[1. CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:08]
MICROPHONE ON GREEN. AND IT IS NOW 702 AND WE'RE CALLING THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY PARKS BOARD MEETING TO ORDER. THANK YOU, EVERYBODY, FOR FOR COMING ON IN THIS EVENING. ITEM ONE HAS BEEN MEETING'S BEEN CALLED TO ORDER. ITEM NUMBER TWO BELIEVE EVERYONE'S PRESENT EXCEPT FOR THOMAS. SEEN. SHE'S OUT. AND MARY ROSS. SHE'S NOT GOING TO BE. WELL, MAYBE I SEE SOMEBODY NOW. MARY'S OUT TONIGHT. AND BRUCE, HE SENT ME AN EMAIL. HE'S GOING TO BE OUT TONIGHT. OKAY, SO THAT SHOULD TAKE CARE OF OUR ROLL RIGHT THERE. YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT NAME. OH, I DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT NAME. SORRY. WE WE MOVED, BUT WE DIDN'T MOVE OUR NAMES.
SO. THANK YOU. IS THIS BETTER NOW? OH, ARE WE RIGHT NOW? THERE YOU GO. THANK YOU. YOU'RE
[3. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE MEETING MINUTES]
WELCOME. ITEM NUMBER THREE. CONSIDER. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE MEETING MINUTES. THOSE MEETING MINUTES WAS SENT OUT TO EVERYONE. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY MODIFICATIONS OR CORRECTIONS? AND IF NOT, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PARKS BOARD. APRIL 2ND, 2026. MEETING MINUTES. I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE. LADIES FIRST. I GOT A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE. ALL RIGHT. I UP, UP, UP. HERE WE GO. MARY ROSS IS HERE. LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT MARY ROSS IS IN ATTENDANCE AS SHE MAKES HER WAY UP HERE TO THE FRONT. AND SO THOSE THAT ARE ONLY NOT HERE THIS EVENING IS THOMAS HEENAN. BRUCE CONTINUING DOWN THE THE LIST. ITEM NUMBER FOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC. I DO NOT SEE ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC OUT THERE THIS EVENING THAT NEEDS TO SPEAK. WE'LL MOVE ON[5. ITEMS NOT REQUIRING ACTION]
DOWN TO ITEM NUMBER FIVE. ITEM NUMBER FIVE ITEMS NOT REQUIRING ACTION. AND SO WE'RE GOING TO RECEIVE AN ETHICS TRAINING PRESENTATION BY THE CITY ATTORNEY. AND SO I WILL TURN IT OVER TO OUR ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY. PLEASE, LOVELY LADY, COME BEFORE US AND BESTOW KNOWLEDGE UPON US. ALRIGHT GUYS, LET ME GET MY POWERPOINT UP. PERFECT. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT.YOU MAY HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE. IT IS THEMED TO HITS OF THE 80S. LET'S GET ETHICAL. AND ACTUALLY THIS WAS DONE BY MATT DITTMAN WHO HE GETS TO TAKE ALL OF THE CREDIT FOR IT. SO I AM JUST PRESENTING HIS WORK. ALL RIGHT, LET'S START OUT WITH WHY WE'RE ACTUALLY TALKING ABOUT ETHICS.
ANYONE FAMILIAR WITH THE MICHAEL JACKSON CLASSIC PIT? PRETTY YOUNG THING. OH MY GOSH, Y'ALL. THAT DESERVES A CANDY. OKAY. I'M TALKING ABOUT. ALL RIGHT. THAT DESERVES CANDY.
YEAH. SO IF WE TAKE A LOOK AT OUR OWN CODE, WE HAVE FIVE BASIC PRINCIPLES THAT WE SHOULD ADHERE TO. AND THESE ALL ARE GOING TO HELP US MAINTAIN PUBLIC TRUST. I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND READ TO YOU BECAUSE I LIKE THE SOUND OF MY OWN VOICE. REPRESENT AND WORK TOWARDS THE PUBLIC INTEREST AND NOT TOWARDS PRIVATE OR PERSONAL INTERESTS, EXCEPT IN MAINTAIN THE PERSONAL TRUST BY PRESERVING AND ENHANCING THE PUBLIC'S CONFIDENCE IN YOU THROUGH YOUR CONDUCT. I THINK THAT'D PROBABLY BE THE ONE I GET DINGED ON EXERCISE LEADERSHIP, PARTICULARLY, PARTICULARLY IN THE FORM OF CONSISTENTLY DEMONSTRATING BEHAVIOR THAT REFLECTS THE PUBLIC TRUST. RECOGNIZE THE PROPER ROLE OF ALL GOVERNMENT BODIES AND THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE VARIOUS GOVERNMENT BODIES, AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CITY STAFF AND CITY OFFICIALS, AND ALWAYS DEMONSTRATE RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER, WHICH I'M. I'M ALWAYS AMAZED AT HOW AMIABLE EVERYONE IS, AND IT'S BEAUTIFUL TO SEE. SO THANK Y'ALL FOR THAT.
ALL RIGHT. HIT ME ONE TIME. PHILIP. OH, AND I DO HAVE THIS. AWESOME. ALL RIGHT, SO ANYONE RECOGNIZE THIS GUY? OH, YES. NO ONE. WHAT? NO ONE WAS RICKROLLED. NO. OF COURSE WE
[00:05:07]
KNOW WHO IT IS. OH MY GOSH. OKAY, SO. AND MINE TOO. SO THIS IS RICK ASTLEY. HE HAD A HIT IN THE 1980S. OH, HE JUST DIED TO BE WHITE. YES, THAT IS TRUE. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT IS HIS NAME.TIS TRUE. SO AS WE'RE NEVER GOING TO GIVE ETHICAL BEHAVIOR UP, WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT HOW ETHICAL STANDARDS OF CONDUCT SERVE TO BOLSTER PUBLIC TRUST. OH, I DID IT. ALL RIGHT, WHO'S THIS PRETTY LADY? WHITNEY HOUSTON. YES. OKAY, SO WE ARE GOING TO ASK THE QUESTION, HOW WILL I KNOW IF I HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST? AND WE ARE BACK IN CHAPTER TWO OF OUR VERY OWN CODE. NO CITY OFFICIALS SHALL APPEAR ON BEHALF OF HIS OR HER OWN FINANCIAL INTEREST OR PERSONAL INTEREST, AND ALSO DON'T DO IT ON BEHALF OF ANY OTHER PERSON THAT YOU KNOW YOU'RE AFFILIATED WITH, EXCEPT IF YOU SPEND YOUR OWN MONEY AND YOU'RE ASKING FOR A REIMBURSEMENT. THAT, OF COURSE, IS COOL. HOPEFULLY EVERYONE HAS, IF NECESSARY, SIGNED AN AFFIDAVIT. IF THEY DO HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL INTEREST IN A BUSINESS ENTITY OR IN REAL PROPERTY, YOU JUST YOU HAVE TO ABSTAIN FROM PARTICIPATION IN THE MATTER. ONCE YOU REALIZE THERE'S A CONFLICT OF INTEREST, OR IF IT IS REASONABLY FORESEEABLE, THAT ACTION WILL HAVE A SPECIAL ECONOMIC EFFECT ON THE VALUE OF PROPERTY DISTINGUISHABLE FROM ITS EFFECT ON THE PUBLIC. MOVING RIGHT ALONG. IF REQUIRED. WE DO HAVE A CONFLICTS DISCLOSURE FORM.
BASICALLY, ANY TIME ONE OF THE OR ACTUALLY TWO BOTH OF THESE PRONGS OCCUR. ONE. IF A VENDOR ENTERS INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY, OR IF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY IS CONSIDERING ENTERING INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE VENDOR. AND NOW WE HAVE OUR AN STATEMENT. IF THE VENDOR HAS AN EMPLOYMENT OR OTHER BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP HAS BEEN GIVEN OR HAS GIVEN TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICER OR FAMILY MEMBER, ONE OR MORE GIFTS THAT ARE OVER $100 IN THE PAST YEAR, OR IF YOU HAVE A FAMILY RELATIONSHIP, THIRD DEGREE BY BLOOD. WHAT IS THAT SECOND COUSIN? YEAH, SECOND COUSIN. PROBABLY. I THINK SO. THAT'S RIGHT. DO YOU BELIEVE. ALL RIGHT, QUEEN. EVERYONE KNOWS THIS SONG. I DON'T HEAR IT.
