1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:10,400
 Good afternoon, everyone. It is Wednesday, Thursday, I'm sorry, May 20th, 2021. This

2
00:00:10,400 --> 00:00:17,960
 is the Denton City Committee on Persons with Disabilities meeting. Welcome and welcome to

3
00:00:17,960 --> 00:00:25,980
 our committee members. We will get started. It looks like we have everyone here. We're

4
00:00:25,980 --> 00:00:37,280
 missing one committee person, Sam Alphonse, and we're not sure if that is excused or unexcused,

5
00:00:37,280 --> 00:00:45,880
 but that is our absence for this meeting today. Do we have any presentations from the public?

6
00:00:45,880 --> 00:00:48,400
 No, Chair, not today. Thank you.

7
00:00:48,400 --> 00:00:57,440
 Okay, thank you. Okay, we'll move on then to items for consideration, letter A, CPD

8
00:00:57,440 --> 00:01:12,560
 21-013. Consider the approval of the minutes for March 18th, 2021.

9
00:01:12,560 --> 00:01:14,560
 I move to approve.

10
00:01:14,560 --> 00:01:24,400
 Okay. Was that Tamra? Thank you, Tamra. And Joe seconds. So this is a voting item. So

11
00:01:24,400 --> 00:01:32,080
 I will go across the screen and just say yay or nay. Val?

12
00:01:32,080 --> 00:01:34,080
 Yay.

13
00:01:34,080 --> 00:01:36,080
 Okay. John?

14
00:01:36,080 --> 00:01:38,080
 Yay.

15
00:01:38,080 --> 00:01:40,080
 Okay. Allison?

16
00:01:40,080 --> 00:01:42,080
 Yay.

17
00:01:42,080 --> 00:01:44,080
 Okay. Sally?

18
00:01:44,080 --> 00:01:46,080
 Yay.

19
00:01:46,080 --> 00:01:48,080
 Okay. Joe?

20
00:01:48,080 --> 00:01:50,080
 Yay.

21
00:01:50,080 --> 00:01:52,080
 Beth?

22
00:01:52,080 --> 00:01:54,080
 Yay.

23
00:01:54,080 --> 00:01:56,080
 And Tamra?

24
00:01:56,080 --> 00:01:58,080
 Yay.

25
00:01:58,080 --> 00:02:04,080
 Okay. And I'm missing one. Why is it hard to read today?

26
00:02:04,080 --> 00:02:06,080
 Sonya.

27
00:02:06,080 --> 00:02:08,080
 I'm sorry?

28
00:02:08,080 --> 00:02:10,080
 Well, Sonya. It's Sonya.

29
00:02:10,080 --> 00:02:14,080
 Okay. Thank you.

30
00:02:14,080 --> 00:02:28,080
 Okay. So the minutes have been approved. We'll move on to letter B, CPD 21-014. Is the receiver

31
00:02:28,080 --> 00:02:33,560
 report hold the discussion and give staff direction regarding information provided by

32
00:02:33,560 --> 00:02:41,280
 the Denton County Transportation Authority GoZone on demand service public input and feedback

33
00:02:41,280 --> 00:02:44,080
 opportunities.

34
00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:48,840
 And Mr. Chair, I'd like to introduce Mary Worlington with DCTA who's going to give the committee

35
00:02:48,840 --> 00:02:55,640
 a brief presentation on the input and feedback initiative that DCTA is executing right now

36
00:02:55,640 --> 00:03:01,360
 on their GoZone program. And so I'll leave it to Mary. Thank you for coming.

37
00:03:01,360 --> 00:03:03,360
 Thank you very much for coming.

38
00:03:03,360 --> 00:03:08,240
 Thank you, Ryan. Thank you, Val. Thank you everyone for having me. I'm Mary Worthington

39
00:03:08,240 --> 00:03:14,600
 and I'm the Community Relations Manager for DCTA. I'm going to share my screen. I have

40
00:03:14,600 --> 00:03:20,800
 five slides that I want to move through quickly so I don't take up too much of your time.

41
00:03:20,800 --> 00:03:28,720
 So bear with me as I share my screen.

42
00:03:28,720 --> 00:03:34,480
 And if someone would let me know that they can see the screen, that's always helpful.

43
00:03:34,480 --> 00:03:40,800
 Ryan, do you see the screen?

44
00:03:40,800 --> 00:03:42,800
 Not yet.

45
00:03:42,800 --> 00:03:43,800
 Not yet.

46
00:03:43,800 --> 00:03:59,000
 Okay, let me pull the slides over to the screen. Sometimes that's easier. Okay. Anybody see

47
00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:00,000
 it yet?

48
00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:01,000
 There we go.

49
00:04:01,000 --> 00:04:02,000
 Yummy, yummy.

50
00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:03,000
 That's popped up.

51
00:04:03,000 --> 00:04:04,000
 Okay, so you see it.

52
00:04:04,000 --> 00:04:12,200
 Yes, I think we're good.

53
00:04:12,200 --> 00:04:19,840
 So I'm here today to talk to you about our proposed GoZone on-demand ride share services.

54
00:04:19,840 --> 00:04:28,080
 DCTA and under the direction of our Board of Directors is proposing to make changes

55
00:04:28,080 --> 00:04:34,240
 to our services. We're in a public involvement period and this is from April 19th to June

56
00:04:34,240 --> 00:04:39,880
 25th. And so what we're seeking from you all is feedback. And this I'm going to talk today

57
00:04:39,880 --> 00:04:47,120
 at a high level about the changes and then how to give the feedback. I'm going to tell

58
00:04:47,120 --> 00:04:53,840
 you first all about the GoZone. The GoZone is zone-based and on-demand. What's being

59
00:04:53,840 --> 00:05:01,560
 proposed is that the fixed route buses for DCTA would go away and we would offer a ride

60
00:05:01,560 --> 00:05:09,680
 share service using vans of Chrysler Pacifica to be more specific. And you would use an

61
00:05:09,680 --> 00:05:16,640
 app on your phone, an app-based booking or call our customer service. It's operated by

62
00:05:16,640 --> 00:05:22,440
 a company called Via that we are partnering with. This would replace the majority of our

63
00:05:22,440 --> 00:05:31,360
 Connect fixed routes or fixed bus routes and on-demand zone services. The really good things

64
00:05:31,360 --> 00:05:36,760
 that the benefits are that it would extend our service area beyond where DCTA operates

65
00:05:36,760 --> 00:05:44,080
 right now. So it would operate, it would go to more places in Denton. It would go to more

66
00:05:44,080 --> 00:05:51,080
 places in Lewisville and Highland Village. And the other benefit would improve some customer

67
00:05:51,080 --> 00:05:56,800
 or improve customer experience, shorter wait time, streamlined booking process. So here's

68
00:05:56,800 --> 00:06:03,040
 a graphic for you. I'm very visual so this helps me understand things. These are the

69
00:06:03,040 --> 00:06:12,120
 benefits. Like I said, improve rider experience, enhance service delivery, it will build DCTA

70
00:06:12,120 --> 00:06:19,880
 service efficiency, short wait times, bike racks on vehicles. We will now operate 365

71
00:06:19,880 --> 00:06:28,240
 days of the year. We will be operating on Sunday. The vehicles will be wheelchair accessible.

72
00:06:28,240 --> 00:06:35,040
 It extends the service area in Denton, also in Highland Village and Lewisville. There's

73
00:06:35,040 --> 00:06:40,560
 a convenient mobile app. You will have the ability to pre-book trips. So if you have

74
00:06:40,560 --> 00:06:45,600
 a medical appointment or you have something that you need to attend, you can pre-book

75
00:06:45,600 --> 00:06:55,240
 your trip ahead of time. So these are the benefits of the GoZone. This is just a little

76
00:06:55,240 --> 00:07:01,540
 bit about the partnership that we have. It is with a company called Via. What I like

77
00:07:01,540 --> 00:07:08,080
 to tell people is not only have they been working all around the world putting in this

78
00:07:08,080 --> 00:07:17,060
 on-demand service, but very close to home in Arlington and Fort Worth is the Via service.

79
00:07:17,060 --> 00:07:22,040
 They call there something different, but they are doing this for the city of Arlington and

80
00:07:22,040 --> 00:07:30,240
 for the city of Fort Worth. It's an opportunity for DCTA to partner with someone that has

81
00:07:30,240 --> 00:07:38,000
 some incredible software and technology and a great service delivery model. And it's the

82
00:07:38,000 --> 00:07:47,040
 technology that will allow us to provide this great service. This is just another image

83
00:07:47,040 --> 00:07:52,560
 of what this GoZone is going to look like. Again, I'm visual, so I'm like, what does

84
00:07:52,560 --> 00:07:56,560
 the vehicle look like? Well, it's going to be a van. It's going to be wrapped in the

85
00:07:56,560 --> 00:08:06,000
 DCTA logo branded as DCTA Chrysler Pacifica. It can hold up to six passengers. If you use

86
00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:11,640
 GoZone, you may not have other passengers, and then you may share your ride. And then

87
00:08:11,640 --> 00:08:18,840
 one of the great benefits is Via will be able to scale the quantity of the vehicles up or

88
00:08:18,840 --> 00:08:26,660
 down based on the ridership demand. So we are excited about that. This is something

89
00:08:26,660 --> 00:08:32,560
 that some people think sounds really great. If lots of people are using the on-demand

90
00:08:32,560 --> 00:08:39,240
 GoZone service, we'll be able to tell in real time with real time data that we need more

91
00:08:39,240 --> 00:08:44,040
 vehicles on the street. If people aren't using it, then we'll pull back and we'll scale to

92
00:08:44,040 --> 00:08:49,960
 service. This will allow us to have what's called virtual stops instead of the bus stops

93
00:08:49,960 --> 00:08:58,360
 that you maybe are aware of. Virtual stops is what's going to allow us to increase and

94
00:08:58,360 --> 00:09:06,080
 expand the service. So you will be able to put in your address, have the DCTA GoZone

95
00:09:06,080 --> 00:09:11,400
 respond somewhere close to the address that you want to be picked up, and then it will

96
00:09:11,400 --> 00:09:17,320
 take you to a drop off point somewhere close that you need to go to your destination. If

97
00:09:17,320 --> 00:09:25,120
 you are ADA qualified, you can have the GoZone service pick you up at your residence and

98
00:09:25,120 --> 00:09:33,240
 drop you off at the destination of where you're going. It provides passengers with more pickup

99
00:09:33,240 --> 00:09:43,760
 and drop off location. So that is just a quick overview, but Ryan really wanted me to emphasize

100
00:09:43,760 --> 00:09:51,160
 and ask you all to get involved in the feedback process. We need to hear from this committee

101
00:09:51,160 --> 00:09:58,880
 and from your friends and family members. And so you can give feedback by going to the

102
00:09:58,880 --> 00:10:07,640
 special microsite for this GoZone proposal. It's dctafeedback.net and you can give feedback

103
00:10:07,640 --> 00:10:13,760
 until June 25th. This is what I really need feedback on. I need you to give feedback on

104
00:10:13,760 --> 00:10:19,560
 the map boundaries and that's on the website. Talk to me and talk to us about the service

105
00:10:19,560 --> 00:10:26,000
 day and hours, the booking process. We would like to hear from you about the fare and what

106
00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:33,620
 you think the cost, the proposed and promotional cost is. We also just want any general feedback,

107
00:10:33,620 --> 00:10:39,160
 general thoughts, any concerns, additional questions you may have and we will answer

108
00:10:39,160 --> 00:10:45,240
 your questions. We ask for about a 48 hour turnaround in answering those questions. Then

109
00:10:45,240 --> 00:10:52,600
 there are three surveys, a general survey, a fair survey and immediate feedback survey.

