Jul 25, 2024 City Council

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>> I CALL -- BUT FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO ASK MAYOR PRO-TEM MCALISTER TO GIVE THE INVOCATION.

>> LET'S PRAY. FATHER, THANK YOU FOR LETTING US COME HERE TOGETHER AND DO THE WORK THAT YOU HAVE ASKED US TO DO. I PRAY THAT YOU WILL HELP US TO HAVE A GOOD MEETING THIS MORNING. I PRAY THAT WE WILL HAVE GOOD DISCUSSIONS AND MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS FOR THE FOLKS HERE IN ABILENE. WE PRAISE RATIONAL SPECIAL PRAYER OF THANKS FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO WORK HERE IN THE CITY DAY AND NIGHT. THE ONES WHO ANSWER THE PHONE CALLS ALL THE WAY TO THE ONES WHO ARE OUT THERE ON THE FRONT LINE. WE PRAY FOR THEIR SAFETY. WE PRAY FOR THEIR BLESSINGS AND WE THANK YOU FOR THEM AND GOD, AS ALWAYS, WE THANK YOU FOR THE RAIN YOU HAVE HAD. IN CHRIST WE PRAY.

>> THIS MORNING I HAD TWO VERY SPECIAL PLANS. WILLIAM AND ELEANOR PERCH PORCH WAS COME EARLY TODAY TO COME JOIN US TODAY. THEIR PARENTS, PHILIP AND LEAH ARE IN THE BACK IN THEIR SISTER, CAMELIA, DECIDED TO GET UP AND COVER THEM TWO.

EVERYONE CAN SAY HI TO HER >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG; I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND

INDIVISIBLE. >> EVERYONE COME UP HERE AND

GET A PICTURE. >>

>> ALSO WOULD LIKE TO WISH A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO COUNCILMAN GATES. COUNCILMAN BEARD. THEY ARE OLD DUDES TODAY

BUT ANYWAY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY. >>

>> GOOD DAY IN HISTORY, MAYOR.

[CONSENT AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS]

>>

>> WE WILL NOW MOVE TO THE CONSENT AGENDA WHICH CONSISTS OF ITEM 23 12. THESE ITEMS WILL BE CONSIDERED WITH ONE MOTION UNLESS THERE IS SEPARATE DISCUSSION FROM A COUNCILMEMBER REQUESTING DISCUSSION. DOES ANYONE ON THE COUNCIL WAS TO CONSIDER ANY ITEM INDIVIDUALLY. 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 WOULD ONLY ALLOW MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO PRESENT IDEAS AND INFORMATION TO CITY OFFICIALS AND STAFF. PLEASE COME FORWARD AND STATE YOUR NAME AND CITY THAT YOU RESIDED HERE FOR THE RECORD, THERE WILL BE A THREE MINUTE LIMIT AND WE WILL START WITH CARDS. COUNCILMAN?

>> JOHN JACOBY. >> THE MORNING. MY NAME IS JOHN TODD JACOBY. I RESIDE HERE IN ABILENE. THIS IS JUST A CONTINUING EFFORT IN STRIVING TO CONTINUE TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR THE AWAKENING OF THE FENTANYL CRISIS HERE IN ABILENE. I HAVE SPOKEN HERE BRIEFLY BEFORE AND JUST A SMALL RECAP. WE LOST OUR GRANDSON ON DECEMBER 21ST, LET ME THREE TO AN ACCIDENTAL OVERDOSE OF FENTANYL. WE AS A FAMILY HAVE BEEN MOTIVATED TO CONTINUE TO KEEP THIS IN THE PUBLIC'S EYE.

WE ARE STARTING A FOUNDATION CALLED HOPE. WE ARE STARTING A STREET CHURCH CALLED THE AWAKENING FOR THE AWARENESS OF FENTANYL. JUST AS AN EFFORT, TO CONTINUE LETTING OUR PUBLIC NOW

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YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU.

>> DOROTHY CLAY. >> MORNING. DOROTHY CLAY.

ABILENE, TEXAS. I WANTED TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE CONVENTIONAL CRISIS IN OUR CITY AND NATION. ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE, FENTANYL IS A POWERFUL SYNTHETIC OPIOID THAT IS SIMILAR TO MORPHINE BUT IS 50 TO 100 TIMES MORE POTENT. IT IS A PRESCRIPTION DRUG THAT IS ALSO USED AND MADE ILLEGALLY. LIKE MORPHINE, THERE IS A MEDICINE THAT IS TYPICALLY USED TO TREAT PATIENTS WITH SEVERE PAIN, ESPECIALLY AFTER SURGERY. THE ARTICLE GOES ON TO SAY ONE PRESCRIBED BY DR., FENTANYL CAN BE GIVEN BY A SHOT, AT PATCH BUT ON A PERSON'S SKIN OR AS LOZENGES THAT ARE SUCKED LIKE COUGH DROPS. THE ILLEGAL USE OF FENTANYL OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH OVERDOSES IS MADE IN LAWS. THIS SYNTHETIC FENTANYL IS SOLD ILLEGALLY AS A POWDER, DROPPED ONTO BLOODED PAPER, BUT IN EYE DOCTORS, NASAL SPRAYS , OR MADE INTO PEELS THAT LOOK LIKE OTHER PRESCRIPTION OPIOIDS. SOME DRUG DEALERS ARE MIXING FENTANYL WITH OTHER DRUGS AND AS HEROIN, COCAINE AND OTHER MISSING THAT MEANS. IT TAKES VERY LITTLE TO PRODUCE A HIGH WITH FENTANYL MAKING IT A CHEAPER OPTION. THIS IS ESPECIALLY RISKY WHEN PEOPLE TAKING DRUGS DON'T REALIZE THEY MIGHT CONTAIN FENTANYL AS A CHEAP BUT DANGEROUS ADDITIVE. THIS MAY BE TAKING -- THEY MAY BE TAKING STRONGER OPIOIDS THAN THEIR BODIES ARE USED YOU AND CAN BE MORE LIKELY TO OVERDOSE.

POWDERED FENTANYL LOOKS JUST LIKE ANY OTHER DRUG. DRUGS MISS ASKED WITH FENTANYL ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND MANY PEOPLE MAY BE UNAWARE THAT THEY ARE DRUGS HAVE BEEN LACED WITH IT. SYNTHETIC OPIOIDS LIKE FENTANYL CONTRIBUTE TO NEARLY 50% OF OVERDOSE DEATHS. EVEN IN SMALL DOSES, IT CAN BE DEADLY.

OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, NONFATAL AND FATAL OVERDOSES INVOLVING FENTANYL HAVE CONTINUED TO RISE. ACCORDING TO JOHN HOPKINS HEALTH WEBSITE, A FENTANYL'S CARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND ACROSS THE INTERNET HAS MADE MANY PARENTS WORRIED, LEAVING THEM CONCERNED THAT THEIR CHILD OR TEEN MAY BE AT RISK FOR UNKNOWINGLY TAKING THE DRUG AND ENDING UP SICK OR WORSE, DEAD. SAFETY MEASURES FOR OLDER CHILDREN INCLUDES PARENTS HAVING OPEN CONVERSATION ABOUT RECREATIONAL AND STREET DRUGS AND ABOUT THE DANGERS OF THE DRUGS.

SOMETIMES, KIDS BRING EDIBLES AND OTHER PILLS TO SCHOOL AND DISTRIBUTE THEM TO THEIR FRIENDS. COMMUNICATE WITH KIDS TO TELL PARENTS THAT SOMETHING FEELS OFF OR DOESN'T SEEM QUITE RIGHT, INCLUDING CANDY DOESN'T MATCH THE PACKAGING OR PACKARD'S PACKETS SEEM TEMPERED WITH WERE ALREADY OPEN. IT IS ALSO GOOD TO REMIND CHILDREN NOT TO TAKE COMMUNICATION FROM ANYONE , DO NOT EAT OR INGEST FOOD FROM STRANGERS, AND ROLE-PLAYING AND PRACTICING SAYING NO IS VERY HELPFUL. JUST A FEW THINGS TO HELP KEEP OUR KIDS SAFE FROM THIS CRISIS OF FENTANYL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION

AND HAVE A GOOD DAY. >> THAT IS ALL THE CARDS,

MAYOR. >> STILL IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT

PERIOD. >> TENNEY VOGEL OF ABILENE. I KNOW YOU ENJOYED SAYING ALL TIMES. I JUST WANTED TO CONTINUE SOME OF THE CONVERSATION WE HAVE ON THURSDAY -- I MEAN ON MONDAY. IT IS THURSDAY BECAUSE I WASN'T QUITE AS PREPARED AND I AM A NORMAL PERSON AND I MAKE MISTAKES AND SO IT IS GOOD AND KEEPS ME HUMBLE BUT IT ALSO KEEPS ME ASKING QUESTIONS. ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK WE NEED TO ADDRESS AS A CITY AT LEAST AS FAR AS CITIZENS ARE CONCERNED IS PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP AND I DON'T KNOW THAT AS BEST AS A DISCUSSION BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF TALK ABOUT AND THE BENEFITS TO OUR CITY BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS THAT I'M NOT ABLE TO REFINE THE BENEFIT FOR THE PUBLIC PART BUT I AM SEEING THE BENEFIT FOR THE PRIVATE PART LIKE THE DOWNTOWN HOTEL IS ONE OF THOSE, THE CONVENTION CENTER, A DODGE JONES ABILENE USABILITY CENTER IS ONE OF THOSE. THE ANIMAL SERVICES NEW ADOPTION CENTER IS ONE OF THOSE. MEXICO CALLED CORE CENTER. WE HAVE SEVERAL OF THOSE AND I AM NOT SURE WHAT WE

