Mar 10, 2026 City Council

UH, FIRST I WANT TO THANK, UH, THANK YOU ALL, UH, WHO ARE IN ATTENDANCE TONIGHT, AND THANK YOU FOR THOSE WHO ARE WATCHING ONLINE.

UM, AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING, WE HAD SOME, UH, CONVERSATION REGARDING SHORT TERM RENTALS AND THE APPLICATION AND OR ENFORCEMENT TO OUR CURRENT REGULATIONS AS ADOPTED BY THE CITY.

IF YOU'LL RECALL, AT THE LAST MEETING, IT WAS ADVISED FOR THE COUNCIL TO HOLD OFF ON MOVING FORWARD TO ADDRESS THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL DISCUSSION UNTIL THE COURT OF APPEALS HAD RENDERED ITS BRIEF IN THE MATTER, WHICH HAD BEEN, UH, WAIT, WHICH WE'D BEEN WAITING ON FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

COINCIDENTALLY, ONLY TWO DAYS LATER, THE CITY DID RECEIVE THAT LONG AWAITED BRIEF FROM THE COURT OF APPEALS RENDERING JUDGMENT IN FAVOR OF THE CITY OF DICKINSON, CITING THAT THE CITY'S ORDINANCE REGARDING SHORT TERM RENTALS ARE IN FACT CONSTITUTIONAL AND ENFORCEABLE.

I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK ALL MEMBERS OF LEGAL COUNSEL WHO WORK DILIGENTLY ON THIS MATTER TO GET THIS RESOLUTION IN FAVOR OF THE CITIZENS.

ALRIGHT, THANK YOU.

THANKS EVERYBODY FOR SHOWING UP.

AND AGAIN, UH, OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT, EMS AND POLICE, WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU.

UH, LAST WEEK I MET WITH CHRIS BROWN WITH THE ITALIAN FESTIVAL TO GO OVER THIS, THE CITY GROUNDS.

JUST A REMINDER, IT IS, THIS WEEKEND STARTS AT 10 30 TO SIX O'CLOCK.

THEY'LL BE PARKING ACROSS THE STREET.

EVERYBODY, PLEASE COME.

THEY'RE, THEY'RE PUTTING ON QUITE A SHOW.

UM, ATTENDED THE EDC MEETING, ATTENDED THE DICKINSON MANAGEMENT MEETING, ATTENDED THE BAY TRAN DRAINAGE, UH, COMMITTEE MEETING.

ANOTHER REMINDER IS THE CASEY'S ARE STILL DOING THEIR FRIDAY.

UH, FISH STARTS AT 5:00 PM IT'S THIS FRIDAY, AND I BELIEVE TWO MORE FRIDAYS AFTER THAT.

ANOTHER REMINDER COMING UP MARCH 28TH, WE'RE DOING OUR ANNUAL TRASH BASH CLEAN UP AROUND THE CITY AND THE BAYOU.

EVERYBODY, PLEASE JOIN IN.

LET'S MAKE OUR TOWN BEAUTIFUL.

WELCOME TO ALL THE CITIZENS HERE, BOTH, UH, WATCHING US LIVE AND ONLINE.

UH, ALL THE EMPLOYEES THAT ARE HERE, AND THE ONE SPECIAL GUEST WHO Y'ALL WILL SEE LATER.

ORPHANS OF THOSE VETERANS WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR FREEDOM AND OUR WAY OF LIFE.

WELCOME TO EVERYBODY THAT'S HERE AND ONLINE.

WELCOME TO EVERYONE WHO IS HERE AND ONLINE.

I IMAGINE WE HAVE SOME SOMETHING SPECIAL TONIGHT, SO, ALL RIGHT.

UM, THE ONLY, UH, ANNOUNCEMENT THAT I HAVE IS I'D LIKE TO READ SOMETHING, UM, FROM THE COMMANDER OF OUR VFW POST HERE IN DICKINSON.

SO DICKINSON, VFW MEMORIAL POST 6 3 7 8.

AND THIS IS AN INVITATION FOR EVERYONE TO SHOW UP TO THEIR 80TH ANNIVERSARY.

VFW POST COMMANDER ROY SALAS ANNOUNCED THE CELEBRATION OF THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE DICKINSON MEMORIAL VETERAN POST 6 3 7 8 FOR COMBAT VETERANS FOLLOWING WORLD WAR II ON MARCH 17TH, 2026, THE POST WILL HAVE A GRAND CELEBRATION IN THE PATRIOT HALL FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY TO COME OUT AND CELEBRATE THIS MILESTONE.

THE REASON WE HAVE BEEN A, UH, ABLE TO SERVE VETERANS FOR 80 YEARS IS THAT COMBAT VETERANS RETURNING HOME FROM WARS WERE NOT DONE SERVING OTHERS.

THEY CONTINUED TO HELP EACH OTHER, HELP WIDOWS AND

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THEY RAISED FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY PROGRAMS THROUGH BINGO NIGHTS, MEALS, RAFFLES, CAR SHOWS, TURKEY SHOOTS, AND MANY OTHER EVENTS.

ON MARCH 17TH, OUR POST WILL HIGHLIGHT THE HISTORY AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO SERVED AND CONTINUE TO SERVE VETERANS.

TODAY, WE WILL SHOWCASE GENERATIONS OF PHOTOS SHOWING OUR HISTORY IN DICKINSON.

MOST OF THESE PHOTOS HAVE NOT BEEN VIEWED BY ANYONE OUTSIDE OF THE POST, AND NOW THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO EXPLORE THESE HISTORICAL ALBUMS AND SEARCH FOR THEIR GRANDPARENTS, THEIR PARENTS, OR OTHER LOCAL INDIVIDUALS.

WE WELCOME EVERYONE TO COME CELEBRATE US WITH FOOD AND SNACKS AND HONOR THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US.

GROUPS AND POLITICAL REPRESENTATIVES ARE ENCOURAGED TO REGISTER IF THEY INTEND TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EVENT.

THE EVENT IS COMPLETELY FREE TO THE PUBLIC AND HISTORICAL ENTHUSIAST WHO WANT TO SEE THE DICKENSON VFW, UH, AND HOW IT'S GROWN SINCE 1946.

THE DICKINSON VFW HONOR GUARD WILL OPEN THE EVENT WITH A MARCH IN AND POSTING OF COLORS.

THE HONOR GUARD IS THE FIRST AND THE ONLY REMAINING HONOR GUARD STILL SERVING THEIR FELLOW VETERANS IN GALVESTON COUNTY.

UH, CALL 2 8 1 3 3 7 4 9 5 2.

UH, FOR ANY INFORMATION COMMANDER ROY SOLAS, WHAT TIME IS IT? UH, IT'S GONNA START AT SIX O'CLOCK.

SIX O'CLOCK.

6:00 PM THEY JUST ACTUALLY CONFIRMED THAT.

OTHER THAN THAT, I HAVE NO OTHER THINGS.

SO, UH, WE'LL GO TO THE CITY MANAGER UPDATE.

ELECTRICAL PANEL, THE HVAC SYSTEM, ALONG WITH THE LIBRARY CEILING.

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

I HAVE QUITE A BIT FOR YOU TH THIS EVENING.

SO, UH, BEAR WITH ME.

I HAVE SOME ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES, INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT UPDATES.

WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION AND A CEREMONIAL PENDING FOR OUR NEW FIRE MARSHAL.

SO LET'S BEGIN ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES.

COUNCILMAN SCHICK ALREADY TOUCHED ON THIS.

THE ITALIAN FESTIVAL IS THIS SATURDAY AT CITY HALL.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO A SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY EVENT, SO PLEASE COME OUT AND HAVE A GOOD TIME.

OUR MAYOR COUNCIL, GALVESTON COUNTY DINNER IS HOSTING.

WE'RE HOSTING IT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A WHILE HERE IN DICKINSON IS TOMORROW NIGHT AT THE WATER GROVE EVENT CENTER HERE IN DICKINSON.

AS I STATED BEFORE, ALL THE COSTS HAVE BEEN DONATED, SO WE, UH, WE LOOK FORWARD TO A SPECIAL EVENT.

THIS IS A BIG DEAL FOR OUR CITY.

ALL THE, UH, REPRESENTATIVES, COUNCILMEN, MAYORS, UH, STATE REPS, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COME TO THESE EVENTS.

SO, UH, WE LOOK FORWARD TO PUTTING ON A, UH, A GOOD DINNER FOR EVERYONE.

OUR HARBOR PLAY, UH, HARBOR PLAYHOUSE UPDATE, UH, A SUBSTANDARD STRUCTURE HEARING FOR THE HARBOR PLAYHOUSE IS SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY AT 2:00 PM NOW, I KNOW THIS IS A BIG DEAL IN OUR COMMUNITY AND, AND, AND PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, TALK ABOUT THIS OFTEN, AND I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THIS HISTORIC FACILITY RESTORED AND REOPENED, BUT THE COST IS OVERWHELMING AND MAKING THESE IMPROVEMENTS IS UNLIKELY.

ELEVATING OR FLOOD-PROOFING THE STRUCTURE, INSTALLING A FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM, A SPRINKLER SYSTEM, AND COMPLETING A FULL INTERIOR RENOVATION IS ESTIMATED AT OVER A MILLION DOLLARS.

YOU KNOW, OUR PRIORITY REMAINS TO CLEAN UP THIS CITY AND ADDRESSING SUBSTANDARD STRUCTURES IS CENTRAL TO THAT MISSION.

AS AN EXAMPLE, THE JACK IN THE BOX PROPERTY HERE IS NOW BEING RENOVATED ONLY AFTER WE INITIATED DEMOLITION PROCEEDINGS THROUGH THE SUBSTANDARD STRUCTURE PROCESS.

THESE STEPS SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN YEARS AGO, BUT PROGRESS IS NOW HAPPENING.

IF SOMEONE HAD PLANS IN THE CAPITOL TO REMODEL THIS BUILDING, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN, IT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED BY NOW.

THIS IS THE APPROACH THAT WE ARE TAKING, CLEAN IT UP AND IMPROVE THE BUILDING OR HOME, OR WE WILL TAKE IT TO THE SUBSTANDARD STRUCTURE PROCESS AND TEAR IT DOWN.

