[3. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Canvassing the Returns and Declaring the Results of the General Election Held in the City of Abilene on May 2, 2026, and Ordering a Runoff Election to be Held on June 13, 2026 for City Council Place 4 (Shawna Atkinson)

]

NOW MOVE TO ITEM 3 AND ASK SHAWNA ATKINSON.

CITY SECRETARY TO PRESENT THIS ITEM.

>> HELLO WE ARE HERE TO CANVASS THE MAY 2 ELECTION IN THE RUNOFF FOR JUNE 13. SO THE ELECTION WAS ORDERED IN FEBRUARY. WE HAD THREE SPOTS ON THE BALLOT AND TWO WERE UN OPPOSED. SO, WELDON HURT WAS ELECTED AS MAYOR. AND JAY PATSON AS PLACE THREE.

THERE WAS NO SINGLE CANDIDATE THAT HAD MORE THAN 50 PERCENT OF THE VOTES FOR PLACE FOUR, SO SHALL A JUNEOFF ON JUNE 13 WITH BENJAMIN BAILEY AND TAMMY FOGAL. THE LAST DAY DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE IS THIS THURSDAY. AND THE LAST DAY FOR BALLOT BY MAIL IS JUNE TWO. HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

>> QUESTIONS OF SHAWNA? >> THIS TIME I OPEN UP THE IS THERE ANYONE WOULD WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM. PLEASE COME FORWARD AND STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD? SEEING NO ONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. I WOULD ASK FOR A MOTION AND

SECOND FROM COUNCIL. >> SO MOVED.

>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN REGAN.

THAT WAS FAST. >> SECOND.

>> SECOND BY COUNCILMAN YATES. NOT TO BE DEFEATED.

DURING DISCUSSION. READY TO VOTE.

>> ALL YES,S. MOTION CARRIES.

[4.

Issue the Following to Councilmember-Elect Jay Patterson and Mayor-Elect Weldon Hurt:

Certificate of Election
Oath of Office

]

>> IF YOU WILL RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.

I STATE YOUR NAME LIKES WELDON HURT.

>> DO SOLDEPLY SWEAR. I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES. OF THE OFFICE OF MAYOR.

>> FOR THE OFFICE OF MAYOR. >> FOR THE CITY OF ABILENE.

>> IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. >> IN THE STATE OF TEXAS FOR THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND.

>> THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS, OF THE UNITED STATES AND OF THE THIS STATE. SO HELP ME GOD.

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

>> OKAY, IF YOU WILL RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT EVER ME.

[00:05:02]

>> I JAY PATSON. >> DO SOLEMNLY WEAR.

>> I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES.

FOR THE ABILENE CITY COUNCIL PLACE 3.

IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY

ABILITY. >> PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND.

THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OF THIS STATE.

SO HELP ME GOD. >> CONGRATULATIONS.

JAY? >> JAY, IT IS YOUR TIME.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.

THIS IS A BIG DAY FOR ME, AND MY FAMILY.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING THE CITIZENS OF ABILENE, NOT JUST THE NORTH SIDE, BUT FOR EVERYONE PUTTING THEIR FAITH IN ME.

IT IS VERY HUMBLING AND VERY TOUCHING.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO HONOR MY PREDECESSOR,

BLAISE. >> IS IT BLAISE?

>> ALL RIGHT, BLAISE. >> TO PREVENT RAMBLING I WROTE

IT DOWN. >> DON'T READ IT OVER MY

SHOULDER. >> ALL RIGHT, I WOULD LIKE JUST TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE SOMEONE, WHO HAS SET A STRONG EXAMPLE, FOR ANYONE WHO HOPES TO SEB THIS CITY WELL.

BLAISE REGAN HAS SERVED ABILENE WITH INTEGRITY, HUMILITY AND A STEADY HAND. HE HAS HAS BEEN A THOUGHTFUL ADVOCATE, OF RESPONSIBLE GOVERNANCE.

CAREFUL STUART OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND RESPECTFUL LOADER THAT OUR COMMUNITY NEEDED BEYOND THE TITLE OF COUNCILMAN.

PLACE IS SOMETHING EVEN MORE IMPORTANT.

BLAISE IS A GOOD MAN. HE IS HONEST, COMPASSIONATES, AND HE GENUINELY CARES ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF THIS COMMUNITY.

I'M PROUD TO CALL HIM NOT ONLY A COLLEAGUE, BUT A FRIEND.

I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SPENDING TIME WITH BLAISE OUTSIDE OF THE CHAMBER. WHAT I HAVE ALWAYS APPRECIATED IS THIS. THE BLAISE THAT YOU SEE IN THE CHAMBER, IS THE SAME BLAISE YOU GET OVER COFFEE OR CONVERSATION, THOUGHTFUL, STEADY, ALWAYS PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST.

TODAY I WANTED TO GIVE YOU SOMETHING MEANINGFUL.

