14. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Take Action on Awarding Bid # CB-2448 Camp Barkeley Dog Park Relocation Project to Teinert Construction (Lesli Andrews)

[14. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Take Action on Awarding Bid # CB-2448 Camp Barkeley Dog Park Relocation Project to Teinert Construction (Lesli Andrews)]

WHEN I MOVED TO ITEM 14. COUNCILMEMBER REGAN, YOU PULLED THIS FOR QUESTIONS. DID YOU NEED A PRESENTATION?

>> NO. I DON'T NEED A PRESENTATION. JUST HAD A FEW QUESTIONS. THOUGHTS ON IT. LET ME PULL THIS UP AND I THINK THE MAP HAS BEEN UPLOADED. YES. THIS IS FOR THE DOG PARK AND -- LET ME SEE HERE. OKAY. TABULATING OF BIDS. THIS ONE I KNEW WAS IN THE WORKS . I THINK THE PRICE TAG ON THIS CAUGHT ME OFF GUARD AND ROBERT, YOU HAD SOME ANSWERS FOR ME, WHICH I APPRECIATE . REALLY, MY QUESTION WOULD BE, IF YOU OR LESLIE, IF YOU WOULD JUST GO INTO ITEM 1 -- AND THIS IS PAGE 132 OF THE PACKET -- THE 778,000 BID . THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY FOR DOG PARK I GUESS IS WHERE MY THINKING IS. WHAT WOULD THAT INCLUDE, THAT 778,000?

>> SURE. THAT IS THE BASE BID FOR THE BALLPARK. THE BALLPARK.

THE DOG PARK. AND IT INCLUDES THAT MASQUERADING, IT INCLUDES THE FENCING, FOR THE SMALL AREA AND A LARGE AREA, INCLUDES THE SHADE STRUCTURES IN THE COVERED SEATING AREAS I BELIEVE. IT INCLUDES THE LIGHTING, THE RESTROOM AS WELL. SO, THAT RESTROOM IS NOT HALF BUT NOT FAR FROM HALF OF THAT SEVEN $78,000. RESTROOMS ARE EXPENSIVE BUT THERE ARE NO FACILITIES THAT ARE GOING TO BE SUFFICIENTLY CLOSE BY AND SO, WE THOUGHT THAT IN ORDER TO ELEVATE THE EDMUND LADIES AT CAMP BERKELEY THAT WE ARE REPLACING, IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE A PUBLIC RESTROOM FACILITY THERE AS WELL. OF COURSE, DOG WASHING STATIONS AND OTHER THINGS THAT ARE PART OF THE

BASIS AS WELL. >> DID OLD DOG PARK HAVE

RESTROOMS? >> DON'T BELIEVE THE OLD WORK TRUCK HAD RESTROOMS BUT THE ZOO IS LITERALLY ACROSS THE STREET SO THEY HAD AN OPPORTUNITY THERE . THERE DOG OBVIOUSLY CANNOT COME IN BUT THIS WOULD PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYBODY. IT IS JUST A BETTER AMENITY THAN THE ONE WE WERE ABLE TO HAVE AT THE PREVIOUS SITE.

>> CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG. THIS ONE IS GOING IN ON EAST SOUTH 11TH IN THE ANIMAL SHELTER?

>> IT IS GOING BEHIND ANIMAL SHELTER. AN ADOPTION CENTER.

>> ADOPTION CENTER. THANK YOU. AND THIS WOULD GO BEHIND IT .

ONE OF THE NEAT THINGS WE ARE LEARNING ABOUT THE SITE IS THERE ARE A NUMBER OF REALLY NICE TREES THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN AND KEEP THAT WILL PROVIDE NATURAL SHADE AS WELL FOR THIS PARTICULAR DOG PARK SO IT WILL BE DEFINITELY A STEP UP FROM WHAT WE ARE OFFERING THE COMMUNITY BEFORE.

>> IS THERE A WAY -- IS THERE AN ALTERNATIVE HERE BECAUSE OF THE FINANCIAL SITUATION WE ARE IN? I HAVE A HARD TIMES TO MAKING $1 MILLION FOR DOG PARK . AS IS, I WOULD PROBABLY BE OPPOSED TO THIS JUST IN ITS CURRENT CONFIGURATION AND OUR

[00:50:04]

FINANCIAL SITUATION . IS THERE A WAY THOUGH THAT WE CAN TAKE OUT SOME OF THE AMENITIES FOR NOW AND SAY, HEY, WE WILL LEVEL THE LAND, WE WILL PUT THE FENCE UP AND OBVIOUSLY, ROAD AND PARKING FOR THE 122, IF THAT IS THE BID WE ACCEPT AND WE ARE ABLE TO BRING THIS IN ERROR BONES, FENCED YARD AND PARKING FOR 3 TO 400? OR IS THAT JUST UNREALISTIC AND IT NEEDS TO BE

THIS WAY OR NOT AT ALL? >> IF YOU ARE ASKING IF THE PROJECT CAN BE VALUE ENGINEERED , YOU CAN ALWAYS PROJECT ENGINEER THE PROJECT DOWN FOR REDUCED COST. ABSOLUTELY. WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO WITH THIS PROJECT IS REPLACE AN ASSET THAT HAS BEEN REMOVED. WHAT WE HAD BEFORE WAS BASICALLY A FIELD WITH SOME FENCING AROUND IT. THIS IS A STEP UP FOR THE COMMUNITY. IF YOU LOOK AT DOG PARKS AND OTHER COMMUNITIES, THIS IS MORE AKIN TO WHAT WE HAVE SUGGESTED HERE. THE FUNDING FOR THIS IS A ONE-TIME CAPITAL DOLLARS. THIS IS MONEY THAT IS IN THE MINOR IMPROVEMENT FUND. IT IS MONEY THAT CAN'T GO TO PERSONNEL AND SALARY BECAUSE IT WILL NOT BE THERE AGAIN. IT IS NOT RECURRING AND ONE OF THE REASONS WHY IN THE PREVIOUS MEMOS I SENT THE COUNCIL BACK DURING THE BACKUP ON THE ITEM ON THE RECORD CENTERS TALKS ABOUT KEEPING THIS IS BECAUSE WE NEED TO REPLACE THIS AMENITY. WE HAVE REMOVED IT AND SO WE NEED TO REPLACE IT. WE HAVE A COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY TO DO THAT. IT IS THE DESIRE OF COUNSEL TO VALUE ENGINEERED IS, I WOULD RECOMMEND REMOVING THE BATHROOMS . THAT WOULD SAVE YOU SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS. THE CHALLENGE WITH THAT IS THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO RELIEVE THEMSELVES AND THEY WILL DO IT IN THE SPACE THAT IS NOT INTENDED FOR THAT AND SO, REALLY A PUBLIC BATHROOM IS AN IMPORTANT AMENITY FOR THIS IMPORTANT FACILITY. WE COULD FORGO THE PARKING AREA BUT THEN YOU WOULD HAVE TO LEASE YOUR LOT. WE DON'T ALLOW THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO DO THAT SO WE NEED TO HOLD OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE. IT IS A THEORY IS OF VALUE PROPOSITIONS, SIR.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE EXCLAMATION, SIR. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR IF ANY COUNTS MEMBERS HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON THAT BUT THAT IS MY POSITION ON OUR CURRENT FINANCIAL ENVIRONMENT.

I WOULD BE OPPOSED TO THIS AS IS OR AT LEAST HAVING STAFF REWORK IT SO WE ARE DOING THE BARE BONES NOW AND MAYBE NEXT YEAR WHEN WE ARE IN A BETTER FINANCIAL SITUATION, WE START ADDING IN SOME OF THESE AMENITIES. JUST AT $1 MILLION, I AM VERY COMFORTABLE SITTING ACROSS FROM DOG LOVERS IN OUR COMMUNITY WHEN WE SAY, WHEN WE HAVE A DOG PARK? I AM VERY COME DOUBLE TELLING THEM, THAT IS $1 MILLION BEING PROPOSED. WE HAVE TO GO BACK AND REWORK THAT. IN MY MIND, $1 MILLION FOR DOG PARK IN THIS CURRENT FINANCIAL ENVIRONMENT, I AM NOT

COMFORTABLE WITH. >> ANY TIME THAT YOU DO A PROJECT THAT YOU WANT TO ADD ON LATER, YOUR COST IS GOING TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER BECAUSE YOU HAVE GOT ALL OF YOUR INSTRUCTORS DO IT NOW. WHEN YOU TAKE A BLANK SLATE SO, OKAY, WE PUT IN PARKING LOTS IN THE DOG PARK AND RESTROOMS LATER, THEN WE ARE GOING TO BE CUTTING INTO PARKING LOTS AND DEMOLITION ON THINGS WE HAVE ALREADY FIXED AND THERE WILL BE QUITE A BIT OF ADDITIONAL COSTS. ONCE AGAIN, THIS IS A ONE-TIME COST.

WE CAN'T PUT IT INTO EMPLOYMENT AND THE FUNDS ARE THERE TO DO THIS, YOU KNOW? THIS IS THE COST AND IT IS A LARGE SUM. I AM NOT GOING TO DENY THAT. BUT IF THIS IS THE DOG PARK THAT WE WANT FOR ABILENE FOR THE NEXT 30/40 YEARS, THIS IS WHAT IT IS AND IN MY OPINION, IT WILL COST US MORE MONEY IN THE LONG RUN TO DO IT IN INCREMENTS. THAT IS MY

BELIEF. >> I BELIEVE, AS MR. HANNAH MENTIONED, WHEN WE REMOVE THE CURRENT CAMP BARKELEY, THE PROMISE WE MADE IS THAT WE WOULD REPLACE IT AND I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO DO BECAUSE I THINK WE NEED TO FULFILL THAT PROMISE WE MADE TO THE TAXPAYERS THAT WE WOULD REPLACE THIS AND THE FACT THAT IT IS A ONE-TIME EXPENDITURE THAT WE CAN'T COUNT ON THIS MONEY EVERY YEAR. I'M SORRY.

THERE IS A PERIOD THERE. ANYONE ELSE?

>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WENT TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST ITEM 14.

IF SO, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE HER NAME FOR THE RECORD.

[00:55:03]

>> I HAVE BEEN A LITTLE BIT OUT OF POCKET BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN OUT OF TIME THIS WEEK BUT I AM THANKFUL FOR YOU BRING THIS UP FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS SEPARATELY. I'M SHOCKED. I THAT WE HAVE A $5000 PROJECTED COST AS THIS AND NOW IT IS TWICE AS MUCH. I SAW IN DECEMBER WE HAD A PROJECTED COST OF $5 MILLION TO THE SPORTS COMPLEX THAT IS BEING BUILT AND NOW IT IS $10 MILLION. I UNDERSTAND WE NEED BATHROOMS AND IT IS GOING TO COST MORE BUT IT SEEMS LIKE A LACK OF PLANNING AND WHILE I'M NOT GOING TO SIT HERE AND SAY THE NUMBERS CRUNCHED, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE DOG PARK IS MOVING FIRST PLACE. I THINK IT WAS AN ATHLETIC THING AND IT IS YOUR RIGHT TO DO IT TO CHOOSE ANOTHER PLACE BUT TO DOUBLE THE COST MAKES NO SENSE, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE ARE GOING TO BE PAYING MORE MONEY AND I UNDERSTAND THE FUND HAS MONEY IN IT, BUT THE FUND IS WE NEVER KNOW WHAT PRODUCTS ARE ON THE DOCKET TO KNOW WHAT NEEDS TO COME UP. MAYBE THERE IS A PRODUCT THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO MORE IF WE COULD ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT THAT GOES PRODUCTS ARE. TO MY KNOWLEDGE, I HAVEN'T FOUND A PLACE WHERE THERE IS A TO DO LIST OF WHAT COMES OUT OF THE MINOR FUND. WHAT WE PROMISED PEOPLE DOG PARKS, WE DID NOT PROMISE THEM $1 MILLION. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DOG PARK AND I WILL REFUSE TO GO NOW BECAUSE MY DOG WAS ATTACKED AND PEOPLE DON'T TAKE CARE OF THEM. THERE ARE PETS ON THIS PROPERTY SO I WILL NEVER UTILIZE THIS MILLION-DOLLAR PROJECT BECAUSE I FEAR THE SAFETY OF MY OWN PET WAS A PERFECTLY SWEET DOGS AND LOVE DOG BUT WAS OFFICIALLY ATTACKED AT THE PARK. WHERE IS THE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY? I JUST WOULD EMPLOY YOUR TO DO THE BARE BONES. YOU CAN STRATEGICALLY PUT A RESTROOM A PLACE WHERE IT DOESN'T HAVE TO TEAR THE PARKING LOT UP. LET'S NOT CONTINUE TO WASTE MONEY ON THINGS WE ARE NOT PREPARING FOR. WE ARE NOT PREPARING FOR THE FACILITIES THAT WE HAVE, THEY ARE IN TERRIBLE REPAIR AND YOU COME AND SAY, OH, YOU HAVE TO DO IT. WE ARE NOT PREPARING. THAT IS WHAT FUND BUDGETS ARE, TO PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE AND THE TAKEOUT COS FOR PRODUCTS ARE GOING TO BE COMING ALONG IN THE FUTURE. I DON'T HAVE ALL OF THE ACCESS INFORMATION BUT WHAT I HAVE SEEN IS TROUBLING

TO ME. THANK YOU. >> WE ARE STILL IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. IS ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 14?

