4. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action to Approve the Purchase of Four Police Packaged Motorcycles from Kent's HarleyDavidson through CB2042 (Tim Cass)

[4. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action to Approve the Purchase of Four Police Packaged Motorcycles from Kent's HarleyDavidson through CB2042 (Tim Cass)]

[10. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action to Approve Operating Cost Relief for American Airlines, Avis/Budget, Hertz and EnterpriseRentACar. (Don Green)]

[00:29:58]

>> THERE'S THREE. >> ENDING IN 266. >> ITEM NUMBER 10.

[00:30:12]

>> IF IT'S 9266, THAT IS ME. I HAD TO CALL IN TO GET AUDIO. >> SO I THINK THAT IS EVERYBODY

[00:30:20]

THEN. >> SO MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE IS NOT ANYONE.

[00:30:25]

SO I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER 10. DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY

[00:30:31]

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? I'LL ACCEPT A MOTION AND A

[00:30:37]

SECOND. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY

COUNCILMAN CRAVER. >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COUNCILMAN PRICE.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? WE'RE READY TO VOTE. >> MAYOR PRO TEM HURT.

>> YES. >> DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM ALBUS. >> YES.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER PRICE. >> YES. >> COUNCIL MEMBER RENTZ.

>> YES. >> COUNCIL MEMBER MCALISTER >> YES.

[11. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on awarding the bid to Dowtech Specialty Contractors for the Northeast WTP Filter No. 5 Replacement (Rodney Taylor)]

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

>> WE'LL NOW MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER 11, I'LL ASK RODNEY TAYLOR, DIRECTOR OF WATER AND

UTILITIES TO PRESENT THIS ITEM. >> LET'S MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER 12.

WE'LL WAIT FOR MR. TAYLOR. IS THAT CORRECT? >> I CAN GIVE THE STAFF

PRESENTATION ON ITEM 11. I'M HAPPY TO DO THAT. >> GO AHEAD THEN.

>> OKAY. SO WATER UTILITY STAFF IS REQUESTING ABILENE COUNCIL REWARD A BID TO DOWTECH SPECIALTY CONTRACTORS. THE BIDS ARE OPEN ON THURSDAY, APRIL 29TH, 2020. TOTAL THREE BIDS ARE RECEIVED. PROJECT ENGINEERS EVALUATED THE BIDS USING THE BEST VALUE CRITERIA AND DOES RECOMMEND THE AWARD TO DOWTECH.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS THAT COUNCIL AND PUBLIC SHOULD BE AWARE OF, THE NORTHEAST WATER TREATMENT FILTER NUMBER 5 UNDER DRAIN SYSTEM HAS FAILED. IT APPARENTLY UNDER DRAIN SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. REMOVAL FOR EXISTING FILTER MEDIA.

AND THE REINSTALLATION OF FILTER MEDIA. THE CONTRACT IS FOR ALL LABOR AND MATERIALS NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE WORK. STAFF RECOMMENDS THAT ABILENE CITY COUNCIL AWARD THE BID TO DOWTECH SPECIALTY CONTRACTORS IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED

$184,000. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF MR. HANNAH? SEEING NO ONE, I'LL GO TO THE PUBLIC HEARING.

BEFORE I DO SO, FOR ANY CALLERS ON ITEM NUMBER 11, IF YOU PUT STAR 9, THAT ALLOWS THE CITY SECRETARY TO IDENTIFY WHO YOU ARE SO WE CAN BE A LITTLE BIT MORE ORGANIZED.

FOR THOSE WANTING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PUBLIC HEARING, IF YOU WOULD HIT STAR 9 ON YOUR PHONE, IT ALLOWS US TO IDENTIFY WHO YOU ARE. AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM. WE'LL GO IN ORDER OF OTHER PHONE CALLS AS THEY COME IN.

WHEN YOU HEAR THAT YOU'VE BEEN UNMUTED, PLEASE STATE YOUR FULL NAME CLEARLY FOR THE RECORD.

AGAIN, PLEASE HIT STAR 9. PRI

>> PHONE NUMBER ENDING IN 452 IS UNMUTED. >> CALLER ENDING IN 452, ITEM

NUMBER 11. >> THIS IS RODNEY TAYLOR. I'M AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS IF

YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. >> ANYBODY ELSE ON THE LINE? >> 631.

[00:35:07]

>> HELLO. >> GO AHEAD CALLER. GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

>> GO AHEAD CALLER, ENDING IN 631, GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

>> MARYANNE ERMUS. >> WE'RE ON ITEM NUMBER 11, WATER UTILITIES IN REGARD TO PURCHASING EQUIPMENT. I BELIEVE YOU WANT TO SPEAK ON THE NEXT ITEM, I BELIEVE.

