PRE-COUNCIL WORK SESSION, THURSDAY
December 9, 1999, 8:15 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 December 9, 1999, at 8:15 a.m. in the Basement Conference Room of City Hall. Mayor Grady Barr was present and presiding with Councilmen A. Don Drennan, Rob Beckham, Versie L. Brown, Jr., and Councilwoman Kay Alexander. Also present were City Manager Roy L. McDaniel, City Attorney Sharon Hicks, City Secretary Jo Moore, and various members of the City staff. Councilman Paul R. Vasquez and Councilwoman Carol Martinez were absent.
Mayor Barr announced that the Pre-Council session is being held 15 minutes early today in order for Council to attend a reception hosted by the Youth Advisory Council in the 2nd floor lobby at 8:45 a.m. City Manager Roy McDaniel introduced Jack Harkins of Tittle Luther Partnership, who then presented an update on the Senior Citizens Center construction at Rose Park. Construction of the building is expected to begin after the first of the year. The Council briefly discussed various consent and regular agenda items as follows: Mr. McDaniel stated item 3.10 will be pulled from today's agenda due to non-compliance of the super majority requirement, since two Councilmembers are absent. There being no further discussion, the meeting was recessed until 9:00 a.m. for the regular Council Meeting.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
December 9, 1999, 9:00 A.M.
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ABILENE, TEXAS
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL
Mayor Barr reconvened the City Council of the City of Abilene, Texas, into Regular Session December 9, 1999, at 9:00 a.m. in the City Council Chambers of City Hall.
Councilman Rob Beckham gave the invocation.
Brad Pierce, 5th grader at Austin Elementary, led the pledge of Allegiance; and Dannie Sue Pierce, Brad's mother, was in attendance.
Janet Ardoyno, Executive Director of Big Brothers and Big Sisters, presented to Mayor Barr the Community of Promise Award from the America's Promise - The Alliance for Youth Organization, dedicated to the success of our youth and providing them the opportunity to give back through community services. Mrs. Ardoyno stated Abilene youth were recognized at the Government Leadership Conference.
Shawn Lewis, Management Assistant, and the City's Youth Advisory Council gave a presentation on Abilene YouthWorks, emphasizing the positive activities Abilene's youth are involved in.
Jo Moore, City Secretary, assisted Mayor Barr in the presentation of the Employee Service Awards as follows:
20 Years, Richard W. Froh,Equipment Mechanic II, Equipment Services
20 Years, Robert A. Hyatt, Computer Programmer/Analyst IV, Computer Services
20 Years, David M. Wright, Director of Finance, Finance
Mayor Barr, assisted by City Manager Roy McDaniel, presented the Employee of the Quarter Award to Shay Bennett, Principal Librarian.
Rick Dorman, Chair of the Employee Committee, assisted Mayor Barr in introducing the past year's employees of the quarter as follows: Becky Irby, Zookeeper II; Suellen Wiggins, Health Department; Janice Peters, Vehicle Impound Coordinator in the Police Department; and Richard Church, Bus Driver for Senior Citizens. Mayor Barr then presented the Employee of the Year Award to Suellen Wiggins, from the Health Department.
Mayor Barr presented a proclamation for December 9, 1999 as Abilene High School Tennis Team Day in honor of their winning the Class 5A State Championship.
DISPOSITION OF MINUTES
Councilman Beckham moved to approve the minutes of the Pre-Council Session and Regular City Council Meeting held November 4, 1999 and November 11, 1999. Councilman Brown seconded the motion and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Drennan, Beckham and Brown, Councilwoman Alexander and Mayor Barr.
NAYS: None.
CONSENT AGENDA
City Manager Roy McDaniel stated item 3.10 has been removed from the Consent Agenda due to the lack of the required number of Councilmembers present for a super majority vote. The item will be considered at a later date. Councilwoman Alexander moved to approve consent agenda items 3.1 through 3.8 and first reading of items 3.9 and 3.11 through 3.14 as recommended by the staff. Councilman Beckham seconded the motion and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Drennan, Beckham and Brown, Councilwoman Alexander and Mayor Barr.
NAYS: None.
Resolutions
The Resolution is numbered 38-1999 and is captioned as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ABILENE, TEXAS, IMPLEMENTING THE REQUIREMENTS OF CHAPTER 283 OF THE TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, AND AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING THE ACCEPTANCE AND FILING OF THE BASE AMOUNT AND ALLOCATION OF THE BASE AMOUNT WITH THE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION OF TEXAS.
The Resolution is numbered 39-1999 and is captioned as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ABILENE, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING INTERVENTION IN GUD NO. 8976, TXU LONE STAR GAS PIPELINE'S APPLICATION TO THE RAILROAD COMMISSION TO INCREASE ITS CITY GATE RATE; FURTHER AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION WITH THE STEERING COMMITTEE OF CITIES SERVED BY LONE STAR IN PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE RAILROAD COMMISSION OR SUBSEQUENT APPEALS; REQUIRING RATE CASE EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT OF REASONABLE COSTS INCURRED BY THE STEERING COMMITTEE FOR ATTORNEYS, CONSULTANTS AND WITNESSES AND OTHER ASSOCIATED COSTS.
The Resolution is numbered 40-1999 and is captioned as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ABILENE, TEXAS AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF APPLICATIONS AND THE EXECUTION OF AGREEMENTS WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES FOR TRANSPORTATION GRANTS FOR SPECIALIZED TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS.
