July 14 Meeting and news recap
The July 14th meeting of the general membership of AAIBO was well attended . Robert Morris, our Secretary, counted 41 people in attendance. We heard an interesting program about how franchises work. Our speaker was John Moak from www.fortunafranchisesolutions.com from Chicago. City Councilman Joe Spano asked everyone to support the effort to have the Abilene Independent School District Board call a bond election to begin a new Career Technical High School. Many of those in attendance signed a petition that is to be handed to the school board in a few days. Councilman Anthony Williams and Councilman Robert Briley were also in attendance.
Dave Boyll, AAIBO Executive Director, writes this update on meetings he has been attending. The Planning and Zoning Commission just approved rezoned Pine Street from North 6th all the way to I-20. The Pine Street Overlay which now must get City Council approval changes how businesses can build and use their property in the future. Existing businesses are “Grandfathered” and only when ownership of the property changes will the new regulations apply. There were eight public hearings at the last meeting, each relating to zone changes. The Pine Street Overlay brought out the most comments. P&Z also approved an ordinance change which will now allow wrecker drivers to park their up to 2 and a half ton trucks at their residences. They cannot park on the street and not on the lawn. They must park in a driveway or on an improved surface. Previously they could not park at any residence and the truck size was only up to 1 and a half tons. The new regulations apply to wreckers that are on 24 hour emergency call.
The City Council will soon be asked by the water department to raise your water rates. More money is needed by the city to build a new water treatment plant that could take 10 years to plan and build. At the July meeting the Council approved a fee to help finance negotiations with Atmos Gas for lower rates for the residents of Abilene. The council appointed a new Police Chief. Assistant Chief Stan Standridge is to be sworn in this week. The council approved one less Fire Department Captain position and added one more fire fighter. We now have 13 Chiefs and 120 fire fighters. The much talked about red light cameras are not going to be used for a while. The consultant company and the citizens group recommended that other methods be used to help stop drivers from running red light.
Taylor County Commissioners are wrestling with their budget this month. They will hear from various department heads and try to trim the requested amounts into a working budget for their new year that begins in October.
If you have comments or questions please contact Dave Boyll at Boyll-david @sbcglobal.net or at 669-5554.