[CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:09]
>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: GOOD MORNING, IT IS 8:30 A.M., AND WE'LL CALL THIS CITY OF ABILENE CITY COUNCIL MEETING TO ORDER.
WE HAVE VERY SPECIAL GUESTS AND I'LL INTRODUCE THEM IN JUST A MINUTE. BUT, FIRST, I'LL ASK COUNCILMEMBER MCALISTER FOR
INVOCATION. >> HEAVENLY FATHER WE THANK YOU FOR ANOTHER HEAVENLY DAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE BLESSING, AND, PRAY THANKS FOR ALL OF THE CITY WORKERS WHO GET UP EVERYDAY AND WORK SO HARD FOR THIS CITY, THEY'RE SO DEDICATED TO MAKING THIS SUCH A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE. LATER THIS MORNING, WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT ELECTIONS, AND GOD, I'M GRATEFUL AS I KNOW WE ALL ARE THAT EVEN THOUGH WE DISAGREE ON A LOT OF THINGS, WE STILL HAVE A VERY CIVIL DISCOURSE AND A CIVIL WAY TO CHOOSE OUR LEADERS AND WE THANK YOU FOR THAT. WE THANK YOU FOR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE TO PROTECT US AND OUR CITY WORKERS. WE THANK YOU FOR THIS GREAT CITY AND STATE THAT WE LIVE IN. BUT, MOSTLY, GOD, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SON. WE PRAY FOR GUIDANCE AND BLESSINGS THIS MORNING AS WE DO WITH A WE DO TO KEEP THIS CITY RUNNING. IN CHRIST'S NAME,
>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WE DO HAVE A SPECIAL GUEST WITH US TODAY, AND THEY'RE GOING TO LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE IN JUST A BIT. WE HAVE WITH US, FROM WARD ELEMENTARY WE HAVE IAN METCALF AND WE HAVE MASON METCALF. THEIR PARENTS ARE IN THE AUDIENCE. AND WE HAVE A BEAR WITH US, WE HAVE TAHARI CROSS WITH US. THEY WILL BE LEADING US IN THE PLEDGES THIS MORNING.
SO, WE'LL TURN 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." AND NOW,
>> "HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG: I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE."
>> DO YOU Y'ALL WANT TO COME UP HERE AND GET A PICTURE?
>> Y'ALL COME RIGHT UP HERE. >> THAT'S HOW MOST OF US.
[PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PROCLAMATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS]
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE THIS MORNING.>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WE HAVE TWO SERVICE AWARDS AND WE'LL PRESENT THOSE AFTER A SHORT VIDEO PRESENTATION.
>> HI, I'M KATHY LEVING AND I'M COMPUTER PROGRAM ANALYST FOR THE CITY OF ABILENE. OVER THE 20 YEARS, I'VE DESIGNED PROGRAMS FOR FIRE, POLICE, HR, ACCOUNTING, FINANCE, PAY ROLL, THAT THEY USE TO MAKE THEIR JOBS EASIER. WHAT I LIKE THE MOST ABOUT MY JOB ARE ALL THE ASPECTS OF PROGRAMMING. THE CREATIVITY, THE COMPLEXITY, THE ANALYZING, AND ESPECIALLY, DOING THE DATA VERIFICATION. THE WAY I GOT INTO PROGRAMMING, IS I TOOK A COMPUTER PROGRAMMING CLASS IN HIGH SCHOOL, AND IT WAS A LOVE AT FIRST BITE. THE MOST CHALLENGING IS BALANCING WORK AND LIFE. FOR EXAMPLE, DURING THE CONVERSION, I WORKED MANY HOURS, WEEKENDS, HOLIDAYS, JUST SO THAT WE COULD GET IT DONE IN A THREE-MONTH PERIOD. AND THIS TYPE OF CONVERSION NORMALLY TAKES A WHOLE YEAR. AS A MOM, I HAD MY SON PLAYING AND SLEEPING ON THE FLOOR WHILE I WAS WORKING. I'M IN CHARGE OF RECRUITING AND SCHEDULING THE CITY VOLUNTEERS, AS WELL AS DELIVERING FOR MEALS ON WHEELS. WHY DO I DO IT? I LOVE THE PEOPLE, THEY'RE GREAT AND IT'S FUN. IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD TO SEE THEM SMILE AND BE HAPPY. AND SOMETIMES THESE PEOPLE,
[00:05:01]
DON'T GET STO SEE ANYBODY FOR DAYS OR WEEKS, EXCEPT FOR US VOLUNTEERING AND DELIVERING MEALS ON WHEEL TO THEM.>> I FEEL GREAT ABOUT ACHIEVING MY 20 YEARS, AND I JUST LOVE MY JOB AND I LOVE HELPING OTHERS. AND, ESPECIALLY, YOU KNOW, MY CO-WORKERS. AND, THEY'RE ALL AWESOME.
