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WE'RE CALLING THE MEETING OF THE WORKFORCE EDUCATION AND EQUITY COMMITTEE TO ORDER.
[Workforce-Education and Equity on August 12, 2024.]
GOOD MORNING TO ALL WHO ARE HERE.THE FIRST ITEM OF BUSINESS IS THE APPROVAL OF THE JUNE 10TH, 2024 WORKFORCE EDUCATION AND EQUITY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES.
>> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECOND.
I WOULD IMAGINE IF YOU DON'T RECALL ANY, THEN WE'LL GO AHEAD AND SUBMIT WITH SIGNATURE.
>> WE SHOULD DO THAT, SHOULDN'T WE.
IF WE HAVE NO OTHER MODIFICATIONS OR AMENDMENTS, WE ACCEPT THE MEETING MINUTES.
>> ANY OPPOSED? IT'S BEEN MOVED AND APPROVED.
THIS MORNING, I'M GOING TO BUY JUST A LITTLE BIT OF TIME.
WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A VERY ROBUST CONVERSATION AROUND SEVERAL DIFFERENT TOPICS THIS MORNING.
I AM ABSOLUTELY EXCITED TO BE CHAIRING THIS COMMITTEE FOR THIS SESSION.
FOR OUR COMMITTEE MEMBERS, AS WE'RE WAITING FOR OUR PRESENTERS TO GET HERE, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE INTRODUCE OUR COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
MS. JAYNIE SCHULTZ IS THE SERVING VICE CHAIR.
MR. ADAM BAZALDUA, MS. PAULA BLACKMON, MR. JAIME RESENDEZ, MR. PAUL RIDLEY, AND MS. GAY WILLIS, MAKE UP THE COMMITTEE OF THE WORKFORCE.
FOR THE BENEFIT, OF COURSE, OF THE PUBLIC, JUST SO THEY WILL KNOW AS WE GET AN OPPORTUNITY, THERE MAY BE SOME OTHER INDIVIDUAL COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO MAY SHARE WITH US TODAY AS WE PREPARE FOR THE BRIEFING.
WE'LL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE I GUESS, SUPPORTED AND AIDED BY ONE OF OUR ASSISTANT CITY MANAGERS MR. DONZEL GIBSON, AND ALSO MRS. LIZ PERERA WILL ALSO BE OUR LIAISON AS WE TALK ABOUT THESE VERY IMPORTANT TOPICS.
THIS MORNING, WE LOOK AT OUR AGENDA AS PRINTED, WE'RE GOING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES OF THE SCHOOL CROSSING GUARD PROGRAM, AND WE WILL ALSO HAVE THE UPDATE ON TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IN TERMS OF THEIR COMMERCIAL LICENSING.
IN TERMS OF BRIEFING MEMOS, WE WILL HAVE THE UPDATES FOR THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES UPDATE TO BE PRESENTED BY THE OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS.
MRS. CARRIE ROGERS, THAT IS ONE OF THE MAIN ITEMS THAT I WANT TO MOVE TOWARD.
AS WE LOOK AT THE OTHER AGENDA ITEMS, WE CAN LOOK THROUGH THOSE TO SEE INDEED IF WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AND THEN WE'LL MOVE BACK TO THE CORE.
MRS. CARRIE ROGERS, ARE YOU HERE AND YOUR TEAM?
>> GOOD MORNING, CHAIRWOMAN, CARRIE ROGERS, DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS.
I HAVE WITH ME THIS MORNING, JAKE ANDERSON, OUR MANAGER OF THE OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS.
IN YOUR PACKET TODAY WAS A BRIEFING MEMO, AND TO RECAP WHERE WE ARE ON THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM, WE HAD DONE A CALL FOR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND TO STAKEHOLDERS BACK IN DECEMBER.
WE WORKED THROUGH SEVERAL OF THOSE PRIORITIES DURING THE SPRING.
AND THEN IN JUNE, THE STANDING COMMITTEES HAD REQUESTED THAT THESE ITEMS COME BACK TO THEIR COMMITTEE ONE MORE TIME JUST TO AFFIRM THOSE ITEMS THEY WISH TO ADVANCE FOR CONSIDERATION TO THE FULL CITY COUNCIL.
WHAT YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU IS A MEMO OF THE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES WE HAVE RECEIVED THROUGH WORKFORCE EDUCATION AND EQUITY, AND THEY INDICATE BOTH STATE OR FEDERAL OR BOTH.
WHAT SOME OF THE OTHER COMMITTEES HAVE DONE, CHAIRWOMAN, IF YOU MIGHT CONSIDER THIS ALSO IS TO GO THROUGH EACH OF THESE ONE AT A TIME AND GET THE TEMPERATURE FROM YOUR COMMITTEE MEMBERS SO THAT THE STAFF HAS CLEAR DIRECTION OF WHICH ONES YOU WOULD LIKE TO MOVE FORWARD TO THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE THAT MEETS ON AUGUST 27 LATER THIS MONTH.
THE FIRST ITEM IS SUPPORT LOCAL CONTROL,
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AND I WILL NOTE THAT THIS IS ACTUALLY ON ALL THE COMMITTEE LEGISLATIVE AGENDAS.IT'S SOMETHING WE HEARD CLEARLY, WE ADDED IT ALL, BUT WHEN WE GET TO THE FINAL LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE, IT WILL JUST BE LISTED ONE TIME.
THE NEXT IS PROTECT IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR VULNERABLE POPULATIONS.
THIS WAS ACTUALLY SUBMITTED BY ONE OF OUR STAKEHOLDERS, DALLAS COUNTY, OUR PUBLIC HEALTH AUTHORITY, DOCTOR WONG HAD SUBMITTED THIS.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT ME TO READ THROUGH ALL THESE OR IF YOU WANT TO TAKE A TEMPERATURE CHECK AT EACH LINE.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT BECAUSE WE ARE TRYING TO STAY WITHIN TIME, BUT WE WANT ALSO TO BE INFORMATIVE.
IN TERMS OF THE TEMPERATURE, COMMITTEE MEMBERS, AND WE'RE GLAD TO SEE YOU TOO AS WELL, MR. BAZALDUA ONLINE.
I WANTED TO MAKE SURE AFTER I THINK IT WAS MAYBE ANOTHER COMMITTEE WHEN WE BEGAN TO TALK ABOUT THIS AND THEN THE CLOUD THAT EXISTED OVER THE LEGISLATIVE TOPICS.
I WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE AT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT EVEN THOUGH IT'S IN MEMORANDUM FORM.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS, WHAT IS YOUR DESIRE.
IS IT JUST TO LOOK THROUGH IT SO THAT YOU'LL KNOW WHAT'S HERE.
IF YOU WANT TO WEIGH IN ON THE LIST SO THAT SHE'S NOT GOING THROUGH EACH ONE OF THEM BECAUSE WE REALLY DON'T HAVE THE LUXURY OF HAVING THAT MUCH TIME.
BUT WE DO WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE DOCUMENTING THAT WE ARE REFLECTING OR HAVING INPUT ON IT. COUNCIL?
>> I HAVE QUESTIONS? YES, SIR.
THIRD BULLET POINT, PROTECT AND STRENGTH IN THE OFFICE OF THE LONG TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN.
I'M JUST CURIOUS. I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE LONG TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN. WHAT DO THEY DO?
>> THIS IS A STATE LEVEL OFFICE THAT PROVIDES A MEANS OF APPEALING OR PROVIDING RESOURCES FOR THOSE WHO NEED ADDITIONAL SUPPORT.
MOSTLY FOR SENIORS OR PERSONS REQUIRING LONG TERM CARE.
IF THERE'S SOME ISSUE, THEY CAN TAKE IT TO THE STATE OF THE OMBUDSMAN TO HAVE THAT ADJUDICATED, IF YOU WILL.
>> THEY OVERSEE LIKE ASSISTED LIVING IN RETIREMENT HOMES?
>> SECOND QUESTION IS THE SECOND FROM THE LAST IN THE FIRST PAGE, SUPPORT LEGISLATION THAT PROTECTS WORKPLACE SAFETY ETHICS.
WHAT ARE WORKPLACE SAFETY ETHICS? I UNDERSTAND WORKPLACE SAFETY RULES, BUT WHAT ARE ETHICS IN THAT CONTEXT?
>> SURE. JAKE ANDERSON, MANAGER IN THE OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS.
THIS ITEM WAS SUBMITTED BY COUNCILMEMBER WILLIS, AND IT REFERS TO SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WORKERS FACE, FOR EXAMPLE, HAVING TO SIGN NDAS FOR NON-PROPRIETARY INFORMATION THAT MIGHT CAUSE THEM TO LOSE THEIR ABILITY TO FILE OR REPORT WORKPLACE HARASSMENT.
IT'S JUST STRENGTHENING THEIR ABILITY TO DO THAT AND TO REPORT ON ETHICAL WORKPLACE SITUATIONS.
THERE'S SOME ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE LEADING THE CHARGE, WHICH WE CAN PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION TO YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MR. RIDLEY. COUNCILWOMAN WILLIS.
>> I DON'T KNOW THAT HE'S GIVING UP THE REST OF HIS QUESTIONS, BUT I WAS JUST GOING TO ADD SOME DEPTH TO THAT.
THIS IS ABOUT A NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT THAT COVERED PROPRIETARY INFORMATION THAT COULD BE HARMFUL IF AN EMPLOYEE LEFT OR MAYBE IF THEY ARE IN SALES, SALES CONTACTS OR VENDOR INFORMATION OR CLIENT INFORMATION, DISTINGUISHING THAT INFORMATION IN A NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT FROM SOMETHING THAT IS BLANKETED THAT CAN SQUELCH AND HINDER REPORTS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT, SEXUAL ABUSE, ASSAULT,.
I SHOULD KNOW IF MR. RIDLEY WOULD COME RIGHT TO THE POINT ON THAT.
YES. IT PUTS A WET RAG ON WHISTLE-BLOWERS.
THE INTENT IS IT'S REALLY HAD A LOT OF CREEP, AND SO LET'S KEEP IT IN THE INTENT WHERE IT SHOULD LIVE FOR BUSINESS TO OPERATE SUCCESSFULLY, BUT NOT TO KEEP SOMEONE FROM BEING ABLE TO REPORT BAD PRACTICES THAT ARE HARMFUL TO THEIR CIVIL RIGHTS, ETC.
>> IF I CAN JUST EXPLORE THIS ISSUE A LITTLE BIT IN THE FORM OF BRAINSTORMING.
I HAD OBVIOUSLY SOME LACK OF UNDERSTANDING AS TO WHAT THIS RELATED TO.
WOULD THERE BE A DIFFERENT WAY TO EXPRESS THIS IDEA THAT WOULD BE MORE TRANSPARENT, FOR EXAMPLE, SUPPORT LEGISLATION THAT PROTECTS WHISTLE-BLOWERS.
WOULD THAT COMMUNICATE THE THOUGHT SUFFICIENTLY AND BE A LITTLE MORE UNDERSTANDABLE?
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I MEAN, PEOPLE KNOW WHAT A WHISTLE-BLOWER IS.THE OTHER THING WE'VE GOT TO CONSIDER IS HOW THIS DOCUMENT PLAYS WITH OUR LEGISLATORS.
THAT'S WHERE I WOULD ALSO DEFER TO THE LEGISLATIVE CHAIR AND TO THE OGA TEAM.
>> WE CAN DEFINITELY WORKSHOP LANGUAGE AND INCORPORATE WHISTLE-BLOWER AND BRING IT TO LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE AND SEE IF THEY HAVE INPUT AS WELL.
>> THAT'S FINE. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
>> ANY COMMENT ONLINE REGARDING THAT? MR. BAZALDUA.
>> MADAM CHAIR. ON THE LAST ONE WANT TO ASKED TO CLARIFY THAT SUPPORT LEGISLATION THAT PROMOTES PROPER MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH CARE FOR ALL.
I'M FINE WITH THAT, BUT I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE THERE.
I CAN'T REMEMBER IF IT WAS THIS COMMITTEE OR NOT THAT WE DISCUSSED HAVING IT MORE EXPLICIT AND PUTTING THAT WE SUPPORT THE EXPANSION OF MEDICAID SPECIFICALLY.
THE SUPREME COURT RULED ON THAT, AND NOW AT THIS POINT, 40 STATES PLUS THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HAVE TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND MEDICAID THROUGH THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, AND THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD HELP RESIDENTS OF OURS UP TO 138% OF AMI, WHICH WOULD BE VERY SUBSTANTIAL.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT I HEAR AT THE COUNTY LEVEL OFTEN AND WITH OUR SERVICE PROVIDERS IN THE COMMUNITY.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE LANGUAGE BE EXPLICIT ALSO TO INCLUDE EXPANSION OF MEDICAID FOR OUR STATE.
>> IS THAT IT, MR. BAZALDUA, COUNCILMAN?
WOULD A MOTION BE APPROPRIATE TO ASK TO INCLUDE THAT?
>> STAFF IS GOING TO ADDRESS THAT QUESTION.
>> HI. GOOD MORNING, CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
IT'S NOT ON THE AGENDA TO HAVE THIS AS A VOTING ITEM, SO JUST PUT THAT ON FOR THE NEXT AGENDA, AND JUST HAVE THIS AS A DISCUSSION. THANK YOU.
>> I WAS GOING TO NOT CHAIR IN SOME OF THE OTHER COMMITTEE MEETINGS AS THEY'VE TAKEN THESE ITEMS UP.
WE'VE JUST TRIED TO GO WITH A GENERAL SENSE OF THE COMMITTEE.
IF THERE ARE SOME LARGE OBJECTION TO IT, THEN WE WOULD GO BACK.
BUT IF WE'RE GETTING A GENERAL SENSE OF THE COMMITTEE THAT YOU ARE AGREEABLE TO CONSIDERING SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THEN WE'LL WORK THROUGH IT WITH THE LANGUAGE.
>> WE'RE JUST BASICALLY DOING AN UNOFFICIAL BUT OFFICIAL JUST NO STRAW VOTE BUT A STRAW VOTE CONSENSUS FEEDBACK, YES.
I DON'T KNOW THAT BUT I KNOW THAT WE HAVE NONE.
EVIDENTLY WE NEED TO JUST MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT INTEREST.
>> THANK YOU. ON THE NEXT PAGE, IT DOES SAY SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS FUNDING TO ONLY SUPPORT PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND WE'RE LOBBYING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.
ARE WE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND MENTION VOUCHERS?
WHEN THIS ITEM CAME FORWARD, WHAT WE HAVE ADVISED BACK IS THE CITY HAS TYPICALLY NOT WADED INTO K THROUGH 12 CURRICULUM ITEMS. WE SUPPORT SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION AND SO ON, BUT THIS MAY BE ONE THAT WHEN WE GO BACK AND VISIT WITH THE COMMITTEE, THAT THERE MAY BE A PREFERENCE FOR THE COMMITTEE PRIOR TO COMING TO THE FULL COUNCIL THAT IT MAY NOT BE IN LINE WITH SOMETHING THAT THE CITY WOULD TAKE A LEAD ON.
WHAT I WILL TELL YOU AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS IN PRIOR BRIEFINGS, WE HAVE 80 PLUS LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES THAT WE'VE RECEIVED ACROSS THE EIGHT STANDING COMMITTEES.
WHAT WE'RE PLANNING ON DOING IS BRINGING THOSE TO THE FULL COMMITTEE ON THE 27TH.
BUT UNDERSTANDING WHEN WE COME TO THE FULL BODY, THE FULL CITY COUNCIL, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ONE PAGE OF REAL ESTATE TO GET EVERYTHING DOWN TO.
PART OF OUR JOB IS GOING TO BE TO ATTEMPT TO WHAT'S THE TERM THAT MR. RIDLEY HAS USED THE ECONOMIC VERSION?
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THERE ARE SOME ITEMS THAT MAY FOLD IN UNDER WE SUPPORT ENHANCING THE WORKFORCE PIPELINE AND EDUCATION, AND THIS COULD FALL UNDER THAT AS AN EXAMPLE.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT ANSWERED YOUR QUESTION.
>> BUT WE CAN PUT ON THE RECORD THAT IT DOES INCLUDE EVEN GOING AND I'M TALKING AS A SUPPORTING ACTOR IN KEEPING THE FUNDING A PROPER FUNDING BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST VOUCHERS, IT'S A PROPER FUNDING FORMULA FOR SCHOOLS.
MR. RESENDEZ PROBABLY KNOWS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS SERVING ON THE SCHOOL BOARD THAT IT'S NOT JUST TAKING MONEY AWAY, BUT ACTUALLY FUNDING THEM.
I MEAN, BUSINESSES NEED TO REALIZE THAT THIS IS A BUSINESS DECISION.
