Feb 13, 2025 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION

GOOD.

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[ CITY OF BAYTOWN NOTICE OF MEETING CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2025 5:30 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBER, CITY HALL 2401 MARKET STREET, BAYTOWN, TEXAS 77520 AGENDA CALL TO ORDER AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF QUORUM ]

DID ANYONE SIGN TO SPEAK UP? MR. NO, SIR.

GOOD DEAL.

WE WILL HEAD ON

[a. Receive an update on the Baytown Fatherhood Initiative.]

MR. REEVES, THANK YOU MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK BEFORE YOU TODAY.

I, IT, IT'S GONNA BE HARD FOR ME TO CONTAIN MY EXCITEMENT ABOUT THIS ITEM, AND I WANT TO BRING YOU ON A JOURNEY OF HOW WE GOT HERE.

AND THEN I'M, I'M REALLY EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO INTRODUCE TO YOU COOL DAD, AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT NEXT STEPS AND I'M, I'M REALLY THRILLED TO HAVE SOME OF OUR SUPPORT SYSTEM IN THE AUDIENCE WITH US TONIGHT, AND I'LL EXPLAIN WHAT THAT MEANS FOR THE FATHERHOOD INITIATIVE IN BAYTOWN.

BUT I DO WANNA RECOGNIZE PRESLEY AND JOE FROM COVESTRO WHO ARE IN THE AUDIENCE AND WHO HAVE BEEN SUPPORTING THIS INITIATIVE.

AND I'LL EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT AS WE GO FORWARD.

SO FIRST, A LITTLE OF HOW WE GOT HERE, UH, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME NEW FACES THAT MAY NOT RECALL WHAT BROUGHT US TO THIS POINT IN 2020 STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY BEGAN SUING MAJOR PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES AND THEIR DISTRIBUTORS FOR THEIR ROLE IN MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTING OPIOIDS THAT HAVE RESULTED IN ADDICTIONS AND OVERDOSES.

IN OCTOBER OF 21, THE CITY OF BATES TOWN OFFICIALLY BECAME A PARTICIPANT IN THE STATE'S LAWSUIT, AND AS SUCH BECAME A RECIPIENT OF FUNDS RELATED TO THAT SETTLEMENT.

IN MARCH OF 23, AS CITIES ACROSS THE NATION STARTED RECEIVING THE FUNDS, STAFF BEGAN MEETING TO DECIDE HOW WE WANTED TO USE THOSE FUNDS, WHAT WOULD BE THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION FOR USING THOSE, THAT MONEY WITH ADVICE FROM OUR TWO CHIEFS AND SEVERAL OF OUR DIRECTORS, THE COMMITTEE DECIDED TO SPEND THE MONEY ON ADDRESSING THE ROOT CAUSE OF OPIOID AND DRUG ABUSE, WHICH MANY TIMES CAN BE TRACED AT THE HOME.

IN SEPTEMBER, THE NATIONAL FATHERHOOD INITIATIVE WAS SELECTED TO FACILITATE A PROJECT TO INCREASE FATHER INVOLVEMENT AND REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF FATHER ABSENCE, ESPECIALLY IN BEAN.

THE PROGRAM HAD THREE PHASES, THE NEEDS AND ASSET ASSESSMENT, THE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT, AND THE ACTION PLAN.

FIRST, NFI CAME TO TOWN AND LEARNED ALL IT COULD ABOUT THE DILEMMA.

THEY INTERVIEWED FOLKS, THEY, THEY HELD FOCUS GROUPS.

WHAT PROGRAMS EXIST HERE TO HELP FAMILIES AND TO HELP FATHERS SPECIFICALLY, WHAT PROGRAMS EXIST TO HELP THOSE STRUGGLING WITH ABUSE? HOW ARE FATHERS, HOW ARE ABSENT FATHERS CONTRIBUTING TO THE OPIOID AND DRUG USE IN BAYTOWN? NEXT, IN AUGUST, WE HELD A LEADERSHIP SUMMIT WHERE THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY WHO HAVE A PASSION FOR THIS PROJECT CAME TOGETHER IN ORDER TO START THE PROCESS OF CREATING A BAYTOWN SPECIFIC PROGRAM.

FINALLY, IN JANUARY, JUST A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, TWO LAST MONTH, NFI HELPED US DEVELOP A SHORT AND LONG-TERM COMMUNITY ACTION PLANS SPECIFIC TO BAYTOWN FOR HOW WE WILL AFFECT POSITIVE CHANGE WITH THE GOAL OF REDUCING DRUG USE AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE.

WE'VE HAD THE GREAT FORTUNE OF RECEIVING THE TIME, TALENTS, AND TREASURES OF MANY COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND PARTNERS WHO HAVE SIGNALED THEIR SUPPORT FOR THIS INITIATIVE.

AND I WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE DEFINITELY COVESTRO FOR BEING ONE OF THE FIRST INDUSTRY PARTNERS IN THE CITY WHO HAVE SIGNALED THEIR INTERESTS AND HAVE SAID, WE WANT TO COME TO THE TABLE BECAUSE WE'VE GOT EMPLOYEES WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM THIS, BUT ALSO PROVIDE MENTORSHIP AND ALSO FUNDS EVENTUALLY IN THE FUTURE FOR A PROJECT LIKE THIS.

THEIR EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUPS ARE VERY INTERESTED AND THAT HAS ACTUALLY BEEN EXTENDED TO OTHER INDUSTRY PARTNERS THAT WE HAVE IN TOWN.

THROUGH, THROUGH THIS PROCESS, WE HAVE UNCOVERED A GREAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO TRULY BELIEVE IN THIS EFFORT AND WANT TO HELP MISSING.

