2. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Modifying and Extending the Declaration of Local Disaster Issued March 30, 2020

[2. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Modifying and Extending the Declaration of Local Disaster Issued March 30, 2020]

I WILL ASK THE CITY MANAGER ROBERT HANNA TO PRESENT ITEM

NUMBER 2. >> CITY MANAGER: THANK YOU,

[00:05:02]

MAYOR AND COUNCIL. THE ITEM BEFORE YOU TODAY IS AN EXTENSION OF A LOCAL LIMITED SHELTER IN PLACE ORDER THAT WAS ADOPTED A FEW WEEKS A NG. THERE ARE TWO THINGS BEING ADDED. MAYOR, I BELIEVE YOU INTEND TO EXPLAIN THOSE IN FULL DETAIL BUT I'LL GO OVER THE TEXT IN THE ORDER. WE'RE ADDING ITEM F WHICH IS TO THE EXTENT THE GOVERNOR OF TEXAS HAS CLOSED GOLF COURSES.

THEY'RE CLOSED WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF ABILENE.

ALSO ITEM G, TENNIS COURTS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, PROVIDED -- ARE CLOSED. WE'LL NEED TO FIX THAT LANGUAGE.

AND PROVIDED THAT TENNIS COURTS WHOLLY CONTAINED WITHIN A RESIDENTIAL PLACE IS NOT CLOSED. IF YOU HAPPEN TO HAVE A TENNIS COURT AT YOUR HOME, SOME PEOPLE DO, I DON'T, THEN YOU CAN PLAY TENNIS IN YOUR BACKYARD. BUT IF YOU ARE GOING TO A PUBLIC COURT AT THE CITY PARKS, A PRIVATE COURT AT THE COUNTRY CLUB, THOSE COURSES ARE REQUIRED TO BE CLOSED.

ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I'M RECOMMENDING IS THAT TWOFOLD.

ONE, THE TENNIS ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES BASICALLY IS RECOMMENDING THAT PEOPLE STOP PLAYING THE SPORT THEY LOVE FOR THIS PERIOD OF TIME. I ALSO HAVE SOME INFORMATION FROM LAUREN SAWYER WHO IS THE DIRECTOR MUCH CRITICAL EVENTS AND RESPONSES AT JOHN HOPKINS. BASICALLY IN THIS PERSON'S OPINION IT'S NOT -- PLAYING TENNIS COULD LEAD TO COMMUNITY SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THE SWEAT ON THE BALL. RESEARCH IS NOT DEFINITIVE ON TH IS BUT THESE ARE RECOMMENDATIONS WE'RE RECEIVING AND I THINK IT'S PROBABLY WISE TO FOLLOW.

ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? >> MAYOR: THANK YOU.

AGAIN, THIS WILL BE A PUBLIC COMMENT HEARING IN JUST A BIT.

I WANT TO RESPOND TO MR. HANNA AND THE PRESENTATION.

THEN COUNSEL -- COUNCIL WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE. IF REGARDS TO THE GOLF COURSES, THIS IS OUR UNDERSTANDING, THERE'S BEEN A BIT OF AM BIG GUTY. IN REGARDS TO THE DIRECTION FROM THE GOVERNOR. AND SO BASED ON STANLEY SMITH WHO IS YOUR ATTORNEY IN CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, WE BELIEVE THIS TO BE THE CASE THAT COURSES ARE CLOSED WITH THIS EXCEPTION. IF AN EMPLOYEE OF THE GOLF COURSE IS IN THEIR HOME, NOT THE FAC FACILITY THEY ARE ACCUSTOMED TO WORKING IN, IF THEY'RE AT THEIR HOME, WE BELIEVE THAT IT'S ALLOWABLE FOR THEM TO SCHEDULE TEE TIMES. BOTH FOR THE MUNICIPAL COURTS AS WELL AS THE PRIVATE COURSE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THEY JUST CANNOT BE AT THEIR PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT AND THE CLUBHOUSE, THE OTHER GATHERING SPACES, ARE DARK UNTIL THIS ORDER IS EXPIRED. THAT IS OUR INTERPRETATION.

STANLEY, YOU WANT TO PROVIDE ANY CLARITY IN THAT REGARDS?

>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I THINK THAT SAYS WHAT OUR UNDERSTANDING IS OF THE GOVERNOR'S CLARIFICATION.