THEY'RE GOING TO BE TRAINING THEIR FUTURE EMPLOYEES.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE CLARITY AROUND WHAT THAT IS GOING FORWARD BECAUSE I THINK IT'S NOT JUST VOUCHERS, IT IS PROPER FUNDING, AND THEN THAT WE ARE SUPPORT TO THEM, NOT NECESSARILY BEING THE FRONT ACTIVE VOICE.
>> YES, MA'AM. YOU CAN READ THAT INTO THE RECORD, IF YOU WILL, WHEN WE GET TO EACH OF THESE ITEMS AND THEY COME TO FULL CITY COUNCIL IS TO MAKE SURE WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE LEGISLATIVE INTENT OF EACH OF THESE ITEMS, THEN YOU WOULD WANT TO NOTE THOSE OUT LOUD SO THAT WE KNOW. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR AND I APOLOGIZE FOR BEING LATE.
I JUST WANT TO PIGGYBACK ON THAT FOR ONE MINUTE.
IS THERE THE OPPORTUNITY? I GET THAT WE'RE GOING TO NEED ONE PAGE OF ALL OF OUR KEY PRIORITIES AND THAT THEY MAY BE VERY LARGE BUCKETS.
BUT IS THERE GOING TO BE ANOTHER DOCUMENT THAT HAS THE SUBTEXT IN ADDITION OF OTHER THINGS THAT WE SUPPORT, SUCH AS THIS ONE WHERE WE EXPLICITLY WANT TO SAY HOW WE FEEL ABOUT OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND WHAT'S GOING ON IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS SO THAT PEOPLE WHO WANT TO DIG INTO WHAT DALLAS IS THE CITY COUNCIL'S ITEMS OF CONCERN, EVEN THOUGH THEY MAY NOT BE OUR PRIMARY FOCUS OR WE'RE NOT THE LEAD ON THESE ITEMS. IS THERE THAT OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE?
>> THINKING THROUGH THE PROCESS, I'M THINKING THAT PERHAPS THE BRIEFING THAT WE BRING TO CITY COUNCIL COULD BE THAT COMPANION DOCUMENT.
WHEN THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPTS THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM AND THE ITEM THAT IS STAMPED BY THE CITY SECRETARY IS THAT ONE PAGE DOCUMENT, AND THAT'S WHAT WE THEN TAKE AND HAND OUT TO LEGISLATORS.
BUT WE COULD HAVE THE BRIEFING TO CITY COUNCIL AS THAT COMPANION DOCUMENT THAT DIGS INTO EACH OF THESE ITEMS OR THAT HAS THAT SUBTEXT.
I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE AND I DIDN'T BRING OUR PROGRAM WITH ME, BUT I'LL USE PUBLIC SAFETY AS AN EXAMPLE.
ON OUR LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM LAST YEAR, IT SAYS, THE CITY SUPPORTS PUBLIC SAFETY TOOLS.
THEN UNDER THAT, WE HAD FUNDING FOR THE LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING FACILITY.
WE HAD SUPPORT FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
WE HAD A LITTLE BIT MORE GRANULAR ON THE PROGRAM.
SIMILARLY, I'LL USE ENVIRONMENTAL AS AN EXAMPLE.
THEY HAD SUBMITTED, I WANT TO SAY 10 OR 15 ITEMS FOR THOSE AND A LOT OF THEM WERE GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY RELATED.
WE JUST COMPRESSED THOSE TO ONE BULLET THAT SAYS, WE SUPPORT GREEN ENERGY EFFICIENCY INFRASTRUCTURE.
I THINK WE'LL GO BACK AND DO THAT WORDSMITHING, AND WHAT WE'VE SAID IN EVERY COMMITTEE, IF OUR WORD SMITTHING HAS REDUCED SOMETHING'S MEANING FOR YOU IN YOUR HEART AND MIND, IT DOESN'T SAY WHAT YOU HAD HOPED IT WOULD SAY OR IT DOESN'T MEAN WHAT YOU INTENDED FOR IT TO MEAN, THEN TELL US THAT, GIVE US THAT FEEDBACK, AND WE'LL GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD AND AMEND THE LANGUAGE.
>> DOES IT ALSO MEAN THEN THAT OUR CONSULTANTS OR OUR LOBBYISTS, AS WELL AS ANY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CITY THAT MAY GO TO AUSTIN TO HELP COULD THEN STILL GET INVOLVED IN SOME OF THOSE SUB-ITEMS?
>> IN THAT GENERAL BUCKET, SUCH LET'S JUST KEEP TALKING ABOUT THIS ONE, FOR EXAMPLE.
ALL THE THINGS THAT HAVE TO DO WITH SUPPORTING PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WE WANT TO BE SURE THAT OUR ALLIES AND MAYBE THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE TAKING THE LEAD KNOW THAT WE HAVE SIGNED OFF, SAYING, YES, WE SUPPORT YOU IN THIS ACTION, AND THEY CAN SAY THE CITY OF DALLAS SUPPORTS THIS.
>> GREAT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
>> I JUST HAD A FEW QUESTIONS ON SOME OF THESE THAT SEEM VERY BROAD AND WHAT WE THINK ABOUT IT.
BUT I'LL GO TO ONE AND I'M A FAN OF NUMBERS INSTEAD OF BULLETS FOR VERY REASONS LIKE THIS IS THAT IT'S CLOSE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE.
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IT'S SUPPORT LEGISLATION TO ELIMINATE CRIMINAL HISTORY INQUIRIES DURING THE HIRING PROCESS.MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THERE IS AN EARLY PART OF THE PROCESS WHERE YOU DON'T CHECK THE BOX THAT WOULD ELIMINATE YOU FROM GETTING CONSIDERED IN THE PROCESS.
BUT AT A CERTAIN POINT, DEPENDING ON WHAT THE TRANSGRESSION WAS, THE CHARGE, WHATEVER, IT SEEMS LIKE AN EMPLOYER SHOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE THAT JUDGMENT.
THIS LANGUAGE IS INSPIRED BY THE BAN THE BOX MOVEMENT.
YES, THERE IS SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT, AND EMPLOYERS IN CERTAIN JOBS MAY NEED TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT EVALUATION AND NEED TO SAY, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WOULD EXCLUDE SOMEBODY FROM THE HIRING POOL AFTER A CERTAIN POINT.
THE INTENTION IS THAT EARLY STAGE IN APPLICATIONS BANNING THE BOX RATHER THAN ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE PROCESS.
>> THIS DOESN'T SEEM TO REFLECT THAT.
THAT WOULD BE ONE THING I WOULD RAISE IS THAT EARLY IN THE PROCESS, GREAT, LATER IN THE PROCESS, IT BECOMES THE DISCRETION OF THE EMPLOYER TO DO THE BACKGROUND CHECKS, ETC.
THE LAST BULLET IS ABOUT SUPPORT RESTRICTIONS ON EVICTIONS AND OTHER HOUSING ISSUES.
IT'S JUST THAT OUR COURTS AREN'T ALWAYS BEING FAIR TO TENANTS IN FOLLOWING THAT LAW.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE ASKING FOR SOMETHING NEW OR IN ADDITION, BUT GIVEN OUR HOUSING SITUATION, WE NEED LANDLORDS AND THEY ASSUME THE RISK ON HOUSING.
I JUST WANT TO BE SURE THAT WE'RE THOUGHTFUL ON THAT, THAT THE LAWS ON THE BOOK SHOULD BE FOLLOWED.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE LOOKING FOR ANYTHING FURTHER, BUT WE DO NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS AN EQUATION.
WE NEED THE LANDLORDS WHO ARE AT RISK TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A MECHANISM TO NOT TAKE A FINANCIAL LOSS, BUT ALSO TO FOLLOW THE PROCESS THAT HAS BEEN LAWFULLY OUTLINED THAT THEY SHOULD FOLLOW LAWFULLY, TO NOT EVICT SOMEONE WITHOUT GOING THROUGH ALL THE PROPER NOTIFICATIONS AND ALL OF THAT.
I JUST WAS THINKING WE MIGHT NEED TO PUT A FINER POINT ON THAT ONE.
>> YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT, MA'AM, AND I WILL NOTE THAT THIS IS ALSO ON THE HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS DRAFT PROGRAM AS WELL.
I THINK YOUR POINT IS WELL RECEIVED.
THERE ARE LAWS ON THE BOOKS, AND THERE ARE SOME WHO ASSERT THAT IT'S JUST A MATTER OF THE FOLKS INVOLVED ARE NOT ADHERING TO WHAT THE LAW IS.
WE'LL MAKE SURE WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM FOR CONSIDERATION IS A LITTLE CLEARER AND WHAT THE ASK IS.
BUT WHEN WE GO TO PARSE THESE OUT TO THEIR RESPECTIVE STRATEGIC PRIORITY COLUMNS, THIS WILL LIKELY END UP UNDER THE HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS ITEM.
>> I'M WONDERING IF IS THIS A JUDICIARY ISSUE THAT WE'VE GOT THE LEGAL SYSTEM NOT FOLLOWING WHAT IS ON THE BOOKS WITH NO PENALTY UNLESS SOMEONE IS THERE TO MONITOR AND MAKE SURE IT'S BEING FOLLOWED.
MAYBE THERE'S A STICK IN V HOLT VERSUS CARROT.
>> RECEIVED. THANK YOU, MA'AM.
>> I'M SORRY, I LOST MY VOICE A LITTLE BIT, CHAIRWOMAN AND VICECHAIR SCHULTZ.
>> THANK YOU. SORRY. ACTUALLY PIGGYBACKING AGAIN ON MS. WILLIS'S ON THE LEGISLATION THAT EXPANDS RESOURCES FOR FOSTER AND POST FOSTER.
I'M NOT SURE THE WORD SHOULD BE CHILDREN ANYMORE BECAUSE MANY ARE 18.
WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT ANOTHER WAY TO SAY THAT.
THEN SAME THING WITH THE SUPPORT LEGISLATION THAT PROTECTS WORKPLACE SAFETY ETHICS.
I THINK IT'S MORE THAN ETHICS.
IT SHOULD BE PRACTICES OR SOMETHING OTHER THAN JUST THE IDEA OF IT.
THEN DID WE GET A RESOLUTION? I APOLOGIZE IF YOU ALREADY DISCUSSED THIS ON WHETHER OR NOT THINGS MIGHT BE IN MORE THAN ONE CATEGORY BECAUSE THEY'RE DOUBLY EMPHASIZED.
>> EACH OF THE COMMITTEES ARE ASKED TO PUT FORWARD THEIR LIST, AND THERE CAN BE DUPLICATES, AS WE JUST NOTED ON THE HOUSING ITEM.
BUT WHAT STAFF RECOMMENDS COMING FORWARD IS AN ITEM WILL LAND IN ONE PLACE OR ANOTHER.
I THINK THERE WAS AN ITEM RELATED TO VULNERABLE POPULATIONS THAT WAS SUBMITTED UNDER THIS COMMITTEE, BUT ALSO UNDER QUALITY OF LIFE.
WE'VE HAD SOME INTERNAL DISCUSSIONS ABOUT IT MIGHT BE BETTER SUITED UNDER THE EQUITY COMMITTEE.
BUT ULTIMATELY, IT'S UP TO CITY COUNCIL AND WHAT YOUR PREFERENCE IS.
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>> I GUESS WHAT I WOULD ASK BACK AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER IT NOW, MAYBE WHEN IT'S TIME FOR OUR BRIEFING TO ALL OF COUNCIL IS WHAT WILL ADVANCE THAT ITEM, WHATEVER IT IS, MORE POLITICALLY.
I DON'T KNOW IF THE LEGISLATURE CARES WHAT OUR COMMITTEES ARE.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER THIS NOW, BUT I GUESS WHATEVER WE'LL MOVE IT FORWARD, WITHIN THE LEGISLATURE OR BE HEARD BY MORE PEOPLE, OUR OPINIONS ON THESE PARTICULAR ITEMS, I THINK SHOULD BE THE ANSWER RATHER THAN MICROMANAGING WHETHER IT'S ONE COMMITTEE OR TWO COMMITTEES.
IN YOUR BRIEFING, WHEN YOU COME TO US AS COUNCIL, IF YOU COULD MAYBE EXPLAIN FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAVE NOT BEEN DEEPLY INVOLVED IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, HOW DO WE ACTUALLY MAKE PROGRESS WITH THE THINGS THAT WE CARE ABOUT INSTEAD OF JUST ISSUING STATEMENTS? IF THAT COULD BE PART OF THE BRIEFING, I WOULD VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THAT.
>> I FEEL YOUR COMMENT VERY MUCH. LET ME SAY THIS.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ATTEMPTED TO DO THIS YEAR, DIFFERENT THAN LAST YEAR WAS WHEN WE PUT TOGETHER OUR PACKAGE, WE'RE TRYING TO ALIGN THOSE ITEMS WITH WHAT COMMITTEE THEY MAY BE HEARD IN IN AUSTIN.
>> HERE WE HAVE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE, THERE IT'S HOMELAND SECURITY.
HERE WE HAVE WORKFORCE, EDUCATION, EQUITY THERE AND MAY END UP UNDER STATE AFFAIRS.
JUST KEEP THAT IN MIND WHEN WE BRING FORWARD A PACKAGE.
THE OTHER THING I WANT TO MENTION, AND THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO DO SO, AND WE ALL SAW DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION LAST YEAR, A LOT OF LEGISLATION FOCUSED ON EQUITY PROGRAMS IN OUR HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTES.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE COMMITTEE UNDERSTANDS THAT THERE IS A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THAT.
A SIMILAR APPLICATION OF THAT WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
COMING AFTER CITIES AND COUNTIES WHO HAVE EQUITY PROGRAMS. THAT'S WHY I SAY, I TAKE YOUR POINT VERY SERIOUSLY.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT WHERE WE'RE GOING TO PUT THIS SUPPORT FOR VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES AND SOME OF THESE ITEMS WE WANT TO PURSUE, WE UNDERSTAND THE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE VERY DELIBERATE IN THAT BECAUSE WE KNOW WHAT IS COMING FOR US IN AUSTIN.
>> WE WANT TO TAKE THE TARGET OFF OUR BACK.
>> WE WANT TO TAKE THE TARGET OFF OF OUR BACK, BUT I THINK THE CITY COUNCIL HAS ITS PRINCIPLES ON WHICH IT STANDS.
I DON'T THINK NOR HAVE I EVER WITNESSED ANY OF YOU BACKING DOWN FROM THAT, BUT JUST BEING VERY STRATEGIC ABOUT HOW WE PURSUE THESE THINGS.
>> PERFECT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
>> THANK YOU. ANY OF THE COMMENTS ONLINE IN THE VIRTUAL WORLD? YES, SIR.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I WAS JUST GOING TO OFFER YOUTH AS THE LANGUAGE FOR THE FOSTER CARE ITEM.
I KNOW THAT THAT'S PRETTY UNIFORMLY REFERRING UPTO 24 YEARS WHEN IT COMES TO FOSTER CARE OR UNSHELTERED YOUTH, I WOULD OFFER THAT.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, I JUST WANTED TO COMMENT ON THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE ON THE EVICTION.
I THINK THAT IF WE WANT TO ADD TO IT THAT THAT'S GREAT.
BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT A LOT OF WHAT WE NEED TO BE WATCHING FOR IS THE PREEMPTION COMPONENT.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S MORE THAT CAN BE ADDED TO THAT LANGUAGE, BUT SUPPORTING THE RESTRICTIONS ON EVICTIONS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE OF THE THREAT OF PREEMPTION FROM SEVERAL PIECES OF LEGISLATION OUT OF LAST SESSION THAT WOULD PROHIBIT US FROM CARRYING OUT THOSE REGULATIONS THAT ARE ALREADY ON THE BOOKS.
I BELIEVE THAT WE DO HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE LAWS THAT ARE ON THE BOOKS BEING ADHERED TO IN COURT, BUT I ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PROACTIVE IN SUPPORTING THEM STAYING ON THE BOOKS INSTEAD OF ALLOWING FOR LEGISLATION TO PREEMPT THEM.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, I WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE WITH THE BAN THE BOX COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE.
IT SHOULD BE EXPLICIT TO INITIAL APPLICATION.
IN FACT, THERE WAS LEGISLATION THAT WAS PUT FORTH LAST YEAR THAT DIDN'T GO FORWARD.
IT WAS FROM A REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE DOWN IN AUSTIN THAT HAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE ODA TO LOOK AT THE LANGUAGE THAT THEY USE SO IT CAN MIRROR THAT.
THIS IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT IS BEING ATTEMPTED TO BE DONE STATEWIDE THAT HAS ALREADY HAPPENED IN DALLAS COUNTY AND OTHER COUNTIES ACROSS THE STATE.
