Good afternoon, everyone. It is Wednesday, Thursday, I'm sorry, May 20th, 2021. This
is the Denton City Committee on Persons with Disabilities meeting. Welcome and welcome to
our committee members. We will get started. It looks like we have everyone here. We're
missing one committee person, Sam Alphonse, and we're not sure if that is excused or unexcused,
but that is our absence for this meeting today. Do we have any presentations from the public?
No, Chair, not today. Thank you.
Okay, thank you. Okay, we'll move on then to items for consideration, letter A, CPD
21-013. Consider the approval of the minutes for March 18th, 2021.
I move to approve.
Okay. Was that Tamra? Thank you, Tamra. And Joe seconds. So this is a voting item. So
I will go across the screen and just say yay or nay. Val?
Yay.
Okay. John?
Yay.
Okay. Allison?
Yay.
Okay. Sally?
Yay.
Okay. Joe?
Yay.
Beth?
Yay.
And Tamra?
Yay.
Okay. And I'm missing one. Why is it hard to read today?
Sonya.
I'm sorry?
Well, Sonya. It's Sonya.
Okay. Thank you.
Okay. So the minutes have been approved. We'll move on to letter B, CPD 21-014. Is the receiver
report hold the discussion and give staff direction regarding information provided by
the Denton County Transportation Authority GoZone on demand service public input and feedback
opportunities.
And Mr. Chair, I'd like to introduce Mary Worlington with DCTA who's going to give the committee
a brief presentation on the input and feedback initiative that DCTA is executing right now
on their GoZone program. And so I'll leave it to Mary. Thank you for coming.
Thank you very much for coming.
Thank you, Ryan. Thank you, Val. Thank you everyone for having me. I'm Mary Worthington
and I'm the Community Relations Manager for DCTA. I'm going to share my screen. I have
five slides that I want to move through quickly so I don't take up too much of your time.
So bear with me as I share my screen.
And if someone would let me know that they can see the screen, that's always helpful.
Ryan, do you see the screen?
Not yet.
Okay, let me pull the slides over to the screen. Sometimes that's easier. Okay. Anybody see
it yet?
There we go.
Yummy, yummy.
That's popped up.
Okay, so you see it.
Yes, I think we're good.
So I'm here today to talk to you about our proposed GoZone on-demand ride share services.
DCTA and under the direction of our Board of Directors is proposing to make changes
to our services. We're in a public involvement period and this is from April 19th to June
25th. And so what we're seeking from you all is feedback. And this I'm going to talk today
at a high level about the changes and then how to give the feedback. I'm going to tell
you first all about the GoZone. The GoZone is zone-based and on-demand. What's being
proposed is that the fixed route buses for DCTA would go away and we would offer a ride
share service using vans of Chrysler Pacifica to be more specific. And you would use an
app on your phone, an app-based booking or call our customer service. It's operated by
a company called Via that we are partnering with. This would replace the majority of our
Connect fixed routes or fixed bus routes and on-demand zone services. The really good things
that the benefits are that it would extend our service area beyond where DCTA operates
right now. So it would operate, it would go to more places in Denton. It would go to more
places in Lewisville and Highland Village. And the other benefit would improve some customer
or improve customer experience, shorter wait time, streamlined booking process. So here's
a graphic for you. I'm very visual so this helps me understand things. These are the
benefits. Like I said, improve rider experience, enhance service delivery, it will build DCTA
service efficiency, short wait times, bike racks on vehicles. We will now operate 365
days of the year. We will be operating on Sunday. The vehicles will be wheelchair accessible.
It extends the service area in Denton, also in Highland Village and Lewisville. There's
a convenient mobile app. You will have the ability to pre-book trips. So if you have
a medical appointment or you have something that you need to attend, you can pre-book
your trip ahead of time. So these are the benefits of the GoZone. This is just a little
bit about the partnership that we have. It is with a company called Via. What I like
to tell people is not only have they been working all around the world putting in this
on-demand service, but very close to home in Arlington and Fort Worth is the Via service.
