[CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:09]
>> GOOD JOB. GOOD MORNING. I AM GOING TO CALL THIS MEETING OF THE TABLOIDS THE COUNCIL TO ORDER. IT IS 8:30 A.M. I WILL ASK COUNCIL MEMBER YATES TO LEAD US IN PRAYER.
>> DEAR LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY. WE THANK YOU FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND THE PEOPLE WITHIN IT AND WE ASK FOR YOUR BLESSINGS COME UP FOR THIS PRESENT YEAR, FOR THOSE WHO SERVE OUR CITY, AND FOR THOSE WHO SEEK TO MAKE IT A BETTER PLACE. WE ASK FOR YOUR BLESSINGS.
>> TODAY, I HAVE JENSEN KAUFMAN, WHO IS A FIFTH GRADER AT PURCELL ELEMENTARY AND HIS MOTHER LINDSAY IS HERE. THERE SHE IS. AND THE PRINCIPAL, MATILDA GIMENEZ, IS THAT RIGHT? AND HE IS GOING TO LEAD US IN OUR PLEDGES. SO LET'S TURN AROUND. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES
[PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PROCLAMATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS]
OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.
>>> >> IT IS AN HONOR TO BE HERE. I HAVE WORKED ON BIG, CRITICAL, LIFE ALTERING COLLISIONS. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE IN POLICE ADMINISTRATION FOR 13+ YEARS NOW. AND I HAVE LOVED EVERY DAY. THERE IS NOT A BETTER PLACE TO WORK IN THE CITY OF ABILENE AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. I HAVE LEARNED A LOT. WHEN I THINK OF THE WORD INTEGRITY AND HONOR, HE IS AT
THE TOP OF THE LIST. >> IS A GOOD GUY WHO ALWAYS HAS YOUR BACK AND WILL TALK TO YOU STRAIGHT. WE APPRECIATE HOW MUCH SHE HAS DONE FOR THE DEPARTMENT AND ALL THE GOOD
THINGS HE HAS DONE. >> HE WAS GOING TO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND EVERYTHING. HE DID NOT KNOW WHEN TO STOP. HE WAS
ALWAYS 110%. >> HE ALWAYS MAKES THE WORKPLACE A VERY DELIGHTFUL PLACE TO COME. HE IS VERY CARING AND EXUDES PROFESSIONALISM. HE IS JUST A VERY GOOD GUY AND I WISH HIM THE BEST.
>> ALWAYS CHECKING ON ME AND MY STAFF'S WELFARE, MENTAL OUTLOOK. I AM VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THAT. THE MAN CARES. I HOPE HE UNDERSTANDS HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT WEEK KNOW HE CARES. WE WISH HIM THE BEST IN HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
DETECTIVE ELLIS WAS PROBABLY THE BEST DRESSED MAN IN ABILENE ON ANY GIVEN WEEK. DOUG, THIS IS ABOUT YOU AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY THANK YOU FOR 30 YEARS OF SERVICE. A LITTLE OVER AT.
YOU AND I HAVE WORKED TOGETHER FOR THE LAST NINE YEARS, THIS LAST YEAR VERY CLOSELY. YOUR ABILITY TO CALMLY LEAD , GUIDE, AND DIRECT YOUR TROOPS AND CARE FOR THEM IN A WAY THAT WAS ESPECIALLY NEEDED AT THE MOMENT IS COMMENDED. AND I CANNOT
[00:05:01]
THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR DELAYING YOUR RETIREMENT TO HELP US THROUGH THIS TIME. IT IS THE MARK OF A TRUE LEADER AND A PERSON WHO CARES DEEPLY ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY. KNOW YOU HAVE FRIENDS HERE. YOU ALWAYS HAVE FRIENDS HERE. AND IF THERE IS ANYTHING WE CAN EVER DO, ALL YOU HAVE GOT TO DO IS ASK.>> DOUG, YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION TO US ALL. WHAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR ABILENE, WE JUST CANNOT BE GRATEFUL ENOUGH. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO ALLOW IS THAT IF COUNSEL WOULD HAVE ANY REMARKS,
SHANE, ANYBODY? >> I WAS HONORED TO GO TO THE RETIREMENT RECEPTIONS AND PROMOTION CEREMONIES, AND ONE OF THE BLESSINGS WAS GETTING TO TALK TO YOU. YOU WERE ALWAYS BUSY SO WE DID NOT GET TO TALK LONG, BUT I APPRECIATE THE PROFESSIONALISM. AND THE OBVIOUS CARE THAT EVERYONE HAD FOR YOU AND LOOKING UP TO YOU. YOU COULD SEE IN THE FACES OF PEOPLE WHO WOULD WALK BY AND SHAKE YOUR HAND. WE APPRECIATE THE YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE CITY.
