[00:00:01]
CONCLUDES THE PUBLIC SPEAKERS LIST.[FY2023 Budget Workshop: Planning ]
AND NOW WE WILL MOVE ON TO WELCOME THE DIRECTOR, MARGARET WALLACE BROWN AND ROGER HAMILTON TO PROVIDE THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BUDGET WORKSHOP PRESENTATION.WELCOME, DIRECTOR, AND THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
UM, LET ME BEGIN BY INTRODUCING, UH, THE TEAM THAT I HAVE WITH ME TODAY.
UH, WE MAY BE RELYING ON THEM FOR SOME ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS, SO I WANNA MAKE SURE I INTRODUCE THEM.
UH, FIRST OF ALL, AT MY RIGHT IS ROGER HAMILTON.
HE IS OUR DEPARTMENT, CFO, UM, AND HE LEADS THE FINANCE TEAM, WHICH INCLUDES ALEJANDRA GARCIA, MARIBEL TORRES, AND DONELLA GOMILLION.
UM, ALSO WITH US TODAY IS OUR COMMUNICATION TEAM, UM, AND A COUNCIL LIAISON, ELISE, MARION AND ANNA, SAD.
AND THEN, UM, OUR, THE OTHER PART OF OUR LEADERSHIP IN OUR DEPARTMENT IS, UM, OUR DEPUTY DIRECTOR, JENNIFER OSLAND, AND OUR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR AND CHIEF TRANSPORTATION PLANNER, DAVID FIELDS.
AND SO, UM, I MAY BE LEANING ON SOME OF THEM FOR SOME OF YOUR QUESTIONS.
UM, LET ME GO AHEAD AND START.
UM, SO MY NAME IS MARGARET WALLACE BROWN.
I'M THE DIRECTOR OF THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
AND BEFORE I PRESENT AN OVERVIEW OF THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT BUDGET, I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO REAFFIRM MY DEEP APPRECIATION FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE PLANNING TEAM AND ALL THE WORK WE DO.
WE TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN BEING A RESOURCE FOR THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL DISTRICTS AND OUR FELLOW DEPARTMENTS.
WE TAKE OUR WORK VERY SERIOUSLY WHEN WE WORK WITH YOU.
IN 2021, WE ADOPTED A NEW MISSION STATEMENT, GROWING AND PRESERVING HOUSTON'S DIVERSE COMMUNITIES TO CREATE A RESILIENT CITY WITH RECORD NUMBER OF PLATS AND PERMITS, AND AN INCREASING PORTFOLIO OF NEW PROJECTS.
2021 HAS BEEN OUR MOST PRODUCTIVE YEAR AND OUR MOST INNOVATIVE YEAR.
I'D LIKE TO DEMONSTRATE HOW WE ARE FULFILLING THAT MISSION AS I SHARE A FEW HIGHLIGHT REELS OF OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
FIRST OF ALL, OUR PLATTING REQUESTS HIT AN ALL TIME HIGH WITH OVER MORE THAN 3000 PLATS IN 2021.
THAT WAS A 25% INCREASE ON OUR PREVIOUS RECORD YEAR, WHICH WAS 2020.
WE ALSO SAW A STEADY INCREASE IN BUILDING PERMITS WITH 22,300 BUILDING PERMITS.
PLANNERS REVIEWING APPROXIMATELY 1200 PLANS PER MONTH.
ON A DIFFERENT NOTE, FRIEDMANS TOWN WAS DESIGNATED AS THE CITY'S FIRST HERITAGE DISTRICT.
WE ALSO ADDED 10 MORE LANDMARKS, A NEW HISTORIC DISTRICT, AND WE HAVE ANOTHER ONE IN THE WORKS.
OUR TEAM IS ENGAGING WITH RESIDENTS IN GLENBURG VALLEY, WHERE WE CONDUCTED A WINDOW WORKSHOP AND WORKED ON DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR THREE HISTORIC DISTRICTS.
MORE ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE OUR TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AREA, WHICH OUR VISION ZERO ACTION PLAN.
OLD EARNED A GOLD AWARD FOR IMPLEMENTATION FROM THE TEXAS CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION.
VISION ZERO IS IMPLEMENTING ALL 13 PRIORITY ACTIONS AND HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE CONTINUING ENGAGEMENT TO IDENTIFY LOCATIONS OF CONCERN, UPDATING THE CITY STREET DESIGNS, REDESIGNING 10 HIGH INJURY NETWORK LOCATIONS, AND RECEIVING $4 MILLION IN HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENT FUNDING FROM TEXDOT.
THE FIRST MOORE SPACE MAIN STREET PATIO OPENED WITH LITTLE DIPPER, FOLLOWED SHORTLY AFTER THAT WITH SHEYY MCILROY, THE FLYING SAUCER AND FINN HALL.
THE MORE SPACE MAIN STREET INITIATIVE WAS A GREAT SUCCESS AND WE, AND WAS APPROVED FOR AN EXTENSION, KEEPING IT GOING THROUGH 2023.
TOGETHER WITH OUR PARTNERS, WE COMPLETED THE AUSTIN HUTCHINS GRAY LELAND AND POLK STREET, UH, BIKEWAYS, INCLUDING CULLEN BOULEVARD.
ALSO, THEY WERE INITIATED IN RESPONSE TO THE BUILD 50 CHALLENGE.
WE ADDED THE CLEAR LAKE WESTCHASE TRAIL EXTENSIONS AND SEGMENTS OF THE SPRING BRANCH TRAIL.
SO NOW WE HAVE HIGH COMFORT BIKEWAY OFF OF EAST FREEWAY AT FEDERAL AND MAXI.
AND THESE COMPLETE 40 MILES OF HIGH COMFORT BY NETWORK IN OUR CITY.
THE TRANSPORTATION TEAM ALSO ENGAGED WITH THE COMMUNITY TO BUILD SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS IN BRIAR MEADOWS AND, UM, SET A GUEST WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS THOMAS AND JACKSON.
WE PARTNERED WITH HARRIS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, RECEIVED FUNDING FROM MD ANDERSON TO START THE CITY'S FIRST SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROGRAM IN ACRE HOME.
OUR LIVABLE PLACES ACTION COMMITTEE CELEBRATED ITS FIRST AN ANNIVERSARY, REACHED CONSENSUS ON RECOMMENDATIONS FROM CHAPTER 42, TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS, WHICH YOU GRACIOUSLY APPROVED.
YESTERDAY ESTABLISHED A FOCUS GROUP TO WORK ON CONSERVATION DISTRICTS AND RELEASED A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL SURVEY THAT GARNERED OVER 1200 RESPONSES.