They call there something different, but they are doing this for the city of Arlington and
for the city of Fort Worth. It's an opportunity for DCTA to partner with someone that has
some incredible software and technology and a great service delivery model. And it's the
technology that will allow us to provide this great service. This is just another image
of what this GoZone is going to look like. Again, I'm visual, so I'm like, what does
the vehicle look like? Well, it's going to be a van. It's going to be wrapped in the
DCTA logo branded as DCTA Chrysler Pacifica. It can hold up to six passengers. If you use
GoZone, you may not have other passengers, and then you may share your ride. And then
one of the great benefits is Via will be able to scale the quantity of the vehicles up or
down based on the ridership demand. So we are excited about that. This is something
that some people think sounds really great. If lots of people are using the on-demand
GoZone service, we'll be able to tell in real time with real time data that we need more
vehicles on the street. If people aren't using it, then we'll pull back and we'll scale to
service. This will allow us to have what's called virtual stops instead of the bus stops
that you maybe are aware of. Virtual stops is what's going to allow us to increase and
expand the service. So you will be able to put in your address, have the DCTA GoZone
respond somewhere close to the address that you want to be picked up, and then it will
take you to a drop off point somewhere close that you need to go to your destination. If
you are ADA qualified, you can have the GoZone service pick you up at your residence and
drop you off at the destination of where you're going. It provides passengers with more pickup
and drop off location. So that is just a quick overview, but Ryan really wanted me to emphasize
and ask you all to get involved in the feedback process. We need to hear from this committee
and from your friends and family members. And so you can give feedback by going to the
special microsite for this GoZone proposal. It's dctafeedback.net and you can give feedback
until June 25th. This is what I really need feedback on. I need you to give feedback on
the map boundaries and that's on the website. Talk to me and talk to us about the service
day and hours, the booking process. We would like to hear from you about the fare and what
you think the cost, the proposed and promotional cost is. We also just want any general feedback,
general thoughts, any concerns, additional questions you may have and we will answer
your questions. We ask for about a 48 hour turnaround in answering those questions. Then
there are three surveys, a general survey, a fair survey and immediate feedback survey.
So all of that is very important to me and I really can't emphasize enough how much I
need your feedback. Also, I'm available for presentations to any other groups that you
may be associated with who would benefit in learning about GoZone and giving feedback
to us. And I'm also available for any one-on-one question and answer sessions. So my email
is here and you can email me and I will make myself available to have a call, online meeting
or even a face-to-face now. Ryan has all of my contact information. He has the slides.
We're going to leave it with the committee and I just thank you all so much for being
interested in this public feedback period. And again, thank you for participating in
the process and giving us the feedback. You're important to DCTA.
And Mary, if I can go ahead and ask you to. Well, you just did it.
And if there were any questions, did you want me to take those now, Ryan, or did you want
to send those in? That'd be great to get the committee members
an opportunity to ask questions. And one of the things that I requested of the committee
was to be able to provide DCTA feedback on how they could more effectively engage the
disability community in and around Denton. And I wanted to make sure that this group
had the opportunity to give them any input on how they can effectively do that. Plus
any other questions the group might have. I want to say hi first to Joe because my daughter's
booth at the Denton Community Market is next to Joe. She has breakable ceramics and Joe
has beautiful artwork, if y'all don't know. So hi, Joe. And I would love to be better
connected with you all. So we certainly want DCTA to hear from this group.
Mary, I have a question. Go ahead, John. I'll let you go.
I have two quick questions. One is, is it in service now?
No, it starts September 7th. Okay. And then if this works out, are you guys
just gonna do away with a paratransit shuttle? We will eventually. So, John, we have two
with three phases, really. And so paratransit will be part of phase two and we will use
GoZone vehicles to operate our paratransits. Gotcha. Okay.
Good question, though. I have a question.
Yes, ma'am. Go ahead, ma'am.
Okay. Thank you, Chair. One, what is a fare for just a local pick-up drop-off?
A local one-way fare is $0.75. And that's promotional right now. It will be for the
first six months. And is it a cash app or a ticket system?
How does that work for someone who needs that service frequently?
You can pay through the app. You can also pay on the vehicle.
Thank you. Thank you, Val. My questions are, will service animals
be allowed to ride on the vehicles? And also, are the drivers going to be willing
to help load wheelchairs or scooters in and out of the vehicles?
Beth, that's a great question. And yes, service animals are allowed on the vehicle and the
drivers are trained to help load and unload your wheelchair, your scooter, your mobility
device. Let me ask real quick, Mary.
