15. Ordinance (Final Reading) HOZ-2022-01: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on A Request From Martha Mckinzie Shipp Graves, To Apply Historic Overlay Zoning To Approximately 0.32 Acres Zoned Multi-Family Residential (MF) Located At 689 EN 18th Street (Tim Littlejohn)

[15. Ordinance (Final Reading) HOZ-2022-01: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on A Request From Martha Mckinzie Shipp Graves, To Apply Historic Overlay Zoning To Approximately 0.32 Acres Zoned Multi-Family Residential (MF) Located At 689 EN 18th Street (Tim Littlejohn)]

TAKEN IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ITEM NUMBER 15 IN FRONT OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. I'LL BE ABSTAINING FROM ITEM NUMBER 15. AND MAYOR PRO TEM HURT WILL CONDUCT THAT

AGENDA ITEM. >> MOVING TO ITEM 15, I'LL ASK THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICE, TIM

LITTLEJOHN TO PRESENT THIS ITEM. >> UP FOR CONSIDERATION IS HISTORIC OVER LAY CASE, 2022-01. THE STATE OF ONT, SHIP JR. AND BETTY MCKIN PSI. THE HISTORIC OVERLAY ZONING TO 689 EAST NORTH 18TH STREET. HERE'S THE LOCATION MAP. HERE'S THE CURRENT ZONING MAP. HERE ARE PHOTOS OF THE CURRENT SUBJECT PROPERTY AND SOME SURROUNDING PROPERTY OWNERS. THIS PARTICULAR HOUSE IS, UM, A MISSION, SPANISH REVIVAL ARCHITECTURE, BUILT IN 1929, IT WAS INCLUDED IN THE TEXAS HISTORIC COMMISSION, IN 2011. IT IS A STAPLE AROUND ACU. THE HOUSE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST HOMES CONSTRUCTED ON THE HILL AND HELD MANY MEETINGS FROM BOARD MEMBERS FROM THEN, ACC AND NOW ACU.

HERE'S NOTIFICATION MAP. WE HAD ZERO IN FAVOR AND ZERO OPPOSED.

STAFF FOUND THAT THIS WAS CONSISTENT WITH REQUIREMENTS.

LANDMARKS DOES RECOMMEND APPROVAL TO YOU THIS MORNING AND PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMENDS APPROVAL TO YOU THIS MORNING. AND WE'RE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

>> ANY QUESTIONS FOR TIM? >> AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM, NUMBER 15, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND

STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. >> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL, MY

NAME IS MARTHA GROVES, AND >> I'M TERRY GROVE.

>> SO, ANYWAY, SORRY, I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO COME UP SEPARATELY, RIGHT? ANYWAY, EXCUSE ME, I KNOW MY THREE MINUTES IS TICKING. BUT, I WANTED TO COME UP AND LET YOU KNOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN A HOME OF HOSPITALITY FOR YEARS, TCHS BUILT BY MY GREAT GRAND FATHER WHO WAS A BOARD MEMBER AT ACU.

SINCE THAT TIME IT'S BEEN IN THE FAMILY FOR 70 YEAR, IT'S BEEN AN OPEN HOME. IT FOR AWHILE THERE WAS NO KEY, JUST AN OPEN DOOR AND TEA AND HIGH TEA WERE SERVED AT THE HOME BY MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER. DURING THE DEPRESSION, MY GRAND FATHER HAD A STRONG RELATIONSHIP WITH ACC AND HAD PEOPLE WORK AT ACC AND HE WOULD PAY THEIR TUITION. IN ADDITION TO THAT, HE WAS A COMMUNITY MEMBER AND HE WAS A TREMENDOUS ASSET TO THE COMMUNITY OF ABILENE. TO THE POINT, THAT MY FAMILY AND I MOVED AROUND A LITTLE BIT, LIKE, THE GENTLEMAN THAT WE HONORED AWHILE AGO AT THE AIRPORT. AND SO, WE HAD TWO THINGS THAT WE WERE TAUGHT FROM THAT MCKIN PSI FAMILY LINE AND THAT WAS YOU FIND A LOCAL CHURCH AND YOU FIND THE COMMUNITY AND GET INVOLVED IN BOTH. SO, THAT'S BEEN, KIND OF THE MANTRA OF THE MCKINZIE HOUSE IS TO HAVE PEOPLE COME AND SPEND THE NIGHT. MY PARENTS BOUGHT THE HOUSE 20 YEARS AND THE NEW OWNERS CONTINUED TO OPEN THE HOME TO THE COMMUNITY AND MAKE AN IMPACT. MY BROTHER PASSED AWAY AND WE WANT TO RESTORE THAT HOME TO IT'S PRISTINE BEAUTY AND USE THE ORIGINAL HERITAGE THAT IT HAD AND LEE THAT LEGACY OF JUST HOSPITALITY AND OPENNESS AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING DO WITH THE HOME. WE'RE GOING TO SERVE TEA ONCE A MONTH AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE BRIDGE CLUB, I JUST MET THE PARK'S PERSON, FROM THE ROSE PARK CLUB, THEY'RE COMING OVER, I HOPE, ONCE A QUARTER AND PLAYING BRIDGE, OR AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR AND WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ETIQUETTE CLASSES FOR STUDENTS.

IT'S NOT A PLACE OF BUSINESS OR A PLACE OF MAKE MONEY, BUT, A PLACE JUST TO LOVE ON THE COMMUNITY. SO, THAT'S THE LEGACY THAT WE WANT TO CARRY FORTH IN THIS HOME. SO, WE'RE HERE TO ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT, YOUR VOTE, YOUR APPROVAL, YOUR BLESSING AND ASK IF WE COULD CONTINUE THAT PROJECT. THAT'S

[00:40:02]

WHO WE ARE, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME HERE TODAY. I THINK THAT'S PRETTY MUCH, THE HOUSE NEEDS A LITTLE WORK RIGHT NOW, AND, SO, WE'RE GOING TO NOT CHANGE ANY OF THE HISTORICAL FEATURES OR THE OUTSIDE EXTERIOR, WE WANT TO REVIVE IT AGAIN. BUT, THE LOVE AND KINDNESS OUT OF THAT HOME HAS NEVER GONE AWAY. IT'S ALWAYS BEEN THERE. THAT'S WHERE WE ARE, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO ASK?

>> OKAY. I THINK MY HUSBAND WANTED TO SAY A COUPLE OF WORDS.

BY THE WAY, IF YOU'RE A DE DLTA-THATA.

>> GOOD EVENING, AN INTERESTING THING ABOUT THE MCKINZIE HOUSE, MR. MCKINZIE WENT TO MR. HARDEN, I BELIEVE THAT IT WAS, AN OLD MAN IN THE WICHITA FALLS AREA. AND ASKED TO GIVE ACC $1 MILLION TO KEEP EVERYTHING OPEN AND FUNCTIONING, AND MR. HARDEN SAID NO. BUT, WITHIN THAT YEAR, MM MM MM MM MM MR. MCKINZIE AND MR. HARDEN GOT BACK TOGETHER AND HE LOANED THE MONEY THROUGH THE DEPRESSION AREA AND FINALLY, THE LOAN WAS PAID OFF BY THE UNIVERSITY. THE HOUSE IS LOCATED WHERE QUAFFS PART OF THE STREET OF THE PRESIDENT'S HOUSE. SO, MR. MCKINZIE AND THE VARIOUS RESIDENTS THERE, WOULD GET TOGETHER AND TALK. THE HOUSE HAS A WONDERFUL HERITAGE IN THAT WHY ARE, WE LOOK FORWARD TO PUTTING IT BACK TOGETHER, AND JUST DO EVERYTHING IT TAKES TO TURN THAT INTO A GOOD, VIABLE PART OF WHAT HAPPENS ON THE HILL AND THROUGHOUT ABILENE.

>> THANK YOU. STILL IN PUBLIC HEARING, WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE

TO SPEAK? >> HI, CYNTHIA FOR THE RECORD, I JUST HAVE A QUESTION AS TO WHY WE CHANGED UP THE AGENDA. WHY WE'RE NOT GOING BY WHAT YOU GUYS PUBLISHED DOES ANYBODY WANT TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION, FACTUAL QUESTION, FACTUAL ANSWER.

>> I HAVE TO LEAVE EARLY. >> WELL, I ALSO HAVE CHILDREN HERE TO CAME TO PRESENT AND THE SCHEDULE THAT Y'ALL NORMALLY HAVE, THEY WERE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT. SO, I HAVE A COUPLE OF ISSUE THAT IS I WANT TO DISCUSS, ONE, IS THE FACT THAT YOU AREN'T GOING BY WHAT YOU POSTED. THE SECOND ONE IS WE'VE REQUESTED THINGS BE DISCUSSED AS WELL, AND OUR ITEMS AREN'T GETTING PULLED OFF OF THE AGENDA TO BE DISCUSSED. SO, AGAIN, IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S OBVIOUS FAVORITISM HERE, YOU PRIED CLEAN CHRISTIAN TO HAVE THEIR THINGS TO PULLED FROM THE AGENDA AND DISCUSSED REGARDLESS OF ANY INCONVENIENCE TO ANYBODY ELSE. IT'S NOT FAIR, I'M NOT TRYING TO BE UNFAIR TO THE INDIVIDUALS THEY'RE TRY TO HONOR HERE, BUT, IT'S I HAVE CHILDREN ADVOCATED ON WHAT HAVE BEHALF OF THI TO THEM. WE'VE BEEN WAITING ALL OF THIS TIME. IT'S NOT FAIR THAT YOU DETER, OR, YOU, CHANGE UP YOUR AGENDA THAT YOU POSTED ONLINE TO CATER, AGAIN, TO ABILENE CHIS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY. I'M TIRED OF COMING UP HERE, IT'S NO DISRESPECT TO THE INDIVIDUALS THAT YOU ARE HONORING, BUT, IT IS VERY DISRESPECTFUL OF MY TIME AND MY CHILDREN'S TIME. IT'S OBVIOUS THE WAY THAT YOU GUYS DO BUSINESS. YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT ANYBODY ELSE'S TIME OR MONEY. YOU GOT AC DIGGING INTO OUR TERS. YET, Y'ALL A WASTE EVERYBODY ELSE'S TIME AND MONEY.

AND OBVIOUSLY Y'ALL AREN'T GOING TO HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT ANY OF THAT. BECAUSE, WE DON'T MATTER? OUR VOICES DON'T MATTER? OUR TIME DOESN'T MATTER? OUR MONEY DOESN'T

MATTER? MR. HURT. >> I THINK EVERYONE'S TIME HERE MATTERS, AND YOU'RE TAKING UP THEIR TIME RIGHT NOW.

>> WHY IS IT THAT YOU WANT TO STRAY FROM THE AGENDA. AND YOU CAN PUT THEIR THINGS UP FRONT, YOU COULD FRONTLOAD THEIR THINGS, BUT, WHEN WE REQUEST YOU FRONTLOAD OUR STUFF THAT HAS TO DO WITH OUR DAILY LIVES, NOT A HISTORICAL HOME THAT NOBODY'S GOING TO LIVE IN. YOU CAN'T UPLOAD OUR STUFF WHEN IT HAS TO DO WITH THE HOUSE THAT IS WE LIVE IN? WHEN IT HAS TO DO WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT WE LIVE IN, WHEN IT HAS TO DO WITH THE PARKS THEY THE KIDS PLAY IN BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE SETTING THEM

[00:45:03]

ON FIRE? YOU'RE OKAY WITH WASTING OUR TIME?

>> I'VE ANSWERED YOUR QUESTION. >> I'M NOT DONE. YOU'RE OKAY WITH WASTING OUR TIME. OUR TIME DOESN'T MATTER FOR YOU?

>> JOSEPH, AND GET UP HERE YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO TALK ABOUT

RAH YOU WANTED TO TALK ABOUT. >> THEY LEFT.

>> THAT RIGHT THERE, IS NOT FAIR. THAT'S NOT FAIR.

>> THAT'S NOT FAIR. AND WHOEVER IN HER IS SITTING HERE FOR ACU, PLEASE GO BACK AND LEARN SOME THINGS.

>> YOU'RE HERE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL AND NOT THE AUDIENCE AND YOUR TIME IT UP. ANYONE ELSE WANT TO SPEAK ON ITEM 15 AT THIS

TIME? >> SEEING NONE, I WILL IT CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?

>> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> SECOND.

>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER BEARD AND A SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ALBUS. READY TO VOTE.

>> COUNCILMEMBER BEARD? >> DEPUTY MAYOR PRO-TEM ALBUS?

>> THANK YOU FOR PRESERVING OUR HISTORY, YES.

>> COUNCILMEMBER MCALISTER IS ABSTAINING.

>> MAYOR WILLIAM SUNSHINE ABSTAINING. COUNCILMEMBER PRICE IS ABSTAINING, AND MAYOR PRO TEM HURT.

>> CAN WE PULL 12? >> YOU CAN AND HAVE A PUBLIC

HEARING. >> SINCE I DO HAVE TO LEAVE EARLY AND THEY HAVE TO ABSTAIN FROM THIS VOTE, WE'RE GOING TO PULL ITEM 12 FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.

[CONSENT AGENDA (1 of 2)]

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: SO, WE'LL NOW MOVE TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.

CONSISTING OF ITEMS 4-12, THESE ARE TO BE CONSIDERED WITH ONE MOTION AND THERE'LL BE MA SEPARATE MOTION UNLESS A COUNCILMEMBER REQUESTS IS SEPARATE DISCUSSION ON A PARTICULAR ITEM. DOES COUNCIL WANT TO PULL ANY ITEMS FROM THE

CONSENT AGENDA? >> ITEM NUMBER 12.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ITEM NUMBER 12.

>> AND MAYOR, SINCE I DO HAVE TO LEAVE AND WE NEED TO VOTE ON

[12. Ordinance (First Reading): Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Take Action on Amending the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) #3 Board Members from Seven (7) to Five (5) (Tim Littlejohn)]

THIS, I WOULD LIKE US TO CONSIDER THAT ITEM BEFORE PUBLIC

COMMENT. >> .

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: SO, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT AND THE REST OF THE AGENDA ITEM A LITTLE WE'LL ALLOW ITEM 12 TO BE PRESENTED AND I'LL LET MAYOR PRO TEM HURT TO PRESENT THAT.

>> WE'LL NOW MOVE TO ITEM 12, AND I'LL ASK TIM LITTLEJOHN TO

GIVE THE REPORT. >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL. UP FOR CONSIDERATION IS TERS 3 ORDINANCE AMENDMENT. BASICALLY WE'RE AMENDING THE ORDINANCE TO THE USE OF TERSE 2 BOARD MEMBERS FOR TERSE NUMBER THREE AND WE'RE ASKING TO TAKE THE BOARD FROM SEVEN MEMBERS TO FIVE MEMBERS TO SERVE ON TERS THREE. THERE'LL BE FURTHER CONSIDERATION FOR TERS THREE FOR CONSIDERATION.

I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.

>> ANY QUESTIONS FOR TIM AT THIS TIME?

>> THIS ITEM REQUIRES PUBLIC COMMENT. I'LL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC COMMENT AT THIS TIME, IF ANYONE HAS COMMENTS ON ITEM 12, PLEASE, COME FORWARD AND ASK YOUR QUESTIONS, PLEASE.

>> SEEING NONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING, ANY QUESTIONS OR

I'LL ACCEPT A MOTION. >> SO MOVED.

>> MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER CRAVER.

>> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER BEARD. NO FURTHER DISCUSSION. READY TO VOTE.

>> COUNCILMEMBER CRAVER? >> YES.

>> COUNCILMEMBER BEARD? >> YES.

>> DEPUTY MAYOR PRO-TEM ALBUS? >> YES.

>> MAYOR PRO TEM HURT? >> YES.

>> MOTION CARRIE. >> .

[Public Comment]

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WE'LL NOW TO HAVE TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. THERE'LL BE NO VOTES OR ANY FORMAL ACTIONS TAKEN ON SUBJECTS PRESENT IN PUBLIC COMMENT. THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD WILL ALLOW MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO PRESENT IDEAS AND INFORMATION FOR CITY OFFICIALS AND STAFF. PLEASE COME FOR THE RECORD AND STATE YOUR NAME AND CITY YOU RESIDE IN FOR THE RECORD. COUNCILMEMBER BEARD DO WE HAVE CARDS FOR PUBLIC

COMMENT? >> YES, I'M CALL THE NAME IN THE ORDER I RECEIVED THE CARDS, FIRST IT'S JOEY DEVORA.

[00:50:07]

>> I DON'T KNOW I WAS GOING TO BE FIRST, YOU GUYS PUT ME ON THE SPOT. I GOT UP A LITTLE LATE THIS MORNING. I'M JOEY DEVORA, AS MOST OF YOU KNOW, I'M A LIFE LONG RESIDENT OF ABILENE, BORN AND RAISED HERE, I'M A SIXTH GENERATION TEXAN, MY GREAT GRAND PARENTS WERE MARRIED IN 1916 DOWN THE STREET FROM HERE AT ST.

FRANCIS CATHOLIC CHURCH AND WE'VE BEEN A PART OF THE COMMUNITY FOR AWHILE. SO, I'M HERE TODAY, UM, ON A MISSION OF PEACE THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN MY MISSION, PEACE AND FREEDOM.

SOMETIMES THE MEETINGS OR THESE EVENTS LIKE THIS CAN SOMETIMES TURN DARK, SO, I'M HERE TO REMOVE THE DARKNESS AND JUST KIND OF SHED LIGHT ON A FEW THINGS. SO, I THINK THE FUTURE OF ABILENE IS BRIGHT. I THINK THAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB, I APPLAUD THE CITY MANAGER, MAYOR, AND COUNCILMEMBERS. I APPLAUD THE COMMITMENT TO THE OATH AND THE SERVICE TO THE CITY BUT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THIS NATION, THE WORKING CLASS. ON A THURSDAY MORNING, MOST PEOPLE ARE AT WORK, THAT'S THE MAJORITY OF ABILENE. THEY'RE WORKING RIGHT NOW. WE HAVE TO RESPECT THAT NOT EVERYBODY CAN COME TO THESE MEETINGS AT THIS TIME BECAUSE THEY'RE WORKING. THAT IS THE MAJORITY. THE MAJORITY OF ABILENE, I KNOW FOR A FACT BELIEVE IN FREEDOM. THE FREEDOM FROM OPPRESSION, THE FREEDOM FROM EXTREME REGIMES, WHETHER FOREIGN OR DOMESTIC. SOMETIMES WE FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, NOT ONLY ABROAD, BUT, ALSO AT HOME. THE FREEDOM TO READ BOOKS. THE FREEDOM TO OWN A GUN. THE FREEDOM TO LOVE WHO YOU LOVE AND WHAT YOU LOVE. THE FREEDOM TO KIND OF LOOK WITHIN OURSELVES BY LISTENING, OBSERVING, AND YES, BY READING, SO THAT THE FUTURE CAN BE MET WITH HOPE AND STRIFE AND INTELLIGENT DECORUM, AND NOT WITH DARKNESS. A FUTURE OF JOY AND MINIMAL PAIN. A FUTURE THAT MANY READ AS WE BELIEVE IN THE PRINCIPLES OF LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. SO THAT THE WE THE PEOPLE OF ABILENE CAN REJOICE IN THE GIFTS THAT OUR ANCESTORS FOUGHT FOR IN THE NAME OF FREEDOM. MY GRANDFATHER FOUGHT FOR FREEDOM. THERE'S A DIFFERENCE IN FIGHTING AND SERVING. MANY OF YOU COME UP HERE AND FIGHT FOR YOUR FREEDOMS. AND AGAIN, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU, COUNCIL, FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU'VE DONE, I COME UP HERE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THE RESOLUTION THAT THE LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD IS PUTTING FORTH TODAY. I THINK THAT SPEAK TOSS OUR FREEDOMS AND ABILENE SHOULD BE NOTHING MORE THAN A SANCTUARY CITY AND BEAKEN

OF LIGHT. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: EACH AGENDA ITEM ON THE REGULAR AGENDA LIST OF ITEMS WILL HAVE IT'S OWN SEPARATE PUBLIC HEARING. IF THERE'S AN AGENDA ITEM THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON SPECIFICALLY. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO REMIND YOU HAVE THAT. ANYONE ELSE,

COUNCILMEMBER BEARD? >> SUSIE MACILOSO.

>> GOOD MORNING. MAYOR WILLIAMS, COUNCILMEMBERS, THANK YOU, FOR SERVING OUR CITY OF ABILENE AND DOING A WONDERFUL JOB AT IT. I'M DR. SUSIE MACILOSO, THE DIRECTOR OF THE JEW WIT CENTER IN ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY. I'VE LIVED IN ABILENE FOR 12 YEARS NO. BOTH OF CHILDREN FROM BORN IN ABILENE AND ATTEND SCHOOL IN ABILENE, AND MY HUSBAND WORKS FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. I'VE DONE LOTS OF WORK IN ABILENE.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I HAVE VALUED IN MY TIME IN ABILENE IS THE ABILITY TO GO TO THE PUBLIC LIBRARY AND HELP MY CHILDREN EXPLORE THEIR INTERESTS IN READING. SO, I'M HERE TODAY TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR THE LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD'S RECOMMENDED RULE CHANGE FOR THE RECONSIDERATION OF LIBRARY BOOKS AS WELL AS EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR THE WORK OF THE LIBRARIANS.

THEY'RE PROFESSIONALS IN THEIR FIELD AND WORK TO SERVE THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF ABILENE. I BELIEVE THAT THE PUBLIC LIBRARIES EXIST TO SERVE THE PUBLIC GOOD. AS SUCH, IT IS MY JOB AS A PARENT OF YOUNG KIDS TO MONITOR WHAT THEY'RE READING AND MAKE DECISIONS THAT ARE BEST FOR OUR FAMILY. IT'S NOT MY JOB IS MAKE DECISIONS THAT ARE BEST FO LIBRARIES EXIST FOR EVERY MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY. NOT JUST SOME. SO, I VALUE THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE WHAT IS BEST FOR MY FAMILY. AND I VALUE THAT OTHER

[00:55:03]

FAMILIES HAVE THAT CHOICE AS WELL. THANK YOU.

>> ALL THE REST OF THESE ARE ON 14.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC COMMENT THIS MORNING? BEING MINDFUL THAT EACH AGENDA ITEM ON THE REGULAR AGENDA WILL HAVE IT'S SEPARATE PUBLIC

HEARING. >> I'M RYAN GOODWIN, AND I HAD A QUESTION JUST BASED ON THE TAX REINVESTMENT ZONE WE JUST PASSED IN NUMBER 3 AND ASKING WHY WE'RE MOVING FROM SEVEN BOARD MEMBERS TO FIVE? WHY ARE WE DECREASING? WAS IT LESS INTEREST IN THE BOARD OR WHAT WAS THE THOUGHT PROCESS?

>> MR. GOODWIN, TERS BOARD TO HAS FIVE MEMBERS AND FOR CONSISTENCY PURPOSES WE REDUCED FROM SEVEN TO FIVE.

>> THANK YOU. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I'M ADDRESSING THE RECONSIDERATION PROCESS THAT'S HAPPENED WITH THE LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD SO THAT THE MINUTES REFLECT THAT CORRECTLY.

