May 14, 2024 City Council on 2024-05-14 12:30 PM (Special Called - Canvassing)

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GOOD AFTERNOON. WELCOME TO THIS MEETING AND DENTON CITY COUNCIL.

TODAY IS MAY THE 14TH, 2024.

IT'S 1230. WE DO HAVE A QUORUM, SO I'LL CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER.

FIRST THING ON THE AGENDA IS PLEDGES TO THE UNITED STATES AND TEXAS FLAG.

PLEASE STAND WITH ME IF YOU'RE ABLE.

RIGHT. THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS CONSIDER ADOPTION OF RECEIPTS.

[A. Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton, canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the Regular Municipal Election to elect three City Council Members to Places 5, 6, and a Mayor to Place 7 of the City Council of the City of Denton, held on May 4, 2024; declaring that a Runoff Election is not necessary; and providing an effective date.]

CONSIDER ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DENTON, CANVASING THE RETURNS AND DECLARING THE RESULTS OF THE REGULAR MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO ELECT THREE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO PLACE FIVE SIX AND A MAYOR PLACED SEVEN.

GOOD AFTERNOON.

I'M LAUREN OGDEN, CITY SECRETARY, AND I'M GOING TO GIVE A BRIEF PRESENTATION REGARDING THE CANVASING RESULTS.

THE ELECTION OF MAY 4TH, 2024 WAS ORDERED ON FEBRUARY 6TH, 2024, BY ORDINANCE NUMBER 24 174.

THE PURPOSE WAS TO ELECT MEMBERS FOR CITY COUNCIL PLACES FIVE SIX AND A MAYOR TO PLACE SEVEN.

THESE ARE FOR FULL TERMS. IN PLACE FIVE. THERE WERE TWO CANDIDATES, BRANDON CHASE MCGEE AND ERIKA GARLAND PLACED SIX.

TWO CANDIDATES, JILL JESTER AND LILLIAN PRIETO.

CARRILLO PLACED SEVEN FOR MAIER.

THERE WERE THREE CANDIDATES GERARD HUDSPETH, THE INCUMBENT STEPHEN DILLENBURG, AND LUCAS WEDGEWORTH.

I'D JUST LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT BRANDON CHASE MCGEE WAS ALSO THE INCUMBENT FOR PLACE FIVE.

THE UNOFFICIAL GENERAL AND SPECIAL ELECTION RESULTS REPORT INCLUDES THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTES RECEIVED BY EACH CANDIDATE, THE SUM OF THE PRECINCT TOTALS TABULATED PER DISTRICT AND CANDIDATE, AND THE TOTAL OF THE VOTES RECEIVED BY EACH CANDIDATE IN EACH PRECINCT IS ATTACHED AS AN EXHIBIT TO THE ORDINANCE.

THERE WAS A BIT OF A DELAY IN RECEIPT OF THIS INFORMATION FROM THE DENTON COUNTY ELECTIONS, SO THE INFORMATION IS ALL POSTED AND AVAILABLE ONLINE, BUT IT'S JUST NOT INCORPORATED IN THIS REPORT.

CITY COUNCIL MUST ACCEPT THE UNOFFICIAL RESULTS IN ORDER TO OFFICIATE THE OUTCOME.

PURSUANT TO THE CITY CHARTER, ARTICLE TWO, SECTION 3.04 B, IT PROVIDES THAT THE CANDIDATES RECEIVING THE MAJORITY OF THE VOTES CAST FOR EACH PLACE SHALL BE DECLARED ELECTED. THE UNOFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS FROM THE GENERAL ELECTION IN PLACE FIVE.

THE CANDIDATE RECEIVED 50 MORE THAN 50% OF THE VOTES CAST, AND THEREFORE NO RUNOFF IS REQUIRED.

AGAIN IN PLACE, SIX CANDIDATE RECEIVED MORE THAN 50% OF THE VOTE.

NO RUNOFF IS REQUIRED AND IN PLACE.

SEVEN THE CANDIDATE RECEIVED MORE THAN 50% OF THE VOTES CAST.

NO RUNOFF IS REQUIRED.

FOUR. PLACE FIVE ERICA GARLAND RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 49.62% OF THE VOTES.

BRANDON CHASE MCGEE RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 50.38% OF THE VOTES.

IN PLAY SIX, JILL JESTER RECEIVED 53.22% OF THE VOTES.

LILLIAN PRADO CARRILLO RECEIVED 46.78% OF THE VOTES.

AND IN PLACE SEVEN FOR THE MAIER GERARD HUDSPETH RECEIVED 70.77% OF THE VOTES.

LUKE WEDGEWORTH RECEIVED 23.92% OF THE VOTES, AND STEPHEN DILLENBURG RECEIVED 5.31% OF THE VOTES.

