[CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:03]
>>> THIS MORNING WE WILL START WITH OUR INVOCATION BROUGHT TO
US BY MR. BEARDLEY. >> GOD, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY. LORD, WE THANK YOU THAT YOU ARE HERE TODAY AND FATHER WE JUST PRAY THAT YOU WOULD GIVE US YOUR WISDOM AND GRANT US THE DECISIONS WE WILL MAKE TO SEEK TO SERVE THE BETTER COMMUNITY.
FATHER, WE ARE SO MINDFUL OF THIS COVID SEASON AND SO VERY MINDFUL OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND ACQUAINTANCES AND PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE LOST IN THE LAST 60, 90 DAYS AND BEYOND, FATHER, AND WE JUST PRAY THAT YOU GIVE THEM PEACE AND COMFORT TO THEIR FAMILIES AT THIS TIME, LORD, AND JUST WATCH OVER THEM AND JUST GIVE THEM YOUR -- JUST BE PRESENT WITH THEM.
FATHER, JUST GUIDE OUR THOUGHTS AND OUR ACTIONS TODAY, FATHER. MAY WE HONOR YOU AND WE THANK YOU. IN YOUR NAME WE PRAY.
>> PRIOR TO GETTING STARTED I REMIND YOU WITH THE COVID PROTOCOLS PLEASE CONTINUE TO KEEP YOUR MASK ON UNLESS YOU ARE COMING UP TO THE PODIUM. WE WILL ALSO ENTER INTO A MOMENT OF PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ANY ITEMS THAT ARE AREN'T ON THE UH -- THAT ARE ON THE AGENDA.
WE CAN DISCUSS ALSO AT SOME OF THE BREAKOUTS.
ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS BEFORE WE GET STARTED THIS MORNING? SEEING AS THERE ARE NONE WE WILL MOVE INTO OUR FORMAL MEETING AND OUR AGENDA.
THE FIRST THING WILL BE A REVIEW OF THE MINUTES FROM
[MINUTES]
LAST WEEK, FROM OUR LAST MEETING.>> I MOVE WE APPROVE THE MINUTES.
>> I SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR -- APPROVED
NOW ON TO OUR AGENDA. FOR AGENDA ITEM NUMBER TWO WE
[2. Service Awards (Discussion) Rick Sandee - 10 years Service Awards (3)]
WILL START OUR SERVICE AWARDS.>> SO FOR THE PARKS DEPARTMENT WE HAVE RICK SANDEE WHO HAS BEEN WITH THE PARKS DEPARTMENT FOR 10 YEARS.
IF WE CAN HAVE RICK COME UP. I HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR RICK FOR SO LONG. YOU GUYS KNOW THAT.
RICK IS A GREAT GUY. HE DOES A GREAT JOB FOR US.
I HOPE HE STAYS FOR A LOT LONGER THAN 10 YEARS.
WE APPRECIATE IT. >> [APPLAUSE].
>> HOLD ON, RICK. 10 YEARS IS A GREAT START.
WE ARE EXCITED YOU ARE HERE. WE WILL MOVE TO AGENDA ITEM
[3. Softball Tournament Fee Request (Discussion and Action) Spectator Fee: $10 Participant Fee: $275 Softball Tournament Fee Request]
NUMBER THREE. THAT IS OUR SOFTBALLTOURNAMENT FEE REQUESTS. >> THIS REQUEST IS FOR THE USA SOFTBALL STATE TOURNAMENTS. THE LEAGUES DON'T PUT THIS ONE ON. IT IS DONE THROUGH THE DISTRICT OFFICE. THEY ARE ASKING TO CHARGE A SPECTATOR FEE OF $10. I THINK THAT'S FOR THE ENTIRE WEEKEND. I DON'T THINK THAT'S PER DAY.
PARTICIPANT FEE IS $275 PER TEAM.
THEY DON'T HAVE OTHER WAYS OF MAKING MONEY AT THE TOURNAMENTS. THEY DON'T DO THE CONCESSIONS. THIS IS TYPICAL.
THEY DO THIS MOST YEARS. THERE WERE A FEW YEARS THEY FORGOT TO ASK PERMISSION, BUT TYPICALLY THIS IS SOMETHING
THEY DO YEAR IN AND YEAR OUT. >> YOU SAY THEY DO NOT CHARGE ANY OTHER FEES OR CONCESSIONS? DOES THE CITY DO THE CONCESSIONS ?
>> NO, THE LEAGUE DOES THE CONCESSIONS, BUT THEY DON'T REALLY HAVE ANY OTHER REVENUE SOURCE AND THERE ARE A LOT OF EXPENSES IN PUTTING THESE TOURNAMENTS ON.
>> FOR CLARIFICATION, ARE THEY REQUESTING THE $275 PARTICIPANT FEE AS WELL FOR THE TEAM OR WE JUST HAVE THAT
INFORMATION. >> JUST HAVE THE INFORMATION.
