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[CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:04]

>> IT IS 8:30 A.M. ON THIS BEAUTIFUL FRIDAY MORNING. I'LL NOW CALL THE CITY COUNCIL TO ORDER. I'M GOING TO ASK COUNCILMAN ALBUS TO DO THE INVOCATION TODAY

[INVOCATION]

AS WELL AS LEADING US IN THE PLEDGES. COUNCILMAN ALBUS.

>> PRAY WITH ME. GOD BLESS US EVERY DAY OF OUR LIVES.

THE NICEST PLACE TO BE IS IN SOMEONE'S THOUGHTS. THE SAFEST PLACE IN SOMEONE'S PRAYERS AND THE VERY PLACE TO BE IS IN THE HANDS OF GOD. THANK YOU GOD FOR BEING THERE TO HOLD US, GUIDE US, GRANT US WISDOM. WE ARE ALL IN NEED OF YOUR PROTECTION AT THIS JUNCTION IN THIS VENTURE CALLED LIFE. PLEASE PRAY FOR YOUR HEALING LOVE AND LIGHT ON YOUR WORLD AND CHILDREN. AMEN.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> PLEDGES. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE

[PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE]

FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION

UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. >> THE TEXAS FLAG.

>> I HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND

INDIVISIBLE. >> FIRST I WANT TO THANK OUR CITIZENS FOR BEARING US OVER THE

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

LAST SEVERAL WEEKS IN TRYING TO BE RESPONSE ANY REGARDS TO COVID-19, AND SO FROM SPACING, FROM BROADCASTING VIA ZOOM. I APPRECIATE STAFF FOR ALL THEY HAVE DONE.

WE'RE BACK TOGETHER TODAY PHYSICALLY AND HOPEFULLY WILL CONTINUE IN THIS SAME WAY.

WE HAD TWO ITEMS YESTERDAY THAT WE WERE UNABLE TO PROCEED WITH BECAUSE THERE IS AN EXPECTATION THAT IT WILL ALLOW PUBLIC INPUT TO OCCUR. SO ON THOSE ITEMS THE TWO THAT WERE LEFT OFF YESTERDAY WHERE WE MEET THE SECOND THURSDAY IN MAYS IS THE 24TH.

>> THURSDAY THE 28TH. >> SECOND MEETING BEFORE THURSDAY.

>> SECOND MEETING WILL BE THURSDAY THE 28TH. SO WE WILL HAVE THOSE TWO ITEMS. TODAY WE'RE ALSO GOING TO HAVE PUBLIC COMMENTS. SOME WE DIDN'T DO YESTERDAY BECAUSE OF THE TECHNICALS WE HAD WE ALLOWED AND POSTNING. APPROPRIATELY TO ALLOW ANY CITIZEN TO COME BEFORE US. SO WE'LL HAVE COMMENT FOLLOWING ITEM NUMBER TWO AND WE'LL ASK ROBERT HANNAH CITY MAYOR TO PRESENT THIS ITEM. THE GOVERNOR WILL BE FOR US AGAIN ON MONDAY. RIGHT NOW WE'RE ON DA-21. HE'LL AMEND HIS ORDER WHICH HERE TODAY IS THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE CONSISTENT IN REGARDS TO WHAT HIS NEXT ORDER LOOKS LIKE, AND THAT WILL BE THE LANGUAGE. WE WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY ON MONDAY TO PROVIDE SOME CLARITY SOS NO AMBIGUITY WITH REGARDS TO WHAT THE ORDER WILL LOOK LIKE WHEN IT'S RECEIVED.

CITY MANAGER ROBERT HANNAH. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WANTED TO BASICALLY REITERATE THE FACT THAT THE INFORMATION WE'RE PROVIDING IS AN EXTENSION OF THE LOCAL DECLARATION.

WE'VE STRIPPED OUR DECLARATION ANYTHING UNIQUE I BELIEVE AND WE'LL BE FOLLOWING THE GOVERNMENT'S EXECUTIVE ORDERS HERE ON OUT. SOMETIMES THEY ARE NOT AS CLEARLY WRITTEN AS YOU MIGHT LIKE, AND THAT'S OK. ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE COMES DOWN FROM THE STATE REGULARLY AND WHAT THE GOVERNOR AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL BELIEVES IS THE INTERPRETATION OF EXECUTIVE ORDER PROVIDES FOR EVERYBODY. I WANT TO LET THE COUNCIL NOW THE INTENT OF LOCAL DECLARATION IS TWOFOLD. ONE, TO CONTINUE THE FACT WE HAVE A LOCAL DECLARATION SO AS WE SEEK REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF OUR COVID RESPONSE THROUGH FEMA, THROUGH OTHER STATE AGENCIES AND GRANTS. MANY IS THAT WE PROVIDE OR WE HAVE A LOCAL DECLARATION. SO THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE'VE DONE.

IT'S IMPORTANT WHY WE EXTEND THAT EVEN THOUGH THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER SUPERSEDES EVERYTHING. SO THAT IS THE FIRST POINT. THE SECOND POINT IS I THINK I WANT TO VERY CLEARLY ARTICULATE THAT WE ARE FOLLOWING THE STATE'S GUIDANCE ON THIS.

THE GOVERNOR FOR GOOD OR BAD, HAS DECIDED TO SUPERSEDE LOCAL AUTHORITY ON THIS.