THAT HIS ORDER THE OFFICES, OPERATIONS, TOURNAMENTS, THAT SORT OF THING, ORGANIZED ACTIVITY IN A GOLF COURSE IS NOT ALLOWED. BUT HE DOES ENCOURAGE TELEWORKING. SO IF THOSE EMPLOYEES ARE WORKING FROM HOME AND CAN PROVIDE THE SERVICES FROM HOME, WE BELIEVE THAT'S WITHIN THE GOVERNOR'S ORDER.

AND PERSONAL PLAYING AT A GOLF COURSE IS IF YOU FOLLOW SOCIAL DISTANCING THAT IS STILL ALLOWED.

>> MAYOR: SO WE'RE TRYING TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE DIRECTION FROM THE GOVERNOR. IF THERE IS INDEED MORE CLARITY OR DIFFERENT DIRECTION WE WILL DISSEMINATE THAT INFORMATION TO YOU AND ACT ACCORDINGLY. BUT THAT IS OUR UNDERSTANDING AT THIS TIME. WE WILL MAKE AVAILABLE VIA OUR CITY WEBSITE THE ORDER IN ITS ENTIRETY.

I WANT TO READ SOME TALKING POINTS SO WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE. THEN COUNCIL WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CONVERSATION THEN WE'LL GO TO A PUBLIC HEARING. THE FIRST ITEM, AND THERE ARE NINE DIFFERENT TALKING POINTS, THE LIMITED SHELTER IN PLACE ORDERS ALL RESIDENTS TO STAY HOME PER APRIL 30TH UNLESS THEY'RE TRAVELING TO ESSENTIAL ACTIVITIES.

AND I'LL BE REFERRING TO THE LIMITED SHELTER IN PLACE FROM THIS POINT ON AS THE LSIP. ESSENTIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDE ATTENDING WORK AND PROVIDING FINANCIALLY FOR FAMILIES, ACTIVITIES NECESSARY FOR MEDICAL CARE, FOOD, SHELTER AND CLOTHING FOR THE SAFETY AND WELLBEING OF THEIR FAMILIES.

THE THIRD IN NUMBER 2, AS NECESSARY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THEIR MENTAL AND SPIRITUAL HEALTH.

NUMBER THREE, THE LSIP REQUIRES MINIMIZE SOCIAL GATHERINGS AND

[00:10:07]

PERSONAL CONTACT WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT IN THE SAME HOUSEHOLD.

THIS RESTRICTION APPLIES TO INDOOR AND OUTDOOR SOCIAL GATHERINGS. NUMBER FOUR, THE LSIP CONTINUES TO ADOPT THE LANGUAGE OF THE GOVERNOR'S ORDER WHICH PROHIBITS DINING AT RESTAURANTS, BARS, AND FOOD COURTS, BUT ALLOWS PICKUPS, DELIVERIES AND DRIVE-THRU OPTIONS FOR FOOD AND DRINKS.

NUMBER FIVE, THE LSIP PROVIDES ALL BUSINESSES, UNLESS OTHERWISE, RESTRICTED OR CLOSED ARE DEEMED ESSENTIAL AND SHALL REMAIN OPEN BUT THOSE BUSINESS SHALL REQUIRE SOCIAL DISTANCING.

NUMBER SIX. BUSINESSES ARE CLOSED ARE: HAIR SALONS, HAIR STYLISTS, GARBERSHOPS, NAIL SALONS, TATTOO PARLORS, PIERCING BUSINESSES, TANNING SALONS, AND SIMILAR PERSONAL GROOMING BUSINESSES. NUMBER TWO IN NUMBER SIX.

GAME ROOMS, BOWLING ALLEYS, MOVIE THEATERS, ARCADES, MINIATURE GOLF COURSES, GYMS, FITNESS CENTERS AND OTHER SIMILAR VENUES. THIRD IN NUMBER SIX: SOCIAL ORIENTED BUSINESSES. FOURTH: FOOD TRUCK GATHERS OF TWO OR MORE FOOD TRUCKS. SMOKING ROOMS LOCATED INSIDE TOBACCO STORES. NUMBER SIX: TENNIS COURTS AND GOLF COURSE OFFICES, OPERATIONS AND TOURNAMENTS, BUT PERSONAL PLAY OF GOLF ALLOWED IF THEY PRACTICE SOCIAL GATHERING.

NUMBER SEVEN: ALL BUSINESS SHALL LIMIT THE NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS TO MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIREMENTS.

