Feb 24, 2026 City Council

[1.CALL TO ORDER AND CERTIFICATION OF A QUORUM]

[00:00:02]

GOOD EVENING EVERYONE, AND, UH, LET'S GO AHEAD AND CALL THIS A REGULAR MEETING TO ORDER.

AND LET'S GET A CERTIFICATION OF A QUORUM.

MAYOR TRAVIS MAGLIO, PRESENT, COUNCIL MEMBER JOHNNY SIMPSON.

PRESENT, COUNCIL MEMBER SEAN HOLT.

HERE, COUNCIL MEMBER TO, UH, MARK TOWNSEND.

HERE, COUNCIL MEMBER SCOTT SCHRADER.

HERE, COUNCIL MEMBER BILL SCHICK HERE.

AND COUNCIL MEMBER KEVIN EVANS.

HERE.

WE HAVE A QUORUM.

ALRIGHT, THANK YOU.

UH, I'D LIKE TO INVITE, UH, MR. ALSTON TO COME UP AND GIVE OUR INVOCATION IF EVERYONE COULD PLEASE RISE AND THEN FOLLOWED BY, I WILL LEAD THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

AMEN.

PRAISE GOD.

YES.

IF YOU'LL BOW YOUR HEADS, FATHER, WE COME BOLDLY TONIGHT BEFORE YOU THINK.

FATHER, FOR THIS TIME, FATHER, I PRAY GOD BLESSINGS UPON THE COUNCIL TONIGHT.

FATHER OVER THE MAYOR, OVER EVERY COUNCILMAN, EVERY EMPLOYEE, EVERY DEPARTMENT HEAD FOR THE CITY.

FATHER, I THANK YOU FATHER TONIGHT, THAT THEY WILL DO YOUR BUSINESS, FATHER, THAT THEY WILL BE BLESSED AND FATHER, THAT YOU WILL GIVE THEM THE WISDOM, THE DIRECTION, AND THE UNDERSTANDING TO KNOW HOW TO COMPLETE EVERYTHING.

WE ASK IT IN THE PRECIOUS NAME OF JESUS, OUR LORD AND SAVIOR.

AND EVERYONE SAID, AMEN.

AMEN 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 THE TEXAS ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AN INDIVIDUAL.

THANK YOU FOR THAT, MR. ALSTON.

ALL RIGHT, UH, NEXT

[3.ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS]

SO WE'LL HAVE OUR, UH, COUNCIL COMMENTS AND WE'LL GO AHEAD AND START WITH, UH, COUNCILMAN SIMPSON AND START FROM MY RIGHT TO LEFT.

UH, THANK YOU MAYOR.

UH, COUNCIL CITIZEN STAFF, THOSE WHO ARE ONLINE AND IN PERSON.

WELCOME.

UM, NOT MUCH BY WAY OF COMMENTS OTHER THAN, UH, PRIMARY VOTING HAS STARTED, AND I HOPE YOU ALL ARE EXERCISING YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

UM, ALSO, UM, I DID BETWEEN OUR, THIS MEETING AND THE LAST ATTEND THE ANNUAL HGAC, UH, STATE OF THE REGION MEETING, ALONG WITH, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER TOWNSEND AND COUNCIL MEMBER SCHICK.

UH, THOSE ARE ALL MY COMMENTS.

THANK YOU.

GOOD EVENING.

I WAS GONNA SAY WELCOME TO EVERYBODY.

UH, APOLOGIZE FOR THE, UH, ATTIRE TONIGHT, BUT I HAD A HARD TIME GETTING HERE, BUT LUCKILY I'M HERE.

SO, AND THANK YOU'ALL FOR BEING HERE.

THANK YOU EVERYBODY FOR COMING OUT TONIGHT.

JUST, UH, ONE THING TO LEARN THIS AFTERNOON THAT FARMER COUNCILMAN ED MARONEY PASSED AWAY MONDAY AND, UH, SEMI CONDOLENCES TO HIS SON AND DAUGHTER, MARK AND, UH, KAREN.

GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.

THOSE HERE AND ONLINE, I'D LIKE TO, UH, WELCOME ALL OF YOU HERE.

I DO HAVE ONE ANNOUNCEMENT.

I DID GO TO THE DMD MEETING.

UH, THE LAST ONE THEY HAD, UH, SPOKE ABOUT THE FUND BALANCE THAT WE HAVE, THAT DECLINING SALES TAX.

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DIDN'T KNOW, DMD DID DECLINE FOUR OF THE PROJECTS THERE.

UH, THEY APPROVED ONE OF THEM.

AND TRUST ME, IT'S HARD TO SIT THERE AND TELL THE PEOPLE.

NO.

UH, I MEAN, A LOT OF THESE ARE GREAT PROJECTS, BUT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT OUR FUND BALANCE AND OUR DECLINING SALES TAX.

AND, UH, AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN THE BUDGET CYCLE YEAR, I THINK WE SHOULD ALL KEEP THAT IN MIND.

FOR ANY NEW UNBUDGETED ITEM THAT COMES UP.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT IT CAREFULLY.

THANK YOU.

I'M GLAD EVERYBODY'S HERE TONIGHT.

GOOD TO SEE A, UH, DECENT CROWD.

UM, QUICKLY, I ATTENDED A MEETING WITH, UH, OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONER, HANK DUGE, AND THE INVITED GUESTS WERE THE PUBLIC NUISANCE DEPARTMENT WITH GALVESTON COUNTY.

WE SAT DOWN WITH THEIR OFFICERS, THEIR ENFORCERS, AND LEARNED WHAT THE COUNTY CAN DO AND CAN'T DO.

UH, THEY ALSO GAVE US SOME TIPS ON MAYBE WHAT WE COULD DO A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

ATTENDED A PUBLIC FORUM WITH, UH, OUR MAYOR, OUR CITY MANAGER, AND, UH, DAVID FUNK, THE EDC DIRECTOR.

UH, IT WAS A GOOD FORUM.

IT'S A START, AND I'D LIKE TO SEE US CONTINUE TO DO THOSE ON A REGULAR BASIS.

ATTENDED THE QT GRAND OPENING.

VERY GLAD THAT WE HAVE A BRAND NEW BUSINESS IN TOWN.

UH, PLEASE GO BY THERE AND SEE THOSE FOLKS, UH, AND SHOW 'EM THE, THE DICKINSON WELCOME, UH, ATTENDED THE LITTLE ITALY, UM, FESTIVAL STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING.

THEY'RE PUTTING THEIR FINAL TOUCHES ON THAT.

UH, GOOD TO SEE EVERYBODY WORKING TOGETHER ON THAT.

ATTENDED THE HGAC, UH, MEETING WITH, UH, MR. TOWNSON AND MR. SIMPSON.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

UH, I TOO WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYBODY WHO'S IN ATTENDANCE TONIGHT

[00:05:01]

AND I ALSO WANTED TO REMIND EVERYBODY THAT, UH, EARLY VOTING IS GOING ON THROUGH FEBRUARY THE 27TH, SO PLEASE GET OUT AND VOTE.

THANK YOU, MAYOR.

ALRIGHT.

UM, I GOT A COUPLE THINGS.

UH, ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION, UM, COUPLE DAYS AGO ACTUALLY, UM, CARTER DALE FROM MCCREE FORD REACHED OUT TO ME AND HE WANTED TO GIVE A KUDOS, AND I WANTED TO RELAY IT TO, UH, BASICALLY THE REST OF OUR CITY.

UM, OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT ANSWERED A CALL INSIDE OF THEIR SERVICE, UH, FACILITY, UM, AND PUT OUT A, UH, A FIRE THAT, UH, AS MR. DALE WOULD'VE SAID, WOULD'VE COMPLETELY RUINED THEIR BUSINESS.

