[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6589808,"mediaKeyId","5474816-3df49e000b2fc07de1f8f062b8578c47","parentId",5474816,"title","Votes at a glance: Abilene City Council actions and motions from the meeting","audioSeconds",4633,"startMs",168000,"endMs",4801000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5474816-3df49e000b2fc07de1f8f062b8578c47&start=168&end=4801","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5474816-3df49e000b2fc07de1f8f062b8578c47/thumbnail_168000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6589808/Abilene/Taylor-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Abilene-City-Council-actions-and-motions-from-the-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589808-5d2e8aa44f56c08f8d9f94137ea87c8f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771012814&Signature=OI3Fl~32G43EbQ9Vtqy0rTNbBwadNBr30bVVeYNCL6zbFwZhqXFb7DORKozLSOIAA3HkskoLh-rUK5PoE63Djs5en55OjGOPgON0ceeSK~UNCeo8VlhW8osAXmnVV5qDTIoKsECcwH4dHySkVO~7A4QL~oKzPRpHtuL8yR~BM7~jortOoEJqqpeK5MrF2VwnlMCD9cWIP4BxuVFLljFY8ZUDwFhS3MGC0Y0UME3BuDm~YjUqRNNu7hyPpR34QCja2BLcKZzZcO9Tc-Pw9BR1bMBRAmmisq-7ZMmTCbWQ3WY8RrI~0koa30q5WYimMnvh6AbJFAAfAwvAt9-3N3hEew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Abilene","date","2025-07-24T00:00:00Z","article","The following formal actions were recorded in the Abilene City Council meeting transcript (motions, movers, seconders and outcomes). Where the transcript did not list individual vote counts, the recorded outcome wording from the meeting is provided.

- Consent agenda (items 2–11 except item 8): Motion to approve consent agenda made by Councilman Reagan, seconded by Councilman Beard. Recorded outcome: \"All yeses. Motion carries.\" (Individual roll call not recorded in excerpt.)

- Item 12 (Rezone Request 2025‑20, Lansium Abilene LLC, PD 181 buffer adjustment): Staff presentation and public hearing recorded; no public speakers. Transcript does not include a final council vote within the provided excerpt.

- Item 14 (BYOB Establishment Ordinance, first reading): Motion to table by Councilman Price, second by Councilman Beard. Recorded outcome: Motion carries; item tabled for revision (see separate article on BYOB discussion).

- Item 15: Motion to table made by Councilman Reagan, second by Councilman Espinosa. Recorded outcome: \"All yeses with the exception of Councilman Craver.\" Motion carries; item tabled.

- Item 17 (appointments): Motion by Councilman Reagan, second by Councilman Yates to appoint named individuals to boards and commissions (Betty Hardwick Center Board of Trustees: Rosendo Contreras; Landmarks Commission: Derek Cood and Josh Black). Recorded outcome: \"All yeses. Motion carries.\"

- Item 18 (assistant municipal judges): Motion by Councilman Reagan, second by Councilman Espinosa to appoint Forrest McCray and Shaley Allen as assistant municipal judges. Recorded outcome: \"All yeses. Motion carries.\"

- Item 19 (DCUA FY26 strategic plan): Motion by Councilman Beard, second by Councilman Yates to approve the DCUA FY26 strategic plan. Recorded outcome: \"Motion carries.\"

- Item 20 (DCUA FY26 budget): Motion by Councilman Price, second by Councilman Beard to approve the DCUA FY26 budget. Recorded outcome: \"Councilman McCraver is absent. All yeses? Motion carries.\"

