[CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:18]
MEETING TO ORDER, IT IS 8:30 A.M., ON THIS FOURTH DAY OF APRIL. I'M GOING TO ASK COUNCILMAN BEARD TO PROVIDE THE INVOCATION. NOW THAT YOU ARE NOT ALL SPECIAL, BY THE WAY.
>> COUNCILMAN BEARD. >> FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL DAY. LORD, TODAY WE PRAY FOR GUIDANCE AND WISDOM IN THE DECISIONS THAT WE MAKE, FATHER WE PRAY THAT YOU WOULD COMFORT OUR NEIGHBORS THAT HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY SO MANY RANGE FIRES. AS ALWAYS, LORD, WE LIFT UP OUR MILITARY FIRST RESPONDERS AND CITY WORKERS, LORD, WE PRAY FOR THEIR SAFETY AS THEY CARRY OUT THEIR DUTIES SERVING OUR CITY. FATHER, WE PRAY FOR THE PRESENCE OF YOUR SPIRIT TO GO THROUGH THE ROOM AS WE ENTER INTO EASTER WEEKEND, WE'RE REMINDED OF THE SACRIFICE THAT JESUS MADE FOR US ALL AND THAT THAT MEANS FOR EVERYONE AND EVERY ONE OF US. I PRAY THAT YOU GUIDE EACH WORD AND DECISION THAT WE MAKE, AS ALWAYS, LORD, WE'RE THANKFUL FOR THE PROVISION
[PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PROCLAMATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS]
AND YOUR HAND UPON OUR CITY. IN JESUS NAME.>> AMEN. >> WELL, WE DO HAVE A VERY SPECIAL GUEST, I'M GOING TO INVITE MR. WILLIAM SACK. THE LEADER OF THE JAGUAR NATION IS BACK IN THE BACK AND YEARS AGO IN INSTRUCTED ANY SON AND SO, WE'LL SAY SOMETHING ABOUT HER AND ME AND WALTER H, BUT WE WON'T GO THERE, AND SO, WILLIAMS GOING TO LEAD US THROUGH BOTH PLEDGES 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." >> NOW, THE LONE STAR STATE.
>> HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG, THE TEXAS FLAG: I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD AND
INDIVISIBLE.." >> YOU DID GREAT. WE HAVE ONE PROCLAMATION TODAY. AND I'M GOING TO INVITE A RESPONDER FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OUR DISPATCHERS FROM 911 TO JOIN ME.
PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATIONS WEEK. WHEREAS, AND BY THE WAY, SHINING THANK YOU FOR SHORTENING OUR PROCLAMATIONS. WHEREAS THE MANY MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVE AS OUR PUBLIC SAFETY TELE COMMUNICATORS, OUR 911 OPERATORS AND DISPATCHERS ARE DEDICATED TO SAVING LIVES AND RESPONDING DAILY TO CITIZENS OF OUR CITY IN TIMES OF GREAT NEED, AND WHEREAS, THEY ARE THE WIDER LINK BETWEEN THE PERSON IN NEED AND THE PUBLIC SAFETY PROVIDER. AND WHEREAS THE COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF COMMUNICATION WORKS WITH LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS TO ENSURE RELIABLE ACCESS TO EMERGENCY TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES AND DEDICATED A WEEK IN APRIL TO HIGHLIGHT THE VALUABLE ROLE OF PUBLIC SAFETY TELE COMMUNICATORS, AND WHEREAS TODAY AS WE CELEBRATE THE MANY MEN AND WOMEN WHOSE DILIGENCE AND PROFESSIONALISM HELP KEEP OUR CITY SAFE. AS MAYOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE ABILENE SOUTH CAROLINA, I HEAR BY DEDICATE THIS WEEK AS PUBLIC SAFETY TELE COMMUNICATORS WEEK.