WELL, OKAY, I WILL. NO, THIS IS THE, YOU KNOW. DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN.
Y'ALL KNOW IT. ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST. THERE YOU GO. ALL RIGHT. SO JUST TO KIND OF SHOW THAT YES THIS ACTUALLY DOES HAPPEN. HERE ARE A COUPLE OF HEADLINES FROM THE OLD DALLAS EXPRESS. THERE WAS A SOUTH LAKE CITY COUNCILWOMAN WHO VOTED ON A ON PROPERTY, BASICALLY THAT I THINK HER HUSBAND WAS DEVELOPING. SHE MADE IT ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO, I THINK THE SECOND READING BEFORE SHE REALIZED THAT SHE HAD A CONFLICT OF INTEREST, ENDED UP GIVING HER SEAT UP. SO THIS REALLY DOES HAPPEN. AND NOT JUST IN DALLAS OR SOUTH LAKE. ALL RIGHT. NEXT WALK THIS WAY. I LOOKED AT THE LYRICS OF THIS ONE AND I CAN'T BELIEVE MY MOM LET ME SING IT. SO I'M NOT REALLY GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE SONG CONNECTION. HOWEVER, THIS AGAIN IS TALKING ABOUT STANDARDS OF CONDUCT. YOU CAN'T HAVE THE APPEARANCE OF GRANTING OR INFLUENCING THE GRANTING OF ANY SPECIAL CONSIDERATION OR ADVANTAGE. ALL OF THIS JUST IS IS COMMON SENSE. WHEN YOU LOOK DOWN AT THAT LAST PART, MISSOURI CITY CODE, NO CITY OFFICIALS SHALL MAKE USE OF STAFF, VEHICLES, EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS OR PROPERTY EXCEPT IN THE COURSE OF THE CITY'S OFFICIAL DUTIES. TOTALLY EASY. EVERYONE GOT THAT. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. THIS WAY. WALK THIS WAY. SORRY. YEAH. OKAY. SO I FORGOT THE ECHO. I HAD A LITTLE REVERB
[00:10:10]
ON THAT. OKAY, SO THIS BASICALLY IS TALKING ABOUT ABUSE OF OFFICIAL CAPACITY. YOU CANNOT INTENTIONALLY OR KNOWINGLY OR WITH THE INTENT TO OBTAIN A BENEFIT OR HARM OR HURT SOMEONE ELSE, MISUSE GOVERNMENT PROPERTY, PERSONNEL INTERFERENCE WITH ADMINISTRATION IS IN CHAPTER THREE OF OUR CHARTER OR SECTION THREE. BASICALLY, COUNCIL AND COUNCIL MEMBERS DEAL WITH CITY OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES. SO SO IF THERE'S ANY ISSUE WITH, OH, I DON'T KNOW THE PERSON PRESENTING RIGHT NOW, YOU CAN BYPASS EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM.YOU CAN GO TALK TO THE CITY MANAGER. I THINK I'M SAFE BECAUSE SHE DOESN'T KNOW MY NAME. I THINK I, I THINK I'M OKAY. OKAY, HERE'S A LITTLE RECOMMENDATION. APPROPRIATE COUNCIL MEMBER ACTIONS INCLUDE DIRECTING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC INTO, YOU KNOW, THE ESTABLISHED PROCESS. AND IF A COUNCIL MEMBER BELIEVES THAT THERE IS AN OPERATIONAL PROBLEM, DIRECT IT TO THE CITY MANAGER, JUST, YOU KNOW, GO STRAIGHT TO THE TOP. ALL RIGHT. WHEN I LOOK AT THIS PICTURE, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT MADE IT ON THIS POWERPOINT. OKAY, SO CARELESS WHISPERS WHO KNOWS THIS ONE. Y'ALL. COME ON. I REMEMBER THIS ONE. GEORGE MICHAEL. YES, YES. I THINK THAT GETS TWO READY. ALL RIGHT. SORRY. HERE COMES THE NEXT ONE. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT. SO WE WANT TO AVOID CARELESS WHISPERS. AND THESE ARE CAUTIONS CONCERNING COMMUNICATION. DON'T SAY ANYTHING THAT IS GOING TO VIOLATE THE PENAL CODE. THAT'S A BIG ONE. PENAL CODE IS USUALLY THE STUFF THAT YOU'LL GO DIRECTLY TO JAIL FOR. IN OUR VERY OWN CODE. PLEASE DO NOT GET ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND OR IN PERSON OR ANY OTHER MEDIA AND DEFAME OR PRIVATELY OR PUBLICLY HARASS ANY CITY OFFICIAL OR EMPLOYEE, AND ALSO DO NOT DISCLOSE CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION GAINED BY THE VIRTUE OF YOUR POSITION AND PRESENCE IN A CLOSED MEETING. SO THIS ISN'T A CLOSED MEETING, BUT YOU KNOW. ALL RIGHT, MOVING RIGHT ALONG. A LITTLE BIT MORE. YOU CAN'T HAVE CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR US, THOUGH. NO, NO.
YEAH. I THINK THAT'S MORE GEARED TOWARDS YEAH. COUNCIL. YEAH. ALL RIGHT. MISUSE OF OFFICIAL INFORMATION Y'ALL. THAT'S A FELONY. THAT'S A BIG ONE. SO IF RELYING IN RELIANCE SORRY. I KNOW HOW TO READ A PROMISE INFORMATION TO WHICH HE HAS ACCESS BY VIRTUE OF HIS OFFICE THAT HAS NOT BEEN MADE PUBLIC, HE DOES THE FOLLOWING. EITHER ACQUIRES OR HELPS ANOTHER ACQUIRE A PECUNIARY INTEREST, SPECULATES, OR HELPS ANOTHER SPECULATE. I DON'T THINK THAT I HAVE HEARD OF ANYONE SPECULATING SINCE. LIKE WHAT THE OIL DAYS. WHAT IS SO SPECULATE. IT'S KIND OF INTERESTING. COERCES ANOTHER INTO SUPPRESSING OR FAILING TO REPORT THAT INFORMATION. THAT INFORMATION SORRY TO A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. PLEASE PLEASE, PLEASE DON'T USE OR DISCLOSE ANY INFORMATION FOR ANY PURPOSE. IT'S JUST NOT COOL.
