Apr 23, 2026 City Council

[ CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:22]

>> GOOD MORNING. IT IS NOW 8:30 AM AND I CALL THIS MEETING OF THE ABILENE CITY COUNCIL TO ORDER.

I HAVE SEVERAL SPECIAL GUESTS I'LL INTRODUCE IN A MOMENT BUT FIRST I'LL ASK COUNCIL MEMBER BEARD TO LEAD OUR INVOCATION.

>> FATHER WE COME BEFORE YOU TODAY WITH A PROFOUND SENSE OF GRATITUDE AND ALL THE BLESSINGS YOU BESTOW ON OUR CITY.

TODAY I PRAY YOU WILL HELP US BE GOOD STEWARDS OF ALL THE BLESSINGS YOU BESTOW ON US. PRAY FOR YOUR WISDOM TODAY AND PRAY FOR THOSE SERVING OUR CITY AND SERVING OUR COUNTRY AND PRAY LORD YOU KEEP THEM SAFE. IN JESUS' NAME

>> FROM DAIS ELEMENTARY TODAY WE'RE GETTING TOWARD THE END OF THE YEAR HERE SO THEY SEND ME SOME REALLY GOOD CREWS I HAVE CALLY. RAISE YOUR HAND AND WITH HER

IS>> MAY AND THEN I HAVE XAVIER AND WITH HIM IS CAITY AND BROTHER ZANE AND I HAVE JOE LEAN.

HEIDI AND ENERGY DREW. AND THEN PASSIONTON AND WITH HIM IS CRYSTAL. WE'RE SO HAPPY YA'LL ARE HERE SO YA'LL TURN AROUND RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE AT AND START WITH THE 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 TO TEXAS FLAG.

ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE INDIVISIBLE.

>> THIS IS A CREW. >> THEY HAVE TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL. TODAY MAYOR PRO TEM YATES WILL

[2. Proclamation:

• Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week

PRESENT THE PROCLAMATIONS. >> THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING. SO THIS IS A LITTLE LONG.

THERE IS A LOT OF WHEREAS. WHEN I GET TO THE NOW THEREFORE, PART YOU KNOW WE'RE ALMOST DONE. SO LET'S I'D LIKE TO INVITE THE ALLIANCE FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN AND THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE BIG YA'LL COME UP RIGHT HERE.

EVERYONE CAN ADMIRE YOU. THERE'S ROOM ON THIS SIDE.

>> ALRIGHT. ARE WE GOING TO SING? OKAY. THE CITY OF ABILENE TEXAS AS THES OF OF THE MAYOR GREETINGS KNOW THIS PROCLAMATION IS PRESENTED TO HONOR AFTERSCHOOL PROFESSIONALS APPRECIATION.

WHEREAS THE CITY OF ABILENE RECOGNIZES THE VITAL ROLE THAT AFTERSCHOOL PROFESSIONALS PLAY IN THE LIVES OF CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND THE ABILENE COMMUNITY, AND WHEREAS, THESE DEDICATED INDIVIDUALS CREATE SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT WHERE'S STUDENTS CAN BUILD CONFIDENCE, DEVELOP SOCIAL SKILLS AND ACHIEVE ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND WHEREAS AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE ALLIANCE FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN AND THE WOIS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE BIG COUNTRY HELP WORKING FAMILIES BY PROVIDING RELIABLE, SAFE AND STRUCTURED CARE FOR THEIR

[00:05:02]

NOW THEREFORE, AS MAYOR, ON BEHALF OF THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL I DO BY HERE BY PROCLAIM IN THE CITY OF ABILENE THE WEEK OF APRIL 20TH THROUGH 24TH, 2026 AS AFTERSCHOOL PROFESSIONALS APPRECIATE WEEK. [APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU. I WANT TO RECOGNIZE OUR STAFF.

WE SERVE SEVEN DIFFERENT CLUBS. FIVE IN ABILENE AND ONE IN COLEMAN AND ONE IN CLYDE AND WE EMPLOYEE OVER 50 PEOPLE, SO WE SERVE 700 KIDS THROUGHOUT THE BIG COUNTRY AND WE'VE GOT SEVERAL BOARD MEMBERS AND STAFF. A LOT OF YOU ARE RECOGNIZING ROBIN. OUR MARTINEZ CLUB DIRECTOR.

GABE AND NOAA. AND CANTERBURY TRAILS AND CHRIS, IT'S HIS BIRTHDAY TODAY AND HE'S BEEN HERE OVER 20 YEARS SO IT'S AMAZING AND NOW HE'S BEEN WITH US SO LONG NOW HE'S SEEING KID'S OF KIDS. DOES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL OLD? AS OUR COLEMAN CLUB DIRECTOR. KERRY IS OUR HIGH LAND CLUB DIRECTOR. THEY DO AMAZING WORK AND THIS IS ALL ABOUT THEM AND THEIR APPRECIATION.

JERRY IS ONE OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS FROM COCA-COLA AND

LAUREN IS FROM SIMMONS. >> THANK YOU.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING? >> OF COURSE.

THE ALLIANCE FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN WE'VE BEEN HERE SINCE 1919, COME ON UP HERE. WE HAVE AFTERSCHOOL SCHOOL PROGRAMS IN 13 DIFFERENT SCHOOLS, SEVERAL DIFFERENT DISTRICTS AND WE SERVE OVER 810 KIDS ANNUALLY.

WE HAVE 77 STAFF THAT USE THEIR TIME TO MAKE SURE OUR KIDS ARE SAFE AND THAT THEY HAVE FUN AND THAT THE PARENTS HAVE A SAFE SPACE TO KEEP THEIR KIDS WHILE THEY ARE AT WORK.

VERY, VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK THAT GOES ON IN THE ALLIANCE FOR WOMEN AROUND CHILDREN. WE'VE HAD 39 YEARS OF AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS HERE IN ABILENE IN THE BIG COUNTRY AND THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN WITHOUT VOLUNTEERS AND EMPLOYEES THAT TAKE THE TIME TO MAKE SURE OUR KIDS ARE SAFE AND HAVE A HAPPY PLACE TO BE FOR THREE HOURS OF THE DAY.

WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON THE LAST THREE HOURS OF THEIR DAY BEING THE HAPPIEST TIME OF THEIR DAY AND THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN WITHOUT OUR EMPLOYEES. OUR PROGRAM DIRECTOR IS JOY AND SHE TAKES CARE OF OUR ENERGY AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM AND OUR FINANCE DIRECTOR IS MS. ELIZABETH.

OUR OFFICE MANAGER EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT IS MS. AUTUMN AND OUR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR AFTERSCHOOL CARE IS MS. ALLISON AND WE HAVE MEMBER AT LARD HERE WITH JOSH RAIDER SO VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THE WAY YOU SHOW UP AND SUPPORT NON-PROFITS LIKE THE ALLIANCE AND THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF

THE BIG COUNTRY. >> THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU.

>> YA'LL KIND OF SQUISH IN HERE AND WE'LL SEE IF WE CAN GET A PICTURE. NO, NO, YA'LL STAY UP HERE.

AND SQUISH. >> I'M GETTING THE THE BACK.

>> YOU ARE HOLDING THE SIGN. YOU HAVE THE SIGN.

WE HAVE THE PROCLAMATION. SO HOLD THAT UP.

>> THANK YOU FOR COACHING ME ON TH

THIS. >> THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> THAT WENT SO SMOOTH.

[3. Presentation:

• Receive Donation Check from Mosaic Church

>> JAY WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME UP FOR MOSAIC CHURCH?

>> THANK YOU. >> I'M GOING TO HAND YOU THAT.

[00:10:01]

THANK YOU SIR. >> APPRECIATE IT.

[APPLAUSE] >> WE NOW MOVE TO THE CONSENT

[ CONSENT AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS]

CONSIDER ANY ITEM INDIVIDUALLY? >> I'D LIKE TO PULL FOR DISCUSSION NUMBER 8 AND NUMBER 10.

>> WE'LL NOW MOVE TO PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD THERE WILL KNOW NO VOTES ON SUBJECTS TAKEN DURING PUBLIC COMMENT.

IT WILL ALLOW MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC TO PRESENT IDEAS AND INFORMATION TO CITY OFFICIALS AND STAFF.

STATE YOUR NAME AND TH CITY AND THERE WILL BE A THREE LIMIT TIME LIMIT AND BEFORE WE START SINCE WE HAVE SO MANY ON CONSENT AGENDA THAT ARE ZONING I WANT TO TRY TO CLARIFY THIS.

IF YOU WANT TO TALKING ABOUT ANY ITEM BETWEEN 4 AND 24 THIS WOULD BE THE TIME TO DO IT. WHEN WE VOTE ON THESE FIRST READINGS TODAY, ALL WE'RE DOING TODAY IS SENDING THEM TO IS SECOND READING AND THAT WILL BE COUNCIL MEETING ON MAY 14TH AND THAT'S WHEN WE'LL DO A YES/NO VOTE ON THESE ITEMS. IF YOU ARE HERE TO TALKING ABOUT 2-24 WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO THAT AT THIS TIME BULL WE'LL START WITH CARDS.

>> FIRST CARD IS JACK. IS HE HERE? OKAY. HE'S GONE.

NEXT ONE IS JASON LANE? THERE HE IS.

OKAY. >> EXCELLENT.

JASON LANE, I'VE ADDRESS 788 ONE SONG LANE HEATH, TEXAS 75032.

MAYOR AND COUNCIL THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME TO PRESENT FOR A SECOND TIME THE DEVELOPMENT THAT WE'RE PROPOSING AT 1333 NORTH 6TH. SO I'M THE DEVELOPER.

