Aug 10, 2023 City Council

>>CLERK: MOTION CARRIES. >>MAYOR HURT: NOW MORE TO ITEM NUMBER 9. MAYOR PRO TEM PRICE, YOU HAD A

[9. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Take Action on the Approval of the 2023-2025 Abilene Professional Firefighters Association Meet and Confer Agreement. (Cande Flores)]

QUESTION ON THIS. >>SHANE PRICE: YES, I SENT AN E-MAIL ASKING FOR A BETTER UNDER STANDING OF THE ASSESSMENT PORTION OF THE PROMOTION. THE CONCERN THAT I HAD SPECIFICALLY WITH REGARD TO IT IS THERE IS SOME ASPECTS OF THAT THAT ARE SEEMINGLY VERY IMPORTANT WHEN WE ARE CONSIDERING SOMEBODY WHO IS IN A LEADERSHIP POSITION, PROBLEM SOLVING, ORAL COMMUNICATION. AND THE WAY -- THE WAY THE MEET AND CONFER IS WRITTEN, WHICH PROBABLY GOES BACK YEARS BECAUSE OF LIMITATIONS THAT WE HAD, IF THERE IS AN APPLICANT THAT IS ACTIVE-DUTY MILITARY AT THE TIME OF THE ASSESSMENT, THEN THE WAY IT IS WRITTEN, NO ASSESSMENTS IS DONE AND 00% OFF OF THE WRITTEN TEST. AND, YOU KNOW, BACK IN THE 80S AND 90S WHEN I WAS IN THE RESERVES AND GO OFF SOMEWHERE.

I WAS IN INCOMMUNICADO. AND MY OLDEST SON IS ON DUTY IN KOREA RIGHT NOW AND I VIDEO CHATTED WITH HIM AND OPPORTUNITIES CAN TECHNOLOGY AND I UNDERSTAND THERE COULD SHALL SITUATION WHERE IS THEY ARE IN A MISSION CRITICAL THING WHERE THEY CAN'T COMMUNICATE. I WOULD PREFER TO SEE LANGUAGE THAT IS FLEXIBLE ENOUGH TO ALLOW FOR A MODIFIED ASSESSMENT THAT LOOKS AT THE WRITTEN AND ORAL COMMUNICATION AND SOME OTHER ASPECTS OF THE ASSESSMENT NOT JUST DISREGARD BECAUSE BATTALION 60% OF THE SCORE. FIRE STATION 9 COMING ON LINE SOON AND HIRING MORE FIRE FIGHTERS.

THE BUDGET HAS ANOTHER LIEUTENANT, AND OTHERS THAT NEED TO RETIRE AND PROMOTE. SO I WOULD JUST LIKE A BETTER UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS STILL IN THERE.

AND MAYBE HAVE A DISCUSSION AND TABLE THIS AND SEND IT BACK TO THE TEAM BECAUSE THE CURRENT ONE IS GOOD THROUGHOUT END OF THE FISCAL YEAR, SEPTEMBER 30, BUT ALSO AUTOMATICALLY EXTENDS THROUGH APRIL. WE HAVE TIME TO FIX IT.

I WANT TO UNDERSTAND IT FIRST AND POTENTIALLY FIX THAT.

>> BEFORE CHIEF BURTON PROVIDES HIS ANSWER.

AN INITIAL THOUGHT AND COMMENT. A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE OF THOSE SITTING IN THE ROOM FOR AN ASSESSMENT SOMEONE ON A ZOOM

LINK. >>SHANE PRICE: WHEN WE DID INTERVIEWS EITHER FOR CITY MANAGER FOR THE CHURCH WHEN WE HIRED A CHILDREN'S MINISTER, THERE ARE APPLICANTS OUT OF TOWN AND WE USED ZOOM FOR ALL APPLICANTS WHETHER THEY WERE A BLOCK AWAY OR IN THE METRO PLEX OR HOUSTON OR SOMETHING.

SO I -- I UNDERSTAND THAT WILL BE PART OF IT IS ESTABLISHING A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD. MAY BE ASPECTS OF THE ASSESSMENT THAT ARE ACTIVE THAT WOULD NEED TO BE MAYBE NOT INCLUDED, BUT THERE ARE SOME ASPECTS THAT COULD BE INCLUDED AND EFFECTIVELY DONE OVER ZOOM THAT YOU COULD HAVE A CONSISTENT APPROACH WHERE ALL OF THEM ARE MEASURED.

SO I JUST -- THOSE ARE MY CONCERNS AND THOUGHTS --

[00:15:03]

>>ROB HANNA: I HEAR YOU. I HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT THE TIMELINESS OF THE PROCESS. BUT LET CHIEF BURTON ADD HISTORICAL COMMENTS AND ALSO SOME CURRENT OPERATIONAL

CONCERNS, IF THERE ARE ANY. >> MICHAEL BURTON, DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF. A COUPLE OF THINGS TO COME IN PLAY HERE. PRESIDENT MEET AND CONFER WORKS WITHIN CIVIL SERVICE 143 TO LOOK AT SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

IF YOU GO BACK HISTORICALLY WHEN MEET AND CONFER PROCESS STARTED BACK IN 2004 AND 2006, THE NECK FOLLOWING THIS WASN'T THERE TO PROVIDE THE MILITARY CANDIDATES WITH THAT OPPORTUITY.

I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT COULD BE LOOKED INTO, BUT 143, THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW IS THE ONE THAT -- THIS COMES FROM CORRECTLY. I THINK THAT WE CAN LOOK AT BOTH OF THOSE OPPORTUNITIES. I THINK MR. HANNA IS CORRECT IN THE COMPETITIVE EDGE SIDE OF IT. NOT A PROBLEM WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED SO FAR. WE HAVE THREE PERSONNEL THAT ARE CURRENTLY SERVING THE RESERVES. ONE IS OUR CHAPLAIN.

THAT WON'T EFFECT HIM. WE HAVE ANOTHER ONE THAT IS A LIEUTENANT COLONEL. THAT IS A FIRE FIGHTER WITH US A LITTLE OVER 20 YEARS. HE HAS DEPLOYED TWO DIFFERENT TIMES FOR 12-MONTH PERIOD. AND WE HAVE A NEW HIRE IS CURRENTLY STILL IN THE RESERVES RIGHT NOW AND NOT QUITE AT TWO YEARS. I THINK WE DO HAVE A WINDOW OF TIME TO LOOK AT THIS, TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PUTTING EVERYBODY ON THE SAME LEVEL PLAYING FIELD AND GETTING THE OPPORTUNITIES TO EVERYONE. I WOULD -- WITH THE LIST -- WITH THE CURRENT MEET AND CONFER ONLY BEING AT TWO-YEAR AGREEMENT, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US MOVE FORWARD WITH THE CURRENT AGREEMENT. BUT BEFORE WE PUT THE NEW AGREEMENT IN PLACE IN TWO YEARS TO HAVE A PROCESS AND HOPEFULLY BY THAT TIME 14 3 WILL HAVE A PROCESS IN PLAY TO MAKE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED.

>>SHANE PRICE: CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT ONE OF THE ASPECTS OF MIDEAST AND CONFER ALLOW US TO MAKE MODIFICATIONS TO 143 THAT

ARE APPLICABLE TO THE CITY. >> YES, SIR.

>>SHANE PRICE: THE WAY IT IS WRITTEN, IT REFERENCES 143, BUT ALSO SAYS JUST A FLAT -- IF A PROMOTIONAL CANDIDATE WILL BE ON ACTIVE DUTY ON THE DATES OF THE ASSESSMENT, THE CANDIDATE WILL BE NOT BE REQUIRED AND WRITTEN EXAM FOR 100% OF THE CANDIDATE EXAMINATION SCORES. REMOVES THAT MEASUREMENT AUTOMATICALLY. IT IS NOT A -- IT IS NOT AN OPTION TO LOOK AT. SO -- AND -- SINCE WE ONLY HAVE ONE -- WELL, WE HAVE TWO THAT ARE --

>> WE HAVE ONE -- >>SHANE PRICE: -- WE HAVE TWO.

AND ONE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR PROMOTION -- ONE HAS BEEN HERE A WHILE. I DON'T KNOW IF HE IS LOOKING TO

PROMOTE. >> WILL TAKE A LOT OF RESEARCH TO IDENTIFY A FIRM AND ASSESSMENT CENTER SINCE IT IS DONE THROUGH THIRD PARTY TO DETERMINE WHAT CAPABILITIES THEY HAVE AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY CAN DO THAT.

DO I THINK IT COULD BE DONE, SURE.

TECHNOLOGY IS MOVING FASTER THAN WE ARE MOST DAYS AND WITHOUT A DOUBT SOMETHING WE CAN LOOK AT IN THE FUTURE.

>>SHANE PRICE: THOSE ARE MY CONCERNS.

I AM GLAD WE HAD A CHANCE TO KIND OF FLESH THIS OUT.

BECAUSE THIS IS THE FIRST TIME -- FOR THE PUBLIC'S BENEFIT, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE GOT TO SEE THE MEET AND CONFER THIS PAST WEEKEND WHEN WE GOT THE PACKET.

THIS IS OUR FIRST CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT IT.

I WOULD LIKE FOR US SES TO CONSIDER THAT FOR BOTH THE FIRE MEET AND CONFER TWO YEARS WHEN UP FOR RENEWAL AND POLICEMEN MEET AND CONFER IF THEY ARE UP FOR THAT.

ENTIRELY. >>ROB HANNA: NOT WORD FOR WORD, BUT THE EXTENT THAT THERE IS OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD AND EQUITABLE PROCESS FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT BE PRESENT FOR THE ASSESSMENT PROCESS.

WORK TO GET BOTH LANGUAGES. >>SHANE PRICE: THANK YOU.

THOSE WERE MY CONCERNS. IMPLORE COMFORTABLE WITH GOING

FORWARD WITH IT AS IT IS. >>MAYOR HURT: THANK YOU, CHIEF BURTON. ANYONE HAVE COMMENTS ON ITEM NUMBER 9. I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE WOULD SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST ITEM NUMBER 9, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION AND A

SECOND. >>SHANE PRICE: SO MOVED.

>>KYLE MCALISTER: SECOND. >>MAYOR HURT: FURTHER DISCUSSION. READY TO VOTE.

>>BLAISE REGAN: YES. >>BRIAN YATES: YES.

>>MAYOR HURT: NOW MOVE TO THE REGULAR AGENDA, ITEM NUMBER 11,

[11. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Authorizing the Use of Eminent Domain to obtain a Public Pedestrian Access Sidewalk Easement along East South 11th Street, approximately 0.10 acres total out of the West 100’ of Lot 3, Block 191, and Lot 103 Being a Replat of Lot 3, Block 191, Original Town of Abilene, Taylor County, Texas (Max Johnson)]

[00:20:02]

MAX JOHNSON, PUBLIC WORK DIRECTOR TO PRESENT THIS ITEM.

>> GOOD MORNING, MR. MAYOR, COUNCILMEMBERS.

UP BEFORE YOU TODAY IS ITEM TO HAVE AUTHORIZE STAFF TO INITIATE THE EMINENT DOMAIN PROCESS ON A SMALL EASEMENT ON EAST SOUTH 11TH. THIS SMALL RED DOT IS WHERE THIS IS. ADJACENT TO ROSE STREET ON EAST SOUTH 11TH. EASEMENT TO ALLOW TXDOT TO BRING IN A SIDEWALK TO GET AROUND THE RAILROAD SIGNAL.

A VERY SMALL PIECE OF LAND. WE ARE IN DISCUSSIONS WITH THE PROPERTY OWNER; HOWEVER, THIS WILL ALLOW US TO CONTINUE ON AND NOT POSSIBLY DELAY THE SIDEWALK PROJECT FOR TXDOT.

ANY QUESTIONS? >>MAYOR: ANY QUESTIONS OF MAX?

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >>MAYOR HURT: AT THIS TIME OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THE ITEM. PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION OR I

ACCEPT A MOTION. >> I HAVE ONE SPECIFIC QUESTION.

>>SHANE PRICE: THE MOTION ITSELF IS SPECIFIC.

>>MAYOR HURT: I AM SORRY, YOU ARE CORRECT.

>>SHANE PRICE: FOR STANLEY. WE HAD PUT A DISCUSSION POINT IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THIS. DO YOU --

>>STANLEY SMITH: DIFFERENT MATTER.

>>SHANE PRICE: THAT ANSWERS MY QUESTIONS.

>> WHEN THE WORDS "EMINENT DOMAIN" POP UP, THEY BRISTLE.

THIS IT AT THE END OF THE PROCESS.

THE EMINENT DOMAIN AT THE END. >> I NEVER USED EMINENT DOMAIN IN MY CAREER AND I AM HOPEFUL THAT WE WILL NOT HAVE TO DO THAT HERE; HOWEVER, IT IS A LAWFUL TOOL.

AND ABSENCE AGREEMENT, A TOOL WE NEED TO USE.

>> IN THE PACKET THERE ARE PICTURES.

IT IS RIGHT ALONG THE STREET OUTSIDE THE FENCE LINE.

DOESN'T EFFECT THE PROPERTY USE AT ALL.

JUST ALLOWS FOR THE SIDEWALK TO GO IN THAT TXDOT IS DOING.

I MOVE THAT THE CITY ALLOW THE PROCESS OF EMINENT DOMAIN FOR 0.10 ACRES OF LAND TOTAL OF LOT 3, BLOCK 191 AND LOT 103 BEING A REPLAT OF LOT 3, 191, ORIGINAL TOWN OF ABILENE, TAYLOR COUNTY, TEXAS, FOR PUBLIC EASEMENT ALONG EAST 11TH STREET.

>>MAYOR HURT: A MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM PRICE.

A SECOND FROM COUNCILMEMBER MVKINNEY.

>>BLAISE REGAN: YES. >>BRIAN YATES: YES.

[12. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Considering and Adopting a Bond Election to be Held within the City of Abilene, Texas, Making Provisions for the Conduct of the Election, and Enacting Other Provisions Relating to Such Election (Robert Hanna)]

>>MAYOR HURT: MOTION CARRIES. MOVE TO ITEM 12 AND ROBERT HANNA, CITY MANAGER TO PRESENT THIS ITEM.

>>ROB HANNA: THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

I WILL HAVE THEM COME TO REPORT, BUT THIS A CULMINATION OF TWO YEARS OF DISCUSSION. WE HAD A BOND COMMITTEE MADE OF CITIZENS APPOINTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL.

THEY HAVE MET. THESE ARE THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THESE PROJECTS. WITH A LITTLE BIT OF CHANGE.

WE HAVE THREE DIFFERENT BALLOT MEASURES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS I DON'T RECALL IF THEY HAVE TWO OR THREE BUT COUNCIL IN PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS THAT THREE MEASURES WERE ESSENTIAL.

THAT IS HOW EVERYTHING IS WRITTEN.

$15 MILLION FOR ZOO IMPROVEMENTS.

$28 MILLION FOR RECREATION CENTER IMPROVEMENTS.

AND $9 MILLION FOR HIKE AND BIKE TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS.

BOTH JESSIE AND LESLIE WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE MORE DETAILS ON THAT. I WOULD -- I WANT TO THANK THE CITIZENS WHO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS TO GET TO THIS DATE. I WILL SAY ONCE COUNCIL ACTS ON THIS, WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ADVOCATE FOR OR BEHALF OF THESE PROJECTS. WE CAN INFORM THE PUBLIC WHAT IS ON THE BALLOT FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION.

AND WE WILL DO THAT, BUT, IT IS UP TO THE PEOPLE AND THAT IS HOW IT WORKS. THE BEAUTY OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND. IF THE CITIZENS WANT IT, THEY WILL VOTE FOR IT. WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY, ASK JESSIE TO COME UP AND GIVE A PRESENTATION OF THE ZOO.

>> GOOD MORNING, JESSIE POTABON, ZOO DIRECTOR.

HOW THIS CAME INTO FRUITION. A YEAR AGO MY STAFF, BOARD MEMBERS AND MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC CREATED A MASTER PLAN, PARK HILL AND A CONSULTANT AND TOOK APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS AND CAME UP WITH THAT MASTER PLAN AND I WANT TO GIVE A QUICK OVERVIEW. ON A VIDEO SEVEN MINUTES LONG AND EXPLAIN A LOT OF HOW OUR ZOO IS GOING TO EXPAND NOT ONLY THIS

[00:25:03]

IN PHASE BUT SEVERAL YEARS LATER.

♪

♪ >>> WHEN I THINK OF THE ZOO, I THINK OF A PLACE WHERE MY KIDS CAN RUN AND BE WILD AND BE CRAZY. I ALSO SEE IT AS A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN LEARN OF NEW SPECIES AND LEARN THAT THE WORLD IS BIGGER THAN THE PLACE WHERE THEY LIVE.

>> THE ZOO REPRESENTS EDUCATION. IT REPRESENTS A BEAUTIFUL, ACTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES.

