Mar 30, 2020 Special City Council

[CALL TO ORDER]

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CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER. IT'S 11:26 A.M. ON THIS DAY, MARCH 30.

I WANT TO ASK THE MAYOR PRO TEM DONNA ALBUS TO PROVIDE THE INVOCATION AND

[INVOCATION]

THE -- (INAUDIBLE). >> MS. ALBUS: (OFF MICROPHONE) WE NEED YOU. WE NEED YOUR PROTECTION. YOUR COMFORT.

>> WE NEED YOU TO SHOWER OUR CITY, STATE, NATION, WORLD AND BEYOND.

PLEASE GIVE US ADDED CARE TO YOUR PATIENTS IN THE CORONAVIRUS, OUR DOCTORS, NURSES, HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS, CARE GIVERS, FIRST RESPONDERS, AND TO EVERYONE THAT KEEPS OUR SUPER MARKETS, PHARMACIES AND GAS STATIONS OPEN.

PLACE A PROTECTIVE SHIELD AROUND ALL OUR ESSENTIAL WORKERS AND OUR WONDERFUL CITY EMPLOYEES.

THANK YOU FOR -- (INAUDIBLE). >> (PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE). >> ONE NATION, UNDER GOD,

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

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: THE TEXAS PLEDGE. (TEXAS PLEDGE) WE HAVE THE FOLLOWING -- WE WANT TO BEGIN THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOW. THERE IS A PHONE NUMBER THAT YOU CAN CALL FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS. IT'S 833-773-2663. AND THE CODE IS 59187 -- (INAUDIBLE). EVERYONE PLEASE MUTE YOUR PHONE. YOU WILL NEED TO MUTE ANY AUDIO AT THAT TIME. (STATIC) I WILL LET EVERYONE KNOW WHEN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION IS OPEN. PLEASE DO NOT SPEAK BEFORE THAT TIME.

IN A BIT, I'M GOING TO ASK CITY MANAGER ROBERT HANNA TO PRESENT THE ITEM BEFORE US.

I'M GOING TO READ IT IN A BRIEF STATEMENT. HE WILL PRESENT AND PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SOME (INAUDIBLE). (PHONE STATIC) BEFORE US IS A

[2. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Extending the Declaration of Local Disaster Issued March 23, 2020]

THIS DECISION IS NOT MADE IN ISOLATION. THIS IS A TEAM CONVERSATION BEGINNING WITH THE CITY ADMINISTRATION -- (PHONE STATIC) WITH US TODAY IS DEPUTY JUDGE CHUCK STATLER AS WELL AS COMMISSIONER BRAD BIRCHAM. WE'RE ALSO IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH JODI ARRINGTON, STAN LAMBERT, THE CDC, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, HHS.

WE TALK DAILY WITH MAYORS OF WEST TEXAS AS WELL AS RESPECTED PROFESSIONALS IN THOSE

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BUT COUNCIL WILL THEN HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK SOME QUESTIONS OF STAFF.

AFTER THAT POINT, IT WILL BE OPEN TO YOU, THE PUBLIC, TO MAKE ANY COMMENTS PROVIDING INPUT YOU THINK IS SUFFICIENT. THE LSIP ORDERS ARE RESIDENTS TO STAY AT HOME THROUGH APRIL 14 UNLESS THEY'RE TRAVELING FOR ESSENTIAL ACTIVITIES. WHAT ARE THEY? ESSENTIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDE ATTENDING WORK AND PROVIDING FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THEIR FAMILIES. ACTIVITY NECESSARY FOR MEDICAL CARE, SHELTER, FOOD AND CLOTHEING FOR THE SAFETY AND WELL BEING OF THEIR FAMILIES. WHAT IS NECESSARY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THEIR MENTAL AND SPIRITUAL HEALTH. NUMBER THREE, THE LSIP CONTINUES TO REQUIRE RESIDENTS OF ABILENE TO GATHER IN NO MORE THAN 10 IN ANY GATHERING.

THIS APPLIES TO BOTH INDOOR AND OUTDOOR GATHERINGS. IT CONTINUES TO ADOPT THE LANGUAGE OF THE GOVERNOR'S ORDER WHICH PROHIBITS INSIDE DINING AT RESTAURANTS BUT ALLOWS CARRYOUT AND DRIVE THROUGH DINING. NUMBER FIVE, ALL BUSINESSES UNLESS RESTRICTED ARE CLOSED ARE DEEMED ESSENTIAL AND SHALL REMAIN OPEN BUT THOSE BUSINESSES SHALL REQUIRE SOCIAL DISTANCING.

NUMBER SIX, BUSINESSES THAT ARE ORDERED TO BE CLOSED ARE THE FOLLOWING: HAIR SALONS, HAIR STYLISTS, BARBER SHOPS, NAIL SALONS, TATTOO PARLORS, PIERCING BUSINESSES, AND SIMILAR GROOMING BUSINESSES, GAME ROOMS, BOWLING ALLEYS, MOVIE THEATERS, ARCADES, MINIATURE GOLF COURSES, GYMS, FITNESS CENTERS, AND OTHER SIMILAR ENTERTAINMENT VENUSE. FOOD TRUCK GATHERINGS OF TWO OR MORE FOOD TRUCKS AND SMOKING ROOMS LOCATED INSIDE TOBACCO STORES.

NUMBER SEVEN, ALL BUSINESSES SHALL LIMIT THE NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS TO MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIREMENTS, ADDITIONALLY, RETAIL STORES SHALL REDUCE OCCUPANCY BY 50% OR MORE AT NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS INSIDE THE BUILDINGS.

NUMBER EIGHT, THE FOLLOWING PERSONS ARE REQUIRED TO SELF-QUARANTINE.

PERSONS WHO ARE SICK OR CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 INCLUDING FEVER, COUGH, OR SHORTNESS OF BREATH. NUMBER TWO OF THIS ORDER OF NUMBER EIGHT, ALL PERSONS IN THE HOUSEHOLD, IF ANY MEMBER TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 AND PERSONS AT A HIGHER RISK FOR SEVERE ILLNESS IF EXPOSED TO THE VIRUS. AND FINALLY, ALL PERSONS REQUIRED TO SELF-QUARANTINE ARE ALLOWED TO TRAVEL TO SEEK MEDICAL CARE.

I'LL REPEAT THE ORDER OF THINGS WE'LL HAVE THIS MORNING. MR. ROBERT HANNA, CITY MANAGER WILL PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND INPUT OF THINGS THAT NEEDS TO BE COMMUNICATED OR AMPLIFIED AS WELL AS HOW DO WE ENFORCE THIS. ALSO ALLOW CITY ATTORNEY STANLEY SMITH TO ALSO PROVIDE ANYTHING THAT HE DEEMS TO BE APPROPRIATE. THEN THE COUNCIL WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN AND ASK QUESTIONS AND/OR MAKE COMMENTS, AND THEN YOU, THE LISTENING AUDIENCE IF YOU CHOOSE TO CAN

ALSO MAKE ANY COMMENTS. MR. ROBERT HANNA. >> MR. HANNA: THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. I WANT TO GO OVER SOME THINGS AND THIS MAY BE REDUNDANT BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO HEAR MORE THAN ONCE. THE INTERCEPT OF THE ORDER IS TO PROTECT THE WELL BEING OF ABILENE RESIDENTS TO PROTECT THE HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF CITY OF ABILENE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES AND SLOW THE SPREAD OF THE COVID-19 TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE WHILE SAFE GUARDING THE CONSTITUTIONAL LIBERTIES OF THE CITY OF ABILENE RESIDENTS BY UTILIZING THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE MEANS POSSIBLE AND ENCOURAGING THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. I'LL STOP THERE AND ADD THIS TO THAT COMMENT.

THIS DOESN'T WORK IF PEOPLE DON'T TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY AND BEHAVE RESPONSIBLY.

I'LL BE TELLING YOU A STORY SHORTLY WHO DID NOT AND OPENED UP THE COMMUNITY TO SOME LEVEL OF EXPOSURE. IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT IF YOU'RE SICK OR CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING COMMON COVID-19 SYMPTOMS INCLUDING THE FEVER OR SHORTNESS OF BREATH OR DRY

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OR THREE THINGS HAPPEN. YOU HAVEN'T HAD FEVER FOR AT LEAST 72 HOURS WITHOUT USING A FEVER-REDUCING MEDICATION. YOUR OTHER SYMPTOMS IMPROVED, FOR EXAMPLE, YOUR COUGH DISAPPEARED AND SHORTNESS OF BREATH IS NO LONGER AN ISSUE. AND AT LEAST 14 DAYS HAVE PASSED FROM THE SYMPTOMS -- SINCE THE SYMPTOMS FIRST APPEARED. WHILE YOU'RE REQUIRED TO STAY HOME, YOU CAN SEEK MEDICAL CARE OR SEE YOUR DOCTOR. ONE OF THE THINGS WE ASK YOU TO DO SO YOU PROVIDER KNOWS YOU'RE COMING IS CALL AHEAD AND LET THEM KNOW YOU'RE HAVING SYMPTOMS AND YOU'D LIKE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND SEE THEM. IF YOU HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19, YOU AND YOUR ENTIRE HOUSEHOLD ARE REQUIRED TO QUARANTINE.

IF YOU DO NOT, WE CAN FINE YOU $1,000 PER DAY PER OCCURRENCE, AND I CAN TELL YOU WITH ALL SERIOUSNESS, I WILL PURSUE EVERY LEGAL OPTION AVAILABLE TO ME TO MAKE SURE YOU STAY HOME.

THAT COULD INCLUDE APD SITTING IN FRONT OF YOUR HOUSE. ANKLE MONITORING SO WE KNOW WHERE YOUR LOCATION IS AT ALL TIMES. THIS IS A SERIOUS THING.

THE FACT THAT YOU MAY NOT FEEL ILL, THE FACT YOU MAY HAVE MILD SYMPTOMS DOESN'T MEAN YOUR NEIGHBOR WON'T HAVE A SEVERE HEALTH REACTION TO THIS DISEASE. WE ALL HAVE TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF SELF-SACRIFICE TO MAKE SURE OUR NEIGHBORS ARE HEALTHY AND PROTECTED.

THE MAYOR'S DEFINED ESSENTIAL ACTIVITIES BASICALLY GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT FOR THE FINANCIAL WELFARE OF YOUR FAMILY. IT ALSO MEANS ANY ACTIVITY NECESSARY FOR TENDING MEDICAL CARE, FOOD, SHELTER AND CLOTHING THAT MAY BE NECESSARY FOR THE SAFETY AND WELL BEING OF THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILY. IT ALSO MEANS ANYTHING NECESSARY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE PERSON'S MENTAL OR SPIRITUAL HEALTH. WE UNDERSTAND SOMETIMES BEING 14 DAYS IN A BUILDING WHEN YOU ARE HAVING TO STAY AT HOME MAY CAUSE YOU TO BE CABIN FEVER.

IF YOU'RE NOT SICK, IF YOU'RE NOT UNDER QUARANTINE, YOU'RE ALLOWED TO GO FOR A WALK.

GO OUTSIDE. JUST WHEN YOU DO THOSE THINGS, MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.

MAKE SURE YOU'RE SIX FEET APART. I WANT TO GO OVER THE NUMBER OF THE LIST OF BUSINESSES CLOSED AGAIN AND ALSO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC ASSURANCE THAT WE BUILT IN TOOLS TO ALLOW THE MAYOR TO CLOSE ADDITIONAL BUSINESSES, IF IN HIS OPINION THOSE BUSINESSES REMAINING OPEN CREATE A PUBLIC HEALTH HAZARD. HAIR SALONS, BARBER SHOPS, NAIL SALONS, TATTOO PARLORS, PIERCING BUSINESSES AND ALL GROOMING-RELATED BUSINESSES THAT REQUIRE CLOSE PERSONAL CONTACT ARE CLOSE AS OF NOON TOMORROW. FOOD TRUCK GATHERINGS OF TWO OR MORE TRUCKS -- CAN HAVE ONE FOOD TRUCK BUT YOU CAN'T HAVE MORE THAN ONE IN PROXIMITY TO ONE ANOTHER.

PEOPLE WHO ARE ATTENDING THE FOOD TRUCK MUST MAINTAIN ADEQUATE SOCIAL DISTANCING.

FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN FINES UP TO $1,000. GAME ROOMS, BOWLING ALLEYS, MOVIE THEATERS, ARCADES, MINIATURE GOLF COURSES, GYMS, FITNESS CENTERS OR OTHER SIMILAR ENTERTAINMENT VENUES ARE CLOSED NOON TOMORROW. SEXUALLY ORUPPITYED BUSINESSES ARE -- ORIENTED BUSINESSES ARE ALL CLOSED AS OF NOON TOMORROW. THE SMOKING ROOMS AND TOBACCO STORES. THAT'S THE INTENT TO LIMIT THE ENCLOSURE ONLY TO THE SMOKING ROOM. IF YOU WANT TO BUY TOBACCO PRODUCTS, YOU CAN DO THAT.

YOU CAN'T LOUNGE IN THE ROOM AND SMOKE A CIGAR AND THAT'S EFFECTIVE NOON TOMORROW.

THE MAYOR DOES HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CLOSE ADDITIONAL FACILITIES.

THIS ORDER ALSO AUTHORIZES THE CITY MANAGER TO ENFORCE THE ORDER BY ANY MEANS LEGALLY NECESSARY. BUSINESSES ARE ORDERED TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS IN THEIR COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS TO MAINTAIN GOOD SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIREMENTS.

RETAIL STORES WILL BE REQUIRED TO REDUCE THEIR MAXIMUM BUILDING OCCUPANCY BY 50%.

SO IF YOU HAVE A BUILDING ACPANCY OF 1,000 PEOPLE, YOU NOW HAVE A BUILDING OCCUPANCY OF 500 PEOPLE. RETAIL STORES ARE FURTHER ORDERED THAT IF THE 50% MAXIMUM BUILDING OCCUPANCY IS NOT ENOUGH TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIREMENTS IN THE STORE FOR THE CUSTOMERS THAT ARE PRESENT, THEY HAVE TO REDUCE THAT EVEN FURTHER TO MAKE SURE GOOD SOCIAL DISTANCING PRACTICES ARE MAINTAINED. FURTHER, RETAIL STORES ARE ALSO ORDERED TO ENFORCE THIS BY MONITORING AND CONTROLLING THE INGRESS AND EGRESS TO THEIR

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IF THEY REFUSE TO DO THAT, OR IF THEY CAN NOT DO THAT, I WILL DO SO FOR THEM WITH A.P.D.

