City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening, folks. It is 7 o'clock, and we have a quorum in our city chambers. And as we do with every meeting, before I call Dr. McKinley up here, I'm obviously not Jeff Winget. Jeff is with his family in Abilene, getting his oldest daughter situated in Abilene Christian University. So he's probably going to have some tears as he drives back tonight, but he won't be here, so I'm filling in for him. So I would like to invite Dr. McKinley, Alton McKinley, to come down from the First Relic Friendship Church. Okay, and he's going to lead us in our invocation if you'd all stand.

We will have our 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. And now a Texas pledge.

I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state, under God, one and indivisible. All right. Our first item on the agenda tonight, 2A, is a presentation of proclamation recognizing August the 21st, 2026, as National Senior Citizens Day. And I'll make a presentation, and I'll be asking our chairperson, Pam Bell, and senior advisory board to join me at the podium. All right, National Senior Citizens Day is an annual observance. It's held on August 21st. It honors our older adults, recognizes their lifetime contributions to society, and raises awareness about issues affecting them. National Seniors

ALL RIGHT, ITEM 2B, WE'LL HAVE AN UPDATE FROM THE CITY COUNCIL AND MANAGEMENT FINANCIAL POSITION, MAJOR PROJECTS, OPERATIONAL ISSUES, UPCOMING DATES OF INTEREST, AND COMMUNITY INTEREST. AND BRINGING THAT TONIGHT IS COUNCILMAN CHRIS GUZZAR.

THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO TEMP. MR. BRITTON. Under communications and community engagement, the city of Rowlett is inviting residents to help shape our community's future as we begin the process of developing the city's next strategic plan. Two community conversations will be held at the Rowlett Community Center. One on Wednesday, September 2nd at 7 p.m. The second is on Thursday, September 3rd at 8.30 a.m. These conversations are an opportunity for residents to share what they believe Rowlett should focus on in the years ahead. Community input will help inform the priorities that guide the city's

Thank you, Mr. Kazar. And now we'll hear from Councilman Fassett from our Animal Shelter.

Okay. Okay. Let me get my presentation up there and make sure. You'll see Dulcy up there. Meet Dulcy. This is a one to two year old shepherd sweetness of a girl who truly lives up to her name. Dulcy loves everyone she meets, including those with four legs. There's a bonus about Dulcy. She is great on a leash. However, she has the most adorable habit of stopping frequently just so you can give her some pets and love. Actually, Carter has the same problem when you walk with him. Dulce is looking for a family who will love her as much as she loves everyone she meets. If you'd like to meet Dulce o

Thank you, sir. Any other council members have any things that they'd like to bring up, announce? I have one little thing here. I don't know if you remember last time we met, I introduced you to Sandy and Broda McAllister. They are a couple that live in the Lux, and they are competing in America's Favorite Couple. They are still in the running, and they're progressing pretty good up the chain. The cutoff for the next round is the 27th, and we're hoping they make that round. So if you're inclined to vote for them, you can go to americasfavcouple.org slash 2026 slash broda hyphen and hyphen sand

Thank you, sir. So now I move up. I HOPE I PRONOUNCED THAT CORRECTLY. OKAY. NEXT WE'LL HAVE ALLEN HOGAN. STATE YOUR NAME AND CITY OF RESIDENCE.

Thank you, sir. Our next speaker is Alan Hogan, followed by Laura Cahala. I mispronounced that. I'm sorry.

Thank you, sir. We have Laura Cahill, followed by Diane Huff. Laura, if you would state your name and city of residence. If you need to pull the microphone down, you can do that. Okay. I think you guys have a speech.

thank you thank you ma'am next is diane huff followed by rhonda johnson

Thank you. So our interim city manager is going to follow up with you, ma'am. So thank you. Ms. Johnson.

Next is Brooke Allen, followed by Patrick Bandel. Thank you, Brooke. Please state your name and city of residence.

Thank you, ma'am. Next is Patrick Bandel, followed by Shannon Bandel. If you would, sir, state your name and city of residence.

THANK YOU, SIR. OUR LAST CARD IS FROM SHANNON BANDEL. State your name and city of residence, please. OK, go ahead.

Thank you, ma'am. That is all the citizens input cards I have for tonight. If you still would like to speak, you may do so. I would just ask you to fill out a card that's on the back table to my right. Seeing none, we'll go ahead and move forward to item four, consent agenda. The following may be acted upon one motion. A city council member or a citizen may request items to be removed from the consent agenda for the individual consideration. The council did not pull any for tonight. If there's any from the audience, please state so and we'll proceed. If not then I will ask city secretary to re

Thank you, ma'am. I will enter a motion or ask for a motion for approve. Okay, I see a motion made by Councilman Gibbs.

Thank you. I make a motion that we approve the minutes as I make a motion that we approve the consent agenda items as read into the record.

Thank you. And I see a second by Councilman Bowers.