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR LAST WEEK, Y'ALL WERE ABLE TO MAKE A CORRECTION IN A DECISION MADE BY REMOVING TWO BOOKS FROM LAST WEEK THAT WEREN'T REMOVED, SOLD, AND YOLK, SO, THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. THERE ARE TWO MORE BOOKS I HAVE TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION. FALL LIST FAIR WAS MENTIONED LAST TIME, IT WAS NOT REMOVED, IT'S IN THE SECTION FOR 13-17 YEARS-OLDS. THE YOUNG ADULT SECTION. IT USES THE F WORD 181 TIMES. I'M NOT GOING TO READ BECAUSE IT'S FOUL. IT TALKS ABOUT THE RAPE OF A 16-YEAR-OLD GIRL AND HOW SHE RETALIATES AND WHAT IS DONE TO PEOPLE INCLUDING DEATH. MURDER, AND, UM, OUT OF VENGEANCE. SO, THIS IS ABOUT A VIOLATION OF A CHILD, A MINOR, AND, I DON'T THINK THAT'S A GOOD REFLECTION, THIS ONE IS CALLED "NICK AND CHARLEY" I'VE MARKED THE PLACES WHERE IT HAS QUESTIONABLE MATERIAL. THIS IS COMING TO THE LIBRARY, IT'S NOT ON THE SHELF. I'M HERE TO SAY THE RECONSIDERATION PROCESS IS NOT WORKING. I HAVE FIVE BOOKS TURNED IN NOVEMBER AND HAVE YET TO BE ADDRESSED. I THINK THAT THE BIGGEST ISSUE WE HAVE IS THAT WE'RE NOT SETTING A STANDARD. AND I THINK TO HAVE A STANDARD, WHERE CHILDREN ARE NOT VIOLATED IS A FAIR ONE. I THINK ANY BOOK IN OUR LIBRARY SHOULD NOT HAVE THE TOPIC OF THE VIOLATION OF CHILDREN. MINORS IT SHOULDN'T READ IT. ADULTS SHOULDN'T READ IT. WE SHOULDN'T SPEND OUR TAXPAYER MONEY ON IT.

WE SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND ANYTIME A CHILDREN IS VIOLATED FOR THE SOUL PURPOSES OF TELLING A STORY OF TRAUMA AND VIOLENCE.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT THE WAY THE CHILD OVERCOMES. THIS IS TERRIBLE, NOT ABOUT REDEMPTION, THIS IS DRUGS, DRINKING, UNDER AGED ALCOHOL. ALL OF THINGS, WE SHOULDN'T HAVE THESE IN THE YOUNG ADULT SECTION. WE SHOULDN'T BE NOW STILL ORDERING THEM TO BE IN THE YOUNG ADULT SECTION. AND I THINK THAT FALLS BECAUSE EVERYTHING THAT OFFHAVE DONE FOR THE LAST NINE MONTHS DOESN'T SET A STANDARD THAT WE COULD STICK TO. IT INVOLVES CASE BY CASE PROCESS. I FEEL AS A CITIZEN AFTER 120 DAYS OF NO RESPONSE EXCEPT THAT YOU GOT MY RECONSIDERATIONS THAT NOTHING'S GOING TO HAPPEN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND THANK YOU FOR RECONSIDERING AND CONSTANTLY MOVING. WE NEED TO HAVE STANDARDS SET IN PLACE SO THAT I DON'T HAVE TO CARRY THIS BAG OF BOOKS THAT ARE DISGUSTING AND ANYONE WHO SEES IT OR READS WHAT I HAVE IN THIS BAG THAT'S BEEN IN MY LIBRARY IS APPALLED THAT THEY'RE BEING TOLD IT'S BEEN CENSORSHIP AND BANNING, IT'S ABOUT PROTECTING OUR MINORS AND KEEPING PEOPLE FROM READING THINGS DAMAGING TO OUR MINORS. THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ANYONE ELSE? WHY DON'T YOU GO AFTER

HER, MS. MOWSER. >> GOOD MORNING. UM, IT'S MY

UNDERSTANDING I PRESENTED -- >> CONNIE HOWARD, ABILENE,

TEXAS. >> I PRESENTED FOUL IT IS FAIR LAST TIME. AND, IT CAME TO ME THAT MAY BE YOU THINK THAT I STOOD UP HERE BECAUSE I AM FOR CENSORSHIP. I'M NOT FOR CENSORSHIP. I BELIEVE IN EVERY CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT GIVEN BY THE CONSTITUTION AND TTHE BILL F RIGHTS NEVER WOULD I WANT TO STEP ON THOSE OR CHANGE THEM. WHAT I DO WANT TO COME BACK AND SAY AND, I GAVE EACH ONE OF YOU WHAT I COPIED OFF FROM THE PUBLISHER'S WEBSITE. SO, I'M COMING BACK WITH WHAT THE

[01:00:04]

PUBLISHER HAS PUT OUT FOR THE PARENTS. THE WARNING THAT THE BOOK IS A MODERN TAKE ON WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S MACBETH AND THAT IT IS VIOLENCE, IT HAS DRUGS, IT HAS GANG RAPE. IT HAS EVERYTHING FOUL IN IT THAT YOU CAN IMAGINE. I'M NOT GOING TO READ THAT, BECAUSE YOU ALL HAVE A COPY. I, UM, WHEN I READ THAT, I CALLED THE PUBLIC LIBRARY, AND I ASKED, IS THERE A COPY OF MACBETH IN THE JUVENILE SECTION FOR AGES 12-17, AND I WAS TOLD NO. AND I SAID, DO YOU HAVE A COPY OF MACBETH, AND THE CIRCULATION DESK SAID, YES. I SAID, WHERE WOULD I FIND THAT.

SHE SAID IN THE DUEY DECMAL SECTION. MY DEAL IS IF THIS IS A TAKE ON MACBETH AND I DIDN'T READ MACBETH AT AGES 12-17. IF IT IS, WITH ALL THE LANGUAGE AND EVERYTHING ELSE, WHY ISN'T IT IN THE ADULT SECTION? WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO LEAVE IT IN THE JUVENILE SECTION? THERE'S NOTHING IN THERE THAT IS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. AND, AGE 17, THEY DON'T DO THEIR RESEARCH IN THE JUVENILE SECTION, THEY'RE GOING TO DO THEIR RESEARCH IN THE ADULT SECTION. SO, WE'RE REALLY TALKING ABOUT 12 THROUGH WHATEVER IN THERE. WE HAVE A BIBLICAL RESPONSIBILITY OF STEWARDSHIP. AND YOU ALL GO TO CHURCH, SOME OF YOU ARE EVEN DEACONS, SO YOU'RE AWARE OF THAT. RENEED TO RETURN OUR NATION BACK TO BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES AND VALUES. PROVERBS 22:6 SAYS TRAIN A CHILD THE WAY THEY SHOULD GO AND WHEN THEY'RE OLDER THEY WILL NOT DEVIATE FROM IT. IT ACTUALLY SAYS WHEN HE IS OLD, HE'LL RETURN TO IT. I'M JUST ASKING TO YOU PLEASE RECONSIDER THIS BOOK. IT IS FOUL, YOU DO NOT WANT PORNOGRAPHY IN FOR 12-WHATEVER YOUNG KIDS. THEY'RE NOT READY

FOR IT. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: THANK YOU

SO MUCH. >> THERE'S A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN MATURITY BETWEEN 12 AND 17. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: MS. MOWSER?

>> I'M BENNY MOWSER, AND I LOVE IN TAYLOR COUNTY, I LIVE IN ABILENE. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY BILLS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE TO STOP SEXUALIZING KIDS. THIS COMES FROM OUR STATE. UM, THE SREC. REPUBLICAN PARTY. PEOPLE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT STOP SEXUALIZING THE CHILDREN. AND, TO THAT END, THEY'RE EVEN GOING FURTHER THAN THAT, TO THAT END, AT LEAST ONE PAGE OF EXCERPTS FROM AN EXPLICIT BOOK TITLE FOUND IN TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS BEING PROVIDED TO EVERY LEGISLATURE IN THE TEXAS SENATE AND HOUSE ON THE REMAINING DAY OF THE 88TH LEGISLATION'S SESSION. UM, I HAVE BROUGHT AND I'LL GIVE THEM TO YOU, ANTHONY, THERE ARE, BILLS NOW, THIS STOP SEXUALIZING CHILDREN HAS TO DO WITH PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND, WHEN YOU HAVE A PUBLIC SCHOOL AND CHARTER SCHOOLS, CHARTER SCHOOLS HAVE TO COMPLY WITH TEXAS LAW ALSO, JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE A CHARTER SCHOOL THEY CAN'T GO OFF THE RAILS. BUT, THEN, AND THEN, OUR PUBLIC LIBRARIES. AND SO, PEOPLE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT STOP SEXUALIZING OUR TEXAS CHILDREN.

AND SO THERE ARE BILLS THAT ARE FILED IN THE UM, ALREADY, IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE SO, HARRY TRUMAN SAID, THE BUCK STOPS HERE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOU GET AHEAD OF THE GAME. PEOPLE CAME TO ABILENE. WE MOVED BACK FROM DALLAS BECAUSE WE WANTED TO RAISE OUR CHILDREN IN ABILENE, SUCH A WONDERFUL COMMUNITY TO BRING UP CHILDREN. AND, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ABILENE BE THAT

[01:05:18]

MODEL. >> I'M ERIC BINGS, I LIVE IN ABILENE. TWO WEEKS AGO I READ TO YOU FROM A BOOK CALLED HANDMAIDEN'S TALE. IT'S IN A GRAPHIC FORM. THIS IS RIGHT OUT OF THE BOOK. FORCED RAPE. THESE ARE I KNOW THAT THE BOOK HAS BEEN RESHELFED INTO THE ADULT SECTION. I UNDERSTAND THAT. BUT, THAT DOES NOT KEEP A MINOR FROM HAVING ACCESS TO IT IF THEY GO LOOKING FOR IT. SO, WE HAVE FORCED RAPE. PART OF WHAT I READ WAS A LADY AND A GYNECOLOGY OFFICE GOING TO HAVE HER EXAM AND THE DOCTOR TAKING ADVANTAGE OF HER MOLESTING HER, SEXUALLY ABUSING HER, WHILE SHE IS IN HIS CARE. GRABBING, HOLDING HER BREASTS, AN EXPOSED BREAST. SO, A CHILD HAS ACCESS TO THIS, THEY COULD LOOK AT THIS BOOK. NUDITY, AND THE ONE THAT SHOCKED ME THE MOST, IT JUST, IT MADE ME WANT TO THROW UP. TOP PANEL, SECOND PICTURE HAS ANOTHER FORCED RAPE. A YOUNG LADY BEING RAPED BY SOMEONE BY ANOTHER PERSON THAT'S HOLDING HER DOWN. THERE ARE MULTIPLE LEGS THERE'S PEOPLE WATCHING THIS WHILE IT'S GOING ON. A CHILD HAS ACCESS TO THIS. AND THEN, A MYRIAD OF LITTLE SNAPSHOTS. AGAIN, LADY WHO IS NUDE. BEING MADE TO DRINK OUT OF A WATER BOWL THAT'S ON THE FLOOR. SHE HAS A CHAIN AND A COLLAR AROUND HER NECK. ANOTHER PICTURE, A HALF-NAKED LADY LAYING DOWN, BLOOD COMING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH HER HIPS AND THE ONE THAT DISTURBS ME THE MOST IS A YOUNG LADY WITH A GUN IN HER MOUTH. TEXAS PENAL CODE SAYS THERE'S OBSCENITY AND THERE'S HARM TO PEOPLE, FOLKS, THAT'S HARMFUL. A KID CANNOT LOOK AT THAT AND NOT BE HARMED.

OBSCENITY LAWS SAY THIS CAN'T BE ON OUR LIBRARY SHELVES. I KNOW IT'S BEEN RESHELVED BUT IF A KID WANTS TO LOOK AT IT, THEY WILL FIND IT AND MAKE IT AVAILABLE FOR THEMSELVES, THE WAY THEY WANT TO DO WITH IT. A CHILD CANNOT SEE AND UNSEE WHAT'S IN

THESE BOOKS. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: YES,

MA'AM. >> I'M PATSY WATSON, I LIVE IN ABILENE AND I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT TO THE AUDIENCE REALLY

QUICK. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WE WANT

YOU TO COMMENT TO US. >> WELL, Y'ALL HAVE ASKED THE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SPEAK ABOUT RESOLUTION 14 TO WAIT UNTIL IT

COMES UP ON THE AGENDA. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: YOU CAN SAY WHATEVER YOU WANT RIGHT NOW. YOU DON'T HAVE TO.

>> I WAS JUST GOING TO WAIT BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT YOU ASKED US TO DO AND I WANTED TO LET OTHER PEOPLE BE REMINDED THAT THAT'S THE POLITE THING TO DO IS TO FOLLOW THE AGENDA WHEN YOU ASK US TO. BUT, I HAVE SOMETHING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY. SO, I'LL SAY IT NOW. BUT, MORE THAN 200 YEARS AGO, OUR FOREFATHERS FOUNDED THIS COUNTRY AND THEY WROTE A CONSTITUTION, AND THEY DECIDED TO MAKE AN AMENDMENT TO THAT CONSTITUTION TO PRESERVE A LOT OF RIGHTS FOR THE CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTRY. THEY GAVE US THE RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH AND THEY GAVE US THE RIGHT TO FREE PRESS. AND, WE'RE ONE OF THE ONLY NATIONS IN THE WORLD THAT HAS THAT TOTAL RIGHT TO SPEAK UP AGAINST OUR GOVERNMENT IF WE WANT TO. WE CAN SAY WHATEVER WE WANT TO WITHOUT FEAR OF HARM.

AND WHEN SOMEONE SAYS SOMETHING THAT I DISAGREE WITH, THEY STILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO SAY IT. IT'S GUARANTIED BY THE CONSTITUTION.

I DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO SILENCE SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T AGREE WITH ME. AND THAT SAME PRINCIPLE, I THINK, APPLIES TO BOOKS. IF THE BOOK HAS CONTENT THAT I FIND OFFENSIVE, THEN, I WON'T READ IT. BUT, I CAN'T TAKE AWAY YOUR RIGHT TO READ THAT BOOK. THERE'S NOTHING THAT GIVES ME THE RIGHT TO RESTRICT WHAT YOU CAN READ. AND WE HAVE LIBRARIANS AND A BOARD OF

[01:10:03]

DIRECTORS. WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO TRUST THEIR JUDGMENT AS TO WHAT BOOKS ARE PUT IN YOUR LIBRARY. SOME BOOKS, NO DOUBT, NEED TO BE PLACED OUT OF THE REACH OF OUR CHILDREN AND THAT CAN BE DONE WITH SPECIAL SECTIONS. I THINK EVERY PERSON IN THIS CITY HAS THE RIGHT TO BE TREAT WOULD DIGNITY AND RESPECT, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER I AGREE WITH THEIR VALUES OR THEIR LIFESTYLE. I SIMPLY DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO IMPOSE MY VALUES ON OTHER PEOPLE. I URGE YOU TO ADOPT THE PROCEDURES RECOMMENDED BY THE LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THANK YOU.

>> . >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WE'RE STILL IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT, IS THERE ANYONE ELSE?

>> . >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: SEEING NO

ONE, I'LL CLOSE -- >> BRANDT FISHER. COULDN'T SLEEP MONDAY NIGHT AND WOKE UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, AND, UM, OFTENTIMES, I'LL WRITE DOWN WHAT WAS ON MY HEART AND I DID SO, I'M GOING TO BE OBEDIENT TO READ IT. AND, UM, THESE ARE QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS OF MY INVOLVEMENT IN LOCAL POLITICS FOR A CITY THAT I LOVE. FOR A CITY THAT I'M INVESTED IN. FOR A CITY THAT I HAVE MY BUSINESS IN. I WANT TO TALK TO THE LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD FOR A SECOND. WHY IS IT THAT WHEN WE FOLLOW THE POLICIES THAT ARE IN PLACE, THE ONLY CHANGES RECOMMENDED ARE TWO UPDATE TO NEW POLICIES WITH FURTHER LIMITATIONS AND REGULATIONS ON THE PEOPLE? WHY DOES A LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD REMAIN SILENT AT EVERY MEETING AND VOTE 100% UNANIMOUSLY TOGETHER WITHOUT ONE MEMBER OF THE BOARD HAVING A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION, MEETING AFTER MEETING. COUNCIL, THANK YOU FOR AGREE, 100% ACROSS THE BOARD ON ALL LIBRARY ISSUES TOGETHER AS A UNITED FRONT EVERY TIME THEY'VE COME BEFORE YOU. THANK YOU FOR FOLLOWING ALL THE DIRECTION GIVEN BY STANLEY SMITH AND ROBERT HANNA, THE VERY PEOPLE YOU WERE ELECTED TO SERVE. OR DO I HAVE THAT BACKWARDS? YOU ARE EACH LEADERS, THAT WERE ELECTED BY THE CITIZENS OF ABILENE TO SERVE AND TO LEAD THE COMMUNITY WITH INTEGRITY, VALOR, HONOR AND COURAGE. THANK YOU FOR GIVING THE CITIZENS THE IMPRESSION THAT YU ARE A STRONG CONSERVATIVE VOICE, TRADITIONAL, FAMILY-SUPPORTING LOCAL CHURCH LEADERS, THANKFULLY, WE'RE SELDOM JUDGED BY OUR WORDS BUT BY OUR ACTIONS AND THAT THEREFORE. I LEARNED SILENCE IS CONSENT. HE WHO WAS SILENT WHEN HE OUGHT TO HAVE SPOKEN WAS TAKEN TO AGREE. SILENCE IS CONSENT, IF ONE DOES NOT OBJECT TO OR STAND UP AGAINST SOMETHING THAT ONE DOES NOT LIKE OR AGREE WITH, THEN, ONE IS COMPLICIT IN LETTING IT HAPPEN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SILENT CONSENT. THANK YOU, MR. HANNA FOR PUTTING UP WITH THOSE OF US THE PAST SIX MONTHS TRYING TO WORK ALONG SIDE YOU AND YOUR TEAM TO CLEAN UP THE ABILENE PUBLIC LIBRARY. AS YOU SO GRACIOUSLY STATED THIS PAST COUNCIL MEETING, I WISH TO GOD I COULD REMOVE THESE BOOKS BUT IT'S JUST NOT HOW THE LAW WORKS. THANKFUL LIE, GOD CREATED LAW.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR. THANK YOU TO LOCAL NEWS MEDIA FOR ACCURATELY REPRESENTING THE CONCERNS OF CITIZENS IN YOUR AREA OF INFLUENCE, WITHOUT BIAS, WHY DO YOU SHY AWAY FOR PRESENTING THE FULL ISSUES IMPORTANT TO THE PUBLIC. WHILE SOMEHOW SHOWING THE IMAGES AND WORDS IN THE BOOKSES AWAKEN THE CITIZENS TO THE LEVEL OF DEPRAVITY THAT IS BEING MAINTAINED IN THE PUBLIC LIBRARY. FOR YOUR FEAR OF STANDING UP FOR TRUTH. WE'RE NOT DISRUPTING THE PEACE IF WE

EVER REALLY HAD IT. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: THANK YOU,

SO MUCH. >> WE'RE STILL IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO

PARTICIPATE THIS MORNING? >> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON IS THAT, FROM WHAT I'VE RESEARCHED, THE AGE OF 0-17, THERE'S 24% OF OUR POPULATION IS THAT AGE. AND WE HAVE A LOT OF SOCIAL WORKERS, THAT ARE DEALING WITH HARM AND

[01:15:04]

ABUSE, THAT KIDS ARE GOING THROUGH WHETHER IT'S IN THEIR HOMES OR OUTSIDE OF THEIR HOMES. AND I CAN SAY I'M VERY, VERY, THANKFUL THAT I ACTUALLY WENT THROUGH BEING REMOVED FROM MY HOME AND BENEFITED FROM SOCIAL WORKERS WORKING WITH ME. BUT, I GUARANTY YOU WHEN YOU SPEAK WITH THESE SOCIAL WORKERS, A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO CALL IT PORNOGRAPHY, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT, I MEAN, THINGS ARE OBSCENE. BUT, I'M REALLY MOST CONCERNED WITH THE AFFECTS ON OUR COMMUNITY AND ON OUR KIDS.

THEY ARE TRULY DEALING WITH KIDS THAT ARE EXPERIENCING A LOT OF PAIN. AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO DEAL WITH THIS, THESE CHILDREN AND SO WHO DO THEY REACH OUT TO? AND ARE THEY GOING TO THE LIBRARY, TO FIND OUT, HEY, IT'S ACTUALLY OKAY.

BECAUSE, WE'RE ACTUALLY CONFIRMING AND EDIFING THE ACTS THAT PEOPLE ARE COMMITTING AGAINST CHILDREN. THAT IS A HUGE CONCERN FOR ME. BUT, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK FOR CITY COUNCIL FOR RECOGNIZING OUR SOCIAL WORKERS AND POLICE OFFICERS. I'M JUST VERY THANKFUL BECAUSE THEY DO A LOT OF WORK FOR THE COMMUNITY. SO, THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WE'RE STILL IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT

PERIOD, IS THERE ANYONE ELSE? >> HI, GOOD MORNING. CYNTHIA AVIDRAS FOR THE RECORD. I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW, MR. WILLIAMS, THAT MY CHILDREN SAW YOU LAUGHING AT ME WHEN I WAS UP HERE SPEAKING, SO, YOU LEFT A WONDERFUL IMPRESSION ON THEM.

THE ISSUES THAT I HAVE IS THAT YOU GUYS FEEL LIKE IT'S OKAY TO WASTE OUR TIME, LIKE, IT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING. WHAT I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW IS ITEM 20, WILL YOU GIVE HER THE CLICKER HERE, BUD. UM, ITEM NUMBER 12 ON THE AGENDA, THE TERS THAT -- WHAT THE ITEM THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE TERS, WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW IS THAT'S OWNED 100% BY THE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY. YOU TAKE AWAY FROM INDIVIDUALS THAT CAN UTILIZE THAT MONEY. IT'S OKAY FOR Y'ALL TO DO THAT. IT'S OKAY FOR Y'ALL DO THAT. BUT, YOU WANT YOU GOT PEOPLE HERE WANTING TO TEACH ETIQUETTE CLASSES FOR A BUILDING. THOSE THINGS AREN'T IMPORTANT TO US. YOU'RE CHARGING US A STREET MAINTENANCE TAX AND YOU CAN'T EVEN FIX OUR ROADS. TAXES OUT THE WAZOO. RECREATION CENTER'S FALLING APART. YOU GUYS GOT INSURANCE MONEY FOR THOSE RECREATION CENTERS AND NOW YOU'RE TRYING TO TEAR THEM DOWN. MY QUESTION IS

WHERE IS THAT INSURANCE MONEY. >> WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SAY,

BUDDY? >> I'M SCARED.

>> HE WANTED TO COME AND SPEAK ABOUT THE BASKETBALL COURTS, Y'ALL HAVE THIS PLENTY OF TIME AND MONEY TO FIX THE RECREATION CENTERS. I CAN TELL YOU, ACU I THEY HAVE APARTMENTS GOING UP ON MY DIME YET YOU WANT TO FEED ME TO DEATH ON THE WATER BILL.

WHEN WE TOLD Y'ALL IN A BOND THAT WE DIDN'T WANT IT. YOU WENT AND DID SOME SNEAKY STUFF AND STILL MADE US PAY FOR THE HOTEL. YOU PUT ALL OF OUR COVID-19 MONEYS INTO THE HOTEL, WHEN YOU COULD HAVE RENOVATED THE PARK OR DID GB DANIELS. WE DON'T NEED A HOTEL. YOU KEEP CHOOSING TO THROW MONEY AT ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY. THAT'S NOT CHRISTIAN LIKE BEHAVIOR AT ALL BY ANY MEANS. SO, Y'ALL CONTINUE TO DO WHAT YOU'RE DOING BECAUSE IT SHOWS HOW CON INTEREST DISTRICTRY YOU GUYS ARE IN YOUR BEHAVIOR. AND I GUARANTY EVERY ONE OF Y'ALL SIT IN THE FRONT ROW SUNDAY MORNING AT CHURCH. MY KIDS CAME UP TO TALK ABOUT A PARK THAT Y'ALL HAVE FAILED TO KEEP UP

WITH. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: THAT YOU

CAN SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. >> Y'ALL ARE TRASH.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WE'RE STILL IN PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, IS THERE ANYONE ELSE TO PARTICIPATE IN MORNING?

>> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS THOMAS ANGLEMIRE. I WANT TO

[01:20:04]

REBUT COMMENTS MADE IN THE PAST. AYE HEARD REPEATEDLY HERE PEOPLE SAY THAT OUR PEOPLE THAT RUN THE LIBRARY, ADMINISTRATORS AND SUCH ARE HIGHLY EDUCATED AND TRAINED PROFESSIONALS AND WE SHOULD TRUST THEM AND LET THEM DO THEIR JOB. THAT STATEMENT TO ME SEEM TOSS IMPLY A HIGH EDUCATION AND A HIGH LEVEL OF PROFESSIONISM TRANSLATES TO A HIGH LEVEL OF MORALITY. AND I THINK THAT WE COULD LOOK AROUND THE WORLD AND SEE THAT'S CERTAINLY NOT TRUE, THERE ARE HIGHLY EDUCATED AND HIGHLY PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE EVERYDAY THAT ARE BEING INDICTED AND PROSECUTED FOR IMMORAL BEHAVIOR AND POOR MORAL DECISIONS. SO, THAT COMMENT ISN'T VALID. I THINK IT'S PRETTY CLEAR. WE'VE ALSO HAD MANY PEOPLE COME UP HERE AND THE ITEM OF THESE BOOKS AND WE HAVE READ PARAGRAPH AFTER PARAGRAPH AFTER PARAGRAPH OF HORRIBLE LANGUAGE THAT'S AVAILABLE TO THESE YOUNG PEOPLE TO RAZE. WE SHOWED PAGE AFTER PAGE AFTER PAGE OF PICTURES THAT, I DON'T EVEN THINK THAT YOU COULD KIND IN THE X-RATED BOOK STORE, I DON'T KNOW. WE'VE PROVEN OUR POSITION. WE'VE DEMONSTRATED THAT THESE BOOKS WITHOUT QUESTION ARE INAPPROPRIATE AND ENACCEPTABLE. AND THEN OTHER PEOPLE COME UP AND SAY, WELL, THESE BOOKS HAVE POLITICAL VALUE. THEY HAVE EDUCATIONAL VALUE. THEY DON'T SUPPORT THEIR STATEMENTS. WE'VE SUPPORTED OUR'S. READ SOMETHING FROM THAT BOOK THAT DEMONSTRATES THAT THAT BOOK HAS POLITICAL VALUE. SHOW ME A PICTURE THAT DEMONSTRATES THAT THAT BOOK HAS EDUCATIONAL VALUE OF A WOMAN ON HER KNEES BEHIND A MAN ON ALL FOURS. WHERE'S THE EDUCATIONAL VALUE IN THAT? I DON'T THINK IT'S THERE. THANK YOU, VERY MUCH.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: IS THERE ANYONE ELSE?

>> MY NAME IS DANNY ZIPRICH, I BELIEVE IN ABILENE TEXAS. YOU KNOW, IF I HAVE A READ A BOOK AND SOMETIMES IF I GO TO A LIBRARY OR A PUBLIC PLACE WITH A SHARED SOURCE OF MATERIALS. I'M A YOUTH PASTOR AND I'M INVOLVED IN READING A BIT. A LOT OF BOOKS THAT I NEED TO FIND AREN'T USUALLY IN THE PUBLIC LIBRARY, I HAVE TO FIND DIFFERENT SOURCE OR MEANS TO FIND THAT EDUCATION TO TEACH THAT AND LEARN THAT EXACT PRACTICE OR BELIEF. THE ISSUE IS NOT SO MUCH ABOUT CENSORSHIP OR TRYING TO BLOCK ONE PERSON'S OTHER GROUP'S IDEOLOGY OR HOW THEY WANT TO LIVE. I BELIEVE THE ISSUE IS THAT LAW ACCORDING TO PENAL CODE.344 SAYS ANYTHING OBSCENE OR HARMFUL IS TO BE REMOVED FROM THAT PUBLIC PLACE, THE EXCEPTION IS BEING THAT IF THERE'S A SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATIONAL OR GOVERNMENT VALUE IT CAN STAY. THE ISSUE IS WHERE WE'RE FINDING THAT VALUE AT. I THINK WE HAVE A VALUE SYSTEM THAT'S NOT LINING UP. WHAT I TRULY BELIEVE THIS MORNING, WE HEARD MS. ALBUS LED US IN PRAYER TO TALK ABOUT THE LOVE FOR THE CITY AND THE PASSION THAT YOU HAVE. TO SE THIS PLACE GROW.

I'M YOUR BIGGEST FAN. ANYBODY THAT KNOWS ME QUITE WELL, I'LL TELL EVERYONE ALL THE TIME, I'LL DIE IN ABILENE, IT'S MY CITY AND I WASN'T BORN HERE. I LOVE IT. IT'S DIFFICULT TO WATCH, A CITY SUCH AS THE NATION OF ISRAEL WHO GREW UP AND LOVED THEIR NATION BUT TO SEE IT GET SO FAR REMOVED THAN WHAT IT WAS. WHAT WAS IT IN KINGS 22 THAT TURNED HIM WHACK TO THE PLACE, THE HIGH PRIEST FOUND ONE BOOK IN THE TEMPLE AND IT TURNED AN ENTIRE NATION BACK TO IT'S ORIGINAL VALUE SYSTEM. I'M NOT HERE TO PREACH TO YOU OR TRY TO TEACH YOU DOCTRINE, BUT, I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT THERE'S POWER ON WHAT YOU PUT VALUE ON. AND I WANT THERE TO BE VALUE IN US. WE'RE ABILENIANS, RIGHT?

>> WE'RE AMERICANS. >> WE ARE AMERICANS. BUT, I LIVE IN ABILENE, AND UNFORTUNATELY WE LIVE IN A PLACE THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENT IDEAS AND IDEOLOGIES. WE ARE ALL LIVING, AND THE THING ABOUT IT IS, EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE DIFFERENT IDEAS AND YES, I BELIEVE IN ABILENE AND PROUD OF WHERE I AM, BUT, THE THING IS I STILL HAVE TO LIVE WITH SOMEBODY THAT DOESN'T THAT DOESN'T AGREE WITH WITH WHAT I LIVE WITH AND AA GREW IT. WE HAVE TO LEARN TO FIND A VALUE SYSTEM THAT WE COULD ALL SHARE. I KNOW THAT WE'RE LABELLED YOUNG ADULTS

[01:25:01]

WHICH IS 12-18 YEARS OF AGE. I KNOW THAT WAS CHANGED FROM YOUNG ADULTS FROM TEENS, BUT, A 12-YEAR-OLD DOES NOT HAVE AN ABILITY TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS AND AS A YOUTH PASTOR, I KNOW THAT THE YOUNG PEOPLE AT THE AGE OF 12 ARE ABSORBING EVERYTHING THAT THEY SEE, HEAR, AND TOUCH. LET'S TRY TO FIND A VALUE SYSTEM THAT WE COULD ALL BELIEVE IN AND SHARE.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: IS THERE ANYONE ELSE? SEEING NO ONE,

[CONSENT AGENDA (2 of 2)]

I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. I WOULD ASK ON THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR A MOTION FROM THE COUNCIL ON ITEMS 4-ITEM

NUMBER 11. >> SO MOVED.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER PRICE.

>> SECOND. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER ALBUS. ANY DISCUSSION? READY TO VOTE.

>> COUNCILMEMBER PRICE SEW. >> YES.

>> IS COUNCILMEMBER BEARD? >> YES.

>> DEPUTY MAYOR PRO-TEM ALBUS? >> YES.

>> COUNCILMEMBER MCALISTER? >> YES.

[13. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action Amending Article V - Community Support Policies of the City Council's Governing Principles, Rules of Procedure, and Council Policies (Lesli Andrews)]

>> COUNCILMEMBER CRAVER? >> YES.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS. >> YES.

>> MOTION CARRIES. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WE MOVE TO ITEM 13, I'LL ASK THE DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION TO PRESENT THIS ITEM, LESLIE ANDREWS.

>> GOOD MORNING, LESLIE ANDREWS, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION. WHAT I HAVE THIS MORNING IS REALLY A CONVERSATION ABOUT SPECIAL EVENTS. WHEN WE DECIDED TO ENTER INTO A THIRD PARTY WITH THIRD-PARTY MANAGEMENT FOR ABILENE CONVENTION CENTER, SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HOST THERE NEED TO BE LOOKED AT TO SEE IF WE WANT TO CONTINUE HOSTING THEM THERE OR AT OTHER LOCATIONS AS WELL AS WITH ALL THE DEVELOPMENT AND THINGS HAPPENING DOWNTOWN, WITH LAWS OR POLICIES CHANGING, WE WANTED TO GIVE THE COUNCIL AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT SPECIAL EVENTS THAT THE COUNCIL SUPPORTS TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY CHANGES THAT WE NEED TO MAKE MOVING INTO THE FUTURE. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2016, CITY COUNCIL APPROVED ARTICLE 5 WHICH IS THE COMMUNITY-SUPPORTED POLICIES, THAT WAS AMENDED IN 2021. WE DO HAVE REGULAR SCHEDULED EVENTS AT THE CONVENTION CENTER AND WE HAVE MANY THINGS THAT CHANGE EVENTS THAT CHANGE FROM YEAR TO YEAR. AT THE ABILENE CONVENTION CENTER IN THE PAST, UNDER THE OLD POLICY, HERE'S A LIST OF SOME OF THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WERE HELD AT THE CONVENTION CENTER.

UNDER THE NEW AGREEMENT, WE WILL BE LIMITED TO 10 EVENTS. SO, WE NEED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT 10 EVENTS WE DO WANT TO HOST AT THE CONVENTION CENTER. HERE ARE SOME OF THE CITY-APPROVED EVENTS THAT ARE REALLY HELD WITHIN HOUSE.

WHETHER IT'S WITH HUMAN RESOURCES, ADMINISTRATION, FIRE DEPARTMENT, A LOT OF THESE HAVE TO DO WITH CITYWIDE EVENTS WHEN WE NEED TO HAVE ALL EMPLOYEES COME TO A TRAINING SESSION, OR, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS YOU KNOW, LOOKING FOR APPLICANTS FOR A NEW CLASS, POLICE DEPARTMENT LOOKING FOR APPLICANTS FOR A NEW CLASS.

SO, SOME OF THESE THINGS THROUGH THE NEW FIRE TRAINING STATION AND THE POLICE TRAINING STATION, THROUGH, YOU KNOW, THE LIBRARY WHEN THE SOUTHSIDE OPENS. SOME OF THESE THINGS WE WILL BE ABLE TO SHIFT INTO OTHER LOCATIONS FAIRLY EASILY. SOME OF THEM, DUE TO SIZE, WILL BE QUITE A BIT LARGER. THESE ARE THE ITEMS THAT ARE CURRENTLY ON THE POTENTIAL WAIVED FEE LIST. IT COULD BE PERMIT FEES, VENUE FEES, SOLID WASTE, ANY NUMBER OF THESE ITEMS POTENTIALLY, NOT EVERYTHING HAS ALL OF THESE FEES WAIVED, BUT, SOME EVENTS HAS ONE OF THESE EVENTS WAIVED. AND ALSO THROUGH THE NEW ISSUE THAT IS HAVE HAPPENED IT AROUND THE COUNTRY, PARADES ARE SOMETHING THAT WE REALLY HAVE TO TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT. SO, FOR THE LIABILITY OF HOSTING PARADES IN THE ABILENE WE HAVE THE CITY STAFF PUT UP BARRICADES AND MONITOR THE PARADES, AND THESE ARE THE CITY-SPONSORED PARADES CURRENTLY ON THE APPROVED LIST. SO, REALLY, NOW, I'M GOING INTO THE OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY HEAR BACK FROM COUNCIL. STAFF TOOK A STAB AT FIVE EVENT THAT IS WE MIGHT WANT TO HAVE CONTINUE TO HAVE AT THE CONVENTION CENTER, THESE ARE CITYWIDE EVENTS THAT HAVE A LARGE IMPACT FOR THE COMMUNITY. AND, SO, SOME OF OUR RECOMMENDATIONS ARE THE WORLD'S LARGEST BARBECUE. THE H-E-B FEAST. THE CAT FESTIVAL, THE MARTIN LUTHER KKING BANQUET, AN TEXAS MISSION MERCY. THIS LIST IS ARTICLE FIVE. THIS IS WHAT IS CURRENTLY ON THE APPROVED LIST FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

[01:30:01]

WHETHER WE WANT TO REMOVE ANY OF THESE ITEMS, ADD ANY NEW ITEMS ON, AS YOU COULD SEE HERE, THERE'S 1-11 OPTIONS OF WHAT THESE FEES POTENTIALLY COULD HAVE WAIVED OR CITY SUPPORTED.

DOESN'T MEAN WE'RE NECESSARILY THAT WE HAVE CITY STAFF HELPING WITH THAT EVENT. HERE'S THE VENTS AND THE CORE LATING FEES THAT CAN POTENTIALLY BE WAIVED. I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER YES QUESTIONS OR HERE ANY FEEDBACK FROM COUNCIL AT THIS POINT.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: THANK YOU, THE LIST OF THE FIRST SPONSORED EVENTS OF THE FIRST PORTION OF THE PACKET ARE TRIMMED DOWN.

THE STAFF IS RECOMMENDING THE FIVE BEFORE US AND THERE'S ROOM FOR ADDITIONAL FIVE EVENTS, CORRECT?

>> THAT IS CORRECT. >> I WOULD OFFER THIS AND ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO PARTICIPATE. I SEE NORM A ARCHIBALD WITH US. VIA RESOLUTION, I WOULD PUT MY SUGGESTION TO ADD (INDISCERNIBLE) ROSE DAY.

THAT'S ONE OF THE FIRST APPROVED. I WOULD ADDITIONALLY PUT FORWARD FOR CONSIDERATION TO ADD FOR THE FIVE ADDITIONAL SPONSORED EVENTS, JUNETEENTH WHICH IS A TEXAS HOLIDAY WHICH IS NOW A NATIONAL HOLIDAY AND HAS ROOTS IN OUR COMMUNITY, I THINK THE PARTICIPATION IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS HAS BEEN A VERY WELL-ATTENDED EVENT AT THE CONVENTION CENTER. SO, THOSE ARE MY TWO ADDITIONAL ONES. I SUPPORT THE FIVE FROM STAFF AND I WOULD ADD THOSE TOO. THIS WILL BE A PUBLIC HEARING. BUT, IN REGARDS TO COUNCIL, WHAT SAY YOU?

>> WELL, I HAD SENT AN E-MAIL, IF YOU GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE, YOU HAVE THE 11 IDENTIFICATIONS USED.

AND THE QUESTION THAT I HAVE IS NOW THAT WE HAVE A LIMITATION ON THE CONVENTION CENTER ITSELF, WOULD IT BE BENEFICIAL TO HAVE A NUMBER SPECIFIC TO THE CONVENTION CENTER VENUE RENTAL FEE WAIVED SO THAT WHEN YOU GLANCE AT THE LIST YOU COULD SEE HOW CLOSE YOU ARE AT THE 10 OR WE'RE AT THE 10 AND WE CAN'T ADD ANOTHER ONE. SO, THAT REALLY IS A STAFF TOOL, AND SO, YOU KNOW, IT KIND OF CAME BACK TO ME, WELL, WHATEVER COUNSEL'S DIRECTION IS, BUT, THIS IS REALLY A TOOL THAT YOU USE, AND SO, I DIDN'T KNOW IF THAT WAS BENEFICIAL. AND A QUESTION THAT I HAVE IS, OF THE 10 EVENTS THAT WE COULD DO AT THE CONVENTION CENTER, YOU'VE IDENTIFIED FIVE, THE MAYOR'S MENTIONED A FEW OTHERS. WHEN WE LOOK AT THE CITY ACTIVITY, LIKE, IF WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THOSE BIG, CITY EMPLOYEE-WIDE THINGS WHERE THE CONVENTION CENTER IS THE ONLY PLACE BIG ENOUGH? ARE THOSE ONE OF THE 10? ARE THERE SOME OF THOSE THAT WOULDN'T FIT IN ANY OTHER VENUE IN THE CITY THAT WE NEED TO BE SURE TO

ACCOUNT FOR? >> I THINK WE'VE HISTORICALLY USED THE CONVENTION CENTER FOR SOME OF THESE CITY INTERNAL EVENTS BECAUSE IT'S BEEN AVAILABLE AND EASY TO DO, RIGHT? I THINK THAT WE DO HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO LOOK AT OTHER CITY VENUE OPPORTUNITIES, FOR EXAMPLE, THE COMMUNITY ROOM AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, S THE TRAINING FACILITY AT APD. WE HAVE LARGER ROOMS BUT WE'VE JUST HISTORICALLY USED THE CONVENTION CENTER. THERE ARE SOME LARGER EVENTS THAT WE DO NEED TO DO THAT. FOR EXAMPLE, THE BENEFIT IT IS EVENT THAT WE PUT ON.

IT'S 1257 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES AND THEY'RE NOT GOING TO FIT IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OR NOT IN THE COMMUNITY ROOM IN APD. PART OF MOVING TO THE PRIVATE MARKET WITH THE CONVENTION CENTER CONCEPT IS THAT WE HAVE TO PAY MARKET RATES. SO, THAT'S FINE.

I WOULD THINK THERE ARE COMPELLING, COMMUNITY, ORIENTED EVENTS THAT RIGHTFULLY DESERVE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THEM FROM A STANDPOINT OF UNDERWRITING THAT EVENT COST.

WE NEGOTIATED EVENTS WITH ASM GLOBAL, I WOULD HATE FOR THEM TO GO TO SOME SORT OF CITY OPPORTUNITY. WE COULD FIND WAYS TO FOR THAT. ADDING THE ABILENE CONVENTION CENTER VENUE FEE WAIVE, THAT WOULD BE A WONDERFUL ADDITION AND HELP CLARIFY THE

LIST. >> LIKE I SAID, IT'S A TOOL FOR Y'ALL, FOR STAFF. AND SO, I JUST WANTED TO BRING IT UP SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IT, IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD CONSIDER. AND I APPRECIATE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THE CITY EVENTS AND I JUST WANTED US TO HAVE A VERY CLEAR EXPECTATION OF WHAT THE

[01:35:04]

OUTCOME OF DECISIONS THAT WE MAKE AND OPENING THINGS UP, AND, PICKING AND CHOOSING WHICH ONES WE'RE GOING TO PICK AND CHOOSE.

>> UNLESS, ON, I GUESS THE SCREEN, GO BACK ONE MORE, NEVERMIND. BUT, THE ONE THAT LISTS THE 13 APPROVED LIST OF WAIVED VENUE FEES. IT HAS DAIS, AFB SPECIAL EVENTS, AND WORLD'S LARGEST BARBECUE. IS THAT, CAN WE NOT MAY BE PUT ONE CATEGORY AND CALL IT DAIS, AND THAT BRINGS US FROM 13 TO 12 AND WOULD ACC BE WILLING TO WIGGLE ROOM WITH THIS, INSTEAD OF 10

GIVE US 12? >> NO. SO, NO. ALTHOUGH, I

LIKE WHERE YOUR HEAD'S AT. YES. >> AND ON THAT LIST, I THINK THE ONE IN ADDITION TO WHAT THE MAYOR MENTION I THINK FRIENDS OF THE ABILENE PRIVATE BOOK SALE IS A GIVEN. I DON'T KNOW THAT WE HAVE ANOTHER PLACE WHERE YOU COULD PUT THAT MANY BOOKS IN ONE

PLACE THAN AT THAT. SO... >> IT IS THE COMMENTS PART OF

PUBLIC HEARING FROM COUNCIL. >> I THINK THAT THE BUSINESS EXPO THAT SPEAKS TO BUSINESSES IN THE CITY IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. I WOULD ADD, I THINK IT'S VERY, VERY, NECESSARY, I THINK THERE'S SO MUCH SUPPORT IN COMMUNITY THAT THERE WOULD BE FUNDS ASSOCIATED THAT WOULD PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO PROVIDE THE APPROPRIATE FEES IN THAT REGARDS.

>> WOULD BUSINESS EXPO FALL UNDER ABILENE CHAMBER EVENTS?

>> IT WOULD BUT. >> WE JUST CAN'T HAVE ABILENE CHAMBER EVENTS AND HAVE ABILENE GET FREE RENTAL.

>> I WOULD PUT IN THE BUSINESS EXPO WITH THAT.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ANY ADDITION COMMENTS PRIOR TO

PUBLIC HEARING. >> ONE COMMENT, RIGHT NOW I HAVE NINE ON THE LIST AND TO BE ABLE TO ADD AN 12TH CATEGORY JUST SPECIFICALLY FOR THE CONVENTION CENTER, I THINK WOULD BE BENEFICIAL NOT ONLY FOR MY DEPARTMENTS BUT OTHER DEPARTMENTS. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE COULD EASILY DO. THE OTHER PART OF THIS IS IF YOU WOULD LOOK, I MEAN, LIKE, THIS LIST, YOU SEE QUITE A FEW EVENTS ON HERE, THIS IS THE SECOND REALLY PART OF THIS QUESTION ARE THESE ALL OF THE EVENTS THAT THE CITY COUNCIL WANTS STAFF TO WORK WITH AS FAR AS SPECIAL EVENTS WHERE WE'RE LOOKING AT WAIVING OR UNDERWRITING OR SUPPORTING

THE QUESTION IS. >> I HAVEN'T SEEN IT IN RECENT

YEARS. >> THEY DO STILL HAVE IT, YES.

>> AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS NOT CURRENTLY PROPOSED ON THE ARTICLE FIVE LIST, IF THAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU ARE INTERESTED IN US ADDING BACK ON, WE COULD DO SO.

>> SO, THAT WAS AN EVENT FOR THE FIRST HISPANICS THAT SETTLED IN THE COMMUNITY. I GUESS OVER BY NORTH THIRD, THEY CALL IS BAREO SANCURO, AND EVERY SECOND OR THIRD FRIDAY AND SATURDAY STARTING IN JULY IT'S LIKE A BIG REUNION. IS HOW I WOULD DESCRIBE IT. I THINK WHAT WE DID IS PROVIDE PORT-O-POTTIES.

>> WE PROVIDED ANY TYPE OF SERVICE THAT THEY NEEDED TO HOLD THEIR EVENT. THE CITY PROVIDED A LARGE PORTION OF THAT.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: AND OF COURSE, I DON'T THINK THEY'VE

HAD AN EVENT SINCE COVID. >> THEY HAVE STARTED BACK UP.

>> WHAT ARE YOU WANTING FROM US, LESLIE, DO YOU WANT EACH ONE OF US TO GIVE YOU OUR TOP 10 WANTS, THOUGHTS?

>> THAT IS REALLY UP TO YOU. FOR THE CONVENTION CENTER WE'RE LIMITED TO 10. FOR THE ARTICLE FIVE LIST IT'S HOWEVER MANY THE CITY COUNCIL IS WILLING TO SUPPORT.

>> THERE'S TWO REQUESTS. WITH THE ABILENE CONVENTION CENTER

[01:40:05]

WHAT 10 EVENTS DO YOU WANT TO PROVIDE FREE RENTALS FOR? AND TWO, ON THE LIST OF EVENTS THAT COUNSEL'S ADOPTED, ARE YOU STILL GOOD WITH THAT LAST SEVERAL YEARS OR DO YOU WANT TO SEE

CHANGES ON THEM. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: AND ON THE FIRST, STAFF IS RECOMMENDING FIVE, AND I'VE HEARD FOUR ADDITIONAL ONES, BUSINESS EXPO, JUNETEENTH, FRIENDS OF TTHE LIBRARY BOOK SALE ARE THE FOUR ADDITIONAL ONES. AND FOR CLARITY ON THIS PAGE, IT SAYS JUNETEENTH ALL EVENTS, IS THERE MORE THAN ONE PAGE AT THE CONVENTION CENTER FOR

JUNETEENTH? >> THIS WOULD BE THIS LIST WOULD BE SAYING THAT WE'RE GOING TO SUPPORT THE MARCH. WE'RE GOING TO SUPPORT THE PROCESSION, AND THE CONVENTION CENTER WE'RE GOING TO SUPPORT THE MEAL AT GV DANIELS. AND THERE'S ANOTHER ONE AT NELSON PARK, THERE ARE FIVE OR SIX DIFFERENT GROUPS THAT PUT UP SEPARATE EVENTS UNDER JUNETEENTH THE QUESTION IS DO WE WANT TO UNDERWRITE EVERYTHING RELATED TO JUNETEENTH OR IS THERE ONE OR TWO PARTICULAR GROUPS THAT WE WANT

TO SUPPORT. >> WELL, MY QUESTION SPECIFICALLY WAS WITH REGARD TO THE CONVENTION CENTER IS THERE

MORE THAN ONE JUNETEENTH EVENT? >> THERE'S ONLY ONE AT THE

CONVENTION CENTER. >> OKAY. 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 FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. BEFORE I DO THAT, COUNCILMEMBER BEARD, ANY CARDS FOR ITEM NUMBER 13?