>> WELL, WE HAD -- HOW DO I DESCRIBE THIS? WE HAD A LOT OF SLEEPLESS NIGHTS OVER THE YEARS. I CAN TELL YOU UNEQUIVOCALLY IT IS BETTER THAN YOU THINK IT IS WHEN YOU ARE ON THE OTHER SIDE. YOU WILL GET SOME SLEEP. BUT I APPRECIATE ALL THE TIMES WE SHARED WORKING TOGETHER AND I JUST WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY THE BEST. RETIREMENT IS BETTER THAN YOU THINK IT IS SO ENJOY YOUR TIME. THANK YOU.
>> I HAVE ONLY KNOWN YOU A FEW MONTHS SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN ON THE COUNCIL BUT THANK YOU FOR REALLY ELEVATING THAT LEVEL OF PROFESSIONALISM, AND, I THINK, I KNOW THAT REPUTATION IS GREAT BECAUSE OF PEOPLE'S LIKE YOU SERVING EVERY DAY SO I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR RETIREMENT.
>> WE FIRST MET WHEN I WAS STILL AT THE BASE. AND SECURITY FORCES. WE WERE PARTNERING AND COOPERATING AND DOING VARIOUS THINGS WITH ABILENE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND CHIEF STANDRIDGE. AND I HAVE HAD THE HONOR TO GET TO KNOW YOU AND WATCH YOU AND SEE YOU SINCE THEN. AND ALL I CAN SAY IS THANK YOU. YOU ARE THE DEFINITION OF SELFLESS SERVICE.
PUTTING THE CITY AND OF THE DEPARTMENT AHEAD OF YOUR OWN PERSONAL NEEDS. YOU KNOW? WE HAVE BEEN TRULY FORTUNATE AND BLESSED TO HAVE YOU SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> WELL, CHIEF WRENN, YOU AND I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROFESSIONAL ENGAGEMENT HERE. I HAVE NEVER HAD TO MEET YOU AND YOUR PROFESSIONAL ROLE AND I APPRECIATE IT. I THINK BRIAN SAID IT BEST. THIS SELFLESS YEAR, YOU ARE VERY LOW-KEY. YOU ARE VERY QUIET. YOU ARE VERY PROFESSIONAL. YOU ARE VERY METHODICAL. BUT I KNOW FROM THE OTHER OFFICERS I HAVE TALKED TO THAT YOU CARE ABOUT THEM AND THEY KNOW THAT AND THAT MAKES ABILENE A GREAT PLACE BECAUSE THEY APPRECIATE IT BECAUSE YOU APPRECIATE THEM AND WE APPRECIATE YOU. ENJOY YOUR RETIREMENT AND DO NOT LET YOUR HAIR GROW. KEEP IT OFF THE
CALLER THERE. OKAY? >> THAT IS WRONG. THAT IS WRONG. YEAH. IT IS ABOUT CHIEF WRENN . I WILL SAY, I DISTINCTLY REMEMBER THROUGH THE MANY CONVERSATIONS THAT I HAVE HAD THROUGH THE YEARS JUST INQUIRING AND WANTING TO LEARN MORE ABOUT POLICE AND LEADERSHIP AND I WILL NEVER FORGET THE TIME THAT YOU TALK TO SHARE YOUR TIME WITH ME IN THIS CERTAIN SPACE. THERE IS A QUOTE I REMEMBER FROM A BOOK I READ A LONG TIME AGO AND IT JUST TALKED ABOUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE HEROIC, AND THE SIMPLE TERM THEY USED WAS CARRYING. AND I THINK I HAVE HEARD THAT TERM DESCRIBED AND THROWN AROUND A LOT TODAY, AND THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS YOU ARE SO HEROIC. BECAUSE YOU CARE SO DEEPLY FOR THE CITY OF ABILENE. AND THERE IS MANY INDIVIDUALS I HAVE KNOWN PERSONALLY AND GROWN UP WITH AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM HAS FELT THE IMPACT OF YOUR TOUCH AND THE CARE THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN TO THEM. I AM EXCITED FOR THIS NEXT PHASE.
AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE THAT WE KNOW ABOUT.
AND THANK YOU FOR ALL WE KNOW ABOUT THAT MANY OF US WILL NEVER KNOW. SO I APPRECIATE IT.
>> WELL, THANK YOU COUNSEL. DOUG, I HAVE HEARD THAT TERM CARING AND COMPASSION AND YOU ACCEPTED THIS ROLE AT A REALLY TRYING TIME AND YOU HAVE DONE A REMARKABLE JOB. NO ONE COULD HAVE DONE ANY BETTER. FOR THAT, WE ARE APPRECIATIVE. WOULD YOU
[00:10:03]
LIKE TO SAY SOME WORDS? >> I AM DISTINCTLY HUMBLED AND HONORED. THIS MORNING, THE PRESENCE OF EVERYBODY SHOCK ME.