WE HAVE, WE WERE FOUNDED IN 1990 AND WE HAVE BEEN DOING THIS TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT, MULTI-FAMILY SINCE THEN, AND ONE OF OUR HUGE FOCUSS IS DOING GREEN BUILT STANDARD, SO THAT WILL BE CARRIED OVER INTO ABILENE. CURRENTLY WE'VE GOT AROUND 120 THAT ARE IN VARIATIONS OF LEAD GOLD TO LEAD PLATINUM SO WE ARE VERY MINDFUL OF THE RESOURCES AROUND TOWN, WHICH I KNOW THAT'S BEING STRETCHED, BRINGING AI HERE INTO ABILENE.

WE ARE USING ALL TEXAS, LOCAL DESIGN TEAMS, IN FACT, CARNEY, ENGINEERING, I KNOW THEY HAVE DONE QUITE A BIT IN ABILENE.

HAS BEEN IN TEXAS FOR ABOUT 30 YEARS.

CATS HAS ALSO DONE A LOT OF DESIGN WORK AS AN ARCHITECTURAL FIRM. OUR ENERGY CONSULTANT IS U.S.

GEOLOGIC AND AGAIN, THAT IS ANOTHER TEXAS-BASED ENTITY.

AS FAR AS COOPER IS CONCERNED WE HANDLE EVERYTHING IN-HOUSE SO FROM INCEPTION, TO DESIGN, THROUGH CONSTRUCTION, MANAGEMENT, LONG-TERM HOLD. WE DON'T SELL ANY PROPERTY.

WE'VE NEVER SOLD ANY PROPERTY IN OUR PORTFOLIO ACROSS THE NATION.

[00:15:04]

SO WHEN WE WERE LOOKING AT ABILENE SPECIFICALLY, THE POPULATION HAS EXPLODED HERE AND BEING SOMEBODY THAT'S FROM ABILENE, IT'S COME AS A SURPRISE TO ME THAT ALL OF THE SUDDEN THERE'S A LOT OF EXCITEMENT, LOTS OF NEW THINGS.

WE SAW THAT THERE IS 5.3 PERCENT YEAR OVER YEAR INCREASE IN HOME VALUES AND I BELIEVE THAT MEDIUM PRICE NOW IS $250,000 WITH HOMES STAYING ON THE MARKET 39 TO 54 DAYS.

IT'S REALLY QUICK MOVING MARKET. THEN WE SPILL OVER INTO THE RENTAL MARKET, AND AGAIN, DUE TO THE, I'M OUT OF TIME.

>> THANK YOU MR. LANE AND THIS WILL BE ON THE MAY 14TH COUNCIL

MEETING ALSO. >> I COULDN'T HEAR YOU OVER

THAT. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS

THIS WILL BE ON MAY 14TH. >> THAT'S THE EXTENDED

PRESENTATION TIME, CORRECT? >> NO, SIR.

YES, YOU CAN THEN. PARDON ME.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

>> RANDY WHITE WANTS TO SPEAK ON ITEM 27 B AND THAT'S EXECUTIVE SESSION SO IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK ON THAT, NOW IS THE TIME.

>> HELLO I'M RANDY WHITE. I LIVE AT 12488 FM 1812 IN ABILENE'S LARGEST SUBURB OF NOODLE.

I'M HERE TODAY REPRESENTING! DOT PREP.

WE HAVE A LOT OF STUDENTS AND FAMILIES HERE FROM OUR SCHOOL HERE. NOT ONLY TO WATCH LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN ACTION BUT WE HAVE A PROPOSAL THAT WE'D LIKE TO PRESENT TO THE CITY COUNCIL. I HAVE SENT THIS IN A WEEK OR SO AGO. BUT I WANT TO HEAR AND SPEAK ON THIS AND THAT. TE PROPOSAL IS FOR OUR PREP SCHOOL TO OCCUPY THE 202 CEDAR STREET BUILDING WHERE THE FORMER PUBLIC LIBRARY WAS AT. ABILENE IS PROGRESSING REALLY QUICKLY AND IT'S GROWING IMMENSELY AND YOU AS A CITY COUNCIL DESERVE ATON OF CREDIT FOR IT THAT PROGRESS.

WE JUST WANT TO JUMP IN AND HELP BE PART OF THAT MOMENTUM AND HELP TO SUPPORT THE MOMENTUM ALSO.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING TO DO AS A SCHOOL IS HELP ABILENE PLANT THE FLAG. WE AS SCHOOL WHAT WE DO IS WE BRING KIDS OFF THE CONVEYER BELT OF EXTRA ADDITIONAL EDUCATION MODELS AND PUT THEM IN A HIGH PERFORMANCE LAB THAT GIVES THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT ON THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL STAGE BOTH ACADEMICALLY AND ATHLETICALLY.

OUR KIDS PRACTICE, OUR SCHOOL WORKS DIFFERENTLY THAN A TRADITIONAL SCHOOL. IT'S BUILT FOR HIGH ACHIEVEMENT AND OUR KIDS GET THROUGH THEIR SCHOOL QUICK AND I WILL EFFICIENTLY AND ARE ABOUT DONE AT NOON AND WILL EVES THE DAY FOR THEM TO PURSUE THEIR PASSIONS.

WHETHER IT'S ENTREPRENEURSHIP OR HIGH ACADEMIC ACHIEVING PROGRAMS. WE HAVE KIDS CURRENTLY, WE HAVE SCOUT AND COLLEGE COACHES COMING FROM THE LOCAL AREA AND THEY ARE COMING TO OUR COACH'S PRACTICES TO SEE THE TALENT OUR COACHES HAVE AND IT'S LOCAL TALENT HERE IN ABILENE.

WE'RE TRYING TO PROVIDE A PLATFORM THEY CAN, LIKE I SAY, PERFORM ON THAT NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL STAGE.

SOME OF OUR KIDS HAVE COLLEGE OFFERS COMING FROM COLLEGES FROM AS FAR AS SPAIN. WE, ABILENE IS PRODUCED EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE BUT FOR TOO LONG THE IMPRESSION AS BEEN THAT TALENT AND OPPORTUNITY LIES ELSEWHERE AND THAT PERCEPTION IS CHANGING OBVIOUSLY WITH ALL OF THE NEW GROWTH IN ABILENE BUT WE HOPE TO REALLY, LIKE I SAID PLANT THAT FLAG AND SAY THAT ABILENE HAS A PLACE, ISN'T JUST A PLACE FOR TALENT BUT WE'RE A PLACE WHERE TALENT GROWS AND THRIVES AND FAMILIES WANT TO COME AND BE PART OF THIS. A PREP SCHOOL OF OUR CALIBER, WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH, YOU KNOW DOES A LOT FOR THE PERCEPTION AND THE SOUL OF ABILENE.

IT TELLS FAMILIES WE'RE SERIOUS ABOUT WHAT WE DO.

THANKS. >> THANK YOU MR. WHITE.

APPRECIATE IT. >> MR. REGALA.

ITEM 27 ALSO. >> HELLO I'M KEVIN REGALA AND I LIVE AT 5242 BEN BROOK STREET. I'M HERE TO I'M A STUDENT AND I'M HERE TO TALKING ABOUT THE LIBRARY.

I THINK THAT THE BUILDING BEING UNUSE SAD MISSED OPPORTUNITY AND I THINK THAT IT CAN BECOME SOMETHING MORE MEANINGFUL FOR

[00:20:01]

IT'S VERY HANDS ON, INDEPENDENT AND FOCUSES ON REAL ISSUES AND REAL UM... I THINK THAT IT CAN AFFECT THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE ABILENE CLOSES LIKE SHUTS DOWN AFTER 5:00.

AND ENERGY. AND IT WOULD BE OPEN 18 HOUR OF DAY. 70 TO A HUNDRED STUDENTS AND 40 TO 50 PARENTS WOULD BE IN DOWNTOWN OUT AND ABOUT.

THE COMMERCIAL SPACE. THERE'S NOBODY THERE.

PLACES TO PLAY IS ONE OF ABILENE'S LOWEST RATED QUALITY OF LIFE FACTORS AND LIKE I SAID WITH THE SCHOOL BEING THERE, IT'LL PLACES WHERE THERE'S MORE OPPORTUNITY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> RACHEL, ITEM 27?

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS RACHEL KING AT 1035 AMARILLO STREET. I AM HERE IN SUPPORT OF THE PREP ACADEMY AND I'M A PARENT OF A STUDENT AND IER IS TON ACADEMIC ADVISORY BOARD. WITH GREAT EXCITEMENT WE'RE LAUNCHING SOMETHING, A CURRICULUM WHERE THE CITY IS THE CLASSROOM. THE ABILENE PROJECT IS A IMMERSIVE PRACTICUM. STUDENTS SPEND UP TO 15 HOURS IMMERSED IN THE COMMUNITY MOVING THROUGH SIX PILLARS OF CIVIC LIFE. THE HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY THAT EXPLAINS WHY ABILENE EXISTS AND THE GOVERNMENT AND LAW THAT DETERMINE HOW IT FUNCTIONS, THE BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY THAT DRIVE IT'S ECONOMY, THE HEALTHCARE AND NONPROFIT SECTOR THAT SUSTAINS IT'S PEOPLE, THE UNIVERSITIES THAT SHAPE INTEL COMBENT LIFE AND THE ARTS AND CULTURE THAT DEFINE IT'S SOUL.

TOGETHER THEY FORM ONE INTERCONNECTED STORY AND ABILENE TELLS IT BEAUTIFULLY. CONSIDER WHAT A STUDENT LEARNS WALKING FROM THE DEPOT COMPARING THE 1881 CITY PLAT TO A MODERN ZONING MAP AND FINDINGW PA STAMPS PRESSED INTO THE MASONRY OF STRUCTURES STILL STANDING TO DAY.

