Sep 28, 2023 City Council

[CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:10]

THIS MEETING TO ORDER. I HAVE SOME SPECIAL GUESTS I WANT TO INTRODUCE WE ARE HONORED TO HAVE THEM HERE. I'M GOING TO AS

COUNCILMAN YATES TO LEAD US. >> DEAR LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY AND FOR OUR NATION, STATE, CITY AND THE MANY HARD-WORKING PEOPLE WHO MAKE OU CITY. WE ASK YOUR BLESSINGS ON THOSE HERE IN ATTENDANCE AND WE ASK YOU TO OPEN THE HEARTS OF THE COUNCIL AND THOSE WHO WOULD SPEAK SO WE MIGHT RECEIVE AND D YOU YOU'RE WELL. WE ASK YOUR BLESSINGS ON ALL OF US AND WE

ALSO ASK FOR RAIN. >> TODAY I HAVE AND THEIR MOTHER BRENDA IN THE BACK. THE ARE FOURTH AND FIFTH GRADERS AT THE ELEMENTARY AND WE ARE SO HONORED TO HAVE THEM TODAY. THE WILL HELP LEAD US IN OUR PLEDGE

>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FO WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. ONE STAT UNDER GOD. ONE INDIVISIBLE.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME UP AND GET A PICTURE? THEY ARE REALLY SPORTING THE SCHOOL SPIRIT.

BACK. IT SAYS LIGHTS, CAMERA, LEARN GREAT SHIRTS.

[PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PROCLAMATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS]

WERE KIDS YOU PROBABLY PLAYED COPS AND ROBBERS. THE REALITY IS POLICING IS NOWHERE NEAR THA EXCITING ON A DAILY BASIS. BAC IN 2022 WE ACTUALLY DID HAVE A LOCAL BANK THAT WAS ROBBED AND CREDIT OF OUR TROOPS MAINLY LIEUTENANT BRAD MCGARY GOT ON SCENE QUICKLY GOT A DESCRIPTION AND OUR NEIGHBORING AGENCIES WERE ABLE TO APPREHEND INDIVIDUAL AND DUE DILIGENCE DID A GREAT NARRATIVE ON HER FEDERAL PARTNERS THAT ARE ALWAY INVOLVED IN THOSE. IN THIS CASE, THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND EVEN OUR LOCAL FEDERAL PROSECUTOR RECOGNIZED THIS, PU BRAD IN FOR IN AWARD AND HE WAS DASHING HE RECEIVED THIS ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO. POLICE ADMINISTRATION WAS KNEE-DEEP AN OTHER THINGS AND WERE UNABLE T ATTEND THIS SO WE ARE SORRY ABOUT THAT BUT WE ARE PROUD TO TAKE THIS TIME IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS TO RECOGNIZE YOU FOR GREAT WORK. THANK YOU.

APPLAUSE ] >> I JUST WANT TO SAY IT'S A REAL HONOR TO BE RECOGNIZED BY THE DOJ AND U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE OUT OF NORTH TEXAS. TOTALLY UNEXPECTED BECAUSE I DON'T REALLY FEEL LIKE I DID ANYTHING THAT ANY OTHER ABILENE OFFICER OR POLICE OFFICER WOULDN'T HAVE DONE. IT JUST HAPPENED THAT EVERYTHING LINED UP AND FELL INTO PLACE THE WAY IT SHOULD HAVE AND THE GUY WAS CAUGHT WITHIN I THINK 47 MINUTES OF THE ACTUAL BANK ROBBERY . THE DPS TROOPER HAD HIM IN HANDCUFFS. IT WORKED OU GREAT. I WANT TO RECOGNIZE MY WIFE WHO TOOK OFF FROM SCHOOL TODAY TO BE HERE JUST FOR MY CEREMONY. I WOULDN'T BE UP HERE WITHOUT HER. THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU. I'M WORKING ON MY 33RD YEAR NOW ALL WITH THE CITY OF ABILENE. THIS IS TRULY A SPECIAL PLACE TO BE A POLICE OFFICER. THERE'S A LOT OF PLACE I WOULDN'T WANT TO BE A POLICE OFFICER IN AND ABILENE IS DEFINITELY ONE THAT YOU WANT T

[00:05:03]

VERY MUCH. >> CAN WE GET A PICTURE?