>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: >> IN WATER TREATMENT, OUR JOB IS TO PROVIDE SAFE, POTABLE WATER TO THE CITIZENS OF ABILENE. WE TAKE THE RAW WATER FROM THE LAKE, RUN IT THROUGH THE FILTER AND MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENTS AND SEND IT OUT TO THE CITY OF ABILENE. AS A TEAM WE TAKE A LOT OF PRIDE IN WHAT WE DO. WE PUT IN A LOT OF HOURS. WE HAVE 24/7, THERE'S ALWAYS SOMEONE HERE BECAUSE YOU GOT TO HAVE WATER. SO, I'M VERY PROUD TO BE PART OF THIS TEAM. TECHNOLOGY IS DEFINITELY CHANGING. MOST TREATMENT PLANT IN TEXAS ARE CONVENTIONAL STYLE.
HERE A CONVENTIONAL PLANT WILL NOT TREAT THE WATER COMING OUT.
SO, THIS IS CALLED ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AND THAT IS WHAT'S REQUIRED TO TREAT THE PARTICULAR WATER THAT WE'RE GETTING.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE ALL KNOW ABOUT. AND THAT'S FEBRUARY OF 2021. FREEZEZILLA, IT WAS ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE. LOTS AND LOTS OF BROKEN PIPES. ALL THE CITIZENS KNOW THAT WE RAN OUT OF WATER. EVERYBODY WORKED REALLY HARD, GOT IT BACK UP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THE ONLY REASON WE LOST WATER IS BECAUSE WE LOST ELECTRICITY. SO, OF COURSE, WHEN WE LOST THAT ELECTRICITY, WE LOST ALL HEATER, AND PIPES BEGAN TO FREEZE HERE AT THE PLANT, JUST LIKE YOUR HOUSE. SO, ONCE WE GOT THE ELECTRICITY BACK, LET'S FIRE UP AND RUN, WELL, NO, LET'S TAKE CARE OF ALL THE FROZEN AND BROKEN PIPES FIRST, IT WAS QUITE AN OR DEAL, WITH THE WHOLE TEAM DOING EVERYTHING THEY COULD, 24 HOURS
A DAY. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: KATHY?
>> I'M GOING TO JUMP IN, I DON'T KNOW IF Y'ALL CAUGHT HER
JOKE, BUT, "LOVE AT FIRST BITE". >> I SAW THE EAGLE RECOGNITION UP ON TOP OF YOUR FILING CABINET THERE. CONGRATULATIONS.
>> ONE PROGRAMMER TO THE NEXT. >> SO, KATHY WORKS IN THE BASEMENT OF CITY HALL IN THE IT DEPARTMENT. MOST FOLKS DON'T GET TO SEE HER OR CONVERSE WITH HER. SHE DOES A NUMBER OF THINGS IN THE COMMUNITY ON A VOLUNTEER BASIS, IN ADDITION TO MEALS ON WHEELS. SHE HELPS COORDINATE THE ABILENE DAY NURSERY WHEN THEY COME BY FOR TRICK-OR-TREATING SHE'S ALWAYS IN A COSTUME, BY THE WAY. AND ONE OF THE THINGS I MOST ADMIRE ABOUT HER IS THAT SHE WORKS QUIETLY AND DILIGENTLY, AND PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THE IMPACT THAT SHE HAS ON THE COMMUNITY, BECAUSE SHE'S POUNDING ON A KEY BOARD, BUT, THE THING SHE DOES, HELPS US MAKE WHAT WE DO ON A DAILY BASIS. I APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS AND I HOPE THAT YOU GIVE US 20
MORE. >> THANK YOU. AND BEFORE YOU, YOU HAVE A CERTIFICATE FRAME FROM THE COUNCIL REPRESENTING OUR APPRECIATION FOR YOU AND YOUR SERVICE, AND YOU ALSO HAVE AN ENVELOPE THAT IN A MONETARY WAY SAYS THANK YOU. AND YOU HAVE A COIN FROM THE CITY MANAGER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. ANYTHING THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY THIS MORNING?
>> YES, MY HUSBAND, JEFF, IS HERE, AND MY CO-WORKER IS HERE.
I JUST WANT TO THANK GOD THAT I GOT THIS JOB, I LOVE IT. I LOOK FORWARD TO COMING HERE EVERY TIME AND WORKING WITH MY CO-WORKERS, THEY'RE AWESOME, AND, THEY'RE JUST LIKE FAMILY TO ME. SO, I THANK THEM FOR ALL OF THEIR SUPPORT. AND, ESPECIALLY, FOR MY HUSBAND, JEFF, AND MY SON, ZACH, WHO STAYED WITH ME, A LOT OF TIMES HERE AT NIGHT. AND, UM, FOR EVERYBODY THAT IS HERE AND FROM OUR MAYOR, I JUST APPRECIATE EVERYTHING.
>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: THANK YOU, AGAIN, FOR YOUR SERVICE.
