Jan 13, 2026 City Council

[00:00:03]

ALL RIGHT. THE TIME IS NOW 6:00. WE CAN CALL THIS REGULAR MEETING OF THE BEDFORD CITY COUNCIL TO ORDER.

[CALL TO ORDER/GENERAL COMMENTS]

HAPPY NEW YEAR. THIS IS OUR FIRST MEETING BACK AND WE'RE READY TO GET TO WORK.

ALL RIGHT. FIRST UP FOR INVOCATION, WE HAVE REVEREND KELLY LINEBERRY FROM PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF GOD TO COME UP TO THE PODIUM TO GO AHEAD AND DO THE INVOCATION, FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED TO US BY MAYOR PRO TEM NICHELLE DAWKINS.

OH, WE DON'T HAVE SOMEBODY TO PRAY? ALL RIGHT.

DO WE HAVE SOMEBODY WHO WOULD BE INTERESTED IN DOING A PRAYER? QUICK ONE? I'LL DO IT. COUNCIL MEMBER FARCO, THANK YOU.

EVERYONE, PLEASE STAND. LORD, THANK YOU FOR THIS NEW YEAR.

THANK YOU FOR THE ABILITY TO GET TOGETHER AS LEADERS IN THIS COMMUNITY WITH OUR CITIZENS, AND GO OVER THE BUSINESSES AT HAND THAT HELP OUR COMMUNITY AND MAKE US BETTER. WE JUST ASK THAT YOU BLESS THIS NIGHT, BLESS THESE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM, CONTINUE TO WATCH OVER OUR FIRST RESPONDERS CONSTANTLY, AND LET US CONDUCT BUSINESS IN A PROFESSIONAL AND COURTEOUS MANNER.

IN YOUR MOST PRECIOUS NAME WE PRAY. AMEN. AMEN.

ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

ONE AND INDIVISIBLE. ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT. NEXT UP,

[PUBLIC COMMENTS]

WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO SIGNED UP WITH THE CITY SECRETARY BEFOREHAND.

JUST TO LET YOU KNOW NEW RULES FROM THE COUNCIL.

WE'VE INSTITUTED A THREE MINUTE SPEAKING TIME.

SO PLEASE KEEP YOUR COMMENTS TO THREE MINUTES, AND I DO APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE IF I HAVE TO CUT SOMEBODY OFF.

I'M PRETTY MUCH A STICKLER AT THAT THREE MINUTE LINE.

SO IF YOU DON'T GET TO SAY EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED TO SAY TO THE CITY COUNCIL, I PLEASE INVITE YOU TO REACH OUT TO US VIA EMAIL OR OTHER METHODS.

WE ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO MEET FACE TO FACE AS WELL.

SO WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO START OFF WITH MR. SAL CARUSO TO TALK TO US ABOUT BEDFORD COMMONS.

OH, GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL. SO I'M JUST GOING TO READ FROM HERE SO I CAN STAY WITHIN THAT THREE MINUTES.

WITH MIDWAY BEING REJECTED. AND CONGRATULATIONS FOR DOING THAT.

I'M GLAD YOU FOLKS DID THAT. I RESPECTFULLY SUGGEST THAT THE COUNCIL AND CITY HOLD PUBLIC SESSIONS FOR RESIDENTS TO GIVE THEIR VISION FOR BEDFORD COMMONS. I DON'T THINK SURVEYS, EMAILS, CHARTS ARE GOOD ENOUGH.

IF YOU REMEMBER, FOR THE BOY´S RANCH, WE HAD ALL THESE CHARTS AND COLOR CODED THIS AND THAT, AND ENDED UP NOT WORKING OUT TOO WELL. THERE WAS NO TRANSPARENCY.

AND WE DON'T WANT THAT AGAIN AND WHAT HAPPENED THERE.

I BELIEVE HEARING FROM THE RESIDENTS AND LISTENING, ACTUALLY LISTENING TO THEIR COMMENTS WOULD GO A LONG WAY IN ESTABLISHING A TRUE COMMUNICATION TOOL FOR THE RESIDENTS OF BEDFORD.

I UNDERSTAND THAT THE CITY IS IN RESET CONCERNING THE COMMONS, AND THIS WILL TAKE SOME TIME.

WE HAVE TRIED DEVELOPERS OVER THE PAST TEN PLUS YEARS.

I BELIEVE IT'S TIME FOR THE RESIDENTS TO HAVE A VOICE AND FOR YOU TO CONDUCT THESE MEETINGS AT THE YMCA.

I SUGGEST AT LEAST FOUR MEETINGS TO COVER AS MANY RESIDENTS AS POSSIBLE.

YOU HAVE ONE FOR THE SENIORS. YOU HAVE ONE IN THE AFTERNOON.

YOU HAVE A COUPLE FOR THE NIGHTS, YOU KNOW, AFTER WORK HOURS.

I PRESENTED MY VISION ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO. I KNEW THAT MIDWAY WOULD BE OUT AFTER THE CEO WANTED APARTMENTS, AND WHEN WE HEARD THIS 26.6 MILLION THAT THEY WANTED, I'M NOT SURE WHY WE WAITED ANOTHER SIX MONTHS ONLY TO REJECT THEM.

I THINK THAT WAS A MISTAKE BECAUSE WE KEEP LOSING TIME.

TEN PLUS YEARS, SIX MORE MONTHS AND EVEN LONGER, ACTUALLY.

I'M HOPING FOR A NEW CITY HALL NEXT DOOR IN THE FENCING AREA.

POSSIBLE TWO RESIDENTIAL HOME DEVELOPMENTS, ONE IN THE WOODED AREA AND ONE ANOTHER ONE RIGHT HERE, ONCE THIS GETS DEMOLISHED. WE CAN MAYBE HAVE A TOTAL OF 80 OR SO HOMES, TOWNHOMES, WHATEVER YOU WANT.

[00:05:08]

A BARK PARK IN THE WOODED AREA. WE CAN HAVE EVEN SMALL CONCERTS ON THE WEEKENDS OR WEEKDAYS.

WHATEVER, IT DEPENDS. FRIDAY NIGHT, SATURDAY, SUNDAY.

I THINK ALL THAT WOULD KIND OF BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER, AND ALL THIS WOULD BE TUCKED AWAY BETWEEN CENTRAL AND FOREST RIDGE.

KIND OF LIKE A HOMETOWN FEELING. THE CITY HALL COULD BE 2 TO 3 STORIES HIGH, AND MAYBE A BOND FOR THAT, I DON'T KNOW, BUT THAT'S ALL. THAT'S IT. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU, SAL.

I DO APPRECIATE YOU COMING UP HERE TALKING ABOUT THE COMMONS.

I ALSO JUST RECENTLY WANTED TO REACH OUT AND MAKE MYSELF AVAILABLE TO THE RESIDENTS.

SO JUST FOR NOTE THOSE WHO ARE TUNING IN I'LL BE OVER AT COFFEE, TEA AND BOOKS NEXT THURSDAY AT 10 A.M.

JUST FOR SOME CASUAL CONVERSATION TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.

WE CAN TALK ABOUT BEDFORD COMMONS IF YOU LIKE, OR WHATEVER.

JUST CATCH UP AFTER THE NEW YEAR. BUT I WANTED TO MAKE IT A CASUAL SETTING WHERE RESIDENTS CAN COME AND SHARE A CUP OF COFFEE AND WE CAN HAVE SOME DISCUSSION.

SO AGAIN, THAT'S NEXT. THURSDAY, JANUARY 22ND, 10 A.M.

I HAVE A COFFEE, TEA AND BOOKS. AND THEN ALSO WE HAVE MORNINGS WITH THE MAYOR WHICH WILL BE IN FEBRUARY 7TH, SATURDAY OVER AT THE YMCA AT 10 A.M. SO BOTH THOSE OPPORTUNITIES WOULD BE GOOD AVENUES FOR SOME MEANINGFUL DISCUSSIONS.

OKAY. NEXT UP, WE HAVE LARRY BOOZE TO TALK ABOUT SPEEDERS.

WELL, FIRST, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY.

I'D LIKE TO SAY A FEW THINGS ABOUT SPEEDING IN BEDFORD.

WHEN PEOPLE SPEED, IT CUTS THEIR REACTION TIME AND CAUSES MORE ACCIDENTS.

IN OCTOBER, I WAS HEADING NORTH ON FOREST RIDGE DRIVE IN MY FIANCEE'S MERCEDES, AND I WAS GOING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN INTO THE BOY´S RANCH TO CUT THROUGH TO GET TO THE POST OFFICE.

AND OF COURSE, YOU KNOW THAT FOREST RIDGE IS FOUR LANES, AND I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OR THE INNER LANE FOR THE NORTHBOUND. THERE WAS A TRUCK THAT CAME UP AND HE WAS IN THE INNER LANE FOR THE SOUTHBOUND.

AND I LOOKED DOWN THE STREET TO HARWOOD INTERSECTION AND NOTHING REALLY REGISTERED AS BEING A PROBLEM BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING CLOSE, I THOUGHT. SO WHEN I TURNED TO GO IN THE CAR COMING AT ME HIT THE BACK OF THE MERCEDES RIGHT BEHIND THE BACK WHEEL, HIT IT SO HARD THAT IT ACTUALLY DENTED THE OTHER FENDER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAR BECAUSE IT MOVED EVERYTHING OVER. IN MY OPINION, THE WOMAN STARTED.

