[00:00:20]
WE'RE GOING TO DO THE INVOCATION AND THE PLEDGE.
>> LORD, WE NEED YOU TO SWEEP THROUGH THIS NATION AND HEAL THE LAND AND ITS INHABIT TANS. RESTORE OUR STRENGTHS, RENEW OUR MINDS, RESERVE AND RENEW OUR COMMON COURTESY.
>> YES, LORD. >> REPAIR OUR ABILITY TO LISTEN AND RECOVER THE THOUGHTS THAT THERE IS MORE THAN ONE WAY TO REACH A RESOLUTION. LIFE CONTINUES TO OFFER US GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES. HELP US APPROACH THESE MOMENTS WITH CARE, COMPASSION, OPEN HEARTS AND GENEROSITY.
PLEASE GAVE US RELIEF FROM THE HEAT AND WHILE I'M ASKING, PLEASE SEND US MOISTURE FOR OUR PARCHED LAND.
PROTECT OUR CITY WORKERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WORKING OUT IN THE HOT SUN ON OUR STREETS, LANDSCAPES, WATERWAYS.
PLACE YOUR HEALING ARMS AROUND THOSE WHO HAVE SUFFERED A RECENT LOSS. GIVE COUNCIL WISDOM TODAY TO MAKE THE BEST POSSIBLE DECISIONS TO BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING AND YOUR TIME, AMEN.
[PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PROCLAMATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS]
>>> WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME PLEDGES FROM OUR REC PROGRAM BUT THEY WENT TO CITY HALL WHERE WE SHOULD BE IN OUR JULY MEETING.
>> THAT'S OUR HOPE, SIR, YES. >> WE'LL LET THEM HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY ON NEXT MONTH BUT HAVING SAID THAT, LESLIE ANDREWS JUST SUCH A GREAT JOB AND PART OF OUR REC PROGRAM, I BELIEVE WE HAVE FIVE TWO WEEK SESSIONS IS THAT CORRECT? WE PROVIDE A LUNCH, THEY HAVE A SNACK, THEY GO TO VENTURE COVE AND WE DO THAT FOR $35. JUST A GREAT -- $85 FOR THE TWO WEEK SESSION. SO WE'LL HIGHLIGHT THAT WHEN PLEDGES COME THIS WEEK. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND
[CONSENT AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS]
THE BLESSING THAT YOU ARE TO OUR COMMUNITY.WE'LL NOW MOVE TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
CONSISTING OF ITEMS 2 THROUGH 11.
THIS WILL BE CONSIDERED WITH ONE MOTION.
THERE WILL WITH NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION UNLESS A COUNCIL MEMBER REQUESTS SEPARATE DISCUSSION.
ANYONE ON THE COUNCIL WANT TO CONSIDER ANY ITEM SEPARATELY?
>> AND ALSO NUMBER 9 HAS BEEN PULLED.
>> CORRECT. >> WE'LL NOW MOVE TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT. THERE WILL BE THREE-MINUTE LIMIT. WE WANT TO BE RESPECTFUL OF THAT
AND SO -- >> I WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE SINCE 11 IS PULLED, THERE WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON IT INDIVIDUALLY. SO ON PUBLIC COMMENT I HAVE REBECCA HENDRICKS.
>> AND IF YOU WOULD, JUST GIVE US YOUR NAME AND SHOW THAT YOU
LIVE IN ABILENE. >> NOT A PROBLEM.
I LIVE IN ABILENE. FROM WHAT HAPPENED I UNDERSTAND, THERE HAS BEEN A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER THAT HAS AGREED TO MEET WITH A GROUP OF US TO DISCUSS POLICY FOR THE LIBRARY SO AT THIS TIME, I WILL HOLD MY COMMENTS SINCE WE ACTUALLY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO OBTAIN A MEETING AFTER HEARING.
>> FOR THE CAMERA. IT DOES NOTAMPLIFY THE ROOM.
[00:05:09]
I JUST BECAME AWARE OF THE BOOK ISSUE LAST NIGHT AND THEY ASKED ME TO SPEAK A LITTLE BIT ON IT. I TEACH A CLASS AUDIO] IT ALL BEGAN WITH JUST BEING EXPOSED TO PLAYBOY MAGAZINE AT THE AGE OF 10. MOST OF THE MEN THAT COME TO MY CLASS HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO PORNOGRAPHY BETWEEN 8 AND 10 YEARS OLD. I REALLY -- THIS ISSUE -- I CAN'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS ISSUE IS EVEN BEING DISCUSSED.
CHILDREN ARE EXPOSED TO STUFF LIKE THIS IN WAYS THAT THEY HAVE NO WAYS OF DEFENDING THEMSELVES AND UNDERSTANDING WHAT IS GOING ON. PORNOGRAPHY IS -- I APOLOGIZE.
IT'S ABOUT HOW THEY LEARN TO MEDICATE THE PAIN THAT THEY'RE STRUGGLING WITH WHETHER IT'S PEER PRESSURE, REJECTION, THERE'S MANY DIFFERENT ISSUES THAT CAUSE THE PAIN IN OUR LIVES AND AT THAT AGE WHEN WE FIND SOMETHING THAT CAN REMOVE THAT PAIN, IT'S VERY EASILY, ESPECIALLY WITH PORNOGRAPHY, TO USE THAT AS A CRUTCH TO GET RID OF THAT PAIN.
THE FIRST THREE OR FOUR TIMES THAT THEY LOOK AT IT IS AN ISSUE OF IS THIS RIGHT OR WRONG. BUT WHAT IT DOES TO OUR BRAIN AFTER JUST A FEW TIMES THAT THEY DON'T HAVE CONTROL OVER IT JUST WHEN THINGS GO BAD THEY AUTOMATICALLY GO BACK TO WHAT THEY KNOW TO REMOVE THE PAIN. DOCTORS HAVE PROVEN THAT PORNOGRAPHY WITH BRAIN SCANS THAT THE PORNOGRAPHY AFFECTS YOUR BRAIN THE SAME WAY THAT COCAINE DOES.
IT -- THERE'S ELECTRICAL UM PULSES IN YOUR BRAIN AND WHEN YOU PUT OUT THAT IMPULSE LOOKING AT PORNOGRAPHY REPEATEDLY, IT CREATES A RUT THAT'S KIND OF LIKE I DON'T KNOW IF Y'ALL DRIVE THE PICKUP TRUCK THROUGH THE PASTURE BUT IF YOU GOT BIG RUTS THERE AND YOU TRY TO GET OUT OF THAT RUT IT'S DIFFICULT.
THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS IN OUR BRAIN WHEN WE CREATE A PATH OF PORNOGRAPHY. IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO GET OUT OF THAT RUT AND BREAK THAT HABIT.
AND I JUST THINK IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT WE WOULD PUT A BOOK IN A LIBRARY AVAILABLE FOR CHILDREN THAT WOULD CAUSE
>> IT WAS A LOT WORSE THAN THE FIRST PLAYBOY MAGAZINE THAT I
YOUR THREE MINUTES IS UP. >> THANK YOU.
>> I JUST THINK AS ADULTS AND PARENTS IT'S THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT OUR KIDS AND NOT LET THEM BE EXPOSED
TO STUFF LIKE THIS. >> THANK YOU, SIR.
>> AND THAT'S WHAT I HAVE TO SAY.
>> I UNDERSTAND THERE'S A MEETING TOMORROW AND I'LL SAVE MY COMMENTS FOR THAT MEETING. THANK YOU.
>> GAIL HUMPHRY. >> I HAVE THE DISTINCT OR THE DUBIOUS HONOR OF HAVING THE ONLY HOUSE BETWEEN AUDIO] THAT ACTUALLY HAS A SOUTH 14TH STREET ADDRESS.
I FACE SOUTH 14TH STREET. THAT'S SOMEWHAT LIKE HAVING YOUR HOUSE ON I AM VERY MUCH IN FAVOR OF THE PROSAL TO PUT THE SIDEWALKS -- THE ONLY QUESTION I HAVE AND I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET A FIRM ANSWER ON THIS, I'M FOR THE SIDEWALKS.
I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHICH SIDE OF SOUTH 14TH WILL THOSE
[00:10:01]
SIDEWALKS BE PLACED. I HAVE CALLED AND GOTTEN SOME DIFFERENT ANSWERS ON THAT. I KNOW TEXDOT HAS APPARENTLY TAKEN OVER THAT IN SOME WAY SCARES ME BUT I AM VERY MUCH IN FAVOR OF THE SIDEWALKS AND I HOPE THAT IS APPROVED AND I WANT TO CONGRATULATE WHOEVER IN THE CITY CAME UP WITH THAT TO DO THAT. THAT IS DESPERATELY DESPERATELY NEEDED ALONG SOUTH 14TH. THANK YOU.>>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS DOROTHY CLAY.
I LIVE IN ABILENE, TEXAS. TODAY I WANT TO SHARE MY CONCERN ABOUT OUR CHILDREN AND OUR CHILDREN BEING SEXUALIZED.
AS ADULTS, WE HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PROTECTING THESE INNOCENT AND IMPRESSIONABLE CHILDREN.
