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[CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:06]

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: CITY COUNCIL COMES TO ORDER.

IT IS 4:30 P.M. ON THIS DAY JANUARY 23RD.

[EXECUTIVE SESSION]

AT THIS TIME, WE WILL RECESS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION, SESSION 551, CONSULT WITH OUR ATTORNEY, SECTION 551, FOR REAL PROPERTY AND SECTION 551.073, ABOUT GIFTS AND DONATIONS.

511.074 PERSONAL MATTERS. SECTION 511.076, SECURITY DEVICES. AND DURATION OF BUSINESS

PROSPE >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: GOOD EVENING, ABILENE. IT IS 5:30 P.M., WE'RE IN OPEN

[INVOCATION]

SESSION. I'M GOING TO ASK COUNCILMAN TO PROVIDE THE LOCATION TODAY AND AFTERWARD, I WANT YOU TO MEET TWO VERY IMPORTANT GUESTS WE HAVE WITH US TODAY.

>> BLANKET OF GRACE EACH DAY. FRESH BENEATH OUR FEET WITHOUT CONDITION. LET'S PRAY.

LORD, AS WE BEGIN THE ENDING OF THIS DECADE, WE'RE SO EXCITED BY ALL THAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED REPUBLICLY.

IT IS EXHILARATING TIME IN ABILENE.

WE SO MANY PROJECTS THAT NEED TO BE COMPLETED.

WE ASK FOR YOUR HELP IN THE IMPLEMENTATION AS WELL AS BRINGING THEM TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION.

TOGETHER WE MAKE A MIGHTY TEAM. I ASK YOU FURTHER TO PLEASE WATCH OVER OUR CITY STAFF, COUNCIL AND CITIZENS.

WE ARE FAMILY. WE WANT EVERYONE TO HAVE THE FREEDOM TO COME TO THEIR OWN PERSONAL DECISIONS.

WE DO NOT ALWAYS AGREE BUT WE GENERALLY ARE AGREEABLE.

HELP US CONTINUE ON THE PATH OF TOLERANCE, ACCEPTANCE AND OPEN-MINDEDNESS. AMEN.

>> AMEN. >> MAYOR WILLAMS: WE DO HAVE TWO VERY IMPORTANT GUESTS WITH US.

SO WE HAVE A COUPLE OF [INDISCERNIBLE].

THESE ARE TWINS. YOU COULD SEE THEY'RE PRETTY EXUBERANT. [LAUGHTER].

WE HAVE ISAAC WITH US. TAYLOR.

NEXT YEAR, NEXT JANUARY, WE HAVE A BRAND NEW SCHOOL, BUT THEY'RE GOING TO PROVIDE THE -- THE [INDISCERNIBLE] FOR US TODAY AND ROBIN AND STEVE, THEIR PARENTS, RAISE YOUR HAND, VERY PROUD PARENTS OF -- THESE ARE -- THESE ARE THEIR BABIES.

[PLEDGE TO THE UNITED STATES FLAG AND THE TEXAS FLAG]

SO RYAN, ISAAC, LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE.

FLAG]. [LAUGHTER].

[PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PROCLAMATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS]

>> WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION TODAY.

THIS MONTH IS NATIONAL [INDISCERNIBLE] MONTH.

I'M GOING TO INVITE MEGAN HOLLY A MARK ROGERS TO JOIN ME AS I MAKE THE PROCLAMATION AND I'LL PROVIDE REMARKS.

I [INDISCERNIBLE] DON'T YOU THINK? NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH. MENTOR BUILD CHARACTER, ENCOURAGE SUCCESS, BOOST CONFIDENCE, LIFT EXPECTATIONS, AND INSPIRE YOUNG PEOPLE TO DO THEIR BEST.

THEY SERVE AS FRIEND, ROLE MODELS, TEACHERS AND SHOW STABILITY AND SUPPORT IN CRITICAL TIME IN THE CHILD'S

[00:05:02]

LIFE. NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE BOTH AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTORING TO ENCOURAGE MORE CITIZENS TO HELP A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR OUR YOUTH. AS I HIGHLIGHT NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH, 2020, MENTOR DAY WILL BE CELEBRATED JANUARY 30TH, 2020 AND ALL CITIZENS ENCOURAGED TO REACH OUT TO THANK AND HONOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS ENCOURAGED AND GUIDED THEM IN EVERY LASTING WAY, TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN THEIR LIVES.

AS MAYOR, I EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION TO THE SISTERS OF ABILENE AND OUR MANY MENTORS FOR 42 YEARS OF POSSIBLY IMPACTING THE LIVES OF OUR YOUTH IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THE CITY OF ABILENE, IN JANUARY 2020, NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH.

I'M GOING TO GIVE AWAY -- YOU WANT TO RECOGNIZE A COUPLE.

IS THAT CORRECT? >> THAT'S CORRECT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT. AS YOU MAY SEE MR. ROGERS MOVIE, BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

MY LAST MOVIE WAS ROGERS. I HEARD THE JOKES MY WHOLE LIFE.

MR. ROGERS USED TO DO AND HE DOES IT IN THE MOVIE WHERE HE HAS THE -- THE LISTENERS PAUSE FOR 60 SECOND.

NOT GOING TO MAKE Y'ALL DO IT. IT IS A LONG TIME.

HE TELLS THE PEOPLE FOR 60 SECOND IN SILENCE, I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT PEOPLE THAT GOT YOU WHERE YOU ARE TODAY.

DO THAT TONIGHT, MAYBE AFTER YOU DRIVE HOME OR GET HOME, THINK ABOUT THOSE PEOPLE. EVERYBODY IN HERE IS GOING TO HAVE PEOPLE THAT POP UP IN THEIR HEAD THAT HAD AN INFLUENCE ON THEM. RIGHT? EVERYBODY IN HERE ALSO CAN BE THAT PERSON THAT POPS UP IN SOMEBODY ELSE'S HEAD. THAT'S WHAT WE DO.

WE HAVE 400 ACTIVE MATCHES. BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, WE GOT A LOT OF KID ON OUR WAITING LIST.

WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR [INDISCERNIBLE] AND TO VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME IS WHAT WE ASK. WE HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS WE WANTED TO DO. I WANT -- I WANT MIKE TO COME UP HERE AND ANN. COME UP HERE.

THESE ARE THE DEPUTY CHIEF MIKE BUREN.

SO AARON HAS BEEN MATCHED IT JEANNETTE FOR GOING ON 5 1/2, GOING ON 6 YEARS AND IS A GREAT ASSET.

SHE'S A CHAMPION OF OURS IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND JUST IN THE COMMUNITY AND CHURCH AND EVERYONE THAT SHE IS -- IS THAT SHE IS A PART. THEY HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP.

BEEN FEATURED ON VIDEOS WE'VE DONE.

WE NEED A GOOD SOUND BITE, JEANNETTE IS JUST GREAT.

AARON DOESN'T KNOW THIS, BUT SHE IS THE 2019 WEST TEXAS BIG SISTER OF THE YEAR. [APPLAUSE].

>> THIS IS LIKE A CERTIFICATE. WE HAVEN'T.

WE DO A BIG THANK YOU IN APRIL. IN APRIL YOU'RE GOING TO GET RECOGNIZED AGAIN. I KNOW.

SO YOU GOT TO BE THERE. YOU GOT TO STAND UP THIS AND DO THE WHOLE THING. WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU YOUR AWARD AND RECOGNIZE YOU AS WELL. FRANK BURDEN IS GUESS WHAT, OUR 2019 WEST TEXAS BIG BROTHER OF THE YEAR.

[APPLAUSE]. THEY'RE A GREAT MATCH AND SEE EACH OTHER SEVERAL TIMES A MONTH.

WE ALSO SEE TEXAS BROTHER OF THE YEAR, YOU'RE THE LONE STAR BROTHER OF THE YEAR, VOTED ON BY AN UNBIASSED VOTING PANEL ACROSS THE STATE. MIKE BURDEN, BIG BROTHER OF THE YEAR. LONE STAR WHICH IS DALLAS AND HOUSTON, ABILENE AND STEVENVILLE.

CONGRATULATIONS. THERE'S A VOLUNTEER, THIS IS A DONATE NOW BUTTON AS WELL. COME FIND ME.

I'M ON FACEBOOK. WE'RE ON FACEBOOK AND REACH OUT, TWO OR THREE HOURS A MONTH IS ALL YOU CAN TAKE.

YOU CHANGE A KIDS LIFE. WE BUILD ONE-ON-ONE RELATIONSHIPS TO IGNITE THE BIGGEST POSSIBLE FUTURES FOR YOUTH. THAT'S WHAT WE DO.

I GO THE KATIE AND MATTY AND TRINA IS HERE THAT WORK TIRELESS

[00:10:08]

WITH IN RECOGNITION, EXCEPT FOR NOW, I GUESS.

I'M CONTRADICTING MYSELF. THEY DO A GREAT JOB AND HAVE A GREAT TEAM. WE'RE LOOKING TO SERVE MORE

KIDS. >> WITH THE MAYOR.

>> WE'RE GOING TO STAY AND PHOTO BOMB.

>> WE GOT JACK IN THE BACKGROUND.

[APPLAUSE]. >> I REALLY MISS -- THESE ARE CITY EMPLOYEES WHO SERVE EVERY DAY AND THEY SERVE ADDITIONAL TIME. IN REGARDS TO MIKE BURDEN, HE'S A MEMBER OF THE BEST GRADUATING CLASS FROM ABILENE HIGH, 1987, MY CLASSMATE. HE'S MY CLASSMATE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE IT.

[APPLAUSE]. >> I SEE THE MANAGER WAS ALSO RECOGNIZED. I'M GOING TO GIVE AWAY AND LET HIM HAVE THE STAGE TO RECOGNIZE AN OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEE THAT

SERVED THE COMMUNITY. >> EXCUSE ME.

DON'T GO TOO FAR. COME OVER HERE.

COME ON. >> I KNOW.

THAT'S OKAY. >> SO MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW THIS BUT MIKE KONKLE HAS BEEN AWARDED ONE OF THE 20 UNDER 40 FROM THE CITY OF ABILENE WHICH IS -- IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS AND THEIR CAREER, WHO ARE MAKING AND CONTRIBUTING AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY.

SO BLESSED TO HAVE HER ON THE TEAM.

SHE HAS DONE INCREDIBLE JOB WITH OUR MARKETING AND MESSAGING.

SHE ROLLED OUT ON THE WEBSITE AND CRITICAL COMPONENT OF THE LEADERSHIP TEAM AND WE WOULD BE REMISS IF WE DIDN'T GIVE HER A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE].

>> SHE'S JUST BEEN ACCEPTED INTO THE LEADERSHIP TEXAS THIS

YEAR. >> THERE YOU GO.

[APPLAUSE]. >> MARK, CAN YOU TAKE A PICTURE? CAN WE TAKE YOUR PICTURE?

[CONSENT AGENDA]

>> NO. >> WE NOW MOVE TO -- TO -- TO ITEMS 4 THROUGH 15. THIS IS CONSIDERED WITH ONE MOTION AND NO DISCUSSION UNLESS A COUNCIL MEMBER OR A CITIZEN REQUESTS SEPARATE DISCUSSION. IF THE COUNSEL WISHES TO CONSIDER ANY INDIVIDUAL ITEM SEPA

SEPARATELY. >> I NEED TO ABSTAIN FROM ITEM

11. >> ANY CITIZEN THAT WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS AN ITEM ON THE CONSENT AGENDA?

>> I HAD A CARD ABOUT ITEM NUMBER 15.

>> ANY OTHER CITIZEN THAT WISHES TO SPEAK OF ANY ITEM ON

THE CONSENT AGENDA? >> ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? OKAY. SO 12.

YES, MA'AM. >> ITEM NUMBER 15.

>> OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

WE'RE GOING TO PULL ITEMS 12, 13, 15.

ANY OTHER ITEMS? I ACCEPT THE MOTION OF COUNCIL ON ITEMS 4 THROUGH 15 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF 12, 13, 15.

>> SECOND. >> MOTION BY COUNCILMAN.

AND SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION.

WE'RE READY TO VOTE. >> MAYOR PRO TEM ALBUS.

COUNCIL MEMBER PRICE, COUNCIL MEMBER RENTZ AND COUNCIL MEMBER

[12. Z202002: Ordinance (First Reading): Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on a request from Windmill Circle Partners and Oldham Partners, agents Tony Conder and Don Whitehead, to rezone property from Agricultural Open Space (AO) to General Commercial (GC) District; Legal description being a certain 17.252acre tract of vacant land out of southeast quarter of Blind Asylum Lands Section 62 in City of Abilene, Taylor County, Texas and located near northeast corner of Loop 322 and Industrial Boulevard (Mike Warrix)]

CRAVER. MOTION CARRIES.

>> WE GO TO ITEM 12. IF YOU COME AND GO ON THE RECORD

AND WE REVIEW ITEM NUMBER 12. >> RIGHT HERE?

>> YES, SIR. YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. >> WILLIAM BROWN, 833

[INDISCERNIBLE] WATER TRAIL. >> YOUR QUESTION ON ITEM 12?

>> 12 AND 13, ACTUALLY. >> OKAY.

>> AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT. WE'RE DOING THAT BACKGROUND

[00:15:06]

THROUGH GENERAL COMMERCIAL. I GUESS I GOT TO APOLOGIZE FOR YOU ALL. PASSED THE ZONING COMMISSION?

>> IT PASSED THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION.

TONIGHT WOULD BE THE FIRST READING AND THERE WILL BE A

SECOND MEETING IN FEBRUARY. >> YOU COULD GO LATE ON THIS.

I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY CONCERN AND -- AND MAKE THAT GENERAL COMMERCIAL IN AMONGST RESIDENTIAL AREA.

I MEAN, IT LOOKS -- I WONDER IF IT OPENED THE DOOR.

THE GENERAL COMMERCIAL UP AND DOWN THE LANE NOW.

WE DO IT IN THAT AREA. MAYBE THIS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED PRIOR. I DON'T KNOW.

ANYWAY, I DID WANT TO -- TO SAY. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NEXT

STEP WOULD BE. >> THE NEXT STEP, THE COUNCIL MAY HAVE QUESTIONS, NOT ON THE FIRST READING BUT THERE WILL BE ANOTHER PUBLIC READING, HEARING FOR FINAL APPROVAL OR DENIAL THAT WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE FIRST MEETING IN FEBRUARY.

>> THE 15TH. >> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> ANYTHING ELSE FROM ME AT THIS TIME?

>> I THINK WE'RE GOOD. COUNCIL, QUESTIONS.

>> MR. BROWN. MR. BROWN.

>> I WOULD SAY, IF YOU DO HAVE SPECIFIC CONCERNS YOU'RE MORE THAN HAPPY TO BRING THEM TO THE -- TO THE CITY SECRETARY OR YOU COULD E-MAIL US INDIVIDUALLY. WE CANNOT RESPOND BECAUSE IT IS AN OPEN RECORDS THING, BUT YOU COULD SEND AN E-MAIL TO THE CITY AND THEY CAN SEND THE CONCERNS TO US.

IF YOU LIKE. THAT WAY WHEN WE MEET ON THE 13TH, WE'LL HAVE A CHANCE TO ADDRESS THOSE CONCERNS.

IF YOU E-MAIL COUNCIL AT ABILENE IT WILL GO TO ALL OF THEM.

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

>> DISCUSSION ON AGENDA ITEM 12, ANYONE WANT TO DISCUSS THAT AGENDA ITEM? COUNCIL WITH ADDITIONAL TIME AND

QUESTIONS ON ITEM NUMBER 12. >> APPROVAL.

>> MOTION BY COUNCILMAN PRICE. >> SECOND.

>> A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN MCALLISTER.

ANY DISCUSSION. WE'RE READY TO VOTE.

>> DEPUTY MAYOR. COUNCIL MEMBER PRICE, RENTZ,

[13. CUP202002: Ordinance (First Reading): Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on a request from Windmill Circle Partners and Oldham Partners, agents Tony Conder and Don Whitehead, for a Conditional Use Permit allowing retail sale and rental of trucks and other large vehicles and equipment in a General Commercial District; Legal Description being 12.70 acres of vacant land out of southeast quarter of Blind Asylum Lands Section 62 in City of Abilene, Taylor County, Texas and located near northeast corner of Loop 322 and Industrial Boulevard (Mike Warrix)]

MCALISTER. COUNCIL MEMBER HURT, COUNCIL MEMBER CRAVEN. PASSED.

>> SO THE PROCESS, THERE'S A PROCESS OF PLANNING AND ZONING AND IF APPROVED, REGARDLESS OF APPROVAL, IT COMES TO THE CITY COUNCIL AS TWO READINGS SO WE HAVE ONE READING TODAY.

THERE WILL BE ONE IN FEBRUARY. NOBODY ELSE WANT TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 13? ANY CITIZEN? ANY QUESTIONS ON NUMBER 13? MOTION AND SECOND FROM COUNCIL.

MOTION BY COUNCIL MCALISTER AND SECOND BY COUNCILMAN PRICE.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION. WE'RE READY TO VOTE.

[15. TC202001: Ordinance (First Reading): Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on a request from the City of Abilene to abandon an 80footwide segment of rightofway dedicated for Cherry Street extending 80 to 100 feet south from the rightofway for South 14th Street (Mike Warrix)]

>> WE MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER 15. I DON'T KNOW WHO PULLED ITEM 15.

>> I'M SIMPLY HERE AS A PROPONENT FOR THE LANDOWNER WHERE THIS -- WHERE THIS, QUOTE, EASEMENT WAS PLACED SOMEHOW IN OVER A HUNDRED YEARS AGO, THE PROPERTY OWNER HAS OWNED THIS PROPERTY SINCE SOMETIME IN THE 80S.

THIS EASEMENT WAS INITIALLY LAID DOWN ON A MAP SOMEWHERE TO PROPOSE THE EXTENSION OF CHERRY STREET.

IT NEVER HAPPENED. IT NEVER WILL HAPPEN.

IT IS AN IMPOSSIBILITY. THIS IS A DEAD END SITUATION.

I'M JUST HERE TO STRONGLY SUPPORT THE -- THE OWNER OF THE

PROPERTY. >> THANK YOU.

>> QUESTION? >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> ANYONE ELSE WANT TO SPEAK TO ITEM NUMBER 15?

>> HELLO, MY NAME IS JOLENE HAYDEN.

I LIVED HERE ALL MY LIFE. I REMEMBER WHEN SOUTH 14 BECAME SOUTH 14. I WONDERED AND QUESTIONED WHEN I

[00:20:01]

HEARD THIS TO START OUT WITH, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH THE EASEMENT? WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WITH THE EXPANSION OF THE STREET? IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.

I LIKE AN EXPLANATION OF WHAT IS GOING ON.

NO ONE THAT I TALKED TO HAS ANY IDEA WHAT IS GOING ON.

LIKE HE SAID, IT WAS IN THE 80S.

SOUTH 14 WASN'T SOUTH 14. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF DOING ALL OF THIS? THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ANYBODY -- >> WANT TO RESPOND.

>> I CAN TALK TO IT, ZACK. STANLEY, YOU MAY WANT TO SAY

SOMETHING. >> THE CITY IS SEEKING TO ABANDON THIS PORTION OF CHERRY STREET.

THERE'S NO CURRENT OR PERCEIVED FUTURE USE OF THIS AS A STREET AND THEREFORE THE CITY IS GOING TO REMOVE THIS WITH ANY POSSIBILITY OF [INDISCERNIBLE]. THAT'S WHAT IT MEANS.

THIS IS NOT THE CITY TAKING EASEMENT OR RIGHT AWAY.

WE'RE REDUCING IT. >> RIGHT.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? WHAT HAPPENS TO THE PARCEL OF

LAND. >> FROM A LEGAL STANDPOINT WHAT

HAPPENS? >> THE UNDERLYING OWNERS WOULD HAVE IT, WHOEVER THAT MAY BE. THE CITY DOESN'T MAKE THAT DETERMINATION OR GET IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE DOING THIS. >> SECOND READING ON 13TH DAY OF FEBRUARY. IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK TO THIS AGENDA ITEM, ITEM NUMBER 15? COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON ITEM 15? I ACCEPT THE MOTION AND SECOND.

WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN CRAVER AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN MCALISTER. WE'RE READY TO VOTE.

[16. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Awarding a Contract to King Consultants for Asbestos Abatement and Demolition of the former Civic Plaza Hotel located at 505 Pine Street (Michael Rice)]

>> I MOVE TO ITEM 16. THE CITY MANAGER TO PRESENT THIS ITEM. THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

THE PACIFIC HOTEL LOCATED AT 505 POINT STREET.

IN DECEMBER, THE COUNCIL APPROVED AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND BETWEEN ABILENE AND THE CORPORATION WITH THIS PROPERTY. THEY WERE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEMOLITION OF THIS PROPERTY. WE HAVE USED THE TIP PROGRAM AS FAR AS A WAY TO [INDISCERNIBLE] THIS AND MAKE SURE WE'RE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LEGAL PROCESS FORBIDDING AND FOR PURCHASING OF THESE SERVICES. THIS PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN AROUND FEBRUARY THE 10TH. IT IS GOING TO LAST APPROXIMATELY 18 WEEKS FOR THEM TO COMPLETE THAT.

THE PROJECT COST IS 450,000 PLUS.

COMPLETE EVERYTHING. AND ABATEMENTS AND DEMOLITION AND PROVIDES OVERSIGHT OF THE ACTIVITIES.

WITH THAT I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.

>> QUESTIONS OF MR. RICE? >> I DON'T HAVE ANY FOR RICE.

I LIKE TO QUICKLY EXPLAIN HOW THIS BIDDING PROCESS WORKS, THIS

BIDDING PROCESS. >> HAPPY TO.

WE USE A STATE COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PROGRAM.

IT IS CALLED THE INTERLOCAL PROGRAM.

INTERLOCAL PURCHASING SYSTEM OR TIPS.

IT IS DONE BY AN EDUCATION SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT THEN CORRELATES, GATHERS THE BIDS AND -- AND OTHER MUNICIPALITIES AND STATE AGENCIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAN PIGGYBACK ON THE CONTRACTS AND USE THEM BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN COMPETITIVELY BID THE PROGRAM. WE CHOSE TO USE THIS BECAUSE THE VENDOR WAS AVAILABLE THROUGH THAT PROGRAM.

THE VENDOR WAS THE SAME ONE AS MICHAEL MENTIONED BUT DEMOLISHED THE BOY SCOUT BUILDING IN THE WATER A THEY DID IT IN A QUICK AND TIMELY FASHION AND THEY DID A GOOD JOB.

I HAVE HAD SOME CALLS FROM FOLKS, ABOUT HEY, WHY DON'T WE PUT THIS TO COMPETITIVE BID. WE BELIEVE IT IS COMPETITIVE IN THE MARKETPLACE. IT IS THE CHEAPEST POSSIBLE? I CAN'T TELL YOU THAT. I KNOW IT IS CERTAINLY CLOSE.

IT IS A GOOD MARKET BID AND IN TALKING WITH ANOTHER CONTRACTOR TODAY, THEY THOUGHT THE SAME THING.

IT IS -- IT IS OUR RECOMMENDATION THAT COUNCIL APPROVE THIS. ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE CHOSE TO USE THIS METHOD WAS TIMING ASPECT OF IT, GOING THROUGH A COMPETITIVE BID PROCESS WOULD TAKE 60 TO 90 DAYS.

EVERY DAY THAT BUILDING IS UP IS A LIABILITY FOR THE CITY AND THE ABILENE APPROVAL CORPORATION. WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO

DEMOLISH AS FAST AS POSSIBLE. >> QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL?

[00:25:05]

>> AT THIS TIME, I WOULD MAKE THE PUBLIC HEARING, PUBLIC MEETING. ANYONE LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO, PLEASE GIVE YOUR NAME FOR

THE RECORD. >> I HAD A CARD.

>> THREE-MINUTE LIMIT. I FORGOT TO SAY THAT.

YOU JUST REMINDED ME. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. I JUST -- I'M DEFINITELY FOR IMPROVEMENT OF THE DOWNTOWN SITUATION.

I JUST WANT TO GIVE THE -- THE PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE AND THE PEOPLE IN TV LAND AN OVERVIEW OF THIS PROPERTY AREA ON FACEBOOK THAT DOES HISTORIC THINGS ABOUT ABILENE.

TO POSE THE QUESTION, WHAT IS THE STORY ON THE PROPERTY? IT SAYS ON THE TAX ROLLS SINCE 1955.

ANOTHER RESEARCHER GAVE ME THE -- THE -- THE INFORMATION ON HIS POST WAS ON MAY 17TH OF 63, CORPORATION IN PHOENIX BUILT A HOTEL THIS AT 1.25 MILLION. THAT WAS PROBABLY A LOT OF MONEY BACK IN 63. IT IS CALLED A HIGHWAY HOUSE, MOTOR IN. IT WAS A BIG THING, LIKE I SAID.

IT WAS -- IT WAS -- AT THE TIME I'M SURE IT WAS FABULOUS LOCATION AND EVERYTHING. IN 66, THE DOWNTOWNER TOOK THAT LOCATI ON OVER AND -- AND MY MOM'S FRIEND, SHE ACTUALLY WORKED AT THE RESTAURANT ACROSS THE STREET ON THE WEST SIDE OF PINE AND SHE MOVED OVER TO THE DOWNTOWNER IN HER RESTAURANT. THEN YEARS GONE BY, SHARON TOOK IT OVER AND IT WAS CALLED THE ABILENE INN, QUALITY INN, THEN IT BECAME THE PACIFIC PLAZA HOTEL.

I MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY POSSIBLY MAKING -- MAKING A PARKING STRUCTURE THERE AND HAVE SOME TYPE OF REPAYMENT SIMILAR TO -- TO LIKE A -- A TOLL ROAD, LIKE A TURNPIKE.

I THOUGHT ABOUT IT. I THINK IT WOULD BE BETTER MAYBE -- MAYBE FOR SOMETHING -- SOMETHING THAT WOULD GENERATE SALES TAX THERE. I KNOW A LOT OF RESTAURANTS.

THEY WANT TO LOCATE ON THE LOOP OR INTERSTATE OR SOMETHING.

BUT MAYBE WE MAY HAVE A CHANCE TO HAVE A LOCAL FLARE OF SOME KIND OF BUSINESS TO GO IN THERE IN THAT LOT.

IT WILL BE ONE FULL SQUARE BLOCK EACH WAY.

I REMEMBER ON THE NORTHWEST CORNER THERE WAS A BARBERSHIP RIGHT THERE. IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA, I THINK, THAT -- THAT WE'RE GOING TO -- TO GET RID OF THIS BECAUSE I LIABILITY HAS THES ASBESTOS I IT.