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ALSO THE QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUE. IT WAS MENTIONED THAT THE DOG PARK WAS A BODY OF LIFE ISSUE AT A PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETING SO I THINK WE NEED TO RE-ESTABLISH WITH THE QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUE IS . DOG PARTS AND ADOPTION CENTERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, WELL THAT IS THEM, WE HAVE TO JUDGE BASED ON OUR FINANCIAL DECISION WHAT WE CAN AFFORD. I TOLD YOU EVERY SEDITION SHOULD HAVE THEIR OWN COPY OF THE PROJECTED UNTIL YOU GET THE ACTUAL BUDGET BECAUSE IN THE HOTEL OPERATING FUND, THANKFULLY I'VE GONE TO SOME OF THE BOARD MEETINGS AND SEEING WHAT THEY HAVE TALKED ABOUT SO I NOW ABOUT THE REVISED COST OF $1.9 MILLION THAT TOOK PLACE LAST YEAR FOR THE REVISED BUDGET BUT $2.5 MILLION, IT SEEMS LIKE A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY JUST TO HAVE OTHER CHARGES AND SERVICES. SO IT WILL BE HELPFUL IF THERE IS SOME WAY TO BREAK IT DOWN BECAUSE I KNOW IT IS HARD TO GET INFORMATION OUT THAT I CAN'T EVEN SEND A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT TO ASK FOR WHAT THOSE CHARGES BECAUSE I CANNOT GET SPECIFIC ENOUGH. I THINK TRANSPARENCY IS IMPORTANT. WE NEED TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS SO WE THE PUBLIC CAN BE BEHIND YOU IN SUPPORTING WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND SEEING THE BENEFITS BECAUSE RIGHT NOW IT SEEMS LIKE WE ARE PAYING A LOT AND NOT RECEIVING A LOT OF THE BENEFITS. SO, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. APPRECIATE ALL THAT

YOU DO. >> WE ARE STILL IN PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME? SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. I WILL NOW ASK FOR A MOTION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA CONSISTING OF ITEMS 2 THROUGH 12.

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

COUNCILMAN MCALLISTER. >> SECOND.

>> SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CRAVER. IS THERE ANY

DISCUSSION? >> I THINK WHEN I WAS MOVING

MINE THAT'S NOT >> NO, YOU ARE GOOD. IT WAS ALL

YESES SO, MOTION CARRIES. >> EXTENSION ON 6 PLEASE?

[13. Discussion: Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Receive Direction on the Activities of the Code Compliance Division (Tim Littlejohn)]

>> YOU GOOD? WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM 13 AND I WILL ASK TIM LITTLEJOHN, PLANNING DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND SERVICES TO

PRESENT THIS ITEM. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. UP FOR DISCUSSION THIS MORNING IS THE CODE COMPLIANCE DIVISION. SOME OF THE STATISTICS TO GET YOUR UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS OF YAWLS APPROVED THAT . YOU HAVE A COUPLE OF STAFF MEMBERS TO SHOW THAT IT IS WORKING IN FAVOR OF THE CITY. A BRIEF LITTLE BACKGROUND, CODE COMPLIANCE HAS ACCOMPLISHED AN AVERAGE OF 33% MORE PRODUCTION FROM FISCAL YEAR 2022 AND 2024. WITH THE STAFF INCREASE OF TWO IN 23 AND THE ADDITION OF MANAGER AND , 24, CASES ARE BEING TURNED AROUND IN A MORE EFFICIENT MANAGER MANNER. IN 2023, WE REORGANIZED THE DIVISION AND ADDED THREE PROPERTY MITTENS INSPECTOR POSITIONS TO HELP WITH THE CONDEMNATION PROCESS.

HERE IS A PROGRESS REPORT AS YOU CAN SEE FROM FY 22 TWO FY 2024. THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE OF NEW CODE VIOLATIONS. TOTAL INSPECTIONS PERFORMED IS UP AND CONDEMNATION COMPLAINTS IS UP HERE CONDEMNTION PLATES COMPLETED HAS MORE THAN DOUBLED. BOARD OF BUILDING STANDARDS AS IT CAN SEE HAS GONE UP SIGNIFICANTLY. AND THEN THE PROPERTY MAINTENANCE INSPECTION IS A NEW MEASURE SO WE DID NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO COMPARE THAT TO. BUT THE VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE IS WORKING AND AWARD HAS DOUBLED . THAT IS A BIG PLUS. THAT IS HAPPENING WITH MORE OFFICERS OUT THERE TO EDUCATE AND HELP THE CITIZENS WITH WHAT THEY NEED TO FILE THEIR COMPLAINT. NO VIOLATIONS MEANS MORE INSPECTIONS ARE BEING DONE. GETTING OUT THERE AND CHECKING OUT WHATEVER THE COMPLAINT MAYBE AND FINDING NO VIOLATION AS IT CAN SEE. THAT NUMBER HAS RISEN QUITE A BIT. AND THEN VIOLATION WITH FORCE COMPLIANCE IS NOT MUCH CHANGED EVEN THOUGH WE HAD MORE CASES BUT WE ARE GETTING MORE VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE. HERE IS THE AVERAGE RESPONSE TIME. YOU CAN SEE FROM, 22 TO 24, WE HAVE GONE TO 13 DAYS TO ONE DAY. YOU CAN SEE THE NUMBER HAS RISEN TO

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HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. >> TIM?

>> TIM, ON TRASH OR LITTER COLLECTING ON EMPTY LOTS. I KNOW WE HAD SOME DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THAT. HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE ANYTHING OUT? MY CONCERN WAS ALL A LOT OF THE TRASH THAT BLOWS INTO WEST TEXAS AND COLLECTS ON EMPTY LOTS. OWNERS HAVE REALLY NO INCENTIVE TO CHECK ON THEIR EMPTY LOTS ALONG THE HIGHWAY OR WHATEVER SO THEY JUST KIND OF KEEP COLLECTING TRASH. IS THAT A CODE COMPLIANCE ISSUE THAT WE CAN ENFORCE OR HOW ARE WE ADDRESSING IT?

>> WE ARE ADDRESSING IT ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS AS WE GET COMPLAINTS ON TRASH OR THE DEBRIS ON LOTS. WE WORK AT THE WITH THE HOMEOWNER TO GET THAT CLEANED UP. THEY HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINTS THAT YOU JUST DESCRIBED BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THE TRASH COMES FROM TO TRY TO STOP IT FROM COMING TO THEIR PROPERTY. TO BE CLEAR, YOUR EMPTY LOT MODE AND CLEANED IT SO IT WILL COLLECT THERE. BUT WE ARE WORKING ON IT AS A

CASE-BY-CASE ACES HONESTLY. >> IS A LITTLE HIGHER ON YOUR RADAR MAYBE NOW THAT WE KNOW IT IS AN ISSUE AND TRY TO ENFORCE

THAT WITH THE OWNERS? >> WITH THAT IN STAFF, WE ARE ABLE TO GET TO A LOT MORE CASES AND WE CAN START TO STAY ON TOP

OF IT A LITTLE BIT BETTER. >> FINALLY ON DEMOLITIONS, ARE WE DOING THOSE IN-HOUSE WE CONTRACT THOSE OUT TO A

DEMOLITION TEAM? >> IT GOES OUT TO BID AND IS

CONTRACTED OUT. YES, SIR. >> I DO. I WOULD LIKE THE CODE OFFICERS IN THE ROOM TO STAND, PLEASE. AND I WOULD LIKE ANYBODY TO GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

>> VERY DIFFICULT JOB. WHEN THEY SHOW UP, OFTEN TIMES, THEY ARE NOT WELCOME AND THEY HAVE TO USE A LOT OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE TO GET PEOPLE TO COMPLY. THEY ARE VERY GOOD AT WHAT THEY DO AND I AM THANKFUL THE COUNCIL HAS FUNDED THEM AT THE LEVEL THAT WE HAVE. WE HAVE MORE OFFICERS THAN WE HAVE EVER HAD. THEY HAVE SERVANT HEART REALLY WANT TO SAY PUBLICLY THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO THIS COMMUNITY AND WHAT YOU

DO. THANK YOU. >> I HAD ASKED -- I HAD ASKED FOR THIS REPORT BECAUSE WHAT I WANT THIS GROUP TO NOW, AND I'M NOT SPEAKING FOR THE WHOLE COUNCIL BUT I REALLY THINK I WANT TO SAY PERSONALLY IS I AM PROUD OF THESE NUMBERS. I AM PROUD OF THESE NUMBERS THAT YOU WERE DOING AND IF WE CAN MAKE THEM GO UP, THAT IS ONLY BETTER BECAUSE I KNOW THAT MOST OF Y'ALL IT IS COMPLAINT DRIVEN BUT AS WE MOVE FURTHER IN THIS AND THE COMPLIANCE STARTS WORKING, A LOT OF IT WILL BE LESS COMPLAINTS AND IT JUST Y'ALL WORKING COMPLIANCE AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THOSE TIMES, BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WHAT Y'ALL ARE DOING, IT WORKS FOR OUR INFIELD, IT WORKS FOR OUR COMMUNITY, IT WORKS FOR ABILENE. WE ARE BEHIND Y'ALL.

