WEBVTT

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that people recognize when it is that they make application

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to the community, that the community is responding to them

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to say that yes, we have this, hi, this is who I am

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and this is how I'm going to provide service to you

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and set expectations very early in the model rather

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than just a submittal that ends into a void that they may

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hear

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from somebody in 30 days or two weeks.

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We're going to respond in very short order.

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And again, as I indicated, problem solving is a big piece

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in this that we have a current development code

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that has existed for a number of years.

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We've modified as time has gone on.

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But it really is a prescriptive code that attempts

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to make all items fit into the same square peg

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and not all development, especially as we evolve,

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doesn't fit into that same box.

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So we're in the development world.

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Overall, our responsibility is sustainability.

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So how it is that we partner that sustainability

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with life safety.

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We know that we have to have a vibrant community.

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Development services, code enforcement really is

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that best tool for economic development.

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And we know that if we provide an environment

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that is business friendly, that is safe and that is built

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for long term, that we have a community that people desire

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to move to, live in and develop in.

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And that's where we go.

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And that's through proper planning,

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ensuring that the infrastructure is adequate,

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that we plan infrastructure for where it is

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that development is seeking to go so that we partner

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with that long term plan, our Denton 2030 plan,

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along with what the development needs are to make sure

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that we're putting infrastructure appropriately

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in planning that.

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That our zoning is really looking

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at those development trends.

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How our community developments,

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how it is that we maintain some of those portions of the

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city,

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whether it's historic or just our community flavor in each

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of the different parts of our community and overall

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in the character that we wish to portray.

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Managing the construction, how it is

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that whether we have aesthetic provisions within the code,

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how our community looks, how it looks from the interstate,

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what makes it desirable, our gateways and making sure

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that we're maintaining what we have.

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So regulatory strategies that are aligned with the 2030

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plan

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and regulatory strategies that really focus on the future

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of Denton and how we develop Denton.

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And throughout that we have to manage our resources.

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And whether it's our tree code or historic preservation,

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you know, the environmentally sensitive areas, all of the

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pieces

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and components that make our community what it is have

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to be managed.

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So we're going to make sure the resources

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that we have here including the people in our universities

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to make sure that long term that Denton is the place

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that people choose to be and choose to develop.

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The purpose in development services and the concept

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of a one stop shop is really to expedite

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and have safe responsible development

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within our city limits and even in some of those areas

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of our ETJ as the city grows.

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We have to do that first by listening to our customers.

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We have to understand our customers' needs.

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We have to understand their perspective and try to balance

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that with what the code or what our obligations

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and responsibilities are as local government.

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We're in the process

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of transforming how we conduct business.

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We're in the middle of a development code update

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which I'll speak to in just a little bit.

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But really we're transforming a culture,

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a culture of how we do business, the best way to do

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business

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and how to partner with those doing business in the city

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of Denton and balancing that with our citizens

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and the desires of our community to grow overall.

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We are focused on best practices.

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I think in many areas we're looking to get

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to contemporary practices.

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So some of the processes that we have today truly can be

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called

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outdated, antiquated.

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So we're looking to get to contemporary practices.

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And if we can get to a place of contemporary practices all

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the while we're looking at best practices in any area that

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we

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can to provide the best

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or a world class service here in Denton.

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We want to be that place that people are looking

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at us to develop in.

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And part of that is that, you know, we started by re

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thinking

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and I just have an example and you can't see too many

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of the boxes and that's less important as much

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as it is looking at a customer perspective.

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What we have today is we have a very bureaucratic hierarch

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ical

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or what we've had is a hierarchical organizational

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chart which really silos our business units.

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So each of our business units would operate independently.

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They'd have to go up through a process of talking

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to their supervisor, talking to a different person

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in a leadership role which stifled the ability

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to get business done promptly.

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And so we're flattening the organization more,

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flattening development services so that we have the teams

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that are working more closely together

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and more across lines instead of up through channels.

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And that's been very useful thus far and we're going to

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continue

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to improve on doing that to promote

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that excellence of service delivery.

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You know, our number one goal is to make life easier

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for our customers and our customers

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as I explained a very diverse group really is anybody

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that we interact with and we interact

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with just about anybody possible.

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It is those that live, work, play, visit Denton is impacted

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by development services and so we want to make life easier

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for all of our customers.

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We are taking radical steps in training staff.

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We're building a foundation and taking just the basic

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premise

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of having that foundation like you build a building,

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having a stable foundation to build staff upon

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and then focusing on areas of expertise.

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So those subject matter experts whether it's in planning

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or engineering or building inspection, fire inspection,

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that they've got the technical competencies to do their job

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but really starting with the very basics of customer

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service

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and a practical approach to why we are civil servants

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and why it is that we're here to do the work that we do.

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And so we've taken a number of steps.

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We continue to do that.

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We're launching some internal online training

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that supports our staff and some succession planning

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and growing leaders, individual leaders and collectively

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across the department and other departments.

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We're working very hard to eliminate barriers citywide.

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So where it is that departments may have operated in the

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past,

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our city manager has made a significant number of changes

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in departmental structures and as those changes happen,

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I'm reinforcing the fact that we all wear the same badge

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which indicates that we work for the city of Denton.

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My badge doesn't necessarily delineate that I work

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in a particular department.

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It may have my title on there but it does say that I work

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for the city of Denton and so if we have a philosophy

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that we all are employees of the city of Denton,

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we have a common mission and a goal rather than it's my job

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is

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just this, our job is to serve our citizens,

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our constituents and those customers.

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We're simplifying processes.

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We're making them much more simple, much more clear,

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eliminating the bureaucratic components to that where it is

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that somebody should be able to see

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and understand what steps need to be taken

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and then also be able to see

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and understand the steps are being taken behind the scenes.

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So again, making things more predictable and consistent

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as a big piece of this is within the development code,

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rewriting the development code and making certain

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that that's clear and concise rather than having to go

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to multiple different sections or different standards

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that reference-- are referenced within the code.

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We've taken steps and continue to take steps and we'll

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continue

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to be on a path of continuous improvement

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with communication that, you know, the number one problem

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in just about any organization whether it's public

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or private is communication.

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So communicating internally across our teams,

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communicating to our customers, A, what we're trying to do,

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B, what we're doing and C, the mission or where we're

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trying

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to go, the vision of the city of Denton.

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And within that is improving response times.

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So where we make this more predictable is people can

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anticipate what's supposed to happen when which ties

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into an accountability component for staff

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that staff is ultimately being held accountable

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for their actions, that their timelines are being held true

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.

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And we're also broaching into the community

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that our developers, our contractors are also accountable

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for their timelines and we're going to make certain

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that that's transparent.

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We've typically communicated with the applicant

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or we're dealing with a contractor or developer

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and then the owner is upset because the process is taking

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so long and, you know, their applicant

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or their contractors indicating, well,

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we're waiting on the city.

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We don't have a defense to that

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because we're not communicating with them.

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So to the future, we're going to communicate with the

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applicant,

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the contractor and the owner.

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We're going to communicate with all parties

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so that they can see and understand what the process is,

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that they know that we've received the application,

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that they expect to get a response within a week.

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They get that response within a week.

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They're going to get copied on the response.

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And then we're waiting on the applicant or that contractor

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to provide those responses.

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And many times there's a gap there, not to say

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that city is not responsible

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but the contractor has equal responsibility

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but the city is always taking the brunt of that.

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That's that piece, that part to transparency to where it is

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that we can be more effective

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in communicating what we're doing, how we're doing it

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and holding all people accountable within this process.

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And again, the development code is the place that we start

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to refine and improve service delivery.

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This has been a cultural change and it continues

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to be a cultural change.

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And that cultural change comes

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from the city manager's office, council direction.

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They've provided us with very clear guidance on what needs

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to happen and where we need to go.

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And I'm merely a tool in that.

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That vision has been laid out.

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The expectations are very clear and now we're delivering

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that.

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We have the support to do the work that we need to do.

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We've got staff that are very capable of doing it.

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They've not been empowered to do the work.

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And we're empowering staff, training staff

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and encouraging them to go out and do the work

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that we need done.

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We're working to build trust and trust both internally

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and externally.

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I think that with a lack of communication,

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a lack of transparency, you have distrust.

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And when you have that distrust, then it's very hard for

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people

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to take risks or to get out there

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or to communicate as effectively as they could.

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And so we're working very hard to stand behind what it is

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that we're saying and do the things

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that we're promising to do.

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And so we're working to do that and that's a huge part

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of this cultural change is to make certain--

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all of our constituents and our customers have, you know,

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a very good understanding of why we're doing what we're

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doing.

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And again, it's reinforcing the fact.

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Again, if we empower our staff to be able

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to make those decisions, we empower them

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at the lowest level possible that rather than it going

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up to that bureaucratic channel that staff are trained,

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they feel comfortable, they have trust to be able

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to make a decision that their leadership is going

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to stand behind them, that they're confident to do that,

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that will expedite the service delivery, expedite our

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ability

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to be able to develop Denton and make Denton the community

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that people choose to develop in.

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And then we're in turn more selective

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on what developments we're doing

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and how we're doing those developments.

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We've done some things in short order where it is

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that we've required plans and I won't get

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into too much detail on how we do the plats,

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replats, site plans, submittals.

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But the bottom line is that typically

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to the past we've required somebody to resubmit when it is

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that drawings didn't necessarily meet our specifications.

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And we're focused more on now redlining those plans,

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meaning that we can mark on the plans where it is

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that there's a problem, an area we can give the plans back

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with a conditional approval.

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So if in fact you understand you can't drain water

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onto an adjacent property, if all of the provisions are

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there,

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except for there's an area that may not be clear,

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we just clearly indicate you may not drain water

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at that particular point.

00:13:33.480 --> 00:13:34.960
We give the plans back.

00:13:34.960 --> 00:13:37.860
They've been told we go out, we perform inspections as long

00:13:37.860 --> 00:13:39.519
as they have complied with that.

00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:42.039
We'll get an as-built set of plans in the very end.

00:13:42.039 --> 00:13:45.080
And of course the intent of the code is met.

00:13:45.539 --> 00:13:48.559
We've not violated any law and we've expedited

00:13:48.559 --> 00:13:49.600
that service delivery.

00:13:51.019 --> 00:13:53.600
We're certainly attempting

00:13:53.600 --> 00:13:55.320
to provide all the resources we can

00:13:55.320 --> 00:13:57.240
that promotes responsible development.

00:13:57.759 --> 00:14:00.279
And that is the tools and the vehicles that--

00:14:01.320 --> 00:14:07.700
where it is that we can make the code work in favor

00:14:07.700 --> 00:14:09.179
of those attempting to do.

00:14:09.559 --> 00:14:11.539
So it's clear, concise.

00:14:11.980 --> 00:14:14.440
It ultimately gets the vision of what it is

00:14:14.440 --> 00:14:16.940
that city management and council is achieving

00:14:17.659 --> 00:14:20.419
without creating extra steps or burdensome steps.

00:14:20.419 --> 00:14:24.419
So those resources are in play and will be a part

00:14:24.419 --> 00:14:26.820
of the development code as that comes to be.

00:14:27.460 --> 00:14:32.019
The actions that we've taken so far, I've touched on some

00:14:32.019 --> 00:14:32.720
of that already.

00:14:33.720 --> 00:14:37.830
We've reorganized the processes, whether it's a pre-develop

00:14:37.830 --> 00:14:38.100
ment,

00:14:38.139 --> 00:14:43.279
a site plan, construction plans, rather than asking

00:14:43.279 --> 00:14:46.139
for specifications on drawings that, you know,

00:14:46.139 --> 00:14:47.639
we're getting an indication

00:14:47.639 --> 00:14:50.600
that the specifications meet our criteria manuals.