>> MR. MAYOR, IF I MAY PLEASE. >> YES. >> OKAY.

WELL, 1 THROUGH 9 YOU DIDN'T PRESENT ON TV, WHERE I WAS WATCHING WHAT THOSE WERE BECAUSE I MAY HAVE BEEN INTERESTED IN PUTTING IN YOU KNOW, ASKING MY QUESTIONS ALONG THAT 1 THROUGH 9. BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE.

I WAS SITTING IN FRONT OF MY TV. AND SO THEN I CALLED IN TO ASK.

THE FIRST NINE WASN'T ON TV. SO I DIDN'T KNOW IF THERE WAS SOMETHING THAT I NEEDED TO TALK TO ABOUT THE CITY COUNCIL CONCERNING 1 THROUGH 9 BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A CLUE WHAT IT IS.

>> MS. ERMIS, OUR AGENDAS ARE POSTED ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE. >> I DON'T HAVE THAT.

>> THEY'RE POSTED ON THE CITY BOARD, POSTED OUTSIDE THE BUILDING.

WE MET ALL OF THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS. >> I CALLED EARLIER, SIR.

AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE ON TV. AND I COULD WATCH IT.

AND THEN WHENEVER I HAD TO -- SO THAT IS WHAT I WAS TOLD THIS MORNING.

>> I BELIEVE YOU, MS. ERMIS. I'M NOT DISPUTED THAT YOU HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO WATCH IT ON TELEVISION. I HAVE BEEN TEXTING WITH MY IT PERSON AND THEY SAID IT'S BEEN BROADCASTING. IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S BROADCASTING.

IT MAY NOT BE. >> Y'ALL HAVE MOVED ON FROM ONE THROUGH NINE AND IT WAS NOT ON TV. AND 20 MINUTES BEFORE Y'ALL EVEN CAME ON, AND LAST WEEK I MEAN, ON THE 20TH, Y'ALL WERE ON AT 10:30. AND THERE WAS NO ISSUES.

>> MS. ERMIS, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON ITEM NUMBER 11? >> I DON'T KNOW.

WHAT IS IT? >> $184,000 BID FOR THE NORTHEAST WATER TREATMENT PLANT

REPAIRS FOR FILTER MEDIA ON FILTER NUMBER 5. >> OKAY.

AM I TALKING TO MR. HANNAH OR MR. TAYLOR? >> YOU'RE TALKING TO MR.

HANNAH. >> OKAY. NO, SIR.

>> THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 11

>> I BELIEVE THAT IS IT. >> MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE IS NO ONE ELSE.

SO I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON ITEM NUMBER 11? >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MCALISTER. >> SECOND.

>> AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN RENTZ. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?

WE'RE READY TO VOTE. >> DEPUTY, EXCUSE ME. MAYOR PRO TEM HURT.

>> YES. >> DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM ALBUS. >> YES.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER PRICE. >> YES. >> COUNCIL MEMBER RENTZ

>> YES. >> COUNCIL MEMBER MCALISTER. >> YES.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER CRAVER. >> YES. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS

[12. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Temporarily Suspending the Street Maintenance Fee and Shrinking Tier Levels for Residential Water Customers (Robert Hanna)]

>> YES. >> MOTION CARRIES. >> WE'LL MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER 12 AND I WILL ASK ROBERT HANNAH, CITY MANAGER TO PRESENT THIS ITEM.

>> COUNCIL HAD REQUESTED I BELIEVE AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING FOR STAFF TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION ON REDUCING RESIDENTIAL WATER RATES AND SUSPENDING THE COMMERCIAL PORTION OF THE STREET MAINTENANCE FEE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC OR DURING A PORTION OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. UTILITY STAFF HAS LOOKED AT THE RESIDENTIAL WATER TIERS AND ALSO THE COMMERCIAL COMPONENTS OF STRAIGHT MAINTENANCE FEE.

AS PART OF YOUR BACK-UP WAS A MEMO FROM RODNEY TAYLOR, OUTLINING DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION. WE ATTACHED THE SPREADSHEET REGARDING CONSUMPTION DATA DURING THIS TIME FRAME. THE OUT COMES OF THOSE ARTICLES IS SIMPLY THIS, FAR TOO EARLY TO TELL IF WE HAVE ANY CONSUMPTION INCREASE OR REDUCTION DUE TO THE COVID-19

[00:40:03]

PANDEMIC. OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS OUR WATER HAS BEEN FAIRLY CONSISTENT DURING THIS TIME PERIOD. WE CAN'T MAKE A DECISION ONE WAY OR THE OTHER SAYING THEY'RE UP OR DOWN. THEY'RE ROUGHLY THE SAME.