[00:10:15]
. >> GARRY, COME ON UP. GOOD TO SEE YOU, SIR. SO, FREEZEZILLA, AS YOU SAID, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE CERTAIN THING IN MY CAREER THAT I NEVER WANT DO AGAIN AND THAT'S
CERTAINLY ONE OF THEM. >> ME TOO. OH, MY GOSH, BUT, I'M REALLY GLAD THAT YOU MENTIONED THAT IN YOUR VIDEO BECAUSE I DON'T THINK WE COULD STOP AND PAUSE AND THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DID. THIS COMMUNITY WAS IN A BAD WAY, AND IF THE CITIZENS KNEW JUST HOW INCREDIBLY HARD THE WATER UTILITY DEPARTMENT WORKED TO GET IT BACK UP. SOME OF THE AMAZING, JUST, HOMEGROWN ENGINEERING THAT WAS DONE TO BE SURE THAT PLANT WAS OPERATING. PIPE CONNECTIONS AND HOSE FITTINGS AND THINGS THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE IN STOCK, BECAUSE, WE DIDN'T EXPECT THAT TO BREAK. IT WAS A MARVEL OF INGENUITY.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, YOU HAVE THE CERTIFICATE, AND AN ENVELOPE, AND THE COIN FROM THE CITY MANAGER, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. IN FACT, ROBERT HANNA, HE LIVES IN THE HOUSE THAT HE WAS RAISED IN, AND HE MAY HAVE THE BEST LOOKING BACKYARD IN
ABILENE, TEXAS. >> THAT MIGHT BELONG TO THE HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET NOW. [LAUGHTER]
>> >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, ANYTHING THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY, GARRY?
>> MOSTLY, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE PEOPLE THAT I WORK WITH, TAUGHT ME EVERYTHING THAT I KNOW, KENNY HUTCHINS HAS BEEN GREAT. RICHARD WILLIAMS, WHO IS RETIRED, TAUGHT ME EVERYTHING THAT I KNOW. SPECIFICALLY, THANKS TO THOSE TWO PEOPLE, THE REST OF OUR TEAM, EVERYBODY IN WATER WORKS REALLY HARD. I LOVE MY JOB AND I'LL BE AROUND AWHILE. THANK YOU.
[CONSENT AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS]
. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WE'LL NOW MOVE TO THE CONSENT AGENDA CONSISTING OF ITEMS 3-11. THESE ITEMS WILL BE CONSIDERED WITH ONE MOTION AND THERE'LL BE NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION UNLESS A COUNCILMEMBER REQUESTS A SEPARATE DISCUSSION. DOES ANYONE ON COUNCIL WANT TO
CONSIDER ANY ITEMS SEPARATELY? >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WE'LL NOW MOVE TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, THERE'LL BE NO VOTES OR ACTION TAKEN ON THINGS IN PUBLIC COMMENT. THE PUBLIC COMMENT ALLOWS MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO PRESENT IDEAS AND INFORMATION TO THE CITY STAFF. PLEASE COME FORWARD AND STATE YOUR NAME AND THE CITY THAT YOU RESIDE IN FOR THE RECORD. THERE'LL BE A 3 MINUTE TIME LIMIT. ANY CARDS THIS MORNING?
>> DAVID SCHWARTZ. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: LET DAVID
SCHWARTZ GO FIRST. >> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL, DAVID SCHWARTZ, AND I RESIDE IN THE ORIGINAL TOWN IN ABILENE. AND AS YOU KNOW, LAST THURSDAY WAS GROUNDHOG DAY. AND IT TEASED US WITH WARM WEATHER THIS WEEKEND. YOU KNOW, WE MAY HAVE TO RUSSEL UP BILL MURRAY TO KIDNAP HIM AGAIN. ON A SERIOUS NOTE, LET'S HOPE THAT WE AVOID ANY FREEZEZILLAS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT BECAUSE IT WAS NOT PLEASANT NOT HAVING THE WATER OR ELECTRICITY FOR SEVERAL DAYS. BUT, WE DID HAVE GAS. SO, IF I HADN'T HAD HAD GAS HEATING, I WOULD HAVE NEVER MADE IT BACK THEN. MY FREPD HAD GAS HEATING BUT HE HAD ELECTRONIC IGNITION ON THE ON THE FURNACE SO HE HAD TO BE
[00:15:03]