>> NOTHING FOR 13. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ALL RIGHT.

SO, ANYONE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD?

>> TAMMY FOGLE RESIDENT, I KNOW THIS MEETING IS GOING LONG.

BUT, I COULDN'T LET THIS MEETING GOOD FURTHER. IT CAME TO MY ATTENTION THAT DAVID SSCHWARTZ PASSED AWAY. I KNOW THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT TIME BUT THIS IS A BUSY MEETING. I WANTED TO SAY THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I NOTICED ABOUT HIM WAS THAT HE CAME WITH CONSISTENCY AND PASSION AND INFORMATION. AND I THINK THAT HAD SOME OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES BEEN DIFFERENT IN HIS LIFE, HE MAY HAVE EVEN BEEN SITTING ON COUNCIL WITH YOU READY TO FIGHT FOR MAKING ABILENE A GREAT CITY. I WANTED TO READ TO YOU JOHNNY THE WALL RUSS. JOHNNY'S A BOY WITH A BIG IMAGINATION, ONE DAY IT'S A DOG THE NEXT DAY HE'S A CRUSTATION.

ONE MORNING HE CAME DOWN STAIRS BARKING AND CLAPPING WITH WOODEN SPOONS AND SOCK FINS AFLAPING. THE WOOD FLOOR IS MY OCEAN, THE CARPETS MY SHORE. JOHNNY'S MOM LOVES HER SON'S MAKE BELIEVE TIME, YOUR JOHNNY, THE WALL RUSS, TILL YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND.

IT'S NOT JUST PRETEND, ONLY A BIG GOT WOULD SAY HOW DARE YOU OFFEND. MOMMY WAS TOLD TO TAKE JOHN FORCHECKUP. YOU'LL NEED TO EAT WORMS AND PUT ON GRAY MAKE UP. AND A SIMPLE PROCEDURES CUTS FEETS INTO FINS. IT'S GROSS EATING WORMS, MOM, THEY'RE SO TWITCH Y. SHE FELT SO MUCH PRESSURE SHE JUST WASN'T ALONG. THE INTERNET PEOPLE KNEW JUST WHAT TO DO AND MOMMY WAS TOLD TO TAKE JOHN TO THE ZOO. WHEN JOHNNY ARRIVED, THE WALL RUSSS GRUNTED. MAN THAT'S JUST A BOY WITH WOODEN SPOONS IN HIS MOUTH. PROTECTING YOUR SON, MA'AM, IT'S WHAT HEROIC. AT LAST, JOHNNY'S MOM WAS ABLE TO SEE THAT JOHNNY'S NOT WHAT HE

PRETENDS TO BE. >> I WANTED TO BRING LIGHT HUMOR, I WANTED TO USE MY THREE MINUTES TO SAY THAT WE APPRECIATE THE HUMOR, THE SPAM, THE LAST CONVERSATION I HAD WITH HIM WAS ABOUT CHICKEN FRY IT HAD STEAK AND THE IMPORTANT FACTS THAT WE LEARNED ABOUT HISTORY THROUGHOUT THE DIFFERENT DAY.

THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME USE THIS TIME.

>> GOOD MORNING, I'M REBECCA BRIDGES AND I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY ARTS DOWNTOWN. I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE LIST ON THIS SCREEN, BECAUSE, WE WORK MONTHLY WITH LESLI AND HER TEAM AND WE LOVE THE NEW PERMITTING

[01:45:02]

SYSTEM. IT'S BEEN A DREAM, THANK YOU FOR THAT IT'S BEEN WONDERFUL. I HAVE A QUESTION BECAUSE THERE'S A COUPLE NEIGHBORS ON THIS LIST THAT DO SIMILAR TYPES OF EVENTS IN OUR SIMILAR SECTOR, SO, I JUST WONDERED IF THIS ALLOWS FOR DISCRETION FOR THE CITY TO PROVIDE FEE WAIVING FOR OTHER EVENTS, FOR EXAMPLE, ART WALK IS OUR PROGRAM THAT WE DO MONTHLY, FOR EVERYONE, IT'S SIMILAR TO THINGS THAT THE NICKLE OR THE UNITED WAY MIGHT PUT ON. I WONDER SINCE THERE'S A COUPLE OF ORGANIZATIONS IF IT ALLOWS FOR DISCRETION OR OTHER EVENTS?

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: I THINK THIS LIST IS FLUID, I THINK THAT YOU PRESENT. AND JUST BY LOOKING AT THIS, AND EVEN THE DECISIONS MADE TODAY ARE NOT PERMANENT AND THE COUNCIL AT ANY TIME CAN MAKE ADJUSTMENTS THAT BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY AT THAT

TIME. >> MAYOR, JUST TO REMIND EVERYBODY THIS IS A COUNCIL POLICY AND HAS BEEN ADOPTED AND IT SETS FORTH A PROCESS WHERE THE CITY MANAGER CAN APPROVE THINGS. I CAN MAKE A DECISION, AND IF YOU DON'T LIKE THAT DECISION, YOU COULD APPEAL TO CITY COUNCIL.

>> THAT WAS MY QUESTION. AGAIN, THEY'RE A DREAM TO WORK WITH AND WE REALLY, REALLY, APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT YOU'VE BEEN DOING TO MAKE THAT PROCESS EASIER AND BETTER.

DOWNTOWN IS LOVING IT AND I KNOW THAT WE'RE PERSONAL GRATEFUL.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> HI, I'M SUSAN MELBOURN. AND I'M THE NEW FACE OF THE FRIENDS OF TTHE LIBRARY BOOK SALE AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY BOOK SALE. THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY BOOK SALE HAS BEEN GOING ON IN THE SAME WAY EXCEPT FOR ONE YEAR DURING COVID, WE'RE 34 YEARS-OLD THIS JUNE. WE MAY BE THE SECOND LARGEST BOOK SALE IN THE STATE.

WE'VE RAISED OVER $3 MILLION IN 34 YEARS AND IT HAS ALL GONE BACK TO THE LIBRARY. WE'RE COMMITTED TO HELP WITH HERHERIT SQUARE TO THE TUNE OF A HALF MILLION DOLLAR. THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY BOOK SALE ITSELF ARE BASICALLY THE ONLY FUNDRAISER AT THIS POINT, COVID HAVING KILLED OFF SOME OF THE OTHER LESS WELL UTILIZED FUNDRAISERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. AND I HOPE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO MAKE THE GOLDEN 10, BECAUSE, EVERY DIME THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR FEES CAN GO STRAIGHT

BACK INTO THE CITY. >> I JUST WANTED TO MENTION ANOTHER EVENT THAT'S BEEN AT THE EVENT CENTER, IT'S BUSINESS MARCADO. I KNOW THAT WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN A PROUD SPONSOR AS WELL AS BUSINESS EXPO. AND I GUESS MY UNDERSTANDING, THE 10 IS JUST THE ONES THAT YOU ARE WAIVING THE FEE?

>> YEAH. IT'S A SPONSORED EVENT.

>> SO, THEY COULD STILL HAVE THE EVENT, THEY WOULD JUST STILL

HAVE TO PAY THE FEE. >> RIGHT.

>> I I WOULD ASK YOU TO CONSIDER THAT ONE AS WELL.

THERE'S NOTHING ON THE LIST FOR THE ABILENE PRIDE PARADE SCHEDULED, IT'S NOT SHOWING AND THE DRAG SHOW THAT WILL FOLLOW AFTER. IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WILL BE LISTED HERE?

>> THE LIST IS IN TEASE ENTIRETY. THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: STILL IN PUBLIC HEARING, IS THERE ANYONE

ELSE? >> SEEING NO ONE ELSE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. IN REGARDS TO THE FIRST PORTION OF THE CITY'S INQUIRY FROM THE COUNCIL, I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THE FIVE RECOMMENDATIONS AND I WOULD ADD BUSINESS EXPO, FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY BOOK SALE, CLAUDY ROYALS, JUNETEENTH, AND BUSINESS MARCADO THOSE ARE THE FIVE THAT I WOULD ADD TO THE LIST THAT THE CITY HE'S PROVIDED. THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS, ANY COMMENTS FROM

THE COUNCIL? >> I ASK THAT WE ADD A CATEGORY FOR VENUE FEE WAIVER SPECIFIC TO THE CONVENTION CENTER SEPARATE

FROM THE OTHERS. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ANYMORE DISCUSSION FROM COUNCIL? I WOULD MAKE A MOTION FOR THE AFOREMENTIONED 10 AS WELL AS ADDING COUNCILMEMBER PRICE'S RECOMMENDATION FOR THE ADDITIONAL CATEGORY. ANY DISCUSSION OR COMMENTS IN THAT REGARDS? I'LL ACCEPT A SECOND.

>> NOW, DO WE NEED TO DO THE OTHER PART OF THIS AS WELL AS ONE MOTION BECAUSE IT'S TWO ASKS?

>> Y'ALL CAN DO WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO. THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO INFLUENCE THE POLICY.

[01:50:01]

>> IT'S A RESOLUTION, IT'S A SINGLE RESOLUTION, WHAT ELSE

WERE YOU WANTING TO ADD? >> I'M JUST SAYING IF WE DO THE 10 THAT INCLUDES THIS LIST AS WELL.

>> THE LIST THAT'S IN THE POLICY DOCUMENT IS THE LIST IN THE POLICY DOCUMENT UNLESS YOU CHANGE IT. THE LIST IN THE POLICY DOCUMENT HAS A LOT OF THINGS NOT ON THIS LIST. LIKE, THE MARCH OF DIMES, I'M NOT SURE THAT HAS HAPPENED IN YEARS.

>> YOU SAID TWO THINGS BUT REALLY THE ONLY ONE THING THAT

YOU NEED IS THAT LIST OF 10? >> IT'S THE TWO IF YOU WANTED

TO CHANGE. IT'S THE TWO. >> YEAH.

>> SO, YOUR MOTION WOULD BE THAT 10 PLUS KEEPING THIS THE

SAME. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: CORRECT.

>> OKAY. I'LL SECOND THAT. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? READY TO VOTE.

>> COUNCILMEMBER PRICE? >> YES.

>> COUNCILMEMBER BEARD? >> YES.

>> DEPUTY MAYOR PRO-TEM ALBUS? >> YES.

>> COUNCILMEMBER MCALISTER? >> YES.

[14. (Remove from Table) Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Approving the Collection Development Policy for the Abilene Public Library (Julee Hatton)]

>> COUNCILMEMBER CRAVER? >> YES. MAYOR WILLIAMS?

>> YES. >> MOTION CARRIES.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: AND NOW WE MOVE TO ITEM 14, AND WE'LL ASK T DIRECTOR OF THE LIBRARY, JULIE

HADDEN TO PRESENT THIS ITEM. >> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL, JULIE HADDEN, LIBRARY DIRECTOR AND I'VE COME TODAY TO BRING YOU THE COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY OF THE ABILENE PUBLIC LIBRARY WHICH HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE ABILENE LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD ON FEBRUARY 6TH. THE PURPOSE OF THE POLICY IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE FOR THE SELECTION AND THE EVALUATION OF LIBRARY MATERIALS WHICH ANTICIPATE AND MEET THE DIVERSE NEEDS AND THE INTEREST OF THE ABILENE COMMUNITY AND DIRECTLY RELATES TO THE COLLECTION OF THE LIBRARY'S MISSION STATEMENT AND DEFINES THE SCOPE AND STANDARDS OF THE VARIOUS COLLECTIONS. THE MISSION STATEMENT FROM THE A ABOUT PL IS THAT THE ABILENE PUBLIC LIBRARIES EXIST TO HELP RESIDENTS WITH THE PERSONAL, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL NEEDS. THE POLICY HAS BEEN REVISED SO THAT WE'RE IN COMPLIANCE WITH RESOLUTION 226 IN 2022, THAT ALL LIBRARY MATERIALS ADDED TO THE COLLECTION MUST BE CONSIDERED TO BE LAWFUL ACCORDING TO APPLICABLE FEDERAL AND STATE LOCAL LAWS AND THAT THE POLICY FOLLOWS THE RESOLUTION 226 WHICH STRICTLY PROHIBITS OBSCENE AND HARMFUL MATERIAL AND PERFORMANCE AT THE ABILENE PUBLIC LIBRARY, THE TERMS OF OBSCENE AND HARMFUL MATERIAL ARE PRESENTED IN TEXAS CODE 42.31 AND 42.34. THE SCOPE OF DIRECTION AND THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ABILENE PUBLIC LIBRARY IS TO SERVE THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF ABILENE TO MEET INFORMATIONAL, EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL AND RECREATIONAL NEEDS. THE PHILOSOPHY OF SELECTION, THE LIBRARY UPHOLDS THE RIGHT OF THE PERSON TO SECURE INFORMATION EVEN THOUGH THE CONTENT MAY BE CONTROVERSIAL, UNORTHODOX OR UNACCEPTABLE TO OTHERS. A BALANCED COLLECTION. SELECTION IS BASED ON CRITERIA STATED IN THIS POLICY, LIBRARY MATERIALS PRESENT A DIVERSITY OF VIEW PANDEMICS ENABLING CITIZENS TO MAKE AN INFORMED CHOICE NECESSARY IN DEMOCRACY. ALL PUBLIC LIBRARIES CONTAIN MATERIALS THAT SOME MAY FIND OBJECTABLE. ABILENE PUBLIC LIBRARY. PRESENTATION OF THE MATERIALS. THE AUTHORITY RESPONSIBILITY FOR SELECTION THE AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SELECTION OF LIBRARY MATERIALS RESTS ULTIMATELY WITH THE DIRECTOR OF LIBRARY SERVICES, SELECTION MAY BE DELEGATED BY THE DIRECTOR TO THE TECHNICAL SERVICES MANAGER. THE TECHNICAL AS MANAGER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OVERSIGHT OF THE SELECTION OF APL MATERIALS, SELECTION OF DUTY MAY BE ASSIGNED TO PROFESSIONAL LIBRARIANS WHO ARE FULLY TRAINED IN APL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. THE TECHNICAL SERVICES MANAGER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REVIEWING SELECTIONS BOTH BEFORE ORDERS ARE PROCESSED AND AFTER MATERIALS ARE RECEIVED. ALL MATERIALS ADDED TO THE COLLECTION MUST NOT BE BE OBSCENE OR HARMFUL MATERIAL ACCORDING TO TEXAS PENAL CODE.

THE SELECTION OF MATERIALS ARE MADE IN THE LIMITATIONS OF SPACE AND FUNDING AND WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THIS WRITTEN COLLECTION POLICY, MATERIALS WILL BE SELECTED BASED ON THEIR VALUE AS A WHOLE. SELECTION PRESUMES LIBERTY OF THOUGHT AND WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF REASON AND APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAW. REQUESTS FOR RECONSIDERATION. ANY ABILENE

[01:55:03]

RESIDENT HAS THE RIGHT TO EXPRESS CONCERNS ABOUT LIBRARY MATERIALS AND EXPECT TO HAVE THE OBJECTION TAKEN SERIOUSLY.

THOSE WISHES TO RECOMMEND THE REMOVAL OR RECLASSIFICATION OF A PARTICULAR ITEM ARE ENCOURAGED TO DISCUSS CONCERNS WITH THE LIBRARY MANAGER. IF THE PERSON IS NOT SAVED TO THE RESPONSE OF THE INFORMAL REQUEST THE MANAGER WILL PROVIDE THE PERSON WITH INFORMATION ON HOW TO MAKE A FORMAL REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION. A PERSON SUBMITTING A RECONSIDERATION REQUEST MUST RESIDE WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF BLAIN, TEXAS AND HOLD A VALID LIBRARY CARD IN GOOD STANDING THEY MUST FILL OUT THE REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION FOR FORM IN IT'S ENTIRETY AND THE FORM MAY BE PRINTED OR FILLED OUT ELECTRONICALLY, BOTH VERSIONS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE LIBRARY WEBSITE. AND THIS HAS KIND OF DEFINED THE TIMELINE AND POLICY THAT WE USE FOR REQUESTS FOR RECONSIDERATION, IT WAS NOT CLEARLY DEFINED IN THE PREVIOUS POLICY. UPON RECEIPT OF THE REQUEST, THE DIRECTOR OF LIBRARY SERVICES WILL REPLY TO THE PERSON WITHIN 7 BUSINESS DAYS OF RECEIPT. CONFIRMING RECEIPT OF THE REQUEST, AND OUTLINING THE RECONSIDERATION PROCEDURE IF THE REQUEST IS INCOMPLETE, THE DIRECTOR WILL NOTIFY THE PERSON TO COMPLETE THE FORM AND RETURN IT. IF THEY FAIL TO RETURN THE COMPLETED FORM WITHIN 30 DAYS THE PERSON'S REQUEST WILL BE DEEMED WITH DRAWN AND NO FURTHER ACTION WILL BE TAKEN. MULTIPLE REQUESTS FOR RECONSIDERATION OF THE SAME ITEM WILL BE COMBINED AS A SINGLE REQUEST AND COPIES OF THE COMPLETED REQUEST AND ANY RELEVANT MATERIAL LOBE SENT TO THE LIBRARY ADVISORY CHAIR. THE LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD HAS A STANDING COMMITTEE. THE DIRECTOR OF LIBRARY SERVICES WILL PROVIDE A PACKET ABOUT THE RECONSIDERATION ITEM AND A PACKET TO THE REVIEW COMMITTEE. WITHIN 30 DAYS OF RECEIPT OF THE PACKET, THE LIBRARY'S MISSION STATEMENT, PHILOSOPHY, THE SELECTION CRITERIA OF THIS COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY.

THE ITEM WILL BE RECONSIDERED IN IT'S ENTIRETY NOT IN PART. THE PERSON REQUESTING RECONSIDERATION MAY BE INVITED TO SPEAK TO THE REVIEW COMMITTEE. THE LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD GRANTS THE REVIEW COMMITTEE THE AUTHORITY IN THE RECONSIDERATION REQUESTS TO MAKE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS, RETAIN THE MATERIAL WITH NO CHANGE OR RELOCATE THE ITEM TO A DIFFERENT LIBRARY OR RECLASSIFY THE MATERIAL OR REMOVE THE MATERIAL. THE COMMITTEE WILL MAKE IT'S RECOMMENDATION ABOUT THE ITEM TO THE LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD AT NEXT REGULAR MEETING OR A SPECIAL CALLED MEETING IF NECESSARY. THE PERSON REQUESTING RECONSIDERATION WILL BE NOTIFIED AT BOARD MEETING OF WHICH THE REQUEST WILL BE ADDRESSED. MULTIPLE REQUESTS MAY BE ADDRESSED IN THE XHITTY'S RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD. AFTER THE COMMITTEE PRESENTS RECOMMENDATION AT THE BOARD MEETING, THE LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE PUBLIC ACTION ON THE RECOMMENDATION. ONCE THE BOARD TAKES ACTION, IT WILL BE ADDRESSED WITH THE CITY MANAGER. THE DIRECTOR OF THE LIBRARY SERVICES WILL FOLLOW THE DIRECTION OF THE CITY MANAGER.

AND THE PERSON WILL BE NOTIFIED WITHIN SEVEN BUSINESS DAYS. AN ITEM THAT'S BEEN RECONSIDERED MAY NOT BE THE SUBJECT OF A REQUEST FOLLOWING A YEAR AFTER THE CITY MANAGER'S DECISION.

ALL MATERIALS ARE EVALUATED REGARDING TO THE CRITERIA LISTED IN THE POLICY. AN ITEM MAY NOT MEET ALL OF THIS CRY TIER IN ORDER TO BE ACCEPTABLE. THERE'S A LIST OF GENERAL CRITERIA, AND SELECTION CRITERIA AS FAR AS CONTENT. THERE ARE SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR ELECTRONIC SOURCES AND FIVE RECOMMENDED PUBLIC LIBRARY REVIEWING SOURCES. IN ADDITION TO REQUIRING NEW MATERIALS IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMOVE FROM THE COLLECTION ITEMS NOT DEEMED USEFUL FOR RELEVANT. THIS POLICY PRIOS AUTHORITY FOR THE SYSTEMATTIC. IT'S BASED ON SOMETHING PUBLISHED ON THE TEXAS STATE LIBRARY WEBSITE IT'S CONTINUOUS REVIEW OF VALUATION AND WEEDING. AND THE CREW SYSTEM USES THE ACRONYM TO HELP EVALUATE AN ITEM FOR WITH DRAW.

THERE'S AN OPTION FOR COUNCIL TO CONSIDER IN ADDITION TO THE POLICY APPROVED BY THE LIBRARY BOARD THAT WOULD, SUBDIVIDE THE YOUNG ADULT COLLECTION INTO TWO SECTIONS. ONE WOULD BE YOUNG

[02:00:04]

ADULT, MIDDLE SCHOOL READING AGES 12-14 AND ONE WOULD BE YOUNG ADULT PLUS WHICH WOULD BE HIGH SCHOOL AGES LEVEL AGES

15-18. ANY QUESTIONS? IS. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. THIS WILL BE A PUBLIC HEARING.

MR. HANNA ANYTHING THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD OR SAY IN REGARDS TO THIS CONVERSATION TODAY? AFTERWARDS, I'LL INVITE THE COUNCIL TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS OR MAKE ANY COMMENTS PRIOR TO

THE PUBLIC HEARING. >> I JUST WANT TO SAY I KNOW THIS IS A DIFFICULT TOPIC FOR EVERYBODY IN THE ROOM. AND WE'VE SPENT WELL OVER 12 MONTHS TALKING ABOUT IT. I APPRECIATE JULIE AND HER STAFF AND THE PROFESS PROFESSIONALISM EXHIBITED. I THINK THAT WE'RE BEING ASKED TO DO THINGS THAT THE LAW DOESN'T LET US DO. IF THE STATE LEGISLATURE DECIDE TO PASS STATE LAWS, THEN WE'LL FOLLOW THOSE LAWS. BUT, I APPRECIATE THE DIALOG. I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT WE'RE HAVING THE DIALOG AND I RECOGNIZE PEOPLE ARE FRUSTRATED AND I'M EQUALLY FRUSTRATED. BUT, LET'S MAINTAIN CIVILITY, DECORUM AND REPRESENT WHAT ABILENE AS A COMMUNITY WHICH IS A COMMUNITY THAT CAN DISAGREE WITHOUT BEING

DISAGREEABLE. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: HOW THIS WILL WORK TODAY, THE COUNCIL WILL HAVE COMMENTS AND OR QUESTION AND THEN WE WILL OPEN UP A PUBLIC HEARING, WITH A THREE MINUTE TIME LIMIT, IN REGARDS TO THE PUBLIC HEARING.

WE WANT YOU TO ADDRESS US AND NOT ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE, AND WE PREFER NO HAND CLAPPING BECAUSE WE HAVE SIGNING GOING ON AND THAT'S DISRUPTIVE. BUT, WE WANT TO HAVE THIS VERY IMPORTANT CONVERSATION IN A VERY CIVIL WAY AND A WAY BEFITTING OF THIS COMMUNITY. AND WITH THAT, COUNCIL WHAT SAY YOU?

