Apr 25, 2024 City Council

[CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:11]

IT IS NOT A: 30 A.M.. FIRST, WOULD YOU ALL PLAY WITH ME? MOST GRACIOUS HEAVENLY FATHER, WE COME BEFORE YOU TODAY. WE ARE SO THANKFUL EVERY DO FOR US. THANK YOU FOR THE RECENT RAIN. WE CAN ALWAYS USE MORE. THANK YOU FOR SPRINGTIME. WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT UPON US.

IS A KINDERGARTNER AND HE HAS SOME PEOPLE WITH HIM BACK THERE. HIS PARENTS ARE HERE , AND JIM AND LIBBY TAKEN ARE HERE TO SUPPORT HIM. HE IS GOING TO HELP LEAD US IN OUR PLEDGE. WE SO EXCITED.

[PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PROCLAMATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS]

>> GOOD WAY TO START THE MORNING. WE GOT SOME PROCLAMATIONS. WERE GOING TO START WITH CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH. IS ANYBODY HERE THIS PROCLAMATION FOR CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH? DID THEY MAKE YOU COME BY YOURSELF TODAY? EVERYBODY COME UP.

EVERYBODY COME UP. WE LIKE BIG PICTURES.

SO THANKFUL YOU ALL ARE HERE. CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH.

WHEREAS, THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND SERVICE SAID -- INCLUDING 615 IN TYLER COUNTY. AND WHEREAS, CHILD ABUSE SERIOUS PROBLEM OUR COMMUNITY.

AND FINDING -- CHILDREN ARE OUR MOST VULNERABLE RESOURCE AND AND WILL SHAPE THE FUTURE OF TEXAS.

AND WHEREAS, MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS CREATED BUSINESSES, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT. AND

[00:05:05]

LIKE TO SAY SOME WORDS? >> I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GORDON GLORIA , HALEY SHIELD, AND BEVERLY DAY. AND ALSO, WE HAVE CASEY ROBLES, MAGGIE BRENNAN. AND FROM THE TREE

HOUSE, MARIA RODRIGUEZ. >> WE CAN'T TELL YOU HOW APPRECIATIVE WE ARE FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU ALL DO.

IT'S A SPECIAL GIFT YOU ALL HAVE FOR DOING THAT JOB, AND WE APPRECIATE YOU.

ON THE FOURTH, RIGHT? SUPERHERO 5K RUN ON THE FOURTH?

>> NATIONAL SAFE DIGGING MONTH. MY GOOD FRIEND, SEAN MARTIN. NATIONAL SAFE DIGGING MONTH. WHEREAS, NOT THE SAFE TO REMIND ANY PROFESSIONAL EXCAVATORS TO KEEP COMMUNITIES SAFE BY CALLING 811 BEFORE ANY DIGGING PROJECT. WHEREAS, DIGGING WITHOUT KNOWING THE APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF UNDERGROUND UTILITIES CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY AND COSTLY REPAIRS TO UNDERGROUND UTILITY LINES. WHILE THE 811 SERVICE IS FREE, SAFE, AND REQUIRED BY LAW. WHEREAS, WE HAVE ASKED EVERYONE TO BECOME A SAFETY AMBASSADOR BY TAKING THE 811 PLEDGE , AND WHEREAS HOMEOWNERS ARE FURTHER ENCOURAGED TO A FEW PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES BEFORE PLANNING AND DIGGING ANY PLAN THIS SPRING. DON'T FORGET TO LINE MARK. SAFE DIGGING IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY. CALL 811 BEFORE YOU DIG. AND THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AS MAYOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL, I DECLARE APRIL 2024 AS NATIONAL

SAFE DIGGING MONTH. >> THANK YOU ALL. WE ARE CLOSE PARTNERS WITH THE CITY AND MANY PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM IN THE WORK THAT WE DO, BUT THIS TIME OF MONTH, THE TIME OF YEAR THAT IT IS, IT'S ALWAYS A GOOD REMINDER AS PEOPLE ARE OUT AND ABOUT TO BE SURE YOU CALL 811. WE ALL HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY, WHETHER WE ARE HOMEOWNER OR THE CITY , WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO BE HERE.

RIGHTS WEEK. COME ON UP.

NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS RIGHTS WEEK. WHEREAS, SURVIVING A CRIME CAN HAVE A MYRIAD OF LASTING EFFECT ON THE'S, INCLUDING PHYSICAL, SOCIAL, AND FINANCIAL ISSUES . WHEREAS, COUNTLESS SURVIVORS NEVER TELL ANYONE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM. WE MUST LISTEN TO SURVIVORS AND CREATE NEW

[00:10:05]

>> THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU. I WORK AT REGIONAL VICTIM CRISIS ENTER WOULDN'T BE THE QUALITY THAT IT IS WITHOUT THE SUB WORD OF OUR CITY. WE ARE GRATEFUL. WE KNOW THERE'S NEVER A GOOD PLACE FOR SOMETHING BAD TO HAPPEN, OR NEVER A GOOD TIME. BUT IF YOU ARE IN ABILENE, THE SERVICES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

THANK YOU FOR HELPING PEOPLE IMPROVE THEIR LIVES.

>> I AM GINA WITH THE ABILENE POLICE DEPARTMENT. IT IS AN HONOR, OF COURSE, TO SERVE THIS CITY AND BE THERE IN PEOPLE'S DARKEST HOURS. WE COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS, AND THERE ARE SO MANY. SO WE JUST APPRECIATE THE RECOGNITION AND HOPE FOR THE VICTIMS.

>> YOU KNOW, IT SAYS MORE THAN ONCE AND HEAR THE WORD HOPE. A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT THERE'S A PLACE TO REACH OUT TO, SO WE ALL DO TREMENDOUS WORK AND WE ARE SO GREATLY APPRECIATIVE OF WHAT YOU DO. THANK YOU.

AND JOIN THE REAL RICK. MIKE RAINS IS THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE. THIS IS HIS LAST COUNCIL MEETING WITH US TODAY.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY FORMAL TODAY, BUT I JUST WANTED TO ALLOW EVERYONE ON THE DAIS APPEAR TO HAVE A RESPONSE.

>> WELL, AS THE FOREMOST MEMBER APPEAR, WHEN ROBERT CAME ON AND ASKED HER TO STEP ON THE DEPUTY MANAGER ROLE, WHO'S GOING TO FILL HER SHOES? THERE'S IMPORTANT SHOES TO FILL, AND YOU'VE DONE THAT VERY WELL. THE DEPARTMENT AND ÚTHE BUDGET DISCUSSIONS THAT WE HAVE WITH JUST A SENSE OF SOLID LEADERSHIP , IT'S NEVER A QUESTION OF, DID YOU KNOW THE ANSWER? BECAUSE YOU ARE VERY CLEAR IF YOU DIDN'T . RIGHT THEN, YOU WOULD FIND IT QUICKLY. MOST TIMES, YOU KNEW THE ANSWER. WE HOPE YOU ENJOY A VERY FRUITFUL RETIREMENT.

>> MATH IS MOST PEOPLE'S WORST SUBJECT, MINE INCLUDED. I APPRECIATE YOU BREAKING THINGS DOWN FOR US IN CERTAIN TERMS. ESPECIALLY THE GREEN YELLOW AND RED LINES YOU PUT ON REPORTS FOR WHAT'S DOING WELL , OR NO. THOSE ARE ACTUALLY VERY HELP.

YOU ARE VERY MUCH A ROCK , AND IT IS VERY COMFORTING TO KNOW THAT AT CERTAIN POINTS, WE MIGHT NOT UNDERSTAND AND THEY ARE VERY COMPLEX. WE GOT YOU IN THE BACK KNOWING WHAT YOU ARE DOING. GOOD LUCK ON YOUR RETIREMENT. IN QUEUE FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE FOR US.

>> WE ARE THE SHORTEST SERVING MEMBERS ON THIS COMMITTEE. WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR OUR FIRST PAYCHECK. BUT I KNOW THE COUNCIL HAS DONE EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO FIND YOUR JOB EASIER. NOT REALLY. BUT I DO APPRECIATE THE WAY AND WHICH ALL OF THE REQUESTS AND QUESTIONS AND ISSUES THAT HAVE

[00:15:01]

