[CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:06]
AM AND I CALL THIS MEETING OF THE ABILENE CITY COUNCIL TO ORDER. I DO HAVE A SPECIAL GUEST HERE I WILL INTRODUCE SHORTLY. BUT NOW I ASK COUNCILMEMBER REGAN TO LEAD US
IN THE INVOCATION. >> THANK YOU FOR BRINGING US HERE TOGETHER AS CITIZENS TO RUN OUR CITY AND THE FREEDOMS THAT WE HAVE THAT ALLOW US AS THE CITY COUNCIL TO PROTECT THOSE FREEDOMS . THE WISDOM AND THE INSIGHT TO ALLOW WAS TO TAKE FEEDBACK PATIENTLY AND EAGERLY AND USE THAT TO MAKE BETTER DECISIONS ON BEHALF OF OUR CITY AND OUR RESIDENTS.
THANK YOU FOR THE NICE WEATHER WE HAVE HAD THIS WEEK AND LAST WEEK. WHEN IT IS 70 IN FEBRUARY IT IS HARD TO COMPLAIN. ALLOW US TO APPRECIATE THIS WEATHER NOW.
FINALLY, LORD, THANK YOU FOR THE EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY FOR THOSE THAT ARE CUSTOMER FACING THAT DEAL WITH THE TROUBLES AND PROBLEMS OF OUR RESIDENTS ON A DAILY BASIS AND GIVE THEM PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING AND LET THEM DO A GOOD JOB IN
YOUR NAME WE PRAY. >> TODAY I HAVE LUCY CRAIG AND SHE IS A FIFTH GRADER. HER MOTHER AND HER BROTHER ARE HERE. AND WHAT IS YOUR NAME PRINCIPLE?
>> LESLIE ROBERTS. >> WE ARE SO EXCITED TO HAVE YOU HERE TODAY. SHE IS GOING TO HELP US WITH THAT OUR PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE. >> ÊI PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.Î I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO TEXAS.
[PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PROCLAMATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS]
DIDN'T THINK IT WAS GOING TO BE A BIG DEAL BUT AFTER ONE WEEK OF WALKING THOSE ROUTES I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE.AFTER DOING IT FOR A WHILE I GOT USED TO IT. I THINK THE WORST PART ABOUT IT WAS THE PACE. EVERY TIME WE WENT OUT SHE KEPT TELLING ME, SLOW DOWN. YOU ARE WALKING TOO FAST. I HAVE HAD FUN THOUGH . FOR 10 YEARS I DID THAT BEFORE I BECAME SUPERVISOR OF THE DEPARTMENT. WE HAD TO READ EACH ONE MANUALLY AND NOW THEY ARE ALL ELECTRONIC. BEFORE THAT WE HAD TO WALK 7-10 MILES PER DAY. THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT READING THE READERS WAS DEALING WITH -- I HAVE AT LEAST FIVE PIT BULLS COME AT ME. I GOT BIT ONE TIME IN 10 YEARS AND THAT WAS THE ONLY TIME I EVER GOT BIT. I HAD METER READERS THAT GOT BIT BY PIT BULL DOGS AND THEY ARE PRETTY SERIOUS INJURIES.
[00:05:06]
RIGHT HERE IN THE MIDDLE. WE WANT TO PICK ON YOU. FOR 20 YEARS OF SERVICE, THAT IS GREAT. WE PROBABLY DON'T HAVE DOGBITE COMPENSATION IN HERE BUT WE HAVE SOMETHING THAT WILL SHOW UP FOR YOU IN HERE IS A PLAQUE FOR YOUR 20 YEARS OF SERVICE AND A COIN FROM THE CITY MANAGER. WE JUST CAN'T SAY THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR THE DILIGENCE THAT YOU DO. EVERY JOB IS VERY IMPORTANT AND WHAT YOU DO IS IMPORTANT.>> THANK YOU GEORGE. AS YOU SAID YOU ARE OUT THERE IN ALL KINDS OF WEATHER AND DOGS AND EVERYTHING ELSE. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR SERVICE. >> IS THERE ANYBODY YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE? WE ARE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF YOU. THANK YOU
>> YOU DIDN'T BRING THE DOG HERE, DID YOU? OKAY. GOOD.
>> WE WILL MOVE TO THE CONSENT AGENDA. I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE SOME MARTY COCHRAN AND HER CREW. THAT WHOLE COMMUNICATION CREW DID A PHENOMENAL JOB AND WE APPRECIATE ALL OF THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS THAT WERE THERE AND THE STUDENTS THAT WERE THERE. YOU AND YOUR STUDENTS DID AN AMAZING JOB AND I WANTED TO COMPLIMENT YOU ON THAT. WE
[CONSENT AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS]
WILL NOW MOVE TO THE CONSENT AGENDA WHICH CONSISTS OF ITEMS THREE THROUGH 15 AND THESE WILL BE CONSIDERED WITH ONE MOTION.THERE WILL BE NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION UNLESS THE COUNCIL MEMBER REQUESTS . IT DOES ANY COUNCIL MEMBER WISH TO PULL AN
ITEM SEPARATELY ? >> I WOULD LIKE TO PULL SEVEN
AND EIGHT. >> ANYONE ELSE? WE WILL NOW MOVE TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. THERE WILL BE NO VOTES OR FORMAL ACTIONS TAKING -- TAKEN ON SUBJECTS DURING PUBLIC COMMENT. IT WILL ALLOW MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO PRESENT IDEAS AND INFORMATION TO CITY OFFICIALS AND STAFF. PLEASE COME FORWARD, STATE YOUR NAME AND THE CITY YOU LIVE IN. THERE WILL BE A THREE MINUTE LIMIT.
>> I HAVE TWO CARDS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. I DO HAVE FOUR CARDS FOR 19 WE WILL COVER THAT WHEN WE GET TO THAT ITEM ON THE AGENDA. THE FIRST CARD THAT I HAVE IS LYNN JACKSON.
