[CALL TO ORDER ]
          [00:00:02]
          >>> IT IS 4:30 P.M. ON THIS DAY DECEMBER 17. 
          [EXECUTIVE SESSION]
AT THIS TIME WE WILL RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION. 
          SECTION 551.07 CALLS FOR OUR ATTORNEY SECTION 551. 
          SECTION 551-4073 OF GIFTS AND DONATIONS PRINT SECTION 5511 POINT WAS SEVEN FOR PERSONAL MATTERS FOR IN SECTION 551 FOR. 
          551.07 PROSPECTS AND >>> IT IS NOW 5:30 P.M. AND WE RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION. NOBLES WERE TAKEN IN EXECUTIVE 
          SESSION. >> DEAR LORD, IT IS THAT TIME OF YEAR WHEN WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE GIVEN US THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. LORD, WE HAVE HAD A TRYING YEAR, BUT THAT ARE TIMES THAT BRING US CLOSER TO YOU. 
          WHERE WE NEED TO BE. LORD, WE ASK FOR GUIDANCE TONIGHT AND AT EVERY MEETING THAT WE DO GOODWILL. 
          THAT WE DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR OUR GREAT CITY. 
          WE ALWAYS PREFER OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND MILITARY AND WE WISH WE CAN ALL GET BACK TO YOU. 
          AMEN. >>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. ON OF THE TEXAS FLAG, I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE TEXAS ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND 
          INDIVISIBLE. >> I WAS VISITING WITH BRAD HOLLAND THIS MORNING, CEO OF MEDICAL CENTER AND DOCTOR RILEY AND THEY WANTED ME TO BE SURE ON THIS LAST GATHERING OF 2020. 
          I WANTED TO THANK YOU AND YOUR NEIGHBORS FOR RESPONDING IN REGARDS TO COVID-19. AS YOU MAY KNOW, OVER THE LAST TWO OR THREE WEEKS ACTIVE NUMBERS HAVE DECLINED. 
          HOSPITAL PATIENTS HAVE DECLINE . 
          WE NEVER EXPERIENCED THE THANKSGIVING SURGE PROJECTED. 
          WE ARE STILL ABOVE THE 15 PERCENT THRESHOLD IN REGARDS TO COVID-19 PATIENTS IN OUR DISTRICT. 
          BUT THOSE ARE DROPPING. AND I WANTED TO BE SURE AS WE CLOSE OUT THIS VERY UNEXPECTED YEAR THAT I COMMUNICATE THE APPRECIATION FROM ACHIEVED MEDICAL OFFICIALS AND THINKING FOR RESPONDING AND CARING ENOUGH ABOUT YOUR NEIGHBORS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO THE CONSENT 
          [CONSENT AGENDA]
AGENDA CONSISTING OF ITEMS 3 TO 18. 
          THESE ITEMS WILL BE CONSIDERED WITH ONE MOTION AND THERE WILL BE NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION UNLESS A COUNCILMEMBER OR CITIZEN REQUESTS SEPARATE DISCUSSION. 
          DO WE HAVE ANY CARDS IN REGARDS TO 2 TO 18. 
          AND DOES ANYONE ON THE COUNCIL WANT TO PULL ANY ITEM OFF THE 
          AGENDA? >> NUMBER FOUR. 
          >>ANTHONY WILLIAMS : NUMBER FOUR. 
          >> I HAVE IT CARD FROM DAVID SCHWARTZ ALSO FOR ITEM NUMBER 
          FOUR. >> TO YOU IN THE AUDIENCE THOSE EVENINGS, ITEM 3 THROUGH 18, ARE THERE ANY ITEMS YOU WANT TO PULL OFF THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR CONSIDERATION SEPARATELY? I WILL BE ABSTAINING FROM ITEM NUMBER 16 AND 17, ALONG WITH COUNCILMEMBER PRICE AND COUNCILMEMBER MCALSTER . 
          ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY. IN BOTH COUNCILMAN PRICE AND SPOUSE WORKED FOR ACU. I WILL TAKE A MOTION FOR ITEMS THREE THROUGH 18 WITH THE EXCEPTIONOF ITEM NUMBER FOUR. 
          >> SO MOVED . >>ANTHONY WILLIAMS : MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER TREE THREE HURT. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? 
          [4. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Modifying and Extending the Declaration of Local Disaster Issued November 19, 2020 (Robert Hanna)]
          WE ARE READY TO VOTE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER HURT. 
          [00:05:01]
          >> YOU. >> COUNCILMEMBER MCALSTER. 
          >> YES >> COUNCILMEMBER CRAVER. 
          >> YES. >> DEPUTY MAYOR. 
          >> YES. >> BECAUSE MEMBER ALBUS. 
          >> YES. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS. 
          >> YES. >>ANTHONY WILLIAMS : REMOVED ITEM NUMBER FOUR. INVITE MR. SCHWARTZ TO THE 
          PODIUM . >> GOOD EVENING COUNCIL. 
          HERE WE ARE AGAIN HURRIEDLY STARTED OUT BACK IN MARCH. 
          WE KNOW THIS IS JUST TO GET FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. IT APPEARS MAYBE AFTER JANUARY 6 WE WILL KNOW IF THE FEDS WILL CHANGE AT THE TOP AND WE KNOW THAT INCOMING ADMINISTRATIONS HAVE ALREADY SAID WE ARE SHUTTING DOWN FOR TWO WEEKS. WE HAVE HEARD THAT SONG AND DANCE BEFORE. BUT PREVIOUSLY I KNOW WE SAID IN A COUNCIL MEETING OF THE TRIGGER POINT FOR THIS LOCAL SHUTDOWN WOULD BE 1:45 PM. AS MAVERICK SAID IN TOP GUN, THE DATA IS AN ACCURATE. OBVIOUSLY BY THE MEDIA REPORTING WEARE IN THIS ZONE MD , THE OUTLINE COMMUNITIES ARE WHAT IS CAUSING IT TO BE ABOVE THE 15 THRESHOLD. 
          AND SO WHAT THAT MEANS IS MOM-AND-POP BUSINESSES IN ABILENE TEXAS THAT ARE SUFFERING FROM THESE OUTLINE COUNTIES THAT ARE MAKING US ABOVE THE 15 PERCENT. 
          AND THEY ARE SPECIFICALLY TARGETING CERTAIN TYPE BUSINESSES WITH THIS. THEY INTERVIEWED A RESTAURANT OWNER AND SAID WE CAN HARDLY MAKE IT AT 50 PERCENT. 
          AND THEY REVIEWED A COUPLE BAR OWNERS AND THE ONES SAID THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I AM NOT SHUTTING DOWN. 
          AND MINUS WILL TAKE ME TO JAIL FOR THE OTHER ONES THAT I HAVEN'T HEARD NOTHING OFFICIALLY.UT IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, ON THE WEST LOOP WITH COLD WINTER FREEWAY, THERE ARE FIVE MAJOR CHAINS AND THEY ALL HAVE NICE BIG BARS IN THEM, TVS AROUND. CAN SIT THERE AND HAVE NOT CHOSE, CHIPS, STATE, BURGER AND WHATEVER AND WATCH THE GAME. 
          HAVE A BEER, MARGARITA, MIXED DRINK. 
          AND IT IS ALL FINE.BUT IF YOU TRY TO GO DOWN A FEW BLOCKS FROM YOUR HOME TO THE MOM-AND-POP PLACE AND SIT ON SUNDAY AND WATCH THE GAME, HAVE A BEER OR A MARGARITA OR A MIXED DRINK, YOU WERE NOT A VERY NICE PERSON. 
          BECAUSE MOM-AND-POP PLACES, THEY HAVE TO BE SHUT DOWN. 
          THAT IS TOTALLY UNFAIR. IT'S KIND OF LIKE EVEN WHEN SHARE YOU FOR JUSTICE SAID IS PURE COMMUNISM. 
          TO TARGET ONE PARTICULAR SET OF BUSINESSES BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT AS IMPORTANT AS OTHERS IS NOT FAIR. 
          THEY STILL HAVEN'T COME THEY HAVE TO PAY. 
          THEY PAY DISTRIBUTORS. SOME PEOPLE SAY WE DON'T NEED THE BOARDS. THIS CITY AND STATE SURE LIKES THE SALES TAX EVERY MONTH WHEN THEY SEND IN FOR THEIR MIXED DRINK SALES AND EVERYTHING. I GUESS THAT IS ALL I NEED ON THE SUBJECT. I KNOW IT IS ONLY FOR A DEAL FROM THE FENCE TO KEEP YOUR FUNDING. 
          THAT IS ALL I HAVE.HANK YOU. >> WE ARE IN A PUBLIC MEETING AND EVERYONE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.O YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING IN REGARDS? 
          >> MAYOR, I DO. THIS ISN'T THE CITY OF ABILENE. 
          THESE ARE THE GOVERNORS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE ORDERS. NOT THE CITY OF ABILENE FORGET WE ARE FORCING THE GOVERNORS ORDERS BECAUSE THAT IS THE WAY THE RULE OF LAW WORKS. BUT I WANT TO BE CLEAR IT IS NOT THE CITY OF ABILENE ASKING BUSINESSES. 
          WE DON'T REGULATE ALCOHOL. TVC IS DOING THEIR JOB UNDER THE GOVERNORS EXECUTIVE ORDER. EVERYBODY IS TRYING TO DO IT IN A MATTER THAT DOESN'T PUT PEOPLES HANDS ON BACKWARDS. 
          IT'S A BALANCING ACT. THE GOVERNOR HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY. THE GOVERNOR SAID SOME ARE CONCERNED THROUGH THE GENERAL REPUBLIC WILL BE RECEIVING VACCINES FOR 3 TO 4 MONTHS. THAT'S JUST THE WAY THE SCHEDULE IS GOING OUT. GOVERNOR ABBOTT SAID ONLY HOSPITALIZATIONS WILL GO INTO INCREASING RESTRICTIONS. 
          A VACCINE WILL BE ABLE TO TREAT THOSE MOST LIKELY WHO NEED A HOSPITAL BED. WE WILL SEE SOME VERY SIGNIFICANT RESULTS FROM THIS. THE CURRENT PHASE 1 VACCINATION POPULATION OR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND THOSE IN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES WHO MAY NOT BE THE HIGHEST RATE OF INFECTIONS. BUT ABSOLUTELY THE POPULATION THAT ENDS UP IN THE HOSPITAL WITH GREATER COMPLICATIONS. 
          GOVERNOR ABBOTT IS ATTRIBUTED TO SAINT NO GOVERNMENT LEADER 
          [00:10:02]
ANYWHERE HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT THE SPREAD. 
          CALIFORNIA HAD SHUTDOWNS IN THE SPREAD INCREASED. 
          GOVERNOR ABBOTT COMMITTED TO KNOWMORE SHUTDOWNS. 
          EVERY ADULT KNOWS WHAT COVID IS AND HOW TO PROTECT THEMSELVES . 
          HE THINKS THE CAPITALSHOULD BE OPEN , BE REOPENED AND IT WILL BE REOPENED. HE BELIEVES THERE WILL BE WIDESPREAD DISTRIBUTION OF THE VACCINE TO THE PUBLIC AND IN TURN INCLUDES VULNERABLE POPULATIONS RECEIVING VACCINES SOON. THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN THE NEWS KNOW THE FDA MET TODAY THE COMMITTEE THAT REVIEWS THESE THINGS HAS GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT TO THE VACCINE. 
          WE THINK THAT WILL BE FURTHER DISCUSSED TOMORROW. 
          GOVERNOR ABBOTT SAID HE DID HAS NOT RECEIVED A VACCINE YET BUT WILL TAKE IT AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME. 
          HE WANTED TO ENSURE HEALTHCARE WORKERS RECEIVE VACCINE FIRST, WHICH IS THE CASE FOR ALL THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN THE CITY OF ABILENE. NONE OF US HAVE RECEIVEDTHE VACCINE, TO MY KNOWLEDGE. NONE OF US ARE ON THE LIST OF PHASE 1 . WE DO HAVE PUBLIC HEALTH EMPLOYEES. THERE ARE SIX OF THEM THAT ARE FRONTLINE WORKERS THAT ARE TESTING COVID POSITIVE PATIENT . IT IS PART OF THEIR JOB DUTIES. 
          THEY WILL RECEIVE THE VACCINE BUT THOSE ARE THE ONLY EMPLOYEES AM AWARE OF THAT WILL RECEIVE THE VACCINE IN PHASE 1. 
          DOES COUNSEL HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? 
          >> THE VACCINE IS IN OUR CITY. IT BEGINS TOMORROW 7:00 A.M. 
          FIRST SHOTS IN OUR COMMUNITY. A LITTLE LESS THAN 3000 DOSES WERE DELIVERED. THE PFIZER VACCINE, WHICH MEANS APPROXIMATELY 3000 TARGETED. EMPLOYEES. 
          THEY WILL GET THE FIRST SHOT STARTING TOMORROW IN ABOUT THREE WEEKS FROM TOMORROWTHEY RECEIVED A SECOND BOOSTER. 
          DON'T HAVE ANY INDICATION NOW . OR TIMEFRAME WHEN THE DOSES WILL BE IN OUR COMMUNITY, BUT WE WILL MAKE IT AVAILABLE WHEN WE IDENTIFY THAT TARGET DATE. WE DO ANTICIPATE MOST OF OUR CITIZENS BY MID MARCH HAVING BEEN VACCINATED. 
          AND HOPEFULLY IN THE SUMMER ALL OF THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO BE INOCULATED. I APPRECIATE ROBERT HANNA AND OTHERS ON THE PHONE CALL WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION AND HOSPITAL. ON TUESDAY, I BELIEVE IT WAS, WE TALKED ABOUT ALL THE LOGISTICS OF WORKING WITH THE WALGREENS AND CVS AND OTHERS. SO THOSE PLANS ARE INPLACE RIGHT NOW . AS WE GET FURTHER CLARITY WITH RESPECT TO THEVACCINE, WE CAN PROVIDE MORE DETAIL . 
          WE ARE STILL IN A PUBLIC HEARING FOR IN WE ARE ON ITEM NUMBER FOUR. DOES ANYBODY ELSE IN THE PUBLIC WANT TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? SEEING NO ONE I WILL CLOSE A PUBLIC HEARING. 
          DOES COUNSEL HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR 
          COMMENTS ON THIS AGENDA ITEM? >> I DO. 
          YOU DID MAKE COMMENTS THAT WE ARE FOLLOWING GOVERNORS ORDERS AND IT IS REALLY OUT OF OUR HANDS, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE HAVE TO BE HAPPY WITH IT. FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO SAY I'M NOT SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE COUNCIL. 
          I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF OF WELDON HURT IN EVERY LEGAL BUSINESS IS ESSENTIAL. IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN ESSENTIAL. 
          EVERY BUSINESS IS ESSENTIAL. AND THANK YOU FOR MENTIONING CALIFORNIA. I MENTIONED THOSE DATES A WHILE BACK.ICHIGAN, CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK. 
          THEY SHUT DOWN WORSE THAN ANY OTHER STATES AND THEIR NUMBERS INCREASED. THEY CONTINUE TO INCREASE. 
          SHUTDOWNS DO NOT WORK EXCEPT TO KILL AN ECONOMY. 
          EVEN RECENTLY WE HAD THE ROLLBACK WITH THE GOVERNOR. 
          THIS IS THE HAPPIEST I HAVE BEEN WITH HIM ON WHAT HE SAID. 
          WAS STILL SHUT BUSINESSES DOWN IN ABILENE TEXAS. 
          I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT A. EVERY BUSINESSIS ESSENTIAL. 
          WE DO HAVE THE DUTY AS ADULTS AND CITIZENS TO TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES . IT'S LIKE YOU SAID, WE KNOW WHAT COVID IS, WE KNOW WHAT TO DO TO PROTECT OURSELVES AND TAKING ADVANTAGE OF US FEW SMALL MOM-AND-POP BUSINESSES TO LAY THE BLAME ON SOMEONE, WE HAVE TO BLAME SOMEONE SO WE TAKE BARS. WE KNOW THAT 12 PERCENT OF THE SPREAD IS FROM OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT PERCENTAGES WOULD ONLY 12 PERCENT IS FROM GATHERING SPIRIT THAT INCLUDES BARS AND THAT IS PROBABLY LESS THAN TWO PERCENT. 
          BUT WE HAVE TO BLAME IT ON SOMEONE. 
          I'M DONE. >>ANTHONY WILLIAMS : ANYMORE FROM THE COUNCIL? AGAIN, THIS COMMUNITY IS DOING WELL. I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO WEAR A MASK. TO ABIDE BY CDC GUIDELINES. 
          LET'S FINISH STRONG. MY CONDOLENCES GO OUT TO THE 167 INDIVIDUALS, OR NEIGHBORS WHO HAVE PASSED IN THE LAST 
          [00:15:01]
NINE MONTHS, AND THEIR FAMILIES. 
          SOME OF WHICH WE KNOW. ON YOUR COUNSEL, FIVE OF US HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY COVID-19. AND SO WE WANT TO FINISH STRONG. WE WANT TO TURN THE PAGE AND I WILL BE SO HAPPY WHEN WE ARE IN 2021. 
          AND WITH THAT, I WILL TAKE EIGHT MOTION. 
          >> SO MOVE. >>ANTHONY WILLIAMS : MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER PRICE IT WOULD SECOND BITE COUNCIL MEMBER RENTZ. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? 
          READY TO VOTE. >> MERIT. 
          [19. Ordinance (Final Reading): Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Approving an Ordinance Establishing the 2021 Standards of Care (Lesli Andrews)]
          >> YES. >> DEPUTY MAYOR. 
          >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER ALBUS. 
          >> YES BUT COUNCILMEMBER HURT. > NO. 
          >> COUNCIL MEMBER MCALLISTER. >> YES. 
          >> COUNCILMEMBER CRAVER. >> YES. 
          >> MAYOR WILLIAMS. >> YES. 
          >>ANTHONY WILLIAMS : WE NOW MOVE TO 19. 
          LESLIE ANDREWS PRESENTS THIS ITEM. 
          >> GOOD EVENING COUNSEL BOARD LESLI ANDREWS, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICES. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME THIS EVENING. WE ARE HERE FOR OUR ANNUAL REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE STANDARDS OF CARE FOR THE STANDARDS OF CARE IS WHAT GOVERNS THE RECREATION PROGRAM DURING THE SUMMER, WINTER BREAK, SPRING BREAK AND AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR AGES 6 TO 13-YEAR-OLDS FOR THE STANDARD OF CARE IS PROVIDED TO ALL PARENTS AS A HARD COPY AS WELL AS WE KEEP IT ON OUR WEBSITE IN CASE ANYBODY HAS ANY QUESTIONS. THIS IS THE MINIMUM STANDARDS OF CARE. WE DO GO WAY ABOVE AND BEYOND THIS. THIS IS WHAT WE ARE GOVERNED BY. SOME OF THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FIRST-AID KITS FOR ALL FULL-TIME STAFF DO HAVE TO HAVE CPR AND FIRST AID TRAINING. 
          CURRENT FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, POSTING EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION, INFORMATION ON THE STUDENTS AND THE ABILITY TO REACH PARENTS IN EMERGENCIES. THE DEFINITION OF EVERYONE WORKING IN OUR CENTER, AS WELL AS ONE OF THE KEYS IS THE OUTLINE OF A 20/1 RATIO SO WE HAVE ONE STAFF PERSON FOR EVERY 20 CHILDREN IN OUR PROGRAM. AND IT ALSO GOVERNS THE FACILITIES OF. WE DO PERFORM REGULAR INSPECTIONS. THERE IS REGULAR INSPECTIONS INTERNALLY BY COORDINATORS AND THE RECREATION DIVISION MANAGER. THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS AN ANNUAL PINSPECTION, THE FIRE DEPARTMEN IS AN ANNUAL INSPECTION WE ALSO BRING SOMEBODY IN FROM OUTSIDE THE DOZEN ANNUAL INSPECTION. THIS YEAR ON NOVEMBER 6 CARL WHITE, THE PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR CAME AND DID OUR INSPECTION. THIS DID PASS THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD ON NOVEMBER 17. 
          THE FIRST READING FOR CITY COUNCIL WAS DECEMBER 3. 
          AND TODAY IS THE PUBLIC AND FINAL HEARING BEFORE CITY COUNCIL. AND I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY 
          QUESTION. >>ANTHONY WILLIAMS : THANK YOU. 
          DOES COUNSEL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF LESLIE PRIOR TOTHE PUBLIC HEARING? AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING FROM YOU AND IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM. 
          IF SO, PLEASE GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. 
          SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE A PUBLIC HEARING. 
          COUNSEL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?IF NOT I WILL TAKE A MOTION TO 
          SECOND.> SO MOVED. >> MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MCALSTER  AND SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER ALBUS. 
          ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? >> COUNCILMEMBER MCALLISTER. 
          >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER CRAVER. 
          >> YES. >> MAYOR PRO TEM. 
          >>. >> DEPUTY MAYOR.> YES. 
          [20. Ordinance (Final Reading): Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Cuts (Mike Rains)]
          >> COUNCIL MEMBER ALBUS. >> YES. 
          >> COUNCILMEMBER HURT.> YES. >> AND MAYOR WILLIAMS.> YES. 
          >> WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM 20. I WILL ASK ROBERT TO PRESENT THIS ITEM. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME WE HAVE PRESENTED THIS FOR THE PUBLIC IN WORKSHOP FORM. 
          I ANTICIPATE TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE US INPU . THESE WERE A SET OF RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER . 
          AT THE END OF THE DAY, THIS COUNSEL TONIGHT IS GOING TO MAKE A DECISION FOR MOST OF THOSE THROUGH THERE MAY BE SOME THINGS WENEED FURTHER INPUT . BUT WE WELCOME YOUR OPPORTUNITY. COUNSEL WILL FOLLOW AND WE WILL OPEN IT UP FOR A PUBLIC HEARING. 
          >> THANK YOU MARY. SO WE HAVE SOME NEW PEOPLE AT THE TABLE. I WANT TO RUN THROUGH WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WHY WE ARE HERE. YOU RECALL THE INTERNET TAX 1988 PROHIBITS STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT FROM TAXING INTERNET ACCESS THERE YOU CAN CHARGE SALES TAX ANYMORE. 
          WAS GOVERNMENT ALREADY TAXED. >> EXCUSE ME, ROBERT, COULD YOU 
          SPEAKLOUDER, PLEASE . >> I WILL TRY TO GET CLOSER TO THE MICROPHONE. THOSE GOVERNMENTS ALREADY 
          [00:20:08]
TAXING INTERNET ACCESS FOR THREE MORATORIUM. 
          THE MORATORIUM ON TAXATION WAS EXTENDED EIGHT DIFFERENT TIMES WAS MADE PERMANENT BYTHE TRADE FACILITATION TRADE ENFORCEMENT ACT . 2015. 
          THE GRANDFATHER CLAUSE INTERNET ACCESS AND TAXATION EXPIRED JUNE 30 AT 2020 BEING JULY 1 WORK 2020 SALES TAX NO LONGER APPLIED IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. AND THE COMPTROLLER ISSUED SOME ITEMS ON THAT THAT CAUGHT MANY CITIES UNAWARE. 
          IT IS ANTICIPATED WE WILL SEE A FOUR PERCENT DECLINE IN SALES TAX DUE TO THE INTERNET ACCESS TAXATION MORATORIUM EXPIRING. 
          IN ADDITION THERE SOME COVID-19 CONCERNS AS WELL. 
          IN TOTAL WE ANTICIPATE $2 MILLION IN LOCAL SALES TAX. 