I MEAN, I WAS WRONG IN NOT ALLOWING THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO GET BY, BUT I THOUGHT I WAS, BUT MY OPINION IS SHE WAS COMING SO FAST, SHE DIDN'T BREAK.

SHE DIDN'T GET INTO THE OTHER LANE TO AVOID ME BECAUSE I WAS GOING THAT WAY.

SHE COULD HAVE CUT INTO THAT SECOND LANE. AND SHE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME BECAUSE SHE WAS GOING SO FAST.

SO THE NEXT POINT I WANT TO MAKE IS THAT BEFORE COVID, I WOULD DRIVE DOWN FOREST RIDGE, TURN ON TO BEDFORD ROAD GOING TO MY FIANCEE'S HOUSE.

AND IT WAS VERY COMMON JUST ABOUT EVERY TIME.

IN FACT, WE USED TO REMARK ABOUT IT. THAT WE WOULD SEE A POLICEMAN EITHER IN A CAR, YOU KNOW, PARKED OR PULLING SOMEBODY OVER, OR A MOTORCYCLE POLICEMAN WITH A A RADAR GUN AND SO FORTH.

SINCE COVID, YOU HARDLY EVER SEE THEM. IN FACT, I SAW ONE IN NOVEMBER, ONE IN DECEMBER.

AND TODAY I SAW ONE ACTUALLY HEADING TOWARDS ON BEDFORD ROAD, HEADING TOWARDS THE SCHOOL ZONE.

AT THE TIME THE SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT WAS 20 MILES AN HOUR.

SO I SUPPOSE HE WAS GOING TO SET UP. MY RECOMMENDATION IS THAT YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT HIRING MORE PEOPLE TO WORK. OH, IS IT TIME?

[00:10:02]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YOU GOT IT. ALL RIGHT, NEXT UP JOHN LARSON TALKING ABOUT BOOTING ENFORCEMENT.

ALL RIGHT. HELLO, COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS JOHN LARSON.

I LIVE AT THE LOGAN APARTMENTS. I'M HERE REGARDING A SERIOUS CONSUMER PROTECTION ISSUE, WHICH IS ILLEGAL AND PREDATORY VEHICLE BOOTING PRACTICES BY CAPITAL TOW, INC. UNDER TEXAS OCCUPATIONS CODE 2308.257, A BOOT OPERATOR MUST AFFIX A NOTICE THAT INCLUDES, QUOTE, A TELEPHONE NUMBER THAT'S ANSWERED 24 HOURS A DAY TO ENABLE THE OWNER OR OPERATOR OF A VEHICLE TO ARRANGE FOR REMOVAL OF THE BOOT, END QUOTE. AND ENABLE MEANS HERE THAT THE NUMBER MUST ACTUALLY FUNCTION AS A PATHWAY TO HAVE THE BOOT REMOVED.

CAPITAL TOW FAILS THIS, AND INSTEAD DIRECTS PEOPLE TO A QR CODE AND PAY THROUGH A PROPRIETARY SITE, BOOTEDVEHICLES.COM, RUN BY THE SAME COMPANY, ACTUALLY, AS CAPITAL TOW.

THE NUMBER IS EFFECTIVELY BURIED, AND WHILE YOU CAN EVENTUALLY REACH A PERSON, IT'S ONLY BY GUESSING WHICH NUMBERS TO PRESS.

EVEN THEN, THE RECORDING LITERALLY DIRECTS YOU TO PAY USING THE QR CODE.

AND WHAT IF YOU DON'T HAVE A SMARTPHONE OR WANT TO PAY IN CASH? I GUESS YOU'RE OUT OF LUCK. THIS MATTERS BECAUSE SECTION 2308.258 STATES THAT THE BOOTING COMPANY SHALL REMOVE THE BOOT NO LATER THAN ONE HOUR AFTER THE TIME THE OWNER OR OPERATOR CONTACTS THE COMPANY AND REQUESTS REMOVAL AND SHALL WAIVE THE FEE FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE BOOT IF THEY FAIL TO REMOVE IT WITHIN THE ONE HOUR TIME PRESCRIBED. LAST WEEK I WITNESSED, AND I ALSO ASSISTED SOMEONE IN MY COMPLEX WHO WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO CALL AND OFFERED TO PAY CASH IN PERSON. WELL OVER AN HOUR PASSED BEFORE THE DRIVER SHOWED UP, AND HE STILL DEMANDED TO PAY THE FEE IN FULL AND FEIGNED IGNORANCE REGARDING THE STATUTE. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER EVEN ASKED, WHY NOT JUST PAY BY THE QR CODE? WE AREN'T REALLY EQUIPPED TO TAKE CASH. THEN, WHEN THE PERSON CALLED BEDFORD PD FOR HELP, THE OFFICER HE SPOKE TO FUNDAMENTALLY MISUNDERSTOOD THE LAW AND SAID THEY COULDN'T ASSIST BECAUSE IT WAS PRIVATE PROPERTY AND A CIVIL MATTER.

THIS TURNS THE STATUTE INTO A DEAD LETTER. THIS BUSINESS MODEL, WHERE ONE ENTITY BOOTS YOUR CAR AND CONTROLS THE ONLY PRACTICAL WAY TO PAY LETS CAPITAL TOW PLACE MORE BOOTS WHILE KEEPING THEIR TOW TRUCK DRIVERS SCARCE, ALL THE WHILE PREYING ON PEOPLE'S IGNORANCE OF THE LAW.

IT'S EASIER AND MORE PROFITABLE THAN TOWING, AND EXPLOITS PEOPLE WHO ARE GIVEN NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO IMMEDIATELY PAY THROUGH THEIR APP. I'VE ALREADY SPOKEN WITH THE CITY MANAGER AND SHARED DOCUMENTATION, INCLUDING CONFIRMATION FROM AN ATTORNEY FOR THE TDLR THAT ENFORCEMENT IS LACKING IN CITIES WITHOUT ORDINANCES BECAUSE CHAPTER 2308 STILL APPLIES TO BOOTING, BUT THERE IS NO DESIGNATED STATE OR LOCAL AGENCY WITH CLEAR AUTHORITY TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS AND IMPOSE PENALTIES ANY LONGER.

THE GOOD NEWS IS, HOPEFULLY THE COUNCIL HERE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.

SO I URGE YOU TO DIRECT STAFF TO HOPEFULLY DRAFT A COMPREHENSIVE ORDINANCE THAT PROTECTS OUR COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. LARSEN.

TO THAT POINT, I WOULD SAY THAT WE KNOW OUR ORDINANCES.

WE'VE BEEN GOING THROUGH THEM AND UPDATING THEM AS WE'VE BEEN KIND OF GOING OVER FOR A FINE TOOTH COMB.

AND SO THIS IS JUST ANOTHER ONE ON THE LIST THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT IN DETAIL.

TAKE A LOOK AT THE SURROUNDING CITIES AND THEN MAKE THE ADJUSTMENTS THAT ARE NEEDED.

SO PLEASE KNOW THAT THAT IS ON OUR LIST TO GO OVER.

ALL RIGHT. NEXT UP WE HAVE VICKI MCCLEARY TO TALK ABOUT BEDFORD COMMONS.

I DECIDED TO DO THIS IN PERSON BECAUSE WHEN YOU'RE ON THE INTERNET, YOU'RE GOING UP AND DOWN AND EMOTIONS FLY AND ALL THAT.

YES. 45 YEAR RESIDENT OF BEDFORD. SO I'M PROUD OF THAT.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT IF AND WHEN THEY DO BUILD HOMES IN THE COMMONS AREA, THAT THEY PROVIDE SOME KIND OF GREEN SPACE OR SOME KIND OF BOTANICAL GARDEN. AN EXAMPLE OF THAT WOULD BE THE GRAPEVINE BOTANICAL GARDENS, WHICH STARTED AS A HOBBY JUST ON SOME VOLUNTEER´S IDEA, AND NOW IT'S A BEAUTIFUL SITE TO HAVE A LUNCH, TAKE A WALK, PICTURES, ALL THAT. I NOTICED THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WEARING SCRUBS THAT WALK UP AND DOWN FOREST RIDGE, BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF HEALTH FACILITIES LIKE MONARCH DENTAL, BAYLOR SCOTT AND WHITE, LADORA. A LOT OF THOSE PEOPLE NEED A BREAK. THEY NEED SOMEPLACE GREEN TO GO TO.

[00:15:01]

HE DID THAT AS A SCOUT MERIT BADGE FOR HIS EAGLE.

AND I THINK THAT'D BE A GOOD WAY FOR GIRL SCOUTS AND BOY SCOUTS SERVICE LEARNING FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, EVEN OUR SENIOR CITIZENS, TO TAKE A CHANCE AND CONTRIBUTE TO THAT.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS THAT WE HAVE A GREEN PLAN.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE IT BE A BOTANIC GARDEN, HAVE A WALKING PATH AND MAYBE YOU COULD PUT OUT A FLASH VOTE AND TAKE A SURVEY ON WHAT THE PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO SEE.

BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT BECOME A BOTANIC GARDEN.

THE FORT WORTH BOTANIC GARDEN WAS ACTUALLY A GRAVEL PIT A LONG TIME AGO.

A NATIVE FORT WORTHIAN TOLD ME THAT. AND OUR LIBRARY HAS A BUTTERFLY GARDEN THAT'S ALREADY A SPRING POINT FOR US. AND THEY HAVE HORTICULTURAL SESSIONS.

SO I THINK WE COULD TAG ON TO THAT. THE LAST THING I'M GOING TO SAY IS THAT'S MY $0.02.

LIKE STEVE NOVIELLO SAYS, SPEND IT WISELY. VERY GOOD.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR THOSE INSIGHTS AND WHAT TO DO WITH THE LAND.

APPRECIATE THAT. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. SO NO ONE ELSE SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

SO WE'LL GO AHEAD AND MOVE ON WITH OUR AGENDA.

NEXT UP IS CONSIDER APPROVAL OF ITEMS BY CONSENT.

[CONSIDER APPROVAL OF ITEMS BY CONSENT]

I'LL RUN THROUGH OUR CONSENT AND ITEMS REAL QUICK.

ITEM NUMBER 1. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS FOR DECEMBER 9TH, 2025 OF THE REGULAR MEETING.

ITEM 2. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR HER DESIGNEE TO PURCHASE BUILDING SIGNAGE AND PARKING LOT SIGNAGE FOR CITY HALL THROUGH OAKSPY SIGNS AND GRAPHICS IN AN ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF $5,111.35. THIS WILL ESSENTIALLY PROVIDE ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONAL SIGNAGE AROUND THE CITY HALL COMPLEX, DOORWAY SIGNAGE AND MODIFICATION TO THE WALL SIGN ON THE CITY HALL BUILDING.

RECENT BUILDING SIGNAGE ON CITY FACILITIES WAS ALSO DONE BY OAKSPY.

SO WE'RE REMAINING CONSISTENT WITH THAT COMPANY WHO WE'VE HAD GOOD LUCK WITH AND THEY'VE BEEN GOOD TO WORK WITH.

WE LANDED WITH OAKSPY IN THE AMOUNT AFTER OBTAINING THREE QUOTES IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR PURCHASING LAWS, AND OAKSPY WAS CHOSEN AGAIN FOR BEING THE MOST ECONOMICAL AND THEN ALSO CONSISTENCY IN WORKING WITH THEM PREVIOUSLY.

THIS PROJECT WILL BE FUNDED UTILIZING ARPA INTEREST DOLLARS.

ITEM NUMBER 3. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR HER DESIGNEE TO ENTER INTO A ONE YEAR AGREEMENT WITH MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $509,064.12 FOR SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE OF THE TRUNK RADIO INFRASTRUCTURE.

THE CITY OF BEDFORD IS PART OF NETCO, WHICH IS THE NORTHEAST TARRANT COUNTY TRUNK RADIO CONSORTIUM, WHICH IS MADE UP OF SIX CITIES INCLUDING BEDFORD, COLLEYVILLE, EULESS, GRAPEVINE, KELLER AND SOUTHLAKE.

THE SUBJECT CONTRACT IS COMING THROUGH ALL THIS EVENING, AS THE CITY OF BEDFORD IS THE ADMINISTER OF THE TRUNK RADIO PROGRAM, ON BEHALF OF THE ORGANIZATION. SO THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE $509,000 WILL ACTUALLY BE SPLIT SIX WAYS.

SO WE WILL END UP WITH OUR PORTION AT $84,844.02.

FUNDING FOR THIS AMOUNT IS AVAILABLE IN THE GENERAL WATER AND SEWER FUNDS I AM AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS.

VERY GOOD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALL RIGHT. ANY QUESTIONS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? ALL RIGHT. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM DAWKINS.

I SAW YOUR HAND FIRST. LET'S GO AHEAD AND VOTE. AND THAT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU, COUNCIL. THANK YOU, STAFF. ALL RIGHT. ON TO NEW BUSINESS.

[4. Public hearing and consider an ordinance regarding a rezoning of the property described as Whisperwood Center Addition Block 1 Lot 1R from Heavy Commercial/Master Highway Corridor to Heavy Commercial/Master Highway Corridor/Specific Use Permit – Private Business and Professional Schools. The property is generally located south of Harwood Road, to the east of State Highway 121, and commonly known as 3516 Harwood Road Suite 116. (SUP-25-14). The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval by a vote of 7-0-0.]

ALL RIGHT. I'LL GIVE YOU DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR WES MORRISON. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. COUNCIL MEMBERS, THIS IS A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT FOR DRIVING SCHOOL.

IF I GET MY CLICKER TO WORK HERE. SHE'LL TAKE CARE OF IT FOR ME.

THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED AT 3516 HARWOOD ROAD, COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE ROCK ISLAND AUCTION HOUSE SHOPPING CENTER

[00:20:07]

DRIVING SCHOOLS FALL UNDER PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS IN OUR ZONING ORDINANCE.

IF YOU RECALL, A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, YOU SAW SIMILAR TYPE APPLICATION.

THIS IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT APPLICATION, DIFFERENT LOCATION, DIFFERENT APPLICANT. NOTHING IS RELATED TO THIS. WITH THAT, THANK YOU. BACKGROUND A LITTLE BIT ON THE PROPERTY, THE, AGAIN DRIVING SCHOOLS FALL UNDER PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS.

THE APPLICANT IS REQUESTING A LITTLE OVER 1000 SQUARE FOOT SUITE WITHIN EXISTING RETAIL CENTER.

RETAIL CENTER WAS DEVELOPED IN 87. CURRENTLY CONTAINS TWO DIFFERENT BUILDINGS, ONE BEING THE RETAIL CENTER THAT IS IN QUESTION TONIGHT, AND THEN THE OFFICE WAREHOUSE OR OFFICE SHOWROOM, WHICH IS KNOWN AS ROCK ISLAND.

ONE THING THAT CAME UP IN A PREVIOUS APPLICATION, NOT RELATED TO THIS ONE, WAS WHERE THEY WERE GOING TO DO THEIR INSTRUCTION IN THEIR PARALLEL PARKING. WOULD GO TO. IF YOU WOULD JUST GO TO THE SITE PLAN.

THANK YOU. SORRY I DIDN'T ORGANIZE THESE VERY WELL TONIGHT.

THE SITE PLAN SHOWS THAT THEY HAVE KIND OF GONE ON.

THEY'RE STILL ON PROPERTY OF THE RETAIL CENTER.

THEY'RE JUST KIND OF OFF TO THE SIDE IN AN AREA THAT'S NOT USED VERY COMMONLY.

IF YOU'VE BEEN OUT TO THE SITE, YOU'LL NOTICE THEY'VE EVEN GOT A CONE THERE IN THE AREA WHERE THEY'RE PLANNING TO PUT THE PARALLEL PARKING INSTRUCTION AND THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A SIGN THERE AND THEY'LL RESTRIPE IT ACCORDINGLY AS WELL.

SO WITH THAT, PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION CONDUCTED THEIR PUBLIC HEARING.

WE POSTED A SIGN ON THE PROPERTY. WE NOTIFIED 31 ADJOINING PROPERTY OWNERS.

WE'VE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE IN FAVOR OR AGAINST THE REQUEST, AND P&Z RECOMMENDED APPROVAL.

I CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE. OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

ANY QUESTIONS FOR WES AT THIS POINT? YES, MAYOR PRO TEM DAWKINS.

THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. SO, WES, I THINK YOU DID SAY THAT THIS IS A DIFFERENT APPLICATION.

IT IS A DIFFERENT THE DRIVING SCHOOL WE HAD BEFORE.

OKAY. YES. AND THEN I THINK THAT WAS THE ONLY QUESTION I HAD.

YES. EASY ENOUGH. YEAH. OKAY. VERY GOOD. ANY MORE FOR WES? I GOT HIM? OKAY. ALL RIGHT. IS THE APPLICANT HERE? I BELIEVE THE APPLICANT IS HERE IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS FOR THEM DIRECTLY. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. SO THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING. SO WE'LL HAVE TO OPEN IT.

SO IF YOU'RE HERE TO SPEAK ON THIS MATTER NOW WOULD BE THE TIME.

SO I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:22. GOOD EVENING.

GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS ABDULLAH GAZI. I'M THE PROPRIETOR MANAGER OF KAZI DRIVING SCHOOL.

SO I'M A TEACHER. I'M AN EXAMINER ALSO. TEACHING DRIVING AND CLASSROOM TEACHING FOR THE TEENS AND ADULTS.

AND I'M TAKING THE ROAD TEST ALSO, SO. EXCUSE ME.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS SITE TO HAVE YOUR BUSINESS? THIS AREA.? OH NO. THIS IS BECAUSE I LIVE IN THIS AREA AND I HAVE ANOTHER SCHOOL IN IRVING .

OKAY. SO I'M CLOSE TO MY HOME. THAT'S WHY I'M HERE.

