Jul 12, 2022 City Council

OKAY IT'S 6:00, WE WANT TO WELCOME EVERYONE TO THE BEDFORD CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

[CALL TO ORDER/GENERAL COMMENTS]

[00:00:05]

WE HAVE A FEW THINGS TO DISCUSS TONIGHT, AND WE HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS IN NEED OF SOME RECOGNITION FOR HAVING WORKED HERE FOR 50 YEARS.

SO WE'RE GOING TO DISCUSS THAT AS WELL.

SO LET'S START WITH A INVOCATION FROM MAYOR PRO TEM AMY SABOL.

PLEASE RISE. [INVOCATION] OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, WE COME TO YOU THIS HOUR ASKING FOR YOUR BLESSING AND HELP AS WE ARE GATHERED TOGETHER.

WE PRAY FOR GUIDANCE IN MATTERS AT HAND AND ASK THAT YOU WOULD CLEARLY SHOW US HOW TO CONDUCT OUR WORK WITH THE SPIRIT OF JOY AND ENTHUSIASM.

GIVE US THE DESIRE TO FIND WAYS TO EXCEL IN OUR WORK.

HELP US TO WORK TOGETHER AND ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER TO EXCELLENCE.

WE ASK THAT WE WOULD CHALLENGE EACH OTHER TO REACH HIGHER AND FARTHER TO BE THE BEST THAT WE CAN BE.

WE ASK THIS IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

AMEN. AMEN.

COUNCIL MEMBER COGAN. WILL YOU LEAD US IN THE PLEDGES? 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.

HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.

VERY GOOD. THANK YOU, EVERYONE.

[COUNCIL RECOGNITION]

NO. OH, THERE IT IS.

SO, GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

YES. WE ARE HERE TO RECOGNIZE MS. LOQUITA TRAYLOR FOR 50 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE CITY AND TO THE CITIZENS.

15 YEARS? 50. OH, SORRY.

I'M A LITTLE CROAKY. SO.

FIVE ZERO.

SO FORGIVE ME WHILE I READ BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I GET SAID TO THIS EVENING.

SO LIKE I SAID, WE ARE HERE TO CELEBRATE LOQUITA TRAYLOR AND HER 50 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE CITY AND CITIZENS OF BEDFORD.

SHE BEGAN WORKING FOR THE CITY IN 1972 AS THE CITY'S FIRST RECEPTIONIST.

THE CITY WAS A SMALL OPERATION WITH JUST 27 EMPLOYEES.

SHE WAS THE 28TH.

[INAUDIBLE] DRIVE WAS A GRAVEL ROAD WHERE CARS COULD BARELY PASS EACH OTHER WITHOUT GOING TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD.

THE ROAD STOPPED AT L.

DODSON, L DON DODSON AND NO ACCESS ROAD TO BEDFORD ROAD.

AIRPORT FREEWAY WASN'T BUILT YET JUST A SERVICE ROAD AND OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ALL VOLUNTEER.

AFTER SERVING AS THEIR FIRST RECEPTIONIST, SHE MOVED TO THE WATER DEPARTMENT.

AFTER THAT, SHE BECAME THE PERMANENT SECRETARY FOR THE BUILDING OFFICIAL.

THEN SHE MOVED TO HUMAN RESOURCES, WHERE SHE PROCESSED PAYROLL INSURANCE AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.

AND THEN SHE MOVED BACK TO THE UTILITY DEPARTMENT WHERE SHE WAS THERE FOR APPROXIMATELY 35 YEARS AND WHERE SHE'S RETIRING FROM TODAY OR NEXT WEEK.

SHE WAS FEATURED ON THE COVER OF BEDFORD CONNECTION MAGAZINE A FEW YEARS AGO, AND IN AUGUST OF 2013, SHE WAS AWARDED THE BECCA AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE.

SHE HAS SEEN SO MUCH GROWTH WITHIN THE CITY DURING HER 50 YEARS OF EMPLOYMENT.

SHE HAS A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE.

SHE IS OFTEN CALLED UPON TO REMEMBER DETAILS OF WATER ACCOUNTS AND CUSTOMERS FROM DECADES AGO.

IN HER 50 YEARS, SHE HAS ESTABLISHED A WONDERFUL RAPPORT WITH OUR RESIDENTS.

HER CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS ARE EXTRAORDINARY.

IN FACT, THERE ARE SOME CUSTOMERS WHO COME IN EVERY MONTH TO PAY THEIR WATER BILL JUST SO THEY CAN VISIT WITH HER.

SHE HAS TRULY HAS AN AMAZING ABILITY TO MAKE EACH CUSTOMER FEEL UNIQUELY SPECIAL, AND THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT CUSTOMER SERVICE IS HER PASSION.

THE CITY BEGAN A MAJOR PROJECT IN SEPTEMBER OF 2017 TO INSTALL SOME AUTOMATIC METERS.

ALL RESIDENTIAL METERS WERE INSTALLED AND COMPLETED IN OCTOBER OF 2018.

ALL COMMERCIAL APARTMENT AND VAULT METERS WERE COMPLETED IN APRIL OF 19.

THE LAST METER WAS REPLACED IN APRIL OF 2019.

THIS REQUIRED COLLABORATION BETWEEN PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITY BILLING.

THE PROJECT TOOK APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS FROM START TO FINISH, REPLACING 15,000 METERS.

IT TOOK QUITE AN UNDERTAKING FOR BOTH DEPARTMENTS AND SHE WAS AN INTEGRAL PART OF KEEPING THE PROJECT ON TIMELINE AND UNDER BUDGET, WHICH WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR.

YES, LOQUITA IS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT CHAPTER OF HER LIFE TRAVELING, VISITING RELATIVES, READING, DOING CRAFTS AND HAVING THE TIME FOR HER OTHER PASSION, WHICH IS DECORATING, WHICH, BY THE WAY, I HAVE HEARD IS AMAZING.

I CAN'T WAIT. SPENDING TIME WITH HER HUSBAND OF MORE THAN 35 YEARS AND SPENDING QUALITY TIME WITH HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

LOQUITA I OBVIOUSLY HAVE ONLY GOTTEN TO KNOW YOU FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, BUT I HAVE TRULY ENJOYED IT.

AND YOUR WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE I APPRECIATE VERY MUCH SO.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. FOR 50 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE CITY AND TO THE CITIZENS AND PLEASE JOIN ME IN CONGRATULATING HER ON HER RETIREMENT.

[00:05:03]

THANK YOU.

OH, MY GOD.

NOBODY'S GETTING THEIR WATER BILL.

WHAT'S THIS? [LAUGHTER] AND WE ALSO HAVE FLOWERS FOR YOU, TOO.

SO LOQUITA, I HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS FOR YOU.

WELL, I'VE ALWAYS HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR YOU THAT I NEVER HAD THE COURAGE TO ASK UNTIL NOW, BECAUSE I'M NOT GOING TO HAVE MUCH OPTION TO DO IT AFTERWARDS.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO COME TO WORK EVERY DAY IN A COVERED WAGON? WELL, ALMOST.

I CAME IN IN 1972, DODSON [INAUDIBLE].

SO I WENT BACK AND LOOK, 1972 WAS WHEN THE HP CALCULATOR WAS INVENTED.

IT'S WHEN INTEL INVENTED THE MICROCHIP.

RICHARD NIXON WAS THE TIME MAGAZINE MAN OF THE YEAR.

ALL IN THE FAMILY WAS THE NUMBER ONE TV SHOW.

THE SUPER BOWL CHAMPS WERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS, AND GAS WAS $0.36 A GALLON.

SO THAT'S 1972 [INAUDIBLE].

COUNCIL MEMBER COGAN. HOW OLD ARE YOU? I AM 34. OKAY.

ALL RIGHT [LAUGHTER]. SO, YOU KNOW, LOQUITA I'VE KNOWN YOU FOR A LONG TIME.

IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE YOU NOT BEING HERE.

YOU'RE SO INGRAINED INTO, YOU KNOW, WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO.

AND YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS ARE MANY.

I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'VE EVER SAID THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU'VE DONE.

I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'VE SAID THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR THE PEOPLE THAT YOU'VE IMPACTED HERE.

I LOVE YOU. I ALWAYS ENJOYED COMING AROUND AND SAYING HI TO YOU OR SEEING YOU GIVE ME CRAP FOR SOMETHING, YOU KNOW.

BUT I JUST WANT YOU TO.

I JUST WANT YOU TO HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE IT.

AND JUST THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING.

YEAH, WE'LL STILL RUN INTO RESTAURANTS AND WHO KNOWS WHERE ELSE.

AND WE KNOW YOU'LL ALWAYS BE THERE WATCHING US.

SO THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING.

YEAH. OKAY.

VERY GOOD. ANYONE ELSE? COMMENTS? ALL RIGHT.

AND NICELY TO BRING HIM OUT ONCE IN A WHILE.

OKAY, LET'S. MR. WELLS, WE HAD ONE INDIVIDUAL SIGN UP FOR OPEN FORUM.

[OPEN FORUM]

I HAVE TO READ THE OBLIGATORY STATEMENT.

MR. COCHRAN, IN ORDER TO SPEAK DURING OPEN FORUM, A PERSON MUST FIRST SIGN IN WITH CITY SECRETARY PRIOR TO THE REGULAR SESSION BEING CALLED TO ORDER.

SPEAKERS WILL BE CALLED UPON IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY SIGN IN.

ANY PERSON NOT SIGNING IN PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE REGULAR SESSION SHALL NOT BE ALLOWED TO SPEAK UNDER OPEN FORUM.

FURTHER OPEN FORUM IS LIMITED TO A MAXIMUM OF 30 MINUTES.

SHOULD SPEAKERS NOT USE THE ENTIRE 30 MINUTES, COUNCIL WILL PROCEED WITH THE AGENDA.

AT THE MAJORITY VOTE OF THE COUNCIL, THE MAYOR MAY EXTEND THE TIME ALLOTTED FOR OPEN FORUM.

SO WELCOME TO THE DAIS, MR. BOB COCHRAN. I AM STILL BOB COCHRAN.

I LIVE AT 2252 BEDFORD CIRCLE.

ON ITEM THREE. EXCUSE ME.

I LOOKED AT THE DETAILED AGENDA AND I SEE THAT MR. STATHATOS HAS PROPOSED, I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH, BUT SOME AMOUNT OF MONEY FROM ARPA FOR TENNIS COURTS.

AND I THINK THAT'S FABULOUS.

AND I KNOW A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE WILL.

[INAUDIBLE] I THINK WE OUGHT TO LOOK AND SEE JIMMY, IF YOU CAN FIND SOME MONEY FOR A SKATE RINK BECAUSE THERE'S STILL PEOPLE CARING ON ABOUT THAT.

AND YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT TREES, BUT THEY'RE STILL CARING ABOUT SKATING RINK.

SO I'M GOING TO SAY STAY TUNED.

OH, OKAY. GOOD, GOOD. I'LL PUT THAT ON NEXT DOOR.

[00:10:02]

WE HAVE NO DOUBT.

OKAY. THANK YOU FOR THAT. I APPRECIATE YOU KEEPING THAT UNDER 30 MINUTES.

NEXT UP, WE HAVE SOME ITEMS TO CONSIDER BY CONSENT.

[CONSIDER APPROVAL OF ITEMS BY CONSENT]

THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU, COUNCIL.

WE HAVE A FEW ITEMS, A HANDFUL OF ITEMS. THE FIRST ITEM IS CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FOR THE JUNE 28TH, 2022 REGULAR MEETING.

THE SECOND ITEM IS ITS CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER TWO, WHICH IS ADMINISTRATION ARTICLE THREE, WHICH IS OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES DIVISION THREE ETHICS SECTION TWO, 114 WHICH IS ETHICS COMMISSION OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES FOR THE CITY OF BEDFORD.

PROVIDING FOR AN ORDINANCE THAT SHALL BE CUMULATIVE OF ALL ORDINANCES, PROVIDE A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

THIS ITEM IS TO AMEND THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE ETHICS COMMISSION TO REPLACE THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE NOW DISSOLVED COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMISSION AND REPLACE IT WITH THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT.

THE NEXT ITEM IS TO CONSIDER RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF BEDFORD TO APPROVE THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT APPROPRIATION PLAN AND RECOGNIZING AND APPROPRIATING EXPENDITURES WITHIN THE FISCAL YEAR 2022 CORONAVIRUS LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUND BUDGET.

THIS ITEM, IF APPROVED, WOULD ALLOCATE $20,590 FOR THE LIBRARY TO INSTALL PERMANENT ACRYLIC SHIELDS AT THE INFORMATION DESK AND THE YOUTH SERVICES DESK.

AND THOSE FALL WITHIN THE PARAMETERS OF WHAT ARPA FUNDS ARE ALLOWED TO BE USED FOR.

THE FINAL ITEM IS TO CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AT RISK SERVICE DELIVERY METHODS FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A PERFORMING ARTS CENTER LOCATED 2400 SCHOOL LANE.

THIS ITEM IS FOR CITY COUNCIL TO APPROVE THE USE OF THE CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AT RISK OR CMR PROCUREMENT METHOD FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE FACILITY. THIS IS A SIMILAR STRUCTURE THAT WE'VE USED FOR GENERATIONS PARK AND IT BASICALLY ALLOWS THE CITY TO USE VALUE ENGINEERING TO MAKE SURE WE'RE GETTING THE BEST USE OF RESIDENTS DOLLARS, TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

AND SO ANYWAY, WITH THAT, UNLESS ANYONE HAS ANY QUESTIONS, THAT CONCLUDES THE CONSENT ITEMS. ALL RIGHT, VERY GOOD. I HAVE A QUESTION.

COUNCILMEMBER STEVES.

ITEM FOUR.

ON THE AGENDA BACKGROUND IT SAYS 15,000 SQUARE FEET, BUT ON A RESOLUTION IT SAYS 20,000 SQUARE FEET.

OK. WELL, YES, SIR.

WE WILL MAKE THAT CHANGE.

IT'S. WHAT IS IT? IT SHOULD BE 15,000.

AND THAT'S STILL BALLPARK BECAUSE IT'S STILL BEING DESIGNED.

I MEAN, IT ACTUALLY, I PREDICT IT'S GOING TO BE LESS THAN 15,000 SQUARE FEET.

BUT MAYBE EVEN IF YOU WANT TO TAKE THE SQUARE FOOTAGE OUT, BECAUSE IT'S IMMATERIAL IN TERMS OF THE PROCUREMENT METHOD.

SO WOULD MAYOR AND COUNCIL CONSIDER AMENDING THAT TO REMOVE THE SQUARE FOOTAGE? WELL, WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON IT. I'D LIKE YES TO BE REMOVED.

OKAY. I JUST WANT TO MAKE YES, SIR.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS A REASONABLE SOLUTION.

THANK YOU FOR CATCHING THAT.

IS THAT A MOTION? I'LL GO AHEAD AND MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE, WITH CHANGES AS DISCUSSED.

ANYONE COUNCIL MEMBER GAGLIARDI ARE YOU GOING TO SECOND, OK LET'S VOTE.

OKAY. VERY GOOD. THAT'S UNANIMOUS.

SIX. OH, THANK YOU, COUNCIL.

THANK YOU, JIMMY. THANK YOU, STAFF.

NEXT UP, WE HAVE OLD BUSINESS.