[00:05:01]

IN SOME WAYS IT MAKES SENSE AND IN SOME WAYS, I WISH WE HAD A LITTLE MORE LOCAL FREEDOM TO OPEN THINGS UP A LITTLE FURTHER, PERHAPS AUSTIN, DALLAS, FORT WORTH OR SAN ANTON MIGHT BE

PREPARED TO DO. >> AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE MEDIA THEY ARE ACTUALLY RESISTING SOME OF THE THINGS THE GOVERNOR HAS ASKED THEM TO DO AND KEPT SOME MORE RESTRICTIONS IN, AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE GOVERNOR WORKING WITH THEM TO REALIZE THIS IS WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAS SAID AND THIS IS WHAT WE NEED TO DO. SO THAT'S THE POINT OF THIS ORDER, ONE TO CONTINUE THE LOCAL DECLARATION FOR FEDERAL FUNDING. TWO, TO MAKE SURE WE'RE IN LINE WITH WHAT THE GOVERNOR WOULD LIKE THE STATE OF TEXAS TO DO. MAKES WITH YOUR PERMISSION WHAT I'D ALSO LIKE TO DO IS FOCUS ON BRIEFLY WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE FACILITIES FOR THE CITY OF ABILINE AND THE WORKFORCE. THE CITY OF ABILINE WORKFORCE, THOSE WHO ACTUALLY WORK FOR THE PEOPLE. WE'RE BRINGING EVERYBODY BACK ON THE 18TH OF MAY, SO NEXT MONDAY.

PEOPLE ARE REQUIRED TO COME BACK TO THE OFFICE, TELEWORKING WILL STOP UNLESS THERE'S SOME, YOU KNOW, MEDICAL NECESSITY FOR IT THE YOU MEET ONE OF THE FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS TO STAY AT HOME AND TELEWORK OR USE YOUR SICK LEAVE THAT WAS APPROVED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THAT WE HAVE TO PROVIDE THOSE TO OUR EMPLOYEES. OBVIOUSLY, PEOPLE GET THEIR FEDERAL BENEFITS AND PROTECTIONS. BUT OTHER THAN THAT, I'M REQUIRING OUR WORKERS TO COME BACK TO THE OFFICE. SO CITY HALL IS OPENED AS OF THIS MORNING AT 8:00 A.M..

IT'S OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. PEOPLE CAN COME AND DO THEIR BUSINESS AT CITY HALL TODAY.

THEY CAN COME AND DO IT ON MONDAY AS WELL. WE WON'T PROBABLY DO ANY SORT OF REALLY ALLOW ANY DRUM -- LOUD DRUMROLL OR SIMPLE BALANCE CLANGING UNTIL JUNE 1ST BECAUSE I WANT TO GIVE MY FOLKS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET BACK INTO THEIR OFFICES, GET THEIR PROCESSES ROLLED BACK OUT THAT HAVE BEEN MOTH BALLED FOR A WHILE, AND THOSE SORTS OF THINGS. AS FAR AS WHAT FACILITIES ARE OPEN, THES ON MAY 18TH THE ZOO, THE MAIN LIBRARY, THE BRANCH LIBRARY WILL BE OPENED. MID-MAY WE'RE TENTATIVELY OPENED TO SPLASH PADS AND PUBLIC PARK PLAYGROUNDS. SO MID-MAY IS PROBABLY THE LAST WEEK OF MAY FIRST WEEK OF MAYBE EVEN NEXT WEEK IF WE GET IT ALL DONE.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE INCLUDE IT. ADVENTURE COVE AT THIS TIME IS STILL SCHEDULED TO REMAIN CLOSED BECAUSE OF JUST TRYING TO MAKE UP BUDGET DEFICITS ASSOCIATESED WITH REVENUE LOSS. I THINK THAT IF WE CAN GIVE A GOOD SALES TAX NUMBER IN JUNE WE MAY BE ABLE TO OPEN UP ADVENTURE CODE MAYBE FOR A MONTH OF THE SEASON BEFORE WE HAVE TO SHUT IT DOWN AGAIN. IT WOULD BE SOMETHING TO GIVE THE KIDS SOMETHING TO DO.

I'D LIKE IT SEE IT OPEN BUT E ALSO HAVE TO REALIZE WE HAVE BUDGET REALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE PANDEMIC. JUNE 1ST CHILDREN'S SUMMER RECREATION PROGRAM, SEARS RECREATION CENTERS ALSO KNOWN AS OUR SUMMER PLAYGROUND PROGRAMS WILL BEGIN REGISTRATION.

DITTO ON MAY 6TH FOR THOSE PROGRAMS. COBB AND GB DANIELS REK CENTERS WILL REMAIN CLOSED -- REC CENTERS WILL REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL JUNE 1ST WHEN THEY WILL OPEN.

ALL OTHER FACILITIES WILL BE OPEN EXCEPT FOR FIRE STATIONS. THEY ALL REMAIN CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC. THE SENIOR SERVICES CENTER. WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO DRIVETHROUGH LUNCH. I THINK WE'RE SERVING 350 TO 400 LUNCHES A DAY NOW WHICH IS AN INCREASE OF WHAT WE WERE DOING BEFORE. BECAUSE THAT IS A VULNERABLE POPULATION, WE WANT TO KEEP THAT CENTER CLOSED FOR NOW. ADAPTIVE REC IS ALSO CLOSED FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE. I'VE SAID BEFORE I DON'T WANT TO OPEN IT UP UNTIL PROBABLY AUGUST. WE'RE CONTINUALLY WATCHING THE SITUATION AND IF IT OPENS UP SOONER I WILL. I ROITZ IT'S A SERVICE THOSE FAMILIES DEPEND UPON AND NEED -- RECOGNIZE -- BUT IT IS A MEDICALLY FRAGILE COMMUNITY AND I WANT TO ENSURE WE DON'T PUT THEM AT RISK. THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION. IF COUNCIL HAS ANY QUESTIONS.