WE RECEIVED A GRANT FROM THE A A RP, WHICH USED, WHICH WE USED TO ORGANIZE AN ACCESSORY
[00:05:01]
DWELLING UNIT GARAGE APARTMENT FOR MANY DESIGN COMPETITION TO PROMOTE COMPACT AFFORDABLE HOUSING DESIGN OPTIONS FOR HOUSTONIANS.THE GRANT FUNDED A SERIES OF WORKSHOPS AND THE DESIGN CONTEST AND CULMINATED IN THE PUBLICATION OF A BOOK, ALL OF WHICH WAS MANAGED, IMPLEMENTED, AND DESIGNED BY OUR STAFF IN THE COMPLETE COMMUNITIES PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT LED INITIATIVES SUCH AS NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER PRESERVATION TOOL WORKSHOPS, LIGHTS ON HOUSTON, COMMUNITY EVENTS, BUILDING FOOD SECURITY WORKSHOP, AND WORKING WITH CENTER POINT ENERGY AGENCIES ACTION PROGRAM.
SO THESE ARE OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS OVER THE PAST YEAR, BUT I ALSO WANNA PROVIDE A VERY BRIEF OVERVIEW OF OUR PRIORITIES, NEW PROJECTS AND FREQUENTLY RECURRING QUESTS THAT WE'RE EXPECTING TO COME FOR THE COMING YEAR.
AS ALL OF YOU KNOW, WE'RE WORKING WITH COUNCIL DISTRICTS ON REDISTRICTING, BOTH ON THE ONGOING PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, AS WELL AS THE TECHNICAL AND DATA ANALYSIS SUPPORT FOR REALIGNMENT OF DISTRICT BOUNDARIES.
THAT PROCESS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH SEPTEMBER OF 2022.
STAFF IS CREATING A TEAM TO PROVIDE DEMOGRAPHIC AND POPULATION PROJECTIONS FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
UP UNTIL NOW, WE'VE NOT PROJECTED POPULATION.
WE'VE SIMPLY IDENTIFIED WHAT OTHER AGENCIES HAVE CALCULATED.
SO PROJECTIONS WILL BE NEW FOR US AND FOR THE CITY, AND IT WILL SUPPORT OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS IN RIGHT SIZING THEIR SERVICE OPERATIONS.
OUR TRANSPORTATION PLANNERS HAVE SO MANY PROJECTS, IT'S HARD TO KEEP UP, BUT I HOPE YOU HAD A CHANCE TO LISTEN TO THE MAYOR STATE OF MOBILITY ADDRESS THIS AFTERNOON.
A TRANSCRIPT AND A VIDEO IS GONNA BE AVAILABLE LATER TODAY.
BUT IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE HAVE INCREASED COORDINATION WITH METRO, UM, SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY CORRIDOR AND THE INNER KATY BUS.
WE'RE ALSO RECEIVING FREQUENT REQUESTS FOR CONNECTIVITY STUDIES IN VARIOUS COUNCIL DISTRICTS.
AND HOUSTON IS THE LARGEST CITY IN THE UNITED STATES WITHOUT A MAP DESIGNATING TRUCK ROUTES, WHICH MEANS THAT FREIGHT TRAVEL OFTEN CUTS THROUGH RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS.
SO IN THE COMING YEAR, THE CITYWIDE FREIGHT MAP PROJECT WILL COORDINATE WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS AND NEIGHBORHOODS TO SECURE SOME RELIEF FOR THEM.
AND WHEN IT COMES TO INCREASING HOUSTONIANS EQUITY, WE'RE STILL COLLABORATING WITH THE KINDER INSTITUTE ON THE EQUITY INDICATORS PROJECT TO PROVIDE TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND TO REFINE OPERATIONS FOR ALL CITY DEPARTMENTS TO INCREASE EQUITY ACROSS OUR CITY.
THE INITIAL ANALYSIS IS NEARLY COMPLETED, BUT, AND THE PROGRAM WILL REQUIRE ONGOING MANAGEMENT AND MEASURE TO MEASURE SUCCESS IN CLOSING THE GAPS, OUR ONGOING WORK WITH NEIGHBORHOOD RESILIENCY PLANS ADDRESS STORM RECOVERY, WATERSHED BOUNDARIES, AND OTHER CHALLENGES LIKE CLIMATE ADAPTION, RISK REDUCTION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, INFRASTRUCTURE MODERNIZATION, AND SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT.
CURRENTLY, THERE ARE THREE PLANS TO BE COMPLETED BY 2023 WITH ANOTHER THREE TO BE COMPLETED AFTERWARD.
AND STAFF IS DEVELOPING A REPLICABLE FRAMEWORK FOR OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS TO FOLLOW IN CREATING THEIR OWN RESILIENCY PLANS.
AND OUR MINIMUM LOT SIZE AND MINIMUM BUILDING LINE PROGRAMS, WHICH ARE SO POPULAR FOR NEIGHBORHOODS, ARE REACHING THEIR 20 YEAR, UH, THRESHOLD, WHICH MEANS THAT WE'RE CREATING SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN RE WE'RE GETTING REQUESTS FOR SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN RENEWALS ON TOP OF THE AVERAGE PROJECTED NEW APPLICATIONS.
AND FINALLY, HISTORIC PRESERVATION TEAM.
WE'VE CREATED TWO NEW, HIS TWO NEW HISTORIC DISTRICTS HAVE BEEN PETITIONED, AND WE ARE WORKING WITH, UM, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICE FOR REVIEW AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE HISTORIC SITE TAX EXEMPTION PROGRAM, WHICH IS GROWING IN POPULARITY.
WE EXPECT CONSERVATION DISTRICTS TO PRESENT IT TO CITY COUNCIL WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
A CONSERVATION DISTRICT FOR INDEPENDENCE HEIGHTS WILL PROBABLY FOLLOW SHORTLY THEREAFTER.
WE SEE CONSERVATION DISTRICTS AS PROVIDING NEIGHBORHOODS ANOTHER TOOL FOR PROTECTING THEIR CHARACTER.
SO I'M EXCITED ABOUT ALL THE PARTNERSHIPS WE'VE FORGED AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU ON ANOTHER COLLABORATIVE YEAR.
LET'S DIG INTO THE NUMBERS NOW.
THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OPERATES OUT OF FOUR SEPARATE FUNDS.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE, AND I WILL DISCUSS THIS IN DETAIL LATER, THAT WHILE EXPENDITURES ARE SPECIFIC TO A FUND'S FUNCTION, OUR TEAM MEMBERS OPERATE IN A SILO FREE ENVIRONMENT IN THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, IT'S TALENT, NOT TITLES THAT INFORMS THE WORK OF A TEAM MEMBER DOES.