WE APPRECIATE WHAT YOU ARE DOING. IT IS NOT AN EASY JOB.

KEEP DOING IT BECAUSE YOU ARE MAKING ABILENE A BETTER PLACE

AND DISCUSSION FOR COUNCIL. >> YOU ALLUDED THIS A FEW TIMES AND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING BUT THESE COMPLAINTS ARE CITIZEN DRIVEN. IT IS NOT THE CITY SENDING OUT PEOPLE LOOKING OUT FOR PROBLEMS. THESE ARE NEIGHBORS COMPLAINING ABOUT ISSUES WITH WEEDS OR VERMIN OR WHATEVER IS GOING ON AND ASKED RESPONDING. AND THE FACT THAT WE ARE ABLE TO ADDRESS THESE SO MUCH QUICKER HELPS US WITH OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE ASPECT OF ADDRESSING THOSE CONCERNS. APPRECIATE THE WORK OF YOU AND

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>> TO ADD WITH THAT, OFFICERS BEING OUT IN THE FIELD THE WAY THEY ARE, THERE ALSO TO HELP THEM HELP THEMSELVES AND GIVE THEM THE NECESSARY NONPROFIT HELP THAT THEY MAY NEED.

>> ANYONE ELSE? >> I THINK THE ONLY THING I WOULD ADD THAT I APPRECIATE YOU SHOWING THAT TIM WITH THE COLLABORATED PIECE. I LOVE WHERE WE ARE AND I THINK IT IS AMAZING. I THINK THE EXCITING THING FOR ME IS KNOWING THAT WE ARE, FOR THE MOST PART, REACTIONARY. I THINK THE EXCITING THING IS WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE TO IMAGINE IT NOT BEING SO REACTIONARY AND BEING MORE PRACTICALLY IN TERMS OF TECHNOLOGY OR INFORMATIVE INFORMATION THAT CAN BE GIVEN SO THAT YOU ARE NOT ARRIVING AND OFTEN EXPERIENCING WHAT YOU EXPERIENCE. AND I WANTED TO ECHO WHAT ROBERT WAS SAYING.

THANK YOU GUYS FOR WHAT YOU DO. LUCKILY GOD-GIVEN TALENT. YOU LOOK PHYSICALLY IMPOSING SO YOU CAN HANDLE ANY ANNIVERSARY ADVERSITY THAT COMES YOUR WAY BUT SUPER EXCITED AND HAPPY.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST ITEM 14? PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS TO THE GROUP. SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? THIS ITEM WAS FOR DISCUSSION ONLY. I JUST WANT TO AGAIN ECHO, GUYS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE JOB THAT YOU ARE DOING. KEEP IT UP. THIS COUNCIL IS

[14. Ordinance (Final Reading) Z-2024-11: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on A Request From The Owner, Represented By Jacob & Martin, To Create A New Planned Development District (PD-186). The Proposed Planned Development District Will Allow The Following Base Zoning Classifications; Tract 1 General Retail (GR), Tract 2 Medium Density (MD) With Modified Building Setbacks located at 7455 Buffalo Gap Rd. (Tim Littlejohn)]

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR COUNCIL. UP FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IS ZONING CASE 2024-11. THE REQUEST TO CONSIDER IS TO CREATE A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT, 186, TO ALLOW RETAIL COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT ALLOWING TRACT ONE TO BE USED AS GENERAL RETAIL AND TRACT TWO AS MEDIUM DENSITY LOCATED AT 7455 BUFFALO GAP ROAD. HERE IS A LOCATION MAP. HERE IS THE CURRENT ZONING MAP. AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAVE THE GENERAL COMMERCIAL IN THE FRONT. SOME NEIGHBORHOOD RETAIL IN THE MIDDLE AND MEDIUM DENSITY TO THE EAST. HERE IS THE PROPOSED REQUEST TO CONSIDER. GENERAL RETAIL UP FRONT AND EXPANDING THE MEDIUM DENSITY TRACT UP TO FILL IN WHERE THE NEIGHBORHOOD RETAIL USED TO BE. HERE IS THE CURRENT ALLOWED INVESTMENT THIS IS THE PROPOSED ALLOWED USES WITHIN RETAIL GENERAL ZONING. HERE IS THE USES WITHIN THE MEDIUM DENSITY ZONING DISTRICT. HERE ARE VIEWS OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY. NOTIFICATIONS DID GO OUT. THIS DIDN'T GET UPDATED BUT WE DID RECEIVE ONE IN FAVOR AND ONE OPPOSED. THE ONE OPPOSED WAS LOCATED BACK ON TRACT 56507, I BELIEVE. AND THE ONE THAT IS IN SUPPORT IS TRACT PROPERTY I.D. 75366, JUST TO BE TRANSPARENT. IT CAME IN AFTER THIS WAS ALREADY POSTED. THE REQUEST MEETS ALL THE CRITERIA WITHIN THE LAND OF CODE. PNC DID READ THIS CASE AND IS RECOMMENDING YOU APPROVALS SUBJECT TO THE STANDARD SET OUT IN EXHIBIT B OF THE PLAN DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE. I WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE.

>> ANY QUESTIONS? >> THANK YOU, TIM.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST ITEM 14? IS THAT YOUR NAME FOR THE

RECORD. >> GOOD MORNING, JUST APPRECIATE THE TIME THAT WE GOT TO SPEND WITH TIM TO GET THIS PD THE WAY IT WORKS FOR THE DEVELOPER AND THE CITY AND HERE

[00:25:01]

>> APPRECIATE YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANKS. >> ANYONE ELSE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 14 FOR THIS TIME? SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANY FOR DISCUSSION? IF NOT I WILL

ACCEPT A MOTION. >> SO MOVE.

>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER PRICE .

>> SECOND. >> SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER REGAN. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? WE ARE READY TO VOTE.

[15. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Approving the Submission of an Application Seeking $13,000,000 in Financial Assistance from the Texas Water Development Board for Implementation of a Lead Service Line Replacement Program (Rodney Taylor)]

>> ALL YESES. MOTION CARRIES. >> WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM 15 AND I WILL ASK RODNEY TAYLOR, RECTOR OF WATER UTILITIES TO

PRESENT THIS ITEM. >> GOOD MORNING. RODNEY TAYLOR.

DIRECTOR OF WATER UTILITIES. ITEM 15 BEFORE YOU THIS MORNING IS A RESOLUTION APPROVING A SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION SEEKING FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $30 MILLION IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM . THIS FUNDING IS MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE WATER DEVELOP MENTAL BOARD USING FUNDS THAT WERE PROVIDED THROUGH THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION FOR THE INFO STRUCTURE, INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT. THESE FUNDS WERE SPECIFICALLY SET ASIDE TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM WITH LETTING IN DRINKING WATER. IT IS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE AND CONCERN ACROSS OUR NATION. JUST A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY THE CLEAN WATER DRINKING ACT WAS APPROVED BY CONGRESS IN 1972 AND INCLUDED A STANDARD FOR LEAD AND COPPER. THAT COMPLIANCE WAS TAKE OFF A SAMPLING TAKEN DIRECTLY OUT OF THE OUTPUT OF WATER TREATMENT FACILITIES WHETHER IT BE A WELL OR A WATER TREATMENT PLANT. AND IT WAS THOUGHT AT THAT TIME TO BE EFFECTIVE AND IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC. THE REALIZATION WAS THAT MOST LEAD CONTAMINATION THAT IMPACTS CITIZENS IS ACTUALLY THE RESULT OF CONTACT WITH WATER BEYOND THE ENTRY POINT. SO, WATER CONTACTS PLUMBING OR FIXTURES OR PIPES THAT CONTAIN LEAD WITHIN THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OF THE PUBLIC /PRIVATE PLUMBING AND SO, IN 1991, THE LEAD AND COPPER RULE WAS REVISED TO REMOVE THAT SAMPLING FROM THE ENTRY POINTS OUT INTO THE RESIDENTIAL HOMES AND BUSINESSES IN THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM SO THAT IT COULD CAPTURE INFORMATIONAL PLUMBING. THE CRITERIA WAS AT THAT TIME, HOMES HAVE TO BE CONSTRUCTED AFTER 1982, WHICH IS AFTER MOST OF THE LEG AND COPPER WAS ACTUALLY USED FOR HOME CONSTRUCTION AT THAT TIME. THERE WAS ALSO RULES FOR CORROSION CONTROL THAT FACILITIES HAD TO UTILIZE TO MAKE SURE THAT WATER WAS NOT CORROSIVE IN NATURE AND, THEREFORE, THE IDEA WAS THAT IF THERE WAS LET WATER IN CONTACT WITH LEAD, THEN THE CORROSION CONTROL PROGRAM WOULD PROTECT THE CONSUMER. THE REALITY IS THAT THAT RULE IS NOT EFFECTIVE. AS ABILENE, WE COULD EASILY COMPLY WITH THAT RULE , YET OUR CITIZENS MAY STILL BE AFFECTED BECAUSE THERE IS STILL A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF RED LEAD AND COPPER POTENTIALLY OUT AND WATER SYSTEMS. WE SEE THAT IN THE FLINT ISSUE SEVERAL YEARS AGO WHERE A CHANGE IN THE WATER SOURCE ACTUALLY CREATED A VERY DEVASTATING LEAD CONTAMINATION IN THAT COMMUNITY THAT GREATLY IMPACTED , IN PARTICULAR, THE MOST DISADVANTAGED, WHICH IS CHILDREN. SO, MOVE FORWARD 30 YEARS AND THE LEG AND COPPER RULE REVISE CAME OUT, WHICH IS WHAT WE ARE UNDER RIGHT NOW AND IT REQUIRED THE WATER PROVIDERS SUCH AS THE CITY OF ABILENE TO CONDUCT AN INVENTORY OF ALL THE SERVICE LINES SERVING EVERY CONNECTION WITHIN THE SYSTEM. SO OVER THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF, THE CITY STAFF HAS WORKED ON A PRTHE INVENTORY AND BY OCTOBER 16TH OF 2024, WE MUST PROVIDE THAT TO THE EPA. WE MUST ALSO NOTIFY EACH IMPACTED CONNECTION THAT IS IDENTIFIED AS HAVING EITHER LEG SPECIFICALLY WERE A GALVANIZED SERVICE LINE THAT CANNOT BE PROVEN TO NOT HAVE