AS A COMMUNITY, WE SHOULD NEVER ALLOW THEM TO BE EXPOSED TO ANY INAPPROPRIATE MATERIAL WHETHER IT'S IN THE PUBLIC LIBRARY, THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THE INTERNET, OR ANYWHERE ELSE.
WE MUST PROTECT OUR CHILDREN. IT IS OUR DUTY AND RESPONSIBILITY AT ALL COSTS TO DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO PROTECT THESE INNOCENT CHILDREN AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE NOT EXPOSED TO ANY SEXUAL IMPLICIT MATERIAL WHATSOEVER.
RECENTLY A PART SHOWED ME A BOOK IN THE LIBRARY I'M NOT TRYING TO PUT DOWN THE LIBRARY. I LOVE THE LIBRARY.
BUT THEY FOUND THIS BOOK WITH SEXUAL EXPLICIT PICTURES JUST LYING OUT FOR THE PUBLIC AND WHEN I SAW IT, I WAS SHOCKED.
I WAS EMBARRASSED. I CAN UNDERSTAND THE OUTRAGE.
IT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT THE INNOCENCE OF THEIR CHILDREN. THEY ARE TO ENSURE THAT THE CHILDREN ARE NOT EXPOSED TO THIS KIND OF MATERIAL IN OUR LIBRARY.
THEY BELIEVE THERE MUST BE A WAY TO ESTABLISH A SYSTEM THAT WILL ENSURE CHILDREN WILL BE PROTECTED AND NOT HAVE THESE ENCOUNTERS. THESE EXPULSIONS COULD HAVE FEAR CONSEQUENCES DOWN THE LINE SUCH AS SEXUAL ADDICTIONS, ANXIETY, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, AND UNHEALTHY SEXUAL BEHAVIORS, DECREASED ACADEMIC PERFORMANCES, AND EVEN WORSE.
SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE IMMEDIATELY TO PROTECT THEIR CHILDREN.
NOT ONLY THEIR CHILDREN BUT ALL THE CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THEY WANT TO CONTINUE TAKING THEIR CHILDREN TO THE LIBRARY BUT THEY WANT THEM TO BE SAFE AND NOT HAVE THEIR INNOCENCE TAKEN AWAY. WE MUST DO EVERYTHING TO PROTECT THE MINDS OF OUR CHILDREN. NONE OF THEM SHOULD HAVE POISONOUS SEEDS IMPLANTED IN THEIR MIND NOT ONE OF THEM.
AND WE SHOULD ALL BE OUTRAGED. EVEN TO THINK THAT THESE INNOCENT CHILDREN ARE BEING EXPOSED TO MATERIAL THAT THEY SHOULD NOT BE EXPOSED TO AND IT'S NOT HEALTHY FOR THEM.
THIS SHOULD DRIVE US TO WORK TOGETHER TO FIND A SOLUTION TO THIS DILEMMA. PARENTS THAT I TALK TO, THEY'RE THANKFUL FOR OUR LIBRARY BUT FEEL THAT THIS ISSUE MUST AND CAN BE RECTIFY FIRST DEGREE WE JOIN FORCES TOGETHER TO FIND A SOLUTION THAT WORKS BEST FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
>> THANK YOU, MS. CLAY. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS CRITICAL MATTER.
[00:15:04]
>>> YOU KNOW, WE'RE FIXING TO SPEND SOME MONEY ON SOME SIDEWALKS.
I HAD TO THINK OF THAT LONG AND HARD ABOUT WHY DO WE NEED SIDEWALKS ON A FIVE-LANE MAJOR THOROUGHFARE AND I'LL GO DOWN 14TH QUITE A BIT. I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYBODY WALKING ON THE EDGES. IT'S KIND OF LIKE THE SIDEWALK THAT STARTS AT COTTONWOOD AND GOES OVER TO JUDGE EALY BY AMBER. YOU THINK WHEN DID THEY PUT THAT IN? YOU KNOW WHEN WE WERE FIRST MARRIED ABOUT A YEAR INTO IT WE LIVE DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM PIZZA HUT. NOT ONCE DID WE GO OUT IN OUR FRONT YARD THERE AND SAY BOY IF WE HAD A SIDEWALK WE COULD WALK DOWN TO THE PARK. YOU KNOW, THIS IS EXACTLY THE REASON THAT THEY ALWAYS PEOPLE USED TO SAY GOVERNMENT WASTE.
YOU KNOW. THEY SAY THE CITY IS GOING TO KICK IN 20% OF THIS BUT YET I HAVEN'T HEARD ANY DISCUSSION UNTIL THE GENTLEMAN OUT HERE SAID ABOUT HIS HOUSE ON #TH STREET. YOU KNOW.
IF WE WANT TO USE SOME MONEY, NORTH 1TH, IT'S TWO LANES WIDE.
YOU PUT A SIDEWALK BETWEEN MARTINEZ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND JOHNSON, YES, I SAID JOHNSON, AND FOR PEOPLE THAT'S NEVER BEEN ON THE NORTH SIDE THAT'S MERCHANT STREET, THAT'S THE GUY WHO FOUNDED ABILENE AND 12TH YOU.
THAT WOULD HELP THE KIDS TREMENDOUSLY.
EVEN IF IT WAS A 30-INCH WIDE SIDEWALK.
IT WOULD HELP THEM. BUT REMEMBER THAT'S ON THE NORTH SIDE. YOU KNOW.
I HAD TO THINK THIS OLD BRAIN I REALIZED WHAT ARE THE STREETS AROUND THIS NEIGHBORHOOD THAT THIS SIDEWALK IS GOING IN? WELL, THERE'S TANGLEWOOD, ELMWOOD, LEGGET, THAT'S WHAT THE OLD-TIMERS CALL RICH OLD ABILENE AND THEN IT DAWNED ON ME THIS IS PROBABLY A PET PROJECT FOR SOMEBODY AND THEY FINALLY GOT IT SENT TO THEM AND THEY SAID WELL WE'RE GOING TO SPEND THAT STATE MONEY ON THIS POET PROJECT INSTEAD OF HELPING SOME ELEMENTARY SKIDS. AND FOR THE LAST THING, YOU KNOW, COUNCIL MEMBERS, REMIND THE PUBLIC HERE HOW MUCH MONEY DID WE SPEND ON POLICE SURVEILLANCE VIDEO EQUIPMENT FOR TAHOES AND BODY CAMS AND WE'VE HAD TWO INCIDENTS THIS WEEK INVOLVING POLICE WHERE PEOPLE WERE KILLED.
I SURE HOPE WE SEE THOSE VIDEOS TO PROVE OUT WHAT WE SPENT THAT MONEY FOR. AND THE LAST THICK THIS TURNOUT IN -- THING, THIS TURNOUT IS ABOUT BOOKS.
IT'S NOT ABOUT BOOKS AND BABIES. I THINK PEOPLE WILL SHOW UP AND CAMPAIGN ABOUT GOVERNMENT SPENDING.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH THIS MORNING, COUNCIL.
SO SEEING NO ONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD AND WE'LL GO BACK TO THE CONSENT AGENDA. AND WE'LL ALL TAKE A MOTION FOR ITEMS 2 THROUGH NUMBER 11 PULLING ITEM 9 AND PULLING 11 FOR COMMENT.
SO WE HAVE A MOTOR VEHICLES ON THOSE ITEMS. IS THERE A SECOND? WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY COMMENT?
>> NUMBER 11. >> MAYOR, I KNOW WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE AND REEFED A LOT OF EMAILS AND I KNOW THIS IS A TOPIC AND SINCE THERE ARE TWO READINGS ON THIS, I WANTED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE MAYBE THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE JULY 14TH, THAT WILL BE THE FINAL READING OF THIS SO TODAY I WANT TO CLARIFY THAT WHAT WE DO IS WE WON'T TAKE ANY ACTION EXCEPT TO SEND THAT ON TO JULY 14TH AND THAT'S WHEN WE'LL DO THE MAJORITY OF OUR DEBATE, QUESTIONS, THINGS LIKE THAT BUT I WANTED TO ALLOW PEOPLE WHO MAYBE COULD NOT BE HERE ON JULY 14TH TO COMMENT OR ANYONE ELSE WHO HAD COMMENTS ALSO.
[00:20:01]
I JUST WANTED TO ASK STANLEY JUST A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS SINCE THIS IS CONDITIONAL USE WE CAN LIMIT RESTRICTIONS, FENCINGTHINGS LIKE THAT? >> THAT'S CORRECT
>> PUBLIC HEARING AT THE COUNCIL LEVEL.
SO TODAY IF IT'S PASSED SUCCESSFULLY TO THE MEETING ON THE 14TH OF JULY, IT'S NOT FINALIZED TODAY.
THE 14TH OF JULY, IT WILL BE FINALIZED SO THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE HERE I ENCOURAGE YOU TO MAKE ANY COMMENTS OR FEEDBACK THAT YOU WANT TO. YOU'LL HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY AND YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO DO SO.
DOES ANY COUNCIL MEMBER HAVE COMMENTS PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC
HEARING IN. >> I HAD A COUPLE OF SUGGESTIONS THAT I WANTED TO VISIT WITH CONCERNING --
>> NOW OR AFTER? >> I MEAN YOU TELL ME.
WHEN DO YOU THINK IT WILL BE BEST?