SO NICE PEOPLE LIVING HERE, I'M TEACHING GOOD.

THAT'S WHY. TO HELPING PEOPLE. OKAY. VERY GOOD, VERY GOOD.

I LIKE TO HEAR THAT. ALL RIGHT. ANY QUESTIONS? I WANT TO KNOW HOW LONG YOU'VE BEEN TEACHING DRIVING? OH, ME? I'M TEACHING DRIVING LONG TIME. SO, TEXAS.

I'M TEACHING TEN YEARS BEFORE I'M DRIVING [INAUDIBLE].

THEN I HAVE AN OWN SCHOOL IN IRVING. GAZI DRIVING SCHOOL.

DO YOU TEACH YOUR STUDENTS TO USE THEIR BLINKERS? YES. OH THAT'S GOOD. THAT'S THE RIGHT ANSWER.

OKAY. THANK YOU. VERY GOOD QUESTION. ALL RIGHT.

ANYBODY ELSE? OKAY. VERY GOOD. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I APPRECIATE IT. ALL RIGHT. ANYONE ELSE IS HERE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? NOW WOULD BE THE TIME. ALL RIGHT. NOT SEEING ANY RUSH.

I'LL GO AHEAD AND CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:24.

ALL RIGHT. COUNCIL, WHAT IS YOUR PLEASURE? ALL RIGHT.

SO MOTION TO APPROVE BECAUSE WE TEACH THE STUDENTS BLINKERS.

ALL RIGHT. AND WE HAVE A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER FARCO.

ALL RIGHT. LET'S GO AND VOTE. ALL RIGHT. THAT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU, COUNCIL. THANK YOU STAFF. AND WELCOME TO BEDFORD. CONGRATULATIONS. ALL RIGHT.

NEXT UP, ITEM NUMBER 5. CONSIDER RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR HER DESIGNEE TO AMEND THE OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT WITH SUNFIELD DEVELOPMENT DBA

[5. Consider a resolution authorizing the City Manager or her designee to amend the operational management agreement with Sunfield Development dba Generational Play Sports (GenPlay) at the Generations Park Sports Complex by extending the initial five-year term to 15 years and adding two additional five-year renewal options, for a potential of 25 years if all extensions are exercised.]

[00:25:05]

GIVE YOU PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR, MARK LONG. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE. HAPPY NEW YEAR. THIS OBVIOUSLY YOU JUST SAID IS A REQUEST TO AMEND THE OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT WITH GENPLAY FOR THE BASEBALL FIELDS AT GENERATIONS PARK. THE AMENDMENT DOES ADD PROVISIONS FOR THE INSTALLATION OF SYNTHETIC TURF AS WELL AS EXTENDS THE AGREEMENT.

GENPLAY IS CURRENTLY ENTERING ITS THIRD YEAR IN FEBRUARY OF THE FIVE YEAR AGREEMENT.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WOULD EXTEND THE INITIAL TERM TO 15 YEARS, AS YOU SAID, WITH THE ADDITIONAL TWO FIVE YEAR RENEWALS FOR A TOTAL OF 25.

SINCE THE AGREEMENT HAS BEEN IN PLACE WITH GENPLAY.

STEVE PADILLA, WHO IS HERE TONIGHT, HE IS THE OWNER OF GENPLAY, HAS MENTIONED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE DESIRE TO SEE SYNTHETIC TURF INFIELDS INSTALLED AT GENERATIONS PARK. I LISTEN TO HIM ALL THE TIME, THANK HIM VERY MUCH.

AND WE GO ON OUR WAY. SO I WILL TELL YOU, MOST OF MY EARLY CONVERSATIONS, I HAVE INSTALLED SYNTHETIC TURF FIELDS, AND I DO HAVE AN IDEA OF HOW MUCH THEY COST. AND I USUALLY ENDED OUR CONVERSATION WITH.

I'VE SEEN THE COST OF THOSE FIELDS. I'VE ALSO SEEN MY BUDGET AND WE LIKELY WILL NOT HAVE THAT HAPPEN.

AND HE ALWAYS KINDLY LEAVES MY OFFICE AND SAYS IF I PAID FOR HIM, CAN WE DO IT? AND I ALWAYS SAID, WHEN YOU SHOW ME THE LENDING, I WILL HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH YOU.

SO HE IS A VERY PERSISTENT PERSON. IN NOVEMBER, HE CONTACTED ME.

HE SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A MEETING WITH ME.

AND IT WAS AT THAT TIME, HE SAID THAT HE HAD ALL THE LENDING HE NEEDED FOR THE INSTALLATION OF THE TURF ON THE INFIELDS AND THAT WOULD BE AT NO COST TO THE CITY. SO I LIKE THAT HE CAME THROUGH ON HIS PROMISE.

SO THE COST FOR THE THREE INFIELDS IS JUST UNDER $535,000 AS IT IS RIGHT NOW.

THAT'S WHY WE PUT $535,000. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS A REALLY, REALLY BIG NUMBER.

IT'S A BIG NUMBER FOR ANYONE. BUT I KNOW HE'S A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER WORKING WITH THE CITY OF BEDFORD.

AND WHAT HE'S ASKING FOR, THIS RATHER LARGE INVESTMENT IS AN EXTENDED LONGER TERM AGREEMENT.

SO THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE TO ME. I'LL KIND OF GO INTO A FEW THINGS HERE, BUT IF APPROVED THIS EVENING, THE PROJECT WILL BE DONE IN PHASES. HE WANTS TO DO IT IN TWO PHASES, NOT WE.

HE'S GOING TO DO IT ALL. SO HEAR ME OUT. IT WILL BE DONE IN TWO PHASES.

THE FIRST PHASE WILL BE FIELDS ONE AND TWO. THOSE ARE THE TWO OUTSIDE FIELDS.

IF IT IS APPROVED TONIGHT, I THINK HE PROBABLY HAS THE FRONT END LOADERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT ALREADY ON A ON A TRAILER READY TO COME TO BEDFORD.

BUT IT SHOULD TAKE ABOUT 30 DAYS FOR THE FIRST TWO, WEATHER PERMITTING, IT IS WINTER.

WE DO SEE SOME RAPID CHANGES IN WEATHER, WHICH I'M NOT SURE WHAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW WITH THE WEATHER, BUT IT WOULD BE REALLY, REALLY GOOD TO DO ALL THREE OF THEM RIGHT NOW. SO PHASE TWO WOULD BE THE REMAINING FIELD.

AND HE IS LOOKING TO START THAT IN THE SUMMER OF 26.

SO THIS SUMMER. SO THE TOTAL LENGTH OF TIME WOULD BE ABOUT SIX MONTHS, 2 TO 3 WEEKS ON THE SINGLE FIELD, WEATHER PERMITTING. AND WHAT HE'S WANTING TO DO IS, WHY HE'S GOING TO PHASE IT IS BECAUSE HE WANTS TO KEEP AT LEAST ONE FIELD OPEN AT ALL TIMES FOR RENTAL AND USE. SO MAKES A LOT OF SENSE.

HE DID MENTION JUST NOW, AS WE WERE TALKING, THAT THERE MAY BE SOME OPPORTUNITIES TO GET THIS PROJECT DONE ALL AT ONCE.

HE MENTIONED THAT THIS IS THE OFF SEASON AND A REALLY GOOD TIME TO DO THAT.

SO IF THAT HAPPENS, THAT MAY EXTEND THE TIME THAT IT TAKES TO COMPLETE THE FIELD.

SO TON OF BENEFITS TO SYNTHETIC TURF FIELDS. OBVIOUSLY YOU INCREASE THE FIELD AVAILABILITY DURING AND AFTER WEATHER EVENTS.

I WILL SAY 98% OF ALL CANCELLATIONS ARE DUE TO WET INFIELDS OR RAIN.

I WOULD HAVE TOLD YOU 100%, BUT SOMEONE WOULD HAVE TOLD ME A NIGHT GAME, THE LIGHTS COULD GO OUT OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

YOU SEE RAINOUTS ALL THE TIME. SO YOU GET THE QUICK RAIN SHOWERS IN TEXAS IN THE SPRING AND THE SUMMERTIME.

A TEN MINUTE RAIN SHOWER ON A SATURDAY OR SUNDAY TOURNAMENT, ESPECIALLY A SATURDAY TOURNAMENT, CAN ABSOLUTELY RAIN OUT AN ENTIRE EVENT. AND THAT'S, YOU KNOW, DOZENS AND DOZENS OF GAMES.

SO SYNTHETIC TURF INFIELDS YOU OBVIOUSLY GET A RAIN SHOWER COME THROUGH THAT WOULD NORMALLY CANCEL A TOURNAMENT.

YOU SEND EVERYONE TO THE CARS AND YOU BRING THEM BACK AND YOU'RE PLAYING AGAIN AND YOU LOSE NO GAMES, WHICH MEANS YOU'RE NOT LOSING REVENUE FROM TOURNAMENTS, SO.

YOU REDUCE THE WEAR ON THE INFIELDS. YOU START SEEING REALLY, REALLY DEEP RUTS IN FRONT OF THE BASES WHERE KIDS LIKE TO SLIDE.

