4. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Modifying and Extending the Declaration of Local Disaster Issued December 17, 2020 (Robert Hanna)

[4. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Modifying and Extending the Declaration of Local Disaster Issued December 17, 2020 (Robert Hanna)]

DID YOU HAVE A QUESTION ON 4? >> I DIDN'T HAVE A QUESTION, I JUST WANT TO REITERATE AGAIN I'M 4 TAKING CARE OF OUR VULNERABLE POPULATION, BUT ANYTHING THAT DOES ANYTHING TO SHUT BUSINESSES DOWN OR KEEP BUSINESSES FROM RUNNING THE WAY THEY SHOULD RUN,

I'M JUST TOTALLY AGAINST THAT. >> AGAIN, JUST TALK PARTICULARLY ABOUT THE EXTENSION AND WHAT THE PURPOSE IS JUST SO THERE'S

CLARITY IN THAT REGARD. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR.

THE PURPOSE OF THE DECLARATION IS ONE, TO REMAIN CONSISTENT WITH THE GOVERNOR'S DECLARATION, BUT ALSO TO POSITION OURSELVES TO RECEIVE FEDERAL FUNDS IN THE EVENT OF THIS DISASTER WHEN THE FINAL ACCOUNTING IS DONE. THE CARES ACT MONEY HAS BEEN SPENT AND THE CARES ACT MAY OR MAY NOT BE REIMAGINED IN THE NEXT ADMINISTRATION. I'M SURE THERE'S TALK ABOUT THAT SOMEWHERE IN WASHINGTON. RIGHT NOW, WE'RE LOOKING AT FEMA FUNDS REIMBURSING OUR EXPENSES GOING FORWARD.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE TO PROPERLY ACCOUNT FOR THAT.

PART OF THAT PROCESS IS MAKING SURE WE HAVE A LOCAL DISASTER DECLARATION AND THAT IS WHAT THIS DOES FOR US.

>> THE COUNTY HAS EXTENDED THEIR DECLARATION ALSO.

>> EVERY CITY, EVERY COUNTY ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS IS DOING THE SAME THING. IT'S JUST WHAT WE DO AT THIS

POINT IN TIME. >> I JUST WANT TO BE SURE WE HAD CLARITY IN THAT REGARD SO YOU KNOW WHAT THE PROCESS WAS.

MR. SCHWARTZ -- >> I WANT TO SAY ONE MORE THING IF I MAY, MAYOR. I THINK THE CITY HAS DONE A GOOD JOB. THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT AND CERTAINLY WE LOOK AT OURSELVES AND WONDER WHAT WE COULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY.

ESPECIALLY DURING THE EARLY PHASES OF THE PANDEMIC.

WE CONSISTENTLY ASK AND EXPECT OUR CITIZENS TO WEAR THE FACE COVERINGS, WASH THEIR HANDS, TO PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING.

I KNOW THERE ARE PEOPLE WHOSE LOVED ONES ARE HURT.

I'VE LOST FRIENDS DUE TO COVID-19.

MANY IN THE COMMUNITY HAVE. WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WEAR OUR MASK AND SOCIALLY DISTANCE AND WASH OUR HANDS.

IT'S THE ONE THING WE CAN DO. IT'S THE ONE THING THE SCIENTISTS TELL US IS EFFECTIVE. SO I WOULD ASK EVERYBODY TO FOLLOW THAT PROTOCOL. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

>> THANK YOU FOR THOSE WORDS. FIVE OF THE SEVEN OF US ON THE DAIS HAVE BEEN INFECTED BY COVID-19.

EACH ONE OF US KNOW OF FRIENDS OR NEIGHBORS WHO HAVE PASSED DURING COVID-19. I THINK WE ALL TAKE IT VERY SERIOUSLY. I DO THINK THAT OBVIOUSLY IF WE GO BACK AND LOOK IN THE LAST TEN MONTHS, CERTAINLY SOME THINGS WE WOULD HAVE DONE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY.

BUT I DO THINK THERE'S BEEN AN EFFORT AT ALL LEVELS OF LEADERSHIP IN THE CITY, IN THE COUNTY, ARE TRYING TO DO THE VERY BEST WE CAN TO NAVIGATE COVID-19.

IT'S A GLOBAL PANDEMIC. AND LOCALLY I THINK WE'RE TRYING TO MUSTER UP ALL WE CAN TO BE RESPONSIVE.

SO THANK YOU FOR THOSE WORDS. MR. SCHULTZ.

WE ARE ON ITEM 4. THTHIS WILL BE A PUBLIC HEARING.

ALLOW OTHERS TO PARTICIPATE IF YOU CHOOSE TO.

>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL, DAVID SCHWARTZ FOR THE RECORD.

I WOULD SAY IT'S A HAPPY NEW YEAR, BUT IT'S ANOTHER DAY WITH THE VIRUS. I KNOW THIS IS MOSTLY ABOUT FUNDING AND WHY YOU EXTEND IT AND EVERYTHING.

IT HAS AFFECTED A LOT OF PEOPLE LOCALLY, MUCH LESS NATIONALLY AND OF COURSE INTERNATIONALLY. IT'S LIKE A WISE PERSON HEARD THE SCARIEST WORDS YOU CAN HEAR, I'M FROM THE GOVERNMENT, I'M HEAHERE TO HELP. DO YOU KNOW WHO SAID THAT? RONALD WILSON REAGAN, 40TH PRESIDENT.

IT'S MOSTLY THE GOVERNOR, YOU'RE FOLLOWING HIS -- THE OLD PROVERB

[00:10:03]

IS DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER. I UNDERSTAND YOU'RE KEEPING ALONG THAT SAME LINES. NEXT WEEK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A CHANGE IN ADMINISTRATION. YOU KNOW, THE PARTY THAT'S GOING TO BE IN COMPLETE POWER IS A PARTY THAT GENERALLY SAYS SEND US THE MONEY AND WE'LL DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH IT.

YOU KNOW, BUT THE ACT THE PRESIDENT SIGNED IT MOSTLY GOES TO MARCH 17TH, LIKE UNEMPLOYMENT STUFF LIKE YOU SAID. THE CARES ACT PASSED LAST YEAR HAS ALREADY GONE OUT. BUT LOCALLY MY FRIEND, HE WAS OUT OF WORK FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS AND THE PLACES HE WORKED FOR WILL HIRE YOU BACK. TEN HOURS.

YOU CAN'T SURVIVE ON TEN HOURS. AND THE PLACE HE DID WORK FOR, THEY HAVE TWO LOCATIONS, WELL, IT ANNOUNCED TO DO MEDIA A FEW DAYS AGO THEY'RE CLOSING ONE LOCATION DOWN.

THOSE PEOPLE THAT WORKED AT THAT LOCATION, THEY'RE OUT OF A JOB NOW. SURE, MAYBE THEY CAN FIT THEM IN AT THE OTHER LOCATION ACROSS TOWN, BUT, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST BEEN REAL HARD FOR MY FRIEND TO TRY TO MAKE IT.

OF COURSE, THE TEXAS EMPLOYMENT COMMISSION AND ALL THAT THEN, THE MONEY RAN OUT A LONG TIME AGO ON THE PEOPLE THAT WAS AFFECTED BY CORONA. I KNOW THEY PASSED SOMETHING AGAIN, LIKE I SAID THIS LAST PACKAGE.

I BELIEVE IT GOES TO MARCH 17. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NEW ADMINISTRATION IS GOING TO SAY. THEY'VE TOLD US THROUGH MEDIA OUTLETS THAT WE'RE GOING TO SHUT DOWN BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THE SCIENTISTS SAY. AND LAST ON THE VACCINATIONS, YOU SEE DIFFERENT REPORTS IS THEY'RE KIND OF DOING IT WEIRD.

THEY'RE VACCINATING GOOD HEALTHY PEOPLE, HEALTHCARE WORKERS INSTEAD OF STARTING WITH THE OLD FOLKS HOMES.

AND THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE ALREADY GONE THE CORONAVIRUS AND RECOVERED, THERE'S PRACTICALLY A ZERO CHANCE IN THE STUDY -- I'LL FINISH -- THAT THEY'RE GOING TO GET THE VIRUS AGAIN BECAUSE YOUR BODY IS IMMUNE TO IT NOW. THEY SAY IT'S POSSIBLY A WASTE OF VACCINES, ALSO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH THIS

MORNING, COUNCIL. >> WE'RE STILL IN A PUBLIC HEARING. ITEM NUMBER 4.

IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO, PLEASE FORWARD YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS IN REGARDS TO THIS AGENDA ITEM?

>> YES. MAYOR, I DO.

THESE MANDATES THAT ARE IMPOSED BY THE GOVERNOR, I KNOW THAT RECENTLY ONE OF OUR MEDIA OUTLETS I THINK THEY TALKED TO -- THIS IS ABOUT ENFORCEMENT OF MASKS -- MY ISSUE WITH THAT MEDIA WAS IN THEIR NEWS STORY, THEY SAID THEY HAD REACHED OUT TO THE ENTIRE COUNCIL AND NOT GOTTEN ANY RESPONSES FROM THE COUNCIL. THIS ONE MEDIA, YOU KNOW, THEIR SLOGAN SHOULD BE GETTING THE FACTS DISTORTED.

I DO NOT APPRECIATE GOING PUBLIC AND SAYING WE DIDN'T RESPOND TO SOMETHING WE WERE NOT CONTACTED FOR IN THE FIRST PLACE.

THEY HAVE A REPORTER THAT I WON'T TALK TO ANYWAY, BUT I DO NOT APPRECIATE THE MEDIA SOURCE TELLING A BLATANT LIE ABOUT THIS

COUNCIL. >> ANYMORE COMMENTS, QUESTIONS IN REGARDS TO THIS AGENDA ITEM? I'LL ACCEPT A MOTION AND SECOND

FROM COUNCIL. >> SO MOVED.

>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MCALSTON AND SECOND BY COVER CRAVER, WE'RE READY TO VOTE.

>> WE ALSO HAVE NUMBER 5, WAS THAT BY A CITIZEN?

[5. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on the purchase of seven Chevrolet Police Pursuit Vehicle Tahoes from Caldwell Country Chevrolet for Abilene Police Department (Tim Cass)]

>> DAVID SCHWARTZ. >> OKAY.

>> THANK YOU, AGAIN, COUNCIL, DAVID SCHWARTZ AGAIN FOR THE RECORD. THIS IS PURCHASE REPLACEMENT VEHICLES. POLICE PURSUIT VEHICLES.

THERE'S SEVEN OF THEM TOTAL. ONE IS A K-9 UNIT.

YOUR PRESENTATION SAYS YOU'RE GETTING SUCH A GOOD DEAL AT $37,925. AND THE UPFITTING IS WHAT I ALWAYS QUESTION, LIKE THE LAST TWO OR THREE TIMES YOU'VE BOUGHT THESE VEHICLES, YOU FARMED OUT THE UPFITTING.

YOU DIDN'T DO IT IN HOUSE. YOU SAID THAT YOUR MECHANIC, YOU DIDN'T HAVE MECHANICS TO SPARE TO THE MECHANICAL PART AND YOU

[00:15:04]

DIDN'T HAVE ANYBODY IN THE RADIO SHOP TO DO THAT.

NOW IN THE DOCUMENTS ON THIS THAT WAS ON THE WEB PAGE SAYS YOU'RE GOING TO DO IT IN HOUSE. BUT THE UPFITTING THAT THEY SCHEDULED ON THE DOCUMENTS IT SAYS $14,000.

THAT'S ABOUT WHAT PLACE IN BELTON CHARGED YOU THE PREVIOUS TIME FOR THE VEHICLES. NOW, THERE'S ONE THAT'S A K-9 UNIT, THE UPFITTING IS A LITTLE OVER $16,000.

I HOPE IT INCLUDES AUTOMATIC DOGGY AIR CONDITIONING.

YOU WOULD BE SURPRISED HOW MANY YOU SEE MEDIA REPORTS THAT A K-9 OFFICER LEFT HIS PARTNER IN THE VEHICLE AND THE DOG DIED AND THEY HAVE THIS AUTOMATIC SYSTEM THAT THEY PUT IN THE PATROL UNITS AND IT WILL TURN ON THIS AIR IF THE OFFICER LEAVES THE VEHICLE FOR A VERY LONG TIME. I SURE HOPE THAT INCLUDES THAT.

THE MAIN THING IS ON THESE VEHICLES, THEY HAVE A TEN SPEED AUTOMATIC. THEY'RE AN SUV NOW.

I DON'T BELIEVE THERE'S NO WAY THEY'LL EVER GET INTO THE HIGHEST GEAR AROUND TOWN. MY VEHICLE HAS FIVE SPEED AUTOMATIC AND IT DOESN'T GET INTO FIFTH GEAR UNTIL 35 MILES PER HOUR.

IT'S CONSTANTLY GOING UP AND DOWN.

I'M SURE THEY'RE CHEWING UP SOME FUEL THERE.

ANOTHER THING, IT SAYS EQUIPPED WITH AM/FM RADIO.

I KNOW IT PROBABLY COMES WITH IT, BUT DO YOU THINK IT'S NECESSARY WHEN THE POLICE RADIOS IS WHAT THEY NEED TO BE LOOKING AT OR THE COMPUTER. AND THE WARRANTY IS GOOD THOUGH.

FIVE YEAR, 100,000 MILES. IT MUST BE EITHER SOMETHING NEW OR MAYBE FOR FLEET USE ONLY. BUT I THOUGHT ABOUT IT, AND PREVIOUSLY YOU SAID THAT YOU DIDN'T HAVE PEOPLE -- YOU COULD HIRE TWO TEMPORARIES FOR 28 DAYS -- I FIGURED IT OUT AT $3,200. 160 MAN HOURS.

THEY COULD TAKE THE STRIP OUT THE OLD STUFF OUT OF THE OLD TAHOES AND PUT IT IN THE NEW ONES.

WHEN YOU HAVE THE PLACE IN BELTON DO IT, THEY SELL YOU NEW THINGS. IN THE OIL FIELD WHEN WE DID SYSTEMS, STRIP OUT THE OLD VEHICLE, PUT IT IN THE NEW VEHICLE. THAT'S MY BIGGEST BEEF ABOUT THIS. AND THE FACT -- BY GUESTIMATIONS, I THINK YOU HAVE PROBABLY 50 UNITS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH THIS MORNING FOR LETTING ME TALK ON THAT.

>> WE'RE STILL IN A PUBLIC HEARING.

AGENDA NUMBER 5. ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO, PLEASE FORWARD YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS,

COMMENTS ON ITEM 5? >> I HAD E-MAILED ABOUT THE UPFITTING AS WELL. I DON'T KNOW IF WE WANT TO HAVE TIM ADDRESS THAT REAL QUICK. HE REPLIED TO MY E-MAIL AND ANSWERED MY QUESTION. THAT WAY THE PUBLIC HAS THE

INFORMATION AS WELL. >> GOOD MORNING, WHAT WAS THE

QUESTION AGAIN? >> THE QUESTION THAT WAS RAISED BIDBY THE CITIZENS ABOUT THE UPFITTING.

