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[CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:07]

COUNCIL TO ORDER. 4:30 P.M. APRIL 22ND 2021. AT THIS TIME.

[EXECUTIVE SESSION]

EXECUTIVE MEETING ACT. SECTION 5771. CAUSATION BY SECTION 551073, DURATION OF GIFTS AND DONATIONS. SECTION 551.07 PERSONNEL MATTERS.

SECTION 551 SITUATIONS OF HEARING DEVICES. TEXAS 551 ABOUT BUSINESS PROSPECTS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. SEE YOU

IS. >>> IT IS NOW 5:30 P.M. WE CONVENE TO OPEN SESSION.

[INVOCATION]

THE VOTES TAKEN IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. I'M GOING TO ASK EXPECT DEPUTY MAYOR PRO-TEM JACK RENTZ TO PROVIDE INVOCATION AT THAT TIME. AND THEN SPECIAL MEETINGS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE PRAYER AND OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE IN THIS GEAT CITY.

FOR TODAY HELP US GET OUR DAILY CONCERNS AND THINK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF ABILENE AND DETERMINE WHAT DECISIONS WE NEED TO MAKE SO ABILENE CAN BECOME A BETTER CITY FOR ALL WHO LIVE HERE.

FATHER WE ALL PRAYER FOR AND THANKFUL FOR THE FIRST RESPONDERS AND THE MEN AND WOMEN IN THE ARMED FORCES THAT PUT THEIR LIVES ALL HOURS DAYS OR NIGHT.

PLEASE DON'T LET US EVER TAKE THEIR WORK FOR GRANTED. HERE WE PRAY.

AMEN. >> AMEN. >> AND I DID SAY VERY SPECIAL GUEST. AND WE DO. THESE ARE NOT JUST PARTICIPANTS OF DESTINATION IMAGINATION, A VOLUNTEER LED ORGANIZATION LED BY TEACHERS.

AND WHERE ARE OUR TEACHERS AT IN THE VERY BACK. WYLIE SCHOOL HAS PARTICIPATED THE LAST 25 YEARS AND THESE ARE STATE CHAMPIONS. [APPLAUSE] GLOBAL, IT REALLY IS GLOBAL, GLOBAL COMPETITION WILL BE EARLY JUNE.

WITH US IS CHAIRMAN JOHNSON. ISN'T HE CUTE? [LAUGHTER]

>> WE HAVE KELSEY BROSON ANDY BOWLS AND KEISHA, WE WANT TO WISH THEM GOOD LUCK FOR THEIR

[PLEDGE TO THE UNITED STATES FLAG AND THE TEXAS FLAG]

GLOBAL COMPETITION. FR>> 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. >> THE TEXAS FLAG.

>> HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG, I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE TEXAS ONE STATES UNDER GOD, ONE AND

INDIVISIBLE. >> Y'ALL WANT TO COME UP HERE AND TAKE -- WHATEVER -- I CAN ONLY IMAGINE. YOU CAN COME UP TO YOUR LEFT WATCH OUT FOR THE CORD.

>> I MAKE IT LOOK GOOD. [LAUGHTER] >> ONE, TWO, THREE.

>> THANKS. [LAUGHTER] >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD LUCK. GOOD LUCK. GOOD LUCK.

[PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PROCLAMATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS]

WE HAVE THREE PROBLEM CCLAMATIOS EVENING. THE FIRST IS A CHILDREN'S BOOK

WEEK. I'M GOING TO ASK CHRIS FOR THAT. >> THANK YOU.

>> HI. HOW ARE YOU? >> BLESSED.

>> GOOD. GREE GREETINGS IS THE CORNERSTONE OF EDUCATION. TAKING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ON THE JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY OF HELPING ENSURE THEIR FUTURE SUCCESS. A LOT OF BOOKS AND READING PASSED FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION AND FROM PEER-TO-PEER IS A LIFELONG TREASURE. WE ARE BLESSED IN THE CITY OF ABILENE TO BE -- CHILDREN'S LITERATURE WHO HELPED TO INSPIRE AND OUR CHILDREN TO READ AND BE

[00:05:06]

CREATIVE. THE NICKEL PROMOTES CHILDREN LITERACY IN THE ABILENE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND. AS MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL IT IS MY HONOR TO CELEBRATE THE WRITTEN WORD ENJOYING READ TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF ABILENE AND TO THE NATION.

I PROCLAIM THE CITY OF ABILENE AND BEING MADE -- AS CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK.

ANY WORDS? >> I FEEL LIKE THE NICKEL HAS EVOLVED OVER 20 YEARS NOW IS FOREVER INDEBTED TO THE DREAMERS AND THE WORKERS OF ABILENE TEXAS WHO TRULY WERE THE FIRST PEOPLE IN THE ENTIRE WORLD TO TREAT THE ART FROM CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOKS WITH THE DIGNITY AND RESPECT THAT IT DESERVES. AND THE DREAMERS AND THE DOERS THAT WE CREATED IN OUR BUILDING IT IS TRULY MAGICAL EVERY DAY AND WE'RE GRATEFUL TO THE CITY OF ABILENE BEING A GREAT PARTNER AND FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO IN THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.

>> ANYONE YOU WANT TO RECOGNIZE WITH YOU TODAY? >> YES, I DO.

I HAVE MY CHAIRMAN HERE ERICA HALL, LONG TIME FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER LYNN BARNETT OF THE

AFFAIRS COUNCIL. >> RAISE HANDS -- >> YES.

A QUICK PHOTO OPS? HE LOVES PHOTO OPS. I DIDN'T KNOW YOU DO THAT.

SANDY STARTED OVER 20 YEARS AND VOWED THE MISSION WHO IS NOW EMPLOYED BY THE NICKEL.

MOLLY BBELLA OUR DIRECTOR. MEREDITH MATTHEW, EVENTS. >> DEBBIE LOOK WICK WHO IS ONE OF THE CORNERSTONES OF THE NICKEL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND THE COMMISSIONS AND TOURING COORDINATOR. AND JAMIEL, AM I MISSING, ROBERT HANNA BOARD MEMBER.

AND THEN YOU GET STUCK WITH ME WHICH I APOLOGIZE FOR REPEATEDLY.

>> AND WE MUST HAVE A PHOTO OP. COME JOIN US. >> LOVE THEM.

[APPLAUSE]

>> MAKES YOU -- LORD HAVE MERCY, ASK WILL BOYD TO JOIN ME. HOW ARE YOU?

>> GOOD HOW ARE YOU? >> I'M DOING WELL. MENTAL HEALTH IS A PART OF OVER ALL HEALTH AND HELPS SUSTAIN OVER THOUGHT PROCESS RELATIONSHIP PRODUCTIVITY AND ABILITY TO ADAPT TO CHANGE OR FACE ADVERSITY. MENTAL ILLNESS FACE THESE ADVERSITIES OFTEN THREATENING IN NATURE. STATISTICS SHOW ONE IN EVERY FOUR ADULT HAVE MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS IN ANY GIVEN YEAR. WITH ONE IN 17 EXPERIENCE A MAJOR DISCRETION, BIPOLAR DISORDER, SCHIZOPHRENIA, THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF MENTAL ILLNESS IS DEDICATED TO BUILDING BETTER LIVES TO CITIZENS AFFECTED BY MENTAL ILLNESS.

AS MAYOR, A NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS IN ABILENE TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY AFFECTED BY MENTAL ILLNESS AND PROCLAIM MAY 2021 IN OUR CITY AS

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH. WORDS, MR. BOYNTON? >> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL. JUST A REMINDER THAT MAY IS NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH. I APOLOGIZE FOR MY VOICE. I HAD BOTH THROAT SURGERY A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO ACTUALLY. BUT THERE ARE ABOUT 30,000 ADULTS AFFECTED BY MENTAL ILLNESS IN TAYLOR COUNTY. AND THAT NUMBER IS ALMOST DOUBLING WITH THE ADDING OF COVID-19 AND THE STRESSORS THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THAT. SO PLEASE, IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO NEEDS ASSISTANCE, PLEASE GET THEM TO HELP BECAUSE WE HAVE DETERMINED TO ELIMINATE THE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH MENTAL ILLNESS. THANK YOU.

