Aug 27, 2020 City Council

[00:00:01]

>> I NOW CALL THIS MEETING ABILENE CITY COUNCIL TO ORDER.

[CALL TO ORDER]

[1. Executive Session ­ City Council will convene into Executive Session at 4:30 p.m. Reconvene ­ City Council will reconvene into open session at 5:30 p.m.]

551.073. GIFTS AND DONATIONS.

SECTION 551.074. SECTION 551.076.

DLIB BRAIGS ABOUT SECURITY DEVICES.

SECTION 551-.087, BUSINESS PROSPE

>> IT'S NOW 5:30 P.M. AND WE RECONVENE TO OPEN

[INVOCATION]

>> PRAY WITH ME. MOST GRACIOUSLY HEAVENLY FATHER.

GOD, WE'RE GRATEFUL THAT YOU LOVE IT.

WE'RE GRATEFUL THAT YOU SEE AND WALK SIDE BY SIDE WITH US.

FATHER GOD CONTINUE TO GIVE US WISDOM TO OPERATE IN A WAY THAT BRINGS GLORY AND HONOR TO YOUR NAME.

AND PERFECT BEINGS SERVING THE PERFECT GOD.

GOD IS I JUST PRAY AND ASK FOR CONTINUED GUIDANCE AND WISDOM ON LOCAL LEVEL, STATE AND NATIONAL LEVEL.

PRAY FOR PEOPLE IN OUR NATION THAT ARE HURTING.

PRAY FOR COMFORT. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY YOUR PRESENCE. GOD GRATEFUL FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME TOGETHER AS CITIZENS TO LIVE TOGETHER SOMETIMES DISAGREE BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY GOD STRIVING TOWARD THE PURPOSE AND A MISSION. IN YOUR PRECIOUS NAME, AMEN.

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

>> AMEN. YOU KNOW, WE DO HAVE SOME VERY SPECIAL GUESTS WITH US TODAY. RAISE YOUR HAND SO WE CAN SEE WHERE YOU ARE. SHE ALSO GOES TO MADISON.

THEY ARE PROUD MOTHER IS IN THE AUDIENCE, WHERE ARE YOU AT MEGAN? COME ON UP HERE.

THEY WILL LEAVE BOTH PLEDGES. GOT THAT MEGAN -- SHE'S ALSO THE GRANDCHILDREN OF MARK HEWITT ON LOVE AND CARE MINISTRIES.

THESE ARE TREMENDOUS PEOPLE TO LEAD THE PLEDGE ON TODAY.

[PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PROCLAMATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS]

MICHAEL COULDN'T BE HERE WITH US TODAY.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO SHOW THE VIDEO OF MR. PAYNE.

[00:06:43]

I WANT TO READ IN THE ENTIRETY. BUT DEFINITELY WANTED AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMMUNICATE OUR APPRECIATION FOR HIS SERVICE DONE TO THIS COMMUNITY. I'VE REACHED OUT TO THE FAMILY AS WELL AS OUR CHAPLAIN AND OTHERS AND THEY ARE DOING WELL.

I BELIEVE THE MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE AT 10:00 A.M. ST.

FRANCIS ON THIS SATURDAY. IN THE CITY OF ABILENE MANAGING UNDERLYING HEALTH ISSUES TO COME TO COVID 19.

I SEE RICHARD ROGERS OR LESLEY TODAY.

WHEN I SPOKE TO THEM AND TALKED ABOUT WHAT A GREAT LEADER HE WAS AND HOW HARD HE WORKED HE WOULD HAVE RECEIVED HIS 20-YEAR RECOGNITION ON JULY THE 9TH. HE WAS ILL AT THE TIME.

AND SO WE PLANNED TO BE ABLE TO CELEBRATE WITH HIS FAMILY THAT SERVICE AND OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYS GO WITH THAT FAMILY.

AND OTHERS IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT SUCCUMB TO COVID-19.

THANKFUL TO YOU FOR ALL YOUR PRAYS TO ME.

I JUST PRAY THAT ABILENE DOES WHAT ABILENE DOES.

WE WORK TOGETHER FOR THE COMMON GOOD OF OUR COMMUNITY.

[CONSENT AGENDA]

CONSENT AGENDA? >> COUNCILMEN, DO WE HAVE ANYONE

IN THE AUDIENCE >> SCHWARTZ FOR ITEM 7.

>> ANY OTHERS. ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE OR CITIZENS THAT WANT TO DISCUSS ANY ITEM FROM 4 THROUGH 7 SEPARATELY? SEEING NONE I WILL TAKE A MOTION FOR ITEMS 4 THROUGH ITEM NUMBER 6.

>> SO MOVED. >> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? WE'RE READY TO VOTE.

[7. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action to Approve the Purchase of Airport Terminal Replacement Furniture (Don Green)]

>> I'LL INVITE MR. SCHWARTZ TO THE PODIUM TO ADDRESS HIS QUESTIONS AND HIS CONCERNS ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 7.

GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL. DAVID SCHWARTZ.

[00:10:02]

THEY SAID THEY WOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH USBA AND C.

IT'S USUALLY WHAT'S ON YOUR DEVICE.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT CABLE THAT COMES OUT.

THE PROBLEM IS IT IS A PUBLIC AREA AND YOU KNOW EVENTUALLY SOME DAY THE CABLES WILL BE DAMAGED AND ALLOWED TO BE REPLACED IF NOT JUST THE JACK. OF COURSE YOU COULD BE CYNICAL LIKE SOME IN THE TECHNICAL FIELD.

YOU PLUG YOUR PHONE INTO A JACK. MAYBE IT'S CHARGING OR MAYBE SOMEWHERE ACROSS THE WAY THEY ARE TRYING INTERPRET YOUR PHONE AND SEE WHAT'S ON IT OR SOMETHING.

I THINK ABOUT IT AT THE CHAIN COFFEE SHOPS THAT HAVE JACKS.

IT'S ALWAYS BETTER TO BRING YOUR OWN.

I ASK A FRIEND THAT WORKS THERE. IS THAT REALLY A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE A CHARGING JACK ON YOUR SEAT THERE.

DOES THAT ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO HAVE THEIR PHONE ON DURING THE FEATURE. THEY DON'T HAVE YOUR PHONE ON DURING THE FEATURE. THAT'S MY ONLY CONCERN WAS I'M SURE IT'S PROBABLY ALONG THE LINES OF SOME OF THE OTHER STUFF WHERE THE FED KICKS IN SO MUCH. AND THEN THE CITY KICKS IN THE SMALL OTHER PORTION, BUT I DID NOT RESEARCH THIS.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE FOR THIS ITEM. THANK YOU.

COUNCIL. >> THANK YOU.

>> ANYONE ELSE WANT TO SPEAK. IF YOU WANT TO COME DOWN.

>> GOOD EVENING MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

DON GREENE DIRECT OF TRANSPORTATION AND SERVICES.

FOR THE DIRECT ANSWER IS WE WILL NOT BE MONITORING ANYBODY'S CELL PHONE. I HAVE -- I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO MONITOR MY OWN MUCH LESS ANYONE ELSE'S.

THESE ARE OUTLETS, JACKS, WE HAVE OUTLETS AS WELL AS THE USB AND USBC OUTLETS ON THIS. NO CHORDS ATTACHED TO THOSE.

THIS IS PAID WITH 2007 CERTIFICATE OF OBLIGATION FOR AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT. WE'RE TRYING TO USE THE REST OF THE MONEY UP. WE HAD SOME THAT WAS LEFT OVER OUT OF THAT CO WHEN SOME OF OUR PROJECTS EARLIER PROJECTS THATS USED FOR GRANT MATCHES CAME IN BELOW BUDGET.

WE HAVE SOME ABOUT 340,000 OR SO WRAP UP ON THAT CO.

>> DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION BEFORE THE PUBLIC HEARING?

>> THANK YOU. >> THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING.

WE'LL ALLOW ANYONE FROM THE AUDIENCE TO PARTICIPATE AND ASK ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS SPECIFIC AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 7.

DOES ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WANT TO HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

OR COMMENTS ON THIS AGENDA ITEM? >> SEEING NO ONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. COUNCIL HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL

QUESTIONS ABOUT ITEM NUMBER 7. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> MOTION BY COUNCILMEN PRICE AND SEVEN BY CRAVER.

[8. Resolution: (remove from table) Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on the Award of Bid No. CB­2069 – Sale of Property, T & P Freight Warehouse (901 N. 1 st) (Travis McClure)]

MOTION CARRIES. >> I WILL MOVE NOW NUMBER 8.

THIS ITEM HAS TO BE REMOVED FROM THE TABLE.

AND I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO MOVE IT FROM THE TABLE.

IS IS THERE A SECOND. >> SECOND.

>> WE HAVE A SECOND BY DONEMEN HURT.

ANY DISCUSSION. WE'RE READY TO VOTE.

RECONSIDER THE ITEM AND I WILL MAKE THAT MOTION IS THERE A

SECOND? >> SECOND.

>> WE HAVE A SECOND BY COUNCIL HURT.

ANY DISCUSSION. WE'RE READY TO VOTE.

MOTION CARRIED. I WILL ASK STANLEY SMITH OUR

[00:15:03]

WE'RE GOING TO GIVE EVERYONE THAT WANTS TO AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. AS YOU WITNESSED EARLIER WE DO HAVE RETIREMENT UP FRONT AT THREE MINUTES.

BUT CERTAINLY YOU CAN ANTICIPATE THE CONVERSATION TONIGHT.

>> COUNCILMAN. THANK YOU MAYOR AS THE COUNCIL HAS JUST DONE PURSUANT TO RULES YOU CAN HAVE A MOTION TO RECONSIDER AN ITEM AT THE MEETING CONSIDERED FIRST TIME OR THE SUBSEQUENT MEETING WHICH HAS BEEN DONE HERE.

BASICALLY WHAT THE MOTION RECONSIDER DOES IS IT RESETS THE CLOCK ON THE ITEM AND STARTS THE ITEM OVER AS IF IT HAD BEEN HEARD FOR THE FIRST TIME. ANY PRIOR MOTIONS ARE NULL AND VOID. IT'S OPEN TO FUTURE MOTION THAT THE COUNCIL WANTS TO MAKE PUBLIC HEARING AND ALL THOSE THINGS TO

TAKE PLACE THAT TIME. >> QUESTIONS OF MR. SMITH FROM

THE COUNCIL? >> THANK YOU MR. SMITH.

>> I WANT TO INVITE TRAVIS MCCLURE.

>> TRAVIS WILL BE HERE. I HAVE TECHNICAL QUESTIONS.

THEY WENT TO BID ON THE ITEM ONE OF THE THING COUNCIL ASKED STAFF TO COIDENTIFY SURPLUS PROPERTY AND THEN PUT ON THE MARKET FOR SELL. WE'VE DONE THAT A COUPLE OF TIME. WE'VE IDENTIFIED THIS PROPERTY AS WELL. AND WENT THAT ROUTE.

SEAL BIDS ARE RECEIVED AND OPEN ON AUGUST 4TH.

TWOED BYES RECEIVED. CHARLES WOLF WITH 950,000BID AND ABILENE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ENTERED A BIT OF $770,000.

THERE WAS A MINIMUM BID AMOUNT OF $770,000 TO BE CONSIDERED.

AND THAT'S YOUR THIRD PARTY INDEPENDENT APPRAISED VALUE OF THAT FACILITY. UNDER TEXAS LAW COUNCIL CANNOT CONSIDER A BID THAT'S LESS THAN FAIR MARKET VALUE FOR PIECE OF PROMPT. THAT FAIR MARKET VALUE CAN BE DETERMINED UNDER TWO METHODS. ONE TAKE THE APPRAISED VALUE OF APPRAISAL DISTRICT OR THIRD PARTY INDEPENDENT APPRAISAL.

WE CHOSE TO PURSUE THIRD PARTY INDEPENDENT APPRAISAL.

THAT VALUE SET AT 770,000. AND THAT WAS THE MINIMUM BIG PRY ASKED. THOSE TWO BIDS WERE RECEIVE PRESENTED TO COUNCIL. WE HAD SOME DISCUSSION ON THAT ALREADY. THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETING.

IF COUNCIL CHOOSES TO AWARD IN A BID TO EITHER OF THE PARTIES, WE NEED TO SET CLOSING AFTER THE FINAL REPAIRS ON THE ROOF AND HVAC HAVE BEEN COMPLETED FROM A BUSINESS PROCESS STANDPOINT I WOULD PREFER THE CITY NOT TRANSFER TITLE THE MIDDLE OF CONSTRUCTION PRO PROJECT IN THAT PROCESS.

THAT'S THE ONE STIPULATION THAT STAFF COULD HAVE IF COUNCIL DECIDE TO ORDER THE BID TONIGHT THAT WE NOT CLOSE ON THE PROPERTY UNTIL THAT WORK IS COMPLETE.

YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF MYSELF OR MR. MMCCLURE.

>> HOW MUCH MORE TIME? >> MAYBE WEEKS NOT MONTHS.

>> AS IS WHERE IS? >> YES, SIR.

>> THE COUNCIL MAY AND I'M SURE HAVE SOME COMMENTS TO MAKE ON TONIGHT. AFTERWARDS WE WILL OPEN IT UP TO YOU AND ALLOW YOU TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE OR ANY COMMENTS YOU WANT TO MAKE ON THIS SUBJECT MATTER.

I WANT TO GIVE SOME GROUND RULES OFTEN ISSUE LIKE IN TIMES EMOTIONAL. WANT ENCOURAGE YOU TO TALK TO COUNCIL AND NOT TO THOSE WHO MAY IN, IN THE AUDIENCE AND BE RESPECTFUL AND TO BE CLEAR IN REGARDS TO THE SUBJECT MATTER.

WE MET LAST TIME IT WAS 3-3 VOTE.

AND YOU HAVE TO HAVE 4 AFFIRMATIVE VOTES ON COUNCIL NO MATTER WHAT ATTENDANCE FOR ANYTHING TO PASS AND I WILL SAY THIS AND THEN I WILL ALLOW MY COLLEAGUES TO BE ABLE TO INTERJECT THEIR OWN THOUGHTS. I AM A MEMBER OF THE ABILENE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND HAVE BEEN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

I PAID MY DUES. MR. DOUG BACK IN THE BACK.

HE DOES AN OUT STANDING JOB IN THIS COMMUNITY.

WE LEAN ON THEM TO HELP US WITH COMMERCE AND INCENTIVIZING OTHER PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTORS TO PARTICIPATE AND HELP THEM GROW AND DEVELOP ABILENE AND I THINK CONCEPTUALLY THEIR PLANS AND

[00:20:03]

AND AT THE END OF OUR TIME TOGETHER TODAY WHEN WE SAY YAY OR NAY. IF THE CHAMBER IS AWARDED THIS PROPERTY, I WILL BE VERY, VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THAT AND I THINK THE TEAM WE SHOULD TOO. HAVING SAID THAT, I'M STILL WHERE I AM A FEW WEEKS AGO. WHEN THERE ARE TWO BIDS AND THERE'S ALMOST 200,000 SEPARATION.

I THINK THAT HIGHEST BID SHOULD BE AWARDED.

I THINK THAT WE HAVE CONSTITUENTS THAT HAVE THAT SAME EXPECTATION. THERE IS INDEED A CLAUSE IN THERE THAT ALLOWS US TO USE IT FOR BETTER USE.

AND THAT'S PROTECTION FOR A SITUATION THAT WOULD BE USED WIDELY. AS PRESENTED I THINK MR. WOLF'S PURPOSE FOR THAT PIECE OF PROPERTY IS SUFFICIENT.

AND ADDITIONALLY, IT PUTS IT ON THE TAX ROLE.

SO IT ALLOWS PERPETUAL REVENUE TO BEGIN BACK TO THE CITY.

AND ALSO CREATES ADDITIONAL JOBS FOR THIS COMMUNITY.

AND SO I AM STILL SUPPORTIVE OF AWARDING THIS CHARLIE WOLF.

AND I THINK THAT IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

THAT'S MY OPINION. AND I AM ONE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY. WE WILL VOTE AND WHERE THE FOUR VOTES ARE. I WILL BE SUPPORTIVE OF THE TEAM. I WANT TO SAY THAT AND THEN GIVE AWAY AND ALLOW MY PEERS ALSO TO INTERJECT.

>> ANYONE WANT TO SPEAK? >> I WILL SPEAK.

I AM THAT ONE VOTE THAT WAS UNABLE TO BE HERE LAST WEEK.

I HAD WORK IN DALLAS FOR HEART AND SIMMONS.

I JUST WILL SAY THAT'S THE ONE BEAUTY OF LIVING IN ABILENE PEOPLE HERE REALLY CARE. AND THEY CARE FOR EACH OTHER AND ABILENE TO THRIVE IN A WAY THAT BENEFITS US ALL.

AND I JUST WOULD WANT TO REITERATE THAT.

I THINK WE ALL HERE ON COUNCIL HAVE CHOSEN TO RUN BECAUSE WE REALLY TRULY WANT TO HELP AND SERVE THIS COMMUNITY IN THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY POSSIBLE. AND WE'RE VERY PLEASED TO BE UP HERE. OUR CONSTITUENTS VOTED US IN.

AND WE'RE PLEASED TO GET A LOT OF ITS SUPPORT AND E-MAILS AND SOME OF THE E-MAILS AREN'T AS SUPPORTIVE AND KIND.

I WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE YOU TO ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT WE'RE HERE TO SERVE. AND THAT'S OUR HEART'S DESIRE.