SO FAR IN THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN THE IDENTIFICATION OF A LEAD AGENCY WHO COULD SUSTAIN THIS PROGRAM LONG TERM AND THE IMPLEMENT AND IMPLEMENT THE OBJECTIVES IN THE ACTION PLAN.

THE CITY'S ROLE HAS BEEN TO FACILITATE THE LAUNCH OF THE PROGRAM, CONVENE THE KEY STAKEHOLDERS, AND TRANSITION THE PROGRAM TO AN ORGANIZATION BEST POSITION TO MANAGE THESE EFFORTS.

TODAY, THE CITY OF BAYTOWN HAS IN ITS POSSESSION A COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN.

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THE PLAN WAS BASED ON GOALS AND OBJECTIVES CREATED BY THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND ASSIGNED TO EACH OF THE 11 SECTORS IN TOWN.

AND THE 11 SECTORS INCLUDES EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, FAITH-BASED GOVERNMENT, AND THE LIKE.

THIS ACTION PLAN HAS A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES ASSIGNED TO COMMITTEE MEMBERS WITH DEADLINES AND WAYS TO MEASURE SUCCESS.

THE PLAN IDENTIFIES OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES AIMED AT AIDING THE LAUNCH AND MAINTENANCE OF THE BAYTOWN FATHERHOOD INITIATIVE FROM AN ADMINISTRATIVE PERSPECTIVE, THE LAST REMAINING MISSING PIECE FROM THIS WHOLE INITIATIVE THUS FAR IS THE LEAD AGENCY SUCCESS OF THIS INITIATIVE AND ULTIMATELY TO INCREASING SUPPORT FOR RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD AND DECREASING CRIME AND DRUG ABUSE AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE LIES ON SELECTING A LEAD AGENCY WHO CAN NOW TAKE US TO THE NEXT LEVEL, WHO CAN NOW TAKE THE BATON AND BUILD PROGRAMMING IN BAYTOWN TO SERVE DADS AND FAMILIES AFTER AN EXTENSIVE SEARCH.

AND I DO MEAN EXTENSIVE.

I AM SO HONORED TO BE ABLE TO INTRODUCE TODAY.

INTRODUCE YOU TODAY TO THAT LEAD AGENCY COOL DAD AND FOUNDER KEVIN BARNETT.

KEVIN IS GOING TO INTRODUCE HIMSELF TO YOU, TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HIS ORGANIZATION, AND INTRODUCE YOU TO THE KEY ELEMENTS OF THAT ORGANIZATION THAT HE PLANS ON BRINGING TO BAYTOWN, AND WE'LL CREATE THAT BAYTOWN SPECIFIC PROGRAM.

SO I WILL BRING KEVIN UP NOW AND THEN I'LL COME UP AFTERWARDS TO TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT NEXT STEPS.

IF YOU WANT, YOU CAN JUST CLICK THROUGH WHICH ONE, UH, SPACE FOR ALRIGHT.

SPACE FOR, UM, GOOD EVENING EVERYBODY.

UM, I'M KEVIN BARNETT.

AS THOMAS SAID, I AM THE FOUNDER OF COOL DEBT.

UH, I FIRST WANT TO THANK THE MAYOR AND EVERYBODY ELSE IN THE ROOM.

CHIEF, THANK YOU AGAIN TO SEE YOU.

GOOD TO SEE YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO BE HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF MY ORGANIZATION.

COOL DAD.

SO I WANNA, UH, START WITH A VIDEO TO SHARE WITH EVERYBODY, UM, JUST TO KIND OF GIVE YOU A QUICK UNDERSTANDING OF THE ORGANIZATION.

ALRIGHT, DADDY ISN'T HARD ON YOU BECAUSE I WANT TO BE MEAN.

I'M HARD ON YOU BECAUSE I WANT TO CHALLENGE AND BRING THE BEST OUT OF YOU.

IF YOU TRAIN HARD, THEN THE GAME BECOMES EASY.

PRACTICING TRAINING, IT'S LIKE A POP QUIZ AND THE GAME IS YOUR TEST.

SO I SHOWED YOU A VIDEO OF A, A FATHER, UM, INTERACTING WITH HIS SON.

UM, UNFORTUNATELY FOR MYSELF, I AM A PRODUCT OF A SINGLE FAMILY HOUSEHOLD AND I DIDN'T HAVE A FATHER TO WRITE ME, UH, A LETTER OF ENDURING OR WHAT HE WANTED TO SEE OUTTA ME.

AND IN THAT VIDEO YOU HAD, UH, YOUNG GIAN WITH HIS DAD GAVIN, UM, WHO HAS BEEN THE FIRST MEMBER OF OUR ORGANIZATION, GAVIN ADAMS. AND FOR ME, GROWING UP IN A SINGLE FAMILY HOUSEHOLD, I KNEW THE EMPTINESS AND THE, UH, LACK OF AT A EARLY AGE.

BUT BECAUSE I HAD COMMUNITY, I WAS, UH, ONE OF THE FORTUNATE INDIVIDUALS GROWING UP IN NEW YORK AND BROOKLYN TO PAVE A WAY AND MAKE MY WAY TO, YOU KNOW, TO COLLEGE AND TO SEE MYSELF THROUGH.

BUT IT WAS COMMUNITY THAT KEPT THAT GLUE TOGETHER.

UM, SO I CAN SAY FROM A CHILD, I'VE GREW UP WITH THAT PERSPECTIVE OF UNDERSTANDING THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A SUPPORT SYSTEM, AND THAT'S WHAT COOL DAD IS.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE PLAN TO BRING TO THE CITY OF BAYTOWN FOR OUR FATHERS IN THIS CITY.

A PLACE FOR THEY COULD FEEL, UH, COMFORT TO FIND AN IDENTITY, AND TO ALSO HAVE A GROUP THAT CARES TO UNDERSTAND AND MEET THEM WHERE THEY'RE AT IN THEIR JOURNEY.

