[CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:17]
>>> MOST GRACIOUS AND HEAVENLY FATHER. FIRST AND FOREMOST GIVING THANKS. OF THINGS GOING OUR WAY AND FOR YOUR GOODNESS.
GIVE US WISDOM TO SERVE IN A WAY THAT HONORS YOU, I PRAY THAT YOU CONTINUE TO GIVE OUR COMMUNITY, OUR CITY, STATE, NATION, WISDOM WAYS IN WHICH IT EMBODIES ACKNOWLEDGMENT YOU ARE. I PRAY AND ASK THAT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US AS WE OPERATE IN DIFFERENT WAYS AND CAPACITIES FOR THE CITY, IN DIFFERENT WAYS AND CAPACITIES FOR JOBS AND FAMILIES IN OUR WORLD THAT WE WOULD LEAN INTO THE WAYS THAT WOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THE POWER AND THE LOVE IN WHICH YOU CARRY IN OUR LIFE.
I PRAY THAT YOU WOULD SEE US AND IT ENABLES US TO SEE OURSELVES MORE CLEARLY. THANK YOU FOR THE BLESSING OF LIFE, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY OF TODAY, ANOTHER DAY TO DRAW CLOSER TO YOU, ANOTHER DAY TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE. AT THE END OF THE DAY, GOD WE UNDERSTAND EVERY SINGLE TIME, THAT WE WAKE UP EVERY SCHOOL DAY THAT OUR FEET HIT THE GROUND IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO BETTER, IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOVE , LIKE YOU. THANK YOU FOR WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU'RE DOING IN OUR
LIVES. IN YOUR NAME, AMEN. >> JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE THIS
MORNING. >> 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. I HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG, I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE INDIVISIBLE.
>> COUNCILMAN REAGAN IS NOT WITH US TODAY, HE IS ON VACATION BUT HE WANTED TO SEND HIS BEST WISHES TO EVERYONE AND
[CONSENT AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS]
WE HOPE HE ENJOYS HIS TIME OFF. NOW MOVING TO THE CONSENT AGENDA CONSISTING OF ITEMS TWO NOW MOVING TO THE CONSENT AGENDA CONSISTING OF ITEMS 2 TO 15. THESE ITEMS CONSIDERED WITH ONE MOTION THERE WILL BE NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION IN THIS COUNCILMEMBER REQUESTS SEPARATE DISCUSSION. ITEM 14 HAS BEEN POLLED AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. DOES ANYONE ON COUNCIL WISH TO PULL ANY ITEM INDIVIDUALLY? ANYONE ELSE? WE WILL NOW MOVE TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, THERE WILL BE NO VOTES OR FORMAL ACTIONS TAKEN ON SUBJECTS PRESENTED DURING PUBLIC COMMENT, THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD WILL ONLY ALLOW MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO PRESENT IDEAS AND INFORMATION TO CITY OFFICIALS AND STAFF. PLEASE COME FORWARD AND STATE YOUR NAME AND THE CITY YOU RESIDED FOR THE RECORD THERE WILL BE A THREE LIMIT -- MINUTE LIMIT AND WE WILL START WITH>> MORNING, MY NAME IS DOROTHY CLAY FROM ABILENE, TEXAS. LAST YEAR I HAD TWO FRIENDS, WHO LOST THEIR CHILDREN , THEIR SENSE TO FENTANYL. IT AFFECTED FAMILY AND FRIENDS DEEPLY. I WANT TO SHARE A LITTLE INFORMATION ABOUT FENTANYL. YOU MAY OR MAY NOT BE AWARE, BUT IT IS A GROWING EPIDEMIC IN OUR NATION.