>> MY NAME IS ERIC HAYNES. I AM A ABILENE RESIDENT. THE NUMBER I HAVE ALSO HEARD IS A HALF-MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE DOG PARK WHEN IT WAS GOING TO BE MOVED AND THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY. AND TO SEE THAT NUMBER THIS MORNING -- THANK YOU, MR. REAGAN FOR BRINGING IT UP -- THAT WE COULD TALK ABOUT IT, WHEN MILLION DOLLARS. THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY. I PERSONALY USE THE OTHER ONE. I TOOK OUR DOGS OUT AND HAD A GREAT EXPERIENCE WITH. TO MOVE IT, I THINK IT IS A GOOD THING. TO GIVE CITIZENS A PLACE TO TAKE THEIR DOGS AND SOCIALIZE. I THINK AS AN ADULT, I CAN PROBABLY GO TO THE RESTROOM BEFORE I GO. I DON'T NEED A BATHROOM OUT THERE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE ZOO WAS THERE AND IS AN AVAILABLE RESOURCE FOR THAT. THERE WAS ALSO THE SPLASH PAD. HAD A RESTROOM OVER THERE. CAN WE NOT MAKE SOME KIND OF A DEAL WITH THE NEW ADOPTION CENTER TO SAY THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT NEED TO USE THE DOG PARK AND HAVE TO GO TO THE RESTROOM. CAN I COME OVER THERE? TO ME, THAT IS A VIABLE OPTION. $1 MILLION. JUST BECAUSE WE CAN, DOESN'T MEAN WE SHOULD. JUST BECAUSE THE RESOURCES ARE THERE DOESN'T MEAN WE NEED TO JUST SPEND THEM LIKE THAT. I THINK HALF $1 MILLION IS PLENTY. LET'S GET SOMETHING OUT THERE AND USE TREES FOR SHADE. YOU SAID THERE ARE GREAT TREES. WHAT A COUPLE OF PARK BENCHES OUT THERE. THAT IS WHAT WE HAD BEFORE. RUN A WATER SPIGOT OUT THERE LIKE WE DID BEFORE. I THINK THAT IS A DOABLE THING. WE DON'T NEED BATHROOMS. LET'S KEEP OUR COSTS DOWN. MAN, I AM PINCHING MY PENNIES AT HOME. I THINK WE CAN DO THAT AS A CITY AS WELL PROVIDE A SERVICE THAT IS USABLE . IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THE BEST JUST BECAUSE SOMEBODY

ELSE HAS IT. THANK YOU. >> THANKS. STILL IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF ITEM 14? SEEING NONE ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

IS THERE ANY PUBLIC FOR DISCUSSION OF THE COUNCIL?

>> THERE WERE SOME POINTS BROUGHT UP IN TERMS OF WHY NOT BRING PET OWNERS COMING INTO THE POTENTIAL OF THE SHELTER -- SORRY, THE ADOPTION CENTER THAT IS GOING TO BE BUILT . THE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS THAT COME ALONG WITH THAT AS WELL AS TWO BLAISE'S POINT, ALLOCATING MONEY IN THE PROCESS OF BUILDING, I THINK IT WILL BE HELPFUL EVENTUALLY TO GIVE THEM SOME MEAT TO THE BONES TO SAY THAT WE RAN INTO SOME ISSUES WITH THE AYSA BECAUSE WE WERE WANTING TO DO THAT OVER TIME.

[01:00:03]

TO THAT POINT, WE KIND OF TRY TO DO THAT AND SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WE RAN INTO IN TERMS OF THE COST OVER TIME BEING SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER THAN WE INITIALLY ALLOCATED FOR.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT THAT BID SHEET, ON PAGE 132 OF THE PACKET, TEINERT IS -- NOT DOING MATH IN MY LEG HEAD WHILE TODAY IT IS $300 DIFFERENT. THE REASON WHY IT IS $300,000 DIFFERENT IS BECAUSE THEY ARE ALREADY BUILDING ANIMAL ADOPTION CENTER SO THEIR MOBILIZATION COST IS THERE ALREADY AND THEY HAVE THINGS THEY HAVING TO DO ALREADY. TO THE MAYOR'S POINT, IF YOU PIECEMEAL THIS OUT, YOU CERTAINLY CAN DO THAT. CITIES DO IT ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS. IT DOES COST MORE IN THE LONG RUN. NOT ONLY THAT BUT THE COST OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE AND SOME OF OUR COSTS PRODUCTIONS, THEY HAVE $100,000 SWINGS OVER THREE MONTHS. THAT IS KIND OF WHAT THEY ARE BOOKING ON OTHER PRODUCTS WE ARE LOOKING AT FOR FISCAL YEAR 25. IF WE DELAY THREE MONTHS, IT COSTS AND AN ADDITIONAL $100,000. WE ARE A HYPER PRICE ENVIRONMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION.

THAT IS THE REASON WHY THIS IS HIGHER THAN THIS ANTICIPATED.

IT IS ALSO BEEN OUT THERE. THE POLL THAT WE PUT OUT THERE ORIGINALLY WAS DEVELOPED OVER A YEAR AGO. IT HAS AGED AND DID NOT SEASON WELL. I WAS EQUALLY SHOCKED WHEN THE PRICE CAME BACK. WE TALKED ABOUT A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT THINGS. TO GET THE PRICING DOWN. I WANTED TO GIVE COUNSEL ALL OF THE OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE DECISIONS. WE CAN FUND THIS. IT DOESN'T IMPACT THE TAX RATE. THERE IS A REASON WE PUT IN PLACE A MINOR IMPROVEMENT FUND. THE MINOR IMPROVEMENT FUND IS TO PAY FOR THE SORT OF CAPITAL ITEMS WITHOUT RAISING THE TAX RATE, WITHOUT ISSUING DEBT. IT IS A CONSERVATIVE AND RESPONSIBLE WAY OF DOING THAT. WE PUT 5% OF OUR SALES TAX AWAY ANNUALLY FOR THE MINOR IMPROVEMENT FUND . I WOULD CHALLENGE ANY OTHER CITY OUR SIZE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.

THEY DON'T DO THAT. WE DO THAT SO DON'T ISSUES COS TO PAY FOR THESE SORT OF MINOR IMPROVEMENTS. IF COUNSEL WANTS TO REDUCE THE PRODUCT, WE ARE HAPPY TO DO THAT. IT IS YOUR DECISION BUT STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION IS TO MOVE FORWARD BECAUSE IT IS NOT GOING TO GET ANY CHEAPER.

>> I THINK THERE IS ANOTHER ASPECT OF THIS THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I BELIEVE PRETTY STRONGLY. THAT WHEN WE REMOVE SOMETHING THAT IS A QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUE IN ORDER TO IMPROVE ANOTHER LOCATION THAT OFFERS QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES, IF WE ARE GOING TO ATTRACT YOUNG FAMILIES AND HAVE A GROWING ECONOMY AND WE WANT YOUNG FAMILIES TO MOVE HERE AND COME WORK, WE HAVE TO HAVE THESE KINDS OF THINGS. WE CAN'T USE THIS MONEY FOR -- WE CAN TRANSFER IT INTO THE PAYROLL.

WE GET HIGHER WITHIN -- CORRECT?

>> YES, SIR. >> AND SO WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW OR IN MY OPINION IS REPLACING SOMETHING WE REMOVED TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE TO NOT ONLY ENHANCE THE LIVES OF OUR CURRENT CITIZENS THAT LIVE HERE BUT ATTRACT MORE PEOPLE TO COME HERE IN THE LONG RUN. THE GROWTH OF THE TEXT PLACE OVER TIME IS THE PRIMARY WAY THAT WE RAISE REVENUE. I AM NOT AN INCREASED TEXAS BELIEVER WE HAVE TO GROW IT ORGANICALLY AND THIS IS ONE OF THE WAYS WE DO THAT. AND IF WE DO THIS NOW THIS WAY AS OPPOSED TO PIECEMEAL IT, WE ARE ACTUALLY REDUCING THE COSTS IN THE LONG RUN AND TO MY VIEW, THAT IS A RESPONSIBLE USE OF MIP DOLLARS THAT WE CAN USE FOR ANY THINGS ANYWAY. SO I AM IN FAVOR OF THIS IN TERMS OF DOING THIS

THIS WAY. >> I WOULD ADD TO THAT. THIS IS THE RESULT OF A STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS. WE DIDN'T JUST COME UP WITH THIS THIS YEAR. THIS HAS BEEN SEVERAL YEARS IN THE MAKING AND THIS IS THE FRUITION OF A MULTI-YEAR DISCUSSION AND PLANNING PROCESS BETWEEN THE ZOO AND AYSA .

WHERE ARE WE GOING TO PROVIDE THESE AMENITIES? EVEN THE ADOPTION CENTER BEING LOCATED WHERE IT IS AN EVENT, CHOOSING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CONSTRUCTION SAVINGS BECAUSE OF WHERE THEY ARE DOING IT AND WHEN THEY ARE DOING IT. ALL OF THIS IS THE RESULT OF STRATEGIC PLANNING. IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT THE ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT HAS CHANGED AND WE DID NOT HAVE THOSE PLANNING FACTORS INCLUDED IN OUR OVERALL BUDGET. WE MADE A RESPONSIBLE PREDICTION THAT OUR SALES TAX REVENUES WOULD

[01:05:01]

CONTINUE TO INCREASE AS THEY HAVE FOR THE LAST DECADE. AND INSTEAD, THEY HAVE DECLINED. AND SO, WE ARE PLACING THE SITUATION WHERE INSTEAD OF CHOOSING WHICH A GOOD THING WE WANT TO ADD TO THE CITY, NOW WE ARE CHOOSING WHICH A GOOD THING WE WANT TO REMOVE AND THOSE ARE THE HARD CHOICES THAT WE GET PAID TO MAKE . IN THIS CASE, I AM VERY HESITANT TO CHANGE COURSE ON THIS. THE HISTORY OF THIS CITY IS THAT IN TIGHT ECONOMIC TIMES, WE CUT BACK ON THINGS THAT WERE ALREADY IN PROGRESS AND THAT IS HOW WE ENDED UP SPENDING A HALF-MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR ON STREETS FOR 10 YEARS. AND WOEFULLY UNDERFUNDED. THOSE WERE THINGS THAT REALLY YOU CAN DO. YOU CAN DO FOR THOSE COSTS. YOU DON'T PARTICULARLY HAVE A CONSTITUENCY FOR THAT AND IT WAS EASY TO DO . AND THEN, EVERYBODY SUFFERED. AND SO THIS FALLS INTO THE CATEGORY OF MAKING SHORT-TERM REACTIONS AND RATIONAL DECISIONS TO THE ENVIRONMENT INTO THE SITUATION WHEN, IN FACT, IF WE WOULD JUST EXECUTE THE PLANS THAT WE HAD ALREADY PUT FORTH -- AND THIS EVEN INCLUDES TO YOUR POINT ABOUT THE MINOR IMPROVEMENT FUND. OUR DIRECTION, OUR INTENTION IS TO NOT ISSUE DEBT FOR EVERYTHING THAT WE BUILT. AND SO WE SET MONEY ASIDE TO DO EXACTLY THIS KIND OF THING. REALLY, IF WE ARE GOING TO COME OFF OF THAT AND SAY, YEAH, WE ARE GOING TO KEEP THAT 5% SALES TAX AND JUST SPEND IT ON CURRENT COST, CURRENT YOUR SALARIES AND SERVICES , THEN THE STORED CHOICE IS TO START ISSUING DEBT TO DO ANY PROJECT TO COME OUT AND I'M OPPOSED TO THAT. I THINK THAT OUR TAX RATE , WE ARE DOING A GOOD JOB KEEPING IT AS LOW AS WE CAN MANAGE AND STILL PROVIDE THE SERVICES THAT WE CAN ALLOW TO GROW. I GET THAT THE OPTICS OF THIS ARE AWKWARD GIVEN THAT THE REST OF THE SITUATION THAT WE'RE DISCUSSING, BUT I THINK IT IS UNWISE TO CANCEL THIS WITH A QUICK SNAP DECISION BECAUSE IT WILL COST 50 TO 100% MORE IF WE DON'T DO IT OR IF WE DO PART OF IT AND DO ANOTHER PART LATER. I THINK WE STAY THE COURSE. WE CONTINUE WITH THIS PLAN. THAT MONEY IS ALREADY SET ASIDE AND I AM IN FAVOR OF IT.