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COOL TIPS, UH, COOL TIPS IS A, UH, PRACTICAL ADVICE GROUP, ESSENTIALLY A PLACE TO WHERE DADS CAN COME AND REALLY BE THEIR SELVES, RIGHT? UM, AS MEN, WE OFTEN FIND OURSELVES HAVING TO KIND OF LIVE TO A SOCIETAL NORM THAT WAS PLACED ON US, RIGHT? EITHER HAVING TO QUOTE UNQUOTE MAN UP AND NOT SHARE OUR EMOTIONS, UH, FIGURE IT OUT ON THEIR OWN.

AND COOL TIPS IS A PROGRAM THAT COMBATS THAT WE WANT MEN TO BE VULNERABLE.

WE ACTUALLY LEAD WITH VULNERABILITY IN THESE GROUPS.

WE, WE TRY TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THIS DAD IS AT AND SHARE ADVICE.

THE FATHERHOOD JOURNEY IS EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT TO UNRAVEL TOGETHER AND ALLOW THESE DADS TO FEEL SUPPORTED AND FEEL COMFORTABLE TO BE ABLE TO OPEN UP AND EXPRESS THAT.

WE'VE SEEN GREAT RESULTS IN THAT BECAUSE WE'RE SAVING FAMILIES, WE'RE CREATING NEW BONDAGE BETWEEN CHILD AND, AND THEIR AND THEIR PARENT.

AND THIS ALL HAPPENS BY JUST BEING ABLE TO FEEL COMFORTABLE AND SPEAK ABOUT SOMETHING.

YEAH, DADS ARE LEARNING FROM EACH OTHER, SO THERE'S PERSONAL GROWTH, UM, AND THERE'S A, UH, MORE COMFORTABLE FAMILY BALANCE THAT HAPPENS ONCE WE HAVE THESE SESSIONS.

AND I THINK COMING INTO BAYTOWN AND LEADING WITH THIS PROGRAM, WE'RE GONNA START SEEING THAT RESULTS HAPPENING WITH OUR FATHERS IN THE CITY.

ANOTHER PROGRAM THAT WE'VE SEEN SUCCESS, UM, IN IS OUR SUNDAY SUPPERS.

UM, WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF, UM, FOOD DRIVES AND, AND PANTRIES IN THE PAST, AND I'M PRETTY SURE WE'VE ALL EITHER PARTAKED IN SOMETHING LIKE THAT BEFORE.

BUT WHAT WE'VE NOTICED WITH THAT AND WHY WE DECIDED TO CREATE A NEW OPPORTUNITY OF HOW WE GO ABOUT, UM, A FOOD DRIVE WAS THAT WE SAW THAT WHEN YOU, WHEN YOU SET UP THESE FAMILIES WITH BOXES OF PRODUCE AND YOU SEND THEM HOME, A LOT OF THEM DON'T HAVE THE EDUCATION OR UNDERSTANDING SOMETIMES TO UTILIZE.

YOU MIGHT HAVE A ZUCCHINI, A BROCCOLI, A CARROT, A RADISH.

THESE THINGS MIGHT SEEM NORMAL IN, IN EVERYDAY LIVES, BUT FOR SOME PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE THE UNDERSTANDING OR EDUCATION BEHIND IT, WE SEE WASTEFUL.

UM, WE ARE SEEING A, A NEGATIVE RESULT IN HOW THEY TAKE THAT, RIGHT? THEY'RE WASTING IT, THEY'RE THROWING IT AWAY, THEIR CHILDREN DON'T WANT TO EAT IT.

AND SO SUNDAY SUPPERS WAS DESIGNED FOR US TO, UH, LEAD WITH A CHEF AND PARTNER WHEN WE ARE CREATING OUR RECIPES AND PROVIDING THE FATHERS WITH THE RECIPES AND EDUCATING THEM ON HOW TO UTILIZE THIS PRODUCE OR THIS IN THIS FOOD.

AND THIS IS ALLOWING ALSO TO INSTILL CONFIDENCE INTO THE FATHER.

THEY'RE TAKING THIS BACK NOW AND THEY'RE EXCITED AND THEY WANT TO NOW HAVE SOME WAY TO BUILD WITH THEIR CHILD OR WITH THEIR FAMILY.

UM, AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S THE PAT, THE PAT ON THE BAT, RIGHT? THEY, THEY MAKE A GREAT MEAL, THE FAMILY RECEIVES IT AND EVERYBODY'S HAPPY, AND THERE'S SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT AROUND THE TABLE.

AND THIS IS A PLACE FOR WHERE WE ARE BUILDING FELLOWSHIP AND COMMUNITY AT THE SAME TIME.

AND SO AGAIN, THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT WE WANT TO LEAD AND BRING INTO BAYTOWN, UM, AS WE FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT THE RESULTS THAT IT CAN EASILY BRING INTO THE HOUSEHOLD.

OUR KNIGHTS TABLE, UH, INITIATIVE WAS DESIGNED TO REALLY TARGET OUR, OUR LEADERS, UM, IN THE COMMUNITY.

THERE'S NO WAY THAT WE CAN COME INTO BAYTOWN AS A LEAD AGENCY WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF OUR PEOPLE ON THE GROUND, THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ACTUALLY INTERACTING WITH THE COMMUNITY.

AND SO, NICE TABLE IS A MEETING OF THE MINDS.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE PLAN TO BRING INTO BAYTOWN ON A QUARTERLY BASIS WHERE WE'RE ABLE TO HEAR FROM, UH, OTHER LEADERS AND BRINGING THEM ALL TOGETHER SO THAT WE CAN PLAN ON ROLLING OUT, YOU KNOW, THE PROPER INITIATIVE OR HEAR THE RESPONSES THAT WE NEED IN ORDER AS A LEAD AGENCY TO EASILY ADJUST.

