[Bond Referendum Townhall Meeting on April 14, 2021]
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SO. >>> SO, WELCOME TO THE NIGHT.
THIS IS A TIME TO DISCUSS THE BOND AND IT IS A TOWN HALL, I BELIEVE IT'S THE FIRST ONE WE'VE DONE IN AWHILE. TONIGHT WE'LL HAVE 30 MINUTES OF PRESENTATION ON THE FACTS OF THE BOND. AND 30 MINUTES AND THEN WE'LL HAVE 30 MINUTES OF Q AND A. IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION, GIVE A WRITTEN QUESTION TO ADAM IN THE BACK.
OR YOU COULD WAIT UNTIL THE END AND THEN WE'LL HAVE A MICROPHONE. IN PREPARATION OF THIS, WE FORMED A CITIZEN'S BOND COMMITTEE PLANNING COMMITTEE. AND IT STARTED JUST BEFORE COVID, SLIGHTLY INTERRUPTED AND THEN THEY CAME BACK AND HAD THREE OR FOUR MEETINGS TO STUDY WHAT WE NEED FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS GOING FORWARD FOR THE CITY. AND AT THE END THEY MADE A PRESENTATION TO THE COUNCIL AND THE COUNCIL HAD A COUPLE OF WORKSHOPS, AND THE COUNCIL AGREED AND ACCEPTED THE PROPOSAL FROM THE SITS PLANNING COMMITTEE AND THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR TEACHABILITY THERE ARE FOUR PROPOSITIONS ON THE BOND. SAFETY, POLICE, AND THEN, A COMBINATION, LIBRARY, CITY HALL, A REC CENTER AND ROADS, OF COURSE. AND IF YOU LOOK BACK, SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE, '96 WE'VE MORE THAN DOUBLED TWICE IN THIS AMOUNT OF TIME. AND EIGHT TO 10 YEARS AGO, WE WERE 18,000, WE'RE NOW AT 36,500 PEOPLE, WE CONTINUE TO GROW. WE'RE A VERY FORTUNE AND BLESSED COMMUNITY AND WE KEEP GROWING. OUR FACILITIES WERE BUILT FOR HALF OF WHAT WE HAVE NOW. SO, WE HAVE MORE THAN OUTGROWN THE FACILITIES WE HAVE AND WE CONTINUE TO GROW. IF YOU LOOK DOWN THE ROAD IN ABOUT EIGHT YEARS WE'RE FORECASTING 50,000 PEOPLE. AND IF YOU LOOK FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD, WE'RE GOING TO BE UP AROUND 70,000 PEOPLE. AND SO, TO DELIVER OUR SERVICES AND ALL, THIS IS WHAT IS FELT WE NEED TO HAVE FOR THE CITY. WE'VE BEEN, FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAVE BEEN HERE FOR AWHILE, WE'VE BEEN IN A TRANSITION FOR QUITE AWHILE. WE'VE BEEN IN WHAT I CALL A PIVOT POINT FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS GOING FOR WHAT WAS MIDLOTHIAN TO WHAT WILL BE MIDLOTHIAN. AND I THINK MAY FIRST IS A VERY INTERESTING DATE. WE HAVE SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS, WE'RE ALSO GETTING A NEW SUPERINTENDENT. AND NOW, WE'RE ASKING HIM THE BOND ELECTION FOR CITIZENS TO SAY WHAT THEY WANT US TO DO GOING FORWARD. SO WE'RE SETTING THE FUTURE, MAY 1ST. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT DATE IN THE LIFE OF THE CITY. SO, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE VARIOUS SPEAKERS HERE AND WE'RE GOING TO START WITH COUNCIL MEMBER WICKLIFFE AND THESE GOING TO PRESENT MIDLOTHIAN GROWTH. I'LL TURN IT OVER TO COUNCIL MEMBER WICKLIFFE NOW.
>>> THANK YOU, MAYOR RENO AND TO ALL THE CITIZENS WATCHING AND THOSE HERE TONIGHT. BEFORE I TALK ABOUT GROWTH TRENDS, I BELIEVE IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE TO UNDERSTAND OUR HISTORY, AND WHERE WE'RE COMING FROM AND WHY WE'RE PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE. IN 1916, THE MIDLOTHIAN AUDITOR RELEASED MULTIPLE ARELIX. BEFORE MR. DECEMBER WAS MAYOR HE WAS TRAVELING TEXAS LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO OPEN HIS BUSINESS AND LIVE. HE SAW MIDLOTHIAN TEXAS ON A RAILWAY MAP AND DECIDED TO VISIT. THE NEXT DAY, HE HEARD THE TOWN WAS HAVING A PICNIC IN THE PARK WAND WAS INVITED BY SOME OF THE CITIZENS AND WAS LATER INVITED TO DINNER BY MULTIPLE FAMILIES IN TOWN. HE WAS EXPRESSED WITH THE KIND EXPRESSIONS, FREE AND HAPPY CITIZENS HE MET EVERY WHERE. HE DESCRIBED MIDLOTHIAN CITIZENS AS AN A-CLASS CITIZEN. AND BECAUSE OF THEM MIDLOTHIAN HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO GROW AND BE PROSPEROUS. FROM OUR WATER LINES TO OUR ELECTRICITY, TO OUR SCHOOLS AND PAVED STREETS AND BRICKED BUSINESSES. AND THAT IS WHY MR. DESE CHOSE TO MOVE HERE AND LATER BECAME MAYOR, HE SAYS EVERYONE IN TEXAS KNOWS THAT MIDLOTHIAN IS A GREAT CITY. IN 1916 WHEN HE WAS MAYOR, THIS IS WHAT HE HAD TO SAY ABOUT OUR TOWN, TO SEE MIDLOTHIAN IS TO LOVE HER TO LIVE HERE IS TO IDOLIZE HER AND WE WILL NEVER FORGET HER EXCELLENCE IS DUE TO THE EFFORTS OF ALL OF US. SO,
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TO JUMP INTO MIDLOTHIAN GROWTH, AS YOU COULD TELL FROM THE EARLY IT 1900'S, MIDLOTHIAN'S PRIMED TO BE A GROWING CITY. AND YOU COULD TELL THROUGH THEIR EFFORTS. IT'S NOT ON THE SCREEN BUT I WANT TO TAKE YOU FROM 1890 TWO 2020, MIDLOTHIAN POPULATION THREW EVERY DECADE EXCEPT FOUR, TWO OF THOSE BEING THE DEPRESSION ERA. FROM 1990 TO 2020 OUR POPULATION DOUBLES EVERY 10 YEARS. IN 2020 WE'RE ESTIMATING A POPULATION OF 36,500 BASED OFF OF CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY AND PERMITS WITH AN ESTIMATED POPULATION OF 50,000 BY 2030. LETTING THINGS GROW.GROWTH IN A TOWN THIS GREAT IS INEVITABLE. MEANING MANAGING THE OPPORTUNITIES IS THE CHALLENGE. IT SEEMS THAT THE SECRET IS OUT. MIDLOTHIAN IS A GREAT COMMUNITY TO RAISE A FAMILY FOR SCHOOLS, QUALITY OF LIFE, AND JUST LIKE IN 1916 WHEN MR. DECEMBER MOVED HERE, THAT STILL HOLDS TRUE TODAY. I SPEAK TO CITIZENS THAT LIVE HERE AND THOSE WHO MOVED HERE AND THE ANSWERS ARE THE SAME, I MOVED TO MIDLOTHIAN FOR THE PEOPLE, THE SCHOOLS, AND. WHILE ADDRESSING THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS OF TOMORROW. SO, THAT FUTURE CITIZENS AND FAMILIES CAN CONTINUE TO LIVE, GROW, AND PROSPER IN THE CITY OF MIDLOTHIAN. THANK YOU, MAYOR RENO.
>>> THANK YOU, Y'ALL FOR COMING TONIGHT. WHAT I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT A LITTLE BIT IS THE FINANCIAL SITUATION. AND, WHAT WE DID TO PLAN FOR THIS BOND ELECTION. SO, WHEN WE SAT DOWN WITH OUR PLANNING COMMITTEE, PART OF STAFF'S JOB WAS TO LOOK AT WHAT WAS THE CAPACITY FOR US TO ISSUE BONDS. AND SO WE LOOKED OUT AT AN EIGHT YEAR HORIZON FOR THIS BOND ISSUANCE AS THE STATEMENT UP ON THE SCREEN AND WHAT WE'VE BEEN SAYING IS WE LOOKED AT THIS FROM A PERSPECTIVE OF NOT RACING THE PROPERTY TAX RATE. THIS WAS SIMILAR TO WHAT WE DID IN 2017.