110
00:10:52,600 --> 00:10:58,920
 So all of that is very important to me and I really can't emphasize enough how much I

111
00:10:58,920 --> 00:11:04,360
 need your feedback. Also, I'm available for presentations to any other groups that you

112
00:11:04,360 --> 00:11:10,240
 may be associated with who would benefit in learning about GoZone and giving feedback

113
00:11:10,240 --> 00:11:17,680
 to us. And I'm also available for any one-on-one question and answer sessions. So my email

114
00:11:17,680 --> 00:11:26,880
 is here and you can email me and I will make myself available to have a call, online meeting

115
00:11:26,880 --> 00:11:33,780
 or even a face-to-face now. Ryan has all of my contact information. He has the slides.

116
00:11:33,780 --> 00:11:39,500
 We're going to leave it with the committee and I just thank you all so much for being

117
00:11:39,500 --> 00:11:45,880
 interested in this public feedback period. And again, thank you for participating in

118
00:11:45,880 --> 00:11:50,120
 the process and giving us the feedback. You're important to DCTA.

119
00:11:50,120 --> 00:11:56,880
 And Mary, if I can go ahead and ask you to. Well, you just did it.

120
00:11:56,880 --> 00:12:01,200
 And if there were any questions, did you want me to take those now, Ryan, or did you want

121
00:12:01,200 --> 00:12:05,280
 to send those in? That'd be great to get the committee members

122
00:12:05,280 --> 00:12:11,080
 an opportunity to ask questions. And one of the things that I requested of the committee

123
00:12:11,080 --> 00:12:17,560
 was to be able to provide DCTA feedback on how they could more effectively engage the

124
00:12:17,560 --> 00:12:21,920
 disability community in and around Denton. And I wanted to make sure that this group

125
00:12:21,920 --> 00:12:26,240
 had the opportunity to give them any input on how they can effectively do that. Plus

126
00:12:26,240 --> 00:12:31,680
 any other questions the group might have. I want to say hi first to Joe because my daughter's

127
00:12:31,680 --> 00:12:37,180
 booth at the Denton Community Market is next to Joe. She has breakable ceramics and Joe

128
00:12:37,180 --> 00:12:45,400
 has beautiful artwork, if y'all don't know. So hi, Joe. And I would love to be better

129
00:12:45,400 --> 00:12:52,360
 connected with you all. So we certainly want DCTA to hear from this group.

130
00:12:52,360 --> 00:12:59,320
 Mary, I have a question. Go ahead, John. I'll let you go.

131
00:12:59,320 --> 00:13:04,240
 I have two quick questions. One is, is it in service now?

132
00:13:04,240 --> 00:13:11,160
 No, it starts September 7th. Okay. And then if this works out, are you guys

133
00:13:11,160 --> 00:13:18,680
 just gonna do away with a paratransit shuttle? We will eventually. So, John, we have two

134
00:13:18,680 --> 00:13:27,160
 with three phases, really. And so paratransit will be part of phase two and we will use

135
00:13:27,160 --> 00:13:35,080
 GoZone vehicles to operate our paratransits. Gotcha. Okay.

136
00:13:35,080 --> 00:13:40,080
 Good question, though. I have a question.

137
00:13:40,080 --> 00:13:42,320
 Yes, ma'am. Go ahead, ma'am.

138
00:13:42,320 --> 00:13:51,520
 Okay. Thank you, Chair. One, what is a fare for just a local pick-up drop-off?

139
00:13:51,520 --> 00:13:59,160
 A local one-way fare is $0.75. And that's promotional right now. It will be for the

140
00:13:59,160 --> 00:14:07,900
 first six months. And is it a cash app or a ticket system?

141
00:14:07,900 --> 00:14:12,600
 How does that work for someone who needs that service frequently?

142
00:14:12,600 --> 00:14:22,240
 You can pay through the app. You can also pay on the vehicle.

143
00:14:22,240 --> 00:14:33,040
 Thank you. Thank you, Val. My questions are, will service animals

144
00:14:33,040 --> 00:14:40,040
 be allowed to ride on the vehicles? And also, are the drivers going to be willing

145
00:14:40,040 --> 00:14:44,880
 to help load wheelchairs or scooters in and out of the vehicles?

146
00:14:44,880 --> 00:14:50,200
 Beth, that's a great question. And yes, service animals are allowed on the vehicle and the

147
00:14:50,200 --> 00:14:57,400
 drivers are trained to help load and unload your wheelchair, your scooter, your mobility

148
00:14:57,400 --> 00:15:05,520
 device. Let me ask real quick, Mary.

149
00:15:05,520 --> 00:15:14,800
 I know today's presentation was more on how to access the feedback portals, but I see

150
00:15:14,800 --> 00:15:20,120
 we have questions here. So is this appropriate to continue asking

151
00:15:20,120 --> 00:15:27,160
 your questions specific to the program? Ryan, do we have time for that?

152
00:15:27,160 --> 00:15:40,040
 Sorry, I had to unmute. So this item was focused more on giving feedback

153
00:15:40,040 --> 00:15:46,840
 on how the disability community can be engaged. And we want to do that because I know you

154
00:15:46,840 --> 00:15:53,680
 have a more thorough presentation that goes through a lot more detail with this program.

155
00:15:53,680 --> 00:15:59,200
 I think what I would encourage the individual members to do is if they have questions related

156
00:15:59,200 --> 00:16:05,800
 to the service, I think you've given your contact information out and they can reach

157
00:16:05,800 --> 00:16:10,440
 out to you with any particular questions, whether it's a personal question or maybe

158
00:16:10,440 --> 00:16:16,480
 from a constituency that they represent. And I think that if there's a desire on the

159
00:16:16,480 --> 00:16:21,220
 part of the committee to receive the full presentation and give feedback as a committee,

160
00:16:21,220 --> 00:16:27,840
 we can certainly do that perhaps in a specially called meeting before our next regularly scheduled

161
00:16:27,840 --> 00:16:31,320
 meeting. So perhaps in June. Unfortunately, we weren't

162
00:16:31,320 --> 00:16:36,160
 able to do a full-fledged presentation today just due to time constraints and the other

163
00:16:36,160 --> 00:16:41,200
 items that have been requested by the committee and by the council to be heard.

164
00:16:41,200 --> 00:16:47,680
 So does that answer your question, Val? Yes and no.

165
00:16:47,680 --> 00:16:54,560
 I guess for me, I would like to see the presentation and I think I would like the committee as

166
00:16:54,560 --> 00:17:05,000
 a group to be part of the Q&A after the presentation. So Mary, if that's a possibility, we can

167
00:17:05,000 --> 00:17:12,600
 put something on the calendar before the June 25th date, I believe you said.

168
00:17:12,600 --> 00:17:20,320
 Yeah, I'm happy to present to another at another committee meeting. We also have four town hall

169
00:17:20,320 --> 00:17:27,640
 meetings scheduled. You are more than welcome to participate in the town halls. The dates

170
00:17:27,640 --> 00:17:35,580
 are listed on dctafeedback.net. But again, I will work with Ryan to coordinate anything

171
00:17:35,580 --> 00:17:57,840
 that the committee requests. I'm a caregiver in the background. He's asking

172
00:17:57,840 --> 00:18:05,000
 if it will run 24 hours a day. No, it won't run 24 hours a day, Joe. But

173
00:18:05,000 --> 00:18:12,800
 the hours will be extended. And so that's a very exciting offering that it will go later

174
00:18:12,800 --> 00:18:20,320
 in the evenings and go later on Friday nights and Saturday nights. And then for any of you

175
00:18:20,320 --> 00:18:25,120
 all that are wondering or you know would like a way to get to a house of worship, it will

176
00:18:25,120 --> 00:18:35,360
 run on Sundays. I can see we're going to have a lot of questions

177
00:18:35,360 --> 00:18:44,520
 and answers. So should we go ahead, Ryan, and try to schedule something?

178
00:18:44,520 --> 00:18:49,440
 I can definitely work with Mary for a future full presentation for the committee. Although

179
00:18:49,440 --> 00:18:55,840
 I think if there's any feedback on the part of the committee on how with the feedback

180
00:18:55,840 --> 00:19:00,960
 period ending June 25th, if the committee has any recommendations about in addition

181
00:19:00,960 --> 00:19:05,960
 to coming back to this committee with a presentation, any other ways that can engage and get really

182
00:19:05,960 --> 00:19:09,780
 good feedback from the disability committee, I think that would be valuable information

183
00:19:09,780 --> 00:19:15,640
 for DCA to hear early on so that they can act on it before June 25th.

184
00:19:15,640 --> 00:19:25,840
 Mary, I will send you an email because I need a grassroots group for disabled people. So

185
00:19:25,840 --> 00:19:29,520
 I think we can get also a different crowd. I welcome that. Send it my way.

186
00:19:29,520 --> 00:19:35,480
 Yeah. But for this committee, I think it's important as an advisory committee to counsel

187
00:19:35,480 --> 00:19:42,600
 that have the opportunity to view the entire presentation and then be able to provide feedback.

188
00:19:42,600 --> 00:19:51,680
 Last question, Beth. I just wanted to make Mary aware that there's

189
00:19:51,680 --> 00:19:58,520
 already a petition online created by some people in the disability community that are

190
00:19:58,520 --> 00:20:05,680
 very against this because they're afraid that they'll lose access to transportation.

191
00:20:05,680 --> 00:20:11,000
 And it might be helpful to reach out to some of the people that are supporting that.

192
00:20:11,000 --> 00:20:15,080
 Thank you. Yes. We were made aware of that on Monday.

193
00:20:15,080 --> 00:20:17,720
 Just wanted to make sure you knew. Thank you.

194
00:20:17,720 --> 00:20:20,600
 Great. All right, Ryan. Thank you.

195
00:20:20,600 --> 00:20:25,320
 Mary, thank you very much. Yes. Thank you, Chairman. And I will hopefully

196
00:20:25,320 --> 00:20:28,400
 see you all soon. Yes. Thank you.

197
00:20:28,400 --> 00:20:30,640
 Bye-bye. Bye.

198
00:20:30,640 --> 00:20:55,080
 Okay. We will move forward. Let me pull up the agenda here. With Item C, CBD 21015, Receiving

199
00:20:55,080 --> 00:21:01,600
 Report holds a discussion against staff direction regarding the Bowling Green Park Master Plan

200
00:21:01,600 --> 00:21:06,560
 for the property located at 2200 Bowling Green Street.