EVACUATED. THE OTHER THING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION. I MENTIONED IT AT SEVERAL COUNCIL MEETINGS, A LONG TIME AGO. AT SOUTH FIRST AND SALES, YOU SAID THAT YOU'RE GOING TO REDESIGN THAT EVENTUALLY, WHEN YOU TURN WEST ONTO SOUTH FIRST FROM SALES, THERE'S A SIGN THAT SAYS "GREEN YIELD". NOBODY ADHERES TO THAT, I'M ROUTINELY ALMOST IN A WRECK. NOBODY THINKS THAT IF IT'S GREEN, THEY GO. THEY DON'T KNOW IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE A PROTECTED TURN, YET, I'VE BEEN IN HOW MANY COLLISIONS OVER THE YEARS THERE, AND I THOUGHT, WHY DID SOME ENGINEER PUT UP GREEN AND THEN PUT UP A SIGN THAT'S ABOUT PROBABLY, TWO FEET BY ONE NOT OR SOMETHING, I JUST HOPE THAT WHEN THEY REDESIGN THAT THEY DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT, BECAUSE THAT'S VERY DANGEROUS, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY WRECKS HAVE BEEN THERE, BUT, I KNOW ONE TIME, MY MOM AND I, AND HER CHEVY, A CAR CAME LIKE TWO FEET FROM T-BONING US. THEY'RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION, BECAUSE IT SAYS YIELD AND PEOPLE ACT LEAK YOU ARE WRONG WHEN HEADING SOUTH FROM GRAHAM STREET ON SALES THERE. IT THE LAST FEW SECONDS I'M GOING TO SHAMELESSLY PLUG WHAT I THINK IS A GREAT MOM AND POP RESTAURANT OUT HERE, GALVESTON SEAFOOD COMPANY, ON THURSDAYS THEY HAVE A CHICKEN FRIED STEAK. FOR THE VALUE, I DON'T THINK THAT YOU COULD BEAT IT RIGHT NOW, AND I HAVE PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE THAT IT'S BIGGER THAN THE PLATE. SO, IF YOU LIKE IT, YOU SHOULD GO OUT THERE AND TRY IT. THANK YOUVERY MUCH, COUNCIL. >> MARCUS WILEY.
>> GOOD MORNING, I'M MARCUS WILEY AND I LIVE IN ABILENE, TEXAS. CITY COUNCIL, AND MAYOR WILLIAMS I'M HERE TO PREEMPTIVELY CELEBRATE AND RECOGNIZE 211 DAY, HAPPENING THIS SATURDAY, ON FEBRUARY 11TH. IN HONOR OF 2 11 DAY. WE'RE OPENING OUR HOUSE TO Y'ALL TO COME VISIT, EAT SOME COOKIES, TOMORROW, FROM 10-2, DROP BY, AND, UM, THAT WILL BE AT OUR OFFICES DOWNTOWN UNDER UNITED WAY, OF ABILENE. WE HOPE THAT YOU COULD DRIVE BY TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCESS TO VITAL RESOURCE IN OUR COMMUNITY. 211 TEXAS, A CALL FOR HELP, HAS BEEN SERVING OUR REGION FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS IN THE FORM OF A COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER FOR INFORMATION AND REFERRAL, 40-PLUS YEARS. IN 2023, OUR SMALL, BUT, MIGHTY TEAM ANSWERED ABOUT 45,000 CALLS FROM ABILENIANS AND TEXANS MEETING HELP. TO BRING IT CLOSER TO OUR HOME, ABOUT 13,000 ABILENIANS CALLED 211 THIS YEAR, AND THE TOP REQUEST FOR HELP THAT THE FELLOW ABILENIANS CONNECTED TO INCLUDE UTILITIES, SUCH AS ELECTRIC GAS AND WATER, HOUSING AND SHELTER, SUCH AS RENT ASSISTANCE, SHELTERS IN EMERGENCY AND LOW-COST PANTRY.
FOOD, FOOD PANTRIES, HELP TO BUY FOOD AND HOLIDAY MEALS. HEALTH CARE AND COVID INFORMATION, DENTAL AND EYE CARE, PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION ASSISTANCE, HEALTH INSURANCE AND NURSING HOMES AND ADULT CARE, AND FINALLY, GOVERNMENT AND LEGAL ASSISTANCE, WE CONNECTED PEOPLE TO CHILD AND FAMILY LAW RESOURCES, IMMIGRATION ASSISTANCE AND GOVERNMENT AND LEGAL ORGANIZATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY. SO, IN RECOGNITION OF 211 DAY, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR TEAM. WE HAVE THREE OF THEM SITTING OVER THERE, THE REST OF THEM ARE TAKING CALLS AS WE SPEAK. AND FINALLY, WE DO ENCOURAGE OUR MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE 211 SERVICE AND UTILIZE IT AS A RESOURCE FOR WHENEVER YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW NEEDS HELP. AND JUST A LITTLE ANNOUNCEMENT. WE HAVE A NEW PROGRAM DIRECTOR, FOR 211, MS. LYNN JACKSON, SHE'S BEEN WITH THE CALL FOR HELP 25 PLUS YEARS. AND SO, SHE'S BEEN A PERSONAL MENTOR AND PROVIDED EXTREME WISDOM OVER THIS LAST YEAR FOR ME. SO, THANK YOU FOR Y'ALL'S TIME.