THE RECOMMENDATION IS TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE DRAFT ORDINANCE NUMBER 20 4-9 TEN.

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DENTON CANVASING THE RETURNS AND DECLARING THE RESULTS OF THE GENERAL ELECTION HELD MAY 4TH, 2024, DECLARING THAT A RUNOFF ELECTION IS NOT NECESSARY AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

ANY QUESTIONS FOR STAFF? SEEING NONE. I'LL TAKE A MOTION.

COUNCIL MEMBER BECK. I MOVE APPROVAL COUNCIL MEMBER HARTMANN.

SECOND THAT MOTION, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ANY DISCUSSION? I'LL JUST SAY THIS.

I DO WANT TO THANK EVERYONE THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE PROCESS.

I DO WANT TO THANK EVERY CANDIDATE THAT STEPPED UP TO RUN EITHER INCUMBENT OR THE SEEKING THAT OFFICE.

IT IS AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY THAT WE HAVE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY BE ACTIVE IN THIS PROCESS.

AND IT IS AN ABSOLUTE BLOOD SPORT.

AND SO HAVING BEEN ON BOTH SIDES OF THAT, IT IS IT'S ROUGH.

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BUT WE I'M GRATEFUL FOR EVERYONE THAT PUTS THEMSELVES THROUGH IT.

AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO THE SAME.

BE ACTIVE, BE INVOLVED, FIND A BOARD OR COMMISSION, WHATEVER YOU CAN GET COMFORTABLE WITH.

PLEASE DO THAT BECAUSE THE CITY OF DENTON BENEFITS FROM THOSE THOSE VOLUNTEERS.

SO WITH THAT, LET'S VOTE ON THE SCREEN.

IT WON'T LET ME HIT. IT WON'T LET ME HIT.

NO. JUST KIDDING.

JESUS. OKAY.

PUT ME DOWN AS A YES.

AND THAT PASSES 6 TO 0.

THAT TAKES US TO ITEM B, ID 24180.

[B. Issue the following to newly Elected Council Members: · Certificate of Election · Statement of Officer · Oaths of Office]

AND IN ORDER, THAT'LL GO PLACE SEVEN, FIVE AND THEN SIX.

SO DO I. YEAH.

SO IF DIANE AND Y'ALL CAN COME DOWN.

NINI BYRD.

OH.

OKAY. IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF DENTON.

THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT AT A GENERAL ELECTION HELD ON MAY 4TH, 2020 FOR GERARD, HUDSPETH WAS DULY ELECTED MAYOR.

PLACE SEVEN.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF I HAVE HERE ON TWO FOR SIGNED MY NAME AND CAUSED THE SEAL OF THE CITY OF DENTON TO BE AFFIXED AT THE CITY OF DENTON ON THIS 14TH DAY OF MAY, 2024. THANK YOU.

SO NOW IF YOU WOULD RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.

I STATE YOUR NAME, I GERARD HUDSPETH DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR.

DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I HAVE NOT, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, THAT I HAVE NOT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY PAID, OFFERED, PROMISED TO PAY, PAID, OFFERED OR PROMISED TO PAY CONTRIBUTED OR PROMISED TO CONTRIBUTE.

CONTRIBUTED. A PROMISE TO CONTRIBUTE.

BLESS YOU. ANY MONEY OR THING OF VALUE, ANY MONEY OR THING OF VALUE OR PROMISED ANY PUBLIC OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT, OR PROMISED ANY PUBLIC OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT FOR THE GIVING OR WITHHOLDING OF A VOTE, FOR THE GIVING OR WITHHOLDING OF A VOTE AT THE ELECTION AT WHICH I WAS ELECTED, AT THE ELECTION AT WHICH I WAS ELECTED. SO HELP ME GOD.

SO HELP ME GOD.

OKAY. AND THIS IS THE OATH OF OFFICE.

CAN I STATE YOUR NAME? I GERARD HUDSPETH DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR.

DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES THERE, THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF.

OF THE OFFICE OF CITY OF DENTON.

CITY OF DENTON.

COUNCIL MEMBER.

COUNCIL MEMBER. PLACE SEVEN.

MAYOR. PLACE SEVEN.

MAYOR OF THE STATE OF TEXAS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.

AND WILL, TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, PRESERVE, PRESERVE, PROTECT, PROTECT AND DEFEND AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION, THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS AND THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, OF THE UNITED STATES, AND OF THIS STATE AND OF THIS STATE.

SO HELP ME GOD. SO HELP ME GOD.

AND FINALLY, YOUR OATH OF OFFICE.

FOR THE CITY.

I STATE YOUR NAME.

I GERARD HUDSPETH DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR.

DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES.

THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF.

OF THE OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL.

