[INVOCATION]
[00:00:07]
>>> I CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER. >>> I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU
[PLEDGE TO THE UNITED STATES FLAG AND THE TEXAS FLAG]
WHO HAVE PRAYED FOR ME AND SENT TEXTS AND PHONE CALLS.DEFINITELY APPRECIATE IT. WE'VE HAD OVER 9 HUNDRED PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO RECOVERED FROM COVID-19 AND I AM AMONG THAT 9 HUNDRED. STILL NOT FEELING MY BEST ON THIS MORNING. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A VIDEO
[PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PROCLAMATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS]
PRESENTATION BEFORE WE GET STARTED TODAY.WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE EMPLOYEE MICHAEL PAYNE.
>> IT'S SOMETHING DIFFERENT EVERY DAY.
WHEN YOU HAVE SEVERAL UTILITIES IN THE SAME UTILITY EASEMENT AND TRYING TO KEEP YOUR UTILITIES SEPARATE FROM THE OTHERS IS COMPLICATED. WITH THE TOOLS WE HAVE SOMETIMES THEY BLEED OFF AND YOU COULD EASILY END UP ON A GAS LINE OR SEWER OR WATER. SO WHEN LINES CROSS, THAT'S THE HEADACHE OF IT ALL. TRYING TO STAY WITH MY UTILITIES. ALSO PRACTICING A SAFE DISTANCE.
AND PUBLIC RELATIONS. I LIKE GETTING OUT OF THE OFFICE AND INTO THE PUBLIC.
[00:05:04]
>> WE WANT TO THANK MICHAEL FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE CITY OF ABILENE. IS MICHAEL WITH US THIS MORNING? I DON'T SEE HIM HERE, MAYOR. I'M DISAPPOINTED AT THE QUALITY OF THAT VIDEO SO WITH YOUR PERMISSION, I WOULD LIKE TO
BRING THIS BACK. >> CERTAINLY.
>> MICHAEL DESERVES BETTER. >> CERTAINLY.
[CONSENT AGENDA]
>> WE'LL NOW MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA CONSISTING OF ITEMS THREE THROUGH 12. THESE ITEMS WILL BE CONSIDERED WITH ONE MOTION AND THERE WILL BE NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION UNTIL THES A COUNCILMEMBER -- UNLESS A COUNCILMEMBER OR CITIZEN REQUESTS SEPARATE DISCUSSION. DOES ANY COUNCILMEMBER WANT TO
CONSIDER ANY ITEM SEPARATELY? >> I NEED TO --
>> NUMBER EIGHT. >> AND ME AS WELL.
>> OKAY. SO WE HAVE THREEABSTENTIONS FROM NUMBER EIGHT. IS THERE A CITIZEN THAT WOULD LIKE TO PULL ONE OF THE ITEMS 3 THROUGH 12 ASIDE FROM THE
CONSENT AGENDA. >> ITEM NUMBER SIX.
>> ANYONE ELSE? I'LL TAKE A MOTION ON ITEMS 3 THROUGH 12 WITH EXCEPTION OF ITEM NUMBER 6.
A SECOND FOR COUNCILMAN PRICE. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? WE'RE READY TO VOTE
>> MOTION CARRIES. >> MR. SCHWARTZ, DO YOU WANT TO
[6. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on allowing the City Manager to execute a contract with Texas Fire Apparatus, LLC for the purchase of one Sutphen Custom Aerial Platform Truck. (Chief Cande Flores)]
COME AND ASK QUESTION NUMBER SIX?>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL. TODAY IS THE PURCHASE OF A REPLACEMENT LADDER COMPANY TRUCK FOR STATION ONE.
I BELIEVE WE JUST DID THIS EITHER TWO WEEKS AGO OR FOUR WEEKS AGO. YOU KNOW.
THE OLD SAYING IS WHY DON'T YOU BUY THEM BOTH AT THE SAME TIME.
I'M NOT AGAINST IT AT ALL BUT IF I READ THE DOCUMENTS BRIEFLY, IT SAID IT WAS GOING TO BE -- I THOUGHT THEY SAID 18 MONTHS BEFORE DELIVERY. GET WHILE THE GETTING IS GOOD BECAUSE COMING UP HERE IN 2021, THERE MAY BE SLIM PICKINGS ON THE BUDGET AND I DON'T MEAN THE ACTOR.
BUT I'M DEFINITELY FOR FIRE SERVICE BUT IF THERE'S ANYTHING TELLS, CHIEF, THAT YOU'RE GOING -- ELSE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO NEED, CHIEF, AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LONG TIME TO GET IT, GO AHEAD AND ORDER IT ALL IN ONE WHACK BECAUSE YOUR COUNTERPARTS ACROSS TOWN ARE REAL GOOD ABOUT ORDERING -- SAYING WE NEED THREE TAHOES AND THEN NEXT COUNCIL MEETING -- WELL, WE NEED 12 MORE. ORDER THEM ALL AT ONCE.
YOU GOT A FIRE APPARATUS BUDGET THAT YOU SAY UP UNTIL YEARS AHEAD OF TIME THAT WE DON'T KNOW HOW THIS COVID IS GOING TO TURN OUT AS FAR AS THE CITY BUDGET. I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT RELIES ON THE PARTICIPATION EACH YEAR THE CITY BUDGET TO REPLENISH THIS FIRE APPARATUS FUND. I DON'T KNOW HOW WE'RE GOING TO HEAD INTO 2021 WITH THIS COVID CONCERNS BECAUSE LIKE I'VE STATED SEVERAL TIMES, YOU GO OUT BY THE MALL, I USUALLY GO OUT THERE AROUND 6:00 TO 7:00 ON SATURDAYS AND THERE'S NO VEHICLES OUT THERE EXCEPT AT THAT ONE LITTLE RESTAURANT.
AND IT MAKES YOU WONDER HOW IS OUR SALES TAX HOLDING UP AFTER ALL OF THIS. I MENTIONED BEFORE YOU GO OUT TO THE MALL. THERE'S NO PARKING USUALLY.
HAVE YOU TO GO UM AND DOWN ROWS AND NOT ANYMORE.
LIKE I TELL THE CHIEF IF THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE YOU BETTER GET IT WHILE YOU CAN BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW HOW 2021'S BUCKET IS GOING TO HOLD UP. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, CHIEF, FOR
[00:10:03]
PURCHASING SUCH A GOOD APPARATUS.I SLEEP BETTER AT NIGHT. THAT TRUCK WILL BE 90 SECONDS AWAY FROM MY HOUSE. THANK YOU.
>> ITEM NUMBER SIX. I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
DOES COUNCIL HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS, COMMENTEDS?
>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT DAVID MENTIONED SALES TAX.
WE JUST GOT OUR SALES TAX NUMBERS YESTERDAY, UP 8.57% FROM JUNE 2020 TO JUNE 2019. SO THINGS ARE MOVING IN A GOOD
[13. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Approving the City of Abilene Master Stormwater Drainage Plan - 25 Year Implementation Scenario (Greg McCaffery)]
>> MOTION CARRIES. >> WE'LL NOW MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER 13. I'LL ASK GREG TO PRESENT THIS ITEM.
>> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.
WHAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU IS ESSENTIALLY A PRESENTATION ALONG WITH A RESOLUTION FOR THE CITY'S STORM WATER MASTER DRAINAGE PLAN. AS YOU RECALL, THIS ITEM ACTUALLY WAS STARTED BACK -- APOLOGIZE.
WAS STARTED BACK IN FISCAL YEAR 2017 SO IN OUR MINEDS IT'S A LONG TIME COMING. WE HOPE THAT THIS WILL BRING CLOSURE. WE CALL IT THE PLAN ITSELF AND HOPEFULLY IN FUTURE YEARS SET IN MOTION POTENTIAL MEANS TO BE ABLE TO FUND THIS MASTER PLAN. IF YOU'LL RECALL, WE BROUGHT THE PRAWN TO THE CITY COUNCIL BACK IN OCTOBER OF 2019.
THERE THE COUNCIL DIRECTED STAFF TO LOOK AT ANOTHER SCENARIO, THE ORIGINAL PLAN THAT WAS PRESENTED TO YOU IN 18 HAD A 10, 20 YEAR AND 30-YEAR SCENARIO AS FAR AS MEANS TO BE ABLE TO FUND OR FINANCE AS FAR AS THE VARIOUS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THIS PROJECT. YOU WOULD ASK TO SET -- TO LOOK AT A 25-YEAR SCENARIO. WE HAVE SINCE -- WE'RE REALLY NOT LOOKING FOR ANY ACTION. THERE IS NO RECOMMENDATION FOR RATE ADJUSTMENTS FOR THIS COMING YEAR.
HOWEVER, STAFF WOULD ASK THAT COUNCIL CONSIDER THAT IN FUTURE.
SO WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO ASK CURTIS TO COME UP AND JUST SHARE WITH YOU SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS AS FAR AS THIS SCENARIO.
>> THANK YOU, GREG. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT TO YOU THIS MORNING. IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU.
SO AS GREG MENTIONED, WE PREPARED TO SUBMIT THE FINAL REPORT BACK IN JANUARY. WITH THE DIRECTION OF LOOKING AT A 25-YEAR PLAN TO BECAUSE OF ITS LARGE COST.