00:14:50.600 --> 00:14:54.100
If in fact they do, then we'll prove that up at point

00:14:54.100 --> 00:14:56.379
of inspection and if it doesn't, then again,

00:14:56.379 --> 00:14:58.659
that accountability goes back to the contractor that, you

00:14:58.659 --> 00:14:58.940
know,

00:14:58.940 --> 00:15:00.620
he made that statement that it does comply

00:15:00.620 --> 00:15:01.820
with our development standards.

00:15:01.820 --> 00:15:07.120
They have the development standards and let's get it right.

00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:10.799
I'm a big advocate of challenging why we're doing the

00:15:10.799 --> 00:15:11.720
things that we're doing.

00:15:12.399 --> 00:15:14.179
And so the first thing that I say is

00:15:14.179 --> 00:15:16.779
when you can't answer the question why we're doing it,

00:15:17.159 --> 00:15:18.320
then we shouldn't be doing it.

00:15:18.860 --> 00:15:21.059
If you can't prove to me that we should be doing it,

00:15:21.419 --> 00:15:22.580
then we shouldn't be doing it.

00:15:23.279 --> 00:15:26.440
So it's got to be founded in the basis of something.

00:15:26.840 --> 00:15:29.399
We can't do it because I was taught that's how we do it.

00:15:29.799 --> 00:15:31.899
We can't do it because we think it's good.

00:15:32.340 --> 00:15:35.159
We make a lot of recommendations and a lot of suggestions

00:15:35.159 --> 00:15:36.100
and that's not our role.

00:15:36.539 --> 00:15:38.000
That's for the policy makers.

00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:39.539
For us, we have guidance.

00:15:39.539 --> 00:15:40.320
It's very clear.

00:15:40.320 --> 00:15:41.139
It's concise.

00:15:41.480 --> 00:15:43.500
It either complies with the code or it does not.

00:15:44.059 --> 00:15:47.419
So we need to be doing what the requirements of the code

00:15:47.419 --> 00:15:47.700
are.

00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:50.740
We need to clearly understand the intent of the code

00:15:50.740 --> 00:15:53.379
and that's what we have to communicate to our customers.

00:15:53.860 --> 00:15:57.720
As indicated, you know, the staff training is a huge piece

00:15:57.720 --> 00:16:00.899
in that empowering them to be able to make those decisions

00:16:01.299 --> 00:16:05.360
and to clearly communicate and articulate the intent

00:16:05.360 --> 00:16:08.240
of why we have these provisions within our rules.

00:16:10.200 --> 00:16:14.460
Oh, this is unusual.

00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:18.620
I had to do it with an Adobe document and I apologize.

00:16:19.240 --> 00:16:23.929
So some of the other actions is we've moved the city

00:16:23.929 --> 00:16:24.779
engineer

00:16:24.980 --> 00:16:29.919
into development services as a-- just a partner.

00:16:31.059 --> 00:16:32.940
The city engineer is housed

00:16:32.940 --> 00:16:36.039
over in development services two days a week

00:16:36.440 --> 00:16:39.139
so he can be more actively involved with his staff,

00:16:39.139 --> 00:16:41.700
train his staff and make sure that we can, again,

00:16:41.700 --> 00:16:43.919
make those decisions when we have the decision makers

00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:47.830
at the table rather than having someone that can ask a

00:16:47.830 --> 00:16:48.519
question

00:16:48.519 --> 00:16:49.820
but can't provide an answer.

00:16:50.179 --> 00:16:52.419
So when we have engineering staff that's not empowered

00:16:52.419 --> 00:16:55.840
to make a decision, we've then lengthened the process.

00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:59.639
So I just left a meeting that I came to this meeting

00:16:59.639 --> 00:17:02.039
and in that meeting then we were able to make the decisions

00:17:02.139 --> 00:17:05.099
at the table and that's the model

00:17:05.099 --> 00:17:08.019
that we're looking to do is do that and that's

00:17:08.019 --> 00:17:10.299
through partnerships of another department being

00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:11.839
at the same table at the same time.

00:17:12.500 --> 00:17:14.259
That's eliminating those silos.

00:17:14.660 --> 00:17:19.140
It's ending that bureaucratic process that we all work

00:17:19.140 --> 00:17:21.279
for the city of Denton and that we're working to make sure

00:17:21.279 --> 00:17:22.740
that we have responsible development.

00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:27.920
As I indicated earlier, we are contacting all applicants

00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:31.650
within 48 hours of submittal to say, you know, hi, I'm

00:17:31.650 --> 00:17:32.140
Scott.

00:17:32.500 --> 00:17:34.319
I'm your project manager on this.

00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:37.039
I'll be your primary point of contact.

00:17:37.039 --> 00:17:38.859
Here's my email, here's my phone number.

00:17:38.859 --> 00:17:40.599
If you have any questions, let me know.

00:17:41.019 --> 00:17:44.319
It's anticipated we'll have a completeness review performed

00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:46.279
within three days.

00:17:46.400 --> 00:17:50.079
We'll have the site plan review conducted within seven,

00:17:51.160 --> 00:17:52.660
you know, so on and so forth.

00:17:53.160 --> 00:17:55.900
And so then we've set the expectation for the customer.

00:17:55.900 --> 00:17:58.019
They know what's anticipated.

00:17:58.460 --> 00:18:01.240
We're also going to provide such information as, you know,

00:18:01.240 --> 00:18:04.440
we understand how many cases are coming before us.

00:18:05.059 --> 00:18:08.539
We've been busy clearing out a backlog but we're

00:18:08.539 --> 00:18:11.819
to the future going to schedule very clearly how many items

00:18:11.819 --> 00:18:11.920
are

00:18:11.920 --> 00:18:14.859
going to go to P and Z, how many items are going to go to

00:18:14.859 --> 00:18:15.359
council

00:18:15.359 --> 00:18:17.319
and we're going to balance that and we're going to indicate

00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:18.819
to the customer this is where we're at,

00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:22.099
this is where the timeframe is so that we're not inundating

00:18:22.099 --> 00:18:26.480
council with a barrage of requests all at the same time

00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:30.559
because of lack of planning or lack of proper preparation.

00:18:31.779 --> 00:18:36.039
You know, again, we've eliminated the requirement

00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:38.579
for specifications on the plans.

00:18:38.579 --> 00:18:40.619
We don't need to know what color a valve is.

00:18:40.619 --> 00:18:42.579
We don't need to know what brand the valve is.

00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:44.900
We need to know if it meets our criteria manual.

00:18:45.400 --> 00:18:47.359
So if it meets our criteria manual, we're going

00:18:47.359 --> 00:18:49.420
to approve the plan without seeing what color it is

00:18:49.420 --> 00:18:50.420
or what brand it is.

00:18:50.880 --> 00:18:53.380
The inspector's responsibility is to go out there and

00:18:53.380 --> 00:18:53.779
verify

00:18:53.779 --> 00:18:56.579
that the type of valve they use does comply

00:18:56.579 --> 00:18:58.380
with the criteria manual, just that simple.

00:18:59.579 --> 00:19:04.259
We're utilizing-- in the process of utilizing email

00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:07.319
for our submittals, we use a couple

00:19:07.319 --> 00:19:09.079
of different software solutions currently.

00:19:09.079 --> 00:19:12.380
We've gotten a lot of feedback that that software is

00:19:12.380 --> 00:19:13.079
problematic

00:19:13.079 --> 00:19:15.589
for a first-time user or those not familiar with the

00:19:15.589 --> 00:19:16.059
process.

00:19:16.420 --> 00:19:18.720
So we're just going to simplify the fact that we're going

00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:22.279
to have a PDF version of their plan submitted to us.

00:19:22.279 --> 00:19:23.700
We can look at all of the concepts,

00:19:23.700 --> 00:19:26.160
where the plans are at and what we need from those plans.

00:19:26.900 --> 00:19:30.319
And by virtue of that, then provide comments in Adobe

00:19:30.319 --> 00:19:32.779
and then return it to the customer.

00:19:32.779 --> 00:19:34.960
And then when we get to a point where we have more detailed

00:19:34.960 --> 00:19:36.460
or more comprehensive drawings,

00:19:36.460 --> 00:19:39.500
then we can have those submitted formally through a

00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:39.819
software solution.

00:19:41.819 --> 00:19:44.859
We have sent a comprehensive operational survey

00:19:44.940 --> 00:19:47.940
to 27 other municipalities.

00:19:48.119 --> 00:19:49.440
We've received that feedback.

00:19:49.480 --> 00:19:53.839
We're in the process of mining that data to see, you know,

00:19:54.000 --> 00:19:56.460
what our sister communities are doing.

00:19:56.460 --> 00:20:01.000
So we can, again, borrow those best practices, find ways

00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:02.920
to enhance the service deliver we have

00:20:03.380 --> 00:20:04.960
without recreating the wheel.

00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:08.559
Those that are doing it and doing it well, we want to

00:20:08.559 --> 00:20:08.980
replicate

00:20:08.980 --> 00:20:09.980
that work where we can.

00:20:13.400 --> 00:20:16.640
So our next steps, along with the development code,

00:20:16.640 --> 00:20:18.920
is that once we refine all of our processes,

00:20:18.920 --> 00:20:20.500
we have a new development code in place.

00:20:20.859 --> 00:20:23.359
We're going to make improvements to our software solution,

00:20:23.420 --> 00:20:27.539
our technology, and we'll put an RFP out to say, you know,

00:20:27.539 --> 00:20:28.920
here's what we're looking at.

00:20:28.920 --> 00:20:31.059
We may stay with the same software provider

00:20:31.059 --> 00:20:31.900
that we have today.

00:20:31.900 --> 00:20:33.819
We may look at another software provider.

00:20:34.279 --> 00:20:38.960
What we want to do is create that ease and convenience

00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:43.539
for our customers to be able to access information,

00:20:43.539 --> 00:20:45.680
make application, and, you know,

00:20:46.279 --> 00:20:48.420
seek to get what it is that they need any time

00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:51.339
that they can get it.

00:20:52.180 --> 00:20:57.079
We're in the midst of the development of our mission,

00:20:57.079 --> 00:21:00.700
vision, and values, including staff in this, that, you know

00:21:00.700 --> 00:21:00.819
,

00:21:00.900 --> 00:21:04.559
how we tie into Denton's mission, vision, and values,

00:21:04.619 --> 00:21:08.859
how each of them individually roll up into a much broader

00:21:08.859 --> 00:21:13.180
piece rather than the individual technical skills that they

00:21:13.180 --> 00:21:13.420
have

00:21:13.420 --> 00:21:16.599
and where they feel that they fit in their organization.

00:21:16.599 --> 00:21:18.819
We want to make sure that they understand that we,

00:21:18.819 --> 00:21:22.180
as the city of Denton, have one mission, one vision,

00:21:22.180 --> 00:21:24.859
one set of values that we're all going to strive for.

00:21:25.839 --> 00:21:27.539
I mentioned accountability.

00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:29.619
We are holding people accountable.

00:21:29.619 --> 00:21:31.359
We will continue to hold people accountable.

00:21:31.720 --> 00:21:34.259
And that's both inside and outside of the organization.

00:21:35.759 --> 00:21:39.079
We're working very hard to garner community input.

00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:42.400
We have a consultant that we're working

00:21:42.400 --> 00:21:44.940
with on the development code update.

00:21:45.619 --> 00:21:51.200
They had hosted a number of public meetings and some one

00:21:51.200 --> 00:21:55.740
on ones to garner input from our stakeholders, citizens,

00:21:55.740 --> 00:21:59.559
our community leaders, developers, business owners,

00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:01.900
and we're going to continue to do that.

00:22:02.500 --> 00:22:07.500
We expect to have that first public draft in mid-December,

00:22:07.660 --> 00:22:11.720
or excuse me, January, late January, mid-February,

00:22:12.220 --> 00:22:15.279
that we're going to roll out in a very comprehensive way

00:22:15.279 --> 00:22:18.319
so we can get feedback from our entire community on those

00:22:18.319 --> 00:22:18.740
pieces

00:22:18.740 --> 00:22:22.339
that will drive the future of Denton and where we go.