AND PROFESSOR OF PEDIATRICS AT STANFORD MEDICINE. HER GOAL IS GIVING YOUNG PEOPLE KNOWLEDGE, SAFETY MESSAGING AND SKILLS THAT WOULD HELP THEM TO STAY SAFE FROM ALL SUBSTANCES, INCLUDING THE MOST DEADLY, FENTANYL. SHE WANTS TO HELP TEENAGERS MAKE GOOD DECISIONS. IT'S IMPORTANT TO GIVE THEM INFORMATION ABOUT HOW EACH SUBSTANCE AFFECTS THEIR BODY,
[00:05:02]
BRAIN AND DEVELOPMENT. SHE GOES ON TO SAY YOUTH WHO USE DRUGS FACE RISKS NOT EXPENSED BY PRIOR GENERATIONS. THE ACCIDENTAL FENTANYL OVERDOSE FROM CONTAMINATED PILLS TOPS HER LIST OF CONCERNS AS FENTANYL AND RELATED SYNTHETIC OPIOIDS CONTINUE TO KILL HUNDREDS OF AMERICANS EVERY DAY. MOST TEENS WHO DIE FROM FENTANYL POISONING OR TAKING PILLS THEY BELIEVE ARE SAFE. SHE GOES ON TO SAY SHE'S WORRIED ABOUT THE PROLIFERATION OF MISINFORMATION ABOUT ADDICTIVE SUBSTANCES ON SOCIAL MEDIA. SHE SAYS THE JUST SAY NO DRUG EDUCATION THAT PAIRS UP TODAY'S ADOLESCENT EXPERIENCE WHEN THEY WERE STUDENTS ARE NOT ADEQUATE, THEY ARE OBSOLETE.THAT PROGRAM DOES NOT WORK. IT DOESN'T TELL THEM WHAT TO DO IT JUST SAYS DO NOT DO IT. THE PROBLEM IS, IF AND WHEN THEY ENCOUNTER DRUGS THEY ARE ILL-EQUIPPED TO KNOW WHAT TO DO AND HOW TO STAY SAFE. SHE HAS A TEAM RECENTLY LAUNCHING A LESSON SPECIFIC RECOVERY FENTANYL AND OPIOID AWARENESS AND OVERDOSE PREVENTION. THE STANFORD MEDICINE TEAM OFFERS REGULAR TRAINING EVENTS TO HAVE OTHERS LEARN ABOUT THE LESSONS.
THEY ARE ALSO WORKING TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF RISK SUCH AS FENTANYL CONTAMINATION IN THE RECREATIONAL DRUG SUPPLY.
SHE SAYS MANY OVERDOSES HAVE BEEN TO YOUNG PEOPLE WHO DO NOT FIT THE STEREOTYPE OF KIDS WHO USE DRUGS, BUT RATHER THE VICTIMS , MAYBE TEENAGERS IN PAIN OR WHO ARE DEPRESSED AND THOUGHT A PILL PURCHASED FROM A PEER OR ONLINE WOULD HELP. NOT RELEASING IT WAS CONTAMINATED WITH FENTANYL. INFORMING TEAMS ON HOW TO REDUCE THE RISK IS IMPORTANT. THE MESSAGE BOTH ABOUT FENTANYL AND ALL FORMS OF SUBSTANCE IS WE NEED TO HAVE HONEST CONVERSATION WITH OUR CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS. IF WE DON'T, THEY ARE NOT ARMED WITH THE INFORMATION THEY NEED TO HELP THEM TWO HEALTHY DECISIONS. SO THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND I FEEL THERE IS SOMETHING WE CAN DO TO HELP CHILDREN. THEY ARE REACHING OUT FOR HELP, BUT TO
THE WRONG PLACE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, NEXT.
>> I CAN'T READ THE NAME VERY WELL, THE LAST NAME IS LEWIS.