I know today's presentation was more on how to access the feedback portals, but I see
we have questions here. So is this appropriate to continue asking
your questions specific to the program? Ryan, do we have time for that?
Sorry, I had to unmute. So this item was focused more on giving feedback
on how the disability community can be engaged. And we want to do that because I know you
have a more thorough presentation that goes through a lot more detail with this program.
I think what I would encourage the individual members to do is if they have questions related
to the service, I think you've given your contact information out and they can reach
out to you with any particular questions, whether it's a personal question or maybe
from a constituency that they represent. And I think that if there's a desire on the
part of the committee to receive the full presentation and give feedback as a committee,
we can certainly do that perhaps in a specially called meeting before our next regularly scheduled
meeting. So perhaps in June. Unfortunately, we weren't
able to do a full-fledged presentation today just due to time constraints and the other
items that have been requested by the committee and by the council to be heard.
So does that answer your question, Val? Yes and no.
I guess for me, I would like to see the presentation and I think I would like the committee as
a group to be part of the Q&A after the presentation. So Mary, if that's a possibility, we can
put something on the calendar before the June 25th date, I believe you said.
Yeah, I'm happy to present to another at another committee meeting. We also have four town hall
meetings scheduled. You are more than welcome to participate in the town halls. The dates
are listed on dctafeedback.net. But again, I will work with Ryan to coordinate anything
that the committee requests. I'm a caregiver in the background. He's asking
if it will run 24 hours a day. No, it won't run 24 hours a day, Joe. But
the hours will be extended. And so that's a very exciting offering that it will go later
in the evenings and go later on Friday nights and Saturday nights. And then for any of you
all that are wondering or you know would like a way to get to a house of worship, it will
run on Sundays. I can see we're going to have a lot of questions
and answers. So should we go ahead, Ryan, and try to schedule something?
I can definitely work with Mary for a future full presentation for the committee. Although
I think if there's any feedback on the part of the committee on how with the feedback
period ending June 25th, if the committee has any recommendations about in addition
to coming back to this committee with a presentation, any other ways that can engage and get really
good feedback from the disability committee, I think that would be valuable information
for DCA to hear early on so that they can act on it before June 25th.
Mary, I will send you an email because I need a grassroots group for disabled people. So
I think we can get also a different crowd. I welcome that. Send it my way.
Yeah. But for this committee, I think it's important as an advisory committee to counsel
that have the opportunity to view the entire presentation and then be able to provide feedback.
Last question, Beth. I just wanted to make Mary aware that there's
already a petition online created by some people in the disability community that are
very against this because they're afraid that they'll lose access to transportation.
And it might be helpful to reach out to some of the people that are supporting that.
Thank you. Yes. We were made aware of that on Monday.
Just wanted to make sure you knew. Thank you.
Great. All right, Ryan. Thank you.
Mary, thank you very much. Yes. Thank you, Chairman. And I will hopefully
see you all soon. Yes. Thank you.
Bye-bye. Bye.
Okay. We will move forward. Let me pull up the agenda here. With Item C, CBD 21015, Receiving
Report holds a discussion against staff direction regarding the Bowling Green Park Master Plan
for the property located at 2200 Bowling Green Street.
Hello, everybody. Good afternoon. My name is Adam Shorter. Just give me one second and
I will share my screen with the presentation. Can everybody see my screen?
Yes. Good deal. All right. Well, once again, good afternoon,
Chair and committee. Thank you for your time here today to discuss the Bowling Green Park
Master Plan and Visionary. My name is Adam Shorter. I'm a recreation supervisor for the
Parks and Recreation Department. We have been working with Pacheco Koch Consulting Engineers
throughout this process and they have designed the following concepts for the Bowling Green
Park and Master Plan. We presented these concepts in a virtual community meeting to the Parks
and Beautification Board as well as City Council back in April. We received some great feedback
from all of them and we would now like to present and receive your input and questions
at the end of this presentation. Starting off here, you will see what we have
currently. We have the half-mile existing trail with planing beds to the north as well
as existing tree stands and recently the renovated playground to the south. Our goals here are
to enlarge the community garden, provide more inclusive amenities, lengthen our existing
trail that we have now, and provide future connections to North Lakes Park. Some of the
common factors in these concepts that you'll see coming up is to plan on the sidewalks
measuring at least 5 feet wide in the parking area. The paths between garden beds are designed
to be at least 5 feet wide, could be modified with compacted gravel or concrete and the
park trail being 10 feet wide. The raised garden beds that you see in these slides are
planned to be anywhere from 18 to 24 inches high and at least 4 feet wide.