THE TEXAS AND PACIFIC RAILWAY AND THE WORKS PROJECT ARE SEPARATED BY 50 YEAR BUT TELL THE SAME STORY.

ABILENE HAS BEEN SHAPED BY THE PARTNERSHIP OF PUBLIC POLICY AND PRIVATE AMBITIOUS. CONSIDER WHAT STUDENTS DISCOVER IN THE GRACE MUSEUM OR THE PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

THE ARTS ARE A MEASURE OF THE CITY'S HEALTH AND IDENTITY AND NOT SEPARATE FROM CIVIC LIFE AND WHEN THEY VOLUNTEER AT THE FOOD BANK OR MAP THE NONPROFIT ECOSYSTEM THEY LEARN HOW A COMMUNITY TAKES CARE OF EACH OTHER.

THESE ARE THE CONNECTIONS ACROSS SECTORS AND GENERATIONS THAT NO TEXTBOOK CAN REPLICATE. THE HENRIK FAMILIES AND OIL WELL, A FAITH COMMUNITY AND ACADEMIC INSTITUTION COMBINED TO BUILD A HOSPITAL SYSTEM THAT SERVES 24 COUNTY.

WHO IS BUILDING NEXT 100 YEARS? THIS IS THE CORE OF THE ABILENE PROJECT. STUDENTS DISCOVER, THEY ANALYZE HOW SYSTEMS CONNECT AND THEY ADVOCATE FOR IDEAS AND IN THEIR SENIOR YEAR THEY DEVELOP PRESENTING A VENTURE BLUEPRINT TO LEADERS PROPOSING REAL SOLUTIONS TO REAL GAPS IN THE COMMUNITY. THAT LEARNING CYCLE OF DISCOVERY AND ANALYSIS, ADVOCACY CREATES RICH AND INTERCESSION DISCIPLINARY CONNECTIONS TURNING TEXTBOOK STANDARDS INTO LIVED UNDERSTANDING. RHETORIC BECOMES ANALYZING PUBLIC COMMENTS IN THIS VERY CHAMBER.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COME ALIVE AT THE LAB WHERE STUDENTS EXPLORE THE FUTURE OF CLEAN ENERGY AND AT LAKE WHERE THEY TEST THE WATER THAT SUSTAINS THE CITY.

WE BELIEVE THE STUDENTS THAT UNDERSTAND ABILENE FROM THE INSIDE AND HAVE RELATIONSHIPS HERE AND SEE THEMSELVES AS PART OF THE STORY ARE THE STUDENT WHO IS STAY.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> I HAVE ONE CARD LEFT AND IT'S JARED. YOU WANT TO WAIT?

THAT'S ALL THE CARDS. >> WE'RE STILL IN PUBLIC COMMENT. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK

[00:25:01]

AT THIS TIME? >> TAMMY FELLOW RESIDENT.

GOOD MORNING. I JUST WANT TO APPLAUD ALL YOU STUDENTS. MY HEART IS FULL AS AN EDUCATOR AND HOME SCHOOL MOM AND THE IDEA OF SOMETHING GOING INTO THE PUBLIC LIBRARY AS BRILLIANT AS THIS IS EXCITING SO I'M GRATEFUL THEY CAME AND PRESENTED THIS IDEA TO THE PUBLIC SO THAT WE CAN POSSIBLY BE PART OF HELP TO CHAMPION THIS BECAUSE I THINK IT IS A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE OF WHAT WE WANT AS A COMMUNITY.

I WANT TO THANK THE CITY STAFF FOR THE MEDIA DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTING THE ELECTION. I FEEL LIKE I'M ALSO BEAMING WITH PRIDE THERE BECAUSE I THINK THE'S IMPORTANT FOR CITIZENS TO KNOW THEY CAN VOTE IN ELECTIONS. TYPICALLY THE LOWEST TURN-OUT ELECTION OF THE YEAR SO I'M GRATEFUL IT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR BUT WE NEED TURN-OUT TO HAVE PEOPLE USING THEIR VOICES.

THANK YOU FOR THE SOCIAL MEDIA PUSH.

I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. I THINK BEING PROACTIVE MATTERS.

IT REALLY SHUTS DOWN CONFUSION AND YOU KNOW I'VE BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE AND I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

THIS IS SOMETHING I'VE GOTTEN MYSELF INTO AND I'M GOING TO SEE IT THROUGH BECAUSE I WANT TO BE SOMEONE THAT CONTRIBUTES TO OUR COMMUNITY. WHEN WE DON'T PROACTIVELY SHARE INFORMATION IT SHUTS DOWN CONVERSATION AND CREATES CONFUSION, CREATES MISINFORMATION AND SUSPICION WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND AS I'VE SEEN SO MANY DEVELOPERS THAT GO IN AND PRESENT THEIR IDEAS, THAT COMMUNITY NORMALLY GETS BEHIND THEM AND THEY ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE PROJECTS AND THOSE THAT DON'T COMMUNICATE WELL CAUSES MORE TO SHOW UP IN FRUSTRATION.

WHEN I SAW THE BID PROPOSAL DURING THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE TRAPS CONVENTION WHICH I'VE BEEN PAYING ATTENTION TO AND WE HAVE WINNERS IN OUR PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT THAT HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THAT EXPERIENCE AND I'M NOT SURE THAT'S EVEN WHAT THAT IS BUT A BID PROPOSE FOR USING OUR FACILITATES DOESN'T HAVE FISCAL IMPACT IS CONCERNING FOR ME.

IT'S NOT THAT THERE ISN'T ANY INFORMATION BUT MORE INFORMATION WOULD BE HELPFUL SO IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS IF WE GET THE BID WE CAN SEE WHAT IT'S COSTING.

LASTLY, I THINK AT THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMITTEE MEETING, BOARD MEETING, SORRY, UTILITIES FOR THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT MENTIONED SOLAR PANELS. I DON'T THINK IT WAS DONE WITH ANY OTHER PURPOSE THAN TO JUST SHARE SOMETHING ON THEIR BEHIND BUT IT LED ME TO QUESTIONS WITHOUT ANSWERS SO BRINGING THIS TO LIGHT TO PRESENT TO THE PUBLIC WHAT THE PLAN AND IS WHERE WE'RE GOING WITH THAT WOULD HELP TO CREATE LESS CONFUSION AND LESS MISINFORMATION AND SUSPICION SO I'M E-MAILING YOU ALL THINGS THAT CONCERN THE PUBLIC AND THINGS THEY WANT TO NO MORE ABOUT THAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP PRESENT TO THE PUBLIC I THINK WOULD BE GREAT BECAUSE WE WANT TO BELIEVE WE'RE GOING IN GOOD PLACES AND YOU HAVE THE KEY TO HELP DIRECT AND ENCOURAGE US IN THE WAY TO UNDERSTAND THAT AND GET BEHIND IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE REST OF THE MEETING.

>> STILL THE PUBLIC COMMENT. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK

AT THIS TIME? >> THOMAS DIRE.

ABILENE FIRE DEPARTMENT. MAJOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU TODAY.

I STAND BEFORE YOU JUST NOT AS A FIREFIGHTER BUT AS SOMEONE WHO HAS DEEPLY INVESTED, DEEPLY INVESTED PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY IN THE PROCESS THAT IS NOW AT RISK OF BEING UNDONE. AND WITH THAT SHIFT COMES UNCERTAINTY. ESPECIALLY SURROUNDING THE CURRENT PROMOTIONALIST. I WANT TO RESPECTFULLY ASK YOU TO MAINTAIN THAT LIST FOR ME AND OTHERS LIKE ME.

THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT RANK OR TITLE BUT REPRESENTS MONTHS OF SACRIFICE AND EARLY MORNINGS AND LATE NIGHT AND TIME AWAY FROM OUR FAMILIES THAT WE CANNOT GET BACK.

WHILE MY FAMILY MADE SACRIFICE AS LONG SIDE ME I WAS COMMITTING MYSELF TO BETTER SERVE THIS DEPARTMENT AND THE CITY ALONG WITH MANY MEN THAT TOOK THIS TEST.

WE TRUSTED THE PROCESS THAT WAS PUT IN PLACE AND COMMITTED FULLY BELIEVING OUR EFFORTS WOULD BE HONORED AND THAT THE SYSTEM WE WERE WORKING UNDER WOULD REMAIN IN TACT LONG ENOUGH TO SEE IT THROUGH. I'M NOT ASKING FOR SPECIAL TREATMENT BUT ASKING FOR FAIRNESS, FOR CONSISTENCY, FOR RECOGNITION THAT THE WORK, TIME AND DEDICATION ALREADY INVESTED SHOULD NOT BE ERASED BY A CHANGE OF STRUCTURE.

MAINTAINING THE CURRENT PROMOTION LIST WILL SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE THAT THE CITY VALUES COMMITMENT, HONORS EFFORT, AND STANDS BY THE PROCESS IT ASKS EMPLOYEES TO BELIEVE IN.

I ASK YOU CONSIDER THE REAL PEOPLE BEHIND THE DECISIONS AND THE SACRIFICES AND THE TRUST. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> STILL PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. >> HI I'M CHRISTY JONES.

I CURRENTLY RESIDE AT 1301 WEST STAN

[00:30:07]

THE FIRES HERE TODAY AND THAT'S SIGNIFICANT TO ME. MY HOUSE WAS BURNED DOWN IN 2017 AT 1601 BEACHWOD. I STILL TO THIS DAY DO NOT KNOW WHO BURNED DOWN MY HOUSE BUT I HAVE ALSO BEEN SEVERAL TIMES, SET UP OR ALMOST SET UP AS THOUGH I HAD DONE IT MYSELF LIKE I WOULD BURN DOWN MY OWN HOUSE SO I WOULD REALLY LOVE ANSWERS TO THAT. I'VE CONTRACTED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SEVERAL TIMES TO UNDERSTAND THEIR INVESTIGATION TO SEE WHAT'S BEING DONE AND I STILL HAVE NO ANSWERS AND IT'S COMING UP ON THE TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY THAT WOULD BE PAST THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR ANYBODY TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS. I SPEAK ABOUT THAT TOO BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN A LONG-TERM RESIDENT OF THIS COMMUNITY.