IT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER. IT ALLOWS PEOPLE REASONS TO COME

TO ABILENE. >> NOT A ZOO BETWEEN FORT WORTH AND EL PASO EXCEPT US. AND FROM OKLAHOMA CITY TO SAN ANTONIO. ♪

>>> IT IS THE NUMBER ONE TOURIST ATTRACTION IN ABILENE, AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS, PEOPLE LOVE ANIMALS.

THEY LOVE CONSERVATION. THEY LOVE SEEING HOW THE ANIMALS LIVE. HOW THEY INTERACT WITH EACH

OTHER. >> RIGHT NOW WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD ON THAT LEGACY.

I KNOW WHAT THE ZOO MEANS TO MY KIDS.

SO I AM EXCITED TO BE A PARTNER, NOT FOR THEM BUT HOPEFULLY ONE DAY FOR THEIR GRANDKIDS AND NOT FOR MY KIDS AND FUTURE GRANDKIDS BUT OTHER PEOPLE'S KIDS AND THEIR GRANDKIDS.

>>ED ZOO IS CONSTRAINED TO 16 ACRES AND THE BACK THAT IS WAITING TO BE DEVELOPED SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1996.

THE BOARD MEMBER, HEY, GAIL, ONLY 22 ACRES.

WE HAD A CONVERSATION WITH PARKS AND REC AND HAVE AN ADDITIONAL AND UNTAPPED. E HAVE A BACK 40 - WE ARE READY TO EXPAND OUR ZOO TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COMMUNITY FEELS VERY COMFORTABLE WHEN THEY

ATTEND THESE EVENTS. >> A BOLD ADVENTURE ENCOMPASSES FOUR PHASES. THE FIRST PHASE, WILD ENCOUNTERS AND FEROCIOUS EATS. THE EXPANSION OF THE CURRENT RHINO HABITAT TO BRING ADDITIONAL RHINOS TO THE ZOO AND A NEW AMPHITHEATRE THAT IS POSITIONED OFF THE LAKE WALL.

THE NEW AMPHITHEATRE AND EVENT LAWN WILL HOST ANNUAL EVENTS LIKE WILD DAYS AND ACT AS AN OUTDOOR CLASS LOOM FOR THOUSANDS OF SCHOOLCHILDREN THAT VISIT EACH YEAR ON A SCHOOL FIELD TRIP AND AS A SUMMER CAMP PARTICIPANT.

A NEW MULTISPECIES BARN AND YARD SO THE ICONIC DRAFT HERD CAN CONTINUE TO GROW AND A NEW AFRICAN SPECIES LI LIKE ELAN, POLLIC AND GAZELLES. A NEW CAFE THAT IS MORE THAN A PLACE TO GRAB A BITE TO EAT. IT IS AN EXPERIENCE.

THE TWO-STORY CAFE WILL OFFER INCREDIBLE VIEWS OF THE CITY AND VAST HABITATS FILLED WITH NEW SPECIES AROUND THE WORLD THAT WILL COME IN FUTURE PHASES. ON ONE SIDE.

THE CAFE WITH THE GLASS HABITAT WITH FLOOR TO CEILING GLASS PANELS TO WATCH THE MAJESTIC PRIDE.

THE MERE CAT WILL BE OFF THE RAMP TO THE CAFE.

HIGHLY INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS. CLIMBING THROUGH A TUNNEL TO POP UP IN THE MERE CAT HABITAT OR CLIMBING INTO THE COCKPIT OF A SMALL PLANE AND FIND YOUR SELF INSIDE THE LION HABITAT WITH THE LION NAPPING JUST INCHES FROM YOU.

ABILENE ZOO WAS THE LOCATION OF THE OLD AIRPORT AND THE PARKING LOT WAS ONE OF THE RUNWAYS. INCORPORATING ELEMENTS LIKE THE PLANE IN THE NEW PLANS IS A GREAT WAY TO GROW AND EMBRACE THE RICH HISTORY HERE IN ABILENE.

ON THE OTHER SIDE THE CAFE FEATURE AS CHEETAH HABITAT WHICH WILL BE A NEW SPECIES TO ABILENE.

CHEETAHS ARE THE MOST ENDANGERED CATS IN THE WORLD.

WE NOT ONLY WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR COMMUNITY HAS ACCESS TO THE CAT, WE WANT TO PLAY A ROLE TO MAKE SURE THEY DON'T BECOME EXTINCT IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THE SECOND PHASE, PLAYFUL DISCOVERIES THE EXPANSION OF THE GIRAFFE HERD WITH ADDITIONAL YARD AND BARN WITH A MULTISPECIES YARD WITH A NATURAL SPRAY SCAPE WHERE KIDS WITH INTERACT IN AN AUTHENTIC WAY.

ONE OF THE BEST KEPT SECRETS THE BIRD HATCHERY BEHIND THE SCENES.

HATCH OUT FLAMINGO CHICKS, TORTOISES AND BABY REPTILES.

PHASE TWO, THE COMMUNITY WILL BE PART OF SEEING A BIRD AND REPTILE BEING BORN. EXPERIENCES LIKE THIS MAKE LASTING IMPACTS ON CHILDREN. IT IS SOMETHING THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER. THE THIRD PHASE, PASSPORT TO EXPLORATION IS HOW WE DEVELOP THE VAST ACREAGE AND THE SIZE OF THE ZOO. THIS PHASE INCLUDES DEVELOPING OVER 21 ADDITIONAL ACRES WITH LARGE MULTISPECIES HABITATS.

WE WILL BRING IN MORE THAN 20 NEW SPECIES TO THE JO JOO, OCAPE BONGOS, WILDER BEAST ELEVATED BOARDWALK STUNNING VIEWS AND ANIMAL VIEWING WITH SHADE STRUCTURES, REST ROOMS AND A SNACK AREA. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO WALK THE

[00:30:03]

BOARDWALK, RIDE THE TRAIN WHICH MR. BE AN ACTUAL CP HUNTINGTON COMFORTABLE FOR ADULTS TO RIDE AS WELL.

THE TRAIN WILL TRAVERSE TO THE ASIAN GRASS LANDS, AFRICAN SAFARI GIVING YOU A UP CLOSE VIEW OF SPECIES SUCH AS PYGMY HIPPOS, GREATER KUDU OR SABLE ANTELOPE.

THE FOURTH PHASE, GROWING WILD MINDS IS LAST AND ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PHASES. IT FOCUSES ON GROWING OUR EDUCATION CLASSROOMS AND FACILITIES WITH A NEW EDUCATION AND ANIMAL AMBASSADOR BLOG. WITH THOUSANDS OF SCHOOLCHILDREN VISITING EACH YEAR AND SOLD OUT CAMPS EACH SUMMER, THE NEW EDUCATION CENTER WILL FEATURE STATE-OF-THE-ART CLASSROOMS THAT SEEMINGLESS CONNECT TO THE GREAT OUTDOORS SPARKING CURIOSITY, LOVE FOR CONSERVATION. EXPANDING THE ANIMAL AMBASSADOR BUILDING WILL HAVE MORE SCHOOLCHILDREN FACE TO FACE WITH ANIMALS AND UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES AND LIFE-LONG LOVE OF CONSERVATION. A NEW ENTRYWAY WILL STREAMLINE SCHOOL GROUP VISITS AND TICKET PURCHASES.

PAST THE ENTRANCE, A NEW AQUATIC HABITAT WITH AFRICAN PENGUINS WILL CAPTIVATE EACH VISITOR TO THE ZOO.

THE MASTER PLAN WILL HAVE A LASTING IMPACT ON THE ABILENE COMMUNITY AND ENSURE FUTURE GENERATIONS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT SPECIES AROUND THE WORLD.

>> WE ARE GETTING A CHANCE TO BUILD INTO THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF

OUR COMMUNITY. >> WE NOT ONLY ARE GOING TO DOUBLE THE SIZE OF THE ZOO, BUT WE ARE GOING TO MAKE A HUGE IMPACT ON ANIMAL WELFARE AND ANIMAL DIVERSE FEE.

WE WILL BRING IN NEW ANIMALS WITH A GREAT CONSERVATION MESSAGE THAT IS ATTRACTED TO THE EYES AND I NEVER SEEN THAT

CREATURE EVER BEFORE. >> THE MASTER PLAN IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE YOU ALWAYS NEED TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> MORE THAN BUILDING NEW EXHIBITS OR BUILDING NEW BUILDINGS. WE ARE GETTING A CHANCE TO BUILD INTO THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF OUR COMMUNITY.

WE ARE GETTING A CHANCE TO SHOW THEM AMAZING NEW WORLDS THAT THEY MAY GET TO SEE OR MAY NOT. THEY GET TO SEE IT HERE AT THE

ABILENE ZOO. >> IT HAS BEEN A DREAM.

WE HAVE BEEN DREAMING DREAMS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND TIME FOR THOSE DREAMS TO BECOME A REAL

REALITY. >> JESSIE, COULD YOU FOCUS ON WHAT PARTICULAR PHASE WE ARE LOOKING AT FUNDING WITH THIS --

WITH THIS OPPORTUITY? >> YES, THIS WILL ONLY BE PHASE ONE, THAT IS TO HELP GET THE ZOO JOLTED IN BREAKING THE BACK 22.

WE NEED TO EXPAND. OUR ATTENDANCE HAS INCREASED TREMENDOUSLY. WE ARE FLEXING WITH OUR GUESTS WITH THE BOO AT THE ZOO AND CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS.

WHEN I SAY OF FLEXING, WE GET 7,000 PEOPLE IN THE ZOO IN ONE DAY. WE NEED TO BREAK INTO THE BACK BORDER TO MAKE SURE OUR GUESTS FEEL COMFORTABLE.

GOING THROUGH THE SLIDES WE WILL SKIP A LOT SINCE THE VIDEO SPOKE

A LOT OF IT. >> BAUER YOU HAVE TO CLICK ON TH THAT.

>> WILD ENCOUNTERS IS THE ONLY AREA FOR THIS BOND.

PHASE ONE THAT WILL BE FOCUSED ON.

PHASE 1-A AND B THAT WE WILL TALK ABOUT LATER.

PARK HILL THAT WILL CONTRACT OUT FOR THIS PROCESS.

RHINO BARN, WHICH IS UP IN THE UPPER LEFT-HAND CORNER WE ARE EXPANDING THAT. CURRENTLY 8,000 SQUARE FEET.

WE WANT TO BRING IN THREE RHINOS TO MEET THE CAPACITY NEEDS.

THE NEEDS HAVE GROWN TO 25,000 SQUARE FEET.

AN ADA RAMP THAT SLOWLY GOING UP TO THE NICE CAFE RESTAURANT.

YOU LOOK AT THE BOTTOM NUMBER 18, ADDITIONAL DRAFT BARN THAT WILL HOLD ADDITIONAL AFRICAN HOOF STOCK.

YOU WALK THAT PATH YOU SEE IT ON THE SOUTH.

TO THE NORTH, THE HORSE SHOE LOOKING SHAPE IS THE CATWALK FOR THE LIONS. ONE OF THE ENRICHING THING FOR THE LION TO SEE THE RED RIVER, THE WART HOGS AND RHINO AND ZEBRA, THEY LICK THEIR CHOPS. FOR THE MAN MALLS TO SEE THEM WHAT THEY POTENTIALLY COULD HAVE.

>> I AM NOT SURE THAT IS VERY NICE.

[LAUGHTER] >> HAVE YOU ASKED THE WART HOGS HOW THEY THINK ABOUT THAT? [LAUGHTER]

>> THE BOARDWALK FLOW INTO THE ONE, THE CHEETAH HABITAT THAT CONCAVES INTO THE EXHIBIT. NOT ONLY SEE THE CHEETAHS ON THE OUTSIDE. YOU GO INSIDE THE CAFE, YOU CAN SEE THEM WHEN DOING INDOOR DINING.

TO THE LEFT OF THAT, NUMBER 10, THE LION EXHIBIT.

CON CAVES INTO THAT RESTAURANT. WE RECENTLY MOVED THE AMPHITHEATRE BANDSTAND NUMBER 7. IT CREATES A LARGER LAWN FOR US TO HOUSE MORE FOLKS DURING OUR ZOOBLATION.

[00:35:04]

CURRENTLY WE MET MAX CAPACITY OF 350 GUESTS WITH THE NEW EVENT LAWN NUMBER 5 GROW TO 750. THERE IS A DEMAND.

WE SOLD OUT MORE THAN TWO YEARS AND THE BIGGEST FUND RAISING GALA THAT THE CITY PUTS ON. TO THE RIGHT SERVICE DELIVERY.

THE FREIGHT TRUCKS DELIVERING GROCERIES AND COST OF GOODS.

THAT LINE, FLOOR TO CEILING GLASS PANELING.

I WANT TO SPEAK FOR THIS FOR OUR AZA ACCREDITATION.

WE HAVE LIVESTOCK HANDLING AROUND THE AREA.

THAT WILL NOT BE TOLERATED IN THE FUTURE WITH THE AZA.

OUR ACCREDITATION IN FEBRUARY 2024.

THEY WANT TO KNOW THAT SOMETHING WILL CHANGE THAT BECAUSE THOSE STANDARDS WILL BECOME -- THEY NEED TO MEET A HIGHER EXPECTATION TO DISPLAY THE LARGE MAG SIEVE SENT CATS INSTEAD OF LIVESTOCK PANELING. THAT TWO-STORY CAFE.

THE NEWEST RENDERING WE GOT PARK HILL TO DO FOR US.

SPEAK TO THE SIZE OF THE CAFE. CLOSE TO 16,000 SQUARE FEET.

TWO STORY. YOU CAN SEE A ARROHEAD, A LARGE PLAN OF ROOF LINE. THATCHING.

IT WILL LOOK ZOO. VERY ORGANIC.

THIS MATERIAL IS NOT CHEAP. QUADRUPLE -- TEN TIMES THE PRICE OF SHINGLES, THE GUN BARREL BEAMS AND THE FLOOR-TO-CEILING GLASS PANELS AND THE WHOLE BUILDING WILL BE LIT UP BY NATURAL LIGHT THAN L.E.D. OR HALOGEN.

TO THE LEFT LIONS. 360-DEGREE VIEW OF THE LIONS.

NOT ONLY ON THE OUTSIDE BUT THE INSIDE.

CHEETAH. RUNNING ALONG.

CHEETAH RUNS ONE OR TWO TIMES A DAY DEPENDING ON THE ATTENDANCE.

THE TRAINER GOES OUT THERE AND DO A CHEETAH RUN AND YOU WILL SEE THE MAX SPEED OF THE CHEETAH GOING 65 MILES PER HOUR.

A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR OUR GUEST.

THERE WILL BE EXTRA POINTS INTO THIS CAFE FROM THE BOTTOM LEVEL TO THE TOP LEVEL FROM THE FRONT SIDE.

ON THE BACK SIDE AS YOU EXIT THE CAFE, GO DOWN THE STAIRS AND THE GLASS PANELS ON THE BOTTOM FLOOR.

A FIRST-FLOOR PLAN OF THE CAFE. 16,000 SQUARE FEET.

ON THE LEFT, UNFORTUNATELY SEE THE BOTTOM FLOOR.

YOU IMAGINE THE POINT YOU SAW IN THE RENDERINGS.

THE VERY BOTTOM. NUMBER FIVE IS THE ENTRY.

LEFT AND RIGHT SEATING ALONG THE LION SIDE AS WELL AS THE CHEETAH SIDE. STRAIGHT AHEAD POINTS OF SALE.

FOUR POINTS OF SALE TO ALLOW THAT LINE TO KEEP MOVING.

AND RIGHT BEHIND IT IS THE KITCHEN.

AND ADDING A LOT MORE REST ROOMS BETWEEN THE THREE TO SEVEN ATTENDANCE DAYS, NOT MEETING OUR EXPECTATION FOR REST ROOMS FOR THAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE. SO THEY WILL BE A -- THERE WILL BE A MALE, FAMILY FEMALE REST ROOM ON THE BOTTOM STORY AND AS WELL THE OUTSIDE. BACK SIDE, AN ELEVATOR ADA FRIENDLY TO OUR GUESTS THAT COME IN.

VERY LAST IN THE FLOOR, NUMBER 19 GOING NORTH.

THAT IS A BRIDES ROOM. MAINLY FOR WEDDINGS.

THIS IS NOT NEW TO ZOOS AND HAVE BEEN DOING IT A BIT.

MYSELF AND MY WIFE GOT MARRIED AT THE SEA WORLD PARK AND WE WILL DO THE SAME THING IN ABILENE.

THE COUPLE TO HAVE THAT INTIMATE MOMENT OF GETTING THEIR DRESS ON, HAIR AND MAKE-UP AND A NICE REST ROOM AND THEN GO OUT TO THE BANDSTAND TO HAVE THE WHICHING CEREMONY.

MOVING ON TO FIRST-FLOOR PLAN NUMBER TWO -- SORRY, THE TOP STORY, YOU WILL SEE A STAIRCASE THERE THAT GOES TO MEZZANINE.

THIS WILL ALL BE OPEN AND A BALCONY SO YOU CAN LOOK DOWN ON THE GUEST IN THE FIRST FLOOR AND LOOK ACROSS THE CAFE.