[5. Discussion and action regarding the appointment of the Mayor Pro Tem and Board and Commission Liaisons. (Tabled at the June 28, 2022 Council meeting)]

MICHAEL, ARE YOU GOING TO KICK THIS OFF OR ARE WE JUST GOING TO DO.

MAYOR COUNCIL USUALLY ONE OF THE MEETINGS AFTER THE REGULAR ELECTION, WE GO THROUGH THE LIST OF BOARD COMMISSION LIAISONS AS WELL AS THE MEMBERSHIP TO OTHER COMMISSIONS, CORPORATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS, AS WELL AS THE MAYOR PRO TEM.

AND SO WHAT YOU HAVE FOR YOU IS A LIST OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS CURRENTLY IN THESE POSITIONS AS WELL AS ANY VACANT POSITIONS AND BLANK SPOTS FOR TO FILL THOSE SLOTS. OKAY.

JUST GO DOWN THE LIST. YES, SIR.

SO FIRST UP, WE HAVE MAYOR PRO TEM.

OUR CURRENT MAYOR PRO TEM IS AMY SABOL.

COUNCIL. I'D LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND NOMINATE MAYOR PRO TEM AMY SABOL FOR THE NEXT TERM TO CONTINUE THAT RIGOROUS ACT OF BEING MAYOR PRO TEM

[00:15:04]

SO. OKAY.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? WE HAVE A SECOND FROM COUNCIL MEMBER.

GAGLIARDI. ANY ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? NO. SO YOU WANT TO DO A FORMAL VOTE ON THESE, MICHAEL? YEAH. GO AHEAD AND DO A VOTE ON IT.

YOU WANT ON HERE? WHY DON'T YOU GO AHEAD AND DO IT ON THE ON THE SYSTEM? OKAY. SO WHY DON'T WE VOTE ON MAYOR PRO TEM? WE HAVE A FIRST AND A SECOND FOR MAYOR PRO TEM SABOL.

I'M SORRY. ANYONE OPPOSED? [INAUDIBLE] CONGRATULATIONS.

I'M SORRY. OK ANIMAL SHELTER ADVISORY BOARD IS CURRENTLY VACANT.

THIS IS AN EXCITING POSITION FOR ANY YOUNG, UP AND COMING CITY COUNCIL MEMBER IF THEY'RE INTERESTED IN IT.

YOU KNOW WHAT? I'LL TAKE IT.

WE HAVE A FIRST AND A SECOND FROM COUNCIL MEMBER FARGO.

DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? HOW ABOUT FOR THESE POSITIONS? WE JUST DO IT ALL AS ONE LIST.

THIS IS ONE. OKAY, SO LET'S PUT DOWN THE GRACIOUS MR. FARGO BEAUTIFICATION ADVISORY BOARD.

CURRENTLY, I AM THE LIAISON I NEED TO TO FREE MYSELF OF SOME OF THESE OBLIGATIONS.

SO I KNOW COUNCILMEMBER STEVES HAS EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN BEING A BEAUTIFICATION LIAISON.

IS THAT STILL VALID. ANYONE ELSE.

I'LL MAKE A SO I'LL FIRST YOU BEING BEAUTIFICATION.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO DO IT. ALL RIGHT.

SO LET'S TENTATIVELY LET YOU IN.

CULTURAL CULTURAL ARTS ADVISORY BOARD MR. GAGLIARDI IS THE LIAISON.

YES. NO. THAT SOUNDS LIKE A RESOUNDING YES.

I KNOW YOU HAD SAID THAT YOU THINK THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE TO WORK MORE THIS YEAR.

RIGHT. IF YOU WANT ME TO TAKE IT, I'LL TAKE IT.

ALL RIGHT. THERE'S.

OK LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD IS CURRENTLY MR. COGAN. I'M HAPPY WHERE I'M AT.

I LIKE THE GROUP. ALL RIGHT.

PARK AND REC ADVISORY BOARD CURRENTLY VACANT.

YOU WOULD LIKE THAT. I KNOW YOU'VE EXPRESSED THAT INTEREST IN THE PAST.

ANYONE ELSE INTERESTED IN PARKS? NO. LET'S WRITE DOWN RICH.

YOU WANT TO SKIP TO THE OTHERS? YOU WANT US TO VOTE ON THESE FOUR? I'LL GO AHEAD AND JUST READ THE REST OF THE LIST.

AUDIT COMMITTEE. WE HAVE THREE COUNCIL MEMBERS ON THAT.

CURRENTLY IT IS MYSELF, MAYOR PRO TEM SABOL AND WE HAVE A VACANT POSITION.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE JUST WE MEET INFREQUENTLY THROUGH THE YEAR, MAYBE ONCE A YEAR.

ANYONE ELSE? I MIGHT BE INTERESTED. BUT WHAT TIME DO GUYS NORMALLY MEET? IT'LL BE IN THE AFTERNOON.

YOU WANT A CAGE FIGHT [INAUDIBLE].

AFTERNOON. IT'S LIKE ONE 2:00, 1:00, 2:00.

ALL RIGHT. I PROBABLY WON'T BE ABLE TO MAKE IT THEN WITH MY WORK SCHEDULE.

DR. RAAB, WE DEFER TO YOU.

YOU'LL BE ABLE TO BRING US SUPPLIES FOR THE MEETING.

YEAH. WE'LL JUST LEAVE A BUNCH OF SIXTH GRADERS UNATTENDED THAT'LL WORK.

EASY PEASY. WHAT ELSE ARE YOU GOING TO DO? STRAIGHT IMPROVEMENT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

WE HAVE CURRENTLY MYSELF, GAGLIARDI AND AMY SABOL.

WE HAVE ONE VACANCY THERE.

WE HAVE AN INTEREST FROM COUNCIL MEMBER FARGO.

I HAVE AN INTEREST AS WELL.

INTEREST FROM COUNCIL MEMBER COGAN OH. YOU COULD FILL IF YOU'RE WILLING IF YOU'RE WILLING TO STEP DOWN, THAT NEEDS TO SLIDE IN IF YOU STEP DOWN.

OKAY. OKAY.

THAT WAS EASY. INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER.

WE HAVE ME.

I'LL STAY ON THAT [INAUDIBLE].

TRINITY RIVER AUTHORITY. WE HAVE A VACANCY.

ANOTHER EXCITING POSITION.

IT. COUNCIL MEMBER STEVES WE GOT ANYONE ELSE? THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION.

THAT IS ME.

YEAH. I'LL STAY WITH THAT.

[00:20:04]

NEVER MET. SOUNDS LIKE A JOB FOR GAGLIARDI.

OK HEALTH FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT CORP.

IS CURRENTLY FILLED. COGAN SABOL GAGLIARDI.

AND WE NEVER MET. YOU ALL DID A GREAT JOB ON COVID [INAUDIBLE] YOU'RE DOING A GREAT JOB ON THAT BOARD, BY THE WAY.

OK SO LET ME RECAP THIS REAL QUICK AND THEN LET'S LET'S VOTE.

MAYOR PRO TEM THAT'S REAPPOINT AMY SABOL.

ANIMAL SHELTER ADVISORY BOARD MR. FARGO. BEAUTIFICATION IS GOING TO BE MR. STEVES.

CULTURAL ARTS ADVISORY BOARD WILL BE MS. SABOL. LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MR. COGAN. PARK AND REC ADVISORY BOARD MR. STEVES.

AUDIT COMMITTEE WE'RE PICKING UP MR. GAGLIARDI.

STREET IMPROVEMENT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORP.

MR. GAGLIARDI STEPPING DOWN.

MR. FARGO MR. COGAN ARE STEPPING UP.

INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER NO CHANGE.

TRINITY RIVER AUTHORITY.

WE ARE ADDING MR. STEVES.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION.

NO CHANGE. INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY WE ARE ADDING MR. GAGLIARDI AND HEALTH FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

THERE'S NO CHANGE. WE ALL AGREE WITH THAT.