IT IS 50-SOMETHING YEARS OLD. EITHER WAY IT PROBABLY OUTLIVED ITS LIFE-TIME. LIKE A VEHICLE, IF YOU DON'T KEEP UP WITH IT, IT WILL FALL IN DISREPAIR, JUST LIKE THIS BUILDING HAS. AND I APPRECIATE YOU LETTING ME SPEAK ON THIS. I HOPE EVERYBODY OUT THERE IS A LITTLE MORE EDUCATED ON THE PROPERTY THAT WE'RE GOING TO IMPROVE FOR OUR CITIES IN DOWNTOWN.

THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> THANK YOU.

>> 1.2 MILLION IS STILL A LOT OF MONEY.

>> [LAUGHTER]. >> IN 63, THAT WAS PROBABLY INCREDIBLE. THAT'S PROBABLY LIKE -- LIKE THE

NEW HOTEL PRICE. >> ANYONE ELSE?

>> HELLO. I'M JOANNA HAYDEN.

AGAIN. SAME PERSON.

I GREW UP IN ABILENE. I'M PROUD OF IT, BECAUSE I AM AN NATIVE ABILENIAN. YES, I CAN REMEMBER THE HISTORY OF THIS HOTEL. I AM SORRY TO SEE THE CITY WANTS IT WASTE A GOOD PROJECT THAT COULD HELP THE CITIZENS OF ABILENE. THANKS TO THE MAYOR, HAD A PROGRAM TO -- TO HOUSE THEM AT LONE STREET WHICH WAS A GOOD SUCCESS. BUT NOW, NOW, HAVE YOU -- HAVE YOU WALKED THE STREETS AT NIGHT? HAVE YOU DRIVEN THE STREETS AT NIGHT AND SEE ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT -- THAT SLEEP UNDER CAR PORTS OR SLEEPING IN THE GARAGE BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ANYPLACE TO GO. THEY GOT CHECKS.

DON'T MISUNDERSTAND. THEY GET SOCIAL SECURITY CHECKS, DISABILITY CHECKS, SOME KIND OF CHECKS.

I KNOW OF A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WHEN THIS WAS AN ACTIVE MOTEL AND STAYING THERE AND PAYING 40 TO 100 DOLLARS A WEEK IN RENT.

NOW, LOOK AT THIS. THE PRICE ON RENTING THERE AND REMOVING ALL OF THE ASBESTOS AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT IS OVER SE LOOK AT THIS ALSO, HOW MUCH COULD THE CITY MAKE IF THEY WENT

[00:30:01]

IN THERE AND REDID THIS AND HAD STRICT RULES WHICH COULD BE ENFORCED FOR THE HOMELESS TO LIVE IN.

THEY WOULD HAVE THEIR RULES OF NO DRUGS, IN ALCOHOL, AND STUFF LIKE THAT, WHICH PRETTY STRICT ON THAT AS IT IS.

MY POINT IS THIS. I WANT TO SEE THE HOMELESS IN ABILENE HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE. I DON'T WANT TO BE LIKE AUSTIN OR DALLAS OR FORT WORTH THAT HAVE ALL OF THEM.

SO THINK ABOUT THAT. I APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE].

>> ANYONE SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. DOES COUNCIL HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM? IF NOT, I TAKE THE MOTION AND SECOND.

I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN ALBUS AND SECOND BY COUNCILMAN RENTZ. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? WE'RE READY TO VOTE.

MOTION CARRIES.

[17. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on authorizing the purchase of a Ditch Witch HX30 Vacuum Excavator through BuyBoard Cooperative Purchasing for the Water Utilities Department (Rodney Taylor)]

MOVE TO ITEM 17.

[18. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Concrete Valley Gutters Various Locations (2019) Change Order No. 4 (Greg McCaffery).]

>> ITEM 18, GREG MCCAFFERY TO PRESENT THIS ITEM.

>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU A REQUEST FROM STAFF TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION FOR THE -- FOR THE -- FOR THE CHANGE ORDER NUMBER FOUR FOR THE CITY'S CONCRETE VALLEY GUTTER PROJECT. IF YOU RECALL THIS PROJECT WAS PRESENTED TO YOU LAST YEAR AT THE END OF THE -- AT THE END OF 2019 BUDGET. WHAT WE'RE LOOKING TO DO WAS UTILIZE REMAINING MONIES THAT WERE WITHIN THE STREET, MAINTENANCE DOLLARS, EARMARKED FOR STREET SERVICES.

WE'RE NEARING COMPLETION OF THIS PROJECT.

WE'RE ABOUT 70 PERCENT DONE. THE PROJECT ITSELF CONSISTED, AS YOU RECALL, 26 LOCATIONS WITH 30 VALLEY GUTTERS.

THESE ARE MINOR IMPROVEMENTS AND REPLACING THE LOW LYING AREAS THAT HELP CHANNEL WATER TO THE INTERSECTION.

THIS ONE IN PARTICULAR IS LOCATED AT RIDGE MONT DRIVE AND LOCATED IN THE SOUTHWEST PORTION OF THE CITY AS INDICATED BY THE DOT ON THE DRAWING THERE. SO THIS IS RELATED TO A CHANGE ORDER. FOR YOUR INFORMATION IT IS LOCATED AT BUFFALO GAP AND RIDGEMONT.

WE WORKED WITH THE CONTRACTOR AS FAR AS DEVELOPING THE CHANGE ORDER, JANUARY 14TH. THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT AMOUNT AS YOU SEE HERE WAS A LITTLE OVER 430,000 DOLLARS.

WE HAVE HAD -- HAD THREE PREVIOUSLY CHANGE ORDERS AS PART OF THE PROJECT. TWO WERE TO ADDRESS SOME

[00:35:01]

ADDITIONAL CONCRETE NEEDED AS FAR AS OTHER VALLEY GUTTER AREAS. ONE CHANGE ORDER WAS TO ADDRESS ADDITIONAL D MIX OR ASPHALT THAT WAS NEEDED FOR THE PROJECT.

THE REASON IT IS BEFORE YOU, THE THREE CHANGE ORDER COLLECTIVELY ARE ROUGHLY UNDER 40,000 DOLLARS.

THE REASON THIS IS BEFORE YOU IS HE COLLECTIVELY THEY EXCEED THE CITY'S PURCHASING POLICY WHICH REQUIRES WHEN WE HAVE COLLECTIVELY AS FAR AS A CHANGE IN A PROJECT OVER 50,000 DOLLARS WERE REQUIRED TO BRING THIS BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL.

SO IF -- IF WE DO CHOOSE TO APPROVE THIS COLLECTIVELY, AS FAR AS -- AS FAR AS -- AS FAR AS THESE CHANGE ORDERS WOULD AMOUNT TO A NEW CONTRACT AMOUNT OF BELOW 508,000 DOLLARS FOR THE PROJECT. WE'RE ABOUT 70 OR 75 PERCENT COMPLETE. WE DO NOT ANTICIPATE ANY OTHER CHANGE ORDERS AS FAR AS ON THIS PROJECT.

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR VALLEY GUTTER, IF YOU HAVE DRIVEN IT PREVIOUSLY, THERE'S A NUMBER OF LOW WATER CROSSINGS THAT COME THROUGH THE INTERSECTION.

WHAT WE TRY TO ACHIEVE HERE IS BASICALLY RECON CRETE THE ENTIRE INTERSECTION AND BE ABLE TO HELP CHANNEL THAT WATER AS FAR AS THROUGH THAT I WANT TO CALL IT A SKEWED LOCATION.

WITH THAT I CAN ANSWER QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.

>> QUESTIONS, BEFORE THE PUBLIC HEARING? I OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANYBODY WANT TO SPEAK TO THIS ITEM PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

SEEING NONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

COUNCIL ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS? I ACCEPT A MOTION AND SECOND. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MCALISTER AND ALBUS. FURTHER DISCUSSION.

READY TO VOTE.

[19. Discussion: Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing on a Request from Councilmember Price on making Abilene a Sanctuary City for the Unborn. No Votes or Action Will Be Taken on this Item (Robert Hanna)]

>> WE MOVE TO ITEM 19. I HAVE MOST TO SPEAK TO THAT ISSUE. ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO PARTICIPATE, WE WANT YOU TO PARTICIPATE.

THERE WILL BE A THREE-MINUTE LIMIT.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO USE ALL THREE MINUTES.

EVERYBODY WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

I HAD PARAMETERS. THIS IS A VERY SOBER TOPIC TO DISCUSS. AND WE RECEIVED A NUMBER OF E-MAILS AND PHONE CALL AND TEXTS AND VISITS AND SO WE WANT TO BE RESPECTFUL. WE WANT YOU TO TALK TO US, NOT TO THOSE WHO MAY BE IN THE AUDIENCE.

WE WANT TO BE RESPECTFUL. WE'RE GOING TO BE RESPECTFUL.

I'M GOING TO ALLOW THE CITY MANAGER TO GIVE HIS OPINION FROM A PROFESSIONAL STANDPOINT, COUNCIL WILL ALSO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE YOU HIS OPINION AND THEN I'M GOING TO ALLOW COUNCILMAN PRICE TO BE ABLE TO SAY SOME THINGS ALSO.

YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT WE HAVE NOT JUST BEEN THINKING ABOUT THIS THE LAST FEW WEEKS, IN FACT, I HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT A YEAR AGO. MOVEOVER, I HAVE PERSONALLY HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH -- WITH ALL OF THE SEVEN COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE ADOPTED A SIMILAR TYPE ORDI ORDINANCE. THE ONE DISCUSSED IN OUR COMMUNITY. SPEAKING MOSTLY TO THE ELECTED OFFICIALS, THE MAYORS IN THOSE COMMUNITY.

MOST OF THESE COMMUNITIES ARE VERY SMALL.

THE AVERAGE SIZE IS ABOUT 6,000 POPULATION.

TALKING ABOUT BIG SCREENS AROUND 2300.

NEVERTHELESS, WE WANT TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH YOU, I SAW A COUPLE OF POSTINGS FROM ORGANIZATIONS THIS WEEK SAYING WE'RE VOTING ON THE SUBJECT MATTER BEFORE US.

THAT'S INACCURATE. THAT'S FAKE NEWS, BY THE WAY.

[LAUGHTER]. WHAT IS BEFORE US IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO HAVE A CONVERSATION.

ONE FAMILY NEVER SHIED AWAY FROM THE COUNCIL IN RECENT YEARS, WE WANT IT KNOW WHAT YOU THINK. IF AT THE END THE DAY WE WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOU EXPECT FROM US. IN TURN, WE'RE GOING TO ENGAGE

[00:40:07]

THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF AND [INDISCERNIBLE] AS A RESULT OF YOUR EXPECTATION OF THEIR CONTRIBUTION THAT REFLECTS WHAT YOU WANT FROM US. SO AGAIN, LET'S BE RESPECTFUL AND KIND TONIGHT. LET'S HONOR OUR NEIGHBORS.

LET'S TALK TO THE COUNCIL. LET'S USE THREE MINUTES OR LESS.

AND -- WE WILL RESPOND ALSO AFTER WE GET SOME DATA. >> AS A PROFESSIONAL, YOU CAN HAVE A PERSONAL OPINION ABOUT SOMETHING, BUT YOU CAN ALSO HAVE A PROFESSIONAL OPINION AS WELL.

NEARLY 20 YEARS OF GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE AS A FORMER BOARD MEMBER, AS A CURRENT MEMBER OF MY STATE'S ETHICS COMMITTEE. I RECEIVED MULTIPLE HONORS AND RECOGNITIONS ■FOR MYCAREERFOR EXCELLENCE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEADERSHIP. I DON'T SAY THIS TO ROLL OUT MY CREDENTIALS BECAUSE THAT'S NOT MY LEADERSHIP STYLE. I DO THAT TO DRAW ATTENTION BECAUSE I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW. I PROMISE YOU I SPEAK WITH AUTHORITY.

THERE IS MUCH FEAR ABOUT PLANNED PARENTHOOD RETURNING TO ABILENE. FRIENDS, YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT THE POTENTIAL PASSAGE OF THIS ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION IN NO WAY PREVENTS, NOT EVEN A LITTLE BIT, PLANNED PARENTHOOD FROM OPENING A NEW CLINIC IN ABILENE. IF OTHER COMMUNITIES HAVE DONE IT, GOD BLESS THEM. I'M JUST GIVING YOU MY PROFESSIONAL OPINION.

MY PROFESSIONAL RECOMMENDATION ON THIS MATTER IS THAT COUNCIL NOT CONSIDER THE PASSAGE OF ANY ORDINANCE THAT ATTEMPTS TO REGULATE AN ITEM THAT IS BEYOND OUR SCOPE OF AUTHORITY TO REGULATE. I HAVE NO ABILITY TO ENFORCE AN ORDINANCE LIKE THIS WITHOUT EXPOSING THE CITY TO SIGNIFICANT LEGAL AND FINANCIAL RISK. MOREOVER, ENFORCEMENT OF THE ORDINANCE WOULD BE IN MY OPINION, BE A VIOLATION.

>> THANK YOU.

>> MR. SMITH. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I BELIEVE THAT DURING A PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD THIS ISSUE WAS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF COUNCIL.

AS FAR AS LEGAL COUNCIL FOR THE CITY, I MEAN, THERE'S THINGS I LOOK AT IS WHETHER THE CITY OF ABILENE IS ABLE TO DO SOME THINGS OR NOT DO SOME THINGS. THERE IS NO ORDINANCE BEFORE THE COUNCIL TODAY. THERE IS NO ORDINANCE THAT THE COUNCIL IS CONSIDERING OR VOTING ON. SEVERAL COMMUNITIES HAVE ADOPTED IT WITH CHANGES.

THERE'S AN OLDER ORDINANCE THAT SOME OF THE FIRST TEXAS CITIES HAVE ADOPTED.

BUT THERE'S BEEN SOME CHANGES IN THAT MODEL ORDINANCE. BUT WHEN THESE ISSUES COME BEFORE THE CITY, AND I'M TASKED WITH LOOKING TO SEE IF THERE'S SOMETHING WE CAN DO.

THERE'S SOME HIGH LEVEL THINGS THAT I TAKE A LOOK AT. AND I KIND OF WANT TO GO THROUGH SOME OF THOSE HIGH LEVEL THINGS. CONSTITUTIONAL LAW IS VERY DETAILED.

IT'S VERY NUANCED. SO A DISCUSSION OR PRESENTATION IS NOT GOING TO HIT ALL THE LEVELS OF IT. BUT I KIND OF WANT TO HIT THE HIGH POINTS OF IT.

THE CITY OF ABILENE IS A HOME RULE CITY. WHICH MEANS WE HAVE SELF-GOVERNANCE. WE'RE GIVEN THAT AUTHORITY UNDER VARIOUS STATUTES.

WE CAN DO MOST ANYTHING UNLESS THERE'S A STATE LAW THAT SAYS WE CANNOT DO THAT.

OR SOMETHING IN THE STATE CONSTITUTION THAT SAYS WE CANNOT DO THAT.

OR THERE'S A FEDERAL LAW THAT SAYS WE CANNOT DO THAT. OR SOMETHING IN THE U.S.

CONSTITUTION PROHIBITS FROM DOING THAT. SO WE HAVE LOOKED AT PREEMPTION BEFORE. WE'VE HAD STATUTES THAT WE'VE HAD TO REPEAL OR MODIFY BECAUSE THE STATE HAS PREEMPTED OUR AUTHORITY TO REGULATE. SO WE'VE DONE THAT BEFORE.

THAT WOULD BE STATE STATUTES THAT PREVENT US OR PREEMPT US FROM DOING CERTAIN THINGS.

[00:45:02]

AND THERE ARE ALSO CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES TYPICALLY AT THE U.S. CONSTITUTION LEVEL.

THAT IF SOMETHING IS DETERMINED TO BE A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT OR SOMETHING IS DETERMINED TO BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL, WE CANNOT PASS LAWS THAT ARE CONTRARY TO THAT DETERMINATION MADE TYPICALLY BY THE U.S. SUPREME COURT. SO THOSE ARE SOME STARTING POINTS THAT I LOOK AT.

WE ALL KNOW THE SUPREME CONSTITUTION IS THE LAW OF THE LAND.

U.S. SUPREME COURT IS ALSO THE FINAL DECISION MAKER AS TO WHAT THE U.S. CONSTITUTION MEANS AND WHAT IT SAYS. AND THE U.S. SUPREME COURT IS THE FINAL DETERMINATION OF WHETHER SOMETHING IS OR IS NOT CONSTITUTIONAL UNDER THE U.S. CONSTITUTION.

THE FINAL DECISION MAKER OF THAT. AS WE ALL KNOW ROE V. WADE IN 1973, THE SUPREME COURT TOOK A LOOK AT THE CASE THAT CAME BEFORE THEM.

THEY MADE A DECISION THE RIGHT OF PRIVACY. THE CONSTITUTION IS A RIGHT OF PRIVACY.

>> THERE'S BEEN MANY OTHER CASES THAT HAVE COME AFTER THAT. PLANNED PARENTHOOD VERSUS CASE IS ONE OF THOSE THAT KIND OF ROLLED BACK SOME OF THE DECISION MAKING IN ROE V. WADE AS TO VIABILITY OF A FETUS AND THAT SORT OF THING. I'VE TAKEN A LOOK AT MOST OF THOSE CASES. THERE'S A RECENT CASE THAT WENT TO THE SUPREME COURT AND WAS RULED ON IN 2016. SO FAIRLY RECENT CASE. WHOLE WOMEN'S HEALTH VERSUS TEXAS. IF YOU RECALL, TEXAS LEGISLATURE PASSED SOME LAWS MANY YEARS AGO THAT SAID IN ORDER FOR A PHYSICIAN TO PERFORM ABORTIONS, HE OR SHE HAD TO HAVE ADMITTING PRIVILEGES TO THE HOSPITAL. AND A TEXAS LAW ALSO SAID ABORTION CLINICS HAD TO HAVE SURGICAL CENTER REQUIREMENTS. THOSE STATUTES WERE CHALLENGED IN THE COURT OF LAW AS BEING UNCONSTITUTIONAL. THEY MADE THEIR WAY UP TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

AND THE U.S. SUPREME COURT SAID BOTH OF THOSE STATUTES THAT THE STATE OF TEXAS HAD PASSED IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL. THERE'S NUANCES TO ALL OF THESE THINGS.

BUT I'M TRYING TO HIT THE HIGH POINTS BECAUSE IT WILL BE A LOT MORE DIFFICULT TO GO TO THE NUANCES OF ALL THESE THINGS. BUT THE MODEL ORDINANCE THAT'S GOING AROUND, I'VE TAKEN A LOOK AT THAT AS WELL. WHEN I LOOK AT IT, AGAIN, I LOOK TO SEE ARE WE PREEMPTED FROM PASSING AN ORDINANCE? IS THERE LANGUAGE IN THERE THAT THE STATE HAS PASSED ORDINANCE OR ARE THERE PROVISIONS THAT WE CANNOT ENFORCE BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT CONSTITUTIONAL.

I'M NOT GOING IN TO DETAIL ABOUT THESE ORDINANCES. I BELIEVE IT WOULD BE HELD UNCONSTITUTIONAL IF CHALLENGED IN COURT IS THE DECLARATION THAT ABORTIONS WOULD BE UNLAWFUL WITHIN A CERTAIN CITY LIMIT. I BELIEVE THAT CHALLENGED IN COURT WILL BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL BASED ON ROE V. WADE. THERE'S ORDINANCES THAT MAKE IT UNLAWFUL TO PERFORM ABORTIONS OR TO AID SOMEBODY TO HAVE AN ABO ABORTION.

AGAIN, ORDINANCES ARE TO BE ENFORCED. THEY'RE CLINICAL STATUTES.

THEY'RE CLASS C MISDEMEANORS. WHETHER YOU CALL THEM A CRIME OR UNLAWFUL, WHATEVER IT MAY BE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU'LL BE ISSUING CITATIONS, CLASS C, MISDEMEANOR CITATIONS AGAINST PERSONS WHO WOULD BE VIOLATING THIS LAW. I BELIEVE IF THAT WAS CHALLENGED, IF SOMEONE RECEIVED A CITATION FOR THAT AND WAS CONVICTED, THAT THEY COULD CHALLENGE THAT CITATION. IF WE WENT THROUGH THE COURT, I BELIEVE IT WOULD BE HELD UNCONSTITUTIONAL BASED ON ROE V. WADE. SANCTUARY CITY FOR THE UNBORN ORDINANCE ALSO TALKS ABOUT DECLARING ABORTION TO BE MURDER. ONE OF THE ISSUES WITH A CITY ORDINANCE DECLARING SOMETHING MURDER IS THAT THE STATE OF TEXAS HAS ALREADY DECLARED WHAT MURDER IS AND SETS OUT HOW SOMEONE COULD BE PROSECUTED OR MURDER.

AND SETS OUT WHAT IT IS NOT. BASICALLY A PHYSICIAN PERFORMING ABORTION IS NOT MURDER UNDER THE

[00:50:09]

STATE PENAL CODE. I BELIEVE IF WE PASSED AN ORDINANCE SAYING IT'S MURDER, WE CANNOT DO THAT BECAUSE THE STATE HAS RULED WHAT IS OR IS NOT MURDER.

CERTAIN ORGANIZATIONS BEING CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS. AGAIN, I THINK THAT'S A PENAL -- SOMETHING IN OUR PENAL CODE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS THAT SETS OUT WHAT ORGANIATIONS CAN CONSPIRE TO DO CRIMINAL ACTIVITY. I THINK THAT'S PREEMPTED AS WELL.

THERE'S ALSO A PRIVATE CAUSE OF ACTION IN THESE MODEL ORDINANCES, WHICH IS BASICALLY THE CITY SETTING UP A PRIVATE CIVIL CAUSE OF ACTION BETWEEN DIFFERENT CITIZENS.

IT'S NOT A REGULATORY ACTION THAT YOU TYPICALLY SEE IN ORDINANCES.

IT'S ALLOWING PRIVATE CITIZENS TO SUE EACH OTHER BASED UPON AN ORDINANCE PASSED BY THE CITY OF ABILENE. I'M NOT AWARE OF ANY AUTHORITY THAT MUNICIPALITY HAS TO GRANT THE RIGHTS TO FILE AGAINST EACH OTHER. I'VE NOT SEEN THOSE.

I'M NOT AWARE OF ANY THAT I'VE RESEARCHED. I DON'T BELIEVE THE CITY HAS THE AUTHORITY TO DO THAT. BUT THAT'S AN UNANSWERED QUESTION.

THERE IS A PROVISION THESE MODEL ORDINANCES THAT TALKS ABOUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO ENFORCE THESE THINGS CRIMINALLY UNTIL ROE V. WADE OR PLANNED PARENTHOOD ARE OVERTURNED.

AGAIN, THAT MAY OR MAY NOT HOLD UP. BUT I DON'T BELIEVE THAT PASSING AN ORDINANCE THAT MAKES SOMETHING A CRIME AND THEN SAYING WE'RE NOT GOING TO ENFORCE OUR OWN LAWS THAT IS SOMETHING THAT A CITY SHOULD BE DOING ANY WAY.

SO AT THE END OF THE DAY, BASED ON THE MODEL ORDINANCE THAT I'VE SEEN.

I THINK IT'S A STRONG LIKELIHOOD IF IT WAS HELD UP IN COURT. PREEMPTED BY STATE LAW AS WELL.

THE MAJORITY, IF NOT ALL THE MODEL ORDINANCE THAT I'VE SEEN, I THINK HAS A STRONG POSSIBILITY OF BEING STRUCK DOWN IN A COURT OF LAW. POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGES BEING ORDERED OR ATTORNEY'S FEES AGAINST MUNICIPALITY THAT DOES THIS.

THAT'S THE CONCERN THAT I HAVE WHEN LOOKING AT ORDINANCES THAT THE CITY OF ABILENE PASSES.

WHETHER OR NOT ONE, THAT WE CAN ENFORCE THEM. 2, AGAIN, ARE WE PREEMPTED, AND 3, IS IT CONSTITUTIONAL. MY OPINION IS THAT BOTH OF THOSE REASONS PREEMPTION AND UN-CONSTITUTIONALITY WOULD BE FOUND TO BE TRUE IN A COURT OF LAW WOULD LOSE ANY TYPE OF

LAWSUIT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, ALL THREE OF Y'ALL FOR THE INTRODUCTION. MY NAME IS ON THIS. I WAS THE ONE WHO ASKED FOR IT.

I'M THE ONE THAT KIND OF PLANTED THE FLAG. I'M THE ONE COLLECTING THE LIGHTNING STRIKE. IF ANYONE IS UPSET ABOUT US HAVING A DISCUSSION.

AS THE MAYOR MENTIONED EARLIER, WE'VE BEEN HEARING ABOUT THIS FOR SOME TIME NOW.

REQUESTS FOR US TO CONSIDER THIS. WITH THE TEXAS MEETINGS ACT, WE ARE LIMITED WITH WHAT WE CAN RESPOND WITH. I APOLOGIZE TO MY COLLEAGUES.

THIS MAY NOT BE A REAL FUN NIGHT. BUT THIS, I BELIEVE THAT WE ARE ADULTS THAT CAN HAVE A DIALOGUE, A CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS ISSUE. AND FOR ME, THE ISSUE PRIMARILY IS THE SANCTUARY CITY QUESTION. THERE'S SANCTUARY CITIES FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.

THERE'S SANCTUARY CITIES FOR SECOND AMENDMENT. WE'VE BEEN ASKED, I'VE BEEN ASKED, I DON'T KNOW IF OTHERS HAVE BEEN TO CONSIDER SANCTUARY CITIES FOR THE SECOND AMENDMENT.

FOR ME, THE FIRST QUESTION THAT HAS TO BE ANSWERED IS CAN WE DO IT? CAN WE LEGALLY DO IT? IF WE CAN'T ANSWER THAT YES, THEN IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT THE TOPIC IS WHETHER IT'S ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS OR SECOND AMENDMENT OR THE UNBORN, WE CAN'T MOVE FORWARD FROM THAT. AND I HAD BEEN LOOKING AT THESE MODEL ORDINANCES AND THE ONES THAT HAVE BEEN PASSED BY THESE COMMUNITIES. I HAD CONCERNS SIMILAR TO BUT NOT NEARLY AS IN DEPTH AS WHAT OUR CITY ATTORNEY HAS BROUGHT UP.