WHEN IT WAS PASSED IN 2017 IS WE WERE NOT GOING TO RAISE THE TAX RATES. SO ACTUALLY SINCE WE RAISED THAT BOND, THE TAX RATE ARE LOWER. WE'VE GOT APPROXIMATELY $125,575,000,000 TO ISSUE. WE ACTUALLY HAVE CAPACITY FOR MORE THAN THAT, BUT TO BE CONSERVATIVE, WE RECOMMENDED A NUMBER AND THE PLANNING COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED A NUMBER LOWER THAN THAT. YOU COULD SEE UP ON THE SCREEN THAT YOUR TAX RATE AS IT COMPARES TO OTHER COMMUNITIES NEAR US, WE'RE AT 67.5 CENTS. THAT'S THE LATEST, THAT NUMBER HAS BEEN REDUCED THE LAST TWO YEARS, IT WAS 70.82 CENTS TWO YEARS AGO, BUT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO COME DOWN EVEN WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE 2017 BOND. I KNOW THERE WAS QUESTIONS ABOUT PROJECTS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN COMPLETE OFF THE 2017 BOND. WE REALLY ONLY HAVE ONE PROJECT, FROM THAT APPROVAL THAT HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED TO DATE. AND THAT'S FOR THE EXTENSION OF MOCKINGBIRD LANE DOWN TO 1387. SO SOME OF THAT IS DRIVEN BY THE DEVELOPMENT AND THE DEVELOPMENT HASN'T REACHED DOWN THAT FAR. GOING ONTO FINANCIAL STRENGTH, WE'RE DOUBLE A RATED BY BOTH S & P AND MOODIES. THE GOVERNMENT HAS RECED US FOR MANY YEARS FOR THE DISTINGUISHED BUDGETS AWARD AND THE CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT. AND THE COMPTROLLER SINCE 2016 HAS RECOGNIZED US AS A TRANSPARENCY STARS RECIPIENT.
WE'VE GOT BASICALLY, THE FINANCE DIRECTOR IN THIS ROOM FOR THE
LAST 30 YEARS. >> I DIDN'T SAY YOU WERE THAT OLD, I SAID YOU'RE IN THE AUDIENCE.
>> AND THEN I CAME BEHIND JIMMY AND THEN OF COURSE, WHEN I BECAME CITY MANAGER, WE GOT A LONG LINE OF WHAT I WOULD SAY CONSERVATIVE FINANCE DIRECTORS AND WE CONTINUE THAT TREND TODAY. AND AGAIN, THAT'S WHY WHEN WE LOOKED AT THIS WE P WANTED TO BE CONSERVATIVE IN LOOKING AT WHAT WE COULD AFFORD AS A COMMUNITY TO KEEP THE PROPERTY TAX RATE WHERE IT'S AT.
SO, WITH THAT, I'LL JUST KIND OF INTRODUCE AT A VERY HIGH LEVEL
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AND THEN YOU'LL HAVE SPEAKERS COME UP AND TALK ABOUT EACH ONE OF THESE, WE'RE PROPOSING, $125,575,000 THAT IS MADE UP OF PROPOSITION A WITH THE PUBLIC SAFETY PROPOSITION B, THE CITY HALL AND LIBRARY COMPLEX AND PROPOSITION D IS ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENTS. THE IMPACT ON THE TAX RATE IS ZERO. THE TIME FRAME THAT WE ANTICIPATE ISSUING THESE BONDS IS OVER AN EIGHT YEAR TIME FRAME, THAT'S DECIDED BY THE CITY COUNCIL. I WANT TO REITERATE THAT, IF ALL OF THESE BONDS PASS ANIME FIRST, WE DON'T ISSUE 125 HADN'T $575 MILLION THE NEXT DAY. THOSE ARE ISSUED OVER TIME AS IT MEETS OUR FINANCIAL ABILITY TO ISSUE. THE CITY COUNCIL WILL MAKE THOSE DECISIONS OVER TIME SO THAT WE COULD AGAIN, HOLD THIS RATE AND MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO FINANCE THESE IN A PRUDENT MANNER. SO, WITH THAT, I WILL INVITE THE CHIEF OF POLICE UP TO TALK ABOUT THE PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY.>>> I APPRECIATE THAT. THERE'S A LOT OF GRAY HERE IN THIS MUST STASH. I STARTED WITH I HAVE BEEN WORK ARE HERE FOR 14 YEARS.
I'VE SEEN A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF GROWTH. I GREW UP AND MOVED OUT THERE IN 1976, I ACTUALLY PLAYED IN THE GYM, BACK IN THE DAY WHEN IT STILL STOOD THERE IN IRVING. I'VE SEEN THE GROWTH AND ENJOYED THAT GROWTH AND I CAN TESTIFY TO THE CONSERVATIVE NATURE OF OUR EXISTING MANAGER BECAUSE I'VE PRESENTED BUDGETS FOR THE LAST 14 YEARS. AND THEY'RE ALWAYS TIGHT. SO, THIS FACILITY, IF YOU REMEMBER THE 2017 BOND WE WENT AFTER A A FACILITY THAT DID NOT INCLUDE ALL OF THE COMPONENTS WE'RE CURRENTLY ASKING TO BE IN THIS FACILITY. CURRENTLY, WE HOST ABOUT FIVE DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES OR DEPARTMENT'S WITHIN THE FACILITY OUT THERE AT THE OLD BAPTIST CHURCH WHICH WAS BUILT IN THE EARLY 70S, SOME SAY '71 SOME SAY '74, I CAN TELL YOU IT'S OLD AND NOT DESIGNED WHAT WE ASK IT TO DO ON A DAILY BASIS. IN TERMS OF SPACE, OFFICE SPACE, GO IN AND USE A COMPUTER, IT WORKS WELL. WE HAVE A HOLDING FACILITY, A 911 COMMUNICATION CENTER THERE, THE EQUIPMENT ALONE IS WELL OVER $5 MILLION.
IF THERE WAS A FIRE, RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET, NOT EVEN A HALF MILE AWAY, YOUDEE THE DAMAGE THAT OCCURRED TO THAT FACILITY, IT WOULD HAVE LEVELLED OUR FACILITY. THERE'S NOTHING WITHIN THAT FACILITY TO HOLD, THERE'S NO TORNADO SHELTER WITHIN THAT, THE STRONGEST PART OF THAT FACILITY IS THE HOLDING FACILITY BECAUSE IT HAS HADOT WALLS. HE DOESN'T HAVE A CONCRETE CEILING. IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT TRAUMATIC EVENTS AND THE PRESSURES THAT COME FROM THAT, IT MAY NOT HELP THOSE IN THAT CONFINE. SO MOVING FORWARD THREE YEARS LATER, WE'VE DONE TWO GROWTH STUDIES. SO WHERE THE CITY'S GOING NOW IN ANTICIPATION OF A POPULATION OF 70 TO 100,000 IN 50 YEARS. THIS FACILITIES IS DESIGNED TO BE OPERATIONAL FOR 40 TO 50 YEARS AND HOUSE NOT ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT, BUT OUR FIRE ADMINISTRATION, OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, OUR CODE ENFORCEMENT, ANIMAL CONTROL, THE CONTINUED GROWTH OF A 911 CENTER THAT DISPATCHES EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF OVILLA AND RED OAK, THAT COULD GROW OVER THE YEARS BUT WE WILL HAVE TO SEE IF THAT MANIFESTS. THE HOLDING FACILITY WILL BE REBUILT. IN CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE HAS TO MEET SURVIVE ABILITY BUT OPERATIONAL STANDARDS THROUGH A TRAUMATIC EVENT. AND DEPENDING ON THE LEVEL OF THAT WHETHER WE'RE LOOKING AT AN F 5, F 4 OR F 3, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MAJOR STORM
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AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO ANSWER 911 AND GIVE DIRECTION TO OUR COMMUNITY. THIS IS IMPORTANT TO NOT ONLY THE COMMUNITY BUT ALSO TO THE FOLK THAT IS WORK WITHIN THAT BUILDING. WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR DISPATCH PERSONNEL. FOR ANY DETAINEES IN THE BUILDING OR ANY STAFF IN THE BUILDING. SO AS WE GROW, THAT'S ONLY GOING TO GROW ON A DAILY BASIS FOR THE AMOUNT MUCH POPULATION THAT WILL BE INSIDE THE FACILITY. THE NEW FACILITY, YOU SEE THE OLD FACILITY UP THERE. YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN IN THAT FACILITY NOW, FOR I'VE BEEN HERE FOR 14 YEARS, THEY WERE IN THERE FOR SIX MONTHS BEFORE I ARRIVED, I THINK THE CITY OWNED IT FOR THREE YEARS BEFORE THAT.SO THE GROUND THAT WE OWN, IS ABOUT 6 ACRES, WE PLAN ON REBUILDING THE FACILITY ON SITE, AND WE BELIEVE WE COULD BUILD A FACILITY AND STAY IN OPERATION IN THAT FACILITY WHILE IT'S BEING CONSTRUCTED. THAT ALLOWS US AND SAVES THE CITY OVER $2 MILLION IN TRANSFER COSTS MOVING US OUT OF THE BUILDING, DEMOLITION, AND MOVING BACK. AND IF WE DID HAVE A TRAUMATIC EVENT OR SOMETHING THAT DESTROYED THE BUILDING, WHERE DO WE MOVE 130 INDIVIDUALS? THAT'S WHO OPERATES OUT OF THAT A FACILITY NOW ON A WEEKLY BASIS ABOUT 135 PEOPLE. SO THIS WILL BE DESIGNED TO GROW WITH THE COMMUNITY. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE COST AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SAYING, WELL, THREE YEARS AGO YOU WERE ASKING FOR. $33 MILLION. NOW YOU'RE ASKING POUR $46 MILLION. THE COST ESCALATION FOR WHAT WE CONSIDER CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IS GROWING AT AN ENORMOUS RATE AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO HE IS CAN LATE. AS IT DID, WHEN I RETIRED FROM THE CITY OF DESOTO. WE BUILT A 30,000 SQUARE FACILITY IN 2000, WE GOT 12 ACRES OF LAND AND GOT 32 FEET AND. IN CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND IT'S ONLY GOING TO BECOME MORE EXPENSIVE, AND THAT'S NOT ME SAYING THAT, THAT IS CONSTRUCTION FOLKS THAT ARE ACTUALLY IN THE BUSINESS TODAY GIVING US THESE COST ESTIMATES. SO, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE DIFFERENCE AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT, WE'VE GOT A SHEET THAT SPEAK TOSS THAT INFORMATION THAT WE CAN GO THROUGH. UP ON THE BOARD ARE SOME OF THE OTHER SERVICES WE PROVIDE, CRIME PREVENTION, OUR COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM, VICTIM'S RELIEF, MINISTRY, CHAPLAINS OFFICE. THERE'S A LOT OF ACTIVITIES PROVIDING SERVICES TO OUR COMMUNITY OUT OF THAT FACILITY.