OFFICERS, FIREFIGHTERS, AND OTHER CITY PERSONNEL. JUST TO REMIND EVERYBODY, SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE MAINTAINING AT LEAST SIX FEET DISTANCE FROM OTHER INDIVIDUALS, WASHING HANDS WITH SOAP AND WATER FOR AT LEAST 20 SECONDS AS FREQUENTLY AS POSSIBLE AND USING HAND SANITIZER, COVERING COUGHS OR SNEEZES INTO THE SLEEVE OR ELBOW, NOT YOUR HANDS, AND REGULARLY CLEANING HIGH TOUCHED SERVICES AND NOT SHAKING HANDS. IN ADDITION, THIS ORDER DOES ALLOW THE CITY MANAGER AND HAS RATIFIED OTHER CLOSURES I MADE TO PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

I WILL BE CLOSING CITY PARK PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT. NOT THE PARKS, JUST THE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT. IN ADDITION, ALL OUR OUTDOOR BASKETBALL COURTS WILL ALSO BE CLOSED. THE INTENT IS TO MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.

IT'S HARD TO DO THAT WITH CONTACT SPORTS. VIOLATIONS OF THIS ORDER TO RESTRICTING GATHERINGS OF 10 OR LESS FOR SOCIAL GATHERINGS CAN BE A FINE NOT TO EXCEED $1,000 OR CONFINEMENT IN JAIL UP TO 180 DAYS. THE VIOLATION OF ANY OTHER PROVISION IS $1,000 FINE. A FINE UP TO $1,000. THIS DECLARATION IS EFFECTIVE NOON, TUESDAY, MARCH 31 AND CONTINUES UNTIL 11:15, APRIL 14, UNLESS TERMINATED OR EXTENDED.

MAYOR, WITH YOUR PERMISSION I'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT WHY THIS IS SO IMPORTANT.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: CERTAINLY. >> MR. HANNA: THIS WEEKEND ON -- I THINK IT WAS YESTERDAY, SUNDAY LATE, I HAD AN E-MAIL SAYING WE HAD ANOTHER POSITIVE CASE THAT'S ALREADY BEEN REPORTED TO THE PUBLIC. HE IS A MALE IN HIS 40S AND HE AND HIS SPOUSE TRAVELED TO NEW YORK. THEY DID NOT VOLUNTARILY SELF-QUARANTINE EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE SYMPTOMATIC OF COVID-19. THEIR SYMPTOMS WERE MILD INCLUDING A DRY COUGH, NO FEVER, AND I CAN'T DETERMINE IF HE HAD SHORTNESS OF BREATH OR NOT. I THINK HE DID BUT SOME REPORTS SAY HE DID NOT. THEY CONTINUE TO GO ABOUT THEIR DAILY LIFE.

EVEN AFTER HE WAS TESTED, HE DID NOT -- WHAT WE WOULD CONSIDER ADEQUATELY QUAR TEEN HIMSELF.

THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOR IS IRRESPONSIBLE AND CAUSES PROBLEMS FOR PEOPLE.

THIS IS THE KIND OF BEHAVIOR THAT MAKES OTHER PEOPLE SICK. HE AND HIS SPOUSE ARE NOW BEING MONITORED 24/7 BY APPROPRIATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES. THEY WERE IN THE PROCESS OF FOLLOWING THE APPROPRIATE COURT PROCESS TO SECURE ANKLE MONITORS FOR THIS COUPLE.

I'M NOT GOING TO PLAY AROUND WITH THIS. I KNOW THERE ARE SOME CITIZENS WHO DON'T FEEL LIKE WE DO ENOUGH AND SOME SAY WE DO TOO MUCH. I'LL TELL YOU THIS MUCH.

IF YOU TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 AND YOU'RE TALKING AROUND IN THE PUBLIC, YOU'LL REGRET YOU DID THAT. WHILE THE 14 DAYS PASSED SINCE THE SIMPTISM ONSET, SO THE PLACES THEY VISITED, TRANSMISSION RISK IS NEGLIGIBLE AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

WE WON'T BE RELEASING THE VENUES THEY HAVE BEEN IN BECAUSE OF THAT REASON.

IT'S JUST TOO MUCH TIME HAS PASSED. WE WILL BE CONTACTING ARE APPROPRIATE TRACING NOTIFICATIONS AND MAKING CONTACT WITH ANY CITIZENS WE FEEL MAY BE EXPOSED AND MAKING SURE THEY'RE NOTIFIED AND TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS AND SEEK A MEDICAL PROVIDER IF THEY NEED TO. WE WANT TO FOLLOW TO MAKE SURE WE KNOW HOW FAR THIS THING GOES.

PEOPLE NEED TO TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY. I WILL NOT HESITATE TO FINE PEOPLE. PLACE THEM IN FORCED QUARANTINE OR USE ANKLE MONITORS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC HEALTH. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, ABILENE IS A COMMUNITY THAT CARES FOR ONE ANOTHER IN OUR DAY TO DAY LIVES. I'VE NEVER BEEN A PART OF THE COMMUNITY THAT'S BEEN SO INCREDIBLY GENEROUS. LET'S NOT FORGET THAT SOMETIMES SELF-SACRIFICE AND SELF-DENIAL ARE THE BIGGEST GIFTS WE CAN GIVE SOMEBODY, ESPECIALLY IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS.

I HAVE NO OTHER COMMENTS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: BEFORE THE COUNCIL RESPONDS, WE TRY TO BE PROACTIVE. SO THE TEAM HERE OF THE AFORE MENTIONED ENTITIES AND MEMBERS MEET DAILY, AND WE'RE TRYING TO THINK AHEAD. THE COUNTRY TODAY WILL HAVE APPROXIMATELY 150,000 AMERICANS INFECTED. STATE OF TEXAS AT THIS POINT IS AROUND 2700. ABILENE, WE'RE AT NUMBER 11. A REPORT OF THAT JUST ABOUT AN HOUR AGO. IN COMPARISON TO SOME OF THE WEST TEXAS COMMUNITIES, ABILENE

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THERE IS NO NEED TO PANIC. WE'RE SIMPLY TRYING TO BE SURE THAT OUR STATE DOES NOT BECOME LOUISIANA. AND ABILENE DOES NOT BECOME NEW YORK CITY.

YOU DO THAT BY BEING PROACTIVE. SO I SAID IN MY OPENING REMARKS, SOME WILL THINK THAT THIS IS TOO RESTRICTIVE, WHILE OTHERS THINK IT DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH. I WANT TO REITERATE THAT WE'RE NOT TRYING TO RUN A POPULARITY CONTEST. WE'RE TRYING TO DO THE BEST WE KNOW HOW AT THE TIME BY USING THE RESOURCES AND TOOLS THAT HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO US.

IT'S VERY, VERY FLUID. WE COULD COME BEFORE YOU IN A FEW DAYS WITH ALTERATIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE. I HOPE THAT YOU TRUST THE LEADERSHIP OF THIS COMMUNITY AS WELL AS THOSE WHO ARE ASSISTING US. AT THIS TIME I'LL ALLOW THE COUNCIL MEMBERS TO MAKE THEIR REMARKS. WELL, PRIOR TO THAT -- THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO TEM HURT. STANLEY, ANYTHING YOU WANT TO SAY, AND AFTER STANLEY, THE CITY ATTORNEY PROVIDES SOME INPUT. COUNCIL WILL THEN ASK QUESTIONS OR MAKE COMMENTS, AND THEN WE'LL ALLOW YOU, OUR CITIZENS TO BE ABLE TO BE A PART OF THE CONVERSATION.

MR. SMITH? >> THANK YOU. STANLEY SMITH, CITY ATTORNEY.

I DON'T REALLY HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD. I THINK THE MAJOR POINTS OF THIS MODIFICATION HAVE BEEN STATED. I'M AVAILABLE FOR ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS YOU HAVE.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ANY QUESTIONS OF STANLEY FROM THE COUNCIL? STANLEY, WOULD YOU JUST COMMENT FOR THE PUBLIC. I KNOW THAT YOU AND WITH YOUR PEERS ACROSS THE STATE HAVE BEEN MONITORING. HOW MANY SHELTER IN PLACES OR

STAY AT HOME ORDINANCES HAVE POPPED UP IN THE RECENT DAYS? >> GOODNESS.

PROBABLY SINCE FRIDAY, SEVERAL DOZENS HAVE POPPED UP. THERE IS MANY ON THE I-35 CORRIDOR. THOSE ARE STARTING TO FILTER OUT TOWARDS WEST TEXAS AS WE SPEAK.

I KNOW THAT LUBBOCK ISSUED THEIRS AS WELL. JUST GENERALLY GRAVITATING TOWARDS THE WEST AND BIG COUNTRY, PANHANDLE AREA, THAT SORT OF THING.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: I BELIEVE IN REGARDS TO THE ONE PUT IN PLACE LAST NIGHT, I THINK IT DIFFERS IN LUBBOCK BECAUSE THEY'RE REQUIRING OR ELIMINATING ALL GATHERINGS.

NOT JUST TEN OR LESS. I THINK THEY MAY HAVE MORE RESTRICTION IN REGARDS TO RETAIL. SO, AGAIN, WE'RE DOING WELL. WE'RE NOT IN PANIC MODE.

WE'RE JUST TRYING TO BE PROACTIVE AND THINKING AHEAD SO WE'LL PUT THIS COMMUNITY IN A PREDICAMENT THAT SOME OF THE WEST TEXAS NEIGHBORS ARE IN. THERE HAVE BEEN FATALITIES IN MIDLAND AND LUBBOCK IN RECENT DAYS IN REGARDS TO THE VIRUS. ANYONE YOU WANT TO ADD?

>> NO, SIR. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: THANK YOU. DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS

OR REMARKS? >> I HAVE A COUPLE, MAYOR. I WANT THE PUBLIC TO KNOW THAT EVEN THOUGH IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE PICKING AND CHOOSING, THESE COME AS A RECOMMENDATION TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC. THAT'S WHAT THESE ARE FOR. I DON'T LIKE GOVERNMENT OR TOO MUCH GOVERNMENT. THIS IS TO PROTECT OUR CITIZENS AND REALLY WITH SOME OF THE NEGLIGENCE SO THEY KNOW THAT WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT THIS JUST LIKE MR. HANNA SAID.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD TODAY HOW PROUD I AM OF YOU, MAYOR, AND ROBERT HANNA FOR BEING UP FRONT ON THIS. YOU REPRESENTED US WELL. THIS IS SOMETHING WE CAN'T SEE.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE NEVER DEALT WITH BEFORE. THEREFORE, THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A DIVISION AND OPINIONS ON THE WAY THIS IS BEING HANDLED. I THINK YOU'VE DONE A WONDERFUL JOB AND I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'VE DONE AND GLAD I'M WORKING WITH Y'ALL.

YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: THANK YOU. ANY REMARKS FROM THE COUNCIL?

>> I'M GOING TO ASK A QUESTION --. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: THIS IS

COUNCILMAN MCALISTER. >> MR. MCALISTER: THANK YOU. I KNOW A LOT OF FOLKS ON THE FRONT LINE PROBABLY HAVE SPECIFIC, HEY, CAN MY BUSINESS STAY OPEN QUESTIONS.

WHEN WE OPEN IT UP, THERE WILL BE A LOT OF THOSE. SO MAYBE IF WE COULD HAVE DIRECTION. IF PEOPLE WANT TO SPECIFICALLY KNOW IF THEIR BUSINESS OR THEIR GROUP CAN STILL MEET, WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GET THAT INFORMATION? BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THAT'S PROBABLY, I'D SAY, PROBABLY 90% OF THE QUESTIONS THAT PEOPLE

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WILL KNOW IS HEY, CAN MY GROUP AND BUSINESS STILL STAY OPEN. >> MR. HANNA: IT'S VERY ORDER.

THIS DEFINES ALL BUSINESSES AS ESSENTIAL. PEOPLE NEED TO HAVE AN INCOME TO PAY FOR THEIR FAMILY'S EXPENSES AND PROVIDE HEALTHCARE. ALL WORKERS ARE CLASSIFIED AS ESSENTIAL. THIS ORDER ONLY CLOSES THE BUSINESSES THAT HAVE PERSONAL CONTACT, CLOSE PERSONAL CONTACT OR HAVE BEEN PROBLEMATIC IN THE PAST.

WE'VE SEEN FOOD TRUCK GATHERINGS THAT ARE PROBLEMATIC. WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS THAT BY LIMITING THE NUMBER OF FOOD TRUCKS PRESENT AT ANY TIME. IF WE HAVE TO REMOVE ALL FOOD TRUCKS OR SHUT THEM ALL DOWN, WE WILL. BUT IF YOU -- UNLESS YOU ARE A HAIR SALON, BARBER SHOP, NAIL SALON, TATTOO OR PIERCING BUSINESS WHERE THERE IS CLOSE PERSONAL CONTACT, GO TO WORK. KEEP THE BUSINESS OPEN. WE NEED YOU TO DO THAT.

IF YOU'RE NOT GOING BACK AND FORTH TO WORK, STAY HOME. IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET GROCERIES OR FOOD FOR YOUR FAMILY OR CLOTHING, STAY HOME. NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO GO FIND A FUN THING TO DO. NOW IS THE TIME TO GO STAY HOME. AND AS I SAID ON FACEBOOK, THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND LOVE ON YOUR PEOPLE.

IF YOU NEED TO BREAK FROM LOVING ON YOUR PEOPLE, GO FOR A WALK. >> AND THEN I, YOU KNOW, I WANT TO ECHO WHAT COUNCILMAN HURT SAID THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS UNCHARTERED FOR ALL OF THIS.

THIS IS UNPRECEDENTED. WE ARE UNFORTUNATELY WORKING AS WE GO.

BUT I GUESS IF SOMEONE DOES HAVE A QUESTION, THEY'RE MORE THAN WELCOME TO E-MAIL US.

COUNCIL@ABILENETX.GOV. E-MAIL US. WE'LL MAKE SURE IT GETS TO THE RIGHT PERSON. WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT INFORMATION GETS BACK TO YOU.