I HAVE LEFT FOR COLLEGE FOR DIFFERENT THINGS AND COME BACK.

I WAS IN A DOMESTICITY VIOLENCE RELATIONSHIP WITH A MALIGNANT NARCISSIST AND I FIGURE HE'S THE ONE THAT BURNED MY HOUSE DOWN BUT MY DOGS HAVE BEEN KILLED ALSO.

I WOULD LIKE TO BE A PRODUCTIVE CITIZEN HERE AGAIN BUT I'VE BEEN A HERMIT AND I DO NOT HAVE A HERMIT'S PERSONALITY I'M AN EXTRAVERT. I WOULD LIKE TO FINISH MY COLLEGE EDUCATION AT AC U, I FEEL THAT I HAVE BEEN ATTACKED, GANG-STACKED AND I WANT IT TO STOP AND I NEED HELM FROM MY COMMUNITY TO BE THE PERSON THAT I WAS BEFORE ALL THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE IT'S COMPLETELY TORN ME APART AND I LOVE MY CITY AND I LOVE TO SEE THESE HAPPY THINGS GOING ON HERE.

I'VE ALSO, FIRST CAME, BECAUSE I NOTICED SOME DIFFERENCE IN MY HEALTH SO I CONTRACTED THE CITY OF ABILENE TO GET SOME AIR QUALITY TESTING DONE. I WAS A LITTLE APPALLED THAT AIR QUALITY TESTING WAS NO LONGER HERE, THAT OUR AIR QUALITY IS TESTED THROUGH DALLAS SO I ORDER AND MONITOR MYSELF.

THE LEVELS WERE ABOVE, WERE HIGH FOR FORMALDEHYDE AND CO2 WHICH IS HARMFUL FOR ALL OF US HERE AND EVEN PEOPLE IN MY RELATIVE NEIGHBORHOOD HAVE BEEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND STUFF FOR THINGS THAT I THINK RELATE TO THESE THINGS, SO I'M ASKING THAT THE CITY OF ABILENE BRING BACK OUR AIR TESTING QUALITY TO OUR LOCAL AREA AND HELP THESE CHILDREN BE ABLE TO HAVE THE BEST OPPORTUNITY TO GROW AND BE PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS FOR ABILENE BECAUSE IT IS A VERY SPECIAL PLACE.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

IT'S STILL THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IF ANYONE ELSE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK. JARED DID YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD?

>> CAN I SPEAK NOW? I JUST WANTED TO, JARED CROCKETT. ABILENE RESIDENT.

ALSO THE ABILENE FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT.

I WANTED TO MAKE A STATEMENT ABOUT WHAT THOMAS SPOKE ABOUT BEFORE. I WANTED TO MAKE YOU ALL AWARE AS AN ASSOCIATION, OUR OFFICIAL POSITION IS WE WANT THE LIST TO STAND FULL STOP. THAT'S THE OFFICIAL STAND OF THE ASSOCIATION. WE CONDUCT AND STRAW POLL AND ALMOST 90% SUPPORTED KEEPING THOSE LISTS IN PLACE.

SO WE WANT TO SEE THE HARD WORK THAT THESE PEOPLE PUT IN TO BE REWARDED FOR WHAT THEY PUT FORTH, THE EFFORT AND TO KEEP THOSE LISTS IN PLACE BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY UNDERSTOOD WHEN THOSE THINGS WERE POSTED AND COMPLETED.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU MR. CROCKETT.

>> STILL IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME? SEEING NO ONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. AT THIS TIME I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA CONSISTING OF THE ITEMS 4-24

WITH THE EXCEPTION OF 8 AND 10. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BEARD AND SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM YATES DISCUSSION? READY TO VOTE?

[8. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Take Action on the Approval to Acquire Amended Professional Services with Computer Task Group (CTG), Inc. as a provider of Project Services (Troy Swanson)]

>> ALL YESES AND MOTION CARRIES. >> NOW WE MOVE TO ITEM 8 AND COUNCIL MEMBER REGAN YOU HAD QUESTIONS ON THIS ITEM?

>> YES. >> DID YOU NEED A PRESENTATION?

>> NO. MORE JUST TROY, I THINK ANYTIME WE HAVE AN ITEM BEFORE US THAT COVERS, NOT TO EXCEED AN AMOUNT OF $1 MILLION MILLION IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO

[00:35:03]

CAN YOU GIVE US AN OVERVIEW. WE STARTED OFF AROUND 200,000 AND THEN WE'RE BEING ASKED TO INCREASE IT TODAY.

CAN YOU GIVE US AN OVERVIEW. SOME OF THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE, I KNOW YOU ARE PREVENTED FROM GIVING SOME INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THIS BUT GIVE US AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT WE'RE BEING ASKED TO DO HERE?

>> YES, SIR. THIS CONTRACT IS ONE THAT PROVIDES A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SERVICE, SO THE SCOPE IS PRETTY BROAD AND THEY WERE ORIGINALLY COMPETED THROUGH AN RFP PROCESS AS YOU MENTIONED IN THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT AWARD IN THAT 200,000 RANGE. THIS PARTICULAR AMENDMENT BEFORE YOU TODAY IS TO PROVIDE FOR THE CONTINUED IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW NETWORK EQUIPMENT, AS WELL AS CONFIGURATION OF EXISTING EQUIPMENT AND IT ALSO BRINGS THE SERVICES NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT SERVER AND STORAGE FOR THE NETWORK AND THAT IS IN A NEW AREA. THEN IN ADDITION, WE HAVE SOME NEW DESIGN AREAS WHERE WE HAVE OLDER AGING INFRASTRUCTURE AND WE'RE MOVING THROUGH A PHASE OF DISCOVERY AND DESIGN TO REPLACE THAT, AS WELL AS CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR SHARE POINT IMPLEMENTATION AND MICROSOFT OFFICE CONFIGURATION.

THAT'S THE SCOPE OF SERVICES. THE WHY IS TWO-FOLD.

SOME OF THESE SKILLS ARE NOT SOME THAT I CAN HIRE FOR AND RETAIN INSIDE, SO THESE ARE HIGHER CALIBER SKILLS THAT I DON'T OWN OR HAVE THE ABILITY TO EXECUTE ON SO WE REQUIRE OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE TO PROVIDE THOSE. IN ADDITION, I HAVE A DIFFICULTY IN FILLING SOME POSITIONS. I HAVE CURRENTLY 23 FUNDED POSITIONS AND SEVEN OF THOSE ARE VACANT AT THIS TIME AND WE'RE MOVING TO TRY TO FILL THOSE BUT WE'RE FILLING THEM AT THAT MEDIUM OR AVERAGE LEVEL OF ABILITY AND SKILLS WHILE STILL LEVERAGING THE VENDOR AND THEIR ABILITY TO EXECUTE ON THE HIGHER CALIBER SKILLS. WOULD YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AT

THAT POINT? >> A LOT OF THIS INCREASE $626 THOUSAND IS TOWARDS TRAVEL BUT $600,000.

IS THIS GOING TOWARDS HARDWARE OR PERSONNEL HIRING?

>> ALL SERVICES. >> THESE ARE OUT-SOURCED

SERVICE? >> CORRECT.

THESE ARE CONTRACTORS THAT ARE PROVIDING THE SERVICES IN

DIFFERENT CALIBERS OF SKILLS. >> OKAY.

>> I DON'T HAVE THE EXPERTISE IN THIS AREA LIKE SHANE DOES, BUT WHAT IS A MORE EFFECTIVE OR BETTER USE OF RESOURCES TO HIRE, INCREASE SALARY OFFERS AND TO INCREASE OUR IN-HOUSE PERSONNEL? OR TO OUT SOURCE LIKE WE'RE DOING HERE? I SEE A LOT OF INCREASES IN THE SCOPE OF WORK OR INCREASE IN BUDGET TO OUT SOURCING AND SO JUST TO GIVE THE COUNCIL A SENSE

OF WHAT IS A MORE EFFECTIVE USE? >> ON A GO FORWARD BASIS WE TALKING ABOUT DIMINISHING THE REQUIREMENT BY FILLING IN THE POSITION HAS THE ARE THE VACANT, AT THE SAME TIME WE HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A NEED FOR THOSE HIGHER CALIBER SKILLS THAT IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT FULL-TIME INDIVIDUALS SO IT IS A BALANCING ACT. ON ONE END, WE HAVE TO ENGAGE THE VENDORS WITH THE NECESSARY SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES TO IMPLEMENT SOMETHING. AT THE SAME TIME I NEED TO HIRE FOLKS THAT THEN GO ON TO ADMINISTRATION AND MAINTAIN THAT EQUIPMENT ON A FORWARD GOING BASIS AND THAT'S WHERE WE'RE DRAWING EMPHASIS. HOW TO HIRE THOSE FOLKS TO MANAGE AND MAINTAIN THE EQUIPMENT THAT WE HAVE, AND THEN LEVERAGE THE VENDOR IN THE SHORT-TERM TO CONTINUE WITH SOME

OF THESE NEW TECHNOLOGIES >> IN SIMPLE TERMS FOR THE PUBLIC AND REALLY MYSELF HERE IS THE GOAL TO SHIFT MORE TOWARDS OUT SOURCING THESE TYPES OF ROLES? OR IS THE GOAL TO BRING IN MORE IN HOUSE? FROM A BUDGET STANDPOINT DOES THE COUNCIL NEED TO LOOK AT HIRING MORE PERSONNEL FUNDS IN HOUSE OR SHIFTING OUT SOURCE?