BLAISE, THIS IS CALLED ALEO MONO.

>> I GOT EITHER. IT IS A TRADITIONAL HAWAIIAN WEAPON LINED WITH SHARKS TEETH IN ANCIENT HAWAIIAN CULTURE IS SYMBOLIZED THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PROTECTING ONE PEOPLE'S, LAND AND COMMUNITY IT.

REPRESENTED THE DUTY OF STANDING WATCH OVER WHAT MATTERS MOST.

DURING YOUR TIME REPRESENTING PLACE 3, THAT'S EXACTLY WAS YOU

HAVE DONE. >> WOW.

COMMUNITY W CARE, CONVICTION AND HUMILITY.

YOU HAVE HELPED GUIDE THE DECISIONS THAT WILL SHAPE ABILENE, LONG AFTER YOUR TIME ON THIS DIAZ.

PUBLIC SERVICE IS AN ACT OF STEWARDSHIP.

LEAVING THE COMMUNITY STRONGER AND PREPARED FOR THE NEXT GENERATION. TODAY YOUR TIME SERVING FROM THIS, PARTICULAR SEAT MAY COME TO A CLOSE, BUT THAT CALL TO SERVE, AND TO SERVE OTHERS AND STAN FOR WHAT IS RIGHT DOES NOT END WITH THE TERM OF OFFICE. KNOWING YOU, BLAISE, I'M CONFIDENT YOUR SERVICE TO THIS COMMUNITY IS FAR FROM OVER.

THE WARRIORS WHO CARRIED THE ALO MONO WERE UNTRUSTED STANDING WATCH OVER THEIR PEOPLE. ABILENE HAS BEEN FORTUNATE TO HAVE YOU STANDING WATCH OVER US. TODAY ON BEHALF OF A GRATEFUL COMMUNITY AND SOMEONE HONORED TO FOLLOW IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS.

I PRESENT THIS TO YOU A AS A SMALL SYMBOL OF APPRECIATION.

THANK YOU FOR STANDING WATCH ORE ABILENE AND LEAVING IT STRONGER THAN YOU FOUND. IT I'M HONORED TO CONTINUE THE WORK OF SERVING THIS COMMUNITY.

>> THANK YOU. >> I DIDN'T GET YOU ANY GIFT.

JUST DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS AND A THE LOT OF READING.

BUT I KNOW YOU'LL DO AN AMAZING JOB.

I'M VERY PROUD OF YOU. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR THIS. >> COUNCILMAN PATERSON IF YOU WOULD JOIN US UP HERE. JUST BE CAREFUL WAS YOU GUYS SAY

ABOUT ME. >> THAT ALSO COMES WITH THE BLESSING GOVERNOR DR. REED OF HAWAII.

>> AWESOME. THANK YOU.

[00:10:06]

>> COUNCIL, WOULD YOU ALL PLEASE HELP ME IN ADDING SOME REMARKS FOR COUNCIL REGAN. IT IS HARD TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT.

>> MICK HIM FEEL GOOD. >> ONE THING, THAT YOU WOULD CONSISTENTLY ASK THAT I ALWAYS APPRECIATED WAS WHAT'S THE COST? WHAT'S THE OPPORTUNITY COST IF WE SPEND MONEY HERE, WHAT ARE WE GIVING UP OVER HERE? WHERE ARE WE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO HELP THE CITIZENS, IF WE'RE DOING SOMETHING IN THIS WAY. AND I APPRECIATE YOUR MIND-- YOUR MIND AND THOUGHTS AND HEARTS, WITH REGARD TO SAFEGUARDING THE CITIZENS' MONEY, WHICH IS WHAT WE ARE IN TRUSTED WITH. IN A WAY THAT OPTIMIZES THE OUTPUT AND THE OUTCOME. I APPRECIATE THAT ABOUT YOU.

YOU WERE A STALWART IN ASKING THAT CONSISENTLY.

I APPRECIATE THAT ABOUT YOU. I APPRECIATE YOUR CANDOR, I APPRECIATE YOUR PASSION. AND I WILL MISS BEING ABLE TO SERVE WITH YOU. IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR.

>> THANK YOU, BUDDY. >> YOU KNOW I DON'T V WHAT DO

YOU CALL IT AGAIN? >> YEAH, THAT.

BUT I HAVE A ONE DOLLAR CHECK I CAN GIVE YOU.

>> TWO DOLLARS IN ONE YEAR. >> YOU CAN DOUBLE YOUR SALARY.

YOU KNOW, BLAISE, YOU AND I DIDN'T ALWAYS SEE EYE-TO-EYE SOMETIMES, IT IS SOMETHING I GREW TO APPRECIATE OUR CONVERSATIONS AND HEARING YOUR VIEWPOINT ON THING AND MAKING ME THINK ABOUT THINGS DIFFERENTLY. YOU KNOW, IT IS NOT EASY TO SIT UP HERE SOMETIMES. YOU HANDLED IT WITH GRACE AND PROFESSIONALISM AND INTELLIGENCE.

