24. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Approving the Acquisition of the Microsoft Enterprise License Agreement (Troy Swanson)

[24. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Approving the Acquisition of the Microsoft Enterprise License Agreement (Troy Swanson)]

>> MAYOR HURT. >> YES. >> NOW TO ITEM 24 AND I WILL ASK

TROY SWANSON THE I.T. DIRECTOR TO PRESENT THIS ITEM. >> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS TROY SWANSON AND I AM YOUR INFORMATION DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR AND BEFORE US IS A

PROPOSAL TO ACQUIRE A MICROSOFT ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT. >> TROY, YOU ARE A SOFT SPEAKER LIKE ME. YOU MIGHT WANT TO TAKE THE MICROPHONE OUT AND HOLD IT SO

THE VIEWING AUDIENCE CAN HEAR YOU AND WE CAN HEAR YOU TOO. >> IS THIS BETTER?

>> MUCH BETTER. >> CAN WE SWITCH TO THE PRESENTATION?

[00:05:02]

>> HIT THE RIGHT BUTTON. >> RIGHT? ALL RIGHT.

SO A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND ABOUT WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING. THE CITY IS CURRENTLY A GOOGLE SENTRIC LICENSE WITH GOOGLE WORK SPACE AND WE HAVE A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT WITH THEM THAT BEGAN IN 22 AND ENDS IN DECEMBER OF 2025. WE HAVE AN ANNUAL COST OF ABOUT 356,000.

AT THE SAME TIME, MICROSOFT HAS SET UP SOME OF THEIR SOFTWARE SUCH THAT WE REQUIRE CERTAIN LICENSES AND SOFTWARE TO CONTINUE TO INTERACT WITH THEM AS WELL AS A LOT OF OUR THIRD PARTY SOFTWARE. ONE OF THE CURRENT IMPLEMENTATIONS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE. DUE TO THE GAPS OF THE GOOGLE SERVICES VERSUS WHAT WE GET FROM MICROSOFT WE EMPLOY THIRD-PARTY SOLUTIONS AS WELL. SO MOVING ON, WHAT WE HAVE BEFORE US IS THE CURRENT SITUATION OR THE DEFAULTED POSITION IS WE WILL HAVE TO CONTINUE TO BUY MICROSOFT LICENSES EVEN THOUGH WE ARE A GOOGLE-CENTRIC SHOP.

THE LICENSES HAVE A SIGNIFICANT COST TO THEM AS WE MOVE FORWARD AND WE HAVE TO EMBRACE A NUMBER OF THE MICROSOFT SOLUTIONS IN PARALLEL WITH GOOGLE. THAT IS CREATING THE POTENTIAL $4 SEFTD -- $470,000 EXPENSE WE ARE COMING UP ON AND A $210,000 ANNUAL COMMITMENT THEREAFTER IN THE MICROSOFT RELATIONSHIP. WE ARE PROPOSING AN ALTERNATIVE WHERE WE TRANSITION TO A MICROSOFT-CENTRIC ENVIRONMENT. WE WOULD TRANSIT FROM GOOGLE TO MICROSOFT OVER TWO AND A HALF YEARS. THE FIRST YEAR EXPENSE WOULD BE 159,000 TO MOVE THAT DIRECTION VERSUS THE 470 IN PARALLEL WITH GOOGLE. THERE WOULD BE ALSO AN ESTIMATED 476,000 LICENSED COMMITMENT TO MICROSOFT ANNUALLY THEREAFTER AND THAT WOULD RESULT IN THAT FIRST YEAR, THAT 159 COMPARED TO 407,000 OF THE 253,000 SAVINGS AND IN THE SECOND YEAR WE RECOGNIZE THE EXPENSE IS LARGER THAN THE FIRST ALTERNATIVE. IN THE THIRD -- OR THE FOURTH YEAR TECHNICALLY WE WOULD START INCURRING A 250,000 SAVINGS ANNUALLY FROM THERE ON OUT.

SO OUR FIVE-YEAR PROJECTION IS ULTIMATELY A SAVINGS. WE DO RECOMMEND AS THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MOVING FORWARD TO A MICROSOFT S-F CENTRIC SHOP.

IT ALLOWS US TO TURN OFF THIRD-PARTY SOLUTIONS THAT ARE NOT NECESSARILY FILLING THE GAPS WE NEED. BY MOVING TO A MICROSOFT PLATFORM WE WOULD HAVE A ROBUST MICROSOFT-CENTRIC SHOP THAT WE CAN EXERCISE A LEVEL OF RESILIENCY AND CYBER SECURITY AND ACCOMMODATE THE NEW TOOLS COMING DOWN LIKE TYLER MUNIS FOR THE CITY OF ABILENE.

AND WE WOULD HAVE AN ENHANCED CAPABILITY TO MANAGE THE DEVICES OUT THERE AND MANAGE THEIR CYBER SECURITY AS WELL AS HOW WE ADMINISTER THOSE MACHINES. THE EMPLOYEES AT THE CITY WOULD ALSO EPBG -- ENJOY A MICROSOFT- CENTRIC SOLUTION USING ALL MICROSOFT OFFICE SOLUTIONS.

CYBER SECURITY IS ANOTHER FOREFRONT FOR US. CYBER SECURITY IS SOMETHING WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT EVERY DAY AND PROACTIVELY TRY TO ADDRESS THAT THROUGH THE MICROSOFT SOLUTION WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO A BETTER JOB OF THAT AS WELL. SOME MIGHT ASK WHY WE HAVE A TRANSITION PERIOD THAT HAS A SIGNIFICANT OVERLAP WITH A GOOGLE-CENTRIC WORKPLACE WE ARE ENGAGED IN A CONTRACT. WHAT IT MEANS IS IT REQUIRES US TIME TO TRANSITION MANY OF THESE SERVICES FROM ONE SYSTEM TO THE OTHER. A GOOD EXAMPLE WOULD BE OUR SYSTEM THAT HAS MORE CAPABILITIES AND THE ONLY WAY WE CAN GET THE THIRD PARTY SOLUTION IS TO BUY ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS AND MODULES AND THUS INCREASING THE COST AS WE MOVE FORWARD FROM THE CYBER SECURITY PERSPECTIVE. IT WOULD TAKE A MONTH OR 2 TO MAKE THE FIRST TRANSITION.

IT IS NECESSARY TO DO SOME OF THE IMMEDIATE ACTIONS WE CAN TAKE AS WELL AS PLANNING AND DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SERVICES THAT WILL PLACE THE GOOGLE CENTRIC SOLUTION WITH A MICROSOFT ONE. AND WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE TIME AND COMMUNICATE WITH THE DEPARTMENTS. AND THERE ARE A LOT OF THINKS -- THINGS WE WILL BE TRANSITIONING AND WE DO NEED TO MAKE VARIOUS PREPARATIONS. ONE OF THE BIGGEST CUT OFFICERS IS TO MOVE FROM A GOOGLE G MAIL SYSTEM TO A MICROSOFT EMAIL EXCHANGE SYSTEM AND THAT WILL TAKE SUBMITTING PLANNING AND DESIGN TO ACCOMPLISH. WE THINK WE WOULD GO LIVE IN

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ADVANCE OF THE DECEMBER TIMELINE. AND THAT GIVES US A TIME TO STABILIZE BEFORE WE ENTER THE CONTRACT AND THE CONTRACT OR RELATIONSHIP.