YOU ALSO SEE WHERE. THESE ARE 12, YOU AND LANE AND A LOT OF TIMES THEY GET BORED.

[00:30:01]

WHAT THAT DOES IS IT'S NOT JUST KICKING, THAT'S DIGGING.

SO THOSE ARE REALLY, REALLY HARD TO FIX. SO IT'S REALLY HARD FOR MY STAFF TO GO IN THERE.

WE CAN FIX THEM ALL DAY LONG. YOU'RE JUST PUTTING A LOT OF LIKE ALMOST SAND DIRT BACK INTO THOSE.

SO DURING THE RAIN EVENT, YOU'LL SEE, YOU KNOW, 5 OR 6 BIRDBATH IS WHAT WE CALL THEM.

AND THEY SIT THERE AND IF YOU DON'T GET THAT WATER OUT OF THERE, AND EVEN IF YOU DO GET THE WATER OUT OF THERE, YOU CAN, YOU KNOW, CLOSE THE FIELD FOR 2 TO 3 DAYS IF YOU CAN'T GET THAT DRY.

SO TURF INFIELDS OBVIOUSLY ARE GOING TO FIX THAT PROBLEM.

YOU SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASE FIELD PREPARATION AND ONGOING MAINTENANCE.

YOU ELIMINATE THE NEED TO DRAG FIELDS AND LINE FIELDS.

AND THIS REALLY COMES INTO PLAY AGAIN WHEN YOU HAVE 6 TO 7 TOURNAMENTS ON A SATURDAY AND SUNDAY OR 6 OR 7 GAMES ON A SATURDAY OR SUNDAY, YOU'RE NOT DRAGGING FIELDS IN BETWEEN EVERY GAME.

YOU JUST CAN'T BECAUSE TIME, MANPOWER. AND REALLY THE BIGGER THING IS, THE MOMS THAT ARE OUT THERE ON THE OTHER FIELDS WATCHING THE GAMES, YOU'RE BLOWING SAND INTO THEM. AND I THINK STEVE WILL ATTEST TO THE FACT THAT I EVEN GET CALLS FROM PEOPLE THAT USE THOSE FIELDS THAT THEY GOT TO STOP DRAGGING THE FIELD DURING GAMES. SO OBVIOUSLY IF WE DON'T HAVE ANY DIRT TO DRAG, WE'RE NOT PUSHING DIRT INTO THE AIR, SO. AND THEN WITH THAT SAID, RUTTED FIELDS, IF YOU'RE PLAYING THE 8:00 GAME ON A SATURDAY, YOU'VE HAD SIX GAMES IN FRONT OF YOU. YOU'RE PLAYING ON REALLY WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER MAYBE A DANGEROUS FIELD.

SO GENPLAY AND THEIR STAFF, THEY DO ALL THEY CAN WITH RAKES TO RAKE THEM OUT.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU CAN'T. THE SQUARE FOOTAGE OF AN INFIELD, YOU JUST CAN'T GET THAT 100% FLAT WITHOUT A DRAG.

AND YOU JUST DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO DO THAT DURING THE GAME.

AND THEN PROBABLY MOST IMPORTANTLY, SYNTHETIC TURF ALSO IMPROVES PLAYABILITY AND SAFETY BY PROVIDING A CONSISTENT PLAYING SURFACE.

YOU ALWAYS KNOW. WELL, FOR THE MOST PART, YOU KNOW WHERE THAT BALL IS GOING TO GO AND COME UP ON YOU IF YOU'RE AN INFIELDER, SO. UNDER THE AMENDED AGREEMENT, GENPLAY WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT OF THE BASEBALL FIELDS, THE ADJACENT PARKING AREA, THE RESTROOM, AND THE CONCESSION FACILITIES.

THEY HANDLE THE PARKING LOT. SOMEONE ASKED ME, WHY DO YOU HAVE PARKING LOT IN THERE? BECAUSE DURING TOURNAMENTS, TEAMS WILL CAMP OUT THERE AND THEY MAKE MESSES SO THEY LEAVE STUFF OUT THERE.

SO GENPLAY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CLEANING THAT AND THEY DO A GREAT JOB ON THAT AS WELL.

THE AGREEMENT DOES INCLUDE AN ANNUAL DEPRECIATION PROVISION WHICH ALLOWS GENPLAY TO RECOVER THE UNAMORTIZED COST IMPROVEMENTS, SHOULD THE CITY TERMINATE THE CONTRACT WITHOUT CAUSE OR AT OUR CONVENIENCE IS HOW THE AGREEMENT READS.

OF COURSE, IF IT'S TERMINATED WITH CAUSE, PER THE AGREEMENT, THOSE FIELDS WILL BECOME THE PROPERTY OF THE CITY OF BEDFORD AT THAT TIME.

THE DEPRECIATION IS CALCULATED USING THE STRAIGHT LINE METHOD.

THAT'S JUST TAKING THE COST OF THE $535,000 DIVIDED BY USEFUL LIFE, WHICH WE'RE BASING THAT OFF OF 15 YEARS.

YOU DIVIDE THAT AND THEN YOU GET A NUMBER OF ABOUT $35,685 PER YEAR IS WHAT THAT WILL DROP DOWN ON.

GENPLAY WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE THE FACILITY AT THE BENEFIT OF THE LOCAL BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL COMMUNITY BY OFFERING TOURNAMENTS, CLINICS, LESSONS, LEAGUES, ALL THE ABOVE THEY DO.

AND THEN OF COURSE, THEY WILL CONTINUE TO GIVE BEDFORD RESIDENTS A DISCOUNTED RATE ON THOSE RENTALS.

THEY WILL CONTINUE TO PAY THE CITY THE BASE FEE OF $6,000 A MONTH, $72,000 ANNUALLY.

10% OF THE REVENUE COLLECTED FROM FIELD RENTALS, LESSONS, CLINICS, ALL THOSE THINGS I JUST LISTED OFF WILL WILL COME TO THE CITY, AND THEN 25% OF CONCESSION REVENUES WILL BE GIVEN TO THE CITY AS WELL.

I WILL TELL YOU THAT IN THE TWO YEARS THAT I'VE WORKED WITH GENPLAY, I'VE WORKED WITH STEVE, WITH BRAD PADILLA, HIS SON, AND THEN ALL THE STAFF MEMBERS THAT WORK THERE.

WE HAVE A REALLY GOOD PARTNERSHIP WITH THEM. AND THEY DO EVERYTHING THEY SAY THEY'RE GOING TO DO AND MORE.

THEY'RE A GREAT PARTNER TO THE CITY. I WILL TELL YOU THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE HE HELPS THAT HE WON'T TELL YOU ABOUT WITH LESSONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT WHERE THEY SCHOLARSHIP FOR FREE LESSONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. I KNOW HE WORKS WITH THE MUSTANG PANTHER SPECIAL OLYMPICS EVERY SATURDAY.

HE'S OUT HERE FOR THE COMMUNITY. IF THERE'S ONE PERSON THAT I'VE MET THAT.

A LOT OF TIMES YOU MEET PEOPLE LIKE THIS AND YOU THINK, WHAT'S BEHIND IT? IT'S BASEBALL. IT IS BASEBALL, AND IT'S SERVING THE COMMUNITY.

AND I SAY THAT WHOLEHEARTEDLY BECAUSE I'VE HAD SOME REALLY GOOD CONVERSATIONS WITH HIM.

SO THEY DO WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO SAY. AND I THINK THIS IS A REALLY GOOD PARTNERSHIP.

AND I THINK MOVING THIS FORWARD WOULD BE A TREMENDOUS BENEFIT TO THE CITY OF BEDFORD AND THE PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT AND THE CITIZENS.

[00:35:04]

THEY'RE WHAT THEY'RE OBLIGATED TO GIVE US. I KNOW WHEN I CAME HERE IN JANUARY OF 2024 WITH THE INITIAL AGREEMENT, WE SAID THAT WE WERE LOOKING AT ABOUT $98,000 ANNUALLY FROM GENPLAY.

I CAN TELL YOU IN YEAR ONE, AND THESE ARE CALENDAR YEARS.

SO THIS IS JANUARY TO DECEMBER. AND THAT'S JUST BECAUSE OF MY BRAIN.

AND THAT'S HOW THE CONTRACT IS ARRANGED. BUT IN YEAR ONE, THEY GAVE THE CITY 94,689.

IN THE AGENDA ITEM, THERE'S A MISTAKE. IT'S ACTUALLY FEBRUARY, DECEMBER.

I PUT IT IN THE AGENDA ITEM MARCH TO DECEMBER WAS THE REVENUE BOOKENDS.

BUT IT WAS ACTUALLY JUST THAT 11 MONTHS, NOT 12.

AND THEN IN YEAR NUMBER TWO, I USE THE WORD WE PROJECTED REVENUE NUMBER FROM WHEN I WROTE THE AGENDA ITEM TO TONIGHT.

THEY'VE ACTUALLY CLOSED THEIR BOOKS AND PAID US.

SO I WAS A LITTLE HIGH ON THE $115,000, BUT IT WAS AROUND $111,000 THAT THEY GAVE US THIS YEAR.