THERE ARE ITEMS WITHIN THERE THAT MAKE ME QUESTION WHETHER SANCTUARY CITY FOR ANY TOPIC IS SOMETHING A CITY CAN DO. ONE OF THE STATEMENTS IT'S MADE IN THE ORDINANCES THAT A CITY IS SELF-GOVERNING. BUT IT'S SELF-GOVERNING, WE HAVE AUTHORITY GRANTED TO US BY THE

[00:55:01]

STATE. AND SO WE HAVE TO, AS THE CITY MANAGER MENTIONED, FOLLOW OUR OATH. WE HAD AN ITEM ABOUT A YEAR AGO ABOUT PAY DAY LENDING A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. AND I MADE THE STATEMENT AT THIS TIME, I CANNOT VOTE FOR SOMETHING THAT I KNOW IS ILLEGAL. AND THAT ONE, THE ORDINANCE EXISTED IN AUSTIN HAD BEEN CHALLENGED IN COURT. AND AUSTIN HAD LOST.

THE COURT SAID THIS IS PREEMPTED BY STATE LAW. AND I'M SEEING THE SAME THING WITH THIS SANCTUARY CITY CONCEPT. REGARDLESS OF WHAT IT'S FOR.

OUR AUTHORITY DOESN'T EXTEND TO THE POINT OF DECLARING OURSELVES SEPARATE FROM.

IF WE PICK AND CHOOSE WHAT LAWS WE CAN AND CAN'T FOLLOW BECAUSE WE LIKE THIS ONE OR WE DON'T LIKE THAT ONE, THAT'S ANARCHY. AND WE HAVE TAKEN AN OATH TO UPHOLD THE LAWS.

AND ANY LAWS WE PASS HAVE TO BE WITHIN THAT CONTEXT. SO I WANTED TO GIVE THAT INTRODUCTION THAT THAT -- THE DISCUSSION IS REALLY ON FIRST, IS A SANCTUARY CITY VALID FOR US TO CONSIDER? FROM EVERYTHING I'M RESEARCHING AND WHAT THE CITY ATTORNEYS PRESENTED TO US, I'M NOT SEEING THAT IS A YES. IF THAT'S A NO, THEN IT DOESN'T MATTER REALLY WHAT GOES PAST THAT. SO I JUST WANTED TO PROVIDE THAT SINCE MY NAME IS ON THERE. I WANTED TO PROVIDE THE CONTEXT FOR THAT.

WE'VE HAD A LOT OF REQUESTS OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS FROM PEOPLE THAT HAD THIS DISCUSSION.

WE HAD ONE PERSON HOLD A PETITION, SIGNATURES ASKING TO DISCUSS IT.

AND THE ONLY WAY TO DISCUSS IT IS TO PUT IT ON THE AGENDA. I TOO, HOPE WE HAVE A VERY ADULT AND RESPECTFUL CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS. BUT I DON'T -- I'M NOT A CONSTITUTIONAL ATTORNEY. I'M NOT A CONSTITUTIONAL EXPERT. AND SO I'M NOT COMING TO YOU SAYING I'VE MADE UP MY MIND. BUT I THINK IT'S ONLY FAIR FOR YOU TO KNOW FROM WHAT I'VE RESEARCHED, THIS IS WHERE I AM RIGHT NOW. AND SO I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU WHETHER YOU'RE FOR OR AGAINST THE CONSIDERATION OF SANCTUARY CITY.

>> COUNCILMAN, DO YOU WANT TO PROVIDE ANY COMMENTS? >> I WANT TO ECHO WHAT MR. HANNAH AND STANLEY AND SHANE HAD MENTIONED ABOUT BEING ADULTS AND HAVING PERSONAL OPINIONS.

MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT THIS PAST YEAR FOR ME WAS NOT A FUN YEAR. GOT IN TO PERSONALITIES AND THINGS LIKE THAT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT AS WE'RE DISCUSSING TODAY THAT WE RESPECT EACH OTHER. THAT WE DON'T TRY TO DEMONIZE ANYBODY WITH A DIFFERENT OPINION. BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT IT IS IS AN OPINION.

AND I HAVE MY OPINION AND YOU HAVE YOUR OPINION. I KIND OF GO WITH WHAT COUNCILMAN PRYCE SAYS. THE ABORTION PART IS NOT SO MUCH WHAT I'M FOCUSING IN ON.

I DON'T THINK ANYBODY IS GOING TO WALK IN HERE TONIGHT FEELING ONE WAY ABOUT ABORTION AND WALK OUT FEELING DIFFERENTLY. THAT IS NOT OUR ROLE AS A CITY COUNCIL TO DEBATE THE MORALITY OF ABORTION. THAT IS AN INDIVIDUAL'S CHOICE. WE ALL HAVE OUR OPINIONS AND THAT'S EXACTLY THE WAY WE FEEL. AND WE HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT.

BUT MANY TIMES WHEN WE HAVE ZONING CASES, AND YOU MENTIONED THE PAYDAY LENDING.

BUT THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN WE'VE HAD ZONING CASES UP HERE, AND THE POINT THAT WE MAKE IS THAT WE'RE NOT NECESSARILY DEBATING WHETHER THAT BUSINESS PARTICULAR BUSINESS GOES SOMEWHERE, BUT WHETHER IT'S ALLOWABLE FOR THAT BUSINESS TO GO THERE.

AND I THINK WHAT WE'RE DOING TONIGHT IS LOOKING AT, IS IT ALLOWABLE.

THIS IS WHERE I'M AIMING, IS IT ALLOWABLE FOR THE CITY OF ABILENE TO VIOLATE FEDERAL LAW.

THIS IS AN EMAIL I GOT FROM JOHN SEGO. IT SAYS CONTAINS PROVISION -- PREDICTIONS UNTIL FEDERAL LAW HAS CHANGED. RIGHT THERE IT IS ASKING US TO VIOLATE FEDERAL LAW. THAT'S WHERE I'M HAVING THE PROBLEM.

BECAUSE LIKE MR. HANNAH AND LIKE ALL OF US, WE ALL TOOK AN OATH TO PROTECT, DEFEND IN THOSE WORDS, THE CONSTITUTION AND THE LAWS OF ITS UNITED STATES. AND THAT'S AN OATH I TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY. SO THAT'S WHERE I'M LANDING IS, YOU KNOW, DO WE HAVE A LEGAL RIGHT TO VIOLATE FEDERAL LAW? THAT'S WHERE I STAND. AND THAT'S THE QUESTION I ASK.

>> WE'RE ABOUT TO OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING AGAIN. I WOULD ASK COUNCILMAN HURT TO READ THE NAMES OF THOSE WHO HAVE SUBMITTED A COMMENT CARD. BUT EVERYBODY, IF YOU WANT TO

[01:00:01]

SPEAK, PLEASE DO SPEAK. THERE WILL BE A THREE MINUTE LIMIT.

YOU'LL SEE LIGHTS FLASHING BEFORE YOU. I WANT YOU TO KNOW, WE DIDN'T HAVE TO PROVIDE THIS VENUE. WE REALLY WANT TO BE ABLE TO HEAR YOUR COMMENTS.

I SEE SEVERAL OF MY PERSONAL FRIENDS IN THE AUDIENCE TONIGHT WHO HAVE MADE NO SECRET HOW I FEEL ABOUT THIS TOUCHING MATTER. BUT AGAIN, WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO ENFORCE -- WE DON'T WANT TO CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY WHERE WE CREATE A LAW WE CANNOT ENFORCE. HAVING SAID THAT, AND I'VE INSTRUCTED THE CITY ATTORNEY. IF THERE IS DATA PRESENTED TONIGHT THAT SAYS OTHERWISE, I WILL HEAR WHAT THAT DATA IS. AND IF SO, WE'LL RESPOND APPROPRIATELY.

SO AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

THE FIRST NAME, COUNCILMAN HURT IS? >> WE'VE RECEIVED THESE CARDS.

WE'LL GO THROUGH THE CARDS FIRST. THEY'RE IN NO ORDER.

THEY'RE IN THE ORDER THEY WERE RECEIVED. ONCE WE GET THROUGH THESE CARDS, IT WILL STILL BE OPEN LIKE THE MAYOR SAYS. THE FIRST NAME IS DR. JIM

SULLIVAN. >> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS.

I'M THE PRESIDENT OF WEST TEXANS FOR LIFE. AND I'D LIKE YOU TO KNOW A LITTLE ABOUT THAT ORGANIZATION. SO I'LL READ YOU OUR MISSION STATEMENT.

WEST TEXANS FOR LIFE PROVIDING ASSISTANCE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN WHO CHOOSE LIFE FOR THEIR NEWBORN CHILDREN. ENCOURAGING EQUAL RIGHTS FOR THE UNBORN.

OUR MISSION IS TO ONE, SPEAK OUT AGAINST A KILLING OF UNBORN CHILDREN THROUGH ABORTION.

TWO, TO PROVIDE A REFERRAL CENTER FOR SERVICES TO ASSIST PREGNANT WOMEN.

TO AVOID IMPLICATIONS OF EFRTS AND TO INCREASE EFFICACY. ANYBODY WHO IS AGAINST ABORTION IS A WEST TEXAN FOR LIFE. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS THINK THAT KILLING BABIES IS NOT A GOOD THING. NOW THERE ARE THREE THINGS I'VE SHARED WITH YOU BEFORE.

I'LL JUST GO OVER THOSE QUICKLY TO PROVIDE SOME CONTEXT. THIS IS NOT, FIRST OF ALL, A RELIGIOUS ISSUE. THIS IS A CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN A CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCATE MOST OF MY LIFE. I'VE HAD MY LIFE THREATENED FOR DEFENDING MINORITIES, FOR DEFENDING WOMEN, AND ALSO FOR DEFENDING THE UNBORN. I'M WILLING TO DIE FOR THIS CAUSE. THE PHRASE "RIGHT TO LIFE" DOES NOT COME FROM SCRIPTURE.

IT COMES FROM THE DECLARATION OF INSPECTION WHERE WE HEAR THE PHRASE" WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENCE THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL. THAT AMONG THESE ARE LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS." THE SECOND THING TO CONSIDER IS THAT ABORTION IS STAGGERINGLY DISCRIMINATORY. MOST OF THE BABIES THAT ARE KILLED ARE THE VERY PEOPLE THAT I HAVE DEFENDED MY ENTIRE LIFE. THEY ARE MINORITIES IN WOMEN.

HALF OF THE BABIES THAT ARE KILLED ARE WOMEN. OF THE ONES THAT ARE MEN, THE MAJORITY OF THOSE ARE MINORITY. IT'S UNBELIEVABLY DISCRIMINATORY.

AND THE THIRD THING IS THAT IT IS KILLING. WHETHER IT MEETS THE DEFINITION OF MURDER, THAT'S FOR YOU TO DECIDE. BUT IT IS UNREASONABLE TO THINK THAT IT'S ANYTHING ELSE THAN WHAT IT IS. IT'S KILLING.

IS THAT SOMETHING THAT PRO LIFE PEOPLE SAY? THAT'S SOMETHING THAT PLANNED PARENTHOOD SAID IN 1963, THEY HAD A PAMPHLET CALLED PLAN YOUR CHILDREN.

I HAVE A COPY OF IT IF YOU'D LIKE IT. IN THAT PAMPHLET, THEY'RE ASKING AND ANSWERING QUESTIONS ABOUT CONTRACEPTIVES. AND THE QUESTION IS, IS CONTRACEPTIVES AN ABORTION? PLANNED PARENTHOOD SAYS NO. AN ABORTION KILLS THE LIFE OF A BABY AFTER IT IS BEGUN. IT IS TIME TO STOP THE KILLING OF BABIES.

>> THANK YOU. >> IF NOT NOW, WHEN? IF NOT YOU? WHO.

>> JENNA BONNER. >> HI, THANK YOU. I'M HERE TODAY AS A STUDENT OF

[01:05:11]

ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY. I HAVE SOME PEERS WHO HAVE ALSO COME.

HOWEVER, I AM HERE IN OPPOSITION TO THE REQUEST WHICH WE ARE HERE TO DISCUSS.

LARGELY ON THE GROUNDS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN DISCUSSED BY THE COUNCIL THAT THEY ARE UNENFORCEABLE, UNCONSTITUTIONAL. I WOULD ADD THAT THEY'RE IMMORAL AND WOULD HARM THE CONSTITUENTS AND PEOPLE LIVING IN ABILENE. WHENEVER YOU STRIP AWAY THAT THEY'RE UNENFORCEABLE, UNCONSTITUTIONAL. WHAT YOU ARE LEFT WITH IS IN MY OPINION CRUELTY TOWARDS PEOPLE WHO NEED THE MOST COMPASSION. TOWARDS THE PEOPLE I BELIEVE THE PRO LIFE MOVEMENT HAVE THE MOST COMPASSION AND LOVE FOR. A LOT OF THESE ORDINANCES IN OTHER CITIES HAVE SOUGHT TO CRIMINALIZE REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS GROUPS. THIS LIMITS FREE SPEECH AND ALSO LIMITS ACCESS TO A NECESSARY SOCIAL AND HEALTH CARE INFORMATION AND OTHER ISSUES RELATED TO THAT. WHETHER THAT BE CANCER SCREENINGS, WHETHER THAT BE FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES FOR EXPECTING MOTHERS. ALL OF THE THINGS THAT A LOT OF PRO LIFE MOVEMENTS ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT. ORDINANCES THAT ALLOW FAMILY MEMBERS TO SUE PROVIDERS. THIS ALLOWS NOT ONLY LIMITS THE AMOUNT OF INDIVIDUAL AWE TAUN MEE AND LEGAL AUTHORITY GIVEN TO AN INDIVIDUAL UNDER THE LAW. BUT ALSO REINFORCES PATTERNS OF ABUSE. IT IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE THAT PREGNANCY WILL BE A TACTIC OF ABUSERS IN ORDER TO KEEP THEIR VICTIMS WITH THEM FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME.

PASSING SUCH ORDINANCES AS THIS THAT ALLOWS OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY AND CIRCLES TO RESTRICT THE OPTIONS THAT THEY HAVE. ABUSE PEOPLE WITHIN OUR CITY AND WITHIN OUR SOCIETY. FURTHERMORE, I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT ESSENTIALLY THAT REQUEST AN ORDINANCE SUCH AS THIS PROPERLY REPRESENT THE PRO LIFE MOVEMENT AS MY FELLOW ABILENE RESIDENT CAME UP AND JUST SAID. THEY BELIEVE IN HELPING WOMEN. THEY BELIEVE IN ADVOCATING FOR THOSE WHO NEED THE MOST HELP. WHENEVER YOU'RE EXAMINING THIS ORDINANCE AND STRIP AWAY ALL THE ELEMENTS, IN WHICH EVERYONE HERE ACKNOWLEDGED CANNOT BE ENFORCED. WHAT YOU'RE LEFT WITH IS CRUELTY AND MANIPULATION AND REINFORCES PATTERNS OF ABUSE AND LACK OF ACCESS TO NECESSARY RESOURCES FOR WOMEN, PEOPLE WHO ARE SEEKING TO BECOME PREGNANT AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ABILENE COMMUNITY. I BELIEVE THE PRO LIFE COMMUNITY IS ONE THAT IS DRIVEN BY LOVE, CARE, AND COMPASSION. BECAUSE OF THIS, PRO LIFE MOVEMENTS THAT ARE WITHIN TEXAS THAT OPPOSE THIS ORDINANCE BECAUSE AT ITS BASE LEVEL IT IS CRUEL, IT IS MEANT TO BE RETRIBUTIVE AND MEANT TO PUNISH THOSE WHO NEED HELP MOST. I HOPE FOR COUNCIL, THAT THESE

WORDS HAVE NOT FALLEN ON DEAF EARS OR HARDENED HEARTS. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> HERSHELL REDDING.

>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL, FOR ALLOWING US TO BE HERE TODAY, AND DISCUSS THIS TOPIC.

I WOULD LIKE TO CHALLENGE THE FACT THAT Y'ALL CALL THIS A FEDERAL LAW.

THE SUPREME COURT DOES NOT PASS LAWS. THEY PASS DECISIONS.

WE HAVE LEGISLATIVE BODY WHICH OUR CONGRESS PASSES LAWS. IT IS NOT A LAW.

THEY PASSED A DECISION. WE'RE HONORING THAT DECISION, I UNDERSTAND, FOR DIFFERENT REASONS. LET ME JUST REMIND YOU THAT -- I'LL READ FROM THIS.

WHEN THE SUPREME COURT STATED THAT BLACK HUMAN BEINGS WERE NOT PERSONS, THEY DECLARED THEM TO BE PROPERTY. THAT'S THE DRED SCOTT DECISION. THE SUPREME COURT SAID THAT.

THIS WAS TYRANNY. WHEN THE SUPREME COURT STATED THAT PREBORN HUMAN BEINGS WERE NOT PERSONS AND DECLARED IT LEGAL TO MURDER THEM IN ROE VERSUS WADE, THAT THE TYRANNY.

THEY WERE WRONG IN THE DECISION IN 1973. THEY WERE WRONG IN THE DECISION IN 1857. SO IT'S GOING TO BE OVERTURNED. NOW AS FAR AS ABILENE GOES, AS FAR AS WHETHER YOU'RE HONORING THIS AS LAW OR DECISION OR WHATEVER, LET ME JUST GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT HAPPENED IN WISCONSIN. ON MARCH 10, 1854, RUN AWAY SLAVE NAMED JOSHUA GLOVER WAS ARRESTED BY FEDERAL MARSHAL IN WISCONSIN.

THEY WERE TAKEN TO MILWAUKEE COUNTY JAIL. A CROWD OF ABOUT 5,000 PEOPLE RALLIED AND BROKE HIM OUT. WHOEVER MADE IT OUT OF WISCONSIN IN TO CANADA WHERE HE LIVED FREE UNTIL HIS NATURAL DEATH. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ARRESTED THE RING LEADER OF THE PEOPLE

[01:10:05]

WHO BROKE GLOVER OUT. A MAN NAMED SHERMAN BOOTH. SHERMAN BOOTH WAS CHARGED UNDER THE FEDERAL FUGITIVE SLAVE ACT. HISTORIC ACT OF INTERPOSITION, THAT'S WHAT I'M ASKING ABILENE TO DO IS INTERPOSE. IN A HISTORIC ACT OF INTERPOSITION, THE WISCONSIN LEGISLATURE, THE U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION -- TO BE VOID AND OF NO FORCE IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN. BASICALLY, WE CAN DO THE SAME THING HERE IN ABILENE.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> I'M GOING TO LEAVE THESE.

>> HESTER SE BROUDEN? >> THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO COME AND TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU ON THIS ISSUE. WHAT I PREPARED HAS CHANGED AFTER HEARING SOME OF THE DISCUSSION BY SOME OF YOUR LAWYERS AND CITY MANAGERS AND SO FORTH.

I WANT TO CHANGE IT TO JUST INTRODUCE A COUPLE IDEAS I THINK NEEDS TO BE HEARD AND UNDERSTOOD. AND THAT IS FIRST OF ALL, THE LAWYER RENDERED AN OPINION.

AND I THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD STEWARDSHIP ON HIS PART TO EXAMINE BOTH SIDES OF THE QUESTION. AND TO PRESENT THAT TO YOU AS GOVERNING AGENTS HERE IN ABILENE. MARTIN LUTHER KING ASKED A QUESTION, AND THIS QUESTION WAS: HOW DOES ONE DETERMINE WHETHER A LAW IS JUST OR UNJUST? A JUST LAW IS A MAN-MADE CODE THAT SQUARES WITH THE MORAL LAW OR THE LAW OF GOD. AN UNJUST LAW IS A CODE THAT IS OUT OF HARMONY WITH THE MORAL LAW OF GOD. MARTIN LUTHER KING.

HE ASKED THAT QUESTION. IT'S A QUESTION I THINK THAT HELPS SET THE TONE FOR US BEING INCLUDED AS A PEOPLE. BLACK PEOPLE AS FIRST CLASS CITIZENS IN AMERICA.

I WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS, FIRST OF ALL, FOR TAKING UP THIS ISSUE.

THIS IS ENCOURAGING TO ME AS A PRO ACTIVIST WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL BLACK PRO LIFE COALITION AND THE FOUNDER OF PROTECT LIFE AND LIBERTY AND MARRIAGE IN AMERICA.

IT'S ENCOURAGING TO US BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN ENGAGED IN WITNESSING WHAT IS A READJUSTING OF OUR MORAL VALUES IN OUR NATION. TO THE EMBRACEMENT OF IMMORALITY AND A GODLESS IDEOLOGY. AMERICA WAS FOUNDED -- AND THE CONSTITUTION WAS WRITTEN TO LIMIT GOVERNMENT NOT THE PEOPLE. AND WE, WHO ARE THE GOVERNED, DETERMINE WHAT IS RIGHT AND WHAT IS WRONG BASED UPON THE CONSTITUTION. OUR MORAL VALUES ARE SOURCED IN THE HOLY BIBLE. PRINCIPLES THAT UNDERGIRD THE FOUNDING OF OUR NATION AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR NATION BECOMING ONE OF THE GREATEST IN THE WORLD TODAY.

TODAY, WE ARE WITNESSING A RAPID EROSION OF THOSE VALUES. AND A TURNING AWAY FROM OUR TRADITIONAL VALUES AND FAMILY VALUES. WHAT WAS ONCE WRONG IN AMERICA IS NOW RIGHT. AND WHAT WAS ONCE RIGHT IS NOW WRONG.

AND WE HAVE LOST OUR MORAL COMPASS.

>> SODOMY IS NOW LEGAL. GENDER FLUIDITY, EUTHANASIA. DRAG QUEEN STORY HOUR, MAKING GIRLS BOYS, AND BOYS GIRLS. ABORTION IS SELLING DEAD BABY PARTS IN THE PUBLIC SQUARE RIGHT

NOW AND IT'S LEGAL IN AMERICA. >> THANK YOU.

>> JUST ONE MORE. I'VE BEEN INTERRUPTED SEVERAL TIMES.

>> I'LL LET YOU GO OVER A LITTLE BIT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY.

I APPRECIATE IT. >> I'M SORRY? >> I'LL LET YOU GO OVER A LITTLE BIT. I ALLOWED YOU TO. I NEED YOU TO END THINGS.

>> THE NUMBER ONE KILLER OF BLACK PEOPLE IN AMERICA IS ABORTION.

IT KILLS MORE OF US THAN ANY OTHER PATHOLOGY THAT CONFRONTS OUR NATION.

AND SO I JUST WANT TO END WITH THIS ONE THOUGHT: SCIENCE IS ON OUR SIDE ON THIS ISSUE.

I THINK IT WAS JUSTICE BLACKMAN WHO SAYS IF A BABY CAN BE PROVEN TO BE A PERSON, THEN ABORTION ENDS. SCIENCE HAS PROVEN THAT A BABY IS A PERSON.

[01:15:03]

23 CHROMOSOMES FROM A MALE AND 23 CHROMOSOMES FROM A FEMALE EQUALS 46 CHROMOSOMES, WHICH YOU ARE ALL COMPRISED OF THAT HAPPENED AT CONCEPTION. THE BABY IS A PERSON.

>> SCOTT CAMP. >> GOOD EVENING, THANKS FOR LISTENING TO ME.

>> ONCE UPON A TIME A REALLY SMART GUY SAID ALL THAT'S NECESSARY FOR THE TRIUMPH OF EVIL IS GOOD MEN DO NOTHING. MY OPINION IS THAT ABORTION IS EVIL.

60 MILLION DEAD BABIES OVER MY LIFETIME IS INDICATIVE OF THAT. I THINK IT WAS AN EASY LITMUS TEST TO DECIDE WHETHER IT IS INDEED EVIL OR NOT. ONCE THE QUESTION IS ASKED AND ANSWERED, IS THIS A HUMAN BEING? THEN WE KNOW. IF IT IS NOT A HUMAN BEING, THEN IT'S NOT EVIL TO DISPOSE OF IT. IF IT IS A HUMAN BEING, THEN IT HAS RIGHTS.

THE RIGHT TO LIFE AS OUR -- LIFE, LIBERTY, AND PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.

I'M PRETTY NERVOUS. SORRY ABOUT THAT. IF IT'S NOT, THEN DO WHAT YOU WANT. I THINK IT IS. IF WE ASPIRE TO BE GOOD MEN, WE CANNOT DO NOTHING. MY ANALYSIS OF THE IDEA OF MAKING AN ORDINANCE IS SIMILAR TO LAWYERS. I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU COUNCIL MEMBERS NOT TO ASK THE LAWYERS FOR OPINIONS SO MUCH AS TO TELL THEM WHAT YOU WANT. BUT THAT'S ANOTHER QUESTION ALTOGETHER. BUT THAT'S MY OPINION. SO WHAT CAN WE DO TO PRODUCE THE GOOD EFFECT FROM THIS ORDINANCE, BUT WITHOUT THE NEGATIVE SIDE EFFECTS? I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONSIDER SOMETHING LIKE A VERY STRONGLY WORDED RESOLUTION THAT WOULD SAY SOMETHING LIKE: THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF ABILENE STRONGLY OPPOSES ABORTION ON THE GROUNDS OF IT BEING IMMORAL. AND THAT IN THE EVENT THAT IT BECOMES -- THAT ROE V. WADE IS OVERTURNED, AND THAT IT BECOMES LESS PROBLEMATIC TO PASS AN ORDINANCE, IT'S OUR FIRM ATTENTION TO PASS SUCH AN ORDINANCE.

AND THEN MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY CAN HOLD YOU TO THAT WHEN IT HAPPENS.

THAT WILL BE MY RECOMMENDATION. I'LL BE HAPPY TO ASSIST ANY OF THAT IF YOU'D LIKE TO.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. >> THANKS, SCOTT.

>> FREDERICK JONES.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. FREDERICK JONES. I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF ABILENE FOR 20 YEARS. SECRETARY OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

I'VE HAD AN A-RATING WITH TEXAS RIGHT TO LIFE FOR 18 YEARS. I'M NOT GOING TO SPEAK FOR ANY OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS. BUT I'M GOING TO TELL YOU WHAT I THINK.

I WANT EACH ONE OF YOU TO HAVE A COPY OF THIS PAPER WITH THIS ARTICLE BY MARK DIXON.

I DON'T HAVE TIME TO GO IN TO IT. HE'S SITTING RIGHT BACK HERE.

THANK YOU, MARK. AND HE WILL EXPLAIN IT MORE IN DETAIL FOR YOU.

ANYWAY, I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT, YES, THERE'S A LOT OF CONTRADICTIONS ON THIS.

