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

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.

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.

1. Resolution ordering the May 3, 2003 General Election for the office of Council Places 1 and 2, and providing for a Runoff Election on June 7, 2003 if needed.

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.

2. Resolution endorsing certain legislative changes to S.B. 7 supported by Cities Aggregation Power Project, Inc.

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:

3. Switching equipment and cabling in City Hall basement. The contract was awarded to Telecom Unlimited as follows: Data switching and networking products - $22,118; and Cable solution and installation - $26,708; for a total project cost of $48,826, as recommended by staff.

 

 

 

 

Ordinances:

4. Z-00403 – Rezone from AO (Agricultural Open Space) to RS-8 (Residential Single Family) zoning district property located in the 5500 block of Buffalo Gap Road, and set a public hearing for February 27, 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.

 

5. Ordinance amending TXU gas franchise, and set a public hearing for February 27, 2003 at 8:30 a.m.

1. Tony Neitzler, Assistant Director of Community Services, briefed the Council on an Ordinance amending Chapter 13, "Health and Sanitation", Article V, "Standards for Treatment and Disposal of Sewage", of the Abilene Municipal Code. Mr. Neitzler stated the proposed Ordinance addresses the installation of on-site sewage facilities (septic systems) within the Abilene city limits. It will replace the current Ordinance, and will comply with the model ordinance requested by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). It adopts by reference the TCEQ standards, requirements and procedures. However, it imposes no new requirements on installers. Section 13-79, Amendment A requires that all facilities regardless of size or complexity be permitted by the Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District. This has been a requirement in the City code for a number of years. The Health District proposes to continue this practice. Since most on-site sewage facilities are on the City's watershed, there is a continued need to require permitting of all facilities. This Ordinance is necessary to meet TCEQ requests to bring the current Ordinance into compliance with the TCEQ model. The Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District Advisory Board and staff recommend approval.

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.

2. Andy Anderson, Director of Public Works, briefed the Council on an Oral Resolution approving a Project Agreement with Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) for Elm Creek debris removal between S. 1^st Street and Southwest Drive. The NRCS is providing funding for debris removal from Elm Creek according to the terms of the agreement up for consideration, and this is the first of at least two agreements covering these work elements along Elm Creek. The limits for funding are South 1^st Street and Southwest Drive, and are for contracting services. The NRCS will provide 75% of the cost of projects up to the specified funding limits. The 25% to be provided by the City of Abilene will be in the form of forced account labor and equipment, design and project management services, or miscellaneous drainage funds within the Capital Improvements Program. Staff recommends approval.

Council and staff discussion included: 1) debris removal between S. 1^st 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. 1^st 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.

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.

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.

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