IN TERMS OF THE REMAINING PROJECTS, THIS IS A SUMMARY OF THOSE NINE PROJECTS. THE TOP PROJECT IS LOCATED THROUGHOUT 11TH AND 7TH AND REALLY THAT'S TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OPEN AREAS THAT THE CITY ALREADY OWNS TO ENHANCE THOSE
[00:15:11]
AREAS. WE BROKE EACH OF THOSE LARGER PROJECTS INTO INDIVIDUAL PHASES. THIS WILL INCLUDE THE DESIGN AND ALSO PHASED CONSTRUCTION TO THE DEGREE THAT WE COULD.REALLY IN ORDER TO MAKE THEM EASIER FOR THE CITY -- THEN WE TOOK EACH ONE OF THOSE PHASES AND APPLIED ADDITIONAL CRITERIA LOOKING AT THE COST OF THE PHASE.
KIND OF GIVING ADDITIONAL POINTS FOR LESS EXPENSIVE PROJECTS.
REALLY GIVING ADDITIONAL POINTS IF THERE'S NO RIGHT OF WAY REQUIRED OR RIGHT OF WAY ACQUISITION.
THERE'S NOT ANY ACQUISITION REQUIRED FOR ALL EXCEPT FOR ONE OF THESE PROJECTS. AND THEN WE CALCULATED THE UPDATE FOR THAT AND SEQUENCE OF THAT BASED ON' HIGHEST POINTS.
WHICH CAN TAKE A LOT OF TIME AND A LOT OF COST AS WELL.
SO REALLY GIVING POINTS FOR PROJECTS THAT ARE SMALL ENOUGH TO BE COVERED UNDER THE NATIONWIDE PERMIT WITH NO HOST INSTRUCTION NOTIFICATION. AND THEN TAKING POINTS ALL THE WAY UP TO THE POINT -- NWP STANDS FOR NATIONWIDE PERMIT WHICH IS THE ACTIVITIES THRESHOLD BELOW WHICH IT'S A GENERAL PERMIT. YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO INDIVIDUAL MITIGATIONS. WHEN YOU GET ABOVE THAT THRESHOLD, HAVE YOU TO DO INDIVIDUAL.
THAT'S USUALLY INCLUDING WORKING OUT MITIGATION WHICH COULD BE PURCHASED OF VARIOUS CREDITS FROM A MITIGATION BANK.
SO THAT'S THE -- WE TRIED TO FACTOR THAT IN AS WELL.
THAT CAN TAKE A LONG TIME THE WAY -- IN TERMS OF THE LIST OF PROJECTS THIS IS THE SEQUENCING OF THEM.
SO START OFF WITH THE NUMBER TWO PRIORITY PROJECT.
AS YOU CAN SEE WE SEQUENCED THE TOTAL POINTS AND JUMPED AROUND TO DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE CITY WHICH ALLOWS ALL OF THESE PROJECTS TO KIND OF PROCEED. WE'RE NOT PURELY WHERE WE HAVE TO WORK ON ONE PROJECT ALL THE WAY THROUGH BEFORE WE START ANOTHER. I THINK THAT WILL HELP ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS ACROSS THE CITY.
THAT'S THE REVENUE SIDE AND THEN OF COURSE THE EXPENSE SIDE IN ADDITION TO THE PERSONNEL IS IMPLEMENTING THE SEQUENCE OF THE CIP PROGRAM. WE HAVE ABOUT 3% INFLATION BECAUSE AS YOU EXTEND THE PROJECTS OUT THEY COST A LITTLE MORE. JUST THE COST OF MONEY INCREASES WHEN YOU GET OUT THERE. OUR MAIN APPROACH IS CASH AS YOU
[00:20:13]
GO. IT IS VERY DID YOU HAVE TO THINK THAT IT'S ACTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY THAT WE CAN PLAN ALL THE WAY UNTIL 2040 BECAUSE THINGS COME UP AND CHANGE BUT THIS IS A VERY GOOD TOOL FOR CITY STAFF TO UPDATE AND DRUSE TO MAINTAIN THAT GOING FORWARD. AND ROOK AT THE VARIOUS SCENARIOS. SO IT IS A LARGE SPREADSHEET THAT'S INTENDED TO BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.IN TERMS OF THE ROAD MAP TO COMPLETE THE NINE CIP PROJECTS OVER THE NEXT 25 YEARS, THIS IS KIND OF HOW THAT LOOKS IN TERMS OF USUALLY ONE OR TWO PHASES OF PROJECTS IN EACH YEAR ETCHES ON OUT TO 2044. IN THIS CHART THE BLUE IS THE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE EXPENSE WHICH IS YOUR -- THAT'S STILL THE MAJORITY OF THE STORM WATER FUND.
THE RED IS THE CASH FUNDED CAPITAL PROJECTS AS WE GO OUT.
AND THE PURPLE DASH IS THE TOTAL REVENUE.
IT DOES INCREASE FROM A LITTLE UNDER 3 MILLION TO 3.7 MILLION ABOUT A YEAR IN 20 30E BUT IT'S RE -- 2030.
BUT IT'S RELATIVELY SMALL INCREASES.
IN TERMS OF WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE TO FUND THAT PROGRAM WITH THE STORM WARNING UTILITY FEE THERE ARE SOME ADDITIONAL INCREASES THAT WOULD BE NEEDED TO START GETTING THE FUNDING TO BE ABLE TO START IMPLEMENTING THIS PROJECT CURRENTLY FOR THE TIER 3 WHICH IS THE MOST COMMON RESIDENTIAL MONTHLY BILL IN ABILENE, THE RATE IS $4.01. I GUESS THE PROPOSAL WE WOULD HAVE IS NOT THIS YEAR BUT NEXT YEAR TO START INCREASING THAT IN RELATIVELY SMALL AMOUNTS. 5% OR SO.
TO KIND OF BUILD UP TO $4.69 OVER THE FIVE YEARS.
IN ORDER TO START GETTING THE REVENUE TO HELP FUND THESE
PROJECTS. >> I MISSED THIS BUT WE'RE NOT CHANGING IT IN 2021 SO THIS SHOULD ACTUALLY HAVE THE SAME
>> YOU ARE CORRECT. >> DOES THAT JUST SHIFT
IT DOES. >> WHY DON'T YOU EXPLAIN THE TIERS. HOW THOSE ARE DETERMINED.
>> CURRENTLY THE STORM WATER UTILITY HAS SEVERAL TIERS FOR THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES BASED ON THEIR SIZE OF PROPERTY AND THEIR PERCENT. SO THERE'S SMALLER TIERS THAT HAVE A LOWER FEE AND THEN THERE'S A LARGER RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY THEY HAVE A LARGER FEE BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF -- AND THE AMOUNT OF RUNOFF THEY HAVE WHICH CON TRIBUTES TO THE SYSTEM.
KINDS OF WHERE ABILENE'S CURRENT STORM WATER UTILITY IS DINED OF RIGHT IN THE CENTER OF THAT GROUP.
IT'S A LITTLE TOUGH TO COMPARE STORM WATER UTILITY FEES BECAUSE SOME SETTINGS ARE FINANCING LARGE PROJECTS AND OTHERS ARE NOT FINANCING MANY PROJECTS. SO THERE'S A LOT OF RANGE OF ACTIVITIES THAT ARE FINANCED THROUGH THESE FEES.
[00:25:05]
KIND OF ZOOMING INTO Y'ALL'S SISTER CITIES, THIS IS A COMPARISON OF THE VARIOUS SISTER CITIES.CURRENTLY TWO OF YOUR SISTER CITIES DON'T HAVE STORM WATER UTILITY FEES. CARROLLTON YOU DOESN'T.
ALTHOUGH THEY ARE WORKING ON IMPLEMENTING THAT OVER THE NEXT YEAR OR SO. SO YOU CAN SEE MOST OF YOUR SISTER CITIES ARE KIND OF IN THAT $3.50 TO $6 RANGE.
THE $4.69 AFTER FIVE YEARS IS STILL PRETTY CLOSE TO DEFEND THAT RANGE. SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES THAT HAVE DEVELOPED AND REALLY THIS FUNDING SOURCE IS DEVELOPED AFTER WE DID A LOT OF THE MAJORITY OF THE MASTER PLAN IN 2017 AND 18. BUT LAST YEAR, THE STATE LEGISLATURE PASSED TWO BILLS, SENATE BILL 7 AND 8, THAT YE EDIT REDIRECT EXAMINATION A FLOOD INFRASTRUCTURE FUND AND ALSO STARTED THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPMENT OF A STATEWIDE FLOOD PLAIN. IT WAS ASSIGNED TO THE TEXAS -- TO DEVELOP THAT PLAN KIND IN THE SAME MANNER THIS THEY CURRENTLY DO THE TEXAS STATE WATER PLAN. SO $48 BILLION WERE SET ASIDE TO START UP THIS FLOOD INFRASTRUCK WHICH YOU ARE FUND AND THE DEVELOPMENT BOARD HAS STARTED THE PROCESS TO PREPARE THE REGIONAL PLAN IS GOING TO DO IT IN 15 DIFFERENT REGIONS ACROSS THE STATE. ONCE THE ELECT WHICH YOU ARE ADOPTS THAT PLAN, ONLY PROJECTS THAT ARE INCLUDED IN THAT PLAN WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING. THEY DIDN'T WANT TO WAIT UNTIL 2024 TO BE ABLE TO START HELPING TEXANS MITIGATE FLOODING.
SO THEY HAVE STARTED A PROCESS WHERE THEY REQUESTED APPLICATIONS BACK IN JUNE. AND THEY CAME OUT WITH A RANKING SYSTEM FOR VARIOUS PROJECTS THAT ASSIGNED DIFFERENT PERCENTAGES OF WHAT THEY CALL PERCENT GRANTS.
SO IF A PROJECT IS INCLUDED IN THE FLOOD -- ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING, IT'S ELIGIBLE FOR 100% FUNDING AT A 0% INTEREST LOAN.