>> HI MY NAME IS CRYSTAL LEWIS FROM ABILENE , TEXAS. I AM ONE OF THE MOTHERS WHO LOST A CHILD TO FENTANYL LAST YEAR. FRIDAY WAS SIX MONTHS THAT I LOST MY FRESHLY NEWLY TURNED 16-YEAR-OLD BOY TO A OVERDOSE TO FENTANYL. SIX MONTHS PRIOR I RECENTLY UNDERSTOOD WHAT FENTANYL EVEN WAS, HERE IN ABILENE AND IT IS BAD AND SINCE THEN SO MANY OF HIS FRIENDS HAVE REACHED OUT TO ME. I HAVE TAKEN CHILDREN DOWN TO SHORELINE TO SEEK HELP. OUR SHERIFF EVEN TALKS ABOUT HOW THIS HAS BECOME A CENTRALIZED LOCATION FOR TRADE AND DISTRIBUTION. WE HAVE A CRISIS. WE KNOW WHAT'S COMING IN, A LOT OF THINGS ARE IMPACTING THE BORDER, WE KNOW CHINA IS INVOLVED BUT NOBODY IS TALKING ABOUT FENTANYL AND IT IS KILLING SO MANY PEOPLE EVERY SCHOOL DAY. BEHIND ME YOU WILL HEAR STATISTICS, BUT THIS IS PERSONAL TO ME. HE WAS MY FIRST BORN AND WE ARE NOT HELPING OUR KIDS SO I COME TO YOU TODAY BECAUSE I WILL BE COMING BEFORE YOU AGAIN. GOD HAS PLACED ON MY HEART TWO MONTHS INTO MY GRIEF TO OPEN SOMETHING CALLED GERUNDS HOPE. IT'S GOING TO BE A RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT CENTER FOR OUR YOUTH. JUST FOR YOUTH RIGHT HERE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS IN ABILENE, TEXAS. WE HAVE ONE OF THE BEST SOBRIETY HOUSES , SERENITY HOUSE FOR ADULTS, BUT WHAT DO WE HAVE FOR YOUTH? WHEN I SPOKE TO THE REHABILITATION THAT HAVE TAKEN A TOUR AROUND THE AREA, THEY ARE OVERWHELMED BY CHILDREN IN ABILENE, TEXAS. ALL THROUGH WEST TEXAS AND HEAR FROM ABILENE, TEXAS. I AM READY TO STAND UP, I AM READY TO HELP SUPPORT THESE KIDS, I AM READY TO TURN MY PAIN AND MY
[00:10:03]
BROKENNESS BY THE STRENGTH OF GOD INTO SOMETHING TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY AND TO HELP OUR KIDS. BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW ADDICTION IS SO MUCH MORE, EVER SINGLE ONE OF YOU IN SOME WAY HAS EITHER EXPERIENCED ADDICTION, AS A CHILD, A GRANDCHILD, A SISTER A BROTHER OR WHATEVER THROUGH ADDICTION. IT IS A DISEASE, BUT IT IS BIGGER THAN THAT. IT HURTS, YOU NEED A MENTAL HEALTH TOO THAT'S WHY MOST PEOPLE ARE TAKING SOMETHING, TO FEEL DIFFERENT. THE THING IS NOW WITH FENTANYL IT IS KILLING THEM, ADDICTION IS SO MUCH MORE SERIOUS NOW BECAUSE OF FENTANYL. SO IT'S GOING TO BE A FAITH BASED REHABILITATION CENTER. AND THERE'S GOING TO BE TONS OF PUSHBACK FROM IT, THE VERY FIRST LINE OF THE MISSION STATEMENT IS THIS. WE WILL SHOWER OUR CHILDREN IN GOD'S LOVE, MERCY AND STRENGTH. THAT IS THE OPENING LINE. THIS IS THE THING, WE HAVE BEGUN THE PROCESS , WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING EVERYTHING TOGETHER FOR IT. THERE IS STILL SO MUCH WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, BUT I WANT YOU TO START HEARING ABOUT THIS BECAUSE WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT. TO MAKE ANY CHANGES IN THIS COMMUNITY TO HELP OUR KIDS. THIS IS A BIG DEAL AND IT HIT CLOSE TO HOME. FRIDAY WE DID A BALLOON RELEASE FOR MY SON IN OUR FRONT YARD. AND IT IS ONLY THROUGH GOD'S STRENGTH THAT I AM ABLE TO STAND BEFORE YOU AND TALK ABOUT IT BECAUSE MY HEART IS STILL SO SHATTERED. IT IS LIKE THE CHINESE AND THE JAPANESE HAVE SEEN, THEY WILL TAKE THE BROKEN AND SHATTERED THINGS AND FILL THEM IN WITH GOLD AND MAKE IT EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL. SO I'M TRYING TO TAKE THIS BROKEN SHATTERED HEART AND FILL IT WITH GOD'S GOLD TO MAKE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL FOR OUR