>> ANY WORDS OR WISDOM FOR US? >> WE'RE APPRECIATIVE AND I'M HUMBLED EVERYDAY THAT I GET TO WORK BESIDE THE TELE COMMUNICATORS IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. OVER THE 25 YEARS OF MY CAREER, I'VE WATCH IT HAD GO FROM THREE TERMINAL, NO CELLPHONES AND NOW EVERYONE'S CALLING POLICE AND FIRE
[00:05:02]
COMMUNICATIONS. AND SO, THEY CONTINUE TO ABSORB ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES, MAINLY THIS YEAR, THEY'RE ALWAYS DEALING WITH STAFFING ISSUES AND IT'S AMAZING TO WATCH THEM BRING THAT CALM FROM CHAOS, AND SO, I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BE RECOGNIZE WOULD THEM. THANK YOU TO OUR DISPATCHMANAGER. >> THANK YOU, SO MUCH. WE TAKE ABOUT 3 HUNDRED THOUSAND CALLS EVERY YEAR FROM PEOPLE IN NEED, IT'S A SIGNIFICANTLY STRESSFUL JOB FOR OUR TELE COMMUNICATORS, BUT WE HAVE WONDERFUL TRAINING COORDINATOR IN LINDSEY HAWKS HERE, AND A FEW DOZEN DEDICATED COMMITTED PROFESSIONALS THAT ARE THERE TO HELP YOU GUYS IN YOUR TIME OF NEED. THANK YOU SO
MUCH. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
AND. (APPLAUSE) >> WELL, WE HAVE A LARGER ROOM THAN WE WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE. THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THIS MORNING. I WANT TO REMIND YOU, ON ITEM NUMBER 17, I KNOW SOME OF YOU MAY BE HEARING, I SEE CARDS TO SPEAK ON. TODAY IS THE FIRST OF TWO READINGS. SO, ONE OF OUR READING TODAY, AND THEN WE WILL HAVE ONE AGAIN ON THE 28TH YOU'RE FREE TO MAKE COMMENTS, BUT WE WANT TO BE SURE T PROCEDURALLY. WE'RE PULLING ITEM NUMBER 14 FROM THE AGENDA
[CONSENT AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS]
TODAY. WE NOW MOVE TO THE CONSENT AGENDA CONSISTING OF ITEMS 3-17. THESE WILL BE CONSIDERED WITH ONE MOTION AND THERE'LL BE NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION UNLESS A COUNCIL MEMBER REQUESTS IS SEPARATE DISCUSSION. DOES ANYONE IN COUNCIL WANT TO ADDRESS ANY ITEM INDIVIDUALLY.>> AND WE'LL NOW MOVE TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. THERE'LL BE NO VOTES OR FORMAL ACTIONS TAKEN ON THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD WILL ALLOW MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ON ITEMS FOR CITY OFFICIALS. THERE'LL BE A 3-MINUTE LIMIT. WE HAVE A NUMBER OF YOU THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK, I JUST ASK THAT YOU BE RESPECTFUL OF THE 3-MINUTE
LIMIT. >> I HAVE SEVERAL CARDS AND I WILL CALL THEM IN THE ORDER THAT I RECEIVED THEM.
>> CARA LEE TENSOR. >> ANN SASS?
>> CHARLES BURN. >> COUNCIL, MAYOR, MY NAME IS CHARLES BURN. THANK YOU FOR HEARING THIS ITEM TODAY. AND I WISH THAT YOU WOULD BE IN SUPPORT OF THIS INITIATIVE.
THANK YOU. >> HERSHAL REDDING.
>> GOOD MORNING, YOUR HONOR, I DON'T HAVE MUCH TO SAY, BUT I HOPE THAT YOU LISTEN TO LORD BECAUSE HIS LAW GOES BEFORE ANY
>> FIRST OF ALL, LET'S BE CLEAR OF WHAT ABORTION IS, IT'S THE INDUCED TERMINATION OF A PREGNANCY WITH THE DESTRUCTION OF AN EMBRYO OR A FEET TUSS, SO WHEN THE SPERM GOES INTO AN EGG IS CONTAINS. FERTILIZATION TAKES PLACE. WITHIN THREE WEEK, THE FIRST CELLS ARE FORMED, 21 DAYS YOU GET A HEARTBEAT, AND 43 DAYS THE BRAIN WAVES ARE READABLE. SIX WEEKS, THE BLOOD IS PUMPING THROUGH IT'S OWN CLOSED CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM.
THIS BABY IS STARTLED BY LOUD NOISES AND CALMED BY SOOTHING SOUNDS. IF ANY OF Y'ALL HAD A PREGNANT WIFE, YOU TALK TO IT, OR PLAYS MUSIC, IT CALMS DOWN FROM KICKING. Y'ALL KNOW THERE'S A LIFE IN THERE. THE 14TH AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION SAYS NO SHALL ANY STATE DEPRIVE ANY PERSON OF
[00:10:02]
LIFE, LIBERTY OR PROPERTY OR DENY ANY JURISDICTION ANY PROTECTION OF THE LAW. THAT'S A LIFE THAT WE TALK ABOUT. AND WHEN WE CHOOSE TO SACRIFICE OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE FOR OUR OWN IMMEDIATE COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE, IT'S AN INJUSTICETO US ALL. >> SAMMUAL DID NOT WANT TO SPEAK BUT WAS IN SUPPORT OF 17, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> WELL, AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS MEETING, WE CALLED OUT TO THE LORD ABOUT THIS, MR. SERGEANT PRACTICAL SCIENCE AND EVERYTHING ON IT, BUT FROM GOD'S PERSPECTIVE CONFIRMS THAT IT CONFIRMED GOD'S WORD AND HE SAID, THAT WE'RE IN HIS MIND EVEN BEFORE WE'RE CONCEIVED, OR KNITTED IN THE WOMB. EVEN DNA TELLS US THAT THAT IT BEGIN TOSS KNIT US TOGETHER AS A HUMAN BEING. HE SAYS, HE'S EVEN THERE WHEN WE'RE BORN. SO, I GUESS, I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS, BUT, THE WORD OF GOD JUST REALLY CONFIRMED IT'S A LIFE. IT'S MURDER, HE SAYS IT'S AN ABOMINATION, SO, ANYONE THAT SAYS THAT ORDINANCE IS A CRIME, WELL GOD SAYS IT'S A CRIME TO KILL A KID, ARE WE GOING TO CHOOSE WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT IT OR PEOPLE'S IDEAS OR PERSPECTIVES ABOUT IT. AND IF WE'RE GOING TO SACRIFICE A CHILDREN. IT'S LIKE WHAT THEY SACRIFICED THE KIDS TO DEMONS BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH. IF WE'RE GOING TO SERVE GOD, SERVE HIM T IF WE'RE GOING TO SERVE IN THIS CASE MAN WITH THEIR PERSPECTIVE IS OF IT, WE CHOOSE BETWEEN GOD AND WHAT MAN THINKS ABOUT IT.