>> MR. HANNAH, THE CITY PROVIDES A LIST OF EVERYTHING YOU COMMUNICATED SO WE HAVE CLARITY

FOR OUR CITIZENS? >> I GOING TO BE ON OUR WEBSITE UNDER OUR COVID-19 RESOURCES.

WE'LL ALSO HAVE A WEBSITE THAT SAYS WHEN IT'S OPENING THOSE SORTS OF THINGS.

A GOOD RULE OF THUMB IS JUNE 1ST EVERYTHING IS OPEN. >> AND WE WILL HAVE TO MAKE SOME MODIFICATION THAT'S YOU'LL BRING FORTH TO ADJUST WHAT COULD BE A BUDGET REDUCTION TO ITEMS WITH RESPONSE TO LIKE OF REVENUE, THAT WE'LL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THAT IN THE NEAR

FUTURE. >> MAYOR I'VE ALREADY CUT $3.1 MILLION IN THE FEDERAL FUND BUDGET THE I'VE DIRECTED MY STAFF TO CUT AN ADDITIONAL 5% FOR END OF YEAR BUDGET AND NEXT

[00:10:02]

YEAR CUT AN ADDITIONAL 5% FOR FY-21 BUDGET. THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PUTTING THOSE NUMBERS TOGETHER NOW. SOME DEPARTMENTS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO DO THAT WITH REDUCTION IN THE WORKFORCE. THAT'S NOT MY INTENT.

I SET A GOAL 5% THIS FISCAL YEAR 5% THAT FISCAL YEAR ON TOP OF THE CUTS I'VE ALREADY MADE.

THE INTENT BEING THAT I WANT TO COME TO Y'ALL, THE BUDGET WORKSHOP AND NOT HAVE TO GO.

THIS IS JUST DIFFICULT. I WANT TO DO ALL THE HEAVY LIFTING FROM A BUDGET STANDPOINT SO YOU ALL CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT GOES BACK INTO THE BUDGET NOT WHAT HAS TO COME OUT OF THE

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

>> QUICK QUESTION. SO LIKE MUNICIPAL COURT. THAT WOULD BE A JUNE 1ST ALSO?

>> CORRECT. WE'RE ALSO WORKING WITH OUR JUDGE TO DETERMINE HOW BEST TO OPEN UP THE COURTS, WHAT THE STATE OF TEXAS HAS SAID IS THAT IT'S UP TO THE JUDGE TO OPEN THEIR COURTS UP WHEN THEY ARE READY. JUDGE BARTON IS EXCITED AND EAGER TO DO THAT, BUT HE ALSO WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE EMPLOYEES THAT HE HAS ARE PROTECTED AND THE CITIZENS ARE PROTECTED BECAUSE THEY WILL BE WORKING IN CLOSE ENVIRONMENTS WITH EACH OTHER, FOR EXAMPLE. IF YOU PUT THE JURY 6 FEET APART YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THEM TAKE UP THE WHOLE ROOM. SO THERE IS SOME MODIFICATIONS AND CHALLENGES WITH THAT.

JUDGE BARTON IS CAPABLE OF HANDLING THAT AND WE'RE WORKING WITH HIM TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE

PROTECTED. >> MR. HANNAH, YOU MENTIONED ABOUT THE SUMMER PROGRAM REGISTRATION. THAT'S USUALLY A MASSIVE GATHERING.

IS THAT GOING TO BE ONLINE OR TRADITIONAL REGISTRATION LIKE WE HAVE HAD IN THE PAST FOR THE

CONVENTION CENTER? >> FOR THE SUMMER PLAYGROUNDS, PARK AND RECREATION? IT'S A COMBINATION OF ONLINE AND PAPER FORMS. WE'RE DOING THE REGISTRATION I BELIEVE THE SAME WAY WE'VE ALWAYS DONE IT. THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY-PERSON REGISTRATION YET BECAUSE THE FACILITIES HAVEN'T BEEN OPENED. BUT THEY CAN DO IT ONLINE.

THEY MAY BE ABLE TO DO IT ON THE PHONE TO CALL THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT.

WE WILL HELP ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO SIGN UP FOR THE PROGRAM OF THE THEY WILL PHYSICAL ACCESS TO STAFF THAT WON'T BE A BARRIER FOR SIGNING UP THAT PERSON. BUT WE SLNT ANY MASS AP--

HAVEN'T HAD ANY MASS APPLICATION OPPORTUNITIES YET. >> COUNCIL, DO YOU HAVE ANY

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC HEARING? >> WELL AS WE LOOK AT THIS, AS YOU POINT OUT ROBERT, WE'RE KIND OF STRIPPING DOWN WHAT WE DO AND JUST SAYING THIS IS WHAT THE GOVERNOR -- THE GOVERNOR IS TAKING CONTROL OF THIS AND SAID THIS IS ESSENTIAL.