HAVING DONE THAT IN THE CONTRACT IN THE PAST, BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE THE PERSONNEL. THIS IS THE UPFITTING FOR THE

CITY OF ABILENE. >> THE PAST TWO BATCHES OF UNITS WE SENT THEM OUT TO CAP FLEET FOR UPFITTING.

THERE WAS A PRICE TAG ASSOCIATED WITH THAT AND THAT WAS DUE TO BOTH OUR RADIO SHOP AND CITY FLEET BEING SHORT.

RADIO SHOP WAS TASKED WITH ADDITIONAL PROJECTS.

AND THOSE PROJECTS ARE COMPLETE. AND WE'RE LOOKING AT BOTH TIMEFRAME GETTING THEM INTO SERVICE, WHICH WAS I BELIEVE YOUR QUESTION, SIR. AND THE COST.

WE WILL BE ABLE TO PRETTY RAPIDLY GET THEM INTO SERVICE.

I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE BENEFITS OF A COUPLE WEEKS WOULD OUTOUTWEIGH THE APPROXIMATELY $4,000 PER UNIT TO DO IT

OURSELVES. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> QUESTIONS OF COUNCIL, COMMENTS ON THIS AGENDA ITEM?

>> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER

PRICE. >> SECOND.

>> SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER MCALISTER.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? WE'RE READY TO VOTE.

>> WE'LL MOVE TO ITEM 7. AND I'LL ASK ROBERT HANNA, CITY

[7. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Adopting and Ratifying the City's Governing Principles, Rules of Procedure, and Council Policies (Robert Hanna]

MANAGER, TO PRESENT THIS ITEM. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

I WANT TO TALK TODAY -- THIS PARTICULAR AGENDA ITEM IS

[00:20:04]

SOMETHING WE'VE WORKED ON REALLY SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE, IT'S CALLED POLICY GOVERNANCE. IT ALLOWS COUNCIL TO SET THE POLICIES FOR THE ORGANIZATION AND IT PROVIDES AN UNDERSTANDING ON MY PART ON WHAT COUNCIL'S EXPECTATIONS ARE AND HOW I ADMINISTER COUNCIL'S POLICIES AND MANAGE THE ORGANIZATION.

SO WHAT I HAVE BEFORE YOU IS A DOCUMENT THAT CONTAINS THE PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES THE COUNCIL HAS DIRECTED THE CITY MANAGER TO USE IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CITY.

AND THE INTENT OF THIS RESOLUTION I'M ASKING COUNCIL TO CONSIDER AND ADOPT IS TO FORMALLY ADOPT THIS IN ONE DOCUMENT THAT WILL BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME.

THAT CAN BE CHANGED AS NEEDS OF THE ORGANIZATION CHANGE, AS POLICIES DIRECTIVES OF THE COUNCIL CHANGE.

IT PROVIDES ONE PLACE AND ONE DOCUMENT TO CONTAIN ALL THESE POLICIES. IT CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION. ONE IS OUR GOVERNING PRINCIPLES, YOU'LL SEE OUR GOAL VALUES AND PURPOSE, WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO AS AN ORGANIZATION AND HOW WE EXPECT TO GET THERE.

OUR STRATEGIC GOALS AND OBJECTIVES.

RULES OF PROCEDURE, THE DOCUMENT THAT DIRECTS MEETINGS.

SEVERAL NEW FINANCIAL POLICIES THAT COUNCIL WILL BE ADOPTING FOR THE FIRST TIME. A SECTION FOR DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES. AGAIN, PUTS THIS IN ONE PLACE.

SOME OF THE FEEDBACK I'VE HEARD IS HOW DO WE KNOW WE'RE ELIGIBLE FOR DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES. NOW IT'S IN ONE DOCUMENT AND YOU CAN SEE WHAT WE DO WITH THE TOOLS THAT ARE IN THE TOOLBOX.

DEFINE SOME CRITERIA. WE CAN CHANGE THOSE OVER TIME AS WELL. COMMUNITY SUPPORT POLICIES.

THOSE POLICIES THAT COUNCIL'S ADOPTED THAT HAVE -- ALLOW US TO ASSIST NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS OR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD. AND THEN IN GENERAL, GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES. MANY OF THESE ARE KIND OF A CATCH ALL BUCKET FOR OPPORTUNITY.

AGAIN, AS POLICIES ARE ADOPTED, COUNCIL CAN AMEND THIS DOCUMENT AND IT WILL BE UPDATED BY RESOLUTION MOVING FORWARD.

THERE ARE A COUPLE THINGS I JUST WANT TO GO THROUGH.

IN THE REVIEW OF THIS DOCUMENT, ONE OF THE ITEMS WE HAVE THAT IS RELATIVELY NEW, IS IN OUR VEHICLE PROCUREMENT POLICY, THIS IS A COMPLETE REWRITE OF WHAT WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST.

WE'RE TRYING TO PROVIDE A LITTLE MORE OPPORTUNITY TO RETAIN VEHICLES THAT ARE GOOD STILL AND MAY HAVE REACHED THE END OF THEIR USEFUL LIFE BY TERMS OF THE POLICY BUT THEY'RE STILL GOOD VEHICLES AND THERE'S NO REASON TO REPLACE THEM.

CONVERSELY IF WE HAPPEN TO HAVE A VEHICLE THAT MAY NOT NECESSARILY MEET ALL THE CRITERIA FROM A MILEAGE STANDPOINT, BUT IT'S THE THIRD ENGINE IT'S GONE THROUGH, THE THIRD TRANSMISSION, SOMETHING IS JUST A PROBLEM WITH THAT VEHICLE, THEN IT GIVES A LITTLE MORE FLEXIBILITY IN THE POLICY TO REPLACE IT AS WELL. BUT THERE ARE TWO ELEMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE BIDDING PROCESS I WOULD LIKE COUNCIL'S INPUT ON. WHEN I WROTE THIS AND SENT IT TO STAFF, THE ORIGINAL INTENT WAS A OR B.

STAFF SAID HEY WE LIKE BOTH, SO A AND B.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT COUNCIL IS COMFORTABLE WITH EITHER A AND B APPROACH OR AN A OR B. BASICALLY IT'S SECTION 3.6. 2.

IF YOU LOOK HALFWAY DOWN THE PAGE YOU'LL SEE 2 OR 3 IN RED.

THE FIRST TALKS ABOUT CREATING STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR EQUIPMENT THAT IS VERY LASER FOCUSED AND WOULD NARROW THE SPECIFICATIONS SO THAT -- 2 IS THE OPPOSITE, THANK YOU.

I'LL JUST READ THIS. THE CITY SHALL DOCUMENT SPECIFICATIONS FOR VEHICLES AND MAXIMIZE THE LIKELIHOOD.

WE'RE NOT NECESSARILY WRITING SPECIFICATIONS.

WE'RE GOING TO GET FORD AND CHRYSLER AND TOYOTA.

WE'RE GOING TO GET A VARIETY OF RESPONSES FROM PEOPLE.

AND EQUIPMENT PROVIDERS. NUMBER 3, WOULD BE A VERY NARROW SPECIFICATION. YOU WOULD DO THAT IN SOME SITUATIONS BECAUSE YOU WANT TO NARROW YOUR MAINTENANCE COST BY ONLY KEEPING ONE CERTAIN TIME OF, YOU KNOW, BRAKE PAD IN STOCK. AND SO THERE'S DIFFERENT PHILOSOPHIES ON HOW TO RUN YOUR SHOP.

TIM, OUR FLEET MANAGER, HAS INDICATED HE LIKES BOTH APPROACHES. BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE FROM A POLICY PERSPECTIVE COUNCIL IS COMFORTABLE WITH BOTH.

OTHER THAN THAT I KNOW YOU'VE HAD A CHANCE TO READ THIS AND I'D BE PREPARED TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT.

>> THANK YOU, APPRECIATE IT. COUNCIL WILL BE ENGAGED AND IT WOULD BE A PUBLIC HEARING ALSO. OUR FORM OF GOVERNMENT IS

[00:25:02]

OUTLINED IN OUR CHARTER. OUR CHARTER OF 1962.

THAT'S ONLY CHANGED BY A VOTE. THESE ARE GUIDING PRINCIPLES.

THIS RESOLUTION COULD BE MODIFIED AS WE SEE FIT.

JUST COMMUNICATING HOW WE WORK IN OUR FORM OF GOVERNMENT WHERE THE COUNCIL, WE ARE THE POLICYMAKERS.

SO WE ARE, IF YOU WILL THE VISION CASTERS, IN REGARDS TO WHEN WE ARE OUT IN PRIOR COVID-19 TIMES, SHAKING HANDS AND KISSING BABIES, LISTENING TO CONSTITUENTS, IDENTIFYING WHAT THINGS ARE PERTINENT, BRINGING THOSE -- IN FACT, I THINK OUR MOST IMPORTANT WORKSHOP WILL OCCUR IN A MATTER OF WEEKS WHERE WE ENGAGE WITH STAFF AND TALK ABOUT THOSE ASPIRATIONAL GOALS WE HAVE FOR THIS COMMUNITY FROM A POLICY STANDPOINT.

IT IS THEN THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CEO WHO IS THE CITY MANAGER FOR THE CEO AND THE STAFF OF THE CEO TO TAKE THOSE ASPIRATION AND PUT THOSE IN ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE THAT ALLOWS THOSE COME TO BE. WHICH WILL BE REFLECTIVE IN THE BUDGET WORKSHOP THAT WE WOULD HAVE IN JULY.

AND SO I APPRECIATE ROBERT, YOU, AND STAFF PUTTING THIS TOGETHER.

I THINK IT ALLOWS A MORE CONCISE WAY TO LOOK AT IT AND ELIMINATES AMBIGUITY THAT MAY EXIST. COUNCIL HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR

QUESTIONS? >> I TALKED WITH ROBERT ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR SECTION OF THE POLICY.

MY PREFERENCE IS MORE TOWARDS THE MORE SPECIFIC SPECIFICATIONS THAT, YOU KNOW, I DON'T WANT TO -- LIKE WATER DEPARTMENT SAY WE NEED AT LEAST A THREE QUARTER TON AND THEY GO WELL, WE CAN GET A REALLY GOOD DEAL ON A HALF TON AND THEN WE'RE HAVING TO REPLACE IT IN HALF THE TIME BECAUSE WE -- SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT SPECS AND GOING FOR THE BROAD NET THAT WE AREN'T LOOSENING THE RESTRICTIONS OR THE SPECIFICATIONS TO THE POINT WHERE WE'RE ACCELERATING

REPLACEMENT TIME. >> IT'S A GREAT POINT.

THE INTENT WOULD NOT BE TO SAY YOU NEED A THREE QUARTER TON WE'LL GIVE YOU A HALF TON. THAT PROCESS WOULD BE HANDLED WHEN WE DETERMINED WHAT TYPE OF VEHICLE WAS NEEDED TO REPLACE WHATEVER ASSET IT WAS. THE SPECIFICATIONS WILL BE RUN FOR A THREE QUARTER TON PICKUP IN THIS CASE.

THEY WOULD HAVE TO MEET THAT. WHAT WE WOULDN'T DO IS SAY THREE QUARTER TON PICKUP WITH, YOU KNOW, 20 INCHES OF REAR LEG ROOM OR 22 INCHES OF REAR LEG ROOM. WHATEVER THE INCHES WERE IN THAT PARTICULAR BRAND OF TRUCK THAT WE WERE GOING TO WRITE IS SO SPECIFICALLY THAT ONLY GM, FORD OR CHRYSLER COULD RESPOND AND HAVE A VEHICLE THAT MET THAT CRITERIA.

SOME ORGANIZATIONS DO THAT. SOME LIKE FORDS AND WE'RE KNOWINGGOINGTO MAKE SURE WE GET. THAT HASN'T BEEN OUR PRACTICE AND WE CAST A FAIRLY BROAD NET. THE SPECIFICITY WOULDN'T BE DESIGNED TO CARVE OUT THE CLASS. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET THE TOOLS WE HAVE TO HAVE. EVERY BRAND IS DIFFERENT, EVERY BRAND IS NUANCED JUST A LITTLE BIT.

SO WE WOULD WRITE IT SO ALL BRANDS COULD RESPOND VERSUS

HAVING JUST A PARTICULAR ONE. >> THAT WAS MY ONLY CONCERN.

I WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE DIDN'T GET TOO LOOSE IN WHAT WE ALLOWED FOR THE SPECIFICATION ADJUSTMENTS.

>> YES, SIR. >> MORE QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC HEARING? AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING.

IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND

GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL, DAVID SCHWARTZ ONCE AGAIN. ON THE PREVIOUS ITEM, YOU KNOW, WE SENT A LOT OF MONEY TO CENTRAL TEXAS.

I DO THINK THAT'S A GOOD MOVE WITH THE CITY MANAGER JUST OUTLINED. I DON'T KNOW IF SOME OF OUR LOCAL BIG COUNTRY DEALERSHIPS ARE IN THIS BUY BOARD SYSTEM.

IT SEEMS LIKE ONE DEALERSHIP ALWAYS CAPTURES THE PURCHASE FOR THE POLICE VEHICLES. YOU MENTIONED THE REASON IS, OH, WE WANT TO GO WITH ONE BRAND TO HAVE SPECIFIC THINGS.

THAT'S WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THE TAHOES PREVIOUSLY.

THE NEW CHIEF, HE MAY THINK DIFFERENT.

MAYBE HE THINKS WE NEED A MIX OF SEDANS AND SUVS.

[00:30:02]

BUT LIKE YOUR PICKUPS, LIKE YOU WERE MENTIONING PARTS DEPARTMENT OR WATER OR WHATEVER, THEY'VE GOT PRETT PRETTY MUCH A HODGEPO.

THEY HAVE FORD OR GMC OR CHEVY. I THINK THEY MAY HAVE A DODGE OR TWO. OF COURSE THEY CALL THEM RAM NOW. I THINK IT'S A GOOD THING WHERE MAYBE SOME LOCAL BIG COUNTRY DEALERSHIPS CAN GET IN THE ACT OF GETTING THIS. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BOUGHT THAT COMMAND VEHICLE FROM THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP.

I WAS HAPPY. THEY BOUGHT THE BRUSH TRUCKS FROM HASKELL AND THAT'S BY A BIG COUNTRY, THAT'S GOOD.

WHEN WE SENT OUR MONEY TO CENTRAL TEXAS AND THEY SAID IT WAS A BUY BOARD THING, IT MAKES YOU SAD TO THINK WHY CAN'T OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIPS GET IN THIS BUY BOARD OR BE COMPETITIVE ENOUGH TO WIN OUR LOCAL VEHICLE REPLACEMENT FLEET REPLACEMENTS.