>> JULIE, I HAVE ONE QUESTION AND I WOULD LIKE TO ECHO MR. HANNA, THANK YOU FOR WHAT Y'ALL HAVE DONE. SO, YOU MENTIONED, IF SOMEONE REQUESTS A REVIEW, UM, AND IN MULTIPLE REQUESTS WILL BE CONSIDERED AS ONE. BUT, WHEN SOMEONE REQUESTS A REVIEW AND THEY HAVE TO FILL OUT THE PAPERWORK AND EVERYTHING, IS THAT AVAILABLE FOR EVERYONE TO SEE SO THAT WE'RE NOT WASTING PEOPLE'S TIME TO REQUEST, IF FIVE PEOPLE REQUEST A REVIEW OF THE SAME BOOK, IF THEY HAVE ACCESS TO KNOW THAT SOMEONE'S ALREADY MADE THAT REQUEST, THEN THAT MAY BE SAVES THEM TIME. ARE THOSE REQUESTS AVAILABLE TO BE SEEN?

>> WE DON'T SHARE THOSE REQUESTS WITH THE PUBLIC OR AT LEAST WE

HAVEN'T. I DON'T KNOW. >> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> OKAY. SO, IF FIVE PEOPLE HAVE A REQUEST FOR THE SAME BOOK, NOW, LET'S SAY, I KNOW THERE ARE TIME FRAMES, BUT, IF THREE OF THEM REQUEST IT AND THEN A WEEK LATER TWO MORE REQUESTS IT, BUT, THIS ONE IT'S DEEMED, WHATEVER, THESE JUST KIND OF GET SET ASIDE, BECAUSE, ONCE A RECOMMENDATION IS MADE, FOR A YEAR, THEY CAN'T COME BACK TO THAT BOOK?

>> IF Y'ALL ADOPT THIS POLICY AND CITIZEN A REQUESTS IT TO BE REVIEWED AND IT'S BEEN RECOMMENDED TO BE MOVED OR SHELVED SOMEPLACE ELSE OR NOT TOUCHED AT ALL, NO ONE ELSE CAN ASK FOR THAT RECONSIDERATION DURING THAT 12-MONTH PERIOD. IF CITIZEN A MADE A REQUEST, AND TWO WEEKS LATER BEFORE THE REVIEW PROCESS IS EVEN TO START ON THAT BOOK, CITIZEN B MAKES A REQUEST, WE WOULD PUT THOSE TWO REQUESTS TOGETHER. DOES THAT

HELP TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION? >> YES. AND IF IT'S WITHIN THAT ONE YEAR THAT THAT CAN'T REQUEST AGAIN, THE PERSON WILL BE NOTIFIED OF A DATE TO COME BACK AND REQUEST IT?

>> THAT IS CORRECT. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: NOR

COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL? >> I KNOW THAT WE HAD A REQUEST FOR A JUVENILE BOOK, LIBRARY CARD. HOW MANY OF THOSE HAVE

BEEN FILLED OUT AND APPLIED FOR. >> THE JUVENILE RESTRICTED CARD THAT WE OFFERED, WE'VE HAD NO ONE SIGN UP SO FAR.

>> NO ONE? >> NO.

>> AND, DO WE HAVE A TOTAL AMOUNT OF BOOKS THAT WE HAVE IN

OUR LIBRARIES? >> WE HAVE OVER 300,000 TITLES.

>> OKAY. THANK YOU. >> YOUR WELCOME.

>> I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. WITH THE BOOKS THAT HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE RECONSIDERATION PROCESS OVER THE PAST YEAR, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I HADN'T CAUGHT IN THE PRESENTATION IS THE BOOK WOULD ONLY BE PULLED FROM THE SHELF FOR 90 DAYS, HOW LONG HAVE THOSE BOOKS BEEN IN PROCESS?

>> THE LATEST ONES? >> IT'S BEEN SIX MONTHS.

>> IT'S BEEN LONGER. AND PART OF IT IS BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'VE EVER USED THIS PROCESS BEFORE.

>> NOT TO THIS EXTENT. NO. >> SO, PART OF THIS POLICY IS TO PUT A SHOCK CLOCK ON THINGS TOO, AND ALLOW THE PROCESS TO BE

[02:05:02]

MOVED FORWARD IN A MORE DELIBERATIVE AND QUICK WAY.

>> OKAY. I'LL HAVE TO REREAD IT, BUT, IS THERE AN ALLOWANCE FOR THAT TO BE LONGER THAN 90 DAYS LIKE IF YOU COULDN'T GET A QUORUM AT AN ADVISORY BOARD MEETING WHERE THEY CAN'T MAKE A DECISION TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY MANAGER OR IF IT COMES TO YOU THE DAY AFTER YOU LEAVE FOR VACATION FOR TWO WEEKS, AND THAT ADDS MORE TIME TO THE PROCESS.

>> THERE'S NOT, BUT, THAT'S PROBABLY A GOOD IDEA TO PUT SOMETHING IN THERE IN THE EVENT THAT THE BOOK WASN'T ABLE TO BE REVIEWED DURING THAT PERIOD THAT THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR CAN EXTEND

THAT WHOLE PERIOD, POTENTIALLY. >> AND THEN, THANK YOU. THAT HELPS WITH THAT. AND THIS IS A FIRST READING.

>> YES. >> THIS IS JUST A POLICY, SO, THIS IS ONLY READING. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU NEED TO THINK THROUGH THE WORDING ON THAT OR JUST THE DIRECTION.

>> JUST THE DIRECTION IS FINE. ON THE COLLECTION POLICY FORT SPLITTING OF YOUNG ADULT AND YOUNG ADULT PLUS, UM, THE PLACEMENT OF BOOKS IN DIFFERENT SECTIONS IN THE LIBRARY IS IN LARGE PART, IF I'M UNDERSTANDING CORRECTLY, DRIVEN BY PUBLISHER RECOMMENDATIONS ON SAYING, THIS IS AN ADULT OR YOUTH OR CHILDREN'S BOOKS. DO THEY HAVE THIS KIND OF BROKEN DOWN DESIGNATION THAT WOULD GIVE US DIRECTION OR, ARE WE ADDING COMPLICATIONS AND WORK THAT YOU DON'T REALLY HAVE A CLEAR SYSTEM

WITH? >> YES AND NO. I MEAN, THEY HAVE READING LEVELS, SUGGESTED READING LEVELS ON ALL BOOKS.

BUT, ALL BOOKS WILL BE REVIEWED BY A LIBRARIAN AS THEY COME IN AND DETERMINE WHAT CATEGORY THEY NEED TO BE IN. SO, IT WILL REQUIRE A HUMAN DO THAT. DO WE HAVE THE MANPOWER TO DO THAT?

>> WE DO. I'VE HIRED ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY ITEM IS TOUCHED BY A HUMAN.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ANY OTHER COMMENTS BY THE COUNCIL.

COUNCILMEMBER ALBUS BROUGHT UP SOMETHING I WANT TO REITERATE, THERE ARE 300,000 PHYSICAL TITLES IN OUR LIBRARY SYSTEM AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS OVER THE LAST YEAR THERE HAVE BEEN 26 BOOKS THAT WE'VE IDENTIFIED AND LOOKED AT, I THINK THAT'S ACCURATE. IF MY MATH'S CORRECT, COUNCILMEMBER PRICE, THAT'S LESS THAN 1%. AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE SURE THAT WE PUT THAT IN CONTEXT AS WE MOVE FORWARD AND HAVE CONVERSATION. THERE'S OVER A QUARTER OF A MILLION BOOKS IN OUR LIBRARY SYSTEM AND REALLY OVER THE LAST YEAR WE'VE HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT 26 OF THOSE

BOOKS. IS THAT ACCURATE? >> THAT'S TRUE.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ALL RIGHT. ANYMORE COMMENTS PRIOR TO PUBLIC HEARING. 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 STATE YOUR NAME. BEFORE WE DO THAT, THERE'S A LIST OF CARDS SUBMITTED. I'LL GO THROUGH THE LIST FIRST AND THEN ANYBODY ELSE CAN PARTICIPATE BUT YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. AGAIN, WE WANT TO HOLD ANY APPLAUSE. WE WANT YOU TO BE ABLE TO GREAT US AND TALK TO US, AND NOT THOSE IN THE

AUDIENCE. >> ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE LINDA PER PERKINS.

>> NOTHING LIKE BEING FIRST. UM, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO. MY NAME IS LINDA PERKINS I LIVE IN ABILENE I WAS RAISED IN HAD A SOUTHERN BAPTIST HOME AND I WAS ACTIVE IN RELIGIOUS LIFE AS WELL AS STUDENT GOVERNMENT. I SERVED AS A SUMMER MISSIONARY, I RETIRED AFTER TEACHING SCHOOL FOR 30 YEARS, I ALWAYS TAUGHT THE STUDENTS CLASSIFIED AT-RISK.

MANY OF MY KIDS WERE THE LONELY, THE DISENFRANCHISED, THE ABUSED, THE NEGLECTED, THE FACELESS, THE NAMELESS, THE MARGINALIZED, THE BULLIED, THE DEHUMANIZED, THE FORGOTTEN, OR JUST PLAIN DIFFERENT. I PUSHED THEM TO READ AND I MUST ADMIT, SOMETIMES I BRIBED THEM TO READ. I WANTED THEM TO DEVELOP CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS AND FELT LIKE READING WOULD HELP THEM TO ACHIEVE THAT GOAL. I ENCOURAGED MY STUDENTS TO BE AWARE OF THE NEEDS OF OTHERS ESPECIALLY THOSE UNLIKE THEM. TO BE WELL-INFORMED, THOUGHTFUL, COMPASSIONATE, HUMBLE AND KIND OF THE I WANTED THEM TO BE EAGER TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL PEOPLE. EVEN THOSE WHO THOUGHT OR ACTED DIFFERENTLY

[02:10:03]

FROM THEM. AND, AS AN ASIDE, I ALSO TAUGHT SEX-ED, WE HAD FOUR KIDS WE MADE WEEKLY OR BY WEEKLY TRIPS TO THE LIBRARY, DEPENDING ON HOW FAST THEY FINISHED THE BOOKS. I ALWAYS CONSIDERED THE LIBRARY A SAFE AND WELCOMED PLACE. IT WAS MY ROLE AS A PARENT TO SUPERVISE THEM. I CONTINUE TO CHECK OUT 8-10 BOOKS MONTHLY FROM THE ABILENE PUBLIC LIBRARY AND I MUST SAY, I LOVE THE ONLINE ACCESS TO CHECK OUT. I'M HERE TO ASK THE CITY COUNCIL TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL FROM THE LIBRARY STAFF AND THE ADVISORY BOARD SUBMITTED TO YOU. I THINK IT'S VITAL THAT A PUBLIC LIBRARY BE JUST THAT. PUBLIC AND AVAILABLE TO SERVE THE NEEDS AND INTERESTS OF ALL CITIZENS. I FEEL THAT THE CURRENT PROPOSAL HAS PLACED SAFEGUARDS AND GUARDRAILS FOR ANY PARENT WHOSE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN ACCESSING BOOKS THEY DON'T WANT THEM TO READ. DON'T MISTAKE THE EXCUSE THAT THE CHILDREN NEED TO BE PROTECTED. THIS POLICY DOES JUST THAT. THE REAL ISSUE DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE SO MUCH ABOUT BOOKS AS IT IS THE DEMAND FOR ABSOLUTE CONTROL BY A VOCAL, WELL-FUNDED AND WELL-ORGANIZED GROUP WHO BELIEVE THEIR VOICE IS THE ONLY VOICE THAT MATTERS.

LASTLY, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU TO EMBRACE THE FOLLOWING: A PERSON CAN DECIDE THEY DON'T WANT TO READ A CERTAIN BOOK. A PARENT CAN DECIDE THEY DON'T WANT THEIR CHILD TO READ THAT BOOK, BUT A PERSON OR A GROUP OF PEOPLE CAN'T DECIDE THAT AN ENTIRE TOWN CAN'T READ THAT BOOK. PLEASE APPROVE THE PROPOSAL PUT FORTH BY THE LIBRARY STAFF AND THE LIBRARY

ADVISORY BOARD. >> NEXT UP, DAVID PERKINS.

>> I'M DAVID PERKINS, AND, I'M RETIRED IN 2019 AFTER 22 YEARS AS THE EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT OF (INDISCERNIBLE) FOR CHILDREN. I SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION. I THINK IT'S REASONABLE, AND APPROPRIATE AND ENOUGH. AND

ENOUGH'S ENOUGH. THANK YOU. >> IS IT CHESTNA RILEY? IS

THAT CORRECT? >> IT MY MOM CRIED MANY TIERS OVER PEOPLE PRONOUNCING MY NAME AND SHE WOULD BE PROUD OF YOU WHEN I TELL HER YOU GOT IT RIGHT.

>> CAN YOU GET HIM A SILVER STAR?

>> MY MOM ACTUALLY USED TO DO THAT. I'M REVEREND RILEY AND I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF ABILENE SINCE 2002. I WORKED IN MANY AREAS SERVING CHILDREN AND YOUTH INCLUDING MINISTRY SETTINGS AS A PASTOR AND YOUTH. ACADEMIC TUTORING AND MUSIC INSTRUCTION.

MY YEARS OF VOCATIONAL WORK HAVE PROVEN IN MULTIPLE SETTINGS TO ME THE NEED FOR LITERATURE AND ACCESS TO BOOKS FOR ALL AGES.

SO, I'M HERE TO SHARE MY SUPPORT FOR THE ABILENE PUBLIC LIBRARY, THE LIB ADVISORY BOARD AND THE PROPOSED RULE CHANGE BROUGHT BY THAT BOARD. I SHARED WITH Y'ALL IN AN E-MAIL MY SPURNS AS A SEMINARY STUDENT AND HOW LUCKY I WAS TO HAVE THE ABILENE PUBLIC LIBRARY. I GOT TO GET COOL STUFF MY FELLOW CLASS NATURES IN OKLAHOMA DID NOT BECAUSE OF OUR LIBRARY. PART OF MY RESEARCH IN MY MASTER'S PROGRAM, MY BIG SENIOR PROJECT PROVED THE NEED TO HAVE HARD AND TRAUMATIC STORIES AVAILABLE. THAT PROJECT FOCUSED ON TRAUMA-INFORMED MINISTRY, SO, I STUDIED, HOW DO I, AS A PASTOR PLAN RELIGIOUS SERVICES, MEETINGS, EVENTS, CAMPS, PROJECTS, ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO, WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCED AND ARE RECOVERING FROM TRAUMA WILL BE INVOLVED IN EACH OF THOSE SETTINGS AND I PROBABLY WON'T KNOW WHO OR WHAT TRAUMA THEY'VE LIVED THROUGH. THE CENTRAL THING AND ALL OF THOSE RESOURCES MANY OF WHICH I FOUND IN THE ABILENE PUBLIC LIBRARY WAS THE NEED FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA TO HAVE PEOPLE WHO CAN KNOW THEIR EXPERIENCE, RECOGNIZE THAT EXPERIENCE AS TRAUMATIC, AND BAD, AND HARD, AND SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. AND TO STILL SEE THAT PERSON AS A HUMAN WORTHY OF LOVE AND SUPPORT. THE THING IS SHARING THOSE STORY SUNSHINE HARD. IT'S HARD TO STAND UP IN FRONT OF PEOPLE AND SAY, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. AND ONE OF THE WAY THAT IS WE COULD DO THAT FOR EACH OTHER IS THROUGH THE STORIES THAT WE READ AND WATCH AND LISTEN TO. I LEARNED DURING THIS WORK THAT IT DOESN'T APPLY JUST TO TRAUMATIC OR EVEN HARD

[02:15:05]

STORIES THOUGH, BEING ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THE GOOD AND THE BEAUTY IN EACH OTHER'S LIVES IS HOW WE UNDERSTAND OURSELVES AND OUR COMMUNITY. THAT DOES NOT MEAN EVERY PERSON CAN CARRY EVERY STORY. SOMETIMES WE ARE TOO YOUNG TO PROCESS AN EXPERIENCE AND SOMETIMES MY DAY IS JUST TOO HARD TO CARRY SOMEONE ELSE'S, BUT, THAT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY AS AN ADULT, SO NAVIGATE THAT ROAD WITH AND FOR THE CHILDREN OF OUR COMMUNITY..

WE HAVE TO TEACH THEM HOW DO DO THAT. PLEASE APPROVE THESE CHANGES AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME THIS MORNING.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: THANK YOU. >> NEXT WE HAVE PENNY BIDDY.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS REVEREND, PENNY BIDDY I'M A LONG TIME RESIDENT OF ABILENE AND LAST YEAR MY 8TH GRADER WAS A 6 MILLION WORLD READER, SO, BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY I'M FAMILIAR WITH THE LIBRARY. AND I'M HERE TO EXPRESS MY FULL SUPPORT WITH THE LIBRARY BOARD AND FOR THE PROPOSED CHANGES FOR THE COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY LISTED TODAY. I BELIEVE THAT THE ABILENE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM THAT IS DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB OF DEVELOPING A COLLECTION OF MATERIALS THAT CAN SERVE THE MANY AND DIVERSE NEEDS OF THE PUBLIC. IT IS INEVITABLE THAT A LIBRARY COLLECTION THAT CAN SERVE THE WHOLE PUBLIC INTEREST CONTAINING MATERIALS INAPPROPRIATE FOR SOME READERS, BUT FOR SOME READERS AT CERTAIN TIMES THE STUDY OF GRAPHING MATERIALS MAY BE. I'VE SEEN STORIES DOCUMENTING THE HAUL COST BUT THEY WERE THEY WERE TO RECOGNIZE THE SUFFERING OF THE INNOCENT AND TO INSPIRE AUDIENCES TO VIGILANCE AGAINST THOSE RECIPROCITIES. MAY HAVE A PLACE IN THE LIBRARY. IT IS ESSENTIAL THEREFORE THAT LIBRARY PATRONS TAKE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN READING CHOICES AND ESPECIALLY ESSENTIAL THAT PARENTS MAKE THE CHOICE ABOUT WHAT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THEIR OWN CHILDREN. TO BE BLUNT, THE SUGGESTION THAT THE LIBRARY SHOULD REMOVE MATERIALS FROM THE COLLECTION IN ORDER TO PROTECT CHILDREN IS THE EQUIVALENT OF TELLING PARENTS WE DON'T TRUST YOU. THAT IS WHY I CONTINUE TO BE GRATEFUL THAT OUR LIBRARY, RATHER THAN REMOVING MATERIALS HAS CHOSEN TO GIVE PARENTS MORE TOOLS TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE CHILDREN MAY READ. I'M CONVINCED THAT THE LIBRARY IS TAKING SUFFICIENT ACTION TO PROTECT EARN COM AND OTHER SENSITIVE READERS, THESE ACTIONS PROVIDE BASIC OVERSIGHT AND GUIDANCE TO PARENTS WITHOUT INTERFERING WITH PARENT'S INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE GUIDANCE OF THEIR OWN CHILDREN. I SUPPORT THE PROPOSED POLICIES BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTINUE THIS PRACTICE OF EQUIPPING PARENTS TO SELECT APPROPRIATE MATERIALS FOR OUR CHILDREN WHILE ALSO RESPECTING THE RIGHTS AND THE FREEDOMS OF INDIVIDUALS TO MAKE THEIR OWN IS CHOICES ABOUT THE MATERIALS THEY ACCESS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND YOUR TIME.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS NOAH HENDERSON.

>> I'M HERE TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR THE WORK OUR LIBRARIANS DO. I'VE BEEN AN AVID READER MY WHOLE LIFE AND THE LIBRARY HAS BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THAT. IT IS A PLACE THAT SHARES KNOWLEDGE AND ENCOURAGES CREATIVITY AND INSPIRES LEARNING. REMOVING BOOKS RESTRICTS THE PERSON'S ACCESS TO FREEDOM TO CHOOSE FOR THEMSELVES AND HINDERS ONE AVAILABILITY TO DEVELOP LITERACY. FOR MEDIA TO COUNT AS AN OBSCENITY, IT HAS TO ALSO LACK CULTURAL AND LITERARY VALUE. JUST BECAUSE THEY DISAGREE WITH CONTENT DOESN'T MEAN IT SHOULDN'T BE INCLUDED IN OUR LIBRARIES. NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO THINK WITH ME FOR A ALAMODOME. HOW DID EVERYONE HERE LEARN ABOUT THE BOOKS IN QUESTION? THE ANSWER IS PROBABLY IN EVERYONE'S POCKETS. THE LIBRARY ISN'T THE ONLY PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN ACCESS BOOKS. IN AN AGE WHERE UNFATHOMABLE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE. IN DOING SO WILL

[02:20:05]

ONLY RESTRICT TO THE FREEDOM OF CHOICE AND A ROAD OF TRUST AND SAFETY AND BELONGING IN OUR ABILENE COMMUNITY. AS SOMEONE WHO EXPERIENCED ASSAULT AS A CHILD, I CAN SAFELY SAY THAT REMOVING BOOKS FROM THE LIBRARY DEPARTMENT CHANGE THE REALITY OF PEOPLE'S LIVED EXPERIENCES. FURTHERMORE, IT SENDS THE MESSAGE THAT IT'S NOT OKAY TO TALK ABOUT WHAT I WENT THERE AND THAT MESSAGE IS INSULTING AND IT ERODES TRUST IN COMMUNITY. IN MY CASE, IT'S BEEN HELPFUL TO READ ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH SIMILAR THINGS AND KNOW THAT SURVIVAL AND HEALING IS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR SERVICE.

>> JESSICA BELK? >> MINE IS SHORT, I PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE JUST MADE IT AN E-MAIL. I'M JESSICA BELK. I LOVE HOW FAMILY CENTERED THIS TOWN IS. I'M HERE TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR THE PROPOSED RULE CHANGE FOR THE RECONSIDERATION OF THE LIBRARY BOOKS. I HOME SCHOOLED MY CHILDREN AND THE LIBRARY WAS INVALUABLE IN TEACHING THEM THEN AND NOW. I FOUND INTRODUCING MY CHILDREN TO DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS INCREASED THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF SUBJECTS AND OPENED UP DOORS TO FRUITFUL EDUCATION. I TRUST OUR CITY LIBR

LIBRARIANS TO CHOOSE THE BOOKS. >> I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR THE LIBRARY ADVISORY'S PROPOSAL OF CHANGES FOR THE DIRECTOR OF POLICY. AS WELL AS THE WORK THAT THEY DO ON A DAILY BASIS. MANY PEOPLE THAT OBJECT TO MATERIALS IN THE PUBLIC LIBRARY, PROCLAIM TO BE PROTECTING THE CHILDREN.