>> I BELIEVE IT IS A BALANCING ACT.

WE COULD ADDRESS SOME OF THE COMPETITIVE NATURE OF THE CITY TO HIRE FOLKS WITH THE RIGHT SKILLS BY LOOKING AT THE SALARY PACKAGES. BOTTOM LINE.

WE WOULD ATTRACT MORE AVAILABLE CANDIDATES THROUGH THAT EFFORT.

AT THE SAME TIME, I DON'T HAVE THE LARGE ENOUGH SHOP TO SUPPORT THOSE HIGHER CALIBER SKILLS. WE'LL ALWAYS HAVE TO IMPLEMENT BRAND NEW TECHNOLOGYS AN FULL-TIME BASIS.

THOSE ARE USUALLY ONE-TIME EVENT WHERE'S WE GO IN AND IMPLEMENT SOMETHING AND THEN GO ON TO ADMINISTRATOR AND MAINTAIN THAT SO WE WANT TO BE CAREFUL SHOOTING TOO HIGH FOR THE SKILLS, I WOULD NOT HAVE THE JOB FOR THEM ON A GO FORWARD BASIS AS WE ACHIEVE SUCCESSFUL NEW TECHNOLOGIES.

>> IS THIS TO GIVE PEOPLE A SENSE, IS THIS RELATED TO THE CYBER ATTACK A YEAR AGO? OR WAS THIS AN EXPENSE EVEN IF

[00:40:03]

NOTHING HAD HAPPENED? >> IT'S SECONDARY.

THIS IS NOT A DIRECT RESPONSE TO THE CYBER ATTACK BUT AT THE SAME TIME SINCE THEN WE HAVE EMPLOYED NEWER TECHNOLOGIES AND THEY ARE DEVELOPING THE NEED FOR THE HIGHER CALIBER SKILL, SO IN DIRECT IMPACT THAT WE'RE IMPLEMENTING NEW TECHNOLOGIES SO WE'RE FAR BEYOND WHAT WE HAD BEFORE.

>> THANK YOU. >> WHEN YOU SAID AND FINALLY THERE, IT REMINDS ME THAT I FORGOT TO LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT COUNCIL MEMBER CRAVER SENT HIS BEST WISHES.

>> I THOUGHT I COULD GET AWAY WITH THE SECOND ONE.

>> ANY MORE QUESTIONS OF TROY? THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. NOW I'LL ENERGY UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST ITEM EIGHT. PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION.

IF NOT I'LL ACCEPT A MOTION AND A SECOND

>> MOVED. >> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER REGAN AND SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER PRICE AND READY

TO VOTE. >> ALL YES AND MOTION CARRIES.

[10. Ordinance (First Reading) CUP-2026-07: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Take Action on a Request from the Owner, to Apply a Conditional Use Permit to a Property to Allow Utility Generation within Agricultural Open (AO) Zoning (Tim Littlejohn)]

>> WE'LL MOVE TO ITEM 10 AND COUNCIL MEMBER REGAN YOU HAD QUESTIONS ON THIS? I TIM HERE? THERE HE IS. YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE GETTING BY

EASY TODAY. >> SAVING MY STRENGTH FOR NEXT

TIME. >> TIM, CAN YOU TELL US WHAT WE'RE BEING ASKED TO DO HERE IN GENERAL?

>> WE HAVE A THIRD PARTY THAT IS WANTING TO LEASE SOME OF THE PROPERTY OUT THERE AT THE HAMBY TREATMENT PLANT.

AS PART OF THAT PROCESS FOR THEM TO DO WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO DO THE PROPERTY HAS TO BE ZONED APPROPRIATELY FOR THEM TO GET THE FUNDING THAT THEY NEED TO DO THEIR PROJECT.

SO WE'RE LEADING THE WAY IN GETTING THE PROPERTY CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW FOR THE UTILITIES GENERATION.

NOW THE DETAILS OF THE PROJECT, I'M NOT PRIVY TO.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE LOCATION OR HOW MANY YET.

I THINK THAT'S YET TO BE DISCUSSED.

WE'RE TAKING IT THROUGH THE PROCESS TO GET THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT SO THEY ARE COMPLIANT WHEN THEY START THEIR PROJECT.

>> POWER GENERATION CAN OBVIOUSLY COVER A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT THINGS FROM SOLAR FARMS TO GAS TURBINES AND EVERYTHING ELSE. WIND WINDMILLS. SO THIS IS JUST TO APPLY A C UP TO IT. ANY ENVIRONMENTAL OR AIR QUALITY CONCERNS ADDRESSED BY THE COUNCIL A LATER DOWN CERTAIN?

>> I DON'T BELIEVE THERE WILL BE ANY CONCERNS THAT I KNOW OF, ESPECIALLY DURING THIS EARLY PHASE OF IT.

WE'RE JUST ADDING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO THE PROPERTY.

THE ONLY CONCERN IS TO CHECK IF IT AFFECTS ANY OPERATION OF THE PLANT OR FUTURE OPERATIONS. I THINK THOSE PRECAUTIONS HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED AND STAFF IS COMFORTABLE MOVING THIS FORWARD WITH THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT REQUEST

>> THIS IS CITY-OWNED LAND. WE WOULD LEASE IT OUT TO A THIRD PARTY. SO WE'RE NOT NECESSARILY INCREASING OUR TAX BASE BY THIS DEVELOPMENT BUT I ASSUME WE WOULD GET REVENUE FROM THE LEASE, CORRECT?

>> I THINK EMILY CAN PROBABLY ANSWER THAT ONE BETTER THAN I

COULD. >> YES, SIR.

SO PRIVATE PROPERTY IS STILL TAXABLE EVEN IF IT IS ON CITY-OWNED LAND. THE EQUIPMENT WOULD STILL BE TAXABLE AND YES, THE LEASE DOES CALL FOR A REVENUE SHARE FOR THE POWER GENERATION TO THE CITY THAT'S PART OF THE LEASE

AGREEMENT. >> AND DO WE HAVE, YOU KNOW FROM A FINANCIAL SENSE, RIGHT NOW I THINK IT'S LEASED TO A FARM AND OBVIOUSLY WE'RE GETTING SOME REVENUE FROM THAT AND IT HAS PURPOSE FROM A FINANCIAL SENSE. DO WE HAVE AN IDEA OF FINANCIALLY WHERE WE WOULD FALL? NO NUMBERS IN HERE SO I DON'T KNOW, ARE WE GETTING AN INCREASE, NET NEUTRAL?

>> THOSE NUMBERS HAVE NOT BEEN FINALIZED YET BASED ON THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT, HOWEVER, IT WILL DEFINITELY BE MORE REVENUE GENERATED TO THE CITY THAN AN AG LEASE.

>> THANK YOU. >> I HAVE A QUESTION.

THE CONCERN I HAVE IS WE WAVE THE CONCEPT PLAN WHICH WE WOULD NORMALLY REQUIRE. THIS IS CITY PROPERTY AND I'M UNCOMFORTABLE WITH US EXEMPTING OURSELVES FROM A CONCEPT PLAN WHEN IF IT WERE A PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL THAT OWNED THE

[00:45:03]

THIS IS WHERE THE SOLAR PANELS WILL BE AND THE SURROUNDING PROPERTY OWNERS WOULD HAVE AN IDEA, IT'S THIS FAR AWAY FROM THE PROPERTY LINE OR YOU KNOW, IT'S 200 FEET AWAY OR A THOUSAND FEET AWAY, BUT THEY HAVE AN IDEA ON WHAT TO EXPECT IMPACT-WISE, ESPECIALLY IF THEY HAVE A HOUSE OUT THERE OR SOMETHING ON SURROUNDING PROPERTY. THAT'S THE ONLY THING I'M UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT. I DON'T HAVE AN ISSUE PUTTING UP SOLAR THINGS OR LEASING THE PROPERTY FOR A USE, BUT I THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE FOR US TO FOLLOW THE RULES AND WE EXPECT

EVERYONE ELSE TO. >> YES, SIR.

>> I AGREE WITH THAT. WE ALREADY HAVE A LEASE, STARTING LEASING THIS TO SOMEONE SO WE'RE CHANGING WHO WE'RE LEASING IT TO WITHOUT A CONCEPT PLAN OF UNDERSTANDING WHAT'S GOING IN SO THAT CAUSES ME CONCERN, AS WELL.

>> AGREE. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?

>> THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST ITEM 10. PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE

YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD? >> TAMMY, RESIDENT OF ABILENE.

THANK YOU FOR PULLING THINK ITEM.

I TRIED TO KEEP MY NOTES CORRECT BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW HOW THINGS WILL GO AND IT KEEPS ME ON MY TOES.

I AGREE THAT THE CONCEPT PLAN WAS CONCERNING TO ME BUT YOU KNOW THERE'S SO MANY THINGS I CAN DEAL WITH AS A CITIZEN AND I THINK THIS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF HOW WE GET THINGS KIND OF BACKWARDS AND I UNDERSTAND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH WHAT YOU ARE DOING. IT'S LEGAL AND THE WAY THINGS WORK HOWEVER IN A DAY IN TIME WHEN THERE IS SO MUCH HAPPENING, ANOTHER CHANGE IN THIS POSITION LEASING OUT TO THIS THIRD PARTY OF WHETHER SOLAR PANELS OR WHAT EVER I JUST THINK WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL OF HOW WE COMMUNICATE IT. WHY ARE WE DOING IT? ARE WE LOOKING FOR REVENUE? WILL IT PRODUCE THAT MUCH? I MEAN LIKE THERE'S SO MANY QUESTIONS I HAVE.