COMMUNITY, FOR OUR CHILDREN BECAUSE THEY ARE OUR FUTURE. IF WE DON'T START ACTING ON THEM AT A YOUNGER AGE THAN THAT'S WHEN THEY ARE IN DEEPER AND LONGER BECAUSE EVEN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND WE DON'T TALK ABOUT IT, RETURNED AHEAD AND PRETEND LIKE IT DOES NOT EXIST OR IT'S NOT AS BIG AS IT IS AND IT IS. IT IS THAT BIG RIGHT HERE. SO I COME BEFORE YOU TODAY TO SPEAK TO TALK ABOUT FENTANYL, TO TALK ABOUT JARON 'S HOPE, TO TALK ABOUT MY SON. I STOOD OVER HIM THREE TIMES, THE THIRD TIME BEING THE FATALITY. I HAD TO ADMINISTER NARCAN TO HIM THREE TIMES . THE THIRD TIME NOT EVEN KNOWING HE WAS GONE. I COULD NOT RECOGNIZE WHAT IT WAS. YOU SEE THE COMMERCIALS ON TV, BUT YOU DON'T THINK IT'S RIGHT HERE YOU DON'T REALIZE IT'S RIGHT HERE. I COME AND I TELL YOU IT IS. SO I JUST ASK YOU TO OPEN YOUR HEARTS, TO OPEN YOUR MINDS, TO LET THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDE YOU AND TO FILL YOU WITH THIS BECAUSE OUR KIDS NEED HELP. I WILL BE COMING BEFORE YOU AT SOME POINT FOR YOUR HELP BECAUSE WE WILL NEED IT. THIS IS A BIG JOURNEY COME A LONG JOURNEY, BUT SOMETHING WE NEED.>> MY NAME IS JOHN JACOBY. I RESIDE IN ABILENE. THAT WAS MY DAUGHTER. WE DID LOSE OUR GRANDSON THE 21ST OF 21 DECEMBER. THIS IS REAL. IT IS REAL. HE HAD TAKEN FENTANYL HE WAS ON PROBATION, A SYNTHETIC DRUG AND IS NOT TOTALLY UNDETECTABLE, BUT IT IS HARD TO DETECT. THIS FENTANYL IS 50 TO 100 TIMES MORE POTENT THAN MORPHINE. SIMPLY 2 MG OF FENTANYL CAN KILL. 42% OF ALL STREET DRUGS TESTED HAD FENTANYL IN THEM AND A LETHAL DOSE , I MIGHT ADD A. SOMEONE DIES IN THE UNITED STATES EVERY FIVE MINUTES FROM AN OVERDOSE.
72% OF THOSE ARE FENTANYL. THIS HAS HIT HOME, THIS HAS HIT HOME
[00:15:05]
THIS HAS HIT OUR HOME AND MANY PEOPLE'S HOMES HERE IN THE CITY OF ABILENE. NOT EVEN COUNTING THE COUNTY OR THE SURROUNDING TOWNS. RIGHT HERE IN ABILENE. IN A SIX MONTH PERIOD, OVER 105 OVERDOSES AND THAT IS JUST ADULTS, THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE OUR YOUTH . THERE ARE SO MANY MORE THAT WERE LABELED UNDETERMINED WHICH CAN BE SPECULATED AS OVERDOSES.LAST YEAR, 81,000 81,083 PEOPLE OVERDOSED FROM FENTANYL. AND THE NUMBERS ARE RISING, THEY'RE NOT DEPLETING. THEY ARE ADDING MORE AND MORE. DAILY , 300 PEOPLE DAILY. DAILY. JUST IMAGINE A 747 CRASHING EVERY DAY. WHAT WOULD BE DONE ABOUT THAT? SO WE ARE RISING UP, WE ARE COMING TOGETHER, WE'RE GETTING THE WORDS OUT BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT , WE DON'T WANT ONE MORE FAMILY TO SUFFER. BY THE GRACE OF GOD , WE ARE HERE TODAY, BY HIS GRACE AND MERCY, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, CRYSTAL IS ABLE TO STAND HERE TODAY AND BRING THESE WORDS TO YOU ALL. I TRY , I TRY TO PUT THIS INTO PERSPECTIVE AND I CAN'T. I CAN'T, I JUST KNOW THAT WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING, WE NEED TO RISE UP SO WE ARE STARTING A MOVEMENT, WE ARE STARTING A MOVEMENT AND WERE NOT GOING TO BACK DOWN SLOW DOWN TURNAROUND OR GIVE UP WE'RE GOING TO KEEP GOING FOR THE GOOD OF OUR YOUTH. AND ADULTS. THE PEOPLE, THE PEOPLE OF ABILENE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR ATTENTION. MAY GOD BLESS YOU
>> I AM TEXAS. THAT IS MY DAUGHTER. SO, AS A MOM, WE , WE GIVE BIRTH, WE RAISE OUR CHILDREN. WE DO THE BEST WE CAN. SOMETIMES LIFE COMES AND THINGS HAPPEN, THEY MAKE WRONG CHOICES. ARE THEY BAD, NO. IT'S JUST THE CHOICES THAT COME AGAINST THEM.