201
00:21:06,560 --> 00:21:14,240
 Hello, everybody. Good afternoon. My name is Adam Shorter. Just give me one second and

202
00:21:14,240 --> 00:21:26,120
 I will share my screen with the presentation. Can everybody see my screen?

203
00:21:26,120 --> 00:21:31,440
 Yes. Good deal. All right. Well, once again, good afternoon,

204
00:21:31,440 --> 00:21:36,560
 Chair and committee. Thank you for your time here today to discuss the Bowling Green Park

205
00:21:36,560 --> 00:21:40,560
 Master Plan and Visionary. My name is Adam Shorter. I'm a recreation supervisor for the

206
00:21:40,560 --> 00:21:45,680
 Parks and Recreation Department. We have been working with Pacheco Koch Consulting Engineers

207
00:21:45,680 --> 00:21:49,240
 throughout this process and they have designed the following concepts for the Bowling Green

208
00:21:49,240 --> 00:21:54,480
 Park and Master Plan. We presented these concepts in a virtual community meeting to the Parks

209
00:21:54,480 --> 00:21:59,360
 and Beautification Board as well as City Council back in April. We received some great feedback

210
00:21:59,360 --> 00:22:02,800
 from all of them and we would now like to present and receive your input and questions

211
00:22:02,800 --> 00:22:08,720
 at the end of this presentation. Starting off here, you will see what we have

212
00:22:08,720 --> 00:22:14,120
 currently. We have the half-mile existing trail with planing beds to the north as well

213
00:22:14,120 --> 00:22:20,080
 as existing tree stands and recently the renovated playground to the south. Our goals here are

214
00:22:20,080 --> 00:22:25,560
 to enlarge the community garden, provide more inclusive amenities, lengthen our existing

215
00:22:25,560 --> 00:22:30,840
 trail that we have now, and provide future connections to North Lakes Park. Some of the

216
00:22:30,840 --> 00:22:35,000
 common factors in these concepts that you'll see coming up is to plan on the sidewalks

217
00:22:35,000 --> 00:22:40,520
 measuring at least 5 feet wide in the parking area. The paths between garden beds are designed

218
00:22:40,520 --> 00:22:47,400
 to be at least 5 feet wide, could be modified with compacted gravel or concrete and the

219
00:22:47,400 --> 00:22:52,060
 park trail being 10 feet wide. The raised garden beds that you see in these slides are

220
00:22:52,060 --> 00:22:59,800
 planned to be anywhere from 18 to 24 inches high and at least 4 feet wide.

221
00:22:59,800 --> 00:23:04,560
 So with this first concept, you will see the trail being extended to the north but then

222
00:23:04,560 --> 00:23:10,400
 wraps back around short of Windsor. The changes here are the extension of the trail and the

223
00:23:10,400 --> 00:23:15,360
 organization of the garden beds, planning more trees to the south of the park near the

224
00:23:15,360 --> 00:23:19,520
 parking lot and as well as building a bridge at legend point 7 that kind of leads over

225
00:23:19,520 --> 00:23:33,720
 into the forest on the far side. And here is just kind of a closer look at some of the

226
00:23:33,720 --> 00:23:40,000
 garden beds, the orchard, the tree orchard, the playground here at 4. And then you also

227
00:23:40,000 --> 00:23:47,440
 see just kind of some examples of raised garden beds, what the pavilion will look like, and

228
00:23:47,440 --> 00:23:57,520
 etc. through those. As well as here just kind of some examples of the fruit tree orchards,

229
00:23:57,520 --> 00:24:07,820
 some different type of seating throughout the park, as well as trash cans.

230
00:24:07,820 --> 00:24:12,960
 Right here is concept 2, which was heavily favored by our residents who participated

231
00:24:12,960 --> 00:24:17,480
 in the community input meeting, as well as part boarding council. One of the big things

232
00:24:17,480 --> 00:24:21,560
 they wanted to see with this concept was a longer trail, which you will see here in concept

233
00:24:21,560 --> 00:24:28,160
 3 here in a moment. This concept shows the pavilion area being centralized and surrounded

234
00:24:28,160 --> 00:24:33,640
 by the garden, the fruit tree orchard grove, as well as the tree nut orchard grove, with

235
00:24:33,640 --> 00:24:38,880
 the existing play area towards the south. The trail concept is the same as concept 1,

236
00:24:38,880 --> 00:24:43,800
 except the tree is providing shade for a good portion of the west side of the trail, and

237
00:24:43,800 --> 00:24:49,240
 the parking lot area would have angled parking spots rather than just being unmarked right

238
00:24:49,240 --> 00:24:57,480
 now and everybody just parking as they will.

239
00:24:57,480 --> 00:25:03,280
 A closer look at the gardens, you just see how the shape is different, and the orchards

240
00:25:03,280 --> 00:25:08,580
 are all together surrounding the pavilion, and it kind of gives some examples of what

241
00:25:08,580 --> 00:25:17,040
 potential garden beds can look like as well, and some other potential pavilions, and same

242
00:25:17,040 --> 00:25:22,440
 thing here with fruit tree orchards, some more examples and more examples of seeding

243
00:25:22,440 --> 00:25:29,040
 and trash cans here as well.

244
00:25:29,040 --> 00:25:34,440
 This last concept is concept 3. This one had some positives to it, but the major takeaway

245
00:25:34,440 --> 00:25:40,280
 from this concept was that the trail extends all the way to the north off the park to Windsor,

246
00:25:40,280 --> 00:25:44,280
 which provides connection over into North Lakes Park. There are some nicer amenities

247
00:25:44,280 --> 00:25:47,600
 with this concept, and the parking area is just more of a straight pull, and that's just

248
00:25:47,600 --> 00:25:54,400
 kind of the major differences.

249
00:25:54,400 --> 00:25:57,680
 And then you get a little bit closer look with the different design of the garden beds

250
00:25:57,680 --> 00:26:02,760
 and the trees and where they're placed, as well as with some other examples of the raised

251
00:26:02,760 --> 00:26:11,840
 garden beds, paths, and the pavilions as well.

252
00:26:11,840 --> 00:26:16,720
 And then more examples of the orchards, some different seeding options, and the trash cans

253
00:26:16,720 --> 00:26:23,480
 as well.

254
00:26:23,480 --> 00:26:28,560
 This slide shows a bigger picture of the trail, just showing you how far it will lead up,

255
00:26:28,560 --> 00:26:33,840
 and you'll see that it leads all the way up into almost being at North Lakes.

256
00:26:33,840 --> 00:26:41,560
 The residents did like the labyrinth designs that you see here, but they did feel that

257
00:26:41,560 --> 00:26:50,680
 it just didn't really fit in with the park aesthetics that we're going on a Bowling Green.

258
00:26:50,680 --> 00:26:54,360
 As stated before, the overall feedback has been positive in most of the audiences that

259
00:26:54,360 --> 00:27:00,400
 we presented to favoring concept two with concept three's trail. We had a resident in

260
00:27:00,400 --> 00:27:05,440
 Bowling Green area that was pretty avid about limiting concrete sidewalks in the trail,

261
00:27:05,440 --> 00:27:11,160
 but was met with most of the residents being in favor for it for concrete paths and trails.

262
00:27:11,160 --> 00:27:16,080
 We're at the point now where we have presented these concepts to the respective groups, gathered

263
00:27:16,080 --> 00:27:21,000
 feedback, and at this point, moving forward to developing a final concept. We plan on

264
00:27:21,000 --> 00:27:25,640
 revisiting with park board and city council for their final approval soon, and should

265
00:27:25,640 --> 00:27:31,720
 be shovel ready when we get the green light. We currently have no funding identified for

266
00:27:31,720 --> 00:27:37,120
 this project, but there are some funds available in the park's dedication fund, as well as

267
00:27:37,120 --> 00:27:46,040
 going out after future grants. So at this time, we'll open it up for your feedback and

268
00:27:46,040 --> 00:28:04,360
 questions. Any questions? Val, yes. Mr. Chair, thank you. I like your concepts. I do have

269
00:28:04,360 --> 00:28:09,640
 a question about the nut tree garden, because nut allergies are a pretty prevalent thing

270
00:28:09,640 --> 00:28:16,160
 in most communities. Is there any research to say that any of the pollen or anything

271
00:28:16,160 --> 00:28:22,960
 that comes off of those trees would impact individuals who suffer from those allergies?

272
00:28:22,960 --> 00:28:29,520
 I'm not really sure about that. Drew, would you have anything for that? Yes, Val. The

273
00:28:29,520 --> 00:28:34,520
 assistant director of parks and recreation, Drew Huffman. So with those trees, especially

274
00:28:34,520 --> 00:28:43,520
 talking with our landscape advisors, is most people have that nut allergy to peanuts, and

275
00:28:43,520 --> 00:28:48,240
 you know, peanuts grow underground and not on a tree, and these nut trees would be your

276
00:28:48,240 --> 00:28:55,780
 typical pecans is really what we would look at, because you know, Texas is known for their

277
00:28:55,780 --> 00:28:59,720
 pecan trees, and that's something that, you know, it's a native tree here to Texas, and

278
00:28:59,720 --> 00:29:06,560
 we really strive to what we can, as far as the most part, is really put in native vegetation,

279
00:29:06,560 --> 00:29:11,920
 and really with those native trees. So ideally, we haven't identified exactly what nut tree

280
00:29:11,920 --> 00:29:16,120
 that would be, but really in my vision and the landscape architects that we've talked

281
00:29:16,120 --> 00:29:21,240
 to, it would be more of your pecan trees. Okay. But maybe check with the fire department,

282
00:29:21,240 --> 00:29:26,480
 because tree allergies are pretty prevalent. Yes. For the fire department to see if they've

283
00:29:26,480 --> 00:29:32,280
 addressed any emergencies in their light. Yes. That's my major concern. The concepts

284
00:29:32,280 --> 00:29:42,440
 are wonderful. Okay, thank you, and we definitely will check with them. Thank you. Beth. I was

285
00:29:42,440 --> 00:29:48,000
 a little concerned by how close to the sidewalks the trees were going to be in some of the

286
00:29:48,000 --> 00:29:55,440
 pictures, just because of the debris that falls, leaves and nuts and things. I live

287
00:29:55,440 --> 00:30:02,760
 near a park where the trees were planted very close to the sidewalk, and it's difficult

288
00:30:02,760 --> 00:30:09,560
 to roll a wheelchair through, or it's a balance problem if you step on leaves and nuts and

289
00:30:09,560 --> 00:30:15,080
 branches. So I was wondering whether or not y'all had considered setting the trees back

290
00:30:15,080 --> 00:30:22,520
 a ways from the sidewalk. Yes, we have. We typically look at that for not only the reasons

291
00:30:22,520 --> 00:30:26,800
 that you just came up with, but also for our future plannings to make sure that the trees

292
00:30:26,800 --> 00:30:33,300
 don't disrupt the concrete or the path in any kind of way, which in return then causes

293
00:30:33,300 --> 00:30:52,120
 other tripping hazards that have to be repaired. So, yes, thank you. Tamara. Question. Are

294
00:30:52,120 --> 00:31:02,160
 you dressed as recyclable? Yes, I believe we would be putting out regular

295
00:31:02,160 --> 00:31:07,800
 grand recyclables. Yes, ma'am. Yes, thank you.