So with this first concept, you will see the trail being extended to the north but then
wraps back around short of Windsor. The changes here are the extension of the trail and the
organization of the garden beds, planning more trees to the south of the park near the
parking lot and as well as building a bridge at legend point 7 that kind of leads over
into the forest on the far side. And here is just kind of a closer look at some of the
garden beds, the orchard, the tree orchard, the playground here at 4. And then you also
see just kind of some examples of raised garden beds, what the pavilion will look like, and
etc. through those. As well as here just kind of some examples of the fruit tree orchards,
some different type of seating throughout the park, as well as trash cans.
Right here is concept 2, which was heavily favored by our residents who participated
in the community input meeting, as well as part boarding council. One of the big things
they wanted to see with this concept was a longer trail, which you will see here in concept
3 here in a moment. This concept shows the pavilion area being centralized and surrounded
by the garden, the fruit tree orchard grove, as well as the tree nut orchard grove, with
the existing play area towards the south. The trail concept is the same as concept 1,
except the tree is providing shade for a good portion of the west side of the trail, and
the parking lot area would have angled parking spots rather than just being unmarked right
now and everybody just parking as they will.
A closer look at the gardens, you just see how the shape is different, and the orchards
are all together surrounding the pavilion, and it kind of gives some examples of what
potential garden beds can look like as well, and some other potential pavilions, and same
thing here with fruit tree orchards, some more examples and more examples of seeding
and trash cans here as well.
This last concept is concept 3. This one had some positives to it, but the major takeaway
from this concept was that the trail extends all the way to the north off the park to Windsor,
which provides connection over into North Lakes Park. There are some nicer amenities
with this concept, and the parking area is just more of a straight pull, and that's just
kind of the major differences.
And then you get a little bit closer look with the different design of the garden beds
and the trees and where they're placed, as well as with some other examples of the raised
garden beds, paths, and the pavilions as well.
And then more examples of the orchards, some different seeding options, and the trash cans
as well.
This slide shows a bigger picture of the trail, just showing you how far it will lead up,
and you'll see that it leads all the way up into almost being at North Lakes.
The residents did like the labyrinth designs that you see here, but they did feel that
it just didn't really fit in with the park aesthetics that we're going on a Bowling Green.
As stated before, the overall feedback has been positive in most of the audiences that
we presented to favoring concept two with concept three's trail. We had a resident in
Bowling Green area that was pretty avid about limiting concrete sidewalks in the trail,
but was met with most of the residents being in favor for it for concrete paths and trails.
We're at the point now where we have presented these concepts to the respective groups, gathered
feedback, and at this point, moving forward to developing a final concept. We plan on
revisiting with park board and city council for their final approval soon, and should
be shovel ready when we get the green light. We currently have no funding identified for
this project, but there are some funds available in the park's dedication fund, as well as
going out after future grants. So at this time, we'll open it up for your feedback and
questions. Any questions? Val, yes. Mr. Chair, thank you. I like your concepts. I do have
a question about the nut tree garden, because nut allergies are a pretty prevalent thing
in most communities. Is there any research to say that any of the pollen or anything
that comes off of those trees would impact individuals who suffer from those allergies?
I'm not really sure about that. Drew, would you have anything for that? Yes, Val. The
assistant director of parks and recreation, Drew Huffman. So with those trees, especially
talking with our landscape advisors, is most people have that nut allergy to peanuts, and
you know, peanuts grow underground and not on a tree, and these nut trees would be your
typical pecans is really what we would look at, because you know, Texas is known for their
pecan trees, and that's something that, you know, it's a native tree here to Texas, and
we really strive to what we can, as far as the most part, is really put in native vegetation,
and really with those native trees. So ideally, we haven't identified exactly what nut tree
that would be, but really in my vision and the landscape architects that we've talked
to, it would be more of your pecan trees. Okay. But maybe check with the fire department,
because tree allergies are pretty prevalent. Yes. For the fire department to see if they've
addressed any emergencies in their light. Yes. That's my major concern. The concepts
are wonderful. Okay, thank you, and we definitely will check with them. Thank you. Beth. I was
a little concerned by how close to the sidewalks the trees were going to be in some of the
pictures, just because of the debris that falls, leaves and nuts and things. I live
near a park where the trees were planted very close to the sidewalk, and it's difficult
to roll a wheelchair through, or it's a balance problem if you step on leaves and nuts and
branches. So I was wondering whether or not y'all had considered setting the trees back
a ways from the sidewalk. Yes, we have. We typically look at that for not only the reasons
that you just came up with, but also for our future plannings to make sure that the trees
don't disrupt the concrete or the path in any kind of way, which in return then causes
other tripping hazards that have to be repaired. So, yes, thank you. Tamara. Question. Are
you dressed as recyclable? Yes, I believe we would be putting out regular
grand recyclables. Yes, ma'am. Yes, thank you.