00:22:23.859 --> 00:22:28.339
I mentioned to you continuous improvement is a core value

00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:29.160
for the department.

00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:34.240
We cannot go through a process and say we're now the best

00:22:34.240 --> 00:22:35.460
and we'll just stay here.

00:22:36.160 --> 00:22:38.680
We're going to look to be the best and we're going to

00:22:38.680 --> 00:22:39.400
continue

00:22:39.400 --> 00:22:42.420
to try to maintain that status by virtue

00:22:42.420 --> 00:22:44.400
of just continually improving everything

00:22:44.400 --> 00:22:47.279
in every way we can, all in little bites,

00:22:47.779 --> 00:22:48.680
all in little bites.

00:22:49.839 --> 00:22:54.460
We're working to expand our collaboration

00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:58.880
with our local stakeholders, our citizens,

00:22:59.240 --> 00:23:02.039
and making certain that the things that we're doing align

00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:04.339
with what it's important to our community

00:23:04.339 --> 00:23:07.140
and to our developers that are looking at our community.

00:23:08.359 --> 00:23:10.880
And ultimately, our communication and education,

00:23:12.180 --> 00:23:13.819
internally and externally.

00:23:13.819 --> 00:23:17.220
We want to make sure that our constituents are informed

00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:20.619
and knowledgeable and that we partner with some

00:23:20.619 --> 00:23:22.880
of our community organizations to be, you know,

00:23:22.880 --> 00:23:25.599
just more in front of the community, out in the community,

00:23:25.859 --> 00:23:27.799
and participating at community events

00:23:28.319 --> 00:23:31.480
where we can show the benefits of development services,

00:23:31.480 --> 00:23:35.599
not as that barrier to what we do, but how it is that we

00:23:35.599 --> 00:23:35.859
help

00:23:35.859 --> 00:23:37.380
to make Denton a better place to live.

00:23:46.920 --> 00:23:48.460
We've started.

00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:49.039
We're there.

00:23:49.220 --> 00:23:50.339
We've been working at it.

00:23:50.680 --> 00:23:54.400
We're going to continue to refine those pieces,

00:23:54.400 --> 00:23:56.799
just as I say, continuous improvement

00:23:56.799 --> 00:23:58.640
as we see change needs to be made.

00:23:58.640 --> 00:24:00.660
We're not making it for the sake of change.

00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:02.460
We want stability.

00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:05.339
We want stability in the department.

00:24:05.339 --> 00:24:07.779
We want stability for staff and we want stability

00:24:07.779 --> 00:24:11.200
for our customers to know that we're not

00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:14.420
in a constant state of evolution.

00:24:14.900 --> 00:24:19.359
But we ultimately have to make changes in order

00:24:19.359 --> 00:24:21.160
to implement the best practices.

00:24:21.900 --> 00:24:24.079
We've done a lot of that thus far.

00:24:24.680 --> 00:24:28.400
I think we'll still have some as we refine the processes

00:24:28.400 --> 00:24:32.279
and seek to enhance the service delivery.

00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:38.180
We've taken care of training and training is ongoing.

00:24:38.660 --> 00:24:43.980
But we can't stop training.

00:24:43.980 --> 00:24:45.039
We won't stop training.

00:24:45.599 --> 00:24:51.839
We're improving our review times and there's a continuous

00:24:51.839 --> 00:24:52.220
effort

00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:55.680
on the fact of how it is that we can continue to refine

00:24:55.680 --> 00:24:56.339
that.

00:24:57.339 --> 00:25:02.440
Our site plan application, we've ultimately reduced that

00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:02.859
already

00:25:02.859 --> 00:25:06.019
to a simple one page document that gives us a good concept

00:25:06.019 --> 00:25:08.799
of where things are at, not those construction drawings.

00:25:09.259 --> 00:25:11.819
The construction drawings then provide us the details

00:25:12.160 --> 00:25:13.799
when we're a little further down the line.

00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:16.299
But we want our developers to be able to go out and say,

00:25:16.859 --> 00:25:18.460
this site plan is approved.

00:25:18.460 --> 00:25:19.799
I can get my financing.

00:25:19.799 --> 00:25:20.880
I can move forward.

00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:24.700
All of those next steps rather than having to design all

00:25:24.700 --> 00:25:27.650
of the infrastructure components that they know are

00:25:27.650 --> 00:25:28.240
required.

00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:29.819
We're telling them are required.

00:25:30.140 --> 00:25:32.380
They have all of the specifications

00:25:32.380 --> 00:25:33.200
of what they need to do.

00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:35.160
They can figure out that math for themselves.

00:25:35.700 --> 00:25:37.319
We don't need to approve those drawings yet.

00:25:37.319 --> 00:25:40.619
We just need to make sure that the character of the project

00:25:40.619 --> 00:25:43.619
that they're looking to develop meets A, our zoning,

00:25:43.619 --> 00:25:45.259
B, what our community is looking for

00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:47.119
and ultimately the development code.

00:25:49.380 --> 00:25:52.619
We're still in the process of refining our applications.

00:25:53.059 --> 00:25:57.819
Simplifying those, we're very close to a single application

00:25:57.819 --> 00:25:59.160
for all building permits.

00:25:59.160 --> 00:26:03.960
We have a new application for all of our planning events.

00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:07.680
And again, as we talk about the communication component

00:26:07.680 --> 00:26:10.440
that we're going to be notifying the applicant, the

00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:11.000
developer

00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:13.960
and the property owner that's on the application.

00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:21.440
We're gathering the data for email, phone and physical mail

00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:23.819
so that we can communicate in all three of those vehicles.

00:26:27.640 --> 00:26:31.380
The development code, I spoke briefly on the fact

00:26:31.380 --> 00:26:34.900
that that is in play.

00:26:35.700 --> 00:26:38.519
We have taken that fresh approach.

00:26:38.579 --> 00:26:41.279
We have module one which is the zoning districts.

00:26:41.700 --> 00:26:43.920
That work is mostly done.

00:26:43.920 --> 00:26:46.720
We've got some other areas that we're working within that

00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:50.789
with some small area plans and some overlays that we're

00:26:50.789 --> 00:26:51.279
going

00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:53.059
to make sure that we're accounting

00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:56.759
for our historic districts and how it is that we look

00:26:56.759 --> 00:26:59.579
at that planning, making sure that it aligns

00:26:59.579 --> 00:27:01.119
with our mobility plan.

00:27:01.920 --> 00:27:06.460
And-- But the bulk of that work is completed.

00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:09.319
The next couple of modules that we're focused

00:27:09.319 --> 00:27:13.000
on today is the administration and procedures.

00:27:13.500 --> 00:27:16.420
And that's going to be that fresh perspective

00:27:16.420 --> 00:27:19.700
that you'll see end of January, beginning of February.

00:27:20.819 --> 00:27:28.140
That will be an online document as well as email to a large

00:27:28.140 --> 00:27:28.519
group

00:27:28.660 --> 00:27:31.259
that we've been working with as far as our development,

00:27:31.259 --> 00:27:34.880
engineering, design professional community and I'm certain

00:27:34.880 --> 00:27:37.299
in a number of boards and commissions.

00:27:38.680 --> 00:27:43.880
Within that, we will have those processes mapped out.

00:27:44.599 --> 00:27:47.900
It will be a clear concise way to see the steps

00:27:47.900 --> 00:27:49.420
that are necessary for development

00:27:49.420 --> 00:27:50.339
within the community.

00:27:50.940 --> 00:27:55.279
And it gets rid of, again, where the requirements

00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:57.519
for specifications and particulars

00:27:57.519 --> 00:27:59.920
that typically have bogged down or slowed

00:27:59.920 --> 00:28:01.559
down a project unnecessarily.

00:28:03.960 --> 00:28:06.279
We anticipate that we're going

00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:09.200
to have the development code completed,

00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:12.160
building season of 2018.

00:28:12.160 --> 00:28:16.079
So it means hopefully May, we will have

00:28:16.180 --> 00:28:21.960
that development code before our governing body looking

00:28:21.960 --> 00:28:25.400
for that approval so that we can turn the page

00:28:25.400 --> 00:28:28.720
in the development code and start to really, you know,

00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:30.779
make the changes that are necessary

00:28:31.380 --> 00:28:33.000
in other areas of the organization.

00:28:34.480 --> 00:28:36.779
Again, our focus is being business friendly.

00:28:37.480 --> 00:28:40.680
We're going to balance common sense with code sense,

00:28:40.900 --> 00:28:44.400
that intent behind why it is that we have a set of codes,

00:28:44.900 --> 00:28:47.920
how those codes play into development, how it is

00:28:48.000 --> 00:28:50.799
that it works to protect the health, welfare and safety

00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:56.000
of our citizens and those that, you know, visit or choose

00:28:56.000 --> 00:28:57.400
to develop here in our community.

00:28:58.720 --> 00:29:03.759
We want that ease of access for all, all those customers

00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:06.720
that I spoke to earlier, that they're able to get

00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:08.440
to the information that they want

00:29:08.440 --> 00:29:09.640
when they want to get to it.

00:29:10.240 --> 00:29:15.180
I think we can continue to improve accessibility

00:29:15.180 --> 00:29:16.619
and transparency within that.

00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:21.490
And we'll do that through the use of technology and, you

00:29:21.490 --> 00:29:22.220
know,

00:29:22.220 --> 00:29:24.839
ultimately just through someone's phone.

00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:26.960
Questions of me?

00:29:28.839 --> 00:29:31.299
>> All right, anybody have any questions or comments?

00:29:31.299 --> 00:29:31.559
Katie?

00:29:31.559 --> 00:29:33.599
>> I don't really have a question.

00:29:33.599 --> 00:29:37.319
I just wanted to say that it's no secret

00:29:37.319 --> 00:29:39.640
that this is the department that needed a lot of work.

00:29:40.059 --> 00:29:41.859
And I appreciate all that you've done.

00:29:42.200 --> 00:29:46.339
And I've already seen progress in the way

00:29:46.339 --> 00:29:49.279
that you have responded to the citizens who have reached

00:29:49.279 --> 00:29:52.119
out to me with issues or questions.

00:29:52.339 --> 00:29:53.660
And so I wanted to thank you for that.

00:29:54.859 --> 00:29:55.119
>> Thank you.

00:29:55.119 --> 00:29:56.079
It's my pleasure, truly.

00:29:57.640 --> 00:29:59.519
>> The part that I focused

00:29:59.519 --> 00:30:02.140
on was the common sense part that's in there.

00:30:02.380 --> 00:30:04.079
It seems like we've been missing that.

00:30:04.079 --> 00:30:06.779
And I know, I would assume people are skeptical

00:30:06.779 --> 00:30:09.920
because we've heard all this for years.

00:30:09.920 --> 00:30:12.779
And it does seem like we're making some progress.

00:30:12.779 --> 00:30:15.279
I ran into somebody in the hall earlier

00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:16.980
that said they're seeing the results.

00:30:16.980 --> 00:30:19.119
So it doesn't always mean

00:30:19.119 --> 00:30:21.539
that developers get the answer they want.

00:30:21.859 --> 00:30:23.279
Sometimes it's how you deliver that

00:30:23.279 --> 00:30:26.019
and how you can offer a solution that maybe works

00:30:26.019 --> 00:30:29.359
for both sides is all that matters.

00:30:29.359 --> 00:30:33.240
And if we can have a reputation that we're here to help

00:30:33.240 --> 00:30:33.660
folks,

00:30:33.660 --> 00:30:37.519
that's important to economic development because those

00:30:37.519 --> 00:30:39.700
of these projects that come through there go

00:30:39.700 --> 00:30:40.519
through this department.

00:30:40.519 --> 00:30:44.539
And it looks like we're on the right track.

00:30:44.799 --> 00:30:45.400
>> Mark.

00:30:46.200 --> 00:30:46.500
>> Yes, sir.

