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[00:00:05]

>>> 74:30 P.M. I WILL CALL THIS CITY OF ABILENE MEETING TO ORDER.

[1. Executive Session - City Council will convene into Executive Session at 4:30 p.m. Reconvene - City Council will reconvene into open session at 5:30 p.m.]

AT THIS TIME WE WILL INGREDIENT INTO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTION SECTION 550 -- SECTION 551.73 SECTION 551076 AND SECTION 551087.

WE'LL SEE YOU AT 5:30 P.M.

>> IT IS NOW 5:30 P.M. WE WILL OPEN SESSION. NO VOTES WERE TAKEN IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. ALSO LEAD US IN THE PLEDGES THIS EVENING.

>> LET'S PRAY. DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER WE ARE SO THANKFUL TO BE HERE THIS EVENING WE THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITIES WE HAVE TO LIVE IN A GREAT CITY AND A GREAT STATE. THIS EVENING, GOD,I PRAY THAT YOU WILL BE WITH US AS WE ARE MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY.

YOU WILL MAKE WISE DECISIONS. OUR COUNTRY IS STILL HURTING FROM THIS TERRIBLE COVID THAT WE HAVE AND GOD I PRAY THAT YOU WILL HELP US TO ALL MAKE GOOD DECISIONS, MAKE RESPONSIBLE DECISIONS ABOUT HOW WE ACT AND WHERE WE GO AND WE JUST PRAY FOR HEALING BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE HURTING THAT ARE HURTING PHYSICALLY, MEDICALLY AND ALSO ECONOMICALLY.

AS WE AS A COUNCIL DO WHAT WE CAN TO HELP IN THESE REGARDS THAT WE WILL MAKE GOOD DECISIONS AND THAT WE WILL ALL COME TOGETHER AND REMAIN UNITED.

WE JUST THANK YOU FOR THIS SEASON THAT WE'RE IN. THE HOLIDAYS COMING UP.

WE ALL PROBABLY NEED A BREAK AND WE THANK YOU FOR THANKSGIVING.

WE ARE THANKFUL BECAUSE YOU HAVE BLESSED US IN SO MANY WAYS.

IN THIS PART OF THE COUNTRY WE ALWAYS PRAY FOR RAIN AMEN.

>> I PLEDGE APLEJANCE -- ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD INZIBL WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL -- INDIVISIBLE AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO TEXAS ONE STATE UNDER GOD ONE INDIVISIBLE.

>> I DO BELIEVE WE HAVE ONE RECOGNITION THAT WILL BE HAVE IRTUAL VIDEO.

[PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PROCLAMATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS]

MR. JAMES BRADSHAW.

>> LET'S GIVE A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE. >> WE'LL NOW MOVE TO THE

[CONSENT AGENDA]

CONSENT AGENDA CONSISTING OF ITEMS 4 THROUGH ITEMS 16. THESE ITEMS WILL BE CONSENTED WITH ONE MOTION THERE WILL BE NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION UNLESS A COUNCILMEMBER OR A CITIZEN REQUESTS SEPARATE DISCUSSION.

DOES THE COUNCIL WANT TO PULL ANY ITEM OFF THE CONSENT AGENDA?

>> ITEM 7. >> ITEM 7. DO WE HAVE ANY CITIZENS.

>> ITEM 7 AND 11. >> COUNCIL PULLING THE ITEMS OFF THE CONSENT AGENDA.

IS ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WANT TO PULL ANY OTHER ITEM OFF THE CONSENT AGENDA.

[00:05:02]

ITEMS AGENDA ITEMS 4-16. I'LL ACCEPT A MOTION FROM THE COUNCIL FOR ITEMS 4-16

WITH EXCEPTION OF ITEMS 7 AND 11. >> SO MOVED, SECOND.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN RENTZ SECOND BY COUNCILMAN --

MOTION CARRIES. >> DAVID SCHWARTZ. >> GOOD EVENING DAVID

[7. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Modifying and Extending the Declaration of Local Disaster Issued October 22, 2020 (Robert Hanna)]

SCHWARTZ THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AGAIN, OF COURSE, HERE WE ARE LIKE WE SAID. I KNOW IT'S TO KEEP THE CITY'S NAME ON THE LIST TO GET FUNDS FEDERALLY AND STATE AND YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE THEY SAID IN TWO WEEKS HAS TURNED INTO MONTHS AND MONTHS. I WANT TO SAY PERSONALLY THAT I APPRECIATE YOU MAYOR WILLIAMS COMING OUT AND SAYING THERE'S MORE BETTER UTILIZATION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT THAN TO HUNT DOWN PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE MASKS. UNFORTUNATELY, THE CITY ST. ANGELO I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY SAY THEY'RE GOING TO HIRE EXTRA OFF DUTY OFFICERS TO DO THAT.

THEY COULD BETTER WELL UTILIZE THEIR TIME WITH THOSE OFF DUTY OFFICERS IN FIGHTING CRIME OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. IF YOU GO BY THE ELECTION IT AND LOOKS LIKE POSSIBLY THE LEADERSHIP MAY CHANGE THEY'VE ALREADY STATED THEY WANT TO SHUT DOWN THE COUNTRY AGAIN FOR, THEY SAY TWO OR THREE WEEKS.

WE KNOW THAT SONG AND DANCE AGAIN. AS USUAL, THE MAIN IDEA I HAVE JUST DON'T THINK IT'S RIGHT THAT THE GOVERNMENT CAN TELL BUSINESS OWNERS, ESPECIALLY A SMALL BUSINESS OWN ARE NO YOU HAVE TO SHUT DOWN YOU CAN'T GET DO SHAVES OR HAIR CUTS OR YOU CAN'T DO NAILS OR HAIR STYLING. IT'S JUST LIKE IF YOU HAVE A STEAK OR NACHOS IN FRONT OF YOU CAN HAVE A BEER WITH THAT IF YOU DON'T YOU CAN'T.

I CAN GIVE YOU TWO EXAMPLES OF THIS. LIKE WE HAVE TWO LONG TIME BUSINESSES HERE THAT ARE PRETTY MUCH ICONIC BURGER JOINTS BILL'S BURGER AND LARRY'S BURGER. THEY DON'T HAVE A DRIVE-THRU SO CAN YOU IMAGINE IF THE GOVERNMENT CAME UP AND SAID WELL, YOU DON'T HAVE A DRIVE-THRU LIKE MCDONALD'S AND BURGER KING WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SHUT YOU DOWN AGAIN.

I MEAN, SO THEY'RE OLD-FASHIONED THEY HAVE WALK-IN OH, YOU'RE TOO CLOSE TO HAVE WALK-UP. I KNOW THIS IS FOR FUNDING PURPOSES.

BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE IT'S STARTING TO GET DRAG OUT HERE.

PEOPLE ARE JUST, YOU KNOW, WANT TO GO BACK TO A SEMINORMAL LIFE.

I JUST CAUGHT A SHORT STORY ON THE MEDIA JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO THAT THE HOSPITALS AT CONDITION 5. THEY SAID IF IT GOES TO CONDITION 6 IT'S ECONOMIC SHUTDOWN. WELL, I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY WOULD HAVE THE POWER TO DO THAT BUT I'M SURE THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF SMALL BUSINESS OWN ERS RESIST THAT BECAUSE THEY DEPEND ON TO PAY THAT FOR THE UTILITIES, THEIR KIDS CAN GO TO SCHOOL, THEIR LIVELIHOOD. I KNOW IT'S JUST GETTING FUNDING.

BUT IN THE END PEOPLE ARE IT'S WEARING THIN. IF IT CHANGES LEADERSHIP IN JANUARY 20TH THEY KNOW THEY'RE GOING TO SHUT US DOWN AGAIN.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH COUNCIL TONIGHT. >> DMAN HURT.

>> I THINK EVERYONE KNOWS HOW I FEEL ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S ORDERS.

I'M GOING TO MAKE A FEW REMARKS THEN I THINK MAYBE THE MAYOR HAS SOME REMARKS AS FAR AS WHAT WE CAN AND CAN'T DO AND MAYBE ROBERT HAS SOME REMARKS.

I WANT TO MAKE ONE DISCLOSURE I'VE BEEN VERY VERBAL ABOUT THIS.

THIS IS MY PERSONAL OPINION. THIS IS MAY NOT BE A REFLECTION OF EVERY MEMBER ON THIS COUNCIL I WOULD JUST LIKE TO MAKE THAT CLEAR. I DON'T LIKE GETTING TO THE POINT AGAIN WHERE WE START TALKING ABOUT ESSENTIAL AND NONESSENTIAL.

EVERY BUSINESS THAT WE HAVE IS ESSENTIAL. WE START AFFECTING THEIR LIVELIHOOD I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT. I UNDERSTAND THE GOVERNOR'S ORDERS AND WE'LL HEAR WHAT WE CAN AND CAN'T DO I STILL DON'T AGREE WITH IT.

THIS IS NOT BE A AN LIEN, TEXAS, PROBLEM THIS IS A STATE AND -- ABILENE, TEXAS PROBLEM THIS IS A STATE PROBLEM. COVID IS NOT JUST BAD IN ABILENE, TEXAS. I NOTICED THAT THREE STATES IN PARTICULAR MICHIGAN, NEW YORK, AND CALIFORNIA, WHICH HAVE HAD SOME OF THE MOST STRINGENT GUIDELINES ON SHUTDOWNS THEIR NUMBERS ARE STILL SKYROCKETING. I DON'T BELIEVE THE

[00:10:03]

SHUTDOWNS WORK THAT'S JUST MY OPINION. WE NEED TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OURSELVES. KILLING OUR ECONOMY IS NOT GOING TO HELP US.

SHUTTING THE ECONOMY DOWN WON'T STOP THE VIRUS AND NEITHER WILL A POLITICIAN.

>> THANK YOU COUNCILMAN HURT. I WANT TO SAY SOME THINGS.

I WANT YOU TO ALSO SAY SOME THINGS, OF COURSE, SOME FACTUAL INFORMATION, I BELIEVE I SEE ANNETTE NORMA IS ALSO WITH US. MAY BE HELP HADFUL TO USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE SOME PUBLICATION. THERE HAVE BEEN SOME FALSE NARRATIVES I THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE FOR US TO PROVIDE SOME CLARITY.

FIRST OF ALL MY CONDOLENCES TO THE 97 FAMILIES WHO HAVE LOST LOVED ONE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND THE 19,000 TEXANS THAT HAVE LOST A LOVED ONE.

AND A QUARTER OF A MILLION FAMILIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT HAVE LOST LOVED ONES.

NOT JUST MYSELF, AND I'VE TALKED TO THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, BUT THE PUBLIC SHOULD KNOW THAT THE COUNCIL AND ONLY IS NOT JUST SYMPATHETIC AND EAGER TO PROVIDE INSTRUCTION AND LEADERSHIP BUT COUNCIL HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY COVID.

IN FACT, FIVE COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE BEEN INFECTED BY COVID-19.

SO NOT ONLY ARE WE AWARE OF YOUR CONCERNS THE VAST MAJORITY OF COUNCIL HAVE LIVED WITH COVID-19. A COUPLE DIFFERENT THINGS IS A FALSE NARRATIVE THAT THE CITY COUNCIL, THE COUNTY CAN, THE CITY ADMINISTRATION IS NOT WORKING WITH THE HOSPITALS. WE HAVE DAILY COMMUNICATION. IN FACT, WE MET VIRTUALLY ON TUESDAY AND WE'VE TALKED EVERY DAY SINCE AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE DO EVERY SINGLE WEEK. BECAUSE, WE CAN DO BETTER. SO YOU KNOW WITH REGARDS TO WHAT WE CAN DO. THE GOVERNOR IN THIS ORDER INDIVIDUALLY TO WRITE A CITATION FIRST OF ALL YOU HAVE A WARNING TO THE CITIZEN.