WE DON'T NEED TO REINVENT THE WHEEL THERE, BUT I THINK THAT WE SHOULD MAKE IT MATCH WHAT ALREADY HAS SOME LEGS DOWN IN AUSTIN.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, I'M NOT LOVING ON THE SECOND PAGE THE LANGUAGE FOR THE SB 4.
[00:30:01]
I THINK THAT IT ALLUDES TO OUR OPPOSITION OF THE BILL ONLY BEING ABOUT UNFUNDED MANDATES, AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THAT'S NECESSARILY THE STANCE THAT WE TOOK WITH OUR RESOLUTION OR FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD FROM COLLEAGUES.I DON'T KNOW THAT THE WORDING OF SUPPORTING AMENDMENTS TO BRING IN FUNDING WOULD BE THE ROUTE THAT I'D LIKE TO SEE US GO.
OF COURSE, WE ALREADY HAVE IN OTHER PLACES, UNFUNDED MANDATES IS SOMETHING THAT WE OPPOSE.
I THINK THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE WORKING TOWARDS THAT.
BUT WHEN IT COMES TO SPECIFYING SB 4, I DON'T NECESSARILY LOVE THE WAY THAT THIS IS WRITTEN THAT ALLUDES TO THE SUPPORT FOR THE BILL JUST WANTING TO SEE AMENDMENTS.
>> RECEIVED. I THINK THIS IS AS WE RECEIVED IT DIRECTLY FROM THE COMMITTEE, BUT I'D HEAR WHAT YOU'RE GETTING AT.
ALLOW US AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVISIT THAT, IF YOU WILL, SIR.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. ALSO, JUST SO WE'RE OVER JUST A LITTLE BIT IN TERMS OF THE ALLOCATED TIME I THOUGHT WE MIGHT GET.
WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
I DID WANT TO MAKE SURE FOR THE RECORD AND THE LISTENING PUBLIC AND EVEN STAFF MEMBERS.
I WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ON THE RECORD GIVING OUR INPUT ON THESE ITEMS. I DID WANT TO FOLLOW UP JUST QUICKLY ON JUST COMMENT ON THE WORKPLACE SAFETY ETHICS PIECE.
IRONICALLY, I SAW AN ARTICLE I GUESS LAST NIGHT ON THIS TOPIC.
IT REALLY WAS ABOUT WHISTLE BLOWING.
I BELIEVE IT'S OUT OF FORT WORTH AND YOU CAN READ THE DETAILS, BUT IT BASICALLY HAD TO DO WITH SHARING INFORMATION AND WELL, I'M NOT GOING TO GO TOO FAR AND IT MAYBE COME UP ON APPEAL.
I HAVE TO TAKE MR. RIDLEY ABOUT THAT.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS BECAUSE YOU ARE OUR LEGAL ADVICE SOMETIMES.
[LAUGHTER] BUT IT WAS VERY SHOCKING TO SEE I THINK THE POLICE CHIEF AND SOME INSIDE TECHNOLOGY STAFF MEMBERS HAVE RESOLVED AN ISSUE WHERE THEY ACTUALLY HAD TO FIGHT TO CLEAR THEIR NAMES, AND THAT WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE SETTLEMENT.
I THINK RIGHT NOW THE FORMER CHIEF IS ABOUT FIVE MILLION DOLLARS AND THE STAFF MEMBERS WERE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN ONE AND TWO.
IT WAS ALL ABOUT WHISTLE BLOWING, TRYING TO PROTECT THE WORKPLACE AND MAKING SURE THAT THE COMMITMENT THAT WAS MADE TO THEIR JOBS AND TO THE CITY WAS MADE.
I THINK THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING PROTECTION FOR THOSE WHO ARE TRYING TO SERVE.
IN ALL AS WE CLOSE, I THINK THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING CLARITY AND TRANSPARENCY ON THIS LEGISLATIVE AGENDA IS GOING TO BE VERY KEY.
WE MUST CONTINUE TO COMMUNICATE AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, I WOULD SUGGEST THAT IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING, SOMETIMES WE GET BUSY AND WE'RE LIKE, I DIDN'T SEE THAT.
THEN WE'RE AT THE LAST MINUTE AND WE'RE TRYING TO PULL THINGS BACK.
THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT. THAT'S WHY I WANT TO MAKE SURE TOO THAT WE WEIGHED IN ON THAT.
IF NOTHING ELSE ON THAT, WE APPRECIATE YOUR WORK AND YOU CAN REST ASSURED WE'LL BE GIVING INPUT.
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR THAT.
[OVERLAPPING] MR. DONZEL, I THINK WHEN WE LOOK AT THE REST OF THE BRIEFING ITEMS, COMMITTEE MEMBERS, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE LOOK THROUGH THOSE OR NOT.
BUT YOU MOST OF THEM SEEMED TO COME FROM COMMUNITY CARE, IS THAT CORRECT? I BELIEVE MOST OF THEM, MR. DONZEL, THAT IS REMAINING.
IF YOU HAD MS. GALLESHAW HERE, SOMEONE WHO WOULD JUST SAY, HOLISTICALLY, THIS IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IN TERMS OF THOSE MEMOS WHILE WE GAZED THROUGH.
>> YES, MA'AM, WE CAN DO SO. I SAW JESSICA EARLIER. JESSICA.
>> SHE STEPPED AWAY. BUT I SAW HER HERE.
WE CAN HAVE HER COME BACK IN JUST A LITTLE BIT.
>> THE HEADLINES ARE PRETTY MUCH HERE.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS, I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU LOOKED AT IT BECAUSE IT BASICALLY TALKS A GREAT DEAL ABOUT EXPENDITURES, FUNDING FOR VARIOUS SERVICES THAT SHOULD BE COMING UP ON THE AUGUST, I BELIEVE, 28TH AGENDA JUST SO THAT WE WILL KNOW WHAT'S HERE.
JUST SO WANTED TO JUST PUT A FACE WITH A QUICK STATEMENT, SO WE'LL KNOW WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO IN TERMS OF THE COUNCIL.
>> HELLO. JESSICA GALLESHAW, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF COMMUNITY CARE.
>> WELL, BASICALLY, YOU COULD GIVE US THE BIG PICTURE.
I NOTICE ONE OF THE MEMBERS WAS SPEAKING ABOUT THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA AS RELATED TO RENTAL AND RENTAL PROTECTION.
[00:35:01]
I SEE WE HAVE SOME REFERENCE HERE TO RENTAL.I THINK EVERYTHING IS VERY TIMELY IN TERMS OF WHERE WE ARE WITH THE BRIEFINGS, WHERE WE ARE LEGISLATIVELY, AND JUST HOLISTICALLY, WHAT ARE WE IN STORE FOR WITH THE NEXT FEW MEMOS THAT ARE POSTED HERE FOR THE NEXT MEETING? YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO INTO A WHOLE LOT OF DETAIL, YOU ONLY HAVE FIVE MINUTES.
>> JESSICA, SHE JUST WANTS YOU TO WALK THROUGH YOUR BRIEF MEMORANDUMS FOR YOUR AGENDA ITEMS.
>> WE HAVE A TOTAL OF FIVE ITEMS TO DISCUSS AND I'LL GO THROUGH THEM PRETTY QUICKLY.
I KNOW THAT THERE ARE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ON ONE OF THEM, SO I'LL STAY THAT ONE FOR LAST SO THAT THOSE QUESTIONS CAN BE ADDRESSED.
OF COURSE, WE WELCOME QUESTIONS ON ANY OF THEM.
FIRST, YOU'LL SEE THAT WE HAVE TWO BRIEFING MEMOS RELATED TO OUR HOPWA PROGRAM, HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS.
THAT IS THE NAME OF THE PROGRAM.
THE TWO ITEMS THAT WE HAVE ARE FOR OUR AGREEMENTS OR PARTNERSHIPS FOR SUB-RECIPIENTS OR CONTRACTORS TO DELIVER SERVICES.
ONE OF THEM IS ACTUALLY AN ITEM TO RENEW SEVEN AGREEMENTS WITH SEVERAL NON-PROFITS FOR MULTIPLE HOPWA SERVICES.
THE HOPWA PROGRAM INCLUDES A VARIETY OF SERVICES FROM EMERGENCY TO TENANT BASE RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND EVEN HOUSING OPERATIONS.
THIS ITEM ACTUALLY ADDRESSES THAT, THE ONE THAT IS TITLED PROGRAM SECOND RENEWAL, UPCOMING ITEM FROM OFFICE OF COMMUNITY CARE FOR HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS, PROGRAM SECOND RENEWAL.
THESE ARE RENEWAL CONTRACTS THAT ARE GOING INTO THEIR THIRD YEAR OF OPERATION.
HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE STRUCTURE OF THOSE, WE DO HAVE TO TAKE EACH RENEWAL TO COUNCIL.
THE OTHER ITEM THAT IS ALSO HOPWA IS IN A LOCAL AGREEMENT WITH DALLAS COUNTY TO PROVIDE HOUSING ASSISTANCE.
THE CITY OF DALLAS IS A DIRECT RECIPIENT OF ALLOCATIONS FOR THE HOPWA PROGRAM, AND FOR MANY YEARS, A PORTION OF THOSE ALLOCATIONS HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO DALLAS COUNTY.
THEY HAVE A LONGSTANDING PROGRAM AND THE CAPACITY TO ADMINISTER THESE HOPWA PROGRAMS. HOPWA IS VERY COMPLICATED.
THIS IS THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH DALLAS COUNTY TO CONTINUE FORWARD IN THE WORK THAT THEY'VE BEEN DOING.
THOSE ARE THE TWO HOPWA MEMOS.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS ON THE HOPWA MEMOS? MOVING ON, THE NEXT ITEM I'LL TAKE YOU TO IS THE UPCOMING OFFICE OF COMMUNITY CARE AGENDA ITEM TO ACCEPT A GRANT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE TEXAS LACTATION SUPPORT AFTER HOURS HOTLINE.
THIS IS ACCEPTING $400,000 FROM DSHS FOR US TO BE ABLE TO ENTER A CONTRACT WITH A PROVIDER TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVELY 24-HOUR SERVICES IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGE TO PEOPLE IN NEED OF LACTATION SUPPORT.
DURING THE CLINIC HOURS, PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO GET THAT SUPPORT THROUGH OUR WIC CLINICS.
HOWEVER, AFTER HOURS, IT'S CRITICAL THAT LACTATING MOMS WHO ARE IN NEED OF SUPPORT BE ABLE TO GET THAT IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE IT'S A VERY STRESSFUL AND DIFFICULT TIME.
THE PROGRAM USES ONLY INTERNATIONALLY CERTIFIED BREASTFEEDING CONSULTANTS, LACTATION CARE CONSULTANTS, AND SO IT'S A VERY HIGH LEVEL PROGRAM.
THERE WILL BE A CONTRACT WITH A PROVIDER THAT WILL BE FORTHCOMING A LITTLE LATER ON, BUT THIS IS TO ACCEPT THE FUNDING FOR FY25.
THE STATE FISCAL YEAR ACTUALLY STARTS IN SEPTEMBER, SO THAT'S WHY WE HAD TO GET THIS ONE HERE IN AUGUST.
THE NEXT ITEM IS TO ACCEPT ADDITIONAL FUNDS FROM THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE FOR FY25.
WE ARE RECEIVING AN ADDITIONAL ALLOCATION FROM TDCJ FOR OUR RE-ENTRY SERVICES PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $250,000.
WE HAVE TRADITIONALLY, THROUGH THE STATES BIENNIAL BUDGET, WE RECEIVE A MILLION DOLLARS OVER THE BIENNIUM, WHICH IS SPLIT INTO TWO $500,000 ALLOCATIONS.
FOR THIS BIENNIUM, THE TDCJ HAS AWARDED US ADDITIONAL FUNDING.
THIS IS ADDITIONAL ON TOP OF THAT INITIAL ALLOCATION.
WE ACCEPTED SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDS IN JUNE AS WELL.
THIS TAKES US TO A TOTAL OF $1.5 MILLION FROM TDCJ OVER THE TWO-YEAR PERIOD, AND WILL SUPPORT THE DELIVERY OF OUR RE-ENTRY SERVICES, INCLUDING OUR WRAPAROUND CASE MANAGEMENT WORKFORCE, AND WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT HOUSING SUPPORT WITH SOME OF THIS EXTRA FUNDS.
ADDITIONALLY, AT THE REQUEST OF TDCJ, THEY'VE SAID THAT SINCE WE'RE DOING MULTIPLE CONTRACTS UNDER MANAGEMENT AND WITH THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS, THEY'VE ASKED US TO LOOK AT HAVING CONTRACT COMPLIANCE STAFF SPECIFICALLY SUPPORTING THIS WORK, AND SO THIS ITEM ALSO WILL AUTHORIZE THAT, BUT THAT WOULD BE PAID OUT OF THESE FUNDS AND ONLY OUT OF THESE FUNDS.
THOSE ARE THE FOURTH ITEMS. IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS ON THE TDCJ ITEM BEFORE I MOVE ON? EXCUSE ME.
>> WELL, WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK.
[00:40:01]
MR. RIDLEY WANTED TO HAVE A QUESTION.>> WELL, IT WAS ABOUT BRIEFING ITEM E. HAVE YOU PERFORMED ANY REVIEW OF THE PERFORMANCE OF THESE PARTNER AGENCIES IN THE PAST CONTRACT YEAR, OR IS THIS JUST AN AUTOMATIC RENEWAL?
>> WE DO MANAGE AND MONITOR THE CONTRACTS, OF COURSE, THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD OF THE TERM.
THE RENEWALS ARE NOT NECESSARILY AUTOMATIC.
THEY DO REQUIRE ACTION AND THEY ARE AT THE CITY'S OPTION.
WE HAVE BEEN WATCHING AND, OF COURSE, MONITORING AND MANAGING THOSE CONTRACTS.
WE DO HAVE SOME SUMMARY OF THE PERFORMANCE FROM EACH PROVIDER THAT ARE INCLUDED HERE IN THE MEMO, WHICH SHOWS THEIR PERFORMANCES FOR FY24.
YOU'LL NOTICE THERE WERE SOME FUNDING INCREASES TO THESE PROVIDERS THAT WERE RECOMMENDED FOR 2023, THE FIRST YEAR, AND THERE ARE PLANNING COUNCILS AND OTHERS THAT ALSO RECOMMEND AND FEED INTO THE DIRECTION FOR HOW THE CITY WOULD BE ADVANCING HOPWA MONEY.
THESE CONTRACTS ARE MONITORED, THEY ARE MANAGED, WE DO EVALUATE THEIR PERFORMANCE, AND THESE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE ACCORDINGLY.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE LACTATION.
>> YOU DON'T NEED TO REPORT NOW, BUT I'D LIKE TO HEAR THE EVALUATION OF THIS PROJECT BECAUSE IT'S ONGOING.
I SEE THAT THIS TYPE OF SUPPORT CONTRIBUTES TO A 13% IN PRENATAL AND A 23% INCREASE IN POSTPARTUM CARE.
IT'S FANTASTIC, BUT WHAT ABOUT, DID THESE WOMEN ACTUALLY CONTINUE NURSING, THINGS LIKE THAT.
IF YOU HAVE MORE DATA, I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU WOULD SEND IT.
I READ THAT IT'S THROUGH THE WIC CLINICS, AND THAT'S WHO'S ELIGIBLE.
IT'S NOT FOR ALL WOMEN, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> NO. I WILL DOUBLE CHECK THAT, BUT I BELIEVE THAT THE CALL LINE, THERE WOULD BE SOME SCREENING, BUT GENERALLY, PEOPLE WOULD BE CALLING IN AND THEY CAN'T NECESSARILY CERTIFY THAT THEY'RE WIC AT THAT TIME.
THROUGH THE CLINIC SERVICE, IT WOULD BE FOR CLINIC OR WIC CLIENTS, BUT AFTER HOURS HOTLINE DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAVE THAT LIMITATION.
I'LL CONFIRM THAT IF THAT'S INCORRECT, AND I'LL SEND AN UPDATE OUT, BUT THAT IS MY UNDERSTANDING.
>> I GET THAT IT'S A GRANT, SO IT'S NOT COSTING OUR TAXPAYERS PER SE.
AT LEAST NOT THROUGH THE CITY TAXES, BUT I'D LIKE TO GET A FURTHER EVALUATION, HOW DO WE PROMOTE IT? WHAT'S OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH PARKLAND? JUST A LITTLE DEEPER DIVE INTO THIS. THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
>> YES. I WILL ALSO SAY THAT THIS MODEL REPRESENTS A BIT OF A TRANSITION FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF LACTATION SUPPORT.
INITIALLY, SOME OF THE GOALS OF THE FUNDING THROUGH DSHS TO WIC PROGRAMS IN SUPPORT OF LACTATION CARE WAS REALLY TO ACTUALLY PARTNER WITH THE HOSPITALS AND TRY TO PROMOTE BREASTFEEDING THROUGH THE LOCAL HOSPITALS, AND THIS IS A MULTI-YEARS PROGRAM, BUT THAT ASPECT HAS BEEN QUITE SUCCESSFUL.
