Planning & Zoning Commission - Regular Meeting

because teach your kids to read and read it's very important for life. Um I came from a country that it's not that much enforced like to the kids and here it's so natural and then I feel so happy that Luna is she loves books. She doesn't watch TV. She just stay staring at the books reading her books. Well we love baby time. We re we All right. All who want to uh approve the minutes would I I I

Okay. Eyes have it. Motion carried. The meetings from the minutes from last meeting has been approved. Okay. Moving on to our next agenda item 4 A. Discuss and consider action regarding the historic colored edition subdivision project. Thank you. Thank you. Yes.

Good evening, Equity Advisory Board. My name is Brianna Miller. I'm a special projects manager for the city manager's office. Uh and tonight we're going to discuss the historic colored edition. Um before we dive into the nitty-gritty, I want to talk about how we got here. Um and then we'll talk about the plan and where we're going next. So um first some background. At the last equity advisory board meeting, you heard a proposal from uh community members for the um uh apologies for the AfricanAmerican uh history project or African-American corridor proposal for the historic colored edition. Um that was a proposal that was presented to staff and then presented to the city council at a lunch and learn in early March. During that lunch and learn, council wanted uh the equity advisory board to have a hand in that project and really carry it and lead it forward. And so at the last meeting, you heard that proposal from the community. And we mentioned during that meeting that we would come forward with a plan of how to proceed forward. Um but there's even more history to the historic colored edition than just where we are today and the discussions we're having today. Um although last meeting I gave a very highlevel overview. It was very quick and you heard a lot of information at that time. Um and it's always great to talk about history again. So uh some background for the area. The image you see here is the original kind of plat of the uh historic colored edition. It was established in 1910 um after black workers were prohibited from living within the city limits of Flugerville. um a local farmer, Laru Norton Nort, that there's a typo that should be Norton. Uh sold 1 acre lots um to um forming Flugerville's colored edition families built um key community areas including a local school. Um you have the St. uh Mary's Baptist Church. There

also one point was St. Matthews Missionary Church. There's two cemeteries in the area. Um and it was established um throughout the years. At one point, I believe in 19 uh78, county officials attempted to rename the subdivision, but residents successfully preserved its historic name, keeping it as the historic colored edition. And then, um years later in 2019, um city council adopted the infrastructure and land use study. And during that time, staff worked with the community in the area and listened and heard a lot of feedback from them as they were developing the study, including keeping the name, which was heard then. Um, we've also heard recent feedback about keeping the name. And I want to make it clear that in tonight's plan, there is no recommendation at all to change the name. That's not even touched. Um, staff is not recommending changing the name uh and remains committed to calling it the historic colored edition. um that infrastructure and land use study identified projects, improvement projects. And so the historic subdivision improvements project was launched um to improve the infrastructure in the area, including street paving, water service, wastewater infrastructure, and overhead utilities as well as sidewalks and lighting in the area. Um but outside of just infrastructure project, staff has also been working on um our amazing library team including Daniel Barah have worked on a digital history project for Flugerville. And they have an entire section on the digital history project um called Black History of Flugerville um where they have uh collected stories and pictures um maps and archived them. So this project is something that's long been on our minds uh during the infrastructure and land use study. It was um discussed as well and so um has been on staff's mind for quite some time since 2020 through 2025. We've seen

construction progress steadily. You might have thought in 2020 there was no dirt moving and that's because there was a lot of pen to paper happening, design, um right ofway acquisition, utility design, um identifying pipelines, all all kinds of things where you're just not going to see dirt move. Um but now you can see dirt moving if you drive by. Um for those who aren't familiar, the historic colored edition is along um Pan East Pan, sorry, uh street. And so, uh, if you're passing by Flugville High School, you pass by the historic colored edition. On the left is an aerial image from January of this area under construction. You can kind of tell that it looks like a bunch of dirt roads because that's um them getting ready to pave the roads. The two images on the right are from today, this afternoon, of ongoing construction that's occurring. In the center image, um you can see that uh on well, it's hard to tell, but on the far right there is drainage that's being is underway for drainage in the area. Um on the far right, you'll see at the intersection of Russell, um the the ongoing construction that's occurring there. And you can see um that there is very little right of way. Um, for those that don't know what Rightway is, rightway is the area in which the city can utilize that public strip of land um for public good. Utilities um is typically what goes in those areas. Um and so that that is the ongoing construction that's occurring today. This construction is anticipated to be complete um mid 2027. So with that before you you have um the historic color edition beautifification plan and this plan is cut into three phases. Um and and I'll talk at a high level of what is incorporated within those phases. um

