April 24, 2003, 8:30 a.m.
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ABILENE, TEXAS
The
City Council of the City of Abilene, Texas, met in Regular Session on April 24, 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, Anthony Williams, John Hill, Jimmy McNeil, and Councilwoman Kay Alexander. Also present were City Manager Larry Gilley,
City Attorney Sharon Hicks, City Secretary Jo Moore, and various members of the
City staff. Councilman Kris Southward was absent.
Councilman
Jimmy McNeil gave the invocation.
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Lee Almendarez, a fifth grader at Reagan Elementary. Lee's Principal, Mr. Lockett, was in attendance.
Mayor
Barr presented a Proclamation for May
9, 2003 As “Child Care Provider Day”.
2.0 There being no corrections, additions, or
deletions to the April 10, 2003 Regular City Council Meeting and Budget
Workshop Minutes, Councilman Archibald made a motion to approve the minutes as
printed. Councilman Hill seconded the motion and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Archibald, Williams, Hill, McNeil, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor Barr.
NAYS: None.
Councilman Hill made a motion to approve consent agenda items 3.1 through 3.9, as recommended by staff. Councilman Williams seconded the motion and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Archibald, Williams, Hill, McNeil, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor Barr.
NAYS: None.
Resolutions:
3.1 Oral Resolution approving the Development Corporation of Abilene, Inc. Semi-Annual Report of Activities for the six-month period ended March 31, 2003.
3.2 Oral Resolution approving a Street Use License Agreement with Meals On Wheels Plus, Inc.
3.3 Resolution approving West Central Texas Regional Housing Finance Corporation to issue Single Family Mortgage Revenue bonds to finance Single Family Housing within the City of Abilene, Texas.
The Resolution is numbered 12-2003 and contains no caption.
3.4 Oral Resolution authorizing the Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District to obtain influenza vaccine from Adventis-Pasteur through the Texas Building and Procurement Commission contract.
Bid Awards:
3.5 Removal of Civic Center vinyl wall covering and painting of auditorium walls and ceiling, Bid #CB-3037. The bid was awarded to Dean Hagler Painting Company in the amount of $74,579.00, as recommended by staff.
3.6 South 5th Street reconstruction from Mockingbird Lane to Catclaw Creek Bridge, Bid #CB-3038. The bid was awarded to Contract Paving Co., Tye, TX in the amount of $59,954.40 as recommended by staff.
3.7 General Aviation Ramp Reconstruction, Phase I, Abilene Regional Airport, Bid #CB-3034. The base bid was awarded to the lowest responsive bidder, Epic Construction, Inc. of Abilene, Texas in the amount of $449,773.00; reserving the right to award Additive Bids 1 and 2 in accordance with the engineer's recommendations and authorizing the City Manager to execute the contract, as recommended by staff.
3.8 Traffic signal installation, Bid #CB-3035. The bid was awarded to Willis Electric Company, LP, Abilene, Texas, in the amount of $229,528.00, as recommended by staff.
3.9 Water pipe for Water Utilities Department, Bid #CB-3031. The bid was awarded on a unit price basis to Plastic Wholesale Supply, Abilene, Texas as the most advantageous to the City, as recommended by staff.
REGULAR AGENDA
4.1 Shannon Meinhold, Planner I, briefed the Council on an Ordinance considered on second and final reading - TC-00503 – Thoroughfare abandonment of a portion of Mesquite Street and a 15' east-west alley located at 2341 N. Treadaway. The Planning and Zoning Commission and staff recommend approval, subject to: (1) both rights-of-way be maintained as open drainage easement, and (2) replatting of the lots east of Mesquite for lots to meet subdivision requirements.
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.
Councilwoman
Alexander made a motion to approve the
Ordinance for thoroughfare abandonment of a portion of Mesquite Street
and a 15' east-west alley located at 2341 N. Treadaway subject to: (1) both
rights-of-way be maintained as open drainage easement, and (2) replatting of
the lots east of Mesquite for lots to meet subdivision requirements, as
recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission and staff. Councilman Williams seconded the motion and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Archibald, Williams,
Hill, McNeil, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor Barr.
NAYS:
None.
The Ordinance is numbered 11-2003 and is captioned as follows:
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE
ABANDONMENT OF A PORTION OF PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY; PROVIDING FOR THE TERMS AND
CONDITIONS OF SUCH ABANDONMENT, AND CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING.
