[1. Invocation / Pledge of Allegiance;]
[00:00:16]
OP NUMBER 2 TO ORDER. I ASK FOR VICE CHAIRMAN EISSLER TO BLESS OUR MEETING.
>> HEAVENLY FATHER, THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY AND THE OPPORTUNITY YOU BESTOWED UPON US AND THE RESPONSIBILITY AS WELL. WE ASK THAT YOU BE WITH US THIS DAY AND WATCH OVER OUR DISCUSSIONS AND EVERYTHING WE THINK, SAY AND DO MAY GLORIFY YOU.
>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO ANTHONY TEXAS,
[2. Call meeting to order;]
ONE STATE UNDER GOD ONE AND INDIVIDUAL.I DECLARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW NOTICE OF THE MEETING WAS POSTED 72 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING AND OCCURRED INSIDE THE BOUNDARIES OF THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP. STATE LAW REQUIRES AT LEAST FOUR BOARDMEMBERS BE IN ATTENDANCE. I ASK EACH BOARDMEMBER INDICATE YOUR PRESENCE. VICE CHAIRMAN
[3. Receive, consider and act upon adoption of the meeting agenda;]
>> A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF PRESENT TO ACT UPON THE ADOPTION OF THE MEETING AGENDA. PLEASE REVIEW THE MEETING AGENDA, PAGES 1 THROUGH 2 AND CALLED A MOTION AND A SECOND TO ADOPT THE AGENDA. ALL THOSE IN MOTION RESPOND BY SAYING AYE.
>> WE HAVE NO PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND NO PUBLIC
[6. Receive, consider and act upon the 2026 Preliminary Budget for The Woodlands Township;]
COMMENTS. THANK YOU.MOVING ON TO THE REGULAR AGENDA. RECEIVE AND CONSIDER AND BUDGETBUDGET FOR WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP.
>>> THANK YOU AND GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.
BEFORE WE START TODAY ON ANYTHING SPECIFIC I WANTED TO GIVE A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.
THE MONDAY BUDGET WORKSHOP, I THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND FOCUS ON THAT.
AS A REMINDER, THE 2026 BUDGET THAT WAS PRESENTED ON MONDAY WAS OUR BASE BUDGET.
WHAT THE BASE BUDGET IS, IS THE CONTINUATION OF EXISTING SERVICE LEVELS. IN THAT BUDGET THERE WERE NO SERVICES THAT WERE ELIMINATED OROR REDUCED FROM PREVIOUS YEARS. IT WAS TRULY A CONTINUATION.
TODAY WE ARE GOING TO START DISCUSSIONS.
FIRST WE ARE GOING TO FINISH DISCUSSIONS ON THE BASE BUDGET IF THERE ARE FURTHER QUESTIONS NOW YOU HAVE HAD TIME TO DIGEST THAT. THERE WAS TALK ABOUT LOOKING AT SOME OF THE CAPITAL PROJECTS. WE CAN CERTAINLY DO THAT. THERE AREA A -- ARE A LOT OF THEM. 99% OF THEM ARE FUNDED FROM THE CAPITAL RESERVE. THEY DON'T HAVE ANY IMPACT ON PROPERTY TAX OR SALES TAX. CHANGING ANY OF THOSE WOULD ONLY RESTORE A CAPITAL RESERVE BALANCE WHICH IS ALREADY AT A HEALTHY BALANCE. THOSE ARE FOR REPLACEMENT CAPITAL. THOSE ARE FOR ASSETS THAT ARE ON THE GROUND AND REACHED THE END OF THEIR USEFUL LIFE AND ARE READY FOR REPLACEMENT ARE THE MAJORITY OF THE PROJECTS. IN TERMS OF THE BASE BUDGET, I WANTED TO GO OVER QUICKLY WHERE WE ARE WITH THAT REGARDING THE BOARD'S QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSIONS. SO, WITH THE BOARD'S SUPPORT OF THE 2026 BUDGET, THE BOARD CONTINUED THE PROVISION OF THE HIGH LEVEL SERVICES AND AMENITIES THAT WE ALL ENJOY. THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE SERVICE LEVELS. THE BOARD CONTINUES TO PRIORITIZE PUBLIC SAFETY IN A BIG WAY.
THIS YEAR IN FULLY SUPPORTING LAW ENFORCEMENT'S PARITY PAY, AND WE WILL HAVE OTHER REQUESTS.
THAT WAS A BIG LIFT THIS YEAR. VERY IMPORTANT.
THAT WAS SO THAT WE CAN -- SO THAT THE COUNTY AND OUR CONTRACTED DEPUTIES THROUGH THE COUNTY CAN BE ABLE TO
[00:05:03]
MAINTAIN A COMPETITIVE POSITION.THIS IS A RESULT TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON SIGNIFICANTLY RAISING THE PAY FOR THEIR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, AND BECAUSE THAT IS ONE OF THE COUNTY'S BIGGEST COMPETITORS IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO ATTRACT HIGH QUALITY LAW ENFORCEMENT. WE WANT TO BE SURE WE ARE KEEPING PACE WITH THAT FOR OUR CONTRACT DEPUTIES AND THE AMOUNTS THAT ARE ALREADY INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET ALLOW US TO DO THAT.
THE BOARD HAS CONTINUED TO PRIORITIZE THE CONTINUED DESIRE FOR PARKS, PATHWAYS AND RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES AND HAS CONTINUED TO FOCUS ON FORESTRY MANAGEMENT AND INCREASES IT BY 10% IN ORDER TO CONTINUE OUR PROGRESS THERE AND COMMUNITY MAINTENANCE PRACTICES AND OBJECTIVES THAT THE BOARD HAS PUT IN PLACE OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT OUR COMMUNITY SURVEYS YEAR AFTER YEAR THOSE THINGS I MENTIONED, PARKS, RECREATION, OUR PATHWAYS, THE HEALTH OF THE FOREST AND MAINTENANCE OF THE COMMUNITY ARE ALWAYS IN THE TOP FIVE THINGS THE RESIDENTS REQUEST. THE BOARD'S PRIORITIES IN TERMS OF FUNDING THESE EXPENDITURES AND MAINTAINING THOSE LEVELS ALIGN WITH WHAT OUR RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN ASKING. THIS BUDGET ENSURES THE COMMUNITIES ASSETS ARE MAINTAINED IN A TIMELY MANNER. IT PROVIDES FLEXIBILITY AND FUNDING FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES, WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT.
WE ARE AUGUST 20TH. I KNOW THAT THE BOARD HAS A LOT OF BALLS UP IN THE AIR IN TERMS OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THAT ARE IN VARIOUS STAGES OF COMPLETION. WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE BUDGET MAINTAINS THAT FUNDING FLEXIBILITY TO ADDRESS THOSE AS OPPORTUNITIES COME UP. WITHIN THE RESERVE BALANCES YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT. THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT AND HAS SERVED THE BOARD WELL OVER THE YEARS. THIS MAINTAINS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S ISO1 RATING AND DOUBLE PLUS CREDIT RATING. I WANTED TO PROVIDE THAT SUMMARY. IT SORT OF GETS LOST IN ALL OF THE NUMBERS AS WE GO THROUGH THE BUDGET BOOK AND START TALKING NUMBERS, NUMBERS, NUMBERS.
THE OBJECTIVES AND THE GOALS OF THE BUDGET ARE WHAT IS TRULY IMPORTANT. I THINK THE BOARD HAS DONE A GREAT JOB OF MAINTAINING THOSE.
>> MONIQUE, I WANTED TO MAKE A QUICK COMMENT. I LIKE TO GO RESEARCH. BASED ON THE QUESTIONS THAT WE HAD ON MONDAY I DID A DEEP DIVE INTO PAY PARITY AND WHAT OTHER CITIES DO AND THE 2- 1 MATCH IS THE QUESTION THAT THE BOARD HAD.
OUR PEER CITIES OFFER A 2- 1 MATCH.
THE PAY IS IN LINE. TMRS CONTRIBUTIONS WERE PRETTY MUCH THE SAME. I WANTED TO MAKE THAT COMMENT.
WE ARE, EVEN MAYBE A LITTLE UNDER. WE ARE IN A CITY. WE DON'T HAVE AS MANY RESPONSIBILITIES. WE ARE RIGHT IN LINE WITH OTHERS.
>> IT WOULD BE INTERESTING FOR THE AUDIENCE AS WELL AS THOSE VIEWING TO LIST SOME OF OUROUR CITIES THAT YOU FOUND.
>> FRISCO AND PLANO FOR SURE ARE THE TWO THAT CONSISTENTLY COME UP AS PEER CITIES.
THEY ARE CITIES. THEY HAVE A LITTLE MORE POPULATION. YOU KNOW, DEMOGRAPHICS ARE SIMILAR. EXPECTATIONS OF THE POPULATION ARE SIMILAR. FRISCO, PLANO, BAYTOWN.
THERE IS A LONG LIST OF THEM. THOSE CONSISTENTLY ARE PEER CITIES.
>> THE BOARD HAS DEFINED OUR PEER CITIES BACK IN THE COMPENSATION PLAN. WE HAVE A LIST THAT WE CAN GO OVER. THOSE THAT YOU MENTIONED ARE ON THERE, ALONG WITH OTHER LOCAL ONES LIKE SUGARLAND.
ROUND ROCK. THERE IS A HOST OF THEM.
NOT ONLY DO WE COMPARE TO THE PEER CITIES BUT WE COMPARE LOCALLY ALSO. WE RECOGNIZE THAT IS PART OF THE MARKET THAT WE DRAW FROM.
>> YOU ADDRESSED BRIEFLY THE FIREFIGHTERS REQUEST YESTERDAY. I WAS INTERESTED IN HEARING WHAT THE FIRE CHIEF SAID ABOUT THE RESPONSE TIME. AS A PHYSICIAN, I KNOW THERE IS A SHORT WINDOW OF TIME YOU CAN SAVE A LIFE.
[00:10:03]
YOU HAVE A LAYPERSON TRYING TO DELIVER CPR AT HOME AND MAY NOT BE IN AN EMOTIONAL STATE TO DELIVER GOOD CPR.THEY WANT TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE PATIENT WITHIN FIVE MINUTES, THE FIREFIGHTERS NEED TO BE IN THE GOLDEN FIVE MINUTE WINDOW TO DELIVER THAT QUALITY OF LIFE SAVING CARE.
HE SAID WE ARE UP TO 6. 14 MINUTES.
THAT IS DIFFERENT THAN I THOUGHT.
I THOUGHT WE WERE UNDER THE FIVE MINUTES.
THAT IS VERY CONCERNING TO ME. ANYBODY HERE AT THE TABLE CAN HAVE A HEART ATTACK OR A STROKE OR SOMETHING.
OLDER THAT YOU GET, THE MORE COMMON THAT IT IS.
OUR POPULATION IS AGING IN THE WOODLANDS.
I REALLY WANTED TO BRING US BACK TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY, NUMBER ONE. THAT IS ALWAYS OUR NUMBER ONE ISSUE. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES AVAILABLE.
AND I KNOW, CHAIRMAN, THAT IT IS EXPENSIVE.
I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER THAT MAYBE WE WOULD LIKE AT THE OTHER OUTSTANDING CONTRACTS TOO WITH OTHER ENTITIES THAT MAYBE NEED TO BE REVIEWED. IF OUR PRICES ARE GOING UP.
IF OUR COSTS ARE GOING UP AT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, WE CERTAINLY NEED TO REPRESENT THAT TO OUR AFFILIATES. I MEAN OUR CITIES THAT WE ARE PROVIDING SERVICE FOR, AND LOCATION FOR LIKE THE EMS. LOOK AT THE CONTRACTS. SEE WHEN THEY ARE EXPIRING.
IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY TO INCREASE THE COST.
SO MANY ENTITIES BRING IT TO US SAYING WE CAN'T LIVE WITHIN 3%.
WE NEED 5%. WE NEED TO LOOK AT THAT AGAIN.
I THINK THAT WE CAN DO THAT. I WOULD LIKE TO PUT IT AT THE TOP OF THE LIST TO REVISIT AND TO DISCUSS CAN WE MAKE SOME OF THE CHANGES FOR THE FIRE STAFF.
THE OTHER THING THAT DID NOT COME UP IS IF WE WERE TO LOSE OUR ISO1 RATING, EVERY ONE OF US WOULD PAY MORE FOR OUR HOME INSURANCE.
WE WOULD PAY A LOT MORE. THAT IS A HIT NOBODY TALKED ABOUT YESTERDAY.
>> YEAH. CHIEF, I THINK IS THIS A TIME WE CAN ASK QUESTIONS. I WAS CONCERNED TOO.
FIVE YEARS AGO WE HAD A FIVE MINUTE AVERAGE CALL TIME AND NOW WE ARE 6.14.
FIVE YEARS WE PUT MILLIONS AND MILLIONS INTO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND ADDED A COMPANY.
I WANTED TO DO A DEEP DIVE INTO THAT.
>> WE SPOKE ABOUT IT ON MONDAY. WE HAVE SEEN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN COLVOLUME. 130,000 PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THE WOODLANDS AND SHENANDOAH AREA. WE HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN TRAFFIC WITH THAT. PART OF IT IS THAT WE LOOKED AT 2020. THAT WAS ALSO DURING THE COVID YEARS. NOBODY WAS ON THE STREETS.
AS TRAFFIC COMES BACK WE HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN THE AVERAGE RESPONSE TIME. SHENANDOAH DOES HAVE A COST ESCALATOR. THE CONTRACT IS ENTERING THE FIFTH AND FINAL YEAR AND IT IS BASED ON THEIR PROPERTY ALWAYS. AS THE PROPERTY VALUATION GOES UP, THE COSTS GO UP. THEY WERE PAYING $630,000.
THERE WAS A SERVICE AND THEY PROVIDED SOME PATROL OVER AT THE MALL AND PINECROFT SHOPPING CENTER AREA.
WE WORKED TO GET A NEW CONTRACT THAT WAS FAVORABLE AND MATCHED WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE COUNTY.
THEY PAY TEN CENTS PER 100 ON THE PROPERTY VALUATION.
THIS YEAR IT IS OVER $2. 1 MILLION.
THAT IS ABOUT WHAT IT COSTS TO RUN A FIRE COMPANY.
THEIR CALL VOLUME. IF ONE OF OUR TRUCK, THE NEXT TRUCK GOES. WE HAD AN INCIDENT YESTERDAY ABOUT 1:00 AND WE HAD SIX TRUCKS IN THE FRONT OF THE WOODLANDS ON MEDICAL CALLS. 60 TO 70% OF THE CALLS THAT WE RUN. EMS IS A BIG PART OF WHAT WE DO.
WE CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR WAYS TO MANAGE OUR RESPONSE TIMES AS WE DISCUSSED. MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN GET THERE QUICKLY. WE KNOW AS WE ADD HORIZONTALLY AND VERTICALLY WE WILL MEET OUR RESPONSE TIMES. FOUR TO SIX MINUTES WHEN
[00:15:03]
SOMEONE IS IN CARDIAC ARREST WE SEE BRAIN DAMAGE IN FOUR TO SIX MINUTES AND IT IS THE TIME IT TAKES FOR A FIRE TO REALLY GET GOING AND GET TO THE POINT WHERE WE CAN HAVE A SFLTH FIRE WHEN WE GET THERE. WE WANT THAT FIVE MINUTE TIME AS OUR GOAL.>> TELL US ABOUT THE CONTRACT THAT WE HAVE WITH OUR EMS PROVIDERS AND HOW LONG THAT IT TAKES TO GET AN AMBULANCE TO TRANSPORT. OUR UNITS ARE TIED UP.
THEY CANNOT LEAVE UNTIL THE TRANSPORT ARRIVES.
>> GREAT QUESTION. WITH RESPECT TO BOTH MONTGOMERY COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICTS.
THEY HAVE HAD CHALLENGES. IT IS A ROLLER COASTER.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE CAN POINT TO.
WHEN THE HOSPITAL TIMES GO WAY UP.
THE HOSPITAL ERS ARE OVER RUN. THEY HAVE JUST LAST WEEK, THEY HAD 45 MINUTE PLUS WAIT TIMES TO EVEN GET A PATIENT OFF OF THE STRETCHER INTO THE ER AT ST.
LUKE'S AND HERMAN MEMORIAL AND METHODIST FOR A BIT.
IT IS JUST BECAUSE IT EBBS AND FLOWS.
WHEN WE SEE THAT TIME GO UP, WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET AN AMBULANCE AS QUICKLY AS WE DO.
WE WORK SURE TO TRY TO MAKE EVERYBODY HAVE WHAT THEY NEED.
>> WHO NEGOTIATES WITH THEM? WHO TALKS TO THEM ABOUT YOU NEED MORE AMBULANCES. YOU NEED MORE STAFF.
>> WE MEET EVERY TWO MONTHS. WE MEET WITH THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR AND SOME OF THE PEOPLE EVERY MONTH WITH OUR QAQI GROUP. WE DISCUSS PROBLEMS AND SUCCESSES. IF WE SEE WE ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WE BRING IT UP. WE HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP.
CHIEF CAMPBELL, WHO MANY OF YOU MET WHEN HE PRESENTED AT THE LAST MEETING, WE TALKED ON A REGULAR BASIS.
THEY KNOW. THEY ARE CHALLENGED.
THEY CONTINUE TO TRY TO BRING AN AMBULANCE OR TWO ON EVERY YEAR. THEY SPENT TIME AND MONEY LAST YEAR TO ENHANCE THE SCHEDULE FOR THE CREWS TO MAKE SURE MCSO IS DOING.
WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT WE WILL GET A SECOND AMBULANCE AT STATION 1.
>> ARE THEY KEEPING UP WITH POPULATION GROWTH?
>> JUST AS WE DISCUSSED, YOU KNOW, PUBLIC SAFETY WE ARE ALWAYS BEHIND. THEY ARE STRUGGLING TO KEEP UP.
THEY HAVE PLANS TO KEEP UP. THEY HAVE TO WORK ON MAKING SURE THAT EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THE FUNDING NEEDS THEY HAVE. THEY HAVE TO GO TO THE VOTERS AND MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTAND.
THEY HAVE PLANS TO KEEP UP. MAKING SURE AND BALANCING THE BUDGET AND THE TAX RATE.
>> THEY ARE TAXING A RATE AT 6%. YOU LOOK AT A 500,000 HOME, THE HOSPITAL ARE GETTING 6%. THAT IS GOING TO ALL EMS?
>> THEY HAVE OTHER POCKETS THEY PROVIDE SERVICE TO.
>> YEAH. DID YOU SAY 65 TO 70% OF ALL CALLS MADE ARE EMS CALLS?
>> WOULD IT BE BETTER TO GET A SUBURBAN OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO GO ON EMS CALLS AND NOT PUT FIRE TRUCKS THROUGH THE WEAR AND TEAR?
>> WE TALKED ABOUT IT. STATION 1, OUR BUSIEST STATION AND TRYING TO STOP THE DOMINODOMINO EFFECT. WE FEEL LIKE IT WILL INCREASE THE RESPONSE TIMES AND AVAILABILITY.
[00:20:02]
>> I KNOW ROLLING THE TRUCKS ON SOME OF THE SMALL STREETS ARE PROBLEMATIC. WE WILL LOOK AT THAT.
I WAS SHOCKED BY THE 65 TO 70% OF THE EMS CALLS.
>> CAN I TAKE IT IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION. YOU MENTIONED SHENANDOAH.
WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE CALLS ARE GOING TO SHENANDOAH VERSUS THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP?
>> SHENANDOAH IS ABOUT 150 CALLS A MONTH.
WE HAVE SEEN BETWEEN 1,200 TO 1,500 CALLS AND EXPECT WE MIGHT GET CLOSE TO 2,000 IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS IN SHENANDOAH. THEIR MEDICAL CORRIDOR ALONG VISION PARK AND I- 45 RACEWAY THAT SHENANDOAH COVERS.
MANY OF OUR WRECKS ARE IN THE CITY OF SHENANDOAH.
CERTAINLY THE BUSINESSES ARE ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE FREEWAY.
>> ANY TALK OF THEM CREATING THEIR OWN FIRE DEPARTMENT AT SOME POINT?
>> THEY HAVE REVIEWED THAT. THEY FEEL LIKE THEY GET, AND I AGREE GET A GREAT SERVICE. ISO 1 RATING BYBY FULL FREIGHT. IT IS A BETTER ECONOMICAL DEAL BECAUSE OF THE WAY THAT WE SURROUND THEM ON ALL THREE SIDES. SHENANDOAH PAYS THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT AND REALIZES THEY ARE GETTING A VERY GOOD DEAL.
>> YESTERDAY WE TALKED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ISO 1 RATING. CAN YOU SHARE WHAT COMPONENTS THAT WE LOOK AT?
>> THE WATER SYSTEM LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT ON MONDAY.
A MASSIVE PART OF IT IS STAFFING. HAVING THE STAFFING. THE FACT WE HAVE FOUR FIREFIGHTERS ON ALL OF THE VEHICLES.
WE HAVE A GOOD RESPONSE TIME. THEN THE AMOUNT OF TRAINING, THE HOURS THAT WE PUT IN TO MAKING SURE AND HONING OUR FIREFIGHTERS TO BE THE BEST WE CAN.
>> IS IT MY UNDERSTANDING THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY WILL HAVE AN AMBULANCE AT STATION 5.
>> WE HAVE THEM AT STATION 2 AND STATION 1.
THERE ARE TWO MORE WHICH ARE CLOSE.
THE THIRD IN HARPERS LANDING. ANOTHER THAT IS A STAND ALONE STATION NEAR DEL WEB.
>> WHAT I HEARD YOU SAY IS THAT WE PUT AN AMBULANCE AT STATION 1 WE CAN IMPROVE ALL OF THESE
TIMES. >> CERTAINLY IT WILL GIVE US REDUNDANCY TO MAKING SURE. IT IS GONE A GOOD PORTION OF THE DAY EVERY DAY.
>> 80% OF THE FIREFIGHTERS ARE PARAMEDICS. EVERY ONE OF THE FIRE TRUCKS EVERY DAY NEEDS ONE PARAMEDIC.
WE PROVIDE THE ONLY ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT IN THE COUNTY. THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO EVERYTHING BUT TRANSPORT A PATIENT.
IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO TRANSPORT PEOPLE IN THERE TO THE HOSPITAL.
>> WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE FLEET MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN. THEY HAVE A CAR THAT GOES WITH THEM AS WELL AS SUBURBAN.