>> GOOD MORNING IT MR. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. I AM LYNN JACKSON AND I RESIDE IN THE CITY OF ABILENE. I AM HERE WITH THE UNITED WAY TEXAS CALL FOR HELP TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF OUR 211 DAY. IT IS INFORMATION AND REFERRAL DAY FOR THE CITY OF ABILENE AND THE STATE OF TEXAS WHICH IS ON SUNDAY FEBRUARY 11 BUT WE WILL BE CELEBRATING 21 ONE DAY AT OUR OFFICE ON FRIDAY. IT IS INFORMATION AND REFERRAL FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE CITY OF ABILENE SERVES OUR CLIENTS AND EMPLOYEES AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE YOU AWARE THAT OUR 211 STAFF, EVERY DAY, STRIVES TO PROVIDE EXCELLENT SERVICE TO OUR CITIZENS. MARCUS, WHO WILL COME BEFORE US, WILL PROVIDE SOME NUMBERS ABOUT THE CLIENTELE THAT WE SERVE. I SERVE AS THE COST CENTER MANAGER AND I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THE COUNCIL AWARE OF THE TREMENDOUS JOB THAT OUR STAFF DOES EVERY DAY TO PROVIDE CITIZENS THE SERVICE THAT THEY NEED WHEN THEY CALL US WHETHER IT IS FOR BASIC NEEDS LIKE FOOD, RENTAL ASSISTANCE, OR EFFICACY, WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE EXCELLENT SERVICE., FOR EXAMPLE, WE ADVOCATED ON BEHALF OF A CITIZEN WHO NEEDED HIS BIRTH CERTIFICATE. HE WAS BORN TO JAMAICAN PARENTS IN NEW YORK AND HE DID NOT HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF CONTACTING THE NEW YORK HEALTH DEPARTMENT SO HE CAME INTO 211 AND WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE ADVOCACY FOR HIM AND IT TOOK ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS TO GET HIS BIRTH CERTIFICATE FROM NEW YORK BECAUSE HE DID NOT KNOW WHAT
[00:10:02]
DISTRICT OR BOROUGH HE WAS BORN IN SO WE HAD TO GO TO THE ONLINE APPLICATION. INITIALLY THAT WAS DENIED SO WE HAD TO GO TO THE PAPER APPLICATION. HE NEEDED THIS BIRTH CERTIFICATE BECAUSE HIS DRIVERS LICENSE HAD EXPIRED AND HE HAD A NEW EMPLOYER BECAUSE HE CAME THROUGH 211 WE WERE ABLE TO ADVOCATE FOR HIM TO GET HIS BIRTH CERTIFICATE SO HE COULD KEEP HIS JOB AND GET HIS DRIVERS LICENSE AND THAT WAS A PROCESS OF ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS. THESE ARE THE TYPICAL STORIES THAT OUR COST SPECIALISTS TAKE EVERY DAY TO HELP OUR CITIZENS TO OVERCOME THE BARRIERS THAT THEY HAVE. IT WHETHER IT BE FOR FOOD, RENTAL ASSISTANCE. JUST YESTERDAY THERE WAS A CITIZEN THAT CALLED US AND THEIR ELECTRIC WAS AT DISCONNECT DID.SHE WAS WORKING AND HER HUSBAND IS DISABLED. BECAUSE THEY CONTRACTED IT TO 11 WE WERE ABLE TO GET HIS ELECTRIC BACK ON. WE HAVE EVERY DAY SUCCESS STORIES THAT WE HAVE AND WE WOULD LIKE TO LET YOU KNOW TO COME BY AND HELP US
CELEBRATE 211 AT OUR OFFICE. >> MARCUS WILEY.
>> GOOD MORNING. I AM MARCUS WILEY AND I AM A RESIDENT OF ABILENE. SUNDAY IS 21 ONE DAY AND WE ARE HERE TO RECOGNIZE THE WORK THAT 211 DOES FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND THE SERVICE THAT IT PROVIDES AND HOW IT HAS A POSITIVE IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY. IT PROVIDES INFORMATION AND REFERRAL 24/7 AND IT IS CONFIDENTIAL. PEOPLE WHO CALL GET A TRAINED SPECIALIST THAT ANSWERED THE PHONE. ARE IN OUR COMMUNITY IT ENSURES THAT THOSE FACING DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES CAN CALL SOMEONE AND GET HELP. IT CAN TAKE MONTHS TO GET ASSISTANCE FROM SOCIAL SERVICES AND SOMETIMES, WHEN PRESSURE IS HIGH, YOUR ELECTRICITY IS ABOUT TO BE SHUT OFF OR YOU MIGHT BE EVICTED, THERE IS A LOT OF PRESSURE. CALLING 21 ONE CAN HELP YOU ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS. 10,400 ABILENE RESIDENTS CALLED 2-IN-1 ASKING FOR HELP AND 31% WERE CALLS SEEKING HELP WITH BILLS WHETHER IT BE HEATING, COOLING, PHONE, AND MORE. SOMEWHERE FUNDING LOW-COST HOUSING, EMERGENCY SHELTER, OR A PLACE TO LIVE. 10% OF THOSE WERE SEEKING HELP BUYING FOOD WHETHER LOW-COST OR FOOD PANTRY. 8% OF THAT WAS FOR HEALTH SERVICES AND THEN 4% OF THAT WAS FOR FINDING SERVICES FOR POPULATIONS RELATED TO ELDERLY, VETERANS, OR ANIMALS. BY CONNECTING INDIVIDUALS TO THESE VITAL RESOURCES 211 PREVENTS THE CRISIS FROM ESCALATING AND EVENTUALLY GETTING WORSE. FINALLY I WANT TO SAY YOU COULD TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR YOUR SUPPORT FINANCIALLY AND THROUGH PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR US TO CONTINUE TO DO THIS WORK.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU TO DO THIS WORK GOING FORWARD. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT CORNERSTONE TO THE PLETHORA OF SERVICES IN ABILENE. 211 IS HELPING CONNECT TO PEOPLE THAT
NEED THE HELP. THANK YOU. >> THAT IS ALL OF THE CARDS
THAT I HAVE. >> WE ARE STILL IN PUBLIC COMMENT. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME?
>> BECAUSE I AM OVERLY WELCOME TODAY I AM DONNA AND I LIVE ON ENSIGN AVENUE. MAYOR AND COUNCIL AND DEPUTY CITY MANAGER, IT HAS BEEN REINFORCED TO ME IN THE LAST THREE DAYS THAT WE ARE SO LUCKY TO LIVE IN ABILENE, TEXAS. I HOSTED FRIENDS THAT I HAVE KNOWN 33 YEARS THROUGH TEXAS BEAUTIFUL. THEY CAME FROM DENTON , SENDS HAVE BEEN , LAKE JACKSON, AND MIDLAND. EVERYWHERE WE WENT WE GOT THE RED CARPET. THEY DIDN'T JUST LAY IT OUT BUT THEY SWEPT IT OFF. WE STARTED OFF AT THE DOUBLETREE AND JOHN MET US AT THE FRONT DESK AND BEFORE WE LEFT HE WAS YODELING FOR US.