>> THIS IS YOUR FOURTH YEAR IN ABILENE; IS THAT CORRECT? >> YES.

>> SO I APPRECIATE ALL OF THE WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE. [APPLAUSE]

>> MENTAL AWARENESS WEEK AND I'M GOING TO ASK THE PUBLIC WORK STAFF TO JOIN ME.

IN THE VERY COLORFUL VEST. [LAUGHTER] >> NATIONAL WORK ZONE AWARENESS

[00:10:10]

WEEK IS OBSERVED ANNUALLY AT THE START OF CONSTRUCTION SEASON TO ENCOURAGE SAFE DRIVING THROUGH STREET AND HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION SITES. THE CITY OF ABILENE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION JOIN TOGETHER TO HIGHLIGHT APRIL 26TH THROUGH 30TH 2021 AS NATIONAL WORK ZONE AWARENESS WEEK TO ENCOURAGE DRIVERS TO SLOW DOWN AND TO DEVOTE UNDIVIDED ATTENTION TO WATCHING FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE WORKING TO IMPROVE THE STREETS, HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES IN OUR CITY AND ACROSS OUR GREAT STATE. AS MAYOR, I ENCOURAGE EACH AND EVERY DRIVER TO TAKE BOTH OUR ROADWORKERS AND THEMSELVES WHILE DRIVING CAREFULLY IN WORK ZONES.

I CLAIM APRIL 26TH THROUGH THE 30TH 2021 AS NATIONAL WORK ZONE AWARENESS WEEK.

MR. MCCAFFREY. >> JUST A COUPLE. THIS IS A SAMPLING JUST FOR THE AUDIENCE OF OUR PUBLIC WORK STAFF. WE HAVE OVER 225 INDIVIDUALS IN PUBLIC WORKS. THE MAJORITY OF THEM ARE INVOLVED IN SOME FORM OR ANOTHER IN WORK ZONE SAFETY. SO AS MUCH AS A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL THINK, OH, GOSH, THAT DARN CONSTRUCTION ZONE IS THERE, I GOT TO GO THROUGH IT, AND IT IS A PAIN.

REMEMBER, THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE PUTTING UP THE WORK ZONE SAFETY ZONES NOT ONLY FOR THEMSELVES BUT YOU AS THE PUBLIC TO KEEP YOU SAFE AROUND THE ZONES. YES, IT IS AN INCONVENIENCE.

WE LOOK FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND REALIZE WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE IT BETTER NOT ONLY AS NEW CONSTRUCTION AND REHAB BUT ALSO THE MAINTENANCE OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.

SO, AGAIN, THIS IS SOME -- ALL ABOUT THEM, I BELIEVE. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. [APPLAUSE]

AND OUR PHOTO OP. >> WE NOW MOVE TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.

[CONSENT AGENDA]

WHICH CONSISTS OF ITEMS 4 THROUGH ITEM 13. IS THAT RIGHT, PAUL? THESE ARE TO BE CONSIDERED WITH ONE MOTION. AND THERE WILL BE NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION, UNLESS A COUNCIL MEMBER REQUESTS SEPARATE DISCUSSION.

COUNCIL HOLD ANY ITEM OFF THIS AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 4 THROUGH 13? >> 11.

>> NUMBER 11, SIR. OKAY. >> DOES ANY CITIZEN REQUEST ANY

ITEM SEPARATELY? >> BOB THOMAS ITEM NUMBER 7. >> 7.

>> ANY OTHER -- THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ANY CITIZEN TO PICK ANY ITEM OFF THE CONSENT AGENDA 4 THROUGH 13. WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER 7 AND 11. OKAY.

ITEM 7 MOTION FROM COUNCIL, MOTION SECOND FOR ITEMS 7, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF 11 AND ITEM

NUMBER 7. >> SO MOVED. >> MOTION BY COUNCIL HURT.

>> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COUNCIL RENTZ. ANY.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER HURT, COUNCIL MICK CALLOUSLER, COUNCIL CRAVER. DEPUTY MAYOR RENTZ.

>> YEAH AND COUNCIL WILLIAMS? >> YES. >> IS YOUR SOUND SYSTEM ON.

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE IT. >> NOT AS LOUD. >> LOOKS GOOD ON MY CAMERA.

>> NUMBER 7 MR. BOB THOMAS. >> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL. MY NAME IS BOB THOMAS.

[7. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Approving the Annual Budget of the Abilene Convention Center Hotel Development Corporation (Robert Hanna)]

I CALLED IN TO QUESTION CONSENT ITEM NUMBER 7, IN PARTICULAR I'M LOOKING AT SECTION 3.1, SUBPARAGRAPH B. PLEASE FORGIVE ME THIS IS MORE OR LESS LOOKING FOR SOME ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS RIGHT HERE ENVELOPE LOOKING AT PARAGRAPH B, WE'RE TAKING, GIVING THE CITY MANAGER, WHAT THE MEDIA CALLS SMALL POWERS TO MAKE EXECUTIVE DECISIONS CONSIDERING THE DOWNTOWN HOTEL. WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT POTENTIALLY $23 MILLION, THAT IS

[00:15:01]

NOT A SMALL DECISION. AS A MATTER OF FACT, WE'RE LOOKING AT THE NET INCOME OF ABOUT 27% OF THE CITY OF ABILENE. SO MY QUESTION IS, WHAT IS CHANGING IN SUB -- IN PARAGRAPH D THAT WAS NOT ORIGINALLY IN THE INCORPORATION OF THE HOTEL

DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION? >> SHAWNA. >> THERE IS NO BYLAWS OF THE CORPORATION HAVE BOARD PRESIDENT SERVING AS THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND THE CITY MANAGER SERVING AS THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER. THE SIGNATORY ACTIONS CREATED WITH THAT POSITION RISK AND LIABILITY FOR A VOLUNTEER POSITION AND WE'RE CORRECTING THAT. THE SAME WAY I SIGN CITY CONTRACTS AND CITY AGREEMENTS IT IS BECAUSE I'M COMPENSATED FOR THAT. THE RISK THAT THAT TAKES ON WITH THAT SIGNATURE ON THAT PIECE OF PAPER TYPICALLY I'M SUED AND CAN BE SUED FOR THESE SORTS OF ACTIONS. SO WE'RE JUST ALLEVIATING THAT FROM THE -- THE FOUR VOLUNTEER POSITIONS. ANY ACTION THAT WILL BE TAKEN BY THE CEO OF THE HOTEL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WOULD HAVE TO BE APPROVED BY THE BOARD. THAT DOESN'T CHANGE.

THE BOARD IS REQUIRED TO APPROVE ANY SORT OF ACTION THAT WOULD REQUIRE THEIR APPROVAL.

RIGHT NOW THE HOTEL CORPORATION DOESN'T HAVE ANY -- DOESN'T HAVE A BUDGET.