AND SO WHEREVER WE FALL JUST REMEMBER THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF ALL OF THIS. AND SO JUST I GUESS MY MAIN THING IS JUST KEEPING THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING.

AND SO THANK YOU GUYS FOR HAVING YOUR PASSION AND SPEAKING YOUR MINDS BUT KNOW THAT THIS IS REALLY HARD FOR ALL OF US.

WE ALL HAVE FAMILIES. WE ALL HAVE WIVES OR HUSBANDS OR WE'RE SINGLE AND LIVING OUR BEST LIFE.

JUST REMEMBER THAT. BY THE WAY.

COUNCIL MEN KRAFER WE WERE PRESENTED ANNUAL CHECKS.

AND SO IN CLOSING THIS IS FOR OUR SERVICE OUR $1 A YEAR.

BY THE WAY. AND SO I AM PLANNING SNEAKERS

BAR WITH MINE. >> I WANT TO REITERATE WHAT TRAVIS SAID. IT WAS -- THIS IS ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS WE DO. YOU KNOW, WHEN WE TALK BUDGET, AND WHEN WE DO BUDGETS, THAT'S HARD TOO.

BUT DECIDING WHAT WE DO WITH PIECES OF LAND IN ZONING CASE HARDEST THING WE DO. I DON'T WANT TO SAY WE PICK WINNERS AND LOSERS. SOME MAY SEE IT THIS WAY.

I KNOW EVERY SINGLE PERSON TO KNOW THIS IS NOT AN EASY DECISION TO MAKE. BECAUSE I THINK WE ALL SEE VALUE IN BOTH. I DO WANT TO ECHO WHAT COUNCILMAN CRAVER SAID TO GET E-MAILS ACCUSING THREE OF US OF BACK HANDED IN DEALS AND WE DON'T CARE ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT IN ABILENE. THAT'S NOT TRUE AT ALL.

WHAT WE'RE ASKED TO DO IS WITH THE INFORMATION WE HAVE AND MY CRYSTAL BALL IS AS GOOD AS ANYONE ELS.

WE'RE ASKED TO DO WITH THE INFORMATION WE HAVE TODAY WHAT WE THINK IS BEST FOR THIS COMMUNITY.

AND NORMALLY A BUILDING BEING SOLD WOULD NOT COME UNDER THIS KRUT SCRUTINY ACCEPT IT'S CITY-OWNED PROPERTY.

[00:25:06]

NOT? >> I WILL TELL YOU IN A MINUTE.

>> ANYWAY IT'S -- THE CITIZENS OF ABILENE HAVE THIS BUILDING.

AND SO THAT'S WHY THERE'S A LITTLE BIT MORE SCRUTINY IN MY OPINION TO MAKE SURE WE DO WHAT'S BEST WITH THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY, BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A VALUABLE PIECE.

I APPRECIATE WHAT THE MAYOR AND TRAVIS SAYS.

THERE'S GOING TO THREE OF US THAT WALK OR FEWER OR FOUR OR MORE. THERE'S SOME PEOPLE THAT ARE HAPPY AND SOME THAT ARE UPSET. BUT PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT WE ALL LOVE THIS COMMUNITY. AND WE DO THIS BECAUSE WE LOVE THIS COMMUNITY AND WE'RE TRYING OUR BEST.

AND I THINK WE CAN MOVE FORWARD REGARDLESS OF WHAT ANS TODAY.

>> IN THE LATE 80S. THAT'S 1980.

NOT 1880. [LAUGHTER] . FRANK MURRAY AND I WENT INTO PHILADELPHIA TO TALK TO UNION PACIFIC ABOUT GIVING US OUR ALLOWING TO US BUY THE PROPERTY. OF REA BUILDING THAT'S HAVE VELITAS. THE DEPOT WHERE THE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU IS. AND THE WAREHOUSE.

I LOVE THOSE PROPERTIES. YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MANY HOURS IT TOOK DEALING WITH UNION PACIFIC. THEN EVERGREEN'S STAFF CAME ONBOARD IN 1991. AND WEEKLY I WOULD CALL HIM AND SAY, OKAY. JEFF, WHERE ARE WE? WHERE WE HAD ANOTHER ADMINISTRATION CHANGE.

WITH UNION SPECIFIC I HAD TO START ALL OVER.

AND GIVE ALL THE FACTS. DO YOU KNOW THAT ABILENE IS THE FIRST COMMUNITY THAT UNION PACIFIC SOLD ANY REAL ESTATE TO.

THE FIRST. WE BROKE THE PRECEDENT.

THAT'S WHERE THOSE BUILDINGS CAME ABOUT.

ONE NIGHT ABOUT 3:00 I GOT A CALL THERE WAS A FIRE SET IN THE WAREHOUSE UPSTAIRS. SOMEONE DECIDED TO COME IN AND SPEND THEIR DECEMBER DAY IT WAS READY TO GO.

IT HAD MANY BUSINESSES IN THERE SINCE WE ACQUIRED IT.

STARTED OUT WITH THE RESTAURANT WITH JOE AND ALLEN THEN IT WAS THE ARRANGEMENT, THEN WE HAD THE -- WHAT WAS THE -- CULINARY

ARTS STORE. >> KNOWING THAT ABOUT THOSE BUILDINGS AND THIS ONE WAS BUILT I BELIEF THE LATE 20S WHEN THIS ONE WAS BUILT. EARLY 30S.

WE WANT TO PUT SOMEONE IN THERE THAT WILL KEEP IT VIABLE AND ALIVE. IT TELLS OUR HISTORY OF THE RAILROAD. AND WHO WE ARE AS A COMMUNITY.

AND WE REALLY WANT IT TO BE A LASTING ENTITY THAT GOES INTO THE BUILDING AND ONE THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY ALL THE TIME. I GUESS THAT'S ALL THAT I HAVE TO SAY RIGHT NOW. BUT IT IS PART OF THE HEARTBEAT

OF THIS COMMUNITY. >> COUNCIL WANT TO CONTRIBUTE

BEFORE THE PUBLIC HEARING? >> WE NEED A MOTION.

>> WE ALREADY MADE A MOTION TO TAKE IT OFF THE TABLE.

>> WE WILL GO TO THE PUBLIC HEARING.

WE'RE ABOUT TO GO TO PUBLIC HEARING.

WE PULLED IT OFF. >> THIS IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN WE NORMALLY DO THINGS.

WE PULLED IT OFF THE TABLE. AND THEN WE PULLED AND ALLOWED IT TO BE RECONSIDERED. NOW WE HAVE PRESENTATION FROM STAFF. WE'VE SPOKEN.

AND NOW I WILL OPEN IT UP TO PUBLIC.

>> THE ORIGINAL MOTION DIDN'T HAPPEN.

OKAY. JUST LIKE IT STARTS ALL OVER HERE. WE HAD A BUNCH OF FUN ALREADY.

>> I HAVE QUESTIONS FOR STANLEY IF YOU COULD -- THIS PROCESS IS

FORBIDS; CORRECT? >> AND WITH EXCEPTIONS?

>> WITH PRESENTATIONS PURPORTED USAGE.

>> OF USE. AND WE GOT TWO BIDS; CORRECT?

>> YES. >> AND THE USES FROM THE TWO ENTITIES. IS THAT CORRECT?

>> ARE THEY BOTH LEGITIMATE USES FOR THIS BUILDING?

>> THAT'S NOT A LEGAL QUESTION I CAN ANSWER.

[00:30:02]

THIS. >> OKAY.

>> WE COULD HAVE SOLD IT WITHOUT ANY PERMITTED USES IF WE HAD CHOSEN. RECENTLY WE SOLD BUILDINGS AND SOME OF THEM HAD EXCEPTIONS ALSO.

AND HOW DID WE PICK THOSE? >> I'M JUST AWARE OF ONE.

WHERE WE PUT IT OUT FOR BID AND ASKED FOR PROPOSED USES.

THAT'S THE ONLY ONE I'M AWARE. >> HOW DID WE CHOOSE THE ONE WE

AWARDED? >> THE SAME PROCESS WE'RE USING NOW. HIGHEST BIDDER.

>> NO. THE FAIR MARKET VALUE BID -- WELL LET ME BACK UP. A LAW JUST REQUIRES THE CITY SALE IT FOR AT LEAST FAIR MARKET VALUE.

VOTING BIDS IN THIS INSTANCE ARE AT OR ABOVE FAIR MARKET VALUE.

WE ALSO PUT OUT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSED USES TO MAKE A DETERMINATION AS TO HOW THE CITY WAS GOING TO SELL IT.

BUT THE ONLY LEGAL REQUIREMENT IS THAT THEY SOLD FOR AT LEAST

FAIR MARKET VALUE. >> OKAY.

IN THOSE SCENARIOS WE ALWAYS AWARDED THE HIGHEST BID.

>> ON THOSE WE'VE ALWAYS AWARDED THE HIGHEST BID.

>> THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT COUNCIL ANY MORE QUESTIONS BEFORE THE PUBLIC HEARING?

>> ALL RIGHT. AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP TO PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM.

IF SO PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

THE MAYOR PRO TEM. WE WILL TAKE THOSE IN ORDER AND THEN IN AND ALL CAN FOLLOW THAT. WHAT'S THE FIRST CARD YOU HAVE.

DAVID SCHWARTZ. >> DAVID SCHWARTZ.

THERE WILL BE AGAIN THREE-MINUTE TIME LIMIT.

>> >> THANK YOU COUNCIL.

DAVID SCHWARTZ AGAIN. PREVIOUSLY ON THE 13TH, WHEN YOU HAT ANOTHER SALE OF A CITY PROPERTY YOU'RE REPRESENTATIVE CAME UP HERE AND SAID WE HAD TWO BIDS FOR THIS PROPERTY OUT NEAR THE PUMP STATION LAKE AREA. AND HE SAID WE AWARDED THE BID TO XX PARTY. THEN WE HAD THE EXECUTIVE SESSION HE CAME BACK AND HE SAID, CAME UP HERE AND HE SAID WE'RE GOING TO NEED GUIDANCE. THAT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE IS EXACTLY WHAT WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT.

YOU KNOW AND STAR TREK GENRE THAT WOULD BE A RED ALERT.

IF YOU GO BY THE HIGHEST BID AND CLEARLY CHARLIE WOLF BID IS A LOT MORE. AT 950 IT'S GOING TO CREATE JOBS. IT IS RIGHT BY THE TUNNEL.

THIS GOES TO SODA DISTRICT. THAT THEY ALLUDED TO LAST YEAR.

THEY HAD PEOPLE COME IN AND LOOK AT THIS.

THEY WILL PUT LIGHTING IN THAT TUNNEL.

AND FROM THE SODA TO THERE. IF YOU HAVE A RESTAURANT HERE NEXT TO THAT, THAT'S MORE DESIRABLE IF YOU HAVE BASICALLY OFFICE SPACE. I MAY NOT BE EXACTLY DETERMINED AS THAT. THAT'S WHAT IT IS.

IN 2005 WHEN THE ARRANGEMENT WE HAD A PRIVATE PARTY DOWN THERE FOR MY MOM. I KNOW WHAT THE PLACE LOOKS LIKE ON THE INSIDE. IT'S QUITE LOVELY.

SINCE IT'S ALREADY SET UP AS RESTAURANT.

I WOULD HATE TO SEE IT ALL TORN UP TO MAKE OFFICE SPACE OR WHATEVER. NOW ORIGINALLY, COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO WHEN THE COUNCIL MEETING APPROVED THE DCOA BINDER PROPERTY ON I BELIEF COUNCILMAN PRICE SAID SOMEONE ALONG THE LINE WILL THIS CAUSE A PROBLEM WITH YOU AND THE CHAMBER? AND HERE WE ARE A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER NOW AND THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SEEMS LIKE THEY WANT TO MOVE OUT.

I COULD REMEMBER BACK WHEN I WAS A KID, I BELIEVE, THEY WERE ON HICKORY STREET. WAY BACK -- WAY BACK WHEN IN THE 60S. AND IF YOU WANT BASICALLY OFFICE SPACE. WE'VE GOT FOUR BANKS ON THAT SIDE OF THE TRACKS THAT YOU CAN GET OFFICE SPACE.

WE GOT A BIG BANK TOWER. 2286-FOOT TALL.

PRACTICALLY INTO EMPTY. I'M SURE THEY LET YOU HAVE SPACE HERE. WE HAVE VACANT LOT HERE.

THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO BUILD SOMETHING THERE.

WE HAVE VACANT LOT WHERE THE OTHER JAIL WAS THAT TURNED DOWN.

DO NOT SELL THIS PROPERTY AND RUIN THE CHANCE TO HAVE MORE PROPERTY TAX COLLECTED, MORE SALES TAX COLLECTED.

THE LAST THING IS THAT STIPULATION THAT SAID ABOUT BEING IN A RESTAURANT. THAT'S KIND OF LIKE IF YOU WERE SELLING ON A PERSONAL LEVEL YOU SELLING A HOUSE AND TELL THEM IN

[00:35:01]

OR I WILL SELL IT TO MY NEIGHBOR.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. COUNCIL.

>> JOE SPETTO. GOOD EVENING COUNCIL.

EXCUSE MY VOICE. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE.

I SPENT A FEW YEARS. I KNOW IT'S NOT EASY.

MOST OF THE TIME THANKLESS JOB. I'M REACHING OUT TODAY TO VOICE STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE CITY AWARDING THE BID TO TNP HOUSE TO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. WHILE THEY FELL SHORT FINANCIALLY, IT'S THE WINNER AND WINNER WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE BEST USE OF THE HISTORIC BUILDING.

LONG-TERM WORK TO THE COMMUNITY. I LOVE THE WAY ABILENE REVITALIZED DOWNTOWN. APPRECIATE THE ENTREPRENEURS.

STORY BOOK CAPITAL MENTOR PARK WONDERFUL THING.

THE WARE SHOUSE A WONDERFUL BUILDING.

I'M PROUD THAT TAX PAYER INVESTED IN IT THIS MONEY THE RESTORE IT. AS THE CURRENT CITY OWNER THE PROPERTY THE COUNCIL HAS DUTY TO FIND THE HIGHEST AND BEST USE FOR THAT BUILDING. ABILENE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EMBRACING AN IDEA SO MUCH MORE THAN OFFICE SPACE.

IT'S ABOUT BRINGING TOGETHER CREATING CREATIVE PEOPLE AND WORK SPACE TO CAPITAL TALL ENLT EXPERT THE EAST AND COMMUNITY.

ESPECIALLY NOW BUILDING A BUSINESS DURING THIS CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK THAT WE HAVE ALL SUFFERED FROM.

IT GOES FURTHER IN ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

THIS CAMPUS IS STARTING TO SERVE AND TAX PAYERS GENERATIONS TO COME. IMAGINE WITH ME.

A GROUP OF PEOPLE BRAINSTORMING WITH BUSINESS LEADERS FAMILIES THAT HAVE WANTED TO START BUSINESSES AND DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO DO IT. I WISH I WOULD HAVE HAD SOMETHING LIKE THIS WHEN I STARTED HERE 40 YEARS AGO.

ONCE THE CITY GETS THE OWNERSHIP YOU WILL HAVE NO CONTROL ON WHAT HAPPENS TO THAT PROPERTY. AND IF AND I'M NOT SPEAKING AGAINST ANYTHING. IF THE RESTAURANT DOES NOT WORK AND FAILS, WE MAY HAVE AN EXTRA -- ANOTHER EMPTY BUILDING AND WE KNOW WE'VE DONE THAT BEFORE.

BUILDING ON TAX PAYER DEVELOPED AND BEEN PAID FOR.

THE COUNCIL HAS DUTY TO ENSURE THAT THE TAX PAYERS GET A PROPER RETURN ON THEIR INVESTMENT. COUNCIL CAN TAKE A RISK AND HOPE FOR THE BEST. COUNCIL CANNOT OR SHOULD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BID. KNOWING THE TAX PAYER INVESTMENT WILL INCREASE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CREATE NEW JOBS.

THE QUESTION FOR THE COUNCIL HIGHEST AND BEST USE.

THE LONG-TERM SECURITY OF THE BUILDING IS PATIENT MONTH IMPORTANT LONG-TERM. THE CHAMBERS HOLD THE FUTURE LIKE DEPOT AND THE CONVENTION AND VISITOR BUREAU.

IF YOU THINK THAT WAS LONG I WILL CHANGE IT.

>> THANKS. >> THANK YOU.

>> MARK ANGELO HAWKINS. DO YOU WANT TO SPEAK?

>> KEVIN SCOTTY? HI, HOW ARE YOU ALL TO FIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. I'M KEVIN SCOTTY.

I WANT TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF SUPPORT FOR MR. WOLF AND HIS FAMILY WANTING TO PUT THE ACTUAL RESTAURANT IN THERE TO STIMULATE THE BUSINESS THAT HAS BEEN FAILING DURING THE PANDEMIC THIS LAST FULL PART OF THE YEAR THAT WE'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING.

I'VE EXPERIENCED MYSELF ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF THE PAN DEMING AND THE LACK OF OTHER BUSINESS BEING AROUND IN THE AREA TO HELP THE TRAFFIC AND ALSO BRING DOWNTOWN MORE MONEY WHICH ARE ALSO HELP THE TAX PAYERS GET MORE OUT OF THEIR BUCKS AND STIMULATE THE BUSINESS. ASSOCIATION AND CHAMBER IN ORDER TO DO MORE WITH THAT. THANK YOU ALL.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> SP HARPER SAID YOU DON'T WANT TO SPEAK BUT YOU IN SUPPORT OF THIS.

