PRE-COUNCIL WORK SESSION, THURSDAY
October 9, 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 October 9, 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 Roy L. McDaniel, Assistant City Manager Mike Morrison, City Attorney Sharon Hicks, City Secretary Jo Moore, and various members of the City staff.
City Manager Roy McDaniel stated the Council has the minutes of the September 15, 1997 TIF/Council joint workshop and the tape recording is available for review. Mr. McDaniel asked the Council to let staff know if there are any changes, and informed the Council that the minutes would be submitted to the TIF board also. Mike Morrison, Assistant City Manager, briefed the Council on item 3.1, Oral Resolution approving annual contract renewals for the Development Corporation of Abilene, Inc. Councilman Drennan requested the item be removed from the consent agenda for a short presentation for public information. Item 3.9, TC-04397 - Ordinance for thoroughfare abandonment of a portion of Highland Avenue from the south right-of-way of S. 3rd Street to the north right-of-way of S. 5th Street, was tabled by the Planning and Zoning Commission and would therefore be pulled from the agenda at this time. Mr. McDaniel distributed copies of a memo from Cindy Cullen, Technology Liaison, on a ruling from the FCC regarding Abilene's petition for preemption of PURA95. The FCC's decision was to not preempt state law.
Cassie Hughes, Building Official, distributed to Council sampling packets mailed to 424 contractors, and gave a progress report on the Building Inspection Permit process. Mrs. Hughes stated the position of permit specialist which will be funded through fee increases has been approved and will be advertised. Mrs. Hughes concluded by stating a contractor's packet was mailed to every active registered contractor, and a good response from the contractors has been received. Councilman Beckham stated the packet exceeds original expectations and commended Mrs. Hughes on the good job. 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
October 9, 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 October 9, 1997, at 9:00 a.m. in the City Council Chambers of City Hall.
Invocation was given by Councilwoman Kay Alexander.
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Austin Esquivel, fourth-grader at Ward Elementary, and Connie Sexton, first grader at Ward Elementary, who signed the pledge. The children were accompanied by Mrs. Pezzarossi, deaf education teacher at Ward Elementary; Mrs. Esquivel, Austin's mother; and Mrs. Guzman, Connie's mother.
Mayor McCaleb, assisted by City Secretary Jo Moore, presented Employee Service Awards to the following individuals for their years of service:
30 Years Jeffery Parker Fire Lieutenant
Fire
30 Years Larry Richards Fire Lieutenant
Fire
20 Years Frederick Bradford Firefighter
Fire
20 Years Ikey Garrett Firefighter
Fire
20 Years David Mangum Firefighter
Fire
20 Years Gary Mims Fire Lieutenant
Fire
(Lt. Mims was recognized for having used no sick days in 20 years)
20 Years Larry Newton Firefighter
Fire
20 Years Robert Snively Firefighter
Fire
20 Years Mike McDonald Administrator
Computer Services
Mayor McCaleb, assisted by Employee Committee Chair Charlotte Roy, presented the September Employee of the Month Award to Firefighter David Smith.
Mayor McCaleb presented the following proclamations:
October as National Physical Therapy Month,
October 9 as Higher Education Day, and
October as Texas Restaurant Month.
There being no corrections, additions, or deletions to the minutes of the September 15, 1997 City Council/TIF Workshop and September 25, 1997 Pre-Council and Regular City Council Meetings, Councilman Beckham moved to approve the minutes as printed. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Martinez and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilman Drennan, Councilwoman Martinez, Councilmen Beckham and Ferguson, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor McCaleb.
NAYS: None.
(Councilman Vasquez was absent during this vote).
Councilwoman Martinez moved to approve consent agenda items 3.2 through 3.7; approval of second and final reading of item 3.8; and approval of first reading of items 3.10 through 3.12 as recommended by staff. Item 3.1 was removed from the consent agenda to be considered separately at the request of Councilman Drennan; item 3.9 was tabled by the Planning and Zoning Commission, and therefore pulled from the Council agenda. 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.
Resolutions
3.1 Oral Resolution approving annual contract renewals for the Development Corporation of Abilene, Inc. Removed from Consent Agenda to be considered separately.
3.2 Oral Resolution approving and authorizing the Mayor to execute the street use license request from First Baptist Church for use of N. 2nd Street right-of-way.
3.3 Resolution concerning upgrading US 277 as a four lane divided roadway between Abilene & Wichita Falls.
The Resolution is numbered 33-1997 and is captioned as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ABILENE, TEXAS, REQUESTING THE TEXAS TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION TO UPGRADE US 277 BETWEEN ABILENE AND WICHITA FALLS TO A FOUR-LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY.
