November 19, 2018 CPNMD Board Meeting Video
Transcript
CASTLE PINES NORTH METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR BOARD MEETING
November 19, 2018 @ 6:00 PM
7404 Yorkshire Dr. Castle Pines, CO 80108
Dave McEntire: President Term Expires May 2022
Robert Merritt: Vice President Term Expires May 2022
Denise Crew: Treasurer Term Expires May 2020
1. Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call / Conflicts of Interest
4. Approval of Agenda
5. Approval of Minutes: October 15, 2018
6. Public Comment
• Lloyd Sanger
• Ryan Parker
• Cynthia Martin
7. 2018 Rate Study Update: Bartle & Wells
8. 2018 Budget Amendment: Public Hearing & Approval
9. 2019 Budget Presentation: Pinnacle Consulting Group
10. 2019 Budget Public Hearing & Approval
11. Financial Report: Acceptance
12. Payables: Approval & Ratification
13. Communications Report
14. Open Space Manager Report
15. Legal Counsel Report
16. Adoption of Personal Identifying Information Disposal Policy (HB‑18‑1128)
17. Interim District Manager Report
18. District Manager Finalist Selection
19. Board Vacancy Discussion
20. Final Public Comment
21. Adjournment
Describer:
The video starts on graphic with a white background and forest green letters which says “Castle Pines North Metro District Board Meeting November 19, 2018”. The meeting opens on a shot of all board members present.
Board President Dave McEntire:
Good evening, everybody. It is a few minutes after six. I apologize for being late, but welcome. For those of you online that are viewing in, welcome and thank you for making this part of your evening. With that, I'd like to ask everyone to join us in the Pledge of Allegiance before we get started.
All Speak:
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Describer:
The board members and the audience rise from their seats and recite the Pledge of Allegiance, as the camera points to the left to show the board members. When they are done, they sit down again.
David McEntire:
I'm going to call to meet. Excuse me. I'm going to call to order the regular meeting of this Monday, November 19th. With that, I'm going to call for roll of the three Directors. It's obvious that we're all here, but it's important that they indicate, whether or not there is any, potential conflicts with, with the, with the roll call, if you'll indicate for everybody online and everyone here, that indeed you're here and whether or not there's some potential conflicts that would be appreciated.
Describer:
The camera zooms out to show the board members and staff in attendance.
Board Member Director Denise Crew:
Director Crew. Present, no conflicts.
Board Member Director Robert Merritt:
Director Merritt. Present, no conflicts.
David:
Of course I'm here and I don't see any conflicts of interest as well. With that item three is the approval of the current agenda directors you have a front and back page, fairly lengthy agenda tonight. And, with your perusal I would entertain a motion, to approve it as presented.
Robert:
I'll second that motion to approve the agenda for.
Denise:
You need to make a motion.
Robert:
Oh okay, make a motion to approve the agenda.
Denise:
And I'll Second.
David:
Motion carries. Item number five. Public comment, in the rear. There, there would have been a sign up sheet, and we have, according to Mr. Worley, four?
Jim Worley District Manager:
No, I’m saying you skipped number four.
David:
Oh, I did? Yes. Oh, goodness sakes. Well, you can get up and get that while I take care of number four? Sorry about that. The system we're using is rented, and I'm on a time constraint, so.
I told ya I'd hurry.
Describer:
Mr. Worley grabs the sign up sheet from the back of the room and brings it to Director McEntire.
David:
Thank you. Item number four is, the approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of October 15th. Just a short 30 days ago. Directors, you've had the opportunity to review those minutes. Is there any comments, questions or concerns about what you have before you tonight? Counsel. Any? Jim? That being said, could I get a motion to approve the minutes as presented for October 15th, 2018?
Denise:
I'd like to make a motion to approve the minutes of October 15th, 2018.
Robert:
I'll second that motion.
David:
We have a first by Denise Crew, a second by Robert Merritt.
Board Voting All Speak:
All in favor, signify by saying Aye. Aye. Aye. Motion Carries.
David:
Item number five public comment. We had a sign up sheet in the back. We have a total of, eight folks here this evening.
We really appreciate, you're coming and being with us, tonight and being a part of, the, the, meeting we have, three, that would like to speak. And in no particular order.
Even with my glasses, I'm having a difficult time. So if I get the, names incorrect. Forgive me. Correct me at the podium. Is Lloyd Sawyer. Is that correct?
Lloyd Sanger, Castle Pines Resident:
Sanger. Lloyd Sanger.
David:
Yes, sir. Could you come to the podium and and, just repeat your name and your address for the record.
Describer:
Resident Lloyd answers from the audience, but is off mic. He then walks up to the podium and speaks into the microphone.
00:05:27:11 - 00:05:52:00
Lloyd Sanger, Castle Pines Resident:
Is that on? Yes, sir. Lloyd Sanger, 7676 Pineridge Terrace. You were all part of the reform team in the May election. That was six months ago. Have you lived up to your campaign promises? I want to address three items. Your proposed new rates are just a continuation of old policies, but a higher rate with increased fees.
Conservation is not financially encouraged by you. Replacing grass with xeriscape reduced our annual water usage from a high of 48,000 gallons in 2009 to 32,000 gallons in 2017. Our bill in 2017 for 32,000 gallons was a total of $1,080, of which $141 was for water, $939 was for your fees. The board has been evaluating rate and fee increases as demonstrated in the presentation at the October 15th meeting.
However, this presentation was not printed as a handout available for public, nor is it available on your website for the community review to be able to discuss at tonight's meeting. Transparency? I think not. Something is very wrong with a rate structure that encourages wasting water. The wastewater rate schedule is 621 per thousand gallons, and is based on average usage for December, January and February.
Accounts with zero usage during these months are assigned a minimum usage of 2000 gallons. So snowbirds that are not here in the winter and have zero water usage should, I guess, have a neighbor turn on their faucet and run a thousand gallons down the drain so that they get the thousand gallon rate. Renewable water? You promised to reach out promptly and in good faith to each of the three much larger water provider neighbors to negotiate partnerships for water, wastewater and renewable water.
What steps have been taken and what has been accomplished? What steps have been taken to integrate with Wise for our share of Renewable water? Your website's latest posting under renewable water is April 2018. And by the way, that was the previous board of Directors and management. I think the community deserves updates and transparency. Thank you.
David:
You mind hanging with us there for a moment? Appreciate that. And, and, while I would. Low shot at each and every one of those, I just kind of got lost, as you were going through them. Not sure that I got, the three points that you really wanted to make. I think you said three points.
Describer:
Lloyd brings his speech and gives it to David.
David:
Thank you for that. Correct me if I'm wrong. Rates and fees were your first point?
Lloyd off mic:
One of them, Basically.
David:
Yeah. Okay. And, and the second one was, was it conservation? Basically. Okay. And, and the third one was renewable water. Basically, yes. And, and laced throughout that were innuendos and accusations of promises, transparency. And where the heck is all that stuff?
Lloyd:
That is correct. I, I took the, on the promises directly from Mr. Merritt's quotations from Next Door. If you go into Next Door and search reform team, you come up with a couple thousand post. Oh yeah. Of which are by, mainly the people sitting up at the front of the desk, right now. And it's been six months in and I haven't seen a lot done, a lot accomplished.
I mean, you're filming these now. That's great. You got rid of a district manager. I don't know if that's good or not. You forced a board member out. Don't know if that's good or not. But those are the things that I see is the accomplishments for the current board.
David:
Fair enough. Let me, let me take a shot at each one of those, and I'll try to be as concise as I possibly can.
For the first five months that we’ve been in office, in addition to the fact that, the organization as you characterized it before our coming onboard. Was not transparent or honest with you or with us. This board had to take into account the business at hand, not only delivering water 24/7 wastewater, parks, open space and trails, products and services.
But we also had to contemplate and act in behalf of the owners or residents of this city. Some monumental undertaking by the district, namely the Chatfield Reservoir project, which is one of the renewable water storage, and the other one, is the Plum Creek wastewater, expansion project. So while those two things were happening at our surprise, as well as your surprise,
I think that the action of the board, I know that the action of the board, part of that that was posted in, in, the connection. Certainly on our website and every communication that we have released, we improved what was being what we were being led to believe was the best way, but improved it vastly, by, shaving costs and improving the deliverables.
But. Well, that, that, that's easy for me to say without the details.
Lloyd:
That is subject to interpretation. Sure, sure. And arguably discussion.
Describer:
The camera pans to David to the left of the screen, and then back to Lloyd in on the right side of the screen at the podium.
David:
Yeah. And that's fair. We could ask, we could ask him. We could ask the, the district's accountant. Was it indeed an act by this board that, that, we shaved $1 million of, of, institutional debt costs from the last action of the Plum Creek, Plum Creek Sanitation District expansion project.
And, and she would tell you right here today. Absolutely. I can itemize those. And I stand available to you and anyone else who would like to contact me in a form of your choice, and I'll speak to each one of them. But let me finish with your other three so we can keep going. The rates and fees.
Come to find out, this board doesn't have a whole lot to do about that. Okay. We, we as a function of the law, are required, to keep the state from taking on a failed district in so many words. So, as a part of our requirement, we are, mandated to surround ourselves with professionals knowing a fool would do otherwise.
We did. And we, engage Bartle & Wells to do a rate and fee study. Elaborate multi, zillions of pages of study analysis, surveys, conclusions and recommendations. Then that information is crunched by the accountants who are also mandated to keep us all from the red ink. They hear us loud and clear because we're on the same page you are.