WHAT IS YOUR PLEASURE? I'LL MAKE A MOTION.

WE HAVE. WE HAVE. WE HAVE A FIRST FROM MAYOR PRO TEM SABOL.

I'M GOING TO GIVE THE SECOND COUNCIL MEMBER STEVES.

LET'S VOTE. CAN'T DO THAT, SIR.

YOU CAN TRY.

OK ONCE AGAIN THAT'S UNANIMOUS SIX ZERO.

OK THANK YOU.

STAFF THANK YOU. COUNCIL THANK YOU, EVERYONE, FOR YOUR HELP WITH THAT AND YOUR PATIENCE.

NEXT UP, WE HAVE NEW BUSINESS ITEM SIX.

[6. Public hearing and consider a resolution of the City of Bedford designating the City Manager as being responsible for, acting for, and on behalf of the City in dealing with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department for the purpose of participating in the Local Park Grant Program; certifying that the City is eligible to receive program assistance; certifying that the City’s matching share is readily available; and dedicating the proposed site for permanent (or for the term of the lease for leased property) public park and recreational uses. (Amended Item)]

SO I GIVE YOU JIMMY STATHATOS.

SORRY. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

THANK YOU. COUNCIL BASICALLY NEVER DOES THIS.

THANK YOU. THIS IS VERY, VERY EXCITING.

THIS BASICALLY WE THE ALL APPROVED THE RECENT MASTER PARKS PLAN UPDATE.

AND THAT WAS A CRITICAL STEP IN BEING ABLE TO APPLY FOR THE TEXAS OPEN SPACE GRANT THROUGH TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE.

AND SO WHAT I'LL DO IS I'LL KIND OF PRESENT IT AND THEN I'LL ENCASE DENNIS SIMS, OUR CONSULTANT THAT YOU ALL HAVE MET AND HE GUIDED THE MASTER PLAN PROCESS IS HERE FOR ANY QUESTIONS AS WELL.

BASICALLY, THE GRANT APPLICATION IS DUE IMMINENTLY AND THEN WE'LL FIND OUT IF WE GOT THE GRANT IN JANUARY.

SO BASICALLY WHAT WE DID WAS WE LOOKED AT A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT AS BACKGROUND INFORMATION.

THE GRANT CAN ONLY BE USED AT ONE PARK AND SO WE CAN'T INCLUDE AMENITIES FOR ONE PARK AND THEN AMENITIES FOR ANOTHER PARK.

IT'S NOT LEGAL.

AND SO THE REASON I MENTION THAT IS BECAUSE LIKE THE SKATE PARK OR SKATING RINK OR WE'VE BEEN REQUESTED BOTH.

THERE'S NOT A LOCATION, IN OUR OPINION, THAT WOULD FIT AT GENERATIONS PARK, BUT THERE ARE SOME OTHER PARKS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT TO SEE HOW WELL THEY FIT AND MAKE SURE WE CAN PARK THEM. AND, YOU KNOW, TOPOGRAPHICALLY IT WORKS AND EVERYTHING.

BUT THAT'S SOMETHING FOR ANOTHER DISCUSSION.

THE REASON I MENTION THAT IS BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME AMENITIES THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT ADDING TO OTHER PARKS THAT WE CAN ALL FIT IN TO GENERATIONS.

PARK AND CANDIDLY, YOU KNOW, IDEALLY, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE COUNCIL HAS SAID AND I THINK IT'S GREAT, IS THAT WE ALSO WANT TO SPREAD OUT OUR AMENITIES.

WELL, GENERATIONS PARK IS A CROWN JEWEL.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF OUR PARKS GET UPDATES WHERE WE CAN DO SHADE STRUCTURES OVER ALL THE PLAYGROUNDS.

AND WE WANT TO MAKE IT TO WHERE EVERY PARK HAS NEW STUFF AND UPDATED STUFF.

AND SO JUST BECAUSE THERE MIGHT BE COMPONENTS THAT AREN'T IN THE GRANT APPLICATION, IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE DON'T INTEND TO TRY TO ADD THOSE AT OTHER LOCATIONS OR EVEN OTHER PARTS OF GENERATIONS PARK.

THAT BEING SAID, THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPONENTS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT ADDING, AND THIS GRANT IS FOR $1.5 MILLION, WE HAVE TO MATCH IT DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR.

SO BASICALLY IT'S A 50% MATCH.

SO WE WILL HAVE TO PAY $750,000.

IF WE GET THE GRANT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE LEFTOVER FUNDS, LEFTOVER BOND FUNDS FROM GENERATIONS PARK PROJECT.

WE'LL HAVE A LOT OF SAVINGS FROM THAT PROJECT.

WE'LL ALSO HAVE ARPA FUNDS AND THEN WE CAN ALSO LOOK AT OTHER OPPORTUNITIES.

[00:25:02]

BUT I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT MULTIPLE OPTIONS IF WE GET SELECTED.

THE MAIN THINGS, THERE ARE SIX MAIN THINGS THAT ARE THE COMPONENTS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT A HIKING BIKE TRAIL EXTENSION, TENNIS COURTS.

NOW WE'RE STARTING OUT WITH FOUR TENNIS COURTS.

THE REASON IS, CANDIDLY, TENNIS COURTS ARE VERY, VERY EXPENSIVE FOR FOUR LIGHTED TENNIS COURTS.

IT'S OVER. IT'S OVER $1,000,000 ALONE.

SO PLEASE KNOW THAT THE THE GRANT IS FOR $1.5 MILLION, BUT THE IMPROVEMENTS ARE GOING TO BE OVER $1.5 MILLION.

NOW, AGAIN, WE STILL HAVE FUNDING MECHANISMS, BUT I JUST WANT TO MENTION THAT BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO PEOPLE REALIZE JUST HOW EXPENSIVE SOME OF THESE ITEMS ARE.

AND SO YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF CITIES.

I REMEMBER A COUPLE DID THIS SEVERAL YEARS AGO WITH WAGON WHEEL, THEIR TENNIS CENTER.

WHAT YOU HAVE, WHAT THEY HAVE TODAY WAS MULTIPLE PHASES.

THEY DIDN'T JUST START OUT BUILDING 12 OR 16 COURTS.

AND SO WE'RE RECOMMENDING TO START OUT WITH FOUR LIGHTED AND THERE WOULD BE A RESTROOM FACILITY WHICH WE DON'T GET POINTS FOR THE RESTROOM FACILITY.

THE KEY AND I KNOW I'M ALL OVER THE PLACE, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE I ALSO WANT TO USE THIS TIME TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE QUESTIONS WE'VE GOT.

YOU GET POINTS BASED ON DIFFERENT AMENITIES THAT YOU ADD TO YOUR GRANT APPLICATIONS.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET AS MANY POINTS AS POSSIBLE, BUT WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PROPOSING ITEMS THAT THE RESIDENTS HAVE TOLD US ARE IMPORTANT TO THEM.

SO THE TENNIS COURTS, THERE WILL BE A PLAYGROUND SHADE STRUCTURE, WHICH WAS THE NUMBER ONE REQUEST ON OUR FLASH VOTE SURVEY, THE OTHER 9 HOLES FOR THE DISC GOLF COURSE.

SO THAT WILL GIVE US A FULL 18 HOLES, PICNIC TABLES AND BENCHES.

AND I SAID THE TENNIS COURTS AND ALSO PICKLEBALL COURTS.

AND SO THAT WOULD BE SEPARATE IN TERMS OF IT WOULDN'T BE ON THE TENNIS COURT AND THEY WOULD JUST BE MARKED, IT WOULD BE SEPARATE STANDALONE PICKLEBALL COURTS.

AND SO WE FEEL CONFIDENT THAT WE'VE GOT A REALLY, REALLY GOOD SHOT AT THIS GRANT, WE REALLY DO.

