City Council - Regular Meeting

I'll go ahead and call to order our August 13th 2026 City Council meeting for the city of Longview. Thank you to everyone who is here tonight. We are always glad to have people here with us in chambers. Our first order of business will be our prayer and pledge. As we head back into our school year, we remember all of our Longview students, teachers and educational staff across the community. So tonight, our prayer and pledge will be led by Richard Nash, who is the Director of the Center for Effective Districts with Region 7 Education Service Center. If you guys will please rise.

Thank you. Let's pray. Our most gracious Heavenly Father, God, we just thank you tonight for the salvation that comes through your Son, Jesus Christ. God, we thank you that your hand is upon us each and every day. God, I want to pray over this council tonight. God, our leaders. God, in your word, you said no leader has been appointed without your consent. And God, just the fact that they're under your hand, we pray that you will lead them and guide them as they do their best to honor you and to honor our city. But God, at this time, I want to lift up our schools. I want to lift up our children. I want to lift up our teachers and our staff, God, and I just pray in the name of Jesus that this year your light will shine on our campuses, that you will be glorified through our teachers and through our students and through our parents, that your children will be faithful and bold to share your love and your grace. God, I pray that your hand will bring safety upon our city, upon our schools, and that your light will shine. Lord, for it all, you be glorified. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Amen.

And for the pledge, 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.

Thank you so much. Uh, next on our agenda is citizen comment. I do have a couple of speaker cards. I will start with Ms. Sheila maxi. If you would step to the podium, just tell us your name and then you've got three minutes, ma'am.

Thank you. Um, okay. First of all, I'd like to say in the name of the law, God, the beneficent, the merciful, um, to, uh, I like the Greek, um, the city council. and the mayor with which means peace unto you. And my name is Sheila Maxey and I live in district three where the newly elected city council person, Mr. Brian Smith is over at this time. Okay, I'm here today because I feel that I've done, that I've like, run into a brick wall which caused me to have to come here tonight to this meeting actually I showed up last week but you didn't have a meeting last week okay my concern is regarding public safety and I have been encountering civil harassment I will give one example of that and these are from my neighbors and visitors that come to my neighbor's house. I hope your MF house blow up. Well, my house can't blow up unless somebody blows it up. So to me, that's an indirect threat to cause harm to the structure of my house. Criminal harassment. threats to run over me threats to put people on me when I'm going to the bus stop threats to put dogs on me threats threats to do different things to me when I'm working in my yard and when I'm in my house when I'm in my yard I'm called MFBs, MFHs, MFWs, BAs, and all of this, and I'm minding my business, okay? And they're carrying on with loud music and disorderly conduct, okay? other harassment, celebratory, ongoing celebratory fireworks and gun shooting during New Year's and July 4th targeting my house, okay? I am fed up with it and as Brother Denzel Washington states on a regular basis, I am not available for disrespect and I will not continue to encounter this behavior from people who have no regard for the law. And that's all I have to say.

Thank you for being here, Ms. Maxie. If you don't mind, if you talk to one of our officers on the way out, just to make sure that they've got your information. Thank you so much. Ms. Brenda Woolridge, you are up next.

good evening my name is Brenda Woolridge as the mayor has spoken she passed out some pictures for you all to look at and those pictures are some of the problems that I've been coming to you all about the Southside upkeep and as you can see the drainage there are trees growing up in the drains there are trees growing up in the parks but mr. the one that's over that it's already taking care of that and I lost your name.

Albertson? John? Rick. Rick.

As much as I talk to him, you would think I know. But I want to appreciate him and Mr. Wallace for getting on the drainage and things that they are doing. They've already initiated some of those things, and I'm grateful for it. But I wanted you to see for yourself that it wasn't my imagination and let you know what was going on. And the next thing, we have a house on Lemons that I have consistently given the code enforcement information on. I was told that the person used to work for the city and he's like a hoarder. He has several cars and trucks in front of his house and they're all filled with junk and if we brought it to several people it's nothing been done to it. But he used to work for the city so I didn't know if that had anything to do with him not getting charged or whatever he needs to do but that really needs to be addressed. It's been going on I know for over a year. And also there's a house on Marbley. I think it used to be called the Harrison Building. It's in pretty bad shape, and somebody needs to address that. It's really dangerous. And also an old wash interior on 6th Street that needs to be addressed. We have, I have found out that there have been several employees that have quit in these departments where they're working out in the heat and everything. And a lot of it is because of the pay. And I know that other people that are higher get paid and everything and not saying they don't deserve it but the people that's the boots on the ground that's uh keeping our yards clean keeping our community clean and everything working in this heat and stuff and until we start paying them a salary where they can take care of themselves and their families it's going to always be somebody leaving And so the best that we can do, we need to do that, y'all, because we need them. Everybody's not going to do that type of work. And the last one I want to bring you about is ask the city to consider the people that we call the boots on the ground, because those are the people that keep our city clean and keep us a decent place to live. Thank you.

Thank you, Miss Brenda. We appreciate you always. Also, I just want to tell you that the individuals you're talking about are projected to get raises in our budget that we are looking to approve. So we are working on that. And I know Brandon's got a list of the properties that you guys met about. So we're working on it. We appreciate you. You are making us better. Next on my citizen comment list, I've got Texas Reardon.

Good evening, my name is Texas Reardon. I am the president of the Longview Youth Softball Association. I'm just here to kind of give you guys an update on our association. So for years, our founder, Ali Martinez, had a vision for fast-pitch softball for the girls of Longview. This vision included empowering young girls, nurturing their skills, values, and passion for the game. This vision and dream started when her youngest, Bessie, was playing softball. During those earlier years, Allie tried constantly to start a league to fulfill her vision, but it wasn't until 2023, with the support of then Councilwoman Ishihara, Councilman Newstead, and the Parks and Recreation Department, Allie was given that chance. From that moment, Allie started recruiting volunteers for the organization, with many of them attending here tonight. In spring 2024, we had our inaugural season at Hensley Park. Signing up a little over 100 girls, the vision had a foundation, and for the first time in decades, Longview sent teams to the District All-Star Tournament to represent the city at the end of the season. That year, our 10 youth girls finished third. The work continued after the season, with the league offering a summer camp led by area coaches, current and former high school and collegiate players. We then held our first fall league, which saw our numbers grow. Our second season saw a 45% increase with more than 150 girls signing up. We also expanded to playing surrounding leagues, hosted two tournaments, and again sent teams to All-Stars to represent Longview. That year, our 6U team made it to the Texas series in Dallas after placing top two in the district and state tournaments. Our summer camp returned along with our fall league, which saw not only girls from Longview attend, but girls from surrounding areas come in to participate. This past spring, we moved to McWhorter Park and saw our greatest growth yet. We had 246 girls sign up to play in our league, a 57% increase from the previous season. We also brought on a coach of player development who has collegiate and high school coaching experience. She provided free group lessons and practices to any player who was a member of the league. This year, we saw our most success at All-Stars with our 10U and 14U teams placing second and our 12U team placing first in district. All three teams then moved on to the state tournament and represented Longview well. New this summer, we started our first summer league, which saw 250 girls from Longview and surrounding communities come in. This league would not be successful without Allie's vision, our wonderful volunteers who put in countless hours each season, our players, parents, families, local businesses, and the support from the city, especially the Parks and Recreation Department and their field crews. We have made relationships with the area coaches who these players will one day be playing for. And just to comment on the Parks and Rec crew, they are nothing short of amazing, and we always hear compliments and sometimes jealousy from the surrounding areas because of how well they keep our fields. The future is bright for Softball Longview, and we hope in the near future we'll see them on TV in the World Series. Thank you.

That's awesome. Thank you, Texas. And we got softball shirts. Thank you. Thank you. Oh, sure. Yeah, come on. Why don't you guys come on up? We'll take a picture.

Come on, everybody.

Come on up.

Thank you. No shirt for Sidney? He wanted to wear it in. Oh, you want it, Richard?

Not blocking each other. She's in front. That's what I care about. She's in front.

Look at them first. That's theirs. 3, 2, 1.

Yes. Y'all all have windows. Smile. 3, 2, 1. Beautiful. Now me for the city.

3, 2, 1. Very good.

Awesome. Thank y'all. Thank you. Thank you, sir.

Thank you guys for being here tonight and for all that you do for our youth. Very much appreciated. Next on our agenda is a presentation item. This is a presentation to the Longview Fire Department from the State Fire Marshal's Office to recognize the Insurance Service Office ISO classification that is new to Longview, which we are very excited about. Chief Grimes, this has your name with it.

The State Fire Marshal's Office has graciously come up to give us a plaque and a little presentation for the ISO 1 classification. And so it's been official since May, but we finally get to hang it on the wall. So sounds great.

Do you have something you want to add? Yes.

So I want to say thank you to the mayor. I'm Chuck Allen. I'm the assistant state fire marshal. I didn't drive all the way from Austin. I live in Wills Point, just down the hop, skip, and the jump. First off, thank you to the mayor, city council, the fire department, your water department, your 911 communications staff, and all the staff that took part in this survey. It takes many people to ensure that these surveys are successful. And the team that the city compiled did a phenomenal job of providing all the information, documents, and other information to see that the city improved their Class II rating to a Class I, a rating that just over 100 communities in Texas can say they hold. And there are a little over 500 across the nation that hold the class one rating. So some fun facts. In 2003 was the last survey we could find, unless you know one. I think that's right. Was the last time y'all were surveyed, which these are typically done every five to 10 years. Chief Lazarus was your fire chief. You had a total of 163 personnel, eight engines, three ladder companies were recognized. Your 911 dispatch got a total of 8.17 points out of a total of 10. Your water supply got 34.36 out of 40 points to give you a total of 84.72, which gave you the Class II rating. Your most recent survey, Chief Grimes was your fire chief. You now have 177 sworn personnel, still showing eight engines, three ladder companies. You received 9.4. points out of a possible 10 on your 911 dispatch, and 38.66 out of a possible 40 on your water supply. In total, the community received a score of 92 points. These improvements in telecommunicator training and staffing, as well as improvements in equipment of your on-duty personnel, personnel training have contributed significantly to improving your PPC class. On behalf of Commissioner Amanda Crawford with the Department of Insurance, Chief Deborah Knight, the state fire marshal, and myself, we want to recognize the hard work and dedication of the city to obtain this class one rating. The support the city provides the fire department, the water department, and your 911 communications can be seen in the score that you receive. Better yet, the citizens of Longview should be excited to know that the city provides the support to these departments to help them be successful. And on behalf of Chief Knight and myself, Chief, we're excited to present the city of Longview to this award of achievement.

I'm obtaining your class one rating. Thank you, sir.

So we do have a bear risk ISO here to make a presentation as well.

Good evening, I'm Jeff Edwards. I'm the field rep with IS, senior field rep in Texas that did the grading of Longview and wanted to let you all know the cooperation was great. Me and Chief Parker had numerous exchanges over a period of time to get everything, to make sure we had everything right. I had somebody tell me, This isn't an evaluation of the fire department. It's an evaluation of how well they can document what they're doing. And they did an excellent job because we rely on their documentation to come up with a rating. So it's a tribute to how well they did. And this isn't just recognition of the fire department. We're recognizing the city of Longview because it takes a commitment of all the different parts of the system that Chief Allen discussed. So my boss, the state manager, is in Kansas City at the Fire Rescue International Conference this week. He couldn't come. I live west of Fort Worth, so I made the trip over and we're doing some other work in the area. But we'd like to present you with the recognition of the city of Longview receiving the class one rating and we'll present that plaque.

Excellent.

Now you have plenty of plaque. We're going to take a photo if that's okay. Sure. Yes. Yes, so. Chief Parker and Rick Evans, Michael Shirley, Chief Boone, come on up. I'll give one of these to Chief Parker. Come on over here. I thought you were going to get out of it, didn't I? You're going to have to do it now.