A WALL THAT CLOSES THAT OFF. ALL CONTROLLED TEMPERATURE DURING THE HEAT OF THE SUMMER AND THE WINTER, THIS WILL ALL BE CONTROLLED TEMP. YOU ARE IN MT. UPPER LEVEL AND OPEN TO THE ELEMENTS OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.

ALL IT WILL ENTAIL IS SHADE COVERING AND SEATING UP THERE.

THIS WHOLE CAFE SITS COMFORTABLY 350 GUESTS.

50 GUESTS ON THE OUTSIDE AND 300 ON THE INSIDE.

THIS ALSO HAVE REST ROOMS, MALE, FEMALE FAMILY ROOMS AND THE BOARDWALK THAT EXITS THERE AND THE TOP AND YOU WILL SEE THE STATIONS GOING DOWN. AS FAR AS ATTENDANCE PROJECTIONS, WHEN I FIRST CAME HERE, ZOO HOVERING AROUND 200,000 TO 220,000. IN COVID, A RECORD YEAR, 265,000 GUESTS. DROPPED LAST YEAR 20,000 BECAUSE OF THAT HEAT WAVE WE HAD FROM THE MIDDLE OF MAY ALL THE WAY TO THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST. THIS YEAR WE ARE SET TO HIT 255,000 GUESTS. 3% INCREASE.

ONCE THE CAFE, MAJESTICNESS OF THE CATS AND LIONS OPENING THAT CAFE WILL BE EASY TO MARKET AND WE BELIEVE WE WILL HIT OVER

[00:40:03]

300,000 GUESTS BY THAT POINT. REVENUE PROJECTIONS.

WHEN HE CAME BACK IN '19, HOVERING AROUND $2.1 MILLION TO $2.2 MILLION. WE HAD A LITTLE JOLT IN 2019 BECAUSE ADDED CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION AND A COUPLE OF OTHER BOOS. COVID HIT US AGAINST AND RECORD YEAR IN 2021 WHERE WE HIT $2 -- NO, $3 MILLION AND THEN $4 MILLION, AND $4.7 MILLION IS WHAT WE ARE PROJECTING THIS YEAR WITH 3% GROWTH UNTIL THAT CAFE OPENS, WE ARE EXPECTED TO HIT 6.5 MILLION AND THEN GO THE 3% GOING FORWARD.

>>ROB HANNA: I WANT TO PAUSE FOR THAT SLIDE IN A SECOND, JESSIE, IN YOUR TENURE YOU ALMOST DOUBLED THE REVENUE OF THE ZOO.

>> ABOUT 120%. >>ROB HANNA: NO SMALL FEAT AND THE WORK AND DEDICATION OF YOUR STAFF AND OF THE ZOOLOGICAL

SOCIETY. >> APPRECIATE THAT.

WITH THIS PHASE ONE, WE WILL OPERATE 26 ADDITIONAL JOBS.

FIRST ONE POSITION WILL CREATE MORE KEEPERS FOR THE RHINO AREA AND EVENTS DREAM. PHASE 1-B WILL, THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE FOLKS THAT RUN THE RESTAURANT.

SO IF YOU WERE TO VOTE AND GO TO BALLOT IN NOVEMBER AND THE TAXPAYERS FEEL HAD THEY WANT TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN, HERE IS THE ROLLOUT. JANUARY 24 AFTER THE HOLIDAYS START DESIGNING AND ENGINEERING. TAKE APPROXIMATELY A YEAR.

GO OUT TO BID IN EARLY JANUARY OF 25.

SPRING BREAK. PHASE 1-A IN '26.

PHASE 1-B, THE RESTAURANT AND MERE CAT EXHIBIT WILL OPEN IN 2027. OVERALL COSTS, IF YOU GO THROUGH PHASE 1-A APPROXIMATELY $9 MILLION.

1-B, $15 MILLION. TO OVERALL PRICE TAG OF $25 MILLION. ANY QUESTIONS?

>> YOU WANT TO TALK OF THE PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP WE ARE EXPLORING. THE BOND -- WE ARE ASKING FOR THE VOTE TO APPROVE $15 MILLION. WHERE DO THE OTHER MONEY.

>> BECAUSE I HAVE A BEAUTIFUL SUPPORT OF THE SOCIETY BOARD AND HELPING US FUND RAISE AND THEY HAVE GREAT CONVERSATIONS GOING ON WITH THE A FEW OF THE FOUNDATION AND THEY ARE ASKING FOR CITY SUPPORT AND THEY WILL DEFINITELY BE ON BOARD WITH HELPING US GET THE OTHER $10 MILLION EASILY.

>> THERE ARE ALREADY SOFT COMMITMENTS MADE FROM A CHALLENGE STANDPOINT IF THE PUBLIC APPROVES A BOND THAT THERE ARE ALREADY PRIVATE ENTITIES THAT SAID THEY WILL START THE PROCESS OF MATCHING THE FUNDS.

MUCH LIKE WE DID IN 2015, THIS COUNCIL AND COMMUNITY WORKED TOGETHER WITH OUR PRIVATE SECTOR TO HAVE A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP. THESE IMPROVEMENTS WILL FOLLOW THAT TRADITION AND HAVE A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP AND GET $25 MILLION TO $26 MILLION BY THE TIME YOU BUILD IT ALL, INFLATIONARY STRUCTURES. COST OF CONSTRUCTION FOR THE PUBLIC'S PORTION IS 15 $15 MILLION.

STRETCHING THOSE DOLLARS AND WORKING WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR QUALITY PRODUCTS FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

>>MAYOR HURT: ANY QUESTIONS ON THE ZOO?

>> JESSIE, I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY THAT ROBERT THANKED.

EVERYBODY DOES A GREAT JOB AND THE ZOO DOES A GREAT JOB.

ONE QUICK CAN QUESTION, CAN KYLE PUT HIS OFFICIATING UNIFORM AND

RUN WITH THE CHEETAHS. >> WE CAN CERTAINLY MAKE THAT

HAPPEN. >> AFTER THEY LOOK AT THE HOGS

FOR 40 MINUTES. >> THE CHEETAH SPECIES, A GREAT AMBASSADOR PIECES SHEETS. YOU CAN TAKE THEM OUT TO THE GUESTS. SO, YES, WE CAN HAVE A MARATHON -- OR A SPRINT WITH KYLE COMING UP.

>> WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY IS I HAVE BEEN TO THE ZOO AND SEE THEM LICK THEIR CHOPS AT WELDON. [LAUGHTER] I ALSO WANT TO FOLLOW UP. BOO AT THE ZOO -- I MENTIONED THIS BEFORE, BOO AT THE ZOO AND CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS HAVE JUST EXPLODED. IF YOU HAVE BEFORE OUT THERE, YOU KNOW THEY ARE PACKED. BECAUSE THEY ARE SO WELL-DONE.

AND THAT IS A COMPLIMENT TO YOU AND YOUR STAFF AND THINGS, BUT IT IS TIME TO EXPAND THAT. BECAUSE YOU ARE RIGHT.

MAN, AT CHRISTMAS, IT IS PERSON TO PERSON OUT THERE.

BOO AT THE ZOO. FREE CANDY, BUT YOU GOT TO WORK FOR IT. IT IS A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE.

BUT I THINK THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

AND I AM EXCITED ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE ZOO IS SUCH A HUGE

DRAW TO OUR COMMUNITY. >> AND MANY OTHER EVENTS LIKE

THE LAST DAY. >> ZOO LOOP.

>> THE ZOO LOOP. SO MANY POSITIVES THAT THIS COMMUNITY RECEIVES FROM THE ZOO. AND IT IS EXCITING TO SEE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO LEVERAGE THAT PRIVATE, PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP WITH ENHANCING AND GROWING THE ZOO AT THE NUMBER ONE ATTRACTION. WITH THE PROJECTION THAT YOU

[00:45:01]

SHOW, THERE ARE WILL ALSO BENEFIT REVENUE FOR THE ZOO.

AND IT IS A WIN-WIN. >>TRAVIS CRAVER: FIRST OF ALL, I ECHO A LOT OF THOSE SENTIMENTS AND APPRECIATE THAT AND OUR CHILDREN ENJOY THE CAMPS YOU DO IN THE SUMMER.

I APPRECIATE YOU ASKING ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIPS BECAUSE I WAS INTERESTED IN THE DIFFERENT PARTNERSHIPS YOU WERE ENGAGING FROM A COMMUNITY STANDPOINT. I THINK THAT IS SUPER HELPFUL FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW THERE IS SO MUCH BUY-IN ACROSS THE BOARD.

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT -- A LOT -- FROM A LOT OF THE RENDERING WE GOT TO SEE PARTICULARLY FROM MY VIEWPOINT, THE CAFE, THE RENDERING THERE, WHAT ARE SOME OTHER ZOO EXPANSIONS THAT HAVE KIND OF INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU ARE KIND OF TAKING THAT ZOO TO COLOR THE WAY WE ARE SEEING THAT YOU WANT

T DO. >> SURE, YOU SAW IN THE VIDEO THE PEDESTRIAN TRAIN THAT RAN THROUGH THE ZOO.

WE CAN'T RUN IT THROUGH BOO IN THE ZOO AND CHRISTMAS EVENTS.

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE. SOMEBODY WILL GET HURT.

BIG GUYS MIKE ME AND BRIAN CAN'T FIT IN THAT TRAIN.

IT IS UNCOMFORTABLE. MY WIFE HAS TO GO TO THE KIDDOS AND LARGER PEOPLE AND DADS FEEL THAT WAY.

TO GET THAT TRAIN ON RAILS, WILL DECREASE INCIDENTS OF POSSIBLY RUNNING INTO SOMEBODY. THIS IS ON A RAILROAD AND NOBODY AROUND. IT GIVES THAT EXPERIENCE EVEN MORE INTIMACY AND COMFORT BLOOEFABILITY AND MAKING IT MORE POSITIVE. HAVING THAT PACK 40 ACRES HAVE US TRAVERSE TO THE WHOLE -- ALLOW US TO PUT MORE NATURALISTIC EXHIBITS AND INSTEAD OF A SMALL YARD, YOU GET TO SEE THESE WILDER BEAST ANIMALS, ZEBRAS IN PLAINS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE TO LOOK 100 YARDS VERSUS TEN YARDS TO SEE THE ANIMAL BUT LOOKS VERY NATURALISTIC AND MULTISPECIES CO-HABITING TOGETHER. A BIG PUSH FOR THE AZA.

NOT JUST ZEBRAS, WILDER BEASTS, PUT THEM TOGETHER BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THEY DO IN THE FARM ENVIRONMENT.

THAT IS MY PASSION. PEOPLE LOVE THE TRAIN.

TRAINS ARE VERY ATTRACTIVE. WE NEED THEM ON A MORE

COMFORTABLE TRAIN. >> I REMEMBER THE TRAIN WHEN I WAS A KID. IT GOT TAKEN OUT.

BUT THAT WAS FUN. >> THE ZOO DID HAVE A CP

HUNTINGTON BACK IN THE DAY. >> I HAVE ONE OR TWO QUESTIONS.

I AM A BIG MAN IN OF CHRISTMAS AT THE ZOO.

AND THE ZOO TEEN PROGRAM. A LOT OF PEOPLE SAYS THERE NOT ENOUGH FOR TEENS TO DO. PEOPLE ARE UNAWARE OF THE ZOO TEEN PROGRAM. MY TWO QUESTIONS ARE, WITH THE COST OF THE CAFE, CAN YOU BREAK DOWN, JUST -- IN A MINUTE OR SO, WHY IT IS AT $10 MILLION TO BUILD THE RESTAURANT.

I THINK THAT IS GOING TO BE A BIG QUESTION IN THE PUBLIC'S MIND OF -- IS THAT MORE OR LESS THAN THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND WHY AT $10 MILLION. IF YOU CAN DO A LITTLE BREAKDOWN OF THAT. THEN TAGGING ON THAT WOULD BE THE REVENUE. WHAT ARE WE AT RIGHT NOW ON CONCESSIONS AND FOOD. WITH THE NEW CAFE, WHERE DOES

THAT TAKE THAT. >> AS FAR AS CLASS, THIS IS NOT A TURNKEY MCCALLISTER'S OR TURNKEY MCDONALD'S.

THE CEILING ITSELF, LOAD BEAMS, NOT JUST IRON BEAMS. KEEP THE ORGANIC LOOK, GUN BARREL BEAMS. LIKE THOSE NICE BIG TREES AND HOLLOW OUT THE GUN BARREL TO COVER THE IRON. TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH FIRE CODES I NEED THE IRON STRUCTURE. SIMILAR WHERE THEY BORED DOWN THE BIG LONG TREES AND COVERED THE IRON.

OTHERS ARE GLASS PANELS FROM FLOOR TO CEILING.

HUGE COST. THATCHING ON THE ROOF IS TEN TIMES MORE EXPENSIVE THAN SHINGLES.

LOOKING AS A ZOO OR SAFARI. THAT IS WHAT WE WANT FOR OUR COMMUNITY. ORGANIC, SOUTH AFRICA, MIDDLE AFRICA, THE MAJORITY OF THE COSTS AND ADA RAMPING GOING THROUGH ELEVATIONS. NOT JUST A SIDEWALK.

THE BOTANICALS. WE NEED TO KEEP UP WITH THE BOTA BOTANICALS.

THE ZOO HAS ALL THE BEST BOTANICALS IN ALL OF ABILENE.

WE HAVE A GREAT HORTICULTURAL TEAM AND NEED TO BRING IT BACK TO IT THE ABILENE ZOO WITH BOTANICALS.

AS FAR AS REVENUE GENERATING, WE HAVE PER CAPS.

PER CAPS PER SALES PER PERSON. WHAT THAT MEANS OUR CONCESSION MAKES $1 PER PERSON THAT COME IN THE ZOO.

OUR GIFT SHOP MAKES $4 PER PERSON THAT COMES IN THE ZOO.

WHERE I COME FROM, THAT IS POLAR APPOSITE.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE MAKES QUADRUPLE OF GIFT SHOP.

[00:50:01]

THAT IS HOW MUCH REVENUE. WITH THE BUDGET $1 MILLION IN THE GIFT SHOP. SOUNDS HIGH.

IT IS. OUR GIFT SHOP IS VERY WELL OFF.

OUR CONCESSIONS BARELY DO 300,000.

DO THE MATH. THAT IS HOW MUCH REVENUE.

$1.5 MILLION. IF THE CAFE COSTS A LITTLE OVER $9 MILLION, YOU ARE HAVING THE RETURN WITHIN FIVE AND SIX YEARS, THE CAFE IS BOUGHT AND PAID FOR JUST WITH THAT SIMPLE SITUATION. ALSO THE EXPERIENCE.

HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE EATEN AT THE ZOO? RAISE YOUR HAND? .

I FED YOU. THAT IS MY POINT.

WHEN I GO TO ANOTHER ZOO AND THEME PARK, ME AND MY FAMILY ARE ALWAYS SITTING DOWN. I BET HALF THE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM DON'T EAT AT THE ZOO. MY STAFF DON'T EAT AT THE ZOO.

THEY DID OFF PROPERTY TO GO TO THE MCCALLISTER AND GO TO MCDONALD'S. THEY NEED TO EAT AT THE ZOO.

MY INDUSTRIAL AT SEA WORLD. WE ATE THERE.

WE HAD A QUALITY FOOD AND CAFE. WHAT THIS HAS WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF THE ZOO. GET THE BUY-IN OF PEOPLE SPENDING MONEY. IN-PARK SPENDING.

THE MORE THEY SAY AT THE ZOO, THE MORE THEY DROP MONEY.

GOOD FOR. MY WIFE AND I SAY WE DON'T WANT TO EAT HERE, GO LOOK AT THE CATS.

MY DAUGHTER WANTS TO SEE THE RHINO AND MORE TIME IN THE ZOO THAT CREATES MORE IN-PARK SPENDING.

>> LIST ANYBODY BELIEVE THAT WE ARE PILFERING THE ZOO FOR THE REVENUES. THE DOLLARS THAT THE ZOO PRODUCES STAYS IN THE ZOO. PART OF OUR AGREEMENT WITH THE ZOOLOGICAL SAFETY. THE INVESTMENT WE MAKE AND THE REF INTO YOU THEY GENERATE AND THE FUTURE PHASES THAT REVENUE IS A KEY FUNDING MECHANISM FOR FUTURE ZOO CONSTRUCTION.

>> NOSE ADDITIONAL DOLLARS ARE GOING TO THE MASTER PLAN AS WELL THE CURRENT MIP. IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN TO THE ZOO LATELY, WE ADD TOED SO MANY THINGS WITH THE REVENUE WE CREATED. ROBERT HANNA IS CORRECT, EVERY DOLLAR WE RAISE IS GOING BACK TO THE ZOO.

>> WE ARE QUITE CONTENT TO HARVEST THE HOTEL NIGHTS.