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THE BEAUTY OF THE PROGRAM RIGHT NOW IS THAT 51% OF THAT $13 MILLION WILL ESSENTIALLY BECOME A GRANT TO THE CITY AT THE POINT OF CLOSING. SO, THE CITY WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A DEBT ISSUANCE FOR 49% OF THAT $13 MILLION AT THAT TIME AND 51% OF THAT WOULD BASICALLY BE GRANTED TO THE CITY FOR THE USE OF THIS

PROGRAM. >> RODNEY, I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR YOU BECAUSE THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC AND ONE THAT FRANKLY SCARES PEOPLE SOMETIMES ESPECIALLY AFTER THE FLINT, MICHIGAN ISSUE. DOES A ABILENE PUBLIC SYSTEM HAVE A PROBLEM WITH LEAD IN THE WATER?

>> IT DOES NOT. >> THAT IS A NO, RIGHT?

>> YES . THAT IS A NO. >> LET'S BE VERY CLEAR ON

THAT. >>

>> YOU HAVE HEARINGS THIS WEEK, RIGHT?

>> THE SERVICE LINES IN ABILENE, AND AGAIN, THE SERVICE LINE IS A CONNECTION FROM THE PUBLIC METER TO A PERSON'S HOUSE OR BUSINESS. IT IS A SERVICE LINE. IS A PRIVATE COMPONENT OF YOUR PLUMBING SYSTEM, BUT OF THE 2600 CONNECTIONS THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PRIMARILY SERVICE LINES THAT ARE PRIVATE INVESTMENT PART OF THE PRIVATE PLUMBING SYSTEM AND THAT IS WHERE THE MAJORITY OF ANY POTENTIAL CONCERN OVER GALVANIZED LINE OR LEAD FITTINGS OR LEAD SOLID MAYBE OF A CONCERN THAT WE HAVE IDENTIFIED. IS THAT CORRECT?

>> THAT IS CORRECT. >> AND THIS GRANT IS FEDERAL MONEY MOVING THROUGH THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD FELT THAT WOULD ALLOW THE CITY OF ABILENE TO MEET ITS NEW FEDERAL OBLIGATION TO HELP PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS ADDRESS ANY POTENTIAL LEAD CONCERNS IN THEIR PRIVATE PLUMBING SYSTEM.

IS THAT CORRECT? >> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> THANK YOU, RODNEY. >> RODNEY, ABOUT HOW MANY CUSTOMERS DO WE HAVE? I KNOW 45,000 RESIDENTIAL .

[00:35:02]

>> THERE IS ABOUT 35,000 RESIDENTIAL CONNECTIONS. THERE IS ABOUT 43,000 TOTAL CONNECTIONS IN OUR SYSTEM.

>> I THINK WE HAVE UNIFIED 2600.

>> 2600, YES, SIR. >> WHEN WE RECEIVE THE GRANT AND HAVE THE MONEY, WHO WOULD DO THESE REPAIRS?

>> THE FUNDING HAS A LOT OF FLEXIBILITY IN IT SURPRISINGLY.

THAT IS ISSUED TO THE SPATE STATE AND THE STATE WILL MANAGE EXACTLY HOW THE PROGRAMS WILL EXIST AND A LOT OF THAT WILL FALL ON THE WATER PROVIDER. THE CITY OF ABILENE. SO OUR PROGRAM WOULD HAVE TO BE DEVELOPED AND APPROVED BY THE WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD AS PART OF THIS PROCESS . WE WOULD ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT AT THAT POINT. REPEAT YOUR

QUESTION? >> KIND OF WHAT I AM ASKING, WOULD PRIVATE FARMERS BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS MONEY TO MAKE

THOSE REPAIRS? >> ABSOLUTELY. THE BEAUTY OF THIS IS WE CAN DO AS MUCH OF THIS AS STAFF AS WE CHOOSE OR WE CAN BASICALLY SOURCE OUT ALL OF THE FUNCTION OF THIS, INCLUDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROGRAM ITSELF. SO WE HAVE THE POSSIBILITY TO MANAGE THE PROGRAM , DO AS MUCH WORK AS WE POSSIBLY CAN, OR, WE CAN HIRE CONSULTANTS AND CONTRACTORS TO PERFORM ANY OR ALL OF THE WORK ASSOCIATED WITH THIS AND STILL BE ELIGIBLE, AS LONG AS WE MEET ALL OF THE ELIGIBLE CRITERIA

ASSOCIATED WITH THE FUNDS. >> I JUST DIDN'T WANT OUR STAFF TO BE OVERWHELMED TO HAVING TO DO THESE REPAIRS AS

WE COME INTO THIS MONEY. >> IT IS OUR EXPECTATION AT THIS POINT THAT PRIVATE PLUMBERS WILL BE BROUGHT INTO THIS OPPORTUNITY AND PERFORM THE ACTUAL WORK ON THE

REPLACEMENTS. >> THANK YOU, RODNEY.

>> RODNEY, IF SOMEONE IS CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR SERVICE LINE, WHAT CAN THEY DO? YOU SAY THAT WE HAVE IDENTIFIED --

>> YES, SIR. >> AT SOME POINT, IF SOMEONE SAYS, I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF MY LINE IS GALVANIZED. WHAT IS

THEIR STEP? WHAT CAN THEY DO? >> BY OCTOBER THE 16TH, BECAUSE OF THE SIZE OF THE CITY OF ABILENE, WE WILL HAVE TO PROVIDE A WEB-BASED TOOL THAT IS ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC THAT COULD THEY CAN LOOK UP YOUR SPECIFIC ADDRESS THERE WAS IN THE DATABASE AND IT WILL PROVIDE THE INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE ON THE CUSTOMER'S SITE AND THE CITY SIDE OF THE SERVICE LINE SERVING THAT PARTICULAR ADDRESS. THAT IS A REQUIREMENT. ALSO, A REQUIREMENT OF THAT IS THAT ANYONE THAT ACTUALLY HAS AND IDENTIFIED AS HAVING ONE OF THOSE CRITERIA IS FOR THE SERVICE LINE, WE MUST INFORM THEM IN WRITING. SO, THEY WILL BE PROVIDED WITH THE NOTICE AND WE HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF BOTH NOTIFYING THE PROPERTY OWNER AND THE TENANT IN THOSE INSTANCES WHERE IT IS NOT

OCCUPIED BY THE OWNER. >> AND IS THERE A TIMEFRAME THAT YOU MIGHT SAY, OKAY, IF YOUR HOUSE WAS BUILT AFTER THIS DATE, THEY WEREN'T USING LEAD ANYMORE? IS THERE A TIMEFRAME OF HOMES BUILT MAYBE TWO ALEVE SOME PEOPLE'S CONCERN?

>> IT IS VERY SAFE TO SAY IN THE 90S AND BEYOND THAT THERE WOULD NOT BE ANY USE OF THAT MATERIAL. THE LAW GOES BACK INTO THE 80S. WERE THEY BANNED THAT. BUT THERE WAS A CARRYOVER OF INVENTORY OF PARTS FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND IN THE MOST STRINGENT RULES DID NOT COME OUT UNTIL THE 90S THAT BASICALLY BANNED ANY CONTENT OF LEAD IN ANY FITTINGS.

>> SO IF YOUR HOME WAS BUILT IN THE 90S OR THE 2000'S, MOST LIKELY YOU WOULD BE OKAY. OCTOBER IS IS WHEN THAT

DATABASE WILL GO LIVE? >> YES.

>> WHEN I FIRST READ THIS, I COULD UNDERSTAND WHAT A LEAD SERVICE LINE WAS. ANYONE ELSE?

>>

EXPRESS. >>

>> I WANT TO ADD A CAVEAT. I WANT TO ADD A CAVEAT TO THE STATEMENT THAT IF YOUR HOUSE IS IN THE 90S OR 2000, YOU ARE FINE BECAUSE IT MAY IMPLY THAT IF YOUR HOUSE WAS BUILT PRIOR TO THAT YOU ARE NOT FINE. MOST OF OUR HOMES IN ABILENE WERE LIKELY BUILT BEFORE PAYMENT 90 OR 2000. AND SO WE ONLY HAVE 2600 CONNECTIONS THAT ARE POSSIBLY CONCERNED. THEY AREN'T NECESSARILY IS NOT A GUARANTEE IT IS A CONCERN UNLESS THEY HAVE A GALVANIZED LINE THAT COULD POTENTIALLY

[00:40:01]

>> ROUGHLY HOW MANY CONNECTIONS DO WE HAVE IN THE CITY OF

ABILENE? >> 42,000.