THE MAYOR CAME BY AND GOT TO MEET THEM ALL. I MADE NOTES BECAUSE I WAS SO AFRAID I WOULD FORGET WHAT ALL WE DID. THAT NIGHT, WELL, WE WENT BY FRONTIER TAXES AND WE WERE
[00:15:07]
GIVEN OUR OWN PERSONAL TOUR OF FRONTIER TEXAS AND THEN WE WENT TO SEE DANA AND THEN HE WAS IN FINE FORM. AND HE IS NOW THE HATER FOR LUKE KC. HE SHOW THEM HOW A HAT WAS MADE AND WE WENT BACK TO THE HOTEL AND REFRESHMENTS WERE SENT TO OUR ROOM ALONG WITH A PERSONAL NOTE TO EACH ONE OF OUR GUESTS. HOW AMAZING IS THAT? THE NEXT DAY WHEN , WE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF SEEING THE LOCOMOTIVE. WE WENT ON TO THE DEPOT AND OUT IN THE LOBBY THERE WAS LYNN AND THEN THEY HAD EVERYBODY TO GREET MY GUESS UNTIL EVERYBODY HOW WONDERFUL IT WAS TO LIVE IN ABILENE. WE WENT THROUGH THE PARK AND SAW ALL OF THE SCULPTURES AND THEN WE WENT TO THE NICKEL AND PAM MET US AT THE DOOR. SHE TOOK US THROUGH AND TOLD US ALL ABOUT THE NICKEL THEN THEY PUT ON THE A SPECIAL DEMONSTRATION OF DIPPING APRICOTS. PAM TELLS US ALL ABOUT HOW SHE THOUGHT OUT THE -- AND GOT TO BE THE OWNER OF THAT FABULOUS STORE. WE LEFT THERE AND WENT TO STORYBOOK GARDEN AND THEN CAME TO THE HOTEL WHILE THE STATE OF THE CITY WAS GOING ON AND I MISSED IT BUT I HAVE WATCHED IT SINCE. THERE WE GOT TO MEET SO MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND DID I MENTION THAT MINDY CAME SPECIAL OVER -- THAT THING OFF -- BECAUSE I AM BRAGGING ON THE CITY. I AM NOT NAGGING IT. HOPEFULLY YOU WILL GIVE ME A LITTLE EXTRA TIME. MINDY CAME SPECIAL TRIP TO MEET THE GAS.WE MET ROBERT AT THE STAGE OF THE CITY AND JESSE AND HE INVITES US TO THE ZOO THE NEXT DAY. WE GO TO THE ZOO AND HE MET US AT THE FRONT DOOR AND GAVE US A PERSONAL TOUR THROUGH THE ZOO. HE HAS THE ZOOKEEPER THERE TO FEED THE RHINO AND THE GIRAFFES. I MEAN, THIS IS FABULOUS. WE ARE GOING BACK TO THE HOTEL AND I SAY PULL INTO THE PARAMOUNT AND OF COURSE GEORGE WOULD WANT TO GIVE US A TOUR OF THE PARAMOUNT. THESE ARE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES THAT ARE VERY INFLUENTIAL AND VERY INVOLVED. THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER EVER BEEN TREATED LIKE THEY WERE IN ABILENE TEXAS. THEY FELT LIKE CELEBRITIES AND KNEW THAT ANY MINUTE PEOPLE WOULD BE ASKING FOR THEIR AUTOGRAPHS. THANK YOU ABILENE. AREN'T WE LUCKY TO
LIVE HERE. >> THANK YOU DONNA.
>> THAT IS OUR DONNA. YOU ARE A SPECIAL PERSON. WE ARE STILL IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME. SEEING THEN I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT.
I NOW ASK FOR MOVE APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA THREE THROUGH 15 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SEVEN AND EIGHT.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. LET'S PLACE OUR VOTES. WE HAVE A NEW VOTING SYSTEM.
>> DISCONNECTED AND IT IS TRYING TO RECONNECT. THERE WE
GO. >> NOBODY HAS HIT SECOND YET?
CHANGING COLOR. >> DO YOU WANT ME TO TRY TO
>> THERE IT IS. WE ARE READY TO VOTE.
>> I HAVE AN ABSTENTION ON 11.
[7. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Take Action on Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Water Supply Agreement with the Palo Pinto County Municipal Water District No. 1 (Rodney Taylor)]
>> ALL YES SO THE MOTION CARRIES.
[00:20:04]
>> WE NOW MOVE TO AGENDA ITEM SEVEN. COUNCILMEMBER REGAN,
YOU HAD QUESTIONS ON THIS? >> YES. JUST WANTED TO TOUCH ON A FEW THINGS. FIRST, JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE UNDERSTAND WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED HERE AND ALSO KIND OF IN THE GREATER PICTURE HOW THIS PLAYS INTO OUR LONG-TERM STRATEGIC LAND AS FAR AS WATER. I FEEL LIKE ANYTIME WE DISCUSS SELLING WATER THAT IS A BIG CONCERN FOR THE CITIZENS SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE AWARE OF WHAT WE ARE DOING AND HOW THAT PLAYS INTO THE LONGER-TERM PICTURE. SO, WOULD YOU, IN MAYBE A SENTENCE OR TWO, IN SIMPLE TERMS EXPLAIN WHAT WE ARE DOING? IF YOU COULD JUST EXPLAIN IN ONE OR TWO SENTENCES WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE?
>> YES. RODNEY TAYLOR, DIRECTOR OF WATER AND UTILITIES. THIS IS A WATER SUPPLY CONTRACT WITH PALO PINTO COUNTY THAT PROVIDES WATER TO MINERAL WELLS AND MANY OF THE REGIONAL CUSTOMERS IN THAT AREA. THEY HAVE APPROACHED THE CITY TO PURCHASE WATER THAT THE CITY HOLDS WITHIN THE POSSUM KINGDOM RESERVOIR. THE WATER THAT IS INVOLVED IN THIS WAS ACQUIRED AS PART OF THE DROUGHT RESPONSE STRATEGIES AS WE WENT THROUGH A SEVERE DROUGHT HERE SEVERAL YEARS AGO. ABILENE REQUIRED 19,000 ACRE-FEET OF WATER AND IT IS HELD THEIR. THE CITY IS PAYING FOR THAT WATER BUT TO DATE WE HAVE NOT USED A DROP OF THAT WATER FOR ABILENE. THAT IS A GOOD. WE ARE FORTUNATE THAT THE NORMAL WATER SUPPLY LAKES HAD ADEQUATE WATER SO WE DID NOT NEED THIS WATER. IT IS A MEAN OF SELLING ACCESS WATER THAT ABILENE IS NOT USING. EVEN IN A DROUGHT SITUATION THIS IS JUST USING RESERVE WATER. IT WOULD HAVE NO ABILITY ON OUR -- NO IMPACT ON OUR ABILITY TO OPERATE. THIS WOULD HAVE NO IMPACT ON THE OPERATION OF THE PLANT UNDER THE DESIGN CAPACITIES OF THE FACILITY.
>> IN ORDER TO MAKE THIS AGREEMENT HAPPEN THE CITY IS NOT ON THE HOOK TO CREATE A NEW PIPELINE OR ANY PUMPS OR
ANYTHING LIKE THAT? >> THAT IS CORRECT. THIS RESALE WILL BE MANAGED BY -- SO IT WILL HAVE NO IMPACT ON THE FACILITIES. BRA WILL RELEASE IT AND IT WILL FLOW DOWNSTREAM AND IT WILL BE PICKED UP OUT OF THE BRAZOS RIVER THE MUNICIPAL DISTRICT.
>> IS THIS THE AMOUNT THAT THEY REQUESTED OR IS THIS THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT THAT CAN SPARE?
>> THE ORIGINAL WAS 1000. AFTER THAT INITIAL ASK, THE ASK INCREASED TO 3000 AND THAT IS THE MOST THAT WE CAN COMFORTABLY PROVIDE IN OUR CONTRACT TO THEM WITHOUT IMPACTING THE POTENTIAL ACCESS TO THAT IN THE FUTURE.