ALL RIGHT. EVERY ROSE HAS ITS THORN. I'M SKIPPING THIS ONE BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE THIS SONG, BUT DO Y'ALL KNOW IT? OKAY, IT'S TOO COUNTRY FOR ME. BUT YOU'RE IN TEXAS. TEXAS? I WAS JUST I KNOW, I KNOW IF I CAN DEAL WITH YOU. ALL RIGHT, SO HERE'S THE GOOD PART. OVERVIEW OF REGULATIONS RELATED TO GIFTING. BY THE WAY, I WANTED TO BUY ETHICALLY SOURCED CANDY BECAUSE IT'S AN ETHICS PRESENTATION. BUT MY GOD, THAT STUFF IS EXPENSIVE, Y'ALL. SO 50 BUCKS THERE. YEAH. IT WASN'T CHEAP. ALL RIGHT. I GIVE MY STAFF AT THE ELECTIONS. ALL
[00:15:01]
RIGHT. SO BRIBERY THIS IS FROM THE PENAL CODE. IT'S AN OFFENSE. IF YOU ACCEPT OR AGREE TO ACCEPT FROM ANOTHER PERSON ANY BENEFIT AS CONSIDERATION FOR THEIR VOTE, THEIR OPINION, THEIR RECOMMENDATION BENEFIT REALLY KIND OF HAS LIKE A MONEY STANDARD TO IT IF YOU THINK ABOUT THAT. BUT IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE COLD, HARD CASH, A GIFT TO PUBLIC SERVANTS. YOU CANNOT ACCEPT OR AGREE TO ACCEPT SOMETHING THAT YOU ARE, YOU KNOW, TO BE THE SUBJECT OF REGULATION, INSPECTION OR INVESTIGATION BY THE PUBLIC SERVANT. I DON'T THINK I SAID THAT VERY WELL. YOU WE SHOULD NOT ACCEPT THINGS FROM PEOPLE WITH THEM, YOU KNOW, WANTING TO. FAVOR QUID PRO QUO. YEAH, THERE IT IS. IT WAS ON THE TIP OF MY TONGUE. ALL RIGHT.FEDERAL LAW. SECTION SIX. SIX SIX. THEFT OR BRIBERY FOR ANYTHING CONCEALED OR RECEIVING FEDERAL FUNDS. I DON'T THINK THAT THAT PARKS BOARD REALLY DOES ANYTHING. YOU CAN'T OBLIGATE THE CITY IN ANY SHAPE, FORM OR FASHION. I GUESS THE ONLY. YEP. I GUESS THE ONLY GOOD THING TO KNOW ABOUT THIS, AND I SAY GOOD IS THAT THE FBI CASE CONVICTION RATE AFTER INDICTMENT IS HELLA HIGH. IT'S 99.6 BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT PLAYING WELL. IT DEPENDS ON WHO THE. WELL, YEAH. ALRIGHT, SOMEONE'S GOING TO SING THIS ONE. I CAN FEEL IT. I GOT MORE CANDY. THIS IS MY COUSIN RIGHT HERE. REALLY? YOU ARE. ARE YOU JUST USING THAT LAST NAME? LAST NAME? TURNER. ARE YOU SERIOUS? EXCEPT FOR THAT. OKAY. YOU SEE THE SMILE, THE VOICE, THE INTONATION. WHOA, WHOA, WHOA. ABOUT THE VOICE? YEAH, THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING. ABOUT. CAN WE GO BACK, MAKE ME GET ON THIS DESK AND START DANCING. GOD HELP US ALL, NOT HOLD ME. I WANT TO GO BACK TO DAVID BOWIE. YEAH, I, I YOU HAVE TO SHARE. I GOT DAVID BOWIE. NO, JUST ONE.
JUST ONE. THERE YOU GO. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. AND EVERYBODY'S GOING TO GET SOME Y'ALL.
ALRIGHT, SO WHAT ETHICS GOT TO DO WITH IT? LET'S TALK ABOUT A COUPLE OF SCENARIOS. SCENARIO NUMBER ONE, WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO READ IT ALOUD? I'M GOING TO TURN AROUND IF I GOT TO READ IT NOW. I MEAN, ANYONE. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER WITH A MAJOR PROJECT BEFORE THE CITY OFFERS TO BUY LUNCH FOR A COUNCIL MEMBER TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF THE CITY, THE MILL IS AT AN UPSCALE RESTAURANT, BUT THE DEVELOPER INSISTS IT'S JUST A FRIENDLY CONVERSATION. ALL RIGHT Y'ALL, OOPS, SORRY. QUESTION. CAN THE COUNCIL MEMBER ACCEPT THE LUNCH? SECOND PART? WHAT IF THE COUNCIL MEMBER PAYS FOR THEIR OWN MEAL? AWESOME. LET'S TAKE THE FIRST ONE. CAN THE COUNCIL MEMBER ACCEPT THE LUNCH? I MEAN, HE CAN. HE ABSOLUTELY CAN. NOW, THE THE PART THERE IS IS SHOULD HE. AND BASICALLY NO. BECAUSE. NO DISCUSS. YES. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SPORTS OR COLLEGE TEAM. OKAY. THAT'S NOT WHAT IF IT'S NOT CITY BUSINESS YOU CAN'T TOTALLY FINE. BUT YOU KNOW EVERYONE THAT'S SITTING THERE IS GOING TO BE SAYING, YOU KNOW, OH, LOOK WHO THAT IS. AND I KNOW WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH.
SO WHAT IF THE COUNCIL MEMBER ACTUALLY PAYS FOR THEIR OWN MEAL? IT DOESN'T MATTER. IT'S IT IS IT'S SOMEONE TOLD ME A WHILE BACK THAT PERCEPTION IS REALITY. AND IT I HAVE REALLY COME TO SEE THAT IS TRUE. ALL RIGHT. HAVE WE BEAT THAT ONE TO DEATH? CAN WE MOVE ON. WHAT WAS THE ANSWER? SO THE COUNCIL MEMBER SHOULD NOT ACCEPT THE MEAL. AND EVEN IF YOU PAY FOR YOUR OWN TENDERLOIN AT SALTGRASS YOU SAID UPSCALE. OH, UPSCALE. PERRY'S PORK CHOP IN MY BOOK. THERE YOU GO. ALL RIGHT, BACK TO CARELESS WHISPER, A COUNCIL MEMBER. HERE'S THE CITY MANAGER DISCUSSING AN UPCOMING LAND PURCHASE DURING EXECUTIVE SESSION. SO OF COURSE, Y'ALL WOULD NOT BE IN AN EXECUTIVE SESSION, BUT LET'S JUST PRETEND THAT THE CITY MANAGER IS HERE AND SHE'S TALKING AND YOU OVERHEAR SOMETHING. ALL RIGHT, THEN YOU GO AND YOU TELL YOUR FRIEND BASICALLY WHERE IT'S AT, AND YOUR FRIEND JUST HAPPENS TO BE A REAL ESTATE INVESTOR. IN A FEW WEEKS LATER, YOUR FRIEND PURCHASES NEARBY PROPERTY BEFORE THE DEAL IS FINALIZED. HAS THE COUNCIL MEMBER VIOLATED ANY ETHICAL RULES? YES. YES.
[00:20:09]
ABSOLUTELY. ANYONE WANT TO TAKE A GUESS AT WHAT SOME OF THE CONSEQUENCES COULD BE FOR THAT? CLANK CLANK CLANK CLANK. YEAH, VERY. CLANK, CLANK. YEAH, ABSOLUTELY. IT'S A MISUSE. IT'S A MISUSE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. IT BREACHES THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT WITH THE, YOU KNOW, EXECUTIVE SESSION BEING CONFIDENTIAL. IT JUST IT LOOKS SHADY. ON TOP OF ACTUALLY BEING AN ABUSE OF OFFICE. SO I GOT A POINT. I WANT TO ASK DO IT. SO, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE MEETINGS ALL THE TIME WHERE IN A MEETING WE TALK ABOUT, WELL, WE NEED LAND IN THIS PARK ZONE BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A PARK. AND SO IF A REALTOR WAS WATCHING THE VIDEO AND THEY SAID, OH, WELL, PARK ZONE, BECAUSE NOW THEY'RE GOING TO BE LAND SPECULATING, I'M JUST SAYING THIS. AND SO THAT WOULD NOT BE A VIOLATION BECAUSE IT WAS SOMETHING THEY GOT FROM THE PUBLIC. ABSOLUTELY. AND THERE WAS SOMETHING THAT I RAN INTO JUST A FEW DAYS AGO WHERE WE WERE KIND OF WE WERE CONFUSED ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT SOMEONE WHO HAD MADE A PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUEST WAS BEING REALLY SAVVY OR, YOU KNOW, DIDN'T REALIZE THE GOLD MINE THAT THEY WERE, YOU KNOW, GOING TO STUMBLE ON TO HAD WE NOT CAUGHT IT. SO ABSOLUTELY. JUST YEAH, DON'T, DON'T WANT TO POINT THAT OUT. SO THAT WAY, JUST SHARING KNOWLEDGE OF UNDERSTANDING WHAT'S A PUBLIC, WHAT'S SHOWN ON VIDEO. AND EVERY MEETING IS ALWAYS TAPED VERSUS A ONE ON ONE CONVERSATION WITH AN ELECTED OFFICIAL. WE'RE NOT ELECTED.WE'RE APPOINTED. ALL RIGHT, LAST ONE, GUYS, AND WE'RE ALMOST DONE. ALL RIGHT. FAST TRACK. I'M GOING TO SAY THIS ONE VERY QUICKLY. SO BASICALLY COUNCIL MEMBER HEARS COMPLAINTS.
