CITY OF COOPER  CITY COUNCIL MEETING = BUDGET WORK SESSION VIA ZOOM  SEPTEMBER 3, 2020- -5:00P PM  COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: DARREN BRADDV; MAYOR, DAVID PHILLIPS, AMANDA  L'ESPERANCE, DONNA THOMASON, AND WILLIE "BEAR" WILKINS  OTHERS PRESENT: EMILY HOWSE, KIM COX, DIANE STEGALL, AND CONSTITUTIONAL CITIZEN  ABSENT: CITY ATTORNEY:: JAY GARRETT AND ALLEN FOSTER  AGENDAITEM: #1 AGENDAI ITEM #2  Mayor Darren Braddy called the meeting to order and Darren also voiced the prayer.  Mayor Braddy opéned the budget work: session. He stated that the proposed budget was based on the effective rate. He: stated that this rate was lower that previous rates. 2019- -0.917610, After much discussion, it was the consensus oft the council to go with the effective rate to prepare the upcoming 2020-2021 budget and, at Amanda L'Esperance request, try to implement a resolution to the lack of citizen protection and code enforcement into the budget.  2018-0.937222, and 2017- - 1.083595.  See Amanda's letter that is attached.  AGENDA ITEM #3  David Phillips made the motion to adjourn the work session. Willie "Bear" Wilkins seconded.  Donna Thomason could not be heard or seen. Vote to adjourn carried.  TIME: 6:15 PM APPROVED:  ATTEST:  pu EMILY HOWSE CITY SECRETARY  DARREN BRADDY, MAYOR CITY OF COOPER  PaBs    budget hearing letter for record & E.Tawakoni  From: Amanda L'Esperance For Cooper,Tx( (amandaforcooper@gmail.com)  To: opetrdlyaleyenocom  Date: Thursday, September 3, 2020, 06:23 PMCDT Dear Cooper City Citizens, Mayor & Council,  Asy you knowlhave, in years past, brought up various ideas, concerns and plans regarding the City's safety with. As in previous council meetings and various other formats, I have mentioned some of these ideas including various avenues of research thatih have done and other entities I have spoken with regarding their ways of achieving similar goals. Iknow you! have heard me mention places such a Cumby and the conversations Ihad with them and the Int the lasty year Ihave had many citizens reach out to me for help. They are frustrated, scared, and concerned. They have reported drug problems, dog problems, and other various safety concerns within their areas and want Recently! I was approached with some very disturbing information from multiple sources as to the "why" of some of the upticki in crime within our city. Much like them, lam not concerning myself any longer with the WHY. We MUST focus on the SOLUTIONS. SOLVING our problems and moving forward for the best interest of our Citizens -the Ihave picked up my research again and delved even deeper into possible solutions for our City. have contacted experts in the fields we need addressed- - both law enforcement, city officials, and the animal rescue/care communities. Ibelieve we can and should address these problems together as they are very intricately linked - both within the community and law & order realms. We have resources we can absolutely tap into. WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO LAUNCH THIS INITIATIVE with the experts Ihave spoken to that are willing to put plans in motion and hit the One of my main focuses of research recently is E. Tawakoni city as they are similar to us in many ways, including the way they function as a government. Ihave reached out to them fori information and studied their budgets, tax revenues, and community outreach. They are a city of less than 900, they have about of half the revenue (both property tax and sales tax) for budgeting we do and pay. .25 cents less per 100$ in property taxes, They have wonderfui community engagement and economic development commitment, and a Police Department. We need to adopt a similar approach to start combating the issues that plague our community. With some mindful and creative On a side note, E. Tawakoni uses a golf cart fori their water meter reading. What an incredibly creative way to do this task. Iti is a cost effective and an eco-green way to reduce the expenses of this one task. Simply brilliant. lwould like to suggest/request that we meet at city hall in person to discuss this further.  regards to both our Law Enforcement needs and animal control needs.  researchlhave done regarding their Police Department, grants, tax revenue, etc.  resolutions.  taxpayers.  ground running!  budgeting, there is plenty of room in our own budget to initiate this effort.  Sincerely, Amanda L'Esperance Cooper City Council Amanda L' 'Esperance Cooper City Council, Texas  ADOPTED GENERAL BUDGET 2020 (2).xlsx  25.5kB