the purpose and the intent that at the end of these three phases, we anticipate that this plan will um span over 3 to 5 years and and part of that is because of the ongoing construction. We quite literally cannot put anything in place right now because it is actively under construction. So, it wouldn't um really work out well there right now. Um but at the end we hope to see a community val validated and curated and approved by the equity advisory board. Um you'll see installed wayfinding and signage that meet city standards across the way. Public art installations and then um maintenance program and storytelling by the equity advisory board. So phase one we like to call the engagement and foundations phase. This is the phase that um really helps us get our footing together. One of the very first there are four tasks within this phase. And I kind of want to emphasize that while there are three phases, that is not to say that any of these tasks can't happen simultaneously. It's not like we're going to do task one, wait until task one's complete, then do task two. If these things can happen at the same time, we're going to have them happen at the same time. Same with the phases. If there's some of the phases that can overlap, we'll have them overlap and we'll make sure that we move forward. So, the first task is listening sessions and oral histories. Um, which is what this equity advisory board is great at and has done in the past, but very specific to this area. Um, this will be led by the equity advisory board to engage and meet with the founding families, nearby property owners, St. Baptist B St. Mary's Baptist Church um their members and then the community at large as well to collect oral histories and help research and organize these stories. Um these stories will also be incorporated within the digital um uh the library's digital history

project. But what's also great about these stories is that we'll be able to understand learn more about the area and the history of the area than just what we've collected. But in later phases, you'll see that those stories will help identify what public art should look like, what themes should emerge from there. While we we have our stories and we have the general history of the area, you may learn things that really should be shared through public art or through signage or other ways as well. At the same time, staff is going to work on um a signage location analysis. So, I've I've alluded it to before. The ride ofway conditions um cause some concern on what what we can put in that ride ofway. Um you're not going to see it in this plan exactly, but right now staff is working on um and has contemplated it in the 2019 infrastructure study um having a park within the area of the historic colored edition. um ongoing at this current time. Well, not literally right now, but um we have a uh bond committee that is reviewing projects to potentially go forward a bond election. Um within our parks bonds projects that we are contemplating and uh will recommend for approval by the bond committee is the concept of a reunion park in the historic color edition which would outline the ability for staff to um identify land acquisition to then later be a public park which is a great location for public art. Why you don't see that completely outlined in this plan is because it has to go for an election. So we don't know what that looks like. So, this plan was developed with that in mind. It can both work independently without that land um but also works great if that land is in place. Um so, you'll see some and I I'll point them out some um alluding to potential land in that area um for a public park. So, this task kind of has in mind that if we don't have a park in that area,

what do we do? And so we're anal uh analyzing um the constraints that are in place and possible locations for our um signage to be put in place. There are some um because at the very entrance of the historic color edition is on PCON um that's a text dot road. So we have some text dot requirements that we have to follow um before you know any signage is put in place. So that'll happen and and staff will bring that report back to the equity advisory board. Um and then we'll discuss public art locations as well, not just signage, but also public art at the same time. And then once light poles are up, we hope to have light pole banners um that will start um signifying this area as the historic colored edition and bringing in place as we're working through the public art um that initial way finding for the area. At the same time, the city and the equity advisory board will look at opportunities for historic designations in the area um and move forward through that process as well. If we identify um possible designations, we'll move forward with the community as well as this board um to seek those. Phase two is the storytelling um and artist selection phase. This is probably uh the more fun phase of it all because you get to look at art. Um but this is where this board will identify those stories to share. Um work work as well as still continuously working closely with residents, the community, founding families and St. Mary's Baptist Church to identify those narratives that could be both featured on the website but as well within um either signage or art in the area. Task two is the design of the signage. That's always fun. Um at this time we'll also staff will also evaluate other opportunities where we can incorporate um work that we're already doing for wayfinding within the city. Um so that way it's cohesive but

still unique to the area as well. Um task three is public art themes and engagement efforts and that's where we'll work with the board on creating a unifying theme for the artwork that reflects the heritage, resilience, and identity of the historic colored edition. um that could possibly involve consultants depending on where we are in that phase and how complex um it might become. Task four is public art location. So we do all the work of like where can we actually put things and then task four is where we'll actually decide where those things go. Um within here priority will be given to locations on city- owned land to streamline implementation and that is that nod to the possible park within the historic color edition. And so if we have that park, that's where the priority will be for that public art. If we don't have that park, then we'll identify other locations. Um, and there will be challenges along the way because of not just the amount of rideway, but as well as the um differing text and state requirements that we have to follow when putting items within the rightway. Task five is public art design and approval and that's when we'll work with this board as well as the community um on the actual design of the public art and the different phases. It'll be reviewed and considered by the equity advisory board. Um it'll include the storytelling content, signage concepts and the design of public art. And then phase three is the installation of public art and continued stewardship. Um task one is signage fabrication installation. So, the actual creation and installation um and that's where we'll also incorporate the historic colored edition within our citywide wayfinding program and that's ongoing. So, that's why um you see this in a later phase because we're still developing that as well. So, it'll it'll go in uh hand inand task two is public

art installation. And that's when we actually finalize everything um and um and start installing that artwork. Task three is the maintenance and stewardship plan and that's where I'll identify working with the equity advisory board a long term long-term maintenance plan um for the area as well as the public art. Um and then any possible future step storytelling updates as needed. Um, overall within this plan, there are different cost estimates, but they are just estimates. As we go through each task and phase, we'll get closer and closer to narrowing down what that looks like. Um, and because construction won't complete be complete until mid 2027, you're most likely will see items if adopted and approved by this board as well as the city council. Um, you'll see funding in future budget years. Um, right now there there's no spending because we're still working on all of the details. Um, and so at the end of it all, you should hopefully see beautiful in infrastructure in the historic color edition, a collection of wonderful stories of the history of the area that's available digitally. Um, and then also art that reflects that those stories, the heritage, um, and the history of the historic colored edition. So, next steps and then I'll pause for questions. Um, staff does recommend approval of the historic color edition beautifification plan by uh the equity advisory board and then we would prepare and bring a resolution to city council for city council to adopt the plan as well. So, it's first adopted by the equity advisory board with a recommendation for council to adopt the plan as well. And then upon approval, we'll begin phase one implementation activities um and move forward on on completion. Any questions?