THE OTHER ASPECT OF THE UTILITY MEMO TALKED ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS IF WE COLLAPSE TIERS, MERGE TIERS. SO BASED ON RODNEY'S ANALYSIS, IF WE COLLAPSED EVERYTHING INTO TIER ONE, WE WOULD SAVE ON A RESIDENTIAL WATER RATE ABOUT $451,311.

THE RATE PAYERS WOULD SAVE THAT MUCH MONEY. OPTION TWO, IF YOU COMBINE TIERS TWO AND THREE, YOU SAVE $402,333. OPTION 3 IS JUST A REDUCTION OF $5 TO THE BASE RATE. UNIFORMALLY APPLIED TO EVERYBODY'S WATER BILL, $5 REDUCTION. $619,230 SAVING OVER A THREE MONTH PERIOD.

ALL OF THOSE NUMBERS ARE OVER 3 MONTHS. MY CONCERN WITH LOSING WATER RATE REVENUES IS THAT OUR BOND RATING AGENCIES LOOK TO US TO MAKE OUR DEBT SERVICE REQUIREMENTS AND OUR WATER RATES ARE ACTUALLY TIED THROUGH PAYMENT OF MUNICIPAL BONDED INDEBTEDNESS. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE RESIDENTIAL WATER RATE REDUCTION OR COLLAPSE OF THE BILLING TIERS IS PRUDENT BECAUSE THEY'RE TIED TO THE REPAYMENT OF THESE BONDS. WHAT I SUGGEST WE DO, SIMPLY SUSPEND THE STREET MAINTENANCE FEES FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES, UNTIL THE LAST REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING IN JULY. UPON WHICH TIME, COUNCIL WILL REEVALUATE WHETHER OR NOT IT'S APPROPRIATE TO CHARGE A STREET FEE. THE SAVINGS ASSOCIATED BY DOING, SUSPENDING THE STREET MAINTENANCE FEE FOR RESIDENTIAL CLASSES, TOTALS 700,000.

AND COMMERCIAL CLASSES, $641,110. SO STAFF IS RECOMMENDING THAT WE SUSPEND THE STREET MAINTENANCE FEE FOR THE MONTHS OF MAY, JUNE AND JULY, FOR ALL RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL CLASSES THAT WOULD GENERATE AN APPROXIMATE SAVINGS OF $1,341,679 TO THE CITIZENS AND BUSINESSES OF ABILENE. STAFF WOULD FURTHER RECOMMEND THAT COUNCIL REEVALUATE THE CONDITIONS TO RESUME CHARGING THE STREET MAINTENANCE FEE.

IF COUNCIL DECIDED IT WAS PRUDENT TO CONTINUE THE POSTPONEMENT OF THOSE FEES, WE COULD DO THAT. IF COUNCIL FELT IT WAS PRUDENT AND CONDITIONS WARRANTED THE ECONOMY, TO GO AHEAD AND BEGIN CHARGING THE STREET MAINTENANCE FEES AGAIN, WE COULD DO THAT IN AUGUST OR SEPTEMBER. I DO WANT TO STRESS THIS DOESN'T MEAN WE'RE NOT DOING STREET MAINTENANCE PROJECTS. ABILENE HAS A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT POTS TO PULL FROM FROM STREET MAINTENANCE DOLLARS. WE HAVE BONDS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN ISSUED THAT WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF EXPENDING AS PART OF OUR CAPITAL MAINTENANCE FOR THE STREETS. THOSE PROJECTS ARE MOVING FORWARD AND WE HAVE GENERAL FUND DOLLARS AS WELL THAT ARE BEING SPENT ON STREET MAINTENANCE.

IT DOESN'T MEAN WE STOP STREET MAINTENANCE AT ALL. IT MEANS BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AND THEIR COMMUNITY RIGHT NOW, THE PANDEMIC, WE THINK IT'S A GOOD GESTURE ON OUR PART TO PROVIDE OUR CITIZENS AND BUSINESSES AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE SOME

DOLLARS. >> MR. HANNAH, I KNOW WE'VE HAD SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS IN REGARDS TO SOME OF THE BOND PROJECTS, WHAT WAS ANTICIPATED AND IN ALL ACTUALITY.

I KNOW WE'VE USED SOME OF THAT MONEY ALREADY. IS THERE ANY MONEY LEFT OVER FROM THOSE PREVIOUS BONDS? IF SO, WHAT DOLLAR AMOUNT IS THAT?