>> 100%. >> AND OTHER SALES TAX REVENUES THAT -- IT IS SOMETHING LIKE TWO-THIRDS OF THE PEOPLE AT THE

ZOO COME FROM OUTSIDE ABILENE. >> MOST RECENT STUDY WE DID

ABOUT 67%. >>ROB HANNA: WE ARE BRINGING PEOPLE 100 MILES AWAY TO SEE OUR ZOO WHICH IS ALREADY HIGH QUALITY AND TAKE IT UP TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

AND I THINK THAT MONEY PREVENTS FUTURE TAX INCREASES.

>> YES. >>ROB HANNA: NO OTHER QUESTIONS ASK LESLIE TO GO THROUGH HER ITEMS AS WELL.

>>MAYOR HURT: LESLIE, DO YOU HAVE A COOL VIDEO AS MUCH I AM SORRY I DON'T. LESLIE ANDREWS, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION. THE ITEM BEFORE YOU FOR BOND CONSIDERATION IS TWO OF OUR RECREATION CENTERS.

ONE IN GB DANIELS AND CESAR CHAVEZ.

AT THAT FEW PICTURES OF JB DANIELS.

MOST OF YOU HAVE TOURED IT. ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES HOW OLD THE BUILDINGS ARE. WE NEED TO CONSIDER GETTING UP TO HEALTH AND SAFETY CODES, THE DETERIORATION OF THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDINGS. IT IS PAST ITS USEFUL LIFE.

INTRODUCE SAVINGS. EXPERIENCES AND THINGS LIKE THAT ARE A KEY POINT. AND ONE, WE WANT TO TAKE THE CONSIDERATION TO REDO OUR RECREATION CENTERS.

HERE IS A FEW PICTURES FROM CESAR CHAVEZ, A LOT OF THE SAME EXPERIENCES. THEY WERE BUILT ABOUT THE SAME TIME, AND THEY HAVE BEEN ADDED ON TO -- OVER THE VARIOUS YEARS WHICH HAS MADE IT DIFFICULT TO USE THE BUILDINGS BECAUSE YOU ARE GOES THROUGH ROOMS TO GET TO OTHER ROOMS TO GET TO OTHER ROOMS WHEN YOU ARE HAVING CLASSES.

WE DID A RECREATIONAL FEASIBILITY STUDY BACK IN 2019 WHERE WE TALKED TO STAKEHOLDERS HAND AN OPEN MEETING.

LOOKED AT RECREATION CITYWIDE. WE MADE THAT PRESENTATION TO COUNCIL IN FEBRUARY 20 20 AND COVID HIT IN MARCH OF 2020.

THROUGH THIS PROCESS AND THROUGH THE YEARS WHEN WE HAVE TALKED TO THE COMMUNITY AND GONE AND HAVE FOCUS GROUPS AT THE RECREATION CENTERS IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE FEEDBACK, THROUGH THE SURVEYS, SOME OF THE RESULTS THAT THEY HAVE GIVEN US.

HERE IS A SITE AND DESIGN LAYOUT.

QUESTIONS OF JB DANIELS. THE PLAN -- ASSUMING THIS IS APPROVED BY COUNCIL -- WE WILL DO ONE RECREATION CENTER.

CLOSE ONE. DEMOLISH IT.

[00:55:01]

REOPEN IT. AND THEN START ON THE OTHER.

WE WILL NOT CLOSE BOTH AT THE SAME TIME.

AS YOU CAN SEE, BASICALLY CHANGES THE ORIENTATION OF JB DANIELS. THERE IS ONE MAIN ENTRANCE OFF THE PARKING LOT. WE WILL BE MOVING THE PLAYGROUND. BUT THE BASKETBALL COURT THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE FAMILIAR WITH WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO STAY OPEN THROUGHOUT THE PROJECTS. WE WILL KEEP THAT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. A VERY HIGHLY USED BASKETBALL COURT. THIS IS BASICALLY THE SAME DESIGN AT BOTH LOCATIONS. SO, AGAIN, THIS IS WHERE IT WILL BE AT CHAVEZ. THERE IS ROOM TO EX-FIND A PHASE TWO IF AT SOME POINT IN TIME WE ARE INTERESTED IN DOING THAT.

THIS IS A CONSENSUAL IDEA OF WHAT IT COULD POTENTIALLY LOOK LIKE. MUCH LIKE WHAT JESSIE SAID BRINGING IN THE NATURAL LIGHT INTO THE CENTER SO IT IS NOT DARK AND DRAB. YOU ARE GETTING THE NATURAL LIGHT. ALSO WITH IT BEING ONE ENTRANCE.

BASICALLY ONE MAIN HALLWAY. YOU CAN GET TO ANY PART OF THE RECREATION CENTER THROUGH THE HALLWAY WHERE YOU ARE NOT HAVING TO GO THROUGH A CLASSROOM TO GET TO ANOTHER CLASSROOM TO GET TO ANOTHER CLASSROOM. THE COST OF THESE TWO CENTERS IN -- IN FEBRUARY OF 2023 COST WAS 27.8 MILLION.

WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR IS $28 MILLION IN THIS DESIGN.

THIS DOES INCLUDE THE DEMOLITION, THE DESIGN, THE REBUILD, AND THE WHAT GOES INTO THE CENTERS.

THIS IS AN INCLUSIVE COST. AND WITH THAT, I CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OF RECREATION OR GO ON TO KIRBY LAKE.

>>MAYOR HURT: YOU CAN MOVE ON. >> OKAY.

KIRBY LAKE IS A TRAIL WE ARE ALSO BRINGING TO YOU.

AGAIN WE HAD A MASTER PLAN DONE AT KIRBY LAKE WHERE WE HAD AN OPEN MEETING. WE TALKED TO STAKEHOLDERS.

GOT FEEDBACK FROM THE CITIZENS WHAT THEY WERE INTERESTED IN.

THIS IS A PICTURE OF CEDAR CREEK THAT IS CURRENTLY 82% COMPLETE, BUT THIS IS KIND OF THE IDEA THAT WE WILL BE ALSO LOOKING FOR AT KIRBY LAKE. GOING ALL THE WAY AROUND THE LAKE. AN EQUIVALENT OF A 10-K.

WE WILL BE CONNECTING IT TO MAPLE STREET.

IN THIS PICTURE IT SHOWS, CONCRETE BOARDWALK SYSTEM.

IT CONNECTS RIGHT THERE TO THE MAPLE STREET PROJECT.

AS MAPLE STREET WILL DEVELOP, WE WILL LOOK AT MAKING ANOTHER CONNECTION FURTHER UP NORTH BY PRESIDENT PARKING LOT AND THE DAM. AT EITHER LOCATION HOP ON TO MAPLE STREET IF YOU WANT TO TAKE THAT ACTION.

WE WILL MAKE THAT CONNECTIVITY IN THE FINAL DESIGN.

THIS DOES -- THIS PLAN DOES TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WEAVING AROUND THE LAKE. IT IS REALLY MORE OF THE HOLDER FOR THE LAKE OR THE KEY POINT. THERE WILL BE NATURAL TRAILS, BIRD-WATCHING OPPORTUNITIES AND THINGS LIKE THAT OFF OF THE TRAIL. WE ARE NOT GOING TO LOSE THAT.

BUT IT DOES HELP WITH THE PARKING AND ACCESS TO THE VARIOUS POINTS OF THE LAKE. AND IN FEBRUARY OF 2023, THIS WAS ESTIMATED BE AN $8.5 MILLION PROJECT.

BUT LOOKING AT SOME OF THE EXPENSES AND STUFF WE HAVE DONE AT CEDAR CREEK, WE ARE ASKING FOR $9 MILLION THROUGH THE ONE PROJECT. AND I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUEST QUESTIONS.

>> A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, I DID A 5-K AT ROSE PARK -- NO, AT --

ANYWAY, THE ONE ON SOUTH 32ND. >> RED BUD.

>> I ALWAYS GET THAT WRONG. GREAT JOB BECAUSE JESS LAID DOWN THAT NEW CONCRETE RUNWAY, RUNNING SURFACE ACROSS THE AREA.

IT WAS GREAT. I STILL HURT, BUT I DIDN'T HURT AS MUCH. THAT WORKED THERE.

AND I AM EXCITED TO SEE IT WORKING HERE TOO.

BECAUSE IT IS A GOOD SURFACE. AND IF PEOPLE LIKE TO RUN OR WALK, A GOOD, CLEAN, SAFE, COMFORTABLE SURFACE TO RUN, WALK ON. IF THAT -- I AM ASSUMING WE ARE GOING TO KIND OF DO SIMILAR THINGS WITH THAT.

BUT A GOOD INVESTMENT BECAUSE IT ISLE LAST AND VERY GOOD AND WIDE ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE TO ENJOY. THANKS.

>>MAYOR HURT: LESLIE, I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE ON THE COMMITTEE, THE CITIZEN APPOINTMENTS AND NOT ONLY THAT, THE OTHER CITIZENS THAT PUT IN INPUT. YOU SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON THIS.

I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE DONE.

BUT THAT WAS AN APPOINTED COMMITTEE AND I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THEIR WORK. YOU KNOW, WE KNOW THAT THESE REC CENTERS ARE PAST LIFE EXPECULIAR TAN SEE AND WE TALKED A LOT OF INFILL DEVELOPMENT AND THINGS LIKE THAT, BUT I THINK THEY ARE REALLY VITAL FOR US TO CONTINUE FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO KEEP THRIVING INSIDE OF OUR OLDER PARTS OF THE CITY.

[01:00:02]

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING. ANYONE ELSE?

>> SO IF THE CITIZENS APPROVE THIS, YOU KNOW, WE PUT IT ON THE BALLOT. THE CITIZENS APPROVE IT WITH REGARD TO THE REC CENTER, WHAT WOULD BE THE ROUGH ESTIMATE OF

THE TIME FRAME? >>ROB HANNA: YOU LIKELY HAVE NINE-MONTH -- A NINE TO WE WILL OF MONTH DESIGN AND 14 TO 18 MONTHS CONSTRUCTION PROCESS FOR THE REC CENTER.

IT WILL GO -- IT WILL GO A FULL THREE YEARS BEFORE YOU HAVE BOTH FACILITIES BUILT, PROBABLY CLOSER TO FOUR.

WE HAVE TO HAVE THE BOND FUNDS IN THEORY SPENT UP IN FIVE YEARS, AND WE WILL BE ABLE TO HIT THAT TARGET.

>> DEMOS START? >> DEMO WOULD START --

>> PER DESIGN? >> I WOULD NOT TO DEPRIVE THE CITIZENS WITH THE USE OF ANY OF THE FACILITIES UNTIL WE HAVE THE DESIGN FINALIZED .THAT IS MY PREFERENCE.

PARKS BOARD WILL OBVIOUSLY HAVE SOME THINGS TO SAY ABOUT THAT AND I AIMAGINE THEY WILL ALIGN WITH THAT.

>> WHAT ABOUT TIMELINE ON LAKE KIRBY?

>>ROB HANNA: WHAT IS THE TIMELINE FOR KIRBY.

>> ABOUT THE SAME A NINE-MONTH DESIGN PHASE AND PROBABLY YEAR CONSTRUCTION. THERE WILL BE A LOT OF LAND WORK

THAT WILL HAVE TO HAPPEN. >>MAYOR HURT: WE DON'T HAVE ANY

OBSTACLES LIKE CEDAR CREEK? >> NO UNION PACIFIC, SIR.

>> AND WE OWN ALL THE PROPERTY. >>ROBERT HANNA: WE OWN ALL THE

PROPERTY. >>MAYOR HURT: ANYONE ELSE?

THANK YOU, RELY. >>ROBERT HANNA: MAYOR, I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT THAT NEXT MEETING WILL BE AN AGREEMENT WITH TAYLOR COUNTY TO HOLD THE ELECTION IF YOU INDEED CALL ONE.

AND WE WILL BE CALLING THIS ELECTION FOR NOVEMBER 7, WHICH

IS A UNIFORM ELECTION DATE. >>MAYOR HURT: AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM AND DID WE HAVE CARDS?

>> RICK -- IS IT HAMMER? >> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. DO I HAVE THREE MINUTES?

>>MAYOR: YES. >> ALL RIGHT, SO I PLAN FOR 15, SO I WILL CUT THIS DOWN. I AM RICK HAMMER AND WE WORK WITH CITY PARKS -- I DON'T KNOW THE LAST FOUR, FIVE, SIX YEARS, BEEN PART OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BOARDWALK AND SOME OF THE OTHER NATURAL FEATURE THERE IS. SO -- WE ARE HERE IS TO ADVOCATE FOR THE TRAIL TO BE PLACED IN. I JUST WANT TO SAY -- I WANT TO SAY THE CEDAR CREEK TRAIL IS WONDERFUL AND A COMPLEMENT TO THAT. CEDAR CREEK THAT'S A CREEK LINED WITH HUGE TREE ARE 75-FOOT GREEN ASH TREES.

WONDERUL THING. KIRBY TRAIL A OPEN TRAIL, WILDFLOWERS SCENIC VISTAS AND TREES.

I SPENT THE LAST SIX YEARS DOCUMENTING THAT.

WE HAVE A KIRBY -- LIKE A KIRBY FACEBOOK THAT DOCUMENTS ALL THE NATURAL HISTORY THERE AND 2200 FOLLOWERS WHO LOVE THAT.

IF WE HAVE A TRAIL PEOPLE WILL GO OUT THERE AND SEE THOSE THINGS. MIKE WHAT WAS MENTIONED BY LESSEE, A TRAIL LIKE CEDAR CREEK AND HAVE NATURAL TRAILS GOING OFF THAT INTO MORE NATURAL AREAS FOR PEOPLE TO SEE.

I THINK IT WILL COMPLEMENT CEDAR CREEK.

I THINK ONCE WE HAVE ALL THOSE TRAILS CONNECTED, SOMETHING THAT WILL CHALLENGE AND RIVAL SOME OF THE TRAILS IN FORT WORTH LIKE THE TRINITY TRAIL THERE. WE WOULD ADVOCATE THAT THE COUNCIL MOVE THIS TO CITY BOND ELECTION IN NOVEMBER.

ANY QUESTIONS? >>MAYOR: THANK YOU.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN VERY ACTIVE FOR A LONG TIME, RICK.

APPRECIATE YOUR PASSION FOR THE PUBLIC.

>>MAYOR HURT: STILL IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

ANYONE WANT TO SPEAK ON THIS IT

ITEM? >> GOOD MORNING COUNCIL.

ALL I WANTED TO ASK -- >>MAYOR HURT: YOUR NAME.

>> SORRY, THANK YOU. PLEASE ALWAYS DO THAT.

TAMMY FOGLE. I JUST WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THE WORDING OF THE BOND ON THE BOND ELECTION.

IT WOULD BE HELPFUL -- I DON'T SEE IT HAPPENING ON THIS BOND ELECTION, THAT YOU CAN LABEL IT LIKE ON THE ZOO IT SAYS FOR THE ZOO. SINCE THERE ARE MULTIPHASES AND THIS PROCESS OR WHATEVER, THIS SEEMS TO BE APPROPRIATE TO SAY LIKE PHASE ONE. THE ZOO PHASE ONE.

OUR CHILDREN PAYING FOR THIS AND SAID THIS IS WHERE WE STARTED PAYING FOR IT. BECAUSE I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW -- IT IS HARD TO FOLLOW THESE BOND THINGS.

SEEMS REALLY GENERAL AND VAGUE. TO THE ACTUAL CITIZEN IT IS HARD TO KEEP TRACK OF WHERE THE BONDS ARE GOING.

[01:05:01]

I KNOW WE DO BOND FOR THE ZOO A LOT.

AND I AM GLAD THAT THE MONEY GOES BACK IN THE ZOO TO HELP MAKE IT BETTER. IT CHANGED A LOT WHEN I MOVED HERE IN 1993. OTHER THING I NOTICED IS THAT IT SAYS -- AND Y'ALL CAN HELP CLARIFY THIS FOR ME IF YOU WANT TO, IT WILL EFFECTIVELY RAISE OUR TAXES TO 11%.

IS THAT CORRECT? AGAIN, I AM AN AVERAGE CITIZEN AND I SEE THAT AND I SAY, WHOA, SOUNDS LIKE A LOT.

THAT IS IF THIS BOND REFERENDUM PASSES PAGE 24 OF THE MEETING PACKET. ENCOURAGEMENTS TO LIABLE THESE BONDS A LITTLE BETTER SO WE KNOW FOR THE GV DANIELS RECREATION CENTER. I KNOW IT IS SIMPLIFIED FOR BUSINESS PURPOSES, BUT AS A CITIZEN, IT IS HELPFUL TO KNOW HOW TO LOOK UP STUFF TO REFER WHERE THINGS -- WHERE THE MONEY GOES AND HOW TO KEEP TRACK OF THINGS.

THANKS. I AM EXCITED.

THE ZOO LOOKS AWESOME. THE WALKING TRAILS LOOK AWESOME.

NOT THAT I AM NOT FOR THIS, BUT I WANT CLARIFICATION WHAT WE ARE DOING WITH OUR TAX DOLLARS. BECAUSE THEY ARE OUR TAX DOLLARS. SO THANK YOU.