WE ANTICIPATE GROWING AND CONTINUING OUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM AND THERE ARE OTHER PROGRAMS WE'RE KICKING OFF NOW TO DEAL WITH MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH FOR YOUR COMMUNITY. SO, YOU'VE GOT AN EXCELLENT GROUP OF MEN AND WOMEN THAT WORK FOR YOU OUT THERE. BUT THE FACILITY IS ALSO DESIGNED TO CREATE SAFETY FOR YOUR CITIZENS AS THEY COME INTO THE BUILDING. SO, IF YOU TAKE THE TOUR, IT'S EASIER TO EXPLAIN, BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF CONFLICTS WITHIN THAT FACILITY AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE SAFETY OF VICTIMS, WITNESSES, THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN ARRESTED FOR AN OFFENSE AND KEEPING THEM SEPARATED. SO, LOTS OF THINGS GOING ON: SO, QUESTIONS ARE COMING, SO IF YOU DON'T, FEEL FREE TO WRITE THOSE DOWN AND WE'LL GET TO THEM.
>> I'M COLLIDE AND I'M THE ASSISTANCE CITY MANAGER. WE HAVE OCCUPIED THIS AS CITY HALL SINCE 1996. IN 1990 WE WERE ABOUT 5,000 PEOPLE AND IN 200 WE WERE 7,000 PEOPLE. BACK THERE, THERE IS THAT LITTLE SIGN IT'S CALLED ASSERT OF OCCUPANCY, AND IT GIVES THE AMOUNT OF OCCUPANCY IN THIS ROOM AS I THINK 100 OR 101. I JUST COUNTED, THERE'S LESS THAN 30 PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM RIGHT NOW, YOU COULD IMAGINE IF WE WERE TO HAVE 101 PEOPLE WHICH WE'RE PERMITTED HERE IT GETS TIGHT. ONE OF THE THINGS ON THE BOND PROPOSITION IS A CROSS THE STREET, MOST LIKELY, PER THE DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN IS THE CITY HALL/LIBRARY. SO THE CITY HALL WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY 35,000 SQUARE FOOT THE LAY BRAYER WOULD BE 16,000 SQUARE FEET. IN 2020 WE WRAPPED UP AND ADOPTED A DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN AND THAT PLAN CALLED FOR A NEW CENTRAL SQUARE THAT WILL FUNCTION AS A VIE BRONALIDE PUBLIC SPACE AND ORGANIZING ELEMENT FOR THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN. THAT WAS THE NUMBER ONE PROJECT FOR THAT DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN. WITHIN
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THAT LIBRARY, WE WOULD HAVE BOOK ROOMS, MEDIA CENTERS, CHILDREN'S AREA, A MAKER'S SPACE WHICH CHILDREN AND PEOPLE CAN GET THEIR HANDS ON AND MAKE THINGS. A LOBBY AND RECEPTION AREA THAT WE COULD HAVE AN ECONOMY OF SCALE AND SHARE THAT WITH CITY HALL. AND ALSO COMMUNITY MEETING SPACE WITHIN THAT BUILDING. SO, IF YOU KNOW, I THINK THE MEADOW'S LIBRARY IS ABOUT 2007 WE WENT WITH THE HIGH SCHOOL AND COMBINED TO HAVE A CITY/SCHOOL LIBRARY AT THE CURRENT HIGH SCHOOL FROM A SECURITY STANDPOINT IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. ESPECIALLY IN THIS DAY AND AGE. THE LONGER WE GO TRYING TO UTILIZE THAT BUILDING, IT JUST DOESN'T WORK. PARKING, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS, IT'S NOT OPTIMAL SITUATION FOR EITHER PARTY. THE ISD OR THE CITY. SO WE'RE LOOKING TO DO THAT. THIS IS JUST AN ARTISTS RENDERING FROM THE DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN, YOU SEE WHAT THEY TALKED ABOUT AS THE ORGANIZING ELEMENT IN DOWNTOWN, CURRENT CITY HALL IS ACROSS THE STREET WHERE YOU COULD KIND OF SEE THE HERITAGE CABIN OVER THERE. IT'S AN ORGANIZING ELEMENT ASHD THE DOWNTOWN AREA, THE 2020 DELETE MASTER PLAN THIS IS A GRAND VISION, AS TUCKED TELL, IT DOES HAVE A LOT OF REVITALIZATION.WE'RE GOING OUT TOMORROW, WE'RE GOING FOR A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS ON THOSE BUILDINGS. SO WE REALLY FEEL LIKE THIS IS THE KIND OF THE HEART OF THE DOWNTOWN AND THE REVITALIZIZATION THAT WILL TAKE PLACE IN MIDLOTHIAN. ALSO, WITHIN OUR CITY HALL, WE'LL HAVE A CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS WITH INCREASING CAPACITY OVER 100 PEOPLE FOR SURE. UTILITY CUSTOMER SERVICES, PLANNING SERVICES, PARKS AND REC, HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICES, ADMINISTRATION OFFICES AND IT SERVICES. RIGHT NOW IF YOU'RE HERE TO GET A BUILDING PERMIT YOU GO TO THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE BUILDING COME IN AND GET YOUR BUILDING PERMIT AND IF YOU WANT YOUR WATER TURNED ON, YOU HAVE TO WALK OUTSIDE ALL THE WAY TO THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE BUILDING IN ORDER TO GET THAT PERMIT. THE WAY WE WOULD ORGANIZE IT AND EVERYTHING WOULD BE CITIZEN FRIENDLY, IT WOULD BE A ONE-STOP SHOP COME IN AND THE CITIZENS WOULD BE ABLE TO TACKLE ALL THEIR NEEDS IN ONE HALLWAY AND MAKE IT EFFICIENT FOR THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF MIDLOTHIAN. PROPOSITION C IS A COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER. I HEARD IN OWN OF OUR PRESENTATIONS. THE ISD AND THE CITY BEGAN TO TALK ABOUT A RECREATION CENTER IN 1994. WE DID 18 MONTH AGO WITH THE YMCA, IF WE WOULD RUN THE FACILITY, WOULD Y'ALL BE WILLING TO PUT UP THE CAPITAL AND BUILD A RECREATION CENTER AND WE SAID THAT'S A VERY GOOD IDEA. BECAUSE THE HESITANCY WE'VE HAD IN THE HISTORY OF THIS DISCUSSION IS TAKING ON THE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE. YOU COULD BUILD THE BUILDING, BUT THEN IT BECOMES AN ON GOING OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE STAFF. ALL THOSE THINGS, SO, WE MET WITH THE YMCA, THIS IS NOT A BRAND NEW MODEL, HOOD COUNTY, FORT WORTH, BEN BROOK, DALLAS, WHITE ROCK, THIS IS A MODEL USED ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES AND SPECIFICALLY IN THE DALLAS, FORT WORTH METROPLEX. WE TOURED AND REACHED OUT TO THE PUBLIC ENTITIES IN THEM. IN GRANBURY, THAT'S A FOUR WAY PARTNERSHIP. WE PARTNER WITH THE ISD AND BUILD A COMPETITION POOL SO THAT THE KIDS WITHIN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WOULD HAVE A PLACE TO SWIM, A DEDICATED PLACE FOR SWIM PLAQUE AS WELL AS COMPETITIONS AND THEN WE WOULD PARTNER WITH THE YMCA TO BUILD THE FACILITY, WE WOULD PUT UP THE CAPITAL TO BUILD THE FACILITY AND THE YMCA WILL MAINTAIN THAT ALL TIMES.