3.4 Oral Resolution approving a contract with the Regional Crime Victims Crisis Center.
Bid Awards
3.5 Vehicles for various divisions, Bid #CB8000. The bid was awarded as follows: Items 1, 2, 3, and 5 to Lawrence Hall Chevrolet and Items 4 and 6 to Arrow Ford, the low responsible bidders for a total amount of $526,767.54, as recommended by staff.
3.6 Tractor loader for Water Distribution, Bid #CB7080. The bid was awarded to Abilene Ag New Holland, Inc, the low responsible bidder in the amount of $26,553.00, as recommended by staff.
3.7 Ag tractors, Bid #CB7079. The bid was awarded to Abilene Ag New Holland, Inc, the low responsible bidder in the amount of $115,737.00, as recommended by staff.
Ordinances
3.8 Approval of second and final reading - 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.
The Ordinance is numbered 44-1997 and is captioned as follows:
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.
3.9 TC-04397 - Ordinance for thoroughfare abandonment of a portion of Highland Avenue from the south right-of-way of S. 3rd Street to the north right-of-way of S. 5th Street, and set a public hearing for October 23, 1997 at 9:00 a.m. (Tabled by the Planning and Zoning Commission; pulled from Council agenda).
3.10 Approval of first reading - Z-04597 - Ordinance to add H (Historic Overlay) to underlying CB & LI (Central Business & Light Industrial) district, located at 101 Oak and set a public hearing for October 23, 1997 at 9:00 a.m.
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.
3.11 Approval of first reading - Z-04697 - Ordinance to amend PDD 50 concerning Part 8, Specific Modifications and Part 10, Development, located at 3602 Hwy. 83-84, and set a public hearing for October 23, 1997 at 9:00 a.m.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ABILENE, TEXAS, AMENDING CHAPTER 23, SUBPART E, "ZONING," OF THE ABILENE MUNICIPAL CODE, AND ORDINANCE NO. 43-1990 CONCERNING THE PDD #50 PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT; DECLARING A PENALTY AND CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING; AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
3.12 Approval of first reading - SNC-04797 - Ordinance for street name change from Play Street to Expo Drive, and set a public hearing for October 23, 1997 at 9:00 a.m.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ABILENE, TEXAS, FOR A STREET NAME CHANGE OF PLAY STREET TO EXPO DRIVE.
REGULAR AGENDA
Resolutions
3.1 John Breier, Director of Economic Development, briefed the Council on the process followed resulting in today's request for approval by Oral Resolution of annual contract renewals between the following agencies and the Development Corporation of Abilene, Inc.: City of Abilene for administrative services of the ARBEC in the amount of $602,815; Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs in the amount of $25,000; Caruth Small Business Development Center in the amount of $110,000; and Abilene Industrial Foundation/Chamber of Commerce in the amount of $762,225 for a total of $1,500,040.00. Mr. Breier explained the dollar amount increases and decreases.
Councilman Drennan stated the funding was all budgeted through the DCOA budget, and thanked Mr. Breier for the good work.
Councilman Vasquez moved to approve by Oral Resolution annual contract renewals between the following agencies and the Development Corporation of Abilene, Inc.: City of Abilene for administrative services of the ARBEC in the amount of $602,815; Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs in the amount of $25,000; Caruth Small Business Development Center in the amount of $110,000; and Abilene Industrial Foundation/Chamber of Commerce in the amount of $762,225 for a total of $1,500,040.00, as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Councilman Drennan and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Vasquez and Drennan, Councilwoman Martinez, Councilmen Beckham and Ferguson, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor McCaleb.
NAYS: None.
4.1 Melvin Martin, Police Chief, briefed the Council on an Oral Resolution approving cooperative funding with Taylor County for construction of a conference room at the Law Enforcement Center. The City will fund $7,500 and Taylor County will fund $2,500. The remaining $19,000 will be funded by a Federal Law Enforcement grant and revenue generated by leasing Child Advocacy Center office space to Child Protective Services. Future utility costs will be equally shared by the Police and Sheriff's Department. Staff recommends approval.
Councilwoman Alexander moved to approve by Oral Resolution a cooperative funding agreement with Taylor County for construction of a conference room at the Law Enforcement Center, as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Councilman Ferguson and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Vasquez and Drennan, Councilwoman Martinez, Councilmen Beckham and Ferguson, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor McCaleb.
NAYS: None.
Other Business:
Mayor McCaleb recessed the Council into executive session pursuant to Sections 551.071 and 551.074 of the Open Meetings Act, and to seek the advice of the City Attorney with respect to pending and contemplated litigation and to consider the appointment and evaluation of public officers.
The Council reconvened from executive session, and stated no action was taken.
5.3 Resolution nominating Central Appraisal District Board of Directors will be held until the October 23, 1997 meeting.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Jo Moore Gary D. McCaleb
City Secretary Mayor