          I WILL SAY THIS LAST PAYMENT WAS UP LESS THAN ONE PERCENT BUT IT WAS POSITIVE. HOWEVER, THAT INCLUDED LARGER PAYMENT FROM A PARTICULAR BUSINESS CATEGORY LIKELY A ONE TIME PAYMENT. AND IF THAT IS NOT COMMON WE WOULD BE SIX PERCENT DOWN FOOD RETAIL SALES ARE NOT KEEPING U . UTILITY SALES ARE ALSO NOT KEEPING UP AND SO WANT TO MAKE SURE COUNSEL REALIZES THIS IS A REAL DEAL AND IT IS NOT JUST A CITY MANAGER BEING CONSERVATIVE.HERE'S A REAL REVENUE SHORTFALL WE ARE FACING. DOES HAVE A MILLION-DOLLAR CONVENTION CENTER IN COURT FINDS 150 TOTAL OCCUPANCY IS 150 AND LOSS PROGRAM REVENUE ASSOCIATED IS $330,000 YOU WOULD NEED TO OFFSET AS WELL. THE TOTAL BUDGET DEFICIT 3.1 $3 MILLION. WHAT I HAVE DONE HERE TODAY IS TRY TO IDENTIFY WITH A GREEN LIGHT THE PROGRAMS WILL CONTINUE, HAVE ALREADY BEEN IDENTIFIED THAT CAN CONTINUE IN THOSE CONVERSATIONS HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED. 
          WITH EITHER NONPROFIT AGENCIES OR OTHER EXISTING AGENCIES THROUGH SOME WAY. THE FIRST BEING A 211 CALL FOR HELP. 211 CALL FOR HELP, WE HAVE HISTORICALLY WORKED WITH THE UNITED WAY OF ABILENE. 
          UNITED WAY COULD AGREE TO CONTINUE 211 CALL FOR HELP READ WE WILL CALL BACK SOME BUT NOT ALL THE CONTRIBUTION GRANTS TO THE CITY IN ORDER TO PAY FOR THAT. 
          IN EXCHANGE THE CITY WOULD CONTRIBUTE $40,000 ANNUALLY. 
          211 WOULD CONTINUE UNDER UNITED WAYS ADMINISTRATION AND LEADERSHIP. UNITED WAY WOULD ALSO FROM THE CITY OF ABILENE $50,000 FOR THE MERCY CLINIC, WHICHIS THE CURRENTLY FUNDUS FOR THE MERCY CLINIC. 
          IT IS A WIN/WIN FOR UNITED WAY IN THE CITY. 
          I'M PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO SEE 211 CONTINUES . 
          FOR THE TAXPAYER. ADAPTIVE RECREATION. 
          THE PROGRAM HAS NOT BEEN OPERATIONAL SINCE MARCH WHEN THE CITY SHATTERED SEVERAL PROGRAMS IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19. AS SUCH NO REVENUE IS PLANNED TO BE RECEIVED FISCAL YEAR 21 CREATING A POTENTIAL DEFICIT OF $329,900. THIS IS A NEEDED PROGRAM. 
          AT NO TIME HAVE I SAID IT WAS NOT. 
          I HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS IN MY LIFE THAT WOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS PROGRAM IF THEY LIVED IN ABILENE TEXAS. 
          I VISITED IT, I UNDERSTAND THE NEED AND I KNOW THE VALUE IT PROVIDES. BECAUSE OF THAT, WE HAVE WORKED VERY HARD TO TRY TO FIND A NONPROFIT ENTITY THAT CAN TAKE OVER ADAPTIVE REC SERVICES. I CANNOT STAND HERE TODAY UNTIL HE WE HAVE NEGOTIATED AND FOUND A PARTNER THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO DO THIS MOVING FORWARD. WE HAVE BEGUN CONVERSATIONS IN EARNEST AT THE HARDWICK CENTER. THE INTENT BEING TO TAKE OVER ADAPTIVE RECREATION, PROVIDE THE SAME LEVEL OF SERVICE THE CITY IS OR A SIMILAR LEVEL OF SERVICE THE CITY IS. 
          I DON'T KNOW WHERE THIS WILL END UP. 
          WE ARE STILL IN EARLY DISCUSSIONS. 
          BUT THE DISCUSSIONS WE HAVE HAD HAVE BEEN VERY POSITIVE THERE'S A MUTUAL INTEREST ON THE CITIES PART TO CONTINUE THE DISCUSSIONS. THIS WOULD RESULT IN THE CONTINUATION OF REC SERVICES WHILE REDUCING THE CITIES ANNUAL EXPENDITURE, SIMILAR TO WHAT WE HAVE ARRANGED WITH UNITED WAY AND 211 CALL FOR HELP. 
          THE CITY FUNDS PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $269,240 ANNUALLY THAT ORIGINALLY THIS WAS PLANNED TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT, PROGRAM REVENUE FOR PEOPLE PAYING FOR DENTAL CARE WILL COVER THE COST OF THIS. WE ENDED UP SUBSIDIZING THE PROGRAM BY $407,000 SINCE FISCAL YEAR 2018. 
          IT IS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO COVER ITS OWN COST OF SERVICE. 
          THE CLINIC SEASON AVERAGE OF 2.47 PATIENTS PER DAY,MANY OF WHICH ARE COUNTY INMATES . I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND A THIRD-PARTY PROVIDER FOR THAT SERVICE. 
          WHICH IS WHY IT HAS A RED LIGHT AND I DO NOT ANTICIPATE BEING 
          [00:25:01]
ABLE TO PROVIDE ONE. SENIOR TRANSPORTATION, THE SENIOR OF ABILENE FUNDS A SENIOR TRANSPORTATION FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $118,000 ANNUALLY IN THE PROGRAM HAS NOT BEEN OPERATIONAL SINCE MARCH WHEN THIS CITY SHATTERED SEVERAL PROGRAMS IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19. 
          CITY LINK IS ABLE TO CONTINUE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES WITH THE CURRENT SERVICE PORTFOLIO AND CITY LINK STAFF TO SPATE TXDOT 53 GRANT PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY TO OFFSET ANY INCREASED SERVICE COSTS. EVEN IF THE GRANT FUNDING FELL THROUGH, THE COST TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES ROUGHLY HALF OF WHAT IT WAS COSTING US THROUGH THE PARKS DEPARTMENT. 
          I ABSOLUTELY RECOMMEND WE CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS REDUCTION SERVICE. ONE OF THE DISCUSSION POINTS BROUGHT UP BY COUNCILMEMBERS AT THE LAST MEETING WERE STAFF SALARY REDUCTIONS FOR GOING STAFF SALARY ADJUSTMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 21.THE MEETING CONFIRMED AGREEMENTS WE HAVE WITH THE FIRE AND POLICE ASSOCIATIONS OBLIGATED FUNDING SALARY INCREASE FOR THIS YEAR. IN ADDITION, COUNCIL APPROVED A TWO PERCENT COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT FOR NON-CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES IN THE ADOPTED BUDGET. 
          AS PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS, AND WENT TO EACH OF THE ASSOCIATIONS AND DEVOTED AN APPROVED DELAY THE SALARY INCREASE UNTIL APRIL 2021 WITH THE POTENTIAL OF BEING DONE SOONER IF FUNDING WAS AVAILABLE. 
          CLEARLY THAT FUNDING IS NOT AVAILABLE. 
          BUT THEY DID SO BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTOOD THE NEED WITH COVID-19. ANY ADDITIONAL DELAY WOULD REQUIRE ASSOCIATION APPROVAL FOR DELAYING SALARY ADJUSTMENTS FOR EMPLOYEES WOULD INCLUDE CIVIL SERVICE AND NON-CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES. TO LAST QUARTER OF THE FISCAL YEAR, THAT WOULD BE JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER MONTHS WOULD SAVE THE GENERAL FUND $382,000 ANDFORGOING THE INCREASE ALTOGETHER WOULD SAVE THE GENERAL FUND $765,000 . 
          I HAVE BOTH ASSOCIATION PRESIDENTS TODAY IN PREPARATION FOR THIS PRESENTATION. NEITHER THE CITY MANAGER OR THE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENTS BELIEVE THE ASSOCIATIONS WOULD APPROVE AN ADDITIONAL DELAY IN THE OBLIGATED ADJUSTMENTS. 
          REVENUE ENHANCEMENTS. THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO THE EQUATION TO THE EXPENDITURE SIDE AND REVENUE SIDE. 
          WE HAVE A NUMBER OF REVENUES WE CAN REALLOCATE. 
          YOU RECALL WE ADOPTED BUDGET WITH THE SURPLUS IN LARGE PART BECAUSE WE KNEW COVID WAS GOING TO HAPPEN WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW IT WOULD IMPACT US. WE WANTED TO HAVE SOME POWDER IN THE STORES. I WOULD LIKE TO REALLOCATE THE REVENUES ACCORDINGLY, CONVENTION CENTER, ONE-TIME PROPERTY TAX MONEY THAT WE HAVE SET ASIDE FOR IMPROVEMENTS. 
          AND WE HAVE ALSO BEEN ABLE TO LIST THE 9-1-1 BOARD INCREASE THEIR SUPPORT FOR ABILENE DISPATCH SERVICES AND SO THAT WOULD GO TO CONTINUE TO OFFSET OUR DISPATCH. 
          ALSO RECOMMENDING CREATION OF TWO NEW USER FEES AND ONE WE TALKED ABOUT IS A 250 CHARGE FOR SENIORS WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT THE $20 PER SEASON FACILITY USE CHARGE FOR OUR SPORT LEAGUES. ADULT AND YOUTH. 
          IN ADDITION, WAS ESTIMATED TO PROVIDE A NUMBER AROUND TWO DOLLARS WITHOUT NO CHANGE INVOLVED. 
          JUST FROM AND EASE OF ADMINISTRATION STANDPOINT THERE THAT WOULD GENERATE $200,000 . $200,080 IF YOU SUBTRACT A $65,080 IN CURRENT DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR THE MEAL PROGRAM, EVEN NET GAIN OF $135,720 AND THIS IS THE $2200 LESS THAN THE 250 CHARGE IF COUNSEL WANTED TO GO IN THAT DIRECTION, THE $50,000 CAN COME FROM NIP ON A ONE-TIME BASIS. 
          WE COULD DELAY OR FORGO THE HIRING OF ANOTHER VACANT POSITION. I CAN FIND A MATE WAY TO MAKE THAT UP IF THAT IS COUNCILS DESIRE OR PLEASURE.SO IN GENERAL AS IT STANDS NOW BASED OFF THE CITY MANAGERS RECOMMENDATION, THE 1.6 OF AN MILLION DOLLARS IN REVENUES OR REALLOCATION OF REVENUES CREATED WOULD ALSO, THIS IS THE UNFILLED VACANCY PARK AT $867,000 OF CURRENT POSITIONS THAT ARE NEEDED. BUT I RATHER NOT FILL THEM THEN CUT PROGRAMS FURTHER OR LAY EXISTING EMPLOYEES OFF. 
          THEFISCAL YEAR . 
          IN TOTAL WE HAVE RECOMMENDED CUTS OF 1.4 B,5 MILLION REVENUE ENHANCEMENTS 1.6 7 MILLION AND TOTAL GENERAL FUND IMPACT OF 3.13 5 MILLION, WHICH IS OUR TARGET. 
          A LITTLE BIT MORE IN OUR TARGET NUMBER. 
          THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION AND AM HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY 
          QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE. >> TALK ABOUT THE ÃI WANT TO 
          [00:30:01]
SAY THAT 76 PERCENT OF GENERAL FUND IS PERSONNEL. 
          IS THAT ACCURATE? >> THE VAST MAJORITY OF WHAT WE SPEND. THREE QUARTERS OR MORE IS 
          PERSONNEL. >> IN REGARDS TO LOOKING HOW TO IDENTIFY WHERE TO FIND THE MONEY, THREE QUARTERS OF GENERAL FUND IS GOING TO BE PEOPLE.ALK ABOUT LMI AND WHAT IT IS AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. 
          WE RECEIVED A PUBLIC RESPONSE FROM CITIZENS IN REGARDS TO WHAT DO WE DO TO HELP THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO ARE LOW AND 
          MODERATE INCOME? >> LMI IS A LOW TO MODERATE INCOME GROUP. YOU CAN FIND PEOPLE WHO QUALIFY AS IN LMI CATEGORY ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY. 
          THEY ARE NOT NECESSARILY REGULATED TO CERTAIN ZIP CODES. 
          THEY LIVE IN ALL PARTS OF TOWN POINT HOWEVER, THE CENSUS OF THE HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT DOES SAY NEIGHBORHOOD A OR NEIGHBORHOOD B OR NEIGHBORHOOD SEE IS IN LMI NEIGHBORHOOD AND MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR BLOCK GRANT FUNDING. TO BROADEN THAT TERM, IN A MEMO I SENT TO COUNSEL NOVEMBER1 , I USED TWO CONCEPTS TO DEFINE THE COMMUNITY AND BROKE IT INTO TWO CATEGORIES. 
          ONE WOULD BE THE MARGINALLY POOR BUT MARGINAL REPORT IS AN ECONOMIC TERM BEST DEFINED AS THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO OF EMPLOYMENT THAT PLACES HIM ABOVE THE POVERTY LEVEL, WHICH IS FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR IS $26,000.UT THE EMPLOYMENT IS STABLE. THEY DON'T KNOW IF THEY WILL HAVE A JOB A WEEK FROM NOW, BUT THEY DO THAT DAY. 
          AND IN THE WORKING POOR IS A TERM BEST DEFINED AS THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO SPENT 27 WEEKS IN THE LABOR FORCE, EITHER WORKING OR LOOKING FOR WORK, BUT WHOSE INCOME FALLS BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL. 
          WE HAVE A NUMBER OF PROGRAMS GEARED TOWARD SERVICES TO THE POOR DEFINED AS WORKING POOR OR MARGINALLY POOR. 
          WE ARE WITHIN THE CATEGORY, BUT A STATIC TWO CATEGORIES ARE MORE BROADLY APPRISED. WE SPEND THE HEALTHY TEXAS WOMAN PROGRAM, AFTER SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS, SUMMER PROGRAMS, SENIOR SERVICES AND I WENT AHEAD AND PULLED OUT SENIOR TRANSPORTATION FROM THAT NUMBE . 
          PARK SERVICES, RECREATION SERVICES WERE CITY LINK TO THE SUBSIDIES PROVIDE LOW TO MODERATE INCOME NEIGHBORS AND MEMBERS FOR THE STREET. AND ALSO NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES DIRECTLY. WE SPEND 12.$2 MILLION ANNUALLY ON SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WHO WOULD QUALIFY AS WORKING POOR OR MARGINALLY POOR. IN ADDITION, THE CITY FUNDS $10,000. WE FUND A CRIME VICTIMS CRISIS HUNDRED $51,000 IN THE MEDICAL MISSION $10,000 FOR THE CULTURAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL $50,000 WITH EXPO CENTER $35,000 ANDTHE AIC FIRE PROGRAM , WHICH IS AN EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAM TO HELP IDENTIFY ALL STUDENTS. 
          PARTICULARLY MINORITY AND PUT THEM ON A PATH OF FIREFIGHTER. 
          SO THAT IS AN ADDITIONAL $190,250 TO NONPROFITS. 
          >> AGAIN, SO WE ARE IN CLEAR IN REGARDS TO HOW TO PROCEED ON TONIGHT, THE COUNCIL IS GOING TO MAKE SOME COMMENTS. 
          WE WILL WEIGH IN. THEN AFTERWARDS WE WILL GO TO A PUBLIC HEARING AND YOU WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO PROVIDE SOME INPUT. THERE WILL BE A THREE MINUTE LIMIT IN REGARDS TO EACH PRESENTER. 
          AND SO I WILL BEGIN WITH THIS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION, MR. HANNAH. AND FOR YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS. 
          AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THESE ARE FROM THE CITY MANAGER. 
          BUT THIS COUNCIL WILL MAKE A DECISION ON HOW WE WILL PROCEED FURTHER. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THREE DIFFERENT THINGS AND PROVIDE CLARITY IN REGARDS TO ADAPTIVE RECREATION. IT IS NEEDED IN OUR COMMUNITY. 
          I AM NOT SUPPORTIVE OF NOT HAVING THE PROGRAM IN OUR COMMUNITY. IT SHOWS A DEFICIT THIS YEAR OF ABOUT $330,000. THERE IS NO PROGRAM REVENUE. 
          WHEN ACTIVE IN RECEIVING REVENUE VIA THE STATE TO PROVIDE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO DID HAS A DEFICIT AROUND $50,000 FOR IN THAT PROXIMITY. AND SO I AM NOT SUPPORTIVE OF GETTING RID OF , BUT I AM HIGHLY SUPPORTIVE OF LETTING SOMEONE ELSE PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES. 
          OUR CONVERSATION WE HAD LAST BUDGET CYCLE IS IDENTIFYING WHAT THINGS SHOULD WE DO AS A CITY AND WHAT THINGS SHOULD WE DO. I'M INTERESTED TO SEE HOW CONVERSATIONS CONTINUE WITH BETTY HARDWICK. 
          [00:35:01]
THERE HAS BEEN A LOSS OF SERVICE BECAUSE DURING COVID-19, A DECISION WAS MADE, A POLICY DECISION THAT BOTH RECEIVED AND SENIOR CITIZENS PROGRAM WILL GO TO DARK. 
          AND SO WE HAVE NOT PROVIDED THOSE SERVICES, PROGRAM REVENUE. AND WE DON'T ANTICIPATE EVEN IF WE WERE TOCONTINUE OUR SALES IN HOUSE THAT THE SPRING OR EARLY SUMMER WOULD BE VIABLE . NOT WANTING TO PUT THOSE VULNERABLE AT RISK. WE MAKE MORE COMMENTS ABOUT THAT. DENTAL PROGRAM 2.4 VISITS A WEEK. WE ADOPTED THAT INITIATIVE THREE YEARS AGO. WE ANTICIPATED IT BE IN A POSITIVE CASH FLOW OR AT THE VERY LEAST THING AND OFFSET THAT HAS OCCURRED. I CAN SPORT NOT HAVING TO DEAL WITH THE PROGRAM. APPRECIATE THE WORK THE 2113 MY UNDERSTANDING IS WE WILL MAKE A CONTRIBUTION OF $40,000 A YEAR TO MAINTAIN THAT. THAT WAS AN IN-HOUSE CITY PROGRAM YEARS AGO BACK IN 2004 THAT WAS A HANDOFF TO THE UNITED WAY THROUGH THE CITY AGREED TO SUNSET TO THAT YEARS AGO, BUT I AM SATISFIED AND SUPPORT THE $40,000. 
          IN REGARDS TO REVENUE, DON'T FEEL GOOD ABOUT CHARGING 250 A MEAL FOR THOSE SENIORS. AND THE SAME WAY WE SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL PROGRAM IN OUR COMMUNIT . 
          IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO SO WE DECIDED POLICY. 
          I THINK WE SHOULD MAINTAIN SERVICE FOR OUR SENIORS. 
          I DID ASK MR. HANNAH TO REDUCE SPEND IT ONE THING WE DISCUSSED AND TALKED ABOUT IS ONLY ALLOWING TRAVEL TO CITY EMPLOYEES NECESSARY FOR THEIR ACCREDITATION AND CERTIFICATIONS AND HE THINKS THAT COULD POSSIBLY BE A SIX-FIGURE NUMBER. ALTHOUGH ANYONE WOULD BE PINNED DOWN THE EXACT NUMBER BUT I THINK THAT IS THE PROXIMITY YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. IS THAT ACCURATE? 
          >> IT IS. I DIDN'T MENTION THIS AS PART OF MY PRESENTATION, BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE RECOGNIZE RECURRING REVENUE VERSUS NONRECURRING REVENUE THIRD IF THE INTENT WOULD BE TOO PERMANENTLY DEFUND CERTAIN ELEMENTS OF EMPLOYEE TRAINING AND TRAVEL, THAT CAN BE A RECURRING BUDGET CUT. I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND IT BECAUSE YOU NEED TO HAVE TRAINED EMPLOYEES AND THEIR SOME OF THESE TRAINING PROGRAMS THAT ARE ESSENTIAL. 
          WE HAVE TO SEND PEOPLE TO IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE TO DO THE JOB WE ARE GOING TO DO. BUT CERTAINLY FROM THAT ONE SITE OFFSET STANDPOINT WE CAN MAKE ANADJUSTMENT IF THAT IS 
          >> JUST SO I'M CLEAR, I AM AGREEABLE TO THAT FOR A ONE TIME PROVIDING ADDITIONAL CUSHION.I THINK OUR COLONY WILL REBOUND IT WILL BE MADE UP.BUT ADDRESSING ISSUES RIGHT NOW. IN REGARDS TO STAFF RAISES, THE LAST THREE CONSECUTIVE BUDGETS HAVE TRIED TO ADJUST CITY PAY. 
          AND THE TARGET IS TO LOOK AT OUR CITIES AND TO BE FOUR PERCENT ABOVE THE AVERAGE. AND SO THE GOAL WAS AND IS TO LOOK AT 10 COMPARISONS CITIES AND SEE WHAT THE AVERAGE IS AND TO BE FOUR PERCENT ABOVE THAT. WE INVESTED A LOT OF MONEY IN THE LAST THREE FISCAL YEARS TRYING TO ADJUST THAT. 
          I'M HESITANT ABOUT NOT GIVING RAISES BECAUSE WHAT WILL OCCUR IS WHAT HAS OCCURRED THE LAST THREE YEARS BUT WE WILL MAKE IT UP IN THE BUDGET DOWN THE ROAD. AND PARTICULARLY IF CIVIL SERVANTS ARE NOT WEIGHING IN. AND THEY HAVE RAISED AND OTHERS DON'T. THOSE ARE MY THOUGHTS. 
          I HAVE SAID ENOUGH. ANY COUNCILPERSON ONE WAY IN IN REGARDS TO YOUR OWN INPUT AND IDEAS PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC 
          HEARING? >> I AGREE WITH THE ADOPTED PROGRAM OBVIOUSLY IS A VERY EMOTIONAL TOPIC FOR A LOT OF FOLKS. I RECEIVED SOME INPUT IN ADDITION TO WHAT MR. HANNAH HAS PRESENTED AND I DO THINK THERE IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO FIND NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE WILLING TO HOPEFULLY STEP FORWARD. 
          ONE OF THE QUESTIONS I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU AND I THINK THE MAYOR MAY HAVE MENTIONED THE SPIRIT ADAPTIVE WRECK HAS BEEN STOCKED SINCE MARCH, CORRECT? AND ESTIMATE ÃIF WE WERE TO CONTINUE OR IF IT IS ALLOWED TO BE CONTINUED,WHEN DO YOU THINK IT MIGHT START UP AGAIN? 
          [00:40:02]
YOU MENTIONED INTO THE SUMMER PERHAPS. 
          DO WE HAVE ANY IDEA? >> I WOULD WANT TO SEE A LEVEL OF VACCINATIONS THAT CREATED A COMFORT LEVEL FOR ME AND MY HEALTH ADMINISTRATION . TO BRING A VULNERABLE POPULATION INTO A LARGE GROUP GATHERING SETTING. 
          WE COMPLEMENT WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO A REASONABLE JOB OF MAINTAINING YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY. 
          >> WHAT MAKES ME ÃI FEEL GOOD ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY OR THE FACT THAT WE HAVE SOME TIME. WE HAVE SOME TIME TO LOOK FOR OTHER OPTIONS IN THIS COMMUNITY HAS ALWAYS DONE. 
          WE KNOW THIS COMMUNITY HAS ALWAYS STEPPED UP TO HELP THOSE IN NEED AND THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY. 
          >> I DON'T FORESEE TO THAT POINT. 
          I DON'T SEE FOR THE ENTIRETY OF FISCAL YEAR 21 THE PROGRAM BEING OPERATED. IT WOULD BE UNTIL THE END OF SEPTEMBER 21 THROUGH TO YOUR POINT, YES, IT GIVES US AMPLE TIME TO FIND ADDITIONAL SERVICE PROVIDERS. 
          >> OKAY. THANK YOU. 
          >>ANTHONY WILLIAMS : ANYBODY ELSE ON COUNSEL? 
          >> I WILL MAKE A COMMENT. THE TWO DOLLAR FOOD PAYMENT FOR THE SENIORS WAS AT MY REQUEST TO MR. HANNAH. 