THERE ARE MANY MORE MOM FRIENDLY, BABY FRIENDLY HOSPITALS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND THE SERVICES FOR LACTATION SUPPORT COMING THROUGH THE HOSPITALS HAS INCREASED A GREAT DEAL.
WIC HAS BEEN A PART OF AND INVOLVED IN THAT, AND SO THIS MODEL IS A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENT MODEL.
NOW WE'RE NO LONGER FOCUSING THE RESOURCES FROM DSHS SOLELY ON A PHYSICAL LACTATION CLINIC AND/OR WORKING WITH HOSPITALS, BUT NOW WE'RE FOCUSING ON THIS 24-HOUR SUPPORT.
TO SAY THAT THE CALL IN LINE IS NOT NECESSARILY 24 HOURS, IT'S TO SUPPLEMENT.
IT'S DURING THE CLOSURE HOURS OF THE CLINIC TO CREATE 24 HOURS, JUST TO CLARIFY ON THAT.
>> THANK YOU. IT'S GREAT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM THE VIRTUAL WORLD? HERE'S OUR ELEVATOR SPECIALIST.
I HAD TO THROW THAT IN. MS. [INAUDIBLE] WILLIS.
>> I DON'T WANT TO JUMP IN FRONT OF THEM.
ONLINE, DO WE HAVE ANY MORE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
>> THE FINAL MEMO IS AN ARPA REDEVELOPMENT ITEM.
THIS IS ONE OF THE INITIAL HOPWA PROJECTS THAT WAS REALLOCATED BY THIS BODY IN MAY OF THIS YEAR.
[00:45:05]
THIS PROJECT IS A GARDEN BOX DISTRIBUTION PROJECT.WE SOLICITED THIS PROJECT THROUGH THE OFFICE OF PROCUREMENT SERVICES THROUGH AN RFP AND BID SHEET BASED PROPOSAL.
I DO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS OUT THERE, SO I'LL JUST GO AHEAD AND LET THE QUESTIONS BE ASKED.
>> YOU WANTED TO ADDRESS THIS PARTICULAR ITEM, SO COUNCILMAN WILLIS, YOU MAY PROCEED.
>> SURE. I SENT YOU SOME QUESTIONS THIS MORNING.
WHAT ARE SOME OTHER USES FOR ARPA REDEVELOPMENT FUNDS? WHAT ELSE CAN BE FUNDED THROUGH THOSE FUNDS?
>> THE ARPA REDEVELOPMENT FUNDS, AND I THINK PROBABLY A BUDGET OFFICE PERSON WOULD BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN THE SPECIFICS OF IT A LITTLE BETTER THAN MYSELF, BUT THESE ARE THE ARPA PROJECTS.
OUR OFFICE OF COMMUNITY CARE, BACK WHEN THOSE FUNDS WERE ALLOCATED, IT WAS A VARIETY OF SOCIAL SERVICES PROJECTS.
THERE'S THE MENTAL HEALTH, THE FOOD BOX DISTRIBUTION, LET ME SEE, WHAT OTHER THINGS? THERE WAS THE HOME VISITING PROGRAM AND SOME OTHER THINGS THAT ARE SUPPORTED THROUGH ARPA.
IT'S NOW BEING TITLED BASED ON THE AUTHORIZATION THIS MAY, ARPA REDEVELOPMENT, THIS PROJECT, HAS JUST BEEN A LITTLE BIT SLOW IN TERMS OF GETTING ADVANCED THROUGH THAT PROCESS BECAUSE THE INITIAL SOLICITATION UNFORTUNATELY DID NOT RETURN THE QUALITY OF PRODUCT THAT WE WERE SEEKING, AND SO WE WENT BACK AND WE WORKED WITH THE URBAN AGRICULTURE TEAM HERE AT THE CITY OF DALLAS TO DEVELOP A MUCH MORE ROBUST AND SPECIFIC SOLICITATION TO ENSURE THAT WE GOT WHAT WE WERE SEEKING BECAUSE WE WANTED TO AND I'M GOING TO JUST READ TO YOU REAL QUICK.
>> WELL, IT'S OKAY. WE DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT.
I COULDN'T OPEN SOME OF THE DOCUMENTS.
YOU'RE CALLING OUT SOME THINGS THAT ARE REALLY WHAT I FIGURED YOU WOULD CALL OUT AROUND MENTAL HEALTH, AND HOME VISITS, AND OTHER THINGS LIKE THAT.
WHEN I LOOK AT THIS GARDEN BOX KIT PROGRAM, I WONDER ABOUT THE YIELD OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS BECAUSE WHEN YOU BREAK OUT IF YOU JUST DISTRIBUTED THIS MONEY ACROSS 500 PEOPLE, $400 A PERSON MIGHT BE MORE BENEFICIAL TO THEM THAN HAVING TO WAIT 12 WEEKS FOR A TOMATO.
I'M JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND. I SEE THE BENEFITS.
IT LOOKS LIKE THERE WAS SOME EVALUATION OF THE COVID GARDEN BOX SITUATION, WHICH MAYBE OBVIOUSLY THAT WAS A DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCE.
I'M JUST LOOKING AT THIS MONEY AND WONDERING IF THIS IS REALLY THE BEST WAY WE COULD SPEND IT AND IF WE SHOULD EVEN BE IN THIS SPACE WHEN WE'VE GOT THE COUNTY AG EXTENSION PROGRAM, WE'VE GOT TEXAS A&M AND SO MANY OTHERS.
WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE YIELD FOR EACH OF THESE HOUSEHOLDS?
>> THE GOAL OF THE KITS IS THAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE EASY TO USE, SMALL ENOUGH TO FIT IN AN INTERIOR SPACE SUCH AS A COUNTERTOP OR SMALL AREA.
THEY HAVE TO INCLUDE CERTAIN COMPONENTS TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE A HIGH QUALITY YIELD, AND THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO PRIORITIZE AND PRIMARILY BE FOCUSED ON GROWING VEGETABLES, FRUITS OR IN SOME CASES GREENS.
THE IDEA IS THAT THEY CAN SUPPLEMENT WITH THOSE NUTRITIOUS OPTIONS THAT ARE READILY AVAILABLE TO THE CORE DIET.
I SHOULD ALSO NOTE THAT THE 500 ESTIMATE, THAT'S THE RANGE THAT WE PROVIDED IS BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE DEMAND WILL BE AT THIS POINT.
IT WOULD NOT MEAN THAT THERE WOULD BE MORE COST PER INDIVIDUAL.
THE COST PER INDIVIDUAL WOULD STILL BE THAT BOX AMOUNT.
IT WOULD JUST BE THAT IF THERE WAS A LOWER DEMAND WHEN WE SOLICIT THE APPLICATION, WE WOULD EXPECT TO SERVE MORE THAN THAT IF WE WERE EXPENDING THAT AMOUNT OF FUNDING.
>> LET'S GO BACK TO WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT A COUNTERTOP OR THAT IT CAN WORK INTERIOR.
CORNSTALKS, ZUCCHINI, WATERMELON, THESE TAKE UP AN APPRECIABLE AMOUNT OF SPACE.
THIS SOUNDS LIKE COMPLIMENTARY HERBS OR SOMETHING.
I'M REALLY STRUGGLING WITH WHERE WE ARE CHOOSING TO SPEND THIS MONEY, AND I JUST FEEL LIKE IT COULD BE SPENT IN SOME AREAS THAT MIGHT BE MORE BENEFICIAL TO PEOPLE.
I THINK THERE ARE SOME OTHERS WHO MAY HANDLE THIS.
LET ME ALSO ASK YOU ABOUT THE VENDOR THAT WAS SELECTED BECAUSE THIS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE THE BACKGROUND THAT I WAS ABLE TO FIND.
>> MY KNOWLEDGE OF THE VENDOR IS THAT THEY HAVE A PRETTY EXTENSIVE WORK IN THE URBAN AGRICULTURE SPACE, AND THEY'RE ALSO WORKING WITH AN ORGANIZATION CALLED RESTORATIVE FARMS, I BELIEVE, AS A SUBCONTRACTOR, AS PART OF THIS PROJECT, WHICH IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT HAS WORKED IN THIS SPACE FOR QUITE SOME TIME AS WELL.
BUT BEYOND THAT, I DON'T HAVE MUCH BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE ON THE VENDOR BECAUSE THAT'S NOT REALLY THE PART OF THIS TYPE OF PROCUREMENT PROCESS, BUT THEY DID PROVIDE SOME INFORMATION ON THEIR BACKGROUND AND ON THEIR PARTNERSHIPS.
[00:50:03]
>> WELL, I KNOW THIS IS ON OUR AGENDA FOR WEDNESDAY, AND I'M REALLY NOT COMFORTABLE IN SUPPORTING THIS BECAUSE I THINK IT'S $200,000.
IT SOUNDS VERY LOVELY AND ASPIRATIONAL, BUT IS IT REALLY GOING TO FEED ANYONE MEANINGFULLY? ARE THERE OTHER CATEGORIES WITHIN THE REDEVELOPMENT FUNDS UNDER ARPA THAT WE DESPERATELY NEED? WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND COUNSELING, THAT SORT OF THING.
I LOOKED AT HOW PAINFUL THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS WAS, AND THIS WENT ALL THROUGH 2023.
I'M NOT FEELING LIKE THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO SPEND THESE DOLLARS.
IF THERE'S OTHER SUPPORTING INFORMATION THAT COULD COMPEL ME TO SAY, OH, YES, THIS IS GOING TO MEANINGFULLY FEED A HOUSEHOLD RAPIDLY, THEN MAYBE I WOULD LISTEN TO IT, BUT I JUST HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS AROUND THIS BEING THE BEST WAY TO SPEND THESE FUNDS.
BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON IT.
>> MS. JAYNIE SCHULTZ YOU HAVE YOUR QUESTIONS.
>> THANKS. I HAVE A LOT OF THE SAME QUESTIONS, JESSICA.
MAYBE WHAT WE COULD DO IS, I DON'T KNOW THAT ANYONE'S A BIGGER PROPONENT OF URBAN AGRICULTURE AND ALL OF THEIR EFFORT, SO MAYBE WE COULD GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THIS FITS INTO THE OVERALL AGENDA OF THAT, AS WELL AS REALLY UNDERSTANDING THE METRICS FOR SUCCESS OF THIS BECAUSE IF A LOT OF IT IS ABOUT ENGAGEMENT AND HELPING MOSTLY SENIORS FEEL LIKE THEY'RE IN TOUCH.
I JUST DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND NECESSARILY THE PURPOSE OF THIS.
IF IT'S TO SUPPLEMENT THEIR FOOD NEED, THEN AS SHE SAID, I'D RATHER GIVE THEM THE MONEY TO DO THAT OR WORK WITH SOME OF THE VEGGIE PROJECTS, THE OAK CLIFF VEGGIE PROJECT OR SOME OF THE OTHERS THAT ARE GIVING BECAUSE I CAN TELL YOU AS AN AVID GARDENER, A CONTAINER BOX IS NOT GOING TO FEED ANYBODY.
THERE HAS TO BE, AND I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A BIGGER AGENDA FOR THIS AND MORE IMPORTANT THAN NECESSARILY THE PRODUCTION OF THE FOOD.
>> WELL, THE PRODUCTION IS THE PRIMARY COMPONENT.
THE RESEARCH FROM THE PILOT SHOWED THAT IT LED TO ENOUGH OF A YIELD THAT PEOPLE WERE ACTUALLY ABLE TO SUPPLEMENT, THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO USE IT, THAT THEY DID FIND IT EASY, AND MANY PEOPLE, A MAJORITY OF RESPONDENTS EVEN NOTED THAT BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY WERE ABLE TO GROW, THEY DID HAVE REDUCED COSTS WHEN IT CAME TO THEIR PRODUCE.
NOW, THIS IS ONLY OFFSETTING ONE COMPONENT, OBVIOUSLY, THE PRODUCE.
IT'S PRODUCING GREENS OR TOMATOES, THINGS LIKE THAT.
BUT, AGAIN, IT IS AN OFFSET AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT CAN CONTINUE FORWARD.
>> LET ME JUST INTERRUPT YOU, AND CHAIR, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED TO HEAR.
PERHAPS SIMILAR TO THE OTHER PROJECT, WE NEED MORE BACKGROUND, WE NEED TO SHOW THE SUCCESS OF IT TILL NOW.
WHAT WAS THE PILOT? WHAT WAS THE DATA? WHAT WAS THE ANECDOTAL GATHERING FROM THE EVALUATION? THAT I'D LIKE TO HEAR BECAUSE IF IT'S REALLY CHANGING LIVES, I'M ALL OVER IT, BUT IF IT'S MORE JUST TO BE ABLE TO HAVE SOME GRANT ON THIS, I'M STILL CONFUSED.
MAYBE WE COULD JUST GET A LITTLE MORE BACKGROUND THAT HELPS US UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PILOT PRODUCED.
>> LET ME INTERRUPT JUST A MINUTE.
YOU SAID THIS IS GOING TO BE ON OUR AGENDA TOMORROW?
>> I MEAN, WEDNESDAY. I THINK IT WOULD BEHOOVE US TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE LISTENING TO THE COMMENTS SO THAT PERHAPS YOU ALL ARE PREPARED SO THAT WE WON'T GET THERE AND GO THROUGH THIS AGAIN.
YOU'LL BE READY. COUNCIL MEMBER RIDLEY, YOU HAD QUESTIONS ON THIS AS WELL, AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON.
>> I NOTE ON PAGE 1 OF THE MEMO THAT THERE IS THE FEEDBACK FROM THE PILOT PROGRAM THROUGH A SURVEY THAT YOU DID INDICATING THAT PEOPLE WERE VERY PLEASED WITH THE EASE OF SETUP AND NOTED THE TOP BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAM WERE DIRECT FOOD ACCESS, NUTRITIOUS MEALS, ONGOING SUPPLY OF PRODUCE, LEARNING NEW SKILL, ETC.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT MORE INFORMATION YOU CAN PROVIDE US ABOUT FEEDBACK FROM THE PILOT.
BUT I TOO HAVE RESERVATIONS ABOUT HOW MUCH FOOD THIS CAN ACTUALLY PRODUCE, PARTICULARLY IF IT'S SUCH A SMALL SCALE THAT IT FITS ON THE KITCHEN COUNTERTOP.
I THOUGHT THIS WAS LIKE WINDOW BOXES WHERE IT WAS OUTSIDE AND LARGER SCALE.
IF THIS PROGRAM WASN'T AN OPTION, WHAT WOULD YOUR HIGHEST PRIORITY BE FOR SPENDING THIS 200,000 IN GRANT MONEY?
[00:55:01]
>> WELL, I'M NOT REALLY SURE ABOUT THAT.
>> MAY I INTERJECT? LIZ CEDILLO-PEREIRA ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, AND WE'RE LISTENING TO THE INSIGHTS OF THE COMMITTEE AND CERTAINLY THIS IS A PILOT PROGRAM THAT WE DID IN TANDEM WITH WHAT OUR QAUP, OUR COMPREHENSIVE URBAN AG PLAN GOALS WERE AS WELL TO FOSTER THAT IDEA OF GROWING IN OUR OWN NEIGHBORHOODS, ETC., WHILE FEEDING PEOPLE AND USING THE FUNDS MOST INTENTIONALLY AROUND THOSE MOST VULNERABLE WHO NEEDED FOOD SERVICES DURING THE COVID AND BEYOND.
WE ARE PLEASED TO BRING THIS BACK THROUGH A BRIEFING IF IT SO PLEASES THE COMMITTEE SO THAT WE CAN ALL HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE TERMS AND THE USE, AND IF THE COUNCIL WANTS TO REDIRECT THE USE OF THESE FUNDS FOR ANOTHER PURPOSE, THEN CERTAINLY WE CAN CONSIDER THAT AT THAT TIME OF THE BRIEFING.
WOULD THAT BE OKAY, DIRECTOR GALLESHAW?
>> THAT WOULD MEAN WE'D TAKE IT OFF THIS WEEK'S AGENDA?
>> YEAH. I WOULD SUPPORT THAT.
I'D LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CONTEXT OF THIS PROGRAM AND THE OVERALL URBAN AGRICULTURE PROGRAM.
WOULD THIS MONEY BE BETTER SPENT IN SUPPLEMENTING THE FUNDING FOR THE COMMUNITY GARDENS, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT'S A QUESTION THAT I HAVE?
>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION. I'LL BE SURE TO INCORPORATE THAT INTO A BRIEFING.
>> IN LIGHT OF OUR TIME, LET ME MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE IN A GOOD, I NEED TO KNOW DIRECTION IN TERMS OF THE ATTORNEYS AS WELL.