Okay. Got y'all?

Three, two, one.

Three, two, one. One, two, three.

Awesome.

Thank y'all.

Thank you, Chief, and everybody else. We are very excited about our new ISO classification, so way to go. Next on our agenda is budget items. This is a discussion of our proposed 26-27 budget for the City of Longview with Mr. Rollin McPhee.

Mayor, council, it's good to be here and presenting this for discussion for the second time. I want to really just go over the highlights, which were summarized as well at the last meeting. It does include city council's market pay plan adjustment with the minimum 2% increase for all employees. There is no property tax rate increase. There is no utility rate increase. And there is a minimal sanitation rate increase. What I will say about the budget proposal is the total property tax rate being proposed is the 5619, which is the same as what was existing this year. That is also what the public hearing on the consent agenda is set to ratify the public hearings for that proposed tax rate of 5619. The no new revenue rate is 57.55, which, as I said last time, is below our proposed rate. And the voter approval rate is 66.88 cents. Lastly, the summary, just the high level, is the $245 million for FY27, and that compares with the previous budget on this slide. Lastly, the remaining discussions that we have scheduled at this time are obviously today. That's where we're talking really about the preliminary vote on the tax rate, the budget discussion, as well as the fee changes discussion, which follows this. So I think those are all things that we can talk about now. Thursday, September 17, there are those public hearings on the fees, on the budget, on the tax rate, and then to vote on those fees and vote on the budget. And then lastly, the Friday, September 18th meeting will be to vote on the proposed tax rate and make that official. With that, I know the directors, assistant city manager, everyone standing by if there are detailed questions that we need to answer. But happy to answer any questions to this time.

Perfect. We've got questions, comments, discussion. Yes, this morning.

I have a few questions. So I was looking at the itemized budget well for the expenditures and I was trying to see exactly how many car allowances are we still doing there are only two car allowance in the budget and those are because of contractual requirements so all of the other car allowances have been eliminated okay so but we still have cars that are we're still leasing right that are still sitting on city property like some that are not used we don't take it out of the fleet yeah mm-hmm yeah

We don't have spare vehicles in the fleet.

So all the vehicles in use?

Yes, ma'am.

Okay. Because I was looking at the amount, and it is, I think one was $7,000 a year, and the other one was like, what, $4,000?

Is that about right? That sounds about right.

Okay, and so you said it's under contractual obligation. Right, those are the contracts. It would have to be renegotiated if we wanted to do something?

Yes, that's correct.

Okay. then my next question is on the hotel tax can we talk about that and like the expenditures that was proposed for this coming up what what they spent this past year and what they're planning on spending this year on what absolutely Sean

This is Director Herra to answer those questions, to give a general overview.

Is there a particular area within the hotel occupancy tax that you'd like to talk about? All right, so hotel occupancy tax is utilized in several different ways for the city. We utilize it primarily for four different buckets. So the biggest bucket is for the Longview Convention Complex. So we've utilized, that's funded through two different ways. That's the rental revenue that is charged there, and then also hotel occupancy tax is utilized for that. So we've got a little bit of a change this year on how that is being funded. But we have a 7% hotel occupancy tax as well as a 2% hotel occupancy tax. The 2% is restricted to only be utilized for convention center facilities. And so that is all going there for Longview Convention Complex and that's used for operations and also capital improvement. projects that take place there the 7% has more available uses for it but it's all still restricted by the state and what the allowable categories are there are a handful of allowable categories that we use it for one of those is for arts and culture grants it's a limited that it can only be 15% of the total 7% and so that is allocated and then those funds are distributed by grant In addition to that, we can use it for our visitor center, our Visit Longview programs, and for advertising. You'll see that there is an increase in that category in particular this year. And one of those increases is in the promotions category. There was a change to state law that said how we can allocate those. Longview used to be an accepted category because of our population. There was a bracket that said you had to use money for promotions, but we were accepted on the definition of exactly how much we had to spend. State law changed and now we are required to do exactly that amount, which is about one part of whatever your hotel occupancy tax is. So one seventh of the 7%. And so you'll see in there that there's a large increase in promotion and advertising specifically. And so that is probably one of those things that you're seeing there. The other category is sports tourism. And so we fund things through sports tourism that goes to Parks and Recreation. I'd let John be able to answer those questions. But generally speaking, it's for things that are tournament related activities and expenses. So things that it's all geared towards the hotel industry and bringing tourism into Longview.

And so there's nothing different from last year other than the percentage change?

There were some changes, again, in how things were being funded within those percentages. Like I said, the biggest change was that we had that increase to how we were going to be able to promote, and so there's more money going into that advertising.

Okay. And you said, John, you could tell me on what you were going to be doing.

With the sports tourism fund, so essentially like last year we had a project that was in there for capital improvements at Lear where we automated the fences, automated lighting, things like that. This year we don't have those in there because we're going to be able to complete those. And then we also have funds where we operate Lear Park. Also, that's where we will do all of our lighting maintenance, our ball field maintenance and that type of stuff out of it. And then we also will do like we will work with different leagues and associations, different tournament directors that come into town to try and support them, to encourage them to come here. We've recruited several different events that way to be able to support them with the promotion of their events. trying to advertise essentially to those that are living outside of 60 miles of the city of Longview because that's what we classify as a tourist essentially. So we will primarily look at those when we're meeting with tournament directors to try and recruit them. I will say in the coming years we're working with Letourneau on the Dome where they're starting to bring in several events, and they're working to recruit events that will bring in colleges and bring in their spectators as well. So we're working to try and help them to to draw those teams.

So specifically, back to you, Sean, specifically, you're saying that this this fiscal year, the hotel tax will be mob car parks. And what else?

So it's all the same promotion. It's all the same groups that are receiving them. The, the, the amount that is being divvied up to each has had some changes, but again, that happens each year based on what are the needs. And that goes through the, our regular meetings with the city manager's office. so it's all the same categories but some of the special projects or the changes that you'll see within those again we have additional funds being placed within our advertising our marketing side of things and then we do have a capital project that you might see that's within the two percent portion of the dollars that's for convention center and uh well you'll probably hear more about that once we get to the cip list but it's for a project that's at the exhibit center We have a master plan for the convention center where we've been doing a lot of projects, doing a lot of upgrades. So we've done a lot of upgrades recently at the ModCop Convention Center. And then just recently we redid the inside of the exhibit center. And so there's a project in this year's proposal that includes doing some necessary work to kind of shore up the outside of the building.

Okay, thank you. Can I get that email? that the details lined out on exactly the percentages and everything.

Yeah, absolutely.

So what what would you attribute the not 19% change from

that increased from 3.6 to 4.3 in hotel tax this year in terms of a total revenue so we see a lot of changes from year to year and hotel occupancy tax a lot of that is market based we saw we actually just earlier this week we had a group called source strategies come and talk with us and looking at the market there were some interesting things that happened here locally and long long view area in particular east texas as a whole had really been lagging behind the state for a couple of years in terms of a couple different metrics but you know texas had seen a lot of growth especially within our metro areas and that had definitely happened but what we had seen here is a lot of our um our hotels i believe were under pricing as compared to what the value of those rooms were. And so it's called, it's the ADR, it's the average daily rate for the hotel. On average, our market for Longview was lagging well behind not just the metropolitan areas, but it was also lagging behind other East Texas cities. And so that was a conversation that we were noticing in the numbers and we started having just with the hoteliers as well, just to make them aware of, hey, here's what we're seeing across the Texas market. And we just had those conversations, making sure that they could see what's taking place. And we saw this past year that ADR, the average daily rate, increased significantly from the previous year. And so even though the state overall hotel occupancy tax numbers this past year dipped a little bit, election years are always difficult, especially within the hotel industry, because a lot of hotel business is based on business travel. And during election years, businesses slow down. They don't send as many. They're saying, we're going to wait and see what happens. So in 2025, we saw a lot of those businesses, or that hotel industry, start to slow down. And here we actually went up. And again, I think that's because some of our market started realizing, oh, we are actually a little bit behind where we could be. We have slowed down now. I don't think that that is going to continue at that same rate. I think this was probably more of a stair step. Our ADR, when we looked at that, we are still behind in comparison to the rest of our neighbors and significantly behind the Metroplex. So I still think there's room for them to be able to grow. Again, they have great product but i think in some instances they were underpricing it not every hotel but just as a whole that is what happened so we saw that stair step and it did i think drive additional revenue i know there's a lot of words but thank you good job are there any plans for um public brushrooms i'm sorry any plans for public restaurants being built in downtown anywhere I would love to see that be a possibility. There are not any in this budget proposal as far as I'm aware.

Sean's been asking for some for a long time.

I'm a little bit confused here, because we have no whatsoever control over the prices they charge for the rooms. That is correct. That's strictly private to them. That is. And I'm just curious, why would they underprice their rooms when they can raise the price a little bit and get more revenue? Are they trying to build business, or is there something else there, a reason why our rates here are underpriced compared to others?

Let me start by saying you're absolutely correct. We have no control over how they promote or price their rooms. We wanted to have the conversation just from education so they could see, here's what the market is. Here's what the East Texas market is. Even our neighbors, for instance, in Marshall and Tyler and our surrounding communities, we were seeing a lot of hotel rooms being priced below that. Sometimes I think that was happening and I'm depending on others that are more in the hotel industry that can answer this, but I'll tell you some of the theories that we had. Sometimes I think that can be, you're gonna have somebody that thinks if I lower my rate, that'll drive more business. I'm gonna try to have the lowest rate but sometimes if you're looking for a hotel you might be afraid of a lower priced hotel and think oh that one might not be what I want right so that could be happening and part of what we showed and when we were sharing the numbers with them was saying the higher price hotels are actually doing better in occupancy as well okay and so you know they they were staying strong even having that better product so it was just an education for them to be able to see what the market

Have they ever given you or do we ask it and it makes no difference on the fees? Have they ever given you a breakdown on which are tourists and which are commercial?

That is a great question. It was actually something that we talked with the hoteliers about earlier this week that we would love to be able to have some more data from them. A lot of them will ask that question and when there's something going on, we're trying to get that data. Hey, how many people did you have coming for this particular thing? A lot of times some of them will share that data with us, but we'd really like better data.

absolutely it seems I mean old-fashioned but it seems like lately when you check in they want to know no matter where you check it in a hotel motel or where they say is this business or a pleasure in her or something and I never could figure out why but I guess it's just statistics so they want to know who's filling their room who's coming yeah

I want to add one other thing that you asked about the pricing piece. One other theory that we had is you know a lot of times that we've got a lot of systems out there that will have dynamic pricing. Oh, yeah. We hear that on TV all the time. We see things going up and down. And in the background for a lot of hotel systems, they have dynamic pricing. And so they're looking at the market and they're like, oh, the market is low. And so they bring the price down. And so you end up almost can have... our guess was a computerized cannibalism of the rate. So that one dropped, that one dropped, that one dropped, that one, and it just, they kept, if they weren't staying on top of it and seeing that this automation was happening, that was driving their rate below what the market,

Yeah, nearly on TV, nearly every time you turn, of course, we still watch some TV. You've got these, is it Travavco or Travalco? You've got all these companies advertising, I can get you a better rate than you got at your place. Or we're at the same place, but look here, I got a better rate than you did.

And if you talk to any of our hoteliers, they will encourage you to book direct. They're like, we'll get you the better price, and you'll have a lot better... basically negotiation with them in case something needed to change. If you go through a third party, they're like, sorry.

What I've found to experience, if you go through a third party and they want their money up front, and then if you cancel, it's hard to get it back.

That's right, because the hotel can't help you at all in that situation. That's right.

Thank you, Sean. Any other questions for Sean? Very interesting. Back to budget. Any questions, comments?