>> 2600 OR 43,000? >> RODNEY, IF SOMEONE DOES A TEST OUT OF THEIR KITCHEN SINK TAP OR SOMETHING AND IT DETECTS LEAD, IS A PROVISION IN THIS FUNDING FOR REPLACING PLUMBING WITH IN THE HOUSE? WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT SERVICE LINE'S .

WE HAVE GOT 100-YEAR-OLD HOUSE THAT HAS LEAD OR COPPER ON PIPES OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. DOES THIS COVER?

>> THIS REALLY IS INTENDED TO COVER THE POINT WHERE THE SERVICE LINE ACTUALLY BRANCHES OUT TO BECOME PLUMBING WITHIN THE HOUSE. IT WILL NOT REPLACE ALL OF THE PLUMBING IN A HOUSE.

IT CAN GET IT UNDER THE HOUSE UP TO THE POINT WHERE IT BRANCHES OUT TO BECOME PLUMBING RATHER THAN THE SERVICE LINE.

>> THANK YOU, RODNEY. APPRECIATE IT. AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST ITEM 15? PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

>> GOOD MORNING, AGAIN. DOROTHY CLAY. ABILENE, TEXAS. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU, MR. TAYLOR, FOR SHARING THIS VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION. OF COURSE WE WANT TO KEEP OUR CITIZENS SAFE IN OUR CITY SO I BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD SUBMIT AN APPLICATION SEEKING $13 MILLION IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT MATTER. MY HOUSE IS LIKE MADE IN THE 50S SO I AM SURE I AM ONE OF THOSE NEEDING SOME TYPE OF ASSISTANCE REGARDING LEAD BECAUSE I WANT TO BE SAFE, BUT NOT JUST ME BUT EVERYONE IN MY CITY. SO I FEEL THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE GET APPROVAL ON THIS MATTER. THANK YOU.

>> IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 15? SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. IF NOT, I WILL

ACCEPT A MOTION A SECOND. >> I WOULD LIKE IF THEY HAVE AN UPDATE WHEN WE GET TO OCTOBER OR SOMETHING TO SAY, HEY, --

>> YEAH. >> THAT WAY THEY CAN ACTUALLY GO AND DO SOMETHING. NOT I NEED TO PUT IT ON MY CALENDAR ON

OCTOBER. >> AT THE RISK OF CRASHING OUR MEDIUM EQUIPMENT, LET'S JUST HAVE A LIVE DEMONSTRATION OF THE CITIZEN AT THE COUNCIL MEETING SO THAT THE CITIZENS CAN SEE IT IN ACTION AND THE MEDIA CAN ASK WHAT COUNCIL GO

THROUGH THAT PROCESS. >> GREAT. THANK YOU.

>> SO MOVE. >> I HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMEMBER BEARD AND A SECOND FROM COUNCILMEMBER PRICE. IF THERE IS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, I AM READY TO VOTE.

[16. Presentation: Receive a Report and Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing on the Declaration by Mayor Weldon Hurt for Implementation of Two-Day a Week Watering Schedule in Accordance with Sec. 32-144 Year-Round Water Use Management of the City of Abilene Water Conservation Plan Ordinance (Rodney Taylor)]

>> ALL YESES. MOTION CARRIES. >> MOTION CARRIES. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM 16 AND I WILL LET RODNEY TAYLOR PRESENT THIS.

>> AGAIN, RODNEY TAYLOR FROM WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD UTILITIES. THE ITEM BEFORE YOU THIS MORNING IS A DISCUSSION ITEM. IT IS STAFFED'S RECOMMENDATION THAT THE MAYOR CONSIDER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TWO DAY POOR WEEK WATER RESTRICTIONS. THIS IS BASED OFF OF THE ONGOING CONDITION OF WATER SUPPLY RESERVOIRS WITHIN THE CITY OF ABILENE'S REGION.

AS OF TODAY, IT IS AT 65.3 POINT OF CAPACITY . THAT IS COMBINED THE TWO 51.8 PERCENT OF COMBINED CAPACITY . IN JULY 2022, WE MODIFIED OUR WATER CONSERVATION PLAN SO THAT THE TRIGGER LEVELS WERE BASED OFF OF THOSE TWO PRIMARY WATER SUPPLY RESERVOIRS THAT SERVE THE CITY OF ABILENE. THE FIRST REDUCTION FROM YEAR-ROUND WATER USE MANAGEMENT THREE DAY PER WEEK WATERING OCCURS WHEN WE REACHED 50% CAPACITY AND THAT REDUCES OUR WATERING FROM TWO DAY PER WEEK. BUT WE ARE NOT YET A CRITICAL SITUATION WHERE WE SEE A STAGE ONE WATER ALERT.

SO, THIS IS REALLY AN EFFORT TO BRING ATTENTION TO OUR CITIZENS

[00:45:01]

>> QUESTION, RODNEY, WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME WE WERE UNDER 50%

FOR THE COMBINED? >> WELL, THE LAST TIME THAT WE ACTUALLY HAD A CONSERVATION MEASURE IN PLACE WAS IN JUNE THE 22ND OF 2016. AND THAT WAS WHEN WE WERE ACTUALLY IN OUR STAGE ONE WATERING AND THE LAKE ACTUALLY FILLED UP AND THAT IS WHERE WE SAW THE END OF THE EXTREME DROUGHT THAT WE WERE IN AT THAT TIME. WE HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE SINCE THAT TIME THAT OUR RESERVOIRS HAVE STAYED ABOVE THE OLD TRIGGER LEVEL OF 10 FEET BELOW FLOOD CAPACITY IN THIS NEW CRITERIA THAT WAS SET IN 2022 OF 50% OF COMBINED CAPACITY. SO, 2016.

>> AT WHAT POINT PERCENTAGEWISE IF WE GO TO A TUPLE A DAY, WHAT PERCENTAGE DO WE NEED TO GET BACK TO TO GO TO THREE A DAY?

>> WELL, WE WOULD NEED TO HAVE SOME INDICATION THAT WE WOULD REMAIN ABOVE THIS, IN OTHER WORDS, WE WOULDN'T BE 1/10 OVER . SO, INDICATION OF THAT WE ARE CLEARLY OUT OF THAT FOR

SOME ACCENT OF PERIOD OF TIME. >> THIS MAY BE MORE OF A QUESTION FOR ROBERT OR TIM, HOW WOULD WE ENFORCE THE TWO A DAY

WATERING? >> SO, ENFORCEMENT IS ALL OF OUR JOBS AS CITIZENS OF ABILENE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CONSERVING WATER. SO IF YOU SEE AN INDIVIDUAL THAT IS WATERING TO THE POINT THAT WATER IS RUNNING DOWN THE STREET, YOU KNOW, CALL THE CITY OF ABILENE. CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE. CALL THE WATER NONEMERGENCY LINE AND WE WILL ADDRESS THIS. SEND IT THROUGH QUICK FIX. WE WILL ADDRESS THOSE. WE FIRST START WITH EDUCATION AND THEN WE START WITH ENFORCEMENT. IN ADDITION, OUR NEW AUTOMATED METER READING SYSTEM DOES ALLOW THE CITY TO LOOK AT REPORTS ANNA SO WE CAN BE PROACTIVE IN THE PAST. WE WILL NECESSARILY ABLE TO DO THAT SO WE CAN ALSO HELP EDUCATE CITIZENS. YOU KNOW, MY WIFE AND I PERSONALLY WATER THREE TIMES A WEEK. NOW I AM GOING TO GO HOME TODAY AND GO AHEAD AND CHANGE OUR WATERING SCHEDULE TO TWICE A DAY TO BE ON THE FRONT END OF THAT CURVE. YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL AUGUST 7TH. WE KNOW WEST TEXAS. WE KNOW IT IS HOT AND DRY AND LET'S ALL DO OUR PART IS THE THING WE ARE TRYING TO GET CITIZENS TO UNDERSTAND TODAY.

>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? THANK YOU, RODNEY. AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST ITEM 16? PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

>> DOROTHY CLAY. ABILENE, TEXAS. I THINK IT IS A GREAT IDEA FOR US TO LIMIT OUR WATER USAGE BECAUSE LIKE MR. HANNAH SAID, WEST TEXAS IS HOT. WE NEED TO BE CONSERVATIVE AND SAVE OUR WATER SO I AM GLAD THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE DOING THIS. I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT FOR OUR CITY.

>> THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE? SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

>> MAYOR? >> YES, SIR?

>> RODNEY, COULD YOU COME UP AND SHOW THE DAYS OF THE WEEK RESIDENTS CAN WATER BASED ON THEIR ADDRESS? ONE MORE WERE

THE DAYS OF THE WEEK ARE. >> THIS IS TO ADDRESS THAT SO PEOPLE KNOW WHAT DAYS OF THE WEEK THEY CAN WATER.

>> OKAY. >> WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO JUST

VERBALIZE THAT? >> JUST VERBALIZE THAT.