FROM THE WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND THE ONLY QUESTION IS WHAT PERCENT GRANT WOULD THAT BE WHICH IS REALLY KIND OF THE PRINCIPLE OF FORGIVENESS. IF YOU WERE TO TAKE OUT A MILLION DOLLARS LOAN WITH 20% GRANT THEN YOUR PRINCIPLE WOULD BE $800,000.
[00:30:45]
LONG WINDED BUT IT'S AN IMPORTANT PROGRAM THAT WAS REALLY JUST CAME ON LINE THIS SPRING AND IT REALLY HAS A GREATPOTENTIAL TO BENEFIT ABILENE. >> ON THE CHARTS THAT YOU GAVE US, THE ROAD MAPS AND EFFING LIKE THAT, THE $4.01, $4.69, THAT'S BASED ON THE 24.7 MILLION?
>> YES. THAT'S BASED ON THE 24.7.
>> SO BEFORE WE GET MUCH FURTHER THAN THAT, CAN WE GET NUMBERS THAT IF WE GOT IT DOWN TO 14.1 MILLION, I MEAN, WOULD THAT
DECREASE THOSE AMOUNTS? >> THAT'S KIND OF THE BOOK ENDS OF WHAT THE NINE PROJECTS WOULD COST.
I WOULD SAY THAT IF YOU'RE ABLE TO GET FLOOD INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING FOR SOME OF THE PROJECTS, FOR SOME OF THEM THAT ARE SMALLER YOU MAY STILL WANT TO DO THIS PAY AS YOU GO BECAUSE IT'S MORE MANAGEABLE BUT FOR THE LARGER PROJECTS, THAT MAY NECESSITATE PROBABLY THE DESIGN PHASE A LITTLE BIT EARLIER SO THAT YOU'VE GOT GOOD INFORMATION TO PUT INTO THE STATE FLOOD PLAN AND GET THAT PROPROP JACKED LINED UP.
>> AND I MAY NOT BE UNDERSTANDING BUT IF WE CAN BRING THE COST DOWN BY 10 MILLION I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE WE FIGURE OUT A WAY TO TRANSLATE THAT TO NOT RAISING THE RATE AS MUCH. IF POSSIBLE.
IN SUMMARY, WE'VE DEVELOPED THE LONG TERM MASTER PLAN TO ADDRESS LOCAL FLOODING IN ABILENE. Y'ALL ARE VERY WELL POSITIONED TO HAVE A CURRENT MASTER DRAINAGE PLAN THAT YOU CAN USE AS A SOURCE TO PUT PROJECTS FORWARD FOR THE FLOOD INFRASTRAYER WHICH YOU ARE FUND AND REALLY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT FUNDING THAT THE STATE HAS MADE AVAILABLE. IT IS FLEXIBLE IN TERMS OF HOW MUCH OF THAT FUND YOU COULD GET TO DO THESE PROJECTS AND WHAT THAT MEANS IN TERMS OF VARIOUS FEE INCREASES THAT ARE NEEDED IN FUTURE YEARS. THERE'S ALSO OTHER GRANT FUNDING SOURCES LIKE MITIGATION GRANT FUND AND OTHER THINGS THAT COULD ALSO BE USED TO HELP FUND SOME OF THESE PROJECTS.
SO THERE'S ALSO POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT COULD ALSO BE USED AS WELL. SO THE KEY IS TO HAVE A PLAN SO THAT YOU CAN HAVE A STRATEGY MOVING FORWARD AND THEN BY ALL MEANS TAKE THE BEST ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES AS THEY PRESENT THEMSELVES TO YOU AS YOU IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM.
WITH THAT I'LL TURN IT BACK TO THE DIRECTOR AND HE CAN TAKE
QUESTIONS. >> IF YOU CAN ADD ADVANTAGES ONE MORE SLIDE THERE'S A PICTURE OF THE AREA.
[00:37:23]
>> SOMEBODY THAT WORKS WITH THE WEATHER SERVICE FOR OVER 25 YEARS THAT'S A QUARTER CENTURY FOR YOU PEOPLE IN TV LAND WE'RE USUALLY IN A DROUGHT. SO WHEN YOU SEE THIS ON YOUR BILL AND YOU SEE STORM WATER CHARGE, YOU THINK, OKAY, I WONDER WHO IS IN CITY HALL ALL DAY THINKING HOW CAN WE GET MORE MONEY OUT OF THESE PEOPLE INSTEAD OF GETTING IT OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND. I'VE TOLD THEM SEVERAL YEARS AGO WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE STREET MAINTENANCE, I SAID WE NEED TO MOVE THIS BACK TO THE GENERAL FUND.
THERE'S NO REASON -- SOCIAL SECURITY LIKE A LITTLE KID THAT GETS AN ALLOWANCE AND THEY BLOW IT ALL AND THEY SAY HOW CAN I GET MONEY. YOU GO BACK 30 YEARS, THAT'S THE MONTH THAT SADDAM ENVIEDED KUWAIT.
-- INVADED KUWAIT. THE SHORT TERM AND THESE FLOODING EVENTS WHAT WE'VE HAD WHEN I WORKED WITH THE WEATHER SERVICE IS USUALLY EXCEPT FOR ABOUT TWO OR THREE TIMES WE'VE HAD A TROPICAL SYSTEM COME IN LIKE IN 2007, IT WAS SUN SHINING EVERYTHING. THEY'RE PUTTING SANDBAGS IN THE PARKING LOT IN WESTWOOD THEATER. A LOT OF PEOPLE STILL DON'T HAVE JOBS AND WE DON'T KNOW HOW COVID IS GOING TO TURN OUT BUT I'M ALL FOR DIVERTING FLOOD WATERS. I JUST HATE IT WHEN YOU CHARGE ME $3.33 BECAUSE IT SUPPOSEDLY RUNS DOWN THE CREEK TWO BLOCKS AND THEN YOU CHARGE ME $3.05 TO PUMP IT BACK WHEN YOU CLEAN IT
UP. >> STILL IN PUBLIC HEARING.
ANYONE WANT TO SPEAK FOR OR KESTINE ITEM? SEEING IN ONE, I'LL CLOSE -- SEEING NO ONE I'LL CLOSE THE
[00:40:01]
HEARING. DOES COUNCIL HAVE QUESTIONS OVER THIS AGENDA ITEM. I'LL ACCEPT A MOTION AND SECOND.[14. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on the Award of Bid No. CB-2067 - Sale of Land (60.66 Acres) (Travis McClure)]
ITEM NUMBER 14. I'LL CAR LENGTH TRAVIS MCCHLOR, LAND AGENT, TO PRESENT THIS ITEM.>> GOOD MORNING. THIS ITEM IS FOR THE SALE OF -- SALE OF LAND 60.66 ACRES THAT WE REFER TO AS LAKE TRAP NUMBER THREE. THIS IS AN OUTLINE OF WHERE THAT TRACT IS LOCATED. IT'S OUT OF A LARGER TRACT THAT'S OUTLINED IN GREEN ON YOUR SCREEN.
THIS IS ACROSS THE CLEAR FORK OF THE RIVER FROM OUR CLEAR FORK PUMP STATION THAT THE WATER DEPARTMENT MAINTAINS.
STAFF RECOMMENDS THAT WE AWARD THE BID TO THE HIGH BIDDER, MR. MEARS, FOR THAT AMOUNT, PLUS REIMBURSEMENT TO THE CITY FOR THE COST OF THE ADVERTISING FOR A TOTAL PURCHASE PRICE OF 184,000, $148.80. WITH THAT I'LL BE HAPPY TO
ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. >> QUESTIONS BEFORE THE PUBLIC
>> AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING.
IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
SEEING NO ONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
DOES COUNCIL HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.
IF NOT I ACCEPT A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> SO MOVED. >> MOTION AND A SECOND.
[15. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Provide Direction on Adopting a Resolution in Support of Local Businesses and Local Control of COVID-19 Response to the Governor of Texas (Robert Hanna)]
>>> ITEM 15. I'LL ASK ROBERT HANNAH TO PRESENT THIS ITEM.
>> ALL OF US READ PHONE CALLS ANTICIPATE EMAILS CONCERNING COVID-19 AND THE GOVERNOR'S ORDERS AND OUR RESPONSE HERE.
[00:45:04]
WE STOOD UP ON JULY 1ST AND PUT FORTH WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS AN APPROPRIATE RESPONSE TO COVID-19 WHERE WE STRONGLY RECOMMENDED MASKS BE WORN. WE WORKED OVER THE LAST PREVIOUS THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS GOING TO - IMPLEMENT SOME THINGS ALSO AND WE THOUGHT THAT WAS IDEAL WITH REGARDS TO BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS COVID-19 IN OUR COMMUNITY.BUT WE WANT TO ALLOW EACH COUNCIL PERSON AN OPPORTUNITY TO
WEIGH IN. >> I HAVE SOME COMMENTS.
>> I'VE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT ACTIONS THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN TAKING. SOME THINGS THAT HE'S DONE PER THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF TEXAS IS OUTSIDE OF HIS PURVIEW AND THE LEGISLATURE ALONE HAS THE RIGHT TO SUSPEND THEIR OWN LEGISLATURE. THAT COURTS CAN'T DO THAT.
THEY CAN FIND THEM UNCONSTITUTIONAL BUT THEY CAN'T SUSPEND THEM AND THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH CANNOT SUSPEND LAWS AND THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN DOING THAT.