MEMBER. CITY COUNCIL.

MEMBER. PLACE SEVEN.

PLACE SEVEN. MAYOR.

MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DENTON OF THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS.

TEXAS. AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, PRESERVE, PRESERVE, PROTECT, PROTECT AND DEFEND AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION, THE CONSTITUTION, AND THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, AND OF THIS STATE AND OF THIS STATE, AND THE CHARTER AND ORDINANCES OF THIS CITY, AND THE CHARTER AND ORDINANCES OF THIS CITY.

AND I FURTHERMORE SOLEMNLY SWEAR, AND I FURTHERMORE SOLEMNLY SWEAR, THAT I HAVE NOT, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, THAT I HAVE NOT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY PAID, OFFERED OR PROMISED

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AS A REWARD FOR THE GIVING OR WITHHOLDING HOLDING OF A VOTE AT THE ELECTION AT WHICH I WAS ELECTED, AT THE ELECTION AT WHICH I WAS ELECTED.

SO HELP ME GOD, SO HELP ME GOD.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

THANK. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

IT'S A TRULY AN HONOR TO SERVE.

AND I SAY IT REGULARLY.

I'LL CONTINUE TO SAY IT.

AS THE MAYOR OF MY HOMETOWN, I'M TRULY GRATEFUL FOR EACH TIME WE FIRST ELECTION 2020, IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC THAT WAS A YEAR LONG PROCESS, CAME RIGHT BACK AND DID IT AGAIN IN 22.

AND NOW THIS OPPORTUNITY AND EACH TIME BEING THE FIRST TO ACCOMPLISH THAT IS, IS SIGNIFICANT.

AND I DON'T TAKE IT FOR GRANTED.

IT'S BECAUSE OF THE CITY OF DENTON, BECAUSE OF THE CITIZENS THAT ARE THAT ARE JUST SO GREAT.

AND SO WITH THAT.

THOSE SAME STRUGGLES.

IT'S EASY.

THE DRIVER'S SEAT.

BUT SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, EVERYTHING LOOKS REALLY CLOSE.

AND SO. SO FOR THEM TO STICK WITH ME AND HELP ME, I'M GRATEFUL.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

SO IF WE COULD GET AS DUSTIN HERE, SOMEBODY CAN GET A PICTURE FOR ME.

SOMEBODY. THERE HE IS.

OKAY. THAT'S NOT DUSTIN.

OKAY, SO IF YOU IF YOU HELPED OR YOU SO DESIRE, COME ON DOWN AND LET'S LET'S GET A TEAM PICTURE.

SO LET'S SLIDE TO THE MIDDLE.

COME ON DOWN IF YOU'D LIKE TO.

BY ALL MEANS. YOU HELP VOLUNTEERED.

ANYONE WANT TO COME DOWN? YOU WANT TO WELCOME. OKAY.

ALL RIGHT, WE'RE READY.

ALL RIGHT.

MAYOR. I WANT TO JOIN. YES.

COME ON UP. NO OTHER VOLUNTEERS.

IS THAT WHAT I'M HEARING? YEAH.

ALL RIGHT, HERE WE GO. OH.

ALL RIGHT.

ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

OKAY. NEXT IS PLACE FIVE COUNCIL MEMBER BRANDON CHASE MCGEE.

AND I HAVE A PROCLAMATION READS IN THE NAME OF THE AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF DENTON.

THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT A GENERAL ELECTION HELD ON MAY 4TH, 2024.

BRANDON CHASE MCGEE WAS DULY ELECTED COUNCIL MEMBER, PLACE FIVE.

IF WE CAN GIVE HIM A HAND.

SO I'M GOING TO ADMINISTER THE OATH.

SURE. IF YOU WOULD RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.

I STATE YOUR NAME.

I, BRENDAN CHASE, MCGEE, DO SOLEMNLY AFFIRM, DO SOLEMNLY AFFIRM THAT I HAVE NOT, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, THAT I HAVE NOT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY PAID, OFFERED, PROMISED TO PAY,

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AT THE ELECTION AT WHICH I WAS ELECTED.

SO HELP ME.

SO HELP ME.

AND NOW, THE OATH OF OFFICE FOR THE STATE.

I STATE YOUR NAME.

I, BRANDON CHASE MCGEE, DO SOLEMNLY AFFIRM.

DO SOLEMNLY AFFIRM THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES, THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF.

OF THE OFFICE OF CITY OF DENTON.

CITY OF DENTON. COUNCIL MEMBER PLACE FIVE.

COUNCIL MEMBER PLACE FIVE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.

AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND, PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION, THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, OF THE UNITED STATES, AND OF THIS STATE AND OF THIS STATE.

SO HELP ME, SO HELP ME.