I GREW TO APPRECIATE YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THINGS.

AS IT AFFECTED MINE AND INFLUENCED MINE OVER THE LAST, THREE YEARS I'M GOING TO MISS SOME OF THE CONVERSATIONS WE HAD. BUT I AGREE WITH JAY, I KNOW YOUR SERVICE ISN'T OVER. THERE'S OTHER THINGS ON THE HORIZON FOR YOU HOPEFULLY. I JUST PRAY A BLESSING FOR YOU OVER THAT I APPRECIATE HOW HARD YOU WORKED. IT IS NOT AN EASY TASK WHEN YOU THINK YOU'RE A GOOD RESEARCHER IN THE COUNCIL PACKETS, UNTIL YOU GO UP AGAINST A LAWYER. BUT AGAIN, I FEEL YOU MADE US ALL BETTER. YOU MADE OUR CITY BETTER.

I AAGREE WITH JAY, YOU BE DEFINITELY LEFT IT BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT. SO THANK YOU FOR BE WILLING TO

DO THIS. >> BLAISE, WE CAME ON AT THE

SAME TIME. >> SOME CALLED US TWINS.

IT WAS AN ENTERTAINING TIME. WE WENT THROUGH THE TOURS AND THE VISITS TO ALL OF THE LOCATIONS AROUND THE CITY TOGETHER, WHICH HELPED ME TREMENDOUSLY.

I THINK I LEARNED MORE AND GAINED MORE BY SERVING THAN I HAD TO OFFER. NO COMMENTS.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THE WAY YOU APPROACHED THIS.

YOU WERE ALWAYS PREPARED. ALWAYS READY TO ASK THE HARD QUESTIONS TO LISTEN CITIZENS AND RAISE ISSUES THAT SOME OF THE REST OF US WERE LIKE HM, LET'S JUST MOVE ALONG.

YOU'RE LIKE NO, WE'RE GOING TO TALK.

USUALLY THERE WAS ANOTHER THING THAT NEEDED TO BE SAID THAT WAS A GOOD THING. THOSE COUNCIL PACKETS YOU KNOW YOU ADJUST YOUR EXPECTATIONS. IT IS ONLY 300 PAGES THIS TIME.

AND THAT'S A SHORT ONE. I THINK THE RECORD, WHILE WE WERE HERE WAS 1238. THAT TOOK ME A LITTLE WHILE TO GET THROUGH. THAT WAS TOUGH.

I REALLY APPRECIATE HOW YOU'VE SERVED.

AND HOW YOU'VE TREATED EVERYONE WITH WITH RESPECT.

EVEN IF WE DIDN'T ALWAYS AGREE, IT WAS STILL CORDIAL, AND COOPERATIVE, AND THAT WAS IMPORTANT.

SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. >> THANK YOU.

>> BLAISE, AS THE ROOKIE ON COUNCIL, I DON'T THINK PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHEN YOU FIRST GET ON JUST HOW OVERWHELMING IT IS, THE INFORMATION, THE DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES THEY ARE VAST.

BUT ONE THING I DO APPRECIATE IS YOU REACHING OUT TO ME, AND GIVING ME YOUR PERSPECTIVE AND HELPING ME LEVEL MY MIND AS TO WHAT TO EXPECT. AND HOW TO FEEL AND ATTACK CERTAIN THINGS. AND GAINING YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

I WANT TO SAY, IT IS AS JAY WAS TALKING ABOUT.

YOU ARE FROM THE TRUTH I RESPECT ABOUT YOU AND ALWAYS KNEW YOU WOULD COME HERE PREPARED. YOU ARE NOT GOING TO LEAVE A STONE UPTURNED. I APPRECIATE THAT ABOUT YOU.

I WILL MISS GETTING TO HEAR YOU, YOUR PERSPECTIVE EVERYTHING AND

[00:15:01]

YOU BROUGHT TO THE TABLE. I'M GOING TO MISDEARLY AND PROUD TO HAVE GAINED A FRIEND DOWN THE ROAD, I KNOW YOU'RE STILL GOING TO BE AROUND. WE'RE NOT GOING TO MISS YOU THAT MUCH. DON'T BE A STRANGER.

I HOPE YOU SPEND YOUR $3 WISELY. >> TOO LATE.

>> I'M KIND OF MORE ALONG THE LINES WITH JAY.

I WRITE OUT STUFF, BECAUSE IT IS EASY FOR ME TO GO OFF ON A TANGENT. I'LL JUST SAY THE OBVIOUS.

I THINK YOU KNOW THE FUNNY THING ABOUT BLAISE AND I I WILL CALL IT A RELATIONSHIP WE'RE ALL IN A RELATIONSHIP UP HERE.

WE'RE AROUND ANTICIPATE OTHER A LOT.