COUNCIL MEMBER GETS MAD SAYS LET'S JUST FAST TRACK IT. IS THAT APPROPRIATE ACTION? NO.
YEAH. BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? WELL, IF HE DIRECTS THE CITY COUNCIL, I MEAN CITY MANAGER, AS LONG AS THEY GO TO THE CITY MANAGER AND SAY, LOOK, DON'T LET NO DUST SETTLE DOWN, LET'S GET THIS DONE. NOW THEY CAN DO THAT. I HAVE HEARD IT MANY A TIME. SO YES, IT'S ACTUALLY IT, IT, IT SEEMS LIKE IT WOULD BE LIKE, OH NO, SHOULDN'T DO THAT. BUT IT KIND OF HAPPENS A LOT FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY. YEAH. THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO SAY. IT'S FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY.
ABSOLUTELY. ALL RIGHT. DO YOU GUYS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME. THEN? WE'RE ALL GOING TO SING THIS ONE ALONG. OKAY. YOU KNOW AT THE VERY END OF THE SONG, RIGHT. BREAKFAST CLUB. YES. ALL RIGHT. Y'ALL GOING TO SING IT WITH ME, Y'ALL. I SAID LA LA LA LA LA. HERE'S TAKE AWAY. IT'S BREAKFAST CLUB. YES. EVERYONE KNOWS THAT SONG. ALL RIGHT. SERVE WITH INTEGRITY, NOT SELF-INTEREST. TRANSPARENCY BUILDS AND MAINTAINS, MAINTAINS TRUST. AND WHEN IN DOUBT, ASK FIRST. AND THEN. THAT ACTUALLY SHOULD BE MY TIP SCREEN, WHICH I'M SURE IS VERY ETHICAL. SO ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME? IT'S GOOD. IT WAS FUN. AWESOME. OKAY, I'M GOING TO COME AROUND AND I'M JUST GOING TO LET YOU GRAB CANDY IF YOU SO DESIRE. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. DO YOU HAVE A METFORMIN? THAT'S NOT GOOD FOR YOU ANYMORE? IT HAS SIDE EFFECTS. NOT TAKING A BRIBE, I HAVE SOME. IS IT OKAY? DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH? THANK YOU. NICE. VERY GOOD. ONLY THOSE WITH HIGH A ONE C KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. I DON'T USE IT ANYMORE. THANK YOU. WHEN SHE GETS IN, SHE SAYS GOOD JOB. ALL YOU ALL RIGHT? OH, YEAH. AND SO NOW WE'VE RECEIVED SOME VERY GOOD, VALUABLE KNOWLEDGE. I REALLY DO APPRECIATE THAT. AND AND IT IS ALWAYS REFRESHING JUST TO KNOW AND AND TO HAVE THAT THE MORE, YOU KNOW, THE, THE BETTER OFF YOU ARE. YOU DON'T GET YOURSELF CAUGHT INTO A SITUATION ITEM NUMBER. SO WE'VE GONE THROUGH ITEM NUMBER FIVE, ITEM NUMBER
[7. STAFF REPORTS]
SIX. WE DON'T HAVE ANY ITEMS REQUIRING ACTION. ITEM NUMBER SEVEN, STAFF REPORTS THE WORLD'S BEST FORESTER, BEST WORLD'S BEST FASTER P B WORLD'S IN THE WORLD. THE OH MAN. I DON'T KNOW IF I COULD FOLLOW THAT LAST ONE THOUGH. THAT WAS THAT WAS PRETTY GOOD. SING AND[00:25:02]
DANCE. YOU GUYS MIGHT BE WONDERING WHY THERE IS PLANTS GROWING OUT OF YOUR WORKSTATIONS THERE. SO YOU KNOW, I DON'T LIKE TO LEAVE YOU GUYS EMPTY HANDED, SO I BROUGHT YOU SOME MEXICAN MILKWEED. NOW, THIS IS A THIS IS PROBABLY THE FAVORITE PLANT FOR MONARCH BUTTERFLIES, BUT SWALLOWTAILS AND OTHER COMMON BUTTERFLIES WILL GO AFTER IT TOO. SO IT WON'T WON'T GET A WHOLE LOT BIGGER THAN THAT. SO FIND A NICE LITTLE CORNER IN YOUR YARD SOMEPLACE. DON'T FREAK OUT IF YOU SEE LITTLE FINGER SIZED CATERPILLARS DEFOLIATE IT.THAT'S JUST PART OF THE PROCESS. IT'LL GROW BACK. THANK YOU. FIRST OFF, THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE THAT. MOST IMPORTANTLY, THOUGH, THEY'RE WORTH LESS THAN $50. YEAH, THAT'S A CLEAR COVER THERE. HOWEVER, IF YOU LET IT DIE I THINK THAT'S CONSIDERED MISUSE OF PUBLIC PROPERTY. THAT'S FAIR WARNING ON THAT ONE. VERY GOOD. THANK YOU. PULL UP THE POWERPOINT. VERY INFORMATIVE. ALL. ALL RIGHT. SO FIRST OFF I JUST WANTED TO RECOGNIZE SOME OF THE THE FORESTRY DIVISION TEAM. WE'RE ACTUALLY A DIVISION THAT HAS KIND OF TWO DIFFERENT SECTIONS. SUBDIVISIONS WE'LL CALL THEM. WE HAVE OUR RIGHT OF WAY SIDE. AND THEN WE HAVE MORE OF OUR PARKS AND FACILITIES SIDE. WE DO A LOT OF CROSS WORK. SO YOU'LL SEE, LIKE ME AND JOSIE OUT THERE WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO BE MORE THE PARKS FACILITY DOING STUFF ON THE ROADS. OR YOU'LL SEE SOLON RONALD, WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO BE RIGHT OF WAY OUT IN THE PARKS.
WE'RE TRYING TO KEEP LIFE INTERESTING, BUT THAT'S OUR TEAM OVER THERE. A COUPLE OF THEM CAME TODAY. IF YOU GUYS COULD STAND UP REAL QUICK, LIKE. I LIKE GETTING THE CREDIT FOR A LOT OF WORK, BUT THEY'RE REALLY THE GUYS THAT DO THE HARD STUFF, SO I COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT THEM. I'M PROUD TO BE A TEAM MEMBER WITH THEM. BUT JUST AS A QUICK REMINDER, THIS IS REALLY WHAT WE'RE DOING PRETTY MUCH OUT THERE EVERY DAY ON THE RIGHT OF WAYS. WE DON'T COVER ALL THE RIGHT OF WAY LANDSCAPING. ACTUALLY, PROBABLY 90% OF THE CITY'S PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY LANDSCAPING IS COVERED EITHER BY HOMEOWNERS OR ASSOCIATIONS OR POSSIBLY MUD DISTRICT OTHER GOVERNMENT ENTITIES. BUT WE DO HAVE NINE STRATEGIC ONES. COVERS ABOUT TEN MILES. THAT'S YOUR TEXAS PARKWAY MEDIANS, CARTWRIGHT ROAD MEDIANS, AND OTHER VARIOUS ONES THROUGHOUT THE CITY. WITHIN THOSE AREAS, THERE'S ABOUT 37 DIFFERENT FLOWER BEDS THAT WE HAVE, AND THE CONTINUES TO GROW. ALL OF OUR FACILITIES HERE, EXCEPT FOR GOLF COURSE.