>> ANYONE ELSE? >> I JUST HAD SOME FINAL THOUGHTS. THIS IS A POLICY DECISION TO MOVE ON THIS AND NOT A REFLECTION ON STAFF. STAFF IS WORKING WITH WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN DIRECTED. THE ENVIRONMENT HAS CHANGED. COST WISE INFLATION HAS CHANGED. THIS WAS A POLICY DECISION ON THE COUNCIL'S PART TO MOVE AND STAFF HAS DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB ABOUT PRESENTING ON AN OPTION TO US AND SO THANK YOU TO THE AGAIN. NOT A REFLECTION OF YOU GUYS AT ALL. FROM A POLICY PERSPECTIVE, THIS IS TO BRIAN'S POINT, I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS A TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT. IF WE DO NOT APPROVE THIS NOW, THIS DOES NOT DIE. THIS IS NOT WE CANCEL IT NOW.

THIS IS A WE HAVE BEEN PRESENTED WITH AN OPTION. THEY CAME MUCH HIGHER THAN ANY OF US EXCEPT IT AND I THINK AS RESPONSIBLE POLICYMAKERS, WE SAY, ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE THIS OPTION. LET'S SEE IF WE CAN MODIFY IT TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY DUE TO THE NEW FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS THAT WE HAVE HERE THESE ARE MINOR IMPROVEMENT FUNDS. WE ARE NOT ISSUING DEBT FOR THIS, HOWEVER, LATER ON ONE OF THE POINTS OF THE AGENDA, WE ARE DISCUSSING ISSUES SUCH AS THE PICKLE BALL COURT THAT POSSIBLY MAY REQUIRE COS. YOU MAY SAY, WELL, THAT IS A DIFFERENT PROJECT BUT IF WE WERE ABLE TO TAKE HALF-MILLION FROM THIS PROJECT AND APPLY THE SAVINGS OF HALF-MILLION TO THE PICKLE BALL COURT, MAYBE WOULD NOT NEED TO ISSUE COS FOR THAT PRODUCT. SO YOU MAY SAY, WE ARE NOT ISSUING COS HERE BUT IT IS PART OF THE IMPROVEMENT THAT WE ARE ENTERTAINING EVEN JUST IN THIS MEETING SO I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT EVEN IF IT IS JUST ONE MORE MEETING FOR ONE MONTH, I KNOW WE ARE GETTING SOME SAVINGS BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO BE OUT THERE FOR A WHILE FINISHING UP THE ADOPTION CENTER, AND SO I DON'T WANT TO DELAY THIS FOR SIX MONTHS OR A YEAR, BUT I DO THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE DO TAKE A MONTH AND HAVE STAFF

[01:10:02]

COME BACK WITH AN ALTERNATIVE STREAMLINED VERSION THAT WE CAN VOTE ON . LET'S SAY IT IS HALF 1 MILLION AND WE VOTE ON IT .

WE CAN TAKE THAT OPTION OR WE CAN COME BACK TO THIS ADDITIONAL ONE AND MOVE FORWARD WITH THE $959,000 AND WE ARE NOT CANCELING IT. WE ARE LOOKING AT THE OPTIONS AND BEING VERY FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE. THOSE ARE MY THOUGHTS AND I WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO TABLE THIS WITH DIRECTION TO THE STAFF TO COME BACK WITH AN ALTERNATIVE OF APPROXIMATELY $500,000 FOR THIS PART.

>> I HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMEMBER REGAN TO TABLE

THIS. IS THERE A SECOND? >>

>> MOTION FAILS. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ? IF NOT, I WILL ACCEPT THE MOTION AND DISCUSSING ON ITEM 14.

>> SO MOVE. COUNCILMEMBER MCALISTER?

>> IT MAY BE CLEAR IF WE STAY THE MOTION FOR THE RECORD WE

UNDERSTAND IT. >>: ONE SECOND. I WILL GO BACK.

>> I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE AWARDED BID NUMBER CB2448 CAMP BARKELEY DOG PARK RELOCATION PROCESS TO TEINERT

CONSTRUCTION. >> IS THERE A SECOND?

>> SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER BEARD. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?

READY TO VOTE. >> WE HAVE ONE KNOW FROM

[15. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Take Action on Approving a CMAR Agreement with Sedalco Construction Services for the Abilene Zoo Africa Series of Exhibits Project (Jesse Pottebaum)]

COUNCILMEMBER REGAN BUT THE REST WERE YESES SO, MOTION

CARRIES. >> MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU ALL FOR THE DISCUSSION. WE NOW MOVE TO ITEM 15 WITH

COUNCILMEMBER MCALISTER. >> WHEN I MADE THIS, I SAW COUNTS NUMBER SINK IN HIS CHAIR. DON'T WORRY. I AM ALL FOR THIS. I KNOW THE ZOO PROJECT WAS PART OF THE BONDS THAT WE HAD EARLIER AND SINCE THIS IS KIND OF THE NEXT STEP, NOT THE BIG STEP OF THE NEXT STEP. I WANT TO SEE, JESSE IF YOU COULD GIVE US AN UPDATE ON WHAT THIS IS GOING TO DO. WHAT THIS PLAN IS BECAUSE CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FOR THE ZOO AFRICA SERIES, I JUST THINK THIS IS A MAYBE GREAT OPPORTUNITY AND I AM NOT AGAINST THIS OR ANYTHING. JUST EVERY TIME WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LET THE FOLKS KNOW WE ARE DOING WHAT THEY ARE VOTING ON. I WANTED TO GIVE YOU THAT OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WHAT THIS MEANS AS FAR AS WHAT THE

NEXT STEP GOES. >> YES. THANK YOU. JESSE POTTEBAUM. PROJECT IS A DIRECTOR. THIS PRODUCT IS ONE OF OUR FOUR PHASES OF OUR MASTER PLAN AND IS GOING TO RECONSTRUCT SOME OF OUR AREAS ARE GOING TO BE OUTDATED SUCH AS OUR RHINO AND LINE EXHIBIT. THIS WILL INCLUDE A MULTI-SPECIES YARD TO MOVE OUR DRAFT HURT. CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW, WE HAD A BIG BOWL WAS HEADACHE CALF , OR OUR INVESTMENT WE HAVE TO SEPARATE HIM. HE HAS TO GO TO A WHOLE ANOTHER AREA WHERE GUESTS CAN'T SEE HIM. THE MULTIS SPECIES AREA ALLOWS HIM TO BE ON DISPLAY WITH OUR GUESTS.

RIGHT NOW HE IS NOT ON DISPLAY TO PROCREATE. THE NEXT IS TO INCLUDE LINE EXHIBITS. THEY ARE ALL GOING TO BE PARTNERING WITH A TWO STORY CAFE TO INCREASE OUR FOOD AND BEVERAGE REVENUE BY CLOSE TO $1 MILLION ANNUALLY. RIGHT NOW, WE DON'T GET AN ANNUAL DOLLARS WITHOUT A CAFE OR CONCESSIONS. IT IS ALSO TO EXPAND THE AMPHITHEATER FLOWER RENTALS. THE ZOO HAS BEEN VERY POPULAR FOR NIGHT AND EVENING RENTALS THIS PAST COUPLE OF YEARS. IT IS ACTUALLY AN INCREASE IN HALF ABOUT $1 MILLION ANNUALLY AND THAT WILL BOOST THAT UP SIGNIFICANTLY TOO. IT IS ALSO INCLUDING BRIDE AND GROOMS ROOMS SO THEY CAN ACTUALLY HAVE WEDDINGS IN THE ZOO WHICH IS VERY POPULAR WITH CREDITED ZOOS AND WE PICKED OUT OF THE FOUR VERY TALENTED AGENCIES, WE PICKED SEDALCO MAINLY BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE TIME OF THE CRIME WHEN IT COMES TO DESIGNING ZOOS. THEY DID A BEAUTIFUL, MAJESTIC MS. IT CALLED THE GIANTS OF THE SAVANNAS AND SEDALCO HAVE A PROJECT AND IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT, IT HAS WON MANY AWARDS AND THAT IS WHAT WE WANT TO BRING TO ABILENE. WE ARE IN THE MAJOR LEAGUES SO ASPECT TO SWING WHAT THE MAJOR LEAGUES AND WITH THEIR TALENTS, WE BELIEVE THAT WE CAN DELIVER THOSE SERVICES OR THE ABILENE

ZOO. >> THAT IS ALL I WANTED. I WANTED TO GIVE AN UPDATE TO THE FOLKS THERE LISTENING BECAUSE THIS IS YOU IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR CITY AS FAR AS OUR ECONOMY AND JUST AN AMENITY THAT WE HAVE AND I WANTED TO GIVE YOU THAT OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WITH US

[01:15:03]

WHAT THIS PROJECT MEANS. SO THAT IS ALL I WANTED. I AM NOT AGAINST ANYTHING. I JUST WANTED AN UPDATE. THANK YOU, SIR.

>> THANK YOU. >> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?

>> I THINK YOU HAVE TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING. AN NOW FOR PUBLIC HEARING. WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 15? PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD? SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. DID YOU WANT TO SPEAK ON THAT? I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT, I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION.

>> SO MOVED. >> AND MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER

MCALISTER. >> SECOND.

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

WE ARE READY TO VOTE. >> ALL YESES. MOTION CARRIES.

>> MOTION CARRIES.

>> WELCOME BACK. BEFORE WE MOVED TO ITEM 21, IS AMARI HERE? AMARI? AMARI, YOUR TEAM RECEIVED SIX AWARDS FROM THE TEXAS INFORMATION OFFICERS AND ALL HAVE A GREAT DAY, MARI.

WILL YOU HAVE YOUR BUNCH STAND UP AND WE WOULD LIKE TO

CONGRATULATE YOU ALL. >>

>> Y'ALL DO A GREAT JOB AND WE ARE VERY APPRECIATIVE WHAT

[21. Discussion: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing on FY24 and FY25 Budget Reductions, and the Demolition and Re-Construction of G.V. Daniels and Cesar Chavez Recreation Centers. (Robert Hanna)]

EVERYONE AGO DO FOR THE CITY. GETTING RECOGNIZED AS ONE THING BUT Y'ALL DO A GREAT JOB ON TOP OF IT. THANK YOU. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM 21 AND I WILL ASK CITY MANAGER, HANNAH, TO

PRESENT THIS ITEM. >> MORNING, EVERYBODY. I JUST BEG YOUR INDULGENCE FOR JUST A MINUTE. THIS IS A LOT OF INFORMATION AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I DO IT JUSTICE BECAUSE STAFF HAS BEEN A LOT OF WORK IN IT ALREADY. OKAY.

COUNSEL RECEIVED A MEMORANDUM OUTLINING THE NEED FOR FURTHER BUDGET REDUCTIONS IN PREPARATION FOR NEXT YEAR'S FISCAL BUDGET. WE ARE IN THIS YEAR OF MAY 17TH AND THAT WAS ATTACHED TO COUNSEL'S BACKUP. SINCE THE RELEASE OF THAT INFORMATION, I HAVE ALREADY STARTED TO BEGIN THE BUDGET PROCESS FOR FISCAL YEAR 25. I HAVE RECEIVED THE PLAN EXPENDITURES FROM THE DEPARTMENTS. THEY HAVE DONE EXACTLY WHAT THEY WERE ASKED TO DO WHICH WAS TO LIMIT NEW SPEND AND ON TOP OF ALREADY REDUCING THE DISCRETIONARY FUNDS BY 2% ACROSS THE BOARD, WE ALSO ASKED THEM NOT TO BRING ANY NEW ITEMS FOR THE TABLE. AND THE VAST MAJORITY OF THOSE DEPARTMENTS DID. THE ONE THAT DID NOTWAS BECAUSE THEY HAD TO. THIS WAS BROKEN SO IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. WE HAVE ALSO RECEIVED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM THE CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT ON OUR EVALUATIONS AND THEY ARE FINALIZED AND WE ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT PROCESS. ALL OF THE INPUTS ARE COMING IN. WE HAVE ALREADY CUT $1.7 MILLION FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR AND IT IS COMBINED WITH THE ADDITIONAL CUTS ON PROPOSING FOR ANOTHER $449,000 IN POSITION FREEZES AS WELL AS SOME RECOMMENDATIONS TODAY TO DELAY THE ROLES PARK PICKLE BALL PORTS, WHICH IN THE BUDGET, WE HAVE 1.365 MILLION LEFT TO SPEND. I WAS BRIEFED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON ON MY ONE-ON-ONE MEETING WITH LESLIE ANDREWS THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED AN ENGINEERED NEW UPDATED OPINION COST AND IT IS NOT SURPRISINGLY , GIVEN THE ENVIRONMENT, HAS GONE UP ABOUT ANOTHER $600,000 TOTAL FROM WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY SPENT SO FAR. SO TOTAL PROJECT COST OF ABOUT $2.1 MILLION. IF WE DELAY THAT, THEY THINK IT IS GOING TO BE ABOUT $2.3 MILLION. SO THERE IS A COST TO DELAY. WE ARE SUGGESTING THAT WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE NELSON WILSON MOVEMENTS. ALL IN ALL, WE SAVED ABOUT $3.5 MILLION IN FISCAL YEAR 24 AND THIS DOES PLACE US IN A VERY STRONG POSITION TO WHETHER ANY ADDITIONAL SALES TAX CONSTRUCTIONS . SO, IN GETTING READY FOR '25, I HAVE INFORMED THE CITY'S NOT FOR PROFIT PARTNERS THAT WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FUND THEM IN '25. THIS WAS ALSO ABOUT $230,000 IN ADDITIONAL SAVINGS.