SO THERE'S NOTHING REALLY TO SPEND OR DO THERE AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

SO IT IS A CHANGE IN BYLAWS AND EXPECTATION OF SOME THINGS WE'LL BRING TO COUNCIL PROBABLY THIS SUMMER BUT WE'RE JUST GETTING THE AGREEMENTS IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO BRING COUNCIL TO THE

FINAL HOTEL PROPOSALS. >> THEN THE ONE THING I'M LOOKING AT RIGHT THERE, THEN, IS THAT YOU'RE SAYING THAT THE -- BASICALLY THE PRESIDENT OF THAT BOARD HAD THE POWERS TO

DO SUCH UNTIL THIS IS ACTED ON BY THE COUNCIL; IS THIS CORRECT? >> IN SOME ASPECTS THE HOTEL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION HAS AUTHORITY OUTSIDE OF THE COUNCIL NOT TO ISSUE DEBT OR ANYTHING ALONG THOSE LINES BUT IF IT INVOLVES ACTIONS OF THE HOTEL CORPORATION ONLY THEY COULD CERTAINLY DO THAT WITHOUT COUNCIL APPROVAL. BUT THE VAST MAJORITY OF WHAT THEY DO IS APPROVED BY THEM AS A BOARD. THEY HAVE THEIR OWN BOARD THAT'S APPOINTED BY THE COUNCIL. AND IF THERE'S ANY SORT OF FINANCING OR DEBT INVOLVED IT HAS TO BE APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IN ADDITION TO THE HOTEL BOARD.

>> WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER BESIDES THAT BEING A SMALL DECISION, SOMETHING LIKE THAT? I'M SOMEWHAT CONFUSED BY THE TERMINOLOGY BEING USED IN THE BROADCAST MEDIA.

>> WELL I DIDN'T -- I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE BROADCAST MEDIA SAID OR DIDN'T SAY.

BUT I KNOW WHAT THE AGREEMENT -- OR THE BYLAWS CHANGED.

IT WAS DESIGNATING THE CITY MANAGER AS THE CEO. WHICH IS NOT UNCOMMON AND CERTAINLY IN KEEPING WITH THE CITY CHAERT ER AND THE CEO OF TE CITY.

SO IT IS NOT EXERCISING ANY MORE AUTHORITY THAT I WOULDN'T EXERCISE AS CURRENT CITY

MANAGER. >> SHOULD THE COUNCIL GRANT THIS RED LINE CHANGE IN THE BYLAWS,

HOW MUCH OF THAT IS GOING TO EXCLUDE THE COUNCIL? >> NONE OF IT.

>> NONE OF IT. >> YEAH. >> IN LOOKING AT SECTION 3.2, THIS IS JUST BASICALLY CHANGING THE WORDING, GIVING YOU THE RED LINE IF ADOPTED WOULD GIVE UYOU

THE POWERS AND DUTIES THAT MAY BE PRESCRIBED BY THE BOARD. >> CORRECT.

>> OKAY. IN LOOKING AT 4.2, SECTION 4.2, BUDGET, SINCE YOU SAY THERE'S NO BUDGET OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT S, YOU'RE WANTING TO ELIMINATE THE 90 DAY NOTIFICATION OF SUBMISSION OF A BUDGET FOR THAT BOARD AND THINGS ALONG THAT LINE RIGHT THERE, WHAT IF THAT BOARD SHOULD DEVELOP A BUDGET? WHAT WOULD BE THE REMEDY THERE,

SIR? >> STAN WORK WITH ME HERE ON THIS.

BUT PROBABLY IF THE BOARD ADOPTS A BUDGET THE BUDGET HAS TO BE APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL TOO

OR -- >> THAT'S RIGHT. >> THE COUNCIL RETAINS FINAL

AUTHORITY. >> SO WE ARE NOT ESSENTIALLY -- ESSENTIALLY WE'RE GRANTING YOU CERTAIN JUDICIARY AND CONTRACTUAL POWERS. BUT YOU'RE STILL GOING TO HAVE

TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL. >> YES, I WOULD SAY THAT YOU'RE GRANTING ME RESPONSIBILITY.

BUT NOT NECESSARILY AUTHORITY WITHOUT BOARD APPROVAL. >> THAT WAS MY CONCERN.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR CLEARING THAT UP. >> YES, SIR.

>> SO THE PUBLIC HEARING YOU WANT TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM?

>> SEEING NONE, WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. COUNCIL HAVE ADDITIONAL

QUESTIONS ON ITEM NUMBER 7? AND THE MOTION TO SECOND? >> SO MOVED.

>> MOTION BY COUNCIL MCALISTER AND SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DONNA ALBUS.

WE'RE GOING TO VOTE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER CRAVER, YES. MAYOR DEPUTY.

>> YES. >> COUNCIL MEMBER HURT. >> YES.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS. >> YES. MOTION CARRIES.

[11. Ordinance (First Reading)Z202106: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on a request from all five owners of the subject properties, represented by Jacob & Martin LLC, to amend terms and conditions of Planned Development District Number 82 (PD 82) specifically as they affect certain commercial properties located directly north of Lone Star Drive and east of Loop 322, to allow use and development in compliance with requirements of General Retail (GR) zoning, instead of specific uses and standards now required by PD 82. (Mike Warrix)]

[00:20:02]

>> 11 AND CHANGE. >> I WANTED TO PUT THIS REQUEST OUT THERE BECAUSE IT INVOLVES THE PRO POINT AS W WELL -- PROPONENT AS WELL POTENTIALLY.

BUT FROM WHAT I READ IN THIS THIS IS JUST THE FIRST READING, THIS IS THE FIRST AND SECOND READING, WE'RE TAKING THE P.D. REQUIREMENTS AND REDUCING TO WHERE IT IS BASICALLY JUST GR BUT STILL WITHIN THE PARAMETERS OF A PD AND JUST THINKING FIVE, TEN YEARS FROM NOW SOMEBODY IS LOOKING AT A ZONE QUESTION WITH THE PROPERTY, THEY'LL SEE IT IS A PD AND THEN THEY HAVE TO GO FIND THE ORDINANCE AND SEE, OH, THERE'S NOTHING DIFFERENT FROM JUST GR.

SO CAN WE JUST MODIFY THIS OR CAN WE CONSIDER A CHANGE TO JUST A STRAIGHT GR ZONING INSTEAD OF HAVING A PD THAT IS GR ZONING? SO WHEN WE GET TO THE SECOND ONE AND I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S A REASON MAYBE THE PROPONENT DOESN'T WANT THAT OR WHATEVER. JUST WANT TO PUT THAT OUT THERE OR IF THERE'S A LEGAL REASON FOR THE CHANGE. THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO DO THAT

HERE. >> ANY REASON IT WAS A PD INSTEAD OF A GR?

IT IS A PD RIGHT NOW AND THEY'RE CHANGING. >> MIKE WARRIX, THE PLANNING OF

DEVELOPMENT SERVICE MIGHT BE ABLE TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION. >> YEAH, THIS PARTICULAR PD, IT IS PD82, IT CONSISTS OF TWO TRACKS, TRACK 1 AND TRACK 2. WHAT THE APPLICANT IS PROPOSING IS FOR TRACK 1 ONLY. AND THAT'S THE PART OF THE PD THAT IS NORTH OF LONE STAR DRIVE. AND COUNCIL MEMBER PRICE IS CORRECT.

THEY ARE WANTING TO ELIMINATE THE PERMITTED USES THAT WERE ORIGINALLY ADOPTED AS PART OF THE PD. AND THOSE ARE LISTED IN THE ORIGINAL ORDINANCE AS LIST A.

AND YOU SHOULD HAVE THOSE IN YOUR PACKET. AND REPLACE THOSE WITH BASIC GENERAL RETAIL PERMITTED USES. AND THAT'S REALLY THE O ONLY -- THERE'S NO DISTINGUISHING FACTOR BETWEEN GR -- IT IS ESSENTIALLY A GR REZONING OF THAT TRACT 1.

BUT IT IS STILL A PD BECAUSE MY UNDERSTANDING AND THE STAFF'S UNDERSTANDING THAT THE APPLICANT WANTS TO KEEP THE PD TOGETHER. THERE'S TWO TRACKS THAT COMPRISE THE PD, YOU HAVE A NORTHERN TRACK, WHICH IS THE ONE THAT IS -- THAT WE'RE CONSIDERING TONIGHT, THAT'S TRACK 1, AND TRACK 2. SO OTHER THAN THE DESIRE TO KEEP THOSE TWO TRACKS COMBINED AS A PD, PD82, WE'RE UNAWARE OF ANY PARTICULAR REASON THAT THEY WANTED TO MAKE THIS CHANGE.

