PRE-COUNCIL WORK SESSION, THURSDAY
February 26, 1998, 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 February 26, 1998, 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.
Roy McDaniel, City Manager, discussed with the Council the Draft 1998 Capital Improvement Program list, which includes his tentative recommendations for a Certificate of Obligation Sale. Mr. McDaniel asked Council to review the report and give him their recommendations of projects and amount of Certificates of Obligation at the next meeting. David Wright, Director of Finance, noted the S. 8th & Sammons drainage project information attached to the draft is also one Mr. McDaniel's recommendations. The Council briefly discussed various consent and regular agenda items. Mike Morrison, Assistant City Manager, briefed the Council on Item 4.2, Oral Resolution approving an agreement with Tittle, Luther Partnership for architectural and engineering services for the Abilene Regional Airport terminal improvement project for a cost of $186,000. Mr. Morrison distributed the site plan and budget for the project, stating final funding is not complete, but will be before the bid is awarded. Councilman Drennan emphasized not raising property taxes to fund this project; stating the cost should be paid for by the people who use the service. Mayor McCaleb stated the general concept is the only decision before the Council today on item 4.2. Mr. Morrison went on to brief the Council on item 3.1, Resolution conveying ownership of R.E.A. Baggage Express Building from the City of Abilene to the Abilene Improvement Corporation. There being no further discussion, the meeting was recessed until 9:00 a.m. for the regular Council Meeting.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
February 26, 1998, 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 February 26, 1998, at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Councilman A. Don Drennan gave the invocation.
Adam Romero, fifth grader at Fannin Elementary School, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Also present were the school principal, Mr. Galloway, Adam's parents, and his brother Ivan.
Mayor McCaleb presented awards received from the Department of Housing and Urban Development as follows: Certificate of Excellence in Management Operations to Roberta Thompson, Housing Administrator; and Certificate of consistent Performer to Wanda Merritt, Community Development Administrator.
Mayor McCaleb presented a proclamation for March 2-6 as Public School Week, and mentioned that a proclamation for March as Youth Art Month was scheduled to be presented as well, however, Cooper High school Art Teacher Martha Kiel could not be present to accept the proclamation due to illness. The proclamation will be presented at a later date.
There being no corrections, additions, or deletions to the minutes of the February 12, 1998 Pre-Council and Council minutes, including Financial Worksession, Councilman Beckham moved to approve the minutes as printed. 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.
Councilwoman Martinez moved to approve consent agenda items 3.1 through 3.7, as recommended by the staff, and 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.
Resolutions
3.1 Resolution conveying ownership of R.E.A. Baggage Express Building from the City of Abilene to the Abilene Improvement Corporation.
The Resolution is numbered 4-1998 and is captioned as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ABILENE, TAYLOR COUNTY, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO CONVEY THE PROPERTY KNOWN AS THE R.E.A. BAGGAGE EXPRESS BUILDING TO A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ABILENE IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION (AIC), A TEXAS NONPROFIT CORPORATION, ACTING AS SOLE GENERAL PARTNER.
3.2 Oral Resolution authorizing City Council approval of final payment to S. J. Louis Construction, Inc. of St. Cloud, Minnesota in the amount of $247,176.00 for construction of a 30" east side water line, making the total final contract $2,954,114.55.
Bid Awards
3.3 Repainting two Clarification units, Bid #CB-8032; and repainting interior of 5.0 MG water storage tanks at Grimes Water Treatment Plant, Bid #CB-8033. Authorization was given to the City Manager by Oral Resolution to execute contracts with Cherokee Painting & Sandblasting, Inc. of Jacksonville, Texas, the lowest responsible bidder, for repainting the 5.0 MG water storage tank in the amount of $123,620 and for repainting two clarification units in the amount of $36,250 as recommended by staff.
3.4 Hickory Street pavement rehabilitation Phase III, Bid #CB-8029. The bid was awarded to Tejas International Group for the unit prices bid with an estimated construction cost of $291,799.38 as recommended by staff.
3.5 9-1-1 Digital Recording Module, Bid #CB-8022. The bid was awarded to Commercial Electronics, the low responsible bidder, for the basic recording system at a total cost for the recorder and accessory equipment of $33,127.44 as recommended by staff.
3.6 Automatic Electronic total station surveying instrument for Engineering, Bid #CB-8030. The bid was awarded to Martin Instrument in the amount of $25,030 less trade-in of $3,250 for a net cost of $21,780 as recommended by staff.
3.7 Water & sewer improvements, Bid #CB-8015 and Paving Improvements - Cornerstone Addition, Bid #CB-8027. Bid #CB-8015 was awarded to Starks Construction for Water & Sewer Improvements for $21,890; and Bid #CB-8027 was awarded to Stephens & Martin for street paving construction in the amount of $39,092.48 for a total project cost of $60,982.48 as recommended by staff.
REGULAR AGENDA
Public Appearance
4.1 Earnest Merritt, Special Assistant to the City Manager for Youth Services, introduced Nancy Paup of St. John's Episcopal School and Ernesto Segura of Abilene High School, Co-Chairs of the First Four Years Committee. Ms. Paup presented the Committee's final report, referring to the problems children under the age of 4 and their families face as the "quiet crisis" of the United States. Ms. Paup stated that in March of 1997, the committee was formed, which consisted of 16 citizens who studied seven main areas: child care, parent education and training, nutrition and health, arts and play, safety & security, isolation & loneliness, and technology. Although a total of 60 recommendations were made in the 50-page report, the Committee's final recommendations in 6 critical areas are:
1) Establishment of a Commission for Families and Children by June 1998, appointed by the Mayor and City Council, which would promote community mobilization of Abilene to support parents with young children. This Commission would include city leaders from the following groups: corporate and small business sectors, educational institutions, churches, philanthropic and nonprofit organizations, including private and community foundations.
