The City Council of the City of Abilene, Texas, met in a Pre-Council Work Session on December 11, 1997, at 8:30 A.M. in the Basement Conference Room of City Hall. Mayor Gary D. McCaleb was present and presiding with Councilman 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. Councilman Paul R. Vasquez was absent.

The Council briefly discussed various consent and regular agenda items. Mayor McCaleb reminded the Council that time would be needed for board appointments today, even though the agenda is short. 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 December 11, 1997, at 9:00 a.m. in the City Council Chambers of City Hall.

Councilman Don Drennan gave the invocation.

Pledge of Allegiance was led by Jacob Thompson, 5th grader at Bonham Elementary, who was accompanied by his father, Mr. Thompson, and Mr. Brokovich, assistant principal.

Mayor McCaleb, assisted by City Secretary Jo Moore, presented an Employee Service Award to William J. Newman, Public Safety Dispatcher in the Police Department, for 20 years of service.

Kay Spiva, Abilene Clean & Proud boardmember, assisted Mayor McCaleb in presenting the 2^nd Annual Downtown Window Dressing Awards as follows: Christmas Traditional - Under One Roof; Children's Favorite - United Way; Most Unique - O'Kelley Office Supply; Best Big Window - McLemore-Bass; Best Little Window - Fulwiler Jewelers; Best Use of Lighting - Gary's Antiques; Best of Show - Condley & Company. Mayor McCaleb then presented the Clean & Proud Quarterly Awards as follows: Business & Industry - Beautification to Sign Pro; Special Award to the Antilley Road project; Abilene State School; Pine Street Salvage; Abilene Refuse Department; Dyess Air Force Base (Civil Engineers); and Texas Department of Transportation.

Lee Griffith, Vice Chair of the Employee Committee, assisted Mayor McCaleb in introducing the past year's employees of the month as follows: October - Pat Harris, November - Cheryl Fillmon, December - Dee Gates, January - John Gallagher, February - Jeff Armstrong, March - Terri Wright, April - Scott Davis, May - Ray Jennings, June - Danella Elliott, July - Wayne Herrington, August - Gary Conder, and September - David Smith. Mayor McCaleb then presented the Employee of the Year Award to Pat Harris, Office Supervisor in the Administrative Services Department.

Mayor McCaleb, assisted by Earnest Merritt, Special Assistant to the City Manager for Youth Services, presented the Employee of the Quarter Award to Leta Gray, Plans Examiner in the Building Inspections Department.

Councilwomen Martinez and Alexander presented the James H. Howland Award they received on behalf of the City of Abilene from the National League of Cities. This award was in recognition for urban enrichment involving community efforts, environment, quality of life, and the revitalization of the downtown in the TIF district. Individuals recognized were: Mike Warren of the Abilene Preservation League, Ruby Perez, Executive Director of the Abilene Preservation League; C. G. Whitten, Abilene Investment Corp.; Mike Young, TIF District; and Elizabeth Grindstaff, Downtown Manager. In addition to the award, Councilwoman Martinez presented to Mr. Warren of the Abilene Preservation League a check in the amount of $2,000. Liberty Bell pens and a souvenir Program of Events from the NLC ceremony were presented to the Mayor and Council.

Councilwoman Martinez moved to approve the minutes of the Pre-Council Session and Regular City Council Meeting held November 20, 1997 and Special Council Meeting held November 25, 1997. Councilwoman Alexander seconded the motion and the motion carried.

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

NAYS: None.

Councilman Drennan moved to approve consent agenda items 3.1 through 3.6 and first reading of items 3.7 and 3.8 as recommended by the staff. Councilwoman Martinez seconded the motion and the motion carried.

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

NAYS: None.

3.1 Pumper for Fire Department, Bid #CB8016. The bid was awarded to Sutphen Corporation the low responsible bidder with adjustments to the original bid prices as follows: DELETE $5,293 by accepting Sutphen's discount proposal, and delete $8,000 in options presented in Sutphen's bid proposal, for a total amount of $256,658.00 as recommended by staff.

3.2 Pipe for Water Utilities Department, Bid #CB8019.The bid was awarded to Plastic Wholesale Plumbing, Inc., the most advantageous for the City in the amount of $36,452.80 as recommended by staff.

3.3 Compressed air street sweeper, Bid #CB8009. The bid was awarded to STM Equipment, Inc., the low responsible bidder in the amount of $99,493.00 as recommended by staff.

3.4 Power broom street sweeper, Bid #CB8017. The bid was awarded to Bee Equipment Sales, Inc., the low responsible bidder, in the amount of $27,958.00 as recommended by staff.

3.5 Traffic sign material, Bid #CB8021. The bid was awarded on a per item basis to 3M for the unit prices bid, as recommended by staff.

3.6 Oral Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a pole agreement and fiber optic contracts with West Texas Utilities.

3.7 Approval of First Reading - TC-05497 - Ordinance for thoroughfare abandonment of a 20' north-south alley located between S. 7th & S. 8th and Butternut & Elm Streets, and set a public hearing for December 18, 1997 at 9:00 a.m.

3.8 Approval of First Reading - Z-05697 - Ordinance to rezone from AO (Agricultural Open Space) to RS-8 (Residential Single Family) district located in the 2800 block of Antilley Road, and set a public hearing for December 18, 1997 at 9:00 a.m.