LOCKER ROOMS AND REST ROOMS, AS WELL AS INDOOR OUTDOOR POOL.
VARIOUS WORKOUT EQUIPMENTS, SPLASH PAD, GROUP EXERCISE ROOMS, FUNCTIONAL FITNESS AND A CHILD WATCH CENTER. SO YOU COULD COME DROP OFF THE KIDS, THEY HAVE ACTIVITIES WHILE YOU WORKOUT, SWIM, ET CETERA. SITING THIS CLOSE TO MISD STADIUM THERE ON THE CORNER OF 14TH AND 287. THAT WAY THAT PARKING LOT'S NOT ALWAYS FULL, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO UTILIZE SOME OF THAT PARKING FOR THE YMCA AND THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE
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ADVANTAGE OF THE SWIMMING ON SITE. IT LOOKS LIKE TO BE A VERY GOOD MARRIAGE. WE'VE HAD GOOD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE ISD AND THE YMCA AND EVERYBODY'S HAPPY WITH THOSE DISCUSSIONS.I'LL INTRODUCE MR. ADAMS TO GO OVER THE ROADS.
>> THANK YOU Y'ALL FOR BEING HERE. I'M MIKE ADAMS, I'M THE CITY ENGINEER. AND WHEN WE STARTED MEETING WITH OUR CITIZEN'S PLANNING GROUP WE HAD A LIST OF A DOZEN ROADS TO START FROM. AND THAT WAS THE BASE WORK TO START FROM, IT WAS ADDED TO, TAKEN FROM, AND WHEN IT REALLY GOT SET AT ABOUT A DOZEN ROADS TO START WITH, THERE WAS A SCORING OR RANKING THAT WAS DONE AND THAT WAS BASED ON THREE COMPONENTS, ONE WAS IMPROVING SAFETY, ONE WAS IMPROVING CONGESTION, AND ONE WAS ACCOMMODATING FUTURE GROWTH. AND BASED ON THOSE RANKINGS, WENT THROUGH AND ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS RANKED THEM AND FROM THAT IT WAS NARROWED DOWN TO SIX RODEWAYS. WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT IT, THE COST OF THE BOND INCLUDES ALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMPONENTS NECESSARY TO DO THE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE STREETS, ROADS, INTERSECTIONS, BRIDGES, ANY UTILITY LOCATION THAT MIGHT BE NECESSARY BASED ON THE BUILDING ITSELF, INCLUDING DRAINAGE, SIDEWALKS, RIGHT OF WAY, SIGNALS, AND ALSO DOING THE STRIPING AND THE SIGNAGE AS PART OF THE PROJECTS. SO IT'S REALLY AN ALL ENCOMPASSING COST WHEN YOU LOOK AT HOW THAT WAS APPROACHED. THE SIX PROJECTS IDENTIFIED ARE LISTED HERE, AND SO REALLY NO PARTICULAR ORDER, BUT THE FIRST ONE IS U.S.
HIGHWAY 287, LOOKING AT DOING A SOUTHBOUND EXIT RAMP. INSTEAD OF HAVING TO EXIT AT 663, IF YOU WANTED TO GO TO 14TH STREET NORTHBOUND OR SOUTHBOUND YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO EXIT. RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE ALSO, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS WORKING ON A NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LOCATED ON SOUTH 14TH STREET. SO THERE'LL BE DIFFERENT TRIPS GENERATED THAT WILL BE UTILIZING 14TH STREET AND THAT'S CONTINUING TO GROW AS WELL. THE MOUNTAIN SIDE ROAD REALIGNMENT IS THE ALIGNMENT AT MT. ZION RODE.
BASED ON THE DISTANCE 20 MT. ZION. AS 14TH STREET CONTINUES TO GROW, THIS PROJECT WOULD PUSH MT. ZION FURTHER TO THE SOUTH.
LONG-TERM THERE'S LIKELY GOING TO BE SIGNALS AT 14TH STREET AND U.S. 287. SO, BY PUSHING MT. ZION RODE FURTHER TO THE SOUTH YOU'LL ELIMB KNELT FUTURE PROBLEMS AS TRAFFIC CONTINUES TO GROW OVERTIME. THE HAWKINS RUN ARE ROAD, IT WOULD BE THE SOUTHEAST INTERSECTION OF HAWKINS RUN RODE. THAT ACTUALLY IS BEING CONSTRUCTED HERE IN THE NEXT MONTH OR SO, IT WILL START AND THE INTENTION IS TO OPEN BY AUGUST 2022. 300 FEET THAT'S BEEN BUILT, FOUR LANES, TAKING THE ROADWAY PRIMARILY THROUGH CITY PROPERTY BACK TO MIDLOTHIAN PARKWAY AND IT WOULD PROVIDE FOR THE EAST WEST ROAD SO YOU COULD GO FROM 663 ALL THE WAY TO SHADY GROVE. COMING IN AND REBUILDING THAT FROM 663 TO PLAINVIEW ROAD.
THAT WOULD BE A LONG TERM CONSTRUCTION THAT WOULD INCLUDE STORM DRAIN, SIDEWALK, INCLUDE SOME IMPROVEMENTS FROM A LANDSCAPING STAND POINT AS WELL AND MAJOR INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS, THE SOUTH 14TH STREET PROJECT, THE 5TH ONE ON THE LIST IS A DEVELOPMENT OFF OF 875, EXTENDING 14TH STREET MAKING THAT FINAL CONNECTION STOW THAT 14TH STREET WILL BE
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ABLE TO GO FROM 875 ALL THE WAY TO 1387. THERE'S A LITTLE COMPONENT IN BETWEEN, THERE'S PROPERTY IN BETWEEN AND THERE'S AN AREA THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO CROSS WITH SOME TYPE OF DRAINAGE STRUCTURE WHETHER A BRIDGE OR MULTIPLE BOXES. THAT WOULD FINISH OUT THAT COMPONENT OF 14TH STREET SO YOU WOULD HAVE A FOUR LANE ROADWAY, THE LAST ONE IS MOCKINGBIRD LANE. CONCRETE CURB AND GUTTER, SALKS AND THAT WOULD GO FROM MIDLOTHIAN PARKWAY AND WOULD HAVE A CONNECTION AS WELL ON THE SIDEWALK SIDE FOR A PEDESTRIAN ACCESS BETWEEN THE SCHOOLS AND THE DEVELOPMENT CURRENT WILL I THERE AND WOULD ALSO INCLUDE MAJOR INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS. THANK YOU. RIGHT NOW, WE DO WANT TO OPEN IT UP FOR Q AND A, SO WE'VE HAD A COUPLE OF THEM SUBMITTED ALREADY. AND SO, I'LL JUST START WITH THAT ONE. ANDIT IS >> THE QUESTION IS WHEN IS ENOUGH ENOUGH? WHY DO WE NEED $125 MILLION FOR ANYTHING?