GOLF COURSE IS KIND OF ITS OWN LITTLE ENTITY OVER THERE. BUT ALL THE FIRE STATIONS, CITY COUNCIL COMPLEX OVER HERE, TENNIS CENTER, ALL THAT GOOD STUFF. WE TAKE CARE OF ALL THAT LANDSCAPING AROUND THERE. JUST A COUPLE PICTURES OF PUBLIC SAFETY, MUNICIPAL COURTS, OF COURSE, OUR PARKS, NOT ALL OF OUR PARKS HAVE FANCY FLOWER BEDS, BUT WE'RE TRYING TO INTEGRATE MORE AND MORE AS TIME GOES ON. IT'S JUST WE DON'T WANT TO REACH A TIPPING POINT WHERE WE CAN'T TAKE CARE OF IT ANYMORE. SO IT FOLLOWS THROUGH WITH ONGOING TRAINING OF OUR STAFF ON HOW TO TO STUFF MORE EFFICIENTLY AND USE THE RIGHT CHEMICALS THAT WON'T CUT DOWN ON OUR MAINTENANCE, THINGS LIKE THAT. BUT HERE'S A PICTURE OF AMERICAN LEGION PARK. AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'M PARTICULARLY PROUD OF. AND NOW WE'RE ACTUALLY GETTING TO SEE THAT ABOUT 5 OR 6 YEARS AFTER THE INSTALL, AND IT'S REALLY STARTING TO COME INTO FRUITION AS FAR AS RECENT ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS. I GUESS THE BEST PART ABOUT GETTING HURT AND BEING ON LIKE LIGHT DUTY IS YOU GET TO UPDATE A NERF IN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. SO I DID THAT HERE RECENTLY. IT INCLUDES EVERYTHING FROM HERE'S THE SPECIES THAT YOU WANT TO PLANT WITHIN OUR CITY AND AT THE SPACINGS FROM EACH OTHER, FROM DIFFERENT ELEMENTS OF INFRASTRUCTURE TO MINIMIZE CONFLICT. IT'S GOT A LOT OF TREE PRESERVATION INFORMATION ON THERE THAT WE'RE TRYING TO EMPLOY IN ALL OF OUR PARK PROJECTS DOWN THE ROAD, AND EVEN JUST GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO PLANT TREES. WE DID A TREE RESILIENCE WORKSHOP WITH MISSOURI CITY GREEN, AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS A NICE LITTLE QUALITY THING. EVERYBODY GOT TO TAKE MORE PLANTS HOME AND, AND DO A DEEP DIVE INTO TREE CARE ON THAT ONE. WE PUT A LOT OF TIME INTO RIDGEVIEW PARK. IT SEEMS TO BE THE ONE THAT GETS THE MOST ATTENTION SINCE THE SPLASH PAD AND PLAYGROUND WENT IN. SO I KIND OF HAD THIS DAYDREAM ABOUT DOING A LITTLE WEST TEXAS CENTRAL TEXAS COUNTRY GARDEN OUT THERE. SO WE'RE. THE LITTLE HOUSE IS AT THE QUAIL VALLEY GARDEN CLUB HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. WE EXPANDED THOSE BEDS OVER THERE. WE PUT A LOT OF ROCK SCAPE IN THERE. YOU CAN SEE THE LITTLE WINDMILL, GOT A WISHING WELL OUT THERE, ALL KINDS OF COOL STUFF. SO NOW EVERYBODY IN MISSOURI CITY HAS A PIECE OF A WEST TEXAS COTTAGE. ISN'T THAT COOL? WE ALSO DID A LOT OF STUFF NEAR THE SPLASH PAD AND THE NEW PAVILION OVER THERE. A LITTLE BIT OF SOD WORK. WE COMPLETELY RENOVATED THOSE FLOWER BEDS IN THE FRONT, PUT IN SOME MORE ACCENT BOULDERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. HOPEFULLY GETTING IT READY TO TO GET DESTROYED AGAIN THIS SPRING WHEN THE KIDS GET OUT THERE. C COMMUNITY PARK, YOU NOTICE
[00:30:07]
THERE MIGHT BE SOME MORE INTERESTING WILDLIFE THERE. NOW WE'VE GOT THE COUGAR HANGING OUT THERE IN ONE OF OUR LITTLE DRAINAGE PROJECTS. WE TRY TO KILL TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE WHENEVER POSSIBLE. WITH SOME OF THESE PROJECTS, WE WERE HAVING A LOT OF DRAINAGE ISSUES IN A PARTICULAR PART OF THAT PARK. SO UNDERNEATH ALL THAT LANDSCAPING IS ACTUALLY A VERY FANCY FRENCH DRAIN, WE'LL CALL IT. SO IT'S IT'S HELPING MOVE THAT WATER OUT OF THERE. BUT WE'RE ALSO DOTTING IT WITH TREES AND OTHER LANDSCAPING TO MAKE IT LOOK COOL. ON THE RIGHT THERE YOU SEE THE COMMUNITY CENTER PLAZA. WE DID A RENOVATION OVER THERE WITH SOME NICE FLOWERING TREES. AND AT FREEDOM TREE PARK, WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO PUSH THAT TREE PRESERVATION. SOME OF THE STUFF THAT, AGAIN, I MENTIONED IN THE URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN, BUT THAT'S WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD. SO WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO PROTECT WHAT'S THERE.YOU CAN'T REPLACE SOME OF THOSE TREES BECAUSE THERE'S ABOUT 4 OR 5 OF THOSE THAT ARE ACTUALLY FREEDOM TREE OFFSPRING. DID A HUGE RELANDSCAPING AT FIRE STATION NUMBER FIVE. THAT'S THE ONE DOWN IN SIENNA. AND WE CONTINUE TO PICK AWAY AT BUFFALO RUN PARK TRYING TO TO FIGHT BACK SOME OF THE INVASIVES IN THAT FOREST AREA. MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT MORE WELCOMING TO PEOPLE, A LITTLE BIT SAFER VISUALLY. STILL WORKING WITH A TON OF VOLUNTEERS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS. WE HAD THOSE COME OUT LAST NOVEMBER, AND THEY PLANTED ABOUT 20 TREES OVER THERE AT EAST HAMPTON PARK. THAT'S THAT NEWER PARK UP IN FONDREN PARK.
THEN WE HAD A BOY SCOUT DO ANOTHER 20 TREES IN THAT SAME PARK IN JANUARY, AND WE HAD A NICE YOUTH AND PHILANTHROPY SERVICE DAY THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH MISSOURI CITY GREEN AND GEORGE FOUNDATION. THAT WAS PRETTY RECENTLY LAST FEBRUARY, AND THAT WAS AT COMMUNITY PARK.
THEY PLANTED 100 SMALLER TREES AND THEN 16, I WOULD CALL THEM MIDDLE SIZED TREES, ALL KIND OF IN THAT BACK AREA OF THE PARK. TRY TO REESTABLISH SOME OF THAT FOREST AREA THAT WAS TAKEN AWAY WHEN THEY DID THE PARK'S EDGE ACROSS THE BAYOU THERE. AND THEN VERY RECENTLY, WE HAD THE AKA SORORITY COME OUT AND DO A NICE LITTLE SERVICE PROJECT THERE AT RIDGEVIEW PARK NEAR THE BRAND NEW PARKING LOT THERE. SO TRYING TO SOFTEN UP THAT LOOK OF, OF THE NEW CONCRETE THERE. EARTHFEST DID ALL YOU GUYS MAKE IT OUT TO EARTHFEST THIS YEAR? OH YEAH. HALF OF YOU GUYS WORKED THE EARTHFEST. SO YEAH, IT CONTINUES TO GROW AND BE VERY POPULAR. WE CONTINUE TO GET REAL LUCKY WITH THE WEATHER AND IT'S AWESOME. WE HAVE SO MANY VOLUNTEERS PUTTING IN SO MUCH TIME. USUALLY ABOUT 750 GUESTS COME THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND DO ALL KINDS OF NATURE RELATED ACTIVITIES. PAPER SHREDDING, ACTUALLY, THAT'S ALREADY DATED. WE JUST DID ONE LAST WEEKEND. CONTINUOUSLY SURPRISES ME HOW MUCH PAPER WE'RE GETTING IN A DIGITAL AGE, BUT IT KEEPS ON COMING. WE KEEP ON SHREDDING IT TRASH OFF. WE HAD, I THINK SEVEN LOCATIONS THIS YEAR AND ELECTRONICS RECYCLING. THANK YOU FOR THOSE BRAVE ENOUGH TO. THAT WAS A COLD DAY, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY. I MEAN, IT WAS COLD AND RAINY AND AND RAINY. IT WAS PRETTY MISERABLE. BUT YET WE STILL FILLED UP WHAT, TWO BOX TRUCKS? YEAH, YEAH, WE'RE STILL DOING THE MEMORIAL TREE AND BENCH PROGRAM. THIS IS WHERE WE ALL, AS PARK BOARD MEMBERS, CAN REALLY BE INSTRUMENTAL IN JUST GETTING THE WORD OUT IN THE COMMUNITY. SO IF YOU HEAR OF ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO DO SOMETHING FOR A DECEASED FAMILY MEMBER OR EVEN A CELEBRATORY THING, LIKE WE'VE HAD THEM FOR, TO CELEBRATE BIRTH OF NEW CHILDREN, WEDDINGS, THINGS LIKE THAT. IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE A DECEASED MEMBER, BUT THE DEAL IS THERE. WE GET THE TREE IN A PARK. I TRY TO WORK WITH THE INDIVIDUAL ON EITHER PLANTING IT AT A PARK THAT'S MEANINGFUL TO THEM, OR AT LEAST CLOSE TO THEIR GENERAL GEOGRAPHY. AND IF THEY HAVE SPECIFIC REQUESTS FOR TYPES OF TREES, I CONSIDER THAT AS WELL. I INVITE THEM TO THE PLANTINGS.