I WOULD BE HAPPY TO AND TAEUPB ANY QUESTIONS. ENTERTAIN QUESTIONS.

>> IT SEEMS IF WE SAVE 250 THE FIRST YEAR AND THEN THE NEXT TWO YEARS -- OR IF IT COSTS 250 AND THEN SAVE 250 THE NEXT TWO YEARS THAT THAT WASHES THAT OUT. AND THEN THERE IS A SAVINGS

AFTER THAT. >> YES. >> AND I WILL DEFER TO OUR

COMPUTER GURU, SHANE. >> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAME UP DURING COVID IS THE STATE OF TEXAS USES A MICROSOFT PLATFORM. THE NPO MEETINGS, THE TX-DOT ENGINEERS THEY WERE ON TEAMS AND WE WERE ON GOOGLE AND TRYING TO USE ZOOM AND THE STATE DIDN'T WANT ZOOM BEING USED ON THE COMPUTERS AND IT HELPS FACILITATES VIRTUAL MEETINGS. THIS IS A GOOD THING.

I DON'T HAVE IN QUALMS. DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS YOU MENTIONED THIS IS BAKED INTO THE EXTRA COSTS UP FRONT. THE 253 WE SAVED THAT'S FROM THIS YEAR.

IT IS A CAL -- CALENDAR YEAR. SO STARTING IN JANUARY THE EXTRA EXPENSE WAS IN THE BUDGET.

IT IS SEPARATE OR PART OF THIS? >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> I DON'T HAVE ANY ISSUES OR

QUALMS. I THINK IT IS A GOOD MOVE. >> IS IT CHEAPER TO DO THE

OPPOSITE, GO ALL IN ON GOOGLE? I DON'T HAVE A PREFERENCE HERE. >> THAT IS ALTERNATIVE.

ALTERNATIVE 1 WOULD NOT ONLY REQUIRE US TO SUSTAIN THE GOOGLE AND THIRD-PARTY APPLICATIONS, BUT WE END UP WITH THE DUPLICITY THAT WE NEED THE MICROSOFT LICENSING TO MAKE TYLER MUNIS WORK. WE HAVE A DUPLICATE COST HAPPENING AND THAT'S WHAT THE

INCREASE IS AND THE SAVINGS OPPORTUNITY. >> YOU KAFPBT -- CAN'T GO ALL IN

ON GOOGLE, BUT YOU CAN ON MICROSOFT. >> CORRECT.

>> QUESTIONS? >> THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR ORGANS THIS ITEM? OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME TO THE CITY RECORD? SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?

IF NOT I WILL ACCEPT THE MOTION AND THE SECOND. >> INDICATE -- CAITLIN WANTS TO

KNOW CAN SHE STILL PLAY SOLITAIRE? >> SO MOVED.

>> MOTION. >> AND A SECOND MAYOR PRO TEM BEARD?

>> CRAVER. >> YES. >> PRICE.

>> YES. >> BEARD. >> YES.

>> REGAN. >> YES. >> YATES.

>> YES. >> MCALISTER. >> YES.

>> AND MAYOR HURT. >> YES. THE MOTION CARRIES.

[25. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on amending Resolution No. 49-2016, Chapter 380 Economic Development Program (Robert Hanna)]

>> MOTION CARRIES. AND NOW TO ITEM 25. >> BEFORE YOU IS AN AMENDMENT, THE RESOLUTION WE UH TKOPLTDED -- ADOPTED IN 2016 THAT AUTHORIZES CHAPTER 380.

WE WANTED TO IMPLEMENTED THE PROGRAM DISCUSSED. WE HAVE TO AMEND THE LANGUAGE IN A RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT UNDER THE CHAPTER 380 PROGRAM.

THE AMENDMENT BEFORE YOU TODAY ACCOMPLISHES THAT FACT. IF APPROVED WE WILL BE ABLE TO USE A CHAPTER 380 AGREEMENT TO OFFER THE INCENTIVES OF THE HOME BUILDERS AS CONTEMPLATED.

>> ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU, ROBERT. AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR ORGANS -- OR AGAINST THIS ITEM. COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.

SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?

IF NOT I ACCEPT A MOTION AND A SECOND. >> SO MOVED.

>> A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MCALISTER. >> SECOND BY COUNCILMAN YATES.

>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? MCALISTER. >> YES.

>> CRAVEN. >> YES. >> PRICE.

>> YES. >> BEARD. >> YES.

>> REGAN. >> YES. >> YATES,.

>> YES. >> MAYOR HURT? >> YES.

[26. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Chapter 380 Agreement with NuHome Constructors of Abilene for the Construction of Up to Fourteen Single-Family Homes in the City of Abilene Neighborhood Empowerment Zone No. 1 or No. 2 (Robert Hanna)]

>> MOTION CARRIES. >> WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM 26 AND I WILL ASK ROBERT HANNAH,

THE CITY MANAGER TO PRESENT THIS ITEM. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR HURT.

THIS ITEM IS A CHAPTER 380 AGREEMENT THAT WOULD ALLOW THE CITY TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH NEW HOME CONSTRUCTORS OF ABILENE FOR COMPLETED AND PENDING HOMES IN THE EMPOWERMENT

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HOMES. NUHOME HAS PURCHASED SEVERAL LOTS AND CONSTRUCTED A NUMBER OF HOMES IN ACCORDANCE WITH A PROGRAM WE CREATED IN 2021 TO HELP ENCOURAGE RESIDENTIAL INFILL DEVELOPMENT. HE WROTE A LETTER TO US AND THAT IS INCLUDED IN THE BACK UP THAT SAYS, HEY, I HAVE DONE THESE. THEY HAVE BEEN NOW UH PRAISED AND THE UH PRAISED VALUE HAS GONE UP AND THEY QUALIFY FOR $5,000 FOR IMPROVEMENT. THIS MIRRORED WHAT THE CITY OF DENISON IMPLEMENTED. IT IS ONE OF THE MULTIPLE TOOLS THEY IMPLEMENTED AND THIS IS WHY WE MOVED FORWARD WITH THE PROGRAM. WE SAW EXAMPLES WHERE IT WORKED.

IN ORDER FOR NUHOMES TO RECEIVE THE INCENTIVE CONTEMPLATED IN 2021, WE NEED TO HAVE THIS 380 AGREEMENT. IN ADDITION TO THE HOMES HE HAS ALREADY BUILT, HE HAS A TOTAL OF THE ONES BUILT OF 11 HOMES, 11 LOTS HE WANTS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH.

THE INCENTIVE WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR ALL OF THE PRODUCTS WE KNOW. HE IS EITHER IN THE PROCESS OF PERMITTING OR HE HAS CONSTRUCTED SOME OF THIS IS AFTER THE FACT. HE HAS COME TO US AND IN HIS LETTER HE SAYS I REALLY NEED THIS GIVEN THE ECONOMIC CONDITION WE ARE IN RIGHT NOW WITH THE COST OF CONSTRUCTION. AND SO HE HAS COME BACK AND PROVIDED A LIST OF HOMES THAT WERE ALL STARTED AFTER THE PROGRAM, BUT CERTAINLY WE DID HAVE AN AGREEMENT TO DO THAT.