          GIVING CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE. 
          AS I WAS REFLECTING ON THAT WHEN I GO THROUGH THE DRIVE THROUGH, YOU ARE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO DROP A COIN VERSUSA BILL. AND JUST THE DELAY THAT ENCUMBERS . OR IF YOU DROP IT IN YOUR FLOORBOARD AND PICK UP A BILL A LOT EASIER THAN A COIN. 
          I THINK HAVING A ROUND NUMBER, TWO DOLLAR ROUND NUMBER, IF WE ARE GOING TO MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION WOULD BE MY PREFERENCE INSTEAD OF $2.50. ONE OF THE THINGS WE APPROVED AT OUR LAST BUDGET HEARING WHEN WE APPROVE THE BUDGET WITH ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR PARKS IT WAS A TOTAL OF 433,000. 
          TO DATE WE HAVE SPENT 39,240 OF THAT. 
          AND SO I WOULD LIKE US TO CONSIDER TAKING THE $50,000 DELTA FROM GOING FROM 250 DOWN TO TWO DOLLARS OUT OF THAT REMAINING MONEY. WE CAN STILL DO ADDITIONAL WORK IN THE PARKS. COVID PEOPLE UP AND STAYING HOMEWORK AND TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE PARKS . 
          I'M NOT INTERESTED IN TAKING AWAY ALL THAT FUNDING, WE CAN PULL SOME OF THAT OUT FOR THE ONE TIME AND LOOK AT REFUNDING 
          THAT WHEN WE ADDRESS THE BUDGET NEXT SUMMER.>>ANTHONY WILLIAMS : ANYBODY ELSE ON THE COUNCIL? 
          >>. 
          NONPROFIT YOU MAY OPEN UP THE AVENUE TO GETTAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS TO HELP SUPPLEMENT THE NONPROFIT . 
          I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WILL MAKE THE DONATIONS TO THE CITY OF ABILENE. DON'T KNOW IF YOU CANACCEPT IT AND GET A TAX WRITE OFF ON IT. NOTHING TO THE AUDIENCE, I WOULD HOPE LIKE MANY NONPROFITS , THAT'S HOW IT COULD END UP SUPPLEMENTING TO KEEP YOU GOING. 
          >> I AM WITH YOU, COUNCILMEMBER RENTZ. 
          PEOPLE GIVE TO A NONPROFIT THAT WOULD NEVER GIVE TO CITY GOVERNMENT. AND BETTY HARDWICK IS REALLY A GOOD PLACE. I HAVE SEEN THEM IN ACTION. 
          I LIKE YOUR COMMENT ABOUT THE PARKS. 
          I HAVE LOOKED ÃI HAVE EATEN AT EVERY ONE OF THE REC CENTERS. 
          THEY SERVE A DELICIOUS MEAL FOR YOU AND I THINK $2.50 ISN'T MUCH TO ASK. I DID CHECK WITH ONE NONPROFIT THAT MAKES MEALS AND THEY SAID THEIR FOOD COST IS BETWEEN THREE DOLLARS AND $3.50 AND THAT DOESN'T COUNT THE PREP WORK NEEDED TO PUT A MEAL ON THE TABLE. 
          SO I DON'T THINK THAT THAT IS UNREASONABLE. 
          >> I WILL FOLLOW UP ON THAT TOO. 
          ANOTHER THOUGHT I HAD WITH THAT. 
          THE FUNDING OF THAT. OR HAVING A PAYMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THE IS JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE AT A SENIOR AGE DOESN'T MEAN YOU ARE POOR. AND SO WE'VE TALKED ABOUT HAVING SOME TYPE OF ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE THAT NEED IT.AND SO NO ONE IS TURNED AWAY THAT NEEDS THE FOOD. 
          BUT HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET REVENUE FROM THOSE THAT CAN AFFORD IT WILL HELP KEEP THE PROGRAM GOING. 
          >> THAT IS CORRECT, SIR. MY INTENTWOULD BE MUCH LIKE THE SCHOLARSHIP OF SUMMER PROGRAMS FOR THOSE CHILDREN WHO MAY NOT ÃTHE COST EVEN THOUGH IT IS MINIMAL MAY BE A BARRIER . 
          WE WOULD DO THE SAME THING FOR SENIORS WHO NEEDED A MEAL. 
          I HAVE PUBLICLY STATED TWICE THAT IF A SENIOR NEEDS A MEAL 
          [00:45:02]
WE ARE NOT GOING TO TURN AWAY. E WILL FIND AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SURE THEY GET FED, IF THAT INDEED IS HER ONLY MEAL OF THE DAY. AND SOME OF THEM IT IS CERTAINLY IS. AND THEY RELY UPON THE COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF FREE TO GET THAT DONE FOR LIKEWISE WE GO FOR ANY OF THESE FEES, ANY OF THE SERVICES. 
          IF YOU HAVE A CHILD BARRED FROM ACCESS IN THE SPORTS BECAUSE OF INABILITY TO PAY, CERTAINLY THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS COULD ONE OF THE THINGS NOT REFLECTED, I WOULD BE REMISS TO FIGHT AND SAY, IS THE PARKS BOARD IS VERY CLEAR THEY SUPPORTED THESE NEW REVENUE INCREASES IN THIS PROGRAM REDUCTIONS.SPECIALLY IF WE CAN FIND A THIRD-PARTY PARTNER TO CONTINUE THEM. THAT IS FOR THEIR COMFORT LEVEL A. BUT WE NEED TO BE CHARGING MORE TO PEOPLE WHO DON'T LIVE IN ABILENE AND OUR PAIN ABILENE TEXAS TO SUPPORT OUR FACILITIES. AND SO HAVE A FEE OF $25 WITH A DISCOUNT FOR ABILENE RESIDENTS IS THERE SUGGESTED.WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS FULLY DISCUSSED BY COUNSEL AS WELL. 
          >> WHAT WE DO KNOW, FOR SOME SENIORS THAT MAY BE THEONLY MEAL THEY RECEIVED THAT DAY . TWO DOLLARS, IT IS WELL WORTH TWO DOLLARS. BUT IF YOU DON'T HAVE TWO DOLLARS. [INDISCERNIBLE] ANYMORE THOUGHTS FROM COUNSEL PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC HEARING? 
          >>DONNA ALBUS : I DO WANT TO SAY I'VE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL OF THE SENIORS THAT THEY DO MAKE DONATIONS AND THEY DIDN'T WANT EVERYBODY TO THINK THAT THEY WEREN'T PARTICIPATING HIM. 
          SO THEY DO MAKE A DONATION THOSE THAT WANT TO.>>ANTHONY WILLIAMS : AT THIS TIME I WOULD OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. 
          IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO, PLEASE SAY YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. WE DO HAVE SOME CARDS AND WHAT WE WILL DO IS WE WILL READ THE CARDS FIRST IN ORDER AND THEN EVERYONE WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CONVERSATION TONIGHT. AGAIN, THERE WILL BE A THREE MINUTE TIME LIMIT ON EVERYONE WHO SPEAKS TONIGHT. 
          COUNCIL MEMBER HURT? >>WELDON HURT: AM GOING TO READ THESE IN THE ORDER I GOT THEM. TO DAVID SCHWARTZ. 
          >> ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU COUNSEL. 
          PREVIOUSLY LAST TIME I MADE AN ERROR, BELIEVE IT OR NOT. 
          I FIGURED ON A 25 DAY MONTH, BUT TAKEN OFF FOR SUNDAY'S. 
          BUT THEN I REALIZED THE SENIOR MEALS ARE ONLY MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. SO IF YOU TAKE OFF FOR SATURDAY'S THAT MEANS EIGHT. SO ON A 31 DAY CALENDAR MONTH, THAT WOULD BE 23 DAYS AND THAT WOULD BE $57.50. 
          SO I WAS FIVE DOLLARS OVER ON MY CALCULATIONS.BUT THE SUGGESTION OF MAKING IT AN EVEN NUMBER WAS A GOOD THING. 
          BUT I THOUGHT UNTIL I KNOW WHAT IT IS. 
          I HAVE BEEN GOING SINCE FRIDAY THE 11TH OVER THERE. 
          AND SOME OF THE MEALS ARE REALLY GOOD. 
          AND SOME OF THEM ARE SIMILAR TO SCHOOL LUNCH TYPE MEAL. 
          BUT ALL IN ALL IT IS A PRETTY GOODDEAL FOR ME RIGHT NOW , THIS MONTH ESPECIALLY. I WOULD HAVE TO SAY SOMETHING LIKE THOMAS HIGHWAY SAID, I'M SO BROKE IF IT COST 1/4 TO GO AROUND THE WORLD I COULDN'T GET OUT OF SIGHT. 
          BUT ANYWAY, ALL IN ALL I ALWAYS TOLD HIM THANK YOU VERY MUCH WHEN I PICKED UP MY MEAL THE LAST FEW DAYS. 
          AND IT WAS THE ONLY THING I WAS ABLE TO EAT BECAUSE I AM IN A BUDGET SHORTFALL DEFINITELY THIS MONTH. 
          NOW TO SHIFT GEARS FROM THE SENIOR MEALS INTO THE CHART. 
          THE $2 MILLION SALES TAX. THAT WAS THE DEFICIT. 
          IT IS STILL SALES TAX WITH THE QUESTION I HAD TO MR. HANNAH, BUT HE LEFT TO GO GET A COFFEE. IS THAT THE FULL TWO PERCENT SALES TAX. WORDS THAT 1.5 PERCENT? THE REASON I AM GETTINGAT THIS , WE KNOW THE DCO A GETS .5 PERCENT. SO THE $2 MILLION ON THE CHART, IS THAT THE FULL TWO PERCENT OR IS IT THE ONE AND 1/2.F IT IS A FULL TWO PERCENT, THE DCO A ONE OF A BUDGET SHORTFALL OF HALF A MILLION. BUT IF THAT IS THE ONE .5, THE $2 MILLION SHOWN ON THE CHART JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO WOULD BE SOMETHING ÃI JUST WANT TO BRING THAT UP. BECAUSE THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT BUDGET SHORTFALLS AND CUTTING ANDEVERYTHING . 
          THE DCOA GETS HALF A CENT SALES TAX. 
          IN ESSENCE THE CITY GETS 1.5. OR ONE AND HALF PENNIES. 
          [00:50:10]
IN THE DCOA GETS HALF A PENNY. THAT IS ALL I HAVE ON THE SENIOR MEAL IN THE BUDGET. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. 
          >> THE $2 MILLION IS REFLECTIVE OF THE CITIES RECEIPTS FROM SALES TAX. IT DOESN'T INCLUDE THE LINE 
          NUMBER. >> HELLO. 
          I'M HERE TODAY WEARING TWO HATS, ACTUALLY. 
          HERE AS A UNITED WAY BOARD MEMBER AND 211 ADVISORY BOARD CHAIR. I JUST WANTED TO SAY WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF THE FUNDING THAT HAS BEEN AGREED UPON THAT WILL ENABLE US TO CONTINUE WITH THE CURRENT STAFFING AT THE 211 AGENCY. 
          THAT IS A VERY IMPORTANT SERVICE FOR OUR COMMUNITY. 
          AND WE ARE VERY PLEASED WITH THE AGREEMENT THAT HAD BEEN MADE. MUSCLE HERE IS A CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER FOR BETTY PARKINSON. 
          WE HAVE INTERVIEWS AND DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE ADAPTIVE RECREATION PROGRAM.E BELIEVE THE SERVICE OFFERED THERE IS VERY IMPORTANT. AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A MISSION TO SERVE MANY OF THE POPULATION MEMBERS WHO ATTEND THEIR. 
          WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A BIG FAN OF THE ADAPTIVE RECREATION. 
          WE'VE CONTRACTED WITH THE CITY IN THE PAST FOR OUR OWN CLIENTS WHO CHOSE TO ATTEND THEIR. AND SO WE ARE VERY INTERESTED IN EXPLORING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CENTER TO CONTINUE THAT SERVICE. WE HAVE BEGUN SOME DISCUSSIONS WITH THE SANDERS AND MR. HANNAH GATHERING INFORMATION WE WOULD NEED. MUCH LIKE THE CITY, THE CENTER OPERATES WITH THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES THAT IS NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO FULLY REVIEW THAT AND MAKE A DECISION ABOUT THAT. THEY WILL BEGIN TO DO THAT IN JANUARY.E ALSO OPERATE A PROGRAM THAT IS SIMILAR IN NATURE ON CYPRESS STREET. CYPRUS ACTIVITY CENTER. 
          IT IS SMALLER, BUT WE DO A LOT OF THE SAME SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND SPECIAL OLYMPICS TEAMS AND THE SORT OF THINGS THAT HAPPEN AT ADAPTIVE RECREATION. SOME OF THE CONSIDERATIONS WE ARE LOOKING AT OUR SPACE AND STAFFING AND SOME OF THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND THE CONTINUED ATTENDANCE OF THE MEMBERS WHO THINK ATTENDING AN ADAPTIVE RECREATION SO WE CAN FULLY EXPLORE HOW VIABLE THAT IS MOVING FORWARD. 
          WE ARE VERY OPTIMISTIC AND ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR PARTNERSHIPS THERE.AND WANTED TO OFFER THE SUPPORT FOR THAT IDEA TONIGHT SO THAT YOU WOULD KNOW THAT WE 
          ARE CONSIDERING IT. >> YOU SEEM VERY OPTIMISTIC. 
          WHAT IS VERY OPTIMISTIC?>> WELL, VERY OPTIMISTIC MEANS WE'VE LOOKED AT SOME OF THE DATA THAT THE CITY HAS TRACKED IN TERMS OF THE FOLKS WHO PARTICIPATE. 
          SOME OF THE POSSIBILITIES FOR RESOURCES THAT CAN HELP SUPPORT THE COST. AS YOU KNOW, THE SERVICE WE PROVIDE NEEDS TO BE OF A CERTAIN LEVEL OF QUALITY, WHICH MEANS AND NEEDS TO HAVE APPROPRIATE STAFFING FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY FOR THE FOLKS TO ATTEND AND THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US. SO THOSE ARE THE TYPES OF THINGS WE ARE EVALUATING. BUT IN LOOKING AT THE DATA PRELIMINARILY, IBELIEVE THAT THERE IS A VIABLE SOLUTION FOR THIS .AND SO WE ARE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT AND FEEL LIKE THERE IS A LOT OF POTENTIAL FOR SOME OF THE THINGS MENTIONED ABOUT COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND PERHAPS DONATIONS FROM OTHER SOURCES FOR PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THE POPULATION BEING ABLE TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS SERVICE CERTAINLY IS A POSITIVE FOR THE PLAN. 
          >>ANTHONY WILLIAMS : IN YOUR INITIAL ASSESSMENT, WHAT ARE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT OBSTACLES IN REGARDS TO YOU CONTINUING THE PROGRAM UNDER YOUR UMBRELLA? 
          >> ABOUT 1/3 OF THE POPULATION WHO ATTENDS ADAPTIVE RECREATION TODAY ARE MEMBERS OF THE POPULATION WHO ARE IN MEDICAID RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS. COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES . 
          THOSE FOLKS HAVE A REVENUE SOURCE THAT HELPS PAY FOR THE COST OF THEIR ATTENDING. MANY OF THE OTHER COMMUNITY RESIDENTS PAY A FEE THAT IS MUCH REDUCED. 
          AND SO HONESTLY THERE IS A CHALLENGE THERE AND MAKING THE NUMBERS WORK IN TERMS OF STAFFING. 
          BUT WE ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE POPULATION AND THE ABILITY TO READ WHAT WE NEED IN TERMS OF STAFFING. 
          WE HIRE SIMILAR STAFF. SO WE BELIEVE THERE IS A WAY TO MAKE THAT WORK. THE OTHER ISSUE, A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE FOR US RIGHT NOW IS OUR SPACE ON CYPRESS STREET IS SMALL. TOO SMALL FOR THE NUMBER OF FOLKS WE WOULD HAVE. THAT IS PART OF THE DISCUSSION WE ARE HAVING. WHERE COULD WE HOLD THIS PROGRAM MOVING FORWARD. AND SO WE HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THAT WITH THE CITY. AND THEN OF COURSE COVID-19. 
          AS YOU ALREADY KNOW, WE SPOKE ABOUT THE TIMELINE, THE POPULATION NEEDS TO HAVE VACCINATIONS PRIOR TO RETURNING.OME OF THOSE FOLKS ARE IN THE PRIORITY POPULATION UNDER LONG-TERM SERVICE SUPPORT AND WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET THAT 
          [00:55:02]
SOONER THAN THOSE OF US WHO LIVE IN FAMILY HOMES IN THE COMMUNITY. AND SO ALL OF THE FACTORS PLAY INTO THE TIMING OF BEING ABLE TO REOPEN FULLY. 
          >> I THINK THE COUNCIL WILL BE VERY SUPPORTIVE. 
          AFTER YOU AND MR. HANNAH AND YOUR BOARD AND YOUR TEAM LOOK AT THINGS. AND SO WE DON'T WANT ÃWE WANT TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THE OBSTACLES AND ELIMINATE THOSE. 
          THANK YOU. >> SUE DAVIDSON? 
          >> HELLO. I'M GOING TO READ WHAT I HAVE TO SAY.ON HERE AS AN ADVOCATE FOR ADAPTIVE RECREATION PROGRAM. AND SOMETHING THAT HASN'T BEEN BROUGHT UP, SOME YOU MAY NOT KNOW THAT PARTICIPANTS PAY A MONTHLY FEE. AND SEVERAL FACILITIES IN OUR TOWN HAVE CONTRACTS WITH THE DAILY DOCUMENTATION. 
          [INDISCERNIBLE] HOT MEALS WERE PAID FOR BY THE UNITED WAY. 
          OTHER RECREATION CENTERS PLAYED A BIG PART. 
          AND ALSO, YOU ARE SITTING ON IT. 
          THEY HAVE A DECREASE IN THE RISE BECAUSE OF IT. 
          IF TO TAKE THE CITY BUS TO AND FROM EVERY DAY. 
          THERE HAVE BEEN 100+ PARTICIPANTS, AGES 14 TO 80. 
          THAT COME TO HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE PLACE TO HAVE FUN, LEARN NEW THINGS, DEVELOP LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS, HAVE A HOT MEAL. 
          THEM TOLD IT MIGHT'VE BEEN THE ONLY HOT MEAL FOR SOME OF THEM. 
          PARTICIPATING IN SPECIAL OLYMPICS BECAUSE OF ADAPTIVE RECREATION. THEY HAD THE MOST FUN DANCES YOU HAVEEVER BEEN TO . FIELD TRIPS AT ONE POINT IN THE GYM EQUIPMENT AND ONE EVEN DID CERAMICS. 
          SPECIFIC TO THEIR NEEDS. MY SON IS 42 YEARS OLD. 
          IT STARTED WHEN HE WAS IN EIGHTH GRADE, WHICH IS 29 YEARS AGO. MANY TIMES THEY HAD TO SCRAMBLE THROUGH A BUILDING. FINALLY A BUILDING ON THEIROWN . [INDISCERNIBLE] THE BUILDING IS PERFECT TO ME. SEVERAL ROOMS FOR DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES. THEY GO OUTSIDE AND WALK AROUND THE PARK, ACROSS THE WAY. THEY CAN GO UTILIZE THE GYM. 
          I FEAR THIS WILL NOT BE THE CASE WITH A NONPROFIT. 
          AND NONPROFITS IN THIS TOWN HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR A LONG TIME. RIGHT NOW SOME OFTHEM ARE STRUGGLING . THIS CAN BE ANOTHER SOCIAL PROGRAM FIGHTING FOR DONATIONS AND GRANTS IF IT GOES TO A NONPROFIT. ANOTHER THING, YOU KNOW THE AISD. [INDISCERNIBLE] STARTING IN MIDDLE SCHOOL THE FIRST THING THEY TELL. 
          A PLACE WHERE THEIR KIDS CAN GO FOR SCHOOL. 
          ABILENE SHOULD BE PROUD TO HAVE A PROGRAM LIKE THIS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS. I'M NOT SURE ANY OTHER CITY IN THE STATE CAN BOAST ABOUT THIS. ANYWAY, I URGE YOU TO PROTECT THIS PROGRAM WHEN COVID GETS UNDER CONTROL. 
          TO THE PARENTS, SOMETIMES WE NEED IT. 
          BUT MORE THAN THAT, THEY NEED. [INDISCERNIBLE] A SAFE HAVEN FOR US TO GO. THERE'S NOT A DAY THAT GOES BY THAT MY SON DOESN'T SAY SOMETHING ABOUT WHAT HE REMEMBERS ABOUT IT OR WHAT HE HAS DONE THERE. 
          AND HE HASN'T BEEN GOING FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS. 
          [INDISCERNIBLE] >>ANTHONY WILLIAMS : THANK YOU 
          SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. 
          >> LEAH BELTRAN? >> GOOD EVENING COUNCIL. 
          AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF DISABILITY IN ACTION. 
          WE ARE A RESOURCE CENTER THAT SERVES PEOPLE WITH ALL KINDS OF DISABILITIES. BUT PRIOR TO THAT, I WORKED FOR 
          [01:00:01]
DNS RESIDENTIAL SERVICES HERE IN ABILENE. 
          I CAN'T BEGIN TO TELL YOU THE SOCIAL BENEFITS OF ADAPTIVE WRECK. COVID OR NO COVID, NO MATTER WHAT YOUR DISABILITY, ISOLATION IS A REAL THING. 
          IT IS A REAL THING FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. 
          I'M SO GLAD TO HEAR YOU ARE WORKING WITH BETTY HARDWICK. 
          DISABILITY IN ACTION WOULD LIKE TO BE A PARTNER IN SOME CAPACITY. WE WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT. AND I HOPE YOU WILL TAKE CONSIDERATION ABOUT MAINTAINING ALL THE ELEMENTS OF THAT PROGRAM BECAUSE IT IS JUST SO IMPORTANT. 
          AND THAT IS ALL I HAVE. >> YOU SAID BE A PARTNER. 
          WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? >> WE WOULD LIKE TO BE A SUPPORTIVE PARTNER IF WE CAN ADVOCATE.F WE CAN CONSULT. 
          WE DO HAVE A BUS WE COULD OFFER FOR TRANSPORTATION INTHAT USE . 
          IT PROBABLY WON'T BE FINANCIAL, BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY BE SUPPORTIVE IN OTHER WAYS. WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO DO THAT. 
          THAT IS OUR JOB. >> GOOD EVENING MY NAME IS JOLENE .I HAVE SEVERAL HATS. 
          I DO WORK AT DISABILITY IN ACTION, BUT I'M ALSO THE CHAIR OF OUR CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. 
          AND I AM A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY. 
          SO I AM NOT GOING TO KEEP YOU FOR THREE MINUTES. 
          EXCEPT TO SAY I AM VERY PROUD OF ABILENE. 
          I HAVE SENT SOME EMAILS AND I HAVE HAD SOME DISCUSSIONS. 
          AND TO BE ABLE TO SAY THIS IS IMPORTANT AND IT IS NOT JUST THE CITIZENS SAYING IT IS IMPORTANT. 
          IT IS THE LEADERSHIP OF ABILENE SAYING IT IS IMPORTANT, THAT IS HUGE. SO THAT'S ALL I REALLY WANT TO SAY. EXCEPT FOR KEEP MAKING THE PLAN B STRONGER THAN WHAT IT IS CURRENTLY. 
          THANK YOU. >> RUBY? 
          >> I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT. [INDISCERNIBLE].I REALLY APPRECIATE THE CITY. OF A DAUGHTER THAT IS 57 YEARS OLD. SHE IS BOTHPHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY DISABLED . [INDISCERNIBLE] IT IS HARD AT ME AT HOME. IT WAS HARD BEFORE COVID HIT. 
          [INDISCERNIBLE] TO SEE HER FRIENDS,TO SEE THE STAFF AND TO RIDE THE CITY BUS . THAT JUST MADE HER DAY. 