>> IT'S UP TO YOU. >> SO AND I APPRECIATE THIS BEING PULLED BECAUSE I WANTED TO VISIT WITH THIS.
YOU KNOW, THE MAIN CONCERN THAT WE HAVE GOTTEN IS OVER TRAFFIC.
I MEAN, THAT IS HANDS DOWN. THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER THINGS BUT THAT'S THE MAIN THING AND I WOULD LIKE TO MAYBE VISIT WITH THE PLANNER, THE ORGANIZER, IF NOTHING ELSE TO LOOK AT MOVING THE MAIN ENTRANCE FURTHER TO THE SOUTH.
IF YOU MOVE THAT MAIN ENTRANCE BECAUSE THIS IS LOOKING AT IT FROM THE MAP HERE, THAT ENTRANCE IS KIND OF FAR DOWN -- OKAY. SO I GUESS THEY'RE NOT IMPACTING THAT SECOND ENTRANCE TO LEGACY UP THERE AND EVEN FURTHER NORTH IF THE ENTRANCE WERE AS FAR SOUTH AS POSSIBLE THEN THE MAJOR TRAFFIC IS GOING TO BE DOWN THAT WAY AND NOT BE A CONCERN FURTHER TO THE NORTH.
AND I THINK THAT -- I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SEE IF THAT'S POSSIBLE TO MAYBE COME TO SOME KIND OF COMPROMISE.
DONNA MENTIONED THAT THIS MORNING.
TO ALLOW THE TRAFFIC TO BE MORE FOCUSED AS OPPOSED TO SORTING TRAFFIC OUT CLOSER TO BOTH ENTRANCES OF LEGACY.
THAT'S JUST WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO PUT OUT THERE.
>> SO WE'RE CLEAR. OUR ROAD AT THIS LEVEL IS A LOOK AT WHAT'S BEFORE US TODAY AND THEN MAKE DECISION DO WE AGREE OR DON'T AGREE BASED ON STATE STATUTE AND BASED ON OUR OWN ORDINANCE BEFORE US. WE CAN ALWAYS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS BUT WE'RE NOT NEGOTIATING AT THIS LEVEL TO BE SURE THAT WE ARE WHERE WE NEED TO BE.
HOWEVER, WE WOULD LOVE INPUT AND CONSIDERATION.
AT THE END OF THE DAY WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO
VOTE YAY OR NAY. >> THE ONLY THING I WOULD ADD AND YOU'RE CORRECT SINCE THIS IS A CONDITIONAL USE I THINK COUNCIL HAS A LITTLE BIT MORE FREEDOM TO DICTATE SOME OF THE CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT I DON'T SAY.
AND AS LONG AS -- USE. AND AS LONG AS IT MET TRAFFIC AND ENGINEERING STANDARDS ONE CONDITION COULD BE TO PUSH THE ENTRANCE FURTHER SOUTH TO THE POINT WHERE IT STILL MET ALL THE CONDITIONS AND WE COULD CERTAINLY LOOK AT THAT AND HAVE THAT BE THE REQUIREMENT IF COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT.
>> AND WHILE YOU'RE THERE PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT ZONING VERSUS CONDITIONAL USE.
>> SURE. SO STRAIGHT ZONING IS JUST SOMETHING THAT THERE'S ZONING TO USE PROPERTY FOR THAT PURPOSE OR NOT. CONDITIONAL USE IS SIMILAR TO THAT ALLOWS THAT PARTICULAR USE BUT BECAUSE THE DENSITY, BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL INCOMPATIBILITY WITH SURROUNDING -- IT COULD BE HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS. LANDSCAPING RUSHLIGHTS.
IT COULD BE ENTRANCES AND EH ARE OPPORTUNITIES THAT YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO.
THE CONDITIONAL USE GIVES A LITTLE FOR FREEDOM TO --
>> BEFORE US CONSIDERATION -- THE PNZ APPROVED.
ANY SORT OF MODIFICATION WOULD BE DIFFICULT FROM THAT COMING FROM US. ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL?
>> I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR MR. HANNAH.
ONE IN READING THE AGENDA MEMO, IT LOOKS LIKE PNZ RECOMMENDED 5-2 TO PUT RESTRICTIONS ON THIS PROPERTY WITH DWELLINGS ADJACENT TO -- RESTRICTED TO TWO STORIES. HOW THEY BUFFER ON THE NORTHERN
[00:25:06]
BUFFER LINE ON THE SEVEN FOOT FENCE.THAT'S THE RECOMMENDATION OF PNZ?
>> YES. THAT IS THE RECOMMENDATION OF
PNZ. >> WITH REGARD TO THE NOW OPPOSITION WE HAVE HERE FOR TODAY, ARE WE STILL AT THE SUPERMAJORITY LEVEL SINCE WE PULLED IT?
>> BUT TO THAT POINT, WHEN IT DOES COME TO COUNCIL ON THE 14TH FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC, IT REQUIRES A SUPERMAJORITY BECAUSE THERE'S -- WITHIN THAT 200 FOOT NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT THAT'S REQUIRED BY STATUTE MORE THAN 20% HAVE SAID PLEASE DON'T DO THIS SO IT PUSHES IT TO A SUPERMAJORITY LEVEL WHICH REQUIRES SIX AFFIRMATIVE VOTES AND THE
COUNCIL TO PASS. >> SO TODAY IT GOES ON BUTTON 14TH IT HAS TO BE THAT SIX-1 VOTE OR 6-0 VOTE.
ANYONE HERE FOR PUBLIC HEARING? SO AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO, PLEASE GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD AND THE CITY THAT YOU
LIVE IN. >> I HAVE SOME CARDS.
WE'LL START WITH THESE. ALLISON COWALING.
GOOD SEASON SINCE 2018 A PLANNING AND ZONING OR CITY COUNCIL OR WHOEVER IS IN CHARGE SAID THIS IS NOT AN APPROPRIATE USE FOR THIS PROPERTY. THERE IS A REASON FOR IT.
50I78 NOT SURE WHY THE CITY IS TRYING TO CHANGE THAT AT THIS POINT. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT ONE OF THE REASONS OF ONE OF THE TENETS OF CONDITIONAL USE PER MET WHICH IS INTERESTING ASKED FOR HERE IS IF THERE IS AN UNNECESSARY HARDSHIP ON THE PERSON REQUESTING THE PERMIT.
FOR INSTANCE, THERE IS NOT ANOTHER PIECE OF LAND IN THE CITY OF ABILENE THAT WOULD ACCOMPLISH THIS SAME PURPOSE.
THIS IS NOT THE CASE HERE. THE INCONVENIENCE THAT THIS COMPANY IS OUT OF POCKET BECAUSE THIS IS THE LAND THEY OWN AND THIS IS WHERE THEY FEEL LIKE COULD BUILD THIS. MOVING ON.
IT ALSO NEEDS TO BE CONDITION SOYS PRESIDENT WITH THE INTENT OF THE ORDINANCE. A CITY, PLANNING AND ZONING COMMITTEE IS TASKED WITH CREATING A NATURAL PROGRESSION IN THE CITY. IN THIS CASE, IT MAKES SENSE GOING FROM EAST TO WEST AS FAR AS ZONING.
IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE GOING FROM WEST TO EAST.
WE ARE MOVING FROM RS 1 WHICH IS RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY TO MULTIFAMILY AND NOT ONLY MULTIFAMILY BUT CLOSE TO THE MAXIMUM ALLOWED UNITS IN A MULTIFAMILY COMPLEX.
THERE'S NO REASON THAT THE CITY SHOULD ALLOW THIS COMPANY TO COME IN AND CREATE SUCH A DISRUPTION IN THE NATURAL PROGRESSION OF THE CITY. TRAFFIC I'M GOING TO LET SOMEBODY ELSE TOUCH ON THAT BECAUSE TRAFFIC IS DEFINITELY AN ISSUE. THE ONLY THING I WILL SAY ABOUT TRAFFIC IS THAT THEY KEEP SAYING IT WILL BE A PROBLEM ON MEMORIAL AND ANTLY. THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE ENTIRE REST OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD. FOR INSTANCE, IF I WERE TO DRIVE FROM THAT APARTMENT COMPLEX TO THE MALL TODAY I WOULD BACKTRACK THROUGH PEPPER MILL, INS BROOKE, WHICH I AMNY ROCK THROUGH THAT WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD. THIS WILL INCREASE TRAFFIC IN THE WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD MAKING IT UNSAFE.
THERE IS NO REASON WHY THE CITY SHOULD ALLOW THIS MULTIFAMILY UNIT. IT IS UNSAFE FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, DOES NOT MEET THE NATURAL PROGRESSION, AND JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. THANK YOU.
[00:30:27]
>> THANK YOU. I HAVE EMAILED YOU.
I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD HAVE.
I'M JUST CONCERNED THAT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD TRULY HAS NOT BEEN LOOKED AT.
A BLOCK AND A HALF AWAY. OUR NEIGHBORHOOD THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS OF PLANNING AND ZONING HAS BEEN REPRESENTED AS ONLY PATIO HOMES BUT 64% OF THE HOMES IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD SHOULD BE LISTED AS RS 6. THEY ARE FAR ABOVE THE CRITERIA FOR AN RS 6 INSTEAD OF A POT OWE HOME DEVELOPMENT.