[CONSENT AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS]

NUMBER SIX. THE EXPO CENTER. >> COUNCILMAN MEMBER GATES IS PULLING ITEM NUMBER SIX. ANYONE ELSE? WE WILL NOW MOVE TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. THERE WILL BE NO VOTES OR ANY FORMAL ACTIONS TAKEN ON SUBJECTS PRESENTED BY THE COUPLET COMMEN PERIOD. IT WILL ONLY ALLOW MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO PRESEN IDEAS AND INFORMATION TO CITY OFFICIALS AND STAFF. PLEASE COM FORWARD AND STATE YOUR NAME AND THE CITY RESIDE IN FOR THE RECORD. THERE IS A THREE LIMIT -- THREE MINUTE LIMIT. ARE THERE ANY CARDS THAT ARE PUBLI COMMENT? THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS DOROTHY CLAY. I'M AN ABILENE RESIDENT AND THAT HE WOULD LIK TO SHARE SOME INFORMATION WITH YOU ABOUT THE TEXAS VACCINE CHOICE. IT WAS FORMED IN FEBRUARY OF 2015 IN RESPONSE TO HOUSE BILL 2006. A BILL FILED DURING THE 84 TEXAS LEGISLATURE THAT AIMED TO REMOVE RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS FROM VACCINATIONS FO STUDENTS. PARENTS AND LEGISLATORS WORKED TOGETHER DILIGENTLY TO FIGHT THIS AND 16 OTHER BILLS TO MANDATE VACCINE , LIMIT LIBERTIES DUE T PERSONAL MEDICAL CHOICES , OVERWRITE PARENTAL GUARDIAN CONSENT AND INCREASED TRACKING WITH THE HELP AND GUIDANCE OF LIBERTY LOVING ELECTED OFFICIAL TEXAS THE VACCINE CHOICE IS NO WIDELY RECOGNIZED ORGANIZATION ACROSS TEXAS. WE ARE DEDICATED TO PROTECTING MEDICAL FREEDOM AND VACCINE CHOICE BY ENSURING ISSUES REMAIN AT THE FOREFRONT OF POLITICAL DISCOURSE PROMOTING CANDIDATES WHO STRONGLY SUPPORT OUR VALUES AND DRAFT LEGISLATION TO FURTHER SOLIDIFY THESE RIGHTS. A 501(C FOUR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION IS FOCUSED ON ADVOCACY FIGHTING AGAINST PATIENT DISCRIMINATION INCLUDING PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ENTITIES ACCOUNTABLE FOR ACCURATELY REPRESENTING VACCINE LAWS AND EXEMPTION RIGHTS OR ACTED INVOLVEMENT IN LEGISLATIV PROCESS. TEXANS FOR VACCINE CHOICE IS ON THE SCENE INJURING TEXANS ARE SAFE FROM MEDICAL OVERREACH. GOING FORTH WE CONTINUE TO REPRESENT OUR SUPPORTERS AND ALL OTHERS WHO SHARE OUR IDEALS WITH DIGNITY AND EMPOWER PEOPLE TO BECOME POLITICALLY INVOLVED, EDUCATE THE PUBLIC AND ENSURE THAT VACCINE CHOICE REMAIN A RIGHT THAT IS FREE OF CONSEQUENCES O INTERFERENCE FROM GOVERNMENTAL BUREAUCRACY. OUR MISSION IS SUPPORTING AND ADVANCING INFORMED CONSENT , MEDICAL PRIVACY AND VACCINE CHOICE THEY WERE INFLUENTIAL PUBLIC POLICY , QUALITY EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND TRAINING TO AN ENGAGED, CONNECTED COMMUNITY. SO, I SHARED SOME INFORMATION. I'M NO SURE IF YOU'RE AWARE OR NOT BUT THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY T SHARE HEART REGARDING THE MATTER. HAVE A GREAT DAY.

>> THAT'S ALL THE CARDS. >> STILL IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME? SEEING NO ONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. I WILL ASK FOR

[00:10:02]

>> YES WITH ABSTENTION ON 14.

[6. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Take Action on Approving the Taylor County Expo Center FY 2024 Budget (Mike Rains)]

>> YES. >> YES.

>> MOTION CARRIES. >> WE WILL MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER SIX. COUNCILMAN YATES, YOU HAD QUESTIONS ON THIS.

>> I DON'T BUTTERBALL THIS AT THE REQUEST OF WHO DOES HAVE

QUESTIONS. >> DOES ANYONE ELSE ON COUNSEL HAVE QUESTIONS ON ITEM NUMBER SIX? I WILL NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS ANYONE HAVE QUESTIONS ON ITEM NUMBER SIX AT THIS TIME? PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME.

>> MY NAME IS TAMMY. I ASKED T HAVE THIS BUDGET PULLED BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT . I UNDERSTAND THIS IS FOR QUESTION BUT MY COMMENTS ARE THIS BUDGE IS WHAT WE AS CITIZENS CONTRIBUTE TO. I GUESS MY ONLY QUESTION , AND I THINK I'VE GOTTEN CLARIFICATION, THIS IS PART OF WHAT WE DO WITH THE ABILENE TAYLOR VENUE EVENT BOARD AND BECAUSE WE CHANGED DASHING THAT'S WHERE CONTRIBUTION COMES. SORRY I'M USED TO SITTING THERE I'M LOOKING FOR HIS FACE. I WAS CURIOUS IF THIS WAS WHY WE GE TO BE A PART OF THE BUDGET BECAUSE WE ACTUALLY GET TO CONTRIBUTE THROUGH OUR TAX. IS THAT CORRECT? THANK YOU. THAT WAS MY CONCERN. I JUST WANTED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE BUDGET. THANK YOU.

