The City Council of the City of Abilene, Texas, met in a Pre-Council Work Session on January 13, 2000, at 8:30 A.M. in the Basement Conference Room of City Hall. Mayor Grady Barr was present and presiding with Councilmen Paul R. Vasquez and A. Don Drennan, and Councilwomen Carol Martinez and Kay Alexander. Also present were City Manager Roy L. McDaniel, Assistant City Manager Mike Morrison, City Attorney Sharon Hicks, Acting City Secretary Debbie Hurley, and various members of the City staff. Councilmen Rob Beckham and Versie L. Brown, Jr. were absent.

The Council briefly discussed various consent and regular agenda items. There being no further discussion, the meeting was recessed until 9:00 a.m. for the regular Council Meeting.

Mayor Barr reconvened the City Council of the City of Abilene, Texas, into Regular Session January 13, 2000, at 9:00 a.m. in the City Council Chambers of City Hall.

Councilwoman Kay Alexander gave the invocation.

Pledge of Allegiance was led by Emily Garner, a fifth grader at Bonham Elementary who was accompanied by her school counselor, Mandy Phelps.

Debbie Hurley, Acting City Secretary, assisted Mayor Barr in presenting an Employee Service Award to Beverly Vaughan, Supervisor II in the Community Services Department for 25 years of service.

There being no corrections, additions, or deletions to the minutes of the Pre-Council Session and Regular City Council Meetings held December 9 and 16, 1999; Councilwoman Alexander moved to approve the minutes as printed. Councilman Drennan seconded the motion and the motion carried.

AYES: Councilmen Vasquez and Drennan, Councilwomen Martinez and Alexander, and Mayor Barr.

NAYS: None.

Councilwoman Martinez moved to approve consent agenda items 3.1 through 3.10, and approval of first reading of consent agenda item 3.11, as recommended by the staff. Councilman Vasquez seconded the motion and the motion carried.

AYES: Councilmen Vasquez and Drennan, Councilwomen Martinez and Alexander, and Mayor Barr.

NAYS: None.

1. Oral Resolution authorizing the City Manager to freeze the fuel flowage fee at Abilene Regional Airport at the current rate of $.0675 per gallon, for all tenants and users subject to such a fee, through December 31, 2000 to encourage aviation activity within our community.
2. Oral Resolution approving a street use license request from Enprotec, Inc., for installation of monitoring wells related to 3115 S. 14^th St., and authorize the Mayor to execute the Street Use License.
3. Oral Resolution approving a street use license request from Enprotec, Inc. for installation of monitoring wells related to 1013 Pine St., and authorize the Mayor to execute the Street Use License.
4. Oral Resolution authorizing the emergency purchase of water repair clamps from U. S. Filter in the amount of $15,893.85, as recommended by staff.
5. Resolution decreasing membership of the Human Relations Committee from an 18 member board to a 15-member board.

The Resolution is numbered 1-2000 and is captioned as follows:

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ABILENE, TEXAS, DECREASING MEMBERSHIP OF THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMITTEE.

6. Oral Resolution accepting donation of two sculptures which are being offered to the City of Abilene for permanent display, as recommended by staff and the Visual Arts Jury.
7. Oral Resolution accepting the resignation of Councilwoman Carol Martinez, effective February 1, 2000.

Bid Awards

8. Vehicles for various divisions, Bid CB-0010. The bid was awarded to Lawrence Hall Chevrolet, the low responsible bidder, in the amount of $445,390.90 as recommended by staff.
9. Street maintenance materials, Bid CB-0021. The bid was awarded to Southern Asphalt of Fort Worth, Texas for the unit prices bid as recommended by staff.
10. Purchase of patrol body armor for Police Department, Bid #CB-0015. The bid was awarded to Big Country Supply for the unit price of $352.54 for the patrol bullet proof vests, and the unit price of $786.83 for the tactical vests; for a total purchase estimate of $42,500 as recommended by staff.

Ordinances

11. Approval of first reading - Z-00100 - Rezone from AO & PDD-48 (Agricultural Open Space & Planned Development) to RM-2 (Residential Multi-Family) zoning district located in the 2400-2700 blocks of Bishop Road, and set a public hearing for January 27, 2000 at 9:00 a.m.

4.1 Councilman Drennan made a motion to remove from the table 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. Councilwoman Martinez seconded the motion and the motion carried.

AYES: Councilmen Vasquez and Drennan, Councilwomen Martinez and Alexander, and Mayor Barr.

NAYS: None.

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 and Zoning Commission and staff recommend approval.