>> MAYOR, THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION. I DON'T HAVE THE NUMBER OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD. I DO BELIEVE WE HAVE MONEY AVAILABLE STILL.

BECAUSE OF THE PROJECTS WE'VE COMMITTED TO OR HAVE PLANNED TO COMMIT SOME OF THOSE FUNDS TO, IT MAY BE A MILLION OR TWO. BUT I THINK IT'S PROBABLY ENOUGH TO COVER THE LOSS.

IF NOT, THERE ARE OTHER FUNDING SOURCES WE COULD PULL FROM TO CONTINUE THE STREET MAINTENANCE PROJECTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE USED TO BE PAID FOR FOR THOSE FUNDS.

IT WOULDN'T BE A WATER UTILITY FUND. IT WOULD BE SOMETHING PERHAPS REPLACEMENT FUND, MIP MINOR IMPROVEMENT FUND. THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO

REPLACE THOSE DOLLARS. >> MR. HANNAH, JUST SO WE'RE CLEAR, WE HAD TARGETED FOR THIS YEAR BOTH IN R15 BONDS AS WELL AS OTHER WORK ABOUT 30000000 FOR STREET AND STREET

MAINTENANCE? IS THAT NUMBER STILL ACCURATE? >> YES, SIR.

>> THANK YOU. DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF MR. HANNAH?

>> THIS IS COUNCILMAN PRICE. I APPRECIATE TIME THAT STAFF HAS PUT INTO THIS AND GETTING

[00:45:04]

THE INFORMATION. ONE THING I WOULD LIKE YOU TO CLARIFY FOR EVERYONE IS, WHAT WOULD NOT BE CHANGED RATE WISE WITH REGARD TO WHAT YOU'RE RECOMMENDING? I HAD TALKED WITH YOU EARLIER, UNIVERSITIES IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS IF WE DO MOVE FORWARD WITH WHAT IS RECOMMENDED, THERE WOULDN'T BE A REFUNDING OF WHAT THEY PAY SINCE THEY PAY ONE TIME IN SEPTEMBER FOR A YEAR. ARE THERE ANY OTHER RATES OR CLASSIFICATIONS THAT ARE NOT AFFECTED BY WHAT YOU'RE PROPOSING? OR RECOMMENDING.

>> NO. THE UNIVERSITY RATE CLASS IS THE ONLY ONE THAT I REMEMBER THAT IS KIND OF A SPECIAL PAYMENT PROCESS. ONCE A YEAR VERSUS ANNUALIZED OVER 12 MONTHS.

WE WOULD NOT BE RECOMMENDING THAT WE GO BACK AND REFUND THE UNIVERSITIES FOR THAT, PARTLY BECAUSE WE'VE ALREADY PAID AND THE OTHER PART IS WE'RE ONLY LOOKING AT MAY, JUNE AND JULY AT THIS TIME. AT A LATER DATE, IF COUNCIL WANTED TO CONSIDER THAT, NOTHING PROHIBITS Y'ALL FROM DOING THAT. WE'RE NOT RECOMMENDING THAT AT

THIS TIME. >> THANK YOU. >> ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OF

THE COUNCIL BEFORE THE PUBLIC HEARING? >> GO AHEAD.

>> I APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING THIS UP. I'M DEFINITELY NOT FOR DOING ANYTHING TO THE WATER. THE WATER IS ACTUAL USAGE. AND YOU KNOW, WE HAVE COSTS AND THINGS INVOLVED IN THAT. AND I PERSONALLY WOULD RATHER SEE US JUST DO A 60-DAY GRACE ON THE STREET MAINTENANCE FEE AND THEN AT THE END OF 60 DAYS, WE COULD REEVALUATE.

WE DON'T KNOW THE ECONOMY MAY GET STARTED BACK UP IN 30 DAYS. I'M PERSONALLY MORE FOR JUST A

60-DAY, TWO MONTH GRACE ON THE STREET MAINTENANCE FEE. >> THANK YOU, WELDON.

>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS OF MR. HANNAH? >> I AGREE WITH COUNCILMAN HURT. YOU KNOW, THE STREET MAINTENANCE FEE, THOSE DOLLARS GO TO SOMETHING THAT IS SEPARATE THAN THE ACTUAL WATER BILL.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO BRING THE MONEY IN ON THE WATER BILL, YES, ON THE WATER PORTION OF THAT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE COVERING OUR EXPENSES, BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE USING WATER AND THOSE EXPENSES NEED TO BE COVERED. I AGREE WITH COUNCILMAN HURT.

IF WE WERE TO GO 60 DAYS INSTEAD OF 90, OBVIOUSLY I GUESS WE COULD AT THE END OF 60 DAYS EXTEND IT ANOTHER 30. JUST LIKE AT THE END OF 90, WE COULD EXTEND IT ANOTHER 30.