COUNCIL MEMBER RESENDEZ AND DEPUTY MAYOR, DO YOU HAVE ANY POSITIONS ON US HOLDING THIS BACK, GET FURTHER INFORMATION BEFORE WE GO TO AGENDA? REMOVE IT FROM THIS WEDNESDAY AND MOVE FORWARD WITH BRIEFING FOR NEXT MONTH?
>> I'M NOT OPPOSED TO IT EITHER.
BUT I AM CURIOUS IF WE ARE ABLE TO [INAUDIBLE] AT THIS TIME?
THAT IS THE DIRECTION ACTION THAT WAS SUGGESTED, BUT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE FROM THE ATTORNEYS THAT ARE WE IN A GOOD SPACE THAT WE TAKE THAT POSITION, SIR?
>> I WAS MEANING JUST [INAUDIBLE] RELATED, I HAVE NO OBJECTION ON THE SUBJECT OF TAKING IT DOWN.
BUT IF IT'S ALREADY BEEN POSTED, DO WE NOT PICK THIS?
>> MADAM CHAIR, THE COMMITTEE CAN MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO FULL COUNSEL TO DEFER THE ITEM ON WEDNESDAY, BUT IT WILL TAKE ACTION ON SOMEONE'S PART ON WEDNESDAY TO DO SO.
>> WE WILL DO THAT. MY NEXT STEP IS JUST, COMMITTEE, YOU'VE HEARD THE RECOMMENDATION, AND WE'LL MAKE THAT RECOMMENDATION AT THE MEETING ON WEDNESDAY.
IF IT IS APPROVED BY COUNSEL, THEN WE WILL BE PREPARED FOR YOUR NEXT STEPS IN TERMS OF DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION AND PREPARATION FOR US.
>> THIS IS A $200,000 LINE ITEM AND I DON'T THINK WE NEED A BRIEFING ON GARDEN BOXES, SO I WOULD THINK THAT WE COULD COME UP WITH PRIORITIES LIKE THAT WHERE THE MONEY COULD BE SPENT.
THE WHOLE AG PROGRAM, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS LIVES HERE OR WITH ENVIRONMENTAL, BUT JUST WHERE IT SHOULD LIVE IN GENERAL.
IT WAS GREAT THAT THE CITY PAID ATTENTION TO THAT, FUNDING IT, AND BEING INVOLVED IN IT.
THERE ARE OTHER PLACES I THINK IT SHOULD LIVE.
HOWEVER, I'M JUST EXPRESSING THAT IN THE INTEREST OF EFFICIENCY AND OTHER CATEGORIES UNDER THE WE UMBRELLA, THAT I DO NOT NEED A BRIEFING.
>> LET ME MAKE SURE I'M GETTING A GOOD DIRECTION ON THE TIMELINE.
IN TERMS OF THE SPACE THAT WE'RE IN IN TERMS OF BEING COMFORTABLE WITH GOING ON WEDNESDAY IF A MOTION IS MADE TO DEFER IT, I'M UNDERSTANDING IT'S NOT WOULD HAVE TO BE A FULL-BLOWN BRIEFING THAT YOU WOULD BRING BACK TO US, IT WOULD BE MORE OR LESS JUST ADDITIONAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS THAT SOME OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE MADE, IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE SPEAKING ABOUT?
>> YES, MA'AM. WE CAN TAKE ANY FORMAT THAT THE CHAIR WISHES.
>> IF WE DON'T NEED A FULL BRIEF AND WE WON'T HAVE ONE, WE'VE COMPILE A LIST OF QUESTIONS THAT YOU GUYS HAVE BROUGHT UP AND WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE ANSWERS PLUS ADDITIONAL STATISTICS ABOUT THE PILOTING.
>> WELL, JUST DO IT THROUGH A MEMO FOR US AND THEN THAT WILL BE FINE IN TERMS OF US NOT HAVING TO COME BACK WITH THE FULL-BLOWN AGENDA BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO WORK ON THAT FORECAST ANYWAY.
WE NEED TO ALSO PREPARE TO WRAP UP.
WE HAVE TWO MORE PRESENTATIONS, MS. COUNCILWOMAN SCHULTZ.
>> I JUST HAD ONE MORE THOUGHT.
[OVERLAPPING] THAT IS COUNSEL MEMBER WEST COULDN'T GET ON HERE, BUT HE WAS ASKING, AND I THINK WE MIGHT ALL LIKE TO SEE A SAMPLE OF THIS BOX TO KNOW WHAT ALL IS INVOLVED AND WHAT THE INSTRUCTIONS ARE.
>> NOW, IF YOU'RE ASKING FOR A SAMPLE,
[01:00:04]
THEN THAT MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT TO PUT IT IN A BRIEFING MEMO.I GUESS WE WILL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO BRING, HE WANTED TO SEE IT, I'M NOT [OVERLAPPING].
>> YES, MA'AM. WE CAN ADD PHOTOS AS WELL OF THE BOX, IF NEED BE FOR THE MEMO.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THAT ON THE BOXES? I THINK THE MAIN THING IS THAT WE GET THE QUESTIONS ANSWERED AND WE DON'T BELABOR THE POINT OF THE DECISION THAT NEEDS TO BE MADE ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM.
WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME THIS MORNING AND WE'LL LOOK FOR THAT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS, IF THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE THAT'S MISSING, JUST LET US KNOW AND SO THAT WE CAN GET THAT TO YOU REGARDING THIS PROGRAM.
I THINK IT'S BETTER FOR US TO GO BACK AND FORTH AND GET THE AIR CLEAR HERE BECAUSE WE KNOW THE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS MAY BENEFIT FROM WHAT WE ARE DOING ON THIS LEVEL.
IF THERE'S NO OTHER COMMENTS FROM YOU, MS. JESSICA, WE'RE READY FOR OUR PRESENTATIONS.
>> YES, MA'AM. MADAM CHAIR, YOUR NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA WILL BE THE SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS, AND THAT PRESENTATION WILL BE DONE BY CHIEF PUGHES.
>> GOOD MORNING, DAVID PUGHES, DALLAS CITY MARSHAL.
I HAVE WITH ME TAMEKA WILLIAMS, WHO'S THE MANAGER OF THE SCHOOL CROSSING GUARD PROGRAM.
WE'LL START OFF BY GIVING YOU A LITTLE HISTORY OF THE PROGRAM, AND THEN WHERE WE'RE AT TODAY.
PRIOR TO 2012, THE DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT ACTUALLY MANAGED AND OVERSAW THE SCHOOL CROSSING GUARD PROGRAM.
THEY WERE CITY OF DALLAS EMPLOYEES THAT WAS MANAGED BY THE TRAFFIC DIVISION WITHIN THE DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
A NEW ENTITY WAS FORMED IN 2012 CALLED DALLAS COUNTY SCHOOLS, AND THEY TOOK OVER AND MANAGED THE SCHOOL CROSSING GUARD PROGRAM FROM 2012 UNTIL 2018.
IN 2018, THAT ENTITY WAS DISSOLVED, AND THE CITY OF DALLAS TOOK ON THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PROVIDING SCHOOL CROSSING GUARD SERVICES TO ALL OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS THAT ARE WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF DALLAS.
WE'RE REQUIRED TO DO IT BY STATE LAW AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE.
IT TALKS ABOUT MUNICIPALITIES OF OVER MORE THAN $1.3 MILLION AND WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING THE EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING, AND EQUIPMENT FOR SCHOOL CROSSING GUARD SERVICES.
ACCORDING TO THE LATEST CENSUS NUMBERS, WE ARE JUST OVER 1.3 MILLION WITHIN THE CITY.
IN 2018, WHEN WE TOOK THIS RESPONSIBILITY BACK, WE ENDED UP OUTSOURCING IT AND WE PUT IT OUT FOR BID, AND ALL CITY MANAGEMENT SERVICES WON THE CONTRACT.
IT WAS A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT WITH TWO OPPORTUNITIES TO EXTEND FOR AN ADDITIONAL YEAR EACH.
WE DID ENACT THAT, AND WE EXTENDED THOSE TWO ADDITIONAL YEARS, AND IT CAME BACK FOR CONTRACT RENEWAL.
ANOTHER RFCSP WAS PUT OUT, AND ON JUNE 28, 2023, THE DALLAS CITY COUNCIL APPROVED A NEW SERVICE CONTRACT FOR CROSSING GUARD SERVICES.
IT WAS ONCE AGAIN AWARDED TO ALL CITY MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
IT'S A THREE-YEAR TERM NOT TO EXCEED 23,928,000.
IT AVERAGES OUT TO $7,976,024 PER YEAR.
TO GET INTO A LITTLE BIT MORE OF THE ACTUAL MANAGEMENT AND THE NUTS AND BOLTS AND OVERSIGHT OF THE PROGRAM, THE MANAGER, TAMEKA WILLIAMS IS GOING TO WALK THROUGH THE NEXT FEW SLIDES WITH YOU.
TAMEKA WILLIAMS, CITY MARSHAL'S OFFICE, AND ALL CITY MANAGEMENT SERVICES HANDLES THE VETTING PROCESS INCLUDING THE HIRING AND [OVERLAPPING].
>> EXCUSE ME, MS. WILLIAMS, COULD YOU SPEAK MORE INTO THE MIKE?
>> SORRY ABOUT THAT. [NOISE] TAMEKA WILLIAMS CITY MARSHAL'S OFFICE, ALL CITY MANAGEMENT SERVICES HANDLES THE VETTING PROCESS FOR THE CROSSING GUARD PROGRAM, THEY HANDLE THE HIRING AND THE TRAINING OF ALL GUARDS.
THEY PROVIDE STOP PADDLES, RAIN JACKETS, AND WHISTLES AS THE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR THE GUARDS TO PERFORM THEIR DUTIES.
ALL CITY MANAGEMENT SERVICES PROVIDES AREA SUPERVISORS TO OVERSEE
[01:05:06]
THE CROSSING GUARDS IN THE FIELD AND THE AREA SUPERVISORS REPORT TO FIELD MANAGERS AS WELL.ALL CITY MANAGEMENT SERVICES ALSO ADDRESSES THE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS IN THE FIELD.
THE CROSSING GUARD PROGRAM PROVIDES SERVICES FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS.
WE CURRENTLY SERVE EIGHT INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS, NINE PRIVATE SCHOOLS, WHICH INCLUDES THE CHARTER SCHOOLS.
WE CURRENTLY HAVE 514 CROSSING GUARDS AND 286 INTERSECTIONS THAT WE'RE SERVING.
THE REQUESTS FOR CROSSING GUARDS COMES IN FROM VARIOUS SOURCES.
EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS A LIAISON THAT WORKS WITH OUR TEAM, AND THIS IS A COORDINATED EFFORT TO ENSURE AN EFFICIENT PROCESS.
ANOTHER SOURCE IS 311, AND THIS IS MOSTLY USED BY OUR CITIZENS.
>> UPON RECEIPT OF A REQUEST FOR A SCHOOL CROSSING GUARD, THE REQUEST IS SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
THEY CONDUCT A NEEDS ASSESSMENT TO DETERMINE WHETHER A GUARD IS WARRANTED.
A COUPLE OF CRITERIAS USED IS, THEY LOOK FOR 20 OR MORE UNSUPERVISED STUDENTS USING THE CROSSWALKS OR THE AREA AND WHETHER THE STUDENTS ARE CROSSING FOUR OR MORE LANES.
BUT ULTIMATELY, THEY ARE ENSURING THE SAFETY MEASURES ARE IN PLACE FOR STUDENTS AND GUARDS AS WELL.
CURRENTLY, WE HAVE 514 SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS.
THEY HAVE A RATE PAY OF 17.85 AN HOUR.
THE CROSSING GUARDS WORK TWO HOUR SHIFTS IN THE MORNINGS, TWO HOUR SHIFTS IN THE AFTERNOONS, AND THE SCHEDULES CORRELATE TO THE RESPECTIVE SCHOOL SCHEDULES. THANK YOU.
>> IN ORDER TO OFFSET SOME OF THE COSTS OF PROVIDING THE CROSSING GUARD SERVICES, WE'RE ALLOWED TO COLLECT SOME FEES AND FINES AND A PARKING VIOLATION INCLUDES A $5 FINE THAT GOES TOWARDS OFFSETTING SOME OF THE COSTS.
IF YOU RECEIVE A CITATION WITHIN A SCHOOL ZONE, A TRAFFIC CITATION, THERE'S A $25 FEE ATTACHED TO THAT ALSO.
THERE'S $1.50 FEE ATTACHED TO VEHICLE REGISTRATION WHEN YOU REGISTER YOUR VEHICLE WITHIN DALLAS COLLIN OR DENTON COUNTY.
THERE'S A FEE ASSOCIATED WITH THAT THAT HELPS TO FUND THIS AND THEN PEOPLE THAT SERVE ON JURY DUTY HAVE THE OPTION TO DONATE THEIR $6 FEE TO GO TOWARDS SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS.
IF YOU LOOK AT IT, ON THE NEXT SLIDE, IT BREAKS DOWN THE COSTS AND THE REIMBURSEMENTS.
AS WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER, THE ANNUAL COST IS ABOUT 7.9 MILLION.
IN OUR PROPOSED FORECAST OF COLLECTIONS, WE SEE THAT VEHICLE REGISTRATION SHOULD ACCOUNT FOR ABOUT 1.7, COURT COSTS FOR VIOLATIONS THAT OCCUR WITHIN SCHOOL ZONES, 137,000, JURY DUTY DONATIONS 12,000, AND THEN THE $5 PARKING FEE OR THE $5 FEE ASSOCIATED WITH WHEN YOU GET A PARKING CITATION SHOULD ACCOUNT FOR ABOUT 500,000.
WHEN WE BACK THOSE OUT OF THE ANNUAL COST OF THE CONTRACT, WE LOOK AT A FORECASTED BALANCE OF 5.6 MILLION DOLLARS.
THAT CONCLUDES THE PRESENTATION, AND WE'RE NOW OPEN FOR QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH, CHIEF HUGHES AND MS. WILLIAMS. WE WILL HAVE QUESTIONS.
NOW, LET'S GO TO THE VIRTUAL SPACE.
ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS, COUNCIL MEMBER SENDICE AND DEPUTY MAYOR HAS A QUESTION. YES, SIR.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I ACTUALLY COULD PROBABLY GET SOME OF MY QUESTIONS ANSWERED OFFLINE SO I JUST WOULD REQUEST TO HAVE A MEETING WITH YOU.
THERE'S, I THINK SOME GRAY AREA OF SOME OF THE ROLES IN THE CROSSING GUARD PROGRAM WITHIN MY DISTRICT THAT I'D LIKE TO DISCUSS WITH YOU ON REALLY THEIR ROLE BEING THAT OF HELPING STUDENTS CROSS AN DESCRIBED OR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT.
[01:10:06]
THERE'S SOME PROBLEMATIC CAMPUSES WITH THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SPECIFICALLY SO I WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO YOU ALL ABOUT THAT ONLINE, BUT THE ONE THING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP IS THE HOURLY PAY.IS IT A CONTRACT POSITION OR ARE THESE EMPLOYEES OF OUR CITY? BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S A LITTLE BELOW OUR MINIMUM WAGE.
>> WHEN THE RFCSP WENT OUT AND THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS WAS IN PLACE, THAT WAS WHAT THE CITY'S LIVING WAGE WAS.
>> THAT'S WHAT THE CITY'S LIVING WAGE WAS OR THE MINIMUM WAGE?
>> BECAUSE WE HAVE SUPPORTED AS A COUNCIL FOR OUR MINIMUM WAGE TO BE FLOORED A LITTLE BIT HIGHER THAN THAT SO I'D LIKE TO KNOW FROM MANAGER'S OFFICE HOW THIS SLIPPED THROUGH THE CRACKS.
>> EXCELLENT QUESTION, MR. BAZALDUA.
I THINK WHAT MARSHALL PIUS WAS TRYING TO SHARE WAS, WHEN THIS CONTRACT WAS EXECUTED, THAT 17.85 WAS IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE CITY'S WAGE AND THAT BASED ON THE LAD OF THE CONTRACT AT THAT TIME THROUGH ITS DURATION THAT THEY HAD TO AT LEAST MAINTAIN THAT 17.85.
>> I WANT TO SEE GOING FORWARD, ESPECIALLY WITH MULTI-YEAR CONTRACTS THAT WE ACCOUNT FOR THE MERIT INCREASES THAT WE ARE PROVIDING WITHIN OUR FISCAL YEAR BUDGET, BECAUSE IT DOESN'T DO US ANY GOOD TO PRIORITIZE THE LIVING WAGE IF WE LET THEM GET BURIED INTO CONTRACTS FOR MULTI-YEAR AND DON'T HAVE TO BRING THEM UP TO PAR.