>> AND I GUESS, JUST IN SHORT TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION IS TO IT DEAL WITH THE GROWTH. YOU KNOW, AND TO PROVIDE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT CITIZENS WANT. CITIZENS ARE GOING TO DECIDE IF YOU WANT THESE THINGS OR NOT. BUT WE'RE TRYING TO PROVIDE FOR A QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR CITIZENS WITH THINGS LIKE THE REC CENTER, AND OBVIOUSLY AS YOU HEARD FROM A TRAFFIC STAND POINT AND FOR OUR PUBLIC SAFETY STAND POINT. SO THAT IS WHY WE'RE ASKING FOR THE $125 MILLION IN PUTTING THIS FORWARD TO THE CITIZENS TO SEE IF THE CITIZENS WANT THESE IN THEIR COMMUNITY. SO.
>> THAT'S THE ONLY FORMALIZED ONE. IF YOU WANT TO TAKE THE
MIC AND ASK SOME QUESTIONS. >> I'LL BE GLAD TO.
>> OKAY. IS IT WORKING? >> YES, SIR. LOUD AND CLEAR.
>> THERE'S SO MUCH TO DISCUSS WITH THIS, I KNOW YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GIVE ME ENOUGH TIME, BUT, AS I SEE THIS, THIS IS CAUSE AND EFFECT, THE CAUSE IS OVERPOPULATION, THE EFFECT IS WE GOT TO SPEND $125 MILLION ACCORDING TO YOU GUYS. THAT WAS THE ONE THAT ASKED WHEN IS ENOUGH ENOUGH. IT TAKES 50,000 PEOPLE TO BECOME A CITY. WE'VE HAD 10,000 PEOPLE INCREASE IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS. THE CAUSE AND EFFECT OF THAT IS FOR EXAMPLE, I LIVE ON LAWSON FARMS RIGHT THERE NEXT TO THE ROAD SIDE, BEFORE Y'ALL STARTED OR WHOEVER STARTED THAT RECONSTRUCTION PART THERE, I STOOD OUT THERE AT MY BACKYARD ON A FRIDAY, A SATURDAY, AND A SUNDAY, ADD 1:00, 2:00, AND 3:00, AND I COUNTED CARS FOR A 10 MINUTE CYCLE, THERE WAS AN AVERAGE OF 116 CARS PASS MY HOUSE IN THOSE 10 MINUTES.
THAT'S WAY TOO MANY CARS, THE REASON BEING CAUSE AND EFFECT WE HAVE TOO MANY PEOPLE, WE HAVE TOO MUCH GROWTH, IT'S EXCESSIVE GROWTH, Y'ALL A FORCING THE GROWTH, THAT'S WHAT BILL HOUSTON DID WHEN HE WAS THE MAYOR, HE MADE THE STATEMENT TO MIDLOTHIAN NEWS MAGAZINE, HE SAID HE CRAFTED THE GROWTH. WE DON'T NEED CRAFTED GROWTH, WE NEED NORMAL GROWTH. HERE'S A PRINTOUT THAT I GOT, I SAW, I DON'T KNOW WHICH ONE OF GUYS WANT THIS, BUT IN THE TOWN OF SOUTH CAROLINA THERE WAS A TOWN CALLED WYLIE, I THINK IT IS, THE RESIDENTS CAME OUT AND VOTED TO STOP THE EXCESS GROWTH THEY GOT THEY PUT A 16 MONTH MORATORIUM TO GET CALLED UP. WE WOULDN'T NEED ALL OF THIS IF IT WASN'T FOR ALL THE PEOPLE. YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT QUALITY OF LIFE, WE HAVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE. YOU GET 50,000, WE HAVE BARREL A CALTH OF LIFE WITH 35-36,000 PEOPLE. WHAT KIND OF QUALITY OF LIFE DO YOU THINK WE'LL HAVE WITH 50,000 PEOPLE. DID Y'ALL EVER HAVE ANYBODY LIKE ME OR ANY NORMAL PERSON WHOSE A CITIZEN IN THIS TOWN ON THAT PLANNING COMMITTEE TO ASK THEM THEIR
POINT OF VIEW? >> YES, SIR, THE 17 MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE, THERE'S ONE BACK HERE, ALL OF THEM, I WOULD SAY.
>> THAT'S GOOD THAT THEY WERE, BECAUSE AT LEAST YOU HAD SOME DESCENT, REALISTIC INPUT. I'M NOT SAYING I AGREE WITH ALL OF
[00:35:05]
IT, WHICH I OBVIOUSLY DON'T. I BELIEVE WE DO NEED PROTECTION, BUT THE REASON THAT WE NEED MORE SAFETY AND PROFEKS IS BECAUSE WE GOT MORE PEOPLE THAN WE SHOULD HAVE IN THE FIRST PLACE.>> YES, SIR. >> I WAS BORN IN OAK CLIFF, A LONG TIME AGO. ALMOST AS LONG. I'M 78.
>> I'M 73. I SAW THE TORNADO. >> RICHARDSON, THERE WAS 25700 PEOPLE IN RICHARDSON AND A HIGH SCHOOL, BY THE TIME I GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL THERE WERE 25,000 PEOPLE THEY PUT A TI OUT THERE AND NOW THERE'S OVER 100,000 PEOPLE IN RICHARDSON IN BETWEEN SQUARE MILES OR SO, A TOWN WILL EITHER GROW OR IT WILL SHRINK. AND WE'RE GROWING. I MOVED HERE BECAUSE I WANTED TO
GET OUT OF NORTH DALLAS. >> AND NOW YOU'RE IN NORTH
DALLAS AGAIN. >> NOBODY WENT SOUTH FROM OAK
CLIFF, EVERYBODY WENT NORTH. >> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> IT'S HERE WE HAVE A COMMUNITY THAT HAS COME OF AGE, EXCUSE ME. AND THE GROWTH IS HERE. AND WE HAVE GOT TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES FOR OUR COMMUNITY. I WOULD LOVE TO GO BACK IN TIME, NO, I DON'T THINK I WOULD, I LIKE THE NEW MIDLOTHIAN. I DRIVE AROUND MIDLOTHIAN AND I SEE A VERY DIFFERENT TOWN. WE HAD ONE BLINKING LIGHT WHEN I MOVED
HERE, WE HAD A DIARY QUEEN. >> BUT IT WAS PEACEFUL.
>> AND THIS WAS WHAT'S IN FRONT OF US, WE'RE GROWING AS A COMMUNITY. AS A COMMUNITY WE HAVE PEOPLE, PROPERTY RIGHTS,
AND WE'RE POPULAR. >> YOU KNOW WHY WE'RE POPULAR.
>> SIR, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, CAN I HAVE A CHANCE.
>> WELL, I'LL YIELD THE FLOOR. >> THANK YOU, VERY MUCH FOR YOUR QUESTIONS. BUT, COUNCIL MEMBER WICKLIFFE, CAN I PUT YOU ON THE SPOT REAL QUICK, WHAT YEAR WAS IT THAT THE GUY CAME TO TOWN AND ENDED UP BEING THE MAYOR.
>> THAT WOULD BE 1916. >> WE'RE GETTING FEEDBACK.
>> ALL RIGHT. WE ARE, BY THE WAY, BEING SCREENED NOW, AND VIDEOS MADE AND IT WILL BE ON THE CITY WEBSITE AND YOU'LL BE ABLE TO COME BACK AND WATCH THIS OR YOU COULD TELL YOUR FRIEND AND NEIGHBORS TO GO WATCH IT. SO, BE MINDFUL.