296
00:31:07,800 --> 00:31:14,440
 Sarah. Yeah, on the patch you said you are going

297
00:31:14,440 --> 00:31:20,340
 to go with concrete? We're open to both concepts. So, I mean, your

298
00:31:20,340 --> 00:31:27,240
 feedback is appreciated with that. Would you prefer concrete or the gravel? Which one would

299
00:31:27,240 --> 00:31:34,600
 work better? I think concrete feels better. Yes, it does.

300
00:31:34,600 --> 00:31:43,020
 Okay, we'll make note of that. When you say gravel, are you talking about

301
00:31:43,020 --> 00:31:48,760
 your typical loose gravel? It would be compacted gravel. So it's more

302
00:31:48,760 --> 00:31:54,800
 compacted and it's more of a road, but it's not as, I would say not as smooth as concrete.

303
00:31:54,800 --> 00:32:07,520
 Right. That's the concrete. Are there any other questions or comments, feedback?

304
00:32:07,520 --> 00:32:11,560
 Question. Yes, Sylvia.

305
00:32:11,560 --> 00:32:17,720
 What about recyclables along with the trashcans? Yes, sir. So when we put out cans, we put

306
00:32:17,720 --> 00:32:24,560
 out both normal trash and recycle, and we're actually going through and really

307
00:32:24,560 --> 00:32:31,980
 trying to replace our 55-gallon drums with cans with lids and, you know, covers to make

308
00:32:31,980 --> 00:32:37,000
 sure that the trash doesn't just go in and then fly right back out with the wind.

309
00:32:37,000 --> 00:32:42,840
 And there's more definite signage on the can versus us trying to rely on people to understand

310
00:32:42,840 --> 00:32:48,880
 that or know which, you know, our education hasn't been what it could be that green means

311
00:32:48,880 --> 00:32:56,240
 trash and blue means recycle, so. All right, thanks.

312
00:32:56,240 --> 00:33:01,280
 Sylvia, did you have your hand up? Sonya.

313
00:33:01,280 --> 00:33:05,480
 Sonya, I'm sorry. I keep doing that. Hi, Sonya.

314
00:33:05,480 --> 00:33:12,240
 No, I really appreciate the designs. I know a lot of thought went into them, and I appreciate

315
00:33:12,240 --> 00:33:18,040
 the extension of the trail so that it connects because, again, if we're looking at accessibility,

316
00:33:18,040 --> 00:33:24,520
 I think that's important to consider how we can improve that to connect to all parts of

317
00:33:24,520 --> 00:33:32,200
 the North Lakes compound complex. And I really appreciate the thought into creating the raised

318
00:33:32,200 --> 00:33:39,800
 beds so that it is more accessible for individuals. And so just want to thank you all for putting

319
00:33:39,800 --> 00:33:50,840
 those pieces in as part of the design plan. Beth, you had your hand up.

320
00:33:50,840 --> 00:33:57,740
 I would just like to mention that I saw several different types of benches in the pictures,

321
00:33:57,740 --> 00:34:03,800
 and I think that's good because there are some people that have to have a back on the

322
00:34:03,800 --> 00:34:08,880
 bench to be able to sit. There are some people that need a flat, platform bench to be able

323
00:34:08,880 --> 00:34:16,280
 to slide across. A lot of people cannot get into picnic table-type benches because of

324
00:34:16,280 --> 00:34:22,960
 the table in front of them. So I think having that wide variety of seating options is the

325
00:34:22,960 --> 00:34:35,320
 way to go. If anybody else has feedback, I'd appreciate it.

326
00:34:35,320 --> 00:34:40,600
 That's great feedback, and we can definitely incorporate different styles of benches in

327
00:34:40,600 --> 00:34:49,480
 there. With our benches, we can have flat benches like what you see in a dugout with

328
00:34:49,480 --> 00:34:58,080
 no back, or we can have benches with a back. The world is amazing when it comes to different

329
00:34:58,080 --> 00:35:02,680
 amenities for a park where you can almost have it to where it's double, where if you

330
00:35:02,680 --> 00:35:18,000
 and I sat down, we would look at each other. I did one question, Val, if you may. What

331
00:35:18,000 --> 00:35:27,080
 is your take on the raised garden beds? The material that we would really like to go with

332
00:35:27,080 --> 00:35:32,120
 is like a stamped and stained concrete, so it has the look of wood, but we're not constantly

333
00:35:32,120 --> 00:35:39,240
 replacing it. And of course, we can make that width as wide or as narrow as we kind of want

334
00:35:39,240 --> 00:35:45,200
 to with concrete. Typically, the four inches would be the thinnest we would go to make

335
00:35:45,200 --> 00:35:50,560
 sure that it was completely accessible and for everyone to be able to use.

336
00:35:50,560 --> 00:35:59,000
 Well, I wonder how high would be the raised? 18 to 24 inches, because that's the standard,

337
00:35:59,000 --> 00:36:05,520
 but just because that's the standard, you know, we obviously want to exceed the standard.

338
00:36:05,520 --> 00:36:11,720
 So 18 to 24 inches. And the main purpose is just to be able to view. Well, it's to be

339
00:36:11,720 --> 00:36:18,240
 able to for everyone to be able to use them. So, you know, no matter who wants to rent,

340
00:36:18,240 --> 00:36:23,920
 you know, that garden bed that it wouldn't be, you know, as of right now, the garden

341
00:36:23,920 --> 00:36:29,120
 beds are on the ground. So some people, you know, can't obviously use them because they're,

342
00:36:29,120 --> 00:36:34,520
 you know, on the ground. So we want to get them off the ground for everyone to still

343
00:36:34,520 --> 00:36:37,560
 be able to come out and use the community gardens.

344
00:36:37,560 --> 00:36:45,160
 And I wonder, in that case, then, is there a possibility to have a varied?

345
00:36:45,160 --> 00:36:53,400
 We could do that. We could do 18s and 24s and 20s. I don't know if you've been we built

346
00:36:53,400 --> 00:37:00,080
 what's called the nook behind Emily Fowler Library. And our benches are all different

347
00:37:00,080 --> 00:37:06,360
 heights ranging from 18 to 24. So, you know, your legs may be longer than mine, or I may

348
00:37:06,360 --> 00:37:12,520
 need a different height for sitting than someone else. So we wanted to make sure that that

349
00:37:12,520 --> 00:37:17,680
 they were they're all within ADA requirements, but we didn't want to just do one ADA requirement.

350
00:37:17,680 --> 00:37:24,040
 We want to make sure they were completely varied. My concern would be somebody that

351
00:37:24,040 --> 00:37:31,920
 maybe is a little taller in a chair that cannot stoop down. Yes, sir. That may want almost

352
00:37:31,920 --> 00:37:43,120
 the table height. Okay, which would be closer to 30. Right. So I'm thinking that different

353
00:37:43,120 --> 00:37:49,480
 different heights, different range of motion and limitation and arms.

354
00:37:49,480 --> 00:37:53,560
 And we can definitely do that. That's great input. Thank you. That's kind of what I was

355
00:37:53,560 --> 00:37:59,640
 looking for. So, okay. And even on that note, too, that there's ability to get in from the

356
00:37:59,640 --> 00:38:04,320
 side. Yes. And that's what Adam was talking about to make sure we had at least five foot

357
00:38:04,320 --> 00:38:09,400
 wide around everything to make sure that if it was a chair that needed to get in, it could

358
00:38:09,400 --> 00:38:14,480
 get in and turn and move and not just be confined. So.

359
00:38:14,480 --> 00:38:26,560
 Excellent. Any other questions or feedback? So if we could maybe, I don't know if we don't

360
00:38:26,560 --> 00:38:31,520
 really need to vote on it, but maybe raise a hand. So you would prefer concrete and not

361
00:38:31,520 --> 00:38:36,440
 any kind of gravel, correct? I think that's what I heard. Yes, I think that's the consensus.

362
00:38:36,440 --> 00:38:44,080
 Okay. Yeah. All right. Thank you. Great. I just wanted to make sure we made that clear.

363
00:38:44,080 --> 00:38:49,320
 So so that way we could when council asked, we can report back that, yes, this was because

364
00:38:49,320 --> 00:38:52,880
 that's what we're hearing from the public meeting. So we just wanted to make sure that

365
00:38:52,880 --> 00:38:56,600
 we heard that from you, too. So yes, sir. All right. Thank you.

366
00:38:56,600 --> 00:39:03,080
 And that's all right. Any other questions? Thank you, Adam, for the presentation. Thank

367
00:39:03,080 --> 00:39:16,720
 you all for your time. Thank you. Okay. We will go on to the next item. DCPD 21-016.

368
00:39:16,720 --> 00:39:21,560
 Receive a report, hold a discussion and give staff direction regarding the villages of

369
00:39:21,560 --> 00:39:28,840
 Carmel Master Plan for the park property located at 5493 Edwards Road.

370
00:39:28,840 --> 00:39:34,840
 Good afternoon, Chair and committee members. Thank you for having me today. My name is

371
00:39:34,840 --> 00:39:39,080
 Chris Escoto, Recreation Supervisor of Parks and Recreation. Can everybody see my screen

372
00:39:39,080 --> 00:39:45,560
 right now? Yes, sir. Perfect. So today we are seeking your feedback and introducing some

373
00:39:45,560 --> 00:39:50,500
 conceptual designs for future park development at the villages of Carmel. This parcel is

374
00:39:50,500 --> 00:39:55,560
 undeveloped and the proposed park will be built from scratch. In April, ValleyQuest

375
00:39:55,560 --> 00:40:00,400
 and staff held a public meeting. Right after that, followed up with a survey that we had

376
00:40:00,400 --> 00:40:06,840
 94 responses to. We have also presented to Parks Board and City Council. Similar to Bowling

377
00:40:06,840 --> 00:40:12,280
 Green, overall, we have received positive responses and some recommendations as far

378
00:40:12,280 --> 00:40:17,000
 as conceptual designs and elements that they like to see. We currently do not have funds

379
00:40:17,000 --> 00:40:21,880
 allocated to the project itself. However, there are funds available in the Park Dedication

380
00:40:21,880 --> 00:40:34,080
 Fund that we will be seeking grants for at a future date. So if nobody is familiar with

381
00:40:34,080 --> 00:40:40,720
 the area, this location shows where the location is, where the park will be. Held is Southeast

382
00:40:40,720 --> 00:40:45,160
 Denton at the corner of Edwards and Swisher Road. It is down the street from Timberlinx

383
00:40:45,160 --> 00:40:52,460
 Golf Course in about five minutes from Denton Regional Hospital. This development does have

384
00:40:52,460 --> 00:40:58,120
 an existing barn on the lot. We have had a structural engineer go out on site and they

385
00:40:58,120 --> 00:41:04,480
 did confirm that it is still in good condition. Just needs a minor update. Overall, the goal

386
00:41:04,480 --> 00:41:08,920
 of this project is to preserve the heavy wooded parcel, create active and passive recreation

387
00:41:08,920 --> 00:41:16,760
 elements and, of course, provide connectivity and accessibility throughout the park. This