I HAVE SPOKEN TO HIM AND HE AGREES BEFORE GOING FORWARD WE NEED AN AGREEMENT BEFORE THERE IS AN INTENTION OR INCENTIVE FOR THE PROJECT. MY CONCERN OF NOT AWARDING THE INCENTIVE IS THERE IS A CHILLING EFFECT AS WE ARE TRYING TO IMPLEMENT THIS HOUSING PRODUCT.

HE IN GOOD FAITH CAME FORWARD OR INTENDED TO ACCESS THE PROGRAM AND IN GOOD FAITH DID EXACTLY WHAT THE PROGRAM IS CONTEMPLATING. IT WOULD BE GOOD OF THE CITY OF ABILENE TO HONOR THAT INSTEAD OF THE COMMITMENT. BECAUSE THERE MAY BE OTHERS OUT THERE, I THINK WE HOLD OPEN A 30-DAY WINDOW FOR OTHERDEVELORSN ADVANTAGE OF THE PROGRAM JUST SO THAT WE CAN WITH A CLEAR CONSCIENCE MAKE SURE WE ARE TREATING EVERYBODY FAIRLY AND

EBG WIT -- EQUITABLY THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS. >> QUESTIONS?

>> I AGREE WITH YOU. I THINK WE NEED TO OPEN THIS. ON EXHIBIT A AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT PAGE. IT SAYS PAGE 8, BUT ANYWAY, IT LISTS A WHOLE LOT OF SEVERAL PROJECTS AND THEN THE BOTTOM THREE SAY "ADDRESS IS IN THE NEZ, BUT NO PERMIT ISSUED AS OF JULY 6TH, 2023". WHAT TIME FRAME DO YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE GIVING HIM TO -- OR DO YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE GIVING HIM A TIME FRAME THAT SAYS, OKAY, WE'LL GIVE YOU THE MONEY,

BUT THERE HAS TO BE MOVEMENT WITHIN 30 DAYS, 60-DAYS. >> HE HAS EVERY INTENTION OF BUILDING THE HOMES. HE JUST HAD TO HAVE A -- EXCUSE ME, A PERMANENT PULL AS OF THE

6TH AS A BACK UP. >> IF WE DO THIS ON THE 26TH, ANY OTHER BUILDERS AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE I'M CLEAR, ANY OTHER BUILDERS HAVE 30 DAYS TO KIND OF BASICALLY DO WHAT HE DID, TO GO BACK AND A LOOK BACK. AND THEN FROM THIS POINT FORWARD ANYTHING NEW WOULD HAVE TO --

>> THERE WON'T -- IF THERE IS ANOTHER ONE I WOULD BE SURPRISED.

WE ARE AWARE OF HIS ACTIVITYS AND THE HOMES HE IMPROVED ON. THERE MAY BE OTHERS AND I WANT

TO BE FAIR TO ALL CONCERNED. >> THIS IS GREAT. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE HAVE

BEEN TRYING TO DO. THANK YOU. >> REFRESH MY MEMORY, ROBERT.

AT WHAT STAGE OF THE PROCESS IS THE INCENTIVE PAID OUT. >> GREAT QUESTION.

IT IS COMPLETED AND CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY FOR THE STRUCTURE AND THEN THEY HAVE TO WAIT A FULL YEAR BECAUSE IT HAS TO BE UH PRAISED. IT IS ABOUT THE APPRAISAL VALUE INCREASING. THERE IS A $5,000 MAX, BUT THERE IS A NEW FORMULA INVOLVED.

ANY NEW HOME BUILD IS GOING TO END UP GENERATING THE MAXIMUM. >> SO THERE IS STILL A SEASON OF TIME THAT HAS TO EXPIRE BEFORE THESE INCENTIVES ARE PAID OUT. WE ARE NOT JUST WRITING KPHEBG

-- CHECKS. >> NOT JUST WRITING CHECKS. YOU NEED THE INCREASED EVALUATION ON THE GROUND. IF YOU LOOK AT THE VALUE INCREASE WE ARE GETTING A

BARGAIN WITH THE INCENTIVE. >> WHAT KIND OF LOOK BACK PERIOD ARE WE LOOKING AT?

[00:20:02]

IS IT THE CRITERIA AND THEY PILE IN THE 30-DAY WINDOW? >> IT WOULD HAVE TO BE DONE SINCE THE INITIATION OF THE PROGRAM AND I THINK IT WAS THE DECEMBER 2021 OR SEPTEMBER 2021.

>> AND THE NEW HOME FIT WITHIN THAT CRITERIA? >> ALL THE ONES ON EXHIBIT A MET

THE CRITERIA. >> DECEMBER 2ND? >> YEAH.

>> AND TO CLARIFY THESE ARE OLD INCENTIVES. >> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> AND THIS ACTION AUTHORIZES YOU TO ENTER INTO THOSE? YOU WILL DO THEM ONE BY ONE

BASED ON WHEN THEY MEET THE CRITERIA? >> THIS ACTION AUTHORIZES ME TO ENTER THIS AGREEMENT WITH NEW HOMES IF THERE IS ANOTHER BUILDER OUT THERE.

WE WILL NEED ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL BUILDER. >> AS FAR AS PROPERTY BY

PROPERTY? >> YES, SIR. >> IF HALF OF THEM ARE READY NOW

, THEY CAN GET THE 5,000 FORETHOUGHTS -- FOR THOSE? >> IT AUTHORIZES YOU IN THE

FUTURE. >> YES, SIR. >> TO COMPLETE THE ADDITIONAL

PROPERTY CONTRACTS. >> WE WON'T COME BACK FOR A NEW HOME UNLESS HE ADDS ADDITIONAL

HOMES IN ADDITION TO THE LIST YOU HAVE HERE, WHICH HE MAY. >> THE 30-DAY WINDOW FROM TODAY I ASSUME SINCE WE ARE PASSING IT TODAY, I DIDN'T SEE ANY LANGUAGE THAT SPECIFIES THAT TIME PERIOD.

IS US HAVING THIS DISCUSSION AND PASSING IT SUFFICIENT? >> YES.

I THINK WE'LL HAVE TO ENTER INTO INDIVIDUAL 380 AGREEMENTS WITH ANYBODY WHO IS TRYING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE PROGRAM. AND SO THEY WILL AUTHORIZE THOSE LOOK BACKS.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ADVERTISING OR LETTING THE BUILDING COMMUNITY KNOW IF YOU DID THIS AND I DON'T THINK THERE I A LOT OF THEM OUT THERE, BUT IF YOU DID THIS, THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO COME BACK AND CLAIM THE INCENTIVE. OTHERWISE YOU HAVE TO HAVE AN

AGREEMENT IN PLACE BEFORE YOU ARE ENTITLED TO THE INCENTIVE. >> THANK YOU.

>> I GUESS ONE THOUGHT I HAVE IS WHAT ENSURES THAT THERE IS TRANSPARENCY AND CLEAR COMMUNICATION OF THAT? HE OBVIOUSLY WAS AWARE OF THE AGREEMENT THAT POTENTIALLY IS IN PLACE. WHAT ENSURES THAT OTHERS WOULD FEEL THAT THERE IS EQUITABLE

INFORMATION THAT EVERYONE HAS AVAILABLE TO BE ABLE TO DO IT? >> A COUPLE THINGS.