I THINK IT'S A GOOD THING WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE ON CHANGING THAT. I HOPE YOUR COUNCIL, EVEN THOUGH YOU SAID IT DON'T NEED TO BE TOO SPECIFIC, BUT I UNDERSTAND, THAT WOULD BE GREAT TO HAVE AN ASSORTMENT.

THERE'S ALWAYS THE MAINTENANCE ISSUE LIKE YOU SAID, LIKE WITH THE TAHOES, THE MECHANICS ARE FAMILIAR WITH CHEVROLET.

IF YOU GET A GOOD DEAL, LET'S SAY ON VOLKSWAGENS WITH PATROL VEHICLES OR SOMETHING, IT'S NOT NECESSARILY WHAT YOU WANT.

IT MAY BE SOMETHING YOU SAID IN THE FUTURE THAT, YOU KNOW, WITH THIS CHANGE AND FLEET MANAGEMENT.

I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT BECAUSE THERE WOULD BE A CHANCE FOR MORE AREA DEALERSHIPS TO COMPETE.

WHEN YOU GO THROUGH THE BUY BOARD -- I GUESS THESE DEALERSHIPS MUST NOT BE IN IT. WE'VE NEVER SEEN IN THE LAST THREE YEARS WHERE YOU BUY POLICE VEHICLES WHERE WE DIDN'T SEND IT TO CENTRAL TEXAS. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK FOR THE CHANGES IN YOUR FLEET MAINTENANCE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. WE'RE STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? SEEING NO ONE I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

COUNCIL? WHAT'S OUR DIRECTIN DO WE WANT TO PROVIDE TO THE CITY MANAGEMENT WITH REGARDS TO THIS AGENDA ITEM? COMMENTS, QUESTIONS YOU MAY

HAVE? >> WELL, THIS REMINDS ME OF WHEN WE HAD ALL THE DIFFERENT FEES THAT WERE SPREAD EVERYWHERE AND WE CONSOLIDATED IT INTO ONE PLACE, ONE DOCUMENT.

I APPRECIATE THE TIME THAT YOU PUT INTO PULLING ALL THESE THINGS WE'VE APPROVED OVER THE YEARS INTO ONE DOCUMENT WHERE IT'S EASY TO REFERENCE. THANK YOU, ROBERT, FOR DOING THAT FOR US. I'M IN FAVOR FOR WHAT WAS

PRESENTED TO US. >> IS THAT A MOTION?

>> IF NO ONE WANTS TO DISCUSS IT.

>> I WOULD SAY, YOU KNOW, EITHER OR, MR. HANNA, YOU INDICATED THAT STAFF WANTED BOTH OF THOSE IN THERE.

IS THAT CORRECT? I CAN'T SEE YOU.

>> YES, SIR, THAT'S CORRECT. >> OKAY.

>> THAT WAS A FLEETS REQUEST. >> THEY'RE THE ONES THAT USE THIS MORE THAN WE DO. IF THAT'S WHAT THEY THINK WILL WORK BEST FOR THEM, THEM I'M ALL FOR IT.

THEY ARE HANDS ON. IF HAVING EITHER OR HELPS THEM DO THEIR JOB BETTER, I'M ALL FOR IT.

>> THAT'S GREAT. I'LL TAKE THIS CHANCE TO PLUG OUR FLEET DEPARTMENT. UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF DON GREEN, CHRIS AND NOW TIM AS WELL THE FLEET DEPARTMENT AND MEN AND WOMEN WHO WORK THERE I THINK HAVE SOME SOLID LEADERSHIP.

I THINK THEY'VE INSTITUTED A NUMBER OF PROCESSES.

I'M SEEING GREATER EFFICIENCY IN OUR FLEET.

SO I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THEM FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND EFFORTS. IT'S NOT GOING UNNOTICED IN THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE. I THINK THEY'RE WORKING VERY

HARD AND IT'S PAYING OFF. >> YOU MADE A MOTION, I'LL

SECOND IT IF NO ONE ELSE -- >> THE MOTION WAS WITH THE OR.

>> SO A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER PRICE AND SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER MCALISTER. ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS? IF NOT WE'RE READY TO VOTE.

>> MOTION CARRIES. >> WE'LL MOVE TO NUMBER 8.

[8. Discussion: Receive a Report and Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing on Recycling in Abilene, TX (Michael Rice)]

I'LL ASK MICHAEL RICE, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER TO PRESENT THIS

ITEM. >> GOOD MORNING.

THANK YOU, MAYOR, AND COUNCIL. THIS AGENDA ITEM 8 IS A DISCUSSION ON RECYCLING. I WOULD TELL YOU ORIGINALLY THE TOPIC WAS CALLED A DISCUSSION ON CARDBOARD RECYCLING.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF INTEREST IN RECYCLING BASED UPON THE PRESS RELEASE THAT WAS SENT OUT BACK IN DECEMBER SAYING THE CITY WOULD NO LONGER COLLECT CARDBOARD AS OF THE END OF JANUARY. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON TO ASK QUESTIONS AND

[00:35:03]

FOR US TO PROVIDE FACTUAL INFORMATION SO THAT WE CAN MAKE GOOD DECISIONS AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

LET'S START WHERE WE ARE TODAY. WE SENT OUT A PRESS RELEASE ON DECEMBER 28TH NOTIFYING EVERYONE THAT WE WILL NO LONGER BE RECEIVING PAPER OR CARDBOARD PRODUCTS AS OF THE END OF THIS MONTH. THE REASON FOR THAT IS OUR PROCESSOR WHO IS HERE IN TOWN PUT US ON NOTICE THAT HE'LL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM.

THAT IS HIS BUSINESS DECISION, AND WE DON'T GET TO DICTATE WHAT HE DOES OR DOESN'T DO FROM A BUSINESS POINT OF VIEW.

THAT'S OUTSIDE THE PURVIEW OF US AS A MUNICIPALITY.

I'LL TELL YOU HE'S BEEN A VERY COOPERATIVE AND VERY HELPFUL PARTNER WITH US FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

HE IS THE ONLY ONE THAT'S BEEN ABLE TO TAKE THESE PRODUCTS FROM US, AT LEAST IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

IF WE BACK UP EVEN FURTHER THAN THAT, ABOUT 18 MONTHS AGO THAT SAME REPSYCH RECYCLER SAID WE CO LONGER TAKE PLASTICS. AT THAT POINT WE PUT OUT A PRESS RELEASE.

THERE WAS DISSATISFACTION AMONG THE COMMUNITY, WHICH WE COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND. BUT ONCE AGAIN, COLLECTING PLASTICS IS NOT RECYCLING. THAT IS JUST COLLECTIONS.

IT IS ONE STEP OF A LONG JOURNEY TO FINISH THE RECYCLING CIRCLE FOR IT TO BE SUCCESSFUL. THROUGH THAT PROCESS, HE ALSO NOTIFIED US HE CAN NO LONGER TAKE PAPER PRODUCTS UNLESS WE CONTINUED TO PARTICIPATE WITH HIM FINANCIALLY, WHICH WE HAD NOT DONE UP TO THIS POINT. SO WE BROUGHT TO COUNCIL A CONTRACT BACK IN SEPTEMBER OF 2019 TO ONCE AGAIN PAY HIM $20 PER TON FOR THE PROCESSING OF THESE MATERIALS.

WE LOOKED FOR LONG-TERM CONTRACT.

OUR PROCESSOR WAS NOT IN FAVOR OF THAT.

HE WAS WILLING TO DO A ONE YEAR TRIAL PERIOD.

THAT ONE YEAR TRIAL PERIOD DID END IN SEPTEMBER OF 2020.

WE HAD BEEN IN CONTINUOUS COMMUNICATIONS WITH HIM SINCE THAT DATE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO AS WE MOVE FORWARD. HE HAD TOLD US HE WAS PROBABLY GOING TO STOP THE PROGRAM. IN DECEMBER, HE SENT US A LETTER SAYING THAT WAS ACTUALLY KNOWING GOINGTO TAKE PLACE AND GAVE US T OFF DATE. THAT BRINGS US TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY AS FAR AS OUR DROP OFF RECYCLING LOCATIONS. THIS IS A DISCUSSION.

I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS FOR YOUR BENEFIT.

I DID PUT TOGETHER A SURVEY OF OUR TEN SISTER CITIES AND WHAT THEY'RE DOING. THAT'S BEEN SENT TO YOU.

I'D BE B GLAD TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT AS WELL OR ANY OTHER QUESTIONS RELATED TO RECYCLING AS WELL.

>> THE CITY ANNUALLY CONTRIBUTES AROUND $50,000 IN A PARTNERSHIP UNDER THE CONTRACT EXPIRED IN REGARDS TO CARDBOARD, IS THAT

CORRECT? >> THE PRICE NOT TO EXCEED $50,000. I BELIEVE THE TOTAL DOLLARS PAID

WAS $49,000 PLUS. >> I KNOW YOU PROVIDED -- BEEN IN CONVERSATION WITH MR. HANNA FROM THE ONSET WHEN WE HEARD ABOUT THE TERMINATION OF THE AGREEMENT.

YOU DID SEND COUNCIL OUR TEN SISTER CITIES.

BUT IN A PRECISE WAY COULD YOU TELL US WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE WITH OUR TEN COMPARABLE CITIES SO THE PUBLIC KNOWS.

>> YES, SIR, I CAN. I REACHED OUT TO OUR TEN SISTER CITIES. LET ME PULL THAT OUT BECAUSE I HAVE THAT HERE. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT YOU WERE GOING TO ASK SO I BROUGHT EVERYTHING.

CARROLLTON IS CLE COLLECTING THR MATERIALS STILL BUT THEY'RE DOING THAT WITH A CONTRACT THROUGH REPUBLIC SERVICES.

CITY OF DENTON IS UNIQUE. THEY OWN THEIR OWN LANDFILL AND PROCESSING LOCATION BUT THEY HAVE CONTRACTED WITH PRATT RECYCLING TO PROVIDE RECYCLING. PRATT IS TAKING THOSE MATERIALS, HOWEVER THE BAR HAS BEEN RAISED ACCOUNT TO THE CITY OF DENTON AND THEIR LEVEL OF CONTAMINATION IS MUCH LESS THAT'S ALLOWED THAN IN THE PAST. A LOT OF LOADS ARE BEING REJECTED AS TRASH. THEY'RE STILL IN CONTRACT WITH PRATT RECYCLING. CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, SIMILAR TO CARROLLTON, THEY HAVE A CONTRACT WITH REPUBLIC AND REPUBLIC PROVIDES ALL SERVICES INCLUDING THE COLLECTION AND ALSO RECYCLING. CITY OF KILLEEN IS LUCKY, THEY HAVE SOME RECYCLING FACILITIES IN THE GENERAL AREA.

BASICALLY AROUND WACO. THEY ARE WORKING WITH PRIMARILY EVERGREEN RECYCLING BUT ALSO WORK WITH SOME OF THE OTHER RECYCLING BUSINESSES IN THE AREA, INCLUDING SUN BRIGHT.

THEY ACTUALLY WHEN THOSE AREAS ARE FULL, THEY WILL TAKE THEIR MATERIALS DIRECTLY TO THE CITY OF WACO AND THEY WORK WITH THEM.

CITY OF LUBBOCK, THEY HAVE A CONTRACT WITH JARVIS METALS.

IT'S A ONE YEAR CONTRACT WITH FOUR ONE YEAR RENEWALS.

AND THEY ARE CURRENTLY RECEIVING BOTH PAPER AND CARDBOARD.

THEY'RE ONE OF THE FEW THAT HAVE A GUARANTEED PRICE TO PAY THEM FOR THAT. THEY'RE PAYING THEM $35 PER TON FOR CARDBOARD, $12 PER TON FOR MIXED PAPER.

CITY OF MIDLAND, CITY OF ODESSA, CITY OF SAN ANGELO ARE ALL WORKING WITH BUTTS RECYCLING. CITY OF MIDLAND HAS LET US KNOW THAT'S THEIR OWN OPTION AND IF BUTTS WERE TO STOP THAT PROCESS

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THEY WOULD NOT HAVE A PROGRAM. I'M HEARING THE SAME FROM ODESSA. CITY OF WACO IS LIKE THE CITY OF KILLEEN, THEY'RE WORKING WITH SUN BRIGHT RECYCLING.

WICHITA FALLS HAVE THEIR OWN FACILITY WHERE THEY PROCESS THE MATERIAL AND DIRECT SHIP IT TO THE METROPLEX.

DUE TO THE MARKETS AND DUE TO THE COVID THAT'S IN PLACE, THEY HAVE NOT SHIPPED ANYTHING TO THE METROPLEX SINCE MARCH OF LAST YEAR. WHEN ASKED WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH THE MATERIALS, THEY ACTUALLY OPERATE A C COMPOSTING FACILITIES, SO ALL THEIR PRODUCTS ARE GOING TO THAT FACILITY. THAT BASICALLY GIVES YOU A SUMMARY OF THE TEN SISTER CITIES.

>> IS IT A FAIR ASSESSMENT TO SAY THAT THERE IS STILL AN AFTERMARKET FOR CARDBOARD SPECIFICALLY BUT IT'S BEEN

REDUCED IN RECENT YEARS? >> IT HAS.

IT GOES ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE CHINA BAN.

SO WHEN THAT TOOK PLACE IN 2018, IT HAD A HUGE IMPACT WORLDWIDE ON THE RECYCLING MARKETS. THAT WAS A TRICKLE EFFECT.

NOT ONLY DID IT AFFECT CHINA BUT WE ALSO SAW THAT OTHER NATIONS ACTUALLY WERE NO LONGER RECEIVING RECYC RECYCLED MATERI.

THE MARKET IS NOT WHAT IT WAS 24, 36 MONTHS AGO.

THERE'S STILL A MARKET OUT THERE BUT IT'S CHANGED.

AS IT'S CHANGED, SO HAVE THE RULES AND REGULATIONS. ONE OF THE REASONS THAT CHINA BASICALLY STOPPED TAKING OUR MATERIALS IS BECAUSE THEY CLAIM THAT THE MATERIALS HAD AN UNACCEPTABLE AMOUNT OF CONTAMINATION. THAT'S A PROBLEM WITH RECYCLING PROGRAMS NATIONWIDE. CONTAMINATION IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES THAT BOTH MUNICIPALITIES AND RECYCLERS FIGHT. WHEN YOU HAVE TO CLEAN THE LOAD UP NOW YOU'RE ADDING ADDITIONAL COST, LABOR TIME AND ALL THAT COSTS MONEY WHICH EVENTUALLY REDUCES YOUR BOTTOM LINE, MAKING

YOU LESS PROFITABLE. >> AND BY THE WAY, I APPRECIATE YOU IN REGARDS TO BEING PROACTIVE AND SENDING FRESH SENS RELEASE OUT. THE POINT OF OUR CONVERSATION TODAY IS GATHER INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY.