388
00:41:16,760 --> 00:41:21,320
 graphic here gives you an overview of the topography of the area. Towards the bottom,

389
00:41:21,320 --> 00:41:25,400
 you can see our 10-minute walk initiative. It gives into perspective how it will serve

390
00:41:25,400 --> 00:41:31,860
 the community. There is some high points here in the property. There is an arterial road

391
00:41:31,860 --> 00:41:37,980
 that is in the mobility plan that is included in this image here. We do not know if this

392
00:41:37,980 --> 00:41:47,920
 will be going in but they did include it into this design just so we have it noted. Going

393
00:41:47,920 --> 00:41:53,440
 to the first conceptual design, this diagram is an overview of the first concept, the proposed

394
00:41:53,440 --> 00:41:59,760
 parking lot being on the east side along Swisher Road. All sidewalks will be 10 feet wide including

395
00:41:59,760 --> 00:42:04,880
 the decomposed granite paths. I would like to note that our consultants did go on site

396
00:42:04,880 --> 00:42:11,120
 and walk the property and strategically placed these routes to avoid having to remove any

397
00:42:11,120 --> 00:42:20,440
 major trees as well and to preserve that habitat. Overall, the feedback for this location itself

398
00:42:20,440 --> 00:42:27,120
 has been pretty good. I will touch on that here shortly in the next few slides. There

399
00:42:27,120 --> 00:42:34,240
 are two different conceptual designs regarding the refurbished pavilion. This pavilion here

400
00:42:34,240 --> 00:42:40,380
 is the existing barnhouse that I had mentioned. It is getting refurbished with some modifications

401
00:42:40,380 --> 00:42:46,480
 that I will touch on. This gives you the canopy and it gives you a sense of the feel of how

402
00:42:46,480 --> 00:42:54,080
 heavily wooded this area is. I like to mention too that the playground itself does incorporate

403
00:42:54,080 --> 00:43:01,880
 more of a modern, more musical concepts and as you can tell it is going to be shaded quite

404
00:43:01,880 --> 00:43:08,480
 a bit so that will be nice for residents out there. Those two different concepts that I

405
00:43:08,480 --> 00:43:14,760
 had mentioned, concept 1A again provides more of a modern musical playground elements and

406
00:43:14,760 --> 00:43:19,920
 the barnhouse itself is more, it is paved more organically and accessible throughout

407
00:43:19,920 --> 00:43:27,680
 the pavilion. Again, I like to mention that the playground is fitted inside the trees

408
00:43:27,680 --> 00:43:36,120
 and strategically placed inside. This gives you an idea of what the playground will look

409
00:43:36,120 --> 00:43:43,160
 like, the pavilion itself. I will show you some visuals of the pavilion, how the refurbished

410
00:43:43,160 --> 00:43:50,680
 look will be. This is concept 2, or 1B I should say. It is more of a linear feel. It still

411
00:43:50,680 --> 00:43:56,880
 has the same conceptual designs regarding the playground features. Nothing over here

412
00:43:56,880 --> 00:44:08,040
 has changed outside of just the access of the pavilion. This is the refurbished barn.

413
00:44:08,040 --> 00:44:13,240
 The idea is that this wood paneling that you see here will kind of be used as a bar top

414
00:44:13,240 --> 00:44:19,560
 or even a table for folks to sit down at, whether it is do some homework, have a laptop

415
00:44:19,560 --> 00:44:25,440
 or even just look out to the playground itself. It gives it more of an opening feel. We have

416
00:44:25,440 --> 00:44:31,000
 cut out the windows of the existing barnhouse. The next slide here shows you kind of more

417
00:44:31,000 --> 00:44:37,780
 of a visual of how open it will be. I would like to mention that this bar here is set

418
00:44:37,780 --> 00:44:45,800
 at different levels, so that it will sit lower at the 34 inches and sit high at 42 there.

419
00:44:45,800 --> 00:44:50,280
 What has been upgraded is these knee braces. These were some of the recommendations that

420
00:44:50,280 --> 00:44:56,320
 were made. We did give the stone column look here. I do like to add that the brick that

421
00:44:56,320 --> 00:45:01,680
 was added and you see displayed here is from the Village of the Carmelite community. It

422
00:45:01,680 --> 00:45:07,040
 is the same stone color and the same stone product that the other communities have. It

423
00:45:07,040 --> 00:45:17,040
 kind of fits into that model overall. This is conceptual concept 2. This eliminates the

424
00:45:17,040 --> 00:45:24,300
 barnhouse and the playground sits over it. It will have more of a pre-manufactured pavilion

425
00:45:24,300 --> 00:45:29,400
 kind of like what you see now at our playgrounds located here. One of the features that is

426
00:45:29,400 --> 00:45:35,760
 different from the other concepts is the amphitheater. So if you notice up northern part of the park,

427
00:45:35,760 --> 00:45:41,320
 you notice the amphitheater up there. This will incorporate nature elements and you will

428
00:45:41,320 --> 00:45:46,920
 notice here when I assume it in the next slide. Again, this gives you the canopy coverage and

429
00:45:46,920 --> 00:45:55,840
 still maintains that same shade and still strategically placed around the major trees.

430
00:45:55,840 --> 00:46:02,640
 These are the natural elements that I mentioned. The public overall and really all of our Park

431
00:46:02,640 --> 00:46:08,840
 Board and City Council has really leaned towards these natural elements in regards to playground

432
00:46:08,840 --> 00:46:16,560
 features. It will have a pre-manufactured pavilion. It will be relatively smaller than

433
00:46:16,560 --> 00:46:22,480
 the barnhouse. So that's one of the downsides, I guess, from going to this pavilion. It won't

434
00:46:22,480 --> 00:46:28,120
 be that same size. And again, the amphitheater has been received really well. That is a feature

435
00:46:28,120 --> 00:46:34,600
 that was added. And I would like to mention these boulders that you see around the playgrounds

436
00:46:34,600 --> 00:46:41,040
 are within the property itself. So they're getting repurposed and giving that natural

437
00:46:41,040 --> 00:46:47,800
 feel and foresty feel to this overall plan. This is some photos and just to give you an

438
00:46:47,800 --> 00:46:54,560
 idea of what just a pre-manufactured pavilion will look like, kind of looks similar to what

439
00:46:54,560 --> 00:47:03,200
 we have out at our parks right now. So this puts all three concepts side by side. Overall,

440
00:47:03,200 --> 00:47:11,240
 the feedback that we have gathered does illustrate concepts from all three designs. Overall,

441
00:47:11,240 --> 00:47:16,640
 we do want people to want to see the amphitheater features still enhanced. They do want to see

442
00:47:16,640 --> 00:47:24,720
 the nature theme elements. One of the concepts that or council kind of touched on is that

443
00:47:24,720 --> 00:47:32,280
 the parking lot, they do want it to be more of a permanent location. I mentioned earlier

444
00:47:32,280 --> 00:47:37,720
 in the presentation that there is an arterial road that will be post oak that is proposed

445
00:47:37,720 --> 00:47:44,440
 in a mobility plan. And then I did not show you guys, but let me go back here. This parking

446
00:47:44,440 --> 00:47:50,560
 lot here is closer to the neighborhood itself. So they do not want to see this go away if

447
00:47:50,560 --> 00:47:55,040
 that road does happen. That means that we will not have parking. So they want to see

448
00:47:55,040 --> 00:48:01,300
 more of a permanent location, which is being placed over along the Swisher Road access.

449
00:48:01,300 --> 00:48:05,480
 So that is something that council did want to see, and they want to see a permanent and

450
00:48:05,480 --> 00:48:13,460
 the least invasive placement for that parking lot. But going back to these three concepts,

451
00:48:13,460 --> 00:48:18,360
 that is the overall feedback that was received. We look forward to hearing your feedback to

452
00:48:18,360 --> 00:48:24,400
 this overall concept. And that is all I have. So I will open it up for your questions and

453
00:48:24,400 --> 00:48:37,520
 I will take my presentation down. >> Questions, comments?

454
00:48:37,520 --> 00:48:50,200
 >> It is fine. Okay. I do have a few questions. One of the comments that I do like, I like

455
00:48:50,200 --> 00:48:55,760
 the fact that there is a lot of space around the playground away from streets, which is

456
00:48:55,760 --> 00:49:01,480
 something that I generally like to see. I did have a question about the playground area

457
00:49:01,480 --> 00:49:06,760
 and the play area. Will there be any sort of fence around it?

458
00:49:06,760 --> 00:49:10,720
 >> As of right now, there is no fencing around it.

459
00:49:10,720 --> 00:49:17,600
 >> Okay. Just bringing up as part of my community, I am a part of the autism community. And something

460
00:49:17,600 --> 00:49:25,280
 that I see a lot and that makes a lot of my community members nervous is no visibility

461
00:49:25,280 --> 00:49:32,680
 and no fencing to keep some of our kids in a safe setting. A lack of fence can be very

462
00:49:32,680 --> 00:49:39,520
 dangerous for people in the autism community, kids in the autism community, as there can

463
00:49:39,520 --> 00:49:46,160
 be a tendency to elope or run away. And a lot of trees around and just not being able

464
00:49:46,160 --> 00:49:56,480
 to see where your kid is or where any of your children are can be scary for our families.

465
00:49:56,480 --> 00:50:01,360
 >> Thank you for that feedback. I have written it down and will communicate that with our

466
00:50:01,360 --> 00:50:11,520
 consultants. >> Yes, there we go.

467
00:50:11,520 --> 00:50:17,320
 So one of the things I noticed just in the images, which I know are not the final design,

468
00:50:17,320 --> 00:50:26,420
 a lot of wood chips. And I know speaking with my sister-in-law who has a nephew, my nephew

469
00:50:26,420 --> 00:50:34,520
 uses a mobility device, that can be really challenging to use a mobility device with

470
00:50:34,520 --> 00:50:40,160
 wood chips. So seeing what other options may be more accessible for individuals that are

471
00:50:40,160 --> 00:50:45,560
 using mobility device. I also noticed in the concept, it looked like maybe you had a different

472
00:50:45,560 --> 00:50:52,400
 path that led off the trail into the amphitheater. So wanting to get some feedback on what types

473
00:50:52,400 --> 00:50:59,040
 of materials are being considered for that. >> So the different path that you mentioned

474
00:50:59,040 --> 00:51:05,680
 around the pavilion itself is decomposed granite. Those are the different routes that are leading

475
00:51:05,680 --> 00:51:13,600
 you to that pavilion itself. Regarding your other question, Drew, do you happen to have

476
00:51:13,600 --> 00:51:21,200
 any feedback on the wood chips? I do believe that that does me ADA. But as far as accessibility,

477
00:51:21,200 --> 00:51:27,400
 I'm not quite sure how that works. >> It does, but it runs into how do you exceed

478
00:51:27,400 --> 00:51:54,020
 the ADA standard? Because technically by law, the wood chips are ADA accessible, but we all know that even without a mobility need, strollers are hard to push in there for parents. We have looked into turf, like the astroturf, we looked into that, that a lot of schools are going to.