>> OKAY. ON THE TWO DAY A WEEK WATERING SCHEDULE, RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES OR OTHER NUMBERING MECHANISMS SUCH AS A LOT NUMBER OR PO BOX THAT THEY DON'T HAVE A REASONABLE ADDRESS TO UTILIZE, THURSDAY AND SUNDAY ARE ODD NUMBERS. SO, IF THE LAST DIGIT OF THEIR ADDRESS IS EIGHT 1, 1501, NOT 1 WOULD SET YOU AS A ODD NUMBER. YOUR DAYS WOULD BE THURSDAY AND SUNDAY.

IF IT IS EVEN THEN IT IS GOING TO BE TUESDAY AND SATURDAY IS YOUR WATERING DAYS. AND THEN, FOR ALL OTHER CUSTOMER CLASSES BESIDES RESIDENTIAL, MONDAY AND FRIDAY ARE YOU ARE AUTHORIZED

[00:50:02]

>> AND THEN ONE OTHER THAT IS NOT SPECIFICALLY LISTED HERE.

IF A LARGE ENTITY IS USING NON-POTABLE WATER, ARE THEY

FINE WITH THE SCHEDULE? >> THE RESTRICTIONS DO NOT APPLY. WE ASK THAT THEY USE GOOD WATERING PRACTICES AND THEY ALSO FALL THE WATERING TIME OF DAY RESTRICTIONS OF AVOIDING WATER DURING THE HEAT OF THE DAY, BUT IF THESE SCHEDULES DO NOT APPLY TO OUR REUSE TYPE CUSTOMERS.

>> THEY ARE GENERALLY BIGGER WHERE THEY CAN'T WATER

EVERYTHING. >>

SPEAKERS ] >> JUST FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF REPORTING SOMEBODY THAT IS USING WATER ON NOT THERE DAY.

IT DOESN'T APPLY . >> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANYONE ELSE?

>> I JUST WANT TO ADD THAT YOU CAN GOOGLE SAVE ABILENE WATER AND IT WILL GIVE YOU ALL OF THIS INFORMATION. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO THAT. BASICALLY, THIS IS AN ORDINANCE THAT IS TRIGGERED NOT BY ME. IT IS TRIGGERED BY ORDINANCE . SO THIS WILL BE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF GOING FROM TWO DAYS TO THREE DAYS A WEEK FOLLOWING THE SCHEDULE LIKE I SAID, THIS IS AUTOMATIC BUT WE ALWAYS LIKE TO DO, PREVIOUSLY THIS HAD BEEN DONE AND PRESS CONFERENCE SO WE WANTED TO MAKE IT PUBLIC BECAUSE WE HAD ACCOUNTS MEETING SO WE WANTED TO MAKE IT PUBLIC TODAY SO THAT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM THREE DAYS TO TWO DAYS STARTING AUGUST 7TH. THAT IS THE ACTION TAKEN ON

[17. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Approving the Development Corporation of Abilene, Inc.'s Economic Development Plan (Misty Mayo)]

ABILENE TO SET US UP. >> GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR HURT.

OUNCE MEMBERS, CITY MANAGER HANNA AND CITIZENS OF ABILENE.

I AM MISTY MAYO. CEO AND PRESIDENT OF THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF ABILENE AND I AM HERE TODAY ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE DCO A, THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF ABILENE TO PRESENT THEIR APPROVED ANNUAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN. I HAVE BUDDY MEET HERE WERE PRESENT OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS AS WELL. THANK YOU, BUDDY, FOR YOUR TIME AND DEDICATION. I ALWAYS LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT OUR FIVE BOARD MEMBERS WHO ARE APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR , RATIFIED BY CITY COUNCIL, THEY SERVE OUR COMMUNITY AND THEY SERVE THE DCOA AS VOLUNTEERS OF THIS COMMUNITY. THEY ARE RESPECTED, LONG SERVING CITIZENS OF THIS COMMUNITY . LEADERS, BUSINESS OWNERS, AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT WE HAD A WIDE VARIETY OF A DIVERSE BOARD AND I WILL SHOW YOU THEIR NAMES AT THE END SO I CAN DO AN EXTRA THANK YOU. SO TODAY, ON BEHALF OF THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, I AM PRESENTING OUR ANNUAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN. I ALWAYS LIKE TO POINT OUT OUR VISION AND IS ULTIMATELY TO BUILD A FUTURE FOR ABILENE TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE OUR PRIMARY JOB CREATION, OUR PRIMARY JOB RETENTION, AND DIVERSIFICATION OF OUR TAX BASE. ULTIMATELY, THAT IS WHAT THE DCOA DOES. WE WORK EVERY DAY TO INCREASE AND DIVERSIFY OUR TAX BASE. WE ARE THE LEAD AND THE LEVERAGE OUR ABILENE LAND TO PROMOTE ABILENE AS A PREMIER BUSINESS DESTINATION. YOU ALL HAVE PREVIOUSLY SEEN OUR STRATEGIC LAND FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. WE ARE EXECUTING AT A LEVEL OF EXCELLENCE WITH THESE SIX OBJECTIVES AND THE STRATEGIES THAT ALIGN WITH THE OBJECTIVES FOR EACH STRATEGY AND I WILL FLIP THROUGH THIS SIX. THIS IS BUSINESS ATTRACTION. FOR EACH STRATEGY, THERE IS AN INDEPENDENT WORK PLAN . WE ARE TRENDING AHEAD OF SCHEDULE FOR THOSE WORK PLANS. WE ARE ENTERING FISCAL YEAR 25. WE WILL ENTER INTO THE THIRD YEAR OF THIS FIVE-YEAR PLAN. I HAVE OFFERED PICTURES TO ILLUSTRATE THE SUCCESSES THAT WE HAVE HAD THIS YEAR. BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION OF COURSE IS GOING OUTSIDE OF OUR MARCH MARKET. SO BUSINESS ATTRACTION , EXCUSE ME, IS GOING OUTSIDE OF OUR MARKET AND ATTRACTING BUSINESSES TO OUR COMMUNITY.

NEW BUSINESSES AND WHAT IS THE CORE OF OUR JOB CREATION AND

[00:55:04]

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OF COURSE IS CRITICAL FOR ALL OF OUR PRIMARY JOBS. WE HAVE A PROGRAM THAT WE JUST STARTED AT YSD.

THE TOP PICTURE YOU SEE IS AN EXITING AIRMAN PROGRAM THAT WE CONDUCT. MARKETING AND BRAND MANAGEMENT. OF COURSE, CUSTOMERS HAVE TO KNOW THAT ABILENE IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS.

THAT WE HAVE A BUSINESS FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT. WE HAVE ELECTED OFFICIALS. YOU ALL WHO SUPPORT BUSINESS. REAL ESTATE.

THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OWNS AN OP RATES BOTH FIVE POINT BUSINESS PARK AND FIVE POINT BUSINESS PARK. FIVE POINTS IS OUT WEST. YOU WILL FIND COMPANIES LIKE AMAZON, PRIMAL PET, PACTIVE . ABI WINDOWS IS A NEW BUSINESS. THEY ARE POURING CONCRETE THIS MONTH TO BUILD THEIR FACILITY. AND POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR FUTURE PROJECTS. FUTURE COMPANIES. EFFECTIVE OPERATIONS IS THE LAST. IT IS TO ENSURE THAT EVERYTHING WE DO IS IN LINE WITH EXPECTATIONS, WITH REQUIREMENTS, AND ULTIMATELY TO INSHORE THAT WE ARE CONTINUING TO BE THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR. IT IS CERTAINLY, IN MY MANY DECADES OF DOING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, IT IS THE POINT OF PRIDE IN MY PROFESSIONAL CAREER TO BE ABLE TO SAY THAT THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF ABILENE THIS YEAR WAS AWARDED THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR BY THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.

MANY RECOGNITIONS THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED IN THE PAST 45 YEARS FOR TO FIVE YEARS, INCLUDING STATE RECOGNITIONS FROM OUR TEXAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AS WELL AS NATIONAL RECOGNITION ALLOWS US TO LEVERAGE THOSE RECOGNITIONS FOR FURTHER MARKETING AND THE ABILITY TO PROMOTE ABILENE AS THE PREMIER BUSINESS LOCATIONS. FOR CITIZENS THAT MIGHT BE INTERESTED, THEY CAN SCAN THE QR CODE AND SEE OUR ANNUAL REPORT. ABOUT JANUARY OF EACH YEAR, WE ARE PRODUCING A PUBLIC DOCUMENT THAT ALLOWS US TO REPORT BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, AND OF COURSE TO YOU ALL, THE TYPE OF PROGRESS AND THE EFFECTIVE RESULTS THAT WE HAVE REALIZED. OF COURSE, ULTIMATELY, OUR JOB IS TO REINVEST A PORTION OF THE SALES TAX WHICH IS HALF PERCENT. REINVEST THAT BACK IN OUR COMMUNITY TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE MULTIPLYING ONE DOLLAR INTO MANY. GRATE HARRYMAN WAS HIRED TO GIVE AN IMPACT OF WHAT THAT IS LIKE OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS. FOR EVERY DOLLAR, THE DCOA HAS INVESTED IN PROJECTS AND COMPANY EXPANSIONS. AGAIN, THOSE ARE EXISTING COMPANIES AND NEW COMPANIES. FOR EVERY DOLLAR THAT ABILENE HAS BEEN INVESTED IN OUR COMMUNITY, IT HAS INVESTED OVER $47. SO ULTIMATELY, AS WE MULTIPLY THOSE DOLLARS, IT MULTIPLIES OPPORTUNITIES AND IT MULTIPLIES A FUTURE FOR OUR CITIZENS. I HAVE A NUMBER OF SLIDES THAT CITIZENS MAY LIKE TO LOOK AT . I WILL SCAN THROUGH SOME OF THESE. THIS IS A HIGHLIGHT OF SOME THE LOGOS OF COMPANIES THAT HAVE ENTERED INTO RELATIONSHIPS WITH DCOA AND TRULY A PARTNERSHIP IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS. THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION HAS WORKED WITH CONTRACTED WITH 32 LOCAL EXISTING COMPANIES OUT OF 39 OF THE TOTAL PROJECT THAT THE DCOA HAS CONTRACTED. AGAIN, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE CITIZENS UNDERSTAND THAT EVERY RELATIONSHIP WITH A COMPANY IS A COMPANY MAKING A COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY. IT IS A CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP. SO THE COMMUNITY WITHIN THAT CONTRACT MAKES A COMMITMENT BACK TO THE COMPANY. THERE ARE COMPLIANCE. I HAVE A COMPLIANCE OFFICER THAT IT TRULY IS A PARTNERSHIP AND A RELATIONSHIP. COUNCILMEMBERS, I KNOW MANY OF YOU GET TO MEET THESE COMPANIES. YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE WHAT OUR PARTNERSHIP DOES NOT OUR