WE HAVE DEMOED OVER 25 STRUCTURES IN THE PAST COUPLE YEARS, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO.

WE WILL CLEAN UP THIS CITY WHEN STRUCTURE AT A TIME, WHEN PROPERTY AT A TIME.

IT WILL HAPPEN SLOWLY BUT SURELY, I CAN PROMISE YOU THAT LAGO MAR EAST DEVELOPMENT, THIS IS THE EAST SIDE OF LAGO MAR, WHERE THEY APPROACHED THE CITY WANTING TO TIE IN TO HUGHES ROAD AT THREE DIFFERENT INTERSECTIONS OF THIS DEVELOPMENT.

UH, WE BASICALLY TOLD THEM NO, UH, PLAIN AND SIMPLE AS I CAN PUT IT, AND WE HAVE NOT HEARD COMMUNICATION BACK FROM THEM.

SO UNLESS YOU'VE HEARD ANYTHING FROM A MAYOR, I HAVE NOT, NOT YET.

WE, UH, WE AWAIT COMMUNICATION FROM THE DEVELOPER.

THIS IS A, A MASSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF OVER 3,600 HOMES THAT THEY WANT TO TIE INTO HUGHES ROAD AND SEND ALL THEIR TRAFFIC AND STORM WATER INTO OUR CITY, WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS.

WE DON'T SEE ANY SALES TAXES OR PROPERTY TAXES FROM THAT DEVELOPMENT, AND WE TOLD 'EM ABSOLUTELY NOT WITHOUT IMPROVING CONCRETE AND HUGHES ROAD.

SO THAT'S, YOU KNOW, THAT'S A, THAT'S A MINIMUM COST TO A MASSIVE DEVELOPMENT LIKE THAT.

SO WE WILL SEE THE DEPOT.

I WANT TO THANK THE DMD BOARD MEMBERS FOR FUNDING THE REPAIRS TO THE

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WE GREATLY APPRECIATE IT.

YOU KNOW, THIS BOARD WAS CREATED AS A FUNDING MECHANISM FOR CAPITAL PURCHASES, INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, AND PUBLIC SAFETY FOR THE CITY OF DICKINSON.

AND WE ARE GETTING BACK TO THE BASICS IN THE INTENTION OF WHY THIS BOARD WAS CREATED.

I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE BOARD PRESIDENT AMY STICK, DR.

FULCHER, MR. DEETS, MR. BLACKSHEAR, FOR THEIR EFFORTS THEY'RE DOING, JUST AS WE ARE ASKING THEM TO DO, TO ELIMINATE THE SPENDING ON EXTERNAL ORGANIZATIONS AND FOCUS ON THE CITY OF DICKINSON.

YOU KNOW, THIS BOARD HAS COME A LONG WAY AND I'M PROUD OF THE WORK THEY'RE DOING.

INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATES, HUGE ROAD DRAINAGE PROJECT.

THE CONSTRUCTION IS APPROXIMATELY 73% COMPLETE DISCUSSIONS REGARDING THE PROPOSED ONE WAY CONFIGURATION FOR HUGHES ROAD HAS BEEN COMPLETED.

THE ESTIMATED COST IS AROUND $15,000 FOR THE PROPOSED CHANGES.

THIS DETOUR IS NEEDED DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT.

THE ONE WAY LANE IS BEING DESIGNED TO BE EASTBOUND FROM HIGHWAY THREE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, EMERGENCY RESPONSE TIMES.

SO FROM HIGHWAY THREE, GOING EAST ON HUGHES ROAD, YOU ALWAYS WANT A FASTER ROUTE GOING INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAN OUT IS THE REASON WHY THE LANE IS BEING DESIGNED TO BE EASTBOUND.

THE ENGINEERS ARE CURRENTLY DRAWING THIS UP.

THE ENGINEERS HEWITT ZOS WILL ATTEND THE MARCH 24TH COUNCIL MEETING TO PROVIDE A MORE DETAILED BRIEFING ON THIS PROJECT.

MOORE'S ADDITION DRAINAGE PROJECT, UH, THIS DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IS, UH, IS FOUR MOORE'S EDITION.

IT'LL SIGNIFICANTLY BENEFIT THIS AREA OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, OF OUR TOWN BY EN ENABLING THE PROPER STORMWATER OUTFLOW INTO BENSON BAYOU, WHICH HAS BEEN BLOCKED FOR DECADES BY THE PIPELINE CORRIDOR.

THIS PROJECT WILL REDUCE LONGSTANDING FLOODING ISSUES IN THAT AREA OF OUR CITY.

THE PROJECT IS CURRENTLY UNDER ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW, WHICH TAKES A SIGNIFICANT TIME, SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME FROM EXPERIENCE.

HEWITT DOLLARS WILL ALSO GIVE AN UPDATE ON THIS COUNCIL ON THIS PROJECT AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING AS WELL.

THE H CIP PROJECT HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.

THIS IS A TDOT PROJECT THAT INCLUDES SIDEWALKS AND STREETLIGHTS ALONG CALIFORNIA AVENUE AND 34TH STREET.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH TXDOT TO TRANSFER THIS GRANT TO GALVESTON COUNTY, SO IT CAN BE INCORPORATED INTO THE CALIFORNIA AVENUE BOND PROJECT FOR EFFICIENCY AND COST SAVING PURPOSES.

ON FEBRUARY 20TH, TEXTILE APPROVED THE TRANSFER OF SPONSORSHIP FROM THE CITY TO GALVESTON COUNTY.

THEY ALSO APPROVED THIS PROJECT TO BE CHANGED FROM A STATE LET TO A LOCAL, LET MEANING THE CONSTRUCTION WON'T BE OVERSEE, SAW BY THE STATE.

IT'LL BE OVERSEEN BY LOCAL, COUNTY, CITY, AND COUNTY CONTRACTORS.

THE H CIP GRANT WAS APPROVED FOR SIDEWALK AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS ON CALIFORNIA.

THE GALVESTON COUNTY BOND PROGRAM, THE FUNDING IS FOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION.

COMBINING THESE PROJECTS ONLY MAKE SENSE.

THE GOVERNMENT DOESN'T ALWAYS DO WHAT IS EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT.

SO THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF YOUR GOVERNMENT, STATE, COUNTY, AND LOCAL WORKING TOGETHER TO MAXIMIZE YOUR TAX DOLLARS.

THE EWPP EMERGENCY WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM, THIS IS A FEDERAL GRANT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICES PROGRAM FOR BAYOU AND TRIBUTARY CLEANING, WHICH IS MUCH NEEDED.

AS WE ALL KNOW, THE CITY HAS PARTNERED WITH GALVESTON COUNTY TO INTEGRATE THESE FEDERAL DOLLARS INTO THE COUNTY'S BOND FUNDED PROJECT TO MAXIMIZE EFFICIENCY.

ON MARCH 2ND, THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT APPROVED THEIR CONTRACT WITH TETRATECH.

THIS INCLUDES PREPARATION FOR BOND FOR BID DOCUMENTS COORDINATION WITH OUR CITY AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES.

THE SCHEDULE IS FOR A SIX MONTH DESIGN AND A SIX MONTH CONSTRUCTION.

ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE, MARCH, 2027.

I GOT ONE MORE.

SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL A TEX GRANT.

THE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROJECT IS ON FIVE 17, WHICH INCLUDES A PEDESTRIAN SAFE HAVEN MEDIAN, AND A STREETLIGHT NEAR BAKER DRIVE, AND IS ONE OF THE THREE PROJECTS WE ARE COORDINATING CLOSELY WITH COMMISSIONER DOOGIE IN GALVESTON COUNTY WITH FOR HISTORICAL INFORMATION.

WHEN WE ASSUMED RESPONSIBILITY LAST YEAR, WE DISCOVERED THAT THE LOCAL MATCHES FOR THE H CIP CALIFORNIA AVENUE, THE EWPP BAYOU CLEARING SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL IN THE HUGHES ROAD DRAINAGE PROJECT WERE NOT BUDGETED THROUGHOUT MUCH OF 2025.

WE ANTICIPATED THE POSSIBILITY OF RETURNING THESE GRANTS BECAUSE THE CITY COULD NOT AFFORD THE MATCH REQUIREMENTS.

FOR THAT REASON, WE SHOULD ALL RECOGNIZE HOW FORTUNATE WE ARE THAT THESE PROJECTS ARE STILL ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD.

AFTER SEVERAL

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MEETINGS WITH GALVESTON COUNTY, THEY AGREED TO FUND THE CITY'S LOCAL MATCH FOR THE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL AND INCORPORATE THESE IMPROVEMENTS INTO THEIR 2023 VOTER APPROVED BOND PROJECTS AS DISCUSSED PREVIOUSLY, INCLUDING A CALIFORNIA AVENUE AND THE BAYOU CLEARING INITIATIVES.

AFTER CONFIRMING WITH TEXDOT THAT THE H CIP CALIFORNIA AVENUE COULD BE LOCAL, LET AND TRANSFER TO THE COUNTY, WE COULD MOVE FORWARD WITH THE OTHERS.

WE HAD A MEETING WITH TXDOT ON FEBRUARY 26TH TO DECIDE HOW TO MOVE FORWARD, HOW WE CAN PROCEED.

PROCUREMENT REQUIREMENTS WILL BE LABOR INTENSIVE FOR OUR STAFF.

WE ARE CURRENTLY DETERMINING WHETHER THE CITY WILL ADMINISTER THIS PROJECT IN-HOUSE OR CONTRACT OUT THE ADMINISTRATIVE WORK.

WE RECEIVED A PROPOSAL FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT TOTALING $110,000, WHICH REFLECTS THE SIGNIFICANT WORKLOAD AND FEDERAL COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROJECT.

THIS ADMINISTRATIVE COST IS NOT PART OF THE LOCAL MATCH.

JUST SO WE'RE CLEAR, THE ORIGINAL TEXT DOC CONSTRUCTION, LET CONSTRUCTION LET DATE IS SEPTEMBER OF 2027, AND WE ARE WORKING TOWARDS THAT TIMELINE.

PROJECTS OF THIS SCALE TAKE REQUIRE SUB SUBSTANTIAL TIME COORDINATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE OVERSIGHT TO ENSURE THEY'RE IMPLEMENTED CORRECTLY.