THIS IS REAL -- REOPENED. IT'S CLOSED AND CAN'T REOPEN. AND SO AS WAS LOOKING THROUGH THIS, I'D LIKE US TO STRIP A LITTLE MORE OUT, AND I WANT TO THROW THIS OUT AS A DISCUSSION.

NUMBER 10 THROUGH 12, AND I'LL JUST HIT THE HIGHLIGHTS. NUMBER 10 IS MANDATING OR ORDERING PEOPLE TO STAY AT HOME THAT HAVE SYMPTOMS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT ACTUALLY -- IT'S ORDERING THAT AND THEN 11 IS DIRECTING THINGS TO PEOPLE OVER 65, AND 12 IS ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE ECONOMICALLY VULNERABLE, DISADVANTAGED, TALKING ABOUT PROMOTING HEALTH CARE AND SO ORDERING BUSINESS TO DO CERTAIN THINGS. I'D LIKE US TO JUST HAVE LIKE MAYBE NUMBER TEN SAYS WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO FOLLOW THE CDC GUIDE LINES, BUT REMOVE THE ORDER THIS, ORDER THAT, DO THIS, AND JUST SAY WE ARE RESPONSIBLE ADULTS.

THE CD HAS GIVEN US GUIDELINES. THE GOVERNOR HAS GIVEN US CONSTRAINTS, AND LET'S JUST DO THAT. AND THEN THE OTHER WAS IN 15 AND 16.

15 IS DEFINING SOCIAL DISTANCING AND 16 IS TELLING PEOPLE TO COMPLY WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING.

SO I'D LIKE TO SEE -- I HAVE A DISCUSSION I'D LIKE TO REMOVE 10 THROUGH 12 AND REPLACE 10 WITH

FOLLOW CDC GUIDELINES AND 15 AND 16. >> WHAT I'D RECOMMENDED WE DO IS STRIKE ALL OF THOSE PARAGRAPHS AND SIMPLY SAY YOU'RE ENCOURAGED TO FOLLOW CDC GUIDELINES AND LEAVE IT AT THAT. PROVIDE A LINK TO THE CDC GUIDELINES IN ORDER, RATHER THAN TRYING TO RECOMMENDED OR ENCOURAGE OR THAT SORT OF STUFF AND MAYBE HAVE A LIST OF CHANGES WE HAVE TO COME BACK AND CHANGE OFTEN. JUST PUT THE SOURCE.

IT'S THE SAME THE GOVERNOR IS SAYING FOLLOW CDC GUIDELINES. WE CAN MIMIC THAT LANGUAGE IN OUR OWN REPORT AND BE DONE WITH IT. FROM A HISTORY OF WHY THAT'S EVEN IN THERE WHEN WE ADOPT OUR FIRST LIMITED SHELTER IN PLACE ORDER WE ACTUALLY LOOKED FOR AN EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THE MOST COMMON SENSE ORDERS WE COULD FIND THAT DIDN'T OVERREGULATE,

[00:15:01]

DIDN'T OVERSTIPULATE, DIDN'T OVERENFORCE OR DIDN'T OVERSTRETCH WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS THE PEOPLE'S ABILITY TO MANAGE OUR LIVES. AT THE SAME TIME PROVIDED SOME SET OF GUIDELINES AND BASIS THAT AT LEAST ONE OTHER GOVERNMENT WAS FOLLOWING.

SO WE TOOK COUNTIES WHICH WAS HARPOONED IN THE STATE AS BEING WEAK.

THE REALITY OF IT WAS I THINK IT STRUCK US AS SAYING EVERY BUSINESS IS ESSENTIAL.

EVERY PERSON HAS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO EARN THEIR INCOME AND PROVIDE FAMILY SO WE TRIED TO CREATE THAT BALANCE FROM THE GLOBAL PHILOSOPHICAL STANDPOINT, FROM THE STAFF STANDPOINT THAT'S EXACTLY HOW WE HAVE TRIED TO ENFORCE THIS. AND JUST A VERY HANDFUL OF CASES BUT MOST PEOPLE IN ABILINE, EVEN THE ONES THAT LIKE A BUSINESS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN OPENED, THEY THOUGHT THEY COULD HAVE BEEN OPENED. PEOPLE AREN'T WILLFULLY VIOLATING THIS. MOST PEOPLE HAVE THOUGHT I THOUGHT I COULD DO THIS AND HERE'S THE REASONS WHY. THEY LAID OUT A GOOD LOGICAL ARGUMENT THAT SOMETIMES IS NOT

LOST. >> WELL I'D LIKE WHAT WE HAVE IN ORDER TO MATCH WHAT WE'RE ACTUALLY DOING ON THE GROUND. THAT'S MY RECOMMENDATION TO US WHEN WE GET TO THAT POINT.

THE OTHER PARTS IN THERE JUST FOR THOSE THAT HAVEN'T READ THROUGH, IT IT'S DEALING WITH GIVING YOU AUTHORITY TO TAKE CARE OF THINGS RELATED TO CITY FACILITIES, RECEIVING GRANTS.

THERE THINGS IN THERE AND WE NEED TO THERD IN PLACE IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR FEMA ELIGIBILITY.

NOT ONLY AS A CITY, BUT FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE IMPACTED AND BUSINESSES THAT NEED TO

APPLY FOR THOSE GRANTS AND LOANS. >> IS THAT AN ISSUE AT ALL FROM

YOUR PURVIEW? >> NO, I DON'T SEE AN ISSUE WITH THAT AT ALL.