SOMETIMES DOING SOMETHING BECAUSE IT SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD IDEA IS NOT THE RIGHT THING TO DO BECAUSE THERE ARE MORE PROS THAN CONS OR CONS THAN PROS AND COMMUNICATING THE PLAN HELP US TO RESEARCH AND ARTICULATE WHAT I WANT OR DON'T WANT.

I DON'T WANT ANY MORE SOLAR PANELS IN THIS PART OF WEST TEXAS. IT'S AG WHEREVER YOU GO.

IT AFFECTS OUR SOIL. IT'S NOT AS ENERGY EFFICIENT AS WE ONCE THOUGHT IT WAS AND SO I'M JUST CONCERNED AS A CITIZEN THAT YA'LL WERE GOING TO DO THIS HAD I NOT BEEN PAYING ATTENTION HOW IT FEELS WITHOUT HAVING A SAY IN WHAT HAPPENS.

ONCE YOU CHANGE THE CUP IT'S UP TO THE DEVELOPER TO DO WHAT IT IS. WE'VE HAD THIS CONVERSATION A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. IF WE DON'T HAVE THE THINGS PARTICULARLY SET IN PLACE THEN THERE'S NO GOING BACK ONCE THEY HAVE CONTROL OVER IT AND I THINK THE COMMUNICATION PART IS THE PROBLEM TO ME. I APPRECIATE THE PUBLIC DISCUSSION ABOUT IT. I KNOW IT WAS AN ORDINARY, AM I CORRECT? YEP SO IT WILL HAVE THE SECOND, FIRST OR FINAL READING BUT I WANTED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT IT BECAUSE I THINK IF PEOPLE ARE PAYING ATTENTION AND WANT TO COMMUNICATE IT'S OUT THERE FOR THEM NOW.

IF THEY DO WHAT A LOT OF TIME THIS DO AND NOT SAY MUCH, YOU'VE DONE WHAT YOU NEEDED TO DO AND I APPRECIATE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR MORE INFORMATION. AGAIN I DON'T THINK ANYTHING WAS DONE WRONG BUT I THINK SOMETIMES THERE'S CONVERSATIONS HAPPENING THAT WE DON'T ALWAYS GET TO BE A PART OF AND A LOT OF TIMES WE'RE FEELING LIKE WE'RE COMING IN THE MIDDLE OF IT SO THE MORE YOU HELP US BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION SO WE DON'T HAVE TO SCRAMBLE, IT WOULD REALLY HELP GO FAR TO MAKE SURE WE'RE FEELING LIKE WE KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN OUR OWN CITY AND NOT FEELING LIKE WE HAVE MISSED OUT ON ALL THE INFORMATION SO THANK YOU FOR THIS PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION.

>> STILL PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 10.

WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK? SEEING NO ONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?

>> IS IT POSSIBLE FOR THE SECOND READING TO GET THE CONCEPT PLAN

AS PART OF THE PACKET? >> YES, SIR.

WE'LL MAKE SURE WE DO THAT. >> I THINK THAT WOULD RESOLVE A

LOT OF CONCERNS. >> TO CLARIFY TODAY IS ONLY MOVING IT TO THE SECOND READING TO GIVE STAFF MORE TIME TO GET CLARIFICATION ON SOME OF THESE THINGS.

ANY FIR THERE DISCUSSION IF NOT I'LL ACCEPT A MOTION AND A

SECOND >> MOVED.

>> MOTION BY COUNCILMAN YATES AND SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER ESPINOZA. WE'RE READY TO VOTE.

>> ALL YES AND MOTION CARRIES. >> WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE SECOND

[25. Ordinance (Final Reading): Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Amending the FY26 Fee Schedule for Non-resident Recreation Center Membership (Lesli Andrews)]

[00:50:03]

>> THANK YOU. IT WAS A GREAT TURN-OUT AND VERY EXCITING. YES.

DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND REC. WE BROUGHT TOGETHER THE PROPOSED FEE SCHEDULE FOR THE RECREATION. ONE OF THE REQUESTS WE HAD IS TO ADD A NON--CITY OF ABILENE RESIDENCE MEMBERSHIP FEE SO THAT'S WHAT I'M BRINGING TO YOU TODAY.

RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF ABILENE, THE MEMBERSHIP IS FREE OF CHARGE, BUT FOR NON--RESIDENTS WE'RE PROPOSING A $30 PER HOUSEHOLD. YOU MENTIONED THE LIBRARY'S CHARGE $30 FOR NON-RESIDENT, SO WE JUST MATCHED WHAT OUR RECOMMENDATION IS, IS TO MATCH WHAT THE LIBRARY IS DOING. WE ADDED A NON-RESIDENT GUEST FEE SO WHEN A COUSIN COMES INTO TOWN THEY DON'T WANT TO BUY AN ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP OR IF SOMEONE IS IN IN TOWN FOR A CONFERENCE AND WANTS TO GO TO A FITNESS CENTER THEY DON'T WANT TO BUY ANNUAL SO A $5 DAILY GUEST PASS WOULD BE

AN ADVANTAGE. >> QUESTIONS FOR LESLI ANDRES?

WE APPRECIATE YOUR WORK? >> THAT WAS A GREAT GRAND OPENING. THE FIRST ONE WAS GREAT AND BEAUTIFUL INSIDE. YOU GUYS DID A PHENOMENAL JOB.

ON THIS, DO WE HAVE A SENSE OF HOW MANY, I GUESS BASED ON PREVIOUS REC CENTERS DO WE HAVE A SENSE OF NON-RESIDENT MEMBERS

AND HOW MANY WOULD USE THIS? >> WE DO NOT, WE DID NOT HAVE THIS OPTION AT THE OLD RECREATION CENTER SO I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO COMPARE IT TO. I DO THINK, AS MANY OF US KNOW, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT LIVE JUST OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS THAT CONSIDER ABILENE THEIR HOME BASE SO I FIGURE IT WILL BE FAIRLY HIGH. THE ONLY THING I CAN COMPARE IT TO IS LEAGUES IF WE LOOK AT BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL WE HAVE A PLAYER, NON-PLAYER FEE AND THAT'S ABOUT 50% ARE ABILENE RESIDENTS AND 50% THAT PLAY IN OUR LEAGUES ARE NON-ABILENE RESIDENTS IF THAT IS AN INDICATION.

>> I LIKE THIS, THE CITY OF ABILENE RESIDENTS VOTED FOR THE BOND SO THEY ARE THE ONES THAT TOOK ON THE DEBT AND THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS AND THOSE OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS DIDN'T BUT WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE OUR BIG COUNTRY COMMUNITY USES BUT WE HAVE TO REMEMBER WEAR AND TEAR ON OUR EQUIPMENT AND FACILITY AND JUST FROM A STAFFING AND HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN FIT INTO A REC CENTER OR USE A COURT AT ONE TIME.

SO I SUPPORT THIS BECAUSE I THINK THAT IT STILL ENCOURAGES OUTSIDE RESIDENTS TO USE THE FACILITY, BUT IT DOES RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT OUR IN-CITY RESIDENTS TOOK THE LEAP OF

FAITH. >> ANYONE ELSE HAVE A QUESTION?

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> AT THIS TIME I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.

OR AGAINST ITEM 25.O SPEAK FOR - PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION, AND IF NOT AISLE I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER PRICE AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER REGAN.

DISCUSSION? WE'RE READY TO VOTE.

[26. Ordinance (Final Reading): Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Amending Chapter 32, "Utilities," Section 32-5, "Inspection Outside City," Section 32-35, "Metering of Water Used for City Rates," Section 32-37, "Fees, Deposits and Bills," and Section 32-39, "Determination of Charges," of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Abilene, Texas, to Authorize Sewer Service Outside the City Limits by Written Agreement (Matthew Dane)]

>> ALL YES. MOTION CARRIES.

>> WE'LL MOVE TO ITEM 26 AND I'LL ASK THE DIRECTOR OF THE WATER UTILITIES TO PRESENT THIS UP.

>> MORNING MAYOR AND COUNCIL. MATTHEW DANE.

DIRECTOR OF WATER UTILITIES AND THIS THE FINAL READING FOR ORDINANCE AMENDMENT WE DISCUSSED PREVIOUSLY.

IN TERMS OF THE ORDINANCE CHANGES PROPOSED THEMSELVES, NOTHING HAS CHANGED FROM OUR LAST CONVERSATION.

THOSE EDITS ARE THE SAME. AS A REFRESHER THIS IS ADJUSTING THE WAY WE CAN FACILITATE A SEWER CUSTOMER OUTSIDE OF CITY LIMITS. IT WILL BE A DIFFERENT SET OF FEE AND RULES FOR MAKING THOSE AGREEMENTS.

THIS LANGUAGE PAVES THE WAY FOR US TO HAVE A DRAFT AGREEMENT THAT WILL BE ENTERED INTO BY THE CITY AND PROPOSED PARTY AND THEN IS BROUGHT TO COUNCIL TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.

HISTORICALLY IN ABILENE THE POLICY HAS BEEN IN ALMOST EVERY CASE NOT TO PROVIDE WATER SEWER SERVICE OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS, WITH A FEW FOLKS THAT HAVE BEEN GRANDFATHERED IN HISTORICALLY.