BECAUSE, HOW CAN YOU ARGUE ABOUT A CAUSE LIKE THAT? WE ALL WANT TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN. INCLUDING THE CHILD WHO IS BULLIED IN AND OUT OF SCHOOL BECAUSE THE ONLY PARENTS THEY'VE EVER KNOWN WHO LOVE THEM UNCONDITIONALLY ARE OF THE SAME SEX OR DIFFERENT RACES. AND WE WANT TO PROTECT THE KIDS WHO BULLY THEM BECAUSE, THEY NEED TO LEARN. WE WANT TO PROTECT THE CHILD BORN INTO A GOOD CHRISTIAN FAMILY WHO DEEP DOWN IS FEELING THE EXACT OPPOSITE KIND OF ATTRACTION THEIR FAMILY EXPECTS AND THEY HAVE TO HIDE IT BECAUSE THE PEOPLE THEY SAY THEY LOVE SAY THAT THE FEELINGS THEY WERE BORN WITH ARE AN ABOMBNATION AND THAT NOT EVEN GOD CAN ACCEPT THEM. AND THERE'S ALSO THE YOUNG CHILD WHO IS BEING SEXUALIZED AND OR ABUSED BY FAMILY MEMBERS, CHURCH MEMBERS, THEY FEEL ALONE. THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE TO LOOK FOR HELP. THE CHILDREN WHO STRUGGLE WITH CONFUSED FEELINGS SUFFER FROM DEPRESSION AND SELF-ESTEEM ISSUES SEARCHING FOR QUESTIONS THEIR FAMILIES ARE UNABLE TO RELATE TO. THE ONES SO DESPERATE TO FIND THEIR PLACE IN FAMILY AND SOCIETY THEY FINALLY CONCLUDE THEY'RE UNACCEPTABLE AND MAY AS WELL NOT GO ON LIVING. WE NEED TO PROTECT THEM TOO. CHILDREN NEED GUIDANCE. BUT, THEY ALSO NEED ACCESS TO INFORMATION. YOU CAN GUIDE CHILDREN BY TEACHING THEM YOUR VIEWPOINT AND BELIEFS, BUT, IF YOU HIDE INFORMATION FROM THEM, HOW WILL THEY KNOW THAT YOU'RE TEACHINGS WILL STAND UP TO OPPOSING VIEWS? HOW WILL THEY TRUST YOU? WHAT'S A PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR? INFORMATION OF ALL KINDS. IT'S A WINDOW TO THE

WORLD. THE WHOLE WORLD. >> RECONSIDERATION OF LIBRARY

[02:25:20]

BOOKS AS WELL AS TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR THE DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVICE ETHICS AND PROFESSIONALISM OF OUR CITY LIBRARIANS. OUR LIBRARIES BELONG TO ALL CITIZENS AND SHOULD BE FILLED WITH ITEMS USEFUL AND THAT BENEFIT AWFUL OUR CITIZENS. THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE MATERIALS ARE APPLICABLE OR USEFUL OR DESIRED BY ALL CITIZENS. NEVERTHELESS, OUR LIBRARY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SERVING OUR ENTIRE POPULATION.

PARENTS BARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF BEING IN DIALOG WITH CHILDREN AND UNDERSTANDING WHAT THEY'RE SELECTING AND READING. WHAT ONE PARENT DEEM SUITABLE FOR THEIR CHILDREN, ANOTHER PARENT WILL NOT DEEM SUITABLE. FOR OUR CITY TO BEGIN REMOVING BOOKS SEEMS TO BE A CRIME EXAMPLE OF GOVERNMENT OVERREACH INTO THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES AND CITIZENS. THIS RESOLUTION PREVENTS THAT AND CONFIRMS OUR LIABLE IS PROFESSIONAL.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WE'RE STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING, IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM. ?

>> I'M RYAN GOODWIN AND I LIVE IN ABILENE, TEXAS. THE FIRST THING IS, LIMITING WHAT WE HAVE NOW, CURRENTLY YOU HAVE PEOPLE THAT USE OUR LIBRARY THAT PAY TO USE OUR LIBRARY, ABLE TO COME FORWARD AND HAVE RECONSIDERATION REQUESTS. SO, WHAT WE'RE DOING IS CUTTING DOWN A LOT OF PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY FROM BEING ABLE TO SHARE WHAT THEY FEEL ABOUT THE LIBRARY AND BRING THE QUESTIONS FORWARD. THE OTHER THING IS THAT WE HAVE THESE YOUTH BEING BROKEN OUT INTO TWO SECTIONS. I DID YOUTH MINISTRY FOR A LONG TIME. AND BETWEEN 12 AND 15, THOSE ARE TWO DIFFERENT AGES, I AGREE WITH YOU, BUT, WHOSE MAKING THAT DECISION ON HOW TO SEPARATE THEM? WHEN WE LOOK AT SOME BOOKS, THEY'RE PUTTING A DISCLAIMER IT HE BEGINNING SAYING THIS BOOK HAS STUFF AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR IT. PRETTY MUCH. SO, WE HAVE THESE BOOKS COMING FORWARD. SO, HOW ARE WE DECIDING, YOU KNOW, I DON'T TRUST THE PUBLISHER, AND EVERY BOOK THAT WE'VE BROUGHT FORWARD AND BOOKS THAT YOU'VE THROWN OUT, THE LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD SAYS THEY SHOULD STAY IN. I WANT TO HAVE A PROCESS TO SEE WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. I HAVE LOTS OF COUNSELORS TALKING TO ME ABOUT THESE BOOKS AND HOW A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS HAVE READ THESE BOOKS AND HOW IT HAS CREATED HARM. I WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT THAT. AND ALSO, WE'RE TALK ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO REVIEW THE BOOK FOR 12 MONTHS, NOW, IS THIS BASED ON PRESENTATION OF THE PERSON THAT COMES FORWARD OR DID THE PEOPLE THAT ACTUALLY TALKED TO THE PERSON THAT RECONSIDERED IT READ THE BOOK.

BECAUSE, IF THERE'S A BAD PRESENTATION FROM SOMEBODY ASKING FOR A RECONSIDERATION AND WE HAVE 12 MONTHS BEFORE RECONSIDERING IT AGAIN. DO WE HAVE FULL KNOWLEDGE? BECAUSE, I KNOW SOME PEOPLE CAN'T GET UP AND DO PRESENTATION. BUT, BASED ON THAT PRESENTATION, THAT BOOK CAN'T BE TOUCHED AGAIN FOR 12 MONTHS. HOW ARE WE DOING THAT. I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN PEOPLE THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH THINGS IN THEIR LIVES. I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TRAUMA IN PEOPLE'S LIVES. I HAD TRAUMA IN MY LIFE AND I WENT THROUGH THINGS I SHOULDN'T HAVE AS A KID.

HOWEVER, THAT DOESN'T IT'S NOT A GOOD ARGUMENT NOT TO ADDRESS WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE LIBRARY AND THESE BOOKS. SOME OF THE PICTURES THAT HAVE COME FORWARD. THIS IS SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MATERIAL. WE'RE NOT TALKING LGBTQ OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

WE'RE ASKING THAT SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MATERIAL AND I HAVE AN ISSUE WHEN WE TALK JUST NARROWING IT DOWN TO SEXUAL EYE EXPLICIT MATERIAL, WHAT'S GOOD FOR A 14-YEAR-OLD AND HE'S GOOD FOR A 15-YEAR-OLD? AND SO, TALKING ABOUT BREAKING DOWN THAT LINE AND SEPARATING THOSE TWO, I DO HAVE CONCERNS. THANK YOU FOR

YOUR TIME. >> HELLO, I'M PAUL MATH IS, AND I'VE LIVED IN ABILENE TWICE, FROM '93 TO '99 AS A STUDENT OF ACU. AND FROM 2009 UNTIL NOW. AND I MOVED BACK IN 2009 TO COMPLETE MY GRADUATE EDUCATION AND LEAVE THREE YEARS LATER.

AND I'M NOW CURRENTLY IN YEAR 14 OF MY 3-YEAR PLAN. I HAVE

[02:30:03]

STAYED IN ABILENE BECAUSE I LOVE ABILENE. UM, RIGHT AFTER GRADUATION, I WAS ABLE TO BEGIN WORKING WITHIN THE NON-PROFIT COMMUNITY AT PLACES LIKE FAITH WORKS OF ABILENE, THE INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE SERENITY HOUSE. I'M AN LPC AND MY STINTS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE HAVE BEEN WITH INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AND CPS TO ENGAGE JUVENILE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION I HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY THAT ARE IN LOWER SOCIOECONOMIC BRACKETS.

THE HOMELESS, THE HUNGRY, UM, I LOVE THE PEOPLE OF ABILENE. MY WORK HAS ALLOWED ME TO INTERACT WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT ETHNIC, RELIGIOUS, CULTURAL AND GENDER AND SEXUAL IDENTITY DIFFERENCES. I WANT TO SPEAK UP FOR THOSE PEOPLE. SILENCING VOICES BECAUSE OF DISAGREEMENT IS NOT HEALTHY. SILENCING VOICES BECAUSE OF FEAR HAS NO GOOD END.

I BELIEVE IN SUPPORTING FREEDOM FOR FAMILIES. RESTRICTING WHAT ONE FAMILY CAN SEE BECAUSE I MAY NOT LIKE IT IS RESTRICTING FREEDOM. I AM A PARENT, I HAVE THREE ADULT CHILDREN AND THREE YOUNGER CHILDREN. I'M CONFIDENT IN MY ABILITY TO PARENT MY CHILDREN AND I CAN TALK WITH THEM ABOUT ANYTHING THAT THEY MAY BE EXPOSED TO. ALTHOUGH I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT ALL OF YOU DO AND THE SUPPORT THAT ALL OF YOU DO TO THE CITY OF ABILENE, I DO NOT NEED YOU TO TELL ME WHAT MY KIDS CAN SEE.

ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT WORK WITHIN THE LIBRARY AND THEIR GIFTS AND TALENTS AND EDUCATION AND KNOWLEDGE. I HOPE THAT WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THEM IN THE WORK THAT THEY DO. I STRONGLY OBJECT TO ANY LIMITATIONS OR BOOK BANNING TO PEOPLE WHO ARE AFRAID OR DISCRIMINATORY. ABILENE IS A CITY OF A WIDE VARIETY OF PEOPLE, ALL OF THEM SHOULD BE RESPECTED. ALL OF THEM SHOULD BE VALUED. ALL OF THEM SHOULD BE HEARD. NONE OF THEM SHOULD BE TARGETED OR SILENCED. WE'RE A COMMUNITY THAT IS BUILDING A LONGER TABLE. AND NOT ERECTING WALLS. THANK

YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, I'M ELIZABETH DOHERTY AND I LIVED IN ABILENE FOR FOUR YEARS. I'M A CHRISTIAN, I'M ALSO A SCIENTIST, I'M A RESEARCHER, I DO CANCER BIOLOGY. I'M A WIFE. I'M A MOTHER. AND I'M A FRIEND OF THIS COMMUNITY. I BELIEVE IN FREEDOM. I BELIEVE IN PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. I BELIEVE IN MY RESPONSIBILITY AS A PARENT. I BELIEVE THAT THE BELIEF IN FREEDOM AND THE BELIEF IN RESPONSIBILITY COULD BE HELD IN BALANCE. I SUPPORT THE VERY REASONABLE POLICIES THAT HAVE BEEN PROPOSED AND HAVE ALREADY BEEN PUT IN PLACE BY THE LIBRARY, THE LIBRARIANS AND IT'S ADVISORY BOARD AND I'M AGAINST ANY FURTHER RESTRICTIONS TO THE MATERIALS AND POKES OFFERED IN ABILENE. WHAT ONE GROUPS WANTS TO BAN MAY HAVE VALUE TO OTHER PEOPLE. IT'S A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT TO LEAVE THE POWER TO THE VOCAL MINORITY. THE ABILITY TO PROPOSE NEW IDEAS, INVESTIGATE AND RESEARCH A WIDE VARIETY OF SOURCES IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE. LEARNING TO THINK CRITICALLY DOES NOT HAPPEN IN A VACUUM. IT HAPPENS THROUGH EXPOSURE AND THROUGH TESTING. AS A PARENT, IT'S MY RESPONSIBILITY AND MY DUTY TO HELP MY KIDS LEARN AND GROW AND IDENTIFY THE VALUES AND MORALS THAT THEY WILL UPHOLD. THEIR FAITH IS THEIR'S, AND I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS FRAGILE ENOUGH TO BE SHAKEN BY THE EXPOSURE TO BOOKS OUTSIDE OF MY PERSONAL BELIEFS. IN CLOSING, I WOULD LIKE TO STATE THAT I PORT THE LIBRARY ADVISORY BORED'S RECOMMENDATIONS AND THE PROCESS TOSS ESTABLISH AND REVIEW THE COLLECTION OF MATERIALS AVAILABLE IN OUR PUBLIC LIBRARIES. THANK YOU.

>> THESE ARE ALL BOOKS FROM OUR LIBRARY. HAD ALL OF THESE VOCAL CITIZENS NOT SAID SOMETHING THEY WOULD HAVE STILL WITHIN BEEN ON

[02:35:04]

THE SHE HAVE. AND THIS IS TALKING ABOUT CHILD RAPE AND CHILDREN BEING EXPOSED TO THINGS. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WITH OUR FEARS AND INSECURITIES. IT HAS TAKEN OVER 120 DAYS FOR MY FIVE BOOKS TO BE RECONSIDERED AND THEY'RE STILL NOT BEING RECONSIDERED. THIS IS NOT ABOUT TARGETING PEOPLE THIS IS ABOUT PROTECTING OUR KIDS. AND LET ME GET BACK TO MY NOTES.

ANYONE WHO HAS DONE THIS OR WHO IS SAYING THIS IS A GREAT THING AND LOVING THIS POLICY, THEY HAVE NOT GONE THROUGH THE PROCESS. IT IS PAINFULLY SLOW AND INEFFECTIVE. AND I DON'T THINK THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'VE HAD TO DO JUST TO BE PREPARED TO COME AND PRESENT THIS AT THE MEETINGS. THE PHILOSOPHY SECTION STATES THAT THE COLLECTION ATTEMPT TOSS REPRESENT ALL SIDES OF CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES AS FAR AS AVAILABILITY OF MATERIALS, SPACE, AND BUDGET ALLOW. WHERE DO WE DEFINE THAT AND BY WHAT STANDARDS TO WE WHAT COLLECTIONS WILL WE PUT IN SO THAT WE DO NOT REPRESENT BOOKS THAT VIOLATE THE LAW IN TERMS OF MINORS. IS THAT A SAFE, CONTROVERSIAL, ISSUE THAT WE CAN AGREE THAT OUR COMMUNITY DOES NOT BELONG IN OUR LIBRARY. WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT SHAMING PEOPLE, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CHILDREN BEING VIOLATED. AND I THINK THAT'S A SAFE LINE THAT WE CAN ALL DRAW A LINE ON. IT STATES THAT THE LIBRARY MATERIALS PRESENTS DIVERSITY OF VIEWPOINTS AND ENABLES CITIZENS TO MAKE INFORMED CHOICES. IS A 16-YEAR-OLD BEING RAPED, IS THAT A DIVERSE VIEW. WHO NEEDS TO READ THAT TO KNOW THAT'S A TERRIBLE THING. WE DON'T TEACH KIDS HOW TO RAPE PEOPLE SO THEY KNOW IS BAD. WE KNOW IT'S BAD BECAUSE IT'S BAD. WE'VE ALL BEEN ABUSED AND EXPERIENCED THE HORRIBLE THINGS THAT THE VIOLATION AND WE'RE GOING TO SAY OTHER KIDS NEED TO READ IT, IT'S NOT APPROPRIATE, IT SHOULD BE CLEARLY NOTED THAT WE DO NOT ALLOW MATERIALS THAT DEPICT ILLEGAL AND HIGH SCHOOL CHILD IN OTHER COLLECTION. LIKE, I SAID, I'VE NOT HAD ANY CONTACT SINCE NOVEMBER 4TH FROM THE LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD AND FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD THEY'RE NOT GOING ANYTHING WITH IT ANYWAY. SO, FOR NOW, BASED ON THIS POLICY, THOSE BOOKS GO ON SHELF WITHOUT BEING RECONSIDERED. I WOULD SAY, 90 DAYS OR UNTIL IT IS ADDRESSED. IT'S NOT FAIR THAT BOOKS THAT I BRING UP GET TURNED OVER WITHOUT ACTION ON IT AND IT'S RIDICULOUS TO WAIT A YEAR, WHOSE GOING TO REMEMBER A YEAR LATER TO MAKE IT AGAIN. IF IT VIOLATES THE POLICY, IT VIOLATES THE POLICY. BUT, THERE'S NO POLICY.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: THANK YOU, SO MUCH.

>> I'M ERIC BINGS. I LIVE IN THE ABILENE ECONOMIC IMPACT ZONE. LOOK CAN AT THE COLLECTION OF DEVELOPMENT POLICY, PAGE FIVE, A BULLET POINT SAY AS PERSON SUBMITTING A RECONSIDERATION REQUEST MUST RESIDE WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF ABILENE, TEXAS AND HOLD A VALID, ABILENE PUBLIC LIBRARY ADULTERESS DENT CARD IN GOOD STANDING. THIS IS AN OVERT EFFORT BY THE LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION TO SILENCE A PARTICULAR SUBSET OF LIBRARY USERS. THIS IS WRONG. DO THEY NOT HAVE A RIGHT TO OBJECT TO MATERIAL THEY FIND OBJECTABLE? THIS IS DANGEROUS? WHO'LL THE LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION DISCRIMINATE AGAINST AND SILENCE NEXT. PAGE FIVE, WITHIN 30 DAYS OF RECEIPT OF THE PACKET, THE REVIEW COMMITTEE WILL MEET REGARDING THE RECONSIDERATION REQUEST AND THE ITEM IN QUESTION IN LIGHT OF THE LIBRARY'S MISSION STATEMENT, PHILOSOPHY, AND THE SELECTION CRITERIA OF THIS COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY. THE IDEA SORRY, THE ITEM WILL BE RECONSIDERED IN IT'S ENTIRETY NOT IN PART. I DON'T HAVE TO DRINK AN ENTIRE GALLAGHER OF SPOILED MILK TO KNOW IT'S NOT RIGHT. I CAN TAKE A SIP AND POUR SOME OUT TO THE BOTTOM OF THE JUG, BUT, IT'S STILL GOING TO ROT TON THE WHOLE WAY THROUGH. I DON'T HAVE TO READ THE ENTIRE BOOK TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE MATERIAL INCLUDED IN IT'S PAGES IS OBSCENE. AN ITEM TO BE CONSIDERED MAY NOT BE A REQUEST FOR CONSIDERING FOLLOWING ONE YEAR OF THE FOLLOWS DECISION. ALL BUT ONE OF THE BOOKS THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT BEFORE THE MOM, FINDS A BOOK, THAT'S

[02:40:08]

ALREADY BEEN RECONSIDERED BUT SHE FINDS IT TO BE HIGHLY OBJECTIONABLE. THEY'RE HANDS ARE TIED. THEY HAVE NO RECOURSE TO ADDRESS THAT BOOK. THEY, TOO, HAVE BEEN SILENCED FOR A YEAR. I BELIEVE THAT THIS PROPOSED POLICY IS DISCRIMINATORY AND BLATANTLY SEEKS TO SILENCE VOICE THAT IS SHOULD BE HEARD. IT IS DANGEROUS TO THE CITIZENS OF ABILENE AND ALL PATRONS OF THE APL. THANK YOU.

>> HI, I'M RILEY DAWSON AND I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF ABILENE FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS WHILE STUDYING TO BE AN EDUCATOR IN ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY. IN 2015, THE 84 LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF THE TEXAS DEZ NATUREDED ABILENE AT THE OFFICIAL STORY BOOK OF TEXAS. THAT IS WHAT IS STATED ON THE ABILENE OFFICIAL WEBSITE AS A FUTURE TEXAS EDUCATOR, I GRADUATE IN DECEMBER, THIS TELLS ME THAT ABILENE VALUES LITERATURE FOR CHILDREN, SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.

LITERATURE IS MAGICAL. ABILENE HOSTS THE CAT FESTIVAL EVERY SUMMER AND CHILDREN COME FROM NEAR AND FAR TO IMMERSE THEMSELVES IN WORDS AND CHANGES. HIGHLIGHTING HISTORIC EVENTS IN CHILDREN'S LITERATURE. ABILENE IS A UNIQUE PLACE, ALONG WITH THE STORY BOOK CAPITAL WE HAVE A CULTURAL DISTRICT IN A STRETCH OF OUR DOWNTOWN AREAS. CULTURAL DISTRICTS STIMULATE ECONOMIC VITALITY. ATTRACTING TOURISTS, STIMULATING CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT. THIS IS ABILENE AND THIS IS OUR HOME. BUT, THIS IS NOT OUR HOME ALONE. THE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM OCCUPY THE SPACE ALONG WITH THE POPULATION THAT IS 42% OF VARIOUS MINORITIES. THAT LEAVES 58% OF OUR POPULATION IN ABILENE IS WHITE. THESE STATISTICS ARE SUPPORTED FROM DATA USA. THE WILLIAMS INSTITUTE SUPPLIES THE INFORMATION THAT 5% OF INDIVIDUALS IDENTIFY AS QUEER IN TEXAS. I'VE GIVEN NUMBERS AND STATISTICS, WITHOUT ANY TRUE REASON FOR THEM. BUT, I'M HERE AS PART OF THAT 5%. I'M MORE THAT BE THE PART OF ME THAT MAKES ME THE 5%. BEING QUEER MAKES ME WHO I AM. WHEN I READ THE BOOK OF NICK AND CHARLEY, THE ONE THAT WAS DISCUSSED TODAY. I CRIED. I'M A FUTURE EDUCATOR WHO CARES ABOUT THE FUTURE OF CHILDREN, AND HELPING THEM GROW INTO THE BEST HUMAN BEINGS THAT THEY COULD BE. I STAND ON THE COMMON GROUND THAT LOVE IS A GOOD THING. AND LOVE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD IN A MOMENT. TWO MOMS IS A DISSERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY AND TO OUR CHILDREN. TO WATCH AS BOOKS WITH QUEER CHARACTERS ON THE COVER OR THOSE THAT DON'T FIT THE WHITE, CHRISTIAN NATURETIVE ARE TAKEN OFF THE SHELVES CREATES THE ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENTS THAT THEY ARE NOT MIKE WHAT RIGHT DO WE HAVE TO WITHHOLD OUR OUR CHILDREN IN THE FUTURE THAT WE PREPARE THEM TO NAVIGATE? THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING MINE WILL NOT BE AS WELL SPOKEN BUT THAT'S OKAY.

MY NAME IS FREELAND HARDY AND I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT OF ABILENE SINCE MY FRESHMAN YEAR, ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO. I AM HERE TODAY TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR THE CONSIDERATION PROCESS BOOKS HAVE BEEN A FUNDAMENTAL PART OF ? I FULLY SUPPORT AND TRUST BOOKS THAT ARE APPROPRIATE AND ? TO MAKE CHOICES FOR THEIR INDIVIDUAL FAMILY SONG WHAT CAN AND CANNOT BE USED FOR THEIR CHILDREN. PLEASE ALLOW THE LIBRARIANS TO DO THEIR JOBS.

THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO.

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND EVERYTHING LD FOR COMMUNITY. AND I HAVE LIVED HERE SINCE 2020 AND I WAS RAISED IN SAINT ANGELO SO PRETTY CLOSE BY AND I AM FOR ANYONE'S RIGHT TO CHECK OUT ANY BOOK THEY WANT SEVEN PERCENT OF OUR POPULATION IS OVER THE AGE OF 18 ANY OF THESE PEOPLE ARE OVER THE AGE TO DECIDE WHAT BOOKS ARE APPROPRIATE TO READ AND PARENT

[02:45:06]

SHOULD BE MONITORING THAT THEIR MINOR CHILDREN SHOULD BE CHECKING OUT MINORS HAVE THE ABILITY TO LOOK UP ANYTHING THEY WOULD LIKE ON THE INTERNET.

THEY HAVE ACCESS TO INFORMATION THEY WANT TO LOOK UP. MOST WILL NOT BE LOOKING FOR ? BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY MINORS UNDER 15 MUST HAVE A LIBRARY CARD TO CHECK OUT A BOOK.

PREVIOUSLY CITIZENS ? FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES BUT IS ALSO DONE FOR PERSONAL INTEREST YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO READ ABOUT ANYTHING YOUR INTEREST AGAIN RATHER THAN ELIMINATING BOOKS WE SHOULD BE RESEARCHING THE NUMBER OF MINORS AND OF THE AGE OF 18 CHECKING OUT BOOKS THE SOCIAL WORKERS ARE TALKING WITH CHILDREN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERE TRAUMA WE ARE NOT ENCOURAGING CHILDREN TO READ OBSCENE MATERIAL WE ARE ACKNOWLEDGING THE FACT MOST TEENS ARE FINDING THEIR INFORMATION FROM OTHER AVENUES ON THE INTERNET AND NOT BOOKS.

THIS IS A REALITY THAT IS OFTEN NOT THE CASE. MORE RESEARCH MUST BE DONE WITHIN THE LIBRARY AND PLEASE APPROVE THE PROPOSAL PUT FORTH BY THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE?