>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> OKAY. >> I LIKE THE IDEA OF GOING

JUST 60 DAYS AS WELL. AND SEE HOW THINGS LOOK. >> WHEN I BROUGHT THIS UP, I SAID ONE OR TWO MONTHS. SO I FULLY SUPPORT A 60-DAY WINDOW AS WELL.

>> THE LOGIC BEHIND A 90-DAYTIME FRAME, SO Y'ALL ARE AWARE.

YOU HAD PARTS OF MARCH, APRIL, MAY, IS THE CONCEPT THAT MAYBE, IF THE GOVERNOR STARTS TO OPEN UP THE ECONOMY, IN APRIL 27TH, THAT YOU REALLY GOT ALMOST THREE FULL MONTHS OF SOME SORT OF ECONOMIC DOWNTURN. AND SO MAY, JUNE AND JULY WOULD HAVE RETURNED THREE MONTHS.

BUT IT IS Y'ALL'S CALL. >> ANY OTHER QUESTION OF MR. HANNAH BEFORE THE PUBLIC HEARING? THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? WE WILL GO IN ORDER OF THE CALLS THAT HAVE COME IN.

WHEN YOU HAIR THAT YOU'VE BEEN UNMUTED, PLEASE STATE YOUR FULL NAME CLEARLY FOR THE RECORD.

AND AGAIN, WE'RE ASKING YOU, ALL CALLERS, TO HIT STAR 9, THAT IDENTIFIES YOU AS THE NEXT

CALLER IN LINE. MS. ATKINSON. >> I BELIEVE MS. ERMIS IS

UNMUTED. >> MS. ERMIS, IT'S YOUR TURN TO SPEAK.

>> I DIDN'T HEAR ANYBODY ELSE'S NAME COME ACROSS. HOW COME MINE IS?

>> YOU'RE THE LUCKY ONE. WHAT IS YOUR QUESTION, MS. ERMIS?

>> OKAY. I AM GOING TO, ON THE FEE OF POSSIBLY FOR 90 DAYS, AS MR. HANNAH, IF WE WERE TO DO THAT FOR 90 DAYS THEN Y'ALL WOULD LOOK AT IT AGAIN IN JULY, WHICH

WOULD BE YOUR NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING, IS THAT CORRECT? >> YES, MA'AM.

[00:50:07]

>> WE HAVE TWO COUNCIL MEETINGS A MONTH. >> YES.

>> IS YOUR QUESTION IF WE WILL REVIEW IT IN JULY, MS. ERMIS? >> WE WOULD HAVE APRIL -- I

MEAN, WE WOULD HAVE APRIL, MAY AND JUNE, MAY, JUNE AND JULY? >> WE COULD.

YES, MA'AM. >> SO YOU SUPPORT THE 90-DAY WAIVE?

IS THAT YOUR RECOMMENDATION FOR THE COUNCIL? >> YES, SIR, I WOULD.

>> DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF THE COUNCIL? >> YES.

I WASN'T SURE WHAT MR. HANNAH SAID IF IT WASN'T RODNEY TAYLOR, ABOUT THE WATER BASE REDUCTION. YOU SAID SOMETHING ABOUT FIVE DOLLARS.

AND I WAS JUST CHIMING IN TO SAY THE WATER BASE FOR THAT IS $23.

>> THAT'S CORRECT. SO WHAT WE WOULD BE RECOMMENDING IS A $5 DISCOUNT.

WHAT IS POTENTIALLY PROPOSED THERE IS A $5 DISCOUNT TO THAT BASE RATE WHICH I THINK IT WOULD PUT IT TO $18, IF MY MATH IS RIGHT. BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT STAFF IS RECOMMENDING. BECAUSE BOND PAYMENTS ARE TIED TO THAT REVENUE STREAM.

THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WATER RATES AND STREET MAINTENANCE FEE IS WE'RE USING THE STREET MAINTENANCE FEE AS A PAY AS YOU GO FUNDING PROGRAM. SO IF THE CASH COMES IN, THE CASH GOES OUT FOR ROAD MAINTENANCE. WATER RATES, THEY'RE TIED TO DEBT SERVICE PAYMENTS. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE MAINTAIN OUR ABILITY TO REDUCE OUR PAYMENTS. MY CONCERN IS THE NEXT TIME WE WENT TO BE RATED FOR A BOND ISSUANCE, WE COULD BE SIGNIFICANTLY DOWNGRADED. POTENTIALLY.