[00:55:01]

WE LEFT IN PLACE THE EXISTING LANGUAGE THAT HAD SOME LANGUAGE ABOUT USING WATER METERS AS A MEANS TO CALCULATE SEWER AND THAT WOULD COVER THE GRANDFATHER'S CUSTOMERS FROM THE PAST AND WE INSERTED NEW LANGUAGE FOR THIS ONE OFF SEWER AGREEMENT AND FLOWS ARE DETERMINED BY DESIGN CRITERIA OF THE STATE REGULATION. FUTURE AGREEMENTS WILL DEFAULT BACK TO THAT SAME STANDARD CRITERIA FOR ALL PARTIES AND THEN WE BRING IT TO COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >> DO YOU ANTICIPATE HAVING THAT

CONTRACT FOR THE NEXT MEETING? >> YES.

I THOUGHT THAT WE MIGHT HAVE IT FOR THIS ONE AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT WILL BE READY FOR THE NEXT MEETING. ONE QUESTION THAT CAME UP WAS ABOUT TERMINATION OF THIS PARTICULAR ONE THE LANGUAGE THAT WE HAD IN WAS A 5-YEAR TERMINATION.

WE'RE ACTUALLY RIGHT NOW GOING THROUGH QUALITY TESTING FOR THE WASTEWATER THAT'S GOING TO BE RECEIVED AND IN DOING THAT, IT REMINDED ME TO ADD SOME LANGUAGE THAT WAS CENTERED AROUND PROTECTION OF OUR PLANT AND OUR INFRASTRUCTURE ON OUR SIDE SO WE MADE SOME TWEAKS TO THE AGREEMENT SINCE WE LAST TALKED AND GETTING THAT FINALIZED WITH RV PARK FOLKS AND THAT'S WHAT WE'LL BRING TO YOU ALL TO REVIEW AND DISCUSS.

>> MATTHEW I THINK YOU ARE DEVELOPING A BIT OF A FAN-BASE.

I ASKED WHEN IS THE NEXT MEETING YOU WILL HAVE ANOTHER PRESENTATION AND ACCORDING TO THEM THEY WERE ON THE EDGE OF THEIR SEAT DURING THAT PRESENTATION STORY, SO JUST KNOW THAT YOU ARE DEVELOPING A WATER FAN-BASE OUT THERE.

GOOD JOB. >> I'LL STOP.

>> WASTEWATER IS COMING BACK, BABY.

>> EVERYBODY HAS TO HAVE SOME. >> THANK YOU.

>> AT THIS TIME I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST ITEM 26.

PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

SEEING NO ONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION IF NOT I'LL ACCEPT A MOTION AND A SECOND. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BEARD.

SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM YATES. FURTHER DISCUSSION?

WE'RE READY TO VOTE. >> ALL YES, MOTION CARRIES.

[ EXECUTIVE SESSION]

>> IT IS NOW 9:27 AM AND WE RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO THE OPENING MEETING ACT 55 CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY. SECTION 55.1072 DELIBERATIONS ABOUT REAL PROPERTY. 551 .03 DELIBERATION ABOUT GIFTS AND DONATION. PERSONNEL MATTERS.

SECTION 551 POINT 076 DELIBERATION ABOUT SECURITY DEVICE AND 5 .017 BUSINESS PROSPECTS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. WE'LL BE BACK.

[ RECONVENE]

>> IT IS NOW 10:38 AM AND WE RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION.

[28. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Meet and Confer Negotiations with the Abilene Professional Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 1044 (Emily Crawford)]

ITEM. >> THANK YOU MAYOR.

AS WE ALL KNOW THE MEET AND CONFER PROCESS ENDED APRIL FIRST WITHOUT REACHING AN AGREEMENT. HOWEVER THE COUNCIL DID APPROVE AN EMERGENCY PAY ORDINANCE TO MAINTAIN THE CONTINUED PAY FOR FIREFIGHTERS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH.

TODAY THE RESOLUTION BEFORE YOU IS FOR THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER OFFICIALLY INVITING THE FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION TO RETURN TO MEET AND CONFER. WE BELIEVE THAT IT HAS BEEN A SUCCESSFUL PROCESS FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS, WE WANT TO REENGAGE FROM THE CITIES PERSPECTIVE AND WE BELIEVE IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND FOR THE CITY, SO THIS RESOLUTION ALSO INCLUDES THE OFFER OF HAVING A MEDIATOR FOR THIS MEET AND CONFER PROCESS SO THAT THERE IS MORE SECURITY ABOUT THE PROCESS AND ABOUT HAVING A SUCCESSFUL RESOLUTION.

THERE WAS A COMMENT EARLIER REGARDING THE PROMOTIONS LIST.

THIS ALSO THROUGH MEET AND CONFER WOULD BE OUR ABILITY TO REINSTATE THAT PROMOTION'S LIST AND THIS IS ANOTHER REASON WHY

[01:00:03]

ME? >> THANK YOU, EMILY.

I THINK YOU KNOW, WITH THIS PROCESS, WE'VE ALL AGREED THE PROMOTION LIST IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US AS COUNCIL ALSO.

SOMETHING THAT WE'VE WANTED TO CONSIDER ALL ALONG.

I'M GOING TO ASK STANLEY SMITH TO GIVE YOUR LEGAL INTERPRETATION OF HOW THE LIST IS RIGHT NOW UNDER 143?

>> THANK YOU AND THIS IS SOMETHING WE'VE LOOKED AT, AS WELL. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE FIRE ADMINISTRATION WANTED TO KEEP IN PLACE, AS WELL.

THEY WANTED TO KEEP THE PROMOTION LIST IN PLACE, SO WE TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND I THINK THE ASSOCIATIONS, AN ATTORNEY TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND I'M NOT RECEIVING ANYTHING SAYING WE CAN CONTINUE WITH ABSENT MEET AND CONFER MEETING.

UNDER OUR PRIOR AGREEMENT THE PROMOTIONAL LIST WAS A 2-YEAR LIST. SO ONCE YOU WERE ON IT, WE COULD USE FOR IT TWO YEARS TO FILL ANY VACANCIES THAT OCCURRED DURING THAT PERIOD. ONCE IT WAS UP THEY WOULD HAVE TO RETEST AND THERE WOULD BE A NEW LIST CREATED.

ON APRIL FIRST WHEN THE MEET AND CONFER AGREEMENT EXPIRED WE WENT BACK TO 143. STATE LAW SAYS THE PROMOTIONAL LIST ONLY LAST AS YEAR AND WE CAN ONLY PREEMPT STATE LAW BY MEET AND CONFER AGREEMENT BUT WHATEVER WE CALL IT, IT'S MEET AND CONFER AGREEMENT AND THAT'S WHAT IT IS.

UNFORTUNATELY I'M NOT AWARE OF ANYWAY TO EXTEND THAT LIST BEYOND ONE YEAR WHICH IS WHAT STATE LAW SAYS OTHER THAN A MEET AND CONFER AGREEMENT. I'M HAPPY TO SEE ANYTHING THAT SAYS ANYTHING DIFFERENT BUT TO DATE, I HAVE NOT.

>> THANK YOU STANLEY. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL? YOU ON THAT ONE. NOT, JUST SAYING LET EVERYBODY TALK, BUT THE, YOU KNOW I THINK I'VE SAID THIS PUBLICLY, AND IF I HAVE NOT I WILL. I WENT THROUGH THE PROMOTIONAL PROCESS MULTIPLE TIMES AND I'M AWARE OF HOW MUCH TIME IT TAKES AND STUDY IT TAKES BEING AWAY FROM HOME BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO FIND A QUIET PLACE TO STUDY IF YOU HAVE KIDS AND ALL THOSE THINGS, AND SO I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO SEE THIS LIST REINSTATED AND HELD AT LEAST UNTIL THE END OF THE ORIGINAL TWO-YEAR PERIOD.

I THINK THAT'S A FAIR DEAL. I JUST DON'T KNOW OF ANY OTHER WAY TO DO IT OTHER THAN MEET AND CONFER AND LIKE STANLEY SAID IF THE ASSOCIATION'S ATTORNEY HAS DIFFERENT INFORMATION I'D LOVE TO HEAR THAT. I DON'T BELIEVE WE CAN DO IT VIA

ORDINANCE SO THAT'S MY THOUGHT. >> I THINK THE ENTIRE COUNCIL'S SENSE OF THIS IS, YOU KNOW THE COMMENTS ABOUT, CAN WE PRESERVE THE LIST? WE ALL WANT TO.

WE AGREE THAT WE WANT TO KEEP THAT LIST, BUT OUR ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION OR WHATEVER VEHICLE WE CHOOSE CANNOT SUPERCEDE STATE LAW. THE ONLY VEHICLE THAT AT LEAST WE CAN FIND IS A MEET AND CONFER AGREEMENT.

THAT'S THE ONLY, THE ONLY VEHICLE THAT CAN SUPERCEDE STATE LAW. BUT LET'S TALK.

>> YEAH I JUST ENCOURAGE THE FIREFIGHTERS TO WORK WITH US ON THIS. YOU KNOW WHETHER IT'S UNDER MEET AND CONFER OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF FOUNDATION, IT'S GOING TO BE THE SAME PARTIES SO IF WE CAN DO IT UNDER MEET AND CONFER WHICH HAS WORKED 20 YEARS, I THINK THAT'S GOOD.

KNOWING THAT WE CAN HELP PRESERVE THAT PROMOTION LIST I THINK IS IMPORTANT TO US. LEGALLY THE ONLY WAY WE CAN DO THAT IS UNDER MEET AND CONFER, AND SO, WE'D LOVE TO BRING YOU GUYS TOGETHER AND HAVE A MEET AND CONFER AGREEMENT.

THAT'S THE HOPE AND SO I WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE ALL OF US TO TRY

TO WORK TO THAT END. >> I'VE REALLY NOT MUCH TO ADD BUT IN SUPPORT OF THE PROCESS AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET THE MEET AND CONFER AND GET AN AGREEMENT DONE.