>> ROBERT BROWN IN SPORTS OF 17.
>> ANDREW DOESN'T WISH TO SPEAK BUT IN SUPPORT OF 17.
>> BRUCE TENSORE, IN SUPPORT BUT DIDN'T WANT TO SPEAK.
>> DOROTHY CLAY. >> GOOD MORNING, HONORABLE HEIR ANTHONY WILLIAMS, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CITY OFFICIALS. MY NAME IS DOROTHY CLAY, I ESTABLISHED BEFORE YOU AGAIN TO INFORM YOU AND REMIND YOU THAT LIFE IS PRECIOUS. IT'S PRECIOUS AT EVERY STAGE FROM CONCEPTION TO NATURAL DEATH, LIFE IS PRECIOUS. I BELIEVE THAT IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT WE PUT A STOP TO SHEDDING INNOCENT BLOOD WITHIN OUR CITY LIMITS. AS LEADERS IN OUR COMMUNITY IT'S PASSED TIME TO STAND UP AND SPEAK OUT ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHO CANNOT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR, A TEXAS STATE SENATOR VISITED ABILENE CITY COUNCIL TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST ABORTION RIGHTS AND TO PROTECT THE PROPOSAL DECLARING BLABILENE, TEXAS A SANCTIONARY CITY FOR THE UNBORN. THE STATE SENATOR PERRY, REPUBLICAN, TEXAS 28TH DISTRICT, HE HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE OUTSIDE OF ABILENE CITY HALL TO SUPPORT THIS ORDINANCE WHICH WOULD TOTALLY BAN ABORTION WITHIN OUR CITY LIMITS. I THOUGHT THAT WAS SO COURAGEOUS, THAT STATE SENATORS AND OFFICIALS TO STAND UP FOR LIFE REGARDING REALIZING THAT THEY'RE DUTY TO PROTECT ALL LIFE AND NOT ONLY BE CONCERNED ABOUT POTHOLLS, SANITATION, WATER, PARKS, FIRE DEPARTMENT, ALL CITY AFFAIRS WHICH ARE EXTREMELY
[00:15:04]
IMPORTANT, BUT TO ACTUALLY CARE ABOUT THE LIVES OF THE MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS, BORN AND UNBORN IN OUR CITY, OUR STATE, AND OUR NATION. IT'S JUST AS IMPORTANT TO CARE FOR THOSE THAT CANNOT CARE FOR THEMSELVES. IT IS PART OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY AS WELL. I KNOW, CITY MANAGERS, AND MAYORS, AND STATE OFFICIALS THEY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY IT'S A CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY THAT THEY MUST NOT FORGET THE MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS BORN AND UNBORN. A FEW YEARS AGO I HEARD A STATEMENT AT THIS COUNCIL DURING THIS AGENDA, AND THIS STATEMENT SAID BABIES HAVE RIGHTS AND THEY HAVE BEEN IGNORED. THAT BABIES INSIDE THAT WOMB HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO LIVE. AND THEY FURTHER SAID, NO ONE ABORTED YOU, YOU'RE HERE.AREN'T WE GLAD ABOUT THAT? THE BABY INSIDE THE WOMB HAS THE RIGHT TO LIVE AND BE PROTECTED. I ENCOURAGE EASTERN TO PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING ABILENE, TEXAS A CONCUSS WEAR CITY TO PROTECT THE UNBORN. THANK YOU AND HAVE A GREAT DAY.
>> CATHY JOHNSON DID NOT WISH TO SPEAK BUT IS IN SUPPORT OF
>> MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, THANK YOU GUYS FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE TODAY. I WANT TO GIVE A QUICK SHOUT OUT TO SHAWNA ATKINSON IN APPRECIATION FOR THE WAY THAT THEY WORKED WITH US ON THE PETITION, AND THE WORK THAT HAD TO GO INTO GETTING THAT APPROVED. SO, JUST VERY PROFESSIONAL AND I JUST WANT TO SAY, PERSONALLY, THANK YOU FOR THAT. OBVIOUSLY, I SHARE THE VIEWS THAT HAVE BEEN SHARED.
WE'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS, MAKING SURE THAT ABILENE STAYS A BLESSING FOR GOD. I WANT TO SEE GOD BLESS OUR CITY, I WANT TO SEE OUR ECONOMY BLESSED AND OUR CRIME RATE GO DOWN AND ALL OF THE ABOVE, I WANT TO SEE RAIN AGAIN AND I THINK ALL OF THESE THINGS HAVE TO DO WITH THE BLESSING OF GOD, WHAT GREATER WAY TO BRING HIS BLESSING ON OUR CITY THAN TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS ORDINANCE IS PASSED AND THAT WE PROTECT THE UNBORN WITHIN OUR CITY LIMITS. WE HAVE A COUPLE WEEKS UNTIL THE 28TH, I'M PRAYING FOR YOU GUYS. I WOULD SAY THIS, I KNOW THAT I'VE MET WITH MOST OF YOU, I KNOW THAT YOU ARE PRO-LIFE, THOSE I KNOW, AND I'M NOT QUESTIONING YOUR PRO-LIFE STANCE, I KNOW THIS IS A STICKY ISSUE AS TAKING AND MAKING A DECISION AS A COUNCIL.
