5:30 P.M.

The City Council of the City of Abilene, Texas, met for a Special Called Council Meeting on February 13, 2003 at 5:30 p.m. in Classrooms B and C of the Rose Senior Activities Center, 2625 S. 7^th Street. 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 Managers Michael Morrison and Kathy Merrill, City Attorney Sharon Hicks, City Secretary Jo Moore, and various members of City staff.

Councilman Anthony Williams gave the invocation.

Mayor Barr read a proclamation in special recognition of February as "Black History Month" which was presented to the Black History Committee on January 31, 2003 at the New Fellowship church, and Mayor Barr reiterated the importance of the contributions of African-Americans to our nation's and city's history.

Mayor Barr welcomed those in attendance, stating the council is looking forward to the presentations, and to citizen participation through public comments following those presentations. Mayor Barr further stated in order to effectively and efficiently move through the agenda, the comment period has been set for three minutes per person and all comments need to be related to the topic presented. Mayor Barr noted all items on the agenda are for discussion only and no council action will be taken.

2.1 City Manager Larry Gilley welcomed those in attendance and stated all three items on the agenda are related to innovative and exciting things happening in Abilene's neighborhoods. Mr. Gilley then introduced Carrie Blaschke, who gave a presentation on a proposal for Historic designation for the Town West neighborhood.

Ms. Blaschke, 258 Clinton St., introduced committee member Larry Vaughn. Ms. Blaschke then gave a history of the neighborhood and the beginning of the proposed Historic designation. Ms. Blaschke stated appreciation to staff persons Larry Abrigg and Elizabeth Grindstaff for their assistance with the proposed designation. Ms. Blaschke distributed and reviewed handouts showing the study area for the Town West Historic District and its boundaries, drafts of proposed design guidelines, the benefits historic designations have to neighborhoods and a letter, survey and petition form to property owners in the area to help determine support for the district.

Comments, discussion, and questions on the historic designation included: 1) are historic districts required to meet higher standards than other areas in the community?; 2) guidelines being unique to each district; 3) district residents could request additional restrictions; 4) full neighborhood participation would be sought; 5) tax benefits; 6) this being basically an historic overlay for neighborhoods; 7) clear guidelines would be established prior to seeking Council approval; 8) neighborhoods viewed as the key to the community; 9) environmental code enforcement being easier when there is neighborhood involvement; and 10) the efforts of neighborhood pride being protected by the City.

Mayor Barr opened the floor for public comment, and the following individuals spoke:

• Doug May, stated he has been a citizen of Abilene since1978. Mr. May distributed a newspaper article about prohibiting various household items outdoors, and questioned if the City has a general Ordinance regarding items that can be left in homeowner's yards.

Sharon Hicks, City Attorney, addressed the prohibition and restrictions as outlined in the City's nuisance Ordinance.

• Larry Vaughn, 1722 N. 5^th, Town West Neighborhood Committee member. Mr. Vaughn stated his neighbors have become closer because of this proposal and even if an historic designation is not made, that has had a positive impact.

• Steve Kirby, 850 Ross, stated he would like every other Council meeting to be held at night. Mr. Kirby asked if an Historic district is approved, if Council would enforce a new Ordinance in that district?

Mayor Barr noted this agenda item is for Council to receive comments on the Town West neighborhood Historic designation, but no Council decisions or answers to questions will be made tonight.

2.2 Mr. Gilley introduced Petty Hunter, Interim Executive Director of Neighborhoods In Progress (NIP). Mr. Hunter reviewed a January 2001 through May 2002 timeline of events & accomplishments for the Abilene NIP 800 Mesquite Street TownHomes project. Mr. Hunter noted the TownHomes Project consists of:

18 total units (apartments/townhouses), 9 units in 3 buildings on the northeast side of 800 Mesquite are occupied. The remaining 9 units are expected to be released in a few days with six families moving in in a couple of weeks. The last 3 units (where the water tower was located) will be available for the City Council to tour prior to families moving in.