THAT'S THE STANDARD -- THAT'S NOT -- THE NUMBER IS NOT STANDARD, BUT IT IS STANDARD TO CHARGE A PER TEAM FEE.
>> DOES THE CITY MAKE ANY REVENUE FROM THESE TOURNAMENTS ASIDE FROM JUST WHAT IS CONTRIBUTED BACK TO THE LOCAL
COMMUNITY. >> WE DON'T FOR THESE TOURNAMENTS. THEY ARE NATIONAL QUALIFIERS AND STATE TOURNAMENTS AND THOSE KIND OF THINGS.
IF THEY ARE FUNDRAISING TOURNAMENTS WE DO MAKE A TOURNAMENT FEE. WE DO CHARGE A TOURNAMENT FEE PER TEAM ON THOSE. FOR THESE PARTICULAR ONES WE WAIVE THAT. MAINLY BECAUSE IT IS LOCAL PEOPLE TRYING TO ADVANCE TO THE NEXT LEVEL.
SAME WITH LITTLE LEAGUE WHERE THEY WILL ADVANCE TO ANOTHER
>> THEY OTHER QUESTIONS? >> I MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT THE
[00:05:04]
SPECTATOR AND PARTICIPANT FEES.>> MOTION MOVED AND SECONDED. ALL IN FAVOR SAY I.
MOTION PASSES. >> I WILL JUST ADD AND I SHOULD HAVE MENTIONED THIS BEFORE, BUT IT IS AT TWO COMPLEXES IN CASE YOU SEE FOLKS OUT THERE.
IT IS RED BUD AND LAKE KIRBY. >> OKAY.
>> PERFECT. WE WILL MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM
[4. Demolition of Cesar Chavez Recreation Center (Discussion and Action) Request to commence with demolition. Demolition of Cesar Chavez Recreation Center]
NUMBER FOUR. THAT'S THE DEMOLITION OF THE CESAR CHAVEZ RECREATION CENTER.>> LESLIE AN DEERS DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY -- ANERS DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICES. CAESAR CHAVEZ CLOSED DUE TO STRUCTURE FAILURE AND WE HAVE HAD REQUESTS TO REVITALIZE THE CENTER. BECAUSE OF THE FAILINGS OF IT, IT IS EXPENSIVE TO BRING BACK.
WE ARE ACTUALLY REQUESTING TO DEMOLISH THE CENTER, TO CLEAR THE LAND SO THAT AT A FUTURE TIME WE COULD COME BACK HOPEFULLY WITH SOMETHING IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD FOR FUTURE USE. IF YOU APPROVE -- BECAUSE THIS IS A BUILDING ON A PARK WE NEED PARK BOARD APPROVAL FOR THE DEMOLITION. IF YOU APPROVE WE WILL GO OUT TO BID AND THE BIDS WOULD GO TO CITY COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL BECAUSE THEY ARE MORE THAN $50,000.
>> JUST ASKING A QUESTION TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND.
THERE IS NOT ANY REHABBING OF THAT BUILDING AT ALL, IF I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY FROM THE LAST NUMBER OF YEARS?
>> VERY LITTLE BECAUSE OF THE -- WHAT IT IS IS THE FOUNDATION SHIFTING AND THE BUILDING HAS BASICALLY SPLIT IN HALF AND THE BATHROOMS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING.
WE ARE NOT ABLE TO HAVE OCCUPANCY IN THE BUILDING WITHOUT SOME VERY MAJOR REHAB.
WE TALKED ABOUT LEAVING THE BASKETBALL COURT, BUT BECAUSE OF THE WAY IT WAS BUILT AND THE STRUCTURE OF THE WALLS IT IS EASIER AND LESS EXPENSIVE IT DEMO THE WHOLE THING AND GO BACK IN WITH A BASKETBALL COURT THAN IT IS TO TRY TO SALVAGE THE FOUNDATION UNDER THE BASKETBALL COURT.
>> IS THAT THE CURRENT PLAN IS TO COME BACK AND ACTUALLY BUILD A BASKETBALL COURT FOLLOWING THE DEMOLITION?
>> WE HAVE NOT TALKED ABOUT THAT.
ACTUALLY IN A FEASIBILITY STUDY IF Y'ALL REMEMBER FROM A YEAR OR SO AGO THEY PROPOSED ANOTHER RECREATION CENTER HERE BECAUSE ALL OF OUR RECREATION CENTERS ARE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF TOWN. IT WILL JUST DEPEND ON WHERE THE FEASIBILITY STUDY GOES WHEN CITY COUNCIL TAKES THAT
UP. >> AND LESLIE, I WANT TO CLARIFY. I HAVE A CLARIFYING QUESTION.
OUR LONG-TERM MASTER PARKS PLAN IS NOT TO REDUCE FACILITIES. IT IS TO INCREASE FACILITIES AS OUR POPULATION GROWS AND MONEY IS AVAILABLE.