I STRONGLY SUPPORT US MOVING FORWARD WITH THE RESOLUTION THAT CALLS HIM OUT ON THAT. ASKS HIM TO STOP DOING THE ACTIONS THAT ARE OUTSIDE OF WHAT HE SHOULD BE DOING TO ASK HIM TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION. AND TO ACT WITHIN THE CONSTRUCT OF WHAT THE CONSTITUTION HAS SET UP SO THAT WE HAVE OUR REPRESENTATIVES PARTICIPATING. THAT IS THEIR ROLE.
THAT'S WHAT THE REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATORS SHOULD BE DOING, CRAFT THESE EXCEPTIONS THAT COME TOGETHER IN A GROUP AND THEN LET THE GOVERNOR THEN SIGN THAT IF HE AGREES WITH IT.
I SUPPORT THAT AND I THINK WE ALSO IN THAT RESOLUTION NEED TO CALL ON THE LEGISLATURE IN THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO ADDRESS THE LANGUAGE THAT'S IN THAT DISASTER LAWS TO MORE CLEARLY STATE THAT HE HAS A VERY LIMITED WINDOW TO ACT IN AN EMERGENCY. COUNTY JUDGES AND MAYORS HAVE SEVEN DAYS AFTER WHICH THEY HAVE TO GET TO THE COMMISSIONER COURT TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO RATIFY AND EXTEND THAT DISASTER DECLARATION AND THERE'S NO REASON WHY THE LEGISLATURE CAN'T GET TOGETHER WITHIN SEVEN DAYS AS WELL AND I THINK HE SHOULD BE DEALING WITH THE SAME KIND OF LIMITATIONS THAT COUNTY JUDGES AND MAYORS DEAL WITH BECAUSE WE SHOULD NOT HAVE ONE PERSON RULING. WE SHOULD HAVE A GOVERNOR WHO IS EXERCISING THE AUTHORITY THAT'S WITHIN THE LIMIT.
THAT ARE SET ON THAT ROLE. >> I FEEL WHAT HE'S DOING IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND PICKING AND CHOOSING BUSINESSES.
BUSINESSES THAT ARE LEGAL AND WANT TO OPEN SHOULD BE DOING BUSINESS. IT'S GOTTEN PERSONALING.
I BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE THE AUTHORITY HERE LOCALLY TO BE ABLE TO CHOOSE AND DO THAT. INTERNSHIPING HE'S WAY OUT OF HIS BOUNDS. IT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
I STILL THINK IT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND I THINK THAT WE SHOULD HAVE THE LEEWAY TO GOVERN OUR OWN PEOPLE.
>> I THINK WE CAN PUT THE CALL OUT.
SEND TOUT BAT SIGNAL. YOU MAY FIND THAT IT HAS NOT
>> AND FRANKLY, IN MY PROFESSIONAL OPINION SOME OF THIS IS CATHARTIC. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S GOING TO HAVE MUCH OF AN IMPACT ON THE GOVERNOR.
BUT THIS IS HOW A SYSTEM WORKS AND NOTHING CHANGES IF YOU DON'T EXPRESS YOUR CONCERNS. SO IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S
[00:50:03]
IMPORTANT TO THIS DOWN ILL IS AND COMMUNITY I WOULD ENCOURAGEUS TO PURSUE THIS. >>> WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GETTING A STEAK AN A BEER AND JUST GETTING A BEER AND SOME CHIPS OR SOMETHING. WELL BECAUSE YOU'RE AT A RESTAURANT AND YOU CAN GET A STEAK AND A BEER AND IT'S OKAY.
BUT YOU GO TO JUST A BAR, OH, THAT'S EVIL.
OH, WE CAN'T HAVE THAT. I KNOW TWO BAR OWNERS PERSONALLY AND I'M SURE THEY'RE PAYING THEIR STREET MAINTENANCE FEE AND THEIR DOORS ARE LOCKED AND HAVE BEEN LOCKED FOR TWO MONTHS NOW AND THEY SAY THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO.
YOU CAPTAIN JUST KEEP PAYING YOUR UTILITIES ON A BUILDING THAT YOU'RE NOT GETTING ANY INCOME FROM.
AND EVERYBODY SAYS OH BARS ARE CITY PLACES.
THEY WERE DOING JUST LIKE THE LOCAL ORDER SAID.
YOU KNOW. SO MUCH PERCENTAGE AND SPACING AND EVERYTHING AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE IT WAS OPEN ENDED AND COUNCILMEMBER PRICE JUST SAID YOU GOT TO HAVE A LIMIT.
YOU CAN'T JUST SAY OPEN ENDED ON AN ORDER.
YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE SOME LIMIT WHERE YOU HAVE TO GO BACK AND RENEW IT. I APPRECIATE YOU DOING THIS FOR ALL THE MOM AND POP BUSINESS HERE THAT ARE SUFFERING BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19 AND BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT TELLS THEM OH YOU'RE NOT IMPORTANT. STAY CLOSED.
>> I'M TIM SMITH. FIRST I WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR BRINGING THIS BEFORE THE PULIC AND I SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION. REITERATE WHAT COUNCILMEMBER
[00:55:01]
PRICE AND -- SAID. I'M ALL FOR A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE GOVERNOR.WHAT HE'S DONE HERE IS TIED OUR HANDS.
YOU KNOW. BY NATURE, PEOPLE ARE MADE TOGETHER. IT IS AS DETRIMENTAL TO KEEP PEOPLE ALONE AND TELL THEM TO STAY HOME AND DO NOTHING AS WHAT IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW. OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES ARE HURTING. SOMEBODY SAID, TIM, IT'S JUST THE BARS. NO, IT'S NOT.
I'LL GIVE YOU A PERM EXAMPLE. WE PUT THAT PROJECTOR SCREEN UP WHERE THE BREWING COMPANY WAS TRYING TO OPERATE.
I HAVE 22 LOCAL BUSINESSES READY TO ADVERTISE WITH US.
BUT GUESS WHAT THAT ADVERTISING DEPENDS ON, PEOPLE BEING THERE TO SEE THE ADVERTISEMENT. THERE'S A TRICKLE DOWN EFFECT TO ALL OF THIS. I'M ALL FOR LOCAL CONTROL.
WE KNOW OUR COUNTY AND OUR CITY BEST.
I DON'T THINK THE GOVERNOR KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT US OR OUR DEMOGRAPHIC. NOR DOES HE CARE.
OBVIOUSLY. I THINK ASKING IS TOO LITTLE.
I THINK WE INSIST ON GOVERNNG OURSELVES.
UNCONSTITUTIONAL. IT IS VERY UN-CONSTITUTIONAL.
WE CAN'T KEEP GOING LIKE THIS AND INDEFINITELY.
YOU KNOW. AND LIKE MY WIFE SAID, I'M NOT GOING -- SHE KNOWS ME WELL ENOUGH.
I'M STUBBORN ENOUGH, IF SOMETHING DOESN'T MAKE SENSE I'M NOT GOING TO AGREE. I'M THE ONLY PERSON HERE NOT WEARING A MASK. I'M FINE WITH THAT.
EVERYBODY KNOWS THE DANGERS OF COVID-19.
WE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO MAKE OUR OWN DECISIONS.
WHAT A RELIEF IT WOULD BE IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO PROTECT ME FROM EVERYTHING. WOULDN'T THAT BE NICE? . SO I SUPPORT YOU GUYS.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR PROJECTS.
OUR BUSINESSES NEED TO GET OPEN. WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO OPEN THAT BREWERY. EVERYTHING I'VE DONE FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS IS THREATENED. BY ONE MAN RIGHT NOW.
>> THANK YOU. >> WE'RE STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE ELSE WANT TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM?
>> OKAY. VERY GOOD. >> COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL BEFORE A TAKE A MOTION AND SECOND?
>> IT DOESN'T SAY TAKE ACTION ON THE AGENDA.
I THINK IT WAS JUST PROVIDING DIRECTION.
>> WE DON'T NEED FORMAL -- I DON'T NEED A VOTE ON THIS ITEM.
[01:00:21]
>> BUT IF WE WERE TO PASS A RESOLUTION TODAY, I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GOOD STEP. I THINK IN MY OPINION THAT WOULD BE A GOOD INDICATION TO THE PUBLIC AND TO MAYBE THE STATE OFFICIALS THAT ARE WATCHING WHO ARE SERIOUS ABOUT THIS.
I DON'T HAVE A RESOLUTION FOR Y'ALL'S CONSIDERATION TODAY.
INTENTIONALLY DIDN'T CRAFT ONE BECAUSE IT'S A POLICY ISSUE.
WE'VE NEVER TALKED ABOUT THIS FORMALLY.
I DIDN'T WANT TO PRESUME TO SAY THIS IS WHAT -- THIS IS A
COMPLETELY NEW POLICY. >> ONE THING WE CAN SAY IS THAT THIS COUNCIL IS GOING TO PUT FORTH AN OPPORTUNITY TO ARTICULATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONTROL.
AND WE WANT TO ANSWER TO THOSE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR THAT ARE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. WE CAN DO THAT AND THAT'S WHAT
WE'RE DOING. >> ARE THERE ANY THAT DIDN'T SPEAK THAT HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING?
[16. Ordinance (Final Reading) CUP-2020-04: Receive a Report and Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing on a request from AT&T, agent David Draper, for Conditional Use Permit to allow construction of a 75’ tall monopole within General Retail (GR) zoning district located at 3309 N. 10th Street, Abilene, Taylor County, Texas (Mike Warrix)]
>> WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER 16.
WE HAVE A CONSENT REQUEST. THIS IS FOR AT&T FOR A CELL TOWER PLACEMENT. THE AGENT IS DAVID DRAPER.