[01:20:02]

WHAT ARE THOSE PARTNERS? THOSE PARTNERS WERE THE EXPO , CULTURAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL, THE UNITED WAY , THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKING WITH OUR DOWNTOWN PROGRAMS AND A COUPLE OTHER -- THE RV CC. THERE ARE A COUPLE OF OTHERS THAT ARE NOT ON THE TOP OF MY MIND BUT THE TOTAL WAS $231,000. I AM ALSO SUGGESTING THAT WE CARRY OVER THERE FROZEN POSITIONS THAT WE MADE THIS FISCAL YEAR THAT GENERATE ANOTHER ONE $.16 MILLION. BETWEEN THESE AND ADDITIONAL CHANGES THAT WE ARE MAKING, WE HAVE GOT ANOTHER ONE $.8 MILLION AVAILABLE FOR FY 25. ON THE CAPITAL PROJECT SIDE, I'M ASKING COUNSEL TO FIND OR CONSIDER FUNDING THE FOLLOWING CAPITAL OBLIGATIONS THAT WE HAVE MADE AND WE HAVE AGREEMENTS TO PERFORM OR FULFILL THE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION WHICH IS DIFFERENT FROM OUR COURSE OF ACTION WE HAVE HAD IN THE PAST. THE FIRST ONE IS A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1.19 MILLION. YOU WERE CALLED.

THE STATE OF TEXAS GAVE THE CITY OF ABILENE A SUBSTANTIAL GRANT . CLOSE TO $20 MILLION AND STATE FUNDS TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO ABILENE AIRPORT FOR A FIRE RAMP FOR THE TEXAS FOREST SERVICE, UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE AND THE PLANES THAT SPRAY FIRE RETARDANT ON OUR WILDFIRES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. IT IS A VERY GOOD INVESTMENT ON THE STATES PART.

WE HAVE A LOCAL OBLIGATION MIGHT FOR THAT AND THAT $1.9 MILLION REFLECTS THAT LOCAL OBLIGATION MATCH. IN ADDITION, THE ROLES PARK PICKLE BALL COURTS. THE MICROWAVE RADIO SYSTEM. I KNOW IT IS NECESSARY FOR US TO MAINTAIN AND SUPPORT OUR PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO NETWORK. OVER THE LAST NINE YEARS, THOSE OF YOU THAT I'VE BEEN ON THE COUNCIL SINCE THE ENTIRETY, SHANE, KYLE, YOU ARE THE ONE OF THE TWO THAT ARE LEFT. YOU CALL WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON OUR RADIO SYSTEMS AND THE WHOLE NINE YEAR PERIOD. THIS IS THE VERY LAST THING WE NEED TO DO AND IT IS A $740,000 EXPENSE. IF WE DON'T DO THIS AND WE HAVE A MICROWAVE FAILURE, THEN WE CAN'T SUPPORT WHAT IS THERE ANYMORE, RIGHT? THE PARKS, THEY CAN'T FIND THEM ANYMORE. THIS IS LITERALLY END-OF-LIFE. IF IT FAILS, OUR ABILITY TO HAVE RADIO COMMUNICATION IS SEVERELY HAMPERED. AND THE REDUNDANCIES THAT WE HAVE WILL CONTINUE GOING ON. SO THAT IS A HAVE TO DO PROJECT. THE $3 MILLION FOR EQUIPPING THE ABILENE HERITAGE SQUARE MAIN LIBRARY BRANCH, WHICH IS A FACILITY. THAT IS NOT IN OUR MIP PROGRAM. I ANTICIPATED BEING ABLE TO HAVE PROBABLY TO THE MID OR END OF FY 26 TO BE ABLE TO FUND THAT AND THEY HAVE SECURED THE FUNDING THEY NEED TO MOVE FORWARD AND MOVING FORWARD THEY ANTICIPATE THE NEED FOR THAT IN FY 25. SO WE DON'T HAVE THAT CASH. THAT IS NOT AVAILABLE. THE ONLY WAY WE ARE ABLE TO DO THAT IS THROUGH COS. WARHORSE TRAIN OTHER PROJECTS, RIGHT? ALL IN TOTAL, IT IS ABOUT $7 MILLION FOR THE PROJECTS. SO I AM RECOMMENDING THAT IS COUNSEL CONSIDER THE ISSUE. THAT WOULD INCREASE THE CITY'S DEBT SERVICE TAX RATE BITE .00615 CENTS PER $100 BY VALUATION . THAT IS $.87 PER MONTH THE AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD IN ABILENE, TEXAS, FOUR $.48 PER YEAR. I SAY THAT NOT TO REALIZE THAT BECAUSE THAT COULD BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BREAD OR NOT FOR SOME MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. I SAY THAT SO THAT PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT THE MAGNITUDE OF THAT TAX RATE MIGHT ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE. AND THAT IS BASED OFF THE AVERAGE HOMESTEAD VALUE OF $107,000. IF YOUR HOUSE IS WORTH MORE THAN THAT, YOU CAN HAVE A BIGGER IMPACT. IF IT IS WORTH LESS, YOU WILL HAVE A LESSER IMPACT.

IT FURTHER ALLOWS US TO ABSORB AND CONTRACT EVERY FOR THE CONTRACTING SALES ENVIRONMENT. THE PLAN IS THIS, REDUCE OUR SPEND TO ADJUST FOR RIGHT SIDE OF THE ORGANIZATION BASED OFF THE KNOWN REVENUES WE HAVE LOST AND ARE NOT ANTICIPATING TO GET BACK. AND THEN, CREATE CASH RESERVES TO BE ABLE TO ABSORB ANY ADDITIONAL DOWNTURN IN THE ECONOMY THAT WE MAY FACE IN FY 25. AND I THINK THROUGH FY 26. WERE CRYSTAL BALL IS AS GOOD A ON THAT. THE LITERATURE I AM READING AND I STUDIED THIS PRETTY AGGRESSIVELY GIVEN THE SITUATION WE ARE IN RIGHT NOW , I DON'T THINK WE ARE HEADING INTO A GREAT RECESSION. I THINK

[01:25:05]

WE ARE HEADING INTO A SLOW DOWN ECONOMY AND THE BEST EXAMPLE TO EXPLAIN THIS IS THAT GROCERIES COST MORE. PEOPLE'S DISCRETIONARY DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT ON THOSE THINGS THAT NEED TO HAVE. EGGS, BACON, BUTTER. THOSE CLOSE SORTS OF STUFF ARE NONTAXABLE. SO THEY'RE SPENDING BUT THE MONEY THEY ARE SPENDING ON IS NOT SO GENERATING SALES TAX. THERE ARE PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT ARE SPENDING LESS BECAUSE THEY ARE TIGHTENING OUR BELT AS WELL. IT IS A COMBINATION OF THINGS BUT THE NET RESULT IS WE DON'T HAVE THE SALES RESULTS THAT WE ARE ANTICIPATING. I THINK WE HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB OF REDUCING OUR SPEND TO ACCOMMODATE THIS AND I AM SUGGESTING THAT WE DO A LITTLE BIT MORE. THESE ARE THE FRIEZES FOR FY 24 THAT WE HAVE MADE. WE HAVE CUT PERSONNEL. WE HAVE FROZEN POSITIONS. FROZEN A FEW MORE POSITIONS TO BE FROZEN. REDUCED GENERAL FUND TRANSFERS OUT , SO WE FORGO SOME TRANSFERS OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND INTO OTHER THINGS. WE HAVE ALSO PROPOSED A PAUSE ON CERTAIN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS. ALL IN TOTAL, WE HAVE SAVED ABOUT $3.5 MILLION ROUGHLY IN '24. IN FY 25, THESE ARE THE NONPROFIT PARTNERS. HARD WORK CENTER IS THE ONE THAT I DID NOT MENTION BEFORE. THE NEXT ITEM THAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS REALLY THE ITEM THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HERE FOR AND I UNDERSTAND WHY THEY ARE. CURRENTLY, THE CITY SERVES A MAXIMUM OF 240 STUDENTS WITH THE CITY'S AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM AND A MAXIMUM OF 400 CHILDREN WITH THE CITY SUMMER PLAYGROUND. THESE SERVICES AND THESE PROGRAMS, THEY ARE NOT 400 KIDS EVERY DAY, THAT IS OUR MAX CAPACITY AND IT FLUCTUATES. SOMETIMES WE ARE AT MAX AND SOMETIMES WE ARE NOT. JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER DAY CARE OR AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM, YOU ARE GOING TO SEE THE POPULATION OF THE PARTICULAR DATE GO UP OR DOWN BASED ON THE LOAD. WE ARE RECOMMENDING THAT WE CLOSE CESAR CHAVEZ RECREATIONAL CENTER AND THE GV DANIELS AT THE SAME TIME BECAUSE WE CAN SAVE ABOUT 5% OF CONSTRUCTION COSTS IS ON OUR DESIGN PROFESSIONAL, OR ARCHITECT'S, OPINION. THAT IS SIGNIFICANT AND IT IS THE CURRENT ENVIRONMENT WITH INFLATIONARY CONSTRUCTION COSTS, I THINK WE ARE PROBABLE TO BEAT THAT. IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN OUR BUDGET PERSPECTIVE AS FOLKS APPROACH THE TAXPAYERS FOR. IF WE CLOSE THOSE TWO CENTERS, I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT, ONE, WHAT DO I DO WITH THE PEOPLE? THEY DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO WORK. WHY ARE WE EMPLOYING THOSE PEOPLE? THAT IS A PRETTY HARSH, HARSH VIEWPOINT. AND SO WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO AND WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS CREATED A PROGRAM THAT IS GOING TO BRIDGE THEM TO OTHER CITY POSITIONS IF THEY CHOOSE TO. BUT I AM ALSO SUGGESTING THAT WE CHOSE CLOSE ROSE PARK RECREATION CENTER AS WELL. THE CLOSING OF ROSEWOOD NOT IMPACT THE DIRECT PROGRAM. THAT WOULD REMAIN OPEN. WE HAVE OBLIGATIONS TO THE PROGRAM CONTRACTUALLY AND MAKE SURE WE HONOR THOSE. THE ROSE PARK SENIOR CENTER WOULD REMAIN OPEN AND SENIOR SERVICES WOULD BE MAINTAINED. IN FACT, PART OF THIS WOULD BE CREATING ADDITIONAL POSITIONS IN THAT SO WE CAN ABSORB WHAT WE ANTICIPATE FROM THE OTHER CENTERS THE SENIOR PROGRAMS THAT ARE THERE ARE NOW GOING TO BE SERVED AT THE SENIOR CENTER AT ONE LOCATION. MEALS WERE ALREADY MADE THERE. WE ARE NOT SHIPPING THEM ANYWHERE SO THE SENIORS WOULD HAVE TO COME FOR THEIR MEALS TO THAT ONE LOCATION. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ADEQUATE STAFF TO MEET THAT SERVICE DEMAND. WE BELIEVE WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT AND THIS IS WHAT I CALL THE SAFE HARBOR PROGRAM. TO BRIDGE EMPLOYEES FROM ONE DIVISION TO THE NEXT. THERE IS ABOUT 13 FULL-TIME EQUIVALENTS THAT WILL BE LOSING THEIR POSITIONS WITH THE CITY. FTE IS FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT IS IF YOU HAVE A PART-TIME PERSON WOULD BE EIGHT .5 FTE A FULL-TIME POSITION WOULD BE 1. SO YOU WOULD TAKE A RATIO AND SUM IT UP SO YOU'RE NORMALIZING THE LANGUAGE. SO, 13 FTES ISN'T NECESSARILY FULL-TIME PEOPLE, . THE SAFE HARBOR PROGRAM ALLOWS THEM TO MOVE TO OTHER PARTS OF THE ORGANIZATION WHERE THEY WILL RECEIVE THE SAME PAY, THE SAME BENEFITS BECAUSE THE POSITION THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE THAT ARE OPEN HAPPEN TO BE THE SAME SALARY LEVELS. SOME OF THEM ARE HIGHER. BUT NONE OF THEM ARE LOWER. WE ARE GIVING THEM PRIORITY TO APPLY FOR THOSE POSITIONS. SOME OF THEM MAY WISH TO STAY WITH WORKING WITH KIDS. IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS IN THEIR HEARTS AND DOING WHAT THEY ARE DOING NOW AND THERE MAY BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEIR NONPROFIT TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN . AND SO, LET ME