UM, THEY SAID THEIR RESPONSE TIME WAS TWO MINUTES FROM WHEN THE CALL CAME IN.

SO I JUST WANNA GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, UH, FOR THE TEAM THAT PUT THAT OUT, UH, THAT HE SAYS THANK YOU.

UM, AS WELL AS WE ARE ALSO GONNA BE CELEBRATING THE 80TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE DICKINSON VFW.

UM, SO IT'S GOING TO BE AT SIX 30, UH, PM LET ME GET THE ACTUAL DATE.

I JUST, I SHOULD HAVE WROTE IT.

I THOUGHT I WROTE IT DOWN.

UH, I THINK IT IS MARCH 14TH.

ANYWAYS, I WILL GET TO THAT.

UH, AND THEN ALSO, UM, THAT WAS ACTUALLY THE LAST THING I HAD.

SO OTHER THAN THAT, UH, CITY MANAGER, WHAT YOU GOT? YES, SIR.

THANK YOU, MAYOR.

UH, GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, COUNCIL, STAFF, CITIZENS OF OUR GREAT COMMUNITY.

I HAVE A FEW UPDATES THIS EVENING.

UH, PLEASE BEAR WITH ME AS I'VE, UH, BEEN UNDER THE WEATHER AND I AM NOT FEELING WELL THIS EVENING.

I TRIED TO COME IN LATE AND I'M TRYING TO STAY AWAY FROM EVERYBODY AS MUCH AS I CAN.

SO I APOLOGIZE IF I'M BEING RUDE.

UH, FIRST OF ALL, UH, OUR LIBRARY HOURS, OUR LIBRARY HOURS ARE BEING CHANGED ON MARCH 14TH, THE WEEKEND OF THE ATAL ITALIAN FESTIVAL.

UH, WE'RE GOING BACK TO HOW IT WAS BEFORE TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, NINE TO SIX, SATURDAY, NINE TO ONE.

UH, SOME HISTORICAL INFORMATION.

WE CHANGED BECAUSE OF, UH, OUR LIBRARY DIRECTOR, MRS. LONG, WHEN SHE WENT ON MATERNITY LEAVE, WE HAD SOME STAFF CHANGES.

SO WE, UH, WE, WE CHANGED THE HOURS THEN, BUT WE ARE GOING BACK TO THE WEEKEND.

I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU TO MRS. LONG FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND YOUR DEDICATION.

WE GREATLY APPRECIATE THE SERVICES YOU PROVIDE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

UH, WE'VE BEEN HOLDING THE BUDGET WEEKENDS THAT WE SPEAK ABOUT WITH EACH DEPARTMENT HEAD.

OVER THE PAST COUPLE WEEKS, THESE MEETINGS ARE HELD WITH THE DEPARTMENT HEAD, THE FINANCE DIRECTOR, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, AND MYSELF.

WE REVIEW THE BUDGET, DISCUSS PAST AND ANTICIPATED EXPENDITURES, AND WE MAKE ADJUSTMENTS FROM THERE.

ALL OF OUR DEPARTMENTS ARE WITHIN THAT 25% RANGE FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE FISCAL YEAR OF 26.

A FEW DEPARTMENTS, IT OEM CITYWIDE SERVICES, THEY ARE OVER BY A SMALL PERCENTAGE, MAINLY DUE TO PAYMENTS SUCH AS INSURANCE AND SERVICE CONTRACTS THAT ARE DUE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF EACH FISCAL YEAR.

SO WE, THAT WAS ANTICIPATED.

UH, WE CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE BUDGET, THE EXPENDITURES AND REVENUES DAILY.

AS COUNCILMAN SCHRADER SAID, SALES TAXES ARE DECREASING.

SO WE ARE KEEPING AN EYE ON THAT AND, AND MAKE AN ADJUSTMENTS FROM THERE.

UH, THANK YOU MRS. CLARK, OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS FOR YOUR FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP AND HARD WORK.

ALL DEPARTMENTS HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB SO FAR, SO THANK YOU.

UM, THIS THURSDAY EVENING AT SIX 30 AT THE CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY.

I WILL BE SPEAKING TO THE GROUP ABOUT OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT, HOW THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TIES INTO THE ENTIRE ORGANIZATION, A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MY BACKGROUND AND OUR OPERATIONS IN GENERAL.

SO I'M EXCITED TO MEET THE NEW GROUP AND WELCOME THEM ON THURSDAY EVENING, THE UPCOMING SETH MEETING.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'LL REMEMBER, UH, I WAS NOMINATED TO THE SETH BOARD AND THAT THEY'RE HOLDING THEIR FIRST MEETING THIS THURSDAY AT 10:00 AM SO I WILL BE ATTENDING THAT MEETING ON BEHALF OF THE CITY.

I RECEIVED THE PAPERWORK TODAY, INCLUDING THE AGENDA IN MINUTES.

I'M ON THE AGENDA TO BE INTRODUCED TO THE BOARD, SO I CAN'T MISS THAT.

SO I LOOK FORWARD TO REPRESENTING OUR COMMUNITY, AND I WILL FOLLOW UP WITH THE ACTIVITIES AND DETAILS OF THAT BOARD IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

I DON'T NECESSARILY KNOW WHAT THEY DO, BE QUITE HONEST WITH YOU.

SO IT'D BE, UH, BE INFORMATIVE FOR ALL OF US.

BUT THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO REPRESENT OUR CITY ON THIS REGIONAL BOARD.

YOU KNOW, I OFTEN SPEAK ABOUT PROGRESS, THE PROGRESS WE'RE MAKING AS AN ORGANIZATION.

AND THIS IS ANOTHER GREAT EXAMPLE OF THAT MOMENTUM I SPEAK OF.

I WANNA RECOGNIZE GINA VEGA AND OUR MUNICIPAL COURT STAFF FOR THEIR HARD WORK PROFESSIONALISM AND DEDICATION TO OUR COMMUNITY.

FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE CITY OF DICKINSON HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY THE 2026 MUNICIPAL TRAFFIC SAFETY INITIATIVES THROUGH THE STATE

[00:10:01]

IT'S A SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT FOR OUR COURT AND FOR OUR CITY IN GALVESTON COUNTY, ONLY FRIENDSWOOD AND LEAGUE CITY ARE RECEIVING THIS RECOGNITION THIS YEAR.

IT'S AN HONOR TO SEE DICKINSON INCLUDED AMONG THEM, AND IT REFLECTS OUR ORGANIZATION'S POSITIVE PROGRESS.

MANY MORE AWARDS FOR THE CITY OF DICKINSON ARE EXPECTED IN THE UPCOMING YEARS.

THANK YOU AGAIN, MRS. VEGA.

UH, THE UPCOMING GALVESTON COUNTY MAYOR AND COUNCIL DINNER IS BEING HOSTED BY THE CITY OF DICKINSON ON MARCH 11TH AT THE WATER GROVE EVENT, VENUE, AND EVENING ON THE BAYOU.

THESE DINNERS ROTATE AMONGST CITIES IN GALVESTON COUNTY HOSTING MAYORS, COUNCIL MEMBERS, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, CITY OFFICIALS, AND IT'S AN HONOR TO HOST ONE IN OUR CITY.

AND I JUST WANNA MAKE IT MAKE IT CLEAR, JUST SO EVERYONE KNOWS, NOT A DIME OF OUR TAX DOLLARS WILL GO TO THESE EVENTS, TO THESE GALAS, TO FUNDRAISERS, TO ANYTHING.