ONE, THE BUILDING COMMUNITY IS A SMALL COMMUNITY AND THEY TALK TO EACH OTHER.

PEOPLE KNOW WHO NUHOMES ARE WHO THE NUHOME CON TRUBGTERS ARE IN THE BUILDING COMMUNITY TOO.

I WANT TO PUT A NOTICE IN THE PAPER THAT THIS IS GOING ON. AND THAT IS ESSENTIALLY, THAT'S WHAT WE DO TO NOTIFY THE PUBLIC. IT IS ALSO INCOME -- INCUMBENT ON THE PUBLIC TO STAY INFORMED.

WE WANT TO LEAN ON THE SIDE OF MAKING SURE THE PUBLIC IS INFORMED.

>> OTHER QUESTIONS? >> ONE TPWAOEUPBL -- ONE FINAL ONE.

WOULD THE NOTICE HAVE A 30-DAY KIND OF A WINDOW? >> YES, SIR.

>> OKAY. >> PROBABLY WHAT WE'LL DO IS HAVE IT RUN DURING THE MONTH OF

AUGUST. >> THAT'S WHAT I WAS GOING TO SUBJECT.

SUGGEST. >> THAT'S RIGHT. AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR ORGANS -- OR AGAINST THIS ITEM. COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.

SEEING NONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. I WILL TAKE A MOTION AND A

SECOND. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> A MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM PRICE AND A SECOND BY DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM BEARD.

FURTHER DISCUSSION? READY TO VOTE. >> PRICE.

>> YES. >> BEARD. >> GENTLEMEN.

REGAN. >> YES. >> YATES.

>> YES. >> MCALISTER. >> YES.

>> CRAVER. >> YES. >> MAYOR HURT.

[EXECUTIVE SESSION]

>> YES. >> MOTION CARRIES. >> MOTION CARRIES.

IT IS NOW 8:54 AND WE WILL RECESS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION PER SAOUPBLT -- PURSUANT OF THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT 551.071 CONSULTATION OF THE ATTORNEY. DELIBERATION ABOUT REAL PROPERTY SECTION 551.073 AND DELIBERATIONS ABOUT GIFTS AND DONATIONS AND SECTION 551.074, PERSONNEL MATTER MATTERS AND SECTION 51.0 HAVE 7 -- 551.073 AND 551.076 AND 551.087.

SEE YOU IN A LITTLE BIT.

>> READY? IT IS NOW 9:19 A.M. AND WE ARE RECONVENING TO OPEN SESSION.

NO VOTES OR ACTION WERE TAKEN DURING THE EXECUTIVE SESSION. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM 28 AND

[28. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Approving the Development Corporation of Abilene's Economic Development Plan (Misty Mayo)]

[00:25:03]

I WILL ASK MISTY MAYO TO PRESENT THIS ITEM. >> GOOD MORNING.

MAYOR HURT, COUNCIL MEMBERS, I AM PRESENTING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF ABILENE ON BEHALF OF OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS. TODAY I DO HAVE OUR CHAIR, SAM VIN -- VINCENT, IN THE AUDIENCE. THANK YOU, SAM. IT IS A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO THANK OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THEIR VOLUNTEER SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

ONCE A YEAR THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF ABILENE IS REQUIRED TO MAKE A PRESENTATION ON OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN. TODAY I'LL SHARE A FEW HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS PAST FISCAL YEAR AND OUR SUCCESSES. I WILL PRESENT FOR A SECOND YEAR OUR STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. IT IS A THREE-YEAR PLAN THAT WILL CULMINATE AT THE END OF 2025. I REMIND EVERYONE THAT THE MISSION OF THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF ABILENE IS TO LEAD ECONOMIC GROWTH IN ABILENE BY ATTRACTING AND SUSTAINING INDUSTRIES THAT SUPPORT JOB CREATION, FOSTERS STRONG BUSINESS AND ENSURES A PROSPEROUS COMMUNITY. ULTIMATELY THE DCOA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HELPING TO CREATE PRIMARY JOBS FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND WORKING WITH COMPANIES THAT ARE INTERESTED IN INVESTING THEIR MONIES INTO OUR COMMUNITY.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS THE DCOA IS LEVERAGING THE SALES TAX DOLLARS WE ARE ENTRUSTED WITH.

WE ARE REINVESTING THOSE DOLLARS BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY TO MULTIPLY ONE DOLLARS INTO MANY.

I MENTIONED OUR STRATEGIC PLAN. HERE ARE OUR STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES.

THESE ARE THE SIX ITEMS THAT THE DCOA IS FOCUSED ON THAT ALIGN WITH MOVING THE MISSION OF THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. BUSINESS AND RETENTION IS ATTRACTING NEW BUSINESS, NEW INDUSTRY, NEW JOBS, NEW CAPITAL INVESTMENT, NEW MONIES INTO THE COMMUNITY FROM COMPANIES OUTSIDE OUR MARKET. BUSINESS ATTRACTION IS WORKING WITH LOCAL EXISTING COMPANIES WHICH MOST COMMUNITIES, ABILENE INCLUDED. THE PRIMARY NUMBER OF NEW JOBS AND NEW INVESTMENT WILL COME FROM YOUR EXISTING COMPANIES. THAT'S CALLED BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION. I SAID BUSINESS ATTRACTION, BUT I'M CORRECTING MYSELF.

BUSINESS ATTRACTION IS FROM OUTSIDE THE MARKET. BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION IS EXACTLY WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE. IT IS RETAINING YOUR EXISTING INDUSTRIES AND JOBS AND MARKETING AND BRANDING BECAUSE IT REQUIRES STRATEGIC, EFFECTIVE MARKETING IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE ABILENE BRAND IS PROMOTED PARTICULARLY OUTSIDE OF OUR COMMUNITY TO ENSURE THAT ABILENE IS SHOWN AS THE PREMIERE LOCATION FOR BUSINESS EXPANSION. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT WHICH IS OF COURSE PRIMARY AND INSTRUMENTAL FOR JOB CREATION. REAL ESTATE, WHICH I WILL TALK ABOUT IN THE BUDGET IN THE NEXT ITEM. CERTAINLY EXISTING REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS BY THE DCOA ARE UTILIZED AND LEVERAGED FOR INCENTIVES AND ATTRACTION FOR THOSE EXPANSIONS FOR THE COMPANIES. AND THEN EFFECTIVE OPERATIONS, MAKING SURE THAT WE CONTINUALLY WORK TO ENSURE THAT THE MONIES THAT WE ARE ENTRUSTED WITH ARE REINVESTED BACK TO THE COMMUNITY IN AN IMPACTFUL WAY. THESE ARE THE STRATEGIES.

I HAVE REVIEWED THEM IN THE PAST. AGAIN, WE STAY VERY FOCUSED.

WE HR -- WE ARE NOW 14 MONTHS INTO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. WE ARE TRENDING VERY WELL ON SUCCESSES.