>> SO IF ANOTHER WATER DISTRICT COMES AND SAYS WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO BUY WATER, IS IT YOUR OPINION THIS MAXES US OUT ON
OUR CAPACITY TO SELL? >> AT THIS TIME THIS IS WHAT I AM COMFORTABLE AS DIRECTOR OF WATER UTILITIES TO SELL. WE HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE TO NOT BE IN A WATER CRISIS FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND THE FACT IS THAT WHAT LED US UP TO ACQUIRING THIS WATER WAS SEVERE DROUGHT AND WE DO NOT KNOW THAT WE ARE IN THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT SEVERE DROUGHT SO WE ARE BEING VERY CAUTIOUS ABOUT CONTRACTING MUCH MORE OF
THIS WATER FOR LONG-TERM. >> I BELIEVE THE INITIAL TERM GOES UNTIL AUGUST THIS YEAR AND THEN IT RENEWS ON AN ANNUAL
BASIS. IS THAT RIGHT? >> THIS YEAR AND THE THREE
[00:25:02]
SUBSEQUENT YEARS. THIS WOULD BE PRORATED OUT AND THEN THREE ADDITIONAL YEARS IS THE ADDITIONAL TERM. THEN IT HAS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR TWO RENEWAL TERMS , WITH YOUR APPROVAL AS THE COUNCIL AND THE APPROVAL OF THE B.R.A. AND PALO PINTO COUNTY. THERE COULD BE RENEWAL OF TWO TERMS.>> SO, IF THE UNEXPECTED DOES HAPPEN AND WE GO INTO ANOTHER SEVERE DROUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF ONE OF THESE TERMS, WHAT IS OUR FLEXIBILITY AS FAR AS THAT WATER ?
>> THERE IS A CLAUSE WITHIN THE AGREEMENT THAT IN A STAGE IV WATER CRISIS THE CITY MANAGER CAN GIVE NOTICE TO THE WATER DISTRICT , A ONE YEAR NOTICE, THAT WE ARE TERMINATING THAT CONTRACT. SERVICE BEYOND THAT YEAR TERM WOULD AND AND THEN IT WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO THE CITY OF ABILENE.
>> FINALLY, IF YOU WOULD PUT IT IN CONTEXT FOR LONG-TERM PLANNING FOR THE COUNCIL, SOMETIMES IT CAN FEEL LIKE WE DON'T HEAR TOO MUCH ABOUT WATER AND THEN WE ARE DOING A PROJECT OR THIS IS A NEW PLAN. JUST TO GIVE US CONTEXT AS WE ARE MOVING ALONG WE ARE SELLING WATER AND WE HAVE SOME EXCESS FORTUNATELY. IN THE LONGER-TERM PLAN OVER THE NEXT 20 OR 30 YEARS, CEDAR RIDGE HAS BEEN DISCUSSED. HOW DOES THIS WORK OR EFFECT OUR STRATEGIC THINKING AS FAR AS DO WE NEED TO DEVELOP OR SPEND MONEY FOR CEDAR RIDGE? HOW SHOULD THE
COUNCIL BE VIEWING THIS. >> I THINK RIGHT NOW ABILENE IS VERY FORTUNATE TO BE IN A SITUATION WHERE WE CAN ACTUALLY OFFER UP WATER TO SOMEONE THAT IS IN A CRITICAL NEED. THE ABILENE DEMANDS WILL CONTINUE TO GROW AND WATER SUPPLIES WILL CONTINUE TO DWINDLE OVER TIME SO THE WATER IN POSSUM KINGDOM IS ONE OF MANY PIECES OF THE WATER SUPPLY PORTFOLIO. THE CONTRACTS WITH B.R.A. TO HAVE AN EXPIRATION TERM OF 2043. THIS WATER WILL LIKELY BE ABLE TO RENEW THESE CONTRACTS AT THAT TIME AND IT WILL LIKELY BE AT A LESSER QUANTITY THAN IT IS RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THE B.R.A.
SYSTEM IS SEEING THE SAME DECLINE IN AVAILABLE WATER.
SO, AS DEMAND INCREASES THE SUPPLIES THAT DECREASE. CEDAR RIDGE AND SOME OTHER ALTERNATE WATER SUPPLY SOURCE WILL BE NEEDED IN THE FUTURE TO MEET OUR DEMANDS AS THE CITY AND
REGIONAL PROVIDER. >> SO WE ARE BASICALLY SELLING
EXCESS WATER. >> THAT IS CORRECT.
>> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OF RODNEY? I WILL OPEN UP PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 7? IF SO PLEASE COME FORWARD. SEEING NONE, I CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. I WILL ACCEPT EMOTION AND THE SECOND. I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER REGAN AND A SECOND . NO
[8. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Take Action on Authorizing the City Manager to execute a Temporary Resale Amendment to System Water Availability Agreement with the Brazos River Authority (Rodney Taylor)]
DISCUSSION, PLEASE VOTE. >> ALL YES. THE MOTION
CARRIES. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF RODNEY? WE WILL NOW MOVE TO THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM NUMBER EIGHT. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS? IF YES PLEASE COME FORWARD. SEEING NONE I CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. FURTHER DISCUSSION? ARE WE
READY TO VOTE? >> I NEED A MOTION. I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MCALISTER.
>> SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER REGAN. NO DISCUSSION? READY
TO VOTE. >> ALL YES , THE MOTION
[00:30:06]
CARRIES. >> YOU, FOR YOUR PATIENCE
THROUGH OUR NEW VOTING SYSTEM. >> IF YOU MAKE A MOTION OR A
[16. Ordinance (Final Reading) : Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action to Approve an Amendment to the Fee and Charges Ordinance to Add New Rates for Advertising in the Abilene Regional Airport Terminal (Don Green)]
SECOND THAT IS WHAT THAT MEANS. >> WE WILL NOW MOVE TO THE REGULAR AGENDA. I MOVE ON ITEM NUMBER 16 AND I WILL ASK DON GREEN, DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION TO PRESENT.
>> I AM DON GREEN, DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES. THIS IS THE FINAL READING FOR AN AMENDMENT TO THE FEE SCHEDULE OF THE CITY AND WE HAVE, AT THE AIRPORT, ADDED NEW MONITORS IN THE TERMINAL THAT WILL BE USED TO SELL DIGITAL ADVERTISING FOR ANYONE WITHIN THE CITY WHO IS INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING THERE. THE RATES REFLECT THE NEW ABILITY TO PRESENT ADS WE WERE EXCITED AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT STAFF HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND WE NOW HAVE THOSE INSTALLED AND ARE READY TO GO. WE JUST NEED THIS AUTHORIZATION, THIS AMENDMENT TO THE FEE SCHEDULE TO START SELLING ADVERTISING ON THOSE BOARDS.
>> QUESTIONS OF DON? THANK YOU DAWN. AT THIS TIME I OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST ITEM 16. IS SO PLEASE COME FORWARD. SEEING NO ONE I CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> SLOW DOWN JUST A LITTLE BIT PLEASE.
>> SO MOVED. >> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER REGAN AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER PRICE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MCALISTER AND COUNCIL MEMBER BEARD
[17. Ordinance (Final Reading) Z-2023-39: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on A Request From HD Development Properties LP (D/B/A The Home Depot), Represented By Cassie Permenter, To Amend The Terms Of The Planned Development District 75 To Allow Outdoor Retail Sales/Rental And Display Within The Track “The Home Depot”. Located At 4590 Southwest Dr, Abilene, TX 79606 (Tim Littlejohn)]
ABSTAINED. ARRESTS ARE YES. THE MOTION CARRIES.>> WE MOVE ON TO ITEMS 17. WE MOVED TO -- WE HAVE PRESENT.