THE ENTIRE AMOUNT FOR THE VENUE AND THE FOOD HAS BEEN DONATED.

ALL OF OUR GALA EVENTS IN MY LEWIS CENTER, DICKSON EDUCATION FOUNDATION, ALL SPONSORSHIPS WILL BE DONATED ON THE BEHALF OF THE CITY OF DICKINSON FROM OUR PARTNERS.

EVEN IF I HOLD A STAFF APPRECIATION EVENT, I WILL GET THE FUNDS AND THE SERVICES DONATED.

JUST SO EVERYBODY HEARS THAT, JUST SO WE'RE CLEAR, NONE OF OUR TAX DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT ON THESE EVENTS.

DICKINSON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS A MAYOR STATED, UH, I RECEIVED THAT CALL AS WELL.

SO, UH, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO WHAT Y'ALL DO.

Y'ALL MAKE A DIFFERENCE, Y'ALL SAVE THAT SERVICE CENTER.

COUNCILMAN SCHRADER.

COUNCILMAN TOWNSEND.

WE GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE AND EVERYONE ELSE'S, UH, TO CLOSE TONIGHT.

TECHNICALLY, TOMORROW MARK'S ONE FULL YEAR SINCE I WAS APPOINTED TO SERVE AS THE CITY MANAGER FOR THE CITY OF DICKINSON.

I WAS NAMED THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER AT THE FEBRUARY 25TH, 2025 MEETING.

AND OVER THE PAST YEAR, BOTH IN THE INTERIM ROLE AND NOW AS A FULL-TIME CITY MANAGER, WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY FROM WHERE WE WERE IN FEBRUARY.

I WON'T LIST EVERY ACCOMPLISHMENT OR MILESTONE, BUT I DO WANNA SAY THIS, I AM INCREDIBLY PROUD OF THE WORK WE HAVE DONE TOGETHER.

WE INHERITED A LONG LIST OF COMPLEX PRO PROJECTS AND ISSUES, BUT WE TACKLED 'EM HEAD ON.

BUT WHAT I'M MOST PROUD OF IS THE PROGRESS IN, IN STORE, IN RESTORING CREDIBILITY AND CONFIDENCE IN OUR CITY GOVERNMENT THAT MATTERS.

IT MATTERS TO OUR RESIDENTS, TO OUR PARTNERS, AND TO OUR FUTURE.

AS I'VE STATED BEFORE, THE REPUTATION OF THIS CITY MEANS MORE TO ME THAN IT WILL EVER COULD TO ANY OTHER CITY MANAGER.

THAT THIS JOB IS PERSONAL TO ME AND I APPROACH IT WITH A DEEP SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY.

I WANT TO THANK YOU TO THE MAYOR, OUR COUNCIL, FOR THE TRUST YOU HAVE PLACED IN ME.

I WILL ALWAYS WORK HARD TO EARN THAT TRUST.

I'LL ALWAYS GIVE MY VERY BEST FOR THIS COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD MY HOMETOWN.

IT'S AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE THAT I DO NOT TAKE LIGHTLY.

THAT IS ALL MAYOR.

THANK YOU.

ALRIGHT, THANK YOU.

UM, ONE TO ADD ON TO, UH, CHANGE AND A LOT OF THE AMAZING THINGS THAT HAPPENED.

OH, I DID HAVE ONE MORE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT I COMPLETELY FORGOT TO DO.

I ALSO ATTENDED THE, THE QT GRAND OPENING.

UM, I WANTED TO RELAY A MESSAGE FOR THE PROJECT FROM THE PROJECT MANAGER.

UM, HE NAMED TRAVIS MOORE BY NAME SAYING THAT HE WAS, UH, ONE OF THE BEST BUILDING OFFICIALS HE'S EVER WORKED WITH, UH, AMONGST ALL OF THE HOUSTON AREA DEVELOPMENTS THAT HE'S, UM, OPERATED WITH, UH, MYSELF, MR. CAREY, MR. EDMONDS AND, UH, MR. SCHICK WERE ALL THERE, ALL HEARD THE COMMENT THEMSELVES AS WELL, PROBABLY.

UM, SO I WANTED TO RELAY THAT MESSAGE THAT WE HAVE A QUALITY TEAM HERE.

UM, BUT OTHER THAN THAT, DO WE HAVE ANY DEPARTMENT HEAD STATUS REPORTS? YES, SIR.

ALL RIGHT.

MRS. BAKER.

OH, HERE WE GO.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO APPROACH? HERE WE GO.

SO, IN THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING, MATT ANNOUNCED THAT WE HAD VERY LOW IN SHELTER NUMBERS.

SO I WANTED TO TAKE A LITTLE MINUTE TONIGHT TO EXPLAIN WHAT THAT ACTUALLY MEANS.

AS SOON AS MY LITTLE SLIDES COME UP, I'LL START.

SO I WANTED TO START WITH SHOWING YOU GUYS THE NUMBERS FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS.

THE NUMBERS MATTER, BUT WHAT'S MORE IMPORTANT IS UNDERSTANDING WHAT THEY REPRESENT.

THE INCREASE YOU SEE, ESPECIALLY IN 2025, REFLECTS EXPANDED SERVICES AND INCREASED COMMUNITY COMMUNITY RELIANCE ON OUR SHELTER, IT'S NOT A BREAKDOWN IN THE SYSTEM.

WHEN WE SEE HIGHER INTAKE NUMBERS, IT'S EASY TO ASSUME STRAIN.

IN OUR CASE, THE OPPOSITE IS TRUE.

OUR INTAKE INCREASED BECAUSE WE ACCEPTED OWNER SURRENDERS.

WHEN RESIDENTS WERE FACING

[00:15:01]

INSTEAD OF LEAVING ANIMAL CONTROL AND SHELTERING RESPONSIBILITIES ON CITIZENS, WE STEPPED IN AS A CITY SERVICE.

EACH INTAKE REPRESENTS A DECISION TO HELP.

TAKING IN MORE ANIMALS ONLY WORKS IF YOU INTENTIONALLY BUILD THE CAPACITY TO CARE FOR THEM.

OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, WE'VE STRENGTHENED RESCUE PARTNERSHIPS, EXPANDED FOSTER AND VOLUNTEER INVOLVEMENT, AND IMPROVED INTERNAL PROCESSES.

SO ANIMALS MOVE THROUGH THE SYSTEM MORE EFFICIENTLY.

JUST AS IMPORTANTLY, THE SUPPORT AND STABILITY PROVIDED BY CITY MANAGEMENT HAS ALLOWED US TO OPERATE CONSISTENTLY AND PROFESSIONALLY.

THAT STABILITY MATTERS.

IT MATTERS FOR OUR RESCUE PARTNERS, AND IT'S HELPED BUILD LONG-TERM TRUST AND COLLABORATION.

SO THIS SLIDE SHOWS THE IMPACT OF THAT CAPACITY AND TRUST.

IN 2023, WE TRANSFERRED 38 ANIMALS TO RESCUE.

BY 2025, THAT NUMBER GREW TO 272.

THESE TRANSFERS MEAN THAT ANIMALS ARE LEAVING THE SHELTER FASTER.

KENNEL SPACE IS OPENING UP, AND WE'RE ABLE TO RESPONSIBLY TAKE IN MORE ANIMALS WITHOUT INCREASING IN SHELTER STRAIN.

NONE OF THIS WORKS WITHOUT OUR COMMUNITY, OUR FOSTER FAMILIES, OUR VOLUNTEERS, OUR SAFARI PARTICIPANTS, OUR CRU, ARE A CRUCIAL EXTENSION OF THE SHELTER.