I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE CAN PASS THIS ORDINANCE. AND WE CAN FORCE THESE PEOPLE ON THE OTHER SIDE TO CHALLENGE IT. MAKE THEM CHALLENGE IT ALL THE WAY TO THE SUPREME COURT.

>> YES. >> YOU ASKED FOR THE DEFINITION OF LIFE.

YOU'VE ASKED FOR THE DEFINITION OF WHO IS A PERSON. WELL JEREMIAH 1, 5.

WHAT DID GOD SAY? I KNEW YOU BEFORE YOU WERE FORMED IN THE BELLY.

HE KNEW. THAT MEANS THAT WAS A PERSON. YOU CAN'T DENY THAT.

EXODUS 20 AND 13, GOD SAID THOU SHALT NOT KILL. AND YOU KNOW WHAT HE MEANS.

KILL FOR NO JUSTIFIABLE PURPOSE. WE CAN'T TAKE THE LIVES OF THESE BABIES.

LIKE THIS ONE BROTHER SAID BACK HERE, MINORITIES ARE THE ONES THAT REALLY CATCH THIS.

THEY'RE BEING FORCED IN TO A CORNER. I DON'T LIKE THAT.

BUT LET'S -- LET ME ENCOURAGE YOU TO REMOVE THIS BLIGHT AND A CURSE FROM ABILENE.

[01:20:01]

PASS THIS ORDINANCE. I KNOW YOU'RE NOT GOING TO VOTE ON IT TODAY.

BUT YOU NEED TO KEEP THE CURSE OF GOD OFF THIS CITY AND OFF OUR NATION.

MAKE THEM FIGHT US. YOU'VE GOT GOD ON YOUR SIDE IF YOU DO.

>> I'M NOT A PREACHER. NOT THE SON OF A PREACHER. SOME OF YOU ARE.

YOU CAN CUT ME DOWN TO SIZE, I BET. BUT YOU KNOW, I STILL REMEMBER ADOLF HITLER, YOU KNOW, THE CHANCELLOR OF THE NATIONAL SOCIALIST PARTY OF GERMANY.

HE KILLED OVER SIX MILLION PEOPLE. BABIES, THE ILL, THE ELDERLY, OTHER RACES THAT HE DIDN'T LIKE. HEY, I'M GETTING OLD. GUESS WHAT? THIS IS GOING TO EVOLVE IN TO EUTHANASIA FOR THE OLD. THANK YOU FOR INTRODUCING THIS.

AND I APPRECIATE YOU LISTENING TO ME. THANK YOU.

GOD BLESS YOU.

>> HALEY DEFOUR. >> HI, EVERYBODY. I HAVE A MILLION THINGS THAT I WANT TO SAY ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I'LL TRY TO KEEP THIS SHORT AND CONCISE.

>> CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME PLEASE. >> HALEY DEFOUR.

BODY AUTONOMY IS A SINGLE BASIC RIGHT. THERE'S NO A PERSON OUT THERE WHO CAN TELL ME OR MY DAUGHTER OR ANYONE WHAT TO DO WITH THIS BODY.

THE MEN IN THIS ORGANIZATION HAVE NEVER FEARED BEING OBJECTIFIED.

THEY'VE NEVER HAD THE FEAR OF BEING RAPED OR TURNING IN THEIR RAPIST.

IMAGINE FOR A MOMENT IF YOU WILL, THE EXPERIENCE OF TURNING IN THE MAN WHO DEFIED AND ASSAULTED YOU. KNOWING MANY WOMEN DON'T GET JUSTICE IN THESE CASES BECAUSE MAYBE THEY WERE ASKING FOR IT. THESE WOMEN ARE ALTERED FOR THIS TYPE OF ASSAULT.

LETTING THE LAW DICTATE THAT THEY'RE REQUIRED TO CARRY THEIR RAPIST'S BABY TO TERM.

THAT IF SHE WERE TO CHOOSE TO TERMINATE, THE LAW WOULD GIVE SAID RAPIST FULL RIGHT TO SUE HER FOR WRONGFUL DEATH. IS THAT FAIR? IS THAT TRUE JUSTICE? THESE PEOPLE ARE TOO CONCERNED WITH STRANGER'S EMBRYOS AND THEIR UNDYING NEED TO CONTROL.

I WOULD ASK, HOW MANY ARE THEY GOING TO BE THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT WHEN SHE CAN'T AFFORD TO FEED THAT CHILD OR CLOTHE THAT CHILD. IN JANUARY OF 2019, JUST A YEAR AGO, THERE WERE 29,927 CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE JUST IN TEXAS. AND 3,378 CHILDREN WAITING FOR ADOPTIVE FAMILIES.

LET THAT SINK IN. THERE ARE ALREADY THOUSANDS OF UNWANTED AND MISPLACED CHILDREN IN THIS STATE ALONE. YET, THIS ORGANIZATION WOULD RATHER FORCE THEIR OWN PERSONAL RELIGIOUS BELIEFS IN TO THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM TO MAKE THIS NUMBER GROW.

I STAND BEFORE YOU AS A MOTHER, A DAUGHTER, A SISTER, AND A FRIEND.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, A HUMAN BEING BEGGING THIS COUNCIL TO MAINTAIN A WOMAN'S MOST BASIC RIGHT TO HERSELF AND HER BODY. PLEASE VOTE AGAINST THIS UNCONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSITION.

THANK YOU.

>> SHE HAD TO LEAVE. >> SHE STEPPED OUT. >> CHRIS MOREN.

>> I AM A CHRISTIAN BUT I'M NOT GOING TO SPEAK ABOUT THIS FROM A CHRISTIAN STANDPOINT.

I'M JUST GOING TO SPEAK ABOUT IT FROM WHAT'S RIGHT AND WHAT'S WRONG.

NOT EVEN NECESSARILY THAT. THAT CAME OUT WRONG. SORRY ABOUT THAT.

YOU KNOW, THE IMPORTANT THING IS OUR JOB AS FATHERS, AS LEADERS, AS HUSBANDS IS TO TAKE THAT STAND. TO RAISE UP STRONG MEN THAT WON'T HURT WOMEN AND LEAVE THEM LIKE THIS. IF THEY'RE TAUGHT RIGHT, IF THEY'RE RAISED RIGHT, YOU KNOW, MORALLY, JUST EVERYTHING, VALUES, CORE VALUES, YOU KNOW. IF WE RAISE THEM AND IF WE -- IF WE'RE BRAVE ENOUGH TO BE THE MAN THAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO, IT'S NOT ALWAYS GOING TO BE EASY.

[01:25:04]

I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE ALL THE TIME. YOU KNOW.

BUT I WOULD LOVE TO SEE ABILENE BE A SANCTUARY CITY FOR A LOT OF REASONS.

YOU KNOW, I BELIEVE THAT THIS CITY WAS NAMED THE KEY CITY FOR A REASON.

AND I BELIEVE THAT GOD WANTS TO USE THIS CITY IN A MIGHTY WAY. >> YES, HE DOES.

>> I BELIEVE THAT, YOU KNOW, BRINGING HEAVEN TO EARTH LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING.

AND I BELIEVE IT TAKES COURAGE AND I BELIEVE IT STARTS SOMEWHERE.

AND I BELIEVE WE NEED TO TAKE THAT STAND. AND I'M NOT SAYING, YOU KNOW, I DO NOT WANT TO HURT WOMEN. I'M SO FOR IT. I'M SO FOR ANY MAN HURTING WOMAN OR ANY CHILD OR ANYTHING. I DON'T LIKE THAT ONE BIT. BUT IF WE RAISE THEM RIGHT.

THAT'S WHERE THE CHANGE COMES. >> THAT'S RIGHT. >> OKAY.

AND I THANK Y'ALL SO MUCH AND I HONOR Y'ALL VERY MUCH.

>> THE MAYOR MAKES ME DO THIS BECAUSE WE GET THESE NAMES SOMETIMES.

MARY MALORA. MARY, IF YOU'D LET US KNOW HOW TO SAY YOUR NAME, THAT WOULD BE

WONDERFUL. >> MY NAME IS MARY MAORA. MAYOR WILLIAMS, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME OVER. THIS IS REALLY, REALLY VERY DEAR TO MY HEART CONCERNING MAKING THIS CITY A SANCTUARY FOR THE UNBORN.

I'M ACTUALLY A MIDWIFE. AND MY MOM CONCEIVED ME WHEN SHE WAS A TEENAGER.

SO THIS IS VERY, VERY DEAR IN MY HEART. AND I REALLY, REALLY -- WHEN PEOPLE SAY THAT THE UNBORN ARE NOT HUMAN BEINGS, COMPLETELY, COMPLETELY AGAINST THAT.

THE UNBORN ARE FROM EVERY RELIGIOUS POINT AND ALSO FROM SCIENCE ITSELF.

IT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED AS EARLY AS EIGHT WEEKS OF LIFE. AND WE HEARD TOO FROM THE RELIGIOUS POINT OF VIEW THAT GOD HIMSELF WAS CALLING PEOPLE AS I KNEW YOU BEFORE -- BEFORE YOU WERE EVEN BORN. SO REALLY, THE UNBORN ARE HUMAN BEINGS.

AND ON THAT STAND, I WOULD MAKE A REQUEST THAT YOU PEOPLE VOTE TO MAKE THIS CITY THE SANCTUARY FOR THE UNBORN. THANK YOU.

>> CAROLYN WALDEN. >> GOOD EVENING, AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LETTING ME SPEAK.

WHAT A BLESSED NATION WE ARE IN. TO BE ABLE TO DISCUSS SOMETHING SO IMPORTANT AS THIS.

AND TO BE ABLE TO CHANGE LAWS IF WE NEED TO. WHAT AN AMAZING COUNTRY WE LIVE IN. I WANT TO SPEAK TO YOU, TO YOUR MATTER AND YOUR CONSCIENCE.

AND I WANT TO SPEAK TO YOU FROM A VERY PERSONAL, PERSONAL LEVEL. MY NAME IS CAROLYN WALDEN.

AND I AM THE MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER OF THREE AMAZING MEN WHO BY THE GRACE OF GOD, ARE ALL ALIVE TODAY. AND ESCAPED THE ABORTIONIST KNIFE.

I HAVE BEEN A CITIZEN OF ABILENE FOR ALMOST 50 YEARS. AD I AM THE CO-FOUNDER OF A MINISTRY, A CHRISTIAN MINISTRY THAT AT ITS FOUNDATION TEACHES THE TRUTH THAT MAN DID NOT EMERGE FROM A PRIMORDIAL SWAMP BY ACCIDENT. BUT RATHER, WE WERE INTENTIONALLY CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD. MEANING THAT A HUMAN BEING IS THE MOST VALUABLE ENTITY IN THE UNIVERSE. WHEN MY HUSBAND AND I CAME HERE IN 1975, WE DID SO WITH THE INTENT TO BLESS ABILENE AND THE COMMUNITY BY SHARING THAT MESSAGE. ABILENE HAS BEEN GOOD TO US. IT HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL PLACE TO RAISE A FAMILY. I RECOMMEND IT TO PEOPLE ALL OF THE TIME.

WE TRAVEL IN OUR MINISTRY. I WAS ALWAYS PROUD TO SAY I WAS FROM ABILENE.

AS THE MOTHER OF TWO ADOPTED SONS WHO WERE BOTH THE RESULT OF UNPLANNED PREGNANCIES, I AM

[01:30:06]

GRATEFUL FOR THE PEOPLE WHO SPOKE UP FOR THEM DURING A PENDING CRISIS WHEN THEY WERE DEVELOPING IN UTERO. I JUST SPENT THE WEEKEND WITH ONE OF THOSE SONS AND THEIR CHILDREN. I AM ALSO THE GRANDMOTHER OF AN EXCEPTIONAL YOUNG MAN WHO DUE TO SOME POSSIBLE MEDICAL PROBLEMS IN ALSO NARROWLY ESCAPED AN UNTIMELY AND UNNECESSARY DEATH. SOME IN THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY HAD SUGGESTED TO HIS PARENTS, MY SON AND DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, AND WITH SOME INTIMIDATION THAT SINCE THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY THAT HE MAY NOT BE WHAT THEY CONSIDERED NORMAL, THAT PERHAPS THEY SHOULD ABORT HIS LIFE.

I AM HAPPY TO TELL YOU THAT HIS PARENTS DECIDED TO TRUST GOD IN THE MATTER AND MADE THE DECISION TO PRESERVE HIS LIFE. AND BY THE WAY, HE TURNED OUT TO NOT BE NORMAL.

WHILE IN HIS TEENS, HE EARNED THE RANK OF EAGLE SCOUT. HE WAS THE GIFTED PERFORMING ARTIST CELLIST. AND IS NOW SERVING OUR COUNTRY ON A NUCLEAR SUBMARINE.

GOD BLESS THE PEOPLE WHO SAVED HIS LIFE. THE PEOPLE WHO GAVE -- WHO HAD

THE COURAGE TO SPEAK UP. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> I'LL REMIND THE AUDIENCE. EVERYONE SPEAK TO THE AUDIENCE. I'M PRESIDING OFFICER.

IF YOU CAN'T ABIDE BY THOSE PARAMETERS, YOU NEED TO EXIT THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS.

>> PAUL CORNELIUS. >> GOOD EVENING. I'M THE DIRECTOR OF THE DISCOVERY CENTER IN TOWN. I'D LIKE TO ASK HOW MANY HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO GET THERE? WE'RE IN ABILENE. AND WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO COME TO US.

WE HAVE SOME WONDERFUL EXHIBITS. AND WE UNAPOLOGETICALLY SAY THAT WE ARE A MUSEUM OF THE BIBLE.

WE HOLD THAT GOD'S WORD IS TRUE. YOU KNOW, TONIGHT, WE'VE HEARD ABOUT THE LETTER OF THE LAW.

BUT THERE'S SOMETHING THAT GOES ABOVE THE LETTER OF THE LAW, IT'S CALLED THE HEART OF THE LAW. THE HEART OF THE LAW COMES FROM GOD HIMSELF.

MAN DOES NOT GIVE RIGHTS. GOD IS THE ONE THAT GRANTS US THOSE RIGHTS.

EVERY TIME MAN TRIES TO MAKE RIGHTS, IT GOES THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.

IT BECOMES BONDAGE. I THINK YOU GUYS HAVE A TOUGH ENOUGH JOB AS IT IS.

I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS, DECISIONS THAT YOU HAVE TO MAKE EVERY DAY TO KEEP THIS CITY GOING. AND WE APPRECIATE YOU. AND I WANT TO REAFFIRM YOU TONIGHT THAT WE PRAY FOR YOU BECAUSE YOU MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS EVERY DAY.

AND I DO APPRECIATE MR. PRICE ESPECIALLY BECAUSE YOU'VE MADE THIS AVAILABLE WHERE WE COULD HAVE THIS DISCUSSION TONIGHT. THIS IS A HEATED TOPIC IN AMERICA.

AND I KNOW IT'S A HEATED TOPIC IN ABILENE TONIGHT. BUT I THINK WE'RE PROVING THAT WE CAN DISCUSS AS CITIZENS OF AMERICA, AS CITIZENS OF THIS GREAT CITY, IMPORTANT TOPICS AND DO IT IN A WONDERFUL AND LOVING, AND KIND WAY. BUT HERE'S THE POINT.

BABIES HAVE RIGHTS.

THAT BABY INSIDE THAT WOMB HAS EVER RIGHT TO LIVE. AREN'T YOU GLAD THAT YOUR PARENTS DECIDED FOR YOU TO LIVE? YOU KNOW, WHEN I'M SPEAKING TONIGHT, THIS WHOLE ISSUE AS I SAID, IS AN ISSUE OF THE HEART. I WANT TO GIVE EACH OF YOU. IT HAS A LABEL ON IT.

A VERY POWERFUL, POWERFUL MOVIE. IT'S A DOCUMENTARY. IT'S CALLED "SEVEN REASONS." I'M GOING TO LEAVE IT ON THE TABLE WHERE THESE OTHER NEWSPAPERS WERE LEFT.

BUT EACH ONE IS LABELED FOR YOU. BECAUSE THIS IS A DISCUSSION, IT MEANS THAT AFTER WE'RE THROUGH TONIGHT, THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE A VOTE. BUT MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO GATHER WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING IN THAT TOPIC. I LEAVE THESE FOR YOU ASKING YOU, BEGGING YOU TO WATCH THEM. BECAUSE I THINK YOU'LL HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING ABOUT A LOT OF THE REASONS WHY WE'RE SEEING WHAT WE'RE SEEING TODAY. WE'RE SEEING SOME THINGS THAT ARE JUST OUT OF TOUCH. WE'RE SEEING SOME LAWS WHERE THEY THINK IT'S OKAY TO GO AHEAD

[01:35:04]

AND KILL A BABY ALMOST OUTSIDE OF THE WOMB NOW. FOLKS, I ASK AND POSE THIS QUESTION TO YOU, IT'S OKAY TO KILL A BABY WHEN?

>> AS WE CONTINUE, I KNOW WE HAVE A NUMBER OF CARDS LEFT. SOME OF YOU WANT TO SPEAK.

WHEN SOMEONE IS SPEAKING, ALTHOUGH YOU MAY PROVIDE AFFIRMATION.

LET'S WAIT UNTIL HE OR SHE FINISHES TO PROVIDE AFFIRMATION. NO AMEN'S UNTIL AFTER THE

SPEAKER. AMEN? >> AMEN.

>> ELIZABETH SPIESER. >> GOOD EVENING, CITY COUNCIL. I WOULD LIKE TO WISH YOU ALL WELL AND SHARE MY THOUGHTS AGAINST THE IDEA PROPOSED TO MAKE ABILENE A SANCTUARY CITY FOR THE UNBORN. BUT BEFORE I DO THAT, I WANT TO SHARE THAT I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE DANGEROUS TO SPEAK WITHIN THIS FORUM AGAINST THIS ISSUE THIS EVENING.

AND THAT WHOEVER DID SHOULD BE AFRAID AND MOST LIKELY RETALIATED AGAINST.

OTHERS IN THIS ROOM WERE PROBABLY TOLD THE SAME THING. BECAUSE IT IS TRUE THAT IN ABILENE THERE'S A CULTURE OF RETALIATION AND HURTFULNESS THAT SEEKS TO UNDERMIND AND HARM ANY OF THOSE THAT EXPRESS OPINIONS OR CLOSELY HELD BELIEFS THAT GO AGAINST WHAT IS POPULAR HERE.

AND I WANT TO EMPHASIZE HOW SHAMEFUL I THINK THAT IS. THAT WITHIN OUR BEAUTIFUL CITY IN WHICH WE PUBLICLY PRAISE FREE SPEECH AND DEMOCRACY, THAT ANY OF US SHOULD FEEL ANY TREPIDATION IN SPEAKING HERE THIS EVENING WHAT WE REALLY THINK.

I HOPE THAT AS A CULTURE THAT EVEN THOUGH WE MAY NOT AGREE ON THIS ISSUE OF A WOMAN'S RIGHT, OF A WOMAN'S CHOICE, THAT WE CAN AT LEAST TAKE A STAND AGAINST HARMING EACH OTHER FOR SPEAKING OUR MINDS. NOW TO THE ISSUE AT HAND. OUR CITY IS GROWING AND I KNOW WE ARE ALL PROUD OF ABILENE. LET ME LIST A FEW OF OUR MOST RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS.

TOGETHER, WE HAVE GARNERED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF EXTERNAL INVESTMENT BOTH DOWNTOWN AND THROUGHOUT OUR CITY. WE HAVE ACHIEVED FUNCTIONAL ZERO FOR VETERAN HOMELESSNESS. WE HAVE WORKED WITH OUR STATE REPRESENTATIVES TO SECURE INNOVATIVE LEGISLATION. LEGISLATION THAT IS HELPING US BUILD A DOWNTOWN HOTEL THAT WILL IN TURN ATTRACT TOURISTS DOLLARS. WE ARE EVEN FIXING OUR STREETS.

CRISIS FOR THE NEXT 60 YEARS. AND IT IS TOGETHER THAT WE ARE BUILDING A CITY THAT WILL BE READY FOR MANY SCOMBRENGS -- GENERATIONS TO COME. AS A RESULT, ABILENE IS GAINING A GOOD REPRESENTATION AS PROGRESSIVE. THERE IS A WORLD OUTSIDE OF ABILENE AND THEY WILL NOT WANT TO VISIT, INVEST OR LIVE IN A CITY WHERE RESTRICTIVE, AND YES, RELIGIOUS IDEOLOGIES. IT WILL HARM GROWTH. IT WILL DAMAGE OUR REPUTATION.

AND IT WILL STIGMATIZE US. WE CANNOT AFFORD FOR ANY OF THIS TO HAPPEN.

AND WHILE I ENCOURAGE DISCUSSION AND FREE SPEECH AND THANK THE CITY COUNCIL FOR ALLOWING US ALL THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE OUR IDEAS. I ASK THAT THE COUNCIL, WHO EVEN THOUGH INDIVIDUALLY MAY HOLD CONVICTIONS THAT AGREE WITH ORDINANCE IN PRINCIPLE, NOT CONTINUE TO ENTERTAIN IDEAS ANY FURTHER THAT WILL HARM OR STIGMATIZE OUR CITY.

BUT ARE ALSO NOT CITY BUSINESS OR WITHIN OUR CITY'S LEGAL AUTHORITY.

I THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. AND THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR DOING WHAT WILL HELP AND NOT HARM ABILENE.

>> JESEL RODRIGUEZ. >> CAN I MOVE THIS DOWN, SIR? >> YES, YOU SURE MAY.

>> HELLO, GOOD EVENING. I'M REALLY NERVOUS. I DIDN'T KNOW IF I WAS GOING TO SAY ANYTHING TODAY. I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW IF I WAS GOING TO BE HERE TODAY, HONESTLY. BUT I FELT MAYBE THE LORD CALLING ON MY HEART BECAUSE THIS

[01:40:06]

IS AN ISSUE THAT REALLY CALLS TO MY HEART. BECAUSE IT'S AN INJUSTICE TO KILL CHILDREN IN THE WOMB. WHO HAVE THE RIGHT TO LIVE. MY WONDERFUL BIOLOGY TEACHER JUST SPOKE, MR. PAUL CORNELIUS. WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS IN CLASS, ACTUALLY.

ABOUT THE CRITERIA TO LIFE. AND AN UNBORN BABY HAS ALL OF THOSE.

AND THEY HAVE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, TOO. THEY CAN FEEL PAIN AND THEY HAVE HEARTS. EVERY LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL. AND A GIFT FROM GOD.

AND DESERVES TO HAVE THE CHANCE AND THE RIGHT TO LIVE. THANK YOU.

MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH ANY KIND OF CIVIL ACTION WAS HERE ON ABILENE ON THE CITY HALL STEPS WHERE MY MOTHER WAS PROTESTING PRO CHOICE. IT'S A GREAT DEAL OF TREPIDATION THAT I COME UP HERE TO SPEAK AGAINST THIS ORDINANCE. WE'VE ALREADY DISCUSSED THE LEGALITY ISSUES. WE'VE DISCUSSED THE IMPLEMENTATION.

AND THE ETHICAL QUESTIONS HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP A LOT. I WAS NOT GOING TO ATTEND THIS MEETING. THIS WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT'S DEAR TO MY HEART.

BUT WHEN I LOOKED AT THE ORDINANCE AND ITS ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS AND THE KINDS OF WAYS IT WAS GOING TO PUNISH PEOPLE, IT SEEMED TO ME TO BE DEEPLY DISHONORABLE AND PERHAPS ALSO COUNTER TO ITS OWN GOALS. IF A WOMAN CAN PERSUADE A DOCTOR TO GIVE HER AN ABORTION, THEN HER FAMILY COULD SUE THE DOCTOR FOR WRONGFUL DEATH. THERE WAS ALSO DISCUSSION AMONG SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE ADVOCATING FOR IT THAT THE FINES WOULD COME IN TO EFFECT AFTER THE LAW HAD BEEN PROVEN CONSTI CONSTITUTIONAL.

AND THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO HIT THE PEOPLE WITH THE FINES FOR SOMETHING THAT WASN'T ILLEGAL AT THE TIME THEY DID IT. AND BOTH OF THOSE SEEMED TO BE TO -- SO WHEN I SAW THAT AND I READ THAT, I WAS CONVICTED THAT I NEEDED TO COME HERE AND ASK NOT THAT WE NOT PASS ANY KIND OF SYMBOLIC ORDINANCE THAT SAYS THERE NOT BE ABORTIONS IN ABILENE OR MAKE SOME KIND OF STATEMENT AS TO OUR ETHICS, BUT SIMPLY ON THE TOPIC OF IS THIS LAW THAT IS BEING PROPOSED THE LAW THAT WE WOULD WANT ENFORCED AFTER ROE V. WADE WAS REPEALED. AND I DON'T VERY MUCH THINK IT IS. I DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE A GOOD LAW IN RESPECT.

JUST ON THE MERITS I DON'T LIKE IT. I ALSO SUPPORT PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE. I BELIEVE IN THAT. BUT I KNOW THIS ISN'T THE PLACE TO HAVE THAT PARTICULAR DEBATE. THIS IS ABOUT THIS LAW. AND I THINK THIS LAW IN PARTICULAR IS A VERY POOR WAY TO GO ABOUT PRO LIFE. THANK YOU, CITY COUNCIL.

>> STEVEN GIRARD SLELOVESKI. >> TRAVELING FROM GREATER ORLANDO AREA TO SAN DIEGO.

IT LOOKS AS IF I'M IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME. BELOVED MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, ALL CITIZENS HERE IN ABILENE, I ASSURE YOU YOU HAVE MANY WONDERFUL CITIZENS FOR LIFE AND PEACE WHO ARE LOOKING DOWN RIGHT NOW IN TO THIS WONDERFUL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER.

I WOULD LIKE TO LET ALL OF YOU KNOW THAT I HAVE ALSO REVIEWED THE ORDINANCE BEFORE YOU.

I'VE SPOKEN AT MANY CITY COUNCILS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES.

AND I WELL KNOW WHERE ALL OF YOU ARE PRESENTLY. HOWEVER, HOW WE THOUGHT ABOUT

[01:45:03]

THE CONSTITUTION IN 1973 IS NOT HOW WE THINK ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION TODAY IN 2020.

I AM FULLY IN SUPPORT OF YOU NOW BRINGING THIS FORTH TO BE REVIEWED AND DISCUSSED AMONGST YOURSELVES. IF FOR SOME REASON YOU DECIDE NOT TO MOVE IN THIS DIRECTION, I WOULD GIVE THE CITIZENS OF ABILENE NEW HOPE BECAUSE I AM ALSO A SCHOLAR IN PETITIONING THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS HAVE THE RIGHT TO PETITION THAT THIS ORDINANCE BE VOTED ON.