>> THEY HAVE A TRUCKTRUCK GO OUT AND BE CALLED IN 24/7 TO MAKE REPAIRS.
WE MADE SURE TO CHECK THE LATEST LABOR RATES.
THERE ARE ABOUT $250 AN HOUR. OUR EVTS WE ARE LOOKING AT ARE LESS THAN 50.
>> YOU THINK THE CAR IS A NECESSARY PART OF THE JOB?
>> YES. THEY TAKE THE TRUCK HOME.
[00:25:16]
>> THE TECHNICIAN WITHIN YOURYOUR
DEPARTMENT? >> I DISCUSSED THE FACT THAT IF WE HAD TO OUT SOURCE OUR REPAIRS AND IT COMES AT A MUCH GREATER COST.
CHIEF ADAMS COVERED IT MONDAY. NOT ONLY THE COST BUT HOW QUICKLY WE GET THE REPAIR DONE.
IF WE HAVE TO DO THE FIRE TRUCK MECHANIC AT SIMS MARTIN.
IT MIGHT SIT THERE A WEEK OR WEEK AND A HALF BEFORE IT IS LOOKED AT. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE IS THE BEST WAY TO KEEP FIRE TRUCKS ON THE ROAD.
THAT KEEPS US MOVING. YOU WANT TO DO THE BEST YOU CAN TO KEEP THEM ROLLING AND IN SERVICE.
>> GOING BACK TO, YOU KNOW, 65 TO 75% OF THE CALLS ARE EMS CALLS.
>> YES. >> YOU CAN HAVE $100,000 SUBURBAN ROLLING VERSUS A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR FIRE TRUCK. YOU DON'T HAVE THE WEAR AND TEAR THE MULTIMILLION DOLLAR PURCHASES.
>> I WANTED TO CIRCLE BACK AS A REMINDER THAT PART OF THE RATING IS THAT WE HAVE THE BIG TRUCKS AVAILABLE. THE FIRE ENGINE GOES ON A MEDICAL CALL. SOON AS THE AMBULANCE GETS THERE, THEY ARE READY TO GO.
>> WE ARE NOT GOING TO DO A FIRE SALE. NOT AT ALL. WE KEEP BUYING AND BUYING AND BUYING. I LOOKED BACK AT THE VOTES THAT I HAVE TAKEN, THE BRUSH FIRE WAS CONCERNING TO ALL OF US. WE COULD HAVE BOUGHT SIX TAHOES FOR SIX STATIONS FOR WHAT WE SPENT ON ONE TRUCK.
I AM LOOKING AT THE RESPONSE TIME, 1:14 TO BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.
MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE LOOKED AT IT DIFFERENTLY.
HOW MANY FIRE CALLS ARE THERE. HOW MANY FIRES HAVE WE HAD IN THE WOODLANDSS IN THE LAST 1 MONTHS?
>> HOW MANY HOUSE FIRES, ABOUT 100.
IT IS BETWEEN 1% TO 2% OF ACTUAL STRUCTURE FIRES OF THE OVERALL CALL VOLUME.
SERVICE CALLS, CAR WRECKS, SERVICE CALLS CAN BE ANYTHING FROM SOMEBODY HAS A WATER LEAK TO A RACCOON IN THE WALL.
>> CRAZY CATS IN THE TREE. FIRE ALARM ACTIVATIONS, CAR FIRES, DUMPSTER FIRES, POWER LINES DOWN.
YOU DON'T NEED A POLICE OFFICER AND NOBODY IS HURT BUT YOU NEED SOMETHING, IT IS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. YOU BROUGHT IT UP.
THE IDEA OF THE NUMBER OR THE FOR FIRES.
THEY ARE EMS. LET'S DIVE DEEPER.
SOME CITIES A LOT OF THE EMS CALLS ARE FOR PEOPLE THAT USE THE EMS SERVICE AS A TAXI TO GET TO THE HOSPITAL AND TO GET TO THE ER.
I AM SURE THEY SEE IT AS THE COST.
THOSE ARE PATIENTS THAT SHOULDN'T BE GOING TO THE ER. THEY DON'T HAVE A PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR. THEY USE THE EMS SERVICE TO GET TO THE ER FOR ROUTINE, SOMETIMES, ROUTINE HEALTH CARE.
DO YOU HAVE A NUMBER FOR US ON THAT.
IS THERE A PLAN WITH MONTGOMERY COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT.
[00:30:01]
THAT IS ONE OF THE MISSIONS NOT TO OFF LOAD THEM ON TO THE FIREDEPARTMENT. >> I DO KNOW MONTGOMERY COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT HAS PUT IN A NEW PROCESS TO STOP THAT AND ARE EVALUATING IN- HOME AND NOT TAKING THEM BACK TO THE HOSPITAL IF NOT NEEDED.
>> THEY HAVE WHAT THEY CALL COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE MEDICS.
>> WHAT IS THE PERCENTAGE OF THOSE, IF YOU KNOW.
>> I DON'T. YOU KNOW, WE HAVE OUR POWER USERS THAT WE KNOW. WE HAD A PATIENT THAT CALLED US ALMOST 200 TIMES IN 2025. IN THE WOODLANDS IT IS NOT AS COMMON AS OTHER PLACES.
>> I AM SURE IT IS NOT. A LOT OF THE PATIENTS DO NOT HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE. THAT IS WHAT IT BOILS DOWN TO.
WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF THE COUNTY.
WHAT HAPPENS IN THE COUNTY AFFECTS THE SERVICE AVAILABILITY IN THE WOODLANDS TOO.
>> EXCELLENT OBSERVATION. COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE MEDICS ARE WORKING TO TRY TO MINIMIZE THAT.
WHEN PATIENTS ARE IDENTIFIED AS NEEDING ASSISTANCE WITH ACTIVITIES AND DAILY LIVING THAT IS THE WAY WE SPELL IT OUT.
THEY CAN'T MANAGE IT FOR THEMSELVES.
HOME HEALTH CARE OR MAYBE MOVING INTO ASSISTED OR LIVING OR NURSING HOME.
IT IS A PROCESS. IT TAKES A WHILE.
IT GOES BACK TO THE OTHER CALLS. A LOT OF PEOPLE AS THEY GET OLDER FALL AND NEED TO BE HELPED BACK UP.
IT IS AN IMPORTANT INITIATIVE TO TAKE CARE OF THE CITIZENS OF THE WOODLANDS, BUT THAT IS ANOTHER SUBSET OF THE CALLS THAT WE RUN.
>> I HAVE ONE OTHER QUESTION. THE LAST ONE FOR ME.
WHEN WE ARE PLANNING FOR THE NUMBER OF FIREFIGHTERS TO COVER OUR POPULATION, AND I AM REFERRING TO THE NEW TOWERS, THE NEW MULTI FAMILY CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE COVERAGE.
>> WE BASE THE NEED ON STANDARDS AND TALKING ABOUT WHAT YOU NEED. SO, WITH A HIGH RISE RESIDENTIAL FIRE, YOU NEED 42 TO 48 FIREFIGHTERS ON SCENE TO HELP THAT OUT. WITHIN A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME.
ABOUT 14 MINUTES. THAT IS WHY WE PRACTICE WITHWITH PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE HAVE THE CALLS COMING IN, WE START BRINGING THE RESOURCES IN QUICKLY AS WE CAN. IT WILL GO BACK TO THE SINGLE HOME FIRE. 14 FIREFIGHTERS ON THE SCENE WITHIN EIGHT MINUTES TO AFFECT THE RESCUE AND THE FIREFIGHTERING OPERATINS. THAT IS PART OF IT.
>> YOU FEEL LIKE WE ARE ADEQUATELY PREPARING FOR THE MULTI FAMILY BEING DEVELOPED AND WILL BE FILLED IN THE NEXT YEAR OR SO?
>> WE ARE CERTAINLY WORKING TOWARDS THAT.
ANOTHER FIRE ENGINE IN THE AREA, MAYBE EAST OF 45 IS NECESSARY TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU CAN CONTINUE TO SERVICE THE CORRIDOR. YOU WANT TO TRY TO UTILIZE OUR PARTNERS TO MAXIMIZE OUR RESOURCES AND LESSEN THE IMPACT ON MONTGOMERY TAXPAYERS OVERALL.
>> COMING FROM AUSTIN, YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE IN HIGH RISES.
THEY ARE GOING UP LIKE CRAZY THERE.
HOW DOES A FIRE DEPARTMENT LIKE AUSTIN DO THAT.
DO THEY HAVE A TAX THEY PUT ON THE DEVELOPER DOING THAT TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE ABLE TO FIGHT THE TALLEST BUILDING IN TEXAS NOW.
>> DID YOU STEAL ONE OF MY CHURCH PAPERS? THE AGE- OLD BATTLE BETWEEN WHAT DEVELOPERS WANT.
I WON'T BORE YOU WITH DETAILS ABOUT BUILDING HEIGHTS AND ENCROACHMENT AND US AS THE FIREFIGHTER SAYING
[00:35:03]
PUTTING BUILDINGS NEXT TO EACH OTHER AND NOT HAVING THE ABILITY TO GET A LADDER UP TO IT IS A PROBLEM.NEVER DID ANYTHING WITH THAT. WE TRIED TO GET SOME AGREEMENTS WITH DEVELOPERS IN ORDER TO ALLOW FOR SPACE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.
NONE CAME TO FRUITION. IT IS HARDER FOR A PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS THAT I WAS A PART OF NEVER CAME TO FRUITION. WHAT WE FOUND IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND WHAT WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HERE IS OFFICE BUILDINGS ARE GREAT. THEY DON'T DO SILLY THINGS IN OFFICE BUILDINGS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF WHAT THEY PUT IN THE MICROWAVE. WHEN YOU HAVE RESIDENTIAL HIGH RISES THE PEOPLE AT HOME MAKE ALL OF THE MISTAKES THAT WE SEE EVERY DAY WITH UNATTENDED COOKING, IMPROPERLY DISCARDED SMOKING MATERIALS, CANDLES AND WHAT NOT. THE LIKELIHOOD OF THE FIRE IN THE HIGH RISE RESIDENTIAL IS MUCH GREATER THAN IN AN OFFICE HIGH RISE.
>> ARE YOU SAYING THERE IS NO DEVELOPMENT COST THAT IS GIVEN TO THE CITY? I THOUGHT CITIES ALWAYS CHARGED A FEE FOR A NEW BUILDING OR CONSTRUCTION.
>> THE CITY CERTAINLY DID PERMITTING FEES.
>> WE CAN'T CHARGE THAT. WE ARE NOT A CITY.
AT THE SAME TIME WE DO NOT SUFFER FROM THE SAME CONGESTION, YET ANYWAY THAT HOUSTON OR DALLAS OR AUSTIN DOES. BUT IT IS COMING AND IT IS SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.
>> WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN INSURANCE RATES? IS THERE A FORMULA? THEY ALSO DO THEIR OWN ELVES.
WE CONTINUE TO GET SUPER HIGH MARKS, RESPONSE TIME, TRAINING.
HYDRANTS. I WON'T DIMINISH THAT AT ALL.
NUMBER OF CREWS. FOUR- PERSON STAFF IN CONROE.
THEY DON'T HAVE THAT IN SOME OF THEIR STATIONS. CERTAINLY THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES ARE WHO PAY THE MOST.
>> WHAT IS THE RESPONSE RATE THAT WOULD GET US IN TROUBLE?
>> IT IS A MOVING FORMULA. WITH ISO 1 RATING, IT LOOKS AT A CERTAIN SUBSET OF CALLS. STRUCTURAL FIRE RESPONSE. WE CONTINUE TO DO WELL AT.
>> YOU SAID THE CONTRACT WITH SHENANDOAH REACHED THE END.
TELL LOOK IDENTICAL TO WHAT WE
>> AT THIS POINT SHENANDOAH JUST WANTS TO WORK ON EXTENSIONS AND NOT A NEW CONTRACT. MY EXPECTATIONS ARE THAT IT WOULD BE SIMILAR. SEEMED LIKE EVERYBODY WAS HAPPY WITH THAT.
>> IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO PARTNER ASIDE FROM THAT ON PURCHASING APPARATUS THAT IS SERVING THEM OUTSIDE OF THE GENERAL STATION?
>> NOT IN THE CURRENT CONTRACT. WE TOLD THEM IF THEY WANTED A STATION IN SHENANDOAH THEY WOULD NEED TO BUILD IT AND BUY IT. WE CAN'T UTILIZE OUR TAX DOLLARS TO BUILD PROJECTS IN THEIR AREA, AND THEY WOULD NEED TO PURCHASE A FIRE TRUCK IF WE WERE TO PUT A FIRE TRUCK IN THE AREA.
>> I AM SURE THE I- 45 AND DIFFERENT COMMERCIAL RETAIL THEY HAVE. THAT MIGHT BE SOMETHING TO LOOK AT. AND ALSO TO HELP US ON CALL TIMES IN ALL OF THE TOWN CENTER.
[00:40:04]
>> WE ARE HOPING THAT DAVID MEMORIAL BEING COMPLETED WILL HELP US OUT. EVERYBODY THAT HAS DRIVEN THAT FRONTAGE ROAD UNDERSTANDS HOW DIFFICULT IT IS.
MOST OF OUR CALLS ARE IN THE MEDICAL CORRIDOR ALONG VISION PARK, WELLMAN AND AT T THE MEMORIAL HERMAN, ALL OF THE DOCTORS OFFICES.
>> WE LOVE SHENANDOAH, BUT IT MIGHT BE TIME TO HAVE DISCUSSIONS LIKE THAT.
>> YOU MENTIONED EARLIER 80% OF THE FIREFIGHTERS ARE
>> THAT IS ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATION THEY GO AND GET.
WHAT DOES THE PROCESS LOOK LIKE FOR DIFFERENT CERTIFICATIONS THAT FIREFIGHTERS HAVE?
>> OUR FIREFIGHTERS OR PARAMEDICS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.
WE CONTINUE TO BE AN ATTRACTIVE PLACE TO WORK.
THANK YOU FOR THAT. THE ONES THAT ARE NOT, ONCE THEY COMPLETE A YEAR OF PROBATION, WE WILL HELP PUT THEM THROUGH SCHOOL AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE STATE TUITION REIMBURSEMENT AND THEY CAN GO TUITION- FREE TO LONE STAR COLLEGE. THAT TAKES ABOUT A YEAR TO A YEAR AND A HALF TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
>> WHAT OTHER CERTIFICATIONS ARE THERE?
>> THERE ARE A LOT. WE WORKED ON SOME OF OUR WILDFIRE CERTIFICATIONS. SAWYER.
LEARNING HOW TO SAW TREES DOWN THE RIGHT WAY.
EVERY DAY, DAY TO DAY INSPECTORS.
INSPECTION CERTIFICATIONS. HOW TO INSPECT BUILDINGS, INVESTIGATE FIRES.
INSTRUCTOR TRAINING. AIRCRAFT FIREFIGHTING TO MARINE FIREFIGHTING. CHIEF ADAMS IS HOPEFUL WE WILL GET AN AIRPORT PUT IN. THERE IS A MULTITUDE OF CERTIFICATIONS. TCFP IS INSTITUTING A FEW MORE.
VEHICLE AND WATER RESCUE. THEY ARE BANGING THE GAVEL PRETTY SOON. I WILL NEED TO BE CERTIFIED AS EMERGENCY MANAGER COORDINATOR AND ATTEND 40 OF TRAINING A YEAR.
>> SO, HAVING A FIRE DEPARTMENT THAT IS WELL ROUNDED AND CERTIFIED HELPS US.
DOES THAT AFFECT YOUR ISO 1 RATING?
>> HOW MUCH OF OUR PEOPLE ARE DOING TRAINING.
HELPS US WITH THAT IN THE PORTFOLIO.
>> DO YOU REQUIRE THOSE CERTIFICATION S
CERTIFICATIONS. >> TO BE A FIREFIGHTER YOU NEED A BASIC STRUCTURAL FIREFIGHTER CERTIFICATION. AS YOU MOVE UP INTO DRIVER AND THEN COMPANY OFFICER RANK WE REQUIRE YOU TO HAVE FIRE OFFICER 1 AND 2. TRAINING ON HOW TO BE COMPANY THROUGH FIRE OFFICER 4. WE REQUIRE THOSE IF YOU WANT TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR PROMOTION. INVESTIGATORS AND INSPECTORS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THOSE
CERTIFICATIONS. >> CAN YOU BREAKDOWN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CERTIFICATION PAY.
WE HAVE A BUDGET IN FRONT OF US IN WHICH DECISIONS ARE MADE AT THE COUNTY LEVEL THAT ARE NOT DECISIONS OF OURS.
THEY ARE MADE BY THE COUNTY. THERE IS A REASON FOR IT.
IT IS WHAT IT IS. ON CERTIFICATION PAY IT IS LOOKING FOR A $4,800 TOP END FOR POLICE FOR THEIR
[00:45:03]
CERTIFICATION. WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE FOR OUR FIREFIGHTERS AND HOW DOES IT COMPARE TO PEER CITIES ACROSSTEXAS? >> IT IS A HARD ANSWER.
A LOT OF THE PEER CITIES PAY A MONTHLY STIPEND FOR EACH CERTIFICATION OR CERTAIN ONES. IN THE WOODLANDS WE ARE ABLE THROUGH Y'ALL'S BENEVOLENCE IN BUDGETING TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PAY FOR PEOPLE THAT GOT ADVANCED STRUCTURAL FIREFIGHTER CERTIFICATION. ALL OF THE CERTIFICATIONS HAVE BASIC, INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCED AND MASTER. IF YOU HAD A MASTER CERTIFICATION YOU WOULD GET A BIT MORE MONEY. A LOT OF THE OTHER PLACES HAVE EDUCATION PAY. IF YOU HAVE A COLLEGE DEGREE.
IF YOU HAVE A BACHELORS, ASSOCIATES OR MASTERS. YOU GET AN EXTRA AMOUNT OF MONEY PER MONTH. WE DON'T HAVE IT HERE.
>> THAT IS CALLED INCENTIVE PAY, RIGHT?
>> I WAS LOOKING AT IT. THE STARTING SALARIES ARE QUITE A BIT LOWER, HOWEVER THE INCENTIVE STRUCTURE ALLOWS YOU TO EARN MUCH MORE AS YOU ARE ACQUIRING THE DIFFERENT CERTIFICATIONS. IS THAT CORRECT?
>> ONE OF THE WAYS THAT WE MADE THE COMPENSATION TRY TO BE MORE E QUITABLE IS IF YOU ARE A PARAMEDIC YOU WILL GET A 10% BUMP IN YOUR PAY.
>> IF YOU ARE A RESCUE SPECIALIST, YOU ARE ASSIGNED TO A TECHNICAL TEAM, HAZ- MAT OR HES CUE, -- RESCUE. THEY HAVE TO BE RESCUE CERTIFIED AND ARE GETTING PAID INCENTIVE PAY FOR THAT.
>> I USED THE WRONG TERMINOLOGY. BILINGUAL CERTIFICATION.
>> WE CERTAINLY HAVE ADVOCATED FOR BILINGUAL PAY.
WE HAVE SEVERAL FIREFIGHTERS THAT WE LEAN ON AND IN THE TOWNSHIP EMPLOYEES ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS ARE DEALING WITH SPANISH SPEAKING.
>> THE OTHER IS THE LONGEVITY PAY.
THE OTHER CITIES ARE LIKEWISE ENTITIES DO.
>> A LOT OF PLACES THAT ARE CIVIL SERVICE.
>> THAT IS CORRECT. THAT IS A LOT OF HOUSTON AND THAT AREA. BASED ON WHAT WE DO WITH OUR EMPLOYEES. WE DON'T DO IT WITH THE EMPLOYEES. YOU ARE BASICALLY REWARDING LONGEVITY. YOU ARE NOT REWARDING ACCELERATION OR MOVING UP.
FOR OUR EMPLOYEES AT THE TOWNSHIP AND FIREFIGHTERS.
I DON'T SEE THE PROBLEM. YOU WILL HAVE THE DIFFERENT CLIMATE AND DIFFERENT CULTURE.
>> I FELT LIKE IT WAS IMPORTANT.
>> THAT IS WHAT I WANT TO CHANGE.
>> CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT LONGEVITY PAY IS.
IS IT SOMEONE THAT HAS BEEN HERE FOR 20 YEARS --
>> FOR EACH TIME PAST YEAR OR MONTH IF YOU REACH THE MILESTONE
[00:50:03]
YOU GET A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF DOLLARS.WHEN I WAS WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN EVERY YEAR OF SERVICE YOU GOT $40 AT THE END OF THE YEAR.
END OF THE YEAR IF YOU WERE THERE TEN YEARS YOU GOT $400. WITH COURT CASES THEY HAVE PUT IT INTO THE HOURLY RATE. TRYING TO COMPILE ALL OF THAT.
THAT IS TYPICAL LONGEVITY PAY. END OF THE YEAR OR THE COURSE OF THE YEAR.
>> IS THAT FOR RETENTION PURPOSES.
>> IN BENEFIT OF SERVING THE COMMUNITY FOR X AMOUNT OF YEARS. IT IS JUST PART OF THE COMPENSATION PACKAGE.
>> CHIEF, SOUNDS LIKE THERE COULD BE DISCREPANCIES IN WHAT SOME OF THE MUNICIPALITIES DO.
ARE WE LOSING FIREFIGHTERS FROM HERE TO GO TO THE PEER CITIES?
>> WE ARE CURRENTLY NOT. WE WERE AT THE TOP OF THE MARKET. WE WERE ONE OF THE ATTRACTORS.
WE TOOK PEOPLE FROM HOUSTON ON A REGULAR BASIS.
OVER THE LAST TWO OR THREE YEARS IT IS MORE DIFFICULT TO BRING PEOPLE IN. WE WOULD HAVE 100 TO 200 PEOPLE FOR ONE POSITION. IF WE GET 100 PEOPLE IN THE DOOR FOR TEN POSITIONS WE ARE HAPPY WITH THAT.
THAT IS NOT JUST US. THAT IS THE FIRE SERVICE.
THAT IS THE EMS IN GENERAL. IT IS MORE DIFFICULT TO HIRE.
WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF OUR PEERS AROUND THE AREA HAVING A MUCH HIGHER ENTRY RATE. WE ARE SEEING IT ACROSS THE STATE, A LOT MORE HIGHER INITIAL PAY RATES AND QUICKER TO ACHIEVE THE TOP OF THE PAY SCALE RATHER THAN DOING IT IN FIVE. YOU ARE COMPETING AGAINST A LOT OF ESDS THAT CAN SET THEIR OWN PAY SCALES.