I KNOW THAT WE CAN'T NECESSARILY DO THAT WITH THIS ONE LIKE THIS SECOND, BUT I'D SAY GOING FORWARD, I WOULD LIKE JUST AS WE DO WITH ANYTHING FOR IT TO BE TIED TO ANY MOVEMENTS THAT WE MAKE AS A COUNCIL FOR THE FISCAL YEARS IN THE FUTURE.
JUST REFERENCING THAT WHEN THIS CONTRACT WAS LET THAT POLICY AND THAT REFERENCE TO ONGOING CHANGES AS WE MAKE CHANGES HERE, THAT WASN'T INSTITUTED.
>> THANK YOU, DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND THANK YOU FOR THAT THOSE COMMENTS, MR. GIBSON.
WE'RE NOW PREPARED FOR THE HORSESHOE QUESTIONS.
I'M TRYING TO DETERMINE, I BELIEVE MS. PAULA BLACKMON, COUNCIL MEMBER PAULA BLACKMON ASKED TO BE RECOGNIZED AT THIS TIME.
>> GOING BACK TO THE HISTORY AND REFRESH MY MEMORY.
I REMEMBER DALLAS COUNTY SCHOOLS THEY WERE A TAXING ENTITY WE DISSOLVED THEM.
WHEN THAT HAPPENED, THEN THE FUNDING STREAM WENT AWAY AND WE ACQUIRED AN UNFUNDED MANDATE.
DOES THAT SOUND FAIR FROM THE STATE?
>> IS THERE BEEN ANY TALK ABOUT ASKING THE STATE TO PICK THIS BILL UP GOING THROUGH OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA AND EITHER, THEY'VE GOT PLENTY OF MONEY AND THIS IS SAFETY AND IT'S AN UNFUNDED MANDATE IS BASICALLY WHAT IT IS.
>> MARSHALL PIUS, I'M GOING TO JUMP IN ON THIS ONE.
IT'S IT'S A PART OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY LEGISLATIVE ITEMS.
>> SO IT'S A PUBLIC SAFETY, BUT IT'S BRIEFING HERE.
I'M NOT ON THAT COMMITTEE. JUST MAKING SURE THAT WE ASK.
BECAUSE IF OUR NET IS 5.6 MILLION, IF THEY COULD JUST GIVE US FIVE MILLION, I KNOW THAT'S EASIER SAID THAN DONE.
WHEN YOU DO THESE REIMBURSEMENTS, WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME WE LOOKED AT THOSE NUMBERS AS FAR? IS IT $5 AND THAT WAS IN 2018 WHEN WE INSTITUTED IT? DO THIS NUMBER REFLECT? COULD THEY BE INCREASED? I GUESS IS WHAT I'M ASKING THE REIMBURSEMENT NUMBERS.
>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WOULD BE INVOLVED WITH CHANGING THE FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.
>> I GUESS I'M ASKING, WHAT ARE YOU WANTING FROM US, NEXT STEPS? $5,000,000 IS A LOT OF MONEY AND IF WE ARE LOOKING AT GETTING A MORE OF AN OFFSET, I WOULD LOOK AT THESE MAYBE EVEN GOING, I THINK THE REGISTRATION FEE, IT'S $1.50, MAYBE SEEING IF WE COULD GO UP TO $3.
BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK AT IT THE TAX ENTITY IS GONE SO THAT IS SAVING TAXPAYER MONEY,
[01:15:04]
BUT YOU COULD GO ON THE FEE AND GET ANOTHER $3, WHICH IT WOULD INCREASE IT A LITTLE BIT MORE, YOU DOUBLE IT, YOU GET 3.4.I GUESS MY QUESTION TO YOU GUYS AND I DON'T KNOW WHO NEEDS TO DO IT IS TO SEE IF OUR REIMBURSEMENT FEE STRUCTURE IS APPROPRIATE AND THE CROSS THE BOARD, IS IT TOO HIGH, IS IT TOO LOW IF WE'RE LOOKING TO OFFSET SOME COSTS IN THIS ACCOUNT. GO AHEAD.
>> MS. BLACKMON AND MARSHALL PIUS CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT I BELIEVE THE 1.50 WITH A MAJORITY OF THE REIMBURSEMENT, IT'S REGULATED BY THE STATE.
>> CORRECT SO THEN YOU HAVE TO GO ASK.
>> THE ASK OF THIS COMMITTEE WOULD BE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT AND LEVERAGE WITH THE STATE TO INCREASE THAT TO CLOSE THE GAP THAT WE HAVE.
>> IF THEY CAN'T FUND IT COMPLETELY FROM THEIR AGENDA, THEN WE ASK TO INCREASE IT BY $0.50.
THEN ALSO ANY ONES THAT WE CONTROL, LIKE PARKING VIOLATIONS, SCHOOL ZONE VIOLATIONS, AND THEN MAYBE EVEN DOING A PR THING AROUND JURY DUTY TO THE CITY OF DALLAS FOLKS TO SAY, HEY, WHEN YOU'RE IN THE CITY OF DALLAS, THIS CAN ACTUALLY DIRECTLY HELP YOUR BUDGET IN YOUR CITY.
I GUESS IF THAT IS THE QUESTION, THIS IS AN UPDATE.
IF I WAS LOOKING TO OFFSET THE 5.6, I WOULD DEFINITELY START LOOKING AT THESE NUMBERS OF THE REIMBURSEMENTS TO SEE IF THEY EQUATE TO TODAY'S NUMBERS IN MAKING THOSE ADJUSTMENTS AND FIGURING OUT WHICH ENTITY YOU NEED TO ASK.
SINCE THE SESSION IS COMING UP, I WOULD SAY TO ASK ANOTHER 50 CENT TO MAKE IT A $2.1 OR EVEN $3.
BUT THAT'S JUST MY $0.2 WORTH. THANK YOU.
>> MS. BLACKMON, I WOULD ALSO ADD THAT THE OTHER CITIES THAT ARE 1.3 OR GREATER, THEY FORM PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO CLOSE THE GAP, AND WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT HERE.
THAT WOULD BE ANOTHER THOUGHT PROCESS FOR THE COMMITTEE.
>> I WOULD THINK THAT WOULD BE THE FIRST THING.
I GUESS THE NEXT QUESTION IS, WHY CAN'T WE FORM A PARTNERSHIP THERE? WHAT IS IT ON OUR END? IS IT ON THEIR END DO WE NEED TO GET? BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE IT WOULD BE A PARTNERSHIP THAT WOULD MAKE SENSE.
>> I GUESS THAT'S SOMETHING YOU'LL GOING TO EXPLORE AS WELL?
>> JUST TO FOLLOW UP BEFORE COUNCIL MEMBER RIDLEY.
I WOULD SUGGEST THEN THAT YOU GO AHEAD AND SEEK THOSE BEST PRACTICES THAT YOU SEE IN OTHER PLACES AND BE PREPARED TO BRING THOSE BACK SO THAT WE WOULD HAVE ANSWERS AND WE DON'T WASTE AND WE SHOULDN'T SAY WASTE, BUT WE HAVE TO GO ANOTHER 30-60 DAYS WAITING ON THAT.
IF YOU WOULD DO THAT AS WELL AS ON THE COUNTY LEVEL, I BELIEVE THE JURY DUTY FEE HAS BEEN $6 FOR A PAYMENT HAS BEEN SOME TIME, AND SO IF YOU COULD LOOK AT THAT AND BRING THAT BACK OR GIVE THAT TO ME BEFORE SO THAT WE CAN PREPARE FOR ANY OTHER FOLLOW UP, WE APPRECIATE THAT, MR. RIDLEY.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. CHIEF PUGHES I ASSUME THAT THIS WAS A COMPETITIVELY BID CONTRACT.
WERE THERE MORE THAN ONE RESPONDENTS TO THE RFP?
>> THIS WAS THE LOWEST COST OPTION?
>> I DON'T KNOW THAT IT WAS THE LOWEST COST OPTION, BUT IT WAS THE OPTION THAT ULTIMATELY ENDED UP BEING SELECTED BY PROCUREMENT.
>> I ALSO ASSUME THAT THAT CONTRACT, GIVEN THAT IT WAS A MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT, DID NOT PROVIDE ANY WAGE ESCALATORS BUILT INTO THE CONTRACT.
>> THIS BIDDER WAS COMFORTABLE WITH THEIR ABILITY TO ATTRACT SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS, MEETING THEIR REQUIREMENTS AT A WAGE OF 17.85 AN HOUR, THAT'D BE A LOGICAL CONCLUSION.
>> FOR THE LIFE OF THE CONTRACT?
>> YEAH. IT WAS A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT INCREASE FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR THAT THE CROSSING GUARDS WERE PAID HOURLY.
>> NOW, A SIMPLE ARITHMETIC QUESTION.
IF THESE CROSSING GUARDS ARE POLICING 286 INTERSECTIONS, WHY DO WE NEED 514 CROSSING GUARDS?
>> I THINK A MANAGEMENT ISSUE WITH THE ABILITY TO ENSURE THAT EVERY INTERSECTION IS COVERED, AND YOU'VE GOT PEOPLE THAT GET SICK, VACATION, THOSE TYPE OF THINGS THAT YOU'D RATHER BE OVERSTAFFED AND NOT HAVE AN INTERSECTION GO WITHOUT THAN YOU WOULD,
[01:20:01]
JUST HAVING JUST ENOUGH COVERAGE.>> THEY'RE NOT PAYING 514 PEOPLE EVERY DAY.
THEY'RE ONLY PAYING 286, MAYBE DIFFERENT PEOPLE EACH DAY OR EACH WEEK, BUT THAT'S THE TOTAL NUMBER THAT THEY'RE PAYING ON A GIVEN DAY.
>> I JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT OF THE 286 LOCATIONS THAT ARE WARRANTED, THOSE ARE INTERSECTIONS AND SOME OF THEM MAY REQUIRE MULTIPLE CROSSING GUARDS AT A LOCATION.
>> YES. IF THERE ARE MULTI LANES 4-6 LANES, THEN WE WILL WARRANT MORE THAN ONE CROSSING GUARD FOR THAT LOCATION SO THAT'S WHY SOME OF THE NUMBER IS [INAUDIBLE].
>> HOW MANY WEEKS ARE SCHOOLS IN SESSION DURING THE COURSE OF A YEAR?
>> I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT NUMBER OF WEEKS DURING EACH SEMESTER PERIOD WITH BREAKS AND ALL OF THAT, BUT WE ALSO DO PROVIDE CROSSING GUARDS DURING THE SUMMER ALSO.
>> WHEN SCHOOL IS NOT IN SESSION?
>> OH, SO THIS IS A YEAR ROUND OPERATION?
>> IS EVERY SCHOOL IN SUMMER SESSION OR IS THIS JUST A LIMITED NUMBER OF SCHOOLS?
>> A LIMITED NUMBER, IT'S REDUCED, AND THEN STAFFING IS BUILT AROUND THAT SMALLER SEGMENT OF SCHOOLS THAT HAVE SUMMER SCHOOL.
>> WELL, I TRIED TO DO SOME BACK OF THE ENVELOPE FIGURES AS TO THE COST OF THIS PROGRAM ON A WEEKLY BASIS FOR 514, IF THEY WERE ALL WORKING AT THE SAME TIME, IT'D BE 183,000 PER WEEK, WHICH WOULD EQUATE TO 43 WEEKS AT THE 8 MILLION TOTAL COST PER YEAR.
THOSE AREN'T REALLY VALID GIVEN YOUR RESPONSES ABOUT SUMMER SCHOOL AND NOT NEEDING ALL 514 AT ONCE.
BUT IT JUST SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A VERY LARGE CONTRACT NUMERICALLY, AND I'M TRYING TO GET A HANDLE ON WHY IT'S COSTING SO MUCH.
>> BUT THIS WAS THE LOWEST BID FOR THIS WORK.
WE DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS THE LOWEST BID, I GUESS.
COULD YOU LOOK INTO THAT AND FIND OUT IF THIS WAS THE LOWEST BID AND ALERT US THROUGH A FRIDAY MEMO ON THAT?
>> YEAH. I CAN TELL YOU, HAVING LOOKED AT, AND I'M NOT EVEN SURE HOW MUCH WE'RE SUPPOSED TO REVEAL WITH REGARDS TO THIS, BUT THERE WAS THREE COMPANIES THAT BID.
THE OTHER TWO DID NOT HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF PROVIDING THE LEVEL OF SERVICE THAT WE NEEDED, NOR DID THEY HAVE THE EXPERIENCE IN PROVIDING CROSSING GUARD SERVICES AT ALL.
THIS CONTRACT WAS BY FAR AND ABOVE FROM A QUALIFICATION STANDPOINT THE TOP.
>> I SEE. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN SCHULTZ.
GOING BACK TO COUNCILMEMBER BLACKMON'S QUESTIONS.
THE CHILD SAFETY THE JURY AND THE PARKING VIOLATIONS ARE CITY, IS THAT CORRECT? THOSE ARE CITY FEES.
>> SO IS THERE A REASON THAT WE CAN'T ALSO TAKE THIS AS PART OF ENTERPRISE? IN OTHER WORDS, HAVE HAVE THOSE ADDITIONAL FEES BE ADDED TO COVER OUR SHARE IF YOU DEDUCT OUT THE STATE THAT WE CAN OR CAN'T CONTROL.
THEN JUST IN ROUND MEMBERS, IF YOU WERE TO TAKE OUT THE 17 FROM THE 56, YOU WITH ME? AND THEN SPREAD OUT THOSE FEES TO COVER THE REST OF IT, BECAUSE WE'RE ALLOWED TO DO THAT AS AN ENTERPRISE.
DOES IT NEED TO COST US MONEY OR COULD WE SET THIS UP AS AN ENTERPRISE?
>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION, MS. SCHULTZ.
I THINK THE EMPHASIS HERE, AND I WAS SHARING WITH MS. BLACKMON OFFLINE IS THAT OTHERS HAVE COME UP WITH CREATIVE WAYS TO FUND THIS, WHETHER PARTNERING WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
THE LYNCHPIN THAT I THINK THAT WE COULD HAVE THE MOST SUPPORT ON IS ACTUALLY THE $1.50 AT THE REGISTRATION LEVEL AT THE COUNTY.
[01:25:03]
IT WASN'T PART OF THE BRIEFING, BUT IT TOOK ALMOST AN ACT OF CONGRESS FOR US TO PARTNER WITH DALLAS COUNTY TO HAVE THE $1.50 ENACTED.IT HAD BEEN ENACTED IN OTHER COUNTIES ACROSS THE STATE FOR MANY YEARS, BUT WE STRUGGLED IN DOING THAT.
OTHER CITIES HAVE FIGURED OUT A WAY TO PARTNER WITH THEIR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, BUT WE HAVEN'T HAD THE SAME LEVEL OF SUCCESS IN FIGURING THAT OUT.
THE STATES FROWNED ON FUNDING ADDITIONAL DIRECT DOLLARS FOR SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS WITH THE HOPES THAT IT WOULD BE HANDLED MORE LOCALLY, BUT WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO ACHIEVE THAT HERE.
SO WE'RE LOOKING FOR A STRUCTURE THAT WOULD HELP FACILITATE SOME OF THOSE.
NOW, IF YOU WANT US TO GO BACK AND YOU'RE ASKING STAFF TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT A MODEL WHERE WE CAN ADJUST FEES THAT WE'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT WE COULD BRING TO COUNCIL AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CLOSE THIS GAP, THEN STAFF WILL GO DO SO.
>> I'D LIKE TO DO THAT AS WELL AS A SIDE CONVERSATION THAT I HAD WITH COUNCILMEMBER WILLIS, I'M NOT GOING TO SHARE WITH YOU WHAT MY BACK OF THE HOME MATH IS BECAUSE IT MAY NOT BE RIGHT.
BUT I BELIEVE IT'S WELL UNDER $1,000 PER INTERSECTION PER YEAR IF I DID THIS RIGHT.
NO MATTER WHAT THE NUMBER IS, I THINK THAT THOSE ALSO MIGHT BE SOMETHING THAT OUR NEW DEPARTMENT THAT TALKS ABOUT GRANTS AND THINGS.
WE COULD PARTNER WITH NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS, WE CAN PARTNER WITH OTHERS TO ADOPT AN INTERSECTION THAT ALSO MIGHT BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING IN SOME AND AT LEAST REDUCE THE BURDEN ON OUR OVERALL TAXPAYERS FOR PARTICULAR INTERSECTIONS.
WHAT I'M NOT INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING IS MORE BURDENS ON OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
THEY'RE UNDER ASSAULT BY THE STATE, AND I DON'T WANT TO ADD ANY MORE BURDEN TO THEM, BUT THERE MIGHT BE WAYS THE NEIGHBORHOOD MIGHT WANT TO SUPPORT THEIR OWN CHILDREN BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT ARE WALKING. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN WILLIS.