I mean, I've got questions, so if anybody else has a question, I'm going to keep having questions. also I wanted to see like an example of the 2% that we did on like the highest paid lowest paid and what it looks like for them on a pay study yes ma'am mm-hmm would we have that easily to share well I'm looking at here and it's like I'm assuming this is with the asterisk three hundred and fifty three thousand eight hundred and seventeen dollars and eighty nine cents is that

I think what you might be looking at is when we added the amount for the totals of all of those employees in each division, we put those in as one adjustment based on the increase according to the market pay plan. So we didn't detail those. Those are the same results of the data that was presented, as far as I know, or generally presented by the consultant. So when we had all those positions. But we can get you all those positions.

It would seem like when I asked for this, that we would have that on there. like exactly when I asked for the itemized or whatever. So what the employee, like the lower level employee, what it would look like to get them closer to market.

Yes, ma'am. We don't typically put every employee's pay in the budget detail that we post online, but we can get that for you.

OK. That's it for now. Somebody else can ask a question.

What else you got? Any other questions? We got fees next.

Yes, we can. We can certainly talk about the fees.

So on the on the actual for the insurance going up because this the reason why I'm stuck on this because I'm trying to see where we're going with this because if we're giving them an increase in pay and the increase in pay is only making them be able to afford the health insurance but then if we look at it if we're giving a percentage of our higher paid employees my my suggestion what we've all been well most of not all but most of us have been suggesting is that if we got our higher play employees that are 150,000 143,000 then I got a $46,000 employee why not take a break for this because historically we haven't been given raises every year only since I've been on council that we've actually gave raises that I've seen this council give raises every year so what I'm saying is if we're not in that area to what we've done it what why wouldn't it hurt for the the upper management that it can easily import their health insurance premiums take a break this time so to allow us to the percentages to be higher for the lower level employees

And I apologize if I've misunderstood the direction of council, but when we adopted the market pay plan, that's actually what I used to prepare this budget. And the minimum 2% more than covers the increases, more than covers that. And we can get you the details on that. But the health plan lost a significant amount of money. we did not increase to any employee-only rates. So it's just the spousal or family coverage which was oversubsidized compared to our comparison cities. And so we're still even behind that with the adjustments we made. 95% of the health insurance costs were absorbed by the city in this budget.

So an employee making $150,000 a year And I'm just throwing this out there. With the 2% increase, what would their pay look like?

I'm going to do math in my head. Let me think about it. Give me just a second. $3,000 a year, I believe.

And so the employee that's making $46,000 a year, what would that look like for them?

If it was a 2% only, it would be $920.

So do you see what I'm saying about the big gap?

I think most of them, though, wouldn't be just the 2%, right? Because we're going to the market.

That's why I need examples so I can know, like, what we're looking at. Because the way we understood it is the farther you walk from market, the higher the percentage would be. Right. That's the plan that I.

Right. That's true.

So a lot of them are getting, like, a 16% raise. Yes. Okay, so that's what I'm saying. So why would they be, where would they be at? The $46,000 employee, where would they be at?

It depends on the position and the results of the market pay. But we can get you that information for every employee.

I mean, I think we have that from the pay study, too. We just don't have the numbers.

Weren't there some cash bonuses in there also? No.

No, we're just adjusting based on the pay study that we had.

I thought in the pay plan, when we approved the pay plan maybe a while back, there was some... That was last budget year you're thinking of, yeah.

Oh, last year. But this year they were able to include getting up to that market amount. But that meant that a lot of our civilian employees are getting like a 15% raise.

I was going to say...

keep talking because that's what I was gonna say is I think the like our entry level it was gonna be about a 15 16 percent increase for those right so it might be worth looking at like individual positions but I do think we actually have that for the pay study that we were provided but then extrapolating that I think is maybe what you're looking here because I just want to see some real numbers to see how the big thing if the play plan if they we adopted is truly helping

The lower living employees. Sure. I mean, what would be a 15% raise on that?

Y'all are going to make me a calculator.

I think the reference to sanitation workers, whenever they did. They're getting the most significant portion of it. And then with the pay study, we don't want to go outside of that because we're using, like Angela and the team are going to use that to help, and Bonnie will use that to help keep things where they're competitive throughout all

levels of the uh is my math bad on that fifteen percent would be like seven thousand on seven forty six thousand yeah so about the same amount of raise um for a two percent higher paid employee to our forty six thousand would be like a six thousand nine hundred dollar raise for fifteen percent um so you know yes

and I think if I'm right on this because this is kind of what I've been describing if I'm if I'm wrong let me know but when we did our market study you know our police and fire they were closer to market so that's going to be that group that kind of gets hit hard with the two percent even though we wished it was fair for everybody across the board but those people down the bottom, which we were way behind on with the cities that we had chose, that's where we're gonna see some of the largest jumps from, correct? So.

Yeah, but yes. But yeah, we can get a number based on the pay study. I'm sorry, Derek, I gotcha.

Go ahead.

You said, so if it's employee only, those insurance rates are staying exactly the same? Yes, sir.

And I think we had it on a slide last time that was about $25 per month. Is that somewhere in my binder? That rattles.

Yeah. It's between $7.85 or $24.79 depending on the coverage level. Oh, spouse or family? Yeah, so between $8 and $25. Okay.

The vast majority of our employees are in the employee-only program.

category though so the vast majority of our employees will not get an increase to their health insurance rates are they allowed to cover a spouse or to others with if there's excess they have access to an employer paid insurance but we still allow them access to it

But if you're looking, the way I look at it and see it, if somebody was to take employee and spouse, at the $25, you're looking at about a $300 cost for the course of the year, when in reality, they're looking at probably $6,500 to $7,000 raise for the year. So it's very much offset in that.

Yeah. It's more helpful with numbers than it is percentages. Yeah. Yeah. I'm with you. Okay. Okay. Yes. But we will get that down. I'd also be interested in just knowing the percentage of employees that are employee only versus family or whatever. But we'll write that down and we'll add that to our information. Okay. Other budget items you guys want to discuss or ask questions on?

if not I'm moving the fees okay I'm sorry so in this budget what we did the we did we took it out the reserve for the plan for the fire apparatuses and what we got on the plan so they can stay ahead of the game or whatever is that included in here for because I know that we were going to have to pay another amount is that included in this budget and how much and what and what

Yes, the expenditure. So what we had slated to take out of the apparatus fund and budget to spend was $500,000. And we needed to come up with, I think, an expenditure of $1 million. And that's budgeted within this document.

OK.

So it's covered.

about five point eight million dollars over the fifteen percent reserve which is the slide before you and then one more thing you said that in previously when we're doing this with the pay increase in the budget that we have now if approved that there will be you will not be able to do no new services

there are no new services no I'm saying you said that anything you couldn't do anything new if this is what we stick to with no with no tax increase and all that I just wanted to clarify what did you mean when you say we will not be able to do any new services what I was trying to convey and forgive me if I did it wrong was that we didn't propose any new programs or services for this budget year so this budget is continuing to do what we are doing right now

additional money for roads. Yes.

So there was additional. Yes.

All as well. Okay. I am going to move on to the next presentation item, which is B, discussion of the proposed 2627 fee resolution. Mr. Rollin-McPhee, that's you again.

I'm going to pull up the one slide. These are the fees, if you remember. They're in your document, but the animal services fees, the fire department fees, and the convention complex, and all of those directors are here to answer questions you have regarding those individually.

There.

Oh, yes, Derek.

sure yes I just I guess with bond and animal services just a couple questions I mean I know this has been a topic that we've had and it's not just in Longview but all overall with the euthanasia and the population so we just we're increasing from the 125 to 250 for surrender of animals

That is if it's a litter. Litters usually come in eight to 10 animals at a time with or without the mom and the cost of care needed. It averages $440 per animal to care for. And we're charging 125 for a litter. So the request was to increase from 125 to 250 for that entire litter.

And then the other one would be without the surrenders, 125 up increase to 200 that is if they are out of County okay our jurisdiction how can you kind of let us know I mean how frequently do we collect those daily and then the adoption fee you reducing it from 75 to 50 that is just a way to try to encourage adoptions if we lower our adoption fee maybe more will want to adopt what's the current status of our animal control population capacity full so I'm just thinking I'm just trying to you know make sure we can I know it's twofold we have to take care of the animals that come in but then also we want them to be find a good home too so they do applications so like if you go you know you have an application and a vet check and other things too in addition to the fee yeah i was just looking at those in animal services i saw some of those changes one kind of good explanation i know it's sometimes it's very sad that some of those animals are just i guess also understanding that it's a much more humane way to take care of an animal than i know a lot of You know, we had this discussion a couple years back, and it's still going on, going, where you see animals just abandoned. So, what happens if somebody saw, like, if we do see abandoned animal, and we just, animal control takes,

we do this can you kind of go through that process if there's an abandoned animal we get it both ways sometimes the citizen will bring to the shelter other times they will call for animal control to bring in to call or to go pick up to bring in so

All right. Thank you, Bob.

Thank you.

I don't see the registration fees that we added. Was it last year? I don't think we're changing anything. We weren't changing. Okay, so there's no changes because I don't see development of services in there. No, there's no changes. These are only requests for change.

Okay. Thank you. Thank you. I saw a hand over here.

Bonnie, for the rental, so the Class 1 rental, Class 2 rental, What's the difference? How many are we doing? How many rentals are we doing?

None.

Okay.

Mr. Allen pointed out last year that we had our hours available 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. and we're not open then. So we corrected that this year and lowered the price to kind of reflect. I say none. We have one to two a year. Okay. Sometimes birthday parties we've had a bridal shower there, a wedding shower.

All right. And then, so hopefully we'll get some more of that. I mean, that's, I mean, for a full day, I mean, that's a really good rate. I mean, it's something that we should do more birthday parties, more all kinds of different things there. So definitely we'll pick that up. And then on the adoption fees, When y'all waive the adoption fees, it's a multi-pronged question on this, do y'all see increased adoption when y'all waive the fees?

Sometimes. A lot of times when we waive donation fees, it's a business in the community has given funds, so we'll waive the donation fees and those will offset that. August, we have National Clear the Shelter Day, so that is waived fees that day. That day the shelter will be extremely populated. Thankfully for future animal owners to come in and adopt, it just depends on what is going on in the year and how busy the families are.

Because on the adoption side of it, it is more than just the adoption that you have to do, right? I mean, it is great that you're getting a fixed animal, you're getting microchipped and stuff like that, those kinds of things that are part of that adoption process. So it's a great value either way, but by the time you go buy a kennel and you go buy some food and you go buy all these different things, the upfront cost can kind of be there.

We have a new program where every adopter also receives food to sustain them at least for a week. So there are ways, things that we're trying to help adopters with as well.

OK, awesome. And then so when you when you're talking about the waiving the fees for that August adoption, is that what is our average adoption fee, would you say?

I guess I'm for they typically run around $50 for highly requested animals that we get very random, like French bulldogs or a full blood chihuahua or something. Those are a little higher just because there is a high request for those, and there's more of a vetting process to make sure they go to their appropriate home.

OK. And then how much does it cost us daily to house an animal? $440. Is that much? One animal? Yes.

Yes.

I want to move in.

That is the cost of care for one animal. It's $440. Wow.

All right. Thank you very much.

Thank you all. Sidney had a question.

I'm a little confused, because on the consent agenda item A, resolution authorizes city manager, city manager to negotiate executive interlocal agreements with other great county cities. Sounds like we're kind of discussing that now.

The fees are if I want to surrender my personal animal to the shelter, I go and I make an appointment and I have to pay to surrender my personal animal. If Gregg County Sheriff's Office picks up a dog, they have a contract with us that they pay based on that amount and they bring us the dog.

okay what about if the okay well I'll go ahead with this if why don't or one of the other cities do they do they have a set fee that we have set contracts we've had two five-year period contracts with those entities for and those are negotiated and re re-upped every five years five years yes we wait five years before we

Well, no, there are escalators within the contract.