AND FINALLY, THIS IS THE OATH OF OFFICE FOR THE CITY.

ALL RIGHT. I STATE YOUR NAME.

I, BRENDAN CHASE, MCGEE, DO SOLEMNLY AFFIRM, DO SOLEMNLY AFFIRM, THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES, THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF.

OF THE OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL.

MEMBER PLACE FIVE CITY COUNCIL.

MEMBER PLACE FIVE OF THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS, THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS.

AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND, PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION, THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, AND OF THIS STATE, AND OF THIS STATE, AND THE CHARTER AND ORDINANCES OF THIS CITY, AND THE CHARTER AND ORDINANCE OF THIS CITY.

AND I FURTHERMORE SOLEMNLY AFFIRM, AND I FURTHERMORE SOLEMNLY AFFIRM, THAT I HAVE NOT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY PAID, THAT I HAVE NOT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY PAID, OFFERED OR PROMISED TO PAY OFFERED OR PROMISED TO PAY CONTRIBUTED OR PROMISED TO CONTRIBUTE, CONTRIBUTED OR PROMISED TO CONTRIBUTE ANY MONEY OR VALUABLE THING, ANY MONEY OR VALUABLE THING. OR PROMISED ANY PUBLIC OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT, OR PROMISED ANY PUBLIC OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT AS A REWARD FOR THE GIVING, AS A REWARD FOR THE GIVING OR WITHHOLDING OR WITHHOLDING OF OH, EXCUSE ME, A VOTE, A VOTE AT THE ELECTION AT WHICH I WAS ELECTED, AT THE ELECTION AT WHICH I WAS ELECTED.

SO HELP ME. SO HELP ME.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

IT'S A LOT EASIER THE SECOND TIME AROUND, YOU KNOW.

I STAND HERE TODAY BECAUSE SEVEN BLACK WOMEN PRAYED FOR ME A LONG TIME AGO.

AND THOSE BLACK WOMEN ARE STILL PRAYING FOR ME TODAY.

IT'S A SPECIAL THING TO HAVE A PRAYING MAMA AND PRAYING AUNTS AND PRAYING GRANDPARENTS.

I STAND HERE TODAY BECAUSE OF THOSE SEVEN WOMEN AND I THANK GOD EVERY DAY FOR THEM.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

MOST OF THE FOLKS WHO HELPED ME OBVIOUSLY ARE AT WORK, BUT THERE'S A FEW OF Y'ALL ARE HERE, SO THE FEW OF Y'ALL ARE HERE.

COME ON DOWN.

PHILLIP, CHRISTINE, SAGE, SHANNON, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOU THREE ARE UP HERE.

COME ON. COME ON.

SQUEEZE IN THERE, BUD. CONGRATULATIONS.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHTY.

AND FREEZE UP. THERE'S ONE MORE.

THOSE TWO.

THREE. MADAM CHAIR.

COME ON DOWN. OH.

THANK YOU. ONE MORE LOOK RIGHT HERE.

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THREE.

AND IF I COULD HAVE COUNCIL MEMBER ELECT JILL JESTER, IF YOU'LL COME ON UP TO.

YES. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. OKAY.

AND I HAVE A CERTIFICATE OR PROCLAMATION, AND IT READS.

IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF DENTON.

THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT AT AN ELECTION HELD ON MAY 4TH, 2024, JILL JESTER WAS DULY ELECTED COUNCIL MEMBER, PLACE SIX.

OKAY IF YOU WOULD RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.

I STATE YOUR NAME, I, JILL ELIZABETH JESTER, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR.

DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I HAVE NOT, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, THAT I HAVE NOT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY PAID, OFFERED, PROMISED TO PAY, PAID, OFFERED OR PROMISED TO PAY, CONTRIBUTED OR PROMISED TO CONTRIBUTE.

CONTRIBUTED OR PROMISED TO CONTRIBUTE ANY MONEY OR THING OF VALUE, ANY MONEY OR THING OF VALUE, OR PROMISED ANY PUBLIC OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT, OR PROMISED ANY PUBLIC OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT FOR THE GIVING OR WITHHOLDING OF A VOTE, FOR THE GIVING OR WITHHOLDING OF A VOTE AT THE ELECTION AT WHICH I WAS ELECTED, AT THE ELECTION AT WHICH I WAS ELECTED.

SO HELP ME GOD, SO HELP ME GOD.

THE. THIS IS THE OATH OF OFFICE FOR THE STATE.

I STATE YOUR NAME.

I, JILL ELIZABETH JESTER, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR.

DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF.

OF THE OFFICE OF CITY OF DENTON.

CITY OF DENTON.

COUNCIL MEMBER. PLAY SIX.

COUNCIL MEMBER, PLACE SIX OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.