YOU KNOW YOU AND I SEE THINGS COMPLETELY DIFFERENTLY.

I THINK I LOVE THAT. AT THE SAME TIME, WE BOTH I WOULD SAY WE BOTH DEFINITELY BELIEVE STRONGLY IN OUR INTELLECT WHICH IS A GOOD THING, WHICH WE SHOULD.

AS YOU FINISH YOUR TERM OR FINISHING YOUR TERM, I WROTE DOWN, I THINK THERE'S RARE PUBLIC SERVANTS WHO SHARPEN A ROOM AS SHARPLY BY ASKING A SIMPLE QUESTION.

ISAIAH SIMPLE QUESTION. THAT'S LAYERED MULTIPLE TIMES THROUGHOUT A MEETING. I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW BRYAN SHARED IT EARLIER. YOU DEFINITELY SHARPEN A ROOM BY THE QUESTIONS THAT YOU ASK. KNOWING THAT IT WAS LAYERED IN SOMETHING THAT REALLY WAS MEANINGFUL.

NOT JUST FOR YOU, BUT FOR TAXPAYERS AND EVERYONE INCLUDED.

ANOTHER THING THAT I WROTE IS YOU KNOW OBVIOUSLY, WE DIDN'T ALWAYS LAND IN THE SAME PLACE, BUT I ALWAYS RESPECTED THE WAY THAT YOU WORKED PROBLEMS. OBVIOUSLY YOU'RE A LAWYER, AND THAT'S A GIFT OF YOURS. BUT YOU'RE SUPERCAREFUL.

YOU'RE FRUGAL. AND YOU DEFINITELY HAVE A GENUINE AFECKION FOR ABILENE, AND THAT'S EVIDENT IN WHO YOU ARE. I THINK YOU HAVE INSTINCTS THAT ARE DEFINITELY MORE SO LAYERED IN BEING A GOOD STUART FOR THE PEOPLE, AND BY THE PEOPLE. AND YOU'RE THE KIND OF MAN WHO UNDERSTAND THAT PUBLIC MONEY IS NEVER, REALLY THE CITY'S MONEY ALONE. BUT THAT PEOPLE'S IN TRUSTED TO US FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AND YOU DEFINITELY WOULD ASK QUESTIONS

OF SUCH. >> I DID WRITE ANYONE THAT KNOWS YOU, THIS IS NOT A DIG. IT IS TRUE.

YOU LOVE A MIRROR. CORRECT.

HE LOVES A MIRROR. >> A MIRROR?

>> YES, A MIRROR TO LOOK IN. >> WHERE AS YOU AVOID THEM EVERY

TIME. >> OH, NO, I DON'T.

I DON'T AVOID THEM, BLAISE. >> I'VE DONE AVOID A MIRROR, DEFINITELY NOT. BUT I WILL SAY THAT IN YOUR DEFENSE, IT IS NOT HARD TO ADMIRE A MAN WHO CAN KEEP A CITY BUDGET IN ONE HAND AND A REFLECTION IN THE OTHER.

AND YOU KNOW, I AM A BETTER CITY COUNCILMAN, BECAUSE OF YOU.

I THINK THAT THE BEAUTY OF A RELATIONSHIP AND WORKING A LONG SIDE PEOPLE THAT YOU DON'T ALWAYS SEE THE WAY, IN WHICH THEY SEE LIFE, IT REALLY CHALLENGES YOU TO GROW AS A PERSON. AND IT CHALLENGES YOU TO KNOW THAT YOU DON'T KNOW IT ALL. AND I THINK THE LORD ABOVE FOR BRINGING YOU, I'VE ALWAYS KNOWN YOU, BUT BRINGING YOU MORE SO INTO MY LIFE TO SEE JUST HOW HE HAS WIRED YOU AND THE FACT THAT HE HAS WIRED YOU THE WAY YOU HAVE HAS MADE ME A BETTER CITY COUNCILMAN. SO HAVE GRATEFUL TO HAVE WORKED LONG SIDE YOU. I KNOW IT WILL NOT BE THE LAST OF YOU. WE ALL KNOW THAT, WHICH IS A BLESSING TO ABILENE FOR SURE. BUT MORE THAN ANYTHING, I'M EXCITED TO CONTINUE TO HANG OUT WITH YOU.

FINE TIMES TO JUST CONTINUE TO GROW AS A HUMAN AND GROW IN A FRIENDSHIP THAT I'M SUPERGRATEFUL FOR THAT I'VE COME TO REALIZE. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANKS BUDDY. >> COUNCILMAN REGAN WE'VE HAD SOME COLOURFUL CONVERSATIONS. BUT THOSE CONVERSATIONS DID MADE US BETTER. THEY NOT ONLY MADE ME AND THIS COUNCIL BETTER, IT MADE OUR CITY BETTER.

AND THE DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE THIS COUNCIL HAS BROUGHT, YOUR PASSION, FOR WHAT YOU BROUGHT TO THIS.