WE AS A TOWNSHIP HAVE MORE ISSUES TO LOOK AT.
>> WHAT IS OUR TURNOVER RATE. WHAT IS THE VACANCY RATE WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT? I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS. IF WE WANTED TO OFFER A HIGH LEVEL OF EXCELLENT SERVICE WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT THE COMPETITION IS DOING.
>> THAT IS WHY I LOOKED TO ANGELA.
IT IS NOT APPLES TO APPLES. COMING UP WITH THAT REAL TIME COMPARISON WHICH IS WHY SHE GETS PAID.
>> IT IS HARD FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND.
WE HAVE SHERTIFICATION PAY, LONGEVITY, COLLEGE DEGREE PAY.
IT IS HARD TO KEEP UP. WHAT SHOCKED ME IS THAT 65% TO 70% OF THE CALLS ARE EMS. HAVING 80% OF THE FIREFIGHTERS AS PARAMEDICS IS A BIG DEAL.
>> WHEN THEY ARE LICENSED OR CERTIFIED PARAMEDIC THEY ARE GETTING A 10% BUMP IN PAY.
>> WHEN THEY ARE CLEARED TO PRACTICE AT THAT LEVEL.
>> WHEN THEY GO TO SCHOOL TO BECOME A SPECIALTY RESCUE PERSON OR FIREFIGHTER, THEY GET A 4% INCREASE IN PAY.
>> ANY OTHER ONES THAT THEY GET A BUMP IN PAY?
>> THOSE ARE THE TWO. THE TACTICAL RESCUE TEAM AND THE PARAMEDIC. IF YOU ARE INTERMEDIATE THERE IS A 5% INCREASE.
>> CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG. IS THAT CERTIFICATION PAY?
>> I AM HAVING A HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING IF YOU ARE GETTING A 10% BUMP IN SALARY WHEN YOU HAD BECOME A PARAMEDIC.
WE NEED TO GET TO 90% OF PARAMEDICS BECAUSE OF THE
[00:55:05]
NUMBER OF CALLS THAT WE HAVE. IF YOU BECOME A CERTIFIED FOREST FIREFIGHTER OR WHATEVER, I THINK THAT WOULD BE A WAY TO LOOK AT IT.IF WE NEED TO BREAK WE CAN DO TO.
TO ME THAT IS CERTIFICATION PAY.
>> IT IS IDENTIFYING WHICH CERTIFICATIONS THAT WE VALUE AND THAT WE FEEL WOULD WARRANT A PAY
I AM SORRY WE ARE JUMPING AROUND.
WE HAVE A BUDGET IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OF $33. 6 MILLION. I THINK EVERYBODY NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND MORE IN- DEPTH ABOUT IT. IT IS A BIG SPEND.
>> IT IS AN IMPORTANT LINE ITEM. ANY
OTHER QUESTIONS? >> THANKS, CHIEF.
>> I KNOW WE ARE GOING TO GO BACK TO THE BUDGET REQUESTS LATER.
>> THIS IS ALL ABOUT THE BOARD'S OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THE BUDGET.
Y'ALL CAN ARRIVE AT THE DECISION.
>> I PERSONALLY THOUGHT THE DAY TO DIGEST THINGS HELPED ME TO GET MY ARM AROUND THINGS AND TO ASK QUESTIONS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR PLAN IS MONIQUE. I AM SURE SEVERAL HAVE QUESTIONS THROUGHOUT WHAT YOU PROPOSED IN THE BUDGET OVERHAUL. I AM ASKING THE BOARD.
DO WE WANT TO GO UP AND DOWN IT AND BRING PEOPLE UP AND ASK QUESTIONS OR DO WE WANT TO LET MONIQUE GO INTO THE BUDGET INITIATIVES.
>> I THINK WE NEED A DAY OF ALLOWING HER TO GO THROUGH THE BUDGET INITIATIVES. MAYBE TOMORROW IS THE DAY THAT WE ASK QUESTIONS.
>> DO WE WANT TO ASK QUESTIONS AS WE GO?
>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS. WE HAVE A LOT .
THIS IS A MASSIVE BUDGET TO GO THROUGH. IT IS A LOT TO COMP REHEND.
WE ARE TRYING TO GET OUR ARMS AROUND IT.
PLEASE, NOW IS THE Q&A TIME WHEN THEY GO THROUGH THE BUDGET INITIATIVES. I THINK DIALOGUE.
>> ARE WE GOING TO TAKE ANY VOTES?
>> WE CAN START GOING THROUGH THE BUDGET INITIATIVES.
IF THOSE GENERATE QUESTIONS WE ARE HAPPY TO ADDRESS ALL OF THOSE. IF WE HAVE INPUT ON SCENARIOS WE WOULD LIKE THAT TIME IN ORDER TO PREPARE AND GET YOU THE INFORMATION. IF Y'ALL WANT TO MOVE FORWARD I SUGGEST THAT WE ASK ANGELA TO PRESENT THE INFORMATION THAT SHE HAS IN LINE WITH THE CONVERSATION THAT Y'ALL HAD WITH THE FIRE CHIEF.
>> I HAVE A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT I CAN COVER FOR YOU.
YOU SHOULD HAVE THE SLIDES IN FRONT OF YOU.
>> THE SLIDES FROM MONDAY ARE ALSO IN THERE, IN THE BACK.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS BEEN ASKED AND HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT BOTH MONDAY AND EVEN THIS MORNING HAS BEEN TURNOVER.
I JUST WANTED TO SHOW SOME OF THE INFORMATION THAT YOU WERE PROVIDED IN THE PAST ABOUT TURNOVER.
THESE ARE NUMBERS BASED ON STUFF I PUT UP IN THE PAST.
THE GREEN LINE IS THE OVERALL TOWNSHIP TURNOVER RATE.
AS I MENTIONED ON MONDAY YOU CAN SEE FROM THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS THAT WE HAVE MADE DECISIONS THAT HELPED US TO BRING THE TURNOVER RATE DOWN. THAT WAS THE 6% THAT WE DID IN 2023 AS WELL AS THE COMP STUDY THAT REALLY HELPED US CURB SOME OF THE ATTRITION THAT WE WERE HEARING THAT WAS RELATED TO PAY. THANK YOU FOR THAT.
WE WERE ON A DOWNWARD SLOPE. SINCE WE OFTEN, IN THE
[01:00:04]
BUDGET CONTEXT LOOK AT THE FIREFIRE SEPARATELY, I PULLED OUT FIRE DEPARTMENT IN TERMS OF TURNOVER. THEY REALLY, REALLY DO AN INCREDIBLE JOB AT RETAINING FIREFIGHTERS. YOU CAN SEE THAT THE RED LINE IS THEIR TURNOVER RATE. THAT IS REALLY RETIREMENTS.THEY DON'T HAVE A VACANCY RATE BECAUSE OF THE WAY THAT THEY DO THEIR STAFFING. THEY HAVE A LIST.
THEY GO TO THE NEXT PERSON. OFTENTIMES THEY ARE ABLE TO HAVE THAT PERSON START BEFORE THE LAST PERSON RETIRES.
THANK YOU FIRE DEPARTMENT. ALSO FOR THE RESIDENTS THAT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT THAT THERE IS NO VACANCY RATE IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
FOR THE TOWNSHIP OUR AVERAGE RATE WAS 5%.
FOR JULY WE ARE DOWN TO 3%. THE NUMBER MOVES.
TYPICALLY IT IS CLOSER TO 6% IN THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR WHEN WE AUTHORIZE THE NEW POSITIONS THAT YOU HAVE APPROVED IN THE BUDGET.
AS WE FILL THEM THE VACANCY RATE GOES DOWN.
IT IS CLOSER TO 3% TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR.
THAT WILL GIVE YOU A PICTURE OF WHAT THE TURNOVER LOOKS LIKE FOR THE TOWNSHIP AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. ANY QUESTIONS ON THAT?
>> IS 4. 8% NORMAL FOR FIRE DEPARTMENTS TURNOVER?
>> I HAVE NOT LOOKED AT TURNOVER RELATIVE TO OTHER FIRE DEPARTMENTS.
>> YOU SAID THAT IS NORMAL ATTRITION AND RETIREMENTS.
>> IT IS RETIREMENTS, PRIMARILY. WE MIGHT HAVE SOMEONE HERE OR THERE THAT MAYBE DOES NOT FEEL LIKE IT IS THE RIGHT FIT, BUT THAT IS VERY FEW.
>> HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE OVERALL EMPLOYEES, 14. 6 IS RETIREMENT AND NORMAL ATTRITION? APPROXIMATELY.
>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE TOWNSHIP AS A WHOLE, WE HAVE A HANDFUL OF RETIREMENTS THIS YEAR, BUT NOT THAT MANY. I THINK THAT WE ARE SEEING MORE.
I THINK PEOPLE STAY HERE A LONG TIME.
I THINK THAT WE ARE AT A POINT WHERE WE WILL SEE A BUBBLE, BUT WE ARE BRINGING IN QUITE A FEW PEOPLE IN THE EARLIER STAGES OF THEIR CAREER AS WELL. I DON'T SEE HOW SOME ORGANIZATIONS ARE FEELING LIKE THERE IS A HUGE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO RETIRE.
I THINK WE ARE PRETTY GOOD THERE.
WE WILL HAVE MORE RETIREMENT S COMING UP.
EACH YEAR MAYBE WE HAVE A HANDFUL.
>> AS YOU HAVE HEARD QUITE A FEW OF THE MARKET PEERS HAVE THESE PROGRAMS. SO, WHEN WE SAY THAT WE ARE COMPARING TO MARKET PEERS, WE WANT TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT SOME OF THE THINGS ARE FOR CONSIDERATION. SO, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE BACKGROUND ON THIS, THE TOWNSHIP OFFERS CERTIFICATION PAYS AND CHIEF BUCK MENTIONED THIS.
OUR EMT CERTIFICATIONS, HAZ- MAT AND TECHNICAL RESCUE CERTIFICATIONS. THEY ARE PAID MORE FOR THOSE SPECIFIC THINGS. IN THE COMP STUDY YOU APPROVED THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON FIRE PROTECTION CERTIFICATION PAY. WE HAVE PAID THAT SINCE 2023 TO OUR FIREFIGHTERS. THAT IS A CERTIFICATION PAY.
WE PAY IT AT A COST OF ABOUT $180,000 A YEAR.
HOW THAT WORKS IS THAT EVERYBODY HAS A BASIC CERTIFICATION.
IF YOU GET TO INTERMEDIATE, YOU GET $50 MORE A MONTH.
ADVANCED, $100 MORE AND MASTER $150 MORE A MONTH.
THAT IS INTEGRATED INTO THEIR PAY RATE.
[01:05:01]
>> E! MT, HAZ- MAT AND TECH --
>> THOSE ARE THE INCENTIVE PAYS THAT ARE BUILT INTO THE PAY STRUCTURE FOR FIRE. EMT WOULD BE EVERYBODY HERE, ALL OF THE FIREFIGHTERS HAVE AN EMT BASIC. THEY CAN ACHIEVE AN EMT ADVANCED AND EMT PARAMEDIC. BUMPS IN PAY THEY ACHIEVE FOR ACHIEVING THOSE CERTIFICATIONS.
>> I THINK TOMATOES TOMATO, RIGHT.
FOR OUR COMMUNITY, WHAT WE NEED, WE DON'T NEED A DESERT FIREFIGHTING CERTIFICATION IN THE WOODLANDS.
WE MIGHT NEED A CERTIFICATION FOR FOREST FIRE TYPE CERTIFICATION THAT MIGHT BE ADVANTAGEOUS. YOU HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH.
>> SO, WE CERTAINLY HAVE FIREFIGHTERS THAT ARE CERTIFIED IN THOSE AREAS, BUT WE ARE NOT PAYING FOR IT. A CERTIFICATION PAY IS A DECISION THAT THE TOWNSHIP MAKES TO PAY EXTRA FOR A CERTIFICATION THAT WE FEEL IS VALUABLE, RIGHT, FOR THE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE.
WE MAY NOT DETERMINE THAT IS A CERTIFICATION THAT WE WANT TO PAY FOR. WE HAVE DETERMINED FOR YEARS IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO PAY EXTRA FOR PEOPLE TO BE ADVANCED OR PARAMEDICS.
STRUCTURAL FIREFIGHTER. INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCED AND MASTER. THOSE ARE IMPORTANT.
WE FEEL LIKE WE NEED TO PAY FOR THOSE.
THAT IS SOMETHING OTHER CITIES PAY FOR.
>> WHEN WE HAD THE MARKET STUDY SEVERAL YEARS AGO % DID THAT NOT VALIDATE THE PLANS THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE FOR EACH DEPARTMENT AS FAR AS SALARY, INCENTIVES AND THE CREDITING CERTIFICATION?
>> YES, THANK YOU DR. SNYDER. THE COMP STUDY WE DID IN 2023.
WHEN THEY DID THAT COMP STUDY THEY LOOKED AT ALL OF THE OTHER THINGS.
TCSP CAME OUT AS SOMETHING CLEARLY OFFERED BY THE PEER CITIES AND THAT WE DID NOT HAVE AND IT MADE SENSE TO BRING FORWARD AND INCLUDE IN PAY FOR OUR FIREFIGHTERS.
>> AT THAT TIME TOO WE IMPLEMENT ED AND AGREED TO THE 6%.
>> TO MAKE US COMPETITIVE WITH OUR PEER CITIES.
>> ADDRESSED THE BILINGUALS, THE LONG LONGEVITY.
>> WE DID NOT DECIDE TO DO IT.
>> THAT ALWAYS BOTHERED ME. WE HAVE SUCH A DIVERSE POPULATION. WHEN YOU WALK IN A ROOM, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT LANGUAGE THEY WILL IT BE SPEAKING.
IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE, REALLY.
>> LET ME GET TO THE BILINGUAL PAY.
ON THESE CERTIFICATIONS AND INCENTIVE PAYS, THEY ARE ADDITIVE. EMT AND CERTIFIED FOR HAZ- MAT AND TSFP MASTER YOU WILL GET ALL OF THE INCENTIVES.
>> THE BOARD MAKES THE DECISIONS.
WE ARE BRINGING THEM FORWARD TO YOU AS BUDGET INITIATIVES.
WE FELT LIKE THE BASE BUDGET WAS BASED ON PROVIDING THE SAME LEVEL OF SERVICES. DO WE NEED THESE TO PROVIDE THE SAME LEVEL OF SERVICES? THAT IS UP TO YOU.
THEY DO ALIGN WITH OUR COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY.
THAT IS TO BE AT THE MARKET AVERAGE OF OUR PEER CITIES.
[01:10:07]
>> I KNOW WE CENTER A HIGH HISPANIC POPULATION.
>> WHAT IS BILINGUAL CERTIFICATION PAY? ADDITIONAL PAY TO PAY TO CERTIFY ED TO SPEAK, WRITE AND/OR TRANSLATE ANOTHER LANGUAGE.
SPECIFICALLY WE WOULD PROBABLY LOOK AT SPANISH.
I KNOW THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS MOST INTERESTED IN SPANISH.
THOSE PEOPLE WOULD PERFORM THOSE IN ADDITION TO THEIR REGULAR JOB DUTIES. THEIR JOB DESCRIPTION DOES NOT SAY YOU MUST SPEAK SPANISH. IN ADDITION TO THE REGULAR DUTIES THEY WOULD BE CALLED UPON TO DO SOME OF THE SPEAKING, READING, ING AND WRITING FOR US.
THE LANGUAGES, THEY DON'T JUST SAY ANY LANGUAGE.
THEY DO ANALYSIS SAYING WHAT DOES THE COMMUNITY NEED BASED ON OUR POPULATION. SOME CITIES HAVE A NUMBER OF LANGUAGES THEY PAY FOR. WE WOULD PROBABLY LOOK AT JUST
SPANISH. >> ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.
IT SEEMS LIKE WE ARE NOT THINKING AHEAD IN THAT REGARD.
>> I USE AI TO TRANSLATE THINGS ALL OF THE TIME FOR MY EMPLOYEES. I AM HIRING A TRANSLATOR OR I AM USING GOOGLE TRANSLATE TO HELP. IN MY OFFICE WHEN I TRANSLATE ITIT USUALLY A VOICE ON THE COMPUTER IS PAID BY SERVICE OR AI-DRIVEN.
>> WE HAVE NOT USED THAT FORM OF TECHNOLOGY.
WE HAVE A MEMBER OF OUR STAFF IN HR THAT WE ARE BASICALLY FOR.
WE HAVE SUPERVISORS THAT SPEAK SPANISH.
WE TEND TO BE AN HR DEPARTMENT THAT LIKES TO DO FACE TO FACE SERVICE IN PERSON TO THE STAFF.
WE WOULD DEFINE LANGUAGES BASED ON NEED.
ELIGIBLE POSITIONS WOULD BE SPECIFIED BASED ON NEED.
IT MAY MOTIVATE EMPLOYEES TO LEARN A SKILL.
>> ANGELA, IF YOU ARE HAVING LET'S SAY THAT YOU KNOW A POSITION NEEDS TO HAVE A SPANISH SPEAKER. IT CAN BE A REGISTRATION PERSON AT THE FRONT DESK. WOULD THAT BE A PART OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION VERSUS GIVEN THEM AN INCENTIVE FOR SPEAKING SPANISH. IF WE JUST DECIDE TO GIVE LANGUAGE SPECIFIC BASED PAY BECAUSE THEY SPEAK SPANISH, THE NUMBERS CAN BE ASTRONOMICAL WHEN IT IS NOT IMPORTANT OR NECESSARY FOR THEM TO SPEAK THAT LANGUAGE. I DON'T KNOW.
IF YOU HAVE TO PAY A LITTLE MORE, LET'S PAY MORE.
TO GIVE IT ON GOING AND HAVE IT PART OF THE INCREASE AND PART OF THE RETIREMENT. IT IS ON AND ON AND ON.
I WOULD HAVE TO REALLY QUESTION
THAT IS ONE APPROACH. DEFINE POSITIONS AS REQUIRING
[01:15:01]
SPANISH. EVEN POSITIONS WHERE SPANISH IS PREFERRED IT IS DIFFICULT. IT OFFERS US FLEXIBILITY.IT WOULD HELP US TO HAVE A LIST OF PEOPLE THAT WE KNOW ARE CERTIFIED. THAT WOULD HELP TO HAVE MORE PEOPLE LIKE THAT OUT IN THE FIRE STATIONS.
THAT IS AN APPROACH, TO SPECIFY POSITIONS THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR SPANISH SPEAKING, BUT I THINK THAT IT MIGHT REDUCE THE FLEXIBILITY THAT WE WOULD HAVE IN STAFFING POSITIONS AND IT WOULD MAKE IT HARDER TO SOURCE THE POSITIONS.
>> ANGELA, YOU MENTIONED ON HERE PAID TO EMPLOYEES WHO ARE CERTIFIED. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
>> SO, THERE ARE CERTIFICATION TESTS THAT YOU CAN PURCHASE WHERE THEY HAVE TO PASS A TEST IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO RECEIVE THE PAY.
>> IT IS NOT JUST PLAYING ALONG WITH DUO LINGO.
>> WE WOULD DO A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL.
THEN WE WOULD FIGURE OUT WHICH IS THE BEST DEAL TO MEET OUR NEEDS AND MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE WE ARE PAYING EXTRA ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT SERVICE. THE AMOUNT THEY PROVIDE VARIES WIDELY. A MONTHLY STIPEND OF $25 UP TO $100 A MONTH. SOME WILL SAY WE WILL PAY FOR ONE TEST. IF YOU FAIL IT IS ON YOU.
SPANISH, $ABOUT $100 FOR CERTIFICATION TEST COST.
ASSUMING THE TOWNSHIP PAYS FOR THAT.
IF WE ESTIMATE 80 EMPLOYEES CAN QUALIFY. ANNUAL COST WOULD BE ABOUT $100,000.
>> WHEN YOU SAY PAY QUALIFY, IS THAT THEY MAY NOTNOT THE TEST? IF I KNOW I CAN GET $100 MORE A MONTH BY PASSING A CERTIFICATION FOR SPEAKING AND WRITING, $1,200 A YEAR WITH THE INCREASE, PUTTING IT INTO MY RETIREMENT AS WELL.
YOU ARE SAYING LIKE 40 PEOPLE. I WOULD BE SURPRISED ONLY 80 WHEN THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING THAT TYPE OF MONEY IN.
>> WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE CUSTOMER HERE.
WE NEED TO DEAL WITH PEOPLE THAT ARE FORWARD- FACING TO THE CUSTOMER. NOT EVERYBODY WILL QUALIFY FOR THIS. IS IT THOSE THAT ARE IDENTIFIED AS NEEDING IT OR IS IT QUALIFYING BECAUSE THEY CAN PASS THE TEST.
>> WE HAVE NOT WRITTEN THE PROGRAM. WE WERE NOT SURE IF THE BOARD WOULD LIKE US TO. WE WILL DO ALL OF THE RESEARCH, DEFINE IT AND BRING IT BACK TO YOU. A WAY TO DO IT IS TO SAY
[01:20:02]
THAT THE 25 POSITIONS AT THE TOWNSHIP WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR BILINGUAL PAY.>> OF THE POSITIONS, THOSE THAT ARE ABLE TO PASS THE CERTIFICATION TEST WOULD BE ABLE TO RECEIVE THE PAY.
>> SO, WE HAVE OPTIONS LIKE THAT?
>> THE PEOPLE IN THE DESK TAKING CALLS, THEY CAN QUALIFY.
OUR MONTGOMERY COUNTY SHERIFFS BUDGET IN FRONT OF US, THEY HAVE IN THERE 75 CENTS AN HOUR.
SO THAT WOULD BE MORE THAN WE ARE EXPECTING TO PAY.
>> MAYBE YOU CAN DEFINE IT FOR US.
YOU MAY NOT GET 80 PEOPLE THAT APPLY.
>> CAN WE REQUEST CHIEF BUCK TO DO A SNAP POLL IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. I WOULD LIKE TO GET MORE OF A HANDLE ON THE NUMBER WE ARE LOOKING AT.
THIS IS PILOT PROJECT ONE. >> ANGELA, MAYBE THAT IS NEXT, LONGEVITY PAY.
>> I WILL LET YOU START. NEXT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT LONGEVITY PAY. IT IS ADDITIONAL INCOME PAID TO EMPLOYEES TO RECOGNIZE YEARS OF SERVICE.
TYPICALLY PAID FOR EACH MONTH OF SERVICE.