Each year they increase $30 to $40 a year. Okay. And when we are in discussions for those contracts, we meet with the individual cities and it clears their city council and city management team.

Could you give us some idea of like one of the Kilgore, Gladewater, whatever, what they're approximately paying if they bring us just one animal?

219 is their current one year.

And that's same for Kilgore? By year five.

By year five, they will be up to 440.

Oh, okay. Well, it's good.

So there are each year there are incremental increases. So by year 520 30, I think is the year would be at the 440 amount.

Now we had a little problem before on this abandoned. If somebody brings a dog to you, they're moving or for whatever reason, they can't keep it. What do we charge them when to take that dog?

Currently owner surrenders $100.

What in this is probably had for what keeps them from driving around the corner and just thought it out.

They don't. Nothing. When they call to make an appointment to own or surrender, we ask them what is going on. If it is an abuse situation, an emergency situation where they are military having to move, unsafe home, something like that, we will waive that. It's just communication between the citizen and the shelter.

Okay, so it is flexible.

Yes, sir.

What would you say are adoption rate a percentage of of the animals that we handle what some idea of how many or what percentage are adopted our live release rate is 91 right now which is very good right that is very excellent excellent yes that also includes that's not just adoption that's also including um us transferring to different rescue organizations as well my um my youngest son does one of those programs where they transport dogs to other people that would like to I guess you've got a website or something that you put the dogs out there that are available for adoption we do and we have a rescue coordinator who she is contacting in many different ways over 500 rescue agencies to see if they have space where they can take as well it's really it's really a wonderful program because we have people here in the community that transport these dogs to Dallas or Houston or wherever for an owner that would like to have that dog that does not have the capacity to come get it. In fact, my son has a little airplane, and he flies them. It's a wonderful program. It facilitates taking care of the animals. Yes, sir. All right. We've got calls drop off, other cities eligible. I think that's pretty well what I had. Okay. Yeah, go ahead, Derek.

I want to follow up because I know a couple years ago with inflation, there's been an increase, obviously, in abandonment of dogs. And when we were talking about this a couple years ago, some of those rescue organizations had trouble because it was transporting, I think, a lot of them didn't.

northeast part of the United States and so how is that is that kind of leveled off where we are sending our rescue van at least once a month average 25 to 30 animals per van Austin New York Tennessee Chicago I can't even name all the places right now we have volunteers who drive

And that's all funded through the 501c3. That's not city funds.

That's not city funds.

Donor funds. We mentioned a couple years ago, we were talking how that was... There's a lot more cost going because people are, inflation makes it hard for everybody to take care of animals.

We also have a pet food pantry now where if that's an issue of feeding, we are able to give them food all through donations and through PAWS, the 501c3. Very good. Which provides the food and other things.

Do we advertise that?

Yep, we sure do.

Good deal.

How are you doing on your volunteer staffing?

Our volunteer group is great. We have a great outreach coordinator. They help tremendously at the shelter with all of our outreach with the rescues, the transports, working our pet food pantry. It is always growing. We could always use more help, but we are still in a good place with volunteers as well. Thank you. yes two things one is I don't know if you want to talk about I think I did a math like a mass spay-neuter program do you want to talk about that real quick too as well how that went we can um we pause just going back to the this was all pause and donated funds organized with a group to be brought in to teach us how to run our own free spay and neuter clinic at a mass quantity in one day It was actually over a three-day period, but utilizing the Project 365 area that has already been identified in the city, staff did knock on doors, pass out flyers. It was appointment only, and in three days, we did 151 free community-owned spade and neuters. We are planning another one for the fall.

And then my other question goes back to the fees on this. So the owner surrender fees, so I know like when we do, the city does bulky item pickup for sanitation, right? And we do it mostly as a free service unless you're paying 50 bucks for a mattress, which is still below what it would cost you if you took it to the landfill. And we do that to encourage people not to dump, right? Is there, by going up on the fee for the euthanasia side of this, that's on owner surrender, I'm sorry. Is that something we should be offering maybe for free for Gregg County residents instead of charging a fee? Would that benefit to prevent dumping out in the counties?

Well, this request is for a litter. So this is 8 to 10, not just a single one. We have not requested to raise owner surrender fees for a single animal. This is only for the litter because of the cost of care for dealing with so many. When the citizen calls, when we find out what is going on, there is, if it's just, I'm just tired of taking care of them. I just don't want to take care of them anymore. We do offer them other resources and a platform in which they can post them to see if there is someone else in the community who might could foster, who could rescue, who could adopt. Again, in an emergency situation, they're leaving overnight, it's an abusive home, the animal is aggressive or something, that is when we are currently waiving those fees.

How does that intake look? So if I was to call you, do we record if somebody asks you how much it would cost to surrender compared to how much actually people come in after they find out the cost? Or are those questions asked up front to make sure that there is a way that we can...

help also I think the litter issue is really the most common I mean that they're gonna dump what's gonna cause last month we had an owner surrender said it was an emergency situation they can no longer care for the animal and they were being evicted that day so we had them bring the animal she was an active labor and so she had 12 puppies and her their fees were waived because of the situation

So do we record how many people we talk to that are asking about surrender fees versus how many actually come in?

The receiving line is recorded. But in our software, I mean, we will make notes. But as far as we can track with owner surrenders how many fees we have received versus not.

Okay. Yeah, my only thing is that I just want to help eliminate dumping. I know it's a big strain on the shelter and it causes other issues, but helping that.

Part of it, I think, is education, though. So, like, if I'm trying to surrender my animal, I think they're usually asking you to schedule an appointment and understand that if the animal comes in, it's like it could potentially be euthanized if the shelter is full.

Well, then also the MassBay and Nooter and all the other programs y'all are doing to help alleviate that is also beneficial. So that's all I had. And also on that party rental, it is air-conditioned, right? It is air-conditioned. They have a good speaker.

Why are people not booking this?

One other question. Yes. Your requirements to be eligible to adopt, do you feel they're lenient or pretty strict, or how do you handle those?

They are lenient. It is just a couple of questions. Do you have a fenced yard? If they're contained, are they kenneled? Are you equipped with potty training? Do you rent or own? If you rent, we just have to make sure that there is property owner approval.

Do you give them a... We passed an animal... supplemental ordinance, I guess you would call it, several years back, where you can't have them loose in the back of a pickup truck. When they adopt, do you give them some kind of rules where they understand, or do you give them a sheet or information where they understand what the rules are? I think you can't have them chained in the backyard or something like that.

Yes, they are educated. If they are asked to come with, if it's a cat, a kennel, they are asked to come with a collar and a leash. If not, we provide all of that to them.

Okay, but they do, when they leave there, they understand they can't just throw it in the back of the truck and drive off.

Yes, sir.

Okay.

Any other questions on fees of any kind?

Yes.

The new fees on fire. Two grams. Two grams. Tell us about the new fire fees.

So just following along the national trend, we are looking for cost recovery for some of these services that we go to, these car accidents that leak hazardous materials and clean up. So it would be reimbursement of the actual product that we put on the ground. And then for the gas leaks, it would be the amount of time in most cases that we would bill for. A large gas leak could put an engine company or several engine companies out of service for several hours while the gas company is able to control the leak. And so we just went with the more common incidents that require us to expend our funds on replacing those materials that we utilize on a regular basis. So again, it's just direct cost recovery.

So on the car recovery in a motor vehicle accident, how does that work? Are y'all charging the insurance car for you, or are you charging the individual? Yes, ma'am.

It would be an insurance-only billing situation similar to the EmergeCon system that we do for EMS billing.

Okay. That's what I need to know. Thank you.

What if the... This is... What if they have no insurance? They're supposed to have liability, but I don't think liability will clean up the mess, will it?

Correct. It will not. We'll still go ahead and clean up the mess. And then if they're a resident, they most likely will not get a bill. If they're an out-of-city or county resident, then we would do a balance bill on that.

okay i think also maybe uh when you came in uh we were actually not charging rest homes to go out and pick somebody up and put them back in bed and understand we changed that i hope we are continuing that charge we are yes sir we are those are they'll still continue i think it was what two last year two 250 or something yes sir 250 dollars yeah okay how'd that go

We've seen a reduction and it's really only for billing the skilled nursing facilities and so we still go to some of the retirement homes or assisted living centers where they don't have staff on site to do that and we do not build those individuals. It's no more different than going to somebody's residence and picking them up but for the skilled nursing facilities we have seen a reduction in requests to come out there.

Well, they were getting it free. Correct.

I have a question for Director Harrell. Yes, sir.

Anything else for Chief Crimes? No. Okay. Thank you. Come on back, Sean.

Hey, Sean, I just got reminded about the past budget we passed with the increase in the rate for ModCob if you're a nonprofit. Yes. How did that go?

So far, I think it's gone very well. So we continue to be very full at the Convention Center. So there's very, very few dates available, and I don't think we've had any big pushback.

Okay, great. Thank you. What about the – that's ModCom. What about – what do we call the other building over there? The Exhibit Center. The Exhibit Center. Yes. How is it doing on – rental rights, I mean, are occupants, are we able to fill it?

Yeah, same thing. So I mentioned, I think last year when we talked about raising the rates, we have about four open weekends in a given year between the two buildings and that's just because you know there's some weekends out of the year that are not as popular for hosting events and that's then we have the the very limited holidays that we give our staff because we keep running even during holidays so yeah it stays very full we spent quite a bit of money remodeling i call it the old JC building that was a long correct it is a very old building yes so inside and it looks a lot nicer yeah run down before but we've considerably remodeled it and everything correct yeah no we to answer the question we are still very very busy we are the two largest facilities available in town and I would say probably even with the increases that we made last year we're probably still underpriced versus other facilities other availability and and so I'm just saying this now to remind you when we come back again in the future is that we'd said we probably need to stair-step approach of continuing to bring those rates up to where the market would be well if we're encouraging people to raise their motel rental rates maybe we need to raise our right same same thing that's right you just got to make sure you're you're where you should be versus the market

Do you do a study on the convention rates?

Yes. So that's what we did. When we've brought those forward, we compare to all the other facilities that are similar. And then we also do look at our other local facilities, but again, there's not very many other of similar size here in the area. And so mainly we're comparing across the state. We did not do that this year because we just did that, the increase last year. And so we wanted to wait at least a year.

How's a pavilion written up?

You know, I don't have the numbers for you other than to say I know all of the customers that come out to see it when they've had the opportunity to be able to add it to their reservation. I know that it's been very popular. And it's included. When you book the entire Mod Cobb Center, it's included as part of that. And so, yeah, we've definitely seen utilization.

Awesome. Thank you. Good.

Derek. I was just going to ask. I know you said we hadn't lost... Do we have any new customers that we've had recently?