SURROUNDING AREA TO THE COMMUNITY THEN IT NEEDS TO MATCH THE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN OF THE COMMUNITY AS WELL.
WE DO HAVE PRECEDENCE OR ABILENE SENIOR VILLAGE WHICH WAS BUILT AS A ONE STORY IN THE AREA WITH THIS SAME TYPE OF ROOF PITCH AS THE NEIGHBORING HOUSES TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND I INCLUDED IF THEY CAN PASS THAT OUT TO YOU YOU HAVE A PACKET. IN THE PACKET THAT YOU RECEIVE FOR TODAY'S MEETING, YOU DID NOT HAVE ALL THE OPPOSITION THAT I FELT YOU NEEDED TO SEE SO I INCLUDE THERE HAD ARE 54 OPPOSING HOUSEHOLDS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD THAT IS 93%.
I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO CONSIDER.
I WON'T GET TOO EMOTIONAL BUT I WILL SAY AND I INCLUDED A LITTLE BIT OF IT, I JUST SPENT AND SAVED UP TO MOVE AWAY FROM ANOTHER THE PROPERTY AT HERITAGE PARK. WHEN I LIVED IN HERITAGE PARK, I COULD NOT EVEN LEAVE THE REMOTE TO MY CAR -- MY HOME IN MY CAR BECAUSE THE CHILDREN FROM THE APARTMENT COMPLEX WE CAUGHT THEM MANY TIMES WITH OUR CAMERAS WOULD COME OVER AND CAUSE VANDALISM AND THEY STOLE REMOTES.
AS A CRIME VICTIM THAT WAS VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME.
BECAUSE I ALWAYS AM SCARED THAT PERSON IS ALWAYS OUT THERE SO IT'S NOT JUST WE ARE -- WE ARE NOT OPPOSED TO PROPERTY OR APARTMENTS. WE'RE OPPOSED TO IF YOU LOOK AT THE PICTURES WE SENT HOW THEY TAKE CARE OF THE PROPERTIES THAT THEY HAVE AND THAT DOES NOT FIT THIS SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD WHICH IS THE REASON FOR A CUP. AGAIN, THANK YOU.
I KNOW YOU'RE GETTING EMAILS AND WE APPRECIATE THE TIME TO SPEAK WITH YOU.
>> I KNOW THAT THE AIRMAN HAS STANDING ORDERS AND THAT LIMITS HIS ABILITY BUT IF YOU LIMIT COUNCIL ANYTHING YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH A POWERPOINT PRESENTATION WILL GO TO ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS. YOU DON'T HAVE TO ENTER
INDIVIDUAL ADDRESSES. >> THANK YOU.
>> WE DON'T WANT YOU TO GET IN TROUBLE WITH THE HEAD MOUNT TEE.
>> YOU DON'T WANT TO SPEAK BUT YOU'RE IN OPPOSITION OF THE
APARTMENTS, IS THAT CORRECT? >> THAT'S CORRECT.
>> LINDA GROG AS NOT WISH TO SPEAK BUT IS IN SUPPORT OF NO APARTMENTS I BELIEVE SHE'S IN OPPOSITION OF THE APARTMENTS.
I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME TO YOU THIS MORNING.
I LIVE ON LEGACY DRIVE ON THE CORNER OF LEGACY DRIVE AND MEMORIAL DRIVE WHICH IS ACROSS THE STREET AND RIGHT NEXT TO THE PROPOSED 15-ACRE MULTIFAMILY APARTMENTS AND I WISH TO EXPRESS MY OPPOSITION TO THE ZONING CHANGE REQUEST.
I'VE LIVED HERE FOR OVER 40 YEARS AND I MOVED BACK JUST TEN MONTHS AGO AND PURCHASED MY FOREVER HOME.
HOWEVER, HAD I KNOWN A MONTH LATER THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY OF AN APARTMENT COMPLEX BEING BUILT RIGHT NEXT TO ME OR ACROSS THE STREET FROM ME, I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED MY HOME. WHAT ATTRACTED ME TO THIS AREA WAS THE NICE, CLEAN, QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD WITH MAN CURED YARDS, LOW TRAFFIC, LACK OF LITTER, LACK OF TRASH, FEELING SAFE, SECURE, THE OVERSIGHT OF AN HOA OF WHICH WE PAY DUES.
[00:35:04]
WHILE I AM NOT OPPOSED TO GROWTH AT ALL, I HAVE MANY CONCERNS ABOUT BUILDING A MULTIFAMILY APARTMENT COMPLEX NEXT DOOR FROM ME AND MY LEGACY NEIGHBORHOOD. THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS THAT I WON'T GO INTO TODAY BUT I AM ONE OF THE PERSONS WHO DROVE AROUND AND TOOK ALMOST 70 PICTURES OF THE APARTMENT COMPLEXES THAT WIDE NOR OWNS. I KNOW THOSE WERE SENT TO YOU.I ALSO TYPED COMMENTS ON THERE. SOME ARE REDUNDANT BUT IT JUST NEEDS TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THERE ARE ISSUES IN THESE APARTMENTS THAT THEY OWN. SO I WON'T GO INTO DETAILS BUT I HOPE Y'ALL HAVE A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THOSE.
APARTMENTS ARE NOT COMPATIBLE HOUSING FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND DO NOT FIT INTO THE UNIFORMITY OF OUR EXISTING NEIGHBORHOODS. ALL OF WHICH HAVE HOAS.
WE ALL KNOW THAT APARTMENT STAFF ARE NOT ABLE TO OVERSEE OR POLICE ALL THAT GOES ON 24 HOURS A DAY IN A MULTIFAMILY APARTMENT COMPLEX. THE APARTMENT COMPLEXES BEGIN TO DETERIORATE QUICKLY. IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME.
JUST DRIVE AROUND ABILENE AS WE HAVE AND TAKE A LOOK.
AGAIN, IF YOU'LL REFER TO THE PICTURES, I WON'T GO INTO DETAILS. WHILE WE'RE NOT OPPOSED TO GROWTH, PROGRESS OR CHANGE AND IF THIS --
[00:40:29]
>>> I HAVE NO MORE CARDS. IF ANYONE ELSE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM.
>> GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD AND YOUR LOCALE.
>> YES, SIR. I NAME IS PAT CUNNING HAM, 2325 LYNN BROOKE. I'VE BEEN A REALTOR FOR OVER 0 YEARS AND I CAN ADDRESS PROPERTY VALUES THE MINUTE THEY BREAK GROUND WILL STARLIT DROPPING AND I WOULD ALSO PREDICT THAT OLD LEGACY DRIVE THERE WILL BE MULTIPLE FOR SALE SIGNS AND IT WILL AFFECT EVERYTHING IN THAT AREA AND WE ARE TALKING 400,000 TO MILLION DOLLARS HOMES THAT WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE APARTMENTS AND THESE APARTMENT PEOPLE JUST REALLY DON'T HAVE ANY PRIVATE OWNERSHIP AND SO THAT'S WHY APARTMENTS OFTEN ARE COMING UP AND NOT WELL KEPT. I CAN'T EVEN ENVISION WHAT THE TRAFFIC WILL BE ON LYNN BROOK ONCE THOSE APARTMENTS ARE BUILT.
I JUST DON'T THINK IT IS A PRUDENT MOVE FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD, THE CITY, AND FOR THAT, I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU. I DON'T HAVE A DOG IN THE FIGHT OR A HORSE IN THE RACE ON THIS BUT I'M GLAD A LOT OF PEOPLE TURNED OUT. YOU KNOW, THIS IS ALL ABOUT INCREASING THE PROPERTY TAX BASE IS WHAT IT BOILS DOWN TO.
AND I FEEL FOR THOSE RESIDENTS THAT SAID WE DON'T WANT A BIG MULTISTORY APARTMENT BUILDING IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE SOME OF THE PEOPLE STATED, WE'RE IN A REGULAR HOME. WHY ARE YOU GOING TO PUT A MULTISTORY APARTMENT BUILDING THERE AND MR. HANNON SAID IF YOU WANT TO CONTACT THE COUNCIL YOU CAN SEND AN EMAIL TO ONE SPECIFIC ADDRESS. YOU KNOW, MOST GOVERNMENT SERVERS, THEY HAVE FILTERS ON THEIR SYSTEMS. YOU CANNOT SEND ANY FILES PICTURES OR ANYTHING BECAUSE IT'S FILTERED. THEY HEAVILY FILTER IT.
THEY LOOK AT WORDAGE AND EVERYTHING SO I WOULD BE SURPRISED IF YOU COULD ACTUALLY SEND SOMETHING LIKE A PRESENTATION THROUGH EMAIL TO A CITY SERVER BECAUSE THE FEW TIMES I'VE TRIED I DON'T KNOW IF THEY EVER WENT THROUGH OR NOT BUT I THINK THAT YOU SHOULD RECONSIDER THIS.
YOU SAY YOU GOT ONE ON THE 14TH BUT IT BOILS DOWN TO YOU'RE TRYING TO GET MORE PROPERTY TAX BASE.
SURE YOU SEEN THE VIDEOS AND COMMENTS ON THE MEDIA ABOUT APARTMENTS ARE 97% I BELIEVE IS WHAT THEY SAID IS FULL.