Award of Bids
Ordinances
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ABILENE, TEXAS, ESTABLISHING STANDARDS OF CARE FOR CITY OF ABILENE YOUTH PROGRAMS; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; AND CALL A PUBLIC HEARING.
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.
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.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 23, "PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT," SUBPART E, "ZONING," OF THE ABILENE MUNICIPAL CODE, BY AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS AS SET OUT BELOW; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; DECLARING A PENALTY AND CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 20, "OFFENSES," ARTICLE V, "BURGLAR ALARMS," OF THE ABILENE MUNICIPAL CODE, BY ADOPTING SELECTED REVISIONS TO ARTICLE V, SECTIONS 20-71, 20-72 AND 20-75 AS DESCRIBED BELOW, REGARDING BURGLAR ALARM PERMIT ISSUANCE AND REVOCATION; SETTING FALSE ALARM SERVICE FEES; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND DECLARING A PENALTY.
REGULAR AGENDA
Ordinances
4.1 Dwayne Hargesheimer, Director of Water Utilities, briefed the Council on an Ordinance supporting WTU's request for Primary Municipal Water Pumping Tariff. Staff recommends approval.
Mayor Barr opened a public hearing on the item, and there being no one present and desiring to be heard; the public hearing was closed.
Councilman Drennan moved to approve the Ordinance supporting WTU's request for Primary Municipal Water Pumping Tariff, as recommended by staff. Councilwoman Alexander seconded the motion and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Drennan, Beckham and Brown, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor Barr.
NAYS: None.
The Ordinance is numbered 60-1999 and is captioned as follows:
AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND ACCEPTING A PRIMARY MUNICIPAL WATER PUMPING TARIFF FILED BY WEST TEXAS UTILITIES COMPANY (WTU) FOR THE FURNISHING OF ELECTRICITY AND ELECTRIC SERVICE WITHIN THE CITY OF ABILENE, TEXAS; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING.
4.2 Jeff Armstrong, Assistant Director of Community Development, briefed the Council on an Ordinance considered on second and final reading - Z-05899- Rezone property at the southwest corner of Judge Ely Blvd. and East Stamford Street from RM-1 (Residential Multi-Family) to GC (General Commercial) zoning district. The Planning & Zoning Commission and staff recommend approval.
Mayor Barr opened a public hearing on the item, and the following individual spoke in favor of the request:
There being no one else present and desiring to be heard, the public hearing was closed.
Councilman Brown moved to approve the Ordinance considered on second and final reading to rezone property at the southwest corner of Judge Ely Blvd. and East Stamford Street from Residential Multi-Family to General Commercial zoning district, as recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission and staff. Councilwoman Alexander seconded the motion. Following discussion among Council, staff, and the agent for the proponent, the motion and second were withdrawn in order to give the proponent the opportunity to explore PDD (Planned Development District) zoning.
Councilman Drennan moved to table the Ordinance to rezone property at the southwest corner of Judge Ely Blvd. and East Stamford Street from Residential Multi-Family to General Commercial zoning district. Councilman Brown seconded the motion and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Drennan, Beckham and Brown, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor Barr.
NAYS: None.
4.3 Sharon Hicks, City Attorney, briefed the Council on an Ordinance considered on second and final reading - Z-05999 - Removal of the H (Historic Overlay) to the underlying CB (Central Business) zoning on the property at 618 Hickory. The Planning & Zoning Commission and staff recommend approval.
Mayor Barr opened a public hearing on the item, and the following individual spoke in favor of the request:
There being no one else present and desiring to be heard, the public hearing was closed.
Councilwoman Alexander moved to approve the Ordinance considered on second and final reading Removal of the H (Historic Overlay) to the underlying CB (Central Business) zoning on the property at 618 Hickory, as recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission and staff. Councilman Beckham seconded the motion and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Drennan, Beckham and Brown, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor Barr.
NAYS: None.
The Ordinance is numbered 61-1999 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.
Other Business:
Mayor Barr recessed the Council into executive session pursuant to Sections 551.071, 551.072, and 551.074 of the Open Meetings Act, and to seek the advice of the City Attorney with respect to pending and contemplated litigation, to consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property, and to consider the appointment and evaluation of public officers.
The Council reconvened from executive session and reported no action taken.
5.4 Councilman Drennan moved to approve the Resolution nominating Betty Ray and Harold Nixon to the Board of Directors for the Central Appraisal District of Taylor County. Councilman Brown seconded the motion and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Drennan, Beckham and Brown, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor Barr.
NAYS: None.
The Resolution is numbered 41-1999 and is captioned as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ABILENE, TEXAS, NOMINATING BOARD OF DIRECTOR CANDIDATES FOR THE CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
Councilman Brown moved to approve the Resolution reappointing Keith A. Barton Municipal Judge for a term of two (2) years, effective December 5, 1999. Councilwoman Alexander seconded the motion and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Drennan, Beckham and Brown, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor Barr.
NAYS: None.
The Resolution is numbered 42-1999 and is captioned as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ABILENE, TEXAS, REAPPOINTING KEITH A. BARTON MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE FOR A TERM OF TWO (2) YEARS.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:52 a.m.
Jo Moore, City Secretary
Grady Barr, Mayor