We don't want to pay any more than we have to, but we also don't want to, to, to make the same mistakes. that to legacy folks did when they got themselves into a situation that was, was, was horrific. And, and with that, they have come back to us with, a rating fee recommendation. We have poured over it for three of those last five months and are, are, are, are going to attempt to dot the I's and cross the T's tonight in that regard, given their last, a few pieces of information.
I'll review those as a part of that part of the agenda. And, and you'll see how detailed some of that review, and interaction between these consultants and ourselves has been along with the, with the accountants. But, yeah, rates and fees or basically what it takes to deliver the water that we have 24/7 the quality and the assurance, that we have it’s just covering the cost.
There's no more it's just the bare minimum. And the same thing with sanitation, sewer, as well as storm drain, as well as parks as well as is, open space and trails. This board is, is absolutely mandated and insistent upon not only the honesty and the transparency as, I've tried to share with you on the process very quickly, but also as an end result, it is covering the costs.
There's one line item, one line item in this year's budget that is more than cost in, in, in our predecessors and some of the folks, in times gone by, have characterized it to me has called it. They called it the nickel fee. And this was at $15 fee that was enacted, a few years ago by the district manager and the board at that time, everyone saw it on their bills.
Were shocked, after the initial ballot issue was, was, voted down, this board's decided that the residents don't need to be feed, and they don't need to be penalized for the decisions and the votes and their voices to be heard. So you'll notice in this year's budget, as a, as a, is a new beginning.
We did not adjust that fee is it was recommended by, the, rate and fee study folks, Bartle & Wells. We froze it. We also re characterized, that account from a fee revenue into an investment account. And, and, and it didn't say David's or Robert's or Denise's investment account. It said that it's the Castle Pines North Metro district, which belongs to all the residents.
So as that investment account grows and the opportunities arise, we're in a position to, take advantage of them, thanks to the residents here. If they don't, and we decide never is the best way for the residents, it gets returned. Whatever the law will allow, the point that I'm trying to make is there's no more penalty. Call it what you want for your voice being heard.
We hear you loud and clear. The conservation issue is an issue that is ongoing. There's a number of, of, of, of, proposals that are being discussed, both on the revenue and on the savings side. There's, there's, we're not in a, in a position and luckily of a season, that requires immediate action. So it's, it's an issue that is under advisement and we're working on.
And lastly, this renewable water, as you said, there was a promise out there to contact the three neighbors. We've contacted six or maybe seven. We've had conversation with them. We've had, long discussions with them. We believe we know how they feel about renewable water in their, own areas of service. We know how they feel about ours.
We're not in a position, Lloyd. Given the short five months to be able to, share with you the, the outcome of those because, they're still very much underway. As, as we get, a little further into this year, I'm convinced that you're going to hear more and more, the details associated with that.
And, it's a very difficult. It's a very difficult, subject. And, so short of the fact that in the first month we changed general counsel, in the second month.
We worked on the audit of 2017, and we're able to comply with state law and get that handle. In the third month. We did have, a long and and very difficult, situation with, previous director that we believed needed personal attention and, and, and, and some time the fourth month has been rates and fees. And of course, there's a lot of overlap.
The fifth month was the, what we call the or what I call, the cancer that existed within this organization. And upon eradicating that cancer, we're now able to, be even more transparent, even more honest, move faster, more nimble, more flexible, without the hurdles and the interference of the cancer that we remove last month. So to say, just anything short of the fact that this, board hasn't been moving, at a, at a good hard pace and making significant strides towards fulfilling those promises.
I would ask for you to reconsider that, again, offering myself personally, you have my contact information. It's on the website. I'll meet you anytime, anyplace, anyhow, anyway, any why, Give me a holler and, and, and keep you, answer anything you got, any question you have best I can.
Lloyd:
May I address your comments? Could I address your comments?
Would that be acceptable? In other words, I know I'm well over the two minutes, but, your first comment that you were trying to protect me from the previous board, from their lack of transparency, I had no problem with their transparency. I, I, I thought their transparency was fine. There was always information available if you wanted to get it.
I was very up to date on the Chatfield and the Plum Creek. I disagree that if the, if the resident wanted to know what was going on, that information was very readily available right there. So that's my first comment. And I’m, and I'm trying to take it down as you tried to address, your number two item on the million dollar savings.
Yeah. I saw the press release that came out to that. I have a listen to every meeting that you guys have been, that you put online. Sometimes they're very slow loading. And even though I've got very high speed and I think there's still some issues maybe with the recording of it, but I believe in the meeting when you talked about the $1 million savings and reading everything that you had on it actually was a transfer of money from the reserves, which, yes, did reduce down the debt level by the million, but I believe it reduced our reserves by a million as well.
The third item, your rates and fees that you have not much control over. I do not argue that I, I, I understand that totally. It's not what you guys said when you were campaigning. So maybe you guys didn't know. You said you found it out as a surprise when you got on board. You know everything that's there and maybe you guys didn't do your homework.
It, you know, in the campaigning, but the campaigning information that I was privy to and so, that was not brought out, the fourth item, the $15 fee that the previous board had as far as, they were very transparent when they put that up for election, that if the residents of Castle Pines did not pass the bond issue to do that, that it's not a matter of if we need renewable water, we do.
I mean, we've got to do something either conserve what we have and don't use as much, which would require us to need less and probably reduce that cost. But there is a certain dollar amount that needs to be spent on renewable water. And I believe they were very transparent in their election of that, that if you do not, every board meeting that we went to in every presentation, they were very quick to point out, hey, you can vote this down.
That's fine. It's, it's not a problem. We will either have a fee or we will have, the bond issue. Your fifth item on the conversations. I think that's great that you guys are talking, but unless we're one of the chosen few, that around the inner circle, how is a person supposed to know? Why can't you update at least something?
We're discussing this. We're doing this. But if I look at the website, the very last thing on that website, under renewable water or anything that's there is the April of 2018, which is the previous board, you know, your, your rate structure. I understand what you're trying to do on that. Why wasn't that paperwork available as a handout at the last meeting?
Why isn't that available on your website so that we can see and see what it does to our rates. Even you said at the end of the last meeting this is not set in stone. We are going to take a very close look at this and try to reduce this if possible. That's in the meeting minutes. But I have no paper that I can sit down and play with those numbers and take a look at it.
I just think you need to relook at what you guys are doing, and the honeymoon's almost over.
David:
Thank you Lloyd.
As you went through those last five items, all you did was hurl, inaccuracies. Okay.
I don't think it's fair. I don't think it's constructive. I've been here for five months or however long it's been since May 21st. So I've never heard from you. You talk about transparency. It's a two way relationship. I'm daring you to put forth the time and energy that you did tonight and reach out. Take advantage of my availability to stay on top of these issues so they don't bother you to the degree that it's obvious they do, because that bothers me that you're bothered.
Lloyd:
And respond to them.
David:
Well, no, no, I call me, text me, let me know when we can get together. We can meet here. It doesn't matter. Okay. The fact is.
If there's a way that we can improve and, and, and, and it's your idea, I'll blame you. And you get all the kudos. We're looking for every opportunity we can to improve, what the district is doing and what the outcome of the district's efforts are in this community on an everyday basis. So please be in touch. We have a another, attendee, Ryan Parker.
Ryan.
Describer:
The camera pans right to the podium and zooms in on Ryan.
Ryan Parker, Castle Pines Resident:
Good evening I’m Ryan Parker, 1244 Berganot Trail. Thank you for your time. This evening it’s almost Thanksgiving. So that's a good thing, right? I hearing a lot. What's going on? There's a lot of tension in the air right now. Cut it with a spoon. And I think because I would encourage the board to take more of a positive angle on where you are currently.
There's a lot of, people with the other board who are supporting them, and, so just keep that in mind. You know, the past people, regardless of where you stand, if you said there was a cancer, that's pretty negative. And I would say, let's just try to focus on the now and the future and trying to make castle plans good without throwing anybody under the bus.
Second, I would like to say that, I want to know where you guys stand in terms of what you have learned thus far in the five months. The previous board had set up a plan for renewable water through the Chatfield Reservoir project, as well as the Plum Creek. Does that still make sense, or is that something you're looking to kind of push off to the side, or are we going to continue on with that and then augment that with something different?
I'm just kind of curious your perspective on that. You've been in this for a little while and, ultimately that's that's the biggest thing. I love the camera, by the way. Nice work on that. As far as the transparency, that's cool. So that's it. I just want to see where you guys are heading in that direction. And if anything that has been done in the past is still good, if there's anything you can hold on to, that was a value from the past boards.
That's it. Thank you.
Describer:
The camera pans to the left to get the board member David in view and zooms in on him.
David:
Thank you. Ryan. Appreciate the comments. Appreciate your observations. And, to answer your question. As you well know, as a candidate from the previous election, you and I sat side by side in the, in the debate at the library. We made it perfectly clear that this archaic plan and the way I characterize things I own.
So if I characterize, previous district manager as a cancer, I own it. Okay. And I don't need to be criticized or chastised for it. I'm entitled to it as you are. That being said, let me just get to, answer your question. The 2015 plan was archaic then. It's archaic now. Which irrelevant simply because of the same things that we were talking about with Lloyd and I here in as much as that, we promised that on the bottom of page 12 of the executive summary of that plan, written long, long time ago. It's as it was written, came up with 300 options, and it was without the benefit of any third party agreement.
Because there wasn't time to include them at that time. And all we said was we thought that to be a bit presumptuous on the folks that were involved in putting that plan together. And a lot onerous on the residents, and that we were going to pursue a new plan that incorporated the potential of third party agreements to an extent, that it took advantage of at least all of our neighboring entities.