BUT I TOO APPRECIATE WHAT ANTHONY AND ROBERT AND YOUR STAFF HAVE DONE IN THESE VERY,

VERY UNCHARTERED WATERS AND TIME THAT WE ARE IN. >> THANK YOU.

I ALSO ADD THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THAT DEVELOPED WITH THEM FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS. SO IF YOU'RE A BUSINESS MEMBER, YOU SHOULD VISIT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND LOOK AT THIS. WE'LL LINK TO THE RESOURCE ON OUR OWN COVID-19 RESOURCES ON

THE CITY OF ABILENE'S PAGE. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: I'LL ADD TO THAT JUST A BIT.

APPRECIATE PARTICULARLY MR. HANNA ENGAGING MR. PETERS TO BE SURE THAT WE'RE SENSITIVE TO THE COMMERCE AND OUR COMMUNITY. WE KNOW THAT THIS IS CERTAINLY A DISRUPTION OF COMMERCE IN ABILENE THAT FOLK ARE AFFECTED. BUT WE WOULD RATHER -- WE HAVE TAKEN A POSTURE THAT WE'D RATHER HAVE A LITTLE DISRUPTION NOW THAN SIGNIFICANT DISRUPTION LATER.

SO BEING PROACTIVE AND MINDFUL OF THAT, I THINK IS A PRUDENT THING TO DO.

ANY MORE QUESTION OF THE COUNCIL PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC HEARING? >> I --.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: COUNCILMAN SHANE PRICE. >> MR. PRICE: I RECEIVED E-MAILS AND DIRECT COMMENTS FROM PEOPLE ABOUT CONCERNS WITH KIDS. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO ADDRESS GOING OVER TO NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE AND GROUP PARTIES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND SHARING BIKES,

ET CETERA. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: YOU KNOW, ONE REASON WHY OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS OR ALL SCHOOLS ARE DARK AT THIS TIME IS BECAUSE OF THE NEED TO NOT ALLOW THE CHILDREN TO BECOME CARRIERS AND GIVE THEIR GRANDPARENTS AND PARENTS ILL.

SO I THINK IT'S ALREADY BEEN SAID THAT GOVERNMENT AT NO LEVEL CAN CONTAIN THIS WITHOUT THE COOPERATION OF THE CITIZENS. SO USE COMMON SENSE AND BE MINDFUL OF THIS.

IT'S NOT SPRING BREAK. IT'S NOT A VACATION. WOULD RATHER HAVE THE CHILDREN PLAYING WITH EACH OTHER AND GO IN THE BACKYARD OR TAKING WALKS AND NOT HUDDLING WITH OTHER

GROUPS OF CHILDREN THAT PROMOTE THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS. >> MR. PRICE: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

I TOO APPRECIATE NOT JUST YOUR LEADERSHIP BUT ALL THE TIME THE STATE -- BEING MAYOR IS A FULL-TIME JOB ON TOP OF YOUR FULL-TIME JOB. BUT THIS HAS DONE BEYOND THAT FOR THE CITY MANAGER, FOR YOU AS A MAYOR, FOR MANY MEMBERS OF THE STAFF.

SO I EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION TO THAT DEDICATION THAT IS COMING FROM A LOVE FOR THIS COMMUNITY AND A DESIRE TO HELP US NAVIGATE THROUGH THIS AND REACH THE OTHER END AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BUT WITH

AS MANY PEOPLE HEALTHY AS POSSIBLE AS WELL. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ANY MORE

COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL? THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN PRICE. >> COUNCILMAN CRAVER HERE.

I KNOW I A LOT OF QUESTIONS ESPECIALLY IN REGARD TO DAYCARE AND WHAT IS ESSENTIAL AND WHAT IS NOT AND PEOPLE FEELING IF THEY CAN COME TO THAT, IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE THAT ADDRESSED.

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>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: DAYCARES ARE OPERABLE. OF COURSE THE OVERSIGHT OF ALL DAYCARES ARE AT THE STATE LEVEL. WE UNDERSTAND THE DOMINO EFFECT OF NOT PROVIDING CHILDCARE FOR THOSE WORKING IN THE COMMUNITY. WE JUST ASK THEM AND OTHERS TO BE RESPONSIBLE.

SO DAY CARE IS NOT AFFECTED BY THE ORDINANCE. STILL GOVERNED BY THE PARAMETERS BY THE STATE THAT OVERSEE THE OPERATION OF DAY CARES IN OUR COMMUNITY AND THROUGHOUT THE

STATE. ANY QUESTIONS -- MR. HANNA? >> MR. HANNA: I WANT TO MAKE

INITIAL COMMENTS BEFORE THE PUBLIC HEARING. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: BY THE WAY, JUST COURTESY, CHUCK STADLER IS IN THE AUDIENCE. DOWNING COULD NOT BE HERE THIS MORNING. HE IS TAKING CARE OF COUNTY BUSINESS.

WE'LL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE JUDGE PRO TEM TO MAKE COMMENTS FOLLOWING YOU PRIOR TO

THE PUBLIC HEARING. >> MR. HANNA: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I'VE GOT THE BACKGROUND NOISE ON THIS TURNED DOWN BECAUSE IT SOUNDED LIKE A WALKIE-TALKIE AND PEOPLE LISTENING AND WATCHING ON THE BROADCAST. I'M GOING TO TURN THIS BACK UP AND GO TO THE PUBLIC HEARING.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE PEOPLE BE RESPECTFUL OF ONE ANOTHER.

SPEAK ONE AT A TIME. DON'T SPEAK OVER EACH OTHER. THOSE SORTS OF THINGS.

I'LL TURN IT BACK DOWN IF YOU NEED ME TO, MAYOR, TO TAKE A PAUSE IF WE NEED A COOL DOWN PERIOD. I THINK THAT'S A GOOD WAY OF DOING THIS.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: THIS IS ABILENE, TEXAS. WE'RE DIFFERENT THAN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD. WE WANT TO BE RESPECTFUL. THIS IS A COURTESY TO YOU TO ALLOW YOU, ALTHOUGH NOT PRESENT WITH US PHYSICALLY, TO HAVE A CHANCE TO PROVIDE INPUT TO YOUR COMMUNITY. I'M ASKING YOU TO BE RESPECTFUL. RESPECTFUL OF THIS BODY BUT MOREOVER, RESPECTFUL TO CITIZENS AND OTHERS THAT ARE WATCHING, LISTENING TO US.

THOUGH WE ACT IN A WAY THAT'S CONSISTENT WITH THE CORE VALUES OF THIS COMMUNITY.

I'LL ALLOW CHUCK TO ADDRESS THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, CHUCK, PROVIDING INPUT AND COUNCIL THROUGH THIS WHOLE SITUATION.

>> MR. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME COME FORWARD TODAY.

WHAT I'D LIKE TO SAY IS THAT WE APPRECIATE THE OPEN COMMUNICATION, THE JUDGE MR. HANNA AND JUDGE BOWLS, MYSELF AND THE EMERGENCY MANAGER MEET FAIRLY REGULARLY.

THERE ARE A LOT OF TELEPHONE CALLS THAT HAVE GONE BACK AND FORTH AND THE COMMUNICATION WE HAVE IS ESSENTIAL TO MAKING SURE THAT WE PROVIDE FOR THE PEOPLE THAT WERE CHOSEN.

SHELTERING IS AN ISSUE THAT'S BEEN DISCUSSED, BUT EASIEST WAY IS TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO STAY HOME. HOME IS SAFE. THAT'S WHERE YOU'RE COMFORTABLE AND THAT'S WHERE YOU CAN CONTROL YOUR OWN ENVIRONMENT. THANK YOU FOR BEING PROACTIVE, MR. MAYOR. MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, THANK YOU.

TAYLOR COUNTY IS PROUD TO STAND BESIDE YOU AND PROTECT THE PEOPLE THAT WE BOTH SERVE.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER BIRCHAM? REMARKS AT ALL?

>> (OFF MICROPHONE). >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: THANKS SO MUCH.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS, I BRING TO LIGHT. I KNOW THAT THERE MAY BE SOMEONE WHO IS INFLICTED WITH THE COVID-19 AND THEY'RE SELF-QUARANTINED AT HOME.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO OUR VIEWERS LISTENING OUT THERE, IF THEY'RE WANTING TO OBTAIN FOOD AND NECESSITIES FOR THE HOME BUT THEY'RE SELF-QUARANTINING. WHAT WOULD YOU ENCOURAGE THEM TO

PURSUE TO BE TAKEN CARE OF? >> MAYOR, WITH YOUR PERMISSION, I THINK THERE IS A NUMBER OF RESOURCES. IF THEY'RE A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH COMMUNITY, CALL AND SAY I NEED DELIVERY OF THIS AND SOMEONE RESPONSIBLY BUY SOMETHING AND PUT IT ON THEIR PORCH. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF FOOD DELIVERY SERVICES IF YOU GO ONLINE. SHIPPED, H-E-B, UNITED MARKETS. SAM'S HAS PACKAGED STUFF UP.

YOU NEED TO PICK IT UP BUT WALMART MAY DO THE SAME THING. SERVICES DO THIS SO YOU DON'T NEED TO LEAVE AND HOME AND CAN GET PROVISIONS. ALSO DIALING 211 IS AN OPTION AND I ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO DO THAT. THAT SHOULD BE THE FIRST RESOURCE IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE. THEY HAVE TRAINED EXPERTS TO TAKE THE CALL AND PUT YOU IN CONTACT WITH THE SOCIAL SERVICES YOU MAY NEED THAT COULD BE FOOD. IF YOU'RE IN A POSITION THAT YOU MAY BE OUT OF A JOB, YOU MAY BE STRUGGLING WITH INCOME, YOU MAY BE AT A POINT WHERE YOU CAN'T

AFFORD SOMETHING. 211 IS A GREAT PLACE TO START. >> THANKS.

I THINK IT'S GREAT FOR OUR LISTENERS TO HAVE SOME CLARITY ON THAT AND TO KNOW THIS IS

WHERE THE CHURCH BODY CAN COME INTO PLAY POSSIBLY. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ANY REMARKS

[00:35:01]

IN A BIT, YOU WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE. GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD AND WE'LL GO AS LONG AS WE NEED TO. WE'LL TAKE WHAT YOU SAY INTO CONSIDERATION AND HAVE A VOTE FOR WHAT IS BEFORE US. SO AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ALLOW ANYONE TO PROVIDE INPUT. SO OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING.

IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST? PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD AND ALLOW US TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE. WE'LL NOW OPEN UP THE PUBLIC

HEA HEARING. >> HELLO, THERE.

MY NAME IS CATHERINE BALLARD. I'M A DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING PERSON HERE IN SUPPORT OF THE DEAF COMMUNITY. THERE IS NO SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER HERE.

ON THE SCREEN. WE NEED A SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER.

WE NEED TO -- THE DEAF COMMUNITY NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THESE UPDATES AND WHAT IS GOING ON. THE CLOSED CAPTIONING IS NOT ENOUGH ACCESS.

IT IS NOT ENOUGH -- ENGLISH IS NOT OUR FIRST LANGUAGE AND HAS A DIFFERENT GRAMMATICAL STRUCTURE.

WE NEED A SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER FOR THESE UPDATES. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: THANK YOU SO MUCH. I WANT TO COMMUNICATE TO YOU, BECAUSE OF THE LIMITED INDIVIDUALS THAT CAN BE IN THIS SPOT, WE DIDN'T HAVE ROOM. I'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH CITY MANAGER. WE'RE GOING TO REPLAY THIS WITH AN INTERPRETER SO ALL THE COMMUNITY CAN BE AWARE OF WHAT'S OCCURRING. WE KNOW THAT 14% OF THE POPULATION OF THE CITY ARE DISABLED. THE DEAF ARE PART OF THIS.

THIS WILL BE REPLAYED WITH AN INTERPRETER. APOLOGIES FOR THAT HAPPENING NOW. BUT BECAUSE OF RESTRAINTS WE WERE UNABLE TO DO SO.

IS THERE ANYONE ELSE? >> I KNOW BUT HOW WOULD THE DEAF COMMUNITY UNDERSTAND YOUR -- WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IF YOU DON'T HAVE AN AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: OKAY. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A REPLAY OF THIS WITH AN INTERPRETER COMMUNICATING WHAT HAS BEEN COMMUNICATED. INSIDE THESE CHAMBERS.

ARE YOU THERE? >> YEAH. I'M TRYING TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTOOD WHAT YOU SAID. SO YOU'LL POST A VIDEO OF IT LATER WITH AN INTERPRETER?

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: YES, MA'AM. THAT'S CORRECT. >> OKAY.

THANK YOU. . >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: IS THERE

ANYONE ELSE? >> MY NAME IS WILL SHORT. WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE LIKE ME THAT MY -- ME AND MY MOM GOT DIABETES AND CAN'T HARDLY GET OUT. WHAT ABOUT GETTING FOOD TO

PEOPLE LIKE ME AND MY MOM? >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: COUPLE DIFFERENT THINGS.

ONE THAT'S MENTIONED IS DIALING 211. THAT'S CALL FOR HELP IN OUR COMMUNITY. THEY ARE SETUP. WE HAVE ALREADY REQUESTED SOME FUNDS FROM OUR FOUNDATIONS THAT THEY RECEIVED TO BE ABLE TO HELP YOU, YOUR MOTHER AND OTHERS IN

YOUR SITUATION. >> AND MAYOR WILLIAMS, THE FOLKS LISTENING AT HOME MAY NOT BE ABLE TO HEAR AS WELL WHAT IS BEING SAID, SO IF -- WHEN A QUESTION IS ASKED IF MAYBE YOU

COULD PARAPHRASE THE QUESTION. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WE HAVE A GENTLEMAN ON THE PHONE ASKING FOR HELP FOR HIM AND HIS MOTHER WHO BOTH HAVE AN AILMENT THAT MAY BE SHELTERED IN ALREADY. WHAT I COMMUNICATED IS A CALL FOR HELP, STANDING UP IN THE COMMUNITY THAT IS FOR THAT PURPOSE.

WE REQUESTED FUNDS AND COLLECTED MORE FUNDS FOR THE VERY REASON. THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN MCALISTER.