A COMMON LONGEVITY PAYMENT AT OUR PEER CITIES IS $4 A MONTH. LINDA, YOU SAID DOES IT START YEAR ONE. YES OR IT WOULD IF WE DID IT HOW EVERYBODY ELSE DID. SO, TYPICALLY CITIES DO IT DIFFERENT WAYS. MANY PAY IT ONCE PER YEAR.
>> WOULD IT BE RETRO ACTIVE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN HERE X NUMBER OF YEARS?
>> FOR 2026 WE LOOK AT YOUR YEARS OF SERVICE FOR THE TIME YOU WORKED FOR THE TOWNSHIP.
YOU WOULD BE PAID THAT AMOUNT IN 2026.
>> ONE OF THE INITIAL SLIDES. YOU WERE DESCRIBING THE COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY IT MENTIONS THE TOWNSHIP CONSIDERS IT IN BAY PACE. THAT TELLS ME LONGEVITY PAY IS ALREADY BAKED IN.
>> I THINK WHAT THAT POINT SAYS IS THAT THE TOWNSHIP CONSIDERS IT AS IMPORTANT FACTORS IN TOTAL COMPENSATION AND NOT BASE PAY.
IT IS YOUR BASE PAY. BENEFITS, RETIREMENT AND TOTAL COMPENSATION.
>> LONGEVITY PAY IS ALREADY BAKED IN TO THE TOTAL COMPENSATION?
>> WHEN WE DO OUR INCREASE EVERYBODY GETS IT, RIGHT. THE LONGER YOU ARE HERE, THE MORE THAT YOU GET THE INCREASE.
THAT IS ONE WAY TO LOOK AT IT. WHEN WE LOOK AT OUR PAY PLAN AND WHEN WE TRY TO MOVE PEOPLE THROUGH THE RANGE.
[01:25:09]
WE ARE LOOKING AT MAKING SURE THEY GET AN INCREASE BY YEAR SEVEN IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN COMPETITIVE.THAT IS TIME WITH THE ORGANIZATION.
WE LOOK AT TIME AND POSITION WHEN WE ARE PLACING PEOPLE IN THE PAY GRADES.
THAT IS WHAT WE DID IN THE COMP STUDY.
>> I THINK THE BOARD HAS DONE A GOOD JOB.
SINCE 2023 WE HAD TO DO A LOT OF MUCH CATCHING UP.
FIREFIGHTERS AND RANK IN FILE STAFF TO GET THEM CAUGHT UP.
THE LONGER THAT YOU ARE HERE, YOU GET THE BUMP.
WE HAVE AN INCREDIBLE RETIREMENT PLAN.
A LOT OF US UP HERE DON'T HAVE 401(K) PLANS THAT LOOK LIKE THAT.
WE HAVE TO GET OUR ARMS AROUND EVERYTHING.
WHEN I ADD A NEW POSITION TO THE TOWNSHIP STAFF, I AM TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE RETIREMENT. PRIOR TO MONDAY I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND IT. I THINK IT IS GENEROUS.
THAT CHECKS THE LONGEVITY PAY IN MY BOX.
>> THAT MEANS YOU THINK IT IS IMPORTANT.
JOB. >> I DO LIKE THE INCENTIVE PAY STRUCTURE BETTER THAN LONGEVITY.
>> WHEN WE DO AN OVERALL BUDGET TO THE SALARY, 3 357B9%, DOES EVERYBODY GET IT OR IS IT MERIT BASED. SOME PEOPLE MAY GET 1%.
SOME GET 5%. IS IT AN OVERALL 3. 5% INCREASE OVER THE BUDGET?
>> IT IS A GENERAL INCREASE. IT IS FOR EVERYBODY THAT QUALIFIES. YOU ARE NOT ON ANY CORRECTIVE ACTION. YOU ARE NOT IN YOUR PROVISIONAL PERIOD.
OTHERWISE EVERYBODY GETS IT. GETS THE SAME AMOUNT.
>> I WAS LOOKING AHEAD. I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO.
>> I THINK YOU HIT THE PAY BUCKETS.
>> LONGEVITY PAY. AGAIN, WE HAVE NOT WRITTEN THE PROGRAM. YOU CAN CAP IT.
REGULAR STAFF $1,200. WE CAN MAKE THE PAYMENTS IN DECEMBER. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
>> THANK Y'ALL. DOES ANYONE NEED AA BREAK? QUICK BREAK. ALL RIGHT.
>> BACK TO THE REGULAR AGENDA. AS MONIQUE WALKS IN.
>> STALL. STALL. ARE WE ON SCHEDULE OR WHAT?
[7. Receive, consider and act upon Budget Initiatives related to the 2026 Preliminary Budget and Five-Year Plan;]
>> ARE WE GOING THROUGH BUDGET INITIATIVES NOW?
>> IT IS UP TO YOU. THERE ARE A COUPLE OF WAYS THAT WE HAVE DONE IT IN THE PAST.
ONE, AND IT IS HELPFUL TO GET THROUGH THE BASE BUDGET TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ADJUSTMENTS UP AND DOWN THERE, AND THAT HELPS US KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY IS
[01:30:04]
AVAILABLE FOR BUDGET INITIATIVES.THE OTHER THING IS TO GO THROUGH THOSE TODAY SO YOU HAVE A PICTURE OF EVERYTHING, THE BASE AND INCENTIVES AND HAVE THE DISCUSSION AT THE END OF THE DAY.
ALLOWING STAFF TO COME BACK AND COME BACK TOMORROW WITH AN AMENDED BUDGET IF YOU WILL.
>> DISCUSSION. HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO PROCEED?
>> BUDGET INITIATIVES WORK FOR ME.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE BUDGET INITIATIVES.
>> WE WILL PROCEED WITH BUDGET
>> MONIQUE, I REMEMBER LAST YEAR AND IN YEARS PAST WE HAVE HAD THE COUNTING DOWN NUMBER OF HOW MUCH MONEY THAT WE HAD BASED ON THE BUDGET.
>> CAN WE THROW IT OUT THERE TO KNOW WHERE WE ARE AT?
>> YES. I WANT TO SAY THAT WHAT WE PRESENTED IN TERMS OF THE ADDITIONAL PAY, LONGEVITY AND BILINGUAL PAY ARE CONSIDERED BUDGET INITIATIVES. THOSE WOULD BE CONSIDERED ADDITIVE. I FULLY RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE IN AN ENVIRONMENT OF LIMITED RESOURCES.
THIS BOARD HAS GOT A LOT OF SERVICES AND OBLIGATIONS THROUGH THE BUDGET WITH A LIMITED AMOUNT TO PRIORITIZE TO THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES.
SO, WHAT I WANT TO SAY IS THAT I THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR VERY THOUGHTFUL DISCUSSIONS AND QUESTIONS REGARDING THOSE BUDGET INITIATIVES REGARDING ADDITIONAL PAY, BUT WITHIN YOUR BASE BUDGET WE DO HAVE OUR COMPENSATION.
WE ARE FULLY LOADED INTO THE BASE BUDGET WITH OUR COMPENSATION PLAN AS WAS ADOPTED TWO OR THREE YEARS AGO AND INCLUDES MARKET- BASED SALARY ADJUSTMENT OF 3. 5%, AND THE MARKET- BASED REQUIREMENT BENEFITS THAT YOU ARE CONTINUING.
AGAIN, I WANT TO SAY THAT IN TERMS OF ALLOCATING RESOURCES THERE IS A LOT THAT IS ALREADY ALLOCATED TO COMPENSATION, AND I DO FEEL LIKE WE ARE IN A MARKET- BASED SITUATION. AGAIN, ANY CONSIDERATION THAT YOU WANT TO GIVE TO OTHERS IS FINE. I CAN ALSO SUGGEST IF YOU WANT TO THAT WE LOOK AT DOING THAT IN OUR UPCOMING -- WE ARE GOING TO DO ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION STUDY IN EITHER 26 OR 27. THAT WOULD BE A PAY TO GET MORE DATA TO SUPPORT SOME OF THE QUESTIONS SO THAT WE CAN BETTER ANSWER THE QUESTIONS THAT Y'ALL ARE ASKING. WE CAN HAVE DATA FROM OUR PEER CITIES TO SUPPORT THAT.
>> I AM GOING TO START WITH OUR BUDGET INITIATIVES.
ACTUALLY MY TEAM IS GOING TO HELP ME GET THROUGH MOST OF THESE. THEY ARE MUCH MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE ON SOME OF THESE THAN ME.
I AM GOING TO START OUT WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ONES.
SO TODAY IT IS A LOOK AT SOME OF THE THINGS WE ARE GOING TO IT BE TALKING ABOUT. BUDGET INITIATIVES RELATED TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY SHERIFF'S HOUSE. WE TALKED ABOUT VARIOUS TRANSPORTATION INITIATIVES. WE HAVE SOME RELATED TO PARKS.
MOST OF THESE ARE THINGS THAT WERE BROUGHT FORWARD IN OUR DISCUSSIONS FOR THE STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION THAT WAS HELD BACK IN MAY OR THAT HAVE MATERIALIZED OVER THE YEAR. THIS WILL GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THOSE. WE HAD REQUESTS FROM OUR VILLAGE ASSOCIATIONS. I BELIEVE CHAIRMAN BAILEY ADDRESSES THE QUESTION. AS OF RIGHT NOW IN THE BASE BUDGET BEFORE WE MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENTS TO THAT WE HAVE THREE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES THAT WE CAN FUND BUDGET INITIATIVES. THE FIRST ONE IS THE HOTEL TAX RESERVE. BY THE END OF 2026 WE WOULD HAVE $12 MILLION IN THERE. THOSE ARE GOOD FOR ONE- TIME
[01:35:03]
PURCHASES. WE DON'T WANT TO DEPLETE THAT.WE ARE SAVING THAT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PURPOSES, BUT TO THE EXTENT THAT WE WERE TAKING SMALLER AMOUNTS OUT OF THERE, THAT IS CERTAINLY AVAILABLE.
THE 2025 GREEN BOX. THIS IS OUR SAVINGS THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW. IN TERMS OF WHAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE FOR ONGOING EXPENDITURES, THAT AMOUNT IS $655,000. A FULLY FUNDED BASE BUDGET THAT CONTINUES ALL OF THE SERVICES THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY PROVIDING. ANY QUESTIONS THERE?
>> UNDER THE CONTRACT. THE TOWNSHIP FUND COMPLETELY FUNDED AND PAID THROUGH THE TAX LEVY. 100 POSITIONS.
PATROL, DEPUTIES, DEPUTY SPECIALISTS AND 8 DETECTIVES. THE TOWNSHIP TAXPAYERS THROUGH THE COUNTY TAX LEVY, AND NOT THE TOWNSHIP BUT THE COUNTY TAX LEVY ALSO FUND POSITIONS THAT THE COUNTY DEDICATES TO THE TOWNSHIP. CURRENTLY IN THE TOWNSHIP CURRENTLY LISTED AS CAPTAIN, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTS AND SERGEANTS FOR A TOTAL OF 19.
ALSO POSITIONS THAT ARE FUNDED BY THE COUNTY.
ALL COUNTY TAXPAYERS FUND. THIS IS ALL COUNTY TAXPAYERS FUND THOSE THAT ARE LISTED ON THE FAR RIGHT- HAND SIDE. THERE IS A VARIETY.
THE EXECUTIVE TEAM. ALL OF THOSE ITEMS ARE FUNDED BY THE COUNTY. THAT GIVES YOU A STARTING POINT WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW WITH THE CONTRACT. THE BUDGET INITIATIVE IN THE PROPOSAL FROM THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT INCLUDES WHAT I AM CALLING A SWAP, FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM, OF SWITCHING AND INSTEAD OF THE TOWNSHIP FUNDING EIGHT DETECTIVES, THE COUNTY WOULD FUND EIGHT DETECTIVES, AND THEN WE WOULD FUND 13 SERGEANTS, BUT THE NUMBER IS NOW DOWN TO 12. I HAVE NOT UPDATED THE SLIDE SINCE THE LATEST PROPOSAL. IT WOULD BE A SWAP.
TOWNSHIP WOULD TAKE ON THE FUNDING FOR 12 SERGEANTS. THEY WOULD TAKE ON THE FUNDING FOR 8. THEY ARE STILL FUNDING THE 19 DEDICATED POSITIONS TO THE TOWNSHIP, THEY THINK THE COUNTY. OUR FUNDING GOES FROM 100 TO 109. I AM GOING TO GO INTO MORE DETAIL NOW.
>> ARE YOU GOING TO TALK ABOUT WHY?
>> IN GENERAL THE SWAP IS WITH THE NEW ADMINISTRATION IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE THEY HAVE ALIGNED THEIR STAFF IN A WAY THEY FEEL IS MORE EFFICIENT FOR THEM TO OPERATE. SO FOR INSTANCE, THE DETECTIVES THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY FUNDING ARE NOT NECESSARILY ALWAYS JUST WITHIN THE TOWNSHIP.
IT IS MORE EFFICIENT FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO SPREAD THOSE DETECTIVES OUT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY ON AN AS- NEEDED BASIS. BECAUSE THEY ARE OPERATING OUTSIDE OF THE BOUNDARIES DOES NOT MEAN IT IS HAVING A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE TOWNSHIP.
THEY CAN BE DOING WORK IN THE OTHER AREAS OF THE COUNTY WHERE WE ARE STILL BENEFITTING FROM THE WORK, BUT NOT THE ONLY ONES SOLELY BENEFITTING FROM THE WORK. THE SERGEANTS ARE ALMOST ALWAYS RIGHT HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
IT MAKES MORE SENSE FOR THEM TO SAY THE SERGEANTS ARE HERE. WE KNOW THEY ARE HERE.
THAT IS WHAT THE TOWNSHIP SHOULD BE DEDICATING THEIR FUNDING TO AND ALLOW US TO USE THE OTHER POSITIONS IN A MORE EFFICIENT WAY.
>> I AM GOING TO REMIND EVERYONE OF THE PAY PARITY.
IT IS ALREADY IN THE BASE BUDGET.
OKAY. THAT IS FULLY FUNDED IN THE BASE BUDGET. NO ISSUES THERE.
SO THIS BUDGET INITIATIVE FOR THE FUNDING FOR THE EIGHT DETECTIVES AND EIGHT SERGEANTS.
IF WE CAN DO IT ON AN EVEN BASIS, BECAUSE THEY MAKE MORE THAN DETECTIVES. ABOUT 11,700 EACH.
THAT COST WOULD BE THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THAT.
IT WOULD BE $94,000. I DO HAVE THE FUNDING AVAILABLE.
WE DO HAVE THE FUNDING AVAILABLE IN OUR BUDGET TO BE
[01:40:02]
ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THAT.>> IN THE BASE BUDGET WITH THE $655,000 THAT IS LEFT OVER.
PART OF THAT CAN GO THERE. WHAT IS MORE PROBLEMATIC WITH THIS BUDGET. AGAIN, BECAUSE SO MUCH OF IT HAS ALREADY BEEN GONE TO ACCOMPLISH THE PAY PARITY, THE HIGHEST PRIORITY.
IT WOULD BE TO FUND AN ADDITIONAL FOUR SERGEANTS.
APPROXIMATE COST OF $150,000 EACH OR $600,000.
WE DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY RIGHT NOW IN THE BASE BUDGET TO FUND THOSE. WE WOULD HAVE TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE BASE BUDGET. WE CAN SAY WE ARE GOING TO ACCOMPLISH THE 8 FOR 8. AND IN FUTURE BUDGETS NEXT YEAR HOPEFULLY WE CAN ACCOMPLISH THE REST OF THE REQUESTS.
IF THERE IS KNOWN VEHICLES THEY ARE LOOKING FOR IT HELPS THEM TRACK THAT NEW TECHNOLOGY AND THOSE COSTS WOULD BE 109,500 IN TOTAL. AND WE DO HAVE THE FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR THAT. THEY HAVE ALSO REQUESTED A POLARIS RANGER TO REPLACE ONE THAT IS OUT OF SERVICE OR ABOUT TO BE OUT OF SERVICE AND THE FUNDING OF $60,000 WE ALSO HAVE AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION TO THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS AT REQUESTED ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL.
YOU CAN SEE THOSE LISTED IN THE BOTTOM CHART AND TOTAL COST OF 400,000. AND AGAIN WITHOUT ADJUSTMENTS TO THE BASE BUDGET THE FUNDING IS NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE WITHOUT THOSE NEW POSITIONS. ANY QUESTIONS ON THESE?
>> THE BOTTOM THREE LINE ITEMS ARE NOT.
>> THEY ARE NOT IN THE BASE BUDGET. THOSE WOULD BE AN
ADDITIONAL REQUEST. >> AND ALSO NOT IN THE BASE BUDGET WOULD BE THE 94,000, THE 109 AND 60.
>> NONE OF THESE ARE IN THE BASE BUDGET. ANYTHING ON THIS PAGE IS
>> YES MA'AM. BASED ON THE CURRENT BASE BUDGET UNDESIGNATED FUND BALANCE WHAT FUNDING IS AVAILABLE AND OTHERS, AGAIN, WOULD REQUIRE ADJUSTMENTS OR DEFERRALS OF CONSIDERATION TO A
FUTURE BUDGET HEARING. >> DOES THIS REQUIRE A CHANGE IN
THE CONTRACT? >> IT WOULD, YES. THIS WOULD GO INTO EFFECT, THEY ARE ON AN OCTOBER 1ST BUDGET YEAR , WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO START THAT OCTOBER 1ST. BUT THE CONTRACT EXPIRES AT THE END OF THIS YEAR. SO AFTER THIS BUDGET DISCUSSION OR ANNOUNCEMENT WILL HELP DETERMINE THE CONTRACT NEGOTIATION. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
>> UNDER THE PROPOSAL THAT WE JUST RECEIVED LITERALL 30 MINUTES AGO, THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN THE REQUESTING THE DEPUTIES TO SPECIALISTS ON THE CRIME REDUCTION UNIT OF 85.
$85,000 THAT THEY HAVE REMOVED THE REQUEST FOR THE ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL SUPPORT AT THE BOTTOM.
>> SO THOSE FOUR POSITIONS IN THE BOTTOM ARE REMOVED. TWO DETENTION OFFICERS AND ONE MECHANIC REMOVED. WHAT WAS THE
OTHER ONE? >> AND $85,000 DIFFERENTIAL ON THE REQUESTING DEPUTIES TO THE SPECIALISTS. FOR THE CRIME REDUCTION UNIT. WE WOULD HAVE THE FUNDING AVAILABLE TO DO
THAT. >> 85 FOR THE DEPUTIES TO
SPECIALISTS. >> THE CRU. CRIME REDUCTION
UNIT. >> WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT NOW?
>> YOU CAN IGNORE THE CHART AT THE BOTTOM AND EVERYTHING ELSE AT THE TOP IS CORRECT EXCEPT WHEN I SAY APPROXIMATELY SAME
COST IS NOW 85,000. >> ARE THOSE SERGEANTS ALREADY OPERATIONAL? THEY ARE NOT HIRING MORE SERGEANTS.
[01:45:01]
>> THOSE ARE BEING FUNDED BY THE COUNTY RIGHT NOW. TWO THE REQUEST IS THAT WE TAKE ON FOUR ADDITIONAL. THE REQUESTIS TO SWAP OUT OUR EIGHT DETECTIVES THAT WE ARE FUNDING FOR 12 SERGEANTS THAT THEY ARE FUNDING. WE CAN EASILY DO EIGHT. WE CAN SWAP EIGHT OR EIGHT. IT'S THE ADDITIONAL FOUR. NOT ADDING FOUR, THAT THEY ARE ALREADY PAYING FOR BUT WE WOULD BE TAKING THE COST. THAT IS WHAT I DON'T CURRENTLY HAVE IN THE BASE BUDGET. FUNDING AVAILABLE IN THE BASE BUDGET.
>> CAN WE DO ONE WITHOUT THE OTHER?
>> YES. >> SO IT WOULDN'T BE A SWAP. IT
WOULD JUST BE RESHUFFLING. >> WE ARE AT LEAST GETTING THE PROCESS STARTED THAT THEY WOULD LIKE. WITHIN THE CONSTRAINTS OF
>> OKAY. SO THIS IS A LOOK AT WHAT IT WOULD DO. RIGHT NOW IN THE 2026 BASE BUDGET, WE ARE INCREASING OUR BASE BUDGET FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE BY $2 MILLION OR 12.8%. THAT IS TO ACCOUNT FOR THE PAY. HE-- PARODY AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL COST FOR VEHICLE CAMERAS THAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT AND SOME VEHICLES.
THE REGULAR PATROL VEHICLES. IF WE WERE TO DO ALL OF THE INITIATIVES THAT WOULD ADD ADDITIONAL 1.2 BUT AS I JUST DISCUSSED, THAT WOULD BE FAIRLY SIGNIFICANT ADJUSTMENT TO OUR
BUDGET. >> I WANT TO JUST GO INTO SOMETHING AND MAKE SURE THE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDS. THE 30 CAMERAS THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT PUTTING THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY, CAMERAS THAT IS USING TECHNOLOGY TO REALLY ADDRESS CRIME. ESPECIALLY AROUND THE MALL AREA. EVERY CAR THAT GOES BY LICENSE PLATES ARE BEING READ AND ANY EVIDENCE OF A STOLEN CAR, ANY TYPE OF THING. I'M GOING TO BUTCHER THIS, SHERIFF, AS YOU WALKED IN. BUT, THE TECHNOLOGY IS A GAME CHANGER.
WE'VE HAD A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF ARRESTS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY BECAUSE OF CAMERAS. THEY'VE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL. A FLOCK, DOES NOT REQUIRE CAMERA SYSTEM, A CAR, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER. THEY DON'T REQUIRE ANY OF THAT STUFF. IT'S A TOOL THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND CROSS COUNTY CAN USE TO REALLY PROTECT OUR CITIZENS. I THINK THE TECHNOLOGY WE ARE SPENDING ON THAT IS GOING TO BE A GAME CHANGER FOR US.