UM, BUT ALSO BUILDING THE TRUST IN NOT ONLY LEAD AGENCY, BUT AMONGST THESE, UH, LEADERS AS WELL AS THEY'RE IN THEIR RESPECTIVE AREAS.

WE HAVE THE CHIEF, WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, UM, FAITH-BASED LEADERS IN THE CITY.

SOMETIMES THEY PROBABLY DON'T GET ANY TIME TO SPEND TIME WITH EACH OTHER.

AND SO THIS IS WHERE WE CAN COME TOGETHER TO STRATEGICALLY LOOK AT THE RESULTS OF WHAT WE'RE BRINGING INTO THE CITY, ASK QUESTIONS, PLAN TOGETHER, AND THEN EXECUTE OUR REAL TIME BRUNCH.

UM, IS A CELEBRATION A TIME THAT, YOU KNOW, I WANT Y'ALL TO THINK WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU'VE BEEN IN A, IN AN ENVIRONMENT TO WHERE YOU ARE CELEBRATING FATHERS

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THIS IS WHERE WE ACTUALLY LOOK INTO OUR CITY AND RECOGNIZE FATHERS THAT EXEMPLIFY ON A DAILY BASIS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A COOL DAD.

AND, AND SO THIS IS AN AWARD CEREMONY THAT IS COBBLED ON TOP OF A FUNDRAISER.

AND THIS HAS, UM, SAT VERY WELL WITH THE ORGANIZATION BECAUSE WE'RE RECOGNIZING MEN THAT GO OUT EVERY DAY AND GO INTO THEIR COMMUNITIES AND LOOK BEYOND JUST THEIR HOUSEHOLD AND SHOW AND GIVEN THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE CELEBRATED DURING FATHER'S DAY WEEKEND BEFORE THEY SPEND TIME WITH THEIR OWN FAMILIES.

AND SO THIS IS A, UH, UH, A PROGRAM, UH, AN INITIATIVE THAT WE FEEL STRONGLY THAT IT WOULD ALSO BRING OUT THE CITY, RIGHT? UM, IT'LL BRING A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT TO CELEBRATE.

UM, FAMILIES COME TOGETHER AND, YOU KNOW, WE, WE SEE IT AS A GREAT WAY TO ALSO JUST CONTINUE TO PUSH THE, UM, THE AMPLIFICATION OF WHAT THE IMPORTANCE OF FATHERS IN OUR COMMUNITY LOOK LIKE.

I WANT TO PLAY ANOTHER VIDEO.

THIS VIDEO BEFORE I HIT PLAY, UH, SHOWS US THE, THE BOND AND THE STRENGTH OF WHAT FATHERHOOD BROUGHT US TOGETHER WITH.

SO WE HAVE THE HOUSTON ROCKETS, OUR LOCAL SPORTS TEAM HERE, UM, IN, IN, IN HOUSTON, THAT HAS PARTNERED WITH US OFF SIMPLY SUPPORTING THE FACT THAT WE ARE AMPLIFYING FATHERHOOD.

UM, JULIAN DUNCAN, WHO IS THE CURRENT CMO OF THE ORGANIZATION, UM, UH, EX NIKE EXECUTIVE CAME INTO THE ORGANIZATION AT THE ROCKETS AND REALLY WANTED TO BUILD A CULTURE OF FAMILY AND AS A FAMILY MAN, ONCE HE CAUGHT WOMEN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT WE WERE DOING ON THE GROUNDS IN HOUSTON, REACHED OUT TO ME BECAUSE HE WANTED TO BRING IN INSIDE HIS ORGANIZATION A, UM, CALL OF ACTION AND TO REALLY SEE OF HOW HE CAN UTILIZE WHAT WE DO AS A ORGANIZATION INTO HELPING GROW A NEW, UH, COMMUNITY WITHIN THE WALLS OF THE ROCKETS.

THAT'D BE THAT BEING SAID, LET ME WELCOME IN.

UH, JULIAN DUNCAN.

JULIAN DUNCAN.

I'M JULIAN DUNCAN, AND I'M A COOL DAD.

THERE ARE SEVERAL EXAMPLES OF TIMES WHERE THE TEAM AND I HAVE WORKED ON THINGS THAT HAVE LED TO POSITIVE CHANGE IN THE COMMUNITY.

UM, ONE SUCH EXPERIENCE IS A PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH A GROUP CALLED THE BLACK SPORTS PROFESSIONALS, WHERE WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO, UM, EXPOSE BLACK AND BROWN COLLEGE STUDENTS TO THE OTHER SIDE OF SPORT.

YOU KNOW, YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE NBA ON THE COURT SHOOTING THE BASKETBALL, BUT IF YOU LOVE THE GAME, YOU CAN STILL STAY CLOSE TO IT OFF THE COURT THROUGH THE BUSINESS SIDE.

AND SO WE CREATE AN EXPERIENCE WHERE WE BRING A PANEL OF, OF SPORTS LUMINARIES AND EXECUTIVES FROM THE ROCKETS, FROM OTHER HOUSTON SPORTS TEAMS AS WELL, UH, WHERE THEY, THE KIDS CAN GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL AND ASK QUESTIONS, UH, AND REALLY GET A, A SENSE OF WHAT IT TAKES TO EARN A JOB ON THE BUSINESS SIDE OF SPORT.

UM, ANOTHER SUCH EXAMPLE IS PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND MEMORIAL HERMAN, WHERE WE USE THE POWER OF BASKETBALL TO BRING ENERGY AND EDIFICATION TO COMMUNITIES ALL OVER THE CITY, ESPECIALLY WHERE THERE ARE COURTS CONNECTED TO ENRICHMENT CENTERS THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO IN AND REFURBISH.

YOU KNOW, WE'VE DONE ONE OF THOSE, A FEW OF THOSE.

