January
9, 2003, 8:30 a.m.
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 January 9, 2003, 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, and Councilwoman Kay Alexander. Also present
were City Manager Larry Gilley, Assistant City Managers Michael Morrison and
Kathy Merrill, City Attorney Sharon Hicks, Acting City Secretary Debbie Hurley,
and various members of the City staff.
Councilman Jimmy McNeil was absent.
Councilwoman
Kay Alexander gave the invocation.
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Reece Williams, a fifth grader at Jackson Elementary. Reece’s parents, George and Kyle Williams, were in attendance.
Mayor Barr, assisted by Acting City Secretary Debbie Hurley, presented Employee Service Awards to the following individuals for their years of service:
25
Years Gary B. Heslep Police Officer
Police
25
Years Philip G. Knight Police Officer
Police
25
Years Terry A. Odom Police Officer
Police
25
Years Lee C. Reed Police Officer
Police
20
Years Phillip R. Chapman Fire Fighter
Fire
20
Years William D. Crim Fire Captain
Fire
20
Years Larry D. Ross Fire Fighter
Fire
20
Years Paul S. Slabaugh Fire Lieutenant
Fire
20
Years Guy F. Turner Fire Lieutenant
Fire
20
Years J. Dennis Woodard Fire Fighter
Fire
Mayor Barr presented a Proclamation for January 2003 as “Crimestoppers Month”.
City Manager Larry Gilley introduced Mike McDonald, Information Technology Application Support Services Division Manager. Mr. McDonald introduced David David, Systems Analyst, and other members of the Division, then gave a presentation on the history, duties and functions, and future of the Application Support Services Division.
Council complimented the division’s work and thanked Mr. McDonald for the presentation.
No Council action was required.
2.0 There being no corrections, additions, or
deletions to the December 19, 2002
Regular City Council Meeting minutes,
Councilman Southward made a motion to approve the minutes as printed. Councilwoman
Alexander seconded the motion and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Archibald, Southward, Williams,
Hill, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor Barr.
NAYS: None.
Councilwoman Alexander made a motion to approve consent agenda items 3.1 through 3.3, and first reading of items 3.4 through 3.6. Councilman Hill seconded the motion and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Archibald, Southward, Williams, Hill, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor Barr.
NAYS: None.
Bid Awards:
3.1 Rehabilitation of a single-family house located at 1333 Poplar, Bid #CB-3016. The bid, with three add alternates, was awarded to Rick’s Construction, Abilene, Texas, the lowest and most responsible bidder, in the amount of $49,062, as recommended by staff.
3.2 Cottonwood Drainage (including N. 18th & N. 19th Streets), Bid #CB-3019. The bid was awarded to Ronnie Barton Construction, Eastland, Texas in the amount of $61,628.52, as recommended by staff.
3.3 Purchase of computer equipment to establish a Health Alert Network. The contract was awarded to AVNET Computer Enterprises for equipment, installation, and help desk/monitoring services in the amount of $67,841.79, as recommended by staff.
Ordinances:
3.4
Z-00103 –
Rezone from RS-6 (Residential Single Family) to MH (Mobile Home) zoning
district property located in the 3100 block of Grape Street, and set a public
hearing for January 23, 2003 at 8:30 a.m.
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.
3.5
Z-00203 –
Ordinance amending PDD-65 to include a 3.39 acre tract of land in Tract 5
located on East I-20, ½ mile west of Loop 322, and set a public hearing for
January 23, 2003 at 8:30 a.m.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ABILENE, TEXAS, AMENDING CHAPTER 23, SUBPART E, “ZONING,” OF THE ABILENE MUNICIPAL CODE; AND ORDINANCE NO. 28-1998 CONCERNING THE PDD #65 PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT; DECLARING A PENALTY AND CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING; AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
3.6
Z-00303 –
Rezone from AO, HC & MH (Agricultural Open Space, Heavy Commercial, &
Mobile Home) to RM-2 (Residential Multi-Family) zoning district property
located in the 2800 block of Old Anson Road, and set a public hearing for
January 23, 2003 at 8:30 a.m.
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.
REGULAR AGENDA
Resolutions:
4.1
Andy Anderson, Director of Public Works, briefed the Council on a Resolution
authorizing the City Manager to sign and submit an application for a Watershed
Protection and Flood Prevention Grant. Mr.
Anderson stated this application is for federal funding of a project with the
Natural Resource Conservation Service to study the feasibility of, and plan for
the placement of, several small detention facilities upstream of Abilene. The Middle Clear Fork Soil and Water
Conservation District, as well as Taylor County, have taken formal action in
support of pursuing this study. An
approved grant will provide for all planning, design and any ultimate
construction. The City’s responsibility
would be limited to the acquisition of land rights. Staff recommends approval
of the Resolution.
In providing additional information regarding other
flood initiatives, Mr. Anderson noted staff has received a formal response from
the Corps of Engineers and they have stated that they are prepared, pending the
allocation of federal funding, to proceed with their part in reviving the study
for a large detention facility south of town.
Mr. Anderson then provided an update from the State
office of Emergency Management on the property buyout program. Mr. Anderson stated Abilene's allotment
would be determined after the decision regarding how much will be available
statewide is made. Mr. Anderson further stated staff will continue to provide
updates to Council on the progress of that program. Mr. Anderson then briefed the Council on the Elm Creek debris
removal project, noting the first phase of the project to clean the creek area between
S. 1st and S. 7th Streets is prepared and later stages of
the project include debris removal from S. 7th to S. 14th and
north side creek cleaning.
Council and staff discussion included: 1) the cost
to the City for land rights, 2) the possibility of obtaining easements to
property, 3) if not cost effective for the City, staff can withdraw from part
or all of the project; and 4) the estimated time frame on the construction of
the retention ponds could be two years away from the actual start of the project.
Councilman Williams made a motion to approve the Resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign and submit an application for a Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Grant, as recommended by staff. Councilman Southward seconded the motion and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Archibald, Southward, Williams, Hill, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor Barr.
NAYS: None.
The Resolution is numbered 1-2003 and is captioned as follows:
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CITY MANAGER TO SIGN AND
SUBMIT APPLICATION FOR A WATERSHED PROTECTION AND FLOOD PREVENTION GRANT
THROUGH THE TEXAS STATE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION BOARD.
Mr. Anderson stated concerning the $5 million commitment the Natural Resource Conservation Service has made for the Elm Creek debris removal project that staff expects to do a significant portion of the debris removal by contract. Finalization of the project is dependent upon a formal agreement with NRCS, which will come before Council for approval. Mr. Anderson concluded by stating staff's goal is to be well into the actual work by spring 2003.
City Attorney Sharon Hicks stated Council could approve eliminating the collector street as it is currently situated on the proponent's property and authorize Figure A (the map of the area) be re-drawn to reflect a proposal to include a new collector street layout on the southern boundary of the property.
Councilman Archibald made a motion to approve the Resolution amending the Thoroughfare Plan to eliminate a proposed east-west collector street located generally near the southwest corner of Dub Wright Blvd. and U. S. Hwy. 277, and to approve a proposal to include a new collector street layout on the southern boundary of the property. Councilman Southward seconded the motion and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Archibald, Southward, Williams, Hill, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor Barr.
NAYS: None.
The Resolution is numbered 2-2003 and is captioned as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ABILENE, TEXAS TO AMEND THE 2000 THOROUGHFARE PLAN.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
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, the Council was reconvened in the City Council
Chambers of City Hall for the Budget Workshop.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Debbie
Hurley Grady
Barr
Acting City Secretary Mayor