AS I HAVE SAID MANY TIMES BEFORE, OUR TEAM CONTINUES TO DO MORE WITH LESS.

YET WE ARE DELIVERING MEANINGFUL PROGRESS FOR THIS COMMUNITY.

I'M EXTREMELY PROUD OF THE WORK WE ACCOMPLISHED AND WE ARE GRATEFUL AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE DEDICATION OF OUR STAFF.

WE WILL CONTINUE MOVING THIS PROJECT FORWARD.

ONCE A DECISION IS MADE REGARDING THE ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT, WE WILL HAVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROJECT TIMELINE.

NOW WE WOULD LIKE TO HONOR THE DICKSON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT EMS AND POLICE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL FOR LIFESAVING ACTIONS THAT TAKEN AT PLANET'S.

PLANET FITNESS MAYOR, YOU HAVE THE PROCLAMATION? YES, SIR.

ALL RIGHT, I GOT IT.

SO THESE ARE ONE OF THOSE ITEMS THAT, UH, REALLY, REALLY MAKES YOU, UH, FEEL PRETTY AWESOME INSIDE, KNOWING THAT THERE WAS A COORDINATED, UH, UM, ATTACK TO SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE.

BUT CITY OF DICKINSON PROCLAMATION HONORING THE LIFE SAVINGS ACTIONS OF LOCAL FIRST RESPONDERS AND CITIZENS.

WHEREAS ON DECEMBER 23RD, 2025, A MEDICAL EMERGENCY OCCURRED AT PLANET FITNESS IN DICKINSON, TEXAS, IN WHICH ROBERT POGUE SUFFERED A SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST WHILE WORKING OUT, REQUIRING IMMEDIATE LIFESAVING INTERVENTION.

AND WHEREAS OFF DUTY DICKINSON POLICE OFFICER DANIEL AMMONS AND CITIZEN LEWIS VELAZQUEZ WERE THE FIRST TO RECOGNIZE THE EMERGENCY AND IMMEDIATELY BEGAN CPR PROVIDING CRITICAL LIFESAVING ASSISTANCE UNTIL EMERGENCY RESPONDERS ARRIVED.

AND WHEREAS THE SWIFT RESPONSE AND COORDINATED EFFORTS OF DICKINSON EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL AND MEMBERS OF THE DICKINSON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT CONTINUED ADVANCED LIFESAVING CARE UPON ARRIVAL AND ENSURE THAT MR. POGUE RECEIVED THE MEDICAL ATTENTION NECESSARY DURING THE CRITICAL EVENT.

AND WHEREAS THE COMBINED TEAMWORK OF THESE OFFICERS, EMERGENCY MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS EXEMPLIFIED THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND DEMONSTRATED EX UH, EXCEPTIONAL COURAGE, SKILL AND COMPASSION UNDER PRESSURE, AND WHEREAS THE PROMPT AND DECISIVE ACTIONS TAKEN ON TH THAT DAY SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED THE CHANCES OF SURVIVAL AND CONTRIBUTED DIRECTLY TO SAVING THE LIFE OF ROBERT POGUE.

AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF DICKINSON RECOGNIZES THAT SUCH HEROISM REFLECTS THE STRONG PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND OUR COMMUNITY, AND SERVES AS AN INSPIRING EXAMPLE OF WHAT CAN BE ACHIEVED, WHERE AN INDIVIDUALS ACT SELFLESSLY AND THE SERVICE OF OTHERS.

NOW, THEREFORE, I TRAVIS OLO, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DICKINSON, TEXAS, DO HEREBY EXPRESS SINCERE APPRECIATION AND COMMENDATION AND COMMENDATION TO THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS FOR THE EXTRAORDINARY ACTIONS DURING THE MEDICAL EMERGENCY ON DECEMBER 23RD, 2025, AND FOR EXEMPLIFYING AND BRAVERY, PROFESSIONALISM, AND CARE FOR OTHERS.

AND WITNESS WHEREOF I HERE I HAVE HEREIN TO SET MY HAND AND CAUSE THE SEAL OF CITY OF DICKINSON TO BE AFFIXED THIS 10TH DAY OF MARCH, 2026.

CHIEF ROBBINS, WOULD YOU APPROACH, PLEASE? GOOD EVENING.

UM, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO JUST MENTION EACH, UH, FIREFIGHTER AND EMS ON THIS.

SHANE FERRELL, GARRETT KIN, LE LETGO, SORRY, CHAD WALKER.

UM, THE MEMBERS OF DICKINSON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT THAT WERE PRESENT AT THIS TIME WAS, UH, KEITH MORGAN, JEFF BILLOT, SEAN SAUNDERS,

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DOUG SPALDING, MILTON WALKER, COUNCIL MEMBER MARK TOWNSEND, AND COUNCIL MEMBER, UM, EXCUSE ME, SCOTT SCHRADER.

ALSO FOR EMSI WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE JORDAN BAILEY, RON WRIGHT MEYER, LUIS MARTINA, DALTON BEACH.

ONCE THEY ARRIVED ON SCENE WITH MYSELF, UM, FIRST RESPONDERS WERE, ARE A BIG HELP TO US STARTING CPR AND ASSISTED US THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS.

UM, OUR CREW GOT THERE, WE STARTED ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT ON THIS, AND WE WERE ABLE TO TRANSFER HIM TO LEAGUE CITY UTMB TO WHERE HE WAS ABLE TO WALK OUT WITHOUT ANY DEFICITS OR ANYTHING.

SO, UM, THIS IS ALL PART OF THE CHAIN, UH, CHAIN OF SURVIVAL FOR THE AMERICAN ART ASSOCIATION, AND THIS JUST EXEMPLIFIES HOW THAT WORKED.

SO I'D LIKE TO THANK EVERYBODY.

THANK YOU, SIR.

THANK, IF I COULD GET, IF I COULD GET EVERYBODY TO COME UP THIS WAY, PLEASE FOR PICTURES.

EXCUSE.

COME ON OVER HERE.

I THINK WE HAVE TO LIKE, YEAH, SO YOU'RE TRYING TO I'LL STAND BACK HERE.

READY? 1, 2, 3, TAKE IT.

THANK.

WELL, THAT'S, UH, ONE AMAZING THING, FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER AMAZING THING.

SO I'M GONNA SEND IT BACK TO YOU FOR, UH, OUR NEW FIRE MARSHAL.

MADE RIGHT HERE, ATTENDING THE STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL, RIDING IN THE 4TH OF JULY PARADE WITH THE BIKE LOVINGLY DECORATED BY HER GRANDMOTHER, SWIMMING AT THE DICKINSON COUNTRY CLUB AND ENJOYING MEALS AT THE BELOVED LOCAL FAVORITES LIKE TWO E'S AND GARCIA'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT WHERE OTHER ESTABLISHMENTS EXIST TODAY BEYOND HER PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

UH, THIS EVENING'S DEPARTMENTAL UPDATE WILL BE PRESENTED BY THE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE, BUT THIS UPDATE IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT FROM THE NORM.

I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE PROMOTION OF AMBER PHILLIPS TO THE FULL-TIME FIRE MARSHAL.

SHE HAS SERVED AS THE INTERIM FIRE MARSHAL FOR MORE THAN A YEAR OR SO AND HAS EXCELLED IN THAT ROLE WHILE WORKING FULL-TIME.

SHE'S ALSO ATTENDED THE POLICE ACADEMY AT NIGHT FURTHER DEMONSTRATING HER COMMITMENT TO PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

AMBER PHILLIPS IS A FOURTH GENERATION FIREFIGHTER AND A MEMBER OF A PROUD FAMILY OF FIRST RESPONDERS.

SHE HAS 17 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE IN THE FIRE PROFESSION.

SHE STEPS INTO THE ROLE OF FIRE MARSHAL FOR THE CITY OF DICKINSON, BRINGING A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE, ADVANCED TRAINING, AND A LONGSTANDING COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

HER DAD ALWAYS TAUGHT HER TO REMEMBER WHERE YOU COME FROM, WHICH IS WHAT HIS FATHER DID AS WELL.

SHE STARTED OUT AS A VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER FIREFIGHTER BEFORE GOING TO THE FIRE ACADEMY IN 2008, WHERE, WHERE HER PROFESSIONAL FIRE CAREER STARTED IN FREEPORT, TEXAS AS THE FIRST CAREER FEMALE FIREFIGHTER, AMBER HOLDS MULTIPLE ADVANCED CERTIFICATIONS THROUGH THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON FIRE PROTECTION, INCLUDING ADVANCED STRUCTURE FIREFIGHTER, ADVANCED FIRE INVESTIGATOR, ADVANCED FIRE INSPECTOR, FIRE INSTRUCTOR, PLANS EXAMINER, FIRE OFFICER, FIRE MARSHAL, AND ADVANCED ARSON INVESTIGATOR.

SHE ALSO HOLDS A TEXAS PEACE OFFICER LICENSE THROUGH THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT AND IS CERTIFIES CERTIFIED AS AN ADVANCED EMT THROUGH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

THROUGHOUT HER CAREER, AMBER HAS SERVED NUMEROUS ROLES WITHIN THE FIRE SERVICE, EACH STRENGTHENING HER EXPERTISE IN FIRE PREVENTION, INVESTIGATION, EMERGENCY RESPONSE, AND COMMUNITY RISK REDUCTION.

AMBER'S CONNECTION TO DIGON RUNS GENERATIONS DEEP.

HER GRANDFATHER SERVED AS A CITY ADMINISTRATOR OF DIGON IN 1990, AND MANY OF HER CHILDHOOD MEMORIES WERE

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AMBER IS A DEVOTED WIFE OF 14 YEARS TO MIKE PHILLIPS AND THE PROUD MOTHER OF 13-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER KINSLEY.

SHE ENJOYS SPENDING TIME WITH HER FAMILY AND HELPING HER DAUGHTER CARE FOR AND RAISE SHOW ANIMALS, WHICH HAS BECOME A MEANINGFUL PART OF THEIR FAMILY LIFE AS SHE TAKES THE OATH AS A FIRE MARSHAL.