And, Ryan, that's exactly what we're doing. I laid out the last five months what we have done. It is incorporated and included that work. There's more information forthcoming. Appreciate you bringing it up again. And, and when we are at liberty to share with you the outcome, you can appreciate the multitude of people and time associated with that.
A very delicate, subject matter, because renewable water in everyone's mind isn't considered something that we absolutely need.
Ryan:
Dave just a short answer is fine that’s all. Okay. Do You guys talk at all or does he do all the talking for you?
David:
I, you're not running the meeting, I am.
Ryan:
No, I'm just curious. Thanks, Ryan. That's all.
David:
Third client or third resident that would like to speak is Cynthia Martin. Cynthia, please.
Describer:
The camera pans right to the podium to show the next speaker.
Cynthia Martin Castle Pines Resident:
Cynthia Martin at 945 Dear Clover Way, I have a question and a comment. I know you've got plenty to, to do on your plate. but I was just wondering if you're working on or considering, maybe staggering your term limits. The reason why I bring it up. Because it was brought up at our, homeowners meeting regarding our own board that, you know, we have a slate of candidates that, you know, expire at the same time.
So, you know, you guys, you know, came in as 4 people, as a new board. So I just, I just don't think that's a good idea. I think it's good to have maybe some old with the new. Okay. Also, I watched the meeting, online last, your last meeting. And I just have to say I wasn't, I just didn't think it was, I think it was a waste of time to fire the district manager at a public forum.
I, I just thought it was not a good thing. It was. I thought it was unprofessional and just, not a good, you know, way to, you know, have that at a meeting. I mean, you wasted about a half an hour at least in firing the guy. I don't, I don't even know him. So. I mean, you're entitled to do that, but I just, I just think it's a way to rile up the, the community, so.
Describer:
The camera pans back to the left to show the board members.
David:
Thank you for your comments, Cynthia. Those were the three that you had. Ask to be heard, it's been my bad habit to open it up one last time before we move on to the next item. Was there anybody else that wanted to be heard, that didn't actually sign up?
Seeing and hearing none. Thank you again for, your comments. There. Very much appreciated.
Director Crew or Merritt, is there any other comments you'd like to make before we go on to item 5, or 6 I mean.
Robert:
I just wanted to reiterate anybody that has any questions or comments, the few people that we did hear from today, it was the first time we have heard and we need input. We can only increase our transparency to you, which we've tried to do via the website, via everything.
That said, during the meetings that you can review time and time again. And as well as there's knowing executive sessions anymore, they have proposed the, previous board was trying to on previous manager was trying to propose the executive sessions where we go where public can not be viewed What saying. And we have not done that and we've saved the residents money by doing that as well, because the attorneys have to come down as such.
So we are trying to be as transparent as possible. And again, just as David said, our numbers are on the website, our emails are on the website. Please open up the communications. Thank you very much. Tonight for our viewing. This is the first, it's been five months. As David indicated, we've been very busy, drinking out of a firehose to get the information across.
Every time we did show up to a meeting, there was a $1.9 million that came out of nowhere that we had to pay for, and we had to discuss from the previous manager. There was a $5 million. There's another $4 million that is out there. And they kept on coming. As well as, blindsided with the, and studies where there was a $54 million that they were accruing for what we, we as residents voted down now twice.
But they were still, it was still the plan was still going forward. And we just couldn't make that work with what division is and what the process that is going on and the communications with all the different entities that are involved right now. And nobody wants to give you that information more than me. But our hands are tied as they compete, or when the talks that are happening for our future and it will be out shortly and, it'll be just a little bit.
But these time, these things take a little bit of time. So I thank you for that as well. But I'll finish up by saying please reach out, stay after tonight and, we'll go from there. Thank you.
Denise:
I just wanted to add to that you talked about, election time frames. They are staggered. Two of us are on a two year term. These two are on a four year term. We have a position open. So there's opportunity for anyone who, wants. Obviously, there's a position open now that we're discussing tonight as to how to fill it.
I want to take exception to Mr. Parker's comment that we don't speak. We speak all the time. So when David says things, I don't feel the need to reiterate it in the exact same way. So if I'm quiet, it's because I'm in agreement. If I'm not quiet, it's because I'm not in agreement. Thank you.
David:
Thank you. Directors, we're going to move on to item six, which is the update from Bartle & Wells and Associates of the 2018 Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Rate study is, Erik here or is Amanda going to give that or what?
District Manager Jim Worley:
Amanda will take care of it all, but we'll have to bear with her in her voice. She's not feeling very well, so we've quarantined her back.
A
You know, here in the back. And we'll make sure she's not close to anybody up there. But Amanda addressed the next two items.
David:
And Amanda, if if, if you would like, given the fact that, we are down to the last handful of questions from last month, and, and we've worked on them all month long, we've taken Bartle & Wells to places they haven't been before. Right.
And in fact, work lately and, and, they've done an outstanding job in, preparing three more sheets of, of, comparison, data and information have responded to the board's, request for budget adjustment on a variety of line items, re-characterization of fees into investment accounts, etc. I'd be happy to run through that for you if you would like.
District Finance Director, Amanda Castle:
That would be great if you don't mind.
David:
Okay, sure. You just. It doesn't hurt to stand, does it? No, no. Okay.
Amanda:
It’s just bronchitis.
David:
Sure. And I'm just going to take a run at it. In fact,
I, I mean, I do have them in envy. I'm sure you have that in. And because, your presentation, if Eric was there, we would hear from him. And then. And then we would hear how you took that information. Linear did it into the budget. I'm going to try to hit both those. Okay. and,
With that, a bit of a, of a, of a story. some 2 or 3 months ago when, when we were, given the opportunity to begin the budget process, we started off with a book I didn't bring tonight, of this, this, this size in, in a number of graphs and and spreadsheets, etc. and one of the ones that I preserved, was, was, the very first one that, this board embraced and, all the details that go into it. However, when we got down to, the meeting this last October, there were, there were some, some items that were, not taken into consideration.
And we wanted to make sure that we, we weren't the, the reason for, breaking the budget, if you will. There's enough unforeseen in this business, given the miles of pipes that we have and, and the type of ground that they're buried in, etcetera, and the age of which they are that that, those are going to happen anyway.
But we asked, Bartle & Wells, to take another look at, specifically the development fees, the water development fees. And the, renewable, development fees and the sewer fees, of which we've, we've combined and look at those as it relates to not only what we're doing, what we have been doing, and, and certainly not what we had proposed, because we've just had that conversation that what was proposed was archaic.
It was without the benefit of all of the data. But we wanted to know how we competed with the, with the neighboring cities. Whether they had, growth opportunity cities or not. And, and so we looked at the likes of, of Castle Rock, Park or Stone gate, Ken Carroll, Cherry Creek, East. Arapahoe.
Roxboro, those. And we found that, we in in most cases, our development fees. Were.
Higher than most and, and but the, but, but the discourse that has taken place over the course of the last couple months is that we have a definitive number of people that are going to have the opportunity to live here in new development, new homes, etc. In other words, we only have a, a small number of, new taps that are going to be granted approximately 600 and, and, the, the, the thinking, if you will, is that we should take advantage of that. Not hurt or harm anybody, but make sure that we have taken full advantage of the prospect that growth is truly going to pay for growth.
And that the current residents are not going to be taxed for any, shortcoming in that regard. So we made a couple adjustments, in the budget for, those fees and, and short of the fact that our renewable water fee is only, about $5,200 and, and, and and as an example, Castle Rock and, Parker is between $15 and $17,000 for a renewable fee.
That's something that, as we finalize this budget, be assured that we may take one more run at in in potentially looking at a stepped up, basis in that renewable water fee so that, again, the residents aren't taxed or, or burdened, without the opportunity for, for, what growth we have remaining to participate fairly in that.
But, but, otherwise the, the exercise was extremely valuable. The feedback's been great. We're positioned well, we're covering our costs. There were a few other line items. That, that, had come up that we had to cover, as an example, whether it was the, Enterprise Fund or the general fund, which, incorporate the enterprise Fund is that that operates the water and sewer, the general fund is the one that operates the parks and the open space and the and the, trails in both of those, we've come up, 100 plus thousand dollars short in, in, salaries, because, when.
When, when the district manager was, released last, month, he had, negotiated and the previous board had approved, some, some time along that line that, whether it was with cause or without cause, it was going to be a call it a golden parachute, if you will, whether whether you liked it or not.
It, it seemed like there was a. There was a. An agreement that, if there was a disagreement, he should get paid handsomely. And, and so we've made those adjustments throughout the budget, to cut to make up at the expense of the residents of the shortfall that would be, realized in, in, this termination penalty.
We, we have made sure that we had some retention reserves for, those loyal and dedicated staff members, that we already have, we've, linear added into the budget, sufficient reserves for the third party agreements that we were talking about earlier to ensure that we had the flexibility to not only financially, but lawfully and, in, on a consultant basis, be able to pick up those extra experiences.
But again, the lion's share is, is, the, the, the Nikkel penalty.
Amanda, I know that your explanation and your rundown may have been a little more eloquent.
Amanda:
It probably wouldn't have sounded as nice.
David:
I didn’t hear that.
Robert:
She wouldn’t sounded as nice.
David:
And and, but I think I've covered it. And and, the great news is, regardless, given the hard work and the willingness to, make those adjustments both on your side as well as Bartle and Wells going out, doing the extra surveys, making the adjustments on the development side only. No rates and fees or are increasing beyond the cost that or the the amount that it takes to cover the cost. Development is, new development is paying for new development.