ONE THAT STANDS OUT TO ME IS ONE CALLED MOODY PARK, AND IT WAS AN AMAZING TRANSFORMATION FOR THAT COMMUNITY.

SO NOT ONLY DO KIDS GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME IN AND PARTICIPATE IN BASKETBALL, BUT THEY ALSO GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEVERAGE A NEWLY RENOVATED ENRICHMENT CENTER OF WHICH BASKETBALL IS A PART.

SO YOU CAN LEARN ABOUT THE GAME THROUGH PERFORMANCE, PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE, OR LEARN ABOUT THE GAME THROUGH STEAM AND TECHNOLOGY.

I AM SO HONORED TO RECEIVE THE COOL DAD REALTIME AWARDS.

COME HANG OUT WITH US.

COME CELEBRATE WITH US ON JUNE 15TH AT THE REAL TIME BRUNCH WHERE WE'LL BE CELEBRATING FATHERHOOD.

SO OTHER PROJECTS THAT WE WANNA, UM, EXPLORE AS WE CONTINUE TO BUILD OUT OUR EXISTENCE IN BAYTOWN ARE, ARE THINGS LIKE OUR, UH, PROGRAMS LIKE OUR DOLLARS AND CENTS, WHICH IS OUR FINANCIAL EDUCATION SERIES.

IT'S A WAY TO KIND OF MEET DADS THAT ARE EITHER ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRITED OR LOOKING FOR OTHER AVENUES TO CONTINUE TO BUILD WEALTH WITHIN

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UM, AND OUR YOUNG KNIGHTS HOSPITALITY TRAINING PROGRAM, THIS IS A, UH, MENTORSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM THAT INTRODUCES THE HOSPITALITY AS A, UH, UH, A RESOURCE OF WORKFORCE SOLUTION TO FATHERS THAT ARE KIND OF LOOKING FOR, YOU KNOW, SECONDARY OR, OR, OR VOCATIONAL JOB SKILL TRAINING.

UM, I WANTED TO THANK Y'ALL ONCE AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME AND EFFORTS AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOTHING, UH, TO, UH, TALK ABOUT THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING, BUT IT IS SOMETHING TO GO INTO THIS COMMUNITY AND ACTUALLY PUT OUR FOOT ON THE GROUND AND ACTUALLY REALLY MEET THESE FATHERS WHERE THEY'RE AT.

UM, NO HUMAN BEING WAKES UP IN THE MORNING AND SAYS THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO BE GREAT, RIGHT? IT'S THE PATHWAY THAT TAKES THEM TO OTHER WAYS AND AVENUES.

UH, AND OUR JOB IS TO CREATE, TO COURSE CORRECT IN A WAY THAT WE CAN UNDERSTAND WHERE THEY'RE AT AND ENSURE THAT WE MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR HOUSEHOLDS FEEL MORE SAFER.

SO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME, AND THOMAS, I'LL, I'LL GO AHEAD AND BRING IT BACK UP.

YOU GOT ONE MORE VIDEO? OH, EXCELLENT.

FORGOT THE LAST VIDEO TO END WITH.

SORRY.

DEAR MAXIE, YOU ARE TRULY A DREAM COME TRUE.

YOUR MOTHER AND I ARE SO PROUD AND BLESSED TO HAVE YOU IN OUR LIVES.

FAMILY IS EVERYTHING TO US, AND I STRIVE TO BE A GREAT FATHER AND A GREAT HUSBAND TO YOU AND MOMMY.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO TRAVELING THE WORLD WITH YOU.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO CREATING AMAZING MEMORIES WITH YOU.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO JUST DOING FLY STUFF WITH YOU.

I KNOW THAT I WON'T ALWAYS GET IT RIGHT AND THERE ARE TIMES THAT I FEEL LIKE I'M JUST LEARNING AS I GO, BUT ONE THING I PROMISE IS TO LOVE YOU UNCONDITIONALLY.

I WANT OUR RELATIONSHIP TO BE A TWO-WAY STREET.

I WANT US TO LEARN FROM EACH OTHER AND I WANT US TO GROW TOGETHER.

I SEE SO MUCH GREATNESS IN YOU.

AND ACTUALLY THAT'S THE REASON WHY YOUR NAME IS MAXIMUS.

THE WORD MAXIMUS MEANS THE GREATEST.

AND SO MY PRAYER IS THAT I CAN HELP YOU BE THE BEST MAN THAT YOU COULD BE, SON, YOU ARE MY LEGACY.

AND SO I PRAY THAT THIS ENCOURAGES YOU IN WAYS THAT I COULD NEVER IMAGINE.

I LOVE YOU WITH ALL OF MY HEART, BABY BEAR LOVE DADDY.

AND SO WE CLOSE WITH THIS VIDEO.

MY NAME IS MARTEL FRANCOIS AND I'M A COOL DAD.

WE CLOSE WITH THIS VIDEO TO SHOW, UM, YOU KNOW, AS A LEAD AGENCY, WE HAVE TO THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX WHEN WE WANT TO REALLY THINK ABOUT THE CHANGE THAT WE WANT TO SEE, UM, IN ARCHIVING, YOU KNOW, FAMILY HISTORY AND, AND UTILIZING THAT.

THE FACT THAT TODAY WE LIVE IN THE TIME WHERE WE HAVE OUR PHONES AND OUR DEVICES AT, AT OUR HANDS AT ALL TIME, IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR US TO REALLY THINK ABOUT HOW CAN WE REACH A HOUSE, A HOUSE, A HOUSEHOLD, HOW CAN WE REACH A DAD? AND WE USED A LOT OF STORYTELLING IN THAT.

AND SO OUR BE A COOL DAD SERIES IS REALLY A WAY OF, UH, OUTREACH AND THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE PLAN TO IMPLEMENT INTO THE CITY OF BAYTOWN WAYS, THOUGH THAT WE CAN REALLY START TO TRY TO REACH OUR DADS AND REALLY MAKE THAT CALL OF ACTION HAPPEN.