          NOW SHE'S BECOME KIND OF ISOLATED, WITHDRAWN. 
          IT IS REALLY HARD FOR HER. SHE HAS ANXIETY BECAUSE SHE IS HAVING A STAY HOME IT WHEN IT WAS SUMMER WE COULD GET OUT MORE. WE WOULD EVEN WALK TO READ BUT WE CAN'T DO THAT BECAUSE THE WEATHER IS SO COLD. 
          IT IS TOO COLD TO GET OUT AND WALK. 
          BUT I USED TO VOLUNTEER. I WOULD TAKE MEALS AND SNACKS TO PEOPLE WHO COULDN'TGET OUT . [INDISCERNIBLE] I CAN'T DO THAT NOW BECAUSE I HAVE TO STAY HOME AND TAKE CARE OF MY DAUGHTER. 
          WE GO TO CHURCH. THAT IS HER ONLY ACTIVITY. 
          [INDISCERNIBLE] LIKE YOU SAID, I APPRECIATE THE CITY ALL THESE YEARS. HAS BEEN A LIFESAVER FOR ME AND FOR HER. AND I'M NOT JUST ASKING, AND PLEADING TO HELP US TO GET INTO THIS PROGRAM FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR KIDS. THANK YOU. 
          [01:05:02]
          >>ANTHONY WILLIAMS : THANK YOU. >> SHANNON BRYANT. 
          >> I CAME TODAY BECAUSE I WANTED TO SPEAK FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO CAN'T BE HERE. THE SENIORS, THE VETS, THOSE WITH A LOWER SOCIOECONOMIC RANKS IN ABILENE. 
          I THOUGHT I KNEW I WAS GOING TO SAY UNTIL I HEARD COUNCILMEMBER HERDS PRESENTATION. YOU ARE MENTIONING ABOUT WANTING ALL CITIZENS TO BE WELL, ESPECIALLY DURING THIS TIME. AND ABOUT HOW THIS TOWN MILITARY AND THE MANY HOUSES OF WORSHIP OF ALL DIFFERENT DENOMINATIONS. IF WE CANNOT PROVIDE SENIORS WITH MEALS, MANY OF WHOM ARE VETERANS LIKE MY FATHER, CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT BRYANT. WE VISITED THE SENIOR CENTER BEFORE HE PASSED AWAY. WHAT KIND OF CITY ARE WE. 
          THE LEAST OF THESE, [INDISCERNIBLE] TWO DOLLARS MAY NOT BE A LOT. AND I GUARANTEE HAVING BEEN TO THE SENIOR CITIZEN CENTERS. EVEN MORE THAN WHAT IS ASKED. 
          THOSE THAT DON'T DON'T HAVE TO BE EMBARRASSED BY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF THEY CAN QUALIFY OR GET HELP. 
          AS FAR AS FOR SENIOR TRANSPORTATION, ADAPTIVE RECREATIONAL SERVICES, I UNDERSTAND THEY ARE ON PAUSE BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC . THAT IS A TEMPORARY THING. 
          THESE ARE IMPORTANT PROGRAMS FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS. I MEET TAXPAYER, AND THE PROPERTY OWNER. ALL THE THINGS MY TAXES GOES TO WOULD RATHER IT GO TO THIS. WE NEED TO BE DOING MORE FOR OUR VULNERABLE CITIZENS. WE TOUT THE MILITARY NEEDS SO MUCH AND YET THIS ACTION IS A SLAP IN THE FACE TOA LOT OF VETERANS .THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PREPARE THEM OR THEY MAY BE FOOD INSECURE. AS FAR AS FOR THE DIFFERENTLY ABLED, MANY OF WHOM ARE TAXPAYERS THEMSELVES. 
          AND MYSELF AND HARD OF HEARING. I WAS LEARNING SIGN LANGUAGE UNTIL ALL THE SINNERS WERE CLOSED DOWN AND I HAVE TO WAIT AND I'M SLOWLY GOING DEAF. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE CITY PROGRAMS. I UNDERSTAND IT COSTS MONEY, BUT THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT THE COST OUTWEIGHS WHAT IT GIVES TO THE CITIZENS OF THE COUNTY TO MAKE IT WORK EVERY 
          THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >>ANTHONY WILLIAMS : THANK YOU. 
          >> NEXT IS JERRY ÃIS IT HALLMAN? I'M SORRY. YOU JUST LET US KNOW YOUR LAST 
          NAME. >> JERRY HOLMAN. 
          I'M A RESIDENT OF ABILENE. I HAVE A 43-YEAR-OLD SON WHO HAS DOWN SYNDROME. HE IS DOING QUITE WELL AND I'M QUITE PROUD OF THE THINGS HE ACHIEVES.ND I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN. AM 85 YEARS OLD SO I QUALIFY AS A SENIOR CITIZEN FOR THAT PART TOO. 
          I WANT TO REITERATE THE INFORMATION DESCRIBED FOR ADAPTIVE RECREATION. I SENT EACH OF YOU AN EMAIL THIS WEEK DESCRIBING THE NEED. I HOPE YOU READ IT.I APOLOGIZE. [INDISCERNIBLE] THE NEWS MR. HANNA'S GRANT THE INDIVIDUALS THAT PARTICIPATED THE GRANT IN THE PAST TO FIND ALTERNATIVES. THEY HAD NO CHOICE.WAS CLOSED. BUT THERE IS ANYTHING ABOUT HOW SUCCESSFUL OR HOW HAPPY THEY WERE THEY JUST COULDN'T GO ANYMORE. SO ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE DURING THE PANDEMIC TO DO THAT. WE WERE EXPECTED PARK SANDRA COULD OPEN AGAIN. NOW THE GOALPOST HAS CHANGED. 
          IT IS NOT WHEN THE VIRUS IS OVER, IT IS WHEN THE BUDGET CAN AFFORD IT. AND SO WE CHANGED GOALPOST RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF WHAT IS GOING ON HERE. 
          I WILL PUT A PERSONAL WORD. ISOLATION HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT HERE. [INDISCERNIBLE] FOR THE 
          [01:10:07]
INTELLECTUALLY CHALLENGED TO MEET WITH THEIR PEERS. 
          EVERYONE OF YOU MEETS WITH YOUR PEERS IN SOME WAY. 
          HAVE A GOLF TEAM, IMMEDIATE CHURCH, YOU HAVEJOBS , USE CHOOSE WHO YOUR SOCIAL PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE ANY OF AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THEM AND DO THOSE THINGS. 
          THE INTELLECTUALLY CHALLENGED DON'T HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY EXCEPT THROUGH EVENTS THERE THAT'S THE ONLY PLACE THEY CAN GO FOR THEIR PEERS OR THEY CAN SIT DOWN AND HAVE A GOOD TIME, LEARN THINGS, DO THINGS. I WILL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE. 
          MY SON, WHEN WE LIVED IN SAN ANTONIO HE WORKED AT A DEPARTMENT STORE. HE WAS IN THE PACKING DEPARTMENT WHERE THEY UNLOADED STUFF. 
          HE AND A BUNCH OF OTHER GUYS. YOU LIKE TO THE WORK, HE COULD DO THE WORK, EVERYTHING WAS FINE. 
          EXCEPT HE HATED GOING TO WORK BECAUSE ALL THE OTHER GUYS AT LUNCH AND NOON TIME WITH SIT DOWN AND TALK ABOUT GIRLS AND CARS AN WHAT BARS THEY WERE GOING TO BE GOING TO AND ALL THE SOCIAL THINGS. AND HE WAS SOCIALLY ISOLATED IN A CROWD BECAUSE THERE WERE NO PEERS TO ASSOCIATE WITH. 
          IT DOES PROVIDE PEERS FOR THIS SORT OF THING. 
          I FOUND I DON'T REALLY KNOW HOW MUCH OF A 1.4 $6 MILLION BUDGET CUT IS ASSOCIATED WITH PARKS AND RECREATION. 
          I GOT SOME NUMBERS. AND DIDN'T HEAR ABOUT HOW MUCH EXPENSE WAS REDUCED BECAUSE OF THIS. 
          I HEARD SOMETHING LIKE 50 K. IF IT IS 50 K, THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO SOLVE $50,000 PROBLEM OTHER THAN PERMANENT SHUTTING DOWN. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY A REQUEST YOU VOTE AGAINST THE PERMANENT CLOSURE OF ADAPTIVE RECREATION. 
          WORK WITH SOMEBODY ELSETO DO THIS. 
          BUT IN THE MEANTIME OPEN IT UP AGAIN . 
          I REQUEST A CITY MANAGER TO EVALUATE THE OPTIONS ON THIS AND THAT REPRESENTATION ÃWE RECEIVED NO INDICATION FROM THE CITY THAT THERE WAS ANY INDICATION OF PARKS AND RECREATION. [INDISCERNIBLE] THERE WAS NO NOTIFICATION OF ANYONE I KNOW OR ME PERSONALLY FOR PERMANENT 
          CLOSURE. >>ANTHONY WILLIAMS : THANK YOU, 
          SIR. >> RANDY KAUFMAN? 
          >> GOOD EVENING. I'M A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER AND SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVOCATE FOR THE CITY OF ABILENE. 
          I TOO AM HERE TO TALK ABOUT ADAPTIVE RECREATION AND THE IMPORTANCE OF ADAPTIVE RECREATION. 
          FIRST I WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT RECREATION IS. 
          AND TO REITERATE WHAT THE GENTLEMAN BEFORE ME SPOKE ABOUT. AS ABLE-BODIED INDIVIDUALS, WE PARTICIPATE IN RECREATION IN MANY WAYS. 
          WE HAVE MANY OPTIONS. WE CAN GO RUNNING, WE CAN GO BE PART OF SPORTS TEAMS, WE CAN GO TO THE MILL, WE CAN GO TO THE WINERY, WE CAN GO TO THE GALS, THE LOCAL SOCCER STREET, STARBUCKS. DON'T NEED TO CONTINUE. 
          WE HAVE OPTIONS. PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS OPTIONS ARE VERY LIMITED. AS AN EDUCATOR, IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING TO SEE GRADUATE STUDENTS AND SPECIAL NEEDS AND SEE THEM BE VERY UNSUCCESSFUL AND OUR COMMUNITY. 
          WITH LIMITED OPTIONS, IT IS VERY CONCERNING THAT THE CITY WOULD CONTINUE ÃNOT THAT IT IS NOT IMPORTANT CONTINUE FOR SENIORS FOR LOW INCOME BUT THIS POPULATION ALSO HAS TO REMAIN. 
          THERE ARE NO OTHER OPTIONS. BETTY HARDWICK DOES A GREAT JOB. I'VE TALKED WITH FAMILIES TO GET ON THE LIST BUT IT TAKES YEARS TO GET A FOUR-YEAR-OLD OR AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD THAT RESPITE CARE. 
          THEY ARE FULL. THEY ALSO NEED SUPPORT. 
          WE KNOW OUR NONPROFITS ARE STRUGGLING BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC AS WELL. SO EVERYONE IS STRUGGLING. 
          WE UNDERSTAND THAT. BUT THIS POPULATION CANNOT BE FURTHER CLASSIFIED.S A MOM SAID BEFORE, IS A LEFTOVER BUILDING FOR THE SENIOR CITIZENS TAKE OVER CLASSROOM! MY CURRICULUM AND GIVEN IS FROM THE 70S, FROM THE 60S. THIS POPULATION IS LEFT OVER HERE TO GET THE LEFT OVER IN ALL AREAS. 
          I DO HAVE A PRESENTATION FROM HIS FORMER STUDENT AND HER FRIEND SHE WAS UNABLE TO BE HERE, BUT I WANTED TO PLAY WHAT 
          [01:15:03]
SHE HAD TO SAY. [INDISCERNIBLE] 
          >> WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT PLACES WHERE YOU ENJOY RECREATION YOU ARE OFTEN NOT SEENPEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS . 
          AND THIS GIVES THAT TO THEM. AND SO AS WE REFLECT ON THE CHRISTMAS SEASON, THE CHRISTIAN FAITH IS THE STORY OF JESUS AND HOW THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR HIM. THERE WAS NO ROOM IN THE END, HE WAS CAST AWAY AND THE DOORS WERE CLOSED. 
          COULD YOU CLOSED THESE DOORS TO THE ADAPTIVE WRECK YOU MIGHT BE CLOSING THE ONLY OPTION FOR AN INDIVIDUAL. 
          AND GOING TO LEAVE THIS QUOTE. I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, WHETHER YOU DID IT TO ONE OR THE LEAST OF THESE, MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS, YOU ARE DOING IT TO ME. 
          THANK YOU. >> TAYLOR? 
          >> HELLO. I'M TAYLOR KOHLER AND I WAS START OFF BY SAYING THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK AT YOUR MEETING. AND ALTER THE COURSE OF THIS YEAR YOU HAD TO MAKE VERY TOUGH DECISIONS IN REGARD TO OUR CITY. AND WANTED TO SPEAK IN REGARDS TO THE POTENTIAL CLOSING OF THE RECREATION PROGRAM.HIS PROGRAM WAS A HUGE LIGHT IN MY SISTER'S LIFE. 
          SHE MADE FRIENDS WITH OTHERS WHO UNDERSTOOD LOVED HER WITHOUT JUDGMENT. THIS WAS HER SCHOOL. 
          THIS IS WHERE SHE CONTINUED TO LEARN ÃSORRY. 
          LEARN WHAT WAS SOCIALLY AND EMOTIONALLY ACCEPTABLE, AS WELL AS HOW TO ACCLIMATE TO SOCIAL SITUATIONS OUTSIDE THE FAMILY. 
          THERE ARE MANY THINGS YOU LEARN THROUGH SOCIAL INTERACTION WITH MORE THAN FAMILY. THE SOCIO-CULTURE STATES THAT SOCIAL INTERACTIONS WITHIN THE FAMILY WITH KNOWLEDGEABLE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY IS A PRIMARY NEED BY WHICH CHILDREN ACQUIRE BEHAVIORS AND COGNITIVE PROCESSES. 
          IF YOU TAKE AWAY A PROGRAM BUILT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, THAT ALLOWS FOR EXCESSIVE DOUBLE SOCIAL INTERACTION AND HELPS THEM DEVELOP SKILLS CRUCIAL FOR SUCCESS IN OUR SOCIETY AND COMMUNITY. 
          ARE YOU SAYING THEIR NEEDS ARE NOT IMPORTANT OR ARE YOU SAYING THAT THEY ARE MEANT TO BE AN ESTABLISHED PART OF OUR COMMUNITY? MY QUESTION TO YOU IS WERE ALSO THESE INDIVIDUALS ABLE TO INTERACT AND SOCIALIZED WITHOUT 
          JUDGMENT OR RESTRAINT. >> JUST BILL? 
          >> FIRST OFF, I WANT TO THANK THE COUNCIL, THE MAYOR AND ALL THE OTHER CITY OFFICIALS HERE TODAY. 
          I WANT TO WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET THROUGH THE REST OF 2020. HAS BEEN A ROUGH YEAR FOR EVERYBODY AND MAYBE 2021 WILL BE BETTER FOR EVERYONE ELSE. 
          I HAVE A DAUGHTER WHO IS A MEMBER OF ADAPTIVE RECREATION. 
          I HAVE BEEN IN PUBLIC SERVICE FOR THE BETTER PART OF MY ADULT LIFE. PART OF THAT WAS EVEN THE CITY COUNCILMEMBER FROM WAS SIX YEARS. 
          SO I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU GUYS HAVE TO GO THROUGH TO MAINTAIN BUDGET. PROVIDE CITY SERVICES, PROVIDE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING FOR ALL THE COMMUNITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE IS ALSO A PART OF THAT. WAS SPEAKING TO YOU GUYS IS ONE OF YOU GUYS, BUT I'M ALSO SPEAKING AS A FATHER. 
          ADAPTIVE RECREATION HAS BEEN WONDERFUL FOR MY DAUGHTER. 
          I APOLOGIZE. THE THOUGHT OF ADAPTIVE RECREATION CLOSING FOR GOOD DOES NOT BODE WELL IN OUR HOUS . MY DAUGHTER HAS MADE STRIDES SINCE SHE GRADUATED HIGH SCHOO . 
          AND WE ALL AT ONE POINT IN TIME FIND OURSELVES SCRUTINIZED BY OTHER PEOPLE. IT CAN BE BECAUSE OF THE COLOR OF OUR SKIN, BECAUSE OF OUR ETHNICITY, BECAUSE OF OUR AGE, BECAUSE OF OUR GENDER, OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION, WHATEVER THAT MIGHT BE. WE ALL FEEL COMFORTABLE WHEN WE ARE AROUND PEOPLE WHO DON'T JUDGE US. 
          ADAPTIVE WRECK IS THAT FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS. 
          SO IT IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT THAT US AS A COMMUNITY TRY AND MAKE THOSE DECISIONS TO PUT THEM IN A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN GROW AND THEY CAN GROW SOCIALLY. 
          [01:20:03]
THEY CAN INTERACT. THEY HAVE THE RIGHTS, THEY HAVE THE FREEDOMS THAT WE HAVE IS WHAT WE CONSIDER NORMAL INDIVIDUALS.AND I WILL BASICALLY JUST LEAVE IT WITH THIS. IT SPEAKS VOLUMES OF A COMMUNITY BY HOW THE STRONGER NUMBERS OF THAT COMMUNITY TAKE CARE OF THE WEEK. AND I ASK YOU TO SERIOUSLY THINK BEFORE YOU PERMANENTLY CLOSE ADAPTIVE RECREATION. 
          I LOVE THE TALK ABOUT SWITCHING TO ALTERNATIVES. 
          THERE ARE THINGS OUT THERE THAT I WANT YOU TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO PERMANENTLY CLOSE. 
          THANK YOU. >> CATHERINE BALLARD. 
          >> HELLO EVERYONE. GOOD EVENING. 
          MY NAME IS CATHERINE BALLARD. I CAME HERE LAST YEAR AND I AM BACK AND I WANT TO DISCUSS WITH YOU JUST TO LET YOU KNOW ABOUT THE DISABLED NEEDS HERE IN THIS TOWN AND KEEPING THE ADAPTIVE RECREATION OPEN. THEIR NEEDS ARE FAIRLY IMPORTANT. THEIR INDEPENDENCE IS IMPORTANT, THE MOTIVATION TO KEEP THEM GOING DAY-TO-DAY IS NEEDED. AND THERE ARE SOME THINGS WITH THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING COMMUNITY HERE I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS WITH YOU. THERE ARE SOME SUPPORT SERVICES WE NEED TO START PROVIDING. SENIOR CITIZENS, THEIR FOOD BUDGET IS ONE OF THEM. IT IS ONE OF THE ISSUES I WANT TO DISCUSS WITH YOU AND I HOPE YOU WOULD CONSIDER CHANGING WHAT YOU CURRENTLY HAVE BACK TO WHERE IT WAS. 
          SO THANK YOU ALL FOR LISTENING TO ME AND I HOPE YOU HAVE A 
          MERRY CHRISTMAS. >> MR. ROBINSON, DID YOU WANT TO SPEAK ON THE SUBJECT? OKAY. 
          WILTON ROBINSON. >> I HAVE BEEN IN ABILENE FOR 86 YEARS. I HAVE DEALT WITH THE CITY FOR OVER 60 YEARS. IN FACT, MOVED HERE SO I CAN BUILD. WE HAVE TAKEN CARE OF OUR CITIZENS, SENIOR CITIZENS FOR YEARS. 
          AND NOW WE ARE TRYING TO MOVE THEM OUT AND MAKE THEM PAY FOR THE FEES. AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND. 
          THEY SAY IT IS BECAUSE OF NOW. BUT DURING THE SHORTFALL, [INDISCERNIBLE] I LIKE DOGS AND CATS, BUT I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD PUT THEM IN FRONT OF OUR SENIOR CITIZENS. 
          I TALKED TO DOZENS OF PEOPLE EVERY WEEK. 
          I HAVE DONE IT FOR 60 YEARS. AND PRETTY WELL KNOW WHAT GOES ON IN ABILENE. IN OUR CITIZENS, AND A LOT OF THEM ARE HURTING. AND WHEN ONE OF THEIR SPOUSES DIED, THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY GETS CUTIN HALF . 
          AND THAT IS A BIG CUT IN THEIR SALARY. 
          AND THEY NEED TO HAVE THE FOOD OVER THERE. 
          I WISH YOU WOULD ALL THINK ABOUT THAT NOT MAKE THEM PAY $2.50. THANK YOU. 
          >> WE ARE STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING.IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO, PLEASE GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. 
          >> I AM PROUD TO BE IN ABILENE. AND PROUD OF OUR CITY MANAGEMENT AND EVERYONE OF YOU ALL TAKING TIME OUT OF YOUR 
          [01:25:06]
LIVES TO SERVE. AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THE REMARKS YOU MADE EARLIER. AND I AM SO GLAD THAT I WAS HERE TO HEAR MR. WELDON ROBINSON. 
          I THINK THAT WAS THE MOST BLUE-RIBBON COUNSEL WE HAVE EVER HAD. [INDISCERNIBLE] THAT WAS AN OUTSTANDING COUNSEL. I REALLY DO APPRECIATE THOSE MEN AS MUCH AS I APPRECIATE YOU ALL. 
          >> YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD? >> OH, LET ME THINK. 
          [LAUGHTER] >> I AM JERRY SMITH. 
          I DON'T KNOW IF YOU EVER USED 211. 
          I HAVE TRIED TO USE IT TWO OR THREE TIMES. 
          I'M SO TIRED OF RECORDING A MESSAGE I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I'M SURE YOU'LL HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU: YOU GET A MESSAGE. 
          THIS IS WERE THE PROGRAM FOR NOT CRITICIZING THE PROGRAM OR THE PEOPLE THAT USE IT OR THAT RUN IT, BUT I TRIED THREE TIMES TO JUST. I DON'T EVER GET A CHANCE TO ASK THE QUESTION. IF THERE MIGHT BE ON THAT PROGRAM TO HELP A LITTLE BIT, I WOULD APPRECIATE.HERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS I NEED TO KNOW. I AM SO GLAD YOU HAVE THIS PROGRAM. I HOPE IT CONTINUES FROM NOW O . SOMETIMES THIS IS THE ONLY MEAL THESE PEOPLE GET. AND I AM SO PROUD WE CAN OFFER IT TO THEM. WISH YOU COULD BE FREE. 
          BUT THERE ARE GOING TO BE SOME PEOPLE, NO MATTER WHAT THE PROGRAM IS, THAT ARE GOING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT. 
          BUT I HOPE IT CONTINUES. THERE WERE SEVERAL THINGS YOU MENTIONED ON THE SUBJECT. I FORGET WHAT THOSE WERE. 
          ONE WAS A RECREATION AND I'M CERTAINLY IN FAVOR OF THAT. 
          WHAT WAS THE OTHER THING? SOMETHING ABOUT GIVING SOMEONE RAISES? WELL, YOU MAY NEED TO ESCORT ME OUT HERE. ONE OF THE THINGS HE SAID A WHILE AGO REALLY HIT HOME WITH ME. 
          THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE OUT ON JOBS CAN'T RUN ABUSINESS . 
          AND THOSE PEOPLE ARE HAVING TO PAY TAXES TO PAY FOR OUR CITY ADMINISTRATION. NOW, THERE COMES A TIME AND WE MIGHT LOOK AT THE POSSIBILITY OF A SALARY REDUCTION. 
          THAT IS A HARD WORD TO SAY, ISN'T IT? WHEN WE LOOK AT OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, ALL THE RULES A MAKEUP THERE APPLY TO EVERYBODY ELSE BUT THEY DON'T APPLY TO THEM. NO, SIR FORGET EVERYTHING THEY DO IS FOR THEM. AND IF THERE IS ANY LEFT OVER THAN WE GET WHAT IS LEFT OVER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. 
          I DON'T THINK ANYONE WOULD SUFFER TOO MUCH IF WE HAD A FIVE PERCENT REDUCTION IN SALARIES. 