00:30:46.960 --> 00:30:47.279
Jim.

00:30:47.940 --> 00:30:51.769
>> Scott, right after Todd got to town, he engaged a

00:30:51.769 --> 00:30:52.660
consultant

00:30:52.660 --> 00:30:54.440
to come in and talk to stakeholders

00:30:54.440 --> 00:30:57.319
about the development and the permitting process.

00:30:57.400 --> 00:31:00.759
How much of that consultant report have you been able

00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:02.119
to integrate into the changes?

00:31:03.440 --> 00:31:05.160
>> A great deal.

00:31:05.160 --> 00:31:09.259
Actually, there were two different consultant reports,

00:31:09.259 --> 00:31:13.579
really three that were a basis for a number

00:31:13.579 --> 00:31:14.920
of the things that I've done.

00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:20.640
And yeah, it was really Todd's work that set the tone

00:31:20.640 --> 00:31:22.019
as I indicated earlier.

00:31:22.119 --> 00:31:26.299
I was provided very clear direction and expectations.

00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:30.670
And off that would be the three consulting firms that

00:31:30.670 --> 00:31:31.420
looked

00:31:31.420 --> 00:31:35.480
at different parts of the development services.

00:31:36.200 --> 00:31:44.880
And I would say that we're probably better than 80%

00:31:45.279 --> 00:31:50.720
of what those recommendations were that were in the process

00:31:50.940 --> 00:31:56.480
of if not fully adhering to.

00:31:57.279 --> 00:31:58.359
So a lot of--

00:31:58.359 --> 00:32:00.019
>> There were a ton of great ideas.

00:32:00.019 --> 00:32:01.440
>> There were a ton of great ideas.

00:32:01.440 --> 00:32:05.799
And again, when you employ specialists to look at

00:32:05.799 --> 00:32:09.640
and evaluate, you'd be a fool not to take that advice.

00:32:09.880 --> 00:32:12.839
And I think it's just merely tempering

00:32:12.839 --> 00:32:16.420
that with the uniqueness of a community and making sure

00:32:16.420 --> 00:32:18.740
that it's not too much too fast.

00:32:20.000 --> 00:32:22.539
>> Change is hard in any organization.

00:32:22.539 --> 00:32:28.160
How has the folks down at development services taken this

00:32:28.160 --> 00:32:29.819
change because they were pretty--

00:32:29.819 --> 00:32:31.140
some of them were pretty ingrained

00:32:31.140 --> 00:32:35.700
in the old way of doing things?

00:32:35.960 --> 00:32:38.000
>> I was very apprehensive about that.

00:32:38.000 --> 00:32:39.460
I was very concerned with that.

00:32:40.240 --> 00:32:44.559
And I just had a conversation with staff this morning.

00:32:45.160 --> 00:32:50.069
And I couldn't be happier with the willingness, the

00:32:50.069 --> 00:32:50.700
openness,

00:32:50.920 --> 00:32:55.599
the desire to implement change.

00:32:56.140 --> 00:33:00.960
I think the difference in the ingrained is been the silos.

00:33:02.039 --> 00:33:08.359
I think the city manager has done a fabulous job of helping

00:33:08.359 --> 00:33:11.400
to eliminate or lose those barriers.

00:33:12.140 --> 00:33:15.779
And there's a lot of talented staff at the city.

00:33:16.680 --> 00:33:22.119
And the staff have always, I think, just been put

00:33:22.119 --> 00:33:24.680
into a position, this is your job and continue

00:33:24.680 --> 00:33:26.359
to do your job, they've done it well.

00:33:26.819 --> 00:33:30.180
I think it's been the lack of empowerment for them to be

00:33:30.180 --> 00:33:30.519
able

00:33:30.619 --> 00:33:33.799
to spread their wings a little bit and try

00:33:33.799 --> 00:33:34.799
to look a little broader.

00:33:35.519 --> 00:33:38.279
So to answer that specifically,

00:33:38.279 --> 00:33:44.799
staff has been very cooperative, even energized by the fact

00:33:45.099 --> 00:33:49.960
of the change, I've met little to no resistance

00:33:50.960 --> 00:33:53.220
in any area in the organization.

00:33:53.220 --> 00:33:59.200
So we are making so many changes that are very small

00:33:59.200 --> 00:34:00.980
that most people wouldn't recognize.

00:34:01.319 --> 00:34:05.839
But for staff, it's been very enlightening for them

00:34:05.839 --> 00:34:09.139
and again, empowering, they appreciate it.

00:34:12.340 --> 00:34:12.599
>> John?

00:34:13.460 --> 00:34:14.159
>> John Baines.

00:34:14.400 --> 00:34:16.119
Thank you for your presentation.

00:34:16.599 --> 00:34:16.860
>> Thank you.

00:34:16.860 --> 00:34:18.980
>> I wanted to ask a question.

00:34:18.980 --> 00:34:21.719
Now that you've rolled out this plan of action,

00:34:22.280 --> 00:34:26.559
what is the timetable for evaluating yourself?

00:34:28.239 --> 00:34:31.460
>> We're our own worst critics.

00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:34.219
So I evaluate myself, I think probably daily.

00:34:34.760 --> 00:34:37.739
When I leave work, what did I accomplish today?

00:34:37.739 --> 00:34:39.260
And there are so many days that I feel

00:34:39.260 --> 00:34:43.260
like I didn't do anything because I had an agenda

00:34:43.260 --> 00:34:45.559
that I set first thing in the morning and I didn't follow

00:34:45.559 --> 00:34:47.559
that because there are so many different squirrels

00:34:47.599 --> 00:34:49.119
that kind of run across my paths.

00:34:49.820 --> 00:34:55.340
That's really I think my boss's responsibility to evaluate

00:34:55.340 --> 00:34:56.059
me.

00:34:56.400 --> 00:34:59.820
I'm very hard on myself and I have high expectations

00:35:00.059 --> 00:35:03.639
of what it is that I'm attempting to deliver.

00:35:04.480 --> 00:35:08.000
I think with the support of staff,

00:35:08.519 --> 00:35:12.159
I've actually accomplished more than I intended

00:35:12.159 --> 00:35:15.000
and I'm incredibly aggressive in the things

00:35:15.000 --> 00:35:16.480
that I attempt to accomplish.

00:35:17.300 --> 00:35:21.239
So for me to evaluate myself or win,

00:35:21.780 --> 00:35:25.179
I haven't completed a business plan.

00:35:25.280 --> 00:35:28.340
My role has been pretty unique since I've been here.

00:35:29.179 --> 00:35:32.420
And I started with a business plan

00:35:32.860 --> 00:35:36.539
so I understood my short, mid and long term goals.

00:35:37.420 --> 00:35:43.400
Today I've probably for the past 90 days been in really

00:35:43.400 --> 00:35:44.860
in a crisis management role.

00:35:45.199 --> 00:35:48.300
And just to be honest, it's just really where I've been.

00:35:48.940 --> 00:35:53.039
And I think over the course of the next 90 days,

00:35:53.519 --> 00:35:56.119
I'll be very busy with the development code.

00:35:56.880 --> 00:35:58.679
But it will be more of a framework

00:35:58.679 --> 00:36:03.139
where I can really evaluate what those changes look like.

00:36:03.139 --> 00:36:05.440
Right now they're very small successes

00:36:05.440 --> 00:36:08.440
that I'm very happy with and probably more small successes

00:36:08.440 --> 00:36:10.159
than I anticipated having.

00:36:10.400 --> 00:36:12.019
And that may not have answered.

00:36:12.559 --> 00:36:16.110
>> Having been involved in the business arena for over 30

00:36:16.110 --> 00:36:16.500
years

00:36:17.139 --> 00:36:20.639
and having had a lot of feedback on activities

00:36:20.880 --> 00:36:25.559
from contractors and developers, there is a perception

00:36:25.559 --> 00:36:26.079
there

00:36:26.139 --> 00:36:28.340
about the city of Denton and doing business with the city.

00:36:28.960 --> 00:36:30.579
And now that we've rolled out these changes,

00:36:30.579 --> 00:36:33.659
I would think you'd probably want to take a hard look maybe

00:36:33.659 --> 00:36:37.039
at four months, six months after you've had a chance to

00:36:37.039 --> 00:36:37.500
really--

00:36:37.820 --> 00:36:40.119
I mean because a lot of these things are ingrained

00:36:40.119 --> 00:36:42.519
in the culture and are not removed that easily.

00:36:43.019 --> 00:36:44.300
I think the plan is great.

00:36:44.699 --> 00:36:48.050
I would just like to hear from those that are directly

00:36:48.050 --> 00:36:48.739
affected

00:36:49.199 --> 00:36:52.300
and perhaps you can kind of give us some feedback and even

00:36:52.300 --> 00:36:52.679
ask

00:36:52.679 --> 00:36:56.780
for it from, you know, folks and so

00:36:56.780 --> 00:37:01.500
that we could have some record of their perception

00:37:01.699 --> 00:37:02.599
of how things have gone.

00:37:03.239 --> 00:37:05.599
>> And I may have misunderstood your question.

00:37:05.599 --> 00:37:08.239
Let me step back a little bit.

00:37:08.800 --> 00:37:13.179
We have-- we've already conducted an internal survey

00:37:13.320 --> 00:37:18.280
so of our staff so we can establish benchmarks.

00:37:18.420 --> 00:37:18.679
>> Yes.

00:37:19.119 --> 00:37:21.000
>> And so we've done that with staff.

00:37:21.320 --> 00:37:24.139
We're in the process of developing an external.

00:37:24.820 --> 00:37:28.239
And it's very challenging to do because again,

00:37:28.239 --> 00:37:30.739
where we've had a number of changes over the course

00:37:30.739 --> 00:37:32.960
of the past couple of years is trying to establish

00:37:32.960 --> 00:37:34.460
that place or that benchmark.

00:37:35.739 --> 00:37:39.000
It was challenging enough to do with staff but we did

00:37:39.000 --> 00:37:41.480
that two and a half months ago.

00:37:41.480 --> 00:37:43.400
So in the next couple of weeks, we're going to roll

00:37:43.400 --> 00:37:45.440
out another one and we're going to stay on that path

00:37:45.440 --> 00:37:47.679
so we understand those benchmarks internally.

00:37:47.679 --> 00:37:50.500
How are we doing-- how are we doing in our service delivery

00:37:50.500 --> 00:37:50.639
?

00:37:51.679 --> 00:37:55.400
Like I say, we're in the process of developing an external

00:37:56.059 --> 00:37:59.260
and then that's going to be tied to all of our employees'

00:37:59.260 --> 00:37:59.639
email

00:38:00.059 --> 00:38:02.929
so that external component when they're delivering

00:38:02.929 --> 00:38:03.559
something

00:38:03.559 --> 00:38:05.880
that it's asking for that survey to be filled out

00:38:05.880 --> 00:38:07.519
so we can constantly monitor.

00:38:08.039 --> 00:38:13.110
Second piece to that is with each building permit is

00:38:13.110 --> 00:38:14.300
attaching

00:38:14.719 --> 00:38:19.380
with that certificate of occupancy just a very brief

00:38:19.380 --> 00:38:22.619
survey to say how did we do, who do you interact with,

00:38:22.659 --> 00:38:23.900
how was the service delivery.

00:38:23.900 --> 00:38:27.800
So we have some of that but along those lines,

00:38:27.800 --> 00:38:31.239
we are looking at making sure that we're getting feedback

00:38:31.239 --> 00:38:34.440
from those customers to understand how we're doing.

00:38:34.820 --> 00:38:35.099
>> Thank you.

00:38:36.619 --> 00:38:38.099
>> I think Gerard had some questions.

00:38:38.099 --> 00:38:38.880
>> Yes sir.

00:38:39.440 --> 00:38:40.280
>> Thank you Scott.