>> IN SUPPORT OF WHO? >> JUST SAID IN SUPPORT.

WE DIDN'T MAKE A MOTION. >> JERRY JOHNSON.

[00:40:13]

I WAS THERE BEFORE ANY OF THE OTHER ESTABLISHMENT WERE THERE AND SO I'VE SEEN THE COMING UP OF THE DOWNTOWN.

I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO OPEN MANY ESTABLISHMENT FAT BOSTON.

MIGUELS RESTAURANT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF TOWN.

I WORK FOR SAM AND CHARLIE WOLF RIGHT NOW WITH THE HALLOW'S COCKTAILS. REALLY CONSIDER GIVING THE TNP TO PEOPLE OF ABILENE THAT REALLY PUSHING THE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF DOWNTOWN AND WHERE IT ALL HAS TO OFFER.

I BELIEVE THEIR DREAMS AND GOAL OF THIS BUILDING KIND OF ALIGN WITH YOUR AS THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WANTING TO PUSH THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONFIDENCE OF DOWNTOWN DEVELOPERS AND INVESTORS. THAT'S ALL I WANT TO SHOW MY SUPPORT ON BEHALF OF THOSE TRYING TO PUT GREAT MINDS TOGETHER AND BRING SOMETHING TO THE TABLE THAT WON'T BE SHUTDOWN AT 5:00 P.M. ON FRIDAYS. THANK YOU GUYS.

>> THANK YOU. KIM SMITH.

MY NAME THE "T" IM SMITH. THANK YOU COUNCIL AND MAYOR.

SO YOU KNOW EYE BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY THE LAST FOUR OR FIVE YEARS TO TRY TO HELP REVITALIZE ABILENE.

I HAVE INVESTMENT NORTH DOWNTOWN ABILENE.

I AM ALWAYS ABOUT DOWNTOWN ABILENE.

I LOVE ABILENE. I LIVED IN HOUSTON FOR A FEW YEARS. DECIDED THAT WAS THE ARMPIT OF TEXAS AND I CAME HOME. AND I'M VESTED HERE.

THIS MY PLACE. MY COMMUNITY AND I'M HAPPY TO BE INVOLVED. AND HOPEFULLY DOING THINGS THAT MAKE ABILENE A DESTINATION LOCATION.

AND THAT'S HAPPENING. I RENTED OUR VENUE TODAY FROM PEOPLE FROM MIDLAND. I ASKED HOW MANY -- HOW MANY

RELATIVE DOES YOU HAVE HERE? >> NONE.

>> THE COUPLE CAME EARLIER THIS WEEK.

LOOKED AT IT BROUGHT BOTH SETS OF PARENTS.

THEY DON'T HAVE A SINGLE RELATIVE IN ABILENE.

BUT GUESS WHAT IT'S BETWEEN DALLAS FORT WORTH WHERE THEY HAVE RELATIVESMENT. AND THEIR FAMILY MIDLAND WILL COME HERE. I WANT DOWNTOWN ABILENE TO BE A WALKABLE DISTRICT THAT PEOPLE WILL COME FROM OUTSIDE OF ABILENE. I'M LOOKING AT THIS AS A BIGGER PICTURE. WE NEED RESTAURANTS DOWNTOWN.

WE NEED PRIVATE INVESTMENT DOWNTOWN.

DESPERATELY. ESPECIALLY NOW.

YOU KNOW THE ONE MONTH THAT THE BREWERY THERE WAS ALLOWED TO BE OPEN I WOULD WATCH OUT MY WINDOW PEOPLE WALKING.

THROUGH THOSE ALLIES LIKE I HOPE THEY WOULD.

PAM AND I WALK UNDER THE TUNNEL TO VAGABOND AND -- ALL THE TIME.

IT'S JUST A FEW MINUTES. PEOPLE OH YOU WALKED ALL THE WAY FROM OVER THERE? IT'S FIVE-MINUTE WALK.

BUT THERE'S BARRIER THE RAILROAD IS VISIBLE BARRIER.

BUT ONE YOU WALK UNDER THAT UNDERPASS YOU REALIZE O, WE NEED CONNECT THESE TWO. THE WAY TO DO THAT AND TO MAKE DOWNTOWN ABILENE THE HEART BEAT OF OUR CITY WE HAVE TO HAVE THINGS GOING ON. WE HAVE TO ACTIVATE OUR CITY.

AND ANYBODY THAT KNOWS REAL ESTATE THE WAY I DO KNOWS THAT OFFICE SPACE IS NOT HIGHEST AND BEST USE.

YOU KNOW I HEARD THE WORD "CONTROL." THAT'S -- THAT'S NOT THE JOB TO CONTROL EVERY PIECE OF PROPERTY.

YOU KNOW IF YOU LOOK AT OWNERSHIP OF DOWNTOWN ABILENE, THE MAJORITY OF THE MAJOR SQUARE FOOTAGE DOESN'T GENERATE PROPERTY TAX. OR SALES TAX.

AISD. ALL THE CITY OWNED PROPERTY TAX.

NO PROPERTY TAX. EVERY CHURCH DOWNTOWN.

EVERY NONPROFIT DOWNTOWN NO PROPERTY TAX.

SO YOU KNOW THAT'S NOT GOOD. WE NEED DIVERSITY OF OWNERSHIP DOWNTOWN. THAT'S WHY ADVOCATE FOR PRIVATE SECTOR CHARLIE WOLF AND ALEX RUSSELL WITH THEIR PLAN TO MOVE FORWARD. THANK YOU.

>> JUSTIN RUSSELL. >> GOOD EVENING.

JUSTIN RUSSELL. I COME BEFORE YOU AS

[00:45:04]

I SIGNED A LETTER OF INTENT WITH MR. WOLF AS THE RESTAURANT FOR TURNING IT INTO A RESTAURANT. ONE OF THE BIGGEST QUALITIES OF THE GREAT WAREHOUSE IS ITS LOCATION.

NORTH AND SOUTH ABILENE MEET AT THE CENTER OF OUR DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD. IF MR. WOLF IS AWARDED A BID ABILENE ABI RESTAURANT GROUP IS EAGER AND CAPABLE OF OPENING THE 48 WAREHOUSE IN INTENDS TO HAVE ALL TENANTS CONTRACTS IN PLACE WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF BEING AWARDED CONTRACT.

I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU THE BUSINESS MODEL THAT WE FOCUS ON.

STARTS WITH THE COLLABORATIVE EFFORT OF SIX TO SEVEN MINORITY CHEFS AND MIX OLOGIST, WHO WILL EACH BEGIN THEIR OWN PERSONAL SPACE WITHIN THE PREEXISTING CASE FOR EXECUTION.

I WOULD LIKE TO SPECIFICALLY DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO THE COMMERCIAL KITCHEN. THERE'S CULINARY COURSES PART OF INSPIRATION FOR BRINGING NEW LIFE TO 48 WAREHOUSE.

WE WANT TO INVEST IN A SPACE THAT WILL BRING DIFFERENT CULTURE CUISINES TOGETHER UNDER ONE ROOF WHILE OFFERING 24-HOUR HOUR SERVICE OPTIONS. FURTHERMORE WE WILL CREATE A SPACE WHERE THERE'S NEW FLAVORS AND POSITIVE SOCIAL ATMOSPHERE.

WE ALL KNOW WATER BURGER AND LOVE IT AS MAJORITY.

IF YOU'VE BEEN BY AFTER MIDNIGHT.

YOU KNOW THAT LINES ARE TYPICALLY EXTREMELY LONG.

IT WOULDN'T HURT TO GIVE MORE PEOPLE ANOTHER OPTION NO LESS MULTIPLE OR MORE THAN ONE OPTION IN DOWNTOWN ABILENE.

IN A WAY WE WOULD BE RESTORING THE BUILDING TO WHAT IT ONCE WAS. A COMMON SPACE COMMONLY CREATING COMMERCE. BETWEEN THE KITCHEN STAFF FOOD SERVER AND MESSAGE WORKERS, WE WILL BE CREATING MORE JOBS FOR THE ABILENE SERVICE CENTER INDUSTRY A GROUP RAVAGED BY THE EFFECTS OF COVID-19. THEN PROJECT WILL BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER NOT ONLY IN A COMMUNITY WORK SPACE BUT AS A NEIGHBORHOOD FOOD HALL. ONE BY MR. WOLF AND THE ABILENE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. WHAT I'M CONFUSING AND APPALLED COMPETITION COMING FROM THE EXACT BUREAU WHICH INTENDS TO CREATE MORE BUSINESSES FOR ABILENE.

I AGREE THE CHAMBER IS AFFILIATES BEST SHOULD COME TOGETHER BUT I DON'T AGREE THAT SPACE SHOULD BE THE 48 WAREHOUSE. TO RESTRICT THAT SPACE OPEN AVAILABILITY FROM 8:00 TO 5:00 WOULD BE A SHAME.

I MUST CONNECT THIS BACK TO LEADERSHIP.

IT'S ESSENTIAL TO ACQUIRE CREATIVELY LEADER TO PAVE THE WAY FOR FLOURISHING ABILENE. I ASK COUNCIL TODAY TO THINK ABOUT WHAT BETTER USE OF SPACE IS.

COMMUNITY CENTERED AROUND 6 TO 7 NEW BUSINESS OFFERING ROUND-THE-CLOCK SERVICE OR OFFICE CUBICLES.

THANK YOU. CYNTHIA PEARSON.

GOOD EVENING, MAYOR. CITY COUNCIL.

MR. HANNA. CONDOLENCES TO YOU ALL AND YOUR FAMILY ON YOUR LOSS. AND GOOD TO SEE YOU MAYOR.

>> GOOD TO BE SEEN. I'M CYNTHIA PEARSON.

ALTHOUGH I KNOW THE LEADERSHIP OF BOTH ENTITY WHOSE HAVE SUBMITTED PROPOSAL TO PURCHASE THIS PROPERTY AND HAVE RESPECT FOR BOTH OF THEM AS BUSINESS ENTITY MY COMMENTS TO SUPPORT OF ABILENE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. AS THE APPROVED BUYER AND I HAVE A NUMBER OF REASONS WHICH I HOPE WILL SUPPORT THAT.

FIRST OF ALL IT'S NOT WRITTEN REQUIREMENT OR LEGAL REQUIREMENT FOR IT TO GO HIGHEST BID. THAT DECISION SHOULD BE BASED MORE ON THE BEST USE AND THE LONG-TERM OUTCOMES THAN ON THE PRICE. IT'S MY OPINION THAT THE PROPOSED USE BY THE ABILENE CHAMBER PROVIDES BETTER OUTCOMES. AND MORE LONG-TERM BENEFIT IN THE INVESTMENT IN THE ENTIRE ABILENE COULDN'T.

IT'S FAR MORE REACHING AND BETTER SUPPORTS THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF OUR CITY OTHER BUSINESSES, THOSE CURRENT UP-AND-COMING AS WELL THOSE TO BE ESTABLISHED IN THE FUTURE.

THROUGH THE USE OF CHAMBER PROPOSED BUSINESS, AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP CAMPUS. AND IT DID MEET THE BID PRICE REQUIREMENT. WHAT MR. WOLF PROPOSES IN MY OPINION ALTHOUGH HIS BID IS FAR MORE MONEY WHICH IS INITIAL INVESTMENT TO THE CITY. HAS A MORE NARROW FOCUS THAN FITTING HIM MORE -- MORE SO THAT BEING INVESTMENT IN OTHERS.

ESPECIALLY SPECIFICALLY OTHER BUSINESSES.

THE CHAMBER'S PLAN FOR THE FACILITY IS BETTER FIT.

A DEEP AND LONG-LASTING INVESTMENT INCUE BATHING

[00:50:04]

IN ADDITION, FROM NORTH 7TH TO SOUTH 7TH, BUTTER NUT HICKORY TO THE EAST, LOCUST PLUM STREETS TO THE WEST.

THERE ARE MORE THAN 20 ALREADY ESTABLISHED EATERIES SUITABLE FOR FAMILIES. SOME ARE RELATIVELY NEW WHILE MANY HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR SOMETIME.

THERE ARE ALSO A NUMBER OF BREWERIES, BARS WINE SHOPS AND COFFEE SHOPS. NONE OF THIS IS BAD.

IT'S A LOT OF SATURATION IN THIS SMALL AREA OF TOWN.

24-HOUR RESTAURANT DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE NEED OR GOOD FIT FOR DOWNTOWN ABILENE NOR ITS VIE VITALIZATION EFFORT.

MORE SUITABLE PLACE FOR SUCH A RESTAURANT MIGHT BY ON THE FREEWAY OR INTERSTATE FOR THOSE TRAVELLING IN NEED OF SUCH AN OPTION AS DINER ALWAYS OPEN. I BELIEVE MR. WOLF ALREADY OWNS PROPERTY IN THAT AREA. FURTHERMORE AND TO EXPAND FURTHER ON MY FIRST POINT IN SUPPORT OF THE CHAMBER'S BID I ALSO BELIEVE WHOLEHEARTEDLY IT'S BASED ON PREVIOUS NUMBERS DECIDED BY SCOTT HIBBS AND RECENT EDITORIAL.

THIS ACQUISITION PROPOSED BY THE CHAMBER HAS A GREATER IMPACT.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

>> EVONNE BATTS. THANK YOU.

MAYOR WILLIAMS. CITY COUNCILMAN.

AND LADY. CITY MANAGER.

I'M HERE TONIGHT TO SUPPORT THE CHAMBER BEING IN THE BUILDING.

THERE ARE TWO POINT THAT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THAT ARE VERY PERSONAL. NUMBER ONE, THE SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER THAT CHAMBER IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO HAVE ROOM FOR WILL CREATE SO MANY -- SO MANY NEW ENTREPRENEURS AND START UPS THAT WILL THEN TAKE MANY TAXES AND SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY.

WE'RE A GOOD EXAMPLE. MY HUSBAND HAD BEEN LAID OFF.

MADE SOME CALLS AND CALLED JUDY WILHEM.

SHALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER.

HE CALLED ME LATER AND SAID WE HAVE STARTED OUR BUSINESS.

THE JOB WAS -- DIDN'T KNOW IF THAT WAS GOOD OR NOT.

31 YEARS LATER I THINK IT IS. WE HAVE PAID MANY TAXES ABILENE TO THE CITY AND SO HAVE OUR 8 NOW 12 EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILIES. THAT'S ONLY ONE BUSINESS.

THINK ABOUT ALL OF THE START UPS THAT PEOPLE SEEING THEIR DREAMS AND GOING TO SMALL BUSINESS CENTER AND STARTING THE BUSINESS. MY SECOND POINT WAS I WORKED LAST YEAR AND THIS YEAR TO BECOME A HUB.

HISTORICALLY UNDER UTILIZED BUSINESS.

AND WOMAN OWNED YOU CAN DO THIS FOR MINORITIES, WOMAN OWNED AND VETERAN OWNED. AND IT WAS -- I HAD SOMEONE FROM LUBBOCK HELPING ME. I COULDN'T HAVE MADE IT WITHOUT HIS HELP. IT WOULD BE FABULOUS TO HAVE SOMEONE HERE AT THAT BUILDING HELPING PEOPLE IN THIS AREA TO GET THAT DESIGNATION AND ALSO THEN BEIN GIVEN LEAD TO GET SOME CONTRACTS. I THINK I KNOW THE DIFFERENT OF AMOUNT THEY ARE BIDDING. I THINK THAT'S A CURRENT ONE-TIME THING COMPARED TO ALL OF THE MONEY THAT WOULD BE MADE HERE IN STATE OR IN ABILENE IN OUR LOCAL AREA BY PEOPLE WHO WOULD BE HELD THROUGH SBC AND THE CHAMBER.

I'M SURE MY HUSBAND WOULD LOVE TO HAVE ONE OF THOSE AT HOME.

CUT ME OFF AT ONE MINUTE. >> [LAUGHTER] .

DARYN BLACK. MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

THANKS FOR HAVING US HERE TONIGHT.

GUYS THIS ABOUT OPPORTUNITY. THIS ABOUT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMUNITY TO DO SOMETHING THAT'S STRATEGIC.

THAT'S MEANINGFUL. THAT'S IMPACTFUL THAT WILL HELP EVERYBODY NOT JUST A FEW. THIS IS NOT A PROFIT DRIVEN ENDEAVORER THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT GETTING INTO THIS.

THIS ALL ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY. WHEN I SPEAK, I SPEAK OF WE.

I SPEAK OF COMMUNITY. IS THIS ABOUT DOLLAR AMOUNT? TWO WEEKS AGO YOU ALL GOT RIPPED OVER 79603 AREA CODE AND ABOUT STEPHEN PARK. WE TALK ABOUT THE ABOVETEL LEVEL

[00:55:05]

WE'RE GOING TO OPEN UP OPPORTUNITY.

WE'RE GOING TO PROVIDE THAT FREE OF CHARGE.

ANYONE CAN WALK IN THE BUILDING FREE OF CHARGE.

THEY CAN WALK IN THE FRONT DOOR. MEET WITH THE SBA OFFICER AND SBDC. THE CITY ONLY BUDDSMAN.

WE AGREED TO PUT CITY OMBUDSMAN IN THERE.

WE WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO DO THAT.

THE SMALL BUSINESS MINORITY SENATOR WILL BE CREATED.

IT'S INNOVATIVE. IT'S A FAST FORWARD THINKING APPROACH POST COVID-19. IT ALLOWS OUR MINORITY BUSINESSES AND POVERTY STRICKEN NEIGHBORHOODS A PLACE TO GO.