THIS IS A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW A 757-FOOT TALL POLE AND CONSTRUCTION, COMMERCIAL ANTENNA TOWER MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS A CELL TOWER. LOCATION IS 3309 NORTH 10TH STREET. NOTIFICATION THAT WE HAD SENT OUT RESULTED IN GO IN FAVOR AND ZERO IN OPPOSITION.
PLANNING COMMISSION DID HEAR THIS CASE BACK ON JULY 7TH AND THEY ARE FORWARDING A RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL TO COUNCIL. TO THE SLIDES, HERE'S A GENERAL LOCATION MAP SHOWING THE SUBJECT PROPERTY IN THE HATCHED PATTERN.
AS YOU CAN TELL FROM THE PHOTOGRAPH, THIS IS A VACANT PIECE OF PROPERTY. IT'S A LITTLE OVER TWO ACRES.
ZONING MAP SHOWING THE ZONING OF THAT AREA.
PROPERTY IS ZONED GENERAL RETAIL.
AND CELL TOWERS, ANTENNA TOWERS ARE PERMITTED USES IN THE GENERAL RETAIL WITH THE ISSUE. THAT'S WHY WE'RE BEFORE YOU TODAY WITH THIS REQUEST. THIS IS THE SITE PLAN THAT WAS SUBMITTED. IT WAS KIEBD KIND OF HARD TO READ. YOU CAN SEE THE SOUTHEAST PART OF THE TRACT IS THE PROPOSED LOCATION FOR THIS CELL TOWER.
[01:05:55]
>> THERE'S HAD NO REASON WHY WE CAN'T GET A BETTER CLASS CELL ACTUALLY WOULD BE WIRELESS SYSTEM BECAUSE CELLULAR FREQUENCY IS ONLY ONE. BUT IN 79603 WHAT THEY'RE SAYING IS, OH, WELL, WE'RE JUST GOING TO MAKE DO.
YOU GO WEST ON TENTH YOU'RE GOING TO GET GOOD COVERAGE.
I EMAILED THE GUY THAT REPRESENTS THIS AND SUGGESTED WHY DIDN'T YOU DO THAT. IT'S OVER ON NORTH TENTH.
AND WE JUST DON'T HAVE HARDLY ANY COVERAGE DOWNTOWN IN THE AT&T WIRELESS SYSTEM. IT STARTED IN 2018 AND I CALLED IN JANUARY 19TH AND THEY SAID THE TWO LOCATIONS NEAREST YOUR LOCATION, TWO CELL SITES, DO NOT HAVE DATA SERVERS OR HAVE ANY ISSUES. I SUGGESTED IN THE EMAIL THAT THIS REPRESENTED WHAT ABOUT GO ON A TALLER STRUCTURE AND OF COURSE HE TOLD ME IT'S TOO TALL. BUT I BET WE CAN TAKE ONE OF THE THREE WATT POLICE OR FIRE RADIOS ON 8 HUNDRED MEGAHERTZ ON A DIRECT FREQUENCY AND I BET WE CAN PUT SOMEBODY ON TOP OF THAT 286 FOOT BANK TOWER. THAT'S A MOTION.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? WE'RE READY TO VOTE.) ROLL CALL]
[17. Ordinance (Final Reading): Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Approving the 2019-2020 Revised Budget (Mike Rains)]
>> THE ITEM YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU IS APPROVAL OF OUR FISCAL YEAR 2019/2020 REVISED BUDGET. COUNCIL APPROVED ON FIRST READING AT THE BUDGET WORKSHOP ON JULY 21ST, THE BUDGET FOR THE GENERAL FUND. SINCE THAT TIME, WE'VE RUN ACROSS TWO ITEMS WE WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE THAT.
ONE IS DCOA HAS AGREED TO FUND ADDITIONAL $75,000 FOR MARKETING FOR THE AIRPORT. WHAT THAT WILL DO IS INCREASE OUR REVENUES BY 75,000.
[01:15:56]
SO HOW DO YOU RAISE THE RATE TO FUND THIS BUDGET WHEN IN THE[01:16:01]
PAST TWO YEARS -- WHEN IN THE PAST YEAR YOU'VE HAD EXTRA, EXTRA GENERAL REVENUE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT.YOU DIDN'T EVEN SPEND ALL THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS LAST YEAR.
SO THAT'S THE OTHER THING. AND THEN ON TOP OF THAT I READ THE PAPER. YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT SELLING THE BUILDING, EVEN CONSIDERING SELLING THE BUILDING I'M REPRESENTING THE SEARS PARK REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE.
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE MEMBERSHIP.
MYSELF -- THESE ARE MEMBERS OF THE REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE.
SEARS HAS A SEARS NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN THAT THIS COMMITTEE PUT TOGETHER WITH THE HELP OF THE CITY, WITH THE HELP OF THE CITIZENS OF THE AREA. IN THAT PLAN, WE SET OUT SOME THINGS THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE FOR THE PARK.
WE VOW SO MANY THINGS THAT IF WE DON'T BUY MORE LAND WE WON'T BE ABLE TO MEET THE FUTURE NEEDS OF OUR COMMITTEE.
WE'RE LAND LOCKED. BEAUTIFUL PLACE AND NICE PLAYGROUND FOR OUR CHILDREN. ON THE EAST SIDE WE HAVE A BASEBALL COMPLEX. WE HAVE ADDED A FARM LEAGUE TO OUR LITTLE LEAGUE INTO OUR SENIOR LEAGUE.
WE'VE ADDED A SPLASH PAD IF YOU DRIVE BY AMBER, MY GOSH, I MEAN, IT IS TOTALLY CONSUMED WITH PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING RECREATION. THEIR CHILDREN.
THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST THINGS THAT WE DID OVER AT SEARS PARK BUT THE POINT THAT I'M TRYING TO MAKE THAT ALL THIS HAS BEEN DONE AND CHAIN HAS BEEN ON -- SHANE HAS BEEN ON THE BOARD FOR A LONG TIME AS WELL AS ANTHONY. YOU GUYS HAVE WORKED WITH US TO GET THIS DONE AND WE APPRECIATE THAT SO MUCH.
[01:20:18]
WE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH OUR WALK TRACK.
WE NEED TO GET IT REPLACED. WE WOULD HOPE THAT THE BUDGET THIS YEAR WOULD -- THAT YOU WOULD CONSIDER PUTTING IT IN BUT IF WE CAN'T WE KNOW THAT WE CAN WORK FOR THE CITY TO GET IT DONE. AND IF IT MEANS THAT WE HAVE TO BAIT UNTIL THE NEXT CYCLE THEN WE'LL WAIT BUT IT'S IN DESPERATE NEED OF REPAIR BUT I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR ALL YOUR PARTICIPATION AND HELP. PROBABLY ONE OF THE BEST LOOKING PARKS IN TOWN. THANK YOU.
. >> WE ARE HERE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT STEVENSON AND I'VE HEARD WE'VE SPOKEN WITH -- WE'VE TAKEN HIS GUIDANCE ON QUITE A FEW THINGS.
AS FAR AS THE PARK IS CONCERNED, THE COMMUNITY DOWN THERE IS DESPERATE FOR CHANGE. AND WHEN I SAY DESPERATE FOR CHANGE, DESPERATE FOR LEADERSHIP FOR THIS COUNCIL.
SO FAR WHEN WE'VE -- >> I DIDN'T GROW UP IN THIS COMMUNITY. I GREW UP IN NORTH MIAMI.
WHAT I SAW THERE AS FAR AS COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP FROM INDIVIDUALS IN THE AREA, IF CHANGE CAN HAPPEN THERE, CHANGE CAN HAPPEN HERE. AND THE HOPE THAT WE HAVE BROUGHT TO THE COMMUNITY DOWN THERE RIGHT NOW IS A BEAUTIFUL THING AND SO WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO IS WE WOULD LIKE TO KEEP PROGRESSING. THANK YOU.
>> STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING. >> GOOD MORNING.
I'M HERE THIS MORNING TO ACTUALLY SPEAK ON BEHALF OF STEVENSON PARK AS WELL. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE WORKED TOWARDS THUS FAR.
DID REACH OUT TO BILLY AND HE WAS -- GAVE US SO MUCH GUIDANCE -- WE'RE JUST TRYING TO HAVE SOMETHING SIMILAR IN THAT AREA.
GIVING PEOPLE HOPE. GIVING PEOPLE CHANGE FOR SOMETHING THAT HAS FOR SO LONG HAS JUST BEEN NEGLECTED SO I WAS
[01:25:04]
A LITTLE CONFUSED WHEN -- SAID ABOUT TAKING THE PARKS OVER OR LETTING THEM DEAL WIT SO I JUST WANTED SOME CLARIFICATION ONTHAT. >> THE CITY CHARTER REQUIRES THE PARKS BOARD TO HAVE THEIR CONTROL.
PARKS BOARD HAS JURISDICTION AND CONTROL OVER PUBLIC LANDS AND PROPERTIEDS. WE'RE SAYING PER THE CHARTER WE NEED TO ALLOW THE PARKS BOARD TO FULFILL THEIR ROLE WITHIN THE CHARTER AND TAKE THAT FUNDING AND APPLY IT WITH THE ADDITIONAL
OKAY. GREAT. THAT'S ALL I WANTED.