SO THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR YOUR, FOR YOUR TIME.

THANKS, KEVIN.

THANKS.

UH, JUST A FEW PARTING THOUGHTS ON THIS.

UH, AND I, I'M, I LOVE THESE VIDEOS.

I LOVE THAT KEVIN CREATED THIS, THESE VIDEOS WITH HIS TEAM.

I LOVE THAT WE'RE GONNA BE ABLE TO DO THESE VIDEOS HERE IN-HOUSE WITH OUR TALENTED GENTLEMEN FROM PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND LADIES, BUT ALSO WITH KEVIN AND HIS TEAM AND YOUR VISION FOR THIS.

WE'RE BUILDING A STUDIO INSIDE THE BRUNSON THAT CAN DO THESE EXACT SAME THINGS FOR BAYTOWN AND I I, UM, BRIEFLY ON A TIMELINE.

WE ANTICIPATE A RAMP UP PERIOD WHERE KEVIN AND HIS TEAM START PREPARING FOR A BAYTOWN SPECIFIC PROGRAM.

THEY WILL THEN BEGIN ADDING APPROPRIATE PROJECTS TO THE CALENDAR AND START ADVERTISING THESE PROJECTS.

THE COMMITTEE AND I WILL THEN BE ABLE TO MONITOR, MEASURE, AND REPORT OUT TO YOU ABOUT THE SUCCESS OF THIS

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SO TODAY, IN A LITTLE BIT, UH, IN OUR REGULAR SESSION, YOU WILL HAVE ANOTHER ITEM RELATED TO THIS, AND IT'S THE CONTRACT WITH COOL DAD.

AND IT DOES TWO THINGS.

ONE, IT ACCEPT, IT ACCEPTS THE COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN THAT YOUR TEAM INTERNALLY CREATED OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST YEAR OR SO WITH ALL OF THOSE FOCUS GROUPS AND THE NATIONAL FATHERHOOD.

IT ALL CAME TOGETHER WITH THIS COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN AND THOSE 11 SECTORS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT.

BUT IT ALSO THEN ADAPTS THE COOL DAD WORK PROGRAM AS THE SCOPE OF WORK FOR THIS AGREEMENT.

AND THAT IS TO SAY ALL OF THE SUCCESS THAT KEVIN HAS HAD WITH HIS, UH, COOL DAD AND HIS PROGRAM, BRINGING CERTAIN ELEMENTS OF THOSE THINGS TO BAYTOWN, NOT ALL AT ONCE, NOT THE WHOLE THING, CERTAIN ELEMENTS THAT WE CAN PHASE BECAUSE WE KNOW WE NEED TO START SMALL AND WE NEED TO BUILD IT.

AND SO THAT'S WHAT HE'S PREPARED TO DO, ACCEPTING THAT AS THE SCOPE OF WORK FOR THE ACTION IN HIS AGREEMENT.

THE SECOND THING IS DEDICATING THE OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS FOR THIS AGREEMENT.

THE CITY IS NOT GUARANTEEING ANY FUNDS TO THIS PROGRAM EXCEPT FOR WHAT WE RECEIVE IN THE FUTURE ON THESE OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS.

SO NOTHING FROM THE GENERAL FUND, IT IS ONLY THOSE FUNDS THAT WE RECEIVE, AND WE DO ANTICIPATE RECEIVING QUITE A BIT MORE IN THE COMING MONTHS AND YEARS.

THE PROBLEM IS WE DON'T KNOW WHEN, AND WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH BECAUSE IT'S THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE STATE GOVERNMENT GIVING IT TO US WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

AND SO AS PART OF THAT AGREEMENT, IT MAY BE A LITTLE CONFUSING, BUT AS PART OF THAT AGREEMENT, WE ARE DEDICATING THOSE FUTURE FUNDS AT SUCH A TIME AS WHEN WE RECEIVE THEM TO, TO THE COOL DAD INITIATIVE SPECIFIC TO BAYTOWN.

KEVIN KNOWS THAT THEN OUR JOB TOGETHER IS TO SEEK OUT MORE PARTNERS LIKE COVESTRO BEHIND ME WHO HAVE SAID, WE WANT TO HELP WITH THIS.

AND SO WE'RE GONNA START SMALL AT A LEVEL THAT WE, WE FEEL IS FEASIBLE FOR BAYTOWN WITH THE MONEY.

THAT, AND THEN THE PARTNERSHIPS, AS YOU'VE SEEN, HE'S GOT AMAZING PARTNERS, UH, IN HOUSTON AND BEYOND TO KEEP THAT PROGRAM GOING AND GROWING.

SO IN TERMS OF THE NEXT STEPS, WE WILL FINALIZE THAT WORK PROGRAM WITH ACTION.

TODAY, WE WILL GO BACK TO, I SHOULDN'T SAY GOING BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD, BUT GOING BACK TO THE TABLE BETWEEN KEVIN AND I AND THE COMMITTEE THAT WE'VE ALREADY ESTABLISHED.

AND WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT THAT WORK PROGRAM IS SOLID FOR BUILDING, STARTING SMALL AND AGAIN, GROWING.

WE WILL BEGIN ADVERTISING, HE'LL, HE'LL BE ABLE TO CREATE THE UNIQUE ADVERTISING THAT YOU'VE ALREADY SEEN, BUT JUST ADDING THAT BAYTOWN FLARE TO IT.

AND THEN WE WILL CONTINUE TO MEET WITH PARTNERS LIKE JOE AND PRESLEY FROM COVESTRO AND, AND WE WILL MEET DIRECTLY WITH THEM WITH THAT WORK PROGRAM IN IN HAND AND SAY, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO TO HELP US GET THIS GOING? SO WITH THAT, I'M HAPPY TO RESPOND TO ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE.