>> HE'S CORRECT . ABOUT 30% OF AMERICANS CAN UNDERSTAND MATH, AND I'M PART OF THE OTHER 84%. YOU ALL DON'T GET THAT? COME ON, THAT WAS TERRIBLE. COME ON, WE'VE HAD GOOD TIMES FINANCIALLY , RIGHT? AND I HAVE APPRECIATED THE SOLID LEADERSHIP THAT YOU GIVE US. I HAVE NEVER NOT BEEN ABLE TO COME TO YOU WITH A QUESTION THAT YOU WEREN'T ABLE TO GIVE ME A GOOD SOLID ANSWER AND WHEN I WALKED AWAY, I FELT LIKE I UNDERSTOOD THAT IT. I DO APPRECIATE THAT. IF RETIREMENT ISN'T REALLY FOR YOU, WE WILL FIGURE OUT A POSSIBILITY FOR

YOU TO COME BACK. >> I'M GOING TO MAKE IT SHORT ON THE WORKPIECE. I KNOW THE FINANCIAL JOURNEY IS COMING TO AN END, BUT I'M JUST GOING TO MORE SO FOCUS ON POURING BLESSINGS ON THE PORTFOLIO OF MEMORIES AND THE JOURNEY AHEAD WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS. I JUST HOPE YOU GET TO LEAN INTO THAT AND ENJOY THE FRUITS OF YOUR LABOR. I WILL JUST ECHO WHAT EVERYONE UP HERE HAS SAID. THE MANNER IN WHICH YOU SERVE, IT MAKES IT EASIER TO APPROACH YOU. IT MAKES IT EASIER TO LEAVE KNOWING THAT YOU FEEL EMPOWERED TO UNDERSTAND SOMETHING SUPER COMPLEX. JUST PRAYING FOR THIS NEXT JOURNEY AHEAD AND HOPING IT'S THE NEXT ONE YET.

>> YOU ARE A FIXTURE HERE. WHAT I CAN SAY IS, YOUR CALM DEMEANOR. WHEN THERE'S THINGS THAT HAPPEN HERE THAT WE ARE REALLY STRESSING ABOUT AND BOUNCING OFF THE WALLS ABOUT, YOU ARE JUST CALM. YOU DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. I'M GOING TO AGREE WITH COUNCILMAN CRAVER. WE DO LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT YOU DO NOW IN LIFE AND WE WISH YOU THE BEST. A BIG HEARTFELT THANK YOU FROM THE CITY OF ABILENE AND THIS COUNSEL.

YOU HEAR IT ALL THE TIME, BUT THERE IS A GREAT BUNCH OF PEOPLE HERE AT THE CITY OF ABILENE. THROUGH MY CAREER, I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT THE BEST. THESE FOLKS HAVE MADE MY JOB SO MUCH EASIER, AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THEM. THEY ARE GOING TO BE TAKING CARE OF EVERYTHING AND EVERYTHING WILL BE IN GREAT SHAPE, SO THANK YOU.

STRAY A LITTLE BIT, BUT IT'S ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUALS. REGARDS FROM COUNCILMAN BEARD.

[CONSENT AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS]

[20. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action to Execute Professional Services Contracts with West Texas Occupational Corporate Health Solutions (WTX-OCHS) and Screening For Life to Conduct Annual Medical Physicals for Employees of the Abilene Fire Department (AFD) (Cande Flores)]

[00:20:10]

ITEM. >> MAYOR AND COUNCIL. FIRE CHIEF CANDE FLORES, I HAVE THE NEXT TWO ITEMS. PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD. THE FIRST IS -- I APOLOGIZE. WITH SPRING AND RAIN ALSO COMES ALLERGIES. ANNUAL PHYSICALS FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT . SO THESE ARE ITEMS THAT WE CONDUCT FOR EMPLOYEES EVERY YEAR. THIS IS PART OF THE CONTRACT THAT REQUIRES ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS FOR FIREFIGHTERS.