          I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THOSE PEOPLE ON THE LOW END OF THE SCALE. I'M TALKING ABOUT UPPER MANAGEMENT. AND I DON'T MEAN TO CRITICIZE ANYBODY AT ALL. MR. HANNAH, I CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO CRITICIZE YOU. BUT THERE MIGHT BE A TIME THAT WE NEED TO BACK UP A LITTLE BI . 
          SOMETHING ELSE. WELL, I WILL THINK GET UP LATER. THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME. 
          OH, WHERE ARE YOU GOING IF YOU TAKE THESE. 
          [LAUGHTER] WHERE IS IT YOU ARE GOING? 
          >> WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT OFF-CAMERA. 
          >> I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NAME OF THE PLACE YOU ARE CONSIDERING. 
          >> BAY RIDGE ISLAND. >> WHAT A PART OF TEXAS IS THAT IN? [LAUGHTER] 
          >> THAT IS WAY WEST TEXAS. >> YOU JUST REMEMBER THIS, WHEREVER YOU GO IF YOU GO, NOBODY IS GOING TO LOVE YOU LIKE WE DO IN ABILENE. THANK YOU.THE RECORD? 
          >> MY NAME IS TAMMY SANFORD AND I DIDN'T COME PREPARED TO SPEAK SO I DON'T REALLY HAVE ANYTHING BIG TO SAY. 
          BUT IN LISTENING TO THE TALK ABOUT THE ADAPTIVE RECREATION, WANTED TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF ABILENE DEFINITELY CONTINUING SOMETHING FORSPECIAL NEEDS PEOPLE. 
          I AM THE MOTHER OF A DAUGHTER WHO IS 15 YEARS OLD WITH DOWN SYNDROME . AND ALSO, THE LORD IS LIGHT ON MY HEART TO WANT TO DO SOMETHING TO HELP AS THESE INDIVIDUALS GET OLDER AND AS A TRANSITION OUT OF SCHOOL. 
          [01:30:02]
THEY SEEM TO FALL OFF THE GRID BECAUSE THERE IS NOT ANYTHING THAT CONTINUES TO HELPTHEM HAVE SOCIAL SKILLS . 
          SO LIKE I SAID, I WANTED TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE ADAPTIVE CENTER AND ANYTHING WE CAN CONTINUE IT. 
          I HAVE BEEN A PART ABOUT WAYS NOT TO SHINE FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. THE ATTENDANCE THAT COMES IN THE EXCITEMENT THESE PEOPLE GET JUST TO BE A PART OF SOMETHING AND TO INTERACT WITH THEIR PEERS IS JUST GREAT. 
          AND I FEEL ABILENE RIGHT NOW JUST DOESN'T HAVE A LOT AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.I TRY TO ENROLL MY DAUGHTER IN THE SUMMER REC PROGRAM A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND IT DIDN'T WORK BECAUSE THE CITY WASN'T EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH HER IN AN INCLUSIVE SITUATION BECAUSE OF HER DISABILITY. SO IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THE CITY PROVIDE SOMETHING AND HAS SOMETHING. 
          BECAUSE THESE INDIVIDUALS WILL HAVE THE COMMUNITY,THE FRIENDSHIPS AND OPPORTUNITIES EVERYBODY ELSE GETS TO HAVE . 
          FEEL LIKE GOD HAS A PLAN FOR THIS. 
          AND SO I JUST HOPE THAT WE CAN LOOK AT ALL OPTIONS AND AVENUES 
          TO KEEP THIS CONTINUING. >> I HOPE MELISSA IS DOING 
          WELL. >> SHE IS DOING GREAT. 
          SHE IS A MESS BUT SHE IS GREAT. >> WE ARE STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING. DOES ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO SPEAK 
          EITHER FOR OR AGAINST? >> HELLO EVERYBODY. 
          OF THE AREA OF DIRECTOR AND I JUST WANT TO SAY ÃI'M GOING TO CRY. A LOT OF THESE ATHLETES WOULD NOT COMPETE. THEY PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION, THEY PROVIDE THE FACILITIES, THEY PAY FOR THEM TO GO. 
          WE DON'T CHARGE THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS, BUT WITHOUT ADAPTIVE WRECK THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO COMPETE. 
          SO IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THEY IN SOME WAY OR FORM THAT 
          THEY STILL STAY ACTIVE. THANK YOU.>> HELLO. 
          MY NAME IS SEAN TAE FLEMING'S. WITH ALL DUE RESPECT IN HIGH REGARDS TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE ADAPTIVE RECREATION, I JUST WANT TO SAY THIS HAS BEEN A HORRIBLE YEAR FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE. I DO NOT AGREE WITH THE CUTS FOR PARK AND REC. WE NEED SOMEWHERE FOR PEOPLE TO GO OUTSIDE. THE VIRUS HAS SPIKED AGAIN, WE ARE BACK AT A 50 PERCENT SHUT DOWN. 
          PEOPLE NEED SOMEWHERE TO GO. WE CAN BE CLOSED IN SO WE HAVE TO UTILIZE THESE PARKS. WE HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING THAT TRYING TO GET OUT FRESH AIR. YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH THAT BE ENCLOSED IN IS REALLY AFFECTING EVERYBODY. 
          IT IS AFFECTING THE MENTAL HEALTH OF REGULAR PEOPLE. 
          JUST LIKE ME BEING CLOSED IN. WE WANT TO GET OUT AND WALK, TALK, FELLOWSHIP. AND IF WE CAN'T DO THAT INSIDE A BUILDING, WE NEED TO GO TO THE PARK. 
          A PARK THAT IS ACTUALLY ACCESSIBLE TO US. 
          I REALLY WISH WE COULD FIND SOME WAY TO FUND THEIR PROGRAM. 
          BECAUSE WE REALLY NEED THAT TOO. 
          I REALLY WISH WE COULD FIND A WAY TO NOT CUT ANYTHING FROM PARKS AND RECREATION BECAUSE WE NEED THAT. 
          WE NEED OUTSIDE AIR. WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO WALK AND HAVE NICE CLEAN PARKS AWAY WE HAVE NOW. AND JUST BEING CLOSED IN, EVERYONE ISN'T ACCESSIBLE TO GO TO THE GYM BUT WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET OUT. AND I JUST THINK IF WE COULD FIND SOME OTHER WAY TO HELP OR SOMETHING ELSE TO DO THAT WOUL 
          HELP US WITH THIS .HANK YOU. >>ANTHONY WILLIAMS : IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST 
          THIS ITEM? >> COUNSEL, THE LAST TIME I 
          STOOD HERE AT THIS PODIUM. >>ANTHONY WILLIAMS : YOU ARE. 
          >> PART ME. NICHOLAS MOSES, A THORN IN YOUR SIDE PROBABLY.LAST TIME I STOOD BEFORE THE COUNCIL I SPOKE OF HOPE. AND THE STORIES I HEARD TODAY AS FAR AS ADAPTIVE RECREATION IS THAT OF HOPE. 
          BUT I ALSO BELIEVE PARKS. THE PARKS HAVE ALSO PROVIDED HOPE. AND FAR BE IT FOR ME TO TAKE ANYTHING FROM ANYONE IN THIS ROOM. 
          BUT WHEN I SPEAK OF HOPE, HOPE IS SOMETHING TANGIBLE. 
          HOPE IS SOMETHING PEOPLE CAN GRAB HOLD TO FROM THE STORIES I HAVE HEARD IN THIS ROOM. THEY CAN GRAB HOLD TO IT AND IT CAN BE A BLESSING. I WAS JUST TELLING A SECOND 
          [01:35:08]
AGO, MY HEARTSTRINGS ARE PULLED. 
          AND NORMALLY WHEN I STAND HERE AND DON'T COME UP HERE AND TALK ABOUT EMOTION. I COME WITH THAT. 
          NUMBERS. EVIDENCE.UT WHEN I HEAR THE PEOPLE HERE IN THE AUDIENCE TONIGHT TO THISDIRECTLY AFFECTS , HOPE IS NOT JUST IN ONE DIRECTION. 
          HOPE CAN BE HAD WITH ADAPTIVE WRECK. 
          HOPE CAN BE HAD WITH THE EMPLOYMENT. 
          AND WHEN I SIT HERE TODAY AND I LISTEN TO PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE, ABILENE IS A COMMUNITY THAT FOSTERS GROWTH AND HOPE. AND SO I HOPE. 
          AND I USE THAT WORD STRONGLY. I HOPE WE ARE ABLE TO FIND RESOURCES TO CONTINUE ON AND TO ALSO CONTINUE ON WITH THESE PARKS. YOU HAVE COME OUT TO THE PARK. 
          WINDSPEED PEOPLE SPEAK TO YOU ABOUT HOPE, IT'S POWERFUL. 
          WE HAVE SPOKEN BEFORE. I'M NOT PROBABLY THE MOST CHRISTIAN MAN IN THIS ROOM AND I CAN OWN THAT.> YOU DON'T 
          THINK SO. >> I MIGHT HAVE THE LAST NAME, BUT IF YOU FOLLOW ME I MIGHT GET INTO A LITTLE BIT OF TROUBLE. BUT WITH THAT BEING SAID, THE STORIES I HAVE HEARD HERE TODAY AS FAR AS ADAPTIVE RECREATION IS CONCERNED, IT DOESN'T NEED TO STOP. 
          FUNDING FROM THAT NEEDS TO CONTINUE. 
          THE FUNDING FOR THE PARKS ALSO NEEDS TO CONTINUE. 
          I CHALLENGE THIS COUNSEL AND EVERYBODY IN THISROOM . 
          WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. 
          THERE IS NO IF, AUNTS OR BUTTS ABOUT IT. 
          I WILL SAY THIS. I RAISE MY SONS IN THIS MANNER. 
          THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF GENTLEMEN. 
          DOORMATS AND MATT OF DOORS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. 
          >>ANTHONY WILLIAMS : IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE? 
          >> HELLO BOARD. MY NAME IS CHRIS. 
          ONCE AGAIN, I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME UP AND SPEAK. PEOPLE UP AND GIVING OUT SCRIPTURE REFERENCES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. 
          I WANT TO TAKE BACK TO THE COUNTRY PEOPLE WHOM I UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M SAYING. THIS MIGHT BE A CLEAR CASE OF WE DON'T WANT TO ROB PETER TO PAY PAUL. 
          AND I THINK IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND AS WE ADVOCATE FOR CITY PARKS AND RECREATION IN THE WORK WE HAVE DONE IN NO WAY ARE WE DISMISSING WHAT THESE ARE DOING. WORK FOR CITY PARKS FOR MULTIPLE YEARS. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY BACK WHEN WE WORKED WITH SEVERAL OF THOSE EVENTS AND THINGS. 
          THERE ARE NO WORDS FROM IT. AND I APPRECIATE EVERYONE WHO CAME UP AND SPOKE TO THEIR HEARTS AND THINGS THAT THEY EXPERIENCED AS BEING A PART OF THE CITY WRECK AND ADAPTIVE RECREATION. I WANT TO ENCOURAGE THE BOARD TO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE SOME PLACES WE DON'T NEED TO DOUBLE IN IN ORDER TO MEET THIS DEFICIT. 
          I ENCOURAGE US COLLECTIVELY TO MAKE SURE WE UNDERSTAND THIS IMPORTANT. THAT THIS IS NOT THE PLACE TO BE CONSIDERING CUTS. THIS IS NOT THE PLACE WHERE WE NEED TO LOOK INTO TO SAY LET'S TAKE AWAY IN ORDER FOR SOMETHING ELSE TO STAND. WE HAVE TO COME TOGETHER, BRAINSTORM COLLECTIVELY, CONTINUE YOUR WORK. 
          APPRECIATE YOU TALK ABOUT THE NONPROFIT APPROACHES. 
          LET'S DOUBLE DOWN ON OUR INTERIOR OPPORTUNITIES TO CONTINUE TO FUND BOTH THESE VENTURES. 
          THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >>ANTHONY WILLIAMS : IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST 
          THIS ITEM? >> MY NAME IS CANDY ICE. 
          YES, THAT IS MY REAL NAME. I AM A MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER AT MADISON MIDDLE SCHOOL. I TEACH ORCHESTRA, BUT I ALSO HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF TEACHING A SPECIAL NEEDS. 
          A FEW YEARS AGO I TOOK ON THIS CHOIR BECAUSE OF MY EXPERIENCES WITH ADAPTIVE RECREATION. I STARTED PLAYING VIOLENT REALLY YOUNG AND MANY TIMES MY MOTHER WOULD DRAG ME KICKING AND SCREAMING JUERGEN TO PLAY CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND I DID. 
          AND EVERY YEAR I WENT BACK AND PLAYED AND I GOT MYFRIENDS IN HIGH SCHOOL , I GOT MY FRIENDS IN COLLEGE AND WHEN YOU'RE A MUSICIAN PEOPLE ASK YOU TO PLAY AT THEIR PLACES ALL THE TIME. 
          BUT I HAVE FRIENDS ASKING ME CAN WE GO BACK AND CAN WE PLAY THAT PLACE AGAIN. THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE A PART OF THIS PROGRAM, THEY KNOW ME. THE ASK MY BROTHER ABOUT ME ALL THE TIME TO READ THEY ARE SO LOVING, THEY ARE SO KIND. 
          [01:40:01]
AND YOU HAVE FOUND A WAY TO MAKE THIS WORK. 
          ONE THING THAT MAKES ME REALLY NERVOUS IS THERE ARE TALKS OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS COMING IN AND HELPING. 
          AND THERE IS AN IDEA THAT THIS COULD WORK. 
          I DON'T WANT US TO QUIT THIS PROGRAM AND TRY TO PASS IT OFF AND SOMETHING FALL THROUGH. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT REALLY WORRIES ME. SO IF THERE IS ANY WAY WE CAN CONTINUE THIS, I THINK IT WAS SOMETHING LIKE MANY HAVE SAID. 
          ABILENE COULD BE SO PROUD OF. AND IT HAS BEEN SO PROUD OF TO OFFER OUR CITIZENS. AND IF WE COULD KEEP DOING THAT FOR THEM, THAT WOULD BE REALLY SPECIAL. 
          THANK YOU. >>ANTHONY WILLIAMS : IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR ÃNOT AGAIN. SPEAK AGAIN FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE A PUBLIC HEARING. SO AGAIN, THESE WERE THE CITY MANAGERS RECOMMENDATIONS. THE COUNCIL IS GOING TO MAKE A DECISION. GOING TO REITERATE SOME THINGS I SAID. I APPRECIATE THE WORK DONE WITH 211. I AM SUPPORTING ELIMINATING THE DENTAL PROGRAM AS PRESENTED, AS WELL AS THE TRANSPORTATION. 
          I WOULD SAY I AM NOT COMFORTABLE WITH ELIMINATING ADAPTIVE RECREATION. I WOULD SAY THIS. 
          WE ARE NOT REVITALIZING THE SERVICES IN THE NEAR FUTURE. 
          AND SO I DON'T KNOW IF WE NEED TO MAKE A DECISION TODAY. 
          MY DIRECTIVE, AND IF MY PEERS ARE SUPPORTIVE AND WE HAVE THAT DIALOGUE, IS TO LEAVE THAT WHERE IT IS. 
          ALLOWED THE CITY MANAGER TO CONTINUE CONVERSATIONS WITH BETTY HARDWICK AND OTHERS IF THEY COME TO BE. 
          AND IF THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A HANDOFF AND THERE ARE OBSTACLES WE CAN ADDRESS COMMIT WOULD LOVE THAT CONVERSATION. 
          BUT IF NOT, WE OUGHT TO MAINTAIN THE PROGRAM. 
          FINANCIALLY, ADAPTIVE RECREATION BECAUSE OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF UNITED WAY, I BELIEVE THERE IS ADEFICIT OF AROUND $50,000. IS THAT ACCURATE ? 
          >> IT WAS PRIOR TO THE CHANGES WITH 211. 
          AND NOW THE DEFICIT IS AROUND 107,000. 
          >>ANTHONY WILLIAMS: ABOUT $107,000 . 
          I AM OKAY WITH THE TWO DOLLAR CHARGE FOR SENIORS, AS LONG AS THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM LIKE WE OFFER THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE IN OUR SCHOOL PROGRAMS. SO WE DON'T TURN AWAY ANY SENIOR THAT WANTS A MEAL. 
          I WOULD ALSO BE IN FAVOR, IF MY PEERS ARE AGREEABLE, TO REDUCE NONESSENTIAL TRAVEL. THAT TRAVEL DATA CERTIFICATIONS AND ACCREDITATION. YOU ESTIMATED THAT THAT BEING AROUND IN THE SIX-FIGURE RANGE. NOT KNOWING WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. THAT RANGE PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMPENSATE FOR ADDITIONAL NEEDS MET. 
          I DON'T THINK THAT ONE IN REGARDS TO TAKE MONEY FROM PARKS AND RECREATION. THERE ARE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES WE LOOK IN REGARDS TO REDUCING THE FUNDS. 
          BUT THOSE ARE MY THOUGHTS. >> I WANT TO CLARIFY WITH REGARD TO PARKS ISSUE THAT CAME UP.IN THE BUDGET, FOR PARKS IS $3,251,090. AND OUR FINAL BUDGET DISCUSSION WHEN WE APPROVE THE BUDGET, WE ADDED AN ADDITIONAL $432,000. 
          WHAT I WAS RECOMMENDING AS A WAY TO HELP OFFSET THE LOSS OF GOING FROM $2.50 TO TWO DOLLARS WAS TAKEN 50,000 OF THAT EXTRA 432,000. WE WEREN'T TAKING AWAY ALL OF THE EXTRA FUNDS. WE WERE TAKING AWAY JUST THAT DELTA TO COVER THE DIFFERENCE ON THAT TO ALLOW THE BULK OF WHAT WE HAD TALKED ABOUT TO STILL TAKE PLACE BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO BE OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS THAT THOSE PROGRAMS ARE IMPLEMENTED. IN THE PROJECTS ARE DONE. 
          AND SO THAT WAS A POSSIBLE SOURCE FOR OFFSETTING THAT REDUCTION FROM $2.50 TO TWO DOLLARS. 
          MR. HANNAH SAID THERE MAY BE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO TALK ABOUT. AND SO I WANTED TO THROW THAT OUT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO FUND THAT REDUCTION ON THE SENIOR 
          MEALS. >> I APPRECIATE THAT. 
          >> I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT I WASN'T TALKING ABOUT PULLING MONEY, PULLING A LARGE SUM OF MONEY OUT OF PARKS. 
          IT WAS A SMALL PART OF A LARGE TRUNK THAT WE THREW IN AT THE LAST MINUTE AND A BUDGET DISCUSSION. 
          >> AND I AM NOT SAYING A PERMANENT CHANGE TO A LINE ITEM 
          [01:45:01]
ISSUE OF TRAVEL. BUT JUST THIS FISCAL YEAR AND THEN REVISIT CONVERSATIONS DURING THE BUDGET DISCUSSION WOULD TAKE PLACE IN JULY.SO I AM NOT RECOMMENDING A PERMANENT REDUCTION OF THAT SAID ITEM, BUT JUST FOR NONESSENTIAL TRAVEL. THAT DOES NOT INVOLVE CERTIFICATION FOR OUR STAFF AND THE CITY. 
          ANYBODY ELSE? >> I WOULD JUST SAY, AT LEAST IN MY WORLD, EVERYTHING IS DONE BY A ZOOM MEETING AND OVERLY WE CAN GET SOME OF THE TRAINING ACCREDITATION. 
          YOUMAY HAVE A CHOICE TO TRAVEL , TAKE THE ZONE CHOICE. 
          NOBODY CAME TO READ IT KIND OF CAME OUT OF NOWHERE. 
          NOBODY LAST SUMMER WAS EXPECTING THAT.AD ANY IN US KNOWN, WE WOULD'VE GOTTEN NONE OF THE MONEY. 
          SUPPORT 50,000 BACK IS, THEY WOULD HAVE GOTTEN ANY OF IT. 
          WE WOULD NOT HAVE ALLOCATED IT I DON'T THINK, HAD WE KNOWN WOULD BE DOING BUDGET CUTS. [INDISCERNIBLE] NOBODY ELSE GOT ANY OF THAT MONEY. DOES MY TWO CENTS. 
          MOTHER HAS A NEW NAME. [INDISCERNIBLE] 
          >> I WOULD LIKE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH REGARD TO WHAT THE MAYOR IS RECOMMENDING. BECAUSE YOU ARE SAYING WE NEED TO, WE HAVE SUSPENDED THE SERVICE BUT THERE IS STILL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH IT. AND IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING, DOES THAT PROVIDE US THE SAVINGS WE NEED TO OFFSET THE REVENUE LOSS? OR IS THERE ACTION THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN RELATED TO THAT? WHILE IT IS NOT OPERATIONAL TO ADDRESS THE REVENUE LOSS WE HAVE IF WE ARE NOT RUNNING IT. 
          I UNDERSTAND WHAT THE IMPLICATION IS WHAT THE MAYOR IS RECOMMENDING TO GIVE A GOING. 
          >> MY REQUEST IS AND I MADE THIS CLEAR WILL PUBLICLY TELL THE COMMUNITY THAT WE ARE SUSPENDING ADAPTIVE WRECK THE REMAINDER OF FISCAL YEAR 21 AND THAT YOU AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO NEGOTIATION WITH A NONPROFIT AGENCY OR SOME OTHER PROVIDER TO CONTINUE ADAPTIVE RECREATION SERVICES BUT AT NO TIME HAVE I SAID I THINK WE SHOULD KICK THIS PROGRAM TO THE CURB FOR THOSE WERE MY WORDS, NEVER HAVE BEEN. AS HE SAID IN OPENING REMARKS, AND UNDERSTAND THE VALUE IN THIS PROGRAM WE DEEPLY UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF THIS PROGRAM. 
          I THINK IT IS NECESSARY AND NEEDED. 
          AND I AM PROUDLY PROVIDED. I HAVE SEEN THEIR FACES LIGHT UP WHEN WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO BE WITH THEIR COMMUNITY MEMBERS. TO BE WITH LIKE-MINDED INDIVIDUALS. ALL THAT REMAINS IS I HAVE A BUDGET AND A REDUCTION IN REVENUE. 
          FROM A BUSINESS STANDPOINT I NEED TO FIX THAT.O THE ORDINANCE BEFORE YOU DOES JUST THAT. 
          REDUCES AUTHORIZED EXPENDITURES AND REDUCES AUTHORIZED REVENUES TO BE IN ALIGNMENT WITH WHAT STAFF ANTICIPATES AT THIS POINT IN TIME THERE WERE JUST LIKE IT DOES WHEN YOU ADOPT THE BUDGET ORIGINALLY. WE HAVE ALREADY STARTED THE TRANSITION OF ADAPTIVE PERSONNEL TO OTHER PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. SOME OF TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THAT, SOME HAVE NOT. SOME DECIDED THEY WOULD LIKE TO STAY WITHIN THEIR CHOSEN PROFESSION IT AND SO THEY ARE GOING TO LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES ALONG THOSE ROUTES. 
          TO STAY IN PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. 
          THERE MAY BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO BETTY HARDWICK AND ASSUME THE PROGRAM SOONER THAN THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR. 
          BUT THE POINT REMAINS THAT UNLESS COUNSEL FORMALLY AND DIRECTS ME OTHERWISE, CITY MANAGER I DO NOT INTEND TO OPEN ADAPTIVE ACCRETION FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE FISCAL YEAR. 
          ARTLY BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO DO IT AND PARTLY BECAUSE I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE HEALTH OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS. 
          AND SO MY RECOMMENDATION TO COUNSEL IS THAT THEY ADOPT THE ORDINANCE. I HAVE HEARD AND RECEIVED COUNCILS AND PUT. I FULLY UNDERSTAND IT IS NOT COUNCILS DESIRE TO PERMANENTLY CLOSE ADAPTIVE RECREATION. 
          I HEAR YOU. WE WILL HAVE ADAPTIVE RECREATION FUNDED IN NEXT YEAR'S FISCAL BUDGET. 