>> I WILL ADDRESS THAT TAMMY. WHATEVER WE HAVE IN THE LANGUAGE IN THE BONDS, THAT IS WHERE THE MONEY HAS TO GO.

IF WE SAY THIS IS FOR THE GV DANIELS REC CENTER AND COMES UNDER BUDGET AND HAS EXTRA MONEY, WE CAN'T SPEND THAT MONEY. BY SAYING IT IS FOR REC CENTERS, GIVES US THE FLEXIBLE OF TAKING UNSPENT PORTION OF THAT AND APPLYING IT TO OTHER REC CENTERS.

CAN'T GO PUT IT IN STREETS, SALARIES AND ANYTHING ELSE, BUT CAN APPLY IT WITH REC CENTER. SAME THING WITH THE ZOO.

IF WE COME IN UNDER BUDGET FOR PHASE ONE, WE COULDN'T START DOING ASPECTS OF PHASE TWO WITH THAT FUNDING BECAUSE IT IS RESTRICTED TO ONLY PHASE ONE. SOME THAT IS PART OF THE REASON WHY THE GENERAL TERMS IS SO THEY HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY THEM TO A SIMILAR USE THAT MAY NOT BE EXACTLY THE SAME PLACE, BUT NOT WIDE ENOUGH WHERE WE CAN DO JUST ANYTHING WE WANT FOR IT.

>> AND, WELL, I UNDERSTAND THAT AND I WISH WOULD YOU COME BACK -- WHEN I LOOK AT BONDS IT SAYS SERIES 2023.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CAME UNDER BUDGET.

WHERE THAT EXTRA MONEY WENT. HARD TO TRACK.

I AM GREAT IF Y'ALL SAVE MONEY BUT PREFER A WAY TO FOLLOW UP SO WE KNOW, HEY, WE CAME UNDER BUDGET, NOW THIS MONEY IS GOING TO THIS. I THINK IT IS VAGUE AND HARD FOR THE AVERAGE CITIZEN LIKE MYSELF FOR UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON.

THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING. >> I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP ONE OTHER THING. IT IS NOT A -- IF WE APPROVE THIS, AND THEN IT GOES IN NOVEMBER AND THE CITIZENS WERE TO APPROVE ALL THREE BALLOT MEASURES, IT COMES OUT TO 5.3

CENTS PER $100. >>ROB HANNA: APPROXIMATELY

CORRECT. >> NOT 11% INCREASE IN TAXES, BUT THE CITIZENS CHOOSING TO INVEST IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITY AND ENDS UP BEING $.05 INCREASE, WHICH WOULD BRING US CLOSE WHERE WE ARE AGAIN BACK FOR THE 2023 TAX RATE.

THIS IS PUTTING A WHOLE BUNCH OF THINGS TOGETHER ALL AT ONCE, BUT IT IS NOT AN 11% INCREASE IN TAXES.

>>MAYOR HURT: STILL IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM AT THIS TIME? YES, MA'AM.

>> HI, MY NAME IS BARBARA BARRY. AND I AM NEW TO ABILENE.

I ONLY HAVE BEEN HERE ABOUT 18 MONTHS.

I AM MR. HANNA'S NEIGHBOR. THIS IS MY FIRST COMMITTEE

MEETING -- COUNCIL MEETING. >> WE WON'T HOLD THAT AGAINST

YOU. >> HOW IS HE AS A NEIGHBOR,

ANYWAY? >>ROBERT HANNA: I TAKE MY TRASH

OUT REGULARLY. >> SO I AM -- THIS IS MY FIRST COUNCIL MEETING. SO I AGREE WITH THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER ABOUT WHY CAN'T WE LABEL THE BONDS -- I REALIZE THAT YOU WANT IT BROAD SO IF YOU NEED TO PUT MONEY SOMEWHERE ELSE YOU CAN, BUT WHY CAN'T YOU LABEL IT THE ZOO, THE REC CENTERS AND -- AND, YOU KNOW, OTHER ITEMS RELATING TO CIVIC IMPROVEMENT SO THAT US TAXPAYERSES CAN KNOW THAT, OKAY, WE VOTED FOR THIS.

WE SHOULD HAVE AN EXPECTATION THAT IS WHERE OUR TAX DOLLARS ARE GOING TO GO JUST LIKE -- IF I AM BEING ASKED TO FUND A BOND FOR ROADS, I EXPECT Y'ALL TO FUND THE ROADS.

AND SO I DON'T SEE WHY THAT IS A PROBLEM.

WHY YOU CAN'T LABELED YOUR BONDS CLEARLY SO WE CITIZENS CAN KNOW AND HAVE SOME ASSURANCES THAT OUR TAX DOLLARS ARE ACTUALLY

[01:10:04]

GOING TO WHAT WE ARE PAYING FOR. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE.

>> THE BALLOT LANGUAGE WILL CLEAR THAT UP.

>>MAYOR HURT: ONE AT A TIME. COUNCILMAN BEARD.

>>LYNN BEARD: I WAS GOING TO READ THE EXACT LANGUAGE.

PROPOSITION A, THIS WILL BE THE BALLOT LANGUAGE FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE QUESTIONS. PROP A IF PASSED, ISSUANCE OF 15 MILLION OF GENERAL OBLIGATION FOR IMPROVEMENTS OF THE CITY ZOO AND LEVY OF TAXES TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON THE BONDS. PROPOSITION B THE SAME LEVY OF TAXES, BUT SAYS IMPROVEMENTS FROM REC CENTER AND.

C, GENERAL OBLIGATION FOR CITY HIKE AND BIKE TRAILS.

WHEN THEY APPEAR ON THE BALLOT, THEY WILL BE CLEARLY IDENTIFIED

WHAT THEY SHALL FOR. >> PERFECT.

JUST COMING INTO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING TODAY, I WAS KIND OF DISCOMBOBULATED BECAUSE THEY STARTED TALKING ABOUT THE ZOO AND LOOKING AT VINCE AND I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THAT.

MAYBE IT IS A MATTER OF MAKING IT CLEARER ON THE AGENDA.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >>MAYOR HURT: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

STILL IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

ANYONE ELSE? SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. FURTHER DISCUSSION FROM THE

COUNCIL? >> I HAVE SPECIFIC MOTION LANGUAGE, MAYOR. FOR ITEM 12, MOVE APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION CALLING A BOND ELECTION TO BE HELD IN THE CITY OF ABILENE, TEXAS, MAKE PROGRAM VISION FOR THE CONDUCT OF THE LENGSZ AND RESOLVING OTHER MATTERS ARE RELATED TO SUCH

ELECTION. >> SECOND.

>>MAYOR HURT: A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BEARD.

A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN PRICE WITH THAT SPECIFIC LANGUAGE.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION. READY TO VOTE.

>>MAYOR HURT: YES. >>CLERK: MOTION

[13. Ordinance (Final Reading) CUP-2023-06: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on A Request From WV Meridian, LLC To Apply A Conditional Use Permit To Approximately 1.09 Acres On A Site Zoned PDD-130 To Allow An Automobile Wash Which Was Previously Abandoned To Be Reopened. Located At 5190 Buffalo Gap Road. (Tim Littlejohn)]

. >>MAYOR HURT: EVERYBODY IS READY. WE WILL MOVE TO ITEM 13, AND ASK TIM LITTLEJOHN TO PRESENT THIS ITEM.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR CONDITIONAL USE A CUP TO ALLOW THE OPENING OF A CAR WASH LOCATED AT 5190 BUFFALO GAP ROAD.

HERE IS THE LOCATION MAP. HERE IS THE CURRENT REZONING.

HERE IS THE PROPOSED SITE LAYOUT.

HERE ARE VIEWS OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY.

NOTIFICATION MAP, ONE IN FAVOR. ZERO OPPOSED.

P&Z DID HEAR THIS CASE AND THEY ARE RECOMMENDING TO YOU APPROVAL THIS MORNING AND I WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTION QUESTIONS.

>>MAYOR HURT: GO QUESTIONS OF TIM.

>> ANY CONCERN OF LINE-UP FOR THE NEW AUTO WASH, THE

HANDS-FREE WASH. >> THAT IS WHY THERE WAS A CONDITION ON THERE WITH THE COMPLIANCE OF THE APPROVAL OF THE SITE PLAN. THAT WAY WE CAN DOUBLE IT ALL

OUT. >> SHOW IT COMING STRAIGHT OFF THE DRIVEWAY APRON INTO THE THING AND FOR CARS.

>>MAYOR HURT: ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU, TIM. AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THE ITEM. COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? OR I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION I HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN CRAVER.

SECOND BY COUNCILMAN YATES. SO HE CAN GET ON THE MINUTES.

A DISCUSSION. WE ARE READY TO VOTE.

[14. Ordinance (Final Reading) TC-2023-04: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on A Request From Southside Baptist Church To Abandon An Alley Located At 1425 South 7th Street. (Tim Littlejohn)]

>>MAYOR HURT: MOVE TO ITEM 14, TIM, AND WE GOT SEVERAL.

>> NEXT UP FOR CONSIDERATION IS SOUTH SIDE BAPTIST CHURCH, THE REQUEST IS TO ABANDON AN ALLEY LOCATED BETWEEN SOUTH 7TH AND 8TH STREET. HERE IS THE EXHIBIT SHOWING THE ALLEY TO BE ABANDONED. HERE IS THE LOCATION MAP HERE IS THE CURRENT ZONING MAP. HERE ARE VIEWS OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY AND SURROUNDING. NOTIFICATION AREA ONE IN FAVOR, ZERO OPPOSED. P&Z IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL WITH THE SUBJECT RIGHT-OF-WAY AND ALL THE ADJOINING PROPERTIES WILL BE PLATTED WITHIN ONE YEAR. IF A REPLAT IS NOT APPROVED OR RECORDED FOR ONE YEAR, THE RIGHT-OF-WAY SHALL BE VOID.

AND THEN ANY UTILITIES THAT MAY BE LOCATED IN THE SUBJECT RIGHT-OF-WAY SHALL BE COVERED BY AN EASEMENT OR RELOCATED AT THE

[01:15:04]

OWNER'S EXPENSE AND I WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

>>MAYOR HURT: QUESTIONS OF TIM? THANK YOU.

ANYONE WHO LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM.

COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

WE ARE ON ITEM 14. SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION OR I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION. I HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN MVKINNEY. A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN REGAN.

FURTHER DISCUSSION. RIGHT SIDE TO VOTE.

[15. Ordinance (Final Reading) TC-2023-05: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on A Request From Brandon Lee And Mirran Cassidy Caddell to Abandon Hilton Head cul-de-sac, Abilene, Taylor County, Texas. (Tim Littlejohn)]

>>BLAISE REGAN: YES. >>MAYOR HURT: YES.

ITEM 15, TIM LITTLEJOHN AGAIN. >> TIM LITTLE JOHN." OWNERS BRANDON LEE AND MIRRAN CASSIDY CADELL.

ABANDON HILTON HEAD CUL-DE-SAC. THIS SHOWS THE ABANDONMENT REQUESTED. THE LOCATION MAP.

CURRENT ZONING. VIEWS OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY.

NOTIFICATION ZERO IN FAVOR. ZERO OPPOSED.

STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF A SUBJECT RIGHT-OF-WAY AND ALL ADJOINING PROPERTIES WILL BE PLATTED WITHIN ONE YEAR AND IF NOT IT WILL BE VOID. ANY UTILITIES THAT MAY BE LOCATED IN THE YEAH WILL BE COVERED BY THE EASEMENT AND RELOCATED. THE PROPOSED GATE MUST BE APPROVED BY PUBLIC WORKS DEPOSIT AND THE FIRE MARSHAL.

>>MAYOR HURT: ANY QUESTIONS. >> I WAS JUST CURIOUS.

A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ABANDONING COMPLETELY WHERE THE STREET GOES AWAY RATHER THAN MAKING IT A PRIVATE DRIVE.

>> IT WILL BE PRIVATE. >> IT SAID IN THERE THAT 911, THEY ARE HAVING TO CHANGE THEIR ADDRESSES FROM HILTON HEAD TO MEMORIAL DRIVE. A PRIVATE DRIVE WILL STILL HAVE

A STREET NAME, RIGHT? >> IT IS IN DISCUSSION TO KEEP THE SAME ADDRESSES BUT TURNING THEM INTO PRIVATE.

>> DOESN'T CHANGE THE ACTION WE TAKE TODAY.

>>TIM LITTLEJOHN: RIGHT. >> THEY CAN CHOOSE KEEP A

PRIVATE DRIVE OR ABANDON. >>MAYOR HURT: THANK YOU, TIM.

THOSE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST ITEM 15, AND PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

BJ PRICHARD, AGENT FOR THE APPLICANT.

JUST REALLY HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

ABOUT THIS. >>MAYOR HURT: ANY QUESTIONS FOR BJ? THANKS.

ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? IF NOT, I WILL SEPTA MOTION AND A SECOND. A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN YATES.

SECOND BY COUNCILMAN MCCALLISTER -- CRAVER, SORRY.

ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? WE ARE READY TO VOTE.

[16. Ordinance (Final Reading) Z-2023-14: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on A Request From Jose Valenzuela To Change The Zoning Of Approximately 1.95 Acres From Residential Single Family-6 (RS-6) To General Commercial (GC). Located At 1925 Henson Street. (Tim Littlejohn)]

>>LYNN BEARD: YES. >>MAYOR HURT: YES.

>>CLERK: MOTION CARRIES. >>MAYOR HURT: ITEM 16, TIM

LITTLEJOHN. >>TIM LITTLEJOHN: THANK YOU, MAJOR, FROM JOSE VALENZUELA, REQUEST.

FROM RS-6 TO GENERAL COMMERCIAL. 9 LOCATION AT 1925 HENSON STREET. HERE IS ZONING.

USE OF THE PROPERTIES. PERMITTED USES WITHIN RS-6.

PERMITTED USE WITNESS GENERAL COMMERCIAL.

NOTIFICATION, ONE IN FAVOR, TWO OPPOSED, 129.2% IN OPPOSITION.

THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

P&Z HEARD THE CASE AND RECOMMENDING APPROVAL.

>>MAYOR HURT: ANY QUESTIONS OF MR. LITTLEJOHN.

>> WERE THERE SPECIFIC OBJECTIONS RAISED DURING P&Z.

>> THEY ARE CONCERNED OF THE COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY NEXT TO THE

RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY. >>MAYOR HURT: THANK YOU, TIM.

ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM NUMBER 16, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION IN IF NOT, I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION AND

A SECOND. >> SO MOVED.

>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MCCALLISTER.

A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN YATES. FURTHER DISCUSSION?

WE ARE READY TO VOTE. >>KYLE MCALISTER: YES.

[17. Ordinance (Final Reading) Z-2023-21: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on A Request From CKG Rentals, LLC, Represented By Jacob & Martin, To Change The Zoning Of Approximately 2.00 Acres From Agricultural Open (AO) To General Commercial (GC). Located At 6010 Highway 277 South. (Tim Littlejohn)]

>>CLERK: MOTION CARRIES. ITEM NUMBER 17, TIM LITTLEJOHN.

[01:20:02]

>>TIM LITTLEJOHN: UP FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION, CASE Z 2023-21.

FIRST EVAIN GEL CAL METHODIST CHURCH.

6010 HIGHWAY 277 HERE IS THE LOCATION MAP SHOWING THE PROPERTY TO BE REZONED. THE ZONING MAP.

PERMITTED USES IN AGRICULTURE OPEN SPACE.

PERMITTED USES WITHIN GENERAL COMMERCIAL.

VIEWS OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY. NOTIFICATION MAP, ONE IN FAVOR, ZERO OPPOSED, THE REQUEST IS CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND PLANNING PRACTICES.

P&Z HEARD THIS CASE AND RECOMMENDING APPROVAL.

>>MAYOR HURT: DID THEY HAVE ANY INTENDED AUTO US?

>> THE PROPOSED USE IS CLIMATE-CONTROLLED SELF-STORAGE.

THE PROPERTY -- JUST TO THE SHADED AREA TO THE EAST OF THAT.

IT WILL BE REPLATTEDED INTO ONE AND IT WILL ALL BECOME

SELF-STORAGE. >>MAYOR HURT: ANY MORE QUESTIONS FOR TIM? THANK YOU.

ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR FOR AGAINST THIS ITEM NUMBER 17. PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE

YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. >> GOOD MORNING, AGENT FOR THE DEVELOPER. THIS ZONING REQUEST IS TO SUPPORT A CONDITIONED SELF-STORAGE FACILITY.

MY CLIENT CURRENTLY OWNS THE PROPERTY JUST SOUTHWEST OF THIS TWO-ACRE TRACT THAT FRONTS HIGHWAY 277.

NOT AN EXPANSION OF THE SITE'S EXISTING SELF-STORAGE.