AND I WILL AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, AND I WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.

PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND, PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS, THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, OF THE UNITED STATES, AND OF THIS STATE AND OF THIS STATE.

SO HELP ME GOD. SO HELP ME GOD.

AND FINALLY THE OATH OF OFFICE FOR THE CITY.

I STATE YOUR NAME.

I, JILL ELIZABETH JESTER, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR.

DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF.

OF THE OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL.

MEMBER PLACE SIX.

CITY COUNCIL. MEMBER PLACE SIX OF THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS, OF THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS.

AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND, PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION, THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, AND OF THIS STATE, AND OF THIS STATE, AND THE CHARTER AND ORDINANCES OF THIS CITY, AND THE CHARTER AND THE ORDINANCES OF THIS CITY.

AND I FURTHERMORE SOLEMNLY SWEAR, AND I FURTHERMORE SOLEMNLY SWEAR, THAT I HAVE NOT, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, THAT I HAVE NOT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY PAID, OFFERED, OR PROMISED TO PAY, PAID, OFFERED OR PROMISED TO PAY, CONTRIBUTED OR PROMISED TO CONTRIBUTE, CONTRIBUTED OR PROMISED TO CONTRIBUTE ANY MONEY.

ANY MONEY OR VALUABLE THING OR VALUABLE THING, OR PROMISED ANY PUBLIC OFFICE, OR PROMISED ANY PUBLIC OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT OR EMPLOYMENT AS A REWARD.

AS A REWARD FOR THE GIVING, FOR THE GIVING OR WITHHOLDING OF A VOTE OR WITHHOLDING OF A VOTE AT THE ELECTION AT WHICH I WAS ELECTED, AT THE ELECTION AT WHICH I WAS ELECTED.

SO HELP ME GOD, SO HELP ME GOD.

RIGHT. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

[00:25:04]

I JUST WANT TO THANK.

THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE HERE AND NOT HERE THAT THIS THIS BELONGS TO AND ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT I DO PROMISE TO DO MY BEST ON BEHALF OF ALL OF OUR CITIZENS.

THIS IS MY HOMETOWN.

I WAS A FLOW BABY.

MOVED AWAY AND CAME BACK.

AND I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR THE COMMUNITY THAT WE HAVE HERE.

OF COURSE, I WANT TO THANK MY HUSBAND, CHRIS RASMUSSEN, WHO HAS BEEN WITH ME EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, ENCOURAGING AND CARING THE THE WATER.

THANK YOU. AND THEN, OF COURSE, I'M SO GLAD TO HAVE WITH ME MY BEAUTIFUL AND WONDERFUL MOTHER, BARBARA BALL, AND MY SISTER, ALLISON BERTORELLI, WHO I'M GRATEFUL IS HERE WITH ME TODAY AS WELL.

AND I ALSO JUST HAVE TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO MY FATHER, TOM JESTER WHO SERVED ON THIS COUNCIL, WHO WAS MAYOR OF THIS COUNCIL WHO ALSO TAUGHT ME THAT GIVING BACK IS A DUTY WE ALL HAVE IN WHATEVER WAY, SHAPE OR FORM THAT MAY TAKE, WHETHER THAT'S IN OUR FAMILY OR OTHER FAMILIES, WHETHER THAT'S IN OUR COMMUNITY, IN A PROFESSIONAL CAPACITY OR JUST OFFERING SOMEONE A RIDE.

I'M I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE HEART THAT THIS COMMUNITY HAS PRODUCED.

AND PLEASE DO KEEP ME IN LINE WHEN YOU SEE ME STRAIN.

LET ME KNOW.

BECAUSE I KNOW I'VE GOT A LOT TO LEARN.

AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE UP HERE ON THIS DAIS TODAY.

AND WHAT THEY ARE WILLING TO GIVE ON BEHALF OF OUR COMMUNITY.

SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR GRACE.

I'M VERY GRATEFUL.

TO PATTY, TO KIMBERLY, TO CHELSEA.

THERE ARE SO MANY HERE, MARTY.

AND SO MANY.

TOO MANY TO NAME. BUT JUST KNOW I'M GRATEFUL FOR EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU.

AND IF YOU SUPPORTED ME WOULD YOU PLEASE COME DOWN FOR A PHOTO? IF YOU SUPPORTED ME IN ANY WAY, PLEASE COME DOWN AND BE WITH ME ON THIS DAY AND JOIN ME AFTER THE RECEPTION HERE AT MINER AND JESTER, WHERE WE HAVE A BARTENDER AND SNACKS.

THANK YOU. IT'S TRUE.

THANK YOU. IF YOU WOULD. THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

WE GO TO THE BACK. I KNOW WHERE I'M AT.