Thank you. So we're going to call the vote. I'm see if I'm going to have any technical issues here. Okay. And that item passed six to one absent. Thank you. Our next item on the agenda is our individual consideration, 5A. I'll read that into the record. Consider action to adopt a resolution authorizing professional services agreements for architectural and engineering design services for the renovation and modernization of Rowlett Fire Stations 1 and 4. with Brown Reynolds Watford Architects Incorporated for a price not to exceed $298,700, and for Fire Station 3 with Martinez Architects LP for

Any comments, questions from the council?

Good evening. I'll make just a couple of things right quick. So just to clarify, one of your slides talks about a 2024. Was that 2023, actually, or 2024, the bond package?

23. So just for clarity, just so we could make sure we're all on the same page, it was actually a 23 bond package.

Also, timelines, when they can get started. I guess something for some of us who are always anxious, these kind of things, to get moving. A bunch of timelines. Anybody getting started? Timelines get completed with that part, and then construction getting started. Any thoughts?

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? JUST A COMMENT. JUST A COMMENT. JUST A COMMENT.

Yeah, I will echo those thanks. And as you saw through the presentation, we have fire stations that have been around for a good while and desperately need some updating. So this is well worth it. And that certainly has my support for it. All right. With that, then I will entertain a motion. I see a motion presented by Councilman Gibbs.

Yes, Mayor Pro Tem. I make a motion to approve item 5A as read into record.

Thank you. I see a second by Councilman Bowers.

Thank you. So call the vote. And that passes six with one absent being the mayor. Thank you. OUR NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS 5B. I'LL READ IT INTO THE RECORD. CONSIDER ACTION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AMENDMENT NUMBER 3 TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH HOFER WELKER LLC FOR DESIGN SERVICES FOR HERFORD PARK MASTER PLAN IN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $393,000 FOR DESIGN AND DOCUMENTATION FEE OF $290,000. A re-imaging session not to exceed $30,000. A construction administration fee of $70,000. And reimbursable expenses limited to $3,000. Authorizing the interim city manager or his desig

THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL?

ON THAT NOTE, I WANT TO THANK THE STAFF ON THIS. As we've noticed, it's been a challenge for us to get this bond money going. You've done a great job on this. I really like the timeline. I think that helps everybody really visualize when and where this is going to happen. So really looking forward to it. And again, I really think it speaks volumes to the staff because, you know, council made this priority a few months ago and said, let's move. And you all heard us and you've heard the citizens and you made it happen. So thank you, sir.

I'd also like to make a comment with regards to. We have every intention to be sure that include that the hockey rink will stay of the relocated out of there. So what are the design comes out after that it is the intent that we would leave that at at her for parks for those there's been a lot of people that contacted me about their the skating rink. hockey rink, I should say it is intended to stay there so we want to get out for clarity.

Mayor put him. Yeah, just a general comment. Thank you for your work on this staff. Thank you for your work on moving this along. I do want to point out that government works best when people get engaged in government listens. This is a great example of that. So we want to thank our citizens as well for your input and being a part of our great city. Thank you.

Yeah, and I certainly can't add anything to that. That goes a long way. It's been a roller coaster on this project, and I do appreciate the citizens' input. I appreciate their patience. I appreciate their perseverance, and it's led us to this point where we're about ready to move forward and get this thing done as quickly as possible. I know the feelings on the council is we want this as quickly as possible, but we also want it to be done right. With that, I will entertain a motion. I see a motion made by Councilman Bowers.

Thank you. I see a second by Councilman Fassett. I second the motion. All right. Call the vote. And that passes six with one absent. ALL RIGHT, NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA 5C IS TO CONSIDER AN ACTION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION REJECTING THE BIDS RECEIVED IN RESPONSE TO THE CITY'S REQUEST FOR BIDS NUMBER 2026-74-B, LAKE BENE ESTATE SCREENING WALL PROJECT AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. AND BRIAN MENDESHEW WILL BE PRESENTING FOR US.

Yeah, thank you. I was going to ask this before we make comments or ask questions. I would like to invite the gentleman from DCCM to come up. I know Brian presented this, but if you would, in your own words, just say what happened and why it happened and what are we doing to address it.

I certainly appreciate your honesty. Any questions from council?

Yeah, we appreciate you coming in and visiting with us tonight. You certainly heard the comments of our citizens. Yes, sir. And I just want to point out one that you damaged our reputation.

Yes. And then the question, the follow-up question is, how would we ever have confidence in you again?

Yeah, I appreciate you taking that. Many of us have had to do the very same thing with mistakes and errors and errors and omissions that occur. I'm just not sure of the financial damage that might be here. And it does concern me that we're starting all over. It's not a fresh start. There's never a fresh start. We're doing the best we can. So, again, thank you for coming. Very concerned about this project.

Appreciate it. Any other comments? I will say this to our citizens. We will get back on track. We will stay on track. I know Brian gave you a timeline. What we do not control is the weather. And so, you know, we're enjoying, I don't know if that's the right word, we're enjoying no rain right now. I wish we had some, but the time we get into the fall and everything else, we could get into our general rainy type of the season, and that will probably impact the progress. So we just need to be prepared for that. Any other comments?