AND VERY FEW OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS CONDUCT ONE JOB WITHIN ONE FUND, MOST HANDLE PROJECTS IN MULTIPLE FUNDS, AND WE ASSIGN THE COSTS ACCORDINGLY.
I'M TELLING YOU THIS BECAUSE WE STRESS IMPORTANCE OF KNOWLEDGE BEYOND THEIR CUBICLE.
IT'S MY BELIEF THAT THIS PROVIDES BETTER PROFESSIONAL TRAINING TO OUR TEAM AND MAKES FOR A BETTER CITY EMPLOYEE.
THE RESULT IS THAT WE UTILIZE A SERIES OF INNER FUND CHARGEBACKS AND REIMBURSEMENTS THAT WILL SEEM CONFUSING AT FIRST, BUT I'LL EXPLAIN THEM IN DETAIL AS WE GET TO THEM.
SO THE FIRST FUND IS THE CITY'S GENERAL FUND.
THE FY 23 BUDGET IS $3,000,925 384, I'M SORRY, $3,925,384 WITH 23.1 FULL-TIME EQUIVALENTS.
THE THE FUND SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND TRANSPORTATION PLANNING EFFORTS, AS WELL AS OUR MANAGEMENT AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES.
THE SECOND FUND, THE DEPARTMENT'S SPECIAL REVENUE FUND, SUPPORTS THE WORK OF THE
[00:10:01]
MAJORITY OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS.THIS FUND RECEIVES FEES, FEES FROM, AND PAYS FOR SERVICES RELATED TO LAND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE 671 SQUARE MILES OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, AS WELL AS THE 1600 ADDITIONAL SQUARE MILES IN THE CITY'S EXTRATERRITORIAL JURISDICTION.
THE TEAM AT THE PERMITTING CENTER ARE ALSO ON THIS FUND, THE THIRD FUND, THE CITY'S CENTRAL SERVICES REVOLVING FUND, ALSO KNOWN AS THE ENTERPRISE GIS OR JUST SIMPLY EGIS FUND SUPPORTS THE WORK OF OUR GIS TEAM, LOCATED BOTH AT SIX 11 WALKER AND AT THE HOUSTON EMERGENCY CENTER.
AS A CENTRAL SERVICE REVOLVING FUND OPERATION, ALL EXPENDITURES IN THIS AREA ARE CHARGED BACK TO THE DEPARTMENT THAT CONSUME OUR SERVICES UNDER THEIR RESTRICTED ACCOUNTS.
THE FY 23 BUDGET IS $1,736,847 WITH 11.5 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES.
AND FINALLY, THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND, WHICH IS A SMALL FUND USED FOR NON-PERSONNEL SPECIAL PRESERVATION ACTIVITIES THAT WAS CREATED SEVERAL YEARS AGO WITH THE PROCEEDS OF THE SALE OF SOME CITY OWNED HISTORIC FIRE STATIONS.
I'D LIKE TO TAKE THE TIME TO DISCUSS THE PROGRAMMING AND THE CORE FUNCTIONS WE HANDLE IN THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT.
OUR DEPARTMENT CONSISTS OF SEVEN DIVISIONS, COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL PLANNING, TRANSPORTATION PLANNING, GIS SERVICES, HISTORIC PRESERVATION DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, MANAGEMENT SERVICES, AND THE DIRECTOR'S OFFICE FOR COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL PLANNING.
THIS GROUP IS LED BY DEPUTY DIRECTOR JENNIFER OSLAND AND DIRECTLY SUPPORTS COMMUNITY PLANNING WITH PROGRAMS SUCH AS COMPLETE COMMUNITIES, MINIMUM LOT SIZE BUILDING LINE, PROHIBITED YARD PARKING.
THEY'RE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR BROADER REGIONAL PLANNING, SUCH AS ANNEXATIONS AND CHANGES TO BOUNDARIES, INCLUDING THE CITY'S EXTRATERRITORIAL JURISDICTION.
THIS GROUP IS THE GROUP CURRENTLY WORKING WITH YOU ON COUNCIL REDISTRICTING.
THE NEXT, THE NEXT DIVISION IS TRANSPORTATION PLANNING LED BY DAVID FIELDS, THE CITY'S CHIEF TRANSPORTATION PLANNER.
THE DIVISION LEADS ASSISTANT THE CITY'S SYSTEMS LEVEL STRATEGIC MOBILITY PLANNING.
THIS FUNCTION INCLUDES MANAGEMENT OF THE CITY'S COMPLETE STREETS AND TRANSPORTATION PLAN, VISION ZERO, THE MAJOR THOROUGHFARE AND FREEWAY PLAN, THE HOUSTON BIKE PLAN, RAIL RELATED PLANNING, LOCAL AREA STUDIES AND EXTERNAL TRANSPORTATION FUNDING AND GRANT EFFORTS.
WE ARE THE, THIS IS THE TEAM THAT'S FACILITATING THE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE NORTH HOUSTON HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AND SOME OF OUR NEWEST INITIATIVES INCLUDE CONNECTIVITY STUDIES FOR HOUSTON NEIGHBORHOODS, THE GIS SERVICES DIVISION, LED BY ASSISTANT DIRECTOR LARRY NTH.
THIS DIVISION MANAGES AND MAINTAINS MUCH OF THE CITY'S GIS INFORMATION, PROVIDES AND COORDINATES REGIONAL EMERGENCY PROVIDERS WITH MAPPING AND ANALYSIS FOR EFFECTIVE EMERGENCY SERVICES.
AS I OFTEN SAY, IF YOU NEED AN AMBULANCE AND IT CAN FIND YOU, THAT'S BECAUSE OUR GIS GROUP TOLD IT HOW TO GET THERE.
THIS IS ALSO THE GROUP THAT PROVIDES THE MAP INDICATING SERVICES, FACILITIES, AND DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN YOUR DISTRICT.
THE NEXT DIVISION IS HISTORIC PRESERVATION.
ROMAN MCALLEN IS THE CITY'S HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER AND HE LEADS THIS GROUP.
THEY FACILITATE THE PROCESS OF IDENTIFYING AND MAINTAINING THE CITY'S HISTORIC RESOURCES THROUGH ENGAGEMENT WITH NEIGHBORHOODS AND PROPERTY OWNERS.
THIS GROUP MANAGES CERTIFICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS APPLICATIONS PERTAINING TO CHAPTER 33 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, AS WELL AS COORDINATING STATE AND FEDERAL REVIEW OF HISTORIC RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR JENNIFER OSLAN LEADS THIS DIVISION ALSO, WHICH OVERSEES MANY DEVELOPMENT RELATED ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING SUBDIVISION AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING AND SITE PLAN REVIEW AT THE HOUSTON PERMITTING CENTER.