OR WE DON'T HAVE A HOME SHORTAGE AND EVERYTHING.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE'RE GETTING ALL THIS MONEY IN THIS RECESSION WITH 8.6% ACCORDING TO THE FED IN MAY.
SO I'M DEFINITELY EVEN THOUGH I DON'T HAVE A LIKE I SAID A HORSE IN THE RACE, I'M DEFINITELY SUSPICIOUS OF WHY THEY WOULD PUT A MULTISTORY APARTMENT COMPLEX IN A NEIGHBORHOOD AND NEIGHBORS ARE SAYING IT'S GOING TO CAUSE ISSUES WITH US.
AND THAT'S ALL I REALLY HAVE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR LISTENING TO MY INPUT THIS MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING. I LIVE AT 550 LEGACY DRIVE.
A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SPECULATING THAT IF THIS IS BUILT PEOPLE WILL BE DRIVING THEY WON'T BE TAKING MEMORIAL DRIVEL TO -- DRIVE INTO TOWN. I'M A REAL PERSON.
[00:45:04]
HOW I GOT HERE TODAY WAS LYNN BROOK AND WHICH I AMNY ROCK.IT TOOK A WEEK BEFORE I FIGURED THAT ROUTE WAS QUICKER THAN MEMORIAL TO BUFFALO GAP. SO IT WILL HAPPEN.
IT IS I WANT EVIDENTABLE THAT TRAFFIC -- -- INEVITABLE.
PLANNING AND ZONING HAVE SAID THAT MEMORIAL IS A MINOR -- THANK YOU -- SO IT DIDN'T SEEM LIKE IT WAS THAT BIG OF A DEAL BUT I DON'T THINK LYNN BROOK AND CHIMNEY ROCK CAN SUPPORT THAT TRAFFIC. I'M OPPOSED.
>> SEEING NO ONE, I'LL CANCEL OUR HEARING.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS?
>> IF PEOPLE SEND US FILES DO THEY GET TO US?
>> THEY DO. THE SERVER REVIEWS THEM FOR VIRUSS AND IF THERE'S A VIRUS, NO.
BUT AS LONG AS IT'S A CLEAN FILE AND MEETS THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS.
>> I GO THROUGH AND APPROVE EVERY MESSAGE THAT GOES THROUGH THE COUNCIL FILES. YES.
THEY ALL GET TO YOU. >> ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU. >> ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO DISPEL ANOTHER MYTH. THAT'S A GOOD THING.
AND I'LL JUST MAKE A QUICK COMMENT.
A COMMENT WAS MADE ABOUT HOW CONDITIONAL USE REQUIREMENT WAS ADDED IN 2018. THAT WAS ACTUALLY A PROPERTY ON A LOW INCOME APARTMENT COMPLEX AND AT THE TIME GENERAL RETAIL ALLOWED FOR BY RIGHT MULTIFAMILY BUILDINGS.
AND MULTIFAMILY CONSTRUCTION. I THINK COUNCIL AT THE TIME SAID THAT NEEDS TO BE CONDITIONAL USE.
WE NEED TO HAVE DISCUSSION AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO PROVIDE INPUT AND SO I'M GRATEFUL THAT IS WORKING OUT AS IT WAS INTENDED WHERE WE HAVE NOT JUST SOMEONE COME IN AND GO WELL IT SAYS RETAIL BUT I'M GOING TO BUILD AN APARTMENT COMPLEX. LET'S HAVE A DISCUSSION AND SEE IF IT ACTUALLY IS APPROPRIATE.
>> ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL?
>> MOTION AND SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER MCCALLISTER. A SECOND BY MAYOR PRO-TEM HURT.
>> AGAIN, FOLKS THIS IS JUST TO MOVE IT TO IS THE SECOND READING. THE REASON WE LIKE TO DO THAT IS BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE FRAT HERE TO SPEAK TODAY AND WE WANT TO GIVE
THEM A CHSPEAK NEXT TIME >> ALTHOUGH THERE MAY NOT BE A RESPONSE ON THOSE NUMEROUS EMAILS, WE SEE THEM.
>> IT DOES NOT MEAN THEY'RE NOT BEING READ.
AND WE RECEIVE THEM. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
WE'LL NOW MOVE TO THE REGULAR AGENDA AND ASK LESLIE ANDREWS TO PRESENT THIS ITEM.
[00:54:51]
>> IN LARGE PART JUST BECAUSE OF THE TIMING.
THAT WAS THE SUBSTANTIAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO BIDS OTHER THAN PRICE. WE'VE USED BEST VALUE
[00:55:01]
INTENTIONALLY PRIMARILY BECAUSE YOU CAN HAVE A LOW BID IN THERE -- WE'VE NEVER WORKED WITH THEM BEFORE OR HAVE A TRACK RECORD. OTHER COMMUNITIES MAY HAVE HAD BAD EXPERIENCES WITH THEM AND WE DON'T HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY -- WE HAVE TO GIVE THEM A BID SO BEST VALUE GIVES US SOME OPPORTUNITY TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE DISCRETION.NOT EVERY TIME THE CHEAPEST PRICE IS THE BEST OPTION.
OFTENTIMES IT IS BUT BY AND LARGE STAFF HAS RECOMMENDED THE CHEAPEST OPTION. BUT IN THIS CASE THEY DID NOT.
BUT IF COUNCIL WANTED TO REJECT ALL BIDS WHICH YOU CAN WE WOULD THEN GO FORWARD WITH A LOW BID PROPOSAL AND BRING THOSE BACK TO
COUNCIL. >> AND JUST FOR CLARITY, REGARDLESS OF WHO THE LOW BIDDER WAS, CONCERNS ARE NOT THE
QUALITY OF WORK OR REPUTATION. >> CORRECT.
I MADE THAT COMMENT LAST MEETING.
THIS IS NOT A REFLECTION ON THE WORK QUALITY OF THE CONTRACTOR.
IT'S TRULY THE COMMUNITY THOUGHT THAT THE TIMELINE ISSUE WITH THE PROJECT .
>> I MAKE A MOTION TO MOVE THIS. >> IT WAS TABLED AT THE LAST
MEETING. >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER PRICE TO REMOVE THIS FROM THE TABLE.
IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BEARD. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?
[12. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Bontke Brothers Construction Company, Inc. for the Cedar Creek Development Trail Project (Lesli Andrews)]
MOTION CARRIES. >>> MS. ANDREWS.
LESLI ANDREWS, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY. VERY BRIEFLY THIS IS THE TIMELINE ON HOW WE GOT TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY.
THIS WAS AN ITEM APPROVED BY VOTERS IN 2015.
THIS IS 2022 BUT THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF WORK THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES. MAINLY WITH THE RAILROAD BECAUSE WE WILL BE GOING UNDER THE RAILROAD.
HERE'S JUST SOME OF THE STEPS WHERE YOU HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW HOW WE GOT TO THE POINT THAT WE ARE TODAY.
THIS WAS THE BEST VALUE BID PROCESS.
THE PRICE FACTORED A GREAT DEAL INTO THIS AS WELL AS EXPERIENCE.
THE WAY WE DO BEST VALUE IS WHEN THE BIDS COME IN, THE PEOPLE ON THE COMMITTEE ARE SELECTED AS BEING SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS.
SO IT'S NOT THE SAME PEOPLE ON THE COMMITTEE EVERY SINGLE TIME DEPENDING ON WHAT THE PROJECT IS COULD DETERMINE WHO IS GOING TO BE ON THAT COMMITTEE. EVERY COMMITTEE MEMBER IS GIVEN THE PACKAGES WITH THE GRADING SHEET.
THEY DO NOT TALK TO EACH OTHER PRIOR TO THE GRADING.
ALL THE GRADING IS SUBMITTED AND THEN THE COMMITTEE GETS TOGETHER TO DISCUSS WHAT THE OPTIONS ARE. IN THIS SITUATION EVERY COMMITTEE MEMBER GRADED IT THE SAME WHICH IS RARE.
THERE IS A PRICE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE LOW BID AND THE SECOND LOW BID. SO THEN WE GO INTO TALKING ABOUT EXPERIENCE AND REPUTATION. BOTH COMPANIES HAVE A GREAT REPUTATION WITH THE CITY. IN THIS CASE EXPERIENCE DID PLAY INTO IT BECAUSE THIS IS A MILE AND A HALF OF CONCRETE PATH OVER ROUGH TERRAIN SO LOOKING AT THE TWO COMPANIES, THE AMOUNT OF EXPERIENCE THEY HAVE DOING PROJECTS JUST LIKE THIS DID PLAY INTO THE EVALUATION PROCESS. ANOTHER BIG ONE WAS THE PROPOSED PERSONNEL THAT THEY HAD THE ABILITY TO PUT TOWARDS THE PROJECT WHICH DOES DETERMINE SOMEWHAT THE TIMELINE THAT GOES INTO IT. BECAUSE OF THE PRICE DIFFERENCE THERE WAS A LOT OF CONFERENCE ABOUT THE RECOMMENDATION BEFORE THE COMMITTEE. AGAIN, VOTING SEPARATE MRI COMING UP WITH THE GRADING SEPARATELY BUT BEING UNANIMOUS IN THEIR GRADING THE DECISION WAS MADE TO BRING FORWARD THE BEST VALUE WHICH WAS CONSTRUCTION. THE DEVELOPMENT IS WITH THE 2015 POND. IT GOES FROM EAST SOUTH 11TH TO EAST NORTH 10TH. THERE'S $829,000 REMAINING OF THE 2015 BOND ALLOCATIONS. $1.5 MILLION WILL BE NEEDED FOR THE IMPROVEMENT TO DO THE WIDTH OF THIS TRAIL FOR THIS LENGTH FOR A TOTAL OF 2 MILLION 366,000.