I'M GOING TO SHARE SOME OF THOSE BYWAY OF THIS REPORT SO THAT YOU CAN SEE HOW WE ARE MOVING THIS STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FORWARD. YOU ALL KNOW AND HAVE HEARD IN THE PAST WE WERE RECOGNIZED AS THE NUMBER 8 METRO IN THE NATION FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

THESE ARE A NUMBER OF ACCOLADES THAT THAT I WILL GO THROUGH VERY QUICKLY.

FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS I ADDED IN THE PACKET FOR THEIR REVIEW.

I ALWAYS DIRECT EVERYONE TO DEVELOP ABILENE.COM WHICH WE HAVE HAD AS A NEW WEBSITE THAT WAS LAST YEAR WE WERE ABLE TO BRING THAT ONLINE. IT IS A REALTIME DATA AND INFORMATION THAT IS UPDATED ON OUR WEBSITE. THIS IS A CAPTURE OF MOST OF THE COMPANIES THAT OVER DCOA'S 34-YEAR HISTORY THAT WE HAVE WORKED WITH IN PARTNERSHIP.

IT IS A TRUE PARTNERSHIP. WHEN A COMPANY MAKES A COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY TO

[00:30:05]

SPEND THEIR MONEY IN OUR COMMUNITY, WHETHER THEY ARE AN EXISTING COMPANY OR A NEW COMPANY, THAT IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR COMMUNITY. YOU WILL SEE SINCE 2019 THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT, THE COMMITMENTS THAT THE COMPANIES HAVE MADE AND 29 OF 35 OF THE PROJECTS WE HAVE COMPLETED AND/OR ARE CONTRACTED. 29 ARE WITH LOCAL EXISTING COMPANIES. IT TRENDS WITH THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF 80% OF YOUR LOCAL -- OF YOUR NEW JOB CREATION AND CAPITAL INVESTMENT WOULD COME FROM YOUR EXISTING COMPANIES.

THESE ARE OTHER NUMBERS THAT ARE, AGAIN, A LOOK AT THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OVER THE LAST YEAR INCLUDING SPECIFICS ABOUT SOME OF THE PROJECTS, DIOSCE AIR FORCE BASE IS CONSIDERED BY THE CORPORATION AS A PROJECT IN ENSURING THAT ONE OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT INDUSTRIES AND EMPLOYERS IS PROSPERING IN OUR COMMUNITY AND HAS THE SUPPORT THEY NEED BYWAY OF MATCHING GRANTS. AND THEN THERE IS SPECIFICS ABOUT VARIOUS COMPANIES INCLUDING A RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT OF A $60 MILLION CAPITAL INVESTMENT BY BRIDGESTONE VAN DYKE. YOU KNOW BRIDGESTONE VAN DYKE HAS BEEN IN OUR COMMUNITY FOR 50 YEARS AND ARE COMMITTING $SEUBLGT -- $60 MILLION FOR AN EXPANSION THAT WILL INCREASE AND OUGHT MATE MUCH OF THEIR EXISTING MANUFACTURING OPERATION.

YOU CAN SEE THERE 25 JOBS THAT WILL BE CREATED. THAT'S BECAUSE A BULK OF THE MONEY WILL BE FOR ADVANCED MANUFACTURING AND TECHNOLOGIES. THESE ARE -- THESE AGAIN WERE IN THE PACKET BYWAY TO ALLOW THE PUBLIC TO HAVE AN UPDATE. I KNOW AS COUNCIL MEMBERS YOU HAVE SEEN MUCH OF THIS INFORMATION IN THE PAST. THESE ARE MARKETING INITIATIVES I ADD TO SHOW AND HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF MARKETING. THE DEVELOP ABILENE.COM WEBSITE IS ONE OF THE PREMIERE RESOURCES FOR THE SITE CONSULT -- CONSULTANTS AND THE COMPANIES THAT LOOK TO CONSIDER ABILENE TO EXPAND. AGAIN, THIS HAS A WEALTH OF INFORMATION AND DEMOGRAPHICS THAT IS UPDATED IN REALTIME. MANY MARKETING THINGS ARE HAPPEN SOCIAL MEDIA, BUT ADS AND PLACEMENTS THAT ALLOW US, AGAIN, TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE WORKING A STRATEGY FOR MARKETING THAT PROMOTES ABILENE AS THE PREMIERE BUSINESS LOCATION.

I STOP ON WORKFORCE FOR A MOMENT BECAUSE WE HAVE A PROGRAM CALLED NEXT U.

IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO SUPPORT CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION. WE ADDED THIS YEAR WITH GREAT SUCCESS WILEY ISD.

ABILENE ISD IS IN THE FOURTH YEAR OF THE PROGRAM. IT ALLOWS THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO BE A PART OF PARTNERING TO FUND A CAREER COACH THAT WORKS DIRECTLY WITH CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION STUDENTS THAT ARE SPECIFIC TO HIGH DEMAND OCCUPATIONS.

SO BY WORKING WITH THE LOCAL EXISTING INDUSTRIES WE CAN DETERMINE WHAT HIGH DEMAND INDUSTRIES ARE OUT TKHR AND HOW -- OUT THERE AND HOW WE CAN WORK WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ENSURE FUNDING IS IN PLACE TO SUPPORT THESE STUDENTS. I KNOW SEVERAL OF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROGRAM AND HAVE ATTENDED SOME OF THE CELEBRATIONS WITH THESE STUDENTS AS THEY TAKE JOBS IN CAREERS LIKE WELDING AND PLUMBING AND AREAS THAT ARE OF SUPPORT TO OUR CURRENT EXISTING INDUSTRIES. THESE ARE ALL WORKFORCE HIGHLIGHTED.

THIS GOES TO A MAJOR LINE ITEM YOU WILL SEE IN THE BUDGET IN OUR NEXT ITEM OF CONSIDERATION FOR YOU ALL. IT IS THE STREET EXPENDITURE AGREEMENT.

IN THE BUDGET YOU WILL SEE A $10 MILLION THAT THE BOARD -- THE DCOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS COMMITTING TO THE CITY. 8 MILLION OF THAT 10 MILLION IS SPECIFIC TO HELP INCREASE THE ROADWAYS AND IMPROVE THE ROADWAYS IN BOTH 5 POINTS BUSINESS PARK THAT IS THE DCOA'S INDUSTRIAL PARK AS WELL AS ACCESS BUSINESS PARK AS WELL AS ANY CONSIDERATIONS OF EXPANSION OF LAND IN THE FUTURE. TARGETED INDUSTRIES, WHERE THE TARGETED INDUSTRIES AND WHAT MATTERS MOST TO COMPANIES, WHERE THIS IS COMING IS FROM A KEY ITEM IN OUR STRATEGIC PLAN.

[00:35:04]

THAT KEY ITEM IS TO -- IS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO CONDUCT A COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS.

WE WORKED WITH A SITE SELECTION GROUP OUT OF DALLAS. IT WAS A 14-MONTH LONG PROJECT.

IT IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD BE DOING ABOUT EVERY FIVE YEARS IS TO CONSIDER WHERE ARE WE TODAY IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN OUR COMPETITIVENESS AND IN OUR ABILITY TO CONTINUE TO LOOK AT THE CURRENT INDUSTRIES AND COMPETE IN WHAT WE ARE FOCUSED ON, THESE TARGETED INDUSTRIES.