Sarah. Yeah, on the patch you said you are going
to go with concrete? We're open to both concepts. So, I mean, your
feedback is appreciated with that. Would you prefer concrete or the gravel? Which one would
work better? I think concrete feels better. Yes, it does.
Okay, we'll make note of that. When you say gravel, are you talking about
your typical loose gravel? It would be compacted gravel. So it's more
compacted and it's more of a road, but it's not as, I would say not as smooth as concrete.
Right. That's the concrete. Are there any other questions or comments, feedback?
Question. Yes, Sylvia.
What about recyclables along with the trashcans? Yes, sir. So when we put out cans, we put
out both normal trash and recycle, and we're actually going through and really
trying to replace our 55-gallon drums with cans with lids and, you know, covers to make
sure that the trash doesn't just go in and then fly right back out with the wind.
And there's more definite signage on the can versus us trying to rely on people to understand
that or know which, you know, our education hasn't been what it could be that green means
trash and blue means recycle, so. All right, thanks.
Sylvia, did you have your hand up? Sonya.
Sonya, I'm sorry. I keep doing that. Hi, Sonya.
No, I really appreciate the designs. I know a lot of thought went into them, and I appreciate
the extension of the trail so that it connects because, again, if we're looking at accessibility,
I think that's important to consider how we can improve that to connect to all parts of
the North Lakes compound complex. And I really appreciate the thought into creating the raised
beds so that it is more accessible for individuals. And so just want to thank you all for putting
those pieces in as part of the design plan. Beth, you had your hand up.
I would just like to mention that I saw several different types of benches in the pictures,
and I think that's good because there are some people that have to have a back on the
bench to be able to sit. There are some people that need a flat, platform bench to be able
to slide across. A lot of people cannot get into picnic table-type benches because of
the table in front of them. So I think having that wide variety of seating options is the
way to go. If anybody else has feedback, I'd appreciate it.
That's great feedback, and we can definitely incorporate different styles of benches in
there. With our benches, we can have flat benches like what you see in a dugout with
no back, or we can have benches with a back. The world is amazing when it comes to different
amenities for a park where you can almost have it to where it's double, where if you
and I sat down, we would look at each other. I did one question, Val, if you may. What
is your take on the raised garden beds? The material that we would really like to go with
is like a stamped and stained concrete, so it has the look of wood, but we're not constantly
replacing it. And of course, we can make that width as wide or as narrow as we kind of want
to with concrete. Typically, the four inches would be the thinnest we would go to make
sure that it was completely accessible and for everyone to be able to use.
Well, I wonder how high would be the raised? 18 to 24 inches, because that's the standard,
but just because that's the standard, you know, we obviously want to exceed the standard.
So 18 to 24 inches. And the main purpose is just to be able to view. Well, it's to be
able to for everyone to be able to use them. So, you know, no matter who wants to rent,
you know, that garden bed that it wouldn't be, you know, as of right now, the garden
beds are on the ground. So some people, you know, can't obviously use them because they're,
you know, on the ground. So we want to get them off the ground for everyone to still
be able to come out and use the community gardens.
And I wonder, in that case, then, is there a possibility to have a varied?
We could do that. We could do 18s and 24s and 20s. I don't know if you've been we built
what's called the nook behind Emily Fowler Library. And our benches are all different
heights ranging from 18 to 24. So, you know, your legs may be longer than mine, or I may
need a different height for sitting than someone else. So we wanted to make sure that that
they were they're all within ADA requirements, but we didn't want to just do one ADA requirement.