I HAVE VERIFIED THAT WITH SCHOLAR PETITIONERS IN THE UNITED STATES.

HOWEVER, YOU, MAYOR, ARE THE WONDERFUL LEADER OF THE CITY OF ABILENE.

I'M TOLD THE KEY STATE NOW. YOU IN MY OPINION HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO BRING THIS NOW BEFORE CITY COUNCIL EVEN THOUGH YOUR LAWYERS HAVE RECOMMENDED WHAT THEY ARE RECOMMENDING TO YOU. AS A FORMER NAVAL OFFICER WITH AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY WHO SERVED ABOARD THE USS ENTERPRISE, I ASSURE YOU I DEFENDED THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. AND I DEFENDED THAT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES ALLOWS CITIZENS TO MOVE IN NEW DIRECTIONS.

I GIVE YOU MY INPUT AND I HOPE THAT ELEVATES ALL OF YOU TO A NEW LEVEL OF LOVE HERE IN THE CITY OF ABILENE. GOD BLESS YOU. JESUS LOVES EVERYBODY HERE.

>> MARK LEE DIXON. >> HE JUST WALKED OUT. >> OH, HE'S COMING BACK.

>> HERE HE IS.

>> MY NAME IS MARK LEE DIXON, DIRECTOR OF RIGHT TO LIFE EAST TEXAS.

I'M THE ONE WHO LED THE INITIATIVE TO OUTLAW ABORTION. BECOME THE FIRST CITY IN THE NATION TO DO SO. I APPRECIATE THE DISCUSSION HERE TONIGHT.

AND I'VE TALKED TO THE MAYOR. AND I KNOW THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT THERE'S PEOPLE IN THIS COUNCIL ARE VERY SERIOUS ABOUT. THE OPENING COMMENTS BY THE CITY ATTORNEY, THE CITY MANAGER AND COUNCILMAN PRICE WERE VERY DETAILED. AND I HAVE TO WONDER IF WE WERE IN A DIFFERENT TIME PERIOD, DISCUSSING MAYBE A SANCTUARY CITY FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS, WOULD WE STAND BEHIND THE SAME REASONING? THERE WAS A NUMBER OF STATEMENTS THAT WERE MADE THAT WE HAVE PROVIDED INFORMATION TO YOU GUYS ABOUT.

THAT SAY CLEARLY THAT THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT CONTRADICTS CURRENT LAW.

IN THIS LEGAL MEMO THAT ALL OF YOU SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN, IT SAYS THE ORDINANCE TO WORK WITHIN NOT VIOLATE CURRENT SUPREME COURT JURISPRUDENCE. SIMULTANEOUSLY ENABLES CITIES TO TAKE A BOLD STANCE FOR LIFE AND PROTECT THEIR COMMUNITIES. BECAUSE THE ORDINANCE DOES NOT VIOLATE ANY UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT RULING, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO PASSED THIS MEASURE ARE NOT IN VIOLATION OF THEIR OATHS OF OFFICE. WE'RE ASKING YOU GUYS TODAY TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT IN THE EYES OF THE LORD. WE OPENED UP THIS MEETING WITH PRAYER. WE SAID THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

AND WE SAID "ONE NATION UNDER GOD." I'M SURE EACH ONE OF YOU WOULD SAY "IN GOD WE TRUST" IS SOMETHING THAT IS HELD DEAR IN THIS COMMUNITY.

BUT DO WE REALLY TRUST IN GOD? THIS ORDINANCE PUTS THE MONEY WHERE THE MOUTH IS.

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT IT IS WRONG FOR INNOCENT CHILDREN LIKE THIS. THIS IS A 12-WEEK FETAL MODEL.

TAKE A PICTURE OF THIS, PUT IT ON FACEBOOK. FACEBOOK IS GOING TO ASK WHICH FRIEND DO YOU WANT TO TAG? THIS IS A HUMAN BEING. WE ALL STARTED THIS WAY.

THIS IS A HEART BEAT OF A CHILD AT 8 WEEKS THAT WAS SAVED FROM ABORTION.

[01:50:08]

>> WILL BABIES BE MURDERED IN ABILENE TEXAS? THAT'S THE QUESTION TODAY.

AND A RESOLUTION WILL NOT PREVENT THE ABORTION INDUSTRY FROM COMING HERE.

THE ONLY THING THAT WILL IS AN ORDINANCE, WHICH THE ACLU HAS SAID MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE ABORTION INDUSTRY TO SET UP SHOP IN THESE CITIES. THANK YOU SO MUCH AND GOD BLESS.

>> CHUCK ZOLERS. >> AM I THE LAST CARD ON THE LIST?

WITH THE LAST NAME ZOLERS, I TYPICALLY END UP. >> WE'RE NOT ALPHABETIZING.

>> IT WAS MENTIONED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL HAS TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE LEGAL ASPECTS.

WHICH I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT. BUT AS OTHER SPEAKERS HAS MENTIONED, THERE IS A MORAL ASPECT AS WELL. I WILL LOOK AT THAT AND I WILL BE SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF THE ORDINANCE. PROBABLY MOST OF YOU HAVE HEARD OF ABBY JOHNSON, THE BOOK "UNPLANNED." THERE WAS A MOVIE THAT WAS BASED ON THAT.

IF YOU'RE NOT, I HOPE THAT YOU WOULD LOOK IN TO THAT. SHE WORKED FOR PLANNED PARENTHOOD FOR EIGHT YEARS. AND BECAME A CLINIC DIRECTOR. IT'S VERY REVEALING WHAT SHE PUT. IT REVEALS THE ASPECT OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD.

THE OTHER BOOK IS CALLED "BLOOD MONEY" BY CAROL EVERETT. SHE HAD OWNED AN ABORTION CLINIC. SHE, THROUGH CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, WENT AWAY FROM THAT. HER BOOK ALSO REVEALS VERY MUCH WHAT TAKES PLACE IN THE ABORTION INDUSTRY. SO YOU SEE MY EMPHASIS HERE IS TALKING ABOUT THE REALITY REGARDLESS WHICH SIDE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, THESE THINGS TAKE PLACE.

MENTIONED THAT THE UNBORN, THAT THE DOCTORS CAN PRESCRIBE AND IT'S NOT DESCRIBED AS MURDER.

BUT WITH THE ADVENT OF THE SONOGRAM AND WITH REFINEMENT OF TECHNOLOGY IT'S BECOMING HARDER AND HARDER TO IGNORE THE FACT THAT A CHILD IN THE WOMB, IT'S HARD TO IGNORE THAT THAT IS A LIVING PERSON. I'M INCLINED TO BELIEVE AS TECHNOLOGY INVOLVES AND MORE THOUGHT IS GIVEN TO THIS, SOME OF THESE COURT DECISIONS WILL BE OVERTURNED.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE HEARD OF THE DVD "THE SILENT SCREAM." THIS WAS FILMED SHORTLY AFTER SONOGRAMS BECAME AVAILABLE. THIS WAS FILMED BY AN ABORTIONIST.

AND THE EXPOSURE OF THAT CHANGED A LOT OF LIVES. THE OTHER VIDEO IS "LIFE AFTER ABORTION." THIS IS VIDEO OF MANY WOMEN WHO HAD ABORTIONS PRIMARILY WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG TEENAGERS. THEY WERE TOLD IT'S JUST A MASS OF -- MATTER OF WHATEVER.

THEY LATER REALIZED THAT. IT JUST SHOWS THE EMOTIONAL TURMOIL THAT THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED. SO I HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONSIDER SOME OF THESE THINGS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE CITY.

>> JO RITA HAGGENS >> THAT'S ME AGAIN. >> THAT'S ME AGAIN.

I WAS BORN IN THE EARLY '40S, LATE '30S. AND ANYBODY THAT WAS BORN DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME EVEN UP IN TO THE '50S, THEY'RE LUCKY TO BE HERE.

BECAUSE THAT WAS ADOPTION PERIOD OF WHERE BABIES WERE ORPHANED. BROTHER NICHOLAS WEST TEXAS CHILDREN'S ORPHANAGE. HE TRAVELED ALL OVER NEW MEXICO AND OKLAHOMA A PLACE FOR UNWANTED CHILDREN. AND I WAS GLAD. I'M ONE OF THEM.

I GOT ADOPTED BEFORE I WAS BORN. I WAS A BLACK MARKET BABY. COST MY PARENTS $500.

I THINK THEY GOT THEIR MONEY'S WORTH AND MORE. IN THE MID 1950S, I WISH DIVORCE

[01:55:03]

HAD BEEN -- BECAUSE I WAS RAPED BY A SCHOOL MATE. I WAS RAISED BY A GOOD CHRISTIAN FAMILY. WE WENT BY GOD'S RULES NOT PEOPLE'S RULES.

BACK THEN, ABORTION WAS NOT HEARD OF. IF I HAD AN ABORTION, I WOULDN'T HAVE HAD A SEVERELY MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY DEFORMED CHILD THAT EVENTUALLY DIED FROM THE BIRTH DEFECTS. IF I HAD AN ABORTION, I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN LOOKED DOWN ON BY MY SCHOOL MATES OR MY PARENTS OR MY PEERS AT CHURCH. AND I WAS IN SOUTHSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH, BY THE WAY. I WOULD HAVE NOT LOOKED DOWN BY ALL OF THEM.

I THINK ABORTION IS OKAY NOWADAYS. BUT I REALLY THINK IT'S OKAY IF THE MOTHER HAS BEEN TOLD IF YOUR CHILD LIVES, IT'S GOING TO BE SEVERELY MENTALLY, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND MAY NOT LIVE FOR A FEW YEARS. IF YOU WANT TO GET PREGNANT, TAKE THE PILL. THAT WILL KEEP YOU FROM GETTING THAT WAY.

CONDOMS WILL KEEP GUYS FROM DOING WHAT THEY DO. BUT BACK IN THAT PERIOD OF TIME, THE PILL WASN'T HEARD OF. CONDOMS WASN'T HEARD OF OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

THIS IS A MODERN DAY EFFECT. SO I THINK IT'S THAT RIGHT. ABORTIONS, YEAH, NOT ABORTIONS, YEAH. IT DEPENDS ON THE STATUS OF THAT CHILD THAT IS TO BE ABORTED.

IF YOU'VE GOT A GOOD HEALTHY BABY. HAVE THAT BABY AND PUT IT UP FOR ADOPTION. THERE'S MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT WANT TO ADOPT A CHILD BUT THEY CAN'T FOR SOME STUPID REASON BY LAW. RAISE THOSE LAWS WHERE FAMILIES CAN RAISE A CHILD AND TAKE CARE OF IT. NOT TO GET ON WELFARE AND GET FOOD STAMPS. BUT THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING A MOTHER NOT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT A SEVERELY DEFORMED, PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY CHILD TO RAISE.

>> SCOTT BEARD. >> MY NAME IS SCOTT BEARD. I'M PASTOR OF FELLOWSHIP HERE IN TOWN. I'M ALSO PART OF ONE KINGDOM. I APPRECIATE YOU GUYS, MAYOR.

COUNCILMEN, APPRECIATE YOU SO MUCH GIVING US THIS OPPORTUNITY. MINE IS A VERY STRONG PERSONAL OPINION. YOU GUYS ARE IN A CONUNDRUM. IT'S A BIT OF A PICKLE.

MY OPINION IS MY OPINION. THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. I FIND IT KIND OF INTERESTING THAT SARAH WEDDINGTON, THE LAWYER WHO ARGUED THE CASE IS A DAUGHTER OF THE CITY.

RECENTLY SHE WAS SEEN ALONGSIDE GOVERNOR CUOMO IN NEW YORK WHICH SIGNED IN TO LEGISLATION THE RIGHT TO ABORT UP TO THE THIRD TRIMESTER, EVEN PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTION.

THE SANCTITY OF LIFE RATHER THAN A CITY IN SOME WAYS HAD ITS ROOTS IN LEGAL ABORTION THROUGH SARAH WEDDINGTON. THAT WE WOULD BE A CITY FOR LIFE.

DURING THAT TIME, I DEVELOPED A GREAT DEAL, REALLY A PASSION FOR THE YOUNG MOTHERS WHO CAME THROUGH OUR CLINIC. THESE YOUNG LADIES WERE OFTEN VERY CONFUSED AND FEARFUL, AND ABORTION MINDED. AFTER HAVING SEEN A SONOGRAM OF THEIR BABY, MANY OF THEM CHANGED THEIR MINDS. IT WAS VERY AWARDED TO SEE THAT. AS A SANCTUARY CITY, I WOULD HOPE THAT IT WOULD NOT ONLY BE A SANCTUARY FOR THE INNOCENT AMONG US, BUT THEIR YOUNG MOTHERS.

A PLACE WHERE THEY COULD RECEIVE PRENATAL CARE. COUNSELING WHERE THEY WOULD HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADOPTION AND FOSTER CARE, WHICH I KNOW IS BEING ACTIVELY AADDRESSED IN MANY CITIES THROUGHOUT NATION. THE NUMBER OF BABIES IN NEED OF FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION.

BUT ALSO A SANCTUARY CITY AS WELL FOR THOSE WHO HAVE HAD ABOR ABORTIONS. WHERE THEY COULD FIND A PLACE WHERE THEY RECEIVE COUNSELING AND HELP AND ENCOURAGEMENT BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY'VE BEEN THROUGH.

IT'S FOR THESE REASONS I'D ASK YOU COUNCILMEN AND MAYOR, CONSIDER MAKING THIS A DECLARATION. I AM PRAYING FOR YOU GUYS. WE APPRECIATE YOU GUYS VERY MUCH. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO. BLESS YOU.

[02:00:01]

MEMBERS. I CAME AND I ACTUALLY JUST CAME TO BE A PART.

BUT I DIDN'T EXPECT TO SPEAK. BUT I REALIZE THAT IF MY VOICE ISN'T HEARD, IF THERE'S NO ACTIONS TAKEN, THERE'S NO REACTIONS GIVEN. AND SO I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING REALLY PREPARED. I AM FOR THE SANCTUARY ORDINANCE.

I CAN SAY IT'S NOT A COINCIDENCE THAT THIS EVENING WAS ONE OF THE EVENINGS THAT YOU'RE HONORING MENTORS. THE MONTH IS A MENTOR MONTH. BECAUSE GROWING UP I HAD TWO COACHES THAT WERE VERY STRONG MENTORS IN MY LIFE. BOTH WERE ADOPTED.

THEIR MOTHERS BOTH CHOSE AFTER ROE V. WADE TO NOT ABORT THEM, BUT TO ADOPT THEM OUT TO OTHER FAMILIES. MY ONE COACH WAS A COACH. A DAUGHTER OF A YOUNG MOTHER.

AND MY OTHER COACH WAS A -- SORRY, I'M VERY NERVOUS. SHE WAS WHAT WAS FROM A VICTIM OF A RAPE. AND SO HER MOTHER WAS VERY BRAVE TO GO AHEAD AND HAVE HER.

AND BECAUSE OF THAT CHOICE THAT THOSE MOTHERS MADE, THEY INFLUENCED NOT JUST MY LIFE BUT MANY, MANY YOUNG WOMEN TO BECOME STRONG WOMEN. AND I JUST ASK YOU AS A GOVERNMENT TO NOT BE A PC GOVERNMENT, BUT TO BE A GOVERNMENT THAT COMES AND WANTS WHAT WAS FOUNDED FOR OUR NATION TO BE UNDER GOD AGAIN. TO BE A STRONG GOVERNMENT ONCE MORE. THAT STANDS UP FOR WHAT'S RIGHT. OUR LAWS WON'T GET CHANGED IF WE DON'T STAND UP FOR WHAT WE BELIEVE IN. AND SO THAT'S WHAT I'M ASKING FOR YOU GUYS TO CONSIDER WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THIS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> ROBERT CLARK. ROBERT CLARK. >> JOHN SEGO.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS. THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK THIS EVENING. MY NAME IS JOHN SEGO. I SERVE AS THE LEGISLATIVE DIRECTEDOR FOR TEXAS RIGHT TO LIFE. ORGANIZED AN EFFORT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO PASS THIS ORDINANCE DECLARING THE CITY TO BE A SANCTUARY CITY FOR THE UNBORN.

ABILENE WILL NOT BE BREAKING NEW GROUND WITH THIS ORDINANCE. YOU'RE NOT THE FIRST CITY TO LOOK AT THIS AS HAS ALREADY BEEN STATED. WASKIN CITY, NAPLES, WESTBROOK, COLORADO CITY, BIG SPRING IS ON THEIR WAY TO PASSING THIS. ALL OF THOSE CITIES HAVE ALREADY PASSED VERY SIMILAR ORDINANCES FOR WHAT YOU'RE CONSIDERING. I'VE SENT YOU THE TEXT, THE MODEL. I KNOW OTHERS HAVE AS WELL. AND THAT SAME LANGUAGE HAS BEEN PASSED IN OTHER CITIES AND HAS NOT BEEN SUED TO DATE. SO THERE'S A LOT OF THREATS.

EMPTY THREATS ESPECIALLY IN OTHER CITIES AND I HAVEN'T SEEN A LAWSUIT THERE.

THERE'S A LOT OF REASONS TO SUPPORT THIS. GOVERNMENT REASONS.

YOUR CITIZENS EXPECT IT FOR YOU. A LOT OF YOU TALKED ABOUT YOUR VALUES WHEN YOU RAN FOR OFFICE.

AND YOU'RE TURNING AWAY IF YOU DO NOT SUPPORT THIS. I WANT TO ADDRESS THE LEGAL ASPECT IN MY LITTLE BIT OF TIME HERE. DON'T LET THE SANCTUARY CITY RHETORIC END THE CONVERSATION. BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A SANCTUARY ORDINANCE IN THE WAY YOU DESCRIBED IT COUNSELOR. IF YOU LOOKED AT THE ORDINANCE LANGUAGE, IT IS COMPLETELY COMPLIANT WITH THE U.S. CONSTITUTION. IT IS COMPLETELY IN THE LINES OF ROE V. WADE. WHAT YOU HAVE HEARD -- THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A DISCUSSION.

WHAT YOU HAVE HEARD IS ONLY ONE SIDE OF THE LEGAL ASPECTS OF THIS ORDINANCE.

YOU HAVE NOT HEARD THE LEGAL DEFENSE OF HOW THIS ORDINANCE WORKS AND HOW IT IS COMPLIANT WITH NOT ONLY TEXAS CODE BUT WITH THE U.S. CONSTITUTION. WHAT THE SUPREME COURT HAS ACTUALLY DONE IN ROE V. WADE. THE SUPREME COURT DID NOT STRIKE DOWN THE LAWS.

IT'S IN EFFECT ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE PRE-ROE LAWS. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN STRUCK DOWN.

THE SUPREME COURT HAS STOPPED THE STATE FROM ENFORCING CERTAIN ASPECTS.

AND YOU'RE COMPLETELY IN LINE WITH THIS ORDINANCE FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS IF YOU PASS THIS.

THE LEGAL CRITICISMS AND CONCERNS AND CAUTIONS ARE NOT BASED IN FACT BECAUSE THIS IS NOT UNCONSTITUTIONAL. THIS DOESN'T SAY WE'RE GOING TO IGNORE ROE V. WADE.

[02:05:03]

THE LEGAL MEMO THAT I ■JUST PASSED OUT TO YOU IS BY CONSTITUTIONAL SCHOLARS.

PLEASE ENGAGE THAT. THIS ACTUALLY IS A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE AND IT DESERVES MORE THAN JUST ONE SIDE OF THE STORY. SO THIS IS A DISCUSSION.

I ASK THE COUNCIL TO MOVE FORWARD TO ACTUALLY SEE THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LEGAL DEFENSE OF THIS AND ENGAGE THE SCHOLARS THAT ACTUALLY SAY THIS WORKS WITHIN THE U.S. CONSTITUTION.

THIS IS COMPLIANT WITH FEDERAL LAW AND IT WILL KEEP PLANNED PARENTHOOD FROM MOVING IN TO YOUR CITY THAT SAID THEY WANT TO REESTABLISH A PHYSICAL PRESENCE IN ABILENE.

THANK YOU.

>> GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.

MAYOR WILLIAMS, CITY COUNCILMAN, CITY MANAGER, CITY ATTORNEY. I REALLY DON'T HAVE A LOT TO ADD. THERE HAVE BEEN SOME VERY ELOQUENT SPEAKERS HERE.

OTHER THAN I DO SUPPORT THIS ISSUE. THIS ORDINANCE.

AND I HAVE A HARD TIME SEPARATING THE GOD AND CHURCH THING.

OR THE GOD AND CITY, STATE, WHATEVER. I THINK OUR COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED ON CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES. AND IN MY ESTIMATION THERE'S NOWHERE IN THE BIBLE THAT JESUS SAID IT WAS OKAY TO KILL HIS CHILDREN FOR ANY REASON. AND SO DR. SOLMAN MENTIONED TO YOU IN AUGUST ABOUT A VERY COURAGEOUS WOMAN NAMED PAULA WHO DIED LAST YEAR DUE TO CANCER.

PAULA STRUGGLED A LOT OF HER LIFE. SHE GAVE BIRTH TO A CHILD THAT WAS THE RESULT OF RAPE. SHE ADOPTED THAT CHILD OUT. AND YEARS LATER, WAS RECONCILED WITH THAT -- OR FOUND HIM. BECAUSE IT WAS A PRIVATE ADOPTION, WHATEVER, CLOSED ADOPTION. THAT YOUNG MAN IS SO AWESOME. AND I KNOW THAT'S NOT ALWAYS THE CASE IN THE CASE OF RAPE. BUT SHE HAD THE CHILD. AND THAT YOUNG MAN IS A LIVING BEING WHO IS CONTRIBUTED TO OUR SOCIETY. WE HAVE KILLED OVER 61 MILLION CHILDREN IN OUR COUNTRY ALONE. THAT'S NOT THE WORLD. THAT'S OUR COUNTRY ALONE.

SINCE 1973. LEGALLY KILLED THEM BY ABORTION. AND I JUST ASK YOU TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE THIS WORK. I KNOW IT'S GOT ALL THESE COMPLICATIONS.

BUT THAT'S WHAT LAWYERS DO. LAWYERS FIND A WAY. TO MAKE THINGS WORK SOMETIMES.

AND SO I ASK THAT YOU REALLY STUDY THE ISSUE AND DON'T JUST SHOVE IT ASIDE.

IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS CITY TO STEP OUT AND BE BRAVE AND TO DO SOMETHING THAT IS WHAT I THINK GOD WOULD LIKE. THANK YOU. FLAUS

>> RUTH YORK. >> I'M RUTH YORK. VERY THANKFUL TO BE HERE TONIGHT. I WOULD LIKE A SHOW OF HANDS IF I COULD FROM ALL OF YOU THERE.

RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU'RE A FORMER FETUS. AND TO THE ROOM.

THANK YOU. SO THE THING IS THAT ALL OF US ARE ON EQUAL FOOTING WITH ALL OF THE FETUSES THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TONIGHT. WE ARE ON EQUAL FOOTING WITH THEM. I THINK IT'S ARROGANT TO THINK THAT SOME OF THEM CAN BE CAST ASIDE, THROWN IN TO THE GARBAGE BIN, OR WORSE YET, CARVED UP AND THEIR EYES, THEIR SKIN, THEIR LIVERS SOLD. ALL THESE INDIVIDUALS DESERVE OUR PROTECTION.

JUST AS MUCH AS ANYONE IN THIS ROOM DESERVES YOUR PROTECTION. AND I PRAY THAT YOU WILL TAKE THAT IN TO CONSIDERATION. TODAY WHEN I OPENED FACEBOOK, IT REMINDED ME THAT NINE YEARS AGO TODAY I, AND SOME FRIENDS OF MINE, MANY OF WHOM ARE PROBABLY IN THE ROOM, WERE STANDING ON THE SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF A PLANNED PARENTHOOD IN ABILENE, TEXAS.

IT'S NOT THERE NOW. AND I'M THANKFUL FOR THAT. I WANT TO ASK YOU TO DO WHAT YOU

[02:10:05]

CAN TO MAKE SURE THEY DON'T COME BACK. AND PREY UPON OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

THANK YOU.

CARDS AND THESE INDIVIDUALS DIDN'T WANT TO SPEAK. BUT I WANT TO GO AHEAD AND SAY THEIR NAMES BECAUSE THEY WERE FOR THIS. NAOMI VALENZUELLA, GRACE.

>> WE ARE STILL IN A PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WANTS TO SPEAK? IF SO, COME FORTH AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

>> HI, MY NAME IS CORINNE STARKY. I'M A RECENT RESIDENT OF ABILENE. AND I AM VERY NERVOUS. I'M SORRY.

I'M SURE THAT THIS IS A LOT OF THINGS TO THINK ABOUT FOR Y'ALL. AND IT IS A VERY HEAVY TOPIC.

AND THERE HAVE BEEN EXTREMES ON BOTH SIDES. AND I GUESS I WOULDN'T CONSIDER MYSELF ON AN EXTREME OF EITHER SIDE. BUT I AM FOR THE SANCTUARY CITY.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE LEGALITY OF IT. SORRY, THAT WAS EMBARRASSING.

BUT THINGS HAVE BEEN ILLEGAL IN THE PAST. AND I THINK THAT THIS COMMUNITY WOULD BE A STRONG SUPPORT TO WHERE IF THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WE WANTED TO PASS THAT WE WERE UNSURE OF THAT THERE WOULD BE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAD Y'ALL'S BACKS IF YOU WANTED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS. I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU IF YOU DO GO FORWARD WITH THIS. THANKS.

>> HI, MY NAME IS CHANTAL HARE. AND I WANT TO THANK YOU MAYOR, AND THE BOARD FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK. I JUST WANT TO SAY WHEN I WAS 23-YEARS OLD, I GOT PREGNANT.

I WAS UNWED. AND I WENT TO THE MAN WHO I HAD GOTTEN PREGNANT WITH AND I TOLD HIM I WAS PREGNANT. AND HE WAS ACTUALLY IN A PENSKE TRUCK MOVING OUT OF TOWN.

HE SAID IF I COULD, I WOULD SUE YOU TO KEEP THAT CHILD. BUT I KNOW I CAN'T.

AND HE LEFT. AND I WAS THERE TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH THAT CHILD ON MY OWN.

I TALKED TO A FEW FRIENDS. I EVEN TALKED TO MY MOTHER WHO WAS A NURSE.

AND NOBODY STOPPED ME FROM MAKING THE WRONG DECISION. I WAS NOT REALLY FOLLOWING THE LORD AT THE TIME. I WAS YOUNG AND IGNORANT. I WENT TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD.

