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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - Special - 9/1/2005CITY OF LUBBOCK SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING September 1, 2005 7:30 A. M. The City Council of the City of Lubbock, Texas met in special session on the 1st day of September, 2005, in the City Council Chambers, first floor, City Hall, 1625 13th Street, Lubbock, Texas at 7:30 A. M. 7:30 A. M. CITY COUNCIL CONVENED City Council Chambers, 1625 13th Street, Lubbock, Texas Present: Mayor Marc McDougal, Mayor Pro Tem Tom Martin, Council Member Jim Gilbreath, Council Member Floyd Price Absent: Council Members Boren, DeLeon, and Jones EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor McDougal stated: `City Council will hold an Executive Session today for the purpose of consulting with the City Staff with respect to the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property and personnel matters, as provided by Subchapter D of Chapter 551 of the Government Code, the Open Meetings Law." 7:31 A. M. CITY COUNCIL RECESSED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION City Council/City Manager's Conference Room All council members were present. At this time, Items 2 and 3 were considered 8:10 A. M. CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING RECONVENED City Council Chambers Present: Mayor Marc McDougal; Mayor Pro Tem Tom Martin; Council Member Gary O. Boren; Council Member Linda DeLeon; Council Member Jim Gilbreath; Council Member Phyllis Jones; Council Member Floyd Price; Tom Adams, Deputy City Manager; Anita Burgess, City Attorney; and Tommy Combs, Deputy City Secretary Absent: No one Mayor McDougal called the meeting to order at 8:10 A. M. Invocation was given by Council Member Floyd Price. The Pledge of Allegiance was given in unison by those in the City Council Chambers to both the United States flag and the Texas flag. CITIZEN APPEARANCES ( 1•) Proclamation by the Mayor declaring September 1, 2005 as Jane Anne Stinnett Day in Lubbock, Texas. Joining Mayor McDougal to recognize Jane Anne Stinnett were State Senator Robert Duncan, State Representative Delwin Jones, Mark Griffin on behalf of Governor Rick Perry, Marcie Beasley on behalf of Texas Tech University Chancellor David Smith, Dana Neugebauer on behalf of U.S. Representative Randy Neugebauer, Jessica Adams on behalf of U.S. Senator John Comyn, and Shae Woodard on behalf of U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson. Senator Duncan read Proclamation 137 from the Special City Council Meeting September 1, 2005 Texas Senate, expressing appreciation for all of the work Ms. Stinnett has done for the State of Texas. The rest of the group, including Marshall Stinnett, brother of Ms. Stinnett, gave comments and read special recognitions of thanks to Ms. Stinnett. Mayor McDougal then gave comments and read a proclamation declaring September 1, 2005 as Jane Anne Stinnett Day in Lubbock. The Mayor pointed out that Ms. Stinnett has served as an exemplary role model of civic leadership and community service to young and old alike and has exhibited an on -going commitment to good government by promoting responsibility and accountability from elected officials. She unselfishly gave her time to Lubbock by serving on numerous committees and boards. — She also served on a state level by being appointed to the Governor's Economic Development Task Force, the Texas Agricultural Financial Authority, the Governor's Business Development and Jobs Creation Task Force, and the Governor's Agricultural Task Force. Ms. Stinnett has been invaluable as an advocate and liaison of the agricultural community through her service to the Texas Cotton Association, the American Cotton - Shippers Association, the National Cotton Council, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Advisory Committee. She has also proven herself as a successful businesswoman as President and CEO of JGG Incorporated, past President of Stinnett Enterprises, partner in Southwest Research Associates, and Vice -President of Pecos County Publishing Company. Ms. Stinnett also encouraged current U.S. President, George W. Bush. Mayor McDougal asked all citizens to honor her tremendous legacy, dedication to the City of Lubbock, the state of Texas, and these United States. 8:35 A. M. CITY COUNCIL RECESSED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION (2.) Hold an executive session in accordance with V.T.C.A. Government Code, Section 551.072, to deliberate the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property (Lubbock Power & Light). (3.) Hold an executive session in accordance with V.T.C.A. Government Code, Section 551.074(a)(1), to discuss personnel matters (City Attorney; City Manager; City Secretary; Mayor; City Council Districts 1-6) and take appropriate action. 10:32 A. M. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION CONVENED City Council Chambers (4.) George W. Bush Library presentation. David Miller gave a presentation and comments, thanked the news media for covering the story, and introduced a proposal for the George W. Bush Presidential Library to be located in West Texas, more specifically on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. He pointed out that, although money, academic programming, and buildings do play a crucial role in the process, this project is about unity and partnerships. The partnership of West Texans will make the project happen, in turn with partnership with the George W. Bush Presidential Library Foundation, should Lubbock be chosen as the site for the library. Miller stated that there are nine different colleges and universities that have pledged their collaborative support, from Amarillo College to Wayland Baptist, Lubbock Christian University, South Plains College, Midland College, Abilene Christian University, Hardon-Simmons University, and McMurray College. Several surrounding communities have written checks to help pay for the proposal and also pledged their support to the library coming to this region. The most important partner is Midland. The Midland -Odessa area is the home to our President and First Lady. Midland has abandoned their proposal and application to partner with 224 Special City Council Meeting September 1, 2005 Lubbock to help raise funds, excitement and enthusiasm for this project, in -turn to have the Laura Bush Center for Literacy on the College of Midland campus. Nancy Wiese, sister of David Miller and close friend to President and Laura Bush for almost 30 years, gave comments regarding the conversations she has had with individuals close to the President that have validated that Lubbock is in "the hunt" as being a site for the library. Coach Bob Knight gave comments regarding unity and support through Lubbock and West Texas with emphasis on education and history — pertaining to the library. Coach Knight has visited almost every presidential library in the United States and has a special interest in libraries and what they can do, not only for a university but also for a community. Former Congressman Kent Hance gave comments concerning the impact that the George W. Bush Presidential Library will have on regional economy and the money it will take to get the library here in Lubbock. Along with a library and museum would come The Bush Institute for Freedom, which is something that has to be worked out with Texas Tech University and the Board of Regents. This would mean starting out with twenty professors and increasing up to a possible fifty, and bringing in world leaders and their staff to what would be looked at as a "think tank". Congressman Hance also pointed out that this would be a historic opportunity and if West Texas doesn't show a commitment, then we will not get the rest of the money. The money will be raised nationwide and worldwide. He stated that he is willing to take time off for two years and commit to raising money and asks that Council do everything possible to help in this endeavor. David Miller stated that Congressman Hance has already recruited incredibly powerful, influential, and loving individuals to help raise money for the library. Mr. Miller's closing plea to Council was "let's get her done, West Texas, let's get her done." Mayor McDougal thanked David Miller, Nancy Wiese, Coach Bob Knight, and Congressman Kent Hance for their presentation and their commitment to the library project. 11:10 A. 1iI. CITY COUNCIL RECESSED 11:20 A. M. CITY COUNCIL RECONVENED IN WORK SESSION At this time, Mayor McDougal asked David Miller to make any other comments he needed to make regarding the library. Council Member Jones asked Mr. Miller to elaborate on how the library is about more than just books. Mr. Miller explained that a presidential library is more than just a building with books in it. It is an archive of every non -classified document that was collected during a President's term. There will be eight years of documents in the presidential library, including what will probably become the largest collection of documents on 9-11 in the world because of everything that went on after the terrorist attack. Archiving is important for research and historical purposes, and critically important to the nation's history. The museum will host the personal effects of the President and First Lady's life all the way up through the current time and display the precious gifts and treasures that have been given from all over the world to the President and First Lady that they do not keep. Mr. Miller went on to say that the President wants to create an institute that is funded by a foundation, which would be a conservative Southern -based "think tank" to do problem solving on global issues. There has been approximately $30 million in contingent commitments so far, and the City 225 Special City Council Meeting September 1, 2005 of Lubbock is being asked to make a $50 million contingent commitment. Multinational organizations will also make donations to this institute. The coalition has a deadline of September 8, 2005 at the close of business to accept any commitment from West Texas. Any proposal would need to be submitted, and ready at that time. 11:50 A. M. CITY COUNCIL RECESSED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION 1:15 P. M. CITY COUNCIL RECONVENED IN WORK SESSION Discussion continued on different options available to come up with $50 million without raising the tax rate. Council Members Boren and Gilbreath pointed out that at this point everything is contingent upon Lubbock being chosen for the site of the George W. Bush Presidential Library. Mayor McDougal asked Lee Ann Dumbauld, Chief Financial Officer, and Jeff Yates, Director of Fiscal Policy and Strategic Planning, to bring back to Council figures on exactly what the City's tax dollars were from growth last year. Ms. Dumbauld informed Council that if the choice would be a bond election, there is a deadline issue for setting the date by September 7, 2005. She also stated that with the assistance of Mr. Yates, Andy Burcham, Cash and Debt Manager, and Cheryl Brock, Business Research Specialist, she would bring back numbers and options for discussion to tomorrow's meeting. This would mean that if bond election were the choice, then the window of opportunity on posting would not be lost. Anita Burgess, City Attorney, pointed out that Council could recess for no more than one day. Consensus from Council was to recess until September 2, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. 