THAT WARNING IS GIVEN A SECOND OCCASION YOU CAN WRITE A CITATION FOR THAT CITIZEN BUT YOU CAN'T DETAIN THAT CITIZEN. THAT WAS PURPOSELY EMBEDDED IN THE ORDER IN MY OPINION. THERE ARE TWO THINGS THAT FROM A POLICY STANDPOINT THAT WE COULD DO THAT WE HAVE NOT DONE. WE DO HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO CITE BUSINESSES. WE DO HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO NOT LET OFFICES BE USED AT THE CONVENTION CENTER. MY UNDERSTANDING IS IN THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER THERE ARE TWO ADDITIONAL EVENTS EVERYTHING ELSE HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

SO, WE WANT AS A COUNCIL TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND APPROPRIATELY I PERSONALLY HEARD OF A FEW BUSINESSES THAT WERE NOT BEING COMPLIANT.

I MADE PHONE CALLS ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY AND THOSE WHO I CALL ARE NOW IN COMPLIANCE.

I THINK WALL DEN YOU ARE RIGHT THIS IS NOT ABILENE -- ABILENE PANDEMIC, IT'S NOT A TEXAS PANDEMIC IT'S NOT EVEN A UNITED STATES PANDEMIC IT IS A GLOBAL PANDEMIC.

WE CAN DO BETTER IN ABILENE, TEXAS WE SHOULD BE RESPECTING OUR NEIGHBORS.

THOSE THINGS WE SHOULD DO. BUT IF THERE IS AN EXPECTATION THAT GOVERNMENT AT EVERY LEVEL CAN SOLVE THIS ISSUE I BELIEVE THAT THAT IS INCORRECT.

WE CAN EDUCATE. WE CAN ENCOURAGE WE CAN FACILITATE BUT IF WE ARE TO MOVE THE NEEDLE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND ABROAD EACH ONE OF US HAVE TO DO OUR PART TO DO SO. AND SO, IT IS NOT ACCURATE, WE'RE NOT WORKING WITH THE COUNTY. IT'S NOT ACCURATE THAT WE'RE SITTING ON OUR HANDS.

WE LIVE HERE TOO. I MEAN THESE ARE OUR NEIGHBORS.

OF THOSE 97 PEOPLE THAT HAVE PASSED IN OUR COMMUNITY, I KNEW THREE OF THEM.

THIS IS A SERIOUS VIRUS. WE KNOW IN TAYLOR COUNTY THAT 5% OF EVERYONE THAT HAS BEEN AFFECTED HAVE FOUND THEIR WAY TO THE HOSPITAL. OF THAT 5%, THAT WENT TO THE HOSPITAL 10% OF THOSE WENT TO I.C.U. WE KNOW THAT IN OUR COMMUNITY THE MAJORITY OF THOSE WHO ARE IN I.C.U. AND ON A VENT DIDN'T LEAVE THE

[00:15:02]

HOSPITAL. WE CAN DO BETTER ASK WE SHOULD DO BETTER.

FOR US, CONVERSATION ABOUT A VACCINE BOTH MOW DORNA -- MODERNA AND PFIZER BY CALENDAR END THERE BE 20 MILLION DOSES UNLIKELY WE'LL GET ANY IN TAYLOR COUNTY BUT THERE'S A POSSIBILITY. PFIZER HAS COMMITTED 1.3 BILLION DOSES IN 2021.

WE BELIEVE, BY THE INFORMATION THAT WE RECEIVED THUS FAR, THAT WE'LL RECEIVE THE FIRST DOSES IN OUR COMMUNITY IN MID TO LATE JANUARY.

THE FIRST THAT WILL RECEIVE THAT WILL BE THOSE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS, SECOND WILL BE FIRST RESPONDERS, THEN THE MOST VULNERABLE, AND THEN THE REST OF US. WE THINK THAT AGGRESSIVELY WE CAN HAVE ABOUT HALF OUR COMMUNITY THAT WILL BE EVACUATION MADE BY THE LATTER PART OF MARCH -- VACCINATED BY THE LATTER PART OF PART OF MARCH. PERHAPS EARLY SEPTEMBER, EARLY FALL, THAT THE MAJORITY OF THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO BE VACCINATED WILL BE VACCINATED. HAVING SAID THAT, WE'LL PREPARE IT WHEN WE GET INFORMATION THAT'S MORE INTACT, THAT'S RELIABLE WE WILL DISSEMINATE THAT INFORMATION TO YOU SO YOU WILL KNOW WHAT IT WILL LOOK LIKE WITH REGARDS TO VACCINES IN OUR COMMUNITY. SO I HOPE THAT MAKES SENSE. I'M GOING TO ALLOW THE COUNCIL, THE REST OF THE COUNCIL TO RESPOND AND WE ARE IN A PUBLIC MEETING.

I WILL ASK MR. HANNA TO RESPOND. ANYBODY ELSE THAT WANTS TO RESPOND YOU ARE WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CONVERSATION.

COUNCIL. >> I WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING REALLY FAST.

IF YOU THINK BY THE WE'RE ORDINARY PEOPLE HERE ON COUNCIL AND IN LIFE DRAWING TO AN EXTRAORDINARY SITUATION. YOU GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND ACCORDINGLY TO A VIRUS THAT HAS AFFECTED ALL OF US.

WE'VE BEEN DILIGENT WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO BE DILIGENT SOME OF US MORE SO BUSINESS OWNERS AND CHURCH LEADERS ALL OF US THAT ARE IN POSITIONS OF AUTHORITY I THINK IT'S INCUMBENT UPON US TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO LEAD OUT IN A WAY THAT BRINGS INFORMATION TO THE CONSTITUENTS THAT WE'RE AROUND.

I WAS DOING A LITTLE BIT OF SOME READING AND I KNOW THAT WE AS PEOPLE ARE SO ARE SOUNDING IN HOW WE BAND TOGETHER AND WE MAKE IT THROUGH DIFFERENT OBSTACLE THAT'S HAVE BEEN PLACED IN OUR WAY. THE BEAUTIFUL THING ABOUT THIS IS THIS TOO SHALL PASS. WE'VE BEEN THROUGH DIFFERENT VARIATIONS OF IT AND WE'VE COME OUT BETTER FROM IT. WHEN I WAS READING SOME OF THE INFORMATION AND JUST DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH I FOUND THAT SINCE THE LAST 100 YEARS OVER HALF A BILLION PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED BY CHICKEN POX. IF YOU THINK ABOUT SMALLPOX, YELLOW FEVER, WHOOPING POX, CHICKEN POX, SWINE FLU, SARS, ZIKA, FROM AN ECONOMIC STANDPOINT BLACK MONDAY, THE '87 STOCK MARKET CRASH, Y2K, 9/11 WHICH WE ALL KNOW HAD GLOBAL IMPLICATION WE HAVE ALL BEEN ABLE AS PEOPLE TO BAND TOGETHER AND MAKE IT THROUGH. THIS IS AFFECTING ALL OF US IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

I THINK WE AS IN POWER POSITION THAT YOU HAVE VOTED US IN WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TOGETHER. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE IMPLORING THE LEADERS IN THIS COMMUNITY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT CAN WE DO TO MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER TO PREVENT THIS DISEASE FROM CONTINUING TO SPREAD.

SO MY MAIN POINT I WANTED TO SPEAK ON IS ENCOURAGEMENT OF WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE FOR US TO HAVE A CONSISTENT MESSAGE TO BAND TOGETHER TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER TO CONTINUE TO LEAD OUT IN A WAY THAT COMMUNICATES THE SEVERITY OF THIS BUT AT THE SAME TIME, BEING PEOPLE THAT HELP WALK DOWN THE ROAD TOGETHER.

SO THAT'S MAINLY WHAT I WANTED TO SHARE BUT I JUST THINK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US HAS THAT PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO LOOK AT WHAT'S WITHIN OURSELVES AND

LEAD OUT IN THE WAY THAT FURTHERS THE KINGDOM. >> ANYBODY ELSE FROM COUNCIL

WANT TO SPEAK. >> I THINK IT'S INTERESTING THAT WHAT COUNCILMAN HURT SAID WHAT DAVID SCHWARTZ SAID SOME OF THE STATES THAT HAVE HAD THE STRICTEST LOCKDOWNS ARE SEEING AN INCREASE. DAVID, YOU MENTIONED WHENEVER IT WAS IF WE WEAR MASKS FOR 14 DAYS WE'LL BE OKAY.

IT'S BEEN SEVERAL MONTHS SINCE THEN. I THINK PEOPLE ARE JUST FRUSTRATED. AS I WALK AROUND I SEE MORE PEOPLE WEARING MASKS THAN I'VE EVER SEEN YET THE NUMBERS CONTINUE TO INGREDIENT UP.

AND I THINK PEOPLE ARE JUST FRUSTRATED AND THEY'RE LOOKING FOR ANSWERS.

I DON'T NECESSARILY BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS THE ANSWER.

IT IS NOT THE GOVERNMENT'S ROLE TO DICTATE FOR PEOPLE -- LET ME BACK UP.

[00:20:08]

IT IS A PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY THAT I THINK WE ALL NEED TO TAKE.

SOMETHING THAT COUNCILMAN JUST SAID. IT IS PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO PUT ON A MASK, IT IS PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY THAT IF HAVE A BUSINESS THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO GO INTO BECAUSE YOU DON'T FEEL SAFE THEN DON'T GO IN THAT BUSINESS. THERE IS ONLY SO MUCH THAT WE CAN DO LEGALLY BECAUSE YOU LOOK AT WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAS ALLOWED TO US DO THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH WE CAN DO JUST PHYSICALLY. WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO INGREDIENT AROUND CITING EVERY PERSON THAT'S NOT -- TO GO AROUND CITING EVERY PERSON THAT'S NOT WEARING A MASK. THEY WOULD RATHER US BE OUT POLICING AND TAKING CARE OF CRIMINALS AND SOLVING CRIMES AND THINGS LIKE THAT. I WOULD ASK THAT PEOPLE IN THEIR FRUSTRATION, IT'S A PERSONAL THING AND I UNDERSTAND IT'S VERY EMOTIONAL FOR FOLKS. I WAS ANTI-MASK I'LL BE FIRST TO SAY THIS BUT I WEAR ONE NOW. I KNOW THEY WORK. AT LEAST I HOPE THEY WORK.

AND I WOULD ASK THE PEOPLE PLEASE JUST TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY AND MAKE

SMART DECISIONS IN ALL OF THIS. >> ANY COUNCILMAN WANT TO

SPEAK BEFORE MR. HANNA. >> ONE THING I DIDN'T SAY, WE ARE NOT ALLOWED AS MUNICIPALITY TO BE MORE RESTRICTIVE THAN THE GOVERNOR'S ORDER.

OFTEN, THIS IS INCORRECT STANLEY, PLEASE CORRECT ME, OFTEN WHEN YOU HAVE AN EDICT FROM THE STATE MUNICIPALITY HAS THE ABILITY TO BE MORE BUT NOT LESS RESTRICTIVE.

THIS ORDER IS WRITTEN IN A WAY WHERE WE DON'T HAVE THAT ABILITY.

IN FACT, THEY CHALLENGED THAT AND TRIED PUT MORE RESTRICTIVE ORDERS AND IT WAS DEFEATED IN STRICT COURT. SO WE ARE BOUND BY THE GOVERNOR'S ORDER IN REGARDS TO HOW IT IS WRITTEN. MR. HANNA.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. I'M GOING TO ASK ANNETTE TO UP HERE QUICKLY BEHIND ME TO PRESENT OVER THE LAST TWO WEEKS WHAT WE'RE SEEING WITH SOME ACTUAL INFORMATION ON HOW THINGS ARE BEING MOVED THROUGH THE PROCESS.