THE VIDEO ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED ME SO THANK YOU ALL FOR THAT. I WOULD BE REMISS IN NOT GIVING SOME CREDIT, MAINLY TO CHIEF CRAIG JORDAN DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME. WE ALSO HAD ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER KELLY OUBRE COUP HAS KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK. THE REST OF THE ADMIN TEAM. I WOULD BE REMISS AND ALSO NOT GOING BACK TO MY 31 YEARS WHICH HAS GONE THROUGH A LOT OF CHANGE WITH ALL THE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORTED ME THROUGHOUT MY CAREER. ALL OF THAT CHANGE INCLUDES CITY COUNCILS, PAST AND PRESENT, AND THE CITY AND MISTREAT HER TEAM TOOK THE PAY UP THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. THE COST OF LIVING HAS ABSOLUTELY GONE UP IN THE LAST THREE YEARS.
BUT THE ONE CRITICISM IS YOU CAN GET IT NEARLY FOR FREE EVERY DAY. SO I HAVE SEEN THIS CANCEL IN YEARS PAST. WE HAVE EVEN MENTIONED THE WORD, IT IS NOT THE CRITICS THAT COUNT. IT IS THOSE IN THE ARENA. THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU DO ON A DAILY BASIS AND MOSTLY OUR TROOPS, CIVILIAN AND SWORN ALIKE, FOR WE APPRECIATE HOW YOU HAVE SERVED.
>> THANK YOU, DOUG. 'S DOUG, BECAUSE THIS IS A REALLY SPECIAL DAY, I THINK WE WILL HAVE SOME PEOPLE HERE WHO WOULD LIKE TO COME UP AND SAY SOME WORDS AND WE ARE GOING TO ALLOW THEM.
>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. IS PROBABLY THE BIGGEST SHOCK. IT
WAS A VERY LONG DRIVE. >> IT IS A SEVEN HOUR DRIVE, AND DOUG WRENN IS WORTH IT. HE IS THE KIND OF GUY THAT YOU DRIVE SEVEN HOURS FOR TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS AND GOODBYE TO.
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY I DROVE IN LATE LAST NIGHT AND STAYED AT THIS DOWNTOWN DOUBLETREE. WELL-DONE. THAT IS FANTASTIC. I SPENT 20 YEARS IN THIS COMMUNITY, AND WHEN I MOVED HERE AND STARTED BUILDING ACUPD, ABILENE PD WAS THE BIGGEST THING WE BUILT OUT THERE AND YOU WERE A HUGE PART OF THAT. I MOVED TO MOUNT BELLEVUE AND STARTED BUILDING THAT POLICE DEPARTMENT AND YOU ARE STILL A BIG PART OF THAT BECAUSE I CALL YOU AND ASK YOU THINKS. I TELL MY TROOPS ALL THE TIME, THIS IS HOW THEY DID IT IN ABILENE, AND IT WORKED WELL. THIS IS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO HERE. IN ESSENCE, YOUR FINGERPRINTS ARE 480 MILES AWAY AS WELL AND WILL BE IN THAT DEPARTMENT. DOUG WRENN IS A VERY QUIET LEADER. WHEN I CAME HERE, I BECAME REALLY INTERESTED IN HIS STYLE. HE WAS A GREAT BALANCE TO OTHER APD LEADERS IN HIS QUIET NATURE. I WAS ATTRACTED TO THAT. HE IS ALSO A HUGE DALLAS COWBOY FAN AND WE SPEND A LOT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT THIS IS OUR YEAR. THIS IS OUR YEAR. AND THEN WE SPEND A HUGE AMOUNT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT DISAPPOINTMENT. BUT THIS IS OUR YEAR. THIS IS IT. YEAH. DOUG IS THE EPITOME OF THE PERFECT BALANCE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT BETWEEN GUARDIAN, SERVANT, AND WARRIOR. AND THAT IS SOMETHING HARDER AND HARDER TO TEACH YOUNG OFFICERS THESE DAYS. YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE WARRIOR AT THE READY, BUT FROM A COMMUNITY STANDPOINT YOU HAVE TO LEAD WITH THE GUARDIAN. DOUG WRENN EPITOMIZES THAT. I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH FROM YOU. I CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR ALL THE HELP YOU HAVE GIVEN OVER THE YEARS. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY I HAVE A REALLY COOL CUSTOM RETIREMENT GIFT FOR YOU BUT I ONLY HAD FOUR DAYS NOTICE. WHAT YOU GET IS A MOUNT BELLEVUE PD CHALLENGE COIN AND A COUPLE OF WORKOUT SHIRTS. ONE FOR YOU AND ONE FOR HONOR IF I GUEST HER SIZE RIGHT. THINK OF HER WHEN YOU ARE WASHING THE CAR OR WORKING OUT WITH THE T-SHIRT.
YOU ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING FOR THE RIGHT REASONS . I APPRECIATE YOU. I LOVE YOU. AND I RESPECT YOU. YOU BAT.