AMBER BRINGS NOT ONLY HER EXTENSIVE CREDENTIALS, BUT ALSO A HEARTFELT DEDICATION TO PUBLIC SAFETY, HISTORY, AND THE FUTURE OF THE CITY OF DICKINSON, WHERE SHE HAS A PASSION FOR SERVING THE COMMUNITY THAT HAS HELPED SHAPED HER LIFE FROM CHILDHOOD TO CAREER.

MRS. PHILLIPS HAS A PROUD NAME TO UPHOLD AND I'M CONFIDENT THAT SHE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE HER FAMILY AND OUR COMMUNITY PROUD.

IT'S AN HONOR TO BE THE CITY MANAGER THAT PROMOTES HER, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.

MRS. PHILLIPS, PLEASE APPROACH AMBER MORGAN PHILLIPS .

IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO RECORD, COME ON UP.

COME ON UP.

FEEL FREE TO GET CLOSER IF YOU'D LIKE.

ALRIGHT, LET'S SCOOT IN.

PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.

REPEAT AFTER ME.

I AM AMBER PHILLIPS.

I'M AMBER PHILLIPS.

DO SOLEMNLY AFFIRM, DO SOLEMNLY AFFIRM THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE, THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF FIRE MARSHAL FOR THE CITY OF DICKINSON.

FIRE MARSHAL FOR THE CITY OF DICKINSON, TEXAS.

AND ON MY HONOR, MY HONOR, I WILL NEVER BETRAY, I'LL NEVER BETRAY MY PROFESSIONALISM, MY PROFESSIONALISM, MY INTEGRITY, MY INTEGRITY, MY CHARACTER, MY CHARACTER OR THE PUBLIC TRUST.

I WILL ALWAYS HAVE.

I'LL ALWAYS HAVE THE COURAGE TO HOLD MYSELF, THE COURAGE TO HOLD MYSELF AND OTHERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR ACTIONS AND OTHERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR ACTIONS.

I WILL ALWAYS UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION.

I'LL ALWAYS UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION, MY COMMUNITY AND THE AGENCY I SERVE.

FIND THE LONGEST ONE.

KILLING DUMB STAB .

SO, UH, WE PRESENT YOU AMBER MORGAN PHILLIPS.

I TOLD HER, I TOLD HER SHE COULD SPEAK.

HEY, BEFORE WE MOVE ON, WE'RE IN A RED SHIRT AND I WANNA GET A GOOD PICTURE.

DO IT.

PLENTY OF CONGRATULATIONS.

I MEAN, YOU'RE NOT STILL LOVE YOU.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S, THIS IS AWESOME.

WOW.

FOUR ITEMS. I KNOW IT'S GONNA BE QUICK TONIGHT.

WE'RE GONNA BE GOOD.

WE'RE GONNA MOVING.

WE CAN AFFORD, WE CAN AFFORD IT.

[00:30:01]

I THINK THE MORGAN FAMILY'S EARNED IT.

I WAS WONDERING WHY THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE HERE.

THE MORGANS.

I WAS, I WAS LIKE, WAIT A SECOND.

THE WHOLE, THEY'RE GONNA LOSE EVERYBODY MISSING KEITH OUT OF THE WHOLE WORK.

SANDRA SAW MARJORIE, I THINK TODAY, AND SHE SAID HE'D BEEN SICK.

I, I THINK MARRIE SAID SHE WENT IN NIGHT LAST NIGHT TO GET HIM KIND OF MEDICATION.

YOU MUST BE SICK.

I HAD LAST WEEK, AND I TELL YOU WHAT, I COULDN'T SHAKE IT.

I RUNNING FEVER, CHILLS, ACHES, YOU KNOW, PACKING UP STUFF.

OH YEAH.

NOW WE'RE, NOW WE WE'RE NOT GONNA HAVE A CROWD ANYMORE.

NO ONE WANTS TO BE HERE.

AS, UH, MAYOR, I'LL GO AHEAD AND READ THIS WHILE, UH, EVERYONE'S FALLING OUT.

MAYOR.

YEP.

QUICK, I, I JUST WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING, AMBER.

YOU HAVE JUST ONE MOMENT.

A A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE.

YES, ABSOLUTELY.

I JUST WANT TO SAY, UM, I REMEMBER WHEN WE DECIDED TO GO, UH, IN THIS DIRECTION, YOU ARE THE PERSONIFICATION OF A POEM WRITTEN BY EDWARD ALBERT GUEST CALLED SEE IT THROUGH.

AND I JUST WANNA SAY THAT EVEN THOUGH I'M ROLLING OFF OF COUNSEL, I AM PROUD TO HAVE SEEN YOU MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

UH, BEFORE I GOT, BEFORE I GET FIRED, .

BUT I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT YOU, IT, IT TALKS ABOUT FACING TROUBLE WITH YOUR SHOULDERS SQUARING UP.

IT, IT'S A GREAT POEM, BUT YOU BEING ABLE TO DO THIS WHILE WORKING A JOB AND STILL GOING TO GET ALL THE CERTIFICATIONS YOU NEED, YOU ARE A PER PERSONIFICATION OF THAT POEM.

AND I THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

SAID, WE'LL MOVE ON TO PUBLIC COMMENTS.

YEAH, I CAN, UH, HONESTLY SAY THAT WE ARE EXTREMELY BLESSED TO HAVE HER AS OUR FIRE MARSHAL.

UM, UM, BUT WITH THAT BEING

[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 ADDRESS A SPECIFIC AGENDA ITEM AND SHOULD BE DIRECTED AT THE ENTIRE COUNCIL.

NOT INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF COUNCIL OR STAFF.

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.

AND I HAVE ONE MR. GARLAND COPELAND.

WELL, MY, MY NAME'S GARLAND COPELAND.

I LIVE HERE IN DICKINSON.

A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT NOTE, UH, BASED ON THE COMMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN SAID TONIGHT IN REPORTS, I ASSUME THAT THERE'S BEEN NUMEROUS COMMUNICATIONS WITH TDOT.

UH, I ALSO ASSUME THAT, UH, IN EACH OF THESE COMMUNICATIONS, IT IS ALWAYS BROUGHT UP SOMETHING ABOUT THE DIVIDERS ON FIVE 17 TEAM.

IF IT'S NOT BEING BROUGHT UP ON A REGULAR BASIS, UH, THEN IT NEEDS TO BE, UH, THE SQUEAKING WILL WILL GET THE GREASE IF IT SQUEAKS ENOUGH.

AND, UH, IT SEEMS TO ME LIKE THE T DOT HAS A DESIRE TO WORK WITH US ON SOME THINGS.

AND NOW ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THAT WOULD BE THE SHUT DOWN OF THE INTERSECTION AT I 45 AND 17 THURSDAY.

I DON'T KNOW WHY THAT WORK COULD NOT BE DONE STARTING AT NINE O'CLOCK AT NIGHT TO THREE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING.

I MEAN, THERE'S NO TRAFFIC.

[00:35:02]

WHY PUT EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY AT A DISADVANTAGE ON GETTING TO WORK, ET CETERA, WHEN THAT WORK COULD BE DONE AND ONLY AFFECT A FEW WORKERS.

AND I THINK THAT ROUTINELY THAT KINDA WORK IS DONE IN THE OFF HOURS.

SO, ANYWAY, JUST FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, THANK YOU.

AND I CAN PROMISE YOU I, UH, BRING IT UP EVERY TIME I TALK TO TXDOT.

NUMBER FIVE, CONSENT

[5. CONSENT AGENDA]

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, UH, 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 MOTION.

AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING CONTRACT WITH A-Z-A-V-A-R.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASS SIX.

A DISCUSSION

[6.A Discussion and possible action regarding contract with AZAVAR. (Finance)]

MRS. CLARK, WOULD YOU LIKE TO APPROACH TO INTRODUCE OUR GUEST IN REGARDS TO THE CONVERSATIONS WE'VE HAD, UH, REGARDING THE SHORT TERM RENTAL AGREEMENTS? UM, I HAVE ASKED MR. MARLON CASTILLO WITH AVAR, UM, LOCAL GOV TO COME AND SPEAK WITH Y'ALL TONIGHT.

I DIDN'T CATCH, WHAT IS YOUR NAME AGAIN? MARLON CASTILLO.

MARLON, OKAY.

IT'S MOSTLY SELF-ADMINISTERED.

UH, FIRST OFF, I WANNA THANK THE COUNCIL FOR YOUR TIME AND THE INVITATION TO COME SPEAK NOW, IF WE DON'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY, WE CAN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

UM, I'M JUST GONNA GIVE A QUICK, UH, LITTLE SYNOPSIS OF EVERYTHING.

I DID WATCH THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETING AND I WANTED, UH, I CAME PREPARED HOPEFULLY TO ADDRESS SOME OF THOSE CONCERNS THAT, UM, CAME UP DURING THAT LAST MEETING.

SO, AS OF OUR WHO WE ARE, WE'VE BEEN AROUND SINCE THE LATE NINETIES.

WE'RE A STARTED OFF AS AN AUDITING COMPANY, REVENUE RECOVERIES OF LIKE SALES TAX, HOTEL OCCUPANCY, TAX, FRANCHISE FEES, BASICALLY ANY LOCALLY ADMINISTERED TAX.

WE, UH, HELP ASSIST IN RECOVERING OF IT AND MAKE ENSURING COMPLIANCE.

NOW, IN REGARDS TO THE CITY OF DICKINSON, WE, THEY, THE CITY HAS CONTRACTED WITH US TO ADMINISTER THE PLATFORM LOCAL GOV.

UH, THIS ORIGINAL PLATFORM, WE SOLD IT AS A SERVICE THAT ALLOWS TAXPAYERS TO EMIT TAXES ONLINE.

SO THE CITY OF DICKINSON WAS MOSTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR GETTING THE TAXPAYERS REGISTERED.

WE DID ASSIST IN SOME CAPACITY, BUT IT WAS LIMITED.

UM, THIS OLD PLATFORM IS SCHEDULED FOR RETIREMENT, HOWEVER, WE STILL PROVIDE SECURITY UPDATES.

UM, THIS IS THE CURRENT PLATFORM THAT DICK, THE CITY OF DICKINSON IS ON.

WE DO HAVE A NEW PLATFORM THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY MIGRATING.

UH, THE CITY TO, UM, HAS ADDITIONAL SUPPORT.

WE HAVE THE ADOPTION CAMPAIGN.