>> STILL IN PUBLIC HEARING. DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME? SEEING NO ONE. I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? >> I WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY THE HOT TAX IS NOT PAID FOR BY THE CITY OF ABILENE. THE HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX IS PAID FOR BY FOLKS WHO SPEND THE NIGHT AND ABILENE HOTELS. THE HOT TAX IS NOT A TAX ON CITIZENS OF ABILEN UNLESS YOU STAY IN A HOTEL. THAT'S WHAT THE HOT TAXES. IT' NOT A TAX ON THE CITIZENS. MOS CITIES HAVE A HOT TAX AND IT GOES TOWARD THAT. THE HOT TAX HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH DOLLAR BILLS THAT YOU ARE I WILL SPEND UNLESS WE SPEND THE NIGHT IN A

HOTEL. >> THANKS FOR CLARIFICATION.

>> A SECOND . >> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?

>> YES. >> YES.

>> YES. >> YES.

[19. Ordinance (Final Reading): Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Revising the FY 23-24 Budget Ordinance and to Increase Staffing for the Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Abilene (Mindy Patterson]

>> YES. >> MOTION CARRIES. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM 19 AND I WILL ASK MINDY PATTERSON , DEPUTY CITY

MANAGER, TO PRESENT THIS. >> THANK YOU. THIS IS A COMPANION ITEM WITH NUMBER 12 WHICH IS THE AGREEMENT WITH TH VETERANS LAND BOARD TO MANAGE THE VETERANS CEMETERY. AS PART OF THAT AGREEMENT WE ARE TAKING ON NINE ADDITIONAL FULL-TIME AND ONE PART-TIME PERSON AND THERE WILL BE ZERO COST TO THE CITY. THE VETERANS LAND BOARD I PAYING EVERYTHING. THIS IS TO ADJUST THE REVENUE AND EXPENSE BUDGET FOR THE 800,000. IT'S A ZERO COST TO THE CITY OF ABILEN AND TO ADDITIONALLY ADD THE 10 ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEES TO THE CIT BUDGET.

>> ANY QUESTIONS FOR MINDY? AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP TO PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYON WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST ITEM? PLEASE COM FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE I WILL CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING.

>> MINDY, IF NEXT YEAR WE NEED 11 EMPLOYEES AND SO THE STAFFING BUDGET REQUIREMENTS G UP DOES THE STATE COVER THE

INCREASE OR NO? >> YES.

>> THEY WILL BE ON THE HOOK FOR ANY INCREASES ? THANK YOU.

>> THIS MAKES SENSE FOR US BECAUSE WE HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN THE ABILENE CEMETERY. THE LAND COMMISSIONE HAS DECIDED THAT WE WOULD BE GREAT AT ACTUALLY RUNNING THIS.

INCREASE FOR EMPLOYEES THEY WOULD COVER THAT AS WELL. ALL RIGHT. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MCALLISTER. A SECOND BITE COUNCILMAN RAKAS. READY TO

VOTE. >> YES.

[EXECUTIVE SESSION]

[00:15:03]

>> YES. >> YES.

>> YES. >> IT IS NOW 8:45 A.M. AND WE WILL PROCESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT OF THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT. SECTION 551.0 - SECTION 551.072 DELIBERATION ABOUT REAL PROPERTY , SECTION 551.073 LIBERATIONS ABOUT GIFT AND DONATIONS, SECTION 551.07 FOR PERSONNEL MATTERS, SECTION 551.076 DELIBERATIONS ABOUT SECURITY DEVICES,

[21. Oral Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Approving the Annual Evaluation of the Municipal Court Judge]

FINANCIAL COMPETITION WILL BE O FILE AT THE SECRETARY'S OFFICE I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION AND SECOND. I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN REGAN. A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN YATES. ANY FURTHER

DISCUSSION? >> YES.

>> YES. >> YES.

>> YES. >> YES.

[22. Oral Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Approving the Annual Evaluation of the City Secretary]

>> YES. >> WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM 22 FOR EVALUATION OF OUR CITY SECRETARY. WE EVALUATED HER, BUT AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYON WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST ITEM COME FORWAR AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. WE DID EVALUATE OUR CITY SECRETARY AND WE ARE VERY HAPPY WITH YOUR PERFORMANCE. YOUR FINANCIAL COMPENSATION WILL BE ON FILE IN THE CITY SECRETARY OFFICE WITH COUNCILMAN CRAVER'S COMMENTS. WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION IN SECOND. I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BEARD. A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN PRICE. WE ARE READY TO VOTE.

>> YES. >> YES.

>> YES. >> YES.

>> YES. >> MOTION CARRIES.

>> IT IS NOW 9:47

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.