IS THAT CORRECT? >> THAT IS CORRECT.
>> HAS THERE BEEN ENGAGEMENT WITH THE CITIZENS AROUND THIS RECREATION CENTER TO GIVE THEM HEADS UP ABOUT WHAT IS GOING
IN 2015 WHEN WE CLOSED THE CENTER WE DID HAVE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND WE DID HAVE A MEETING AND WE DID WORK WITH THE FAMILIES OF THE KIDS THAT WERE THERE AND THE SENIORS THAT WERE THERE. WE HAVEN'T SINCE 2015.
>> BUT AT THAT TIME -- I MEAN EVERYTHING WAS COMMUNICATED?
>> WHAT OTHER QUESTIONS DO WE HAVE?
>> WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE TIMELINE FOR THIS AS FAR AS
THE DEMOLITION? >> ALMOST IMMEDIATELY.
IF Y'ALL APPROVE IT, WE WILL PROBABLY GO OUT TO BID WITHIN A MONTH. SO THE DEMO WOULD BE IN 2021.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US KIND OF REVISIT OUR PARKS MASTER PLAN AND TRY TO MAYBE IDENTIFY TWO OR THREE DIFFERENT ALTERNATIVES OR POSSIBILITIES FOR USE OF THAT LAND BY PARKS TO CREATE A FACILITY OF SOME SORT THAT SERVES THAT NEIGHBORHOOD. WE NEED TO GO BACK AND MAYBE REVISIT IN THE NEXT COUPLE MONTHS THE PARK'S MASTER PLAN. I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GOOD
IDEA, MR. CHAIRMAN. >> ABSOLUTELY.
ABSOLUTELY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION? GARY, IS THERE A MOTION YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE WITH THAT, OR DO I NEED TO OPEN THIS UP
FOR MORE PUBLIC DISCUSSION? >> YOU ARE WELCOME TO OPEN IT FOR PUBLIC DISCUSSION, AND WE DO NEED A MOTION.
>> WE ARE LOOKING FOR PUBLIC DISCUSSION? ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THIS? SEEING AS THERE ARE NONE WE WILL MOVE BACK TO OUR AGENDA.
[00:10:02]
GARY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION?>> SURE. I MOVE THAT WE PROCEED ON WITH THE DEMOLITION OF THE CAESAR CHAVEZ CENTER AT OUR EARLIEST
CONVENIENCE. >> DO YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING
I WILL ADD WITH THE PROVISO THAT WE REVIEW A MASTER PLAN FOR PARKS AND TRY TO IDENTIFY TWO OR THREE DIFFERENT DEUNTS OR -- OPPORTUNITIES OR TWO OR THREE DIFFERENT WAYS WE CAN BETTER SERVE THE COMMUNITY IN THAT AREA AND IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD WITH PARKS AND REC FACILITIES.
MOTION PASSES. LET'S TEAR IT DOWN TO REBUILD
[5. Parks Bucks Changes (Discussion and Action) Discussion and action on proposed changes.]
SOMETHING BETTER. LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 5.THAT IS OUR PARKS BUCKS CHANGES DISCUSSING AND
ACTION. >> WE DISCUSSED THIS AT THE DECEMBER WORKSHOP. SOME OF THE ITEMS WE BROUGHT BEFORE YOU WAS TALKING ABOUT THE PROGRAM OVERVIEW AND IT STARTING IN 1986. RIGHT NOW PEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO OPT IN TO PARTICIPATE IN PARKS BUCKS AND THEY DO THAT THROUGH THEIR WATER BILL.
THERE IS AN OPTION TO CHOOSE $1 A MONTH, $3 A MONTH OR $5 A MONTH. AS OF DECEMBER 1ST WE HAD 2,380 PEOPLE THAT WERE ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM FOR APPROXIMATELY $2,000. AT THE END OF FY20 SINCE 1986, 876,838 TOTAL DOLLARS WERE GENERATED FROM PARKS BUCKS.
CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW WE ARE AVERAGING ABOUT 33,000 DOLLARS WE BRING IN ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF UTILITY ACCOUNTS IS $41,385.
THAT DOES FLUCTUATE FROM MONTH TO MONTH, BUT THAT JUST SHOWS THAT OF THE 41,000 ACCOUNTS, 2300 HAVE CHOSEN TO OPT IN.
WE DID BRING BEFORE YOU A COUPLE OF OPTIONS.
ONE IS A MARKETING CAMPAIGN. ONE IS A FLIER MAILOUT IN THE WATER BILL. AND WE BROUGHT AN OPTION FOR AN OPT OUT POSSIBILITY. IF PARKS BOARD WANTED TO PURSUE THIS THERE WOULD NEED TO BE DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION TO STAFF TO TAKE IT TO CITY COUNCIL.