That's a great question as well. Again, we're very full. And so when there's an open weekend, there's great demand for those open weekends. I mentioned that we're one of the only facilities of this size anywhere in Longview, but also really in East Texas. So Tyler does not have very many large facilities like this. They have the Brookshire Center that is geared more now towards banquet facilities versus other events. so that is they tore down harvey hall and we'll face it with that but also they had the oil palace which it closed and so we've actually gained a couple of events that had been in tyler that have been coming over to longview so recently we had it's called god in the great outdoors it was a big outdoor show so rvs and boats and fishing and they brought a lot of people in and so that had been in tyler and they came over for the first year and had it this summer unfortunately they had terrible weather but they still had a good crowd and they've told us that they do intend to come back again next year we're looking forward to that and then another large event that was primarily in Tyler they also came and we're here this year and I think they're planning I think they've already rebooked again

thank you I noticed there's been quite a bit of improvement in the in the frontal area there only I will call it you call it the Convention Center now at mod Cobb Convention Center no not mod Cobb the the other bill the exhibit Center exhibit exhibit out there in the area out front the parking grounds the new streets and everything put in it uh i guess my question is is the city doing that or is the county doing that in front of the convention center there uh the there's been quite a bit of work on new streets put in there and just really uh

cleaned it up on the mod Cobb Convention Center side as part of our master plan we through the city's CIP process I'm trying I'm actually completely up the hill where you come off JC Drive okay I'm in there When you come in over there, actually that section has not yet received upgrades and it is our next on the wishlist. Part of that parking lot is actually in pretty bad shape. We did have to do a small strip of asphalt

year and a half ago because it was in such bad shape we had to at least repair it before we could do the major well I guess I'm talking about the area there at Mod Cobb we did the 250th celebration right new streets that were put in there that was very nice the way y'all set that up for the 250th anniversary celebration yes thank you yeah good job all right all right thank you questions comments on fees all right we'll talk about sanitation

Oh, the change to sanitation? I can now? Or we can now? Do you have a question or just general?

Yeah, I just want to ask, like, the increase from the garbage rate from 1936 to 1982, how does that compare to other cities in 1982?

This is a graphic that shows where we would rank after the adjustment, so right in the thick of things.

Okay. Yeah, very good. Thank you. Yes, sir.

Any other comments on budget fees? Okay. And we will move on to discussion items discussion item a property owned by the city of Longview that is currently unoccupied and not being utilized by the city. That's Miss Shannon Moore, our mayor pro tem.

So Michael Shirley, whoever will be able to answer the questions. Okay. Okay.

I've got it prepared. So there are actually two buildings that are unoccupied by the city and in what could be considered disrepair or not habitable. The first one is 601 Boyd Street. That is the old ARC building. the estimates to demolish that is that the one you mentioned last time yes yes that's the one over at stamper park 601 void 150 000 to 175 000 for the demolition hauling off landfill costs but we don't have an asbestos survey on it so the asbestos removal and survey would be in addition to this estimate The second property that we have is 610 Moberly Avenue, which is the Idlewood Fire Station. The exterior of the building is in decent shape, except for the fact that the windows are boarded up and there are difficulties with inside the building. The outside of the building or the shell of the building is in good shape. The demolition costs would be between $30,000 and $35,000, but that does not include any asbestos abatement. So we'd have to do an asbestos survey. The other thing that I would note about 610 Moberly is that it's listed as a local historical landmark. And so there is a process and an application process that we would have to go through. They have a few steps, like you try and sell it first, you try and do these things, but then you basically have to prove up that it doesn't make financial sense for you to do that and get that designation removed, and that would clear the way to demolishing that.

So my question would be, so these buildings have been unoccupied, unused, in bad condition for years now, and I'm just trying to figure out how it just got overlooked.

don't know that it was necessary overlooked there are some there are some parts of the community on both of those properties that recognize those as significant properties we had looked years past probably 15 to 20 years ago in upgrading and the 601 Boyd Street property and had a architect doing design work and and trying to determine what it would cost to restore that facility to what I would say is its glory days so I don't there's never been an expressed appetite to tear that building down or the one on Maverly how many square foot is that place on Boyd Do we know? It's pretty significant. It's a big building. It is a big building. I don't know that number off the top of my head, but we can get that for you.

When was the last time it was in use?

um probably six to eight years ago is is when it was last in use what was it what was it how was it used it was used for the arc of gregg county and that was their meeting place and where they would meet during the day and in fact marianne and i were in leadership longview in 2011 and did improvements to the back of that area because it was utilized by so many people at that time how did we come to own it i don't know the answer to that question

also with this piece of property it's not connected directly to Stamper Park it's kind of there on the north end acreage wise or lot size I mean how big a piece of property is it it's a pretty good sized piece of property the parks

maintenance group is still officed in the other building next to it so the old parks facility on gum Street is actually where we have a lot of storage in that yeah your history lesson in the early 80s the city of Longview purchased the old Womack school which includes the 601 void which was I believe the elementary school and we bought where parks maintenance is now which was the administration building, the band hall, the choir room, there was a gym, and then the intermediate school and the shop area. We purchased all of that land along with the old Lobo Stadium, which is now Womack football field, and so that's all one big swath of land coming there south from where PD is now, going all the way down, and it stops at Boyd, and then Stamper Park, was Stamper Park and then they had actually had the football stadium on the south side of the park. So that's our history for that area.

Okay, so we kind of acquired it for other city use and then we didn't really use that building. That's why we let the ARC use it. What will we do with the parks building when you guys move out and go to T?

think this would be one of those same conversations is we need to do something with that building and I do something do you mean renovate and use it or tear it down I would I would anticipate the condition of that I've not been there in a little bit but it's in pretty rough shape as is my understanding the administration building was built in the 40s it's pure and beam

it's it's basically all we've used it lately for is storage since we moved out in 2007 the downstairs part the band hall and the gym I mean the band hall in the choir room is where their offices are and they use the shop in the old classroom building is just storage the buildings themselves were solidly built back in the 40s and 50s so Rollins correct they probably will not serve much purpose for the future the only thing we looked at was 601 Boyd at one time was for the alert training for the police department because they could train in there like it's a school building and that's what they need to train for but we didn't have the funds to rehab it for them

The other thing that I will note is it was probably five years ago when I was serving as the interim assistant city manager that actually the former city manager, Keith Bonds, and I both met with, I believe it was Nona Snoddy and some other interested persons from the, I'm sorry? from the community talking about this would be a great place for a community center. And we walked through and looked at the building, but the building was in pretty bad shape. I guess after you said you wouldn't have somebody inspected to see or you haven't had somebody inspected to see no we can we can certainly do that yeah get an asbestos survey on those both those buildings in fact I think Laura has already put in an application for Greenfield grant Brownfield grant to help us

determine what the level as best this is would you be in support of demolishing it well I mean I would like to know a little bit more like about what it's like on the inside and if for one the community's input also on a building as well sure okay so don't assume we're going to demolish it correct okay oh got it what about Boyd that's Boyd I'm not sorry I'm at Marbley I'm sorry

Mobberly, actually, I know that Zach Shainer, the city engineer, went out and looked at it and felt like the outside of the exterior of the building was pretty good. There didn't seem to be any problems inside other than the fact that it would have to be gutted and both floors restored. we have had people that have approached i believe angela choi approached her about wanting to buy that building i don't know what they wanted to buy that building for but they they've done walk-throughs of the building as well so we had a couple of people interested in that and councilman smith and i talked about that just because he brought this to my attention earlier i think both of them i mean i would just like community input on what

they would like to see what these builders and what the status is of them when they do a full inspection sure yeah maybe just and I don't know how easy that is but maybe kind of a general cost on if we were to use the building what it would cost to get to that point would be helpful to evaluate it I think yeah I'm not a fan of empty buildings in general yes Derek well just another option I mean we can sign it other than demolish cost of restoring it and then selling it how if we could generate revenue that way where it could be in use yeah I think I mean since the ark is attached to a park and next to another facility in my mind I think you know yeah the Marley one yes I know I think you think that could be sold maybe or someone would be interested I think someone could purchase that property and do something with it but then the question is what what's the proposed use of the property at that point and that would be controlled by how it's owned and that type of thing Okay, well, good discussion. So on Boyd Street, we have asked for asbestos abatement costs or help with that, to understand what that would cost us. And then if we could figure out how maybe to get some sort of just estimate on what it would cost if we were going to use it. Okay, what about Moberly?

same deal right same thing yeah okay let's check it out and kind of see what what it would cost to uh use it use it or and see how much the best is what it costs totally really you need to get 30 35 you know adding that investors if it does have that that's going to raise the price significantly too if we we've had evidently some people interested in buying it

In order to sell it, wouldn't we have to do an asbestos check?

I mean, we don't want to sell a building to somebody that's got asbestos, and then they go to try to redo it. And then, I mean, wouldn't we have to, before we sold it, wouldn't we have to do an asbestos survey just for our own protection?

I don't know. Thanks. I don't think so. I think we did a sealed bid.

I mean, there's going to be an environmental study done on the lender side. If they're going to use a bank, they're going to require it. Okay, so they would. But on there, it's going to be the buyer's requirement for that. I believe Forest Park Elementary had the same issue. Somebody bought it, and then the school there, Longview Christian, I think, bought it, and there was asbestos there, too. And they had to basically use it.

They had to clean it up.

They didn't do the due diligence appropriately on that side of it.

What would the process be if we sold it? I remember doing the fire station on Jetson. Is it a sealed bid? Yes. That is how we would do that. It would just be the highest bidder would get it?

That's correct.

We decided to do that? Interesting. Okay.

Well, we know the city doesn't have a use for it. No, sir.

Yeah, so. Okay. Yeah. Okay. Sounds good? Yes. Okay. Any other comments, discussion?

That's all the vacant buildings that we have is in District 2 and 3. I mean. Basically. Citywide.

Yes, ma'am. Just to follow up, I think the end of the discussion, possibly moderately being sold and then offset the cost of the demolition of Boyd.

Yes, if we decide that it's too much to renovate it, I definitely would support looking at demolishing it, which would be a vote for us out of general reserves to pay for it, but I think money well spent in that if we're going to focus on improving park and the area surrounding it that's certainly you know that qualifies we could put on the land bank right oh yeah we i don't know too too much of a jump i don't know maybe um but yeah okay so for now we'll get some potential estimates and then but yeah we'll keep that on the list of things to do got it uh any other comments questions concerns on that one okay Good. Next item is discussion B, positions for directors, assistant directors and managers. That's also with Ms. Shannon Moore, our mayor pro tem.

Thank you. First of all, I want to say this. This is really truly about hiring practices, job policies, job requirements. I'm not in any form or fashion trying to tell you who to hire in those levels under directors. So just so we're clear on that. But I do want some clarification on things because there are a lot of requirements to change after somebody fills out an application. So I want to know why. And if you want examples, I can give those. But the bottom line is that if you have somebody applying for a job and then this job says, hey, you've got to have a degree here at a director level, but this job at an assistant director level, you don't have to have a degree. But then you hire somebody in that position knowing that they don't even have that certification. And then you then change it. when you put it out, that doesn't make sense to me. So my thing is, is that, what are we doing? What direction are we going in? Because it shouldn't be like that, especially when you have an employee that applies for a position, and then the job exchange and then they don't even get interviewed because with the qualifications change that just doesn't make sense to me and it shouldn't make sense to anybody on the council because if our goal is to hire within and to promote within and to put stock and value in our employees that's not putting much value in our employees if we change because that's what it looks like sure and before i just get into that if you give me just a little attitude because i tried to prepare a little bit for this just to have a conversation about this so