1:55 P. M. CITY COUNCIL RECESSED UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2, 2005 AT 11:00 A. M. 11:10 A. M. CITY COUNCIL RECONVENED After Mayor McDougal called the meeting to order, there was a video presentation on the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Center & Park. Council Member Gilbreath asked David Miller to give comments and reiterate the significance of the dollar amount asked and of trying to bring the George W. Bush Presidential Library, Museum, and Institute to West Texas. Mr. Miller spoke on the magnitude of what will be necessary to take to President Bush and impact of a $50 million commitment. Anita Burgess, City Attorney, answered the Mayor's question of how the decision made during this Council's term would affect the next Council. She pointed out that a resolution is an expression of intent and not a passage of law, not an ordinance; therefore, an expression of intent could be changed by an ordinance that is later passed or the Council could pass a contradictory resolution at a later date. Lee Ann Dumbauld, Chief Financial Officer, gave comments and answered questions from Mayor McDougal regarding the process of issuing debt and bonds. She stated that there are three-year and two-year limits on how fast bond money needs to be spent. From a rating agency's standpoint, one of the major areas they look at as far as a resolution to raise $50 million and come up with financing options is the economic development prospects for your community. Lubbock has proven with the North Overton Tax Increment Financing District and the developments of numerous projects that we are a very solid community and really poised for significant growth. When it is presented that Lubbock is chosen for the site of the Presidential library, it puts Lubbock in the next category with 226 Special City Council Meeting September 1, 2005 the rating agency of how they view our community's vibrancy. The Mayor reiterated the options available to come up with the money, which were 1) call a bond election and 2) bond the money now. 11:35 A. M. CITY COUNCIL RECESSED 12:00 P. M. CITY COUNCIL RECONVENED Mayor McDougal introduced Ryan Worley, External Vice -President for Student Affairs at Texas Tech University, who gave comments on how the student body has put together a huge support effort in the form of a Senate Resolution 41.02 that has already been passed. He also spoke on the benefits that the Presidential library would bring to this community. Mayor Pro Tem Martin asked Mr. Worley if there would be anyone available this afternoon to attend the Special City Council Meeting to talk about refugees coming to Lubbock, to see if Student Affairs would be in a position to help support the community in providing relief efforts. Mr. Worley advised Mayor Pro Tem Martin that he would make phone calls to see if he could locate a representative. David Miller answered questions from Council on the security issue at the library, if it is located in Lubbock, and how it will impact our senior citizens. Council Member Gilbreath suggested that David Miller appoint a Task Force that would coordinate with Chief Financial Officer Lee Ann Dumbauld on ways to locate funds for the library. Council Member Price agreed and also suggested that Mayor McDougal appoint a committee of three individuals to include Council Members Jones and Gilbreath and another of his choice. Council Member Boren suggested Mayor Pro Tem Martin and Council Members Jones and Gilbreath. Council Member DeLeon suggested that Council look at possibly committing to at least $70 million. Mayor McDougal stated that he would appoint a committee of three by 2:00 p.m. today so that they would have something prepared to give to David Miller by 7:30 a.m. on September 8, 2005. Mayor Pro Tem Martin proposed scheduling a special meeting on September 7, 2005 at 8:00 a.m. to get the needed documents done for Mr. Miller to take to the President. Consensus from Council was in agreement with doing so. David Miller asked Council about the procedure needed to get names of streets changed. Mayor McDougal informed him that he would need to get with any member of the Council to place an item on the agenda. The Mayor also asked Rob Allison, Manager of Business and Neighborhood Development, to assist Mr. Miller. 227 Special City Council Meeting September 1, 2005 12:24 P. M. There being no further business to come before Council, Mayor McDougal adjourned the meeting. Read and approved this 30th day of November, 2006. /S/ MARC MCDOUGAL MARC MCDOUGAL, MAYOR ATTEST: /s/ Rebecca Garza Rebecca Garza, City Secretary