IT IS JUST MADE US ALL BETTER. IT IS MADE THE CITY BETTER.

I TOO LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR FUTURE.

I'M EXCITED FOR YOUR FUTURE. I KNOW THERE'S SOMETHING OUT THERE. AND WE'RE JUST ON THE EDGE OF IT. BUT I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW, YOU HAVE MY TOTAL ADMIRATION AND RESPECT.

FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE DONE, I DEEPLY APPRECIATE YOUR FRIENDSHIP. I ALWAYS APPRECIATED THAT NO THE MATTER WHAT HAPPENED IN HERE, WHEN WE WALKED OUTSIDE, WE WERE STILL FRIENDS AND WE HAVE RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER AND THIS CITY. I WISH YOU WELL.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

>> LAST QUESTION, BLAISE. >> YEAH.

>> ONE MORE QUESTION. >> COUNCIL REGAN DO YOU HAVE

REMARKS? >> OH, I THOUGHT I WOULD DO MUCH BETTER AT THIS. I CAN FEEL IT.

[00:20:01]

I SPOKE TO THE ROTARY CLUB FOR LUNCH AT A LUNCHEON, JUST BEFORE COMING HERE. SO I WAS ABLE TO WORK OUT MY THOUGHTS THERE A LITTLE BIT. I WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU, CONGRATULATE JAY. I THINK IT IS ALWAYS A SIGN OF, I THINK THE COMMUNITY'S RESPECT AND ADMIRATION FOR YOU GUYS, WHEN YOU RAN UNOPPOSED AND LYNN YEARS AGO.

I THINK THE DEMOCRACY LOVES WHEN IT IS CONTESTED RACE ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I THINK IT IS A LUGE REFLECTION IN YOUR LEADERSHIP, AND WELDON AND JAY AND WHAT PEOPLE SEE YOU WILL BRING TO CITY COUNCIL, I THINK WILL BE AMAZING.

WHEN PEOPLE ASK ME, YOU KNOW WILL YOU BE SAD TO STEP DOWN FROM CITY COUNCIL. I SAID YES, AND NO.

I WASN'T WORRIED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE COUNCIL, WITH YOU SITTING IN PLACE 3. IT IS A HIGH BAR AND DONNA REESE AND ANTHONY ARE NOT THERE, BUT THEY PREVIOUSLY SAT IN THAT SEAT. SO I LOWERED A LITTLE.

YOU CAN BRING IT BACK UP. PLACE 3 HAS HOPE, BECAUSE OF YOU. YOU KNOW I FEEL VERY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE FUTURE OF ABILENE WITH YOU ON THE COUNCIL.

I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO BRING A DIFFERENT APPROACH, THAN WHAT I HAVE. YOU HAVE DIFFERENT BACKGROUND YOU HAVE A BIGGER HEART THAN I DO.

AND I THINK EMPATHIZE WITH PEOPLE, A LOT MORE.

AND THAT'S A GOOD THING. I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE ALSO SOMETHING YOU STRUGGLE WITH IT IS BECAUSE, IT IS TOUGH ON CITY COUNCIL TO TELL PEOPLE NO. TO VOTE A DIFFERENT WAY, AND THEY GET ANGRY. AND THEY'LL HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE. AND TO BE THAT ONE THAT TOLD SOMEONE NO, AND VOTED AGAINST THEM DOES TAKE A PERSONAL TOLE ON EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. SO THAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU, AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU'LL LEARN TO KEEP WITH AND DEAL WITH AND STILL MAKE REALLY, GOOD DECISIONS. I ENCOURAGE-- I LOVE DEBATE. THAT'S THE ATTORNEY SIDE OF ME.

I ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU TO ASK ONE MORE QUESTION, TO DEBATE, TO ENJOY WORKING TOWARDS A GOOD SOLUTION THAT'S GOOD FOR THE CITY. I DO WANT TO THANK STAFF.

YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN GREAT. I'M GOING TO STOP THERE.

I HAD SOME NOTES FOR THE ROTARY CLUB.

I THINK THEY'LL APPLY HERE. I DON'T WANT TO GO TOO LONG BECAUSE I'M UNDER THE THREE LIMIT NOW.

ONE THING I DO WANT TO SAY IS, LET ME PULL THAT UP REAL QUICK.

I WROTE DOWN SOME THINGS THAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED.

JUDGE ROBERT FOR TEARING UP WHEN HE LEFT, NOW I'M EATING MY OWN MEDICINE. BUT I THINK IT IS I WAS THINKING ABOUT THIS LAST NIGHT. I THINK THAT YOU SERVING IN GOVERNMENT, YOU DEAL WITH A LOT OF ISSUES.

IT IS KIND OF LIKE WALKING THROUGH A FOREST.