WHERE ARE WE IN OUR ABILITY TO COMPETE AND WHAT ARE THE INHIBITORS WE NEED TO DO TO STAY COMPETITIVE. YOU HEAR ME SAY THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IS BUILDING A FUTURE FOR ABILENE. WE ARE BUILDING A FUTURE FOR THE STUDENTS THAT ARE PART -- OR YOUR CHILDREN, MY CHILDREN, OUR GRANDCHILDREN, WE ARE BUILDING A FUTURE ABILENE SO THEY HAVE OPPORTUNITY FOR -- TO BE ABLE TO PROSPER HERE IN ABILENE. AND THAT IS CONNECTED TO MAKING CERTAIN THAT WE STAY COMPETITIVE. WE DID COMPLETE THIS COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS. HERE ARE THE KEY TAKE AWAYS WHICH IS BYWAY OF AN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR YOU. THIS WAS JUST COMPLETED AND FINALIZED AT THE END OF JUNE.

YOU ALL WILL SEE AS -- AS COUNCIL MEMBERS YOU WILL SEE KEY PORTIONS OF THIS SHARED WITH YOU OVER A SERIES OF MONTHS THAT ARE APPLICABLE TO THINGS LIKE INFRASTRUCTURE, INCENTIVES, LARGE PROJECTS VERSUS MID-SIZED PROJECTS. THE KEY TAKE AWAY FOR THE PUBLIC TO HEAR AND FOR YOU ALL TO HEAR IS THIS IS OUR COMPETITIVE PLAYBOOK.

WE HAVE TO BE VERY DILIGENT AND THOUGHTFUL ABOUT HOW WE ARE SHARING THIS INFORMATION BECAUSE THIS IS OUR STRATEGY AND THIS AUGUST -- AUGMENTS OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND HOW WE CAN COMPETE GOING FORWARD IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS CONFIRMED WAS THAT OUR SWEET SPOT, SO TO SPEAK, AND OUR AREA OF ABILITY TO PERFORM AND ATTRACT COMPANIES OF SMALL AND MID-SIZED, SO REALLY I SHOULD SAY IT THIS WAY, SMALL AND MID-SIZED COMPANIES BY NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES AND BY THEIR CORPORATE STRUCTURE ARE THE TYPES OF COMPANIES THAT ARE VERY SUITABLE FOR ABILENE TO COMPETE TO ATTRACT TO OUR COMMUNITY.

YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU ATTRACT -- WHEN WE ATTRACT A COMPANY LIKE A GREAT LAKES CHEESE, AND I HAVE EXPLAINED THIS FROM THE BEGINNING, THAT IS A ONCE EVERY TWO, THREE DECADES.

THAT'S A UNICORN. WHAT YOU DO DAY IN AND DAY OUT, WHAT IS OUR BREAD AND BUTTER, ARE THE SMALL TO MEDIUM-SIZED COMPANIES THAT ALSO ALIGNS WITH OUR WORKFORCE INITIATIVES FROM BOTH WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS AND ALL OF OUR PARTNERS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS EFFORTS THAT THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION HAS -- IS TAKING ON AND WILL TAKE ON IN WORKFORCE AND WORKFORCE INITIATIVES. THERE IS MUCH MORE DIALOGUE FROM THE COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS.

THIS IS JUST A HIGH LIGHT BYWAY OF A REPORT THAT WE HAVE COMPLETED AND THIS IS A MAJOR INITIATIVE THROUGH OUR STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS THE WORKFORCE STUDY THAT WAS COMPLETED LAST CALENDAR YEAR AND THESE ARE STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE WORKFORCE STUDY. THIS WAS IN COORDINATION WITH SEVERAL AGENCIES INCLUDING WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS AND WE JUST COMPLETED A CHILD CARE NEEDS ASSESSMENT.

THIS ALSO WAS IN COORDINATION WITH THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR OUR CHILD CARE NEEDS.

IT HAS BEEN A TOOL TO HELP SHARE THAT INFORMATION BACK TO ACTUALLY GIVE THAT AND SHARE THAT WITH OUR COMPANIES SO THAT THEY HAVE THE INFORMATION THEY NEED TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR THEIE ATTRACTION INITIATIVES. I HAVE INCLUDED ADDITIONAL MARKETING INFORMATION.

THIS IS IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT BECAUSE THEY OWN AND OPERATE 1100-ACRES OF HRAFPBD -- LAND.

WE HAVE THE TWO INDUSTRIAL PARKS AND WE ARE UNDER 700,000 SQUARE FEET THAT WE OWN.

SO THERE ARE COMPANIES LIKE PACTIVE AT 5 POINTS THAT LEASES THE BUILDING FROM THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. THOSE ARE REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS WHETHER IT IS LAND, WHETHER IT

[00:40:04]

IS GREEN FILL SPACE, RAW LAND, AND/OR BUILDINGS ARE AN ASSET BY WHICH WE CAN LEVERAGE OUR COMMUNITY IN A MORE COMPETITIVE WAY. AND THEN YOU WILL SEE A NUMBER OF DATA POINTS THAT I HAVE SHARED. YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU READ THE ACTUAL -- YOU KNOW, THE BOTTOM POINTS FOR THOSE -- FOR THOSE CITIZENS THAT MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THE DATA. AGAIN, THE REALTIME UPDATED DATA HAPPENS AT DEVELOP ABILENE.COM.

WE ARE CONSTANTLY FILLING OUT REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS. WHAT THAT MEANS IS WE ARE WORKING TO ATTRACT THE ATTENTION OF CUSTOMERS THAT WE'VE EITHER IDENTIFIED THAT HAVE PROJECTS FOR EXPANSION OR CUSTOMER THAT'S COME TO US BYWAY OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OR MANY OF THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT MY PROFESSIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM BRINGS TO THE TABLE, AND THROUGH THAT EACH ONE OF THOSE REQUESTS REQUIRES A DIFFERENT VIEW OF DATA AND A DIFFERENT RESPONSE FOR THOSE PROPOSALS. WE HAVE ANY NUMBER OF INFORMATION. WE SLICE AND DICE IT IN A WAY TO ENSURE THAT ABILENE IS CONSIDERED, AGAIN, WE CAN PROMOTE OUR COMMUNITY AS THE PREMIERE LOCATION FOR BUSINESS EXPANSIONS. THERE IS A VARIETY OF THINGS YOU CAN FIND IN THE PACKET.

WE END WITH OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THEY GIVE THEIR TIME, THEIR PASSION AND EXPERTISE FOR THE BENEFITED OF THE COMMUNITY. I AM HIRED TO LEAD A PROFESSIONAL STAFF TEAM OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPERS OF WHICH REGGIE IS HERE.

THE REMAINDER OF THE TEAM IS OUT WITH ABILENE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT TODAY DOING WHAT WE CALL INDUSTRY TOURS AS PART OF OUR WORKFORCE INITIATIVE. WE CONNECT TEACHERS WITH INDUSTRY SO THEY CAN UNDERSTAND HOW WE ARE TRYING TO TRAIN OUR NEXT GENERATION OF WORKERS AND WORKFORCE FOR ABILENE. SO A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO MY STAFF TEAM WHICH I ALWAYS LOVE TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRAG ABOUT THEIR PASSION AND THEIR COMMITMENT AND THEIR HARD WORK.

