SPECIAL CALLED COUNCIL MEETING

Friday, July 26, 2002

8:30 A.M.

CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ABILENE, TEXAS

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

CITY HALL

The City Council of the City of Abilene, Texas, met for a Special Called Council Meeting on July 26, 2002 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, Anthony Williams, John Hill, Jimmy McNeil, and Councilwoman Kay Alexander. Also present were City Manager Larry Gilley, Assistant City Manager Michael Morrison, City Attorney Sharon Hicks, City Secretary Jo Moore, and various members of City staff.

Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Barr.

Councilman Jimmy McNeil gave the invocation.

Mayor Barr announced the purpose of today’s meeting is for a Public Hearing and second and final reading of an Ordinance amending the Drought & Emergency Contingency Plan.

Angela McGlothlin, Assistant to the Director of Water Utilities, briefed the Council on the Ordinance amending the Drought & Emergency Contingency Plan, outlining corrections and changes as recommended by Council during the first reading of the Ordinance.

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.

Council pointed out typographical errors and also noted various grammatical corrections and clarifications needed in the Ordinance.

Council and staff discussion included: 1) turning the two downtown fountains in Minter & Everman Parks back on after ensuring running the fountains again will not lead to abusive water use; 2) continuing educational activities on conserving water (i.e., updating the City’s website, PSAs in local TV, radio, and newspaper, erecting new billboards and producing new brochures and water billing inserts); 3) exercising leniency for a short period of time regarding the enforcement of individual watering days to allow customers to adjust to the new watering days; and 4) continuing strict enforcement regarding restricted watering hours and irrigation runoff.

Councilman McNeil made a motion to approve the Ordinance amending the Drought & Emergency Contingency Plan, as presented with noted corrections. Councilman Archibald seconded the motion and the motion carried.

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

NAYS: None.

The Ordinance is numbered 31-2002 and is captioned as follows:

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 32. UTILITIES, ARTICLE VI. DROUGHT AND EMERGENCY CONTINGENCY PLAN, OF THE CITY OF ABILENE MUNICIPAL CODE, BY AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS AS SET OUT BELOW; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR ENFORCEMENT; AND CALLING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING.

Mayor Barr stated a press conference will be held to announce the new Water Conservation Plan and effective date immediately following the Council meeting.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 a.m.

______________________________ ______________________________

Jo Moore Grady Barr

City Secretary Mayor