2) A staff position of Director would be created by June 1998, to oversee the volunteer Commission for Families and Children. The funding for the salary would come from both public and private sources. The Director and Commission would develop a systematic agenda and an ongoing mechanism to monitor the implementation of recommendations as cited in this report from the First Four Years Committee. Furthermore, the commission would continue to develop ideas, goals and action plans to support families and children in Abilene.
3) Promoting responsible parenthood and parent education for all families with children under the age of four in Abilene.
4) Guaranteeing quality and affordable child care choices for every family in Abilene.
5) Ensuring basic health protection for all families in Abilene, including linking every family with a newborn child to a source of comprehensive health care, quality child care, and parental support.
6) Media should deliver strong messages about responsible motherhood and fatherhood including information about the importance of the first four years.
Mayor McCaleb thanked all committee members, stating they are a good representation of a cross section of the community. The Mayor stated that although no vote on the recommendations will be taken today, this issue will continue to be studied. Some of the recommendations require funding, and how to acquire that funding is an issue. Government is not supposed to take over what home, church, or organizations do, but the government can ask how things are going, where they are going, help make the public aware, and research what is appropriate. As an extremely important issue to our community, the Mayor went on to say the City will find the best action steps in moving toward the 21st century. In a sense, the report is completed, but in another sense this committee will continue to be sought out to see how to make application of the recommended steps by the Council and the community. Mayor McCaleb closed by stating the Council officially accepts the report. Council expressed their appreciation as well, stating they were particularly encouraged by the list of what is being done now, encouraging community involvement, and a desire to go forward and implement a program.
Resolutions
4.2 Mike Morrison, Assistant City Manager, briefed the Council on an Oral Resolution approving an agreement with Tittle, Luther Partnership for architectural and engineering services for the Abilene Regional Airport terminal improvement project for a cost of $186,000. Staff recommends approval. The Airport Development Board has recommended an expansion and remodeling project for the Airport Terminal building and associated facilities at an estimated cost of $3.15 million. Mr. Morrison introduced Jack Harkins of Tittle, Luther Partnership, who explained the site plan and floor plans of the project. Three scenarios were outlined: 1) secure boarding for regional jet service; 2) secure boarding for commuter airlines; and 3) unsecured boarding for commuter airlines. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, upgrading throughout the existing facility will be done along with an overall facelift of the existing terminal. Councilman Drennan reiterated the fact that the project would not be funded by raising property taxes, but basically through special funding provided primarily by those that use the service. The time frame will be a 5-6 month design process, upon completion of that phase, then advertising for bids, for a total of 12-18 months for the project.
Councilman Beckham moved to approve by Oral Resolution an agreement with Tittle, Luther Partnership for architectural and engineering services for the Abilene Regional Airport terminal improvement project for a cost of $186,000, as recommended. Councilman Drennan seconded the motion and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilman Drennan, Councilwoman Martinez, Councilmen Beckham and Ferguson, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor McCaleb.
NAYS: None.
Ordinances
4.3 Jeff Armstrong, Senior Planner, briefed the Council on an Ordinance considered on second and final reading - Z-05597 - Add Historic Overlay to underlying Central Business zoning district located at 1292 N. 1st St. 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.
Following a lengthy discussion, Councilwoman Martinez moved to approve the Ordinance to add Historic Overlay to underlying Central Business zoning district located at 1292 N. 1st St., as recommended by staff. Councilwoman Alexander seconded the motion. Councilman Drennan stated he is voting against the request because although he is not opposed to historical preservation, he feels this unnecessarily restricts something the City owns as AIC if they decide to restore it and want to come back for this then that's the time to do this rather than now. Mayor McCaleb stated he is voting for the request because he thinks AIC as owners having asked for this zoning must have considered the pros and cons, advantages and disadvantages, and Planning and Zoning have approved that request unanimously, they must have considered that as well. He understands the possibility of Councilman Drennan's concern, but doesn't see this as a problem. The motion carried.
AYES: Councilwoman Martinez, Councilman Ferguson, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor McCaleb.
NAYS: Councilmen Drennan and Beckham.
The Ordinance is numbered 11-1998 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.
4.4 Jeff Armstrong, Senior Planner, briefed the Council on an Ordinance considered on second and final reading - Z-00998 - Rezone from General Commercial to Residential Multi-Family district located on Lytle Creek Drive. The Planning & Zoning Commission and staff recommend approval.
Mayor McCaleb opened a public hearing on the item, and the following individual spoke in favor of the request:
. Bill Brabbin, 2809 Glenbrook, explained the request for rezoning, as protection from the potential adverse effects associated with commercial zoning. Mr. Brabbin complimented City staff and volunteers in our community.
There being no one else present and desiring to be heard, the public hearing was closed.
Councilwoman Alexander moved to approve the Ordinance to rezone from General Commercial to Residential Multi-Family district located on Lytle Creek Drive, as recommended by staff. Councilman Ferguson seconded the motion and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilman Drennan, Councilwoman Martinez, Councilmen Beckham and Ferguson, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor McCaleb.
NAYS: None.
The Ordinance is numbered 12-1998 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 HEAIRNG.
Other Business:
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 from executive session and reported no action taken.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:15 a.m.
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Jo Moore, City Secretary
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Gary D. McCaleb, Mayor