OR WAS HE ALWAYS IN THE BACK? YEAH. THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

GET IN HERE. THAT'S KIND OF AWKWARD RIGHT THERE.

YOU RECTIFIED THAT? PLEASE. GET AHEAD OF ME HERE.

GO AHEAD, Y'ALL.

HE'S GOING TO SAY I'M SURPRISED.

NOBODY. YOU'RE IN TROUBLE.

OH, YEAH. WE'RE GOOD. THANK YOU.

TWO, THREE.

YAY! PRETTY GOOD. CONGRATULATIONS.

THANK YOU. SO. THE JOB.

THANK YOU. SHE GETS DOWN LOW.

I'VE. ALWAYS THOUGHT.

[00:30:56]

OKAY. AND BEFORE WE GO TO THE NEXT ITEM, I DO WANT TO.

I'D BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE JUDGE EVERETT.

JUDGE JAN, IF Y'ALL COULD STAND UP.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE. MEANS A LOT.

YEAH. ANY ANY OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS.

YOU WANT TO ANYONE ELSE? AND THEN WE HAVE A PERSON ELECT AND LISA.

RIGHT. ELECTED.

NOT SWORN IN YET.

YES. YEAH.

YEAH. OKAY.

OKAY. WE GOT IT. ANYONE ELSE? DID WE MISS ANY ANY ELECTED OFFICIALS? COUNCIL PERSON. YES.

WELL, I RIGHT.

SO COUNCIL MEMBER DAVIS.

FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER. DAVIS. GIVE A WAVE.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

OKAY, I THINK I GOT EVERYBODY.

OKAY, GREAT. AND THEN, SO, COUNCIL MEMBER WATTS, FORMER MAYOR WATTS SENDS HIS REGRETS.

HE COULD NOT ATTEND TODAY.

AND SO WE WILL. WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION FOR HIM AND SOME OTHER RECOGNITION THAT WE'LL GET TO HIM.

BUT AGAIN, HE SENDS HIS REGARDS AND REGRETS.

THAT TAKES US TO OUR NEXT ITEM.

[D. Election of Mayor Pro Tem.]

WE DO HAVE A RECEPTION IN THE BACK THERE.

AND THAT'S THE ELECTION OF THE MAYOR PRO TEM.

DO WE HAVE A PRESENTATION AT ALL? OKAY. AND THIS WILL BE A VOICE VOTE OR BY HAND BETTER SAID SO THAT WE CAN CAPTURE THAT.

AND SO THOSE IN THE ROOM, WHAT HAPPENS IS IF I CAN'T BE HERE TO CHAIR A MEETING THE MAYOR PRO TEM WOULD STEP IN AND CHAIR THE MEETING.

IF I CAN'T MAKE IT TO AN OFFICIAL CITY EVENT, THE MAYOR PRO TEM WOULD GO TO THOSE EVENTS.

OTHER THAN THAT THEY SIT ON AN AGENDA COMMITTEE WITH ME AND THE THE CITY MANAGER.

THERE IS A.

THERE'S NO.

AND THEY HAVE A VOTE JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE AND ALL THOSE OTHER THINGS.

BUT THOSE THOSE ARE THE THINGS IT'S IF I CAN'T MAKE A MEETING, THEY SIT IN FOR THAT MEETING.

THAT'S THE GIST OF IT. IF YOU'RE WONDERING WHAT THIS IS ABOUT SO IT'S ITEM D, ID 24182 ELECTION OF MAYOR PRO TEM.

AND THEN I'LL MAKE A MOTION AND I'LL PRECEDE THAT WITH SAYING WELL, FIRST THE MOTION IS FOR COUNCIL MEMBER HOLLAND.

THE REASON THERE'S NO ONE THAT HAS SERVED DENTON BETTER AND AS MANY DIFFERENT CAPACITIES AS FORMER JUDGE HOLLAND.

COUNCIL MEMBER HOLLAND, HE IS A BUSINESS OWNER.

HE IS A PROPERTY OWNER.

THAT THAT THEN ALSO RENTS AND LEASES.

SO HE UNDERSTANDS BOTH THOSE WORLDS.

HE'S BEEN AT ALMOST EVERY CHAMBER EVENT.

HE'S HE'S FROM KIWANIS TO KEY CLUB TO THE BEATLES COVER BAND.

HE'S JUST.

YEAH. I MEAN, JUST I SAW HIM TODAY WHEN I WAS DRIVING OVER.

I WAS DODGING POTHOLES DOWN BEL AND SORRY, SORRY.

NO, THEY'RE WORKING ON IT.

SO IT WASN'T. IT WASN'T THAT. BUT BUT TRUE STORY.

I'M DRIVING DOWN BEL, AND I SEE JUDGE HOLLAND DRIVING HIS TRUCK, AND THERE'S, YOU KNOW, 3 OR 4 DIFFERENT PEOPLE SIGNS.