BUT, YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HISTORIC IN THIS. LUBBOCK HAD THAT OPPORTUNITY AND PASSED IT UP. AND THERE ARE A LOT OF CITIZENS IN LUBBOCK THAT WERE NOT HAPPY. I THINK THAT I DON'T YOU ARE CONSTITUENTS SPOKE UP. I'M PRAYING FOR YOU THAT YOU WOULD GIVE CONSIDERATION TO THIS AND PASS THIS ORDINANCE FOR US AND MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS A CITY THAT STAYS ON THE BLESSING OF GOD. APPRECIATE YOU GUY, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
>> MARK LEE DICKSON? >> GREETINGS, COUNCIL, MY NAME IS MARK LEE DICKSON AND I'M A DIRECTOR OF RIGHT TO LIFE IN EAST TEXAS AND FOUNDER OF THE SANCTIONARY CITIES OF THE UNBORN INITIATIVE. AND THE ONLY NAMES, NONGOVERNMENT ACTOR IN THE LAWSUIT THAT WENT BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT OVER THE TEXAS HEARTBEAT ACT. ABILENE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST CITIES AFTER (INDISCERNIBLE) THAT CONSIDERED THIS ORDINANCE. AND, SO, THAT WAS IN JULY OF 2019. WASCOMB OUTLAWED ABORTION IN JUNE OF 19TH. IT AND SO, BACK THEN, ONLY ONE CITY HAD PASSED THE ORDINANCE, NOW, 47 CITIES HAVE PASSED THE ORDINANCE. AND MY ENCOURAGEMENT TO YOU WOULD BE TO TRULY PASS THIS ORDINANCE. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE NOT ASKING YOU GUYS TO DO ANYTHING ILLEGAL HERE, IT IS NOT ILLEGAL FOR YOU TO PASS THIS ORDINANCE.
IN FACT, OUR LEGISLATURE HAS PASSED SENATE BILL 8 WHICH IS THE LAW OF TEXAS. AND, THEY DID SO WITH FULL CONVICTION TO
[00:20:06]
PROPACT INNOCENT LIFE MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD. SO, THEY TOOK AN OATH TO OFFICE JUST LIKE YOU GUYS TOOK. YOU HAVE AN OATH TO DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF TEXAS. DO YOU BELIEVE THAT ANY OF THOSE GIVES THE RIGHT TO ABORTION. THE RIGHT TO END THE LIFE OF AN INNOCENT CHILD MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOOD DAY? THE LAW OF TEXAS EXPLICITLY ALLOWS, THIS IS WHAT THE ORDINANCE SAYS. THE LAW OF TEXAS EXPLICITLY ALLOWS MUNICIPALITIES AND POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS TO OUTLAW ABORTIONS. TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, 311.036 B SAYS A STATUTE SHOULD NOT BE PROHIBITED TO UNLESS THE STATUTE EXPLICITLY STATES POLITICAL SUBDIVISION ARE PROHIBITED FROM REGULATING OR PROHIBITS ABORTION IN A MANNER DESCRIBED IN THE STATUTE. GUYS, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT OUR LEGISLATURE HAS ALREADY SIGNED OFF ON. THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF TEXAS SIGNED OFF, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SIGNED OFF ON THIS. ARE YOU GUYS JUST AS PRO-LIFE AS OUR STATE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR? IN MY CLOSING STATEMENTS HERE, I KNOW THERE WERE STATEMENTS MADE THAT THE COUNCIL DOESN'T GET TO PICK AND CHOOSE IT WANTS TO DEFEND AND NOT DEFEND. GUYS, YOU DO, YOU ARE MAKING A CHOICE, ARE YOU SUPPORTIVE OF THE TEXAS HEARTBEAT ACT? OR ARE YOU NOT. ARE YOU STANDING WITH OUR STATE LEGISLATURE OR AGAINST IT, THANK YOU SO MUCH, GOD BLESS.>> RYAN GOODWIN. >> WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO BE HERE TODAY. TO COME BEFORE YOU. WE HAVE NO INTENTIONS TO DO ANYTHING. AND YOU GUYS KNOW THAT, WE WOULD LIKE TO COME UP AND SPEAK BEFORE YOU, AND SHARE OUR HEARTS WITH WHY WE'RE IN SUPPORT OF THIS. SO, I GO BACK, AND A LOT OF THESE GUYS SAID THINGS THAT I WAS GOING TO SAY. BUT, I GO BACK TO LUBBOCK WHEN THEY PASSED THIS. AND WHEN LUBBOCK PASSED THIS, THERE WAS A WILL THE OF FEAR FROM THE COUNCIL, THE CITIZENS HAD TO COME FORWARD AND TAKE CARE OF IT. AND YOU KNOW, WHEN I THINK ABOUT THAT VOICE THAT CAME FORWARD. AND THAT SAME VOICE IS COMING FORWARD FROM OUR CITY, OVER 6500 SIGNATURES SIGNED THIS THING AND WHEN I LOOKED AT TRAVIS AND POWELLS, 4,000 PEOPLE PUT TRAVIS IN, 3,000, RIGHT, FOR YOU, AND WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE ALREADY SPOKEN
UP, AND I'M SORRY, >> I DON'T KNOW THE NUMBER SO.