ORDINANCE Z-2023-39. WE WANT TO A MENZ THE PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT 75. THIS IS IN THE HOME DEPOT TRACT.
HERE IS THE CURRENT ZONING MAP. HERE ARE VIEWS OF THE PROPERTY AND THE NEIGHBORING PROPERTIES. HERE IS THE NEW PROPOSED CONCEPTUAL PLAN. BASICALLY WHAT THEY ARE ASKING FOR IS TO AMEND THE SITE PLAN TO ALLOW FOR OUTDOOR RETAIL SALES OF RENTAL ITEMS. THIS SHOWS WHERE THEY WILL PLACE THOSE ITEMS AND THERE IS AN ADDITION CLOSER TO THE CURRENT CONTRACTOR AREA FOR THE ADDITION TO ALLOW FOR RENTALS.
HERE IS A BETTER VIEW OF THE CONCEPT PLAN. NOTIFICATIONS WERE SENT OUT AND WE DID NOT RECEIVE ANYTHING IN RETURN.
HERE IS THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT BY THE APPLICANT. -- EXCEPT WHAT IS SHOWN IN THE ORDINANCE. THERE IS ONE EXAMPLE OF EACH PRODUCT AND NO MORE THAN 10 PRODUCTS ON DISPLAY.
AMENDMENT OF A -- MINIMUM OF FOUR TREES MUST BE PLANTED ON DISPLAY IN THE AREA. THIS IT DOES MEET THE CRITERIA SET OUT IN THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE AND IT MEETS THE INTENT OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. PLANNING AND ZONING IS RECOMMENDING TO GIVE THIS APPROVAL WITH CONDITIONS. -- SHALL BE PROHIBITED AT ALL OTHER LOCATIONS ON THIS SITE LOCATED ON THE CONCEPT PLAN. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
[00:35:02]
OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS? IF SO PLEASE COME FORWARD. SEEING NONE I CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION AND A>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER CRAVER AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER BEARD . ANY DISCUSSION? PLEASE VOTE.
THERE WE GO. ALL YESES. THE MOTION PASSES.
[18. Ordinance (Final Reading) Z-2024-01: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on A Request From The Owner, Represented By Jacob Martin, To Change The Zoning Of Approximately 14.6 Acres From Agricultural Open To Planned Development District 185. Specifically, To Allow Residential Single-Family Uses On 5,000 Sq. Ft. Lots. Located At The 6500-6800 Block Of Fairway Oaks Blvd, Abilene, TX 79606 (Tim Littlejohn)]
>> WE NOW MOVE TO ITEM 18 AND WE ASK PRESENT THIS ITEM .
>> THANK YOU MAYOR AND COUNCIL. UP FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IS ZONING CASE Z-2024-01 . OF REQUEST BY THE OWNERS REPRESENTED BY TAKE A MARTIN TO CHANGE THE ZONING OF 14 POINT EIGHT ACRES FROM AGRICULTURAL OPEN SPACE TO PD AND IT IS LOCATED AT THE 6500-6800 BLOCK OF FAIRWAY OAKS BOULEVARD. HERE ARE VIEWS OF THE ZONING MAP, PROPERTY, HERE IS THE PROPOSED CONCEPT PLAN. HERE IS SOME OF THE PD REQUIREMENTS. LOT SIZE SHALL BE A MINIMUM OF 5000 SQUARE FEET WITH 50 FEET SETBACKS AND INTERIOR YARDS OF 5 FEET AND THE PROPERTY SHALL BE PLANNED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PLANS SHOWN. THERE IS A NOTIFICATION AREA . WE RECEIVED ONE IN FAVOR AND TWO OPPOSED. THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH OUR CODE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. PLANNING AND ZONING DID HEAR THIS REQUEST AND ARE REQUESTING YOUR PROPOSAL. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO
ANSWER QUESTIONS. >> ANY QUESTIONS?
>> LAST COUNCIL MEETING WE HAD A REALLY LONG DISCUSSION ABOUT A PD. IN MY OPINION SOMETIMES THESE PD'S ARE THROWN OUT THERE AND THEN THEY GET --. IS THERE A REASON THAT WE DID THIS INSTEAD OF A MORE BASE ZONING? I AM NOT SAYING THAT FUTURE COUNCILS WILL BUT IF THERE IS A BASE THAT FITS BETTER, IS THERE A REASON WHY THIS IS SPECIFICALLY A PD ?
>> WE CURRENTLY DON'T HAVE A DISTRICT THAT FITS THE REQUEST. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF REWRITING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE TO EXPAND THOSE DISTRICTS TO FIT THE MOST COMMON REQUESTS AND THAT IS A 5000 SQUARE-FOOT LOT. THE CLOSEST THING TO IT WOULD BE LIKE A PATIO ON A HOME BUT IT IS NOT QUITE RIGHT FOR THE PRODUCT THEY ARE WANTING TO PUT OUT THERE. THIS IS A COMMON REQUEST FROM DEVELOPERS THESE
DAYS. >> WHAT WILL THE BASE ZONING
BE? >> THERE IS NOT ONE ON THIS PARTICULAR PD. IT WOULD BE CLOSE TO -- DISTRICT AND IT IS AN EASILY -- EASY PD THAT IS EASY TO INTERPRET.
>> DO YOU THINK THAT DOWN THE ROAD THAT WOULD ALLEVIATE?
>> SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF RS6.
>> RS6 IS BASED ON THE SETBACKS AND I GUESS YOU WOULD CONSIDER THAT A BASE ZONE BUT THE RS6 WOULD BE REDUCED TO
5000 FEET . >> AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP
[00:40:03]
THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST ITEM 18? IF SO PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVEYOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD . >> THIS IS ITEM 19.
>> ITEM 19. >> GOOD MORNING. I AM THE AGENT FOR THE DEVELOPER HERE. THIS IS A PD BECAUSE THERE IS A CAP IN THE ZONING THAT DOES NOT ALLOW THIS PRODUCT. PATIO HOME COULD ARGUABLY COVER IT BUT THERE ARE SPECIFICATIONS THAT REQUIRE YOU TO BUILD ZERO LOT LINE AND THAT IS NOT WHAT THE CUSTOMER LIKE TO DO. WE WOULD LIKE TO USE THE SINGLE ZONING LOT AND JUST SQUEEZE IT DOWN TO 5500 . THERE ARE MODIFICATIONS WITHIN THE SETBACKS.
>> IN OUR OFFICE. IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS I WOULD BE
HAPPY TO ANSWER. >> WE APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU.
HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 18? IF SO COME FORWARD. SEEING NONE I CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. ARE THERE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? IF NOT I WILL ENTERTAIN A
MOTION AND A SECOND. >> I HAVE A MOTION BY
COUNCILMEMBER MCALISTER. >> SECOND.
>> I HAVE A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER YATES . IF NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, WE ARE READY TO VOTE.
[19. Ordinance (Final Reading) Z-2024-02: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on A Request From The Owner, To Change The Zoning Of 0.47 Of An Acre From Agricultural Open To Multi-Family, Located On 2900 Block Of Old Anson Road (Tim Littlejohn)]
>> ALL YESES, THE MOTION CARRIES.
>> WE WILL MOVE ITEM 19 AND WE ASKED HIM TO PRESENT ON THIS WHEN THE ITEM POPS UP.