BASICALLY WE ASSIST THE CITY IN NOT ONLY ADMINISTERING THE TAX, BUT GETTING ALL THE TAXPAYERS INTO COMPLIANCE.

SO ANY TIME, SAY A HOTEL OR A SHORT TERM RENTAL, UM, IS NON-COMPLIANT, BECOMES DELINQUENT, WE DELIVER A REPORT.

WE LET THEM KNOW, UM, HEY, WE'VE NOTIFIED THIS HOTEL THIS MANY TIMES.

WE PROVIDED THIS, UH, PHONE CALL, THIS EMAIL, UM, EVERYTHING FOR THE CITY TO POTENTIALLY TAKE ACTION.

SO, AND THEN WE ALSO PROVIDE A SHORT-TERM RENTAL IDENTIFICATION SERVICE.

AND TO KINDA GIVE YOU A LITTLE BACKGROUND OF THAT, PREVIOUSLY SHORT-TERM RENTAL COMPANIES LIKE AIRBNB, VRBO WOULD ATTEMPT TO REMIT LOCALLY ADMINISTERED THE HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX TO THE CITY THEMSELVES.

UM, THESE WERE CALLED VOLUNTARY COLLECTION AGREEMENTS.

AND THESE VOLUNTARY COLLECTION AGREEMENTS WERE VERY POPULAR.

A LOT OF CITIES DID SIGN UP FOR THEM.

HOWEVER, THERE WAS A CAVEAT TO IT.

IT WAS THAT AIRBNB, UM, WOULD, YOU WOULDN'T, THE CITY WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO AUDIT AIRBNB IN TERMS OF GETTING HOST INFORMATION, HOST BOOKINGS.

SO WHATEVER YOU GOT, THERE WAS NO QUESTIONS, NO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ATTACHED.

AND SO THERE WAS A LOT OF LITIGATION INVOLVED IN THAT.

AND NOW CURRENTLY THOSE SDR COMPANIES DON'T REALLY PROVIDE THAT SERVICE ANYMORE.

AND IT'S THE SDR OWNERS ARE NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR BRINGING THAT TAX.

NOW, OF COURSE, A LOT OF SDR OWNERS ARE JUST PEOPLE THAT OWN A HOME.

THEY JUST WANNA RENT IT OUT FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS.

THEY DON'T REALLY KNOW, UM, ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS THAT COME INVOLVED WITH HAVING A SHORT TERM RENTAL.

AND SO IDENTIFYING THOSE PROPERTIES IS A LOT MORE MANUAL PROCESS.

UM, SO AS OF OUR USES THAT AUDIT ARM AFOREMENTIONED TO, UH, IN ADDITION TO PURCHASING DATA FROM DATA BROKERS IN ORDER TO, UH, BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY, IDENTIFY THE PUBLIC LISTINGS AND ATTRIBUTE THEM AN ADDRESS TO GET THEM COMPLIANT.

SO, UH, WE WORK HAND IN HAND IN THE CITY TO, YOU KNOW, IF YOU WANNA TAKE ACTION, LEGAL ACTION, WE CAN PROVIDE NOTICES AND ALL THAT.

SO YEAH.

QUESTIONS,

[00:40:01]

HAVE YOU HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK OVER OUR CODES THAT, UH, REGARDS TO SHORT TERM RENTAL? I MEAN, ARE WE IN A POSITION THAT WE SHOULD BE IN OUR CODES FOR COLLECTION? SO I, I, I GAVE IT A QUICK PARSE, UH, WHILE THE MEETING WAS GOING ON.

I CAN SAY THAT, UM, EVERY HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX ORDINANCE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS THAT IS ON A LOCAL ORDINANCE, MOST LIKELY IS ABLE TO ADMINISTER THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL, UH, IS, IS ABLE TO ADMINISTER TO SHORT-TERM RENTALS UNLESS THEY EXPLICITLY EXEMPT IT.

I DID NOT SEE SUCH EXEMPTION.

UM, SO AS LONG AS YOU HAVE A HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX ORDINANCE ON YOUR BOOKS, YOU ARE, YOU ARE, UH, YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO ADMINISTER THOSE TO THOSE SHORT TERM RENTALS.

OUTTA CURIOSITY, UM, WE'RE ON THE VOLUNTEER REPORTING PROGRAM.

CORRECT.

WHAT PERCENTAGE WISE IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ONE WHERE PEOPLE CAN SELF-SELECT TO ENTER IN THEIR INFORMATION AND THE PROGRAM WHERE YOU ALL TAKE A LITTLE MORE ACTIVE OR PROACTIVE ROLE IN IT? IS IT, I MEAN, PERCENTAGE WISE, WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO SPEAK TO LIKE THE EFFICACY OF IT? HOW, HOW MANY, HOW OFTEN ARE YOU ALL ABLE TO BOOST REVENUE, MAKE COLLECTIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT? THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

SO CURRENT, I MEAN, I CAN JUST TELL YOU ABOUT YOUR CURRENT SITUATION.

SO RIGHT NOW, UM, I BELIEVE HISTORICALLY WE'VE HAD TWO SHORT-TERM RENTALS PAY ON OUR PLATFORM.

MM-HMM .

UM, OUR EARLY ESTIMATES, AND OF COURSE THESE ARE GOING TO RANGE BECAUSE WE'RE NOT ACTUALLY DOING THE, UM, MANUAL PROCESS OF IDENTIFYING EACH PROPERTY AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY'RE WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS.

BUT WE ESTIMATE AROUND 50 SOMETHING SHORT TERM RENTALS CURRENTLY IN THE CITY.

SO THAT, JUST TAKING INTO ACCOUNT YOUR CURRENT PRO UH, PROGRAM RIGHT NOW AND WHAT OUR SERVICES WOULD BE, WHICH WOULD BE, UM, HISTORICALLY WE AIM AT AROUND 94 TO 97%, UH, COMPLIANCE.

UM, OF COURSE WE'RE ALWAYS TRYING TO GET THE A HUNDRED PERCENT, BUT SOMETIMES SHORT TERM RENTALS WILL, UM, STOP OPERATING AS SOON AS THEY BECOME AWARE THAT THERE'S, UH, ADDITIONAL COMPLIANCE TAKING EFFECT.

AND I MEAN, SOME OF THEM ARE JUST, UH, INCREDIBLY HARD TO IDENTIFY.

SO IT'S AN, IT'LL OF COURSE BE AN ONGOING PROCESS, BUT I WOULD BASICALLY ENSURE YOU THAT YOUR REVENUE WOULD INCREASE IN THE HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX BECAUSE OF THE, HOW MANY SHORT TERM RENTALS CURRENTLY ARE WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS AND ARE NONCOMPLIANT.

SO, AND ADDITIONALLY, UM, HO HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX, THERE IS A LOOKBACK PERIOD.

SO YOU COULD, ONCE YOU HAVE THOSE PROPERTIES IDENTIFIED, YOU COULD, UH, REQUEST THEM TO, UH, REMIT ALL OF THEIR TAXES FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS IF THEY WERE, UH, OPERATING WITHIN THOSE LAST FOUR YEARS.

SO CAN YOU SPEAK AGAIN TO WHAT PLATFORM I GUESS, OR, UM, YEAH, WHAT PLATFORM? YOU'RE ACTUALLY RETIRING, I GUESS WITHIN YOUR, WITHIN YOUR OWN PLATFORM? YES.

SO IT'S, I PROBABLY DIDN'T SAY THAT CORRECTLY.

SO I PROBABLY, YEAH, I APOLOGIZE IF THERE WAS ANY CONFUSION.

SO WE, WE STARTED OFF WITH THE ORIGINAL PLATFORM.

UH, WE NOW REFER TO IT AS OLD LOCAL GOV.

AND, UM, OUR NEW PLATFORM, SAME NAME, LOCAL GOV, UH, BUT THE DI MAIN DIFFERENCE IS THAT, UM, WE HAD TO BASICALLY REBUILD THE CODE FROM SCRATCH.

SO WE CHANGED THE, A BIT OF THE CODE INTERFACE.

UM, THE MUNICIPAL SIDE IS A LOT EASIER TO, UH, VIEW, SO YOU'RE ABLE TO PULL A LOT MORE CUSTOMER REPORTS.

THERE'S A MAP VIEW, YOU'RE ABLE TO, UH, SEE DELINQUENCY REPORTS AUTOMATICALLY POPULATE LISTINGS.

WELL, YOU KIND OF CAN SEE WHERE THEY ARE, PICTURES OF THE LISTINGS, THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO WE'RE ABLE TO HAVE ALL THOSE ADDITIONAL FEATURES BECAUSE WE BUILT IT ON THAT NEW, UH, CODE INFRASTRUCTURE.

SO, SO ARE WE CURRENTLY PAYING A FEE FOR THE OLD STUFF AND WILL THAT FEE TRANSFER EQUALLY TO THE NEW PLATFORM? SO IT IS A PRICE INCREASE, AND ADDITIONALLY THERE IS A COST FOR THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL IDENTIFICATION.

SO CURRENTLY, UM, WHAT I HAD DISCUSSED WITH, UH, MS, UH, SARAH CLARK, UM, WAS THAT WE WOULD DO THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL IDENTIFICATION, WHICH IS THE MANUAL PROCESS AT A HUNDRED DOLLARS A PROPERTY WITH NOT TO EXCEED $3,000, WHICH BASED ON OUR ESTIMATES, YOU WOULD HIT THE 3000, UH, DOLLARS MARK.

AND THEN, UM, WE DID QUOTE THEM, IT'S A, AND MAYBE MS. SARAH CLARK CAN SPEAK MORE TO THE OLD CONTRACT.

UM, WE, THE NEW CONTRACT, IT WOULD BE AT 1500 FOR THE TAX MODULE.

SO THE NEW, UH, SOFTWARE.

SO THAT'D BEING ALL IN A 4,500? YES.

CUMULATIVELY.

[00:45:01]

AND THE, THE STR IDENTIFICATION, SHORT TERM RENTAL IDENTIFICATION IS THE 3000, THAT'S THE FLAT FEE.

AND THEN THE 1500 IS ANNUAL FEE.

SO, BUT THE 3000 IS PER HOU, IT'S UP TO PER HOUSE AND THEN, OR PER PROPERTY.