WHICH WOULD COST ALL OF THE TAXPAYERS MORE MONEY BECAUSE WE WOULD HAVE A HIGHER RATE.

>> SO Y'ALL AREN'T WILLING TO PASS THAT OR ARE YOU GOING TO DO A FIVE DOLLARS?

>> I DON'T THINK COUNCIL HAS A MOTION JUST YET. >> OKAY.

OKAY. AND THEY HAVEN'T VOTED ON MAY, JUNE, AND JULY FOR THE STREET

FEES THAT IS ON OUR WATER BILL? >> CORRECT. THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY VOTE.

WE'RE STILL IN DISCUSSION RIGHT NOW, MS. ERMIS. >> I'M SORRY?

>> WE HAVE NOT VOTED YET. WE'RE STILL IN DISCUSSION. >> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT. NOW, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING TOO, THAT THE REASON THESE STREET FEES ARE BEING PUT ON OUR BILL IS BECAUSE WAY BACK WHEN, IT WASN'T INTO THE CITY'S REVENUE.

SO NOW WE'RE HAVING, YOU'RE GOING BACK AND CHARGING US NOW, IS THAT MY UNDERSTANDING?

>> I THINK THE THOUGHT PROCESS ON THE STREET MAINTENANCE FEE IS TO ADDRESS OUR STREETS THAT OVER THE NUMBER OF YEARS, THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH MONEY ALLOCATED FOR STREETS.

AND SO TO PROPERLY MAINTAIN THEM. THIS YEAR THERE IS $30 MILLION THAT WILL BE ALLOCATED TOWARDS STREETS. OVER A FIVE-YEAR TIME PERIOD, ALL SOURCES THROUGH THE MPO AND TDOT, ABOUT $185 MILLION FOR STREETS.

STREET MAINTENANCE FEE IS PART OF ADDRESSING SOME THINGS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE IN THE

PAST, THAT IS CORRECT. >> OKAY. SO IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE IN THE PAST. CORRECT. SO THAT IS WHY I'M ASKING FOR

THE 90 DAYS AT THIS TIME. >> THE THREE MINUTES IS UP. >> THANK YOU, MS. ERMIS.

>> SHAWN, DOES ANYONE ELSE WANT TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? >> YES.

PHONE NUMBER ENDING IN 667. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR WILLIAMS. THIS IS DAVID SPORT FOR THE RECORD, THE PROBLEM IS WE'RE ALL IN THE SAME BOAT. THERE IS NO SALES TAX COMING IN FOR THE CITY. THERE IS NO -- PEOPLE ARE OUT OF JOBS.

WHETHER THEY CAN PAY THEIR WATER BILL OR NOT. AND THE STREET MAINTENANCE FEE, THAT IS PROBABLY A GOOD IDEA THAT IT IS SUSPENDED FOR 90 DAYS.

BUT THE ISSUE YOU'RE SAYING WHY YOU DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE WATER RATES IS YOU HAVE TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON BONDS. WELL, IT'S JUST LIKE ANYBODY ELSE, WE CAN'T PAY OUR CAR PAYMENTS, OR WE CAN'T PAY OUR MORTGAGE, IF YOU'RE OUT OF WORK, THE SAME THING WITH THE CITY, IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY REVENUE COMING IN FROM SALES TAX, YOU DON'T, BUT IF YOU

[00:55:06]

COULD JUST SWIPE IT DOWN TO FIVE DOLLARS. LIKE MR. MCALISTER SAID FOR 60 DAYS, I THINK THAT WOULD HELP SOMEWHAT. BUT EVERYBODY IS IN THE SAME BOAT WITH REVENUE. WE DON'T HAVE THE REVENUE TO PAY YOU IF YOU'VE BEEN OUT OF A JOB FOR SIX OR SEVEN WEEKS. SO THAT IS MY MAIN POINT I WANTED TO MAKE.

THAT IS A GOOD DEAL TO SUSPEND THE STREET MAINTENANCE FOR 90 DAYS.

AND TRY TO THINK ABOUT HAVING ACROSS THE BOARD FIVE DOLLARS OFF THE BASE CHARGE.

BUT THAT IS ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU, COUNCIL. I'LL TURN IT BACK TO YOU

SHAWNA. >> FOR THE RECORD >> KYLE, LET'S FINISH THE

PUBLIC HEARING FIRST. ANYBODY ELSE? >> THERE ARE OTHER CALLERS ON

THE LINE, BUT THERE IS NO OTHER HANDS RAISED. >> WE'RE STILL IN DISCUSSION ON ITEM NUMBER 12. IF YOU'RE A CALLER ON THE LINE AND WANT TO SPEAK, PLEASE HIT STAR 9 TO IDENTIFY YOUR DESIRE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CONVERSATION.