>> EARLIER I WENT OUT OF ORDER AND THAT WAS MY FAULT AND I AM A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF ABILENE.

THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD POINTS MADE HERE TODAY I THINK THE MAJORITY HAS SPOKEN FOLKS THAT ARE WORKING EVERY DAY TO MAKE TIME TO COME TO THIS MEETING BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT TO US ALSO I WANT TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL. MR. HANNAH BROUGHT UP A GOOD POINT EARLIER ABOUT THE WALL. MUNICIPALITY MUST FOLLOW THE LAW BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT MUST FOLLOW THE LAW AND OUR STATE GOVERNMENT MUST FOLLOW THE LAW WE HAVE A THING CALLED THE CONSTITUTION. AND WHEN YOU DON'T FOLLOW THE LAW YOU OPEN YOURSELF UP TO A LIABILITY AS MUNICIPALITY LAWSUITS LEGAL ACTION, AND I APPLAUD YOU FOR DOING THE RIGHT THING FOR CONSIDERING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD I THINK IT'S A GOOD THING BECAUSE YOU ARE MITIGATING THE DAMAGES SOME FOLKS ARE CAUSING BUT FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD, WASTING OUR TIME, BRINGING SIGNS APPEAR, BRINGING BAGS APPEAR.

IT'S A FREE COUNTRY IF YOU DON'T GO TO THE LIBRARY, DON'T GO.

IT'S A PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR IT IS NOT A DAY CARE CENTER AND IS NOT A CHURCH.

IT'S A PUBLIC LIBRARY. THANK YOU.

>> IS THERE ANYONE ELSE? SUE MIKE HELLO MY NAME IS ZACH SNYDER AND I LIVED IN ABILENE SINCE STARTING COLLEGE 18 YEARS AGO SO OVER HALF MY LIFE. DURING THOSE YEARS I HAVE WORKED WITH YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS IN A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT ROLES.

I HAVE INVESTED IN THE FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY WITH MY TIME IN MY LIFE AND I CONTINUE TO BE INVESTED IN WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. I AM HERE TO EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR THE LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD WILL CHANGE FOR THE RECONSIDERATION OF LIBRARY BOOKS.

AS WELL AS TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR THE EXCELLENT WORK OF OUR LIBRARIANS.

MY PARENTS KEPT TONS OF BOOKS AROUND THE HOME GROWING UP AND WE FREQUENTLY USE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND THE ONLY LIMITS ON WHAT KIDS NEED TO READ OUR INTEREST AND DID NOT PREVENT US FOR READING ANYTHING. ANY EXPOSURE TO DIFFICULT TOPICS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS AND THINK DEEPLY. IT'S UNTHINKABLE TO ME THAT THERE IS A NEED TO SHOW UP AND ARGUE WITH THE GROUP TRYING TO BAN BOOKS AND 2023 IN THE CITY OF ABILENE THE HOME FOR THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR OVERZEALOUS RATE OF LITERATURE ABILENE HAS BEEN DESIGNATED THE STORYBOOK CAPITAL OF TEXAS AND HAS DESIGNATED ITSELF THE STORYBOOK CAPITAL OF AMERICA THEY TAKE PRIDE IN HAVING THREE UNIVERSITIES AND A COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR THIS PLACE ARE HAVING TO ARGUE THAT BOOKS MATTER.

THIS IS WHERE WE ARE HAVING A SHOWDOWN OVER WHAT A CITIZEN SHOULD BE ABLE TO READ AT THE PUBLIC LIBRARY. NO MATTER WHAT THE ANTI- BOOK GROUP SAID TO USS AGO THE KITE RUNNER AND HANDMAIDS TALES ARE NOT ENDORSEMENTS OF RAPE ANYMORE THAN THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK IS A ENDORSEMENT OF NAZI IDEOLOGY. THESE BOOKS PORTRAY THESE SCENES NEGATIVELY. HOWEVER THE KITE RUNNER IN THE HANDMAID'S TALE WARNED ABOUT

[02:50:05]

WHAT HAS HAPPENED OR WHAT CAN HAPPEN AND A SMALL GROUP OF EXTREMISTS SET UP A THEOCRACY WHERE THIS AN EXTREME GROUP IN OUR OWN COMMUNITY ? A TRACE OF IRONY OUR HINT OF SHAME.

THE SAME MEMBERS OF THE EXTREME GROUP HAVE SHOWED UP TO THE WORKPLACES OF THOSE WHO HAVE SPOKEN OUT IN FAVOR OF BOOKS AND THEY HAVE TARGETED THOSE IN THE LGBT Q COMMUNITY WHICH SEEMS TO BE AN ATTEMPT AT HARASSMENT AND INTIMIDATION INTO SILENCE AS A CITIZEN AND AS AN ALLY I BELIEVE WE CANNOT LET THIS SORT OF BEHAVIOR GO UNCHALLENGED.

LUCKILY FOR ALL OF US THIS IS NOT A LIBERAL OR CONSERVATIVE ISSUE. KNOW YOU ARE REQUIRED TO LISTEN TO THE OTHER SIDE TODAY BUT YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO FIRMLY REPUDIATE THEIR MESSAGE AND TACTICS CONFIRM THAT ABILENE IS A PLACE OF INCLUSION TOLERANCE AND FREEDOM AND VOTE TO PREVENT THE SMALL FRACTION OF OUR COMMUNITY TO CONTINUE TO ABUSE THE

PROCESS. >> ANYONE ELSE WANTING TO SPEAK OUT FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? SEEINGTHAT ONE I WILL CLOSE THE .

[INDISCERNIBLE]. >> FIRST AND FOREMOST I AM REBECCA GRINGA RICH DOMINIC, I HAVE SPOKEN BEFORE AND I WANT TO SPEAK TO THE FACT THAT ? FIVE TIMES PEOPLE INDICATED THAT WE WANTED TO BAN BOOKS. NEVER HAVE WE USE THAT TERM THAT WE WANT TO BAN ANYTHING. YOU'RE SPEAKING TO THE FACT THAT THERE ARE TAXPAYER DOLLARS PAYING FOR BOOKS FOR YES FOR THE COMMUNITY I DEFTLY GET THAT.

WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT TAKING ANYONE'S FREEDOM OF SPEECH OR FREEDOM TO READ AWAY WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TAXPAYER DOLLARS GOING TO BRING IN A BUNCH OF STUFF OF PEOPLE WANT TO READ THEY CAN GO PAY THEIR OWN DOLLARS ON THEIR OWN TIME AND ON THE INTERNET.

[INDISCERNIBLE] ALSO I WANT TO BRING TO PEOPLE'S ATTENTION WE TALK ABOUT FOLLOWING THE LAW.

STATE LAW, LOCAL LAW, RESOLUTIONS, ORDINANCES AND GOSH IT'S AMAZING THE CITY OF ABILENE WE HAVE AN ORDINANCE OF SOME KINDNESSES YOU CAN'T PURCHASE ALCOHOL DURING A SPECIFIC TIME. HOW'S THAT OKAY? THERE'S A LAW THAT SAYS HEY YOU CAN BUY ALCOHOL BUT NOT DURING THIS TIMEFRAME. HOW CAN THAT BE OKAY TO DO THAT YET NOT ACTUALLY REVIEW OUR PROCESSES FOR LIBRARY BOOKS? I DON'T GET IT.

I WANT TO BRING TO LIGHT I APPRECIATE THE LIBRARY HAS DONE A LOT WE HAVE WORKED WITH THEM AND I WANT TO SHARE WITH PEOPLE SOMEBODY MENTIONED WE WERE A WELL-FUNDED AND ORGANIZED GROUP. WE STARTED OUT WITH FIVE PEOPLE VERY THAT'S HOW WE STARTED.

FIVE CONCERNED CITIZENS BECAUSE OF ONE LITTLE GIRL PICKING UP A BOOK THAT WAS I HAVE TO SAY LITTLE GIRL BEING FIVE, IT WAS IN A VERY JUVENILE SECTION OF THE BOOK THAT I GUESS WAS SHOCKING I GUESS YOU COULD SAY TO THE PARENT AND IT WASN'T BROUGHT TO THE PARENT TILL IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE SISTER AND THE SISTERS THAT I DON'T THINK A BOOK WAS OKAY.

THAT'S HOW THIS STARTED. PEOPLE THINK WE WERE ON A MANHUNT TO TRY TO REMOVE BOOKS.

THAT'S NOT WHAT WE ARE DOING. AS WE SAW MAYBE WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AND THE MORE WE RESEARCHED IT THIS IS GETTING WORSE AND WORSE THAT'S WHY WE ARE HERE TODAY NOT BECAUSE WE HAVE A VENDETTA OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT AGAINST LGBT Q OR ANYTHING ELSE.

AND ALSO I WANT TO POINT OUT IN THE POLICY ON PAGE 11 IT DOES NOT COINCIDE WITH THE COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY OF OPTIONAL COUNSEL CONSIDERATION.

MIDDLE SCHOOL SO THEY HAVE ACTUALLY ADDED AN AGE OF 12 TO 14 AND THEY HAVE ADDED AN AGE OF 18 TO 15 TO 18 SO IT HASN'T HELPED THE POLICY IN MY OPINION BECAUSE YOU HAVE NOW ACTUALLY SAID IT'S LEGAL FOR YOU TO BE SHOWING EVERYTHING FOR 15 TO 18 THAT FOLLOWS THE LAW.

I DON'T THINK THIS HELPS. >> ANYONE ELSE?

>> MY NAME IS DANNY. THERE ARE SOME THINGS IN THE COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY I FEEL ARE PROBABLY KIND OF A GOOD THING BUT THERE'S A FEW OTHER THINGS THAT WOULD JUST BE A CONSIDERATION. I WILL READ FROM A DOCUMENT THE CITY MEETING ON THE FIRST

[02:55:03]

AMENDMENT FOUND IN THE TEXAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE I AM ? ON WHO CAN SPEAK THIS IS PERTAINING TO THOSE WHO ARE RESIDENTS AND THIS IS ONE OF THE CONCERNS I FEEL LIKE WE ARE COMING WITH THIS POLICY THE COUNCIL OR PRESIDING OFFICERS GIVEN AUTHORITY TO ALLOW OR NOT ALLOW A PUBLIC MEMBER TO SPEAK ON THE AGENDA ITEM OF THE PERSON DID NOT SIGN UP TO STREET PRIOR TO THE MEETING WHERE THERE WAS FEDERAL CASE LAW THAT SUPPORTS THAT PROPOSITION THAT CITY COUNCIL MAY RESTRICT THAT TWO INDIVIDUALS WHO SPEAK AT THE MEETING AND HAVE A DIRECT ? SUCH AS LANDOWNERS, VENDORS OR BUSINESS OWNERS.BEING A RESIDENT IS NOT THE ONLY THING THAT QUALIFIES YOU TO BE A PARTICIPANT IN THE PUBLIC HEARING BUT IT'S NOT JUST BEING A RESIDENT. THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS. IF YOU HAVE A BUSINESS IN THE CITY. IF YOU HAVE STAKES THAT ARE VESTED VALUE IN THE CITY SUCH AS INDIVIDUAL WHO HAVE LIBRARY MEMBERSHIPS THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO SPEAK TO LIBRARY MATTERS BECAUSE THEY HAVE STEAK IN THE CITY ON A CERTAIN MATTER SO IF YOU ARE TO SAY YOU ARE IN A RESIN THAT EXCLUDES YOU BUT FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THE MODERN PRACTICE OR COMMON PRACTICE WOULD BE THEY COULD SPEAK BECAUSE THEY HAVE AN INTEREST IN THAT SPECIFIC POLICY OR IF A BUSINESS OWNER OWNS A BUSINESS IN THERE SOMETHING THAT WOULD AFFECT HIS BUSINESS, EVEN IF HE DOESN'T LEAVE DOMINIC LIVE HERE HE WOULD SPEAK UP BECAUSE IT AFFECTS THEM IN SOME WAY OR MANNER. I DO BELIEVE THAT SOME OF WHAT WE ARE DEALING WITH IS NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO JUST BE SOLVED SIMPLY BY TRYING TO GO TO THE PARENT OR THE COUNCIL I BELIEVE THAT SOME OF THE THINGS WE ARE DEALING WITH AND I THINK THAT HEARING PEOPLE THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE AGREE ON BELIEVE IT OR NOT AS FAR AS HAVING FREEDOM AND CHOICES AND LIBERTY IN THESE DIFFERENT THINGS AND I BELIEVE I WANT TO SAY THAT YES I BELIEVE SOME OF THE POLICIES NEED TO CHANGE THE RESIDENCE. THAT WAS MY MAIN CONCERN BUT AS FAR AS WITH THE BOOKS AND THE CRITERIA HOW THAT IS DETERMINED I AM SORRY FOR YOU GUYS THAT ARE TRYING TO PLAY THE MIDDLEMAN IN TRYING TO DECIPHER AND FILTER THESE DIFFERENT OPINIONS AND EMOTIONS AND MAKE SOMETHING THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY AND I LIVE BY THE BIBLE NOT EVERYONE DOES BUT IF THERE IS A FALL BETWEEN YOU AND HER BROTHER WE HAVE TO GO TO THEM IN PERSON DIRECTLY AND EVENTUALLY IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE A CONVERSATION THIS WAY INSTEAD OF IT ALWAYS BEING THIS WAY AND EVENTUALLY WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIND SOMETHING WE SIT DOWN WITH SOMEONE WE DON'T SHARE THE SAME OPINION BUT WE CAN HAVE A CIVIL CONVERSATION OR BRING SOMETHING TOGETHER WE CAN AGREE UPON MAV FROM THAT POINT WE START WORKING TO RESOLUTION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

KEEP IT UP. >> ANYONE ELSE?

>> BRENT FISHER ABILENE TEXAS OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS ALSO THE FIRST PERSON TO TEST THE PROCESS AND ASKING LET'S TALK ABOUT IT SHOULD BE REMOVED. THAT WAS ME.

I DIDN'T KNOW I WAS THE FIRST ONE BUT I WAS IF THIS NEW POLICY PASSES THAT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE A CONSIDERATION SO I WOULD ASK THAT YOU REMOVE THAT CAVEAT IN THE DOCUMENT THAT SAYS IF YOU LIVE OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS AND YOU PAY $70 A YEAR, WHICH I PAY 10 TIMES MY FAMILY MEMBERS TO USE A LIBRARY CAN MODEL HAVE A VOICE.

I CAN'T SAY ANYTHING. SO PLEASE REMOVE THAT. WANT TO TALK ABOUT A COUPLE THINGS WERE BROUGHT UP. RESTRICTED ACCESS CARDS. IT'S BEEN HIGHLIGHTED MULTIPLE TIMES THAT NOBODY IS GOT ONE OF THESE. I HAVE COME THE WEBSITE.

THERE IS NO MENTION OF A RESTRICTED ACCESS CARD AT THIS POINT I GUESS I WOULD HAVE TO GO INTO THE LIBRARY AND SPECIFICALLY ASK FOR THERE'S NO EMAILS THAT WERE SENT OUT NO LETTERS THERE WAS NO DISPLAY BEING PUT OUT AT THE LIBRARY LOCATIONS.

THERE IS NOTHING NOTIFYING ANYBODY. OF COURSE NOBODY SIGNED UP FOR IT. THAT'S A LITTLE FRUSTRATING WAS NOT PAINTED THE PEOPLE HAVEN'T SIGNED UP FOR WHEN THEY DON'T KNOW IT EXISTS FOR YOU ARE NOT ADVERTISING FOR IT.HE PROCESS TO ACCESS MATERIAL THROUGH APL. YOU ARE IN PERSON YOU WALK IN YOU PULLEY BOOK YOU REVIEW THE BOOK OR YOU CHECK IT OUT AND YOU PLACE IT BACK ON THE SHELF AND ONLINE YOU GO TO ABILENE TEXAS THOUGHT OF ? ABILENE TEXAS.GOV/APL TYPE IN AN AUTHOR OR CATEGORY IN THE SEARCH BAR AND CLICK ON THE E-BOOK IF IT HAS A COPY OR AN AUDIOBOOK AND TITLE AND CLICK DOWNLOAD. THIS PATRON IS PROMPTED TO PUT IN THE LIBRARY CARD NUMBER AND PIN AND THE BOOK IMAGES APPEAR. IMAGES LIKE THIS THAT ARE NOT RESTRICTED TO A CHILD.

ANYONE HAS ACCESS TO THIS. I CAN GO REQUEST THAT MY PERSONAL KIDS DON'T HAVE ACCESS

[03:00:05]

TO THIS BUT I CAN ASSURE YOU THERE'S A LOT OF LIBRARY PATRONS THAT DON'T WANT THEIR KIDS SEEING THIS. THIS IS JUST ONE. THE KITE RUNNER WAS MENTIONED EARLIER. WE MENTIONED IT BEFORE. A GRAPHIC NOVEL WRITTEN FOR KIDS. SEE THE CUTE LITTLE FACES. THIS IS A LITTLE BOY BEING RAPED BY OTHER LITTLE BOYS. THERE'S COMMON SENSE THAT CLICKS IN HERE.

WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR YOU TO BURN BOOKS OR GET RID OF THEM. MAKE A SECTION THAT YOU CAN PUT IN THE BASEMENT. IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO GO LOOK AT IT, THEY CAN GO LOOK AT IT BUT INSTEAD WE WILL PUT BLUE CROSSES ON THE BOOKS BUT WE WON'T PUT ANY OF THE CLASSIFICATIONS. WE WANT TO WORK WITH YOU. SIT DOWN WITH US AND LET'S COME UP WITH A RESOLUTION THAT EVERYONE CAN BE HAPPY WITH WITH THIS TODAY IS ACCESSIBLE TODAY.

>> THANK YOU. >> IS THERE ANYONE ELSE SPEAKING FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? SEEING NO ONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. COUNSEL HAS ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS?

>> I AM LOOKING AT IT RIGHT HERE ON THE ABILENE WEBSITE ? LIBRARY CARD INFORMATION BELOW .3 JUVENILE LIBRARY CARDS THERE IS INFORMATION ON THE WEBSITE THAT TALKS ABOUT JUVENILE LIBRARY CARDS AND SO THE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE. A LOT OF THIS GOES BACK TO RESPONSIBILITY. AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS.

WE PASSED A PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY POLICY SEVERAL WEEKS AGO.

SEVERAL MONTHS AGO THAT INDICATES THAT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF WHAT CHILDREN ACCESS IN THE LIBRARY FALLS UPON THE PARENTS. OUR LIBRARY STAFF ARE NOT PARENTS, BABYSITTERS, AND I WILL SAY THIS AGAIN, WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, MY MOM DID NOT NEED THE CITY COUNCIL OF WACO TEXAS TO TELL ME OR GUARANTEE WHAT BOOKS I DID OR DID NOT CHECK OUT. THAT WAS MY MOM'S RESPONSIBILITY AND I FEEL LIKE WHAT WE HAVE DONE TO PROTECT KIDS FROM THIS ACCESS. YESTERDAY FAIRCHILD WALKS IN OFF THE STREET THEY CAN GET ANYTHING THEY WANT AND THEY CAN DO THAT PRETTY MUCH ANYWHERE.

AND I DO NOT FEEL IT'S RESPONSIBILITY OF OUR LIBRARIANS TO BE THE PARENTS, THE RESPONSIBILITY OF BEING PARENTS IS THE PARENTS AND I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE DONE A VERY GOOD JOB OF GIVING TOOLS TO PARENTS TO PROTECT THEIR KIDS. THEY DON'T WANT THEIR KIDS TO SEE IT, THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE SURE THEIR KIDS DO NOT SEE IT AND THAT'S WHERE THE ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY LIES STRAIGHT IS NOT THE GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO BABYSIT OUR KIDS IN THE LIBRARY.

>> OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? >> I AM STILL QUESTIONING THE 90 DAY TURNAROUND AT ENOUGH THAT NEEDS TO BE THE DIRECTORS FLEXIBILITY OVER IF WE NEED TO NOT SAY 90 DAYS BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE SMOOTHED OUT THE PROCESS AND NOW WITH A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME THIS FOR DOING A EVALUATION OF THE PROCESS.

SOON THAT IS SOMETHING WE WORKED WITH STANLEY ON.

>> THERE IS SOME CASE LAW THAT TALKS ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF REMOVING THE BOOK AT ALL.

SO THE REASON THAT THERE IS A TIMEFRAME NOT THAT 90 DAYS IS THE NUMBER THAT NEEDS TO BE BUT THERE'S A POLICY FROM THE SELECTED COUNSEL THAT SAYS WE ARE GOING TO SET THIS AS THE LIMIT TEST WE ARE REMOVING STAFF OFF OF RECONSIDERATION SO IT'S NOT UNLIMITED SURFACE CHALLENGE THERE IS A LIMIT TO AND THESE THINGS CAN BE PULLED OFF THE SHOW.

IT JUST CAN'T BE INDEFINITE AND ALSO RESPONSE TO SOMEONE THAT SAID THE PROCESS IS TRYING TO ?

THE PROCESS IS TAKING A LONG TIME. >> WITH THAT IN MIND A TIMELY WOULD BE GOOD FLEXIBILITY TO ANTICIPATE SITUATIONS THAT NO ONE COULD ANTICIPATE IF THEY ARE VACATION TRAVEL OR WHATEVER. FLEXIBILITY IS ALWAYS GOOD IN THAT STANDPOINT IF IT'S 180 DAYS SIX MONTHS IN SOVIET AND IT'S REALLY UP TO COUNSEL AT THIS POINT IN TIME BUT I AGREE WITH STANLEY ? STANLEY HAVING A CLOCK IN THERE PROVIDE SOME

[03:05:01]

URGENCY TO THE PROCESS IF YOU'RE GETTING THIS DONE. PART OF THE REASON THIS TOOK A WHILE THE BOARD IF I UNDERSTAND THE INFORMATION CORRECTLY WOULD READ THE BOOKS OF THE CITIZENS HAD CONCERNS WITH IN CITIZENS MADE THE REQUEST AND THOSE THAT WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE BOOKS THAT WERE IDENTIFIED MADE SOME COMMENTS AND ONE OF THE BOARD MEMBERS COMMENTED THAT THEY COULD TABLE THAT AS SO THERE IS LEGITIMATE DELIBERATION TAKING PLACE AT THE LIBRARY BOARD LEVEL WHEN THEY REVIEW THESE THINGS. SYSTEMIC I THINK THE LIBRARY BOARD BEATS THE RECORDER RIGHT NOW WHICH IS PRETTY ROUTINE UNTIL THESE CONSIDERATIONS CAME

UP. >> WE NEED TO EXTEND THAT

TIMELINE IF WE EVER GET BACK TO QUARTERLY MEETINGS. >>

>> THEY CAN ALWAYS CALL SPECIAL MEETINGS. THEY ARE QARTERLY RIGHT NOW AND FROM MY PERSPECTIVE WE ARE DOING THIS BECAUSE YOU PUT THE TIME AND THERE SIMPLY BECAUSE OF DISCUSSION THAT WAS HAD THERE WAS RECOMMENDATION FROM STANLEY AND FROM MY PERSPECTIVE IF WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE A SHOT CLOCK, WE DON'T HAVE TO JUST UNDERSTAND THAT WE DO OPEN OURSELVES UP FOR A CHALLENGE BUT WE ALREADY ARE IN THE PROCESS WE'VE GOT MOVING BOOKS AROUND BASED ON WHAT PUBLISHERS THINK THEY SHOULD BE IS ALSO OPENING YOURSELF UP FOR CHALLENGE AND WE'RE DOING WHAT WE CAN TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COMMUNITY.

SHE WAS THE REASON WHY WE HAVE THAT TIMEFRAME IF SOMEONE COMES BACK AND SAYS IT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL TO REMOVE IT WHILE SUNDRY CONSIDERATION THE 90 DAYS ALLOWS US TO SAY OKAY BUT IS NOT REMOVED IN PERPETUITY. THROUGH IT THAT'S A FAIR SEPAR THE STAFF HAS CERTAINLY INVESTED A LOT OF TIME OVER THE LAST YEAR AND I WANT TO REITERATE A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT HAVE TRANSPIRED.

WE LOOKED INTO THE LANGUAGE FROM 1986 INMATE APPLICATIONS TO THE ADVISORY BOARD TO MAKE THAT A FIT TODAY. WE HAVE ALLOWED THOSE MEETINGS ADVISORY BOARDS TO BE PUBLIC SO CITIZENS COULD HEAR WHAT WAS BEING COMMUNICATED. THIS COUNSEL HAS CHARGED THE CITY MANAGER TO BE ABLE TO SAY. [INDISCERNIBLE] THERE IS ETERNAL CONTROL SPRAY DEPLOYING TO MAKING AMBIGUITY TO ALLOW OUR POLICY TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE STATE STATUTE PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE TO PARTICIPATE AND BRING BOOKS AND AGAIN WE HAVE 1/4 OF A MILLION TITLES AT THE LIBRARY AND OVER THE LAST ALMOST 12 MONTHS WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT 26 LESS THAN ONE PERCENT SO WE PROBABLY HAVE ALLOCATED MORE TIME IN REGARDS TO THE SUBJECT MATTER YOU LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE IN REGARDS TO SOME THINGS THAT SOME WOULD ARGUE IS MORE PERTINENT. HAVING SAID THAT, I AM SATISFIED WITH THE RESPONSE

FROM STAFF IN THIS COUNSEL. >> I WANT TO ADDRESS IT BRIEFLY WHETSTONE TO PROMOTE THE JUVENILE CARD. IT'S ON THE WEBSITE.

WE HAVE DONE SOME VIDEOS. THERE ARE POSTERS AND LIBRARY IT'S JUST GUSTER CITY COUNCIL MULTIPLE TIMES. WE ARE NOT TRYING TO HIDE IT SO WHAT I HAVE ASKED JULIE TO LOOK AT IS THAT IF THIS CONSORTIUM CONSENTS OUT SOME SORT OF LIBRARY NOTICE TO EVERY LIBRARY CARD HOLDER AS WELL AS WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT THOSE OPPORTUNITIES AND OPTIONS.

>> I FORGOT WHO MENTIONED IT EARLIER BUT WHEN THE BOOK IS UNDER CONSIDERATION, JUST MAKING IT PUBLIC. I SEE SOME WISDOM AND JUST COMMUNICATING THAT.I DON'T THINK THAT'S CUMBERSOME IN REGARDS TO THE STAFF AND JUST MAKING THE INFORMATION

AVAILABLE. >> HAPPY TO DO THAT.

STUDENT QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS A ABILENE RESIDENT REQUIREMENT IS NOT REQUIRED TO SPEAK FOR THIS BODY AND NOT EVERYONE IS ALLOWED TO SPEAK AND EVERYONE IS ALLOWED TO SPEAK.

YOU COULD DRIVE IN FROM OUT OF TOWN AND WALK INTO OUR MEETING AND HAVE THREE MINUTES SO EVERYONE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. WE HAVE NEVER DENIED ANYONE AN

[03:10:02]

OPPORTUNITY TO GET UP TO SPEAK AND HAVE THEIR THREE MINUTES. SAID THE TAXPAYERS OF THE CITY OF ABILENE FUND THE LIBRARY AND OTHER CITY RHIANNON OWNED OPERATIONS AND I THINK THAT MAKES SENSE FOR THE CITIZEN PAYING THE TAXES TO BE ABLE TO HAVE SOME SAY SO IN REGARDS TO WHAT THIS COULD POSSIBLY BRING FORTH BUT ANY MORE COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL?

>> AS A YOUNG MOTHER I SAT DOWN WITH MY SECOND OR FIRST GRADER IN PRESCHOOL AND READ THE BOOK WORDED ACCOUNT FROM ? WHERE DID I COME FROM WHICH IS VERY IN-DEPTH ABOUT WHAT I COME FROM AND OPENED UP A LIFETIME OF CONVERSATION WITH MY THREE BOYS SO I ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO GET INVOLVED AND TO BE INVOLVED AND THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT. YOU MAKE THE DECISION.

WHICH YOUR KIDS CAN READ. >> I HAVE A QUESTION WITH REGARD TO SEPARATING THE YOUNG ADULT INTO THIS. THAT'S PRESENTED AS AN OPTION.

IS THERE A RECOMMENDATION FROM STAFF?

>> THE CLASSROOM DEVELOPMENT POLICY. >> I THINK THE LIBRARY RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE STAFF RECOMMENDATION BECAUSE THAT'S TYPICALLY HOW THE PROCESS WORKS BUTBASED ON THE DISCUSSION WE HAD WITH COUNSEL IN EXECUTIVE SESSION WE WANTED TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THOSE CONCERNS . I THINK YOU CAN PROBABLY ADD IN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT CATEGORIES AND THERE IS DISCUSSION ABOUT WHO GETS TO PUT THAT IN THERE? IT'S NOT A PERFECT SYSTEM. I AM NOT SUGGESTING IT EVER WILL BE BUT THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS THAT COUNSEL RAISED

GRADE >> IS JUST AN OPTION YOU WOULD LIKE FOR US TO WEIGH IN.

>> WAS ASKED IF THERE IS A WAY TO DO IT AND THE ANSWER IS YES AND HERE'S THE THING.

IF WE ALL AGREE THAT LIBRARY CATEGORIES ARE IMPORTANT AND AGE APPROPRIATENESS OF LITERATURE IS IMPORTANT AND FORMING A PARENT ON THAT IS IMPORTANT PROVIDING ANOTHER LEVEL OF CATEGORIZATION AND FINDING WITH THE PUBLISHERS WOULD DO I PERSONALLY DON'T SEE WHY THAT IS A PROBLEM. I THINK THE SOFTWARE ACCOMMODATES IT THAT CONSTITUTES A RECOMMENDATION FROM ME AS CITY MANAGER YES. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO HEAR FROM YOUR LIBRARY DIRECTOR. WE HAVE NOT TALKED.HE IS IN THIS ROOM TO MY KNOWLEDGE SHE IS ONLY ONE QUALIFIED TO DO LIBRARY SCIENCE. JULIE DO YOU WANT TO PROVIDE AN

OPINION? >> I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND IF WE WENT IN THAT DIRECTION, WHAT WOULD THAT LOOK LIKE? ON THE SHELF OR LABELING OR

WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE? >> I HAVE SPOKEN TO MY TECHNICAL SERVICES MANAGER AND SHE SAYS SHE COULD DO THE SUBCATEGORY EASILY.T WOULD BE A CHANGE IN THE LABEL. IT WOULD BE WHY A FOR THE LITTLEST SCHOOL READING LEVEL AND WHY A+ FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL READING LEVEL THEY WILL BE DIVIDED INTO DIFFERENT READING AREAS ON THE SHELF TO MAKE IT CLEAR THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT CATEGORIES AND I AM FINE IF COUNSEL DESIRES TO DO THAT. I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH SUBCATEGORY SPRAY CIVIC HOW DOES THAT WORK WITH THE CONSORTIUM?

>> WE WILL FIGURE IT OUT. IT'S DOABLE.

>> THE QUESTION WOULD BE ON THE BOOKS OF THE PUBLISHER RECOMMENDS TO.

[INDISCERNIBLE] 17. >> IN THE PROFESSIONAL LIBRARY WOULD MAKE A CALL

>> WE HAVE HIRED THE ADDITIONAL LIBRARIANS TO ASSIST IN THE ACTUAL TOUCHING OF THE BOOK.

>> IS THAT A MOTION? I WILL MAKE A MOTION WE ACCEPT IT WITH THE Y A AND WHY A+.

>> GIVING THEM THE FLEXIBILITY GIVING JULIE THE FLEXIBILITY >> I JUST KNOW THE REASON IS WE

ARE TRYING TO PROTECT THIS. >> DO WE NEED A NUMBER? CAN WE SAY 90 DAYS WITH DISCRETION?

[03:15:02]

>> RIGHT NOW WE HAVE NO DEADLINES. DO YOU WANT TO HAVE DISCRETION YOU NEED TO HAVE SOME SORT OF PARAMETERS AND VISIT BECAUSE YOU WANT TO HAVE THIS BEYOND 90 DAYS BECAUSE THE MEETING OF THE LIBRARY BOARD MAY TAKE LONGER THAN 90 DAYS THAT MAY EXTEND TO THE NEXT LIBRARY BOARD MEETING. I THINK THAT'S PERFECTLY FINE. I CAN IMAGINE A SCENARIO WHERE WE COULDN'T GO THROUGH THE RECONSIDERATION PROCESS IN SIX MONTHS.

I MEAN I DON'T CARE WHAT HAPPENS WE OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO GET THAT DONE I WOULD THINK.

>> 90 DAYS WITH THE OPTION OF HER DISCRETION.

>> A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MCALLISTER. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?

>> I WAS GOING TO MAKE A COMMENT REGARDING THE RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT AND PEOPLE HAVE THE CHOICE OF LIVING AND YOU CHOOSE TO LIVE IN THE CITY YOU ARE CHOOSING TO PAY MORE PROPERTY TAX AND YOU HAVE I CAN GO SOMEWHERE ELSE AND TAKE ADVANTAGE AND THAT DOESN'T MEAN I HAVE A VOICE NECESSARILY AND I DON'T HAVE I AM SUPPORTIVE OF THAT RESTRICTION AND THAT NARROWING IF YOU LIVE IN THE CITY YOU CAN'T VOTE AND IN MY MIND THEY ARE VERY SIMILAR APPROACHES SO I THINK THAT'S APPROPRIATE.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MCALLISTER AND ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? WE ARE READY TO VOTE. PTOO MUCH COUNCILMEMBER MCALLISTER.

>> ITEM 16 I WILL ASK TIM LITTLEJOHN TO PRESENT THIS ITEM.

[16. Ordinance (Final Reading) SNC-2023-03: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on A Request From The City Of Abilene To Permanently Change The Name Of Blackhawk Road To Blackhawk Drive Between Wildflower Way And Maple Street. (Tim Littlejohn)]

>> WE WILL MOVE TO ITEM 16. >> 2023 ? 03 YOU'RE GOING TO CONSIDER CHANGING THE NAME OF BLACKHAWK ROAD TO BLACKHAWK DRIVE GREAT HERE IS A ZONING MAP. HERE IS A LOCATION MAP SHOWING THE AREA TO CONSIDER.

HERE IS PHOTOS OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY OR STREET. HERE IS THE NOTIFICATION SENT OUT WE HAVE RECEIVED NOTHING FOR OPPOSITION AND THEY ARE OKAY WITH THIS REQUEST BASED ON THOSE FINDINGS WHERE WE BASH RECOMMENDING APPROVAL.

>> QUESTIONS PRIOR TO THE HEARING? AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO GIVE IT A NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE EXCEPT A MOTION

AND A SECOND. >> ANY DISCUSSION?

>> READY TO VOTE. >>.

[17. Ordinance (Final Reading) Z-2023-02: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on A Request From Chaile Allen, Represented By Borden Bluff, To Change The Zoning Of Approximately 0.32 Acres From Multi-Family Residential (MF) To Office (O) Located At 508 Mulberry Street (Tim Littlejohn)]

>> FOR CONSIDERATION ZONING REQUEST OWNER MR. ALLEN REZONE REQUEST MULTIFAMILY TO OFFICE 508 MULBERRY STREET AND HERE'S A LOCATION MAP HERE IS A ZONING MAP.

PERMITTED USE IN MULTI FAMILY PERMITTED USES WITHIN OFFICE DISTRICT.

AND PERMITTED USES WITHIN NEIGHBORHOOD OFFICE DISTRICT. HERE'S THE SUBJECT PROPERTY AND

[03:20:07]

NEIGHBORING PROPERTIES. NOTIFICATION MAP NOTIFICATION SENT OUT ONLY RECEIVED TWO IN FAVOR AND ZERO OPPOSED. THIS REQUEST DID GO TO PNC AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION WITH ONE OF THE NEIGHBORING PROPERTIES THEY ARE RECOMMENDING DOWN ZONING THIS AND THAT WAS AGREEABLE BY THE APPLICANT IN THAT INITIAL RECOMMENDATION TODAY.

>> QUESTION PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC HEARING.IMOTHY PROPONENT IS OKAY.

>> AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM, PLEASE REPORT YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY. >> I AM HERE TO SUPPORT MY SONY APPLICATION. I AM AN ATTORNEY IN ABILENE I HAVE BEEN PRACTICING HERE SINCE 2014 I HAVE BEEN PRACTICING ATTORNEY SINCE 2009 AND I AM EXCITED TO MAKE ABILENE MY LONG-TERM HOME RAISING TWO CHILDREN. THIS WILL BE USED AS A LAW PRACTICE OFFICE IS JUST ME AND MY STAFF. VERY LOW TRAFFIC IN AND OUT ON A DAILY BASIS. THERE'S NOT A LOT OF INFORMATION AT THAT THAN THAT I'M EXCITED TO GET THIS PROCESS AND I APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT THE PLANNING AND ZONING OFFICE HAS DONE. THEY HAVE DONE A TREMENDOUS JOB OF GUIDING THROUGH THIS PROCESS IT CAN BE INTIMIDATING AND I APPRECIATE THEM AND THE WORK THEY HAVE DONE AND I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.

>> THANKS FOR HANGING AROUND FOR FOUR HOURS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> IT'S GOING DIRECTLY TO ROBERT.

>> HOME AWAY FROM HOME. >> I AM VERY EXCITED AND LUCKY

FOR THAT. >> ANYONE ELSE? SEEING NO ONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

>> READY TO VOTE. >>.

[18. Ordinance (Final Reading) Z-2023-03: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on A Request From Clayton Coffey, To Change The Zoning Of Approximately 40 Acres From Agricultural Open (AO) To Planned Development District 179 (PDD-179) To Allow One Manufactured Home, Uses Permitted In The Agricultural Open (AO) District, And Agriculture Related Commercial Uses. This land is currently addressed as 6441-B East Lake Road in Jones County. (Tim Littlejohn)]

>> ITEM NUMBER 18. >> UP FOR CONSIDERATION ZONING CASE 2023 ? 03 ? COFFEE FARMS AGENT CLAYTON COFFEE THE REQUEST IS FOR REZONE PROPERTY FROM AO GPD 179 LOCATED AT 6441 E. LAKE ROAD. THIS IS SHOWING THE AGRICULTURAL OPEN SPACE IN THE SURROUNDING AREA WITH AGRICULTURAL OPEN SPACE THE ZONING WOULD BE AGRICULTURAL OPENING SPACE AND PERMITTED USED TO BE ONE MOBILE HOME FOR THE FAMILY TO STAY IN ON ON THE PROPERTY AT THIS WILL BE USED AS A DEMONSTRATION AND ANALYSIS OF RETAIL SALES ALONG EAST LAKE ROAD WITH SOME NEIGHBORHOOD RETAIL AND THE MEAT PROCESSING FACILITY LOCATED ON THE PROPERTY. THIS WILL BE A LARGE COMMERCIAL PROCESSING PLANT IT WILL BE A SMALLER ONE THEY WILL USE ONLY FOR THE ANIMALS ON.

[INDISCERNIBLE] AND HERE'S THE CONCEPT PLAN SHOWING THE CONCEPTS OF THE PROPOSED USES.

HERE IS THE SUBJECT PROPERTY IS CURRENTLY EMPTY. HERE'S A NOTIFICATION AREA ONE IN FAVOR, ZERO OPPOSED IN FINDING RECOMMENDATION THAT DOES MEET WITH LAID OUT THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND THEIR RECOMMENDING APPROVAL TO YOU THIS AFTERNOON.

>> DOES THE PNC RECOMMENDATION IT IS.

>> IT IS WITH THE CONDITIONS LISTED.

>> ANY QUESTIONS? >> WHO IS GOING TO MANAGE THE HEALTH PORTION THIS MEAT PROCESSING.

>> THAT WILL BE THROUGH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND STATE AGENCIES

>> I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO SPEAK OUT OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? PLEASE GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM CLAY COFFEE I LIVE IN ABILENE.

[03:25:02]

MY PLACE IS ON. [INDISCERNIBLE] I HAVE BEEN A MEMBER OF THIS COMMUNITY ALL OF MY LIFE AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME FORWARD. A SEEK COUNSEL.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THE PLANNING AND ZONING. THEY CAME ALONGSIDE OF ME AND HELPED GET THESE THINGS FIGURED OUT TO BE ABLE TO HELP OUR FAMILY AND FARM AND I AM HERE

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS >> >> SIGN ME UP.

>> WE ARE WITHIN STATE LAW CURRENTLY WE CAN PROVIDE FOOD FOR SHIVE 20 FAMILIES AND THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT AND IN ORDER TO MOVE TO THE NEXT STAGE I HAVE TO HAVE A FACILITY IN PLACE OUR GOAL IS TO WHAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TOWARDS FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS OF GOING FULL-FLEDGED AND CHANGING FROM TRADITIONAL AGRICULTURE IS TO CHANGE THE LAWS THAT WE DO HAVE AND SHOW HOW PEOPLE CAN PROVIDE FOR THEMSELVES WE ARE AN OPEN FARM THE BEST WAY TO KNOW WHAT YOU ARE EATING IS TO KNOW YOUR FARMER'S FIRST NAME. MY SON AND HIS FAMILY ARE MOVING BACK AFTER FOUR GENERATIONS ON THE FARM.

>>. [INDISCERNIBLE] BY THE WAY.

>> THE MAN KNOWS HOW TO MARKET 45 MINUTES DEEP INTO THE LUNCH HOUR.

>> I UNDERSTAND THERE'S A LOT OF FREE PORK ROAMING THE CITY. RIGHT NOW.

DO YOU WANT TO MAKE USE OF THAT?

>> WE HAVE A FEW >> THANK YOU MR. COFFEE.

>> ANYONE ELSE? SEEING NO ONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? >> ANY DISCUSSION?

READY TO VOTE. >>.

[19. Ordinance (Final Reading): Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action to Amended Chapter 1, "General Provisions;" Section 1-9, "General penalty for violation of code, continuing violations, culpable metal state not required," Abilene Code of Ordinances to Increase the Misdemeanor Penalty for Zoning Violations. (Stanley Smith)]

[INDISCERNIBLE] SCHEMA STATE LAW LIMITS THE FINE FOR CLASS A MISDEMEANOR ORDINANCE EXERCISE AND IN MOST INSTANCES IT ALLOWS THE CITIES TO ALLOW A $10,000 FINE FOR CERTAIN VIOLATIONS ONE OF THOSE BEING A ZONING ORDINATION VIOLATION THIS IS A REQUEST FOR THE MAXIMUM FINE AND THIS WOULD BE UP TO THE DISCRETION OF THE JUDGE AND JURY AND ? TO VIOLATE THE ZONING LAWS. I WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING.

IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO PLEASE STEP FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECRD. SEEING THAT ONE, WILL CLOSE THE

PUBLIC HEARING. >> A MOVEMENT AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER PRICE. WE ARE READY TO VOTE.

>>.

[20. Ordinance (First Reading): Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on a proposal to adopt a new Comprehensive Plan prepared by Halff and Associates Inc. (Tim Littlejohn)]

PRESENT THIS ITEM. >> UP FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION TODAY IS THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2040 THIS IS A LONG DRAWN OUT PROCESS WITH DELAYS AND WE ARE TO THE POINT WHERE WE GET TO PRESENT TO YOU AND THE REVIEW PROCESS ? THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE WAS FORMED MULTIPLE STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS WERE HELD AND THIS IS A WELL THOUGHT OUT PLAN AND TO TRY TO BRING THE BEST PLAN IN THE NEXT 15 TO 20 YEARS I WILL

[03:30:03]

TURN IT OVER TO BRENDAN SHE CAN GO THROUGH THEIR PRESENTATION.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE. I'M EXCITED TO BE BACK HERE. THE PROJECT MANAGER FOR YOUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. APPRECIATE THE PRESENTATION. THE BRIEF AGENDA.

WE WILL KEEP THIS QUICK. I'M A THIS IS BEEN A LONG MEETING I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE PROJECT TIMELINE AND WE STARTED THIS PROJECT BACK IN 2020 IT STARTS WITH AN EXTENSIVE AMOUNT OF ENGAGEMENT IN THE PROCESS WE DID HAVE THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO MEET WITH AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS AS WELL THAT STARTED TO BUILD PHASE 3 WHICH IS THE VISION AND LOOKING AT GROSS SCENARIOS AND HOW THE FUTURE POPULATION WOULD BE AT FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS AS WELL FROM THERE WE DECIDED TO ONLY RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY WE STARTED TO DEVELOP THEIR OVERALL GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES AND WE ARE HERE IN PHASE 5 WHICH IS STARTING THE ADOPTION PROCESS AND A PRESENTATION WAS MADE ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND WE ARE HERE THIS AFTERNOON FOR THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARINGS.

BUT JUST A REMINDER TO THE PUBLIC IN THE GROUP OF WHAT IT COMPREHENSIVE BRAND IS SPIRITED SURE POLICY DOCUMENT IS STARTS WITH MEMBERS WHO ARE IN FRONT OF YOU THIS IS THE BLUEPRINT OF WHAT YOU FOLLOW AND SENSE OF HOW YOU WANT TO GROW INTO THE FUTURE AND THIS INPUT HAS PROVIDED THE GUIDANCE IN THIS AS WELL AND THIS IS THE CORE OF THE PLANT AND THIS IS WHERE THEY HAVE A ZONING DEPARTMENT WE WORK WITH THE LANDOWNERS AND IN THE COMMUNITY TO ENSURE THAT THEY COME FORWARD AND ALIGN AND IT ALSO LOOKS AT HOW YOUR COMMUNITY WANTS TO GROW INTO THE FUTURE AS DEVELOPMENT OCCURS.RADITIONALLY WE WOULD LIKE TO TRY TO UPDATE THESE PLANS EVERY 10 YEARS FOR YOUR LAST PLAN WAS ADOPTED IN 2004 SO IT HAS BEEN SOME TIME BUT NOW WE ARE HERE AND THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A PLAN TO REFLECT THE COMMUNITY TODAY AS A WHOLE. THE REPORT AND THE PLAN THAT WAS PRESENTED TO YOU IN YOUR PACKET WAS BROKEN VIA IN FIVE DIFFERENT SECTIONS AND WHY DO WE PLAN FOR THIS? TALKING ABOUT THE COMMUNITY VISION AND THE COMMUNITY FRAMEWORK AND THE COMMUNITY DIRECTION WHICH IS THE IMPLEMENTATION FRAMEWORK GUIDED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND STAFF AND THE RESIDENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS. AS I MENTIONED WE HAD A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF ENGAGEMENT WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY TO ESTABLISH THE COMMUNITY BUILDING BLOCKS SO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF HAVING A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT COMMUNITY SURVEYS WE MET WITH ABOUT 10 DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDER GROUPS AND WE IDENTIFIED SOME BUILDING BLOCKS TO GO THROUGH A LITTLE BIT LATER BUT FOCUS AROUND GROWTH AND COMMUNITY AND THE COMMUNITY THAT'S SUPPORTIVE ONE THAT IS FOCUSED ON EDUCATION THAT WAS BUILT UPON ALL THAT WE HAD AND WHAT YOU WILL SEE HERE IS YOUR IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND THE OVERALL COMMUNITY GOALS AND STRATEGIES MOVING FORWARD. SO LOOKING AT YOUR FUTURE MAP THAT'S ONE OF THE CORE ELEMENTS OF THIS OVERALL PROCESS AND HOW YOU WANT YOUR COMMUNITY TO GROW AND THIS IS IDENTIFIED THROUGH A SERIES OF DIFFERENT TOURS AND BOOTS ON THE GROUND AND FOR EXAMPLE YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN AND SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS SOME DYNAMIC OPPORTUNITIES AS WELL AND WE CREATED A SERIES OF THE LETTUCE TO FUTURE GROWTH SCENARIOS AND PROJECTIONS INTO THE FUTURE AND