IS ZONING CASE Z-2024-02 . THEIR REQUEST IS TO REZONE FOUR POINT -- .47 ACRES OF AGRICULTURE OPEN TO MULTI FAMILY. THIS IS THE LOCATION MAP. HERE IS THE ZONING MAP.
HERE IS THE CURRENT PERMITTED USES WITHIN THE AGRICULTURAL OPEN SPACE. HERE IS THE REQUESTED USES WITHIN MULTI FAMILY. THIS IS VIEWS OF THE SUBJECT AND SURROUNDING PROPERTIES. NOTIFICATIONS WERE SET OUT -- SENT OUT AND WE DID RECEIVE ZERO IN FAVOR IN TWO OPPOSED AND WE ALSO RECEIVED TWO OPPOSED OUTSIDE OF THE NOTIFICATION AREA. THIS WILL REQUIRE A SUPER MAJORITY VOTE. THE PROPOSED REQUEST IS CONSISTENT WITH THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE ON THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. P AND Z DID HEAR THIS REQUEST AND IS
RECOMMENDING APPROVAL. >> ANY QUESTIONS FOR TIM?
>> I APOLOGIZE BUT, CAN YOU GO BACK TO THAT MAP? YOU SEE THE WESTERN SIDE IS FLUSH. IF YOU GO BACK ANOTHER MAP, ONE MORE, RIGHT THERE. THIS LITTLE STRIP THERE, IS THAT JUST THE COMPUTER NOT GETTING THE COLORS CORRECT? THERE IS NOT GOING TO
BE A STRIP THERE OF AO? >> THAT IS RIGHT.
>> FOR HISTORICAL CONTEXT THIS CAME ONE YEAR AGO.
>> YES. >> THE SAME EVERYTHING THAT
WAS DENIED BACK THEN? >> CORRECT.
>> NO CHANGES TO THE APPLICATION?
>> YES, SIR . >> ANY QUESTIONS? THAT THANK YOU TIM. AT THIS TIME I OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST ITEM 19.
>> ANNETTE DELANEY DOES NOT WISH TO SPEAK BUT IS OPPOSED.
DENISE HARRISON. >> I LIVE AT 2836 OLD -- OLD ANSON ROAD ROAD. WE HAVE TWO THIRDS OF AN ACRE LOT RIGHT
[00:45:02]
NEXT TO THIS PROPOSED ZONING CHANGE ON BOTH THE WESTSIDE AND THE NORTH SIDE OF OUR PROPERTY. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU REALIZE HOW SMALL THIS PARCEL IS. IT IS LESS THAN HALF AN ACRE. IT IS ABOUT 75 FEET WIDE. THE PORTION THAT THE LANDOWNER OWNS TO THE NORTH OF THE PROPERTY, SAME THING. 75 FEET WIDE. THAT IS THE ONLY ACCESS TO OLD ANSON ROAD AND OUR WATER METER IS 25 FEET ONTO THAT PROPERTY. THERE ARE OVER 100 YEAR OLD OAK TREES ON THAT PROPERTY AND IF THEY WERE GOING TO DO SOME BUILDING THEY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE OUT TREES AND THAT WOULD DAMAGE OUR TREE ROOTS PROBABLY. SO, THERE IS ALREADY THREE APARTMENT COMPLEXES WITHIN HALF A MILE AND THEY ARE LOW INCOME. WE LITERALLY PICK UP TRASH EVERY DAY. THERE IS CRIME AND NOISE.THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT COME DOWN OUR ROAD OFTEN AND THERE IS ALSO A NURSING HOME. IT SEEMS LIKE IF THE CITY REALLY WANTS TO HELP RESTORE OR REJUVENATE OLDER NEIGHBORHOODS, REZONING THIS FOR MULTI FAMILY HOUSING DOES NOT SOUND LIKE A GREAT IDEA. THE WAY OUR HOUSE IS SITUATED ON THE LOT, WE BOUGHT IT SEVEN YEARS AGO AND APPARENTLY ALL OF THAT PROPERTY USED TO BE PART OF THE LAND WITH OUR HOUSE AND WAS SOLD OFF LONG AGO. THE NORTH SIDE OF OUR HOUSE IS ONLY 25 FEET FROM THIS PROPERTY AND 40 FEET FROM THE BACK OF OUR HOUSE. WITH A TOTAL OF LESS THAN ONE ACRE OF LAND THAT IS AN L SHAPE, HOW MANY UNITS CAN YOU REALLY BUILD A MAKE IT FEASIBLE? WE ARE REALLY OPPOSED TO IT AND HOPE WE -- YOU WILL CONSIDER THAT.
>> THANK YOU. UP NEXT? DAVID HOLLISTON.
>> MY A NAME IS DAVID HOLLISTON ON OLD ANSON ROAD.
THERE IS USUALLY A BUFFER BETWEEN RESIDENTIAL AND APARTMENTS. WOULD THAT BE MET IN THIS SITUATION. THESE APARTMENTS WILL BE VERY CLOSE TO MY HOUSE. I COULD LOOK AT THE KITCHEN WINDOW AND THEY WOULD BE RIGHT THERE. YOU CAN SEE THE FENCE TO THE PROPERTY LINE OF OLD ANSON ROAD EASILY.
I INVITE ANY MEMBER TO COME BY AND PULL IN MY DRIVEWAY, PARK, AND LOOK AROUND. SEE FOR YOURSELF. WE HAVE LIVED THERE SINCE 2016 AND I HAVE NOT SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN ABILENE WHERE APARTMENTS ARE SO CLOSE TO HOMES. IS THIS STANDARD PRACTICE FOR THE CITY? I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE ANSWER. THE PROPERTY OWNER SENT US A LETTER WANTING TO PURCHASE OUR PROPERTY. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF FINALIZING THE SITE IN THE DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR THESE LOTS. DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHAT TYPE OF APARTMENTS HE INTENDS TO BUILD? TWO-STORY OR THREE? AND WHAT IS ALLOWED. IF THIS PASSES I WANT TO KNOW WHAT I WILL BE LOOKING AT FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. HOW IS THE STREET ACCESS ADDRESSED ? THE IN AND OUT OF THE PROPERTY IS ON A CURB. THERE COULD BE A DRIVEWAY FOR PEOPLE GOING IN AND OUT OF THIS L. ADDING ANOTHER 30 CARS PLUS PEOPLE WALKING AROUND THIS AREA WITH THE SPEED LIMIT OF 40 MILES PER HOUR DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A GOOD IDEA TO ME. THESE PEOPLE WILL BE LIVING IN A CRAMPED AND CONFINED AREA. IF IT GOES THREE I NEED A VARIANCE TO ADD 2 FEET TO MY FENCE. PLEASE CONSIDER THE QUALITY OF LIFE THAT THESE FOLKS WILL BE DEALING WITH EVERYDAY. LOCKED IN THIS L SHAPE PROPERTY, THEY WILL WANT TO SPREAD THEIR LEGS AND -- EXERCISE THEIR LEGS AND BE EVERYWHERE. IT WILL BE DIFFICULT FOR LIFE FOR EVERYBODY CONCERNED. I WALK MY DOG EVERY DAY AND WE ALWAYS PICK UP A BAG OF TRASH. I DON'T WANT TO DO IT ON THE BACKSIDE OF MY PROPERTY TOO. LIKE MY WIFE SAID THERE ARE MANY APARTMENTS ON OUR STREET ALREADY. OUR NEIGHBOR GARY HAS A 17 ACRE SITE NEAR HIM THAT HIS MULTI FAMILY. YOU WILL
[00:50:09]
HAVE AT LEAST 300 CARS PLUS PEOPLE GOING ON OLD ANSON ROAD ON A DAILY BASIS. WHEN IS ENOUGH ENOUGH? THE WEST SIDE IS BEING TAKEN OVER BY APARTMENTS. THAT IS WHAT I SEEGOING ON. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR PATIENCE. PLEASE CONSIDER THE CONCERNS OF MY NEIGHBOR
TOO. THANK YOU. >> I HAVE GARY WESTBROOK. IS
HE STILL HERE? OKAY. >> I AM GARY WESTBROOK AND I LIVE ON OLD ANSON ROAD ADJACENT TO THE PROPERTY THEY WANT TO DEVELOP. I MOVED THERE 20 YEARS AGO AND WE PLANNED TO RETIRE THERE. IT HAS GOTTEN MORE CRAMPED. THEY BUILDS -- BUILT ANOTHER APARTMENT COMPLEX RIGHT AFTER WE MOVED THERE. I PICK UP A BIG BAG OF TRASH THERE EVERY MONTH. THEY BREAK THROUGH THE FENCE BOARDS OUT IN THE BACK OF MY PLACE.