4.1 James Condry, Assistant Director of Public Works, briefed the Council on a Resolution authorizing initiation of Eminent Domain proceedings for Parcel 1, Hardwick Road, and stated that if an agreement is met between the two parties, eminent domain proceedings will not be necessary.

Councilman Ferguson moved to approve the Resolution authorizing initiation of Eminent Domain proceedings for Parcel 1, Hardwick Road, as recommended by staff. Councilwoman Alexander seconded the motion and the motion carried.

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

NAYS: None.

The Resolution is numbered 39-1997 and is captioned as follows:

4.2 Elizabeth Grindstaff, Downtown Manager, briefed the Council on an Award of Bid to Jeff Luther Construction for rehabilitation of the REA Baggage Express and approval of revised budget, Bid #CB8010. Ms. Grindstaff gave a slide presentation of the REA Baggage Express from the early 1950s. Ken Burgess, representing the TIF board, stated the board requests approval following a briefing of the project. Renovation of the building will be done prior to getting a tenant, and a marketing process will start if approved. The estimated project cost to TIF will be $161,000, some of which TIF already has invested. Additional costs will be: base - $455,000 (plus one add alternate of $24,000), WTU - $53,549; and TIF recommends adding a $15,000 contingency. Mr. Burgess stated TIF realizes this is an expensive project, but the site is extremely crucial to continue on with downtown renovation. The clean up around the project area is expected to be done with private monies. The project has a significant historical impact. Councilwoman Alexander asked the architect to explain the large cost for improvements. Architect Rick Weatherl stated the majority of site elements must conform to ADA, barriers are required by the railroad, and continuance of streetscaping would be $70,000 to include landscaping and parking. Councilman Drennan stated there was a question in the Abilene Reporter-News about tearing the building down and using the area for a parking lot. Mr. Burgess stated that although that was suggested, the proposed project has an historical significance to downtown Abilene and the TIF Board was unanimous in approval of the project.

Councilwoman Alexander moved to award the Bid to Jeff Luther Construction for rehabilitation of the REA Baggage Express and approval of the revised budget, Bid #CB8010, as recommended by TIF. Councilwoman Martinez seconded the motion and the motion carried.

AYES: Councilman Drennan, Councilwoman Martinez, Councilman Ferguson, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor McCaleb.

NAYS: Councilman Beckham.

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 reported no action taken.

Councilman Drennan moved to approve the Mayor's fall board appointments and reappointments to various boards as listed below. Councilwoman Martinez seconded the motion and the motion carried.

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

NAYS: None.

Bob Woodard

Msgt. Lewis Graves

Jim Pethis

Malcolm Bramlett

Wendy Stovall

Steve Davis

Correne Benton

Bob Springer

Rosemary Suttle

Dr. Dale Brannom

Dr. William Shudde

Kathy Webster

Paul Schnitman

Woody Gilliland

Leah Herron

Dottie Scott

Charlotte Roy

Kirby Leeson

Ernest Hermann

Tom Niblo

Fannie Baker, Alternate

Tommie Harendt

Bruce Bixby

Don Faulkner

Sam St. Clair

Betty Blazier

Terry Crozier

Tim Crowe

Hubert Pickett

Jane Varner Beard

David Stubbeman

Earl Williams

Faye Hedrick

Irma Lydia Molina

Danny L. Scott

Cynthia Rucker-Allen

Carolyn Chorn, At-large

Phil Miller, Architect

Sherry Statler, Alternate

James Bucherie, Alternate

Reappoint:

1. C. Jackson, Alternate

Scott Bishop

Betty Hukill

Adelina Zamarippa

Rebel Jackson

Priscilla Przybyslawski

Joe Specht

Laura Dyer

Barbara Vick

Howard DeShazo, At-Large

Larry Chapman, At-Large

Larry Vaughn, At-Large

Rhonda Bolt

Ken Burgess, Jr.

Sheldon Greene

Kris Southward

Jack Turner, County Rep.

James Elam

Ruppert Rangel

James Aneff

Billye Proctor-Shaw

Appoint:

Vickie Reynolds

Steve Teaff

Joe Frush

Reappoint:

Phil Morehead

Appoint:

Kevin Wood

Jackie Hamilton

Anthony Williams

Harvey Mireles, Abilene High School

Kent Benfer, Cooper High School

Alesha Mitchell, Madison Middle School

Andrea Baldwin, Clack Middle School

Amanda Mahan, Cooper High School

Katherine Holden, Wylie Middle School

Robbie Allen, Wylie High School

Austin Cunningham, Abilene Christian High School

Lauren Stephens, Abilene High School

Levi Carlson, Wylie Middle School

Stephen Fink, Abilene High School

Xavier Mireles, Abilene High School

Collette Smith, Abilene High School

Brandon'a Schroeder, Abilene High School

Blair Schroeder, Abilene High School

Joann Dispo, Cooper High School

Janelle Ramirez, Abilene Christian High School

Ann Marie Graham, Christian Academy

Alyssa Adkins, Lincoln Middle School

Erica Rangel, Lincoln Middle School

Jeffrey Stephens, Lincoln Middle School

Ashlee McKinney, Madison Middle School

Holly Jones, Madison Middle School

Amanda Graham, Christian Academy

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.

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Jo Moore, City Secretary

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Gary D. McCaleb, Mayor