To the extent that we are at the top of, of, of, of our, of our neighbors with, with, with the exception of the renewable water fee. And like I said, we're going to continue to visit that, prior to going in to 19. And, and any of the agreements that we may have with the remaining folks that own these lots within our city and see if there isn't, a little bit more, that we can, can, plug the piggy with, when it comes to that renewable water that we all seek.
Okay. I think it's it's, if there's any comments or questions I know that you've poured over it. Poured over, poured over. You've gotten the latest stuff all the way through the weekend, and, so if there isn't any, any additional comments or questions about that to Amanda via me or to Amanda for herself? I, I, I would look for a motion to approve, tonight, the budget, that is, is, been presented to us.
Did we have a, a, I didn't notice because I went ahead and blown mine up. Did we have a new date on there that we want to make reference to? Amanda?
Describer:
The camera pans to the right to show Amanda at the podium.
Amanda:
Well, I think can we open the public hearing, but we have we have a 2018 amendment and a 2019 budget for adoption. The 2018 amendment, just for what you said, the changes in salaries and wages.
Describer:
The camera pans to David, and zooms out to view the board members and the staff. When someone is at the podium the camera will pan to them also.
David:
And, and with that motion to approve that.
Kim:
Mr. Chairman, you'll have to open a public meeting, and allow the public to comment on the 2018 amendment. Then we need to close that meeting and allow another, public hearing on the 2019 budget before you take a motion. You can you can have the motion now, but you can't vote on it until after that public hearing.
David:
And, and the amendment that we're speaking about is specifically the Bartle & Wells?
Kim:
No that, that would be your fee resolution, I think you're talking about there. So that's a. That's a separate matter. you can vote on the fee resolution, which you have a copy of, I believe, in the packet. Yes. without a public hearing that, that only required publication.
So the people could be here to hear this discussion. So you can proceed with approving a resolution to adopt the new fees, but not the budget yet.
David:
All right. With your guidance and counsel, I would be looking for then a motion to approve the current, 2019, 2019.
Describer:
Brief Inaudible talking off mic.
Kim:
It would be the 2019 fee resolution.
David:
Yeah, 2019 fee resolution binds through Bartle & Wells, under the guise of pentacle. Okay.
Do I hear a motion from the directors to approve that 2019, fee and rate amendment?
Denise:
I'll make a motion to approve the 2019 fee and rate amendment.
David:
Is it an amendment or study? What it, what.
Describer:
Kim is briefly inaudible talking off mic.
David:
Correct. Okay. Is there a second?
Robert:
I'll second that motion.
David:
Signify call for vote for all those in favor, signify by saying aye or nay.
Board Voting All Speak:
Director Crew. Aye. Director Merritt. Aye. And I am in favor of it as well.
David:
The, And you're saying that, as it relates to then the, 2019, updated proposed 2019 budget, we want to open that up for public comment first?
Kim:
Yes, so you're having two public hearings, one, you're amending your 2018 budget. So that would be the first one.
And then your second public hearing will be on your new 2019 budget. So when you have, when you go over in your budget on certain categories, in a previous year, you have to amend that budget to appropriate funds just as a matter of law. So all you're doing with the 2018 budget is doing an amendment to the budget that we're living under right now, so that you can pay those extra fees when they come due.
David:
The extra fees that you're talking about are the ones that I made reference to that, that are taking place in the 2018 period? Correct. I understand that sounds good. So there I need a motion to approve the 2018 budget adjustments, as amended. or the, the 2018 amended budget as presented.
Kim:
Correct. And then once you have the motion, you should open the public hearing to hear from the public first.
David:
Look for a motion to approve the 2018 budget amendment.
Robert:
I make a motion to approve the adjusted A budget for 2018 Amendments.
David:
Is there a second? I'll second. Okay with that second. Then we'll open it up for public comment before we take a vote. Is there anyone that wishes to speak about the 2018 budget adjustments with the amendment that we just went through?
And it, be the same ones, of course, in 2019, but that will be a part, as I am being guided in the budget as a whole. But okay. Same line items. Correct. Yeah.
Ryan:
Say my name and address again, for the record.
David:
Ryan Parker go ahead.
Ryan:
Okay, just to clarify, because I am not that savvy when it comes to numbers. I'm looking here at the back of this sheet, this one, in layman's terms, this is basically what you're approving. The approve and ratify. Is that correct? No it's not.
David:
No, those are, those are the monthly payables.
Is, is, is that section what we're looking at. We've had, we're going to have. We have to amend the 2018 budget. Yeah. For, for, for is, a characterized the Nikkel penalty and some of the other adjustments that were necessary to continue our quest, by and through those third party agreements. Now, we've incorporated that in the 2019 budget and are willing or wanting to approve it.
Secondly, but firstly, because we're still operating in 18, we need to adjust that budget to cover those costs.
Ryan:
I understand that part. I just thought maybe you had a quick reference that we could just read through instead of zipping through, you know, pages and pages of numbers. That's all.
David:
What did you want? Total numbers or itemized numbers of what we're talking about.
Would that be helpful?
Amanda:
Ryan, if you have that.
David:
I mean, I, I have them.
Amanda:
I do have this. This is the easiest way to see it. Just right here.
Ryan:
And then address number by number four.
David:
I've got it all. I got it to the penny.
And I didn't even know she was still going to be able to speak.
I probably should've just gone up there.
Ryan:
Okay. Thanks. All right. She clarified, just in the future. Might be good when we do have this budget ratification, to just have it clear for the constituents just because you guys see the numbers daily. And for us it's a little overwhelming. So that's all. Thank you.
David:
Thank you. Ryan, was there anyone else who would like to be heard on the amendment for the 2018 budget? Seeing. Yes, sir.
Describer:
The camera pans to the podium. After the public speakers are done speaking the camera pans left to view the board members.
Steve Packard Castle Pines Resident:
Steve Packard 7010 Weston. I understood the gentleman to say that you have to publish the amendment. What constitutes the publishing of that amendment?
Kim:
You have to publish for the public hearing, which was done in the newspaper.
Steve:
That was in the newspaper? Yeah. Thank you.
David:
Anyone else like to be heard?
Very good. We’ll close the public hearing. We’ll, I'll ask for a vote on the motion to approve the 2018 budget amendment as presented tonight.
Board Voting All Speak:
Please indicate your affirmation with an aye, or a nay when called upon. Director Merritt. Aye. And director Crew. Aye. Director McEntire is the affirmative, motion passes.
David:
Item number seven is the update from Pinnacle Consulting Group on the proposed 2019 budget.
I did my darndest to make sure that I was, clear. Again, apologizing for, not being as eloquently, versed in, in, the presentation of the budget as Amanda is on a every day basis. But, I'd be willing to take any comments, questions or concerns, from the board if I missed anything, before looking for a motion to approve the 2019 budget as presented.
Directors, anything? Okay, I look for a motion.
Look for a motion from this board to approve the 2019 budget as presented.
Denise:
I'll make a motion to approve the 2019 budget as presented.
Robert:
I second that motion.
David:
Before we open it up for public hearing. Counsel, in my presentation, for Amanda, I, I expressed the desire to potentially, increase the renewable water fee in 2019. The reasons were obvious in our survey. We're way behind the times in that regard. In, in that all of our neighboring communities that have growth well beyond growth potential, well beyond ours. And, and, for us to not take advantage of that opportunity seems difficult to swallow.
Furthermore, I would not want to, to, to do that effective immediately without making sure that the district has, not providing any particular guarantees in, in will-serve letters or, or development agreements. As we're moving through 2019 with some of the ongoing project project, projects, but as a real estate developer and home builder myself, I, I also wouldn't want to be surprised by the action of the district overnight without some opportunity to, build that in, have some reaction, time to, to, what might be forthcoming.
So if I were to, if I make myself clear, would we need to make a motion or restate that motion with the condition that we may with, with the condition that that we have the right and that we may look at increasing debt in 2019.
Kim:
That does not need to be included in the motion, because as you just did with the 2018 budget, you have the opportunity to amend your 2019 budget any time after you adopted.
David:
Okay, good. Then, then, thank you for that. And, we're certainly going to try to be in a position to share that with anyone that it might affect, so that they have some reaction time just as quickly as we possibly can. Jim, want to just make sure that we're not breaking any promises. With that, is there any one from the public that would like to be heard on the proposed 2019 budget?
Describer:
Chuck Lowen walks up to the podium.
David:
And, and, please come up to the podium.
And introduce yourself.
Chuck Lowen Castle Pines Resident:
I'm Chuck Lowen, and I live at 15 Rotor Gate Lane. Quick question, I hope. Might have about three parts to it. The budget for 2018, was increased because of the stormwater rate study. Do we know what percentage it was increased from the original budget that was approved?
David:
The, say that one more time. Chuck, the stormwater.
01:03:26:03 - 01:03:55:05
Chuck:
The 2018 budget was just approved, for modification due to the 2018 wastewater and stormwater rate study. Do you know what percentage the 2018 budget was increased from original approval to tonight?
Amanda:
So it wasn't, that was an increase because of that, it was increased to include the PCWRA expansion project. So we've debt relative to that project. And that's what we had to vote on.
01:03:55:05 - 01:04:18:13
But the rates and fees remain the same.
Chuck:
So the, so at the end of the day, the 2018 budget is, as was adopted last year, it didn't go up. Maybe some components changed?
Amanda:
We included that debt. But, but that's, that's what that change was in that budget. Okay.
David:
But, but the, the amendment. Correct me if I'm wrong.
01:04:18:13 - 01:04:50:29
The amendment that also covered, what I've characterized is, is, the nickel fee, and, and because we're paying portions of that in 2018 rates.