BUT BEFORE SHE DOES I JUST WANT TO REITERATE THE FACT THERE'S A PERCEPTION SOMEHOW THAT PERHAPS THE CITY IS FIDDLING WHILE ROME BURNS THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO WORK IN THIS COMMUNITY THE ELECTED OFFICIALS STANDING BEFORE ME ARE WORKING HARD TO LIMIT THE SPREAD THE TOOLS WE'VE BEEN GIVEN.

WE ARE A REGULATORY AUTHORITY. WE ARE NOT ALLOWED UNDER THE GOVERNOR'S ORDER TO DO ANYTHING MORE OR LESS RESTRICTIVE NAN THE GOVERNOR HAS AUTHORIZED. AND THE GOVERNOR HAS DRAMATICALLY REDUCED OUR TOOL SET. I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU GIVE A CITATION TO SOMEONE WHO IS NOT WEARING A MASK. THE REALITY IS THAT EVERY CITY IS STRUGGLING IN TEXAS.

SOME MORE THAN OTHERS. SOME NOW IT'S THEIR TURN IN THE HOPPER.

RIGHT NOW IT SEEMS TO BE WEST TEXAS'S TURN IN THE HOPPER.

EARLIER IT WAS THE VALLEY. RECOGNIZING THAT WEARING A MASK AND SOCIALLY DISTANCING AND WASHING YOUR HANDS AND DOING ALL THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE HEARD NEW SINCE SPRING WE NEED TO DO IT. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS RIGHT ON TARGET WE NEED LEADERS TO COME FORTH IN THIS COMMUNITY TO STAND AND IT'S NOT WHAT YOU CAN DO IT'S ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO. ALL OF US CAN WEAR A MASK ALL OF CUSTOMER SOCIALLY DISTANCE. ALL OF CUSTOMER CHOOSE TO LIMIT OUR SOCIAL ACTIVITY TO AREAS WHERE IT'S ONLY ESSENTIAL FOR US. THE GOVERNMENT SHOULDN'T MAKE THE DETERMINATION. ALL OF RUSS BLESSED WITH REASON TO DO THAT ALONE.

WE SHOULD DO THAT. SO MY ONLY REQUEST OF THE PUBLIC IS THAT I FEEL THAT MANY IN THE COMMUNITY HAVE NOT HEEDED WHAT THE CITY HAS SAID FOR MONTHS NOW WHEN IT COMES TO WEARING THESE MASKS, SINCE JULY, WEARING THESE MASKS.

AND I THINK IT'S GOOD THAT THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY IS NOW STANDING UP AND SAYING THESE ARE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE. SO LET'S LISTEN TO THE DOCTORS. LET'S LISTEN TO THE SCIENTISTS, LET'S LISTEN TO THE MEDICAL HEALTH EXPERTS TELL US WHAT WE OUGHT TO BE DOING.

WE WILL LIKELY MOVE INTO IT'S 145 CASES I BELIEVE FOR SEVEN DAYS, AND YOU WILL SEE YOU MAY ACTUALLY SEE A REDUCTION IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN THE CITY OF ABILENE UNDER THE GOVERNOR'S ORDER. IF THERE'S 145 IN THE

[00:25:08]

HOSPITAL COVID-19 POSITIVE THAT TRIGGERS THE 15% THEN TRANTS GO FROM 75 TO 50 AND BARS ARE CLOSED. HERE'S WHAT HAPPENS WITH THAT.

IS THAT THE ECONOMY DOESN'T GO BACK TO MARCH AND APRIL WHERE EVERYTHING IS SHUT DOWN. HAIR STYLISTS CAN'T WORK, WHAT IS SHUT DOWN ARE BARS AND RESTAURANTS GO BACK DOWN TO 50% CAPACITY. THAT'S THE ONLY CHANGE.

NOW IF YOU'RE A BAR OWNER THAT'S A DRAMATIC CHANGE YOU SHOULD ALL WORK HARD TO LIMIT THAT FOR OUR NEIGHBORS WHO WORK AT BARS SOMEHOW IN THE INDUSTRY THAT SERVES BARS AND THE SAME THING GOES FOR RESTAURANTS. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CITIZENS UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE NOT GOING BACK TO STAY AT HOME ORDERS AND ALL BUSINESSES ARE SHUT DOWN, THAT SCENARIO WON'T HAPPEN AND MAYOR I KNOW YOU TALKED TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TODAY TO CONFIRM THOSE THINGS, ANNETTE WOULD YOU MIND COMING FORWARD THANK YOU. SO I JUST WANTED TO PROVIDE A QUICK BRIEFING ON A FEW THINGS AT SNAPSHOT OF WHAT CONTACT TRACING IS SHOWING US ABOUT WHERE CASES ARE COMING FROM. I'LL TALK ABOUT HOSPITALIZATIONS THERE'S WHAT WE CAN DO AS A COMMUNITY.

SO CURRENTLY WE HAVE NORMALLY AT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT WE HAVE 56 STAFF MEMBERS.

WE HAVE ADDED 44 ADDITIONAL PEOPLE JUST FOR COVID RESPONSE.

SO THE BREAKDOWN IS HERE. CONTACT TRACERS WE HAVE 17 WHO ARE FULLY TRAINED.

MOST ARE PART-TIME. WE HAVE EIGHT FULL-TIME DATA ENTRY PEOPLE WITH FIVE PART-TIMERS, WE'VE BORROWED 11 STAFF MEMBERS FROM OUR LIBRARY WHO ARE WORKING AT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ON COVID RESPONSE. THEN THESE STAFF MEMBERS HAVE BEEN PULLED THERE THEIR REGULAR DUTY. WE HAVE STOPPED DOING ROUTINE HEALTH INSPECTIONS BY THE RESTAURANT. WE ARE STILL GOING OUT AND AND DOING COMPLAINTS INVESTIGATIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THERE'S SOME THINGS WE'RE HAVING TO TAKE CARE OF FOR MOST PAR WE'VE GOT THEM ON COVID RESPONSE TWO OF OUR DENTAL STAFF SOME OF OUR GRANT PROGRAM WORKERS WITH WIC AND GRANTS. WE HAVE ALLOCATED LOTS OF RESOURCES TOWARDS COVID RESPONSE. SO JUST KNOW THAT YOUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK SEVEN DAYS A WEEK TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET TO CASES QUICKLY AND THAT WE ARE ABLE TO DISSEMINATE INFORMATION TO THE GOVERNMENT QUICKLY.

EVERY WEEK OUR EPIDEMIOLOGIST PROVIDES A SUMMARY OF WHAT CONTRACT TRACING IS SHOWING. THIS IS JUST A BRIEF SUMMARY.

MAJORITY OF OUR CASES ARE COMING FROM THE YOUNGER GROUP.

20 TO 29 AGE GROUP IS 18%, WE HAVE 14% THROUGH OUR K-12 SCHOOLS 4% OF OUR CASES THE NEW CASES WITHIN THAT TWO WEEK PERIOD ARE 4% FROM VERY FEW ARE PROFESSORS AND MOSTLY STUDENTS THE TWO IN RED ARE THE MOST CONCERNING BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT THIS IS WHAT PLACES A LOT OF STRESS ON THE HOSPITALS. SO WE'VE GOT 15% OF ALL OF OUR NEW DAYS WITHIN THAT TWO WEEK PERIOD ARE IN OUR LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES, WE ALSO HAVE A 6% INCREASE IN THE AGE GROUP THAT'S OVER 60, NOW EVENING THOUGH YOU HAVE A LOT OF CASES WITHIN THE YOUNGER GROUP IN AND OF ITSELF THAT'S NOT SUPERCONCERNING BUT THEY'RE CARRYING IT HELP TO GRANDMA OR GRANDPA.

THEY'RE HAVING CONTACT WITH THESE HIGHER RISK YOU CAN SEE SHARP RISE AT THE END.

[00:30:06]

SO A SHARP INCREASE WITH EIGHT CASES AND TODAY WE REPORTED 143 NEW CASES OUR DAILY TOTAL HOSPITALIZATIONS FOR THE LAST 60 DAYS YOU CAN ALSO SEE THE SHARP INCREASE WITH TODAY BEING 102. IF YOU LOOK AT OUR SEVEN DAY POSITIVITY RATE WE SHORT THAT ON THE SEVEN DAY AVERAGE. AND IT IS CURRENTLY AT 16.39 WE HAVE BEEN HOVERING AROUND 11% AND 12% WE HAVE SHARP INCREASE IN DAILY POSITIVITY RATES. WE ARE SEEING THAT WERE INVESTIGATE THE WITHIN THAT TWO WEEK PERIOD HAD CONTACT WITH A KNOWN POSITIVE. BUT YOU WILL SEE THE BREAKDOWN UNDERNEATH THAT. OF THAT'S NONHOUSEHOLD 12% CITED A CO-WORKER.

WE TALKED ABOUT MASKS AND SAID 50% OR YOU WILL SEE HERE IN A SECOND 50% OF PEOPLE ARE WEARING MASKS. AND AS YOU GO OUT YOU SEE LAT OF PEOPLE IN MASKS WITH THIS STATISTIC HERE 70% BEAG IN BACK WITH A KNOWN POSITIVE THIS IS SOMEBODY THAT YOU KNOW WHICH IN YOUR PERSONAL CIRCLE WHEN YOU ARE AROUND YOUR PERSONAL CIRCLE PEOPLE ARE NOT WEARING MASKS. SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I THINK WE COULD DO BETTER. COMMUNITY ACQUIRED THESE ARE JUST CASES THAT THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY PICKED IT UP THAT'S ABOUT 30%. THIS IS OFF OF THE THERE WAS A STUDY PUBLISHED IN THE HALF OF AMERICANS WEAR THEIR MASK IN PUBLIC AGAIN THIS IS IN PUBLIC. WE KNOW THAT THE MAJORITY OF CASES REGION JUST COMING FROM BEAG AT THE GROCERY STORE OR DOING YOUR ESSENTIAL TASK THAT'S YOU NEED TO GO AND DO. IT'S ESTIMATED THAT IF 130,000 LIVES COULD BE SAVED. EVEN IF ONLY 85% OF AMERICANS STARTED WEARING MASKS 96,000 LIVES COULD BE SAVED. AS COUNCILMAN HURT HAS MENTIONED WE'RE ALSO INTERESTED IN SAVING LIVELIHOODS.

SO LET'S TALK QUICKLY ABOUT HOLIDAY PLANNING. GAGGERING WITH MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY ONLY. OPENING DOORS AND YOU JUST HAVE ONE PERSON SERVING RATHER THAN SETTING UP A BUFFET LINE. LIMITING YOUR GATHERING TIME MAYBEN HANGING OUT ALL DAY. MAKE SURE THAT YOU WASH YOUR HANDS HAVE EVERYBODY AS THEY COME IN WASH THEIR HANDS BEFORE THEY EAT WATCH THEIR HANDS.

THEN I KNOW SOMETHING WE'RE DOING WITH MY OWN PARENTS WHO ARE ELDERLY.

WE'RE GOING TO ZOOM THEM. IN WE'RE GOING TO GO AND DELIVER A PLATE TO THEIR DOOR AND WE SET THEM UP WITH ZOOM AND WE'RE GOING TO ZOOM THEM SET THEM AT THE END OF THE TABLE AND WE'RE GOING TO CONNECT WITH THEM VIRTUALLY AND SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT FAMILY MEMBERS CAN CONSIDER DOING. ANY QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU, SO JUST FOR CLARITY. IN OUR COMMUNITY, BASED ON THE DATA YOU PRESENTED. THAT ONLY 12% OF INFECTIONS HAVE OCCURRED IN GATHERINGS.