Yeah. Um, so this this proposal and recommendation, does it differ at all from what we heard from the community in the last meeting or is this essentially capturing what folks from that group are asking for?

So the the proposal you heard from the last meeting had a little bit more specific request on kind of type of signage and items like that. This one's a bit more high level. We did uh ensure that we included signage and art within um within the the project uh within the plan which was the request that we heard. Um and so it's not exactly the plan or the proposal that they provided. Um working through right-of-way construction timelines um and narrowing down cost estimates um differs from the proposal that you saw. My concern being we had quite a large contingency at the last meeting. So I don't know if um this the smaller representation which I'm assuming there's a small group here. Um if if how to interpret that if there's a a disagreement or you know material disagreement about what's being put forward versus what was sought. I wouldn't say there's a a disagreement in it. I think we're at the point in the project where we the concept is fantastic. We're just trying to be mindful of the um amount of rideway we have to put in. Like one of the proposals was a gateway sign, which is a great concept, but we're unsure at this moment how much rightway we actually have to place that in. And so there are steps ahead of um some of those concepts that we need to make sure we understand first before saying let's do this. And so that's why it's broken up kind of into these phases as we finish construction and we can really um focus on how much rightway we have um in certain areas where drainage is um considered sidewalks on street parking things like that so that we can be mindful of placement of of art gateway signs and all of those types of features. And so, um, it's not that it's

being dismissive or not inclusive of it. It's just we there's a lot more foundational work that we need to have before we can say yes, we can do this. And so without that, we can't we can't we wouldn't recommend committing to that without that base knowledge. That that's really what we do for all of our projects. So they it could still be shaped as we get more information. The design and AB

absolutely and the document that Brianna put together I passed out just before she started speaking kind of goes through what those steps look like and I think as we move forward through them we'll articulate them more clearly because we'll gather more information as we move through each of those tasks that our teams put together. Got it.

Thank you. Yeah, I guess with my my only addition to that is I think going forward it would be a good idea for us to include dependencies as we move through those phases because that's part of the discovery, right? Like we have an idea of what that task is going to be. But to, you know, to Claudia's point, if people had some very specific ideas, us being able to gather those dependencies will give them a level of transparency later of like, okay, we we had those you had those recommendations. The this would be dependent on, you know, this law or this policy or this item, which will kind of close the feedback loop. That way people don't think that like I gave this idea and like nobody's hearing me. Yeah, I think my question is maybe more um procedural perhaps um just to understand when you take the resolution assuming we recommend approval, right? Whatever. When you take the resolution to council, um, is this also is it just approving the plan in theory or is there also funding attached to that decision that they'll make or is that would would that occur at a different time?

My bl my brain just blinked on every answer ever.

Don't you had to prepare a lot for all the presentations. So um so the resolution will say hey this is a project that the city is supporting and then as we go through each budget season we go we refer back to that much like we do our master plans um where it's where we'd say oh we want to do this road project or that would this is a resolution that's passed that the equity board is behind. we'd say, "Okay, for for this this fiscal year, we anticipate needing X dollars and request that council budget for that." And so it would be based on the fiscal year, what tasks we believe we'll be able to accomplish in that year. And then it would be budgeted through the budget process. Okay. Um so I guess my follow-up request would be that we continue to receive updates about when those funding conversations are happening that are associated with this, right? so that we can continue to support and we can have that like transparency to community that wants to come out and support the project like ultimately it will happen because it is funded right uh and so um yeah that's the just keep us updated about where that is um hanging and then specifically like what is included in whatever amount of money is proposed right

being the the lead um advisory board for this project I would anticipate that this project would be on every, you know, most if not all of your agendas so that we can provide you those monthly updates about kind of where we are with the tasks as we move forward. Appreciate that.

Oh, it's on. Sorry, I thought I turned it off. Um, I think I highlighted this or maybe asked it as a question, so I'm going to keep bringing it up so you can anticipate as part of these updates. Um but my question in the meeting last month was about the cemeteries. My understanding that in the historic colored edition there's two and you mentioned two. Um, my understanding, and the historian, whoever's doing the research, can correct me, but my understanding is that there's a black cemetery and that um, Laroo Norton in 1920, so like a decade after this was established, and again, don't quote me on the exact year, um, sold land to Mexicans who also had escaped the Mexican Revolution and were in this area and couldn't go back because of the revolution and they also needed burial land and so Mr. Norton also sold land to those Mexicans that were in this community to be buried which is that Santa Maria cemetery. So my ask would be if it is within the historic colored edition, if it's part and parcel of that area, that I wouldn't want that to be forgotten in the digital history or the stories or the um historical markers if if it's not already. Um because I I when I read that, I was really touched by one community of colored people helping another community of colored people in our area. And I think that's worth highlighting as well as part of the storytelling for this historic colored edition. Don't quote me on any of that. That that was my recollection of what I read from the library.