Amanda:
Right, so the general fund went up, about $46,000 due to increased salaries and wages and consulting costs.
Chuck:
So on your total budget, that's maybe 1%. I'm just guessing, I don't know.
01:04:51:01 - 01:05:32:15
Amanda:
Yeah it’s 1%.
Chuck:
Okay. And about what?
David:
That total budget on, in our wastewater is, it approaches $4 million?
Chuck:
Maybe 1%. Okay. And then in 2019, that increase plus the new rate study for 2019 is also going to increase that budget. Is that correct? 2019 budget over the 2018 budget?
David:
And the budget of 2019 budget increase for wastewater is. Is being recommended by our rate and fee folks at 4%.
Amanda:
Correct. So the rates and fees are being increased 4%. The total budget itself, is dependent. So in the wastewater fund, the budget in 2018, compared to the budget in 2019. Sorry. I'm looking at the total expenditures here. So, it's actually pretty pretty similar. We do have,
An unrestricted net position in that fund. But in total, the total budget is relatively the same in that fund. We are budgeting again for the PCWRA expansion in case that debt didn't close this year. We're just budgeting. But it's an in, in and out. So our, our expenses for the most part remain flat except for any increases in inflation.
Chuck:
So at the end of the day, we're roughly looking at a 4% increase of the total budget for 2019 over 2018.
David:
Correct. And, and the, and the water before you get to that is 3%. Okay. Okay. And the. there was no adjustment to, storm water held constant. The renewable, penalty again has been reclassified into an investment account and held at $15, even though the rate study, given what I've shared with the audience and those viewing, in here tonight, recommended an increase. Until we got the ownership correct and until which time we had an opportunity to define the renewable water that we all seek.
More clearly, we felt it necessary to freeze that at the $15, make sure that it was defined as an investment account. And, and, and so there was no adjustment there, other than the massaging that takes place, as I've described. The parks, the, the, open space and the trails, were, were adjusted, only to reflect the costs.
We don't have a.
They were immaterial. The adjustments, quite frankly, from year to year. And we don't have it in percentage.
Chuck:
Appreciate that. I just, one last thing. In 2000, at the end of 2019, are we going to be looking at another rate study that might change? Yes. This budget. Yes. And obviously there's.
David:
Well, I mean, it could always, it could always be retroactive, as we saw, if there were certain events that took place as they did this time.
Well, I'm guessing, not having the experience, Amanda has it. That doesn't happen too often. Right. It certainly could. But on a year to year basis, we're obligated to have that rate and fee study.
Chuck:
Okay, I understand that. And every time there's a rate increase, if I understand, council. Right. You have to have a mandatory open hearing to approve it, and then you make the. The motion to formalize it.
Okay. Good. Thanks, I appreciate it. Thank you very much.
Amanda:
Just for clarity, the rate study that we did did not change the 2018 rates. It just impacts what we're going to assess for 2019. The only changes that were made in 2018 that required a budget amendment were the pay out of, the termination clause in the park district manager's contract and the inclusion of debt service.
Chuck:
I understand. Thank you very much.
Describer:
Jim points to Gary Jones to jester him to go up to the podium.
Gary Jones Castle Pines Resident:
Gary Jones 1073 snow Lily Court, Bristlecone. I'm going to be a broken record on this. And I've been saying this as long as I've lived around here. And I'm going to keep saying until somebody listens. I am sick and tired of subsidizing the high users with the fees. I have lived all over this metro area, been in a lot of different water districts.
I have never used less in my life and paid more than I do now. We use barely a thousand gallons a month, barely. Yet what I pay here for one month if I use nothing is almost $100. I'm fortunate enough to have a second home in Arizona, and when I'm not there, you know how much I pay a month for not using anything? One third, one third.
And if anybody should be conservation wise, it should be a state like Arizona. It doesn't generate a lot of their own water. It's one of these things that I keep hearing, well, it's the cost of giving you getting the water to you. That infrastructure went into the ground when the house was built. Those are the tap fees.
So what we have is the ongoing cost of providing the water and the expense of the water. Yet I pay all those fees up front just like everybody else does, and I use less water. So if you were to actually take a look at this, some guy that uses 5000 gallons a month is actually getting a better deal than I am at $1,000.
And like I said, I'm going to keep harping on this until somebody listens and somebody does something. I'm on a fixed income, and it doesn't help me to pay a $100 a month for something I didn't even use, whether that's wastewater or drinking water. I don't mind paying for what I use. I'm all for that. But I don't want to pay for somebody else when I don't use anything else.
Thank you.
David:
Gary. Thanks. Are you, are you, are you going to be around for a while or. You head to Arizona?
Gary:
We're going to be heading to Arizona next month.
David:
Next month? Before you head out, can I take a run at what you've delivered last month and this month and, and, so that I get a better understanding.
I, I, I hear you loud and clear, and I could take a little bit of time and just say, you know, some of those fees, whether you're using water or not, are rolling up expenses, whether you're using water or not.
Gary:
I understand some of the fees.
David:
And, and the rates and things of that nature, but I would love to visit with you before you get out of here.
I know that both of our schedules are busy. We can do it. Skyping from Arizona to here whenever you want to do it.
Gary:
Not that technologically savvy, sorry.
David:
Whenever you want to do it. I want to make myself available to you because I. I'm curious to, and want to make sure that not only you, you completely understand,
As well as I, if there is, if there's a way to improve that, so that you don't lose your voice on, on the same message, I’d kill to find it with you. So please. That'd be great. I'd sure enjoy that. Thank you. Is there anyone else who would like to be? Yes, sir.
Steve:
This is before my comment.
Perhaps a question that might address Gary's conservation issue. It was brought up earlier as well. Who do I talk to or who is responsible for watering the island in the middle of Castle Pines Parkway and the common property along the sidewalks towards the elementary school?
Jim:
It's probably the district for most of, most of those, but I'd have to see specifically where you're talking about, certainly along the parkway it's the district.
Steve:
All right, so what's the appropriate way to, to talk about overwatering there and watering the street when I see that.
Jim:
We can, certainly there won't be any watering in the winter. So between now and this, this coming spring you and I can certainly sit down and we can talk all day long.
I think that's a good conversation to have. But, if you're okay with that. Sure. And let's get together. Kind of like, Chairman McEntire is talking about getting together to talk some of the details on. I'll be happy to visit with you, on. Thank you. A bit more specific.
Steve:
Okay. So my question on the budget, it's the top of page five.
And, perhaps my math is wrong, but the comment at the end of the 19, 2019 budget for salaries says that $228,863 is a 4% increase, over $206,000. Looks to me like that's a 10.7% increase.
Amanda:
That, that's because that includes pay out of the previous district manager in there. So the salaries and wages as presented include 4%. And then there's that increase on there as well.
So that's what inflates that number.
Steve:
So his payment comes out of a 2019 budget?
David:
Well some was taken into 18. That was the reason for the amendment. And then the rest of it is being paid out over, the subsequent 4 months, 3 or 4 months in, in 2019. And so that was added in. It, it, it was a substantial sum over a course of six months.
Steve:
Okay. It's appropriate to account for that as salaries, not some other kind of fee?
David:
Yes. You name them, they're there.
Steve:
Okay. Thank you.
David:
Thank you again. Any others that would like to be heard during this public hearing on the 2019 budget? Hearing none. I'm going to close the public hearing. I'm going to, take advantage of, of, the motion that's on the floor. And the second. I'm also going to acknowledge, counsel's direction that that motion did need, did not need to be amended.
But rather we can amend revenue any time. Something that wonderful takes place throughout the year. So, that being said, I'm going to ask for a vote.
Board Voting All Speak:
Please indicate your affirmation, signifying it by saying aye when called on. Director Crew. Aye. And Director Merritt. Aye. Director McEntire is an aye as well. Motion unanimously passes.
Nice job. Amanda.
Kim:
Mr. Chairman. Sure.
I just want to make a note that your approval of that budget includes the appropriation of the funds for expenditures, which is just a legal way of saying you're going to pay the bills that you've got in the budget. As well as, the setting of the Mill Levy for 2019, which is also part of your revenues within that budget.
However, you have to take all three of those actions which you have just done by approving the budget.
David:
Thank you, Counsel, for that articulation. It was probably before me in the resolution that I would sign. I just hadn't read it as much as I understand it. So. That's correct. Forgive me for not reading it, but, before I sign it, be assured that I will thank you again.
Jim:
Mr. Chairman, if I could add one more piece to that.
Yes sir. And not everybody understands that the way we calculate the property tax is based on the Mill Levy is done by a preliminary assessed valuation, of which we receive August 25th. There will be a final one that is issued by December 10th. So if that's a little bit different in any way to the one we got in August, that'll be the one that will, we’ll work off of.
So your, your motion includes the correct calculation based on the final AV number that makes sense to you.
David:
Yes okay. Well I, I it makes sense. Thank you for the clarification and the information. I really appreciate that.
Describer:
The camera zooms in on the board members.
All right. With that, we're going to jump to the action items, under number nine. These are the consideration a resolution of the, Nope. We did that, and we did that. We're going to accept the financial report and the items from the finance director. Now, directors, you have that information in your packet.
I know that it has been reviewed. We've had more time as a part of the restructure than, than we've normally been given. So, is there I mean, just ask if there's any comments or questions, concerns about the financial report that Amanda would be given if she could speak? Okay. Knowing that she can't speak and not having any, for myself.
Jim, do you have any comments, questions or concerns? And after you counsel on, on that financial report?
Jim:
I do not, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
David:
Counsel. No concerns. Very good.