SOMETIMES IT'S FROM THEIR FRIENDS, SOMETIMES IT'S PURE PRESSURE, HIS SISTER GOES TO MIDDLE SCHOOL OR DID, YOU JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND THE PRESSURE THAT IS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL. ON DRUGS. THEY TEND TO OFFER YOU GUMMIES OR HEY, YOU'VE GOT A HEADACHE, TAKE THIS. WITHOUT EVEN KNOWING. LIKE MY DAUGHTER SAID WE DID NOT KNOW ABOUT FENTANYL UNTIL MY GRANDSON. WE HAD NO IDEA ON WHAT WAS GOING ON IN OUR OWN CITY. IN OUR OWN BACKYARD. AROUND THE CORNER, OUR NEIGHBOR, OUR FAMILY MEMBER , OUR CHURCH HEAR WE DID NOT KNOW THE EXTENT OF HOW BAD FENTANYL WAS IN ABILENE , TEXAS. UNTIL NOW. YOU ALL MAY NOT HAVE EXPERIENCED IT OR YOU MAY HAVE, I DON'T KNOW. WHAT I DO KNOW IS WE ARE A FAMILY AND HERE WE ARE STANDING TOGETHER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP. WE NEED ABILENE, TEXAS TO RISE UP WITH US AND STAND WITH US TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR OUR YOUTH, FOR OUR PASTORS BECAUSE THESE KIDS CAN BE PASTORS, CITY COUNSELORS, CAN BE TEACHERS, CAN BE FIREFIGHTERS OR EVEN OUR PRESIDENT. THEY ARE OUR FUTURE,
[00:20:05]
THEY ARE OUR FUTURE. GOING TO SIT HERE AND NOT DO NOTHING OR ARE WE GOING TO STAND? ARE WE GOING TO STAND UNITED LIKE ABILENE HAS BEFORE? LET'S UNITE. BECAUSE WE ARE STRONGER , WE ARE STRONGER UNITED TO HELP OUR CHILDREN. TO BE ABLE TO HELP THEM AND THE MENTAL CAPACITY BECAUSE IT IS, IF THEY TAKE DRUGS BECAUSE THEY ARE HURTING, THEY HAVE BEEN PHYSICALLY ABUSED WHERE THEY ARE OUT IN THE STREET, WHY IS OUR KIDS OUT IN THE STREET? WHY ARE OUR KIDS OUT IN THE STREET? THEY ARE KIDS. THEY THINK THEY KNOW BETTER, BUT THEY DON'T.SO, WE STAND HERE AS A FAMILY IN FRONT OF YOU ALL, TO ASK FOR YOUR HELP. LET'S ADDRESS THIS MATTER, LET'S COME STRONGER AGAINST THESE DRUG DEALERS THAT ARE SELLING DEATH TO OUR CHILDREN. LET'S GET COUNSELORS TO BE ABLE TO COUNCIL CHILDREN TO BE ABLE TO HELP WITH THE PAIN ON WHATEVER THEY'RE GOING THROUGH. BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONLY WAY THAT THEY'RE GOING TO STOP THE DRUGS BECAUSE THAT'S COVERING WHATEVER PAIN, WHATEVER THEY'RE GOING THROUGH. IT IS ALL EMOTIONAL.