          IF WE CAN'T FIND A THIRD-PARTY PROVIDER TO ASSUME IT. 
          BUT FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR, IT IS NECESSARY AND PROPER TO ADOPT 
          THE ORDINANCES BEFORE COUNSEL. >> FOR CLARITY, FISCALYEAR ENDS 
          IN SEPTEMBER. >> THAT IS CORRECT . 
          >> WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TOLD US WE BELIEVE THAT SOMETIME LATE SUMMER, EARLY SEPTEMBER THAT WE WILL BE INOCULATED IN REGARDS TO THIS COMMUNITY AND ELSEWHERE. 
          AND FISCAL YEAR BEGINS THE FIRST DAY OF OCTOBER. 
          >> THAT IS GREAT BUT HOPEFULLY ANYBODY WAS TO RECEIVE A VACCINE BY THAT TIME WOULD BE ABLE TO HAVEACCESS TO ONE . 
          >> FIRST OFF, I WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND WHAT 
          [01:50:06]
COUNCILMEMBER PRICE WAS TALKING ABOUT. 
          AND SO FOR THE PARKS, THE EXTRA MONEY. 
          WE PUT OVER 432,000. IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, 39,000 HAS BEEN SPENT. IS THAT CORRECT? 
          >> YES. >> 39,000 OF THE 432 EXTRA HAS BEEN SPENT. YOU ARE ASKING FOR 50,000 OUT OF THAT.O THERE WOULD STILL BE 393,000 ÃNO. 
          343,000. I THINK WE ALL AGREE WE DO NOT WANT ADAPTIVE WRECK TO GO AWAY, HOWEVER, IF WE CAN'T DRAG OUR FEET SAYING WE MIGHT NOT BRING IT BACK, THAT IN MY OPINION, MY FEAR IS THAT WOULD CAUSE OTHERS WHO DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE BATON AND RUN SOME HESITATION. WHEREAS IF WE MAKE THE DECISION THAT WE NEED, WE ARE GOING TO AGGRESSIVELY PURSUE OTHER AVENUES. IF WE LET GO OF IT, THAT ALLOWS OTHER PEOPLE TO TAKE THAT THE TONE HERE THAT IS WHY I AM IN FAVOR OF THIS RESOLUTION TO SAY WE NEED TO PASS THIS ON TO SOMEBODY ELSE. AND THAT FREES UP, THERE IS NO THE CITY MAY COME BACK, WE DON'T REALLY KNOW. 
          I THINK THERE ARE SOME GRAY AREA IN THEIR THAT WOULD PREVENT ANOTHER ENTITY OR NONPROFIT FROMCOMING UP AND 
          TAKING OVER . >> I WANT TO MAKE VERY CLEAR MY INTENT WOULD BE IF A THIRD-PARTY CANNOT BE IDENTIFIED TO PROVIDE ADAPTIVE WRECK, IT WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THEFISCAL YEAR 22 BUDGET CYCLE . 
          >> AND I WILL SAY THIS. SO THE TRAVEL DEVELOPMENT, AS A LINE ITEM, THIS IS NOT POLICE OR FIRE. 
          IT IS COSTING $270,000. MR. HANNAH TOLD ME IN REGARDS TO IF WE DON'T NEGLECT THOSE NEEDED CERTIFICATIONS, ACCREDITATIONS. THAT POSSIBLY COULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A SAVINGS OF SIX FIGURES, WHICH WOULD 
          EXCEED THE $50,000. >> I APOLOGIZE, I DON'T HAVE A BETTER NUMBER. I COULDN'T GET ONE IN A SHORT 
          TIME. >> COUNSELCRAVER? 
          >> WHAT IS THAT BOOK YOU HAVE NEXT TO YOU? 
          >> THIS IS THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR 2020 AND 2021. 
          >> AND THAT IS AVAILABLE TO ANYONE IN THE PUBLIC, IS THAT 
          CORRECT. >> THAT IS CORRECT. 
          >> THAT IS THE BUDGET WE APPROVED EARLIER. 
          I WOULD INVITE ANYONE TO DIVE INTO THAT. 
          WE AS A COUNSEL. WHEN THE FUNDS AREN'T THERE, WE GIVE OUR STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS ON WHAT TO CUT. 
          WHEN THE MONEY IS NOT THERE WE HAVE TO CUT. 
          THAT IS ALL THERE IS TO IT. IF YOU CAN COME UP WITH BETTER CUTS, I WOULD INVITE ANYONE TO LOOK AT THAT. 
          EVERYONE ALWAYS WANTS TO SAY CUT THE FAT, BUT WHEN YOU CLOSED DOWN FOR COVID BUT HOW MANY OF US IN THE ROOMARE ALL FOR CLOSING DOWN FOR COVID. THIS IS THE CONSEQUENCES . 
          WE ARE ALMOST. WAS A COST WORTH IT? WE DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS WE ANTICIPATE IT HAVING. 
          WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WAYS TO ACCOMMODATE FOR THE FUNDS THAT WE DON'T HAVE. I AGREE WITH WHAT EVERYONE HAS SAID HERE TODAY. THINGS ARE IMPORTANT, BUT SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT NEEDS TO BE CUT. 
          AND WHEN WE DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO PAY FOR THOSE THINGS, 
          WE HAVE TO MAKE CUTS. >>DONNA ALBUS : I THINK COMPROMISE IS PART OF THE SOLUTION THAT MAKES ABILENE WHAT IT IS. AND I THINK TAKING FROM ONE PART OUR BUDGET AND PUTTING INTO ANOTHER SEEMS LIKE A VERY REASONABLE THING. LIKE TAKING MONEY FROM PARKS THAT WASN'T GOING TO BE THERE INITIALLY AND HELPING OUT THE SENIORS. MAYBE NOT TOTALLY, BUT AT LEAST ENOUGH MONEY THAT WE COULD HAVE A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR ANYBODY THAT COULDN'T AFFORD A TWO DOLLARS OR $2.50 FOR A MEAL. AND IT JUST MAKES SENSE TO ME THE BACK WHEN WE APPROVED THIS MONEY, WE DIDN'T KNOW WE WERE GOING TO HAVE COVID. WE DIDN'T KNOW WE WOULD BE IN THIS SHORTFALL. AND SO EVERYBODY HAS TO STEP UP AND PLAY. AND WHENEVER I MENTIONED EARLY ON THAT MAYBE WE NOT GIVE THE TWO PERCENT RAISE TO OUR EMPLOYEES, PERHAPS THEY WOULD EVEN WANT TO PARTICIPATE. 
          [01:55:02]
BECAUSE THERE ARE PEOPLE OF THIS TOWN THAT HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS. OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE A JOB. 
          THESE ARE JUST THINGS WE CAN CONSIDER IN THE FUTURE. 
          RIGHT NOW I SEE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO COMPROMISE AND TO COME TO A SOLUTION THAT DOESN'T REALLY HURT ANYBODY. 
          BUT WILL ULTIMATELY BE USED FOR THE GOOD OF ALL. 
          >> WE DON'T WANT TO BE IN THE SITUATION. 
          I THINK I WILL MAKE A MOTION FOR REDUCTION OF 50,000 OF SAID MONEY THAT WE PURPOSE FOR PARKS TO BE USED AS AN OFFSET. 
          I APPROVE THE ORDINANCES PRESENTED WITH THE 40,000 SET ASIDE 211 PER THE ORDINANCE DOES ELIMINATE THE DENTAL PROGRAM ASWELL AS A TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM . 
          TO BE CLEAR AND IS A PAUSE, IT IS A SUSPENSION FOR ADAPTIVE WRECK. WHAT HAS BEEN COMMUNICATED IS THE CITY MANAGEMENT, HIS STAFF AND ADMINISTRATION WILL WORK WITH THE NONPROFIT IN THE COMMUNITY . 
          IF IT IS NOT, THIS WILL BE AN HOUR BUDGET OF NEXT YEAR. 
          OUR BUDGET ENDS ON THE LAST DAY IN SEPTEMBER AND BEGINS IN OCTOBER. EVEN IF IN PLACE, WE WOULDN'T HAVE ADAPTIVE WRECK ANYWAY. BECAUSE THE COVID-19. 
          I AM SUPPORTIVE OF THE TWO DOLLAR MEAL FOR SENIORS. 
          HOWEVER, IF ONE OF OUR SENIOR CITIZENS DOES NOT HAVE TWO DOLLARS, THEY WILL NOT BE TURNED AWAY.THAT IS MY MOTION. AND I WOULD ALSO ADD THAT REDUCING NONESSENTIAL TRAVEL. THAT TRAVEL DEFINED ACCREDITATION OR THE CERTIFICATIONS AND THAT IS MY 
          MOTION. >> WAS GOING TO SAY YOU MENTIONED ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES. 
          HOW EXACTLY SOMEONE WANTED TO CONTRIBUTE TO THAT MAYBE THAT IS NOT SOMETHING ÃMAYBE TODAY OR TOMORROW. 
          BUT CAN WE FIGURE OUT A WAY IF SOMEONE WALKS OUT OF HERE TONIGHT AND SAYS ÃI'M NOT GOING TO ARGUE WITH MR. SCHWARTZ MATH BECAUSE HE'S MUCH BETTER AT THAT THAN I AM. 
          LET'S SAY IT IS $50.34 WOULD COVER ONE PERSON FOR A MEAL FOR A MONTH, LET'S FIGURE OUT A WAY THAT IF SOMEONE WANTS TO DONATE THE DOLLAR WOULD MAYBE NOT TONIGHT BUT THE NEXT WEEK OR SO, HOW CAN PEOPLE HELP OUT. WE DO KNOW THIS IS SUCH A GREAT COMMUNITY OF CARE TO READ IF SOMEONE WAS HAVE A SCHOLARSHIP TO HELP A SENIOR WITH THAT COST, WE COULD FIGURE OUT A WAY 
          TO DO THAT. >> WE WILL SET SOMETHING UP. 
          >> AND MAYBE A GOOD EXAMPLE. EACH ONE OF US START THAT. 
          WHAT IS YOUR CLARITY, MR. PRICE?> ANOTHER ITEM IN THE PRESENTATION IS A POSSIBILITY WILL SEE $20 FOR THE WRECK AND THEN $25 FOR THOSE OUTSIDE OF THE CITY. 
          IS THAT PART OF YOUR MOTION. >> YES, SUPPORTED BY THE PARKS BOARD. FOR NONRESIDENTS, A LITTLE BIT 
          MORE. >> OKAY. 
          I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT. SPOKE WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? 
          WHAT, TRIED SENIOR MEALS?>> RIGHT NOW THEY ARE FREE AND 
          THEY WILL BE TWO DOLLARS. >> I UNDERSTAND THE TWO DOLLAR 
          CHARGE, YES, SIR. >> DOES THIS MOTION NEED TO INCLUDE THE PART ABOUT THE CONVENTION CENTER MONEY AND ALL 
          THE OTHER THINGS? >> IT IS INCLUDED IN THE 
          ORDINANCE, SIR. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND WE HAVE A SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?MADAM 
          SECRETARY? >> MAYOR PRO TEM. 
          >> YES WHAT DEPUTY MAYOR. >> YES. 
          >> COUNCILMEMBER ALBUS. >> A. 
          >> ACCOUNT NUMBER HURT. >> YES. 
          >> COUNCIL MEMBER MCALSTER. >> YES 
          >> KILLED MORE CRAVER. >> YES. 
          >> MAYOR WILLIAMS. >> YES. 
          >>ANTHONY WILLIAMS : WE WILL PULL ITEM NUMBER 21 AND WE WILL GO TO ITEM NUMBER 22 . DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION WILL 
          PRESENT THIS ITEM. >>> I WILL ASK DON GREEN TO 
          [22. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action to Approve Renaming the Airport Conference Room (Don Green)]
          PRESENT THIS ITEM. >> GOOD EVENING MAYOR AND COUNCIL, DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES. 
          [02:00:06]
I AM ASKING FOR COUNSEL TO CONSIDER RENAMING THE LOWER LEVEL CONFERENCE ROOM IN THE AIRPORT TERMINAL AFTER OUR LONG-STANDING CHAIR, LARRY BUHL WOULD OTHERWISE KNOWN AS LAWRENCE E GILL WILL. BUT LARRY HAS SERVED ON THE AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT BOARD SINCE JULY 13, 1989. 
          LARRY HAS INDICATED THAT HE IS GOING TO RESIGN FROM THE BOARD 
          VERY SHORTLY. >> ISN'T THAT WHAT HE SAID LAST YEAR? [LAUGHTER] 
          >> YES, HE DID ACTUALLY. AND I SAID PLEASE HANG ON A LITTLE BIT LONGER. WE MIGHT HAVE GOOD NEWS THIS YEAR . WHICH WE DIDN'T EXPECT IT WOULD BE SUCH A MIXED BAG FOR THIS YEAR. 
          BUT LARRY HAS BEEN AN ACTIVE PART OF THE AIRPORT BOARD SINCE 1989 AND HAS BEEN CHAIRMAN ÃWE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHEN HE BECAME CHAIR. BUT I HAVE BEEN YEAR OVER 16 YEARS AND HE HAS BEEN CHAIR THE ENTIRE TIME I HAVE BEEN HERE. 
          >> COULDN'T RUN HIM OFF. >> WOULDN'T EVEN TRY. 
          LARRY HAS BEEN A GREAT FRIEND AND COUNCIL TO PREVIOUS AIRPORT DIRECTORS TO ME HE HAS SEEN THIS AIRPORT FOR MANY IMPROVEMENTS , AS WELL AS BAD TIMES SUCH AS 9/11 AND THE COVID PANDEMIC. I RELY ON HIS COUNSEL. 
          I WILL CALL HIM AND DISCUSS THINGS WITH HIM THAT WE WANT TO BRING TO THE BOARD AND TO COUNSEL. 
          I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO RELY ON VERY GOOD ADVICE FROM LARRY. 
          AND SO I HAVE APPRECIATED THE TIME I HAVE HAD TO WORK WITH HIM SO MUCH. AND SO WOULD LIKE TO BRING TO YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO NAME THE CONFERENCE ROOM, WHICH IS WHERE THE AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT BOARD MEETS MOST TIMES IN THE AIRPORT BUT AFTER LARRY THROUGH THE LAWRENCE E GILL CONFERENCE ROOM. THAT IS A MINIMUM HONOR I 
          THOUGHT WE COULD OFFER HIM. >> THE LEAST WE COULD DO BRITT ALTHOUGH HE REPRESENTS A LESSER HALF OF THE DUO. 
          HE CERTAINLY MADE AN IMPACT IN THIS COMMUNITY. 
          AND I AM PROUD EVERYTHING HE DOES AND WHAT HE REPRESENTS FOR 
          OUR COMMUNITY. >> I THINK IT IS SO APPROPRIATE THAT IT BE THE LOWER LEVEL. THAT PRETTY MUCH SAYS IT ALL. 
          AND IF NOBODY ELSE HAS ANYTHING TO SAY. 
          >> WE HAVE DOUBLE PUBLIC HEARING, BUT WE WILL LET YOU 
          MAKE THE MOTION. >> THIS WAS NOT INTENDED TO BE A ROAST. [LAUGHTER] 
          >> AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. 
          IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO, GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. PRIOR TO THE MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ALBUS.> I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME TO WORK THIS OUT TO PROVIDE A WAY TO HONOR LARRY FOR ALL THE WAYS HE HAS SERVED THE AIRPORT. HE SERVED HIS COUNTRY IN THE AIR FORCE AND I APPRECIATE THAT IN THE SERVICE. 
          AND HE SERVED THE COMMUNITY FOR MANY YEARS IN VARIOUS WAYS. 
          ABILENE WOULD NOT BE THE SAME CITY WITHOUT THEINFLUENCE . 
          AND SO I'M HAPPY TO SEE YOU ARE DOING THIS AND LOOK FORWARD TO 
          THE MOTION. >>ANTHONY WILLIAMS : COMMENTS PRIOR TO THE MOTION? WITH THAT. 
          >>DONNA ALBUS : IT IS MY GREAT HONOR TO MAKE THE EMOTIONS THAT WE NAME THE CONFERENCE ROOM AT THE AIRPORT AFTER LARRY GAIL. 
          >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER PRICE. DO NOTE HE IS ABLE LESSER HALF ON THAT TEAM, THOUGH. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?EADY 
          TO VOTE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER ALBUS. 
          >> YES. >> COUNSEL NUMBER HURT. 
          >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER MCALSTER. 
          >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER CRAVER. 
          >> YES. >> MAYOR PRO TEM. 
          [23. 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)]
          >> YES. >> DEPUTY MAYOR. 
          >> YES. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS. 
          >> YES. >> WE ARE ON TO ITEM 23. 
          AS OUTLINED IN EXHIBIT A IT AT THIS TIME I WOULD OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IFANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.S THERE A MOTION BY COUNSEL. 
          >> SO MOVED . >> SECOND. 
          >> SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CRAVER. 
          [02:05:01]
          >> COUNCILMEMBER MCALLISTER. >> YES. 
          >> COUNCIL MEMBER CRAVER. >> YES. 
          >> MAYOR PRO TEM. >> YES. 
          >> DEPUTY MAYOR. >> YES. 
          [24. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on approval of a Resolution approving of (i) a Restated Certificate of Formation (formerly Articles of Incorporation) of the DCOA with amendments and (ii) an Application to present to the Abilene City Council to amend the DCOA’s Certificate of Formation (formerly Articles of Incorporation) (Misty Mayo)]
          >> COUNCILMEMBER ALBUS. >> YES. 
          >>COUNCILMEMBER HURT.> YES . >> WE ARE NOW ON TO ITEM 24. 
          WE WILL ASK MISTY TO PRESENT THIS ITEM. 
          >> GOOD EVENING MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CITY MANAGER. I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF ABILENE. 
          THIS EVENING WE WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT THE CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION. THIS IS ALSO KNOWN FORMALLY AS THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION. WE ARE SUBMITTING A RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION. 
          >> ANY QUESTIONS PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC HEARING?. 
          AT THIS TIME AND WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. 
          IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO, COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. WE HAVE ONE CARD. 
          I WILL INVITE HIM UP. >> THANK YOU. 
          DAVID SWART ONCE AGAIN. HERE WE ARE TALKING AT THE END OF THE YEAR OF A LONG YEAR OF BUDGET CUTS AND SHORT FALLS. 
          AND NOW WE ARE WANTING TO CHANGE THE ARTICLES. 
          I THINK IT WAS IN 93. AM ALMOST POSITIVE THAT WHEN THEY FIRST VOTED THIS TO USE THE HALF CENT SALES TAX. 
          BUT THEY WERE GOING TO SAY WAS A BUSINESS INCUBATOR.AFTER HEARING THE LAST FEW COUNCIL MEETINGS ABOUT ALL THE SALARIES AND EXPENDITURES THE DCO A HAS AND HOW WHEN THE OTHER GENTLEMAN WAS IN CHARGE OF IT, HE TOLD ME WE CAN ALWAYS PICK ALL THE WINNERS AND LOSERS. BUT THE PROBLEM IS THEY ACTED MORE LIKE A BANK THAN THEY ARE SOMETHING ELSE. 
          PEOPLE ARE GOING TO SAY EVERY DAY DOWN TO 13TH AND PINE, IF YOU WERE A BANK IT WOULD TAKE A BEATING. 
          AND YOU SOLD IT FOR $1 MILLION AND THERE'S A PROMISE IF YOU KEEP STUDENT GOING YOU MIGHT GET ANOTHER MILLION DOLLARS FOR OVER A $13 MILLION PROJECT. I THINK THIS SHOULD EVENTUALLY SOMEWHERE IN THE HORIZON NEAR FUTURE MAY BE GO UP IN THE VOTERS AGAIN NEED TO AFFIRM THIS OR SOMETHING. 
          BECAUSE THEY ARE HEADING AND MRS. ARE GETTING GREATER AND GREATER. I KNOW SEVERAL YEARS AGO THE NEWS MEDIA REPORTED ONE OF THE TENANTS OUT AND FIVE POINTS THAT THE DCOA WAS HAVING PROBLEMS COLLECTING BACK THE MONEY. I THINK IT IS THE ONE THAT MOVED OUT FOR A KNOT FOR SURE, BUT I THINK THAT IS. 
          THAT EIGHT CENTS SALES TAX THEY ALLUDED TO MEANING THEY WERE GOING TO GIVE UP. BACK THEN WAS 2.$5 MILLION. 
          THAT 2.$5 MILLION SAID WE WILL MAKE A CONTRIBUTION AND IT IS A FIVE YEAR PROGRAM AND AFTER THAT HEADS TO SUNSET FOR THE LAST COUPLE YEARS THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DONATE THAT MUCH TO THE STREET MAINTENANCE FUND. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WILL NEED A PETITION TO THE VOTERS TO PUT IT BACK ON THE BALLOT, TO AFFIRM THIS AGAIN. AFTER 1/4 OF A CENTURY, WE SHOULD THINK ABOUT THIS COMPANY HOW THEY ARE ACTING MORE LIKE A BANK ALL THE TIME. THERE ALWAYS COMING HERE DURING THIS YEAR OF CUTS. PEOPLE OUT OF JOBS, LOW INCOME, NO INCOME, LOW HOURS. AND THEY KEEP WANTING TO SPEND MONEY. AND THINK YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY RECONSIDER THIS. AND IF YOU HAVE TO PUT IT FOR THE VOTERS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH COUNSEL. 
          >>ANTHONY WILLIAMS : ANYONE ELSE? I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARIN . 
          LET ME RESPOND TO SOMETHING. ABILENE WAS THE FIRST MUNICIPALITY IN THE STATE OF ITS OWN CORPORATION. 
          1989.ND IF YOU LOOK, 14 OF THE TOP 30 COMPANIES IN ABILENE HAVE BEEN ASSISTED BY THE CORPORATION OF ABILENE. 
          REPRESENTING ALMOST 9000 JOBS HERE IN REGARDS TO THE LOCAL REGION OF ABILENE. 800 CORPORATE ENTITIES ACROSS THE STATE HAVE THEIR OWN CORPORATION. 
          [02:10:01]
WECOMPETE NOT JUST WITH THEM BUT REALLY THE WORLD. 
          AND JUST A SUMMARY, JUST SO WE HAVE A GOOD INDICATION. 
          BY THE WAY , THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT JOB YOU HAVE ARE DOING. 
          IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS LOOK BACK PRIOR TO THIS YEAR, THERE WERE 20 DEALS COMPLETED IN REGARDS TO DCOA.PARTING WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTOR. CREATED 306 JOBS AND RETAINED 171 JOBS. THIS YEAR WITH THE RE-FORMATION OF THE DCOA BOARD WORKING WITH AAF ALONE, 22 DEALS WERE DONE THUS FAR THIS YEAR. 20, YOU REMEMBER THE LAST FIVE YEARS 22 THIS YEAR CREATING AN ADDITIONAL ALMOST 200 JOBS AND RETAINING OVER 1100 JOBS. BUT IT REPRESENTS IS THE OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE TO COMPETE WITH THE STATE AND THE WORLD JOBS ARE ABILENE. AND WE TALKED ABOUT JOBS IN ABILENE WE NEED NINE OR $10 AN HOUR. 
          BUT GOOD PAYING JOBS. AND I DON'T KNOW IF THE COMMUNITY IS AWARE OF THIS, BUT DCOA THIS YEAR WAS RECOGNIZED IN REGARDS TO THE STATE. AND GOING TO PROVIDE INFORMATION WE HAVE IN REGARDS TO THE DCOA. 
          AND SO THERE WAS STATE WIDE COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REWARD FOR THE STATE IN REGARDS TO PROJECTS. 
          AND IF YOU REMEMBER THAT WAS A NUMBER OF JOBS THAT PAID WAS $50,000 A HEAD. WAS DISAPPOINTED YEARS AGO. 