THEY DO DRUG DEALS. WE HAVE FOUND SCALES AND NEEDLES. THEY MAKE DRUG DEALS BEHIND OUR PLACE ALREADY. IT IS PRETTY FAR BACK THERE BUT NOW IF THEY PUT THIS RIGHT NEXT TO OUR PLACE IT IS ONLY 10 FEET FROM THE CORNER OF THAT PROPERTY TO THE CORNER OF MY HOUSE. OUR BEDROOM IS THERE. THAT IS WHERE MY WIFE SLEEPS BECAUSE SHE HAS TO SLEEP DURING THE DAYTIME.
IT IS GOING TO GET LOUD AND WE WORRY ABOUT HOW IT WILL IMPACT US. IT WILL BRING ALL OF THE STUFF THAT HAPPENS AT THE BACK OF OUR HOUSE TO THE FRONT. THEY THROW TRASH FROM THEIR BALCONIES INTO OUR YARDS. DIAPERS AND ALL KINDS OF TRASH.
INSTEAD OF TAKING IT TO THE DUMPSTER, THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN THERE TOO. I JUST WORRY ABOUT THE PRIVACY. OUR BACKYARD IS RIGHT THERE AND IT WILL BE 30 FEET FROM OUR BACKYARD AND THEY WILL BE LOOKING STRAIGHT DOWN. THERE IS TRAFFIC THAT WILL COME OUT OF THAT CURB AND THERE WILL BE THREE DRIVEWAYS COMING OUT OF THAT. PEOPLE DON'T FOLLOW THE SPEED LIMIT. PEOPLE REGULARLY RACE DOWN THAT STREET AND THEY DON'T SLOW DOWN AT THAT CURB. I HOPE EACH OF YOU WILL TRY TO PUT YOURSELF IN OUR POSITION AND I HOPE YOU WILL VOTE ACCORDINGLY. THAT IS ALL I WOULD LIKE TO SAY.
>> WE ARE STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST ITEM 19? SEEING NO ONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANY QUESTIONS FROM
THE COUNCIL? >> IS THAT ONE OR TWO FOR TIM? TIM, SO THIS PARCEL THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT IS LANDLOCKED CURRENTLY. NO DRIVEWAYS. IS THE OWNER OF THAT DOES THAT THEY DO THEY ON THE ONE TO THE WEST?
>> YES. >> DO THEY OWN 2910 AS WELL?
>> SO ARE THEY LOOKING AT DOING AN ENTRANCE EXIT? WOULD THEY
GO THROUGH --? >> I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY PROPOSALS AT THIS TIME. TYPICALLY IN A CASE LIKE THIS THEY WOULD RE-PLOT THIS AND THEY WE GIVE THESE SETBACKS TO EXPAND MORE STRUCTURES. LIKE I SAID, THEY HAVE NOT PROPOSED ANY OF THIS TO US YET. WE REALLY DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER TO
THAT YET. >> THIS IS MARKETING INTO THE SPECIFIC BUILDINGS WHERE THEY WOULD GO AND YOU MAY NOT KNOW, ARE THEY NEEDING TO CHANGE THIS IN ORDER TO PUT A BUILDING WHAT WOULD BE SLIGHTLY NORTHEAST OF THAT BUILDING BECAUSE IT WILL FALL ONTO THE PARCEL THAT WE ARE BEING ASKED TO CHANGE? OR IS THE PLAN TO PUT AN ENTIRE BUILDING IN THAT NEW PLAT OR THAT SECTION THAT WE ARE BEING
ASKED ABOUT. >> STAFF KNOWS THEY WANT TO
[00:55:03]
EXPAND BUT AS FAR AS HOW MUCH AND WHAT PLACEMENTS, WE HAVE NOT SEEN THAT YET. RIGHT NOW IT IS JUST A REQUEST FOR THE SITECHANGE. >> SO THERE IS NO CONCEPT YET
>> THAT IS RIGHT. >> BASED ON THE CURRENT ZONING, IF THIS IS DENIED, WITH THE CURRENT OWNER BE ABLE TO PULL IT ONE OF THEIR BUILDINGS TO THE NORTHEAST OF THE CURRENT BUILDING? OR WOULD THE BUFFER AND THE ZONING
PREVENT THAT? >> IT IS A POSSIBILITY BUT WE WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT THE MEASUREMENTS.
>> THANK YOU . >> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS?
>> TIM , OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD DO YOU RECALL THE BUFFER
REQUIREMENTS? >> I BELIEVE IT IS TYPE I AND THAT IS THE LEAST DENSE FOR THIS AREA. THERE WOULD BE SOME BUFFER REQUIREMENT. I DON'T KNOW IF IT WOULD ALLEVIATE ALL OF THE CONCERNS THAT IT WOULD HELP WITH SOME OF THE CONCERNS.
ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS ? IS ANY FURTHER COMMENTS. IF NOT I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION AND SECOND.
>> I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT THE NEXT ITEM WILL BE THE BILL -- REBUILD ABILENE . FAMILY HOUSING IS THIS IS DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THAT AND FAMILY HOUSING IS NOT THE GOAL OF THAT
AREA. >> FURTHER COMMENTS? IS THERE A MOTION AND A SECOND? THIS ITEM FAILS WITH NO MOTION.
[20. Ordinance (Final Reading) OAM-2023-01: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on A Request From The City Of Abilene To Amend The Land Development Code (LDC) To Create The Rebuild ABI Infill Overlay (RAI) District To Promote Infill Development And Redevelopment In Targeted Neighborhoods (Tim Littlejohn)]
AND I ASKED TIM LITTLEJOHN TO PRESENT THIS ITEM .>> THANK YOU. UP FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION THIS MORNING IS ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS OAM-2023-01. THEY ARE LOOKING TO AMEND -- THERE WE GO. LET ME LEFT THAT RESET.