TALK ABOUT SOME OPTIONS THAT ARE AT PLAY FOR THE COUNCIL IN REGARDS TO MOVING FORWARD AND WHAT THAT MAY LOOK LIKE.

>> OKAY. SO NOT ALL OF THE OPTIONS ARE NECESSARILY POPULAR. THE FIRST OPTION IS TO ONCE AGAIN DISPOSE OF THE MATERIALS DIRECTORY TO THE LANDFILL.

THAT WOULD COST US OUR EXISTING TIPPING RATE, CAN WHICH IS $25.04 PER TON BASED ON OUR EXISTING CONTRACT WITH REPUBLIC SERVICES. OUR CONTRACT WITH THEM IS A FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT CURRENTLY WITH A 2% ESCALATOR EVERY YEAR.

EVERY YEAR THAT COST WILL GO UP 2% BEGINNING 2020 THROUGH 2024.

SO THAT IS ONE OPTION. WHEN WE WERE WORKING WITH OUR LOCAL RECYCLER, PAYING HIM $20 WAS MORE COST EFFECTIVE.

SOME OF THE THINGS I'VE HEARD BACK ON THAT AS FAR AS PUSHBACK WAS WE'RE KNO GOING TO FILL UP E LANDFILL.

I LOOKED AT THE LANDFILL CAPACITIES IN OUR AREA, SPECIFICALLY THE TWO THAT ARE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF ABILENE.

WHAT I LEARNED WAS ACCORDING TO THE MOST RECENT INFORMATION THAT THOSE LANDFILLS HAVE PROVIDED TO THE STATE, THE ABILENE LANDFILL HAS 293 YEARS OF LIFE AVAILABLE BASED ON CURRENT TONNAGE.

AND THE ABILENE ENVIRONMENTAL LANDFILL HAS 68 YEARS OF ADDITIONAL LIFE AVAILABLE BASED ON EXISTING TONNAGES.

SO, YES, IT WILL HAVE AN IMPACT UPON THAT.

WHAT DOES IT DO AS FAR AS THE LOCAL FLAVOR? CURRENTLY WE'RE SENDING ABOUT 10,000 TONS PER MONTH OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE TO THE LANDFILL.

WE'RE COLLECTING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 160 AND 200 TONS DEPENDING ON WHETHER YOU'RE DOING PAPER AND CARDBOARD OR JUST CARDBOARD. COMBINED IT'S 280 TONS, IF IT'S CARDBOARD WE THINK IT'S 160 TONS.

IF WE DON'T DO THE LANDFILL THE NEXT OPTION IS WE HAVE TO FIND SOME WAY TO PROCESS IT. PROCESSING IS OUR BIGGEST HURDLE TODAY. THAT'S THE SERVICE THAT OUR CONTRACTOR HERE IN TOWN PROVIDED AND HE NO LONGER HAS THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE. SO WE'RE LOOKING AT OTHER OPTIONS. WE HAD BEEN APPROACHED BY ONE COMPANY FROM OUT OF TOWN WHO IS INTERESTED IN POSSIBLY FILLING THE GAP. THE PROBLEM IS THEY DON'T HAVE A FACILITY IN TOWN. WHAT THAT WOULD MEAN IS WE WOULD NEED TO FIND A FACILITY, WORK OUT SOME TYPE OF CONTRACT.

WE'VE BEEN IN COMMUNICATIONWISE HIM.

COMMUNICATION WITH HIM.

WE'RE SEEKING A FACILITY IN TOWN WHERE WE CAN PROVIDE THIS.

THE PERFECT BUILDING WOULD BE SOMETHING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 5,000 SQUARE FEET WITH A CLEAR SPACE ON THE INSIDE OF 26 FEET.

THE REASON WE NEED SUCH A HIGH CEILING IS BECAUSE A LOT OF OUR PRODUCT IS PICKED UP THROUGH ROLL OFF TRUCK.

WHEN YOU PICK THAT CONTAINER UP YOU NEED A HIGH CEILING TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A CONFLICT. THAT'S CURRENTLY WHAT WE'RE DOING. I ALSO RECEIVED A PHONE CALL

[00:45:01]

YESTERDAY FROM A COMPANY THAT WANTED TO TALK ABOUT A NEW TECHNOLOGY. THEY'RE LOOKING SPECIFICALLY AT PLASTIC MATERIALS. THAT'S STILL SOMETHING THAT WE'RE IN DECISIONS ON. WE'RE ALWAYS HAPPY TO TALK WITH ANYBODY THAT REACHES OUT AND SAYS THEY HAVE AN INTEREST IN DOING RECYCLING. WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT IT FROM A BUSINESS POINT OF VIEW, NOT JUST BASED UPON WHAT THE EMOTIONS TELL US WE'D LIKE TO DO. AT THIS POINT, WE HAD VERY FEW PEOPLE REACH OUT AND SAY WE WANT TO STEP UP AND BE A PARTNER WITH THE CITY OF ABILENE IN YOUR RECYCLING PROGRAM.

TODAY, WE REALLY ONLY HAVE THE TWO OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO CONTINUE TO SEARCH OUT A POTENTIAL CONTRACT WITH THIS COMPANY OUT OF TOWN. LIKE I SAID I'M LOOKED AT ONE BUILDING PERSONALLY, ANOTHER ONE ONLINE TODAY.

WE MIGHT MAKE A BUILDING WITH A SHORTER ROOF WORK BUT WE WOULD NEED ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT. WE WOULD NEED TO PUSH IT INSIDE.

ONCE AGAIN, OVER TIME YOU ADD ANOTHER PIECE OF EQUIPMENT IT'S GOING TO UP OUR COST OF THE PROGRAM COMPLETELY.

WITH THAT, THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WE'RE BRINGING THIS TO YOU. WE'RE STILL REVIEWING AND LOOKING AT THE DIFFERENT ALTERNATIVES.

ACTUALLY FIGURING OUT WHAT WOULD THAT COST BE ON A SHORT TERM AND TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY WHAT THE LONG-TERM MAY LOOK LIKE.

NOBODY KNOWS WHAT MARKETS WILL DO.

THEN WE'LL BRING THAT BACK TO COUNCIL BEFORE YOUR DECISION IS FINALLY MADE. THOSE ARE REALLY THE TWO OPTIONS

WE SEE AT THIS POINT TODAY. >> THERE'S NOT A SCENARIO WHERE WE'RE GOING TO MAKE AN INVESTMENT NO MATTER WHAT WE DO.

IF WE'RE GOING TO DEAL WITH -- IT'S UN AVOIDABLE.

I GUESS -- I MAKE THIS ASSUMPTION -- THAT THERE IS NO TOLERANCE IN REGARDS TO WORKING WITH THE CURRENT PROVIDER, EVEN IF WE PAID ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO COME TO AN ADDITIONAL AGREEMENT? HE'S NOT INTERESTED IN MOVING FORWARD, CORRECT?

>> THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING. WHEN I TALKED WITH HIS OFFICE A COUPLE WEEKS AGO AND TOLD HIM WE WERE PUTTING THIS AGENDA ITEM ON THE AGENDA FOR YOU TO DISCUSS, I ASKED IF HE WOULD BE ABLE TO ATTEND. HIS OFFICE HAD SAID YES.

I DON'T KNOW IF HE IS HERE TODAY OR NOT.

BUT I WILL TELL YOU THAT THE OFFICE HAS BEEN VERY COOPERATIVE, BUT VERY TRANSPARENT ON WHAT'S GOING ON AND WHY. PLAIN AND SIMPLE, I THINK THEY'RE LOSING WAY TOO MUCH MONEY.

AT THIS POINT, THEY HAD TO MAKE A DECISION JUST BASED UPON

CURRENT ECONOMICS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR. RICE.

DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF MR. RICE? MR. HANNA PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC HEARING?

>> WHEN WE HAD OUR DISCUSSION AT OUR LAST MEETING WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT ADAPTIVE REC. WE HAD THE PRIVATE SECTOR COME FORWARD AND BRING SOME IDEAS. I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY THAT WE ALSO, AGAIN, HAVE THE PRIVATE SECTOR COMING AND STEPPING UP. UNFORTUNATELY, THE TIME -- IF I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY THE TIMEFRAME IS A LITTLE MORE CONDENSED FOR THIS. I MEAN, WITH ADAPTIVE REC WE HAD A LITTLE MORE TIME. IF I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, IS AFTER JANUARY 31ST, PEOPLE WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO TAKE THEIR CARDBOARD OR PAPER TO THOSE --

>> THAT'S NOT CORRECT. WOULD YOU ADDRESS THAT

MR. HANNA? >> I WANT TO MAKE SURE.

>> WE'RE GOING TO STOP RECYCLING CARDBOARD.

OKAY. WE WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR IS THAT -- MANY CITIZENS HAVE SAID WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH THIS CARDBOARD, THEY'VE SENT PICTURES AND ALL THESE THINGS.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE CARDBOARD COLLECTION CONTAINERS ARE STILL THERE T. IF YOU HAVE IF YOU HAVE TO PUT BOXES IN YOUR CART AND TAKE THEM TO THE CURB YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE POTENTIALLY ENOUGH ROOM. WHAT I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO ASSUME IS THAT WHEN THEY PUT THEIR CARDBOARD IN THOSE CARDBOARD COLLECTION CONTAINS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE RECYCLED. THEY'RE GOING STRAIGHT TO THE LANDFILL. WE'LL WORK TO FIND ALTERNATIVES.

MS. ALBUS CAN TALK ABOUT THE FRUSTRATION ONE MIGHT HAVE.

I KNOW SHE'S AN AVID RECYCLERS. IT CAUSES TRUST CONCERNS AND PEOPLE GET UPSET AND RIGHTLY SO. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE CLEAR AND ARTICULATE THAT IF YOU PUT CARDBOARD IN THE COLLECTION BIN IT'S GOING TO THE LANDFILL AT THIS TIME.

IN THE INTERIM. >> SO AFTER JANUARY 31ST, IT

WILL NOT BE RECYCLED. >> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> BUT WE ARE WORKING TO FIGURE OUT A SOLUTION? IT'S JUST THAT WE'RE KIND OF UP AGAINST A DEADLINE.

>> THAT'S CORRECT. ANOTHER THING I GET ASKED ALL THE TIME IS, WELL, DALLAS CAN DO IT AND THESE OTHER CITIES CAN DO IT, WHY CAN'T ABILENE DO IT? IT'S NOT THAT WE CAN'T DO IT.

THE LAST TIME WE BROUGHT EXPANDED RECYCLING OPPORTUNITY TO COUNCILS, THE DIRECTION I FELT LIKE I RECEIVED IS WE'RE A SUPPORTER OF RECYCLING AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE TAXPAYERS

AREN'T PAYING MORE. >> THAT WAS PROCEEDED BY AN EXERCISE THAT WE SURVEYED THE COMMUNITY, ASKED THE COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE, AND THE COMMUNITY, BY A SIGNIFICANT

[00:50:01]

MARGIN, WAS NOT INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN THE RECYCLING

PROGRAM. >> AT THE COSTS WE PRESENTED,

THAT'S CORRECT. >> AGAIN, A COUPLE OF FOLKS I'VE REACHED OUT TO, THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE THERE ARE PEOPLE, AS YOU KNOW AND WE KNOW ARE VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT RECYCLING, VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT IT.

IT'S AN AWESOME OPPORTUNITY FOR SOMEONE TO STEP UP.

JUST LIKE WE HAD WITH ADAPTIVE REC AND OTHER THINGS.

AS MR. RICE INDICATED, WE ARE ALWAYS OPEN TO IDEAS.

AND IF SOMEONE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS AND HAS A PLAN OR -- PLEASE LET US KNOW INSTEAD OF JUST I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'RE NOT RECYCLING. OKAY, THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS OUT OF OUR CONTROL WE CANNOT HANDLE.

BUT IF SOMEONE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS, THIS IS AN

OPPORTUNITY TO STEP UP. >> TO THAT END, THREE, FOUR YEARS AGO WE MADE SOME MODIFICATIONS TO A LOCAL ORDINANCE THAT ALLOWED PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS FOR RECYCLABLES. THERE'S AN AVENUE THAT WOULD ALLOW OTHERS TO PARTICIPATE THAT OTHERWISE COULDN'T BEFORE THAT

ORDINANCE. >> RIGHT.

THERE IS CERTAINLY OPPORTUNITY SOMEWHERE TO COME UP.

WE DID THAT UNCONJUNCTION WITH IN CONJUNCTION WITHTHE CURB SID.

THERE WAS A YOUNG MAN, I BELIEVE HE WENT TO COLLEGE.

I THINK THAT'S HOW IT ENDED UP. THEY MIGHT HAVE DONE PENCIL SHARPENING AND FIGURED OUT THERE'S NOT ANY MONEY IN IT.

WHICH IS WHAT WE DETERMINED. I WILL SAY THIS, WE'RE NOT ALONE WITH THE STRUGGLE, THE WHOLE COUNTRY IS KNOWING THROUGH IT RIGHT NOW. IF IT'S COUNCIL'S INTENT TO CONTINUE TO RECYCLE, WE'LL BRING BACK PROPOSALS FOR THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE COST NEUTRAL. THERE'S GOING TO BE A CHARGE FOR IT. SOMEONE IS GOING TO HAVE PAY MORE FOR IT. RECYCLING IS IMPORTANT.

I PERSONALLY BELIEVE IN RECYCLING.

BUT YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE TOTALITY OF WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

RIGHT NOW, CARDBOARD AND PAPER RECYCLING, THE MARKETS DON'T SUPPORT IT. SO WE'RE HAVING TO DEAL WITH

THAT REALITY. >> STAFF HAS BEEN INITIATED IN CONVERSATIONS EVER SINCE WE HEARD ABOUT THE TERMINATION RELATIONSHIP AND WHAT THE TERMS LOOK LIKE.

I THINK WE OUGHT TO BE RECYCLING.

NOW, WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE? IS THAT 100,000 NOW, THEN 50,000? 500,000? WHAT IS THAT NUMBER? WHAT'S THE TOLERANCE OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE COUNCIL MOVING FORWARD.

SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WHAT THAT DATA MAY LOOK LIKE.

>> ONE THING I'LL ADD, MAYOR, AND THEN I'LL BE QUIET.

IS WE HAVE A GOOD BUSINESS HERE IN ABILENE, TEXAS, RWL.

THEY'VE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN WHAT THEY'VE DONE.

THEY'VE COME TO US AND SAID WE CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE FROM A BUSINESS STANDPOINT. SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE AVOID THINKING SOMEHOW THE CITY OF ABILENE IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO OUT COMPETE OR OUT PERFORM THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

IT'S NOT WHAT WE DO WELL. SOME CITIES HAVE GONE THROUGH THE PROCESS OF BEING A DIRECT COMPETITOR WITH A LOCAL RECYCLING COLLECTOR AND PROCESSING ENTITY.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S OUR BEST APPROACH.