>> PHONE NUMBER ENDING IN 635. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS, THIS IS CHRISTINA LEWIS.

I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS. I AGREE WITH THE COUNCILMAN ABOUT SUSPENDING IT FOR 60 DAYS. BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHERE OUR ECONOMY IS GOING TO BE IN 60 DAYS. WE CAN ALWAYS COME BACK TO THIS IN 60 DAYS AND SEE WHERE OUR

ECONOMY IS AT THAT MOMENT. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR INPUT. >> YOU'RE SO WELCOME, THEIR.

>> THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? PHONE NUMBER ENDING IN 924. GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE.

>> CHARLES BURNS. >> YES, CHARLES. >> MY QUESTION IS, IF WE DO THIS FOR 60 OR 90 DAYS, HOW DO WE GO BACK TO THESE BUSINESSES AND SAY WELL, WE'VE GOT TO PUT THIS BACK ON WHEN THEY'RE TRYING TO RECOVER FROM THIS PANDEMIC AS THEY ARE NOW.

>> I'M SORRY, CHARLES, REPEAT YOUR QUESTION, PLEASE. >> GO BACK AND TELL THESE BUSINESS OWNERS AND THE REST OF THE CITIZENS WELL, WE'VE GOT TO PUT THIS BACK ON AND WE'RE JUST NOW GETTING THE ECONOMY STARTED AGAIN. THE

>> IF I HEAR YOU CLEARLY, I THINK THE IDEA IS TO GO WITH 60 OR 90 DAYS, AND THEN AT THAT TIME MAKE AN ASSESSMENT BASED ON WHERE THE ECONOMY IS AT THAT TIME.

>> OKAY. I AGREE WITH THE 60 DAYS. BUT I ALSO THINK THAT WE NEED TO BE VERY CAREFUL IN HOW IT'S IMPLEMENTED BACK WHEN WE GET INTO BACK IN A MORE STEADY

ECONOMY. >> IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS

AGENDA ITEM? >> LOUIS ORTIZ >> WHAT IS YOUR QUESTION?

>> MY QUESTION IS THINKING ABOUT SUSPENDING IT FOR 60, 90 DAYS, DOES THE SUSPENSION MEAN WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY IT OR AFTER YOU GUYS DECIDE TO BRING IT BACK ON, THEN WE'RE GOING TO

END UP PAYING THOSE 60 AND 90 DAYS BACK LIKE THE AIRPORT? >> NO. IF IT'S SUSPENDED FOR 60 OR 90 DAYS, THEN YOU WOULD NOT PAY FOR THAT SAID TIME PERIOD.

COUNCIL WOULD THEN REVISIT A DECISION GOING FORWARD, BASED ON WHERE THE ECONOMY IS AT THAT

TIME. >> OKAY. NOW, WOULD THAT BE ON LOST REVENUE, ARE YOU GUYS THINKING ABOUT MAYBE RAISING IT TO RECOUP THAT REVENUE?

>> IT DOES MEAN THAT THOSE FUNDS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN COLLECTED TO BE USED FOR STREET

MAINTENANCE WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR THAT PURPOSE. >> ROGER THAT.

ALL RIGHT. I WOULD SUGGEST THE 90 DAYS. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR INPUT.

[01:00:02]

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS

AGENDA ITEM? >> I DO. >> GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE

RECORD. >> IT'S RON KINDER. >> HOW ARE YOU ALL DOING?

>> WE'RE DOING WELL. >> HEY, I THINK YOU'RE MISSING THE DEAL ON THE WATER PART OF THIS. WITH THE SCHOOLS OUT, THE PEOPLE NOT HAVING JOBS, WITH MY WIFE NOT EVEN LETTING ME HARDLY LEAVE THE HOUSE, THERE IS MORE WATER CONSUMPTION AT HOME THAN THERE IS AT ANY OF THE BUSINESSES OR ANYTHING. AND WITH PEOPLE NOT WORKING, AND OUT OF JOBS, NO MONEY COMING IN, I THINK IT'S NOT HELPING THE MAJORITY OF OUR ECONOMY. BECAUSE THERE IS THE ONES, YOU KNOW, A SINGLE MOTHER WITH FOUR KIDS, SHE'S LOST HER JOB, SHE CAN'T AFFORD, WITH YOU REDUCING THE BASE CHARGE $5, BUT PER THOUSAND GALLONS OF WATER, AND MY AVERAGE IS A THOUSAND GALLONS PER PERSON IN MY HOUSEHOLD. I THINK THAT IS PROBABLY EVERYBODY.