IS THERE ANYONE ELSE? >> YES. MY NAME IS -- MY NAME IS -- SANDY. MY QUESTION IS WHAT IS THE MAGIC NUMBER BEFORE WE ACTUALLY GO

INTO A SHELTEREN PLACE TOTALLY? >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: SO THE QUESTION WAS IS THERE A MAGIC NUMBER BEFORE WE GO INTO A HARD SHELTER IN PLACE. I THINK THAT'S WHAT I HEARD.

SO THIS IS FLUID. I MENTIONED A DAILY CONVERSATION WHERE MAYBE OUR CONVERSATIONS SO -- SO WE'RE GOING TO DO WHATEVER WE DO TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY AT THIS TIME.

THERE IS NOT A MAGIC NUMBER GUIDING OUR DECISION. YOU'LL KNOW IT'S THE LOCAL HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AND TEAM OF ADMINISTRATORS AT THE CITY AND COUNTY AND ALSO THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE STAN LAMBERT, JODI ARRINGTON AND OTHERS.

[00:40:03]

CONVERSATION WITH US. ANYONE ELSE? >> WE WERE WONDERING ABOUT THE HOSPITAL AND WHAT YOU PLAN ON DOING ABOUT GETTING US THE EQUIPMENT WE NEED, AND I WAS ALSO WANTING TO ASK ABOUT (INAUDIBLE) FOR US EMPLOYEES THAT -- THAT PUT OUR LIVES ON

THE LINE. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: SO THERE IS -- PART OF THE TEAM IS BOTH ABILENE REGIONAL AND HENDRICK. WE'RE IN COMMUNICATION WITH THEM DAILY.

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT ACROSS THE COUNTRY IS AT A SQUEEZE BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO MUSTER ALL WE CAN AND TRY TO ASSIST THEM AND THEIR ENDEAVOR.

THIS WILL LIKELY GET WORSE BEFORE IT GETS BETTER. SO THERE IS INDEED A STRAIN, BUT ABILENE AND OTHERS ARE TRYING TO SECURE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE AND GET OTHER MEDICAL EQUIPMENT.

ANYONE ELSE? . >> MY NAME IS CHRIS.

I HAVE A CLARIFICATION. (SPEAKING OVER EACH OTHER). >> YES.

MY NAME IS ROBERT. >> HI. I'M CHRIS.

I HAVE A CLARIFICATION QUESTION. WITH THE CLOSURES OF HAIR SALONS AND THAT TYPE OF DEAL, MY WIFE RUNS A PET GROOMING SALON. WE WERE WANTING TO CLARIFY IF THAT'S INCLUDED IN THE CLOSURES

OR NOT SO WE CAN LET OUR CUSTOMERS KNOW THE SITUATION. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ALL GROOMING DEFINED IN THE ORDINANCE IS ASKED TO GO DARK. SO THAT IS INDEED INCLUSIVE OF

THE ORDINANCE BEFORE US. >> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ANYONE ELSE? >> MY NAME IS ROBERT. YARD MOWING AND STUFF.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ROBERT, GO AHEAD. >> .

GO AHEAD, ROBERT. >> I WAS WONDERING ABOUT -- MOWING YARDS IF IT'S

OKAY TO DO IT. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: MOWING YOUR YARD AND YOUR YARD SERVICE CAN BE CONTINUED. JUST ASKING TO USE COMMON SENSE. AND BE CAREFUL.

SO YOU CAN CONTINUE MAKING MONEY FOR YOUR HOUSEHOLD. ANYONE ELSE?

>> YES. JACKSON. MY NAME IS OLIVIA JACKSON.

AND I WAS CALLING -- (TALKING OVER EACH OTHER). >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: OLIVIA, PLEASE RESTATE YOUR QUESTION. OLIVIA JACKSON, RESTATE YOUR QUES

QUESTION. >> MEDICAL INSURANCE HAS NOT KICKED IN AND BEING TURNED AROUND FROM DOCTORS BUT -- IT'S CURRENTLY STILL EMPLOYEES AND STILL WORKING FOR THE PUBLIC.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: OKAY. I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THAT QUESTION.

>> OLIVIA STARTED HER QUESTION AND THEN STOPPED: OLIVIA, REPEAT YOUR QUESTION PLEASE.

>> YES. MY QUESTION IS I HAVE -- MY KIDS ARE IN CPS AND CPS CARE IN A FOSTER HOME HERE IN ABILENE, TEXAS. I HAVE TO DO THINGS TO GET THEM BACK LIKE COUNSELING, YOU KNOW, NOTHING SERIOUS BUT I WAS WONDERING HOW WOULD I BE GOING ABOUT THAT WHEN I'M -- (INAUDIBLE) WHICH I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING IN ORDER TO GET

MY KIDS BACK BUT I CAN'T DO THAT WITH THEM BEING SHUT DOWN. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: SO I THINK THE QUESTION REGARDS CPS. CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES. WITH THAT UMBRELLA OF STATE GOVERNMENT ENTITY, I'D REFER YOU TO ENGAGE CPS. THEY CAN PROBABLY MORE ADEQUATELY ANSWER YOUR QUESTION IN THAT REGARD. YES, MR. HANNA.

>> MR. HANNA: I THINK WHAT THE CITIZEN IS ASKING IF THIS IS A STAY AT HOME ORDER AND SHE MUST GO TO COUNSELING SERVICES, CAN SHE DO THAT. THE ANSWER IS YES, OF COURSE.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: OKAY. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE? >> I HAVE A QUESTION.

WHAT ABOUT THE SURROUNDING CITIES OF TAYLOR COUNTY? THE SURROUNDING RURAL AREAS.

SHOULD WE TAKE THAT SHELTER IN PLACE AS WELL? >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: I BELIEVE, AND I'LL ALLOW JUDGE PRO TEM CHUCK TO SPEAK TO THIS, BUT COUNTY ON TOMORROW AFTERNOON, I

[00:45:01]

PARTICULARLY SO -- IF YOU'RE IN THOSE COUNTIES OR CURIOUS, I WOULD REACH OUT TO THEM.

BUT I THINK EVERYONE IS HAVING THE CONVERSATION. EVERYBODY IS REACTING

APPROPRIATELY. >> AND WE HAVE HAD PEOPLE ASK IS IT SAFE TO COME TO ABILENE.

I DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S NOT SAFE BUT IT'S NOT WISE. WOULD THAT BE A SAFE THING TO

SAY? IF IT'S NOT NECESSARY. >> NO.

I THINK IT'S SAFE. >> OKAY. THAT'S NOT THE WAY I MEANT IT.

THAT CAME OUT WRONG. IT'S -- IF PEOPLE DON'T NEED TO TRAVEL.

>> I THINK THE WHOLE POINT OF THE STAY AT HOME ORDER IS IF YOU DON'T NEED TO BE OUT FOR

ESSENTIAL ACTIVITIES, YOU NEED TO STAY HOME. >> I APOLOGIZE.

I HAD PEOPLE SAY I NEED TO GO TO DALLAS OR SOME PLACE. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: OKAY.

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

STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. >> HAZARD PAY FOR THE HEALTHCARE WORKERS.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WHAT WAS THE QUESTION? I DIDN'T HEAR.

>> SO, YOU KNOW, I'LL SAY THIS. THE CITY OF ABILENE IS NOT GOING TO AUTHORIZE OR APPROVE HAZARD PAY FOR CARE OR HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES. IT'S NOT IN OUR ABILITY TO DO THAT. I'D SAY THE FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARE WELL COMPENSATED. THERE ARE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS RIGHT NOW LOSING THEIR JOBS.

IF YOU'RE A PUBLIC EMPLOYEE AND YOU HAVE A JOB, WE'RE DOING OUR BEST TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE IN AN OPERATING ENVIRONMENT THAT IS HEALTHY AND SAFE FOR YOU AND WE SHOULD ALL BE THANKFUL WE GET A PAYCHECK. MANY WON'T DO SO. COUNCIL AUTHORIZED PAY FOR ADDITIONAL PEOPLE SO WE'RE TRYING TO TAKE CARE OF IT AT THE EXTENT WE CAN.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE ELSE GIVE YOUR NAME FOR

THE RECORD. >> ASHLEY. >> MATTHEW.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ASHLEY, GO AHEAD AND SPEAK, ASHLEY. >> HI.

YES. MY QUESTION IS --. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ASHLEY, GO

AHEAD AND SPEAK. >> (SPEAKING OVER EACH OTHER). >> I'M A BEAUTICIAN.

AM I ALLOWED TO TRAVEL TO A PERSON'S HOUSE OR CUT IN MY HOUSE DUE TO MY SHOP BEING

CLOSED? >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WE'RE ASKING YOU TO GO DARK FOR THE NEXT 14 DAYS. WE'LL GO BACK IN 14 DAYS AND EITHER EXTEND THIS OR MAKE MODIFICATION. BUT YOU ARE WITHIN THE GROUP THAT WILL NOT BE OPERATING VIA

THIS ORDINANCE. >> THANK YOU. >> OKAY.

CAN I ASK A QUESTION? >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: YES, SIR. MOE, WAS THAT MOE WHO SPOKE FIRST? MOE. GO AHEAD, MOE.

>> OKAY. SO MY QUESTION IS I DO HOME MAINTENANCE FOR A COUPLE REALTY COMPANIES IN TOWN. DO I NEED A PERMIT? THERE IS LEAKS AND DIFFERENT THINGS. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTINUE YOUR BUSINESS AND BE WISE AND SMART IN HOW YOU CONDUCT YOUR BUSINESS. ANYONE ELSE?

>> BRANDON. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: BRANDON, GO AHEAD.

>> OKAY. MY QUESTION IS THIS IS CONCERNING FOR PEOPLE THAT WORK AS FAR AS IN PUBLIC, WHETHER IT BE GROCERY STORES OR GAS STATIONS.

WHEN CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE A FURTHER UPDATE TO THE LIMITED SHELTER IN PLACE TO WHETHER WE

GO COMPLETELY LOCKED DOWN. >> SO THE QUESTION WAS FOR THOSE THAT MAY WORK AT GROCERY STORES OR GAS STATIONS OR OTHER ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES, WHEN CAN THEY EXPECT TO SEE A TOTAL LOCKDOWN ORDER. I DON'T ANTICIPATE US GOING IN THAT DIRECTION.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: CORRECT. >> 14 DAYS. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: HOSPITALS ARE AT THE HIGH LEVEL OF ESSENTIAL JOBS SO THAT MAY BE -- MAY BE REQUIREMENTS INSIDE OF THE ESTABLISHMENTS THAT WILL, IF THINGS PROGRESS TO PUT ADDITIONAL LAYERS OF PROTECTION.

I DON'T ANTICIPATE THERE BEING A LOCKDOWN. ANYONE ELSE?

[00:50:07]

PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME SO WE CAN KNOW WHO YOU ARE, PLEASE. >> JOSEPH.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: GO AHEAD, JOSEPH. GO AHEAD, JOSEPH.

IT'S YOUR TURN TO SPEAK. >> I REALLY WANTED TO MAKE A STATEMENT THAT MAYBE IF WE DON'T HAVE PLASTIC GLOVES THAT WE COULD WEAR WINTER GLOVES WHEN WE GO TO THE STORE.

MAYBE THEY COULD MENTION THAT. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: OKAY. WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU AS WELL AS BUSINESS OPERATORS TO DO ANY AND EVERYTHING TO REDUCE THE TRANSMISSION OF THE VIRUS.

JOSEPH, GO AHEAD AND SPEAK. >> JOSEPH. YES, SIR.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: GO AHEAD AND SPEAK, JOSEPH. ONE MORE TIME.

SO -- SO WE CAN UNDERSTAND YOU CORRECTLY. JOSEPH, IT'S YOUR TURN TO SPEAK.

>> YES, SIR. YES, SIR. I WAS --

>> HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN IT'S MY TURN. >> THIS IS JOSEPH.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: SPEAK, JOSEPH. >> I WAS GOING TO ASK A QUESTION, AS FAR AS THE BUSINESSES THAT ARE MEANT TO GO DARK UNTIL APRIL 14.

WILL THERE BE A MORATORIUM FOR RENT ALLEVIATION FOR THOSE BUSINESSES GOING DARK? RENT PAYMENTS ARE DUE FOR APRIL. IT WILL AFFECT PEOPLE PAYING THEIR -- RENT CHECKS AND STUFF LIKE THAT. SOME PEOPLE HAVE DONE A MORATORIUM OF RENT AND THINGS LIKE THAT. WILL THERE BE ANY ALLEVIATIONS FOR BUSINESSES MEANT TO GO DARK?

>> I'M NOT CERTAIN THE CITY OF ABILENE HAS THE AUTHORITY TO NOT ALLOW A LANDLORD TO RECEIVE PAYMENT. WE DO NOT INTEND TO CHANGE THOSE REQUIREMENTS TILTH IN TIME.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: I THINK THERE IS A STATE LEVEL ABOUT -- ABOUT EVICTIONS.

IS THAT CORRECT? IS THAT CORRECT, STANLEY? >> I DO REMEMBER AT THE STATE LEVEL ABOUT -- NO EVICTIONS AT THIS TIME. IT'S ON THE COURT LEVEL.

MALAYSIA MAYBE WE CAN PROVIDE CLARIFICATION FOR QUESTIONS TO RESPOND APPROPRIATELY.

THANK YOU, MR. SMITH. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE? STATE YOUR NAME CLEARLY SO WE

CAN IDENTIFY WHO YOU ARE. >> MY NAME IS CAREEN. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: GO AHEAD AND

SPEAK. >> BRIE. YES.

IS THERE A RULE ABOUT CONTRACTORS WORKING HERE IN ABILENE AND TRAVELING BACK TO THEIR CITIES ON THE WEEKENDS WHERE THEY'RE ON LOCKDOWN AND COMING BACK TO ABILENE AND WORKING. I'M JUST ASKING BECAUSE I LIKE TO WORK AND I'D LIKE TO FEEL SAFE IN MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT. I'M WONDERING IF THERE IS ANY RULES AGAINST THAT.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: SO THIS ORDINANCE, YOU KNOW, CALLS FOR EVERYONE TO BE CONSCIENTIOUS.

IT'S NOT INCLUSIVE OF THE AMENT LAS THAT -- ELEMENTS THAT ALLOW PEOPLE TO NOT COME AND GO AND CONSTRUCTION OR MAINTENANCE WORK. THERE MAY BE A CONVERSATION AT THE STATE LEVEL FROM THE GOVERNOR IN REGARDS TO TRAVEL THAT IS COMMERCIAL RELATED FROM CITY TO CITY. THAT'S NOT PART OF THE PURVIEW. ANYONE ELSE?