IT IS THE OLD ADAGE OF SEEING THE FOREST THROUGH THE TREES AND ALL OF THAT. BUT REALLY, SERVING ON GOVERNMENT IN THIS LEVEL IS MORE LIKE YOU'RE WALKING THROUGH THE FOREST AND GETTING HIT BY BRANCHES EVERY TIME.

AND YOU BE CAN'T EVEN SEE THE TREES, BECAUSE THE BRANCHES AND THE ISSUES AND THE PEOPLE ARE RIGHT THERE HITTING YOU, AND ASKING FOR YOUR VICE AND YOU FEED TO VOTE ON THIS.

AND HERE IS THE ISSUE YOU NEED TO DIG INTO.

IT IS AWESOME. I LOVE IT, BUT SOMETIMES YOU GET MIRED. YOU GET DOWN ON MAN, IT IS JUST ISSUE. IT IS JUST COMPLAINTS.

IT IS JUST WHAT ARE WE DOING RIGHT? SO SOMETIMES I THINK IT IS GOOD TO KIND OF YOU'RE ALWAYS GOING TO BE IN THE FOREST, BECAUSE GOVERNMENT IS ABOUT SOLVING PROBLEMS AND SOLVING ISSUES. SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO CLIMB THAT LITTLE HILL IN THE FOREST, WHERE THERE'S A LITTLE CLEARING AND UP TOP YOU SAN CAN'T LOOK BACK AND SEE, WHAT HAVE I, WHAT TRAIL

HAVE I MADE WHAT HAVE I BLAZED. >> IT WAS NOT PLANNED IT WAS JUST THERE. WHAT TRAIL HAVE I BLAZED BEHIND ME? LOOKING BACK OVER-- I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIT AT AN AMAZING TIME FOR ABILENE.

OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, SOME OF THE THING THAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED. I SAY WE, BECAUSE I WAS JUST ONE OF SEVEN. ALSO IT IS DCOA, CHAMBER, RESIDENCES, BUSINESSES PEOPLE STEPPING UP, BUT SOME OF THE THING WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED AND I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE TAKE STOCK. FOR YOU TO BE TOLD AND REMINDED OF WHAT YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED. BEING PART OF THE CITY OF ABILENE, OBVIOUSLY WE JUST OPENED THE TWO REC CENTERS ON THE NORTH SIDE, $28 MILLION THAT OUR COMMUNITY BACKED AND VOTED FOR. THEY JUST OPENED, MAN THEY LOOK

[00:25:04]

GREAT. >> NEVER SEEN REC CENTERS SO BUSY DRIVIN BY. WE OPENED THE NEW ANIMAL SHELTER ON SOUTH 11. THE CEDAR CREEK WALKWAY, MAN, IF THERE'S ONE THING THAT I'M INCREDIBLY PROUD OF, AS FAR AS A PHYSICAL, TANGIBLE THING, IT IS THAT CEDAR CREEK WALKWAY.

I THINK PEOPLE HERE IN ABILENE GET A HUGE AMOUNT OF BENEFIT FROM IT. WE OPENED THE DOG PARK.

WE HELPED SUPPORT AND OPEN THE ABILENE YOUTH SPORTS AUTHORITY AYSA BY THE ZOO. WE HAVE ONE OF THE LARGEST DATA CENTERS IN THE WORLD. OBVIOUSLY THAT'S A HUGE D DEBATE RIGHT NOW NATIONALLY. FROM MY PERSPECTIVE IT BROUGHT JOBS, REVENUE AND ALLOWS US TO FUN ALL OF THE PROJECTS THAT IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE. SO, THAT DEBATE IS NOT GOING TO END ANY TIME SOON. YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR IT JAY, ALL OF THE MEMBERS HAVE HEARD IT AND CANNOT TO HEAR ABOUT IT, GOOD OR BAD, AS THEY SEE IT AROUND THE NATION.

GOOD AND BAD, BUT I THINK THE DECISION TO ALLOW THEM TO BUILD HERE WAS A GENERATIONAL BENEFIT. I THINK OVER THE NEXT TWO TO THREE YEARS YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO MAKE DECISIONS ON WHETHER THAT WILL ULTIMATELY BE A GREAT THING.

OR IT WAS JUST ANOTHER FOOTNOTE IN ABILENE'S HISTORY.

BECAUSE THE REVENUE, HOW WE DEPLOY THAT REVENUE, ON ONE-TIME PROJECTS. HOW WE INVEST IT BACK INTO ABILENE, I THINK IS GOING TO MAKE OR BREAK REALLY THAT PER SPECULATION OF WHETHER IT IS GOOD OR BAD THING.

IN MY BOOK FOR ANYONE ASKED NOW OR IN THE FUTURE.

IT WAS A GOOD THING, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THE REVENUE AND THE FUTURE OF ABILENE IS IN GOOD HANDS WITH YOU GUYS.

YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN IN THE TRENCHES THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS. YOU'LL CONTINUE TO MAKE REALLY, GOOD DECISIONS, AS FAR AS THAT. I'M VERY ENCOURAGED FOR THOSE COMMUNITIES WHO HAVE ASKED ME TO SPEAK ON THIS ISSUE.

IT IS MAINLY POINTING TO THE DISCUSSIONS THAT WE HAD WITH STAFF, AND WITH YOU GUYS. HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THIS IS A BENEFIT IN THE CONTRACT, USAGE, IN THE WATER USAGE, EVERYTHING.

I'M INCREDIBLY PROUD OF THE WORK YOU GIVES DID.

BOTH STAFF AND COUNCILMEMBERS ON THAT I THINK THAT'S ONLY GOING TO BE A BENEFIT TO OUR CITY FOR MANY, MANY YEARS TO COME. WE BROUGHT A SECOND AIRLINE HERE. THAT ALONE WAS AWESOME.

WE'VE NOW FLY TO DENVER, HOUSTON AND NEXT MONTH.

AMERICANS FLYING TO PHOENIX. THEY WILL BE FLYING INTO ALMOST A BRAND-NEW AIRPORT. TO STAFF, IT IS GOING TO BE A TOUGH TWO YEARS I DON'T KNOW IF DAWN IS HERE.

IT WILL BE A TOUGH TWO YEARS AT THE AIRPORT.

BUT I THINK IT IS GOING TO BE WORTH IT.

ONE OF THE THINGS, YOU KNOW AS REFLECTING LAST NIGHT, AND I LOOK BACK. CAMPAIGN PROMISES.

WHAT DID I CAMPAIGN ON? I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY WHY ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT THAT? YOU DON'T FOLLOW THROUGH ON CAMPAIGN PROMISES. BUT I WANTED TOES THINK BACK AND SAY WAS DROVE ME TO WANT TO BE ON COUNCIL IN THE FIRST PLACE.

ONE OF THE ISSUES WAS RETAINING YOUTH AND NEW GRADUATES HERE, WHICH I THINK WE HAVE DONE WITH THE JOB GROWTH.

ALSO I 20. IT IS SOMETHING I THINK EVERYONE ON COUNCIL AND STAFF, MAN, HOME RUN.

HOME RUN. JUST THE AMOUNT OF GROWING THAT'S HAPPENED AND IS HAPPENING UP THERE IS AMAZING.

THAT I TELL PEOPLE, THAT'S THE ONLY VIEW OF ABILENE MOST PEOPLE HAVE IN TEXAS SOME THE FACT THAT WE HAVE INTENTIONALLY GONE IN AND ENCOURAGED DEVELOPMENT. INCLUDING THE BASS PROSHOP AND ALL OF THE SHOPS GOING IN AROUND THAT.

IT IS RIGHT UP THERE WITH THE CEDAR WALKWAY.

IT IS A GAME CHANGER FOR ABILENE.

I THINK WE REALLY DID A GOOD JOB ON THAT I'M INCREDIBLY PROUD. THE CYPRESS PLAZA WE HAVE SOME NEW OPENINGS THE PARK PLAZA AAND THE HERITAGE SQUARE WITH THE MAIN LIBRARY. THOSE ARE INVESTMENTS BY THE COUNCIL INTO THESE PROJECTS. ESPECIALLY THE LIBRARY.

AGAIN, IT IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE YOU HAVE TO WAY THE PROS AND CONS SOME IN THE COMMUNITY WILL LOVE IT, SOME WON'T. BUT YOU MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION, ACCORDING TO YOUR INFORMATION AND YOUR GUT, AND I THINK WE DID. I LOVE IT.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE OPENING OF BOTH OF THOSE.

THE B21S. OBVIOUSLY ABILENE IS A HUGE, HUGE SUPPORT. ANYTHING WE CAN DO ON THOSE, WE DO. THE FIRST NUCLEAR REACTOR.

JUST SKIMMING THROUGH SOME OF THE THING.

CRIME IS DOWN. I'LL BE HONEST WHEN I SAW THAT STATISTIC SEVERAL MONTHS AGO EMILY I REACHED OUT TO EMILY.

I SAID, IS THIS STATISTIC RIGHT? BECAUSE YOU DON'T, IN IN SOCIAL MEDIA RHETORIC OUT THERE. YOU DON'T THINK CRIME HAS GONE DOWN IN ABILENE IT IS JUST NOT SOMETHING THAT OCCURS TO YOU. AND I SAW THAT STAT I WENT GOSH, THAT'S CRAZY. LET ME DOUBLE-CHECK, BEFORE I POSTIT UP. I THINK IT WAS VIOLENT CRIME WAS DOWN BY 14 PERCENT OVER THE LAST FOUR OR FIVE YEARS AND PROPERTY CRIME IS DOWN 20 PERCENT OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

[00:30:01]

THAT'S AN AMAZING ACCOMPLISHMENT BY COUNCIL, AND STAFF, AND OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT ASK ALL OF OUR FIRST RESPONDERS.