ARE RESTAURANT GOING TO OFF $8 OR $10 JOBS.

I'VE HEARD YOU SPEAK ON MANY, MANY STEERING COMMITTEES I'VE BEEN INVOLVED. YOU DON'T WANT THAT.

YOU STATED MANY, MANY TIMES I DO NOT WANT $10 AN HOUR JOB.

THAT HELP OUR PEOPLE. GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY.

LET THEM SEE WHAT WE SEE. THE -- WE HAD THIS 26 YEARS AGO WHEN I STARTED. OH, MY GOSH.

IT HAD BEEN INCREDIBLE. I DIDN'T.

SO MANY THINGS WRONG. I'M SURE YOU CAN ATTEST.

STARTING A BUSINESS YOU WILL MESS IT UP.

YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY HERE. WE CAN LOOK AT 180,000 OR WE CAN LOOK AT 113-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CHAMBER BRINGS TO TABLE. 113-YEAR INVESTMENT.

I WILL RESTATE. WE HAVE A 113-YEAR INVESTMENT IN OUR DOWNTOWN. IN OUR COMMUNITY.

NOT JUST OUR DOWNTOWN GUYS. OUR COMMUNITY.

I APPRECIATE YOU GUYS FOR HAVING US.

I HOPE YOU VOTE YOUR CONSCIOUS. I HOPE YOU VOTE YOUR HEARTS.

I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU DO. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

DAVID SMITH. COUNCILMEN.

YOUR HONOR, CITY MANAGER. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME TO BE SHARE WITH YOU TODAY. I'M DAVID SMITH.

I LIVED IN ABILENE SINCE I CAME IN 1972.

I RETIRED FROM CONNEELY AND COMPANY A FEW YEARS AGO AND CONTACTED BY JUDY TO ASK IF I WOULD GO TO WORK AT TEXAS TECH SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER.

I WANTED THE WORK THERE AS RECENTLY APPOINTED TO DIRECTOR THERE. I ACCEPTED THE POSITION ENTHUSIASTICALLY. I LOVE WORKING WITH SMALL BUSINESSES. AND TO TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER.

WE'RE FUNDED BY THE SBA AND THE FEDERAL LEVEL OF TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY AT THE STATE LEVEL AND THE DCOA.

ABILENE. ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT WE'VE HAD RECENTLY IS WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT OUR STATE BUDGET IS GOING TO BE CUT ANYWHERE FROM 5 TO 10% AND WE KNOW IT WILL BE 10% IN TWO YEARS. AND THE FEDERAL CUTS WILL BE AS MUCH AS 25%. YOU KNOW AND BEING FINANCIAL FORECASTER IT DOESN'T TAKE ANYBODY VERY MUCH TO SAY WE'VE GOT TO ECONOMYIZE AND DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

THERE'S A PROPOSAL FOR US TO HOUSE WITH THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. THAT GENTLEMAN YOU TALK ABOUT IN LUBBOCK. HE EMPLOYED IN ABILENE AND WILL BE PART OF THAT ORGANIZATION. HE'S ALREADY IN TOWN AND CONTACTED OVER 100 BUSINESSES IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS ABOUT GETTING CONNECTED WITH FEDERAL CONTRACTS.

THERE'S BIG MONEY IN THAT. IT'S A REVENUE SOURCE.

AND A TAX SOURCE. SO I THINK THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT. YOU KNOW WE SERVE NOT ONLY ABILENE. FREE OF CHARGE.

ANY SERVICE WE PROVIDE AT ANY LEVEL.

THERE'S NO CHARGE TO ANYONE THAT COMES TO VISIT WITH US.

JUST TO GIVE YOU SOME OF THE NUMBERS.

JUST WITHIN YOU KNOW THE LAST THREE YEARS WE'VE HAD CAPITAL INVESTMENT. THAT WE CAN CONFIRM WITH BUSINESSES THAT WE HELPED START AND EXPAND.

OVER 36 MILLION. WE ADDED IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS ABOUT 25 MILLION. WE DON'T HAVE IT ALL RECORDED YET. THESE ARE LIFESAVING PROGRAMS THAT WE WORK FOR BUSINESSES. WE WENT TO BANK AND EDUCATED THEM ABOUT THE PROGRAM. CONVINCED THEM TO WORK WITH BUSINESSES. WE THINK WE SAVED ABOUT 3,000 JOBS JUST IN THE CITY. THERE'S NO WAY TO MEASURE.

I THINK WE'VE SAVED ABOUT 3,000 JOBS IN THE CITY BY GET THING INFORMATION TO BUSINESSES AND GETTING THEM FUNDED WITH THESE

[01:00:01]

AS MORE OF THOSE PROGRAMS COME OUT WE HOPE TO SERVE THEM.

SO YOU KNOW, I THINK IN TIME WE WOULD BE PERFECT TENANT.

WE'VE BEEN HERE FOR ALMOST 40 YEARS AS SBDC OF ABILENE AND TEXAS TECH. THESE ORGANIZATION WILL BE HERE LONG AFTER I'M GONE. GENERATING BUSINESSES AND POTENTIAL FOR OUR ENTREPRENEURS TO EXPAND.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND I APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU. CHRIS CARNAHAN.

>> GOOD MORNING CITY COUNCIL AND MAYOR.

MR. HANNA. I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF CHARLIE WOLF'S PROPOSAL AND BID. I THINK THE MAYOR SUMMED IT BEAUTIFULLY IN YOUR COMMENTS. YOU POINTED OUT A LOT OF HISTORICAL VALUE OF THIS PROPERTY.

HOW THAT SHOULD BE MAINTAINED AND SEEN BY PEOPLE.

DON'T WE ALL RECOGNIZE THIS WILL BE SEEN A LETTER MORE AS A BUSINESS RESTAURANT. THESE MEN DIDN'T PUT UP 950,000 TO GO BROKE ON IT. THEY WILL MAKE THAT THING GO.

AND WHEN THAT GOING THERE WILL BE MORE PEOPLE THAN THE CHAMBER FOLKS. THEY CAN DO WHAT THEY ARE DOING ANYWHERE. IN ANY DECENT OFFICE SPACE.

IT'S NOT N DON'T LET THAT ARGUMT SWAY YOU.

IF YOU DON'T LET US DO IT THERE. YOU CAN JUST MAY NOT GET DONE.

I'M NOT BUYING THAT STORY. THAT STORY WON'T FLOAT.

THIS IS UNIQUE PLACE. MR. MCALISTER POINTED OUT YOU GOT TESTY E-MAILS AND CONTACTS FOR THE RECORD.

I DIDN'T SEND YOU ANY SUCH CONTACT.

BUT I'M THINKING WHAT YOU WANT TO BARE IN MIND IS THAT THE OLD SMELL TEST. IF IT DOESN'T SMELL THAT GOOD.

IT PROBABLY NOT THAT GOOD. IN A TIGHT ECONOMIC SITUATION LIKE THIS THE CITY SHOULD BE NOW BEING SHUT DOWN FOR SOME MONTHS, AND MANY PEOPLE HAVING LOST THEIR INCOME FOR SOME MONTHS.

I'M THINKING A NEW TAX BASE FOR THE CITY NOT A BAD PROPOSAL EITHER. NOW THE OTHER THING ABOUT IT IS YES THE CHAMBER WILL BE HERE. IF YOU ALL REALLY GET BILLED THEY ARE ALL HERE TONIGHT AND FORCED TO PERSUADE YOU TO DO.

WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO. THAT'S IT WITH ABILENE.

NO, THEY ARE NOT. THEY WILL STAY RIGHT HERE AND FIND ANOTHER BUILDING. IN FACT AS MR. SCHWARTZ POINTED OUT. THERE'S EMPTIES OF SPACE ALL OVER AND ONLY GOING TO BE MORE. AFTER THE COVID BUSINESS.

I KNOW OF BUSINESSES MYSELF WHO ARE NOW SERIOUSLY CONTEMPLATING CUTTING BACK ON THE OFFICE SPACE THEY RENT OR ARE USING.

THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF OFFICE SPACE FOR THE CHAMBER AND ANY OTHER ORGANIZATION AND ENTITY THEY WANT TO INCORPORATE IN WITH THEM. BACK TO THE SMELL TEST.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE CITY PUT TAX MONEY INTO THE CHAMBER. AND MAYBE THEY ARE GIVING GOOD RETURN ON THAT. THE POINT IS, THOUGH, THEY ALSO HAVE A TAX BASE THAT THEY ARE USING TO DO ALL THESE GOOD THINGS THEY DO FOR US. ON GIVING THEM A SPACE THAT'S FAIRLY UNIQUE AND MISS ALBUS PUT THAT TO US.

IT'S THE BEST PLACE TO PUT A BIG BUSINESS THAT KEEP A LOT OF PEOPLE GOING. THEY CAN COME FOR SPECIAL EVENT

THERE TOO. >> MANNY MOSER.

>> MELZER. >> I'M NOT A MOUSE.

>> WHEN I READ THIS IN PAPER THAT THERE'S BEEN 200,000 DOLLARS THE TOP BID OVER THE NEXT BID.

I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND IT AT ALL. SO I START DOING A LITTLE BIT OF RESEARCH. I LOOKED IT ALL UP.

AND THERE ARE NO SPECIFICATIONS. AS FAR AS THE USE OF THE BUILDING, IT'S WHOEVER GET THE BIGGEST BID.

IN MY OPINION THE PEOPLE WHO RIDING THE CHECKS FOR THEIR HEALTHCARE, THEIR WATER BILL, THEIR INSURANCE, AND HOPE YOU DON'T HAVE MEDICAL BILLS. 200,000 IS A LOT OF MONEY.

AND THEN WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT YOU ARE GOING TO LOSE PART OF YOUR TAX BASE IF YOU GIVE TO CHAMBER RATHER THAN CHARLIE WOLF. THAT IS MORE MONEY GOING DOWN THE TUBE. AND KNOW YOU ALL DEAL IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. WE WHO ARE WRITING CHECKS WE'RE

[01:05:03]

THAT'S ONE THING. BUT EVEN MAYBE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THAT 200,000 TO ME IS THE HISTORICAL VALUE.

I LOVE TO TRAVEL. I'VE BEEN JEFFERSON.

THE FIRST CAPITAL OF OKLAHOMA. I GO EVERYWHERE.

I LOVE THE HISTORICAL THINGS. WELL THAT'S TOURISM MONEY THAT COMES IN. CHARLIE WOOD AND VERY YOUNG AGE DEVELOPED WOLFPACK. MY HUSBAND OF MOUSER AND YOUNG CPA SEARCHED TO SEE WHICH PROGRAM WAS THE BEST.

WOLFPACK WAS THE BEST. AND THE SERVICE WAS EXCELLENT.

THEN CHARLIE TAKES A GROCERY WAREHOUSE AND CONVERTS IT TO THE MOST BEAUTIFUL UNIQUE FANTASTIC PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE AN EVENT. I MEAN IF YOU PACKAGE SOMETHING RIGHT, PEOPLE WILL COME. TOURISM IN ABILENE IS WORTH SOMETHING. WHY WOULD YOU DENY SOMEBODY THAT IS VERY SUCCESSFUL LIKE CHARLIE WOOD THIS BUILDING AND HE'S WILLING TO PAY 200,000 MORE THAN THE CHAMBER PLUS THE TAXES EVERY YEAR. AND THE TUNNEL THAT GOES ACROSS PULLING IN SOUTH AND NORTH TOGETHER.

WHY WOULD YOU DENY THE CITIZENS THAT? AND THE TOURIST THAT MIGHT WANT TO COME HERE.

WE VOTED FOR EXPO CENTER OUT THERE.

THAT'S GOING TO BE WONDERFUL THING.

THAT BRINGS PEOPLE IN. THEY WANT -- THEY WANT TO COME AND SEE THINGS HERE TOO. T AND P RAILROAD IS HISTORY.

THIS MAGNIFIES THE HISTORY. AND ON THIS SEAT I'VE DONE MY RESEARCH AND HOTEL. AND OFFICE SPACE.

IT'S ALL OVER ABILENE. YOU KNOW THE BUILDING DOWN HERE FOR SALE. WHY DON'T YOU TAKE THAT AND MAKES OF SPACE OUT OF IT. YOU WANTS OF SPACE.

THIS SAY YOU WORK FOR THE BEST OF THE CITY.

PLEASE GIVE CHARLIE THE BUILDING AND LET HIM MAKE IT FANTASTIC LIKE HE DID THAT WAREHOUSE. THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS NOR A -- NORA MARGINAL.

>> WELL THANK YOU FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY.

I WILL TELL YOU THAT NO ONE WHO WILL SPEAK THIS EVEN HAS A GREATER APPRECIATION OF YOU THAN I DO.

I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT. THIS IS NOT AN EASY DECISION.

BUT I'M ALSO GOING TO TELL YOU THERE NO EASY DECISIONS.

AS YOU LOOK AT THE DECISION BEFORE YOU TONIGHT.

I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE CITY OPENED THE DOOR WITH THE BIDDING INSTRUCTION TO AL-LOU T AND P WAREHOUSE TO BE SOLD PERHAPS NOT TO HIGHEST BIDDER BUT BIDDER WHO COULD USE THAT AND COULD BE ENVISIONED WITH THE HIGHEST AND THE BEST USE. THE CITY OPENED THE DOOR ALSO FOR A POSSIBLE PARTNERSHIP TO HAVE A CITY OMBUDSMAN WORK WITH THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO HELP BRING ABOUT GREATER AS OFFI OFFICIALSY EFFICIENCY IN STARTING A BUSINESS. THOSE THINGS ARE VERY IMPORTANT.

FROM THAT I SEE THE SOME WAY MAKING A CASE.

THAT THE CHAMBER COULD USE THIS BUILDING EFFECTIVELY.

SO WE CAN HAVE NEW RESTAURANT. OR HAVE A DEVELOPMENT CENTER TO START MANY NEW RESTAURANTS. AND MANY NEW BUSINESSES IN THE NEXT YEAR AND THE YEAR TO COME. TODAY WE SHOULD BE LOOKING TO THE FUTURE TO CAST A VISION OF EXPANDING MANY BUSINESSES TO PARTNER WITH ALL OF THE AGENCIES, ALL OF THE AGENCIES WHO HAVE MADE A COMMITMENT TO BE A PART OF THIS CENTER.

THE SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER THAT YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT THE PROCUREMENT TECHNICAL. IS, THE SBA.

THE MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER AND MANY MORE. THIS IS A COLLABORATION OF PEOPLE TOGETHER TO BRING BUSINESS TO ABILENE.

I HOPE YOU WILL CONSIDER GRANTING THE BID BASE, THE BID BASED ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR FUTURE TAX BASE.

THE GROWTH OF JOBS AND THE GROWTH OF ABILENE.

I JUST ASK YOU TONIGHT TO LOOK BEYOND ONE RESTAURANT.

AND CONSIDER AWARDING THIS BID AND PARTNERING WITH THE CHAMBER.

OUR FUTURE IS BRIGHT. AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

>> NEXT THE BRENT BRASEL. HE WANTS TO BE IN SUPPORT FOR

[01:10:08]

THANK YOU ALL FOR AN OPPORTUNITY, YOU KNOW I SPOKE THE LAST TIME THAT WE HAD THIS UP FOR DISCUSSION.

AND I WANT TO REITERATE WHAT I SAID.

I'M ACTIVE CHAMBER MEMBER. I LOVE THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

I COVER 9 # 5% OF THE THINGS THAT DO.

COMPLIMENTARY. I'M OUT COVER RIBBON CUTTING AND GRAND OPENING. I OWN A RADIO STATION HERE IN TOWN. I THINK THAT ARE GREAT PEOPLE.

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? I USE THE SBBC TO START MY BUSINESS. AND I WENT OUT THERE TO SEE THEM WHERE THEY ARE. I DON'T THINK THAT ANYTHING WILL CHANGE. IT'S NOT LIKE IF THIS BUSINESS -- IF THIS BUILDING ISN'T GRANTED TO THE CHAMBER, THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE THE RESOURCES THERE.

THE RESOURCES ARE STILL THERE. AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE OTHER THING THAT I HEAR THE COUNCIL TALK ABOUT BUDGET SHORTFALLS AND THIS AND THAT. WELL YOU HAVE 200,000 MORE ON THE TABLE RIGHT NOW. TO HELP WITH THOSE BUDGET SHORTFALLS. YOU ALSO GOT SOMEONE THAT WILL BE PAYING TAXES. CHARLIE WOLF IS GREAT GUY.

I'VE GOTTEN TO KNOW HIM OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

AND WHAT HE DOES FOR THE COMMUNITY IS GREAT.

IT'S NOT ABOUT LIKE I DON'T THINK ABOUT WHO WILL USE THE BUILDING BETTER OVERALL. ATTEND OF THE DAY, HIGHEST BIDDER GETS IT. I KNOW IF WE SELL OUR BUSINESSES. I WILL SELL MY BUSINESS TO HIGHEST BIDDER. I THINK IT'S SIMILAR SITUATION.

I THINK CHARLIE IS BEST BID. THE CHAMBER IS GREAT.

I THINK THERE'S PLENTY OF OTHER SPACES IN ABILENE FOR THE CHAMBER TO EXECUTE WHAT IT IS THEY TRYING TO EXECUTE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. APPRECIATE IT.

>> >> SAMUEL GARCIA.

>> GOOD EVENING, CAN YOU HEAR ME.

