Feb 22, 2024 City Council

[CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:07]

A.M. AND I CALL THIS COUNCIL MEETING ABILENE CITY COUNCIL TO ORDER. I'M GOING TO ASK LYNN BEARD TO OFFER THE INVOCATION AND LEAD US IN PRAYER THIS MORNING .

>> FATHER, WE COME BEFORE YOU HUMBLED THAT WE GET TO LIVE IN A CITY SUCH AS THIS, THE BLESSINGS THAT YOU HAVE BESTOWED UPON US ARE TOO NUMEROUS TO MENTION. GREAT LORD, EMPOWER US DISTORT THE BLESSINGS AND THE GIFTS THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US IN A MANNER THAT HONORS YOU, THAT HONORS EACH OTHER AND BRINGS GLORY TO YOUR SON. PLEASE PROTECT THOSE SERVING US TODAY, EVERY DAY AROUND THE WORLD, IN OUR STATE AND IN OUR CITY. FATHER, WE PRAY FOR YOUR WISDOM AS WE MAKE DECISIONS TODAY. I PRAY THESE THINGS IN JESUS NAME, AMEN.

>>I 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. >>HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.

JOHNSON TO JOIN US.

[PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PROCLAMATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS]

I WILL READ THIS RIGHT QUICK. IN RECOGNITION OF ACTIONS IN THE FIELD THAT HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON PUBLIC SERVICES, AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION- TEXAS CHAPTER FIELD EXCELLENCE AWARD IS PRESENTED TO NICK CANTU, CITY OF ABILENE .

AWARD STANDS FOR MANY THINGS FOR ABILENE. APWA IS THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION. IT DOES ENTAIL EVERYTHING THAT WE RECOGNIZE IN PUBLIC WORKS IN ABILENE AS WELL AS OTHERS THAT WE DON'T, LIKE WATER UTILITIES. WE HAVE A SEPARATE WATER UTILITIES. THAT IS ALSO REPRESENTED BY APWA.

PARKS, THERE IS FLEET, A LOT OF THINGS. THIS IS AN LARGE ORGANIZATION AND A VERY BIG HONOR TO WIN THIS AWARD. NICK DOES AWESOME THINGS FOR US. HE IS ONE OF OUR FIELD INSPECTORS.

HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DOWNTOWN CONCRETE PROJECT. IF YOU LIKE IT, IT WAS HIM. IF IT WASN'T, IT WAS GEORGE WHO WAS SITTING RIGHT HERE. HE COMPETED AGAINST EVERYBODY IN TEXAS, AUSTIN, HOUSTON AND DALLAS THAT NORMALLY WINS THESE AWARDS.

GREAT JOB. >>

>> I WANT TO SAY I AM PROUD OF ALL OF THE EMPLOYEES, BUT WHEN WE HAVE SOMEONE WHO STRIVES AND GETS AN EXCELLENCE AWARD, WE ALWAYS WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE HERE TO COMPLEMENT YOU ON A FANTASTIC JOB. THANK YOU.

BASE. WE MET WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECOGNIZE ANYBODY?

>> NOT REALLY. I GUESS I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO GOD, TO MY FAMILY, TO MY WIFE, MY KIDS THAT ARE SITTING THERE. LIKE MAX SAID, THEY ARE MY BIGGEST FAN BASE. THEY ARE THE ONES WHO PUSH ME AND MAKE ME STRIVE TO DO BETTER EVERY DAY. MY IN LAW BILLY IS HERE. HE HAS BEEN A BIG ROLE MODEL SINCE COMING INTO MY LIFE. OBVIOUSLY EVERYONE THAT I WORK IN -- WITH DAY IN AND DAY OUT. THIS AWARD HAS GOT MY NAME ON IT, BUT IT REALLY RECOGNIZES ALL OF US. THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT, CHANCE OVERTON, COME ON UP .