AND I SAID I THINK I WANT TO HAVE AN ABORTION. AND THEY SAID, OKAY.

GO DOWN TO THIS CLINIC DOWNTOWN. AND THEY'LL HELP YOU TAKE CARE OF IT.

SO WHEN I GOT THERE, AND THEY WERE DOING THE EXAM, I ASKED TO SEE THE ULTRASOUND.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD AND THIS CLINIC TOLD ME, I'M SORRY, WE CAN'T DO THAT.

I SAID WHY? THEY SAID BECAUSE IF YOU SEE THAT, YOU'LL CHANGE YOUR MIND.

MOST WOMEN DO. AND I SAID, OH. OH, OKAY.

SO I JUST LAID THERE AND ALLOWED THINGS TO HAPPEN AS THEY DID. THAT WAS THE BIGGEST REGRET OF MY LIFE. YEARS LATER WHEN I GOT MARRIED, MY HUSBAND WAS WATCHING A VIDEO.

A PASTOR WAS TALKING ABOUT ABORTION. I GOT UPSET.

I SAID TURN THAT OFF. AND HE SAID WHY. HE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU CARRY WITH YOU FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

AND I HAVE HAD TO ASK THE LORD FOR FORGIVENESS. I'VE GOTTEN A LOT OF HEALING IN THAT AREA. BUT I KNOW THAT I'VE LOST PART OF ME.

AND THOSE GIRLS THAT HAVE BEEN RAPED, I AM SO SORRY FOR. BUT THAT'S STILL LIFE.

AND EVEN WE HAVE HAD GREAT, SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE IN AMERICA WHO HAVE MADE HUGE CHANGES FOR OUR LIVES THAT WERE TO BE ABORTED CHILDREN. AND IT IS PROVEN THAT LIFE

[02:15:13]

STARTS BEFORE CONCEPTION. AND I AM FOR THE SANCTUARY CITY. SO I WANT YOU TO PLEASE CONSIDER WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND THE DECISION THAT YOU MAKE WITH YOUR HEART NOT JUST WITH THE LAWS.

BUT THERE ARE LAWS. IT'S YOUR REASON. IT'S YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE TO

CHANGE THOSE LAWS. >> THANK YOU. >> AND MAKE US A SAFE PLACE FOR US. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS RACHEL GUTERRES.

I WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE IN ABILENE, TEXAS. I AM ALSO RAISING A NIECE WHO COULD HAVE BEEN ABORTED. BUT BY THE GLORY OF GOD SHE IS HERE.

IT IS MURDER IF YOU ARE MURDERED WHILE YOU ARE PREGNANT. YOU CAN BE CHARGED WITH A SECOND MURDER CHARGE FOR AN UNBORN BABY. BUT IT IS NOT MURDER.

YOU CONSIDER NOT MURDER IF IT IS ABORTION. MURDER IS MURDER.

SIN IS SIN. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE. HOW GREAT OR HOW SMALL.

OUR CORE VALUES AT CITY OF ABILENE ARE RESPECT. IT IS TIME AS CHRISTIANS, AS PEOPLE UNDER GOD THAT WE RISE TO THE OCCASION AND CALL OUT WHAT WE NEED TO CALL OUT IN OURSELVES AND IN EACH OTHER. THAT IS WHAT WE DO AS CHRISTIANS.

I BELIEVE IF WE STAND UP AND MOVE FORWARD, THIS CITY IS GOING TO BE BEYOND EXTREMELY BLESSED.

WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR YOU ALL. THANK YOU AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>> MY NAME IS GWEN ZOLERS. I'M A FORMER TEACHER HERE IN ABILENE.

RETIRED. I KNOW A NUMBER OF YOU COUNCIL MEMBERS.

AND I APPRECIATE YOUR BEING WILLING TO LISTEN TO ALL OF US ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS ISSUE.

IT'S A VERY CONTENUOUS ISSUE. I HAVE FEELINGS FOR IT AND OTHER PEOPLE HAVE OPPOSITE FEELINGS.

BUT WE ALL WANT TO DIALOGUE IN A RESPECTFUL MANNER. AS I LOOK AT THE COUNCIL MEMBERS HERE, I KNOW A NUMBER OF YOU THAT ARE CHRISTIAN PEOPLE. AND BECAUSE OF THAT, I'M SORT OF GOING AGAINST WHAT YOU SAID, KYLE, A LITTLE BIT THAT WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT THE ABORTION ISSUE. THE HEART OF THIS IS THE ABORTION ISSUE.

AND WHETHER ABILENE WILL HONOR GOD AND LIFE BY RESPECTING LIFE TO SAY THAT IN ABILENE, WE WILL NOT HAVE ABORTIONS. SO I AM IN FAVOR PASSING THIS ORDINANCE TO MAKE ABILENE A SANCTUARY CITY. THE IMPASSIONED RESPONSES FROM SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN FAVOR OF ABORTION. I UNDERSTAND THEIR PASSION. I UNDERSTAND THEIR HEARTACHE.

BUT IF ABILENE PASSES THIS ORDINANCE, THAT DOES NOT OUTLAW ABORTION.

AND WE NEED TO REALIZE THAT THIS ORDINANCE WILL NOT OUTLAW THAT. THEY ARE STILL FREE TO MAKE SURE CHOICES ABOUT WHATEVER THEY WANT TO DO. AND I'M NOT GOING TO CONDEMN ONE PERSON FOR DECIDING TO DO IT AND ANOTHER PERSON FOR DECIDING NOT TO.

THAT IS NOT MY PLACE. BUT I WANT TO HONOR GOD BECAUSE THERE IS A HIGHER AUTHORITY THAN THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION. THERE'S A HIGHER AUTHORITY THAN OUR SUPREME COURT MAKING THE DECISION ONE TIME IN ONE WAY, AND ANOTHER TIME IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

THOSE ARE OPINIONS, NOT LAW. THE LAW THAT WE NEED TO STAND FOR IS GOD'S LAW.

AND WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO HIM. AND I PRAY FOR EACH OF YOU THAT WHEN YOUR TIME THAT YOU MEET YOUR MAKER, THAT YOU WILL NOT BE LIKE LADY MACBETH LOOKING AND WASHING HER HANDS BECAUSE OF THE BLOOD THAT'S ON THEM. I PRAY THAT ALL OF YOU WILL SAY ABILENE WILL NOT HAVE THE BLOOD OF THE UNBORN ON OUR HEARTS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LISTENING.

>> HELLO, I APOLOGIZE FOR WEARING THE SHADES. MY NAME IS GEORGETTA PARTON.

WITHOUT THESE, I CAN'T SEE. I'M BLIND. THANK YOU FOR SPENDING THIS LATE

[02:20:04]

IN THE AFTERNOON AWAY FROM YOUR FAMILY AND SERVING THIS GREAT TOWN OF ABILENE.

I'M A MOTHER. I'M A GRANDMOTHER. AND I AM A NURSE.

I'M A CARDIAC NURSE HERE IN ABILENE. I WENT TO SCHOOL HERE IN ABILENE, TEXAS. AND I KNOW THE MEANING OF LIFE, OBVIOUSLY.

I ALSO KNOW THE URGENCY AND THE GREAT NEED OF NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO IN A SITUATION OF BEING A YOUNG MOTHER THAT'S RECENTLY SEPARATED AS A YOUNG LADY. AND FELT THE NEED TO HAVE AN ABORTION. AND I HAD NO ONE TO TURN TO. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

ALL I KNEW WAS TO GET IT OUT RIGHT NOW. SO THESE YOUNG WOMEN, THEY NEED SOMEONE TO GO TO, TO GUIDE THEM. SO ABILENE SHOULD HAVE A PLACE FOR THESE WOMEN TO GO TO TO SEEK GUIDANCE AT SOME POINT OF HOUSING. I'M NOT SURE WHAT THAT COULD BE.

I AM FOR THE SANCTUARY. I WAS WRONG. I DID THE ABORTION.

I WAS VERY WRONG. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE LAWS. AND Y'ALL SAY THAT Y'ALL TOOK AN OATH TO UPHOLD THE LAW. A LOT OF US HERE, INCLUDING YOU, HAVE TAKEN AN OATH TO UPLOAD -- UPLOAD? I'M SORRY, I'M NERVOUS. A LOT OF YOU HAVE TAKEN AN OATH

TO -- >> UPHOLD. >> THANK YOU.

TO UPHOLD THE LAW OF THE BIBLE AND THE LORD. AND WE ARE ALL HERE.

WE ALL HAVE A PURPOSE. EVERYONE HAS A CHANCE TO LIVE AND SHOULD HAVE THAT CHANCE TO LIVE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE LAW. IT MAKES NO SENSE TO ME.

WE ALL KNOW THAT NOT ALL LAWS ARE SMART. SOME OF THEM ARE STUPID AND RIDICULOUS. I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE TO THAT.

BUT THEY'RE THE LAW AND Y'ALL HAVE TO ABIDE BY THAT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW MURDERING A CHILD HERE IS WRONG. IT'S LOCATION, IT'S LOCATION. IF IT'S HERE, IF IT'S HERE, IT'S MURDER. JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN'T SEE IT, YOU CAN'T FEEL IT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING. I ASK Y'ALL PLEASE CONSIDER EVERY AVENUE THAT YOU POSSIBLY CAN TO MAKE ABILENE AN ELITE CITY THAT WILL DO EVERYTHING IN THEIR POWER TO MAKE THIS A SANCTUARY CITY. THANK YOU.

>> MY NAME IS LINDA CAST ILLO, I'M A WOMAN, I'M A NURSE SXVMENT ABOVE ALL, I HAVE A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY. IN JANUARY 2003, SOMEONE BROKE IN TO MY HOME AND THEY RAPED ME.

YOU KNOW, FEAR DOES FUNNY THINGS. IT CAN EITHER MAKE YOU OR IT CAN BREAK YOU. IT'S WHAT YOU DO WITH THAT FEAR THAT COUNTS.

I UNDERSTAND THAT ALL OF YOU COUNCIL HERE HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A DECISION ACCORDING TO WHAT YOU HAVE. I ASK AS A WOMAN, TO GIVE OTHER WOMEN THAT OPPORTUNITY, THE DECISION TO EMPOWER THEM. LIKE ME, I WAS EMPOWERED BECAUSE AFTER I FOUND OUT I WAS PREGNANT, SOMEONE HAD SUGGESTED ME GO TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD. AT THAT TIME HERE IN ABILENE.

SO I WENT. I MADE MY APPOINTMENT. LATER, I WENT TO THE PARK AND I CRIED. I CRIED BECAUSE I WAS PREGNANT. SOMEONE SEEN ME CRYING.

A PERSON OF ABILENE. A CITIZEN. THEY STOPPED AND TALKED WITH ME.

IT WAS AN OLDER PERSON. I LIVED HERE ALL MY LIFE. THAT CONVERSATION AFFECTED ME.

SHE GAVE ME THE RESOURCES. WE HAVE RESOURCES HERE IN ABILENE.

WHETHER IT'S ADOPTION. THERE ARE MANY RESOURCES. WE HAVE ALSO GABRIEL'S PROJECT.

EMPOWER THE WOMEN. AS A MOTHER, MY SON NOW IS 16 YEARS OLD.

[02:25:02]

AND LIKE ME, A NURSE. ON HIS OWN, HE HAS CHOSEN TO GO IN TO THE MEDICAL FIELD TO BECOME A NURSE SO THAT HE CAN SAVE LIVES, TOO. OR TO HELP.

HAD I GONE BACK TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD, HE WOULDN'T BE HERE TODAY.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> MY NAME IS ARICK CONNERS. I HAVE LIVED IN ABILENE SINCE DECEMBER OF 2006.

IN MY EARLY 20S, I WORKED AS A MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST. AND I DID WORK WITH COUPLES OR FAMILIES THAT WERE EXPECTING CHILDREN THAT HAD POTENTIAL BIRTH DEFECTS.

AND AT THE TIME LDS SOCIAL SERVICES HAD ADOPTION SERVICES, SO WE WORKED WITH THEM.

SO THEY WOULD KNOW WHAT THEIR OPTIONS ARE. I DO KNOW ABILENE HAS ABILENE

PREGNANCY RESOURCES. IS THAT THE OFFICIAL NAME? >> PREGNANCY RESOURCES.

>> AND THEY'RE EXCELLENT. THEY WILL HELP YOU GET A SONOGRAM.

THEY WILL TALK TO YOU ABOUT OPTIONS THAT ARE AVAILABLE. WHEN I DID MOVE HERE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, I WOULD GO WITH MY CHILDREN AND WE WOULD STAND IN FRONT OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD WITH OUR SIGN. AND WHEN PLANNED PARENTHOOD LEFT, I WAS PLEASED.

I KNOW THAT THEY AT THE ABILENE LOCATION, THEY WOULD HAVE THEIR INITIAL MEETINGS.

BUT THEY WOULD HAVE THE ABORTIONS IN MIDLAND AND ODESSA. BUT I WOULD HOPE THAT WE WOULDN'T BRING THEM BACK IN TO OUR CITY. I DID TAKE THE TIME AND ACTUALLY STAND THERE. AND I DID TAKE THE TIME TODAY TO SPEAK AS WELL.

ALSO, I COME FROM A VERY LARGE FAMILY. AND A LOT OF OUR FAMILY MEMBERS ARE ADOPTED IN TO OUR FAMILY. AND SOME OF THEM, WHEN THEIR ADOPTION RECORDS ARE RELEASED WHEN THEY'RE 18, SOME OF THEM WERE RESULTS OF ACQUAINTANCE RAPE OR STRANGER RAPE.

AND THEY BLESSED MY LIFE. AND I AM SO GLAD THAT THEY ARE PART OF OUR FAMILY.

THERE ARE MANY OPTIONS IN OUR WORLD. AND SOMETIMES EVIL DOES HAPPEN.

BUT I HOPE THAT YOU GUYS WILL LOOK AT THIS AS A TIME TO SAY THAT WE AGREE THAT LIFE IN THE WOMB IS A LIFE. AND I HAVE NOT READ THE ORDINANCE.

I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS DISCUSSION TODAY. SO I WILL BE TAKING THE TIME TO LOOK AT IT. BUT I APPRECIATE THAT YOU GUYS ARE WILLING TO HAVE THE DISCUSSION. AND I ALSO ENJOYED SEEING SOME OF MY FRIENDS HERE.

YOU HAVE A GOOD ONE.

DOLORES LE BLANC. TODAY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DISCUSSION OF SANCTUARY CITY HERE IN ABILENE WITH THE UNBORN. BUT WHEN WE DO THIS, WE WILL NOT ONLY BE A SANCTUARY CITY FOR THE UNBORN. BUT WE'LL ALSO BE A SANCTUARY CITY FOR THE MOTHERS.

ABORTION GOES DIRECTLY AGAINST OUR VERY NATURE. WE ARE NURTURERS.

WE ARE FOR THE UNDERDOGS. I MEAN, WE CAN'T LOOK AT CUTE BABY PICTURES OR PUPPIES OR KITTENS AND GO AWW. THAT'S IN US. WHETHER YOU BELIEVE IN GOD OR NOT, THAT'S OUR NATURE. AND ABORTION GOES TO THE VERY -- AGAINST IT TO OUR ULTIMATE DEEP IN WITH US. THAT IS WHY I ONCE HEARD THAT WHEN A WOMAN HAS AN ABORTION, HER HEART CHANGES. IT EITHER BECOMES HARDENED OR IT BREAKS.

THEY MIGHT NOT FEEL IT TODAY OR RIGHT AFTER, BUT THEY WILL. EVERY ANNIVERSARY OF THE ABORTION OR THE BIRTH THAT THE BABY WOULD BE BORN. THEY THROW IT ASIDE.

[02:30:07]

I JUST WANT TO LEAVE WITH A QUOTE. "WE ARE NOT SOME CASUAL AND MEANINGLESS PRODUCT OF EVOLUTION. EACH OF US IS A RESULT OF A THOUGHT OF GOD. EACH OF US IS WILLED. EACH OF US IS LOVED.

EACH OF US IS NECESSARY." POPE EMERITUS BENEDICT XVI. THANK YOU.

>> HELLO. MY NAME IS ANASTASIA VALDEZ, AND 13 YEARS AGO, NINE MONTHS, MY MOTHER CHOSE LIFE. I REALLY NEED Y'ALL TO RAISE YOUR HANDS IF YOUR MOTHER CHOSE LIFE. ALL OF YOU HERE TODAY ARE ALIVE BECAUSE YOUR MOTHER CHOSE TO KEEP YOU. EVEN IF YOU'RE ADOPTED, YOU'RE STILL ALIVE.

YOU HAVE A PURPOSE IN LIFE. EVERYONE HAS A PURPOSE. MOTHER TERESA QUOTED "EVERYONE IS SAYING WHY ISN'T THERE A CURE TO CANCER. SHE SAID, "PROBABLY BECAUSE SOMEONE ABORTED THE CHILD WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO CURE IT." MY ISSUE IS WITH THIS ABORTION, I KNOW THAT EVERY CHILD HAS A LIFE, HAS A MEANING. EVEN IF THESE WOMEN WHO WANT TO ABORT THEIR BABIES BECAUSE THEY THINK THEY'RE NOT READY FOR THEM, THEY HAVE A PURPOSE.

THEIR CHILD HAS A PURPOSE. AND AFTER IMMEDIATELY, IF YOU DON'T FEEL IT IMMEDIATELY, IT'S GOING TO HIT YOU IF YOU HAVE AN ABORTION. YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT WHAT YOU DID WAS WRONG. I HOPE ANY OF Y'ALL WHO HAVE ABORTIONS SEE THAT WHAT YOU DID WAS WRONG. I MAY NOT KNOW MY PURPOSE IN LIFE YET.

I THINK THAT AS I GROW OLDER, I WILL FIND OUT. BUT THE CHILD -- THE CHILDREN THAT ARE BEING ABORTED AREN'T GOING TO HAVE THAT CHANCE TO FIND OUT WHAT THEY WERE HERE FOR IF THESE MOTHERS KEEP ABORTING THEIR CHILDREN. I KNOW PEOPLE SAY THAT WE WILL PROTECT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. HOW DO WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE GOING TO BE GENERATIONS TO COME IF THESE MOTHERS KEEP ABORTING THEIR BABIES? THEY THINK THAT WHAT THEY'RE DOING IS RIGHT BECAUSE THEY'RE THINKING ME, ME, ME, ME. THEY'RE SURROUNDED IN THEMSELVES. IT'S NOT YOUR BODY THAT'S INSIDE OF YOU.

IT'S A CHILD'S BODY. YOU DON'T HAVE THAT CHOICE. YOU DO IN THE SECULAR WORLD.

BUT IF YOU REALLY THINK ABOUT IT, IT'S NOT YOURS. IT'S AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT PERSON. I BELIEVE THAT THIS CITY SHOULD BE BECOME A SANCTUARY OF THE

UNBORN SO WE CAN HAVE GENERATIONS TO COME. >> THANK YOU.

I'M AGAINST THIS POTENTIAL ORDINANCE. AND I WANT TO SHARE A PERSONAL STORY WITH Y'ALL. I GREW UP IN ABILENE. I WENT TO SCHOOL HERE.

I WENT TO COLLEGE HERE. WHEN I WAS 18, I FOUND OUT I WAS PREGNANT.

I WAS SCARED. I WAS 18 FIXIN' TO GRADUATE. DIDN'T FLOW -- KNOW WHAT I WAS GOING TO DO. I CONSIDERED AN ABORTION. THE FATHER AND I TALKED ABOUT IT. I CONSIDERED ADOPTION. I WENT TO ONE OF THE LOCAL ADOPTION AGENCIES AND PICKED OUT FAMILIES THAT I CONSIDERED ADOPTING.

I ALSO CONSIDERED KEEPING MY CHILD. ULTIMATELY THAT WAS THE DECISION I CAME TO IS I KEPT MY CHILD. I WANT TO EMPHASIZE I HAVE, AND I STILL HAVE THE PROTECTED RIGHT

[02:35:05]

TO CHOOSE. TO CHOOSE WHAT IS AND WHAT WAS BEST FOR ME.

BEST FOR MY HEALTH AND BEST FOR MY LIFE. NO ONE ELSE.

THIS IS A DECISION FOR A WOMAN AND HER HEALTH CARE PROVIDER ONLY.

INFRINGEMENT. IMPOSED IS AN - THIS IS A DECISION BETWEEN A WOMAN AND HER HEALTH CARE PROVIDER PERIOD. BY PASSING THIS RESOLUTION, YOU ARE MAKING AN ALREADY DIFFICULT DECISION IN A WOMAN'S LIFE MORE DIFFICULT BY HINDERING HER SUPPORT CIRCLE FOR FEAR OF RETALIATION NOT ONLY CRIMINALLY BUT CIVILLY. PLEASE, I URGE YOU TO LEAVE THIS DECISION TO A WOMAN AND HER HEALTH CARE PROVIDER AND WITHOUT GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE.

THANK YOU.

RAMON. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO SPEAK TODAY.

I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING PREPARED BECAUSE I JUST KIND OF STUMBLED UPON THIS MEETING THROUGH THE GRACE OF GOD. BUT I'M JUST -- I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS THAT I'M IN FAVOR OF THIS ORDINANCE AND I'M GOING TO TRY AND SHARE MY STORY OR MY WITNESS AS BRIEFLY AS POSSIBLE.

I'M 46-YEARS OLD. I WAS A TEEN MOM. I BECAME PREGNANT AT THE AGE OF 16 AND HAD MY DAUGHTER. FOUR YEARS LATER, I WAS A VICTIM OF RAPE AND AS A RESULT OF THAT, MY AGGRESSOR RECEIVED PRISON TIME AND IS CURRENTLY STILL IN PRISON FOR OTHER CRIMES.

WHENEVER I BECAME PREGNANT AS A RESULT OF THAT RAPE, PLANNED PARENTHOOD WAS HERE ON NORTH 6TH, AND HAPPENED TO BE THAT MY FRIEND THAT WAS GIVING ME SHELTER TO RUN AWAY FROM THIS STALKER WAS ALLOWING ME TO LIVE THERE. AND IT WAS VERY EASY FOR ME TO JUST WALK RIGHT THERE AND GET ACCESS TO WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE AN ABORTION.

I'M NOW 46 YEARS OLD AND I CAN SAY THAT MY 16-YEAR OLD IS AN ACU GRADUATE.

SHE IS A NURSE. IF ANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN TO HENDRICKS, SHE MIGHT HAVE BEEN YOUR NURSE THERE IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM. BUT NOW SHE'S A NURSE AT OCEANS.

SHE'S SUCCESSFUL WOMAN. A GOOD PRODUCTIVE CITIZEN TO HER SOCIETY HERE IN ABILENE.

AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE ONLY THING I DO REGRET IS THE ABORTION THAT I HAD.

FOUR YEARS LATER. THERE ARE SPIRITUAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, EMOTIONAL SCARS THAT A WOMAN WILL HAVE. AND PHYSICAL THAT YOU WILL DEAL WITH THAT IF YOU RESEARCH THE STATISTICS ARE THERE. YOU CAN SAY THIS IS AN EASY OUT. BUT YOU CAN JUST COUNT SO MANY YEARS OUT OF YOUR LIFE THAT YOU WILL NOT BE A MOTHER TO YOUR FUTURE CHILDREN OR YOUR GRANDCHILDREN. I WOULD JUST -- I APOLOGIZE. I'M SORRY.

I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING PREPARED. THE SECOND POINT I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP IS THAT, AGAIN, I'M 46-YEARS OLD. I HAVE LIVED. I HAVE BEEN AN ABILENIAN.

I WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE ALTHOUGH I MOVED HERE AT THE AGE OF FOUR.

AND I LOVE, LOVE MY CITY. I LOVE TEXAS. MY HUSBAND IS RETIRED MILITARY.

I HAVE SO MUCH PATRIOTISM WITHIN ME. AND I LOVE ABILENE.

I TELL EVERYBODY ABILENE, IF YOU WANT TO RAISE A FAMILY, THIS IS THE PLACE TO BE.

BUT I'M GOING TO TELL YOU THAT MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE SIX CHILDREN.

WE HAVE HOMESCHOOLED FIVE OF THEM. ONE IS ALSO A GRADUATE IN COLLEGE RIGHT NOW. I'M SORRY. ABILENE IS JUST A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PLACE THAN IT WAS MANY, MANY YEARS AGO. I COULD BE WRONG.

BUT WHENEVER I LOOK AT ABILENE, I FEEL THAT THE BLOOD THAT WAS SHED HERE ON OUR SOIL IN ABILENE, THESE ARE THE RAMIFICATIONS THAT WE SEE. RAPE, JUST THAT LAST WEEK IN SCHOOL. SOMEBODY WAS STABBED. CRIME AND DRUGS, THEY'RE INFILTRATING OUR CITY. THIS IS NOT THE CITY I USED TO KNOW.

AND I BELIEVE THESE ARE RAMIFICATIONS OF THE THINGS THAT WERE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN HERE THAT WE CAN CHANGE. THANK YOU.

>> HELLO, GUYS. MY NAME IS CHRISTOPHER DELEON. I'VE LIVED HERE FOR 20 SOMETHING YEARS. I JUST WANT TO KNOW THAT EVERYONE HERE HAS COMMON SENSE.

YOU GUYS UNDERSTAND THIS IS A LEGAL BATTLE THAT YOU WILL LOSE. THERE'S SOMEBODY ELSE SAYING

[02:40:05]

EARLIER THAT WE SHOULD FIGHT. I DON'T REALLY LIKE PAYING TAXES WHENEVER THEY JUST GO AWAY TO LAWYER FEES AND ALL THAT OTHER STUFF. AND ALSO ANOTHER COMMON SENSE THING IS THIS IS STRICTLY A WOMAN ISSUE. I'VE SEEN MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE THAT CAME UP HERE. THEY WERE MEN PAST THEIR PRIME, AND THEIR WIVES WERE PROBABLY NOT ABLE TO CARRY A CHILD. AND IF THEY WERE, THOSE CHILDREN WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BE VIABLE ANY WAY. PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST, LET IT BE A WOMAN'S CHOICE TO HAVE A BABY OR NOT. IT'S NOBODY ELSE'S. THE FACT THAT WE WANT TO MAKE THIS -- OR DISCUSSING A SANCTUARY CITY FOR THE UNBORN HERE IN ABILENE IN MY OPINION IS LUDICROUS. IF YOU GUYS WERE ABLE TO PERFORM THIS IN ANY WAY, JUST THINK ABOUT THE TEENAGERS AND DUMB YOUNG FOLKS THAT WILL GO ON GOOGLE AND FIND A STUPID WAY TO TRY TO PERFORM THEIR OWN ABORTIONS. I'M NOT SAYING THAT EVERYBODY IS RELIGIOUS. I'M NOT SAYING THIS IS A RELIGIOUS PROBLEM.