One of those duties that I personally take a lot of pride and care in doing is making sure that we get the right people in the right seats and directing and supervising those departments as well as selecting and appointing those employees served throughout the organization. That is, for me, that is one of the sacred duties of a city manager is to make sure you do that correctly. So while council sets that vision that we have the right people to execute that vision in the future. The other thing that I want to talk about when we talk about stability of the administrative team, which is important, we're fortunate to have a wealth of institutional knowledge in our organization. We have an administrative team which consists, that administrative team is all the managers, the assistant directors, and the directors that make up that group. They bring a deep historical understanding, a knowledge of how things work, and this is possible primarily because we have prioritize promoting from within that is that is what we have always said that is what we preach and that is what we do at the same time they bring fresh perspectives having served in specific management roles for an average of about five years which actually corresponds to the tenure that Mary Ann and I have had as your city manager team so when we talk about that this slide highlights just that cornerstone that you echoed Ms. Moore, that within the city is our priority. 90% of the leadership team has been promoted from within the organization. And just so you all know, 90%, that's 59 employees are what we're talking about. 90% of those have been. I'd also like to note that 2 thirds of those, so just at 42, 43, have taken their roles since we were appointed. While it is not always possible due to specific needs of vacant position, advancing our own people into leadership at such an overwhelming rate, we do reward dedication, boost morale, and ensure those core values are in every department. administrative structure this city has been blessed with being stable we out of dozens of leadership roles we currently have very few vacancies when we do have open positions our staff steps up to make sure the work continues to get done when we do have a vacancy We are strategic about how we handle them. Sometimes we intentionally hold a role vacant to reassess broader organizational needs. In other areas, we rely on our staff to wear multiple hats until we actively recruit someone for that job. I'd like to note on the slide earlier, this shows the sanitation manager and the strategic communication manager. But earlier today, we actually made a provisional offer for the role of strategic communication manager. So we only have one role currently available that's not being recruited. It's actually being held vacant. In 2026, we have focused internally on succession planning. And as council will remind me, that is one of the things that you tasked us with doing in this coming year. And we have taken it very seriously. This year, we've challenged every current leader to actively identify who is coming behind them and to provide the hands-on mentorship and training and experiences so that when that role comes open, they can move into it. Due to these efforts, we do have a lot of future leaders that we have already identified through that process at the managerial level. So we're making excellent progress. When you talk about 2 thirds of the administrative team, we took this survey just last week, 2 thirds of the administrative team has actively identified a potential successor. Of those, about half have a development plan in place to prepare those people to take those roles. And so with that, I will tell you that our common practices are to, we typically advertise. We don't always advertise for positions. When we have a person in queue for that that is appropriate, that someone consults with me or the director consults with me and we think that's appropriate, we will move them forward into that position. far as postings and the one that you were talking about in particular that was incorrect we shouldn't have posted it there that way in the first place and so that we are not above making mistakes and that is a mistake we make and I apologize for that but we do strive to identify those folks for that next role so I guess how my question on that is

On this specific, because, and I want to be clear, this is not just about that specific role. This is across the board complaints that I've heard from several departments, not just this one. This is just something that I happen to look at. Because I look at this resume and I look at the person that was hired that had five years of municipal experience versus someone who had 11 years of municipal experience. So that's, I don't understand that. And then the role itself was recreated, and the person that was in that role is the one that left, correct?

She was not in the same role, but yes.

But she was going to be in that role. Potentially. Exactly. Potentially. But she didn't have any of the CPA experience at all.

I do wonder if we're talking specifics, if that needs to be an executive session or that's okay out here?

Well, I'm just, the thing about this is that, well, the thing about getting specific with this is because I want to see what we're doing policy-wise and what our, when we're posting jobs and how we're doing it and what it says to our employees.

Is this a particular job we're talking about?

But this is not the only job. This is just one in particular.

I think it's more, I think Ms. Moore's concerns are more from a global basis. It is. Not just from one position. We're just using this one as an example.

So this is a global basis. This is not just specifically this. This is what people are complaining about. Employees feel like they're being left out of the conversation that have been here for a while, and this is not the only department. That's what I'm saying.

Sure.

So I do want to understand. because they said the same thing, well, this job wasn't posted and they didn't look at me for this job and I have more experience for this job and so I'm trying to see what we're doing here if we're gonna, because the big thing was that we want to put this value in our employees.

Absolutely we do.

And so when I get these complaints from different departments then I think it's an issue And if y'all want to talk about an executive session further to get details, then we can. But what I'm saying is that I do see that that being a problem. That shouldn't be that. Because I'm looking at, if we do go specific, you know what I look at on that resume. You know what that resume looks like. So that doesn't make sense to me.

Sure. And so what I will tell you is sometimes what is a minimum requirement, there are additional duties that are different than what the candidate or applicant may have. And so while they may possess a base level of those things, the different tasks that are associated with that are not always the right blend and mix of experience. So that's important. I will tell you, I said we don't advertise every job position. But maybe should we? I mean, I don't think that's a problem moving forward. I think that's appropriate. And I don't think that's anything I have an issue with. We do promote from within. The track record shows that. And so while there are times when we can't accomplish that, and those are judgment calls that are forced particularly upon me, I guess.

and so when you said the mistake what do you feel like the mistake was in that not advertising it correctly the first time wait a minute is that a specific job you're talking about she said in this situation is she talking about a specific listing yeah I think we could discuss specifics no I think it's real important when we start in question when we get specific the danger in getting specific on these things

is you send a signal not only internally, but you send a signal externally where people, it's going to be harder to recruit people if we have to recruit people. So we need to be careful about how this dialogue goes just to make sure we do need to be fair and just in our hiring.

I offered this for executive session.

I understand.

I did. I offered this for executive session just to be clear. And again, and I will say this, and like I said, this is about me. this is about me understanding the policies on how we do things and when things don't make sense and when we say that we're directing this as a like what we project out there outward but there's already a projection out there I mean we it is I mean if you have several employees from different departments with the same complaint then there has to be a situation here and that's all I'm saying understood did you did you ask for executive session or did that

The request I received was for an agenda item.

No, when me and Rollins talked about it specifically. Yeah.

Okay, there was no request made for executive session.

It was me and Rollins talked about it specifically, and there was a question on the wording on how the executive session will be worded. And so that was the stopping point. And my thing is I wasn't not going to talk about it.

Sure.

Okay. Yep, I think we talked about it. Any other questions, conversation, or discussion? Thank you, guys. I do have a speaker card that was handed to me late, so we've skipped it, but John Smith, I'm gonna let you come do a citizen comment, if we can pull that back up. Do you wanna come on and do it now? You missed the official time, but we'll count you in.

Well, I got a tardy pass from you, so thank you. Counsel, hello. First of all, I wanted to, two things that I wanted to address. One, I wanted to publicly commend one officer, Kingsbury, who was sent to my home at my request to receive service to inquire about a potentially criminal matter pertaining to one of my family members, they being the victim, obviously, not the... Actor. Officer Kingsbury was in my interaction with him. He spent approximately 50 minutes in my home. I invited him in my home and we sat in the living room it was recorded the incident and he was very patient and he was very sympathetic and what I found particularly interesting when this six foot five 250 pound guy presents himself to me he's you know young man hadn't been out of the Academy in six months and less than six months maybe 21 years old and His professionalism, but not only that, his empathy with my situation and my concern for the well-being of my family members, he addressed forthrightly, professionally, and empathetically. So I wanted to commend Officer Kingsbury on that. The interactions that I've had with the police department in the 14 years that I've been here have varied, some great, some less than great. But I did want to publicly acknowledge him. Second thing I wanted to talk about was Gilmer Road. There was a time when y'all used to require us to present our addresses when we made comments. And I see you don't do that anymore. But I don't mind telling you. It's a matter of public record. I live at 101 Falcon Way, Longview, Texas. in the last 30 days there's been a lot of noise disruption I've talked about this before with the City Council particularly over the last two years but it hasn't gotten better in fact it's gotten worse within the last 60 days alone there's been a barbecue guy with a grill and a Suburban that is directly across the street from my home where he corner gets on Wayne Street which is private property that doesn't belong to him fairly certain of that and at two different incidences that really disturbed my peace in my home across the street one involved him on July 4th literally being in the median at 12 11 to 12 o'clock at night with a big TP or tent like banner advertising his wares for barbecue it was unsafe I called the 911 dispatch about that. Another incident, which was about 30, well, about 30 days ago, the guy was literally standing on the top of his Suburban parked on Wayne Street and Gilmer Road and yelling for his wares in the middle of the night with a bullhorn and a speaker connected to it. Does that qualify as noise disruption to the city? Oh, you know how to respond.

I'm not supposed to, but I think yes.

Okay, all right. Well, call 911 about that, and let me say this. Third thing, and I'll thank you for your time, 911 dispatch, the young people that are being staffed, they sound like they're 22, 23 years old, and my interactions with them, you can record them at your leisure or review them. Their communication leaves a little bit to be desired. when I've had interactions with them.

They probably on that one, they probably want you to call a non emergency number would just be my guess. I mean, they shouldn't be rude to you anyway. But I'd probably call non emergency on the barbecue guy, which is exactly what they directed me to do.

Thank you.

Yeah, thank you. Consent agenda is next I had from Derek item I what other items would you guys like to talk about? Okay, and do you have B and C circled? BC and H, B, C and H. Okay.

You got them?

Any others?

Yes. E-F-G. We're just going to stop doing consent agendas.

Okay. Consent Agenda B, consider a resolution that awards a contract directing city manager to execute necessary documents with Troy and Banks to do a cable franchise fee audit. Mr. Richard Yakeley.

evening mayor city council mr. McPhee this is a resolution that would allow us to have an audit with Troy and banks to audit our cable franchise fees these are fees that we receive from cable companies for using our right-of-way for their cable it's 5% that the state allows us to receive we have received less and less over the years and that is probably just due to people cutting cable and However, as we go through a difficult budget season and as we turn over every rock to see if we can find money to serve our community, one place that we can start is making sure that the fees that we are being paid are correct. And so this is a contingency-based contract with Troy and Banks. It was contracted through the interlocal purchasing system. So it was competitively contracted so we can enter into it. And if they find money, we get some of it. And if they don't, we don't have to pay them. So that's what we would do with your permission.

Yeah, Jody. And I know I spoke with Ron about this last year after my TML convention because I'm like, hey, we got money hiding in the ground maybe we don't know about. So I have two questions. One of them is when was the last time that we had somebody do this?

No, I don't know that we've ever audited these funds. We have not since I've been here in the past eight years. Okay. All right. Well, that was one. And then what's the split on this? Yeah, it's not great. It's a 60-40 split. So we get 60, they get 40 for doing the work. But we don't have to do the work. And currently, we're not getting any of the benefit because we're not doing the audit. And so 60% of something is more than 100% of nothing is how I see it and hopefully how you all see it.

That's better. Normally it's the other way around on a contingency like that.

Yeah, absolutely.

And did we kind of go out to several different companies, or did they approach us in regards to this?

No, so we were looking into the process of doing an RFQ or an RFP, but we are a part of the interlocal purchasing system, so they had already competitively bid this service, and Troy & Banks was the one that got it through TIPS, so we're able to use that contract in order to fulfill our purchasing requirements. Gotcha. Pauline? Yeah. Yeah.

Is there, two questions, is there more of these tips options that are out there we can look at as far as, because if they're being bidded out, then there should be some sort of way to find out more auto services. And the second question is like, how far back do they go

Yeah, so we can go four years back, right? And so we'll be looking at the last four years as a part of doing the cable franchise portion, which I included on the AIS some of the numbers. But we were, several years ago, we were receiving something like $300,000, and we're down to where this year we're expecting about $100,000. So we've seen a sharp decline, but you're talking about $800,000, $900,000 of payments that we'll be auditing through this. One of the questions that came up as we were looking at this was, something like the telecommunications lines, like phone lines, which also we get a small amount. But there are something like 71 companies that pay us a small amount. And in total, we only get about $35,000 a quarter from those payments. And so if you're starting, and per state law, we can only audit the past 90 days. And so you're talking about we can only audit one quarter of payments and it's $35,000 and you have to audit 71 companies to see if they're paying you what you're supposed to. Like there's not a lot of appetite for someone to do that on a contingency basis. But because we can look four years back and because it's such a relatively large payment, you know, Troy and Banks is willing to do this work for us, so.

on sydney okay uh go back to the very basics who's paying these fees who's paying these fees these are the cable providers so in this case it's specifically like sparklight and cable links or a longview cable okay you mentioned sparklight yeah in other words they're using our right-of-ways so they pay us fees and what about the new at t lines that they're laying here you mean fiber

These are specifically related to cable. I don't know the status on if we get paid for fiber. I'm sorry.

Aren't they fiber also?