Absolutely. Yes. I think I would just note to to that that the the plat that Briana showed a moment ago that was done in 1910. You'll see that the cemeteries are actually outside of the subdivision of that. And so however for for the project overall we do consider both cemeteries inclusive of of the pro in in inside the project even though it's outside the legal boundaries of the subdivision and that image that we share. Thank you.

So um followup question what sort of outreach has been done to the folks that um caretake the Santa Maria Cemetery? Are they aware of this proposal? I'm not sure we know who caretakes that particular cemetery. That's some research that we need to do. Um we've heard a lot from the community. We've worked a lot with St. Mary's. Um and there's just more outreach and knowledge that we need to gain as well. Um I have a one more question. Um so I know that we talked about that this project will probably estimated between 3 to 5 years. Um when you suggest we'll get like have we already envisioned what items that we would like to complete in year one? Um can someone share like an overview of what we're thinking about?

Yeah. Yeah. So, in a uh all things go great, there's no bumps in the road and pie in the sky scenario. Pie in the sky scenario, uh everything within phase one would be complete in the first year. Okay.

Right. And so that uh contemplates construction being complete, those banners being on the light pole, staff identifying, doing the analysis, identifying locations, um signage and public art locations. um you you're you're part of the collecting those stories um would need to kick off, you know, sooner than later, right? To be done if if we call May um now that I'm actually looking at the timing, I thought it was September for a second there. So, it's May of 2026. So, let me backtrack a little bit and say a year and a half from now, phase one would be done because uh the the construction is not done until kind of summer of 2027. And so those light poles, we wouldn't be able to put the light poles up until then. Um so in a year, maybe task one through three are done and we're that those next couple months, we're waiting on task four, which is the light pole banners. um the listening sessions and oral histories, we've done something very similar in the past with the listening tour. So, we have a good framework for that um that I think this this board could very quickly come up with a plan and kick those off pretty soon. Um

and and start working with the community on collecting those stories. Great. Um and then in, you know, ideally phase two is year two, right? Um, and then phase three is year three. The reason why we give a three to five year is that if that reunion park bond passes, there's going to be some more more time needed for land acquisition.

Yeah. Uh getting it passed, then identifying land, then acquiring that land, creating the plan for the park, implementing the park. That that piece is a little bit longer. And so that's where maybe the public art installation um you'll see a little bit later because of the park.

I think too when we kind of think about years it's sometimes can be confusing. We think about calendar year versus fiscal year. And so we often think in fiscal years which is probably a part of the September and those kind of things. And so when we think about phase one we would think that's fiscal year 27. So that's something that starts in October wraps up the next year and so phase 2 would be kind of that fiscal year 28. And so that's in that's the years and how we think and approach this. Got it. No, that makes sense. I just wanted to get an an understanding cuz like I I know that it will take time for us to lock down like committed dates, but I wanted to hear more about like the goals like where we're heading towards each year. Does that make sense?

That makes sense. But I was thinking September.

Can I ask a question I didn't know I had until that conversation. Uh, as far as the the bond discussions, uh, if community is wanting to be, uh, part of advocating for Reunion Park, how do they do that? Where did they do that? Where, where did, how, what, when, and all of that. So, the Do you want to take that, Emma? Okay. Uh, the bond advisory committee is still uh going through projects. Um, I believe this month they will finalize their recommendation to council for projects they'd like to see on a possible bond election. That will then go to council for council consideration for council to determine um what will go on a bond or not go on a bond election based off of that committee's recommendation. Once they call that election, um they'll we'll have information on the website about the projects that are within the bond. Um we have information on our website. Now, generally speaking about what the bond process looks like and that's fluttervilletx.gov bond or bonds. Bonds

bonds. Terry said it's with an s on the end. I couldn't Yeah, bonds. Multiple of them. Um, and so that's on our website now with general information. As we narrow down the recommendations from the bond advisory committee, we'll have more information on the website with those projects. And then we'll continue to update not just our website, but our social media online about um the bond as well. As we get closer to calling an election, the information that the city can share about bonds has to be very factual um and cannot sway uh or be persuasive at all. So you'll you'll see those just facts about the projects.

That bond proposal is grouped with other parks projects and so I think there's six and Reunion Park is one of those and so you wouldn't it's unlikely that you'd see it as an individual item but grouped as a park bond um that would be inclusive of Reunion Park. So just if you're looking for for that um and then certainly word of mouth and support from your friends or neighbors is how a lot of times that word gets out if you don't follow us on other platforms and these bond committee meetings are open to the public no different than the equity advisory board. Like people can go and listen in. Yeah.

Yep. So, and you'll find it on the website when those meetings happen. And I believe we stream them. We stream them as well. Okay. Thank you. So, another question I have just for curiosity, how often um is the city meeting with the committee who's driving the insights and the uh proposals items that we want to add to this plan? Like how often are we connecting?