AND THEN AFTER THAT, IT'S ALL REVENUE FOR US AFTER THE 3000 BASICALLY, RIGHT? YES, SIR.

IS THAT ON AN ANNUAL BASIS ALSO? SO THE 3000 IS, UH, IT WOULD BE ONE TIME FOR, UH, FOR THAT SPECIFIC QUOTE.

HOWEVER, IF WE DID IDENTIFY ADDITIONAL PROPERTIES, IF WE IDENTIFIED ANY ADDITIONAL PROPERTIES WITHIN THE YEAR, IT WOULD BE WITHIN THAT 3000.

IF WE IDENTIFY NEXT YEAR ANY ADDITIONAL PROPERTIES, IT WOULD, UH, START NEW.

SO IT'D BE A HUNDRED DOLLARS WITH THE, TO EXCEED THE 3000.

HOWEVER, BASED ON THE CURRENT OUTLOOK OF YOUR MARKET, UM, I WOULDN'T REALLY EXPECT THERE TO BE A LOT OF NEW SHORT-TERM RENTALS.

IT SEEMS TO BE KIND OF A STATIC, UH, MARKET OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS CURRENTLY OPERATING.

THEY'VE BEEN THERE FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS.

SO IS THE AGREEMENT EXCLUSIVE? CAN YOU KIND OF, UH, IS THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND AZAVAR, IS IT AN EXCLUSIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN JUST THESE TWO ORGANIZATIONS? OR IF WE WANTED TO SHOP OTHER AVENUES, WOULD WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT? I KNOW THAT THAT WAS, UH, OR BREAK THEN THAT WAS BROUGHT UP IN THE LAST MEETING.

HOWEVER, UM, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, WE'VE NEVER, UM, YOU KNOW, TOLD THE CITY THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN'T SHOP AROUND IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHOP AROUND.

UM, OUR COMPANY, YOU KNOW, WE PERSONALLY PRICE OURSELVES AT THE LOWEST IN THE STATE.

UM, THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER SHORT TERM RENTAL COMPANIES AND, UH, WE ACTUALLY USED TO PARTNER WITH ANOTHER COMPANY FOR THE SHORT TERM RENTAL IDENTIFICATION SERVICE.

UM, THEY DO, THEIR MINIMUM IS ABOUT 7,500, AND I THINK IT GOES UP TO LIKE A HUNDRED PROPERTIES AND THEN IT'S A PER PROPERTY ADDITIONAL FEE.

SO, BUT I MEAN, PERSONALLY, AND I MEAN SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY, IF YOU WANTED TO SHOP AROUND YOU, I THINK I WAS REALLY WANTING TO KNOW IF WE'RE ABLE TO MIX BAGS OF SERVICES BETWEEN YOUR ORGANIZATION AND ANOTHER ONE IF WE DECIDED TO DO THAT.

I MEAN, WE WORK, WE, UH, WE DON'T, UH, CURRENTLY PARTNER WITH THAT COMPANY ANYMORE, BUT, UH, OR WE DON'T CURRENTLY SELL TOGETHER WITH THAT COMPANY ANYMORE.

HOWEVER, WE DO STILL PARTNER WITH SEVERAL, UM, COMPANIES.

I MEAN, WE INTEGRATE WITH FINANCIAL SYSTEMS, SO IF YOU WANTED TO PURSUE ANOTHER SHORT-TERM RENTAL IDENTIFICATION SERVICE, WE WOULD OF COURSE TAKE THAT DATA INTO OUR TAX MODULE AND, UH, UH, HELP WITH THE COMPLIANCE ASPECT OF IT.

SO THANK YOU.

WHAT OTHER CITIES DO YOU DO WORK FOR IN THIS AREA? SO SPECIFICALLY IN THIS AREA, THE ONE ON THE TOP OF MY HEAD WOULD BE CONROE.

HOWEVER, UM, WE WORK ALL ACROSS THE STATE, ALL THE WAY UP FROM AMARILLO DOWN TO CAMERON COUNTY, UH, LIKE SOUTH PAD ISLAND, UM, A LOT OF DIFFERENT MUNICIPALITIES, CITIES AND COUNTIES, UH, IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.

TEXARKANA PLEASANTON IN, UH, THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY.

OH, YOU, YOU'RE, YOU'RE PUTTING ME ON THE SPOT HERE, BUT I MEAN, I, I BELIEVE IT'S AROUND 50 SOMETHING PROP, UH, 50 SOMETHING CITIES AND COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS THAT WE OPERATE IN.

WOULD WE BE THE ONLY ONE IN GALVESTON COUNTY FOR YOU? UM, IS LAPORTE IN IT'S HARRIS COUNTY.

HARRIS COUNTY.

SO YEAH, LAPORTE, WE, I, YEAH, I THINK LAPORTE WE USED TO, UM, NO, I THINK, YEAH, I THINK OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD YOU WOULD BE THE ONLY ONE IN THIS AREA.

UM, IT'S MOSTLY SELF-ADMINISTERED.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? YEAH, SO WITH OUR CONTRACT, ARE YOU LOOKING FOR THE SHORT-TERM RENTALS NOW? UH, WITH THE CURRENT CONTRACT? NO.

UM, THE CURRENT CONTRACT IS MOSTLY SELF-ADMINISTERED, SO WE DON'T ACTUALLY DO THE PROCESS OF MANUALLY IDENTIFYING THESE PROPERTIES AND, YOU KNOW, PUTTING THEM INTO OUR SYSTEM, PUTTING THEM ON OUR ADOPTION CAMPAIGN.

SO, AND THE COST, I KNOW I, I DO KNOW HISTORICALLY THE OLD PLATFORM WAS PROBABLY SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN OUR CURRENT PLATFORM.

SO THE COST WOULD REFLECT THAT.

SO AND SO YOUR OLD PLATFORM WAS DOING WHAT THEN? EXACTLY.

IF YOU WEREN'T, WEREN'T GOING OUT AND FINDING WHERE THE SHORT TERM RENTALS ARE IN THE CITY, Y'ALL JUST PUT IT OUT THERE.

AND IF I WAS A SHORT TERM RENTAL, I WAS SUPPOSED TO VOLUNTEER, WENT OUT THERE AND GOT ON IT.

SO, AND ESPECIALLY SPEAKING HISTORICALLY, THIS DIDN'T USED TO BE A BIT AS BIG OF A PROBLEM.

SO BACK WHEN CITIES WOULD SIGN THE VOLUNTARY COLLECTION AGREEMENTS, IT WAS MOSTLY DOING THE HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX OF ACT, LIKE COLLECTING FROM THE HOTELS AND GIVING THE HOTELS AN OPTION TO PAY ONLINE.

AND SO THAT'S KIND OF WHERE WE WERE, WHERE WHERE OUR NICHE KIND OF FIT IN.

HELPED A LOT OF CITIES BE

[00:50:01]

ABLE TO COLLECT ONLINE FOR THOSE ON BEHALF OF THOSE HOTELS, UM, THAT HELPING THEM, UH, WITH ANY TECHNICAL ISSUES THEY MIGHT HAVE.

BUT THAT WAS BASICALLY THE EXTENT OF THE PLATFORM.

SO IT SOUNDS LIKE WE HAD A VOLUNTARY SYSTEM AND PEOPLE STOPPED VOLUNTEERING.

UM, YEAH, NOBODY WENT LOOKING FOR ANYBODY EITHER.

SO I, I GUESS FOR THIS ACTION, I, WELL, THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA, IT SAYS DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION.

IS STAFF LOOKING FOR SOME SORT OF DIRECTION FROM THE COUNCIL? YES, SIR.

AS TO HOW WE WANNA PROCEED.

AND LIKE COUNCILMAN EDMOND SAID, AND THE GENTLEMAN SAID, WE CAN GO BACK OUT AND WE CAN LOOK AT OTHER COMPANIES, WE CAN PROCEED WITH THEM WITH THIS PLATFORM THAT THEY HAVE.

WE CAN, UH, SO RIGHT NOW REALLY THEY'RE, UH, WE JUST DID A REVIEW OF THE HOT TAXES AND WE REALIZED THERE WAS A COMPANY THAT WAS NOT PAYING HOT TAXES THAT WAS BROUGHT TO US BY AS OF OUR, SO JUST HOWEVER WE WANNA PROCEED, IT'S, UH, IT'S UP TO THE, THE WILL OF THE COUNCIL.

SO, SO IF WE DID THAT, WILL WE HAVE TO GO FRFP? IT'S UNDER THE THRESHOLD.

UH, YES, SIR.

SO IT SOUNDS LIKE, HAVE Y'ALL GO AHEAD.

IT SOUNDS LIKE WE'RE, WE'RE LOOKING AT LIKE $4,500.

WE GOTTA GO OUT, OUT FOR RFP FOR THAT, UH, IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO OUT FOR RFP ANYMORE FOR, I BELIEVE IT'S, UH, WAS THE THRESHOLD THOUSAND? YES.

THRESHOLD IS ON A HUNDRED THOUSAND.

YEAH, IT'S A HUNDRED THOUSAND NOW.

AND I GUESS IT DEPENDS ON THE LENGTH OF THE CONTRACT WE'D BE LOOKING AT.

SO, UH, MOST OF OUR CONTRACTS ARE LIKE ON A THREE YEAR BASIS, AND YOU WOULD, YOU WOULD RENEW IF, IF YOU WOULD CHOOSE TO RENEW AFTER THE THREE YEARS, YOU COULD DO SO.

SO THE 3000 OR THE 1500 TIMES THREE AND THE 3000 PLUS ANY ADDITIONAL PROPERTIES THAT WERE IDENTIFIED DURING, DURING THAT PERIOD.

SO HAVE Y'ALL, I GUESS TO, TO STAFF, HAVE Y'ALL HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT WHAT THE AGREEMENT HE'S DISCUSSING TONIGHT? HAVE Y'ALL HAD A CHANCE TO GO INTO THAT MRS. CLARK? UM, I HAVE USED THE LOCAL GLOVE PLATFORM, AS YOU KNOW, WE ONLY HAVE ABOUT THREE PEOPLE WHO DO REPORT ON THAT.