4.2 Dustin Luensmann, Planner I, briefed the Council on an Ordinance considered on second and final reading Z-01103 – Rezone from LI (Light Industrial) to HC (Heavy Commercial) zoning district property located at 4381 & 4397 Sayles Blvd. The Planning & Zoning Commission and staff recommend approval.
Mayor Barr opened a public hearing on the item, and the following individual spoke in favor of the request:
· Clinton Nix, attorney, 341 Hickory; representing the owner of the lot.
There being no one else present and desiring to be heard, the public hearing was closed.
Councilman Williams made a motion to approve the Ordinance to
rezone from Light Industrial to Heavy Commercial
zoning district property located at 4381 & 4397 Sayles Blvd., as
recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission and staff. Councilman McNeil
seconded the motion and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Archibald,
Williams, Hill, McNeil, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor Barr.
NAYS:
None.
The Ordinance is numbered 12-2003 and is captioned as follows:
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.
4.3 Dustin Luensmann, Planner I, briefed the Council on an Ordinance considered on second and final reading - Z-01203 – Rezone from LC, RM-3 & RM-3/MX (Limited Commercial, Residential Multi-Family & Residential Multi-Family/Mixed Use Overlay) to MU (Medical Use) zoning district property located at North 18th & Hickory Streets, Southeast corner. The Planning and Zoning Commission and staff recommend approval.
Mayor Barr opened a public hearing on the item, and the following individual spoke in favor of the request:
· Ken Missler, Plano, Texas, project director for the proponent.
There being no one else present and desiring to be heard, the public hearing was closed.
Councilman McNeil made a motion to approve the Ordinance to
rezone from Limited Commercial, Residential Multi-Family & Residential
Multi-Family/Mixed Use Overlay to Medical Use zoning district property located
at North 18th & Hickory Streets, Southeast corner, as
recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission and staff. Councilwoman
Alexander seconded the motion and the
motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Williams, Hill,
McNeil, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor Barr.
NAYS:
None.
ABSTAIN: Councilman Archibald.
The Ordinance is numbered 13-2003 and is captioned as follows:
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.
4.4, 4.5 Shannon Meinhold, Planner I, briefed the Council on two Ordinances considered on second and final reading - SNC-01303 – Street name change of Loch Lomand to Road Runner Court, and SNC-01403 – Street name change of Perserverance to Wildlife Trails Parkway. The Planning and Zoning Commission and staff recommend approval.
Mayor Barr stated there will be one public hearing and one motion for both items, then opened a public hearing on the items, and the following individual spoke in favor of the request:
· Chris Young, 802 Meander, representing the property owner.
There being no one else present and desiring to be heard, the public hearing was closed.
Councilwoman Alexander made a motion to approve the Ordinances
considered on second and final reading for: 1) Street name change of Loch
Lomand to Road Runner Court, and 2) Street name change of Perserverance to
Wildlife Trails Parkway, as recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission
and staff. Councilman Williams seconded the motion and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Archibald,
Williams, Hill, McNeil, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor Barr.
NAYS:
None.
The Ordinance is numbered 14-2003 and is captioned as follows:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ABILENE,
TEXAS, FOR A STREET NAME CHANGE OF LOCH LOMAND TO ROAD RUNNER COURT, AS
DESCRIBED BELOW AND CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING.
The Ordinance is numbered 15-2003 and is captioned as follows:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ABILENE,
TEXAS, FOR A STREET NAME CHANGE OF PERSERVERENCE TO WILDLIFE TRAILS PARKWAY, AS
DESCRIBED BELOW AND CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING.
4.6 Shannon Meinhold, Planner I, briefed the Council on an Ordinance considered on second and final reading - Z-01603 – Rezone from AO, RM-2 & RM-3 (Agricultural Open Space & Residential Multi-Family) to RM-3 (Residential Multi-Family) zoning district property located in the 2600 block of Antilley Road. The Planning & Zoning Commission and staff recommend approval.
Mayor Barr opened a public hearing on the item, and the following individual spoke in favor of the request:
· Gary Pullin, Tittle & Luther Partnership, 340 Beech St., representing the proponent.