IS THAT CORRECT? >> SO THAT'S FOR THE TWO WEEK TIME PERIOD AND ALL OF THE CASE THAT'S WERE INVESTIGATED BY CONTACT TRACERS WHERE WE HAVE INFORMATION YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S SOME CASE THAT'S WE YOU KNOW THEY DON'T ANSWER THE PHONE OR WE CAN'T GATHER THE INFORMATION FOR WHATEVER REASON. OF THAT 60%, 70% CONTACT WITH SOMEONE.

[00:35:06]

70% OF THE NEW INVESTIGATED CASES HAD POSITIVE HAD CONTACT WITH A KNOWN POSITIVE. 40% HOUSEHOLD FEBRUARY SO OF THAT 60%12% OF THOSE HAD

GATHERED WHERE A FAMILY MEMBER OR CLOSE FRIEND. >> ADDITIONALLY SO YOUR STAFF WENT WITH 56 YOU ADDED 44 ADDITIONAL STAFF MEMBERS TO HELP YOU WITH COVID-19 IS

THAT CORRECT. >> UH-HUH. >> QUESTIONS? THANK YOU BOTH. AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM.

IF SO PLEASE COME FORTH AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

>> MY NAME IS SAMUEL GARCIA I LIVE AT 2734 BRENTWOOD I WON'T SAY PRO FOR OR AGAINST I JUST WANT TO SAY A FEW WORDS. THE CAT GOT OUT OF THE BAG BECAUSE EVERYTHING THAT THE DOCTORS AND EXPERTS HAVE BEEN TELLING US FROM THE GET-GO IT HAPPENED. IT HAPPENED EXACTEDLY THE WAY THEY SAID IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. WHEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE IN LEADERSHIP THAT LITERALLY SAID OH IT'S GOING TO GO AWAY. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES I SAID NOVEMBER 3RD NEXT DAY IT WILL ALL BE GONE. I WHAT THEY HEARD A MILLION TIMES. I HEARD ANTI-MASKERS SAY THINGS THAT ARE JUST DOWNRIGHT SILLY. MAKE NO SENSE BUT IT'S GOTEN AWAY FROM US. THE REASON YOU CAN'T TRACE THESE PEOPLE IS BECAUSE THERE'S TOO MANY TO TRACE. YOU CAN'T DO IT. THERE'S NO WAY.

YOU DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY. IF YOU HAVE TO PUT ON 40 SOMETHING PEOPLE HOW DO YOU DO IT YOU CAN'T? OUR PRESIDENT FAILED US AND HE PUT YOU IN THE POSITION YOU'RE IN. THESE PEOPLE HAVE WORKED THEIR BUTTS OFF.

THEY'VE GOTTEN PERSONAL PHONE CALLS FROM ME. WHEN I GO TO THE GREETINGSING FOR THE NEW CHIEF OF STAFF AND ALL THESE CITY LEADERS ARE SITTING AT THE ABILENE COUNTRY CLUB MAYBE THREE OUT OF 80 HAVE A MASK ON I'M GOING THIS IS NO SURPRISE.

THE CANDIDATES, THE FINAL IFTHS FOR OUR CHIEF OF POLICE NO MASK.

SO WE'RE SHOCKED ABOUT THIS? NO AND IT'S NOT MASK IT'S WHERE A MASK PROPERLY.

IF I SEE SOMEBODY ELSE'S NOSE HANGING OUT OF THEIR MASK I'M GOING TO SCREAM.

WEAR IT PROPERLY. MY WIFE HAS LUPUS. I FOUND OUT TODAY MY COUSIN WHO'S A STROKE VICTIM IN THE NURSING HOME HAS THE VIRUS. -- OH, GOD.

HE'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD. AND I JUST FOUND THIS OUT ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF AGO. WE HAVE TO DO IT.

HAVE YOU TO BE LEADERS YOU HAVE TO KNOW THAT WHAT YOU DO MATTERS, I WENT TO THAT TO SOME EVENTS. I WENT TO THE FARMERS MARKET. AND VENDORS PEOPLE SELLING FOOD WERE NOT WEARING MASKS. I WENT UP TO ONE OF THE VENDORS AND I SAID HEY AREN'T YOU SUPPOSED TO WEAR I MASK I GOT ONE IT'S IN THE TRUCK.

PUT IT ON THIS IS NOT HARD. WE'VE GOT TO DO THIS. EVERY ONE OF YOU GUYS UP HERE I FEEL SORRY FOR YOU BECAUSE HAVE YOU BEEN PUT IN THIS SITUATION BECAUSE IT

GOT AWAY US FROM. >> SO PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE ALL WE CAN DO NOT GO BACK ANY MORE EVERYBODY WEAR A MASK WEAR IT THE RIGHT WAY AND LET'S STOP ALL THIS

OTHER STUFF SO WE CAN SAVE LIVES. >> STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? SEEING NO ONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

DOES THE COUNCIL HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, QUESTIONS?

IF NOT I ACCEPT A MOTION AND A SECOND. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MCALLISTER AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN RENTZ WE'RE READY TO VOTE.

>> MOTION CARRIES. >> WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER 11.

[11. Ordinance (First Reading) Z-2020-17: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on a request from QT South LLC, agent Lauren Montgomery, to change the terms of Planned Development (PD) District Number PD 116 located on southeast corner of Old Anson Road and Interstate Highway 20 in northwest Abilene, specifically regarding the height and area of signs allowed there. Legal description being Lot 1 in Block 1 of the subdivision known as QT South LLC (Mike Warrix)]

I BELIEVE MR. SCHWARTZ WANTS TO CUSTOMER ITEM NUMBER 11. I INVITE TO YOU THE PODIUM

[00:40:10]

MR. SCHWARTZ. >> AGAIN THIS IS A FIRST READING WITH THE SECOND READING OCCURRING ON THE FIRST THURSDAY IN DECEMBER. THAT IS THE 4TH, I BELIEVE,

3RD . >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL DAVID SCHWARTZ AGAIN.

THIS HAS TO DO WITH THE NEW CONSTRUCTION AT THE I DID NOT RESEARCH THAT BUT I BELIEVE BY JUST THE READING THROUGH THE LININGS HERE THEY WANT TO MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT ON SIGNAGE. I KNOW PREVIOUSLY SEVERAL YEARS AGO WHEN WAL-MART WAS CONSTRUCTED ON THE NORTH SIDE THEY WENT BEFORE THE ZONING OR EVEN THE COUNCIL I BELIEVE AND REQUESTED A 75 FOOT SIGN ON THEIR PROPERTY CLOSEST TO THE INTERSTATE.

I'M GUESSING THAT SOMETHING SIMILAR TO WHAT THIS IS GOING TO BE.

SO I WOULD DEFINITELY BE IN FAVOR OF IT BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE ON A STORE LIKE THIS, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT'S KIND OF A MINI TRUCK STOP IS PEOPLE OFF THE INTERSTATE. SO IT WOULD BENEFIT THEM TO HAVE A TALLER SIGN.

I'M SURE THIS IS PROBABLY WHAT IT'S ABOUT AND I'M SURE MIKE WILL PROBABLY FILL US IN EVENTUALLY ON WHAT THEY'RE REQUESTING ON THE CHANGE.

TALLER SIGN THEY CAN SEE THAT AS THEY'RE COMING IN OFF THE BETTER CHANGE THERE FROM THE WEST LOOP AND INTERSTATE. THEY WILL SEE THAT SIGN SO THEY'LL KNOW THERE'S A PLACE TO STOP AND GET SOME FOOD OR SUPPLIES AND SOMETHING.

THAT OF COURSE WILL BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY GREATLY. I THINK THIS BIG TALLER SIGN IF THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE GOING FOR BECAUSE THAT WILL MEAN AN INCREASE IN SALES TAX WHICH WILL BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY. AND ALSO IT WILL INCREASE JUST THE TRAFFIC FLOW IN THERE BY HAVING A LARGE SIGN SO PEOPLE WON'T BE TRYING TO TURN AROUND ON THE INTERSTATE AND TRYING TO LOOP BACK IF THEY HAVE A LARGE SIGN STATING THEY HAVE THIS AVAILABLE I'M FOR THIS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

COUNCIL FOR LETTING ME SPEAK ON THIS. AGAIN THIS WILL BE PRESENTED DECEMBER 3RD CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND LOOKING AT THIS THIS WAS STAFF IS RECOMMENDING DENIAL 61 YEA BEFORE US ON THE 3RD AND TODAY WILL BE PNZ'S RECOMMENDATIONS. MR. SCHWARTZ YOU WANT TO DIRECT ANY OF THOSE ISSUES.

>> YES, THANK YOU, MAYOR. YOU ARE CORRECT, STAFF HAD ORIGINALLY RECOMMENDED DENIAL BASED UPON THE APPLICATION THAT WAS SUBMITTED THIS IS A REQUEST TO AMEND THE P.D. THAT YOU ALL APPROVED NOT TOO LONG AGO.

THE CURRENT P.D. LIMITS THE SIGN AND SQUARE FOOTAGE TO 700 TO I'M SORRY TO 300 SQUARE FEET IN SIGN AREA THAT'S THE BLOCK PARK THAT SHOWS WHATEVER YOU'RE ADVERTISING. AND AND 50 FEET IN HEIGHT. THE P.D. THAT THEY HAD REQUESTED AND HAVE A SIGN AREA AS LARGE AS 700 SQUARE FEET.

STAFF RECOMMENDED DENIAL OF PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION.

COMMISSION HEARD THIS CASE AND THEY HEARD FROM THE APPLICANT AT THE HEARING.

THERE WAS A COMPROMISE REACHED. THE APPLICANT WAS AGREEABLE TO REDUCING THE SIZES OF BOTH THE HEIGHT OF THE SIGN 70 FEET IN HEIGHT.

SO WITH THAT, THAT WILL BE THAT WILL BE COMING TO YOU AS A RECOMMENDATION OF

APPROVAL. >> QUESTION. >> IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT

WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR -- >> MIKE TALCO NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN. I THINK YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD IT'S REALLY ABOUT THE VISIBILITY OF THE EASTBOUND TRAFFIC. THE WAY THE INTERSTATE LOOPS AROUND. LIKE THE TREES BLOCK IT WE WANT TO TRY TO GET

[00:45:06]

VISIBILITY WILL BE GREAT FOR WESTBOUND. IT'S JUST A LITTLE CHALLENGING THE WE DID GO THROUGH PRESENTATION AND THEN BORING.

>> IT'S COMING ALONG. ANY QUESTIONS. >> NICE WOODED AREA IN

ABILENE ARE USUALLY TWO PHRASES NOT TOGETHER. >> I DID SOME DRIVING AROUND

TODAY. >> LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING THAT STORE OPEN.

>> ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY SOUTH OF TOWN. YOU CAN ALSO BUILD ANOTHER.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> WE'RE STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING ANYONE WANT TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? SEEING NO ONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. COUNCIL HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON

THIS ITEM. >> MOTION BY MCALLISTER. FOR A DISCUSSION WE'RE READY TO VOTE.

>> MOTION CARRIES. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER 17.

[17. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Authorizing the Renewal of the Water Supply Contract with the Hawley Water Supply Corporation (Rodney Taylor)]

I WILL ASK RODNEY TAYLOR DIRECTOR OF WATER UTILITIES TO PRESENT THIS ITEM.