>> I HAVE A QUESTION. MY WIFE WORKS AT WALMART. I'VE BEEN SICK FOR TWO WEEKS.

HEADACHE, COUGH. I'M PRETTY SURE I HAVE THE VIRUS BUT I CAN'T GET TESTED.

MY WIFE GOES TO WALMART SERVING FOOD AND SHE HAS BEEN SICK FOR LONG TIME TOO AND OUR EMPLOYER

IS NOT GETTING (INAUDIBLE). HOW DO YOU HANDLE THAT? >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: I'M GOING TO TRY TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION. IF YOU'RE SICK, STAY AT HOME. IF YOU'RE SICK, CONTACT YOUR PERSONAL PHYSICIAN. CONTACT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND WE CAN HELP YOU WITH THAT.

IS THERE ANYONE ELSE? PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME. ANYONE ELSE?

>> YES. MY NAME IS JAMES. .

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: SPEAK, JAMES. >> MY NAME IS SANDRA.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: SPEAK, JAMES. JA JAMES, WOULD YOU SPEAK? SO A QUESTION REGARDS TO THE MAIL SYSTEM WHICH IS UNDER FEDERAL JURISDICTION. NO ANTICIPATED INTERRUPTION OF MAIL SERVICES AND I'M NOT SURE

[00:55:01]

ANYONE ELSE? >> DEBBIE. >> PATRICIA.

>> YES, SIR. PATRICIA MASON. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: FOLKS.

WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS. WE'RE TRYING TO HEAR EVERYONE TO ALLOW US THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO CLEARLY UNDERSTAND WHO YOU ARE. I NEED YOU TO PLEASE SAY YOUR NAME. I WILL THEN REPEAT YOUR NAME. ACKNOWLEDGE IT'S YOUR TURN.

AFTER WHICH THEN YOU CAN COMMUNICATE WHAT NEEDS TO BE SAID.

SAY YOUR NAME. I'LL REPEAT YOUR NAME. >> TONY.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: JONAS? >> TONY. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: IS THIS

JONAS? >> NIKKI. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: IS THIS

JONAS? >> TONY. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: TONY.

TONY. GO AHEAD AND SPEAK, TONY. SPEAK, TONY.

>> HELLO? >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: TONY? >> YES, SIR.

>> YES, SIR. THIS IS JOHN. WHAT ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WE SAID ABOUT -- GOING TO THE STORE AND BEING CLOSED AND FOOD. HOW ARE WE GOING TO PAY OUR

BILLS? >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: CAN YOU HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS ASKED?

>> I THINK HE WAS -- HOW DO WE HELP PAY THE BILLS. IF PLACES ARE STILL OPEN.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: SO I THINK IF THIS IS INCORRECT, I THINK I HEARD A QUESTION THAT ASKED ABOUT PAYING BILLS. SO WHAT -- WHAT -- THE ONLY THING I'LL SAY IN THAT REGARD, WE KNOW THIS IS CAUSING INSTABILITY IN REGARD TO JOBS AND COMMERCE AND THE ABILITY TO GET ESSENTIALS. IN OUR COMMUNITY YOU HAVE TWO ENTITIES.

ONE BEING UNITED WAY. THE OTHER BEING THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ABILENE.

BOTH RECEIVING FUNDS TO ADMINISTER TO NON-PROFITS AND REFER YOU TO THOSE TWO TENTTIES FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY TO BE ADDRESSED. -- ENTITIES.

SO AT THIS TIME I WANT TO -- WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO A FIVE-MINUTE RECESS.

SO FOR THOSE WHO ARE ONLINE, YOU CAN HOLD YOUR PLACE ONLINE. WE'RE GOING TO A FIVE-MINUTE RECESS.

WE'LL RECONVENE. ARE WE ON? WE'LL RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION.

WE KNOW THE GRAVITY OF THIS SITUATION. WE WANT TO TAKE TIME AND ANSWER THE NEEDED QUESTIONS AND ALSO GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO E-MAIL QUESTIONS IN AND WE'LL RESPOND TO YOU. THAT E-MAIL ADDRESS -- AND THAT ALLOWS EVERY COUNCIL PERSON AND ADMINISTRATOR TO HEAR YOUR QUESTION AND MAY PROVIDE EVEN A GREATER LEVEL OF RESPONSE BECAUSE WE'RE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE MORE DELIBERATE IN THE RESPONSE.

THE E-MAIL IS COUNCIL@ABILENETX.GOV. THE E-MAIL ADDRESS FOR QUESTIONS IS COUNCIL@ABILENETX.GOV. WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE THE PHONE CALLS.

WE WANT YOU TO PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME. AFTER YOU STATE YOUR NAME, I WILL REPEAT YOUR NAME AND THAT IS YOUR QUEUE TO GO AND ASK THE QUESTIONS THAT YOU WANT TO BE ANSWERED. SO WE'LL GO BACK AND TAKE MORE PUBLIC COMMENTS IN THE PUBLIC HEARING. I WANT YOU TO STATE YOUR NAME. I WILL REPEAT YOUR NAME.

AND THEN THAT IS YOUR CUE TO THEN ASK YOUR QUESTION. AGAIN, FOR THOSE WHO DON'T WANT TO ASK QUESTION NOW OR WANT TO E-MAIL RESPONSE, THAT WILL ALLOW YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE GREATER COMMUNICATION, THE E-MAIL ADDRESS IS COUNCIL@ABILENETX.GOV.

READY? >> JUDE. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: OKAY.

JUDE. JUDE? GO AHEAD.

>> YES, SIR, MR. MAYOR. YES, SIR. FIRST OF ALL THANK YOU TO THE

COUNCIL FOR ALLOWING US TO MAKE SOME NOISE TODAY. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: THANK YOU.

YOUR QUESTION? >> MY QUESTION IS WHEN ARE YOU ACTUALLY GOING TO LOCK THIS DOWN. I THINK THE LONGER YOU WAIT, THE WORSE IT WILL BE.

WE NEED TO FLATTEN THE CURVE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I KNOW IT'S INCONVENIENT.

I'D RATHER GET IT OVER NOW AND GET OUR LIVES BACK TO NORMAL. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: SO I THINK THE QUESTION I HEARD IS WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO LOCK US DOWN. IS THAT CORRECT?

[01:00:03]

>> YES, SIR. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: SO I'LL RESPOND LIKE THIS.

THIS IS FLUID AND CERTAINLY THIS IS A TIME BEFORE YOU AND WE HAVE BEEN MORE RESTRICTIVE.

WE'LL ALLOW THE DAT AS AS WELL AS INPUT FROM THE TEAM TO DICTATE THE THINGS WE'LL DO.

HOPEFULLY IN THIS PROACTIVE EFFORT, WE WILL NOT HAVE TO GO TO THAT DRASTIC MEASUREMENT.

BUT KNOW THIS. WE'LL DO WHATEVER WE BELIEVE IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE AT THE TIME.

THANKS FOR YOUR QUESTION. >> MATTHEW WALKER. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: SPEAK,

MATTHEW. SPEAK, MATTHEW. >> YEAH.

. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: MATTHEW, GO AHEAD.

>> OKAY. WHENEVER YOU SAY YOU GO OUT AND GET ESSENTIALS AT THE GROCERY

STORE. . >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: MATTHEW, I'M SO SORRY. MATTHEW IS GOING TO ASK HIS QUESTION.

I WANT TO ASK THOSE WHO ARE NOT NAMED MATTHEW, MUTE YOUR PHONE. AND, MATTHEW, RESTATE YOUR QUESTION TO HEAR WHAT THE QUESTION IS. GO AHEAD, MATTHEW

>> OKAY. IF YOU HAPPEN TO NEED TO GO TO THE GROCERY STORE TO GET ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES, HOW WOULD YOU KNOW IF YOU CAUGHT IT OR NOT?

ARE WE SUPPOSED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL OR WHAT DO WE DO? >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: MATTHEW, WE CAN NOT -- AT LEAST I CAN NOT HEAR YOUR QUESTION. STATE IT ONE MORE TIME, MATTHEW.

>> YES, SIR. (TALKING OVER EACH OTHER). >> YOU NEED TO GO TO THE GROCERY STORES TO GET ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES. HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU CAUGHT IT

OR NOT? WHAT DO WE DO? >> HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU CAUGHT

IT? >> MATTHEW IS SAYING IF YOU HAVE TO GO GET ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES AND

DON'T KNOW THAT YOU'VE GOT IT, WHAT ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO DO? >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WELL, MATTHEW, YOU AND YOUR NEIGHBORS, IF YOU'RE FEELING ILL, YOU NEED TO STAY HOME AND CALL YOUR PRIMARY PHYSICIAN. IF YOU'RE ABSENT OF A PRIMARY PHYSICIAN, CALL THE DISTRICT HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THEY CAN HELP YOU. IF YOU'RE ILL, STAY AT HOME.

AND CALL YOUR PHYSICIAN. ABSENT OF A PHYSICIAN, CALL THE HEALTH DISTRICT.

WHO IS NEXT? >> LATITIA. >> JOHN.

>> LUTITIA JOHNSON. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: LACINDA, GO AHEAD AND SPEAK.

WHAT'S YOUR QUESTION? >> MOLLY. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ALYSSA.

LACINDA? LATITIA. I'LL ASK LATITIA TO SPEAK.

AND ASK EVERYONE ELSE TO MUTE THEIR PHONE. SO, LATITIA, ASK YOUR QUESTION.

>> YES. (TALKING OVER EACH OTHER) MY FIRST CONCERN IS WHAT ABOUT THE HOMELESS PEOPLE THAT HAVE NO WHERE TO GO? WILL FACILITIES BE OPENED UP FOR THEM? WILL SHELTER BE PROVIDED FOR THE HOMELESS? THAT'S MY FIRST QUESTION. MY SECOND QUESTION IS I AM CURRENTLY AN EMPLOYER.

I STILL WORK RIGHT NOW. WHAT ABOUT MINOR INCIDENTS THAT HAPPENED BEFORE THIS VIRUS PANDEMIC. I'M A CURRENT EMPLOYER. MY INSURANCE HAD ME (INAUDIBLE) FROM MY -- I WAS -- (INAUDIBLE) I'M A SINGLE MOTHER. HEY, CAN YOU MUTE YOUR PHONES, PLEASE? I'M A SINGLE MOTHER. I GOT INTO A CAR WRECK.

(INAUDIBLE) I GET TWO JOBS. I GET UP AND GO TO WORK FOR TWO JOBS.

I'M IN MAJOR PAIN FROM (INAUDIBLE) SO -- TWO MAIN CONCERNS ABOUT THIS VIRUS RIGHT

NOW. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION IN ITS

ENTIRETY. >> THE FIRST QUESTION SHE ASKED WAS IS THERE A PROCEDURE IN PLACE FOR OUR HOMELESS POPULATION IF THEY DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO GO

>> WE'RE WORKING RIGHT NOW, SOCIAL AGENCY PARTNERS TO HELP IDENTIFY THOSE SORTS OF FACILITIES IF THE HOMELESS -- A MEMBER OF THE HOMELESS POPULATION CONTRACTS COVID-19,

[01:05:03]

IN REGARDS TO PRIOR ACCIDENTS AND HOW THAT WILL AFFECT YOU, THERE IS NOTHING IN THIS ORDER THAT HELPS YOUR SITUATION AND THERE IS NOTHING THE CITY OF ABILENE CAN DO AT THIS POINT IN

TIME TO HELP YOU WITH THOSE CONCERNS. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WE'RE GOING BACK TO PUBLIC HEARING. YOU CAN E-MAIL YOUR QUESTIONS AT COUNCIL@ABILENETX.GOV.

WE'RE STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? STATE YOUR NAME. I'LL IDENTIFY YOUR NAME.

THAT'S YOUR CUE TO SPEAK. EVERYBODY ELSE IS BEING ASKED THEN TO MUTE YOUR PHONES.

>> (SPEAKING OVER EACH OTHER). >> ASHLYN. >> COURTNEY.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: GO AHEAD AND SPEAK, COURTNEY. COURTNEY WILL SPEAK.

EVERYONE ELSE, MUTE YOUR PHONE. GO AHEAD AND ASK YOUR QUESTION AND TO OUR NEIGHBORS, WE'LL ASK

YOU TO MUTE YOUR PHONES. COURTNEY, GO AHEAD AND SPEAK. >> CHRISTIE.

>> PATRICIA. >> ANGIE. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: COURTNEY, DID YOU HAVE A QUESTION, COURTNEY? YES.

>> MY NAME IS MOLLY. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: MOLLY, GO AHEAD AND SPEAK, MOLLY.

I'LL ASK MOLLY TO SPEAK AND EVERYONE ELSE, PLEASE MUTE YOUR PHONES.

MOLLY, GO AHEAD AND SPEAK AND EVERYONE ELSE MUTE YOUR PHONES. >> MY QUESTION IS WHAT IS THE -- I KNOW THE PROCESS OF THE (INAUDIBLE) AND THE CRITERIA YOU MAY -- AND WHY IS THE PROCESS TAKING SO LONG? HOW MANY PLACES ARE THERE IN ABILENE THAT ARE ACTUALLY DOING THE TEST? I HAVE BEEN IN QUARANTINE 14 DAYS.

I WAS -- (SPEAKING OVER EACH OTHER). >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: THANK YOU, MOLLY. I BELIEVE MOLLY'S QUESTION IS ASKING ABOUT TESTING, HOW MANY TESTS ARE -- SITES ARE AVAILABLE IN ABILENE AND THE DURATION OF TESTS.

YOU WANT TO SPEAK TO THAT, PLEASE? >> THERE ARE SOME WAYS TO ACCESS TESTING. CALL YOUR MEDICAL PROVIDER. THE DOCTOR CAN COORDINATE IF THEY NEED TO. THE HOSPITALS WILL TEST IF NECESSARY GIVEN THE CONDITIONS AND OTHER TREATMENT AND PROTOCOLS THEY USE. IF YOU'D LIKE TO HAVE A TEST DONE, CALL YOUR MEDICAL PROVIDER TO DO THAT. YOU MAY NOT GET ONE.