AND THEN ALWAYS LIKE TO END WITH A THANK YOU TO OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

ULTIMATELY THANK YOU, COUNCIL, FORGIVING ME THE TALENTED BOARD THAT I HAVE AND FOR SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS AND RIGHT ON CUE, SHEA HALL AS WELL.

SHAY THANK YOU. THANK YOU, SHEA AND SAM, FOR BEING HERE.

COUNCIL, I ENTERTAIN QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. MAYOR HURT?

>> MISTY, YOU KNOW, ALWAYS GOT TO GIVE A COMPLIMENT TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM.

THE HOMERUNS YOU HAVE HIT, IT IS INSPIRING. SAM AND SHAY THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. WE HAVE A CAPABLE BOARD THAT WATCHES OVER THIS GROUP AND DOES A PHENOMENAL JOB. A LOT OF PEOPLE ASK, YOU KNOW, HOW ARE WE GOING FILL THESE JOBS? IF WE ARE ANYWHERE CLOSE TO THE PROJECTEDDED POPULATION, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT MORE JOBS TO FILL. Y'ALL HAVE LOTS MORE WORK TO DO.

WE APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU ARE DOING VERY, VERY MUCH. QUESTIONS, COUNCIL?

>> I JUST HAVE ONE OR TWO. ON IN -- INFILL DEVELOPMENT AND I KNOW THAT'S A HUGE PRIORITY FOR THE COUNCIL. ANY THOUGHTS ON HOW DCOA FITS INTO THAT? I KNOW A LOT OF THE PROJECTS -- THERE ARE REASONS FOR THAT UNDERSTANDABLY, BUT WHAT IS YOUR VISION WITH INFILL DEVELOPMENT AND HOW CAN THE CITY COUNCIL AND DCOA WORK TOGETHER ON THAT?

>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER, FOR THAT QUESTION. I THINK IT IS ONE THAT I WILL HAVE TO COMMITTED TO SHARING WITH YOU AND THE COUNCIL OVER A SERIES OF CONVERSATIONS.

THAT INFILL DEVELOPMENT IN ITSELF IS A GIANT, COLOSSAL WORD AND IT ENTAILS A GIANT, COLOSSAL STRATEGY. I POINT TO THE FACT THAT OF THE FIVE PRIORITIES THAT THE COUNCIL HAS, INFILL DEVELOPMENT IS ONE OF THOSE. THAT'S HOW BIG OF A SUBJECT IT IS. OF COURSE THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AS ABILENE'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION HAS A PART IN NOT ONLY THE STRATEGY, BUT WHAT WE ARE BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE. THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IS THINKING OF 20 TO 30 YEARS FROM NOW BECAUSE MY JOB IS MAKING SURE WE ARE BUILDING THE FUTURE. THERE ARE ORGANIZATIONS WE ARE LOOKING AT TODAY AND THE THINGS THAT HAVE TO HAPPEN TODAY. AND INTERESTINGLY, YOU ALL ARE

[00:45:09]

PART OF THAT. YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT 20 TO 30 YEARS FROM NOW AND HOW THAT WILL AFFECT THE ABILENE WE GIVE TO THE NEXT GENERATION. THAT IS A BIG QUESTION THAT I WILL HAVE TO ASK THAT WE CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT. SHOULD I PRESUME TO ANSWER IT IN ONE SENTENCE I AM NOT DOING IT THE JUSTICE IT DESERVES. MOST MID-SIZED WHICH I ALWAYS SAY PART OF OUR MARKET KING CAMPAIGN -- MARKETING CAMPAIGN IS ABILENE AND MID-SIZED AND MIGHTY. THEY ARE DOING THE JOB THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO IN TEXAS AND IT IS FOCUSED ON INFILL DEVELOPMENT AND THE CORE OF THE COMMUNITY IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL TO THE

HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY. >> AGAIN, WITHOUT GETTING INTO THE DETAILS, CITY COUNCIL AND

DCOA, THAT SEEMS TO BE A HUGE ISSUE NATIONALLY AS WELL. >> YES.

>> ANYTHING THAT YOU WOULD SUGGEST THE CITY COUNCIL BE LOOKING AT OR VIEWING TOWARD, ONE, HOW BIG THE PROBLEM IS THE WORKFORCE ISSUE AND WHAT CAN CITY COUNCIL BE DOING ABOUT

THAT? >> I SO APPRECIATE THAT QUESTION.

THANK YOU. ONE OF THE THINGS -- YOU KNOW, I'M A VERY ACCOMPLISHED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONAL. I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR DECADES AND FOR DECADES IN TEXAS. HAVE I SEEN TRENDS AND WHERE -- I HAVE SEEN TRENDS AND WHERE WE ARE TODAY AND PERHAPS WE HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE. AND TO YOUR POINT, AND ALL OF US ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WORKFORCE IS A CHALLENGE IN THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES.

THE MAJOR THING I ASK THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER IS MAKING SURE WE STAY FOCUSED ON WE HAVE TO CONTINUE CRY 80ING JOBS. AND THAT CREATES OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

SOME ARE NOT AS ENLIGHTENED OR PERHAPS AS FOCUSED ON THEIR FUTURE.

AND THEY ARE SAYING LET'S STOP CREATING JOBS BECAUSE THERE ARE JUST NOT PEOPLE TO FILL THEM.

THAT IS THAT IS SUCH A DETRIMENT FOR THE COMMUNITIES. THOSE COMMUNITIES LACK THE LEADERSHIP TO SEE IF YOU CREATE THE JOBS THE PEOPLE WILL COME. WE NEED TO MARRY THE MONEY AND THE STRATEGY. WHEN I SAY MONEY I MEAN TRAINING DOLLARS AND INITIATIVES WITH TSTC AND SISCO AND OUR STRONG UNIVERSITY SYSTEM AND OUR STRONG INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT SYSTEM AND OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, MARY THAT INTENTION AND STRATEGY TO BE EDUCATING OUR FUTURE WORKFORCE AND HERE IS THE CHALLENGES. IT HAS TO HAPPEN AT THE SAME TIME. SINCE YOU'RE ASKING WHAT CAN THE COUNCIL DO? REMEMBER THAT IT ALL HAS TO HAPPEN. IT IS AN INNER CONNECTED STRATEGY THAT, ONE, HAS TO HAPPEN DEPENDENT ON THE OTHER AND DEPENDENT ON THE OTHER AND ALL OF THAT TOGETHER IS WHAT MAKES A LEADERSHIP THAT YOU ARE ALL CHARGED WITH BEING THE LEADERS OF THE COMMUNITY AND A LEADERSHIP THAT TAKES US TO THE NEXT GENERATION.