MY CLIENT IS UNDER CONTRACT TO PURCHASE THE TWO ACRES FROM THE CHURCH. THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF WHAT THE USE -- WHAT THE PROPOSED USE IS GOING TO BE AND I BELIEVE THEY ARE IN SUPPORT. LIKE P&Z, WE BELIEVE THIS IS

APPROPRIATE AT THIS LOCATION. >>MAYOR HURT: ANY QUESTIONS

OF TAO. >> SIR, IT IS NOT AN EXPANSION

OF THE EXISTING SELF-STORAGE? >> NO, SIR.

>> WHERE IS THE ACCESS GOING TO COME FROM.

>> 277. THIS TWO-ACRE TRACT IS CONNECTED TO THE PROPERTY THAT FRONTS 277. TO THE SOUTHWEST.

IT IS TO THE SOUTHWST -- I CAN'T READ THE NUMBER.

>> 6018, 6026. >> 6518.

>> IS THE DEVELOPER -- OWNS THAT 6018 PLAT THERE, AND THEY ARE GOING TO CONNECT THIS BACK THROUGH THERE?

>> YES, SIR. I GOT IT.

THANK YOU. >>MAYOR HURT: ANY QUESTIONS OF TAO. THANK YOU.

STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING. SEEING NO ONE ELSE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT, I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION AND A SECOND.

A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN CRAVER. A SECOND BY DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM

BEARD. >>TRAVIS CRAVER: YES.

>>BLAISE REGAN: YES. >>SHANE PRICE: YES.

[18. Ordinance (Final Reading) Z-2023-22: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on A Request From Teartex, LLC To Change The Zoning Of Approximately 6.0 Acres From Heavy Commercial (HC) To Planned Development District 182 To Allow A Vacation Travel Trailer Park In Addition To The Existing Uses Of The Property. Located At 1075 East Highway 80. (Tim Littlejohn)]

>>MAYOR HURT: ITEM 18. >>TIM LITTLEJOHN: 2023-22.

PRESIDENT TEARTEX IT THE OWNER TO CHANGE FROM HC TO PLANNED DEVELOPMENT. LOCATED AT 1075 EAST HIGHWAY 80.

HERE IS THE ZONING MAP. THE CONSENSUAL PLAN.

BUSINESSES TO THE NORTH WILL REMAIN WHAT THEY ARE NOW WITH THE CANVAS SHOP, ETC., AND THE EXTENSION IN THE BACK TO THE SOUTH IS WHERE THE VACATION TRAVEL TRAILER PARK IS PROPOSED.

IT IS CURRENTLY BEING USED AS AN RV STORAGE PARK.

HERE IS USE OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY.

NOTIFICATION MAP. WE DIDN'T RECEIVE ANY IN FAVOR OR OPPOSED. P&Z HEARD THIS REQUEST AND RECOMMENDING FOR YOU APPROVAL. I WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY

QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE. >>MAYOR HURT: ANY QUESTIONS OF TIM? THANK YOU.

ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM NUMBER 18, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT, I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION

AND A SECOND. >> YOU KNOW I DRIVE THAT INTERSECTION EVERY DAY. AND I WAS JUST THINKING THAT SOMETHING NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN THAT INTERSECTION AND I AM SO GLAD SOMEBODY IS STEPPING UP. AND HOPEFULLY -- BECAUSE THAT

[01:25:03]

INTERSECTION IS -- NEEDS SOME TLC AND GLAD SOMEBODY IS PUTTING EFFORT INTO THAT AND I WILL PUT THAT IN THE FORM OF A

MOTION. >>MAYOR HURT: A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN MCCALLISTER. A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN REGAN.

READY TO VOTE. >>KYLE MCALISTER: YES.

[19. Ordinance (Final Reading) Z-2023-23: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on A Request From Industrial Blocks, LLC, Paul Grohman, And Frenchman’s Creek Townhome Owners Association, Represented By Jacob & Martin, To Change The Zoning Of Approximately 2.21 Acres From Medium Density Residential (MD) And PDD-45 To Medium Density Residential (MD). Located At 45, 61, And 71 Rue Maison Street. (Tim Littlejohn)]

>>CLERK: MOTION CARRIES. >>MAYOR HURT: ITEM 19, TIM

LITTLEJOHN. >>TIM LITTLEJOHN: THANK YOU,Z-2023-22. APPLICANT JACOB MARTIN, TO MEDIUM DENSITY. HERE IS THE LOCATION MAP.

THE CURRENT ZONING MAP AND THE PERMITTED USES WITHIN GR AND MEDIUM DENSITY. USE OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY.

THREE IN FAVOR, ZERO OPPOSED. P &Z HEARD THIS REQUEST SAND RECOMMEND FOR YOU THIS MORNING APPROVAL.

AND I WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

>>MAYOR HURT: ANY QUESTIONS OF TIM.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVEN'T SEEN THIS AREA AND A UNIQUE AREA AND

HAPPY TO SEE IT DEVELOP. >> THE REQUEST IS AN EXTENSION

OF THAT. >>MAYOR HURT: AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE

YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. >> GOOD MORNING, AGAIN, AGENT FOR THE PROPERTY OWNERS. THIS REQUEST IS SIMPLY AN EFFORT TO EXPAND THE FRENCHMAN CREEK DEVELOPMENT WITH A HANDFUL OF MORE TOWN HOME UNITS WHERE WE REQUESTED THE REZONE.

SO WE BELIEVE IT IS APPROPRIATE AT THIS LOCATION AND ASK FOR

YOUR SUPPORT. >>MAYOR HURT: QUESTIONS FOR TAO.

THANK YOU. STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING, ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 19? SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT, I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION

AND A SECOND. >>LYNN BEARD: SO MOVED.

>>SHANE PRICE: SECOND. >>MAYOR HURT: FURTHER DISCUSSION? READY TO VOTE.

>>BRIAN YATES: YES. >>KYLE MCALISTER: OUI!

>>MAYOR HURT: YES. >>CLERK: MOTION CARRIED --

[20. Ordinance (Final Reading) Z-2023-25: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on A Request From PB 6950, LLC, Represented By Jacob & Martin, To Change The Zoning Of Approximately 3.6 Acres From Medium Density Residential (MD) And Patio Home (PH) To General Retail (GR). Located At 6817x Horse Head Crossing. (Tim Littlejohn)]

>> IRRITATION SO NOTED, MAYOR. [LAUGHTER]

>>MAYOR HURT: THANK YOU. >> UP FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IS Z 2023-25. AGENT IS JACOB AND MARTIN ZONE FROM MD TO PH TO GR GENERAL RETAIL.

6817 HORSE HEAD CROSSING. LOCATION MAP.

THE CURRENT MAP. AND VIEW THE SUBJECT PROPERTY.

PERMITTED USES WITHIN PD, MD. WITH PATIO HOME ZONING AND PERMITTED USES WITHIN GENERAL RETAIL ZONING.

HERE IS A NOTIFICATION MAP. WE DID RECEIVE ONE IN FAVOR.

ZERO OPPOSED. P &Z HEARD THE REQUEST AND RECOMMENDING FOR YOU APPROVAL. I WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY

QUESTIONS. >>MAYOR HURT: ANY QUESTIONS OF

MR. LITTLEJOHN. >> I DIDN'T MORE ABOUT THE

INTENDED USE? >>TIM LITTLEJOHN: I DIDN'T HEAR OF A INTENDED USE BUT MORE MARKETABLE SINCE IT IS A MAJOR

ARTERIAL THERE. >>MAYOR HURT: THANK YOU, TIM.

ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

>> AGENT FOR THE DEVELOPER. THIS ZONING REQUEST IS TO SUPPORT CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF REALLY WHAT IS A MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT FROM THIS LOCATION EAST TO HIGHWAY 83, 84.

MY CLIENT ALSO OWN AS SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF PROPERTY TO THE SOUTH. AND WOULD BED ONE INSTALLING MEMORIAL DRIVE AND EXTENDING THAT TO THE SOUTH.

HE ALSO REZONED THE ORIGINAL RQUEST WITH PATIO HOME.

AND IT WAS A SPECULATIVE ZONING AT THE TIME.

AS THIS PROPERTY CONTINUES TO DEVELOP, HE FEELS LIKE THE DIRECTION WE NEED TO GO IS WITH GENERAL RETAIL AT THIS LOCATION.

I WON'T -- WE HAD QUITE A BIT OF DISCUSSION AT PLANNING AND ZONING ON THIS PARTICULAR ZONING C

[01:30:01]

CASE. I AM SURE YOU HAVE WATCHED SOME IF NOT ALL OF THAT, BUT I WON'T DIVE INTO THAT THIS MORNING FOR TIME SAKE, BUT I WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS IF I

CAN. >>MAYOR HURT: THANK YOU.

STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE ELSE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 20, FOR OR AGAINST AT IN TIME? SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT, I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION

AND A SECOND. >> SO MOVED.

>>MAYOR HURT: A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN YATES.

>>KYLE MCALISTER: SECOND. >>MAYOR HURT: A SECOND BY

COUNCILMAN MCCALLISTER. >>BRIAN YATES: YES.

[21. Ordinance (Final Reading) Z-2023-27: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on A Request From Melinda Hill And Rebecca King Represented By Matthew Musechenko To Change The Zoning Of Approximately 3.4 Acres From Agricultural Open To Multi-Family (MF). Located At 2349 And 2333 Huckleberry Lane. (Tim Littlejohn)]

>>BLAISE REGAN: YES. >>WELDON HURT: YES.

>>CLERK: MOTION CARRIES. >>MAYOR HURT: ITEM 21, TIM

LITTLEJOHN. >>TIM LITTLEJOHN: THANK YOU, MAJOR,Z-2023-27, OWNER MELINDA HILL AND REBECCA KING.

REPRESENTED BY MAT MATTHEW MUSECHENKO, ZONING 3.4 ACRES FROM AGRICULTURE OPEN TO MULTIFAMILY AND 2349, 2333 THE ZONING MAP, PERMITTED USE US.

IN OPEN SPACE. PERMITTED USES WITHIN MULTIFAMILY DISTRICT. VIEWS OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY.

NOTIFICATION MAP. WE RECEIVED ONE OPPOSED RESULTING IN A 67.02% IN OPPOSITION.

P&Z HEARD THIS CASE AND RECOMMENDING TO YOU APPROVAL.

AND I WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE.

>>MAYOR HURT: ANY QUESTIONS OF TIM THANK YOU, TIM.

ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM.

COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

>> I HAVE TWO CARDS ON THIS ONE, MR. MAYOR.

>>MAYOR HURT: OH, I AM SORRY. WE WILL GET THE CARDS.

I APOLOGIZE. >> GOOD MORNING, MATT MATTHEW MUSECHENKO, PAUL JOHNSONSON AND ASSOCIATES I REPRESENT THE SELLER AND THE BUYERS.

>>MAYOR HURT: ANY QUESTIONS FOR MATTHEW? OKAY. WE DID HAVE CARDS.

THANK YOU, MATTHEW.

>>. >> TWO CARDS.

FIRST IS KELLY COUCH. >> GOOD MORNING, SHANNON COUCH.

I CREATED A HANDOUT FOR YOU GUYS AND A LOT OF DETAIL TO GO OVER.

FEEL FREE TO STOP ME AT ANY TIME AND ASK QUESTIONS.

MY WIFE, KELLY, IS ALSO WITH ME. WE ARE AT THE PROPERTY ABOVE OR TO THE SOUTH OF PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT.

A LITTLE HISTORY. MULTIFAMILY ZONING CHANGE AS YOU KNOW. WE PURCHASED OUR PROPERTY IN 1999. REASON WE DID, WE NEEDED A LARGER SPACE TO RAISE OUR SON. QUIET ENVIRONMENT AND BASE AND MY SALARY, SOMETHING THAT WAS AFFORDABLE SO WE COULD TAKE CARE OF PAYMENTS AND MY SON'S MEDICAL NEEDS.

ON MY FAMILY, OVER 100 YEARS, FOUR GENERATIONS NOW.

WE ARE DEEPLY ROOTED IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I AM A PUBLIC SERVANT AND KELLY IS A HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL.

MY PARENTS, GREAT GRANDPARENTS, FATHER, NOW MY SON ARE BURIED HERE. KELLY AND I ARE DEEPLY COMMITTED TO OUR COMMUNTY FOR SERVICE AND OTHER THINGS.

IF YOU GO TO PAGE TWO SO I CAN GET BACK ON THE RAILS HERE.

MY CONCERNS ARE THIS. WHEN AN APARTMENT COMPLEX WILL TO DO OUR QUALITY OF LIFE AND HAPPINESS.

THE DEFINITION OF "QUALITY OF LIFE" DEFINED, A STANDARD OF HEALTH, COMFORT AND HAPPINESS EXPERIENCED BY INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS. THE FACTORS.

OUTLINE, FIVE KEY FACTORS. THE MAIN ONE IS CRIME, LITTERING AND ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOR THAT COMES WITH TENANTS IN APARTMENT COMPLEXES. NOT KNOCKING THE APARTMENT COMPLEX THEMSELVES BUT THE FOLKS THERE.

THEY ARE TRANSIENT. WE ARE PERMANENT.

WE ARE DEEPLY ROOTED IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE CARE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY, AND WE WANT TO STAY WHERE WE ARE AT.

WHY I AM OPPOSED, TAKE A DEEP DIVE IN THE SAFETY CONCERNS.

I OUTLINED THEM BASED ON LEXUS AND NEXUS.

PERSONAL CONCERNS ABOUT FOR ME. THE NUMBERS ARE PROBABLY A LITTLE LOW, BUT WE WILL GO WITH THAT.

HEALTH ISSUES FOR US ARE THE STRESS AND UNHAPPINESS THAT A APARTMENT COMPLEX ONLY 15 FEET AWAY FROM OUR HOME WILL CAUSE US. HYPERTENSION, HEART DISEASE, FATIGUE-RELATED ILLNESSES, MENTAL IMPAIRMENT, DEPRESSION, OBESE TEASE, DIABETES SO ON AND SO FORTH.

STRESS OF HAVING APARTMENT COMPLEX ABUTTING RIGHT UP TO MY PROPERTY LINE IS OVERWHELMING FOR US TO IMAGINE RIGHT NOW.

OUR CURRENT LIFESTYLE WILL BE TAKEN AWAY FROM US.

AND WE WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH APARTMENT COMPLEX MANAGEMENT AS WELL. HOW WILL THEY HANDLE LITTERING,

[01:35:02]

GRAFFITI, TENANTS NOT FOLLOWING THE RULES, SO ON AND SO FORTH.

IN THE MEANTIME WHILE THE SLOW PROCESS IS TAKING PLACE, WE LIVE WITH THOSE PROBLEMS ONLY 15 FEET AWAY FROM US.

SO I SKIP DOWN TO PROPERTY MANAGEMENT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHOLE BE OR WHAT COMPANY WILL MANAGE THIS. FROM MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, I SEE THAT THEY ARE SLOW TO TAKE CARE OF NONTENANT OR TENANT VIOLATIONS. HENCE I DEAL WITH THAT AT MY JOB. POOR OR ILL TRAINED PROPERTY MANAGERS THAT CAN'T STAND UP TO THOSE TENANTS WHEN THEY CAUSE PROBLEMS. THE REPEATED SELLING OF COMPLEX PROPERTY BY THE INVESTMENT COMPANIES THEMSELVES.

PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT THE CRIME-RELATED STUFF.

I WENT JUST TWO YEARS ON IT. ASSAULTS AND ASSAULTS ON PERSONS, CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS ARE THE HIGHEST FOLLOWED BY VANDALISM AND THEN ARREST, PROTECTED ORDER, HARASSMENT, STALKING, SO ON AND SO FORTH. QUESTIONS DOWN AT THE BOTTOM TO HAVE A CLOSING STATEMENT BEFORE I LEAVE THE PODIUM.

I HAVE TEN OF THEM. MY CONCERNS ARE GENERALLY --

>>MAYOR HURT: YOUR TIME IS UP. >> I AM SO SORRY.

>>MAYOR HURT: THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

KELLY COUCH. >> HELLO, I AM KELLY COUCH.

I LIVE IN ABILENE, TEXAS. AS SHANNON SAID, I AM HIS WIFE.

I WANT TO THANK THE COUNCIL FOR LETTING US COME BEFORE YOU FOR THE PLAN TO CHANGE THE PLAN TO MULTIFAMILY IS NOT A GOOD IDEA FOR US AND THE LONG-TIME COMMITTED CITIZENS OF ABILENE.

I LIVED IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD SINCE 1968.

AND THAT IS A LONG TIME. MY PARENTS OWN PROPERTY THERE.

[CRYING] I AM SORRY.

I KNOW MY TIME IS TICKING AWAY. >>MAYOR HURT: I HAVE GOT IT STOPPED. WHEN YOU ARE READY.

>> I AM SORRY. THERE ARE A LOT OF EMOTIONAL THINGS BEHIND CURRENT SITUATIONS THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS. I WOULD SAY THAT LIVING IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD FOR -- SINCE WE MOVED BACK IN '99 FOR 39 YEARS IN THIS AREA TO SAY THAT WE HAVE AN INVESTMENT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND OUR COMMUNITY. WE WORKED HARD MAKING OUR HOME A SANCTUARY FOR OUR FAMILY. AND OUR SON.