IT WAS JUST CLARITY. IF COMMUNITY IS COMING TOGETHER AND COMING OUT AND TAKING THE INITIATIVE TO COME OUT AND NOT JUST MAKE AN IMPACT FROM -- TO JUST SEE PRIDE WITHIN THEMSELVES. BE ABLE TO GO OUT TO THE PARK AND SEE SOMETHING THAT'S SPECIFICALLY PUT OUT THERE FOR THEM. WE THANK YOU FOR THAT.
IN YOUR EMAIL. HOPEFULLY YOU GUYS CAN SEE THIS.
SO THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS WE'RE REQUESTING.
EN OBVIOUSLY THAT'S GOING TO BE VIA THE PARKS AND REC PER THE ORDINANCE THAT YOU PRESENTED. QUESTION REQUIRE ABOUT 500 TO
[01:30:03]
$600,000. YOU WOULD VILLI TO TOTALLY REPLACE THE PLAYGROUND BECAUSE IT'S NOT EASILY ACCESSIBLE.ANOTHER THING IS THE BASKETBALL COURT.
THAT IS PROBABLY THE MOST UTILIZED PORTION OF THE PARK.
IT IS ONLY A HALF COURT. AND FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT PLAY THERE DAILY, THEY HAVE GOTTEN ROCKS AND HAVE DRAWN THEIR OWN LINES ON THE COURT AND WE'VE ACTUALLY SPOKEN WITH THEM AND THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE TENNIS COURT REPLACED WITH A FULL COURT BASKETBALL COURT. THAT WOULD BE ABOUT $76,000 ACCORDING TO OUR RESEARCH. WATER FOUND DANE TANS THOSE ARE NOT ADA ACCEPTABLE. AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND AND IT WAS ABLE TO TRACK THE LOCATIONS. 13 OF THOSE AROUND THE PARK WOULD BE ABOUT $100,000. IF YOU GUYS WOULD CONSIDER A LOTTING AT LEAST $700,000 TO SEARS PARK OR TO THE PARKS AND REC. WE NEED WAY MORE THAN THAT BECAUSE THAT'S NOT BEEN A PRIORITY OVER THE LAST 20 TO 25 YEARS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME UP HERE AND SPEAK.
I'M GLAD TO SEE THE PEOPLE AT STEVENSON PARK.
IT WARMS MY HEART TO SEE THEM. >> $106,992,870.
[18. Ordinance (Final Reading): Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Approving and Adopting the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 (Mike Rains)]
[01:39:59]
SINCE THAT TIME WE'VE GOTTEN OUR CERTIFIED VALUES IN FROM THE[01:40:03]
APPRAISING DISTRICT WHICH ALLOWED US TO LOWER THE DEBT SERVICE TAX RATE SLIGHTLY AND WE'VE ALSO LEARNED THAT DCOA IS GOING TO ALSO FUND IN FISCAL YEAR 21 AN INITIAL AMOUNT FOR AIRPORT MARKETING. SO WE HAVE THOSE TWO ITEMS AND THERE'S ALSO TWO VOTES REQUIRED TO PASS THE BUDGET.DEBT SERVICE FUND CHANGED SLIGHTLY WITH THE TAX RATE CHANGE. IT WENT DOWN MAINLY DUE TO GROUNDING AND THE WAY THE VALUES ARE ALLOCATED.
SELF-INSURANCE FUND AGAIN INCREASED REVENUE SLIGHTLY.
HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. >> QUESTION.
PUBLIC HEARING. THANK YOU, MIC.
-- THANK YOU, MIKE. AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM.
DOES THAT INCLUDE THE EXTRA RENOVATIONS REQUESTING AT THE PARKS OR IS THAT JUST THE 432 THAT WAS -- ARE YOU BASICALLY JUST GOING TO DIVIDE THAT UP AMONGST THE PARKS?
>> THE PARKS BOARD WILL DETERMINE HOW THAT MONEY IS
SO CAN WE GET EXTRA FUNDS ALLOTTED? I DON'T THINK $432,000 IS GOING TO BE ENOUGH FOR THE AMOUNT OF PARKS THAT WE HAVE CONSIDERING THE DETERIORATION FOUND AT EVERY SINGLE PARK.
IT WAS OBVIOUS THOSE PARKS HAVE FALLEN APART AND WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS BREAKING BONES OUT THERE SO I THINK ANY LITTLE MONEYS THAT YOU CAN A LOT THAT WILL ALLOW PARKS AND REC TO BRING OUR PARKS TO AT LEAST MAKE THEM USABLE AND SAFE FOR OUR CITIZENS WOULD BE WISE AND IF THAT CAN'T BE PLACED -- I'M GOING TO ASK THAT YOU GUYS PLACE IT INTO THE 2021 BUDGET WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE WILL BE IN REVENUES SO THERE MAY BE SOME
[01:45:01]
TIME IN THE FUTURE LIKE SOME OF THE OTHER SPEAKERS SAID THAT YOU MAY HAVE TO DIP INTO YOUR EXCESS.I REMEMBER NOT SO MANY YEARS AGO DURING THE HOUSING CRISIS AND STUFF I BELIEVE IS WHAT THEY CALLED IT THAT THE -- THERE WAS FURLOUGHS FOR EACH CITY EMPLOYEE IT WAS PRETTY MUCH MANDATED.
DIDN'T MATTER IF YOU WERE POLICE, FIRE, WORKED AT IF LIBRARY, WHATEVER. YOU GAVE BACK THE CITY FIVE DAY'S SALARY. IT WAS I BELIEVE IN 2008 I COULD BE WRONG BUT IT WAS -- I HOPE WE DON'T SEE THAT ON THE HORIZON.
BUT IF I UNDERSTAND YOU CORRECTLY, WHAT HE SAID IS THAT IT WAS NOT GOING TO BE ANY CHANGE IN THE BUDGET.
IF HE SAID IT FAST AND I SAID IT WRONG, UNDERSTOOD IT WRONG, I'M SORRY. BUT I JUS WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT BEFORE WE GET A VOTE ON IT THAT WHAT THE EXACT AMOUNT IS ON THE 20 AND 21 BUDGET. IT GOES IN THERE AUTOMATICALLY.
I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT LAST YEAR WHENEVER WE WENT BACK AND WATCHED THE VIDEO, IT'S ACTUALLY A POLICY NOW THAT IT ACTUALLY AUTOMATICALLY GOES IN THERE. THAT EXCESS THAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. NEXT YEAR WHEN YOU'RE DOING THE BUDGET, CALL THESE PEOPLE FIRST. WITH THAT HOTEL WHICH HAS BEEN PUT OFF NOW UNTIL ANOTHER FEW MORE MONTHS, 2.4 MILLION OF THAT IN THIS BUDGET AND THIS TAX RATE IS GOING TO GO TOWARDS IT.
THEY'RE ASKING FOR -- THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THAT PICTURE. GILT INVOLVED IN MORE THAN JUST THE PARKS. COME BACK NEXT YEAR AND GET IN EARLY. FIND OUT IN JANUARY WHEN ARE THE DISCUSSIONS ON THE BUDGET GOING TO HAPPEN AND HOW IS THIS MONEY GOING TO BE ALLOCATED AND EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE BEGGING FOR JUST AN WHAT FEW HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ARE THERE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS GOING SOMEWHERE ELSE THAT COULD BETTER SERVE IN YOUR
COMMUNITY. >> ANYONE ELSE WANT TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM. BEFORE I MENTION THIS, THE MOST SIGNIFICANT WORKSHOP OF THE YEAR I BELIEVE IS IN JANUARY OR EARLY FEBRUARY. THAT MEETING SETS THE TABLE.
THAT MEETING IS A CONVERSATION WITH COUNCIL AND STAFF AND IT'S DIRECTION FOR THE BUDGET THAT WILL OCCUR IN JULY.
AND SO I THINK THIS COUNCIL HAS HEARD ABOUT OUR PARKS AND REC BEING A PRIORITY. YOU CAN SEE A RESPONSE TO THAT IN THE WORKSHOP THAT WILL TAKE PLACE IN LATE JANUARY, EARLY FEBRUARY. STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ANYONE ELSE WANT TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM?
>> YOU MAY. I'M A LITTLE CONFUSEDED.
ON JULY 21ST I BELIEVE IS THE DATE THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING TOOK PLACE REGARDING THE APPROVAL OF $432,000.
[01:50:05]
WE'VE INTRODUCED>> A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT THINGS. I THINK THE -- TO THE RECREATION BOARD HAD A CHANCE TO WEIGH IN. NOW WE HAVE A PARKS AND MASTER PLAN. I THINK YOU CAN MAKE THIS AS A COMMITMENT THAT THIS WILL BE A SUBJECT MATTER DISCUSSED IN THE JANUARY WORKSHOP. LATE JANUARY, EARLY FEBRUARY.
AND WE'LL HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT IT.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU. >> STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
THOSE WANT TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM.
SEEING NO ONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
COUNCIL HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
>> I THINK THERE IS SOME SPECIAL VERBIAGE TO READ.
>> ON THE BUDGET OR JUST THE TAX RATE?
>> HE'S GOT IT IN HIS SCRIPT. >> OKAY.
>> THIS BUDGET WILL RAISE MORE TOTAL PROPERTY TAXES THAN LAST YEAR'S BUDGET BY THE AMOUNT OF $1,191,000 540 DOLLAR WHICH IS A 3.1% INCREASE FROM LAST YEAR'S BUDGET.
OF THAT AMOUNT $603,840 IS TAX REVENUE TO BE RAISED FROM NEW PROPERTY ADDED TO THE TAX ROLL THIS YEAR.
WRAP MOTION TO APPROVE. >> WE NEED TWO VOTES ON THIS ITEM.