MY NAME THE SAMUEL GARCIA. MEMBER OF THE SMALL DEVELOPMENT CENTER. I'M MEMBER OF ABILENE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. I'M A LIFELONG DEMOCRAT.

I SERVED ON THE SCHOOL BOARD AND I DIDN'T GET A DOLLAR.

THE REASON I BRING THIS UP BECAUSE I SAID THIS LAST TIME.

I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT.

ABOUT NOT SELLING TO CHARLIE. WHEN I GOT -- READ THE BLOG I GOT THE E-MAIL FROM CHAMBER AS THE CHAMBER MEMBER.

TO EXPLAIN WHAT WAS GOING ON, THIS IS FROM THE CHAMBER BLOG.

ONLY REASON THIS BUILDING HAS BEEN PUT OUT TO BID BECAUSE THE CHAMBER HAS WORKED WITH THE CITY FOR MORE THAN A YEAR TO TRY TO BUY THIS FOR THESE PURPOSES. I HAVE A QUESTION THAT I WANT TO POSE. AND THAT IS DID MR. WOLF GET AHOLD OF YOU TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE CITY BECAUSE THE CHAMBER HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT BUYING THIS FOR YEARS.

THE OTHER THING I WANT TO ASK IS THEY KEEP SAYING WELL IF WE HAD THIS. WE WILL DEVELOP THIS AMAZING ORGANIZATION. IT'S LIKE.

YEAH, OKAY. THAT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME. BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK OFFICE SPACE. YOU HAVE IT NOW.

YOU SOLD -- YOU AS DCOA YOU BOUGHT THE BUILDING DCOA IN A FEW MONTHS AGO. DO YOU REMEMBER THE QUOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

I WILL READ IT TO YOU. THE QUOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS AND THIS IS -- I VERIFIED THIS WITH REPORTER. WE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED SINCE DAY ONE. THIS PURCHASING THE BUILDING FOR THE DCOA. WE'VE BEEN INVOLVED SINCE DAY ONE AND HAVE BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE OF DCOA PURCHASE.

IT'S A GREAT BUILDING. OBVIOUSLY IT'S GOOD.

THEY LIKED IT. AND WE HAVE BEEN TENANT FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS. WE HAVE NO IMMEDIATE PLAN TO VACATE. THIS WAS MAYBE 11.

THIS COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. IT'S ONLY TWO MONTHS.

YOU GOT TO HAVE THIS. THIS IS NOT GOING TO WORK.

THE REASON THAT I MENTION THAT I'M A LIFELONG DEMOCRATS AND PROUD OF THAT MY WHOLE LIFE. LYING IN ABILENE, TEXAS.

IS BECAUSE I ALWAYS LOOK I HEAR REPUBLICANS TALK ABOUT HOW CAPITALISM, FREE MARKET. DO ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF WHICH I BELIEVE IN. I'M A BUSINESS OWNER.

YET I'M LISTENING TO ALL OF THIS DISCUSSION, ABOUT 200,000 MORE AND TAXES OVER YEARS. I'M LIKE OKAY.

THERE MUST BE A BUNCH OF LEFT WING LIBERAL DEMOCRATS TO EVEN CONSIDER NOT SELLING THIS TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER TO THE GUY THAT

[01:15:04]

IF YOU ARE REPUBLICAN, I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO EXPLAIN THAT.

THANK YOU. LINDSAY MENNER.

GOOD EVENING. SOME OF YOU KNOW ME AS A SURVIVOR OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE MANY, MANY YEARS AGO IN 1989. WE THOUGHT WE WERE BRAVE.

WE THOUGHT WE WERE VERY OUT THERE.

I'M WATCHING YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS IN THIS TOWN DO SOME VERY BRAVE THINGS. I'VE WATCHED THE DEVELOPMENT SODA DISTRICT WITH GREAT INTEREST.

WATCHED THE REALLY BRAVE FOLKS SOME INTERESTING SPACES SOME BURNED OUT ARE SOME JUST SHELLS OF BUILDINGS INTO SOMETHING SPECIAL. BUT THE QUESTION IS, HOW DO YOU TIE THE SODA DISTRICT TOGETHER WITH THE NORTH SIDE OF THE TRACKS? THE ANSWER IS CHARLIE'S PLAN.

I'M NOT ALWAYS ON THE SAME PAGE WITH CHARLIE.

HE WILL TELL YOU IMMEDIATELY. BUT WITH THE CROSS THROUGH THAT WE HAVE AND THE IDEA OF LOCALLY OWNED GROUP OF RESTAURANT.

IT'S A GROUP OF RESTAURANTINGS. THEY HAVE A PLAN TO INVOLVE MINORITIES. TO HAVE THAT WHERE PEOPLE CAN PASS BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE TWO AREAS.

I THINK IT IS CHERRY ON TOP OF THE CAKE AND WILL BRING THE DEVELOPMENT WE HAD IN THESE TWO AREAS TOGETHER.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS WONDERFUL.

WE CAN'T DO THAT. THEY ALWAYS DO WONDERFUL THINGS.

THEY ARE -- I KNOW THE BUILDING HAS 30,000 SQUARE FOOT.

IT'S DOWNTOWN. I'M REAL ESTATE AGENT.

BUT I'M NOT COMMERCIAL SO YOU CAN'T BUY FROM ME.

THERE'S ANOTHER BUILDING TOO. THERE'S ANOTHER BUILDING AVAILABLE. AT LEAST 14,000 SQUARE FEET.

I HOP YOU WILL LOOK THIS PR PROPOSAL WHICH BRINGS TAXES TO DOWNTOWN AND TWO AREAS TOGETHER IN A WAY THAT I DON'T THINK ANYONE ELSE COULD. THANK YOU.

>> THAT'S ALL THE COMMENT CARDS I HAVE ON THIS ITEM.

>> WE'RE STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING.

SO DOES ANYBODY WANT TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM.

IF SO PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

>> I SIGNED A CARD BUT I GUESS YOU COULDN'T READ IT.

I GOT YOUR CARD. BUT I DIDN'T SEE YOU.

>> THAT'S ALL RIGHT. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE KNOW AND APPRECIATE WHAT YOU FOLKS ON THE COUNCIL DO FOR US.

THERE'S NO WAY WE CAN THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR WHAT YOU DO IN TIME YOU SPEND. [INAUDIBLE] I AM ONE OF YOUR BEST FANS. AS A MEMBER OF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR MANY YEARS. I'M NO LONGER A MEMBER.

WE SOLD OUR BUSINESS YEARS AGO. BUT I HAVE A LOT ADMIRATION FOR THE CHAMBER AND THE PEOPLE THAT RUN THE CHAMBER AND FOR ALL THE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE INVOLVED WITH IT.

BY THE WAY I WANT TO MAKE EL GET A LOT OF INFORMATION FROM THE NEWSPAPER. AND THE ADDITION OF NEWSPAPER TALKING ABOUT THE MEETING TONIGHT.

AND ALL THE THINGS THAT GOING TO BE TALKED ABOUT.

IT APPEARED OBITARY PAGE. I THOUGHT THAT WAS SAD.

[01:20:04]

HE WILL SPEND ANOTHER 500,000. HE WILL MAKE A MILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT IN THIS BUSINESS. I FIND IT HARD TO THINK WE WOULD TURN OUR BACKS. I DON'T KNOW HIM BUT I ADMIRE THE INTENTION TO START THIS BUSINESS IN DOWNTOWN ABILENE.

SO MUCH GOING ON THERE NOW FROM JIM SMITH AND OTHERS.

I REALLY RESPECT AND APPRECIATE WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

THIS WOULD JUST BE ANOTHER FACILITY THAT WOULD REALLY HELP THE DOWNTOWN AREA. I WOULD REALLY BENEFIT NOT ONLY THE PEOPLE OF ABILENE BUT ALL THE PEOPLE TO COME TO ABILENE FROM ALL AROUND THE COMMUNITIES. HE REALLY HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD WITH HIS REMARKS. I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU SAID.

I HOPE YOU CONSIDER MR. WOLF'S BID.

THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING.

I'M JOSH BLACK. NO RELATIONSHIP TO DARYN.

I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THE CITY DOES.

THIS IS MORE TESTAMENT TO THE HISTORY OF IT.

AND TO GIVE WEIGHT TO YOUR DECISION.

IT'S NOT IN FAVOR OR AGAINST EITHER DECISION.

THEY ARE BOTH GREAT BIDS. AND BE OF THE HUSBANDS AND WIVES ASKED ME TO SPEAK. THIS PIECE OF PROMPT MARKS A SIGNIFICANT PERIOD IN ABILENE'S HISTORY.

IN 1880'S TEXAS SPECIFIC RAILWAY DECIDED TO BUILD ITS TRACKS NORTH OF THE COUNTY CENTER IN BUSH ALTHOUGH.

THIS CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR NEW HUB TO DEVELOP IN WHAT'S NOW ABILENE. AS ABILENE GREW AND PROSPERED THE RAILWAY CHANGED PLAN TO BUILD A PERM CHANGE FOR THE RAIL HOUSE IN ABILENE. THE PIONEER AND SPIRIT AND ENTERPRISE OF CITIZEN ENCOURAGED THE EXPONENTIAL GROWTH AND NEED FOR ARC THITECTURE TO ENJOY IT. THEY ALLOW FOR MORE SIGNIFICANT ARCHITECTURE TO FLOURISH. ON SET OF TRAVEL AND COAST-TO-COAST BANK HEAD HIGHWAY WHICH PASSED THROUGH FIRST STREET DIMINISHED THE CITY RELIANCE ON RAIL TRANSPORTATION, HOWEVER, TRAIN TRANSPORTATION CONTINUED AND THE CITY GREW.

THE ON SET OF INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM SHIFTED OUR TRANSPORTATION RIGHT NORTHWOOD TO CITY IN THE CITY CONTINUE TO GROW TO SOUTH. THEY SET IN AS DECADES PAST.

BY THE 1970'S YOU CAN CREATE ME IF I MISS A DATE.

BY 1970'S DEMOLITION OF IMPORTANT PIECES OF ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE TO FORM PRESERVATION ORGANIZATION AND SEND MONETARY SUPPORT TO SAVE THESE MONUMENT.

APL. THE ABILENE PRESERVATION LEAGUE WHICH I'M A MEMBER OF ALONG WITH GENEROUS DONOR STRIVE TO SAFE MANY IMPORTANT PIECES OF HISTORY WHEN EFFORTS TO RESTORE THE ORIGINAL T AND P REQUIRED ADDITIONAL HELP THE CITY STEPPED IN HELP THESE PROJECTS THROUGH. I GOT THIS FROM RICK WEATHERALL.

PROJECT OVER 15 BUILDINGS IN A SIGNIFICANT HISTORIC AREA NOW.

THERE ARE OTHER NONCONTRIBUTING BUILDING THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED HISTORIC. COUNTLESS HOURS AND HARD-EARNED DOLLAR SPENT INTO THE RESTORATION OF THIS AREA.

TOGETHER WE FOUGHT TO RESTORE. PROTECT THEM FROM HAPHAZARDOUS DEVELOPMENT AND RENOVATION PRACTICES.

THAT'S NOT TO SAY THAT'S ABOUT TO HAPPEN.

CONSIDER HISTORY PROTECTION AND OF OUR PREDECESSORS PUT ON THE PLACES TO CON OUR EFFORTS TO MAINTAIN THESE AND OTHER SOETHS MOTION TO QUALIFY CANDIDATE TO MAINTAIN SHOULD HAVE STIPULATIONS TO PROTECT THESE BUILDINGS.

THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE FOR OR AGAINST?

>> YOU'VE ALREADY WENT ONCE. WE WILL ALTHOSE WHO HAVE NOT

SPOKEN. >> HI.

I'M DIDN'T EXPECT TO SPEAK. I'M A LITTLE BIT NERVOUS.

>> NAME FOR THE RECORD. >> LAURIN MOORE.

[01:25:06]

BUT MY FAMILY IS FROM HERE. AND I WAS WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT I WAS PART OF THE COLLEGE SCENE HERE LIKE I WENT TO MCMURRAY.

AND THERE IS A LOT OF PLACES THAT AREN'T REALLY AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS TO GO TO. LIKE MOST STUDENTS JUST KNOW CADILLACS AND THAT'S IT. THAT'S THE EXTENT OF OUR COLLEGE LIFE. THERE'S NOT A LOT TO OFFER.

I THINK HAVING RESTAURANT HERE WOULD BE GOOD FOR NOT JUST TOURISM BUT ALSO FOR THE STUDENTS THAT ARE HERE DURING THAT COLLEGE STAY. I'M ALSO A PHOTOGRAPHER ON THE SIDE. AND IT'S HARD TO FIND REALLY BEAUTIFUL BUILDINGS THAT AREN'T ALREADY OWNED THAT YOU CAN LIKE GO TO. THAT ARE PUBLIC PLACES.

SO I JUST THINK THAT HAVING A RESTAURANT HERE WOULD BE GOOD

FOR THE YOUNGER PEOPLE AS WELL. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE WANT TO SPEAK?

>> GOOD EVENING. NAME FOR THE RECORD.

MAY NAME THE CHLOE ROBERT SIMMONS.

I'VE BEEN HERE TWICE. THE LAST TIME I WAS HERE MAYOR YOU HAD ADDRESSED ME AND YOU GAVE ME SOME INFORMATION ABOUT WAYS I CAN GO ABOUT STARTING MY BUSINESS.

SINCE THEN I HAVE. I ACTUALLY FORMED MY BUSINESS.

I'VE ACQUIRED MY LLC. I LOOKED INTO RESOURCES TEXAS TECH SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.

THEY'VE BEEN A GREAT HELP TO ME SO FAR.

THERE AREN'T MANY. THERE ARE NOT MANY BUSINESSES.

WHEN I SAY BLACK BUSINESSES. I MEAN GETTING PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR HOMES AND THEIR KITCHEN AND BRINGING THEM TO BUSINESS.

I WOULD LIKE FOR ABILENE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO ACQUIRE THE BUILDING. WHEN I WAS HERE LAST MAYO AND HER COLLEAGUES TALKED ABOUT THE MINORITY BUSINESS CENTERS.

AND I WAS HAPPY ABOUT THAT. I THOUGHT FINALLY IT'S A PLACE THAT CAN HELP PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF AND OTHER MINORITIES WHO HAVE GOALS AND ASPIRATION OF BECOMING FIRST-TIME BUSINESS OWNERS.

THIS COULD BE HUGE. WE HAVE TO INVEST WE SAY WE INVEST IN ABILENE. THAT'S EVERYBODY.

THAT'S ALL DEMOGRAPHICS AND RACES.

JUST TO DO IT. WE HAVE TO GIVE EVERYONE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME BUSINESS OWNER AND NOT JUST EMPLOYEES.

PEOPLE AREN'T MAKING IT FOR $10 AN HOUR.

THEY CAN SET THE BAR HIGH ENOUGH TO WHERE THEY CAN BECOME ENTREPRENEURS AND CHANGE SOME OF THOSE DISPARITY THAT WE SEE ON THE DAILY BASIS. I'M IN APPROVAL OF THIS.

IF IT DOESN'T HAPPEN I WOULD STILL LIKE TO WORK WITH DCOA AND OTHER SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATIONS HERE ON GET THING MINORITY BUSINESS OPEN. IT WOULD MEAN A LOT TO ME.

IT WOULD BE HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED IF IT DIDN'T.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. GOOD EVENING.

I'M SAM WOLF. SOME THE SON OF CHARLIE WOLF.

DOWNTOWN BUSINESS OWNER. MY BUSINESS IS CLOSED RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I'M REQUIRE BY THE GOVERNOR TO BE CLOSED.

MY SALES INDICATE THEY HAVE TO BE CLOSED.

ONE THING ALLOWED ME TO BE OPEN IF I HAD A KITCHEN.

I HAVE NO ROOM IN MY BUILDING FOR CHI KITCHEN.

THERE'S NOT MANY BUILDING THAT HAVE KITCHENS.

ADD A KITCHEN IN HISTORIC BUILDING IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND A LOT OF TIME REQUIRES THIS HISTORIC NATURE OF THE BUILDING TO BE IRREVERSIBLE CHANGED. THAT'S WHY WE AVOID IT IN A COUPLE OF BUILDINGS WE HAVE ALREADY.

WHAT WE PROPOSE WOULD BE AN AMAZING THING FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND WORK DOWNTOWN AND WHO ARE PART OF THE DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY. I DON'T KNOW IF ANYTHING IN MY RECENT HISTORY OF BEING DOWN ON THE FOR PAST FEW YEARS THAT HAS BROUGHT THE BIGGER DEVELOPERS TOGETHER BEHIND AN UP YOU.

[01:30:01]

I'VE BEEN TO SOME CLASSES. IT'S INVALUABLE IN LEARNING STUFF. BUT NOT THIS BUILDING.

THIS BUILDING HAS ONE OF THE BIGGEST KITCHENS IN DOWNTOWN ABILENE RIGHT NOW. ITS MADE TO BE A CULINARY SCHOOL. THAT'S WHAT IT WAS ADDED ON FOR.

WE WANT TO UTILIZE AND MAKE IT A SPACE THAT WILL ADD TO OUR DOWNTOWN SCENE AS A WHOLE. AND WE PERFORM YAILT YOUR APPRECIATE YOUR ALL'S SUPPORT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> IS THERE ANYONE ELSE? >> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS. ONCE AGAIN I DIDN'T PLAN TO SPEAK EITHER. BUT I FEEL LIKE I NEED TO REMIND PEOPLE OR EDUCATE PEOPLE THAT -- I'M CINDY WOLF.