AND WORKFORCE IS A HEAVY TOPIC. I WILL TELL YOU FOR 24 MONTHS NOW, EVERY CONVERSATION AND EVERY CONFERENCE AND EVERY SINGLE OPPORTUNITY ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS LEAD BY -- IS LEAD BY CONVERSATIONS WITH WORKFORCE. IT IS WITH THE ENTIRE NATION SAYING WHAT DO WE DO? AND COVID CERTAINLY COMPOUNDED THOSE FEELINGS OF NEEDING TO TALK ABOUT WORKFORCE. WE HAVE A NEW GENERATION. ECONOMISTS SAY THAT -- AND I HAVE JUST RECENTLY HEARD THIS FROM A NOTABLE ECONOMIST. 70% OF SECOND GRADERS AND YOUNGER WILL BE WORKING IN A PROFESSION THAT DOES NOT EXIST TODAY.

HOW DO WE CREATE A WORKFORCE FOR SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T EXIST TODAY? IT IS A HUGE TOPIC AND IT IS GOING TO TAKE ALL OF US WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE WE CONTINUE TO MAKE AN IMPACT FOR OUR COMMUNITY. LET'S KEEP CREATING JOBS AND KEEP CREATING OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR CITIZENS AND NEW CITIZENS. THAT WAS A LENGTHY REPLY.

I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT. IT IS A HUGE TOPIC, CLEARLY. I DON'T THINK WE WILL ADDRESS IT ALL IN ONE OPPORTUNITY AND ONE CONVERSATION. WE NEED TO CONTINUE THE DIALOGUE. WE HAVE MANY PARTNERS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT ARE DEDICATED TO

[00:50:02]

IT AS WELL. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR MISTY?

>> AS YOU POINTED OUT, WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT IS THE IMMEDIATE AND SOMETIMES WE GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK FURTHER IN THE FUTURE AND YOUR FOCUS IS OUT IN THE FUTURE.

>> YES, SIR. >> AND I APPRECIATE THAT YOU HAVE BROUGHT IN THE STRATEGIC GROUP THAT YOU HAVE COME UP WITH A PLAN AND YOU ARE TAKING SPECIFIC STEPS TO IMPLEMENT.

IT IS NOT JUST WE SPENT THE MONEY AND WE HAVE A PLAN AND NOW WE'LL FORGET ABOUT OURSELVES.

HOW DO WE IMPLEMENT THE BEST PWARTS -- BEST PARTS OF THAT THAT FIT IN OUR COMMUNITY SO WE CAN MAXIMIZE OUR OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUCCESSES. I APPRECIATE THAT VISION AND THE

TENACITY TO FOLLOWING THROUGH ON THAT. >> THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THAT. IT TAKES LASER FOCUS. THE TEAM HEARS IT ALL THE TIME.

LET'S NOT PUT IT IN THE NOTEBOOK AND PUT IT ON THE SHELF. LET'S EFFECTIVELY IMPLEMENT IT.

THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE? >> THANK YOU, MISTY.

AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT BO LIKE TO SPEAK FOR ORGANS -- OR AGAINST THIS ITEM 1234* IF SO COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME AND RECORD. SEEING NONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION AND SECOND.

>> SO MOVED. >> MOTION BY MCALISTER. >> SECOND.

>> SECOND BY COUNCILMAN CRAVER. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? READY TO VOTE.

>> MCALISTER. >> YES. >> CRAVER.

>> YES. >> PRICE. >> YES.

>> BEARD. >> GENTLEMEN -- YES. >> REGAN.

>> YES. GYRATES -- YATES. >> YES.

[29. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Approving the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget for the Development Corporation of Abilene (Misty Mayo)]

>> HURT. >> YES. >> AND I WILL AGAIN ASK MISTY

MAYO TO PRESENT THE NEXT ITEM. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR HURT AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.

I LIKE TO START WITH THE VISION AND TO COUNCILMAN PRICE'S POINT IT TAKES A LOT OF TENACITY AND FOCUS TO ENSURE THAT WE MAKE -- TO ENSURE THAT EVERY DAY WE ARE CARRYING OUT ACTIVITIES, STRATEGIES, OBJECTIVES THAT MOVE THE MISSION FORWARD. SO BY LAWS AND BY STATE LEGISLATIVE CODE AS A DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND SPECIFICALLY THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF ABILENE, WE ARE -- EVERY YEAR WE ARE SCHEDULED TO BRING OUR ANNUAL BUDGET. SO THIS IS FISCAL YEAR 24. WE ARE SCHEDULED TO BRING THAT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR RATIFICATION OF THE DCOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVAL.

SO I AM BRINGING TO YOU FISCAL YEAR 24'S BUDGET. YOU WILL SEE I OFFERED FISCAL YEAR 23 FOR COMPARISON. THERE ARE TWO PAGES. I WILL TOGGLE BETWEEN THOSE.

THE THIRD PAGE IS A RECAP, A SUMMARY. SO THIS IS THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 24 BUDGET. YOU WILL SEE THERE ARE VERY FEW CHANGES, ACTUALLY A 2.4 P-RGS INCREASE WHICH --% INCREASE THAT ALIGNS WITH THE ANTICIPATED SALES TAX REVENUE THAT IS PROJECTED. DOWN AT THE BOTTOM IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE YOU WILL SEE FOR BUDGETING THIS YEAR. THAT IS LINE ITEM NUMBER 28 WHICH IS BUDGETED MONIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF OUR STRATEGY THAT ALIGNS WITH REAL ESTATE AND OUR BOARD'S CONSIDERATION OF THE REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY HOW WE MIGHT LOOK TO THE FUTURE FOR FUTURE ACQUISITION. SO WE HAVE BUDGETED ANTICIPATING THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO ACQUIRE ADDITIONAL LAND HOLDINGS AND FISCAL YEAR OF 24.

ATTRACTION OF INCENTIVES, I KNOW THAT IS COMMONLY A QUESTION BY OUR BY LAWS AND ALL INCENTIVES -- ALL-INCENTIVE AGREEMENTS OVER $500,000 WRO*RT -- WORTH OF SUPPORT MUST COME TO CITY COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL. NOW, SOMETIMES THE COMMUNITY GETS -- SEES THAT AS AN ANNOUNCEMENT. IT IS NOT.

IT IS AN APPROVAL TO MOVE FORWARD WITH CONSIDERATIONS AND CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS AND PROJECT NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE COMPANY. SO THAT $2 MILLION IS SET ASIDE FOR SMALLER PROJECTS THAT WE MIGHT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SECURE FOR ABILENE.

[00:55:02]

NOW, I SHOW THESE LAST TWO PAGES, THESE ARE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED.

SO YOUR RESOLUTION DOES NOT COVER THESE BECAUSE THE COUNCIL PRIOR TO YOU HAS APPROVED THEM.

I OFFER IT BECAUSE IT EXPLAINS THE FIRST TWO PAGES OF FISCAL 24 BUDGET.

IT SHOWS YOU INCENTIVES THAT ARE EARNED INCENTIVES AND/OR MULTI-YEAR BUDGETED ITEMS LIKE YOU'LL SEE I PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED THE BRIDGESTONE BANDAG $60 MILLION CAPITAL INVESTMENT THAT THAT COMPANY HAS COMMITTED TO OUR COMMUNITY AS THEY IMPLEMENT OUR CONTRACT BYWAY OF ADDING JOBS AND SPENDING THAT $ 60 MILLION. WE CALL THAT AN EARNED INCENTIVE. THEY THEN EARN THE MONIES AND THEY RECEIVE THAT ON THE BACK END. SO THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT HERE.