THE LAST TWO ARE MANAGEMENT SERVICES AND SUPPORT, THE DIVISION RESPONSIBLE FOR OPERATIONAL SUPPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING BUDGETING, PURCHASING, COMMISSION SUPPORT, CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND PUBLIC INFORMATION AND OPEN RECORDS.
AND THEN FINALLY, THE DIRECTOR'S OFFICE, WHICH HANDLES ALL INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS SUCH AS EMPLOYEE ON BOAT ONBOARDING AND TRAINING, AS WELL AS COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND YOUR COUNCIL DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE PUBLIC.
MOVING ON TO REVENUES BY FUNDS.
THIS SLIDE IS AN OVERVIEW OF THE PROPOSED FY 23 REVENUE BY FUND IN COMPARISON TO THE DEPARTMENT'S ESTIMATED FY 22 REVENUE.
OVERALL, WE ARE PROPOSING A REVENUE INCREASE OF 139,000 ACROSS ALL FUNDS.
FOCUSING ON THE GENERAL FUND LINE REVENUE INTO THE GENERAL FUND IS PRIMARILY FROM A CHARGEBACK FROM THE DEPARTMENT'S SPECIAL REVENUE FUND.
AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, TEAM MEMBERS WHO ARE PRIMARILY PAID OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND, BUT SPEND SOME PORTION OF THEIR TIME WORKING ON DEVELOPMENT RELATED ACTIVITIES THAT SUPPORT THE SPECIAL REVENUE FUND.
THEIR ACTIVITIES ARE REIMBURSED TO THE GENERAL FUND.
THE GENERAL FUND REVENUE IS PROJECTED TO INCREASE BY 77,000 OR 5.5% FROM THE FY 22 ESTIMATE.
MOVING ON TO THE SPECIAL REVENUE FUND, THIS IS THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL REVENUE FUND DEDICATED TO THE DEPARTMENT'S DEPART DEVELOPMENT RELATED SERVICES.
THESE ARE SERVICES AS A REGULATOR
[00:15:01]
TO ENSURE ORDERLY DEVELOPMENT IN THE CITY AND OUR EX EXTRATERRITORIAL JURISDICTION.THEY INCLUDE FUNCTIONS SUCH AS THE REVIEW OF PLATS, RESIDENTIAL SITE PLANS AND DEVELOPMENT PLATS, INCLUDING WORK WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION AS WELL AS OUR SITE PLAN REVIEW AT THE HOUSTON PERMITTING CENTER.
THE SPECIAL REVENUE FUND IS FUNDED WITH REVENUE FROM FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THESE REVIEWS AND DEDICATES THAT REVENUE FOR SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY.
A PORTION OF THAT REVENUE IS RECEIVED BY THE SPECIAL REVENUE FUND IS DUE TO TEAM MEMBERS WHO ARE PRIMARILY PAID OUT OF SPECIAL REVENUE FUND, BUT SPEND SOME PORTION OF THEIR TIME WORKING ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, TRANSPORTATION PLANNING EFFORTS AND MANAGEMENT CUSTOMER SUPPORT ACTIVITIES THAT ARE TECHNICALLY GENERAL FUND.
WE EXPECT A SLIGHT DECREASE IN THE REVENUE OF 43,000 OR POINT, I'M SORRY, OR 4% 0.4% 0.4% OF THIS FUND COMPARED TO FY 22 FOR FLUCTUATIONS IN REVENUE FROM VARIOUS OTHER SOURCES.
THE NEXT LINE SHOWS CENTRAL SERVICES REVOLVING FUND, ALSO KNOWN AS THE ENTERPRISE GIS.
THE FUND PROVIDES CRITICAL MAPPING SERVICES TO THE CITY, INCLUDES INCLUDING CREATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE CITY'S UNDERLYING MAPPING DATA.
THE FUND RECEIVES REVENUE FROM DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE CITY TO PAY FOR GIS RELATED SERVICES.
THE REVENUE TO THIS FUND IS BASED ON ACTUAL EXPENDITURES, AND AS A RESULT, THE REVENUE CAN GO UP OR DOWN DEPENDING ON VACANCIES IN THE FUND OR OTHER COST SAVING MEASURES.
THIS FUND IS EXPECTED TO SEE A REVENUE INCREASE OF 107,000 OR 6.6%.
AND THE FINAL FUND IS THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND.
IT WAS CREATED BY ORDINANCE AND IS FUNDED THROUGH THE PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF HISTORIC FIRE STATIONS.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS FUND IS TO PROMOTE PRESERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF THE CITY'S HISTORIC RESOURCES.
THE REVENUE IS SIMPLY, THE REVENUE TO IT IS SIMPLY INTEREST ON THE FUND BALANCE, AND WE'RE ANTICIPATING A 17% DECREASE IN REVENUES THIS YEAR.
OVERALL DEPARTMENT REVENUES INCREASE 139,000 FOR ALL FUNDS SHIFTING TO EXPENDITURES.
THIS SLIDE IS AN OVERVIEW OF THE FY 2023 BUDGETED BUDGET.
IN COMPARISON TO THE FY 22 PROJECTED CURRENT BUDGET.
OVERALL, WE'RE PROPOSING AN EXPENDITURE DECREASE OF APPROXIMATELY ONE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED ONE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED FORTY SIX THOUSAND ACROSS ALL FUNDS.
IS THAT CORRECT? THE SLIDE PROVIDES A QUICK OVERVIEW OF EXPENDITURES.
GENERAL FUND WE'RE PROPOSING AN INCREASE OF 14,000 OR 0.4%.
THE INCREASES LARGELY DUE TO HOPE, UH, TO, TO THE HOPE INCREASE.
SPECIAL REVENUE FUND IS PROPOSED TO HAVE A DECREASE OF ONE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED ONE MILLION SIX HUNDRED TWENTY NINE THOUSAND OR 12.1%, RESULTING IN A DECREASE FROM INDIRECT COST AND CONSULTING SERVICES AND CENTRAL SERVICES REVOLVING FUND PROPOSING AN INCREASE OF 69,000 OR 4.1% RESULTING FROM HOPE AND INCREASES IN INTERFUND CHARGES.
FINALLY, THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND HAS NO CHANGE.
THIS IS THE GENERAL FUND BREAKDOWN OF EXPENDITURES, UH, PERSONNEL VERSUS NON-PERSONNEL, APPROXIMATELY 3.9 MILLION IN EXPENDITURES, WHICH INCLUDES 77% FOR PERSONNEL COSTS AND 23% FOR NON-PERSONNEL COSTS IN THE NON-PERSONAL EXPENDITURES.