BUT IF COUNCIL WANTS US TO EXPLORE THAT WE CAN CERTAINLY DO

THAT.% >> I THINK THIS WILL OF COURSE -- WE'LL HAVE PUBLIC AND COUNCIL INPUT.

I WANT TO KNOW WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES? WHAT DO THEY LOOK LIKE? THERE IS AN EXPECTATION.

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE ANNUALLY MOVING FORWARD?

>> UNDERSTOOD. >> ANYMORE QUESTIONS OF THE COUNCIL PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC HEARING?

>> I APPRECIATE THE CLARITY. I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO STOP COLLECTING.

AND THE FACT WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE COLLECTING IS SOMETHING I WAS GOING TO ADVOCATE FOR. BECAUSE THERE IS A HABIT THAT CAN BE BROKEN EASILY, TAKING IT THERE FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE USED TO DOING THAT. AND WHAT DO YOU DO WITH IT IF YOU CAN'T AND YOU'RE GOING TO DUMP IT SOMEWHERE, IN AN ALLEY OR A BUSINESS' TRASH CAN. SO CONTINUING TO PROVIDE THAT OPPORTUNITY FOR COLLECTION IS IMPORTANT.

>> WHEN WE STARTED RECYCLING IN DROP OFF RECYCLING IN 1992 WE STARTED WITH FIVE GAY LARD BOXES IN FRONT OF THE UNITED FOOD STORES. AND BY THEIR OWN ADMISSION, THEY SAID THEIR GROCERY SALES INCREASED BY A THIRD BECAUSE WHEN PEOPLE GOT OUT TO DROP OFF THEIR NEWSPAPER, THEY WENT IN TO BUY MILK AND EGGS. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I'VE NEVER GONE IN A GROCERY THAT I HAVEN'T COME OUT WITH $80 WORTH OF GROCERIES. SO THIS PROVED TO THEIR BENEFIT

[00:55:03]

TO HAVE THOSE. LATER, RWL CAME OUT WITH THE RED TRAILERS TO COLLECT THE PAPER, ABILENE WAS HUNGRY TO RECYCLE.

I THINK THAT'S CARRIED FORWARD. IF YOU'D SEE ALL THE DROPOFF SITES WE HAVE IN ABILENE, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE HOLIDAYS, HOW THEY ARE FULL TO CAPACITY TO OVERFLOWING.

ABILENE WANTS TO RECYCLE. IT'S A QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUE.

AND I'VE TALKED TO BUDDHA, SAN ANGELO, EL PASO, FT. BLISS, MIDLAND, THEY ALL SAY IF THEY BREAK EVEN THEY FEEL LIKE THEY ARE AHEAD OF THE GAME. IT'S NOT A MONEY MAKER.

IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO. I'VE GONE TO TALK INDIVIDUALLY WITH WAYNE. WE WALKED THROUGH HIS PLANT YESTERDAY AND YES, TRASH IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WHEN YOU COME TO RECYCLING PAPER AND CARDBOARD. BUT I THINK WE'VE GOT TO GIVE IT OUR ALL OUT EFFORT TO GIVE IT OUR BEST SHOT TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT WE OFFER THAT OPPORTUNITY. WHEN YOU SPOKE EARLIER ABOUT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE BEING GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY OR ASKED IF THEY WANTED TO CURB SIDE RECYCLE. WHEN THAT WAS PRESENTED IT CAME OUT AS AN E-MAIL. I HAPPENED TO RUN ACROSS IT.

YOU HAD TO PRINT OFF THE APPLICATION, YOU HAD TO FILL IT OUT. YOU HAD TO SCAN IT AND SEND IT IN. AND I SAID HOW MANY PEOPLE MY AGE KNOW HOW TO DO ALL THAT. IT WASN'T GIVEN A FAIR OPPORTUNITY. I'M NOT TALKING CURBSIDE I'M TALKING FLAT JUST RECYCLING DROPOFF LIKE WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.

AND THERE HAVE BEEN PEOPLE THAT HAVE OFFERED TO BE ON A COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS OPTIONS. THERE HAVE BEEN PEOPLE I KNOW THAT HAVE OFFERED TO PUT MONEY INTO IT THEMSELVES.

NOT JUST INDIVIDUALLY, BUT A LUMP SUM OF MONEY.

PEOPLE WA WANT TO RECYCLING. IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

>> IT IS. AND LET'S KEEP ABILENE BEAUTIFUL. I THINK THERE ARE VERY FEW PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT HAVE GIVEN AS MUCH TIME AND EFFORT TO THE GREEN EFFORT IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THERE CERTAINLY WILL BE A WAY. I'M ANXIOUS FOR STAFF TO COME BACK WITH WHAT THAT MAY LOOK LIKE.

ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC HEARING? THANK YOU.

AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING TO ALLOW ANYONE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM.

THIS TODAY IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY.

WE ARE GATHERING INFORMATION AND WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS

ON THIS AGENDA ITEM. >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL, DAVID SCHWARTZ FOR THE RECORD. YES, I HATED IT WHEN YOU TOLD US MONTHS AGO WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO PLASTIC ANYMORE.

YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE, IT'S REAL CONVENIENT TO GO TO THE GROCERY STORE AND PICK UP A 36 PACK OR 24 PACK OF WATER AND THERE'S ALL THOSE PLASTIC BOTTLES YOU'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING WITH. I JUST HATE THEM SEEING GOING TO THE LANDFILL. AND THE NEWSPAPERS, IT WAS REALLY A GOOD THING LIKE DONNA JUST MENTIONED ABOUT THE GROCERY STORE. YOU COULD PULL UP, UNLOAD YOUR OLD SUNDAY PAPERS OR IF YOU TOOK A WHOLE WEEK LONG PAPER, YOU COULD UNLOAD THEM THERE. YOU PROBABLY DID GO INTO THE GROCERY STORE. WELL, I'M HERE.

NOW YOU'RE GOING TO DO CARDBOARD, GOING TO STOP DOING CARDBOARD. IT'S DUE TO THE RECYCLER IN TOWN IS NOT DOING IT BECAUSE THEY CAN'T MAKE A PROFIT.

IT'S JUST LIKE ANYTHING, I'M SURE A LOT OF IT MAY POSSIBLY BE DUE TO THE COVID SITUATION. AGAIN, I HATE TO SEE ALL THAT GO TO THE LANDFILL. I KNOW AT LEAST MR. HANNA ANSWERED WE'RE NOT GOING TO PULL ALL THE RECYCLING CENTERS UP THAT ARE ALL OVER TOWN AND SAY THAT'S IT, WE'RE NOT GOING TO RECYCLE ANYONE. I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS NOW THEY WILL STILL BE THERE BUT THE ROLL UP TRUCK WILL ROLL IT UP AND TAKE IT RIGHT OUT TO THE LANDFILL AND DUMP IT.

YOU KNOW, THIS SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING UP THE DCOA'S ALLEY.

[01:00:01]

THEY'RE ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT GETTING JOBS AND DOING THINGS FOR PEOPLE. THIS SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS SOMETHING THEY COULD PROVIDE, YOU KNOW.

MR. RICE TALKED ABOUT WE NEED A REAL TALL BUILDING OR SOMETHING.

IT SOUNDS LIKE MAYBE THEY COULD ASSIST IN GETTING A RECYCLER HERE. THERE'S SOME INCENTIVES SOMEHOW WHERE THEY COULD GET A FEW JOBS IN HERE AND RECYCLING.

OTHERWISE, WE'RE GOING TO START FILLING UP OUR LANDFILL.

EVEN THOUGH THEY SAID WE HAD SO MANY YEARS TO GO, I CAN REMEMBER AS A KID OUR FIRST LANDFILL WAS RIGHT THERE ON PINE STREET RIGHT UP FROM THE DRIVE IN. I REMEMBER GOING OUT THERE WITH MY GRANDPA AND DUMPING STUFF. I CAN REMEMBER EVEN YOUNGER WHEN I WAS A REAL SMALL KID NORTH OF TOWN, NOT TOO FAR FROM THE POLICE TRAINING GROUNDS, THEY BURNED THE TRASH.

I REMEMBER IT. I REMEMBER THE GROCERY STORE AT MY GRANDMA'S A HALF A BLOCK UP. EVERY NIGHT THEY'D BURN CARDBOARD. YOU'D SEE THE INCINERATOR BURNING UP, GOING INTO THE AIR. AND NOW WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY ALL THESE YEARS LATER TO RECYCLE BUT NOW THE RECYCLER SAYS IT'S NOT BUSINESS WISE FOR THEM. I UNDERSTAND.

I WOULD SAY -- SUGGEST PUT YOUR PEN AND PAPER TO IT AND SEE IF THERE'S ANY WAY THE DCOA IN THEIR WISDOM CAN HELP GET A RECYCLER IN HERE IF THEY COULD DO SOME INCENTIVES SOMEHOW.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COUNCIL THIS MORNING.

>> THANK YOU, DAVID. STILL IN A PUBLIC HEARING.

ANYONE ELSE WANT TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? SEEING NO ONE I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

MOVING FORWARD, ROBERT, IN THIS REGARD, MICHAEL ADDITIONAL WORK WILL BE DONE TO IDENTIFY DIFFERENT OPTIONS MOVING FORWARD. DO WE HAVE ANY SORT OF ANTICIPATION WHEN WE'LL RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON WHAT THAT MAY LOOK

LIKE IN REGARD TO OUR OPTIONS? >> WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS TAKE AT LEAST 90 DAYS TO DO A VERY THOROUGH ANALYSIS OF WHAT OUR OPPORTUNITIES ARE AND BRING COUNCIL BACK SOME OPTIONS TO CONTINUE TO RECYCLE. AND IF WE'RE GOING TO PAUSE AND DO THIS, LET'S DO IT SO WE'RE LOOKING AT ALL MATERIALS AND NOT JUST CARDBOARD. LET'S LOOK AT PLASTIC, LET'S LOOK AT GLASS, PAPER, METAL, METAL CANS, ALUMINUM.

LET'S GET THE WHOLE PROCESS OF RECYCLING AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO CONTINUE THAT AS A FULL SERVICE AND WHAT OPPORTUNITIES THAT MIGHT LOOK LIKE FROM A COSTING STANDPOINT.

I ALSO KNOW THAT IN THE REGION POTENTIALLY, LUBBOCK IS LOOKING AT DOING SOME SORT OF REGIONAL COLLECTION PROCESSING CENTER.

AND THEY ARE I THINK CLOSE TO BEING ABLE TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

I THINK THAT COULD BE AN ESSENESSENTIAL PART OF WHAT WE O I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE TIME TO LOOK AT THAT SOLUTION AS PART OF OUR ANALYSIS. WHAT I'M HEARING FROM DIRECTION OF COUNCIL IS TO COME BACK WITH OPTIONS TO CONTINUE RECYCLING AND HAVE -- WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS BRING THAT BACK IN A FORMAL WAY THAT SAYS IF WE DO PAPER, CARDBOARD, AND METALS, THE COST IS X AND HERE'S HOW WE DO THAT.

IF WE DO PLASTICS ONE THROUGH SEVEN OR WHATEVER, THE NUMBERS YOU WANT TO LOOK AT, MAYBE IT'S ONE THROUGH FOUR, DONNA, AND GLASS -- BECAUSE I KNOW THAT MST AS WELL.

DO A COMPLETE ANALYSIS ON THOSE AND SAY HERE'S OUR COST AS WELL.

MAYBE EVEN THROW IN HERE'S A COST IF YOU DO CURBSIDE.

DO A COMPLETE ANALYSIS AND BRING IT BACK FOR COUNCIL.

>> GOOD. WE ANTICIPATE MAYBE MID APRIL IN REGARDS TO HAVING AN UPDATE IN REGARDS TO MOVING FORWARD.

>> THAT WILL BE OUR TARGET, YES, SIR.

BUT I WANT TO HAVE THE FREEDOM TO BE ABLE TO PUSH THAT IF WE'RE

NOT READY. >> OR MOVE IT UP.

>> THAT'S CORRECT. MOVE IT UP IF WE'RE SOONER THAN

THAT. >> ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, DIRECTIVES FROM THE COUNCIL FOR MR. HANNA? I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE YOU AND ALL YOUR EFFORT.

I MEAN, THE COMMUNITY SHOULD KNOW MR. HANNA , MR. RICE AND OTHERS HAVE BEEN IN CONVERSATIONS REALLY SINCE SEPTEMBER WHEN WE HEARD ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF THE RELATIONSHIP ENDING. AGAIN, THIS IS A SUBSIDY WE SET ASIDE ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO THAT WE COMMITTED AROUND 50$50,000 A YEAR. IN THIS COUNCIL, I BELIEVE WE'LL HAVE AN APPETITE TO MAKE AN ADDITION. WE'LL SEE WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE MOVING FORWARD. THE SHIFT IS NOT OCCURRING JUST IN ABILENE BUT IT'S A MARKET SHIFT THAT IS WORLDWIDE AND WE'RE A PART OF THAT. LUBBOCK, THEY'RE CERTAINLY IN REASON YEARS IN COLLABORATION WITH THE WEST TEXAS CITIES AND WORKING TOGETHER TOWARDS A COMMON GOOD.

>> MAYOR, IF I COULD PLUG MICHAEL RICE FOR A SECOND.

[01:05:03]

MY OPPORTUNITY TO LOVE ON PEOPLE.

MICHAEL IS THE CURRENT OR IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT? HE'S THE PAST PRESIDENT OF THE MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE ASSOCIATION FOR TEXAS. MICHAEL IS A KNOWN AND REGARDED EXPERT IN SOLID WASTE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.

THERE'S NOT A BETTER PERSON IN MY OPINION TO LEAD THIS ANALYSIS. WE'RE BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE HIS EXPERTISE INVOLVED IN THAT. HE'S A STRONG RIGHT ARM FOR ME AND THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE AND I APPRECIATE HIS WILLINGNESS TO STEP FORWARD AND LEAD THIS RESEARCH.

>> THANK YOU, MICHAEL. >> I DON'T KNOW THAT I WOULD SAY WE SUBSIDIZED RECYCLING BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE COST US $25 A TON.

IF WE HAD TAKEN IT TO A LANDFILL AND WE WERE PAYING $20 A TON TO HAVE IT AT THE RECYCLING PLACE. WE WERE SAVING THE TAXPAYER

MONEY. >> WHAT I WANT TO COMMUNICATE IS THAT WE SPEND MONEY ALREADY AND I ANTICIPATED SPENDING ADDITIONAL MONEY IF WE MOVE FORWARD.