SEW THE FIRST MOTION IS APPROVING AND ADOPTING PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021 WITH A SPECIFIC AMOUNT OF MONEY.
$107,059,430 FOR THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET.
THAT'S MY MOTION. >> IS THERE A SECOND?
[19. Ordinance (Final Reading): Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Approving and Adopting the Proposed 2020-21 Tax Rates (Mike Rains)]
>> MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER 19. >> THIS ITEM SETS IF TAX RATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 21.
[01:56:06]
>> AT THIS TIME I'LL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING.
IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
>> YOU GUYS STILL HAVE AN TOPED ACTUALLY LOWER THE TAX RATE CORRECT? AT THIS POINT? IT'S NOT SET IN STONE? YOU GUYS COULD HOLD A MOTION AND AGREE TO LOWER THE TAX RATE? I'M ASKING FOR FACTUAL
INFORMATION AT THIS POINT. >> YES.
>> OKAY. SO THAT'S THE SAME I'M ASSUMING IN REGARDS TO THE BUDGET WE JUST VOTED ON. YOU COULD HAVE PLACED A MOTION AND ALLOTTED FUNDS TO CERTAI DEPARTMENTS TO ASSIST WITH CERTAIN THINGS IN REGARDS TO THE CITY, IS THAT CORRECT AS WELL?
>> OKAY. SO IT'S OBVIOUS THAT YOU GUYS ARE CHOOSING NOT TO SO I'M REQUESTING, AGAIN, IF .7465 TAX RATE.
IT WILL ALLOW YOU TO DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO WITH THE BUDGET.
MY FEAR IS THAT WITH THE WAY THAT THIS COUNCIL CONDUCTS BUSINESS THAT WE'LL EVENTUALLY GET TO A .821 AND REQUIRE THAT VOTERS HAVE TO VOTE ON THIS STUFF.
AND SO IT'S OBVIOUS THAT YOU GUYS ARE COMPLETELY AWARE WHAT'S GOING ON FINANCIALLY WITH BUSINESSES, WITH RESIDENTS, CITIZENS. SO IF SAME MERCY THAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR FROM THE GOVERNOR IS THE SAME MERCY THAT CITIZENS ARE REQUESTING FROM THEIR COUNCIL AND IT'S INTERESTING TO SIT THE BACK THERE AND LISTEN TO YOU GUYS BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE TREATMENT THAT YOU'RE RECEIVING FROM THE GOVERNOR WHEN THIS IS THE SAME KIND OF TREATMENT THAT CITIZENS ARE RECEIVING FROM YOU GUYS. IT'S A BIT CONTRADICTORY IN NATURE. AGAIN I'M GOING TO ASK FOR THE .7465 TAX RATE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> WHY ARE YOU INTERESTED IN THAT RATE?
>> I FEEL LIKE WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS I'M GOING TO REQUEST THAT YOU ACTUALLY DO THAT IT ALLOWS THE COUNCIL TO BE ABLE TO DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO WITH THE BUDGET FINANCIALLY AND ALSO BURDENS -- IT ALLEVIATES A LITTLE OF THE BURDEN THAT THE TAXPAYERS ARE HAVING TO WITHSTAND.
IT'S NOT JUST THE TAX RATE THAT WE'RE GETTING HIT UP WITH.
IT'S THIS WATER -- THE STREET MAINTENANCE TAX.
I CALL IT A TAX. I KNOW WE VOTED ON IT.
NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE INFORMED WITH THE WAY THAT CITY
GOVERNMENT WORKS. >> THIS IS NOT A DEBATE.
IT'S PUBLIC COMMENT. IT'S OBVIOUS THAT YOU GUYS CAN DO IT AND I DON'T THINK THIS IS THE TIME OR THE PLACE TO ACTUALLY SIT BACK AND DEBATE. THIS IS WHAT WE'RE REQUESTING.
[02:00:02]
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.>> STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
SEEING NO ONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
I WANT TO BE MINDFUL THAT PRIOR TO THE CONSTRUCT OF THE BUDGET, STAFF PUT IN PLACE OVER A MILLION DOLLARS IN REDUCTIONS.
THIS COMES ALTHOUGH THIS BUDGET DOES REPRESENT A TAX INCREASE NOT A TAX RATE INCREASE, THAT WAS DONE SO BEING MINDFUL OF ITS CITIZENS. IN FACT I WANT TO SAY THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE TAXES THAT WERE INCLUDED WAS NEW PROPERTIES ADDED TO THE TAX ROLL. I THINK THISCY VERY RESPONSIBLE
BUDGET. >> I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT THE INCREASE IS COVERING BONDS THAT WERE SOLD THAT WERE APPROVED BY VOTERS IN 2015 THAT WE SOLD BEFORE COVID HIT. WE NOW HAVE TO START PAYING THEM BACK. IT'S NOT AN OPTION TO CHOOSE NOT TO PAY THOSE BACK. THIS IS A VERY SPONGESABLE BUDGET. IT'S HARD SOMETIMES FOR LAY PEOPLE JUST TO UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE BUT THIS IS A VERY RESPONSIVE WAY TO REP ACT AND PUT TOGETHER A BUDGET. WITH THAT I'LL TAKE A MOTION
FROM COUNCIL. >> I MOVE THAT THE PROPERTY TAX RATE BE INCREASED BY THE ADOPTION OF THE TAX RATE OF .7877 PER $100 WHICH IS EFFECTIVELY A 3.1% INCREASE IN THE TAX RATE.
[20. Ordinance (Final Reading): Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Adopting Fees and Charges for Fiscal Year 2020-21 (Mike Rains)]
>> ITEM NUMBER 20. WE'LL ASK MIKE TO COME BEFORE US AGAIN AND PRESENT THIS ITEM.
>> YES. THIS IS THE FINAL ITEM OF OUR FISCAL YEAR 21 BUDGET APPROVING OUR FEE SCHEDULE.
COUNCIL APPROVED THE INITIAL FEE SCHEDULE ON JULY 21ST DURING THE BUDGET WORKSHOP. STAFF IS RECOMMENDING TWO SMALL CHANGES TO THE SCHEDULE. ONE IS LANGUAGE AS TO THE -- HOW THAT -- THOSE RATES WERE APPLIED.
AND ANOTHER ONE IS FOR OUR BRUSH KNUCKLE BOOM TRUCK TO CHANGE THAT FROM A PER LOAD FEE TO A PER HOUR FEE.
HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. >> QUESTION BY MR. RAINS.
>> AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO, PLEASE COME FORWARD WITH YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
SEEING NO ONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
DOES COUNCIL HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? STAFF. IF NOT I ACCEPT A MOTION.
[PUBLIC COMMENTS]
WE'LL NOW MOVE TO THE PUBLIC CAMPED PERIOD WHICH WILL ONLY ALLOW MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO PRESENT IDEA AND AND INFORMATION TO CITY OFFICIALS ANTICIPATE STAFF.>> CAN I MAKE ONE COMMENT? I THINK SEVERAL PEOPLE HERE FOR THE AGENDA ITEMS HERE AFTER THE EXECUTIVE SESSION LET THEM KNOW THAT AFTER COMMENTS WE DO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND COME BACK AND REQUEEN ON THESE OTHER ITEMS. JUST SO THEY KNOW.
[EXECUTIVE SESSION]
[02:14:21]
>>> IT IS NOW 10:45 A.M. WE'LL RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE
[02:14:28]
SESSION. WE'LL CONSULT WITH OUR ATTORNEY.SECTION 551 LIBERATION ABOUT REAL PROPERTY.
551 GIFTS AND DONATIONS. SECTION 551 PERSONNEL MATTERS.
[22. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on the Award of Bid No. CB-2069 - Sale of Property, T & P Freight Warehouse (901 N. 1st) (Travis McClure]
[02:15:12]
>> I'LL CAR LENGTH TRAVIS TO PRESENT THIS ITEM.
BID WAS RECEIVED AND OPENED ON THE 24TH.
WE RECEIVED TWO BIDS. ONE FROM CHARLIE WOLF FOR $950,000 WITH THE REQUIRED DESCRIPTION OF HIS INTENDED USE OF THE PROPERTY. ALSO WE RECEIVED A BID FROM THE ABILENE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN THE AMOUNT OF 770,000 WITH THEIR REQUIRED DESCRIPTION OF THEIR INTENDED USE OF THE PROPERTY.
STAFF REQUESTED DIRECTION FROM CITY COUNCIL IN REGARD TO THE AWARD OF THIS BID. I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY
QUESTIONS YOU >> >> QUESTIONS?
DO YOU HAVE A RECOMMENDATION IN REGARDS TO MR. WOLF WITH A
STIPULATION? >> I DO IF COUNCIL CHOOSES TO AWARD THE BID TO MR. WOLF. I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT THERE BE TWO THINGS. WHETHER YOU WAUDIO]. -- PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO, PLEAD STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
FIRST -- HOLD ON. THIS IS A COMMENT CARD FROM MR. WOLF HIMSELF AND HE HAD TO LEAVE FOR A MEDICAL PROCEDURE.
HE WAS JUST IN SUPPORT OF HIM BEING AWARDED THE BID PRESERVING HISTORY INSTEAD OF CARVING IT INTO OFFICES, THE BID SHOULD GO TO THE HIGH BIDDER AND THE TAXPAYER.
THAT WAS JUST MR. WOLF'S COMMENTS.
I ALSO HAVE A PETE GARCIA WHO WANTED TO SPEAK IF HE'S STILL HERE.
