PRE-COUNCIL WORK SESSION, THURSDAY
September 25, 1997, 8:30 A.M.
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ABILENE, TEXAS,
BASEMENT CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL
The City Council of the City of Abilene, Texas, met in a Pre-Council Work Session on September 25, 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, Councilman Rob Beckham, and Councilwoman Kay Alexander. Also present were City Manager Roy L. McDaniel, Assistant City Manager Mike Morrison, City Attorney Sharon Hicks, City Secretary Jo Moore, and various members of the City staff. Councilman Ray Ferguson was absent.
Elizabeth Grindstaff, Downtown Manager, briefed the Council on Item 3.2, Resolution authorizing expenditures of $200,000 to Abilene Improvement Corporation for acquisition and exterior stabilization of property at 1292 N. 1st St., the history of the Boyd building and possible use of the building to prevent any further deterioration. The building was constructed as a filling station in 1928, and later expanded to include a tire business in 1930. Council briefly discussed the following various other consent and regular agenda items. It was noted that the public hearing posted for October 9, 1997 on Item 3.7, Ordinance authorizing promissory notes for loan guarantee assistance under Section 108 of the Housing & Community Development Act of 1974 as amended for the Downtown Loan program, is not required, due to the fact that a public hearing has already been held on the item. Item 4.3, Public Hearing on an Ordinance nominating three areas of the City as state designated enterprise zones pursuant to the Texas Enterprise Zone Act was overviewed by Director of Economic Development John Breier and Assistant City Manager Mike Morrison. Councilman Drennan stated he wanted to emphasize that every neighborhood has been considered and the entire City's needs are trying to be met; tax abatement is not automatic if you start a business; and low, economically disadvantaged, and unemployed will be helped. Councilman Vasquez stated he attended the Hospitality House groundbreaking and that there were good comments made about the Council and its involvement. There being no further discussion, the meeting was recessed until 9:00 a.m. for the regular Council Meeting.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
September 25, 1997, 9:00 A.M.
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ABILENE, TEXAS
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL
Mayor McCaleb reconvened the City Council of the City of Abilene, Texas, into Regular Session September 25, 1997, at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Invocation was given by Councilman Paul Vasquez.
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Brock Woods, fourth-grader at Valley View Elementary School, who was accompanied by his principal, Ms. White.
Susan Gerred, Fun Run/Walk Day committee member, briefed those in attendance on the planned activities scheduled for October 11 as United Way Fun Run/Walk Day, and extended a special invitation to the council to participate in the event.
Mayor McCaleb presented the following Proclamations:
October as Fire Prevention Month; and
September 30 as Nonprofit Resource Center's 10th Anniversary.
There being no corrections, additions, or deletions to the minutes of the Pre-Council Session and Regular City Council Meeting held September 11, 1997, Councilwoman Martinez moved to approve the minutes as printed. The motion was seconded by Councilman Vasquez and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Vasquez and Drennan, Councilwoman Martinez, Councilman Beckham, Councilwoman Alexander and Mayor McCaleb.
NAYS: None.
Councilman Vasquez moved to approve consent agenda items 3.1 through 3.6, and first reading of item 3.7, as recommended by the staff. It was clarified that Item 3.7 has already had a public hearing, therefore another public hearing would not be necessary. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Alexander and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Vasquez and Drennan, Councilwoman Martinez, Councilman Beckham, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor McCaleb.
NAYS: None.
Resolutions
3.1 Resolution amending the User Fee study concerning fees for thoroughfare abandonment.
The Resolution is numbered 31-1997 and is captioned as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ABILENE, TEXAS, TO AMEND USER FEE STUDY CONCERNING THOROUGHFARE ABANDONMENT FEE.
3.2 Resolution authorizing expenditures of $200,000 to the Abilene Improvement Corporation for acquisition and exterior stabilization of property at 1292 N. 1st St.
The Resolution is numbered 32-1997 and is captioned as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ABILENE, TAYLOR COUNTY, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE USE OF TAX INCREMENT FINANCING (TIF) FUNDS AND CDBG FUNDS TO ACQUIRE AND ENHANCE THE HISTORIC BOYD BUILDING AT 1292 NORTH FIRST STREET IN DOWNTOWN ABILENE.
3.3 Oral Resolution authorizing $34,000 of Tax Increment Financing funds to the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council for their 1997/98 "Cultural Incentive" programming.
3.4 Oral Resolution approving a professional services contract with the National Development Council for the purpose of accomplishing community and economic development objectives.
Bid Awards
3.5 Library furniture and shelving for pilot branch, CB7078. The bid was awarded in four parts as follows: Barnhill Office Equipment - $32,234.00 for items 1,3.2, and 4; Royer & Schutts - $7,471.53 for items 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, and 3.5; Libra-Tech - $20,348.00 for items 5, 7, and 10; and Vance Hunt & Assoc. - $1372.00 for item 2.1; as recommended by staff.
3.6 Lake Kirby Park parking lots, CB7082. The bid was awarded to Norris and Norris of Tye, TX in the amount of $83,681.85, as recommended by staff.