SO YOU TAKE YOUR KIDS, SAY THREE KIDS, SHE IS GOING TO END UP PAYING MORE ON HER WATER BILL THAN THE IDEA OF IT IS OF LETTING IT GO DOWN. I UNDERSTAND DEBT.

BELIEVE ME. BUT I THINK WE'RE LOSING THE IDEA THAT THAT THE PEOPLE OF THE COMMUNITY ARE THE ONES HURTING AND THIS BY GOING IN THERE AND NOT REALLY CHANGING ANYTHING ON THE WATER PART OF IT, IS ACTUALLY GOING TO BE MORE OF A HINDRANCE TO OUR, TO OUR RESIDENTS. I HOPE I'M MAKING SENSE. I'M SITTING HERE LOOKING AT MY

TV AND TALKING THROUGH MY TELEPHONE. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR INPUT.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT. >> I MEAN, THAT IS SOMETHING TO THINK OF.

THAT IS MY UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THIS WAS THOUGHT OF TO BEGIN WITH, WAS TO HELP THE CITIZENS OF ABILENE. WELL, BY KNOCKING FIVE DOLLARS OFF THE BASE CHARGE, AND THEN LEAVING THE TIER LEVELS AND ALL, YOU KNOW, YOU TAKE A PERSON WITH FIVE PEOPLE OR SIX PEOPLE IN A HOUSEHOLD, THAT THAT, THEY'RE GOING TO GO OVER THAT 7,000 GALLON DEAL BECAUSE THEY'RE AT HOME EIGHT TO TEN HOURS MORE. THEY'RE HOME TWICE AS MUCH.

THAT MAKES SENSE. >> IT DOES. THANK YOU, RON.

>> OKAY. Y'ALL HAVE A GOOD DAY. >> YOU TOO.

WE'RE STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD

LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? >> I DON'T SEE ANYBODY ELSE.

>> MY UNDERSTANDING IS WE DO NOT. AT THIS TIME, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. COUNCILMAN MCALISTER, YOU HAVE A QUESTION?

>> YEAH. I DON'T KNOW WHEN DAVID SCHWARTZ SAID THAT I HAD INDICATED $5. I AM NOT IN SUPPORT OF THAT. I AM JUST IN SUPPORT OF 60 TO

90 DAYS. I WANT TO CLARIFY THAT. >> DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY OTHER COMMENTS, QUESTIONS, DIRECTION FOR STAFF? I'LL ACCEPT A MOTION AND A

SECOND IF THERE IS ONE. >> YES, MAYOR. I WOULD MOVE THAT WE SUSPEND

STREET MAINTENANCE FEES FOR 60 DAYS. >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HURT. AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN PRICE.

IS THAT CORRECT? >> YES. >> THE MOTION ON THE TABLE IS

60 RATHER THAN 90, IS THAT CORRECT? >> YES.

>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSIONS OR COMMENTS OF THE COUNCIL? AGAIN, THE IDEA IS TO REVISIT

THIS IN 60 DAYS, AND MAKE ANY NEEDED ADJUSTMENT AT THAT TIME. >> CORRECT.

>> ALL RIGHT. MADAM SECRETARY, WE'RE READY TO VOTE.

>> MAYOR PRO TEM HURT. >> YES. >> DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM ALBUS.

>> YES. >> COUNCIL MEMBER PRICE. >> YES.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER RENTZ >> YES. >> COUNCIL MEMBER MCALISTER.

>> YES. >> COUNCIL MEMBER CRAVER >> YES.

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

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

>> WE'LL MOVE TO ITEM 13, PROVIDING REAPPOINTMENT OF VARIOUS BOARDS AND OUTLINE EXHIBIT A OF THE RESOLUTION. AT THIS TIME WE'LL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING.

[01:05:05]

IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO, WE'LL GO IN ORDER OF THE CALLS THAT HAVE COME IN. WHEN YOU HEAR YOU ARE UNMUTED, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME CLEARLY FOR THE RECORD. IS THERE ANYONE?

>> I DON'T SEE ANY HANDS. >> MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE IS NOT.

I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OVER AGENDA NUMBER 13?

>> MOVE TO APPROVE COUNCILMAN HURT. >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY MAYOR

PRO TEM HURT. >> SECOND BY COUNCILMAN CRAVER. >> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?

>> WE'RE READY TO VOTE. >> MAYOR PRO TEM HURT. >> YES.

>> DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM ALBUS. >> YES. >> COUNCIL MEMBER PRICE.

>> YES. >> COUNCIL MEMBER RENTZ >> YES.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER MCALISTER >> YES. >> COUNCIL MEMBER CRAVER

[PUBLIC COMMENTS]