AND THEN ALSO WE DEVELOP A NICE LITTLE WEB PAGE THAT'S ATTACHED TO THE CITY WEBSITE WITH A LITTLE DETAILS ABOUT THE TREE, PICTURES OF PLANTING DAY, AND WHATEVER THE FAMILY WOULD LIKE TO PUT ON THEIR MEMORY OR PRAYER OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. ALL RIGHT, SO I'D LIKE TO HIT YOU GUYS WITH THE HOT TOPICS. WE SURVIVED THE LOVE BUG INFESTATION OF 2026. THAT WAS A DOOZY THIS YEAR. I GUESS THE BIG QUESTION WE COULD ANSWER TODAY IS ARE THEY BAD FOR TREES? ACTUALLY, LOVE BUGS ARE OUR POLLINATORS. THE ADULTS GO AND THEY FEED OFF OF NECTAR FROM A LOT OF DIFFERENT PLANTS AND THEN OBVIOUSLY SPREAD IT TO OTHERS AND, AND POLLINATE THEM.
SO IN THAT ASPECT, THEY'RE GOOD. THEIR LARVA IS ALSO A DECOMPOSERS. THEY LIKE TO LAY THEIR EGGS AND LIKE LEAF LITTER, MULCH, THINGS LIKE THAT. MORE OF YOUR BROWN STUFF AND THE LARVA WILL HATCH AND START FEEDING OFF THAT, DECOMPOSE THAT AND EVENTUALLY TURN IT INTO NUTRIENT RICH SOIL. SO AS ANNOYING AS IT IS TO HAVE THEM FLY INTO YOUR MOUTH AND ALL OVER YOUR CARS, THEY ARE ACTUALLY PROVIDING A PUBLIC SERVICE FOR US. NO POINT IN TRYING TO TREAT THEM EITHER. THEY REALLY ONLY LIVE FOR ABOUT FIVE DAYS. SO BY THE TIME YOU
[00:35:02]
FIND YOUR INSECTICIDE, THEY'RE ALREADY THEY'RE ALREADY GONE. YEAH. BALLYMOSS, THAT'S A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM. USUALLY YOU DON'T NOTICE IT UNTIL IT'S WINTER AND THE LEAVES ARE OFF.BUT BIOMASS IS BASICALLY LIKE A IT'S NOT A TRUE FUNGUS. IT'S NOT A TRUE ALGAE. IT'S SOMETHING IT'S LIKE A CROSS ORGANISM. AND IT'S NOT A PARASITIC THING. SO GENERALLY IT'S NOT TAKING NUTRIENTS FROM THE TREE. IT CAN COMPETE A LITTLE BIT WITH LIKE NEW LEAVES THAT ARE TRYING TO FLUSH OUT AND SHADING THEM OUT. BUT USUALLY IT'S BEFORE IT CAN GET TO THAT BAD OF A POINT WHERE IT DOES THAT THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE BOTHERING THE TREE WHERE IT CAN'T REALLY FLUSH OUT REALLY HEALTHY NEW LEAVES. SO BEST REMEDY, HONESTLY, FOR BALL MOSS IS GET YOUR KIDS, YOUR GRANDKIDS OUT THERE PICKING THEM OFF. IT'S SUPER EASY TO TAKE OFF. THE MORE YOU CAN JUST KIND OF CONTROL IT, SLOW IT DOWN, THE BETTER. THERE'S TONS OF CHEMICALS OUT THERE THAT YOU CAN SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON. THAT MILDLY SUCCESSFUL. LAST TIME I TRIED IT, I ENDED UP LOOKING LIKE A SMURF BECAUSE IT WAS A BLUE COLOR AND IT CAME BACK AT ME. SO I DON'T RECOMMEND ACTUALLY DOING THAT. BUT IT'S ALSO NOT THERE TO KILL YOUR TREE, SO DON'T FREAK OUT. IT'S MORE OF A STATICS THING. PINES. WE'RE WE'RE CONTINUING TO SEE A LOT OF PINE KILL AROUND TOWN HERE. IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN GOING INTO THIS SEASON AS WELL. I'M SEEING A LOT OF THEM ALREADY STARTING TO TO GO OUT ON US. JUST FOR YOUR OWN PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE, THEN THE RULE IN THE PINE WORLD IS IF IT'S YELLOW, IT'S MELLOW, IF IT'S BROWN, IT'S DOWN, RIGHT? BECAUSE PINE WILL NATURALLY FLUSH OFF ITS LEAVES ABOUT TWO, SOMETIMES THREE TIMES A YEAR. AND BEFORE IT DOES THAT, THE LEAVES WILL TURN YELLOW. THEN THEY'LL DROP PRETTY MUCH INSTANTLY AS SOON AS THEY TURN BROWN. MEANWHILE, YOU'VE GOT THE NEW FLUSH COMING, OR YOU'LL START TO SEE THAT CANDLING. THAT PICTURE ON THE RIGHT IS A PICTURE OF A NEW PINE TREE AND KIND OF SHOOTING UP THOSE CANDLES, IT LOOKS LIKE. SO THE THE PICTURE OF THE TALLER TREES ON THE RIGHT OVER THERE, THAT'S JUST THE NATURAL PROCESS HAPPENING THERE. SO IF YOU SEE SOMETHING LIKE THAT, IT'S OKAY. BUT IF YOU SEE SOMETHING LIKE ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT THERE WHERE YOU SEE THAT CLUSTER OF THREE BROWN PINE TREES, THEY'RE PRETTY MUCH DONE BY THAT POINT. THERE'S NO POINT IN TRYING TO TREAT IT ONCE. ONCE IT GETS TO THAT POINT, IT'S TOO FAR GONE. THERE'S TONS OF PINE BOARDS IN THERE FEEDING AND BASICALLY HAVE KILLED THE VASCULAR SYSTEM OF THE TREE. ALL RIGHT, SO ON THE HORIZON THERE, FREEDOM TREE PARK IS GETTING PRETTY DARN CLOSE. AND WHENEVER A NEW PARK GETS FINISHED, THERE'S ALWAYS SOME FOLLOW UP TO DO, YOU KNOW, MISTAKES MADE OUT IN THE FIELD OR IN THE DESIGN PART THAT WE CLEAN UP, OR WE HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO MAINTAIN THIS STUFF. SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING OUT THERE AND START GETTING DIRTY. WE'LL OPEN UP SOME MORE POSSIBILITIES ALSO FOR TREE PLANTINGS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. BICENTENNIAL PARK. WE ACTUALLY JUST REDID SOME SOD OVER THERE, PUT IN SOME DECORATIVE BOULDERS, DID A LOT OF TREE WORK OVER THERE THIS THIS WEEK. SO WE'LL PUT SOME MORE LITTLE FINISHING LANDSCAPING CHOICES IN THERE AFTER THE FENCE GETS DONE, WHICH IS HOPEFULLY IN THE NEXT MONTH OR SO. AND THAT'S, THAT'S THE HIGHLIGHTS FOR YOU GUYS.