I WANTED TO BE SURE THE EXPECTATIONS WERE ALIGNED CORRECTLY. SO WHEN WE HAVE A CONVERSATION IN MID APRIL OR SOONER, THAT WE CAN RID OURSELVES FOR WHAT THE INVESTMENT WOULD LOOK LIKE. WE'LL MOVE TO ITEM 9, AND I'LL

[9. Ordinance (Final Reading) Z202022: Receive a Report and Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing on a request from Mobile Home Concepts, LLC to rezone property from a combination of Manufactured/Mobile Home (MH) and General Commercial (GC) to Planned Development (PD) District allowing occupancy by recreational vehicles and vacation travel trailers as well as mobile and manufactured homes on property at 6101 South 7th Street in western Abilene (Mike Warrix)]

ASK MOTO MIKE WARRIX TO PRESENTS ITEM.

>> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

THIS IS ZONING CASE 2020-22. THE OWNER IS MOBILE HOME CONCEPTS, LLC. THEY REQUEST THIS MORNING TO REZONE PROPERTY FROM MANUFACTURED HOUSING AND GENERAL COMMERCIAL TO A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT.

THIS IS THE WEST GLEN MOBILE HOME PARK, WHICH IS JUST SOUTH OF SOUTH 7TH STREET NEAR ARNOLD BOULEVARD, THE INTERSECTION. NOTIFICATION WAS SENT OUT TO IN FAVOR AND OPPOSITION. PLANNING COMMISSION MET BACK LAST MONTH ON THIS CASE AS THEY DID ON ALL THE CASES THAT ARE BEFORE YOU THIS MORNING. THEY ARE RECOMMENDING APPROVAL.

THE BASIC REQUEST -- LET'S GO BACK -- HERE'S THE GENERAL LOCATION MAP SHOWING SOUTH 7TH, THE SUBJECT PROPERTY'S LOCATION. BETWEEN SOUTH 7TH AND PUEBLO DRIVE, ZONING MAP SHOWING THAT AREA AS MH, MANUFACTURED HOUSING. YOU'LL SEE TO THE EAST THERE, YOU'LL SEE SOME MEDIUM DENSITY EXISTING DEVELOPMENT THERE ON CHAPARRAL. CONCEPT PLAN THAT WAS SUBMITTED ALONG WITH THE APPLICATION, THIS IS A REQUIREMENT FOR PLANNED DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS TO US, SHOWING THE GENERALLY LAYOUT.

WHAT THEY WANT TO DO THERE, BASICALLY, IS IN ADDITION TO MANUFACTURED HOUSING UNITS, THEY WANT TO ALLOW THE LONG-TERM USE PLACEMENT AND USE OF TRAVEL TRAILERS AND RVS.

THEY CAN'T DO THAT UNDER THE CURRENT ZONING CLASSIFICATIONS THAT EXIST ON THAT PROPERTY. THEY'RE LOOKING FOR A PD, PLANNED DEVELOPMENT APPROACH THAT WOULD ALLOW THOSE USES ON THAT SITE. THEY'RE THE USES AND AGAIN THESE ARE IN YOUR PACKETS. PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE AREA.

NOTIFICATION MAPS SHOWING THE TWO IN FAVOR, ZERO IN OPPOSITION. STAFF RECOMMENDED APPROVAL TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION WITH CONDITION, THAT CONDITION BEING THE EASTERN 200 FEET BE RESERVED FOR ONLY MANUFACTURED MOBILE HOMES BASICALLY TO PROTECT THE CHARACTER OF THE ADJACENT MEDIUM DENSITY NEIGHBORHOOD. THE INTENT IS TO PROVIDE SOME TRANSITION IN TERMS OF LAND USE INTENSITY DOWN FROM THE PROPOSED TRAVEL TRAILERS AND RVS DOWN TO THE MANUFACTURED HOMES AND MOBILE HOMES AND THEN EVENTUALLY OVER TO THE EXISTING MEDIUM DENSITY DEVELOPMENT THAT EXISTS THERE.

THE PLANNING COMMISSION IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL TO YOU THIS MORNING. I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY

QUESTIONS Y'ALL MIGHT HAVE. >> THANK YOU.

ANY QUESTIONS OF MIKE PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC HEARING FROM COUNCIL?

>> ONE OF THE RESPONSES THAT CAME IN THAT WAS IN FAVOR ASKED ABOUT A PRIVACY FENCE. WHAT'S THE BUFFER REQUIREMENT ON THE EAST SIDE WITH THE MOBILE HOME TO RESIDENTIAL?

>> THAT WILL ESSENTIALLY BE EITHER A TYPE A OR TYPE B BUFFER. THAT WILL BE DETERMINED DURING THE SITE PLAN REVIEW FROM THE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE.

>> I DIDN'T KNOW IF A FENCE WOULD BE PART OF A POSSIBLE --

>> COULD BE, YES. COULD CERTAINLY FALL WITHIN ONE

OF THOSE TYPE BUFFERS, YES. >> I DON'T KNOW IF THE PROPONENT

[01:10:03]

IS HERE, BUT THE RECOMMENDATION WAS TO MAKE THE EASTERN HALF THE MOBILE HOME -- THE MANUFACTURED HOME, ARE THEY OKAY WITH THAT?

>> YES. >> OKAY.

IF YOU SAID THAT I APOLOGIZE, I MISSED IT.

>> ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC HEARING? THANK YOU, MIKE.

AT AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP TE PUBLIC HEARING.

IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS? IF NOT, I'LL ACCEPT A MOTION AND

A SECOND. >> SO MOVED.

>> MOTION BY -- >> SECOND.

>> SECOND BY CO COUNCILMEMBER RENTZ? WE'RE READY TO VOTE.

>> MOTION CARRIES. >> WE'LL MOVE TO ITEM 10. I'LL

[10. Ordinance (Final Reading) Z202023: Receive a Report and Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing on a request from Eugene Rickert to rezone property from Agricultural Open Space (AO) to Rural Residential (RR1) District on one acre of land located at 1949 Beltway South (F.M. Highway 707) (Mike Warrix)]

ASK MIKE WARRIX TO PRESENT THIS ITEM.

>> THANK YOU, AGAIN. THIS IS AN INTERESTING CASE HERE. THIS IS ZONING CASE Z-2020-23.

THE APPLICANT AND OWNER ISUGEEES EUGENE RICKERT.

THE REQUEST IS TO REZONE TO RURAL RESIDENTIAL 1 ZONING.

THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED BELTWAY SOUTH WEST OF 84.

RECEIVED NO RESPONSES IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION TO THIS AS PART OF OUR REQUIRED MAILING. WE DIDN'T RECEIVE ANY INPUT OUTSIDE OF THAT NOTIFICATION PROCESS EITHER.

PLANNING COMMISSION MET LAST MONTH AND THEY ARE RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF THIS. BASICALLY WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS PROPERTY THAT'S ZONED AO, MINIMUM LOT SIZE FOR AO ZONING IS FIVE ACRES. THESE -- THE SUBJECT PROPERTIES ARE TWO ONE ACRE TRACTS, THEY'RE BASICALLY NON-CONFORMING LOTS.

THEY DO NOT MEET THE MINIMUM LOT SIZE FOR AO ZONING.

THE APPLICANT WANTS TO CONSTRUCT AN ADDITION TO THE EXISTING SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING THAT'S ON THE PROPERTY.

THAT PROPOSED EXPANSION EXCEEDS 30% OF THE EXISTING FLOOR AREA AND PURSUANT TO OUR ZONING ORDINANCE, PLATTING IS REQUIRED.

SO IN ORDER TO GET A BUILDING PERMIT, THE APPLICANT IS PROPOSING TO, ONE, REZONE THE PROPERTY TO RURAL RESIDENTIAL ONE, WHICH HAS A MINIMUM LOT SIZE OF ONE ACRE.

UPON GETTING IT REZONED, HE PLANS TO -- I'M SPEAKING FOR THE APPLICANT, AND IF THEY'RE HERE I'M SURE THEY'LL PROVIDE A BETTER EXPLANATION. BUT THEY DO INTEND TO REPLAT THE PROPERTY. THOSE TWO LOTS WOULD BE COMBINED INTO ONE LOT AND IT WOULD BE ONE RURAL RESIDENTIAL LOT WHICH WOULD MEET THE MINIMUM LOT SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF RURAL RESIDENTIAL ZONING. AND THAT WOULD ALLOW HIM TO MEET ALL THE REQUIRED SETBACKS AND OTHER AREA AND YARD REQUIREMENTS OF THAT ZONING CLASSIFICATION. THIS IS BASICALLY WE'RE CLEANING UP A SITUATION OUT THERE. THIS IS AN INTERESTING CASE.

ZONING MAPS SHOWING ALL OF THAT BEING AGRICULTURAL OPEN SPACE ZONING. EXISTING USES.

USES THAT HE'S PROPOSING. PERMANENT USE IN THE RR1 ZONING DISTRICT. NOTHING IN THE WAY OF OPPOSITION. STAFF RECOMMENDED APPROVAL LAST MONTH TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION.

THEY'RE RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF THIS REQUEST TO YOU THIS MORNING. DO Y'ALL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

>> THANK YOU, MR. WARRIX. ANY QUESTION OF MIKE PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC HEARING? THANK YOU.

AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING.

IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE I'LL CL CLOSE THE

PUBLIC HEARING. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> SECOND. >> SECOND FROM COUNCILMEMBER HURT. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? WE'RE READY TO VOTE.

>> MOTION CARRIES. >> WE'LL MOVE TO ITEM 11, ONCE

[11. Ordinance (Final Reading) Z202024: Receive a Report and Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing on a request from Donald Callaway (agents Jacob & Martin LLC) and the City of Abilene to rezone approximately 0.6 acre of land (120 feet wide) located behind the restaurant building at 4801 Buffalo Gap Road, from Agricultural Open Space (AO) to Neighborhood Retail (NR) District (Mike Warrix)]

AGAIN I'LL ASK MIKE WARRIX TO PRESENT THIS ITEM.

>> THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN, MR. MAYOR.

THIS IS ZONING CASE Z-2020-24. THE OWNER IS DONALD A CALLOWAY.

[01:15:04]

THE AGENT BEING JACOB AND MARKET LLC.

THE REQUEST IS TO REZONE THREE QUARTERS OF AN ACRE ROUGHLY FROM AGRICULTURAL OPEN SPACE TO NEIGHBORHOOD RETAIL.

THIS IS OFF OF BUFFALO GAP ROAD. THIS IS BASICALLY BEHIND AL'S MESQUITE GRILL. NOTIFICATION WAS SENT OUT WAS ZERO IN FAVOR AND TWO IN OPPOSITION.

PLANNING COMMISSION HEARD THIS CASE LAST MONTH AND THEY ARE RECOMMENDING APPROVAL. A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND, THIS IS THE GENERAL LOCATION MAP. YOU'LL SEE THE HATCHED AREA IN THE REAR OF THIS LOT IS THE SUBJECT PROPERTY.

THE BUILDING IN FRONT OR TO THE WEST OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY IS AL'S MESQUITE GRILL. THE REQUEST IS TO USE -- TO REZONE THAT PROPERTY TO NEIGHBORHOOD RETAIL FOR USE AS PARKING FOR THE RESTAURANT. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THAT WOULD PROVIDE ROUGHLY 20 ADDITIONAL PARKING SPACES FOR THE RESTAURANT. THIS PROPERTY IS REZONED TO NEIGHBORHOOD RETAIL, I THINK BACK IN 2010.

THE FRONT PART THAT YOU SEE THERE IS ABOUT AN ACRE AND A QUARTER. IT WAS REZONED NEIGHBORHOOD RETAIL AND THE REMAINING THREE QUARTERS OF AN ACRE STAYED IN AO ZONING. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THAT WAS DONE PRIMARILY TO USE THAT AS A BUFFER TO THAT EXISTING NEIGHBORHOOD TO THE EAST THERE, AS WELL AS TO PROVIDE SOME STORMWATER RETENTION AREA. SO THE REQUEST IS TO REZONE THAT REMAINING PORTION OF THAT LOT FROM AO TO NEIGHBORHOOD RETAIL, WHICH IS THE SAME ZONING AS THE RESTAURANT HAS.

I THINK EVERYBODY KNOWS AND IS FAMILIAR WITH THE LOCATION OF THIS REQUEST. WE DID RECEIVE TWO LETTERS IN OPPOSITION AND ZERO IN FAVOR. THIS REQUEST IS GENERALLY CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND THE LAND USE MAP. AS ALWAYS, WE RECEIVED THIS PURSUANT TO SECTION 14 OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE WHICH IS BASICALLY THE REVIEW CRITERIA ON WHICH WE BASE OUR RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION AS WELL AS TO YOU.

>> ANY QUESTIONS FROM MIKE, FROM THE COUNCIL PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC

HEARING? >> I NOTICED IN THE PACT THAT PE APPLICANT REQUESTED PART OF THE PROPERTY TO BE REZONED IN ORDER TO LEAVE PART OF IT AS A BUFFER WITH THE NEIGHBORING PROPERTIES WHERE THERE'S OPPOSITION. STAFF RECOMMENDED AND P&Z APPROVED REZONING IT AS NEIGHBORHOOD RETAIL.

I'M SURE THE APPLICANT IS FINE WITH GOING AHEAD AND DOING IT ALL. BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY WERE TRYING TO BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR AND RESPECT THE CONCERN FROM THAT

NEIGHBORHOOD TO THE EAST. >> THEY CAN ADDRESS THAT.

I BELIEVE IT WAS THE FEELING OF STAFF THAT INSTEAD OF PIECEMEALING AND POTENTIALLY SPOT ZONING THAT AREA THAT IT WOULD BE BEST TO GO AHEAD AND REZONE THAT ENTIRE LOT TO ONE ZONING CLASSIFICATION. TYPICALLY, YOU DON'T SPLIT LOTS WITH DIFFERENT ZONING CLASSIFICATIONS.

THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE TRYING TO AVOID HERE.

>> SO THAT THE -- THE PART THAT'S CURRENTLY AO, IS THAT ITS OWN LOT OR IS THAT PART OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD RETAIL LOT?

>> IT'S PART OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD RETAIL LOT.

>> IT'S ALREADY A SPOT ZONED OR PARTIAL ZONED?

>> YES. >> OKAY.

THANK YOU. >> ANY QUESTIONS PRIOR TO THE

PUBLIC HEARING? >> MAYBE THEY'LL ADDRESS THIS.

ONE OF MY CONCERNS WAS IF WE CAN FIGURE OUT A WAY THAT WHEN CARS COME IN THERE -- I GUESS YOU COULD SET THE PARKING THIS WAY SO THEIR LIGHTS DO NOT SHINE INTO THAT NEIGHBORHOOD, YOU KNOW, THE PARKING -- THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FACE THE BUILDING. I KNOW THEY HAVE TO TURN AROUND, SO YOU DON'T HAVE SOMEONE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT AND

THEIR LIGHTS ARE SHINING IN. >> THIS WILL BE SUBJECT TO SITE PLAN REVIEW WHERE ALL THOSE YIITEMS WILL BE TAKEN INTO

CONSIDERATION. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MIKE. AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

[01:20:03]

>> GOOD MORNING, AGENT FOR THE PROPERTY OWNER.