SO I HAVE MET WITH, UH, TRAVIS MOORE ABOUT HOW WE CAN GET ANYBODY WHO DOES COME IN FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT, GET THEM A PACKET ON HOW TO GET SIGNED UP FOR LOCAL GOV.

BUT AGAIN, WE'VE ONLY HAD FOUR PEOPLE EVEN APPLY FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO OPERATE AN SCR IN THE CITY.

SO THAT'S WHERE THEY CAN HELP US, IS IDENTIFYING THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CURRENTLY OPERATING WITHOUT A SPECIAL USE PERMIT THAT WE ARE NOT CAPTURING THAT REVENUE.

I HAVE TO MAKE A MOTION TO GO OUT FOR AN RFP, BUT I GUESS IF WE COULD JUST RECOMMEND THAT STAFF LOOK AT THIS NEW, UH, PLATFORM THAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT AND COME BACK TO US AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING AND TELL US WHETHER THIS WILL DO WHAT WE NEED.

IF NOT, THEN DO WE NEED TO GO OUT FOR RFPS OR WHATEVER THE LOSS IS, WE CAN LOOK AT DIFFERENT COMPANIES.

UH, I, I DON'T SEE WHERE WE'RE, WE'RE DOING ANYTHING RIGHT NOW.

NO, YOU DON'T NEED A MOTION FOR THAT, MAYOR.

SO, WELL, I, I JUST HAVE ONE QUESTION AND THEN, UM, WHEN, WHEN IT COMES TO THESE SHORT TERM RENTALS, LIKE SO WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO CHANGE OUR ZONING, IS THIS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN PUT A, JUST ACROSS THE BOARD WHERE IT'S A, UH, YOU'RE ONLY ALLOWED TO DO SHORT TERM RENTALS FOR CONDITIONAL USE ONLY, LIKE WE HAVE TO PROVIDE THAT, SO BASICALLY MAKE 'EM OUTLAWED UNLESS THEY ARE REGISTERED WITH US.

IS THAT SOMETHING WE CAN DO LEGALLY INTO OUR ZONE AND THEN IF THEY'RE DOING IT OUTSIDE OF WHAT OUR, OUR ZONING REQUIREMENTS, WE JUST FINE 'EM? WELL, EXACTLY, AND THAT'S WHAT WE DID IN FACT DO AGAINST CRYSTAL CRUZ.

SO, SO, SO IF WE CAN DO THAT AND THEN WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE ANY PROGRAM OR WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING, IT'S JUST REPORTED BY THE CITIZENS AT THAT POINT, RIGHT? WELL, IF IT'S A ZONING PROBLEM, YES, BUT THERE'S ALWAYS THE POTENTIAL THAT YOU HAVE AN STR THAT DOES NOT COME IN AND OBTAIN OR, OR TRY TO OBTAIN THE PROPER PERMITS AND APPROVALS TO OPERATE AND THEY OPERATE, THEY ARE COLLECTING THEIR REVENUE AND THEY'RE NOT REMITTING TO US THE TAX THAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO.

MM-HMM .

CRYSTAL CRUZ IS A GREAT EXAMPLE.

THAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF ONE THAT DID IN FACT OPERATE WITHOUT GETTING THOSE APPROVALS.

AND WHEN WE CAME IN TO SHUT 'EM DOWN, THAT'S WHEN THEY SUED.

MM-HMM .

YOU KNOW, TO, TO CHALLENGE THE ORDINANCE.

WELL, I GUESS THAT'S THE, I GUESS THE IDEA IN MY HEAD IS THEY HAVE TO REGISTER EVERY SINGLE YEAR TO USE A SPECIAL PERMIT USE, AND THEN THEY HAVE TO SHOW US THEIR REPORTING.

I MEAN, IF WE HA MAKE THE REPORTING REQUIRED AND THEY HAVE TO DO IT EVERY YEAR, THEN IF THEY'RE, THEY ARE OPERATING OUT, WE CAN THEN ALSO FIND THEM, NOT JUST TRY TO GO AFTER THEIR TAXES.

IS THAT, YES, I, I UNDERSTAND IT, THE THEORY OF HOW THE RULES OUGHT TO WORK, BUT THE BIG ASSUMPTION THERE IS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO COMPLY

[00:55:01]

WITH THE RULES.

AND, AND THAT'S THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE, IS THAT THERE ARE SDRS THAT POP UP THAT JUST WILL NOT COMPLY WITH THE RULES OR WILL NOT COME IN TO GET THE APPROPRIATE PERMITTING UNTIL MAYBE THEY'RE CAUGHT.

WELL.

SO THAT'S, I GUESS, A DIFFERENCE IS WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US DOING THIS PROGRAM AND THESE PEOPLE GOING AFTER 'EM AND THEY STILL AREN'T GONNA COMPLY COMPARED TO US PUTTING IT IN THE COURT AND WE CAN FINE 'EM AND THEN NOW WE CAN HOLD THEM ACCORDINGLY BECAUSE IF THEY DON'T PAY THE, THE COURTS THE FINES, THAT'S A PROBLEM.

THAT'S NOT A TAX SITUATION.

WE'RE STILL BRINGING IN REVENUE TOO, BECAUSE THOSE ARE FINES.

SO I GUESS THE QUESTION IS, IS THESE PEOPLE ARE ALREADY NOT COMPLIANT.

WHAT MAKES, AND I AM JUST PLAYING DEVIL'S OUT, WHAT MAKES Y'ALL'S FIRM SAY, WE'RE GOING TO MAKE Y'ALL COMPLIANT? SO, AND I, I CAN KIND OF JUST SPEAK TO WHAT OUR EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN WITH OTHER MUNICIPALITIES.

A LOT OF IT IS NOT THAT THEY DO NOT WANT TO BE COMPLIANT, IT'S THAT THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY REGULATIONS.

YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT, A LOT OF THESE SHORT TERM RENTALS ARE OPERATED BY PEOPLE THAT ARE JUST REGULAR CITIZENS OF DICKINSON.

AND THEY MIGHT NOT KNOW THAT THERE IS A PERMIT.

THEY THINK, OH, WELL I'M JUST RENTING IT OUT LIKE I WOULD TO A BUDDY AND THEY PAY ME 50 BUCKS.

I'M JUST PUTTING IT ONLINE.

AND THEY DON'T REALLY BELIEVE, IF THEY DON'T, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S NOT SIGNIFICANT REVENUE TO THEM THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE TO REGISTER.

NOW, WHAT WE DO AND WHAT THE DIFFERENCE WOULD BE IF THE CITY TOOK THIS UP ON THEMSELVES IS WE ACTUALLY FIND THE ADDRESS THAT IT'S ATTRIBUTED TO.

UM, AS YOU MIGHT KNOW, AIRBNB DOES NOT GIVE OUT ANY HOST INFORMATION WHATSOEVER.

SO THEY'RE GIVEN AN APPROXIMATE AREA OF WHERE THE AIRBNB IS LOCATED.

HOWEVER, FINDING THE ACTUAL ADDRESS IS A MANUAL PROCESS.

BEING ABLE TO SEND THAT LETTER OUT AND TELL THEM, HEY, YOU'RE CURRENTLY NON-COMPLIANT.

WE HAVE NOT SEEN ANY, UH, REMITTANCES FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

DO YOU HAVE TO COME INTO COMPLIANCE? AND, UM, I CAN KINDA SPEAK TO, I WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH, WHEN WE IMPLEMENTED FORT WORTH'S, UH, SHORT-TERM RENTAL PROGRAM AND A LOT OF IT WAS JUST SENDING OUT THE LETTERS AND HEARING BACK, A LOT OF THEM WERE CONFUSED.

THEY DID NOT KNOW THAT THERE WAS ANY RULES.

THEY DID NOT KNOW THAT THEY WERE NON-COMPLIANT.

AND ONCE WE LET THEM KNOW, HEY, THERE'S, YOU CAN PAY ON LOCAL GOV, GET AN ACCOUNT AND START, UH, REMITTING, YOU CAN SEE YOUR DELINQUENCY REPORTS OF HOW MANY, UH, LISTINGS YOU MIGHT HAVE MI OR HOW MANY MONTHS YOU MIGHT HAVE, UH, MISSED AND GET THEM UP TO SPEED ON THE PAYMENTS.

SO IT'S NOT THAT THEY'RE WILLFULLY BEING NONCOMPLIANT, THOUGH.

THERE ARE, THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE THAT DO THAT.

THEY DON'T BELIEVE THAT, UH, THE MUNICIPALITY WILL TAKE ANY ACTION.

THEY'RE MORE AFRAID OF THE STATE AND MIGHT SIGNIFICANTLY UNDERREPORT TO THE MUNICIPALITY OR IF AT ALL, BECAUSE THEY DON'T BELIEVE EITHER THEY'RE WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OR THE CITY HAS ANY AUTHORITY.

SO YOUR QUESTION YEAH, I'D LIKE TO BE ABLE TO REVIEW THE CONTRACT IF I'M EXPECTED TO VOTE ON IT.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO POSTPONE THIS UNTIL THE NEXT MEETING.

JUST, UH, LIKE MARK INSISTED, UH, SO THAT WE AT LEAST HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW AN AGREEMENT.

CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF DICKINSON, TEXAS.

GOT A MOTION TO POSTPONE.

DO I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSED.

SO IT LOOKS LIKE WE'LL BE TALKING SOON.

ALRIGHT, THANK YOU.

ALRIGHT, SEVEN.

A RELU, UH,

[7.A RESOLUTION XXX-2026 - Consideration and possible action to approve a Resolution of the City of Dickinson, Texas finding that Texas-New Mexico Power Company’s application to change rates within the city should be denied; finding that the City’s reasonable rate case expenses shall be reimbursed by the Company; finding that the meeting at which this Resolution is passed is open to the public as required by law; requiring notice of this Resolution to the Company and Legal Counsel. (Administration)]

FINDING THE TEXAS NEW MEXICO POWER COMPANY'S APPLICATION TO CHANGE RATES WITHIN THE CITY SHOULD BE DENIED FINDING THAT THE CITY'S REASONABLE RATE CASE EXPENSES SHALL BE REIMBURSED BY THE COMPANY FINDING THAT THE MEETING AT WHICH THIS RESOLUTION IS PASSED IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS REQUIRED BY LAW REQUIRING NOTICE OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE COMPANY AND LEGAL COUNSEL.