>> LET ME ASK. OBVIOUSLY, IF THESE GUARDS ARE HIRED, THEY SHOW UP AND THERE'S A MODICUM OF CONTROL OVER THEM.
BUT IS THERE ANY LOOPHOLE THAT WE KNOW OF IN THIS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAPTER 343 THAT WOULD ALLOW VOLUNTEERS OR PTAS OR NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS TO PROVIDE CROSSING GUARDS?
>> I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYTHING THAT WOULD PROHIBIT THAT AT ALL, AS LONG AS THEY WENT THROUGH THE MANDATED TRAINING.
IF WE WANTED TO LOOK, WE HAVE SOME VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT WHERE WE COULD PROVIDE THE EQUIPMENT AND THE TRAINING AND THEN THE VOLUNTEERS WOULD TAKE OVER FROM THERE. I THINK THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
>> IT WOULD PROBABLY REQUIRE SOMEONE TO OVERSEE ALL OF THIS.
HOWEVER, WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT $5.6 MILLION THAT WE'RE PAYING OUT, I THINK WE COULD PROBABLY HIRE SOMEONE TO OVERSEE THOSE VOLUNTEERS.
THE OTHER OPPORTUNITY WHEN COUNCILMEMBER SCHULTZ BROKE IT DOWN, AND YOU'RE TALKING BETWEEN $500 AND $1,000 PER INTERSECTION, I SAID IN ANOTHER MEETING, CAN THOSE VESTS HAVE A LOGO ON THE BACK, OR CAN WE PUT UP A SANDWICH BOARD, THIS CHILD'S INTERSECTION SPONSORED BY SPRITE OR SOMETHING? I THINK BEING CREATIVE AND GENERATING REVENUE, AND THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY LIVE WITH YOU ALL.
I'M NOT SURE WHERE I'M DIRECTING THIS, BUT WE'VE LOOKED AT SPONSORSHIPS IN OUR PARK LANDS, AND SO IT SEEMS LIKE THERE ARE SOME OTHER AREAS WHERE IF THERE'S A WAY TO GENERATE SOME REVENUE TO OFFSET THIS BECAUSE EVEN IF WE INCREASE THAT COUNTY REGISTRATION FEE, THAT'S ONLY ANOTHER $1.7 MILLION AGAINST A $5.6 MILLION TAB.
EVEN THESE OTHER CATEGORIES DON'T REALLY MOVE THE NEEDLE VERY MUCH.
I FEEL LIKE WE'VE GOT TO LOOK AT SOMETHING ELSE, EITHER LOWERING THE LABOR COST BY HAVING PEOPLE VOLUNTEER IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS OR LOOKING AT SOME REVENUE OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPOSURE, WHICH MAY SEEM UNORTHODOX, BUT IF IT HELPS BRING THIS NUMBER DOWN, THEN I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT IT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBERS, WE NEED TO BEGIN WRAPPING UP.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, ONCE AGAIN, VIRTUALLY? WE WILL ASK MR. GIBSON THAT YOU WILL TAKE THESE RECOMMENDATIONS AND WE NEED TO MASSAGE THEM SO THAT YOU'LL HAVE MORE CLARITY ON THEM, BUT I BELIEVE THE FEEL IS THAT WE WANT TO SEE IF THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OTHER SOURCES TO OFFSET WHAT WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE TASK TO DO.
WE KNOW JUST THROUGH HISTORY THIS WASN'T ONE OF THOSE ACTIONS THAT WE VOLUNTEERED FOR, AND SO WE HAVE TO RESPOND.
WE MUST BE RESPONSIVE AS A CITY.
WE TALK ABOUT SAFETY AND VISION ZERO AND ALL OF THOSE OTHER THINGS, BUT I THINK WE MUST LOOK AT SOME OF THE OTHER OPTIONS AND THEN GET FEEDBACK BECAUSE THEY MAY NOT BE FEASIBLE ON THAT.
[01:30:03]
CHIEF, I WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN.I KNOW THAT SAFETY IS SOMETHING THAT YOU'VE LIVED AND BREATHED WITH FOR SOME YEARS.
I CONTINUE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE THAT YOU ARE RENDERING HERE THROUGH THIS POSITION BECAUSE THIS IS A VERY SENSITIVE AREA, AND I'M VERY COMFORTABLE BECAUSE I GUESS WITH YOU BEING IN THAT SEAT, I KNOW WHERE YOUR VISION IS AND YOUR MIND IS AND YOUR INTEREST IS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS WELL, MS.WILLIAMS. IF THERE ARE NO OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO THE NEXT BRIEFING, MR. GIBSON. THANK YOU.
MADAM CHAIR, THIS NEXT BRIEFING WILL BE VIRTUAL.
I BELIEVE THEY'RE BRINGING HIM UP NOW.
>> GOOD MORNING, CHAIR ARNOLD, COMMITTEE MEMBERS, DON SPEER.
I AM WITH THE TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, AND HERE TO PRESENT ON OUR CDL PROGRAM. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
A LITTLE BIT OF OUR PRESENTATION OVERVIEW.
WE'VE GOT OUR PURPOSE, OUR BACKGROUND HISTORY, A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR PROGRAM, SOME NUMBERS.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PRESENTATION WAS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE THE WORKFORCE EDUCATION AND EQUITY COMMITTEE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT OUR CDL PROGRAM AND TO ADDRESS ANY QUESTIONS THE COMMITTEE MAY HAVE.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THE FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, THEY SET ENTRY LEVEL DRIVER TRAINING REGULATIONS IN 2022.
THIS APPLIES TO THOSE SEEKING A CLASS A OR A CLASS B FOR THE FIRST TIME.
BUT IT ALSO APPLIES TO ANY OF OUR EMPLOYEES THAT ALREADY HAVE A CLASS B CDL, AND THEY WANT TO UPGRADE TO A CLASS A.
IF THEY HAVE NOT HAD AN ENTRY LEVEL DRIVER TRAINING PROGRAM, THEY WILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT.
NEXT SLIDE I THINK IT'S HELPFUL TO PROVIDE US SOME CONTEXT ABOUT CDL TRAINING BEFORE THE ENTRY LEVEL DRIVER TRAINING WAS STARTED AND WENT INTO EFFECT TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF THE FEDERAL REGULATIONS.
OUR HIRING REQUIREMENTS FOR AN ENTRY LEVEL STREET MAINTENANCE WORKER IS TO HAVE A CDL OR OBTAIN A CDL WITHIN SIX MONTHS.
JUST FROM HISTORY, I DO KNOW MOST APPLICANTS DO NOT ALREADY HAVE A CDL.
SO WHEN WE LOOK AT BEFORE WE HAD THESE REGULATIONS, THERE WAS NO FORMAL TRAINING PROGRAM REQUIRED.
WE LET THE EMPLOYEES PRACTICE ON THE EQUIPMENT IF THERE WAS TIME.
THE EMPLOYEES, THEY WOULD SCHEDULE WITH THE DMV WHEN THEY WERE READY TO TEST, BUT IF THEY DID NOT HAVE THEIR CDL WITHIN SIX MONTHS, THEN WE WERE FAILING THEM ON PROBATION.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THIS IS SUCH A POSITIVE PROGRAM.
WHEN WE LOOKED AT OUR OPTIONS WITH THE REGULATIONS, WE COULD LOOK AT HIRING ONLY EMPLOYEES WITH A CDL.
JUST FROM EXPERIENCE, WE DON'T GET A LOT OF THOSE THAT ACTUALLY APPLY THAT ALREADY HAVE THEIR CDL.
THE MAJORITY WHENEVER THEY COME IN, THEY DON'T HAVE A CDL, AND THEY ARE LOOKING TO OBTAIN THAT DURING THEIR PROBATIONARY PERIOD.
ANOTHER OPTION WAS HIRING OUTSIDE VENDORS, AND THEN THE OPTION THAT WE CHOSE WAS OPTION 3 WAS CREATING OUR OWN ENTRY LEVEL DRIVING DRIVER TRAINING PROGRAM.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK IS PROBABLY A GOOD PLACE TO ADDRESS IT.
WE HAVE OUTSTANDING SUPPORT TEAM IN OUR STREET OPERATIONS DIVISION.
THEY RESEARCHED THE REQUIREMENTS, THEY COMPLETED THE APPLICATION PROCESS, AND THEY REGISTERED US AS THE PRIVATE TRAINING PROVIDER FOR THE CITY OF DALLAS.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I DID WANT TO MENTION AT
[01:35:02]
THIS PARTICULAR POINT AS FAR AS THE SUPPORT ON OUR TEAM, THIS HAS BEEN, I BELIEVE, A TEAM PROJECT, WHETHER IT BE FROM OUR DRIVING INSTRUCTORS THAT HAVE STEPPED UP TO OUR LEADERSHIP, MY BOSSES, JACOB AND ALI, WHO'S NO LONGER WITH US, AND NOW WITH DR. KCALLY, AS FAR AS TAKING OVER WITH THE DEPARTMENT.WE'VE HAD GREAT LEADERSHIP AS FAR AS BEING ABLE TO GET THIS UP AND GOING AND WORKING WITH THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS, AND THAT HAS HELPED TO MAKE IT THE SUCCESS IT IS.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WE DID WANT TO MENTION OUR SERVICE FIRST DELIVERING RESPONSIVE AND PROACTIVE SERVICES THAT MEETS THE NEEDS OF DALLAS RESIDENTS.
IT'S ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO ENSURE SUCCESSION PLANNING AND CONTINUITY OF OPERATION. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
WE THOUGHT WE WOULD PRESENT THIS AS A BY THE NUMBER.
SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN OCTOBER OF 2022, OUR COST PER STUDENT RUNS RIGHT AROUND $4,500.
I WILL SAY THAT'S PROBABLY A LITTLE HIGH BECAUSE WHENEVER WE FIRST STARTED, WE ONLY HAD ONE INSTRUCTOR, AND WE WERE A LITTLE SLOW GETTING STARTED.
IT TOOK US ABOUT SIX MONTHS ON OUR FIRST CLASS, AND THAT HAS TREMENDOUSLY IMPROVED THIS LAST YEAR.
BUT OUR TOTAL ENROLLMENT IS 165 TODAY.
OUR PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS, YOU SEE AVIATION, DALLAS WATER UTILITIES, EQUIPMENT AND FLEET MANAGEMENT, PUBLIC WORKS.
I WANT TO GO INTO THIS A LITTLE BIT.
IT SAYS, NOW, TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS.
WE'VE BEEN REBRANDING OUR PRESENTATION, TRYING TO GET EVERYTHING LOOKING CORRECT, BUT OUR CITY MANAGER RECENTLY PROPOSED BEING ABLE TO COMBINE TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS.
WE HAVE A NEW DEPARTMENT THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH.
BUT WE ALSO HAVE PARK AND RECREATION AND THEN TRANSPORTATION WHO WE'RE NOW COMBINED WITH.
BASICALLY, IT TOOK ABOUT SIX MONTHS ON OUR FIRST CLASS.
WE REPURPOSED A POSITION, CREATED ANOTHER INSTRUCTOR FOR FY23/24, AND THAT SEEMED TO REALLY GET US MOVING.
WE'RE LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO ADD A COUPLE MORE INSTRUCTORS.
WE EXPECT THE COST PER STUDENT TO DROP TO SOMEWHERE AROUND 3,500 AS WE GET THESE NEW CLASSES GOING.
IN ADDITION, AND THIS IS ONE WAY THAT WE HAVE FOUND WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENTS, EMPLOYEES ONLY ATTEND CLASS TWO DAYS A WEEK.
THAT WAY, THEY'RE STILL ABLE TO BE PRODUCTIVE FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE DEPARTMENTS THREE DAYS A WEEK, DEPENDING ON THEIR SCHEDULE, IF THEY HAVE A FOUR OR FIVE-DAY SCHEDULE.
IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY AS WE'RE TRAINING THESE EMPLOYEES THAT WE'RE ALSO BEING ABLE TO GET THEM OUT IN THE FIELD AND BEING ABLE TO BE PRODUCTIVE WORK-WISE.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. LET ME TAKE THAT BACK JUST ONE SLIDE, PLEASE.
THERE WE ARE. ENROLLMENTS BY DEPARTMENT.
WE JUST BROKE THIS DOWN FOR EVERYONE.
OBVIOUSLY, PUBLIC WORKS WE STARTED, IT'S NOW TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS, BUT WE'VE HAD I BELIEVE 50 GRADUATED, WE HAVE 11 THAT ARE OVERDUE.
TO EXPLAIN WHEN WE SAY WE'RE OVERDUE, WE SET A CLASS UP TO FINISH WITHIN THREE MONTHS.
BUT WE MAY STILL HAVE BECAUSE OF SCHEDULING PROBLEMS WITH DMV FROM TIME TO TIME.
IT TAKES A LITTLE LONGER TO GET SOME OF THESE EMPLOYEES OUT.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE WORKING ON AS FAR AS TO MAKE THAT MORE EFFICIENT, AND I'LL GO INTO A LITTLE BIT OF THAT IN JUST A SHORT BIT.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WE PUT UP HERE ESTIMATED COSTS BY DEPARTMENT.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE WANTED TO POINT OUT, WE HAVEN'T ASKED FOR REIMBURSEMENT.
THIS IS AN ESTIMATE OF SAVINGS.
WHENEVER YOU'VE GOT YOUR ENTRY LEVEL DRIVER TRAINING PROGRAMS,
[01:40:06]
THE THING THAT YOU FIND OUT IS WE TAKE THE COURSE INTERNALLY OR EXTERNALLY, IT'S GOING TO COST SOMEBODY TO GO THROUGH THAT CLASS, WHETHER IT'S GOING TO BE OUR EMPLOYEES OR WHETHER IT'S GOING TO BE OUR DEPARTMENTS BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GET THEM THROUGH THAT CLASS TO HAVE THE EMPLOYEES THAT WE NEED.>> TO TALK A LITTLE BIT AS FAR AS OTHER BENEFITS.
I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO FIND THAT OUR PROGRAM, IT IS A FULL CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT.
IN OTHER WORDS, THERE ARE PROGRAMS OUT THERE THAT ARE ONLINE ONLY.
I BELIEVE THAT IN-PERSON TRAINING, YOU'RE GOING TO GET A LOT MORE COMMITMENT TO THE SAFETY.
I THINK WE'LL FIND THAT WE HAVE BETTER TRAINED EMPLOYEES.
I THINK WHENEVER YOU TALK ABOUT UPSKILLING AND RETENTION, ALL OF OUR CDL POSITIONS OR OUR CAREER PATHS, WHEN THEY GO UP, YOU'RE GOING TO NEED THAT CDL LICENSE, IF YOU WANT TO PROMOTE, SAY A CREW LEADER OR A HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, YOU'RE GOING TO NEED THAT CDL PROGRAM.
THAT'S SO KEY FOR UPSKILLING AND RETENTION.
ONE OF THE THINGS I'M JUST A BELIEVER IN THAT I BELIEVE THAT IF YOU INVEST IN YOUR EMPLOYEES, I DON'T THINK THAT THEY'RE LOOKING TO LEAVE.
I THINK THEY ENJOY WHERE THEY'RE AT, AND IT'S JUST GIVING THEM THE SKILL SETS TO SUCCEED.
I THINK THAT WE'RE SHOWING A COMMITMENT TO SAFETY.
WE'LL HAVE FEWER VACANCIES ON THE CDL CAREER PATH.
I WAS ASKED BY SOMEBODY THE OTHER DAY HOW CAN I EXPLAIN HOW THIS IS IMPORTANT TO THE CITY OF DALLAS.
I THINK IF I WAS PROBABLY TO BEST SAY IF YOU START LOOKING AT THE WINTER STORMS, OR TORNADOES OR STORM WINDS THAT HAVE COME THROUGH.
THESE PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, THOSE ARE 50 POSITIONS, AT LEAST WITHIN PUBLIC WORKS THAT WE HAD TO BE ABLE TO GO OUT AND WORK THOSE STORMS AND SO I DO SAY THAT IT IS VERY IMPORTANT AS FAR AS THE CITY OF DALLAS TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE THIS TRAINING.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WE'VE GOT SOME NEXT STEPS HERE.
WE'RE LOOKING AT A COUPLE OF SCENARIOS.
ONE IS WE'RE WORKING WITH RISK MANAGEMENT TO SET THE FRAMEWORK FOR POTENTIAL COLLABORATION WITH THE NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COG MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS.
ONE OF THE REASONS WE'RE LOOKING AT IS ALL THE MUNICIPALITIES HAVE HAD DIFFICULTY WITH THESE CLASSES, AND WITH OURS UP AND RUNNING.