WE WOULD NEED TO KNOW WHAT EXACTLY WE ARE ASKING CITY COUNCIL IF WE DID WANT TO GO TO AN OPT OUT VERSION.
WITH THAT THERE COULD BE A MARKETING CAMPAIGN.
IN FRONT OF YOU WE DID REVAMP THE FLIER.
ALYSSA, OUR MARKETING PERSON, DID TAKE A FRESH LOOK AND PICTURES OF THE MORE MODERN THINGS WE HAVE AND WHAT PARKS BUCKS HAVE PAID FOR AND PLAYGROUNDS AND TRASHCANS AND DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT, BENCHES.
THERE IS A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT THIS MONEY HAS BEEN USED FOR. THIS MONEY IS NOT PART OF THE GENERAL FUND. IT GOES 100% INTO THE PARKS FOR MAKING IMPROVEMENTS. WITH THAT I WILL BE HAPPY TO
ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. >> I KNOW SEVERAL YEARS AGO WE HAD A PRESENTATION DONE BY ODESSA AND THEIR PARKS DEPARTMENT CAME IN AND I BELIEVE THEY ADOPT AN OPT OUT POLICY FOR RESIDENTS. IT WAS LIKE A BUCK OR TWO.
IT WAS A MINIMUM AMOUNT OF MONEY.
YOU KNOW, WE ARE LOOKING AT DEMOLISHING AN OLD BUILDING, AND WE NEED TO REPLACE IT WITH SOMETHING.
WE NEED TO FIND SOMETHING. WE LOOKED AT OLD FACILITIES THAT NEED UPGRADING, AND WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING.
I KNOW SOME PEOPLE MIGHT, IF THE OPT OUT POLICY WAS ADOPTED BY PARKS BOARD AND COUNCIL, I GET IT.
I UNDERSTAND PEOPLE SAY THAT IS ANOTHER TAX.
WELL, IF YOU WANT TO HAVE FACILITIES THAT SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY YOU CAN'T DO IT WITH A BUILDING THAT IS SPLIT IN HALF BECAUSE OF THE FOUNDATION.
YOU CAN'T DO IT WITH BUILDINGS THAT ARE 50 AND 60, YOU KNOW -- I HATE TO ADMIT IT, BUT I PLAYED BASKETBALL IN ROSE GYM WHEN I WAS A TEENAGER.
I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO FIND WAYS THAT ARE PALLETTABLE , BUT ARE SENSIBLE AND CAN ALLOW US TO GENERATE THE KIND OF REVENUES -- WE ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE OFF A BIG BITE AT ONCE. I DON'T THINK ANYBODY IS
[00:15:03]
ADVOCATING THAT. WE WILL EAT THIS COOKIE A BITE AT A TIME AND PROVIDE THIS FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND FOR OUR -- YOU KNOW, WE ARE COMMITTED TO DOING SOME MAJOR WORK AT STEVENSON PARK. THAT'S AWESOME.THAT'S WHERE WE NEED TO BE. THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO BE DOING IS TRYING TO FIND THOSE KINDS OF PROJECTS THAT BRING THE BETTER MEANT TO DASH BETTERMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY.
I SEE A LOT, A LOT, A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE, YOUNG COUPLES OUT, KIDS DOING THINGS AND FAMILIES HAVING OUTINGS.
IF WE DON'T PROVIDE THE FACILITIES FOR THEM WE ARE DOING A DISSERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.
I WOULD BE A STRONG ADVOCATE AT THIS POINT FOR THE OPT OUT. IF IT IS $1 A MONTH OR $2 A MONTH, WHATEVER THE PLEASURE OF THE BOARD IS, WHATEVER THE PLEASURE THE COUNCIL SI'M OKAY.
COUNCIL IS, I'M OKAY. DOING NOTHING IS NOT AN OPTION. WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING AND I THINK THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
I WILL GET OFF MY SOAPBOX NOW.
>> IT IS A GOOD SOAPBOX TO GET ON.
I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS. ONE IS PROBABLY FOR STANLEY AND ONE IS PROBABLY FOR LESLIE.
ARE THERE OTHER OPT OUTS IN THE CITY THAT EXIST FOR THINGS
LIKE THIS? >> I'M NOT AWARE OF ANY OPT
OUT FEES THAT THE CITY HAS. >> OKAY.
IS THERE A WAY TO ENABLE A PROTECTION -- I AM JUST TRYING TO THINK AS A CITIZEN OF ABILENE AND I SEE THIS DOLLAR, $2 ON THERE AND IS THERE A WAY TO ENSURE THIS FEE IS NEVER USED FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN PARKS?
>> BY STATUTE IT HAS TO BE. >> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE.