I'll look for a, let's go ahead and, let me get a motion, from my colleagues here, if you would please, to accept the financial report, in the items presented to us, from the finance director, for this November meeting.
Robert:
I'll make a motion to accept the financial reports and the items from Amanda, the finance director for the November meeting. I'll second.
David:
All right. We've got a motion on the floor by Director Merritt. We have a second by Director Crew to accept, the financial report that was given, in hard copy. Not too much in soft copy tonight.
Forgiving Amanda for her inability to speak, without pain and agony. From both sides, I might add.
Board Voting All Speak:
But, that being said, please reaffirm your commitment to the motion by signifying an aye when called upon. Director Crew. Aye. Director Merritt. Aye. Director McEntire says aye. The motion passes unanimously.
David:
Item number nine D is the approval and ratification of the current payables for the month of October, 2018.
These are, those checks that were written, and, and mailed, by the numbers of 23924-24012 from the General Fund. We're to, to approve the $54,563.74 ratifying, from the same fund, the $88,073.68 further, or in addition to that, from the enterprise fund. We have ... $129,087.97 and ratifying the $271,051.97.
Lastly, the electronic payments of all funds, ratifying the $922,246.47 for total expenditures, for the month of October 2018 of $1,465,023.83 paid in full. I, I read that in the form of a motion. if that pleases the directors. If it does, I would entertain a second.
Denise:
I just want to ask a question.
Some of these numbers are almost double. Isn't that because there were. They were not paid out last month? If I recall, we had a lot of zeros in the lines.
David:
Excellent question. Yes, because of a timing issue, we did not have the, the same volume of dollars to ratify as we did this year, or this month.
Nice, nice pick up Director Crew. Any others? Was that a second as well or?
Denise:
Sure, that's a second.
David:
Okay. Motion's been made by director McEntire to approve the, fund to approve the payables for the month of October. As read, seconded by Director Crew, any further discussion? Hearing none from the directors. The interim manager or counsel or Pinnacle.
Board Voting All Speak:
Please signify for approval when called upon. Director Crew. Aye. Director Merritt. Aye. And Director McEntire is an aye as well. Motion passes unanimously.
David:
We have a communications report in your packet, albeit very lengthy.
Hits that run up to transparency, that our communication folks are, are, are, are working on diligently. A number of ongoing projects that will be, Forthcoming and, and conveyed when given, approval to do so. But, for tonight, albeit a small issue, the, the big issue is the communications equipment within this auditorium.
As one of our residents pointed out, is even hard to hear online. And maybe it was, even the video, that was hard to see or, or, or keep pace with whatever it was, regardless of his internet speed. But, all that being said, we've been tasked with looking at a new audio system because the old one finally broke.
And, and so while there's a multitude of, of options and opportunities that we have, including other venues for meeting places, to, buying new equipment, buying used equipment, etcetera, etcetera, we'll go on. but you don't want me to. So the short version of this is that, I, I think I'm correct in saying that, for now, for the, for the immediate future, we've decided to, continue to. Evaluate these new systems as they come in on a monthly basis, on a rental basis, and to which time, we've found absolutely the right one at the right time for the right amount of money.
Am I get that, we're still good with that. Okay. So, so, we'll, we'll convey that to our communications director and, and, try to improve both the video and the audio, as we move through this little hurdle. Anything else on the communications report that you guys want to follow up on? Nothing. Okay, we're going to move to, to item 11, which is the open space manager's report.
That's typically done by Craig, Miller in, in well, Craig is also presented to us. Then his report in writing, it is of, he's not, going to be here, the. This evening, to read what he has written. He always does a great job in providing us with, not only what has happened, but what is happening, what he's planning on it.
And while there hasn't been any changes in regard to the 2019, horizons that he has not only included in his budget estimate, but his work and time estimates as well. So he's consistent, to say the least, and very busy. One of the things, however, that seems to, have, have have slipped through the cracks, if I may, is the Esperanza, request of a couple months ago.
Does anybody have an update on that other than what was given last month? We're, there's been no communication council.
Kim:
In our, it is listed in our status report, and we've had no communications with anyone.
Jim:
If I could add to that, Mr. President, I met last week with two ladies from Esperanza. There was a whole list of. Let me back up a little bit. I met with Michael Penny, the city manager, about two weeks ago, and not only did he buy me lunch, but he handed me a list of a whole bunch of things that Esperanza has some questions on water leaks, tree dead trees, a whole bunch of things.
And so I contacted the two ladies that had sent this email to Michael. I sat down with him in that little room over there the other day and, and talked about each one of these issues. Set up a game plan to try to take care of where the leak is that they've had for a number of years in the island, related to some trees that were down and along trails and some other information.
So I had a very good meeting with them, followed up with an email to them to give them a game plan to figure out the, I call it an experiment, to figure out next spring when we kick on the water system again. So I'm in contact with, with a lady named Lisa, and a lady named Adrian, I believe both of those ladies had good.
We, had a good meeting. So I can continue to keep you updated on those. We've not received any other information based on the what I think Kim was talking about on the the, the entryway areas, but I've already started that dialog with them. And, and I will continue to keep you updated on what's going on. Hopefully that will help you understand it better.
David:
Sure. I didn't want it to slip through the cracks. From my perspective, it seemed too easy to fix or finalize or come to an agreement. And, and certainly well before spring time rolls around again. So if we can make sure that everyone has it on their list of outstanding items and we pursue with vigorous, a resolution which they just needed and I know council you, you've given them a roadmap.
Jim, you continue to guide and direct. I know we can get there before the snow stops. And that would be our goal is to make sure they're online and, and have what they need. It's their property. I don't understand why we would want to get in the way.
Jim:
Well, and that was, that was a big part of the conversation.
You know, I told them, I said, we may disagree, but we're going to disagree professionally and respectfully. And if there's issues that the district can't do anything about, I'm going to tell him, okay, exactly what it is, but I'm going to do my best to work with them on all of the items that they have. And so I'll keep you posted on what's going on.
I think the meeting went very well and they seemed very appreciative of it.
David:
Super. Thank you. That would be the only item, not to use that as a segue into Councsel's report, but to, uses a final note on, on my observations of Craig's report. Was there any other, that we haven't already talked about that you guys wanted to bring up?
Denise:
Yeah. You’re. Yeah. I, I just have one question, Jim, in talking with Lisa and Adrian, you did talk about what the improvements also that they want to do?
Jim:
We talked a little bit about it. Okay. Not into a lot of depth, because I think they're supposed to come to us with some.
Denise
Yeah. My understanding is.
Jim:
Yeah. Come to us with some stuff and then.
Denise:
Their homeowners association attorney is to provide us with some type, and they have not. No they haven't to. either him or I. Okay. Thanks.
Jim:
But that was part of our discussion. We covered a whole list of things.
David:
All right. Counsel, we got your report. I, I, I commend you on it being maybe a page or two less than last time. It's a good way to start a November meeting. You have the floor.
Kim:
Mr. Chairman, everything in our report is either in process or it's already on your agenda. Except for one item.
And that was a clean up item from last month. And the. In the middle of page two, the matter is called disposal of personal identifying information policy. So that policy was in your packet last month. It is there to comply with HB‑18‑1128 that was adopted by the state legislature. It resulted from concerns over personal identifying information getting out to hackers.
It's a, it's a very simple law for now. If you violate it, it gets really complicated. But all you have to do now is adopt a policy for getting rid of personally identifying information once you're done with it. The policy that Beth drafted simply states that you will delete that information, you'll shred it, shred it.
If it's on paper, once the district is done with it. And in the status report, there's a list of what that personal identifying information is. Of course, it's names, addresses, account numbers, Social security numbers, the kinds of things you'd expect. If you want to take that up tonight, we can get it off of our report.
If not, we can bring it back next month.
David:
Brief Inaudible talking off mic. It’s an important. It's certainly important, enough to take action on, We have had it for the last couple months, and.
For good reason. With some of the changes, we wanted to solidify those that were going to be working, within this policy, before taking any action. From an interim perspective, Jim, is there anything of that policy that is concerning to you in regard to the operations of the people within the district?
Kim:
No, sir. I think you could postpone it for another month, if that's what your question is.
David:
No could, could we act on it? Oh, out imposing anything. Oh, yeah. Extra that we're not already doing. Absolutely. And, and, albeit there's probably not a requirement for posting. Just a matter of enforcement by.
The district manager and those that are in control of this information. That's correct. Yeah.
I'm, I'm prepared to make a motion to, adopt, the personal identification information policy as presented by council. And we should probably do that individually, before any other business, within your report, just.
Kim:
Yes, if you would that be great?
David:
So I, I'm recommending that, this board approve, for immediate implementation, the disposal of personal information identity, identifying information policy as outlined by HB‑18‑1128, the statutory requirements that cover our entity, specifically and, and, with that, we'll be looking for, a second before I open it up for comments or questions.
Robert:
I'll second that motion.
David:
We have a motion on the floor by director McEntire to approve personal identity, identifying information policy. We have a second by Director Merritt. Any other conversation, concerns or comments about the motion on the floor? Hearing none we can take a vote on the motion. Please signify by saying yea or nay when called upon.
Board Voting All Speak:
Director Crew. Yay. Director Merritt. Yay. And director McEntire is a yay. The motion passes unanimously.
Kim:
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Everything else in our report is either in process or there's one item remaining that is already on your budget at the, or on your agenda. So if you have any questions, I can answer those or.
David:
There was.
You know, it's ironic that I think it was Lloyd, maybe. That, we were talking about the conservation plan, and, and, you may recall, being, our first. Well, after the swearing in of the reform slate, our second most important move of, of our term, that we requested the district manager at that time, as it is, laid out in or organizational documents, specifically resolution number 2006-004 to come up with a drought plan.