Notes: The transcript records mover/seconder and the meeting chair’s announcement of outcomes; individual roll‑call tallies were not provided for most items in the excerpt. Where the record states an absence (for example, Council member Craver/McCraver noted absent for some votes), that is noted above.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Abilene - City Council","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of motions recorded in the meeting transcript including consent agenda approval, tabling of the BYOB ordinance, appointments, and DCUA plan and budget approvals.","taxTitle","Abilene, Taylor County, Texas","taxId",2817,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6589813,"Development Corporation of Abilene strategic plan and FY26 budget approved by council",1956,4773000,6729000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5474816-3df49e000b2fc07de1f8f062b8578c47&start=4773&end=6729","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5474816-3df49e000b2fc07de1f8f062b8578c47/thumbnail_4773000.jpg","/articles/6589813/Abilene/Taylor-County/Texas/Development-Corporation-of-Abilene-strategic-plan-and-FY26-budget-approved-by-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589813-34347e188db72bb9e667fd57a67d1346/orig.mp4?Expires=1771012814&Signature=UXevyr7rXZkltlS-KrjdNi7SVQKPVgTrJJQwEULjv2WvImyFIjavHlCxVlq-I7TdJC36nbZ8rMsSNcpSXl6vwXnMNn53q0YOekt-kl3ey6XZpPAj7DpcNFecOKYxe76S6ej8dPZm9-K9eHksLF0tfoGh2KWp8MwJIKWmNi7eG2nUd12K5EZSchqoZA3PMCRueJmjfgJzHrVwiNLxT7M70tg82ImGgbeSkY4NbnzzCjcQ495mg4Cj8tptALCDkzXI0MOUV98W3~HbEUDwN~8BtMsThXvG27L88v5z4CXMUVYebS5eHnEITVq~aFzYkv2FLGee9xtaDRm9qZ3yUGycdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council approved the Development Corporation of Abilene’s (DCUA) fiscal year 2026 strategic plan and recommended budget after presentations by DCUA CEO Misty Mayo.

Mayo said the DCUA is executing a six‑pillar economic development strategy and reported the corporation has partnered with more than 45 companies over the past five years, including both local expansions and new prospects. She highlighted recent awards and noted that DCUA activity leverages land, buildings and incentives to attract projects; she cited Great Lakes Cheese, R & L Carriers and ABI Windows as examples of projects where DCUA participation supported investment and job creation.

On the FY26 budget, Mayo described key line items: an increase in business retention and expansion initiatives, continued marketing and workforce development investments (including NextU), and allocations for land acquisition and site readiness. She said past budgets often trended at or below plan and that DCUA seeks to be prepared to compete for larger projects while retaining funds for smaller, rapid incentives.

Council members asked several technical questions about incentive strategy, the balance between business retention and attraction, and how the DCUA manages large land or cash incentives. Mayo said projects with cash incentives above $500,000 would be submitted to council for approval and that the DCUA board reviews initiatives and expenditures. She also confirmed reserve funds have grown with recent sales tax revenue increases and that the DCUA would return to council for budget adjustments if needed.

A motion to approve the strategic plan passed (motion by Councilman Beard, second by Councilman Yates). A separate motion to approve the DCUA FY26 budget also passed (motion by Councilman Price, second by Councilman Beard). Both motions carried.","The council approved the Development Corporation of Abilene’s FY26 strategic plan and recommended budget, which the DCUA described as scaling for future projects and focused on business retention, land acquisition and workforce initiatives.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6589818,"Council reviews rezone request to adjust PD 181 buffer line around annexed parcels; no public opposition recorded",155,215000,370000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5474816-3df49e000b2fc07de1f8f062b8578c47&start=215&end=370","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5474816-3df49e000b2fc07de1f8f062b8578c47/thumbnail_215000.jpg","/articles/6589818/Abilene/Taylor-County/Texas/Council-reviews-rezone-request-to-adjust-PD-181-buffer-line-around-annexed-parcels-no-public-opposition-recorded","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589818-54854ec3032caf54c6c6726a8fe5ee56/orig.mp4?Expires=1771012814&Signature=Tr~dQro99cjBzZiLj3XqmKAzqubhTuy6OaWlZ6VQcUTwJhLqh3V2bu5Hxm2Nr-vqKR5F1pVmXb5uPn0D07sAdfyumjgxVToff2iJhfQL4o2bAV2DWb-k7lr2ye0RzDloJH5l8ccttiJEp3c730vywML1Cn~dYgWzpQClcOcrUbFpxij9yItfOIRaZujxoawVj3BNhdjCc6IkFdPFaCypG-0YDyo~i2jf75vudhKPPPgSko8NzfLtgiIbYeRWCq28TfBInyMa7E-K7ZFIfhbErN7jRTqNJAIo4kaXjRgo3UZ4nfrGmyDkMSh~iy3RQODmk4PjtzyeqiFu-UvBaFEYsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented Rezone Request 2025‑20 from Lansium Abilene LLC asking the council to amend the terms of Planned Development (PD) 181 to correct the location of a perimeter buffer line after two parcels to the south were annexed into the PD area.

Tim Littlejohn (presenting) showed maps of PD 181 boundaries and the proposed adjusted buffer, explained notices were sent and no responses were received, and told the council the request met the approval criteria in the land development code and that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval. The mayor opened the public hearing; no one came forward to speak and the hearing was closed.