>> I AM NOT AWARE OF HOW IT IS SET UP IN FINANCE AND I AM NOT AWARE HOW IT IS A STAND ALONE ACCOUNT, BUT I CAN TAKE A LOOK
AT THAT AND SEE. >> I BELIEVE, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT I THINK ODESSA ACTUALLY ESTABLISHED A
FOUNDATION. >> THAT MAY BE A SEPARATE ISSUE ALTOGETHER. IF THERE IS A SEPARATE FOUNDATION THAT IS A FUNDRAISING ARM FOR ODESSA AND THAT IS A DIFFERENT SET UP THAN WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE. AGAIN, WHETHER THAT CAN BE A LINE ITEM IN THE BUNCH -- BUDGET OR A SEPARATE ACCOUNT, I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT.
>> I AM SPECIAL -- CERTAINLY NOT ADVOCATING SETTING UP A SUBSIDIARY OR ANYTHING ALONG THOSE LINES.
I JUST KNOW FOR INDIVIDUALS IN THE CITY, IF I KNOW -- IF WE CAN SAY FOREVER THESE DOLLARS ARE GOING TO OUR PARKS AND THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE ARE DOING THAT MAY BE EASIER TO STOMACH. EVEN THOUGH IT IS A COUPLE DOLLARS. I THINK YOU ARE RIGHT.
THERE WILL BE FOLKS THAT THINK, MAN, THIS IS JUST ANOTHER TAX. IF WE CAN SAY THIS IS GOING TO OUR PARKS. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE ARE DOING. I THINK THAT MAY BE HELPFUL.
>> I AM NOT OPPOSED TO OPTION ONE EITHER.
I THINK THE TWO CAN WORK IN CONCERT TO DO SOME MARKETING AND EDUCATION IN THE COMMUNITY OF WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO
ACCOMPLISH. >> I THINK IT WOULD TAKE SOME MARKETING FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND.
THE WAY PARKS BUCKS IS SET UP, IT IS SET UP AS A SEPARATE FUND THAT IS NOT PART OF THE GENERAL FUND.
SO 100% OF THE REVENUE IS DEDICATED TO THAT.
WHETHER THAT WAS SET UP BY A RESOLUTION OR AN ORDINANCE WE WOULD HAVE TO GO BACK TO 1986 AND DISCOVER THAT.
WE KNOW IT IS A STAND ALONE FUND AT THIS TIME.
>> THANK YOU. >> IF IN THE EVENT THAT DURING -- GOING BACK AND LOOKING AT THE ORDINANCE THAT THERE IS A WAY TO CHANGE THAT BACK TO SOMETHING IN THE GENERAL FUND IS THERE A WAY TO PROPOSE THE NEW LANGUAGE BE ADOPTED TO UPDATE THE ORDINANCE TO MAKE SURE THE PARKS BUCKS STAY IN THE PARKS?
>> I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR STANLEY, BUT I'M ASSUMING WHEN WE TAKE THIS TO CITY COUNCIL, WHATEVER THEY CHOOSE TO ADOPT IT WOULD BE WRITTEN INTO THAT ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION.
>> THE THINGS THAT I WOULD BRING TO THE BOARD'S ATTENTION, I THINK WE LOOKED AT THIS ONE TIME BEFORE ABOUT AN OPT OUT POSSIBILITY AND THERE WERE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THAT AND SOME LEGAL CONCERNS ABOUT THAT.
I THINK ODESSA HAD A DIFFERENT TYPE OF A SYSTEM THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT HERE. REALLY IF THE BOARD WANTS TO MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION AND MAKE THAT MOTION AND PASS IT TODAY WE WOULD GO BACK AND MAKE SURE THAT ALL OUR T'S ARE CROSSED AND THE I'S ARE DOTTED AND MAKE SURE THAT IS A LEGAL WAY TO DO IT AS FAR AS HOW IT IS SET UP HERE.
WE LOOKED AT IT A COUPLE YEARS AND THERE ARE SOME POSSIBLE
ISSUES. >> MY MEMORY FADES AT TIME AND I HAVE BEEN ON DOPE FOR THREE AND A HALF WEEKS, YOU KNOW,
[00:20:03]
AND I ALMOST SWEAR THEY HAD A FOUNDATION.THAT MAY BE TRUE. THAT MAY BE TRUE.
I JUST REMEMBER THEM TALKING ABOUT FOUNDATION.
>> ME PERSONALLY, I WOULD LIKE TO ECHO A LOT OF WHAT YOU SAID. I THINK AN OPT OUT IS CERTAINLY THE WAY TO GO. THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS WE ARE TRYING TO ACHIEVE IN THE CITY WHEN IT COMES TO OUR RECREATION AND OUR QUALITY OF LIFE.