THERE IS A $200,000 CITY CONTINGENCY BUILT INTO THIS AMOUNT IN CASE THERE'S ANY CHANGE ORDERS OR ANY UNEXPECTED
[01:00:01]
THINGS. WE DON'T EXPECT THAT.BUT THERE IS A $200,000 BUILT INTO THIS PRICE IN CASE SOMETHING UNFORESEEN HAPPENS AND WITH THAT I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU. QUESTIONS OF MS. ANDREWS?
>> WHAT WAS THE THAN THE OTHER COMPANY? WHAT WAS THAT TIME DIFFERENCE?
>> QUESTIONS OF MS. ANDREWS? ALL RIGHT.
THIS CAME TO MIND BECAUSE I LIVE CLOSE TO AMBLER WHERE THEY HAVE DONE THE NEW SIDEWALKS THERE. WHAT'S THE TOLERANCE ALLOWED ON -- BETWEEN SECTIONS? IS THERE SECTIONS WHERE IT'S LIKE THIS AND KIND OF OFF A LITTLE BIT? I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE TOLERANCE IS OF WHAT WE DO FOR OUR BID.
BECAUSE THAT'S A TEXDOT PROJECT I'M NOT ASKING ABOUT THAT.
BUT WHEN A COMPANY DOES THE SIDEWALK FOR US LIKE SOUTH 14TH
OR HERE. >> I BELIEVE THE QUESTION YOU'RE ASKING IS IS GRADING AND WE FOLLOW ADA RECOMMENDATIONS.
>> IT'S WHERE THEY DON'T MEET. THEY'RE NOT LINED UP.
THE GROUND IS LIFTED UP OR IT'S SUN BING OVER HERE AND -- SUNK
OVER HERE. >> HEATING CAN TAKE PLACE OVER TIME BUT IF THE PROJECT IS CONSTRUCT AND COMPETE YOU SHOULD NOT SEE HEAVING SO IF THAT'S HAPPENED ON THAT SIDEWALK WE NEED TO WORK WITH SIDEWALK TO MAKE SURE THAT IS ADDRESSED BY
THE CONTRACTOR. >> I DIDN'T KNOW.
IS THERE LIKE A MEASUREMENT? MAXIMUM OR MINIMUM?
>> MICHAEL, YOU MAY WANT TO ADDRESS THAT FROM AN ENGINEERING PERSPECTIVE. THERE'S A STANDARD THEY HAVE TO FOLLOW.
THERE'S ONLY A ONE POINT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE BEST VALUE SHEET. BONKY HAS EIGHT JUSTICE HAS NINE. I THINK TIMING IS AN ISSUE.
I HAVE PEOPLE REGULARLY ASK ME SO WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO FINISH IT'S BEEN SINCE 2015 AND I KNOW THERE'S OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH US IT'S -- THAT WE'VE HAD TO WORK THROUGH BUT INTERNSHIPING THE QUICKER WE CAN GET THIS THING GOING AND PUT IT DOWN AND GET IT GOING THE BETTER.
WHETHER IT'S 30, 60, WHATEVER. I THINK THAT PEOPLE ARE EXPECTING THIS TO GET DONE SOONER THAN LATER.
THAT'S MY TWO EXCEPTS. >> COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL PRIOR
TO PUBLIC HEAR SNOWING. >> JUST ONE QUICK ONE.
CAN YOU JUST FOR THE PUBLIC IDENTIFY WHERE IT WILL START AND END SO PEOPLE WILL KNOW THE LENGTH?
>> IT'S APPROXIMATELY A MILE AND A HALF.
IT WILL START AT EAST SOUTH 11TH.
WE ALREADY HAVE A SIGN AT THAT LOCATION SO WHEN WE START -- AND IT WILL GO NORTH ALONG SEEDER CREEK.
WE CONTINUE GOING NORTH TO EAST -- REFER TO THE MUNICIPAL
CEMETERY STARTING. >> EAST SOUTH 11TH NOT THE FENCE
WHERE WE USUALLY START. >> WE WILL START AT THE FENCE.
THERE'S GOING TO BE A SMALL PARKING LOT BUILT IN RIGHT
>> THIS QUESTION IS FOR COUNCIL PRIOR TO PUBLIC HEARING.
I WILL SAY TO YOU, THIS HAS BEEN A SEVEN-YEAR CONVERSATION AND SO SOME OF THAT IN REGARD TO THE, THE RAILROAD, THE RIGHT OF WAY, AND PEOPLE ARE WAITING TO GET IT DONE.
IT'S BEEN SEVEN YEARS FOR ME. I COULD PROBABLY WAIT ABOUT A MONTH TO SAVE A LITTLE MONEY FOR THE CITY.
THAT'S JUST ME. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE WORK
YOU'VE PUT IN MS. ANDREWS. >> THANK YOU.
[01:05:02]
>> AND WITH THAT, I'LL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING.
IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO, PLEASE GIVE YOUR NAME FOR
THE RECORD. >> DAVID SCHWARTZ.
>> GOOD MORNING. ONCE AGAIN, COUNCIL DAVID SCHWARTZ. THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF CRONEYISM.
PERFECT EXAMPLE. YOU'RE HIRING OUR MAIN STREET CONTRACTOR WINK WINK WE'LL GET YOU THIS DEAL ABOUT THAT.
I'M GLAD THE OWNER CAME UP HERE FROM THE OTHER COMPANY AND COMPLAINED AND SAID WHY DID YOU NOT TAKE OUR BID.
YOU KNOW. AS CITIZENS WE EXPECT TO HAVE OUR TAX DOLLARS USED WISELY. WE DON'T EXPECT TO HAVE SOME UNDERHANDED OH WELL THEY USE OUR STREET PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY DO OUR STREETS. IF YOU FORGOT PEOPLE OUT THERE IN TV LAND, THERE WAS SOMETHING CALLED LIBRARIGATE WHICH WAS A LONG TIME AGO. THAT WAS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF CRONEYISM TOO. SOMEONE HAD A LOT THEY WERE GOING TO SELL THE CITY AND WE WERE GOING TO GET A NEW LIBRARY ON THAT LOT AND SOMEHOW THE MEDIA OR SOMEBODY GOT WIND OF IT AND IT FELL APART REAL QUICK. THE MEDIA REPORTED WITH ALL THESE EXTRA EXPENDITURES THAT 15 GOING TO HAVE TO USE SOME OUT OF THE MINOR IMPROVEMENT FUND AND HERE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A BID THAT IS NOT THE LOWEST BID BUT YET WE'RE GOING TO BORROW MONEY OUT OF MIP TO COVER THE DIFFERENCE BECAUSE WE HAD TO PAY BASICALLY OUT THE NOSE FOR THE RAILROAD BECAUSE THEY SAID WE'RE THE RAILROAD.
YOU PAY OUR PRICE OR YOU DON'T DO IT.
SO IN TEND THE TAXPAYERS ARE THE ONES THAT WILL SUFFER.
YOU KNOW. 30 DAYS UNLESS WE HAVE SOME KIND OF FALL WALKING EVENT OR SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE THIS DONE LIKE ON OCTOBER 1ST OR SOMETHING, THE VALUE FOR THE CITIZENS SHOULD ALWAYS BE TAKE THE LOWEST BID.
EVEN THOUGH THESE ARE BOTH LOCAL CONTRACTORS, THE REASONING WAS LIKE THE COMMITTEE SAID WELL THEY DO OUR STREETS.
WELL, YOU SAID THE OTHER CONTRACTOR IS DOING SEVERAL JOBS FOR YOU RIGHT NOW. I BELIEVE ONE WAS AT STEVENS PARK. ONE WAS ON THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS BUT YET YOU'RE GOING TO DENY ANOTHER COMPANY THAT BID LOW BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO PICK THE ONE THAT DOES MOST OF THE STREET RECONSTRUCTION. AS A CITIZEN AND THEY SAY IN THE MILITARY NEGATIVE, REJECT ALL THE BIDS, TAKE THE LOWEST VALUE, SAVE THE TAXPAYERS MONEY, DON'T TAKE THAT EXTRA MONEY OUT OF MIP TO COVER THIS BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO NOT TAKE THE LOWEST BID. THIS THE CRONEYISM.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO REMEMBER LIBRARIGATE OUT THERE, THIS IS JUST LIKE IT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, THIS
MORNING, COUNCIL. >> ANYONE ELSE? SEEING NO ONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> COUNCIL HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FOR STAFF?
>> I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT FOR 30 DAYS WE'RE PAYING 13% MORE
THAN $300,000. >> THAT'S $11,000 A DAY.
IS THERE A MOTION? >> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO DENY.
>> I THINK THAT THE LOWER COST IS THE BETTER VALUE FOR ME.