[00:15:03]
[CONSENT AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS]
WE ARE GOING TO MISS YOU. WELL, WE WILL STILL BE SEEING YOU. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO THE CONSENT AGENDA WHICH CONSISTS OF ITEMS 3 THROUGH 14. THEY WILL BE CONSIDERED WITH ONE MOTION.THERE WILL BE NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION UNLESS A COUNCIL MEMBER REQUESTS SEPARATE DISCUSSION. ALSO ITEM 11-12 WILL BE PULLED TO BE CONSIDERED INDIVIDUALLY. DOES ANYONE ON THE COUNCIL WISH TO PULL ANY OTHER ITEM BETWEEN 3 AND 14, AND 11 AND 12 ARE ALREADY PULLED? ALL RIGHT. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. THERE WILL BE NO FORMAL VOTE TAKEN DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENT. THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD WILL ALLOW MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO PRESENT IDEAS AND INFORMATION TO CITY OFFICIALS AND STAFF. PLEASE COME FORWARD AND STATE YOUR NAME AND CITY THAT YOU RESIDE IN FOR THAT RECORD. THERE WILL BE A THREE MINUTE LIMIT AND WE WILL START
WITH COUNCILMAN BEARD. >> I HAVE ONE FROM CHARLES
MICHAEL. >> HELLO. MY NAME IS CHARLES MICHAEL AND I AM A RESIDENT OF ABILENE, TEXAS. LAST TIME I CAME HERE IN OCTOBER I PROMISED THAT THE NEXT TIME I WILL COME TO TALK DURING A PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD I WOULD GO INTO DETAIL ABOUT BIKES. SO I WILL TAKE MY THREE MINUTES WITHOUT TRYING TO PUSH FOR MORE TIME TO ELABORATE ON ABILENE'S RELATIONSHIP WITH BICYCLES. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? ACCORDING TO CARINSURANCE.ORG, ABILENE IS THE SECOND MOST CITY IN AMERICA FOR CYCLISTS WITH 1016 ANNUAL FATALITIES.
WHO CARES ABOUT SECOND PLACE? CAPE CANAVERAL IS DEALING WITH THE REAL PR DISASTER. I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE A BETTER REPRESENTATION THAN THAT. PEOPLE HERE DRIVE LIKE MANIACS, ALWAYS CUTTING EACH OTHER OFF AND ACTING LIKE THE ROAD IS THEIRS. AND, TWO, PERHAPS THE BIKE LANE SLEEP. I'M SURE YOU REMEMBER DURING THE MAY 2023 MAYORAL ELECTION, THE ONE OF WELDON HURT, ONE OF YOUR CAMPAIGN PROMISES HAS BEEN THE INFRASTRUCTURE. HE HAS BEEN DOING A ALL RIGHT JOB BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HOLD YOU TO YOUR PROMISE. YESTERDAY, I WENT OUT WITH THIS TAPE MEASURE. I DISCOVERED THAT THE BIKE LANES ARE 56 INCHES WIDE. THAT IS LESS THAN FIVE FEET. IF I CANNOT DO THE SPLITS INSIDE THE BIKE LANE THAT MEANS IT IS ALMOST USELESS TO ANY SERIOUS CYCLIST. BIKE ROUTES WILL ALSO SOMETIMES END ABRUPTLY, SEGUEING INTO SIDEWALKS AND ROADS LIKE IT IS NOBODY'S BUSINESS, AND THAT IS WE WILL FIND MOST BIKE RIDERS, EITHER AT THE SIDEWALK AMONG PEDESTRIANS OR ON THE ROAD AMONG CARS AND MOTORCYCLES. I DO NOT EXPECT ABILENE TO BECOME THE NEXT NETHERLANDS WHEN IT COMES TO ACCOMMODATING BIKE RIDERS, BUT I JUST THINK IT SHOULD BE SAFER. I THINK A SOLUTION LIKE REPAINTING THE BIKE LANES GOOD INTERFERE WITH CAR LANES. YOU SEEM LIKE AN ALL RIGHT MAYOR SO HOPEFULLY YOU CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
THANK YOU. >> WE ARE STILL IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO COME FORWARD AND SPEAK AT THIS TIME? SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. I WILL ASK FOR A MOTION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA CONSISTING OF ITEMS 3 THROUGH 14 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF 11 AND
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MCALLISTER.
>> SECOND. >> SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN
KRAMER. >> COUNCIL MEMBER MCALISTER?
>> YES. >> COUNCIL MEMBER REGAN?
