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[A. REGULAR SESSION AGENDA - CALL TO ORDER]
IT IS 6:00 PM I'M MAYOR RACHEL PROCTOR, AND I WANNA WELCOME EVERYONE TO OUR CITY COUNCIL MEETING TONIGHT.IT IS TUESDAY, AUGUST THE SIXTH.
UM, AND I'M GONNA ASK OUR CITY SECRETARY IF SHE WOULD GET US STARTED WITH THE ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
HERE, MAYOR TIM LETITIA HUGHES, COUNCIL MEMBER PERT PARKER.
COUNCIL MEMBER NICOLE RAPHAEL.
COUNCIL MEMBER DYNA MARKS HERE.
COUNCIL MEMBER CRYSTAL CHISM HERE.
WE'LL HAVE THE FIRST ITEM ON OUR AGENDA.
FIRST, WE'LL HAVE OUR INVOCATION BY PASTOR CHRIS HENDERSON WITH THE STAR OF HOPE CHURCH, FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, LED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ANDRE BIRD.
OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN MOST HOLY IS YOUR NAME.
LORD, WE COME BEFORE YOU WITH REVERENCE AND HUMILITY, THANKING YOU, GOD, FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE AND PRAISING YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU ARE.
WE THANK YOU, LORD, FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO GATHER WITH YOUR PRESENCE HERE THIS EVENING, AND LORD, OUR PRAYERS THAT YOU WOULD ENDOW US WITH A MEASURE OF YOUR WISDOM.
THANK YOU HOLY SPIRIT, FOR BEING THE SOURCE OF ALL KNOWLEDGE, GUIDANCE, AND INSTRUCTION.
AND WE DEPEND ON YOU LORD, TO KNOW WHICH WAY TO GO.
THANK YOU LORD, FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS THAT LEAD AND GUIDE OUR CITY.
AND I PRAY, LORD, THAT YOU HAVE BLESSED THEM INDIVIDUALLY AND THAT YOU HAVE BLESSED THEM CORPORATELY, SO THAT THEY MAY TAKE THIS CITY AND THESE PEOPLE INTO A DIRECTION THAT NOT ONLY LORD IS GOOD FOR US, BUT IS GOOD FOR YOUR GLORY.
THANK YOU GOD FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR THIS CITY AND FOR ALL THAT THIS CITY MEANS TO US.
WE GIVE YOU THIS LORD IN JESUS' NAME.
PLEASE REMAIN IS THROUGH THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ON THE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY.
I JUSTICE FOR ALL HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG.
THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER BUR FOR LEADING US IN OUR PLEDGES.
AND THANK YOU PASTOR HENDERSON FOR LEADING US IN OUR PRAYER THIS EVENING.
[B. PRESENTATIONS]
HAVE THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA.NEXT WE HAVE PRESENTATION OF THE VETERANS PURPLE HEART AWARD.
MAKING THAT PRESENTATION IS COUNCIL MEMBER CRYSTAL CHISHOLM RECEIVING IS LISA HOLMES L WITCH COMBAT WOUNDED SERVICES ORGANIZATION, AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.
I'M GOING TO ASK IF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD WOULD COME DOWN OUR VETERAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, UM, AND PRIOR OLD COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS, BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN A LONG PROCESS FOR THE CITY OF DESOTO.
WE STARTED THIS INITIATIVE MAYBE 18 MONTHS AGO AND RAN INTO A FEW HURDLES AND GOD SENT US AN ANGEL BY THE NAME OF LISA, WHO IS ALL THE WAY FROM EAST TEXAS YES.
TO BE HERE TODAY, UM, TO HELP ACCOMPLISH, UH, WHAT WE'RE WE'RE PRESENTING TONIGHT.
UM, SO A PURPLE HEART IS AWARDED TO A VETERAN WHO IS, WHO IS, UM, WHO IS HURT IN COMBAT, INJURED IN COMBAT, UH, AND WHEN YOUR CITY HAS A DESIGNATION OF BEING A PURPLE HEART CITY, WHAT THAT SAYS IS THAT YOU NOT ONLY RECOGNIZE AND RESPECT THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY, BUT YOU ARE CREATING A COMMUNITY THAT IS WELCOMING TO PURPLE HEART RECIPIENTS.
SO WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, I'LL READ THE PROCLAMATION THAT I'M SO GRATEFUL TO.
OUR WONDERFUL MAYOR, WHO'S A HUGE VETERAN SUPPORTER, UM, TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO TO DO, AND SHE DID THIS ALMOST 18 MONTHS AGO, AS I STATED, TO GET THE BALL ROLLING SO THAT WE COULD TO GET THIS DESIGNATION.
IT WAS HER PROCLAMATION THAT WE WERE ABLE TO SEND OFF TO THE ORGANIZATION THAT IS ASSISTING WITH THE CITY OF DESOTO BECOMING A PURPLE HEART CITY.
AND SO, UM, PRO I'LL READ THE PROCLAMATION AT THIS TIME, PROCLAMATION, WHEREAS THE CITY OF DESOTO, TEXAS HAS ADMIRATION IN THE UTMOST GRATITUDE FOR ALL MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE SELFLESSLY SERVED THEIR COUNTRY AND THIS COMMUNITY IN THE ARMED FORCES.
AND WHEREAS THE PURPLE HEART IS THE OLDEST MILITARY DECORATION IN
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THE PRESENT USE AND WAS INITIALLY CREATED AS A BADGE OF MILITARY MERIT BY GEORGE WASHINGTON IN 1782.AND WHEREAS THE PURPLE HEART WAS A FIRST AMERICAN SERVICE AWARD AND DECORATION MADE AVAILABLE TO THE COMMON SOLDIER AND IS SPECIFICALLY AWARDED TO MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES WHO HAVE BEEN WOUNDED OR PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE IN COMBAT WITH A DECLARED ENEMY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
AND WHEREAS THE CON CONTRIBUTIONS AND SACRIFICES OF MEN AND WOMEN FROM THE CITY OF DESOTO, TEXAS WHO SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES HAVE BEEN VITAL IN MAINTAINING THE FREEDOMS AND THE WAY OF LIFE ENJOYED BY OUR CITIZENS.
AND WHEREAS THE MISSION OF THE MILITARY ORDER OF PURPLE HEART IS TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT OF GOODWILL AMONG COMBAT WOUNDED VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES ENCOURAGE PATRIOTISM AND SUPPORT LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ALWAYS REMEMBER THE SACRIFICES OF OUR MILITARY SERVICES SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN.