[01:30:01]

ADJUST THAT BRIEFLY BECAUSE I THINK IT MAY CONCERN PEOPLE HAVE IS EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THE CONCEPT OF SAVING MONEY . I THINK THE CONCERN THAT WE HAVE HEARD, TODAY AT LEAST , IS SIMPLY WHAT HAPPENS TO THE KIDS? I THINK THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION. SO, WHAT WE HAVE DONE AND WE ARE DOING MORE IS VISITING WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, ABILENE ISD, AND THE NONPROFIT COMMUNITY TO FIND WAYS TO CONTINUE THE SERVICES FOR THESE CHILDREN. I HAD LUNCH WITH THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT YESTERDAY . WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS. HE BELIEVES THEY CAN HELP. THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE AT THE ELEMENTARY TO ALLOW TRAFFIC TO FLOW BETTER. THOSE ARE THINGS THE CITY CAN DO. THESE ARE THINGS THAT THE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM CAN HELP WITH SO WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HOW CAN WE ALIGN BOTH OF OUR ORGANIZATIONS TO BEST SERVE THE TAXPAYERS WE BOTH SERVE? IT WAS A VERY POSITIVE DISCUSSION. I AM WORKING ON A PROPOSAL FOR HIM THAT HE WILL THEN CONSIDER WITH HIS BOARD. LESLIE ANDREWS HAS TALKED TO A NUMBER OF NONPROFITS ARE IN THE SAME SPACE THAT WE ARE IN WITH THIS SERVICE, THERE IS CAPACITY. NOT EVERY CENTER HAS CAPACITY. BUT THERE IS CAPACITY IF BARRIERS ARE REMOVED. SOME OF THOSE BARRIERS ARE TRANSPORTATION. THIS IS WHERE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT CAN COME INTO PLAY. SOME OF THOSE BARRIERS ARE STAFFING. THIS IS WHERE WE MAY BE ABLE TO HELP IN SOME WAYS.

THE OTHER BARRIERS WE HAD ONE PROGRAM IN PARTICULAR , ALIGNS WOMEN AND CHILDREN, IS EMBEDDED IN THE SCHOOL FOR AFTERSCHOOL CARE. THEY HAVE THE CAPACITY IF THEY HAVE MORE PEOPLE. THEY HAVE A MAX CAPACITY OF 650. IF THEY HAD THE STAFF MEMBERS THEY NEED SO I KNOW THEY HAVE CERTAIN STAFF MEMBERS WERE THEY REALLY WANT TO STAY WERE CHILDCARE. I THINK THERE ARE SOLUTIONS HERE. I THINK BACK TO SIT OUTSIDE THE BOX AND MAKE SURE THE STUDENTS ARE CARED FOR. WE DO HAVE TO MAKE CUTS.

BUT I THINK WE CAN DO IT IN A WAY THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE TENURE OF OUR COMMUNITY, WHICH IS THAT WE CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER. I DON'T WANT TO COMMUNICATE OR PROMISE THAT WE HAVE DONE ALL OF THIS YET. WE HAVEN'T. WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF IT. WE TYPICALLY DON'T TALK TO THE COUNCIL ABOUT THE FY 25 BUDGET IN JUNE. WE WAIT TILL JULY. THESE ARE THINGS THAT HAVE TO BE ADDRESSED. FRANKLY, THE ORIGINAL PLAN WAS TO KEEP ONE FACILITY OPEN. DEMO ONE, NOTED INTO THE NEXT ONE. THAT WON'T WORK IN THE CURRENT ECONOMY THAT WE ARE WORKING UNDER NOW. SO WE HAVE HAD TO ADJUST AND PIVOT AND CHANGE OUR PLAN. SO, IN SUMMARY, THESE ARE THE CAPITAL PROJECTS THAT WE ARE SUGGESTING AND THIS IS THE FY 25 BUDGET REDUCTIONS. THERE IS A RENEWABLE DEDUCTION YEAR-OVER-YEAR. SO, ACTUAL TRUE SPEND REDUCTION AND WHAT WE DO, YOU WILL SEE THE GENERAL FUND BALANCE BILL DOWN BY THAT DOLLAR AMOUNT OF $4.3 MILLION AND THEN, THE OPERATING CASH READ THROUGH THE FINANCING WHICH IS A ONE TRICK PONY, RIGHT? IT DOESN'T HAPPEN NEXT YEAR. $7 MILLION ALL TOLD IT HAS A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE FY 25 BUDGET BY ABOUT $3 MILLION. THIS COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS

FOR ME? >> COMING ASKED SOMETHING REALLY QUICK BEFORE YOU START OR INTERRUPT BUT THIS IS A

LEGAL THING. STANLEY? >> YES?

>> I NEED SOME ADVICE HERE. THIS IS ALL LUMPED INTO ONE ITEM. AND IT IS ONLY A DISCUSSION ITEM SO, I NEED YOUR OPINION ON WHETHER I NEED TO LEAVE THE ROOM OR NOT.

>> YOU DO NOT. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. THIS IS NOT EASY AND BRIAN SAID WE ARE PAID TO DO THIS SO I THINK WE'RE ACTUALLY LUCKY.

>> WE GET PAID AND WE GET A DOLLAR.

>> THESE ARE HARD DECISIONS. WE LIKE BEING A PEER WHEN THINGS ARE FUN. BUT THE TRUTH IS, WHEN IT COMES TO BUDGET CUTS, IT IS BECAUSE THE MONEY IS NOT GOING TO BE THERE UNFORTUNATELY, AND THAT IS THE WAY IT IS. WE DON'T LIKE PICKING AND CHOOSING, BUT SOMETIMES THAT IS WHAT INVESTMENT HOW WE HAVE TO BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS CITY AND WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WAYS TO CUT . MOST OF THESE THINGS ARE OPERATING FUNDS, WHICH MEANS THEY ARE ONGOING AND ONGOING AND ONGOING WHICH WILL HELP US IN FUTURE BUDGETS. BUT I ENCOURAGE DISCUSSION FROM COUNSEL , FOR CIVIL AND MOST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK YOU AND YOUR STAFF FOR SPENDING A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TIME TO BRING US VISA SUGGESTIONS AND ULTIMATELY, IT IS UP TO US. WE

[01:35:02]

ARE THE ONES YOU HAVE TO MAKE DECISIONS ON THIS BUT TRUTH BE KNOWN, WE HAVE TO MAKE CUTS AND WE ALWAYS HAVE TO SAY, WE ARE GOING TO FIND IT SOMEWHERE. WE HAVE TO CUT MONEY SOMEWHERE.

THE MONEY IS NOT THERE, WE CAN SPEND IT. WE DON'T HAVE A DISCOVER CARD AT THE CITY OF ABILENE. SO, SOME DECISIONS THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE BUT THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE.

COUNSEL QUESTIONS? >> I ECHO THAT, YOU KNOW, APPRECIATIVE OF WHAT YOU HAVE DONE. SOME OF THE ROUGHEST BUDGET TIMES, AND YOU HAVE MENTIONED THAT SHANE AND I HAVE BEEN HERE QUITE A WHILE. WE HAVE HAD A LITTLE UPS AND A LOT OF DOWNS. THE DOWNS ARE WHEN I FIND THE CITY OF ABILENE REALLY COMES TOGETHER AND YOU MENTIONED THERE ARE SOME THINGS OUT THERE THAT WE ARE WORKING ON AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON THOSE. AND SO I APPRECIATE YOU, OUR STAFF, AND THE CITY OF ABILENE. BECAUSE WHEN WE HAVE STRUGGLES LIKE THIS, IT IS WHEN THE COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER . THE STUFF WE HAVE DONE WITH BETTY HARDWOOD. THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT PROGRAMS. WHAT I WANT TO POINT OUT HERE THOUGH IS, AND CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG, A LOT OF THE DISCUSSION THAT WE ARE HAVING TODAY IS ABOUT ENDING SOME OF THE PROGRAMS. NOW, THE SUMMER PROGRAMS WE HAVE WILL STAY. FOR THIS YEAR, CORRECT. SO, NEXT WEEK, PARENTS DON'T HAVE TO FIND SOMETHING ELSE. PARENTS WILL HAVE TO MAKE THAT COMMITMENT. IF WE GO THIS ROUTE, WHEN THOSE PROGRAMS IN SEPTEMBER-ISH, I HATE TO USE THE WORD GO AWAY BUT MAYBE THEY ARE PAUSED. IF WE ARE ABLE TO WIN THE CENTERS ARE REBUILT, IS THERE A POSSIBILITY TO BRING THEM BACK? IF WE CAN. IS THAT A POSSIBILITY?

>> IT IS A POSSIBILITY IF THAT IS WHAT COUNSEL WANTS TO DO.

THIS IS ALL DONE THAT'S NOT EVERYTHING WE DO, COUNSEL SAYS WE HAVE DONE IT. WE HAVE THE DAY CARE FACILITY OR CHILDCARE FACILITY . AND SO WE HAVE. WE WILL PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES. MY ONLY CAUTION IS I DON'T WANT TO MAKE A PROMISE TO THE DAIS TODAY BECAUSE I KNOW WE HAVE PARENTS WHO ARE DEPENDENT UPON THIS THAT ARE GOING TO OPEN IT UP THE SECOND THOSE FACILITIES ARE RECONSTRUCTED. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS. IF THE COUNCIL 'S PLEASURE IS TO RESTORE THOSE SERVICES ONCE THOSE FACILITIES ARE OPEN AND FUNCTIONAL, WE WILL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO DO IT. IT MAY BE FY 26, RIGHT? IT MAY BE FY 27. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE CAN DO IT FISCALLY, RESPONSIBLY, BUT THAT IS COUNSEL'S DIRECTION, WE FOLLOW

YOUR LEAD. >> I UNDERSTAND THAT BUT I WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THAT DOOR IS ALWAYS A POSSIBILITY.

SOME PEOPLE SAY YOU ARE CUTTING THIS AND IT IS GOING TO HURT FOR A WHILE. IT IS GOING TO HURT A LOT OF FOLKS. BUT IT IS NOT A WE ARE DONE, WE ARE WALKING AWAY FROM IT NEVER TO COME BACK. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND THAT.

>> THE EXPECTED AT LEAST FOR ME DESIRED OUTCOME IS NOT TO GO AWAY. JUST THAT WE MOVE IT TO A LOCATION THAT CAN HANDLE THAT.

10 PLUS YEARS AGO, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAD A BOND WHERE THEY INVESTED A LOT OF MONEY AT THE APPROVAL OF THE VOTERS AND SECURITY AND IMPROVEMENTS ON MANY CAMPUSES IN ABILENE ISD AND I HAD QUESTIONED, IS IT BEST TO KEEP THEM IN A 50-YEAR-OLD PLUS FACILITY FOR AFTERSCHOOL CARE THAT WE ARE BUSING FROM THESE BRAND-NEW CAMPUSES VERSUS US PARTNERING WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND LETTING THEM STAY ON THE CAMPUS WHERE THEY ARE AT DURING THE DAY AND THEY HAVE HAD ALL OF THESE IMPROVEMENTS MADE AND DO A PARTNERSHIP WITH THEM TO DO, LIKE YOU WERE SAYING, DO WHAT WE CAN DO TO ENHANCE OR ADD TO WHAT THEY CAN DO. AND SO, I APPRECIATE THAT YOU ARE WORKING WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND SUPERINTENDENT AND I HOPE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO PURSUE THAT IN A WAY THAT WE CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WHAT TAXPAYERS APPROVED YEARS AGO AND ARE BEING ENJOYED BY THE STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOLS TODAY WERE NOT TODAY BECAUSE IT IS SUMMER TIME BUT DURING THE SCHOOL YEARS AND LEVERAGE THAT INVESTMENT THAT THE TAXPAYERS ALREADY MADE IN A WAY THAT PROVIDES THOSE SERVICES TO THE FAMILIES THAT NEEDED BOTH DURING THE SUMMER AND DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR OR AFTER SCHOOL CARE AND ALLOWS US TO FOCUS ON WHAT WE NEED TO FOCUS ON AND

[01:40:02]

THEY FOCUS ON WHAT THEY FOCUS ON AND WE PARTNER ON THINGS WHERE THEY OVERLAP SOME. AND SO I APPRECIATE THE EFFORT THAT YOU AND STEPH ARE PUTTING IN THAT, ESPECIALLY WITH YOU WITH OUTREACH TO THE NONPROFITS AND BEING FORTHRIGHT AND HERE ARE THINGS WE CAN'T DO AND THE NONPROFITS WORKING WITH KIDS AND SAYING, IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO SUPPLEMENT WHAT YOU ARE DOING TO EXPAND THE SERVICES YOU PROVIDE IN A WAY THAT REACHES AND PROVIDES FOR THE NEEDS FOR THESE FAMILIES EVEN IF IT IS NOT A CITY-OWNED FACILITY. SO I DO ALSO ECHO MY APPRECIATION TO YOU FOR DOING THAT AND I THINK THIS IS A GOOD STEP IN THE SENSE OF LEVERAGING THOSE THINGS AND BEING A GOOD PARTNER WITH THESE OTHER ENTITIES.