IF WE END UP WITH A SLOW TIME DURING THE YEAR, TO GIVE AN EXAMPLE LAST YEAR, I BELIEVE AROUND CHRISTMAS TIME, THE DEMAND WAS A LITTLE BIT LOWER.
BUT IF THERE'S A WAY THAT WE CAN LEVERAGE AND SHARE COST TO PROVIDE A CLASS IN THERE, IT'S SOMETHING FOR US TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT.
ANOTHER NEXT STEP IS GOING TO BE COMPLETING OUR THIRD PARTY TESTING APPLICATION TO PROVIDE INTERNAL BEHIND THE WHEEL TESTING.
THIS WILL ALLEVIATE A LOT OF OUR SCHEDULING PROBLEMS. WE DO HAVE A CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR FOR DRIVING.
THIS WILL ALLOW US AS FAR AS TO GO THROUGH OUR AUDIT PROCESS AND BE ABLE TO GET OUR PEOPLE SCHEDULED.
BECAUSE WE ALREADY HAVE A TESTER, WE'RE NOT RELYING ON THE DMV AS FAR AS THEIR SCHEDULE.
WITH OUR MERGER, WE ARE LOOKING AT THE SMITH SYSTEM.
WE HAVE A SMITH SYSTEM DRIVER TRAINER ON STAFF.
I DON'T HAVE A LOT OF INFORMATION ON THIS PROGRAM.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS KIND OF A GOLD STAR IN SAFETY SO WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK WITH OUR MERGER.
AGAIN, THIS MERGER IS JUST TAKEN PLACE, BUT WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AND CAN WE MARRY THAT INTO THE PROGRAM THAT WE GOT TO PROVIDE US.
AGAIN, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE KEEN ON IS SAFETY AND BEING ABLE TO IMPROVE OUR TRAINING PROGRAMS. THEN WE'RE GOING TO LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANT TO LOOK AT IT IS THE OPPORTUNITY OF POSSIBLY PROVIDING REMEDIAL TRAINING TO EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE ACCIDENTS.
SOMETHING THAT CAME UP WHEN I WAS VISITING WITH OUR INSTRUCTORS THE OTHER DAY,
[01:45:05]
YOU MAY HAVE AN EMPLOYEE THAT THEY'VE BEEN A CLASS B DRIVER OR A CLASS A DRIVER FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, BUT THEY'VE NEVER HAD THE ENTRY LEVEL DRIVER TRAINING.ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPENS IS OVER THE YEARS, THE RULES AND THE REGULATIONS, THEY'RE GOING TO CHANGE.
ONE THING THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO LOOK AT IS AN EMPLOYEE THAT, HEY, THEY'VE BEEN HERE FOR X AMOUNT OF YEARS, BUT THEY'VE SUDDENLY HAD SOME ACCIDENTS.
IT MAY BE SOMETHING THAT RISK MANAGEMENT COULD LOOK AT AND SAY, HEY, MAYBE IN A REMEDIAL COURSE WOULD BE HELPFUL BECAUSE IT WILL UPDATE YOU AS FAR AS THE LATEST DRIVING RULES AND REGULATIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
I WAS ASKED TO TALK A LITTLE BIT TO AS FAR AS THE TALKING ABOUT OUR EQUITY AS WE LOOK AT THIS PROGRAM.
I THINK WHEN I LOOK AT IT IS AN IMPORTANT PART IN THAT THESE ARE ENTRY LEVEL POSITIONS, YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE THE PAY DISPARITY AT ANYTIME YOU'RE LOOKING AT ENTRY LEVEL POSITIONS.
I USED TO THINK AS WE WERE LOOKING AT IT, THAT PUBLIC WORKS ORIGINALLY, AND NOW TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS.
WE HAVE SO MANY LANE MILES AND THINGS LIKE THAT THAT APPLY TO OUR RACIAL EQUITY PLAN AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
I THOUGHT MAYBE WE'RE TRAINING TO IT'S MORE OF AN INDIRECT LINE, BUT AS I'VE GOT INTO THIS A LITTLE BIT MORE, AND I DON'T HAVE NUMBERS BUT I DO KNOW A LOT OF OUR POSITIONS WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT ENTRY LEVEL POSITIONS.
THEY'RE COMING IN, THEY'RE LOWER PAY.
THEY DON'T NECESSARILY, THERE'S DISPARITIES AS FAR AS EDUCATION AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
WHENEVER WE'RE BRINGING THEM IN AND TRAINING THEM, WE'RE GIVING THEM NOT JUST THE OPPORTUNITY.
WE'RE GIVING THEM AS FAR AS THE TRAINING THAT THEY'LL BE ABLE TO USE THROUGHOUT LIFE.
HOPEFULLY WITH THE CITY OF DALLAS BECAUSE THAT IS DEFINITELY WHERE WE WOULD LIKE THEM TO BE.
I KNOW THAT WE TALKED PRIOR TO THIS BRIEFING DAY, JUST GETTING INTRODUCED TO THE TOPIC AND ABOUT YOUR ENTHUSIASM AND COMMITMENT TO THE PROGRAM.
IN LIGHT OF OUR TIME, WE'RE TRYING TO WRAP UP, BUT ALSO BE INFORMATIVE.
YOU DO HAVE SOME COMMITTEE MEMBERS WHO HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS FOR YOU, AND WE'LL START WITH COUNCIL MEMBER RIDLEY.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. DO THESE EMPLOYEES HAVE TO COMMIT TO STAYING AT THE CITY FOR A CERTAIN TERM IN EXCHANGE FOR THE CITY PAYING FOR THIS TRAINING?
>> NO, SIR. TO ACTUALLY GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT FOLLOW UP ON THAT.
WE RECENTLY WENT BACK AT LEAST THROUGH PUBLIC WORKS AND WENT THROUGH OUR EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH OUR PROGRAM.
I BELIEVE WE HAVE LOST A TOTAL OF TWO EMPLOYEES OVER TWO YEARS THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH OUR PROGRAM FROM PUBLIC WORKS.
NOW THAT'S NOT GOING INTO THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS, BUT WE DO NOT REQUIRE THEM TO COMMIT.
THEY TEND TO STAY ON THEIR OWN.
>> WELL, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT JUST A TRAINING OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE WHO GET THEIR TRAINING FROM THE CITY AND THEN THEY GO OUT AND MAKE MORE MONEY IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, BUT YOU DON'T THINK THAT'S HAPPENING.
>> I DON'T BELIEVE THAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE CITY OF DALLAS, AND I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE, LIKE I SAID, WHEN I THINK WHENEVER YOU'RE INVESTING IN THIS TRAINING, WE'RE PROVIDING BETTER TRAINED EMPLOYEES TO SERVE OUR CITIZENS.
BUT YOU'VE ALSO GOT EMPLOYEES THAT THEY FEEL THEY'RE INVESTED IN AND THEY'VE GOT A HOME HERE.
>> IF THESE EMPLOYEES ARE ONLY UNDERGOING TRAINING TWO DAYS A WEEK, WHAT ARE THEY DOING THE REST OF THE WEEK WHEN THEY'RE NOT IN TRAINING? HOW ARE WE PRODUCTIVELY USING THEM IF THEY CAN'T DRIVE CITY VEHICLES?
>> OBVIOUSLY, WHENEVER WE START, WE HAVE LOTS OF WORK THAT DOESN'T ALWAYS REQUIRE A CITY VEHICLE BUT THEY ARE GOING BACK TO THEIR SUPERVISORS AND THEIR MANAGERS AND WHATEVER THEIR AGENDA IS WORK-WISE, THEY ARE PARTICIPATING THREE DAYS A WEEK.
>> HOW LONG IS THE TRAINING SESSION TAKING NOW?
>> TO COMPLETE THE CLASS AS FAR AS OUR IN THEORY, CLASSROOM TIME AND THEN OUR BEHIND THE WHEEL, WE'RE AVERAGING RIGHT AROUND THREE MONTHS FOR THE CLASS.
>> THAT'S BEEN DROPPED ROUGHLY 50% PERCENT.
[01:50:04]
UNDERSTOOD. LOOKING AT SLIDE 9, THE CHART OF ENROLLMENT, WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT PEOPLE ARE WAITING?>> LET ME SEE WHENEVER I'M LOOKING AT THAT WAITING, WE ACTUALLY HAVE 11 PEOPLE THAT THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THEY WERE ON THE CLASS THAT IS GETTING READY TO START AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER, BEGINNING OF OCTOBER.
WE'RE ALREADY FILLING UP OUR NEXT CLASSES.
>> THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE WAITING FOR THE CLASS TO START, NOT WAITING TO TAKE A TEST, FOR EXAMPLE?
>> RIGHT. THEY'RE JUST WAITING FOR THE CLASS TO START, AND WE TRY TO KEEP IT EVEN FLOW AS FAR AS THAT GOES.
>> THEN WHAT DOES THE CATEGORY OVERDUE MEAN?
>> THE CATEGORY OF OVERDUE, A LOT OF TIMES WHENEVER WE SCHEDULE OUT TESTING, AND DMV HAS HAD SOME DIFFICULTIES I THINK WITH THEIR SYSTEM HERE EVEN RECENTLY ON SCHEDULING.
BUT WHAT HAPPENS IS WHENEVER WE GO INTO SCHEDULE, SOMETIMES THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THE OPENINGS FOR THE EMPLOYEES SO WE'RE STUCK WAITING UNTIL WE CAN ACTUALLY GET THEM A SPOT IN TO TAKE THE TEST AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES AS WELL.
SOMETIMES, THEY DON'T PASS THE FIRST TIME AND WE DON'T GIVE UP ON THE EMPLOYEES.
WE'RE NEEDING THEM WITH THEIR CDL LICENSE, AND WE'RE TAKING THE TIME AND GETTING THEM THROUGH TO GET THAT LICENSE.
>> DOES THE CITY CONDUCT THE TESTING OR IS THE TESTING DONE AT A STATE DMV OFFICE?
>> CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW IT IS AT THE STATE DMV OFFICE.
THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF OUR THIRD PARTY TESTING THAT WE'RE LOOKING AS FAR AS DOING THE DRIVING TEST IS WE WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT TEST INTERNALLY.
AGAIN, WE SHOULD SPEED UP OUR CLASSES QUITE A BIT MORE AS WELL.
>> WHAT COSTS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH DOING THAT INTERNALLY?
>> CAN YOU REPHRASE THAT A LITTLE BIT FOR ME?
>> WELL, PRESUMABLY, WE WOULD HAVE TO DEVOTE PERSONNEL AND SEE THAT THEY'RE CERTIFIED TO CONDUCT THIS KIND OF A DRIVER TEST.
WHAT ARE THE COSTS INVOLVED IN TESTING OUR OWN EMPLOYEES?
>> ACTUALLY THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE ANY ADDITIONAL COST AS FAR AS TESTING OUR EMPLOYEES.
WE WILL GO THROUGH AN AUDIT WITH THE DMV AND AS FAR AS OUR TESTING ROUTES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
BUT AS FAR AS ADDITIONAL COSTS, THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANY ADDITIONAL COSTS.
>> YOU'LL JUST HAVE EMPLOYEES THAT ALREADY HAVE CDL LICENSES WHO WILL TAKE SOME TIME OUT OF THE WORKDAY TO CONDUCT THE TESTS OF THE NEWBIES?
>> ACTUALLY, IT'S A CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR.
>> THE INSTRUCTORS WHO ARE TEACHING THEM ARE THE ONES WHO TEST THEM?
>> YES. BUT ON THE BEHIND THE WHEEL PART THERE HAS TO BE A SEPARATION BETWEEN OUR INSTRUCTORS BECAUSE THE PERSON TEACHING THE CLASS, THEY CAN'T ACTUALLY GIVE THE TESTS SO THEY'LL HAVE TO BE SOME DIFFERENTIATION THERE.
>> THAT SEEMS LIKE THAT WOULD BE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST FOR THE TEACHER WHO IS PROBABLY HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR HOW MANY PEOPLE PASS THE TEST TO BE DOING THE TESTING.
BUT YOU DON'T ANTICIPATE ANY ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL OR EQUIPMENT TO CONDUCT THE TESTING?
>> NO. AS FAR AS THAT GOES, NO, IT'S NOT.
NOTHING THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO.
NOW, PART OF BEING ABLE TO GET BEHIND THE WHEEL INSTRUCTOR, WE'RE LOOKING AT POSSIBLY PICKING UP TWO NEW POSITIONS COMING UP ON THIS NEXT BUDGET, WHICH WILL HELP US.
WITHOUT THOSE POSITIONS, IT'S HARD TO DO A CERTIFIED DRIVING INSTRUCTOR.
BE ABLE TO GET THE NUMBER OF CDL PEOPLE QUALIFIED.
>> THIS IS YOUR LAST QUESTION.
THINK YOU WANT TO WRAP UP, MR. RIDLEY.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN SCHULTZ.
>> VERY QUICKLY. WHICH DEPARTMENT DOES THIS BUDGET COME OUT OF?
>> WELL, I BELIEVE THIS IS GOING TO COME OUT OF THE TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
THIS IS THE NEW DEPARTMENT THAT IS COMING.
>> IS THERE A PLAN TO GROW THE ENROLLMENT?
>> THERE IS A PLAN TO GROW THE ENROLLMENT.
WE'RE LOOKING AT, POSSIBLY TWO NEW INSTRUCTORS, WHICH SHOULD BE ABLE TO ALLOW US TO INCREASE CAPACITY FOR CLASSES.
>> IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S ABOUT A $50,000
[01:55:04]
DELTA RIGHT NOW IN TERMS OF THE COST TO THE BENEFIT.AS WE GROW ENROLLMENT, WILL THAT SHRINK THEN? IN OTHER WORDS, IS THIS AN ECONOMY OF SCALE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CITY?
>> YES. OBVIOUSLY, THE MORE THAT WE HAVE AS FAR AS IN THE CLASSROOMS THAT WE'RE ABLE TO GO THROUGH THE SYSTEM THAT PRICE IS GOING TO DROP AND SO I THINK RIGHT NOW, IF WE WERE LOOKING AT IT, I THINK WE'RE PROBABLY CLOSE.
IF WE GET THE NEW INSTRUCTORS, WE'RE PROBABLY LOOKING AT PROBABLY ABOUT 3,000-3,500 FOR A CLASS.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIRWOMAN SCHULTZ.
ANY QUESTIONS ON VIRTUAL DEPUTY MAYOR, I SEE, YOU'RE THE LONG RANGER THERE.
NO QUESTIONS. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE VIRTUAL TODAY.
WE APPRECIATE THE INPUT YOU'VE GIVEN.
WE MISS YOU HERE, BUT WE'RE GLAD TO SEE YOU, OF COURSE, VIRTUALLY.
BUT FOR ALL OF YOU, COMMITTEE MEMBERS, MR. GIBSON, AND MISS PEREIRA, AND OF COURSE, ALL STAFF WHO PRESENTED.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS, YOU MIGHT ALSO NOTICE IN THE BACK OF THE BOOK, THERE'S A COMMITTEE FORECAST.
WE'RE GOING TO GET INPUT FROM YOU AS WELL AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
WE'RE GOING TO DO A FOLLOW UP TODAY WITH STAFF SO WE CAN BEGIN TO IMPACT THIS FORECAST SO THINGS MAY CHANGE.
BUT IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS, NO COMMENTS.
>> WELL, I HAD A QUESTION ON THE FORECAST.
ON REFERENCES TALENT ACQUISITION, AND IS THAT AN OVERVIEW ON THE PROCESS OR IS THIS RELATED TO THE TALENT ACQUISITION AUDIT?
>> WOULD THAT BE DONE IN TANDEM WITH GPFM?
>> SORRY. I BELIEVE THAT REQUEST CAME TO COME TO THIS COMMITTEE AS WELL SO YES, IT SHOULD BE GOING TO BOTH GPFM.
>> I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT THAT'S A JOINT MEETING JUST IN THE INTEREST OF TIME.
>> BUT WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO BECAUSE SINCE WE'VE TRANSITIONED HERE, I DO WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU SO THAT WE CAN BEGIN TO HOW TO SHAPE THIS FORECAST, SO IT DOES SPEAK TO WHERE WE'RE TRYING TO GO AS A COMMITTEE SO THINGS MAY CHANGE.
I'M JUST SIMPLY ALSO HAVE TO GET THE MAYOR'S INPUT.
I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT HE WEIGHED IN ON SOME OF THE GOALS THAT HE WANTED US TO ADDRESS.
THAT'S WHY I'M TELLING YOU THAT THINGS MAY VERY WELL CHANGE.
YOU JUST HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF THAT AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN THE PROCESS.
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. IT IS NOW 10:58 AM.
TODAY'S DATE IS AUGUST 12TH, 2024, AND THIS MEETING OF THE WE WORKFORCE EDUCATION AND EQUITY COMMITTEE IS NOW ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.