So, uh really it's the equity advisory board leading it. And so you could create if you wanted a subcommittee to meet with members of the public if you'd like kind of that that nitty-gritty detail of how you want to move forward with that is flexible kind of up up to on how you want those conversations to be had. And so generally in here we talk about engaging with the community, storytelling, story gathering. Um how you want to go about that is flexible um and to be determined by you.

Got it. Thank you. So, I just wanted to mention uh regarding this bond conversation on the the bond election 2026 uh website on uh for Flugerville, there is a survey community survey and it closes today. So, if you would like to take it, it closes today. There is a take the survey button. Okay. Thank you.

I don't have any other questions. Thank you. In order to move this forward, we are asking for your action tonight. Okay. So, um for the for the approval of the historic colored edition beautifification plan, um I will entertain a motion to approve the plan on the floor. I make a motion to approve the plan. Okay. So motion was uh initiated and seconded to approve um the uh our beautifification plan. Should we take this to a vote? All in favor?

I I eyes have it. Motion carried for us to move forward to approve the beautifification plan. Wonderful. Thank you. Our next steps, we'll bring this forward to uh city council as a resolution. Um, and we would invite the equity advisory board to attend as well should council have any questions. Thank you. Fantastic. Thank you. It'll be on the May 26 council meeting. Okay.

I didn't I guess I didn't sign up. Did I not sign up? I think we I thought that Mimi may have signed me up ahead of time. She asked me to be present on behalf of the color collective um addition collective today. And if I miss Yeah, you can still speak. Yeah, you're still open to speak. Okay. So, I can Sorry about that. No, you're fine.

Um if I was out of term or something, I thought that it was um you know, so um so um good evening, chair and members of the equity advisory board and neighbors. Uh my name is Lady Nicole. I stand here tonight on behalf of the Flugerville Black History Project and Colored Addition Collective. And I see that y'all have made quite a bit of leeway prior to me getting here. um um descendants and families and community members who care deeply about the future of this city and the truth of its history. First, we want to acknowledge this moment. The fact that the board is discussing a path forward today matters. The fact that conversations are happening publicly matters and the willingness to create a plan is an important step in the right direction. We are here tonight to discuss. We believe the colored edition deserves not only recognition but partnership. As this plan is developed, we are asking that the voices of the descendants of families and long-term communities members not simply be heard, but meaningfully included and shaping with uh what comes next. The colored edition is not just a story from the past. It is living history. It is family history. It is community memories. And for many of us, it's personal. The colored edition is not um just a story from the past. Oh, sorry about that. We believe in the process. the process has the opportunity to become the model for the city's honor black history with care, accountability, and collaboration. So tonight, our request is simple. As

the city moves forward with its plan, ensure that the defendants, family, and community voices have a seat at the table from the beginning, not after the decisions are already made. We are we also hope to plan the plan includes the following formal historical recognition of the colored addition within the city's public records maps and storytelling efforts. Protection and preservation of remaining historical sites, stories and cultural landmarks connected to the community. Three, ongoing collaboration with descendants family and local residents in decisions related to this history in this land. And four, support for oral histories and archival efforts so the his stories of the elders and the longtime residents are preserved for future generations. and five, a transparent public process that allows the community to stay informed and engaged as the work moves forward. We are encouraged. We are encouraged because community members are already organized, documenting stories, conducting research and building connections across generations. The energy is here, the people are here and the comment and and the commitment is here. Our collective is also meeting monthly to continue this work, gather the stories, organize residents and build communitydriven um recommendations. We welcome members of the board, the city leadership and community partners

to join us in those conversations as we move forward together. To this board, thank you for listening, for your work, for the work you are doing tonight. And to the neighbors and descendants who continue to show up with love, persistence, and courage. Thank you. Your presence is helping shape the future of Flugerville in real time and we look forward to continuing working together.

Thank you very much, Miss Lady Lady Nicole. I appreciate those words and uh it definitely matters that with this board we wholeheartedly believe that nothing is created about us without us. Right? So that is the part of true equity is having those in the room who this work is for, who this work is supporting and representing for them not to just be in the room but be able to wield that power and support and collaboration. So I appreciate that. Thank you. Thank you for coming. Thank you.

All right. Is there any other individuals that wish to come to the podium before we move to our next agenda item? Okay. Yeah, I'll say something. Told you would.

Um yeah. Hi. Uh Jennifer Barnes. Uh I am I live just outside of Flickerville in the ETJ. Um I um I've been a part of the community since 2018. I uh and I only just recently found out about the historical colored edition in Flugerville. Um which I think is pretty significant cuz I'm a history nerd. I'm very into uh local history. And I am excited to also have learned that this is being considered to lift up the profile of this of this important piece of piece of local history. Um, yeah, because obviously like in the in the time that we're living in, we are facing the eraser of history, especially black history and other uh communities of color and the uh neglect of uh of local places like this is actually the simplest form of historic eraser. So, the city putting the money behind this and the work behind this is so important uh to my values and I think to the values of of the Flugerville area, the Flugville community that we respect the history of the people who live here who founded this community and also that I hope that in the design of this that there are includes the details of the people who who live there. um which again I'm just now learning about this. So I I hope soon to like be able to know the names and just be able to um have have respect enough for those people to speak to speak about them directly. Um I also hope that it was me it's been mentioned that the um they don't know yet who is actually maintaining the uh the Mexican se cemetery in there which is yeah that is a fascinating piece of history as well and I also hope that that is given uh equal respect in the process of this. Um and so again I uh I am a member of the

community and I'm very much in support of this initiative and I hope that it moves forward. Thank you. Thank you very much.