THEY NEED OUR SUPPORT AND THAT'S WHY WE STAND HERE IN FRONT OF YOU. TO ASK YOU. STAND WITH US. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. >> STILL IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC
COMMENT AT THIS TIME? >> MY NAME IS ABILENE RESIDENT. WHAT I AM ABOUT TO SPEAK ABOUT IS NOT ANYTHING NEAR WHAT WE JUST HEARD. BUT I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS WELL, LAST CITY COUNCIL MEETING THE CITY COUNCIL VOTED TO SPEND ALMOST $1 MILLION TO BUILD A REPLACEMENT DOG PARK. AS I HAVE VISITED WITH CITIZENS ACROSS ABILENE , YOUR CONSTITUENTS, THEY ARE SHOCKED. THEY ARE AGHAST THAT OUR CITY IS GOING TO SPEND ALMOST $1 MILLION ON A DOG PARK. RESTROOMS AT A DOG PARK WHERE ONE OF THE MAJOR STICKING POINTS A NEW PAVED ENTRYWAY AND PARKING WAS ANOTHER HUGE STICKING POINT. THE NEW DOG PARK IS PROPOSED TO BE RIGHT ACROSS FROM PARK , ACROSS THE CREEK FROM CAL YOUNG PARK. AT CAL YOUNG PARK THERE ARE MULTIPLE RESTROOMS, THERE IS PAVED PARKING ALREADY IN PLACE. HOW ABOUT PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE? THAT GOES FROM CAL YOUNG PARK ACROSS THE CREEK TO THE NEW DOG PARK. DONE AT SEARS PARK AND I'M PRETTY SURE ENGINEERING IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
AN ATTRACTIVE WALKWAY. FROM ESTABLISHED INFRASTRUCTURE TO THIS PROPOSED .PART WHY NOT USE WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE INSTEAD OF BUILDING SOMETHING NEW. IT IS ALREADY THERE. LET'S MAKE ACCESS ACROSS A CREEK INSTEAD OF SPENDING $1 MILLION. BECAUSE IT WILL COME OVER BUDGET, IT JUST WILL. IT'S GOING TO BE MORE THAN $1 MILLION. AND I UNDERSTAND , I UNDERSTAND THAT WE NEED A NEW ONE . SO WHY DON'T WE TAKE AND GIVE THE PEOPLE OF ABILENE A NEW DOG PARK, BUT LET'S USE WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE INSTEAD OF TRYING TO DO SOMETHING NEW. PLEASE , RECONSIDER SPENDING THIS MUCH MONEY OF CITY FUNDS ON INFRASTRUCTURE THAT ALREADY EXISTS. THANK YOU.
>> STILL IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME? I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. I WILL NOW WATCH FOR EMOTION FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA
[00:25:02]
CONSISTING OF ITEMS TWO THROUGH 15 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF EIGHT AND 14 HAVING BEEN POLLED. A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MCALLISTER. AND SECOND BY COUNCILMAN YATES.>> I AM ABSTAINING ON 20. >> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?
READY TO VOTE. >> ALL YES, MOTION CARRIES.
[8. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Take Action on Approving the Amended and Restated Bylaws of Keep Abilene Beautiful, Inc. (Michael Rice)]
>> ITEM 8, COUNCILMAN YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ON THIS?
>> I DO HAVE QUESTIONS ON THIS. THIS IS THE KEEP ABILENE BEAUTIFUL BOARD WHICH IS CURRENTLY A BOARD UNDER CITY COUNCIL THAT THE MAYOR APPOINTS MEMBERS TO AND THE CITY PROVIDES THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. THIS RESOLUTION IS TO APPROVE CHANGES THAT THEY HAVE REQUESTED BECAUSE OF THAT CONNECTION THERE IS ALSO A REQUIREMENT TO COMPLY WITH OTHER AND THEY ARE ASKING US TO AMEND THE BYLAWS TO MOVE THE APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR AND TO REMOVE THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT REQUIREMENT AND TO STILL HAVE THE CITY TAXPAYERS WITH THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION. AND I'M STRUGGLING WITH GETTING RID OF THE BAD AND KEEPING GOOD KIND OF THAT'S HOW I SEE THIS. THIS CHANGE AND YES, KEEP ABILENE BEAUTIFUL IS A VERY IMPORTANT BOARD WITH AN IMPORTANT SERVICE THEY PROVIDE TO THE CITY, BUT THEY ARE A NONPROFIT SO THEY PROVIDE OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS AND WE DO NOT PROVIDE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WITH THAT LEVEL OF SUPPORT, SOME NONPROFIT WE SUPPORT .