UNTIL NEXT TIME. THANK YOU. THANK YOU GUYS. VERY GOOD JOB. ENJOY YOUR NEW PLANTS. THERE IS AN EXTRA ONE IT LOOKS LIKE. SO IF ANY OF YOU WANT TO TAKE ANOTHER ONE HOME GO FOR IT. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. THANKS GUYS. APPRECIATE IT AND APPRECIATE WHAT YOUR STAFF WHAT THE STAFF DOES. DEFINITELY REALLY DO APPRECIATE Y'ALL. YES THANK YOU GOD. ALL RIGHT. BLAH BLAH BLAH
[8. DIRECTOR'S REPORT]
BLAH BLAH. ITEM NUMBER EIGHT DIRECTOR'S REPORT. GOOD EVENING. HOW ARE WE ALL? FINE. OKAY, SO IT FEELS LIKE THE LAST TIME I WAS HERE, I WAS ASKING FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR THE CHALK FEST.UNFORTUNATELY, IT GOT RAINED DOWN TO THE LAST TIME, SO WE RESCHEDULED FOR MAY 16TH.
ACCORDING TO THE WEATHER. RIGHT NOW IT'S CALLING FOR RAIN, SO WE'RE TRYING TO BE VERY PATIENT BEFORE WE MAKE ANY CHOICES. WE ARE. WE ARE LOOKING AT SOME INDOOR OPPORTUNITIES, WHICH ISN'T AS ENJOYABLE AS IT WOULD BE IF WE COULD DO IT OUTSIDE, BUT AS WE'VE ALREADY POSTPONED IT ONCE, NOW WE'RE AT THAT POINT WHERE WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD ON MAY 16TH. SO THE THREE VOLUNTEERS THAT WE DID ASK FOR, WE WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT IF YOU'LL MAKE SURE TO ARRIVE BY 430 ON SATURDAY THE 16TH, SO THAT YOU CAN JUDGE THOSE PARKING LOT.
PICASSO'S OUR YOUTH COMPETITION. THEN ONCE YOU'RE DONE WITH JUDGING BY ABOUT 5:00, WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT OUR AWARDS ARE DONE AT 6:00. ALL RIGHT. NEXT ONE CAPRA ACCREDITATION. EVERY FIVE YEARS, WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH OUR REACCREDITATION PROCESS. OUR DEPARTMENT HAS
[00:40:06]
BEEN THICK IN THE WEEDS OF OUR REACCREDITATION. WE'RE SUPER EXCITED BECAUSE WE HAVE GOTTEN THE WORD FROM OUR CAPRA VISITORS THAT THEY WILL BE COMING TO VISIT, WHICH MEANS THAT GENERALLY, AT THIS POINT, WE HAVE ANSWERED MOST OF THEIR QUESTIONS TO THEIR SATISFACTION.THEY DON'T USUALLY GET PERMISSION TO BE ABLE TO COME TO VISIT UNLESS WE'VE DONE THAT.
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
THE NEXT ONE IS ON WEDNESDAY MORNING AT 9 A.M. AT THE 27TH AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER, WE WILL BE HOLDING A CAPRA BREAKFAST AND INTRODUCTION. SO THIS EVENT IS REALLY ABOUT HELPING TO TELL OUR STORY TO OUR CAPRA VISITORS. WE'VE GOT A VIDEO, WE'VE GOT A COUPLE OF SPEECHES. LAWRENCE, LOVE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT. IF YOU'RE AVAILABLE, TO BE ABLE TO SHARE A FEW WORDS THAT MORNING AS WELL. BUT WE'LL ALSO, AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES OF SPEAKING, WE'LL ACTUALLY JUST HAVE A BREAKFAST. AND SO WE'RE INVITING YOU ALL TO PLEASE BE PRESENT THAT MORNING AND WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE WELL FED. AND THEN AFTER THE AFTER THE BREAKFAST, DANIELLE AND I WILL ACTUALLY BE TAKING OUR VISITORS ON A FULL TOUR OF OUR PARKS AND FACILITIES AND HOPEFULLY, YOU KNOW, HELPING THEM TO TRULY SEE THE VISION OF WHAT OUR DEPARTMENT DOES IN THIS COMMUNITY. SO WE'RE TRULY EXCITED ABOUT THIS. IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT COUPLE OF DAYS. DANIELLE AND I WILL BE VERY, VERY BUSY, AS WELL AS ALL OF OUR STAFF, MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE PREPPED AND READY TO GO. AND WE WILL BE EXCITED TO SEE THEM LEAVE ON THE 28TH. THAT'S ALWAYS THE CASE. SO LIKE I SAID, JUST WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU GUYS ARE WELL AWARE WITH PLENTY OF TIME THAT WE WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE YOU GUYS BOTH ON THE 26TH AND 27TH AT BOTH OF THESE EVENTS. IF YOU ARE AVAILABLE AND CAN MAKE IT, HOW MANY ARE THERE? THERE'S THREE. ONE FROM MONTANA, ONE FROM GEORGIA OUTSIDE OF ATLANTA, AND THEN ONE FROM NORTH CAROLINA. SO THE 26TH IS ALSO ELECTION DAY. YES. WE KNOW.
YEAH. ALL RIGHT. YOU GOT IT DOWN. SO I'LL MAKE SURE ON THE 27TH VOTE EARLY UNLESS YOU'RE WORKING. YEAH. BUT I CAN DO THE 27TH. I JUST CAN'T DO THE 27TH. WE WILL WE WILL TAKE YOU ON 27TH. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CAPRA VISIT? OH. SOUNDS GOOD. OKAY. I JUST WANT TO JUST KIND OF BE THE BEACON FOR THEM. SO JUST, YOU KNOW, IF YOU CAN AND THOSE THAT AREN'T HERE, MAKE SURE WE SEND A NOTICE TO THEM OR WE WILL GET WORD TO THEM SO WE CAN MAKE SURE WE'RE WELL REPRESENTED. YEP, ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU SIR. OKAY, LAST THING, JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I JUST, YOU KNOW, EVERY MONTH I LIKE TO THROW OUT SOME STAFF KUDOS. FIRST OF ALL,
[00:45:04]
WE DO HAVE TWO NEW RECREATION ATTENDANTS. THEIR NAMES ARE BRADEN DAVIS AND SANTIAGO FERNANDEZ. AND SO THOSE ATTENDANTS, THOSE RECREATION ATTENDANTS ARE TWO STAFF MEMBERS THAT USUALLY OVERSEE THE FRONT DESK AT THE RECREATION CENTER. THEY ALSO SERVE HELP TO SERVE WITH PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS, AND THEN ALSO MAKE SURE THAT THE, OUR, OUR RECREATION, WHAT DO WE RECREATION? WHY AM I BLANKING? NOT THE ATTENDANCE.WHAT ARE THE ONES UNDERNEATH REC AIDS? THANK YOU. THEY OVERSEE THE RECREATION AIDS, PROVIDE THEM TRAINING, AND ALSO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR SCHEDULES ARE TAKEN CARE OF. SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE BOTH OF THEM. THEY'VE ALREADY STARTED. BRADEN IS ACTUALLY ONE OF OUR FORMER RECREATION AIDES. AND SO HE'S TAKING THAT NEXT STEP WITH US AS THE DEPARTMENT, ALREADY SEEING GREAT SUCCESSES, WITH BOTH OF THEM MAKING A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN OUR DEPARTMENT. AND WE'RE EXCITED TO HAVE THEM. THE NEXT STAFF KUDOS THAT I WANT TO GIVE IS TO ONE OF OUR NEWER STAFF IN THE RECREATION DIVISION, AARON GREEN. SO SINCE AARON HAS BEEN HERE WITH US, WE'VE REALLY BEEN PUSHING THIS HOMESCHOOL PROGRAMING THAT WE CALL RECESS. AND DURING THAT PROGRAM, WE DO SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES. THERE'S ALSO A WRITING LAB THAT'S A PART OF IT. AND SO THERE'S MULTIPLE PIECES TO THIS HOMESCHOOL PROGRAM, AND WE'VE SEEN IT OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, GO FROM ZERO TO ABOUT 30 KIDS. WOW. AND SO IT'S A GREAT USE OF THAT MIDDLE PERIOD OF THE DAY. THAT MAY BE A LITTLE BIT QUIETER AT THE RECREATION AND TENNIS CENTER, BUT WE'RE MAKING GREAT USE OF THE FACILITY AND PROVIDING A SERVICE TO THESE RESIDENTS THAT ARE LOOKING FOR A ACTIVITIES FOR THEIR KIDS. AARON THIS WEEK MET WITH THREE ADDITIONAL HOMESCHOOL PROGRAMS, INVITING THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN RECESS AND THE OTHER HOMESCHOOL PROGRAMS THAT THAT WE ARE FOCUSED ON. AND SO THIS PROGRAM IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO GROW. WE'RE EXCITED TO SEE THE WORK THAT IS HAPPENING THERE. SO DEFINITELY KUDOS TO AARON AND THE WORK THAT HE'S DOING IN THAT. EARLIER THIS EVENING, WE HAD OUR FEARLESS LEADER FROM THE FORESTRY DIVISION UP HERE SPEAKING TO YOU. WE ALSO HAVE A COUPLE MEMBERS OF OUR FORESTRY DIVISION. BUT THE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT PAUL DID NOT SAY IS THAT OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, THEY HAVE BEEN DOWN A COUPLE OF OF POSITIONS AND THEY CONTINUE TO EXCEL OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN, EVEN WITH LIMITED RESOURCES. AND SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE RECOGNIZE THE LEADERSHIP AND THOSE THAT ARE WORKING AND JUST PUTTING IN THIS EFFORT EVERY SINGLE DAY TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR FACILITIES ARE TAKEN CARE OF. SO HOW ABOUT WE HAVE THEM STAND ONE MORE TIME? YES. THERE YOU GO. IT'S A PLEASURE TO HAVE THESE GUYS IN OUR DEPARTMENT, AND IT'S A PLEASURE TO SEE THE WORK THAT THEY DO ON A DAILY BASIS. THEY TRULY ARE SUCCEEDING EVERY DAY. SO THAT IS ALL I HAVE FOR YOU. ALRIGHT.