INSTEAD OF THE 30 DAYS. POTENTIAL 30 DAYS.
>> WE'LL HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL.
>> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER HURT. ANY FURTHER CONVERSATION?
[13. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action]
>> WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER 13.
IS THAT RIGHT? >> I'M VERY EXCITED TO BE BEFORE YOU TODAY TO PRESENT THIS ITEM. THIS IS A REQUEST FROM THE ABILENE YOUTH SPORTS AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF
[01:10:04]
AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF ABILENE TO BUILD WHAT WE CALL FLAT FIELDS OR MULTIPURPOSE FIELDS.JUST NORTH OF WHAT THEIR CURRENT BUILDING IS IN NELSON PARK.
THE REASON WE CALL THEM FLAT FIELDS OR MULTIPURPOSE FIELDS IS BECAUSE THEY CAN BE USED FOR MULTIPLE SPORTS, SOCCER, FOOTBALL, LACROSSE, SEVEN ON SEVEN OR ANY OTHER SPORT THAT NEEDS THAT TYPE OF FIELD. THIS IS NOT IN REGARD TO BASEBALL OR SOFTBALL. THIS IS REALLY MORE TOWARDS YOUR SOCCER, FOOTBALL. THAT TYPE OF FIELD.
IN 2016 WE HAD A MAESER PLAN DONE.
-- MASTER PLAN DONE AS PART OF THAT PROCESS AND AS YOU CAN SEE IN THAT MASTER PLAN THAT WAS APPROVED BY BOTH THE PARKS BOARD AND THE CITY COUNCIL AT THAT TIME, FLAT FIELDS WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE CONSIDERED IS A GOOD USE FOR THIS PARK.
THE AGREEMENT IS FOR A 40-YEAR AGREEMENT AT $1 A YEAR.
WHAT THEY ARE ASKING IS FOR THE CITY TO COMMIT $5 MILLION WHICH COULD BE CASH, INCOME SERVICES, OR A COMBINATION OF THE TWO.
IT WOULD BE THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE CITY IN HOW THAT MONEY IS USED. THEY ARE REQUESTING 12 MONTHS TO RAISE A MINIMUM OF $10 MILLION TO GO TOWARDS BUILDING THESE FIELDS. PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD DID DISCUSS THIS ON TUESDAY. THEY DID VOTE UNANIMOUSLY TO MAKE THE RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL TO ENTER INTO THIS MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT. THEY WERE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY. THEY HAVE BEEN HEARING HOW IMPORTANT THESE FIELDS ARE FOR THE CITIZENS OF ABILENE SO I'M VERY HAPPEN FOY BRING THIS BEFORE YOU AND RECOMMEND AGREEMENT INTO ENTERING INTO THIS MOA.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU. QUESTIONS OF LESLI PRIOR TO THE
PUBLIC HEARING IN. >> JUST TO CLARIFY FOR THE PUBLIC THAT THE MEMORANDUM WILL DEDICATE THE MONEY, 12 MONTHS I BELIEVE, THAT THEY HAVE TO RAISE THEIR PORTION AND CAN YOU CLARIFY IF ALL THAT WORKS OUT NOT EVERYTHING ON THERE IS GOING TO BE DONE LIKE THE BASEBALL FIELDS AREN'T GOING TO BE REDONE LIKE THAT IS SHOWING SO WHAT WOULD ACTUALLY CHANGE IF THEY RAISE THE FUNDS AND WE START WORKING WITH THEM ON THE FIELD
CONSTRUCTION? >> THE REPORT WILL COME BEFORE YOU AT A LATER DATE IF THEY ARE ABLE TO RAISE THE FUNDS IS A MORE DETAILED DRAWING TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION BUT IT'S REALLY JUST THE PORTION THAT IS THOSE TEN FLAT FIELDS AND THE INSFRAUK WHICH YOU ARE IT TAKES WATER LINES, SEWER LINES, PARKING, THINGS LIKE THAT. JUST FOR THOSE FLAT FIELDS.
IT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE BASEBALL, SOFTBALL, THE DOG PARK, THE FESTIVAL GARDENS. WE'RE REALLY JUST FOCUSING ON
THE FLAT FIELDS. >> BUT THERE'S SIGNIFICANT CHANGES REGARDING PARK SGLG THERE ARE.
AND THAT IS A MASTER PLAN. IT'S NOT A DEVELOPMENT PLAN OR CONSTRUCTION PLAN. IT IS A CONCEPT.
SO WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS WORK WITH AN ACTUAL CIVIL ENGINEERING FIRM TO DETERMINE HOW TO MAKE PARKING WORK FOR THE SITE. SO ACCOMMODATE THE NUMBER OF FLAT FIELDS WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMMODATE SO IT WILL -- THAT IS A -- THAT'S WHAT IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE BUT IT'S NOT WHAT IT'S
GOING TO LOOK LIKE. >> AND THAT'S ALL COVERED WITH
>> THE 5 MILLION FOR THE CITY AND THE 10 MILLION FOR THE PRIVATE DONORS. IT COVERS NOT JUST THE FIELDS
BUT THE PARKING. >> PARKING SOESHTHED WITH ACCESS
TO THOSE FIELDS. >> HERE'S THE FIELDS.
NOW WE GOT TO COME BACK TO HAVE MORE PARKING ASHED THE FIELDS.
-- AROUND THE FIELDS. >> COULD YOU TALK ABOUT -- I THINK IT WOULD BE NORMAL FOR PEOPLE TO HEAR THAT WE'RE GOING TO THROW UP 5 MILLION IN CASH AT THIS.
TALK ABOUT WHAT THE END TIME CONTRIBUTIONS MIGHT LOOK LIKE.
>> THEY COULD LOOK LIKE WATER OR SEWER LINES, I'VE ACTUALLIAL EARMARKED --
[01:16:28]
PUBLIC HEARING? >> I KNOW WHEN MY SON IS PLAYING SOCCER THERE WAS ALWAYS WHERE ARE WE GOING TO PACK.
WHERE CAN WE FIND A PLACE? SO HAVING EXTRA FIELDS TO PRACTICE AS WELL IS GOING TO BE HELPFUL IN THE WEEKDAYS.
>> WELL I HATE TO MAKE THIS STATEMENT ZITTING IN THE AUDIENCE BUT AYSA HAS BEEN A REAL ASSET TO THE COMMUNITY WITH WHAT THEY'VE BROUGHT OF THE PEOPLE THAT THEY'VE BROUGHT IN PLUS THE 40 -- TO HAVE A PLACE TO GO AND PLAY.
GOOD JOB. >> AND ALSO SINCE WE'RE CALLING OUT NAMES EVEN JUST A BIT BUT MR. LOPEZ IS WITH US.
MAYBE WE COULD PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR AN ECONOMIC IMPACT IN REGARD TO WHAT THIS COULD MEAN FOR THE COMMUNITY.
>> AND THAT WAS AT THE -- >> AND THAT'S KIND OF WHAT I WAS CURIOUS ABOUT. # THERE ARE RESTRICTIONS TO GET THERE. I DON'T KNOW IF WE WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVE THAT. THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY USING THE ARPA FUNDS ARE A VERY CLEAN OPPORTUNITY TO FUND THAT AND IT ALSO ALLOWS THE COMMISSION BUREAU TO LEVERAGE TAX DOLLARS TO BRING EVENTS TO HELP SUPPORT SOME OF THE COSTS ISSUED WITH THE TOURNAMENTS TO HELP OUR HOTELS PROVIDE ATTRACTIVE RATES. SO MR. LOPEZ CAN CERTAINLY PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION ON THAT AND SOME OF THE TRIGGER POINTS NECESSARY TO USE HOT FUNDS FOR ATHLETICS.
>> WHAT WE'LL DO IN PUBLIC HEARING IS ENCOURAGE ROBERT TO DO SO, PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO BE ABLE TO REALIZE OR HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPACT THIS AUDIO]. BUT BEFORE THAT ANYMORE QUESTIONS OF THE COUNCIL PRIOR TO PUBLIC HEARING?
>> IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, IS THERE ANY WAY THAT YOU CAN JUST FIGURE OUT WHAT ONE NATURAL GRASS PITCH WOULD LOOK LIKE? INSTEAD OF HAVING ALL TEN ARTIFICIAL.
JUST ONE NATURAL GRASS PICTURE? >> ANYMORE QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS?
. >> AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP THE PLEA BARGAIN LICK HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD -- PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? JUST GIVE YOUR NAME AND LOCALE
FOR THE RECORD. >> GOOD MORNING.
ROBERT LOPEZ. I'M THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE ABILENE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU AND A PROUD RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF ABILENE. PRIOR TO MY -- BECOMING A RESIDENT HERE IN ABILENE, I WAS WITH THE CDB IN MCCOWEN.
[01:20:03]
WE EMBARKED ON A SIMILAR PROJECT.TO HAVE NINE MULTIPURPOSE FIELDS.