NOW, AT THE END OF THE DAY, IF WE DON'T GET FUNDED, THEY'RE VERY, VERY COMPETITIVE.

IF WE DON'T GET FUNDED, WE'RE GOING TO COME TO YOU ALL AND SAY, OKAY, LET'S GET A PLAN TO DO A LOT OF THESE IMPROVEMENTS.

MAYBE ALL THE IMPROVEMENTS I DON'T WANT TO RAISE, I DON'T WANT TO SET EXPECTATIONS, BUT I ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE KNOWS SIMULTANEOUSLY WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE EVALUATING OTHER PARKS, AS COUNCIL HAS ASKED US TO DO, TO LOOK AT WHAT AMENITIES WE CAN ADD AND WHERE.

SO THE FOCUS IS ON GENERATIONS PARK RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF WHEN THE GRANTS DUE, BUT IT'S IT'S AN ONGOING PROCESS.

THAT BEING SAID, DENNIS, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR DID I LEAVE ANYTHING OUT? AND I APPRECIATE ALL YOUR HELP.

AND BUT I WANT TO MENTION THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE'RE RECOMMENDING.

BUT ULTIMATELY, IT'S UP TO THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.

SO IF YOU ALL SEE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD, SUBTRACT OR WHAT HAVE YOU.

THIS IS THE TIME. SO I THANK.

THANK YOU, JIMMY. YES, SIR. THANK YOU, DENNIS, FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

THIS IS A PART OF A WIDER CONVERSATION.

A LARGER CONVERSATION, BECAUSE WE KNEW THAT THERE WAS A TWO STEP PROCESS HERE.

ONE WAS WE NEED TO GET IN POSITION TO APPLY FOR THIS GRANT.

IT'S BEEN A LONG CONVERSATION AND THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DUE DILIGENCE THAT'S BEEN DONE.

WE'VE SPUN OFF AND HAD SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL BE A PART OF A SUBCOMMITTEE THAT'S BEEN WORKING ON THIS WITH STAFF.

AND THEN THE SECOND PART OF THE CONVERSATION IS KIND OF AFTER THIS, WHICH IS A LARGER PERSPECTIVE LOOK SEE AT THE OVERALL PARK SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE IN OPPORTUNITIES TO ADDRESS THAT AND THE TRAIL THINGS THAT WE CAN DO ALONG THOSE LINES TO CORRECT THAT.

IS THAT A CORRECT. THAT'S PERFECT SUMMARY OF WHAT? WE SUMMARIZED EVERYTHING. YES, SIR.

SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, THIS IS THE THE WHAT'S IN FRONT OF US.

SO THERE'S A TIMELINE THAT WE NEED TO APPLY FOR THIS GRANT, CORRECT? YES, SIR. AND THEN ONCE WE APPLY FOR IT, AT WHAT POINT WOULD WE KNOW WHETHER WE'RE AWARDED THE GRANT OR NOT? I BELIEVE IT'S STILL JANUARY OF 2023.

SO THAT BEING SAID, THERE THERE MAY BE OTHER ITEMS THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS AT GENERATIONS PARK AT THE BOYS RANCH.

SEPARATE OF THIS? ABSOLUTELY.

YES, SIR. MAY I MENTION ONE THING? THE ONLY ONLY STIPULATION IS THAT WE CAN'T GET STARTED ON ANY OF THE SPECIFIC ITEMS THAT WE INCLUDE IN THE GRANT APPLICATION, OR IT'LL INVALIDATE OUR APPLICATION.

THESE PARTICULAR ITEMS THAT ARE LISTED RIGHT HERE, CORRECT? YES, SIR. SO IF THERE ARE OTHER ITEMS THAT WE BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE THE CAPACITY TO TAKE ON, WE CAN GO AHEAD AND MOVE ON THOSE REGARDLESS OF THIS PROCESS.

YES, SIR. PROCESS. OKAY.

VERY GOOD. COUNCIL ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS BEFORE WE OPEN UP A PUBLIC HEARING? ANY LAST WORDS, SIR? NO. OKAY.

LET'S COME UP TO THE MIC.

I FEEL BAD SITTING IN THE CHAIR.

NO, JIMMY EXPLAINED IT WELL.

ALL RIGHT. AND I'LL BE HERE JUST TO ANSWER ANY OF THE QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE ON IT.

OKAY, VERY GOOD. I'M SURE THERE'S GOING TO BE DOZENS OF PEOPLE COMING UP HERE WITH QUESTIONS.

YEAH, WE'RE GOING TO OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:30 ANY ONE WITH QUESTIONS, COMMENTS.

[00:30:01]

JIMMY COULD YOU GO THROUGH THE LIST OF THINGS YOU MENTIONED, TENNIS COURTS AND PICKLEBALL AND WHATEVER? YES, SIR, I WILL.

AND YOU'RE BOB COCHRAN AND YOU LIVE AT BEDFORD.

ALL RIGHT. IT'S HIKE AND TRAIL EXTENSION.

TENNIS COURTS, PLAYGROUND SHADE, STRUCTURAL STRUCTURE.

I'M SORRY. PICKLEBALL COURTS, DISC, GOLF COURSE EXTENSION.

IT'S THE REMAINING NINE HOLES AND PICNIC TABLES AND BENCHES.

AND I APOLOGIZE FOR WHATEVER REASON IN THE AGENDA ITEM ON THE BACKGROUND.

IT DOESN'T HAVE PICKLEBALL COURTS, BUT THOSE ARE ABSOLUTELY INCLUDED IN OUR APPLICATION.

SO SORRY FOR THE OVERSIGHT.

GOT TO GET THE PICKLEBALL COURTS.

HEY, ANY ANYONE ELSE? QUESTIONS? COMMENTS.

OKAY. LET'S CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:31.

WE GOT A MINUTE IN. GOOD JOB.

OK COUNCIL MAYOR PRO TEM SABOL.

SORRY, BOB. THERE WAS NO SKATE PARK IN THERE.

JUST POINT THAT OUT. I KNOW, OK.

STAY TUNED. AND THAT'S PART OF THE CONVERSATION OF IF WE HAVE AN ITEM THAT'S NOT ON THIS LIST, THIS DOESN'T PRECLUDE US FROM WORKING ON THESE OTHER ITEMS. AND IT'S POSSIBLE YOU CAN HAVE AN UPDATE ABOUT THAT LATER.

POSSIBLE. DID YOU? ANYONE. WE DO NEED TO MAKE A MOTION ON THIS ITEM, MR. GAGLIARDI. SO WE, WITH COUNCIL'S BLESSING, COUNCIL MEMBER GAGLIARDI WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.

CORRECT.

LET'S VOTE. THANK YOU FOR THAT.

OKAY. THAT'S UNANIMOUS SIX ZERO.

SO THANK YOU, COUNCIL.

THANK YOU, DENNIS. THANK YOU, STAFF.

THANK YOU, JIMMY. THAT'S GOOD NEWS.

ITEM SEVEN, WE'RE GOING TO CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO THE CITY OF BEDFORD, TEXAS, APPROVING AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 380 OF THE TEXAS LOCAL

[7. Consider a resolution of the City of Bedford, Texas, approving an economic development program agreement, pursuant to Chapter 380 of the Texas Local Government Code and the City’s Economic Development Policy and Program, with Rock Island Auction Company and Moose Texas Holdings, LLC, for relocation of the company’s headquarters to 3600 Harwood Road.]

AND WE GIVE YOU ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER ANDREA ROY.

THANK YOU, MAYOR. COUNCIL.

GOOD EVENING. IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING TO GET TO THIS POINT.

WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT ROCK ISLANDS LATE LAST YEAR, SO I'LL GO AHEAD AND JUMP IN.

I'LL PROBABLY SPEND A LITTLE MORE TIME THAN I NORMALLY WOULD ON SOME OF THESE BECAUSE THIS REALLY IS THE FIRST INCENTIVE THAT I'M GOING TO BE BRINGING FORWARD TO YOU ALL.