00:38:40.280 --> 00:38:44.000
My question would be on the reporting back,

00:38:44.000 --> 00:38:46.159
so the 48 hour mark and then the--

00:38:46.159 --> 00:38:49.900
I think you said seven day follow up or contact.

00:38:50.480 --> 00:38:54.559
Are those industry standard or can you just kind of walk me

00:38:54.559 --> 00:38:58.000
through those expectations, are they consistent?

00:38:58.000 --> 00:39:02.519
I'm just curious how you arrived at those and are they--

00:39:02.519 --> 00:39:06.699
will your customers experience similar or used

00:39:06.699 --> 00:39:10.409
to similar experience response times just trying to

00:39:10.409 --> 00:39:10.980
understand

00:39:10.980 --> 00:39:16.559
that the kind of the supporting I guess math if you will

00:39:16.559 --> 00:39:20.239
or just kind of how you arrived at those benchmarks

00:39:20.239 --> 00:39:24.119
or opportunities to follow up or commitments,

00:39:24.119 --> 00:39:26.699
that sort of thing?

00:39:26.820 --> 00:39:27.760
>> Multifaceted.

00:39:27.760 --> 00:39:29.880
So I'll start with the 48 hours.

00:39:29.880 --> 00:39:32.900
The 48 hours is a little more liberal than what I want.

00:39:32.900 --> 00:39:36.019
I want a 24 hour response but again

00:39:36.019 --> 00:39:38.559
with change is trying to evolve into that.

00:39:38.559 --> 00:39:43.929
So the expectation of having a first contact made from the

00:39:43.929 --> 00:39:44.199
city

00:39:44.199 --> 00:39:46.460
to the applicant rather than the applicant submitting

00:39:46.460 --> 00:39:48.360
and not hearing anything until they get comments,

00:39:48.920 --> 00:39:49.900
that's that first step.

00:39:50.280 --> 00:39:53.579
So within 48 hours that we make contact

00:39:53.579 --> 00:39:55.980
to say I'm the person that you need to contact

00:39:55.980 --> 00:39:58.119
if you have any questions, I'm assigned this project

00:39:58.659 --> 00:40:01.780
and then the expectations are based on the type

00:40:01.780 --> 00:40:04.679
of application that's being made and that's really set

00:40:04.679 --> 00:40:07.260
through in many instances state statute.

00:40:08.159 --> 00:40:12.760
So we have some limitations on some of the components

00:40:12.760 --> 00:40:16.039
of where it is that we have to have comments back.

00:40:16.639 --> 00:40:20.699
In other areas it is what is that time that is really

00:40:20.699 --> 00:40:21.320
required

00:40:21.739 --> 00:40:24.619
to perform whatever the review might be.

00:40:24.619 --> 00:40:27.260
There's a lot of difference between a completeness review

00:40:27.260 --> 00:40:29.980
and an actual review of a site plan

00:40:29.980 --> 00:40:31.440
versus construction drawings.

00:40:32.079 --> 00:40:36.139
And so each of those dates are driven truly from--

00:40:36.760 --> 00:40:39.090
each of the dates short of the 48 are driven from a

00:40:39.090 --> 00:40:39.679
standpoint

00:40:39.679 --> 00:40:44.559
of a statute or truly a practical--

00:40:44.559 --> 00:40:48.440
the practical ability to perform the work.

00:40:49.920 --> 00:40:53.349
The first step is just that of attempting to be more

00:40:53.349 --> 00:40:54.400
proactive

00:40:54.400 --> 00:40:57.800
in making contact and making sure that our customers know

00:40:57.860 --> 00:41:00.400
who it is that they can contact if they have a question

00:41:00.940 --> 00:41:03.000
and setting the expectations.

00:41:03.480 --> 00:41:06.139
So some of those will be windows.

00:41:06.639 --> 00:41:10.460
So you can anticipate there are five projects in front of

00:41:10.460 --> 00:41:10.820
you.

00:41:11.139 --> 00:41:14.699
We should begin the review within seven days.

00:41:14.760 --> 00:41:17.420
We may take, you know, 15 days

00:41:17.880 --> 00:41:19.820
and then the review will take this much time.

00:41:19.820 --> 00:41:21.980
So again, giving them some windows of opportunity

00:41:21.980 --> 00:41:25.940
to better understand rather than today or to the past,

00:41:25.940 --> 00:41:29.559
the model has been that you make application and you'll

00:41:29.559 --> 00:41:29.739
hear

00:41:29.739 --> 00:41:31.260
from somebody when you hear from them,

00:41:31.940 --> 00:41:33.460
if that answers that for you.

00:41:33.840 --> 00:41:34.780
>> Yes, thank you.

00:41:35.940 --> 00:41:36.139
>> Martin.

00:41:36.719 --> 00:41:37.139
>> Yes, Jim.

00:41:37.659 --> 00:41:39.199
>> Scott, have you been in contact with [inaudible]

00:41:39.199 --> 00:41:42.699
and the development community alliance?

00:41:43.039 --> 00:41:47.380
>> I met with that group week one or week two

00:41:47.619 --> 00:41:49.500
since I was here and I just left a meeting with him.

00:41:49.659 --> 00:41:52.019
>> Okay. Because you could probably get some really good

00:41:52.019 --> 00:41:53.940
feedback on how you're doing from that group

00:41:54.059 --> 00:41:57.440
because they are key in development.

00:41:58.639 --> 00:42:01.639
>> And he's provided positive feedback thus far

00:42:01.639 --> 00:42:03.800
so I feel good about it.

00:42:04.219 --> 00:42:09.639
If I were to quote or attempt to quote Lee today,

00:42:09.980 --> 00:42:17.559
he can already hear or feel the diminishing of that

00:42:17.559 --> 00:42:18.519
organization.

00:42:19.699 --> 00:42:21.000
>> One other question.

00:42:22.019 --> 00:42:24.340
Historically, the practice has been

00:42:24.340 --> 00:42:28.159
that within the first 10 days to get comments back,

00:42:28.780 --> 00:42:31.559
sometimes you get comments that aren't applicable

00:42:31.739 --> 00:42:36.039
to the project itself, have no bearing on it whatsoever,

00:42:36.699 --> 00:42:39.820
which is a clear indication some of our minds is

00:42:39.820 --> 00:42:42.579
that somebody didn't look at it.

00:42:42.679 --> 00:42:44.980
They just sent something out to get it off their desk

00:42:45.300 --> 00:42:47.019
and meet the 10-day commitment.

00:42:48.179 --> 00:42:52.500
And then the other thing that happens historically is once

00:42:52.500 --> 00:42:52.619
you

00:42:52.619 --> 00:42:56.199
do your resubmittal and answer all of those comments,

00:42:56.659 --> 00:43:00.059
then you get comments back from a section

00:43:00.059 --> 00:43:03.840
that had already been reviewed that now somebody's coming

00:43:03.840 --> 00:43:04.280
back

00:43:04.280 --> 00:43:07.260
with additional comments and puts it out another 10 days.

00:43:08.559 --> 00:43:09.159
Have you heard that?

00:43:10.539 --> 00:43:12.880
>> I can't count how many times.

00:43:13.179 --> 00:43:13.980
>> Okay. Nevermind.

00:43:13.980 --> 00:43:16.860
>> I will say, well, and so that's --

00:43:16.960 --> 00:43:18.940
but that's another one of those changes

00:43:18.940 --> 00:43:22.179
that really is challenging to measure or to evaluate.

00:43:22.760 --> 00:43:27.179
But I will say, really, we're giving everyone

00:43:27.179 --> 00:43:28.539
that one bite at the apple.

00:43:28.719 --> 00:43:30.239
You've got your opportunity.

00:43:30.659 --> 00:43:31.760
Make your comments.

00:43:33.099 --> 00:43:35.320
We are not accepting suggestions,

00:43:35.320 --> 00:43:37.780
recommendations I would like to see.

00:43:38.360 --> 00:43:40.860
It's going to be on the basis of code.

00:43:41.239 --> 00:43:43.860
You best have a code section to support what it is

00:43:43.860 --> 00:43:46.099
that you're indicating on that comment.

00:43:47.300 --> 00:43:50.280
Then when it is that if it is a second submittal,

00:43:50.440 --> 00:43:52.820
when we get that resubmittal, you're looking

00:43:52.820 --> 00:43:55.400
at from the comment standpoint.

00:43:55.400 --> 00:43:57.199
You're not looking at the rest of the plan.

00:43:57.599 --> 00:44:01.920
If you miss something, shame on you as the reviewer.

00:44:02.380 --> 00:44:07.380
If it isn't going to cause a health safety issue,

00:44:07.380 --> 00:44:09.699
if it isn't catastrophic to our infrastructure,

00:44:10.260 --> 00:44:12.440
we're not going to go back after that.

00:44:12.539 --> 00:44:14.599
And we're certainly not doing that on a third review.

00:44:15.440 --> 00:44:20.519
And so we're minimizing the number of reviews

00:44:20.739 --> 00:44:23.500
and holding people accountable to ensure that the quality

00:44:23.500 --> 00:44:25.539
of the review is conducted right the first time.

00:44:25.800 --> 00:44:27.699
And again, no more editorials either.

00:44:29.840 --> 00:44:32.440
>> Okay. Good luck.

00:44:33.139 --> 00:44:35.280
>> Thank you.

00:44:35.280 --> 00:44:36.119
>> You'll get feedback.

00:44:36.380 --> 00:44:39.159
>> Hi. Jill Jester.

00:44:39.239 --> 00:44:40.079
First of all, thank you.

00:44:40.079 --> 00:44:41.519
I thought it was a great presentation

00:44:41.519 --> 00:44:43.260
and it's very refreshing.

00:44:43.719 --> 00:44:47.559
I think just kudos all the way around is what I'm hearing.

00:44:48.360 --> 00:44:51.460
And thank you for tackling what has been going on here

00:44:51.460 --> 00:44:54.260
for decades and decades, at least the reputation.

00:44:54.380 --> 00:44:56.000
So thank you so much.

00:44:56.380 --> 00:44:59.869
I wanted to know who is leading the development code

00:44:59.869 --> 00:45:00.519
rewrite

00:45:00.619 --> 00:45:02.079
and do you know anything about the --

00:45:02.079 --> 00:45:03.659
I don't know if it's you or someone else,

00:45:03.659 --> 00:45:05.820
but their background with development codes.

00:45:06.340 --> 00:45:10.159
Who is it that's kind of the lead on the right?

00:45:10.579 --> 00:45:13.400
>> Us. So it's a group.

00:45:14.179 --> 00:45:16.980
I'm responsible and accountable

00:45:16.980 --> 00:45:18.280
for the development code rewrite.

00:45:18.780 --> 00:45:21.860
We have contracted with Clarion and Associates.

00:45:22.519 --> 00:45:24.159
They are out of Colorado.

00:45:24.159 --> 00:45:25.739
That's what they specialize in.

00:45:26.239 --> 00:45:28.739
We've been working with them for a number of years.

00:45:29.599 --> 00:45:32.559
They came forward a couple of months ago

00:45:32.559 --> 00:45:35.099
with a partial rewrite.

00:45:35.099 --> 00:45:38.159
We've asked them to go back to the table and to clean it up

00:45:38.159 --> 00:45:38.440
.

00:45:39.619 --> 00:45:46.059
So we're taking a fresh approach and so again, I'm

00:45:46.059 --> 00:45:46.960
responsible

00:45:46.960 --> 00:45:51.360
but I'm only one piece of a much larger pie.

00:45:52.039 --> 00:45:55.059
And so our planning director, our utilities director,

00:45:55.059 --> 00:45:56.880
our city engineer, our capital,

00:45:57.300 --> 00:46:00.909
all of us will have an integral part and a critical part to

00:46:00.909 --> 00:46:01.260
this.

00:46:01.559 --> 00:46:06.320
City manager is -- reinforced the fact that all

00:46:06.320 --> 00:46:08.380
of the departments will look at this very closely.