THEY REDUCE STRESS ON THE ANIMALS, IMPROVE BEHAVIOR AND ADOPTABILITY, AND ALLOW US TO MAINTAIN LOW, MAINTAIN LOW END NUMBER IN SHELTER NUMBERS.

THESE PROGRAMS DON'T JUST SAVE LIVES.

THEY BUILD PRIDE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THIS IS A SHELTER THAT DICKINSON COULD BE PROUD OF.

THIS SLIDE, THIS SLIDE SHOWS WHAT ALL OF THAT EFFORT LOOKS LIKE IN PRACTICE, EVEN WITH INCREASED INTAKE.

OUR JANUARY 20, 26 AND SHELTER POPULATION IS LESS THAN HALF OF WHAT IT WAS TWO YEARS AGO.

THAT TELLS US THAT OUR SYSTEMS ARE WORKING, ANIMALS ARE MOVING THROUGH FASTER, AND GROWTH IS BEING MANAGED RESPONSIBLY.

AND THIS IS WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

I'VE BEEN AT THE SHELTER FOR FIVE YEARS, AND I'VE NEVER SEEN THE NUMBERS THIS LOW FOR DOGS OR CATS.

UM, AS OF FEBRUARY 24TH, WE HAVE 42 ANIMALS IN THE SHELTER.

THIS REFLECTS SUSTAINED INTENTIONAL MANAGEMENT.

IT'S NOT A TEMPORARY DIP.

THESE NUMBERS SHOW CONSISTENCY AND IN STABILITY.

SO WHAT YOU'VE SEEN TONIGHT SHOWS HOW FAR WE'VE COME AND HOW INTENTIONALLY WE'VE BUILT THESE PROGRAM.

WE'RE MEETING THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY WHILE MAINTAINING LOW IN SHELTER NUMBERS AND STRONG OUTCOMES.

ANY FUTURE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SUPPORTING NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES WOULD BE GROUNDED IN DEMONSTRATED CAPACITY AND RESPONSIBLE GROWTH.

I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE STRONG SUPPORT FROM CITY, CITY LEADERSHIP, THAT STABILITY HAS ALLOWED US TO OPERATE CONSISTENTLY AND PROFESSIONALLY.

AND IT'S ONE OF THE REASONS RESCUE PARTNERS ARE WILLING TO WORK WITH US, RESCUES WANT TO COLLABORATE WITH ORGANIZATIONS THAT THEY CAN RELY ON AND TRUST IN LONG-TERM SITUATIONS.

THAT CONFIDENCE HAS MADE A REAL DIFFERENCE.

THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO.

THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT.

THE NEXT THING

[4.PUBLIC COMMENTS]

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO GIVE COMMENTS AT THIS TIME, LASTING NOT LONGER THAN THREE MINUTES.

COMMENTS MAY BE GENERAL IN NATURE OR MAY ADDRESS A SPECIFIC AGENDA ITEM AND SHOULD BE DIRECTED AT THE ENTIRE COUNCIL.

NOT INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF COUNCIL OR STAFF, ANY SPEAKING, ANY SPEAKER MAKING PERSONAL ATTACKS OR USING VULGAR OR PROFANE LANGUAGE SHALL FORFEIT HIS OR HER REMAINING TIME AND SHALL BE SEATED IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT.

THE CITY COUNCIL MAY NOT DELIBERATE.

FIRST ONE WE HAVE IS MR. GARLAND COPELAND.

GOOD AFTERNOON, UH, COUNCIL, MAYOR, COUNCILOR, I APPRECIATE, UH, THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK.

UM, LAST MEETING, THE MAYOR REPORTED THAT, UH, THEY HAD HAD SOME CONVERSATIONS WITH DOT RELATED TO THE MEDIANS.

AND, UM, I'D LIKE TO, UM, CHALLENGE THAT A LITTLE BIT.

UM, IF THE, IF IN FACT THE DOT HAS STUDIES THAT SHOW THAT THESE MEDIUMS SOMEHOW HELP THE TRAFFIC THROW, THE FIRST THING I WOULD DO IS CHALLENGE THAT STUDY.

THE SECOND THING IS, I WOULD THINK

[00:20:01]

AND, UM, THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE.

THIS THING WAS CAUSED BY AND INITIATED AND DONE BY THE DOT AND FOR THEM TO NOW SHIFT THAT TOTAL BURDEN OF CORRECTING THE PROBLEM OVER TO THE CITY.

THAT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE TO ME.

YEARS AGO, UM, 1964, I WENT TO WORK FOR A FORTUNE 500 COMPANY.

AND UNFORTUNATELY THEY HAD SOME TRAINING SESSIONS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO TRY TO TEACH 'EM HOW TO MANAGE THINGS.

AND, AND THOSE WERE INTERESTING COURSES.

ONE IN PARTICULAR THAT I ATTENDED WAS CALLED THE, UM, FEEDING AND CARE OF MONKEYS.

AND IN THAT, UM, COURSE, WHAT THEY SAID WAS, ANY PROBLEM THAT A SUBORDINATE BRINGS INTO YOUR OFFICE, IT'S LIKE A MONKEY SITTING ON HIS, HIS SHOULDER.

AND YOUR JOB IS AN EFFECTIVE MANAGER, IS TO NOT LET HIM HAVE THAT MONKEY JUMP OVER ONTO YOUR SHOULDER.

SO IT'S YOUR PROBLEM.

AND I THINK THAT'S HAPPENED IN THE CASE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE, UH, , UH, THE TA THE STATE NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF THIS.

THANK YOU.

ALRIGHT, THANK YOU ALL.

AND, UH, NEXT UP I GOT MR. DAVID ALSTON.

WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU.

THANK THAT YOU MAYOR, THE COUNCILMAN.

I'M SO PROUD OF YOU THAT YOU PROMOTED THIS YOUNG MAN.

I'VE KNOWN HIM SINCE BEFORE COVID, AND HE HAS DONE EVERYTHING, EVERY TIME I'VE HAD A SITUATION, HE'S TAKEN CARE OF IT.

SO I DON'T THINK YOU, WE COULD HAVE GOT A BETTER CITY MANAGER.

I WANT TO THANK YOU AND I'M PRAYING FOR YOU, AND JESUS, NAME YOUR HEEL BROTHER.

AND I'M PRAYING FOR ALL OF Y'ALL.

I'M NOT THE PASTOR ANYMORE, BUT I PASTORED A CHURCH.

I START, I MOVED HERE IN APRIL OF 77, SO IT'LL BE 49 YEARS.

AND, UH, LITTLE DID I KNOW THAT EIGHT YEARS LATER THAT I WOULD START A CHURCH HERE.

AND I TOOK THE OLD SKATING RINK AND TURNED IT INTO A CHURCH.

WE CALL IT THE VILLAGE CHURCH BECAUSE AT THAT TIME WE WERE A VILLAGE.

BUT I'M PROUD OF DICKINSON.

I'M PROUD OF WHAT Y'ALL ARE DOING.

AND BEHIND YOU, THE CHURCH AS A WHOLE, I'M NOT THE PASTOR THERE.

THANK GOD I DON'T HAVE THAT RESPONSIBILITY.

BUT THEY LOVE ME AND TREAT ME LIKE ONE.

AND I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON.

AND EVERY SECOND SATURDAY AT NINE O'CLOCK OF THE MONTH, WE HAVE A MEN'S BREAKFAST, AND YOU'RE ALL INVITED.

SOME OF YOU HAVE ATTENDED, BUT GOD BLESS YOU.

AND AGAIN, WE'RE PRAYING FOR YOU.

WE'RE BELIEVING GOOD THINGS FOR DICKINSON.