WE CAN DRAFT OUR LOCAL DISASTER ORDER HOWEVER WE FEEL IS BEST FOR THE CITY OF ABILINE.

>> YOU KNOW THE COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL? MAYOR?

>> I HAVE A FEW. >> DO YOU? >> I JUST WANT TO REITERATE THAT THE GOAL OF THIS SHUTDOWN INITIALLY WAS TO SLOW THE SPREAD NOT TO STOP A VIRUS.

IT WAS TO LOWER THE CURVE AND SO WE DID NOT OVERWHELM OUR HOSPITAL CAPACITY.

THOSE NUMBERS HAVE STAYED DOWN. EVEN THOUGH THERE'S NO DATA TO SAY THAT THIS DID IT, I HOPE IT DID. WE NEED TO PROTECT THE VULNERABLE.

ALWAYS AGREED WITH THAT. WE NEED IT PROTECT THOSE THAT ARE MOST VULNERABLE, BUT THERE'S BEEN PANDEMICS AS FAR BACK AS HISTORY AS YOU CAN GO. AND WHAT THEY HAVE DONE BEFORE WAS THEY QUARANTINED THE SICK. YOU DON'T QUARANTINE THE HEALTHY.

IF YOU QUARANTINE THE HEALTHY YOU CAN'T TAKE CARE OF THE SICK. AS A SWORN ELECTED OFFICIAL, I UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE TO FOLLOW THE GOVERNOR'S DEGREE BUT I DON'T HAVE TO AGREE WITH IT.

HIS REOPENING, IN MY OPINION, HAS HAD EXTREMELY BAD STRUCTURE. I HATE THAT IT'S GOTTEN AS POLITICAL AS IT HAS. ALL BUSINESSES ARE ESSENTIAL. I'VE SAID THAT AND I'VE SAID THAT AND I'VE SAID. THAT EVERY BUSINESS IS ESSENTIAL.

BUT WHAT WE'VE DONE WITH THIS ESSENTIAL AND NONESSENTIAL IS AN ESSENTIAL BUSINESS WE HAVE BEEN BRAINWASHED TO SAY WELL NOW THIS ONE IS SAFE. A NONESSENTIAL IS NOT SAFED THAT IS NOT TRUE. OUR RESTAURANTS SAFE. OUR BUSINESSES ARE SAFE.

OUR RETAIL BUSINESS, OUR LOCAL PEOPLE THAT SELL RETAIL ARE SAFE.

IT'S UP TO YOU TO PRACTICE SAFE PRACTICES. YOUR GOVERNMENT CAN'T PROTECT FROM YOU THAT. HOW COME SIX PEOPLE CAN GO TO A RESTAURANT BUT ONLY FIVE CAN GO TO A STATE PARK WITH MASK AND ONLY FOUR PLAY SOCKNER BIG OPEN FIELD? BARS? WELL WHY CAN'T A BAR OPEN? I CAN GO IN A RESTAURANT AND SIT IN THEIR BAR BUT I CAN'T GO IN A BAR. THERE ARE THINGS JUST LIKE A COSMOTOLOGIST. THEY ARE A VERY STERILE ENVIRONMENT.

WHY CAN'T THEY OPEN? I'M GOING TO GET ON MY SOAPBOX ABOUT MASKS.

IF YOU WANT TO WEAR A MASK AND IT MAKES FEEL HEALTHY OR BETTER WEAR YOUR MASK BY ALL MEANS.

FOR ALL YOUR FACEBOOK WARRIORS FOR EVERY DISCUSSION YOU CAN PUT ON THE MASK PROTECTING YOU I CAN GIVE YOU ANOTHER DISCUSSION ON FACEBOOK THAT IT DOESN'T. DO WHATEVER YOU NEED TO DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF. I'M ALSO WANTING TO ADDRESS THE NUMBERS THAT WE POST DAILY.

IT'S HARD TO GET THE INFORMATION OF THESE NUMBERS. THEY COME FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT SOURCES, AND PEOPLE CONTINUALLY SAY WE'RE NOT BEING CORRECT OR OPEN AND HONEST ABOUT OUR NUMBERS IN. MY OPINION, I WOULD RATHER WE JUST SUBMIT OUR NUMBERS TO THE

[00:20:01]

CDC AND THE CITIZENS CAN GO ON THE CDC WEBSITE AND SEE THE NUMBERS, AND WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THESE CORRECTIONS AND THINGS AARE HAPPENING. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

>> THANK YOU MAYOR TIM HURT. ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM ME OR THE COUNCIL PERSONS PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC HEARING? AT THIS TIME THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE WOULD WOULD LIKE IT SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THISITE SNEM IF SO, PLEASE GIVE YUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

-- AGAINST THIS ITEM? IT'S SO MUCH MORE EASIER THAN ALL THE STUFF I'VE BEEN READING

LATELY. >> OK. I HAVE TO TOUCH THE MIKE LIKE THE PRESIDENT. HOPEFULLY IT WON'T MATTER. THIS IS DAVID SCHWARTZ.