SO JUST KIND OF WANT TO LAY THE FOUNDATION.

SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I LOOKED AT, I PRIORITIZED.

SO AS WE DISCUSS THINGS, JUST SO YOU ALL KIND OF KNOW WHERE STAFF IS COMING FROM ON SOME OF THESE ITEMS. SO I'LL POP THROUGH AND KIND OF OUTLINE IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH ROCK ISLAND AUCTION COMPANY, THEY CAME THROUGH YOUR PROCESS LATE NOVEMBER TO OBTAIN AN SUP IN ORDER FOR THE COMPANY TO RELOCATE THEIR HEADQUARTERS FROM ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS, HERE TO 3600 HARWOOD ROAD.

SO IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE PROPERTY, IT'S OUR FORMER WALMART.

IT WAS PREVIOUSLY [INAUDIBLE].

IT'S BEEN VACANT NOW FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS.

SO ROCK ISLAND WAS LOOKING IN THE AREA FOR AN EXPANSION.

THE COMPANY SPECIALIZES IN MILITIA MATERIALS, FIREARMS, HISTORICAL TYPE OF ITEMS. IT IS A GROWING, THRIVING BUSINESS, SO IT IS AN ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL WIN FOR THE CITY.

THEY HAVE BEEN GREAT TO WORK WITH AND MADE A HUGE COMMITMENT TO THE CITY OF BEDFORD WITH THE PURCHASE OF THE SHOPPING CENTER.

SO THEY HAVE DONE THAT OBVIOUSLY ON GOOD FAITH THAT WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS THIS EVENING.

AND THEY HAVE ACTUALLY STARTED DOING A FEW THINGS.

JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA, THE COMPANY HAS A THRIVING AUCTION BUSINESS.

ESSENTIALLY, THEY'RE DOING LIVE AUCTIONS IN PERSON AND ONLINE OF A VARIETY OF ITEMS. AND SO SOME OF THE ITEMS SPECIALIZE IN PREMIER TYPE ITEMS. SOME OF THEM ARE STRICTLY FIREARMS, SOME OF THEIR MORE COLLECTOR'S ITEMS. BUT THIS IS JUST KIND OF AN EXAMPLE NOW THAT WE'VE SIGNED UP AND WE GET REGULAR COMMUNICATION WITH THEM.

ONE OF THEIR LAST AUCTIONS BACK IN MAY DREW A $28 MILLION SALES NUMBER, WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL.

AND SO IF YOU'RE A HISTORY BUFF AT ALL AND YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THEM, YOU CAN YOU CAN HAVE A GOOD TIME LOOKING THROUGH A LOT OF THE ITEMS THAT ARE SOLD AND FOUND AND THE STORIES BEHIND THEM.

IT'S IT'S REALLY A VERY INTERESTING READ.

TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA AGAIN, HERE ARE SOME GRAPHICS OF THE CURRENT EXISTING SHOPPING CENTER.

ROCK ISLAND HAS OBVIOUSLY PURCHASED IT.

THEY ARE WORKING THROUGH RENOVATIONS ON THE FACILITY.

I WILL BE HONEST AND SAY THEY HAVE DISCOVERED A LOT MORE THAN THEY EXPECTED.

AND THIS PROPERTY, WHICH IS NOT AN UNCOMMON THING WHEN YOU BUY AN OLDER PIECE OF PROPERTY.

BUT OUR ICE STORM A COUPLE FEBRUARY'S AGO REALLY DID QUITE A BIT OF DAMAGE.

THERE WERE ITEMS THEY THOUGHT THEY COULD SAVE, BUT THEY COULD NOT.

SO WHAT WE DID TALK ABOUT THIS LAST YEAR, I DO FEEL LIKE IT TOOK SOME TIME, BUT THEY ARE REALLY THEY ARE MOVING, BUT THEY'RE BEING EXTREMELY RESPONSIBLE COMPANY LIKE ANY WOOD

[00:35:07]

SO THEY'RE DOING A LOT OF BEHIND THE SCENES ACTIVITY RIGHT NOW ON THAT SHOPPING CENTER.

JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA, HERE'S THE AERIAL OF THE PROPERTY.

IT'S OWNED HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL.

IT DOES FALL IN OUR MASTER HIGHWAY CORRIDOR.

YOU CAN SEE THE LARGE FACILITY ON THE RIGHT IS WHERE ROCK ISLAND WILL OCCUPY THEIR HEADQUARTERS.

AUCTIONS WILL BE HELD THERE.

THERE WILL BE A VARIETY OF WAREHOUSE, SHOWROOM, TOOL ROOMS, CONFERENCE ROOMS, AS WELL AS THEIR OFFICES.

AND THEN ALSO THEY DO SOME VIDEO, GRAPHIC TYPE PRODUCTION AS THEY'RE PUTTING THESE THESE ITEMS OUT.

SO THEY'VE GOT TO STAGE THEM AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO IT'S REALLY A FULL SERVICE HEADQUARTERS.

THE REMAINDER OF THE CENTER IS ALSO UNDER THEIR OWNERSHIP AND THEY ARE WORKING WITH A LOCAL BROKER TO SECURE SOME TENANTS IN THERE.

BUT UNFORTUNATELY THEY ARE NOT IN A POSITION TO PUT ANYBODY IN YET UNTIL THEY GET THOSE REPAIRS DONE.

SO TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA, THEY DID PURCHASE THE PROPERTY IN THE $7 MILLION RANGE.

THEY ARE PUTTING IN A MINIMUM OF $5 MILLION AND THAT IS COMMITTED WITHIN THE INCENTIVE AGREEMENT AS WELL.

THEY AREN'T GOING TO HAVE NO TROUBLE MEETING THAT.

AND UNFORTUNATELY FOR THEM, THEY WILL BE WELL OVER THAT AS WELL WITH THE ITEMS THAT THEY'RE RUNNING INTO.

AGAIN, THE PROPERTY HAS SET LARGELY VACANT AND THE RETAIL BUILDING IS ALSO LARGELY VACANT.

SO THIS IS GOING TO BE A WONDERFUL RE-USE FOR THIS PROPERTY.

EMPLOYEE COUNT IS FLUCTUATING.

I WILL SAY I THINK IN OUR EARLIER CONVERSATIONS IT WAS A LITTLE BIT A HIGHER NUMBER BASED ON WHAT THEY HAVE AT THEIR CURRENT OPERATIONS.

BUT WITH THE RELOCATION HERE AND OBVIOUSLY MODERNIZATION OF SOME OF THE THINGS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE DOING AND MOVING A LOT TO ONLINE, THAT MINIMUM NUMBER THAT THEY WERE COMFORTABLE WITH, WHICH IS AGAIN, SOLIDIFIED IN THE INCENTIVE AGREEMENT, IS 40 EMPLOYEES.

I THIS IS A MINIMUM NUMBER I ANTICIPATE MORE, BUT THIS IS WHERE WE ALL KIND OF LANDED.

AS FAR AS A COMFORTABLE NUMBER.

AND AGAIN, GIVEN THE FACT THAT THEY WILL HAVE FIREARMS, THEY ARE IMMENSELY SECURE COMPANY.

THEY WILL REACH OUT TO OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.

ONCE THEY GET THINGS A LITTLE BIT MORE SOLIDIFIED, TOURS WILL BE DONE AND POLICE WILL UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHERE THINGS ARE AND OR NOT AND WHAT SECURITY MEASURES ARE IN PLACE.

SO EXTREMELY SAFE FACILITY.

TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF THE INCENTIVES.

AGAIN, THESE ARE OUTLINED WITHIN THE AGREEMENT.