THE EIGHT, THE 887,000 NON-PERSONNEL EXPENDITURE COST FOR THE GENERAL FUND IS BROKEN DOWN.
UM, THE LARGEST CATEGORY IS THE RESTRICTED ACCOUNTS.
THESE EXPENSES ARE NOT CONTROLLED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND MAKE UP 97% OF THE NON-PERSONNEL COSTS OF THIS FUND, AND THEN SERVICES AND SUPPLIES ABOUT 33,000 OR 3% OF THE NON-PERSONNEL EXPENDITURES.
THIS SLIDE ILLUSTRATES THE PROJECTED BUDGET EXPENDITURES FOR THE SPECIAL REVENUE FUND.
THE FUND'S APPROXIMATE 11 MILLION IN EXPENDITURES INCLUDES 57% FOR PERSONNEL COSTS AND 43% FOR NON-PERSONNEL COSTS.
IN FY 23, THE NON-PERSONNEL COST FOR THE DEPARTMENT'S SPECIAL REVENUE FUND IS AS FOLLOWS, INDIRECT COST RECOVERY IS 8% OR 411,000.
THIS COST IS FOR INDIRECT SERVICES PROVIDED BY CENTRAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS AND IS NOT CONTROLLED BY THE DEPARTMENT INTERFUND SERVICES.
29% IS THE CHARGEBACK THAT'S PAID TO GENERAL FUND FOR DEVELOPMENT RELATED ACTIVITIES THAT I MENTIONED EARLIER, PLA TRACKER AND HISTORIC TRACKER WEB APPLICATION REDESIGN.
I WANNA POINT OUT THAT THIS IS A MAJOR EXPENSE THIS FUND WILL SEE FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS.
PLA TRACKER, WHICH IS THE PRIMARY PORTAL THROUGH WHICH ALL DEVELOPMENT RELATED APPLICATIONS ARE SUBMITTED, IS CLOSE TO 10 YEARS OLD AND IS BUILT ON 13-YEAR-OLD TECHNOLOGY.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH IT AND SPECIAL PURCHASE AND STRATEGIC PURCHASING TO, FOR TWO YEARS TO DEVELOP AN RFP FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THIS PORTAL.
LATER THIS SUMMER IN JUNE, YOU'LL SEE A CONTRACT ON YOUR AGENDA TO ACTUALLY BEGIN REBUILDING THIS, THIS, UM, APPLICATION.
[00:20:01]
RESTRICTED ACCOUNTS IS 17% OF THE NON PERSONNEL COSTS AND IS NOT CONTROLLED BY THE DEPARTMENT.AND SUPPLIES AND SERVICES IS A COMBINED 8% FOR SUPPLIES AND SERVICES, COMPUTER SUPPLIES AND SO FORTH.
THE BREAKDOWN OF THE FY 23 EXPENDITURES FOR CENTRAL SERVICES REVOLVING FUND.
UM, THE FUND'S APPROXIMATELY 1.7 MILLION IN EXPENDITURES.
INCLUDES 86% FOR PERSONNEL COSTS AND 14% FOR NON-PERSONNEL COSTS.
IN FY 23, THE NON-PERSONNEL COSTS FOR THE FUND ARE BROKEN DOWN.
49% INCLUDES VARIOUS SERVICES AND CHARGES RELATED TO THE FUND, INCLUDING TECHNOLOGY, SERVICES AND SOFTWARE.
AND THEN 40% OF THE NON-PERSONNEL COST IN THIS FUND IS NOT CONTROLLED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THOSE ARE RESTRICTED ACCOUNTS.
AND FINALLY, 11% IS FOR COMPUTER SUPPLIES, OFFICES, UM, ET CETERA.
THE BREAKDOWN OF THE PROPOSED FY 23 EXPENDITURES FOR THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND INCLUDE APPROXIMATELY 150,000 IN EXPENDITURES AND IS ENTIRELY FOR NON PERSONNEL COSTS.
THERE ARE NO FTES PAID FOR OUT OF THIS FUND.
THE NON-PERSONNEL COST, UM, INCLUDES MISCELLANEOUS SUPPORT SERVICES, WHICH INCLUDE FUNDING FOR TRANSLATION SERVICES FOR THE HISTORIC COMMISSION MEETINGS, AND THE COMPLETION OF THE DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR THE HISTORIC AREAS IN HOUSTON.
THE NEXT SLIDE, THIS SLIDE SHOWS OUR FY 23 PROJECTED FUND BALANCE, I'M SORRY, PROJECTED GENERAL FUND BUDGET EXPENDITURES NET CHANGE TO OUR FY 2022 PROJECTED CURRENT BUDGET.
THE FY 23 PROJECTED CURRENT BUDGET IS 3.9 MILLION.
THERE'S A ONE-TIME OPERATING BUDGET ADJUSTMENT FOR THE POSITION THAT WAS FUNDED IN FY 22 FOR THE OFFICE OF RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY THAT OUR A RA WILL NOW FUND CONTRACTUAL OR MANDATED ADJUSTMENTS OF 115,000 THAT CONSIST OF THE MUNICIPAL PENSION REDUCTION AND AN INCREASE IN THE RESTRICTED ACCOUNTS AND HOPE PAY INCREASES RESULTING IN AN OPERATING PROGRAM INCREASE OF 15,000.
THIS BRINGS OUR FFY 2023 PROJECTED BUDGET TO 3.9 MILLION OR AN INCREASE OF 0.4%.
ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
COUNCIL MEMBER ALCORN THANK YOU CHAIR AND THANK YOU DIRECTOR FOR ALL THE GREAT WORK YOU'RE YOU DO AT THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT.
UM, THANKS FOR TALKING ABOUT PLAT TRACKER.
I WAS GONNA ASK ABOUT THE INCREASE IN MANAGEMENT, UM, AND MAN, I GUESS IT'S UNDER THE MANAGEMENT CONSULTING SERVICES.
AND I KNOW WE, WE BUDGETED LAST YEAR, $2.6 MILLION IN THAT LINE ITEM AND SPENT 300,000.
CAN YOU JUST TALK TO ME ABOUT THAT? WAS IT JUST DELAYED OR WERE WE EXPECTING TO SPEND THAT LAST YEAR OR WHAT HAPPENED? WE DID EXPECT TO SPEND IT LAST YEAR.
SO ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO WE STARTED WORKING WITH IT ON, ON LOOKING AT HOW CAN WE FIX WHAT WE HAVE BECAUSE IT IS OLD, SO LET'S, LET'S JUST FIX IT.
AND IT'S ANSWER WAS WE REALLY CAN'T FIX IT.
WE NEED TO REALLY START FROM SCRATCH.