STORY. AND I'M MARRI EDIE TO CHARLIE.

OUR GOAL TORE THE BUILDING IS GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

I APPRECIATE YOU EDUCATING THE BUILDING, THE HISTORY BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW THAT. ALL I KNOW I HAD NEVER HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO INTO THAT BUILDING.

I MISSED OUT WHEN JOE AND SHARON ALLEN HAD IT.

THEN IT BECOME ARRANGEMENT. THAT WOULD BE FOR SPECIAL EVENTS. I DIDN'T GO TO SPECIAL EVENT.

THEN CULINARY SCHOOL. I MISSED OUT ON THAT.

IT'S MY OWN PAFAULT. I THINK OF COUNTLESS OTHER PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY WHO HAVE NEVER HAD A CHANCE TO BE BUILDING TO SEE SOME OF THAT HISTORY.

AMONG THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE IN ABILENE AND THE TOURIST.

HOW MANY OF YOU SEE THESE AROUND TOWN.

USUALLY IN BATHROOMS WHERE I SEE THEM.

THE TOP TEN THINGS TO DO IN ABILENE ARE VISITOR CENTER.

BROCHURE FOR TOURIST. 7 OUT OF THE TEN THINGS ON THE LIST ARE IN DOWNTOWN ABILENE. THE PARAMOUNT.

THE WORLD WAR II ARMORED DIVISION MUSEUM.

YOU COULD ADD THAT. THAT WOULD BE EIGHT THINGS.

OUR GOAL TO GIVE TOURIST MORE THINGS TO DO DOWNTOWN.

AND CREATE MEMORY. A PLACE TO TAKE YOUNG KID AND GET WIGGLES OUT. A PLACE TO GET A COKE AND HANG OUT A LITTLE BIT. THE CHAMBERS WEB SITE MENTIONED REVITALIZING DOWNTOWN. SOME OF YOU ALL RAN ON THAT CAMPAIGN TO BE ON THE COUNCIL. TO REVITALIZE DOWNTOWN.

CHANGES THIS BUILDING TO AN OFFICE SPACE TAKE THAT AWAY.

IT JUST I DON'T SEE HOW THAT WILL HELP.

BECAUSE VISITORS ARE THERE MORE THAN 8:00 TO 5:00.

MY DAUGHTER WORKS AT THE GOLF COURSE HAS PEOPLE FROM MID LANT.

FAMILY COMES. WHAT CAN YOU DO.

SHE WOULD LOVE TO THEM GO DOWN AND B GRAB A BITE TO HISTORY.

YOU CAN SEE PART OF THE HISTORY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> GOOD EVENING MR. MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS.

I STARTED NOT TO SPEAK THEN I THOUGHT YOU GUYS WOULD BE SO DISAPPOINTED IF I DIDN'T GIVE MY TWO CENTS.

EVERY ONE OF YOU ON THIS COUNCIL, EVERY ONE OF YOU ARE VERY CLOSE FRIENDS OF MINE. I WANT TO SAY THAT I DO NOT HAVE A DOG OR A HORSE IN THIS RACE. I'M NOT A CHAMBER MEMBER RIGHT NOW. I AM PRESIDENT OF BELT BUCKLE DISTILLERY. HOPING TO OPEN IN THE NEXT TWO-THREE MONTHS. AND I JUST FEEL LIKE PERSONALLY I WANT TO JUST REMIND EVERYBODY ONE THING VERY SELDOM HAS THIS COUNCIL BEEN SO SPLIT. THAT SAYS A LOT.

WE'RE JUST AS CITIZENS NO MATTER WHAT SIDE WE'RE ALL ENTITLED TO

[01:35:06]

YOU KNOW WHEN YOU FUND-RAISER IN THIS TOWN YOU GOT TO KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT. YOU DON'T WANT TO TICK OFF YOUR DONORS. I'M NOT A FUND-RAISER ANYMORE.

I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY. THIS BUILDING NEED TO STAY ON THE TAX ROLLS. WE HAVE A LOT OF BUSINESSES THAT ARE NOT ON THE TAX ROLLS. IT NEEDS TO STAY ON THE TAX ROLL. IT NEEDS TO CONTINUE THAT.

IT NEEDS IN MY OPINION AND IT ONLY MY OPINION.

EVEN THOUGH IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS, I HAVE BEEN TOLD I WAS WRONG. WRONG.

NOT BE ANY OF YOU THAT I WAS WRONG.

THAT OPINION IS AN OPINION. AN OPINION IS WHAT I'M ENTITLE TO. AM I NOT? AS ACITIZEN. AND A TAX PAYER AND A DOWNTOWN BUSINESS OWNER. I'M NOT WRONG.

BECAUSE AN OPINION CANNOT BE WRONG.

AND THAT STUNG A BIT. I THINK ALL OF MY CORRESPONDENCE WITH YOU HAS BEEN PROFESSIONAL AND ABOVE AND EVERYTHING I SENT I'VE HAD APPROVAL FOR MY OPINION.

AND SO I JUST I BELIEVE THIS IS RIGHT THING.

CHARLIE DIDN'T ASK ME TO COME SPEAK.

I JUST THINK IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO KEEP THIS BUILDING ON THE TAX ROLE SO THAT IT -- SO IT IS A PATHWAY FROM THE SODA DISTRICT TO DOWNTOWN TO OUR DISTILLERY AND OUR SOON TO BE OPEN TASTING ROOM. IT'S JUST RIGHT DOWN THE BLOCK DOWN HERE. I VALUE EACH ONE OF YOUR FRIENDSHIPS. I APPRECIATE YOU AND I KNOW THAT IT'S NOT EASY. BUT THANK YOU FOR SERVING ON THE

COUNCIL. >> IS THERE ANY -- GOOD EVENING.

OVER THE FAST YEARS I GOT A CHANCE TO KNOW THE BUSINESS OWNERS DOWNTOWN. THAT ARE TAKING PART IN THIS DEVELOPMENT. ONE THING I'VE OBSERVED THIS PASSION THAT THE AMONGST ALL OF THE BUSINESS OWNER AND ALSO AMONGST THE COMMUNITY. I'VE ADOPTED THAT PASSION FOR MYSELF. AND I'M NOT FROM ABILENE ORIGINALLY. AND AS THE LEASE QUALIFIED PERSON IN ROOM TO SPEAK THAT PASSION IS ALL I HAVE TO GO OFF.

IT'S THAT PASSION THAT I BELIEVE IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE 24/7 RESTAURANT THAT IS IMPLEMENTED BY CHARLIE WOLF AND THE RESTAURANT GROUP. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE? THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? GOOD EVENING. COUNCIL.

MY NAME THE BOB THOMAS. I THINK YOU ALL KNOW MY FAIRLY WELL. THE CITY OF ABILENE IS A CORPORATION. YOU ARE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

MR. MAYOR, YOU ARE THE PRESIDENT OF THAT BOARD.

ONE THING THAT IS MISSING OUT OF THIS EQUATION THAT'S DISCUSS ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. THIS IS A VERY, VERY REALITY.

IS IN ALL CORPORATIONS YOU HAVE TO HAVE STOCKHOLDERS.

WHAT'S MISSING OUT OF THIS EQUATION ARE THE STOCKHOLDERS.

I FOR ONE DO NOT CARE ONE DIRECTION OR ANOTHER WHICH WAY YOU ALL VOTE. BUT MY CONCERN IS FOR THOSE PEOPLE THAT LOOK TO YOU FOR GUIDANCE AND ALSO FOR YOUR WISDOM IN TAKING CARE OF THE MOST PEOPLE.

WE'VE HAD THIS DISCUSSION BEFORE WHAT YOU DO FOR ONE, YOU DO FOR ALL. AND THIS SEEMS TO WORK FAIRLY WELL. THE ONLY THING I'M CONCERNED ABOUT IS AFTER THIS VOTE THE TAKEN AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT.

THE TAX ABATEMENTS, INCREMENT ZONES FINANCING, OTHER GRANTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT ARE GOING TO TAKE AWAY THE VALUE OF THIS STOCKHOLDER. ONE OF THE THINGS I MUST QUESTION IS WHY WE WENT WITH A THIRD PARTY APPRAISAL WHEN WE ALREADY HAD AN APPRAISAL IN TOWN THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN TO BENEFIT OF STOCKHOLDERS. THAT CONCERNS ME A GREAT DEAL.

AND, AGAIN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME THIS

[01:40:02]

OPPORTUNITY. >> IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM?

>> >> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.

I JUST WANTED TO READ THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE' CORE PURPOSE AND FOCUS AREAS. CHAMBER COMMERCE MISSION TO DEVELOP AND PROMOTE THE ECONOMY EQUALITY OF LIFE IN ABILENE AREA. TO SUSTAIN THE BEST ENVIRONMENT FOR BUSINESSES TO THRIVE, GROW ADD JOBS AND DRIVE OUR ECONOMY.

THE FOCUS AREAS. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, AND SERVICE TO OUR MEMBERS.

THERE'S SOME STATISTICS THAT CAN BE FOUND IN THE AMERICAN BUSINESS MAGAZINE WHICH STATES 44% OF CONSUMERS ARE MORE LIKELY TO THINK FAVORABLY OF BUSINESS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF LOCAL CHAMBER. 63% OF CONSUMERS ARE MORE LIKELY TO BUY PRODUCTS OR SERVICES FROM BUSINESSES WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THEIR LOCAL CHAMBER. CONSUMERS VIEW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEMBERS AS TRUSTWORTHY AND MORE LIKELY TO BELIEVE THEIR PRODUCTS OR SERVICES ARE BETTER THAN THEIR COMPETITORS.

WHAT I FIND ODD IS THAT YOU HAVE CHAMBER MEMBERS WHO PAY A MEMBERSHIP TO THE ABILENE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

WHO ARE NOT BEING REPRESENTED VIA A MEMBERSHIP THEY PAY FOR.

AND I MYSELF AM ALSO A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER.

I'VE PUT THAT ON HOLD TO ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF MY COMMUNITY. THE AGENCY THAT I OWN NAMED THE BATTERY INTERVENTION PROGRAM OF ABILENE IN WHICH WHEN I I WAS DOWN ACTIVELY I COUNSELED MEN WHO BATTERED THEIR PARTNERS.

THIRD DEGREES FELLENED A MURDERED THEIR PARTNERS OR DID OTHER THING THAT WEREN'T NICE. I START NONPROFIT ABILENE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS COALITION.

ALL THAT TO SAY THIS. I'M A WOMAN.

I'M A MINORITY BECAUSE I'M HISPANIC.

AND I'M ALSO VETERAN. I DON'T NEED T AND P RAILROAD TO ASSIST. I COME FROM MULTIPLE GENERATION OF BUSINESS OWNER. IF THAT'S THE ONLY REASON THAT THE CHAMBER CAN GIVE TO VALIDATE THE REASON AS TO WHY THEY WOULD WANT THAT BUILDING, IT'S NOT A JUSTIFIABLE REASON.

BECAUSE AS I STATED AS MINORITY FEMALE BUSINESS A VETERAN; I COULD FIGURE THAT OUT ON MY OWN. AND IF ANYTHING -- IF ANYBODY KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT BUSINESS. YOU LEARN TRIAL BY ERROR.

BUSINESS OWNER WILL GET OUT THERE AND MAKE MISTAKES.

THEY WILL LEARN BETTER THAT WAY. I DON'T FEEL LIKE THE CHAMBER SHOULD BE AWARDED THE BUILDING. JUST BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT I FEEL LIKE IT'S A SHADY BUSINESS PRACTICE.

YOU HAD MEMBERS WHO HAVE PAID THEIR DUES.

HAVE PUT IN THEIR TIME. AND THIS IS AN AGENCY THAT'S SUPPOSED TO ADVOCATE OF BEHALF OF MEMBERS NOT CUT THEIR THROAT.

THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE CHAMBER.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE? THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM?

>> GOOD EVENING. I'M JENNIFER MORRISON.

I WORK AT THE LOCAL DOWNTOWN ABILENE.

I'M IN SUPPORT OF AWARDING TO CHARLIE WOLF.

SOMEONE MENTIONED EARLIER ABOUT BUILDING RESTAURANT THAT WILL CREATE JOBS THAT PAY 8 TO $10 AN HOUR.

WELL THE LOCAL PAID ME $10 DURING TRAINING ALONE.

DON'T THINK YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.

THE RESTAURANT DOWNTOWN AFFORDABLE FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY AND PROVIDE ENJOYABLE ATMOSPHERE AND I'M SURE THIS ONE WON'T BE DIFFERENT. I REITERATE WHAT MANY PEOPLE SAID BEFORE. THERE'S OTHER OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE. THAT'S MORE OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE AND I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU WOULD TURN TO RESTAURANT SPACE INTO OFFICE SPACE. I BELIEVE DIVERSITY OF BUSINESS AND OWNERSHIP DOWNTOWN ESSENTIAL TO GROWTH OF DOWNTOWN ABILENE THAT WE'RE ALL SO PASSIONATE ABOUT.

I WATCHED DOWNTOWN ABILENE GROW SINCE I WAS LITTLE GIRL.

I ALTERNATE TRIBUTE TO RESTAURANTS, BARS AND COFFEE SHOPS. ART STUDIO THAT BROUGHT ME AND MY FAMILY DOWN THERE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> SO THE PUBLIC HEARING IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM?

[01:45:04]

>> SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS.

>> I THINK THE VISION THAT THE CHAMBER HAS IS GREAT.

AND I SUPPORT WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO DO WHAT THEY HAVE DONE FOR MANY YEAR AND WHAT THEY WANT TO CONTINUE DO AND IMPROVE ON WHAT THEY CAN DO WITH THIS SYNERGY OF COMING TOGETHER.

AS HAS BEEN MENTIONED THERE ARE OTHER OTHER PLACES WHERE THAT COULD TAKE PLACE. WHEN I -- WITH WHERE I WORK SOMETIMES GO TO CONFERENCES AND OTHER CITIES.

IN DOWNTOWN AREA. YOU LOOK FOR A PLACE TO WALK AND TO GO FROM YOUR HOTEL TO CONFERENCE CENTER AND THEN YOU LOOK FOR PLACE TO EAT THAT SOMEWHERE WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE. AS WE ARE PUSHING TOWARDS THIS CONVENTION CENTER HOTEL, AND REVITALIZING AND BRINGING MORE PEOPLE HERE FOR CONFERENCES AND CONVENTIONS.

HAVING SOMETHING WALKABLE DISTANCE IS INVALUABLE.

ANOTHER IS WHEN AS I WAS REFLECTING ON THIS AND IT'S BEEN ALLUDED TO A LITTLE BIT AND TALKED ABOUT TONIGHT.

IF YOU WERE TO GO ASK 100 PEOPLE AT WAL-MART OR FOOTBALL GAME WHENEVER THOSE COME BACK OR ANYTHING WHERE IS THE CHAMBER SOMEONE WOULD LIKE HARRY POTTER CHAMBER OF SECRET.

THE LOCATION OF THE CHAMBER ISN'T THAT IMPORTANT.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OR THE CHAMBER YOU WILL LOOK IT UP. YOU ASK THOSE PEOPLE WHERE IS WATER BURGER? WELL, THERE'S THIS ONE AND THIS ONE AND THIS ONE I GO TO MOST TIME UNLESS I'M OVER HERE.

OR OTHER RESTAURANTS. THEY ARE DESIGNATION.

PEOPLE GO THERE. AND WE ARE TRYING TO ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE DOWNTOWN TO STAY THERE.

YOU GO THERE FOR SOMETHING PARAMOUNT.

SOMETHING AT THE PARADES TYPE PLACE.

AND AFTER THE PARADES WHEN OUR KIDS IN THE BAND WE WERE ALWAYS LET'S GO OUT TO EAT AFTER THE PARADE IS OVER.

AND GET SOME REFRESHING. IT'S ONE MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASON TO STAY DOWNTOWN. AND I SUPPORTED THIS TWO WEEKS AGO WHEN WE VOTED. I'M STILL IN SUPPORT OF TAKING THE HIGHEST BID. IF TWO BIDS WERE IDENTICAL.

MY VIEW THE HIGHEST AND BEST USE THE RESTAURANT.

THE FACT THAT CHARLIE WOLF'S BID IS 180,000 MORE IS JUST THAT MUCH MORE SOLID IN DEFENSE OF THAT POSITION AND THIS DECISION

FOR ME. >> YOU KNOW, ONE THING THAT COUNCILMEN HURT ARTICULATED FOR A WHILE.

I DON'T HAVE A RECOLLECTION OF A BID BEING AWARDED BY THIS COUNCIL FOR CITY OWNED PROPERTY THAT WE DIDN'T TAKE THE LARGEST BID. THE PROVISION THAT'S IN THE PROPOSAL DONE TO PROTECT THE CITY.

I SEE A NUMBER OF BUSINESS OWNERS HERE.

PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTORS, AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE EITHER.

IT WOULD BE HARD PRESSED TO FIND ANY OF YOU OR THOSE THAT -- IF WE'RE IN THE SITUATION FOR OWN PRIVATE PROPERTY REJECT A BID 200,000 LESS. AND SO I LOOK AT THE ROLE WE PLAY AND THE STEWARDSHIP WE ARE SUPPOSED TO ABIDE BY TO NOT TAKE THIS BID. HAVING SAID THAT.

I AGAIN, WHATEVER DECISION WILL BE MADE TODAY I WANT TO BE IN FULL SUPPORT OF. ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE

COUNCIL? >> YES, MAYOR.