>> I THINK IT WAS IN 1916, I'M PRETTY SURE HE HAD A PRETTY NICE HORSE AND CARRIAGE. WE ALL CAME IN CARS. IT'S NOT 1901 OR 1916, WE'RE CRAZY IF WE DON'T P VOTE YES FOR PROPOSITION D FOR ROAD IMPROVEMENTS. THE SECOND THING IS I'M CURIOUS, WE OBVIOUSLY HAVE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES WHEN IT COMES TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND FRANKLY MAYBE NOT CRITICAL WITH DISASTER RECOVERY WITH CITY HALL, BUT WE NEED THAT. WE SHOULD PROBABLY PUT THOSE TWO TOGETHER AS OPPOSED TO ALSO PUT A LIBRARY WITH CITY HALL, IF THE LIBRARY IS GOOD ENOUGH AND STRONG ENOUGH, IT'S ALWAYS NORTH 1901, EVERY SING PERSON IN THE COMMUNITY HAS A PHONE AS WELL AS COMPUTER ACCESS. WE DON'T NEED TO SPEND A SINGLE WHITE CENT ON A LIBRARY IN THAT SITUATION. IF A LIBRARY'S THAT IMPORTANT THAT IT COULD HAVE STOOD BY IT SELF ON A PROPOSITION. FROM THERE, THERE ARE CERTAINLY A LOT OF THINGS THAT COULD BE DONE WHEN IT COMES TO CITY POOLS AND REC CENTERS, THERE'S OBVIOUSLY A GREAT NEED IN MANY OF THOSE SITUATIONS, I WOULD BE INTERESTED TO KNOW HOW MUCH WE WOULD SAVE IF THE ECONOMICS AND THE DEMONSTGRAPHICS, SUGGEST TH WE COULD AND SUPPORT THAT TYPE OF FACILITY, I'M PRETTY SURE, LIFETIME AND LA FITNESS WOULD LIKE TO COME IN AND LOOK AT IT ALSO. IT WASN'T LEGAL FOR ME TO BE INVOLVED IN ANY OF THESE MEETINGS FOR YEARS BECAUSE I WAS IN INVESTMENT BANKING AND DEALING WITH BOND AND STUFF. OTHER THAN THAT IT'S WONDERFUL THAT WE HAVE A PLAN AND WE'RE MOVING FORWARD AND WE HAVE A DEBATE BECAUSE MOST OF THIS STUFF IS ONE WAY SHAPE OR FORM GOT TO GET PASSED, BECAUSE CALIFORNIA IS NOT GOING TO STOP COMING. WHEN SOMEONE OFFERS ME 30 TO 40% ON OUR HOUSE, I CAN'T
[00:40:02]
DENY IT. WE'VE GOT TO ALSO RECOGNIZE FROM AN INVESTMENT BANKING STAND POINT, THAT INVESTMENT BANKERS ARE RIGHT, WE WON'T NEED TO RAISE TAXES UNTIL THERE'S A PANDEMIC OR RECESSION OR DEPRESSION THAT HAPPENED TWICE. WE CAN'T STOP IT, WEBETTER BUILD FOR IT. >> THAT COUPLE OF COMMENTS THERE, FIRST I WANT TO GO BACK AND EMPHASIZE THAT STAFF IS EXTREMELY CONSERVATIVE. THEY'VE GONE THROUGH THE RECESSION OF '08 WE'VE GONE THROUGH THE PROBLEMS RECENTLY, AND WE HAVE SOUND PHYSICAL CITY. I'M A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, AND WE ARE SOLID FINANCIALLY AND WE CAN DO THIS WITHOUT IMPACTING OUR TAX RATE. TWO, IF YOU TALK ABOUT THE WHY, AGAIN, WHEN I GREW UP IN RICHARDSON, 2500 PEOPLE GOING TO ABOUT 5,000 THERE WAS NOTHING OUT THERE FOR FAMILIES. THERE WAS NOTHING OUT THERE TO SERVICE THE PEOPLE NORTH DALLAS Y CAME OUT AND HAD LIKE WE DO NOW, THEY HAD SERVICES IN THE SCHOOLS, THE Y IS GOING TO PROVIDE FUNCTIONS THAT THESE OTHER FACILITIES DON'T. THE SERVICE IS THE HEART AND SOUL OF THE PEOPLE NOT JUST THE PHYSICAL ASPECT. GOLD GYMS MOVED OUT IN WAX HACKSY IN YMCA. THIS Y MEET AS SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE THAT OTHERS DON'T. AS WE GROW, THE CITY, THIS IS A NEED THAT WE HEAR OVER AND OVER THAT PEOPLE HAVE A NEED FOR THEIR FAMILIES AT ALL AGES TO BE SERVICED. CLYDE, DID YOU WANT?
>> I THINK YOU EXPRESS IT HAD GREAT, MAYOR, THERE REALLY ISN'T A COMPETITION BETWEEN THE GYMS AND THE YMCA, THEY SERVE TOTALLY DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT NEEDS. IN TALKING TO THE YMCA, THEY'RE WHAT SUBSIDIZED THEY WANT TO BREAK EVEN AND THEY WANT TO SUPPLY AND SUPPLY THE PROGRAMMING AND EVERYTHING, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, DALLAS SUBSIDIZES THEM AND THEY SUBSIDIZE DALLAS BACK AND FORT, TO THE MAYORS POINT, THEY SERVE A MUCH DIFFERENT NEED THAN THE LA FITNESS AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS. AT THE SAME TIME, IT'S JUST YOU KNOW, A DAY AND NIGHT
TYPE OF SERVICES. >> AND, THAT'S, I MEAN. AND, THAT'S WHAT KEPT AND ONE THINK HAS KEPT REC CENTERS OUT OF HERE IS THE TOTAL COST NOT JUST THE CONSTRUCTION BUT THE ON GOING OPERATIONS COST YEAR OVER YEAR, SO WE MOVED THAT OFF TO A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUCTURED TO DO THAT.
>> I GOT THIS ARTICLE OUT OF THE "WALL STREET JOURNAL," SO I KNOW THIS ISN'T A FAKE STATEMENT. AND, I TRUST THIS MAN'S JUDGMENT BECAUSE OF HIS BUSINESS. THE POINT BEING IS, THE REASON I SAY SLOW DOWN IS, BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON AS IT IS, IF WE WERE STILL UNDER THE CONSERVATIVE PRESIDENCY, I WOULD SAY YES, BUT WE'RE YOU UNDER A PRESIDENCY THAT DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING. THEY'RE TRYING TO DESTROY AMERICA. WE NEED SMALL BUSINESSES HERE, IF YOU WANT QUALITY OF LIFE IN HERE, YOU NEED TO ADJUST YOU'RE THINKING OR SOMEBODY'S THINKING THAT WE GET PROPER BUSINESSES OR GOOD BUSINESSES, OR COMMUNITY BUSINESSES, THAT DO THINGS FOR THE COMMUNITY, NOT FOR THE BIG BUCKS.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU. >> AND, BY THE WAY, WE DO HAVE FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER, I'M SORRY FOR NOT INTRODUCING YOU EARLIER, WE HAVE KYLE FROM 4-A AND ALLEN FROM 4-B, AND WE HAVE WALTER, WE HAVE COUNCIL MEMBER WALTER DARRACH AND HUTCH HERE SOMEPLACE. WE HAVE A HEALTHY COMMUNITY HERE ESPECIALLY BUSINESS WISE AND WE'RE ATTRACTING BUSINESSES TO WANT TO COME HERE. NOT ONLY ARE WE ON THE RADAR MAP AND POPULAR FOR
[00:45:04]
RESIDENTIAL, WE'RE ON THE RADAR MAP FOR BUSINESSES. AND WE'RE HEALTHY IN ALL SECTORS, NOW WE DO DEAL WITH LARGER CORPORATIONS HERE, BUT THAT BRINGS IN OTHERS, SO, WE HAVE, WELL, WE HAVE A VERY HEALTHY AND CONSERVATIVE, AND WE HAVE THE MIDLOTHIAN BUBBLE AND WE'RE SOMEHOW, WE'RE GOING TO WEATHER THE STORM, THE MADNESS OUT IN THE REST OF THE WORLD. WE ARE. WELL IS THERE SOMEBODY ELSE BEFORE YOU GO BACK?>> I'M CATHY KEMP, I'M SKETCH SHI ON THE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF THE YMCA, THE SCHOOL, AND THE CITY ON THE WHOLE COMPLEX LIKE THE INSURANCE AND YOU SAID, THE MAINTENANCE, AND ALL IS TAKEN CARE OF THERE, BUT IS IT GOING TO BE KIND OF SPELLED OUT WHAT THE SPECIFIC RULES ARE OF THE THREE ENTITIES, THE CITY, THE
YMCA AND THE SCHOOL? >> YES, MA'AM, IT WILL BE ALL DETAILED OUT. THERE'LL BE AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT, WE HAVEN'T ENTERED THAT AT THIS POINT BECAUSE WE HAVE TO SEE IF THIS PASSES BEFORE WE GO DOWN THAT ROAD BUT IT'S VERY DETAILED ON EACH RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ISD, THE CITY OF MIDLOTHIAN AND THE YMCA. THESE AGREEMENTS ARE 50 PAGES LONG AND AT LEAST THAT 10-YEAR INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES AND EVERYTHING WILL BE SPELLED OUT IN DETAIL. WE HAVEN'T BEGUN THAT, WE JUST GOT EXAMPLES FROM ALL THOSE DIFFERENT
MUNICIPALITIES. >> YES, MA'AM, WE HAVE START TALKING TO THE Y, WE HAVEN'T STARTED MEMORIALIZIE THOSE
DOCUMENTS YET. >> I THINK TREVES THERE WAS A QUESTION ABOUT THE SCHOOL, HOW MUCH AVAILABILITY THERE IS TO
THE PUBLIC? >> WHAT WE SAW IN BENBROOK, IS THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAD A DEDICATED 2 HOURS EVERY MORNING FROM 5:30 TO 7:30. NOW, THEY WOULD HAVE ONE OF THE POP PRIORITIES BECAUSE I MEAN, IT'S BUILT FOR THEM, BUT OUT OF THE LET'S SAY 12 HOURS THEY'RE OPEN, THEY'RE DEDICATED 2 HOURS AND THAT WOULD BE FLEXIBLE TO WHEN THE SCHOOL SCHEDULES WORKS, SOMETIMES IT'S IN THE EVENING OR MORNING, BUT THEY WOULD BE ABLE YOU HAVE 16 KIDS, YOU JUST HAVE KIDS LIKE A TRAIN IN THERE TRAINING, SO THEY WOULD NEED THAT TIME ALLOTTED TO THEM.