>> THAT'S ALL THE CARDS. >> SO, I WAS LOOKING OVER THE
MEETING PACT LAST NIGHT. >> STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE
[00:20:02]
RECORD. >> TAMMY FOGLE, RESIDENT OF ABILENE. I SAW SOMETHING, AND I DON'T SEE PROBLEMS AND I JUST SEE AWARENESS NOW, WE NEED TO DEAL WITH IT. WHEN I WAS A MOTHER OF FOUR, BETWEEN THE TIME I HAD MY FIRST AND MY LAST, LAWS CHANGED WITH SEAT BELT SAFETY AND CAR SEAT SAFETY, BY THE TIME I HAD MY FOURTH CHILD, THEY HAD TO WAIT UNTIL THEY WERE 7 TO BE OUT OF THE BOOSTER. AND IT WASN'T UNTIL YOUNGER MOMS MENTIONED THAT TO ME THAT I WAS MADE AWARE OF IT. I BECAME A POLL WATCHER LAST YEAR FOR THE ELECTION AND GOT TO OBSERVATION A LOCATION, AND BECAME FAMILIAR WITH ELECTION CODE AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I NOTICED THAT Y'ALL ARE APPROVING FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION IN MAY IS THAT SOME OF THE LOCATIONS THAT I'VE PERSONALLY WITNESSED ARE NOT UP TO ELECTION CODE. SO, I JUST WANT TO READ THE CODE TO YOU QUICKLY. IT'S SECTION 61.014, USE OF CERTAIN DEVICES. A PERSON MAY NOT USE A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE WITHIN 100 FEET OF VOTING STATION. A PERSON MAY NOT USE ANY MECHANICAL OR ELECTRONIC MEANS OR RECORDING IMAGINES OR SOUNDS WITHIN 100 FEET OF A VOTING STATION. THE PRESIDING JUDGE CAN ASK THE PERSON TO TURN OFF THE DEVICE OR LEAVE THE POLLING PLACE. AND IT DOES NOT APPLY TO THE ELECTION OFFICERS, CONDUCTING ELECTION DUTIES OR THE PERSON EMPLOYED AT THE LOCATION. THAT'S MOST OF IT, BUT, SOME OF THESE LOCATIONS WILL ALREADY BE VIOLATING CODES BEFORE YOU GET ONE VOTER. I'M NOT IN CHARGE OF ELECTION STUFF GOING ON IN OUR CITY, BUT, I'M A PERSON WHO WITNESSED SOME OF THIS, SO, I WANTED TO BRING IT TO YOUR ATTENTION AND LET YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT AND I ALSO HAVE, UM, THE LADIES WHO ARE WORKING HARD ON MAKING SURE THAT WE DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN AS A COMMUNITY THAT MAKE OUR OUR ELECTION ARE COMPLETELY ABOVE CODE. WANTED ME TOLL SHARE WITH YOU SOME OBSERVATIONS, THESE ARE JUST LITERAL OBSERVATIONS, NOT CRITICISMS OR ENCOURAGEMENT, JUST OBSERVATIONS OF WHAT WE SAW AT DIFFERENT POLLS STATIONS DURING THE NOVEMBER ELECTION. IF YOU WOULD JUST LOOK AT THOSE, I WOULD APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU.
>> IF YOU COULD COMMUNICATE THAT TO MS. REID. WE JUST
CONTACTED THEM TO CONDUCT IT. >> THEY'RE ACTUALLY MEETING HER TODAY AND THEY'RE DOING STUFF WITHIN THE COUNTY, BUT, I FEEL AS A CITIZEN WHO KNOWS THIS INFORMATION, IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE AWARE. AND IF U THAT'S GREAT AND IT'S NO HARM DONE, AT THE SAME TIME, I DON'T WANT TO BE A PART OF NOT HELPING US DO OUR ELECTIONS BETTER. I UNDERSTAND IT'S A COUNTY ELECTION, WE'RE FULLY AWARE THAT'S WHAT IT IS, Y'ALL ARE APPROVING FOR POLLING STATIONS TO HAPPEN FOR A CITY ELECTION THAT CANNOT MEET ELECTION CODE ON THE FACE FROM THE GET-GO. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?