I'M, I'M PROUD OF DICKINSON.

IT'S COME A LONG WAY, .

YOU KNOW, I USED TO RUN UP AND DOWN EACH ROAD AND THOSE OLD HOLES IN THE ROAD.

I RUINED TWO CARS.

BUT YOU KNOW, NOW WE'VE GOT IT PAVED AND, AND YOU KNOW, EVEN THE FACILITY, WE'VE GOT ONE OF THE FINEST FACILITIES.

OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM IS EXCELLENT.

SO I'M, I'M VERY PROUD OF WHAT'S GOING ON.

BUT, AND I'VE, I'VE VOLUNTEERED IF I CAN HELP IN ANY WAY, YOU LET ME KNOW.

BUT Y'ALL HAVE A BLESSED WEEK, AND, UH, ALL I ASK IS THAT YOU DO YOUR BUSINESS WITH THE LEADING OF THE LORD.

INCLUDE HIM IN AMEN.

GOD BLESS YOU.

THANK YOU, SIR.

ALL RIGHT.

AND THEN I GOT, UH, A MR. JOSHUA PARK.

Y'ALL MIGHT HAVE TO EXCUSE ME.

IT'S BEEN A HOT MINUTE SINCE I'VE DONE A PUBLIC SPEAKING.

SO IF I STUTTER, I'M SORRY.

I HAVE BEEN LIVING IN DICKINSON BETWEEN THREE AND SIX MONTHS.

I HAVE LIVED IN A LOT OF PLACES, A LOT OF COUNTIES, AND A LOT OF CITIES.

A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND ABOUT MYSELF.

I AM RECENTLY A NEW MEMBER OF THE DICKINSON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT.

I ALSO ATTEND THE DICKINSON, UH, POLICE CITIZENS ACADEMY.

I AM ALSO A LICENSED, UH, PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS.

UH, I HAVE MADE DICKINSON, MY HOME.

DICKINSON, I CAN SAFELY SAY, IS ONE OF THE BEST RAN CITIES, POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND

[00:25:01]

EVEN THOUGH I AM ONLY 20, UH, THE CITIZENS HERE ARE UNLIKE ANY OTHER.

I HAVE NEVER FELT WELL MORE WELCOME IN ANY CITY, ANYWHERE THAT I'VE EVER LIVED.

AND I CAN SAY I'VE LIVED IN A LITTLE OVER 150 CITIES, SMALL AND BIG.

THE CITY OF DICKINSON HAS SHOWN A LOT OF SUPPORT AND A LOT OF LOVE TO ME AND, UH, THE FAMILY THAT I AM WANTING TO CONTINUE TO BUILD HERE.

YOUR POLICE CHIEF AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS, UH, THE MOST PROFESSIONAL AND, UH, BEST RAN POLICE DEPARTMENT.

I HAVE SEEN AND WORK BESIDE THE POLICE CHIEF.

FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN AND HAVE GATHERED IS VERY KIND, THOUGHTFUL, WARMING, LOVING AND FUN.

BUT HE WILL PUT HIS FOOT DOWN WHEN HE NEEDS TO.

THE CITY OF DICKINSON, I CAN TELL, IS NOT A REGULAR SMALL TOWN COMMUNITY.

THIS IS NOT A COMMUNITY THAT BICKERS AND FIGHTS OVER LITTLE CHILDISH THINGS.

THIS IS NOT A CITY THAT HATES TOWARDS ANYBODY OF ANYTHING.

I WANNA SAY THANK YOU TO THE CITIZENS OF DICKINSON.

I WANNA SAY THANK YOU TO THE COUNCILMAN, THE MAYOR, UH, FOR THE CITY OF DICKINSON.

AND I WANT TO THANK Y'ALL FOR ALLOWING ME TO MAKE DICKINSON MY HOME.

UH, AS FAR AS CRIME I'VE NEVER SEEN, I HAVE TO SAY THAT THIS CITY HAS THE LOWEST CRIME RATE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.

I, I HAVE TO, I HAVE NEVER SEEN, I DON'T SEE ANY SHOOTINGS.

I SEE NO ROBBERIES.

I SEE NO CRIME WHATSOEVER.

I HONESTLY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE POLICE OFFICERS ARE DOING, UH, .

UH, AND HONESTLY, THAT'S NOT JUST BECAUSE OF THE POLICE OFFICERS OR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

THAT'S NOT JUST BECAUSE OF THE COMMUNITY, BUT THAT IS ALSO BECAUSE OF THE LORD AND HIS PROTECTION OVER THE CITY.

I WANT TO THANK THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE ONLY LIVED HERE A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

AND I WANT TO SAY, AND GOD BLESS Y'ALL, GOD BLESS THE CITY, AND OF COURSE, GOD BLESS THIS NATION.

ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

I'M NOT GONNA LIE, I KIND OF ENJOY ALL THE POSITIVE SPEAKING WE GOT GOING ON HERE, .

IT'S KIND OF NICE, RIGHT? ALL RIGHT.

UH, NUMBER FIVE, WE GOT

[5.CONSENT AGENDA]

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE CONSIDERED ROUTINE BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND WILL BE ENACTED BY ONE MOTION.

THERE WILL NOT BE A SEPARATE DISCUSSION ON THESE ITEMS UNLESS A COUNCIL MEMBER REQUESTS.

IN WHICH EVENT, THE ITEM WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND DISCUSSED AFTER THE CONSENT AGENDA.

DO I HAVE A MOTION? MOVE TO APPROVE.

SECOND.

GOT A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASS.

ALL RIGHT.

AND WE GET TO SKIP OLD BUSINESS AND GO TO SEVEN

[7.A. RESOLUTION XXX-2026 - Consideration and possible action to approve a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Dickinson, Texas, authorizing and approving the purchase of two (2) new public safety vehicles and emergency equipment for Dickinson Police Department from Lake Country Chevrolet & Silsbee Toyota through TIPS USA cooperative contract number 240901 automobiles in an amount not to exceed $114,080.93. (Police Department)]

SO CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL, OF THE CITY OF DICKINSON, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF TWO NEW PUBLIC SAFETY VEHICLES AND EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT FOR DICKINSON POLICE DEPARTMENT FROM LAKE COUNTY CHEVROLET AND SILSBEE TOYOTA.

TOYOTA.

THROUGH TIPS, USA, UH, COOPERATIVE CONTRACT NUMBER 2 4 0 9 0 1 AUTOMOBILES, AND AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $114,080 AND 93 CENTS.

MOVE TO APPROVE.

SECOND.

WE GOT A MOTION TO APPROVE.

WE GOT A MOTION TO APPROVE.

AND A SECOND.

ANY DISCUSSION? A COUPLE QUESTIONS.

OKAY.

I GUESS FOR INVESTIGATION, IT'S FOR THE, UH, TWO UNITS THAT ARE ASSIGNED TO THE ONE TO THE DEA AND ONE TO THE SPECIAL CRIMES UNIT FOR GALVESTON COUNTY.

I KNEW THIS ONE WAS TOYOTA AND ONE WAS A SUBURBAN.

I DIDN'T KNOW WE WERE USING SUBURBAN ON THE STREET ANYMORE OR NOT.

NO, DEFINITELY NOT FOR THE STREET.

UH, ONE OF THESE VEHICLES.

ALRIGHT, THANK YOU.

ALRIGHT, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM COUNSEL? IF NOT ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSED.

ALL RIGHT.

SEVEN B

[7.B. RESOLUTION XXX-2026 - Consideration and possible action to approve a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an interlocal agreement with the City of Kemah, Texas, for the provision of animal services by Bayou Animal Services. (Administration)]

DO I HAVE A MOTION MOVE TO APPROVE? DO I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

ALL RIGHT, I GOT A SECOND.

