PRE-COUNCIL WORK SESSION, THURSDAY

The City Council of the City of Abilene, Texas, met in a Pre-Council Work Session on March 6, 1997, at 8:30 A.M. in the Basement Conference Room of City Hall. Mayor Gary D. McCaleb was present and presiding with Councilmen Paul R. Vasquez and A. Don Drennan, Councilwoman Carol Martinez, Councilmen Rob Beckham and Ray Ferguson, and Councilwoman Kay Alexander. Also present were City Manager Lanny Lambert, Assistant City Manager Roy L. McDaniel, City Attorney Harvey Cargill, Jr., City Secretary Jo Moore, and various members of the City staff.

Marva Pritchett, Director of Public Works, briefed the Council on the Abilene Regional Airport Activity, and read the Mission Statement for the Airport. Ms. Pritchett stated physical improvement with FAA funding has been completed, and the number of boardings have declined due to Delta cutting back, and with ASA having suspended their operations as of January 1, 1997. The Council discussed the implementation of a Passenger Facility Charge and the areas in which the funds from that charge could be used. The Council expressed concerns in utilizing the funds for expansion of the Airport with fewer airlines and less air traffic being experienced, but it was noted that the funds can also be used for renovation, ADA compliance, and reallocation of space. David Wright, Director of Finance, informed the Council that specific projects to be included in the plan will be brought to the Council at the last meeting in May or first meeting in June. Harvey Cargill, City Attorney, distributed to the Council a second Resolution to be considered on Item 4.3, Resolutions to possibly approve intervention in Fuel Adjustment and Integrated Resource Plan. Lanny Lambert, City Manager, stated the proponents for Item 3.6, Oral Resolution approving a Street Use License request from the Abilene Preservation League and Museums of Abilene for a "Celebrate Abilene" festival April 4-6, 1997, would be requesting to remove the item from the Consent Agenda for publicity purposes. The Council briefly discussed various other consent and regular agenda items, and there being no further discussion, the meeting was recessed to the City Council Chambers until 9:00 a.m. for the regular Council Meeting.

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Mayor McCaleb reconvened the City Council of the City of Abilene, Texas, into Regular Session March 6, 1997, at 9:00 a.m. in the City Council Chambers of City Hall.

Invocation was given by Councilwoman Carol Martinez.

Pledge of Allegiance was led by Lance Johnson, 5th grader at Allie Ward Elementary; and accompanied by his mother, Karen Johnson.

City Secretary Jo Moore assisted Mayor McCaleb in the presentation of the following Employee Service Awards:

Earnest Merritt, Special Assistant to the City Manager for Youth Services, assisted Mayor McCaleb in the presentation of the February Employee of the Month Award to Jeff Armstrong, Planner II.

Mayor McCaleb presented the following Proclamations:

March as Red Cross Month; and

March 17-21 as Say No to Drinking and Driving Week.

There being no corrections, additions, or deletions to the minutes of the Pre-Council Session and Regular City Council Meeting held February 27, 1997, Councilman Vasquez moved to approve the minutes as printed. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Martinez and the motion carried.

AYES: Councilmen Vasquez and Drennan, Councilwoman Martinez, Councilmen Beckham and Ferguson, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor McCaleb.

NAYS: None.

Councilman Ferguson moved to approve consent agenda items 3.5 and 3.7, and approval of first reading agenda items 3.1 through 3.4, as recommended by staff. Item 3.6 was removed from the Consent Agenda to be considered separately at the request of the proponents. The motion was seconded by Councilman Vasquez and the motion carried.

AYES: Councilmen Vasquez and Drennan, Councilwoman Martinez, Councilmen Beckham and Ferguson, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor McCaleb.

NAYS: None.

3.6 James Condry, Assistant Director of Public Works, briefed the Council on an Oral Resolution approving a Street Use License request from the Abilene Preservation League and Museums of Abilene for a "Celebrate Abilene" festival April 4-6, 1997, which was removed from the Consent Agenda to be considered separately at the request of the proponents. Mr. Condry then introduced Carol Haines and JoAnn Wilson, co-chairs for Celebrate Abilene, who explained to the Council the reasoning behind combining the Railroad Festival and the Buffalo Gap Arts Festival into one Celebration.

Councilwoman Martinez moved to approve by Oral Resolution a Street Use License request from the Abilene Preservation League and Museums of Abilene for a "Celebrate Abilene" festival April 4-6, 1997, as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Alexander and the motion carried.

AYES: Councilmen Vasquez and Drennan, Councilwoman Martinez, Councilmen Beckham and Ferguson, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor McCaleb.

NAYS: None.