WHAT I EXPERIENCED THEN WAS A BOOM IN YOUTH SPORTS, SPORTS TOURISM THERE. EVENTS WERE HELD THERE THAT WOULD NOT HAVE OTHERWISE CONSIDERED IF NOT FOR THOSE FIELDS. HAVING THE AMOUNT OF FIELDS IN ONE LOCATION SO IT'S NO SECRET THAT SPORTS TOURISM YOUTH SPORTS IS THE FASTEST GROWING TOURISM SEGMENT IN THE NATION BUT ALSO HERE IN ABILENE. IN LARGE PART THE EFFORTS THAT THE AYSA BUT ALSO BECAUSE OF THE FIRST CLASS FACILITIES.
IT'S SO CLICHE BUT IF YOU BUILD IT THEY WILL COME AND IT IS TRUE IN YOUTH SPORTS. TO SPEAK ON THE ECONOMIC IMPACT I WOULD SAY ROUGHLY THE ECONOMIC IMPACT THAT I EXPERIENCED WAS ABOUT $3 MILLION IN ECONOMIC IMPACT AND YOU'RE TALKING JUST TOURNAMENTS THAT BRING TEAMS FROM OUTSIDE OF THE REGION.
SO YOU'RE TALKING OUTSIDE DOLLARS COMING INTO THE ECONOMY AND SO THAT'S ALWAYS A GOOD THING BUT THERE'S ALSO THE OTHER PART OF THAT. IT SAVES LOCAL TEAMS THE COST OF HAVING TO GO TO THE DFW AREA OR TO LUBBOCK OR OTHER PLACES AND IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN THAT PLAY YOUTH SPORTS, $500 EASILY IN A WEEKEND, $1,000 EASILY IN A WEEKEND.
SO NOT ONLY DO WE GENERATE INCOME FROM VISITORS THAT COME INTO THE CITY BUT WE ALSO SAVE OUR LOCAL TEAMS AND FAMILIES MONEY. ALSO THE LOCATION IS GREAT.
RIGHT NEXT TO THE ABILENE ZOO AND I GUARANTEE YOU WHEN YOU HAVE 3,000 PEOPLE A DAY AT THAT TOURNAMENT IT WILL OVERFLOW INTO THE ABILENE ZOO INCREASING VISITATION THERE.
>>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE IN PUBLIC HEARING?
>> I'M ERA BATTEN. -- ERICA BATTEN.
I LOVE THIS IDEA OF SOCCER FIELDS, FOOTBALL FIELDS, RUGBY, WHATEVER IT IS OUT THERE. WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT, LIKE, BASEBALL FIELDS IN ABILENE YOU COULD PROBABLY LIST IN YOUR HEAD IF YOU THINK OF WHERE A KID CAN GO PLAY BASKETBALL, YOU CAN PROBABLY THINK OF SOME BUT WHEN YOU THINK OF SOCCER, IT'S LIKE OH, WHERE DO KIDS PLAY SOCCER AND IT'S HARD TO THINK OF OH YEAH THOSE ARE OUR SOCCER FIELDS AND IT WOULD BE GREAT TO HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS WHERE PEOPLE CAN HAVE SOCCER CAN HAVE ACCESS TO THIS. I HAVE SIX KIDS WHO HAVE PLAYED SOCCER FOR THE YEARS. I HAVE FOUR CURRENTLY PLAYING.
THEY PLAY ALL ON DIFFERENT TEAMS WITH DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS.
SOME PRIVATE. SOME ALL DIFFERENT PLACES SCATTERED OUT SOMETIMES IN WILEY AND THEY HAVE BEEN GRACIOUS ENOUGH TO OFFER THEIR FIELDS AND WE'VE BEEN AT, SOMETIMES ACU DID FOR A WHILE. THEY OPENED UP THEIRS.
LEE COMPLEX OPENS THEM UP. ANYWAY, WE SCATTERED OUT ALL OVER THE CITY AND IT WOULD BE I THINK IT WOULD BE FANTASTIC IDEA TO HAVE IT ALL IN ONE LOCATION WHERE PEOPLE CAN TAKE THEIR FAMILIES AND PRACTICE IN ONE PLACE AND I BELIEVE IT WILL BE GREAT TO HAVE TOURNAMENTS IN THIS TOWN.
I KNOW WE'VE GONE TO LUBBOCK, MIDLAND, DALLAS A HUNDRED MILLION TIMES I FEEL LIKE. ALL OVER THE STATE OF TEXAS AND IT WOULD BE GREAT TO HAVE SOME OF THOSE TOWNS COME HERE TO ABILENE. THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING THIS.
>> THANK YOU. >> IS THERE ANYONE ELSE?
LIGHTED. >> ONCE AGAIN, FOR THE RECORD, OKAY, WHAT HAPPENED TO LEE COMPLEX? I SAID LEE. I GUESS EVERYBODY IS OFFENDED NOW. DID WE CHANGE THE NAME OF IT? WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT? 27 YEARS AGO WHEN I WORKED AS A CONTRACTOR MY BOSS WAS SO HAPPY THAT HIS DAUGHTER WAS IN SOCCER AND EVERY WEEKEND HE TALKED ABOUT WE'RE GOING TO LEE THIS
[01:25:02]
WEEKEND. NOW SHE'S OUT THERE.YOU CAN COME BY AND WATCH HER. SO WHAT HAPPENED TO LEE COMPLEX? I DON'T KNOW. I'M NOT THAT FAMILIAR WITH IT.
IF IT'S PART OF OUR PARKS SYSTEM OR WHAT BUT THIS IS TECHNICALLY GOING TO BE A -- IN A ROUND ABOUT WAY KIND OF LIKE A PRIVATE DEAL BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH OU'RE GOING TO RENT IT TO THEM FOR A DOLLAR THAT'S A GOOD DEAL. THERE'S LOTS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ON SOCIAL MEDIA BOY I WISH I COULD LEASE FOR A DOLLAR FOR 40 YEARS. THAT'S $40.
WHAT A GREAT DEAL. BUT THE DEAL IS EVERYBODY IS TALKING ABOUT HOW GREAT THIS IS GOING TO BE AND IT PROBABLY WILL BE BUT WHAT HAPPENED TO LEE? ARE WE JUST GOING TO ABANDON IT? OH, THAT'S A GENERAL'S NAME. WE'VE GOT TO GET RID OF THAT SOCCER COMPLEX AND WE'RE GOING TO GO ON THE EAST SIDE OF TOWN.
WELL, I THINK THERE'S ROOM ENOUGH TO HAVE BOTH AREAS IF WE CLOSE LEE COMPLEX PLEASE INFORM THE PUBLIC THAT I'M IN ERROR BUT LIKE I SAID ALL I'VE EVER HEARD OVER THE YEARS AS A RESIDENT WAS LEE COMPLEX SOCCER. SO I THINK IT'S PROBABLY A GOOD DEAL BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE QUESTION THE DOLLAR A YEAR LEASE. YOU KNOW.
YOU SAY THEY'RE GOING TO RAISE CAPITAL AND I SAY DON'T RAISE IT, THE CITY DOESN'T HAVE TO MATCH IT.
BUT AGAIN, FOR ALL THE PEOPLE OUT IN TV LAND, AS FAR AS I KNOW THERE'S STILL LEE COMPLEX. IF IT'S SHUT DOWN, PLEASE CORRECT ME WHEN I GET THROUGH TALKING.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COUNCIL, THIS MORNING.
>> IN REGARD TO LEE COMPLEX THAT'S RUN BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BUT THEY STILL HAVE JUNIOR HIGH, MIDDLE SCHOOL
FOOTBALL GAMES. >> IT IS OWNED BY ABILENE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT. THEY DID RENAME LEE COMPLEX TO STAFFORD COMPLEX WHEN THEY RENAMED THE SCHOOL.
WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT WITH THEM TO MANAGE THAT.
WE MAY HAVE THEIR BOND AND WE'RE ABLE TO PUT IN THEIR FIELDS AT THE DIFFERENT MIDDLE SCHOOLS. ISD IS ACTUALLY NOT USING THE PROPERTY ANYMORE. WE DO HAVE SOLE DISCRETION OF WHAT IS BE P ABLE TO BE PLAYED OUT THERE AND WE HAVE A LOT OF SOCCER BEING PLAYED OUT THERE CURRENTLY.
BUT IT IS NOT OURS TO OWN. WE ARE NOT ABLE TO PUT ANY PERMANENT INNRA STRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS INTO THAT LOCATION
BECAUSE IT IS NOT OUR PROPERTY. >> IS YOUTH FOOTBALL ALSO PLAYED
THERE? >> SOME THERE AND THEN SOME
AT -- CURLY HAYES. >> ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU. WE'RE STILL IN PUBLIC HEARING.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE? ANYONE ELSE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM.
SEEING NO ONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
DOES COUNCIL HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
>> I WOULD SAY THIS: IF ANYBODY CAN RAISE $10 MILLION AND BRING A PROJECT TO THE CITY THAT WILL BRING THIS MUCH MONEY IN, THEN,
YEAH, WE'D LOVE TO TALK TO THEM. >> AND FOR CONSIDERATION THIS IS APPROXIMATELY A $15 MILLION PROJECT.
TWO THIRDS OF IT RAISED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
THE CITY'S COMMITTING 5 MILLION WOULD BE ARPA FUNDS.
WITH THAT, IS THERE A MOTION? >> MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER
ANY DISCUSSION? READY TO VOTE.
[EXECUTIVE SESSION]
MOTION CARRIES. >> IT IS NOW 9:59 A.M.
WE WILL MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.