WE'VE OFFERED A TEN YEAR, 75% REAL AND BUSINESS PERSONAL PROPERTY SHOULD SAY REBATES ESSENTIALLY, ABATEMENT REBATE CAN BE USED INTERCHANGEABLY, BUT THEY WILL BE PAYING THEIR TAXES AND WE WILL REBATE THE PORTION BACK TO THEM AS FAR AS THAT INCENTIVE GOES.

ALSO A SALES TAX REBATE BASED ON THE SALES THAT ARE SOURCED HERE.

SO WHATEVER SALES ARE SOURCED OUT OF BEDFORD, WE WILL BE REBATING A PORTION OF THAT SALES TAX REVENUE BACK TO THEM.

AGAIN, THERE WILL BE A FAÇADE GRANT FOR THE EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS THAT THEY WILL BE MAKING THAT IS GOING TO RUN ABOUT $100,000 MAX.

AGAIN, I ANTICIPATE THEY WILL HIT THAT WITH NO PROBLEM.

AND THEN WE ARE WORKING WITH A FEE WAIVER.

SO AGAIN, I JUST PUT A FEW COMMENTS IN HERE JUST TO KIND OF GIVE YOU AN UNDERSTANDING.

I TRY TO LIMIT OUR CASH OUTLAY WHEN WE DO INCENTIVES AND REALLY KIND OF USE WHAT THE COMPANY IS BRINGING TO THE CITY AS AN INCENTIVE AND OBVIOUSLY USE THAT BACK AND RETURN THAT BACK TO THEM SO THAT WE AREN'T DIGGING INTO OUR COFFERS UP FRONT.

AND THAT ALSO PREVENTS ISSUES LATER ON WHERE IF THERE IS A BREACH OR SOMETHING HAPPENS, IT PROTECTS US A LITTLE BIT MORE FROM HAVING TO GO BACK SO MUCH.

IT HAPPENS. WE WORK THROUGH IT WHEN IT DOES, BUT WE TRY TO PREVENT ALL OF THOSE THINGS AS MUCH AS WE CAN.

A LOT OF FOLKS COME IN AND DO ASK FOR 100%, SAY, I DON'T WANT TO PAY TAXES, 100% BREAK FOR WHAT WE'RE DOING.

IT'S REALLY NOT BEEN MY PRACTICE TO DO THAT ANYWHERE THAT I'VE BEEN.

WE NEED TO SHARE IN SOME OF THE GROWTH AS WELL.

SO I FEEL LIKE IT'S ONLY FAIR THAT WE WILL HELP OFFSET.

BUT WE ALSO NEED TO WE NEED TO WE NEED TO SHARE IN SOME OF THAT BENEFITS, BUT WE'LL GIVE THEM THE BREAK TO ASSIST AND ALSO FEE WAIVER.

IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT REALLY HELPS A COMPANY OR BUSINESS UP FRONT AS THEY'RE OUT LAYING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

AS YOU SEE, IT'S A NICE A NICE BREAK TO THEM.

SO THAT'S KIND OF WHERE WE ARE, AGAIN, AS A AS AN EXCHANGE FOR THOSE COMMITMENTS THAT WE'VE OFFERED TO THE COMPANY.

THEY HAVE OFFERED THESE COMMITMENTS BACK.

SO AGAIN, THEY WILL RELOCATE HEADQUARTERS HERE, OPERATIONAL FOR TEN YEARS, MINIMUM, MAINTAIN THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES, OPEN THEIR TAX REPORTS TO US.

WE WILL MAKE SURE THOSE NUMBERS JIVE AND THEY WILL AGAIN RENOVATE THE PROPERTY A LITTLE BIT MORE ELABORATED IN THE AGREEMENT AND THEN ALSO 5 MILLION IN IMPROVEMENTS. I PRINTED THIS OUT AND SLEPT IT ON YOUR SEATS BECAUSE I KNOW THIS IS A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO READ, BUT ESSENTIALLY YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE NUMBERS ARE.

I SEPARATED THINGS OUT BECAUSE I FELT LIKE THE TOP CHART IS ABSOLUTELY THERE'S NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

THIS IS WHAT THEY'RE BRINGING.

THIS IS WHAT WE'RE PROVIDING TO THEM.

THE ADDITIONAL LITTLE CHART SHOWS A COUPLE OF AREAS THAT ARE GRAY.

IT'S NOT ALL BLACK AND WHITE IN MY WORLD SOMETIMES.

[00:40:03]

SO THAT IS 100% CONTRIBUTING AND WE'RE NOT TOUCHING THAT.

SO IT'S A HUGE NUMBER.

IT'S $1,000,001.

AND AGAIN, THESE ARE VERY CONSERVATIVE NUMBERS.

YOU KNOW, I HAVEN'T FACTORED IN HUGE GROWTH RATES, WHICH I DO ANTICIPATE HAPPENING.

AND THEN ALSO THE REBATE ON THE PROPERTY TAX FOR BUSINESS, PERSONAL AND REAL PROPERTY.

I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT BASICALLY THE WAY WE HAVE STRUCTURED THAT IS THE PROPERTY THAT'S ON THE TAX ROLLS CURRENTLY.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE NEGATIVE ON THAT.

SO WHATEVER THAT PROPERTY'S BEEN TAXED AND IS THAT FOR THE YEAR 2022, THAT WILL REMAIN COMING TO OUR COFFERS.

THEY WILL PAY THAT AT 100%.

SO IT'S ONLY EVERYTHING ON TOP OF THAT AS THEY GROW OVER THE NEXT TEN YEARS THAT WE'RE GIVING THEM 75% OF THAT.

SO AGAIN, WE STAY WHOLE.

WE BENEFIT FROM THE GROWTH, BUT WE'RE STILL PROVIDING AN INCENTIVE TO THEM.

AND THAT IS ALL I'VE GOT.

AND I'M HERE FOR ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU ALL MIGHT HAVE.

OK THANK YOU, ANDREA. SO WE HAVE OTHER 380 AGREEMENTS, CORRECT? WE DO, YES, SIR.

AND YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH THE OTHER 380 AGREEMENTS? I AM, YES, SIR.

HOW DOES THIS RATE COMPARED TO SOME OF THE OTHERS? I MEAN, IT SEEMS LIKE WE'RE GIVING UP MORE IN THESE OTHER 380 AGREEMENTS THAN WE ARE HERE.

I THINK THIS IS A GREAT DEAL FOR US.

I DO. I THINK WE'VE STRUCK A GREAT BALANCE.

AND THE WAY THAT THESE FUNCTION AS WELL IS IT'S ALL PERCENTAGE BASED.

SO IF ROCK ISLAND HITS $500 MILLION IN SALES NEXT YEAR, WE BENEFIT WITH THEM.

IF THEY IF THEY REDUCE THAT NUMBER, OUR INCENTIVE REDUCES AN EQUAL AMOUNT.

SO I FEEL LIKE WE'RE GROWING AND SHRINKING WITH THEM.

IT'S A GREAT DEAL FOR US.

I WOULD IMAGINE THAT YOU THINK THERE'S A LOT OF UPSIDE POTENTIAL HERE BECAUSE AS THEY RELOCATE HERE, WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH LOCAL SALES THEY'RE GOING TO GENERATE.

SO IT COULD BE EXPONENTIAL.

YES, POTENTIALLY.

RIGHT NOW, IT'S BEEN ESTIMATED UNDER CURRENT NUMBERS AND THIS IS REALLY EVEN LAST YEAR THAT TEN, 10% MARKET.

YES. PEOPLE ARE GOING TO FLY INTO THEY'RE GOING TO ATTEND THESE AUCTIONS.

AND SO WE'RE GOING TO GET THE BENEFIT OF THAT.

ABSOLUTELY. SO THAT 10% WILL GROW ALONG, HOPEFULLY WITH THE OVERALL SALES NUMBER FOR THE COMPANY AS WELL.

OKAY. IS THERE ANYTHING IN THIS THAT GIVES YOU HESITANCY TO MOVE FORWARD? NO, I FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE WITH THIS.