[11. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Take Action on Appointing an Interim Chief of Police (Robert Hanna)]
>> YES. >> THAT MOTION CARRIES. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM 11. I WILL ASK ROBERT HANNA, CITY MANAGER, TO
PRESENT THIS ITEM. >> THANK YOU. AND I HAD TO ASK ASSISTANT CHIEF JORDAN TO COME UP SO WE CAN LOVE ON HIM A LITTLE BIT, TOO. CHAPTER 143 OF THE TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE REQUIRES THE CITY COUNCIL TO CONFIRM THE APPOINTMENT OF CITY MANAGER'S TOYS FOR CHIEF OF POLICE OR DEPARTMENT HEAD OF
[00:20:02]
THE CIVIL SERVICE DEPARTMENT. WITH CHIEF WRENN'S RETIREMENT, I AM IN A POSITION WHERE I MUST HAVE ANOTHER SOLID OFFICER TO STAND AS LEADER FOR THE EXCELLENT DEPARTMENT OF ABILENE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR A PERIOD OF A COUPLE OF WEEKS UNTIL CHIEF SERATTE GETS TO TOWN. WHEN I ASKED DOUG WRENN FOR A RECOMMENDATION, HE DID NOT HESITATE. HIS RECOMMENDATION IS HEAVY AND ONE BORN AND CARRIED WITH GRACE AND DIGNITY. I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO LISTEN TO RICHY. LISTEN TO THE TROOPS. HE WILL MAKE YOU A BETTER LEADER.>> DOES ANYONE ON CANCEL HAVE ANY COMMENTS?
>> GOOD CHOICE. >> GOOD CHOICE, CRAIG. AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING.'S OR ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO, PLEASE, AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. I WILL TAKE A MOTION AND A SECOND. I HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN PRICE. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN MCALLISTER. OPEN FOR THE DISCUSSION.
[12. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Take Action on Appointing a Chief of Police (Robert Hanna)]
>> COUNCIL MEMBER REGAN? >> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER YATES. >> YES.
>> WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM 12.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. AGAIN, I COME TO THE POINT WITH THE CHIEF OF POLICE. AS THE ABILENE CHIEF OF POLICE, I THINK MR. SERATTE IS WITH US TODAY. RON WENT TO THE GAUNTLET WITH A NUMBER OF WELL-QUALIFIED CANDIDATES AND I AM DOUBLING DOWN ON THE THINK THAT IT IS GOING TO BE GREAT FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
HE IS A HUMBLE AND QUITE LEADER. AND HE CARES ABOUT OFFICERS. AND IT DOES NOT TAKE A LOT OF POKING AROUND HIS CURRENT APARTMENT TO RECOGNIZE HIS OFFICERS ARE GOING TO MISS HIM DEARLY. RON, WELCOME TO THE CITY OF ABILENE. I WOULD ASK FOR CONFIRMATION FOR HIM AS CHIEF OF POLICE EFFECTIVE
FEBRUARY 1ST. >> ANY COMMENTS FROM COUNSEL? THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO, PLEASE COME UP AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION IN A SECOND.
>> I MOVED. >> I JUST WANTED TO NOTE THAT AT THE DINNER WE HAD WITH RON, HE IS A SOCCER GUY, TOO. SO NOW
THERE IS TWO OF US. >> TWO IN ABILENE.
>> AT LEAST HE IS NOT PICKLE BALL.
>> IS THAT A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN RAGAN? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BEARD. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN RAGAN. WE ARE READY
TO VOTE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER YATES?
[15. Ordinance (Final Reading) Z-2023-37: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on A Request From Cosper Properties LLC, Represented By Jacob Martin, To Change The Zoning Of Approximately 2.2 Acres From Agricultural Open To General Retail. Located At 3509 Beltway, Abilene, TX 79606. (Tim Littlejohn)]
>> YES. >> COUNCIL MEMBER MCALISTER?
>> YES. >> THE MOTION CARRIES.
>> ALL RIGHT. WE ARE BACK ON SCRIPT HERE. I WILL NOW ASKED KIM LITTLEJOHN, THE DIRECTOR AND HAVE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, TO PRESENT THIS ITEM.
YOUR CONSIDERATION THIS MORNING A ZONING CASE 203 E- 37. OWNERS AND CAUSE FOR PROPERTIES. REQUEST TO CONSIDER IS A REZONING FROM AGRICULTURAL AND GENERAL RETAIL LOCATED AT 059 BELTWAY SELF. HERE IS THE AERIAL LOCATION MAP. HERE IS THE CURRENT ZONING MAP. HERE ARE THE CURRENT IMAGES WITHIN THE AGRICULTURAL OPEN SPACE AND THE PROPOSED GENERAL RETAIL USES. HERE IS VIEWS OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY.
NOTIFICATIONS. WE DID RECEIVE ONE IN FAVOR AND ZERO AGAINST.