>> I CONCUR. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE US USE THE PROMOTION LIST THAT WAS DEVELOPED UNDER MEET AND CONFER, I HAVE TO DEFER TO STANLEY WITH INTERPRETATION OF STATE LAW UNLESS YOUR ATTORNEY IS ABLE TO PROVIDE A DIFFERENT INTERPRETATION OR POINT TO SOMETHING ELSE, DURING PUBLIC COMMENT I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU, AS WELL, BUT WE HAVE TO, AS

[01:05:08]

AND SO YOU KNOW, IT'S, HAVING SUCH A STRONG SUPPORT FROM THE ASSOCIATION IS HELPFUL IN US PUSHING TOWARDS THAT, BUT REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH EVERYBODY WANTS TO DO SOMETHING, IF STATE LAW SAYS THIS IS THE ONLY WAY, WE HAVE TO FOLLOW ALONG BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SWORN TO DO. THAT'S THE DIFFICULT POSITION I FIND MYSELF IN IS NOT BEING IN A POSITION I CAN DO THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE BECAUSE I HAVE TO FOLLOW THE LAW.

>> THANKS. AT THIS TIME I'LL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST ITEM 28. COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME

FOR THE RECORD. >> WE HAVE JARED'S CARD

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THAT.

TWO THINGS. ONE, I DON'T THINK IT'S QUITE AS CLEAR AS THAT BECAUSE THERE IS NO PAST CASE LAW.

I THINK YOU CAN ASK STANLEY THAT.

THERE'S NOT ANYTHING THAT SPECIFICALLY DICTATES HOW THIS WILL HAPPEN BECAUSE THIS NOT HAPPENED BEFORE.

TO BE CLEAR, AS WELL, MY ATTORNEY OR OUR ATTORNEY FROM THE ASSOCIATION DID NOT WANT TO GIVE LEGAL REPRESENTATION OR OPINION TO ANOTHER ATTORNEY. THAT'S THE DUTY OF STANLEY FOR YA'LL'S SAID OF THE TABLE, AND HIS INTERPRETATION, HE LAID OUT IT'S NOT NECESSARILY JUST BLACK AND WHITE.

LOTS OF TIMES IN MANY OF THESE AGREEMENTS THINGS LIKE THE APPOINTED POSITIONS MOVE FORWARD BECAUSE THEY WERE PUT IN PLACE BEFORE THIS AGREEMENT LAPSED SO THERE IS SOME QUESTION ABOUT THAT, BUT IN THE FACT THAT WE'RE TRYING TO SAY WHAT WE ARE SUPPORTING IS THAT THE LIST MOVE FORWARD IS OUR POSITION, SO TO SAY BACK TO SHANE'S POINT, THAT EITHER WAY YOU ARE GOING TO END UP IN A LEGAL POSITION THAT'S NOT A GOOD POSITION FOR YOU, I UNDERSTAND COMPLETELY, BUT UNDERSTAND ALSO THAT BY VOTING DOWN OUR CONTRACT THAT THEY CAME TO AND WE HAD A UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FROM OUR MEMBERSHIP, YOU PUT YOURSELF IN THIS POSITION BY NOT AFFIRMING OUR CONTRACT FORWARD.

SO FOR US TO HAVE OUR ATTORNEY SEND YOU SOMETHING AND GIVE YOU LEGAL OPINION SO THAT YOU FEEL LESS APPREHENSIVE ABOUT MOVING FORWARD WITH THOSE LISTS, THEN HE'S NOT WILLING TO DO THAT.

I'VE PUT FORWARD EVERYTHING THAT I CAN POSSIBLY DO TO CONVINCE YOU THAT THIS IS THE ASSOCIATION STAND BUT EVEN STILL, CHOOSING THIS TODAY DOES NOT ABSOLVE YOU FROM HAVING A LAWSUIT BROUGHT AGAINST YOU BY ONE OF MY MEMBERS, SO THE FRUSTRATION IN ALL OF THIS IS NOW THIS SEEMS WE'RE USING THIS AS A POLITICAL TOOL TO BRING US BACK TO THE TABLE SO WITH THAT I WILL JUST GO AHEAD AND READ TO YOU MY OTHER STATEMENT.

WE THE PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION APPRECIATE YOUR OFFER AND WILLINGNESS TO NEGOTIATE AND WE'RE READY AND EAGER TO RETURN TO THE TABLE AND WE'LL DO SO UNDER COLLECTIVE BARGAINING. OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS WE HAVE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED EVERY OPTION AVAILABLE TO US AND WE BELIEVE THIS IS THE BEST PATHWAY FORWARD TO REACH A FAIR AND EQUITABLE AGREEMENT, ONE THAT WILL LAST AND NOT BE THROWN AWAY. WE WOULD WELCOME THE CHANCE TO COME BACK TO THE TABLE AND YOU CAN HELP TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN BY SUPPORTING US IN OUR PETITION AND REFERENDUM BY COMING BY THE ASSOCIATION HALL TODAY AT 11:20 BUTTERNUT STREET AND SIGNING OUR PETITION. YOUR SUPPORT WOULD SHOW THAT YOU HAVE CLEAR MESSAGE TO THE COMMUNITY AND YOU'RE COMMITTED TO AN AGREEMENT THAT TRULY BENEFITS THE CITY OF ABILENE, IT'S FIREFIGHTERS, AND IT'S RESIDENTS AND WITH THAT I

APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU.

WE'RE STILL IN PUBLIC COMMENT. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK

AT THIS TIME? >> TAMMY FOGLE, RESIDENT OF ABILENE. SO I JUST WANT TO REITERATE THAT WHAT I WATCHED BETWEEN THE FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION THEY CAME TO THE TABLE IN GOOD FAITH AND IT KIND OF FELL APART WHEN YOU DECIDED TO REJECT THE CONTRACT SO LIKE WAS MENTIONED

[01:10:03]

THANK YOU. >> STILL IN PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 28. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK? SEEING NO ONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ANY FURTHER COMMENTS FROM COU

COUNCIL? >> I DON'T THINK IT IS A FAIR CHARACTERIZATION TO SAY THIS IS AN IRREVERSIBLE PROCESS THAT HAS STARTED. I MEAN CERTAINLY THERE IS A PETITION. IT HAS NOT BEEN SUBMITTED AND UNTIL IT IS SUBMITTED IT CANNOT BE SUBMITTED.

MY PERSONAL OPINION, WHICH IS NOT GOING TO MATTER FOR MUCH A LONGER, I THINK THAT YOU SHOULD BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ARE ASKING FOR BECAUSE THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING NOT ONLY BINDS THE CITY BUT ALSO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO THE RESULTS.

FOR ME, ASKING FOR THE PREVIOUS FOUR YEARS WE SAW 7 PERCENT AVERAGE RAISES EVERY YEAR. I WOULD LOVE TO GIVE EVERYBODY 7 PERCENT RAISES FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

THAT WOULD BE FANTASTIC AND I THINK MOST OF THE PEOPLE IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY WOULD SAY, HECK YEAH, GIVE ME A 7 PERCENT RAISE EVERY YEAR FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

THAT'S FANTASTIC. I THINK THAT'S UNREASONABLE AND THE FACT THAT YOU ARE UNWILLING TO BUDGE ON ANY ITEM, ON ANY PART OF THAT CONTRACT AND TREAT IT'S THE CONTRACT AS THE STARTING POINT FOR SALARY NEGOTIATIONS, AS APPOSED TO THE SALARY BEING THE STARTING POINT FOR SALARY NEGOTIATIONS.

I THINK THAT IS MISLEADING THE PUBLIC.

I WOULD URGE YOU TO REVERSE COURSE BECAUSE I HONESTLY, WITH THE WELL-BEING OF THE FIREFIGHTERS IN MIND, I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE A LONG-TERM DETRIMENT.

YOU GUYS, GOOD LUCK. >> FURTHER COMMENTS?

>> I WOULD JUST SAY, FOR ME, AND I THINK I SPEAK FOR THE ENTIRE COUNCIL ON THIS, OUR GOAL IS TO KEEP OUR FIREFIGHTERS THE BEST AND COMPETITIVE, PAY-WISE SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO ATTRACT GOOD FIREFIGHTERS AND OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT IS, IN MY OPINION THE BEST IN THE STATE. THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN BY ACCIDENT.

WE WANT TO KEEP YOU COMPETITIVELY PAID AND THAT'S STILL OUR GOAL. HOW THAT COMES ABOUT, I THINK, IS WHAT WE'RE DISCUSSING NOW AND POTENTIALLY OVER THE NEAR FUTURE, BUT I DO WANT TO SAY, FOR ME AND THE REST OF THE COUNCIL THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A CHANGE IN MENTALITY.

OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE YOU AS COMPETITIVELY PAID AS POSSIBLE WHILE STILL PAYING REST OF OUR CITY EMPLOYEES AND SO I KNOW THAT IT CAN GET, YOU KNOW A LITTLE CONFRONTATIONAL AND HEATED, BUT I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU AND YOUR ENTIRE MEMBERSHIP TO KNOW THAT, BEHIND IT ALL, EVERYONE UP HERE WANTS TO GET YOU GUYS PAID AS COMPETITIVELY AND AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, SO I JUST ENCOURAGE YOU GUYS TO TRY TO REMEMBERTHAT AS WE DO AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN COME TO AN AGREEMENT UNDER THIS OR SOME OTHER SYSTEM. THANK YOU.

>> ANY FURTHER COMMENTS. IF NOT I'LL ACCEPT A MOTION AND

SECOND. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER BEARD AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PR PRICE.

[01:15:02]

>> ONE NOTE FROM MAYOR HURT. THE REST ARE YESES SO THE MOTION

CARRIES. >> MOTION CARRIES.

IT IS NOW 10:44 AM AND THIS MEETING OF THE ABILENE CITY

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.