>> GOOD EVENING RODNEY TAYLOR FROM WATER UTILITIES. THE ITEM BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING IS WITH THE SUPPLY CORPORATION. THERE IS A CONTRACT WITH HOLLY WATER SUPPLY THAT WAS EFFECTIVE IN 2004 THIS CHANGE IS NECESSARY IN ORDER FOR THE WATER SUPPLY TO QUALIFY FOR FUNDING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS THROUGH THE USDA PROGRAMS.PEXCU. THERE ARE SRN REQUIREMENTS IN PARTICULAR THAT THE TERM OF THE WATER SUPPLY CONTRACT HAS TO BE AT LEAST AS LONG AS THE FUNDING MECHANISM USED AND THAT REQUIRES A FOUR YEAR TERM. SO THIS RENEWAL IS FOR FOUR YEARS. IT ALSO INCORPORATES SEVERAL OTHER ITEMS THAT ARE REQUIRED UNDER THE CODE REGULATIONS RELATING TO THIS TYPE OF A CONTRACT.

I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU.

MR. TAYLOR. >> THIS ITEM DOES CALL FOR A PUBLIC HEARING.

SO AT THIS TIME I'LL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO, PLEASE MOVE FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEE NO ONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS IN REGARDS TO THIS AGENDA ITEM? I'LL TAKE A SECOND A MOTION IN THE SECOND.

>> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. WE HAVE A MOTION FOR COUNCILMAN CRAVER.

>> SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HURT. ANY DISCUSSION? WE'RE READY TO VOTE.

>> WELL, NOW MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER 18 PROVIDING THE REAPPOINTMENT OF INDIVIDUALS

[18. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Appointing Members to Various Boards and Commissions per the City Charter (Shawna Atkinson)]

TO VARIOUS BOARDS AS OUTLINE EXHIBIT A OF THE RESOLUTION. AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING, IS THERE ANYONE WHO LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE

RECORD. >> MY NAME IS SAMUEL GARCIA. MINE IS MORE IT'S NOT PROCON IT'S MORE OF A QUESTION ABOUT BOARD APPOINTMENTS.

I HAD INQUIRED ABOUT THE POLICY TO, FOR EXAMPLE, THERE'S A POSITION ON THE DCOA BOARD THAT IS EXPIRING THIS MONTH. IT SAYS 11-20 ACCORDING O CITY DOCUMENTS. AND WHAT I WAS TRYING TO FIND OUT WAS IF THAT POSITION WAS GOING TO BE FILLED IN DECEMBER? SINCE I DIDN'T SEE ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA THESE PARTICULAR ITEMS. WELL, OBVIOUSLY SINCE IT WASN'T THERE SO MY QUESTION IS WHAT IS THE POLICY THAT THE CITY USES ON FILLING

[00:50:06]

POSITIONS I MEAN IS THERE A TIMELINE WHERE NAMES ARE SUBMITTED.

OR PEOPLE SUBMIT THEIR NAMES DO IT. THEN THEY'RE APPOINTED.

IF SO, YOU KNOW, USING THAT AS AN EXAMPLE OF THE 11-20 THAT POSITION, WHEN WOULD THAT BE FILLED AND WHAT'S THE NORMAL TIMELINE. BECAUSE I'VE SEEN LOOKING AT SOME OF THE RECORDS, FOR EXAMPLE DCOA I HAVE SEEN WHERE PEOPLE HAVE SAT ON THAT BOARD FAR BEYOND IN HISTORY PAST FAR BEYOND MONTHS BEYOND WHAT THEIR TERM EXPIRED. I ALWAYS KIND OF WONDERED ABOUT.

THAT WHEN I SAW THAT ONE TODAY, OR THE OTHER DAY, EXCUSE ME SO, WHAT IS THE POLICY HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHAT THE TIMELINE IS -- SO SOME OF THEM ARE VERY, VERY SPECIFIC AND SOME HAVE WITH REGARDS TO WHEN THEY SHOULD BE FILLED.

THERE HAVE BEEN TWO OR THREE OCCASIONS IN RECENT YEARS WHERE A TERM WAS EXPIRED WHEN THE PERSON WAS NOT REPLACED. WE'VE DONE THAT.

AND, SO, I'M NOT SURE IF I CAN ANSWER A QUESTION ABOUT WHEN IT'S PRESENTED HERE IN

REGARDS TO THE AFOREMENTIONED ENTITY. >> I THINK IT'S CLOSE ENOUGH, MAYOR IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION. SO THE DCOA I DO REMEMBER THERE WAS A TIME PERHAPS ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO WE HAD A MEMBER THAT STAYED ABOUT THREE MONTHS AFTER HIS POSITION EXPIRED AND WE LOOK AT THAT STILL WITHIN OUR TO GET A SELECTION OR A REAPPOINTMENT ON THE CURRENT ONE YOU ARE LOOKING AT NOW OR YOU MADE MENTION TO THAT'S NOT YET BEEN DECIDED. I THINK VERY LIKELY THAT THAT PERSON WHO POSITION WILL BE REAPPOINTED. BUT NOT YET HAD BEEN MADE AT

THIS POINT. >> THAT POSITION HAS ALREADY BEEN REAPPOINTED ONCE.

THAT PERSON THAT FILLED THAT. THIS IS THE EXPIRING REAPPOINTMENT. SO THIS WILL BE A THIRD REAPPOINTMENT.

SO I WILL GET TO THAT LATER ON. THAT ANSWERS MY QUESTION.

>> WE'RE STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IF ANYONE ELSE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? SEE NO ONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS WITH REGARD TO THIS AGENDA ITEM. I HAVE MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MCALLISTER.

>> SECOND. >> A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN RENTZ.

ANY DISCUSSION? WE'RE READY TO VOTE.

>> MOTION CARRIES. >> WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER 19.

[19. Discussion: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Provide Direction on Recommended Budget Cuts FY 2021 (Robert Hanna)]

I'LL ASK ROBERT HANNA TO PRESENT THIS ITEM. THIS ITEM TONIGHT FOR DISCUSSION ONLY TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COUNCIL TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK ALSO FOR OUR CITIZENS TO BE ABLE TO HEAR ABOUT THIS VERY PERTINENT CONVERSATION ABOUT

POSSIBLE BUDGET ADJUSTMENT. >> THANK YOU MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

SO I PROVIDED YOU A MEMO AND I WANTED TO GO THROUGH SOME OF THE TOP 96 THAT MEMO FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC. I HAVE THE MOST PERTINENT ITEMS ON THESE SLIDES.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM HOW DID WE GET HERE? >> INTERNET TAX FREE ACT OF 1998 PROHIBITED STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FROM TAXING INTERNET ACCESS.

SO I'LL USE MY PROVIDER WHO PROVIDES ME INTERNET. THEY CHARGE ME SALS TAX INTERNET ACCESS OR THEY DID. THEY STOPPED HERE RECENTLY.

THOSE GOVERNMENTS ALREADY TAXING INTERNET ACCESS LIKE TEXAS WERE GRANTED A 3-YEAR MORATORIUM. SO EVEN THOUGH THE BILL PASSED IN CONGRESS AND SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT, EXEMPTED THESE ENTITIES FROM TAXATION BECAUSE TEXAS HAS A MORATORIUM WE ARE STILL ABLE TO TAX THAT AND WE DID UP UNTIL VERY RECENTLY.

THAT MORATORIUM WAS EXTENDED ABOUT EIGHT DIFFERENT TIMES. EVENTUALLY MADE PERMANENT BY THE TRADE FACILITATION AND TRADE ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2015.

THE GRANDFATHER CLAUS THAT WE JUST -- GRANDFATHER CLAUSE THAT WE JUST RERNGED EXPIRED. IT'S A LITTLE EDITORIAL AT THE VERY BOTTOM PLUGGED IN THERE HAD SUCH LANGUAGE AS DISCRIMINATING TAXING PRACTICES.

THE PERSON WHO PUT THAT BILL AND THAT LANGUAGE IN THERE HAD SOME STRONG OPINIONS ABOUT SALES TAX ON INTERNET ACCESS. IT'S ANTICIPATED THAT WE WILL SEE A 4% DECLINE IN SALES TAX DUE TO THIS TAX MORATORIUM EXPIRING.

IN ADDITION TO BE CARE COVID-19 HAS HAD AN IMPACT ON THE CITY'S CONVENTION CENTER BUSINESS AS WELL AS ORIGINAL OPERATIONS THAT GO TO SUPPORT THE CONVENTION

[00:55:07]

CENTER. IT'S ALSO IMPACTED SOME OF OUR COURT FINE PROCESSES AS WELL AS. SO WE'RE MAKING SOME REVENUE ADJUSTMENTS FOR THOSE AS WELL. TAX WILL BE DOWN ANTICIPATE $2 MILLION THE CONVENTION CENTER IS $500 COURT FINES 150. THE PROGRAMS THAT WE'RE SUGGESTING BE EXAMINED FOR TERMINATION ALSO BRING REVENUE IN TO OFFSET THAT REVENUE LOSS. THEY DON'T PAY FOR THEMSELVES BUT THEY DO BRING IN SOME REVENUE. THAT'S 330,000. SO IN TOTAL REVENUE SHORTFALL OF ABOUT 3.13 MILLION. STAFF IS RECOMMENDING TOFG THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS. AGAIN THESE ARE RECOMMENDATIONS.

LET ME JUST SAY EVERY ONE OF THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE NEEDED SERVICES TO THIS COMMUNITY. THE REASON WHY I'M RECOMMENDING WE STOP THESE PROGRAMS I LOOK AT THIS LIST EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE IMPORTANT THEY'RE NOT POLICE, THEY'RE NOT FIRE, THEY'RE NOT PARKS AND RECREATION THEY'RE NOT NOT THINGS THAT ONLY THE CITY OF ABILENE CAN DO. WE ALREADY PROVIDE JUST THROUGH A DIFFERENT VEHICLE. SO TWO ON ONE CALL FOR HELP -- 211 CALL FOR HIP.

-- >> I WANT A DOLLAR AMOUNT ASSOCIATED WITH EACH ONE OF

THOSE CUTS. >> THEY'RE COMING UP NEXT SLIDE, MAYOR.

THE MOCKINGBIRD BRANCH LIBRARY WAS SOMETHING STAFFED LOOKED AT BUT I CANNOT IT SERVES ALREADY SERVING AN UNDERSERVED POPULATION -- EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN CLOSED DUE TO COVID-19 IT'S AN ESSENTIAL PART OF WHAT WE DO.

1211 CALL FOR HELP PROVIDES $149,000 TO UNITED WAY OF ABILENE TO ADMINISTER THE 2 LIEN PROVIDES THE CITY OF ABILENE $110,000 AND DIRECT AID IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,000. THAT GOES TO PAY FOR MEALS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT PROGRAM. HEALTHY TEXAS WOMEN $50,000 WHICH WE WOULD HAVE TO MAKE THAT UP WOULD BE PART OF THE REVENUE LOSS WE WOULD MAKE UP.

$10,000 IN THE DENTAL PROGRAM. I DO RECOMMEND THAT WE STOP FUNDING THIS PROGRAM. RECREATION WE SPEND $274,000 ANNUALLY ON ADAPTIVE REC.

THE PALM HAS NOT BEEN OPERATIONAL SINCE MARCH OR APRIL BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19 RESPONSE. AGAIN I RECOMMEND THAT WE CANCEL THIS PROGRAM.

THE DENTAL PROGRAM FUNDS WE FUND DENTAL PROGRAM BY $269,000 ANNUALLY.

ORIGINALLY THIS PROGRAM WAS STARTED WHILE I WAS HERE AUTHORIZED IT AND PUT IT IN THE BUDGET COUNCIL APPROVED IT THE INTENT BEING IT WAS A SELF-FUNDED PROGRAM.