00:46:08.380 --> 00:46:12.599
It's a priority for the city and so it's no one person.

00:46:14.000 --> 00:46:15.699
>> Got one more quick question.

00:46:16.380 --> 00:46:19.099
You talked about some of the like radical steps you're

00:46:19.099 --> 00:46:19.679
taking

00:46:19.920 --> 00:46:20.980
and different training.

00:46:22.119 --> 00:46:24.460
Specifically, are we talking about customer service

00:46:24.460 --> 00:46:27.039
or operational or the technical aspects?

00:46:27.039 --> 00:46:29.699
What kind of training are you implementing

00:46:29.699 --> 00:46:31.880
or planning to implement?

00:46:32.519 --> 00:46:33.179
>> Everything.

00:46:33.619 --> 00:46:38.320
So I guess in simplest, so we have some new employees

00:46:38.320 --> 00:46:38.960
that have started.

00:46:39.159 --> 00:46:42.159
We've launched an element -- a learning management system

00:46:42.159 --> 00:46:43.579
which is an online solution.

00:46:44.239 --> 00:46:48.360
They're taking government 101, customer service, ethics,

00:46:48.360 --> 00:46:50.599
diversity, the city offers those programs

00:46:50.599 --> 00:46:52.500
but we're augmenting that.

00:46:53.679 --> 00:46:55.500
We're working with our library

00:46:55.500 --> 00:46:59.519
and we're teaching Microsoft basic Excel outlook.

00:46:59.880 --> 00:47:03.360
So employees have the very basic tools to be able

00:47:03.360 --> 00:47:06.039
to do their job more effectively and again,

00:47:06.039 --> 00:47:08.300
communicate with our outside constituents.

00:47:09.480 --> 00:47:14.400
And so we're creating that foundation for all employees

00:47:14.760 --> 00:47:17.880
and then we're looking at each of the technical

00:47:18.199 --> 00:47:20.280
or subject matter expert areas

00:47:20.539 --> 00:47:22.340
and then we're giving them specific training

00:47:22.340 --> 00:47:23.219
for those components.

00:47:23.219 --> 00:47:27.059
We've brought in a couple different trainers

00:47:27.119 --> 00:47:29.480
on technical components.

00:47:30.000 --> 00:47:33.320
We are working with CGA to do training on planning.

00:47:33.320 --> 00:47:35.949
We've had the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors

00:47:35.949 --> 00:47:36.480
Association

00:47:36.480 --> 00:47:38.199
come in for plumbing inspectors.

00:47:38.699 --> 00:47:41.840
We're using SGR as a component of this.

00:47:41.840 --> 00:47:44.260
So we have -- it's multifaceted and we're doing it

00:47:44.260 --> 00:47:47.099
on every front in small bite-sized pieces.

00:47:47.679 --> 00:47:49.880
>> That sounds great and amazing in the timeframe

00:47:49.880 --> 00:47:52.059
that you've had to put all this together.

00:47:52.519 --> 00:47:53.000
Thank you again.

00:47:53.280 --> 00:47:53.760
>> Thank you.

00:47:55.360 --> 00:47:55.659
>> Chuck?

00:47:56.800 --> 00:47:58.840
>> Chuck Parkender, Dent Chamber of Commerce.

00:47:59.260 --> 00:48:02.880
Thank you for doing this.

00:48:02.880 --> 00:48:06.239
Marty and I hosted 18 months worth

00:48:06.400 --> 00:48:09.539
of Development Code Review meetings in 1999,

00:48:09.820 --> 00:48:12.219
which may be the problem with what you're doing.

00:48:13.079 --> 00:48:16.300
But I remember there were multiple meetings

00:48:16.460 --> 00:48:19.739
where the discussion would say is this ordinance

00:48:20.139 --> 00:48:21.340
or is this policy?

00:48:22.619 --> 00:48:27.530
And so you mentioned two things that you're probably now

00:48:27.530 --> 00:48:28.059
hearing

00:48:28.059 --> 00:48:30.840
in terms of examples in dealing with Lee.

00:48:30.840 --> 00:48:33.659
And by the way, Lee's on our board

00:48:33.659 --> 00:48:36.760
and we will be hosting Fire Marshal Brad Layhart right

00:48:36.760 --> 00:48:38.460
after the first of the week -- a month.

00:48:39.539 --> 00:48:41.800
And he mentioned how he's working with you.

00:48:41.800 --> 00:48:42.739
So thank you very much.

00:48:42.780 --> 00:48:48.300
But the multiple contacts you talked about,

00:48:48.300 --> 00:48:49.900
applicant, contractor, owner,

00:48:50.679 --> 00:48:54.300
and then the red line plan release, is that procedure

00:48:54.300 --> 00:48:56.300
or policy or is that ordinance?

00:48:58.019 --> 00:49:01.940
In other words, are you doing that unencumbered

00:49:02.460 --> 00:49:05.840
as an administrative decision or is that something that's

00:49:05.840 --> 00:49:06.099
had

00:49:06.099 --> 00:49:07.820
to be decided by --

00:49:09.820 --> 00:49:11.659
>> That's the administration.

00:49:11.920 --> 00:49:13.360
So that's policy.

00:49:13.840 --> 00:49:17.820
And we're going to -- a couple of things that we're doing.

00:49:18.360 --> 00:49:23.099
We provide informal staff reports to council.

00:49:23.579 --> 00:49:25.840
And then we're memorializing those internally.

00:49:25.840 --> 00:49:29.280
We're turning them into an interpretation, if you will.

00:49:29.980 --> 00:49:32.440
And so then that way we have a policy document

00:49:32.440 --> 00:49:34.659
or some guidance when it is

00:49:34.699 --> 00:49:36.679
that staff may have the same question.

00:49:36.960 --> 00:49:39.599
They've got a guide or a reference to go to.

00:49:40.920 --> 00:49:43.199
When we talk about the code is going

00:49:43.199 --> 00:49:48.559
to provide those administrative provisions where --

00:49:48.559 --> 00:49:51.500
what authority the planning director has

00:49:51.599 --> 00:49:55.579
or whatever body it is, what steps they're able

00:49:55.579 --> 00:49:58.019
to take to clearly define this is the role.

00:49:58.380 --> 00:50:00.539
This is where it is that it's going to go to a governing

00:50:00.539 --> 00:50:00.840
body

00:50:01.260 --> 00:50:03.300
where someone else is going to make the decision

00:50:03.559 --> 00:50:05.219
or where staff is going to make the decision.

00:50:05.820 --> 00:50:08.960
We're going to attempt to put everything into the code

00:50:08.960 --> 00:50:10.880
from a performance standpoint rather

00:50:10.880 --> 00:50:12.239
than a prescriptive standpoint.

00:50:12.539 --> 00:50:14.099
Here's where we're trying to go.

00:50:14.719 --> 00:50:17.349
And then within that, then we'll have some administrative

00:50:17.349 --> 00:50:17.800
guidance

00:50:17.800 --> 00:50:21.460
or policy documents and some of that might be similar

00:50:21.460 --> 00:50:25.000
to a criteria manual for storm water or for streets.

00:50:25.599 --> 00:50:29.030
That here's the criteria manual for planning and how we

00:50:29.030 --> 00:50:29.739
work.

00:50:30.300 --> 00:50:34.300
Another example of that would maybe better be our zoning

00:50:34.300 --> 00:50:34.739
code

00:50:34.739 --> 00:50:36.280
is very prescriptive -- or excuse me,

00:50:36.280 --> 00:50:38.280
our landscape code is very prescriptive.

00:50:38.960 --> 00:50:40.079
So we're in the process

00:50:40.079 --> 00:50:43.300
of crafting a points-based landscape code.

00:50:44.039 --> 00:50:47.179
Because not every part of town can we landscape the same

00:50:47.179 --> 00:50:47.659
way,

00:50:47.659 --> 00:50:50.139
but our code is very prescriptive.

00:50:50.860 --> 00:50:53.559
Within that, the point system then is going to be evaluated

00:50:53.559 --> 00:50:55.500
by staff where it's going to be a policy decision

00:50:55.880 --> 00:50:58.880
that this actually meets the intent of the code.

00:50:58.880 --> 00:51:01.519
The code has specified this is what you must do

00:51:01.860 --> 00:51:03.840
and here's how you can meet that.

00:51:03.840 --> 00:51:06.380
And then somebody ultimately has to interpret that data.

00:51:06.820 --> 00:51:07.679
Does that help?

00:51:10.400 --> 00:51:10.699
>> Yes, sir.

00:51:10.980 --> 00:51:11.300
Thank you.

00:51:15.019 --> 00:51:16.619
>> Any more questions or comments?

00:51:17.780 --> 00:51:20.639
Some good questions and comments and great discussions.

00:51:20.639 --> 00:51:23.179
Scott, I appreciate you being here today and good luck

00:51:23.179 --> 00:51:23.820
with your endeavors.

00:51:23.820 --> 00:51:24.079
>> Thank you.

00:51:24.079 --> 00:51:24.820
Thank you for the opportunity.

00:51:25.000 --> 00:51:27.980
Glad to be here and again, if anybody has any questions

00:51:27.980 --> 00:51:28.260
ever,

00:51:28.719 --> 00:51:30.199
don't hesitate to contact me.

00:51:31.760 --> 00:51:32.360
>> All right.

00:51:32.360 --> 00:51:35.960
We do not have a closed session today, so we will move

00:51:35.960 --> 00:51:37.980
into our regular meeting portion.

00:51:38.119 --> 00:51:43.679
And our first item is to review item 17-067,

00:51:43.679 --> 00:51:47.900
the minutes of our November 13, 2017 meeting

00:51:47.900 --> 00:51:49.860
which were distributed in advance.

00:51:50.860 --> 00:51:53.219
I'll take a motion or discussion.

00:51:54.199 --> 00:51:54.780
>> So moved.

00:51:55.780 --> 00:51:56.079
>> Second.

00:51:57.599 --> 00:52:00.679
>> We have a motion by Mr. Baines and a second

00:52:00.679 --> 00:52:04.099
by Mrs. Jester for approval of the minutes.

00:52:04.099 --> 00:52:05.119
Any discussion?

00:52:06.500 --> 00:52:07.980
All those in favor say aye.

00:52:08.380 --> 00:52:08.739
>> Aye.

00:52:09.500 --> 00:52:10.199
>> Any opposed?

00:52:11.400 --> 00:52:13.360
Motion is approved unanimously.

00:52:14.559 --> 00:52:17.559
And we will move next to staff reports.

00:52:18.119 --> 00:52:22.760
Our first staff report is the chamber activity report.

00:52:25.320 --> 00:52:25.639
Adam?

00:52:31.539 --> 00:52:31.880
>> Thank you.

00:52:33.519 --> 00:52:34.480
Hello everyone.

00:52:35.400 --> 00:52:38.090
Staff report reporting on activity for the month of

00:52:38.090 --> 00:52:39.059
November.

00:52:40.420 --> 00:52:45.480
We had four new projects for the month bringing us to seven

00:52:45.480 --> 00:52:46.199
total

00:52:46.199 --> 00:52:47.960
for this fiscal year starting October 1st.

00:52:48.860 --> 00:52:51.119
Project Kansas is a headquarters

00:52:51.119 --> 00:52:55.079
and manufacturing operation looking for a 50-acre rail

00:52:55.079 --> 00:52:55.119
service site.

00:52:56.139 --> 00:52:59.150
Project Golan is looking for 60 to 100 acres to construct a

00:52:59.150 --> 00:52:59.519
200

00:52:59.519 --> 00:53:03.159
to 300,000 square foot facility with future expansion

00:53:03.159 --> 00:53:04.280
into multiple buildings.

00:53:05.480 --> 00:53:10.019
Project Conrad looking for 6 to 10 acres to build a 20

00:53:10.019 --> 00:53:11.880
to 40,000 square foot warehouse.