THIS REQUEST IS CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. P AND C DID HEAR THIS REQUEST AND IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL THIS MORNING AND I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> ANY QUESTIONS FOR TIM? TIM? AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP
[00:25:06]
THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.>> GOOD MORNING. I AM THE PROPERTY OWNER. MY CLIENT OWNS THE SUITE LIFE PET RESORT WHICH IS ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THIS PROPERTY, AS MOST OF YOU PROBABLY KNOW. THE CITY LIMIT LINE CURRENTLY SITS ABOUT 300 FEET SOUTH OF 707. FOR HIM TO BE ABLE TO DEVELOP THIS TRACT OF LAND ON THE FRONT EDGE, HE IS GOING TO NEED TO REZONE THE PROPERTY. THAT INITIALLY WHAT THIS REQUEST IS FOR. CERTAINLY FM707 FOR ME IS GOING TO BE SIMILAR TO BUFFALO GAP ROAD. IT WILL BE A MIXTURE OF RESIDENTIAL AND GENERAL RETAIL TYPE USES. CURRENTLY, THERE IS A GREAT NUMBER OF RURAL RESIDENTIAL IN THE AREA. BUT I THINK THE TREND THAT YOU ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SEE IS SOME ADDITIONAL GENERAL RETAIL, LIKE PNC AND STAFF. WE ALSO BELIEVE IT IS APPROPRIATE AND ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT. ANY
QUESTIONS? >> ANY QUESTIONS, TEL? WE ARE STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 15? SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT, I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION IN A SECOND. I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN KRAMER. SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN YATES. FURTHER DISCUSSION? WE
ARE READY TO VOTE. >> DEPUTY MAYOR KIRK AND
[16. Ordinance (Final Reading) Z-2023-40: 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 11.14 Acres From Agricultural Open To General Commercial. Located At 7542x S Clack St, Abilene, TX 79606 (Tim Littlejohn)]
>> COUNCIL MEMBER YATES. >> YES.
>> THE MOTION CARRIES. >> WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM 16.
6950, LLC, REPRESENTED BY JACOB MARTIN. IT IS LOCATED AT 7542 SOUTH CLACK STREET. HERE IS THE CURRENT ZONING. HERE IS THE CURRENT PERMITTED USES WITHIN AGRICULTURAL OPEN SPACE. AND HERE ARE THE PROPOSED USES WITHIN THE GENERAL COMMERCIAL.
HERE IS THE AREA OF PHOTOS. NOTIFICATIONS ARE SENT OUT. IF YOU RECEIVE ONE IN FAVOR, ZERO OPPOSED. THE PROPOSED REQUEST IS CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND THAT APPROVAL. PN Z DID HEAR THIS REQUEST. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE.
>> ANY QUESTIONS OF TIM? THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM 16? IF SO, PLEASE
COME OVER FOR THE RECORD. >> MY CLIENT OWNS THIS TRACT OF LAND. HE ACTUALLY OWNS A GREAT DEAL OF PROPERTY IN THE AREA FROM THIS TRACT ALL THE WAY NORTH UP TO WHAT IS REALLY NEW DENALI, ADDITION DENALI ROAD THAT RUNS EAST AND WEST.
ALL THE WAY FROM HIGHWAY 384 TO MEMORIAL DRIVE. THIS ZONING REQUEST IS TO SUPPORT CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF THIS TRACT. OBVIOUSLY, HIGHWAY 384 IS AN EXPRESSWAY. GENERAL COMMERCIAL IS APPROPRIATE AT THIS LOCATION IN OUR OPINION.
YOU KNOW? THIS OVERALL TRACT OF LAND THAT HIS WORKING TO DEVELOP WILL HAVE A HANDFUL OF USES ALREADY IN THE DENALI AREA. WE HAVE GOT SOME GENERAL RETAIL, MULTIFAMILY OFFICE AND GENERAL COMMERCIAL. AND SO, AGAIN, THIS REQUEST IS TO SUPPORT THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT AND WE ASK FOR YOUR
SUPPORT. >> THANK YOANY QUESTIONS OF TAL? WE ARE STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 16? SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. WE WILL ACCEPT A MOTION IN A SECOND. I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MCALLISTER.
>> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COUNCILMAN KRAMER.
BEFORE FURTHER DISCUSSION, ARE WE READY TO VOTE?
[17. Ordinance (Final Reading) CUP-2023-07: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on A Request From Charles A. Doby Represented By Shawn Garrett, To Apply A Conditional Use Permit To Approximately 2.67 Acres To Allow For A Trade School Within General Retail (GR) Zoning. Located At 2449 South Willis Street, Suite 204. (Tim Littlejohn)]
[00:30:01]
>> DEPUTY MAYOR TIM BIERE. >> YES.
>> MOTION CARRIES. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM 17.
>> UP FOR CONSIDERATION IS CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2023-07.