Yes, they also do fiber. But these fees that we're going to be auditing are related to the cable.

Now, explain the difference between fiber and cable.

That is great. I might actually look to my friend like Josh Gamble, who's an information services guy, and he knew it was coming. It's internet and TV.

Fiber, the internet, and then cable, the TV. Yeah, but you can get internet on the cable, but can you get TV on Sparklight?

You could do it this way.

Why aren't they cable then? If cable's giving us TV and internet, Sparklight gives us TV and internet, why isn't Sparklight paying just like cable's paying?

Sparklight does pay us. It's a smaller amount, but Sparklight does pay us.

Why do they pay less?

Because they have less dollar value customers on the cable.

We get the same percentage off them?

It's 5%.

What about the new lines that AT&T is laying?

i don't believe they're laying new cable i think they're actively pushing people away at this point yes sir we can lay fiber and you can hook on your internet and they're using our right away and we're getting zero i i don't actually know if we get a percentage on fiber i'm happy to look into that and get back to you i'll tell you i'm aware of cable because a part of that money we get goes to a special fund called the cable franchise fund and that is part of how we broadcast meetings like this we use that money to buy these cameras and these microphones And so that's how I first became aware of it and saw that number ticking down year after year. And so we have a small pot of money that we can use for these types of broadcast things. The rest of it goes into the general fund that we get from the 5%.

I think the audit's a great idea. My question is, who are we auditing?

Well, currently, this is going to be the two companies, the Sparklight and the Longview Cable or the CableLynx.

in as you ask about those other services I'm happy for us to look into if there are other places where it makes sense I'd love to bring it back and talk to you about other opportunities to look for money consent agenda C consider a resolution that awards a contract and authorizes and directs the city manager to execute necessary documents with for business ours for professional audit services miss Cohen

Yeah, this is the item for the engagement of professional auditing services to provide our annual audit.

Okay, and so what happened with Henry and Peters?

It basically came down to qualified staff in order to do a timely audit. Our audit is pretty complicated. It takes about six months, and it takes quite a bit of staff to do so.

So Henry and Peters sent a letter saying they didn't have enough staff? Yes. And then also on here, I was looking and it says that they do grants, they audit grants. Will this, did Henry and Peters audit grants or pick outs?

Yes, that is common practice. You'll usually get in the base and with this one, it's $150,000. You'll get the big grants in that. But if the state threshold is a million dollars. So if we get grants over a million dollars, then they're required to audit those also. So it depends year to year how much it will cost.

And so will we be auditing a grant, a big grant?

More than likely, yes, this year. Do you know which one? We had one that was $3 million for Stamper Park, so that might be one of them. It depends on what they choose.

Okay. Thank you. That's what I wanted to know.

Perfect.

How do these, the cost with the Forbes, Mazer, I can't pronounce it, whatever it is, how do the cost, the 150, is that comparable to what was paying Henry and Peters?

Yes, it is comparable to the base, and then like I said, it depends on the grants that have to be audited as to what the cost comes out.

I noticed they've got, I thought I read in here, it's a five-year contract? Yes. and it's renewable each year with either a CPI which is consumer price index or a PPI which is producer price index and they get to choose which one so obviously they're going to choose the lower one is that normal that they get to choose what the modifier will be yes that is normal that was the same way with Henry and Peters they got to choose whichever one they wanted huh that's not bad for them yeah okay

Any other questions on C? Alright, I'm moving on to E. Acceptance of the City of Longview Quarterly Investment Report. Ms. Cohen, who asked for that one?

one thing the return is excellent thank you I mean I can't get these kind of returns on municipals I have to go out for for short term three years short term three years five years I think your average is 3.6 or something like that now make one thing clear that may sound like that's not much but these are tax-free returns if it's an individual you know or even a company Am I correct on that, Angela? Yes. Yes. So they're getting 3.5%, 3.6%, 3.7% with no income tax. So really it's 5% or 6% in real dollars. And one thing I did like. John, you know this. You look at the book value and the market value, and you're right on the dollar on all of these. So we're not speculating. These are very conservative. I mean, you're digging them out, and you're getting the high rates, and you're doing it with companies that the whole market across the United States, or wherever we go, fields that the current price we're paying is book value and market value. Because if you get a weak company, your market value is going to go below your book value, what you paid for, and you're going to lose money. And ours are right down to the penny, the book value and the market value, which is very, very good with your management. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. All right.

Gold star, Angela. Item F, consider a resolution that authorizes a city manager for purchase of hazmat sensors for the fire department. With our local agreement with the TASB not to exceed $63,285. Chief Grimes, you're already here.

Yes. So this is a continuation of the resolution now to expend those funds and actually purchase it. The previous resolutions were for acceptance of the grant and that kind of stuff. So we're just finalizing and should be able to purchase it.

No, I have no problem whatsoever. I think the only thing that I'm kind of curious about, it says we're doing this through the association school boards. I don't want anybody to think these are going to the school system.

No, they are not. It is for the school board system and other government entities to be able to use that.

We're just using that purchasing power to get the price that you'd like to get. Yes, sir. That's it.

Okay. Thank you, Chief. Yep. Next, G, resolution rejecting all proposals for issued tree procurement for beautification. John Albertson.

So this resolution would reject the one bid that we got or the one RFP that is that we got from a company out of Missouri. This is for our trees grant. This would have been for the purchase of all of the trees as part of that. The reason that we were having a difficult time trying to get more proposals is because we had our arborist had put 90 species, which is all of those. We're intending to go back for an invitation to bid, which would then allow us to shrink that number down to 45. She has done a lot of work in order to shrink that number of species that we're gonna go out for. And then it will also get us exactly the number of trees that we need this year to plant.

Okay, I'm a little confused. I thought we were getting these trees from Texas A&M.

It is a reimbursable grant so they we will purchase them and then they will reimburse us for the purchase of those.

Who reimburses?

Texas A&M Forest Service.

Oh they will reimburse us so we're not going to we're not buying trees.

We are purchasing the trees and then we will submit the paperwork and then they will reimburse us for that purchase.

Okay so the washout then. Okay just wanted to make sure. Thank you.

What's the timeline on this that you have to get these done? Does it have to be this budget year or is it?

So this project will go through next year, the end of calendar year next year. So what we'll do is our goal is to try and turn around next week to be able to put the invitation to bid out so that we can get those back within a couple of weeks and go ahead and draw an award. These trees will be planted this year. So the goal is we actually have some dates Set up for our giveaways, which is September 12th, September 19th and November 14th I want to plug those because those will be the giveaway days that you can come and get trees as part of this grant at the Arboretum and

So we got to hurry up and buy them. Yes, Judy.

Can we add one more tree to that list? Can we add a money tree? Because I know we got a good arborist, but Angela said, you know, hey, she's looking for a money tree. So if we could add that to this list and you send it out for bids, I would appreciate it.

I will plant all the money trees I can.

I support that request.

Okay, thank you, john. Item H, consider a resolution that where the contract to execute any necessary documents with JM diesel repair LLC for repairs of a ladder truck for the Longview Fire Department that's under Rick Evans is that maybe Dwayne or maybe Chief Grimes or?

Yeah, whoever wants to take it. I'll start and then Dwayne if y'all got any questions about warranties and stuff like that and motor will call Dwayne.

Did you ask for that one? Go ahead, Sidney. Okay, Mr. Evans.

What brand of truck is this? this is a 2016 Pierce Pierce okay okay now what we've got we've got a engine failure is that correct yes sir we had a new engine yes all right who is the manufacturer what manufactured the manufacturer the engine that's currently in there who is the manufacturer that in Detroit Detroit okay

It's a Detroit DD-13.

OK. Do we normally run oil samples on our larger engines like this?

I'll refer to Duane on that question.

It's a fleet management question.

and welcome back to lane thank you yes sir sometimes we do run oil samples and this one right here is it just had a service and then just oil pump failed okay so that was my next question yeah we do have maintenance records to showing that we had just done service oh yes sir we we do we are very strict about making sure we have good maintenance you know approximately how many hours this engine had on it about twenty about twenty five hundred hours yeah okay

is it the original engine that was in the truck in 2000 okay yes sir right yeah okay and it was an oil pump failure yes sir but it was full all at the time yes but you know how that yeah yeah okay and we do keep maintenance records on them that's right okay the engine we're looking to purchase from What's the name of it? J.M. Diesel. J.M. Diesel Repair. This will be another Detroit Diesel?

Yes, sir.

Are they a franchise dealer for Detroit Diesel?

We will have to go through Kenworth to purchase them. They will. J.M. Diesel will purchase it through Kenworth.

But who's going to install it? JM diesel will install it will Detroit what kind of warranty will we have on the new engine we'll get it we'll get a three-year warranty 200,000 mile okay that's good with JM diesel repair installing the engine instead of Kenworth installing it which is a truck company here will that warranty still be good yes yes yeah yeah what what I mean I'm just starting back at zero. Who is JM Diesel Repair?

They're a company here in Longview that we use for fire apparatus repairs mainly. They do other repairs for us, but yeah, we rely on them a lot for fire maintenance.

But Kenworth or Detroit will accept their installation?

Yes, sir.

Okay. Will this be a... new or remand i'll back up a little bit sometimes remands are better than new because the remand is completely rebuilt and it's already been stress tested do you know whether this will be a new this will be a remand remand that's better okay um okay the warranties take care approximately how long has this unit been down

How long has it been down?

I mean, not serviceable.

It's been a little while, just because we needed to go through the process of getting to council and getting approval to do it.

This is a critical piece of equipment. It's a life-saving piece of equipment. Is there not some type of a shorter avenue to go? I mean, I think we still need all this information, but I don't know how long. Has this been out like a month, two months?

I think it's been about a month. Is that right, Chief? About a month. Yeah, it's been about a month.

Okay. And we have a unit, a backup unit that's taking its place at this time? Okay.

But you're correct. It is very essential that we get this thing repaired as quickly as possible. It is the only platform ladder truck that we have.

Do we have an approximate delivery time on the engine?

I think they were telling us a couple of weeks. Okay. So it's still going to be a little while before we get it back in service.

All right. Well, that's my main concern.

We want to get them started.

Yes, sir. It does have a warranty on it. the installer is certified to be able to fulfill that warrant yes sir yep okay well that's that's that's good I would recommend oil sampling on a steady basis

yes sir we all go to the doctor's office and what the doctor says did you go to the lab did you run a blood test oil to a motor is just like blood to a human that's exactly right yep okay I was gonna ask Chief Grimes see you come up for a reason I was gonna ask you this so I know when we were talking about the fire apparatuses and we was perching them we got our frontline and then we got our others that are gonna go on the back line when things happen is this one of those Apparatuses that will depend on the goal in the background? Yes, sir.

It's 10 years old. We try to keep a ladder truck in service for five years. I'm sorry, for 15 years. So it has another five years frontline service, and then we'll put it in reserve for five years.

And I know you and I have talked, and for the people that don't know out there, When you're talking about the hours on a vehicle, there's a lot of hours. That thing is just sitting there idling. Correct. Which, if you know anything, sometimes that's harder than your road miles. So I just wanted to bring that up to people so that they were aware of that.

That's good. Do we periodically start these units and run them like something like this? I know we don't. Do we take them out and kind of stretch them out, so to speak? I'm sure they don't just sit there for months on end.

Correct. We have a maintenance program and also our apparatus checks that are done daily. They will run them, even the reserves that are sitting for maybe weeks. But with the amount of maintenance that we've had to do and the service requests on them, those reserves are getting increased. a lot of road miles as well.

Yeah, we do exercise them, so to speak, to make sure they're ready to go. Yes, sir.

Drive them around the block.

Yes.

Got it. Okay, thank you, Chief. I have a question. Oh, no, sorry, one more.

I may not have a chief question. On this, is it typical for the engine life for that vehicle?