479
00:51:54,020 --> 00:52:20,600
 We've also looked at the rubber, somewhat similar to Eureka 2 has in some areas. The turf is running anywhere from $12 to $18 a square foot, and the rubber is $15 to $24 a square foot for that. So this park actually, we are planning on going, actually we are in the process of going after a Texas Parks and Wildlife matching grant.

480
00:52:20,600 --> 00:52:46,320
 So if we get the extra funds, then we would typically, and we found some really good products either with turf or the rubber that comes with some really good warranties to have that for the kids in those playgrounds. The mulch or the wood is about $2 a square foot. So a lot of what we do comes down to cost, and not an excuse at all.

481
00:52:46,320 --> 00:52:54,200
 But we're looking really hard to try to find more funding outside of just the funding that we have in-house.

482
00:52:54,200 --> 00:53:18,500
 I think one of the benefits at Eureka, which is near my neighborhood, is you have a combination, right? I mean, you have some of the rubber surface along with the wood chips, so maybe that could help with some of that cost savings in there as well, so. Yes.

483
00:53:18,500 --> 00:53:29,820
 And then I guess there was another question about the granite. We could always, because this is just a conceptual design, more of your, just kind of your visionary plan.

484
00:53:29,820 --> 00:53:38,220
 If your suggestion was to take that granite out and put concrete in, we could definitely do that too, so.

485
00:53:38,220 --> 00:53:51,100
 We were also experimenting with some epoxy mixers that go into the granite to where it still allows the granite to percolate, which the water can go through it, but it stays together.

486
00:53:51,100 --> 00:54:12,660
 So we're looking at, we've tried it in one area and it was more of a cheaper brand and it worked for a couple months and then kind of washed away. So we're looking at more expensive brands and better brands to be able to use to really mix in with that granite and let it set, and it still makes it to where it's permeable.

487
00:54:12,660 --> 00:54:23,420
 But yet, it really feels like concrete, except for a little bit more of a texture because of the crushed granite, so.

488
00:54:23,420 --> 00:54:26,420
 Beth, I saw your hand up then Sally.

489
00:54:26,420 --> 00:54:31,580
 Yes, I was just going to mention the same with the last part we discussed.

490
00:54:31,580 --> 00:54:52,420
 When it comes to benches, it's always good to have a wide variety of benches, some that are flat, some that have backs, some that are wider, some that are skinnier because there are so many different types of people that need different things, but especially having some that have backs.

491
00:54:52,420 --> 00:54:55,460
 Picnic benches are not the way to go.

492
00:54:55,460 --> 00:54:57,940
 Thanks for that info, I noted that.

493
00:54:57,940 --> 00:55:02,860
 Thank you. Sorry. Thank you, Bill.

494
00:55:02,860 --> 00:55:27,900
 Yeah, I was just going to reiterate that concrete is just easier for everybody to move across, but I don't, I'm not familiar with the binding device you're talking about for the gravel, so I can't really speak to the difference, but just in general, concrete is just so much easier to move across for everybody.

495
00:55:27,900 --> 00:55:29,900
 Thank you.

496
00:55:29,900 --> 00:55:36,900
 We totally agree, and it's easier to maintain for us, so.

497
00:55:36,900 --> 00:55:49,900
 Just a comment on the epoxy with the mix with the granite. I know that there are some environmental implications when it comes to epoxy, do you guys, you said that.

498
00:55:49,900 --> 00:55:56,900
 It's not quite an epoxy, but that's the closest, I guess, example that I can give.

499
00:55:56,900 --> 00:56:13,900
 It's actually, it's really, it's a green product, so meaning it's either recycled material or it's already accepted by, you know, either an organic entity or other kind of green entity or lead entity.

500
00:56:13,900 --> 00:56:36,900
 So it, I'm sorry if I use that epoxy word, but that's the closest thing that I could really relate it to, because it's a really pretty new product out on the market that people are using really to still give that aesthetic appeal of that, you know, pretty crushed granite, but still make it, you know, completely, you know, ADA accessible and friendly, so.

501
00:56:36,900 --> 00:56:44,900
 Thanks.

502
00:56:44,900 --> 00:56:51,900
 Any other questions or feedback.

503
00:56:51,900 --> 00:56:54,900
 Thank you gentlemen for that presentation.

504
00:56:54,900 --> 00:56:59,900
 Thank you guys for your time.

505
00:56:59,900 --> 00:57:16,900
 Okay, we will move on to item E, CPD 21017. Receive a report over the discussion and give staff direction regarding the 909 North Loop 288 Facility Project.

506
00:57:16,900 --> 00:57:45,900
 Good afternoon committee. Danny Shaw Community Services. I'll open up a presentation. I'm just going to share a little information about the project that we're working on at 909 Loop 288. It's a project that we are entering into with a partner in our community, our Daily Bread that has merged with Monsignor King to provide co-located 24 hour, seven day a week services for people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.

507
00:57:45,900 --> 00:57:50,900
 Thank you.

508
00:57:50,900 --> 00:57:53,900
 Are you able to see the presentation?

509
00:57:53,900 --> 00:57:54,900
 Yes.

510
00:57:54,900 --> 00:57:56,900
 Thank you.

511
00:57:56,900 --> 00:58:20,900
 This particular project came out of direction from City Council to look at a way in which we would have services available to our folks in the community who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness on a more regular basis, including a day shelter, which does not currently exist in the city of Denton, other than the services that are provided at our Daily Bread for a part of the day.

512
00:58:20,900 --> 00:58:44,900
 So when we looked at that direction from Council, we identified a property in the city and it was identified specifically because of its location and land use options. It's surrounded by city property. It is connected to a residential area behind it, but mostly it's pretty much surrounded by vacant areas.

513
00:58:44,900 --> 00:58:57,900
 It's also was an underutilized property. Then you can see from this image here, the city owns a property to the north and the west, and it had enough space to provide for some growth in the future.

514
00:58:57,900 --> 00:59:07,900
 It's a 34,000 square foot building. It's what's bordered in the yellow. It's an H frame building with four wings and a common area in the center.

515
00:59:07,900 --> 00:59:21,900
 Some of the other benefits of this location originally had to do with the bus stop and its location is in close proximity to Serve Denton, which is just less than a mile away to the south.

516
00:59:21,900 --> 00:59:34,900
 As an update for where we are in the process of the work on Loop 28, we did complete the purchase in August of this year. It did require a zoning change, which was completed in November.

517
00:59:34,900 --> 00:59:46,900
 We have been working with an architect, Kirkpatrick Art Textural Studios, that helped us with the initial schematic design, some cost estimates, and developed the design for the project, which I'll show you in a second.

518
00:59:46,900 --> 00:59:59,900
 And then that moved us towards getting direction from council to move forward with the construction design for the renovation of this project, and that's where we are in that process right now.

519
00:59:59,900 --> 01:00:14,900
 This is what the concept is for this shelter. As I mentioned earlier, it's an H shape, so it has four separate wings. And so, because of that, it gave us an opportunity to provide different services in each of the wings.

520
01:00:14,900 --> 01:00:36,900
 In the top right, the emergency shelter, it'll increase our bed capacity for folks experiencing homelessness to 120 beds. It will have 10 separate rooms, so it also has some COVID modifications to allow us for means of separation and quarantine should we need it, both under COVID or any other future need.

521
01:00:36,900 --> 01:00:52,900
 To the left of that, as the commercial kitchen, so this would expand our daily bread services significantly by providing a larger kitchen and the ability to produce more meals for folks who are not only experiencing homelessness, but the folks who join them who are food insecure.

522
01:00:52,900 --> 01:01:11,900
 The central section is designed to be a multi-use area, so it's a dining hall, but it would provide another significant amount of flexibility for meeting space and or increased space for inclement weather, should we need to increase bed nights for folks.

523
01:01:11,900 --> 01:01:30,900
 The majority of what doesn't happen in the community doesn't have space and what is the addition to by adding this facility is the program services area. We'll have a significant amount of resources to provide much more than just food and shelter, where services can be delivered by community partners who will co-locate with these organizations.

524
01:01:30,900 --> 01:01:51,900
 So there'll be classrooms for trainings and education and workforce development, there'll be a health room for wellness, there'll be a computer center, and then several intake rooms or case management rooms for people to meet with their case managers on whatever issues they might be facing in order to help them with their housing stability or other needs.

525
01:01:51,900 --> 01:02:12,900
 And then to the right on the bottom is our enhanced shelter model. This is something that we developed here, we learned about how another community was helping to overcome barriers to shelter that happen for folks where they can't, and they labeled it kind of the three P's, pets, partners, and possessions.

526
01:02:12,900 --> 01:02:22,900
 So oftentimes people find that shelter is a barrier because they can't bring their pets with them, they can't stay with their partner, they can't bring their possessions in, and that's a risk for loss for them.

527
01:02:22,900 --> 01:02:30,900
 And so the enhanced shelter model sort of helps us overcome those barriers by giving folks a right to a bed every night.

528
01:02:30,900 --> 01:02:39,900
 So a place to store their belongings, a place to be during the day. So again, helping to overcome some of those barriers to help people who may not be able to stay in shelter traditionally.

529
01:02:39,900 --> 01:02:50,900
 So that's the model that is currently designed and what we're looking at offering. It offers a significant increase in space for both program services and kitchen area and the dining hall.

530
01:02:50,900 --> 01:02:57,900
 So it will also help with the growth needs that our Daily Bread currently is experiencing.

531
01:02:57,900 --> 01:03:08,900
 Again, this is just a written overview, what I showed you in the visual. We will see an increase in shelter beds, both in the emergency shelter and in the enhanced shelter model.

532
01:03:08,900 --> 01:03:13,900
 And then a kind of a list of the different services that could be provided in each of those areas.

533
01:03:13,900 --> 01:03:21,900
 There will also be a large laundry area for people to be able to do laundry during the day or in the evenings.

534
01:03:21,900 --> 01:03:36,900
 And showers for the days, folks with increasing amount of restrooms. So again, a lot of benefits to people having services and some of their basic needs cared for during the day as well as in the evening.

535
01:03:36,900 --> 01:03:41,900
 And then just really for the final side, just to give folks an idea of where we are in the timeline.

536
01:03:41,900 --> 01:03:48,900
 We did present to council to seek approval to move forward with the construction. They did give us that direction in April.

537
01:03:48,900 --> 01:03:59,900
 So we're finalizing the construction documents that help us take it out to bid to get the contractors and the subcontractors on board to help with the renovation.

538
01:03:59,900 --> 01:04:09,900
 So we'll start that in August once we secure our contractor. We'll begin construction after the bidding process and it will likely be another 12 months.

539
01:04:09,900 --> 01:04:20,900
 So we're looking for substantial completion in October of 2022. And then the facility would be operational by December of 2020.

540
01:04:20,900 --> 01:04:31,900
 So with that, Mr. Chair, I'll take the presentation down and be happy to accept any comments or questions from the committee.

541
01:04:31,900 --> 01:04:59,900
 >> One of the quick questions I had, I couldn't read on the enhanced section of the number of ADA rooms. Is that four? >> Yes, right now it's proposed to be four. >> Okay. The first thing I think of with that section are individuals with disabilities who have a care attendant or who have maybe medical equipment that they can't travel in and out of.

