CITY COUNCIL MEETING
February 13, 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 February 13, 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, John Hill, Jimmy McNeil, and Councilwoman Kay Alexander. Also present were City Manager Larry Gilley, Assistant City Managers Michael Morrison and Kathy Merrill, City Attorney Sharon Hicks, City Secretary Jo Moore, and various members of the City staff. Councilman Anthony Williams arrived at 9:20 a.m. during the presentation of agenda item #4.4.
Councilman John Hill gave the invocation.
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Matt Caszatt, a fifth grader at Lee Elementary. Matt's parents, Jack & Cat Caszatt, and Principal Ledessa White, were in attendance.
Mayor Barr, assisted by City Secretary Jo Moore, presented Employee Service Awards to the following individuals for their years of service:
30 years Fidencio A. Alvarez Fire Fighter
Fire
30 years Jerry C. Medley Fire Captain
Fire
25 Years Ed Dye Assistant Police Chief
Police
20 Years Larry W. Bell Fire Battalion Chief
Fire
20 years Gail G. Martinez Custodian Supervisor
Finance
DISPOSITION OF MINUTES
2.0 There being no corrections, additions, or deletions to the January 23, 2003 Regular City Council Meeting minutes, Councilman McNeil made a motion to approve the minutes as printed. Councilwoman Alexander seconded the motion and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Archibald, Southward, Hill, McNeil, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor Barr.
NAYS: None.
CONSENT AGENDA
Councilman Southward made a motion to approve consent agenda items 3.1 through 3.3, and first reading of items 3.4 and 3.5. Councilwoman Alexander seconded the motion and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Archibald, Southward, Hill, McNeil, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor Barr.
NAYS: None.
Resolutions:
The Resolution is numbered #4-2003 and is captioned as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ABILENE, TEXAS, ORDERING AN ELECTION TO BE HELD IN SAID CITY ON MAY 3, 2003; PROVIDING FOR THE ELECTION OF PERSONS TO SERVE IN PLACES 1 AND 2 ON THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ABILENE; PROVIDING METHOD OF APPLICATION FOR PLACEMENT OF CANDIDATE'S NAME ON BALLOT; PROVIDING A FILING DEADLINE FOR ALL CANDIDATES; AND DESIGNATING THE MAIN EARLY VOTING POLLING PLACE.
The Resolution is numbered 5-2003 and is captioned as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ABILENE, TEXAS, ENDORSING CERTAIN LEGISLATIVE CHANGES TO SENATE BILL 7 SUPPORTED BY CITIES AGGREGATION POWER PROJECT, INC.
Bid Awards:
Ordinances:
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.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE EXISTING GAS FRANCHISE BETWEEN THE CITY OF ABILENE, AND TXU GAS COMPANY, TO PROVIDE FOR A DIFFERENT CONSIDERATION AND TO AUTHORIZE THE LEASE OF FACILITIES WITHIN THE CITY'S RIGHTS-OF-WAY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; PROVIDING FOR ACCEPTANCE BY TXU GAS COMPANY; AND CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING.
REGULAR AGENDA
Ordinances:
Councilman Archibald noted he chairs the Abilene Public Health Advisory Board and reiterated the Board's approval of the Ordinance and recommendation that Council approve it.
Councilman Archibald made a motion to approve the Ordinance amending Chapter 13, "Health and Sanitation", Article V, "Standards for Treatment and Disposal of Sewage", of the Abilene Municipal Code, as recommended by the Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District Advisory Board and staff. Councilman Southward seconded the motion and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Archibald, Southward, Hill, McNeil, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor Barr.
NAYS: None.
The Ordinance is numbered 4-2003 and is captioned as follows:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ABILENE, TEXAS, AMENDING CHAPTER 13, "HEALTH AND SANITATION," ARTICLE V., "STANDARDS FOR TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OF SEWAGE," OF THE ABILENE CITY CODE, BY AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS AS SET OUT BELOW; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; DECLARING A PENALTY; AND CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING.
Resolutions:
Council and staff discussion included: 1) debris removal between S. 1st Street to Southwest Drive being done by contract; 2) whether or not homeowners can oppose the work; 3) staff's position that the work has to be done but will work with landowners on any issues they may have concerning that work; 4) staff's plans to also start going north with debris removal in early spring pending approval of the agreement; and 5) specialized equipment, if acquired, can be used for years on a routine basis.
Councilman Archibald made a motion to approve by Oral Resolution a Project Agreement with Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) for Elm Creek debris removal between S. 1st Street and Southwest Drive, as recommended by staff. Councilman Hill seconded the motion and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Archibald, Southward, Hill, McNeil, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor Barr.
NAYS: None.
Bid Awards:
4.3 Dwayne Hargesheimer, Director of Water Administration, briefed the Council on a Bid Award for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) for the O. H. Ivie Project. Mr. Hargesheimer stated the last remaining project to have the O. H. Ivie water supply fully automated is the installation of the SCADA equipment. This contract includes installation of a Fiber Optic cable, in a conduit placed by pipeline contractor, and furnishing related instrumentation components that will provide data and automated control of pumping operations. Mr. Hargesheimer further stated two bids were received and opened February 11. Although both bids were slightly over budget, staff would work with the low bidder concerning ways to lower the cost of the project. Ken Martin, P. E., of Jacob & Martin Ltd., engineer for the project, briefed the Council on the possibility of reducing the total project cost and assured the Council that nothing would be recommended that would lower the integrity of the project. Based on the recommendation of the engineer, staff recommends that the City Council acknowledge the full bid award amount of $1,027,844.90 and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Crouch/KST Electrical Enterprises of Maynor, Texas in the amount of $887,359.30.
Council and staff discussion included: 1) clarification requested on the award amount; and 2) request for a timetable on the O. H. Ivie project, with staff noting a complete timeline and budget will be presented to Council at the next Council meeting.
Councilman McNeil made a motion to approve by Oral Resolution a bid award to Crouch/KST Electrical Enterprises of Maynor, Texas for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) for the O. H. Ivie Project, acknowledging the full bid award amount of $1,027,844.90, and authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract for $887,359.30, as recommended by staff. Councilwoman Alexander seconded the motion and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Archibald, Southward, Hill, McNeil, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor Barr.
NAYS: None.
Division Presentation:
4.4 City Manager Larry Gilley introduced Mike Saxton, Program Specialist for the Abilene/Taylor County 9-1-1 District, who gave a presentation on the 9-1-1 Administration.
Mr. Saxton reviewed the Development, Demography, Duties, and Budget of the 9-1-1 District.
Councilman Williams arrived at the meeting at 9:20 a.m.
Mr. Saxton reviewed the basic wireline and wireless 9-1-1 call; and concluded by noting the 9-1-1 District board member names and offices held.
Council complimented the District's work and thanked Mr. Saxton for the presentation.
No Council action was required.
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.
5.4 There being no further business, the Council reconvened at 10:05 a.m. in the City Council Chambers of City Hall for the Budget Workshop.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Jo Moore Grady Barr
City Secretary Mayor