>> I HAVE A QUESTION. CAN YOU PLEASE CLARIFY THAT I HAVE BEEN A FEW COMMENTS THAT I HAVE GOTTEN SINCE THEY APPROVE THE 20,000,008 BOND ISSUE FOR THE RENOVATION OF THE REC CENTERS AND SAVING $1 MILLION BY DOING THEM SIMULTANEOUSLY INSTEAD OF SEQUENTIALLY. IS THAT MONEY AVAILABLE FOR OUR BUDGET OR IS IT STILL ASSIGNED THROUGH THE BOND OF PROCESS ?

>> THAT MONEY HASN'T FREED UP AND HAS BEEN USED AS PART OF THE INVESTMENT THAT IS NOT FACTUAL. THAT MONEY, I WOULD SUGGEST IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE USED TO CONSTRUCT THE FACILITIES. SO IF WE REDUCE OUR CONSTRUCTION COSTS, IT JUST MEANS WE MAY STILL HAVE TO COME BACK AND AUGMENT MONEY THE VOTERS APPROVED. I HAVEN'T SEEN THE COST . HERE IS YOUR FINAL PRICE. BUT IF WE CAN SAVE $1 MILLION OFF THAT, THERE IS LESS WE HAVE TO BRING TO THE TABLE POTENTIALLY AND MABEL HAVE ALL COVERED NOW WITH THE BONDS THAT HAVE BEEN ISSUED WITH THE VOTERS APPROVAL. BUT THAT MONEY IS NOT BEING CANNIBALIZED FOR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES BECAUSE IT HASN'T MATERIALIZED YET. IT IS CONSTRUCTION SAVINGS. AND WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE COST OF THESE FACILITIES ARE UNTIL WE GO OUT FOR BIDS ON THAT AND WE ARE NOT FAR FROM THAT. WE ARE VERY, VERY CLOSE TO THAT OPPORTUNITY. BUT THE SAVINGS GENERATED BY THAT 5% WILL GO BACK INTO THOSE RECREATION CENTERS TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION

DIRECTLY. >> I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ECHO WHAT SHANE IS SAYING AS FAR AS THE WORK THAT THE STAFF HAS DONE TO SHAPE THIS HAS BEEN MINDFUL OF THE COUNSEL'S PRIORITIES AND WE HAVE SAID ALL ALONG THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO PUBLIC SAFETY RIGHT AND THAT WE CONTINUE TO REBUILD OUR STREETS AND THAT THE SERVICES THAT THE CITY IS THE SOLE PROVIDER FOR OUR UNINTERRUPTED AND HIGH QUALITY.

AND AS YOU APPROACH THIS PROBLEM, WHERE THE SITUATION IS NOT ONLY DID WE HAVE THE ADDICTED GROWTH BUT WE ALSO HAD A REDUCTION FROM LAST YEAR, BUT NOBODY REALLY SAW THAT COMING.

THERE WAS NOT MUCH PRECEDENT IN THAT. YOUR REACTION TO THIS AND THE WAY YOU HAVE CRAFTED NOT JUST THIS FISCAL YEAR 'S CHOICES BUT ALSO THE THINGS THAT WE ARE PLANNING FOR FOR FY 25, I THINK, IS WELL DONE. IT IS REASONABLE. IT IS MINDFUL OF THE COUNSEL'S PRIORITIES SO, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU.

THAT WAS REALLY AS GOOD AS YOU COULD DO GIVEN THE SITUATION.

>> THANK YOU. I WILL PIGGYBACK ON THAT WITH REGARD TO THE QUESTION THAT CAME IN. WHEN WE APPROVE A BOND, THAT GOES BEFORE THE VOTERS, THERE IS CONSTRAINTS FOR THAT MONEY.

>> 100%. >> THAT ARE IDENTIFIED WITHIN THE LANGUAGE OF THE BOND. SO, IF THERE IS EXCESS LEFT OVER FROM THAT BOND , WE MAY BE ABLE TO USE IT FOR IMPROVEMENTS OR REPAIRS AND OTHER REC CENTERS, BUT WE CAN'T USE IT FOR RECREATION AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> IT CAN ONLY BE SPENT ON LIKELY RECREATIONAL CENTERS.

>> BUT PART OF IT IS FUNDED OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND?

>> YES. >> IT IS MONEY THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO SPEND OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND.

>> YOU CAN REALIZE THE BENEFIT. >> YOU COULD USE IT FOR PEOPLE

AS CAPITAL. >> THE COS FOR THE FOUR

[01:45:07]

PRODUCTS WOULD INCREASE THE TAX RATE OR OUR HOUSE OF HUNDRED 70,000 BY -- SCROLL UP -- $10.48 IF I T■HINK CORRECTLY. O YOU KNOW AT THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD WHAT THE CURRENT TAX BILL FOR HOMESTEAD IS RIGHT NOW? $10 BEING ADDED ON TO SOMETHING ELSE. IS THAT HOME OWNER ALREADY PLAYING $200 AND THERE NEEDS TO BE 210? OR IT IS TO BE 5000 AND THERE IS $5010?

>> IT IS SOMEWHERE AROUND $1220 A YEAR.

>> 1250. >> SOMEWHERE AROUND $700 A

MONTH. >> WE ARE NOT DOING A VOTE OR

ANYTHING LIKE THAT. >> SIR, THAT IS JUST THE CITY'S BURDEN. THAT DOES INCLUDE THE COUNTY OR THE

SCHOOL DISTRICT. >> THAT IS A GOOD POINT. ON THOSE COS, MY OPINION ON THE RAMP , I THINK THAT IS A NO TRAINER WITH THE FEDS GIVING US 118 OR 20 MILLION. THE LIBRARY LONG-TERM PROJECT IS, I THINK VERY BENEFICIAL TO THE CITY ONCE YOU CRUNCH THE NUMBERS. SO THAT IS A GOOD USE OF CEOS THERE. THE RADIO, I WOULD AGREE. I THINK MY ONLY CONCERN OUT OF THOSE FOUR IS ISSUING ACL FOR THE PICKLE BALL COURTS.

1.3 AND IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, IS THAT THE ONE YOU MENTIONED MICHAEL UP BY 600,000 BY THE END?

>> THAT IS CORRECT, SIR. >> THAT WILL BE AT POTENTIALLY TWO POINT MILLION DOLLARS IN COS. THAT WOULD BE A TOUGH ONE FOR ME BECAUSE MY UNDERSTANDING IS ACU, FROM THE PICKLE BALL COURT NOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED BUT ACU'S HAS PICKLE BALL COURTS. TWO PRIVATE COMPANIES ARE LOOKING AT BRINGING IN PICKLE BALL COURT AND SO, THE NEED MAYBE HAS BEEN SATURATED CURRENTLY. SO, THAT FOR ME ANYWAY, -- OBVIOUSLY I CAN'T SPEAK TO THE REST OF THE COUNSEL, THAT NEED IS BEING PICKED UP BY THE REST OF THE COUNSEL AND I WOULD BE HESITANT TO ISSUE DEBT FOR THE PICKLE BALL COURTS. WE ARE NOT TAKING A VOTE ON IT BUT TO GIVE YOU AN INSIGHT ON MY THINKING ON THAT.

THE OTHER THREE ARE I THINK NO-BRAINERS ON THAT POINT. THAT WOULD BE MY HESITATION. I APPRECIATE YOU ON THE PROGRAMS. IT IS A DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT THAN SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND I THINK YOU REACHING OUT TO AISD AND THE NONPROFIT WORLD IS A DIFFERENT WORLD THAT WAS FIVE YEARS AGO AND THERE SEEMS TO BE AVAILABILITY. I THINK ONE OF THE SPEAKERS HAD A POINT WHERE I THINK SHE SAID SHE WAS PAYING $85 OVER TWO WEEKS AND 170/180 OVER THE LAST MONTH. I DON'T KNOW HOW NONPROFIT RATES WOULD COMPARE IF THEY ARE GETTING THE BEST DEAL OF THEIR LIFE FROM THE CITY PROGRAM WITH NONPROFITS ARE COMPARABLE. THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT I THINK WOULD FACTOR IN, BUT I THINK THE LANDSCAPE HAS CHANGED FROM 7 TO 8 YEARS AGO AND I THINK WE ARE GOING ABOUT IT IN THE RIGHT WAY WILL WE ARE TRYING TO, IN A GOOD WAY NOT JUST CANCEL EVERYTHING AND GOOD LUCK, FEND FOR YOURSELF. THIS IS A JOINT EFFORT WILL WE ARE OFF RAMPING PEOPLE TO A GOOD PLACE WITH AISD NONPROFITS AND SHANE'S POINT, AISD IS MORE EQUIPPED TO HANDLE THIS AS A CITY IN MY PAEAN AS A SCHOOL. AND SO, THROUGH MY OPINION, LONG-TERM THEY ARE A GOOD FIT FOR THESE PROGRAMS. I JUST WANT TO SAY I APPRECIATE YOU WORKING WITH THEM TO INSTEAD OF JUST SAYING, WE'RE OUT OF THAT AND WE ARE DONE. WE ARE WORKING ON EASING THE TRANSITION OVER. SO, I APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU.

>> COUNCILMEMBER REGAN, YOUR COMMENT ABOUT THE "BALL COURTS, JUST REDUCE THE CASH RESERVE . WE CAN MAKE IT WORK IF THAT IS WHAT YOU WANT TO DO. I WOULD BE HESITANT TO DO ANYTHING MORE THAN THAT , BUT WE GOT OURSELVES TAXED FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE. IT WAS FLAT. THAT IS A GOOD SIGN, BUT ONE DATA POINT WE ARE IN A DOWNWARD TREND SO, WE DIDN'T LOSE MUCH HEADWAY.

AND YESTERDAY'S SALES TAX INVESTMENT WE CERTAINLY CAN DO THAT. THAT WOULD MEAN THERE WAS ABOUT 5 1/2 MILLION DOLLARS

[01:50:02]

AVAILABLE MORE OR LESS AVAILABLE TO THE CASH RESERVE WEATHER TO ANY ADDITIONAL CONTRACTIONS. IT GETS TO BE Y'ALL'S DECISION. THE WHOLE POINT OF THIS DISCUSSION IS TO RECEIVE YOUR DIRECTION SO THAT I KNOW HOW TO PREPARE THE FY 25 BUDGET. I APPRECIATE THOSE COMMENTS.

>> WOULD YOU EXPLAIN JUST FOR THE RECORD TO FOLKS, WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS CONTRACTION IN SALES TAX DOLLARS. WE GET THESE EMAILS AND THEY ARE AVAILABLE OUT THERE. HOW MUCH DOWN ARE WE THIS YEAR IN SALES TAX? DO YOU

HAVE A NUMBER? >> I WILL TELL YOU WHAT WE ARE PLANNING FOR FY 25 BECAUSE OUR NUMBER THE ARE IS A FLUID NUMBER. LAST MONTH WAS DOWN OVER 5%. I THINK IT WAS CLOSE TO 7%. IT WAS A BIG NUMBER. FOR FY 25, WE ARE BUDGETING A TUNA HALF DECREASE FROM FY 23'S NUMBER, RIGHT? SO GO BACK A FULL FISCAL YEAR AND CUT IT TO 1/2% AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE PLANNING ON HAVING IN SALES TAX REVENUE. IT IS A SIGNIFICANT

BUDGET CUT. >> I WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT AS THE MAYOR MENTIONED, WE JUST DON'T HAVE THE MONEY AND IT IS BECAUSE SALES TAXES ARE DOWN AND CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG, NOT JUST HERE. THIS IS NOT JUST AN ABILENE ISSUE.