>> TOTALLY AGREE. >> SO I COMMEND THE SHERIFF AND HIS TEAM FOR BRINGING THIS SOLUTION TO US. AND ALSO, THE REAL-TIME CRIME CENTER IS SOMETHING THAT IS A GAME CHANGER USING TECHNOLOGY IN A SMART WAY TO MAKE SURE THAT PUBLIC SAFETY, EVERY SINGLE PERSON APPEAR AGREE. PUBLIC SAFETY IS OUR NUMBER ONE ISSUE. IF WE DON'T HAVE A SAFE COMMUNITY, WE DON'T HAVE A COMMUNITY. WE ARE IN A NEW CONTRACT, SO THE REASON WE ARE CHANGING THIS UP IS THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT PLAY. WE HAVE TO LEAN ON OUR COUNTY PARTNERS IN THIS BUT THIS IS HAPPENING ACROSS OUR REGION BECAUSE OF HARRIS COUNTY AND
CITY OF HOUSTON DECISION. >> AND IT IS NOT AN INVASION OF PRIVACY. THE SECURITY INDUSTRY, JUST TO THE PUBLIC KNOWS, JUST THE LICENSE PLATE. THERE IS NOTHING ELSE. IF YOU WANT TO ADDRESS THAT ANY FURTHER. BUT HOPEFULLY WE ADDRESSED IT ADEQUATELY TO EXPLAIN WHAT IT IS.
>> OKAY. SO I'M GOING TO MOVE ON TO THE REQUEST FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY CONSTABLE FOR PRECINCT FOUR. CURRENTLY WE HAVE IN THE BASE BUDGET WE HAVE BUDGETED FOR $146,000 INCREASE OR 7% BASED ON PAY PARITY EXPECTED FROM THEM. I DID RECEIVE A NOTE FROM HARRIS COUNTY LAST WEEK, AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO IMPLEMENT THE PAGE PARITY THIS YEAR. THEY ARE GOING TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR BECAUSE THE CONTRACT HAD ALREADY GONE OUT SO THEY MADE THE DECISION TO DO THAT. IN THAT REGARD, WE WILL NOT NEED TO SPEND THAT ADDITIONAL $146,000. THEY DO HAVE A REQUEST FOR TWO ADDITIONAL DEPUTIES WHICH WOULD BRING THE NUMBER OF DEPUTIES SERVING OUR CREEKSIDE PARK AREA FROM 15 TO 17. WE HAVE HEARD A LOT OF DISCUSSION, THE BOARD HAS, ABOUT OUR NEIGHBOR TO THE SOUTH AND A LOT OF THE CRIME ISSUES THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING
[01:50:03]
IN THE WOODLANDS FROM OUR SOUTHERN BORDER OF THE TOWNSHIP.SO THEY FEEL LIKE THIS WOULD BE A WAY TO HELP ADDRESS THAT CLUSTER HAS JUST BEEN GROWTH IN THAT AREA OF THE COMMUNITY. THAT WOULD BE 251,000. THE GOOD NEWS HERE IS BECAUSE WE ARE NOT IMPLEMENTING THE PAY PARITY , IT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE COMPLICATED. JUST SO YOU KNOW, WE CAN ABSORB THE 251,000 WITHOUT ABSORBING-- CHANGING THE BASE BUDGET.
>> THERE DOES NOT NEED TO BE AN INITIATIVE.
>> YEAH, IN TERMS OF THE BOARD APPROVING ADDING TWO TO THE CONTRACT. BUT I ALREADY HAVE IT TO THE BASE BUDGET AS IT TURNS OUT. BECAUSE OF THE DELAY IN PAY PARITY.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU. >> THE THIRD BUDGET INITIATIVE IS FROM ALPHA AND OMEGA MINTED MOUNTAIN PATROL. THE REQUEST WAS TO DECREASE OURS FROM THEIR CURRENT, CURRENTLY THE CONTRACT IS 387 HOURS PER WEEK. THEY REQUESTED THAT TO INCREASE TO 595 HOURS PER WEEK. SO AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 10,800 AND ANNUAL HOURS. THE CHART SHOWS THE YELLOW LINE IS THE CONTRACT HOURS AT 387 PER WEEK. THE GREEN LINE SHOWS WHAT THEY WORKED COMPARED TO THAT BASELINE AND IN 2025 THE HOURS THEY ARE WORKING WEEKLY IN COMPARISON. IN TERMS OF THE INCREASE TO THE BUDGET, RIGHT NOW WE HAVE 3.5% BUDGET INCREASE BUILT IN WHICH WOULD COST 51 8000. IN ORDER TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF HOURS IT DOLLARS. SO WITH THIS, I'M GOING TO TURN THE SUM OF THESE RIGHT HERE, AND I'M GOING TO ASK. WHEN WE DID IN JULY, WHEN WE STARTED GOING OVER THESE BUDGET INITIATIVES WE DID GET THROUGH ALL OF THEM. THE TRANSPORTATION ONES WE DID GET THROUGH.
PREPARED TO GO OVER THOSE AGAIN TO REMIND YOU IF YOU'D LIKE, OR IF THERE IS CERTAIN ONES THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS WE CAN JUST SKIP STRAIGHT TO THOSE IN ORDER TO SAVE TIME.
>> WE CAN SKIP STRAIGHT TO IT. I'M NOT GOING TO SPEAK TO THE BOARD, BUT WE DID A DEEP DIVE DURING OUR STRATEGIC SESSION.
THE COST IS WHAT I'D LIKE TO DIVE IN ON.
>> THE ONLY ONE THAT MAKES ANY MONEY IS THE CHARTER. THAT MAKES ESTIMATED 10,000 A YEAR. SO SINCE WE ARE IN A BIT OF A BIND WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, I THINK THAT FROM MY STANDPOINT. I KNOW, BUT IT'S COSTLY. THESE EXPANSIONS ARE $1 MILLION EACH ROUGHLY. BUT THE ONE THAT GENERATES REVENUE POTENTIALLY IF THE CHARTER. AND I KNOW YOU AREN'T ENTHUSED ABOUT THAT. BUT I THINK IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ANOTHER AMENITY AND IF IT DOESN'T MAKE MONEY, WE LET IT GO. BUT I THINK IT'S WORTH CONSIDERING. MAYBE NOT THE RIGHT YEAR FOR US TO IMPLEMENT THOSE OTHER TWO. PUT THEM ON ICE FOR A WHILE. ARE YOU UNDERSTANDING
WHAT I'M SAYING? ANYONE ELSE? >> I WAS A FAN OF THE CHARTER'S TOO. IT'S ONE THAT WE CAN DO ON TRIAL. WE ALREADY HAVE THE
VEHICLES. >> GATHERING DUST IF WE DON'T
DO SOMETHING WITH THEM. >> WE CAN ELIMINATE THAT PROGRAM
BUT. >> THE ONLY THING I WILL SAY ABOUT THE CHARTER IS THERE WAS NOTES IN THEIR ABOUT STAFFING.
ABOUT POTENTIALLY REQUESTING ADDITIONAL STAFFING. I DON'T THINK IT WAS INCLUDED IN THE $138,000 TOTAL COST BUT WE ARE AT THAT TIPPING POINT WHERE WE ARE MAXED OUT WITH OUR DRIVER SUPERVISOR WHO IS RUNNING SEVEN DAY A WEEK PROGRAM ON A SCHEDULE. WE ARE TRYING TO LEVERAGE DRIVERS TO ASSIST IN SOME OF THOSE EFFORTS BUT WE ARE GOING TO PUT A NEW SERVICE COMPLETELY INTO TRYING TO MAKE IT A SUCCESS. HIGHER LEVELS OF CUSTOMER SERVICE, EXPECTATIONS, THERE WILL BE CHALLENGES THERE
AS WELL. >> DO WE HAVE A COST ASSOCIATED
WITH THAT? >> I DO REMEMBER THE NEXT SUPERVISOR WAS BILLABLE OF ABOUT $100,000 WITH BENEFIT LOAD, ET
CETERA. >> BUT AGAIN, IF WE, WHAT DID YOU SAY, THREE-YEAR TERM TO SEE IF IT'S VIABLE AND VALUABLE FOR THE COMMUNITY? OR ONE YEAR TERM? DO YOU HAVE A THOUGHT ON THAT?
[01:55:04]
>> TO ME, FROM A NEW PROGRAMMING ASPECT YOU WOULD WANT TO GIVE IT AT LEAST TWO YEARS IF NOT THREE YEARS. JUST THE MARKETING EFFORT. YOU KNOW, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET YOUR FIRST RENTALS CHARTERS FOR AT LEAST THREE OR FOUR MONTHS. THE MARKETING RAMP-UP, WE HAVE TO REALLY REVIEW HOW CUSTOMER SERVICE IS HANDLED. DEVELOP THE PROCESSS THE CHARTERS ARE GOING THROUGH.
WE'VE DONE THIS ESPECIALLY ON THE PARKSIDE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT TIMES SO WE KNOW HOW THAT LOOKS LIKE. BUT THERE IS A
NEED FOR ADDITIONAL STAFF. >> I JUST, I MEAN, WE LITERALLY JUST LEFT TALKING ABOUT RESPONSE TIMES IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO SIX MINUTES 14 SECONDS. LET ME FINISH. WE ARE GOING TO SPEND 138,000 ON A POTENTIAL CHARTER TROLLEY. FOR PEOPLE TO RENT TO TAKE AROUND. I WOULD RATHER SPEND 138,000 FOR EMS CREW IN
THE FRONT. >> ALSO ADDING ANOTHER STAFF.
>> IT WOULD BE 130,000. >> THIS WOULD REQUIRE ADDITIONAL
STAFF. >> I'M NOT GOING TO DIE ON THIS HILL. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IF THESE WILL BE SITTING DOING NOTHING, MAYBE WE WILL SELL THEM AND GET A LITTLE REVENUE OUT OF
THAT. >> THAT WOULD BE A DETERMINATION OF THE BOARD ONCE WE GET THE NEW TROLLEYS. WE'VE BEEN HAVING MEETINGS OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS WITH THE MANUFACTURER LOOKING AT PAINT COLORS, DESIGNS, SELECTING ALL OF THE TRIM. NOT TO COMMINGLE THE ISSUE BUT ONE OF THE IDEAS AND THINK YOU FOR REMEMBERING THIS, WE SAID WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO WITHIN EXISTING SERVICES A TWO-WEEK HOLIDAY LIKE PROGRAM BUT WE STILL NEED TO THINK THROUGH THAT. AS WE GOT INTO IT, AS YOU HAVE MENTIONED A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT TIMES, BRINGING A TROLLEY DOWN TO SOME OF THE RESIDENTIAL AREAS BECOMES MORE OF A CHALLENGE. WE HAVE LOOKED AT MULTIPLE DIFFERENT THINGS.
>> THANK YOU. >> YEAH, THANK YOU.
>> SO, I THINK ONE OF THE MOST, FROM WHAT I HEARD FROM THE BOARD, I BELIEVE IN GETTING THIS CORRECT. IS LOOKING AT TROLLEY SERVICE TO THE VILLAGE CENTER AND TALKING ABOUT THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS THERE. THAT'S WHAT YOU SEE LISTED FROM THE TROLLEY OPTION A AND TROLLEY OPTION B AND C. SO THE FIRST TWO, TROLLEY OPTION B HAS MORE TO DO WITH IF WE WERE TO PROCURE ADDITIONAL TROLLEYS. DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH WEIGHT TIME YOU WANTED, IT WOULD EITHER BE ONE TROLLEY, TO TROLLEYS OR FOR TROLLEYS. THERE IS STILL A SIGNIFICANT COST FOR THAT AND YOU CAN SEE THAT HERE.
THERE WOULD BE CONSIDERATION OF WHETHER WE USE GRANT FUNDS TO DO THAT. NOT THE GENERAL POPULATION BUT CERTAIN POPULATIONS TO THE VILLAGE CENTER. AND I'M SURE RUTH AND CAN ADDRESS THAT MORE IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT.
>> ANY DISCUSSION? >> THAT WOULD JUST BE A ONE TIME
COST. THAT IS NOT ONGOING. >> EXACTLY. WELL, DEPENDING.
>> IF YOU LOOK AT OPTION C, PROPOSED AS A $55,000 ONGOING EXPENDITURE EVERY YEAR. I WOULD ALSO REMIND YOU THAT THE COUNTY IS ALREADY PROVIDING THREE TIMES A WEEK SERVICE TO A VARIETY OF FOLKS THROUGHOUT THE GREATER AREA. ON TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS.
SO THERE IS ALREADY SOME LEVEL OF SERVICE PROVIDED BY
[02:00:01]
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PRECINCT. >> WE HAD NO PART IN THE LIBRARY AND COMMUNITY CENTER. IT'S A GREAT ADDITION TO OUR COMMUNITY BUT I'M GOING TO MAYBE ASK FOR SOME BILINGUAL INCENTIVE. WE WERE NOT INVOLVED. THAT IS A COUNTY ISSUE, TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO AND FROM THE LIBRARY AND COMMUNITY CENTER. AND THAT'S NOT HONEST. I THINK WE ARE IN A VERY TIGHT BUDGET YEAR AND BEING ABLE TO ADDRESS THIS. I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO DO SOME OF THESE THINGS BUT WE ONLY HAVE SO MUCH MONEY.
>> AND WE ALSO APPROVED AT A BOARD MEETING THE CARRYOVER FOR INTERFAITH FROM THEIR 24 BUDGET THAT THEY COULD USE THAT TOWARD
PURCHASING A VEHICLE. >> WE ALREADY SUPPORT INTERFAITH, YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. MAYBE ANOTHER IDEA IS TO LET THIS GO THIS YEAR AND SEE WHAT, HOW THAT IS AND HOW EFFECTIVE THEY ARE. THEY ARE A VERY WELL-RUN ORGANIZATION AND TRANSPORT PEOPLE THAT NEED THAT SERVICE.
>> LET'S ADDRESS IT IF NEEDED AT A LATER DATE.
>> GOING TO MOVE TO THE PATHWAY AND I CLAIM PROJECT-- BIKE LANE PROJECT. I WILL LET CHRIS TAKE OVER.
>> THERE WAS, WE GOT TO THIS ONE I THINK IN JULY AND THIS WAS REALLY TRYING TO CREATE BIKE LANES AND JUST MAKE SURE WE ARE VERY CLEAR THIS IS NOT A TRUE BIKE LANE. THE GOAL OF THIS WILL BE TO GO ALONG WITH WOODLANDS AND WHERE THERE ARE ISLANDS JUTTING OUT OR THE ENTRANCES TO NEIGHBORHOODS JUTTING OUT INTO THE SHOULDER AREA, IT WOULD BE TO REMOVE THEM. WHAT COMMISSIONER WHEELER HAS SAID, HE WAS HERE IN JULY, IS THAT HE WOULD CONSIDER PUTTING THIS AS PART OF THE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM IF WE PROVIDED THE ENGINEER. SO THE GOOD NEWS IS THERE ARE ALREADY DOLLARS FOR THIS PROJECT. SO THIS IS NOT NEW REVENUE BEING REQUESTED OR NEW EXPENSES BEING REQUESTED. THE 70,000 IS ALREADY IN THIS BUDGET SO WE JUST NEED THE DIRECTION ON IF THIS IS SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO OR NOT.
>> DO YOU KNOW IF THERE WILL BE STRIKING OF THOSE SHOULDERS? WILL THERE BE TWO YELLOW STRIPES TO INDICATE DO NOT CROSS? I AM
NOT A TRAFFIC ENGINEER. >> I THINK IT'S A WHITE LINE ON
THE RIGHT SIDE. >> THAT DOESN'T MEAN STAY OUT.
>> THANK YOU. I WOULD DEFER TO THE COUNTY ON WHAT LINING THEY WOULD PUT DOWN AS WHAT IS CONSISTENT WITH TRAFFIC CODE.
THAT IS ULTIMATELY WHAT THEY APPLY.
>> I KNOW. I JUST WONDERED IF YOU KNEW WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IS WHAT DOUBLE YELLOW LINES MEAN.
DRIVERS DON'T COME IN HERE. THIS IS FOR SOMEBODY ELSE.
UNLESS AN EMERGENCY. >> EXACTLY. THE IMPORTANT PART OF THIS IS THAT THE SHOULDER WOULD BE RENOVATED SO THAT IN CASE THERE IS AN ISSUE, THE CAR CAN ACTUALLY MOVE OVER TO THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE TO NOT IMPEDE TRAFFIC.
>> RIGHT. I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST THAT IT HAS EXTRA STRIPING SO THAT THE BICYCLISTS AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS WOULD HAVE A LITTLE MORE PROTECTION. IF YOU JUST HAVE ONE WHITE LINE
IT DOESN'T REALLY INDICATE. >> WE WILL REVIEW THAT.
>> THAT WOULD ALL BE INCLUDED IN THE DESIGN.
>> WE ARE PAYING FOR THE DESIGN. THERE'S 280,000 LEFT IN THAT ACCOUNT SO THERE IS EXTRA MONEY IN CASE THERE ARE IMPROVEMENTS THAT THE COUNTY IS NOT GOING TO COVER. IN THE PRESENTATION THERE MIGHT BE SOME POOLS THAT NEED TO BE MOVED. WE HAVE SEEN SOME VALVE BOXES. THOSE WILL ADD UP TO
>> THIS IS LIKELY SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE COST INTO THE 2027 BUDGET TO ACTUALLY MOVE FORWARD.
>> YOU HAVE $70,000. SO THIS PROJECT IN CONCEPT WAS APPROVED
MAYBE THREE OR FOUR YEARS AGO. >> IT'S SITTING IN RESERVE. IF I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY, HE WOULD LIKE US TO GET MOVING ON THIS.
SO WHEN THE BOARD FINALLY DOES TAKE A MOTION TO GO AHEAD AND
ENHANCE THIS. >> I THINK THIS IS A PRIORITY.
[02:05:04]
>> WE ARE FUNDING THE STUDY BUT ONCE THE STUDY COMES BACK AND WE MOVE FORWARD, IS THAT ON THE TOWNSHIP TO PAY FOR THOSE
CHANGES? OR THE COMMISSIONER? >> THAT WILL BE PART OF THEIR
>> YOU MIGHT NEED TO WRITE SPEEDING TICKETS FOR SCOOTERS.
THEY CAN FLY. >> LET'S NOT TALK ABOUT THAT
RIGHT NOW. >> THANK YOU, SIR. THE OTHER ASPECT WAS THE GLOBAL ASPECT OF USING YOUR BIKE LANE ASSISTANT OR SECONDARY ROADS IN OUR COMMUNITY. THESE ALSO HAVE A $400,000 PER MILE COST THAT WILL BE ENGINEERING AND REPAIRS.
REMOVAL AND REPLACE THINGS. THIS IS KIND OF A LONG-TERM PLAN, THE PEDESTRIAN PLAN. OTHER PATHWAY IMPROVEMENTS, THESE ARE PROJECTS THAT MANY OF THE BOARD MEMBERS WERE SEEING GRANT PROGRAMS BEING ADVERTISED FOR TEXAS DEPARTMENT AND WILDLIFE AS WELL AS TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS. WHAT COULD BE INCLUDED IN THESE PROJECTS, YOU WANT TO USE THESE ON LARGE PROJECTS LIKE THE 242 PATHWAY WE ARE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW. NOT SMALL PROJECTS BECAUSE OF JUST TIMELINESS. THE TXDOT 242 PROJECT WE ARE FINALLY GETTING THE CONTRACT FROM OUR ENGINEER NOW. EVERYTHING HAS TO BE TWICE REVIEWED BY TXDOT AND THAT IS MONTH AT A TIME. TWO PROJECTS THAT WERE IDENTIFIED WERE THE PARKWAY FROM THE EAST PANTHER CREEK. THE PATHWAYS GO INTO THE NEIGHBORHOODS. THIS WOULD BE BASICALLY ANOTHER QUARTER FOR A PATHWAY. AND ALSO WE ARE TRYING TO WORK ON FUNDING FOR THE NATURE TRAIL THAT IS THE BRIDGE BASICALLY TO THE POINT COMMUNITY AND TO THE SHOPPING CENTER AREA, THAT'S BEEN A CHALLENGE. WE ARE WORKING COLLECTIVELY WITH PRECINCT 3 ON SEEING HOW IF A PEDESTRIAN PATH COULD BE PUT ON A BRIDGE THAT BRIDGE IS ACTUALLY GETTING RAISED. THEY ARE IN DESIGN PHASE RIGHT NOW. THAT WILL ALLOW US EASIER ACCESS TO CROSS THE BRANCH. AND ALSO MORE LONG-TERM LONGEVITY. WE HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THOSE RIDGES TWICE DUE TO STORMS. AND THE FUNDING SOURCES. BUT ALL OF THOSE LARGE PROJECTS REQUIRE A MATCH OF SOME SORT. TYPICALLY 20%. SO THERE WILL BE FUNDING REQUIREMENTS IF THE BOARD SO CHOOSES AT SUCH A TIME. THE FOUNTAIN REPAIRS. YES SIR?
>> YOU MENTIONED FEDERAL FUNDING NEEDS TO BE LARGE ENOUGH. IS THAT PLACEHOLDER FOR THE NATURE TRAIL 1 MILLION, IS THAT LARGE
ENOUGH TO QUALIFY? >> IT COULD BE. BUT WE ARE ALSO, JUST TO LET YOU KNOW, WE ARE JUST GETTING THE ENGINEERING STUDIES BACK FROM THREE ALTERNATIVES. WE BELIEVE WE ARE WORKING WITH THE COUNTY REALLY GOOD. THERE WILL STILL BE DOLLARS REQUIRED TO MOVE THE PATHWAY FROM WHERE IT IS RIGHT NOW, THE ALIGNMENT TO KIND OF GET THEM CONNECTING. THERE ARE SOME PIPELINES WE HAVE TO CROSS AS WELL SO IT BECOMES A CHALLENGE. WE DON'T HAVE THE DOLLARS IN THE BUDGET RIGHT NOW FOR THAT SO WE NEED TO FIND WORKING THROUGH WHATEVER MEANS WE CAN FOR THAT. TO SEE WHAT IT'S GOING TO BE AND THEN WE WILL KNOW HOW TO GO AFTER DOLLARS.
>> OKAY. >> IT'S NOT CONNECTED TO
ANYTHING. >> THAT IS THE WOODLAND RESERVE PATHWAY. FROM A STAFF LEVEL WE HAVE ASSIGNED A NONBINDING TO PROVIDE TO HAVE THIS PROJECT GO THROUGH THE COMMUNITY SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR POTENTIAL FUNDING. THEY ARE IN ENGINEERING AND WE ARE SUPPOSED TO RECEIVE THE INITIAL PROBABLE COST. WE ARE WAITING TO BRING BACK TO THE BOARD AT ONE TIME. SO IT IS A VERY ACTIVE PROJECT FOR US. APPROVED THE EASEMENT FOR THAT FROM THE WOODLAND RESERVE H AWAY.
>> GREAT. THANK YOU. THE WATERWAY SQUARE FOUNTAIN RESERVE. I AM SURE MITCH AND JOHN HAVE A LOT LARGER PROJECT.