WE START THOSE OFF DURING THE HIRING PROCESS AND THAT CONTINUES THROUGHOUT THEIR CAREER. IT SUPPORTS A HEALTHY WORKFORCE, WHICH WE DEFINITELY SUPPORT AS WELL. WE FOLLOW THE NATIONAL FIRE ASSOCIATION 1582 STANDARD, WHICH PROMOTES THESE PHYSICALS. WE FOLLOW ALL THE ITEMS THAT ARE INCLUDED IN THAT, WHICH IS MORE OR LESS UNENHANCED EMT PHYSICAL. IT ALSO INCLUDES SOME ADVANCED SCREENINGS WE PERFORM FOR CANCER MARKERS AS WELL AS SOME OTHER ITEMS THAT ARE KNOWN TO AFFECT FIRST RESPONDERS. WE PARTNER WITH THE WEST TEXAS OCCUPATIONAL CORPORATE HEALTH SOLUTIONS . THIS IS AN ONGOING PARTNERSHIP WITH THEIR NAME AND AGENCY HAD THEIR, AND THEY SPECIALIZE IN MEDICINE. SINCE 2007 AND DOES AN OUTSTANDING JOB KEEPING UP WITH THE WORK RECORDS AND OUR PERSONNEL, AND TAILORING THIS PROCESS TO US. BASE PRICE , $264 PER EMPLOYEE. THEY MAINTAIN THIS PRICING FOR SEVERAL YEARS. THE ADVANCED SCREENING IS A LITTLE BIT MORE , FOR THE SELECT 45, WHICH IS A QUARTER OF OUR DEPARTMENT. EVERY MEMBER GETS THE ADVANCED SCREENINGS. THE TOTAL QUOTE ALONG WITH THE ADVANCED SCREENINGS IS $758, WHICH COMES OUT OF OUR ANNUAL BUDGET. AND SO THE ADVANCED SCREENINGS BY THEMSELVES ARE $87.75. THOSE INCLUDE ECHOCARDIOGRAM, AS FAR AS SOME ADVANCED BLOOD SCREENINGS. TOTAL COST IS 66,000 . SOME OF THOSE MAY VERY PENDING ANY FOLLOW-UPS, BUT THERE'S USUALLY NOT VERY MANY. SPECIALIZED BIDDING IS NOT

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

ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MCALISTER. A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN YATES. IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? READY TO VOTE.

>> ALL YESES, MOTION CARRIES.

[21. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action to Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with Daco Fire Equipment for the Purchase of Structural Firefighting Protective Gear for the Abilene Fire Department (Cande Flores)]

>> CHIEF, DID HE HAVE AN ALLERGY SCREENING IN ANY OF

THAT? >> NOT A GOOD ONE.

>> WE MOVE ON TO ITEM 21, AND WHEN THE TIME COMES, WE WILL

HAVE HIM PRESENT AGAIN. >> SECOND ITEM HAS TO DO WITH THE RESTRICTION OF PROTECTIVE GEAR. IT'S NOT SHOWING UP ON MY SCREEN. OH, OKAY. THERE IT IS. SO EARLIER THIS YEAR, WE ALREADY HAD A MAJOR PURCHASE FOR STRUCTURAL YEAR. AS WE GOT INTO SOME ISSUES WITH CANCER PREVENTION, WE HAD A DISCUSSION, AND WE AGREED TO ENHANCE OUR COUNSELOR PREVENTION PROGRAM BY MOVING FORWARD WITH PROVIDING TWO SETS PER EMPLOYEE , WHICH ALLOWS FOR SWAPPING OUT HERE AFTER IT BECOMES DIRTY SO IT CAN BE WASHED AND CLEANED GEAR CAN BE PRESENTED TO THE EMPLOYEE. THIS ENHANCES THAT AND GETS US VERY CLOSE TO THAT GOAL. OUR STRUCTURAL GEAR IS EVERYTHING

[00:25:03]

WE'VE BEEN WORKING TOWARD THIS FOR SEVERAL YEARS, BUT COVID IS OFF-TRACK . THERE WAS A BIG DELAY IN PRODUCTION. BUT WE DO WORK TOWARDS KEEPING OUR GEAR CLEAN. WE HAVE EXTRACTORS .

THERE'S AN EXTRACTOR AT EVERY FIRE STATION, SO THAT DOES HELP WITH MAINTAINING THE PROCESS. WE DO USE -- THEY ALL HAVE A PROGRAM THAT IS CALLED THE A SAFE PROGRAM.

IT'S VERY UNIQUE. AND THAT COVERS ADVANCED CLEANING EVERY YEAR, ADVANCE X ACTION EVERY YEAR, ALL THE WEAR AND TEAR ISSUES THAT MAY OCCUR. IT'S A GOOD PROGRAM AS WELL AS PROVIDING A TRACKING SYSTEM FOR GEAR FROM BEGINNING OF LIFE TO END-OF-LIFE. THIS PROCESS IS -- THEY USE A LICENSED DEALER OUT OF LUBBOCK, TEXAS. TOTAL QUOTE FOR 46 SET IS 146,300 TO. THAT INCLUDES ACTUALLY A FIVE-YEAR STAY SAFE TOTAL CARE PROGRAM. IT SAYS ONE YEAR, BUT IT'S ACTUALLY A FIVE-YEAR PROGRAM. THIS DOES GO THROUGH THE PRICING AND THE FUNDS ON THIS, THEY WILL COME FOR ME I FDA APPARATUS REPLACEMENT FUND.