4.1 James Condry, Assistant Director of Public Works, briefed the Council on an Oral Resolution concerning an application/permit to drill and operate an oil/gas well within the City limits, Permit #9701 located north of Vogel near Mockingbird, and authorize the Mayor to execute the Permit. Staff recommends approval.

Councilman Ferguson moved to approve by Oral Resolution an application/permit to drill and operate an oil/gas well within City limits, Permit #9701, located north of Vogel near Mockingbird, and authorize the Mayor to execute the permit, as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Alexander and the motion carried.

AYES: Councilmen Vasquez and Drennan, Councilwoman Martinez, Councilmen Beckham and Ferguson, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor McCaleb.

NAYS: None.

4.2 James Condry, Assistant Director of Public Works, briefed the Council on an Oral Resolution concerning an application/permit to drill and operate an oil/gas well within the City limits, Permit #9702 east of Loop 322 and south of I-20, and authorize the Mayor to execute the Permit. Staff recommends approval.

Councilman Drennan moved to approve by Oral Resolution an application/permit to drill and operate an oil/gas well within City limits, Permit #9702, located east of Loop 322 and south of I-20, and authorize the Mayor to execute the permit, as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Councilman Vasquez and the motion carried.

AYES: Councilmen Vasquez and Drennan, Councilwoman Martinez, Councilmen Beckham and Ferguson, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor McCaleb.

NAYS: None.

4.3 Harvey Cargill, City Attorney, briefed the Council regarding Resolutions to possibly approve intervention in Fuel Adjustment and Integrated Resource Plan. Staff recommends approval.

Councilman Ferguson moved to approve the Resolutions to possibly approve intervention in Fuel Adjustment and Integrated Resource Plan, as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Councilman Vasquez and the motion carried.

AYES: Councilmen Vasquez and Drennan, Councilwoman Martinez, Councilmen Beckham and Ferguson, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor McCaleb.

NAYS: None.

The Resolution is numbered 3-1997 and is captioned as follows:

The Resolution is numbered 4-1997 and is captioned as follows:

4.4 David Wright, Director of Finance, briefed the Council on an Oral Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute consulting services contract with Leibowitz AMC, Inc. for a passenger facility charge application at the Abilene Regional Airport. Mr. Wright distributed a tentative implementation calendar over an approximate one year time frame, and clarified that this is a user fee which only applies to individuals leaving the Airport on an Airline and will be included in the ticket price. Staff recommends Council authorize the City Manager to execute the contract with Leibowitz AMC, Inc. for a fixed fee (includes travel and out-of-pocket expenses) of $26,250.

Councilwoman Martinez moved to approve by Oral Resolution a consulting services contract with Leibowitz AMC, Inc. for a passenger facility charge application at the Abilene Regional Airport, and authorizing the City Manager to execute the contract for a fixed fee to include travel and out-of-pocket expenses of $26,250, as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Councilman Vasquez and the motion carried.

AYES: Councilmen Vasquez and Drennan, Councilwoman Martinez, Councilmen Beckham and Ferguson, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor McCaleb.

NAYS: None.

5.1 Walter Graham, Senior Citizens Supervisor, gave a presentation to the Council on the Senior Citizens Program, including the use of CDBG funds in that program. Mr. Graham stated that for the last 23 years, Abilene has had an excellent Seniors program - one of the most successful in the State; and received the Award of Excellence from the Texas Joint Conference on Aging in 1991. Mr. Graham further explained that 15.5% of the Abilene population, or 16,539, are older citizens. The Senior Centers are strategically located to meet their needs, which range from nutrition to support services and recreation. The total Senior Citizen FY 96-97 budget is $690,490 and is funded through the following sources: Federal, 24%; CDBG, 6%; General, 62%; and participant donations, 8%. Mr. Graham ended his presentation by thanking the Council for their support of this program.

The Council stated their appreciation to Mr. Graham for his vision and innovative spirit, and highly commended him and his staff.

No action was required.

Mayor McCaleb recessed the Council into executive session pursuant to Sections 551.071 and 551.074 of the Open Meetings Act, to seek the advice of the City Attorney, and to consider the appointment and evaluation of public officers.

The Council reconvened and reported no action taken.

Mayor McCaleb stated that following the resignation of City Attorney Harvey Cargill, applications to fill the vacancy will be accepted with ample time being given to the process in order for the Council to have full confidence in their decision on filling the position. The Mayor expressed his appreciation to Mr. Cargill for his many years of service.

Councilman Drennan moved to direct the City Manager to develop a Resolution expressing the Council's appreciation to Mr. Cargill for the good service he has given to the City. The motion was seconded by Councilman Vasquez and the motion carried.

AYES: Councilmen Vasquez and Drennan, Councilwoman Martinez, Councilmen Beckham and Ferguson, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor McCaleb.

NAYS: None.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:15 a.m.