[02:10:01]
BASICALLY WHAT THE BOARD HAS DONE WITH SET ASIDE AND EARMARK 3.5 MILLION. WE HAVE RECEIVED OUR REPORTS FROM THE ENGINEERING FIRMS INCLUDING HALF AS WELL AS A GROUP OUT OF THE CENTRAL TEXAS AREA. THEY HAVE IDENTIFIED IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED OR REQUIRED TO MAKE THE FOUNTAIN OPERATIONAL. OPERATIONAL AS WE ARE GOING TO GET MOVING WATER, MAKE SURE THAT THAT FACILITY ALONG WITH THE INTERACTIVE WATER FEATURE, CLOSER TO THE WATERWAY.THE 3.5 MILLION IS THE PLACEHOLDER. WE DO NOT HAVE A PROBABLE COST RIGHT NOW. WE BELIEVE IT CAN BE LESS THAN 3.5 MILLION AND THAT IS OUR GOAL TO GET THIS AREA OPERATIONAL FOR LESS THAN THAT AMOUNT. WE WERE HOPING POTENTIALLY NEXT MONTH TO BRING YOU THE ENGINEERING TASK ORDER FOR THIS. SO WE HAD AN ENGINEERING REVIEW IT, NOW WE KNOW WHICH DIRECTION WE WOULD LIKE TO GO WHICH IS GET BASE FUNCTION BACK TO THIS FOUNTAIN.
THAT WILL BE PROVIDED IN SEPTEMBER AND HOPEFULLY ANOTHER CRACK AT THIS WHEN THE OPINION OF PROBABLE COST COMES IN AS
WELL AS BIDS AS WELL. >> SO WITH THAT SAID, IF IT COMES IN AND THE BOARD DECIDES 3.5 MILLION IS TOO MUCH, THEN ADJUSTMENTS CAN BE MADE AND YOU CAN GIVE US DIFFERENT PLANS TO STILL HAVE THE FOUNTAIN WORKABLE. AND MOVE FORWARD THEN.
>> PRETTY MUCH THAT'S WHAT WE DO IN EVERY SINGLE ONE OF OUR PROJECTS. WE WILL GET STARTED TO GET OPINION OF PROBABLE COST.
JOHN, JOHN, MYSELF WILL SAY HEY, WE DON'T BELIEVE WE CAN TAKE THIS TO THE BOARD. WE HAVE TO RECRAFT THE STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS. WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH TO GET THIS TO THE NUMBERS YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH?
>> WHEN DID WE TAKE FOUNTAIN OF THIS OWNERSHIP OF THIS FOUNTAIN?
>> WE TOOK OWNERSHIP. >> 2016?
>> I DON'T THINK THAT WAS PART OF THE WATER.
>> IT WAS BUILT IN 2008 AND WE OPERATED IT FOR TWO YEARS
BEFORE. I THINK 2010. >> DID THE TOWNSHIP DESIGN IT?
>> THE TOWNSHIP DID NOT DO THE APPROACHING 20 YEARS LIFE SPAN OF THAT FACILITY.
OKAY? OUR PARKS SYSTEM AVERAGES 35 YEARS OLD. THESE ARE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT NEEDS TO BE UPGRADED, RENOVATED ON A ROUTINE BASIS, AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE FOUNTAIN TECHNOLOGIES THAT ARE OUT THERE, THE LIFE SPAN OF SOME OF THESE TECHNOLOGIES ARE WITHIN THAT TEN-YEAR FRAME THAT YOU HAVE TO BE CONTINUING TO UPGRADE THE INFRASTRUCTURE, THE BASE INFRASTRUCTURE ON THE TECHNOLOGY.
YOU ARE IN AN AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT.
YOU DO THIS FOR THE POOLS ALL THE TIME.
YOU REPLACE THE CHEM TROLLS, THE MOTORS BECAUSE OF THE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT THAT YOU ARE IN. THAT'S THE CHALLENGE
MY QUESTION IS AFTER THE $35. MILLION INVESTMENT TO GET TO THE STANDARDS, UP TOP CODE, WHAT DO WE EXPECT THE ONGOING COST TO BE BECAUSE I AM CERTAIN THERE WILL BE ONGOING COSTS FOR MAINTENANCE OF THIS, RIGHT?
>> AND YOU HAVE THAT IN YOUR BUDGET RIGHT
NOW. >> CAN YOU -- WHERE IS THAT?
>> SO YOU GO INTO TOWN CENTER OPERATIONS. YOU GO INTO THE WATERWAY SQUARE BUDGET. THERE WILL BE BUDGET LINE ITEMS RELATED TO FOUNTAIN REPAIRS, MAINTENANCE, MONTHLY, QUARTERFINAL THIRD- PARTY NUMBERS, REPAIRING.
MOTORS, VALVES, PUMPS. WE ALSO HAVE A DEDICATED AQUATIC TECHNICIAN IN THERE THAT WILL SAY -- I BELIEVE HE IS AIDED AS TOWN CENTER, WHICH HE
[02:15:01]
IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WATER QUALITY, THE MOVEMENT. THE WATER, EMPTYING THE STRAINERS AT THAT FOUNTAIN AS WELL AS THE OTHER FIVE FOUNTAINS IN TOWN -- TOWN CENTER AREA.>> CHRIS, IS THIS IMPROVEMENT GOING TO INCLUDE ANY UPGRADING OR REPAIR TO THE HEART SCAPE AROUND THERE? IT'S LOOKING PRETTY BEAT UP.
>> THIS IS NOT SPECIFICALLY -- WE HAVE ADDITIONAL DOLLARS IN OTHER LINE ITEMS WITHIN THE OVERALL BUDGET THAT GIVE US DOLLARS TO ADDRESS THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE SEEN SOME OF
THAT -- >> THAT'S GETTING -- IT'S PRETTY BEAT UP AROUND
THERE. >> WE HAVE SEEN SOME OF THETHE IN THE CEMENT AREAS AND THAT TYPE OF STUFF IN THERE AS WELL.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A TIME TO BRING UP, BUT YOU JUST SAID THIS AREA TO MAKE IT OPERATIONAL WE HAVE TWO ELEVATORS THAT THAT DISCUSSED YESTERDAY. IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WE WILL BE DISCUSSING LATER TO PUT THAT IN THE BUDGET? OKAY.
>> IF I MAY MAKE A RECOMMENDATION ON THE FOUNTAIN, SINCE WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING A REPORT BACK, THAT WE DO THAT AND SEE WHAT THE COST IS, SEE IF IT CAN BE LOWER THAN THAT 3.5 MILLION BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND THAT'S A BIG PRICE TAG AND AT THAT TIME WE CAN DECIDE -- THE BOARD CAN DECIDE WHETHER TO MOVE FORWARD WITH MAYBE A LOWER COST OR THAT TIME DIRECT STAFF TO COME BACK WITH OTHER OPTIONS THEN REPLACING THE
FOUNTAIN. >> I MEAN, I MUST TAKE ISSUE THE WORD PLACE HOLDER.
WE ARE GOING TO GET A BID ON IT, A FIRM BID AND LOOK AT IT AT THAT TIME. BUT $3.5 MILLION IN MY BOOK IS NO WAY, NO HOW IN MY VOTE.
SO THAT'S ALREADY WHAT THE BOARD DID IN ACTION LAST YEAR AND AGAIN IT WAS AS A PLACE HOLDER THE BOARD IS NEVER COMMITTED TO THIS FULL AMOUNT TO YOUR POINT, DIRECTOR BAILEY. IT'S THE BEST ESTIMATE.
AND FUNDED OUT OF THE HOTEL TAX RESERVE.
THIS IS NOT FUNDED THROUGH SALES TAX OR PROPERTY TAX. THIS IS OUT OF THE HOTEL TAX RESERVE. SO BUT WE ARE RIGHT IN THE MIDST OF GETTING BETTER INFORMATION FOR YOU TO MAKE A DECISION ON HOW TO MOVE FORWARD.
>> AND IT DOESN'T AFFECT ANY OF THE DECISIONS OF FUNDS AVAILABLE TODAY.
>> HOW MUCH IS THE HOTEL TAX RESERVE?
>> CURRENTLY IT'S AT 8. # MILLION DOLLARS.
SO THIS WOULD RESTORE IT TO $12 MILLION.
>> IT'S A BIG NUMBER. >> YEAH.
>> LOOKING AT THE PROJECT TO BE COMPLETED BY A YEAR FROM NOW, SO IT'S ANOTHER YEAR OF LOOKING AT THAT DEAD SPACE.
>> THIS INITIATIVE TALKS ABOUT ADDITIONAL
WATERWAY -- >> LINDA IS ON A TIME CRUNCH.
COULD WE HIT THE MICRO TRANSIT?
>> FEEL ABOUT IT, BUT I WANT TO MAKE
SURE -- >> WE WILL ADD ONE THING ON THE MICRO TRANSIT.
WHILE THERE ARE DOLLARS IDENTIFIED THROUGH A COUPLE DIFFERENT TRULY MICRO TRANSIT PROVIDERS, CHAIRMAN BAILEY THROUGH HIS CONTACTS REACHED OUT TO UBER AND WAY MOST.
WE HAD A MEETING TWO WEEKS AGO AGO AND WE HAVE ANOTHER MEETING ON THURSDAY, TOMORROW, TO SEE IF THAT COULD BE A SOLUTION TO A MICRO TRANSIT OPPORTUNITY FOR US.
>> THAT WOULD BE A PRIVATE -- PUBLIC/RIVATE PARTNERSHIP OR THEY COULD COME AS AN INVITED
PROVIDER OF MICRO TRANSIT -- >> WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN THERE.
OUR INTENT IS A NO COST OPTION.
>> SO THE NUMBERS PRESENTED ON PAGE 31, CONTRACT COSTS AND TOTAL COST IS NOT COST TO THE
TOWNSHIP? >> THIS MICRO TRANSIT ON THE SCREEN? I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE LOOKING AT THE SAME THING.
>> WE ARE NOT. I WAS LOOKING AT --
>> LINDA BROUGHT UP A MICRO TRANSIT IDEA. IN AUSTIN CURRENTLY AND I THINK ATLANTA JUST IN THE DOWNTOWN CORRIDORS BECAUSE UBER HAS A WAYMO CARS THAT ARE SELF- DRIVING CARS.
LOOKS LIKE GEORGE JETSON BACK IN THE CARTOON DAYS.
SELF-DRIVING. THEY DON'T GET ON THE FREEWAY BECAUSE THE FREEWAY IS NOT SOMETHING THEY ARE READY FOR YET.
IN TALKING WITH THEM BECAUSE THE TOWNSHIP DOES NOT HAVE -- WE CAN HAVE THEM JUST INTO OUR CORRIDOR AREA OF THE TOWNSHIP AND THEY ARE VERY INTERESTED.
THE HOUSTON MARKET IS SOMETHING THEY ARE LOOKING AT DOINGDOING
[02:20:03]
WE ARE IN TALKS WITH SOME OF THE EXECUTIVE TEAM TO POTENTIALLY HAVE THE WOODLANDS AS A WAYMOWAYMO SITE IN THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA TO BE ABLE TO PROVE PROOF OF CONCEPT. IT WOULD BE ZERO COST TO THE TOWNSHIP. THE RIDER LIKE UBER SELF- DRIVING CAR PULLS UP AND YOU PAY AND IT TAKES YOU TO THE PAVILION FOR A CONCERT OR PICKS YOU UP AND IT'SA SKBLOE COST OPTION. >> I LIKE THE ZERO COST VERY MUCH.
>> WOULD IT GO TO THE NEW GROGAN'S MILL LIBRARY?
>> YES. >> THAT WOULD BE A GREAT SOLUTION FOR THAT PROBLEM, TOO.
>> THESE ARE ALL GEOFENCED. YEAH,
IF YOU CAN MAKE THAT HAPPEN, I'LL
THAT'S -- >> THE MICRO TRANSIT OFF.
IT'S OKAY. >> IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.
THE FACT THAT THEY ARE INTERESTED IN TALKING WITH US IS A POSITIVE STEP. YOU AGREE, CHRIS?
>> YES, WE PROVIDED OUR TRANSIT DATA THAT WE HAVE, TRAFFIC DATA, EXCUSE ME, AND I WAS ACTUALLY SURPRISED THAT THEY CALLED BACK.
SO -- BECAUSE IT WAS LIKE WE ARE NOT NECESSARILY AUSTIN, NOT NECESSARILY DOWNTOWN ATLANTA. WE HAVE A LOT OF CARS. BUT NOT TO THESE EX TENTS. SO TAKING ANOTHER MEETING. SO, YOU KNOW, STEP BY STEP.
THIS IS BUDGET INITIATIVE ELEVATOR MODERNIZATION. THERE ARE FIVE DIFFERENT ELEVATORS IN THE TOWN CENTER AREA WITHIN THE EXISTING BUDGET IN THE EXISTING CAPITAL BUDGET. TWO OF THOSE ELEVATORS ARE IDENTIFIED.
I BELIEVE THERE IS $410,000 IN THE BUDGET.
YOU SEE WATERWAY AVENUE. AGAIN AS I KIND OF ALLUDED TO WITH THE WATERWAY FOUNTAINS, SOME OF THESE ELEVATORS ARE APPROACHING 20 YEARS OLD AS THEY ARE INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS BEING AT THE END OF THE USEFUL LIFE.
WE HAVE TO THEN GO INTO MODERNIZE÷÷MODERNIZE THEM RENOVATE THEM. A LOT OF TIME WOULD BE SPENT ON MAKING SURE WATERPROOFING THEM, GETTING SUMP PUMPS IN THERE, UPGRADING THE ELECTRICAL UPGRADES AND INTERIOR LIGHTING, REALLY TRYING TO GET THESE BACK TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE SERVICE NL TO THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE RESIDENTS, VISITORS AS WELL AS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
THAT'S ALL -- ALL I HAVE ON THERE.
YOU CAN SEE WOODLANDS BRIDGE LOOKING AT 2027, WATERWAY SQUARE BRICK ELEVATOR 28 AND 29 TO MANAGE ALL OF THE COSTS.
>> SO MY RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE DEFINITELY LOOK AT THOSE TWO BROKEN ONES RIGHT NOW.
IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, START THAT PROCESS NOW.
>> SO WE CAN BE COMPLETE BY THE CHRISTMASTIME.
>> WELL, IF NOT BEFORE. AND IT CAN COME OUT -- IT'S A ONE TIME CAPITAL EXPENSE, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION?
>> ALREADY HAVE THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS WITHIN OUR OPERATING BUDGET AND THE 410 IS ALREADY IN OUR CAPITAL REPLACEMENT RESERVE.
IT'S A BUDGET INITIATIVE BECAUSE WE KNEW WE NEEDED TO ADDRESS IT BUT IT'S FULLY FUNDED. I THINK THAT'S A GREAT IDEA, DIRECTOR NELSON, THERE IS NO REASON WE NEED TO WAIT UNTIL THE CALENDAR PAGE CHANGES TO JANUARY 1 TO START THIS PROCESS.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT. THE WATERWAY IS EXPENSIVE
ENDEAVOR. >> BUT IT'S WORTH IT.
>> BUT IT CAN BE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WHEN IT'S ALL FIXED.
>> YOU JUST HAVE TO USE IT MORE.
THIS WAS A REQUEST, I THINK, EARLIER THIS YEAR ABOUT ARE THERE WAYS TO DO MORE PROGRAMS AND ACTIVATION OF THE WATERWAY TO GET MORE PEOPLE DOWN THERE.
AND SO THE CAUTION IS THAT YOU HAVE A GREAT SPECIAL EVENTS STAFF IN THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT WITH SIX DIFFERENT FOLKS BUT THEY DO A TON OF ACTIVITIES ALREADY. YOU HAVE A MANAGER, SUPERVISOR, COUPLE COORDINATORS AND A COUPLE SPECIALISTS. THEY PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT SUPPORT SPO TO THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT AND RECEIVE SIGNIFICANT SPORP FROM THE PARKS OPERATIONS AND TOWN CENTER UNITS ON EVENTS SET UP AND THAT TYPE OF STUFF.
THESE ARE THE WATERWAY EVENTS THEY DO RIGHT NOW AND THERE ARE NON- WATERWAY EVENTS.
A LOT OF EVENTS ARE ACTUALLY CENTERED AROUND THE WATERWAY ALREADY WHICH IS A GREAT THING. AND WE ARE GETTING VERY, VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE EXPANSION OF THE HOLIDAY LIGHT PROGRAM.
I ASKED PAMELA WOODS, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION TO GIVE ME AN UNDERSTANDING AND DO A CALENDAR TO SEE WHAT IS PLANNED IN THERE. YOU CAN SEE THIS CALENDAR IF YOU LOOK VERY DEEP, DETAILED. A LOT OF THINGS ARE
[02:25:04]
GOING ON YEAR ROUND WITH THE EXCEPTION OF AUGUST TIME PERIOD, GO FIGURE, IT'S HOT, TYING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT.THEY DO THINGS BESIDES SPECIAL EVENTS. DEAL WITH QUALIFIED ORGANIZATIONS WHICH ARE ANYWHERE BETWEEN 13 AND 16 DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS THAT RANGE IN SIZE OF 50 PARTICIPANTS TO 3,000 PARTICIPANTS. SPECIAL EVENT PERMITS.
THEY PERMIT. IF SOMEBODY WANTS A BIRTHDAY PARTY OR A COMPANY PICNIC THEY FACILITATE THOSE TYPES OF THINGS. ALSO PROCESS A HANDFUL OF VIDEO PERMITS A YEAR. SOME CURRENT STAFFER RESPONSIBILITIES BIG THINGS WE SEE, MEMORIAL HERMAL -- THE WOODLANDS ART FESTIVAL, LIGHT THE NIGHT, 43 DAYS OF NON- TOWNSHIP RENTALS AT THE PARK. THERE ARE SOME ACTIVITIES THERE. WE KINDA LOOK AT THIS AND SAID TO OURSELVES, OKAY, HOW DO WE DRAW PEOPLE INTO THE COMMUNITY, HOW MUCH PROGRAMMING IS TOO MUCH.
THERE IS A CHALLENGE THERE BECAUSE WE -- YEARS AGO THERE WAS A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS THAT WERE HOLDING A LOT OF EVENTS IN TOUNG BRINGING -- AND LOT OF PEOPLE SAID, HEY, THERE ARE TOO MANY EVENTS AND WE TRIED TO LOOK AT THAT AND SAY HOW DO WE DO THIS. WE CAME UP WITH DIFFERENT IDEAS. ONE TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT IS THERE A WAY TO DRAW PEOPLE TO DO THIRD-PARTY EVENTS AND SO SENT OUT AN RFP KIND OF MAYBE EVEN A LICENSE TO HOLD AN EVENT DOING POTENTIALLY CULTURAL EVENTS OR COMMUNITY EVENTS BUT REALLY THE TRIGGER IS GOING TO BE WHAT THE REVENUE OPPORTUNITY.
SO HOW MANY ARE -- HOW MANY HOTEL ROOMS BUT GOING TO DRAW IN THERE. SO THERE IS A BENEFIT TO THE TOWNSHIP. THIS ISN'T JUST FREE USE OF THE PARK. THERE IS A CRITERIA THERE. WE HAVEN'T DIALED INTO WHAT THAT CRITERIA IS, BUT WE KNOW WE NEED A CRITERIA. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I JUST ABSOLUTELY LOVE WAS THE DIA DE LOS MUERTOS IN SAN ANTONIO, JUST AN AWESOME SIGHT TO SEE.
HOW COULD WE MAKE THAT HAPPEN ON OUR WATERWAY? ON THE SQUARE, THIS WAS BROUGHT UP TO YOU ABOUT WHEN WE DID THE HOLIDAY LIGHTS.
YOU'RE LOOKING AT A FOUR WEEK SERIES, 11,000 $500.
WHOA TRIED THIS IN 2,000 -- ACTUALLY, EIGHT, NINE, TEN. THE DEMAND JUST WASN'T THERE.
IT RAN ITS COURSE FOR TWO YEARS, THREE YEARS.
IT MAY BE TIME TO BRING IT BECAUSE WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE DOWN THERE AND MORE PEOPLE SEEING THAT AS A DESTINATION. WE ALSO LOOKED AT POTENTIALPOTENTIAL HORSE RIDE HOLIDAY CARRIAGES.
WE HAVE SOME CONFLICT POTENTIALLY WITH THE TROLLEYS. WE NEED TO MANAGE THAT. BUT BRING BRING IN A THIRD- PARTY CONTRACTOR FOR THIS TRY TO FACILITATE EXPERIENCES DOWN THERE AND DRAW PEOPLE.
WE CAN ALWAYS ADD STROLLING ENTERTAINERS FOR EVENTS OR BUSY TIME PERIODS, ABOUT $1,200 PER DATE. WE LOOKED AT PARADE OF BOATS LOW COST PROGRAM THAT WE CAN FLOOD THE WATERWAY, UPPER WATERWAY, LOWER WATERWAY, DOESN'T MATTER, HOW DO WE FACILITATE THAT.
DO SOMETHING OFF OF THE BOATHOUSE WOULD BE A REALLY INTERESTING ASPECT AND DAY PROGRAMS. COULD WE PLAY BINGO, DO A SCAVENGER HUNT AND ALSO BRINGING IN CONTRACTORS TO IT.
AND SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO ALREADY TO SOME EXTENT.
I AM TRYING TO GET TO ACTUALLY THE HIGHER COST THINGS HERE. THEY ARE PRETTY COOL.
WATERWAY CHALK ART. PUPS, Y UPS, AND FOOD TRUCKS, HAVE THE FOOD TRUCKS THERE. REALLY TRYING TO BE CREATIVE IN HOW WE APPROACH THIS CHALLENGE. THOSE ARE RELATIVELY LOW COST.
NOW WE GO TO THE MID COST. EVERY TIME WE PUT ON A RACE WE HAVE AN ESTIMATED COST OF 12,000. GOOD NEWS IS ABOUT $22500 PER RACE. SO IT IS A COST BENEFIT OF THAT.
BUT YOU CAN HAVE TOO MANY RACES. WHAT IS THE RIGHT NUMBER.
WE HAVE TWO DOWN THERE, MAYBE A THIRD ONE, YOU KNOW, MAYBE NOT MUCH MORE AFTER THAT. HOW DO WE PUT ADDITIONAL MUSICAL PROGRAMMING DOWN THERE. WE HAVE KIND OF COME UP WITH ADDITIONAL THEMES, LATIN NIGHTS UNPLUGGED, SUNSET SATURDAYS, WEEKEND JAMS. EVERY CONCERT IN THE PARK COSTS US ABOUT $2,500 WHICH IS THE BAND, THE SECURITY, MARKETING, STAFFING, COLLATERAL MARKETING COLLATERAL THERE.