THE ONLY THING I NEED TO ADD ABOUT THIS IS, I'M SURE YOU'VE PROBABLY SEEN ON A NATIONAL LEVEL THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL BARR IS GOING TO REVIEW SOME OF THESE STAY AT HOME ORDERS, AND AS SUCH AND SEE HOW CONSTITUTIONAL THEY WERE. BUT WITH EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE RELAXING NOW WITH THE GOVERNOR CHANGING EVERYTHING UP AND SAYING FOLLOW ME OR ELSE, I DON'T REALLY HAVE PROBLEM WITH IT, BUT I JUST WANT TO MENTION THAT AS MY 5 CENTS WORTH THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL BARR IS GOING TO REVIEW THIS AND SEE IF THERE WAS ANY EFFECT ON YOUR CONSTITUTIONALITY OF SOME OF THOSE. I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO FOR US

AND EVERYTHING AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH THIS MORNING. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU, DAVID. >> IS THERE ANYONE ELSE? LIKE TO SPEAK TO EITHER FOR OR AGAINST. SEEING NO ONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

I WANT TO REITERATE SOME THINGS THAT COUNCILMAN HURT SAID. ROBERT HANNAH, YOU AND YOUR STAFF, AND MS. PATTERSON, MR. RICE, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE DONE.

I MEAN, WHO KNEW A YEAR AGO THAT WE GHOB A PANDEMIC? SEVERAL OF YOU HAVE OWE THAT WE WOULD BE IN A PANDEMIC. SEVERAL OF YOU HAVE NOT HAD AN OFF DAY IN SEVERAL WEEKS.

A SATURDAY IS NO DIFFERENT THAN A TUESDAY, AND THE SCRUTINY ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND OTHERWISE HAS TO BE UNBEARING AT TIMES, AND I APPRECIATE THE PROFESSIONALISM AND THE COMMITMENT TO SERVE THIS COMMUNITY AND ALL THOSE THAT WORK UNDER YOUR PURVIEW IS APPRECIATED.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. YESTERDAY EVENING THERE WERE THREE WHO WERE HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID-19. MY UNDERSTANDING IS ONE IS A CITIZEN AND TWO ARE NOT CIT CITIZENS. NUMBERS CONTINUE TO DROP LIKE THE EXPERTS SAID THEY WOULD.

ANTICIPATING WE'LL HAVE INFECTIONS THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER AND MAYBE A SPIKE IN OCTOBER.

EVERYTHING THAT WAS DONE WAS NOT DONE CORRECTLY. I'M SURE IF WE CAN GO BACK AND CHANGE THINGS, WOULD HAVE ARM CHAIR QUARTERBACKED OUR WAY INTO BEING MORE SUCCESSFUL.

BUT I'M TELL YOU THIS. EVERYBODY THAT WAS CONTRIBUTING WAS DOING THE VERY BEST THEY COULD AT THE TIME BASED ON OUR INFORMATION THAT WE RECEIVED. AND I HOPE AJD I DO BELIEVE THAT THE VAST MA -- AND I DO BELIEVE THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF OUR CITIZENS APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT WAS PUT IN IN SERVING THIS COMMUNITY. I AM PROUD OF YOU, MR. HANNAH AND YOUR STAFF. AND THIS COUNCIL. IT'S TOUGH.

I MEAN, IT REALLY, REALLY IS. YOU CAN ONLY DO THE BEST YOU KNOW HOW TO DO WHEN YOU KNOW HOW TO DO IT SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I COMMUNICATED THAT. MR. HANNAH?

>> I HAVEN'T PLANNED ON SAYING THIS BUT SINCE YOU'RE SAYING THIS I WANT TO ADD SOME COMMENTS TOO. THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO WORK FOR THE CITIZENS OF THIS COMMUNITY HAVE DONE AN INCREDIBLE -- I'M GOING TO GET EMOTIONAL. THEY HAVE DONE INCREDIBLE JOB SERVING THE BUSINESS AND CITIZENS OF THIS TOWN. I WORKED WITH A NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN MY CAREER AND I'M PROUD TO SAY STOOD BESIDE ME AND I STOOD BESIDE THEM, BUT THERE ARE NO FINER PEOPLE THAN THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO WORK FOR THE CITY OF ABILINE AND THIS COMMUNITY.

THEY HAVE DONE INCREDIBLE JOB. AND I'M PROUD IT WORK THEM. PATTERSON HAS BEEN A -- THROUGH THIS WHOLE THING AND COULD NOT HAVE DONE WHAT WE HAVE DONE. WE'RE NOT OVER YET.

WE'RE NOT THROUGH THIS. WITHOUT HER ASSISTANCE. THE DIRECTORS, THE SUPERVISORS, THE PEOPLE WORKING AT THE GROUND LEVEL WHO IS ON THE GROUND HAVE ALL DONE INCREDIBLE JOB AND HAVE

[00:25:05]

ALL OPENED THEMSELVES UP TO A TREMENDOUS LEVEL TO FAMILIES. I WANT TO THANK THEM PERSONALLY FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR WHAT THEY DO. THE OTHER THING I'D SAY MAYOR IS THIS COUNCIL HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE. YOU HAVE TRIED TO STRIKE THE BALANCE OF RESPONDING TO A REAL HEALTH EMERGENCY. BUT AT THE SAME TIME RECOGNIZING WHAT COUNCIL SAID, WE'VE GOT TO KEEP THE WORLD GOING. ABILINE HAS TO KEEP TURNING.

AND IT'S A BALANCING ACT. I THINK BY AND LARGE WE'VE DONE THAT WELL.