>> OKAY. WELL, IF YOU COULD REACH OUT TO THEM AGAIN, I'M JUST THINKING IN THE FUTURE, WHEN SOMEBODY LOOKS BACK, THEN THEY'RE HAVING TO DO EXTRA RESEARCH INSTEAD OF JUST LOOKING AND SAYING, NO, IT IS GR. I KNOW IF I WAS LOOKING AT SOMETHING FROM TEN YEARS AGO AND I SAW A PD THAT HAD RS6 OR GR OR WHATEVER, I WOULD GO, WHY IS THAT IN A PD? SO THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO JUST ASK THE QUESTION.

SO WE CAN HAVE A CLEAR -- >> FOR SOME REASON THE PD WAS ADOPTED WITHOUT A ZONING DISTRICT WHICH IS A TYPICAL PD ADOPTIONS. SO THIS ONE WOULD ADD A -- THE

BASE OF GR TO THE PD FOR TRACK 1. >> THANK YOU.

>> AND MIKE, JUST, SO, IN OUR PA PACKET, WHERE IT SAYS -- SO I CAN -- GENERAL RETAIL PR PERMITTED USES, THAT IS WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED TO BE NOW?

>> CORRECT. >> OKAY. AND IF WE GO BACK, THERE'S A DOCUMENT HERE DATED -- NO, THIS IS FIRST AMENDMENT. AND THAT'S WHAT IT IS CURRENTLY; IS THAT CORRECT? THE ONE THAT SAYS SCHEDULE A? OR IS IT -- PERMITTED USES LIST

A. THAT'S WHAT IS CURRENT. >> THAT IS WHAT IS CURRENTLY IN AFFECT, YES. THAT WAS ORIGINALLY ADOPTED WHEN THE PD WAS CREATED.

>> OKAY. >> PROPOSAL IS TO ELIMINATE THAT, TO DELETE THAT, IN THE NEW

ORDINANCE AND SUB PLANT THAT AND JUST GR PERMITTED USE. >> TELL ME AGAIN WHERE IT SAYS PERMITTED USE LIST B, HOW DOES THAT FIT INTO THAT? IS THAT --

>> LIST B. >> DO WE NOT WORRY ABOUT THAT. >> I THINK THAT APPLIES TO TRACK

2. >> TRACK 2. OKAY.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS WITH

COUNCIL OR PRIOR TO PUBLIC HEARING? >> THANK YOU, MIKE.

>> THANK YOU. 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 REPORT YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE, I'LL CLOSE THE

PUBLIC HEARING. QUESTION FOR COUNCIL? >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> MOTION PRO TEM SHANE PRICE. >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACK RENTZ. AND FOR DISCUSSION, READY TO VOTE.

>> MAYOR PRICE? >> MAYOR ALBUS. >> YES.

COUNCIL MEMBER HURT. >> YES. COUNCIL MEMBER MICALLISTER?

[14. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Approving an Economic Development Agreement with Cimarron Meadows Development Corporation regarding approximately 59 acres of land out of Lot 102, Block A, Parkview Addition, Section 2, Taylor County, Texas, located on Maple Street and Berry Lane (Robert Hanna)]

>> YES. AND MAYOR WILLIAMS. >> MOTION CONTINUES.

[00:25:06]

>> NOW TO PRESENT THIS ITEM. >> THANK YOU. WHAT IS BEFORE YOU IS AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH CIMARRON MEADOWS AT THE INTERSECTION OF MAPLE STREET AND SOUTHWEST OF THE INTERSECTION SOUTH 14TH. IT IS A 51.8 ACRE TRACK.

IT IS A 268 -- POTENTIALLY MORE OR LESS, A 268 RESIDENTIAL LOT COOPERATION.

THERE'S A -- THE LAST TIME WE SAW 186 TWO LOT AND 8 OF DUPLEXES FOR DOUBLE LOTS.

THIS DEVELOPMENT WILL GENERATE ABOUT $165,000 IN CITY TAXES, CITY OF ABILENE PROPERTY TAXES.

THAT'S ABOUT $3.56 MILLION OVER A 20 YEAR PERIOD AT M AND O TAXES AT BUILD OUT.

WE BELIEVE THIS IS A THREE YEAR BUILD OUT. THE DEVELOPER IS REQUIRED TO PUT IN $4.1 MILLION FOR DEVELOPER IMPROVEMENTS ON SITE AND OFF SITE IMPROVEMENTS FOR THIS PROJECT. THE REQUEST FROM THE DEVELOPER AND THE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL IS THAT THE CITY PARTNER WITH THE DEVELOPER AND PROVIDE $253,000 IN FUNDING FOR OFF SITE UTILITY AND ROAD IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SITE. IN CHANGE FOR THAT, VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT WE DID WITH THE 707 DEVELOPMENT. THE CITY WOULD RECEIVE A $545 LOT PAYMENT. AS EACH LOT SELLS AND DEVELOPS THE CITY WOULD RECEIVE A $545 PAYMENT. TOTALS $146,000 OVER THE WHOLE SUBDIVISION.

SO A COMBINATION OF THE PAYMENTS FROM THE LOTS, AND ALSO FROM THE PROPERTY TAX, THE CITY SHOULD SEE A THREE YEAR ROI ON THIS PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

AND BEFORE YOU IS AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT THAT WOULD PUT ALL OF THAT INTO PLACE.

WE WOULD ASK COUNCIL'S CONSIDERATION UPON THAT. >> ANY QUESTIONS OF THE COUNCIL

PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC HEARING? >> THANK YOU MR. HANNAH. >> THANK YOU MAYOR.

>> 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 INFORM YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ANY QUESTION FOR THE COUNCIL AT ALL? I ACCEPT IT, A MOTION ON SECOND.

>> SO MOVED. >> MOTION BY COUNCIL MCALLISTER. >> SECOND.

>> AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL CRAVER. AND FOR DISCUSSION READY TO

ROAD. >> COUNCIL MEMBER MICALLISTER. >> YES.

FR>> DEPUTY MAYOR PRO-TEM PRICE? >> YES. >> MOTION MOVES.

[15. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on creation of the Mayor's Entertainment District Task Force (Robert Hanna)]

>> NOW 15. I'LL ASK ROBERT HANNA TO PRESENT THIS ITEM.

>> THANK YOU MAYOR AND COUNCIL AGAIN. THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF THE DISCUSSION WE HAD REGARDING MAYOR TOWN FORCE ON CREATION OF THE TASK FORCE TO LOOK AT THE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT FOR DOWNTOWN. THIS WWAS DONE AT THE COUNCIL MEMBER HURT WHO WISHED THE XHUSHGS ON THIS. PART OF THAT WAS CREATION OF A TASK FORCE. WHAT WE ASKED COUNCIL TO DO IS ONE CREATE THE TASK FORCE AND THEN A FOLLOW-UP ITEM TO APPOINT MEMBERS TO THE DOWNTOWN TASK FORCE.

THIS WOULD LOOK AT BOTH ESSENTIAL BUSINESS DISTRICT AND THE SODA AREAS.

BOTH SEEN REMARKABLE GROWTH IN THE LAST SIX YEARS. THE TASK FORCE CONSIST OF SIX VOTING MEMBERS, RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF ABILENE AND THE SPECIFIC CHARGE THE TASK FORCE WOULD BE TO STUDY AND REVIEW OPTIONS TO CREATE A DOWNTOWN ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT, WHICH INCLUDES A LOT OF PERIMETERS CON SUFRNGS OF ALCOHOL WITHIN THE DISTRICT AND ADDRESSES LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS THAT LIMIT OR DEVELOP PRIVATE DEVELOPERS TO REVITALIZE THE DISTRICT.