>> GOOD MORNING. I WANT TO TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY I SUPPORT THE ABILENE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
I'M AN ACTIVE MEMBER. BUT I TOO ALSO SUPPORT CHARLIE WOLF IN THIS ENDEAVOR AS WELL. AND I'M GOING TO LEAN MORE TOWARDS CHARLIE WOLF ON THIS. I FEEL HE'S GOING TO PUT THE BUILDING TO A BETTER USE. I THINK IT WILL BE A GREAT FACILITY FOR A RESTAURANT AND TO BRING MORE PEOPLE TO THE DOWNTOWN AREA WHICH IS THE ULTIMATE GOAL THAT I THINK THE COUNCIL AND THE CITY IS TRYING TO DO TO ATTRACT MORE PEOPLE TO DOWNTOWN AND I FEEL LIKE A RESTAURANT WOULD PROBABLY DO THAT. CHARLIE HAS DONE A LOT OF GREAT THINGS IN THE COMMUNITY. WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF WORK IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA THAT HE'S DONE. AND MY INVOLVEMENT WITH HIM WITH HIS EVENT CENTER AND THINGS LIKE THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN POSITIVE.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
[02:20:14]
AMENT NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS BUT I BELIEVE IF I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS IT'S ON THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF 1ST AND PINE AND I WOULD SAY THAT A RESTAURANT PROBABLY WOULD GO WITH YOUR DOWNTOWN OVERALL FITTING OF WHAT HAH GOING TO DO EVENTUALLY IF WE GET OUT OF THIS COVID SITUATION AND WE GET SOME VISITORS AND SUCH CONVENTIONS AND EVERYTHING BACK.I THINK A RESTAURANT IS A GAD FITTED FOR DOWNTOWN AND I THINK IT WOULD BE A LOT BETTER AND I DO THINK THE CITY MANAGER IS RIGHT GET THE ROOF SQUARED AWAY BEFORE YOU SELL IT SO THERE'S NO COMEBACK TO SAY YOU SOLD ME A BUILDING WITH ROOF PROBLEMS. I THINK THAT'S A GOOD RECOMMENDATION.
I THINK YOU SHOULD ALL TIMES GO WITH THE HIGH BIDDER AS SAID PREVIOUSLY. THAT'S JUST MA MUCH MORE THAT GOES BACK INTO THE CITY'S GENERAL BUDGET.
>> PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. ANYONE ELSE WANT TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM?
>> AA CITY WE WANT TO COLLECT THAT SALES TAX.
WE WANT TO I THINK EVERYBODY'S GOAL IS TO SEE DOWNTOWN AS ACTIVE AND VIBRANT AS POSSIBLE. WHILE WE HAVE SOME GREAT RESTAURANTS, WE NEED MORE. WHEN I GO TO VAGABOND PIZZA, I GO SOMEWHERE ELSE BECAUSE I'M WAITING IN A LONG LINE.
THAT'S A GOOD THING. BUT THERE'S ROOM FOR MORE RESTAURANTS. YOU KNOW.
I GET CRITICIZED BECAUSE -- THE BAR DISTRICT WITH NO FOOD.
WELL, THIS REMEDIES THAT. PAM AND I WALK TO CYPRESS STREET QUITE OFTEN AND IT'S A FIVE MINUTE WALK FROM OUR HOUSE.
[02:25:01]
ON SOUTH SECOND. PEOPLE STILL SAY YOU WALKED ALL THE WAY FROM YOUR HOUSE? IT'S RIGHT THERE.VISIBLE BARRIER BETWEEN SODA, THE RAILROAD IS A BARRIER BETWEEN SODA AND PSYCHOLOGICAL BARRIER NOT REALLY A BARRIER.
BUT THE TWO KIND OF NEED TO MESH TOGETHER AS HE SAID.
[02:31:29]
>> COMMUNITY AND OPPORTUNITY TO HEAL FROM COVID-19.
THE DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE TEN RESTAURANTS OR ONE RESTAURANT? WOULD YOU RATHER CREATE 20 MORE BUSINESSES? THIS IS WHAT YOUR CHAMBER DOES EVERY SINGLE DAY. THERE IS NO DOUBT WE RESPECT CHARLIE. WE RESPECT HIS IDEAS AND WE APPRECIATE THE DO YOU WANT REVITALIZATION EFFORTS.
WE'RE A VERY BIG HUGE PART OF THAT FROM EVERYBODY'S STANDPOINT THIS IS A ONE STOP SHOP. AN ENTREPRENEUR, MINORITY, A BUSINESS CAN WALK IN THE FRONT DOOR AND WALK OUT THE BACK DOOR AND HAVE EVERYTHING THEY NEED FROM THE CITY, COMMUNITY, ENTREPRENEUR STANDPOINT, MINORITY BUSINESS STANDPOINT, WE WILL VICE PRESIDENT ALL THAT UNDER ONE ROOF.
THIS IS CUTTING EDGE. IT IS -- WE HAVE NOTHING LIKE THIS IN THE STATE OR THE NATION RIGHT NOW TO WHERE WE HAVE ALL THIS AND OUR AVAILABILITY WITHIN ONE COMMUNITY WE ONLY ASK THAT YOU D WE WANT TO BE PART OF OF -- --
>> GOOD MORNING, MR. MAYOR. GOOD TO SEE YOU BACK.
I'M DOUG PETERS. I'M THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE ABILENE CHAMBER. EXCUSE ME.
I JUST RAN OVER HERE. SO AS YOU KNOW THE CHAMBER FOR 112 YEARS HAS TRIED TO DESERVE THE INTEREST OF OUR COMMUNITY.
SPECIFICALLY THE BUSINESSES IN IT.
WE BELIEVE THAT THE PARTNERSHIP THAT HAS BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH THE SBDC, THE PROCUREMENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER AND SO MANY OTHERS WILL HELP US OUR CHAMBER DOES AN OUTSTANDING JOB IN THIS COMMUNITY AND SO APPRECIATIVE OF EVERYTHING THAT YOU AND DOUG HAVE DONE AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO TO HELP US HAVE ROBUST COMMERCE AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUBMITTALS.
I'M ALSO JUST APPRECIATE CHARLIE WOLF AND ITS CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY. I THINK THIS HAS BEEN A TOUGH DECISION THAT WE'RE ABOUT TO MAKE BEFORE YOU.
[02:35:04]
I THINK THEY'RE GOOD PROPOSALS AND CHARLIE'S HAPPENS TO BE $180,000 OR MORE SO WITH THAT I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION TO ACCEPT CHARLIE WOLF WITH TWO NOTATIONS BROUGHT FORTH BY THE CITY MANAGER. ONE BEING A CLOSING DATE NOT DONE BEFORE THE ROOF IS PREPARED.THAT'S A MOTION THAT I'LL MAKE. >> MAY I MAKE A STATEMENT BEFORE
WE VOTE? >> WE HAVE A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN PRICE. YES, MA'AM.
>>. >> WHILE I LOVE EVERYTHING THAT CHARLIE'S DONE FOR OUR TOWN AND I THINK HE'S DONE A LOT, I REALLY FEEL LIKE THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE THAT PARTNERSHIP THAT WE'VE STARTED BETWEEN THE CHAMBER AND THE CITY AND THE DCOA AND THIS WOULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY IN THIS BUILDING TO REALLY SHOWCASE THAT PARTNERSHIP BY PULLING ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT GROUPS UNDER ONE ROOF.
ARE TRYING TO KEEP THOSE THINGS SEPARATE THAT HAVE TO BE SEPARATE BUT ALSO USE THE SYNERGY TO EXPAND AND BUILD ON THAT OPPORTUNITY TO HELP EXISTING BUSINESSES AND TO ATTRACT NEW BUSINESSES.
THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN BUSINESS COMMUNITY, THEY BRING ALL THIS TOGETHER SO THAT EVERYONE HAS A ONE STOP SHOP.
I HOPE THAT THEY CONTINUE TO MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANYMORE COMMENTS?
>> AT THIS TIME COUNCIL COULD CONSIDER ANOTHER MOTION UNTIL WE CAN TABLE THE ITEM UNTIL WE HAVE A FULL COUNCIL.
>> I THINK WE SHOULD. I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO TABLE UNTIL WE HAVE THE FULL COUNCIL AND THEN WE'LL VOTE AGAIN.
>> I'LL SECOND THE MOTION ON THE TABLE.
[24. 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)]
>> MOTION CARRIES. >> ITEM NUMBER 23 HAS BEEN PULLED I BELIEVE. WE'LL MOVE ITEM NUMBER 24.
PROM VIEDING THE REAPPOINTMENT OF THE INDIVIDUALS TO VARIOUS BOARDS AS OUTLINED BY EXHIBIT A OF THE RESOLUTION.
AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN IT TO PUBLIC HEARING.
IS THERE ANYONE WHO WANTS TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO, PLEASE REPORT YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
SEEING NONE I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> MOTION BY COUNCILMAN PRICE. AND THE SECOND BY COUNCILMAN -- WE'RE READY TO VOTE.
[25. Oral Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on the Salary of the City Secretary]
[02:40:05]
AND WE'LL ALSO PULL NUMBER 25 BUT MAKE ONE NOTATION.SO PROUD OF ■OUR CITYSECRETARY WHO IS COMPLETED HER ACCREDITATION. SHE'S BEEN PRETTY DILIGENT IN GETTING THAT DONE AND HER COUNCIL IS GOING TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH HER AND HAS PROMISED WE'RE GOING TO PROVIDE SOME COMPENSATION FOR YOUR WORK THAT YOU'VE PUT IN THAT ALLOWS YOU TO BE MORE EFFICIENT IN YOUR ROLE.
IT IS 1144 HAD
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.