THERE IS A LIMITED NUMBER OF TESTS. THEY'RE NOT GOING TO WASTE A TEST ON SOMEONE WHO IS NOT SYMPTOMATIC OR DIDN'T HAVE AN EXPOSURE RISK.

I HOPE THAT ANSWERS QUESTIONS. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ROBERT, WOULD YOU STATE THAT AGAIN.

THERE IS PARAMETERS IN REGARDS TO WHAT -- BECAUSE OF THE RESOURCES OF WHAT TEST IS -- IF A TEST IS GIVEN. IT'S A PARAMETER TO HAVE TO BE MET.

WOULD YOU EXPLAIN THAT? >> THE DOCTOR -- YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER WILL MAKE A DETERMINATION WHETHER A TEST IS WARRANTED. THEIR JUDGMENT WILL CONTROL WHETHER A TEST IS GIVEN. THE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM HAS ADDITIONAL CRITERIA TO DETERMINE IF WE'RE GOING TO DO A TEST THROUGH THE REGIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM, AND THOSE ARE CDC AND STATE REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES WE FOLLOW. TISTING RESULTS ARE IMPROVING EVERY DAY. SOME HAVE THE ABILITY TO HAVE TEST RESULTS BACK IN 24 HOURS.

SOME TAKE EIGHT TO NINE DAYS FOR TEST RESULTS. IT DEPENDS ON THE TYPE OF TEST BEING USED AND LAB YOU GO TO. THE BOTTOM LINE IS IF YOU FEEL YOU HAVE COVID-19, CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR. AND WORK WITH THEM FOR A TESTING OPPORTUNITY.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: THANK YOU. >> ROBERT, THAT IS A LOT OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WE'RE GETTING ONLINE WHEN THIS IS GOING ON. SO IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU NEED A TEST, GO TO YOUR DOCTOR.

CONTACT YOUR PHYSICIAN. IS THAT A -- PRIMARY PHYSICIAN. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: CONTACT THE

HEALTH DISTRICT IF YOU DON'T HAVE ONE. >> CORRECT.

IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19, AND YOU'RE CONCERNED ABOUT IT, CONTACT YOUR PHYSICIAN. JUST DON'T SHOW UP AT THE OFFICE.

GIVE THEM A PHONE CALL. THEY'LL TELL YOU WHAT TO DO. IT'S QUITE POSSIBLE THEY SAY STAY HOME. THIS IS NOT A TERMINAL ILLNESS. THIS IS AN ILLNESS THAT MANY, MANY, MANY PEOPLE RECOVER FROM. UNLESS YOU'RE MEDICALLY FRAGILE. IF YOU'RE MEDICALLY FRAGILE AND

[01:10:03]

PEOPLE NEED TO EXERCISE SOCIAL DISTANCING. IF THEY FEEL SICK, STAY HOME.

THAT'S THE SIMPLEST THING. FEEL SICK, STAY HOME. COVID-19 IS RECOVERABLE.

IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU NEED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL, GO TO THE HOSPITAL.

GO TO THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE YOU HAVE A COUGH AND SYMPTOMS. GO TO THE COUGH BECAUSE YOU'RE

HAVING TROUBLE BREATHING AND A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: TO THAT POINT, THE MAYOR IN LUBBOCK, THEY HAD 51 POSITIVES. HE WAS TELLING ME ONLY ONE OUT OF FOUR ARE HOSPITALIZED. EVERYONE ELSE IS ASKED TO STAY HOME AND QUARANTINE THEMSELVES.

>> THAT'S CORRECT, MAYOR. I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF FEAR AND MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT THIS IN LARGE PART BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF ATTENTION ITS RECEIVING AND LACK OF INFORMATION OUT THERE. THIS IS A DISEASE THAT'S TREATABLE.

THE ILLNESS IS RECOVERABLE. MANY OF THE PEOPLE ARE STAYING HOME BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY NEED TO DO. THE IMPORTANT THING IS QUARANTINE YOURSELF.

STAY HOME SO YOU DON'T SPREAD IT TO SOMEONE ELSE WHO MAY BE MEDICALLY FRAGILE AND MAY HAVE

TO BE HOSPITALIZED AND COULD HAVE PARTICULAR HEALTH OUTCOMES. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WE'RE STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING. AGAIN, E-MAIL YOUR QUESTIONS TO ABILENE -- COUNCIL@ABILENETX.GOV . WE'LL BE REPLAYING THIS. FOR THOSE IN THE HEARING IMPAIRED COMMUNITY, WE'LL DO SO WITH AN INTERPRETER. IT CAN BE REWATCHED AND ALSO PROVIDE E-MAIL QUESTIONS FOR QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. ANY MORE QUESTIONS BEFORE WE

VOTE ON THIS RESOLUTION? >> ANGIE. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ANGIE.

GO AHEAD AND ASK YOUR QUESTION. EVERYONE ELSE, PLEASE MUTE. >> OKAY.

THIS IS MOLLY. >> I'M BILLY. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ANGIE -- I THINK I HEARD ANGIE. I'M ASKING ANGIE. I'M ASKING ANGIE TO REPEAT HER QUESTION. IF YOU'RE NOT ANGIE, MUTE YOUR PHONE AND WE'LL TAKE ANGIE'S

QUESTION. ANGIE, WHAT IS YOUR QUESTION? >> (SPEAKING OVER EACH OTHER).

>> I'M CURIOUS IF I CAN CONTINUE TO DO THAT. THAT'S MY ONLY SOURCE OF INCOME.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: RESTATE YOUR QUESTION. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: I CAN NOW, ANGIE. WHAT'S YOUR QUESTION, ANGIE? PLEASE, EVERYONE ELSE, MUTE YOUR PHONES. ANGIE, IT'S YOUR TURN.

>> OKAY. I CAN'T HEAR ANYTHING BECAUSE NOBODY WILL MUTE THEIR PHONES AND THEY'RE MAKING JOKES ABOUT ALL THIS. THEY'RE TALKING AMONGST THEMSELVES. ANYWAY. MY QUESTION TO YOU IS I CLEAN HOUSES FOR A LIVING AND I DO HAVE UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITIONS WITH MY LUNGS.

SHOULD I STOP THAT AT THIS POINT UNTIL THIS IS OVER WITH? >> SHE SAYS -- CLEANING HOUSES FOR A LIVING AND HAS UNDERLYING HEALTH ISSUES. SHOULD SHE STOP CLEANING HOUSES

AT THIS POINT? >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: I DON'T WANT TO GIVE A MEDICAL OPINION, ANGIE. I WOULD SAY YOU NEED TO TAKE CONSIDERATION INTO YOUR OWN HEALTH AND PROBABLY A BETTER PERSON TO GIVE YOU AN OPINION IS YOUR OWN PHYSICIAN.

WE'RE CERTAINLY NOT SAYING YOU CAN NOT PERFORM YOUR JOB BUT ASKING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY IN ENGAGING YOUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL TO GUIDE YOU TO THINGS THAT MAY BE SAFE OR NOT

SAFE FOR YOU. ANYONE ELSE? >> THIS IS -- ASHLYN.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ASHLYN. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ASHLYN. I'LL ALLOW ASHLYN TO ASK A QUESTION. IF YOU'RE NOT ASHLYN, MUTE YOUR PHONES.

ASHLYN, WHAT'S YOUR QUESTION? >> MR. WILLIAMS, IS THERE NOT A CITY CURFEW OR IS THERE GOING TO

BE ONE THAT'S PLANNED TO BE PUT INTO PLACE? >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ASHLYN, THERE IS NOT A CITY CURFEW. THERE MAY BE THINGS WE MAY DO DOWN THE ROAD IF WE SEE IT

[01:15:01]

IS THERE ANOTHER QUESTION? >> ALLEN. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ALLEN.

I'LL ASK ALLEN TO GO AHEAD AND ASK HIS QUESTION. AND FOR EVERYONE ELSE, IF YOU'D MUTE YOUR PHONES SO ALLEN, ASK YOUR QUESTION. EVERYONE ELSE, PLEASE MUTE YOUR

PHONES. WHAT'S YOUR QUESTION, ALLEN? >> YEAH.

I THINK IT'S GREAT THAT THE PARKS WILL STAY OPEN, BUT IS THERE GOING TO BE ANY KIND OF ENFORCEMENT BY A.P.D. OR PARKS DEPARTMENT ABOUT GATHERINGS OF MORE THAN FIVE OR SIX PEOPLE OR

BASEBALL TEAMS PLAYING. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: GATHERINGS BY THE GOVERNOR'S STATUTE THAT WE ADOPTED, THE GOVERNOR'S STATUTE SAYS 10. WE'RE AT 10 BY RIGHTS.

WE CAN BE MORE RESTRICTIVE, NOT LESS RESTRICTIVE. LUBBOCK HAS ZERO GATHERINGS NOW.

WE'RE NOT AT THAT POINT YET. WE COULD CERTAINLY REDUCE THE NUMBER IF WE DEEM APPROPRIATE.

IF YOU'RE TEN OR LESS, YOU CAN STILL GATHER. JUST ASK YOU TO BE CONSCIOUS.

WE'D RATHER YOU STAY AT HOME. BUT GATHERING IS STILL TEN OR LESS.

IS THERE ANOTHER QUESTION? >> CASEY. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: CASEY.

I'M GOING TO ALLOW CASEY TO ASK THE QUESTION. IF YOU'RE NOT CASEY, PLEASE MUTE

YOUR PHONES. CASEY, WHAT'S YOUR QUESTION? >> YES.

I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE RETAIL PEOPLE THAT ARE ALREADY WORKING.

IF SOMEONE'S FAMILY MEMBER SUPPOSEDLY HAS IT, AND THEY FIND OUT THAT THEY HAVE IT, WILL THEY SHUT DOWN THE WHOLE STORE OR JUST SHUT DOWN THE ONE DEPARTMENT?

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: NO. >> I'M DEALING WITH A SITUATION AT WORK NOW.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WELL, THIS ORDINANCE SAYS IF YOU OR A FAMILY MEMBER IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD IS ILL, HAS THE SYMPTOMS, BEEN DIAGNOSED, WE'RE ORDERING YOU TO STAY AT HOME.

THAT'S WHAT THE ORDINANCE SAYS. IS THERE ANOTHER QUESTION? >> OKAY.

WOULDN'T THAT PUT THE WHOLE -- >> CASSIDY. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: STACEY?

>> JESSICA. >> PATRICIA. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: JESSICA.

I'LL ALLOW HER TO ASK HER QUESTION AND ASK EVERYONE ELSE TO MUTE YOUR PHONE.

JESSICA? WHAT'S YOUR QUESTION? >> YES.

I WORK IN FAST-FOOD. I WANT TO KNOW IF THOSE WILL SHUT DOWN TOO.

>> FAST-FOOD. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: SO FAST-FOOD CAN STILL HAVE CARRYOUT OR DRIVE-THROUGH. NOTHING CHANGED IN THIS ORDINANCE.

AGAIN, WE'D ASK YOUR BUSINESS, ALL BUSINESS TO BE RESPONSIVE AS TO REDUCE -- THANK YOU FOR YOUR

QUESTION. IS THERE ANOTHER QUESTION? >> CHRISTIE.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: CHRISTIE. I'LL ALLOW CHRISTIE TO ASK HER QUESTION.

ANYONE ELSE MUTE YOUR PHONES. CHRISTIE, WHAT IS YOUR QUESTION? EVERYONE ELSE MUTE YOUR PHONES.

>> MY QUESTION IS PERTAINING TO CHILDREN. THERE IS SOME STORES THAT I'VE GONE TO, FOR INSTANCE, HOBBY LOBBY. PARENTS ARE BRINGING THEIR CHILDREN INTO THE STORES AND LETTING THEM RUN. THERE IS NO RULES BEING ABIDED TO -- NOBODY IS ABIDING BY IT. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE CHILDREN GATHERING TOGETHER IN THESE

PLACES. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: OF COURSE IN THE BUILDING ITSELF, IN THE ESTABLISHMENT, WE'RE ASKING AND HOLDING ACCOUNTABLE TO THOSE OPERATORS TO MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING. WE'RE ASKING CITIZENS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN TO ACT IN AN APPROPRIATE WAY. IS THERE ANOTHER QUESTION?

>> PEOPLE NEED TO ASK -- GIVE ME YOUR NAME. >> BRITTANY.

>> BRITTANY. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: BRITTANY. ASK YOUR QUESTION.

IF YOU'RE NOT BRITTANY, PLEASE MUTE YOUR PHONES. BRITTANY, WHAT'S YOUR QUESTION?

>> THANK YOU. MY QUESTION IS THE CITY GOING TO IMPLEMENT SOME TYPE OF REPORTING SYSTEM OR WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST TO THOSE CITIZENS THAT ARE WITNESSING THESE GATHERING INFRACTIONS HAPPENING ALL OVER TOWN? TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S ENFORCED.

>> SHE WANTS TO KNOW IF WE'RE GOING TO IMPLEMENT A REPORTING SYSTEM.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: YEAH. IF YOU SEE LARGE GROUPS. >> IF YOU SEE LARGE GROUPS OF CITIZENS GATHERING AND YOU THINK IT'S AN ISSUE, CALL 911 AND A.P.D. WILL RESPOND APPROPRIATELY. THAT HAPPENED THIS WEEKEND WITH FOOD TRUCK GATHERINGS AND SOCIAL MEDIA, WE WERE ABLE TO NOTIFY A.P.D. AND THEY RESPONDED LATER IN THE EVENING AND AS IT WAS

[01:20:06]

AND DIAL 911. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WE WANT TO ANSWER ALL YOUR QUESTIONS.

THIS FORMAT IS A LITTLE AWKWARD. SO I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU, IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, YOU CAN E-MAIL YOUR QUESTIONS TO COUNCIL@ABILENETX.GOV. ANY MORE --

>> IT MIGHT BE A WHILE BEFORE WE GET ANSWERS BACK BECAUSE MY PHONE AND EVERYONE'S PHONES ARE EXPLOEDING WITH E-MAILS. WE DO WANT TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS.

WE ASK THAT IF YOU SEND US A QUESTION, WE'LL GET TO THEM AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.

THERE IS A LOT COMING IN AT ONCE. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: THE GRAVITY OF THE SITUATION CALLS FOR THE ANSWERS TO THOSE QUESTIONS. THIS MAY NOT BE THE BEST VENUE.