SOME OF THE ACTIONS THAT COULD BE BROUGHT BACK BY THE TASK FORCE IS A RECOMMENDATION NOT TO CREATE THIS ALCOHOL AREA. IT COULD BE THAT THEY COULD RECOMMEND CREATE INING THE ALCO AREA. MY COMMITMENT IS THAT WE'LL EXPLORE THIS FULLY WITH THE TASK FORCE. AND THEN BRING BACK THEIR RECOMMENDATION UNVARNISHED TO

THE CITY COUNCIL. >> THANK YOU MR. RANNA. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> QUESTION FROM COUNCIL ON THE PUBLIC HEARING? AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER AGAINST OR FOR THIS ITEM? IF SO, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

>> I HAVE A CARD FROM DAVID SORT. >> THERE WILL BE A THREE MINUTE

TIME LIMIT FOR ALL RESPONDENTS THIS EVENING. >> DAVID SORT FOR THE RECORD.

FIRST I WANT TO SAY, IT IS EARTH DAY 2021, EVEN THOUGH IT IS NOT RELATED TO THIS MATTER AT HAND.

[00:30:01]

I WANT TO GET THAT IN. YOU KNOW, SCANNING SOCIAL MEDIA YOU ALREADY HAVE SOME COMMENTS ON THIS DEAL. SOME OF THEM KIND OF POPPED OFF AND SAID WELL YOU BETTER FIX THE POTHOLES FIRST BEFORE PEOPLE START RUNNING AROUND DOWNTOWN. OBVIOUSLY THEY HAVEN'T BEEN DOWNTOWN IF YOU GO OUT AND LOOK CITY HALL IS ABOUT HAM DAMN WITH ROAD CONSTRUCTION.

SO I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY COULD SAY THAT. I GUESS THEY'RE NOT INFORMED.

AND THEN YOU TALK TO SOME OF THE O OL OLDER FOLKS AND THEY -- EIR ATTITUDE IS -- OLDER THAN ME OF COURSE.

THEIR ATTITUDE IS ALL WE WANT TO KEEP IT LIKE MAYBERRY AND IN 60S BACK WHEN MEAN WAS SIMPLE WE DON'T THINK WE SHOULD HOUSE SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND EVERYTHING.

BUT YOU KNOW, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK THE TASK FORCE OUGHT TO TACKLE.

AND YOU KNOW, LAST YEAR, THE GOVERNOR ENACTED -- I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS TEMPORARY.

BUT ABOUT TO GO MIX DRINKS OR LIQUOR. YOU KNOW, IF YOU HAVE A BEER AND WINE LICENSE YOU CAN SELL BEER TO GO. BUT IF YOU HAVE A LIQUOR LICENSE PEOPLE CAN'T LEAVE YOUR -- THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING FOR THE TASK FORCE.

OF COURSE IN VEGAS, YOU KNOW, YOU GO ON THE STRIP YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO CARRY GLASS.

YOU CAN DO METAL CONTAINERS, PLASTICS STUFF LIKE THAT. THAT IS ANOTHER CONSIDERATION.

ALSO MAYBE LOOK AT TRASH CONTAINERS. AND LIKE I MENTIONED BEFORE, PREVIOUSLY, I THINK THAT A GOOD STARTING POINT IS BOUNDARY NORTH 8, SOUTH 7TH, TREAD AWAY, AND THEN WE GO HICKORY AND BUTTERNUT. I THINK THAT WOULD ENCOMPASS MOST OF THE BUSINESSES THAT WOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TH THIS ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT.

SINCE MY TIMER IS NOT RUNNING OUT. I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH TIME I

HAVE LEFT. >> 58 SECONDS. >> OKAY.

THANK YOU, MAYOR WILLIAMS. I THINK IT IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND OUR CITY.

I KNOW SOME OF THE OLDER FOLKS, LIKE THEY WANT TO KEEP IT LIKE MAYBERRY IF WE DON'T EXTEND OUR CITY, YOU CAN DRIVE DOWNTOWN ON FRIDAY NIGHT AND SEE ALL OF THE ACTIVITY GOING ON DOWNTOWN NOW.

AND YOU JUST IMAGINE IF YOU HAVE A -- THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO GO BETWEEN PLACES WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT BEING SUBJECTED TO HAVING LIQUOR OR YBEER OR SOMETHING WITH YOU.

LIKE I SAID, THE GOVERNOR LAST YEAR DID THAT. SO HOPEFULLY THEY WILL CONTINUE THAT WITH A PERMANENT WHICH OFF PREMISES CONSUMPTION FOR LIQUOR THEY CAN TAKE IT GO.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COUNCIL, THIS EVENING. >> STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ANYONE ELSE WANT TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. COUNCIL HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS?

>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, I WAS APPROACHED BY SOME OF THE BUSINESSES DOWN THERE AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR AGAIN THAT THIS IS NOT TO PROMOTE PEOPLE BEING DRUNK AND BOBBLING ON THE SIDEWALKS OF ABILENE IN THE INTAMTH DISTRICT. IT IS TO ALLOW ACCESS FOR PEOPLE TO WALK THE ESTABLISHMENTS AND ENJOY THESE DOWNTOWN AREAS. THIS IS NO COST TO THE CITY.

I JUST THINK IT IS ONE MORE THING WE CAN ADD TO THIS ENTERTAINMENT AREA AS A COOL TO

CREATE MORE OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE MORE THINGS TO DO. >> QUESTION OF THE COUNCIL?

>> I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THIS TASK FORCE THAT WE'RE PLACING TOGETHER IS TASKED WITH THE PROSPECT OF WITH REVITALIZATION, SO REVITALIZATION LOOKS AT SO MANY DIFFERENT COMPONENTS THAT ENHANCES DOWNTOWN, WHETHER IT IS THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT COUNCIL MEMBER HURT STATED OR OTHER AVENUES, THAT'S THEIR TASK.

SO I THINK THE BEAUTY OF THAT IS TO REIMAGINE, BUT AT THE SAME TIME NEVER NEVER DIVORCE OR DISMISS WHAT ABILENE IS ABOUT. AND I THINK THE PEOPLE ON THIS TASK FORCE OR THE PEOPLE WE APPOINTEDED IN UNDERSTAND WHAT ABILENE IS AND WHAT ABILENE WILL CONTINUE TO BE NO MATTER WHAT

HAPPENS SO. >> AND THANK YOU TO THOSE VOLUNTEER -- AND THESE FOLKS WHO ARE ON THE TASK FORCE ARE VOLUNTEERS. AND WANT TO UP FRONT THANK THEM FOR BEING WILLING TO SERVE AND LOOK -- I LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT THEY PRESENT TO US.

>> AND YOUR COUNCIL HAS PUT TOGETHER A VERY DIVERSE TASK FORCE.

I'M SURE IT WILL BE A NUMBER OF SPIRITED CONVERSATIONS THAT TAKE PLACE IN THEIR MEETINGS AND PROVIDE THE COUNCIL AN OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT BACK TO YOU SOME THINGS THAT -- THAT WE COULD OR COULD NOT DO. AS WELDON SAID, THAT WAS JUST A LITTLE CHEESY.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT CHEESE IN ABILENE, TEXAS. QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM

COUNCIL? I'LL ACCEPT A MOTION TO SECOND. >> SO MOVED.

>> WE HAVE MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HURT. >> SECOND.

[00:35:03]

AND SECOND BY COUNCILMAN CRAVER. FOR DISCUSSION READY TO VOTE COUNCIL MEMBER HURT?

>> YES. >> COUNCIL MEB CRAVER. >> YES.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER ALBUS? >> YES. >> AND MAYOR WILLIAMS.

[16. 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. >> SO MOVED. >> TO NUMBER 16, REAPPOINTMENT OF INDIVIDUALS TO THE VARIOUS BOARDS AS OUTLINED IN EXHIBIT A. AT THIS TIME I OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

DOES COUNCIL HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? IF NOT, I'LL ACCEPT A MOTION AND

SECOND. >> SO MOVED. >> I HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCIL

MEMBER MCALISTER. >> SECOND. AND SECOND FROM PRICE.