I THINK THIS GIVES US A TOOL TO HELP US PROVIDE THAT TO OUR COMMUNITY. THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS WE WANT TO ACHIEVE IN THE MASTER PLAN AND THEY HAVE BEEN ON THE BOOKS FOR A LONGTIME. WE ARE IN A POSITION WHERE WE HAVE TO MAKE SERIOUS CUTS AND CHANGES AND HAVING SOME ADDITIONAL REVENUES TO ALLOW US TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL THAT'S WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IN THIS CITY, THIS IS A WAY WE CAN DO
>> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? WELL THIS WILL TAKE AN ACTION AND I GUESS WE ARE PASSING A RESOLUTION TO SEND TO COUNCIL,
CORRECT? >> WE ARE JUST MAKING A
MOTION. >> I MOTION THE STAFF.
DO I HAVE A MOTION TO MAKE THIS?
>> DO WE HAVE TO SET A MOTION FOR A SPECIFIC AMOUNT BY
CHANCE? >> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.
>> YOU CAN MAKE A RECOMMENDATION.
IT WILL BE UP TO CITY COUNCIL SAYS TO WHAT THE DOLLAR AMOUNT WILL BE IF THEY CHOOSE TO TAKE THIS.
IF YOU CHOOSE TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION YOU CAN, OR IF YOU WANT TO LEAVE IT OPEN-ENDED YOU CAN DO THAT AS
WELL. >> SO DONATIONS ARE $1 TO $5?
SPLIT IT DOWN THE MIDDLE? >> THE WAY THE -- BECAUSE THIS GOES THROUGH THE WATER BILL CURRENTLY, THE SOFTWARE, THAT'S THEIR LIMITATION. ONE OF THE THINGS WE WOULD BE LOOKING AT IS IF THERE IS A NEWER OR DIFFERENT WAY OF COLLECTING THIS REVENUE THAT WILL GIVE US MORE FLEXIBILITY, WE ARE JUST NOT SURE OF THAT AT THIS TIME.
>> AND MAYBE WE ALLOW STAFF TO LOOK AT OPTION, A, B AND C.
$1, $2, $3. WHATEVER STAFF LOOKS AT AND MAKE SOME SORT OF A RECOMMENDATION AND NOT ONLY BASED ON REVENUES, BUT BASED ON UTILIZING THE FUNDS.
IT MIGHT BE A GOOD DIRECTION FOR US TO GIVE TO STAFF.
MAYBE. >> I MOTION WE RECOMMEND TO STAFF THE OPT OUT OPTION BE EXPLORED WITH THE INTENT TO DO SOME COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS BASED ON THE DOLLAR AMOUNTS.
ALL RIGHT. WE WILL MOVE TO AGENDA ITEM
[6. Rules of Procedure (Discussion) Update on changes Rules of Procedure Updates Exhibit A - Governing Principles Rules of Procedure and Council Policies]
NUMBER 6, WHAT WE ARE ALL HERE FOR, DISCUSSION ON PROCEDURE.>> STANLEY SMITH, CITY ATTORNEY.
JUST BRIEFLY, SEVERAL YEARS AGO THE COUNCIL PASSED THEIR OWN RULES OF PROCEDURE WHICH SUPPLEMENTED THE ROBERT TOOLS OF ORDER OR STURGIS OR WHATEVER THEY WERE WORKING ON AT THAT TIME. THEY WANTED ALL OF THE CITY BOARDS TO USE THE SAME PROCEDURE.
THIS IS NOT REAL -- REALLY A CHANGE IN THE PROCEDURE.
LAST WEEK THE COUNCIL PUT THEIR RULES AND PROCEDURE WITH ALL OF THE CITY POLICIES AND THAT LARGER DOCUMENT WAS SENT TO YOU ALL AS PART OF A PACKAGE.
THERE IS REALLY NO CHANGE OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE THE COUNTY HAS BEEN OPERATING UNDER.
THEY WANT ALL CITY BOARDS TO FOLLOW THOSE RULES OF PROCEDURE RATHER THAN ROBERTS RULES OR SOMETHING ALONG THAT LINE. THIS BOARD HAD NO ISSUES WITH PROCEDURAL ISSUES IN THE PAST, BUT JUST TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF IT. IF THERE WERE SOME SORT OF ISSUE REGARDING PROCEDURES THAT'S THE RULES AND PROCEDURES THE COUNCIL WANTS YOU ALL TO USE.
THERE IS REALLY NO MOTION TO MAKE.
IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER
I BELIEVE THIS WILL PROBABLY FIT IN SOME OF THE RULES AND
[7. City of Abilene Board Emails (Discussion) Importance of use Log in instructions City of Abilene Board Emails]
PROCEDURES. WE WILL MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER 7,THE ABILENE BOARD E-MAILS. >> YES.
ONE OF THE THINGS THE CITY OF ABILENE HAS DONE IS ESTABLISH E-MAILS FOR ALL BOARD MEMBERS.
[00:25:03]
YOU WERE SENT AN E-MAIL WITH THAT INFORMATION ON HOW TO LOGIN WITH A SPECIFIC PASSWORD.IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE SO, WE RECOMMEND YOU DO THAT.
