Remarks by Lesli Harris
79 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 1 of 4
“Brandi, you got your green on too? The floor is yours.”
“Ed, can you pull the microphone closer to you?”
“Yeah, there's a disparity between the budget book and your presentation. Brandy, you might be able to explain this. On page 358, the 2026 adopted budget totals $3.9 million, but the presentation notes that it's $4.4 million. And the same for the 2027 proposed budget. The budget book is 4.2, whereas the presentation is 4.4.”
“Okay. This is for many of the agencies appearing today, the Ethics Review Board, Office of Independent Police Monitor.”
“Okay, y'all figure it out. But what number are we working with?”
“I mean, the good news about many of the agencies, you guys are a percentage of the general fund budget, so it is what it is. Do you have a surplus that you're running?”
“Okay. Well, let's stay in touch on your surplus because we might have to sweep that. Council Member Willard.”
“I do have one more question. I see you have in the queue a 2027 report on recycling services. Given the fact that that might be in dispute during this budget season, is there any way to expedite that report?”
“Okay. Soon as in before budget season's over? Can we get a preliminary list? When is budget season over? November 9th? Soon. November 19th?”
“It will not be. Not the end of this year. Is there any way, my question is, is there any way to expedite that given the fact that we are in the middle of deciding on budget and that might be some important information to have?”
“Hey, Casey, I have quite a few questions. First is, walk us through how FMC will evaluate the results of its leasing strategy. What additional rent has been actually collected to date, and how have vacancies changed, and how have the costs of tenant turnover, how are those accounted for? Okay.”
“Okay. And so, for the people that you're transitioning from month-to-month leases into long-term agreements, how do you promote stability there? And how do you manage those commitments to protect existing tenants and give them a fair opportunity to remain, those month-to-month tenants, as you're transitioning them into long-term rents?”
“Yeah, I think the concern is making sure that existing month-to-month tenants have the opportunity to compete. They do. through that rubric, is that what you're saying?”
“Okay, I want to turn to the Upper Pontabla renovation. What milestones support the reopening date, what costs remain, and how further delays can affect rental income and the operating budget?”
“So the original projection for reopening was February. We're pushing it back to late May, is that correct? Because of that subsurface work in the mechanical systems. And what costs remain for this renovation?”
“Alright, I'm going to turn to Crescent Park. As you know, there has been a decision to relinquish Crescent Park to the city. Who initiated that? What alternatives and authority supported it? And how have you determined whether the transfer produced the results that we wanted, which was a savings for the city?”
“So you can't quantify whether or not there was a savings for the city versus a shifting of expenses?”
“Okay. Can you walk us through your spending on professional services, including legal counsel, accounting, and auditing, and insurance? Okay. Are there any overlap with other public benefit corporations that we could sort of save by combining those services or contracts?”
“I appreciate that. What is your current cash position, meaning cash on hands, and do you have any bonding capacity?”
“You don't have any current bonds, but you have the capacity to issue bonds?”
“Okay, what is your current cash position?”
“Look, we are shaking down everyone at this point for money. So I would like to see the reserves that you really need for the construction, what you really need for other issues, and how much potentially you could return to the city, because... We're in a tough spot right now.”
“All right. I have one more question. I know you talked about the historic tax credits. Do we have a timing on when you might receive those and how they might flow to the city?”
“Robin's telling me no. Okay. And are there any changes that y'all can make to increase your annual financial contribution to the city?”
“I think so too. You have a question, Council Member Willard? All right. Thank you all for your time. You're free to go. Thank you.”