CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ABILENE, TEXAS
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL
The City Council of the City of Abilene, Texas, met in Regular Session on November 1, 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, Rob Beckham, Kris Southward, 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 Rob Beckham gave the invocation.
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Jordan Nichols, a fifth grader at Bonham Elementary School. Also present was Jordan's mother, Judy Nichols.
Mayor Barr presented the following Proclamations:
November 11-17, 2001 as "Youth Appreciation Week", and
November, 2001 as "Diabetes Awareness Month".
City Secretary Jo Moore assisted Mayor Barr in presenting the following Employee Service Awards:
25 Years Rufus Porter Meter Reader
Water Utilities
20 Years Peter Delacot Fire Fighter
Fire
20 Years Gregory Bristow Fire Fighter
Fire
20 Years Alvin P. Edwards Fire Fighter
Fire
20 Years Don Estes Fire Lieutenant
Fire
20 Years Daniel Jacobs Fire Fighter
Fire
20 Years Tony M. Keefer Fire Captain
Fire
20 Years Richard Lovelace Fire Fighter
Fire
20 Years Jesus Lozano Park Worker
Community Services
20 Years Anna Montoya Customer Service Representative
Municipal Court
20 Years Douglas Reno Fire Fighter
Fire
20 Years Delmar Sessums Fire Fighter
Fire
20 Years Larry Swonger Fire Fighter
Fire
20 Years Robin Talley Fire Lieutenant
Fire
20 Years Lewis Washburn Fire Fighter
Fire
20 Years Robert Wimberley Fire Fighter
Fire
Mayor Barr announced the next item on the agenda, the Weather Modification program (Cloud Seeding), is the result of a working committee in which Councilman Beckham served as Council liaison. Councilman Beckham then introduced Tom Mann from the West Central Texas Council of Governments, who gave a brief history of the program. Mr. Mann stated the program started last year, and was the first time this has been done in the region; then gave a slide presentation of the process.
No Council action was required.
DISPOSITION OF MINUTES
Mayor Barr stated the October 25, 2001 Council minutes will be submitted for
council approval along with the minutes from today's council meeting at the
November 12 meeting.
CONSENT AGENDA
Councilman Archibald moved to approve consent agenda items 2.1 and 2.2, and
first reading of item 2.3, as recommended by staff. Councilman Southward seconded
the motion and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Archibald, Beckham, Southward, McNeil, Councilwoman Alexander,
and Mayor Barr.
NAYS: None.
Resolutions:
2.1 Oral Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a temporary lease
agreement with North Texas LifeStar of Addison, Texas, for land on the northwest
side of Abilene Regional Airport.
2.2 Oral Resolution approving a street use license agreement with the HBWJ Partnership, Ltd., located at 417 Mesquite Street.
Ordinances:
2.3 Approval of first reading: Ordinance regarding Texas Municipal Retirement
System (TMRS) Vesting Provision Changes.
AN ORDINANCE ELECTING TO NOT PROVIDE FIVE-YEAR VESTING FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF ABILENE, TEXAS, WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE TEXAS MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT SYSTEM.
REGULAR AGENDA
Resolutions:
3.1 Rick Crider, Airport Director, briefed the Council on an Oral Resolution
authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Hibbs & Todd
for professional services associated with fencing improvements at Abilene
Regional Airport. Mr. Crider stated the City of Abilene recently awarded a
three-year contract with Hibbs & Todd of Abilene, Texas for professional
engineering services associated with landside projects at Abilene Regional
Airport, and as projects become viable and are funded, the City of Abilene
will pursue the professional services with Hibbs & Todd on a task order
basis. Mr. Crider stated with the first task order, the airport proposes to
complete a fencing plan and report for fencing improvements, which involves
an inventory and drawing of existing fences and gates as well as a report
with recommendations and cost estimates for new fencing, gate and land sign
alternatives in accordance with FAA criteria and standards. The cost of professional
services for Task Order Number One is $9,300, with the city's ten percent
share of the cost being approximately $930. The plan and report will include
an estimated cost for design services and construction. The Airport Development
Board and staff recommend approval.
Councilwoman Alexander made a motion to authorize the City Manager, by Oral
Resolution, to enter into an agreement with Hibbs & Todd for professional
services associated with fencing improvements at Abilene Regional Airport
as recommended by the Airport Development Board and staff. Councilman Archibald
seconded the motion and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Archibald, Beckham, Southward, McNeil, Councilwoman Alexander,
and Mayor Barr.
NAYS: None.
Ordinances:
3.2 Remove from Table: Oral Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute
a contract with Neighborhood America, Inc., for web-based public participation
and planning services. Mayor Barr announced this item was tabled at the October
25 Council meeting and will remain on the table until a later date.
No Council action was required.
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.
There being no further business, Mayor Barr adjourned the meeting at 10:20 a.m.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Jo Moore Grady Barr
City Secretary Mayor