IT JUST HASN'T BORN OUT. WHAT WE IDENTIFIED IS THAT THE POPULATION THAT NEEDS THIS PROGRAM CAN'T EVEN AFFORD THE MODEST CHARGES WE'RE CHARGING TO RECRUIT BASIC MATERIAL COSTS. UNLESS WE HAVE THE SIGNIFICANT GRANT DOLLARS TO HIDE THE DOLLARS FOR THE SERVICE COST FOR THE COMMUNITY WE'RE NOT ABLE TO GET PEOPLE INTO THE CHAIR FOR THE DENTIST TO SEE. SINCE FISCAL YEAR 2018 WE SPENT $407,000 IN THE GENERAL FUND TO SUPPORT TO BUOY THIS PROGRAM AND MAKE IT EFFECTIVE. MY DAD IS A DENTIST I HAVE A HARD TIME PUTTING THIS ON THIS LIST. I KNOW THE NEED IN THIS COMMUNITY FOR THIS.

BUT IT WOULD BE MY OPINION IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN AFFORD TO DO ANYMORE.

SENIOR TRANSPORTATION. FUNDS FOR SENIOR TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $118,000 ANNUALLY. THIS HAS BEEN SHUT DOWN SINCE COVID-19. IN ADDITION WE RUN A BUS SYSTEM CALLED CITY LINK TAXPAYERS ARE ALREADY PAYING FOR. IN TALKING TO CITY LINK THEY PICK UP THE PASSENGERS THAT WERE USING SENIOR TRANSPORTATION SERVICE AND THEY CAN EVEN PROVIDE THE PARATRANSPORT NEEDS TO THE DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS AS WELL. SO I THINK WE HAVE A REDUNDANT SERVICE HERE THAT CAN BE OF ALL THE SERVICES I'M RECOMMENDING THIS ONE WILL HAVE THE LEAST IMPACT ON THE PEOPLE THAT IT SERVES NOW BECAUSE WE CAN PICK UP THAT SERVICE ALREADY.

AGAIN THE MOCKINGBIRD BRANCH LIBRARY WE SPENT $407,000 ON THAT ANNUALLY IT HAS BEEN CLOSED SINCE COVID BUT I'M NOT RECOMMENDING THAT WE CUT.

THIS I'M RECOMMENDING WE MAINTAIN AS LIBRARIES ARE AN ESSENTIAL FUNCTION THAT THE MUNICIPALITIES PROVIDE. SO IN TOTAL I'M RECOMMENDING PROGRAM CUTS OF $590,000.

I'VE IDENTIFIED TWO TYPE OF REVENUES. REVENUE ENHANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES ONE IS REALLOCATION OF CURRENT REVENUE.

THAT'S MONEY THAT'S ALREADY REALIZED WE ALREADY HAVE IT WE JUST NEED TO REALLOCATE IT AND REAPPROPRIATE IT IN SOME CASES. THEN THE APPROPRIATION IN CHARGE OF NEW REVENUE. THIS IS NEW MONEY THAT WE DO NOT HAVE.

WE DO NOT CURRENTLY COLLECT. SO THE FIRST WE ADAPTED A SURPLUS BUDGET WAS MORE THAN

[01:00:03]

WHAT WE NEEDED INTENTIONALLY BECAUSE WE THOUGHT WE WOULD HAVE TO RESPOND TO COVID.

WE WANTED TO KEEP SOME BACK. WE DIDN'T WANT TO SPEND IT ALL.

SO THAT WAS 408,000. 650,000 COUNCIL SET BACK SEVERAL YEARS AGO ONE FULL PENNY ON THE TAX RATE DEDICATED TO MAINTENANCE. THIS IS AN EXTRAORDINARY YEAR. THIS IS AN EXTRAORDINARY STRESS ON THE BUDGET.

I DO BELIEVE OUR CONVENTION CENTER BUSINESS WILL RETURN IT'S JUST GOING TO BE PROBABLY NEXT YEAR OR YEAR AFTER NEXT. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THAT ONE PENNY TO COMPLY TO THAT AS WELL AS TAKE $52,000 OUT OF THE CAPITAL FUNDS FOR THE CONVENTION CENTER TO BUOY THAT UP $650,000 LOSS. THEN $313,000 IN 911 FEES TO OFFSET THE COSTS WE USE FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO PAY FOR TELECOMMUNICATORS AND OTHER 911 COSTS. THIS IS MONEY OVER AND ABOVE THE MONEY THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN SPENT ON THE ADDITIONAL DISPATCHERS. SO THIS IS MONEY THAT WE ANTICIPATED BEING THERE BASED ON THE WORK THAT BOB DID WITH THE 911 BOARD AND THE 911 BOARD AUTHORIZED. THE NEW REVENUE COMPONENTS WOULD BE $2.50 CHARGE FOR SENIOR MEALS. CURRENTLY THERE'S ABOUT $68,000 ANNUALLY THAT'S RECEIVED FOR SENIOR MEALS FROM DONATIONS. THOSE DONATIONS WOULD NO DOUBT GO AWAY IF THEY'RE HAVING TO PAY $2.50 A MEAL THAT $1.85 RECOGNIZE THAT'S OFFSET OF THAT $65,000 IN REVENUE. THEN A $20 PER PLAYER PER SEASON FACILITY USE CHARGE GENERATING $119,000. WE PRESENTLY DO NOT CHARGE A FACILITY CHARGE FOR LEAGUE SPORTS. THEY DO PAY FOR ELECTRICITY WE USE THE LIGHTS BUT THERE'S REALLY NO OTHER CHARGE ASSOCIATED WITH THAT ACCORDING TO COMMUNITY SERVICES. IT'S NOT UNCOMMON FOR CITIES TO DO THIS. SO WE'RE RECOMMENDING THAT WE DO SOMETHING ALONG THESE SAME LINES. TO OFFSET THE LOSS THAT WE WANT COUNCIL TO REALLOCATE OR APPROPRIATE. I HAVE I HAVE NOT FILLED VACANCY THAT'S HAVE BEEN OPEN SINCE THE ADOPTION OF THE BUDGET. WE MAY NEED TO SAVE THOSE DOLLARS. SO I INTEND TO NOT FILL 867,000 DOLLARS WORTH OF POSITIONING. THESE ARE POSITION THAT'S ARE NECESSARY.

FOR EXAMPLE, EVERYBODY KNOWS -- IS A FINE WOMAN AND A HARD WORKER FOR THIS COMMUNITY HAS LEFT A LEGACY. I FIGURED I WOULD HAVE TO SACRIFICE IT ANYBODY WHO KNOWS HER KNOWS SHE'S CERTAINLY ESSENTIAL. SO THE POINT BEING IS THAT THESE ARE NOT FLUFFY POSITIONS THESE ARE POSITION THAT'S ARE ESSENTIAL TO WHAT WE DO. IF YOU LOOK AT THE RECOMMENDED CUTS THAT INCLUDES THE POSITIONS $1.4 MILLION, REVENUE ENHANCEMENTS $1.6 MILLION FOR A TOTAL OF $3.15 MILLION THAT'S A COUPLE THOUSAND DOLLARS TO SPARE.

AGAIN I WANT TO REITERATE ALL OF THESE SERVICES THAT RECOMMENDING CUTTING PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE USING AND I DON'T MAKE THESE RECOMMENDATIONS SLIGHTLY. HE TO CUT SOMETHING AND I HAD TO CUT SOMEWHERE THIS IS WHERE I'M RECOMMENDING AND COUNCIL I NOW TURN THIS TO YOU.

>> AGAIN, COUNCIL, THESE ARE RECOMMENDATIONS CONSISTENT WITH THE LARGER BUDGET CONVERSATION. I MEAN WE'RE THE POLICY MAKERS SO WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND TO RECOMMENDATION WITH AN AFFIRMATION OR MODIFICATION.

MR. HANNA I HAVE THREE DIFFERENT QUESTIONS. IN REGARDS TO THE CURRENT EMPLOYEES AFFECTED BY YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS AND THEIR EMPLOYMENT WHAT IS TO BECOME

OF THEM? >> THAT'S VERY GOOD QUESTION.

WE HAVE OTHER POSITIONS THAT WE ARE KEEPING VACANT AS WELL.

I JUST SENT AN E-MAIL OUT TO THE DIRECTORS TODAY. MY INTENTION IS THAT WE INTENTIONALLY FILL OUR VACANCIES WITH THE FOLKS THAT IN THESE PROGRAM AREAS THAT MAY BE CUT THAT WOULD LOSE THEIR JOB WE INTENTIONALLY FIND A PLACE FOR THEM SO THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE THEIR EMPLOYMENT WITH THE CITY OF ABILENE IF THEY CHOOSE TO. IT MAY NOT BE IN A POSITION THAT THEY WANT TO DO SO I CAN'T PROMISE YOU THAT WE WON'T LOSE PEOPLE. BUT IT WON'T BE BECAUSE

THEY'RE NOT OFFERED ANOTHER ONE. >> SO THOSE AFFECTED THOSE CURRENT CITY EMPLOYEES AFFECTED BY THE POSSIBLE ELIMINATION OF THEIR JOBS

THEY WILL FIND EMPLOYMENT IN THE CITY OF ABILENE. >> WE WILL BE OFFERING THEM

POSITIONS, YES, SIR. >> SECONDLY, IN REGARDS TO THE REC OR SENIORS HAS THERE BEEN COMMUNICATION TO THOSE FAMILIES AND THOSE PARTICIPANTS ANY KIND OF

[01:05:04]

FEEDBACK OR GIVE THEM NOTICE ABOUT THE ELIMINATION? >> WE HAVE NOT PROVIDED NOTICE THAT THESE PROGRAMS ARE BEING TERMINATED. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT WE HAVE SURVEYED THE KNOWN PARTICIPANTS IN THE ADAPTIVE RECREATIONAL PROGRAM.

I THINK THE MAJORITY OF THEM HAVE SAID THEY'VE FOUND ALTERNATIVE MEANS OR THAT THEIR FAMILY MEMBER IS STAYING AT HOME. SOME THOUGH NOT ALL HAVE SAID THEY DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER OPTIONS. THERE'S A SEGMENT OF THE ADAPTIVE REC POPULATION THAT HAD NO OTHER OPTIONS. OTHERS HAVE FOUND OTHER PROGRAMS OR KEPT THEIR FAMILY MEMBER AT HOME. PARK SPORT HAS -- PARKS BOARD HAS DISCUSSED THIS AND I'M GOING OFF MEMORY HERE HAS NOT MADE A RECOMMENDATION ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. MAY ACTUALLY ENJOY THE ABILITY TO DO THAT. ONE OF THE REASONS WE WANTED TO COME TO COUNCIL WAS TO SEEK FURTHER GUIDANCE AND ADVICE ON WHAT YOU WANT TO US DO MOVING FORWARD.

>> ADAPTIVE REC MY PREFERENCE IS TO ALLOW THAT ADVISORY COMMITTEE THE PARKS BOARD TO HAVE A CHANCE TO WEIGH IN. THAT WE ARE VERY, VERY OVERT IN TRYING TO SOLICIT OTHER OPINION TO ALLOW US TO BE ABLE TO GET A FULL GRASP OF THOSE IMPLICATIONS. THAT'S HOW I FEEL IN THAT REGARDS.