OF COURSE, KEVIN'S HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE AS WELL.

THANK YOU.

ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? YES, MA'AM.

UM, SO THOMAS, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I KNOW YOU PUT A LOT OF WORK INTO THIS.

UM, IT'S EXCITING TO SEE THAT IT'S FINALLY COME TO THIS POINT.

UM, THE, THE SESSIONS THAT WE HAD AT AT HYATT TO KIND OF BRING EVERYBODY TOGETHER AND JUST KIND OF THINK ABOUT WHAT WE WANT FOR BAYTOWN.

UM, AND I DID RESEARCH, UH, POOL DADS.

I'VE NEVER HEARD OF IT BEFORE.

AND SO I THINK IT'S GONNA BE REALLY GREAT FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

AND SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING IN TO PRESENT AND, AND THOMAS FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

ANYONE ELSE? OH, I, I WAS TURN, I'M SORRY.

I DIDN'T KNOW.

YEAH, GO AHEAD LADIES FIRST.

, BUT IT IS ABOUT COOL DADS.

SO , UM, AS AN A CITY COUNCIL ELECTED OFFICIAL, YOU KNOW, I, I CAME TO THIS POSITION THINKING WE WERE GONNA FOCUS ON A, UM, INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE CITY, UM, THE NEEDS AS WE TALK ABOUT A LOT.

BUT I AM PERSONALLY, AS YOU KNOW, THOMAS, JUST EXTREMELY EXCITED ABOUT THIS BECAUSE WHAT BETTER THING TO ADVOCATE FOR AND PROVIDE FOR OUR COMMUNITY THAN A FOUNDATION OF FAMILY? AND GROWING UP IN A SINGLE PARENT HOUSEHOLD MYSELF, I ACTUALLY, UH, I, I DIDN'T HAVE A FATHER, BUT I DIDN'T REALIZE WHAT WAS MISSING UNTIL I GOT MARRIED.

AND I WATCHED THAT RELATIONSHIP OF MY HUSBAND WITH HIS CHILDREN, AND I WENT, WHOA, THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.

IT CAN, A, A, A FATHER RELATIONSHIP, A HEALTHY FATHER RELATIONSHIP WITH A CHILD, CAN CHANGE THE TRAJECTORY OF NOT ONLY THAT CHILD, BUT THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT ARE WATCHING THAT RELATIONSHIP.

RIGHT? AND SO I JUST AM VERY GRATEFUL TO YOU AND THE STAFF FOR FINDING THIS PROGRAM.

COOL DADS,

[00:30:01]

I, OF COURSE WENT TO THE GOOGLE AND, UH, RESEARCHED EVERYTHING, BUT VERY EXCITED THAT THERE WAS, UM, ALREADY A, A BLUEPRINT, WHATNOT, A PROGRAM IN PLACE.

AND, UH, I REALLY LIKED THE THINGS THAT, THAT THIS PROGRAM'S INSTILLED.

THE, THE, THE KNIGHTS TABLE AND THE SUPPER AND ALL THOSE THINGS.

I MEAN, IT'S, IT'S VERY INNOVATIVE, UM, INNOVATIVE, BUT TRADITIONAL ALL IN THIS, ALL, ALL ENTANGLED TOGETHER.

AND, UH, I JUST ALSO WANTED TO SAY, SHOUT OUT TO THE COOL DAD OUT THERE.

UH, MR. JOE THI BECAUSE MANY DON'T KNOW THIS, BUT MY KIDS ARE BLESSED WITH A GREAT, COOL DAD.

BUT JOE THI PLAYS A ROLE IN, IN FATHERHOOD WITH A LOT OF KIDS.

HE WAS MY KID'S BASKETBALL COACH, SO MY SONS.

AND SO IT'S GOOD TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE THOSE KIND OF PARTNERS ON BOARD FOR THIS INITIATIVE AND JUST REALLY APPRECIATE, APPRECIATE IT.

I'M EXCITED.

COUNCILMAN POWELL? YEAH, I'LL JUST ECHO WHAT THE OTHERS HAVE SAID.

REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS.

THOMAS, THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK YOU'VE PUT INTO IT.

MR. BARNETT.

LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH COOL DAD, UM, AND GETTING THIS UP AND RUNNING.

UM, I'D LIKE TO THINK OF MYSELF AS A COOL DAD, BUT THAT'S BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE TEENAGERS YET.

UM, I HEAR THAT CHANGES WHEN THEY GET TO BE TEENAGERS, BUT, UM, AGAIN, JUST THANK YOU SO MUCH.

REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO IT, MR. FRANK.

IT'S GONNA COME ON.

IT GOES.

THAT'S OKAY.

I'LL GO WITH MR. FRANK.

UH, MR. BARNETT AND THOMAS, THANK Y'ALL FOR PUTTING THIS TOGETHER.

I KNOW THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT, UM, AS A FATHER WHO STARTED OFF WITH A, FROM MY SON BEING FROM A BROKEN HOME, FROM A DIVORCE.

SO I UNDERSTAND THAT THE NEED THAT HE REALLY NEED, AND I, I WASN'T ABLE TO ALWAYS BE THERE JUST BECAUSE OF THE WAY THAT THE DECREE IS WRITTEN.

BUT, UH, IT'S, IT'S A HARD WORK.

SO I KNOW ALSO COACHING AND, AND SEEING MY SON'S COACH AND GO INTO HELP COACHING AND BECOME, BECOMING MENTORS FOR YOUNG MEN.

IT'S, IT'S A LOT.

THAT'S ONE OF THE GREATEST, THE TWO GREATEST WORDS YOU CAN HEAR FROM A YOUNG SON, FROM A YOUNG BOY IS DAD AND COACH.