IT REMINDED ME HOW IMPORTANT THAT THE INFORMATION THAT YOU GUYS PUT OUT THERE IS. AND ONE, LAST THING THAT I'LL TRY SAY IS YOU HAVE TWO RESPONSIBILITIES, I THINK AS COUNCILMEMBER, JAY AND ALL OF THESE GUYS KNOW.

YOU HAVE TWO RESPONSIBILITIES N MY OPINION.

ONE, IS TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS. YOU'RE ELECTED, BECAUSE YOU HAD LIFE EXPERIENCE. YOU HAVE BUSINESS ACMEN.

YOU HAVE A GOOD HEART. YOU'LL MAKE GOOD DECISIONS.

EACH OF THESE GUYS APPROACHES AS MAKING GOOD DECISIONS.

THE OTHER ONE IS YOU HAVE TO BE THE BRIDGE BETWEEN STAFF AND RESIDENTS. AND SOMETIMES YOU WILL WORK WITH STAFF VERY CLOSELY. AND THEY'RE VERY GOOD PEOPLE.

AND SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO REMIND OURSELVES THAT IT IS A BRIDGE THAT GOES BOTH WAYS. YOU DON'T JUST, YOU'RE NOT JUST REPRESENTING THE STAFF. YOU ARE RESPECTING THE RESIDENTS. YOU HAVE TO BE THE BRIDGE BETWEEN INPUT AND OUTPUT OF INFORMATION.

AND THAT'S TOUGH, BECAUSE IN SOCIAL MEDIA AND IN THE NEWS, ET CETERA, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A THICK SKIN THESE DAYS.

BECAUSE THE COMPLAINTS, THE NEGATIVITY.

YOU WILL TAKE PERSONAL INFORM YOU DON'T YOU'RE A COLD STONE STATUE. I KNOW YOU'RE NOT.

IT IS TOUGH. YOU HAVE TO HAVE THICK SKIN AND REPEATEDLY GO BACK TO THAT WELL TO GET BEATEN.

AND IT IS TOUGH. BUT THAT'S YOUR JOB.

THAT'S WHAT YOU SIGNED UP FOR. IT GIVE INFORMATION TO OUR RESIDENTS ON THE NEWS, IN POD CASTS, ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

ANY WAY THAT YOU CAN, GET THAT MESSAGE OUT OF WHAT WE'RE DOING, AND WHY. AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I REALLY FOUGHT FOR, AND STOVE TO DO IN EVERY MEETING AND IN EVERY POST. TO GET INFORMATION OUT THERE.

I ENCOURAGE YOU AND THE REST OF COUNCIL.

IF THERE'S ONE THING WE REALLY NEED TO STEP UP ON.

IT IS GETTING THE INFORMATION OUT THERE.

MARY DOES AN AMAZING JOB. SHE'S ONE PERSON.

SHE HAS SEVEN HELPERS RIGHT HERE, THAT I WOULD LOVE TO SEE MORE INFORMATION OUT THERE. SO, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I THINK PEOPLE OUT THERE WILL GET FRUSTRATED.

THEY DON'T REALIZE THE PERSONAL TOLE THAT IT TAKES ON YOU.

BECAUSE YOU'RE GETTING BEATEN UP OUT THERE FOR A DECISION OR FOR A POST OR FOR, OH, AN OPINION ABOUT SOMETHING.

BUT KEEP, KEEP DOING IT, BECAUSE IT MATTERS.

THAT'S WHY YOU'RE THERE TO MAKE DECIDE DECISIONS AND COMMUNITY WITH STAFF AND RESIDENTS. SO I'M INCREDIBLY PROUD OFALL OF YOU GUYS. I THOUGHT I COULD GO INDIVIDUALLY EACH OF YOU, BUT I'M NOT.

BECAUSE I CAN FEEL IT, BUT I'M INCREDIBLY PROUD.

AND I LOVE I CAN CALL YOU ALL FRIENDS.

THANK YOU.

>> ONE MORE QUESTION.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICEABLY.

BLAISE. >> THANK YOU COUNCILMAN REGAN WE

[5. Oral Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Appointing a Mayor Pro-tem & Deputy Mayor Pro-tem]

MOVE TO APROT MAYOR PRO-THEM AND DEPUTY MAYOR PROTHEM.

AND BRIAN YATES. AND WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST ITEM 5 PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE I CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. IF NOT I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION

AND A SECOND. >> SO MOVED.

>> A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN YATES. >> SECOND.

SECOND BY COUNCIL CRAVER ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?

READY TO VOTE. >> ALL YES,S.

THE MOTION CARRIES. >> IT IS NOW 1:34PM AND THIS MEETING OF ABILENE CITY COUNCIL IS ADJOURNED.

CAN YOU GET PICTURES OF ALL OF US AND THEN BLAISE WILL GET ONE MORE.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

May 12, 2026 Special City Council

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

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