I AGREE WITH COUNCIL PRICE ALSO. I THINK THE RESTAURANT IS WONDERFUL IDEA. WHAT YOU JUST TOUCHED ON IT'S BEEN ASKED OF ME. I'M A BUSINESS OWNER.

IF I WERE IN THE SITUATION IF IT WOULD BE -- IF I SUBMITTED THE HIGHEST BID WITH IDEA OF THE USE FOR THIS STRUCTURE, IT WOULD BE PRETTY UPSET MYSELF. THAT IT WOULD EVEN BE CONSIDERED. THAT BEING SAID I'M FOR THE

RESTAURANT. >> ANY MORE COMMENTS FROM THE

COUNCIL? >> WE'VE HEARD A LOT OF FOLKS SAY IS THERE ARE MANY OTHER PLACES THAT CHAMBER COULD RELOCATE. AND THAT'S TRUE.

BUT THERE'S ALSO A LOT OF OTHER PLACES THAT CHARLIE COULD LOCATE

[01:50:03]

115,000 SQUARE FEET THE WHAT -- IF MY NUMBERS ARE OFF.

I PULLED THAT OFF THE WEB SITE. 115,000 SQUARE FEET OF EMPTY SPACE IS OWNED BY ABILENE MAJESTIC LLC RIGHT NOW IN DOWNTOWN ABILENE. AND SO MY CONCERN IS YOU KNOW AND WE'VE GOT I PULLED BACK UP THE BID THAT CHARLIE SUBMIT FORD THE COTTON WAREHOUSE IN MAY. IT WAS BID DAY DECEMBER 18TH OF '18 CLOSED ON MAY THE 19TH OR MAY OF 2019.

31,000 FEET OF LOCAL SPECIALITY SHOP BREWERY BAKERY.

10,000 SQUARE FEET STAGE GREEN ROOM RESTAURANT, 40,000 SQUARE FOOT OPEN AIR AND MULTIPURPOSE COURTYARD THAT WOULD SERVE AS POP UP CULTURAL ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS.

AND NOTHING HAS HAPPENED THERE. I'M WAS READING IT MAY BECOME PARKING LOT. I'M JUST CONCERNED THAT THERE'S A LOT OF PROPERTY AND IN FULL DISCLOSURE.

CHARLIE LIVES ACROSS THE STREET FROM ME.

I GO TO CHURCH CHARLIE. CHARLIE HAS A LOT OF PROPERTY THAT IS EMPTY RIGHT NOW. A LOT OF -- 115,000 SQUARE FEET.

AND I JUST FEEL LIKE -- ABBY THE MEDICAL PRASZ ON PAIN STREET.

MAN, I WASN'T ON CHAMBER WHEN THAT HAPPENED.

WE GOT HAMMERED. BECAUSE THE CHAMBER SPENT A LOT OF MONEY AND THEY HAD TO -- THE CITY SPENT MONEY AND HAD TO SELL IT. WE GOT HAMMERED FOR THAT.

I DON'T WANT IN FUTURE TO SAY YOU KNOW, YOU GET AWAY THIS BEAUTIFUL BUILDING AND THE RESTAURANT DIDN'T MAKE IT AND NOW IT'S JUST SITTING THERE DOING NOTHING.

I'M NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THAT. ESPECIALLY WHEN I MEAN CHARLIE HAS DONE A GREAT JOB. THERE'S NO DOUBT.

THAT'S A FABULOUS PLACE. BUT I'M LOOKING AT THE TRACK RECORD OF THE OTHER PROPERTIES THAT HE HAS THIS DOWNTOWN ABILENE. AND I JUST -- I HAVE PAUSE FOR

CONCERN ABOUT THAT. >> I THINK YOU WOULD BE HARD PRESSED IN REGARD TO THIS ARGUMENT TO CHALLENGE CHARLIE WOLF IN BEING SUCCESSFUL. WHO RAN A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR BUSINESS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND CREATED A NUMBER OF JOBS IN THE CITY OF ABILENE VIA WOLFPACK.

ADDITIONALLY IF YOU LOOK AT THE INVESTMENT THAT HE HAS MADE EVEN ON THE PROPERTY ON 4TH AND I GUESS THAT'S CEDAR.

WITH DOWNTOWN APARTMENT THE OLD LAW FIRM THERE.

IN FACT I WOULD ENCOURAGE CHARLIE AND OTHER TO INVEST MORE MONEY IN ABILENE, TEXAS. I'M NOT SURE WE CAN SAY THUMBS OR OR THUMBS DOWN. WHICH BID SHOULD WE TAKE? AND SELECT AND RECOMMEND AND HOLD OUR HANDS UP AND THEN MOVE ON? ANY MORE COMMENTS FUND-RAISER

-- COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL? >> I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR TO TAKE THE SHOTS CHAR LOW WOLF WHEN HE CAN'T RESPOND.

DID YOU TALK TO HIM BEFORE THE MEETING TO GET THE FIND OUT WHY?

>> I MEAN, I WAS HOPING HE WOULD SPEAK TONIGHT.

>> PUBLIC HEARING THE CLOSED. IT SEEMS LIKE A CHEAP SHOT.

>> PUBLIC HEARING THE CLOSED TO DO THAT AFTER THE FACT.

>> ANY MORE COMMENT OF COUNCIL. I WANT TO SAY IN RESPONSE TO THAT. I'M NOT TRYING TO GET DEBATE HERE EITHER. THAT BUILDING HAS COMMERCIAL KITCHEN. IT ALREADY HAS A GROUP THAT THE GOING TO RUN THE RESTAURANT. I BELIEVE THE PLAN IS THERE.

ANY MORE COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL.

>> ONE MORE THING. JUST WHAT CHRIS SAID.

[01:55:01]

>> WITH THAT AGAIN I WILL MAKE A MOTION.

AND I WILL MAKE THE MOTION TO AWARD THE PROPERTY TO CHARLIE WOLF. WITH THE STIPULATION NOT TO DO

SO UNTIL THE ROOF IS COMPLETED. >> SECOND.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND WE HAVE A SECOND.

IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? >> MADAM SECRETARY.

WE'RE READY TO VOTE.

I'M GOING TO BREAK THE PRECEDENT.

I'M GOING TO SAY NO.

MOTION CARRIES. [APPLAUSE]

>> WE ARE NOW ON NUMBER NINE. I WILL ASK ROBERT HANNA TO

PRESENT THIS ITEM. >> THANK YOU MAYOR.

AS YOU KNOW GOVERNOR ABBOTT HAS TAKEN OVER LOCAL COVID RESPONSE.

>> I THINK NUMBER NINE WOULD BE SKIPPED.

>> YES. THANK YOU.

>> NUMBER NINE SKIPPED. WE'RE NOT READY TO DISCUSS THAT.

[10. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Modifying and Extending the Declaration of Local Disaster Issued July 23, 2020 (Robert Hanna)]

>> THANK YOU MAYOR. GOVERNOR ABBOTT TAKING OVER THE RESPONSE OFCO INSIDE THE STATE OF TEXAS WE NEED TO RENEW OUR LOCAL DISASTER DECLARATION WHICH MIRROR THE GOVERNORS BASICALLY SAID WE FOLLOW THE GOVERNOR ORDERS.

OURS EXPIRED ON AUGUST 27TH. THIS IS TIME TO RENEW IT.

DOES COUNCIL HAVE QUESTIONS? >> WOULD YOU COMMUNICATE WHY WE ARE DOING THIS. AS WE'VE BEEN DOING IT SEVERAL TIMES WHY WE ARE DOING THAT. WE'RE DOING THIS BECAUSE FEMA REQUIRES LOCAL DISASTER DECLARATION BE MADE.

THE PRESIDENT AND THE GOVERNOR HAVE THE ABILITY TO DECLARE PANDEMIC TO GET REIMBURSED FOR OUR COST ASSOCIATED WITH OUR RESPONSE PO PANDEMC NECESSARY TO HAVE LOCAL DISASTER

DECLARATION. >> ANY QUESTIONS MR. HANNA PRIOR

TO THE PUBLIC HEARING? >> I GUESS IT WAS LAST MEETING THAT YOU HAD INDICATED WE WERE TALKING ABOUT FORMULATING A LETTER TO SEND TO GOVERNOR AND HAVE WE GOTTEN ANY FURTHER ON

THAT? >> MAYOR WILLIAMS HAS BEEN BUSY AND HE AND I TALKED EARLIER THIS WEEK ABOUT APPOINTING ADHOC COMMITTEE. WE HAVE A MEETING WITH THE ORDER, GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SET UP BY THE MAYOR TO KIND OF DISCUSS WHAT THIS MAY LOOK LIKE. OUR INCIDENT CRAFT THIS IN THE MOST FAVORABLE LIGHT AS POSSIBLE.

SO WE ARE HEARD. AND SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED BY THE

GOVERNOR. >> THE QUESTION MISS HANNA HAD

FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING. >> THANK YOU MR. HANNA.

>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL HOPE UP THE PUBLIC HEARING.

IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM. IF SO PLEASE COME FORWARD AND

GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. >> I HAVE A CARD FROM DAVID

SCHWARTZ. >> OKAY.

>> YOU CAN SIT CLOSER. THERE'S NO ONE ELSE HERE.

>> THANK YOU COUNCIL. WHEN THE EXTRA LONG WINDED SESSION, I ALMOST FORGET. BUT ANYWAY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE DECLARATION AGAIN. HE BROUGHT UP ABOUT THE LETTER SENDING TO SUPPORT SOME LOCAL BUSINESS.

IT'S THE SAME THING. MY FRIEND FINALLY AFTER FIVE MONTHS WITHOUT BEING EMPLOYED FINALLY WENT BACK TO WORK LAST WEDNESDAY OR THURSDAY. IT'S LONG TIME.

SURE UNEMPLOYMENT HELPS. YOU KNOW FORTUNATELY DOWN THE NATIONAL LEVEL THEY SAID WE WILL GIVE YOU EXTRA TOP OFF.

AND ADDITIONALLY THAT HELPED. IT'S LIKE WE MENTIONED ABOUT THE CRAFTING THIS LETTER. WE GOT PLACES THAT ARE SHUTDOWN.

AND SHUTDOWN BY THE GOVERNOR OR INITIALLY BY THE CITY.

FRIENDS WORKPLACE ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS TO BE SHUTDOWN.

[02:00:01]

THE OTHER PLACE HE WORKED AT. THIS EXTENSION IT'S OKAY.

BUT IT'S LIKE SOME PEOPLE ARE SAYING.

HOW FAR IS THIS GOING TO KEEP GOING.

I KNOW WE NEED THIS IN PLACE TO MAYBE GET FUNDING.

BUT THE PROBLEM IS IT'S LIKE THEY SAID THEY GOVERNOR PUT OUT THIS MASK ORDER. AND I LOOKED IT UP ON WFAA.

IT'S OPEN ENDED. I DON'T THINK YOU CAN DO THAT.

I THINK IT HAS TO EXPIRE WHEN THE PRESIDENT SIGNS THE ORDER THEY WILL EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 27TH ON THIS NATIONAL LEVEL THINGS. I WOULD THINK THE GOVERNOR ORDER OTHER THAN THIS HAVING THIS PLACE TO GET FUNDING THAT EVENTUALLY THE LETTER THAT YOU ARE CRAFTING, THINK IS GOOD THING. BUT I JUST WANT TO GET MY TWO CENTS IN. A

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM?

>> SEEING NO ONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

DOES COUNCIL HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS AND OR COMMENTS.

>> I DO. >> MAYOR I KNOW THAT YOUR TRYING TO HAVE A DIPLOMATIC APPROACH AND APPROACH THE GOVERNOR AND I APPRECIATE THAT. AND THE WORK YOU'VE DONE WITH WEST TEXAS MAYORS. I STILL STRONGLY FEEL THAT THE ZELL SHOULD BRING A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE GOVERNOR.

I BELIEVE A LOT OF AREA AMENDMENT RIGHT HAVE BEEN VIOLATED. OUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT OF FREE EXERCISE AND THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO PEACEFULLY ASSEMBLE HAS BEEN VIOLATED. FIFTH AMENDMENTS BY DEPRIVING TEXAN OF LIBERTY AND PROPERTY RIGHT WITHOUT JUST COMPENSATION.

WE STILL HAVE BARS AND BUSINESSES LIKE THAT, THAT ARE STILL CLOSED. THEY STILL HAVE TO PAY THEIR FEES, TAX, THEY CAN'T OPEN. THEY WILLING TO WORK PUT WE NEED TO LET THEM GO TO WORK. FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT RIGHT EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW BY CHOOSING WHICH BUSINESSES WOULD BE CONSIDER ESSENTIAL AND WHICH WOULD BE CONSIDERED NONESSENTIAL ADDED TEXAN DUE PROCESS UNDER THE LAW.

ALSO QUESTION THE CONSTITUTIONITY OF THE SURGICAL SURVEILLANCE OF CONTACT TRACING AND HIRING A COMPANY FOR 295 MILLION. I THINK OUR RIGHTS ARE BEING

VIOLATED. >> ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE

COUNCIL? >> I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION AND A

SECOND. >> SO MOVED.

WE HAVE MOTION BY COUNCILMAN CRAVER AND SECOND BY RENTZ.

WE ARE READY TO VOTE.

[11. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing and Take Action to Approve a Revenue Guarantee Agreement with SkyWest Airlines to Provide Daily Service to Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport for United Airlines (Don Green)]

MOTION CARRIED. >> WE MOVE TO ITEM 11 WE'LL HAVE DON GREEN DIRECTOR OF PRESENTATION TO PRESENT THIS

ITEM. >> GOOD EVENING.

DAWN GREEN DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES.

I'M SO PLEASED TO BRING THIS TO YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL TONIGHT. THIS IS A REVENUE GUARANTEE AGREEMENT WITH SKY WEST AIRLINES TO FLY UNITED EXPRESS SERVICE TO HOUSTON THAT GETS UNITED CONNECTION THROUGH HOUSTON HUB.

THIS IS IN A TIME OF CORONAVIRUS WHERE YOU HEAR STORIES OF AIRLINES TALKING ABOUT LAYOFFS AND JUST NOT A GOOD SITUATION ON US NOW. WE'VE SEEN THE PROBLEMS AT THE AIRPORT TOO WITH DROPPING AS MUCH AS 92% IN APRIL THEY ARE CLIMBING BACK UP. WE'RE NOW 47 TO 50% WHERE WE WERE THIS TIME LAST YEAR. PEOPLE OF ABILENE RESPOND IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND STARTING TO FLY AGAIN.

HOWEVER, THIS AGREEMENT TONIGHT IS THE RESULT OF QUITE A FEW YEARS OF WORK BY STAFF. KATE IS WITH ME TONIGHT.

SHE'S A DIRECTING MANAGER. WE ATTENDED MEETING WHERE WE MET BE VARIOUS AIRLINES. SKY WEST WAS ONE.

WE HAVE JUST DEVELOPED RELATIONSHIPS.

AND THAT'S SUCH A BIG PART OF THIS.

WHEN SKY WEST HAD AIRCRAFT AND CREWS AVAILABLE BECAUSE OF CUTS IN OTHER CITIES. THEY THOUGHT OF ABILENE.

I'M GRATEFUL THEY DID. THEY ALSO HAD THOUGHT OF OUR REVENUE GUARANTEE AGREEMENT THROUGH THE SMALL COMMUNITY OR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT GRANT THAT WE RECEIVED IN FEBRUARY.

WE WERE POISED AT THAT POINT TO TAKE THIS ON.

IN ESSENCE THIS AGREEMENT WILL GUARANTEE UP TO 1.2 MILLION IN

[02:05:06]

THEY WILL REPORT TO US QUARTERLY.

AND IF THEY HAVE FALL SHORT OF REVENUE REQUIREMENTS, WE WILL PAY THAT DIFFERENCE. 1.2 MILLION.

IN ADDITION THAT'S ONE MILLION COMING FROM THE SMALL COMMUNITY OR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT GRANT AND THE 200,000 FROM THE CITY OF ABILENE. I'M SORRY THANK YOU FOR THAT.

FOR 1 MILLION WE HAVE TO CONTRIBUTE 200,000.

THERE'S OVER 300,000 THAT IS CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY IN DCOA AND THE MARKETING EFFORT THAT KATIE IS LEADING TO HELP GET PASSENGERS TO THAT BOOK THOSE UNITED FLIGHTS.

WE ARE ALSO IN THE NEXT ITEM YOU WILL SEE WE ARE ALSO OFFERING WAIVER OF FEES AND RENTS FOR UP TO TWO YEARS TO SKY WEST TO OCCUPY THEIR AIRPORT AND OPERATE OUT OF THE AIRPORT.

THIS AGREEMENT, AGAIN, IS NECESSARY FOR COMMUNITIES OUR SIZE AND ORDER FOR AIRLINES TO COME IN AND START NEW SERVICE ABATE THE RISK THEY HAVE TO SOME DEGREE OF STARTING NEW SERVICE.

THEY ARE HIRING. 13 TO 15 EMPLOYEES WHICH THEY WILL START TRAINING HERE SHORTLY.

SO WE REALLY THINK IS GOING TO BE A BOOST IN THE ARM.