>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: IS THERE ANYONE ELSE
>> GOOD MORNING, CYNTHIA AVEDREAS FOR THE RECORD, WHIP WANT TO GO OVER CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 4, I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THAT YOU CHANGE THAT SETUP, YOU RECENTLY CHANGED THAT TO WHERE WE CAN'T COMMENT INDIVIDUALLY. I TOOK A LOOK AT THE DEMOGRAPHICS WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE ABILENE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
I'M A BIT CONCERNED FOR SEVERAL DIFFERENT REASONS, ONE IN PARTICULAR IS BECAUSE I BELIEVE I'VE SENT AN E-MAIL TO EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU GUYS REQUESTING TO SIT ON A BOARD AND NO ONE HAS CONTACTED ME, WHICH, I'M NOT ONE BIT SURPRISED ABOUT THAT. FOR THOSE OF YOU LISTENING THAT DON'T KNOW HOW THIS WORKS, BASICALLY, MAYOR WILLIAMS PICKS THE PEOPLE AND YOU GUYS APPROVE THEM. SO, WHEN I LOOK AT THE MAKEUP OF THE IT HOUSING AUTHORITY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS AS TO WHY CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS CAN'T SIT ON THE BOARD, I'M GOING TO TELL YOU HOW I FEEL. I'M NOT SAYING THIS IS WHAT YOU ARE DOING, AND I'LL TELL YOU HOW I FEEL. WHEN I LOOK AT THAT PARTICULAR BOARD, OF THE FIVE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE SITTING ON THERE, ONE IS FEMALE. AND YOU JUST RECENTLY APPOINTED ANOTHER MALE. I'M A FEMALE, I'M NOT SITTING ON A BOARD. UM, WHEN YOU GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE INDIVIDUALS SITTING ON THE BOARD, THEY'RE ASSOCIATED, SOME OF THEM WITH THE CHURCH OF CHRIST. DON'T HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE CHURCH OF CHRIST. TWO OF THEM ARE ELDERS AT MAYOR WILLIAM'S CHURCH, I'M NOT AN ELDER AT MAYOR WILLIAMS CHURCH, I GO TO CATHOLIC CHURCH, I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S WHY I
[00:25:04]
CAN'T SIT ON A BOARD. AND THE OTHER REASON, I DON'T KNOW IF I'M DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BECAUSE OF MY RACE, AND WITH IT BEING FEBRUARY, AND LOOKING AT ALL OF THAT STUFF, I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT TO TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION, BECAUSE, A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS THAT SIT ON THE BOARD FOUR OR FIVE, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT, BUT, I'M NOT AFRICAN-AMERICAN, AND I'M NOT SITTING ON A BOARD, I'M HISPANIC, MY MOTHER'S CAUCASIAN.I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS, IT'S EITHER JUST ME, BECAUSE I'M CYNTHIA, AND SOME OF YOU SITTING THERE DON'T LIKE ME AND THAT'S FINE. I'M A TAXPAYER, I DESERVE TO SIT ON A BOARD AND I'M BEING DENIED THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT. AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE AWARE OF A LAW THAT CAME INTO PLAY IN 1964, AND IT IS THE CIVIL RIGHT'S ACT OF 1964 THAT STATES AN INDIVIDUAL WHO RESIDES IN OUR COUNTRY SHOULD NOT BE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST. CANNOT BE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST LEGALLY, BASED ON THEIR SEX, RACE, NATIONAL ORIGIN. SO, I'M TELLING YOU RIGHT NOW, HOW I'M FEELING. I FEEL LIKE I'M BEING DISCRIMINATED AGAINST. AND THE REASON I'M BRINGING UP THIS PARTICULAR BOARD IS BECAUSE THIS BOARD'S ON THE AGENDA. THE MAJORITY OF THE INDIVIDUALS ON THE BOARD ARE AFRICAN-AMERICAN, DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT, I DON'T GO TO TO THE CHURCH OF CHRIST. I GO TO CATHOLIC CHURCH. AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE INDIVIDUALS APPOINTED TO THOSE BOARDS, SO, MY QUESTION TO YOU, MR. WILLIAMS, IS WHY AM I NOT ALLOWED TO SIT ON YOUR BOARD, IS IT BECAUSE I'M NOT BLACK? IS IT BECAUSE I'M NOT A MEMBER OF YOUR CHURCH? IS IT
BECAUSE I'M A FEMALE. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: YOU CAN SUBMIT AN APPLICATION, AND I HAVE DEEMED OTHERS MORE APPROPRIATE TO SERVE ON THE BOARD.
>> CAN YOU TELL ME WHY? >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: IT'S MY OPINION, NOT BASED ON GENDER, RACE, OR CREED.
>> WHAT IS YOUR OPINION BASED ON?
>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: MY APPRAISAL.
>> WHAT IS YOUR APPRAISAL? >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: MY
APPRAISAL. >> CAN YOU DISCLOSE THAT?