YOU'RE CORRECT. OUR REQUEST WAS SIMPLY TO REZONE THE PORTION OF THAT LOT WHERE THE ADDITIONAL PARKING WOULD SIT. I DO UNDERSTAND WHY STAFF WANTED TO REZONE THE ENTIRE TRACT. I THINK BACK WHEN THE ZONING CASE WAS ORIGINALLY APPROVED THE THAT WAS WE'LL LEAVE A PIECE OF AO AS A BUFFER. THE LAND CODE HAS BUFFERING REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE REQUIRED BETWEEN ANY RETAIL AND RESIDENTIAL AREA. CERTAINLY I KNOW IT'S IMPORTANT TO THE PROPERTY OWNER TO BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR AND WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE ALL THOSE BUFFERS AS REQUIRED BY THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE STAY IN PLACE. THE VAST MAJORITY OF THAT PROPERTY IS A RETENTION POND. I WOULD NOT EXPECT ANY MORE DEVELOPMENT TO OCCUR ON THIS LOT OTHER THAN JUST THE SLIVER OF PARKING WE'RE ADDING. IF YOU REMEMBER FROM THE THREE QUARTERS OF AN ACRE BEHIND AL'S, IN TERMS OF SIZE OF THAT PARKING AREA, IT'S PROBABLY A SIXTH, A FIFTH OF THAT TOTAL LOT.

THE REST OF THAT IS THE RETENTION POND AND WILL HAVE TO REMAIN THAT WAY. IN TERMS OF THE DIRECTION THAT THE CARS WILL FACE, THEY'RE GOING TO PARK FACING NORTH AND SOUTH. SO AS THEY WOULD PULL IN AND OUT, I GUESS PULLING IN LIGHTS WOULD SHINE THAT DIRECTION, BUT OTHERWISE LIGHTS WOULD NOT SHINE TOWARDS THAT RESIDENCE.

>> THANKS. >> THANK YOU.

>> PUBLIC HEARING, ANYONE ELSE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

COUNCIL HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? IF NOT I'LL ACCEPT A MOTION AND A SECOND.

>> SO MOVED. >> MOTION BY MCALISTER.

>> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER ALBUS. READY TO VOTE.

>> ITEM NUMBER 12 AND INVITE MIKE WARRIX YET AGAIN TO PRESENT

[12. Ordinance (Final Reading) Z202025: Receive a Report and Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing on a request from KPLB LLC, agents Jacob & Martin LLC, to rezone property from Residential SingleFamily Patio Home (PH) to a Residential MediumDensity (MD) District on 5.85 acres of nowvacant land at 1826 Colony Hill Road in southeastern Abilene (Mike Warrix)]

THIS ITEM. >> THIS IS ZONING CASE Z-2020-25. THE OWNER IS KPLB, LLC.

THE AGENT IS JACOB AND MARTIN LLC.

THE REQUEST IS -- THIS MAY LOOK FAMILIAR.

I BELIEVE THIS WAS BEFORE YOU LAST YEAR.

THIS IS A REQUEST TO REZONE PROPERTY THAT WAS REZONED LAST YEAR TO PATIO HOME. THE REQUEST IS TO REZONE IT BACK TO THE ZONING WHICH IT HAD LAST YEAR.

THIS IS ROUGHLY A SIX ACRE TRACT OF LAND.

NOTIFICATION THAT WE SENT OUT RESULTED IN ZERO IN OPPOSITION, ZERO IN FAVOR. PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED APPROVAL. HERE'S THE GENERAL LOCATION.

YOU'LL SEE COLONY HILL ROAD TO THE SOUTH THERE OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY. SOUTH LAKE TO THE NORTH.

ZONING MAP. PHOTOS.

WE HAVE NO PROBLEM FROM A STAFF PERSPECTIVE OF ALLOWING OR RECOMMENDING THAT YOU APPROVE IT BACK TO THE REQUESTED ZONING CLASSIFICATION. PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED APPROVAL BACK IN DECEMBER. IT'S BEEN FORWARDED TO YOU ALL THIS MORNING FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

>> QUESTIONS OF MIKE? THANK YOU, BY THE WAY.

QUESTIONS OF MIKE FROM COUNCIL PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC HEARING? THANKS. AT THIS TIME I'LL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND

GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. >> AGENT FOR THE PROPERTY OWNER.

HAD REQUEST IS TO GO BACK TO MD, UNFORTUNATELY THE PROPERTY OWNER HAS DECIDED TO GO BACK TO HIS ORIGINAL PLAN FOR THE PROPERTY.

HE DOES EXPRESS HIS APOLOGIES FOR THE APPEARANCE OF INDECISION. BUT WE DO BELIEVE THIS ZONING TO BE APPROPRIATE AT THIS LOCATION. SO WE DO ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

>> THANK YOU. WE'RE STILL IN A PUBLIC HEARING.

ANYONE ELSE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK SEEING NO ONE I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. COUNCIL? ANY QUESTIONS? I'D BE GLAD TO ACCEPT A MOTION AND A SECOND.

[01:25:03]

MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MCALISTER, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER ALBUS. WE'RE READY TO VOTE.

>> I'M GOING TO HAND OFF ITEM 13 AND 14, IT'S A ZONING ISSUE THAT

[13. Ordinance (Final Reading) Z202026: Receive a Report and Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing on a request from Abilene Christian University, agent Kendra Hanfeld of Parkhill, Smith and Cooper Inc., to rezone 13.05 acres (occupied since 1955 by Taylor Elementary School) at 916 East North 13th Street, from Residential MediumDensity (MD) to a College University (CU) District (Mike Warrix)]

INCLUDES ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY I AM EMPLOYED.

THE DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM, JACK RENTZ WILL HANDLE ITEMS 13 AND 14. SO IS KYLE MCALISTER'S WIFE.

JACK, DO YOU WANT MY BOOK OR YOU GOT IT?

>> I HAVE YOUR BOOK. >> ALL RIGHT.

SEAN DOES A GREAT JOB. JUST READ THE SCRIPT.

>> GIVE ME JUST A MINUTE TO FIGURE OUT WHERE WE ARE.

OKAY. WE'LL MOVE TO ITEM 13, I'LL ASK MOTOMIKE WARRIX TO PRESENT THIS ITEM.

>> ZONING CASE Z-2020-26. THE OWNER IS ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY. THE AGENT IS KENDRA HANFIELD.

REQUESTS TO REZONE FROM THE FROM MEDIUM DENSITY TO COLLEGE UNIVERSITY ZONING. IT'S A 13-ACRE TRACT.

WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY THE SITE OF THE OLD TAYLOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. NOTIFICATION THAT WAS SENT OUT RESULTED IN 55 IN FAVOR AND ONE IN OPPOSITION.

PLANNING COMMISSION HEARD THIS CASE LAST MONTH AND THEY RECOMMEND APPROVAL. THE INTENT AS STATED BY THE APPLICATION WAS TO USE THE PROPERTY FOR ACADEMIC, RESEARCH, LABSOPHIS OFFICES. HERE'S A LOCATION MAP SHOWING ITS LOCATION. THE FRONTAGE ON 13TH STREET.

NORTH JUDGE ELY BOULEVARD TO THE EAST AND BOUNDED BY THE 16TH STREET TO THE NORTH. I THINK EVERYBODY KNOWS WHERE THIS IS. ZONING MAP.

PHOTOS OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY. USAGE GOOS ARE PERMANENT USES TT ARE BEING PROPOSED FOR THE PROPERTY.

NOTIFICATION MAP. STAFF REVIEWED THIS PURSUANT TO THE CRITERIA IN THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE.

FOUND IT TO BE GENERALLY CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND LAND USE PLAN.

KNOW. >> THANK YOU, DOES COUNCIL HAVE

ANY QUESTIONS OF MR. WARRIX? >> THIS IS TO COMPLETE A LAND SWAP WHERE THE NEW TAYLOR ELEMENTARY IS WITH ACU, CORRECT?

>> THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING, YES. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? AT THIS TIME I'LL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING.

IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NONE IS THERE ANYONE ELSE -- DIDN'T LOOK CLOSE ENOUGH, DID I?

>> MY NAME IS KENDRA HANFIELD, I'M WITH PARK HILL.

ACU HAS NOW GAINED OWNERSHIP OF THE TAYLOR ELEMENTARY SITE.

IN ORDER TO USE THE PROPERTY FOR COLLEGE, WE HAVE TO REZONE IT.

THEY ALREADY ARE INTENDING TO REUSE THE TAYLOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR SOME OF THEIR PROGRAMS AS WELL AS CREATE MORE FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING PROGRAMS.

>> ANYONE ELSE? OKAY.

SEEING NONE I'LL HEREBY CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

>> MOVE TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.

>> ALL RIGHT. OKAY.

WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. SO ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? READY TO VOTE.

>> MOTION CARRIES. I THOUGHT I MISSED SOMEBODY.

>> WE'LL MOVE TO ITEM 14 EXPW 1D I'LL ASK MIKE WARRIX TO PRESENT

[14. Ordinance (Final Reading) TC202007: Receive a Report and Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing on a request from Abilene Christian University, agents Enprotec/Hibbs & Todd Inc., to abandon the public rightofway within a 0.4039acre tract of presently unpaved land initially dedicated for what is now known as North Judge Ely Boulevard and located northeast from the original campus of Taylor Elementary School at 916 E.N. 13th Street in northeast Abilene (Mike Warrix)]

THIS ITEM. >> THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN.

THIS IS A RIGHT OF WAY ABANDONMENT THOROUGH FARE

[01:30:05]

CLOSURE REQUEST FROM ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY.

THE AGENT IS EHT, REQUEST IS TO ABANDON A ROUGHLY -- JUST UNDER A HALF ACRE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY. IT'S NEAR NORTH JUDGE ELI BOULEVARD. LOCATION, TAYLOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AT 916 EAST NORTH 13TH STREET.

SENT OUT A NOTIFICATION, FIVE IN FAVOR, ZERO IN OPPOSITION.

PLANNING AND ZONING HEARD THIS CASE AND ARE RECOMMENDING APPROVAL. THERE'S THE LOCATION MAP SHOWING THE SUBJECT PROPERTY. THERE ARE UTILITIES WE'VE ADDRESSED REGARDING EASEMENTS WHEN THEY DO REPLAT THAT AND COMBINE THAT TRACT WITH THE OTHER PROPERTIES THAT ARE OWNED THERE. THEY'LL NEED TO SHOW THOSE AND THOSE ARE IN THE ORDINANCE AND I CAN READ THOSE INTO THE RECORD IF REQUIRED. ZONING MAP.

PHOTOS. JUST A LITTLE SLIVER OF LAND THAT IS OBSOLETE, NO LONGER NEEDED, NO LONGER USED.

JUST ANOTHER CLEANUP TYPE REQUEST BEFORE YOU TODAY.

THE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE DID REVIEW THIS.

THEY FOUND IT TO BE SATISFACTORY WITH THE CONDITIONS, C WHICH I STATED EARLIER REGARDING THE 20-FOOT AND 10-FOOT EASEMENT TO BE SHOWN ON THE REPLAT, AS WELL AS COMPLETING THE REPLATTING PROCESS TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT. WE'RE RECOMMENDING APPROVAL.

STAFF IS. PLANNING COMMISSION HEARD THIS CASE AND THEY ARE ALSO RECOMMENDING APPROVAL TO YOU THIS MORNING. DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

>> THANK YOU. DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF MR. WARRIX? AT THIS TIME I'LL OPEN IT UP TO PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE

YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. >> I'M KENDRA HANFIELD HERE ON BEHALF OF EHT. THIS IS A LITTLE BIT OF A CLEANUP WE'RE TRYING TO DO. THE LAND WAS NEVER OFFICIALLY SWAPPED BACK IN THE DAY WHEN JUDGE ELY WAS TRANSFERRED OVER.

WE WANT TO COMBINE IT AND INCLUDE IT WITH THE OTHER PROPERTY IN ONE FULL LARGE PLAT. AND WE HAVE OUR INCORPORATED EASEMENTS FOR THOSE UTILITY LINES THAT RUN THROUGH.

THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? SEEING NONE I HEREBY CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? I'D ASK FOR A MOTION AND SECOND

FROM COUNCIL. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> SECOND. >> ALL RIGHT.

YOU GET THAT? OKAY.

WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMEMBER CRAVER AND SECOND FROM WELDON. LET'S VOTE.

>> WAS THAT EASY, JEFF? >> THAT'S EASY.

WE'LL NOW MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER 15.

[15. Ordinance (Final Reading) TC202006: Receive a Report and Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing on a request from the City of Abilene to abandon the public rightofway within the complete 418foot length of Crow Street as it extends north from rightofway for East South 5th Street, approximately 765 feet west from and parallel to T&P Lane in southeast central Abilene (Mike Warrix)]

WE'LL ASK MIKE WARRIX TO PRESENT THIS ITEM.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. THIS IS ANOTHER RIGHT OF WAY ABANDONMENT THOROUGH FARE CLOSURE REQUEST.

TC-2020-06 THE APPLICANT AND OWNER IS THE CITY OF ABILENE.

THE REQUEST IS TO ABANDON CROW STREET RIGHT OF WAY, WHICH IS ABOUT 418 FEET OF A DEAD END RIGHT OF WAY THAT CURRENTLY EXISTS. NOTIFICATION WAS SENT OUT, ZERO IN FAVOR, ZERO IN OPPOSITION. WE HAD ONE IN OPPOSITION.

LET ME CORRECT THAT. PLANNING COMMISSION HEARD THIS CASE LAST MONTH AND THEY'RE RECOMMENDING APPROVAL.

LOCATION MAP, SHOWING CROW STREET AS IT EXTENDS NORTH FROM EAST SOUTH 5TH STREET. IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE CITY DOES OWN ALMOST ALL IF NOT ALL OF THESE PROPERTIES.

ONE OF THE REASONS FOR THIS REQUEST IS TO ADDRESS ILLEGAL DUMPING THAT HAS OCCURRED IN THAT AREA.

AND ALSO TO HELP FACILITATE THE CEDAR CREEK WATERWAY PROJECT THERE TO THE WEST. SEE A LOT OF THOSE PROPERTIES, ESPECIALLY TO THE WEST, ARE IMPACTED WITH THE FLOOD ZONE.

PHOTOS. WE DID RECEIVE ONE OPPOSITION,

[01:35:04]

WHICH IS SHOWN UP THERE AT THE END OF THE RIGHT OF WAY, 310.

THE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMUNICATE DID HEAR THIS CASE.

THEY FORWARDED A SATISFACTORY RECOMMENDATION.

STAFF HAS NO PARTICULAR ISSUES WITH THE PROPOSED CLOSURE.

AND THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL AS WELL. DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON

>> DID WE GET -- I KNOW WE HAD ONE IN OPPOSITION.