THERE ARE OTHER COMMUNITIES FACING THE SAME PROBLEMS .

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

>> YOU KNOW, ROBERT, SPEAKING OF SALES TAX, PEOPLE ARE STILL SPENDING THEIR INCOME AND A LOT OF IT IS ON THE COMMODITIES, GROCERIES. WE DON'T MAKE SALES TAX OFF OF THAT. WE UNDERSTAND THAT AND THAT IS WHERE A LOT OF THE SALES TAX REVENUE JUST BECAUSE OF THEIR INCOME IS GOING TO COMMODITIES. I JUST WANT TO ADD ONE MORE THING BECAUSE IT IS GUIDANCE. YOU KNOW, THE MICROWAVE SYSTEM AND AIRPORT RAMP. OF COURSE, THE AIRPORT RAMP IS A MATCH OVER THE STATE. WE HAVE TO SPEND THAT BEFORE WE GET THAT $20 MILLION FROM THE STATE. THOSE TWO ARE CONSIDERED PUBLIC SAFETY. THE LIBRARY WITH HERITAGE SQUARE, WE HAVE ALREADY COMMITTED TO THAT. SO WE HAVE TO PAY FOR IT ONE ONE WERE THE OTHER. I DON'T HAVE AN ISSUE PULLING BACK ON THE PICKLE BALL COURT EITHER AND NOT FUNDING THEM WITH COS BUT THESE OTHER THREE OBLIGATIONS , DUPLE IS PUBLIC SAFETY AND ONE IS THE OBLIGATION WE HAVE MADE SO MY GUIDANCE WOULD BE AT LEAST TWO THWART THOSE THREE.

>> I WILL JUMP IN AS WELL. BACK WHEN WE WERE DOING THE 2015 BOND, ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT CAME BEFORE US WAS SOMETHING THAT WOULD HAVE COMPETED WITH PRIVATE ENTERPRISE OR PRIVATE ENTITIES AND I JUST HAVE A HARD TIME ASKING A BUSINESS TO PAY THEIR TAXES TO FUND A PRODUCT THAT IS GOING TO DIRECTLY COMPETE WITH THAT. IF WE HAVE BUSINESSES THAT ARE COMING IN PUTTING IN PICKLE BALL PORTS , I WOULD BE VERY COMFORTABLE WITH US BACKING AWAY FROM THAT AND ALLOWING THOSE PRIVATE BUSINESSES TO PROVIDE THAT SERVICE AND COLLECT THE FEES ASSOCIATED WITH IT AND PAY TAXES.

>> I THINK THIS IS A GOOD TIME ALSO TO REMIND FOLKS, THE BY ABILENE BY LOCAL IS OUT THERE BUT WE HAVE GOT SERVICES HERE AND IT TRULY HELPS YOUR COMMUNITY WHEN YOU BUY THINGS

LOCALLY IN THE AREA. >> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS,

ROBERT? >> ROBERT, CAN YOU CLARIFY FOR THEIR LISTENERS, WE HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR THE COUNCIL FOR A WHILE NOW BUT FOR THOSE OUT IN PUBLIC, WE HAVE BEEN TALKING IN DOLLARS AS FAR AS PROJECTS GO. THIS IS $1.5 MILLION. THESE CUTS ARE FOR SAVING $1 MILLION HERE I DOING THE REC CENTER'S . I THINK IN 2025 , YOU SAID THERE WAS POTENTIALLY A 2.5

DECLINE, WAS THAT CORRECT? >> YES, SIR. THAT IS BUDGETING

[01:55:05]

AND SALES TAX. >> ME BUT THAT IN DOLLAR TERMS? SO WE HAVE THIS MANY MILLIONS IN 2025?

>> IT IS 2.5 ? $2 MILLION. >> OPTIMAL UP TO $2 MILLION.

OKAY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU, ROBERT.

>> THANK YOU. >> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO ITEM 21? IF SO, PLEASE COME FORWARD SICKENING FOR THE

RECORD. >> TAMMY FOGEL. RESIDENT. I KNOW I'M NOT SUPPOSED TO COME UP THIS MUCH BECAUSE IT BECOMES WHITE NOISE BUT I AM SHOCKED THAT WE ARE SAYING LESS THAN $1 MILLION ON DOGS BUT WE HAVE TO CUT MONEY AND TAKE OUT DEBT TO TAKE CARE OF THESE OTHER SERVICES. SO, WE COULD FUND THE TEXT.PROGRAM FOR THE RAMPS WHICH I UNDERSTAND IS MY REVENUE-PRODUCING THING BUT SOMETHING FOR SAFETY AND I DON'T THINK IT IS A BAD THING BUT OUR CALL LAST YEAR AT BUDGET TALKS THAT WE KNEW THIS ONE $.9 MILLION WAS GOING TO COME OUT AND I HAVE HEARD ZERO DOLLARS BASED ON THIS CONVERSATION THAT Y'ALL HAVE SAVED OR PUT ASIDE FOR IT. SO I'M SHOCKED WHEN YOU SAY WE DO NOT HAVE A DISCOVER CARD BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE COS ARE DISCOVER CARDS. I AM GLAD TO HEAR THAT THE PICKLE BALL COURT MIGHT BE OFF THE TABLE BECAUSE AGAIN, WE PUT A DOG PARK IN. I THINK WE SHOULD CHOOSE BETWEEN DOGS AND PICKLE BALL BUT I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD CHOOSE EITHER IF THE FUNDING IS THE SAME WAY THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE. THE HERITAGE SQUARE ISSUE IS KIND OF RIDICULOUS. WE KNEW IT WAS COMING. AND HERE WE ARE. I FEEL LIKE WITH A SIGN SAYING WE ARE READY TO PUT IT BUT DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS YET. WE HAVE WAYS TO START SETTING ASIDE MONEY BUT WE DON'T NEED TO TAKE BONDS OUT EVERY TIME WE TURN AROUND. AND I DID LEARN AS JUST AN AVERAGE CITIZEN TAKING TIME TO UNDERSTAND, WE CAN CHALLENGE COS IF WE CAN GET 6500 SIGNATURES AND 30 DAYS, WHICH WOULD THEN FORCE IT TO GO TO A BALLOT ELECTION ISSUE, BUT KNOWING WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT ABILENE, 6300 SIGNATURES AND 30 DAYS IS A POSSIBILITY. SO Y'ALL ARE GOING TO TAKE OUT SEVEN POINTS FOR MORE DOING DOLLARS $7.7 MILLION . I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT BECAUSE IF I OPERATED MY BUDGET LIKE THAT, I WOULD GO BANKRUPT. WE HAVE TO START USING WHAT WE ARE DOING AND HOW WE ARE GOING TO START LOOKING TO THE FUTURE. THE FUTURE IS COMING AND WE KNOW WHAT WE NEED AND TO NOT HAVE THIS MANY WITH THE MINOR IMPROVEMENT FUNDING PROJECT, WE WILL HAVE A LIST OF HIS PRODUCT TO SAY LISTEN, COUNCILMEMBER YATES, I WANT YOU TO ASK OR EVEN THE CITY MANAGER, TO FOCUS ON THAT PRODUCT? WE DON'T HAVE THAT LIST. WE ARE SITTING HERE AT THE WHIM SAYING WE CAN SPEND $1 MILLION FOR DOGS. LET'S GO FOR IT. WE PROMISED THE PEOPLE WOULD SPEND $1 MILLION FOR DOGS SO LET'S DO IT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT MY VOICE OR ANYONE'S VOICE MATTERS BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE YOU ARE OPERATING ON SOMETHING I DON'T KNOW BUT $707 MILLION IS RIDICULOUS . I KNOW THAT IS GOING TO AFFECT OTHER THINGS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I HAVE DONE THE RESEARCH. I AM NOT JUST SPEAKING IN ANGER OF SOMETHING IS GOING ON. THIS SEEMS TO BE A BAD HABIT AND WE HAVE GOT TO STOP ACTING LIKE IT IS A CRISIS. WE HAVE TO DO IT. WE KNOW ABOUT THIS ONE $.19 MILLION THIS LAST SUMMER AND WOULD NOTHING ABOUT IT. THESE ARE NOT CRISIS. THESE ARE NOT COMMITMENTS WE ARE SURPRISED ABOUT. THESE ARE THINGS WE HAVE KNOWN ABOUT AND NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND THERE IS NO WAY TO SAY BUT ON THE BRAKES. LET'S DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT SO WE ARE NOT IN THE SAME POSITION OVER AND OVER AGAIN. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. STILL IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO SPEAK WITH ITEM 21? PLEASE COME FORWARD. SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD AND THIS WAS FOR DIRECTION ONLY. IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION FROM

COUNCIL? >> ONCE IT --

>> I JUST WANT TO CLEARLY STATE THAT THE $1.9 MILLION IS FUNDED CURRENTLY WITH CASH. WHAT I AM ASKING COUNCIL TO DO IS TO FORGO SPENDING THAT CASH AND USE IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ABSORB WHATEVER HITS WE MAY HAVE THAT COME TOWARDS US IN FY 25 OR FY 26. WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO FIND THOSE PROJECTS, WHICH IS WHY I AM ASKING COUNCIL TO COME CONSIDER THE ISSUANCE OF DEBT. BUT WE HAVE THE CASH. WE WON'T HAVE THE CASH IF THE ECONOMY CONTINUES TO SLOW AND WE LOSE MORE REVENUE. I HAVE GOT A LIST OF 34.6 FULL-TIME POSITIONS THAT ARE NECESSARY THAT WE ARE NOT FILLING. WE ARE DOING THAT

[02:00:01]

TO TIGHTEN OUR BELTS, JUST LIKE THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY IS BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE REVENUE TO OPERATE WHERE WE WANT TO BE AND WHERE WE NEED TO BE TO SERVE THIS COMMUNITY. SO I COMMEND THE COUNCIL FOR MAKING SURE THERE IS CASH AVAILABLE TO FUND THESE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN COMMITTED. THINGS CHANGE. OUR INPUTS ARE CHANGING AND I AM SEEKING DIRECTION TO BE ABLE TO BRING THE BUDGET THAT IS GOING TO BE BALANCED IN FY 25 REFLECTED IN THE PRIORITIES THAT YOU HAVE ASKED ME TO DO AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IS

CLEAR. >> SO, WE DID NOT NOT PLAN FOR

THIS. >> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> WE DID PLAN FOR THIS. IT IS JUST THAT THINGS HAVE CHANGED.

THINGS HAVE CHANGED. >> THANK YOU, ROBERT.

>> ESSENTIALLY WHAT WE ARE DOING IS TRYING TO STAY LIQUID WITH CASH TO ABSORB ANY FUTURE DECLINES ARE BEING ENCOUNTERED IN COMING UP WITH ALTERNATE FUNDING SOLUTIONS THAT THINGS THAT WE HAVE ALREADY PLANNED FOR. IS THAT CORRECT?

>> THAT IS CORRECT, BECAUSE THE NEXT THING TO CUT IS LEASE FIRE. I AM NOT SAYING THAT YOU HAD AROUND ON FIRE. I AM BEING DEAD HONEST. THE NEXT LINE ITEMS TO CUT OUR OFFICERS.

DISPATCHERS. THAT IS WHERE WE ARE AT FROM AN OPERATING

[22. Ordinance (Final Reading) Z-2024-08: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on A Request From The Owner, Represented By CJ Chaney, To Change The Zoning Of Approximately 0.29 Acres From Heavy Industrial (HI) To Light Industrial (LI). Located At 917 & 919 S Treadaway Blvd. (Tim Littlejohn)]

STANDPOINT. >> THANK YOU, ROBERT. THANKS, ROBERT. WE ARE MOVING TO ITEM NUMBER TWO. AND I WILL ASK THE DIRECTOR OF SERVICES TO ADDRESS THIS.

>> THE REQUEST TO CONSIDER IS CHANGING THE ZONING OF APPROXIMATELY 2.29 ACRES FROM A HEAVY INDUSTRIAL TO LIGHT INDUSTRIAL LOCATED AT 917 AND 919 SOUTH TREADWAY BOULEVARD.

HERE IS THE LOCATION MAP. HERE IS THE CURRENT ZONING MAP. HERE IS THE VIEWS OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY. HERE IS THE CURRENT PERMITTED USES. HERE ARE THE REQUESTED USES. NOTIFICATIONS WERE SENT OUT. WE DIDN'T RECEIVE ANY IN OPPOSITION OR ANY IN FAVOR BACK TO THE OFFICE. FINDINGS. THE REQUEST IS CONSISTENT WITH ALL OF THE CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL OF THE CE PC AND IS RECOMMENDING FOR YOUR APPROVAL. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO

ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. >> QUESTIONS? AT THIS TIME, I WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST ITEM NUMBER 22? PLEASE COME FORWARD FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION OF COUNCIL? IF NOT, I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION IN A SECOND.