NOT HIS. HE DIDN'T RUN IN THE BACK OF HIS TRUCK.

HE'S RUNNING AROUND PICKING UP SIGNS FOR PEOPLE.

JUST A SERVANT.

TRULY HE'S ACTIVE IN HIS CHURCH.

HE'S JUST ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY.

I THINK HE EXEMPLIFIES WHAT WE NEED.

AND I WOULD BE HONORED TO HAVE HIM STEP UP IF I.

IF I CAN'T MAKE IT.

BUT TRUST ME, IN FOUR YEARS, I HADN'T MISSED A MEETING.

I HADN'T HAD TO HAVE ANYBODY DO ANYTHING, SO I DON'T PLAN ON MISSING ANY.

I MAKE IT A HABIT NOT TO MISS ANYTHING, BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE THAT POSITION JUST IN CASE.

THAT BEING SAID, I'M LOOKING.

SO MY MY NOMINATION IS COUNCIL MEMBER HOLLAND, AND I'M LOOKING FOR A SECOND.

[00:35:05]

A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER.

JESTER. DISCUSSION.

SEEING NONE.

ALL IN FAVOR, DO SO BY RAISING YOUR RIGHT HAND.

SO BY RAISING YOUR RIGHT HAND.

THREE. ALL IN AGAINST.

RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.

FOR. THAT MOTION FAILS.

YEAH, I KNOW IT. IT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR I'VE BEEN HERE.

SO THEN LET'S LET'S DO IT AGAIN.

I'M GOING TO NOW I WOULD NOMINATE.

JILL JESTER AS THE MAYOR PRO TEM FOR THE SAME REASONS SHE IS BUSINESS OWNER.

SHE IS.

SHE RENTS PROPERTY HERE.

SHE UNDERSTANDS THOSE DYNAMICS.

SHE'S. I'D HAVE NO PROBLEM SENDING HER ANYWHERE SHE'S BEEN.

AND IF YOU'RE WONDERING ABOUT HER QUALIFICATIONS, THERE ARE MANY.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, ANYBODY THAT CAN BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR TO BE ON THE BOARD OF REGENTS AT TWU SHOULD BE ABLE TO MANAGE DENTON AND IN MY ABSENCE, FOR A MEETING, JUST TO SAY TO CALL THE NUMBERS THAT ARE ON THE PIECE OF PAPER, IT'S NOT THE CHEAT SHEET IS FANTASTIC.

AND I FIGURE SHE CAN HANDLE THAT WITH THE BEST OF THEM.

AND HOW FITTING AGAIN, SHE TOUCHED ON IT.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME.

IT'S MOVING TO ME BECAUSE THIS IS THE EXACT SAME BUILDING, SAME DAIS THAT THAT HER, HER DAD SERVED.

SO FOR HER TO STEP IN AND SERVE AS MAYOR PRO TEM WOULD BE MY HONOR TO TO HAVE HER STEP IN AGAIN IF I CAN'T MAKE IT.

SO MY MY MOTION IS FOR JILL JESTER.

LOOKING FOR A SECOND, PLEASE, TO SECOND THAT MAYOR.

THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR SHOW BY RAISING YOUR RIGHT HAND.

SAME THREE.

THOSE OPPOSED DO SO BY RAISING YOUR RIGHT HAND.

SAME FOR OKAY.

COUNCIL COUNCIL MEMBER JESTER.

I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION.

OKAY. I MOVE THAT VICKI BYRD SERVE AS MAYOR PRO TEM.

OKAY. IS THERE A SECOND? I THINK IT'LL BE FABULOUS. I'LL RESPECTFULLY DECLINE, SIR.

OKAY. PARDON ME.

FOR THE. YEAH.

COUNCILMAN. BECK.

I'M GOING TO MOVE THAT PAUL MELTZER BE ELECTED TO TIM.

IS THERE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND DISCUSSION.

I'LL JUST SAY THAT'S FOR THOSE THAT SAW MY POST.

THIS IS WHY. FOR THOSE THAT ARE ASKED TO BE HERE AND SEE THIS, THIS IS WHY.

WE HAVE TO.

WE HAVE AN ELECTION EVERY YEAR.

AND THERE'S NO REASON FOR SOMEONE TO HAVE TO BEND THE KNEE TO THE FLOOR TO GET A LEADERSHIP POSITION.

COUNCIL MEMBER BEX DONE IT TWICE.

THIS WILL BE PAUL'S SECOND RUN AT IT AND EVERYONE ELSE IS FROZEN OUT THE ENTIRE TIME I'VE BEEN MAYOR.

NO ONE ELSE GETS A CHANCE TO SERVE EXCEPT FOR IF YOU'RE IN THE THE THE FOUR.