>> OKAY. >> WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE SPOKEN AND HAVE A VOICE, SIGNED THEIR PETITION, PUT THEIR NAMES AND ADDRESSES, DID ALL OF THESE THINGS ALREADY, THEIR VOICE ARE OUT THERE. WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO THIS ORDINANCE, I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF FEAR. AND I KIND OF PICTURE THIS AS A DAVID GOLIATH MOMENT.
>> PLANNED PARENTHOOD DID COME AFTER LUBBOCK, THEY PUT A LAWSUIT AGAINST THEM, BUT NO LONGER IS THAT JEOPARDY. THIS PLANNED PARENTHOOD, THIS ROUTE WE'RE FEARFUL OF, I THINK ABOUT HOW THIS ROUTE STARTED WITH A LAID NAMED MARGARET SINGER. .
SHE CREATED PLANED PARENTHOOD AND SHE'S THE FOUNDER AND IT WAS JUST PURE EVIL ON THE WAY THIS WAS BROUGHT FORWARD. I MEAN, IT WAS TO ELIMINATE THE WEAKER RACE, PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING THAT WASN'T WHITE. SHE TOLD FAMILIES THAT WERE BIG THAT, SORRY TO GET UNCOMFORTABLE, BUT TOLD FAMILIES THAT WERE BIG THAT HAD TOO MANY PEOPLE THAT THE BEST AND MOST MERCIFUL THING TO DO FOR THEIR FAMILY WAS TO ABORT THE BABY. AND THIS IS THE ROUTE OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD, THIS IS THE ROOT THAT ATTACKED LUBBOCK. AND WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF THE SCHEMES OF DEVIL. I WANT TO PREPARE YOU TO VOTE FOR THIS, MAY BE PLANNED PARENTHOOD DOES COME AFTER IT, BUT WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO LUBBOCK AND HOW GOD PROVIDED.
AND WE SEEN HOW THE PLEB BACH GOT A TON OF RAIN. THERE WAS A BLESSING FROM GOD ON LUBBOCK BECAUSE THEY PUSHED THIS FORWARD. I DIDN'T MEAN TO TAKE ALL OF MY TIME BUT THANK YOU.
[00:25:05]
>> AMANDA ESTIVES. YOU ARE IN SUPPORT OF 17.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL, AND GOOD MORNING MAYOR, MY NAME IS AMANDA ESTIVES AND I JUST MOVED TO ABILENE, TEXAS A YEAR AGO AND NOW I'M A REGISTERED VOTER HERE IN TEXAS. I CAME FROM NEW YORK CITY. YOU KNOW MY CITY, THERE'S BEAUTY AND A LOT OF DARKNESS GOING ON IN THE CITY. AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY, I HAVE A LITTLE TESTIMONY VERY QUICK. I FALLEN TO A VICTIM OF ABORTING MY CHILD, NOT JUST ONE BUT TWO. AND, I MADE A MISTAKE OF YOU KNOW DOING THINGS, I MADE A LOT OF MISTAKES AS A YOUNG CHILD, GREW UP, RIGHT, CONSERVATIVE, BUT I WAS MISLED, AND GROWING UP IN A CULTURE WHERE VERY CONSERVATIVE AND YOU SEE, THE AMERICAN LIFESTYLE, IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT FROM THE THINGS THAT WE WATCH, FRIENDS, A LOT OF THINGS. AND ESPECIALLY IN NEW YORK, WHERE LIKE EVERYTHING FREE WILL JUST RUNS WILD. AND WHEN I ABORTED MY FIRST CHILD, I DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE THIS ATTITUDE, I DIDN'T WANT THIS KIDDIOUS IT'S NOT A BIG DEAL, BUT RIGHT AFTER, I MADE THAT DECISION, I DIDN'T REALIZE THE CONSEQUENCES AFTER.
UM, I WAS VERY MY SOUL SUNK RIGHT AFTER HAVING YOU KNOW, THE ABORTION, THE PROCEDURE, IT WAS SO DARK AND I WAS SO DEPRESSED THAT I WENT TO A PRIEST, BECAUSE AT THE TIME I WAS CATHOLIC. AND I CONFESSED MY SINS. AND, YOU KNOW, HE TOLD ME, YOU KNOW, TO REPENT, IT'S OKAY, AND HE TRIED TO COMFORT ME, AND HE TRIED HIS BEST. BUT THAT BURDEN WAS STILL ON MY SOUL. SO, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, SECOND TIME, AND THIS TIME, I WANTED TO KEEP IT, BECAUSE I KNEW AFTER THE FIRST EXPERIENCE, I DIDN'T WANT TO EXPERIENCE IT EVER AGAIN. AND THEN, MY BOYFRIEND AT THE TIME CONVINCED ME TO DO THE PROCEDURE, BECAUSE WE COULDN'T AFFORD IT, THAT'S USUALLY THE SAME EXCUSE THAT EVERY WOMAN OR FEMINIST WOULD SAY, YOU JUST CAN'T AFFORD IT. AND I DID IT.