>>

[PUBLIC COMMENTS]

COMMENT PERIOD. THERE BEING NO VOTES OR ANY FORMAL ACTIONS TAKEN ON THE SUBJECT PRESENTED DURING PUBLIC COMMENT, THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD WILL ONLY ALLOW MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO PRESENT IDEAS AND INFORMATION TO THE OFFICIALS AND STAFF.

WE HAVE SOME CARDS. WE'LL ALLOW THEM TO GO FIRST. WHO IS THE FIRST RESPONDER,

COUNCIL MEMBER HURT? >> DAVID SORT. >> IT WILL BE A THREE MINUTE

TIME LIMIT ON ALL RESPONDENTS. >> THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN COUNCIL DAVID SORT FOR THE RECORD.

I DON'T KNOW WHO YOUR SOUTH IS FOR YOUR GENERAL CITY CALENDAR BUT THEY NEVER PUT ANYTHING ON THERE FOR THE CONVENTION CENTER. IT IS LISTED IN THEIR BOX OFFICE.

YOU KNOW, AND THE BOX OFFICE HAS GOT ITEMS ON THERE THAT ARE NOT BOX OFFICE RELATED.

SO I DON'T -- YOU KNOW, PEOPLE I THINK WOULD COME TO THE CONVENTION CENTER IF THEY KNEW IT. LIKE IT IS STILL IN MARCH BOX OFFICE.

A GUN SHOW IS NOT A BOX OFFICE RELATED ITEM. LET'S SEE.

A MARTIAL ARTS EXHI EXHIBITION -- SHOW IS NOT A BOX OFFICE ITEM.

AND THEN WE HAVE A THERE'S TWO MORE ITEMS ONLY ONE CONSIDER ADD BOX OFFICE ITEM.

IT IS CALLED A DINNER AND AUCTION. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS.

BUT I THINK THEY NEED TO PUT IT ON THE CALENDAR. IF YOU WANT TO LOOK SOMETHING ON THE LIBRARY, LOOK ON THE CALENDAR YOU SEE EVERYTHING. ON THE CONVENTION CENTER, YOU SINGLE IT OUT, THERE'S NOTHING ON THERE. BUT I CAN SEE THE ITEMS ON THE BOX OFFICE. AND IT IS LISTED FOR MARCH AND HERE WE ARE PRACTICALLY THE FOURTH WEEK OF APRIL. SO THAT MIGHT BE SOMETHING TO CONSIDER WHOEVER THE I.T. PERSON IS THAT DOES THAT. AND ON ANOTHER NOTE, SWITCHING GEARS, THERE'S A -- REFER TO USE ARTICLE ABOUT THE DIFFERENT PEOPLE RUNNING FOR COUNCIL AND ONE OF THEM -- I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS ON PLACE TWO OR THE CHALLENGER. IN PLACE ONE, THEY MENTIONED A DEFICIT. AS FAR AS I KNOW, ONLY THE FEDS CAN RUN A DEFICIT.

STATE AND LOCAL HAVE TO HAVE A BALANCED BUDGETS. YOU CAN GO BACK 25 YEARS BACK TO WHEN RONALD REAGAN WAS INTERVIEWED -- ACTUALLY FURTHER THAN THAT 1975, AND HE SAID YOU GOT TO LEARN TO SAY NO, IF YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET.

SO WHOEVER SAID THAT, AND THAT WAS PROBABLY MISINFORMED. AND THE OTHER ARTICLE ON THAT INTERVIEW SAID ABOUT THE FIRE STATION. AND THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ALL OF THIS NEW DEVELOPMENT OUT THERE, THAT LISTED THE STATION 2 AND 5 HAVE THE BIGGEST SERVICE AREA. ONE IS 25 MILES AND ONE IS 20 MILES.

YOU DEFINITELY NEED TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT GETTING STATION 9 GOING FORWARD.

BECAUSE I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT STATION 2 IS SERVICE AREA IS 25 MILES.

THAT IS INCREDIBLE. HOW MUCH TIME DO I HAVE, MAYOR WILLIAMS?

>> 20 SECONDS. >> OKAY. AND THE LAST -- IF YOU WERE HERE LAST FRIDAY, YOU KNOW, GOVERNOR SAID WEAR A CHEESE HEAD FOR THE GRAND RIBBON CUTTING AT THE NEW FACTORY. WELL, I WOULD SUGGEST THAT COUNCIL MIGHT DO THAT TOO.

BUT WE'RE ONLY 170 MILES FROM AT&T STADIUM. I DON'T KNOW HOW THE COWBOYS

WOULD RECEIVE THAT. [LAUGHTER] >> THAT'S A THOUGHT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COUNCIL. [LAUGHTER] WE ARE STILL IN THE PUBLIC

COMMENT PERIOD. AND PARTICIPANTS THIS EVENING. >> DELAWYER RES MOORE.

>> WHO IS DOOR DOLORES? >> THAT SOUNDED WEIRD. >> I DID PLAN ON BEING FIRST.

[00:40:02]

GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL. ACTUALLY, I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO MR. MAYOR AND TO THE CITY AND TO THE GOVERNOR, TO THE STATE, FOR EVERYBODY THAT HAD A PART IN BRINGING IN GLC.

I TELL YOU, THAT WAS JUST SUCH AN EXCITE ING ANNOUNCEMENT. I HAPPENED TO HAVE SERVED ON THE DCOA AND AIF BOARDS OVER THE FEW YEARS I'VE BEEN HERE IN ABILENE. I HAPPENED TO BE ONE OF THE COMPANIES WHEN I WORKED THAT THE DCOA BROUGHT IN. I LIKE IT THAT THEY LOOK AT ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE LONGEVITY, THAT ARE VIABLE AND THAT ARE GOING TO BE AROUND A WHILE. BECAUSE WHAT I KNOW IS GOING TO HAPPEN IS I'M GOING TO LOOK FOR A JOB AT GLC. BUT THEY'RE GOING TO BE HERE AND THEY'RE GOING TO OFFER SOMETHING TO OUR CITIZENS AND TO THE SURROUNDING AREAS THAT, HEY, WE GOT GOOD PAYING JOBS.

WE'VE GOT 500 NEW JOBS. THIS IS LONG RANGE. THIS IS NOT -- THIS IS GOING TO HELP US -- THE DIOCESE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO RETIRE AND STAY IN ABILENE, HERE'S JOBS.

OUR COLLEGE KIDS WHO ARE HERE, THEY ALWAYS LEAVE US? BECAUSE WHY? WE DON'T HAVE JOBS THAT PAY WELL WITH GLC. SO MAYOR, GOVERNOR, CITY COUNCIL, YOU INVEST IN THIS. AND THE ONLY WAY ABILENE MAKES THIS IS YOUR INVESTMENT AND YOUR APPROVAL OF THE INVESTMENT. BUT LOOK AT WHAT WE'LL GET FROM IT.

THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT THAT GLC WILL MAKE IN US AND THE JOBS THAT THEY WILL BRING.

SO TO EVERYBODY THAT HAD A PART IN THIS, MAYOR, I KNOW YOU HAD TO HAVE DONE SOMETHING IN THIS.

I JUST KNOW YOU OUT THERE. I SAW YOUR SMILING FACE. AND WE TALKED ABOUT HOW ENERGETIC YOU WERE. THANK YOU. ONE MINUTE.

>> BEE, WHAT COMPANY WAS THAT THAT YOU WORKED FOR? >> BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD.

>> OKAY. JUST WANTED TO GET IT ON RECORD. >> THANK YOU.

[LAUGHTER] >> KELSEY INGRAM. >> THAT'S DR. MINGRAM.