          WE JUST DIDN'T. BUT NO COINCIDENCE LEADERSHIP OF MR. MAYO WE HAVE DONE WELL. THERE IS ACCOUNTABILITY AT THE BOARD LEVEL AND COUNCIL LEVEL. I DON'T WANT TO PREACH A SERMON, BUT ONE OF PROVIDE INFORMATION INCLUDING IN REGARDS TO PERFORMANCE. COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL? 
          >> I AGREE WITH WHAT YOU SAID. HESE FUNDS ARE COLLECTED TO GO OUT AND CREATE JOBS, FIND JOBS, RETAIN JOBS. 
          THEY ARE NOT COLLECTED TO SIT THERE AND DO NOTHING. 
          AND I FEEL WHAT THE CURRENT STATE OF THE ECONOMY, WITH OTHER STATES AND PEOPLE LOOKING AT TEXAS AND ESPECIALLY AREAS LIKE THE SIZE ABILENE WHERE OUR LOCATION IS. 
          NOW IS AN EXTREMELY GOOD TIME TO RECRUIT THOSE COMPANIES AND THOSE JOBS. AND I FEEL THIS IS THE TIME TO 
          SHINE AND GET THAT DONE. >> A LOT OF THINGS ARE IMPORTANT IMPORTANT. I WOULD ARGUE A GOOD PAYING JOB IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. IT PROVIDES DIGNITY. 
          JUST NOT FOR THE INDIVIDUAL BUT THE WHOLE FAMILY. 
          AND WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE IN ABILENE TO HAVE DIGNITY. 
          THE DCOA GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE MORE DIGNITY FOR OUR FELLOW CITIZEN . 
          >> WE GET HAMMERED A LAW ON THAT 1325 PINE STREET. 
          THAT HAPPENED, OR YOU WANT COUNSEL WILL NOT HAPPEN. 
          >>ANTHONY WILLIAMS : 10 YEARS AGO. 
          >> YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE MAY BE IN THIS ROOM HERE AT CITY HALL WHEN THAT HAPPENED.I COULDN'T REMEMBER HOW FAR. 
          >> THE MERE THOUGHT IT WAS SHANE PRICE HIS FAULT. 
          >> THAT WASN'T A GREAT DEAL. BUT LET'S NOT KEEP BRINGING THAT UP EVERY TIME WE RUN A COMPLETE COMPLAINT ABOUT THE TREND WILL. THE DCOA IS DONE A LOT OF GOOD THINGS. I GET WEARY EVERY TIME WE BRING THAT UP. OKAY, IT WAS NOT GOOD. 
          IT WAS NOT GOOD AT ALL. BUT IT HAPPENED 10+ YEARS AGO. 
          SO LET'S MOVE FORWARDHE DCOA IS DOING A GREAT JOB. 
          >> AND AS A REPORT CARD, THE MODEL IS DIFFERENT NOW . 
          LET'S WILL MISTY ACCOUNTABLE. THE NUMBER HERE SAID SHE IS PRODUCING. AND AGAIN, HISTORICALLY 2000 JOBS HAVE BEEN CREATED TO RETAIN. 
          14 OF THE TOP 30 ENTITIES HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED. 
          I'M TRYING NOT TO PREACH. ANY FURTHER COMMENTS ON THE 
          COUNCIL? >> THAT PROJECT WAS ONE OF THE CATALYSTS FOR THE CHANGING BYLAWS WHICH LED TO THE OVERSIGHT AND REQUIRING THE APPROVAL OF THE COUNCIL. 
          BEFORE THAT IT WAS THE SOLE BOARD RESPONSIBILITY. 
          >> IS THERE A MOTION. >> I MAKE A MOTION. 
          >> IS THERE A SECOND. >> SECOND. 
          ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? >> COUNCILMEMBER MCALLISTER. 
          >> YOU. >> COUNCILMEMBER CRAVER. 
          >> YOU. >> MAYOR PRO TEM. 
          >> YES. >> DEPUTY MAYOR. 
          >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER ALBUS. 
          [25. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action Authorizing Changes to the DCOA's Bylaws (Misty Mayo)]
          >> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER HURT.> YES. 
          [02:15:01]
          >> YES. >>ANTHONY WILLIAMS : NUMBER 25 AND I WOULD INVITE MISTY ONCE AGAIN. 
          >> YES COUNCIL MEMBERS, I AM PRESENTING RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CHANGES TO THE DCA WAVEBYLAWS AND COORDINATION WITH THE CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION . 
          WE ARE LOOKING AT THE BYLAWS TO ENSURE THE VIABILITY OF OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS FOR YEARS TO COME. 
          IT HAS BEEN SINCE 2015 THE EDITS AND AMENDMENTS WERE OFFERED FOR THE BYLAWS. SO THIS IS CONSIDERED AN ADDITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE OVERSIGHT TO ENSURE WHAT WE ARE DOING. YOU MENTIONED ACCOUNTABILITY. 
          THIS IS ENSURING WHAT WE ARE DOING ACTUALLY IS MIRRORED AND CAPTURED THROUGH OUR OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS.ND OF COURSE THE BYLAWS AND CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION OR THOSE. 
          >> QUESTIONS YOU FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING?THANK YOU. 
          AT THIS TIME AND WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. 
          ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM. 
          >> WE HAVE DAVID. >> DAVID SWART ONCE AGAIN. 
          PREVIOUSLY AT THE OTHER COUNCIL MEETINGS, THE OTHER GENTLEMAN BROUGHT UP THAT BYLAWS WERE GOING TO CHANGE THE AMOUNT AUTHORIZED. WITHOUT GOING TO THE COUNCIL. 
          YOU KNOW IF THE WATER DEPARTMENT ONCE A DUMP TRUCK THAT IS OVER 50 GRAND, THEY HAVE TO COME HERE AND SAY PLEASE GIVE US A DUMP TRUCK. WE NEED A DUMP TRUCK REPLACEMENT. BUT IF THE BYLAWS DIDN'T HIGHLIGHT THEM HERE, BUT PREVIOUSLY IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP IN OTHER MEETINGS THAT THEY WANT TO INCREASE THEIR SPENDING POWER FROM 1/4 MILLION TO A MILLION. 
          I DON'T KNOW IF THERE BEEN ADJUSTMENTS OR NOT BECAUSE IT WASN'T ANYTHING BROUGHT UPJUST NOW IN THE PRESENTATION . 
          BUT JUST LIKE THE SALARIES I TOUCHED ON, THE SALARIES OF SOME OF THEM SEEM EXCEEDINGLY A LOT FOR THE CITY OF ABILENE. 
          THE CEO, THEY MAKE $191,000. THAT IS ONLY $9000 LESS THE WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON TO THAT IS THE 42ND PRESIDENT, FOR ALL THE PEOPLE OUT THERE IN T.V. LAND.HEY CALL THEM BILL CLINTON. SURE HE HAD SOME EXTRA SPIRIT LIKE HE HAD A CAR. TAKEN SOMEWHERE MAYBE GET A MONTH BIG MAC. HELICOPTER LANDED ON THE LAWN AND TAKE HIM OUT TO THE AIRPORT TO CATCH THE PLANE. 
          AT A NICE PLACE TO LIVE IN. BUT JUST $9000 MORE AND HE WAS RUNNING THE WHOLE COUNTRY. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS IS TWO HOUSES. THEY KEPT VOTING IN THE SAME MEMBERS OVER AND OVER AGAIN ON THEIR BOARD. 
          AND THEN EVENTUALLY I GOT WHERE YOU SAID THERE WAS ACCOUNTABILITY, WHICH IS GOOD IF THERE REALLY IS AN INDEPENDENT KIND. BUT EVENTUALLY THE ONE DAY THEY NEEDED REPAIRS THERE AND THEY REALIZED HEY, WE DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY IN OUR TREASURY. WELL, THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS. 
          THEY GOT LAX AND THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW THE TREASURY DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO RECOVER REPAIRS. 
          SO YOU CAN HAVE THAT IN ANYTHING AND YOU SAY THERE ARE ONLY FIVE BOARD MEMBERS ON HERE AND IN ONE OF THE OTHER COUNCIL MEETINGS. BUT I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE TO TELL THE PUBLIC OUT THERE THAT YOU CAN ASSURE US IF THIS IS AN INCREASE IN SPENDING, THAT THEY COME TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND SAY WE ARE FIXING TO SPEND THIS. 
          BUT IF THEY HAVE THE AUTHORIZATION TO SPEND OVER 1/4 OF MILLION DOLLARS AND THEY CAN DO IT WITHOUT HAVING TO COME TO THE COUNCIL. THAT IS WHAT I WANT TO BRING UP TOLD THE PEOPLE WATCHING ON TV. THANK YOU. 
          >> JUST TO FACTUALLY ADDRESS THOSE QUESTIONS AND YES, THE SPENDING AUTHORITY HAS BEEN INCREASING $250,000-$500,000 UNDER THESE BYLAW CHANGES, WHICH IS LESSON WITH THE ORIGINAL VERSION OF THE DRAFT DOCUMENT INDICATED.BUT ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS IS A LIMITATION ON THE DCOA PRESIDENTS ABILITY TO SPEND ANYTHING OVER $50,000 WITHOUT BOARD APPROVAL. SINCE IT WOULD MIRROR MY OWN AUTHORITY FROM A CITY STANDPOINT. 
          >> THANK YOU. SPOKE FOR ADDITIONAL CLARITY, FOR 20 FIVE YEARS THERE WAS NO LIMIT AT ALL WHATSOEVER. 
          THE 2015 LIMIT WAS PUT IN TO SEE WHAT IS REASONABLE. 
          [02:20:07]
IN THE CAFC) MILLION IS VERY REASONABLE.E ARE STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING.OES ANYONE ELSE WANT TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? 
          >> JERRY SMITH AGAIN. I DON'T WANT TO POUR WATER ON ANY OF THIS, BUT THERE IS SOMETHING THAT REALLY TROUBLES ME.THIS MIGHT NOT BE THE APPROPRIATE SECTION TO BRING THIS UP. $191,000 IS A LOT OF MONEY. 
          THERE IS A $500 OR A $400 MEMBERSHIP IN A $400 CAR ALLOWANCE. MANY PEOPLE IN ABILENE HAVE IT. 
          TO OVERSEE FOR PEOPLE, FOR EMPLOYEES. 
          HOW DOES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL? YOU ARE SEEING 1300 PEOPLE. 
          A COMPARISON. WHEN HE TALKED ABOUT TWO DOLLARS FOR THESE PEOPLE THAT CAN'T AFFORD THE MEALS, HOW DO YOU COMPARE THAT TO A $35 STEAK DINNER AT THE COUNTRY CLUB AND A LIQUOR BILL TO GO ALONG WITH IT. 
          YOU GUYS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DECISION. 
          AND I'M NOT CRITICIZING, BUT I WONDER IF YOU REALLY CONSIDER TO THE GUY OUT HERE WITHOUT A JOB. 
          HOW DOES THAT MAKE THAT GUY FEEL PRETTY IS HAVING TO PAY FOR THIS. I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MY NEXT MEAL. I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE TO HAVE A BUSINESS YEAR FOR 50 YEARS AND I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THIS. IT IS GOING TO AFFECT MY SONS AND MY DAUGHTERS AND MY GRANDCHILDREN. 
          THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS THE SALARY SCHEDULE. 
          IF IT IS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOLDOUT BEAR WERE ALL OUR FAULT.UT I FIND IT A LITTLE BIT OUT OF CHARACTER WHAT WE ARE PAYING TO RUN THE ORGANIZATION. 
          BUT IF MY READING IS RIGHT, LETTING ALL THE MONEY THAT WAS SPENT FOR THESE HEARINGS THIS YEAR WITH THE LOCAL BUSINESSES. 
          HOW WE BOUGHT A NEW BUSINESS IS IN OR WHICH IS HAVING HIS BUSINESSES WHO HAVE BEEN HERE FOR YEARS AND YEARS ADDING THEIR INCOME SO THEY CAN KEEP THEIR EMPLOYEES? WHERE IS THE NEW BUSINESS COMING. 
          I DON'T SEE ANY.ON IS SOMETHING I'M SURE AND I HOPE YOU WILL TELL ME ABOUT IT. BUT I DON'T WANT TO POUR WATER ON THIS, BUT I JUST THINK SOMETHING IS OUT OF KILTER HERE. THANK YOU. 
          >> I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS. WITH THE PUBLIC HEARING STILL GOING, THAT'S WHY WE HIRED MISTY FOR THE WORKING MAN OR WORKING WOMAN, THAT SON, THAT DAUGHTER WHO WANTS TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A BETTER JOB. THIS IS A POOR COMMUNITY. 
          WE NEED BETTER JOBS. THE PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE THOSE JOBS. AND AGAIN, THIS YEAR ALMOST 200 NEW JOBS WERE CREATED IN ABILENE. 
          ADDITIONALLY, 1100 MORE JOBS WERE RETAINED. 
          SOME OF THOSE JOBS COULD HAVE ADDED TO THOSE WHO ARE UNEMPLOYED. AND SO IN REGARDS TO THE COMPENSATION, I THINK IT IS COMPARABLE WITH HER PEERS OR COST STATE AND THE NATION. MORE WERE CREATED THIS YEAR IN THE LAST THAN IN PREVIOUS FIVE YEARS. 
          ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST PUBLIC ITEM? 
          >> I WILL ADD THE NEXT ITEM IS AN ACTIVITY REPORT FOR TRENT ALSO MISTY WILL BE ABLE TO PRESENT INFORMATION ON PROJECTS 
          AND JOBS BROUGHT IN. >> SEEN NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE A PUBLIC HEARING. DOES COUNCIL OF ANY COMMENTS OR 
          QUESTIONS? >> WE HAVE HEARD A LOT ABOUT THE COUNTRY CLUB MEMBERSHIP. I DON'T THINK MISTY IS GOING OUT THERE FOR LUNCH. IS MY UNDERSTANDING THE DCOA AT THE COUNTRY CLUB MEMBERSHIP IS FOR WHEN THEY BRING IN POTENTIAL BUSINESSES TO HAVE A PLACE TO TAKE THEM FOR DINNER. 
          I PERSONALLY WOULDN'T MIND GOING TO WHATABURGER BECAUSE I LIKE WHATABURGER, BY UNDER UNDERSTAND IT IS NICE TO HAVE A NICE PLACE TO TAKE POTENTIAL BUSINESSES COMING TO ABILENE TO LUNCH. PEOPLE THAT THINK MISTY AND HER GROUP ARE GOING TO THE COUNTRY CLUB EVERY DAY FOR LUNCH. 
          UNLESS I HAVE BEEN TOLD INCORRECTLY. 
          [02:25:01]
I DON'T MIND THEM HAVING THAT SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A PLACE TO 
          OUR CITY. >> THIS ITEM IS JUST THE 
          BYLAWS. >> IS IT A MOTION. 
          >> MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENT TO THE BYLAWS. 
          >> IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND. 
          WE ARE READY TO VOTE. >> MAYOR PRO TEM. 
          >> YOU. >> DEPUTY MAYOR. 
          >> YES. >> COUNCIL MEMBER ALBUS. 
          >> YES. >> COUNCIL MEMBER HURT. 
          >> YES. >> COUNCIL MEMBER MCALSTER. 
          [26. Oral Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on approving the FY 2020 Annual Report of Activities for the Development Corporation of Abilene (Misty Mayo)]
          >> YES. >> COUNCIL MEMBER CRAVER. 
          >> YES. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS. 
          >> YES. >>ANTHONY WILLIAMS : NUMBER 26. 
          MISTY ONCE AGAIN. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. 
          THIS YEAR ALONE EVERY DOLLAR THAT THE DCO A COMMITTED TO COMPANIES IS EXACTLY WHAT WE DO. 
          WE MAKE AN INVESTMENT IN COMPANIES IN EXCHANGE FOR THEIR RETURN INVESTMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY. 
          AND SO THIS YEAR ALONE FOR EVERY DOLLAR THE DCO EIGHT DEDICATED TO COMPANIES, THEY THEN COMMITTED A RETURN ON 
          INVESTMENT OF SEVEN DOLLARS. >> SAY IT ONE MORE TIME. 
          >> FOR EVERY DOLLAR THE DCOA COMMITTED TO COMPANIES THAT WERE WILLING TO MAKE A COMMITMENT TO GROWING IN ABILENE, AGAIN, THAT COULD BE FROM OUTSIDE THE COMMUNITY OR WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, THEY COMMITTED SEVEN DOLLARS. 
          1 TO 7 RETURN ON INVESTMENT. AND THAT IS ULTIMATELY THE MISSION OF THE DCOA IS TO INCREASE THE INVESTMENT OF COMPANY SO WE CAN EXPAND THE TAX BASE. 
          WHEN WE HAVE MORE COMPANIES WE HAVE LES TAX BURDEN ON OUR CITIZENS . SO YOUR HOME TAXES DON'T GO UP BECAUSE COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES ARE GROWING AND THEY ARE HOPING TO MEET BUDGET NEEDS. THEY ARE HELPING COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO HAVE JOB OPPORTUNITIES. 
          AND THAT IS WHY THE DCOA EXISTS. 
          SO YES, WE ARE INVESTING IN COMPANIES. 
          AND FOR EVERY DOLLAR, THE COMPANIES ARE MAKING A SEVEN DOLLAR COMMITMENT. THAT IS THE AVERAGE THIS YEAR IN 2022. OUR ANNUAL REPORT, I'M PRESENTING THIS AGAIN ON BEHALF OF THE ORDER DIRECTORS OF THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF ABILENE. 
          YOU NOTICE OUR MISSION REEMPHASIZES WHY THE DCOA EXISTS. A STRATEGIC PLAN, ANOTHER COMMUNITY HAS HEARD THIS FROM THE DCOA IN THE PAST. 
          FIVE YEARS AGO WITH OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS WE ENTERED INTO A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. 
          THE FIVE YOUR CULMINATION WILL BE THE SPRING. 
          THESE ARE THE KEY STRATEGIC PLANS STRATEGIES. 
          THIS EVENING I WILL NOT READ EVERY SLIDE TO YOU. 
          THIS WILL BE OFFERED ONCE THE COUNCIL CONSIDERS THE ANNUAL REPORT, THIS WILL BE OFFERED IN DIGITAL FORM ON THE DCOA WEBSITE. WE WILL HAVE A PRINTED COPY THAT WILL CITE SOURCES AND THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE AFTER PRINTING, WHICH SHOULD BE IN JANUARY. 
          >> IF YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH THE WEBSITE ADDRESS IS?>> IT IS DEVELOP ABILENE.COM. AND ACTUALLY, IT IS ABILENE DCOA IS LIKELY THE BETTER WEBSITE ADDRESS. 
          I HAVE TO TURN AROUND TO THE STAFF TEAM AND SAY ISN'T THAT WHERE WE ARE GOING TO POST IT. SO YES. 
          THE SPECIFIC STRATEGIC PLAN TARGET INDUSTRIES, THESE ARE THE INDUSTRIES WE FOCUS ON. THESEARE THE INDUSTRIES WE COMMITTED TO WORKING ON GROWING , WHICH IS INCLUDES ADVANCED MANUFACTURING FOOD PROCESSING BACK OFFICE IN HEALTHCARE. 
          UNDERSTANDING WE ARE A TYPE A ORGANIZATION FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS DESIGNATES THE TYPE OF PROJECTS THAT ARE FUNDS TO BE ALLOCATED FOR. THANK YOU FOR NOTING THE ACCOLADES. BECAUSE THEY ARE A TREMENDOUS ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR OUR SIZE MARKET, AS WELL AS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF ABILENE. 
          RECEIVING ECONOMIC EXCELLENT RECOGNITION AWARD, AS WELL AS A VERY COVETED WHAT IS CALLED A SETA AWARD, A COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REWARD FOR THE DEAL WITH HARTMAN'S INCORPORATING. THEY DID GO INTO ONE OF THE FACILITIES AT FIVE POINTS, WHICH WAS A LARGE BUILDING FORMERLY OCCUPIED BY HIS OLD TAX. 
          THEY APPLIED FOR AND WON A 1.$8 MILLION MATCHING GRANT FOR UPGRADES TO INFRASTRUCTURE. I LOVE MATCHING GRANTS, I LOVE THE OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE WHAT DO WE CALL THAT? 
          [02:30:02]
THE ABILITY FOR THE DCOA TO FOCUS ON OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPAND OUR ABILITY TO LEVERAGE OTHER FUNDS. 
          THIS IS A FANTASTIC EXAMPLE OF THAT. 
          1.$8 MILLION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES FOR TWO MAJOR ROADWAYS. PROJECT SUMMARIES. 
          THIS WILL SHOW FISCAL YEAR. THIS IS A FISCAL YEAR ANNUAL REPORT. IS OCTOBER 1, 2019 TO THE END OF SEPTEMBER 2020. YOU WILL SEE THERE ARE 18 PROJECTS, +6 ADDITIONAL PARIS THE REASON WHY WE DIFFERENTIATED IS WE ARE SHOWING YOU THE 18 PROJECTS WITH COMPANIES. AND THEN THE SIX ADDITIONAL PROJECTS, FOR EXAMPLE ONE IS WITH ABBY MORE. 
          THAT WAS AN EXPANSION OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM IN A PHYSICAL STRUCTURE THAT WOULD HELP THEM RETAIN THEIR JOBS. 
          THAT WAS THE VINE STREET ACQUISITION OF THAT PROPERTY. 
          SO WE HAVE SEPARATED THEM OUT FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. 
          THANK YOU AGAIN, YOU MENTIONED SOME OF THESE NUMBERS. 
          YOU SEE WHAT IS MOST IMPACTFUL IS THE TOTAL COMMITMENT OF $25 MILLION THESE COMPANIES HAVE MADE. 
          IN EXCHANGE FOR SUPPORT FROM THE DCOA PRITIKIN, ONE DOLLAR TO SEVEN DOLLAR INVESTMENT. AND I PRESENT TO THE COUNCIL, I LIKE TO TAKE US BACK TO THE REALITY EVERYTHING IN OUR COMMUNITY IS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. 
          THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IS LOOKING AT THE PRIMARY PILLARS THAT ARE GOING TO DRIVE PRIMARY JOB CREATION AS WELL AS THE COMMERCIAL CAPITAL INVESTMENT. THAT HIS BUSINESS ATTRACTION. 
          GOING OUT AND MARKETING ABILEN . 
          AND TRULY WE ARE A MARKETING ORGANIZATION. 
          OUR JOB IS TO GO OUT AND MAKE CERTAIN THAT THE WORLD KNOWS HOW FANTASTIC ABILENE IS. HOW FANTASTIC IT IS TO DO BUSINESS IN ABILENE. THAT IS OUR JOB. 
          SO YES, THERE ARE SO MANY MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES. 
          IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE ARE OUT MAKING SURE WE ARE SPREADING THAT MESSAGE. INTERNALLY THAT HIS COMPANIES ALREADY DOING BUSINESS IN ABILENE. 
          THAT HIS BUSINESS ATTENTION AND EXPANSION AND ENTREPRENEURIAL. 
          THOSE OF THE THREE CORE PILLARS OF WORKFORCE IS CRITICAL AND TOUCHES ALL OF THOSE , AS WELL AS MARKETING AND BRAND AWARENESS. SO THE DCOA WORKS VERY CLOSELY WITH OUR PARTNERS. I WILL SHOW YOU A LIST OF ADDITIONAL PARTNERS, BUT ONE HIGHLIGHT THE EFFORTS THIS YEAR BUT WAS REALLY A CULMINATION OF FIVE OR SIX YEARS OF WORK BY NOT ONLY THE DCOA LEADERS, BUT MANY OF YOU. 
          I KNOW THE CITY MANAGER, DOUG PETERS WITH THE CHAMBER. 
          FOR MANY YEARS WE HAVE DISCUSSED ALL THE PRIVATE BUSINESS LEADERS INVOLVED IN THE STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR WORK FOR THE COMBINATION OF WHAT WE ARE CALLING ONE COMMUNITY, ONE TEAM, ONE BRAND. 