AND AFTER I DID IT, I SUFFERED A VERY DIFFICULT AND COMPLICATED LIFE THREATENING CONSEQUENCE. I ALMOST DIED, I BLED TO THE POINT THAT I LOST SO MUCH BLOOD THAT, I ALMOST DIED. BUT, LUCKILY, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, I SURVIVED. I DIDN'T TELL MY PARENTS ABOUT EITHER ABORTION BECAUSE I WAS SO SHAMED. AND IT TOOK ME YEARS, AND YEARS, RIGHT NOW I'M 32 YEARS-OLD AND GOING TO BE 33, ENGAGED, IT TOOK A LOT OF REPENTANCE AND HARD WORK, HAVE I TOLDMY PARENTS ABOUT IT, NO. BUT I TOLD MY HEAVENLY FATHER ABOUT IT AND I PRAY TO GOD EACH AND EVERYDAY THAT BECAUSE OF MY FATAL MISTAKES THAT I'M ABLE TO HAVE A CHILD. AND, HE GAVE ME A SECOND CHANCE. I MET MY FIANCE AND LEFT NEW YORK AND I'M HERE TODAY. SO, I AM IN SUPPORT OF THE 17, AND I JUST PRAY THAT YOU GUYS ARE FOR IT AS WELL. AND I JUST PRAY THAT NO GIRL GOES THROUGH WHAT I WENT THERE YOU. THANK YOU. SORRY.
>> TONY? >> GOOD MORNING, CITY COUNCIL, MAYOR, I JUST WANT TO SPEAK A COUPLE OF COMMENTS ON A DIFFERENT SUBJECTS, SORRY, TO HIJACK IT ON THE BITCOIN LANDSCAPE, I LIVE ON THE WEST SIDE OF SPINX ROAD. I MOVED TO ABILENE A COUPLE OF FEW YEARS AGO, BECAUSE MY CAREER IS WINDING DOWN. LIVED OUT IN WILEY DECIDED TO LIVE IN THE COUNTRY. THERE'S A LOT OF DOD FORMER EMPLOYEES LIKE ME, RETIRED MILITARY AND ACTIVE DUTY, EVEN POLICE OFFICERS LIVE OUT THERE. WHAT'S CONCERN NUMBER ONE ABOUT THE COMMUNICATION AND THE POSSIBLE NOISE SENT THE SOUTH AFRICAN E-MAIL, GOT A GREAT QUICK RESPONSE IF MR. HANNA
[00:30:02]
PROFESSIONALLY, APPRECIATE IT SIR, NO PUSHBACK ON THAT, THE ONLY THING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT ON, IS I CAN'T SPEAK FOR THE PEOPLE BUT THERE' RESIDENTS OUT THERE, AND THE NUMBER ONE CONCERN WAS THE COMMUNICATION. I KNOW EVERYTHING WAS PUBLISHED BY LAW, BUT WHEN WE MOVE OUT TO THE COUNTRY, WE DON'T QUITE WATCH AS MUCH TV AND PLUGGED IN LIKE WE DID WHEN WE WERE IN THE CITY, WE WERE HOPING THERE WOULD BE MORE COMMUNICATION WHEN IT CAME TO US. A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WEREN'T EVEN STILL AWARE OF IT ON OUR ROAD AND I KNOW THAT WAS ONE OF THE CITY'S THINGS THIS YEAR TO IMPROVE THE COMMUNICATION. AND WE'RE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE NOISE, THAT'S THE UNKNOWN, BECAUSE WHEN YOU DO THE RESEARCH ON THESE BITCOIN, THERE'S TONS OF COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN DESTROYED BECAUSE OF NOISE AND LAWSUITS AND ALL. THAT'S OUR BIGGEST CONCERN. AND I CERTAINLY CAN'T SPEAK FOR THE RESIDENTS ON THE WEST SIDE, BUT THAT'S WHY WE MOVED OUT THERE, FOR PEACE AND QUIET, SOLITUDE, THE COUNTRY LIFE. AND THERE ARE INCREDIBLE HOMES THEY'RE BUILDING ON THAT ACREAGE ON TAYLOR RIDGE. JUST A FEEDBACK ON THAT. I APPRECIATE YOU'RE QUICK RESPONSE, VERY PROFESSIONAL, THEY INFORMED ME VERY WELL, BUT THAT'S OUR BIGGEST COMPLAINT, FOR ME PERSONALLY.>> BEVERLY PAXTON? >> SO, GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL, MAYOR, MIME BEVERLY PAXTON, THIS IS MY HUSBAND. SO, WHEN HE SAYS WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THE NOISE, I HAD TALKED TO MR. RICE LAST FRIDAY AND HE MENTIONED TO ME THAT THEY'RE GOING TO USE AIR POWER TO PULL INTO THAT FACILITY TO COOL THOSE COMPUTERS. MY QUESTION IS, DOES ANYBODY KNOW THAT THAT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE? BECAUSE, FOR US, YOU HAVE TO GET THAT AIR INTO THAT BUILDING SOMEHOW TO COOL THOSE COMPUTERS, AND YOU HAVE TO GET THAT AIR BACK OUT. MOST OF YOUR FACILITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT HAVE THESE MINING FACILITIES HAVE FANS ON TOP OF THE ROOF THAT RUN 24/7 AND ARE AT 75 DECIBELS WHICH YOU COULD HEAR, THE RESEARCH THAT I'VE DONE I FOUND OUT MOST OF THE PEOPLE CAN HEAR THAT INSIDE OF THEIR HOMES WITH THE DOORS AND WINDOWS CLOSED. WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT HOW THAT'S GOING TO AFFECT OUR QUALITY OF LIFE, OUR FARMER'S LIVESTOCK AND THE OVERALL VALUE OF OUR HOMES IN THESE AREAS WHERE THEY HAVE THESE BITCOIN MINING FACILITIES, THESE HOMES HAVE DEVALUE WAITED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. AND THESE PEOPLE CAN'T SELL THEIR HOMES BECAUSE OF NOISE. MY QUESTION IS HAS THERE BEEN A NOISE REDUCTION PLAN ESTABLISHED TO PROTECT US IN THAT AREA, THAT'S ALL I HAVE, THANK YOU.