>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN. >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS DR. KELSEY MINGRAM WITH HOLLAND HEARING CENTER. WE WOULD LIKE TO SHARE OUR ENTHUSIASM AND SUPPORT FOR THE RECRUITMENT OF GREAT LAKES CHEESE IN LOCATING TO OUR GREAT TOWN OF ABILENE, TEXAS.

MISTY MAYO AND HER TEAM AT THE DCOA HAVE DONE AN INCREDIBLE JOB THROUGH THE PROJECT LEGACY IN CREATING A PARTNERSHIP WITH GLC AND CREATING APPROXIMATELY 500 JOBS HERE IN THE BIG COUNTRY.

I BELIEVE THE PROJECT ED $134.5 MILLION GLC WOULD INJECT INTO ABILENE'S ECONOMY WOULD NOT ONLY SOMETIME LATE SMALL BUSINESSES NOW AND IN THE FUTURE BUT ALSO HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON OUR SCHOOLS AND PROPERTY VALUES. I THINK ABILENE SHOULD BE PROUD TO BE BE THE PROPOSED NEW HOME OF A COMPANY THAT VALUES THE FAMILY OWNERSHIP CULTURE. AS A BUSINESS OWNER MYSELF AND AS A PROUD REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, I CAN TELL YOU THIS IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE AS IT TIES DIRECTLY INTO OUR FAMILY FRIENDLY COMMUNITY. I KNOW A CHANGE OF THIS MAGNITUDE CAN SOMETIMES BE MET WITH HESITATION AND RESISTANCE. BUT ANYONE WHO KNOWS -- BUT ANYONE WHO OWNS A BUSINESS KNOWS THAT IF YOU AREN'T CHANGING AND DIVERSIFYING YOUR LONG TIME VIABILITY IS AT STAKE. SUCH AS WITH OUR COMMUNITY. MY FAMILY AND I HAVE ONLY LIVED HERE A SHORT TIME. BUT IN THAT TIME, I'VE LEARNED TWO THINGS, ONE, THOSE FROM HERE, OR THOSE THAT HAVE SERVE ADDED DIAS AIR FORCE BASE HAVE A HIGHER TENDENCY TO STAY OR MOVE BACK HERE. THAT TO ME DEMONSTRATES THE VALUE OF WHAT THE BIG COUNTRY OFFERS. NUMBER TWO, THE COMMUNITY LEADERS OF ABILENE AND THIS COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE HAS A LONG HISTORY OF LEAVING ABILENE BETTER THAN HOW THEY FOUND IT AND I THINK GREAT LAKES CHEESE JOINING OUR COMMUNITY IS A CONTINUATION OF THAT.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> GARY GRUBS.

>> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. MY NAME IS GARY GRUBS AND I'M REPRESENTING THE ABILENE INDUSTRIAL FOUNDATION. I AM CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF THE INDUSTRIAL FOUNDATION. AND I JUST WANTED TO COME UP AND JUST GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF THANKS FOR ALL OF THE WORK THAT YOU DID IN BRINGING GREAT LAKES CHEESE, THE WORK THAT THE DCLA DID THE DEVELOP ABILENE TEAM IF YOU WILL. AND WANTED TO SPEAK A FEW MINUTES ON PART OF WHERE THE AIF IS, AND HOW WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF ABILENE, TEXAS, OF WHAT WE'VE GOT GOING ON AHEAD OF US. I'VE BEEN AN ACTIVE BOARD MEMBER AT THE AIF FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. DURING THAT TIME I KNOW THE AIF CONTRIBUTED A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY INTO THE PROJECTS SUCH AS THE VISIONING OF DOWNTOWN, SUCH

[00:45:01]

AS THE HOTEL FRANCHISE FEE FOR THE NEW DEVELOPMENT, NEW CONVENTION CENTER HOTEL AS WELL AS $75,000 THAT WENT TO HELP DEVELOP THAT HOTEL ENTITY, THE DEVELOPER THAT IS GOING TO BE INVOLVED WITH IT. THESE INITIATIVES THAT WE'VE HAD THROUGH THE DEVELOP ABILENE TEAM NOT ONLY THROUGH THE AIF OR THE DCOA ARE DESIGNED TO TRY TO ENCOURAGE OUR ECONOMY TO GROW, TO HELP OUR ECONOMY GROW, TO FIND JOB OPPORTUNITIES SO THAT WE CAN RETAIN THE GREAT YOUNG TALENT THAT WE HAVE HERE IN ABILENE. AND JUST MAKE ABILENE A BETTER PLACE. AS A MEMBER OF THE TEAM OF THE DEVELOP ABILENE TEAM WE'RE PROUD AND HONORED TO PARTNER WITH THE DCOA ON A VERY ROBUST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORT.

WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT OF GREAT LAKES CHEESE AND WHAT THAT WILL MEAN TO OUR COMMUNITY. NOT ONLY ENHANCING OUR COMMUNITY BUT HAVING POSITIVE AFFECTS ON THE REGION. AND WITH ITS ECONOMIC IMPACT AND WORK FORCE OPPORTUNITIES.

BUT THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING. CURRENTLY AIF AND DEVELOP ABILENE TEAM MEMBERS ARE WORKING TO HELP OR FOCUS IN THE AREA OF BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION.

WITH OUR EXISTING LOCAL BUSINESSES IN EFFORTS TO HELP CREATE AND EQUIP AND GROW THOSE BUSINESSES. WE'RE ALSO INVOLVED IN CREATING AN ECONOMIC OR AN ENTREPRENEUR IAL ECONOMIC SYSTEM OR ECOSYSTEM THAT PROMOTES LOCAL INVESTMENT IN NEW BUSINESS.

WE FEEL THE NEED WILL BE INEVITABLY RISING WITH THE CONTINUED SUCCESS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ABILENE TEAM. WITH THE MANY PROJECTS IN THE PIPELINE, CLEARLY DEFINED ROLES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY AND WITH THE DESIRE OF OUR LOCAL ABILENE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO GROW, THE AIF AND THE DEVELOP ABILENE TEAM IS COMMITTED TO THE PARTNERSHIP OF GROWING ABILENE, TEXAS. WE BELIEVE THE FUTURE IS VERY BRIGHT FOR OUR CITY AND WE'RE PROUD TO BE A PART OF IT. WE THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE WORK THAT YOU DID.

AND ALL OF THE EFFORTS THAT WERE MADE ON BEHALF OF OUR COMMUNITY IN BRINGING GREAT LAKES CHEESE HERE. IT IS A GREAT WIN FOR ABILENE. SO THANK YOU.

>> THANKS GARRETT. >> JOHN BECKHAM. FR>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, AND COUNCILMEN, COUNCIL WOMAN. IT IS -- WHAT A VICTORY. WHAT A VICTORY LAST FRIDAY.

THAT WAS ONE OF THE MOST MEMORABLE TIMES I'VE HAD IN A LONG TIME.

AND I -- IT CAUSED A LOT OF THOUGHTS TO KCOME PRIMARILY JUS ONE OF THANKS FOR THE WAY THAT YOU AS A COUNCIL, YOU AS A CITY MANAGER, HAVE GOTTEN US POISED TO WHERE WE WERE TODAY LAST FRIDAY. AND IT TOOK A TWO AND A HALF YEAR PROCESS THAT GOT ME TO THINKING BACK ON THREE YEARS OR SO WHEN ALL OF THE COMPONENTS OF THE DEVELOP ABILENE TEAM GOT TOGETHER AND STARTED DOING THE LONG PROCESS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE WANT DEVELOP ABILENE TO LOOK LIKE AND HOW WE NEED TO GET THERE. AND IT MADE ME VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE ROLE THAT EACH OF YOU HAVE PLAYED IN GIVING US A FOUNDATION AND POISE IN THIS TO BE ABLE TO GO FORWARD ON THAT. MADE ME VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY FOR REPRESENT FOR THE CHAMBER AND AIF IN THE ROLE THAT THEY -- AND THE INPUT THAT THEY HAD.