>> AND THERE'S TWO POOLS AND A FLASH PAD, THERE'S AN INDOOR AND
OUTDOOR POOL. >> THE KIDS WOULD BE DEDICATED
TO THE COMPETITION POOL. >> WELL, I HAVE TO SAY THAT I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LIBRARY TO BE WITHIN CITY HALL, I FEEL HAVING IT DOWNTOWN MIGHT HELP OUR DOWNTOWN REVITALIZIZATION PROGRAM AND WE WOULD START TO HAVE PLACE TOSS EAT AND SHOP, AND START LOOKING AT THAT ARENA BEING DOWNTOWN, I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT. AND DEFINITELY WE NEED THE CITY HALL. I'VE WORKED DOWN HERE AND IT'S CROWDED.
>> MODERN CITIES THERE'S A PLACE FOR LIBRARIES IN MODERN CITIES, YOU GO UP AND LOOK AT FRISCO, BUT THEY'VE OUTGROWN THEIR LIBRARY, SO IN THIS DAY AND AGE THERE'S A PLACE FOR A MODERN LIBRARY, IT'S NOT BOOKS OR WHAT WE'RE USED TO OR WHAT WE'VE GROWN UP WITH, THERE'S MANY OF GOOD EXAMPLES, AND I KNOW OF THREE INFORMATION SCIENCE LIBRARY AND EXPERTS IN OUR COMMUNITY. SO WE HAVE A LOT OF EXPERTISE IN OUR COMMUNITY TO
DRAW FROM. >> I CERTAINLY DIDN'T WANT ANOTHER SEPARATE PUBLIC ENTITY THAT DOESN'T PAY TAXES IN ANY OF THE OTHER BUILDING DOWNTOWN SO I'M GLAD THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
>> I'LL AGREE WITH THAT. >> SOMEBODY? I'M GOING TO COME BACK UP TO THE FRONT HERE. I GOT, OKAY. SOMEBODY NEEDS TO
RAISE THEIR HAND. >> THERE YOU GO.
>> OKAY. WE'VE GOT 11 MINUTES LEFT.
>> I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I AM FOR ALL FOUR PART OF IT IS
[00:50:05]
BECAUSE MANSFIELD HAS BEAUTIFUL PUBLIC CITY HALL AND PLACES LIKE THAT. THEY HAVE THE FITNESS FACILITIES. A LOT OF THESE THINGS THEY'RE TRYING TO GET APPROVED, MANSFIELD ALREADY DID AND I'M TIRED OF GETTING ON 287 AND HAVING TO DRIVE FOR THE THINGS THAT I WANT FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. WE GO THERE. BUT I LIVE HERE. IF MY CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN WERE WORKING IN THAT PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING, I WOULD WANT THEM TO BE SAFE.EVERYTHING THAT THE CHIEF SAID, YOU HAVE TO PUT YOURSELF IN THEIR POSITION. WHAT IF THESE WERE YOUR CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN WORKING IN THAT FACILITY? I JUST I'LL ALSO LIKE BEAUTY AND EVERYTHING THAT WAS PRESENTED TO ME LOOKS REALLY, REALLY, NICE. I JUST THINK IT COULD BE EMBARRASSING FOR VISITORS OR ANYONE, MAYBE YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT, BUT YOU COULD SAY, WOW, YOU HAVE A VERY BEAUTIFUL LIBRARY OR CITY HALL OR PUBLIC SAFETY, YOU KNOW. AND THEN, THE ROADS, OF COURSE WE CAN ALWAYS IMPROVE ON THOSE, I'M JUST SAYING I'M FOR ALL OF IT.
WHAT I'M NOT FOR IS SO MANY FAST FOOD PLACES.
>> OKAY. >> YES, BUT NO MORE, PLEASE.
>> AND, I HEAR QUITE A BIT PEOPLE SAYING THEY HAVE TO DRIVE 10-15 MILES FOR CERTAIN ACTIVITIES.
>> THE BIGGEST COMPETITOR, THE BIGGEST LOSS TO THE REC CENTER WILL BE THE WAXAHACHIE Y. THEY'RE STILL SUPPORTED BUT THAT'S WHOSE GOING TO TAKE THE BIGGEST HIT IS THE OTHER Y.
>> I WAS JUST GOING TO MAKE A POINT ABOUT THE RECREATION CENTER, YOU SAW THE GROWTH STUDY OF 50,000 POPULATION BY 2030, IF YOU LOOK AT OUR CURRENT ZONING FOR THE CITY OF MIDLOTHIAN OUR CURRENT POPULATION IS ABOUT 120,000 PEOPLE ROUGHLY, THAT'S APPROVED ZONING ACROSS THE CITY. SO YEAR ALMOST AT 50% CAPACITY.
WHEN WE LOOKED AT THESE PROJECTS IN TERMS OF THE CITIZENS, IT WAS, WE IN THE NEXT 10-20 YEARS ARE GOING TO HIT THE 50% THRESHOLD IF NOT OVER, HOW DO WE START PROVIDING A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE AND ROADWAYS, I'LL SAY IT, I'M 25 YEARS-OLD, I MEET THE AVERAGE OF THE AVERAGE CITIZEN OF MIDLOTHIAN WHICH IS 32 WITH TWO KIDS. THAT'S THE AVERAGE AGE OF THE MIDLOTHIAN CITIZEN AND WHAT THEY ASKED WHEN WE DID STUDIES WAS QUALITY OF LIFE.
THAT AGE GROUP WANTS QUALITY OF LIFE. MY FAMILY MOVED HERE IN 1930, THEY STAYED, I'M 6TH GENERATION, WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL, WE PROBABLY DID SOME THINGS WE WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WHERE TO GO. I'M JUST BEING HONEST, FROM A DEVELOPMENT POINT OF VIEW, WE'RE GETTING TO THE 50% THRESHOLD, JUST LOOKTY POLICE STATION OR THE CITY HALL, WE'RE NOT PREPARED FOR THAT IF THESE DON'T GET APPROVED.
>> WE'RE ALREADY AT -- MA'AM? YES?
>> I JUST HAVE A QUICK COMMENT. I CAME HERE READY TO SAY NO ON THE FIRST THREE AND DEFINITELY YES ON THE STREETS. YOU HAVE SWAYED ME, I'M LEANING YES ON THE OTHER THINGS. BUT ON THE ROADS, ABSOLUTELY. BECAUSE 1, TO ME, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING A CITY CAN DO IS STAY AHEAD OF DEVELOPMENT ON PARTICULARLY THE STREETS ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE. BECAUSE, ALL YOU GOT TO DO IS DRIVE TO WAXAHACHI. IT'S BOOMING AND 77 IS WAY BEHIND ON THEIR STREET DEVELOPMENT.
>> I'M GOING TO MAKE A COMMENT HERE AND I HOPE STAFF SUPPORTS IT, THE ROADS THAT YOU HAVE NOW IS WHAT WE CAN HANDLE AND DO NOW. GOING FORWARD, I DON'T KNOW WHAT DO YOU WANT, COUNCIL CAN ALWAYS COME BACK AND ADD TO THIS, THAT'S THE ONE PLACE WE HAVE THE MOST LATITUDE. WHEN WE DO THESE PROJECTS, WE CAN DO OTHERS AND WE HAVE ENOUGH WORK TO DO FOR STAFF RIGHT NOW, AND LET'S GET THIS DONE, AND I AGREE WITH YOU, WE NEED TO GET AHEAD
[00:55:05]
OF THE CURVE NOT BEHIND THE CURVE.>> AS FAR AS THE POLICE STATION, I'M AN ACCOUNT BY NATURE AND TRAINING THAT'S WHAT I DO EVERYDAY. SO, I CONTACTED THE CITY AND THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER E-MAILED ME THE NUMBERS AND ALL I CAN THINK IS CONSTRUCTION HAS DEFINITELY GOTTEN, BECAUSE IT DID GIVE ME THE BREAKDOWN OF WHERE THE NUMBERS ARE GOINGIOUS AND IT'S LIKE WELL, IT'S HARD FOR ME TO ARGUE THIS. BECAUSE, I LOOKED AT ALLEN AT ONE POINT, THEY BUILT A $60 MILLION FOOTBALL STADIUM, IT'S THAT KIND OF STUFF. THAT'S WHY I ALSO AM A LITTLE SCEPTICAL.