ANY QUESTIONS? UH, YEAH.

COUNCILMAN HOLT? UM, I AM, I AM CURIOUS ABOUT FEE COLLECTION.

UM, IS THAT GONNA BE LIKE ON A ONGOING BASIS OR IS IT AT THE END OF THE YEAR, OR HOW WILL THAT, THAT PART OF THE DEAL WORK? YES, SIR.

SO THERE IS A, UH, A CAP OF 25,000.

THERE'S NOT A WHOLE LOT OF ANIMAL ACTIVITY GOING ON IN KEA.

OKAY.

TO BE QUITE HONEST WITH YOU, MR. DOME, WHAT DID WE CAP THAT OUTTA OF THAT 5,500 PER MONTH?

[00:30:01]

OKAY.

AND, UM, THAT AMOUNT COMES WITH IT A, A CERTAIN NUMBER OF CALLS MM-HMM .

THAT ARE, UH, ALLOCATED.

AND THEN, UH, ANY CALL VOLUME ABOVE THAT, UH, WE HAVE A PER CALL AMOUNT THAT WILL BE COLLECTED.

SO BUSINESS HOUR CALLS 150 AFTER HOURS, EMERGENCY CALLS TWO 50, AND THEN THERE'S SHELTER FEES AND, AND, AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

AND INCORPORATED INTO THAT, YOU KNOW, I JUST WANNA SAY THIS IS ANOTHER STRONG EXAMPLE OF THE HARD WORK AND THAT POSITIVE MOMENTUM THAT WE ARE SEEING ACROSS OUR CITY.

MULTIPLE CITIES, NOT JUST KEAH, THERE ARE MULTIPLE OTHER CITIES IN GALVESTON COUNTY THAT ARE REACHING OUT TO US WANTING TO PARTNER WITH THE CITY OF DICKSON FOR ANIMAL SERVICES, WANTING TO LEAVE GALVESTON COUNTY.

UH, KEAH IN PARTICULAR MAKES SENSE AS A POTENTIAL PARTNER BECAUSE OF THE PROXIMITY.

IT'S NOT TOO FAR AWAY IN THE COST EFFECTIVE FEE STRUCTURE THAT WE HAVE, UH, THAT WE HAVE AGREED TO.

UH, BEYOND THE FINANCIAL BENEFITS, THOUGH, THE PARTNERSHIP OPENS THE DOORS TO INCREASE VOLUNTEER INVOLVEMENT, ADDITIONAL, UH, DONATION OPPORTUNITIES, AND THE, AND THE, THE COMMUNITY OF KEA THAT BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND KEA COULD DO, UH, UH, WONDERS FOR US.

AND I'M THINKING OF FUNDING AND GRANTS AND OPPORTUNITIES, THAT IS WHERE THAT PARTNERSHIP THAT WE SEE THE VALUE IN THAT PARTNERSHIP, UH, YOU KNOW, IT'S A UNIQUE ADVANTAGE AND, UH, I I BELIEVE IT'LL CREATE NEW, NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR US.

SO I SEE THIS AS A WIN-WIN FOR THE CITY OF DICKINSON AND KEA.

AND, UH, YEAH, I, I'M, I'M, I I LIKE IT.

I JUST ASK BECAUSE MY, MY CURIOSITY WAS BASED ON A HYPOTHETICAL SITUATION WHERE IF WE HAD TO WAIT TO THE END OF THE YEAR AND PERHAPS, UH, NOT, NOT ANYTHING ABOUT KEA.

'CAUSE I, I'M, I WOULD ASK THIS ABOUT ANY INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT THE ANIMAL SERVICE ENTERS INTO WITH ANYONE IF WE LIKE, WAITED TO THE END OF THE YEAR, HYPOTHETICALLY, IF THAT PARTICULAR MUNICIPALITY DID NOT WANT TO COVER, UH, THEIR AMOUNT OR THE, OR, OR IF THEY HAD MORE SERVICES THAT THEY RECEIVED THAN THEY WERE ACTUALLY WILLING TO PAY FOR AND NOT WANTING TO PAY THE DIFFERENCE.

SO THAT'S, THAT'S WHY I WAS ASKING MRS. BAKER, WOULD YOU LIKE TO APPROACH? YES, SIR.

NO, I SEE THAT.

I UNDERSTAND THAT.

YEAH.

UH, MY IDEA ON THAT WAS JUST TO INVOICE THEM QUARTERLY.

SO WE KEEP UP WITH THAT THE WHOLE TIME.

THANK YOU.

AND, AND I MEANT TO SAY IT, WHEN YOU SPOKE EARLIER, I KNOW YEARS AGO YOU SAID YOU DON'T LIKE SPEAKING IN PUBLIC, BUT YOU, YOU'RE GETTING PRETTY GOOD AT IT.

THANK YOU.

I THINK YOU DOING A GREAT JOB.

I'M STILL SUPER NERVOUS ON THE INSIDE .

YEAH.

BUT YEAH, THAT'S, THAT'S JUST MY THING.

I DON'T, I DON'T, I, I, I WOULD NOT LIKE DICKINSON TO BE STUCK HOLDING THE BAG.

IF THERE'S A CITY THAT ENDS UP BEING, I DON'T KNOW, 35, 40% OF OUR CALLS, AND THEY'RE NOT PUTTING IN ENOUGH TO MAKE, MAKE THAT THEY'RE GONNA BE WAY LESS THAN THAT.

ON THE CALLS RIGHT NOW, WE'RE DOING ABOUT 60 CALLS A MONTH AVERAGE MM-HMM .

UM, AND THEY'RE, THEY'RE ABOUT FIVE CALLS A MONTH AVERAGE.

SO, AND THEIR ANIMAL INTAKE, IT'S GONNA, IT LOOKS LIKE RIGHT NOW ABOUT 30 MORE ANIMALS A YEAR IN THE SHELTER.

UM, IN REALITY, WE KNOW THAT ONCE THEY'RE DEALING WITH A NO KILL SHELTER, THEY'RE GONNA BE, THERE'S GONNA BE MORE CALL VOLUME AND THERE'S GONNA BE MORE ANIMALS COMING IN.

'CAUSE THEY'LL TRUST THE, THE PROCESS.

SO, BUT EVEN LOOKING AT THAT, I, I FEEL PRETTY CONFIDENT THEY'RE ALSO GONNA BE OUR COMMUNITY AS LONG AS, AS FOSTERS ADOPTERS MM-HMM .

MM-HMM .

YOU KNOW, THE, THE, NOT JUST THE DONATIONS, BUT EVERYTHING.

THEY'LL BE PART OF US.

AND, AND THE CONTRACT DOES CONTAIN A, UH, 60 DAY TERMINATION FOR CONVENIENCE PROVISION.

SO WE HAVE AN OUT AT ANY TIME WE WANT WITH, UH, 60 DAYS NOTICE.

OKAY.

THAT'S HELPFUL.

THANK YOU.

YES, SIR.

ALL RIGHT.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR NINA OR ANY OTHER STAFF FROM COUNCIL? IF NOT ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASS.

ALL RIGHT.

SEVEN

[7.C.Discussion and possible action on collection of hotel occupancy tax (HOT) from short term rentals. (Schick)]

AND I DO HAVE SOMEONE THAT SIGNED UP FOR THIS ITEM.

AND, UH, MART, IF YOU'D LIKE TO COME UP AND MAKE YOUR COMMENTS.

I, GOOD EVENING.

SORRY, I'M A LITTLE HUSKY.