FIREWORKS. THAT WAS A BIG THING THAT WE USED TO DO. WE USED TO HAVE FIREWORKS AS PART OF LIVE AT NIGHT DURING THAT SERIES. IT'S ABOUT $15,000 PER DAY THAT YOU WOULD HAVE THERE.
LASER LIGHT SHOWS GOING BETWEEN 5,500 AND 20,000 PER NIGHT DEPENDING ON THE SHOW AND LENGTH. BUT THAT'S ONE WAY TO KIND OF MAYBE DIFFERENTIATE OURSELVES. ANOTHER THING THAT I HAVE LOOKED AT HERE IS A STORY BROOK STROLL LEVERAGING MAYBE WORKING
[02:30:03]
BACK WITH THE LIBRARY -- THE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM. HOW CAN WE PUT STORIES ALONG THE WATERWAY, CHANGE THE STORIES OUT ON A QUARTERFINAL BASIS EVERY HALF YEAR TO GET PEOPLE ESPECIALLY DIFFERENT MARKET, THE YOUNGER KIDS IN THERE, NOT JUST ADULTS WHO ARE GOING TO THE RESTAURANTS BUT JUST ANYBODY DOWN THERE, YOU KNOW, YOU CREATE A SENSE OF PLACE THERE. LONG OWN TERM WHAT WE ARE WORKING TOWARDS.WE WILL SEE THE HOLIDAY MARKET. EXCUSE ME.
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. WHAT IS THE DEMAND THIS YEAR.
HOW DO OUR NUMBERS POP. DO WE HAVE ENOUGH NUMBERS FOR MORE RETAIL GOING INTO THERE.
DO WE HAVE ENOUGH THAT WILL MAKE RETAIL WORK FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, SIX WEEKS, SEVEN WEEKS? THOSE ARE QUESTIONS WE ARE LOOKING AT THIS. ANOTHER KIND OF PLAY OFF OF THE HOLIDAY LIGHTS IS THE HALLOWEEN LIGHTS.
WE NEED TO BE VERY, VERY PARTICULAR IN TERMS OF HOW WE DECORATE THIS TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS WOODLANDS-ESQUE BUT AGAIN YOU SAW THE COST OF THOSE HOLIDAY LIGHTS.
IT'S GOING TO BE A MUM I CAN THOSE COSTS FOR THAT. ONCE WE HAVE THE DATA ON THE HOLIDAY LIGHTS WE CAN DEFINITELY TELL YOU THIS MIGHT BE A GOOD NUMBER THAT WOULD COME IN NOT ONLY THE COST BUT HERE IS THE NUMBERS THERE. JUST TO LET YOU KNOW, HOLIDAY -- HALLOWEEN IS THE SECOND MOST -- THE SECOND -- THE SECOND MOST AMOUNT OF MONEY SPENT ON A HOLIDAY IS ACTUALLY HALLOWEEN. CHRISTMAS IS NUMBER ONE. HALLOWEEN IS NOM TWO.
OKAY? AND THEN THINKING REALLY BIG OUTSIDE THE BOX, HOW DO WE GO BACK TO FIRE AND WATER CONCEPT, SOMETHING THAT'S PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, HAS REALLY CORNERED THE MARKET ON WHERE THEY HAVE DANCING FIRE DISPLAYS, JUST IT'S A REALLY COOL EXPERIENCE FROM THERE. OF COURSE THE DRONE SHOWS. I SPOKE TO OUR VENDOR SKY ELEMENTS. THEY CAN DO FIVE SHOWS WITH 300 DRONES EACH OF $152,000. AND WE WOULD -- PART OF THE CHALLENGE TOO STARTS TO BE FINDING THE RIGHT LOCATION BECAUSE OF WHAT ANGLE YOU HAVE TO BE LOOKING AT AND ALSO WHERE THE SAFETY SPACE IS FOR WHERE THESE DRONES CAN TAKE OFF, LAND SO THEY CAN'T BE OVER PEOPLE.
>> HOW MANY DRONES DID WE HAVE FORTH ANNIVERSARY?
>> THAT'S WHAT WE ARE USED TO NOW.
>> EVERYBODY ON MY STAFF IS SHOOTING ME THAT WE WENT -- WE -- WE WENT FOR THE MOON ON THAT ONE AND IT WAS --
ENVIRONMENTAL AND REFORESTATION PARTNERSHIPS HERE.
THIS WAS REALLY THE BOARD'S IDENTIFICATION OF ARE THERE WAYS THAT WE CAN DO A MEDIAN IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM WITH VOLUNTEERS OR A TREE FOUNDATION. SO WE KIND OF LOOKED AT THAT ASPECT TO WORK WITH THE COUNCIL AND THINGS ABOUT THE FOUNDATION AS WELL. REALLY THIS IS CREATING A 501(C)(3) RELATED TO TREES IN THE COMMUNITY.
THERE ARE PROS AND CONS OF THAT. YOU CAN SEE THE OPPORTUNITIES POTENTIAL FOR INCREASED FUNDING CAPACITY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. BUT THE CHALLENGES ARE THERE IS SOME COMPLEXITY AND ALSO SOME DOLLARS REQUIRED TO GET THIS THING STARTED.
>> BUT IT MIGHT -- IF I MAY, WHEN THERE WAS DEMAND FROM THE COMMUNITY FOR A COMMUNITY GARDEN, WE PARTNERED WITH -- AND REALLY DID AN INCREDIBLE -- TO ON 242 AND CREEK SIDE PARK, I BELIEVE THEY STILL DO WITH THE LAND CONSERVATION, THE BAYOU LAND CONSERVANCY TFRMT THE OFFICE WITH
>> THAT PERHAPS IF WE CAN -- IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING THAT WE DO OR LOOK AT SIMILAR PARTNERSHIP AS WE DID WITH
THIS CONCEPT -- I WILL GET BACK TO YOUR CONCEPT -- REALLY TO SAY, OKAY, HOW DO WE PUT SOME INITIAL DOLLARS IN TO GET THE SEED MONEY PER SE TO GET THIS FOUNDATION STARTED REALLY OFF AND RUN TO GO TRY TO HELP WITH -- RAISE ADDITIONAL DOLLARS FOR FORESTRY EFFORTS, REFORESTATION EFFORTS, EDUCATION EFFORTS, THAT TYPE OF STUFF. A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH JILL AND I CAN TOUCH BASE WITH HER ON THAT CONCEPT AS WELL.
>> THANK YOU. >> ADOPTED MEDIAN.
ONE IDEA HOW TO GET VOLUNTEERS TO DO MEDIAN VINE REMOVAL.
THAT WAS A DISCUSSION A FEW MONTHS AGO.
THERE ARE SOME GREAT OPPORTUNITIES POTENTIALLY COST SAVINGS BUT THERE IS SOME CHALLENGES WITH THIS. YOU KNOW, HAVING POTENTIALLY VOLUNTEERS IN MEDIAN RIGHT OF WAYS. RIGHT NOW WE HAVE -- THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES A GREAT PROGRAM WHICH DOES POTATO VINE REMOVAL ON PATHWAYS. SO THEY ARE VERY, VERY MUCH PROTECTED. SO IT BECOMES A CHALLENGE THERE.
[02:35:01]
THE OTHER CHALLENGE IS MAKING SURE THAT THE STANDARDS ARE VERY, VERY TIGHT.SO WE DON'T HAVE DIFFERENTIATING, YOU KNOW, DIFFERENT TYPES OF FLOWERS IN ONE AREA VERSUS THE OTHER BUT REALLY STICK TO CORE WHAT WE'RE EXPECTING THEM TO DO.
YOU CAN SEE THE FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS THERE.
THE TREE FOUNDATION ANYWHERE BETWEEN 65,000 TO $100,000 WILL REALLY GET THIS THING GOING UP AND LEGS AND THEN WE ALSO LOOK AT ADOPT A MEDIAN MEDIANMUCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES HAS COORDINATORS FOR WATER CONSERVATION AS WELL AS PART TIME COORDINATOR FOR -- I DON'T WANT TO SAY VEGGIE VILLAGE, COMMUNITY GARDENS, IT'S PART OF A COUPLE. COMMUNITY GARDENS, BUT DOLLARS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT AS WELL TO STAND UP.
THE BIGGER THING WHICH 200,000 PLUS IS INCLUDED, $200,000 IS ALREADY INCLUDED PLUS IS ALREADY INCLUDED IN YOUR BASE BUDGET IS 250TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION. WE CAME UP WITH A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT IDEAS. THE EXPENSES FOR THE DRONE SHOWS ARE ALREADY INCLUDED ININ YOUR BUDGET BUT SOME OF THE IDEAS THAT WE ARE LOOKING ON AND ALSO TRYING TO LEVERAGE SOME PARTNERS ON THIS IS POTENTIALLY A FUN RUN ON THE 4TH SINCE WE ARE ALREADY IN THAT AREA IN THE WATERWAY HOW DO WE DO THIS. RED, WHITE AND BOATS. A WATERWAY BOAT PARADE. I HAVE BEEN A PART OF A NUMBER OF THOSE OVER THE YEARS IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE COUNTRY.
LET FREEDOM CHALK. MET WITH THE ARTS COUNCIL VERY, VERY BRIEFLY, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JENNY, OH, MY GOD, THAT COULD BE A GREAT THING WE COULD WORK TOGETHER AND IT'S A LOW COST IDEA. THE IDEA IS PEOPLE PUTTING PATRIOTIC MESSAGES AND IMAGES ALONG THE PATHWAY SYSTEM IN THE RAMP UP TO THE FOURTH OF JULY FROM THAT STANDPOINT. OF COURSE, SOME OTHER HIGHER COST THINGS OF LIBERTY LIGHT SHOW, DOING SOME THINGS WITH LASERS THERE. BUT WE ARE GETTING THE PLAN READY FOR '26 FOR YOU.
LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION, CHRIS.
>> AND OUR BUDGET HAS $233,750 AND -- 250TH ANNIVERSARY.
I GET IT. BUT I THINK WE CAN RAISE SOME SPONSORSHIPS. I THINK THE TOWNSHIP PUT IN $100,000 AND WE RAISED $133,000 FROM SPONSORS IN AND AROUND THE COMMUNITY, WHICH WE CAN DO, I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GOOD STEWARD OF TAXPAYER
DOLLARS. >> I THINK ANNE SNYDER NEEDS TO BE IN CHARGE OF THAT. SHE IS THE BEST FUNDRAISER I HAVE EVER SEEN.
>> CHRIS, DO YOU THINK YOU COULD --
>> ARE WE HAVING A DISCUSSION ON THIS MOTION? DO YOU WANT TO VOTE ON IT?
>> OKAY. >> ON THE NAMING OF YOUR DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THAT YOU HAVE IDENTIFIED HERE, I THINK IT'S SOMETIMES YOU GET A LITTLE BIT TOO CUTE BY HALF AND I THINK THAT JUST WE NEED TO BE VERY CLEAR THAT IT'S AMERICA, U.S., AND MAKE SURE THAT THAT MESSAGE IS OUT THERE.
>> RIGHT? SO JUST DON'T LOSE SIGHT OF THE BIRTHDAY OF AMERICA. THE BIRTHDAY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
>> AMERICA. >> WHAT IS THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY CALLED AGAIN?
>> SEMI QUINN SEN -- THE 500. AND THEN SEMI, HALF OF THAT.
>> YOU KNOW WE HAVE A BUDGET. I THINK IT WOULD BE -- I THINK THERE IS OPPORTUNITY THERE TO -- IT'S A MAJOR EVENT.
>> WHAT I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO BECAUSE THE BIGGEST TICKET IS THE DRONE SHOW AND WE NEED TO MAKE A COMMITMENT BASICALLY IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS TO BOOK THEM. AND TRUST ME. I GOT THEM DOWN FROM ALMOST $400,000 TO THE 185.
>> BECAUSE I -- IF YOU REMEMBER THAT AFTER THE ORIGINAL DRONE SHOW WE CAME BACK IN NOVEMBER, I SAID I NEED A CONTRACT EXTENDED FOR THIS SPECIFICALLY AND IT CAME BACK TO ME AND SAYS, OH, WE DON'T DO THOSE SHOWS AT THIS PRICE. I AM LIKE, WELL, I HAVE A CONTRACT. MY SOMEWHAT WORRY IS IF YOU BUDGET THE $100,000 -- I UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU ARE GOING. I DON'T HAVE THA MONEY. NOW I AM ASKING HIM TO HOLD A THOUSAND DRONES WITHOUT THE DOLLARS TO BACK THAT UP.
>> ARE WE ABLE TO MAKE THAT CAPITAL OUTLAY AND THEN HAVE SPONSORSHIP DOLLARS OFFSET THAT?
>> I WILL SEE IF HE CAN HELP OUT --
LISTENING AT HOME. >> MILLIONS OF
>> THERE ARE MILLIONS OF CORPORATIONS LISTENING AT HOME.
[02:40:06]
>> I WILL TRY TO HANDLE THE -- ASSOCIATION.
AS YOU SEE, THEY HAVE HISTORICALLY MADE THE REQUEST FOR THE CONSERVATIVE BUDGET WHICH YOU TRADITIONALLY HAVE DONE, CONTINUE TO ENFORCE PUBLIC SAFETY.
ALSO THEY WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO CONTINUE TO REVIEW THE NEED FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AND THE NATURE CENTER AS YOU MIGHT REMEMBER WE HAVE DISCUSSED ON AND OFF A NATURE CENTER OF SOME SORT POTENTIALLY GOING INTO THE SOUTH GOSLING TRACK.
WE ARE STILL WORKING ON THOSE PLANS FOR YOU.
YOU CAN SEE THE COST FOR A NATURE CENTER. IT COULD RANGE FROM $200,000, WHICH IS A SIMPLE AWNING CLEARED OUT AREA, SOME BASIC ELECTRICITY AND MAYBE WATER SERVICES OR GOING TO THE SPRING CREEK GREENWAY NATURE CENTER OVER THERE OFF OF -- I LOST THE ROAD. WHAT WAS IT? THANK YOU. REILLY FUZZLE ROAD, WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, BRICK AND MORTAR, LARGE BUILDING AND LARGE STAFF, TOO, WHICH IS ABOUT 3 TO $5 MILLION WHAT WE'RE SEEING THERE. CONFERENCE CROSSING AGAIN THERE IS SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT THE PUBLIC GOLF. THE BOARD ADDRESSED THAT THROUGH ESTABLISHING AN AD HOC COMMITTEE.
AND WE ARE LOOKING AT THAT. OF COURSE, A PERFORMING ARTS CENTER. CREEK SIDE PARK, YOU HAVE MET AND MONIQUE JUST DISCUSSED THE LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE ADDITION OF THE TWO ADDITIONAL DEPUTIES CONTINUED ON THE REFORESTATION. I WILL SAY THIS.
THEY ASKED FOR THE PERIMETER CLEARED BY HOWARD HUGHES THE NEW SECTION THAT IS ON THE -- WOULD BE THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF CREEKCREEK SIDE FOREST AND GOSLING.
THAT TRACK HAS NO TOWNSHIP OWNED RESERVES ON IT.
SO THIS IS THEIR REFORESTATION AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO HARP ON THE NEED FOR REFORESTATION LIKE ANY OTHER AREA.
AND THE PARK. THERE WAS A TRAGEDY OUT THERE.
AND WENT WOOD PARK WE ARE LOOKING AT DOING DIFFERENT THINGS WITH VEGETATION TO TRY TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF BALLS ROLLING INTO THE WATER THERE, ESPECIALLY FOR THE BASKETBALL COURT. AND I
CAN -- >> BUT THE TWO ADDITIONAL DEPUTIES ARE IN THE BASE BUDGET?
YOU KNOW, THEY TALK ABOUT EXPANDING SPACE PATHWAYS ALONG THE LAKE HARRIS AND TROLLEY SERVICE, YOU DISCUSSED THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.
GROGAN'S MILL BETWEEN NORTH AND SOUTH BUFF CORN.
THOSE ARE ACTUALLY COMMERCIAL RESERVES AND WE HAVE ACTUALLY SENT CAT OUT ALREADY TO REVIEW THOSE AREAS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE UNDERSTORY, MID STORY AND CANOPY THROUGHOUT THE AREA AND THE PANTHER BRANCH BRIDGE WAS THE ONE THAT WE MENTIONED THAT WE'RE REVIEWING AND WORKING WITH PRECINCT THREE TO TRY TO CROSS THAT AT THE SAWDUST AND PANTHER CREEK. OTHER THINGS WENT PARK BY PARK.
MOST OF THESE THINGS ARE ACTUALLY ABLE TO BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH OUR CAPITAL RESERVE FUNDING AS WELL AS JUST NORMALNORMAL ALLOCATED TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT AND JOHNSON IS WORKING ON THIS LIST OVER THE COURSE -- WE WILL WORK ON THIS LIST OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT FEW -- FEW YEARS.
THERE ARE SOME THINGS ABOUT ADDING COOKING GRILLS. WE LOOKED TO THE STANDARDS TO SAY, HEY, THIS SIZE PARK NEEDS ONE OF THESE, TWO OF THESE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE SERVICES THAT WE ARE PROVIDING THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY THERE.
AND ALSO MILL BEND LINEAR PARK IS HAVING SOME RESURFACING DONE NEXT YEAR. IF YOU LOOK AT THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT REQUEST FOR PATHWAY IMPROVEMENTS, THERE IT IS SPELLED OUT IN THAT REQUEST AS WELL.
WE ARE LOOKING AT SOMEWHERE IN THE 2022 PARKS AND RECREATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT ALLOCATION PLACING÷÷ ADDITIONAL DOG PARK. WE ARE NOT QUITE SURE MAY VOOL IS THE RIGHT PARK BECAUSE IT'S CALLED AN AREA PARK AND WE'D LIKE THIS TO PUT THOSE PARKS LARGELY IN LARGER PARKS. THERE IS A LITTLE NUANCE THERE WITH TER MONTH. WE UNDERSTAND THAT.
BUT MAY VALLEY AND THE AREA THAT THEY ARE REQUESTING WOULDUAL ACTUALLY REQUIRE MORE TREES TO BE REMOVED AND WE ARE TRYING TO FIND MORE OPEN SPACE TO NOT REMOVE TREES FOR THESE FUTURE
AMENITIES. >> SO YOU HAVE LESS BARK?
>> SO ISLER. >> THE OTHER ASPECT THAT THEY REQUESTED IS REALLY THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. HOW DO WE PROVIDE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FOR PARK-AND-RIDE -- EXCUSE ME, FOR SPECIAL EVENTS WITH THE TROLLEYS. THAT IS A VERY CHALLENGING ISSUE BECAUSE OF THE CAPACITY OF THOSE TROLLIES. AND MAKE SURE WE ARE HAVING EQUITABLE SERVICE ACROSS ALL OF THAT WITH SIX TROLLIES THAT WE HAVE. IT WOULD NOT BE FEASIBLE.
GRASSY PAVERS. SPECIFIC PARKS, SOME OF THOSE PARKS ALREADY HAVE THOSE AND WE ARE LOOKING AT EXTENDING THAT THROUGH THE ADDITIONAL
[02:45:03]
DOLLARS THAT WE MENTIONED THERE.AND PATHWAY IMPROVEMENTS. WE ARE NOT A FAN OF BENCHES ALONG THE PATHWAY SYSTEM.
THERE IS PROBABLY TEN LEFT FROM OLD, OLD BENCHES THAT WERE ORIGINAL TO IT JUST BECAUSE THEY BECOME MAINTENANCE CHALLENGES AND PEOPLE FORGET WHERE THEY ARE AND IT BECOMES A CHALLENGE FROM THAT STANDPOINT.
>> WE ARE FLYING THROUGH ALL OF THIS. THOSE WERE MORE SPECIFIC ONES WE HAVE HAD. THESE LISTED HERE ARE SOME OF THE OBJECTIVES THAT HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED TO OUR VARIOUS COMMITTEES ON THE BOARD AND ARE IN DIFFERENT STAGES OF DISCUSSION. SO THIS IS MORE JUST A REMINDER THAN ANYTHING THAT THESE ARE ONGOING. THEY ARE NOT SPECIFICALLY FUNDED AT THIS POINT, AND BUT WE TALKED ABOUT THE BUDGET FLEXIBILITY BY LEAVING MOST ALL OF THESE ARE ONE- TIME MONEY. SO BY HAVING -- LEAVING THAT BUDGET FLEXIBILITY IT GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT. DIRECTOR GIBSON, I KNOW SHE MENTIONED THIS TO THE BOARD AND SHE AND I HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT PUTTING A PLACE HOLDER SOMEWHERE WHERE WE COULD FUND WHERE THE TOWNSHIP COULD FUND FEASIBILITY STUDIES RELATED TO THE WOODLANDS LOOP OR UNDERGROUND PARKING OR JOINED GROUND VEHICLE AND PEDESTRIAN CORRIDORS. WE DO NOT HAVE AN ESTIMATE AT THIS POINT OF WHAT IT WOULD BE, BUT AGAIN IT'S JUST A REMINDER THAT AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THESE TYPES OF INITIATIVES, THAT WE COULD TAP INTO OUR EXISTING RESERVES TO FUND THOSE TYPES OF STUDIES.
BE GLAD TO ANSWER ANY OTHER QUESTIONS. OTHER THAN THAT, THAT CONCLUDES --
>> COULD YOU MENTION THE WARNING SIRENS AGAIN BECAUSE WE WERE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF HURRICANE SEASON.
>> YES. I CAN -- SO I KNOW AT THE STATE LEVEL THEY ARE -- HAVE TALKED ABOUT THAT AND PROVIDING FUNDING BUT THOSE ARE LIMITED TO FLASH FLOODING EVENTS WHICH WEREWERE CONSIDERED A FLASH FLOOD AREA. WE HAVE FLOODING, BUT NOT FLASH FLOODING.
AND SO I DO, FROM MY UNDERSTANDING AT LEAST HOW IT'S MOVING THROUGH THE LEGISLATION RIGHT NOW, WE WOULD NOT HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STATE FUNDING TO DO THAT. SO IF THIS IS SOMETHING THE TOWNSHIP BOARD WANTS TO PURSUE, WE WOULD HAVE TO GO DOWN A DIFFERENT CHANNEL AND WOULD HAVE TO BE LOOKING AT PROVIDING THE FUNDING FOR OURSELVES.