542
01:04:59,900 --> 01:05:08,900
 So that four seems kind of low. >> I appreciate that feedback. I will let you know that this facility actually used to be a nursing home.

543
01:05:08,900 --> 01:05:17,900
 And so even the rooms that are not fully ADA accessible have wider doors and larger room spaces to accommodate hospital beds and those kinds of things.

544
01:05:17,900 --> 01:05:25,900
 So I think that we'll be able to make accommodations in any room for folks depending on their special needs. >> Okay.

545
01:05:25,900 --> 01:05:46,900
 I'll just ask if possible maybe to increase that number in that area. Because if we're talking about more long-term stay or day stay, my first thought is someone with a significant disability with a caretaker, with medical equipment, a service animal, a wheelchair, things of that nature.

546
01:05:46,900 --> 01:05:56,900
 >> Sure. Thank you for that feedback. >> That's the first thing that comes to mind. >> Okay. We will share that as well as we're developing. >> Great. Thank you.

547
01:05:56,900 --> 01:06:21,900
 >> Thank you, Chair. I do have a question. Danny, thank you very much for your presentation. I'm pretty familiar with that property. And I heard a lot of good things, but my one question is, is there a process in place to consider families who may be facing homelessness?

548
01:06:21,900 --> 01:06:39,900
 >> In this particular property, we're not looking at that. But we are in conversations with some of our other community partners about how to create more of the family shelter model. So while the Salvation Army is looking at some different models itself, one of those is to fill that gap and to provide those resources.

549
01:06:39,900 --> 01:06:59,900
 Right now, the community's accommodation is to put families in hotels as a way to create that shelter environment for that particular group. But it is definitely a gap in our community. >> Definitely a huge need. And I did hear you mention a partnership with Sir Denton, was that correct?

550
01:06:59,900 --> 01:07:20,900
 >> Well, that partnership, it is located directly to the south. So with health services down there, the Denton Community Food Center, all of those things, we are talking about transportation options, too. So I think we'll have some opportunities to collaborate significantly with the nonprofits that are located in both facilities to provide services.

551
01:07:20,900 --> 01:07:36,900
 >> Okay. And is Wheeler House still in operation? >> For now, Grace Lecherein is operating the emergency shelter part of it. They are housing families with children. It's four units available right now for them.

552
01:07:36,900 --> 01:07:44,900
 >> Well, I think the idea and the initiative is needed and welcome. And I appreciate your presentation. Thank you. >> Thank you.

553
01:07:44,900 --> 01:08:06,900
 >> No more questions. >> Beth. >> I have two questions. On the larger shelter, did I see that it said bunk beds? >> It will. It will have bunk beds in each of the rooms.

554
01:08:06,900 --> 01:08:24,900
 The bunk beds are just really difficult for a lot of disabilities, even small disabilities. I don't mean small, but even if you just have mild arthritis and normally do okay, bunk beds are hard.

555
01:08:24,900 --> 01:08:34,900
 >> Yes, and I think that's something we're looking at. But for the number of folks that we need to provide shelter for, we can make reasonable accommodations.

556
01:08:34,900 --> 01:08:46,900
 >> Yeah, I mean, if you've just got a bum knee from playing football, then you can't climb the ladder to get to the bunk bed. >> Right. And I think that Monsignor King already deals with that as it has the 92-bed facility.

557
01:08:46,900 --> 01:08:56,900
 Currently, it's reduced down to 40, but they're still utilizing the bunk beds. And so they work with those issues on a daily basis for folks in the shelter and make those accommodations.

558
01:08:56,900 --> 01:09:10,900
 >> Okay. My second question was, are there going to be mental health services available? >> Yes, ma'am. There's the plan that, in fact, in our daily beds overall planning, so they'll be managing the operations there.

559
01:09:10,900 --> 01:09:19,900
 But they will be building multiple relationships with multiple community partners. And so there are spaces available for those partners to come in and provide services on-site.

560
01:09:19,900 --> 01:09:34,900
 I think that's the real benefit, not requiring folks to travel to services, but the services will be brought to them. And it will include services like that, mental health services, health care services, workforce services, transportation access, educational resources.

561
01:09:34,900 --> 01:09:46,900
 And again, all being able to be provided on-site instead of requiring so much transportation around the community to access those services. >> Thank you. >> And then it'll be available 24/7. So I think that's another plus to this facility.

562
01:09:46,900 --> 01:10:01,900
 >> Thank you. It's well-needed and it's time. I'm glad it's happening. >> Thank you.

563
01:10:01,900 --> 01:10:26,900
 >> How does this differ from Pasadena? >> How is it different from what? I'm sorry. >> Pasadena. The big thing that is going to puzzle up. South of y'all. South of you.

564
01:10:26,900 --> 01:10:42,900
 >> South of y'all. >> I'm not sure which facility she's talking about. >> Is that right? >> Yeah. >> Oh, is it how is it different from Serve Denton? >> Yes. >> Sorry. Yes. Serve Denton provides services on-site with their partners.

565
01:10:42,900 --> 01:10:59,900
 So this particular focus here with the Loop 28 facility will be on homelessness and people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. So it's just a more targeted population with other services that are similar being health care provision and food provision.

566
01:10:59,900 --> 01:11:19,900
 So it just expands on what Serve Denton. Serve Denton doesn't provide daily meals. Serve Denton doesn't provide shelter beds. So that's really the significant differences here. And then the services will be directed to just one targeted population where Serve Denton has agencies that serve a broader base of service needs as well.

567
01:11:19,900 --> 01:11:43,900
 >> Thank you. I did want you to let people know that. >> No, thank you for asking. And I apologize for not understanding the organization. >> Sally. >> Yeah, just wanted to say I think y'all have done a good job with the planning overall with it. And I'm just so glad to see what's happening for this.

568
01:11:43,900 --> 01:12:02,900
 And please thank everybody that's been involved. It's just really impressive. >> Thank you. We will. >> Are there any other questions or feedback? Oh, camera. Yes.

569
01:12:02,900 --> 01:12:27,900
 >> Yes, camera. >> No. No. >> Oh, no, you don't. Okay. I'm sorry. Is there any other questions? We'll move on. Thank you, Daddy, for the presentation. We appreciate it. >> Thank you. Thank you for the opportunity to share information about the project.

570
01:12:27,900 --> 01:12:42,900
 We'll obviously be reaching out for more feedback as we move through the process. So thank you again, and hopefully you'll engage with us in the future, too. >> Definitely. Thank you. >> Have a good day. >> Okay.

571
01:12:42,900 --> 01:13:03,900
 >> We'll move on to item F, CBD 21-018. Receive a report, hold a discussion and give staff direction regarding an overview of the critical care customer utility designation and process.

572
01:13:03,900 --> 01:13:26,900
 >> Hi, guys. My name is Melissa, and I have Liana. We are with customer service here for the City of Dutton. And today we're going to be talking about the critical care customer program. I'm going to pull up our presentation.

573
01:13:26,900 --> 01:13:39,900
 Thank you. So as far as this program, it's definitely not a new program. But I know recently with the winter storm we had, we had numerous questions in regards to how this program worked.

574
01:13:39,900 --> 01:13:55,900
 Today what we're really hoping to get out of it is we really need feedback to bring more awareness to this program. So we're going to go over how it works, how you can sign up, who qualifies, and then at the end, if you guys can give us that feedback, we would really appreciate it.

575
01:13:55,900 --> 01:14:14,900
 So as far as who qualifies, so any residential customer that has a doctor's diagnosis requiring one of the following, an electric-powered medical device to sustain life or an electric heating or cooling due to a serious medical condition.

576
01:14:14,900 --> 01:14:33,900
 So for this program, it is good for two years. We'll go over how the form works, but this form would have to be filled out once every two years. We would notify the customer, the critical care customer in regards to when that expiration date is coming up by sending them a letter and getting in touch with them.

577
01:14:33,900 --> 01:14:45,900
 So as far as what it does, it ensures that medically vulnerable customers receive that additional contact in the event that the utility services are scheduled for interruption for non-payment.

578
01:14:45,900 --> 01:15:14,900
 So this doesn't relieve obligation to pay for the services used, just like any of our customers. If we do have our critical care customers that are needing extra help as far as, excuse me, I have really bad allergies. If they do need any sort of help for making those payments, they would need to reach out to us and we can discuss different assistance agencies that we work with, as well as payment arrangements.

579
01:15:14,900 --> 01:15:31,900
 To give you a little bit more information, like I said, this is to prevent service interruption for non-payment. So it won't keep you from being interrupted if we have power outages or mandated grid outages like we had back in February.

580
01:15:31,900 --> 01:15:58,900
 So this does give us the opportunity to have more abilities to contact that customer prior to those services being interrupted. We do make extra phone calls, send letters, and as well as leave door hangers prior to disconnecting that customer so they can reach out to us and either make payment or like I said earlier, we can offer assistance with our agencies as well as payment arrangements.

581
01:15:58,900 --> 01:16:11,900
 But as far as this, we can't guarantee that the services won't be interrupted. Even hospitals, they don't have that guarantee. They obviously have those generators that will keep, you know, anything from happening.

582
01:16:11,900 --> 01:16:22,900
 So customers must make alternate arrangements to accommodate that possible loss of electric services if electricity is a necessity.

583
01:16:22,900 --> 01:16:35,900
 So a little bit as far as how this form works, there's two parts to it. Part one is what our customer would fill out. So it's just their basic information with them signing and dating it.

584
01:16:35,900 --> 01:16:50,900
 That second part would be filled out by the doctor. So they would take that first portion completed, their doctor would fill out the second part, and with their signature license number, they would either email it or fax it over to us.

585
01:16:50,900 --> 01:17:04,900
 And at that point, once we receive it, we ensure that it's noted properly on the account. So with this, we basically are just trusting the doctor's determination to making sure we have that account noted correctly.

586
01:17:04,900 --> 01:17:23,900
 As far as where you can get this form, it is on our website. So it's under customer service department. Off to the right side, you'll see where it shows helpful resources, and then it shows that document, and it'll take you over to where our forms are located.

587
01:17:23,900 --> 01:17:37,900
 We will be updating this probably within the next few weeks to where it's a little bit easier to grab that form, and it might be there on that main page. Customers can also reach out to us via email or giving us a call.

588
01:17:37,900 --> 01:17:44,900
 We can email it to them, or we can mail it directly if they don't have access to a printer.

589
01:17:44,900 --> 01:18:06,900
 So if you guys have any feedback as far as having better awareness for this program or any questions, y'all can go right ahead.

590
01:18:06,900 --> 01:18:15,900
 One of the questions I have when you're calling the customers, is it a person to person call or is it an automated call?

591
01:18:15,900 --> 01:18:36,900
 For all of our customers, we will have automated calls. What this critical care program does, it gives us an opportunity to have those extra contacts. So we will send letters, as well as leave a door hanger. So we'll send somebody out and leave a hanger on their door, letting them know that that interruption is coming into getting contact with us.

592
01:18:36,900 --> 01:18:53,900
 Okay, because I guess one of my concerns is with automated calls. You could be dealing with someone that's hard of hearing or deaf. Someone that doesn't understand the language if it's English.