THE OWNERS CHARLES DOBIE. THE AGENT IS SEAN GARRETT. THE QUESTION IS USED TO ALLOW A TRADE SCHOOL WITHIN A GENERAL RETAIL ZONING DISTRICT LOCATED AT 2449 SOUTH WILLIS STREET, SUITE 204. HERE IS THE AREA LOCATION MAP. HERE IS THE SIDE PLAN WHERE THE SCHOOL WOULD BE LOCATED. HERE IS VIEWS OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY. NOTIFICATIONS WERE SENT OUT. THIS REQUEST IS CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND MEETS THE CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL. PNZ DID HEAR THIS CASE AND IS RECOMMENDING TO YOU THIS MORNING A SUBJECT FOR THE PROPOSED PLAN OF OPERATIONS. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY
QUESTIONS. >> ANY QUESTIONS OF TIM? AT THIS POINT, IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM 17? IF SO, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE
YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. >> HI, I AM KATHLEEN MACY. I CAME BEFORE FOR THE ADDITIONAL USE PERMIT. I DID WANT TO COMMENT ON THIS BUSINESS AS I WENT THROUGH THIS PROCESS AND WAS NOT ALLOWED TO OPERATE. I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW, WHILE I AM NOT AGAINST THEM AS ANOTHER MASSAGE SCHOOL, THEY HAVE BEEN OPERATING FOR OVER A YEAR AND A HALF WITHOUT A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY OR ADDITIONAL USE PERMIT SO I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH THIS BUSINESS.
AND THEY ARE CURRENTLY STILL OPERATING WITHOUT THIS. I AM GUESSING HE IS NOT HERE TODAY BECAUSE HE IS IN CLASS. OKAY.
THANK YOU. >> WE ARE STILL IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 17? SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. I WILL ACCEPT A
MOTION IN A SECOND. >> SO MOVED. DID YOU WANT TO
SAY ANYTHING? >> I WAS HAPPY TO EXPLAIN THE CIRCUMSTANCES ASSOCIATED WITH THE COUNCIL.
>> JUST QUICKLY. >> OKAY. WE WERE NOT AWARE THE BUSINESS WAS OPERATING. WE DO NOT ISSUE BUILDING LICENSES.
THE CITY DOES NOT REALLY KNOW IF THE NEW BUSINESS WAS STARTED OR NOT UNLESS THEY WERE SIGNING UP FOR SOMETHING. AND ONCE WE BECAME AWARE OF THIS BUSINESS OPERATING WITHOUT THE APPROPRIATE PERMITS, WE WORK WITH THEM TO GET THE PROCESS AND THAT IS THE PROCESS HERE TODAY.
>> OKAY. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? READY TO VOTE?
>> COUNCIL MEMBER REGAN. COUNCIL MEMBER YATES. COUNCIL
>> COUNCIL MEMBER CRAVER. >> MIR PRICE.
[18. Ordinance (Final Reading): Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Authorizing the Issuance of City of Abilene, Texas, General Obligation Bonds, Series 2024 for Zoo and Recreation Facility Projects (Mike Rains)]
>> AND THE MOTION CARRIES. >> WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM 18 AND I WILL ASK MY FINANCE DIRECTOR TO PRESENT THIS ITEM.
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE. THIS ORDINANCE WILL AUTHORIZE THE APPROVAL OF THE BONDS FOR ZOO IMPROVEMENT AND RECREATION FACILITIES. THIS WILL ALLOW US TO PRICE THESE NEXT MONTH AND THEN HAVE THE FUNDING IN MARCH. THE PARAMETERS THAT THIS WILL ISSUE WILL BE ALLOWED TO BE -- THIS WILL BE UNDER A $43 MILLION TOTAL AMOUNT. IT WILL COST NO LARGER THAN 5.25% AND MATURE NO LATER THAN 2045. WE ALSO HAVE THE DEBT SERVICE ON THESE BONDS -- IT WILL NOT TAKE PLACE IN FISCAL YEAR 2024. THE FIRST WILL HAPPEN IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, AND THAT WILL COME FROM ABILENE, TEXAS. WE ALSO HAVE GEORGE WOOLFORD, OUR INVESTMENT ADVISER FOR THE TOP SECURITIES HERE AND HE WOULD LIKE TO GO OVER A FEW SLIDES ON THE ISSUANCE.
>> IT IS GOOD TO BE BACK. YOU SHOULD HAVE IN YOUR PACKET SOME INFORMATION WHICH WOULD PREPARE YOU. IT WAS PROVIDED TO MIKE.