ADDITIONALLY RETAIL STORES SHALL REDUCE THE MAXIMUM BUILDING PA OCCUPANCY BY 50 OR MORE AS NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIREMENTS INSIDE BUILDING. ALL OF OUR BIG BOX RETAILERS I THINK ARE ACTING APPROPRIATELY. HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO NOT JUST VISIT WITH THE ADMINISTRATORS OF LOWE'S, HOME DEPOT AND WALMART BUT HAD A CHANCE TO GO TO THE FACILITY AND LOOK AT WHAT THINGS THEY'RE PUTTING IN PLACE. HOME DEPOT HAS PUT A CAP ON OF 120. WHICH IS FAR LESS THAN WHAT OUR REQUIREMENT IS. THEY HAVE A COUNTER AT THE ONE DOORWAY THAT IS OPEN THAT COUNTS IN AND EXITING AS WELL AS PROVIDING SANITATION THROUGHOUT THE STORE.

LOWE'S HAS A SIMILAR MODEL. AND THAT MODEL, THEY PUT A SELF-IMPOSED CAP AT 300, WHICH IS FAR BELOW WHAT OUR REQUIREMENT IS. WALMART, THE SAME THING A.

AT BOTH STORES THEY'VE CLOSED ONE ENTRY.

THEY HAVE EMPLOYEES COUNTING THOSE COMING AND LEAVING AS WELL AS IDENTIFYING SOCIAL SPACING ON THE FAMED TOILET PAPER AISLE.

EMPLOYEES ARE OVERSEEING THIS PROCESS.

AND SO WE THINK THAT THEY ARE ACTING APPROPRIATELY.

THERE WAS SOME CONVERSATION ABOUT RESTRICTING COUNTS IN BIG BOXES BUT THIS ORDER DOES NOT ADDRESS THAT BECAUSE OF THE DEEMED RESPONSIVE BEHAVIOR OF OUR BIG BOXES.

NUMBER EIGHT. THE FOLLOWING PERSONS ARE REQUIRED TO SELF-QUARANTINE. PERSONS WHO ARE SICK OR EXPERIENCING COMMON SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 INCLUDING FEVER, COUGH, OR SHORTNESS OF BREATH. NUMBER TWO IN NUMBER EIGHT: ALL PERSON IN THE HOUSEHOLD OF ANY MEMBER OF THE HOUSEHOLD HAS TESTED POSITIVE TO COVID-19. AND THREE IN NUMBER EIGHT: PERSONS THAT ARE HIGHER RISK FOR SEVERE ILLNESS IF EXPOSED TO THE VIRUS. ALL PERSON REQUIRED TO SELF-QUARANTINE ARE ALLOWED TO TRAVEL TO SEEK NECESSARY MEDICAL ATTENTION. THIS IS -- THAT WAS JUST A SUMMARY OF THE ORDER. THE ORDINANCE ENTIRETY WILL BE DISPLAYED AND MADE PUBLIC SO YOU CAN LOOK AT IT IN DETAIL.

COUNCILLOR SMITH, CITY MANAGER HANNA, HAVE I ACCURATELY COMMUNICATED THE PARTS WE DISCUSSED AND TALKED ABOUT? COUNCIL DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS WITH

REGARD TO THE ORDER BEFORE US? >> COUNCILMEMBER: I DO.

IN NUMBER 21 IN THE ORDER ONE OF THE AUTHORIZATIONS IS THE CITY MANAGER CAN DEFER FINES AND KNEES IMPOSED BY THE CITY.

ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD LIKE US TO CONSIDER IS TAKING THAT A STEP FURTHER AND ACTUALLY SUS SUSPENDING THE STREET MAINTENANCE FEE FOR ONE OR TWO MONTHS, APRIL AND MAY BILLING IS MY THOUGHT.

WE'VE REQUIRED BUSINESSES TO CLOSE.

[00:15:01]

THE STREET MAINTENANCE FEE IS BASED ON TRIP FACTORS AND THOSE TRIP FACTORS HAVE GREATLY REDUCED AND SOME ARE CLOSED COMPLETELY. SO THEY PAY A HIGHER FEE THAN WHAT RESIDENTS DO BUT RESIDENTS ALSO ARE IN A POSITION WHERE THEY'RE STUCK AT HOME. ANOTHER THING THAT I'D LIKE US TO CONSIDER AND STAFF MAY NOT BE READY TO HAVE THE DISCUSSION TODAY BUT I WANT TO THROW IT OUT THERE AS SOMETHING I'D LIKE US TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ON WITH METRICS AND DATA.

BUT ANOTHER POSSIBILITY IS SHRINKING THE LEVELS FOR RESIDENTIAL TO WHERE THE TIERS, TWO AND THREE, ARE ALL USES DOWN TO TIER ONE WHERE PEOPLE ARE REQUIRED TO BE AT HOME, THEY'RE USING MORE WATER, AND IT'S NOT SOMETHING THEY HAVE ANY CONTROL OVER AND POSSIBLY EVEN A REDUCED RATE FOR ONE OFFER TWO MONTHS.