Mayor Barr opened a public hearing, and the following individuals spoke in response to the request:

• Steve Cunningham, 15 Lamar Circle, President of Abilene Christian Schools, stated he is not against the specific project, but more concerned with what could go there from a long term basis standpoint. Mr. Cunningham would like to see the property zoned Planned Development District (PDD) because it is more restrictive.
• Carlos Rodriguez, 1402 N. Jefferson and the Director of Physical Plant at ACU, stated ACU does not want to see the property zoned GC, but would accept PDD.
• Roy Galbraith, 1225 N. 16^th, representing the investment group for the hotel, stated the group feels the PDD is too restrictive and they are requesting GC zoning.
• Robert Campbell, 2448 Madison, stated he is a resident in the area and does not want a motel in the area due to his concern for children's safety, and suggested Council not change the zoning today.
• Tom Niblo, agent for Senter Realtors, advocates General Commercial for development purposes, stating there is a lot of General Commercial zoning in the area, and failure to approve General Commercial zoning could result in low income housing coming into the area, which would not be advantageous for the neighborhood.

There being no one else present and desiring to be heard, the public hearing was closed.

Councilwoman Alexander moved to approve the request to rezone property at the southwest corner of Judge Ely Blvd. and East Stamford Street from RM-1 (Residential Multi-Family) to PDD (Planned Development) zoning district, with the following stipulations: (1) that the back property line shall require opaque screening - either masonry or wood with a height of 6 to 7 feet, or acceptable opaque vegetation a minimum of 6 feet in height; (2) the only allowed use to be a hotel and its incidentals (such as tennis courts, swimming pool), (3) a rear property line setback at 50 feet, (4) a site plan presented as required by GC zoning, and (5) if construction is not commenced within 6 months of approval of said ordinance, the zoning shall revert back to RM-1 zoning. Councilman Drennan seconded the motion and the motion carried.

AYES: Councilmen Vasquez and Drennan, Councilwomen Martinez and Alexander, and Mayor Barr.

NAYS: None.

The Ordinance is numbered 1-2000 and is captioned as follows:

4.2 Tucker Bridwell, President of the Development Corporation of Abilene, Inc., presented the Corporation's report of activities for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1999, and recognized members of the DCOA.

Councilman Drennan moved to accept by Oral Resolution the Development Corporation of Abilene, Inc. report of activities for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1999, and commended the members both past and present, staff, and the citizens of Abilene for their vision and hard work. Councilman Vasquez seconded the motion and the motion carried.

AYES: Councilmen Vasquez and Drennan, Councilwomen Martinez and Alexander, and Mayor Barr.

NAYS: None.

5.1 Dwayne Hargesheimer, Director of Water Utilities, introduced John Rutledge of Freese & Nichols, Inc., who presented the "Increasing the Yield of Lake Ft. Phantom Hill" report as submitted by Freese & Nichols. Mr. Rutledge reviewed two alternatives considered; either build a new dam further downstream to increase the amount of water that could be stored, or dredging additional storage volume within the current reservoir. In conclusion, Mr. Rutledge stated the alternatives reviewed in the study would not be considered cost effective and that there does not appear to be any practical, cost effective, alternative to increase the natural yield of Fort Phantom Hill Reservoir. Mr. Rutledge recommended alternate sources be pursued, such as the Ivie Reservoir.

No Council action was required.

2. Dwayne Hargesheimer, Director of Water Utilities, briefed the Council on the current water supply issues and on the history of the water situation, noting that this is the 31^st month of the current dry period, and that in August of 1999 we stopped using Lake Ft. Phantom. Mr. Hargesheimer concluded his portion of the presentation by recommending staff proceed with the water re-use project, and continue preparations to design the Ivie Project, which will be a 24-30 month process. Mr. Hargesheimer then introduced his assistant, Linda Simpson, who briefed the Council regarding options available to curtail demand. Ms. Simpson recognized the media for their role in getting necessary information out to the consumers; and outlined options which will affect the way consumers use water, which include increased education, regulation, and pricing. City Manager Roy McDaniel recommended the Council adopt the water rate structure increase to be effective with the March water billing cycle.

Council discussed with staff the need to accelerate the effluent water project to assure ample water supply, enforcement of Stage I by entities that purchase water from Abilene, recognition of media involvement, directives to continue educating the public, strict enforcement for violators, and to consider a change in the Ordinance before invoking Phase II.

Councilman Vasquez moved to accept by Oral Resolution the report on water supply issues and demand options as presented by staff, and direct staff to proceed with the water rate increase effective with the March billing cycle. Councilwoman Alexander seconded the motion and the motion carried.

AYES: Councilmen Vasquez and Drennan, Councilwomen Martinez and Alexander, and Mayor Barr.

NAYS: None.

Mayor Barr recessed the Council into executive session pursuant to Sections 551.071, 551.074, and 551.072 of the Open Meetings Act, to seek the advice of the City Attorney with respect to pending and contemplated litigation, to consider the appointment and evaluation of public officers, and to consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property.

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

Mayor Barr stated that Councilman Vasquez had an announcement to make to the audience; at which time Councilman Vasquez stated that he would not be seeking reelection, and noted some accomplishments during his tenure on the Council.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m.

Debbie Hurley, Acting City Secretary

Grady Barr, Mayor