No formal vote on the rezone appears in the transcript segment provided; the item progressed through staff presentation and public hearing without opposition. Council asked no substantive questions on the record.","City staff presented a request by Lansium Abilene LLC to amend Planned Development (PD) 181 to adjust the location of a required buffer line around two annexed parcels; Planning & Zoning recommended approval and no members of the public spoke at the hearing.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6589822,"Abilene utilities director recommends return to three‑day watering; council signals consensus to stay at two days",1031,343000,1374000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5474816-3df49e000b2fc07de1f8f062b8578c47&start=343&end=1374","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5474816-3df49e000b2fc07de1f8f062b8578c47/thumbnail_343000.jpg","/articles/6589822/Abilene/Taylor-County/Texas/Abilene-utilities-director-recommends-return-to-threeday-watering-council-signals-consensus-to-stay-at-two-days","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589822-1815d03415c423a5d414cb97109cf878/orig.mp4?Expires=1771012814&Signature=LRhn28EfEGO99x5~9aUxfZvZCtTWGXQeh26TDjOyu5ScnYTbIlFPeaI-FOa12SptuP6nnVxqOFaGe-DzsnwV1ZiVlOp8fmeWweduc8HbJdRAaAUg~g8bSy4S8uMOtIFPckhIffy~KBef4y9ZX6WMsYbKFPI6Yu59wJe76t4Dz7GCjbcyGPLDP3RTitT0ue32x94l2xGqfnV2XProMrQCnbm3ClV9DB8IeLpE1RlssaZLLNvGttJEj4k1kcZ88Sz1gRyM95Qk9d8GDla3zDBNa8t-jneYXOJHee8y-gtJ03Eufy652g~xMCcVR3ecpjsO6piYBocxOWrBrqnKOad2Sw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Abilene’s director of water utilities, Matthew Dain, updated the City Council on reservoir storage and the city’s water conservation plan, saying combined storage for Phantom and Hubbard reservoirs now supports a less stringent watering schedule but that continued monitoring is needed.

Dain described the city’s water conservation plan (codified in the utility ordinance) and explained that the plan uses combined storage percentage for Phantom and Hubbard to determine drought response stages. He said Hubbard’s larger volume skews the combined percentage and that although Phantom may appear relatively fuller, the combined metric is what triggers watering restrictions.

The plan prescribes year‑round management and baseline restrictions; the city has typically required a minimum of three‑day‑per‑week outdoor watering and moves to two‑day and then stricter stages as combined storage drops into lower bands. Dain said the state requires the water conservation ordinance to be renewed every five years and described the consultants (EHD and HDR) who modeled reservoir scenarios during the drought of record.

Dain told council members the reservoir picture supports a move back to a three‑day allowance under the plan, but council members and staff weighed the practical effect: some council members preferred staying with the two‑day schedule given uncertainties at Hubbard and the approach used in recent years to avoid oscillating between stages. Council members also asked about modeling, enforcement and whether the city sees measurable conservation gains when moving between early stages.

Council members asked Dain about the expected time to reach the next trigger if no additional rain fell; Dain estimated approximately five to ten months (around six to seven months using recent slopes) before the next trigger might be reached under ongoing dry conditions. The mayor and other members asked staff to use the city’s website and public information channels to publish lake level charts and the water conservation plan.

Although the discussion did not produce a formal vote, the mayor said the consensus of the council was to remain at two‑day outdoor watering. Staff said the change in formal restrictions under the ordinance (for example, moving back to three‑day) typically becomes effective when conveyed at a media conference or council meeting, and the utility department will work with public information to notify the public.