AND IT WAS BASICALLY -- IT REITERATES HER STATES WHAT THEY DID. THERE WILL BE $43 MILLION TOTAL PROCEEDS DIVIDED BY ZOO PROJECT AND 28 RECREATION CENTERS, AND IT WILL BE A 20
[00:35:01]
YEAR REPAYMENT TERM. YOU WILL SEE OF COURSE OURSELVES AND BOND COUNSEL SERVING THE CITY. BUT THEN THE UNDERWRITERS THAT WILL HANDLE THE SALE OF THE ISSUE, THEY WERE FROST, HUNTINGTON, AND THEN SAM CO. TWO OF THOSE THREE HAVE BEEN QUITE INVOLVED ON THE CITY'S ISSUES OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. THIS IS A PROJECTED DEBT SERVICE SCHEDULE. YOU WILL NOTICE AT THE TOP, IT IS AT A INTEREST RATE OF 4.35%. IN ACTUALITY, THE CURRENT RATES ARE SUCH THAT WE WOULD EXPECT IT TO BE AROUND 4% OR MAYBE EVEN SLIGHTLY BETTER. IN THAT CASE, INSTEAD OF THE TOTAL DEBT SERVICE OVER $3.2 MILLION, POTENTIALLY AROUND $3.1 MILLION. AND, OF COURSE, THE COMMUNITY AND VOTERS WERE TOLD THAT THE TAX IMPACT WOULD BE NOT ANY MORE THAN 1.45% FOR THE ZOO PROJECTS AND 2.7 FOR RECREATION, SO HOPEFULLY WITH INTEREST RATES AND VALUE GROWTH, THAT CAN EVEN BE BEAT. WE WOULD HOPE. MIKE WENT OVER OR MENTIONED THE SCHEDULE. COUNSEL, IF YOU APPROVE TODAY THE ORDINANCE AS INDICATED, IT ESTABLISHES THOSE PARAMETERS OF THE MAX ISSUE SIZE RATE AND MATURITY, BUT IT DELEGATES TO THE CITY ADMINISTRATION AND THE ABILITY TO APPROVE THE PRICING.AND THAT IS REALLY FROM AN EFFICIENCY. IT IS JUST LIKE THE REFUNDING ISSUES WE HAVE DONE IN THE PAST. YOU DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO BE IN A SITUATION WE HAVE HAD A PRICE TO DEAL WITH THE DAY BEFORE CITY COUNCIL MEETING BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL INSTABILITY OF THE MARKET. THAT GIVES US THE FLEXIBILITY AND ABILITY TO BE REALLY IN OPTIMAL MARKET CONDITION. SO YOU WILL SEE AS IT IS LAID OUT IN THE SCHEDULE, WE WOULD SUBMIT THE PRELIMINARY OFFICIAL STATEMENT OR OFFERING DOCUMENT TO THE RATING AGENCIES NEXT WEEK AND HOLD CALLS THEN THERE AFTER THE FOLLOWING WEEK AND EXPECT THE RATINGS TO BE IN PLACE BY EARLY FEBRUARY, AND OF COURSE THE CURRENT RATINGS OF THE CITY ARE AA PLUS BY FITCH AND AA 2 BY MOODY'S. AND AS YOU SEE, IT SHOWS THAT WEEK OF FOR RAY 13TH THROUGH THE 15TH WOULD BE THE EXPECTED PRICING DAY. THAT COULD BE CONCEIVABLY ACCELERATED TO MAYBE THE WEEK BEFORE. IT WILL ALL DEPEND ON THE UNDERWRITER AND FROST BANKS UNDERWRITER KIND OF DETERMINING WHAT THEIR DEAL IS FOR THE MARKET. WE WILL TRY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF BEST CONDITIONS. THE LAST PAGE THAT I INCLUDED WAS JUST A SHOW OF INTEREST RATES ON TAX-EXEMPT DEBT. I HAVE DONE IT SINCE THE FIRST OF LAST YEAR. AND YOU WILL SEE GOING INTO MID-OCTOBER, THERE WAS A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT INCREASE, BUT WE HAVE ALSO BEEN SEEN THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR, A DROP. VERY SIGNIFICANT. OVER 100 BASIS POINTS. AND RATES ARE KIND OF RIGHT NOW FLOATING AT THAT LEVEL. SO HOPEFULLY WITHIN THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS, WE WILL STAY IN THESE TIGHT CONDITIONS AND THE CITY WILL SEE GOOD FINANCING RESULTS. BUT, WITH THAT, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU
MIGHT HAVE. >> ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU
>> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS FROM COUNSEL? AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM 18? PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME TO THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT, I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION IN A SECOND. I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN PRICE. A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN YATES. WITHOUT FURTHER DISCUSSION, WE ARE READY TO VOTE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER REGAN? >> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER YATES. >> YES.
>> THE MOTION CARRIES. >> WE HAVE A LOT OF STUDENTS IN THE AUDIENCE TODAY. THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE. WE
APPRECIATE IT. >> IS THIS ONE OF YOUR CLASSES?
[EXECUTIVE SESSION]
>> YOU ALL WANT SOME MORE FIREWORKS?
>> IT IS NOW 9:10 A.M., AND WE WILL RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT OF THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT. SECTION 551.002,
[00:40:01]
DELIBERATION ABOUT REAL PROPERTY. 55.1 .003, DONATIONS.551.004. PERSONNEL MATTERS. 551.006, SECURITY
[RECONVENE]
>> IT IS NOW 9:41 A.M. EXCUSE ME. IT IS NOW
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.