We want to make sure they were completely varied. My concern would be somebody that
maybe is a little taller in a chair that cannot stoop down. Yes, sir. That may want almost
the table height. Okay, which would be closer to 30. Right. So I'm thinking that different
different heights, different range of motion and limitation and arms.
And we can definitely do that. That's great input. Thank you. That's kind of what I was
looking for. So, okay. And even on that note, too, that there's ability to get in from the
side. Yes. And that's what Adam was talking about to make sure we had at least five foot
wide around everything to make sure that if it was a chair that needed to get in, it could
get in and turn and move and not just be confined. So.
Excellent. Any other questions or feedback? So if we could maybe, I don't know if we don't
really need to vote on it, but maybe raise a hand. So you would prefer concrete and not
any kind of gravel, correct? I think that's what I heard. Yes, I think that's the consensus.
Okay. Yeah. All right. Thank you. Great. I just wanted to make sure we made that clear.
So so that way we could when council asked, we can report back that, yes, this was because
that's what we're hearing from the public meeting. So we just wanted to make sure that
we heard that from you, too. So yes, sir. All right. Thank you.
And that's all right. Any other questions? Thank you, Adam, for the presentation. Thank
you all for your time. Thank you. Okay. We will go on to the next item. DCPD 21-016.
Receive a report, hold a discussion and give staff direction regarding the villages of
Carmel Master Plan for the park property located at 5493 Edwards Road.
Good afternoon, Chair and committee members. Thank you for having me today. My name is
Chris Escoto, Recreation Supervisor of Parks and Recreation. Can everybody see my screen
right now? Yes, sir. Perfect. So today we are seeking your feedback and introducing some
conceptual designs for future park development at the villages of Carmel. This parcel is
undeveloped and the proposed park will be built from scratch. In April, ValleyQuest
and staff held a public meeting. Right after that, followed up with a survey that we had
94 responses to. We have also presented to Parks Board and City Council. Similar to Bowling
Green, overall, we have received positive responses and some recommendations as far
as conceptual designs and elements that they like to see. We currently do not have funds
allocated to the project itself. However, there are funds available in the Park Dedication
Fund that we will be seeking grants for at a future date. So if nobody is familiar with
the area, this location shows where the location is, where the park will be. Held is Southeast
Denton at the corner of Edwards and Swisher Road. It is down the street from Timberlinx
Golf Course in about five minutes from Denton Regional Hospital. This development does have
an existing barn on the lot. We have had a structural engineer go out on site and they
did confirm that it is still in good condition. Just needs a minor update. Overall, the goal
of this project is to preserve the heavy wooded parcel, create active and passive recreation
elements and, of course, provide connectivity and accessibility throughout the park. This
graphic here gives you an overview of the topography of the area. Towards the bottom,
you can see our 10-minute walk initiative. It gives into perspective how it will serve
the community. There is some high points here in the property. There is an arterial road
that is in the mobility plan that is included in this image here. We do not know if this
will be going in but they did include it into this design just so we have it noted. Going
to the first conceptual design, this diagram is an overview of the first concept, the proposed
parking lot being on the east side along Swisher Road. All sidewalks will be 10 feet wide including
the decomposed granite paths. I would like to note that our consultants did go on site
and walk the property and strategically placed these routes to avoid having to remove any
major trees as well and to preserve that habitat. Overall, the feedback for this location itself
has been pretty good. I will touch on that here shortly in the next few slides. There
are two different conceptual designs regarding the refurbished pavilion. This pavilion here
is the existing barnhouse that I had mentioned. It is getting refurbished with some modifications
that I will touch on. This gives you the canopy and it gives you a sense of the feel of how
heavily wooded this area is. I like to mention too that the playground itself does incorporate
more of a modern, more musical concepts and as you can tell it is going to be shaded quite
a bit so that will be nice for residents out there. Those two different concepts that I
had mentioned, concept 1A again provides more of a modern musical playground elements and
the barnhouse itself is more, it is paved more organically and accessible throughout
the pavilion. Again, I like to mention that the playground is fitted inside the trees
and strategically placed inside. This gives you an idea of what the playground will look
like, the pavilion itself. I will show you some visuals of the pavilion, how the refurbished
look will be. This is concept 2, or 1B I should say. It is more of a linear feel. It still
has the same conceptual designs regarding the playground features. Nothing over here
has changed outside of just the access of the pavilion. This is the refurbished barn.