Dain reiterated that the ordinance includes stages tied to combined reservoir percentage and to total plant throughput (daily pumpage thresholds), and that enforcement historically has relied more on education and encouragement than strict enforcement.","The city’s water utilities director briefed the council on reservoir levels and conservation triggers; after discussion the council indicated consensus to remain on a two‑day watering schedule and asked staff to publicize the status.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":46,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6589823,"Abilene council tables first-reading BYOB ordinance after wide-ranging debate on scope and enforcement",3408,1393000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5474816-3df49e000b2fc07de1f8f062b8578c47&start=1393&end=4801","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5474816-3df49e000b2fc07de1f8f062b8578c47/thumbnail_1393000.jpg","/articles/6589823/Abilene/Taylor-County/Texas/Abilene-council-tables-first-reading-BYOB-ordinance-after-wide-ranging-debate-on-scope-and-enforcement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589823-de09b861ad54f60417e157e2f77f5f0d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771012814&Signature=avSuswAyaIAIefaWf-6o7slkOwAexkwaQzI-PbKaxiID0jx6wuFwaf1rAEhIKTHlectWDKHddapUw3n4qO~sI-AsrkBKH0aiVl3LbS3eC6hpi-wrrJhwUYxQdgmEraYr5RIW2ku-fkIrBSJADHOBnWAKPdDZJTWlfC7yHfd2rd-HeSNaXJhcxTnmJ7zHkKx~OT450Q1nhmjcxWZLgcPTQs5lnbSOrxR626IipLqyJJHfuxjot35FUVEks3Y6SuLyhRrWR8hX8VKFw00LVnIqACsDdN4yx6B~xIOsaE803wpTGJKzsqNGFjKRODqwrViPH0oXLFpdpdwBfULMztm9kw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Abilene City Council on Wednesday conducted a lengthy first reading and public hearing on a proposed BYOB establishment ordinance, then voted to table the measure so staff can return with a narrowed proposal focused first on hours of operation.

City Attorney Stanley Smith presented the draft ordinance as a locally enforced permitting and regulatory framework for businesses that allow patrons to bring alcoholic beverages, noting the ordinance would create a permit program, inspection authority and a heightened regulatory tier for establishments that have two corroborated incidents within 180 days.

The ordinance as drafted would require all BYOB establishments to display a permit, prohibit owners and staff from consuming alcohol during business hours, require consent to inspections, and — for establishments that meet the “two strikes” threshold — require on‑site presence of the permit holder or a listed designee, walk‑through metal detectors or wands, lighting of exterior areas, and security officers (one per 50 patrons) with level‑2 licenses and low‑light recording capability.

Council members repeatedly expressed concern the draft would cast too broad a net and impose heavy administrative burdens on many nonprofits, event venues and businesses that host private BYOB events. Council members and the police chief debated whether a universal permitting requirement was needed to give law enforcement tools to trace and regulate problem operators, or whether the city could instead start by restricting hours and trigger permitting only after incidents.

Police leadership told the council that, without a permitting list, officers lack a reliable way to identify responsible parties and prevent operators from moving problem events from site to site. The chief said past incidents often occurred after other bars close and after 2 a.m., which factored into the council’s discussion of whether a narrow hours restriction would address the problem.

Multiple members — including Mayor (identified in the transcript as presiding) and Councilman Price — favored starting with a targeted change limiting BYOB operating hours (proposed 2 a.m.–7 a.m., with a later Sunday start) and retaining the draft’s two‑strike enforcement tools to be applied only if incidents occur. Public commenters, including Tammy Fogle and Rochelle Johnson (representing the Expo Center of Taylor County), urged the council not to sweep well‑behaved nonprofits and event venues into a burdensome permitting regime and asked for clearer, narrower language.

After public comment, Councilman Price moved to table the ordinance; Councilman Beard seconded. The motion to table passed.

The council directed staff to return with a revised draft focused on hours of operation for BYOB establishments (with an ordinance narrowing or eliminating immediate permit requirements), plus a mechanism to trigger permitting and the additional security requirements only after corroborated incidents. The ordinance will return for further consideration at a subsequent meeting.

Proponents of a narrow approach said it would give police a clearer enforcement tool while minimizing compliance costs for community event venues. Opponents of a narrow approach said they feared problem operators would continue to relocate if the city lacked a broader permitting system to identify and bar repeat offenders.

The council did not complete a final reading or adopt the ordinance; the item was tabled to allow staff to craft the narrower, hours‑first ordinance and to address concerns raised by council members and members of the public.","On first reading the Abilene City Council discussed a proposed ordinance to regulate BYOB (bring‑your‑own‑beer/booze) establishments, hearing hours‑of‑operation, permit triggers and exemptions before voting to table the measure for revision.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Abilene City Council actions and motions from the meeting

Development Corporation of Abilene strategic plan and FY26 budget approved by council

Council reviews rezone request to adjust PD 181 buffer line around annexed parcels; no public opposition recorded

Abilene utilities director recommends return to three‑day watering; council signals consensus to stay at two days

Abilene council tables first-reading BYOB ordinance after wide-ranging debate on scope and enforcement