I'M NOT. I DON'T TRY TO PUSH MY NON-RELIGION ON PEOPLE.

SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY RELIGIOUS PEOPLE KEEP TRYING TO FORCE DOWN MY THROAT GOD AND HIS WAYS. PLEASE, JUST HAVE COMMON SENSE ON THIS ISSUE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> HELLO. COUNCIL, MAYOR WILLIAMS, MY NAME IS TREVOR RILES.

I SUSPECT MY OPINION WILL DRAW HEAT FROM BOTH SIDES. IT'S MY OPINION.

IT'S NOBODY ELSE'S OPINION BUT MY OWN. I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING PREPARED.

I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS AND AS A MAN, I CAN'T HAVE AN ABORTION. I CAN'T NOT HAVE AN ABORTION.

I CAN'T BECOME PREGNANT. BUT BECAUSE I EXPECT OTHERS TO STAND UP FOR MY RIGHTS, I FEEL IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO STAND UP FOR OTHER PEOPLE'S RIGHTS. I BELIEVE THAT A BABY IS BORN AT CONCEPTION. THAT IS MY BELIEF. I BELIEVE IT IS A HUMAN LIFE.

FOR MANY PEOPLE, THAT DEFINITION WOULD MEAN THAT I'M PRO LIFE. BUT SIMULTANEOUSLY, I ACKNOWLEDGE AND BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE LEGITIMATE SCENARIOS WHERE AN ABORTION SHOULD BE THE CHOICE OF THE WOMAN. THERE ARE SITUATIONS WHERE THE MOTHER'S LIFE IS AT RISK.

THERE ARE SITUATIONS WHERE THE CHILD WON'T ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO COME TO TERM.

IT WILL DIE. THERE ARE SITUATIONS WHERE WOMEN HAVE BEEN RAPED.

AND AT THOSE POINTS, YES, THE BABY HAS RIGHTS. BUT THE MOTHER HAS RIGHTS AS WELL. AND IF SHE IS RAPED, THAT WAS NOT HER CHOICE.

THAT WAS NOT HER WILL. SO IT IS THEN HER CHOICE TO CONTROL WHAT HAPPENS TO HER BODY AFTER THAT. THAT'S MORE OF THE MORAL SIDE OF THE ARGUMENT.

I KNOW THAT YOU ALL KIND OF WANTED TO STRAY AWAY FROM THAT. BUT AS I STOOD IN THE BACK WATCHING PEOPLE TALK ABOUT IT, IT DOES TEND TO BE THE PRIMARY THING THAT MOST PEOPLE TALK ABOUT. THE OTHER ISSUE THAT IS IMPORTANT AS WELL IS THE LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS. WHICH MR. HANNAH AND MR. SMITH HAVE BOTH PROVIDED THEIR OPINIONS ON. AND I'M NOT A CONSTITUTIONAL LAWYER OR SCHOLAR.

BUT AS A LAY PERSON, I DO BELIEVE THIS WOULD BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL UNDER THE CURRENT SUPREME COURT JURISPRUDENCE. AND AS A RESULT, I THINK THAT WE WOULD BE OPENING UP OURSELVES AS A COMMUNITY TO THAT LIABILITY AS A RESULT.

THE ORDINANCE THAT'S BEING PROPOSED, I AM AGAINST IT BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT GOES WAY TOO FAR. IT'S A SWING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

I THINK THERE ARE OTHER WAYS THAT WE COULD GO ABOUT THIS. BUT WHAT THE MODEL ORDINANCE AT LEAST, WHAT MIGHT POSSIBLY BE PROPOSED, I DON'T BELIEVE IS THE RIGHT WAY TO GO ABOUT IT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

THAT WAS MY HUSBAND BEFORE. I CAME TO THIS ISSUE BECAUSE I SAW IT IN THE NEWSPAPER AND DECIDED I HAD TO SPEAK UP. AS MR. HANNAH AND MR. SMITH BROUGHT UP, DON'T WASTE TAXPAYER MONEY ON AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL ORDINANCE THAT'S GOING TO BE WASTING MONEY AND COULD BE BETTER USED ON THE STREETS INSTEAD. ON THE MORAL ASPECT, AS MY HUSBAND MENTIONED, WOMEN HAVE A RIGHT TO AN ABORTION IN MANY CASES.

[02:45:01]

IF YOU FLAT OUT BAN ABORTION, YOU'RE SAYING A WOMAN CAN DIE JUST FOR HAVING SEX.

WOMEN CAN HAVE AN ABORTION, ALSO, BECAUSE THE FETUS MAY PASS AWAY.

SO WHY WOULD YOU CONDEMN HER AND TELL HER SHE NEEDS TO GIVE BIRTH TO A DEAD FETUS AND BURY IT WHEN YOU SAY TO DO SO AND NOT WHEN SHE SAYS TO DO SO. FURTHER, THERE'S THE ASPECT OF SELF-DEFENSE. IF SOMEONE THREATENS MY LIFE SUCH AS A MAN OR A WOMAN, I HAVE A RIGHT TO DEFEND MYSELF. SIMILARLY, IF I GOT PREGNANT, FOR INSTANCE, AND THE FETUS IS AN ECTOPIC PREGNANCY, I WILL DIE FROM THAT. SO I HAVE THE RIGHT TO DEFEND MYSELF WHETHER IT IS A FETUS OR AN ADULT. BANNING ABORTION IS TAKING AWAY ONE OF MY ASPECTS OF SELF-DEFENSE. FURTHER, ONE THING I HAVEN'T SEEN BROUGHT UP BY MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT THIS ORDINANCE, IS THE AVAILABILITY OF BIRTH CONTROL. IF YOU WANT TO STOP ABORTIONS OR LESSEN THEM SIGNIFICANTLY, WHY ARE -- THE NEAREST TIME FRAME THAT I COULD GET ONE IN ABILENE WAS OVER SIX MONTHS AWAY.

IT WAS SIMPLY EASIER TO DRIVE TWO HOURS. BUT I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO DRIVE TWO HOURS. NOT ALL WOMEN DO. THAT WOULD HELP IN THE ABORTION ANGLE IF YOU MAKE BIRTH CONTROL MORE AVAILABLE. PLUS, AS ANOTHER THING, I SAW MANY PEOPLE USING BLACK PEOPLE AS THEIR PROPS IN ORDER TO PUSH THE ABORTION ANGLE.

CLAIMING THAT THEY ARE FIGHTING FOR MY RIGHTS IN HOW BLACK PEOPLE ARE BEING KILLED BY ABORTIONS. I FIND THAT HIGHLY OFFENSIVE. THAT IS QUITE BIGOTED AND RACIST AND DISGUSTING. DO NOT DARE SPEAK UP AND SAY BECAUSE I AM BLACK I SHOULD BE PRO LIFE AND AGAINST ABORTIONS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> HELLO, MY NAME IS MARIE BATTEN. I BELIEVE IT IS WRONG TO KILL AN INNOCENT UNBORN HUMANS BECAUSE YOU DO NOT WANT THEM. LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION.

AND EVERY LIFE IS WANTED AND MATTERS TO GOD. ABILENE SHOULD BE A SANCTUARY CITY BECAUSE IT IS WRONG -- BECAUSE ALL LIFE MATTERS, BORN AND UNBORN.

ABOUT LOGISTICS OF IT AND THE SUPREME COURT AND RULES IN ROE V. WADE.

I UNDERSTAND HOW THAT'S IMPORTANT. AND I'M DEFINITELY NOT A LAWYER OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. SO I'M NOT QUALIFIED TO SPEAK IN TO THAT.

BUT I AM A CITIZEN OF AMERICA. AND IN MY OPINION IS THAT SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO DO THE RIGHT THING WHETHER THAT'S THE LAW OR NOT. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO STAND UP.

YOU HAVE TO SAVE LIVES. AND I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS CONSTITUTIONAL OR NOT.

I THINK IT IS. BUT EVEN IF IT'S NOT, I STILL SUPPORT THIS BECAUSE EVERYTHING MATTERS. ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO HELP SAVE THE LIVES OF CHILDREN MATTERS BECAUSE THEY DO MATTER. THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

HAVE A GREAT DAY.

RODRIGUEZ. AND I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME TO SPEAK TO ME.

I HAD TWO BROTHERS AND SISTERS. THAT ARE IN HEAVEN NOW. NOT BECAUSE OF AN ABORTION.

BUT OF DEATH IN THE WOMB. BUT I CAN THANK GOD THAT I HAVE A LITTLE SISTER.

SHE BRINGS ME SO MUCH JOY IT OVERWHELMS ME. AND THE JOY YOU CAN HAVE FROM HAVING A BABY AND NOT ABORTING IT, IT WILL BRING YOU JOY. AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO KILL IT.

AND IT CAN BRING YOU JOY. SO DON'T KILL IT. THANK YOU.

I AM NOT FROM ABILENE. BUT I COME TO YOU AND I'M GRATEFUL THAT YOU GUYS ARE HERE LISTENING. I KNOW IT'S PROBABLY BEEN A LONG NIGHT.

[02:50:03]

BUT I DON'T COME FROM A RELIGIOUS STANDPOINT. I'VE ALWAYS SEEN THINGS VERY BLACK AND WHITE. AND I'VE GROWN TO LOVE ABILENE SO FAR.

AND TO ME, I HAD TO COME AND SPEAK AND SAY THAT IF YOU MADE IT A SANCTUARY CITY FOR THE UNBORN, WHICH UNFORTUNATELY, WE EVEN HAVE TO DISCUSS THIS. I JUST WANTED TO SPEAK FOR THE UNBORN. FOR THOSE THAT CANNOT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.

AND IF THERE'S ANYTHING WE CAN DO, COMING FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE FOR THOSE.

EVEN THOUGH THERE MAY BE SOME LEGALITY ISSUES, I THINK WE SHOULD DO THE BEST THAT WE CAN.

AND AT LEAST TRY. THANK YOU.

>> MY NAME IS CHARLES BURN. BACK IN JULY I BROUGHT THIS ORDINANCE IN FRONT OF THE CITY COUNCIL. ONE THING THAT YOU DON'T KNOW, MY STEPSON WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ABORTED. BECAUSE MY EX-WIFE DIDN'T WANT TO CARRY HIM.

AND THIS IS WHY I'M UP HERE FIGHTING FOR THIS. AND I BELIEVE THAT OUR CITY MANAGER AND OUR CITY ATTORNEY ARE NOT CONSTITUTIONAL LAWYERS. THEY ARE CITY ATTORNEYS AND CITY MANAGERS. AND FOR OUR CITY MANAGERS TO SAY IT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL, WE KNOW THAT STATUTES IN TEXAS ARE ON THE BOOKS THAT SAY -- I MAY BE INCORRECT -- THAT ABORTION IN TEXAS IS ILLEGAL. AND WE NEED TO LOOK AT THAT. IF WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT STATUTES, WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE ONES THAT PERTAIN TO THE THINGS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

AND I BELIEVE THAT IF YOU LOOK AT THOSE AND YOU THINK ABOUT THOSE, AND IF YOUR HEART IS IN THE RIGHT PLACE, ABILENE CAN BE A SANCTUARY CITY FOR THE UNBORN. AND FOR PEOPLE TO GET UP THERE AND SAY A MAN DOESN'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT A WOMAN'S CHOICE.

I HAD A RIGHT TO SAY SOMETHING TO MY EX-WIFE ABOUT NOT DOING IT.

SO I DISAGREE WITH THAT 100%. SO I'M ASKING YOU AS SPEAKING WITH THE MAYOR, I'VE SPOKEN TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, IN -- AND WITH THE CITY MANAGER. I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO BRING THIS TO WHERE WE CAN HAVE THIS DISCUSSION AGAIN. SO JUST THINK ABOUT PLANNED PARENTHOOD WANTS TO COME BACK TO ABILENE. WANT TO SPEND $9 MILLION.

PEOPLE SAY NO, THAT'S NOT TRUE. IT'S WRITTEN IN THE NEWSPAPER. SORRY.

AUDIO TAPE FROM THE LADY OF GREATER WEST TEXAS PLANNED PARENTHOOD STATING THEY WANT TO COME BACK TO ABILENE, ST. ANGELO AND MIDLAND. SO THINK ABOUT THAT FOR A SECOND. WE HAD A PLANNED PARENTHOOD HERE.

IT WAS CLOSED IN 2012. AND DO YOU WANT TO HAVE PLANNED PARENTHOOD BACK HERE AGAIN WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO KILL CHILDREN, INFANTICIDE. DISMEMBERMENT ABORTIONS WHERE THEY RIP THE HEADS AND THE ARMS AND THE FEET OFF OF OUR BABIES THAT WE WANT TO PROTECT.

IT IS UNFATHOMABLE TO STAND UP HERE AND WE HAVE TO DO THIS. BUT IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU WANT, AND YOU DON'T WANT TO TAKE THIS UP, THEN YOU KNOW, AS THEY SAY, THERE'S BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS WHEN IT COMES TO THIS. THANK YOU.

>> HOW ARE YOU DO, CITY COUNCIL. MY NAME IS DANIEL BINGHAM. I'M A MILITARY VETERAN, U.S. AIR FORCE. I'VE BEEN ALL OVER THE WORLD. AFGHA AFGHANISTAN. DURING THAT TIME, MY TROOPS WERE PUT IN SITUATIONS WHERE THEY WERE RAPED. AND I HAD TO DEAL WITH THEM IN THAT SITUATION.

THERE ARE MANY RESOURCES IN THE MILITARY THAT THEY HAVE NOW. WOMEN CAN GO AND MAKE THAT DECISION ON THEIR OWN. AND ULTIMATELY, BOTH MY TROOPS, I STILL TALK TO THEM TODAY, THEY CAME BACK BETTER FOR IT. I'LL PUT IT SUCCINCTLY, WOMEN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> HELLO, MY NAME IS DANIELLE CONNERS.

[02:55:07]

I'M A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT. AND I HAVE FRIENDS THAT ARE BABIES RESULTING OF RAPE.

AND I DO HAVE FRIENDS THAT ARE FAILED ABORTIONS. I JUST WANTED TO SAY WHEN I WAS -- ABOUT A YEAR AGO I WAS GOING THROUGH A LOT OF THINGS AND THEY WERE THERE FOR ME.

THEY WERE A BLESSING IN MY LIFE. AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I BELIEVE EVERY CHILD HAS POTENTIAL. AND EVERYBODY HAS A CHOICE. THE BABY HAS A CHOICE.

AND WE'RE JUST DECIDING TO JUST KILL LITTLE CHILD TO ME IS WRONG.

AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING BECAUSE I BELIEVE EVERYBODY SHOULD BE HEARD.

AND EVERYTHING SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY I'M PRO LIFE. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

I'VE BEEN A CITIZEN OF ABILENE FOR EIGHT TO TEN YEARS. WHEN I FIRST GOT HERE I WAS GREETED BY A WONDERFUL CITY OF ABILENE. PEOPLE FROM THE CITY OF ABILENE.

AND I FELL IN LOVE WITH IT AS SOON AS I GOT HERE. I GOT A JOB WITH ONE OF THE LOCAL STATE AGENCIES. AND I HAVE BEEN TREATED VERY WELL AND WELCOMED BY THE PEOPLE OF ABILENE. IF WE DON'T PASS THIS SANCTUARY CITY, WE'RE NOT ACCEPTING NEW PEOPLE IN TO OUR CITY. IF WE DON'T BELIEVE THAT CONCEPTION OR LIFE STARTS AT CONCEPTION, YOU CAN'T BELIEVE WHEN LIFE STARTS. YOU CAN'T SET A DATE OF WHEN LIFE STARTS. LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION. IN DOING THAT, SCIENCE HAS PROVED IT. IN DOING THAT, WE HAVE TO GIVE THAT NEW LIFE, THAT NEW HUMAN LIFE ALL THE RIGHTS THAT ARE SUPPORTED BY THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT HAVE CHILDREN, YOU KNOW YOUR KIDS WILL TAKE OUT OF THE FRONT YARD TO RUN IN THE STREET. HOW MANY OF YOU STOP THEM FROM DOING THAT? YOU HAVE TO. YOU HAVE TO SET BOUNDARIES. SOMETIMES IT'S NOT PLEASANT.

SOMETIMES IT ISN'T THINGS YOU WANT TO DO. FOR INSTANCE, TAKING YOUR CHILD IN TO GET SHOTS. IT'S NOT FUN TO HOLD YOUR CHILD WHEN THEY HAVE A BROKEN ARM.

TAKE THEM TO THE DOCTOR AND WATCH A DOCTOR PULL ON THEIR ARM TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN SET THE BONES PROPERLY. BUT YOU FORCE YOUR CHILDREN TO DO THAT.

THEY DON'T WANT TO DO IT. THEY WANT THE CHOICE. IF THEIR CHOICE IS I DON'T WANT TO GO THROUGH THIS PAIN, YOU HAVE TO HELP THEM GET THROUGH THAT PAIN.

BY MAKING THEM DO SOMETHING THAT THEY MAY NOT LIKE. BUT YOU KNOW IN THE LONG RUN, IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO. MAKING ABILENE A SANCTUARY CITY IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT CHRISTIAN BELIEFS. I'M NOT TALKIN ABOUT GOD.

I'M TALKING ABOUT THE RIGHT THING TO DO AS A PARENT. AS A LEADER OF THIS COMMUNITY, IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND MAKE THE DECISIONS FOR US TO DO THE RIGHT THING FOR US. THANK YOU.

>> HELLO, MY NAME IS ERICA BATTEN. AND I DO APPRECIATE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO YOU TONIGHT. M MEN, I WANT TO TALK TO YOU FIRST. I SEE SUCH GREAT STRENGTH IN YOU. AND I ADMIRE IT. I'VE SEEN IT IN MANY PLACES THROUGHOUT THIS CITY. YOUR COURAGE AND YOUR DETERMINATION, YOUR SKILLS ARE

[03:00:03]

SO ADMIRED. AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TONIGHT TO START THINKING ABOUT TAKING THE STEPS NECESSARY TO PROTECT THESE WOMEN THAT GOD HAS PUT AND TRUSTED IN YOUR HANDS.

I KNOW THEY ARE GOING THROUGH SOME TOUGH SITUATIONS. BUT WE CAN PROTECT THEM FROM MAKING LONG TERM DECISIONS THAT WILL HURT THEM. IT MAY SEEM EASY AT THE TIME.

BUT YOU ARE OUR LEADERS. YOU'RE OUR STRENGTH. DON'T LET FEAR OF THE LAW STOP YOU FROM PROTECTING US AND FROM DOING WHAT'S RIGHT FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND KNOWING, AND VALUING LIFE. WE JUST CHALLENGE YOU TONIGHT AND ENCOURAGE YOU TO KEEP RUNNING THIS RACE. AND DO THIS FOR OUR PEOPLE. AND WOMEN IN THIS COMMUNITY, YOUR SOFTEN HEART HAS SO MUCH POWER AND INFLUENCE. AND I JUST THANK YOU FOR STEPPING UP AND TAKING THIS SERIOUS FOR OUR PEOPLE AND USING YOUR POWER.

BECAUSE I BELIEVE MAYBE GOD HAS PUT YOU IN THIS PLACE FOR THIS SITUATION.

GOD WILL CONTEND WITH THE LAW. IF YOU CONTEND WITH DOING WHAT IS RIGHT.

LET GOD FIGHT. LET GOD DO THE LEGAL WORK. AND YOU JUST TRUST AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD EVENING, MY NAME IS ANA MARTINEZ AND I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU FOR BEING HERE AND I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR FULL ATTENTION. I AM A MOTHER OF TWO BOYS. I HAD, AS I LEFT THIS EVENING, MY NINE-YEAR OLD BOY, JUST LIKE ALL THE CHILDREN THAT YOU SAW TODAY, HAD COMMON SENSE.

AND HE SAID, WHERE ARE YOU GOING, MOMMY? AND HE KNEW WHERE I WAS GOING.

HE SAID, MOMMY, ARE YOU GOING TO STOP ABORTION? I SAID IT DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY, SON. AND HE SAID YOU KNOW WHAT, MOMMY? TELL THEM THIS. TELL THEM THAT THOSE CLUMP OF CELLS ARE LIFE.

AND THAT THOSE CLUMPS OF CELLS, THEY'RE LIFE OF A BABY. AND THAT IT IS WRONG TO KILL BABIES. AND WITH THAT, I LEFT. SHOULD I SPEAK? SHOULD I NOT SPEAK? THERE WILL BE A LOT OF SPEAKERS. BUT I SAID TO MYSELF, I HEARD A COUNCILMAN HERE COMPARE ABORTION TO MEDICAL PROCEDURE. AND I SAID, OKAY, WELL I'M NOT SURE IF HE'S EVER HEARD OF FETAL SURGERY WHERE THEY OPEN UP A PREGNANT WOMAN, THEY REMOVE WHAT THEY CALL A FETUS, AND THEY GENTLY REMOVE A CANCEROUS TUMOR FROM THIS FETUS SO THE WOMAN CAN HAVE THAT FETUS PUT BACK INSIDE OF HER WOMB, SEWED UP, STITCHED UP EVER SO CAREFULLY SO IT CAN BE REBORN AGAIN UNTIL IT IS READY. THAT IS A MEDICAL PROCEDURE ON ANOTHER LIFE. I WANT TO SAY THAT ROE VERSUS WADE, IT IS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT NOW. BUT GUESS WHAT IT IS BASED ON? IT IS BASED ON PRIVACY AND DEHUMANIZING THE FETUS. PROVE THAT LIFE BEGINS AT THE WOMB AND THE CONCEPTION.

AND GUESS WHAT? IT ALL CRUMBLES DOWN BECAUSE NOBODY HAS A RIGHT TO PRIVATELY KILL A CHILD. AND I MUST SAY THAT THINGS ARE CHANGING.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE UNITED STATES, THE PRESIDENT HAS -- THINGS ARE CHANGING.

RESEARCHERS. I PROMISE YOU IF I HAD TIME I WOULD DEBUNK EVERY SINGLE MYTH ABOUT WHAT ABORTION IS AND ISN'T. FOR EXAMPLE, BODILY AUTONOMY.

BODILY AUTONOMY IS POLITICAL RHETORIC TO SAY I WANT THIS BABY THAT'S AN ALIEN THAT IS INVADING MY BODY OUT. NO. WHAT IT IS, IS WOMEN THAT ARE SCARED. WOMEN THAT NEED YOUR HELP. THAT NEED TO BE TOLD LET'S TALK ABOUT THOSE ISSUES. NOT SAY IT'S AN ALIEN INVADING YOUR LIFE.

IT'S POLITICAL RHETORIC AND IT'S FALSEHOOD. I'M SORRY.

I'M OUT OF TIME. THANK YOU.

[03:05:12]

>> MY NAME IS RITA DAVIDSON. I'M A TRANSPLANTED TEXAN. WHEN I WAS A YOUNG MOTHER I LIVED IN AUSTIN AND THEN I CAME TO ABILENE. THERE WAS A PLANNED PARENTHOOD IN EVERY CITY. FAST FORWARD A FEW YEARS. IN THE COUNTRY OF ICELAND THEY HAVE ALMOST ELIMINATED DOWN SYNDROME. THE STATE OFFERS A TEST FOR FETAL ABNORMALITIES.

IT'S AN ACCEPTABLE PRACTICE AND EVERYONE DOES IT. THE REASON IS TO AVOID HARD LIFE IN BOTH THE PARENT AND THE CHILD. AFTER THE INFANT IS ELIMINATED, THE PARENTS ARE GIVEN A CARD WITH THE BABY'S FOOTPRINTS SO THEY CAN MOURN THE LOSS OF A CHILD. THEY CLEARLY KNOW WHAT THEY DID. BUT THE CULTURE ACCEPTS THE PRACTICE. SO MY CONCERN IS COMING BACK TO ABILENE, IS THE MODEL IN ICELAND THE CULTURE THAT WE WANT? IF PLANNED PARENTHOOD HAS A PRESENCE HERE, YOUNG MOMS FACED WITH AN UNPLANNED PREGNANCY WILL BE TOLD ABOUT ABORTION AS AN OPTION TO END THE LIFE OF THEIR UNBORN BABY. THE REASONS MAY BE THAT THE BABY IS A SURPRISE, A BURDEN, AN INCONVENIENCE, AN EMBARRASSMENT, LESS THAN PERFECT, OR THAT THE BABY IS TOO EXPENSIVE.

SO MY CONCERN IS THAT THE THING THAT'S HAPPENING IN ICELAND, THAT MORE BABIES WILL BE TAKEN AWAY HERE. SO I ASK YOU TO SAY YES TO THE SANCTUARY CITY ORDINANCE.

I WOULD LIKE THAT WE COULD SAY TO OUR BABIES THAT YOU HAVE WORTH.

YOU ARE VALUED AND YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THIS COMMUNITY. SO THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND THANK YOU COUNCIL. IF THIS CAN'T BE RESOLVED HERE,

MAYBE IT CAN BE PUT TO CITY WIDE VOTE. >> WHAT'S YOUR NAME, SIR?

>> IT'S MARK B. WILLIAMS, AS BUCK. I FIRST CAME HERE IN '67 IN THE SIXTH GRADE. MY FATHER WAS A BIOLOGY PROFESSOR.

MY UNCLE WAS AN ART PROFESSOR. I DON'T FIGURE TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE AWARE, BUT THIS CITY'S NAME IS -- I HAVEN'T DONE A STUDY ON THIS, MAYBE ONE OF 100 OR ONE OF 1,000 BUT NOT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OR MILLIONS OF CITIES THAT HAVE BEEN ON GOD'S GREEN EARTH THROUGHOUT HISTORY.

BUT THIS CITY IS IN HOLY SCRI SCRIPTURE.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE CITY SINCE IT'S ALREADY IN THE BIBLE, CONTINUE AS A CITY THAT CAN BE A CITY THAT GOD WILL BE PROUD OF AND THAT WE SOMEDAY CAN ALL BE PROUD OF, TOO.

AND MY DAD AND SOME OTHER PROFESSORS WERE CHARGED WITH THE TEACHING OF EVOLUTION AT ACC, ACU. AND MY DAD USED TO SAY THAT HE DID NOT BELIEVE IN CROSS SPECIES EVOLUTION. ONLY EVOLUTION WITHIN A SPECIES. AND SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING THAT IS OURSELVES HERE. HUMAN BEINGS.