DID THEY EXPLAIN -- I READ THE LETTER, BUT DID THEY EXPLAIN WHY? IT SAYS PLEASE EXPLAIN IN THE ATTACHMENT, BUT I DIDN'T SEE THE ATTACHMENT.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS IN YOUR PACKET OR NOT.

BUT I BELIEVE THAT INDIVIDUAL IS HERE TODAY AND THEY CAN SPEAK TO

THAT. >> HOW DO YOU PROPOSE IF YOU ABANDON THAT, HOW DO YOU PROPOSE TO GET RID OF THE ILLEGAL

DUMPING? >> IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING, AND MR. RICE CAN ADDRESS THIS FAR BETTER THAN I.

IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT WILL BE FENCED OFF, THE RIGHT OF WAY SO FOLKS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET BACK IN THERE TO DUMP STUFF.

THAT'S THE PLAN. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF MR. WARRIX PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC HEARING? THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? IF NOT I'LL ACCEPT A MOTION AND A SECOND.

>> SO MOVED. >> MOTION MY COUNCILMEMBER MCALISTER, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER RENTZ.

WE'RE READY TO VOTE.

>> MOTION CARRIES. >> WE'LL NOW MOVE TO THE PUBLIC

[PUBLIC COMMENTS]

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

THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD WILL ONLY ALLOW MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO PRESENT IDEAS AND INFORMATION TO CITY OFFICIALS AND STAFF.

DO I HAVE ANY PARTICIPANTS THIS MORNING FOR PUBLIC COMMENT?

>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL, ONCE AGAIN DAVID SCHWARTZ.

I KNOW IT'S BEEN A ROUGH ELECTION YEAR THIS YEAR.

AND IT'S ONLY BEEN A LITTLE OVER A WEEK SINCE WE HAD ALL THIS PROBLEMS IN WASHINGTON. ONLY A WEEK TO GO BEFORE THE ADMINISTRATION CHANGES. I KNOW EVERYBODY, WHETHER YOU ADHERE TO ONE PARTY OR THE OTHER, I DON'T THINK IT WAS A VERY GOOD THING. I KNOW IT DOESN'T REALLY COVER CITY BUSINESS, BUT I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO MENTION THAT. I KNOW PERSONALLY, I PRETTY WELL LOST ANY FAITH AT ALL AT THE BBALLOT BOX, ESPECIALLY THIS YEAR. I KNOW WHEN I VOTED DOWNSTAIRS, WHEN THEY CHECK YOUR ID, THEY SAY YOUR NAME ON YOUR ID DOESN'T MATCH BECAUSE YOUR NAME HAS YOUR WHOLE COMPLETE NAME AND YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION MAY NOT HAVE THAT SO YOU HAVE TO SIGN ON THE COMPUTER THAT YOU'RE VOTING. I ASKED THEM POINT BLANK, I SAID IS MY VOTE GOING TO COUNT? YOU HEAR ON THE MEDIA THAT THE IRANIANS AND OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE OUR VOTER LISTS.

YOU KNOW. IT'S JUST A SAD DAY WHEN ALL THIS OCCURRED AND EVERYTHING. NOW THAT OTHER PARTY IS GOING TO TAKE OVER, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.

LIKE I SAID BEFORE, IN YEARS PAST, I MEAN, VOTING IN NATIONAL ELECTIONS FOR 40 YEARS NOW, AND IT'S JUST STRANGE HOW YOU SEE A TREND IN THE REPORTING COMING IN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN AT THE END IT FLIPS, YOU KNOW. IT JUST MAKES YOU WONDER EXACTLY WHAT'S GOING ON. AS FAR AS OTHER CITY BUSINESS, I REQUESTED THROUGH THE E-MAIL THAT THEY WOULD PUBLISH ONCE AGAIN ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE THE SENIOR MENU LIST BECAUSE THEY WERE GOING TO START CHARGING ON FEBRUARY 1.

I CHECKED JUST NOW WHEN I GOT HERE AND IT'S STILL NOT ON THE WEBSITE. THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO START ON

[01:40:02]

FEBRUARY 1, THE SENIOR DRIVE THRU IS GOING TO START CHARGING $2. ALL YOUR SENIORS GO TO YOUR FAVORITE NL FINANCIAL LOCATION D GET YOUR THOMAS JEFFERSONS READY TO DROP OFF THERE. AS FAR AS STREET STUFF GOES, I KNOW WE'RE DOING A GREAT JOB ON THAT STUFF, BUT I MENTIONED IT BEFORE AND I WENT AND LOOKED YESTERDAY ON WILLIS -- SURELY THE CONTRACTOR IS NOT FINISHED BETWEEN 27TH AND 32ND.

THAT IS THE HORRIBLE-IST JOB. IT HAS GROOVES IN IT AND I SAID I HOPE IT'S NOT FINISHED BECAUSE IT'S NOT THE CONTRACTOR I BELIEVE THAT DID BUTTERNUT OR NORTH 6TH.

IT DOESN'T LOOK VERY PRESENTABLE.

IT'S KIND OF LIKE THE SOUTH 1ST THAT THE STATE CONTRACTOR, THERE'S A BIG GROOVE GOING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN YOU TURN GOING WEST. THANK YOU VERY MUCH THIS

MORNING, COUNCIL. >> THANK YOU.

>> MY NAME IS SAMUEL GARCIA. I'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE TALKING TO YOU GUYS ABOUT THE DCOA. I WASN'T ABLE TO BE AT THE LAST MEETING BUT I WAS SHOCKED TO HEAR MR. MCALISTER TALK ABOUT HOW GREAT IT IS TO HAVE A COUNTRY CLUB MEMBERSHIP WITH THE DCOA. WELL SINCE THEN, I HAVE GOTTEN FOIA REQUEST FROM THE DCOA AND I HAD BROUGHT TO YOU ALL BEFORE THIS DINNER THAT COST OVER $600 BACK IN AUGUST.

I FOUND OUT WHO WAS AT THAT DINNER.

IT WAS THE CEO AND HER HUSBAND. THE COO AND HER HUSBAND.

THERE WERE NO PROSPECTS. THEY P SPENT $600 ON FILET MIGN, EIGHT SHOTS OF JACK DANIELS, TWO BOTTLES OF WINE, TEQUILA, AND THE PROBLEM IS THEY SAY FOUR PEOPLE WERE THERE.

YOU LOOK AT THE RECEIPTS FROM THE COUNTRY CLUB, IT SHOWS TWO PEOPLE, COVER TWO. WHAT WAS IT? ALL FOUR OR TWO? DID THE COUNTRY CLUB DID IT GET IT WRONG OR DID THEY? REGARDLESS, THERE'S ALSO A $505 RECEIPT I SENT YOU AND I SENT YOU GUYS ALL THIS STUFF.

$505 RECEIPT. I FOUND OUT WHO WAS AT THAT ONE, THE CEO AND HER HUSBAND. ALLEN HARTMAN, TRACY HARTMAN.

SO I THOUGHT AUGUST 30TH, YOU KNOW, DIDN'T WE JUST GIVE HARTMAN $2.5 MILLION IN APRIL? SO I CALLED MR. HARTMAN AND SAID HEY WAS THAT THE SAME THING? HE SAID THIS IS A DIFFERENT DEAL. WE'RE SPENDING $505 FOR A MOFFETT WINE DINNER AT THE COUNTRY CLUB THROUGH DCOA WITH SALES TAX DOLLARS. THESE ARE SALES TAX DOLLARS.

TOT SCHOOZE SOMEBODY WE GAVE $2.5 MILLION FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS EARLIER. WHY IS IT WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO GET A DEAL DONE TO GIVE MONEY AWAY TO AN ABILENE COMPANY YOU'RE OUT SPENDING $505 ON A MOFFETT WINE DINNER ON A SUNDAY? BOY, THAT COUNTRY CLUB MEMBERSHIP IS DOING A GREAT JOB.

THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE OVERSIGHT.

THE DCOA BOARD, GUYS, REMEMBER, THIS USED TO GO THROUGH THE CITY BUDGET OFFICE. I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR THE CITY EMPLOYEES KNOW HOW OFTEN DO I GET TO GO SPEND MONEY AT THE COUNTRY CLUB? NO, THEY DON'T.

THERE ARE STILL SALES TAX DOLLARS AND YOU APPROVE EVERYTHING. YOU APPROVED ALL THE CHANGES, YOU DID ALL THAT STUFF. YOU BEAR RESPONSIBILITY.

BUT THE NUMBER ONE RESPONSIBILITY IS ON THAT DCOA BOARD. HERE IN A FEW MINUTES, I'M NOT SURE IF I CAN BE HERE, YOU'RE GOING TO REAPPOINT MR. RICH, JACK RICH IS LISTED AS REIPOREAPPOINTING HIM THIRD TER.

I'VE POINTED OUT IN THE PAST THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A HISPANIC SERVING ON THAT BOARD IN THE LAST 15 YEARS THAT ARE DOCUMENTED ON THE CITY COUNCIL. I HAVE SUBMITTED MY APPLICATION TWICE SINCE JULY. I AM OVERLY QUALIFIED TO SERVE ON THAT BOARD. YET I GET NO CONSIDERATION AND WE'RE GOING TO REAPPOINT SOMEBODY FOR THE THIRD TIME THAT'S SERVED SIX YEARS AND ADD ANOTHER THREE AND IS NOT CURRENTLY OVERSEEING PROPERLY. YOU NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS AND THE CITIZENS NEED TO BE OUTRAGED, THANK YOU.

>> WE'RE STILL IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

ANYONE ELSE WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE THIS MORNING? SEEING NO ONE WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

IT IS NOW 10:16 A.M. WE'LL RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE

[EXECUTIVE SESSION]

SESSION PURSUANT TO THE OPEN MEETING ACT.

SECTION 551.071. CONSULTATION WITH OUR ATTORNEY.

SECTION 551.072 DELIBERATION ABOUT REAL PROPERTY.

SECTION 551.073, SECTION 551.074, PERSONNEL MATTERS.

[01:45:10]

551551.076. SECTION 551.077 BUSINESS PROSPECTS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

BEFORE WE CLOSE AND RECESS, TOMORROW WOULD HAVE BEEN DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING'S BIRTHDAY, THE 15TH.

WE CELEBRATE THAT ON THE THIRD MONDAY OF EVERY YEAR.

BECAUSE OF COVID, THE TRADITIONAL MARCH HAS BEEN CANCELED, AS WELL AS THE DINNER FOR THAT EVENING.

BUT WE WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A RIDE AND DRIVE.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE MEETING AT 1:30 P.M. ON THURSDAY.

WE'LL TAKE A RIDE OVER THE MLK BRIDGE WHERE THERE WOULD BE SOME SPEAKERS WHO WILL SPEAK AND JUST ENCOURAGE YOU IN A VERY COVID-FRIENDLY WAY TO PARTICIPATE IN OPPORTUNITY TO EMBRACE UNITY AND DO SO AT OUR COMMUNITY AND DISPLAY IN A WAY THAT OTHERS MAY NOT HAVE -- MAY NOT BE DOING SO IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. I'LL LET YOU SPEAK RIGHT NOW, BUT I'LL LET YOU SPEAK LATER ON OR I'LL MAKE SOME COMMENTS.

>> JUST TO CLARIFY, YOU SAID 1:30 ON THURSDAY, IS IT MONDAY?

>> 1:30 MONDAY. THIS COMING MONDAY.

WHICH IS -- THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT.

SO 1:30 ON MONDAY. THEY WILL MEET AT 1:30.

AND WE'LL DRIVE ACROSS THE BRIDGE AND THERE WILL BE SOME SPEAKERS, I BELIEVE THAT PASTOR MATTHEW LUBEN WILL SPEAK.

CHIEF DUDLEY WILL ALSO SPEAK. AND YOURS TRULY WILL HAVE A FEW REMARKS, ALSO. WHILE I'M HERE I WANT TO THANK THE BLACK CHAMBER WHO FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS HAD CARRIED THE MANTLE IN PUTTING A BANQUET TOGETHER WHERE WE CAN CELEBRATE IN OUR COMMUNITY THE LIKES OF DR. KING.

AND ALSO THE ROLE FAMILY WHO HAVE BEEN IN THE FOREFRONT OF

HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT >> IT IS NOW 10:32 A.M.

AND WE RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION.

NO VOTES OR ACTIONS WERE TAKEN DURING THE EXECUTIVE SESSION.

WE'LL NOW MOVE TO ITEM 17. I'M GOING TO PAUSE HERE JUST A

[17. 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)  Abilene Taylor County Child Advocacy Center Board  Development Corporation of Abilene  Keep Abilene Beautiful  Planning & Zoning Commission  Senior Advisory Board  Street Maintenance Advisory Board]

BIT. I HAVE NEVER TOOK TIME ASIDE TO ARTICULATE IN REGARDS TO BOARD APPOINTMENTS, BUT I THINK THAT WE SHOULD. WE LIVE IN A TIME WHERE FACTS ARE NOT ALWAYS COMMUNICATED CLEARLY.

IN FACT, IT AMAZES HOW MANY CONSPIRACIES WE HAVE THAT DO EXIST. I WANT TO PAUSE AND COMMUNICATE.

WE HAVE A SLATE OF BOARD APPOINTEES THAT WE'RE GOING TO VOTE FOR IN JUST A BIT. DID RECEIVE SOME CORRESPONDENCE AND WE JUST HEARD EARLIER IN REGARDS -- I WANT TO JUST ADDRESS FIRST OF ALL, THE APPOINTMENTS OF BOARD MEMBERS -- WE HAVE OVER 30 BOARDS. WE RELY ON OUR CITIZENS TO VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME TO HELP US MAKE DECISIONS.

THEY DO THIS FREE. IT'S VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.

WE TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY. IT IS THE MAYOR'S DISCRETION TO APPOINT BOARD APPOINTEES. WE R ALLOW THE COUNCIL TO RATIFY OR THUMBS UP OR THUMBS DOWN WITH REGARDS TO THE RATIFYING PROCESS. I THINK WE'VE DONE WELL.

IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYTHING WE DO WE INTERJECT RACE.

I'M HESITANT TO DO THIS BUT I THINK I NEED TO DO SO.

IN THE LAST THREE YEARS THIS COUNCIL WITH MY APPOINTEES AND RATIFICATION HAVE APPOINTED MORE MINORITY WOMEN TO OUR BOARDS AND COMMITTEES THAN ANY THREE-YEAR PERIOD.

IN FACT, TODAY, # STAFF, I BELIE THERE'S SIX, HALF OF THOSE ARE MINORITY. AND SO I WANT TO BE SURE I'M CLEAR, I DON'T OPERATE UNDER A QUOTA SYSTEM.

I APPOINT WHO I THINK IS THE MOST QUALIFIED BOARD POINTY.

IF THEY HAPPEN TO BE A DIVERSE CITIZEN, THAT'S ALL TO BETTER.

[01:50:07]