>> TIMOTHY PAUL. >> IN SUPPORT OF TAM 17.
>> THAT'S ALL THE CARDS. >> BEFORE WE CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD PERIOD, DOES ANYONE ELSE WANT TO PARTICIPATE
THIS MORNING? >> SEEING NONE I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD PERIOD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SYSTEM THIS PER WE'LL MOVE BACK TO THE ITEMS THROUGH 17, DOES COUNCIL HAVE COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS. I ACCEPT
A MOTION AND A SECOND. >> SO MOVED.
>> I HAVE A MOTION ABOUT COUNCIL P COUNCILMEMBER
>> MOTION CARRIES. >> WELL, NOW, I MOVE TO THE
[18. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action to Approve an Extended Term Street Use License with TearTex, LLC (Max Johnson)]
REGULAR AGENDA. WE'LL MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER 18. AND WE WILL ASK MAX JOHNSON, FROM PUBLIC WORKS TO PRESENT THIS ITEM.>> BEFORE YOU TODAY WE HAVE A REQUEST FOR EXTENDED TERM STREET USE LICENSE. THIS IS, AT WE'RE LOOKING AT WALNUT STREET, AND NORTH, BETWEEN NORTH 1ST AND NORTH 2ND, NO ISSUES HERE, STAFF HAS REVIEWED. AND IT IS BASICALLY PUTTING HVAC UNITS FOR FOR RENOVATION IN THE ALLEYWAY.
>> THANK YOU. DOES COUNSEL HAVE ANY QUESTION MR. MORE
[00:35:09]
JOHNSON PRIOR TO PUBLIC COMMENT? >> IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM T IF SO, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FORKED RECORD. SEEING NO ONE,
I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. >> COUNCIL, IF YOU HAVE A QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, I'LL TAKE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> SO MOVED. >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HURT AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CRAVER A
>> COUNCILMEMBER HURT? >> YES.
[19. Ordinance (Final Reading) Z-2022-04: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on a request from Roberto Valez to change zoning from General Commercial (GC) to a Neighborhood Retail (NR) District on approximately.32 acres of nowvacant land located within the 3200 block of South 2nd street (north side) approximately 200 feet east from the intersection of S. Willis St. and S. 2nd Street. (Tim Littlejohn)]
>> MOTION CARRIES. >> AND I MOVE TO GO TO NUMBER 19, AND I INVITE TIM LITTLEJOHN DIRECTOR TO PRESENT THIS ITEM.
GOOD MORNING MAYOR AND COUNCIL, UP FOR SRGS IS ITEM NUMBER 2021-04 IT'S A REQUEST FOR ROBERT VEILS TO A ZONE CHANGE FROM GC TO NEIGHBORHOOD RETAIL. HERE'S THE LOCATION MAP OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY HERE'S A ZONING MAP HERE'S THE PERMIT IT HAD USES IN GC AND THE USES IN NEIGHBORHOOD RETAIL. AND THE PURPOSE OF THE REQUEST FROM THE APPLICANT IS HE'S WANTING TO BUILD A DUPLEX IN THE AREA. HERE ARE THE PHOTOS OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY. THE AREA MOB, THREE IN FAVOR, ZERO OPPOSED.
THE STAFF FINDS IT'S CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND FUTURE LAND USE DEVELOPMENT MAP. P AND Z RECOMMENDED APPROVAL AND STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL ON THIS REQUEST.
>> THANK YOU, MR. LITTLEJOHN, ANY QUESTIONS PRIOR TO PUBLIC
HEARING TO COUNCIL? >> THIS COMES TO THE COUNCIL ON THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION. 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 FORTH AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED.
>> DOES COUNCIL HAVE QUESTIONS AND OR COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM IF NOT I'LL ACCEPT A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> SO MOVED. >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL
MEMBER MCALISTER, >> AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL
MEMBER. WE'RE READY TO VOTE. >> .