BUT I APPRECIATE THAT. WHEN DO YOU, I KNOW WITH THE ABSENCE OF WITH MR. PRICE WHEN DO YOU THINK THAT WE'LL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO, BECAUSE I KNOW YOU NEED TO MAKE A DECISION, DO YOU ANTICIPATE MAYBE ENGAGING THE PARKS BOARD IF THAT'S THE COUNCIL THEN COMING BACK TO US LAST WEEK IN DECEMBER WHAT DOES THAT

LOOK LIKE. >> MY INTENTION WOULD BE TO HAVE THE FIRST READING OF THE ORDINANCE AND HAVE THE SECOND READING OF THE ORDINANCE AND ADOPTION IN THE SECOND MEETING IN DECEMBER. TO HAVE THIS ALL BE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1ST. THAT WILL GIVE ME ESSENTIALLY A MONTH AND A HALF TO FIND PLACES FOR THE PEOPLE THAT WILL BE LOSING THEIR JOBS IF WE'RE NOT ABLE TO FIND POSITIONS FOR THEM. I BELIEVE WE WILL BE ABLE TO.

THEN ALSO, TO ACCOMMODATE THE PARKS BOARD MEETING WE WOULD HAVE A SPECIAL MEETING

TO GET THEM INVOLVED IN THAT QUESTION PROCESS. >> YOU MENTIONED THAT, EXCUSE ME, THAT ADAPTIVE REC AND SENIOR TRANSPORTATION HAVE BEEN CLOSED DURING

COVID. >> I HAD YOU. >> SO I GUESS -- UH-HUH.

>> SO I GUESS A LOT OF THOSE FOLKS HAVE FOUND, I THINK YOU MENTIONED THIS, BUT MAYBE A LOT OF THOSE FOLKS HAVE FOUND OTHER OPTIONS THAN WHAT THE CITY WAS PROVIDING. SO HOPEFULLY WOULD NOT BE AS MUCH OF AN IMPACT IF IT WAS GOING FULL RIGHT MOW AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WE SAID HEY, IN 45 DAYS IT'S GONE.

SO YOU'RE THINKING THAT SOME OF THE FOLKS THAT USED ADAPTIVE REC HAVE FOUND OTHER PRESIDENTIAL S SOME OF THE FOLKS THAT USED OUR SENIOR TRANSPORTATION HAVE FOUND OTHER OPTIONS IT MAY NOT IMPACT THEM AS MUCH? YOU SEE WHAT MY QUESTION IS.

>> I DO. WHAT I SAY I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR ANYBODY WHO USES THE ADAPTIVE REC PROGRAM WE HAVE A SURVEY THAT SHOWS THE RESPONSES WE'LL PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION TO COUNCIL AT THE NEXT MEETING. ALSO ALLOW THE PARKS BOARD TO HAVE THE RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL ON THAT. ON THE SIDE OF THE SENIOR TRANSPORTATION, YOU KNOW WE HAD ABOUT 24 REGULAR RIDERS AND FOR THEM IT WAS A MUCH NEEDED SERVICE. THAT'S HOW THEY GOT TO THE SENIOR CENTER.

THEN ON A MONTHLY BASIS I THINK WE TOOK ABOUT FIVE FOLKS TO DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS. SO HOW WE'RE GOING TO SOLVE THAT? WE'RE GOING TO USE CITY LINK TO TAKE THE SENIORS TO AND FROM THE REC CENTER AND WE'RE GOING TO USE THE CITY LINK'S PARATRANSIT SERVICE TO MAKE SURE THOSE MEN AND WOMEN GET TO THEIR DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS. WE'LL BE REALLY CREATIVE AND THE SENIOR TRANSPORTATION IS A REDUNDANT BUS SERVICE FOR OUR SENIORS ONLY.

IT'S WASTE. NOT THAT THE SERVICE ISN'T ESSENTIAL WE ALREADY HAVE A SERVICE WHAT DOES THAT SO THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE EFFICIENCIES.

>> IS WILL ANY WAY TO REACH OUT TO FOLKS TO LET OTHER ENTITIES KNOW HEY IF YOU CAN FILL THIS NEED THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY THAT WE CAN REACH OUT TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND SAY HEY, IF YOU CAN DO THIS NOW IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO JUMP ON BOARD. IF I KNOW WE HAVE KIND OF A SHORT TIME FRAME IN THE HOLIDAYS BUT THEN IF WE CAN MAYBE EVEN LET FOLKS KNOW, HEY WE'RE NOT DOING THIS BUT HERE'S SOME OPTIONS SO WE CAN HELP THEM OUT BY GIVING THEM A LOT OF TIMES WHEN PEOPLE SAY I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START. IF WE CAN MAYBE GIVE THEM SOME OPTIONS AND SOME PLACES TO CALL IF WE KNOW OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE

WILLING TO STEP UP. >> OF COURSE. >> THANK YOU.

>>. >> IT LOOKS LIKE PRETTY WELL THOUGHT OUT.

I THINK TO THE PUBLIC THE CITY IS NO DIFFERENT THAN ALL OUR SMALL BUSINESSES THAT ARE SUFFERING FROM THE VIRUS FINANCIALLY WE'RE JUST DOING THE BEST WE CAN WITH

[01:10:02]

IT. I KNOW YOU DON'T WANT TO DO ANY OF THIS.

WE GOT TO STAY IN BUSINESS. >> YES, SIR. >>.

>> WE APPRECIATE THE DUE DILIGENCE IN YOU PREPARING AND PRESENTING AN

OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO LOOK AT THESE RECOMMENDATIONS. >> THANK YOU.

>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM. IF SO, PLEASE GIVE YOUR NAME

FOR THE FORWARD. >> THANK YOU COUNCIL, DAVID SWART AGAIN.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START. WE HAVE 211 AT THE TOP OF THEIR LIST THAT'S THEIR SLOGAN WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW WHO TO CALL CALL 211.

THAT SOUNDS LIKE THAT THAT'S GOING TO BE YOU ELIMINATE THE 211 OPERATORS THERE WON'T BE ANYBODY TO CALL TO ASK ABOUT THE OTHER PROGRAMS. BUT AS FAR AS LIBRARY I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS STILL CLOSED.

I WENT OVER THERE ON THE 10TH . YOU GOT ABOUT SIX SIGNS ON THE RIGHT DOOR AND HERE I AM TRYING TO READ ALL THESE SIGNS THEN ON THE LEFT SAYING CLOSED. SO FROM I GUESS MID-MARCH TO NOVEMBER 10 TH WHEN I WENT OVER THERE YOU HAVE BEEN PAYING RENT ON THAT BUILDING AND WENT TO THE DOWNTOWN LIBRARY AND WORKER DOWN THERE AT THE LIBRARY SAID WELL, WE TOOK OUR STAFF FROM THERE AND PUT THEM OVER TO HEALTH DEPARTMENT. I UNDERSTAND THE NEED ABOUT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT NEEDING MORE PEOPLE BUT NOT KNOWING A LIBRARY WAS STILL CLOSED I LOOKED IT UP ON THE INTERNET I THOUGHT IT SAID IT WAS STILL OPEN AND I WENT OVER THERE IT AND WASN'T. NOW AS FAR AS THE CONVENTION CENTER YOU SAY, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, MEDIA REPORTS THAT HOTEL PROJECT IS KIND OF ON STAND BY BECAUSE IF YOU CAN'T HAVE PEOPLE IN THE CONVENTION CENTER ACROSS THE STREET YOU REALLY CAN'T JUSTIFY HAVING A CONVENTION HOTEL RIGHT NOW. I JUST DON'T KNOW WHERE THIS IS GOING. WE'RE KIND OF IN LIMBO HERE WITH THE HOLIDAYS COMING UP AND EVERYTHING. I KNEW THAT I HAD MENTIONED MONTHS AGO ABOUT WE MIGHT HAVE A SHORTFALL IN OUR SALES TAXES NOT EXACTLY WHAT I MENTIONED.

THIS IS SOMETHING TO DO WITH A DIFFERENT SITUATION. BUT, AGAIN, IT'S STILL GOING TO BE A BUDGET SHORTFALL. AND I KNOW AT THE CONVENTION CENTER THEY JUST MENTIONED LAST WEEK THE JUNIOR LEAGUE CANCEL OUT THEIR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CAROUSEL.

THEY MENTIONED THEY LOST $50,000. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT MEANT THE CONVENTION CENTER LOST THAT REVENUE OR IF IT MEANT THAT JUNIOR LEAGUE ITSELF.

BUT EITHER WAY, YOU KNOW, WE'RE HAVING TO CANCEL STUFF LEFT AND RIGHT AT THE CONVENTION CENTER. LIKE YOU SAID THERE WAS TWO COMING UP PROJECTS MEETINGS OR WHATEVER BEFORE THE END OF THE MONTH ON THIS. IN THE END, YOU KNOW, IT'S GOING TO BE SOME HARD CUTS HERE AND I KNOW I THINK, YOU KNOW, YOU THOUGHT THEM OUT WELL. I HOPE WE CAN FIND OUT SOME ALTERNATIVES BEFORE IT SITS IN STONE AT THE END OF THE YEAR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COUNCIL.

>> STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING. DOES ANYBODY ELSE --

>> ONE THING I WOULD LIKE TO SAY IS THAT I FEEL BAD THE CUTS THAT ROBERT WAS TALKING ABOUT. THE ONE THAT PROBABLY CONCERNS ME THE MOST IS THE ONE THAT BE ARERT MENTIONED WAS THE DENTAL. WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC. I THINK THE LAST THING WE NEED TO DO IS CUT PEOPLE ANY DENTAL WORK WE DO. IT'S WHERE FOOD GOES IN TO NOURISH YOUR BODY.

WE NEED PEOPLE AS HEALTHY AS POSSIBLE. SO WHAT I WOULD ASK IS FOR ANY CONSIDERATION, EVEN IF IT'S TO PUT IT OFF FOR A YEAR, OKAY.

IS THERE ANY MONEY ANYWHERE ELSE IN THIS BUDGET, I'M GOING TO USE THE MINOR IMPROVEMENT FUND, I BELIEVE THAT'S WHAT IT'S CALLED. IF I'MEN MISTAKEN HAS -- IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN IT HAS $4 MILLION OR $5 MILLION IF THIS HOTEL IS NOT GOING TO GET BUILT FOR ANOTHER YEAR OR WHATEVER IT'S GOING TO BE BECAUSE I HAVE NO IDEA.

I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING. I WOULD HATE TO SEE PEOPLE LOSE DENTAL SERVICE AND HURT THEIR HEALTH BECAUSE THAT'S A HEALTH DEAL. DENTAL WORK IS NOT A COSMETIC DEAL IT IS A HEALTH ISSUE. AND I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO SEE US -- TO FIND A WAY TO SAVE THAT ONE. THIS IS A HEALTH ISSUE.

PLEASE DON'T LOOK AT THE DENTAL THING AS AN EXTRA IT IS A HEALTH ISSUE WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT PEOPLE'S HEALTH IF AT ANY OTHER TIME THAN RIGHT NOW DURING THIS

PANDEMIC. THANK YOU. >> STILL IN THE PUBLIC

[01:15:02]

HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? SEE NONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

-- I SEE NONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. THIS AGAIN WAS ONLY FOR INFORMATION ONLY. WE COULD POSSIBLY HAVE A EMERGENCY CALL MEETING FOR THE PARKS BOARD. WE INTEND TO PUT THIS ON A FIRST READING FOR THE DECEMBER 3RD CITY COUNCIL MEETING. THEN THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON DECEMBER 17TH. DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR DIRECTIVES FOR

THE CITY MANAGER? >> I GOT A QUESTION, ROBERT. ON SENIOR MEALS YOU SAID WE

HAVE HOW MUCH IN DONATIONS RIGHT NOW ON SENIOR MEMS? >> IT'S ABOUT $68,000 ON

AVERAGE, SIR. >> AND THE CHARGE IT'S GOING TO GENERATE HOW MUCH?