Ordinances
3.7 Ordinance authorizing promissory notes for loan guarantee assistance under Section 108 of the Housing & Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, for the Downtown Loan Program.
AUTHORIZING PROMISSORY NOTES IN THE AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $7,000,000 TOGETHER WITH THE CONTRACT FOR LOAN GUARANTEE ASSISTANCE UNDER SECTION 108 OF THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED, 42 U.S.C., SECTION 5308, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.
REGULAR AGENDA
Ordinances
4.1 Carl Lockett, Planning Administrator, briefed the Council on an Ordinance considered on second and final reading - Z-03997 - Rezone from RS-6 (Residential Single Family) to GC (General Commercial) district located at the northeast corner of S. 27th & Maple Streets. The Planning and Zoning Commission and staff recommend approval.
Mayor McCaleb opened a public hearing on the item, and there being no one present and desiring to be heard, the public hearing was closed.
Councilman Vasquez moved to approve the Ordinance to rezone from Residential Single Family to General Commercial district located at the northeast corner of S. 27th & Maple Streets, as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Councilman Drennan and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Vasquez and Drennan, Councilwoman Martinez, Councilman Beckham, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor McCaleb.
NAYS: None.
The Ordinance is numbered 41-1997 and is captioned as follows:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 23, "PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT," SUBPART E, "ZONING," OF THE ABILENE MUNICIPAL CODE, BY CHANGING THE ZONING DISTRICT BOUNDARIES AFFECTING CERTAIN PROPERTIES, AS DESCRIBED BELOW, DECLARING A PENALTY, AND CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING.
4.2 Carl Lockett, Planning Administrator, briefed the Council on an Ordinance considered on second and final reading - Z-04297 - Rezone from AO (Agricultural Open Space) to RM-2 and GC (Residential Multi-Family and General Commercial) district, located in the 1700 block of Beltway South (FM 707). The Planning and Zoning Commission and staff recommend approval.
Mayor McCaleb opened a Public Hearing on the item and the following individuals spoke in response to the request:
FOR
. Bailey Choate, 22 Hoylake, proponent; stated he has complied with City requirements, and showed a map of where the houses are laid out.
AGAINST
. Betty Reynolds, 1925 Beltway South, stated she doesn't want to be looking at commercial property, and that traffic will increase. She stated multi-family would be better and suggested the 500' of property up to Skinny's is enough commercial.
There being no one else present and desiring to be heard, the public hearing was closed.
Councilman Drennan moved to approve the Ordinance to rezone from Agricultural Open Space to Residential Multi-Family and General Commercial district located in the 1700 block of Beltway South (FM 707), as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Martinez and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Vasquez and Drennan, Councilwoman Martinez, Councilman Beckham, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor McCaleb.
NAYS: None.
The Ordinance is numbered 42-1997 and is captioned as follows:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 23, "PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT," SUBPART E, "ZONING," OF THE ABILENE MUNICIPAL CODE, BY CHANGING THE ZONING DISTRICT BOUNDARIES AFFECTING CERTAIN PROPERTIES, AS DESCRIBED BELOW, DECLARING A PENALTY, AND CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING.
4.3 John Breier, Director of Economic Development, briefed the Council on an Ordinance considered on second and final reading nominating three areas of the City as state designated enterprise zones pursuant to the Texas Enterprise Zone Act. Mr. Breier stated this would be reestablishing two existing zones and creating a new one. Staff recommends approval.
Mayor McCaleb opened a Public Hearing on the item and the following individual spoke in favor of the request:
. Bailey Choate, 22 Hoylake, commended Mr. Breier.
Councilman Drennan emphasized that the creation of these zones will help to attract and retain businesses, and help in areas of unemployment. All areas in the City meeting the qualifications are included with tax abatements not being automatic but based on circumstances.
There being no one else present and desiring to be heard, the public hearing was closed.
Councilwoman Martinez moved to approve the Ordinance nominating three areas of the City as state designated enterprise zones pursuant to the Texas Enterprise Zone Act, as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Alexander and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Vasquez and Drennan, Councilwoman Martinez, Councilman Beckham, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor McCaleb.
NAYS: None.
The Ordinance is numbered 43-1997 and is captioned as follows:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ABILENE, TEXAS NOMINATING THREE AREAS AS ENTERPRISE ZONES PURSUANT TO THE TEXAS ENTERPRIZE ZONE ACT (TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, CHAPTER 2303); PROVIDING TAX INCENTIVES; DESIGNATING AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE TO ACT IN ALL MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE NOMINATION AND DESIGNATION OF THE AREAS DESCRIBED HEREIN AS ENTERPRISE ZONES AND REINVESTMENT ZONES (TEXAS TAX CODE, CHAPTER 312); AND FURTHER DESIGNATING A LIAISON TO ACT ON ALL MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE ENTERPRISE ZONE ACT ONCE DESIGNATED BY THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, AND CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
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Jo Moore
City Secretary
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Gary D. McCaleb
Mayor