Mr. Hunter stated three issues have resulted from the project: 1) there is a high demand to live in the TownHomes, 2) existing property owners have concerns that their property can't match the standards of the new units, and 3) the demand shows there is a need for more units. Mr. Hunter recognized the support and involvement of the Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) and the Improving Carver Area Neighborhood (ICAN) in making a difference toward affordable, good quality housing and improving the quality of life for all citizens.

Comments and discussion on the NIP project included: 1) ICAN being recognized as a beacon for any neighborhood; 2) appreciation to Mrs. Abar, the founder of ICAN for her patience and determination; 3) April 17 being designated by NIP as an official recognition day in honor of Mrs. Abar, and 4) NIP having done an outstanding job, and being a great example of how any neighborhood can change its character.

Mr. Hunter stated appreciation to the City Council and City staff for their involvement in and support of the NIP.

Council recognized Odis Dolton for his contributions to the Neighborhood Projects.

Mayor Barr opened the floor for public comment, and the following individual spoke:

• Odis Dolton, 1441 Morrow Ln., stated appreciation to Councilwoman Alexander, who served on one of the steering committees, and to the Council for their support of the neighborhood projects. Mr. Dolton noted the efforts of many in the establishing of relationships that have and will continue to positively impact our community.

2.3 Mr. Gilley introduced Diane Keeble, who gave a presentation on the Amarillo Highland Neighborhood Association. Ms. Keeble, 1941 Idlewild, explained how the newly formed Amarillo Highland Neighborhood Association was established, crediting its development to Councilman John Hill's expertise, organization, and management. Ms. Keeble stated the Association began 2 years ago, now has over 120 members, has established Bylaws, $5 membership dues, and quarterly meetings. Ms. Keeble reviewed the Association's six committees: 1) Social, 2) Reinvestment, 3) Safety, 4) Rental Property, 5) Appearance/Quality of Life, and 6) Service Projects, and stated enforcement is the key in maintaining high quality of life. Ms. Keeble questioned if the City will require AISD to maintain the grounds at Alta Vista after the school closes. Ms. Keeble further stated the City must play a vital role in partnership and the promotion of the associations, and that the Amarillo Highland Neighborhood Association may possibly pursue an historic overlay for their neighborhood as Town West has done. Ms. Keeble reviewed the boundaries of the neighborhood as follows: east side of Vine St. and west side of Ross Street, north of S. 14^th and South of S. 7^th St., plus the area bounded by west side of Sayles Blvd., north side of S. 6^th Street, & west side of Meander, the north side of S. 7^th St., and east & west side of the 500 block of Sayles Blvd.

Comments and discussion included: 1) Council commending the Association for their neighborhood efforts, 2) appearance having been the primary element of the three presentations tonight; 3) neighborhood associations across the city and the City's environmental code enforcement staff working together; 4) neighborhood associations bearing some of the burden to help in the area of Environmental Code enforcement; 5) better coordination of code enforcement by the City is being taken into consideration; and 6) when pride is established citizens will want to maintain that pride and will want to accomplish more.

Mayor Barr opened the floor for public comment, and the following individuals spoke:

• Steve Kirby, 850 Ross, stated he is a member of the Amarillo Highland Neighborhood Association, and agrees that the Association is going at this the right way by creating peer pressure, which is better than Ordinance enforcement.

• Petty Hunter, 725 Mesquite, gave an open invitation for neighborhoods to meet to consider ways to improve the community.

• Michael J. Armstrong, 1766 Briarwood, stated he appreciates the night meetings, and is proud of the efforts that all of the neighborhoods have made.

Mayor Barr stated citizen involvement is essential in city government, and thanked all in attendance for their involvement through the excellent presentations and public comments.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.

______________________________ ______________________________

Jo Moore Grady Barr

City Secretary Mayor