Okay. If there are no more public comments on this topic, we will move on to the next item agenda.

Good evening. My name is Terry Toedo. I'm the director of management services and I work in the city manager's office and I'm here tonight to talk to you about our Title Six program. You received a draft of the program in your packet, but the reason that I'm here is because as a recipient of federal financial assistance, the city is required to adopt a formal Title Six program. And I think you'll find in my presentation tonight that a lot of these things, fortunately, the city was already doing in many ways, but we didn't have a formal adopted program and plan specifically outlining our steps and in compliance with the Texas Department of Transportation, which is required for us to receive additional federal financial assistance. So, we were notified by Texot. We've put some uh meetings in place. We've put a plan in place and I'm here tonight to get your feedback on that plan with plenty of time to implement any recommendations and suggestions that you may have for it. So to start for those that aren't aware of the title six program, title six of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, it's it's about discrimination and prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, and any program receiving federal financial assistance. As I already mentioned, you'll find that through many of our programs, we already uh avoid discrimination through our city practices, furthering that we extend based on age, sex, and disability. And so, we want to make sure that we are fully complying with the title six program. From that, we are we are required to post title six policy statements. Upon adoption of the program, we will build a website that has specifically all of our information in one place so that it can be found by the public. Specifically

with the policy of the city of Flugerville as a recipient of Title 6 that ensures that we we shall on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, no one shall be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of or be subjected to discrimination in any operation of the city of Flugerville. Upon adoption of this program, the Title Six posters will go up in our our utility billing lobby as well as on our website in English and Spanish. And we will make sure that this information is further available to the public. On that note, wanted to highlight some of the things we're doing now. We already review, collect and analyze statistical and census data, but that's one of the key components and one of the key requirements of this policy is to make sure that we know our audience and that we are providing materials in languages that are needed upon request. If you go to our city's website on the bottom right hand corner, you can select and it will automatically translate into a myriad of languages for you. We also have a language line which is available if someone calls us in a language in which our staff are not familiar. Although we certainly do have bilingual staff being aware of the area in which we live and the high amount of people that speak Spanish uh specifically, but that is something that we are regularly reviewing. And we were asked to put together a public participation plan which is noted within the program and we were actually complimented in the initial review by Texot for some of the efforts we made in our transportation plan to engage the community as well as in our comprehensive plan. So even though the program might not have been specifically compiled together quite yet, we are proud to say that many of these um activities are already underway

by the city and that we do try very hard to make sure that all voices are heard. So what will we do? We're going to make sure that staff fully understand Title Six as part of our onboarding with our employees. Now, we certainly have programs where we talk about discrimination and we talk about inclusion and, you know, for our employees, but we need to make sure that they're fully aware of this title six program and incorporating that into our trainings, creating the complaint and referral process as required by text. Tex makes it really convenient. They provide draft materials, draft plans, etc. But getting those forms, as I mentioned, onto the website and active so that people can download those plans, excuse me, those um complaint and referral process forms, having those available at our at our reception and front lobby so if someone does have a complaint or request those forms that we can provide them to someone specifically, the ones that need to go to text dot. On top of that, we will be posting, as I mentioned, materials in our lobbies. Um, of course they say the website's not enough. So, we want to make sure that we have materials out and about in our public facilities. We also want to have regular reviews of our Title Six program areas as outlined within the draft plan that you received. There is a chart that was provided to us by text dot specifically requesting areas that they want to make sure that we're watching, making sure that when we have right-of-way changes that we're looking at the neighborhoods nearby that might be impacted, looking at who is going to be impacted by the work that the city is doing. And so on top of that, they want us to make sure that we have title six information ready for dissemination. They provide multiple uh brochures in English and Spanish that we

can print and have out in our kiosks as well. Just it's about being accessible and having the materials accessible to the public and a commitment a public commitment to title six from that. In addition, we will be naming a title six coordinator. We have nominated our assistant to the city manager because that that position currently assists and has a direct line to our city manager and is able to firsthand know and be aware of the different issues that are coming into the city and we feel like that would be the best position to be our title six coordinator and we have already worked with legal to confirm that we have proper language in our contracts. So again with our purchasing procedures etc from the city much of this we were already doing and and that's a good thing but we need to have it in a formal program and adoption. So from that I ask for your feedback tonight. You had a copy in your packet of the the program. I hope you had a chance to look at the draft plan

was attached to your um agenda. Oh it's attached to agenda. It should have been electronically attached. No, I think we received it via email. We just don't have the hard copy in front of us. That makes it a little hard to follow along.