AGAIN, WE'RE OFFERING BACK TO THEM WHAT THEY'RE BRINGING TO US AND WHAT WE'RE PROVIDING THEM IS TRULY WHAT AN INCENTIVE IS.

IT'S A IT'S SOME ASSISTANCE TO GET THEM STARTED AND OFFSET THEIR RELOCATION COSTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

IT'S A COMMITMENT TO THEM.

IT'S A WIN WIN FOR ALL OF US.

VERY GOOD. COUNCIL QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? WOW. QUIET COUNCIL.

WHAT IS COUNCIL'S PLEASURE? MAYOR, GO AHEAD AND MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE YOU'RE SLOWING DOWN, MR. GAGLIARDI. ALL RIGHT, LET'S VOTE.

YOU JUST TAKE IT EASY [LAUGHTER].

OKAY. THAT'S UNANIMOUS. SIX ZERO.

THANK YOU, COUNCIL. THANK YOU STAFF.

THANK YOU, ANDREA.

GREAT JOB. OBVIOUSLY, WE ARE STILL EXCITED FOR THEM TO MAKE THEIR WAY DOWN HERE.

SO THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT WORK.

THAT BEING SAID, WE JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF CLOSING ITEMS, MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS.

[8. Mayor/Council Member Reports]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, GARY JOHNSON.

THAT WAS IF YOU COULD PASS IT ALONG.

AND IT'S IT'S QUITE AMAZING.

I MEAN I TO SEE IT ALL SORT OF COME TOGETHER AND TO SEE ALL OF THE THE FACILITIES AND AND ALL THE THOUGHT THAT'S GONE INTO IT.

ONE OF THEM AND THIS IS IT'S A NEW TO ME BUT THEY SO IN THE LOCKER ROOMS, THEY HAVE THESE THINGS.

IT'S NOT A DRYER. THEY CALL IT A SPINNER.

AND YOU PUT YOUR YOUR WET SWIMSUIT IN THERE AND IN LIKE 30 SECONDS FOR A MINUTE, IT DRIES IT OFF AND THEN YOU JUST THROW IT IN YOUR BAG.

APPARENTLY, THESE HAVE EXISTED FOR A LONG TIME, BUT I WAS IMPRESSED.

SO BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF VERY, VERY COOL AMENITIES.

THE OUTDOOR WATER PARK, THE INDOOR POOLS.

I MEAN, IT'S ALL GOING TO BE SUPER, SUPER COOL.

ALL THE THINGS OUT THERE.

THE THING YOU ISOLATE IS THE SPINNER.

THE SPINNER OK. OKAY.

AND A NUMBER, TWO, BECAUSE THE NUMBER TWO IS SO ACROSS FROM THE INDOOR POOL, WE HAVE, I BELIEVE, THREE FAMILY RESTROOMS. SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE YOUR KID INTO A LOCKER ROOM.

YOU CAN TAKE THEM INTO IT'S SELF CONTAINED SHOWER, TOILET SINK, AND YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR KID AND YOUR FAMILY AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO LIKE MANAGE AROUND ALL THESE OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING WHATEVER THEY DO IN LOCKER ROOMS. AND SO I THOUGHT THAT WAS QUITE THOUGHTFUL AND I'M PRETTY I'M PRETTY EXCITED.

WELL, THAT'S JUST THE WAY WE ROLL.

[00:45:01]

THE PROBABLY THE LARGEST HOT TUB I'VE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE.

THANKS. THANK YOU FOR OUR WEEKLY REPORT ON

[9. City Manager/Staff Report]

FIRST OFF, TWO WEEKS FROM TONIGHT, WE WILL NOT HAVE A REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING.

WE WILL HAVE A STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION.

BASICALLY, IT'S AN ANNUAL EXERCISE SESSION TO SET LONG AND SHORT TERM GOALS, AND WE'LL DISCUSS THE GOALS THAT WE HAD FROM LAST YEAR AND THE PROGRESS.

AND THEN LOOK AT WHATEVER ELSE THE COUNCIL WANTS TO ACCOMPLISH IN THIS UPCOMING YEAR.

AND OBVIOUSLY IT'S A LIVING DOCUMENT, SO IT WILL CHANGE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, BUT THAT WILL BE THE FIRST CRACK AT IT.

SO THE OTHER ITEM, AS MR. COCHRAN MENTIONED, ABOUT WHETHER IT'S A SKATE PARK OR INLINE SKATING RINK OR WHATEVER WE WANT TO CALL IT, WE ARE LOOKING FOR A LOCATION FOR NOT ONLY THAT AMENITY BUT A LOT OF AMENITIES. YOU KNOW, THE KEY IS I DON'T WANT TO SIT UP HERE AND SAY WE'RE GOING TO FIND A LOCATION FOR THIS, THIS AND THIS, BECAUSE THEN BASICALLY I'M BACKING YOU ALL INTO A CORNER TO WHERE YOU ALL IF YOU DON'T APPROVE IT, IT'S LIKE, WELL, JIMMY ALREADY FOUND A LOCATION.

SO WHAT I WANT TO DO IS I WANT TO GIVE EVERYONE OPTIONS AND SAY, OKAY, IF WE WANT TO DO THESE AMENITIES, WE CAN.

HERE'S HOW WE'LL PAY FOR IT, HERE'S WHERE WE CAN DO IT.

AND THEN BEFOREHAND HAVE NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS, AT LEAST WITH THE NEARBY NEIGHBORHOODS NEAR THE PARK.

AND IT COULD BE CITYWIDE, BUT AT THE VERY LEAST WE WANT TO DO IT WITH THE NEIGHBORHOODS SO WE DON'T HAVE ANY SURPRISES AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

SO ANYWAY, THAT BEING SAID, WE ARE MAKING A LOT OF PROGRESS WITH THAT VENTURE IN TERMS OF EVALUATING WHERE WE CAN DO DIFFERENT AMENITIES AND WE'LL WE'LL BRING THAT FORWARD ONCE WE HAVE SOMETHING MORE SOLID.

BUT IF ANYONE HAS ANY QUESTIONS, SUGGESTIONS OR ANYTHING ALONG THE WAY, LET US KNOW.

THIS IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING THAT THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL WILL ULTIMATELY APPROVE.

SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ALL ARE IN FAVOR OF THE THE RECOMMENDATIONS.

BUT AGAIN, WE WANT TO GIVE YOU OPTIONS.

AND WE'RE BASING THESE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE AMENITIES THAT WERE REQUESTED BY THE RESIDENTS IN THE MASTER MASTER PARKS PLAN.

SO ANYWAY, AND THE ENCOURAGING PART OF THAT IS THAT THIS IS ALL POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE WORK THAT GARY JOHNSON'S DONE AND EVERYONE'S DONE OUT THERE, THAT THEY HAVE FOUND WAYS TO NOT JUST COME IN BUDGET DURING AN UNUSUAL PERIOD, BUT TO ACTUALLY FIND SAVINGS.

SO WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO DO THINGS THAT WE DID NOT THINK WE HAD YEARS BEFORE.

YES, SIR.

COUNCIL MEMBER GAGLIARDI.

OH, COUNCIL MEMBER. STEVE, I JUST WANT TO SAY.

MY FAMILY AND I CELEBRATED THE 4TH OF JULY AT THE [INAUDIBLE] SCHOOL ON JULY 4TH, AND IT WAS A GREAT JOB FOR THE CITY.

I MEAN, THE CITY EMPLOYEES DID A GREAT JOB OUT THERE.

AND THANK YOU FOR THAT. COUNCIL MEMBER GAGLIARDI.

I WOULD LOVE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.

WE HAVE A SECOND FROM COUNCIL MEMBER COGAN.

EVERYONE IN FAVOR AYE, AYE.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE ARE ADJOURNED AT 6:48.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.