One of a myriad of reasons that we decided to move in a different direction. He rebuked our request and, as it is noted in, in, memorandum form as well as in, in some cases, emails, quote unquote.
That's because there has not been a plan. So as opposed to jumping in there and working on one, we have an outstanding motion was is there anything that we need to do as a board to retract that or just get beyond that and continue to work on that issue as the residents of voice tonight, as a board has as well, a concern and potentially a need for, more honest and transparent conservation plan.
Kim:
I believe the motion you're talking about was the one to have a public hearing on a drought plan. You do not need to retract that. You can simply give direction to the district manager to move. Move forward with the plan, get it in place.
David:
And lastly, there was a, some information that I came across concerning some property, and I didn't see it addressed in your report maybe my bad. With the, a few months ago with the city, and an issue of, of, easement or, or, even acquisition on a parcel, just to the east of the building here.
Does that ring a bell?
Kim:
It doesn't. Jim do you know?
Jim:
Yeah, it rings a bell with me.
David:
What was that? Oh, Okay.
Jim:
Well, we hadn't actually talked about it, Mr. President, but what I have received and just actually, in the last few days, I actually got one today. The city is interested in purchasing a piece of the right-of-way if we're talking about the same.
Okay, if we're talking about the same thing. Yeah. The purchase a piece of the right-of-way because they plan to do some roadway improvements is what I'm understanding. I'm actually meeting with them tomorrow. Okay. And so I've got something just came in today. I haven't even sent the Kim yet to let him see it, but if that's what you're talking about, that's in motion.
David:
Okay, good. Nice job counsel. Thank you. Directors. Anything for Kim? Anything for Beth?
No you Sure? .... She said we can take a shot any time she's ready. All right. Thank you. Counsel. Next on the agenda is the interim district manager's report. Mr. manager, you have the floor. Item number 13.
Jim:
Thank you. I would like to add that actually, Beth is a lot more enjoyable to work with than Kim, so I just wanted that on the record.
And I've told Kim that to his face. So that's, I'll continue to do that.
Kim:
That's why I work with her.
Jim:
Oh I know you do. Thank you. I put a report in, in your packet for you. But, but I want to, I want to address a few things. First of all, thank you. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with you again.
Some of the people in the audience may not know this, and maybe some of you do raise your hand if you do. But, maybe a couple of you. from, previous, last five years. You had a district manager. The previous three years to that I was your district manager. So I've reconnected with a number of people that I worked with then.
And many people say to me, you must be drinking from a fire hose. You know, we all say that. I think, Rob, you said that. Yes. I'm drinking from the fire hose. But I know what the water tastes like around here because I've been here before, so I'm working on that. And so there's a lot of things that are going through my mind, as you can probably understand, not only my rekindling relationships that I have had professional relationships, but I'm also trying to remember what I did five years ago and what has changed since then.
So that fire hose is not going to slow down for a while. So a couple things I'll address with you out of my report. The first day I walked in here, I met in that little room over there with our employees. Five of the nine, I made number ten, but five of the nine I worked with before. This community has been blessed with a very good staff, I believe, and if some of you have had the opportunity to contact the district and work with some of our people in the field, the ladies in the office or anybody, we have a very professional staff.
So I'm very proud of that, and it makes it easier on me, quite frankly, knowing I can depend on those people. I do have a negative, though, unfortunately. This just happened this past week. We lost one of our people that had been with us for a long time. Those of you who have contacted us, you probably talked with Janet Burman every once in a while.
She's been in a meeting. She chose to, to move on. Great lady. Really enjoyed working with her. but she felt to move on to another direction. So one of the or a couple of the many things that she did for us, for payroll, which is kind of important and almost just as important as utility billing. So working with Mr. President, we are contacting some companies that can help us out.
And I will probably bring in, board communication to you next month to solidify some of that. But we wanted to make sure that we don't miss a step in any of those two items. There very important for us. So we're moving forward and you'll be contacted when, when we start to make some changes down the road. But right now, you should still be able to get your same bill.
And of course you still pay it. Appreciate that. As I mentioned a while ago, all got make contact with a number of people that I used to work with and that we're involved with. Michael Penny, right across the street with the city. Had a good meeting with him. PCWRA, which is Pump Creek Water Reclamation Authority for those who know or don't know, we share in the operation of a wastewater treatment plant. Town of Castle Rock, Castle Pies North Metro District and Castle Pines Metro District.
And we actually have the chairman of the Castle fine sitting over there learning a few things. Right, sir? Perfect. So we have a very good relationship. And so it was, it was, I have to admit, enjoyable for me to go to a meeting and somebody says, I know you. I've seen you here before, but nothing's changed at the plant.
We're still treating everything's right. So that was a good relationship to rekindle. Chatfield I've heard Chatfield around here a little bit. We're involved with the Chatfield Mitigation Company. All the work you're seeing going on out there, we, among other entities, are very much involved. So I'm, I'm a board member on that, representing Castle Pines North. I put in data related to and if you'd like to see it, fine.
But it's data related to the amount of water we produced, how much we build, which I think is kind of interesting to see how much we actually did. So I'll put that into the report for you. And one other item that I'll address, and then I'll take questions. From October 1st to April 30th of each year, starting five years, I guess maybe six years ago.
We receive our water, some of our water, treated water from Highlands Ranch, which is Centennial Water and Sanitation District. We have a facility that was built a number of years ago, which helps us, to supply the water. And so that happens October 1st through April 30th. And it's flowing right now is treated water. So we're going to try to certainly keep that relationship.
And maybe we could work on enhancing it somewhat. Couple other quick items. Holiday lights are on. You've probably seen them. Of course. The sun goes down around noon nowadays it seems like. And so you see them quicker. So those will be on through the holidays. We enjoy those. That's all I have, Mr. President. I'll certainly address any questions, that you might have.
And thank you for the opportunity.
David:
Seems to have gone a little too smoothly, given the lengthy list that I gave you, but a short time ago, I. Nice work. And I like the lineation of, of your report. Of the other boards that you represent us on. Thank you very much.
It's, equally as important that not only we represent our residents, where we have an interest, but, a, a, a business concern, ongoing business relationship with as well. I appreciate the, additional report from our engineer. We've not had that before and, and, that is, extremely fruitful to have, from my perspective, a third party, and my point here is, is, removing the liability, that, that.
We place ourselves in if we don't surround ourselves with this kind of professionalism. The residents have enough on their shoulders, and we don't need anymore. And, and, so it's this course of action. It's this a method of operating that is, is, evolving nicely. And again, nice job. Thank you very much for the information. I see that the, projects that we have under hand, both are underway.
Both the, the pump site is moving along well. We're, pursuing the, development projects, throughout Lagae and town center, variety of filings as well as, complying with all of our MS4 permit requirements. And, and, even, continuing to work on the Castle Pine Parkway water line reclamation or rehabilitation, which, is, is, is probably the next biggest, capital outlay, of, of finances, time and effort, in cooperation with the city, or the residents as well.
So thanks for the detail. Thanks for the level of information. It's invaluable. And thank you for, not taking on any more liability than you already have. Appreciate that. Director Merritt.
Robert:
Just one question for you. If you could reiterate our position with Chatfield for a resident, Ryan Parker, he asked earlier. And, the commitments we have there, thus far and our continuing participation in that and maybe, how they're doing at this time, which Ryan asked for earlier.
Jim:
Have you been out there lately, Ryan?
There's a lot of work going on out there. I'll try to cut this down as quick as I can. Castle North Metro District, along with other entities. Centennial Water and San, a whole bunch of other entities are involved in the reallocation of more water being able to be stored in Chatfield. So it did not change the dam in any way that will stay the same height.
But upstream from there. A lot of work is going on that eventually more water will be able to be stored in that, reservoir. There's a lot of mitigation. It took about 18 years, 18 to 20 years to get the project approved. US Corps of Engineers had to prove it. So this mitigation that's going on is all the work that was agreed to with the, with the Corps of Engineers, and all the parties involved and other interested parties. If things continue to go well, there will be water, new water will be able to be stored in that reservoir starting in the spring of 2020.
But that is a full approval by the Corps of Engineers. So each activity that's happening now is being approved when it's completed. So by the end it'll all be ready to go. So there's, there's a lot of work that that's going on. Most of it's physically out into the field now. There is also a committee that has been set up among ourselves that will identify how we monitor any of the improvements that have been done at the reservoir, see how they perform and certainly to account for the water that gets put into the reservoir.
There's a lot more, and we love to have a sit down with you if you want to, or anybody else that would like to have some questions on it. There's a ton of it that I don't remember from years ago, but I was around when the, the record of decision, which was, they call it a rod when it was approved to do what's happening now. Maybe I beat around the bush.
But, but there's a lot and I'll be happy to sit down with anybody and talk with you on it. Yes sir.
Describer:
Ryan is briefly Inaudible talking off mic.
I just want to know if you are committed to that for that length of time...
Jim:
The board is still committed to it. That was a there's been a lot of questions that I have asked of the board even before. I accept it coming in as interim, and that was definitely one of them.
Are you committed to it? Because we have our community has 1006 acre feet of storage that we can put in there once it's approved. That's, that's a fair amount of water. And so the board is, is has says keep moving forward. Let's make sure this is right.
Ryan:
There's no guarantees, but it will still moving forward in that direction?
Jim:
I believe so.
Robert:
Yeah. We have the 1,006 square acres is still ours.