JOYFUL MEMORIES THERE AND WE PLAN TO RETIRE THERE.

WE HAD TO HALT OUR PLANS FOR OTHER IMPROVEMENTS BECAUSE OF THE CHANGES THAT THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMITTEE HAVE DECIDED THAT IS NOT FAIR TO US. I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE BEEN BLINDSIDED ABOUT HAVING A NOTICE IN ONE WEEK PRIOR TO SAYING THIS IS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO. ANY TIME DID ANYBODY EVER SAY, WHAT WILL IT TO DO THIS FAMILY? I DON'T THINK IT EVER CAME TO THAT. I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT ALL WORKS.

THAT WAS MY FIRST EXPERIENCE HERE.

AND I KNOW THAT THE -- THAT THE PEOPLE THAT WEREN'T IN THE LITTLE ZONES AREN'T HERE TO TALK ABOUT HOW THEY FEEL THINGS OF HAVING A -- AN APARTMENT COMPLEX SITTING RIGHT ON TOP OF YOU.

I DON'T KNOW. THAT DOESN'T SEEM FAIR AND KIND OF BLINDSIDED BY ALL OF IT. I KNOW WHEN YOU THINK OF AN INVESTOR OR DEVELOPMENT COMPANY COMING FROM SAN ANTONIO AND I REALIZE THAT THEY HAVE SOME TIES HERE AT SOME POINT, BUT IT ONLY BENEFITS THEM. IT IS ABOUT MAKING MONEY AND NOT THE WELFARE OF THOSE THAT ARE AFFECTING HUGE, HUGE CHANGES FOR US. SO WE ARE A STILL THAT PUTS OUR CITIZENS FIRST, RIGHT. I THINK THAT IS A BLANKET STATEMENT MY WHOLE LIFE THAT I LIVED HERE.

I CAN'T REMEMBER THE LIGHTS, THE NOISE, THE STICKY FINGERS AND OUR PROPERTY WILL BE CHAINED AND MILLING IN OUR BUSINESS ALL THE TIME. IT IS JUST -- I DON'T KNOW, NOT RIGHT. OF COURSE SHANNON HAS GIVEN YOU ALL THE STATISTICS ON CRIME AND ABOUT APARTMENT DWELLING.

I AM NOT AGAINST PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN APARTMENTS, BUT WE LIVE DOWN THE STREET BUT NOTHING BUT CRIME.

PEOPLE WALKING AROUND DAY AND NIGHT, DAY AND NIGHT.

MY QUESTION IS WHY IS A HIGH-END APARTMENT COMPLEX GOING TO BE BUILT IN WHAT IS CONSIDERED A LOW-INCOME AREA OF A TOWN -- IN OUR TOWN, IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.

[01:40:03]

WE WERE TOLD THE APARTMENT PROCESSING BY THE GENTLEMAN THAT IS REPRESENTING THEM ABOUT $1500 A MONTH.

WHO IS GOING TO PAY THAT? SORRY, I HAVE ANOTHER PAGE.

BUT I -- I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE CITY COUNCIL TO HAVE COMPASSION AND PLEASE REVERSE THE DECISION OF THE ZONING COMMITTEE.

DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR US?

>>MAYOR: THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>>MAYOR HURT: WE ARE STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME ON ITEM 21? SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ANY DISCUSSION? >> I HAD A FEW QUESTIONS FOR TIM LITTL LITTLEJOHN.

>>MAYOR HURT: TIM, PLEASE. >> TIM, ON THIS, IN THE PACKET, THE PICTURES OF THE APARTMENTS, IS THAT THE PROPOSED DESIGN OR

JUST STOCK PHOTOS. >>TIM LITTLEJOHN: PROPOSED

DESIGN FROM THE APPLICANT. >> OKAY, AND THE PROPERTY OF THE -- LAST NAME WAS COUCH, IS THAT RIGHT? YES. BACKS UP TO THE EAST IS A

MULTIHOUSE -- >> MOBILE HOME.

>> MOBILE HOME. MULTI-- MULTIHOUSING ALREADY THERE ON THEIR EAST SIDE, CORRECT?

>> YES. >> AND IT IS RESIDENTIAL TO

THEIR SOUTH, CORRECT? >>TIM LITTLEJOHN: RIGHT.

>> THE ACCESS TO THE EXISTING MOBILE HOME PROPERTY IS ON

HUCKLE BERRY, CORRECT? >>TIM LITTLEJOHN: THAT'S

CORRECT. >> THE ACCESS TO THIS NEW APARTMENT IF IT IS APPROVED, THE ACCESS WOULD BE ON HUCKLE BERRY

OR OLD ANSON ROAD. >>TIM LITTLEJOHN: COULD BE BOTH.

WE DON'T SEE THE DESIGN YET. PROPERTY POSED ELEVATION IS WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN, BUT WE HAVEN'T SEEN A LAYOUT.

BUT OLD INNER LOOPANSON AND HUCKLE BERRY, COLLECTOR OF TWO

MAJOR ROADS. >> OKAY.

WOULD THERE BE A BUFFER BETWEEN THE COUCH'S PROPERTY AND THE

APARTMENT COMPLEX. >>TIM LITTLEJOHN: TIMBERWOLVES BUFFER REQUIREMENTS OF MULTIFAMILY AND RESIDENTIAL.

I FORGOT OFF THE TYPE, IF IT IS TYPE A OR TYPE B, BUT THERE WILL

BE A BUFFERING REQUIREMENT. >> NO FURTHER QUESTIONS.

>> THERE IS -- I GUESS IS A PSEUDOSITE PLAN LOOKS LIKE PAGE 490. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE, IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, AND I DON'T KNOW MR. HANNA WHAT OUR ABILITIES ARE, BUT ON THE -- ON THE LINE WHERE ABUTS TO THE COUCH'S PROPERTY.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF WE COULD REALLY MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS A SOLID -- NOT TREES, NOT -- I MEAN, A SOLID FENCE THERE.

AND ALSO, ASK THE DEVELOPER TO REARRANGE THAT PARKING SO THAT THE PARKING SPOTS FACE BACK INTO THE APARTMENT COMPLEX INSTEAD OF THE LIGHTS FACING TOWARD THEIR PROPERTY.

>>ROB HANNA: IT IS NOT CONDITIONAL, SO WE CAN'T PUT CONDITIONS ON IT. EITHER YES OR NO.

>>MAYOR HURT: YOU CAN'T PUT CONDITIONS ON IT.

BECAUSE IT IS NOT A C.U.P. >>ROB HANNA: YOU CAN ASK NICELY BUT THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO DO IT.

>>KYLE MCALISTER: BUT THERE ARE BUFFER REQUIREMENTS?

OKAY. >>MAYOR HURT: ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT, I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION AND A SECOND.

>> SO MOVED. >>MAYOR HURT: A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN REGAN. I DO NOT HAVE A SECOND.

>> MAYOR, UNDER OUR RULES OF PROCEDURES IT FAILED LACK OF A SECOND. MAY BE CLEANER TO DENY.

STANLEY, DO THEY HAVE TO DENY IT OR FAILED DENY BY RIGHT?

>>STANLEY SMITH: FAIL IF THERE IS NO SECOND.

>>MAYOR HURT: AND ITS NOT FAILED UNDER PREJUDICE, BUT THEY HAVE TO -- IN ORDER FOR THIS TO COME BACK FOR THE ZONING CATEGORY TO COME BACK AT LEAST A YEAR, IS THAT CORRECT?

>>STANLEY SMITH: YES. >>MAYOR HURT: MOTION FAILS DUE TO LACK OF A SECOND. A MOTION TO DENY? SINCE THE MOTION TO APPROVE FAILED.

MOTION TO DENY? IS THAT --

>>STANLEY SMITH: YOU DON'T NEED ONE.

IF IT FAILS, IT IS EQUIVALENT TO DENIAL.

>> YOU DON'T NEED ONE. I THINK IT IS CLEANER, BUT YOU

[01:45:03]

DON'T NEED ONE. >>MAYOR HURT: MOTION FAILED.

[22. Ordinance (Final Reading): Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Approving the Revised 2022-2023 Budget (Mike Rains)]

MOVE TO ITEM 22, ASK MIKE RAINS, FINANCE DIRECTOR TO PRESENT THIS

ITEM. >>MIKE: GOOD MORNING, MIKE RAINS, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE. THE NEXT FOUR ITEMS ARE BUDGET ORDINANCES. FIRST ITEM IS THE APPROVAL OF THE REVISED 2022-2023 BUDGET. COUNCIL, ON THE BUDGET WORKSHOP ON JULY 24, APPROVED APPEAR BUDGET.

SINCE THAT TIME, WE HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE $409,690 THAT NEEDED TO BE ADDED TO THE TECHNOLOGY FUND.

WE PREVIOUSLY HAD APPROVED PROJECTS FOR THEIR BUDGET, BUT THEY HAD NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THE FINAL BUDGET NUMBERS.

SO WE ARE REQUESTING THAT THOSE BE INCLUDED.

HERE IS A SCHEDULE THAT SHOWS THAT INCREASE.

SO WE ARE REQUESTING A BUDGET OF $326,897,656 FOR THE REVISED BUDGET. HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

>>MAYOR HURT: ANY QUESTIONS FROM MIKE?

>> WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE US ON THE FUND BALANCE AS FAR AS OUR

THREE-MONTH WINDOW. >> WON'T EFFECT THE GENERAL FUND. THIS IS ONLY THE TECHNOLOGY FUND. THE GENERAL FUND WILL BE FINE.

THE TECHNOLOGY FINE WILL HAVE A 1,290,000 OF FUND BALANCE LEFT.

>>MAYOR HURT: ANY QUESTIONS OF MIKE? THANK YOU, MIKE. AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE WHO WOULD SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM, COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. ITEM 22.

SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT, I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION

AND A SECOND. >> SO MOVED.

>>MAYOR HURT: A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN CRAVER.

A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN YATES. FURTHER DISCUSSION?

IF NOT, WE ARE READY TO VOTE. >>TRAVIS CRAVER: YES.

>>SHANE PRICE: YES. >>LYNN BEARD: YES WITH

ABSTENTION THAT IS FILED. >>BLAISE REGAN: YES.

[23. Ordinance (Final Reading): Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Approving the Proposed 2023-2024 Budget (Mike Rains)]

>>WELDON HURT: YES. >>CLERK: MOTION CARRIES.

>>MAYOR HURT: ITEM 23. AND ASK MIKE RAINS TO PRESENT

THIS ITEM. >>MIKE: ITEM 23 IS THE APPROVING OF THE 2023-2024 BUDGET. COUNCIL AGREED ON FIRST READING 344,055,658. SINCE THAT TIME WE GOT THE FINAL CERTIFIED APPRAISED VALUES FROM THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT AND MODIFIED THOSE REVENUES SOMEWHAT.

WE TRIED TO ATTEMPT TO BRING IN THE SAME AMOUNT OF REVENUES SO ADJUSTED THE TAX SLIGHTLY. WE SHOULD A SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC CONTRACT NOT IN THE BUDGET PREVIOUSLY AND ADDED A LIEUTENANT POSITION IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

IN ADDITION, WE ADDED IMPROVEMENTS TOTALING $93,700 FOR THE CITY SPLASH PADS FOR SHADE STRUCTURES AND BENCHES INTO THE MINOR IMPROVEMENT FUND OF THE PROJECT.

SO WHAT WE ARE RECOMMENDING, AGAIN, THE $49,000 ON THE BEGINNING FUND BALANCE FOR THE REVISED BUDGET, RECOMMENDING LOWER REVENUES 24,980 A ROUNDING NUMBER FROM THE APPRAISED VALUE ADJUSTMENT, INCREASING EXPENDITURE BUSINESS ANOTHER $142,543. TO RESULT IN A $344,198,211 BUDGET. SO UNDER STATE LAW, TWO VOTES ARE REQUIRED TO APPROVE THIS BUDGET.

ONE IS APPROVING IT WITH THE SPECIFIC AMOUNT OF MONEY AND ANOTHER IS TO RATIFY THAT THE BUDGET WILL COST MORE THAN LAST YEAR'S BUDGET RELATED TO TAX RATES.

THIS WILL BE THE FINAL VOTE ON THE '24 BUDGETS.

AND I WILL HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

>>MAYOR HURT: QUESTIONS OF MIKE. >> SO THE NEW FINAL ENDING FUND BALANCE, WHERE DOES THAT PUT ON TO OUR THREE MONTHS.

>>MIKE: WE SHOULD BE FINE ON THAT.

>> AT OR JUST ABOVE. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

>>MAYOR HURT: ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? AT THIS TIME, I WILL TO ESPECIALLY UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM, COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR

THE RECORD, ITEM NUMBER 23. >> GOOD MORNING.

I AM JOHN ENGLISH. AND WE HAVE A GROUP HERE THAT IS HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR PICKLEBALL IN ABILENE.

WE ARE USING AT THE PRESENT TIME THE FACILITY AT ROAD PARK THE GYM THAT IS NEXT TO -- OR ADJACENT TO THE TENNIS FACILITY, BUT IT IS SMALL. THERE ARE TWO COURTS THERE.

WE ARE ABLE TO USE THE FACILITY FOR A FEW HOURS ON MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS. BUT WE HAVE GOT A GROWING GROUP.

AND THERE IS JUST NOT A NUMBER -- WE HAVE OUTGROWN IT WE ALSO

[01:50:05]

USE THE FACILITY AT MCMURRAY. THEY ARE GRACIOUS -- THAT'S ACTUALLY WHERE THEY STARTED. THEY ARE GRACIOUS ENOUGH TO LET US LOAN THEIR IF A FACILITY FOR TWO MORNINGS A WEEK FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS. AND THEY HAVE FOUR COURTS THERE WHICH THAT IS GREAT, BUT WE -- WE ARE IN THE BUDGET FOR EIGHT COURTS, PICKLEBALL COURTS AT ROSE PARK.

AND WE JUST WANT TO LET EVERYBODY KNOW THAT WE NEED THAT FACILITY. AND, YOU KNOW, THERE AGAIN, WHEN PEOPLE LOOK AT MOVING TO ABILENE, OF COURSE, THEY LOOK AT SCHOOLS. THEY LOOK AT THE INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES. AND WE EVEN HAVE PEOPLE THAT WILL CALL US AND E-MAIL US THROUGH OUR FACEBOOK PAGE THAT COME IN TO VISIT FAMILY FOR TWO WEEKS OR A MONTH OR WHATEVER FROM CHICAGO, FROM NEW YORK, ARIZONA, COLORADO, DIFFERENT PLACES. LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO PLAY PICKLEBALL AND TO PLAY IN WITH OUR GROUP.

AND SO -- IT IS JUST ANOTHER ASSET FOR ABILENE TO HAVE PICKLEBALL TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE.

THANK YOU. >> I WOULD JUST LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO POINT OUT THE FLAWS IN COUNCILMAN CRAVER FOR SEVERAL MEETINGS AGO THAT IT IS ONLY FOR T

THE. >>TRAVIS CRAVER: I NEVER SAID THAT. NEVER SAID THE THING.

>> A GENERATIONAL THING. >> I AM GLAD YOU BROUGHT THAT UP, BECAUSE WE HAVE YOUNGSTERS AND WE HAVE OLDSTERS.

>> AMEN. >> WAYNE HERE IN THE GREEN SHIRT, HE IS 83. I AM ABOUT TO TURN 78.

>> THAT IS AWESOME. >> I NEVER SEEN A PICKLEBALL

UNTIL TODAY. >> YEAH, IT'S -- IT IS A WHIFFLE BALL, YOU KNOW. IT IS DESIGNED FOR PICKLEBALL THOUGH. THERE IS AN INDOOR BALL AND A OUTDOOR BALL, THE DIFFERENCE IS THE SIZE OF THE HOLES.

THE PADDLE IS A LITTLE BIT LARGER THAN A PING-PONG PADDLE, BUT IT IS ON A -- IT IS ON -- THE COURT IS SMALLER THAN A TENNIS COURT. SO THERE IS LESS ROOM TO COVER, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF ACTIVITY. YOU CAN WORK UP A GOOD SWEAT I GUARANTEE YOU AND A LOT OF FUN. YOU MEET A LOT OF NEAT PEOPLE

TOO. >>MAYOR HURT: STILL ON ITEM 23.

>> TAMMY FOGLE, CITIZENS OF ABILENE.

I HOPE Y'ALL WOKE UP THIS MORNING EXCITED WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE CITY. I DON'T KNOW WHY, BUT I KNOW GOD IS DOING SOMETHING. I WOKE UP JUST READY TO TAKE ON THE CHALLENGES AHEAD. AND I THINK THAT IS KIND OF IMPRESSIVE, BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE WHO START TO DIVE IN AND BECOME MORE INFORMED DON'T ALWAYS STAY POSITIVE.