I'm sorry, is it?

Is it typical for the engine life, about 10 years?

Well, I would say it's atypical for that motor to shell out at, 2,500 hours.

OK. How are the other ladder trucks? What are they?

truck eight is relatively new and so it's it's in really good shape and then truck five is an older model which we are replacing in 42 months okay we are that's okay good and then I was impressed with the fact that like we're not having to do pull from funds emergency like our reserves on this we have it in the fleet services budget which is

Yeah, so I'm glad to see that. I appreciate that.

And when you're talking about this in regards to a motor and all that, we're talking about an oil pump. And you've got people that have put a brand-new oil pump in when they rebuild a motor to run a 50-lap race. An oil pump can go out, and it's a brand-new pump. So those things are destined to happen. Because Detroit makes a fine motor, and I know Sidney can back me up on this. And it wasn't failure of the motor. It was failure of a component. Correct, sir.

If you take a Kenworth truck running down Interstate 20, they're going to have more hours because they run consistently. And the hardest thing you can do with a diesel engine is start it, run it for a while, then shut it down. It cools off. It gets cold. Then you start it and run it again. It's going through all these temperature changes where a truck running down Interstate 20 is at a steady temperature for eight, However long the driver can drive it. Six, seven, eight, ten hours. And then they shut it down and it doesn't start again until the next day. Then it runs consistently eight or ten hours the next day. And they get considerably longer hours due to the hardest thing on a diesel engine is starting it up and shutting it down. Because it gets cold, then it gets hot, then it gets cold, then it gets hot, then it gets cold.

Unfortunately, that's the nature of our business. Yes, it is. Yes, it is. Thank you. Yes, sir.

Did y'all price rebuild versus a new engine? believe he's that was a rebuilt is that correct yes sir as a remanufactured motor I'm dumb the one is already in there as a reman or the one that's coming the one that's got a little pump all you need to do replace all pump so do get further damage past that or as I understand it there was metal shavings throughout the entire motor so in frame wouldn't be a no sir just with that I know

You brought that up. I have a question. So Henry and Dwayne would probably answer this one. So I know in regards to the core charge, a lot of times when you turn something in the core charge, you automatically know what it is. But once this motor's out, then we find out what our core value is. Then we'll find out. Exactly. Just why is that? That's from my knowledge.

Well, they're not going to give you back your core if it's in bad shape, if they can't rebuild it and make another engine out of it. So that's why it's important.

It could have a warping.

No.

Yeah, it could have a warp, something like that, yeah. Appreciate you. Thanks. Thank you all.

Good job, yeah. Glad to have you back. uh oh derek wandered away for item i but uh that is one that he requested item i a resolution that awards a contract to authorize the city manager to execute necessary documents for the construction of the mcgorder park improvements new pickleball courts uh that's under mr rick evans and may include mr albertson i guess but i think we probably just want an update yes sir yeah i'm really excited about the beautiful mcgorder park and getting the pickleball court um can you talk a little bit about

two it's gonna be two courts there and the where that's planning like the plan of it and where it's going to be the time that okay to complete all right we'll do we're using contact contractor which who was the lowest bid they're gonna be two pickleball courts built with fences lights and sidewalks

once this is approved tonight we'll get it get the contracts out and then we'll have a pre-bid and once they once they sign the pre-bid and get started they have 90 it'll be completed in 90 days as of then very good and so I know there's a big discrepancy on the contact versus Helleson I'm familiar a little bit with Helleson for schools there's the for that was all the material exactly the same on the bid I don't know I did not directly as far as the materials for the line item bid plan surface and all yes sir all of those were to spec so it was to the engineer specification and man so just when it cools off like water park let's get some pickleball going never played pickleball but I'm excited to learn council retreat i'm excited about the uh fact that that area has a lot to offer and i hope the pickleball

creates more family activities and other things for kids to do out there with with their parents or however that works thank you guys yes thank you and I also think let go know that the partnership with let goes where those funds came from absolutely I think it's great that you are working along with mr. Evans in other words it's a co-op seems like between the parts department and in the garage I call anyway the engine the building part mm-hmm yeah all of our projects we work with poet works and engineering on so

Good to see a park flourishing. And the softball girls were using the quarter park too. So, pretty cool. Okay, next item is a zoning item. Public hearing will be... Oh, I'm so sorry. Yes, we should approve it.

Sorry.

Can I have a motion to approve the consent agenda?

Move to approve.

I have a motion.

Second.

Second. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Thank you. Consent agenda is approved. Thanks for that. That's why you're mayor pro tem. Zoning item, we'll move on to public hearing, which will be held to consider application S26-05, filed by Julian Torres, requesting a specific use permit. District three, Ms. Angela Choi.

Thank you, Mayor, members of council and Mr. McPhee. The applicant is requesting a specific use permit to allow for a single family home in heavy commercial zoning district. Currently there is a single family home located on the property. A specific use permit is required for a single family dwelling within that zoning district to ensure no negative impact on surrounding properties. The previous zoning ordinance permitted single family homes in heavy commercial zoning district However, the current UDC does not. Therefore, this property is considered non-conforming. A specific use permit would alleviate issues with any permitting and possible sales of this property. Planning and Zoning Commission, along with staff, recommends approval of this request. I'd be happy to answer any questions at this time.

Any questions for Ms. Choi? If none, this does require public hearing, which I will open at this time. I do have one speaker card, Julian Torres, but I believe you're the applicant. Just here for questions. I'm not here. Okay, perfect. I do not have any other speaker cards. Is there anyone that would like to speak on this matter? I would. Come on up.

I would like to make a comment.

Sure. Whenever you start, excuse me,

I'm sorry. My name is Sheila Maxey. Whenever you start doing having a specific specific use permit in a commercial area for single family homes. Okay. You start having a problem with mixed use permits operating in residential areas. Okay. and that creates a problem because in my community right now we have people trying to operate personal businesses okay in a residential neighborhood historic residential neighborhood okay putting their commercial equipment in front yards okay on the curbs and the neighborhoods and all of that so it creates a situation like where in Longview, you normally have residential zoning, multifamily zoning, and where you can only build specific properties in those neighborhoods, whereas in a place like Houston, Texas, you can go build a house somewhere, and then you can build a business next door to it, and then you don't have really a residential area. neighborhood and then when people invest in their property then they want their neighborhoods to stay for example my neighborhood okay it was single-family neighborhood where we wanted to remain like that I don't want to wake up one day and then there's a commercial business being built okay because this specific use permit was allowed for this person to build a home in a commercial area then then someone would start trying to build a commercial businesses in my neighborhood. And then it'll just start destroying the neighborhood. The value of property goes down. Okay. So I don't think it's a good idea.

Thank you, Ms. Maxie. Ms. Choi, did I understand correctly that this is a request from go to go from heavy commercial to residential. So it's a commercial area.

That's correct. It currently is a commercial area. Mr. Torres built a single-family home in a commercial zoning district, and so he is just asking for a specific use permit to allow for that use to stay there. Yes. Yes, ma'am.

I understand. Any other questions or comments for Ms. Choi?

When was the house built?

Ten years.

Ten years ago. And this was prior to the last UDC change. Yes. The reason why we're requesting this. So before it was allowed and therefore is just continuation of what was already allowed on the prior UDC. Is that correct?

Yes, sir. That is correct. Thank you.

I will close the public hearing and call for a vote or a motion.

motion for Brandon of a second from Sydney all in favor please say aye any opposed zoning item is approved thanks guys we'll move on to items of community interest starting with mr. Conley down there yeah we excited for school I guess next thing next Wednesday is the first day of school a pine tree and excited for tonight I think was the middle school had to meet the teacher night Parkway elementary Burch elementary junior high and high school will be on the 17th on Monday and the partnership between parents and guardians and the teacher and the student it's just great to have a good start into the year and I think I encourage all parents to be at that attend those sessions to get to know the teachers and form those partnerships and

rolling for the kids and good luck to everybody next Wednesday first day of school that's it happy back to school there's still a few more school drives left coming up this weekend so it's on everybody online take advantage of that you're needing Anything for your kids, make sure you share any information that you know of. So just be on the lookout for all those events.

Perfect. Thank you. Mr. Houston.

Yes. So I'll keep talking about this till we have the event. Drive to Inspire is coming up. So it's benefiting partners in prevention. Golf course is going to be at Tempest. It's Friday, October 16th. So you can pay by the player or by the team. So look at those options. Go to LongviewTexas.gov slash golf. to register your team there, and it is a morning shotgun start, so definitely go check that out. And the Spider Mentoring is an amazing program that we do definitely want to continue to support. Next is the Arts View is having their children's theater is having a 24-hour musical, and so they have one day to learn what they're going to do. I'm sure it's a lot of laughs and a lot of good time and helps benefit the arts and the future and the kids that are doing this. I've been in many arts for you plays, and I'll tell you, I'm amazed what these kids can do. So definitely go there and Richard's in it. Richard's in it. So you can also go see Richard there as well. $25. Great place downtown. This one's at actually the Dodson Auditorium at Kilgore College. Saturday, September 5th at 7 p.m. Thanks. That's all I have, Mayor.

Perfect. Mr. Berryhill.

All right. We're talking about school up here, and I want you guys to pay attention. You got school buses that's fixing to start running in the roads. When they have their sign out and they have their lights flashing, you're gonna stop both ways. You're gonna let them kids get on and off. next thing I want you to be aware of your speed limits around your school zones you're gonna see flashing lights sorry I didn't have flashing light I was a little late getting this in Richard did a great job getting this taken care of for me but pay attention to the speed limits remember to put your cell phone away you can answer for it I guess is that alright Chief Boone but listen watch out for our kids they're coming from all directions they don't pay attention this is your warning because the next person you'll see if you run that bus or you run you're speeding through that school zone will be some of my my good friends over at longview police department so let this be your warning and not see them chief boone anything you want to add yes sir you did a good job mr allen my wife and i had the wonderful opportunity

I think it was last week to go to the play, Oklahoma, that was done locally here at the, we used to call it the Ladies' Garden Center. I'm not sure what you call it now. It's across from LEDCO. The building is down across.

The Community Center.

Community Center down across from LEDCO. They did an absolute wonderful performance. You couldn't get any better on Broadway. And their local entertainers and the songs were just tremendous. It was just a wonderful production. And I would encourage in the future, If you'd like to volunteer, you want to get up on the stage, go down there and volunteer and work with them. But the performances are just, this was an excellent, excellent performance, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. And just want to say thank you for presenting these opportunities for us to get a little culture. Okay. Perfect.

Thank you. Anything from you?

Nope.

Nope. I have got a couple tonight. First, the Dog Days of Summer, which is sponsored by Longview Parks and Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center. That will be 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, August 15th at Ingram Pool. That means you can bring your dog to swim with you there. All dogs must have tags and proof of rabies vaccination, and we are going to charge you $3 per dog, but please come out and enjoy that with us. Due to heavy demand, Stamper Park Family Aquatic Center will shift to weekends only to maintain our pool season a little longer. Thank you very much, John Albertson and our hardworking lifeguards. So beginning in, nope, this weekend, no. this weekend. Is that right? So if you're starting this weekend, Saturday and Sunday noon to six through September, Stamper Park will continue to be open and our residents will be able to swim through September which is pretty awesome. Good job. Tremendous which we've already talked about will be hosting two tremendous tree giveaways of 150 trees each on a first come first serve basis in September. That will be September 12th and 19th at the Longview Arboretum. Please mark your calendars to attend those events. And finally, we are gearing up for National Night Out. Please join us Tuesday, September 1st for our National Night Out kickoff event at Mod Cobb and then make plans to attend a party or host one in your neighborhood on October 6th. You can learn more at our website. This is very important. Please make plans to attend. Thank you guys so much for being here. We are adjourned.