>> ABOUT $189,000. >> OKAY. >> IT'S $65.80.

SO $2.50 WOULD SUGGEST GENERATES $251,000. LOSING THE $65,000.80 IN DONATION ALSO SHOW A NET GAIN OF $125,000,920. -- 125,925.

OKAY. SO WOULD THERE BE ANY CONSIDERATION TO JUST ASKING

FOR DONATIONS EACH TIME THEY EAT INSTEAD OF THE $2.50? >> COUNCILMEMBER HURT WE CAN DO WHATEVER THE COUNCIL WANTS TO US DO. BUT I AM NOT CONVINCED THAT WE WOULD GENERATE THE REQUIRE REVENUE TO GENERATE THE $185,000 FROM THIS YEAR THROUGH DONATIONS. WE CURRENTLY ASK FOR DONATIONS THERE'S A BUCKET OUT THERE. I WOULD ALSO SAY THAT RIGHT NOW, I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE COLLECTING DONATIONS. I HAVE TO GET LESLIE UP HERE TO TELL ME ABOUT THAT.

THE WAY WE'RE DELIVERING OR HANDLING SENIOR MEALS NOW IS DRIVE-THRU LINE.

THE IRONY IS WE'RE SERVING MORE SENIORS THAN WE EVER HAVE BEFORE.

WHICH IS GOOD. >> I PROMISE NEW THE NEXT FEW WEEKS WE'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM THE COMMUNITY WITH REGARDS TO THESE AGENDA ITEMS.

I PROMISE YOU WILL -- THERE WILL BE INPUT. >> MR. RENTZ.

>> IS IT YOUR BELIEF THAT 211 WILL NO LONGER EXIST? >> I'M NOT GOING TO SPEAK WITH THE UNITED WAY. I SUGGESTED THAT THEY CLAW BACK THE $110,000 THAT THEY PROVIDE US. BEGINNING OF THE FISCAL YEAR I BELIEVE THEY CAN CLAW IT ALL BACK AND USE THAT TO OFFSET. IF COUNCIL WANTED TO FUND $39,998 FOR 211 TO CALL FOR HELP THAT PLUS, $110,000 -- I THINK DELTA IS $29,000.

>> $39,000. SO THIS COUNCIL WHEN THE HANDOFF WAS MADE FOR 211

USED TO BE A CITY PROGRAM. >> YES, SIR IT. >> WAS INTENDED TO HAVE A SUNSET WITH REGARDS TO FUNDING. THAT SUNSET WAS A DECADE AGO BUT WE JUST KEPT FUNDING IT. WHICH IS OKAY IT'S A GOOD PROGRAM.

>> BUT THE INTENT WAS TO SUNSET THAT. SO THE VARIANCE IS $39,000.

SO WE -- IT'S OUR DECISION. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER? SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND AGAIN FOR THE COMMUNITY THIS WILL BE A FIRST READING ON DECEMBER 3RD. AT 8:30 A.M. MEETING.

SECOND MEETING ON DECEMBER 17TH THAT'S A 5:30 MEETING. AND THERE WILL BE I ANTICIPATE, EMERGENCY CALLED MEETING FOR THE PARKS AND REC BOARD ON ITEMS ASSOCIATED WITH PARKS AND REC. WE'LL NOW GO TO THE PUBLIC

[PUBLIC COMMENTS]

COMMENT PERIOD. THERE WILL BE NO VOTES OR ANY FORMAL ACTIONS TAKEN ON THE SUBJECTS PRESENTED DURING PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD WILL ONLY ALLOW MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO PRESENT IDEAS TO CITY OFFICIALS AND STAFF. THERE WILL BE A THREE MINUTE LIMIT ON PUBLIC COMMENT

PERIOD DO. WE HAVE ANY NAMES AT ALL? >> DAVID SHWART.

>> WANT ON THE CARD. >> DAVID SHWART ONCE AGAIN COUNCIL.

I DON'T KNOW WHO HAD A BIG ENOUGH STEAK BUT A.E. -- A.E.P. FINALLY REPAIRED THE MOCKINGBIRD LIGHTING SYSTEM OF UNDERNEATH THERE. I FIGURED LOOKING ON THE WEBSITE A COUPLE NIGHTS AGO IT SAYS WE HAVE 8700 FIXTURE THAT'S ARE MAINTAINED BY A.E.P. AND MR. HANNA SAID MONTHS AGO ABOUT 135 DOLLARS A YEAR THAT'S ABOUT $11.50.

[01:20:08]

SO IN ESSENCE, FOR THEM NOT WORKING ON IT THEY WERE BASICALLY UPING THE TAXPAYERS TO MORE OR LESS -- JIPPING THE TAXPAYERS. THREE WERE DESTROYED UNDERNEATH COVER HOW COULD THEY BE DESTROYED LIKE THAT BUT THEY ALL HAVE NEW FIXTURES. IT LOOKS GREAT DOWN THERE. I WANT TO THANK WHOEVER GET IT DONE. NOW AS FAR AS THE HOLIDAY NEXT THURSDAY, I KNOW OUR PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR HERE MENTIONED ABOUT THAT. I KNOW IF YOU LISTEN TO DR. FAUCI HE WOULD RATHER HAVE YOU HAVE A ZOOM CALL WITH EVERYBODY AT THANKSGIVING. YOU KNOW, I THINK IT WOULD BE MR LIKE MY RELATIVE THAT LIVES A COUPLE HUNDRED MILES AWAY PUT ON FACEBOOK YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT TOMORROW HOLDS YOU SHOULD NOT LET FEAR KEEP YOU FROM GATHERING WITH YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS ON THE HOLIDAYS. I CAN GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE. MY AUNT SEVERAL YEARS AGO TOLD HER SON LET'S GO TO ABILENE FOR THANKSGIVING TO HER SISTER'S.

WELL, SHE CAME THAT NOVEMBER AND SHE PASSED AWAY IN JANUARY.

SO IT'S A GOOD THING SHE CAME BECAUSE WE WOULDN'T HAVE HAD THAT TIME WITH HER.

SO THERE'S ALL REASONING. USE CAUTION LIKE THE HEALTH DPIRKTOR SAID BUT AGAIN IT'S THE HOLIDAYS AND IT'S AN AMERICAN-ONLY HOLIDAY THANKSGIVING AS FAR AS I KNOW. SO IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO JUST TRY TO DO WHAT YOU CAN AND INGREDIENT FOR THANKSGIVINGS BECAUSE YOU JUST DON'T THOUGH WHAT THE NEXT DAY WILL HOLD IN YOUR LIFE. AS FAR AS ANYTHING ELSE, ONLY THING LEFT IS IF YOU QUICKLY TRY TO SUMMARIZE IF YOU LOOK AT THE PANDEMIC BACK IN 1918, THEY SAID THAT IT MORE OR LESS WENT AWAY ON ITS OWN EVENTUALLY. I KNOW THEY SAID IN THIS PIECE ON THE HISTORY CHANNEL IT STARTED IN HASKELL. NO NOT TEXAS BUT HASKELL, KANSAS. IT SPREAD TO AN ARMY CAMP NEARBY AND EVENTUALLY THE SOLDIERS WENT OFF TO EUROPE. WELL, IN 1918, SUMMER CAME IT KIND OF WENT AWAY FALL CAME IT CAME BACK WITH A VENGEANCE. THEN SPRING 1919, IT WASN'T THERE ANY MORE THEN THE SUMMER AND WINTER NO EV1919 IT JUST WENT AWAY.

SO I'M HOPING WE'LL SEE THAT MAYBE IN THE FUTURE. I WANT EVERYBODY TO HAVE A GOOD THANKSGIVING BECAUSE IT'S JUST A WEEK AWAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> STILL IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO SPEAK

IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD? >> I'M HERE AGAIN TO TALK ABOUT THE BYLAW CHANGES THAT HAVE NOW PASSED THE DCOA BOARD. I'M ASSUMING THAT THEY WILL PROBABLY COME TO YOU GUYS FOR APPROVAL IN DECEMBER. I JUST WANT TO LET THE PUBLIC ANY ABOUT SOME OF THE ISSUES GOING ON WITH THE DCOA.

FIRST OF ALL, IN THE LAST YEAR THEY'VE GONE FROM FOUR EMPLOYEES TO NINE EMPLOYEES.

OUR LAST C.E.O. MADE $174,000 A YEAR AFTER SERVING FOR FOUR YEARS.

WE HIRED THE DCOA HIRED A NEW C.E.O. AT $193,000 A $450 CAR ALLOWANCE AND A $430 A MONTH COUNTRY CLUB MEMBERSHIP. SO PRETTY GOOD DEAL THERE.

AND PAID $2,500 A MONTH FOR TEMPORARY RENT WHEN THE C.E.O. FIRST MOVED HERE.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? BECAUSE WE'RE ALL TALKING ABOUT CUTTING STUFF THE DCOA IS SPENDING MONEY. THE C.O.O. THAT JUST RETIRED EARLIER IN THE YEAR AFTER 25 YEARS OF GREAT SERVICE WAS MAKING $102,000. DCOA HIRED A CONSULTANT IN DECEMBER PAID HIM $20,000 TO TALK ABOUT THE RESTRUCTURING OF THE DCOA.

THEN TURNED AROUND AND HIRED THAT CONSULTANT FOR THE C.O.O. JOB AT $136,000.

OUR NEW -- OUR CURRENT CHIEF OF POLICE MAKES $155,000. OUR NEW CHIEF OF POLICE WILL MAKE $155,000. WHEN SOMEBODY EXPLAINS TO ME HOW SOMEBODY WITH THE MOST, I MEAN AMAZING RESPONSIBILITY CAN MAKE $40,000 LESS THAN THE C.E.O.

OF THE DCOA WHERE IS ALL THIS GOING? IT'S ABOUT THE BOARD.

ONE OF THE REASONS I ASKED ABOUT THAT BOARD POSITION IS BECAUSE THIS BOARD, AND I'M REMIND YOU AGAIN, 15 YEARS ON RECORD ZERO HISPANIC SERVING ON THAT BOARD.

FOR ALMOST THREE YEARS, FROM MARCH OF 17 TO DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR IT WAS ALL MALE, AND ZERO MINORITIES. IT CURRENTLY DOES HAVE A FEMALE AND IT DOES HAVE A

[01:25:06]

MINORITY, THANK GOODNESS. BUT WITH ONLY FIVE PEOPLE ON THE BOARD THERE'S NOT MANY POSITIONS THERE'S NOT MANY OPPORTUNITIES THAT'S WHY I WAS ASKING ABOUT THAT REAPPOINTMENT AGAIN BECAUSE WE KEEP REAPPOINTING THE SAME PEOPLE TO THIS BOARD.

FINALLY, I JUST WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS GOING ON THAT ARE BEING MONITORED AND IT'S YOUR DECISION TO APPROVE THOSE BYLAWS.

IN THOSE BYLAWS THEY'RE STILL ASKING FOR A MILLION DOLLAR INCREASE IN THEIR AUTHORITY. THEY'RE ASKING FOR TO BE ABLE TO JUST BE ABLE TO RUN THEIR DEAL. WELL, AFTER SEEING ALL THESE CUTS TODAY AND ALL, THIS AND I SEE ALL THESE INCREASES IN SALARIES, AND COSTS $193,000 MORE IN ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEES Y'ALL NEED TO THINK ABOUT THAT BEFORE YOU CHANGE THOSE BYLAWS NEXT MONTH.

>> STILL IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO PARTICIPATE THIS EVENING? SEE NO ONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

IT IS 6:55 P.M. AND THIS MEETING OF YOUR ABILENE CITY COUNCIL IS ADJOURNED.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND GODSPEED TO Y

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.