>> SO MOVED. AN HAVE A MOTION BIKE COUNCILMEMBER PRICE.

>> SECOND. >>

SPEAKERS ] >> SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER

BEARD. FURTHER DISCUSSION. WE A >> ALL YESES. MOTION CARRIES.

[23. Ordinance (Final Reading) Z-2024-09: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on A Request From The Owner, Represented By CJ Chaney, To Change The Zoning Of Approximately 0.08 Acres From Heavy Industrial (HI) To Light Industrial (LI). Located On The East Side Of The 2500 Block Of N Treadaway Blvd. (Tim Littlejohn)]

>> MOTION CARRIES. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM 23 AND TIM, I WILL

ASK YOU TO PRESENT THIS ITEM. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR, COUNCIL.

UP FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IS ITEM 24909. THE REQUEST IS TO CONSIDER CHANGING THE ZONING OF APPROXIMATELY .07 ACRES FROM HEAVY INDUSTRIAL TO LIGHT INDUSTRIAL LOCATED AT THE NORTH OF 2500 BLOCK OF NORTH TREADAWAY BOULEVARD. HERE ARE VIEWS OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY THAT ARE UNDEVELOPED. HERE IS THE CURRENT PERMITTED USES. HERE IS THE REQUESTED USES.

NOTIFICATIONS WERE SENT OUT . NONE WERE RECEIVED. THIS REQUEST IS CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND DOES MEET THE CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL WITHIN THE LAND OF LIMIT COLD.

PNC APPEARED DURING THE CASE AND IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL. I WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

>> QUESTIONS FOR TIM? AT THIS TIME, I WOULD OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST ITEM NUMBER 23? PLEASE COME FORWARD IN STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION IN A SECOND.

>> SO MOVED. >> I HAVE A MOTION BY

COUNCILMEMBER MCALISTER. >> SECOND.

>> SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER YATES. FURTHER DISCUSSION?

READY TO VOTE. >> ALL YESES. MOTION CARRIES.

[24. Ordinance (Final Reading) Z-2024-10: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on A Request From The Owner, To Change The Zoning Of Approximately 0.35 Acres Zoned General Retail (GR) To General Commercial (GC). Located At 542 E. Ambler Avenue. (Tim Littlejohn)]

>> MOTION CARRIES. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM 24. I WILL ASK HIM

[02:05:03]

TO RESENT THIS ITEM. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR, COUNCIL.

UP TO YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR THIS MORNING IS 2024-10 . THE APPLICANT IS JESUS. THE REQUEST IS A CHANGE IS ONLY APPROXIMATELY 0.35 ACRES ZONED GENERAL RETAIL TO GENERAL COMMERCIAL LOCATED AT 542 EAST AMBLER AVENUE. HERE IS THE CURRENT MAP. HERE IS THE CURRENT ZONING. HERE IS VIEWS OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY. HERE IS A CURRENT PERMITTED USES.

HERE IS THE REQUESTED USES. NOTIFICATIONS WERE SENT OUT. WE DIDN'T RECEIVE ANY IN FAVOR OR OPPOSED. THIS REQUEST IS CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND DOES MEET THE CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL WITHIN THE LDC. PNC DID HEAR THIS CASE AND IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL THIS MORNING. HAPPY TO

ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. >> ANY QUESTIONS FOR TIM? I WILL NOW MOVE TO PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST ITEM 24? PLEASE COME FORWARD IN STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT, I WILL

DISCUSS A MOTION. >> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO JESSE, HE IS MY NEIGHBOR. MY DOG HAS BEEN HIS, HIS TALK IS BEEN IN MY YARD. JESSE JUST RETIRED FROM THE ABILENE POLICE DEPARTMENT AFTER 21 YEARS AND HE IS A GOOD MAN AND I DON'T THINK ANYONE EVER SAID CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RETIREMENT. CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RETIREMENT . A GOOD NEIGHBOR AND I WOULD LOVE TO MAKE THAT MOTION.

>> HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MCALISTER AND

ALSO THAT HE WILL MOW HIS YARD. >> OKAY, I TAKE THAT BACK.

>> COUNCILMEMBER CRAVER IS THE SECOND.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MCALISTER AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CRAVER. NOT MCCRAVER . ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? WE ARE READY TO VOTE.

[25. Ordinance (Final Reading): Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Amending Chapter 3, Subdivision Regulations, Article 1, Subdivision Procedures, Division 4, Final Plat, Sections 3.1.4.2 and 3.1.4.3 (Tim Littlejohn)]

>> ALL YESES. MOTION COUNTRIES CARRIES.

>> MOTION CARRIES. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR COUNCIL.

AFTER CONSIDERATION TO THE AMENDMENT OF CODE OF ORDINANCE SPECIFICALLY THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, SECTION 212.005 OF THE GOVERNMENT CODE ALLOWS THE GOVERNING BODY OF MUNICIPALITY TO DELEGATE ONE OR MORE OFFICIALS OR EMPLOYEES TO APPROVE WITH CONDITIONS OR DENYING A PLAN IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY OF ABILENE TO STREAMLINE THE SUBDIVISION DEVELOPMENT PROCESS TO THE EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW. THIS AMENDMENT THAT IS BEFORE YOU TODAY WOULD GIVE THAT AUTHORITY TO THE PLANNING DIRECTOR, BUT THERE IS AN APPEAL PROCESS BUILT IN TO THIS AMENDMENT IF THE DIRECTOR DENIES A PLAN, THE APPLICANT SHALL HAVE THE ABILITY WITHIN 10 DAYS TO APPEAL TO DECISION TO THE CITY MANAGER. IF THE CITY MANAGER DENIES, THEY ALSO HAVE THE ABILITY TO APPEAL TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION AND THAT WOULD BE THE FINAL HEARING. THE LEGISLATIVE MADE THIS CHANGE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE THAT CHANGE FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION TODAY AND THIS WOULD HELP INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE SUBDIVISION AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE. I WILL BE HAPPY TO HELP WITH SUGGESTIONS.

>> I THINK A LOT OF THIS WAS THE CONCERNS FROM STAFF ON THE

APPEALS PROCESS. >> I WAS ONE OF THE ONES THAT ONE OF THE APPEALS AND THANK YOU FOR MAKING SURE THAT WAS THERE. THIS ALSO WILL MAKE THE PLANNING PROCESS A LITTLE CHEAPER . IS THAT CORRECT BECAUSE WE ARE SPEEDING THINGS ALONG LITTLE BIT OR CREATING A PATHWAY FOR IT?

>> TIM, ARE WE GOING TO DO THAT FOR THE FY 24 BUDGET? WE ARE

REDUCING COSTS. >> THERE IS A FEES COMMITMENT

WITHIN THE BUDGET. >> I APPRECIATE YOU GUYS WORKING THIS OUT. I HAVE THE SAME CONCERNS AS LYNN AND WE GET THE EFFICIENCY BUT WE ALSO SEE THE RIGHTS OF OUR RESIDENTS AND THEN, ROBERT, I THINK I HAD A QUESTION FOR YOU, IF THEY APPEAL TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION, IT IS ALL PART OF THE FEE THAT THE PATIENT THE INITIAL PART.

>> THAT IS CORRECT. THERE IS NO EXTRA CHARGE FOR EXERCISING

THEIR PROCESS. >> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD EVEN LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST ITEM 25? PLEASE COME FORWARD WITH YOUR

[02:10:03]

NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT, I WILL

ACCEPT A MOTION IN A SECOND. >> SO MOVED.

>> AND MOTION BY COUNCILMAN RAGAN.

>> SECOND. >> A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER

CRAVER. >> WITHOUT FURTHER DISC WE ARE READY TO VOTE.

>> TEARING UP. TEARING UP HERE >> ALL YESES. MOTION CARRIES.

[EXECUTIVE SESSION]

>> IT IS NOW 10:48 AND WE WILL RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTION 551.071, CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY.

SECTION 551.073, DELIBERATION ABOUT GIFTS AND DONATIONS, SECTION 551.074, PERSONAL MATTERS, SECTION 551.076, DELIBERATIONS ABOUT SECURITY DEVICES, SECTION 551.0 .8 , DELIBERATIONS ABOUT BUSINESS PROCES

[RECONVENE]

>> THANK YOU, NELLY. IT IS NOW 11:12 A.M. WE RECONVENE TO OPEN

[27. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Approving the Updated Tax Abatement Policy, Guidelines and Criteria, and Chapter 380 Economic Development Agreements Policy. (Robert Hanna)]

SESSION. NO VOTES OR ACTIONS WERE TAKEN DURING EXECUTIVE SESSION. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM 27 AND I WILL ASK ROBERT

HANNA TO PRESENT THIS ITEM. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. BEFORE YOU TODAY IS A STATUTORY OR. EVERY TWO YEARS, WE HAVE TO RENEW OUR TAX PAYMENT POLICIES AND CRITERIA ASSOCIATED WITH THAT AND SO WE ASKED THE COUNCIL TO DO THAT.

WE HAVE ONE NOW BUT IT IS NOT AS BROAD AS THIS ONE. IT IS A LITTLE MORE BROADER . THE LAST TAX TREATMENT POLICY WE ADOPTED WAS FOR THE ORIGINAL TAX ABATEMENT, BUT THAT WAS ALLEGEDLY DRAFTED AND AN 87. BOTH OF THESE DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN DRAFTED BY THE SPECIAL COUNCIL. SPECIAL OUTSIDE COUNCIL AND THEY UPDATE LANGUAGE AND ARE MORE CONSISTENT WITH WHAT OTHER COMMUNITIES ARE USING. I DON'T ANTICIPATE ANY CHANGE IN OUR PRACTICE BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE LANGUAGE THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH YOUR PEERS.

THAT ALLOWS US TO DO THIS AND SO I WOULD RECOMMEND, COUNCIL, ADOPTING THESE TWO AGREEMENTS. JUST TWO DOCUMENTS.

>> QUESTIONS FOR ROBERT? THANK YOU. AT THIS POINT, I WILL OPEN IT UP TO THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST ITEM NUMBER 27? IS COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR ITEM FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? IF NOT, I LOOKED AT THE MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? READY TO

VOTE. >> ALL YESES. MOTION CARRIES.

[28. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Approving an Amendment to Tax Abatement Agreements for Property Located in Abilene, Taylor County, Texas with Lancium, LLC. (Robert Hanna)]

>> MOTION CARRIES. WE ARE BACK AT ITEM 28.

>> YES, SIR. WE ARE NOW AT ITEM 28 AND I WILL ASK ROBERT HANNA

TO PRESENT THIS ITEM. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL, FOR YOU NOW IS AN AMENDED AND RESTATED TAX ABATEMENT WITH LANCIUM. THIS PARTICULAR ARGUMENT WAS CONCENTRATED TO BE A PILOT. IT WAS 100% TAX ABATEMENT FOR TWO TENURE TERMS AND THE CITY WOULD RECEIVE A PILOT, WHICH WAS ESSENTIALLY 15% OF THE TAX VALUE THAT LANCIUM THOUGHT THEY WOULD BRING TO THE TABLE AT THE TIME. SINCE THIS PROJECT WAS FIRST APPROVED, LANCIUM HAS CONTINUED TO WORK UPON THEIR VISION AND THE REALITY OF HOW THIS WILL DOUBLE UP DEVELOP AND ARE WORKING ON THOSE CONCEPTS AS THEY BEGIN TO DEVELOP THE SITE. WHAT THEY HAVE ASKED US TO DO AND ASKED STAFF AND COUNCIL TO DO IS CONSIDER THIS AMENDED STAFF TAX ABATEMENT THAT WAS SHIPPED WITH A PILOT TO AN ACTUAL TAX ABATEMENT OF 85%. SO, AGAIN, PREVIOUS AGREEMENT HAD A 100% ABATEMENT AND EIGHT PILOT TAX. THE NEW TAX ABATEMENT WOULD FORGO THE PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAX AND SIMPLY APPLY A 85 TAX ABATEMENT SO THE CITY OF ABILENE WOULD RECEIVE 15% OF THE TAXABLE APPRAISED VALUE FOR THIS PROPERTY. WHY WOULD WE DO THAT? RIGHT? SO, THE PILOT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $485,000 FOR THE FIRST YEAR OF THE FIRST TERM AND THE ESTIMATED INCREASE IN PAYMENTS TO BE RECEIVED FOR TERM ONE FOR THE FIRST YEAR IS $4.9 MILLION. SO, LANCIUM IS MAKING A SIGNIFICANT CAPITAL INVESTMENT . HIGHER THAN WHAT THEY ANTICIPATED BECAUSE OF THE