[01:00:04]

AND LASTLY, I WILL END WITH IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, DCOA HAS TRIPLED THE IMPACT ON JOBS AND WE HAVE TRIPLED THE IMPACT ON ABILENE'S GROSS PROJECT. I AM PROUD TO PRESENT OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LAND FOR FISCAL YEAR 25. OF COURSE, LAST BUT NOT LEAST IS TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND TO HIGHLIGHT AND THINK THAT I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF LEADING THE MOST AMAZING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONALS. I HAVE A FEW OF THEM HERE TODAY.

MANY OF THEM ARE OUT BUSY WITH PROSPECTS SO, JUST RECOGNIZING SOME OF THE TEAM MEMBERS I HAVE. JULIE, REGGIE, ASHLEY AND THEN CHRIS SHELTON . SORRY, CHRIS, TO CALL YOU A VENDOR BUT YOU ARE SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT, CHRIS WORKS WITH US IN A ATTORNEY RELATIONSHIP. NOT ON STAFF THAT SOMETIMES GIVEN THE VOLUME OF PROJECTS THAT WE DO, IT OFTEN FEELS LIKE HE IS. SO GLAD TO HAVE YOU ALL HERE AND TRULY, AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT BECAUSE ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THE DCOA IS BEING RUN EFFECTIVELY AND IT IS BEING RUN BY A GROUP OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONALS THAT HAVE A PASSION UNLIKE ANYTHING I HAVE EVER SEEN MAKES ME SO PROUD TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT TO YOU TODAY AND BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO HIGHLIGHT OUR GREAT SUCCESSES.

>> THANK YOU, MISTY . MISTY, I JUST WANT TO SAY AGAIN, THANK THE BOARD. I KNOW BUDDY IS HERE BUT THIS IS A REMARKABLE BOARD.

THEY ARE VERY ABLE AND SPEND A LOT OF THEIR TIME. I THINK WE HAVE A REALLY GOOD BOARD THAT GIVES Y'ALL DIRECTION. YOUR STAFF IS INCREDIBLE. YOU ARE GREAT TO WORK WITH. ALWAYS LOVE WORKING WITH THEM AND SHARING IDEAS. I WANT TO REITERATE, 32 OF THE 39 COMPANIES THAT YOU WORKED WITH OUR EXISTING COMPANIES IN ABILENE. BUT HIS REINVESTMENT HERE IN ABILENE.

NEW COMPANIES ARE GREAT. NEW JOBS ARE GREAT. WE ALL KNOW THIS IS ABOUT JOB CREATION. THAT IS WHAT DCOA ACTUALLY IS.

JOB CREATION. BUT A COUPLE OF OTHER PROGRAMS WHERE YOU ARE WORKING WITH THE DAIS AND THE NEXT YOUTH. I LIKE THEM AND I AM SO APPRECIATIVE OF WHAT YOU DO. I LOOK FORWARD TO THESE LITTLE MEETINGS WHEN YOU ARE BRINGING THESE NEW IDEAS AND NEW THINGS TO HAVE. VERY APPRECIATIVE. COUNCIL?

>> I JUST WANT TO SAY I REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT YOU, YOUR TEAM AND THE BOARD ARE DOING. I GOT TO SEE ON A PERSONAL LEVEL THIS WEEKEND. MY BROTHER GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL BUT HE HAS MOVE UP TO A HIGH ELF FOR HIS JOB AND HE CAME UP FOR THIS WEEKEND AND SEEING HIM TALK ABOUT ALL OF THE DEVELOPMENT.

OBVIOUSLY SEEING COMING OUT OF THE AIRPORT BUT ALL OF THE DEVELOPMENT. IT WAS KIND OF COOL TO SEE HIM REHASH AND TALK ABOUT THE CITY. US LIVING HERE DID TODAY. WE GREW ACCUSTOMED TO IT FOR HIM, CAME BACK HERE AND IT WAS ALL WITH FRESH EYES.

HE HADN'T SEEN IT IN 3 TO 4 YEARS SO IT WAS NICE TO SEE SOME PRIDE COMING THROUGH HIS VOICE OF ALL THE COOL THINGS HAPPENING THAT HE SAW IN THE CAR TO TELL HIM ABOUT ALL THE OTHER THINGS HAPPENING. A LARGE PART, THAT IS YOU GUYS DRIVING THIS KIND OF DEVELOPMENT, LEVERAGING THOSE DOLLARS TO REALLY MAKE A HUGE IMPACT ON ABILENE. SO EVERYTHING YOU GUYS ARE DOING, I AM A BIG FAN OF. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING AND JUST ONE POINT ON I THINK ONE OF THE SLIDES. I THINK TRIPLED THE IMPACT ON GROSS DUCT PROJECT AND I ALWAYS LIKE TO

[01:05:03]

>> THANK YOU. FOR CITIZENS WHO WANT TO SEE SOME OF THOSE NUMBERS THAT YOU SHARED, AGAIN, THEY CAN USE THE QR CODE. IT IS CAPTURED IN OUR FISCAL YEAR 23 ANNUAL REPORT.

>> I WANT TO ADD, MISTY, IT IS AN EXTREMELY COMPLEX ISSUE THAT REQUIRES A PRETTY SKILLED TEAM TO NAVIGATE BECAUSE IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT RECRUITING BUSINESSES, IT IS ABOUT THE STRUCTURE. IT IS ABOUT HOUSING STOCK AS A WHOLE. A LOT OF COMPONENTS TO A HEALTHY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN. THE TWO THINGS THAT I APPRECIATE ABOUT OUR DCOA TODAY , THE ACCOUNTABILITY PIECE THAT YOU ARE BRINGING TO THESE DEALS THAT WE MAKE, THIS MONEY IS NOT FREE. THERE ARE METRICS AND PERFORMANCE GOALS THAT ARE ATTACHED TO THIS MONEY AND IF THE CUSTOMERS DON'T NEED THE GOALS, THEY DON'T GET THE MONEY. I THINK IT IS A RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP OF THE TAX DOLLARS THAT GO INTO THE DCOA. AND RECRUITING IS ONLY PART OF YOUR JOB AND WHAT YOU ALL DO, AND I ECHO THE MAYOR APPEARED I APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE DONE.

I THINK YOU REALLY TRANSFORMED THE DCOA TO WHAT IT SHOULD BE.

IT TAKES TIME TO DO THAT. IT HASN'T ALWAYS BEEN PAINLESS, I THINK IS AN ACCURATE STATEMENT BUT IT IS THE WAY THAT THINGS NEED TO GO AND I GENUINELY APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT ELSE YOU CAN DO.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. IT TRULY IS A COMPLEX EXCITING CAREER

THAT I HAVE CHOSEN , INDEED. >> ANYONE ELSE?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S LIKE YOU ARE IN A POSITION NOW WHERE I THINK YEARS AGO, IF SOMEBODY WAS INTERESTED, WE WERE LIKE YES AND YOU'RE IN A POSITION TO SAY, YOU ARE NOT THE BEST FIT AND LOOK FOR SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS A BETTER OPPORTUNITY, AND SO I APPRECIATE THAT AWARENESS , THAT INSIGHT THAT HELPS BRING COMPANIES IN WHAT IT IS NOT REDEVELOPMENT HERE BUT READING SOMEBODY AND THAT IS A GOOD MATCH FOR THE CITIZENS AND THE CITY OF ABILENE. SO I JUST APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT YOU DO ON THE BOARD IN DISCERNING WHAT IS A GOOD MATCH FOR ABILENE.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. IT REALLY IS OUR JOB TO BRING IN THE OPPORTUNITIES AND ULTIMATELY, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THEN FOR LARGER DEALS, THE CITY COUNCIL TO ENSURE THAT THAT IS THE RIGHT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY SO THANK YOU FOR ACKNOWLEDGING THAT.

>> WE DO A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF RESEARCH.

>> I MEANT TO SAY, FOR THOSE OF US WHO WERE AROUND IN ABILENE IN THE 1980S , DIVERSITY OF ECONOMIC SECTORS BEING IN ABILENE INSULATES US FROM THINGS LIKE THAT WHERE WE HAVE OTHER INDUSTRIES AND OTHER SECTORS IN THE TOWN THAT CAN HELP BOLSTER THE ECONOMY AND GET US THROUGH THOSE DOWNTIMES.