SO STILL A REALLY GOOD NUMBER. WE WERE LOOKING AT AVERAGES OF LAST YEAR, ONE YEAR OF AVERAGES TO GET THAT NUMBER.

SO AGAIN, A GREAT RELATIONSHIP. IT'S WORKING.

THOSE REVENUE DOLLARS ARE COMING IN. AND I WOULD FULLY ANTICIPATE THE REVENUE TO INCREASE WITH DIRT INFIELDS IF WE DIDN'T DO A THING TO IT JUST BASED OFF OF THEIR MODEL AND HOW THEY DO THINGS. BUT I REALLY THINK THAT WE CAN INCREASE THOSE NUMBERS.

I DON'T WANT TO SAY SUBSTANTIALLY, BUT I DO THINK WE CAN INCREASE THEM WITH SYNTHETIC TURF INFIELD.

SO THAT CONCLUDES MY SESSION. I DO HAVE, AS I SAID, MR. PADILLA HERE TONIGHT, IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS ON OPERATIONS OR IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS ON THE AGENDA ITEM OR AGREEMENT. OKAY.

ALL RIGHT. FIRST OFF, THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MARK, FOR THAT VERY DETAILED LOOK OF THE AGENDA ITEM.

I DO HAVE A QUESTION. SO HAVE YOU LOOKED AT THE PRODUCT THAT'S BEING PROPOSED TO BE PUT IN THERE AND YOUR THOUGHTS ON IT? THANK YOU FOR MENTIONING THAT. SO, MR. PADILLA ACTUALLY INCLUDED STAFF, ME AND HUNTER IN THE PROCESS.

WE MET WITH THREE COMPANIES. TWO OF THEM I KNEW.

THIS ONE, I DID KNOW. I WAS NOT VERY FAMILIAR WITH THEM, BUT I KNEW OF THEM.

THEIR PRODUCT IS GOOD. I LOOKED AT IT. THE INFIELD, IT'S STANDARD INFIELD.

SO I DO. I'M VERY COMFORTABLE WITH THE PRODUCT.

OKAY. VERY GOOD. AND JUST FOR MY OWN VOLITION, HOW LONG HAS THE CITY BEEN PARTNERS WITH GENPLAY HERE? SO THE CITY ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT, THE FIRST AGREEMENT WITH THEM IN FEBRUARY OF 2015.

SO WE'RE COMING UP ON 11 YEARS. OKAY. VERY GOOD.

SO CLEARLY THINGS HAVE BEEN GOOD BETWEEN US AT THE CITY LEVEL.

AND AS YOU SAID, THEY'VE BEEN A PHENOMENAL PARTNER FOR THE CITY.

AND ANYTIME I GO BY THE PARK THERE, THOSE FIELDS ARE BEING UTILIZED CONSTANTLY.

THERE'S ALWAYS SOMEBODY OUT THERE PLAYING. YOU KNOW, LOOKING AT THIS AGREEMENT AND LOOKING AT WHAT THE CITY IS BENEFITING FROM THIS AGREEMENT, WE'RE GETTING INFIELD TURFS AT NO COST TO US.

AGAIN, WE HAVE AN EXCEPTIONAL PARTNER THAT WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH FOR OVER TEN YEARS NOW WHOSE REVENUES HAVE INCREASED OVER THE YEARS AND WILL, WITH THIS ADDITION, CONTINUE TO INCREAS.? I FORESEE THIS BEING JUST A HUGE BENEFIT TO THE CITY GOING FORWARD.

SO I'M GLAD THAT THIS CAME BEFORE US. AND I THINK THIS WOULD BE A GOOD WIN FOR US.

BUT JUST TO REITERATE, THE RISK REALLY HERE IS LIKE LET'S SAY, GOD FORBID ANYTHING DOES HAPPEN, LET'S SAY NEXT YEAR AND SOMETHING FALLS THROUGH, WE CANCEL THE CONTRACT.

WE ARE ON THE HOOK FOR THAT $535,000 FOR THE TURF? PROBABLY $35,000 LESS.

AND SO WE HAVE AVAILABLE FUNDS TO COVER THAT JUST IN CASE? WE DO. WE HAD THAT CONVERSATION BEFORE WE EVEN WENT DOWN THIS ROAD.

I DIDN'T WANT TO THROW THAT OUT THERE TO Y'ALL AND GO, HEY, WE DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY, SO.

OKAY. YES. SO WE HAVE ENOUGH TO COVER THAT, GOD FORBID, WORST CASE SCENARIO? OKAY. ALL RIGHT. I DON'T ANTICIPATE THAT HAPPENING.

BUT AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO PUT THAT OUT THERE. ALL RIGHT.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ALL RIGHT. QUESTIONS FOR MARK OVER HERE? ALL RIGHT.

COUNCIL MEMBER DONOVAN BRANDON. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. OKAY. THIS IS NOT AN AREA I KNOW VERY MUCH ABOUT.

SO I'M IGNORANT. YOU HAVE TO EDUCATE ME, MARK.

I HOPE I CAN. I UNDERSTAND THAT TURF IS HOTTER.

IS THAT ARTIFICIAL TURF? IS IT HOTTER? IT CAN BE HOTTER.

SO YOU'RE PROBABLY TALKING ABOUT. THERE'S NO DOUBT IT'S HOTTER, BECAUSE YOU HAVE A SYNTHETIC MATERIAL.

THE INFIELD IS WHAT HEATS UP. SO A LOT OF LIKE ON FOOTBALL FIELDS YOU'LL SEE CRUMB RUBBER,

[00:40:01]

OVER YOUR FEET WHEN YOU WALK OUT THERE. SO THAT IS GOING TO GET HOTTER.

FROM THE INITIAL TURF FIELD THAT THEY INSTALLED TO TODAY, TECHNOLOGY HAS COME SO FAR.

I'VE INSTALLED A TURF FIELD THAT HAD CORAL CRUSHED UP.

I DON'T WANT TO SAY CORAL BECAUSE IT'S PROBABLY ILLEGAL TO. IT WAS SOMETHING IN THE OCEAN THAT THEY USED. I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR, WHOEVER SAW THAT FROM THE EPA OR WHATEVER. BUT NO, IT WAS A CRUSHED MATERIAL FROM THE OCEAN THAT WENT INTO IT AND IT JUST DIDN'T HEAT UP VERY MUCH. SO WE'RE STILL WORKING WITH. STEVE MAY KNOW WHAT THE INFIELD IS THAT WE'RE GOING TO USE, BUT SHORT ANSWER, YES, IT CAN GET HOT, BUT IT'S NOT.

ABSOLUTELY. OKAY. I NEVER PLAYED BASEBALL. YOU SAID SOMETHING ABOUT IF WE TERMINATE THE CONTRACT, WHAT WOULD COME UP THAT WE WOULD TERMINATE THE CONTRACT? FOR WHATEVER REASON? I DON'T KNOW. NEW CITY MANAGERS, NEW COUNCILS, NEW I DON'T KNOW.

OR THE FIELDS NOT BEING UTILIZED, NOT BEING RENTED OUT AS WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE.

OKAY. OKAY. I DRIVE BY IT ALL THE TIME, AND IT SEEMS REALLY BUSY ON THE WEEKENDS.

IS IT AVAILABLE MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, OR IS THIS SOMETHING LIKE NOBODY WANTS IT AT THOSE TIMES, OR IS THIS THE ONLY TIME? TELL ME HOW THAT WORKS.

SO. POWERS OF OPERATION. SO I'LL HAVE STEVE COME UP AND TALK ABOUT THAT.

BUT MOST OF THE TIME, MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY IS GOING TO BE PRACTICES.

SO THEY'RE RENTING IT OUT TO TEAMS TO COME AND PRACTICE.

THEY DO CLINICS, THEY DO LESSONS OUT THERE. AND THEN ON THE WEEKENDS THEY TURN INTO TOURNAMENTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

BUT I CAN ABSOLUTELY HAVE STEVE COME UP AND. OKAY, CAN I FINISH WITH YOU? PLEASE DO. PLEASE DO. I GOT MORE. I THINK I ANSWERED THAT PRETTY GOOD, BUT YES.

SO IT HAS EXCEEDED THE REVENUE TO THE CITY WITH THE AVERAGE OVER TWO YEARS.

OKAY. AND DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER PEOPLE WANTING THIS? LIKE, IS THERE A COMP]? I'M LOOKING FOR THE BENEFIT OF BETTER BEDFORD.

ARE THERE OTHER COMPANIES THAT WANT EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE OFFERING? I'M SURE THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPANIES OUT THERE THAT WANT WHAT WE'RE OFFERING.

SO WE WENT THROUGH AN RFP PROCESS. SO WE WENT THROUGH A SELECTION PROCESS.

OKAY. TO GET TO GENPLAY. OKAY. SO IT WAS A COMPETITIVE PROCESS FROM THE BEGINNING AND.

OKAY. THANK YOU. AND YOU MENTIONED BASEBALL. IS IT OPEN TO SOFTBALL? YES. OKAY. SO BASEBALL IS MORE THE GENERIC TERM.

UNFORTUNATELY, I'M SORRY, I USED THE BASEBALL TERM.

SO IT SHOULD BE BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL. OKAY. AND THAT COULD BE GIRLS SOFTBALL OR ADULT SOFTBALL.