AND IT MADE ME GRATEFUL TO THE DECK DCOA BOARD WHICH WE SERVE AT YOUR PLEASURE. I SHOULD'VE STARTED I'M JOHN BECKHAM AND NO LONGER ON DCOA BOARD I SERVED IN 2018 TO 2020. AND THE LAST TWO YEARS AS A CHAIRMAN.

BUT IT MADE ME VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE BOARD THAT YOU HAVE APPOINTED AND YOU HAVE SUPPORTED. BECAUSE THEY ARE HARDWORKING. THEY TAKE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY VERY SERIOUSLY. AND THEY DO A VERY GOOD JOB. IT ALSO MADE ME VERY THANKFUL FOR MISTY MAYO. A LOT OF THAT TWO AND A HALF YEAR PROCESS WAS FIGURING OUT WHO WE NEEDED TO HIRE. HOW WE NEEDED TO DO IT. AND TO GO ABOUT THAT IN THE RIGHT WAY. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY SUPPORT, WE DID THAT. AND THE HIRING OF THE MISTY WAS, YOU KNOW, UNBATTLING THE HIGHLIGHT -- UNDOUBTEDLY THE HIGHLIGHT OF MY YEARS ON THE BOARD.

WE ALL FELT THAT THERE WERE GREAT THINGS AHEAD AND WE SAW THE RESULTS.

-- OF THAT LAST FRIDAY. WE SAW ON THE WEBSITE THEY'RE ALREADY TAKING CONTRACT APPLICATIONS AND THEY'RE BREAKING THEM DOWN IN NEXT FEW WEEKS.

IT IS A GREAT WIN. I'M EXCITED ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE LYING AHEAD.

I THANK MISTY, THE TEAM SHE'S PUT TOGETHER AT THE DCOA THE DEVELOP ABILENE TEAM IS POISED

[00:50:03]

FOR GREAT GREAT THINGS. AND IT IS TIME FOR ABILENE TO SHINE.

WE ARE -- THE SPOTLIGHT IS ON US NOW. IT IS TIME FOR US TO SHOW OUR UNITY, ALL OF US. AND OUR BUSINESS FRIENDLY PLACE AND WHAT A WONDERFUL PLACE ABILENE IS TO LIVE. SO THANK YOU FOR SETTING THE GROUNDWORK AND GETTING US ON OUR

WAY. >> THANKS, JOHN.

THAT'S ALL THE CARDS ARE MAYOR. >> ANYONE ELSE WANT TO PARTICIPATE ON THIS EVENING?

>> BEFORE I START, CAN YOU HEAR ME WITH MY MASK? >> I CAN.

>> MY NAME IS SAMUEL GARCIA. I GUESS I GOT A DIFFERENT TAKE ON THIS.

FIRST OF ALL I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THAT APPROVAL WAS DONE ON A SPECIAL CALL MEETING. WE'VE BEEN KEEPING UP WITH THIS PROCESS FOR MONTHS.

AND I LOOK UP AND THERE'S AN ANNOUNCEMENT, THERE'S A SPECIAL CALL MEETING.

I KNOW IT IS 72 HOURS NOTICE. BUT IT JUST IS A LITTLE SURPRISING WHEN YOU'RE KEEPING UP WITH THIS STUFF AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT IS. I'M THE FIRST PERSON THAT WILL TELL YOU SUCCESS HAPPENS WHEN PEOPLE START TO GET THESE JOBS WHEN THERE'S A LONGEVITY.

YOU'LL KNOW SUCCESS IN ABOUT FIVE YEARS. SO I'M NOT GOING TO SIT HERE AND GO, YAY, WE WON. WE DON'T. YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THE DALLAS COWBOYS HIRING THE BIG TUNA AND HE WAS GOING TO WIN THE SUPER BOWL.

AND LATER ON IT JUST WENT AWAY. REMINDS ME OF THOSE KINDS OF SITUATIONS.

A FEW QUESTIONS I HAVE, FIRST QUESTION IS THIS -- AND I COULD BE WRONG BUT HE LOOKS LIKE A BIG PORTION OF THIS FACTORY IS GOING TO BE BUILT IN UOISD. AND I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW, WHAT IS GOING TO BE THE PERCENTAGE THAT ABILENE ISD IS GOING TO GET IN PROPERTY TAXES? BECAUSE FROM THE LOOKS OF THINGS THE UNION ISD IS GOING TO HAVE A WINDFALL.

FOR THAT LITTLE SCHOOL DISTRICT, GOOD FOR THEM, IN CALHOUN COUNTY.

I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW THAT. BECAUSE FROM THE LOOKS OF THINGS ABOUT 80% OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL PROPERTY TAXES MAY GO TO EULA. I ALSO WANT TO STOP HERE AND ABILENE'S $60,000 SALARY.

I'VE BEEN ON THE BOARD NOW 17 YEARS. WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT SALARIES, I WANT TO KNOW WHAT -- HOW MANY OF THOSE $500 JOBS ARE JUST PRODUCTION JOBS AND WHAT IS THE MEDIUM OF THOSE SALARIES? YOU CAN DO AN AVERAGE AND PUT THE EXECUTIVE IN THE LOWEST LEVEL PERSON IN THERE AND COME UP WITH AN AVERAGE AND NOT GIVE YOU A GOOD IDEA OF HOW MUCH THESE JOBS ARE GOING TO PAY. THE OTHER THING I WANT TO SEE THE DEVIL IN THE DETAILS. WHEN THIS AGREEMENT HAS BEEN -- IS INKED IN AND I'M SURE IT IS ALREADY INKED IN BECAUSE YOU VOTED ON IT. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS EXPECTED FOR THE $30 MILLION THAT WE'RE INVESTING IN BRINGING THIS COMPANY IN.

SO I WANT TO KNOW HOW MANY JOBS DO THEY HAVE TO PUT IN? YOU CAN SAY IT ALL YOU WANT.

BUT WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS. THAT'S WHAT REALLY MATTERS. THAT'S WHEN YOU FIND OUT IF YOU WIN. SO I THOUGHT -- YOU KNOW, YOU CAN GET ALL CAUGHT UP IN THIS.

I REMEMBER TWO YEARS AGO, WE WERE GOING TO HAVE A HOTEL. I REMEMBER SEVERAL YEARS AGO, WE WERE GOING TO BE THE HUB OF THE MEDICAL PARTS OF TEXAS. THERE'S A LOT OF TIMES I REMEMBER TSC BUILDING. BEAUTIFUL BUILDING. WE WERE GOING TO HAVE DROVES OF STUDENTS BEING BROUGHT IN TO BE TAUGHT AT THE INDUSTRIAL LEVEL. SOME OF THIS STUFF DOESN'T PLAY OUT THE WAY THE ORIGINAL PARTY SETS UP TO DO. AND YOU SET UP A HUGE HUGE EXPECTATION LAST WEEK. I HOPE IT COMES TRUE. BUT I -- I'M ALL ABOUT THE DEVIL. -- THE DETAILS THAT COME IN. MY LAST POINT IS, I WISH WORK FORCE WOULD'VE BEEN CONSULTED BECAUSE TO THIS DATE, I HAVE, AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD SOLUTIOS BOARD, WE'VE NEVER BEEN CONSULTED ABOUT THE WORK FORCE NEEDS FOR THEM TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THIS FACTORY. AND I'M WONDERING WHETHER OR NOT WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO FIND THE 500 PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN GEORGIA PACIFICS BUILDING DOWN THE ROAD REAL GOOD PAYING JOBS OF 200. AND RIGHT NOW PEOPLE CAN'T EVEN FIND EMPLOYEES.

SO GOOD LUCK. THANK YOU. >> THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD PARTICIPANTS ON THIS EVENING? SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

IT IS 6:24 P.M. AND THIS MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL IS AD

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.