>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: YOU'VE HAD THREE MINUTES, AND I'M ASKING
YOU TO BE SEATED. THANK YOU. >> AND I'M ASKING YOU TO KEEP DISCRIMINATING AGAINST INDIVIDUALS. YOU SHOULD KNOW
HOW THAT FEELS. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, ANYONE ELSE? SEEING NO ONE ELSE, WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY COMMENTS, AND, OR, DISCUSSION IF NOT, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING, AND I MEANT TO BRING THIS UP. ON, UM, ITEM 7. IT'S GREAT THAT WE'RE PUTTING IN A FOUR-WAY STOP THERE, IF ANYONE'S BEEN DOWN TO MAPLE WHERE 14TH AND BEBERRY COME IN. PLEASE REMEMBER THERE'S SOON GOING TO BE A STOP SIGN THERE BECAUSE I'VE SEEN A LOT OF WRECKS, PLEASE, IF YOU'RE DRIVING DOWN MAPLE AT 14TH AND BERRY, BE AWARE THERE'S SOON TO BE A STOP SIGN THERE, BECAUSE,
THAT'S IMPORTANT. >> FOR THOSE OF US WHO DON'T KNOW, OBVIOUSLY, FEBRUARY'S BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ALONG SIDE JASMINE GOESETTE OF ABILENE. THEY PARTNER WITH THE NON-PROFITS HERE IN TOWN FROM THE GRACE MUSEUM, LED BY LAURA MOORE AND THE NICKLE, LED BY MOLLY, TEXAS FRONTIER AND A LOT OF PLACES. AND THEY CALENDAR, I WANTED TO SHOW YOU GUYS, SOME OF YOU GUYS, WHETHER IT'S AN INDIVIDUAL ACT, A FAMILY ACT OR A SCHOOL, THEY HAVE CREATED A CALENDAR OF EVENTS THAT WILL BE SHOW CASING NOT JUST PEOPLE OF COLOR, BUT, ABOLITIONISTS AND DIFFERENT CONTRIBUTORS OF AWARENESS AND INCLUSIVITY AND I THINK THAT'S COOL TO CREATE A CALENDAR FOR CITIZENS WHO WANT EDUCATION OR BRING FAMILIES AND SO ON AND SO FORTH SO, A LOT OF PEOPLE CAME TOGETHER NOT CITY TO CREATE SPACE FORCE PEOPLE TO LEARN AND GROW. I WANTED TO SHOUT OUT TO JASMINE AND TREY FOR THEIR HARD WORK. OBVIOUSLY, I'M BIAS, MY BROTHER'S DONE AN AMAZING JOB AT 211. I KNOW THAT YOU GUYS DO INCREDIBLE WORK AND YOUR TEAM
[00:30:02]
TALENTED. WELL DONE. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: I'LL TAKE A MOTION AND A SECOND IF THERE IS ONE.
>> MOTION. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MCALISTER. AND A SECOND BY
COUNCILMEMBER ALBUS. >> COUNCILMEMBER MCALISTER?
>> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER CRAVER?
>> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER ALBUS ALBUS?
>> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER CRAVER?
>> YES. >> AND MAYOR WILLIAMS?
>> >> YES. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: MAYOR PRO TEM, DID YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING?
>> ON THE RESURFACING PROJECTS, I WANTED TO MENTION THOSE WERE THE STREETS PICKED BY THE STREET MAINTENANCE ADVISORY BOARD. I
WANTED TO COMMENT ON THAT. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: HE SAYS THAT, BECAUSE, IT'S HIS BRAIN CHILD THAT ADVISORY BOARD.
[12. Ordinance (Final Reading): Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Amending the Fees and Charges Ordinance changing the Adventure Cove Fees (Lesli Andrews)]
WE'LL NOW MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER 12 AND WE'LL ASK LESLIE ANDREWS TOPRESENT THIS ITEM. >> AND 211, YOU GUYS HAD ME AT
>> GOOD MORNING, LESLI ANDREWS, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION, THE ITEM THAT WE'RE PRESENTING IS A $1 INCREASE FOR ADVENTURE COVE FEES. ADD VEN TOUR COVE OPENED IN 2017. SINCE THAT TIME, EXCEPT FOR A $0.50 INCREASE AT ONE LEVEL, WE HAVE NOT HAD A INCREASE, QUITE A FEW COSTS HAVE GONE UP, ESPECIALLY IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, SO, TO TRY AND STAY UP WITH THE PACE AND COVER COST WE'RE RECOMMENDING A $1 INCREASE.
PART OF THIS COMES FROM HAVING OUR ADVENTURE COVE FINANCIAL EVALUATED BY A THIRD-PARTY, AND THIS IS THEIR RECOMMENDATION IN COMPARING US WITH OUR ENTITY IN ABILENE AS WELL AS ACROSS THE STATE AND NATION. WHAT WE'RE RECOMMENDING IS CHILDREN LESS THAN 48 INCHES GO FROM $4 TO $5, CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS 48 INCHES AND TALLER GOING FROM 6 DRAWERS TO $7, AND ADULTS GOING FROM $7 TO $8, CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 2 WILL REMAIN FREE.
BECAUSE, THIS IS MID YEAR WE'RE BRINGING THIS TO YOU AS AN ORDINANCE FOR THE FEE CHANGE IN THE HOPES THAT IT WILL BE EFFECTIVE MARCH 1ST, GOING INTO THE 2023 SEASON.
>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: THANK YOU, QUESTIONS OF LESLI, PRIOR TO PUBLIC COMMENT? AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING, IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM. IF SO, GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. COUNCIL DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, IF NOT I'LL ACCEPT A MOTION.
>> SO MOVED. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WE HAVE A
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER PRICE. >> SECOND.