YEAH, YOU CAN CALL IT THAT.

SO IT IS A POSITION THAT SHOULD ALLOW FOR OTHER PEOPLE TO SERVE.

IT IS NOT RIGHT FOR PEOPLE TO MONOPOLIZE THAT.

IT HAS NEVER BEEN DONE.

LOOK AT THE HISTORY. IT HAS NEVER BEEN DONE UNTIL 2021.

SO. THAT'S WHY I WANTED YOU TO BE HERE.

AND IF YOU'RE WONDERING IF I KNEW IT WAS COMING.

YES. AND THAT'S WHY I WANT YOU TO BE HERE.

TO SEE THE IMPORTANCE OF ACTIVITY, THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING PLUGGED IN.

AND LET'S MAKE SURE OUR VOICE IS HEARD EVERY MAY.

SO IN MAY 2025, LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD.

[00:40:03]

IF IT CHANGES, SO BE IT.

BUT IT'S NOT FOR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE.

SO SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS WHAT YOU SAW TODAY.

AND AGAIN, I'VE HEARD NOTHING.

THE INTERESTING THING IS I'VE HEARD NOTHING AGAINST THE TWO.

IT'S JUST THEY'RE NOT IN THE COALITION.

THERE'S NO REASON FOR THEM NOT TO SERVE.

THAT'S BEEN ARTICULATED.

IT'S JUST A PREFERENCE BECAUSE.

I DON'T KNOW WHY, BUT HERE WE GO.

ANYONE ELSE? COUNCILMAN BYRD. THIS IS TO THE COMMUNITY.

THIS THIS JOB IS SITTING ON THIS DAIS IS DIFFICULT, BUT IT IS A HIGHEST LEVEL OF ONE OF THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF PUBLIC SERVICE THAT WE CAN GIVE TO OUR CITY THAT WE LOVE.

AND WHAT WE DO ON THIS DAY IS, IS FOR A REASON.

AND WE MAKE OUR OWN DECISIONS FOR OUR OWN REASONS.

WE ARE MATURE ADULTS TO DETERMINE WHAT WE WANT TO DO, WHEN WE WANT TO DO IT, HOW WE WANT TO DO IT, WHERE WE WANT TO DO IT.

AND THAT'S OUR JOB IS FOR THE CITY.

AND I AM PERSONALLY OFFENDED BY THE POSTULATION OF THE MAYOR TO MAKE THOSE KINDS OF STATEMENTS BECAUSE I'M AN ADULT. I'M GROWN.

I HAVE RAISED TWO TWO ADULT.

I HAVE TWO GROWN CHILDREN THAT WERE BORN AND RAISED HERE.

I HAVE STARTED MY CAREER HERE.

I WENT TO SCHOOL HERE.

I HAVE BEEN IN THIS CITY FOR 39 YEARS.

AND I AM HERE BECAUSE I WANT TO BE HERE.

NOBODY MADE ME GET UP HERE.

AND I RAN AGAIN BECAUSE I WANTED TO BE HERE.

AND EVERYTHING THAT I DO ON THIS DAIS, I DO IT BECAUSE I WANT TO DO IT.

I DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING FOR ANYONE.

I CAN GET UP AND WALK OUT OF HERE AND I WILL BE FINE.

SO TO BE ABLE TO HAVE SOMEONE TO PIGEONHOLE ME AND I'M SPEAKING FOR ME, I DON'T KNOW WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE IS THINKING.

DON'T DO THAT TO ME.

I'M OFFENDED.

BUT MEANWHILE, I WANT EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM TO KNOW AND EVERYBODY THAT CAN HEAR MY VOICE.

I'M HERE FOR THE BETTERMENT AND THE GREAT WILL OF THIS CITY.

WE HAVE SO MUCH WORK TO DO.

AND REGARDLESS OF WHO'S SITTING IN THE PRO TEM SEAT OR WORK FOR THE CITY WILL GO FORWARD, IT WILL GO ON.

AND AGAIN, I'M OFFENDED.

I DON'T KNOW WHO ELSE IS OFFENDED.

I AM OFFENDED.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

OKAY. ANYONE ELSE? OKAY, MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR, SHOW BY RAISING YOUR RIGHT HAND.

AND ALL OPPOSED BY SAME SIGN.

SAME COUNT AS BEFORE.

THAT MOTION PASSES.

THAT CONCLUDES OUR AGENDA FOR TODAY, I BELIEVE.

AM I ALL GOOD? OKAY, SO AT 113 WE'LL CONCLUDE TODAY'S MEETING.

WE ARE IN THE COUNCIL WORK SESSION IF YOU WANT TO JOIN US FOR LIGHT REFRESHMENTS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.