NOW, THEREFORE, I RACHEL L PROCTOR BY THE POWER VESTED IN ME AS MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DESOTO, TEXAS DALLAS COUNTY, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE CITY OF DESOTO AS A PURPLE HEART CITY AND CALL UPON YOU CAN CLAP AND CALL UPON ALL CITIZENS TO JOIN CITY OFFICIALS IN OBSERVING THE SIGNIFICANT RECOGNITION SYMBOLIZING THE CITY'S APPRECIATION FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SACRIFICED AND SERVED THE NATION.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I HAVE SET MY HAND AND CAUSED THE SEAL OF THE CITY OF DESOTO TO BE A FIXED THE SIXTH DAY OF AUGUST, 2024.
SIGNED RACHEL L PROCTOR, MAYOR ATTEST, ALICIA THOMAS, CITY SECRETARY AISA WILL, WILL NOW PROVIDE THE PROCLAMATION THAT SHE IS SENDING THAT WILL CERTIFY THE CITY OF DESOTO.
ODDLY, UH, IT IS ALMOST EXACTLY THE SAME EXCEPT FOR WE END UP WITH NOW.
THEREFORE, ERIC NEWTON, OUR SENIOR VICE COMMANDER OF CHAPTER 1513, JOIN ALL VETERANS OF THE CITY OF DESOTO TO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE CITY OF DESOTO, TEXAS, A PURPLE HEART CITY.
SO WHAT'S REALLY GREAT IS THAT THESE SIGNS WE WE HAVE WILL BE ALL OVER THE CITY OF DESOTO FOR RECOGNITION, AND THEY ALSO GIFTED US A PURPLE HEART RESERVE PARKING FOR THE CITY HALL.
SO IF YOU COME OR IF YOU'RE COMING TO A COUNCIL MEETING, YOU CAN, UM, MR. JAMES BAYLOR, YOU CAN HAVE A SPECIAL PARKING WHERE YOU CAN PARK AT.
WE WANT COME UP AND TAKE A PHOTO.
COULD I GET ALL THE PURPLE HEART RECIPIENTS TO COME FORWARD? AS WELL AS OUR VFW WHO IS ALSO HERE AND OUR, OUR WOMEN OF LEGION.
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WHAT A WONDERFUL MOMENT AND SUCH A HONORABLE DISTINCTION FOR OUR CITY.UM, CAN WE GIVE ONE BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO ALL OF OUR VETERANS THAT ARE HERE WITH US AND THAT HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY? THANK YOU.
[C. ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST]
WE'LL HAVE THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA.NEXT WE MOVE INTO OUR ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTERESTS PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 5 5 1 0.0415.
THE CITY COUNCIL MAY REPORT ON THE FOLLOWING ITEMS, EXPRESSION OF THANKS, CONGRATULATIONS OR CONDOLENCES INFORMATION ABOUT HOLIDAY SCHEDULES, RECOGNITION OF INDIVIDUALS, REMINDERS ABOUT UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL EVENTS, INFORMATION ABOUT COMMUNITY EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS INVOLVING IMMINENT THREAT TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, AS WELL AS ANY LIAISON UPDATES.
COUNSELOR, ARE THERE ANY, UM, ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST? YES, MAYOR PROAM.
ON BEHALF OF THE FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO DESOTO ISD FOR A VERY SUCCESSFUL CONVOCATION ON YESTERDAY.
THEY WELCOMED THEIR, UM, STAFF, ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS, EDUCATORS.
IF YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR CHILDREN IN DESOTO, ISD, PLEASE GET THEM REGISTERED.
THEY ARE DOING SOME GREAT THINGS AND WE ARE SO PROUD OF OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.
AND ON BEHALF OF THE PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT ON AUGUST 9TH, THERE IS A BACK TO SCHOOL SEWING IN THE PARK THAT WILL BE AT ERNIE ROBERTS FROM 10:00 AM TO NOON, AND THAT WILL BE THIS FRIDAY THE NINTH.
YOU MUST REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE.
STUDENT ICONS.ORG IS SPONSORING THIS EVENT ON AUGUST 23RD.
WE HAVE OUR DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER THE SIXTH ANNUAL MATURE ADULT PROM NIGHT.
AND THAT WILL BE HERE AT THE CIVIC CENTER FROM SIX TO 9:00 PM THERE IS WELL, EARLY BRITS AND GENERAL ADMISSION.
GENERAL ADMISSION EXPIRES AUGUST 9TH AND LATE.
UH, ADMISSION GOES THROUGH THE 16TH.
THE TICKETS WILL BE $25 UNTIL FRIDAY, $30 UNTIL THE 16TH ON AUGUST 24TH, IT'S TIME TO LAUGH COMEDY AT DESOTO COMEDY THEATER, AND THAT WILL BE AT 7:00 PM AND MAYOR, IF I MAY, I'D LIKE FOR US TO TAKE A MINUTE OF A MOMENT OF SILENCE IN HONOR OF SEAN MARTIN, WHO HAD THE LUXURY OF PLAYING FOR DESOTO ON OCCASIONS.
AND HE HAS PASSED A SEVEN TIME GRAMMY AWARD WINNER.
I'M THANKFUL THAT I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO, UM, BE IN ON ONE OF HIS SETS.
SO IF WE COULD JUST TAKE A MOMENT OF SILENCE AND IF WE COULD ALSO ADD, UM, HIS FAMILY, DE SEAN IS ACTUALLY WAS A, UH, FROM DESOTO.
HIS FAMILY IS STILL HERE IN OUR CITY, AND SO WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PRAYING FOR HIS WIFE, HIS SON, AND AND HIS PARENTS AND EVERYBODY WHO, UM, WHO LOVED HIM VERY MUCH SO DEARLY.
SO WE'LL TAKE A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
THANK YOU MADAM MAYOR, ARE YOU BACK? THANK YOU, MAYOR PROTI.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST COUNCIL MEMBER RAFI? YES, MADAM MAYOR.
UM, THE THIRD ANNUAL DALLAS ARTIST LAB SHOWCASE FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY MARKET CALENDARS FOR SATURDAY, OCTOBER THE FIFTH.
IT'LL BE HELD HERE AT THE AMPHITHEATER, IN THE AMPHITHEATER IN THE CORNER THEATER.
WE HAVE SEVERAL ARTISTS, LOCAL ARTISTS AND ARTISTS WHO ARE PART OF THE DESOTO ARTIST LAB WHO WILL BE SHOWCASING THE THINGS THAT THEY'VE BEEN DOING OVER THIS PAST SEASON.
SO I WANTED TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF THAT.
I ALSO WANTED TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF THE RFQ THAT'S OUT THERE.
SO THERE IS A REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR, UM, ARTISTS.
SO THIS IS A PUBLIC ART AND MURAL MURAL, UM, CALL FOR ARTISTS.
AND, UM, THE DEADLINE FOR YOUR SUBMISSIONS IS AUGUST 30TH.
YOU CAN GO TO THE DESOTO WEBSITE, THAT'S DESOTO TEXAS.GOV WEBSITE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THAT PARTICULAR RFQ.
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN, UM, UM, VYING FOR, UM, THAT SPOT, UM, IN BRINGING A MURAL AND BEAUTIFUL ART TO DESOTO.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER BUR THANK YOU MADAM MAYOR.
BY WAY OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, UH, CORPORATION, WE WANT YOU TO PUT ON YOUR CALENDAR SEPTEMBER THE 20TH AND THE 21ST.
THERE IS A TOWN HALL MEETING AS WELL AS A QUESTION AND ANSWER SERIES REGARDING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THAT IS HAPPENING IN THE GREAT CITY OF DESOTO.
THE FIRST PART WILL BE, UH, US GIVING YOU INFORMATION.
THE SECOND PART WILL BE US TAKING QUESTIONS IF YOU WANNA KNOW WHERE DESOTO IS AND WHAT, HOW WE COULD BETTER POSITION IT.
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IS THE MEETING THAT YOU WANT TO BE IN.AGAIN, THAT'S SEPTEMBER THE 20, THE 20TH AND THE 21ST.
AND ALSO LEADERSHIP SOUTHWEST, WHICH IS A LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, UM, UM, ORGANIZATION THAT, UH, SEVERAL OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS SAID ON THE BOARD.
UM, I HAPPEN TO BE ON THE EXECUTIVE BOARD AS WELL, IS HAVING A COMEDY NIGHT ON SEPTEMBER THE 26TH.
UH, THE FUNDRAISER IS, IS HERE TO HELP OFFER A SCHOLARSHIP FOR THOSE LEADERS WHO ARE UP AND COMING, WHO MIGHT WANT TO SHARPEN THEIR LEADERSHIP SKILLS.
SO ON SEPTEMBER THE 26TH HERE IN THE BLACK BOX THEATER, UM, WE WILL TURN, UH, OUR BLACK BOX THEATER TO THE IMPROV OF DESOTO
SO PLEASE COME AND BE WITH US ON THOSE DATES.
I'M, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SOME COMEDY.
I KNOW EVERYBODY ELSE IS AS WELL.
I'M COMING, UH, TO YOU FOR THE LIBRARY.
UM, THE LIBRARY HAS A MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID WORKSHOP ON SATURDAY, AUGUST THE 24TH, UH, FROM 10:00 AM TO 5:30 PM AND WHAT THIS WORKSHOP IS HOPING TO DO IS TO TEACH YOU HOW TO IDENTIFY, UNDERSTAND, AND RESPOND TO SIGNS OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE AND CHALLENGES OR CRISIS AMONG ADULTS.
I THINK IF YOU HAVE A NEED, UH, YOU CAN GO ONLINE AND ACTUALLY REGISTER FOR THIS FROM THE DESOTO LIBRARY AND THEY LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU COME AND LEARN WITH THEM.
UH, DR. MARKS, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH MADAM MAYOR.
UH, I AM COMING TO YOU FOR THE PRECINCT CHAIRS OF DESOTO, TEXAS.
AS YOU KNOW, OR MAY NOT KNOW, THERE ARE 21 PRECINCT CHAIRS HERE IN THE ALL AMERICAN CITY OF DESOTO.
AND OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, NOVEMBER IS ELECTION.
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ELECTION, AND WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO BRING SOMEONE AND HELP US GET OUT THE VOTE.
WE WILL BE HAVING A CITYWIDE ACTIVITY ON SEPTEMBER 21ST.
THAT IS A SATURDAY FROM 10 TO TWO O'CLOCK OVER AT THE GROVE DESOTO MARKETPLACE, LOCATED AT THREE 20 SET, 3 24 EAST BELTLINE ROAD.
WE WANT YOU TO COME OUT AND BRING SOMEONE, IF YOU SHOULD HAVE NEIGHBORS, FRIENDS WITH CHILDREN, THAT WILL BE 18 BY NOVEMBER BY, UH, I CAN'T REMEMBER THE DATE BY NOVEMBER 5TH OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET THEM OUT TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN THIS PARTICULAR ELECTION.
OUR, UH, NUMBERS HERE IN DESOTO IS VERY LOW, SO WE WANT TO TRY AND RAISE THOSE.
SO PLEASE AGAIN, HELP US TO GET OUT THE VOTE.
THAT WILL BE SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21ST OVER AT THE GROW DESOTO MARKETPLACE, LOCATED AT 3 24 EAST BELTLINE ROAD.
MADAM MAYOR, I YIELD BACK DR. MARKS, IF I COULD TAG ON, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER PARKER, UM, GOT US THE DATE, IT'S OCTOBER 10TH THAT THEY NEED TO BE 18 BY IN ORDER TO REGISTER TO VOTE.
COUNCIL, ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS? YES, MS. THOMAS, IF YOU COULD ANNOUNCE OUR, UM, EVENT ON THURSDAY.
ON THIS THURSDAY, AUGUST 8TH AT 6:00 PM IN THE BLUE BON ROOMS OF OUR DESOTO CIVIC CENTER, WE'LL BE HOLDING OUR ANNUAL VOLUNTEER FAIR.
UH, RESIDENTS ARE WELCOME TO COME OUT AND LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR AMAZING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, OUR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, AND, UH, ANY VACANCIES THAT WE HAVE.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, YOU CAN VISIT EVENTBRITE OR OUR CITY'S WEBSITE, UM, FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO GET REGISTERED, IT IS A FREE EVENT.
UM, I WILL CLOSE IT OUT WITH A FEW ANNOUNCEMENTS.
UM, WE HAVE TONIGHT, THE MOST IMMEDIATE EVENT IS OUR NATIONAL NIGHT OUT.
WE HAVE A ABOUT SIX, UH, HOAS THAT ARE HAVING EVENTS TO, WELL FIVE HOAS IN, IN ONE, UH, BUSINESS THAT'S HAVING EVENTS TONIGHT.
WE HAVE SILVER CREEK MEADOWS THAT WILL BE HOSTING THEIR EVENT STARTED AT 6:00 PM WE ALSO HAVE A, UH, CITYWIDE EVENT, OR THAT THE ENTIRE CITY IS WELCOME TO GO TO AT THE SOTO MARKETPLACE THERE ON BELTLINE AT 3 24 EAST BELTLINE ROAD.
THAT EVENT IS FROM 6:00 PM TO 8:30 PM UM, AND PLEASE DROP BY THERE.
WE ALSO HAVE THORNTREE ESTATES, MANTLE BROOK, HIGH MEADOWS, CANDLE MEADOWS, AND BROADWOOD ESTATES WILL ALL BE HOSTING EVENTS TONIGHT.
AND WE KNOW THAT THIS EVENT, UM, IS A, AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, UM, AND OUR FIRST RESPONDERS TO GET OUT AND INTERACT, UM, AND SHARE STATISTICS AND SHARE DIFFERENT THINGS, UH, THAT ARE OF HELPFUL, THAT ARE HELPFUL TO, UM, OUR COMMUNITIES.
AND SO WE'RE GRATEFUL THAT, UM, WE'VE KEPT THIS TRADITION GOING FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
AND SO, UH, TONIGHT IS NO DIFFERENT.
SO PLEASE JOIN US AT ONE OF THOSE EVENTS IF YOU CAN.
UM, I ALSO WANTED TO END MY ANNOUNCEMENTS WITH SHARING A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE, UH, SUMMER READING PROGRAM.
AND WE KNOW THAT READERS ARE LEADERS.
AND SO OUR LIBRARY, UM, WE CAPPED OFF THE SUMMER READING CLUB THIS WEEKEND WITH THE VIP PIZZA PARTY, AS WELL AS A POOL PARTY FOR ALL OF THE PARTICIPANTS
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OF THE SUMMER READING PROGRAM AT MOSLEY POOL.AND I WANNA SHARE JUST A FEW STATS.
WE HAD 855 PEOPLE COMMITTED TO READING FOR THE 2024 MAYOR SUMMER READING CLUB.
WE HAD 376 READERS THAT COMPLETED THE PROGRAM BY EARNING AT LEAST 10 READING POINTS.
WE HAD 76 READERS WHO READ OVER 25 HOURS THIS SUMMER.
UM, AND THAT MEANS THEY GOT OVER A HUNDRED POINTS OR MORE.
AND THE LIBRARY AWARDED OVER 3,400 PRIZES TO ALL OF OUR READERS.
AND WE HAD 29 COMMUNITY PARTNERS WHO PROVIDED PRIZES AND OR FREE PROGRAMMING FOR DESOTO SUMMER READERS.
SO COLLECTIVELY, DRUM ROLL PLEASE.
THAT'S A WEAK DRUM ROLL, BUT WE'LL TAKE IT COLLECTIVELY.
DESOTO READ OVER 5,200 HOURS FOR THE 2024 MAYOR SUMMER READING CLUB.
SO I WOULD SAY THEY DID A REALLY GREAT JOB.
AND SO WE, UM, I WANNA GIVE A SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO OUR LIBRARY STAFF WHO DOES AN INCREDIBLE JOB EACH YEAR THAT THEY DO THIS.
BUT THIS YEAR THERE WAS SOMETHING VERY, VERY SPECIAL.
AGAIN, WE HAD SOME INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY PARTNERS.
UM, I WANNA SPECIFICALLY SHOUT OUT PIZZA PATRON MARCOS PIZZA, UM, PROVIDED PROBABLY OVER WELL OVER A HUNDRED PIZZAS BETWEEN THE TWO ORGANIZATIONS TO FEED OUR RESIDENTS AND, AND OUR, AND OUR CHILDREN AND OUR YOUNG ADULTS, UM, OVER THE WEEKEND.
AND SO WE WANNA GIVE THEM ANOTHER GREAT BIG HAND CLAP TOO FOR ALL THE WORK THAT THEY DID TO SUPPORT THE SUMMER READING PROGRAM.
AT THIS TIME, MS. THOMAS WILL HAVE THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA.
[D. CITIZEN APPEARANCES]
CITIZEN APPEARANCES.THE CITY COUNCIL INVITES CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON ANY TOPIC NOT ALREADY SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING.
CITIZENS WISHING TO SPEAK SHOULD COMPLETE A CITIZEN COMMENT CARD AND PRESENT IT TO THE CITY SECRETARY OR RETURN TO THE AMBASSADOR'S TABLE PRIOR TO THE MEETING.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT, THE CITY COUNCIL CANNOT TAKE ACTION ON ITEMS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA.
HOWEVER, YOUR CONCERNS MAY BE ADDRESSED BY CITY STAFF PLACED ON A FUTURE AGENDA OR RESPONDED TO BY SOME OTHER COURSE.
ATTENDEES MAY SPEAK ON ANY ITEM LISTED ON THE AGENDA DURING THAT PORTION OF THE AGENDA.
HOWEVER, FOR TOPICS NOT SCHEDULED, ATTENDEES WILL SPEAK DURING CITIZEN APPEARANCES.
THE STANDARD TIME LIMIT IS THREE MINUTES PER SPEAKER AND MAY BE MODIFIED AT THE MAYOR'S DISCRETION TO MAINTAIN AN EFFICIENT FLOW OF THE MEETING.
COMMENT CARDS RELATED TO SPECIFIC AGENDA ITEMS ARE DUE PRIOR TO THE INTRODUCTION OF AN AGENDA ITEM.
HOWEVER, COMMENT CARDS RELATED TO THE CITIZEN APPEARANCES PORTION OF THE AGENDA MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE AMBASSADOR'S TABLE PRIOR TO THE START OF THE MEETING.
AND FIRST, I HAVE SHANITA CLEVELAND.
MS. CLEVELAND, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE FOR THE RECORD.
YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK.
UH, I AM SHANITA LECHE CLEVELAND.
UH, DESPITE WHAT THE NEWS MEDIA SAYS, UH, I LIVE IN SOUTH DALLAS, TEXAS, IN QUEEN CITY, UH, BURGER AVENUE, DALLAS, TEXAS.
UH, AND AGAIN, I'M NOT A RESIDENT OF DESOTO, BUT I STAND WITH THE OF DESOTO, UH, ESPECIALLY WITH THE PURPLE HEARTS.
UH, JUST PUTTING YOUR LIFE ON THE LINE, UH, FOR PEOPLE YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW.
THAT'S AN AMAZING GIFT TO HAVE.
AND SO I DEFINITELY WANNA RECOGNIZE THE POSITIVITY AND THE LOVE AND THAT, UM, THAT YOU DO LAY YOUR LIFE DOWN FOR OTHERS.
UH, BUT WE ARE ALSO SUPPOSED TO SPREAD THE WORD, THE GOOD NEWS, RIGHT? UH, WE'RE SUPPOSED TO HAVE FAIRNESS AND EQUALITY, RIGHT? AND WE'RE SUPPOSED TO HAVE JUSTICE.
UH, THAT DOESN'T TIP THE WRONG WAY.
AND I KNOW WE JUST TALKED ABOUT ELECTIONS AND HOW IMPORTANT THE ELECTIONS ARE, BUT MY THING IS, ARE YOU GONNA STEAL THE ELECTION? WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN? ARE WE VOTING FOR LYING, CONNIVING PEOPLE? I MEAN, WHAT ARE WE DOING? ARE WE VOTING FOR PEOPLE THAT TRULY LOVE SERVING THE PEOPLE? OKAY, SO LEADERS DON'T TAKE IT PERSONAL.
WE HAVE THAT AS A GIFT TO NOT TAKE THINGS PERSONAL THAT YOU DON'T AGREE.
THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOU HAVE TO CONTINUE TO HATE ONE ANOTHER.
I SPOKE, I WAVE, YOU, WAVE BACK, SPOKE.
WE WERE STANDING THERE TALKING, UH, TO ONE ANOTHER.
THERE WAS NO HARM, THERE WAS NONE OF THAT.
UH, BUT AT SOME POINT, WE HAVE GOT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY.
SPIRIT IS EVERY DAY, ALL DAY, EVERY SECOND OF THE DAY.
YOU MIGHT STOP AND DO THINGS YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO DO, ME DO THINGS I'M NOT SUPPOSED TO DO.
BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT DOESN'T GO AWAY.
AND I KEEP SAYING THAT IT DOES NOT GO AWAY.
PRIME EXAMPLE, I LOVE HIM, PASTOR TONY EVANS, BECAUSE THERE'S
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SOMETHING STILL MISSING.OKAY? AND I APOLOGIZE AGAIN AND AGAIN.
EVERY TIME I SEE YOU, I APOLOGIZE BECAUSE THIS IS THE EXPERIENCE.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE YOUR LAST TERM, YOU KNOW, THE HISTORY OF THE LAST TERM.
I THINK THAT MAYBE DESOTO SHOULD THINK ABOUT A DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM TO SPREAD THE POWER AND THE AUTHORITY AND THE ACCOUNTABILITY.
I THINK THAT MAYBE IS SOMETHING BECAUSE YOU'RE GONNA NEED ALL THE HELP YOU CAN BECAUSE THE IMPENDING HOMELESS PROBLEM THAT IS COMING TO DESOTO AND I YIELD BACK BERNADINE HARRISON.
GOOD EVENING, MS. HARRISON, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE FOR THE RECORD.
YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK.
I'M BERNADINE HARRISON, AND I LIVE HERE IN DESOTO.
AND I'D FIRST LIKE TO SAY, UM, UM, MS. CLEVELAND, I SUPPORT EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE SAID 100% IN ACCORDANCE WITH WHAT YOU'VE SAID AND THE COMMUNITY IS BEHIND YOU.
UM, YOU SAID AT THE LAST, UH, MEETING HERE, YOU DID IT FIVE TIMES AND IT'S ALMOST LIKE WASHING OUR FACE IN, UM, DISHONESTY.
THE MAYOR PRO TEM OF THIS BODY IS DR. MARKS.
YOU CAN'T CHANGE HORSES IN MIDSTREAM.
NOW, THE THING THAT I DON'T QUITE UNDERSTAND, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE PAY, I GUESS, A CITY ATTORNEY TO INTERPRET THE LAW AND INTERPRET THE RULES AND FOLLOW THE RULES.
UM, MS. HUGHES, I THINK IT'S UNFORTUNATE.
WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE, THAT YOU SAID WHAT YOU DID HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE FOR YOURSELF.
YOU DO, BUT YOU CAN'T DO IT AFTER THE FACT.
YOU CAN'T CHANGE THE RULES AFTER WE'VE COME TO A CONCLUSION.
OKAY? YOU KNOW, AND I KNOW THAT YOU CAN'T DO IT.
OKAY? THE THINGS THAT HAVE GONE ON IN THIS CITY ARE JUST ABSOLUTELY DEPLORABLE.
THE MORE I LEARN, THE MORE UPSET I BECOME.
SOMEONE SHARED WITH ME THAT MS. HUGHES, YOU WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN HAVING DESOTO PRIVATE SCHOOL RECEIVE A SUM OF $50,000.
NOW, IF THERE'S ANY TRUTH TO THAT STATEMENT, IT IS DEPLORABLE.
YOU CANNOT TAKE WE THE PEOPLE'S MONEY AND DO WHAT YOU'D LIKE TO DO WITH IT AT WILL.
WE'RE NOT GONNA STAND FOR THIS ANYMORE.
WE ARE GOING TO GO IF NEED BE, AND UNSEAT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU.
AND IF WE DON'T SUCCEED, NOTHING BEATS A FAILURE.
WE HAVE, WHAT? A HUNDRED AND SOME MILLION DOLLARS OF DESOTO MONEY STOLEN OUT OF OUR SCHOOLS, AND THEN YOU TURN AROUND AND GIVE $50,000.
NOW, I'M, I'M HOPING THAT YOU'RE GOING TO TELL ME I'M ALL WRONG.
BECAUSE IF IT IS TRUE, THEN THIS IS EVEN WORSE THAN WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO DR. MARKS.
DR. MARKS, YOU'RE NOT ONE OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE, OKAY? I DON'T KNOW YOU THAT WELL, OKAY? BUT I DO KNOW THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE FAIR IN THIS CITY.
WE'RE GONNA TREAT PEOPLE FAIRLY.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR POSITION AND WHAT WE'LL DO IF NEED BE, AND WE'RE WORK DOING IT, WE'LL UNSEAT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.
OKAY? YOU'VE FORGOTTEN WHO'S IN CHARGE.
WE, THE PEOPLE WE ARE IN CHARGE.
I THINK PRESIDENT OBAMA SAID, LOOK, YOU START MAKING DIFFERENCES IN YOUR OWN COMMUNITY.
AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO.
WE'RE GONNA MAKE A DIFFERENCE HERE.
WE'RE GONNA GET RID OF SEVERAL OF YOU.
I HATE TO SAY THE ONES WHO WE'RE GONNA GET RID OF, BUT WE'RE GONNA GIVE IT AN HONEST TRY.
SO YOU NEED TO SPEND YOUR TIME CONCENTRATING.
MS. HARRISON, THAT CONCLUDES YOUR TIME.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE FOR THE RECORD.
YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK.
MARY BONAPARTE, CITY OF DESOTO, 34 YEARS.
I WANNA START BY SAYING THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER CHISHOLM, UM, FOR THE PURPLE HEART AND THERE FOR EVEN THINKING ABOUT IT.
I COME FROM A LONG FAMILY OF VETERANS.
I DO WANNA SAY, UM, YESTERDAY I VISITED GRAND PRAIRIE AND I'VE BEEN OUT THERE QUITE A BIT AND LOOKING AROUND AND I THOUGHT, WHAT DO WE NEED IN DESOTO? WHAT WE NEED, WE GET OVER 1.5 MILLION
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VEHICLES ON I 35.AND THAT, I'M SURE THAT'S WEEKLY.
UM, WE NEED TO LOOK AT DEVELOPING I 35, THIS HAMPTON ROAD, NAH, I 35.
YOU CAN CAPTURE EVERYONE GOING THROUGH THIS CITY BEFORE THEY GET TO WASATCH OR RED OAK.
JUST A SUGGESTION, I WANT TO COMMEND CHIEF, UM, COSTA ON HIS FIELD OFFICERS.
THEY HAVE BEEN DOING A SPLENDID JOB DURING THE LAST TWO WEEKS WHEN WE'VE SUMMONS THEM.
NOW I ALSO WANNA TALK ABOUT THIS BUDGET.
IT'S A COMPLETE AND UTTER MESS WHEN I LOOKED AT IT.
UM, AND I SAY THAT BECAUSE I SEE NOWHERE IN THERE FOR ADDITIONAL ANIMAL CONTROL STAFF.
THAT'S BEEN THE CONCERN FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS.
I SEE NOWHERE IN THERE FOR ADDITIONAL CODE STAFF THAT NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED.
WE CAN'T CONTINUE TO DEVELOP AND GROW AND NOT ADDRESS PROBLEMS. AGAIN, IT'S LIKE FIXING UP A 1954 CHEVY WITH MILLION DOLLAR RIMS. IT'S NOT GONNA WORK.
WE NEED TO CLEAN UP WHAT WE'VE MESSED UP.
AT THIS TIME WE'LL HAVE THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA.
[E. CONSENT AGENDA Items are listed on the Consent Agenda by the City Manager and are recommended to the City Council for single vote approval. An item( s) may be removed from the Consent Agenda for separate vote at the request of a Councilmember, the Mayor, or the City Manager. ]
MOVING TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA, ITEMS ARE LISTED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA BY THE CITY MANAGER AND ARE RECOMMENDED TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR SINGLE VOTE APPROVAL.AN ITEM MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR SEPARATE VOTE AT THE REQUEST OF A COUNCIL MEMBER, THE MAYOR, OR THE CITY MANAGER.
FIRST, WE HAVE APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FOR SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES FOR APRIL 15TH, 2024.
CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE 24 25 CDBG ANNUAL ACTION PLAN.
CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH BRUNER'S TRUCK AND EQUIPMENT IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $188,038 UTILIZING HGAC CONTRACT NUMBER HT ZERO SIX DASH TWO TO PURCHASE A NEW 2026 MACK DUMP TRUCK FOR DEVELOPMENT SERVICES STREET DIVISION.
CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT WITH ADVANCED PAVING COMPANY IN THE AMOUNT OF 2 290 $6,312 AND APPROVING A TOTAL PROJECT BUDGET OF $337,795 AND 68 CENTS TO INCLUDE MATERIAL TESTING, CONSTRUCTION, AND CONTINGENCY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SOUTH HAMPTON ROAD MILL AND OVERLAY PROJECT.
AND CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE AMENDMENT NUMBER TWO TO THE EXISTING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH HALF ASSOCIATES INC.
IN THE NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $32,500 FOR ADDITIONAL SCOPE OF SERVICES RELATED TO DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION SERVICES FOR THE WOLF CREEK ESTATES DRAINAGE INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT.
COUNSEL, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS REGARDING THE CONSENT AGENDA? YES, DR. MARKS.
THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR, I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT ITEM NUMBER TWO.
AND THIS TALKS ABOUT THE 2026 MAC DUMP TRUCK.
I REMEMBER BACK IN JUNE, I THINK IT WAS JUNE 16TH OR SO, WE, UM, AND THANK YOU FOR COMING TO THE LECTERN.
I BELIEVE WE APPROVED SOME VEHICLES AT THAT TIME.
AND MY QUESTION WAS, DID THAT PARTICULAR PRICE INCLUDE WRAPPING? AND AT THAT TIME, YOU OR SOMEONE? I, I THINK IT WAS YOU.
THEY SAID IT DID INCLUDE, UM, OH, FOR POLICE VEHICLES? YES, FOR THE, FOR THE WRAPPING WHATEVER, UH, VEHICLES THERE WERE.
SO MY QUESTION IS, AND LET ME BACK UP.
AND AT THAT TIME I ASKED IF YOU COULD JUST GIVE ME A BREAKDOWN OF WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE, BECAUSE IF IT'S A TOTAL PRICE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE, WHAT WE'RE BEING CHARGED PER ITEM.
AND THAT WAS, THAT WAS REQUESTED IN JUNE, SO, OKAY.
SO IF YOU WOULD BE SO KINDEST TO GET THAT TO ME, I CAN HAVE THAT TOO.
SO THE SAME QUESTION APPLIES TO THIS PARTICULAR ITEM.
WILL THIS TRUCK BE WRAPPED? IT IS NOT WRAPPED.
IT WILL ONLY HAVE CITY OF DESOTO EMBLEMS ON IT, UH, AND INDICATE THAT IT IS A STREET DEPARTMENT VEHICLE WITH A UNIT NUMBER.
AND YOU'RE GONNA GET THAT INFORMATION TO ME, LYNN? YES, MA'AM.
UH, AL FR UH, THANK YOU MAYOR AND, AND, UH, HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
UH, WHAT WADE IS GONNA PROVIDE IS, UH, AN EMAIL TO EVERY COUNCIL MEMBER.
SO WE WOULD HAVE, UH, THAT INFORMATION FOR ALL OF YOU.
COUNCIL, ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS REGARDING THE CONSENT AGENDA OR REQUEST FOR INFORMATION BEFORE WE, UH, CALL FOR A VOTE? HEARING NONE, UM, AT THIS TIME I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION MATTER MAYOR, I MOVE TO APPROVE AS
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PRESENTED.IT'S BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAPHAEL SECOND BY MAYOR TIM HUGHES.
THAT MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
UH, MS. THOMAS, WE'LL HAVE THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA.
[1. Consider authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute an Agreement with Forvis Mazars, LLP to provide audit services for the City of DeSoto, for an initial term of three years, with the option of two (2) additional one (1) year renewals]
NO PUBLIC HEARINGS, WE MOVE INTO OUR REGULAR AGENDA.CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH FOUR OF ITS MASAR, LLP TO PROVIDE AUDIT SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF DESOTO FOR AN INITIAL TERM OF THREE YEARS WITH THE OPTION OF TWO ADDITIONAL ONE YEAR RENEWALS.
MAKING THE STAFF PRESENTATION IS LAKITA SUTTON, ASSISTANT FINANCE DIRECTOR.
GOOD EVENING MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.
AS YOU ARE AWARE, OUR, UM, OUR, UM, POLICIES DO, UH, REQUIRE US TO GO OUT FOR A NEW AUDIT FIRM EVERY FIVE YEARS.
AND AT THE END OF OUR FISCAL YEAR 23 AUDIT, OUR FORMER AUDITOR, PATELLA BROWN AND HILL, UH, HAS SERVED US FOR FIVE YEARS IN MAY, WE WENT OUT FOR AN RFQ FOR A NEW AUDIT FIRM.
THAT RFQ WAS RELEASED ON MAY 3RD.
WE HELD A PRE-SUBMIT CONFERENCE ON MAY 28TH, AND WE HAD A DUE DATE OF JUNE 5TH.
WE HAD SIX FIRMS TO SUBMIT TO THE RFQ AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE SUBMITTAL.
WE FORMED, UH, THERE WAS A COMMITTEE FORMED WITH THREE MANAGING DIRECTORS AND MYSELF, AND WE LOOKED AT CERTAIN CRITERIA AND MADE US A CERTAIN SCORING CRITERIA FOR THOSE FIRMS. THE FINDINGS OF THAT WAS FOUR.
THIS LLC HAD THE HIGHEST SCORE IN JUNE, WE ALSO HELD A MEETING WITH OUR AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE, AND THE AUDITED FINANCE COMMITTEE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FIRM THAT WAS SELECTED FROM THE, UM, SUBMITTAL.
AND THE SCORING CRITERIA WAS SHARED WITH THEM.
SCORING CRITERIA IS ALSO INCLUDED IN YOUR, UM, PACKETS AS WELL.
YOU CAN, UM, TAKE A LOOK AND SEE KIND OF HOW FOUR OF THIS, UM, STACKED UP WITH THE OTHER FIVE FORMS, UH, FIRMS THAT SUBMITTED.
WOULD YOU HAPPEN TO HAVE ANY, UM, INFORMATION WHERE THE RESIDENTS CAN SEE WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT AND WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT? IS THERE ANYTHING THAT THEY CAN LOOK AT AS WE DO THIS? NOT, 'CAUSE I THINK, YOU KNOW, THEY NOT ON THE SCREEN, NOT, YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING MM-HMM, NO.
WE DO HAVE, UM, FOUR, UH, FOUR AND A REPRESENTATIVE FROM FOUR OF US HERE THIS EVENING, UM, THAT CAN COME UP AND INTRODUCE THEIR FIRM TO YOU AND ALSO, UM, ENTERTAIN ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT THE FIRM.
UM, JUST IN INTRODUCING, UH, WE DID FOLLOW ALL OF THE STATE PURCHASING GUIDELINES WITH PRO WITH POSTING THIS RFQ.
AND SO IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME, I'D LIKE TO BRING FORWARD, UH, JOSH FINLAY WITH FOUR US, UH, LLC.
MY, LIKE SHE SAID, MY NAME'S JOSH FINLEY.
WE ARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE FIRM.
WE'RE THE EIGHTH LARGEST FIRM, UH, AUDITING FIRM IN THE AMERICA OR THE US.
UM, LIKE I SAID, MY NAME'S JOSH.
I'VE BEEN WITH THE FIRM ALMOST 10 YEARS NOW.
GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF, I'M FROM DALLAS, GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AND THEN MOVED BACK HERE IN 2015 AND BEGAN WORKING.
UM, BEEN AUDITING CITIES EVER SINCE.
UM, WE ACTUALLY START THE AUDIT NEXT WEEK.
ME AND THREE OF OUR ASSOCIATES WILL ACTUALLY BE ON SITE, BEGINNING THE AUDIT, BEGINNING THE INTERIM FIELD WORK.
ANYTIME YOU SWITCH FIRMS, THERE'S SOME NEW, UH, THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH TO GET TO KNOW YOU ALL A LITTLE BETTER.
JUST LIKE YOU GUYS GOT TO GET TO GET TO KNOW OUR PROCESS AND PROCEDURES.
WE, WE ASK DIFFERENT QUESTIONS EACH, EVERY FIRM'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT THE WAY THEY AUDIT.
UM, SO LIKE I SAID, WE'RE SUPER EXCITED TO GET STARTED NEXT WEEK.
UM, AND I CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU GUYS HAVE ABOUT THE FIRM OR AUDITING IN GENERAL, ET CETERA.
UM, DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? YES.
THANK YOU MADAM MAYOR, I JUST WANTED TO LEARN MORE SPECIFICALLY ABOUT YOUR AUDITING.
IS THIS A PERFORMATIVE, UM, AUDITING THAT YOU'RE DOING? UH, 'CAUSE IT MENTIONED IN THE, UM, PACKET ABOUT PERFORMANCE SERVICES, UH, PERFORMANCE AUDITING, OR IS THIS FINANCIAL FROM THAT ASPECT? FINANCIAL, SO FOR THE LISTENER AT HOME AS WELL? YEAH, SO THIS IS JUST YOUR PURE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
SO, UM, EVERY YEAR YOU ALL ISSUE AN FOR, IT'S CALLED AN ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT.
SO WHAT WE DO IS WE GO THROUGH AND WE AUDIT THOSE FINANCIALS, MAKE SURE THAT YOUR NUMBERS ARE IN LINE WITH COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS.
SO YES, IT'S, IT'S PURELY FINANCIALS AND, AND ACCOUNTING.
AND HOW, THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING THAT.
HOW LONG DO YOU ANTICIPATE YOU TO BE HERE
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IN THAT PROCESS? YEAH, SO NEXT WEEK WE'LL BE ON SITE ABOUT FOUR DAYS.UM, THAT'S KIND OF GETTING THE INTERIM.
SO BUILDING UP OUR PLANNING, UH, DOING INTERNAL CONTROLS, YOU KNOW, UNDERSTANDING Y'ALL'S PROCESSES FOR ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE.
AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK OUT IN DECEMBER AND JANUARY FOR ABOUT PROBABLY TWO OR THREE WEEKS.
UM, AND THEN WE'LL OBVIOUSLY BE WORKING FROM OUR OFFICE.
I WOULD SAY PROBABLY A TOTAL, IF YOU HAD TO ADD IN EVERYONE'S TIME ON OUR TEAM AND EVERYTHING, PROBABLY LIKE TWO MONTHS, UM, TO GET, YOU KNOW, FROM START TO FINISH TO ACTUAL ISSUE THE AFER.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL, UM, QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS BEFORE WE CALL FOR A MOTION? YES.
COUNCIL MEMBER? RAPHAEL? NO, IT'S A QUESTION FOR STAFF MEMBER.
I WAS JUST TAKING A LOOK AT, UM, OUR EVALUATION FACTORS.
THE, UH, THE THREE SECTIONS THAT WE LOOKED AT AS FAR AS THE SCORING WAS MANDATORY ELEMENTS, UH, TECHNICAL QUALITY AND COMMITMENT TO GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTING.
AND THOSE ARE THE CRITERIA THAT WE USE WHEN WE WENT OUT FOR THE PRIOR FIRM.
AND WERE YOU HERE AT THAT TIME AS WELL? NO.
AND THEN WITH THIS ONE WITH PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE ARE HERE AT THIS POINT YET, BUT I KNOW WE ALWAYS ASK A QUESTION ABOUT MWBE.
AND SO WHILE IT MIGHT NOT BE IN THIS CATEGORY, BUT JUST HIRING PRACTICES OR WHATEVER, I DON'T KNOW HOW I WANNA CONSTRUCT THAT, CONSTRUCT THAT, BUT, UM, JUST IN TERMS OF THE THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THIS COUNCIL YEAH.
IS THERE ANY CONSIDERATION ON THE PROFESSIONAL SIDE? AND IF NOT, IT'S JUST FINE.
I JUST WANT TO UNDERSTAND WE DIDN'T INCLUDE ANYTHING LIKE THAT IN RFQ.
UH, SIMPLY BECAUSE THE PURPOSE FOR THE RFQ IS TO, YOU KNOW, TO MAKE IT FOR THE CITY TO PICK THE FIRM THAT HAS, THAT MEETS THOSE THREE CRITERIA, CLOSELY MEET THOSE CRITERIA.
NEITHER OF THE SIX FIRMS THAT SUBMITTED AND INDICATED THAT THEY WERE MWBE, BUT IF, IF THEY HAD, IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN RIGHT.
INCLUDED IN THE SCORING CRITERIA.
AND MAYBE NOT M-D-M-W-B-B-B-E, BUT IT MIGHT BE, UH, HIRING PRACTICES AND SUCH LIKE THAT.
SO, BUT THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME UNDERSTAND THAT A LITTLE BIT BETTER.
COUNCIL, ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FOR STAFF OR FOR, UH, THE AUDITING FIRM BEFORE WE CALL FOR A MOTION? MAYOR, MAY I ASK SOMETHING? YES.
UM, THERE WAS A QUESTION ABOUT, UM, THE PRESENTATION FOR THIS EVENING.
WE DIDN'T HAVE A POWERPOINT, BUT I, I AM GONNA GO AHEAD AND PUT, UM, ALL OF THE INFORMATION REGARDING THIS ON THE WEBSITE SO THAT WHEN YOU GO ON OUR PURCHASING WEBSITE, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ACCESS THAT INFORMATION.
I, I WAS JUST GONNA SAY MOVING FORWARD, IF WE COULD HAVE IT PREPARED, BE, YOU KNOW, FOR OUR RESIDENTS BECAUSE IT'S, IT'S MORE THAN JUST FOR US.
SO IF YOU COULD MAKE SURE, UM, IF YOU COULD HAVE THAT FOR US.
COUNCILMAN BUR, UH, THANK YOU.
GO AHEAD MADAM MAYOR, MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT, UH, THE RECOMMENDATION BY STAFF WITH THE AUDIT AUDITING FIRM.
IT'S BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMAN BY SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM HUGHES TO APPROVE AS PRESENTED.
COUNSEL, PLEASE USE YOUR VOTING PADS.
CAN YOU, TALIA BLINK? NO, I'M BLINK.
COUNCIL MEMBER MARKS, IF WE COULD CUT, CUT OUR MICS ON.
REMEMBER, WE HAVE, I'LL START OVER THOSE WATCHING ONLINE AND SO THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO HEAR US IF WE'RE NOT, IF OUR MICROPHONES ARE NOT ON MAYOR PRO.
UM, THAT IS THE LAST ITEM ON OUR AGENDA, HOWEVER, UM, AS A POINT OF CLARIFICATION, UH, REGARDING THE, UH, CITIZEN COMMENT GOING BACK TO AGENDA ITEM D.
WHAT YOUR, YOUR, THERE WAS NO ACTION TAKEN ON ACTION.
SO WE CAN GO BACK TO COMMENT ON, SHE'S GOING BACK TO COMMENT ON ON THE CITIZEN COMMENT, CORRECT.
SO ALL OF US CAN HAVE A COMMENT.
I'M JUST SAYING BECAUSE WE THANK YOU.
UM, AS A POINT OF CLARIFICATION, GOING BACK TO AGENDA ITEM D, UM, AS IT RELATED TO THE FACADE GRANT FOR DESOTO PRIVATE SCHOOL, WE'RE GOING TO BRING BACK INFORMATION ON THAT ITEM TO CLEAR UP ANY MISUNDERSTANDING THAT, UM, THE CITIZEN
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HAD REGARDING THIS ITEM ON THE FIRST MEETING IN WHICH IT CAN BE IZED.UM, COUNSEL, AT THIS TIME, WE'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
SECOND, IT'S BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PARKER.
SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER CHISHOLM TO ADJOURN.
THAT MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
IT IS 6:45 PM WE ARE NOW ADJOURNED.