IF YOU NEED US TO GIVE YOU THE PASSWORD AGAIN, WE WILL BE HAPPY TO DO THAT. OUR WAY OF COMMUNICATING WITH YOU WILL BE THIS MECHANISM. ONE OF THE THINGS IS EVERYTHING WE DO IS OPEN TO -- IS SUBJECT TO OPEN RECORDS.
SO MIXING IN YOUR PERSONAL E-MAIL COULD OPEN YOU UP AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE AND TO PREVENT THAT IN THE FUTURE IT MAKES IT A LOT CLEANER IF WE JUST CORY -- CORRESPOND WHEN WE SEND OUT THE AGENDAS. THEY POST THE E-MAILS ON THE WEBSITE SO IF A CITIZEN HAS A QUESTION AND WANTS TO SEND SOMETHING TO THE PARKS BOARD, THAT WOULD BE THE E-MAIL WE
WOULD GIVE OUT TO THE PUBLIC. >> PERFECT.
I IMAGINE SEVERAL OF US WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE DIRECTIONS BACK. ARE THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSIONS OR LESLIE? WE APPRECIATE YOUR GENTLE REMINDER. WE WILL ENSURE THAT WE DO THAT
IMMEDIATELY. >> WE MAY NEED TO HAVE A
WORKSHOP. >> I DID TRY TO LOGIN LAST NIGHT AND I PUT MY ACCOUNT THROUGH THE WORKS BECAUSE I USED EVERY PASSWORD I COULD THINK OF.
THANK YOU, LESLIE. WE WILL MOVE NOW TO THE
[8. Recreation Report (Discussion) Trout Fest Winter Camp Steam-N-Wheels Recreation Report January 2021]
RECREATION REPORT. >> GOOD MORNING.
>> HAPPY NEW YEAR. >> ALL RIGHT.
SO ONE OF THE EVENTS THAT WE PARTICIPATED IN IS WE HAD A TROUT FEST. WE PARTNERED WITH TEXAS WILDLIFE AND IT WAS DECEMBR 5TH THROUGH THE 15TH. IT WAS AN EVENT THAT WE STOCKED THE PARK POND AND HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO FISH.
SINCE WE COULD NOT DO AN ALL DAY EVENT WE SPREAD IT OUT.
SO HOPEFULLY GOT MORE PEOPLE TO JOIN AND SOCIAL DISTANCE AND NOT WORRY ABOUT COMING IN CONTACT WITH ANYONE.
WE HAD SOME GOOD PARTICIPATION.
WE HAD OVER A HUNDRED SUBMISSIONS.
AS YOU CAN SEE WE HAD LOTS OF FUN GOING OUT AND TAKING PICTURES OF -- SOMEONE EVEN ASKED TO TAKE A PICTURE KISSING THEIR FISH. IT WAS A REALLY GOOD EVENT.
>> THAT'S A BIG FISH. >> IT WAS VERY NICE.
WE NEVER TRIED THIS BEFORE, AND IT WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL.
>> FANTASTIC. >> WE ALSO PARTICIPATED -- HAD WINTER BREAK CAMP AT THE RECREATION CENTER OVER THE HOLIDAYS. WITH SCHOOL BEING OUT AND PARENTS HAVING TO WORK, WE HAD ABOUT 45 PARTICIPANTS PARTICIPATE THIS YEAR. THEY WENT ALONG THE ADVENTURE OF THE COBB PARK POLAR EXPRESS.
YOU CAN SEE THEY MADE A HUGE TRAIN AND TRAVELED TO DIFFERENT COUNTRIES TO SEE HOW THEY CELEBRATED THEIR HOLIDAY.
WE HAVE AN EVENT COMING UP ON MARCH 20TH.
WE WILL HAVE OUR STEAM-N-WHEELS.
IT WILL BE THE 28TH ANNUAL STEAM-N-WHEELS.
WE ARE VENTURING OUT AND LOOKING FOR A NEW ROUTE.
WE HAVE GOTTEN A LOT OF PEOPLE JOINING.
WE USED TO GO ON HIGHWAY 36 AND THAT IS GETTING VERY BUSY. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF FINDING A ROUTE. WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE ASK WHEN IS THIS RACE HAPPENING SO WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING FROM OUT OF TOWN TO COME AND RIDE WITH
>> ANY QUESTIONS? >> HOW FAR DO THEY RIDE?
WHAT IS THE DISTANCE? >> IT DEPENDS.
SOMETIMES IT IS 12 MILES, 32 MILES OR 48 MILES.
SO THIS IS LET'S GET BACK ON THE BIKE AND START RIDING.
YOU ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO JOIN US.
>> I WOULD BE A 2-MILER. >> WE WON'T JUDGE YOU.
>> MAYBE A 32-MILE DRIVE. >> I COULDN'T MAKE A HUNDRED
I'M WITH YOU THERE. >> GOOD MORNING.