THOSE ARE A COUPLE THINGS THAT I'D LIKE US TO CONSIDER THAT I THROW OUT THERE FOR FEEDBACK AND DIRECTION TO STAFF WITH REGARD

TO THIS EMERGENCY ORDER. >> MAYOR: I'LL JUST SAY THIS IN REGARDS TO THE IMPLICATION THAT THAT COULD PRESENT.

IT MAY BE WISER TO MAYBE ADDRESS THAT AT OUR NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING SO WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ALLOW STAFF TO BE ABLE TO GATHER THOSE NUMBERS AND PROJECTIONS AND COMMUNICATE WHAT THAT MAY LOOK LIKE FOR US. BUT CERTAINLY WE SHOULD HAVE THE

CONVERSATION. >> COUNCILMEMBER: PART OF THE REASON I BROUGHT IT UP TODAY IS IF I AM IN THE MINORITY I DON'T WANT STAFF SPENDING TIME RESEARCHING THAT IF THERE'S NOT A DESIRE ON PART OF THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER THOSE THINGS.

>> MAYOR: AND I'LL JUST SAY THIS.

BY THE WAY I APPRECIATE YOU, COUNCILMAN PRICE FOR BEING CONSIDERATE AND BRINGING THAT BEFORE US.

LOVE TO HEAR YOUR RESPONSE, MR. HANNA.

BUT MY GUT WOULD TELL ME -- AND I SAY THIS KNEE JERK BUT JUST REALLY TO HAVE A CHANCE TO IDENTIFY WHAT THAT WILL LOOK LIKE AND IT MAY GIVE STAFF IF WE WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING WE CAN MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT TO OUR LSIP AND MEET THAT BUT IT GIVES THE COUNCIL AND COMMUNITY AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT THE IMPLICATIONS OF WHAT IT

MAY LOOK LIKE. >> COUNCILMEMBER:.

>> FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A CITY MANAGER I DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH DISTRIBUTING EXTRAORDINARY TIME. PEOPLE ARE HAVING TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE, PAY FOR EMPLOYEES. THIS IS SOMETHING I THINK WE CAN DO AND IT GOES IN THE SPIRIT OF OUR BUSINESSES IN THIS COMMUNITY THAT ARE HAVING TO MAKE SACRIFICES AS WELL.

I THINK THAT'S A VERY PRUDENT STEP FROM MY PERSPECTIVE ON THE WATER. WE DO HAVE SOME DEBT TIED TO THE WATER AND I WOULD WANT TO DO ANALYSIS TO MAKE SURE WE WEREN'T JEOPARDIZING THE ABILITY TO MAKE DEBT SERVICE PAYMENTS.

BUT I THINK WE CAN HAVE THAT READY IN TIME FOR THE NEXT

COUNCIL MEETING. >> MAYOR: AND READY FOR US AT THE NEXT SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETING?

>> I WILL DO MY BEST. I NEED TO LOOK AT OUR DEADLINES AND SOME OF OUR REQUIREMENTS BUT I THINK WE CAN MAKE THAT HAPPEN,

YES, SIR. >> M

>> MAYOR: ANY OTHER COUNCIL -- SHANE, WERE YOU FINISHED.

>> COUNCILMEMBER: I THINK THAT'S A GOOD THING TO STUDY IT.

I CAN'T SEE ANYBODY BEING UPSET IF SOME OF THE STREET MAINTENANCE IS DELAYED. I CAN'T TALK WITH THIS ON, SORE.

I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WOULD BE TOO UPSET OR I HOPE THEY WOULDN'T BE UPSET IF SOME OF THE STREET PROJECTS WERE DELAYED BECAUSE OF THE SITUATION WE'RE IN.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THOSE N NUMBERS BUT IF WE CAN HELP FOLKS OUT I THINK IT WOULD BE FANTASTIC.

SO, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP

>> COUNCILMEMBER: IF THAT'S POSSIBLE JUST TO SHOW US WHAT

THAT MIGHT LOOK LIKE. >> WE'LL HAVE THE NUMBERS FOR

YOU AS SOON AS WE CAN. >> MAYOR: SO WE'LL DO, COUNCIL, IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION, WE'LL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO FOR STAFF TO PRESENT THE IMPLICATIONS OF BOTH AS SUSPENSION OF THE MAINTENANCE FEE AS WELL AS LOOKING AT ADJUSTING THE UTILITY BILL. THANK YOU, MR. HANNA.

ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBER HAVE ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE THE PUBLIC HEARING? AT THIS TIME, WE'LL OPEN UP FOR PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? WE'LL GO IN ORDER OF THE CALLS THAT HAVE COME IN.

WHEN YOU HEAR THAT YOU HAVE BEEN UN-MUTED, PLEASE STATE YOUR FULL

NAME CLEARLY FOR THE RECORD. >> PUBLIC SPEAKER: DAVID SCHWARTZ. OKAY I BELIEVE YOU SAID GO AHEAD, MAYOR? I AM DEFINITELY FOR THIS.

AS DR. FAUCI SAID, THE TIME IS TO KEEP YOUR FOOT ON THE

[00:20:07]

ACCELERATOR AND NOT HIT THE BRAKE.

AS YOU MAY KNOW FROM BACK IN 1916/17 THEY CALLED IT THE SPANISH FLU. IT WASN'T SO BAD THE FIRST ROUND BUT IT CAME BACK AGAIN IN 1917/18 WHICH WAS VERY BAD.

AND THE PROBLEM IS WHEN THEY DO LIFT THIS, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE QUITE APPREHENSIVE ABOUT GOING OUT IN PUBLIC AFTER BEING SO ADVISED TO DO ALL THESE PROC PROCEDURES. BUT I'M DEFINITELY FOR THIS.

BUT I HAVE MENTIONED JOKINGLY TO SOME FRIENDS THAT WE MAY HAVE TO WAIT TILL JULY 4TH WEEKEND BEFORE WE ACTUALLY CAN GET BACK INTO THE SWING OF THINGS. I HOPE IT DOESN'T LAST THAT LONG. BUT I AM DEFINITELY FOR THIS.

AND ABOUT THE STREET MAINTENANCE FEE, THAT'S WHAT I WAS TRYING TO ALLUDE TO PREVIOUSLY THAT OBVIOUSLY WITH PEOPLE NOT BEING ABLE TO PAY IN THERE WILL BE SOME SHORTFALLS IN THE FUNDING.

THAT'S HOW ALL I HAVE, MAYOR WILLIAMS. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME DO THIS.

AND BACK TO YOU. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU.

CHELSEA BARLOW. AND I AGREE WITH IT TO AN EXTENT. I WISH THAT WE WOULD DO A FURTHER SHUTDOWN. TAKE IT A LITTLE BIT MORE SERIOUS. I'VE BEEN TO THE STORE RECENTLY AND SAW ONLY TWO EMPLOYEES WITH MASKS ON.

IT'S QUITE TERRIFYING. MOST OF MY FAMILY IS ELDERLY IN THIS COMMUNITY. SO I DO FEEL LIKE THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE REPERCUSSIONS IF YOU DON'T TAKE IT SERIOUS.

AND I THINK THAT MAYBE OUR COMMUNITY COULD DO A BETTER JOB

OF THAT. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU FOR YOUR

COMMENTS. >> PUBLIC SPEAKER: YES, SIR.

>> PUBLIC SPEAKER: HELLO?

>> MAYOR: MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE IS NO ONE ELSE.

SO, AT THIS TIME, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY OTHER COMMENTS AND/OR TALKING POINTS AT THIS TIME? IF NOT, I'LL ACCEPT A MOTION AND

A SECOND. >> COUNCILMEMBER: SO MOVED.

>> MAYOR: WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MCALISTER.

A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN PRICE. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?

WE'RE READY TO VOTE. >> MAYOR PRO-TEM?

>> YES. >> DEPUTY MAYOR.

>> YES. >> PRICE.

>> YES. >> RENT.

>> YES. >> CRAVER.

>> AND MAYOR WILLIAMS. >> YES.

>> MAYOR: I WANT TO SAY JUST ONCE AGAIN, SO APPRECIATIVE TO ANNETTE WITH THE HEALTH DISTRICT, MR. HANNA, MR. SMITH, DOWN TO JUDGE BOWLES, JUDGE PRO-TEM STAD LER, OUR CONGRESSMAN ARRINGTON, OUR CEOS FROM HOSPITALS, BRAD HOLLAND AND MIKE MURPHY, AND ALL OF THOSE WHO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE INPUT AND DIRECTION. WE ARE GOING TO GET BEYOND THIS AND WE'LL DO SO BECAUSE THE TEAM IS WORKING EFFECTIVELY.

IT IS 11:40 A.M. AND THIS MEETING OF THE ABILENE CITY COUNCIL IS ADJOURNED.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.

Apr 13, 2020 Special City Council

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