WE HAVE MADE MISTAKES. I HAVE MADE MISTAKES. THANKFULLY I DON'T ANY ANYBODY HAS DIED FROM OUR MISTAKES. BUT THERE ARE SOME THINGS I WOULD DO OVER IF I COULD, FOR SURE. PART OF THAT IS DURING THE EARLY DAYS OF THIS WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WE WERE DOING THIS. THE BEST EXPERTS IN THE COUNTRY WERE SAYING TWO MILLION PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DIE. IT'S NOT PROVEN TO BE TRUE, THANK GOD.

SO AS WE LEARN, AS WE CONTINUE TO GO, STRATEGIES ADJUSTED. WITH THE REALITY OF THE GROUND GAME. I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING THE COUNCIL THAT YOU ARE AND MANY OF YOU RAISED YOUR HAND AND TOOK AN OATH TO SAY I WANT TO BE AN ELECTED OFFICIAL. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO Y'ALL.

I THANK YOU FOR YOUR INCREDIBLE JOB AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE.

$1 A YEAR CERTAINLY DOESN'T COMPENSATE YOU. >> THANK YOU MR. HANNA ABOUT THE PROJECTIONS. SO EVERY LIFE IS A PRECIOUS LIFE EVERY LIFE.

AND THERE HAVE BEEN SIX OF OUR CITIZENS WHO HAVE DIED FROM COVID-19 FATALITY.

WHAT WE HAVE NOT COMMUNICATED THE EARLY MEETINGS, EARLY PROJECTIONS, WE WERE AT PROJECTIONS OF ALMOST 900 DEATHS IN ABILINE. NOW THAT'S -- THAT WE RECEIVED.

THANK GOD THANK GOD THAT THAT'S NOT THE REALITY, BUT WE WANTED TO PLAN FOR THE WORST AND PRAY TO GOD FOR THE BEST AND HE HAS INDEED BEEN FAITHFUL. WE HAVE HAD PUBLIC COMMENT.

WE HAVE HAD ITEM BEFORE US. ANY COMMENTS OR DISCUSSIONS COUNCIL?

>> I'D LIKE TO THROW OUT THAT I'VE HAD PEOPLE COMPLIMENT ME WITH REGARD TO MY POSITION AND WHAT WE HAVE DONE, AND I SAY I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING COMPARED TO THE MAYOR.

YOU'RE OUT ON FACEBOOK PRACTICALLY DAILY GIVING OTHER CITIZENS ON WHAT IS HAPPENING, WHAT YOU'RE AWARE OF, AND KEEPING EVERYBODY INFORMED. YOU'RE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.

YOU HAVE MEETINGS WITH CONGRESSMEN THIS WEEK AND YOU ARE -- ROBERT TALKS ABOUT THE DOLLAR A YEAR. YOU KNOW, WE HAVE HAD MORE MEETINGS.

WE HAVE HAD A FEW MORE THINGS THAT TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF OUR TIME.

YOU HAVE THINGS ON A DAILY BASIS NOT JUST THE FACEBOOK TIME BUT ALL THESE THINGS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT YOU'RE DOING AND MEETINGS THAT ARE TAKING PLACE, AND WITH HEALTH OFFICIALS, WITH ROBERT, AND YOU'RE THE HERO OF THE COUNCIL IN MY VIEW. YOU'RE THE ONE THAT'S BEEN OUT THERE AND I'M GRATEFUL. I'M THANKFUL THAT YOU ARE IN THAT POSITION.

I THINK THE LORD PUT YOU THERE AT YOU ARE NEEDED. I'M GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

>> THANK YOU COUNCIL. ANY DISCUSSION FROM COUNCIL? >> YEAH, I'D LIKE TO COMMENT.

>> WE NEED TO GET OUT AND SUPPORT OUR LOCAL BUSINESS. IF YOU WANT TO BE THERE, IF YOU NEED A PRESENT FOR BIRTHDAY IN AUGUST GO BUY IT NOW. IT'S KIND OF LIKE WHEN WE USED TO SAY WHEN A PLANE CRASHED COMMERCIAL AIRLINER NEXT WEEK THAT AIRLINE WOULD BE THE SAFEST ONE IN AMERICA. DON'T WORRY ABOUT FLYING WITH THEM.

OUR RESTAURANTS ARE THE CLEANEST THEY WILL PROBABLY EVER BE THE SAFEST THEY WILL EVER BE AND THE SAME WAY RETAIL OUTLETS. GET OUT AND SUPPORT THEM. THEY NEED US AND IN AUGUST OR SEPTEMBER THEY WILL BE GOCHBLET 123450 JACKIE IS, YOUR BIRTHDAY IN AUGUST? IS YOUR BIRTHDAY IN SAWING THAT WHY YOU'RE TELLING US TO BU BIRTHDAY PRESENT NOW?

>> NO, BUT I'LL CLAIM IT. EVERY DAY IS A BIRTHDAY FOR ME. >> SO I'M HEARING YOU SAYED TO

GO SHOPPING THIS AFTERNOON. >> YEAH. ARE THE HAT STORES OPEN?

>> YES. A MATTER OF FACT. ANY COUNCIL TAKE A MOTION

SECOND? >> OK. SO IS THE MOTION TO WITH AMENDMENT I WAS GOING TO SAY WITH THE AMENDMENTS OF COUNCILMAN PRICE.

[00:30:04]

BASICALLY TAKING 10 THROUGH 12. 10 THROUGH 15, 16, AND JUST CHANGE IT TO SAY THE LENGTH.