00:53:12.880 --> 00:53:15.920
And then Project Kilwin is looking for a 12

00:53:15.920 --> 00:53:19.889
to 1500 square foot small retail shop to go right on the

00:53:19.889 --> 00:53:20.460
square.

00:53:22.119 --> 00:53:23.519
We had two site visits for the month.

00:53:23.699 --> 00:53:27.320
Project Brentwood is a manufacturing project.

00:53:27.380 --> 00:53:30.360
They are out of the Kansas City area looking for a 20

00:53:30.360 --> 00:53:33.679
to 35-acre rail site to construct a 100,000 square foot

00:53:33.679 --> 00:53:34.360
facility.

00:53:34.880 --> 00:53:36.719
Project will be 50 new jobs.

00:53:36.719 --> 00:53:39.829
The site visit was conducted on November 6th and we are

00:53:39.829 --> 00:53:40.199
still

00:53:40.199 --> 00:53:42.679
in follow-up process with that project.

00:53:43.679 --> 00:53:45.880
The other one was Project Kansas.

00:53:45.880 --> 00:53:48.239
That one is, as mentioned above, the headquarters

00:53:48.239 --> 00:53:50.159
and manufacturing distribution project.

00:53:50.760 --> 00:53:54.119
Looking for 20 to 35-acre rail site --

00:53:54.119 --> 00:53:56.960
oh, I'm sorry, the 50-acre rail service site

00:53:56.960 --> 00:53:59.679
to construct a 265,000 square foot facility.

00:54:00.219 --> 00:54:01.179
It will be 100 new jobs.

00:54:01.179 --> 00:54:03.559
The site visit was conducted on November 6th.

00:54:04.320 --> 00:54:07.500
And we are also still in follow-up process with that one.

00:54:07.920 --> 00:54:10.159
The consulting firm who brought in that company is bringing

00:54:10.159 --> 00:54:11.880
in another company this Friday as well.

00:54:12.079 --> 00:54:16.159
This consulting firm has, I guess, taken a liking

00:54:16.159 --> 00:54:19.440
to our industrial areas and some of our industrial sites,

00:54:19.440 --> 00:54:20.980
especially the rail service sites.

00:54:21.400 --> 00:54:23.199
They work with a lot of manufacturing

00:54:23.199 --> 00:54:26.199
and distribution food grade related projects.

00:54:26.679 --> 00:54:29.469
So we're seeing a lot of activity from that particular

00:54:29.469 --> 00:54:29.840
group.

00:54:31.139 --> 00:54:34.599
Other activities, met with the Office of the Governor's

00:54:34.599 --> 00:54:35.139
Office

00:54:35.139 --> 00:54:37.199
of Economic Development and Tourism here in Denton.

00:54:37.679 --> 00:54:40.539
They were on their way into Dallas and had never been

00:54:40.539 --> 00:54:44.010
to Denton and I've had a good relationship with one of the

00:54:44.010 --> 00:54:44.139
guys

00:54:44.139 --> 00:54:45.679
from their office for about 10 years now.

00:54:45.679 --> 00:54:47.960
So hosted them here in Denton.

00:54:48.960 --> 00:54:51.760
Met with and presented an overview on Denton

00:54:52.300 --> 00:54:55.480
to the European American Investment Council or EAIC

00:54:55.480 --> 00:54:58.579
for short and a German delegation of aviation companies.

00:54:59.280 --> 00:55:03.420
They all met in Fort Worth and they allowed about 10 of us,

00:55:03.599 --> 00:55:07.079
10 DFW communities to come in and present our locations

00:55:07.079 --> 00:55:09.539
to these companies that have expansion plans

00:55:09.539 --> 00:55:10.739
into the DFW market.

00:55:11.219 --> 00:55:13.360
And we're also making plans to meet them again

00:55:13.360 --> 00:55:15.280
at a maintenance, repair,

00:55:15.280 --> 00:55:18.500
and overhaul conference that's coming up in March.

00:55:19.760 --> 00:55:23.559
Also that same group,

00:55:23.559 --> 00:55:26.980
the European American Investment Council had their annual

00:55:26.980 --> 00:55:31.199
conference in Frisco which Team Texas was a sponsor

00:55:31.500 --> 00:55:33.119
and we attended with them as well.

00:55:35.320 --> 00:55:37.639
I personally hosted a broker

00:55:37.639 --> 00:55:39.639
from the Trans Westerns Dallas office

00:55:39.639 --> 00:55:41.320
which is a global site selection firm.

00:55:41.739 --> 00:55:44.420
Hosted them in Denton for an industrial tour and overview.

00:55:44.920 --> 00:55:47.400
He was also interested in the industrial park

00:55:47.400 --> 00:55:48.579
and the rail service sites.

00:55:48.579 --> 00:55:50.000
We're having a lot of interest right now

00:55:50.000 --> 00:55:51.960
on the rail service sites out there.

00:55:51.960 --> 00:55:55.340
I don't know if that's mainly due to the product rail load

00:55:55.340 --> 00:55:56.920
that's coming in and creating a lot of buzz

00:55:56.920 --> 00:56:00.559
and things like that, but it's great for Denton.

00:56:01.719 --> 00:56:05.460
Hosted another company representative from FCL Builders

00:56:05.880 --> 00:56:08.219
in Denton for another industrial tour and overview.

00:56:09.119 --> 00:56:11.880
Met with Paladin Partners, their industrial team

00:56:11.880 --> 00:56:14.400
which is a Dallas based site selection firm

00:56:14.400 --> 00:56:16.340
and presented our industrial sites for their client.

00:56:16.940 --> 00:56:18.599
They are the ones who have presented us

00:56:18.599 --> 00:56:21.199
with the project Conrad that I mentioned up above

00:56:21.199 --> 00:56:24.599
on that report looking for the six to 10 acres to build a

00:56:24.599 --> 00:56:24.880
20

00:56:24.880 --> 00:56:26.559
to 40,000 square foot warehouse.

00:56:29.199 --> 00:56:32.699
Next, also attended a DFW marketing team fam tour

00:56:32.800 --> 00:56:36.059
where five global site selection firms were in attendance.

00:56:36.139 --> 00:56:39.780
So we had the ability to go and meet with them and had

00:56:39.780 --> 00:56:40.679
lunch.

00:56:40.679 --> 00:56:42.800
We got to present our communities

00:56:42.800 --> 00:56:44.360
to these five site selectors.

00:56:44.360 --> 00:56:45.659
They were from all over the place.

00:56:45.659 --> 00:56:47.420
One was from Chicago, one from Atlanta,

00:56:47.960 --> 00:56:49.559
I think two from LA and one from New York.

00:56:50.199 --> 00:56:56.320
Next, we hosted a private investors reception

00:56:56.320 --> 00:56:57.400
at First State Bank.

00:56:57.400 --> 00:57:00.659
So thank you Marty and his group for hosting us.

00:57:00.659 --> 00:57:02.440
And I saw most of you there.

00:57:02.440 --> 00:57:03.659
So thank you all for attending.

00:57:04.800 --> 00:57:06.820
And then the other smaller items,

00:57:06.820 --> 00:57:08.780
met with a small business development director

00:57:09.000 --> 00:57:12.139
for some products that they're working on as well.

00:57:12.500 --> 00:57:14.880
Met with private economic development investors.

00:57:14.880 --> 00:57:17.139
This is our fundraising time of the year.

00:57:17.139 --> 00:57:19.800
Now that the city budget was approved, now we have to go

00:57:19.800 --> 00:57:22.219
and raise our private funding from the private investors.

00:57:22.780 --> 00:57:28.119
So far we have had only one that has elected to not renew

00:57:28.119 --> 00:57:31.260
and that's only because of a relocation which I can get

00:57:31.260 --> 00:57:34.179
into at the next meeting once we have more details on that.

00:57:34.840 --> 00:57:37.139
But other than that, it's looking good.

00:57:37.340 --> 00:57:39.940
The funding is going to be well over our $70,000 mark

00:57:39.980 --> 00:57:43.880
that we have to raise from the -- for the city contract.

00:57:45.460 --> 00:57:48.079
Met with the marketing firm that's redoing the --

00:57:48.079 --> 00:57:50.579
or redesigning the didn'tedp.com website.

00:57:50.579 --> 00:57:52.219
Once again, that's not a full redesign.

00:57:52.340 --> 00:57:53.920
It is a facelift.

00:57:53.920 --> 00:57:57.000
So just refreshing things, new modules, new components,

00:57:57.599 --> 00:58:00.059
upgraded building and site features

00:58:00.199 --> 00:58:01.940
and things along those lines.

00:58:02.579 --> 00:58:04.960
And last, attended a ribbon cutting and open house

00:58:04.960 --> 00:58:08.159
for one of our private investors and chamber members.

00:58:10.099 --> 00:58:10.199
Yes.

00:58:11.199 --> 00:58:11.400
>> Carol.

00:58:11.400 --> 00:58:14.719
>> Adam, when do you expect the refresh of the website

00:58:14.719 --> 00:58:15.500
to be finished?

00:58:15.980 --> 00:58:18.059
>> We are looking at the end of January.

00:58:18.199 --> 00:58:18.840
>> Okay, great.

00:58:18.840 --> 00:58:21.099
>> Okay. We're still working on that and going back there,

00:58:21.099 --> 00:58:22.320
refreshing pictures and things like that.

00:58:22.320 --> 00:58:24.380
It may be the first couple weeks of February,

00:58:24.380 --> 00:58:26.079
but around that time frame.

00:58:26.260 --> 00:58:26.960
>> Okay, thank you.

00:58:26.960 --> 00:58:27.159
>> Sure.

00:58:28.119 --> 00:58:28.400
>> Jim.

00:58:29.239 --> 00:58:31.000
>> Adam, what about project railroad?

00:58:31.000 --> 00:58:32.179
What are we at on that one?

00:58:32.500 --> 00:58:34.500
>> Project railroad is still in the works.

00:58:34.500 --> 00:58:37.619
The Razor Company has gone back and forth.

00:58:37.619 --> 00:58:39.500
They have a contract in place.

00:58:40.000 --> 00:58:44.320
It just has not been formally executed yet and signed off

00:58:44.320 --> 00:58:44.480
on.

00:58:44.480 --> 00:58:45.900
But the contract is there.

00:58:46.400 --> 00:58:49.940
The Razor Company has reviewed their revisions

00:58:49.940 --> 00:58:51.239
and now they're going back and forth.

00:58:51.239 --> 00:58:54.340
So it could be, it's my understanding

00:58:54.340 --> 00:58:57.239
that it could be any day now or a few more weeks.

00:58:57.239 --> 00:58:58.239
>> Okay. Good.

00:58:58.239 --> 00:59:00.119
>> Quick question.

00:59:01.019 --> 00:59:01.320
>> Jill.

00:59:02.159 --> 00:59:02.639
>> Jill Jester.

00:59:02.900 --> 00:59:03.239
>> Yes, ma'am.

00:59:04.059 --> 00:59:07.619
>> As far as having contacts with the Office of the

00:59:07.619 --> 00:59:08.119
Governor

00:59:08.179 --> 00:59:10.440
of Economic Development and Tourism in Denton,

00:59:10.559 --> 00:59:11.800
I'm kind of new.

00:59:11.900 --> 00:59:16.619
So tell me how they help us and how, I mean,

00:59:16.619 --> 00:59:18.780
it sounds like an amazing contact.

00:59:18.780 --> 00:59:20.920
Can you tell me a little bit about what they can do

00:59:20.920 --> 00:59:24.039
to help us, what we can do to help them and how that--

00:59:24.699 --> 00:59:28.079
>> Sure. A lot of larger companies and along

00:59:28.079 --> 00:59:31.519
with global site selection firms will go to the state first

00:59:31.519 --> 00:59:32.480
with their projects.