SO, UM, LOOKING AT ALL THE SPONSORS YOU HAVE HERE AND, AND, AND YOUR CORPORATE PARTNERS ARE, THEY'RE AMAZING.

AND, AND I'M EXCITED TO SEE WHAT YOU'RE GONNA BRING TO BAYTOWN AND TO A LOT OF THESE YOUNG MEN WHO, WHO NEED SOME FATHER FIGURES.

AND THERE'S JUST NOT ENOUGH OF US OUT THERE.

AND I'M GLAD THAT YOU'RE STEPPING UP FOR THIS, AND I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'RE BRINGING TO BAYTOWN.

MR. MAYOR? YES, GO AHEAD.

COUNCILMAN GRIFFIN, YOU COUNCIL? IS THIS WORK THING ON TAKES A WHILE? TESTING, TESTING, 1, 2, 3.

MINE NEVER WORKS.

OKAY.

, MR. BARNETT, UH, AS ONE PERSON.

I GREW UP HERE IN BAYTOWN, TEXAS, BUT, UH, I WAS BORN IN ROCKAWAY, QUEENS, SO NEW YORK IN THE HOUSE, , RIGHT? SO, UM, I JUST WANNA THANK YOU FOR, FOR BEING A LEADER AND STEPPING UP AND, AND THIS IS WHAT OUR COMMUNITY BEEN, HAS NEEDED FOR A LONG TIME.

I KNOW WE'RE LIMITED AS A CITY THAT, UH, WHAT WE COULD DO.

SO THOMAS, WE, WE GOT THIS OPPORTUNITY TO, TO ADDRESS THE HEART OF A LOT OF THE PROBLEMS IN OUR, IN OUR CITY.

AND THOMAS, I, I, I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR SEEING THAT.

I'VE TALKED WITH CHIEF STRINGER WHO'S, WHO'S SEEN CASES ALL THROUGH HIS CAREER AND UNDERSTANDS THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM.

FATHERS ARE IMPORTANT, AND I HAVE, YOU KNOW, I HAVE A, A HEALTH, A BACKGROUND IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND, AND ALSO COACHING AND WORKING WITH KIDS AND, YOU KNOW, STRONG MEN ARE NEEDED.

I'M NOT A COOL DAD, BUT I THINK I'M A PRETTY GOOD, COOL UNCLE.

THAT'S YOU ARE.

I HAVE .

I HAVE, UH, YEAH, I HAVE, I HAVE NIECES WHO VERIFY THAT ON CRAYON FOR ME.

.

BUT ANYWAY, I, I CAN'T THANK YOU GUYS ENOUGH.

THANK YOU, SILVESTRO.

THANK YOU MR. THI THANK Y'ALL FOR, FOR STEPPING UP AND, AND BEING WHAT THIS, THE CITY NEEDS SO DESPERATELY.

SO GOD BLESS Y'ALL.

MAYOR, WOULD YOU MIND, WOULD YOU MIND, OH, GO AHEAD.

GO AHEAD.

UM, I, I JUST WANNA PUBLICLY RECOGNIZE THOMAS AND, UM, DAMN, EXCUSE ME.

UM, AM SO HAPPY TO BE SO WRONG BECAUSE WHEN THOMAS KICKED OFF THIS PROGRAM WITH THE FATHERHOOD INITIATIVE, I WAS ADAMANT ABOUT NOT ADDING ADDITIONAL WORK.

AND IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH COOL DAD.

IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ANYTHING ELSE, UH, OTHER THAN JUST ADDING MORE TO HIS PLATE.

AND, UM, YOU WERE VERY PERSISTENT THAT THIS IS GONNA BE A FANTASTIC PROGRAM.

I JUST WANNA SAY THANKS.

VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

THANKS FOR EVERYBODY THAT WAS INVOLVED.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

YOU KNOW, I'M GONNA SAY I WAS ON COUNCIL, I SERVED ON HGAC AND ADVOCATED FOR THOSE FUNDS, AND I'M, I NEVER THOUGHT

[00:35:02]

MY, ONE OF MY, ONE OF MY BACKGROUNDS IS IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING.

SO I ACTUALLY THOUGHT IT WAS GONNA GO TOWARDS SOME PROGRAM DEALING WITH AA OR SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES TO SEE THAT IT'S GOING TOWARDS SOMETHING THAT'S MORE OF A FOUND AT A FOUNDATION LEVEL.

THAT IS, THAT'S EXCELLENT.

EXCELLENT WORK ON YOUR PART, MR. REEVES, FOR PUTTING THIS TOGETHER, FINDING THIS GENTLEMAN.

AND I WAS BLOWN AWAY WHEN I SAW THE SPONSORSHIPS AND PARTNERS THAT YOU HAD THAT, I MEAN, THAT'S, THAT'S WONDERFUL.

AND TO SAY WE'RE GONNA HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS HERE IN BAYTOWN IS EVEN IS EVEN BETTER.

SO THANK YOU MR. REEVES FOR HAVING THE VISION TO WANNA PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER LIKE THIS HERE IN BAYTOWN.

AND THANK YOU MR. BARNETT FOR ACCEPTING THE CHALLENGE AND WANTING TO PARTNER WITH THE CITY OR TO WORK WITH THE CITY TO DO THIS.

AND ALSO COVESTRO FOR ACTUALLY STEPPING UP AND BEING THE FIRST PARTNER WITH COOL ADS IN BAYTOWN.

THAT'S AMAZING.

SO I GUESS THAT'S IT.

SINCE WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO COVER IN THIS WORK SESSION, I CALLED THIS MEETING ADJOURNED.

I THOUGHT THEY SAID ITEM B, WE JUST NEED, WE PULLED IT.

YEAH, ITEM B WAS PULLED.

SO SINCE WE'VE TAKEN CARE OF EVERYTHING IN THIS MEETING, IT'S ADJOURNED.