TO OUR AIRPORT. WHICH BRINGS MORE GOOD THINGS TO US. WE DON'T LOOK TO CANNIBALIZE AMERICAN AIRLINES STATURE HERE AS BEING THE ONLY CARRIER FOR THE LAST 12 YEARS. BUT THE DOMINANT CARRIER FOR EVEN LONGER THAT, THAT. WE HOPE THIS WILL BRING IN NEW PASSENGERS. WE HOPE THAT WE ACTUALLY GET A LARGER -- WE START GETTING INTO WHAT WE CALL LEAKAGE WHICH IS OUR PASSENGERS AND OUR COMMUNITY WHO ARE DRIVING TO DFW AND CRYSTALING TO HOUSTON AND OTHER PLACES TO CATCH FLIGHTS.

WITH THAT, I WILL ASK IF THATS ANY QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU MR. GREEN. DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

>> YOU MENTION DRIVING TO HOUSTON.

YOU HAVE SAMPLE SCHEDULE. YOU SHOW A FLIGHT HOUR AN 20

MINUTES. >> QUIT A BIG QUICKER.

THEY'VE HAD THOSE SCHEDULED. IT'S PROBABLY QUICKER THAN THAT.

THAT SCHEDULE HAS CHANGED FOR THE BETTER.

WE WILL HAVE A 7:00AM DEPARTURE. GREAT FOR BUSINESS TRAVELLERS.

AND THE 5:00 P.M. FROM ABILENE GREAT FOR THE BUSINESS TRAVELLER COMING FOR MEETING IN THE DAY TIME AND BE ABLE TO GET HOME IN THE EVENING. THAT'S ACTUALLY BEEN AGREEMENT.

WHEN WE SAW THE ORIGINAL SCHEDULE THAT PROPOSED.

WE ASKED THEM ON THAT. AND PROPOSE SOMETHING ELSE THROUGH OUR AIR SERVICE CONSULTANT.

THAT'S WHAT THEY TOOK WAS THE 7:00 AND 5:00 P.M. DEPARTURE.

>> THOSE UP AND BACK TO HOUSTON. THAT'S A BIG DEAL.

THAT'S A BIG CHANGE. NEVER DRIVEN TO HOUSTON.

ANY NOR QUESTION TO MR. GREENE. >> FIRST FLIGHT DEPARTS AT 5:00 P.M. ON OCTOBER 21ST. THEN 22ND FULL SCHEDULE WITH 7:00 AND 5:00PM DEPARTURES. I THINK CONGRATULATIONS IS IN

ORDER. >> WE'VE PUT A LOT OF TIME AND

EFFORT. >> AND WORKING ON TWELVE YEARS.

SINCE CONTINENTAL LEFT IN OCTOBER OF 2008.

ALMOST 12 YEARS TO THE EXACT DATE THAT WE LOST THAT HOUSTON

SERVICE. >> I COULD NOT MAKE THE CEREMONY A FEW WEEKS AGO. STILL APPRECIATE YOU, DON, YOUR STAFF FOR DUE DILIGENCE AND I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN A LOT OF HARD WORK. I THINK IT PAY SIGNIFICANT DIVIDEND ON THE INVESTMENT YOU MADE.

I APPRECIATE IT VERY, VERY MUCH. >> DON AND DAY COULD YOU COME UP HERE PLEASE. I'VE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE IN PUBLIC MEETING. THINK THIS DESERVES SPECIAL RECOGNITION. ONE THING I STARTED A WHILE BACK IS A EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC SERVICE COIN.

AND SO THIS COMMUNITY HAS FOUGHT LONG AND HARD TO GET A SECOND CARRIER. AND THE TWO PEOPLE BEHIND ME ALONG WITH THEIR STAFF. IT'S NOT SINGLE EFFORT.

HAVE ALSO WORKED LONG AND HARD TO GET THIS DONE.

[02:10:04]

ON THE OPERATIONS SIDE. I CAN TELL YOU IT'S EVERY AIRPORT MANAGER DREAM TO HAVE A COMMERCIAL CARRIER ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE SMALL REGIONAL AIRPORT LIKE ABILENE.

HAVING TWO CARRIERS IS A COUP. TO HAVE UNITED AND AMERICAN AIRLINES IS EXTRA SPECIAL. SO I WANT TO PRESENT THIS COIN TO DON. IT'S A PRESENTED BY THE CITY MANAGER. IT'S AN EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC SERVICE. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP TO PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM IF SO PLEASE GIVE YOUR NAME

FOR THE RECORD. >> CARD FROM DAVID SCHWARTZ.

DAVID SCHWARTZ ONCE AGAIN. YOU KNOW IT'S WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY WE MAY HAVE I SPOKE BEFORE I HATE TO PUT DAMPER.

OUR TRACK RECORD NO SO GOOD WITH CARRIERS AT OUR AIRPORT.

I HOPE I'M WRONG. I KNOW YOU'VE SEEN IN THE MEDIA THE CARES ACT WILL RUN ON OCTOBER 1ST.

AND AMERICA IS SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING CUTTING JOBS PLUS ROUTES. AND I JUST HOPE WE CAN DO SOMETHING. I TALKED OLD FRIEND.

WHY DO WE HAVE TO GO EAST TO GO WEST.

I TOLD HIM I SAY I KNOW IF THIS WERE FLYING TO DENVER.

THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN GREAT. OR IF WE WERE FLYING MAYBE TO LITTLE ROCK OR NEW ORLEANS AND YOU KNOW IT WOULD JUST MENTION HERE ABOUT IT WILL ONLY TAKE YOU ABOUT AN HOUR ANT 20 SOMETHING MINUTES FLIGHT TIME. THE PRICE I LOOKED IT UP.

179 BUCKS. YOU STILL THINK, WELL, YOU KNOW SAVE SOME TIME. BUT MIDLAND YOU CAN GET TO MIDLAND IN TWO HOURS 20 MINUTES THE AIRPORT SMALL FRIENDLY.

YOU GET IT ON MIDLAND. YOU CAN GO TO SOUTHWEST.

YOU CAN GO TO OTHER CARRIERS THEY HAVE.

YOU CAN GO WEST. I KNOW I HOPE THEY DO GOOD.

BUT WITH 1.2 MILLION DOLLARS PAYING $200,000 OF THE TAX PAYERS I'M AFRAID THAT MAY RUN OUT QUICK IF WE DON'T TRY TO SUPPORT THIS BUT THE PROBLEM IS I TOLD MY FRIEND.

WELL AS LONG AS YOU'RE GOING TO HOUSTON.

OR YOU ARE GOING TO ANYWHERE ON THE EAST COAST BOY THAT SOUND LIKE A GREAT DEAL. BUT I'M AFRAID WE'VE GOT TWO-YEAR WINDOW THEY SAY COMING UP ON THE NEXT ITEM.

I'M AFRAID THAT MAY BE THE TWO-YEARS BEFORE THAT.

1.2 # MILLION RUNS OUT. I HOPE I'M WRONG.

LIKE I TOLD MY FRIEND EARLIER. I REMEMBER FRONTIER.

THEY 737 OUT OF HERE BEFORE WE HAD JETWAY.

AND WHEN MY FLEW OUT TO L.A. THEY FLEW TO THE HUB AT DENVER THEN THEY FLEW ON OUT TO L.A. AND I SAID THAT WAS HER FIRST PLANE RIDE. AND WHEN I HAD MY FIRST PLANE RIDE BACK IN 89 IT WAS THE BRAIN BROKEN DONE.

YOU WILL MISS YOUR CONNECTION. YOU WILL HAVE TO GET A TICKET ON ANOTHER AIRLINE. MY EXPERIENCE IS FIRST FLIGHT OUT OF HERE WAS NOT GOOD. BUT I HOPE THEY DO AWELL -- DO WELL AND WE WILL SEE HOW IT COMES OUT IN THE FUTURE.

I HOPE THAT DO GOOD. THANK YOU.

>> DOES ANYONE ELSE WANT TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM?

>> JERRY SMITH LEFT; CORRECT? >> YES.

>> >> IS THERE ANYONE ELSE? SEEING NO ONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

DOES THE COUNCIL HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS AND OR COMMENTS?

>> IF NOT I ACCEPT A MOTION AND SECOND.

>> MOTION. >> SECOND.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ANYTHING FOR DISCUSSION? WE'RE READY TO VOTE.

[12. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action to Approve an Airport Lease and Operating Agreement with SkyWest Airlines (Don Green)]

[02:15:01]

>> THANK YOU MAYOR. BEFORE YOU IS ACTUAL OPERATING AGREEMENT AND LEASE FOR SKY WEST TO OPERATE OUT OF THE AIRPORT.

THAT'S TO OCCUPY COUNTER SPACE AND OFFICE SPACE BAGGAGE CLAIM AREA, BAGGAGE OFFICE AND THEN THE COMMON SPACE THEY WILL SHARE WITH AMERICAN AIRLINES. THIS IS A TWO-YEAR, 24-MONTHS WAIVER OF THOSE RENTS AND FEES THAT ANY AIRLINE WOULD PAY THAT'S PART OF THE INCENTIVE THAT WE INCLUDED WE VALUE AT 90,000. AND ONCE THAT TWO-YEAR IS OVER.

THAT'S THE MAXIMUM THAT FAA ALLOWS AN AIRPORT TO OFFER TO A NEW SERVICE. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT COUNCIL PASSED IN WAS IN 2005. TO BEGIN IN EFFECT IN 2006.

JANUARY OF 2006. >> THANK YOU MR. GREENE.

>> QUESTIONS OF DON FROM THE COUNCIL?

>> THANK YOU. >> AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

SEEING NO ONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION. AND A SECOND.

>> SO MOVED. >> WE HAVE MOTION BY COUNCILMEN HURT AND SECOND BY CRAVER. AND FOR DISCUSSION, WE'RE READY TO VOTE. BRACK --

[13. Ordinance (Final Reading) Z­2020­11: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on a request from Cade and Katie Browning to rezone property from Single Family Residential 12 (RS­12) to Single Family Residential 12/Historic Overlay (RS­12/HO) zoning located at 910 Highland Avenue. (Mike Warrix)]

THEE MIKE WARRIX. >> GOOD EVENING THIS REZONING CASE C-2020-11. THIS IS HISTORY OVERLAY ZONING REQUEST. THE OWNER OF PROPERTY IN QUESTION ARE KATE AND KATIE BROWNING.

THIS IS REZONING ACTION WHICH IS BASICALLY GOING TO ADD HISTORY OVERLAY ZONING TO EXISTING PROPERTY THAT ZONE RS-12 WHICH IS RESIDENTIAL. IT'S A 9D 5-YEAR-OLD OLD BUILDING AT 910 HIGHLAND AVENUE. ITALIAN RENAISSANCE ARCHITECTURAL. PLACED ON HISTORICAL COMMISSIONS LIST OF HISTORIC STRUCTURES LAST YEAR.

THIS REQUEST WAS HURT BY THE LANDMARKS COMMISSION IN JULY.

THEY ARE RECOMMENDING APPROVAL TO YOU ALL.

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION HEARD THE CASE EARLIER THIS MONTH AND THEY RECOMMEND APPROVE TO YOU.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION HERE'S THE LOCATION MAP.

THIS IS 910 HIGHLAND WHICH IS RIGHT OFF OF SALES BOULEVARD.

ZONING MAP SHOWING PREDOMINANTLY RESIDENTIAL USES IN THAT AREA.

PHOTO OF THE PROPERTY. VERY NICE WELL MINUTE STAINED BEAUTIFUL HISTORIC HOME. DEFINITELY AN ASSET TO THE CITY.

SOMETHING WORTHY OF PRESERVATION.

SOMETHING WORTHY OF FACILITATING PROTECTION OF.

NOTIFICATION MAP SHOWING THREE IN FAVOR AND ONE IN OPPOSITION.

AS STAFF ALWAYS DOES WE REVIEW THIS PURSUANT TO THE CRITERIA FOR REVIEW THAT'S CONTAINED IN THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE.

THIS REQUEST HAS ANOTHER SET OF CRITERIA.

THIS IS SECTION 2344 WHICH APPLIES TO SPECIFICALLY TO CRITERIA FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION.

AND THAT'S WHAT THIS PROPERTY IS SEEKING.

THEY ARE SEEKING HISTORIC OVERLAY STATUS FOR THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY. AND WE ALSO REVIEWED IT PURSUANT TO TO REZONING CASE CRITERIA THAT'S ALSO IN THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE. LANDMARK RECOMMENDING APPROVAL.

PLANNING AND ZONING RECOMMENDATION APPROVAL AND STAFF HAS RECOMMENDED APPROVAL TO BOTH OF THOSE ENTITIES.

ANY QUESTIONS QUESTION OF THE MIKE WARRIX?

[02:20:06]

>> SINCE IT HAS NATIONAL AND STATE RECOGNITION.

IT'S APPROPRIATE WE SHOULD GET IT THE OVERLAY ZONING, I THINK.

>> SUCH A FABULOUS JOB. I MUST SAY.

THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM.

IF SO COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

SEEING NO ONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AND OR COMMENTS.

IF NOT, I WILL ACCEPT THE MOTION AND A SECOND.

>> SO MOVED. WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MAN ALBUS AND SECOND BY COUNCILMAN PRICE.

WE'RE READY TO VOTE.

>> MOTION CARRIES. >> WE'RE GOING TO ITEM NUMBER 15, 16, 17. WE WILL TAKE THIS UP AT FUTURE COUNCIL MEETING. THEY ARE EVALUATIONS OF EMPLOYEES THAT REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL.

AND WE'RE GOING TO GO TO ITEM NUMBER 18.

[18. 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)]

SEEING NO ONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

DOES THE COUNCIL HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON AGENDA NUMBER 18? IF NOT I ACCEPT MOTION AND

SECOND. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

MOTION BY CRAVER AND SECOND BY MCALISTER.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? >> WE'RE READY TO VOTE.

[PUBLIC COMMENTS]

THERE WILL BE NO VOTES OR ANY FORMAL ACTIONS TAKEN ON SUCH PRESENT DURING PUBLIC COMMENT. IT WILL ONLY ALLOW MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO PRESENT IDEAS AND INFORMATION FOR THE CITY

OFFICIALS AND STAFF. >> DAVID SCHWARTZ.

ONCE AGAIN. COUNCIL, WELL I GOT TO INSPECT SOME OF THE NEW STREETS WORKINGS.

AND BUTTERNUT I'VE NEVER BEEN SO PROUD OF IT.

IT'S ABSOLUTELY GREAT. OUT THERE AROUND THE ABOUT 700 BLOCK. THAT WAS HORRIBLE.

IT SHOULDN'T HAVE WENT THAT LONG.

NOW IT'S WONDERFUL. I MEAN I JUST CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THAT. IT'S JUST A SHAME THAT THE BUSINESS OWNER HAD TO SUFFER. BECAUSE KNOW THE GOVERNOR THINKS WELL, YOU'RE A BAR AND YOU DON'T GET TO BE OPEN.

I KNOW TWO PEOPLE HAVE THAT BARS.

THEY WERE CHOMPING AT THE BIT IF THEY COULD GET BACK OPEN.

THEY STILL HAVE TO PAY THEIR UTULLITY FEES AND MINIMUMS AND EVERYTHING TO HAVE THE NICE BEAUTIFUL STREET AND THEY CAN'T UTILIZE BECAUSE THEY THINK YOU'RE TOO EVIL BECAUSE YOU'RE A BAR. YOUR SEEDY.

I WENT OUT ON JOHN KNOX I BELIEVE THE STREET.

AND I DON'T KNOW. I GUESS IT'S CONCRETE.

IT'S LIKE RIDING A BUTT BOARD. >> IT'S HORRIBLE.

I DON'T KNOW YOU KNOW THAT IT'S EVER TWO FEET.

IT'S LIKE GOING OVER THE BRICK IN CORPUS CHRISTY.

JUST SHAKES YOU TO PIECES. IT'S REALLY A DISAPPOINTMENT AND HOW THAT STREET TURNED OUT. AND I HAD MENTIONED BEFORE I EVEN SENT E-MAIL BUT I GOT THE STANDARD REPLY.

I THINK MARI LEFT. CLICKIT, FIX IT APP I SUGGESTED IF THEY SHOULD COULD PUT A DEAL IN THE REPORT STREET LIGHTS AND IT WOULD LINK YOU TO AEP NORTH TEXAS SO WE CAN GET SOME OF THE

[02:25:05]

AND AEP IF THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT THEM.

THEY WON'T FIX. THEM THEY KEEP GETTING THE MONEY. THEY DON'T FIX THE LIGHT.

I ASK GREG THE STREET LIGHTS UNDER UNDERPASS AT MOCKINGBIRD, ARE THEY MAINTAINED BY AEP? OR THEY MAINTAINED BY THE CITY? BECAUSE IT'S POTLUCK WHEN YOU DRIVE UNDER IT.

SOME DAYS THERE'S THREE LIGHTS WORKING.

SOME DAYS THERE'S FOUR. SOME DAYS THERE'S TWO.

YOU SEE WHERE ONE FIXTURE BROKEN OFF.

I GUESS THAT'S IT. I JUST HOPE WE CAN HAVE SOME MORE GREAT STREETS IN THE FUTURE WITH STREET MAINTENANCE

COMMITTEE. >> THANK YOU.

>> OF COURSE VIA THE CITY OF ABILENE AND THE METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION. WE'RE TARGETED TO MAKE INVESTMENT OF $185 MILLION DOLLARS IN A FIVE-YEAR TIME SPAN FOR STREETS INSIDE ABILENE CITY LIMITS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP BY THE WAY ON MPO.

>> STILL IN PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

ANYONE ELSE? SEEING NO ONE I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. IT IS 8:02 AND THIS M

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.