My next steps was to um collect your recommendations. I can go over some of those that were received by text if that would make it a little bit easier to discuss tonight. We were asked to put our program in place within 90 days, which would put us at a June 24th deadline, but Texot already knows that we're working on this and I don't anticipate an issue meeting that deadline. And our website will go live upon adoption and the plan will be active for three years. So, it' be a 2026 to 2029 plan. Um, given that some of those materials are not on hand, let me go ahead and divulge further for you. Specifically referring to the draft plan, it's divided into multiple sections. It starts with the purpose and background, which I've given you tonight, expressing why we're doing this. From there, it it emphasizes that the city is responsible for making sure that title six is prioritized. It goes into the requirements of the Civil Rights Act and a specific policy statement and non-discrimination statement that will be signed by our city manager following council approval of the plan. And it is a public statement of commitment. From there, our plan goes into staff responsibilities. I mentioned that we're designating a title six coordinator. Their job is to maintain and update the plan on our behalf, ensure that our agency staff receive necessary Title Six training, ensure prompt processing of Title Six complaints, and referring all of those to the Texas Department of Transportation when received. That information will also be clearly outlined on our website, the entire complaint procedure process. It will also include developing procedures for

collection and analysis of statistical data. As I already mentioned, we do that in an ongoing fashion related to the census and the importance of knowing all of the information about our community that we can when it comes to making decisions not only about transportation, but about all kinds of projects, how important that material is. We'll also be developing a program to conduct reviews of the various program areas as required. and making sure that we have that information both internally and externally. So those are the requirements of that title six coordinator. From there we have been asked to specifically look at for example when we do rideway making sure that our permits and relocations are non-discriminatory making sure that demographic data is part of our necessary forms. When we work with contractors reviewing our contracts to make sure that the necessary title six language is in there through the adoption of this program, we are going to turn in all of our materials to text dot from the signed non-discrimination statement to the adopted plan and form from the council and they will look at this collectively to make sure that we have checked all the boxes and made sure that we are complying fully with the program. They asked us to look at our planning, our short-term and long-term planning and transportation projects. I mentioned earlier, they were already pleased with some of the ways that we've engaged the public through our public participation plans along the way. So, I am glad that we're already underway on that, but it's certainly there's always room for improvement. We want to continue to do so and do well with that. We also are going to need to be documenting language access requests so that we can track and make sure that we don't just say, "Well, we have it available in English and Spanish." If there are other needs, our coordinator is going to know and we'll

be able to track that over time and make sure we're accommodating everyone. Um, that falls under the data collection and analysis section of the program. Beyond that, our program does outline the complaint procedures as mentioned and prescribed by text dot. And then from there, we've included our public participation and involvement upon reaching out to all of our different target audiences, both internal and external, to make sure that we're reaching out to the entire community. A list of ways that we engage with the public is referred to in the document as well so people know how to get city information and where our information is going to be provided. And then from there the plan completes with what they call a four factor analysis which is including both information from the community survey as well as looking at how people will encounter our program. So that is our commitment through this program is that we are putting all of our all of our information together that we're going to be in full compliance. We all know that federal funding is important. Yes. But even more important is to make sure that we don't discriminate in any way. And through this policy and this program that will help ensure that the city stays continuously compliant. If you have any feedback on the plan, I'd be glad to provide a further link for you to review later. We can always send me an email if after tonight you have some more thoughts when you further review the plan. Let me know if you have any suggestions or recommendations because there's still time. Uh the plan is to take this to city council on May 26th for review. So if you have suggestions, I do welcome those. And I also have some cards here tonight with me. I can provide you with my contact information so that you can provide that to me since

I understand you don't have a printed copy in front of you tonight. You have to be honest. When I went to look to the email, I thought we had an electronic copy and I'm not seeing that either. I'm finding it very difficult to provide much comment or recommendation without seeing the thing, right? U well I I believe it's in the legisar so I don't know how to how if I can get that link sent over but we will do so. I can. Okay. And then can I just ask a question? I I think you mentioned y'all were contacted by Tech Dot to get this going. Was there a reason for that contact or was this just like a like did something?

We received federal financial assistance some of the projects um specifically uh for Fuglerville Parkway. We did a positive offset and some turn lanes. We received some funding for some safety lighting on Piccadilly um as well as some accessible pedestrian signals. So when this funding is coming to us for transportation, we need to have this plan and policy in place. And they went to our website and did not see the adopted program. And so now we're working to to make sure that we're in full compliance. Got it.

I have a question as well. Is the origin of this requirement, does it date back to 60 years ago or is this a new requirement? Because this is tied to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, you said. So, I'm curious like is that literally how long this has been required for 60 years?