UH, THANK YOU, FIRST OF ALL TO BILL SCHICK FOR HAVING THIS ITEM PUT ON THE AGENDA.

AND THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU IN ADVANCE FOR WHAT I HOPE WILL BE A ROBUST DISCUSSION ON HOW TO DEAL WITH SHORT-TERM RENTALS IN THE CITY.

I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH SHORT-TERM

[00:35:01]

I ENJOY USING THEM MYSELF WHEN I'M TRAVEL, BUT I DO BELIEVE THEY SHOULD BE REGULATED AND THAT THEY SHOULD PROVIDE REVENUE BACK TO THE CITY.

NOW, YOU MAY DECIDE THAT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY INVOLVED ISN'T WORTH PURSUING, BUT I REALLY THINK YOU SHOULD AT LEAST FIND OUT HOW MANY SHORT-TERM RENTALS THERE ARE.

HOW MANY ARE REMISS IN PAYING THEIR HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX? IF YOU FIND THAT THAT HOT TAX WOULDN'T BE ENOUGH REVENUE, PERHAPS YOU COULD ADD ANOTHER REVENUE STREAM FROM THESE PLACES.

UH, FOR EXAMPLE, I HAVE A HOME SECURITY SYSTEM EVERY YEAR.

I PAY THE CITY SOME MONEY SO I CAN HAVE MY ALARM PERMIT.

UH, MY ALARM PERMIT THEN ENABLES THE EMERGENCY SERVICES PROVIDERS TO KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THE PROPERTY TO WHICH THEY WOULD BE RESPONDING.

SO YOU COULD DO SOMETHING SIMILAR WITH SHORT TERM RENTALS, HAVE THEM PAY AN ANNUAL FEE FOR AN ANNUAL PERMIT, AND THEREFORE INCREASE THE REVENUE STREAM REGULATION OF SHORT TERMS. RENTALS IS ALSO IMPORTANT FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE.

THERE ARE THREE AIRBNB RENTALS WITHIN 300 FEET OF MY PROPERTY.

ONE OF THEM ON THEIR LISTING SPECIFICALLY SAYS IT HAS NEITHER A SMOKE ALARM NOR A FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

TWO OF THEM IN THEIR LISTINGS, SPECIFICALLY ENCOURAG ON STREET PARKING.

EVEN THOUGH THESE, IT'S A VERY NARROW RESIDENTIAL STREET, ALL THREE OF THESE RENTALS ARE ON THE BAYOU.

ALL THREE OF THESE RENTALS PROVIDE KAYAKS TO THEIR GUESTS.

ONLY ONE MENTIONS THE USE OF A LIFE JACKET.

THE SECTION OF THE BAYOU, WHERE THESE THREE RENTALS ARE, IS AT A 90 DEGREE TURN IN THE BAYOU, RIGHT WHERE BORDEN S GULLY ENTERS INTO THE BAYOU.

THAT IS A BLIND 90 DEGREE TURN.

AND THE POWERBOATS COME SCREAMING AROUND THAT CORNER, AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S IN THE BAYOU AROUND THE CORNER.

WELL, OFTEN THE GUESTS AT THE AIRBNB ARE IN THE KAYAKS , AND THEY TYPICALLY ARE INEXPERIENCED KAYAKERS, AND THEY MOSTLY DO NOT HAVE ON A PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE, , IT'S REALLY JUST A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL ONE OF THESE SCREAMING POWERBOATS HAS AN ACCIDENT WITH THE KAYAKERS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BAYOU BECAUSE THE KAYAKERS GET OUT THERE AND THEY'RE JUST SITTING THERE JUST ENJOYING THE SCENERY.

SO AN EXAMPLE OF GOOD REGULATION FOR THE CITY TO PUT INTO PLACE WOULD BE PROOF OF SUFFICIENT LIABILITY INSURANCE, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE PLACES THAT ARE ON THE WATER.

I JUST NEED THE CLOSING STATEMENTS.

I, I HAVE ONE MORE S YEP.

TWO MORE SENTENCES.

YOU GOOD? ONE MORE SENTENCE.

GO FOR IT.

WE'LL FINISH IT UP.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ADDRESSING THE SHORT TERM RENTALS IN THE CITY OF DICKINSON FOR ADDRESSING HOW TO PROPERLY REGULATE THEM AND FOR ADDRESSING HOW THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE FUTURE SUCCESS OF THE CITY OF DICKINSON.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ALL RIGHT.

WHO WOULD LIKE TO OPEN DISCUSSION? WELL, I GUESS I'LL START.

UH, I PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA.

UH, ABOUT TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO, OR TWO YEARS AGO, WE APPROVED A CONTRACT FOR A SHORT TERM RENTAL FOR COMPANY TO COLLECT FEES AND TO RESEARCH THIS.

AND I THINK AT THE TIME THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION THAT WE MAY ALREADY HAVE A COMPANY THAT DOES THAT.

I'D KINDA LIKE TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT AND, UH, AND MOVE FORWARD.

WE HAVE NOT ENACTED ANY REGULATIONS CONCERNING SHORT TERM RENTAL.

MM-HMM .

AND I THINK IT'S TIME MORE AND MORE AT FROM MY ACCOUNT.

IF YOU LOOK IN THE INTERNET, IT SAYS THAT WE HAVE 60 SHORT TERM RENTAL UNITS IN DICKINSON.

UH, THERE'S A LOT OF THOSE THAT ARE LIKE CEDAR OAKS THAT MAY HAVE THREE OR FOUR DIFFERENT UNITS ON ONE PROPERTY.

BUT I FIGURED THAT WE PROBABLY HAVE ABOUT 20 OR 26 UNIQUE PROPERTIES RIGHT NOW OPERATING AS SHORT TERM RENTALS WITH AS FEW AS ONE BEDROOM.

AND IN THE CASE OF THE CAA GRANDE ONE THAT WILL HOLD UP TO 30 PEOPLE.

IT'S NOT A SHORT TERM RENTAL, IT'S A SMALL HOTEL, BUT IT'S TIME THAT WE ENACT SOME REGULATIONS TO PROTECT THE CITY.

UH, I'M NOT AGAINST SHORT-TERM RENTALS.

I THINK THAT THERE'S A TIME AND A PLACE FOR IT IN THIS COMMUNITY.

I

[00:40:01]

I HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH HOT TAX WE COLLECT FROM THE UNITS THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.

I SUSPECT WE'RE NOT COLLECTING ANYTHING.

SO, UH, POTENTIALLY BASED ON THESE NUMBER OF UNITS, THERE COULD BE A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF HOT TAX THAT WE ARE MISSING BY NOT GOING AFTER THESE UNITS.

THE ONE BY MY HOUSE IN THE SUMMER IS RENTED EVERY WEEKEND WITH BIG PARTIES.

SO AN AVERAGE OF 20 TO 30 PEOPLE OVER THERE EVERY WEEKEND.

AND AS FAR AS I KNOW, THAT ORGANIZATION HAS NEVER PAID ANY HOT TAX THE WHOLE TIME THEY'VE BEEN THERE.

YES, SIR.

GO AHEAD, COUNCIL.

SO I, I I AGREE.

I THINK WE SHOULD LOOK AT, UH, WHAT SOME OTHER MUNICIPALITIES ARE DOING.

I DO REMEMBER DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THIS PREVIOUSLY.

UM, I VAGUELY RECALL BRINGING IN A COMPANY TO LOOK AT IT, BUT IF MEMORY SERVES ME RIGHT AT THAT TIME, THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THEM WERE OUTSIDE OF THE, THE INCORPORATED CITY LIMITS.