WE ARE NOT UNDERSTANDING EVERYTHING YOU'RE SAYING. WRITING ALLOWS US TO TAKE MORE TIME AND PRECISELY IDENTIFY WHAT YOUR CONCERNS ARE. THAT E-MAIL ADDRESS IS COUNCIL@ABILENETX.GOV. WE'RE STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING.

WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO ASK QUESTIONS? >> VENUS.

>> EVA. I HAVE A QUESTION. >> EVA.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: EVA HAS A QUESTION TO ASK. WE'LL ALLOW EVA TO ASK THE QUESTION. EVERYONE ELSE, PLEASE MUTE YOUR PHONES.

EVA, WHAT'S YOUR QUESTION THIS AFTERNOON? >> MY QUESTION IS FOR THE PEOPLE OF ABILENE THAT DO NOT HAVE INSURANCE. WHO DO THEY NEED TO CONTACT IF

THEY ARE SHOWING SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS OF THE VIRUS? >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEALTH DISTRICT. ADVISE YOU TO CALL THE PUBLIC HEALTH DISTRICT.

THEY CAN HELP THE NUANCES IN THAT REGARD. THANK YOU, EVA, FOR YOUR

QUESTION. ANYONE ELSE? >> SARAH.

SARAH. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: SARAH. SARAH, WE WANT YOU TO ASK YOUR QUESTION. EVERYONE ELSE PLEASE MUTE YOUR PHONES.

SARAH, WHAT'S YOUR QUESTION? >> I HAVE A QUESTION. IS THE JAIL SYSTEM STILL GOING TO BE IN PLACE WITH EVERYBODY IN JAIL? OR ARE THE LOW OFFENDERS GOING

TO BE RELEASED? OR HOW DOES THAT WORK? >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: SO THE DETENTION SYSTEM IN REGARD TO OUR COUNTY JAIL HAS OVERSIGHT OF THE COUNTY AND THE STATE.

I'VE NOT HEARD ANYTHING IN REGARDS TO ANY EARLY RELEASE. AGAIN, THAT SUPERCEDES THE AUTHORITY AND IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE STATE AND COUNTY TO ADDRESS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION.

IS THERE ANOTHER QUESTION? >> HELLO. THIS IS BILLY.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: BILLY. WE'LL ALLOW BILLY TO ASK HIS QUESTION AND ENCOURAGE EVERYONE

ELSE TO MUTE. BILLY, WHAT'S YOUR QUESTION? >> YES.

I WAS WONDERING IF THE CITY WOULD STEP IN AND PUT A LIMIT ON THE TOILET PAPER THAT PEOPLE CAN PURCHASE AT THE RETAIL STORES. I'M HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING TOILET PAPER AROUND TOWN.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WELL, YOU KNOW, TOILET PAPER IS VERY IMPORTANT.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO SET A REGULATION BUT WE WANT OUR NEIGHBORS TO EXERCISE REDUCED -- TOILET PAPER RESOURCES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION, BILLY. IS THERE ANOTHER QUESTION? (SPEAKING OVER EACH OTHER) WE'LL ASK KERRY TO ASK YOUR QUESTION. IF YOU'RE NOT KERRY, MUTE YOUR PHONES.

WHAT'S YOUR QUESTION? >> MELINDA GONZALEZ. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: KERRY.

I'LL ASK KERRY FIRST. THEN I'LL ALLOW OTHERS. WHAT'S YOUR QUESTION?

EVERYONE ELSE PLEASE MUTE YOUR PHONES. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR.

MY QUESTION FOR YOU IS THROUGH ALL THIS -- TO ALL THE OTHER COUNTIES AND COUNTRIES, HAVE WE NOT LEARNED ANYTHING BY -- SO THAT WE DO NOT GET IN THE SITUATION OF LOUISIANA OR NEW

YORK. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WELL, KERRY, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW.

ABILENE IS POSITIONED VERY WELL AND FAR BETTER THAN OTHER COMMUNITIES IN WEST TEXAS.

THERE ARE 150,000 OR APPROXIMATELY AFFECTED BY THIS VIRUS AT THE END OF TODAY.

TEXAS IS AROUND 2700. LUBBOCK AND OTHERS HAVE MORE THAN ABILENE.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO BE PROACTIVE AND WE WILL DO WHATEVER WE DEEM APPROPRIATE TO PUT SAFE PRACTICES TO PROTECT YOU AND YOUR NEIGHBORS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION.

IS THERE ANOTHER QUESTION? >> DENNIS HAS A QUESTION. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: BELINDA.

I'M ASK MELINDA GONZALEZ TO ASK HER QUESTION. IF YOU'RE NOT BELINDA, MUTE YOUR

[01:25:13]

MAYOR. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: I APOLOGIZE. GO AHEAD AND FINISH YOUR

QUESTION. >> I HAVE A QUESTION. >> MY QUESTION FOR YOU IS THAT AS A COMMUNITY HERE, YOU SAID WE ARE DIFFERENT. IF WE WERE DIFFERENT, WE SHOULD BE AHEAD OF THIS GAME AND NOT ALLOW THIS TO COME INTO OUR CITY THAT EVERYBODY HAS ALLOWED TO HAPPEN. OVER 60 PEOPLE -- (INAUDIBLE) ELBOW TO ELBOW THIS PAST WEEKEND. NOBODY SHUT THEM DOWN. .

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: IN REGARDS TO -- TO THE INCIDENT ON FRIDAY, WHEN THE CITY WAS MADE AWARE OF THAT, THEY REACTED IMMEDIATELY. THIS ORDINANCE DISALLOWS THAT SORT OF GATHERING GOING FORWARD AS WELL AS OTHER PROVISIONS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IN A VERY PROACTIVE WAY.

>> DEBORAH HAS A QUESTION. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: BEVERLY. BEVERLY, STATE YOUR QUESTION.

IF YOU'RE NOT BEVERLY, PLEASE MUTE YOUR PHONE. WHAT'S YOUR QUESTION, BEVERLY?

>> MY QUESTION IS CAN THE OLDER PEOPLE, WE WANT TO GO FISHING. CAN WE GO FISHING AT THE LAKE?

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: BEVERLY, YOU CAN CONTINUE TO GO FISHING. WE WANT YOU TO USE COMMON SENSE, ABIDE BY THE GOVERNOR'S STATUTE OF GATHERINGS LESS THAN 10. AND JUST BE APPROPRIATE.

SO YOU CAN STILL GO BAIT YOUR HOOK AND GO FISH IS. IS THERE ANOTHER QUESTION?

>> NIKKI HAS A QUESTION. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: OKAY. MELISSA.

. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: MELISSA. ASK YOUR QUESTION, MELISSA.

>> YES, MAYOR. A GENTLEMAN CALLED IN EARLIER SAYING THAT HE WAS SICK AND HIS WIFE WORKED AT WALMART. AND I DON'T FEEL THAT WE REALLY GOT A RESPONSE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED THAT HE IS SAYING HE IS SICK AND HIS WIFE WORKS AT WALMART WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, A PLACE THAT MANY PEOPLE GO TO GET THEIR ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: YOU KNOW, YES. OKAY.

LET ME ANSWER THAT AGAIN. APOLOGY IF I WASN'T CLEAR IN MY RESPONSE EARLIER.

IF YOU ARE SICK, YOUR WIFE IS SICK, OR ANYONE IS SICK, WE WANT YOU TO STAY AT HOME.

IF YOU TEST POSITIVE, A LOVED ONE TESTS POSITIVE, WE WANT YOU AND THAT HOUSEHOLD TO STAY HOME.

IF YOU'RE SICK, CALL YOUR PHYSICIAN. IF YOU DON'T HAVE A PHYSICIAN, THEN YOU CALL THE HEALTH DISTRICT. BUT WE WANT YOU TO STAY AT HOME

OUT OF THE PUBLIC. IS THERE ANOTHER QUESTION? >> DENNIS.

>> NIKKI. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: OKAY. PLEASE REMEMBER, I NEED YOU TO IDENTIFY YOU.ME I CAN - AND THEN ENCOURAGE YOUR NEIGHBORS TO MUTE THEIR PHONES.

>> NIKKI HAS A QUESTION. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: SO NIKKI. NIKKI, GO AHEAD AND ASK YOUR QUESTION. NIKKI IS GOING TO ASK THE QUESTION.

I'M ASKING ALL OTHERS TO MUTE YOUR PHONE. NIKKI, WHAT'S YOUR QUESTION?

>> YES. I WAS WONDERING IF THE GOLF COURSES WILL BE OPEN.

I KNOW YOU SHUT DOWN MINIATURE GOLF. I WAS GOING TO SEE IF THE GOLF

COURSES WILL BE ABLE TO BE PLAYED ON. >> OUR PARKS ARE OPEN.

I'M SORRY -- >> COMMON SENSE, PEOPLE. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: SO, NIKKI, WE'RE TRYING TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION. EVERYONE ELSE PLEASE MUTE YOUR

PHONES, PLEASE. >> OUR PARKS ARE OPEN. THE ONLY THINGS THAT ARE CLOSED IN OUR PARKS ARE THE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AND BASKETBALL COURT OR THE -- THE BASKETBALL COURTS.

WALKING TRAILS ARE OPEN. WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO USE SOCIAL DISTANCING.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: OKAY. WE'RE STILL IN A PUBLIC HEARING. I KNOW THAT MYSELF AND OTHERS ARE STILL GETTING TEXTS ON OUR CELL PHONES. REMEMBER YOU CAN ALSO E-MAIL YOUR QUESTION TO COUNCIL@ABILENETX.GOV. WOULD EVERYONE ELSE LIKE TO ASK

[01:30:03]

A QUESTION? >> MARY. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: PEOPLE THAT

ARE DISABLED, WILL THEY GET CHECKS TOO? >> ARE THE DISABLED GETTING

CHECKS TOO? >> THE CITY OF ABILENE IS NOT PAYING ANYBODY MONEY.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO GET SOCIAL SECURITY OR SOME OTHER BENEFIT, THAT WILL COME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. IT'S NOT -- IT'S NOT ANYTHING WE HAVE ANY CONTROL OVER.

>> AND WE'RE GETTING SEVERAL TEXT MESSAGES FROM PEOPLE WANTING TO KNOW ABOUT STATE SERVICES AND FEDERAL SERVICES. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE JUST CITY GOVERNMENT.

QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THE STATE IS OPERATING AT THIS TIME, HOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS OPERATING AT THIS TIME, THOSE ARE NOT ISSUES THAT WE CAN ADDRESS. I WOULD SUGGEST STAN LAMBERT'S OFFICE, JODI ARRINGTON, DON BUCKINGHAM OR IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES, REACH OUT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE CONTROL

OVER LICENSE PLATES AND THINGS LIKE THAT. >> ANOTHER QUESTION.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WHAT'S YOUR NAME? >> HELLO? YES. ANOTHER QUESTION. THE PEOPLE WORKING OUTSIDE CUTTING TREES AND STUFF, ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO BE WORKING WITH THE COMPANIES LIKE THAT?

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: VOCATIONS THAT ARE OUTSIDE, SO LANDSCAPING, TREE TRIMMERS, MAINTENANCE-TYPE WORK, THOSE THINGS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS ORDINANCE.

JUST FOLLOW COMMON SENSE GUIDELINES. NOT JUST FOR THIS ORDINANCE BUT THE GOVERNOR'S ORDINANCE AND THOSE JOBS CONTINUE. ANY QUESTIONS IN REGARDS TO WHAT HAS BEEN COMMUNICATED IN REGARDS TO THE ORDINANCE, WE'D LOVE TO OBTAIN THOSE QUESTIONS.

ANY MORE QUESTIONS? >> HELLO? >> YES.

I HAVE A QUESTION. HAVE PEOPLE -- HAVE THE PEOPLE BEEN NOTIFIED -- HAVE THE

PEOPLE -- WHO HAD CONTACT WITH THE CASES BEEN NOTIFIED? >> SO THERE IS A QUESTION -- I DON'T KNOW WHO ASKED IT BECAUSE THEY'RE KIND OF TURNING INTO A LITTLE BIT OF CHAOS.

THE QUESTION WAS HAVE THE PEOPLE BEEN NOTIFIED WHO CAME INTO CONTACT.

THE ANSWER IS YES. WE'RE DOING SOCIAL TRACING WHICH IS ALL PART OF THE PROTOCOLS IN A PANDEMIC SUCH AS THIS. THERE IS AN EIGHT-PAGE FORM THAT HELPS IDENTIFY WHO THE INDIVIDUAL HAS COME INTO CONTACT WITH AND WE'RE MAKING PROPER NOTIFICATIONS TO SAFE GUARD THE PUBLIC HEALTH. IF YOU'RE NOT NOTIFIED AND CALLED BY US, CONTINUE ON ABOUT YOUR LIFE. IF YOU DO RECEIVE A CALL, WE'LL WALK YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS TO

DETERMINE IF THERE IS EXPOSURE OR YOU'RE AT RISK. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: SO WRAPPING THINGS UP IN THE PUBLIC HEARING. STATE YOUR NAME. AFTER IT'S STATED, I'LL REPEAT YOUR NAME. ASK YOUR QUESTION. EVERYONE IS ASKED THEN TO MUTE.

AS WE CONCLUDE, ARE THERE ANY MORE QUESTIONS? >> LILY.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: LILY. LILY. ASK YOUR -- LILY WILL ASK HER QUESTION. EVERYONE ELSE IS THEN ASKED TO MUTE YOUR PHONE.

LILY, WHAT'S YOUR QUESTION? >> THIS IS EILEEN. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: LILY, WHAT'S

YOUR QUESTION, LILY? >> YES. MY QUESTION IS THE CITY OF

ABILENE -- >> YES. I HAVE A QUESTION.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WE'RE ALL WAITING IN LINE. >> SHUT UP, DUDE.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WE'RE ALL WAITING. LILY.

STATE YOUR QUESTION. EVERYONE ELSE PLEASE MUTE YOUR PHONES.

LILY, WHAT'S YOUR QUESTION? >> IS THE CITY OF ABILENE AND THE CITY COUNCIL AND POLICE DEPARTMENT AWARE OF THE 201 GLOBAL PANDEMIC SITUATION. I WAS HELD TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO

THE OUTBREAK IN CHINA. IS THIS BEING INVESTIGATED? >> I DON'T KNOW HOW -- HOW THIS

PERTAINS TO THE ORDINANCE. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: THANK YOU. STATE YOUR NAME.