I I don't have the date by which that Tex initially required this to be done. I did inquire if we needed to go back on previous awardings of federal assistance, etc. and they said no because as they went through our our website and they went through the research that they've already done, they saw areas that indicated that we were already working towards, if you will, we were already following many of the rules. They just wanted to make sure that going forwards we had a formal adopted plan. Got it. What is the is there a consequence for not adopting one? Not I just I'm curious. It's not that I I'm suggesting we don't, but

we certainly don't want to jeopardize our relationship with Texot or our ability to receive federal assistance, but they're they're well aware that we are we are underway that we're working on the plan, etc. I'm curious about um outside of this meeting uh and then outside of the council meeting, what sort of um like public engagement on this there has been. Um I I don't think this should count because we haven't seen the document, right? I guess I'll say that for the record, right? And so like how do we how do we know like what the public how are we gathering that information about what the public believes should be captured uh in the program

making a note? Yeah, thank you. um on getting additional feedback related to the program plan. I think the the next step is going to be that I need to make sure that you have a copy and that you guys can provide me with with feedback before it goes to council. Yeah. And you know, happy to do our individual parts to get it out to people, but like you know, just curious about like what that 30,000 ft vision was. Um I think from my perspective right I'm always careful to make sure that we are not um purporting to be the experts on anything right without talking to the community about what what they think.

Okay. I have some ideas about how we can also incorporate some of that together in the next couple weeks. And Terry, thank thank you so much. I I'm sorry that we did not get the packets so we can kind of dig sorry too

a little bit deeper into it. Um, I think what during your explanation though, a couple of things like hit a thumbs up. I think it's really important that you do have a point of contact of having a coordinator that's going to be responsible for the program to keep it moving because that is how you continue to make sure you reach back out, find out what's working, what's not working, what new additions to the program that you need to create. Um the accessibility piece that you were touching on is really important cuz I think um being able to locate like information that's in different languages, knowing where that is is more important than just having it created because if they can't find it or they don't know it exists, then it has no value, right? So I hear that in your program of y'all are rectifying that which is which is key. Um, I think my question and I'll dig deeper. I'll go back to the packet because it's probably answered in there is um who's like has the has the the training for Title 6 been baked? Who's facilitating that? Is it done within the city or is there a third party? And what the objectives are for that training? Um, just wanted to make sure that it's not a simple check the box type of training, but something that actually will give value to the employees who are utilizing it.

Well, already working with our people and culture department, we went back and reviewed some of the trainings that we already provide to our employees. Like I said, when when they're hired, we already have some trainings in place, but we don't have something that specifically says the Title Six program, what it is and why it's important. And so that's something that we're working on now to see what already exists that we can adopt either through text dot or create something of our own that we can then um specifically have it address the title six program. Got it. So that's forthcoming. I have another question. Mhm.

Um just because text dot was mentioned on the previous agenda item for the historic colored edition, is is there an intersection, pun intended, between this title 7 and that project? Not that I'm aware of at this time. I think this is really related to when you receive federal funding that it's required. We don't have federal dollars in that particular project in the historic cloud edition project but should we receive them from texttop maybe for pond improvements that's when this would also be triggered. Okay.

Grants are always a good thing. So we want to make sure that we're we're fully compliant as well. Yeah, for sure. Okay. Well, thank you for your time tonight. I'll make sure that you have my contact information that we touch base again. Thank you. Thank you very much.

Okay, we will move on to the next item on the agenda 4 C discuss and consider action regarding the guiding principles framework. So last uh meeting we had reviewed the guiding principles framework uh wanted to get initial feedback from the board um and if there is any key changes and objections that we would like to add to the framework at this time and if not would like to consider if we wanted to move forward with entertaining a motion to approve. Is there any thoughts from the board at this time?

Is there a record I could look at potentially? Is it printed somewhere? Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. There you go. Thank you. Yeah. Just for context, we had like highlevel conversation last month about it. Um like generally feeling good. Uh but it's you know living document. Yeah. And all of this is like an internal framework for us.

Yeah, it is for us. So when we engage with the public on projects and initiatives, we use that as a framework to make sure we're actually practicing what we preach like leading with equity, working operationally in a fair and accessible manner. Yeah, I'll just add like from my perspective, I'm happy to like, you know, take take what we got, right? And um I think we talked about also um we can always having that reassess how's it working. Yeah. It's not written in stuff. We can refine.

Exactly. That all looks great. Who authored this? You did. Yeah. Awesome. Okay. Any other? All right. So, um I will entertain a motion to approve the guiding principles framework. Um, yeah. I'd like to make a motion to approve the Equity Advisory Board's guiding principles framework. I'll second.

All right. The motion to approve the guiding principles framework uh was initiated by April, second by Roman. Um, should we take this to a vote? All in favor? I I have it. Motion carried for us to proceed approving the guiding principles framework putting into action. Thanks for everyone's collaboration, y'all. Appreciate it. Thank you. And then this will go out as like a final draft to all of us. Yeah, I would I would say so. Yes. Thanks for giving us uh some structure and a north star. Yeah. And the leadership is much appreciated. Absolutely.

All right. Are there any other questions and thoughts before we adjourn for the the item that we'll revisit the title six? Well, that's okay to just be done like over email for feedback and stuff. Okay, because of the time frame. Yeah, you'll just you can actually send questions to Jennifer and she'll make sure that Terry gets them. Perfect. Perfect. And Jennifer's got the documents now. So, so we'll get those out, too. We apologize for that. No worries. No worries. Good. Good. We're all humans.

All right. So, uh, meeting's adjourning. Coming up, proclamations at city council, budget update, 1849 park enhancements, national night out, Deutschinfest, and much more coming up on this edition of Flugerville Focus. I had the honor of presenting proclamations at