[00:05:09]

APPLAUSE ] >> WHAT A PRIVILEGE, NOT JUST ONE BUT TWO. THE SAME THING GOES, THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION COMPETING AGAINST ALL THE BIG CITIES AND WE GOT IT IN ABILENE. CHANCE DOES GREAT THINGS FOR THE CITY AND IS ONE OF OUR SIGN SIGNALS AND LIGHTING TECHNICIANS. HE'S OUT THERE IN THE BUCKET TRUCK CHANGING OUT THE SIGNALS. HE IS REPLACING THE STOP SIGNS WHEN THEY ARE KNOCKED OVER OR BUMPED. HE'S DOING MARKINGS IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL'S TO ALLOW THE KIDS TO CROSS SAFELY. THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE AND CONGRATULATIONS. GREAT WORK.

RECOGNIZE OUR EMPLOYEES AND I AM SURE THAT I SPEAK ON BEHALF OF OF ALL THE COUNSEL. WE ARE VERY PROUD AND APPRECIATIVE OF EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECOGNIZE SOMEONE?

>> NOT NECESSARILY RECOGNIZE ANYONE. I KNOW THE CITY IS STARTING A NEW CHAPTER AND I AM JUST GLAD TO BE A PART OF THAT.

THANK YOU.

[CONSENT AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS]

WILL NOW MOVE TO PUBLIC COMMENT. THERE WILL NOT BE ANY VOTE OR FORMAL ACTION TAKING ON THE DISCUSSIONS. IT WILL ONLY ALLOW MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO PRESENT IDEAS AND INFORMATION TO CITY OFFICIALS AND STAFF. PLEASE COME FOR, STATE YOUR NAME AND THE CITY YOU RESIDE IN. THERE WILL BE A THREE MINUTE LIMIT AND WE WILL START WITH CARDS.

>> I HAVE ONE CARD, DOROTHY CLAY.

>> GOOD MORNING. GOOD TO SEE YOU TODAY. I WANT TO SHARE SOME GOOD NEWS. I WANT TO SHARE WITH THE COUNSEL AND WITH EVERYONE PRESENT THAT ODESSA BECAME THE FIRST CITY TO BAN COVID VACCINE MANDATES. THE RESOUNDING MOVE IN DEFENSE OF INDIVIDUAL MEDICAL LIBERTY AND AUTONOMY THE CITY COUNCIL OF ODESSA, TEXAS, MADE HEADLINES THIS WEEK. WELL, IT WAS ACTUALLY A FEW MONTHS AGO BY PROHIBITING THE ENFORCEMENT OF COVID ERA MANDATES AND RESTRICTIONS. THIS COURAGEOUS MEASURE HAS SPARKED HOPE IN THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO HAVE THE RIGHT TO FREELY MAKE THEIR OWN MEDICAL CHOICES. IT IS TIME FOR TEXAS TO RALLY BEHIND THIS DECISION AND ENCOURAGE OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENT, AND BODIES ACROSS OUR GREAT STATE TO FOLLOW SUIT.

THE RESOLUTION PASSED BY CITY COUNCILMEMBER CHRIS HANEY RESONATES WITH TEXAS FOR VACCINE CHOICE SUPPORTERS COME WHICH I AM AN ADVOCATE OF, VALUE THEIR CIVIL LIBERTIES AND FEARED OVERREACH AND TO HEALTHCARE DECISIONS. HALEY'S ARGUMENT THAT RESIDENTS SHOULD HAVE THE FREEDOM TO DECIDE WHETHER TO WEAR A MASK OR RECEIVE VACCINATIONS IS A TERM DEFENSE OF MEDICAL LIBERTY. HE ALSO POINTED OUT ODESSA HAS NOT EXPERIENCED AN INCREASE IN CORONAVIRUS DISEASE CASES, SUGGESTING THE CITIES RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE IN THEIR ACTIONS, DEMONSTRATING THAT A RETURN OF MANDATES WOULD BE UNNECESSARY AND INDIVIDUALS SHOULD ALWAYS BE GIVEN THE FREEDOM TO MAKE INFORMED CHOICES FOR THEMSELVES. THE

[00:10:03]

>> WE ARE STILL IN PUBLIC COMMENT. WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO

SPEAK AT THIS TIME? >> TAMMY VOGEL, RESIDENT OF ABILENE. I STARTED COMING TO CITY COUNCIL MEETING AS A NORMAL PERSON. I JUST WANTED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS GOING ON AND I WAS TOLD TO SHOW UP. I FEEL LIKE I COME WITH A PRETTY BLANK SLATE. I WAS TAUGHT IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM YOU, YOU SPEAK OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND LET THEM KNOW WHAT YOU THINK. I FOUND THAT IS PROBABLY NOT THE MOST HELPFUL PATH FORWARD. THERE ARE LOTS OF STEPS THAT WE CAN TAKE. I HAVE TAKEN IT ON IS MY JOB, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE MAKE YOUR LIVES EASIER BY FOLLOWING THEM BETTER AND MORE HELPFUL PROCESS. I FOUND I HAVE NOT REALLY INTERACTED WITH INTERVIEW PRIOR TO COMING TO CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS OUR CIRCLE SITTING CROSS. WHAT I FOUND WAS THE MORE THAT I CAN THE MORE THAT I GOT TO KNOW YOU. I KNOW THE SHAME PRICE IS A STICKLER FOR DETAILS. HE LIKES TO KNOW THE INFORMATION AND MAKE SURE PEOPLE STICK TO WHAT THEY SAY. LYNN BEARD, YOU ARE A MAN OF THE LAW AND WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE STICK TO IT AND MAKE IT SOMETHING THAT IS MANAGEABLE FOR US TO WORK WITH IN THE CONFINES OF THE CITY. YOU LOVE TO ENGAGE IN CONVERSATION AND IN DOING SO IT ALLOWS THE CITIZENS TO BE A PART OF THE TOPICS GOING ON. I SEE THAT YOU DESIRE TO REPRESENT THOSE WHO YOU HAVE BEEN ELECTED TO SERVE WELL.

MAYOR, YOU COMMITTED TO IN THE STRUCTURE REDEVELOPMENT AND MY GOODNESS, YOU HAVE DONE THAT THE ENTIRE TIME. THAT IS ONE THING I WILL SAY, YOU STATUE TO THE WORD AND I THINK THE BETTY -- CITY WILL BENEFIT. BRIAN GATES, I THINK YOU HAVE A DESIRE TO CREATE A COMMUNITY THAT IS BENEFICIAL TO ALL. KYLE MCALLISTER, YOU ARE A NATURAL COACH. YOU CAN SEE THAT IN THE MEETINGS WHERE YOU HELP PARENTS, KIDS AND PEOPLE UNDERSTAND HOW TO DO IT WELL. I THINK IT COMES FROM A PLACE OF WANTING TO HELP THEM OTHER WAYS. AND ALSO YOU LIKE TO MAKE PEOPLE LAUGH. WE LAUGH A LOT BECAUSE OF YOU. TRAVIS, YOU ARE A DEEP WELL. YOU DON'T SPEAK A WHOLE LOT BUT WHEN YOU DO IT IS VERY THOUGHTFUL AND TENDS TO REFLECT THE READING OF THE MANY BOOKS THAT YOU DO AND SEEMS TO BE CULTURALLY RELEVANT. WE CAN TELL THAT YOU SPEAK WHEN YOU FEEL IT IS NECESSARY AND THAT IS IMPORTANT. ALL I AM SAYING IS I'VE TAKEN THE TIME TO GET TO KNOW YOU. I THINK YOU'VE HAD OPINIONS ABOUT ME AND HOPEFULLY THAT IS CHANGED. I THINK AS A COMMUNITY IF WE MODEL SPENDING TIME TO GET IT -- TO KNOW PEOPLE BETTER WE WILL SUCCEED MUCH BETTER THAN THE WAY OF THE STANDARD. I HAVE TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO EVERY EMPLOYEE WHO HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL AND VERY KIND. IT'S REALLY HARD TO GET UP HERE AND COMPLAIN BECAUSE NOW I SEE YOU AS HUMAN PEOPLE DOING THE BEST THAT YOU CAN. I HOPE THAT MORE CITIZENS CAN BE ENGAGED IN THAT KIND OF RELATIONSHIP RATHER THAN THE ONE OF THE PAST. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. I APPRECIATE WHAT

Y'ALL DO. >> WHAT ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME? SEEING NO ONE I WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION FOR ITEMS 3-20 WITH THE

EXCEPTION OF SEVEN. >> THE MOST.