>> AS WE DISCUSSED. >> OK. OK.

>> IS THAT YOUR MOTION? >> YES, IT IS. WE HAVE A MOTION.

DO YOU HAVE A SECOND? SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN PRICE. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?

SECRETARY, WE'RE READY TO VOTE. >> MAYOR PRO-TEM. >> HURT.

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

>> YES. >> COUNCIL MEMBER MCICAL HISTER. >> YES.

>> CRAVIN. >> YES. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS.

>> YES. >> MOTION CARRIES. >> NOW I'LL MOVE TO THE PUBLIC

[Additional Item]

COMMENT PERIOD, ANY ACTIONS TAKEN PRESENTSED OR PUBLIC COMMENT.

THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD WILL ONLY ALLOW MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO PRESENT IDEAS AND INFORMATION

TO CITY OFFICIALS AND STAFF. DO WE HAVE ANYONE? >> ONCE AGAIN THANK YOU MAYOR AND COUNCIL. FIRST BEFORE I FORGET, TODAY A TWO SHIP FLAG WILL BUZZ OUT OF THE FIRE STATIONS:30 HERCULES JULIET AND ALSO AROUND THE NOON HOUR ONE TO FLY OVER HENDRICKS AND ABILINE REGIONAL. I DON'T KNOW IF THEY ARE GOING TO GO OVER CENTRAL FIRE STATION OR STATION ONE ALSO POSSIBLY. I JUST WANT TO MENTION THAT BECAUSE I HAVE IT ON MY LIST.

THE OTHER THING I WAS OUT PATRONIZING OUR LOCAL TAKEOUT RESTAURANTS AND I WENT DOWN ROLLING GREEN TO JOHNS IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION NOW AND INSTALLED THREE NEW STREETLIGHTS OUT OF ROLLING GREEN. YOU KNOW I MENTIONED THAT SEVERAL TIMES.

I DON'T KNOW IF MR. MCCAFFEY HAD IT DONE OR WHO BUT I'M SURE IT WAS AN OVERSIGHT FROM THE LATE 70S OR EARLY 80S WHEN THAT WAS ALL EXPANDING AROUND THE MALL WITH THOSE THREE STREETLIGHTS LOCK PRETTY GOOD OUT THERE NOW BECAUSE ALL THE OTHER STREETS ARE IN THEIR -- HAD STREETLIGHTS BUT ROLLING GREEN NEVER DID. IT'S INTERESTING HOW THEY DID THAT.

THEY DID A DOUBLE HOP FROM OVER THERE BY THE ELEMENTARY ACROSS THE STREET AND IT'S AT LEAST A 200-FOOT LINE. IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TECHNICALLY JUST TO MEET HER, TO SEE HOW THE VOLTAGE DROP IS FROM WHEN THAT TRANSFORMER IS TO THE DOUBLE HOP AND EACH ONE OF THOSE LIVES THEY -- THAT'S AT LEAST 200 FEET BUT I'M SURE GRATEFUL FOR SOMEBODY WHO GOT THAT DONE.

THE OTHER THING IS I E-MAILED BUT I DON'T KNOW. I DIDN'T GET ACKNOWLEDGMENT.

I WAS AT CEDAR HILLS CEMETERY ON SATURDAY OR SUNDAY, RATHER, MOTHER'S DAY AND THERE WAS A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE VISITING. AND PART OF THE CEMETERY STILL HAD HIGH WEEDS BETWEEN THE MARKERS. LOOKS LIKE THEY MOWED WITH A RIDING LAWN MOWER.

BETWEEN THE MARKERS THE WEEDS WERE AT LEAST 14 INCHES TALL. RIGHT BY MY AUNT AND UNCLE'S IT'S REALLY TALL. I DON'T THINK THERE'S A SNAKE THERE, BUT THERE COULD BE.

I NOTICED TWO PEOPLE HAD BROUGHT THEIR OWN PERSONAL WEED EATERS AND ARE OUT THERE WEEDING AROUND THEIR LEVEL MARKERS AND STUFF. SO I DON'T KNOW IF THEY HAVEN'T GOT TO THAT ONE SECTION.

THE REST OF THE CEMETERY LOOKED PRETTY GOOD, BUT IT WAS SAD TO SEE THIS BIG TALL WEEDS OVER THERE IN THAT LAST SECTION BY THE FLAG POLE. AND THE OTHER THING WHILE I HAVE 30 SECONDS LEFT HERE, I THE A LETTER FROM UNITED STATESED WAY ABILINE.

ON MONDAY THE 18TH THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE A TORNADO CELEBRATION PARADE OF ALL THE AREA THAT WAS AFFECTED BETWEEN 1:30 AND 2:00 P.M. AND YOU'RE INSTRUCTED TO DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE IN THE DESIGNATED MAP, BUT THE MAP AND THE LOCATION IS ABOUT THE SIZE OF A CRACKER JACK COMIC BOOK. BASICALLY I GO IN THERE AND YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO HONK YOUR HORN AND WAVE AT ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE AFFECTED AREA. THANK YOU VERY MUCH THIS

MORNING. >> THANK YOU. >> I AGREE, IT'S GOOD TO SEE

YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COMMENT PERIOD ON THIS MORNING? SEEING NO ONE, AT 9:0 4:00 A.M. THIS MEETING OF YOUR ABILINE CITY COUNCIL IS ADJOURNED.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.