HAVING SAID THAT, I, I JUST LOOKED TODAY AND, AND, UH, THERE'S BEEN A DEFINITE UPTICK.

UH, SOME OF THEM ARE NOW IN CITY LIMITS MM-HMM .

I WOULD SAY.

AND, YOU KNOW, I'M JUST, I'M JUST ONE PERSON ON COUNCIL.

I THINK OUR APPROACH SHOULD PROBABLY BE TO START WITH THE COMPANIES, UM, GO, GO TO THE VRS, THE AIRBNBS AND, AND THE LIKE, BECAUSE GOING AT THE ACTUAL SHORT TERM RENTAL OWNER HAS PROVEN COSTLY FOR THE CITY OF DICKINSON WHEN WE, WHEN WE'VE HAD THIS, UH, SITUATION.

AND SO I THINK IT WOULD BE BETTER, UH, AGAIN, JUST ONE VOTE IF WE LOOKED AT WORKING WITH THE COMPANIES, UH, SETTING UP A CRITERIA, UH, AN ORDINANCE, IF YOU WILL, TO, TO SET UP A CRITERIA FOR HOW THEY OPERATE IN AND 'CAUSE LIKE SOME OF THEM I NOTICED THEY'RE JUST, SOMEONE'S RENTING OUT A BEDROOM IN THEIR HOUSE.

UH, SOME OTHERS MAY BE LIKE A, THE EQUIVALENT OF A MOTHER-IN-LAW SUITE, BUT OTHER ONES, LIKE YOU SAID, ARE, ARE MINIATURE HOTELS.

BUT I THINK IF WE CAME UP WITH A, A STRUCTURE, UH, STRUCTURED AN ORDINANCE TO COME UP WITH CRITERIA AND THEN ALSO WORK WITH THE COMPANIES DIRECTLY, UH, TO DELIST, UH, I DON'T WANT, I DON'T WANNA CALL 'EM LANDLORDS, UH, HOTEL, MINIATURE HOTEL MANAGERS, DE-LIST THE ONES THAT DON'T FOLLOW, UH, THE, THE REGULATIONS PUT IN PLACE.

I THINK WE'D HAVE MUCH MORE SUCCESS THAN WE'VE HAD GOING UP AGAINST THE SHORT TERM RENTAL OWNERS DIRECTLY.

MM-HMM.

CAN I ASK A COUPLE QUESTIONS? JUST, I WANNA BE EDUCATED.

UM, DO WE HAVE A LEGAL DEFINITION OF A SHORT TERM RENTAL, LEGAL OR OTHERWISE ACCEPTED? IS THERE A MINIMUM? IS THERE A MAXIMUM? CAN SOMEONE JUST KIND OF HELP ME UNDERSTAND THAT, THAT DEFINITION A LITTLE BIT BETTER? AT, AT PRESENT, WE DON'T HAVE A DEFINITION.

YEAH.

OKAY.

SO THE REASON I ASK THAT IS BECAUSE WE'RE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT COLLECTION OF HOTEL OCCUPANCY, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ASSIGNING SOME REGULATIONS TO THESE FACILITIES.

BUT HOW, HOW DO WE DEFINE REGULATIONS WHEN WE DON'T EVEN HAVE A DEFINITION FOR WHAT MEETS A SHORT TERM RENTAL? PRE PREVIOUSLY, UM, THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL OWNER WOULD EITHER WHEN CAUGHT OR SOME, SOME DID BEFOREHAND, WOULD COME BEFORE US AND APPLY FOR A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT AND, AND SOME, SO, YOU KNOW, NOT THEY APPLY FOR IT.

YEAH.

.

BUT THERE WERE ONE THERE, THERE, THERE WAS ONE.

YEAH, THERE WAS ONE.

I, THERE WAS ONE I REMEMBER WE APPROVED, BUT IT WASN'T EVEN, HERS WAS RENTING TO PEOPLE AT SIX MONTHS AT A TIME.

IT WAS LIKE A, SHE SPECIFICALLY, UH, MARKETED TO TRAVEL NURSES, BUT THEN THERE'S SOME, SOME OTHER ONES WHERE WE ENDED UP HAVING TO GO TO COURT.

YEAH.

UM, BUT JUST FOR THE RECORD, I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA TO TRY TO GET MORE REVENUE FOR THE CITY.

I, I WANNA MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND HOW THAT IS EVEN POSSIBLE.

WHERE DO WE BEGIN THAT DISCUSSION? I THINK THE DISCUSSION HAS TO BE WITH SOME SORT OF DEFINITION ACCEPTED, UM, BY THE CITY, YOU KNOW, FOR WHAT THAT, WHAT CONSTITUTES THAT, YOU KNOW, IF SOMEONE RENTS IT OUT FOR THREE WEEKENDS A YEAR OR SOMETHING, IS THAT, IS THAT A SHORT TERM RENTAL? IS THAT WORTH US GOING AFTER? UM, I THINK, YOU KNOW, I THINK PART OF THIS DISCUSSION, WE NEED TO KINDA UNDERSTAND THAT, UH, BEFORE WE START SAYING THAT WE HAVE SO MANY IN OUR PROPERTY, JUST SO WE UNDERSTAND A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

AND AS WE UNDERSTAND THAT BETTER, I THINK IT MAKES, IT MAKES IT MUCH EASIER FOR US TO DEFINE WHAT THAT IS AND

[00:45:01]

SO, SO, SO I GUESS HERE'S THE, I GUESS THE, SO THE REAL PROBLEM TO SOLVE IS WE HAVE TO CREATE AN ENTIRE DEFINITION FROM TOP TO BOTTOM DEFINITION AND ORDINANCE OF WHAT WE CLASSIFY AS A SHORT-TERM RENTAL BEFORE WE CAN ACTUALLY REGULATE YEAH, THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE SAYING BASICALLY, RIGHT? I MEAN, IS HOUSE OUT FOR A WEEKEND IS LIABLE FOR IT? YEAH.

IN SOME WAY.

UM, SO ANYWAY, JUST SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.

SO IN CHAPTER 18 OF THE MUNI CODE, THERE IS THE WORD SHORT TERM RENTALS IN THERE.

SO IN MY OPINION, IT'S PROBABLY ALREADY DEFINED IN MUNI CODE.

I'M LOOKING IT UP RIGHT NOW.

SO THERE'S OBVIOUSLY A DEFINITION AND UH, SHORT TERM RENTALS TO ME IS A PERIOD LESS THAN 30 DAYS.

BECAUSE WHEN, I THINK TYPICALLY WHEN A RESIDENT LIVES IN A PLACE FOR A PERIOD OF LONGER THAN 30 DAYS, THEN YOU GET INTO LANDLORD TENANT LAW AND THAT'S TOTALLY DIFFERENT SITUATION.

RIGHT.

SO WHAT HAPPENS, I GUESS WHERE DOES IT, WHERE, I GUESS THAT'S THE OTHER, I THINK WHERE HE'S GOING AS WELL IS, IS UM, WHAT HAPPENS IF I HAVE, LIKE, I HAVE A SPARE ROOM, IF I JUST RENT IT OUT FOR A WEEK TO SOMEBODY, A FRIEND, AND I CHARGE THEM, I DUNNO WHY I WOULD, BUT IF I DID, IS THAT CONSIDERED A SHORT TERM RENTAL, EVEN THOUGH I'M NOT GOING THROUGH AIRBNB OR VRBO OR ANY OF THOSE THINGS? SO I GUESS IT WOULD ALSO HAVE TO BE YOUR, THE WHOLE GOAL IS FOR A BUSINESS TRANSACTION, RIGHT? YEAH.