The City Council of the City of Abilene, Texas, met in Regular Session on June 28, 2001, at 8:30 a.m. in the City Council Chambers of City Hall. Mayor Grady Barr was present and presiding with Councilmen Norm Archibald, Kris Southward, Rob Beckham, Jimmy McNeil, and Councilwoman Kay Alexander. Also present were City Manager Roy L. McDaniel, Assistant City Manager Michael Morrison, City Attorney Sharon Hicks, City Secretary Jo Moore, and various members of the City staff. Councilman Victor G. Carrillo was absent.

Mayor Barr announced that Councilman Carrillo is participating in an internship for Congressman Stenholm in Washington, D. C. and will return in July.

Councilman Rob Beckham gave the invocation.

Megan Meckley, Mayor Barr’s six-year-old granddaughter, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Also present were Megan’s parents Jim and Brenda Meckley, sister Taylor, and grandmother Ann Barr.

Mr. McDaniel introduced the Water Production/Treatment and Distribution division presentation and Assistant Director of Water Utilities Roy Foster. Mr. Foster distributed copies of the current Drinking Water Standards and Rule Requirements, then reviewed the division’s multiple areas of responsibilities, concluding with the importance the employees play in fulfilling those responsibilities. Council commended Mr. Foster and the division’s staff on the work they do.

No Council action was required.

There being no corrections, additions, or deletions to the June 14, 2001 Council minutes, Councilman Archibald moved to approve the minutes as printed. Councilman McNeil seconded the motion and the motion carried.

AYES: Councilmen Archibald, Southward, Beckham, McNeil, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor Barr.

NAYS: None.

Mayor Barr noted that at 11:15 a.m., it would be necessary for the Council to move to agenda item 4.3 to consider the Ordinance authorizing the issuance of the City of Abilene, Texas Combination Tax & Waterworks & Sewer System Revenue Certificates of Obligation, Series 2001A, in the principal amount of $31,000,000.

Councilwoman Alexander moved to approve consent agenda item 3.1, as recommended by staff. Councilman Southward seconded the motion and the motion carried.

AYES: Councilmen Archibald, Southward, Beckham, McNeil, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor Barr.

NAYS: None.

1. Oral Resolution approving an Interlocal Agreement with AISD to exchange information technology and services.

4.1 Michael Morrison, Assistant City Manager, noted that earlier in the year Council authorized a contract with CADCO to perform design services for renovation of the Cypress Plaza building and City Hall. Mr. Morrison introduced Steve Ellinger, partner with CADCO, to present their preliminary findings and concepts. Steve Ellinger, of CADCO Architects Engineers, Inc. 2401 South Willis, Ste. 200, reviewed the design services for the potential renovation, noting it was prompted by the plans for a new Emergency Operations Center and training center. Mr. Ellinger outlined the projected space allocation for Cypress Plaza, noting the water billing office and housing office appear to be good candidates to move to the Cypress building and that there is also sufficient space for records storage in the building. Mr. Ellinger reviewed the floor space that would be freed up in City Hall by moving the water & housing offices, stating studies show in the next 10 years we would probably need to recapture 5,000 square feet in City Hall and that this move would accomplish that. Mr. Ellinger then continued by reviewing possible uses for all three floors of City Hall. Mr. Ellinger stated when bid documents are set up, they will be designed in a manner to allow Council to choose portions of the project they want to implement instead of having to approve the whole project. Currently, the layout of the individual departments is being worked on, and once that is accomplished, then CADCO can proceed in developing some basic preliminary cost estimates. Mr. Ellinger again stated the bid documents would be designed to contain alternate bid packages in order to give Council a variety of options in what bids or portions of bids they want to accept depending on how they want to structure the cost. Mr. Ellinger cautioned Council that if too much detail or too many alternates are involved, the contractors could increase their construction cost to assure that they make a profit at the end of the project. In summary, Mr. Ellinger stated currently based on his meetings with department heads the individual departments are being laid out, needs are being assessed, and department programs and/or requirements are being reviewed. Following the completion of these items, a fairly detailed cost estimate will be developed and brought to Council for their direction in proceeding. Mr. Ellinger further stated depending on input from department heads the project bid could be let in the fall if not before.

Council requested the following alternates be included in the bid documents: "flipping" of the basement conference room and current snack bar area, only incorporating the EOC in the basement with no additional renovations to the basement, and the renovation of the old jail cells for storage. Council discussed all development processes being located in one area in City Hall and even being configured in a way for sharing of personnel, duties, departments; i.e., administrative staff being cross-trained in order to possibly reduce personnel and yet better serve the citizens. Mr. Ellinger noted the benefits to sharing of personnel and space, and stated he would visit with department heads about their options on being able to do that considering their specific requirements. Mr. Ellinger also noted the changes that are being recommended should satisfy the space needs for the next 20-30 years. Council noted the importance of utilizing what we have instead of overdeveloping our property solely for the purpose of growth, and in order to not be short sighted requested plans with a vision for the future be kept in mind. Mr. Ellinger stated the concept of this project is looking toward the future, and that concept will continue to be the focus.

No Council action was required.

4.2 Jeff Armstrong, Assistant Director of Community Development, briefed the Council on Z-01701 – Rezone from AO (Agricultural Open Space) to RS-6 (Residential Single Family) zoning district located in the 1200 block of Industrial Blvd. The Planning & Zoning Commission and staff recommend 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 Southward made a motion to approve rezoning from AO (Agricultural Open Space) to RS-6 (Residential Single Family) the zoning district located in the 1200 block of Industrial Blvd, as recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission and staff. Councilwoman Alexander seconded the motion and the motion carried.

AYES: Councilmen Archibald, Southward, Beckham, McNeil, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor Barr.

NAYS: None.

The Ordinance is numbered 13-2001 and is captioned as follows:

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.

4.3 Award of Bid:

At approximately 11:15 a.m., the Council moved to item 4.3, Award of Bid and consideration of an Ordinance authorizing the issuance of the City of Abilene, Texas Combination Tax & Waterworks & Sewer System Revenue Certificates of Obligation, Series 2001A, in the principal amount of $31,000,000.

David Wright, Director of Finance, briefed the Council on an Ordinance authorizing the issuance of the City of Abilene, Texas Combination Tax & Waterworks & Sewer System Revenue Certificates of Obligation, Series 2001A, in the principal amount of $31,000,000. Mr. Wright introduced bond counsel Pete Tart and Mrs. Tart, then distributed the bid results to Council. Joe Smith of First Southwest Company reviewed the results with Council, stating the recommendation is to award the bid to Salomon Smith Barney, Inc. at a true interest cost of 4.917263 percent.

Councilman Beckham moved to approve the bid from Salomon Smith Barney, Inc., with a true interest cost of 4.917263 percent; and to approve the Ordinance authorizing the issuance of the City of Abilene, Texas Combination Tax & Waterworks & Sewer System Revenue Certificates of Obligation, Series 2001A, in the principal amount of $31,000,000 as recommended by staff. Councilman McNeil seconded the motion and the motion carried.

AYES: Councilmen Archibald, Southward, Beckham, McNeil, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor Barr.

NAYS: None.

The Ordinance is numbered 14-2001 and is captioned as follows:

Mr. Wright reminded Council of the special Council meeting to be held July 13, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. to consider the Ordinance authorizing the issuance of City of Abilene, Texas Combination Tax & Waterworks & Sewer System Revenue Certificates of Obligation, Series 2001B, in the principal amount of $30,000,000.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:20 a.m.

Jo Moore, City Secretary

Grady Barr, Mayor