The idea is that this wood paneling that you see here will kind of be used as a bar top
or even a table for folks to sit down at, whether it is do some homework, have a laptop
or even just look out to the playground itself. It gives it more of an opening feel. We have
cut out the windows of the existing barnhouse. The next slide here shows you kind of more
of a visual of how open it will be. I would like to mention that this bar here is set
at different levels, so that it will sit lower at the 34 inches and sit high at 42 there.
What has been upgraded is these knee braces. These were some of the recommendations that
were made. We did give the stone column look here. I do like to add that the brick that
was added and you see displayed here is from the Village of the Carmelite community. It
is the same stone color and the same stone product that the other communities have. It
kind of fits into that model overall. This is conceptual concept 2. This eliminates the
barnhouse and the playground sits over it. It will have more of a pre-manufactured pavilion
kind of like what you see now at our playgrounds located here. One of the features that is
different from the other concepts is the amphitheater. So if you notice up northern part of the park,
you notice the amphitheater up there. This will incorporate nature elements and you will
notice here when I assume it in the next slide. Again, this gives you the canopy coverage and
still maintains that same shade and still strategically placed around the major trees.
These are the natural elements that I mentioned. The public overall and really all of our Park
Board and City Council has really leaned towards these natural elements in regards to playground
features. It will have a pre-manufactured pavilion. It will be relatively smaller than
the barnhouse. So that's one of the downsides, I guess, from going to this pavilion. It won't
be that same size. And again, the amphitheater has been received really well. That is a feature
that was added. And I would like to mention these boulders that you see around the playgrounds
are within the property itself. So they're getting repurposed and giving that natural
feel and foresty feel to this overall plan. This is some photos and just to give you an
idea of what just a pre-manufactured pavilion will look like, kind of looks similar to what
we have out at our parks right now. So this puts all three concepts side by side. Overall,
the feedback that we have gathered does illustrate concepts from all three designs. Overall,
we do want people to want to see the amphitheater features still enhanced. They do want to see
the nature theme elements. One of the concepts that or council kind of touched on is that
the parking lot, they do want it to be more of a permanent location. I mentioned earlier
in the presentation that there is an arterial road that will be post oak that is proposed
in a mobility plan. And then I did not show you guys, but let me go back here. This parking
lot here is closer to the neighborhood itself. So they do not want to see this go away if
that road does happen. That means that we will not have parking. So they want to see
more of a permanent location, which is being placed over along the Swisher Road access.
So that is something that council did want to see, and they want to see a permanent and
the least invasive placement for that parking lot. But going back to these three concepts,
that is the overall feedback that was received. We look forward to hearing your feedback to
this overall concept. And that is all I have. So I will open it up for your questions and
I will take my presentation down. >> Questions, comments?
>> It is fine. Okay. I do have a few questions. One of the comments that I do like, I like
the fact that there is a lot of space around the playground away from streets, which is
something that I generally like to see. I did have a question about the playground area
and the play area. Will there be any sort of fence around it?
>> As of right now, there is no fencing around it.
>> Okay. Just bringing up as part of my community, I am a part of the autism community. And something
that I see a lot and that makes a lot of my community members nervous is no visibility
and no fencing to keep some of our kids in a safe setting. A lack of fence can be very
dangerous for people in the autism community, kids in the autism community, as there can
be a tendency to elope or run away. And a lot of trees around and just not being able
to see where your kid is or where any of your children are can be scary for our families.
>> Thank you for that feedback. I have written it down and will communicate that with our
consultants. >> Yes, there we go.
So one of the things I noticed just in the images, which I know are not the final design,
a lot of wood chips. And I know speaking with my sister-in-law who has a nephew, my nephew
uses a mobility device, that can be really challenging to use a mobility device with
wood chips. So seeing what other options may be more accessible for individuals that are
using mobility device. I also noticed in the concept, it looked like maybe you had a different
path that led off the trail into the amphitheater. So wanting to get some feedback on what types
of materials are being considered for that. >> So the different path that you mentioned
around the pavilion itself is decomposed granite. Those are the different routes that are leading
you to that pavilion itself. Regarding your other question, Drew, do you happen to have
any feedback on the wood chips? I do believe that that does me ADA. But as far as accessibility,
I'm not quite sure how that works. >> It does, but it runs into how do you exceed
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.