ANY QUESTIONS? >> CHIEF, THAT WILL GIVE

EVERY FIREFIGHTER TWO SETS? >> THAT WILL GIVE EVERY FIREFIGHTER TWO SETS, EXCEPT OUR CADETS. ONCE THEY GRADUATE FROM THE ACADEMY IN AUGUST, WE WILL PURCHASE THEIR SECOND SET.

GEAR AND REFURBISH IT? >> GEAR EXPIRES AFTER 10 YEARS.

AND SO WE KEEP OUR GEAR TO THAT PROCESS. IN 10 YEARS, IT IS CYCLED OUT AND IT IS NO LONGER CERTIFIED FOR FIREFIGHTING UNLESS WE DONATED TO MEXICO OR SOME OTHER

COUNTRY. >> THANK YOU.

>> IF COUNCIL WILL INDULGE ME, CAN YOU JUST SPEAK A LITTLE BIT ON -- ALLERGIES. SPEAK A LITTLE BIT TO THE DANGER OF CANCER IN THE FIREFIGHTING PROFESSION. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE LEARNING MUCH MORE ABOUT. I THINK IT IS JUST GOOD TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY AND THE COUNCIL, IF YOU WOULD.

>> YOU BET. CANCER HAS ALWAYS BEEN A MAJOR CONCERN FOR FIREFIGHTERS. IT'S NO SECRET THAT WE ARE FOUR TIMES MORE LIKELY TO CONTRACT MOST CANCERS . THERE ARE SEVERAL THAT ARE SPECIFIC TO FIRST RESPONDERS. THE FIREFIGHTING GEAR HAS COME OUT OF THE SPOTLIGHT IN RECENT YEARS BECAUSE OF THE PROTECTIVE CHEMICALS THAT KEEP US FROM THE HEAT AND THE MOISTURE . THOSE CHEMICALS ARE ALSO KNOWN TO CAUSE HEALTH EFFECTS, AND THERE'S CONCERN ABOUT THE CANCER-CAUSING AGENTS IN THAT, WHICH RIGHT NOW ARE BEING STUDIED AND MODIFIED AS FAR AS STANDARDS GO. THERE IS NO WAY TO GET AROUND COMPLETELY ELIMINATING THOSE, BECAUSE YOU GOT TO HAVE THE LESSER OF TWO EVILS. AND SO YOU GO INTO DANGEROUS ATMOSPHERES , YOU NEED THOSE CHEMICALS TO PROTECT YOU DURING THOSE FIRES. AS A DEPARTMENT AS A FIRE SERVICE, WE ARE FOCUSED ON JUST MAINTAINING CLEANED GEAR AND CLEAN ATMOSPHERES. THAT'S WHY WE PURCHASED FIRE APPARATUS THAT DOES NOT CONTAIN COMPARTMENTS INSIDE , WHERE THE GUYS RIDE. AND ALL THINGS THAT GO INTO THE FIRE STATE OUT OF THE CAB, WE HAVE THE EXTRACTORS IN EVERY STATION.

AND SO WE HAVE A ROBUST CANCER PREVENTION PROGRAM. AND SO IT IS AIMED TOWARD KEEPING EVERYBODY SAFE NOW AND SAVE AFTER THEY RETIRE. SO THEY CAN ENJOY A NICE LIVING RETIREMENT

AFTERWARD. >> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST ITEM 21? PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE

[00:30:05]

IS THAT RIGHT? NOW IT'S OFFICIAL.

>> JUST MAKING SURE HE GOT IT RIGHT.

>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? WE ARE READY TO VOTE.

[EXECUTIVE SESSION]

>> ALL YESES, MOTION CARRIES.

>> MOTION CARRIES. IT IS NOW 9:01 A.M.. WE WILL RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT, SECTION 55.1 , CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY, 55.072, DELIBERATION ABOUT PROPERTY, DELIBERATIONS ABOUT GIFTS AND DONATIONS. SECTION 551.074, PERSONNEL MATTERS, SECTION 55 POINT 076, DELIBERATIONS ABOUT SECURITY DEVICES, AND 551.0 87, BUSINESS PROSPECTS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

[RECONVENE]