PROVIDING SUPPORT BECAUSE OF THE SALES TAX SO I'M STRUGGLING PERSONALLY WITH APPROVING A CHANGE THAT SAYS YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THE THINGS YOU DON'T LIKE SO I WOULD LIKE TO
HAVE A DISCUSSION ON THAT. >> I CAN HELP ADDRESS THAT QUESTION. I WILL ADDRESS YOUR CONCERNS. FIRST THIS EMPLOYEE IS EMPLOYEE OF STORM WATER OR HELPS STORM WATER RECENTLY MOVED THEM WHERE THEY PURPORT TO. THEY HAVE DUTIES THAT SERVE THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN ADDITION TO THIS FUNCTION AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR KEEP ABILENE BEAUTIFUL. FRANKLY, THE DUTIES THEY PERFORM WITH THE BOARD ARE SIMILAR TO WHAT THEY'RE DOING FOR THE TAXPAYERS ON THE STORMWATER SIDE WHEN IT COMES TO POLLUTION MITIGATION AND THINGS THAT CAUSE DEBRIS PILE UP IN THE STORMWATER SYSTEMS. MICHAEL CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THIS POSITION AND HOW IT IS A DUAL FUNCTION?
>> YES, THE COORDINATOR POSITION IS A POSITION SPLIT BETWEEN KEEP ABILENE BEAUTIFUL AND OTHER CITY MEETING OPERATIONS SPECIFICALLY IN STORMWATER AND SOLID WASTE. IT HAS BEEN THAT WAY IN THE BUDGET FOR AS LONG AS I HAVE BEEN WITH THE CITY SINCE 2015. CRAVER DOES THEIR OWN THING, BUT THEY ALSO HELP WITH THINGS WE DO. WE HAVE A ANNUAL REPORT WE MUST MEET , PART OF THAT IS THEY PERFORM A LATER ANALYSIS IN THE AREA THAT BECOMES PART OF THE REPORT THAT THE STORMWATER MANAGER PUTS TOGETHER AND SUBMITS WITH A REQUIREMENT OF THE PERMIT FROM THE STATE. WE WORK HAND-IN-HAND AND WE DO THAT WITH ALL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SPECIAL EVENTS. WHETHER IT BE A PARADE OR SOMETHING ELSE, THE SAME ACTIVITY SUPPORTS WE DO THERE WITH SOLID WASTE, WE DO THE SAME THING WITH CLEANUPS. THINGS THAT THEY DO ARE BENEFICIAL TO THE CITY SUCH AS CLEANUPS, REACHING OUT DOING EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND PROVIDING GRANTS FOR PEOPLE TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF KEEP ABILENE BEAUTIFUL AND TO KEEP TEXAS BEAUTIFUL AS WELL.
>> SO THERE HELPING GENERATING THE REPORT REQUIRED ?
>> THAT'S CORRECT. THIS IS PART OF THE ANNUAL FUNCTION, TO PERFORM THAT AND THEN THAT GETS INCORPORATED INTO THE REPORT.