(VOTE TAKEN) >> MOTION CARRIES.
[20. Ordinance (Final Reading) Z-2022-05: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on a request from JGN Properties LLC to change zoning from Heavy Industrial (HI) to a Heavy Commercial (HC) District within the 2600-2700 blocks of South Treadaway Boulevard (east side) and the 2700 block of Palm Street (west side) located at 2641 thru 2765 S. Treadaway Blvd and 2718 Palm Street. (Tim Littlejohn)]
>> NOW TO NUMBER 20 AND INVITE IT MR. LITTLEJOHN TO PRESENT
THIS ITEM. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. UP FOR CONSIDERATION IS 2021-05, THE APPLICANT IS WISHING TO REQUEST REZONE FROM HEAVY INDUSTRIAL TO HEAVY COMMERCIAL. 262700 BLOCKS OF SOUTH TREADAWAY BOULEVARD, HERE'S A LOCATION MAP. HERE'S THE ZONING MAP. HERE'S THE EXISTING USAGE LOCATED WITHIN THE CURRENT ZONING DISTRICT AND HERE'S THE USE ALLOWED WITHIN THE REQUESTED HEAVY COMMERCIAL ZONING. HERE'S SOME PHOTOS OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTIES. NOTIFICATION, 0 OPPOSED, 0 IN FAVOR. THE REQUEST FROM THE APPLICANT IS TO LOWER THE USE TO A LESS INTENSIVE DISTRICT TO MAKE IT A MORE MARKETABLE PROPERTY TO ALLOW FOR A WIDER RANGE OF USE US. THE STAFF DID A REVIEW OF THIS AND IT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE COMP PLAN AND THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP. P & Z HAS RECOMMENDED APPROVAL AND STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL THIS MORNING.
>> QUESTIONS OF TIM PRIOR TO PUBLIC HEARING.
>> WITH THAT, I'LL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF
[00:40:01]
SO, PLEASE COME FORTH AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.>> SEEING NO ONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> IF COUNCIL HAS QUESTIONS AND OR COMMENTS, I'LL ACCEPT A
MOTION AND A SECOND. >> SO MOVED.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HURT AND A SECRETARY BY COUNCILMEMBER PRICE. ANY DISCUSSION? WE'RE
(VOTE TAKEN) >> MOTION CARRIES.
[21. Ordinance (Final Reading) Z-2022-06: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on a request from FL20 Inc. (represented by Andrea and Aaron Robison) to change zoning from Agricultural Open Space (AO) to a General Commercial (GC) District at 5308 Hwy 277 South, located within the 5200-5300 blocks of Hwy 277 South (west side); approximately 900-feet northeast from the intersection of Health Center Drive and Hwy 277 South. (Tim Littlejohn)]
>> AND FOR THE LAST TIME ON THIS MORNING, I'LL INVITE TIM LITTLEJOHN TO PRESENT ITEM NUMBER 21.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. UP FOR CONSIDERATION IS 2022-06 AND ANDRIA AND AARON ROBBEN SON ARE REQUESTING TO REREQUEST HERE AS THE LOCATION MAP, THE CURRENT ZONING MAP AND THE FLOOD MAP.
AND THE CURRENT PERMITTED USES WITHIN AGRICULTURUAL OPEN SPACED ZONING. AND HERE'S THE PERMITTED USES WITHIN GC AND THE INTENT FOR THE APPLICANT IS TO REZONE THIS FRORT GC TO ALLOW FOR A RECORDING STUDIO. 0 IN FAVOR, 4 OPPOSED. P & Z RECOMMENDS APPROVAL AND STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL. HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.
>> QUESTIONS OF MR. LITTLEJOHN PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC HEARING?
>> DO YOU AND DON GREEN, IS THAT HIS TIE AND YOUR SHIRT, DO
>> THE QUESTION OF THE COUNCIL PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC HEARING?
>> THANK YOU. >> THIS COMES TO US AND THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION. SO, AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO, PLEASE COME FORTH AND
GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. >> SEEING NO ONE, I'LL CLOSE
THE PUBLIC HEARING >> COUNCIL, ABSENT OF ANY QUESTIONS AND OR COMMENTS I'LL ACCEPT A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> SO MOVED. >> I HAVE A MOTION BY
COUNCILMEMBER PRICE. >> AND A SECOND BY
COUNCILMEMBER CRAVER. >> ANY DISCUSSION?
(VOTE TAKEN) >> MOTION CARRIES.
[EXECUTIVE SESSION]
>> IT IS NOW 9:12 A.M., WE WILL RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT SECTION 551.071 TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR TORP, SECTION 551.072, TO DISCUSS REAL PROPERTY. SECTION 551.073, TO PROVIDE GIFTS AND DONATIONS.
SECTION 551.071 FOR PERSONNEL MATTERS. SECTION 551.076, CONVERSATION ABOUT SECURITY DEVICES AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT. HAVE A GREAT SES) >> RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION, NO VOTES OR ACTIONS WERE TAKEN IN OPEN SESSION. CONSIDERING THAT THERE'S NO OTHER BUSINESS, IT IS 10:02 A.M., AND
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.