>> THIS IS JOSH. . >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: JOSH.

I'LL ASK JOSH -- JOSH TO ASK THE QUESTION. IF YOU'RE NOT JOSH, PLEASE MUTE

YOUR PHONES. JOSH, WHAT'S YOUR QUESTION? >> YES, MR. MAYOR.

I WANTED TO SAY SOMEONE HAD CALLED EARLIER. I'M GOING TO REPEAT.

HE SAID HIS WIFE WAS SICK AND GOING TO WALMART. SHE FEELS SHE HAS TO WORK TO PAY BILLS. ABILENE -- WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT ABILENE IS NOT A PLACE TO HELP PEOPLE MONETARILY, BUT YOU SAY WE'RE IN A GOOD POSITION. PEOPLE ARE GOING TO -- GOING TO WALMART SICK. WHY DON'T WE SHUT THINGS DOWN NOW?

[01:35:07]

>> SO I WANT TO REITERATE WHAT THE MAYOR SAID. IF YOU'RE SICK, STAY HOME.

IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE, DIAL 211. THIS COMMUNITY IS SET UP TO USE THE 211 NETWORK TO PROVIDE PEOPLE WITH ASSISTANCE. I THINK YOU HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO YOUR NEIGHBORS. IF YOU'RE ILL, STAY HOME. JUST BECAUSE YOU THINK YOU HAVE COVID-19 DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE COVID-19. THE CHANCES OF AN INDIVIDUAL HAVING COVID-19 VERSUS A SEASONAL ALLERGY OR FLU OR EVEN A COLD FAR OUTWEIGH THE ACTUAL REALITY OF YOUR -- ACTUALLY HAVING IT AT THIS TIME IN TIME. IT'S A RAPIDLY CHANGING SITUATION. VERY FLUID. WHICH IS THE REASON WHY PEOPLE NEED TO STAY HOME IF THEY'RE SICK. ERR ON THE SIDE OF THE SAFETY OF YOUR NEIGHBOR AND STAY HOME. THAT'S THE MESSAGE PEOPLE NEED TO RECEIVE TODAY AND THE WHOLE

POINT OF THE ORDER. IF YOU'RE SICK, STAY HOME. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ARE THERE

ANY MORE QUESTIONS BEFORE WE VOTE ON THE ORDINANCE BEFORE US? >> MAYOR WILLIAMS, WE WILL BE CONTINUING -- CONCERNING CITY LINK BUS. CAN WE ADDRESS CITY LINK BUS?

I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT. >> PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IS AVAILABLE AND OPEN. RIGHT NOW WE HAVE NOT LIMITED IT.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY INDICATION WE HAD ANY POSITIVE EXPOSURE TO THE BUS SYSTEM AT THIS TIME.

IF THAT CHANGES, I'LL SHUT IT DOWN. AT THIS TIME IN TIME I THINK IT'S OPERATING SAFELY AND TAKING PRECAUTIONS TO ENSURE TRANSMISSIONS ARE TAKING PLACE.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ANY MORE QUESTIONS BEFORE WE TAKE A VOTE? ANY MORE QUESTIONS?

>> MY NAME IS DENNIS. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: DENNIS. I'M GOING TO ALLOW DENNIS TO ASK HIS QUESTION. IF YOU'RE NOT DENNIS, PLEASE MUTE YOUR PHONE.

SO, DENNIS, ASK THE QUESTION. EVERYONE ELSE PLEASE MUTE YOUR PHONES, DENNIS, WHAT'S YOUR

QUESTION? >> YES. THANK YOU.

KIND OF A TWO-PART QUESTION. ANY WORD ON DRIVE-THROUGH TESTING, AND SECONDLY, WHY THE PREVIOUS RELUCTANCE TO GO MORE RESTRICTIVE WHEN THE OBJECTIVE IS TO BE PROACTIVE.

IT SEEMS LIKE WE JUMPED TO NINE CASES. NINE CASES.

(TALKING OVER EACH OTHER) IT APPEARS THAT A LOT OF THE PEOPLE MOVING AROUND ARE BASICALLY FOLLOWING THE LEADERSHIP THINKING THERE IS NOTHING WRONG HERE IN ABILENE.

WE'RE TOLD WE'RE PRETTY GOOD. THE LEADERSHIP I THINK NEEDS TO TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: THANKS FOR YOUR QUESTION, DENNIS. >> MAYOR, WE HAVE INFORMATION REGARDING WHERE THE PEOPLE CAME INTO CONTACT WITH. MOST EXPOSURE IS STILL COMING THROUGH THE D.R.I. EVENT. WE'RE TAKING THE MEASURES WE FEEL ARE APPROPRIATE TO SAFE GUARD THE PUBLIC'S HEALTH. IF WE HAVE TO GO TO A LOCKDOWN SITUATION IN THE FUTURE, WE WON'T BE AFRAID TO DO THAT. WE'RE NOT THERE YET IN OUR OPINION NOR IS TEXAS FOR THAT MATTER. EXCEPT FOR JUST A SMALL HANDFUL OF COMMUNITIES.

I'LL ALSO SAY THAT SHUTTING DOWN THE ENTIRE WORLD FOR 14 DAYS IS NOT GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE ALL COME OUT OF OUR BUNKERS THAT WE'RE FREE FROM COVID-19. IT'S NOT HOW THIS WORKS.

WE'RE TRYING TO FLATTEN THE CURVE. WE'RE DOING SO RESPONSIBLY THAT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO HAVE A LIFE AND JOB AND PRODUCE THE INCOME THEY NEED FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND RECOGNIZE THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THE PUBLIC THAT ARE GOOD PEOPLE THAT DISAGREE WITH SOME OF THE STRATEGIES WE'RE DOING. WE THINK WE'RE TAKING THE PRECAUTIONS REQUIRED TO SAFE

GUARD THE PUBLIC HEALTH. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: I'D FOLLOW-UP, GOVERNMENT, WE CAN INFLUENCE AND INTERJECT, BUT WE NEED YOU, OUR NEIGHBORS TO ALSO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY.

PART OF THAT IS FOLLOWING GUIDELINES AND MOM AND ORDINANCE ARE LIKE, WE NEED YOU TO HELP ALL OF US BE SAFE IN THE COMMUNITY. ANY MORE QUESTIONS?

>> JEFF. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: JEFF. I'LL ALLOW JEFF.

I'LL ALLOW JEFF TO ASK THE QUESTION. AND ALSO JUST ASK EVERYONE ELSE

TO MUTE YOUR PHONES. JEFF, WHAT'S YOUR QUESTION? >> YEAH.

THIS IS JEFF. HEY. I HAVE A QUESTION BECAUSE WE KEEP BEING TOLD IF YOU'RE SICK, SAY HOME. BUT WE KNOW THAT THERE IS 14 -- THERE WILL BE UP TO 14 DAYS WHERE YOU DON'T FEEL ANYTHING.

[01:40:07]

THAT'S MY QUESTION. >> SO THAT'S NOT FACTUAL. THE VIRUS HAS ANYWHERE FROM A 2- TO 14-DAY INCUBATION PERIOD BUT YOU CAN FEEL SICK ON DAY ONE.

WE'RE LEARNING THINGS AS THEY GO. IF YOU'RE PAST THE 14 DAYS, AND YOU HAVE NOT HAD ANY SYMPTOMS, MEANS LIKELY YOU WON'T GET SYMPTOMS. THAT'S WHY THEY CALL IT THE WAITING PERIOD. TO -- PRETTY CERTAIN THAT ANYWHERE BETWEEN ZERO TO 14 DAYS IF YOU DON'T EXHIBIT SYMPTOMS YOU'RE FINE.

THESE ARE ALL MEDICAL QUESTIONS THAT CAN BE GOOGLED. LOOK AT YOUR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS FOR SOME MEDICAL ANSWERS. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ANY MORE QUESTIONS BEFORE WE VOTE ON THE ORDINANCE BEFORE US? SEEING NO ONE, I'LL END THE PUBLIC HEARING. AND WE'LL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO THEN VOTE ON THE ORDINANCE BEFORE US. AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO WANT TO ASK ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS THAT DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE, WANT TO LET YOU KNOW YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEND YOUR QUESTIONS IN TO COUNCIL@ABILENETX.GOV.

APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU REACHING OUT TO US AND ALLOWING US TO GIVE INPUT FOR YOU AND ALLOW US TO MAKE A DECISION. DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

COUNCILMAN PRICE? >> MR. PRICE: ONE QUICK QUESTION FOR YOU, ROBERT.

ONE OF THE ASPECT OS OF THE -- ASPECTS OF THE ORDINANCE IS SUSPENDING BOARD AND COMMISSION MEETINGS UNLESS THEY'RE REQUIRED. THERE IS A FEW ON THE CALENDAR IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. CAN YOU ADDRESS WHICH ONES WILL STILL TAKE PLACE LIKE PLANNING

AND ZONING. >> MR. HANNA: PLANNING AND ZONING WILL TAKE PLACE.

WE HAVE TO CONTINUE THE ECONOMY AND CONSTRUCTION. PLANNING AND ZONING IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE ECONOMY. OTHER THINGS LIKE, YOU KNOW, THE LANDMARKS COULD BE THAT THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT, COULD BE OTHER THINGS LIKE THAT ARE TEMPORARILY POSTPONED UNTIL WE HAVE ENOUGH CASES TO HAVE MORE THAN JUST ONE OR TWO ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.

WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO CONTINUE THE PUBLIC'S BUSINESS, BUT WE'LL DO SO WHEN THERE IS ENOUGH

PUBLIC BUSINESS TO DO, IF THAT MAKES ANY SENSE. >> OKAY.

THANK YOU. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS BEFORE THE

VOTE? >> I HAVE HAD SEVERAL E-MAILS AS WE ALL HAVE, PEOPLE SAYING, WELL, HOW COME THIS PLACE IS OPEN OR THAT PLACE IS OPEN THAT DOESN'T SEEM ESSENTIAL.

IF YOU WORK AT A PLACE, IT IS AN ESSENTIAL BUSINESS. IF YOU'RE AN EMPLOYEE AT A BUSINESS, THAT BUSINESS IS ESSENTIAL FOR YOU TO MAKE A LIVING.

WE ARE DOING OUR BEST TO NOT TAKE AWAY A PERSON'S RIGHT TO MAKE A LIVING.

IF YOU FEEL LIKE A BUSINESS IS NOT A PLACE THAT YOU NEED TO GO TO BECAUSE YOU WANT TO BE SAFE, THEN PLEASE DON'T GO. BUT WE ARE DOING OUR BEST AND I APPLAUD THE MAYOR AND ROBERT AND ALL THEY HAVE DONE TO TRY TO MAKE SURE WE IMPACT AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE PEOPLE'S ABILITY TO MAKE A LIVING. YOU MAY NOT THINK THAT XYZ COMPANY IS ESSENTIAL.

IF YOU WORK THERE AND THAT'S YOUR PAYCHECK, THEN THAT'S ESSENTIAL.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS LIMIT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT ABLE TO WORK.

AS MAYOR ARCHIBALD ALWAYS SAID, WE TRY TO USE COMMON SENSE. WE'RE TRYING OUR BEST WITH COMMON SENSE. COMMON SENSE IS IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO GET OUT, DON'T GET OUT.

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE FINED IF YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE GROCERY STORE.

LET'S JUST USE SOME COMMON SENSE HERE. ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES, MAYBE NOT TO YOU, BUT TO PEOPLE WHO THAT IS THEIR PAYCHECK, THAT'S ESSENTIAL.

WE'LL COME TOGETHER AND WORK THROUGH THIS. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WE'RE ASKING YOU TO STAY HOME. WE'RE ASKING YOU NOT TO TRAVEL UNLESS IT'S ESSENTIAL.

THIS IS A -- THIS IS VERY FLUID. THIS IS NOT THE END. IT'S LIKELY TO GET WORSE BEFORE IT GETS BETTER. WE'RE TRYING TO IN THE MOMENT MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS FOR THIS COMMUNITY WITH THE AFORE MENTIONED TEAM MEMBERS PROVIDING INPUT.

THE MESSAGE OF THIS ORDINANCE IS STAY AT HOME. USE COMMON SENSE.

IF YOU'RE ILL, YOU'RE SICK, STAY AT HOME. AND WE WILL HELP YOU STAY AT HOME. AND WE'LL HELP -- WE'LL ENFORCE THINGS THAT WE THINK DEEM APPROPRIATE FOR PROTECTING THIS COMMUNITY. ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE COUNCIL

BEFORE THE VOTE? >> I'D SAY, MAYOR WILLIAMS, IF YOU CAN REITERATE WHERE PEOPLE CAN FIND MAYBE THE RESOLUTION AND/OR THE BUSINESSES THAT WE'RE ASKING TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: SO THIS RESOLUTION WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE WEBSITE FOR THOSE THAT WANT

[01:45:02]

TO LOOK AT IT IN DETAIL. IS THAT CORRECT? >> THAT'S CORRECT, MAYOR.

AS SOON AS YOU VOTE ON THE ORDINANCE OR ORDER, WE'LL PO POST-POST -- POST IT TO THE WEBSITE. I BELIEVE WE'LL ANSWER 99% OF THE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT THIS ORDINANCE DOES AND DOESN'T DO. I'D LIKE TO STATE, MAYOR, WITH YOUR PERMISSION BECAUSE WE HAD A NUMBER OF PEOPLE ASK ABOUT UNEMPLOYMENT FILINGS. THE TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION IS -- OFFICES ARE CLOSED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. ALL UNEMPLOYMENT FILINGS NEED TO

BE DONE ONLINE. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: THANK YOU. COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PRIOR TO THE VOTE? I'LL ACCEPT A MOTION AND A SECOND.

>> SO MOVED. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN CRAVER AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN RENTZ. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? MADAM SACK RUTARB REAR WE'RE

READY TO VOTE. >> MR. HURT: YES. >> MS. ALBUS: YES.

>> MR. RENTZ: YES. >> MR. PRICE: YES. >> CRAVER.

>> YES. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS: YES. >> MOTION CARRIES.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS: IT IS 1:17 P.M. AND THIS MEETING OF THE ABILENE CITY COUNCIL IS

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.