593
01:18:53,900 --> 01:19:11,900
 Yeah. No, I definitely understand that. As far as the ways we communicate, we will make phone calls. Depending on what the language is, we have a language line. So I think it has all languages on there to where we can communicate that with the customer.

594
01:19:11,900 --> 01:19:24,900
 But that letter will still be mailed and then there'll still be that door hanger. So there's definitely a lot of steps prior to that disconnection to making sure that customer is aware that the services may be interrupted.

595
01:19:24,900 --> 01:19:38,900
 And then one more question. With the letter, will there be an opportunity for a customer to request a larger font or braille or even audio?

596
01:19:38,900 --> 01:19:58,900
 I'm not sure if we have talked about that. It's definitely something I can bring to our team and we can see where we can go with that. I think with the extra communication with the calls and the door hanger, hopefully that's not an issue, but it's definitely something we can talk about.

597
01:19:58,900 --> 01:20:15,900
 And we will, I apologize, we will make personal calls on a lot of those. When we see the collections team, a lot of times we'll send a personal call out because I mean, I myself personally, I don't always answer robo calls either. I'm like, I'll leave a message. I'll get to it.

598
01:20:15,900 --> 01:20:31,900
 So that is a concern. We also have, if we are not able to reach you or we have not heard from you from either the automated calls, the personal calls or the letter and after the door hanger, it is not something we remotely turn off the services.

599
01:20:31,900 --> 01:20:52,900
 We actually do have a technician that goes out in the field, knocks on the door and says, hey, you know, I'm here to shut this off. Are you able to make a phone call to make a payment? I can help you if you need to use the phone. If you are not able to make a payment, we also can contact emergency services to transport you to a hospital if that is needed as well.

600
01:20:52,900 --> 01:21:04,900
 So we want to make sure that we are doing everything we possibly can to help somebody before an interruption of service would happen.

601
01:21:04,900 --> 01:21:08,900
 Thank you.

602
01:21:08,900 --> 01:21:30,900
 Yes, my question was, how are you advertising this to the disability community? How are they supposed to know that this program exists? And along those lines, it seems like the form should be available at interfaith ministry since they are the ones that help with utility bills.

603
01:21:30,900 --> 01:21:38,900
 But also, have you all communicated this to area doctors' offices so that they can let their patients know about it?

604
01:21:38,900 --> 01:21:53,900
 That's a great question. So that's honestly the main reason why we're here. We're wanting more awareness of this program. Right now, obviously, if they call our customer service department, all of our representatives will know about it. It's on our website.

605
01:21:53,900 --> 01:22:06,900
 But we do need more ideas of how to bring this program a little bit more to life. I think with the winter storm, it kind of brought it up. But we definitely are open to any ideas you guys have to bring more awareness to this program.

606
01:22:06,900 --> 01:22:24,900
 Interfaith ministries is my first thought because they are the people that help with the utility bills if you're not able to pay. But it seems like doctors' offices around town need to be made aware of this program and possibly have the forms available in their offices.

607
01:22:24,900 --> 01:22:41,900
 Yeah, no, that's a great idea. I hadn't thought about that, but that makes a lot more sense. I know right now, like I said, they can grab it from our website or we can email it. But that's an amazing idea is having doctors' office having that available to them already.

608
01:22:41,900 --> 01:22:56,900
 And maybe other health resources like MHMR or other other places. Yes, ma'am. That's a great idea. Thank you.

609
01:22:56,900 --> 01:23:11,900
 Okay. Thank you very much for your presentation. My question is that you kind of touched on it, Beth, that the doctors are the ones completing the form and it's their responsibility to get that information back to your office.

610
01:23:11,900 --> 01:23:29,900
 How does the citizen who's requesting you be aware of their need going to know when the doctor returns that form? Is there a follow-up to say we have it on file, you want to double check the information, or do they just have blind faith and it's going to happen?

611
01:23:29,900 --> 01:23:44,900
 And I know that doctors will do that, but sometimes they do get busy and their staff equally busy. So just what is the piece to connect all of that to assure the person seeking the service is covered?

612
01:23:44,900 --> 01:24:03,900
 We do notify the customer after we receive that form from the doctor's office. We notify the customer that their account has been noted with the critical care alert, because there are quite a few steps on our side of that. So we want to make sure that the customer is aware that they do have that labeled to their account.

613
01:24:03,900 --> 01:24:19,900
 And again, we notify the customer, let them know that that is there. I think what they do is they send a letter out. I don't think we make a personal call on that one. We do send a letter notifying them that they have been approved and that alert has been added.

614
01:24:19,900 --> 01:24:36,900
 Awesome. Thank you. And it's another way to publicize that. The newsletter that comes with the utility bill is a resource for putting that information out. Maybe just do the whole page so it stands out from everything else that's in it. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

615
01:24:36,900 --> 01:24:37,900
 You're welcome.

616
01:24:37,900 --> 01:24:57,900
 Sonia. Another recommendation to consider as far as marketing and making the community aware of the program is when people sign up for their utilities, right?

617
01:24:57,900 --> 01:25:14,900
 So when they're starting new service to just go ahead and let them know that that is an option or a service that y'all have available. So that way, every every person who starts a new account has that information.

618
01:25:14,900 --> 01:25:18,900
 Thank you.

619
01:25:18,900 --> 01:25:32,900
 Next, Beth. Durable medical equipment companies as well are a great resource. The people that are actually providing the home health equipment that you're trying to keep from being turned off.

620
01:25:32,900 --> 01:25:39,900
 There are at least three durable medical equipment companies in town that I know of.

621
01:25:39,900 --> 01:25:50,900
 That's a very good suggestion. I hadn't thought of that either.

622
01:25:50,900 --> 01:25:54,900
 Are there any other questions?

623
01:25:54,900 --> 01:25:58,900
 Comments, feedback.

624
01:25:58,900 --> 01:26:01,900
 Great. Thank you both for your presentation.

625
01:26:01,900 --> 01:26:09,900
 Look forward to maybe getting a follow up in a few months to see how you developed the program.

626
01:26:09,900 --> 01:26:12,900
 Yeah, of course. We appreciate all the suggestions.

627
01:26:12,900 --> 01:26:15,900
 Thank you all very much for having us.

628
01:26:15,900 --> 01:26:18,900
 Thank you.

629
01:26:18,900 --> 01:26:22,900
 Okay.

630
01:26:22,900 --> 01:26:38,900
 Item G.

631
01:26:38,900 --> 01:26:42,900
 That is me.

632
01:26:42,900 --> 01:26:46,900
 Yes, just one small follow up item report item today.

633
01:26:46,900 --> 01:27:08,900
 As you may be aware, you know, virtual meetings have been were discussed at council on May 11th. And during that time, they're they gave direction to move toward a hybrid model with some of the boards and commissions starting to meet in person in June and others moving towards a hybrid model.

634
01:27:08,900 --> 01:27:22,900
 As part of this, what was recommended to council at that meeting and this may be the what was sent to you may be a bit out of date, just because that's kind of the nature of the pandemic, things become obsolete pretty quickly.

635
01:27:22,900 --> 01:27:31,900
 I wanted to let this committee know in case there were questions on the part of the members of whether or not this would this committee would resume in person meetings anytime soon.

636
01:27:31,900 --> 01:27:46,900
 The answer to that is that that they will not at least not before September, we will continue to host meetings with a virtual option at the very least, and all likelihood of fully virtual meeting going forward.

637
01:27:46,900 --> 01:27:56,900
 So I did want to let the committee know, and then also mentioned our next meeting is scheduled for July 15 at three o'clock via zoom.

638
01:27:56,900 --> 01:28:19,900
 Okay. Thank you. Right. I'm concluding items. They want I wanted to go back real quick to the DC to your presentation and just maybe ask you Ryan and the committee just to get a feel for what everybody be interested in having a, I guess a special meeting to receive that

639
01:28:19,900 --> 01:28:34,900
 presentation. It's not a voting item and if I could just get a nod a hand up. Yes, who would be there and who would, because it would be before our next meeting, obviously.

640
01:28:34,900 --> 01:28:36,900
 Very important.

641
01:28:36,900 --> 01:28:45,900
 Okay. So Ryan and I guess the question would be, would you be able to connect with them and maybe get us a date or two to.

642
01:28:45,900 --> 01:28:49,900
 I'll get some perspective.

643
01:28:49,900 --> 01:29:04,900
 I'll get their availability maybe just get a couple. That way we have a few options and then I'll work with each of the committee members on an individual basis to gauge availability and work with the, the one that works with most, most committee member schedules.

644
01:29:04,900 --> 01:29:06,900
 Great.

645
01:29:06,900 --> 01:29:15,900
 So they're concluding and I'll items announcements.

646
01:29:15,900 --> 01:29:22,900
 Yes, camera.

647
01:29:22,900 --> 01:29:29,900
 You still on your camera.

648
01:29:29,900 --> 01:29:31,900
 Thank you.

649
01:29:31,900 --> 01:29:41,900
 You'll turn me in the house.

650
01:29:41,900 --> 01:29:45,900
 Then the captain.

651
01:29:45,900 --> 01:29:49,900
 Did you bargain.

652
01:29:49,900 --> 01:29:53,900
 Some of them didn't don't have.

653
01:29:53,900 --> 01:30:02,900
 So please get not.

654
01:30:02,900 --> 01:30:07,900
 Other people pay the funds.

655
01:30:07,900 --> 01:30:26,900
 They're working their lives away.

656
01:30:26,900 --> 01:30:29,900
 Okay.

657
01:30:29,900 --> 01:30:33,900
 Looking at that.

658
01:30:33,900 --> 01:30:39,900
 Anyone else.

659
01:30:39,900 --> 01:30:45,900
 I'm just a reminder July is disability pride month.

660
01:30:45,900 --> 01:30:52,900
 So I know disability inclusion society will be having some virtual events that month so.

661
01:30:52,900 --> 01:30:55,900
 I keep an eye open for that.

662
01:30:55,900 --> 01:31:06,900
 Next month.

663
01:31:06,900 --> 01:31:10,900
 Other than that, I think we are done.

664
01:31:10,900 --> 01:31:17,900
 Anyone who would like to make a motion to conclude.

665
01:31:17,900 --> 01:31:19,900
 I second.

666
01:31:19,900 --> 01:31:20,900
 Second.

667
01:31:20,900 --> 01:31:23,900
 All in favor or do I need to go one by one.

668
01:31:23,900 --> 01:31:27,900
 Okay.

669
01:31:27,900 --> 01:31:28,900
 Actually, this is not a voting item.

670
01:31:28,900 --> 01:31:30,900
 You can simply, you can simply adjourn the meeting.

671
01:31:30,900 --> 01:31:32,900
 You are the, you are the chair.

672
01:31:32,900 --> 01:31:37,900
 The meeting will be adjourned. Thank you everyone.

673
01:31:37,900 --> 01:31:40,900
 And we'll see each other sooner than, than July.

674
01:31:40,900 --> 01:31:41,900
 Thank you, Ryan.

675
01:31:41,900 --> 01:31:43,900
 Thank you for coming everyone. Good to see you, Beth.