          THAT IS DEVELOP ABILENE. ENSURING THAT THROUGH THE PILLARS WE ARE AGGRESSIVELY COMPETING WITH THOSE COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE NATION AND EVEN THROUGHOUT THE WORLD IN SOME INDUSTRIES TO MAKE SURE ABILENE TEXAS GROWS AND PROSPERS. THIS IS A DETAILED HIGHLIGHT OF HOW WE APPROACHED THE COMMITMENT FOR REALIGNMENT WITH ALL OF OUR PARTNERS. REALIGNMENT MEANT ADDITIONAL CONTRACTS WRITTEN IN THOSE CONTRACTS MAKING SURE WE HAD VERY MEASURABLE RESULTS AND TASKS OUTLINED. 
          HERE IS A LIST OF OUR PRIMARY PARTNERS THAT WE HAVE CONTRACTS WITH TO DELIVER ON KEY COMPONENTS OF OUR CORE PILLARS. 
          THE ABILENE INDUSTRIAL FOUNDATION, THE MARKETING PART OF THE ABILENE REGIONAL AIRPORT FOR THE ABILENE MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, WHICH IS PART OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. THE SPD C AND ENTREPRENEURIAL FALLS THE GREAT CENTER. THE ABILENE AND NEXT UNIVERSITY ARE TWO OF THE PROGRAMS THAT THE DCOA WORKS WITH UNDER THE PILLARS. NEXT UNIVERSITY FALLS UNDER WORKFORCE AND TALENT DEVELOPMENT AND ABILENE IS A ENTREPRENEURIAL PILLAR IT IS JUST THE THIRD YEAR OF THE PROGRAM. WE WERE ABLE TO AWARD THREE NEW START UP COMPANIES AND $250,000 TOTAL AND YOU CAN SEE THOSE IMPACTS ARE CAPTURED. BECAUSE HE TOTAL DIRECT IMPACT IS OVER $5 MILLION FOR THOSE THREE COMPANIES. 
          [02:35:03]
          >> WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BEING FISCALLY SMART, THAT'S ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL. SO AGAIN, IF WE ARE SUPPORTING COMPANIES IN EXCHANGE FOR THEIR RETURN AND INVESTMENT, WE NEED TO ENSURE WE ARE DOING THAT MOST IMPACTFUL WE. 
          EVEN EXAMPLES LIKE GOING AFTER THE EDA GRANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ABLE TO CAPTURE FEDERAL FUNDS. 
          THIS SHOWS THE LAST YEAR WE ENDED 17 PERCENT UNDER BUDGET FOR EXPENSES. OUR JOB AGAIN, AS A PRIMARY MARKETING ORGANIZATION IS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE LEVERAGING THE MESSAGE TO ABILENE.UT THERE ARE TIMES THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE EXTREMELY CONSERVATIVE. 
          ON THIS ALLOWED US A BENEFIT LAST YEAR. 
          I WANT TO NOTE, WE DO A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TRAVEL. 
          I JUST HAVE TO NOTE THAT BECAUSE OUR TEAM, OUR STAFF TEAM IS INCREDIBLE. THAT ARE DEDICATED, THEY WORKED TIRELESSLY. I'M SO TIRED I CAN BARELY SAY IT. [LAUGHTER] 
          >> OTHER PEOPLE SAY FRIDAY NIGHT THIS AND SATURDAY NIGHT THIS. IT IS AFULL-TIME, SOMETIMES AROUND-THE-CLOCK JOB . WE ARE THINKING OF A PARTICULARLY LARGE PROJECT AND AMY WHITMER AND ASHLEY ARE HERE WITH ME. AMY IS A LEAD ON ONE OF THESE BIG PROJECTS. THERE ARE TIMES IS 11:00 AT NIGHT. I WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO NOT OVERLY BRAG ON THEM. I NEEDED TO PREACH. 
          NOT ONLY IS OUR STAFF SO DEDICATED, BUT WE HAVE PARTNERS WHO TRULY BELIEVE IN THIS COMMUNITY. 
          I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SAY WHAT A GREAT JOB THEYARE DOING 
          . >> AMEN. 
          >> SO ALONG WITH THAT, BEYOND THE PARTNERS ARE THE FIVE BOARD MEMBERS. I HAVE BEEN IN THE BUSINESS OF NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT, VERY SUCCESSFUL ECONOMIC DEVELOPER FOR MANY DECADES. I CAN TELL YOU THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BOARDS I HAVE EVER WORKED WITH. 
          WE HAVE A FIVE MEMBER BOARD THAT IS, SOME OF THE THINGS WE DO ARE DESIGNED BY STATE LEGISLATIVE CODE. 
          MEANING THE STATE OF TEXAS. AND SO OF THOSE FIVE BOARD MEMBERS, THREE OF THEM ARE FINANCE PROFESSIONALS AND FOUR OF THE FIVE BOARD MEMBERS OWN SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES. 
          SO THANK YOU ALL FOR HANDPICKING THE CREAM OF THE CROP BECAUSE THEY ARE TRULY DEDICATED TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR COMMUNITY. ON THE ROADS. 
          ROADS ARE TYPICALLY FINANCED BY TYPE B ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS. THERE ARE CERTAIN PROJECTS THAT ARE CONSIDERED INFRASTRUCTURE. THE DCOA DID COMMIT DATE.$5 MILLION FOR ROADWAY IMPROVEMEN . 
          THAT IS THROUGH A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CITY. 
          FISCAL YEAR 19 THROUGH 20 Ã 2023 PARIS CAN WE CONTINUE TO MAKE THE ANNUAL PAYMENT ON THAT COMMITMENT.HAT IS IN ORDER TO HELP FOSTER A BETTER INFRASTRUCTURE TO ATTRACT COMPANIES THAT CAN BRING THE PRIMARY JOBS AGAIN. 
          >> GREAT JOB. QUESTIONS OF THE COUNCIL PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC HEARING? AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. WOULD ANYBODY LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THE ITEM? IF SO, PLEASE REPORT YOUR NAME 
          FOR THE RECORD. >> JERRY SMITH AGAIN. 
          I WANT TO APOLOGIZE IF I SOUNDED LIKE I WAS MAKING A PERSONAL ATTACK ON YOU. I WASN'T. 
          I APOLOGIZE SINCERELY IF IT SOUNDED LIKE IT. 
          I HAVE PARTNERS ÃPARKINSON'S DISEASE AND SOMETIMES WHAT I SAY DOESN'T COME OUT TO BE WHAT I REALLY MEAN TO SAY. 
          IF I SAID ANYTHING THAT OFFENDED YOU AND IT SOUNDED LIKE I DID, I APOLOGIZE TO YOU SINCERELY. 
          IDIDN'T MEAN TO CRITICIZE YOU AT ALL. 
          AND IT WAS NOT INTENDED TO BE AN ATTACK . 
          YOU SAID YOU HAD A RECORD OF EVERY DOLLAR INVESTED, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW YOU JUSTIFY THAT OR HOW DO YOU PROVE THAT 
          OUT? >>ANTHONY WILLIAMS : HOW IS IT CALCULATED? IS YOUR QUESTION? 
          >> HOW DO YOU ARRIVE AT. [INDISCERNIBLE] AND MISSED THE THREE BUSINESSES THAT COME TO TOWN. 
          IN WHICH SHE WOULD TELL ME WHAT THOSE ARE. 
          >> I APPRECIATE THE APOLOGY, HOWEVER, UNNECESSARY, BECAUSE AS 
          [02:40:04]
THE MAYOR HAS POINTED OUT, WHEN THEY HIRED ME LAST AUGUST HAD DONE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF DUE DILIGENCE AND DISCOVERED HOW COMPETITIVE IT IS TO ATTRACT TOP PERFORMING DEVELOPERS AS MYSELF. 
          RESULTS WILL PROVE THEMSELVES. SO WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED THIS YEAR AND WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS ON THE HORIZON. I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR BUILDING A WORLDCLASS COMPETITIVE TEAM. THAT INCLUDES OUR PARTNERS AS WELL. AND WE ARE CERTAINLY ON THE WAY TO EXCEEDING EVERYONE'S EXPECTATIONS ON THAT REALM. 
          ON THE PROJECTS, I WAS FLIPPING THROUGH TO SEE IF I HAD A LIST OF THEM. ASHLEY, DO YOU HAPPEN TO HAVE THAT? THANK YOU. 
          THE FABULOUS TEAM I HAVE. WE HAVE QUALITY IMPLEMENT. 
          WE HAVE -- I'M LOOKING REALLY QUICKLY THROUGH. 
          BAVARIAN. IT'S THE POLYMER PLASTIC EXKRUGS COMPANY. ATTRACTING SUPPLIERS AND OTHER LIKE-TYPE COMPANIES. I'LL POINT OUT OTHERS. 
          WHEN YOU OCCUPY A FACILITY THAT IS ON I-20 THAT WAS REALLY BECOMING NOT ONLY AN EYE SORE, BUT A VACANT FACILITY FOR SO MANY YEARS AND FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, AND YOU CAN ASSIST A COMPANY LIKE CHIEK INTO GROWING INTO A MUCH LARGER FACILITY SO THEY CAN GROW AND CONTINUE TO PROSPER IN ABILENE, THAT'S A HUGE SUCCESS. 75-85% OF YOUR NEW JOB GROWTH WILL COME FROM YOUR EXISTING CUSTOMERS. 
          BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION IS CRITICAL WORKING WITH THOSE COMPANIES. WE HAD HARTMAN'S. 
          OF COURSE, WE PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED THAT. 
          VISTA, THEY'RE A MANUFACTURER OF CERTAIN TYPES OF SIGNAGE AND FLAG PARAPHERNALIA. YOU ALSO HAVE TWO PROFS ICE CREAM. TEN COMPANIES THAT WERE THE ATTRACTION -- EXCUSE ME, BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION THROUGH THE ECONOMIC RELIEF GRANT FUND. 
          NOW THE QUESTION I DO WANT TO ANSWER AND I APPRECIATE THE TIME TO ANSWER, HOW DO WE FIGURE THE 1-7. 
          BY STATE LAW, EVERY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE, SO ESSENTIALLY EVERY DOLLAR THAT THE DCOA IS ABLE TO AWARD THROUGH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. AND SOMETIMES IF IT'S LARGE ENOUGH THROUGH THE COUNCIL'S PARTICIPATION OR APPROVAL OR EVALUATION, I SHOULD SAY. EVERY DEAL REQUIRES A CONTRACT. 
          SO EVERY COMPANY ENTERS INTO A CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION. 
          AND THE MOST IMPORTANT POINT FOR THE PUBLIC TO KNOW IS A CLAWBACK IS REQUIRED. SO A CLAWBACK MEANS IF YOU DON'T PERFORM, HERE'S HOW YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO RETURN THE MONEY. 
          SO IF YOU DON'T PERFORM, SO THEY'RE PERFORMANCE METRICS FOR COMPANIES. SO EVERY DEAL THAT'S DONE, EVERY ONE THAT I READ TO YOU REGARDLESS HAS A CONTRACT. 
          SO WE LOOK AT WHAT THEY'VE CONTRACTED AS AN OBLIGATION FOR THEIR FINANCIAL INVESTMENT BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY MEANS WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO SPEND TO BUILD THEIR BUILDING, WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO SPEND TO BEGIN THEIR OPERATION. 
          IF THEY'RE NOT BUILDING THEIR BUILDING, THERE'S PURCHASE, THERE'S SO MANY COSTS RELATED. FOR THOSE OF YOU ALL WHO ARE INVOLVED IN BUSINESS, SOMETIMES THOSE COSTS ARE ENORMOUS, MORE OFTEN THAN NOT. I HOPE THAT ANSWERS THE QUESTION BECAUSE WE CERTAINLY WANTED AN OPPORTUNITY. 
          >> SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS. >> SO HE ALREADY KNOWS HOW MUCH 
          IT COSTS. >> YEAH. 
          THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE? 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> DAVID SWART ONCE AGAIN. THANK YOU, COUNCIL. 
          OVERVIEW FOR THE 2019. IT'S PRETTY INTERESTING. 
          YOU MENTIONED IN SOME OF THE PREVIOUS ABOUT THE BUSINESSES AND EVERYTHING. PERSONALLY ON MY LEVEL, THE ONLY BUSINESS I COULD SAY THAT AFFECTED ME DIRECTLY WITH THE 
          [02:45:04]
DCOA'S HELP WAS PROBABLY THE COKE EXPANSION. 
          THE OTHERS HAVEN'T REALLY AFFECTED ME. 
          JUST LIKE THERE'S THE DOG FOOD PLACE OUT THERE. 
          I THINK I ASKED SEVERAL COUNCILS AGO, YOU CAN BUY THAT DOG FOOD IN ABILENE, TEXAS. TURNS OUT YOU HAVE TO GO ON AMAZON TO LOOK FOR THAT STUFF. I DON'T THINK YOU CAN JUST WALK IN SOMEWHERE. BUT A FAR AS REGARDS RIPE IN THE PICKING RIGHT NOW FOR BUSINESSES AND EMPLOYMENTS, WE SHOULD ALREADY START ON THE HOTEL OVER HERE. 
          BECAUSE I KNOW THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SOME PEOPLE WHO WOULD HAVE WANTED TO WORK AT THE HOTEL AND CONSTRUCTION AND EVERYTHING. 
          WE'VE GOT THIS VACANT LOT RIGHT HERE. 
          THERE'S POSSIBILITY THAT WE COULD START ON THAT IF WE'RE SUCH RIPE IN THE PICKING. BUT THE PEOPLE I KNOW THEY'RE HURTING IN THIS COVID DEAL. THAT'S WHY EVERY TIME THEY TURN AROUND, LIKE THEY GAVE MONEY TO A COMPANY THAT WAS ONE MILE OUTSIDE OF THE CITY LIMIT. BUT WITHIN THE 5-MILE RADIUS. 
          AND WHEN THEY EXPLAINED IT, IT WAS A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY UNDER THE PPP PROGRAM WHETHER THEY APPLIED AND TURNED DOWN AND THE FUNDS RAN OUT. THERE IS A BILL BEFORE THE FEDS NOW IN CONGRESS TO EXTEND THE PPP PROGRAM. 
          IT'S 700 AND SOMETHING BILLION BECAUSE THEY WANT TO SPLIT IT UP AND INCLUDE SOME MONEY FOR THE PPP PROGRAM. 
          SO WHEN THEY WERE HERE FROM THE DCOA, THEY'RE GIVING MONEY TO THE JOB RETENTION. WHEN STEVE MNUCHIN, THAT'S SECRETARY OF TREASURY, AT LEAST UNTIL JANUARY 20TH. 
          THEY WERE TELLING PEOPLE APPLY FOR THIS PPP SO YOU CAN RETAIN YOUR EMPLOYEES AND PAY THEM. SO I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT TO THE PEOPLE OUT THERE. THERE WERE OTHER AVENUES. 
          WHETHER THE COMPANY APPLIED FOR THEM OR NOT OR IN THE FUTURE DEPENDS HOW LONG THIS COVID IS GOING TO GO ON. 
          I DON'T SEE IT ENDED ANYTIME SOON. 
          LIKE THEY SAID, MAYBE UP UNTIL THE SUMMER BEFORE WE MAYBE SEE ANY CHANGE TURNAROUND. BUT IF WE'RE SO RIPE FOR PICKING, LET'S GO AHEAD AND START THE HOTEL PROJECT AFTER JANUARY, AND MAYBE DO SOMETHING WITH THIS VACANT LOT FOR SOMETHING IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. 
          WHETHER IT'S RETAIL OR SOMETHING ELSE. 
          THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COUNCIL, TONIGHT. 
          >> IS THERE ANYONE ELSE? WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK BEFORE OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, I'LL CLOSE THE 
          PUBLIC HEARING. >> MOTION SECOND TO COUNCIL. 
          >> ACTION. ACTION OR JUST REPORT. 
          >> WE DID LAST YEAR. 
          >> ACCEPTING IT. OKAY. 
          >> SO NO MOTION IT. >> A MOTION TO ACCEPT. 
          >> IS THERE A MOTION? A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN PRICE. 
          WE'RE READY TO VOTE >> COUNCIL MEB ALBASS. 
          >> YES. >> COUNCIL MEMBER HURT. 
          >> YES. >> COUNCIL MEMBER KREBER. 
          >> YES. >> AND MAYOR WILLIAMS. 
          [PUBLIC COMMENTS]
          >> YES. >> WE'LL NOW MOVE TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD WILL ONLY ALLOW MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO PRESENT IDEAS, INFORMATION TO 
          CITY OFFICIALS AND STAFF. >> DAVID SWART. 
          >> ALL RIGHT. >> I GOT A COUPLE MORE CARDS. 
          >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL, ONCE AGAIN. 
          WELL I'M SURE WE'VE BEEN ALLUDED TO THROUGH JERRY HERE, THE MEDIA REPORTS THAT MAYOR, YOU MAY POSSIBLY BE LEAVING OUR CITY FOR A PLACE IN THE NORTHWEST. YOU KNOW, YOU JUST GOT REELECTED. I'M GOING TO HAVE TO USE SOME STAR TREK GENRE LIKE I DID ON JACK. 
          YOU KNOW, YOU'RE JUST LIKE COMMANDER CISCO ON DEEP SPACE 9. 
          YOU JUST MADE CAPTAIN. WE CAN'T HAVE YOU JUMP SHIP ON THAT RIGHT NOW. BUT IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, STAR TREK GENRE ASIDE. I UNDERSTAND IF IT'S THE OPPORTUNITY TO BETTER YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY AND IT'S PROBABLY A GOOD MOVE. THE PROBLEM IS, LIKE YOU SAID, IT'S ONAN ISLAND. THE LOGISTICS FROM MOVING A HOME FROM ABILENE TO A HOME ON WASHINGTON STATE. 
          MAYBE YOU CAN RENT A C1 JULIETTE OUT THERE. 
          IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, I UNDERSTAND THE FRIENDS YOU'VE MADE A LIFETIME HERE WITH WILL OBVIOUSLY MISS YOU. 
          [02:50:01]
BUT AGAIN, IF IT'S A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TO BETTER YOUR CAREER, EVERYTHING, THAN I WISH YOU WELL. WELL IN THE LAST LITTLE BIT WE HAVE LEFT HERE, I KNOW IT'S THE END OF THE YEAR FOR THE COUNCIL. 
          EVEN THOUGH THE HOSPITAL TOLD US TO CANCEL CHRISTMAS IN THEIR NEWS CONFERENCE A WEEK OR SO AGO AND EVERYTHING. 
          BUT IN THE END, WE ALL HAVE TO MAKE OUR OWN DECISIONS OF WHAT WE WANT TO DO. WHETHER IT'S TO FOLLOW UP IN ANOTHER CAREER IN ANOTHER STATE OR WHETHER TO HAVE CHRISTMAS OR SOMETHING OR NEW YEAR'S. NEXT YEAR MAYBE WE'LL SEE SOMETHING TOWARDS THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER OR SOMETHING. 
          WE MAY GET BETTER WITH THE VIRUS INOCULATIONS. 
          THE REASON I CAME UP HERE, THE COUNCIL MEETING, GOT INTERESTED, BECAUSE MAYOR WILLIAMS SAID A VOICE AT THE TABLE OR A SEAT AT THE TABLE OR SOMETHING TO THAT SIMILAR IN HIS FIRST RUN AS MAYOR. AND ALSO THE STREET MAINTENANCE. 
          MY GRANDPA WAS ON THE STREET DEPARTMENT FROM THE '60S AND THE '70S. AND HE'D BE SADDENED IF HE SAW HOW THE STREETS WERE LEFT TO DISREPAIR IN ALL THESE YEARS AND NEGLECT. ALL I CAN SAY IS, WE HOPE IT GETS A LITTLE BETTER IN '21. BUT I'M GETTING TO BE PRETTY PESSIMISTIC NOW. EVERY TIME SOMETHING CHANGES AND THE GOVERNMENT TELLS US DIFFERENT. 
          SO WE'LL SEE ON JANUARY 6TH IF THE ADMINISTRATION WILL CHANGE IN WASHINGTON. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COUNCIL. 
          >> WENDELL GLENN POUGH. 
          >> MAYOR, COUNCIL, THANK Y'ALL FOR LETTING ME BE HERE. 
          I KNOW ALL OF YOU. AS I ASSUME THE NEW ROLE FOR SENATOR BUCKINGHAM'S OFFICE HERE IN TOWN. 
          THIS IS HER SECOND LARGEST COUNTY IN HER DISTRICT. 
          >> AND THE BEST. >> AND THE BEST. 
          ABSOLUTELY. AND SO WE HAVE TWO REPRESENTATIVES HERE, MYSELF AND BEN BAILEY. 
          THE ONLY DISTRICT OFFICE THAT SHE HAS THAT HAS TWO. 
          THERE'S AN IMPORTANCE THAT ABILENE HAS IN HER HEART. 
          IT'S ALSO THE FURTHEST NORTH COUNTY IN HER DISTRICT. 
          SO IT TAKES TWO OF US TO GET IT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO AUSTIN. 
          ANY ISSUES YOU HAVE, ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO IN SENATOR BUCKINGHAM'S OFFICE, WE'RE HERE IN SERVICE TO YOU AND OBVIOUSLY, TO ABILENE. THIS IS THE SECOND CITY COUNCIL MEETING I ATTENDED THIS WEEK. THE FIRST ONE WAS 38 MINUTES. 
          PLAUFRT 
          . >> BUT IT WAS A LOT SMALLER 
          COMMUNITY. >> THAT'S WHEN MINDY'S THE MANAGER. 
          . >> YES, I'M SORRY. 
          AARON YOUNG. 
          >> MAYOR, COUNCILMEMBERS, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TONIGHT. I JUST KINDA WANT TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION WHAT I HAD WRITTEN ON THE NOTE CARD IS SOMETHING WEIGHING HEAVY ON MY HEART THAT I JUST FOUND OUT NOT TOO LONG AGO, IS THAT TAYLOR ELEMENTARY IN THE NEWS, THROUGH THE NEWS, HAS ANNOUNCED THEY'RE GOING TO BE OPENING JANUARY 5TH. 
          AND THROUGH DISCUSSION WITH THE ABILENE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND AS WELL AS CITY TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC DECISION THAT THERE ARE NO CURRENT PLANS FOR SCHOOL SPEED ZONE TO BE INSTALLED UNTIL AFTER A STUDY IS TO BE PERFORMED. 
          WHICH I LEARNED EARLY TODAY WILL BE PERFORMED SOME TIME IN THE SPRING. I THINK THEY DID MENTION THERE ARE OTHER SCHOOLS, LIKE WILY EAST ELEMENTARY AND INTERMEDIATE. I JUST SPEAK HIGHLY MORE SO ON TAYLOR ELEMENTARY BECAUSE ONE, IT'S A SCHOOL THAT'S MOVING LOCATIONS. AND WHEREAS THE EAST WILEY, I UNDERSTAND THOSE ARE GROWTH SCHOOLS THAT ARE BEING ADDED. 
          ONE THING I GUESS SOMETHING I LIKE TO SEE PROBABLY HELPFUL FOR THE FUTURE IS I GUESS ANTICIPATION OF HELP IN GETTING THESE SPEED ZONES ESTABLISHED BY THE TIME SCHOOLS OPEN. 
          >> THANK YOU, SIR. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE? SEEING NONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. 
          TIS IS OUR LAST MEETING OF THIS YEAR. 
          CERTAINLY BEEN AN INTERESTING YEAR. 
          [02:55:01]
I WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES GOD SPEED. 
          YOU HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS. I WANT TO COMMUNICATE SOMETHING OTHER MAYORS HAVE SAID. I'M SAYING THIS BECAUSE I AM TRAVELING TO GO SEE MY NEW GRANDBABY. 
          I DID SAY BE CAREFUL AND BE SMART AND BE WISE. 
          I BELIEVE AS A COMMUNITY WE'RE TURNING THE CORNER ON COVID-19 HERE AND IN OUR COUNTRY. PRAY FOR ALL THOSE FAMILIES THAT HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY COVID-19 IN ABILENE AND ABROAD. 
          GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.