00:59:32.519 --> 00:59:35.340
And so they'll issue an RFI or RFP to the state of Texas

00:59:35.340 --> 00:59:38.880
in the governor's office out of Austin where they will in

00:59:38.880 --> 00:59:39.320
turn,

00:59:39.519 --> 00:59:41.420
send that out to all the communities of interest.

00:59:41.420 --> 00:59:44.389
So they'll send it out to either the whole state or just DF

00:59:44.389 --> 00:59:44.500
W

00:59:44.500 --> 00:59:47.380
or just Houston or wherever that falls.

00:59:47.440 --> 00:59:49.739
But they issue that RFI, then we respond.

00:59:49.739 --> 00:59:52.820
The city handles the lead with the governor's office now

00:59:53.019 --> 00:59:54.179
as of the new contract.

00:59:54.679 --> 00:59:58.880
It's still good for us to market to them regardless of who

00:59:58.880 --> 00:59:58.920
's

00:59:58.920 --> 01:00:00.059
from Denton is marketing to them.

01:00:00.059 --> 01:00:02.019
I've had a great relationship with them for 10 years now

01:00:02.099 --> 01:00:03.920
in previous locations that I've worked in.

01:00:04.460 --> 01:00:06.780
So it's great to have them here in Denton.

01:00:06.780 --> 01:00:09.380
They had not been here before so they were passing through.

01:00:09.380 --> 01:00:13.019
>> And did they make the decision as far as they get in,

01:00:13.179 --> 01:00:15.739
you know, the contact or the questionnaire about, you know,

01:00:15.860 --> 01:00:18.420
what in Texas would be appropriate for us

01:00:18.420 --> 01:00:22.039
and the price and then the office of the governor's--

01:00:22.119 --> 01:00:24.139
the governor's office at that point makes their

01:00:24.139 --> 01:00:25.219
recommendations

01:00:25.219 --> 01:00:28.539
and so is that kind of how it works?

01:00:28.539 --> 01:00:29.199
>> Not exactly.

01:00:29.400 --> 01:00:32.679
They-- when the company will come to them and say either we

01:00:32.679 --> 01:00:32.820
want

01:00:32.820 --> 01:00:34.619
to do a full statewide search and they might be looking

01:00:34.619 --> 01:00:35.400
at other states too.

01:00:35.400 --> 01:00:37.380
It could be, you know, five to 10 states.

01:00:37.380 --> 01:00:38.920
But they want-- they come to Texas,

01:00:38.920 --> 01:00:40.340
they want to do a statewide search.

01:00:40.420 --> 01:00:41.239
So they'll issue that out

01:00:41.239 --> 01:00:42.880
to every single economic development agency.

01:00:42.880 --> 01:00:47.159
We respond with what we have available in terms

01:00:47.159 --> 01:00:49.059
of real estate incentives and things like that.

01:00:49.420 --> 01:00:51.219
So not all communities are going to be a good fit every

01:00:51.219 --> 01:00:51.639
time.

01:00:52.119 --> 01:00:55.099
Sometimes they just target the DFW Metroplex,

01:00:55.099 --> 01:00:56.900
sometimes they'll target two or three areas.

01:00:57.500 --> 01:01:00.239
We send those back-- they assemble a packet and send all

01:01:00.239 --> 01:01:01.019
of those to the company.

01:01:01.019 --> 01:01:03.420
So they're not biased towards one location.

01:01:03.619 --> 01:01:06.780
>> They're more organizational versus recommending--

01:01:06.780 --> 01:01:07.179
>> Correct.

01:01:07.179 --> 01:01:08.840
>> -- the good fit for what they think would be--

01:01:09.079 --> 01:01:09.739
>> They're all--

01:01:09.739 --> 01:01:10.679
>> -- the future, et cetera, that--

01:01:11.000 --> 01:01:12.320
>> They're more of a one-stop shop.

01:01:12.320 --> 01:01:12.579
>> OK.

01:01:12.579 --> 01:01:16.030
>> The state is so-- rather than a company having to come

01:01:16.030 --> 01:01:16.840
to Denton,

01:01:16.840 --> 01:01:20.420
Frisco, Round Rock, Georgetown, and Midland, you know,

01:01:20.420 --> 01:01:22.820
they go to the state and the state can issue that RFI to

01:01:22.820 --> 01:01:23.059
all

01:01:23.059 --> 01:01:26.900
of us and then we respond with what are available sites

01:01:26.900 --> 01:01:28.099
and incentives and things like that.

01:01:28.960 --> 01:01:30.380
>> I appreciate your knowledge in this area.

01:01:30.380 --> 01:01:30.840
>> No problem.

01:01:30.840 --> 01:01:31.340
>> Thank you very much.

01:01:31.539 --> 01:01:31.699
>> Sure.

01:01:31.699 --> 01:01:31.880
>> Thank you.

01:01:32.699 --> 01:01:33.019
>> John?

01:01:34.059 --> 01:01:37.190
>> Adam, this is something for maybe perhaps a future

01:01:37.190 --> 01:01:38.199
meeting.

01:01:38.500 --> 01:01:38.719
>> Sure.

01:01:39.059 --> 01:01:42.099
>> The secrets of closing the deal,

01:01:43.139 --> 01:01:46.119
to me it's still kind of a black box.

01:01:46.119 --> 01:01:49.039
I've been doing this committee for a couple of years now,

01:01:49.659 --> 01:01:51.340
but maybe in a future presentation,

01:01:51.340 --> 01:01:55.159
you could maybe bring us back, you know, the one,

01:01:55.159 --> 01:01:56.760
two, threes of closing the deal.

01:01:56.940 --> 01:02:01.280
I see these, but I'd like to kind of make sure it's more

01:02:01.280 --> 01:02:02.420
than a black box to me.

01:02:02.559 --> 01:02:04.159
I just kind of see a black box right now.

01:02:04.159 --> 01:02:04.420
>> So--

01:02:04.420 --> 01:02:06.079
>> Kind of the whole process from start to finish.

01:02:06.079 --> 01:02:10.039
>> Sure, yeah, we can do that.

01:02:10.199 --> 01:02:10.639
No problem.

01:02:11.320 --> 01:02:11.619
>> Thank you.

01:02:11.860 --> 01:02:12.059
>> Sure.

01:02:14.300 --> 01:02:18.219
>> Anybody else have any questions or comments for Adam?

01:02:18.940 --> 01:02:20.199
>> Thank you, Adam.

01:02:20.400 --> 01:02:20.900
>> Thanks, Adam.

01:02:21.179 --> 01:02:21.880
>> All right, thanks.

01:02:21.880 --> 01:02:24.940
>> We have a stand report that's in the back,

01:02:24.940 --> 01:02:26.920
which is our statistics for our city.

01:02:26.920 --> 01:02:28.780
If you haven't, if you're not paying attention,

01:02:28.780 --> 01:02:31.940
that is a lot of really great information on sales tax

01:02:31.940 --> 01:02:33.699
and what's happening with development.

01:02:33.699 --> 01:02:37.380
So take a look at that if you're not doing that.

01:02:37.539 --> 01:02:42.099
Other than that, we're ready to come to our concluding

01:02:42.099 --> 01:02:42.460
items.

01:02:42.460 --> 01:02:44.940
Does anybody have anything to--

01:02:44.940 --> 01:02:45.780
>> I have a question.

01:02:46.219 --> 01:02:46.679
>> Yeah, Jim.

01:02:47.239 --> 01:02:52.780
>> Caroline, what kind of activity have we had

01:02:52.780 --> 01:02:56.489
from the Dallas Regional Chamber and from the governor's

01:02:56.489 --> 01:02:57.119
office

01:02:57.119 --> 01:03:00.019
as far as interest in Danton coming

01:03:00.019 --> 01:03:02.480
into the city for responses?

01:03:03.059 --> 01:03:04.760
>> So thanks for the question, Jim.

01:03:04.760 --> 01:03:08.190
We're going to be adding an additional staff report

01:03:08.190 --> 01:03:08.579
starting

01:03:08.579 --> 01:03:12.099
in January so that you guys can see the monthly activity

01:03:12.099 --> 01:03:14.360
that we're getting from the governor's office

01:03:14.360 --> 01:03:16.699
of economic development in the Dallas Regional Chamber

01:03:17.179 --> 01:03:19.519
to quickly answer your question.

01:03:19.619 --> 01:03:23.420
The leads from the Dallas Regional Chamber

01:03:23.619 --> 01:03:26.179
and the governor's office have decreased.

01:03:26.179 --> 01:03:29.179
There's a little bit of a seasonal aspect to some of that.

01:03:29.179 --> 01:03:30.980
And so around the holidays, those--

01:03:31.179 --> 01:03:33.619
the RFPs that are issued tend to decrease.

01:03:34.059 --> 01:03:40.380
But we'll be glad to include an annual review of what we've

01:03:40.380 --> 01:03:40.719
taken

01:03:40.719 --> 01:03:43.559
in and respond to or not for the next meeting.

01:03:43.559 --> 01:03:45.920
And then we'll start with monthly reports.

01:03:46.119 --> 01:03:47.719
So you'll be able to have that information.

01:03:47.719 --> 01:03:49.500
>> So you're going back to last October?

01:03:49.500 --> 01:03:49.880
>> Yes, sir.

01:03:52.300 --> 01:03:55.000
>> Are these standard reports updated monthly

01:03:55.000 --> 01:03:56.400
or is this quarterly?

01:03:56.739 --> 01:03:58.260
>> No, they're updated monthly.

01:03:58.260 --> 01:04:01.039
And the economic development staff works really hard.

01:04:01.039 --> 01:04:03.420
We've been working with a lot of different departments

01:04:03.420 --> 01:04:05.059
in the city to pull that together.

01:04:05.059 --> 01:04:09.300
And it's a fantastic tool that we actually share a lot

01:04:09.300 --> 01:04:11.980
with developers, folks who are interested

01:04:11.980 --> 01:04:13.300
in locating in the community.

01:04:13.300 --> 01:04:16.300
So it often answers every question

01:04:16.300 --> 01:04:17.980
that they might have and more.

01:04:17.980 --> 01:04:21.380
So it's great and it's available on the EDP website

01:04:21.380 --> 01:04:23.500
and you can download it as a PDF.

01:04:23.500 --> 01:04:25.699
So I do encourage people to use it

01:04:25.699 --> 01:04:29.059
if it would be a handy tool for you.

01:04:29.059 --> 01:04:30.579
>> I like it.

01:04:31.059 --> 01:04:31.719
>> Thank you.

01:04:31.719 --> 01:04:32.280
>> Mm-hmm.

01:04:33.900 --> 01:04:36.320
>> Anything else to discuss?

01:04:38.320 --> 01:04:41.500
>> I did want to make sure to mention for everybody

01:04:41.500 --> 01:04:44.900
to hold the morning of January 11th

01:04:44.900 --> 01:04:46.619
for the Mayor Council breakfast.

01:04:47.260 --> 01:04:52.139
There'll be some invitations going out for that this week.

01:04:52.139 --> 01:04:53.019
Is that correct?

01:04:53.019 --> 01:04:56.900
Okay. So everybody will see one of those invitations

01:04:56.900 --> 01:04:59.579
and it's actually going to be at the new convention center.

01:04:59.579 --> 01:05:03.179
So it'll be good to get inside there and get a tour,

01:05:03.179 --> 01:05:05.099
see how it's looking.

01:05:06.260 --> 01:05:07.099
>> Great. Thank you.

01:05:07.099 --> 01:05:07.940
>> You're welcome.

01:05:07.940 --> 01:05:08.780
>> Exciting.

01:05:09.820 --> 01:05:10.659
Anything else?

01:05:12.059 --> 01:05:12.900
All right.

01:05:12.900 --> 01:05:14.179
Seeing that there's no other business,

01:05:14.179 --> 01:05:19.179
we'll call our meeting adjourned at 12, 13 p.m.

01:05:19.820 --> 01:05:20.980
Thanks for being here.

01:05:29.579 --> 01:05:59.579
[ Silence ]