>> THE OTHER THING THERE IS A $ DONATION MADE BY PUBLIC WASTE SERVICES TO THE CITY IN OUR CONTRACT OR TO KAB BUT IN THE LANDFILL CONTRACT WE HAVE A PUBLICLY SERVICES. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF RENEGOTIATING THAT YOU HAVE REQUESTED AS PART
[00:30:04]
OF THE NEGOTIATION FROM THE CITY STANDPOINT THAT THE PUBLIC INCREASE THAT CONTRIBUTION TO KAB TO OFFSET THE MAJORITY OF THE COST OF THIS PARTICULAR POSITION. SO I DO EXPECT WHEN WE BRING IN SOLID WASTE AGREEMENT TO COUNCIL IN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS. WE ARE STILL GOING BACK AND FORTH THROUGH THE PUBLIC WHEN I GET BACK FROM MY OWN VACATION I WILL MEET WITH THE REGIONAL MANAGER AND HIS BOSS TO DISCUSS WHERE WE ARE WITH THE CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS. THAT IS A PRINCIPLE THAT IS IMPORTANT TO ALLEVIATE THE BURDEN ONTAXPAYERS , TO YOUR POINT. >> THANK YOU, THAT HELPS. I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE REPORT SO THAT IS A SERVICE DIRECTLY
BENEFITING TAXPAYERS. >> YES OR I THINK IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST TO CONTINUE TO HAVE A STRONG RELATIONSHIP, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY ARE UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF THE CITY
OR SEPARATE. >> ONE OF THE THINGS IN THE BYLAWS PRIOR AND NEW IS THE ANNUAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL IS THAT SOMETHING THAT'S FORTHCOMING? YOU SAID JANUARY
22 ? >> YES I BELIEVE THAT WAS THE LAST TIME THEY SUBMITTED ANNUAL REPORT, THEY DO ANNUAL REPORT THE BALL GOT DROPPED WHEN IT WAS NOT SUBMITTED TO THE CITY BUT THEY DO THE ANNUAL REPORT AND WE WILL MAKE SURE TO GET
THOSE TO YOU. >> THANK YOU, THOSE ARE MY
QUESTIONS. >> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL? AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING, ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST ITEM 8, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING KNOW WHEN I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE DISCUSSION IF NOT I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION AND SECOND. A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN PRICE. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN CRAVER. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?
READY TO VOTE. >> ALL YES'S MOTION CARRIES.
[16. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Approving an Order of The Abilene-Taylor County Events Venue District Authorizing the Issuance of the District’s Venue Tax Revenue Bond (Hotel Occupancy Tax), Series 2024; And Enacting Other Provisions Relating to the Subject (Marjorie Knight)]
>> THE MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 16 AND I WILL ASK FINANCE DIRECTOR TO PRESENT.
>> GOOD MORNING, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE. BEFORE YOU TODAY IS THE APPROVAL OF THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS FOR THE ABILENE TAYLOR COUNTY EVENTS DISTRICT. IN NOVEMBER IN NOVEMBER 2023, VOTERS APPROVED THE VENUE DISTRICT CONTINUANCE OF THE 2% HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX ON ROOMS WITHIN ABILENE AND TAYLOR COUNTY FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINANCING OF ANY PROJECT FOR IN THE EXPO CENTER. JUNE 17, THIS YEAR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT THE VENUE DISTRICT AUTHORIZED ISSUANCE OF BONDS FROM PERMITS OF FRONTIER TEXAS PAID FOR USING THE 2% HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX. THE VENUE DISTRICT IS REQUIRED TO RECEIVE APPROVAL FROM BOTH THE CITY AND TAYLOR COUNTY PRIOR TO ISSUANCE OF THESE BONDS. THE CITY WILL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR THE PAYMENTS OF THESE BONDS AND NONE OF THE CITY ASSETS WILL BE PLEDGED TO SECURE THE OBLIGATIONS. DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
>> ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU. >> AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST ITEM 16, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING KNOW WHEN I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION AND SECOND. I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MCALLISTER, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN BEARD. NO DISCUSSION WE ARE READY TO
[EXECUTIVE SESSION]
CARRIES. >> THE MOTION CARRIES. 9:04 A.M. AND WE WILL RECESS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT OF THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT. SECTION 551.071 CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY SECTION 551.072 DELIBERATION OF PROPERTY SECTION 551.073 DELIBERATION ABOUT GIFTS AND DONATIONS.
SECTION 551.074 PERSONAL MATTERS. SECTION 551.076 DELIBERATION ABOUT SECURITY DEVICES, SECTION 551.087
[RECONVENE]
>>> NO VOTES OR ACTIONS WERE TAKEN DURING EXECUTIVE SESSION.
9:58 A.M.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.