>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: AND WE HAVE A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
[13. Ordinance (Final Reading): Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Amending Chapter 9, "Courts," Article I, "General," Section 9-7, "Rules of Practice and Procedure," of the Abilene Code of Ordinances (Stanley Smith)]
>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: NOW WE'RE ONTO ITEM 13 AND WE'LL ASK OUR CITY ATTORNEY GENERAL TO PRESENT THIS ITEM.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR, THIS IS AN UPDATE OR A CORRECTION TO OUR CODE, AN UPDATED PROVISION SET FORT THAT OUR MUNICIPAL COURT WILL FOLLOW THE RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR JUSTICE COURTS, THAT'S AN OUTDATED PROSIGNIFICANTS, THERE ARE NOW UPDATED PROVISIONS IN STATE LAW AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WAS BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION AND THAT'S THE REQUEST TO MAKE THAT
CHANGE. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: DOES COUNCIL HAVE QUESTIONS PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC HEARING?
>> THANKS, STANLEY. AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM, IF SO, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. COUNCIL DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, IF NOT, I'LL
ACCEPT A MOTION AND A SECOND. >> SO MOVED.
>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER BEARD.
>> SECOND. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: SECOND BY
MAYOR PRO TEM HURT. >> THE COURT FOLLOWS THE STATE LAW, IT'S JUST ADDRESSING THE DISCREPANCY OF THE ORDINANCE LANGUAGE SO THAT IT MATCHES STATE LAW AND REALITY OF HOW WE
>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. READY TO
>> YES. >> DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM ALBUS?
>> YES. >> MAYOR PRO TEM HURT?
>> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER MCALISTER?
>> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER CRAVER?
[EXECUTIVE SESSION]
>> YES. COUNCILMEMBER PRICE. >> YES.
>> MAYOR WILLIAMS. >> MOTION CARRIES.
>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: IT'S NOW 9:05 A.M., AND WE'RE RESUMING IN EXECUTIVE SESSION IN ASSOCIATION WITH SECTION 551072, REAL
[00:35:10]
PROPERTY AND 551.073 PERSONAL MATTERS, SECTION 551.876, CLUB RATION ABOUT SECURITY DEVICES AND SECTION>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: IT IS NOW 9:12 A.M., AND WE RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION. NO VOTES OR ACTIONS WERE TAKEN DURING
[15. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Actionon entering into a Chapter 380 Economic Development Agreement with SilverthorneProperties for 202 Cypress Street (Tim Littlejohn)]
EXECUTIVE SESSION. WE'LL NOW MOVE ITEM 15 AND WE'LL ASK TIM LITTLEJOHN, DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AN SERVICES TO PRESENT THISITEM. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL, TIM LITTLE JON UP TO OUR CONSIDERATION IS A CHAPTER 380 AGREEMENT WITH SILVER THORN INVESTMENTS LOCATED AT 302 CYPRUSS STREET. THE REASON FOR THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TORE 202 CYPRUSS STREET IS THERE'S GOING TO BE EXTENSIVE REPAIRS TO THIS HISTORIC STRUCTURE, THEY WILL BE DOING REPAIRS, ABOUT $220,000 WORTH OF WORK THAT THEY'RE GOING TO PUT INTO THE BUILDING. THE BUILDING WAS BUILT IN 1923. IT IS ON THE HISTORIC LIST, AND IT HAS ALREADY GONE THROUGH A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS WITH THE LANDMARKS COMMISSION.
SO, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE.
>> TINA, ROBERT, I KNOW, JUST MORE FOR THE COMMUNITY, WE'VE HAD FACADE PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY, THIS IS A 380, ANY REASON WHY THIS IS DIFFERENT?
>> YES, SIR, THE TAX INCREMENT REINVESTMENT ZONE DOES NOT INCORPORATE THIS STRETCH OF SECOND STREET, I DON'T KNOW WHY, IT WASN'T HERE WHEN THE BOUNDARIES WERE LAID OUT FOR THAT. THERE'S REALLY NO REASON WHY, SO, THEY'RE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR TURS FUNDING. THIS IS AN ELIGIBLE PROJECT UNDER THE FACADE PROGRAM BUT NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE FUNDING SOURCE THAT WAS
IDENTIFIED WHICH WAS TERS FUNDS. >> WHAT DOLLAR AMOUNT IS THIS COMPARED TO THE INVESTMENT THAT THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS MAKING?
>> I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE BUILDING BUT HE'S REQUIRED TO SUBMIT UNDER THE AGREEMENT 2 TWENTY
THOUSAND >>> $220,000. HE'S PAYING FAR MORE THAN HE'S GETTING FROM A BENEFIT STAND POINT.
>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ANY QUESTIONS OF COUNCIL PRIOR TO
THE PUBLIC HEARING? >> THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM, IF SO, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> SO MOVED. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WE HAVE A
MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM HURT. >> AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER MCALISTER. ANY DISCUSSION.
>> MAYOR PRO TEM HURT? >> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MCALISTER? >> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER CRAVER? >> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER BEARD? >> YES.
>> MAYOR WILLIAMS. >> YES. MOTION CARRIES.
>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: AND IT IS
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.