All right just for clarity. My side of stuff usually always ends up on the economic side and the cost factors for clarity. There's not any additional cost to the city for the reevaluation and change whatever you you're making for that causes there's no additional charge to the city rally correct.

All right. Thank you. Any other comments? If not, then I will entertain a motion. I will ask your motion to include language. Oops, that went away. Specifically, moving for a resolution in rejecting the bids. And a yes vote will be to reject. So I'll entertain a motion. I see a motion made by Councilman Holson.

Yes, I make a motion that we reject the bids.

Thank you. And I see it's seconded by Councilman Gibbs. I second it. All right, call the vote. And that passes with six with one absent. All right, we move on to our next item on the agenda 5D. I'll go ahead and read that into the record. Conduct a public hearing and consider action to adopt an ordinance granting a change in zoning for property located at 5321 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 104. and being more particularly described as being out of the Thomas Lumley Survey Abstract number 789, REL at Dallas County, Texas, from general commercial slash retail C2 to general commercial slash retail with

Thank you, Liliana. I understand the applicant is here as well. Okay. Counsel, what questions, comments do you have? None? All right. I will entertain a motion. I'm sorry. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

Okay. It is 815 and we will open the public hearing for this action, this item. Anybody wish to speak? Okay. Go ahead, ma'am. Could you state your name and city of residence?

THANK YOU. WHILE WE'RE IN PUBLIC HEARING, DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER COMMENTS? ALL RIGHT. IT IS 821. I'm sorry, is there anybody else that would like to make a public comment?

Forgive me for my mistakes. Jeff makes this look pretty easy, so it's not.

Thank you. Any other comments? All right. It is 823. I will now close the public hearing and I will entertain a motion. I see a motion made by Councilman Gibbs.

Yes, I make a motion that we approve item 5D as presented.

Is there any second? I SEE A SECOND MADE BY COUNCILMAN CHRIS GUZZAR. I'LL SECOND THE MOTION. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. CALL THE VOTE. AND THAT IS YES 3 AND NO 3, SO THAT DOES NOT, IT FAILS. ALL RIGHT. OUR NEXT ITEM IS 5D. NO, I'M SORRY. 5E. I WILL READ THIS INTO THE RECORD, BUT I NEED SOME ADVICE FROM OUR CITY ATTORNEY. THERE'S BEEN A REQUEST THAT WE GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION. SO AFTER I READ IT, I'LL ASK FOR A MOTION OR DO THAT FIRST?

I'll make a motion that we move into executive session for item 5E pursuant to the Texas government code 551.071 for consultation with the city attorney.

All right. It is 825. We will go into executive session. We will resume back here when we're through. ALL RIGHT, IT IS 832, WE ARE ALL RIGHT, IT IS 832, WE ARE ALL RIGHT, IT IS 832, WE ARE OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION WITH NO OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION WITH NO OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION WITH NO ACTION TAKEN. ACTION TAKEN. ACTION TAKEN. I WILL NOW READ INTO THE RECORD. I WILL NOW READ INTO THE RECORD. I WILL NOW READ INTO THE RECORD. 5E, CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AND 5E, CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AND 5E, CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AND TAKE ACTION REGARDING AN TAKE ACTION REGARDING AN TAKE ACTION REGARDING

Thank you. Lilliana is the applicant here. Yes. Okay. Since this is a public hearing, do they wish to address or speak?

It is a 38 and we are opening the public hearing. Thank you, sir.

Well, I just if you wanted to make any kind of comments to the city council or whatever.

So you followed the process as directed throughout this whole?

So it was stated in the presentation you're going to use this for personal vehicle storage. So you're not doing any kind of business out of that?

Yes. Hi, Steve. I think I might know you. Did you own a business here in Rowlett? I did. Right there at the brakes place? It was most marlins mufflers marlins mufflers as I remember right plus did a lot of work did work the city and everybody else in the world. I remember you now. So you know this the structure is pretty big and I just want to make sure there's nothing to be loud coming out of there. That then nobody sleeping in there. It's not me a barn a medium. Barnum any of you know where you'll be rented out on the market out there. And again I want to confirm be out there tinkering on. OK and you followed all the rules of the city set for for you every single one. OK thank you.

Any other comments questions. Since this is a public hearing, any comments from the audience? If not, then I will, at 8.42, close this public hearing and entertain a motion. I see a motion made by Councilman Gibbs.

Yes, I make a motion that we approve item 5E as presented.

Thank you. Call the vote. And that passes six with one absent from the mayor. All right, so we will go into an executive session. Item 6A, City Council will convene in the closed executive session, pursuant to Texas Code, Texas Government Code 551.071 consultation with the attorney to discuss or deliberate regarding the proposed sex offender residency penalty ordinance. It is now 843. If anybody needs a break, we will resume in the work session conference room area in five minutes. I thought I'd read it. I can do it now. So when we come back out of the executive session, let me go ahead and re