I WAS PRETTY UPSET AND MAYBE THERE'S REASONS, BUT I CAN'T HARDLY FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY COULD BE AS TO WHY THEY CUT SIX BEAUTIFUL BIG TREES DOWN BY ROSE PARK SENIOR CITIZENS AND THE TENNIS CENTERS SINCE THOSE WERE BEAUTIFUL TALL TREES. YOU DON'T SEE THAT TREE OFTEN AROUND HERE. IF WE CAN CUT TREES DOWN LIKE THAT, MAYBE NOT WITH WHAT I THINK REASONABLE REASONS. PLEASE, LET'S DON'T KILL EACH OTHER.

LET'S DON'T KILL EACH OTHER. I THINK WHEN IT COMES TO LIFE, I THINK WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE ADULTS HERE, LET'S DON'T MAKE THE BABIES PAY FOR THE MISTAKES THAT WE'RE NOT PROPERLY MAKING HERE. AND I THINK WHEN A MOTHER AND A FATHER OR ANYBODY, EVEN THEY SHOULD NOT BE HAVING INTERCOURSE OR SEX IF THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE, I THINK, A MARRIED COUPLE

[03:10:03]

AND A MOTHER AND FATHER. BUT IF THEY'RE GOING TO BE MARRIED FATHER AND MOTHER, THEY SHOULD WORK ALL THIS OUT. AND IF THE MOTHER HAS TO DIE, I WOULD THINK THAT THEY WOULD CARE MORE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS THAT THE HUMAN RACE MIGHT CONTINUE AND THAT THE NEW LIFE WOULD TAKE PRECEDENT OVER AN OLDER LIFE EVEN AS A MOTHER. I THINK THERE'S BEEN STUDIES DONE ABOUT GAMBLING AND OTHER THINGS. AND ABILENE BECOMING A WET CITY OVER THE YEARS. THOSE TOWNS THAT DO THAT SORT OF THING, IT DOESN'T ALWAYS BRING IN MORE MONEY. EVEN IF IT BRINGS MONEY IN CERTAIN AREAS, IT'S GOING TO TAKE A WHOLE LOT MORE MONEY OUT IN CERTAIN AREAS. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE ABILENE BE A LEADER IN THIS WAY. AND HAVE THINGS THAT WE CAN ALL BE PROUD OF HERE.

>> THANK YOU. >> AND BE A TEAM. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD EVENING, I'M NAME IS TONY ORTIZ. I THINK WE'VE HEARD BOTH SIDES.

THIS IS RIGHT. THAT'S RIGHT. THIS IS WRONG.

THAT'S WRONG. BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE ALL HAVE RULES THAT WE HAVE TO FOLLOW. WE'VE GOT GOD'S RULES. WE'VE GOT CITY RULES.

WE'VE GOT UNITED STATES RULES. SO IF I'M OUTSIDE CUTTING THE GRASS, I TAKE OFF MY SHIRT, THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT. I HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO THAT. BUT IF A WOMAN DOES THAT, THAT'S NOT RIGHT. SHE WILL GET IN TROUBLE FOR DOING THAT.

WE BOTH DID THE SAME THING. AND ONE THING THAT -- ONE REASON THAT A LOT OF THIS HAPPENS IS BECAUSE OF US, MALES. A LOT OF THESE WOMEN THAT ARE GETTING ABORTIONS, IT'S LACK OF A MALE BEING IN THEIR LIFE. LACK OF A MAN TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT HE DID.

AND THAT WAS TO BE A FATHER. TO RAISE KIDS. I'M A FATHER OF EIGHT.

SIX BABIES. ONE IN HEAVEN, AND ONE IN THE WOMB.

WHAT AM I TRYING TO TEACH MY BOYS? TO BE HONEST MEN.

THEY CANNOT BE HONEST MEN UNLESS THERE'S AN HONEST FATHER IN THEIR LIFE.

YOU, MEN, YOU'RE OUR FATHERS. YOU'RE OUR CITY FATHERS. YOU CANNOT HAVE HONEST COMMUNITY IF WE DO NOT HAVE HONEST MEN LEADING US. THE BALL'S ON YOUR COURT.

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO LEAD US? ARE YOU GOING TO LEAD YOUR COMMUNITY TO BE AN HONEST COMMUNITY? OR YOU'VE HEARD IT BEFORE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE DRUGS.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THIS. WHY? BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT AN HONEST MAN LEADING THEM. HOW ARE YOU GOING TO LEAD US, MEN? ARE YOU GOING TO LEAD US TO DESTRUCTION? ARE YOU GOING TO LEAD US TO PARADISE? AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN ANSWER THAT. AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU CANNOT LIE FROM THAT.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU WILL BE WITH YOUR SAVIOR AND YOU WILL ANSWER TO THAT.

HOW DID YOU LEAD YOUR FLOCK? YOU . YOU ARE LEADING US, EITHER TO PARADISE OR TO DESTRUCTION. IN MY HOUSE, WE'VE GOT RULES. WE ALL HAVE RULES.

AND THAT ALL MY KIDS HAVE TO ABIDE BY THOSE RULES. WHEN WE GO TO CHURCH, THEY HAVE RULES. HERE, WE HAVE RULES. SHE CANNOT DO THAT.

SHE'S GOING TO GET IN TROUBLE. BUT WE HAVE TO FOLLOW THOSE RULES.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> YOU CAN'T SPEAK AGAIN, SIR. >> COULD I SPEAK. >> WE CAN'T SPEAK AGAIN.

YOU CAN SPEAK ONCE. >> I THINK SOME PEOPLE WENT A LITTLE BIT OVER.

SO I THOUGHT YOU'D BE GRACIOUS. >> YOU CAN'T SPEAK AGAIN. >> OKAY.

>> WE'RE STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE?

>> GOOD EVENING. I'VE LIVED HERE ALL MY ADULT LIFE.

I DO WANT TO THANK EACH OF YOU JUST AS MANY OF YOU HAVE TONIGHT FOR ALL YOU DO IN THE COMMUNITY.

FOR THE REPRESENTATION YOU PROVIDE US AND FOR THE DIRECTION YOU GIVE US.

[03:15:02]

YOU MAKE MANY DECISIONS BASED ON WHAT WE PRESENT TO YOU AS OUR BELIEFS AND WHAT WE WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO CHOOSE FOR US ON BEHALF OF OUR COMMUNITY. I HAVE A DAUGHTER THAT'S 30 YEARS OLD. AND WHEN I WAS EXPECTING MY DAUGHTER, MY HUSBAND AT THE TIME AND I WERE SEPARATED HAVING MARITAL PROBLEMS. AND I WAS TOLD I NEEDED AN ABORTION. THAT THAT'S WHAT I SHOULD DO. I WAS CONVINCED BY A COWORKER THAT THAT WAS MY ONLY OPTION BECAUSE I HAD A HUSBAND THAT DIDN'T CARE ABOUT ME OR HAVING A FAMILY. BUT I WENT AGAINST WHAT I WAS TOLD I SHOULD DO.

AND I CHOSE LIFE. I CHOSE MY DAUGHTER. I NOW HAVE A GRANDSON, SIX-YEARS OLD. I ALSO HAVE A GRANDSON THAT WE'RE EXPECTING.

SHE IS EXPECTING, I SHOULD SAY. THAT I'M VERY, VERY THANKFUL TO GOD THAT I DID CHOOSE LIFE.

AND I LISTENED TO MY HEART AND WENT AHEAD WITH MY PREGNANCY AND NOW HAVE ENJOYED MANY YEARS WITH MY DAUGHTER. THANKFUL TO GOD FOR MY DAUGHTER, MY GRANDSON AND THE GRANDSON I WILL HAVE TO SPEND TIME WITH IN THE FUTURE, I HOPE. AND I JUST WANT YOU GUYS -- I FEEL LIKE YOU'VE ALL MADE YOUR DECISION. I'M SURE YOU'VE DISCUSSED IT.

YOU'VE ALL MADE YOUR DECISION. I KNOW SEVERAL OF YOU HAVE PERSONAL OPINIONS OF WHAT YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO DECIDE. BUT I DO HOPE THAT YOU GUYS FULLY AND WHOLE HEARTEDLY SUPPORT THIS ORDINANCE AND HOPE THAT YOU DO SUPPORT IT AS WELL. I STAND HERE NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF BUT ON BEHALF OF VERY MANY FAMILY MEMBERS, VERY MANY FRIENDS THAT COULDN'T BE HERE TONIGHT. SO I DO HOPE THAT YOU DO SUPPORT IT.

AND GO FORWARD WITH IT. I KNOW THAT THERE'S A LOT OF DISCUSSION PROBABLY TO BE MADE.

BUT IF THERE IS A VOTE, THAT WOULD BE NICE FOR YOU GUYS TO CONSIDER AT LEAST OFFERING A VOTE FOR THE COMMUNITY. SO THAT OUR VOICE CAN BE HEARD. AND YOU WOULD SEE THE DIRECTION THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS LEANING. SO WE DO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR T APPLAUSE ]. >> IS THERE ANYONE ELSE?

>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL. DAVID SWART ONCE AGAIN. WELL, WE SPENT QUITE A BIT OF TIME HERE HEARING BOTH SIDES. EVERYBODY HAS A PASSION ABOUT ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER.

IT STRUCK ME AT THE BEGINNING ABOUT THE CITY ATTORNEY SAYING IF WE PASS AN ORDINANCE, THEY WOULD PROBABLY NOT BE ENFORCED. WELL THAT WOULD BRING IN TO QUESTIONS OF ANY OF THE OTHER CITIZEN ORDINANCES. IF IT WAS PASSED, YOU WOULD SAY WELL THEY'RE NOT GOING TO ENFORCE THAT. IT'S JUST, YOU KNOW, WELL WE WON'T CUT OUR WEEDS AT HOME BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T ENFORCE THAT WHEN THEY SAID THEY WEREN'T GOING TO.

NO, I MEANT EVERYBODY IS PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS ON ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER.

THE PROBLEM IS WE'RE A NATION OF LAWS. THEY SAY WELL IT'S GOD'S LAW OR CONSTITUTION. THE PROBLEM IS EXECUTIVE BRANCH, THE LEGISLATIVE AND THE JUDICIAL, THEY'RE ALL SET UP WAY BACK MANY YEARS AGO, 1776 UP TO WHEN THE CONSTITUTION WENT IN.

IF YOU WANT CHANGE, YOU NEED TO TALK TO YOUR LEGISLATURES. THEY'RE THE ONES THAT CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR CONVICTION WHETHER IT'S ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

RIGHT NOW AS THE ATTORNEY SMITH SAID, WE HAVE TO GO BY THE 1973 RULING.

IF YOU WANT THAT CHANGED, YOU HAVE TO CONTACT THE PEOPLE THAT WRITE THE LAWS.

IF YOU WANT THAT CHANGED. WHETHER YOU'RE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

IT'S JUST LIKE YOU SAID, IF YOU PASS AN ORDINANCE, AND HE SAID, WELL WE DON'T THINK IT'S ENFORCEABLE. WELL IF THAT'S NOT ENFORCEABLE. THE QUESTION IS WHAT OTHER CITY ORDINANCES CAN WE ADMIT AND SAY WELL THAT'S NOT ENFORCEABLE. I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY GOING THROUGH THIS AND GIVING THEIR OPINIONS AND EVERYTHING. BUT IN THE END, IT'S REALLY YOUR LEGISLATURES THAT YOU NEED TO PASS YOUR WANTS TO BECAUSE IN THE END, THE COUNCIL CAN ONLY DO WHAT THE LAW IS. EVEN THOUGH PEOPLE SAY WELL IT'S GOD'S LAW.

WELL IN THE END, THEY HAVE TO GO BY STATE LAW OR NATIONAL LAW. SO IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, YOU HAVE TO CONVINCE YOUR LEGISLATURES TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

[03:20:02]

YOU CAN'T PERSUADE A COUNCIL TO GO AGAINST WHAT THEIR CURRENT RULING IS.

THAT'S THE '73 RULING. UNTIL THEY CHANGE THAT NATIONWIDE OR SOMETHING, YOU CANNOT DO IT BY PASSING AN ORDINANCE THAT THE CITY ATTORNEY SAID WOULD BE NON-ENFORCEABLE AND OPEN UP THE CITY TO LEGAL LAWSUITS. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO MY

OPINION. >> THANK YOU.

>> HELLO CITY COUNCIL, MY NAME IS EDUARDO CASTILLO. I'M FOR THE SANCTUARY CITY OF UNBORNS. JUST TWO FACTS. WE HEARD ABOUT RAPE.

IT'S A PROVEN FACT THAT WHEN A WOMAN GETS RAPED, SHE CARRIES THE BABY FOR NINE MONTHS.

BUT IF SHE KILLS THAT BABY, SHE'S GOING TO CARRY IT FOR A LIFETIME.

SO I'M FOR THIS SANCTUARY CITY OF THE UNBORN. IF WE'RE GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, I THINK WE SHOULD START NOW. JUST EDUCATING PEOPLE ON THE HARMS. YOU KNOW, WE HEAR A LOT OF -- WE'VE HEARD A LOT OF GOOD TOPICS. WE HEARD A LOT OF DISCUSSION ON THIS.

BUT I THINK AS A CITY OF ABILENE, AS A CITIZEN MYSELF OF THIS GREAT CITY.

BORN SOMEWHERE ELSE BUT CAME HERE. I THINK EDUCATION IS A LOT TO DO WITH IT. YOU KNOW. IF WE EDUCATE OUR KIDS ON THIS.

OR IF WE EDUCATE ANYBODY ON THE REAL PURPOSE OF IT. BUT THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

I'M SORRY. THANK YOU.

>> IS THERE ANYONE ELSE? SEEING NO ONE I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS TO STAFF? >> I JUST WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE COMMENT THAT I APPRECIATE THE SPIRIT THAT EVERYONE CAME AND SPOKE TONIGHT.

RESPECTFUL AND LISTENING TO EACH OTHER WHEN THERE'S DISAGREEMENT. THERE'S PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS. I JUST THANK YOU, COUNCIL, FOR THE TIME THAT WE'VE SPENT TONIGHT HEARING FROM THE PUBLIC ON THIS ISSUE. AND I KNOW IT'S LISTED WITH NO ACTION AND NO VOTES, I DON'T HAVE ANY DIRECTION. I JUST WANTED TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION FOR THE COUNCIL FOR THE TIME AND THE PUBLIC FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION.

>> ANY COMMENTS FROM COUNSEL? >> THERE ARE VERY FEW COMMUNITIES IN THIS COUNTRY THAT CAN HAVE THIS CONVERSATION. AND HAVE THIS CONVERSATION IN A VERY CIVIL WAY.

I'LL SAY THIS, THERE IS NOT A MIDSIZE CITY IN THIS STATE THAT WOULD ALLOW THIS CONVERSATION TO BE HAD AS HAS BEEN CONDUCTED TODAY. I MENTION THE CITIES, THE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE ADOPTED THIS ORDINANCE. THEY AVERAGE AROUND 6,000 POPULATION. AND THERE'S A REASON WHY. I'VE BEEN IN CONVERSATION WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY THE LAST WEEK IN REGARDS TO NEXT STEPS. I ALSO CONCUR WITH COUNCILMAN PRYCE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR CIVILITY. AND YOU'VE BEEN RESPECTFUL OF YOUR NEIGHBOR. THAT'S APPRECIATIVE. SO WHAT THE COUNCIL IS GOING TO DO, WHEN I TALK TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, BASED ON A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT WE COULD DO, JUST TONIGHT IT'S BEEN MADE MENTION THAT LET THE VOTERS DECIDE. IT'S BEEN MADE WHAT ABOUT A RESOLUTION. BY THE WAY, THE LARGEST CITY IN THIS COUNTRY TO ENGAGE IN THIS CONVERSATION IN A FORMAL WAY IS ROSWELL, NEW MEXICO. THEY PUT TOGETHER A RESOLUTION LAST YEAR. IT'S BEEN SAID THAT WHAT ARE SOME OTHER OPPORTUNITIES.

AND WHAT ABOUT ORDINANCE. IMPLEMENTING AN ORDINANCE. WE'RE ACCUSTOM TO TALKING ABOUT STREETS AND WASTE, AND WATER. I'M NOT SURE WHEN I RAISED MY HAND I THOUGHT AS A MAYOR I'D BE HAVING A CONVERSATION ABOUT ROE VS. WADE. SO WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO WITH

[03:25:02]

OUR ATTORNEY AND OUR CITY MANAGER IS HAVE SOME CONVERSATIONS.

THIS WILL NOT BE PUT ON THE SHELF. SINCE WE HAVE PUT THIS UP FRONT IN A VERY PUBLIC WAY, WE'RE GOING TO RESPOND IN A VERY PUBLIC WAY ALSO.

MANY OF YOU IN THIS ORDINANCE TODAY I SPOKE TO PERSONALLY. A NUMBER OF TIMES.

AND SO AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE A CONVERSATION IN A VERY PUBLIC WAY.

IF THERE'S NO OTHER COMMENTS ON THE COUNCIL, WE WILL END THIS AND GO TO ITEM NUMBER 3.

[21. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Appointing Members to Various Boards and Commissions per the City Charter (Shawna Atkinson)]

[22. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Approving an Economic Development Agreement with Abilene Heritage Square Inc. regarding the former Lincoln Middle School (Robert Hanna)]

WE ARE AGREEING TO PAY FOR ASBESTOS ABATEMENT WORKER GRINNING TO RELOCATE WATER LINES ON THE PROPERTIES REQUIRED BY THIS I PLAN WAIVE THE FEES.

THESE ARE ALL ACCORDANCE WITH THE MOU COUNSEL THAT THEY'VE ALREADY PREPARED.

>> IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT I THINK THAT A CHANGE REGARDS TO SUBSTANCES FROM 36 MONTHS TO 60

MONTHS? CORRECT? >> (THEY REQUESTED 2 ADDITIONAL MONTHS TO COMPLETE THE WORK. HOWEVER I DON'T EXPECT THEM TO NEED IT.

>> 24 ADDITIONAL MONTHS? >> CORRECT. ANY QUESTION COUNSEL FOR MR.

HANNAH THE. >> AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING.

IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK WITH OR AGAINST THIS ITEM?

SPEAKER NAME FOR THE RECORD. >> I'M SORRY EVERYBODY LAUGHED ABOUT ME.

I DID HAVE SOME QUESTIONS. I KNOW IN A PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETINGS LEAVE SPOKEN, THEY TOLD ABOUT THE WHOLE BUILDING SQUARE FOOTAGE I BELIEVE IT'S 120,000+.

THE CITY IS GOING TO LEASE 66,000 BRICKS ARE BASICALLY ABOUT HALF.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ¦ THE ONLY THINGS I WANTED TO POINT OUT NECESSARILY IS YOU SAID IN ONE OF THE CONVERSATIONS THAT I WAS A GREAT DEAL FOR THE CITY ELOQUENTLY SAID WE RELEASE IT.

THEY SAY ON THE PUBLIC NEWS THAT THERE ALREADY STARTED WORK.

WILL THEY INSTALL NETWORKING FOR THE WORKSTATIONS FOR THE LIBRARY? AND WILL THE CITY SOME WHERE DOWN THE ROAD LIKE IN 2023 2024 HAVE TO PURCHASE WORKSTATIONS OR IS THAT BELIEF SPECIFICALLY THE OTHER AREA THAT'S NOT BEING LEASED ACCIDENTS CAN BE LIKE A FOOD COURT OR COFFEE SHOP BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR I'M GUESSING WERE ASSUMING.

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SOON. I WANT TO CLARIFY THAT FOR

[03:30:07]

EVERYONE. LIFE IS GOOD BE TO PREVENT PARENT WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT THE CITY IS ONLY GOING TO BE ABOUT HALF OF THAT IN LINCOLN WILL BE THE LIBRARY.

THE OTHER HALF WILL BE SOMETHING ELSE. MAYBE MR. HANNAH YOU CAN ENLIGHTEN THE PEOPLE IN TUBULIN SINCE EVERYBODY LEFT IN THE AUDIENCE OF EXACTLY WHAT IT WILL ENTAIL AND THAT ESPECIALLY ABOUT THE NETWORKING AND COMPUTERS SINCE THERE PROVIDING THE FURNITURE AND EVERYTHING ELSE FOR THE BUILDING. THANK YOU.

>> IS A TURNKEY PRODUCT. URNITURE IS INCLUDED. ALL FROM SOUP TO NUTS.

IT'S ALL THERE. WE CURRENTLY PAID FOR COMPUTERS.

DAVID OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD I CAN'T TELL YOU IF THAT'S IT. I BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE.

I DON'T THINK IT'S A CONTINUED SORT OF THING THAT WILL GO ON FOREVER.

I THINK THEY GET IT IN THEIR AND THE COMPUTERS HAVE A LIFECYCLE.

WE CAN CONFIRM ALL THAT IN THE AGREEMENT. I HONESTLY DON'T RECALL OFF THE

TOP OF MY HEAD. >> IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WANTS TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS

ITEM? >> SEEING NO ONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

THIS COUNSEL HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

>> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> MEMO MOTION BIKE COUNTS PRICE.

>> MOTION CARRIES. I REMOVED ON 23 2 PERCENT DISCOUNTS ITEM.

[23. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Approving a Revised Economic Development Agreement with 401 Pine, LLC for the Windsor Hotel (Robert Hanna)]

>> TO PROVE THIS ONCE AGAIN. NOTHING THE GROOM HAS CHANGED EXCEPT THE DOLLAR AMOUNT.

WE HAVE MINOR CHANGES TO THE RECITALS IN AGREEMENT REGARDING THE EASEMENT RELEASE OF THE PARTY CHANGE. NOTE FOR ME TO SEND THIS I FEEL MOST COMFORTABLE OF COUNCIL

APPROVE THE AGREEMENT AGAIN. >> THANK YOU. GIVE HER YOUR DUE DILIGENCE.

ANY QUESTION FOR THE COUNCIL CITY MANAGER? THANK YOU.

AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM. IF SO PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE CLOSE A PUBLIC HEARING.

DOES COUNSEL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? I ACCEPT EMOTION AND THE SECOND FROM THE COUNCIL. MEMO MOTION BY DOCTOR CRAVER. ND A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN

PRICE. WRIWERE READY TO VOTE. >> MOTION CARRIES.

[24. Oral Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on the Salary of the Municipal Court Judge]

>> WILL MOVE TO ITEM 24. THE EVALUATION OF OUR SMALL JUDGE.

WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO EVALUATE OUR ADMISSIBLE JUDGE AT THE LAST CITY COUNCIL MEETING. WE ARE GOING TO MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT OF PAIN TO HIS SALARY. THIS ALSO PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE.

IF THERE ARE NOT ANY QUESTIONS I'LL OPEN UP THAT PUBLICLY HEARING.

AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. DOES ANYONE WANT TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM AND COME FORWARD AND GIVE A NAME FOR THE RECORD.

SEEING NO ONE CLOSE A PUBLIC HEARING. DOES COUNSEL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS

AND/OR COMMENTS? >> WILL ACCEPT THE MOTION AND SECOND.

WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN ALBUS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN MCALLISTER.

THE QUESTIONS ALREADY VOTE. >> MOTION CARRIES. CHRIS WILL MOVE TO THE PUBLIC

[PUBLIC COMMENTS]

COMMENT PERIOD WILL BE NO VOTES DURING PUBLIC COMMENT. IT ONLY ALLOWED MEMBERS OF THE

PUBLIC TO BRING IDEAS TO STAFF. >> ONCE AGAIN DAVID SWART. ON MONDAY THIS PAST MONDAY ACROSS THE NATION WE HAD CELEBRATED DOCTOR KING DAY. ALSO ON THAT DAY 75 YEARS AGO ON THAT DATE FDR STARTED HIS 4TH TERM AS PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.

THIS PAST APRIL I BELIEVE IT IS THE 12 AS PRESIDENT TRUMAN SAID HE MISSED SEEING THE END OF THE

[03:35:03]

WAR AS THE WAR ENDED ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER WITH GERMANY. IT WAS ORIGINALLY GAVE 24 HOURS FOR THE JOURNAL TO SURRENDER TO THE AMERICAN BREADS AS OPPOSED TO THE RUSSIANS.

ON THE EIGHTH THEY WENT BACK TO EISENHOWER. THE OTHER THING ANITA BRING UP IS BEEN BROUGHT UP NUMEROUS TIMES ON THE COUNCIL WHEN YOU COME DOWN SOUTHWEST DRIVE YOU COME UP WITH THE STREET NEXT TO FARM OR RANCH. THERE'S A SIGN THAT'S BEEN PUT UP A FEW ZUCCO THAT SAYS DO NOT STOP BETWEEN THESE 2 WHITE LINES.

OKAY. NOW YOU GO ON THE OTHER SIDE AND WE'VE GOT THE CHICK-FIL-A SIGN I EMAILED YOU EVERYTHING. THIS COULD BE SOMETHING SIMILAR YOU CAN DO WITH THAT INTERSECTION. I WAS THERE ON TUESDAY THE 21ST I CAME OFF THE FREEWAY AND CAME UP CLOCK AND ALL THE WAY BACK UP AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT WAITING TO GO INTO CHICK-FIL-A.

I COULD NOT MERGE. THE 2 CARS IN FRONT OF ME THEY COULD NOT MERGE EITHER.

AGAIN, WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED RECALL. MORE CARS COMING.

2 CARS IN FRONT OF ME WE CANNOT GET OVER TO THE OUTSIDE LANE. I'M NOT ANTIBUSINESS BUT I'M AGAINST OF GETTING IN IRAQ FOR A CHICKEN SANDWICH WITH 2 PICKLES ON IT.

NOW I I KNOW OF THE LOCATIONS WERE SWITCH IT BE GREAT DEAL. I-DRIVE BEEN THERE WE GO THE OPPOSITE WAY MANY FUNNEL IN ANY GOT PEOPLE COMING THIS WAY UP ON SOUTHWEST TRYING TO CROSS THE RELAYS TO GO IN THERE. IT'S A MESS. I WAS SO MAD I WAS CONSIDERING CALLING THE MANAGER ON MY PHONE WHEN I GOT UP THE NEXT BLOCK UP TO THEIR COMPETITOR RESTAURANT.

SAY CAN YOU DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. THIS IS BLOCKING THE WAY.

ANYWAY. SOMETHING LIKE THAT IF YOU COULD HAVE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF SOUTHWEST. SOMETHING. THANK YOU COUNSEL.

>> THANK YOU DAVID. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD? ALSO CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

COUNSEL IS 9:16

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.