>> A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN PRICE. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?

[00:15:10]

[21. Ordinance (Final Reading): Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on an Ordinance Approving Revised Budget Figures for Fiscal Year 2023-2024; for the City of Abilene; Appropriating Funds; Repealing all Ordinances and Parts of Ordinances in Conflict Herewith; Calling a Public Hearing. (Mike Rains)]

>> WE NOW MOVE TO REGULAR AGENDA ITEM 21 AND I WILL ASK THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO PRESENT THIS ITEM.

>> THIS ITEM IS A FINAL READING OF A BUDGET ORDINANCE THAT SIMPLY LOWERS THE AUTHORIZED POSITION AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FROM 3-2. UNDER THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE ONCE THERE IS A VACANCY CREATED YOU HAVE 90 DAYS TO FILL THAT POSITION AND PROMOTE SOMEONE FROM WITHIN THE RANKS. WITH THE RETIREMENT OF THE ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF THE 90 DAY CLOCK IS RUNNING. WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO IS REDUCE THAT GIVE OUR NEW POLICE CHIEF A TIME TO EVALUATE THE POSITION. WE CAN ALWAYS ADD THIS BACK AT A LATER TIME. THERE ARE NO DOLLAR AMOUNTS ASSOCIATED. IT IS JUST REDUCING POSITIONS. I WOULD BE

HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. >> IN 90 DAYS YOU COME BACK TO US AND WE WILL PROCEED FROM THERE?

>> WELL, IT WILL BE PRETTY MUCH UP TO THE CHIEF WHEN HE WANTS TO BRING IT BACK. THERE WILL BE NO TIME CONSTRAINT.

>> THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP A PUBLIC HEARING.

IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST ITEM 21? PLEASE COMPORT AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MCALLISTER.

>> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COUNCILMAN BEARD.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? WE ARE READY TO VOTE.

[22. Ordinance (Final Reading) Z-2024-03: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on A Request From The Owner, Represented By Enprotec/Hibbs & Todd, Inc., To Change The Zoning Of Approximately 1.84 Acres From Residential Single Family (RS-6) To Patio Home (PH). Located at The 2500 Block Of Bel Air Drive. (Tim Littlejohn)]

>> WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM 22 AND I WILL ASK TIM LITTLEJOHN TO PRESENT THIS ITEM.

LITTLEJOHN DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND SERVICES.

APPLICANT IS THE REQUEST TO REZONE FROM RS-SIX THE PATIO HOME LOCATED AT THE 2500 BLOCK OF BEL AIR DRIVE. HERE IS THE CURRENT PERMITTED USES. AND HERE IS THE PROPOSED USES WITHIN THE PATIO DISTRICT. HERE ARE VIEWS OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY. NOTIFICATION MAP WE RECEIVE ZERO IN FAVOR AND 0 OPPOSED. HERE IS THE PROPOSED PLATT CREATING 13 LOTS. THIS REQUEST IS CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND MEETS ALL THE CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL. WE ARE RECOMMENDING APPROVAL THIS MORNING. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

>> I THINK SOME OF THIS MAY BE INTENDED TO FALL WITHIN OUR

INFIELD INCENTIVES . >> YES, SIR. THIS DEVELOPER IS DEVELOPING THIS PARTICULAR TRACK OF LAND FOR THAT PROGRAM.

IF APPROVED HE WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS PROGRAM.

>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR TIM? AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST ITEM 22? SEEING NO ONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANY FURTHER COMMENTS

[00:20:05]

>> SO MOVED. >> I HAVE EMOTION AND A SECOND.

WE ARE READY TO VOTE.

[EXECUTIVE SESSION]

CARRIES. >> IT IS NOW 8:50 A.M. AND WE WILL RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT, CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY, THE LIBERATION ABOUT RURAL PROPERTY, DELIBERATION ABOUT GIFTS AND DONATIONS, PERSONNEL MATTERS, DELIBERATION ABOUT THE SECURITY

[RECONVENE]

IT IS

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.