We haven't filled that bucket yet, but that's the bucket is maintained, and we're going to continue with that. We have been funding that. There's extra funding that was brought up to us that was need to be put in place, to keep that going and those relationships going. And, we did, extensive study on that.
And that is considered, a viable asset by everybody. Just the mere storage. So, absolutely, we're continuing that.
David:
Yeah. It was, that extra storage, volume out there. It's 12 additional vertical feet, within that reservoir. And, well, as Director Merritt indicated, it's, a thousand acre feet that, we have purchased a right to. We have, a, a, a binder fill filled with executed agreements and documents. We have the funding in place. We have the commitment in place, and we continue to honor those.
It. Believe it or not, it was not apparent when we were, surprised by the quick action that had to take place. That it made sense, but it's, it's, it's somewhat logical. I mean, anytime you can get free water, why not? And, and that water that we're talking about. And the reason that it's free is because it it is a part of, of, the runoff that we get from the mountains and, and if it were or the storms from the sky.
And, Chatfield is just in a in awesome location and has the structural viability, built in it, and, and we're just amending those to get them out of the way of the 12ft to keep that. So given any opportunity to have a thousand acre feet setting aside, even though it has to be wheeled from there through, some of our neighbors, to get here. Free water is, is, hard to turn away.
So thank you for that, Jim. I'm going to use, please remain, there. Use your report and, and find job that, the difficult job, but yet the fine job that you have been, tasked with, over the course of the last 30 days. You've truly demonstrated to this board, that, as it relates to the district manager position, that you were a legitimate contender.
We had mentioned in our last meeting that we were taking applications. We received, some applications and, and, impressive. Very impressive. The credentials, the intellect, the wisdom, the knowledge of the people that did, submit letters of interest and their resumes, are worthy of consideration. And, and, as it was mentioned in the last meeting, there was a committee, made up of, of director Crew and myself to review those.
We have done that.
We absolutely came away, insisting that staff keep those resumes on file. For no less than than six months. Now, that's a probationary period. It's, it's just good business in in our opinion. they were truly, truly, qualified and, laced with, with ability. but it's been the familiarity, Jim, that, the applicants didn't have that you had. And. and, in some cases that, isn't always a positive.
But in this situation, we found that to be, a positive attribute, to not only our, our situation, but our search and, and, as you mentioned already, to the people hearing the people online to have three years in this position as a third party consultant, you were not an employee. You were hired by that board. Or the, the firm you were with, was hired by that board, and, and they chose you to be that district manager.
And it was only, after they decided they wanted to go in-house, that you left. but that three years, has been invaluable to me and to the other directors, as it relates to not only what's transpired and, but moreover, what we've been able to accomplish in the last 30 days. As, as we're able to bring forth and act on the promise to deliver renewable water more wisely.
It will become more evident that we leaned on you a great deal and that we, benefited from your participation. We also found that, in asking you to participate in, in contention of that, job that you were willing, to do some, some, some. Really professional, things, just to mention a few.
Your willingness to, if the job was offered to you to accept the position, for a, for, for, for a rate of pay that was, at a savings to the district. Thank you. You were also willing to accept the position without insisting, let alone or having the conversation, let alone insisting on any kind of, of, of,
Bonus, for not doing your job. In other words. This is a state, of at will employment. And the agreement, that we pursued is one that, compensates folks, equal to or as much as the market will bear. And as a, demonstrate their worthiness and their, their, their benefit to the, to the residents.
But to pay somebody after they've left employment, whether it's cause or no cause has been a big issue with this board, and we don't believe in it. It is tasked this. The residents here unfairly in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. And the fact that you don't want to play that is appreciated. Your availability, your willingness to leave some previous commitment and, and help us out also was appreciated. Between Director Crew and I.
After lengthy consideration and review of all the, applicants, through the end of the month, have, come to a decision to recommend to this board, that, Jim, based on what I've just shared with the, with the residents, if any of them are not factual, last chance, or forever hold your peace. but it's based on all that I have shared with them.
And there's much, much more, that this board, offer you the job of, district manager, as the finalist, for the district manager position. If you accept, then we would, of course, post that, over the course of the next 14 days, according to the law. And, and, after that period, the word interim be omitted from your title currently and, and district manager be, your position in full. Director Crew.
I'm sorry. What did I miss.
Denise:
Not a thing. No, I second, of course, what he said that your availability and your flexibility has been very much appreciated. The time that you've taken with each of us as board members to actually sit down and meet with you and talk and discuss goes above and beyond. And we appreciate that, too.
So thank you.
David:
You're, you’re not on committee but go ahead.
Robert:
No, but I can just, second and reiterate that, your openness and calling each and every one of us, and making time for it, and not only us, but everybody that you, work with within that first week was just eye opening and something we haven't seen. Something that was, very welcomed.
And, the information that you shared was, was excellent as well. So I believe it goes through 14 days. And, welcome aboard.
David:
Counsel, would it be appropriate then that, with the recommendation of the committee that a board member make a motion to, name Jim Worley as the finalist for the district manager position tonight, in a motion?
Kim:
It would be. Mr. Chairman.
David:
With that, if, I could get a motion from director, to name Jim Worley, as the finalist in the position of district manager, please?
Denise:
I would be happy to make a motion to, make Jim, name Jim Worley as the, finalist for our district manager position.
Robert:
I'll second that motion.
David:
We've obviously just begun and you know that. The residents have spoken tonight about a number of things that we've got to work on. And we don't want any of them to slip through the cracks, but rather, we want to vigorously pursue, the answers and the best results, on each and every one of those items. I know that you are vested in doing that along with us, along with what the board is, pursuing.
And, and again, the promise that we did make as a reform team was, was simply that we were going to seek renewable water more wisely.
Be assured that, if there's a rock that we haven't turned over, and somebody has an idea, our eyes or, our ears are open, our eyes are open, and we are available to be contacted by anyone at, at any time and would, would appreciate that. So it's with that hefty, job responsibility. I'm going to ask for a vote of the, of the board, to affirm Jim as a finalist.
Board Voting All Speak:
When I call your name, if you'll, share with me your affirmation or your vote no When I call on you, Director Crew. Aye. Director Merritt. Aye. And director McEntire is, is an aye thank you, Jim. Motion carries.
Jim:
Thank you board I appreciate that I'm reminded of two things. Number one, we're all interim. I mean, right, we're all interim.
But I'm also reminded of the movie Cool Hand Luke and that line and that movie is what we have here is failure to communicate. I can even talk like I'm because I'm from the South. Communication is the most important thing as far as I'm concerned. Between me, the board, staff and the people in the community. Because if I don't have the opportunity to address an issue or a concern, then we're not doing our job.
So I would encourage anybody residents, people outside the community, board, staff, anybody bring up a situation if you have it so that we can have a discussion of it. My job is to provide as much information to the board so that you can make an informed decision. And if I fall short of that, I need to know that.
So I appreciate your, your, kind words. I'm going to keep doing the same thing I've done for 32 years, and, and I enjoy working here. And I appreciate your, your, kind words. Thank you.
David:
Thank you again, Jim. Welcome aboard. Welcome as a finalist. The last, director's matters unless we have come up with something else during the meeting tonight is a discussion of the board vacancy.
We currently have a board vacancy, and, it is, my understanding through,
My own due diligence, and, and, counsel's guidance and direction that. While we have made public that we're looking for a director to fill the vacancy, that we are, going to continue to take additional applications. We have a number of them right now. We're going to continue to accept applications through the end of November, believing that, that would leave us, as a board enough time to, select, a candidate to appoint in December.
We're told that, that appointment is our responsibility, to exercise that the appointee will serve, until the next regular election. And that the, an election is held at that next regular election time to fill the the remainder of of the term. So if there's anyone online there, anyone in the audience that is still interested in applying as a board member for the vacancy that we currently have, applications are being sought and, through the end of this month, November.
And, this board, plans to make that appointment in the December meeting. If all goes well.
Comments, questions from the other directors. Any thing I missed? Jim, anything you want to add? Council, given the opportunity.
Jim:
The only thing I want to add quickly is, I'll need some signatures from you. Obviously, with changes around here, we're changing signature cards on our banking documents. So if I could have all three of you hang for a couple of minutes, I've got some documents I need for you to sign.
Kim:
The only thing we have too is a lot of signatures for the, all other resolutions. That's it.
David:
Okay. All right. I think I'm clear as it relates to then our, timing on the new director. And so, there's no PTO. between now and, and the December meeting, and you're obligated to be here soon. So.
All right, directors have, have, finalized the, director matters best. I know Crew, Merritt. We, you good? All right. I'm going to open it up one last time for public comment. We don't have anybody that says they're going to speak. But if there is anyone in the audience, I will ask at this time that you hold your comments to three minutes.
Describer:
The camera pans right to the podium.
And, Ryan. You have the floor.
Ryan:
All right. Thank you again. First of all, it's exciting to see the, the new Jim. Jim, I think there's got some good things going on. Either way, you know, moving forward is always a good sign. So I'm anxious to support the cause and help where I can. I would say just as far as efficiency goes.
Cut to the point, when you're making your point, cut out the fluff and just get down to business. It might shave off half hour, aside from that. But I encourage you all to keep trudging along and, doing what's, best and right and focus on being positive moving from this point on. So good luck to you all.
And, and thank you.
David:
Anyone else like to be heard? All right. We're going to close the public comment section of the agenda. We're, despite the feelings of at least one we're running 45 minutes ahead of schedule. I look for a motion to adjourn from a director.
Robert:
I make a motion that we adjourn this meeting. I second.
Board Voting All Speak:
I. I'll agree. Meeting adjourned.