There being no one else present and desiring to be heard, the public hearing was closed.
Councilman McNeil made a motion to approve the Ordinance
considered on second and final reading to Rezone from Agricultural Open Space
& Residential Multi-Family to Residential Multi-Family zoning district
property located in the 2600 block of Antilley Road, as recommended by the
Planning & Zoning Commission and staff. Councilwoman Alexander seconded the motion and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Archibald,
Williams, Hill, McNeil, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor Barr.
NAYS:
None.
The Ordinance is numbered 16-2003 and is captioned as follows:
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.
Resolutions:
4.7 John Dugan, Downtown Manager, introduced Cultural Tourism Committee members Michael Burke and Don Frazier. Mr. Burke and Mr. Frazier gave a slide Presentation on the Cultural Tourism Action Plan, as submitted by Bill Moskin and Sandy Guettler. It was noted Cultural Tourism has been described as "a mosaic of places, traditions, art forms, celebrations, and experiences that portrays America and its people and reflects the diversity and character of the United States." This is the fastest growing market in the travel industry worldwide. These tourists are interested in visiting the attractions, learning about the past, and gaining new knowledge and awareness. Cultural tourism must be a community and regional effort determining what resources to share with visitors and developing a strategy that creates benefit to the region and the resources. Texas ranks second in the number of cultural travelers and more than 75% of Texas cultural tourists are from Texas. Cultural tourists spend more, on average, per day than general leisure travelers and stay longer ($114 per day as opposed to $85 per day). This has been a virtually untapped resource for the Abilene area.
The cultural tourism action plan was commissioned in 2002 by the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau, the City of Abilene, and the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council through the work of the Cultural Tourism Committee of the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau to develop a framework for cultural tourism development in the Abilene area. The recommendations from the plan were based on a series of fact-finding activities conducted April through June of 2002. The intent of the plan is to organize a realistic program to focus on the attributes of the area to encourage tourism and thereby enhance the economy of the area. The program identifies the use of potential sites, linkages, and themes appropriate to sustain cultural tourism development in the Abilene area. The plan is created to initiate and improve collaboration among all entities involved and offer a format for successful implementation of the plan. Staff and the Cultural Tourism Committee recommends City Council approve by oral resolution the acceptance of the Cultural Tourism Action Plan For Abilene, Texas.
Council and the presenters discussion included: 1) applauding the project, citing the fact that it is a bold move, and with cohesion, and the pride of the citizens of Abilene it will be accomplished; 2) assurance that Abilene entry points will be focused on; 3) a method to showcase Abilene artists is needed; 4) the need to get people wanting to come to Texas and see all of the attributes that are uniquely Texas; 5) this being viewed as good economic development; and 6) the plan will be designed with a circle base that will expand in a graduated process, promoting surrounding areas.
Councilman Hill made a motion to accept, by Oral Resolution, the Cultural Tourism Action Plan for Abilene, Texas, as recommended by staff. Councilwoman Alexander seconded the motion and the motion carried.
AYES: Councilmen Archibald,
Williams, Hill, McNeil, Councilwoman Alexander, and Mayor Barr.
NAYS:
None.
The Council recessed from 9:45-9:50 a.m.
Staff Presentations:
4.8 City Manager Larry Gilley introduced Dan Weber, Airport Director. Mr. Weber recognized Juan Reyes, Team Leader for The Dominican Republic Rotary Group Study Exchange program. Mr. Reyes is visiting from the Santiago Gurabito Rotary Club and has a special interest in Air Cargo issues.
Mr. Weber presented an overview of the Abilene Regional Airport as follows:
· Airport Staff
Mayor Barr and the Council thanked Mr. Weber for his presentation.
No Council action was required.
Amber Cree, 1450 Tanglewood, Chair of the Parks & Recreation Board and member of the Executive Board of the Zoological Society, stated her congratulations to the City Council on their having accepted the Cultural Tourism Action Plan. Ms. Cree noted the tremendous asset the City zoo is in the area of cultural tourism and reviewed several positive aspects of the zoo. Ms. Cree also encouraged the Council to utilize the zoo in its promotion of Abilene and cultural tourism and also commended the volunteers from the Zoological Society for their services.
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.
There
being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:05 a.m.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Jo
Moore Grady Barr
City
Secretary Mayor