>> LET'S SEE. AM I PUSHING THE RIGHT BUTTON? WE ARE GETTING READY FOR
[9. Aquatics Report (Discussion) Routine Maintenance and Repairs Staffing for Adventure Cove Aquatics Report January 2021]
AQUATICS AND DOING A LOT OF MINOR REPAIRS AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL CONTINUE TO BE MINOR FROM CHECKING OUT THE MINOR EQUIPMENT PIECES AND THINGS LIKE THAT BEING REPLACED WITH THE BEAUTIFICATION AND GETTING OUR SIGNS LOOKING GOOD AGAIN.[00:30:02]
AND SOME OF THE REPLACEMENTS THAT WE CAN GET READY.WE ARE MOVING FORWARD. WE ARE WORKING WITH HR TO START RECRUITING AND HIRING LIFEGUARDS.
IT IS THAT TIME OF YEAR. WE TRY TO CATCH AS MANY OF THESE KIDS AS WE CAN EARLY ENOUGH TO WHERE THEY COME HOME FOR SPRING BREAK WE CAN GET THEIR APPLICATIONS IN AND GET THEM HIRED SO WE CAN GET THEM STARTED BY THE FIRST OF MAY.
THAT IN ITSELF IS A PROJECT. BY NOT BEING OPEN LAST YEAR WE HAVE A LOT OF OUR CONTACT INFORMATION FROM THE LIFEGUARDS WE HAD PRIOR TO. A LOT OF THOSE KIDS FOUND OTHER JOBS LAST SUMMER. WE HOPE WE CAN STEAL THEM BACK AWAY AND GET GOING LIKE WE WERE ONCE BEFORE.
>> ARE WE PLANNING TO LOOK AT MORE OF THE REGULAR -- MORE OF THE NORMAL, QUOTE, UNQUOTE, SCHEDULE FOR AQUATICS?
>> THAT IS THE DIRECTION WE ARE GOING IN.
WE ARE TRYING TO DO IT LIKE WE HAVE ALWAYS DONE IT.
HOPEFULLY IT WILL PAN OUT THAT WAY.
>> GOOD. I'M GLAD TO HEAR THAT.
[10. Seniors Report (Discussion) Christmas Fun Seniors' 100 Year Birthday Senior Report January 2021]
THAT'S GOOD. >> OUR SENIOR FUN BUNCH AS WE CALL THEM NOW ON CHRISTMAS, AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAD SANTA CLAUS AND SOME LIVE MUSIC FROM ALYSSA.
THAT WENT GREAT. SANTA CLAUS WENT UP AND DOWN THE LINE THERE GIVING OUT CANDYCANES AND THEY GOT THEIR CANDYCANES. IT REMINDED ME OF -- WE CALLED THEM OUR BIG KIDS. THEY WERE EXCITED ABOUT SANTA CLAUS. THAT IS HARRY.
IF YOU DON'T KNOW HARRY HE IS ONE OF OUR SENIOR -- HE IS GOING TO BE THE COOK. HE WAS ONE OF OUR DRIVERS AND NOW HE IS COOKING FOR US. HARRY HAS A HEAD FULL OF WHITE HAIR. I TOLD HIM NOT TO SHAVE AND HE WENT AHEAD AND PUT THE COSTUMES ON.
WE ALSO HAD A YOUNG LADY THAT TURNED 100 YEARS OLD ON NEW YEAR'S EVE. WE HAD TO WAIT A COUPLE OF DAYS BECAUSE THE WEATHER WAS BAD.
WE GAVE HER BALLOONS AND SMALL CAKE AND A PLAQUE CONGRATULATING HER. SHE ACTUALLY DRIVES EVERY DAY. SHE DIDN'T DRIVE THAT DAY BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE SHE CAME THAT DAY.
SHE DRIVES TO GET HER MEAL. I ASKED HER IF SHE WANTED TO GO OUT DANCING AND SHE TOLD ME I COULDN'T HANG WITH HER.
I STRUCK OUT ON THAT ONE TOO. SHE DOESN'T LOOK 100.
OTHER THAN THAT EVERYTHING IS GOING SMOOTH.
THE WEATHER IS NOT STOPPING OUR SENIORS FROM SHOWING UP.
>> MORE POWER TO HER. >> FANTASTIC.
>> CONGRATULATIONSES ON THE MILESTONE MEAL TOO.
I HAVEN'T BEEN -- I THINK I MISSED THE LAST MEETING WHERE MAYBE WE ACHIEVED THAT, BUT THAT'S JUST GREAT STUFF.
>> IT IS STILL ROLLING IN. IT IS ADDING UP.
I THINK WE WILL HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ELSE PRETTY SOON.
>> IT IS A GOOD PROBLEM TO HAVE.
APOLOGIZE FOR NOT INTRODUCING MYSELF.
[11. Parks Report (Discussion) