Oct 21, 2025 City Council Meeting

[A. EXECUTIVE SESSION AND RESULTING POTENTIAL ACTION (AS NEEDED) 1. The City Council will convene into executive session pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.071, Consultation with the City Attorney: To discuss pending litigation regarding Terrence Gore v. City of DeSoto. Discuss contemplated litigation authorizing the City to file suit to collect past due Hotel occupancy tax owed by Holiday Inn Express and Suites located at 1310 E. Wintergreen Road. Discuss contemplated litigation authorizing the City to file suit to collect past due Hotel occupancy tax owed by Baymont by Wyndham Dallas Souh located at 641 N. Interstate 35 E Road. Discuss contemplated litigation authorizing the City to file suit against iWorQ Systems Inc. 2. The City Council will convene into executive session pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.074 Personnel Matters: (a)(1) to deliberate the duties of the (1) City Manager and the employment of the (2) City Secretary and Municipal Judge. 3. Reconvene into Regular Session 4. Take any necessary action as a result of Executive Session]

[00:00:03]

GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY. I'M MAYOR RACHEL PROCTOR. I WANT TO WELCOME YOU ALL TO OUR REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

IT IS 4:30 P.M., AND WE I'M GOING TO ASK IF OUR INTERIM CITY SECRETARY WILL GIVE US A ROLL CALL, PLEASE. MAYOR RACHEL PROCTOR HERE. MAYOR PRO TEM CRYSTAL CHISHOLM HERE.

COUNCIL MEMBER. PARKER HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER KIM WATERS.

COUNCIL MEMBER ANDRE BIRD HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER DEBORAH NORTH.

AND COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA HUGHES HERE. THANK YOU.

WE'LL HAVE THE FIRST ITEM ON OUR AGENDA. THE CITY COUNCIL WILL CONVENE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.071, CONSULTATION WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY TO DISCUSS PENDING LITIGATION REGARDING TERRANCE GORE VERSUS CITY OF DE SOTO.

DISCUSS. CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO FILE SUIT TO COLLECT PAST DUE HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX OWED BY HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS AND SUITES, LOCATED AT 1310 EAST WINTERGREEN ROAD. DISCUSS.

CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO FILE SUIT TO COLLECT PAST DUE HOTEL OCCUPANCY.

TAX OWED BY BAYMONT BY WYNDHAM DALLAS SOUTH, LOCATED AT 641 NORTH INTERSTATE 35 EAST ROAD, AND DISCUSS CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO FILE SUIT AGAINST IWORK SYSTEMS INCORPORATED, AS WELL AS CONVENE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.07 FOR PERSONNEL MATTERS.

TO DELIBERATE THE DUTIES OF THE CITY MANAGER AND THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE CITY SECRETARY AND MUNICIPAL JUDGE.

THANK YOU, MISS REYNOLDS. AT THIS TIME WE. IT IS 4:31 P.M..

WE WILL CONVENE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND WE WILL RETURN WITH ANY ACTION.

SHOULD THERE BE SHOULD THERE BE THE RESULT OF IT? GOOD EVENING EVERYBODY. I'M MAYOR RACHEL PROCTOR. I WANT TO WELCOME EACH OF YOU TO OUR REGULAR SESSION MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL.

IT IS 6:20 P.M., AND I WANT TO CALL OUR MEETING TO ORDER OUR REGULAR SESSION TO ORDER.

RATHER, WE DID CONVENE OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 6:18 P.M., AND WE DO HAVE ACTION AS A RESULT OF IT.

WITH THAT SAID, IF THERE ARE ANY COMMENT CARDS FROM INDIVIDUALS WHO WISH TO SPEAK, WE'LL HEAR THOSE COMMENT CARDS BEFORE WE CALL FOR ANY MOTIONS.

ALL RIGHT. WE ONLY RECEIVED ONE COMMENT CARD REGARDING EXECUTIVE SESSION, AND THAT IS FROM MR. TERRANCE GORE.

GOOD EVENING, MR. GORE. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE ONLY.

FOR THE RECORD, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK. YOU CAN CUT YOUR MICROPHONE ON. PRESS THAT BUTTON FOR ME. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

MY NAME IS TERRANCE GORE. GOOD EVENING. I LIVE IN I'M A PROUD RESIDENT OF DESOTO, VETERAN AND A RETIRED PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATOR. TONIGHT, I I RAISED TONIGHT THE DEFENSE OF THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE OF CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT OF FREE SPEECH GUARANTEED UNDER BOTH OUR STATE AND FEDERAL CONSTITUTION.

THE RIGHT PROTECTS EVERY VOICE IN THIS CHAMBER, INCLUDING THE VOICES OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIAL.

WHEN COUNCILMAN CHISHOLM SPOKE HER MIND ON MATTERS AFFECTING THE CITY, SHE WAS RIGHTFULLY DEFENDED UNDER THE SAME PROTECTION.

I WAS ONE OF THOSE WHO CAME AND SPOKE AGAINST HER CENSORSHIP.

YET THIS COUNCIL CONTINUES TO SILENCE AND CENSOR CITIZENS FOR DOING THE EXACT SAME THING SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER THAT CONTRADICTS STRIKES AT THE HEART OF DEMOCRACY.

PUBLIC COMMENTS IS NOT DISORDER. IT IS THE PEOPLE'S ONLY DIRECT MEANS OF OVERSIGHT TO SAFEGUARD AGAINST MISUSE OF PUBLIC FUNDS, CRONYISM AND MALFEASANCE IN ACTION IN OFFICE.

WHICH BRINGS ME. SO I CALL ON THIS COUNCIL TO RESCIND YOUR POLICY ON RESTRICTED SPEECH, ON THE PEOPLE THAT COME ON THIS PODIUM BEFORE YOU.

NOT ONLY IS IT UNCONSTITUTIONAL, BUT IT IS A DIRECT VIOLATION OF YOUR OATH.

AND EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU ALL HAS THE OBLIGATION TO HONOR US, THE PEOPLE THAT ELECT YOU FOR OFFICE AND THE PEOPLE THAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SERVING. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS REYNOLDS.

DO WE HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL CARDS BEFORE WE CALL FOR A MOTION? NO, MA'AM. THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, COUNSEL, I'LL CALL FOR ANY MOTIONS.

[00:05:03]

IS THERE A MOTION? MADAM MAYOR, I MOVE THAT WE AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENGAGE THE LAW FIRM OF WALKER BRIGHT TO REPRESENT THE CITY OF DESOTO AS IT RELATES TO TERRANCE GORE VERSUS CITY OF DESOTO. SECOND, IT'S BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HUGHES.

SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER PARKER. TO FOR THE MOTION.

AS STATED AT THIS TIME. COUNSEL. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.

AYE. ALL OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. THAT MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU. COUNSEL, IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEM ONE B WHICH IS DISCUSSED, CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO FILE SUIT TO COLLECT PAST DUE HOTEL OCCUPANCY. TAX OWED BY HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS AND SUITES LOCATED AT 1310 EAST WINTERGREEN ROAD.

YES, MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PURSUE LITIGATION TO COLLECT PAST DUE HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAXES OWED BY HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS AND SUITES, LOCATED AT 1310 EAST WINTERGREEN ROAD. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? IT'S BEEN MOVED BY MAYOR PRO TEM CHISHOLM.

SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER HUGHES COUNCIL. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.

AYE. ALL OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. THAT MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU. COUNCIL. ITEM ONE C DISCUSS. CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO FILE SUIT TO COLLECT PAST DUE HOTEL OCCUPANCY.

TAXES OWED BY BAYMONT BY WYNDHAM DALLAS SOUTH, LOCATED AT 641 NORTH INTERSTATE 35 EAST ROAD COUNCIL.

IS THERE A MOTION? YES, MAYOR. I AUTHORIZE THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PURSUE LITIGATION TO COLLECT PAST DUE HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAXES OWED BY BAYMONT BY WYNDHAM DALLAS SOUTH, LOCATED AT 641 NORTH, INTERSTATE 35 EAST.

SECOND, IT'S BEEN MOVED BY MAYOR PRO TEM CHISHOLM.

SECOND BY COUNCILMAN BYRD COUNCIL. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.

AYE. ALL OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. THAT MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY AS WELL.

COUNCIL. THE FINAL ITEM IS ITEM ONE D DISCUSSED, CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO FILE SUIT AGAINST IWORK SYSTEMS, INC.. MADAM MAYOR, I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENGAGE IN THE LAW FIRM.

ENGAGE THE LAW FIRM OF KIRKEN AND MCCONKEY. MCCONKEY TO REPRESENT THE CITY OF DE SOTO IN FILING SUIT AGAINST IWORK SYSTEMS, INC.. OKAY. THAT MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMEMBER PARKER, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER HUGHES COUNCIL.

ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. ALL OPPOSED. SAME SIGN.

THAT MOTION. WAIT. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.

ALL OPPOSED. SAME SIGN. THAT MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY AS WELL.

THANK YOU. COUNSEL. AT THIS TIME, WE HAVE CONCLUDED ALL OF OUR EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS, AND WE WILL NOW GO INTO OUR REGULAR SESSION.

[B. REGULAR SESSION AGENDA - CALL TO ORDER]

COUNCIL MEMBER. PARKER HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER KEN WATERS HERE.

COUNCIL MEMBER ANDRE BYRD, SENIOR HERE, COUNCIL MEMBER DEBORAH NORTH HERE.

AND COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA HUGHES HERE. THANK YOU.

AT THIS TIME, WE'LL HAVE THE FIRST ITEM ON OUR AGENDA. FIRST, WE HAVE INVOCATION BY PASTOR KELLY AUSTIN AND NEW MEMORIAL FAMILY CHURCH, FOLLOWED BY PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY OUR STUDENT AMBASSADOR, ARIEL WILLIS OF KATHERINE JOHNSON TECHNOLOGY MAGNET ACADEMY.

WOULD EVERYONE PLEASE STAND? THANK YOU.

IS PASTOR AUSTIN HERE? YES. YES, SIR.

LET US PRAY. OUR FATHER, WE COME NOW IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

WE COME TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO COME TOGETHER TONIGHT.

AND WE THANK YOU FOR KEEPING US SAFE FROM DANGER, BOTH SEEN AND UNSEEN.

WE THANK YOU, LORD JESUS, FOR YOU WHO MADE US AND KNOW ALL ABOUT US.

YOU KNOW, FATHER GOD, WHEN WE ARE RIGHT AND YOU KNOW WHEN WE'RE WRONG.

YOU KNOW WHEN WE'RE WEAK AND YOU KNOW WHEN WE'RE STRONG.

WE ASK YOU NOW TO BE OUR STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS.

WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD JUST DRAW US CLOSE TO YOU AND CLOSE TO EACH OTHER.

NOW AGAIN. WHATEVER WE UNDERTAKE TO DO TONIGHT, WE PRAY THAT IT WILL BE RIGHT AND PLEASING IN YOUR SIGHT, AND WE THANK YOU FOR IT. NOW IT'S IN THE PRECIOUS AND WONDERFUL AND MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS WE PRAY.

AMEN.

[00:10:02]

ONE NATION UNDER GOD, WITH WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

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

THANK YOU, PASTOR AUSTIN, FOR LEADING US IN THAT PRAYER FOR OUR MEETING TONIGHT, AS WELL AS WE HAVE OUR STUDENT AMBASSADOR TONIGHT, AND THAT IS MISS ARIEL WILLIS. LET'S GIVE HER A GREAT BIG HAND CLAP FOR THAT.

LEADING US IN OUR PLEDGES THIS EVENING. AND I WANT TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MISS WILLIS.

SHE IS REPRESENTING KATHERINE JOHNSON TECHNOLOGY MAGNET FOR THE FOR OUR MEETING TONIGHT.

AND IT READS ARIEL WILLIS IS A DEDICATED STUDENT AT KATHERINE JOHNSON TECHNOLOGY MAGNET ACADEMY.

SHE IS ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN SEVERAL ACADEMIC AND EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAMS, INCLUDING THE VET CLUB, BAND, AND PEER MEDIATION. ARIEL'S FAVORITE SUBJECT IS MATH BECAUSE SHE ENJOYS SOLVING PROBLEMS AND FINDS IT EASY, FINDS IT COMES EASILY TO HER. SHE HAS EARNED SEVERAL ACADEMIC HONORS, INCLUDING THE A HONOR ROLL, THE SOAR AWARD, AND THE ILR AWARD. IN BAND, ARIEL ACHIEVED A SUPERIOR RATING PHARMACIST AND WAS SELECTED FOR ALL DISTRICT BEYOND ACADEMICS. ARIEL IS COMMITTED TO COMMUNITY SERVICE, VOLUNTEERING AT VARIOUS SCHOOL EVENTS AND A LOCAL RETIREMENT CENTER.

SHE ASPIRES TO BECOME A REAL ESTATE AGENT. COUNCIL MEMBER HUGHES I'M SURE SHE'S GLAD TO HEAR THAT AND PLANS TO ATTEND COLLEGE TO STUDY BUSINESS.

AN INTERESTING FACT ABOUT ARIEL IS HER TALENT FOR COOKING.

SHE LOVES EXPERIMENTING WITH NEW RECIPES AND ESPECIALLY ENJOYS BAKING WHERE HER CREATIVITY TRULY SHINES.

AGAIN, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR BEING WITH US TODAY. MISS WILLIS, WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE ANY WORDS ON BEHALF OF THE STUDENT BODY OF KATHERINE JOHNSON? YES, MA'AM. I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION MY AMAZING COUNSELOR, MISS ROBINSON.

AND OUR PRINCIPAL, COUNSELOR ROBINSON, HAS STARTED A PROGRAM WHERE WE'RE ABLE TO HELP OTHER STUDENTS AND LEARN HOW TO SOLVE REAL WORLD PROBLEMS BY HELPING THEM.

AND ALSO, KATHERINE JOHNSON IS AN AMAZING SCHOOL IN GENERAL, AND I'M ABLE TO LEARN HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT CLASSES JUST IN EIGHTH GRADE AS I AM RIGHT NOW.

ABSOLUTELY. WELL, LET'S GIVE HER ANOTHER HAND.

CLAP. ARE YOUR PARENTS HERE TONIGHT AS WELL, MISS? MISS WILLIS? YES, MA'AM. OKAY, I'M GOING TO ASK IF.

IF MISS ROBINSON WOULD ALSO COME UP AND YOUR PARENTS WOULD COME UP.

WE'LL GET A PHOTO. I'M GOING TO BRING A GIFT FOR YOU. AGAIN, AT THIS TIME, WE HAVE.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA, YOU CAN DO SO.

HOWEVER, WE ASK THAT YOU FIRST FILL OUT A CARD IN ORDER TO DO THAT.

AND THEN MISS WILLIS WILL BE ABLE TO HELP YOU AT OUR AMBASSADOR TABLE THERE. AND SO WE'RE GOING TO COME DOWN. I'M GOING TO GET SOME PHOTOS. YEAH.

I TOLD YOU OKAY. GREAT PICTURE.

OKAY. ONE, TWO.

AT THIS TIME, WE'LL HAVE THE NEXT ITEM ON OUR AGENDA.

[C. PRESENTATIONS]

MAKING A PRESENTATION IS MAYOR PROCTOR RECEIVING IS ADMINISTRATIVE SUPERINTENDENT SYDNEY ELLIOTT AND RECREATION ATTENDANT ALEXIS GREEN.

OKAY.

GOOD EVENING, DE SOTO. GOOD EVENING. OH, WAIT.

AM I ON THE RIGHT CITY? OKAY. JUST CHECKING. ALL RIGHT.

SO I'M PLEASED TO PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION IN HONOR OF UNPLUGGED TEXAS DAY.

[00:15:04]

WHEREAS UNPLUGGED TEXAS DAY WAS CREATED BY THE TEXAS RECREATION AND PARKS SOCIETY, OR OTHERWISE KNOWN AS TRAPS, AND ADOPTED BY THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE THROUGH SENATE BILL 2232, AUTHORED BY SENATOR ADAM HINOJOSA AND SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE BEN BUMGARNER. AND WHEREAS UNPLUGGED TEXAS DAY ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO DISCONNECT FROM DIGITAL GENERAL DEVICES AND ENGAGE IN OUTDOOR PLAY, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES OFFERED BY LOCAL PARKS AND RECREATION AGENCIES.

AND WHEREAS, ON AVERAGE, AMERICANS SPEND OVER SEVEN HOURS PER DAY IN FRONT OF SCREENS, CONTRIBUTING TO RISING RATES OF INACTIVITY, POOR MENTAL HEALTH AND SLEEP DISRUPTION. AND WHEREAS PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES SUCH AS TRAILS, OPEN SPACES, POOLS AND RECREATION CENTERS PROVIDE SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE PLACES FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO UNPLUG, BE ACTIVE AND CONNECT WITH NATURE AND ONE ANOTHER.

AND WHEREAS RESEARCH SHOWS THAT TIME SPENT OUTDOORS IMPROVES MENTAL CLARITY, REDUCES STRESS, INCREASES PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AND FOSTERS STRONG COMMUNITY BONDS.

AND WHEREAS, THE CITY OF DESOTO VALUES THE VITAL ROLE THAT PARKS AND RECREATION PLAYS IN ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF LIFE, HEALTH AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION. AND WHEREAS THE CITY ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN UNPLUGGED TEXAS DAY BY VISITING LOCAL PARKS, ENGAGING IN SCREEN FREE PLAY, AND ENJOYING RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RACHEL PROCTOR, BY THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME AS MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DESOTO, TEXAS, DALLAS COUNTY, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM OCTOBER 21ST, 2025 AS UNPLUGGED TEXAS DAY IN THE CITY OF DESOTO AND ENCOURAGE ALL RESIDENTS TO CELEBRATE BY UNPLUGGING FROM TECHNOLOGY AND PLUGGING INTO TEXAS'S ABUNDANT PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES.

OPPORTUNITIES. IN OFFICIAL RECOGNITION WHEREOF, I HAVE SET MY HAND AND CAUSED THE SEAL OF THE CITY OF DESOTO TO BE AFFIXED.

THE 21ST DAY OF OCTOBER, 2025, SIGNED MAYOR RACHEL PROCTOR, ATTESTED TO BY LYNN GARRISON RUNNELS, INTERIM CITY SECRETARY. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU TO MAYOR AND COUNCIL FOR THIS PROCLAMATION.

THIS JUST WENT INTO EFFECT ON SEPTEMBER 1ST. SO WE'RE SUPER EXCITED TO RECOGNIZE TODAY.

AND I BELIEVE ALEXIS WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THE EVENT GOING ON OUTSIDE THAT HER TEAM PLANNED.

HI. SO WE DO HAVE THE SUBTLE UNPLUG GOING ON RIGHT NOW AT THE END AT 8 P.M..

WE HAVE DIFFERENT FITNESS CLASSES GOING ON RIGHT NOW SUCH AS ZUMBA HIGH INTENSITY WORKOUT TRAINING.

WE ALSO HAVE BOXING TRAINING OUTSIDE. WE HAVE A DJ, WE HAVE DIFFERENT VENDORS AND OTHER WORKOUT CLASSES AS LIKE FUN GAMES IN THE GYM AS WELL.

GREAT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COME ON. I THINK.

YOU GOT IT. OKAY. THANK YOU. AS THESE LADIES MENTIONED, PLEASE BE SURE TO GO AND TAKE.

YOU SAID THAT'S OVER AT 8:00. LEXUS. OKAY, SO UNTIL 8:00 TO ENJOY THOSE FESTIVITIES.

AT THIS TIME, IT'S REYNOLDS. WE HAVE THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA. NEXT, WE HAVE RECOGNITION OF FIREFIGHTERS DEPLOYED TO ASSIST IN THE HILL COUNTRY FLOODING EFFORTS. MAKING A PRESENTATION IS ALSO MAYOR PROCTOR RECEIVING IS ADAM HUBBARD, BRANDON KENNEDY, STEVE ELDRIDGE, NICK POLLARD, MATT SNEED, STEVEN SMITH, AND CHAD HASTY.

I'M GOING TO CALL UP OUR CHIEF, OUR FIRE CHIEF, BRIAN STOTHERT, AND HE IS GOING TO INTRODUCE THIS ITEM FOR US TONIGHT.

THANK YOU ALL. MAYOR AND COUNCIL, THANK YOU ALL FOR RECOGNIZING THESE FIREFIGHTERS.

SO THERE'S NOTHING WE DO IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THAT DOESN'T HAVE A DIRECT BENEFIT FOR THE CITIZENS OF DESOTO. SO EVERYBODY TO GO.

WELL, HOW DOES DEPLOYING ACROSS THE STATE BENEFIT THE THE CITIZENS OF DESOTO? WELL, THERE'S NOTHING THAT THESE GUYS, YOU DON'T JUST BECOME A FIREMAN AND GET TO GO DEPLOY.

YOU DON'T SAY, WELL, I'M A FIREMAN, AND NOW I'M GOING TO GO. WHEN THERE'S A DISASTER, YOU HAVE TO BE SPECIALLY TRAINED. THESE GUYS SPENT HOURS AND YEARS GAINING THE QUALIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS NEEDED TO GO DEPLOY AND HELP DURING A DISASTER.

[00:20:04]

IN CASE ANYBODY IN THIS CITY ENCOUNTERS SOME TYPE OF EMERGENCY AND NEEDS US.

SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, AS PART OF TEXAS TASK FORCE AND THE TEXAS INTERSTATE FIRE MUTUAL AID SYSTEM, ALSO KNOWN AS TIFMAS, DESOTO FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL DEPLOYED TO ASSIST IN THE HILL COUNTRY FLOOD RESPONSE, CONTRIBUTING ESSENTIAL RESOURCES AND SUPPORT TO THE EMERGENCY MISSION.

THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS THAT WE HAVE ANSWERED THE CALL.

WE HAVE ADAM HUBBARD DEPLOYED WITH TASK FORCE TWO.

HE'S UNABLE TO BE HERE THIS EVENING. WE HAVE CAPTAIN BRANDON KENNEDY.

HE DEPLOYED WITH TEXAS TASK FORCE ONE. WE HAVE CAPTAIN STEVE ELDRED.

HE DEPLOYED WITH TIFMAS. WE HAVE FIREFIGHTER NICK POLLARD ALSO DEPLOYED WITH TIFMAS.

FIREFIGHTER MATT SNEED DEPLOYED WITH TIFMAS. FIREFIGHTER STEVEN SMITH COULDN'T BE HERE TONIGHT.

HE ALSO DEPLOYED WITH TIFMAS AND THEN FIREFIGHTER CHAD HASTY DEPLOYED WITH TIFMAS.

THEIR DEPLOYMENTS EXEMPLIFY COLLABORATION ACROSS AGENCIES AND JURISDICTIONS, ENABLING DEPLOYED UNITS TO PROVIDE CRITICAL FLOOD RESPONSE OPERATIONS, RESCUE ASSISTANCE, AND EARLY RECOVERY COORDINATION FOR HILL COUNTRY COMMUNITIES IN NEED.

THEIR DEDICATION SAFEGUARDED LIVES, PROTECTED PROPERTY AND DEMONSTRATED THE THE RESILIENCE AND SOLIDARITY OF OUR FIREFIGHTING FAMILY AND THE CITIZENS THEY SERVE.

SO PLEASE JOIN ME IN CONGRATULATING THESE MEN FOR THEIR TIME.

ANY RESPONSE TO THAT? I WANT TO READ THE MAYORAL COMMENDATION JUST FOR YOUR HEARING.

EACH OF THEM RECEIVE THE SAME. THE SAME COMMENDATION WITH THE SAME LANGUAGE.

AND IT SAYS MAYORAL COMMENDATION ON BEHALF OF THE DE SOTO CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITY OF DE SOTO.

I AM HONORED TO COMMEND YOU FOR YOUR EXEMPLARY SERVICE AND DEDICATION DURING THE HILL COUNTRY FLOOD RESPONSE.

YOUR COURAGE, PROFESSIONALISM AND UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SAFETY HAVE MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON THOSE AFFECTED BY THIS NATURAL DISASTER.

YOUR DEPLOYMENT AS A MEMBER OF THE DE SOTO FIRE DEPARTMENT DEMONSTRATES THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF TEAMWORK, SKILL AND SELFLESSNESS. THE SUPPORT YOU PROVIDED TO RESIDENTS, FIRST RESPONDERS AND PARTNERING AGENCY REFLECTS TRUE HEROISM AND EMBODIES THE VALUES OF SERVICE AND COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP. THE CITY OF DESOTO THANKS YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO SAFEGUARDING LIVES, PROTECTING PROPERTY, AND UPHOLDING THE TRUST PLACED IN OUR EMERGENCY RESPONDERS.

YOUR ACTIONS INSPIRE THOSE AROUND YOU, AND WE ARE PROUD TO RECOGNIZE YOU FOR YOUR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION.

ON BEHALF OF THE DESOTO CITY COUNCIL. SIGNED OCTOBER 21ST, 2025, MAYOR RACHEL PROCTOR.

AT THIS TIME, MISS REYNOLDS WILL HAVE THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA. NEXT, WE HAVE ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION

[D. ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST]

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 LIAISON UPDATES. THANK YOU, MISS REYNOLDS.

I DO SEE ONE LIGHT. THAT'S COUNCIL MEMBER HUGHES.

THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. FIRST, I'D LIKE TO MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT.

THE DESOTO ISD FOOTBALL GAME AGAINST CEDAR HILL HAS BEEN MOVED TO THURSDAY DUE TO IMPENDING INCLEMENT WEATHER, SO PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THAT. ALSO, THE GOLF TOURNAMENT FOR DESOTO AREA CHAMBER IS IS SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY, BUT AGAIN, THAT STARTS AT 830 THAT MORNING AT THORNTREE.

BUT PAY ATTENTION TO THE WEATHER, PLEASE. ON BEHALF OF OUR PARKS AND REC WE HAVE A MURDER MYSTERY.

A HALLOWEEN MURDER MYSTERY. AND THAT WILL TAKE PLACE ON OCTOBER 25TH AT 7:30 P.M..

RIGHT BEHIND ME. 211 EAST PLEASANT RUN AT THE CORNER THEATER.

AND THESE ARE ALWAYS SO MUCH FUN, SO PLEASE TRY TO COME OUT AND ENJOY YOURSELF.

OCTOBER 31ST THERE WILL BE A FUN FESTIVAL ALSO HERE AT THE DESOTO RECREATION CENTER FROM 6 TO 8 P.M..

THERE WILL BE FOOD TRUCKS, ROCK CLIMBING WALL FACE PAINTING, BOUNCE HOUSES, AND FREE CANDY STATIONS.

THERE'S A HUGE GARAGE SALE ON NOVEMBER 1ST FROM 8:00 TO 2:00, AND THAT WILL BE AT 204 LION STREET.

$15 VENDOR FEE, $20 NON MEMBER SENIORS. AND THEN ARBOR DAY FREE TREE GIVEAWAY IS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER

[00:25:06]

AND THAT WILL BE FROM 9 A.M. TO 12 P.M.. FIRST 100 TREES.

GO MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THE FIVE K RUN OR WALK TURKEY TROT AND THAT WILL BE ON NOVEMBER 22ND AT 9:00 9:00 AM AT ZIEGLER PARK. AND THERE WILL BE RAFFLES. AND THEN DON'T FORGET TO MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THE HOMETOWN HOLIDAY, CHRISTMAS PARADE AND TREE LIGHTING! WE'RE SO EXCITED TO HAVE THE PARADE BACK AND THAT WILL BE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7TH IN THE PARADE WILL START AT 5:30 P.M., AND WE'LL MAKE MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS ABOUT THESE IN THE WEEKS TO COME.

THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO TEM.

THANK YOU, MAYOR, AND GOOD EVENING, DE SOTO. I DO HAVE TWO COUNCIL.

I DO HAVE SOME COUNCIL LIAISON UPDATES. OUR VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL BE HOSTING TWO EVENTS IN NOVEMBER.

OUR VETERAN BREAKFAST, WHICH IS OUR FIFTH YEAR, WILL BE HOSTED AT THE METHODIST CHARLTON MEDICAL CENTER.

IN THE OUTPATIENT CENTER ENTRANCE THAT WILL START SEPTEMBER.

EXCUSE ME. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER THE 8TH AT 830.

THAT IS FREE. YOU DO HAVE TO REGISTER ON EVENTBRITE.

AND ALSO THE VETERAN GALA. THIS IS ONE THAT WAS HOSTED TWO YEARS AGO.

THIS IS ON NOVEMBER THE 15TH, WHICH IS ALSO A SATURDAY AT 7 P.M..

IT IS FREE TO VETERANS, HOWEVER, NON-VETERANS IT IS $35.

ON ANOTHER NOTE I WAS OUT LAST WEEK. HOWEVER, I DID ATTEND THE PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING VIRTUALLY.

WE DID LOSE TWO COMMISSIONERS, AND UNFORTUNATELY WE DID NOT GIVE YOU OUR TRADITIONAL EXIT THAT WE GIVE.

I DO SEE YOU BOTH IN THE AUDIENCE, AND I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THAT FORMAL EXIT WILL HAPPEN.

CITY STAFF AND I ARE WORKING THROUGH THAT, BUT I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THAT DID NOT GO UNNOTICED AND WILL BE RESOLVED.

AND THEN LASTLY, IF YOU ARE UNAWARE, IT IS ELECTION SEASON.

SO WE DO HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL ELECTION GOING ON.

I'M SURE OUR CITY SECRETARY, INTERIM CITY SECRETARY IS GOING TO TALK MORE ABOUT THAT.

BUT I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO GET OUT TO VOTE.

EARLY VOTING IS UNTIL NOVEMBER THE 1ST AND ELECTION DAY IS NOVEMBER THE 5TH.

MADAM MAYOR, I YIELD BACK. THANK YOU. COUNCIL, DO WE HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS OR ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST? BEFORE WE MOVE ON, I DO WANT TO ANNOUNCE WE HAVE A FEW MORE SEATS, I BELIEVE, FOR THE FAITH LEADERS BREAKFAST IN THE MORNING.

SO IF YOU ARE A FAITH LEADER THAT LIVES IN DESOTO, OR IF YOU ARE A FAITH LEADER WHO HAS A HOUSE OF WORSHIP IN DESOTO, THEN THE FAITH LEADERS BREAKFAST IS FOR YOU. THIS WILL BE OUR FINAL FAITH LEADERS BREAKFAST FOR THE YEAR OF 2025.

AND AT OUR FINAL FAITH LEADERS BREAKFAST, WE ALWAYS ALSO CELEBRATE OUR COED, WHICH IS OUR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVE IN DISASTER.

SO WE WILL BE DOING TWOFOLD TOMORROW. WE'LL BE CELEBRATING OUR FAITH LEADERS.

AND WE'LL ALSO BE CELEBRATING OUR COED. AND SO IF YOU HAVE NOT REGISTERED, I BELIEVE AGAIN, WE HAVE A FEW MORE SEATS FOR THAT. THAT BREAKFAST IS FREE.

HOWEVER, WE DO REQUIRE THAT YOU REGISTER SO THAT WE'RE ABLE TO SERVE YOU WITH THE UTMOST EXCELLENCE.

AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE A FEW MORE SLOTS LEFT. THAT BREAKFAST AGAIN IS TOMORROW, OCTOBER 22ND, AND IT BEGINS AT 8:30 A.M. AND IT WILL BE IN THE BLUEBONNET ROOM.

SO IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND, PLEASE GET SIGNED UP FOR THAT AND WE WILL SEE YOU IN THE MORNING.

AT THIS TIME WE'LL HAVE THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA.

[E. CITIZEN APPEARANCES]

CITIZENS WISHING TO SPEAK SHOULD COMPLETE A CITIZEN COMMENT CARD AND PRESENT IT TO THE CITY SECRETARY, OR RETURN TO THE AMBASSADORS TABLE PRIOR TO THE START OF 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 ARE RESPONDED TO BY SOME OTHER COURSE.

FOR ATTENDEES WANTING TO SPEAK ON ANY ITEM LISTED ON THE AGENDA.

THE COMMENT CARDS RELATED TO THE SPECIFIC AGENDA ITEMS ARE TO BE PRESENTED TO THE CITY SECRETARY PRIOR TO THE INTRODUCTION OF THAT AGENDA ITEM.

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. PLEASE NOTE THAT COMMENTS ARE TO BE ADDRESSED TO THE ENTIRE COUNCIL AND NOT TO INDIVIDUAL CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS OR STAFF.

CITIZENS SHALL REFRAIN FROM MAKING PERSONAL, IMPERTINENT, PROFANE, OR SLANDEROUS REMARKS OR BECOMING BOISTEROUS WHILE ADDRESSING THE CITY COUNCIL. IF SUCH CONDUCT OCCURS AND IS NOT CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY, THE CITY COUNCIL MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE ROOM FOR THE REMAINING SESSION OF THE MEETING, AND THE CITIZEN SHALL BE BARRED FROM APPEARING BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THAT SESSION.

[00:30:02]

AND OUR FIRST COMMENT CARD IS FROM MISS ANNA WILLIAMS. GOOD EVENING, MISS WILLIAMS. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE. FOR THE RECORD, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK. ANNA WILLIAMS, DESOTO, TEXAS. FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE LATE GIL SALTERS, WHO IS ONE OF OUR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS HERE AND LIVED IN DESOTO.

THE OTHER THING I WANT TO SPEAK TO IS MAYOR HERTZ AND MY LATE HUSBAND.

MAYOR HERTZ AND MY HUSBAND WANTED. WE DIDN'T ALWAYS GET TOGETHER OR ALWAYS RESPECT EACH OTHER.

THAT CITY COUNCIL DID. THEY? DID. THEY TALKED.

THEY SPOKE ABOUT THE CHILDREN NOWADAYS. OUR CHILDREN.

MY DAUGHTER JUST CAME FROM BETHANY COLLEGE AND SHE SAYS, MOM, GRANDMA, WHAT IS SO EVIL ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE IN THE CITY? AND I'M LISTENING TO HER AND SHE'S LISTENING TO ME TONIGHT TOO.

WE HAVE TO DO BETTER AS CITIZENS, AND WE DON'T HAVE TO HATE ON ANYONE.

WE SPEAK TO EACH OTHER. WE TALK TO EACH OTHER.

AND NO, NONE OF US ARE PERFECT. NOT EVEN THE OLD LADY.

GANGS OF DESOTO, TEXAS. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR TEN YEARS FOR THE OLD LADY GANG TO VOTE TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR CITIZENS ARE HERE WHEN SPEAKING TO EACH OTHER.

PLEASE RESPECT EACH OTHER. AND THAT'S MEAN TO Y'ALL, TOO.

THANK YOU, CHIEF COSTA AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. I DON'T CARE ABOUT ANYBODY ELSE.

I MEAN, I CARE, BUT WHEN PEOPLE SPEAK ABOUT POLICE.

WELL, MY GRANDSON IS ONE, TOO. AND HE LIVES AND HE WORKS IN A BIGGER CITY, DALLAS.

BUT THE CITIZENS OUT HERE AND THE. AND THE POLICEMEN, THE YOUNG MEN AND CHIEF COSTA, YOU KNOW WHAT? THEY WANT TO COME HOME IN THE EVENING TIME. AND THAT'S WHAT I THINK ABOUT MY SON.

THEY WANT TO COME. MY GRANDSON, THEY WANT TO COME HOME.

THE OTHER ONE IS VOTING PROPOSITION. THE CITY OF DESOTO CITIZENS.

WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH Y'ALL? DON'T COME OUT AND VOTE.

DON'T BLAME EVERYBODY ELSE. BLAME YOURSELF. AND TODAY I'M UP.

YESTERDAY I'M UP AND PEOPLE ARE. MISS WILLIAMS, YOU'RE NOT OUT THERE VOTING FOR PEOPLE, HELPING PEOPLE.

VOTE NO. HELP YOURSELF. THIS IS DESOTO, TEXAS.

HELP YOURSELF AND HELP YOUR KIDS AND LET YOUR KIDS KNOW ABOUT VOTING.

EVERYBODY THAT LIVES IN MY HOUSE BECAUSE MY DAUGHTER AND HER FOUR CHILDREN, EVERY ONE OF THEM.

IF YOU DON'T VOTE AT MY HOUSE, YOU DON'T LIVE THERE.

THANK YOU. NEXT, WE HAVE COMMENTS FROM PAULETTE HUNTER.

AND FOLLOWING IS MR. GILBERT GRAHAM. GOOD EVENING, MISS HUNTER.

PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE ONLY FOR THE RECORD.

AND YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK. MY NAME IS PAULETTE HUNTER, AND I'M RESIDENT OF DESOTO.

MY CONCERN IS I GO WALKING AT THE DESOTO EAST TRACK AND FIELD, AND THE LAST TWO DAYS, THERE'S JUST TRASH OVERFLOWING. THE WIND IS BLOWING THE TRASH ALL OVER EVERYTHING.

YOU GOT POPEYE'S CHICKEN BOXES. YOU GOT WATER BOTTLES.

LOOK LIKE SOMEBODY PUT A TENT OUT THERE AND THE GARBAGE IS JUST OVERFLOWING.

SO I WAS KIND OF WONDERING, WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR MAINTAINING THAT FIELD? AND TO BE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT FIELD YOU'RE REFERRING TO IS THIS ON ONE OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT CAMPUSES? DESOTO EAST FIELD. TRACK AND FIELD. SO THAT'S THE SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPERTY, NOT A CITY PROPERTY.

OKAY. SO THAT'S A QUESTION THAT'S BETTER DIRECTED IN TERMS OF WHAT THEIR PROCEDURES ARE FOR MAINTENANCE.

I CAN SEE IF WE CAN GET. YEAH. IF WE CAN MAKE THE CONNECTION AND LET THEM KNOW ABOUT YOUR YOUR COMMENTS TONIGHT.

BUT THAT IS A SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPERTY. SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET OUT AND DO THINGS.

BUT WHEN YOU GO OUT AND IT'S FILTHY, YOU KNOW, IT'S A DISCOURAGEMENT.

YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU, MISS HUNTER. WE'LL DEFINITELY MAKE SURE WE PASS THE COMMENT ON. THANK YOU. MR.

[00:35:04]

GOOD. GOOD EVENING. GOOD EVENING, MR. GRAHAM.

PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE. FOR THE RECORD, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK. GRAHAM DE SOTO. I WAS JUST GOING TO SPEAK TO THE EXIT OF OUR TWO MEMBERS LAST WEEK, BUT OUR LIAISON, MAYOR PRO TEM HAS ALREADY HANDLED THAT, AND IT SOUNDS LIKE IT WILL BE CORRECTED NEXT WEEK OR ON THE SIXTH.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. GRAHAM, FOR COMING OUT, MISS SHANITA CLEVELAND AND THEN FOLLOWING MISS TANYA BROOKS.

MY GOD, YOU DON'T HAVE TO CRY, PEOPLE. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE ALONE.

THERE'S PEOPLE THAT WAS HERE FOR YOU, BUT YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT THEM.

DRY YOUR EYES, GIRL. DRY YOUR EYES. GIRLS, WHAT WE GET.

PLEASE BE STRONG PEOPLE WHILE YOU'RE LOOKING.

LOOKING. I AIN'T GOING TO CURSE. YOU. I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT CHURCH.

I USED TO WAIT FOR YOUR CALL. I USED TO CATCH YOUR TEARDROPS.

HELPING YOU IN THE STREET. KNOCKING ON DOORS, PUTTING OUT SIGNS.

OH, MY GOD, YOU'RE SO GOOD. I KNOW I'M GOOD. COME ON.

WE AIN'T BEEN ALWAYS TOGETHER. MISS CLEVELAND, IF YOU COULD NOT RESPOND TO THE CUSTOMERS, PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM. MISS. MISS CLEVELAND, AND MAKE YOUR COMMENTS.

ARE WE ON? IS THE MIC HOT? MY GOD, WHAT DO I DO FIRST? BEFORE YOU START THE TIME. OH, MAN, I KNEW YOU WAS GOING TO START THE TIME.

JUST LIKE Y'ALL WAS CHANGING THE RULES AND STUFF.

LIKE THE MAYOR PRO TEM VOTE. YOU THINK WE FORGOT? YEAH, I KNOW YOU. LOOKING AT ME. LOOKING. KEEP LOOKING.

Y'ALL NEED JESUS AND DESOTO. IT STINKS LIKE THE TRINITY AND DESOTO.

SO SORRY TO TELL YOU ALL, AMERICA CITY. OKAY.

I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU. I KNOW YOU CAN'T ADDRESS ME.

I'M ADDRESS YOU IN PUBLIC LIKE YOU WAS ADDRESSING PEOPLE, TELLING THEM I WENT TO THE INSANE ASYLUM.

THAT'S WHAT YOU GET. RACHEL, HOW YOU DOING, MISS MAYOR? HOW YOU DOING, MISS MAYOR? I'M GONNA CALL YOU OUT OF YOUR NAME.

I'M ADDRESSING YOU NOW. YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE EVEN TALKING TO ME.

YOU'RE NOT EVEN SUPPOSED TO BE. I'M TALKING TO YOU NOW IT'S OVER.

CLEVELAND, WE'RE GOING TO ASK YOU. THAT PART IS OVER. NO, I'M NOT DOING ANYTHING, BUT I'M TALKING, OKAY? THAT'S WHAT I'M DOING. WHILE YOU LIED, SAYING YOU WAS TIRED, BUT YOU WENT TO THE AFTER PARTY.

GET OUT OF MY FACE AND LET THE LORD WORK. GET OUT OF MY FACE.

BECAUSE YOU BETTER MAKE SURE YOU'RE NOT INVOLVED IN GETTING ARRESTED.

AND IF YOU KNEW ANYTHING TO REFRAIN FROM YOUR COMMENTS OR YOU WILL BE ASKED TO REMOVE IT IF YOU THINK THAT YOU'RE GOING TO GO ANY FURTHER.

CHIEF COSTA, CAN YOU ESCORT MISS MISS CLEVELAND FROM OUR CHAMBERS, PLEASE? FREEDOM OF SPEECH. THAT'S RIGHT. Y'ALL ALWAYS CHANGING UP STUFF.

CHEATING AND STUFF. DEN OF THIEVES. MISS CLEVELAND.

OH, YOU. YOU DID ALL THAT ABOUT MISS CLEVELAND.

PLEASE STOP YOUR COMMENTS OR YOU WILL BE ASKED TO BE REMOVED.

I THINK IT'S HIPPO VIOLATIONS. I WILL SUE YOUR ASS.

YOU WANT TO BE ABUSIVE? I KNOW YOU BEAT YOUR WIFE.

FREEDOM OF SPEECH. COUNCIL. NEXT CARD, PLEASE.

NEXT WE HAVE MISS TANYA BROOKS, AND THEN AFTERWARDS, WE'LL HAVE MR. WATERVILLE. GOOD EVENING, MISS BROOKS. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE.

FOR THE RECORD, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK. TANYA BROOKS, CITY OF DESOTO.

GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. LAST WEEK I SENT AN EMAIL REGARDING THE REMOVAL OF CHERRY AVENUE AND COMMISSIONER BELL FROM THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION.

I WANT TO FIRST THANK THOSE OF YOU WHO ACKNOWLEDGED MY EMAIL.

I TRULY APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.

FOR THOSE WHO DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT, I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO READ THAT EMAIL TONIGHT.

BEFORE I DO, I WANT TO BE CLEAR THIS IS NOT ABOUT THE NEW INDIVIDUALS BEING PROPOSED FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION.

RATHER, IT IS ABOUT THE PRECEDENT BEING SET WHEN DEDICATED CITIZENS WHO HAVE VOLUNTEERED THEIR TIME AND EXPERTISE TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY ARE REMOVED WITHOUT CLEAR JUSTIFICATION. ACTIONS LIKE THIS RISK DISCOURAGING CIVIC PARTICIPATION AND UNDERMINE THE SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION THAT MAKES CITIES STRONG.

SO HERE'S THE EMAIL. DEAR MAYOR RACHEL PROCTOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, I AM WRITING TO RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT YOU,

[00:40:04]

THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE DEMONSTRATED A COMMITMENT TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY AND HAVE CONTRIBUTED VALUABLE EXPERTISE, TIME, AND THOUGHTFUL DELIBERATION TO THE CITY'S PLANNING AND ZONING PROCESS.

THE LAST THREE YEARS, I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO SERVE ALONGSIDE THESE INDIVIDUALS, AND I CAN PERSONALLY ATTEST TO THEIR DEDICATION, COMPASSION FOR OUR CITY, AND UNWAVERING INTEGRITY.

THEY HAVE CONSISTENTLY APPROACHED THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AND SERVICE WITH PROFESSIONALISM AND A GENUINE DESIRE TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT ARE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR RESIDENTS AND FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY AND THE FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY.

THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN GUIDING THE CITY'S GROWTH, ENSURING THAT DECISIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ALIGN WITH OUR ADOPTED COMP PLAN.

OUR RECENTLY APPROVED FUTURE LAND USE PLAN AND THE ZONING ORDINANCES.

THE KNOWLEDGE THAT CHAIR AND COMMISSIONER BELL HAVE ACQUIRED OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS ARE ESSENTIAL TO MAINTAIN THE CONTINUITY AND CONSISTENCY ON THE BOARD.

IN ADDITION, THEY HAVE EARNED THEIR FULL RESPECT FROM ALL OF THE CURRENT PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSIONERS BECAUSE OF THEIR UNWAVERING INTEGRITY.

RECONSIDERING YOUR VOTE TO REMOVE MY COMMISSION COLLEAGUES FROM THE PNC WOULD NOT ONLY ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE, BUT IT COULD POTENTIALLY BUILD PUBLIC CONFIDENCE AND TRUST IN THE CITY COUNCIL'S COMMITMENT TO FAIR AND TRANSPARENT GOVERNANCE, STABILITY AND EXPERIENCE ON ADVISORY BOARDS SUCH AS THIS ONE ARE VITAL TO MAKING WELL INFORMED RECOMMENDATIONS THAT SERVE THE BEST INTERESTS OF ALL RESIDENTS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER AND YOUR CONTINUED LEADERSHIP IN FOSTERING A COLLABORATIVE AND INCLUSIVE DECISION MAKING PROCESS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS BROOKS. NEXT CALLER PLEASE.

NEXT WE HAVE MR. WARNER BELL AND FOLLOWING MR. GARY RAVENEL. GOOD EVENING, MR. BELL. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE. FOR THE RECORD, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK. WARNER BELL, DE SOTO, TEXAS.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE COUNCIL, I JUST WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT SOMETIMES COURSE CORRECTION IS NOT ONLY APPROPRIATE, BUT NECESSARY. AS I'M SURE YOU ARE AWARE, THERE'S GROWING CONCERN IN THIS COMMUNITY OVER ACTIVITY BEING PARTICIPATED IN BY VARIOUS PERSONALITIES, BOTH ON AND OFF THAT DAIS, AND THE PERCEPTION IS THAT THOSE CONCERNS ARE BEING IGNORED.

LET MY TIME BEFORE YOU TODAY FUNCTION AS A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT AND NOTICE WHERE BEFITTING INTEGRITY IS A WISE AND NOBLE VIRTUE TO SEEK, AND IT IS EXEMPLIFIED MOST IN HOW WE BEHAVE WHEN WE BELIEVE NO ONE IS PAYING ATTENTION.

INTEGRITY IS EXPECTED OF THOSE WHO ASSUME THE MANTLE OF PUBLIC TRUST.

HOWEVER, ACTIVITIES SUCH AS THE FOLLOWING REVEALED ITS ABSENCE, COLLUDING WITH AND AGAINST FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS, STAFF AND RESIDENTS TO ALIGN WITH INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS WHOSE AGENDAS YOU DON'T EVEN FULLY UNDERSTAND.

PERMITTING PERCEIVED SLIGHTS AND PETTY DIFFERENCES TO CLOUD YOUR JUDGMENT AND DISTRACT YOU FROM UPHOLDING YOUR SWORN OATHS.

ALLOWING YOURSELF TO BE USED IN PURSUIT OF REVENGE AND ADDING TO THE TOXICITY OF INTERDEPARTMENTAL AND INTERPERSONAL ACRIMONY.

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE INEXPERIENCE OF NEWLY ELECTED COLLEAGUES AND EMPLOYING MANIPULATION IN FURTHERANCE OF UNDERHANDED AGREEMENTS MADE ON BEHIND THE SCENES PHONE CALLS AND SIDE TABLE DISCUSSIONS, USING THE ABSENCE OF SPECIFIC LANGUAGE IN GOVERNING DOCUMENTS TO EXCUSE AND CONDONE IMMORAL AND SELF-SERVING PURSUITS, FAILURE TO EXERCISE DUE DILIGENCE IN RESEARCH AND PROBING OF MATTERS WITH POTENTIALLY DELETERIOUS EFFECT ON THIS CITY, ITS RESIDENTS AND TAX BASE. SEEKING AND SQUABBLING OVER TITLES AND APPOINTMENTS TO INCONSEQUENTIAL STATIONS WITH LITTLE MORE UTILITY THAN THE SELFISH PLACATION OF EGO AND VANITY, GREATER ATTENTION AND EFFORT BEING EMPLOYED ON PHOTO OPS AND HONORARY AWARD CONVEYANCE, RATHER THAN THE FUNDAMENTAL OPERATION AND VIABILITY OF CITY PROCESSES, AND OBVIOUS APATHY REGARDING DISCOURTESY OF ACTION AND COMMUNICATION BY CITY EMPLOYEES PAID WITH THE TAX DOLLARS OF THOSE THEY DISRESPECT.

DO NOT LET YOUR PERSONAL AMBITION PRIDEFUL INDIGNATION, OR MISGUIDED LOYALTY SUPERCEDES YOUR MANDATE AND RESPONSIBILITY TO THE VOTERS WHO ELECTED YOU. DO NOT TAKE THESE REMARKS AS PERSONAL ATTACK, BUT RATHER AN APPEAL TO THE TO THE VIRTUE WITHIN.

[00:45:02]

YOUR COLLECTIVE SLIP IS SHOWING. NEXT WE HAVE MR. GARY RAVENEL. AND THEN THE FINAL COMMENT CARD FOR THIS SECTION WILL BE TERRANCE GORE.

GOOD EVENING, MR. RAVENEL. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE, FOR THE RECORD.

AND YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK. GARY RAVENEL, DESOTO.

EXPERTS SUGGEST THAT 3 TO 7 REPETITIONS ARE NEEDED FOR INFORMATION TO MOVE TO LONG TERM MEMORY.

THIS IS MY FOURTH TIME I'M DISCUSSING TURNOVER, SO MAY I HAVE YOUR UNDIVIDED ATTENTION? CITY MANAGER HAS ADJUSTED SALARIES TO MEET STANDARDS, OFFERS THE OPTION TO WORK FROM HOME ONE DAY A WEEK WITH HOPES OF CORRECTING TURNOVER. BUT IT HAS NOT WORKED. WHY? BECAUSE ROOT CAUSE IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED.

THE LEADER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CREATING THE CULTURE OF THE WORKPLACE.

A WEAK CULTURE LEADS TO DISSATISFACTION, DISENGAGEMENT, AND TURNOVER.

CLIMATE REFLECTS THE EMOTIONAL STATE EMPLOYEES HAVE ABOUT THE WORKPLACE, AND THE LEADERSHIP STYLE OF THE LEADER IS THE KEY INFLUENCER. WRONG LEADERS WILL RESULT IN HIGH TURNOVER.

PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENTISTS AGREE THAT PAST BEHAVIOR IS A USEFUL MARKER FOR FUTURE BEHAVIOR.

MARQUES, RAFAEL AND PLACED TWO COUNCILWOMAN PROBABLY APPLIED THIS WHEN THEY VOTED NO TO THE HIRING OF THE CITY MANAGER.

THE NEWS ABOUT STEMCENTRX PROBABLY DEMONSTRATED FUTURE BEHAVIOR.

THE AUDIT OF THE PURCHASE STATED PUBLIC CONFIDENCE WAS IMPACTED.

A PROPERTY CONDITION ASSESSMENT ONLY OCCURRED ON THE LOBBY AND THREE OF TEN FLOORS, AND WAS NOT REVIEWED FOR SUFFICIENCY.

THE REAL ESTATE DIVISION AND OUR CITY MANAGER COMPLETED A TOUR IN MAY, AND AN OFFER WAS SENT IN JUNE.

THE CITY PURCHASED A BUILDING THAT MIGHT NOT MEET THE INTENDED OPERATIONAL AND FUNCTIONAL NEEDS.

I QUESTION ANYONE'S ASSOCIATION WITH A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR PURCHASE WITHOUT HAVING A COMPLETE AND THOROUGH INSPECTION.

COULD THIS BE SIMILAR TO THORNE'S PURCHASE AND WHY SOME CITIZENS ARE UNEASY ABOUT THE LACK OF TRANSACTION TRANSPARENCY.

SO AGAIN, I'M ASKING YOU, COUNCIL, TO EXERCISE THE POWER THAT YOU HAVE IN THE RELATIONSHIP.

HOW ARE SOMEONE THAT WILL BUILD UP OUR CITY, NOT BREAK IT DOWN? CULTIVATE EXCELLENCE AND NOT CREATE CHAOS AND DRIVE SIGNIFICANT RESULTS IN INSTEAD OF DRIVING OUR SIGNIFICANT EMPLOYEES AWAY. AGAIN, I TELL YOU, THE SEVERANCE PACKAGE, THE MONEY THAT YOU WILL BE WE WILL INVEST, WILL BE MONEY WELL SPENT TO GET OUR CITY BACK ON THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

MR. TERRANCE GORE.

MR. GORE, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE ONLY.

FOR THE RECORD, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK. MY NAME IS TERRANCE GORE, A PROUD RESIDENT OF DESOTO.

THE ADMONISHMENT POLICY ON SPEECH IS UNLAWFUL AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

PUBLIC. PUBLIC COMMENTS EXIST. FOR ONE PURPOSE IS THE PEOPLE SAFEGUARD AGAINST MISUSE OF PUBLIC FUNDS, CRONYISM AND MALFEASANCE IN OFFICE. IT IS OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO DEMAND TRANSPARENCY WHEN GOVERNMENT ACTION NO LONGER INSPIRES CONFIDENCE. WHICH BRINGS ME TO THE THORN TREE GOLF COURSE SCANDAL.

THIS TRANSACTION REPRESENTS A PROFOUND BREACH OF PUBLIC TRUST.

MILLIONS OF PUBLIC DOLLARS DIVERTED INTO A DEAL CLOUDED BY INSIDER INFLUENCE AND SECRECY, AND EVEN MORE, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PUBLIC DOLLARS TO THE HANDS OF A FEW PRIVATE ENTITIES OR PERSONS.

WHEN GOVERNMENT. WHEN GOVERNMENT USES PUBLIC FUNDS TO PROTECT PRIVATE INTERESTS, IT CEASES TO SERVE THE PEOPLE.

I CALL ON THIS COUNCIL TO COMPLETE, TO BE COMPLETELY TRANSPARENT ABOUT THE THORN TREE DEAL,

[00:50:04]

I'M ASKING THAT THE CITY MANAGER BE PLACED ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE WITHOUT PAY PENDING A FULL INVESTIGATION BY STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT.

SOMEONE IS GOING TO JAIL. AND YOU KNOW WHO I'M TALKING ABOUT BECAUSE YOU'RE LOOKING RIGHT AT ME.

THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE ANY CARDS FROM INDIVIDUALS WHO WISH TO SPEAK? NO, MA'AM. THANK YOU. WE'LL HAVE THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA.

[F. 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. ]

AN ITEM OR ITEMS MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR SEPARATE VOTE AT THE REQUEST OF A COUNCIL MEMBER, THE MAYOR, OR THE CITY MANAGER. FIRST, ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, WE HAVE APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FOR THE SEPTEMBER 15TH, 2025 SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING. THE SEPTEMBER 16TH, 2025 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

THE SEPTEMBER 22ND, 2025 SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

THE SEPTEMBER 25TH, 2025 SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

THE OCTOBER 2ND, 2025 SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

IN THE OCTOBER 7TH, 2025 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

AS WELL AS CONFIRMATION OF SOPHIE LOUIS AUBRY AS CITY SECRETARY.

CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENT OF DANIELLE HUNTER TO THE DESOTO CULTURAL ARTS FOUNDATION.

CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENT OF PAULETTE HUNTER TO THE DESOTO CULTURAL ARTS FOUNDATION.

CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENT OF CATHY JONES TO THE DESOTO CULTURAL ARTS FOUNDATION.

CONFIRMATION OF REAPPOINTMENT OF JAMES MCBRIDE TO THE DESOTO CULTURAL ARTS FOUNDATION.

CONFIRMATION OF REAPPOINTMENT OF UCHENNA WAZOO TO THE DESOTO LIBRARY BOARD.

CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENT OF LATOYA BOYD TO THE DESOTO VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.

PLACE FIVE CONFIRMATION OF REAPPOINTMENT OF DOCTOR JENNIFER LOUIS JOHNSON TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ADVISORY COMMISSION.

PLACE FIVE CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENT OF VICKI ALEXIS TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION.

CONFIRMATION OF REAPPOINTMENT OF TONYA BROOKS TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION.

CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENT OF MARK JONES TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION.

CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF MAYOR PRO TEM CRYSTAL CHISHOLM'S NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES NLC LEADERSHIP APPLICATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN REAL.

VICE CHAIR SHEET. CHAIR SEAT. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE UPDATING THE SPECIAL EVENTS REGULATIONS TO REFLECT CURRENT PRACTICES.

ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY COORDINATION AND SIMPLIFY THE PERMITTING PROCESS FOR COMMUNITY AND PRIVATE EVENTS.

THE ORDINANCE CAPTION READS. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DESOTO, TEXAS, AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING CHAPTER FOUR, BUSINESS REGULATIONS ARTICLE 4.700, TITLED SPECIAL EVENTS BY AMENDING SECTION 4.701 TITLED DEFINITIONS TO ADD A NEW ACTION CENTER DEFINITION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE PURPOSES.

TO DELETE THE DIRECTOR OF CODE SERVICES DEFINITION, AND TO CONFIRM THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICES AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS AS ADMINISTRATIVE AND ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY BY AMENDING THE DEFINITIONS OF SPECIAL EVENT AND SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT BY AMENDING SECTION 4.702 TITLED ENFORCEMENT BY AMENDING SECTION 4.705 TITLED APPLICATION ISSUANCE BY AMENDING SECTION 4.707 TITLED DENIAL OR REVOCATION BY AMENDING SECTION 4.708 TITLED APPEALS FROM DENIAL OR REVOCATION OF SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT.

PROVIDING A REPEALING CLAUSE, PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE.

PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE, PROVIDING A PENALTY CLAUSE, A FINE NOT TO EXCEED $500, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A CONTRACT TO PURCHASE TWO FORD EXPEDITIONS FROM CHASTAIN FORD, WITH THE UPFIT PROVIDED BY METRO FIRE UNDER BY BOARD CONTRACT NUMBER 72423, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $42, UTILIZING DEPLOYMENT MONEY REIMBURSED TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FROM THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION TO DENY THE ENCORE ELECTRIC DELIVERY COMPANY, LLC APPLICATION TO CHANGE RATES WITHIN THE CITY OF DESOTO AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF CONTRACT WITH SPECTRUM FOR WI-FI AND MANAGED NETWORK SERVICES FOR THE AQUATICS AND RECREATION CENTER.

THANK YOU. AND ONE OF THOSE ITEMS IS BEING PULLED.

YES. THE CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE WOULD LIKE TO PULL ITEM G 12, CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF MAYOR PRO TEM CRYSTAL CHISHOLM'S NATIONAL

[00:55:09]

UNFORTUNATELY, THE DEADLINE FOR THE APPLICATION HAS PASSED.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS REYNOLDS. AT THIS TIME, COUNCIL.

YES? I SEE YOUR LIGHT. COUNCIL MEMBER PARKER, DO YOU HAVE A MOTION OR YOU HAVE A QUESTION? I HAVE A I HAVE TWO THINGS I WANT TO PULL FOR SEPARATE VOTE.

OKAY. ITEM G11 AND ITEM G13, I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT.

SO I THINK IT WARRANTS CONVERSATION. YOU SAID G11 AND 313 G13.

OKAY. YES. COUNCILMAN WATERS. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO PULL FOR A SEPARATE VOTE G NINE.

WE HAVE TWO ITEMS. TWO. WE HAVE THREE ITEMS PULLED FOR SEPARATE VOTE.

COUNCIL. IS THERE A MOTION ON THE REMAINING ITEMS? SO MOVED. I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE REMAINING ITEMS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF NINE, 11 AND 13.

THANK YOU. IT'S BEEN MOVED AND PROPERLY SECONDED TO APPROVE OF, MINUS THE ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN PULLED FOR A SEPARATE VOTE.

COUNCIL. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. AYE. ALL OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. THAT MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE MISS SOPHIE LEWIS.

AUBRY, WHO IS WITH US IN THE AUDIENCE. SHE WILL BE OUR NEW INCOMING CITY SECRETARY.

THANK YOU. YOU CAN CLAP RIGHT THERE. MISS LEWIS AUBRY, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO HAVE ANY COMMENTS.

I'M GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF PRIVILEGE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY OR JUST GREET EVERYBODY.

WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT YOU JOINING THE TEAM.

SO WE WE WELCOME YOU TO THE PODIUM AT THIS TIME.

GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CITY MANAGER.

THANK YOU ALL. I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS OPPORTUNITY.

I HAD SEVERAL TALKS WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM THE CITY OF DUNCANVILLE, AND THEY SAID THAT I AM LEAVING, AND I TOLD THEM, I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE BEST PLACE TO BE AT THIS TIME.

SO I LOOK FORWARD TO JUST CONTRIBUTING TO THE SUCCESS OF THE CITY OF DESOTO.

THANK YOU ALL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. THANK YOU, MISS LEWIS.

I ALSO WE HAVE AGAIN, WE'LL GO THROUGH THE TWO THAT DEAL WITH CONFIRMATIONS, BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ACKNOWLEDGE ALL OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS AT THE SAME TIME. WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER NINE THAT WAS ASKED TO BE VOTED ON COUNCILMAN WATERS.

[9. Confirmation of Appointment of Vickie Alexis to the Planning and Zoning Commission ]

CAN SHE. IS SHE IS SHE HERE? CAN SHE ANSWER SOME QUESTIONS I HAD OR.

NO. NO. OKAY, WELL, THEN I'LL HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.

OKAY, SO LET'S GO AHEAD AND VOTE ON THAT ITEM.

IS THERE A MOTION FOR THAT ITEM? MAYOR, I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE AS PRESENTED.

IT'S BEEN MOVED IMPROPERLY. SECOND, TO APPROVE ITEM NUMBER NINE, THE CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENT TO VICKI ALEXIS TO PLANNING AND ZONING COUNCIL.

ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. AYE. ALL OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. ALL OPPOSED. THAT MOTION PASSES SIX ONE.

THANK YOU. COUNCIL, WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER 11. CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENT OF MARK JONES TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION.

[11. Confirmation of Appointment of Mark Jones to the Planning and Zoning Commission]

AND I WOULD HAVE HOPED THAT MY COUNCIL WOULD ALSO LOOK AT THAT FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE.

WE GOT RID OF OR SHOULD I SAY TWO PEOPLE WERE REMOVED THAT HAD THE VERY SIMILAR SKILL SETS AND HAD EXPERIENCE ON THIS BOARD TO PUT SOMEONE WHO ALSO IS ON BOTH BOARDS, THE EDC AS WELL AS THE PLANNING AND ZONING.

SO I JUST FELT LIKE THAT TO ME IS ALMOST TOO MANY EGGS IN ONE BASKET.

THANK YOU. COUNCIL, IS THERE A MOTION? I'M SORRY.

COUNCILMAN. WHY DID YOU HAD A COMMENT? GO AHEAD.

NO, NO. GO AHEAD. WELL, I HAVE A COMMENT SINCE YOU PULLED THAT ONE ON MISTER JONES.

I KNOW MISTER JONES. HE'S AN ACTION TAKER, JUST LIKE ALL OF US.

AND HE'S IN A LOT. BUT MY VOTE IS NOT BASED ON WHAT I'M GONNA VOTE TONIGHT.

[01:00:01]

BUT ANYWAY, THAT'S WHAT I'M READING FROM MY VOTE TONIGHT.

COUNCIL. IS THERE A MOTION? MADAM MAYOR, I MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT AS PRESENTED.

PLACING MR. JONES ON THE PLANNING, PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD.

IS THERE A SECOND? IT'S BEEN MOVED IMPROPERLY.

SECOND, TO CONFIRM THE APPOINTMENT OF MARK JONES TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION.

COUNCIL. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. AYE. ALL OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. THAT MOTION PASSES. FIVE, TWO. THANK YOU.

COUNCIL. AT THIS TIME, I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE ALL OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN APPOINTED.

I'M GOING TO CALL YOUR NAME. IF YOU ARE IN THE AUDIENCE, PLEASE STAND SO THAT WE CAN APPLAUD YOU AND ACKNOWLEDGE YOU.

AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR TO OUR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, AS WELL AS THOSE WHO ARE IN THE AUDIENCE, WHO ARE FORMER BOARD MEMBERS AS WELL. WE HAVE THE MISS DANIELLE HUNTER OF THE DESOTO ARTS AND CULTURE FOUNDATION.

IS MISS HUNTER HERE? WE HAVE PAULETTE HUNTER ALSO TO THE DESOTO CULTURAL ARTS FOUNDATION.

MISS HUNTER IS HERE. WE HAVE KATHY CATHY JONES, THE JEWEL OF DESOTO, WHO IS BEING APPOINTED TO DESOTO CULTURAL ARTS FOUNDATION.

WE HAVE DOCTOR JAMES MCBRIDE. SHE HAS A FAN CLUB BACK THERE.

WE HAVE DOCTOR JAMES MCBRIDE, WHO'S ALSO APPOINTED TO THE DESOTO CULTURAL ARTS FOUNDATION.

WE HAVE UCHENNA NWOSU BEING APPOINTED TO BEING REAPPOINTED TO THE DESOTO LIBRARY BOARD.

WE HAVE LATOYA BOYD. BOYD, WHO IS ALSO BEING, I BELIEVE, REAPPOINTED TO THE VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.

WE HAVE A REAPPOINTMENT OF DOCTOR JENNIFER LEWIS JOHNSON.

IS SHE IN THE AUDIENCE TODAY? I DON'T THINK I SEE HER.

SHE'S BEING REAPPOINTED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ADVISORY COMMISSION FOR PLACE FIVE.

WE HAVE MISS VICKI ALEXIS BEING APPOINTED TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION.

WE ALSO HAVE THE REAPPOINTMENT OF MISS TANYA BROOKS, WHO IS BEING REAPPOINTED TO PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION.

WE HAVE THE APPOINTMENT OF MR. MARK JONES ALSO TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION AS WELL.

AND WE ALSO WANT TO, AGAIN, AS MY AS MAYOR PRO TEM, CHISHOLM SAID.

THANK THOSE OUTGOING MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION FOR THEIR SERVICE AS WELL.

WE DO NOT TAKE IT LIGHTLY. ANYTIME ANYONE GIVES OF THEIR SERVICE TO HELP SUPPORT OUR CITY AND MOVE OUR CITY FORWARD IN THIS CAPACITY.

SO THAT SAID, I'M GOING TO ASK IF WE WOULD GIVE A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR ALL OF OUR BOARDS AND COMMISSION MEMBERS.

AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO TO SERVING WITH YOU ALL AS WELL.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT. AT THIS TIME, WE WILL TAKE THE NEXT ITEM ON OUR AGENDA, PLEASE. I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, MADAM MAYOR. OH, I'M SORRY, WE HAVE ANOTHER ITEM I APOLOGIZE.

WHO HAD WHO CALLED FOR THAT? ITEM 13. COUNCIL MEMBER.

[13. Consider approval of an Ordinance updating the Special Events regulations to reflect current practices, enhance public safety coordination, and simplify the permitting process for community and private events AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DESOTO, TEXAS, AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING CHAPTER 4 “BUSINESS REGULATIONS,” ARTICLE 4.700 TITLED “SPECIAL EVENTS,” BY AMENDING SECTION 4.701 TITLED “DEFINITIONS” TO ADD A NEW “ACTION CENTER” DEFINITION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE INTAKE PURPOSES, TO DELETE THE “DIRECTOR OF CODE SERVICES” DEFINITION, AND TO CONFIRM THE “DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICES AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS” AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY; BY AMENDING THE DEFINITIONS OF “SPECIAL EVENT” AND “SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT”; BY AMENDING SECTION 4.702 TITLED “ENFORCEMENT”; BY AMENDING SECTION 4.705 TITLED “APPLICATION; ISSUANCE”; BY AMENDING SECTION 4.707 TITLED “DENIAL OR REVOCATION”; BY AMENDING SECTION 4.708 TITLED “APPEALS FROM DENIAL OR REVOCATION OF SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT”; PROVIDING A REPEALING CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING A PENALTY CLAUSE OF FINE NOT TO EXCEED FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500.00); AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]

HOWEVER, WHEN I'M LOOKING AT IT FOR THE SPECIAL EVENTS, DOES THAT ENCOMPASS ALL OF PARKS AND RECS AS WELL? IT WILL BE FOR ALL OF THE EXTERNAL SPECIAL EVENTS, AND IT STILL GOES THROUGH THE SAME PROCESS OF GOING THROUGH THE COMMITTEE THAT APPROVES EVERYTHING. I KNOW THAT I WAS ACTUALLY READING IT AND IT INCLUDES PARKS, POLICE, FIRE, STREETS AND THERE WAS ANOTHER ONE, BUT IT STILL GOES THROUGH THE SAME PROCESS BEFORE IT LANDS INTO THE COMMUNITY SERVICES AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS FOR THAT FINAL SIGNATURE, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, AND CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, IS IT ACTUALLY LISTED BECAUSE I DIDN'T SEE ALL THE DIFFERENT AREAS LISTED IN THERE? NOT IN THE ORDINANCE? NO, MA'AM. OKAY. AND THEN THE OTHER QUESTION I HAD WAS ABOUT THE 120 DAYS, IT SAID 120 DAYS FOR SOMEONE TO SUBMIT FOR A SPECIAL EVENT OF A SPECIAL EVENT.

DEFINITION IS THREE OR MORE PEOPLE ARE COLLECTIVELY DOING A THING.

THREE OR MORE PEOPLE. I THINK THAT'S WHAT I READ IT TO SAY, IS WHAT THAT DEFINITION IS FOR A SPECIAL EVENT FOR THREE OR MORE PEOPLE.

IT SHOULD BE 100 PEOPLE. OKAY, WELL, I HAVE TO READ THROUGH THAT AGAIN, BUT.

OKAY, SO IT SAYS A TEMPORARY. OKAY. OKAY, SO IT'S 100 PEOPLE.

OKAY. AND SO THEY HAVE TO SEND IN SOMETHING 120 DAYS BEFORE.

THAT'S THAT'S WHAT, APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS.

WHAT IS THAT FOR FOUR MONTHS? WHEN DO THEY ACTUALLY.

BECAUSE WHEN I WAS READING THROUGH IT, IT ALMOST SOUNDED LIKE THEY HAD TO PAY THEIR DEPOSIT, LIKE WRITE UP WHEN THE EVENT WAS ABOUT TO GO DOWN.

IF THEY DIDN'T PAY IT WITHIN THAT FIRST, THAT LAST TEN DAYS, THAT THE EVENT WOULD BE CANCELED.

[01:05:05]

IS IT IN HERE? I'M SORRY. IT SHOULD BE IN THE THE POLICY.

AND THE POLICY WOULD ACTUALLY OUTLINE ALL THOSE SPECIFIC DETAILS.

AND LET ME JUST EXPLAIN WHAT MY WHAT MY ISSUES ARE.

SURE. THE QUESTIONS I HAVE ABOUT THE ACTUAL SPECIAL EVENTS, WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO ALWAYS HAVE A LOT OF EVENTS IN THE CITY OF DE SOTO, AND FROM WHAT I'M HEARING, THAT MEANS THEY HAVE FOR MONTHS.

THEY HAVE TO KNOW THAT THEY'RE ABOUT TO PUT A THING ON FOR MONTHS BEFORE IT ACTUALLY GETS PUT ON.

WHEN YOU'RE TALKING IN TERMS OF AN EVENT OF 100 OR MORE PEOPLE PROMOTION IS IMPORTANT.

SO WHEN DO THEY GET INFORMATION BACK TO SAY, I'M READY TO GO BECAUSE THEY GOT TO DO IT FOR MONTHS BEFORE IT'S DONE.

WHEN DOES THE EXTERNAL AFFAIRS GET THE INFORMATION BACK TO THEM SO THAT THEY CAN BEGIN THEIR PROMOTION AND THEIR MARKETING AND THINGS LIKE THAT? I WANT TO SAY THAT IT SAYS IT IN THERE AS WELL.

WE HAVE A TEN IS IT TEN DAYS OR THEY HAVE TO HAVE IT BACK TO YOU ALL WITHIN TEN DAYS.

WE HAVE TO RESPOND WITHIN A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME AS WELL.

I DIDN'T SEE THAT PART. I KNOW YOU HAVE TO HAVE IT IN YOUR DEPARTMENT WITHIN TEN DAYS FROM ALL THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS.

I'M ASKING, WHEN DO YOU RESPOND TO THE RECIPIENT, THE PERSON? THE APPLICANT? THANK YOU. SO, COUNCIL MEMBER PARKER, WE HAVE 30 DAYS FROM RECEIVING AN APPLICATION.

THAT'S WHEN WE ANTICIPATE RESPONDING TO THE APPLICANT.

IT'S UNDER SECTION TWO OF THE SPONSORS, THE SPECIAL EVENTS POLICY.

OKAY. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. AND THAT IS IS THAT WHAT IT WAS BEFORE? YES. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT. I'LL YIELD BACK.

THANK YOU. YEAH. THANK YOU. COUNCIL, IS THERE A MOTION? MAYOR, I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE AS PRESENTED. SECOND, IT'S BEEN MOVED BY MAYOR PRO TEM CHISM.

SECOND BY COUNCILMAN BYRD TO APPROVE AS PRESENTED.

COUNCIL. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. AYE. ALL OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. THAT MOTION PASSES SIX ONE. THANK YOU.

COUNCIL. AT THIS TIME, WE'LL HAVE THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA.

[1. Zoning Case No.: Z-1539-25 - Conduct a Public Hearing and consider an Ordinance granting a Specific Use Permit (SUP) to allow for the construction and operation of a Food and Beverage Sales Store with Gasoline Sales (Convenience Store) on property located at 2115 N. Hampton Road, DeSoto, Texas. The site is legally described as JONAS BUSKIRK ABST 110 PG 775 TR 4.18 ACS 3.45 and is currently zoned as General Retail (GR). The property is situated along a major commercial corridor and consists of approximately 3.45 acres. The applicant is Chris Sitler of Sitler Architecture, and the property owner is John Freese and Associates, Inc. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DESOTO, TEXAS, AMENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE ZONING ORDINANCE AND MAP OF THE CITY OF DESOTO, AS HERETOFORE AMENDED, BY GRANTING A CHANGE IN ZONING BY GRANTING SPECIFIC USE PERMIT NO. 317 (SUP-317) TO ALLOW FOR AN APPROXIMATELY 3.454± ACRE TRACT OF LAND SITUATED IN THE JOHN BUSKIRK SURVEY, ABSTRACT NO. 110, CITY OF DESOTO, DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS (COMMONLY KNOWN AS 2115 N. HAMPTON ROAD), PRESENTLY ZONED AS GENERAL RETAIL DISTRICT (GR) TO BE USED FOR FOOD AND BEVERAGE SALES STORE WITH GASOLINE SALES (CONVENIENCE STORE) USE; PROVIDING A CONFLICTS CLAUSE; PROVIDING A REPEALING CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY OF FINE NOT TO EXCEED THE SUM OF TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2,000.00) FOR EACH OFFENSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.]

DASH 1539. DASH 25. CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT.

S U P TO ALLOW FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF A FOOD AND BEVERAGE SALES STORE WITH GASOLINE SALES.

CONVENIENCE STORE ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2115 NORTHAMPTON ROAD, DESOTO, TEXAS.

THE SITE IS LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS JONAS BUSKIRK AB, T11 TEN, PG 775, TR 4.18 ACRES 3.45, AND IS CURRENTLY ZONED AS GENERAL RETAIL.

THE PROPERTY IS SITUATED ALONG A MAJOR COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR AND CONSISTS OF APPROXIMATELY 3.45 ACRES.

THE APPLICANT IS CHRIS SITTLER OF SITTLER ARCHITECTURE AND THE PROPERTY OWNER IS JOHN FREESE AND ASSOCIATES, INCORPORATED. AND WE HAVE MAKING A PRESENTATION IS PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR.

CAMBRIAN. JORDAN. GOOD EVENING JORDAN. GOOD EVENING MAYOR.

GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL MEMBERS. AGAIN. CAMBRIA JORDAN, PLANNING AND ZONING MANAGER FOR THE CITY OF DESOTO, TEXAS. SO THIS EVENING, I BRING FORWARD FOR YOUR REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION.

ZONING CASE Z-153925, WHICH IS A REQUEST FOR A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT AND OPERATE A FOOD AND CONVENIENCE OR, EXCUSE ME, FOOD AND BEVERAGE SALES STORE THAT ALSO SELLS GASOLINE.

THAT'S ALSO KNOWN AS A CONVENIENCE STORE.

SPECIFICALLY, THE APPLICANT, MISTER CHRIS SITTLER, AND THE PROPERTY OWNER, JOHN FRIESEN ASSOCIATES, ARE REQUESTING THAT THE DESOTO CITY COUNCIL ACCEPT A RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL FROM THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION THAT WAS GIVEN ON SEPTEMBER 23RD AT THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING IN GRANT. A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT TO ALLOW A CONVENIENCE STORE AT THE PROPERTY.

CURRENTLY ADDRESSED IS 2115 NORTHAMPTON ROAD, AND THAT CURRENTLY SITS AT 3.45 ACRES.

AND IF YOU LOOK OVER TO THE AERIAL MAP TO THE FAR RIGHT OF THE SCREEN, YOU'LL SEE THE SUBJECT SITE HIGHLIGHTED IN GREEN. THE PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLICATION WAS PUBLISHED IN THE DAILY COMMERCIAL RECORD ON SEPTEMBER 8TH OF 2025.

IN TOTAL, STAFF NOTICED 14 PROPERTY OWNERS. SIX OF THOSE PROPERTY OWNERS WERE LOCATED WITHIN THE 200 FOOT RADIUS OF THE SUBJECT SITE, AND THE REMAINING EIGHT PROPERTY OWNERS WERE LOCATED WITHIN THE 400 FOOT RADIUS OF THE SUBJECT SITE.

IN. AS OF TODAY OCTOBER 21ST, PLANNING AND ZONING STAFF HAS RECEIVED ONE LETTER OF SUPPORT FROM A PROPERTY OWNER WITHIN THE 200 FOOT RADIUS.

THIS THE LOCATION OF THE PROPERTY? EXCUSE ME.

THE LOCATION OF THIS PROPERTY OWNER IS SYMBOLIZED BY THE GREEN DOT ON THE NOTIFICATION MAP TO YOUR FAR RIGHT.

[01:10:05]

OKAY, SO PROPERTIES THAT ARE ADJACENT TO THE SUBJECT SITE.

SO PROPERTY EXCUSE ME, PROPERTIES IMMEDIATELY NORTH TO THE SUBJECT SITE.

THEY'RE ACTUALLY LOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE CITY OF DESOTO CITY LIMITS.

THEY'RE CONSIDERED CITY OF DALLAS. IF YOU SEE THE RED LINE TO THE.

LET ME SEE IF I OR EXCUSE ME, THE RED LINE HERE WHERE THE GREEN POINTER IS, THAT IS THE CITY LIMIT.

THE SOUTH PORTION IS CITY OF DESOTO AND THE NORTH PORTION IS CITY OF DALLAS.

SO THOSE PROPERTY OWNERS WEREN'T NOTICED. AND THAT'S WHY YOU DON'T SEE THE ZONING ON THE SCREEN BEFORE YOU.

BUT I DID DO SOME FURTHER RESEARCH AND CONFIRMED THAT PURSE OR EXCUSE ME, PER THE SEPARATE CITY, THAT THE PROPERTY BELONGS TO, THE CURRENT LAND USE DESIGNATION IS WHAT THEY CALL INDUSTRIAL RETAIL.

PROPERTIES TO THE EAST ARE CURRENTLY DEVELOPED WITH THE ACCESS OF STORAGE TRUCK AND RENTAL.

THAT'S A PART OF PLAN DEVELOPMENT 164, WHICH HAS A BASE ZONING DISTRICT OF LIGHT INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES TO THE WEST, ARE ALSO DEVELOPED WITH THE SOLE EURO DRIVE, AND THAT'S A LIGHT INDUSTRIAL USE AS WELL.

AND THEN PROPERTIES TO THE SOUTH ARE UNIQUE IN THIS SITUATION.

AND BEING THAT THEY ARE CURRENTLY ZONED AS GENERAL RETAIL AND DIRECTLY BELOW THE SUBJECT SITE, YOU SEE THE DESOTO FULL SERVICE CAR WASH. OKAY, SO NEXT UP IS GOING TO BE OUR SITE PLAN.

SO OUR SUBJECT SITE IS A CORNER LOT. SO IT HAS STREET FRONTAGE OFF OF WEST DANIEL ROAD AS WELL AS NORTHAMPTON ROAD OVER TO THE FAR WEST.

EXCUSE ME FAR EAST OF THE SUBJECT SITE. AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE PLAN, THE APPLICANT IS PROPOSING TO TAKE OR TAKE ACCESS OFF OF BOTH STREETS.

SO THAT'S WEST DANIEL ROAD AS WELL AS NORTHAMPTON ROAD.

AND THEN I'LL POINT HERE, YOU'LL SEE THE THERE'S SEVEN GAS PUMPS HERE IN THIS LOCATION AND THE I GUESS THAT'S THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE SUBJECT SITE. AND THEN OVER TOWARDS THE MIDDLE AREA YOU'LL SEE THE ADDITIONAL FIVE.

THESE FIVE GAS PUMPS ARE TYPICALLY GOING TO BE USED FOR TRUCKS.

SO IN TOTAL THE APPLICANT IS PROPOSING 12 GAS PUMPS.

PROPOSED ELEVATION. SO THE PROPOSED ELEVATION OF THE GAS STATION AT ITS HIGHEST POINT IS GOING TO BE AN APPROXIMATE 28FT.

THE BASE ZONING DISTRICT FOR THE SUBJECT SITE IS GENERAL RETAIL AND GENERAL RETAIL.

THE MAXIMUM HEIGHT REQUIREMENT IS SET AT A MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF TWO STORIES RATHER THAN A SPECIFIC FOOTAGE.

SO THE PROPOSED GAS STATION IS PLANNED TO BE ONE STORY, SO IT DOES MEET THE HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS FOR THE GENERAL RETAIL ZONING DISTRICT.

AND NEXT UP IS OUR LANDSCAPE PLAN. SO AS YOU CAN SEE HIGHLIGHTED IN GREEN ARE THE AREAS OF THE PROPOSED LANDSCAPE.

AND PER THE GENERAL RETAIL ZONING REGULATIONS, THE LANDSCAPE BUFFER REQUIREMENT HAS BEEN MET.

NEXT UP IS GOING TO WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMPATIBILITY. SO PER THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP THAT IS LOCATED IN THE 2024 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, THE AREA OF THE SUBJECT SITE IS DESIGNATED AS DESTINATION MIXED USE.

DESTINATION MIXED USE IS TYPICALLY CHARACTERIZED BY A COMBINATION OF RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, OFFICE SPACE AND OPEN SPACE AREAS THAT SYNC TOGETHER TO CREATE A MORE WALKABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE CITY OF DESOTO.

IF YOU LOOK OVER TO THE FAR RIGHT, YOU'LL SEE A SNIPPET OF THIS FUTURE LAND USE MAP, AND AT THE VERY TOP OF THIS LAND USE MAP, YOU'LL SEE A BLACK STAR. THIS BLACK STAR IS SYMBOLIZING THE LOCATION OF THE PROPOSED SUBJECT SITE.

SO AS YOU CAN SEE, OUR PROPOSED SUBJECT SITE IS UNIQUELY SITUATED IN THE MIDDLE OF AREAS THAT HAVE A MAJORITY ALREADY INDUSTRIAL LAND USE DESIGNATION, AND IN AND IN INDUSTRIAL LAND USE DESIGNATIONS.

WALKING IS TYPICALLY EXCUSE ME, IT'S GENERALLY DISCOURAGED.

SO THIS FACT ALONE, OR I GUESS IF YOU CONSIDER THE FACT THAT DESIGNATION MIXED USE HAS A VERY LARGE WALKING COMPONENT, AND THEN THE FACT THAT IN INDUSTRIAL ZONING DISTRICTS OR LAND USE REGULATIONS ARE AREAS WHERE WALKING IS GENERALLY DISCOURAGED.

THIS DOES ADD AN IMPORTANT LAYER OF CONTEXT TO THE CASE.

THAT BEING SAID, INSTEAD OF SEEING THE PROPOSED LOCATION AS A NEGATIVE, PLANNING AND ZONING STAFF ACTUALLY SEES IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE A BUFFER BETWEEN THE MORE INTENSE INDUSTRIAL USES AND THE MORE DESIRABLE DESIGNATION MIXED USES THAT HAVE THAT WALKING COMPONENT, BECAUSE DIRECTLY AFTER THE SUBJECT SITE, YOU HAVE THE FULL SERVICE CAR WASH, THEN YOU HAVE OJ AND THEN YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY.

YOU HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MORE WALKABLE SPACES AS YOU LEAD DOWN TO THE SOUTH OF HAMPDEN.

SO WITH ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, PLANNING AND ZONING STAFF DOES BELIEVE THAT THIS REQUEST DOES ALIGN WITH THE FUTURE LAND USE PLAN AS WELL AS THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

[01:15:01]

EXCUSE ME, SEPTEMBER 23RD. AND APPROVE AN ORDINANCE ALLOWING A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT THAT PERMITS THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF A FOOD AND BEVERAGE SALES FOOD STORE WITH EXCUSE ME, A FOOD AND BEVERAGE SALES STORE WITH GASOLINE SALES, WHICH IS ALSO KNOWN AS A CONVENIENCE STORE AT THE SUBJECT SITE THAT IS CURRENTLY ADDRESSED AS 2115 NORTHAMPTON ROAD AND THAT CURRENTLY HAS A ZONING DISTRICT OF GENERAL RETAIL.

AND THAT CONCLUDES THE PRESENTATION FOR ZONING CASE DASH OR EXCUSE ME Z-153925.

I'LL OPEN THE FLOOR FOR QUESTIONS. THANK YOU, MISS JORDAN. AT THIS TIME, COUNCIL, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.

SECOND, IT'S BEEN MOVED PROPERLY. SECOND, TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.

COUNCIL. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. AYE. ALL OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. THAT MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW OPEN.

MISS REYNOLDS, DO WE HAVE ANY COMMENT CARDS? WE DID RECEIVE ONE FROM MISS JOYCE HILL.

HOWEVER, SHE DID NOT WANT TO SPEAK. AND HER COMMENT IS IN IN OPPOSITION TO THIS CASE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS HILL, FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

AT THIS TIME, COUNSEL, IF THERE ARE NO OTHER COMMENT CARDS, I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

SECOND, IT'S BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HUGHES, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM CHISM TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

COUNCIL. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. AYE, AYE.

ALL OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. THAT MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.

AT THIS TIME, COUNSEL I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THIS ITEM.

MADAM MAYOR, I MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT AS PRESENTED.

SECOND IT'S BEEN MOVED AND PROPERLY SECONDED TO APPROVE AS PRESENTED.

COUNCIL ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? YES.

COUNCIL MEMBER PARKER. THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. I MY ONLY QUESTION IS, IS THE FACT THAT THERE ARE GOING TO BE TRUCKS ON THAT ROAD? HAMPTON IS ALREADY REALLY, REALLY BUSY. AND I WANTED TO UNDERSTAND FROM THE SITUATION OF THE ENTRANCE FOR TRUCKS, IT'S RIGHT NEXT TO THE ENTRANCE FOR CARS. AND THEN THERE'S A LIGHT THERE.

I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND, IF. I MEAN, HAD THAT ALL BEEN LOOKED AT TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT THAT'S.

I MEAN, BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE A LOT GOING ON IN THAT LITTLE CORNER.

ABSOLUTELY. WELL, I DIDN'T WERE YOU AND THE CAR AND THE TRUCKS ONLY GO IN ONE WAY, RIGHT? RIGHT. THAT'S CORRECT. SO THEY ONLY GO IN ON HAMPTON.

THAT'S CORRECT. AND THERE IT'S AT THE BOTTOM HERE.

THIS ENTRANCE HERE IS FOR TRUCKS. SO I'M ACTUALLY GOING TO TURN THIS QUESTION OVER TO OUR DIRECTOR WHO IS A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER.

SO HE'LL BE SPEAKING TO THE ENGINEERING COMPONENT. BUT TO ANSWER THE EXCUSE ME, SORRY.

BEFORE I PASS IT OVER TO OUR ASSISTANT TO OUR DIRECTOR, I DID WANT TO GO AHEAD AND DISCLOSE THAT A TRAFFIC GENERATOR REPORT WAS SUBMITTED AND BASED OFF OF I GUESS THE INFORMATION THAT WAS SUBMITTED, THEY'RE NOW SET TO BE SUBMITTING THEIR TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS.

SO THEY ARE WORKING WITH THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT. OKAY.

THANK YOU FOR FOR YOUR QUESTION. YOU KNOW, THOSE ARE JUST CONCEPTUAL PLANS.

OKAY. SO, YOU KNOW, WE'RE JUST AT THE ZONING APPLICATION NOW, WHICH IS THE SUP.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THEY HAVEN'T GONE THROUGH THE PROCESS.

THEY WILL SUBMIT OUR THEIR NEXT STEP. IF THIS IS APPROVED TONIGHT, THEY WILL SUBMIT THE FULL CIVIL.

AND WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT IT WITH OUR ENGINEERING TEAM IN DEPTH.

AND WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT ALL DIFFERENT ASPECTS.

AND NOW WE HAVE THE TRANSPORTATION DESIGN MANUAL AS WELL.

AND WE'RE GOING TO BE. AND THEN WE ALSO ENGAGE THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS.

AND WE LOOK AT THE ACCESS FROM ALL DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES.

OKAY. AND SO MY OTHER QUESTION TO THAT IS THEM AS THEY'RE COMING IN BECAUSE I KNOW TRUCKS NEED SPACE.

THE ACTUAL THE DIRECTIONAL PIECE OF IT ONCE THEY'RE COMING OFF OF HAMPTON, LIKE I SAID, THERE'S A ENTRANCE FOR AND I KNOW YOU GUYS LOOK AT THAT.

AN ENTRANCE FOR CARS. THEN THERE'S A LIGHT THERE.

THEM NEEDING TO GET INTO THE PARKING LOT OR INTO THEIR AREA IS A SHARP TURN.

IS THERE GOING TO BE AN EXTRA PIECE MOVING OVER? IS THAT A PART OF THIS PLAN? YES. SO THIS IS WHEN THEY SUBMIT THEIR FULL CIVIL PLANS, WHICH WILL INCLUDE THE SITE PLAN AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED PLAN SHEETS. AND PART OF IT, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO WHEN WE REVIEW THE PLANS, WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THE WIDTH OF THE DRIVEWAY AND YOU KNOW HOW FAR THE DRIVEWAY IS FROM THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL. WE DON'T WANT THE THE DRIVER TO BE VERY CLOSE TO THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL BECAUSE THAT WOULD, YOU KNOW, CREATE CRASHES AT THAT AREA. SO THIS IS GOING TO BE PART OF THE FULL CIVIL PLAN REVIEW.

OKAY. AND I AND I HOPE WHEN THEY DO THE TRAFFIC STUDY THEY'LL UNDERSTAND IT BECAUSE I DO I DO HAMPTON A LOT.

[01:20:05]

AND THE REASON I'M EVEN SAYING IT IS BECAUSE AS PEOPLE ARE COMING BACK INTO DESOTO, THE ROAD IS ALREADY MESSED UP.

IT'S A IT'S A ROCKY ROAD. IT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED.

AND IT'S ON THE DALLAS SIDE. HOPEFULLY WE WON'T HAVE THAT AS THE TRUCKS HIT OUR SIDE.

BUT I ONLY AM ASKING BECAUSE OF THE WAY THAT THIS IS DRAWN.

I WOULD HOPE THAT THERE'S AN EXTRA PIECE THAT'S GOING TO ADD TO THIS TO HELP TRUCKS NOT DETER TRAFFIC COMING THROUGH BACK AND FORTH INTO DESOTO.

AND I WANT TO CLARIFY, YOU KNOW, BASED ON THEIR TRIP GENERATION REPORT, THEY'RE NOT REALLY REQUIRED TO SUBMIT A TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS.

WE'RE GOING TO LOOK THAT INTO THAT IN DETAIL. BUT, YOU KNOW, BASED ON THAT REPORT, BASICALLY IF YOU'RE NOT GENERATING, YOU KNOW, 100 VEHICLES, YOU KNOW, PER ONE HOUR OR LIKE 1000 PER 24 HOURS, THEN YOU'RE NOT REALLY REQUIRED TO SUBMIT A TIRE.

BUT BUT WE'RE GOING TO LOOK INTO THOSE IN DETAILS, YOU KNOW, WHEN, WHEN THEY'RE READY TO SUBMIT THE FULL CIVIL.

AND AND WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT, AT THAT FROM, YOU KNOW, FROM TRAFFIC ASPECT AS WELL.

OKAY. AND FOR THE, FOR THAT REQUIREMENT THAT YOU JUST SAID ABOUT THE 100 CARS AN HOUR OR WHATEVER THAT WAS DO TRUCKS GENERATE DIFFERENTLY THAN REGULAR CARS BECAUSE THEY ARE A LOT BIGGER AND THEY HAVE TO DO THEY GENERATE SO.

YES, YES. SO TYPICALLY LIKE THREE, THREE PASSENGER CARS.

BUT YOU KNOW, IT REALLY DEPENDS ON THE MANUAL THAT WE'RE LOOKING INTO.

BUT YES LIKE IF WE'RE HAVING A A SEMI OR LIKE WHAT WE CALL WB 67 A 18 WHEELER.

THIS IS. WE'RE NOT GOING TO CONSIDER THAT AS A PASSENGER CAR.

IT'S GOING TO BE HAS A FACTOR. OKAY. AND THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE A FULL SERVICE LIKE THE TO, YOU KNOW, LIKE A TRUCK STOP. LIKE YOU SAID NO IT'S NOT.

I'M SORRY. WAS THERE A QUESTION. YOU KNOW HOW THE TO IS A TRUCK STOP A FULL SERVICE TRUCK STOP.

YOU CAN GET GAS AS A CONSUMER, BUT THEY ACTUALLY HAVE EVERYTHING IN THE BACK.

AND IT'S A FULL SERVICE TRUCK STOP WHERE PEOPLE DRIVE THEIR TRUCKS IN, AND THEN THEY ARE ABLE TO GET OUT AND DO SOME OTHER STUFF.

I'M ASKING, IS THIS GOING TO BE THAT OR IS THIS JUST A REGULAR GAS? I DON'T THINK IT IS, BUT LET ME MAKE SURE WITH WITH OUR PLANNING MANAGER.

IT'S JUST A REGULAR GAS STATION. IT WON'T BE A TRUCK STOP.

OKAY. THANK YOU. I YIELD BACK IN A TRUCK STOP.

AND I'M SORRY IF I MAY JUST. KIND OF. SINCE WE'RE IN THAT VEIN, A TRUCK STOP WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE A SPECIAL SRP AS WELL, RIGHT? WE CAN'T. THEY CAN'T BE SPECIFICALLY NOTED AS A TRUCK STOP.

WITHOUT IT, IT WOULDN'T BE. IT WOULDN'T BE STARRING OR, YOU KNOW, STOP.

IT WOULD BE JUST, YOU KNOW, REGULAR GAS STATION, NOT FULL ENOUGH FOR FOR IT TO BE A TRUCK STOP.

YOU WOULD NEED A CONSIDERABLE. I'M FULLY AWARE OF THAT CORNER.

AND YOU WOULD NEED A CONSIDERABLE MORE AMOUNT OF SPACE TO GET TRUCKS IN AND OUT OF THERE.

BUT COUNCIL MEMBER PARK, I WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND.

I GUESS JUST GIVEN YOUR LINE OF QUESTIONING WHAT THE CONCERN IS, IS IT ABOUT THE TRUCKS THAT CUT IN THAT CORNER? BECAUSE THAT'S DANIEL DALE AND I KNOW, AND THIS MAY BE A LITTLE OFF TOPIC, MR. CITY MANAGER. SO I MEAN, MR. CITY ATTORNEY. SO IF IF WE GET TOO FAR INTO THE WEEDS, I KNOW THIS IS JUST ZONING.

HOWEVER, I KNOW THAT THERE ARE PLANS TO WIDEN DANIEL TO CONTINUE SOME OF THAT THERE AT THAT CORNER.

AND I TAKE THAT WAY HOME AS WELL. SO I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH HOW TIGHT THAT THAT SPACE IS.

SO IT'S THE ISSUE OR THE CONCERN WITH THAT. OR IS IT WHAT WHAT'S THE WHAT'S YOUR CONCERN.

IT'S ON BOTH SIDES. DANIEL DALE IS A SMALL ROAD, TWO LANE OR WHATEVER.

RIGHT. THEM GETTING OUT OF THERE. THAT'S A THAT'S A CONCERN.

BUT I WAS THINKING THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT'LL HELP THAT.

BUT I'M REALLY CONCERNED WITH HAMPTON BECAUSE HAMPTON IS ALMOST LIKE A THOROUGHFARE. I MEAN AND YOU KNOW, RIGHT, WRONG OR INDIFFERENT, PEOPLE DRIVE IN THAT LAST LANE AS THEY'RE COMING.

AND FOR A TRUCK TO MAKE A TRUE TURN, IT STOPS TRAFFIC.

IF IT'S IN THE WAY. SO THAT'S REALLY ALL I WAS ASKING.

AND THE ONLY REASON I SAID THAT ABOUT THE TRUCK STOP IS BECAUSE OF THE ELEVATION.

THE ELEVATION LOOKS LIKE IT'S WAY OFF THE GROUND.

AND USUALLY WITH A TRUCK STOP, YOU HAVE THAT.

THAT'S THE ONLY REASON I WAS ASKING. SO I'M NOT I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT'S THE CASE, BUT.

SO YEAH, SO MOST OF THAT IS MY CONCERN IS JUST THE TRAFFIC AND THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC IN THE STOPPAGE OF THAT.

CERTAINLY. THANK YOU. MAYOR PRO TEM. THANK YOU.

MAYOR. HI. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.

IS THE APPLICANT HERE THIS EVENING? YES, THE APPLICANT IS HERE.

I DO HAVE A QUESTION FOR THEM. I APPRECIATE THAT.

MY NAME IS HERBERT GEERS AND I'M FROM IRVING, TEXAS.

GIVE ME YOUR LAST NAME AGAIN, MR. HERBERT GEERS. LIKE A CAR GEARS.

EXCUSE ME, AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION.

THE FIRST THING I WANT TO DO IS THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. I WAS BLESSED IN MY LIFE AS A YOUNGER MAN TO BE ON THE COUNCIL AND IRVING BE MAYOR FOR A LONG TIME,

[01:25:01]

SO I JUST WANTED TO FIRST DO THAT AND THEN LET YOU KNOW WE ARE NOT BUILDING A TRUCK STOP.

WE HAVE DONE A STUDY. WE'RE ANTICIPATING ABOUT 20 TRUCKS TODAY TO COME INTO THE FACILITY.

BASICALLY, IT'S JUST A FUELING STATION SO WE DON'T HAVE SHOWERS OR ANY KIND OF ANYTHING LIKE THAT TO TO DO THAT.

AND THE TRUCKS THAT WILL SERVE ARE ESSENTIALLY THE ONES THAT ARE KIND OF CIRCULATING AROUND THERE IN THE AREA NOW BECAUSE OF THE INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES AND WAREHOUSE FACILITIES THAT ARE THERE. BUT I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION. I'M SORRY. THANK YOU, MR. AND I HOPE THAT MY MY, MY QUESTIONING DOESN'T THROW YOU OFF. CONSIDERING YOUR SERVICE TO IRVING, I'M SURE THEY'RE VERY GRATEFUL TO HAVE HAD YOU.

MY QUESTION IS MORE SO AROUND THE TYPE OF GAS STATION YOU WILL HAVE BECAUSE I'VE.

I HAVE FOUND MYSELF FREE VISITING THE GAS STATIONS ON HAMPTON, AND THERE IS A COMMONALITY WITH THEM.

AND I WAS JUST CURIOUS, DO YOU PLAN ON HAVING GAMING MACHINES IN YOUR STORE? YOU KNOW. ABSOLUTELY NOT. WE'RE WORKING WITH NATIONAL BRANDS, NATIONAL FLAGS, YOU KNOW, FOR BOTH THE FUEL AND THE OPERATION ITSELF.

AND WE'RE NOT WE'RE NOT ANTICIPATING THAT TYPE OF FACILITY.

GOTCHA. SO THIS IS GOING TO BE A A NICE UPGRADE PROVIDING FOOD AND OTHER BEVERAGES AND GAS, BASICALLY. SO I DID SEE THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE.

ARE YOU LOOKING TO HAVE A PARTNERSHIP WITH A A FRANCHISE CHAIN LIKE A RESTAURANT CHAIN? OR IS THIS JUST LIKE FOOD? I CAN JUST WARM UP IN THE MICROWAVE AND KEEP FOR CONVENIENCE STORE LIKE A FOR EXAMPLE, IS A POSSIBILITY. THERE ARE OTHER FLAGS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

QUITE FRANKLY, THIS IS A GOOD LOCATION FOR THIS TYPE OF SERVICE.

SO WE HAVE A LOT OF INTEREST IN THAT. AND THEN WE ALSO MAY DEVELOP OURSELVES AND OPERATE OURSELVES.

WE WE'VE DONE THAT IN THE PAST AS WELL. SO, YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW WE, WE WANT TO GET THE ENTITLEMENT BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WE THINK IT'S A GOOD LOCATION AND WE THINK THE PRODUCT THAT WE'RE OFFERING, YOU KNOW, WILL SERVE THE AREA WELL. YOU KNOW, IT'S KIND OF AN INFILL, YOU KNOW, INSIDE OF A, YOU KNOW, MORE INDUSTRIAL AREA, ALTHOUGH IT IS A GATEWAY, YOU KNOW, TO THE CITY COMING FROM DALLAS COMING DOWN AND MOST COMMUNITIES ARE, YOU KNOW, FOCUSED ON THAT. SO THAT'S WHY WE ADDED THE ADDITIONAL LANDSCAPING.

YOU SAW THE LANDSCAPE PLAN. AND EVEN MORE SO THOSE EXPANSIVE AREAS, YOU KNOW JUST ON THE OTHER SIDE OF WHERE THE TRUCK FUEL STATIONS ARE. THAT'S ALL GRASS. SO THERE'S GOING TO BE A WHOLE LOT OF GREEN SPACE IN THIS PROJECT, AND PARTICULARLY WHERE YOU SEE IT AS YOU COME IN, YOU KNOW, TO DESOTO FROM DALLAS.

OKAY. WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR QUESTION.

YOUR YOUR ANSWERING MY QUESTIONS, I APPRECIATE THAT.

I APPRECIATE THAT, THANK YOU. I DID HAVE FURTHER COMMENTS THOUGH FOR OKAY.

THANK YOU, MR. GEARS. THANK YOU. MAYOR. MAYOR PRO TEM, DID YOU HAVE COMMENTS THAT YOU WANTED TO DO NOW? I WANTED TO ASK IF ACTUALLY MR. APPLICANT, IF YOU WOULD BE WILLING TO PUT A STIPULATION AT A STIPULATION TO YOUR SUP THAT OF OF NOT NOT ALLOWING GAMES OF CHANCE ON THE ON THE PROPERTY.

ABSOLUTELY. WE CAN STIPULATE THAT. OKAY. WE'LL PUT IT ON THE SITE PLAN IF WE HAVE TO.

ATTORNEY MR. ATTORNEY, WHEREVER YOU TELL US TO MAKE THAT STIPULATION.

AND IN THIS TESTIMONY AS WELL. THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT.

AND THESE ARE MY COMMENTS AROUND IT. AND I APPRECIATE PLANNING AND ZONING FOR DOING SUCH A THOROUGH JOB IN EVALUATING THIS PLANNING AND ZONING CASE, AS WELL AS STAFF. I REALIZED GENERAL RETAIL TELLS US THAT IS GENERAL RETAIL AND THERE'S ANY AND EVERYTHING THAT GOES THERE AND ECONOMIC FIRST.

RIGHT. WE WANT TO IMPROVE OUR SALES TAX. THE ONLY REASON WHY I ASKED THOSE QUESTIONS TO APPLICANT, AND I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ANSWERING THEM, IS BECAUSE WE HAVE DOWN NORTH HAMPTON A REDUNDANCY OF GAS STATIONS.

THERE'S VALERO, THERE'S 7-ELEVEN, THERE'S S FOOD MART, THERE'S TEXACO, MOBIL, AND THERE'S CONOCO THAT IS ON.

THAT'S MORE FURTHER DOWN. BUT AS AS MR. GEARS MENTIONED, THIS IS THE GATEWAY TO THE CITY OF DESOTO.

AND AS WE HAVE BEEN INTENTIONAL IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PLEASANT RUN TO BELT LINE AS WE LEAD INTO THAT.

WHAT DOES THAT SAY FOR US? AND SO FOR ME, IF THIS WAS A CHICKEN RESTAURANT, IF IT WAS, YOU KNOW, A SMOKE SHOP WE WOULD BE PROBABLY HAVE LINE FOR CITIZEN COMMENT BECAUSE OF THE REDUNDANCY.

RIGHT. AND HOWEVER STAFF AND THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION IS APPROVING TO PUSH THIS FORWARD.

BECAUSE IT MEETS OUR PLANNING AND ZONING PLAN.

[01:30:01]

AND I'M AGAINST JUST HAVING FIELDS AND I BELIEVE IN DEVELOPMENT IN DESOTO.

BUT I ALSO THINK WITH CONSIDERATION OF HAMPTON ROAD.

IS THIS THE BEST FOR USE FOR THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY? AND THAT'S WHERE I, I'M STRUGGLING AT RIGHT NOW.

SO BUT I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.

I THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND FOR ANSWERING MY QUESTIONS AS WELL.

COUNCILMAN WATERS, THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. I HAD JUST A COUPLE QUICK THINGS.

JUST SO I CAN UNDERSTAND AGAIN, I GUESS, CLARIFY IT.

SO THE ONLY ENTRANCE FOR TRUCKS ARE GOING TO BE ON THE HAMPTON, AND THEY HAVE TO EXIT DANIEL DALE.

THE ONLY WAY THEY CAN EXIT IS THAT. OR DO THEY ALSO EXIT? NO, THAT. THAT'S CORRECT. THEY'LL BE ENTERING ON HAMPTON AND EXITING DANIEL DALE SO THEY CAN'T.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT. AND THEN ALSO INITIALLY, AT LEAST FOR ME, MY LITTLE COMMENT INITIALLY, YOU KNOW.

GAS STATION BECAUSE YOU GOT LIKE YOU MENTIONED, WE WE'VE GOT A LOT ON, BUT YOU MAY KNOW THIS, BUT I DON'T KNOW. DO WE HAVE ANY GAS STATIONS IN DESOTO THAT SERVICE 18 WHEELERS FOR THE PUBLIC? I DON'T BELIEVE WE DO. NO. OKAY, WELL, IN THAT CASE, WE CAN TAP SOME MONEY FROM POLK AND 20 GETTING ALL THE MONEY FOR THOSE TRUCKS. SO THIS IS A WAY WE CAN GET ALL THE MONEY AND HAVE IT JUST RIGHT AT THE INDUSTRIAL ZONE THERE AT THE EDGE.

AND AT LEAST WE CAN GET SOME, SOME OF THAT MONEY. SO THAT'S THAT PIQUED MY INTEREST WHEN IT HAD NO GAS FOR THE TRUCKS.

SO INITIALLY I WAS LIKE BUT NOW YOU GOT STUFF FOR THE TRUCKS.

YOU KNOW, WHEN I READ IT I THINK IT'LL BE GOOD FOR DESOTO, BUT THAT'S MY COMMENT.

THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN WATERS COUNCIL MEMBER. THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR, AND THANK YOU. I WANT TO FIRST THANK STAFF FOR DOING AN EXQUISITE JOB.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I'VE BEEN ABLE TO LOOK AT SOMETHING, DRIVE BY IT, AND FEEL LIKE ALL THE I'S WERE DOTTED AND ALL THE T'S WERE CROSSED. SO THANK YOU. I HAVE A A RESIDENT HERE WHO I REALLY TRUST HER VOICE.

SO I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR YOUR COMMENT.

YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE. BUT WHEN I LOOKED AT THE LOCATION AND I LOOKED AT THE SITE MY COLLEAGUE BROUGHT IT UP.

I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN THE FLOW OF THE TRUCKS, BECAUSE I WOULD ASSUME THAT MOST OF THEM WILL BE COMING OFF OF THE DANIEL DALE RATHER THAN OFF OF OF HAMPTON ROAD. THEY ARE. IT'S NOT A QUESTION, IT'S JUST A STATEMENT.

BUT KNOWING THAT THIS IS RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM FROM THE STORAGE FACILITY THAT I BELIEVE IS OWNED BY SOMEONE WHO IS VERY THAT LOVES DE SOTO AND BY LOOKING AT THE ELEVATIONS AND LOOKING AT THE GREENERY AND LOOKING AT THE SITE PLAN, I JUST WANTED TO TELL YOU THAT I DON'T HAVE QUESTIONS TONIGHT BECAUSE YOU ANSWERED ALL OF MY QUESTIONS.

SO THANK YOU, MR. GEAR. THANK YOU FOR INVESTING IN DESOTO AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SITE LOCATION.

I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO SEE A A TEN STORY BUILDING OVER THERE, BUT IF WE CAN'T DO THAT, THEN WE'LL WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT THE INDUSTRIAL PARK HAVE SOME GASOLINE. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COUNCIL. I SEE NO ADDITIONAL LIGHTS FROM INDIVIDUALS ON THE DAIS WHO WISH TO SPEAK. AND WE DO HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR.

SO IF THAT SAID, OUR ORDINANCE HAS ALREADY BEEN READ, IT IS IN OUR AGENDA PACKET.

AT THIS TIME, WE HAD A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BIRD, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER HUGHES, TO APPROVE AS PRESENTED.

I BELIEVE WE'RE GOING TO USE OUR VOTING MACHINE TONIGHT, MR. CITY ATTORNEY.

YES, WE NEED TO ADD THAT. SO COUNCILMAN BIRD, WE THEY ARE LOOKING TO MODIFY YOUR MOTION TO ADD THE ADDITION OF THE LANGUAGE ABOUT THE GAMING MACHINES. MR. CITY ATTORNEY, CAN YOU GIVE US.

NO GAMING DEVICES ARE PERMITTED ON SITE. CONSIDER GAMING GAMES BY CHANCE FOR SKILLED AND OFFERING PAYOUTS TO CUSTOMERS.

MADAM MAYOR, I WILL MOVE. I WILL ALTER THEN MY MOTION TO INCLUDE THAT LANGUAGE TO REGARD IN REGARDS TO THE GAMING DEVICES.

AND MR. CITY ATTORNEY, CAN YOU CUT YOUR MICROPHONE OFF SO THAT THOSE THAT ARE ONLINE CAN HEAR THE LANGUAGE AND IT CAN BE CAPTURED ON THE RECORDING? NO GAMING DEVICES ARE PERMITTED ON SITE THAT ARE CONSIDERED GAMES BY CHANCE OR SKILL THAT OFFER A PAYOUT TO THE CUSTOMER.

DOES HE NEED TO GET A SECOND ON THAT ADDITION?

[01:35:04]

OKAY, THAT MOTION HAS BEEN MODIFIED AND PROPERLY.

SECOND, COUNSEL, PLEASE USE YOUR VOTING PADS.

THAT MOTION PASSES FIVE TWO. THANK YOU. COUNCIL AT THIS TIME.

THANK YOU, MISS JORDAN. AT THIS TIME, WE HAVE THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA, AND I BELIEVE IT IS THE FINAL ITEM ON OUR AGENDA,

[1. Consider authorizing the City Manager to either one of the following: 1) negotiate and execute a contract with Sports Facilities Management LLC for management of the Aquatics and Recreation Center at McCowan Park and upholding the approved budget as set in the FY2026 budget or 2) direct the Parks and Recreation Department to operate and maintain the Aquatics and Recreation Center at McCowan Park and upholding the approved budget as set in the FY2026 budget]

NUMBER ONE, NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH SPORTS FACILITIES MANAGEMENT, LLC FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE AQUATICS AND RECREATION CENTER AT MCCOWAN PARK AND UPHOLDING THE APPROVED BUDGET AS SET IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET, OR NUMBER TWO.

DIRECT THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT TO OPERATE AND MAINTAIN THE AQUATICS AND RECREATION CENTER AT MCCOWAN PARK AND UPHOLDING THE APPROVED BUDGET AS SET IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET.

WELL, I DON'T WANT TO DEFER IT. SO MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

GOOD EVENING. THIS ITEM REALLY GIVES THE CITY COUNCIL AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK FINAL QUESTIONS OF BOTH THE THIRD PARTY CONSULTANT AS WELL AS THE PARKS DEPARTMENT BEFORE MAKING A CHOICE ON ANY YOU KNOW, ANY PATH MOVING FORWARD, WHETHER THAT WOULD BE THROUGH THE PARKS DEPARTMENT OR THE THIRD PARTY AND ENSURING THAT THE BUDGET THAT IS SET IN THE 2025, 2026 BUDGET PROCESS IS UPHELD. MAYOR PRO TEM, DID YOU HAVE COMMENTS OR. I HAD A QUESTION.

OKAY. WE DO HAVE CARDS FROM INDIVIDUALS WHO WISH TO SPEAK.

SO WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO BEFORE COUNCIL GIVES ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS I WANT TO HEAR FROM THOSE THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE SIGNED UP, AND THEY WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK. HOW MANY CARDS DO WE HAVE OF TONIGHT FOR THIS ITEM? WE HAVE FIVE MAYOR. DO WE HAVE ANY THAT DON'T WISH TO SPEAK, OR IS EVERYONE DOES EVERYONE WISH TO SPEAK? I DO HAVE ONE FOR MISS JESSICA LINDEN. SHE SAID SHE HAD TO LEAVE EARLY.

I'M NOT SURE IF SHE'S HERE. MISS LINDEN, ARE YOU STILL HERE? I DON'T SEE, I DON'T SEE HER. DOES SHE PUT WHAT HER POSITION WAS ON HER CARD? SHE IS SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT TO MANAGE THE ARK.

OKAY. THANK YOU. ANY OTHERS? NEXT, WE HAVE MISS TIFFANY CLARK, AND THEN FOLLOWING MISS TANYA BROOKS.

AND I DON'T SEE MISS CLARK IN THE AUDIENCE AS WELL.

I DON'T SEE HER. WHAT IS HER POSITION? SHE ALSO SUBMITTED AN EMAIL TO THE OFFICE OF THE CITY SECRETARY FOR.

IN FAVOR OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT OF MANAGING THE ARK.

OKAY. ANY OTHERS? TANYA BROOKS. DENISE VALENTINE.

AND IM RENEE JOHNSON. I DO SEE, AND I SAW THAT MISS BROOKS LEFT.

I'M NOT SURE IF SHE WENT TO THE LADIES ROOM OR NOT.

SO IF WE COULD DEFER HER JUST IN CASE SHE COMES BACK, I DON'T I DON'T KNOW IF SHE LEFT US.

AND WHO WHO ELSE DO YOU HAVE? I'M SORRY, DENISE VALENTINE.

I DO SEE MISS VALENTINE. AND YOU SAID THERE WAS ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL. AND IM RENEE JOHNSON.

OH, I DO SEE MISS JOHNSON. OKAY. THANK YOU. WE CAN GO IN ORDER THAT YOU RECEIVE THOSE THAT ARE HERE.

MISS VALENTINE IS IN THE ROOM. I DO SEE HER. AND THEN MISS JOHNSON IS IN THE ROOM.

DENISE. VALENTINE. MISS VALENTINE, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE FOR THE RECORD, AND YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK. PLEASE GET YOUR MIC ON, MISS VALENTINE.

OKAY. DENISE VALENTINE, DESOTO, TEXAS. AND LET ME THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

THE CITY OF DESOTO SHOULD BE A MAJOR EMPLOYER OF OUR COMMUNITY.

THE ARC SHOULD BE STAFFED BY PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE, UNDERSTAND OUR COMMUNITY, AND REFLECT OUR SHARED VALUES.

CONTRACTING OUT THESE ROLES WOULD DILUTE OUR SENSE OF OWNERSHIP, AND OVERLOOK THE MANY QUALIFIED RESIDENTS AND DEDICATED EMPLOYEES WHO ALREADY SERVE OUR CITY WITH EXCELLENCE. OUR PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT IS AWARD WINNING, NATIONALLY ACCREDITED BY THE COMMISSION FOR THE ACCREDITATION OF PARK AND RECREATION AGENCIES.

CAPRA. OUT OF 10,000 AGENCIES NATIONWIDE, ONLY 220 HAVE EARNED THIS DISTINCTION.

THAT'S A REFLECTION OF DESOTO'S HIGH STANDARDS IN OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY SERVICE.

[01:40:06]

THEY OUTSOURCED THE MANAGEMENT OF FAIR PARK, A MOVE THAT LED TO MISSING FUNDS, UNFINISHED PROJECTS AND PUBLIC CONTROVERSY. DALLAS HAS SINCE ENDED THAT CONTRACT.

DE SOTO SHOULD NOT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE, ESPECIALLY WITHOUT EVEN OPENING THE PROCESS TO FAIR COMPETITION.

A COMMUNITY TRULY COMES TOGETHER IN TWO PLACES OUR SCHOOLS AND OUR PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES.

OUR PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR AND STAFF KNOW THIS COMMUNITY AND CARE ABOUT IT, AND THEY ALREADY ARE DOING AN OUTSTANDING JOB. LET'S KEEP THIS VITAL WORK IN LOCAL HANDS.

LET'S TRUST THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW AND LOVE DE SOTO BEST.

AND MOST OF ALL, LET'S DO THE RIGHT THING. THANK YOU.

IM RENEE JOHNSON. GOOD EVENING, MISS JOHNSON.

PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME. YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE ONLY. FOR THE RECORD, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK. GOOD EVENING.

IM RENEE JOHNSON, DALLAS, TEXAS. IT IS AN HONOR AND A BLESSING TO BE HERE TONIGHT IN DESOTO.

AS YOU AS YOU KNOW, I'M A FRIEND OF DESOTO. I LOVE THIS CITY.

I SPENT ALMOST 13 YEARS IN THIS CITY AS A PARK AND RECREATION DIRECTOR, AS WELL AS THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER.

AND SO I JUST REALLY WANTED TO BE HERE TONIGHT.

I'M HERE BECAUSE MY SOUL IS STILL IN DESOTO. YOU ALL HAVE A COMPLEX DECISION TO MAKE.

I DO UNDERSTAND THAT I'VE GOT 35 YEARS IN PARKS AND RECREATION IN FOUR DIFFERENT CITIES, AND NOW I'M DEPUTY DIRECTOR IN DALLAS PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT, WHERE I MANAGE OVER 420 PARKS AND A $50 MILLION BUDGET.

AND SO I'VE BEEN AROUND THIS BUSINESS AND BEEN AROUND THIS METRO FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.

AND I JUST WANTED TO COME ALSO A RETIREE AS THE CITY OF DE SOTO.

AND JUST WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE AND TO IF I CAN OFFER ANYTHING BECAUSE OF MY LOVE FOR DE SOTO IS THAT I ISSUE PAUSE BECAUSE I'VE BEEN AROUND THIS BUSINESS FOR SO LONG, I'VE SEEN A LOT OF MISTAKES MADE, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T HAVE ANY MISSTEPS IN DE SOTO. AS YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN SAID, DE SOTO PARK AND RECREATION IS A LEADING ORGANIZATION ACROSS THIS COUNTRY.

THEY'RE WELL KNOWN. AND WHEN WE WERE ACCREDITED, I WAS HERE WHEN WE INITIALLY RECEIVED THAT STATUS.

AND THERE WERE SOME THINGS MENTIONED LAST NIGHT, I WAS THERE.

I LISTENED TO THE REVIEW OF THE PRESENTATIONS.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ALL HAVE TO KNOW IS THAT THIS SPORTS BUSINESS, IT'S A BIG BUSINESS, BUT IT'S A SPORTS BUSINESS. AND THIS MANAGEMENT GROUP IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE DO IN COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTERS.

SO SOME SOME GROUPS MET IN SPORTS FACILITIES AND SOME GROUPS MANAGE RECREATION FACILITIES.

THE VISION HERE IN DE SOTO HAS BEEN SOMETHING FOR THE COMMUNITY THAT'S DIFFERENT THAN A SPORTS COMPLEX OR A SPORTS FACILITY.

AND SO WHAT I KNOW ABOUT THE METRO, ALL OF THE RECREATION CENTERS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO THE ONE THAT YOU HAVE, WHICH IS MAGNIFICENT. OKAY. WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT THERE IS NOT ONE THAT HAS A MANAGEMENT GROUP, AND THE ONE THAT HAS A MANAGEMENT GROUP IN GRAND PRAIRIE IS AN OUTLIER.

IT'S AN INTERNATIONAL TYPE OF FACILITY. IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU SEE IN THE NORM.

RIGHT. MOST OF PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES, THEY ARE VERY BLESSED IF THEY GET 70 TO 80% COST RECOVERY.

SO THERE IS WHAT WE CALL WE DON'T EVEN CALL IT PROFIT.

WE CALL IT COST RECOVERY. BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU'RE HERE TO SERVE THIS COMMUNITY.

THIS COMMUNITY HAS INVESTED $55 MILLION WITH 77,000 IN SPACE, AND NOW THE GOAL IS TO TURN IT OVER TO SOMEONE, RIGHT? BECAUSE WHEN YOU HAVE A MANAGEMENT CONTRACT, THAT'S WHAT IT IS.

AND THEY ARE GREAT PRESENTERS. IT IS IMPRESSIVE AS IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE, BUT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO OUR DUE DILIGENCE AND WE PROTECT THIS COMMUNITY BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONES WHO HAVE MADE THE INVESTMENT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. GREAT TO SEE YOU AS ALWAYS.

I DON'T SEE MISS BROOKS. DID SHE INDICATE ON HER CARD SHE DID LEAVE? DID SHE INDICATE ON HER CARD HER POSITION? NO, SHE DID NOT.

OKAY. THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, COUNCIL, WE HAVE HEARD FROM ALL INDIVIDUALS WHO WISH TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM AS WELL AS WE HAVE HEARD.

FROM BOTH ENTITIES AT OUR MEETING LAST NIGHT.

SO WHAT I WILL DO IS COUNCIL. I WILL START A ROUND.

[01:45:02]

I'M GOING TO START ROUNDS. WHOEVER WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK CAN GO FIRST.

HOWEVER, IF WE DO ANOTHER ROUND, I'M GOING TO ASK THAT COUNCIL AGREE UPON THAT BEFORE WE GO BACK AND FORTH ON THE DAIS.

AND SO AT THIS TIME, I SEE COUNCIL MEMBER PARKER IS THE FIRST OUT THE GATE.

OKAY. MADAM MAYOR, THANK YOU FOR THAT. AND THANK YOU TO THE COMMUNITY, THOSE WHO SPOKE, THOSE WHO WANTED TO SPEAK LOVE THE PURPLE.

YEAH. I I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT, YOU KNOW, MAKING CERTAIN THAT WE KEEP THE COMMUNITY, THE COMMUNITY THAT WE FOCUS ON, THE COMMUNITY AND.

RIGHT, WRONG OR INDIFFERENT THE PRESENTATION WAS IMPRESSIVE.

AND THAT'S NOT JUST HER WORD. THAT WAS MY WORD AS WELL.

I, I APPRECIATE IT. WHAT I SAW, BUT I ALSO SAW THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF THINGS THAT THE CITY OF DE SOTO IS DOING AND HAS THE CAPACITY TO DO. AND I COME FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT, HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR THIS COMMUNITY A VERY LONG TIME TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT WE HAVE ACTIVITIES AND WE HAVE COMMUNITIES RIGHT HERE IN THE CITY OF DE SOTO.

AND IT WOULD BE I WOULD BE REMISS FROM MY PERSPECTIVE AS A FORMER PARK BOARD CHAIR AND A PERSON WHO TOOK THE COUNCIL SEAT RIGHT AFTER BEING THAT CHAIR AND KNOWING ALL THE ACTIVITIES AND THINGS THAT THE PARKS DEPARTMENT DOES, EVEN NOW, THEY ARE THE THEY ARE THE GO TO PLACE.

AND I COULDN'T SEE IT ANY OTHER WAY THAN TO ALLOW THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THIS THROUGH.

AS I SAID BEFORE, I WAS NOT THE FIRST PROPONENT FOR THE PARKS AND RECS.

I WAS A PERSON WHO CAME OUT AGAINST PUTTING IT IN PLACE WITHOUT THE VOTE OF THE COMMUNITY.

BUT NOW THAT WE'RE HERE, NOW THAT WE'RE HERE, WE HAVE TO MAKE IT SUCCESSFUL.

AND I BELIEVE THAT THIS PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT, WITH THE HELP OF THIS CITY, WILL BE ABLE TO PUT THIS ON THE MAP IN A DIFFERENT WAY THAN IF WE DECIDE TO TURN IT OVER TO ANOTHER ENTITY. AND THAT'S JUST MY PERSPECTIVE.

I YIELD BACK. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER PARKER.

MAYOR PRO TEM, THANK YOU. I DO HAVE A QUESTION THAT I'D LIKE TO BE ANSWERED BY SFM.

AND I CONSIDERING WE'RE DOING ROUNDS WHEN WE'RE DONE, I GUESS IF THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY IS THE DATA COLLECTION PIECE FOR THE OPERATING AND WHAT I IN THE CONTRACT, IT STATES THAT SFM OWNS THE DATA COLLECTED, MEANING THAT THE RESIDENTS OR CITIZENS OR CONSUMERS THAT USE THE FACILITY WHEN WE DECIDE TO BREAK TIES, THAT YOU WILL OWN THE DATA THAT IS THAT IS COLLECTED, MEANING REGISTRATION, MEMBERSHIP AND THAT SORT OF THING IS WHAT I TOOK FROM IT, BECAUSE YOU OWN THE SYSTEMS AND THAT ARE MANAGING THE DATA MANAGEMENT OF THAT.

I JUST WANTED TO CONFIRM THAT. AND I'M WHY HE'S COMING.

I'M GOING TO ASK SFM IF THEY WOULD JUST COME TO THE FRONT FOR THIS PORTION OF THE MEETING.

SO YOU ALL WILL BE CLOSE TO THE MICROPHONE SHOULD COUNCIL HAVE IT.

SO YOU'RE NOT HAVING TO GO BACK AND FORTH TO YOUR SEATS AND COUNCIL YES, WE ARE DOING ROUNDS.

HOWEVER, I DID NOT PUT A TIME STIPULATION, SO PLEASE DON'T ABUSE THE ROUND.

YOU'RE DOING GREAT. YOU HAVE YOUR TAKE YOUR TIME AND ASK YOUR QUESTIONS BECAUSE THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT DECISION.

SO I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO FEEL LIKE THANK YOU.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE TIME I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. GET THEIR QUESTIONS ANSWERED. THANK YOU. AND PLEASE CUT THAT MICROPHONE ON. YOU CAN PRESS THAT BUTTON. THERE YOU GO. YES, MA'AM. MAYOR COUNCIL. THANK YOU. THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU AGAIN TONIGHT.

TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION. ALL THE INFORMATION AND EVERYTHING WE'RE DOING IS AN EXTENSION OF YOUR TEAM AND IN SUPPORT.

SO THAT INFORMATION IS IF WHEN WE LEAVE, THAT IS YOUR INFORMATION.

THAT IS WHAT'S LEFT WITH YOU. IT'S PART OF THIS CONVERSATION.

IT IS NOT TAKEN WITH US. IT IS WE ARE OPERATING AND SUPPORTING ON BEHALF OF THE CITY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CITIZENS.

SO NONE OF THAT COMES WITH US WHEN WE WHEN WE LEAVE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF INDIVIDUALS, INFORMATION THAT STAYS WITH THE CITY, THOSE PROGRAMS AND SOFTWARE THAT WE MAKE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE IT DEPARTMENT, WITH THE GROUP, TO MAKE SURE, WITH THE CITY, TO MAKE SURE IT'S EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED TO MAKE IT OPERATE BETWEEN THIS VENUE, AS WELL AS THE OTHER PARKS AND RECREATION VENUES, TO MAKE SURE IT'S SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY HOLISTICALLY.

GOTCHA. AND THAT SOUNDS I THAT SOUNDS GREAT. BUT THE CONTRACT DOESN'T SAY THAT.

OKAY. WELL, PART FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, TONIGHT, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPROVE THE NEGOTIATIONS AND, AND REVIEW OF THAT CONTRACT. SO WE'RE OPEN TO THOSE CONVERSATIONS TO MAKE SURE IT IT READS THE WAY YOU WOULD LIKE IT TO IN THOSE IN THAT DISCUSSION.

OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND THAT WAS MY ONLY QUESTION.

I WOULD HAVE TO ECHO WITH MY COLLEAGUE AT THE END.

[01:50:02]

BUT I MY. SO. MR. GLOVER, I THIS ISN'T ABOUT YOU, RIGHT? THIS IS ABOUT THE CITY, RIGHT? HOWEVER, I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DID NOT SAY THAT THE UNDERTONE IN THE IN, IN THE OR THE PERCEPTION OF THE COMMUNITY IS THAT WE'VE ASKED SFM TO COME IN TO MANAGE BECAUSE YOU ARE INCAPABLE OF DOING THAT, OR YOU AND YOUR STAFF ARE INCAPABLE OF DOING THAT, AND I DON'T I WHAT I THINK OF IS THAT, MR. GLOVER, WHAT CAME INTO DESOTO 26 YEARS AGO AT A TIME WHEN THE DEMOGRAPHIC WAS VERY MUCH SO DIFFERENT IN DE SOTO, AND THERE WAS A FIGHT BETWEEN FOOTBALL AND SOCCER OR FOOTBALL AND BASEBALL AND BASEBALL WAS WINNING.

AND IT TOOK SOMEONE LIKE YOURSELF TO CREATE A SYNERGY BETWEEN TEAMS, TO GIVE EQUITY TO THE FOOTBALL TEAMS, BECAUSE THOSE INDIVIDUALS PLAYING FOOTBALL LOOKED MORE LIKE US THAN THE PEOPLE THAT WERE PLAYING BASEBALL.

AND AT A TIME WHERE A CITY WAS SHIFTING THAT REALLY DID NOT SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHIFT, IT WAS FORCED A LITTLE BIT.

I THINK ABOUT BMX THAT IS NOT EVEN SOMETHING THAT I GREW UP IN PLEASANT GROVE KNOWING ANYTHING ABOUT. AND IT'S A THING AND I IT'S A THING THAT'S IN A PREDOMINANTLY AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY.

EVEN THOUGH THE PEOPLE THAT PLAY BMX DON'T ALWAYS LOOK LIKE US.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT CREATES TRAFFIC FROM ALL OVER THIS COUNTRY.

RIGHT. I THINK ABOUT VARIOUS OTHER PROJECTS AND THINGS THAT YOU HAVE DONE THAT HAVE BEEN LANDMARK FOR DE SOTO AND PUT US ON THE MAP IN VARIOUS PLACES.

I CAN'T TELL YOU THAT. I'M NOT. I DON'T HAVE APPREHENSION BECAUSE OF THINGS THAT I SAW IN THE PRESENTATIONS.

WE SAW TWO DIFFERENT PRESENTATIONS LAST NIGHT.

BUT WHAT I DID SEE WAS AN ENGINE AND A MACHINE BEHIND SFM THAT WHEN THEY LEAVE, THEY WILL HAVE TEAMS THAT WILL HANDLE MARKETING, THEY'LL HAVE TEAMS THAT WILL HAVE HANDLE SPONSORSHIP, THEY WILL HAVE TEAMS THAT WILL GO OUT AND DO THE RECRUITMENT.

THEY HAVE TEAMS. RIGHT. AND THEN I SAW YOU STANDING ON BEHALF OF THE CITY AND I WOULD, I WOULD, I WOULD SAY FOR ME, I DON'T EXPECT YOU OR YOUR TEAM TO BE TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MARKETING.

I DON'T EXPECT YOU OR YOUR TEAM TO BE TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

THERE ARE PEOPLE IN SEATS THAT GET PAID WITH MY TAX DOLLARS THAT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THOSE THINGS.

SO WHEN I SEE YOU, WHAT I SHOULD HAVE SAW IS THOSE ENTITIES APPEAR AS WELL.

A PART OF THE PRESENTATION. BUT WE DIDN'T. I DEFINITELY THIS IS A VERY HARD DECISION BECAUSE ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE MADE VERY COMPELLING REMARKS.

HOWEVER, I HAVE LEANED MY EAR VERY CLOSE TO THE COMMUNITY.

AND NOT ONLY THAT, JUST FROM MY OWN MY OWN ENERGY.

AND FOR ME, I RATHER SEE YOU FAIL AND THEN US PIVOT.

THEN FOR US TO SAY YOU CANNOT DO IT, AND TO GO SOMEWHERE THAT WE WILL BE STUCK IN A CONTRACT FOR FIVE YEARS.

HOPEFULLY WHEN THE COUNCIL CHANGES, THEY KNOW IT'S FIVE YEARS OR WHERE WE ARE IN THE CONTRACT BECAUSE WE GOT SIX MONTHS OR LAST NIGHT.

WE WERE TOLD WE COULD GET THREE MONTHS TO CANCEL THE CONTRACT BEFORE IT AUTO RENEWS IN AN EVERGREEN SITUATION TO WHERE IT RENEWS FOR ANOTHER FIVE YEARS.

I DON'T WANT TO PLAY GAMES LIKE THAT. I WANT TO GO INTO THIS OWNING IT AND CONTROLLING IT.

AND IF THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES WHERE WE NEED TO PIVOT, WE NEED TO PIVOT.

WHAT HAS BEEN FOR ME KIND OF CHALLENGING WITH THIS IS BECAUSE THERE'S, THERE'S ACCURACY IN IT THAT, YOU KNOW, WE DIDN'T HAVE A PROFORMA. WE NEED ONE, RIGHT? AND AS I LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS SPORT, I LEARNED THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE PERFORMER FOR MULTIPLE PARTS OF THIS.

WE'RE BEHIND THE CURVE ON THE MARKETING PIECE, RIGHT.

BECAUSE WE'RE SET TO OPEN IN LESS THAN SEVEN, EIGHT MONTHS.

SO THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES, RIGHT? BUT WHAT PROJECT DO WE NOT HAVE IN THIS CITY THAT ISN'T AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TODAY THAT WE CANNOT ACCOMPLISH.

SO THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS. I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ANSWERING MY QUESTION.

ON THAT, AND I AM DEFINITELY LEANING STRONGLY TOWARDS HAVING THE CITY FUNCTION THIS ITEM THAN HAVING SFM.

I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. COUNCILMEMBER. THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR, AND THANK YOU.

THANK YOU STAFF. I NORMALLY KIND OF KNOW WHERE I'M GOING WHEN I SAT DOWN BEHIND THIS DAIS AND WITH THIS DESK,

[01:55:09]

AND I THINK GOOD DECISIONS ARE ALWAYS BETTER WHEN YOU EDUCATE YOURSELF, WHEN YOU KNOW WHAT YOU KNOW, AND YOU ALSO KNOW WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW. AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MISS RENEE JOHNSON WILL TELL YOU, I DON'T KNOW. PARKS AND RECS. I HAVE NO CLUE ABOUT PARKS AND RECS, BUT I ENJOY WHAT YOU GUYS HAVE DONE.

THIS THE FORMER MAYOR PRO TEM STATED THAT OUR PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT IS AWARD WINNING.

WE CANNOT TAKE AWAY FROM WHAT YOU AND YOUR TEAM HAVE DONE AND WHAT WE EXPECT IN THE FUTURE.

I HAVE NOT, UNLIKE MY COLLEAGUES, I HAVE NOT YET MADE IT IN MY SOUL AS TO WHICH WAY I WILL, I WILL, I WILL VOTE SIMPLY BECAUSE THERE ARE MIXED UP MISSED OPPORTUNITIES.

I BELIEVE MAYOR PRO TEM SAID IT. WELL, THE OTHER TEAM STOOD UP WITH A WHOLE TEAM BEHIND THEM.

AND EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE OTHER TEAM MEMBERS THERE ARE OTHER TEAM MEMBERS THAT SHOULD HAVE USED THIS AS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DRAW BUSINESSES TO THE CITY. THAT IS NOT YOUR FAULT.

THAT IS THE COLLECTIVE FAULT. OTHER OPPORTUNITIES AS FAR AS MARKETING, THAT IS NOT YOUR FAULT.

THAT IS A COLLECTIVE FAULT. MY COLLEAGUE SPOKE ABOUT THE PIVOT.

WHETHER OR NOT WE GO OUTSIDE AND PIVOT LATER OR WHETHER OR NOT WE PIVOT NOW I AM CAUTIOUS ON EITHER ACCOUNT, AND I WILL BRING MY COMMENTS TO THE CLOSE.

SO ALL OF THAT TO SAY, I HAVE NO CLUE WHICH WAY I'M GOING.

I AM THOROUGHLY CONFUSED AS I WAS AS I HAVE BEEN ALL DAY, AS I SAID, BEHIND MY DESK, TRYING TO DO SOME BACKGROUND CHECKS.

I WISH I HAD RECEIVED THE PERFORMA THAT WE TALKED ABOUT LAST NIGHT.

I JUST GOT IT JUST MINUTES BEFORE WE WALKED IN.

YOUR INFORMATION WITH THAT SAID I LIKE THE OTHER COMPANY BECAUSE I THINK THAT THERE IS AN AQUATIC EXPERTS THAT HAVE DONE AQUATICS BEFORE. I LIKE THEM BECAUSE I LIKE THE MARKETING GIANT THAT'S BEHIND THEM.

I LIKE THAT THEY HAVE HISTORY BEHIND THEM. AND BUT WHEN I COMPARE THAT TO WHAT THE CITY COLLECTIVELY, WHAT WE SHOULD HAVE HAD, YOU KNOW, YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN STANDING HERE WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN STANDING HERE MAYBE WITH OUR MARKETING LIAISON, IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE OF A TEAM APPROACH.

AND SO THAT'S WHY I'M STILL PIVOTING. I IN MY PERFECT WORLD THIS CONTRACT WOULD NOT BE FOR FIVE YEARS.

THIS CONTRACT WOULD BE FOR ABOUT TWO AND A HALF YEARS.

IN MY PERFECT WORLD, WE WOULD GO WITH THEM AND LET THEM DO THE SET THE STANDARD UP FRONT, WORK OUT ALL THE KINKS BECAUSE OF THEIR ABILITY TO KNOW ALREADY AND THEIR ABILITY TO STAFF ALREADY.

BUT IT WOULD NOT BE FOR FIVE YEARS. IT WOULD BE FOR ABOUT TWO AND A HALF YEARS WITH A THREE MONTH EXIT CLAUSE AFTER THAT.

DURING THAT TIME, I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED PARKS AND RECS TO HAVE COME UP TO PAR TO WHERE THAT EXIT WOULD BE NICE AND EASY.

THAT WOULD BE MY PERFECT WORLD. BUT I DON'T ALWAYS GET MY PERFECT WORLD.

I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S ROOM FOR A LESS THAN FIVE YEAR CONTRACT.

THAT THAT MIGHT BE A QUESTION I CAN ASK. COUNCIL MEMBER APPRECIATE THE QUESTION.

YES. IF WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPROVE TONIGHT, WE'D LOVE TO HAVE THOSE THOSE CONVERSATIONS AS PART OF THE NEGOTIATION WITH THE CITY STAFF TO TALK THROUGH THAT SCENARIO. I HEARD YOU SAY THAT IT WOULD HIRE OUR PEOPLE.

SO TO TO THE CONCERN ABOUT HIRING LOCAL AND PROMOTING LOCAL AND LOCAL CONTROL.

I UNDERSTAND THAT ALL OF THAT IS ALREADY YOUR EXPECTATIONS.

YES, SIR. IT DOESN'T CURRENTLY HAVE IT IN THERE, BUT PART OF THE CONVERSATION WE HAD YESTERDAY, WE WOULD BUILD IN THAT PERCENTAGES OF EXPECTATION TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ALWAYS LOOK AT LOCAL FIRST AND ALWAYS HAVE BEEN.

BUT IF TO MAKE COUNCIL FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WITH THE CITIZENS, WE WOULD BUILD THAT PERCENTAGE BASE INTO THAT AGREEMENT TO MAKE EVERYONE FEEL EVEN MORE COMFORTABLE. AND YOU ARE WILLING. I'VE HEARD FROM SOME OF THE EXPERTS AND ONE IS A FINANCIAL CONSULTANT THAT I SPOKE WITH TODAY.

THEY QUESTIONED YOUR ABILITY TO PERFORM. THERE WAS A MAJOR DIFFERENCE.

[02:00:05]

WE WE RECOVER 70%. YOUR PERSPECTIVE IS THAT WITHIN TWO AND A HALF YEARS, WE BECOME PROFITABLE.

AND BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A LARGE INVESTMENT, I THINK THAT JUST BEING JUST COST RECOVERY IS NOT WHAT WE NEED TO BE SHOOTING FOR.

I THINK DESOTO HISTORICALLY HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO CHAMPION AND SOMETHING TO BE A ECONOMIC, AN ECONOMIC ENGINE, IF YOU WOULD, AND I BELIEVE IF THERE'S ONE MISTAKE I WOULD SAY THAT I THINK I MADE IS APPROVING A $55 MILLION DEAL WITHOUT THERE BEING OTHER INCENTIVES AROUND.

SO IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN $55 MILLION THAT THE CITY IS WILLING TO PUT INTO WITH A $200 MILLION PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.

THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A MORE BUT HINDSIGHT IS 2020.

I WILL TAKE MY LUMPS AND I WILL PUBLICLY ADMIT THAT.

BUT WITH THAT SAID I AM, I BELIEVE IN MR. GLOVER.

I BELIEVE IN WHAT YOU HAVE DONE AND YOUR STAFF AND YOUR TEAM.

BECAUSE THIS ISN'T A QUALITY AQUATIC CENTER. I RAISED THE RED FLAG ABOUT HOW DO WE MAXIMIZE OUR OPPORTUNITY OUT OF THE GATE AND CO AND COME AROUND IT LATER TO SUPPORT WHAT YOU ARE, WHAT YOU AND YOUR DEPARTMENT ARE IS CAPABLE TO DO. SO IF I VOTE DIFFERENTLY, IT IS NOT BECAUSE OF PARKS AND REC.

IT IS BECAUSE OF THE SUPPORTING INDUSTRIES THAT I DON'T SEE THAT THE CITY IS YET READY TO SUPPORT, I.E. MARKETING, I.E. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. A MASTER.

YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL MASTER PLAN AS FAR AS YOUR PARKS AND REC.

WE DON'T HAVE A MASTER PLAN FOR THE CITY IN THAT AREA THAT WE'VE WORKED OUT.

SO THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER.

COUNCILMEMBER HUGHES, THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR.

I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE PRESENTERS. YOU KNOW, YOU GUYS HAVE PUT IN A LOT OF EFFORT.

YOU'VE DONE AN AMAZING JOB WITH YOUR PRESENTATIONS.

THANK YOU FOR TRAVEL AND ALL OF THAT. AND YOUR PARTNER MR. GLOVER, I TRYING TO FIND THE WORDS AND PUT THEM IN ORDER.

I'VE WATCHED YOU FROM FROM THE BEGINNING. I'VE PARTICIPATED.

ANTICIPATED. MY CHILDREN HAVE PARTICIPATED IN ALL THE, YOU KNOW, THE DIFFERENT LEAGUES, THE MEN AND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL FOOTBALL, THE BMX, THE CONCERT, THE SHOWS, THE PLAYS, MOSELEY PARK, ALL OF THAT.

AND YOU HAVE YOU HAVE HELD STRONG THROUGH IT ALL.

I REMEMBER BEING AN OFFICIAL, YOU KNOW, I'M A SPORTS OFFICIAL HAVING A BASKETBALL GAME.

YOU'RE SO PASSIONATE. I HAD TO GIVE YOU A TECHNICAL FOUL.

I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO TELL THAT STORY, BY THE WAY. AND IT WASN'T BECAUSE I WAS SO BAD.

IT'S BECAUSE YOU WERE RAGGING ON MY CO OFFICIAL.

BUT YOU WERE SO PASSIONATE ABOUT IT, AND YOU WERE SO PASSIONATE.

YOU. YOU TRAINED THOSE GIRLS. I'M TELLING YOU NOW, I'VE WATCHED FROM YAY HIGH ALL THE WAY UP TO SOME OF THOSE YOUNG LADIES WON STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS. YOU GOT TO GIVE HIM HIS KUDOS.

AND SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, IT'S NEVER BEEN A QUESTION FOR ME BECAUSE I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE CAPABLE OF.

I LOOK AT STEVE JOBS, HE DIDN'T HAVE AN EDUCATION.

I SEEING THAT YOU DON'T. BUT SOMETIMES PEOPLE ONLY NEED AN OPPORTUNITY, AND I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY DOUBT ABOUT WHAT YOU COULD DO WITH THIS FACILITY.

IT'S NOT LIKE YOU HAD TO GO OUT AND HANG THE MOON.

YOU GOT SOME EXPERTISE IN MOST OF WHAT YOU NEED, AND IF YOU DON'T, YOU GOT THE STAFF TO HELP YOU.

AND IF YOU DON'T, YOU'RE GOING TO GO GET THEM, RIGHT? SO IT'S NEVER BEEN A QUESTION FOR ME.

AND I JUST IF NOTHING ELSE, I'M A VERY LOYAL PERSON.

AND AGAIN, LIKE ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES SAID, I THINK MAYOR PRO TEM PROVED ME WRONG.

BUT I BELIEVE YOU NEED THE OPPORTUNITY. AND SO I'M GRATEFUL.

I'M GRATEFUL THAT YOU GOT YOUR PRESENTATION TOGETHER.

I THINK WE SHOULD BE. HEY, WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP? THAT'S THE ATTITUDE AND THE SPIRIT WE NEED TO TAKE.

SO THANK YOU. I HOPEFULLY LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU.

THAT'S NO SLIGHT TO ANYBODY ELSE, BUT I THINK THE CITY DESERVES A CHANCE.

IT'S OUR HOUSE THAT'S NO DIFFERENT THAN SOMEBODY COMING IN AND WANTING TO RUN MY STUFF.

NO, I WORK 27 YEARS FOR THAT. I NEED TO HANDLE IT.

THIS IS WHERE IT STARTED WITH ME. AND IT STARTS WITH US.

THANK YOU, I YIELD BACK. COUNCILMAN WATERS. OKAY.

FIRST, THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT. AND IT WAS A GREAT PRESENTATION YESTERDAY.

YOU TOO. CHRIS. MY MY PERSPECTIVE. Y'ALL HIT A LOT OF GOOD POINTS.

MY PERSPECTIVE I BRING IS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT.

FOR WHAT, FOUR MONTHS I'VE BEEN ON THIS COUNCIL, AND IT SEEMS LIKE I DON'T KNOW, IT'S JUST BEEN SOME, LIKE, DIVISION, YOU KNOW, BETWEEN PARKS IN YOU, AS IN THE THIRD PARTY.

[02:05:02]

AND SO I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THAT BECAUSE IN BUSINESS, IF YOU DON'T HAVE TRUST AND YOU ALREADY LIKE, YOU KNOW, SQUABBLING OR WHATEVER, ARGUING, WHATEVER IT IS, DON'T TRUST ANYBODY.

AND THE INK IS NOT EVEN SIGNED YET. NINE TIMES TEN.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME PROBLEMS DOWN THE ROAD. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? AND THE FALLOUT IS NORMALLY BAD.

I MEAN, SO THAT'S ONE THING I KNOW. ANOTHER THING I DO KNOW ABOUT BUSINESS IS YOU.

WHAT YOU DON'T DO. YOU DON'T GIVE UP CONTROL OR POWER OR DIRECTION, ESPECIALLY NOT OUT THE GATE.

BECAUSE IF YOU DO THREE TIMES AS HARD TO GET IT BACK AND MINIMUM THREE TIMES MORE EXPENSIVE TO GET IT BACK IF YOU CAN NEVER GET IT BACK AT ALL.

SO, AND ANOTHER THING YOU KNOW, YOU ALREADY KNOW I'M JUST TOTAL ECONOMICS FIRST.

THAT'S THE TOTAL ECONOMICS FIRST. OKAY, SO YOU KNOW, THE POINT IS THIS Y'ALL ARE ACCREDITED AND ALL THIS, YOU KNOW, PARKS AND REC AND ALL THIS. OKAY, SO YOU GOT TO SHOW US WHAT YOU CAN DO.

IF YOU FAIL, WE CAN SAY, HEY, LOOK, WE GAVE YOU A SHOT, AND THEN ANY THIRD PARTY WOULD LOVE TO COME IN AND TAKE, YOU KNOW, TAKE OVER. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU A SHOT FIRST, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE DESOTO ECONOMICS FIRST.

BUT I'M GONNA GIVE YOU ALL A STORY. OKAY. BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO BE COMPETING WITH US IN THESE OTHER ONES. BUT WITH IOS, WHEN THEY CAME TO TOWN. OKAY, WELL, THEY PUT THE LITTLE SIGN UP IN THE ALBERTSONS, YOU KNOW, THAT THEY'RE GOING TO, YOU KNOW, DO CONSTRUCTION. GREAT. BUT WHEN THEY GOT CLOSER TO THAT OPENING, THAT SHOP, LET ME OPEN UP THE THE FITNESS CENTER.

GUESS WHAT? I GOT SOME THINGS IN THE MAIL, RIGHT? I GOT SOMETHING IN THE MAILER. THEY HAD A LITTLE SHOP RIGHT IN THE.

WHAT IS THAT THE WALMART COME UP THERE TO PRE SIGN UP.

OKAY. SO I WENT UP THERE WITH THE PRE SIGN UP.

RIGHT. BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO OPEN LIKE I THINK WHAT IT WAS OCTOBER 1ST OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT I WENT WHAT.

1ST OF SEPTEMBER PRE SIGN UP. I WALKED IN THAT DOOR.

YOU KNOW WHAT THAT GUY TOLD ME. WE'RE NOT GOING TO OPEN THOSE DOORS TILL WE HAVE.

I THINK IT'S AT 4000 PRE SIGN UPS. AND GUESS WHAT I GOT SOMETHING ELSE IN THE MAIL AS WELL.

MARKETING. MARKETING. I GOT SAW SIGNS EVERYWHERE.

THEY DID NOT OPEN THOSE DOORS ON OCTOBER 1ST.

I DON'T THINK THEY OPENED IN NOVEMBER. I DON'T THINK THEY I THINK IT WAS TWO MONTHS LATER OR SOMETHING BECAUSE THEY HAD A PLAN.

THEY DID IT BEFORE. THAT'S WHAT THE BIG BOYS ARE DOING, RIGHT? OKAY, THEY DID MARKETING CORRECTLY, RIGHT? THEY DIDN'T OPEN IT WILLY NILLY.

AND SINCE THEY DID IT THAT WAY EVERY SINGLE DAY SINCE THEY'VE BEEN OPEN, THAT THING'S BEEN PACKED.

CAN'T EVEN BARELY GET A PARK THERE BECAUSE THEY DID IT CORRECTLY.

NOW. SPEAKING OF MARKETING, ANY PARKS AND REC USA, YOUR JOB NORMALLY IS JUST MARKET RIGHT HERE TO WHATEVER YOUR CITY IS.

IT'S NOT THE MARKET OUTSIDE YOUR CITY. WHATEVER. HOWEVER, SINCE MY COLLEAGUES HERE VOTED ON THIS BIG OLD PARK, WORLD CLASS FACILITY FOR LITTLE OLD DESOTO. OKAY, YOU WANT TO DO THE ARK WITHOUT SENDING IT TO THE VOTERS? THEN YOU UNILATERALLY SAID, OKAY, YOU WANT A WORLD CLASS FACILITY.

YOU WANT TO NOW PLAY WITH THE BIG BOYS. IF YOU WANT TO PLAY WITH THE BIG BOYS, THEN GUESS WHAT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THIS ARK WORKING IS ULTIMATELY ON THIS COUNCIL, BECAUSE THIS COUNCIL IS THE ONE WHO APPROVED IT, NOT THE VOTERS.

OKAY. SO WHAT THAT MEANS IS WHATEVER AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WE AS COUNCIL NEED TO NEEDS TO APPROVE TO MAKE THIS THING WORK FOR OUR PARKS AND REC.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED TO DO. I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU WHAT? MY SUGGESTION. ALL HANDS ON DECK ON THIS THING.

EVERY DEPARTMENT IN THIS CITY THAT REMOTELY CAN BE AVAILABLE OR EVEN REMOTELY INVOLVED WITH THIS SHOULD BE INVOLVED.

THERE IS NO OTHER COMMERCIAL ECONOMICS OR WHATEVER IN THE CITY THAT'S MORE IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW THAN THIS ARC.

THIS ARC IS A NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IN THIS CITY.

EVERYBODY NEEDS TO BE ON DECK. ALSO, LISTEN TO MY STORY.

WE NEED TO HIRE A THIRD PARTY MARKETING FIRM THAT DOES BOTH REGULAR DIGITAL MARKETING.

YES, BUT TRADITIONAL MARKETING AS WELL. EVERYONE WITHIN ABOUT A TEN MILE RADIUS OF THAT ARC SHOULD RECEIVE MINIMUM.

MINIMUM OF TWO MAIL OUTS. MINIMUM OF PRE SIGN UP.

WHAT WE GOT TO OFFER TO SIGN UP. WE NEED BILLBOARDS OUT HERE.

WE NEED SIGNS EVERYWHERE. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. AND HOPEFULLY SOMEWHERE THEY CAN WALK IN THE DOOR FOR FREE. SIGN UP. OKAY, I'M JUST SAYING, YOU WANT A WORLD CLASS FACILITY.

YOU KNOW WHAT I ALWAYS SAY? YOU GOTTA. IF YOU WANT TO BE THE BEST, YOU GOT TO ACT LIKE THE BEST. YOU GOT TO TAKE ACTION LIKE THE BEST.

OKAY, SO I GET IT. THIS IS SOMETHING WE'VE NEVER DONE BEFORE.

THIS BIG, OLD WORLD CLASS FACILITY TO PUT THIS ON THE MAP.

GREAT. SINCE IT'S HERE AND Y'ALL WANT THIS OPEN AT WHAT, APRIL 1ST? WELL, THEN YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PUT ALL HANDS ON DECK, Y'ALL.

WE ARE WAY BEHIND, IN MY OPINION, AND WE CAN'T DUMP IT ALL ON YOU.

THE WHOLE CITY NEEDS TO BE INVOLVED. OKAY, BUT I WANT TO GIVE YOU A SHOT.

OKAY. YOU KNOW, I THINK WE HAVE THE BEST EMPLOYEES HERE.

OKAY, SO DON'T DON'T LET ME DOWN, OKAY? DON'T LET ME DOWN.

[02:10:02]

THE ARC THAT NEEDS SOME IMPROVEMENT. BECAUSE Y'ALL NEED.

I KNOW YOU'RE NORMALLY FOCUSED IS NOT NECESSARILY MAKING A PROFIT, BUT YOU NEED TO START.

YOU KNOW, THAT NEEDS TO BE NEW TO EVERYBODY. OKAY, WE GOT TO MAKE THAT WHOLE REGION WORK RIGHT OVER THERE.

ALL RIGHT. THAT WILL PUT US ON THE MAP, FOLKS.

OKAY, I'M JUST SAYING WE'RE PLAYING AROUND. I'M NOT SAYING WE'RE PLAYING AROUND, BUT WE'RE WAY BEHIND ON WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING TO GET THIS ARC READY.

AND EVERYBODY NEEDS TO BE ON DECK. OKAY, THAT'S JUST MY OPINION.

SO, YOU KNOW, I KNOW YOU DIDN'T GIVE ME A TIME LIMIT, BUT I CAN TALK ALL NIGHT.

BUT ALL. YOU'RE BACK FOR NOW. I'LL PROBABLY THINK OF SOMETHING ELSE ON THE NEXT ROUND. BUT ANYWAY, DON'T LET ME DOWN, FOLKS. COUNCILMAN. PARKS AND REC. DON'T LET ME DOWN.

MATTER OF FACT, WHERE'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT? WHERE'S MARKETING? EVERYBODY? EVERYBODY NEEDS TO BE ON BOARD ON THIS PROJECT IF YOU WANT THE SODA.

I ONLY WANT TO BE WITH THE BEST. THIS PROJECT IS THE BEST.

NORMALLY PLANO, ARLINGTON, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

YOU KNOW, WITH THE COMMERCIAL ECONOMICS GOING GOOD WOULD HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

NOBODY ON THE SOUTH SIDE IS GOING TO HAVE THIS.

NOBODY. THE SODA WILL BE THE BEST ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

AND THAT'S WHAT I ONLY WANT TO ROCK WITH THE BEST. I'LL YIELD BACK.

COUNCIL MEMBER NORTH, DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS? I DON'T SEE YOUR LIGHT, SO I'M ASSUMING.

I DO. I'VE BEEN SITTING HERE LISTENING TO MY COLLEAGUES AND LISTENING TO THE PRESENTATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN PRESENTED TO US, AND. I'VE BEEN I WANT TO BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT THIS, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT AS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE COMMUNITY AND I AGREE, THIS IS NOT ABOUT CHRIS.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT A MANAGEMENT. MY THOUGHT IS THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN HANDLED MONTHS AGO WHEN THE DECISION WAS MADE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS.

THIS SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN COVERED. WHAT I HAVE BEEN DISAPPOINTED ABOUT AT THIS JUNCTURE, LOOKING AT WE'RE FIVE, MAYBE SIX MONTHS BEFORE THE ARC OPENS, WE SHOULD BE HAVING UPDATES FROM WHOMEVER IS MANAGING WHERE WE ARE AND WHAT'S WHAT'S COMING NEXT VERSUS THIS.

SO. WHEN I HEAR I DON'T HAVE A CHILD IN SPORTS HERE, MY SON IS A DOG.

BUT WHEN I HEAR THE PROFESSIONALISM OF CHRIS GLOVER AND THE PARKS AND REC TEAM OUTSTANDING AS TO THE EVENTS THAT HAVE BEEN HERE TO MEET OUR COMMUNITY. WHEN I ALSO THINK ABOUT CHRIS EXPERTISE HERE IN THE COMMUNITY, IT HAS BEEN LOCALIZED HERE IN ADDITION TO EVEN A NATIONAL REACH THROUGH BMX.

BUT WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE WATER PARKS THAT IS THAT IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT TO ME THAN A RECREATION CENTER BECAUSE AS I'VE HEARD THE PRESENTATIONS OVER THE MONTHS THAT WE HAVE AN OLYMPIC SIZE, WE HAVE AN OLYMPIC POOL. OKAY, I'M HONING IN ON THAT.

SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR A COMMUNITY THIS SIZE? WHAT DO WE NEED AN OLYMPIC POOL FOR? IF WE'RE JUST A LOCAL COMMUNITY AND WE HAVE OUR WATER PARKS? ARE WE THINKING, ARE WE FORWARD THINKING TO WHERE WE'RE EXPANDING OUR REACH TO WHERE WE WANT REGIONAL NATIONAL SWIM COMPETITIONS? BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND OUR SCHOOL HAS A PHENOMENAL SWIM TEAM, BUT ARE WE GOING? HOW ARE WE GOING TO MARKET TO INVITE OTHERS TO COME TO OUR AREA TO COMPETE ON THAT LEVEL? SO WITH THAT, WITH THE ACCREDITATION WITH THAT THE PARKS HAS.

ONE OF MY CONCERNS IS THE MANAGEMENT OF WATER PARKS.

BUT IS THERE EXPERTISE ON MANAGING AQUATIC EVENTS WHERE WE'RE LOOKING AT SINCE WE HAVE THESE AGAIN, THIS OLYMPIC POOL GETTING THAT CERTIFIED, DO WE HAVE THAT EXPERTISE OF CERTIFICATION THERE? AND I HADN'T HEARD THAT. NOT TO SAY IT CANNOT BE DONE, BUT I HADN'T HEARD THAT DURING THE COURSE OF ALL THESE PRESENTATIONS.

ANOTHER CONCERN I HAVE IS BASED ON WHAT'S COMING, I'M SEEING MARKETING ABOUT THE WORLD CUP.

[02:15:02]

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT MARKETING, WE SHOULD ALREADY HAVE IN PLACE WHERE WE WHERE WE'RE HAVING PRE-SALES, WHERE WE HAVE EVENTS ALREADY BOOKED. I'M JUST CURIOUS TO KNOW, HAS THAT EVEN BEEN ADDRESSED? I HAVEN'T HEARD THAT. SO. AS AGAIN AS I'M LOOKING AT THIS AND I'VE HAD CALLS WHICH HAVE BEEN INTERESTING, WHICH SOME HAVE BEEN VERY AGGRESSIVE, PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW WHAT MY VOTE IS GOING TO BE ALMOST INTIMIDATING, WHICH IS THE WRONG APPROACH WITH ME. I'M TELLING YOU NOW, THAT'S THE VERY WRONG APPROACH WITH ME, CONSIDERING THE MAGNITUDE OF THIS PROJECT BEING $55 MILLION AND THE WAY THAT IT CAME ABOUT.

WE CAN'T GO BACK, BUT WE'RE HERE NOW, AND WE WE'RE LOOKING AT THE CITIZENS.

THE RESPONSIBILITY IS NOT COUNCIL VERSUS WHOMEVER.

IT'S ALL OF US. SO I'M ALSO LOOKING AT I'M HEARING I'M HEARING THE RESIDENTS COMMENTS, BUT I'M ALSO WANTING WAS I'M WAS MISSING FOR ME. IS HAS ANYBODY SIGNED UP FOR A MEMBERSHIP? WHAT MEMBERSHIP HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THE ARC, TO KEEP THE DOORS OPEN, TO KEEP IT FUNCTIONING? SO THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT I'M CONSIDERING AS WELL.

BUT THE ONE KEY THING AS I'M HEARING EVERYONE'S PERSPECTIVE ABOUT THIS IS THAT I PERSONALLY REACHED OUT TO MR. MCGOWAN HIMSELF. I WANTED TO HEAR FROM HIM WHAT HE AND THE FORMER MAYOR, CURTIS MCGOWAN.

WHAT WAS THEIR VISION WHEN THIS CONVERSATION ALL STARTED ABOUT A NATATORIUM? AND HE SHARED WITH ME THEIR VISION IN WAS AND STILL IS.

WE WANT THE COMMUNITY TO ENJOY IT. FIRST, IT'S FOR THE COMMUNITY.

IT'S FOR OUR RESIDENTS. WHETHER YOU'VE LIVED HERE FOR 30, 40, 50 YEARS, SOME I'VE HEARD SOME RESIDENTS SAY WE DON'T SWIM. THAT MAY BE YOU, BUT THERE'S THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SO MANY ACTIVITIES.

EVENTS THAT CAN BE THAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER.

ONE THING I ALSO HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT, EVEN WITH THE ARTWORK, AS WE ARE VERY PROUD TO BE WHERE WE ARE WITH THE TRANSITION OF THIS COMMUNITY, MAJORITY AFRICAN AMERICAN. BUT WE ALSO HAVE A DIVERSE COMMUNITY, OTHER DEMOGRAPHICS, WHICH I WOULD LOVE TO SEE EXPRESSED IN OUR ARTWORK.

SO THE FOCUS IS TO ME, IT'S JUST SOME MISSING GAPS.

BUT I'M NOT TAKING IT AWAY. ANYTHING FROM ANYONE? WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS A HYBRID. AND THE HYBRID BEING THAT BUILDING UPON THE EXPERTISE THAT PARKS AND RECS HAS WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT OLYMPIC TYPE OF OLYMPIC POOL, HOW WE CAN BETTER UTILIZE THAT.

WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE TO WORK WITH ESSER GMBH IN LEARNING TO GET THAT EXPERTISE TO BUILD UPON? NOW MY QUESTION WITH THEM. I DO HAVE THREE QUESTIONS IF YOU CAN COME TO THE PODIUM.

MY FIRST QUESTION IS IF SFM DOES NOT MAKE THE REVENUE NEW PROJECTION.

WILL SFM BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFICIT? NO, MA'AM.

OKAY. WHAT ACCOUNTABILITY OR PERFORMANCE GUARANTEES ENSURE SFM REACH PROFIT WITHIN TWO AND A HALF YEARS? WHAT MEASURABLE SAFEGUARDS OR PERFORMANCE GUARANTEES ENSURE THIS OUTCOME? THAT IT WOULD BE PART OF THE AGREEMENT THAT WE HAVE WITH OUR EXPECTATIONS ARE NOT MET, THEN WE WOULDN'T BE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE ON MANAGEMENT OF THE VENUE.

OKAY. AND THIRD, DOES THE GROUP RECEIVE A GUARANTEED AMOUNT FROM THE CITY, REGARDLESS OF REVENUE? SO ARE WE CURRENTLY THE CONVERSATION HAS BEEN THE MONTHLY MANAGEMENT FEE.

IS THAT WHAT WE WOULD RECEIVE FOR OUR SERVICES? OKAY. THANK YOU. THOSE ARE MY QUESTIONS. AND MY LAST COMMENT I WANT.

THANK YOU. MY LAST COMMENT IS MR. GLOVER, I APPRECIATE LAST NIGHT WHEN YOU BROUGHT UP THAT HOW SFM CAME INTO THE

[02:20:01]

I'M NOT DOUBTING THEIR MANAGEMENT EXPERTISE IN THE MUNICIPALITIES THEY HAVE MANAGED.

WHAT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT, THEY'RE THE ONLY ONE THAT'S BEEN PRESENTED.

SO I WOULD BE REMISS TO BE IMPULSIVE, TO FEEL THE PRESSURE TO MAKE A DECISION. I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE AN RFP TO TO KNOW WHO THEIR COMPETITORS ARE BEFORE WE JUST SETTLED ON THE ONE. SO THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS FOR THIS EVENING.

THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER. THANK YOU COUNCIL AND THANK YOU, STAFF.

THANK YOU TO SFM. THANK YOU TO OUR PARKS AND REC.

THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY WHO THINKS IT'S DUE. I INTENTIONALLY DID NOT ASK FOR A MOTION FOR THIS PARTICULAR ITEM TO ALLOW FOR COMMENTS TO ALLOW TO HEAR, BECAUSE THIS IS A REALLY BIG DECISION, AND I DON'T WANT TO OVER SIMPLIFY THAT STATEMENT.

BUT THIS IS A BIG DECISION. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE A LOT AT STAKE.

AND I THINK THE DECISION THAT WE MAKE HERE TONIGHT IT SETS THE TONE, IT SETS THE PACE, IT SETS THE TRAJECTORY FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT. AND I KNOW THAT OUR TEAM, AT LEAST I WOULD HOPE YOU WOULD KNOW BY NOW WHEN IT COMES TO ALL THINGS DESOTO, I'M GOING TO BE TEN TOES DOWN FOR TEAM DESOTO AT ALL TIMES.

AND SO I APPRECIATE OUR PARKS DEPARTMENT COMING AND I APPRECIATE THE COMMUNITY COMING AS WELL TO SHARE.

I APPRECIATE OUR PARKS BOARD AND THE WORK AND THEIR DILIGENCE THAT THEY HAVE PLACED BEHIND THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT, BUT I WILL, I'LL BE HONEST. AND AGAIN, I'VE HEARD BOTH AND I'VE I'VE HAD CONCERNS ON BOTH SIDES, EVEN WITH THE MANAGEMENT PROPOSAL. ALSO SOME VERY SOME VERY BIG CONCERNS WITH GAPS THAT I SEE EVEN WITH WHAT HAS BEEN PRESENTED BY OUR TEAM.

AND I HAVE TO BE HONEST ABOUT THAT. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE LENGTH OF TIME THAT WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE ARC, NOT FROM CONCEPT TO HOW WE'RE GOING TO GET IT DONE TO ALL THE THINGS TO ACTUALLY GETTING IT DONE, TO FINDING THE MONEY, TO GETTING HERE TO BE 6 TO 7 MONTHS AWAY FROM OPENING THE DOORS AND BE MAKING THIS TYPE OF A DECISION AT THIS JUNCTURE IS CONCERNING FOR ME.

THAT SAID, I DON'T BELIEVE IN TRYING TO FAST TRACK SOMETHING BECAUSE WE ARE AT THIS JUNCTURE, I FEEL LIKE WHATEVER WE DO, WE NEED TO BE VERY CALCULATED.

WE NEED TO BE VERY DELIBERATE, AND WE NEED TO BE VERY HONEST ABOUT WHERE WE ARE, BECAUSE MORE THAN ANYTHING, IT'S IT. AND I WON'T SAY THAT IT IT IT DOESN'T MATTER TO ME WHO MANAGES IT, BUT ABOVE ALL, IT NEEDS TO BE MANAGED WELL BECAUSE WE CANNOT AFFORD FOR IT NOT TO BE MANAGED WELL.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN JUST. OH, WE'LL JUST SEE HOW IT GOES.

THIS IS A $55 MILLION FACILITY THAT OUR TAXPAYERS AND OUR RESIDENTS.

AND I AM TAXPAYER. TAXPAYER IS ME, RIGHT. WE ALL HAVE SOMETHING TO LOSE OR TO GAIN BY THE SUCCESS OF THIS PROJECT.

AND I THINK WE'VE BEEN AT THIS TOO LONG AND IT'S IT'S TAKEN SO MUCH ENERGY TO GET US HERE.

SO WE HAVE TO BE VERY INTENTIONAL ABOUT WHAT WE DO IN TERMS OF HOW HOW THIS IS MANAGED AND WHAT WE DO GOING INTO IT, BECAUSE WE ARE BEHIND THE GUN. ALTHOUGH I DON'T, I DON'T I FEEL LIKE WE CAN MAKE UP TIME.

I FEEL LIKE WE'RE NOT SO FAR BEHIND TO WHERE WE CANNOT MAKE UP TIME ON IT.

AND I AGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUES. AND AS I WAS SITTING THERE LISTENING TO MY COLLEAGUES TALK ABOUT WHAT THEY SAW, I TOO SAW SOME OF THE SAME THINGS. AND ONE OF THE THINGS I'M CHALLENGED WITH IS THAT WE HAVE MADE THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT A SINGLE DEPARTMENT'S BURDEN. WHEN THIS PROJECT IS BIGGER THAN ALL OF US IN TERMS OF WHAT IT MEANS FOR THIS TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, LOOKING AT THE DEVELOPABLE LAND AND LOOKING AT WHAT NEEDS TO GO AROUND IT TO DRIVE PEOPLE TO IT.

AND SO THAT PEOPLE HAVE PLACES TO EAT. AND SO THAT WHEN WE LOOK AT PLACE OR AI, WE DON'T SEE ALL THE PEOPLE LEAVING OUR COMMUNITY TO GO TO OTHER PLACES.

RIGHT. WE NEED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DOING THAT.

WE NEED DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, LOOKING AT WAYS SO THAT WE HAVE AN ENTRANCE OFF OF PARKERVILLE TO GET INTO THE PARK VERSUS HAVING TO GO DOWN ACADEMY WAY TO GET INTO IT.

WE NEED EVERYBODY AT THE TABLE. IN ORDER TO DO THAT, WE NEED CULTURAL ARTS.

IN, IN IN OUR IN THAT SO THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT MURALS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT ARE GOING INSIDE OF THIS BUILDING AND THE PUBLIC ART THAT'S GOING TO GO AROUND IT AS

[02:25:06]

AND I THINK WE HAVE SINGLED PARKS AND REC OUT TO SHOULDER THE ENTIRE BURDEN AND TO BE GOOD AT CORE COMPETENCIES THAT ARE NOT EVEN IN THEIR WHEELHOUSE. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MARKETING AND ALL THESE OTHER THINGS THAT PARKS AND REC SIMPLY JUST DOES NOT DO.

NOW, I KNOW THERE WAS AN RFP PUT OUT A FEW MONTHS AGO WITH NAMING RIGHTS AND AND MARKETING AND SOME THINGS LIKE THAT, AND I ABSOLUTELY WOULD SUPPORT SOMETHING LIKE THAT BEING DONE BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE, AGAIN, WE CANNOT MAKE THEM BE ALL THINGS FOR A PROJECT OF THIS MAGNITUDE.

AND I THINK WE HONESTLY MISSED THE MARK. AND I THINK WE UNDERESTIMATED WHAT WE NEEDED TO DO IN TERMS OF EVERYBODY COMING AROUND THE TABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT IS SUCCESSFUL. AND SO I, I STRUGGLED TONIGHT WITH HOW TO MOVE FORWARD BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE SOME COMPONENTS THAT WERE VERY INTRIGUING WHEN WE TALK ABOUT HAVING A MANAGEMENT COMPANY.

AND INITIALLY AT ONE POINT I WAS LEANING THAT WAY BECAUSE I FELT LIKE, OKAY, AS SOMEONE SAID, ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES SAID THEY HAVE A TEAM BEHIND THEM AND THEY CAN COME OUT THE GATE, WHICH IS WHAT WE NEED.

WE NEED TO BE STRONG OUT THE GATE. HOWEVER, AT THE SAME TIME, THERE'S A PART OF ME THAT BELIEVES IN OUR TEAM.

I BELIEVE THAT OUR TEAM IS GOING TO STEP UP WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING SURE THAT WHATEVER IT DOES AND BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY, BECAUSE I'VE SEEN THEM DO IT TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

BUT I WILL SAY THAT I'M CHALLENGED WITH OUR TEAM.

AND AGAIN, I LOVE I LOVE OUR TEAM, BUT WE GOT PACKETS TONIGHT, RIGHT? WITH PERFORMERS AND ALL SORTS OF THINGS THAT I HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO EVEN LOOK AT WHAT IS IN THIS PACKET.

AND SO I COULD NOT MOVE FORWARD IN GOOD CONSCIENCE IN MAKING A DECISION TONIGHT, WHETHER IT BE A MANAGEMENT COMPANY OR WHETHER IT BE TEAM DESOTO TO MANAGE THIS FACILITY WITHOUT EVEN HAVING GIVEN THEM A FAIR SHAKE AT.

WHAT IS THIS EVEN SAYING? WHAT WHAT WHAT WHAT ARE WE SAYING THAT WE CAN DO OR WHATEVER WE HAVE? BECAUSE I WANT TO I WANT TO BELIEVE THAT OUR TEAM HAS THE CAPACITY.

BUT RIGHT NOW, I'VE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO ASSESS WHAT THEIR CAPACITY IS AND WHAT THEY'RE PROPOSING.

AND I WOULD NOT FEEL IN GOOD CONSCIENCE MOVING FORWARD ON SOMETHING THAT I HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO EVEN REVIEW, TO SAY THAT I CAN JUSTIFY MY MY VOTE, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT I ALWAYS STRIVE TO DO, ANY, ANY VOTE THAT I TAKE, NO MATTER WHAT THAT VOTE IS, I, I WANT TO BE ABLE TO STAND BEHIND THAT VOTE AND JUSTIFY MY VOTE.

AND I'VE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW WHAT OUR TEAM HAS GIVEN US.

AND SO I'M GOING TO PROPOSE. AND AGAIN, I DO UNDERSTAND TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE.

HOWEVER, WE CANNOT AFFORD TO RUSH AND WE CANNOT AFFORD TO MISSTEP.

AND I THINK AS A TEAM, IF WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH TEAM DE SOTO, I THINK WE NEED TO ALL COME BACK TOGETHER AS A CITY TO LOOK AT WAYS TO, AS SOMEONE SAID, MAKE THIS A HYBRID MODEL OR LOOK AT WHAT WE WOULD OUTSOURCE, LOOK AT WHAT WE DO WELL, LOOK AT BE HONEST ABOUT WHAT WE DON'T DO WELL, AND LOOK AT WAYS TO FILL THOSE GAPS, WHETHER THAT'S WITH AN RFP, WHETHER THAT'S WITH PARK MANAGEMENT, WHATEVER THAT LOOKS LIKE.

BUT WE NEED TO GIVE A SERIOUS LOOK AT THAT. AND SO WHAT I'M GOING TO PROPOSE TO OUR COUNCIL TONIGHT FOR CONSIDERATION IS THAT WE TABLE THIS MOTION.

CAN WE DO OUR SECOND ROUND? COUNCIL WOULD HAVE TO AGREE ON THAT.

THE SECOND ROUND. COUNCIL? IT'S BEEN ASKED TO DO A SECOND ROUND.

I'M FINE WITH IT. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER. PARKER.

OKAY. THE REASON I ASKED FOR A SECOND ROUND IS BECAUSE THERE WAS A QUESTION ON THE FLOOR OF, YOU KNOW, HAVE YOU EVEN GOTTEN A MEMBERSHIP? AND MY QUESTION IS, IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHO'S MANAGING, WHAT ARE YOU GETTING? WHAT MEMBERSHIP ARE YOU GETTING? THAT'S NOT EVEN IN PLACE YET.

RIGHT. SO MY MY ONLY APPREHENSION OF US TABLING THIS IS I'M A PLANNER BY NATURE.

AND BACK IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR, I HAD COME TO A HEAD AND I ASKED THE QUESTION DURING A RED SUMMIT, WHICH IS AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MEETING. THE MEETING OF THE MINDS ALL OVER THE CITY, THE BEST SOUTHWEST.

YOU HAD EVERY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HEAD AT THAT MEETING.

AND I ASKED THE QUESTION ABOUT THE PARKS AND RECS ART CENTER.

NOW KEEP IN MIND AGAIN, I SAY I WAS NOT A PROPONENT OF PUTTING IT IN PLACE WITHOUT THE PEOPLE OF THE COMMUNITY SAYING YES.

BUT THE MINUTE THAT YOU PUT IT IN PLACE, YOU HAVE TO OWN IT.

[02:30:01]

AND RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A PARKS AND RECS DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR WHO NOT ONLY HAS BEEN FIGHTING FOR THIS COMMUNITY, HE HAS FOUGHT FOR HIS TEAM. FOR US TO KEEP KICKING IT DOWN THE ROAD.

WHAT WE'RE SAYING IS THAT HE IS HE DOESN'T HAVE THE CAPACITY TO DO IT WITH WHAT HE HAS, AND HE DOESN'T HAVE THE CAPACITY TO GO OUT AND GET IT.

RIGHT NOW, HE'S ALREADY FIGHTING, AND I WOULD HOPE THAT THIS COUNCIL WOULD STOP FOR TWO SECONDS AND ASK THEMSELVES, WHO HAS PUT ON EVERY EVENT IN THIS CITY WITH A TEAM OF THE PEOPLE HE ALREADY HAS, WHO HAS PUT ON ALL THE EVENTS WITH THE MOSLEY POOL, WHO HAS BROUGHT BMX, WHO HAS BROUGHT EVERY EVENT TO THE CITY OF DESOTO WITH EXCELLENCE? WHO HAS DONE THAT? AND IF WE SIT HERE AND SAY, LET'S KICK THIS DOWN THE ROAD, WHAT WE'RE SAYING TO HIM IS WE DIDN'T SEE ANY OF THAT.

WE DIDN'T FEEL ANY OF THAT. WE WERE NOT A PART OF ANY OF THAT.

SO I'M GOING TO SAY FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, AND I KNOW I'M GETTING PASSIONATE BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE WE KEEP KICKING IT.

LET'S MAKE THE DECISION. LET THIS THING MOVE FORWARD.

WE'VE ALREADY, YOU KNOW, WE'VE ALREADY SPENT THE MONEY.

IT'S TIME FOR US TO EITHER, YOU KNOW, AS THEY PUT IT, GET OFF THE POT OR DO IT.

AND THAT'S WHERE I AM RIGHT NOW. WE I FEEL LIKE WE KEEP TALKING.

WE KEEP, YOU KNOW, MULLING THIS THING OVER. YOU GOT A COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE SITTING IN THIS AUDIENCE WHO HAS NOT ONLY BENEFITED FROM PARKS AND RECS, THEY HAVE SEEN WHAT THIS PARKS AND RECS TEAM, THE ONE THAT IS IN PLACE RIGHT NOW, HAS DONE FOR THIS CITY.

AND WE'RE SAYING, WELL, MAYBE THEY'RE NOT. THEY CAN'T DO IT, MAYBE THEY DON'T.

WELL, MAYBE IF WE HAD SEEN THE DATA BEFORE LAST NIGHT, MAYBE YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE THAT DECISION.

BUT WE DIDN'T SEE THE DATA UNTIL LAST NIGHT. BUT I WAS ALREADY SOLD BEFORE HE EVEN SHOWED ME ANYTHING, BECAUSE I KNEW WHAT I WAS ALREADY DEALING WITH.

I KNOW THE PARKS AND RECS TEAM THAT I'VE SEEN.

I SEE THE PASSION WITH THEM. THEY NEED HELP. THEY SHOULD HAVE HAD THE ENTIRE CITY ON THEIR SIDE BRINGING THIS THING TO FRUITION.

AND THEY DID NOT. AND FOR THAT I SAY TONIGHT I WOULD NOT BE IN VOTE OF TABLING ANYTHING.

LET'S MAKE THE VOTE. LET'S UP OR DOWN THIS THING AND SAY, LET'S MOVE FORWARD.

I YIELD BACK. COUNCILMEMBER. THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. AND THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN PARKER I WOULD SAY THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN GREAT.

AND I WAS THE FIRST TO SAY THAT PARKS AND REC IS NOT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

PARKS AND REC IS NOT A MEDIA GIANT. THEY CANNOT DO THOSE THINGS.

MY TREPIDATION, TO BORROW A WORD FROM A PREVIOUS COUNCIL PERSON, HAS BEEN THAT WE ONLY HAD ONE OPTION AGAINST OR ONE OPTION OTHER THAN PARKS AND REC, AND WHICH I THINK IS A MISSED OPPORTUNITY.

WE DON'T KNOW. I CAN'T QUANTIFY THE NUMBERS OF EITHER ONE.

MY ARGUMENT IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT BECAUSE I WOULD I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT ADVANTAGE WOULD HAVE GONE TO HOME COURT BECAUSE BECAUSE HOME COURT KNEW THAT IT WAS COMING FROM 2020 HOME COURT KNEW WHAT WAS BEING DEVELOPED FROM THE BEGINNING.

HOME COURT KNEW THE TIMELINE. HOME COURT KNEW ALL OF THIS STUFF.

AND FOR US TO BE HERE AND HOME COURT NOT ABSOLUTELY READY THROWS UP A RED FLAG FOR ME.

NOT A DISQUALIFYING FLAG, BUT A RED FLAG. AND SO I AM IN FAVOR OF NOT KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD, BUT STEPPING BACK AND ASKING OURSELVES HOW THEN, IF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OR IF OUR MEDIA DEPARTMENT OR ANYBODY SHOULD HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED OR ENGAGED, HOW THEN ARE WE GOING TO GET THEM ENGAGED? SO IF WE AGREE THAT SOMEONE SHOULD HAVE BEEN AND THEY WERE NOT SAYING WE'RE GOING TO APPROVE IT AND HOPE THAT THEY WILL IS NOT THE MOVE THAT I'M I'M.

I'M READY TO MAKE AGAIN. THAT IS JUST MY OPINION.

I'M JUST I, I AM DISAPPOINTED. I TOLD SOMEONE TODAY THAT I WAS LOOKING FOR THE PERFORMER EARLIER TODAY SO THAT I COULD SCRUTINIZE IT.

I COULD GO THROUGH IT. THAT IS NOT A DISQUALIFYING MOVE FOR ME.

BUT IN LIEU OF THAT, AND NOT ONLY BECAUSE I JUST GOT IT, BUT BECAUSE IT IS A MONUMENTAL MOVE.

[02:35:05]

AND IF WE'RE GOING TO TRUST HOME COURT, THEN WE NEED TO GIVE HOME COURT ALL THE ADVANTAGES THAT THAT THAT THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL. SO THAT IS JUST MY AND I. I DON'T DISAGREE WITH YOU, BUT I AM NOT READY TO FORCE AN ANSWER TONIGHT.

PARTICULARLY NOT WITH SOMETHING SO GRAVE BEING AT STAKE.

COUNCIL MEMBER HUGHES I JUST HAVE A QUESTION.

I'M CURIOUS THAT IF WE HAD NEVER MET THIS GROUP, WHERE WOULD WE BE RIGHT NOW? WHAT WOULD WE BE DOING? WOULDN'T OUR PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT BE HANDLING IT ANYWAY? AND IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME EITHER. I'M USUALLY NOT ONE WHO'S GOING TO BE CONTENTIOUS, AND I DON'T WANT TO BE. BUT I DO FEEL LIKE WE NEED TO MAKE A DECISION.

IT'S NOT FAIR TO THE PEOPLE WHO RELY ON US TO MAKE DECISIONS.

I GET THAT HE DIDN'T HAVE A PRO FORMA, BUT I ALSO THINK THERE WAS A TIME THAT DID YOU MAKE A PRESENTATION SOMETIME EARLY ON, SOME MONTHS BACK OR ANYTHING OR HAVE PAPERWORK THAT YOU HAD PUT TOGETHER OR SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES.

AND EVEN AT THAT POINT, IF HE DIDN'T HAVE IT, WHERE WAS THE GROUP OR THE LEADERSHIP THAT STEPPED IN TO SAY, HEY, LET'S GET IT RIGHT, LET'S GET IT TOGETHER? I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO WAIT. I THINK WE NEED TO TRUST OUR STAFF.

I'M NOT IN AGREEMENT WITH. THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN WATERS.

I THINK YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY, I MENTIONED WE OBVIOUSLY NEED ALL HANDS ON DECK, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE PROBABLY MEETINGS ONCE EVERY AT LEAST TWO WEEKS. IT CAN BE ZOOM CALL, WHATEVER.

BUT WITH THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS THAT NEED TO BE INVOLVED WITH THIS. SO WE CAN BECAUSE WE'RE BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL, OBVIOUSLY. BUT WE NEED TO PLAY CATCH UP, YOU KNOW, AND WE NEED TO PLAY CATCH UP QUICK.

NOW LIKE I MENTIONED, MY LITTLE STORY WAS WE NEED TO DELAY THE OPENING.

WE NEED TO DELAY OPENING. BUT, YOU KNOW, WE JUST NEED, AS A CITY NEED TO BE ON THE SAME PAGE FOR THAT ARK AND NEED TO MEET ON A REGULAR BASIS ALL THE DEPARTMENT HEADS. SO WE COULD BE ON THE SAME PAGE SO WE CAN GET ACTUAL RESULTS AND BE READY FOR THIS.

BUT I'M NOT FOR TABLING ANYMORE. I'M READY TO VOTE.

BUT THAT'S MY $0.02.

COUNCIL MEMBER NORTH I STILL STAND BY WHAT I SHARED EARLIER, THAT WE BE THOUGHTFUL OF HOW THIS IMPACTS THE RESIDENTS, HOW IT IMPACTS OUR OUR COMMUNITY NOT ONLY TODAY BUT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

THIS IS A MONUMENTAL PROJECT, $55 MILLION, AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TAXPAYERS DOLLARS.

AND WE WANT TO BE GOOD STEWARDS, NOT JUST GOOD.

WE WANT TO BE BETTER STEWARDS OF THE OF THOSE MONIES.

AND IT WOULD I UNDERSTAND THE PASSION, BUT THE PASSION IS NOT GOING TO KEEP THE LIGHTS ON.

THE PASSION IS NOT GOING TO. MOVE THIS PROJECT ANY FURTHER.

IT WOULD BEHOOVE US, THE RESIDENTS OF THE COMMUNITIES IS ASKING US FOR TRANSPARENCY.

THEY'RE ASKING US FOR ACCOUNTABILITY. SO LET'S STEP UP AND SHOW ACCOUNTABILITY THAT WE ARE MAKING THE BEST DECISION IN REVIEWING THIS PERFORMER.

FIRST, BEFORE WE SAY WE WANT TO VOTE NOW, THAT WOULD NOT BE GOOD FOR US AS A COUNCIL.

IT WOULD NOT BE GOOD FOR OUR RESIDENTS TO BE IMPULSIVE AND BYPASS LOOKING AT THE PERFORMER TO JUST GO IMMEDIATELY TO A VOTE.

SO I SAY SEE THAT WE PAUSE AND TAKE A LOOK AT THE INFORMATION PRESENTED.

MADAM MAYOR, I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE I DIDN'T CALL FOR A MOTION.

COUNCILMAN. OH, OKAY. OKAY. THANK YOU. COUNCIL, DO WE HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS? SHOULD WE ASK IF THEY WOULD LIKE FOR US TO TABLE IT, OR IS IT GOING TO BE OUR DECISION? IT'S COUNCIL'S DECISION ON WHETHER BECAUSE IT'S OUR IT'S IT'S OUR VOTE.

IT'S OUR MOTION. IT'S OUR VOTE. I, I, I, I THINK THAT IT'S, I THINK WELL, LET ME, LET ME SPEAK FOR MY COMMENTS AND HOW I INTERPRET IT.

[02:40:05]

IT IS PERCEIVED AS KICKING SOMETHING DOWN THE ROAD.

WE'VE NOT HAD A CAN TO KICK DOWN THE ROAD. AS I MENTIONED, WE RECEIVED THIS TODAY AT 4:00.

SO FOR ME TO GET IN FRONT OF THE PUBLIC TO SAY THAT I'VE DONE MY DUE DILIGENCE AS A COUNCIL PERSON, REGARDLESS IF IT'S TEAM DESOTO OR NOT. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO ACTUALLY LOOK AT WHAT THIS SAYS.

I LITERALLY HAVE NO IDEA AS TO WHAT IT SAYS, AND I'VE SEEN EVERY COLLEAGUE AROUND THIS TABLE WHEN WE'VE NOT GOTTEN INFORMATION AHEAD OF TIME TO MAKE AN ACTUAL ACTUAL INTENTIONAL AND THOUGHTFUL DECISION.

AS FOR THINGS TO BE TABLED, OR WILL VOTE AGAINST IT UNTIL YOU'VE HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW THE DATA THAT IS PUT IN FRONT OF YOU.

I CANNOT WALK IN GOOD CONSCIENCE TO SAY OUT OF HERE, TO SAY I CAN STAND BEHIND SOMETHING I'VE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT.

I THINK THAT IS ENTITLEMENT TO SAY THAT I SHOULD VOTE ON THIS, JUST BECAUSE IT WAS GIVEN TO ME BY STAFF, I DON'T I DON'T THINK THAT'S FAIR OR RIGHT. AND I DON'T THINK THAT'S PRUDENT.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT A DECISION THAT IMPACTS OUR COMMUNITY FOR LITERALLY FOR GENERATIONS.

AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO TABLE IT TO ALLOW US A CHANCE TO SAY IF WE'RE GOING TO SAY IF WE'RE LEANING TOWARDS THAT, LOOKING AT ACTUALLY WHAT THIS IS AND WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED, BUT ALSO LOOKING AT THE FACT THAT IF WE'RE SAYING THAT IT NEEDS TO BE A BIGGER EFFORT THAN JUST THE PARKS DEPARTMENT, WHAT IS THAT GOING TO ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE? WHAT DOES MARKETING LOOK LIKE? WHAT IS WHAT IS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOOK LIKE? WHAT IS HIRING LOOK LIKE? WHERE ARE WE GOING? BECAUSE I HEARD LAST NIGHT. WELL, WE'RE JUST GOING TO BRING THE TEAM OVER FROM THE OTHER FACILITY. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT MEANS WHEN IT PERTAINS, LIKE, THERE WERE A LOT OF QUESTIONS I WALKED AWAY WITH FROM BOTH SIDES.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A CHANCE TO ACTUALLY REVIEW THIS DOCUMENT OUT OF RESPECT FOR THE PERSON THAT TOOK THE TIME TO PUT THE PACKET TOGETHER.

SOMEBODY TOOK THIS IS A THIS IS NOT A THIS IS THIS TOOK WORK.

AND TO SAY THAT WE'RE JUST GOING TO GLAZE OVER IT AND JUST MAKE A DECISION OUT OF PASSION, THAT'S NOT TO ME THAT'S NOT THAT'S NOT GOOD DECISION MAKING.

AND SO FOR ME, I WOULD LIKE TO TABLE IT SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THIS.

I'M NOT SAYING TABLE IT PAST NEXT MONTH'S FIRST MEETING.

I'M SAYING GIVE US A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE ASKED FOR AND WE RECEIVED TODAY IN ORDER TO SAY, OKAY, IF WE'RE LOOKING AT THE TEAM, I THINK WE'VE ALL AGREED SITTING ON THIS DAIS, THAT IT HAS TO BE A BIGGER EFFORT THAN JUST A SINGLE DEPARTMENT SHOULDERING EVERYTHING THAT TO MAKE THIS PROJECT A SUCCESS.

THAT'S WHAT I'M ASKING. I'M NOT ASKING TO KICK IT DOWN THE ROAD BECAUSE WE'VE NOT HAD ANYTHING TO KICK.

WE'RE JUST NOW BEING PRESENTED WITHIN THE LAST 30 DAYS, THIS PARTICULAR DECISION.

SO THAT'S WHAT I'M ASKING. AND SO THAT'S WHY MY, MY MOTION IS TO, IS TO TABLE IT TO A DATE CERTAIN TO ALLOW COUNCIL TO REVIEW IT, TO ALLOW MANAGEMENT IN THE TEAM AND PARKS. AND WHOEVER ELSE HAS HAS, HAS A HAND TO MAKE THIS SUCCESSFUL.

LOOK AT WHAT DOES THAT ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE IN PRACTICE.

BECAUSE WE CAN BE PASSIONATE ALL DAY LONG. BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE NEED A PLAN AND WE NEED A STRATEGY, AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE BEING THOUGHTFUL AROUND THE DECISIONS THAT WE MAKE, BECAUSE THESE HAVE LONG TERM IMPLICATIONS, AND I CAN APPRECIATE THE PASSION. I'M VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT DE SOTO MYSELF, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHEN THE PASSION WANES, WHAT IS OUR PLAN? AND TONIGHT WE DON'T HAVE THAT, AT LEAST AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED.

THAT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED. AND SO THAT'S THAT'S MY THAT'S WHERE I STAND.

AND SO AT THIS TIME, COUNCIL, I DON'T SEE WELL, I DO SEE A LIGHT, BUT I'M NOT SURE IF THAT'S YOU CONTINUING A MOTION OR TO DO A MOTION.

SO AT THIS TIME I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION. IF YOU DON'T HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, MOTION IS THAT WE MOVE TO VOTE ON THE ARC CENTER TONIGHT.

COULD YOU PUT YOUR MOTION INTO AN AFFIRMATIVE STATEMENT SO THAT WE CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE VOTING ON? BECAUSE YOU'RE SAYING TO VOTE ON THE ARC CENTER, I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE VOTE TO ALLOW THE PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH MANAGEMENT OF THE ARC CENTER.

IS THERE A SECOND? I SECOND THAT MOTION. THAT MOTION TO HAS BEEN MOVED AND PROPERLY SECONDED. COUNCIL. PLEASE USE YOUR VOTING PADS.

THAT MOTION PASSES FOUR THREE. THANK YOU. COUNCIL.

AT THIS TIME, THAT CONCLUDES ALL THE ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA.

I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN. SO MOVED.

[02:45:01]

SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER PARKER TO ADJOURN COUNCIL.

ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. ALL OPPOSED? SAME SIGN.

THAT MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. COUNCIL. WE ARE NOW ADJOURNED AT 9:03 P.M..

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.