AND SO WE EXPECTED IT TO BE A SHORTER TIMEFRAME IN ORDER TO DO THE RFP AND TO GET THE MONEY SPENT FOR, FOR REBUILDING IT.
IT ACTUALLY TOOK LONGER, UM, BECAUSE WE WERE MORE DETAILED.
WE, UM, WENT THROUGH A VERY ROBUST, UH, CONVERSATION WITH THE BIDDERS ON THIS AND HAVE DEVELOPED AN INCREDIBLY, UM, SECURE PROGRAM THAT, THAT IT SUPPORTS THAT, THAT WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE 300,000 THAT WAS SPENT LAST YEAR WAS ACTUALLY WHAT LED US TO SUCH A GOOD RESOLUTION IN THAT WE HAD A CONTRACT WITH GARTNER AND COMPANY TO HELP US ACTUALLY DRAFT THE RFP.
AND SINCE THEY DIDN'T BID ON IT, WE, AND SO THAT'S LIKE A LESSER EXPENSE, THE $1.9 MILLION AND THE 2.6.
DO WE EXPECT THERE TO BE MORE IN COMING YEARS TOWARDS THIS? YOU SAID THIS WILL BE A MAJOR EXPENSE FOR, IT'LL BE A, AN EXPENSE FOR AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS.
IT IS A ONE YEAR IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT WITH SIX YEARS OF FULL VIRTUALLY 24 HOUR SUPPORT OKAY.
FOR OUR CUSTOMERS AND FOR OUR STAFF.
SO WE ARE VERY PLEASED WITH THIS PROCESS.
AND, AND I'VE GOT SOME OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE, PRIMARILY AROUND THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL REVENUE FUND.
YOU MENTIONED THAT SOME OF THE GENERAL FUND EMPLOYEES SUPPORT THE EFFORTS THAT OF THAT AND VICE VERSA.
SOME OF THE EMPLOYEES THAT ARE PAID FOR THROUGH THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL REVENUE FUND ALSO DO GENERAL FUND FUNCTIONS AND VICE VERSA.
I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, WAS THAT, WAS THAT THE INTENT OF PUTTING THE, I MEAN WAS IT, WAS IT ALL, WAS IT SUPPOSED TO BE THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL REVENUE FUND OVER AT PERMITTING WAS SUPPOSED TO JUST SUPPORT THOSE EFFORTS OR WAS IT ALWAYS MEANT TO BE FLUID? WELL, SO WHEN THE FUND WAS CREATED, IT IS, IT SUPPORTS THE FEE.
SO THE FEES ARE FOR LAND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES THAT THE CITY OF HOUSTON DOES, WHETHER IT'S PLATTING OR PERMITTING OVER AT THE PERMITTING CENTER.
UM, SO THE FUND SUPPORTS THOSE ACTIVITIES, BUT IT ALSO SUPPORTS SOME DEVELOPMENT RELATED ACTIVITIES SUCH AS, UM, A FEW POSITIONS THAT DO MINIMUM
[00:25:01]
LOT SIZE DESIGNATIONS BECAUSE THOSE ARE DEVELOPMENT RELATED.IT SUPPORTS SOME OF OUR TRANSPORTATION PLANNING.
AND AS WE HAVE WORKED WITH THIS FUNDER FOR THREE YEARS, WHAT WE HAVE, WHAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE IS THAT SOME, UH, TEAM MEMBERS SPECIALTIES REALLY AFFORD THEM.
THE, THEY HAVE THE BEST SKILLS AND THE BEST ABILITY TO DO A PRO, TO DO A TYPE OF SERVICE SUCH AS OUTREACH.
SOME OF THAT OUTREACH WILL BE DEVELOPMENT RELATED.
AND SO THAT'S WHY WE WE CHARGE BACK AND REIMBURSE THE FUNDS IS BECAUSE IF, UM, SAY FOR INSTANCE, ONE OF OUR PLANNERS IS TERRIFIC AT OUTREACH, SHE WILL, UM, SHE WILL WORK WITH THE DEVELOPMENT SIDE WORK AS WELL AS THE NON-DEVELOPMENT SIDE.
AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE CLEAR ON WHICH FUND PAYS HER.
DID I ANSWER YOUR QUESTION? YES.
WE WE'RE ABOUT 45 MINUTES BEHIND SCHEDULE.
UM, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN.
I'M HAPPY TO DEFER TO COUNCIL MEMBER ALCORN IF SHE WANTS TO WRAP UP.
UM, DIRECTOR, FIRST OFF, I KNOW Y'ALL ARE DEALING WITH A LOT RIGHT NOW.
AND THEN ON TOP OF THAT TO THROW IN REDISTRICTING, UM, I DON'T KNOW HOW Y'ALL ARE DOING IT ALL, BUT THANK YOU.
UH, AND YOU KNOW, AGAIN, DAVID FIELDS, UM, SO MANY OTHERS, I'M NOT GONNA START NAMING PEOPLE 'CAUSE I'LL GET IN TROUBLE, BUT WHETHER IT'S IN DISTRICT C, THE HISTORIC DISTRICTS, THE HERITAGE DISTRICT, UH, VISION ZEROS IMPLEMENTATION, I'M SO EXCITED TO HEAR ABOUT, UH, THE NEW FREIGHT MAPPING.
I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE A VERY BIG DEAL, ESPECIALLY IN DISTRICT C.
UM, ON TOP OF ALL OF THAT, ANY MEETING MY CONSTITUENTS HAVE ASKED FOR YOU AND YOUR STAFF HAVE BEEN TO, UH, SO THANK YOU FOR BEING AVAILABLE TO OUR RESIDENTS FOR ALL OF THEIR QUESTIONS IN TIMES OF, YOU KNOW, GREAT CONCERN AND NEED.
ONE OF THE CONCERNS, I JUST WANNA CONTINUE TO RAISE AND ELEVATE IN ANY WAY THAT I CAN.
I KNOW AS A CITY WE HAVE TO BUILD DENSER, UH, WE, WE HAVE TO HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WE HAVE TO MAKE IT CONVENIENT FOR PEOPLE, UM, IN PARTS OF THE DISTRICT.
I CONTINUE TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT, FOR EXAMPLE, IN SHADY ACRES IN LAZY BROOK, TIMBER GROVE, BUT ESPECIALLY SHADY ACRES THAT AS WE'RE BUILDING HYPER DENSELY, UH, WE STILL DON'T HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO MITIGATE AND MANAGE ALL OF THE BUILDING THAT'S GOING ON.
SO I KNOW I'M NOT, THAT'S NOT A QUESTION.