I LIKE HEARING THAT. THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME. TO THE MOTHER OF THREE GIRLS.

SO IS IT AVAILABLE TO ANYBODY WHO WOULD WANT TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT AN ADULT LEAGUE OR A MONDAY MORNING MOMS LEAGUE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT? YES. OKAY. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE UNDER 12. NO.

OKAY. SO IF YOU WANT TO RUN AN ADULT LEAGUE, YOU REALLY CAN'T RUN AN ADULT LEAGUE OUT THERE JUST BECAUSE OF THE FENCES.

THEY'RE TOO SHORT. BUT HE'S WORKING WITH A WOMEN'S KICKBALL GROUP RIGHT NOW.

THEY'RE TRYING TO GET THEM OUT THERE. OK COOL. SO HE'S ALWAYS TRYING TO ADD.

AND BECAUSE THEY RENT IT, IT IS NOT OPEN TO NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS JUST DECIDING TO HAVE A BASEBALL GAME, A PICKUP BASEBALL GAME? AND IT GOES BACK TO THE. HE'S ACCOMMODATING AND THE THINGS THAT HE ACTUALLY DOES FOR THE COMMUNITY THAT WE DON'T KNOW.

I KNOW THAT WE GET CALLS ALL THE TIME. CAN WE GO OUT THERE? I'VE GOT A FATHER, SON. YOU KNOW, WE JUST WANT TO GO OUT AND HIT THE BALL AND PLAY A GAME WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS. THEY'VE CALLED STEVE, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. WE GOT HIM, SO. AND I NEVER HEAR BACK FROM IT.

SO THE ASSUMPTION IS HE DOES THAT. OKAY. SO IF IT'S AVAILABLE AND HE CAN HELP, HE'S GONNA.

ALL RIGHT. I'M KIND OF BRAGGING ON HIM, BUT I MEAN IT'S THE THINGS HE DOES THAT.

OKAY. THANK YOU. PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME QUESTIONS AND I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER, SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YOU'RE WELCOME. ALL RIGHT. ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FOR MARK HERE? YES. COUNCIL MEMBER FARCO. OKAY. THANK YOU, MARK.

I GUESS MY QUESTION IS FOR STEVE IS. OKAY, SO YOU HAVE MEADOW PARK AND NOW YOU'RE GOING TO CONTROL THE BOY´S RANCH.

AND MY CHALLENGE IS, WE DON'T HAVE ANY FREE BALL FIELDS FOR PEOPLE TO JUST COME UP AND PLAY ON A REGULAR BASIS, UNLESS THEY CONTACT YOU. IS THAT MY UNDERSTANDING IS, AS COUNCILWOMAN DONOVAN BRANDON SAID? YEAH, WE DO THE SCHEDULING JUST BECAUSE. AND YEAH, IF THE FIELDS ARE OPEN AND WE'RE OUT THERE,

[00:45:04]

WELL, IT'S AN INVESTMENT. IT'S AN INVESTMENT. BUT THE NETTING PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT NETTING JUST TO REPAIR ONE PANEL, $10,000. SO THERE WAS A KID TODAY, HE WAS OUT THERE HITTING AND HE WAS HITTING INTO THE NET, AND HE LOOKED LIKE HE HAD PLAYED AND HE PUT A LOT OF FORCE.

I SAID, LOOK, I GOT A NET OUT THERE THAT I PUT ON A.

IT'S JUST LIKE A LITTLE BACKSTOP WE WILL AROUND.

I SAID, THAT'S $100 FOR ME TO REPAIR. THIS PANEL IS $10,000 AND YOU'RE GOING TO PUT A HOLE IN IT.

SO YOU HAVE TO WATCH. JUST FROM THE INVESTMENT STANDPOINT, IT CAN GET REALLY EXPENSIVE OUT THERE.

AND THEN YOU LEAVE THEM OPEN AND THEN THE RESTROOMS ARE REALLY NICE.

YOU COME IN AND THEY'RE TRASHED. AND THAT'S ANOTHER THING WE TAKE A LOT OF PRIDE IN HOW CLEAN THE PLACE IS, AND WE GET A LOT OF COMPLIMENTS ON IT AND ESPECIALLY THE RESTROOMS. WOMEN COME IN LIKE, OH MY GOSH, THEY ARE. IT'S BUC-EE'S.

IT´S BUC-EE´S. IT REALLY IS. AND THEY REALLY COMPLIMENT ON THE VIBE THERE THAT IT'S ALWAYS CLEAN.

AND WE TRY TO SERVE GOOD FOOD THERE AND NOT JUST JUNK.

AND WE RENT TO BOYS AND GIRLS AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A WOMEN'S KICKBALL LEAGUE ON FRIDAY NIGHT.

SO I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT. AND I JUST THINK THE MORE YOU CAN DO, THESE KIDS DON'T GET OUT ENOUGH AND THE MORE EVENTS YOU CAN CREATE FOR THEM.

WE CREATE LITTLE SANDLOT GAMES FOR THEM, ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMER.

THEY DON'T GET OUT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND PLAY LIKE THEY USED TO. AND IT'S JUST A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO ORGANIZE EVENTS FOR KIDS.

WELL, AND THAT'S GOING TO BE MY ASK, OKAY? BECAUSE THE CITIZENS PAID $60 MILLION FOR THIS BOND ELECTION FOR THESE FIELDS AND THIS THING.

WE DON'T HAVE FREE FIELDS LIKE WE DID WHEN WE WERE KIDS.

NO. THAT WOULD WE GO UP AND WE HAVE A PICK UP GAME AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

I'M GOING TO ASK THIS IS. IF THERE'S FREE TIME AND WITH ALL THE ORGANIZATIONS YOU DO, DURING THE SUMMERS, PUTTING OUT FLIERS FOR AN ORGANIZED PICKUP GAME AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

IN THE SUMMER, ESPECIALLY DURING THE MORNINGS. YOU KNOW, WE DO THAT ALL THE TIME.

WE BASICALLY ORGANIZE A SANDLOT GAME FOR ALL AGES AND KIND OF TRY TO KEEP THEM IN THE SKILL LEVEL, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE YOUNGER. SOME GUYS CAN PLAY IN A HIGHER SKILL LEVEL, AND JUST SO NOBODY GETS HURT AND THE TURF IS GOING TO ADD A BIG VALUE TO THAT AS FAR AS PLAYABILITY AND SAFETY, BECAUSE YOU CAN'T SEE ME HERE.

BUT I PLAYED A LOT OF PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL, BUT I HAVE 15 STITCHES HERE, 30 STITCHES HERE FROM THE BALL BACK WHEN WE PLAYED.

SO BOTH OF THEM JUST FROM BASEBALL. BUT I JUST THINK IT'S CLEANER AND THE RESTROOMS DON'T GET ALL NASTY AND MUDDY.

AND WHEN IT RAINS AND IT'S JUST THE CLEANLINESS OF IT.

I AGREE.

PEOPLE LOVE TO COME. I WAS TALKING TO SOMEBODY FROM ROCKWELL THIS WEEKEND.

WE HAD ADULTS, HAD GUYS IN THEIR 70. I RUN AN ADULT WHERE I RUN A SANDLOT GAME.

I PITCH AND WE RUN HITTING FOR THEM. TWO OF THE GUYS WERE 77, ACTUALLY.

ONE OF THEM PLAYED AT SMU WHEN THEY HAD BASEBALL. I'M LIKE, YOU'RE KIDDING. AND SO PEOPLE COME FROM ALL OVER TO PLAY NOW AND IT'S EXCITING. OH, AND I'M WITH YOU. AND I LOVE THE GAME. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S AVAILABLE BECAUSE IT'S NOT EVERYTHING.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S NOT A LOT OF REC LEAGUES ANYMORE. NO.

IT IS. AND THE AVERAGE KID ISN'T LEARNING HOW TO PLAY BASEBALL IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE.

NOW WE'RE ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT AND GIVE EVERYBODY AN OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW. THERE'S ONLY ONE KID.

WHEN I WAS COACHING, PLAYED IN THE BIG LEAGUES, AND HE WAITED.

HE DIDN'T BREAK 100 POUNDS TILL PROBABLY EIGHTH GRADE.

HE GOT 6.4. HE'S ABOUT 220 IN COLLEGE, WENT TO TEXAS STATE, PLAYED IN THE BIG LEAGUES FOR THE RANGERS.

BUT IF I WOULD HAVE SAID IT TEN YEARS OLD, THAT KID'S GOING TO PLAY IN THE BIG LEAGUES. HE SAID, YOU'RE OUT OF YOUR MIND. GET OUT OF HERE. YOU KNOW, YOU JUST NEVER KNOW HOW KIDS DEVELOP AND THEIR PASSION. IF YOU FOSTER THEIR PASSION, GIVE THEM A PATH AND THAT'S WHAT WE TRY TO DO.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AND GLAD TO HEAR THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE WORKING TO DO THAT FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

YEAH. ABSOLUTELY. ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT. ANY MORE QUESTIONS? SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER GAGLIARDI. LET'S GO AHEAD AND VOTE.