I THINK Y'ALL HAD A REALLY OUTSTANDING JOB OF ATTRACTING A MULTITUDE OF BUSINESS TYPES THE ABILENE WHERE WE ARE NOT SO HEAVILY DEPENDENT ON OIL AND GAS. IT IS OUR THING IN WEST TEXAS BUT HAVING UNDERAGE TREES THAT DON'T ARE DEPENDENT ON

THAT. >> I APPRECIATE YOU ACKNOWLEDGING THAT BECAUSE IT IS INTENTIONAL AND AGAIN IT IS WITH STRATEGY AND THE APPROPRIATE EXECUTION OF THAT STRATEGY . SO THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THAT.

>> THANK YOU. >> TO SAY WHEN I THINK OF YOU AND YOUR TEAM, I THINK OF ENHANCED INNOVATION AND PROBLEM SOLVING BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH THAT GOES INTO IT TO A LOT OF THE DIFFERENT POINTS HAVE BEEN MADE ALREADY, BUT PROBABLY, THE THING THAT I GET MOST EXCITED ABOUT IS THE REINVESTMENT INTO THE CITY KNOWING THAT FOR EVERY DOLLAR, THERE IS $47.84 REINVESTED BACK IN THE CITY. I THINK THERE HAS TO BE A FARCE OF LIVING IT AND TRULY EMBODYING WHAT -- NOT TO

[01:10:06]

>> THANK YOU. >> MISTY, THANK YOU, AGAIN, AND WE ARE GRATEFUL -- GRATEFUL FOR THE RELATIONSHIP THAT THIS COUNCIL HAS WITH YOU AND YOUR STAFF. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM, ITEM 17. PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

>> DOROTHY CLAY. ABILENE, TEXAS. WHEN I WAS EMPLOYED WITH THE TEXAS STATE WORKFORCE COMMISSION, I WAS ABLE TO SEE THE IMPACT OF NEW ORGANIZATIONS AND BUSINESSES COMING INTO THE CITY WHERE THE RESIDENTS THAT WERE SEEKING EMPLOYMENT WERE ABLE TO COME AND BE A PART OF HIRING EVENTS AND ACTUALLY GET HIRED AND I BUILT BOTH CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THESE INDIVIDUALS AND I COULD JUST SEE HOW EXCITED THEY WERE AND PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR WHOLE LIVES HAVE JUST BEEN TURNED AROUND. SO I THINK THIS IS EXCEPTIONALLY WONDERFUL FOR OUR CITY BECAUSE IT IMPROVES OUR OVERALL SCHEME OF OUR CITY WHEN INDIVIDUALS ARE ABLE TO LOOK FOR EMPLOYMENT AND FIND EMPLOYMENT. GOOD PAYING JOBS AND GO ON TO BE PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS OF ABILENE, TEXAS. SO I AM JUST GRATEFUL TO LIVE IN THE KEY CITY OF ABILENE. THANK YOU.

>> IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 17? SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT, I WILL FURTHER EIGHT MOTION A SECOND.

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

COUNCILMAN MIX ALASTAIR. >> SECOND. SECOND BY

[18. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Approving the Annual Budget for the Development Corporation of Abilene, Inc. (Misty Mayo)]

COUNCILMEMBER REGAN. >> ALL YESES. MOTION CARRIES.

>> WE WHEN I MOVE TO ITEM 18 AND I WILL GIVE IT TO PRESENT.

>> OKAY. COUNCIL, I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THE DCOA IS ACTUALLY A INDEPENDENT 501(C)(3) NOT-FOR-PROFIT. OF COURSE, AS PREVIOUSLY STATED AND YOU ALL HAVE HELPED ME MAKE THE POINT THAT THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ULTIMATELY WORKS ON BEHALF OF ABILENE TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE HELPING THE COMMUNITY GROW AND PROSPER AND REALLY BUILD A FUTURE FOR OUR COMMUNITY. TEXAS LEGISLATIVE CODE DOES REQUIRE THAT THE CITY COUNCIL RATIFY OUR ANNUAL BUDGET. SO, THE DCOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS APPROVED THIS BUDGET , AND THAT IS WHAT I BRING YOU TODAY OR CONSIDERATION OF RATIFICATION.

I WROTE STABILITY IN FY 25 BECAUSE IT IS TRULY WHAT YOU WILL SEE REFLECTED IN OUR BUDGET. A VERY STRAIGHTFORWARD BUDGET THAT EXEMPLIFIES THE STABILITY. YOU SEE OUR FORECASTED REVENUE AT $18,730,031 . THE TOTAL EXPENSES FOR OPERATIONS AND TO IMPLEMENT OUR STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVES AT $7,915,808 . NOW, THE TOTAL FISCAL YEAR 25 INCENTIVES AND FIXED ASSETS BUDGET. SO, THESE ARE ANTICIPATED -- THE DARK ORANGE WILL BE ANTICIPATION WHEN YOU SEE INCENTIVES AND FIXED ASSET BUDGET IN LINE 29. $10,814,223.

SO, YOU SEE NET ASSETS OF -- A ZERO NET ASSET BECAUSE WE ARE LOOKING AT THE POTENTIAL OF THOSE INCENTIVES. I AM GOING TO SHOW YOU THE NEXT TWO SLIDES ARE REALLY THE BUDGET THAT CAPTURES THIS COVER SLIDE AND AGAIN, TO SHARE THAT WITH THE CITIZENS BECAUSE I KNOW AS A COUNCIL, YOU WILL HAVE LOOKED AT THIS STRUCTURE BEFORE. HERE IS OUR BUDGET THAT HAS TOTAL ANTICIPATED REVENUE. THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF COURSE LEVERAGES THE HAVE SALES TAX AS A TYPE A ORGANIZATION TO FOCUS ON DIVERSIFICATION OF OUR ECONOMIC TECH SPACE . AGAIN, AS WE HIGHLIGHTED PREVIOUSLY TO CREATE PRIMARY JOBS AND THROUGH RETAIN PRIMARY JOBS FOR OUR COMMUNITY'S PROSPERITY. WE

[01:15:01]

SO THESE TWO ARE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED, HOWEVER, I THINK IT ADDS COLOR TO OUR OVERALL BUDGET AND HOW THE MONEY IS

CONSIDERED. MAYOR? >> QUESTIONS?

>> I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT ON THE DETAILS OF THE EXISTING MULTI-YEAR CONTRACTS . DCOA BEEN TREATED $8.5 MILLION IN THE FIRST FIVE YEARS OF ITS EXISTENCE AND HAS COMMITTED TO $10 MILLION FROM 2024 TO 2028. SO, THE CITIZENS OF ABILENE ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THAT IN THE UTILITY BILL, THE COUNCILMEMBER BEARD IS ALSO INTRUDING TO HELP IMPROVE OUR STREETS. APPRECIATE

THAT. >> YES, SIR. THAT MATTER IS CERTAINLY TO THE PRIMARY EMPLOYERS. YOU WILL SEE UPGRADES ON FULL WEILER THAT ARE HAPPENING NOW AND WE WILL CONTINUE FULL WEILER. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PRIMARY ROADWAYS FOR OPERATIONS AND ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS AND THE CITY OF ABILENE IS PROVIDING THAT AND THE DCOA IS FUNDING THOSE

IMPROVEMENTS. >> THANK YOU FOR POINTING THAT

OUT. THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE?

>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION OF THE BUDGET. JUST LIKE ROBERT DID A GREAT JOB PRESENTING THE CITY BUDGET AND IS WORKING IT THROUGH, IT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN PRESENTATION IN MY REGULAR JOB. I AM REVIEWING BUSINESSES THAT HUNDREDS OF SPREADSHEETS WILL BIG ACCOUNTS AND THAT IS NOT THIS EASILY UNDERSTOOD AND SO, THAT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE FOR US ON THE COUNCIL BUT IT ALSO MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE FOR THE CITIZENS ON THE COUNCIL TO HAVE QUESTIONS. WHAT DOES DCOA DO? WHAT ARE THEY DOING PROJECT LINES? THEY CAN GO IN AND LOOK ALL, THIS IS THAT PROJECT APARTMENTS. ALL THE DIFFERENT PROJECTS LINED UP HERE AND MOVING FORWARD AND ALSO, TO KEEP IN MIND, YOUR EARLIER PRESENTATION , FOR EVERY ONE DOLLAR, ROUGHLY $47 IS RETURNED TO THE COMMUNITY OR BUILT IN THE COMMUNITY. KEEPING THAT IN MIND WITH THESE NUMBERS IS NOT GOING TO BE EXACT BUT KEEPING THAT IN MIND OF WHENEVER THESE OUTLAYS GO OUT TO THESE COMPANIES, MULTIPLYING THAT BY 47 IS REALLY THE VALUE THAT WE

[01:20:02]

>> THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE?

>> THANK YOU, MISTY. AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST ITEM 18. THIS CAN FORWARD FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING. IS ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT, I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION A SECOND.

>> SO MOVE. >> SECOND.

>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER REGAN AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER YATES.

>> ALL YESES. MOTION CARRIES. >> THANK YOU. WILL KEEP ON

[EXECUTIVE SESSION]

>>

[RECONVENE]