I JUST ON BEHALF OF RESIDENTS, HAVE TO CONTINUE TO EMPHASIZE THE NEED TO, UH, AS WE BUILD DENSE THAT WE'RE BUILDING RESPONSIBLY.
AND I KNOW YOU TAKE THAT CHARGE VERY, VERY SERIOUSLY.
UM, AS IT RELATES TO, UH, THE DEPARTMENT ITSELF, COUNCILOR, MAY I RESPOND TO THAT FOR A MOMENT? I, I, WE DO TAKE IT VERY SERIOUSLY AND I THINK THAT, UM, OUR LIVABLE PLACES ACTION COMMITTEE IS WORKING VERY HARD AND VERY INTENTLY ON FIXING SOME OF THAT.
BUT I ALSO WANNA SAY THAT OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HOUSTON PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS BETTER THAN IT HAS EVER BEEN.
AND SO THE WORK THAT WE ARE DOING WITH DEVELOPMENT, UM, AND DEVELOPERS AND PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE CITY IS REALLY BEING AMPLIFIED BY THE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING IN THE GENERAL, UM, I'M SORRY, IN THE, UM, CHIEF ENGINEER'S OFFICE.
AND THE PARTNERSHIP IS REALLY PUTTING FORTH IDEAS FOR A BETTER HOUSTON AND I, I DON'T, I COULDN'T AGREE MORE.
SO AGAIN, I APPRECIATE THAT AND, UH, REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO THE ADDITIONAL MEASURES AND IMPROVEMENTS AS THEY COME ALONG REALLY QUICKLY.
UH, FUTURE NEEDS OF THE DEPARTMENT, AGAIN, TIGHT BUDGET.
UM, WHAT DO WE NEED TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR OR BE AWARE OF THAT'S NOT BEING SATISFIED BY THIS CURRENT BUDGET THIS YEAR? SO WE ANTICIPATE, UH, FUTURE NEEDS OF THE DEPARTMENT INCLUDE BESIDES, UH, SPECIAL REVENUE FUND ACTIVITIES, SOME GENERAL FUND ACTIVITIES THAT COULD BE, UM, THAT CONSERVATION DISTRICT, UM, WORKING WITH THE CONSERVATION DISTRICT'S, A NEW PROGRAM WE'RE CREATING THIS YEAR.
WE ALSO WOULD LIKE TO DO MORE RESILIENCY PLANS FOR NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WOULD TAKE MORE TEAM MEMBERS.
AND WE, UH, WE BELIEVE THAT THE TOOLS WE HAVE IN PLACE, SUCH AS MINIMUM LOT SIZE AND MINIMUM BUILDING LINE ARE VERY, UM, GOOD FOR NEIGHBORHOODS AND THEY VERY MUCH WANNA OPT INTO THEM.
HAVING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO CAN SUPPORT THAT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT RECENTLY.
COUNCIL MEMBER ALCORN, AS YOU MENTIONED, DIRECTOR, YOU HAVE, UM, HAVE REALLY INCREASED THE NUMBER OF PLANS YOU'RE REVIEWING OVER AT THE PERMITTING CENTER.
SO I NOTICED IN YOUR BUDGET, YOU'RE, IT LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE GONNA GET TWO MORE FTES AND DEVELOPMENT DESIGN REVIEW ONE MORE IN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, THREE MORE IN DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT SERVICES.
DO YOU THINK THAT THAT'S SUFFICIENT TO, I NOTICED IN TODAY'S, UH, DASHBOARD YOU'VE GOT ABOUT 1900 PLANS AND PLANNING AT ABOUT 27 DAYS.
I KNOW YOU'RE WORKING TOWARDS A GOAL OF 13 DAYS FOR COMMERCIAL, 10 DAYS FOR RESIDENTIAL.
SO DO YOU THINK YOU NEED MORE PEOPLE THERE TO TACKLE THE GREAT NUMBER OF INCREASE IN PLANS? I THINK THAT RIGHT NOW WE ARE SEEING AN
[00:30:01]
SUCH AN IMMENSE INCREASE IN THE PLANS THAT YES, RIGHT NOW, I, I COULD USE DOUBLE THE TEAM.UM, BUT I HAVE TO BE REALLY CAUTIOUS BECAUSE THE SPECIAL REVENUE FUND IS A SELF-FULFILLING FUND.
IT IS NOT LIKE, RIGHT, IT'S NOT LIKE THE GENERAL FUND.
IT COMES FROM THE SERVICE, THE FEES THAT WE, UM, COLLECT.
AND IT ALSO, WE HAVE THIS HUGE EXPENSE FOR PLA TRACKER.
AND SO AS THAT WORKS ITS WAY OUT TO YOU, TO YOU FOR APPROVAL OVER THE NEXT MONTH, ONCE I GET THAT NUMBER NAILED DOWN, I'LL BE ABLE TO ANALYZE WHERE I CAN GO AND HOW I CAN INCREASE FUNDING AT A MUCH MORE SAFE WAY.
SO THAT'S WHEN, I'LL TAKE THAT STEP.
DID DOES YOUR DEPARTMENT OFFER A CUSTOMER PAID EXPEDITING? YES, WE DO.
AND CAN YOU DESCRIBE THAT TO ME A LITTLE BIT? OH, UM, SO IF AN APPLICATION, IF A CUSTOMER, UM, ASKS FOR EXPEDITED REVIEW AND PAYS IT WITHIN NINE BY 9:00 AM UM, THAT MORNING, I BELIEVE WE HAVE THE PLAN OUT FOR THEM WITHIN 24 HOURS OF THE 24 HOURS FROM THE TIME THEY PAY THE FEE.
I BELIEVE IT'S HOW DOES THE CHARGE DEPEND ON THE COMPLEXITY OF THE PROJECT? OR IS IT A, A FLAT OH, COUNCIL MEMBER, CAN I GET BACK TO YOU ON THAT? SURE, ABSOLUTELY.
THANK YOU DIRECTOR AND MR. HAMILTON FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
UH, YOU ALL ARE NOW DISMISSED.
WE'LL NOW BEGIN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
WE WILL START WITH OUR VIRTUAL SPEAKERS.
PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX TO UNMUTE WHEN YOU HEAR YOUR NAME.
THE FIRST SPEAKER IS SABA BLENDING.
I JUST HAD TWO QUICK QUESTIONS FOR THIS, UH, DEPARTMENT.
UM, I APPRECIATE THE EXPANSION TO THE HIGH COMFORT BICYCLE NETWORK AND I WAS CURIOUS WHAT THE OVERALL TIMELINE OF EXPANSION WAS.
UM, AND I WAS ALSO CURIOUS, UM, AS SOMEBODY WHO LIVES NEAR A BUS STOP, IF THERE'S A PLAN TO MAKE SIDEWALKS NEAR PUBLIC TRANSIT, UM, A DA ACCESSIBLE, 'CAUSE THE ONES NEAR OURS ARE NOT.