SO THOSE GOT IT.

MOTION AND A SECOND.

UH, ANY PRESENTATION, COMMENTS, QUESTIONS, CONCERNS? UH, THE COUNCIL WILL RECALL THAT, UH, LATE LAST YEAR, TNMP FILED A RATE CASE.

BASICALLY IT'S, UH, AN APPLICATION TO INCREASE THE RATES FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS.

UH, THE CITY DOES HAVE ORIGINAL JURISDICTION.

THE CITY TOOK ACTION LATE LAST YEAR TO, UH, NUMBER ONE, UM, SUSPEND THE, A, THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE RATE CHANGE.

UH, AND SO THE CITY DID DO THAT.

AND SO THIS, UH, STEP HERE IS JUST TO DENY THAT RATE CHANGE.

UH, THE LEGAL COUNSEL THAT WORKS FOR THE COALITION OF CITIES TO WHICH DICKINSON BELONGS, UH, HAS BEEN WORKING ON A SETTLEMENT OF THE CASE SO THAT THE TWO SIDES CAN RESOLVE AND, UH, ACHIEVE A RATE INCREASE THAT IS LESS THAN WHAT TMP UH, IS SEEKING.

BUT THE NEXT STEP IN THIS PROCESS IS FOR THE COUNCIL TO, UH, DENY THE RATE, UH, INCREASED AND THEN WE'LL, WE'LL GO UP TO THE, UH, SETTLEMENT.

ALRIGHT, WELL JUST TO, NOPE, GO AHEAD.

JUST TO, UH, A POINT ON SOMETHING.

THIS ONLY TAKES CARE OF TEXAS, NEW MEXICO,

[01:00:01]

WHAT ABOUT THE WEST END OF OUR CITY THAT'S UNDER RELIANT? IS THAT A SEPARATE CENTER POINT? CENTER POINT, YEAH.

CENTER POINT LAKES.

IS THAT A SEPARATE AGREEMENT? UH, THAT, THAT WOULD BE SEPARATE.

I MEAN THAT, THAT WOULD COME TO DICKINSON ONLY AT THE POINT WHEN, UM, CENTER POINT COMES IN SEEKING A RATE CASE TO INCREASE THEIR RATES.

SO WE JUST ACT ON WHAT IS BROUGHT TO US.

SO WHO ELSE DID YOU SAY HAS CENTER POINT JUST BY YOUR LEGS? AS FAR AS I'M AWARE, WE ONLY HAVE ONE NEIGHBORHOOD, EVERYTHING SOUTH OF THE BIO OFF 6 46 AVENUE J AND L, BUT WE'RE NOT DOING ANY RATE.

YEAH, THERE'S NO RATE CHANGES OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT WITH THEM, SO, YEAH.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS? IF NOT ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DICKINSON, TEXAS, SUSPENDING THE APRIL 18TH, 2026 EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE PROPOSAL BY CENTER POINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORPORATION, DBA, UH, CENTER POINT ENERGY, INEX, AND CENTER POINT ENERGY, TEXAS GAS, HOUSTON, TEXAS COAST, SOUTH TEXAS, AND BEAUMONT EAST TEXAS.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASS SEVEN B CONSIDERATION

[7.B RESOLUTION XXX-2026 - Consideration and possible action to approve a Resolution by the City Council of the City of Dickinson, Texas, suspending the April 18, 2026 effective date of the proposal by Centerpoint Energy Resources Corp., D/B/A Centerpoint Energy Entex and Centerpoint Energy Texas Gas – Houston, Texas Coast, South Texas ,and Beaumont/East Texas geographic rate areas, to implement Interim Grip Rate Adjustments for Gas Utility Investment In 2025 and requiring delivery of this resolution to the Company and legal counsel. (Administration)]

GEOGRAPHIC RATE AREAS TO IMPLEMENT INTERIM, UH, GRIP RATE ADJUSTMENTS FOR GAS UTILITY INVESTMENT IN 2025 AND REQUIRING DELIVERY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE COMPANY AND LEGAL COUNSEL.

DO I HAVE A MOTION? SO MOTION.

I HAVE A SECOND.

SECOND.

DO WE HAVE ANYTHING FOR THIS OR, UH, JUST BRIEFLY THIS IS A DIFFERENT TYPE OF RATE INCREASE.

UH, IT'S CENTERPOINT, BUT UH, PLEASE RECALL THAT CENTERPOINT IS ELECTRICITY AND THEY ALSO HAVE A DIVISION THAT DOES GAS.

SO THIS IS A GAS, UH, RATE CASE.

THE CITY DOESN'T HAVE THE POWER TO DO ANYTHING ON THE RATES.

THE ONLY THING THAT WE CAN DO, WHICH IS WHAT'S IN FRONT OF YOU GUYS, UH, IS TO DELAY THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE RATE INCREASE ON THE GAS THAT CENTERPOINT SELL.

AND SO THIS ACTION WOULD DELAY THAT RATE INCREASE FOR, UH, DICKINSON RESIDENCE BY THE MAXIMUM 45 DAYS.

THAT'S ALL WE'RE DOING.

UH, ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL AT THE OF THE CITY OF DICKINSON, TEXAS TO AMEND THE MASTER FEE SCHEDULE OF THE CITY OF DICKINSON BY ADOPTING REVISED EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FEES, PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF PREAMBLE AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE MOVE TO APPROVE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSED.

SEVEN C.

[7.C RESOLUTION XXX-2026 - Consideration and possible action to approve a Resolution by the City Council of the City of Dickinson, Texas, to amend the Master Fee Schedule of the City of Dickinson by adopting revised Emergency Medical Services fees; providing for incorporation of preamble and an effective date. (EMS)]

GOT A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ANY COMMENTS, QUESTIONS, PRESENTATIONS CHIEF ROBBINS WOULD YOU LIKE TO APPROACH? SO, JUST A LITTLE HISTORY ON THIS.

UH, IN SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR, UH, TDI, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE HAS PASSED A LAW TO WHERE WE CAN'T INCREASE OUR RATES UP TO EITHER 10% PER YEAR OR 2% DEPENDING ON THE, UH, MEDICARE ADJUSTMENT RATE.

SO THE MEDICARE, WHICHEVER IS LESS.

SO THIS YEAR FOR 2026, THE MEDICARE ADJUSTMENT, UH, RATE IS 2%.

SO THEY CANNOT BE SOMETHING THEY CAN GO BACK, UH, FROM PREVIOUS YEARS AND SAY, OKAY, I'M GONNA TAKE THIS YEAR PLUS NEXT YEAR, MAKE IT 4%.

IF WE DON'T PASS IT NOW, THEN IT'S GONE.

SO NEXT YEAR THEY COME BACK AND SAY IT'S 2% AGAIN, WE'RE STUCK AT 2%.

WE CAN'T GO UP ANY HIGHER THAN THAT.

WITH SEEING THIS, I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT I NEED TO BRING TO YOUR, UH, ATTENTION TO SEE IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE WANT TO DO OR NOT.

UM, SO AT MAX WE CAN INCREASE IT TO 2%.

ALRIGHT, ANY QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL? YEAH, OUTTA CURIOSITY, SINCE THAT LAW HAS BEEN CHANGED, IS THERE GOING, IS THIS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT'S LOOKED AT EVERY YEAR AND REQUIRE COUNCIL ACTION? THERE'S A POSSIBILITY.

IT DEPENDS ON IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WANT TO INCREASE AND KEEP UP WITH, EXCUSE ME, INFLATION AND DIFFERENT ASPECTS LIKE THAT.

UM, WITH SUPPLIES ARE GOING UP EVERY YEAR.

YOU KNOW, FUEL GOES UP, PERSONNEL COST GOES UP IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WANT TO KEEP AHEAD OF OR NOT.

SO THIS IS GONNA BE OBVIOUSLY COMPLETELY UP TO YOU ON HOW YOU GUYS WANT TO PROCEED WITH THIS.

WITH THIS BEING SAID, UM, THE REASON I HAD TO GET IT ONTO THIS AGENDA, UH, THE PORTAL OPENED UP FEBRUARY 5TH AND IT IS, IT HAS TO BE COMPLETED, ENTERED INTO TDI

[01:05:01]

BY MARCH 23RD OF THIS YEAR.

SO THAT'S WHY WE WERE TRYING TO GET IT DONE BECAUSE IT'S SOMETHING I GET DONE, I'M GONNA HAVE TO GO BACK AND ENTER IT.

DO YOU HAVE AN ESTIMATED ANNUAL ADJUSTMENT? I DO NOT, UNFORTUNATELY.

UM, WHAT I CAN CAN TELL YOU WHAT THE ADJUSTMENT, UM, FOR LIKE AN A LS LEVEL TWO CALL, IT WILL GO UP $34.

I JUST WANNA KNOW WHAT IMPACT IT MAKES TO YOUR BUDGET.

YES, THE IMPACT, UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET TO THAT.

I WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE WHAT THE BUDGET WAS AND WHAT EACH CALL WAS AT THIS TIME.

I HAD DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO GET ALL THAT PUT INTO PLACE WHEN I GOT ALL, UH, THIS INFORMATION.

THE PERCENTAGE HAS BEEN ALIGNED, JUST WAS, AND WANTING TO KNOW WHAT IT WAS CUMULATIVELY.

I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU DON'T HAVE IT.

IT'S OKAY.

AND EVEN WITH THAT BEING SAID, WE CAN GO UP, EXCUSE ME, IN THE PERCENTAGE NOW WITH A LOT OF, UM, MEDICARE, DIFFERENT ASPECTS LIKE THAT.

IT'S NOT GONNA ADJUST THAT.

WE CAN GO UP WITH THE PERCENTAGE.

MEDICARE'S GONNA PAY WHAT MEDICARE IS GONNA PAY.

THEY'VE GOT A BASELINE.

THIS IS GONNA BE MORE FOR YOUR INSURANCES, UM, AND ASPECTS LIKE THAT.

ANYTHING ELSE? ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM COUNSEL? IF NOT, GOT A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASS, WHICH THEN

[8. EXECUTIVE (CLOSED) SESSION(S)]

IT IS 8 0 6.

IT'LL TAKE US INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION PER TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION.

FIVE, 5.102 AND 5 5 7 1.