[00:50:04]

THANK YOU, STAFF. ALL RIGHT. MOVING RIGHT ALONG TO MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS.

[6. Mayor/Council Member Reports]

SO I WAS ABLE TO HOP ON BOARD WITH SANTA AND MRS. CLAUS AND DO THAT AND GREET THOSE STUDENTS I GOT IN TOUCH WITH.

SO SPECIAL THANKS TO DOCTOR RANDY LOCKHART, WHO'S A BEDFORD RESIDENT WHO DIRECTS THIS AMAZING PROGRAM.

AND JUST GLAD TO SEE THIS LONG STANDING TRADITION.

KEEP GOING. SO REPRESENTING THE CITY OF BEDFORD THERE.

I DID LEARN THAT BELL HELICOPTER, THEY HAD SOME FINANCIAL ISSUES RECENTLY, AND THIS PROGRAM ALMOST WAS ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK. SO WE NEED TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO KEEP THIS GOING BECAUSE IT IS EXTREMELY SPECIAL TO OUR KIDDOS AND TO THE COMMUNITY.

LAST YEAR, WHEN MY DAUGHTER WENT TO KINDERGARTEN, THERE WAS PARENTS WHO JUST MOVED TO THE AREA, AND THEY WERE PART OUT THERE. THEY SAW THE HELICOPTERS AND THEY LIKE, YOU KNOW, WE MOVED FROM PLANO, FRISCO. THEY DON'T HAVE STUFF LIKE THIS OVER THERE.

THEY DON'T DO THAT. AND SO IT REALLY IS SOMETHING THAT IS UNIQUE TO JUST OUR AREA.

SO I'D LIKE TO SEE THIS CONTINUE AND GET THOSE DISCUSSIONS GOING.

IF ANYONE'S INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING, THEY'RE ALWAYS IN NEED OF VOLUNTEERS FOR THIS WONDERFUL PROGRAM.

REACH OUT TO ME. I'D BE HAPPY TO GET YOU IN TOUCH.

AND. YES.

I HAD TO LOOK THE PART WITH THE HELICOPTER.

OH, YEAH. YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY SAID THAT SANTA BROUGHT HIS LAWYER, BUT THAT'S OKAY.

BUT IT WAS ALL GOOD. AND THEN ALSO, I HAD THE PRIVILEGE LAST NIGHT TO BE PART OF YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT FOR THE HEB CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. THAT IS FOR JUNIOR AND SENIOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

SO THE FIRST MEETING WAS WITH THE MAYORS. AND SO GOT TO INTRODUCE KIND OF THE CITY OF BEDFORD WHY I RAN AND INVITED THEM OUT TO SOME SPECIAL THINGS GOING ON IN THE CITY. SO ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO DO THAT AND EXCITED TO SEE THESE STUDENTS AGAIN, FELT LIKE BEING IN THE CLASSROOM AGAIN AND EVEN GOT TO SEE ONE OF MY FORMER STUDENTS.

SO THAT WAS KIND OF NEAT. ALL RIGHT. WITH THAT, I WILL MOVE US ALONG HERE AND ANIMAL SHELTER ADVISORY BOARD.

[7. Report on most recent meeting of the following Boards]

THEY WERE OVERWHELMED WITH SUPPLIES. AND THEY THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THINGS ARE MOVING GREAT AT THE ANIMAL SHELTER.

WE'VE GOT ADOPTION RATES GOING ON RIGHT NOW. SO ANIMALS ARE COMING IN AND THEY'RE GETTING ADOPTED, WHICH IS WONDERFUL. WE HAVE OUR BOARD MEETING ON FEBRUARY 9TH AT 10 A.M.

RIGHT HERE IN THE CHAMBERS. AND THEN THE LAST THING IS, NEXT THURSDAY.

IS THE HEB CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AWARDS LUNCHEON FOR THE BUSINESSES.

AND I'D LOVE TO SEE YOU GUYS THERE IF YOU CAN MAKE IT.

IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY WHERE THEY HONOR LOCAL BUSINESSES FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE PAST YEAR.

VERY GOOD. ALL RIGHT. BEAUTIFICATION ADVISORY BOARD. THANKS, MR. MAYOR. SO BEAUTIFICATION HAS BEEN ON A HIATUS SINCE THE HOLIDAYS.

AND SO GIVEN THE GREAT RESPONSE OF US PLANTING TREES OR ALLOCATING TREES FOR OUR BOY´S RANCH, THAT IS GOING TO BE ONE OF THE PRIORITIES IN 2026 TO IDENTIFY A PLAN OF PLANTING THROUGHOUT THE CITY AND THE MEDIANS.

THE NEXT MEETING IS GOING TO BE ON FEBRUARY 16TH, AND THEN WE HAVE OUR NORMAL EVENTS PLANNED FOR THE SPRING, THE CRY CRUISER IN MARCH AND CHUNKIER JUNK AND THE CLEANUP BEDFORD DAY IN APRIL.

SOUNDS GOOD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALL RIGHT. LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD.

THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. BEFORE I GET TO THE LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD, I'D LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO LUPE´S MEXICAN RESTAURANT.

THEY INVITED US ALL, I THINK OUT FOR TO CELEBRATE THEIR 20TH ANNIVERSARY AND MAYOR PRO TEM DAWKINS AND I WENT AND THEY COULDN'T HAVE BEEN NICER. AND THEY LET US TALK ABOUT THE CITY OF BEDFORD AND THEY HAD MUSIC.

AND I JUST WANT TO CONGRATULATE THE RESTAURANT AS BEING HERE, A PARTNER WITH US FOR 20 YEARS.

[00:55:02]

AND A FUN TIME WAS HAD BY ALL, FORMER MAYOR JIM GRIFFIN WAS THERE, AND WE ALL WENT HOME WITH A HAPPY DOOR PRIZE.

VERY GOOD. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALL RIGHT.

PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

THE PARKS AND REC BOARD WON'T MEET AGAIN UNTIL THE FIRST THURSDAY IN FEBRUARY.

THEY DIDN'T MEET THIS MONTH. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. SOUNDS GOOD. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

SO WE HAD OUR FIRST MEETING OF THE YEAR LAST WEEK, AND WE HAD A DISCUSSION, YOU KNOW, REALLY TO HOW TO ENGAGE HEAVILY IN 2026. ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT IS ENGAGING IN THE DIFFERENT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.

WE'RE GOING TO HOPEFULLY CONNECT WITH SOME LEADERSHIP IN THE ISD.

AND THE FATHER OF A PRINCIPAL WHO READS TO, I WANT TO SAY LIKE KINDERGARTEN OR FIRST GRADE, AND HE DRESSES UP FOR ALL OF THE SEASONS, AS A TURKEY OR A PILGRIM OR SANTA OR MARIO.

IT'S THE COOLEST THING. AND, YOU KNOW, THE KIDS LOVE THAT KIND OF STUFF.

AND HE LIKE, HAS A CLOSET FULL OF COSTUMES AND.

NOTHING WEIRD ABOUT THAT, BUT SO HOPEFULLY WE'RE GOING TO DO THE SAME.

WE'RE GOING TO ENGAGE HEAVILY WITH THE SCHOOLS AND THE KIDS AND HAVE AN EXCITING 2026.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT. THAT SOUNDS LOVELY. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE IT. ALL RIGHT.

NEXT UP, ITEM NUMBER 8. CITY MANAGER STAFF REPORTS.

[8. City Manager/Staff Reports]

ALSO, JUST A QUICK REMINDER. BEDFORD UNIVERSITY, WHICH IS THE CITY'S TEN WEEK PROGRAM WHERE RESIDENTS HERE IN BEDFORD OR BUSINESS OWNERS HERE IN BEDFORD CAN COME FOR TEN THURSDAYS AND LEARN ABOUT THE INNER WORKINGS OF THE CITY.

SO THAT IS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS RIGHT NOW. IT OPENED YESTERDAY AND WE DO HAVE SPACE AVAILABLE, SO IF ANYONE'S INTERESTED, PLEASE GO OUT TO OUR WEBSITE AND APPLY.

IT'S RIGHT THERE ON THE FRONT PAGE RIGHT NOW. SO IT REALLY IS A WONDERFUL PROGRAM.

IF YOU'RE CURIOUS WE WILL KEEP YOU ENTERTAINED.

AND YOU WILL KNOW QUITE A BIT AFTER TEN WEEKS OF DIVING INTO THE DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS OF ALL THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AND OF COURSE, ALL THE FUN STUFF, TOO, WITH FIRE AND POLICE AND PUBLIC WORKS AND ALL THE FUN EQUIPMENT THAT THEY DEAL WITH.

SO PLEASE, WE'D LOVE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A FULL CLASS AND KEEP THE TRADITION GOING.

SO THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT. THANK YOU. SOUNDS GOOD.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALL RIGHT. SEEING NOTHING ELSE ON THE AGENDA, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN.

MR. MAYOR, I WOULD LOVE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR THAT MOTION. DO I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM DAWKINS. EVERYONE, ALL IN FAVOR WITH A VERBAL VOTE OF AYE.

AYE. AYE. ALL RIGHT. WE ARE ADJOURNED AT 6:58.

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.