>> SORRY. WE ARE STILL LEARNING.
>> YOU ARE DOING GREAT >> YOU ARE NERVOUS AND WE ARE NOT. TECHNOLOGY IS WONDERFUL.
>> WE ARE LOOKING TO REPEAL THE NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION OVERLAY AND REPLACE IT WITH THE REBUILD ABI AND TO AMEND THE OFFICIAL MAP TO SHOW THE LOCATION OF THE REBUILD ABILENE OVERLAY. A NEW ZONING ORDINANCE IS BASED ON WHAT THE CITY ASPIRED TO BECOME BUT DID NOT ADDRESS. THIS RESULTED IN NONCONFORMING PLOTTED LOTS. THE NEED FOR VARIANCES AND SPECIAL EXCEPTIONS TO ALLOW FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSIONS AND VACATED LOTS. THE PURPOSE OF THE OVERLAY IS TO COMPLEMENT THE REBUILD ABS -- ADI -- ABI THAT WE HAVE DISCUSSED. HERE IS THE NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION OVERLAY THAT WE ARE REPLACING TODAY. THERE IS NOT A SINGLE PROPERTY THAT HAS BEEN ZONED TO -- SO IT DID NOT ACHIEVE.
THIS SHOWS THE RAI DISTRICT ON THE ZONING MAP. IT REQUIRES MULTIPLE VARIANTS TO BE DEVELOPED AND WE RELAXED STANDARDS THAT ARE VARIABLE AND PRACTICAL AND ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR A VARIANT THAT WOULD MAINTAIN THE CHARACTER OF THIS NEIGHBORHOOD. TO DO THAT WE ARE ALSO GOING TO IMPLEMENT SETBACK AVERAGING IN THE AREAS. AS WE HAVE DRIVEN THROUGH SOME
[01:00:03]
OF THESE IT NEIGHBORHOODS SOME OF THESE HOUSES ARE SITTING A BIT FURTHER FORWARD. WE CAN TAKE AN EMPTY LOT, MEASURE THE BLOCK LINKS AND DO AN AVERAGE SETBACK ALONG THAT AREA AND HAVE THAT LOT MEET THE EXACT SAME THING. THE BIG TAKE AWAY IS THE VARIANT WOULD NOT BE PERMITTED AND THEY WOULD ONLY PERTAIN TO SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL AND NONCONFORMING LOTS WITHIN THE REBUILD ABI PROPERTIES. THERE ARE 10 AFFECTED NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WOULD BENEFIT FROM BEING WITHIN THE RAI DISTRICT. HERE ARE THEY THE AFFECTED NEIGHBORHOODS. ALAMEDA, HOLIDAY HILLS, COLLEGE HEIGHTS, STEPHENSON, SEARS, CARVER, PASADENA HEIGHTS, AND OLD TOWNE ABILENE IS WHERE WE FOUND THE MOST CHALLENGING PLOTS.HERE IS THE PROPOSED OVERLAY MAP. P AND Z DID HEAR THIS AND THEY ARE RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSAL.
>> QUESTIONS? >> TIM , IT SAYS IN THE LANGUAGE THAT VARIANTS FROM THE ALTERNATIVE STANDARDS SHALL NOT BE PERMITTED. IS THAT BY DESIGN? IF WE ARE APPLYING THIS OVERLAY TO A FAIRLY LARGE AREA DO WE ANTICIPATE THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS EVER AND WE SHOULD NOT EVEN CONSIDER THAT? I UNDERSTAND THE EFFORT TO ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR VARIANCES. THAT IS A GOOD THING BUT SAYING THERE WILL NEVER BE AN EXCEPTION, IS THAT NORMAL?
>> WE HAVE RELAXED THEM IN SUCH A WAY THAT IF WE RELAXED THEM ANYMORE IT COULD BECOME A FIRE HAZARD , ESPECIALLY ON CORNER LOTS. IF WE RELAX THOSE FURTHER IT COULD BECOME A HAZARD TO THE OCCUPANT OR DRIVERS. STAFF FEELS THAT WE HAVE TAKEN THEM DOWN TO THE BARE MINIMUM OR AS FAR AS WE CAN WITH THESE NARROW LOTS. IF WE REDUCE THEM ANYMORE, WHERE WILL YOU GO? IT CREATES FIRE HAZARDS. I DON'T THINK IT WOULD MEET THE CRITERIA OF A VARIANCE AT THAT POINT.
>> MY UNDERSTANDING OF THIS IS IF A RECONSTRUCTION OR NEW BUILD IS BEING BUILT TO THIS RELAXED STANDARD IT IS JUST THE STANDARD THEY CANNOT GET A VARIANCE TO? LIKE IF THEY WERE CLOSER TO THE STREET , THAT IS NORMAL BUT IT WAS MENTIONED EARLIER SOMEBODY WANTED A VARIANCE ON FENCE HEIGHT AND THAT IS NOT THE STANDARD THAT WAS RELAXED SO THEY COULD STILL
>> JUST NOT WHEN THEY ARE GETTING AN APPLICATION OF THIS RELAXED STANDARD. THERE IS NO VARIANCE?
>> THAT'S RIGHT. >> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS FOR
TIM? >> AT THIS TIME I OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST ITEM 20. IF SO PLEASE COME FORWARD. SEEING NO ONE I CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> I WANT TO EXPRESS APPRECIATION TO STAFF FOR COMING UP WITH SOMETHING THAT WILL ACHIEVE WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IN A WAY THAT SPEEDS UP THE PROCESS WHERE THEY ARE NOT HAVING TO COME THROUGH THE CITY AND GET A VARIANCE AND ALL OF THAT. I APPRECIATE THE TIME YOU PUT INTO THAT.
>> THANK YOU TO THE STAFF. THEY WORKED EXTREMELY HARD ON THIS AND IT WILL SAVE THE APPLICANT BETWEEN 6-7 WEEKS.
>> MOTION FOR APPROVAL. >> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER PRICE AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER BEARD .
IF THERE IS NO DISCUSSION, WE ARE READY TO VOTE.
[EXECUTIVE SESSION]
>> ALL YESES. THE MOTION CARRIES.
>>> IT IS 9:35 AM AND WE WILL RECESS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION PER SECTION 5 POINT -- 551.071 , SECTION 551.072,
[01:05:10]
DELIBE[RECONVENE]
[22. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Approving a Settlement Agreement Regarding Sharra Sampson v. City of Abilene (Stanley Smith)]
RECONVENE. NO ACTION WAS TAKEN DURING THE EXECUTIVE SESSION.WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM 22 . RECEIVE A REPORT, HOLD A DISCUSSION AND PUBLIC HEARING AND TAKE ACTION ON APPROVING A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT REGARDING SHARA SAMPSON. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST ITEM 22? IF SO PLEASE COME FORWARD. SEEING NONNA CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ANY IF NO DISCUSSION I ACCEPT A MOTION AND A SECOND.
I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER CRAVER AND SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER PRICE . PLEASE VOTE.
>> ALL YESES, THE MOTION CARRIES.
>> IT IS NOW
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.