ANY QUESTIONS? YEAH, I'LL JUST COMMENT, PAM. AND I CAN SAY THAT THEY REALLY, THEY ALWAYS STEP UP WHEN WE DO ALL THESE EVENTS THAT PAUL TALKED ABOUT E-WASTE, TRASH, PAPER SHREDDING, EDIBLE EARTH FEST, THEY ARE RIGHT ON IT. THERE'S NO WAY WE COULD DO IT WITHOUT THEM. AND THE OTHER SIDE OF, OF PARKS IS I AM THE AMBASSADOR FOR AMERICAN LEGION. AND YOU SAW HOW BEAUTIFUL THE PARK LOOKS. BUT ABOUT A MONTH AGO, THERE WAS GRAFFITI ALL AROUND THE BUILDING. I MEAN, IT WAS COVERED WITH GRAFFITI. AND AS SOON AS I SENT OUT AN EMAIL, THE GUYS WERE ALREADY THERE BEFORE I COULD EVEN SAY ANYTHING, CLEANING IT UP, REPAINTING IT, AND WHAT WHAT A YOU KNOW, HOW SAD TO HAVE TO USE THOSE RESOURCES FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. BUT THEY WERE ON IT IN NO TIME. IT WAS IMPRESSIVE. OH YEAH, WE ABSOLUTELY AGREE. WE WOULD LOVE TO BE SPENDING MORE TIME ON OTHER THINGS AT THE SAME TIME.
I AGREE WITH YOU. WITHIN 24 HOURS, FIRST COAT OF PAINT WAS ALREADY ON THAT BUILDING AND MOVING TOWARDS TOTALLY REMOVING ALL THAT GRAFFITI. AND SO IT WAS IMPRESSIVE. IT WAS IT WAS FANTASTIC. YEAH. DONNY, I KNOW I HAVE TALKED TO YOU A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO ABOUT AS WE ARE ASSIGNED VARIOUS PARKS, CAN WE GET WHOEVER'S GOING TO BE THE HEAD OF THAT PARTICULAR PARK SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO CALL YOU, WE CAN JUST CALL THEM AND SAY, HEY, WE NEED TO DO THAT. WELL, WELL, HOLD ON. I WANT TO BACK YOU UP BASED ON OUR ETHICS TRAINING. YOU WANT TO GO DIRECTLY TO DONNY? DID I NOT? YOU DID. AND I WILL ACTUALLY TELL YOU, PAM, THAT LAST MONTH BARRY DID A PRESENTATION TALKING ABOUT THE DIFFERENT. OH, WELL, I WAS WE I'LL SEND YOU
[00:50:06]
THE PRESENTATION. SO THAT WAY YOU HAVE IT IN HERE TO SEE BEFORE I SAID ANYTHING. YEAH.NOPE. YOU'RE OKAY. NEVER MIND. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS COMMENTS. THE ONE I WANT TO JUST ADD ON THE END. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I ALWAYS SAY IS, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU WORK IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, THERE'S MORE FINANCIAL BENEFITS FOR THEM WORKING IN THE PRIVATE, BUT THEY CHOSE TO WORK IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR. AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I ALWAYS TRY TO MAKE SURE I DO, AND WE SHOULD ALWAYS MAKE AN EFFORT, ESPECIALLY PARKS. BUT ANY PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYEE, I ALWAYS TRY TO MAKE IT A POINT. NO MATTER WHAT THEY DO, I WANT TO TELL THEM THANK YOU, BECAUSE THAT GOES A LONG WAY IN HELPING THEM JUST FEEL APPRECIATED. YOU KNOW, IT'S DON'T GET IT TWISTED, MONEY'S IMPORTANT, BUT A THANK YOU EVERY NOW AND THEN OR GOOD JOB GOES A LONG WAY AS WELL TO HELP THEM MENTALLY CONTINUE DOING THE SUPERB WORK THAT THEY DO. EXCELLENT. THANK YOU FOR THAT. I HAVE TO I HAVE TO SECOND THAT BECAUSE I WORK FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON FOR MANY, MANY YEARS, AND OUR SALARIES ARE LIKE 30% LESS THAN MOST PRIVATE INDUSTRY. AND THE, THE, THE THINGS THAT I ENJOYED THE BEST WAS WHEN MY CUSTOMERS, WHOEVER THEY WERE, ANOTHER DEPARTMENT, SOME A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC, COMPLIMENTED WHAT WE DID. IT MEANT THE WORLD. AND SO I HAVE TO REALLY SECOND WHAT YOU SAID, SIR. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. EXCELLENT. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE IT. ALL RIGHT. ITEM NUMBER NINE, BOARD REPORTS. DO WE HAVE ANY REPORTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS? ALL RIGHT. ITEM NUMBER TEN. AND JUST TO KIND OF DO A REMINDER TO DON'T
[10. ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA]
FORGET IN JULY WE DON'T MEET. RIGHT. BECAUSE THEY'RE GETTING READY FOR THE FOURTH. SO JUST WANT TO BRING THAT TO YOUR ATTENTION. ITEM FOR NEXT AGENDA. YES, MA'AM. GOOD EVENING. I JUST WANTED TO LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT ON JUNE, PARKS BOARD AGENDA WILL BE A REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE UPDATED PARK DESIGN STANDARDS. THOSE WERE APPROVED IN 2023, AND THEY'RE A THREE YEAR DOCUMENT, SO I WILL BE SENDING THEM OUT PROBABLY TOWARDS THE END OF NEXT WEEK TO ALLOW AMPLE TIME FOR REVIEW AHEAD OF TIME. THIS IS A HEFTY DOCUMENT WITH A LOT OF DETAILS, AND I DON'T WANT TO TAKE TWO HOURS OF YOUR TIME PRESENTING EVERY SINGLE ITEM DURING OUR JUNE MEETING. SO BE BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THAT. AND IF YOU SEE IT, THE REASON YOU'RE RECEIVING IT IS BECAUSE IT WILL BE PRESENTED TO YOU IN JUNE. OKAY. THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY OTHER FUTURE ITEMS THAT WE MAY WANT TO PUT ON THERE? AND IF NOT, IT IS NOW. 755 AND WE ARE ADJOURNED. OKAY. WHAT HAPPENED TO MY MALLET?* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.