT DEBORAH TAYLOR AND LINDA, WHERE WOULD YOU ALL PLEASE WAIT? THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU. DESOTO. THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO TEM HUGHES, AND CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU. I THINK THIS IS A DESOTO. FIRST, WE'VE NOT WE'VE HAD, ACCEPTANCE SPEECHES, BUT WE'VE NEVER HAD VISUALS. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR CREATIVITY AND GOING THE EXTRA MILE, TO JUST KIND OF HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH. AND AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. THANK EACH OF YOU, COUNCIL, FOR YOUR SERVICE, I THINK WE KNOW. AND IT GOES WITHOUT STATING THIS IS NOT AN EASY JOB. AND IT IS IT IS SOMETIMES A THANKLESS JOB. HOWEVER, WE SIGNED UP FOR THIS WORK AND, I BELIEVE THAT WE ARE ALL WALKING EXCELLENCE AS WE CONTINUE TO DO THAT AT THIS TIME. THERE ARE NO MORE ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA, SO I WILL ENTERTAIN. I BELIEVE MISS THOMAS. YES, ENTERTAIN A MOTION. DO WE WANT TO GIVE SOME DIRECTIVES ON THE RECEPTION BEFORE WE ADJOURN? SURE. ALL ATTENDEES FOLLOWING THIS MAY JOIN OUR HONOREES IN THE ATRIUM AREA FOR A SELF-SERVE RECEPTION. SO PLEASE ENJOY YOURSELF AND THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US. THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, COUNCIL, I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN. I MAKE MAY I MAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN? SECOND, IT'S BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER CHISHOLM, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM HUGHES TO ADJOURN COUNCIL. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. AYE. ALL OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. THAT MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. WE ARE NOW ADJOURNED
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.