SO, UM, WE'LL NEED TO GET BACK TO YOU ON QUESTION ONE.
UH, SO IF YOU WANT TO SEND THAT TO DISTRICT E@HOUSTONTX.GOV, WE'LL GET YOU A SPECIFIC RESPONSE ON THAT AS IT PERTAINS TO QUESTION TWO AS IT PERTAINS TO THE QUESTION TWO.
UH, I BELIEVE THERE IS A STRATEGY IN PLACE TO PROVIDE, UH, SIDEWALKS AND A DA, UH, ACCESSIBILITY FOR, UM, METRO BUS STOPS IN THOSE AREAS.
AND THERE ARE, UM, SOME PLANS THAT ARE IN THE WORKS THAT OUR OFFICES ARE COLLABORATING WITH METRO.
UM, I KNOW IN DISTRICT J WE DID A RECENT INITIATIVE WITH METRO, UH, REGARDING OUR BUS STOPS AND THEY WERE VERY INTENTIONAL ON FINDING BUS STOPS WITH, UH, PROPER SIDEWALKS AND A DA ACCESSIBILITY.
SO THAT IS, UM, ON OUR RADAR THAT IS A PRIORITY FOR US TO CONTINUE TO LOOK AT AND BE ABLE TO BE MINDFUL, UH, TO TRY TO GET AS MANY BUS STOPS UP TO, UH, UP TO DATE, UH, WITH THOSE TYPE OF AMENITIES AS POSSIBLE AROUND THE CITY.
SO IF YOU SEE ONE IN YOUR AREA, WHEREVER YOU ARE IN YOUR DISTRICT, UH, TRY TO ADVOCATE FOR THAT.
REACH OUT TO YOUR DISTRICT COUNCIL MEMBER AND STAY ENGAGED WITH US.
COUNCIL MEMBER DAVID ROBINSON.
AND, AND MS. BLANDING, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR BEING HERE.
SO, UH, UH, ALERTLY WITH OUR, WITH OUR PANELS AND IN THIS CASE I THINK I'D LIKE TO CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO THE CITY'S WEBSITE FOR THE TTI COMMITTEE BRIEFINGS.
RECENTLY THERE HAS BEEN A PRESENTATION YES, BY PLANNING, BUT ALSO IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES DIRECTOR GABE CASAREZ HAS, HAS ADDRESSED SOME OF THOSE THINGS.
AND I THINK THAT, UH, THE VIDEO RECORDING OF THAT YOU WOULD FIND INTERESTING AND PERHAPS HELPFUL.
AND IF YOU NEED A REFERENCE TO WHERE WITHIN THE PRESENTATION THAT CONTENT OCCURRED, MY OFFICE CAN HELP YOU IF YOU REACH OUT TO THE, AT LARGE TWO OFFICE, UH, FOR THAT.
SO I APPRECIATE THE GOOD QUESTIONS AND YOUR ONGOING ATTENDANCE.
AMANDAS, PLEASE PRESS SIX TO UNMUTE AMANDAS PLEASE PRESS SIX TO UNMUTE.
UH, I, UM, I AM NOT PREPARED RIGHT NOW, SO I'LL, I'LL GO AHEAD AND MUTE MY TIME.
AND THANK YOU TO THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT FOR THE REDISTRICTING WEBSITE.
UH, IT HAS A LOT OF RESOURCES.
IT'S BEEN, IT'S BEEN HELPFUL FOR ME TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THIS.
UM, AND THE LANGUAGE ACCESSIBILITY THERE.
I'M WONDERING IF THERE'S A CENTRALIZED ONLINE PLACE WHERE THE CIP KIND OF INFORMATION IS BEING SHARED DURING THESE MEETINGS, UH, ARE ALL ACCESSIBLE.
[00:35:01]
THAT'S A WHOLE SEPARATE BUDGET ADOPTION THAT'S MUCH HARD TO NAVIGATE AND I FEEL LIKE IT'S KIND OF FALLING UNDER THE RADAR WITH, WITH ALL THIS HAPPENING WITH, WITH, UH, REDISTRICTING.AND THEN SECOND, AS THE CITY TRANSITIONS TO OUTCOMES BASED BUDGETING, THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT TOLD US THAT PLANNING WOULD BE THE GROUP TO FACILITATE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AROUND IT.
SO, UH, WHAT EXISTING PLANS ARE AN ACTION AND HOW CAN WE ENHANCE THE BUDGET PROCESS TO ENCOURAGE ENGAGEMENT, FOR EXAMPLE, HOLDING WORKSHOPS BEFORE THE PROPOSED BUDGET IS RELEASED AND EXTENDING THE TIMELINE SO THAT THERE'S MORE OPPORTUNITY AND IT'S NOT KIND OF RUSHED IN THE WAY THAT IT IS NOW.
COUNCIL MEMBER DAVID ROBINSON.
YES, MR. OLIVER, THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR GOOD QUESTION.
I THINK, UH, WITH REGARD TO THE ACTIVITIES OF THE CIP UH, PROGRAMS, WE HAVE THE LAST MEETING TONIGHT, AS I'M SURE YOU'RE AWARE, THAT DISTRICT B OFFICE, UM, AND, AND OUR DISTRICT B MEETING IS THIS EVENING.
UM, BUT I THINK YOU, YOUR QUESTION IS A GOOD ONE TO GET ALL OF THOSE ACTIVITIES CONSOLIDATED IN A PLACE ON THE WEB.
SO I'M, I'M INTERESTED IN FOLLOWING UP WITH YOU, OF COURSE THAT RELATES TO ACTIVITIES AS YOU SAID, UH, CENTRAL TO THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS TO PUBLIC WORKS.
SO TO HAVE SOME KIND OF CENTRALIZED LOCATION FOR THAT CIP INFORMATION.
UH, LET'S SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP YOU ON THAT ONE.
AND ADDITIONALLY, JASON, UH, THANK YOU.
WE ARE WORKING TO SCHEDULE OUR CIP SPECIAL CALL BFA MEETING IN JUNE.
UH, SO AFTER WE GO THROUGH THE BUDGET PRESENTATIONS, UH, AS A COMMITTEE, WE WILL TAKE UP THE CIP AND PRE PRESENT THAT, UH, TO THE PUBLIC SO YOU CAN STAY ENGAGED WITH THE PROCESS, UH, THROUGH THAT WAY AS WELL.
SO WE'LL PUT THE INFORMATION OUT ON THAT, UH, SHORTLY.
THAT COMPLETES OUR PUBLIC SPEAKERS.