>> AND I STILL CONTEND BECAUSE I KNOW COUNCIL AND I KNOW STAFF WERE CONSERVATIVE, BUT WE ARE IN A MORE MODERN CITY AND WE HAVE THINGS DO. THE FACILITIES ARE ALREADY BEHIND. WE'RE BEHIND BY 10 YEARS. IT'S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE.
>> THAT'S RIGHT. >> THE COST BUT THE COST, IF WE DELAY, THEN THE NEXT TIME WE COME BACK IT'S GOING TO BE MORE SO. I'LL LET CASEY TALK BECAUSE HE CAN. WE'RE BEING FACTUAL UP
HERE. >> MY NAME IS CASEY FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DON'T KNOW, I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY OF SERVING ON THE CITIZENS PLANNING GROUP AND WE MET FIVE OR SIX TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL MONTHS JUST REALLY GOING THROUGH EACH SINGLE ONE OF THESE IN GREAT DETAIL AND MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS WITH THE COUNCIL AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS. I MOVED HERE ABOUT 11 YEARS AGO, AND ONE OF THE REASONS IS, I HEAR THAT STATEMENT A LOT, IS QUALITY OF LIFE. AND I LOOK AT THAT AS A DESCRIBE QUALITY OF LIFE, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO ME? AND REALLY ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK ABOUT IS REALLY JUST THE SERVICES I MOVE HERE WHAT I EXPECT FROM MY CITY, I EXPECT, PUBLIC SAFETY, I EXPECT THE TRASH PICK UP, AND THE POLICE TO SHOW UP AND INFRASTRUCTURE AND ROADS, WE TALKED ABOUT GROWTH AND I THINK THERE ARE SAFE WAYS TO MOVE THAT GROWTH FORWARD. RIGHT NOW I LOOK AT SOME OF THE FACILITIES THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE FROM THE CITY HALL AND THE POLICE STATION, WE'VE OUTGROWN THOSE SPACES TODAY, THEY NEED THOSE NOW NOT 10 YEARS FROM NOW. AND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND THE FUTURE OF MIDLOTHIAN IN MY OPINION, THIS IS FOR THE FUTURE THIS IS FOR MY KIDS THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THEM, 10 TO 20 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD. I'M 39 AND I'M OLD FOR MIDLOTHIAN RIGHT NOW, THE REALITY IS IT'S A YOUNG COMMUNITY THAT HAS KIDS, SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THERE ARE SO MANY GREAT APPEALS WHY PEOPLE ARE COMING HERE CANS I HAD SOMEONE WHO JUST MOVED INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD A WEEK AGO, I WANT THEM TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME QUALITY OF LIFE THAT I HAD WHEN I MOVED HERE 11 YEARS AGO BECAUSE I LOVED MIDLOTHIAN AND I WANT TO SEE WHAT'S BEST FOR THIS. I DO SERVE ON THE PACK AND HELP THEM DRIVE THE AWARENESS ON THIS. I'M GLAD YOU'RE HERE I COME MEND Y'ALL FOR COMING HERE AND LEARN THE FACTS, I DEFINITELY JUST ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT AS YOU LOOK AT THESE AND GO ONE BY ONE AND SEE WHAT THE FUTURE OF MIDLOTHIAN
NEEDS. SO, THAT'S ALL I HAD. >> YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> THE QUALITY OF LIFE WE HAVE TODAY IS NOT THE SAME QUALITY OF LIFE HE HAD 11 YEARS AGO. I MOVED HERE 11 YEARS AGO, I HAD A GREAT QUALITY OF LIFE, I MOVED HERE BECAUSE IT WAS NICE, AND PEACEFUL AND COMFORTABLE AND YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT EXCESSIVE THIS OR THAT AND OVERDOING. NOW, THE QUALITY OF LIFE, WE HAVE TO P DEAL WITH THAT THAT STUFF THAT WE HAD BACK THEN. THIS IS NOT A GOOD DECISION, YOU'RE DOING TO TOO FAST AND YOU WANT TO TOO MUCH FOR NOTHING. HOW DOES IT SERVE
THE COMMUNITY? >> IT PROVIDES OUR STAFF THE FIRST RESPONDERS, AND THE ONES IN CITY HALL THE TOOLS
NECESSARY. >> THEM I UNDERSTAND.
>> YOU SHOULD COME AND SPEND TIME HERE WITH STAFF HERE. THEY ARE WORKING OUT OF CLOSETS, THEY DON'T HAVE A GOOD WORK FLOW, IN MY BUSINESS, I WOULD NOT GIVE A FACILITY LIKE THIS TO MY EMPLOYEES. OUR EMPLOYEES DESERVE BETTER AND FOR QUALITY OF LIFE, WE'RE WHAT WE ARE, AND THE MIDLOTHIAN WE HAVE TODAY I THINK IS EXCELLENT, WE'RE A VERY BLESSED COMMUNITY AND WE NEED OUR STAFF TO HAVE THE FACILITY TO WORK OUT OF SO WE COULD GROW.
WE ARE BUILDING FOR THE PRE-TEEN KIDS. ONE THING I'VE NOTICED
[01:00:06]
WHEN I CAME OUT HERE IS HOW MANY PEOPLE GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL HERE. THERE ARE A LOT OF FORMER GRADUATES THAT LIVE HERE.PEOPLE COME BACK TO MIDLOTHIAN TO LIVE. AND THAT'S ONE OF THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE. HOW DO WE HAVE A CITY WHERE FORMER STABILITYS CAN COME BACK AND LIVE? THAT'S A HUGE CHALLENGE.
DOES ANYBODY ELSE HAVE A COMMENT OR A QUESTION BEFORE WE GOT.
WE'RE ABOUT READY TO WRAP UP HERE. THERE IS A.
>> I HAVE GRANDCHILDREN, MY YOUNGEST IS A 3-YEAR-OLD LITTLE GIRL. WE HAVE TO TAKE HER TO MANSFIELD FOR SWIMMING LESSONS, TO THE YMCA IN MANSFIELD. WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DO THAT.
>> GET A POOL. >> WE CAN'T AFFORD A POOL.
>> IT'S 7:00. THERE IS A TOUR OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
>> I WOULD JUST LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT. I'VE BEEN HERE FOR 78 YEARS IN THIS TOWN. AND, IT WAS MADE MENTION THAT YOU KNOW PEOPLE NOW COME BACK TO MIDLOTHIAN AFTER THEY GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL, WELL, I'VE GOT THREE KIDS, I'VE GOT EIGHT GRAND KIDS, I'VE GOT SIX GREAT GRAND KIDS AND THEY ALL LIVE HERE, AND LET ME TELL YOU IT'S GREAT. I GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL HERE IN 1960, AND, I WAS BORN IN '42, HERE IN THIS TOWN, AND AS A GENTLEMAN TALKED ABOUT, WE'RE GROWING TOO FAST, HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I HEARD THIS? ALL MY LIFE. THERE'S A COMMENT THAT WAS MADE EARLIER ABOUT YOU'RE EITHER GOING TO THROW OR DECLINE. WE DON'T WANT TO DECLINE. IT WAS GREAT IN 1960, IT WAS GREAT IN 1942, IT WAS GREAT THIS YEAR, WASN'T TOO GREAT IN 2020. NO PLACE WAS. BUT HOPEFULLY WE'RE ON OUR WAY BACK FROM THAT, BUT ANYWAY, I THINK IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO. AND I THINK IT'S FOR THE PEOPLE. AND THE YOUNG PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE AND I'M THANKFUL WE HAD A GROUP OF PEOPLE IN OUR COUNCIL AND OUR STAFF THAT WORK FOR THE CITY OR FOR US THAT ARE PROGRESSIVE ENOUGH TO KEEP THINGS MOVING LIKE THIS.
>> AND THAT'S A GOOD NOTE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, WE'RE ADJOURN HERE, AGAIN THERE'LL BE A TOUR OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IF YOU WOULD LIKE, THANK YOUIAL VERY MUCH FOR COMING
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.