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.
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.
But we're looking really hard to try to find more funding outside of just the funding that we have in-house.
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.
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.
If your suggestion was to take that granite out and put concrete in, we could definitely do that too, so.
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.
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.
But yet, it really feels like concrete, except for a little bit more of a texture because of the crushed granite, so.
Beth, I saw your hand up then Sally.
Yes, I was just going to mention the same with the last part we discussed.
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.
Picnic benches are not the way to go.
Thanks for that info, I noted that.
Thank you. Sorry. Thank you, Bill.
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.
Thank you.
We totally agree, and it's easier to maintain for us, so.
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.
It's not quite an epoxy, but that's the closest, I guess, example that I can give.
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.
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.
Thanks.
Any other questions or feedback.
Thank you gentlemen for that presentation.
Thank you guys for your time.
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.
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.
Thank you.
Are you able to see the presentation?
Yes.
Thank you.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
And so the enhanced shelter model sort of helps us overcome those barriers by giving folks a right to a bed every night.
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.
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.
So it will also help with the growth needs that our Daily Bread currently is experiencing.
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.
And then a kind of a list of the different services that could be provided in each of those areas.
There will also be a large laundry area for people to be able to do laundry during the day or in the evenings.
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.
And then just really for the final side, just to give folks an idea of where we are in the timeline.
We did present to council to seek approval to move forward with the construction. They did give us that direction in April.
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.
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.
So we're looking for substantial completion in October of 2022. And then the facility would be operational by December of 2020.
So with that, Mr. Chair, I'll take the presentation down and be happy to accept any comments or questions from the committee.
>> 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.
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.
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.
So I think that we'll be able to make accommodations in any room for folks depending on their special needs. >> Okay.
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.
>> 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.
>> 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?
>> 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.
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?
>> 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.
>> 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.
>> Well, I think the idea and the initiative is needed and welcome. And I appreciate your presentation. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> 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.
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.
>> 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.
>> 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.
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.
>> 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.
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.
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.
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.
>> Thank you. It's well-needed and it's time. I'm glad it's happening. >> Thank you.
>> 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.
>> 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.
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.
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.
>> 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.
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.
>> 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.
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.
>> 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.
>> 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
So customers must make alternate arrangements to accommodate that possible loss of electric services if electricity is a necessity.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We can email it to them, or we can mail it directly if they don't have access to a printer.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
So we want to make sure that we are doing everything we possibly can to help somebody before an interruption of service would happen.
Thank you.
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.
But also, have you all communicated this to area doctors' offices so that they can let their patients know about it?
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.
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.
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.
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.
And maybe other health resources like MHMR or other other places. Yes, ma'am. That's a great idea. Thank you.
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.
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?
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?
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.
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.
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.
You're welcome.
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?
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.
Thank you.
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.
There are at least three durable medical equipment companies in town that I know of.
That's a very good suggestion. I hadn't thought of that either.
Are there any other questions?
Comments, feedback.
Great. Thank you both for your presentation.
Look forward to maybe getting a follow up in a few months to see how you developed the program.
Yeah, of course. We appreciate all the suggestions.
Thank you all very much for having us.
Thank you.
Okay.
Item G.
That is me.
Yes, just one small follow up item report item today.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Very important.
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.
I'll get some perspective.
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.
Great.
So they're concluding and I'll items announcements.
Yes, camera.
You still on your camera.
Thank you.
You'll turn me in the house.
Then the captain.
Did you bargain.
Some of them didn't don't have.
So please get not.
Other people pay the funds.
They're working their lives away.
Okay.
Looking at that.
Anyone else.
I'm just a reminder July is disability pride month.
So I know disability inclusion society will be having some virtual events that month so.
I keep an eye open for that.
Next month.
Other than that, I think we are done.
Anyone who would like to make a motion to conclude.
I second.
Second.
All in favor or do I need to go one by one.
Okay.
Actually, this is not a voting item.
You can simply, you can simply adjourn the meeting.
You are the, you are the chair.
The meeting will be adjourned. Thank you everyone.
And we'll see each other sooner than, than July.
Thank you, Ryan.
Thank you for coming everyone. Good to see you, Beth.