The City Council of the City of Abilene, Texas, met in a Pre-Council Work Session on November 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, and Councilmen Rob Beckham and Ray Ferguson. 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. Councilwoman Kay Alexander was absent.

The Council briefly discussed various consent and regular agenda items. Councilman Drennan shared some ideas from the annual TML Conference about informing citizens on how to report problems, and reducing the number of times a citizen is transferred from department to department. In one city, a hot line was installed with a recording which took citizen calls and forwarded them to the proper department. Councilman Drennan noted the importance of implementing ideas to improve relations with the City and departments. Mayor McCaleb stated there would be a Council meeting Friday, November 7, 1997 to canvass the votes of the Library Bond election. The November 20 Council meeting will remain as scheduled, but only four Councilmembers will be able to be present. Therefore, a special meeting will be held Tuesday, November 25 for the second reading and public hearing on item 3.5, thoroughfare abandonment of a portion of Highland Avenue from the south r-o-w of S. 3^rd St. to the north r-o-w of S. 5^th St.; at which time a full Council is expected. The Council may also consider fall board appointments at the November 25 meeting. There being no further discussion, the meeting was recessed until 9:00 a.m. for the regular Council Meeting.

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

Invocation was given by Councilman Don Drennan.

Pledge of Allegiance was led by Amy Schnitman, 5th grader at Austin Elementary; who was accompanied by her mother, Donna Schnitman.

Mayor McCaleb, assisted by City Secretary Jo Moore, presented an Employee Service Award to John C. Moore, Construction Inspector I in the Engineering Division, for 20 years of service.

Mayor McCaleb presented proclamations as follows:

November 9 through 15 as Youth Appreciation Week;

November 9-15 National Home Care Aide Week;

November as National Home Care Month;

Councilman Vasquez moved to approve the minutes of the Pre-Council Session and Regular City Council Meeting held October 23, 1997 as printed. The motion was seconded by Councilman Drennan and the motion carried.

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

NAYS: None.

Councilman Drennan stated he would be abstaining from item 3.5, TC-04397 - Ordinance for thoroughfare abandonment of a portion of Highland Avenue from the south r-o-w of S. 3rd St. to the north r-o-w of S. 5th St., as he is a member of Highland Church of Christ, which is making the request.

Councilwoman Martinez moved to approve items 3.1 through 3. 4, as recommended by the staff. Item 3.5 was removed from the consent agenda to be considered separately at the request of Mrs. Bobbie Hotchkiss. The motion was seconded by Councilman Vasquez and the motion carried.

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

NAYS: None.

3.5 Carl Lockett, Planning Administrator, briefed the Council on an Ordinance considered on first reading - TC-04397 - Ordinance for thoroughfare abandonment of a portion of Highland Avenue from the south r-o-w of S. 3rd St. to the north r-o-w of S. 5th St., and set a public hearing for November 25, 1997 at 9:00 a.m. Mr. Lockett explained the church is requesting closure for safety reasons, and to consolidate their church complex. Staff recommends approval based on the following conditions: adjacent platted lots having street frontage only on the affected portion of Highland Avenue must be eliminated through replatting; retain the open drainage easement that runs the full length of this section of Highland Avenue; and retain the telecommunications, water and sewer line easements in their entirety; if construction takes place any resulting relocation of utility lines or drainage facilities shall be accomplished at the proponents expense in a manner satisfactory to the City of Abilene and the affected utility provider; and a fire apparatus access lane or alternative approved by the Fire Marshall must be maintained in place of Highland Street. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommends approval.

Councilman Beckham moved to approve the first reading of the Ordinance for thoroughfare abandonment of a portion of Highland Avenue from the south r-o-w of S. 3^rd St. to the north r-o-w of S. 5^th St., and to set the public hearing on this item for 9:00 a.m. November 25, 1997. The motion was seconded by Councilman Ferguson and the motion carried.

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

NAYS: None.

ABSTAIN: Councilman Drennan, due to his affiliation with the proponent.

4.1 Marva Pritchett, Director of Public Works, presented a brief history of stormwater management activities in the City of Abilene; followed by a brief technical overview of current stormwater management by Andy Anderson, Director of Community Development. Mr. Anderson addressed stormwater management in general, as well as specific to Abilene.

Roy McDaniel, City Manager, summarized that since the Stormwater Ordinance was passed in 1982, not a single structure built since that time has flooded. Mr. McDaniel stated the historical perennial problems are being dealt with, but reminded the Council that Elm Creek inside the loop is extremely difficult to deal with due to cost, structure, and other factors. Mr. McDaniel asked for Council's understanding and patience as staff handles the problems associated with Elm Creek that future rains will bring.

Mayor McCaleb stated citizens have reported the channeling and brush clearing has helped the creek situations. Ms. Pritchett stated French Robertson inmates are used when available (approximately on a weekly basis), and do a good job in cleaning the creek.

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 with respect to pending and contemplated litigation, and to consider the appointment and evaluation of public officers.

The Council reconvened from executive session and reported no action taken.

5.2 City Attorney Sharon Hicks requested the Council appoint T. Daniel Santee II to the position of Assistant City Attorney effective December 23, 1997 at a starting annual salary of $40,000.

Councilwoman Martinez moved to approve the Resolution appointing T. Daniel Santee II as Assistant City Attorney, 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, and Mayor McCaleb.

NAYS: None.

The Resolution is numbered 35-1997 and is captioned as follows:

5.3 Councilman Vasquez moved to approve the Resolution casting votes for the Board of Directors of the Central Appraisal District of Taylor County as follows: 700 votes for Betty Ray, 154 votes for Mike Young, and 153 votes for Harold Nixon. The motion was seconded by Councilman Ferguson and the motion carried.

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

NAYS: None.

The Resolution is numbered 36-1997 and contains no caption.

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

______________________________ ____________________________________

Jo Moore Gary D. McCaleb

City Secretary Mayor