AND SO I HOPE TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT TO CITIZENS THAT WE ENGAGE IN HEALTHY COMMUNICATION. SO I STARTED COMING TO CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AND I REALIZED THAT I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON. SO I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE CITY COUNCIL PACKET. AND LEARNED THAT I GET TO READ A LOT. AND THROUGH THAT, I HAVE LEARNED MORE OF WHAT IS GOING ON. I LIKEN IT LIKE A CONVERSATION.

THERE IS A TABLE AND ONLY ENOUGH CHAIRS FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON AND NO WAY TO KNOW HOW TO ENTER THE CONVERSATION UNTIL YOU HAVE THAT ACCESS TO THE PACKET.

ONCE YOU DO, YOU CAN GO, OH, I KNOW WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.

AND SO I TOOK IT THE NEXT STEP AND COME TO THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING FOR THE BUDGET. I THOUGHT IT WAS TWO DAYS.

A LITTLE OVERWHELMED. CUT IT DOWN TO ONE.

AND NOT MUCH TO PREPARE FOR AND NOT INCLUDED IN THE PACKET BEFOREHAND. I DO MY DUE DILIGENCE AND I BELIEVE IN EXCELLENCE IN ALL THINGS AND PRINTED OUT MY OWN COPY OF THE BUDGET, I MADE NOTES AND I HAD FOUND I SHOULD BE ABLE TO READ THIS WITHOUT MUCH INTERPRETATION.

I FEEL LIKE YOU GIVE ME THIS PAPER, THIS PACKET I SHOULD READ AND UNDERSTAND, BUT I REALIZE A LOT OF CONFUSING AND UNCLEAR INFORMATION AND SO IT IS REALLY HARD FOR ME TO FOLLOW.

AND I AM AN AVERAGE CITIZEN. AND I FEEL LIKE IF I COULD LOOK AT A BUDGET, I KNOW WHAT A BUDGET SAYS.

SO THERE IS NO -- WELL, WHAT IS INTERESTING IS, I NOTICED DURING THE CAMPAIGN LAST SPRING, THAT BUDGET WAS A LOT THICKER AND HAD A LOT MORE INFORMATION THAN THIS ONE DID.

AS A CITIZEN, I WOULD LOVE IT IF YOU WOULD INCLUDE MORE INFORMATION IN THIS, IF I DON'T WANT TO COME UP AND ASK QUESTIONS OR E-MAIL YOU TO ASK QUESTIONS, I CAN JUST FIND IT AND RECOGNIZE WHAT IS GOING ON IN THIS BUDGET PACKET.

IT SHOULD BE SELF-CONTAINED AND UNFORTUNATELY THERE IS NO GUIDE HOW TO MAKE THIS WORK. SO STILL NOT DISCOURAGED.

[01:55:04]

I AM A LOT SMARTER. MY BRAIN HAS A LOT MORE WRINKLES IN IT. THANK YOU FOR MAKE THIS ACCESSIBLE SO WE KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE BUDGET AND LOOKING FORWARD TO UNDERSTANDING IT MORE AND MORE WITH EACH PASSING DAY AND EXPERIENCE AND OPPORTUNITY TO BE A CITIZEN IN ABILENE. I HOPE TO USE THAT KNOWLEDGE TO ENCOURAGE OTHER PEOPLE TO GET IN THE GAME AND PARTICIPATE AS WELL BECAUSE I KNOW THIS IS A HEAVY LOAD Y'ALL CARRY TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR OUR CITY AND NOT JUST YOUR JOB, IT IS OUR JOB, AND WE FAILED YOU FOR LONG ENOUGH TO BE COMPLETELY ACTIVE AND INVOLVED. I HOPE THAT YOU SEE ME AS AN AVERAGE CITIZEN WANTING TO BRING MORE AVERAGE CITIZENS INTO THE CONVERSATION SO ENOUGH CHAIRS AROUND THE TABLE FOR US ALL TO BE A PART. THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR HURT, I WANT TO MAKE ONE COMMENT.

THAT IS THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT BUDGET.

IF COUNCIL ADOPTS THE MEAT AND POTATOES OF THAT BUDGET, WHICH IS WHAT YOU ARE BEING ASKED TO, ITS TAX RATE AND THOSE TYPE OF THINGS. WE PREPARE A BUDGET DOCUMENT THAT HAS -- WHAT TAMMY IS TALKING ABOUT, A THICKER DOCUMENT WITH THE BACK-UP AND BACKGROUND AND IT DOES DESCRIBE MORE, AND THE INTENT -- BUT THAT TAKES -- NOT SOMETHING THAT WE PUSH A BUTT ON IT AND PRODUCED. IT TAKES STAFF A LOT OF TIME TO PUT THAT TOGETHER. EVERY YEAR WE ADOPT WHAT IS BEFORE COUNCIL TODAY AND ONCE IT IS ADOPTED, WE TAKE AND PREPARE THE BUDGET DOCUMENT THAT GETS PUBLISHED.

I THINK THAT IS WHAT MIG FOGLE IS REFERRING TO.

>>MAYOR HURT: STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ANYONE LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 23? SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT, I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION THAT REQUIRES SPECIFIC LANGUAGE.

>> I MOVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND RATIFY THAT THIS BUDGET WILL RAISE MORE TOTAL PROPERTY TAXES THAN LAST YEAR'S BUDGET BY AN AMOUNT OF $4,735,980 WHICH IS A 8.0% INCREASE FROM LAST YEAR'S BUDGET. OF THAT AMOUNT, $2,357,044 IS TAX REVENUE TO BE RAISED FROM NEW PROPERTY ADDED TO THE TAX

ROLL THIS YEAR. >> I HAVE A MOTION.

DO I HAVE A SECOND? >> SECOND.

>> A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN MCCALLISTER.

FURTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT, WE ARE READY TO VOTE.

>>SHANE PRICE: YES. >>LYNN BEARD: YES WITH BE A AN

IS BE A SENSE AS FILED. >>BLAISE REGAN: YES.

>>TRAVIS CRAVER: YES. >>WELDON HURT: YES.

[24. Ordinance (Final Reading): Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Approving and Adopting the Proposed 2023-2024 Tax Rates (Mike Rains)]

>>CLERK: MOTION CARRIES. >>MAYOR HURT: ITEM 24.

>> I THINK WE DID PART B. AND WE NEED PART A.

>>MAYOR HURT: I AM SORRY. THAT WAS BACKWARDS, WASN'T IT.

DO WE HAVE THAT LIGHTNING, MIKE? >>MIKE: I DON'T THINK THERE IS

SPECIFIC LANGUAGE FOR THAT. >> TWO VOTES REQUIRED ON THIS BUDGET. ONE IS -- LET ME GET TO THAT SLIDE. APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE BUD BUDGET.

>> I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THE BU BUDGET. WHAT WE SHOULD HAVE DONE FIRST

FOR THE SPECIFIC AMOUNT. >> NEEDS TO BE THE SPECIFIC

WORDING. >> HE JUST READ THAT.

>> THE SECOND PART. THE FIRST PARAGRAPH IS ONE WE

NEED ANOTHER VOTE ON. >> SO, MIKE, JUST FOR THE SAKE OF EXPEDIENCY, YOU ARE ASKING THE COUNCIL TO APPROVE AND ADOPT A BUDGET FOR 2023-2024 AND OPERATING FUNDS $344,198,211.

>>MIKE: YES, SIR, THAT'S CORRECT.

>> SO A, APPROVING -- I WILL MAKE A MOTION APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023 AND 2024 WITH THE SPECIFIC AMOUNT OF MONEY WHICH IS $344,198,211 IN ALL

OPERATING FUNDS BUDGET. >>MIKE: THAT'S CORRECT.

>>SHANE PRICE: THAT IS THE MOTION.

>>MAYOR HURT: A MOTION FROM COUNCILMEMBER PRICE AND SECOND

FROM BEXAR. >>SHANE PRICE: YES.

>>LYNN BEARD: YES, WITH ABSTENTION AS FOLLOWED.

>>BLAISE REGAN: YES YATE YATES YES.

>>WELDON HURT: YES. >>CLERK: MOTION CARRIES.

>>MAYOR HURT: THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING, MIKE.

NOW TO ITEM 24. >>MIKE: YES, SIR, THIS IS THE FINAL VOTE ON THE PROMOSED 2023-2024 TAX RATES.

DURING THE BUDGET WORKSHOP, COUNCIL HEARD ON FIRST READING .2763 PER $100. THAT BEING .5863.

AND .100 FOR INTEREST A AND SYNCING.

ONCE WE GOT THE CERTIFIED VALUE. TRIED TO BRING IN THE SAME AMOUNT OF DOLLARS. MADE ADJUSTMENT TO THOSE RATES.

HERE AT THE BOTTOM AOPERATIONAL A NO NEW OF .6985 AND VO

[02:00:03]

VOTER .2057 AND UNUSED INKRIMENT, VOTER APPROVAL IS .7513. WHAT WE ARE RECOMMENDING WITH THE ADJUSTMENT WITH APPRAISED VALUE SLIGHT INCREASE TO THE TAX RATE. RECOMMENDING A FINAL RATE O OF .0328 OF OPERATIONS N .1518 AND TRILLION AND SINKING .1400.

>>MAYOR HURT: ANY QUESTIONS OF MIKE? AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM.

NUMBER 24, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. I WILL ACCEPT THE MOTION WITH

THIS SPECIFIC LANGUAGE. >> I MOVE THAT THE PROPERTY TAX -- CORRECT ONE, 24, RIGHT? I MOVE THAT THE PROPERTY TAX RATE BE INCREASED BY THE ADOPTION OF THE TAX RATE O OF .7328 CENTS PER $100 4.9% INCREASE IN THE TAX RATE.

>>MAYOR HURT: I HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND?

>> JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, WON'T BE .0328 CENTS BUT 0328.

>>MIKE: OH, I AM SORRY, THANK YOU.

>> LET'S THE DECIMAL. >> I MOVE THAT THE PROPERTY TAX RATE INCREASE BY 07328 PER $100 WHICH A 4.9% INCREASE IN THE TAX

RATE. >> SECOND.

>>MAYOR HURT: FOR DISCUSSION. READY TO VOTE.

>>SHANE PRICE: >>TRAVIS CRAVER: YES.

[25. Ordinance (Final Reading): Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Adopting Fees and Charges for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 (Mike Rains)]

>>BLAISE REGAN: YES. >>LYNN BEARD: YES.

MOVE TO ITEM 25 AND MIKE RAINS BEGINS.

>>MIKE: IN FINAL ITEM FOR THE FISCAL 2024 FEE SCHEDULE.

COUNCIL APPROVED IT ON FIRST READING AND WE ADDED ONE ITEM RECYCLING HAULING PERMIT FEE FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS AREA FOR $50.

WE ALSO ADDED SO AM LANGUAGE IN THE HEALTH PERMIT FOR POOLS AND SPAS. ADDED A WATER FEATURE THAT WAS APPROVED EARLIER TODAY WITH FIRST READING ON THAT.

THOSE ARE THE ONLY TWO CHANGES FOR THE FEE SCHEDULE.

>>MAYOR HURT: QUESTIONS OF MIKE. >> THERE WAS ONE OTHER -- TRY TO FIND THAT LINE. BECAUSE THERE IS THE PERMIT AND THEN THERE IS THE REINSPECTION PERMIT.

AND I WAS ASKING IT TO BE ON BOTH OF THEM.

BECAUSE THE. >> WE IS IT NOT ADD TO BOTH.

BUT WE WILL DO THAT. IF YOU ADD IS THAT TO THE MOTION, WE WILL MAKE SURE IT IS IN THE FINAL PRODUCT.

YES, SIR. >>MAYOR HURT: ANY MORE

QUESTIONS. >>MIKE: I JUST DIDN'T CATCH THAT. I APOLOGIZE.

>>MAYOR HURT: AT THIS TIME OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ANYONE WILLING TO SPEAK BEFORE THIS ITEM.

NUMBER 24, GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.

SEEING NO ONE. >> MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE

FEE WITH THE MODIFICATION. >>MAYOR HURT: A MOTION BY PRO TEM PRICE. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN

MCCALLISTER. >>SHANE PRICE: YES.

>>TRAVIS CRAVER: YES. >>WELDON HURT: YES.

[EXECUTIVE SESSION]

>>CLERK: MOTION CARRIES. >>MAYOR HURT: IT IS NOW 10:42 AND GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION 551-071 CONVERSATION WITH THE ATTORNEY. 551.027 DISCUSSION OF REAL PROPERTY. DELIBERATIONS OF GIFTS AND DONATIONS, SECTION 551.074, PERSONNEL MATTERS.

551.076, DELIBERATION OF SECURITY HE DID VICES,

. >>> IT IS NOW 11:33 AND WE

[27. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Authorizing the City Manager to Enter Into an Option Agreement with Garfield Clean Energy, LLC for the Option to Lease Real Property for the Purpose of Constructing a Solar Plant (Robert Hanna)]

RECONVENED FOR OPEN IS SESSION. NO ACTION WAS TAKEN DURING THE EXECUTIVE SESSION EX- ITEM 27 AND ASK CITY MANAGER TO

PRESENT THIS ITEM. >>ROB HANNA: ACTION AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER A GARFIELD CLEAN ENERGY FOR INSTALLATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF A SOLAR ENERGY PROJECT ON HANBY TRACTS A ANDB. A LITTLE OVER 1900 ACRES SIDE OF DOWN SOUTH OF THE TWO PRISON UNITS AND SURROUNDS OUR

[02:05:03]

HANDLEBY. LAND WE OWN NOW AND HAS AN AG LEASE ON. WE CANCELLED LEASE IN FURTHERANCE OF THIS PROJECT. AS WE GO THROUGH THIS, IT IS CLEAR THAT THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY HERE AND THE POTENTIAL DEVELOPER WOULD LIKE TO PUT AN OPTION ON ALL THE PROPERTIES. THE GOOD NEWS IS, IS THAT UNDER THE OPTION THAT WE HAVE WRITTEN, THE FARMER TO THROUGH THE NOW CAN MAINTAIN HIS FARMING ACTIVITIES AND THE CITY WILL RECEIVE $20,000 ANNUALLY THROUGH THE TERM OF THAT AG LEASE.

THIS OPTION AGREEMENT WILL PAY THE CITY FOR THE FIRST THREE YEARS OF $5,000 IS THAT FIRST-THREE YEAR OPTION.

IF GARFIELD CLEAN ENERGY RENEWED IT FOR A FOURTH YEAR, THE OPTION FOR THE FOURTH YEAR REQUIRED TO PAY AN ADDITIONAL $25,000.

TO RENEWED FOR THE FIFTH AND FINAL YEAR WITHOUT EXERCISING THE GROUND LEASE, THEY WILL PAY US AN ADDITIONAL $50,000.

SO IF IT TOOK THEM FIVE YEARS TO EXERCISE THEIR OPTION, WE WILL HAVE $80,000 IN ADDITION TO THE AG LEASE OUT THERE PRESENTLY. SO REGARDLESS, IF YOU APPROVE THIS AND NOTHING EVER HAPPENS TO IT EXCEPT THE FARMERS ARE STILL FORECAST COTTON AND WINTER WEAK. THE CITIZENS OF ABILENE WILL BE IN A BETTER SITUATION. IF THE LEASE IS EXERCISED, OKAY, THIS IS WHERE SOME -- SOME NEAT THINGS HAPPEN FOR THE CITY OF ABILENE AND THE CITIZENS OF ABILENE.

IF THE LEASE IS EXERCISED, THE CITY OF ABILENE WILL BEGIN TO RECEIVE $600 PER ACRE FOR TRACTS A AND TRACTS B.

IF THEY BUILD WHAT THEY ARE CONTEMPLATING 100 MEGAWATT FACILITY, RECEIVE $1 PER MEGAWATT.

ALL TOTALED, THE ANNUAL REVENUE IS $635,000.

THIS LEASE AGREEMENT IS PART OF THE -- PART OF THE ATTACHMENTS THAT YOU ALL HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU.

THE RISK TO THE CITY IS -- THERE IS NO RISK TO THE CITY.

THIS IS TRULY A RISKLESS OPTION ON OUR PART.

WE RECEIVE THE AG LEASE WE CURRENTLY RECEIVED IF THE OPTION IS EXERCISED, WE STAND TO GAIN A MORE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF REVENUE THAN WE EVER WOULD WITH GROWING COTTON AND WINTER WHEAT AND OTHER CROPS. HE DOES A FINE JOB AND WE ARE HAPPY TO HAVE HIM THERE. HE HAS BEEN THERE A NUMBER OF YEARS. IF COUNCIL HAS ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS, THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION.

>>MAYOR HURT: ANY QUESTIONS FOR ROBERT ON THIS ITEM? AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UPPED PUBLIC HEARING.

ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM.

ITEM 27, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT, I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION

AND A SECOND. >> SO MOVED.

>>MAYOR HURT: A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER MCALLISTER.

A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER CRAVER.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? WE ARED TO VOTE.