>> I PERSONALLY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT SIRENS OTHER THAN I HAVE -- I GREW UP WITH SIRENS AND THAT WAS SOMETHING -- A DAY TO DAY THING.
YOU PROBABLY DID TOO, DIRECTOR FRANKS.
WE HAVE SIRENS THAT WOULD BE AT THE FIRE STATION, THE MAIN FIRE STATION, AND THEY WOULD ALARM AT LUNCHTIME AND IT WOULD TELL ALL THE MEN WHO WERE OUT THERE IN THE FIELDS WORKING IT'S LUNCH -- MAYBE NOT THE FIELDS, WHEREVER THE WORKERS WERE, THEY KNEW IT WAS LUNCHTIME.
IT WAS A TEST. IT WAS A WAY TO NOTIFY PEOPLE THE SIRENS SYSTEM WAS WORKING. OCCASIONALLY IT WOULD GO OFF FOR A BIG FIRE, THAT SORT OF THING, AND IT WAS VALUABLE.
OBVIOUSLY, WE ARE MUCH BIGGER THAN A TINY TOWN FLOORSVILLE WHERE I GREW UP, BUT IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS AUDIBLE AND EVEN IF YOU HAD A HEARING PROBLEM YOU COULD HEAR IT, MOST OF THEM. AND IT'S NOT RELYING ON YOUR PHONE. AND I JUST WORRY SO MUCH OF OUR WARNING SYSTEM IS TIED NOW TO OUR CELLPHONE AND IF THE CELLPHONE GOES DOWN FOR SOME REASON OR OTHER, WE DON'T HAVE A WAY OF
COMMUNICATING. >> OR BAD CELL COVERAGE.
>> YOU ARE WORKING ON THAT. I AM COUNTING ON IT.
>> I WAS GOING TO ASK ABOUT THAT.
>> THE SOLUTION IS HERE, RIGHT? NO, NOT YET? WE DON'T WANT TO RELY ON OUR CELLPHONES BECAUSE IT IS A PROBLEM. IT'S NOT RELIABLE.
SO I DON'T WANT TO BE CAUGHT OFF GUARD. MAYBE WE DON'T HAVE ANY ANSWERS AT THE MOMENT. HERE WE ARE IN ANOTHER EMERGENCY -- ANOTHER WARNING TIME OF HAVING HURRICANES, AND WE ALL KNOW HURRICANE HARVEY WAS NOT A FLASH FLOOD. IT WAS A 48-HOUR DELUGE, RIGHT.
THAT'S A BIG DIFFERENCE. SO WE KNOW WE CAN FLOOD.
WE KNOW THAT. AND IF WE DON'T HAVE EVACUATION ROUTES AT LEAST FOR THE TOWNSHIP, THINK WE'RE CAUGHT OFF GUARD. THAT SHOULD BE
SIMPLE. >> PART OF THE SIREN STUFF BEING ADDRESSED FOR THE LEGISLATURE IN THE SPECIAL SESSION. SO I KNOW SOME FUNDING IS COMING FROM THE STATE FOR THAT. SO I THINK --
>> SHE SAID WE WOULDN'T QUALIFY.
>> COULD BE WRAPPED UP BY FRIDAY, WHICH WOULD BE --
>> YOU THINK WE ARE GOING TO QUALIFY?
>> I DON'T KNOW. I HAVEN'T SEEN THE BILL AT ALL.
I AM JUST SAYING -- BUT I THINK THERE IS EMERGENCY
FUNDING -- >> CURRENTLY DOESN'T LOOK LIKE WE COULD QUALIFY. IT'S NOT FINISHED
YET, SO -- >> SO I WOULD ADD, TOO, YOU KNOW, THE COMMUNICATIONS IS GREAT AND THE CELLPHONES ARE GREAT AND WE ARE GOING TO FIX THE TOWERS BUT AT 3:00 IN THE MORNING DURING THE HURRICANE SEASON OR
>> -- POPS UP, THE CELLPHONES AND ALL OF OUR DIGITAL WORK AND EVERYTHING ELSE IS GOING -- ISN'T GOING TO MEAN ANYTHING. IT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO LOOK AT.
>> YEAH. >> WE INTO NEED TO PARTNER WITH THE COUNTY BECAUSE THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
[02:50:01]
SO WE CAN DO THAT.>> NEED TO MOVE ALONG BECAUSE THE 12:00 LUNCH SIREN IS ABOUT TO GO OF.
>> WE MENTIONED CELLPHONES. WE ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING AT THAT.
IS THAT CONSIDERED A BUDGET INITIATIVE? I DON'T KNOW THE STATUS OF
WILL CAN HELP ME IN CASE I MISSPEAK. THE WAY THAT THE BOARD AND STAFF LEFT IT IS WE WERE WORKING WITH HOWARD HUGHES THROUGH THAT.
WILLIAM HAS BEEN ACTIVELY INVOLVED÷÷INVOLVED IN DISCUSSIONS AND SINCE HE IS HERE I AM GOING TO LET HIM UPDATE YOU.
>> WE MEET MONTHLY ON THAT. SO FAR THERE HASN'T BEEN A HUGE STATUS UPDATE THERE. CURRENTLY HE WORKING ON THE DIFFERENT SITES THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE IN CONJUNCTION TO THEIR PROPERTIES AND THEY ARE MEETING WITH THE CARRIERS TO SEE WHAT MAKES SENSE.
NOW THEY ARE LOOKING AT IN TOTALITY ALL OF THE DEVELOPMENTS THAT THEY HAVE ACROSS THE NATION TO TRY TO PACKAGE SOMETHING. SO RIGHT NOW IT'S STILL WITH THE DEVELOPER TO DECIDE.
>> I'LL REACH OUT TO THE DEVELOPER. HIGHLY ENCOURAGE THEM TO DO THAT. IF WE WITH WAYMO ROLLING AROUND THE CITY, THE TOWNSHIP, WE GOT TO HAVE CELLPHONE COVERAGE.
>> RIGHT. >> WE CAN'T BE AT A HIGH- TECH PLACE AND NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE PHONE CALLS. MY CALLS DROP ON A REGULAR, REGULAR BASIS. AND I COULD TELL YOU EXACTLY WHERE IT DROPS.
>> THERE ARE A SERIES OF THEM. THEY HAVE MAPPED OUT EVERYWHERE THAT THERE IS ISSUES AND THEY ARE WORKING WITH THE CARRIERS TO SEE WHAT THE BEST OFFER IS.
THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BUILD A TOWER UNLESS THEY GET THREE CARRIERS. SO I KNOW MR. CARMEN IS HEAVILY INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS. SO THAT'S WHERE IT'S PROCEEDING.
>> YOU WILL SAY UP TO TEN. BUT THAT IS A MOVING
GREAT THOUGH. >> DON'T GET OUR HOPES UP, WILLIE.
>> VERY HELPFUL. >> THANK YOU.
>> FOR TOMORROW, MONIQUE, I AM LOOKING AT SOME NUMBERS HERE.
DO WE HAVE AN OVERTIME POLICY? I MEAN, IF WE ARE DOING A LOT OF THESE EVENTS, AND THEY ARE ALL GREAT EVENTS. I AM NOT SAYING THAT -- BUT SOMETIMES STAFF GETS TAXED WITH HAVING WORK SOME OF THESE EVENTS OR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS TO -- GET TAXED WITH -- I MEAN, DO WE HAVE AN OVERTIME POLICY OVERALL BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE THE OVERTIME NUMBER IS PRETTY HIGH AND I DON'T KNOW -- I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S PART OF THE EQUATION, PART OF THE REGULAR PAY, WHAT HAVE
SO OUR NON-EXEMPT EMPLOYEES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME PAY. OUR EXEMPT EMPLOYEES -- IF ANY OF YOU ARE EXEMPT EMPLOYEES, YOU DO NOT GET OVERTIME PAY FOR THAT. WE FOLLOW FEDERAL LAW. THE LARGEST INCREASE IN OUR OVERTIME BUDGET THIS YEAR WAS RELATED TO STREETSCAPE MAINTENANCE AND RELATE TO THE NIV CONSISTENT INCREASE IN THE FORESTRY PROGRAM. TO THE EXTENT THAT WE ARE PLANTING A LOT OF NEW TREES, MORE THAN COMFORTABLE THAN WE USED TO, THOSE REQUIRE WATER IN ORDER FOR THEM TO LIVE, SO WE HAVE A STREET CAPE EMPLOYEES NOW THAT ARE AFTER HOURS ARE GOING THROUGH AN WATERING THOSE VEHICLES, OR THOSE TREES.
NOT VEHICLES, TREES. SO WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT -- AS A MATTER OF FACT, WE STARTED DOWN THE PATH OF PROPOSING A DEDICATED CREW NOT TO JUST DO WATERING BUT TO DO STREETSCAPE. TO SO WHAT WE RIGHT NOW WHAT WE DID IS WE KEPT -- I THINK IT'S ABOUT $160,000 A YEAR. IT'S EXTREMELY SIGNIFICANT. IF WE DON'T DO IT, WE LOSE THE INDUSTRIESST TREES. SO WE HAVE TO.
WHAT WE WILL COME BACK TO IN THE FUTURE IS WE ARE DOING THE ANALYSIS WHETHER OR NOT WE CONVERT THAT OVERTIME TO CONTRACTED SERVICES. SO FAR, THE MONEY HAS NOT PAID OUT THAT -- OR WE CONVERT TO SOME TYPE OF STAFF FUNCTION OR WE KEEP IT AS OVERTIME. NOW, OVER TIME, I THINK THAT NUMBER WILL COME DOWN, BUT THERE HAS BEEN A VERY HEAVY CONCENTRATION ON REPLANTING TREES NOW AND THAT'S WHAT'S DRIVING THE OVERTIME INCREASE.
>> WHAT ABOUT OVERTIME AT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT?
>> THEY -- SO THAT GETS MORE COMPLICATED.
THEY HAVE OVERTIME BUILT INTO SOME OF THEIR SCHEDULES BECAUSE OF HOW -- BECAUSE OF HOW -- YOU KNOW, THEY WORK 24- HOUR SHIFTS. SO THEY WORK 48 ON, 96 OFF. SOME OF THAT IS BUILT INTO THEIRS AND WE DO THAT. SO WE CALL THAT SCHEDULED OVERTIME. THEN UNSCHEDULED OVERTIME BECAUSE IF A SHIFT AS WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER, THEY HAVE ZERO VACANCY. THEY HAVE -- BECAUSE WE NEED THEM -- WE NEED FOUR PERSONS ON THE TRUCK. TO THE EXTENT THEY HAVE UNSCHEDULED ABSENCES DUE TO SICKNESS OR WHATEVER, WE
[02:55:04]
FILL THOSE SOMETIMES WITH OVERTIME.WE HAVE DEDICATED PERSONNEL THAT ACTUALLY FILL THOSE SLOTS, SO WE DO A LOT OF ANALYSIS TO TRY TO MINIMIZE THAT OVERTIME, BUT SOMETIMES WE DO BECAUSE WE HAVE TO KEEP FOUR PERSONS ON THE
>> ALL RIGHT. WE WILL -- THIS WAS A LOT TO CONSIDER. AND WE WILL -- I -- HANG ON.
MOVE ALL MY BUDGET STUFF OUT OF THE WAY HERE, GO BACK TO MY SCRIPT.
>> IF -- NOW OF A FEW CHANGES THAT WE NEED TO MAKE TO THE BASE BUDGET JUST FROM A STAFF STANDPOINT ON THINGS THAT CHANGED SINCE THEN. THEY ARE MINOR THINGS. IF THERE ARE ANYTHING SPECIFI THAT THE BOARD BOARD WANTS US TO REMOVE FROM THE BUDGET, IF THERE ARE ANY SPECIFIC SCENARIOS THAT THE BOARD WOULD LIKE US TO RUN IN TERMS OF TAX RATE SCENARIOS OR IF WE DID THIS WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO HAVE THAT INFORMATION. IF THERE ARE ANY BUDGET INITIATIES THAT YOU -- AND WE JUST WENT THROUGH THEM VERY QUICKLY, BUT THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO INCLUDE, WE CAN DO THAT. IF YOU NEED SOME MORE TIME TO THINK ABOUT ALL OF THAT STUFF, YOU KNOW, WE CAN GO AHEAD AND MAKE THE MINOR ADJUSTMENTS.
WE CAN COME BACK TOMORROW OR FRIDAY AND -- AT SOME PINT IN TIME THE NEXT STEP I NEED TO HEAR FROM THE BOARD WHAT CHANGES YOU WANT MADE BASED ON THE SUGGESTS WE HAVE HAD THIS WEEK.
>> WELL, I KNOW ON A PERSONAL NOTE THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THE SWAP FUNDING ABATE DETECTIVES RATE SERGEANT, THE FLOCK CAMERAS AND THE POLARIS RANGER AND YOU SAID THE TWO HARRIS ARE IN THERE. THE ELEVATORS
ARE PRIORITY. >> ELEVATORS ARE
>> WHICH MY QUESTION -- I HAD A QUESTION.
A LOT OF THE CAPITAL EXPENSES, YOU KNOW, COMING FROM THE CAPITAL RESERVES AND VARIOUS RESERVE BUCKETS CONTINUE TO BE DRAW DOWN A LITTLE BIT.
>> DRAUD DOWN. HOW AND WHEN DO THOSE GET REPLENISHED?
>> GOOD QUESTION. SO WE HAVE A RESERVE STUDY THAT WAS DONE I THINK IN 2012 AND STAFF LOOKS AT IT AND UPDATES IT.
THE SHORT ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION IS WITHIN THIS -- WE HAVE A 30-YEAR STUDY. WE LOOK AT ALL OF OUR ASSETS, FIRE DEPARTMENT, I.T. , PARKS AND RECREATION, BUILDINGS, IT'S SCHEDULED OUT OVER 30 YEARS AND ENGINEERING -- AN ENGINEERING FIRM DEVELOPED THIS FOR US.
WHAT THAT RESERVE STUDY SAYS IS THAT WE NEED, IN ORDER TO KEEP UP AND HAVE ADEQUATE FUNDING OVER THIS THIS 30- YEAR PERIOD THAT WE HAVE TO FUND $4,250,000 A YEAR.
TO THAT IS WHAT WE DO. SOME YEARS WHAT WE SPEND OUT OF THE CAPITAL -- OUT OF THE RESERVE FUND IS LESS THANTHAN FOUR MILLION 250, SO THE BALANCE GROWS A LITTLE BIT AND SOMETIMES IT'S MORE.
BUT WE ARE ON TRACK WHERE WE SHOULD BE IN THE RESERVE STUDY. SO IF YOU LOOK AT THAT CHART, WHICH I THINK IS WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, WE SEE IT BEING DRAWN DOWN FROM 28 MILLION TO ABOUT 22 OR JUST UNDER 22 MILLION OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS. THAT IS PLANNED.
WE HAVE KNOWN FOR A LONG TIME THAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN BECAUSE WE HAVE A BUNCH OF MAJOR CAPITAL ASSETS THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED. BUT IN THE FIFTH YEAR OF OUR FIVE- YEAR PLAN WE ACTUALLY ARE SEEING IT GO BACK UP A LITTLE BIT. ALL THAT TO SAY WE ARE RIGHT WHERE WE NEED TO BE.
>> -- PUT BACK INTO THE RESERVE?
>> HAVE THERE EVER BEEN SCENARIOS WHERE WE GO AGAINST THAT AND REDUCE THAT AMOUNT? TO MAKE ROOM FOR SOME OTHER
SAVINGS? >> YES AND NO. SO WHAT WE HAVE DONE IN THE PAST IS, INSTEAD OF -- TYPICALLY WHAT WE HAVEDONE IS FUNDED THE 4.2 MILLION OUT OF ONGOING RRNS. SO IT'S IN THERE IN THE BUDGET AS WE CONTINUE TO FUND.
IN CERTAIN YEARS, INCLUDING THIS ONE, WHAT I HAVE ALREADY DONE IN THE BUDGET IS INSTEAD OF FUNDING THE ENTIRE $4.2 MILLION, I HAVE ONLY FUNDED 3 MILLION OF IT, BUT THE ADDITIONAL $1.250 MILLION IS OUT OF UNDESIGNATED SURPLUS. WE CAN SET A FUNDING -- WE CAN TAKE MORE OUT OF THAT THREE MILLION DOLLARS. WE CAN REMOVE THE ENTIRE $3 MILLION FROM ONGOING REVENUE SOURCE AND FUND IT OUT OF UNDESIGNATED RESOURCES. NOW, WE DON'T HAVE A FULL $3 MILLION RIGHT NOW. WE COULD FUND A PORTION OF IT.
[03:00:01]
AND THEN WHAT WE'D HAVE TO DO IS WE WOULD HAVE TO SAY, OKAY, AS FAVORABLE VARIANCES ARE GENERATED NEXT YEAR BECAUSE WE ARE POSITIVE IN REVENUES OR EXPENSES, THAT THAT IS THE FIRST USE OF THOSE FAVORABLE VARIANCES THAT WE WOULD USE IN ORDER TO REPLENISH THE RESERVE.AND WE HAVE DONE THAT BEFORE AND WE CAN.
>> THE OTHER IN PAST YEARS WE HAVE HAD CLOSER TO OVER $4 MILLION FOR ONE- TIME CAPITAL EXPENSES VERSUS OUR 2.3. IS THAT --
IT'S FLUCTUATED. IT HAS DEFINITELY BEEN MORE THAN THAT.
>> AT THE SAME TIME WE DID THAT
SO I'M JUST -- I AM SAYING IF NOT -- IF -- IF -- IF THE CONTINUATION OF SERVICES -- SERVICE LEVELS IN THE BASE BUDGET IS A PRIORITY OF THE BOARD AND IF THERE IS NOT ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR THAT YOU WANT TO ADDRESS, THEN ANOTHER WAY TO GENERATE ADDITIONAL ONGOING REVENUE, WHICH THEN COULD BE EITHER USED TO REDUCE THE RATE OR FUND ADDITIONAL ONGOING INITIATIVES WOULD BE TO FUND THE RESERVES DIFFERENTLY.
AND THAT WOULD ACTUALLY, TO YOUR POINT, THAT WOULD BE MY RECOMMENDATION.
>> BUT THE BASE BUDGET, IF ADOPTED AS IT IS, WOULD LEAVE US WITH THE VERY SAME TAX RATE THAT WE'VE HAD?
>> THE BASE BUDGET WAS BASED ON MAINTAINING --
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST THAT WE TAKE ABOUT $700,000, $750,000 OUT OF THE ALPHA AND OMEGA BASE BUDGET AND USE THAT TO PAY FOR THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE BUDGET REQUEST.
IT WOULD SOFTEN THAT EXPENSE, THAT ONGOING EXPENSE. IT'S AN ONGOING EXPENSE TRADED FOR AN ONGOING EXPENSE. I THINK THAT'S A WAY TO GIVE NOTICE TO THE PRIVATE BUSINESS OWNERS AT THE MALL AND AT MARKET STREET THAT WE ARE RATCHETING BACK.
AND IF YOU WANT THIS SERVICE, THIS PRIVATE SECURITY SERVICE, YOU NEED TO START MAKING ADJUSTMENTS AND HIRING THEM. IF WE NEVER CHANGE IT, THEY ARE NEVER GOING TO TAKE ACTION. AND THIS WAY WE ARE NOT CUTTING THEM COMPLETELY, BUT WE ARE MOVING IN A SIGNIFICANT WAY.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO JUST SUGGEST -- I KNOW ALPHA AND OMEGA IS A PASSION OF LINDA AS WELL AS MINE, AND LINDA HAS ANOTHER APPOINTMENT THAT SHE HAD TO BE AT.
TO WAIT AND DO -- COULD WE WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW? OR DOES THAT PUT YOU IN A BIND?
>> COULD WE EVEN DO THAT? BECAUSE WE HAVE A CONTRACT WITH THEM RIGHT NOW.
>> RIGHT. SO WE WOULD HAVE TO GIVE NOTICE.
I FORGET WHAT THE NOTICE REQUIREMENTS ARE.
WE WOULD HAVE TO GIVE NOTICE. YOU'RE RIGHT.
WE ARE UNDER CONTRACT THROUGH THE END OF
NEXT YEAR. >> WE COULD DO IT. WE HAVE DONE IT BEFORE. WE HAVE CUT CUT THEM BEFORE.
>> I HAVE A CLARIFICATION. BUDGET INITIATIVE ONE, ARE WE INCLUDING THE 600,000 FOR FUNDING FOUR ADDITIONAL SERGEANTS OR WILL THAT BE
REMOVED? >> AT THIS POINT IN TIME, I DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDING AVAILABLE TO DO THAT.
SO WE ARE PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING ELSE ON THAT PAGE WE CAN DO.
THAT ONE -- >> THANK YOU FOR THAT.
>> OKAY. WE HAVE GOT MORE TIME TO DO THIS QUESTION. COULD WE GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION? DOES EVERYONE HAVE TIME?
>> WE HAVE AN UPDATE TO MAKE AND WE'LL COME BACK. LET ME FIND MY -- A MOTION, A SECOND TO ACCEPT THE REPORT? A MOTION AND A SECOND TO ACCEPT THE PRELIMINARY BUDGET ON THE --
>> SECOND. >> SECOND ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. MOTION CARRIES.
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO RECEIVE THE BUDGET INITIATIVES RELATED TO THE 2026 BUDGET TASK FORCE FOR A PRELIMINARY MACHINE.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR AYE. MOTION CARRIES.
I NEED A MOTION FOR PROPOSED 2025 DEBT SERVICE TAX
[10. Recess to Executive Session to discuss matters relating to real property pursuant to §551.072, Texas Government Code; deliberation of economic development negotiations pursuant to §551.087, Texas Government Code; discuss personnel matters pursuant to §551.074, Texas Government Code; discuss IT network or critical infrastructure security pursuant to §551.089, Texas Government Code; and to consult with The Woodlands Township’s attorney pursuant to §551.071, Texas Government Code;]
SORRY. SKIPPING THAT. SKIPPING THAT.
WE ARE GOING TO RECESS, TO SFEK G ECONOMIC SIF SESSIONS, DISCUSS PERSONAL PROPERTY FOR SECTION 551. 072 OF
[03:05:06]
TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISCUSSIONS, PERSONNEL MATTERS, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE I.T.NETWORK CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PURSUANT TO 55 BOSTON. 058 AND ATTORNEY PURSUANT TO SEKZ 551.071 TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE. EXECUTIVE SESSION AND THE BOARD
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.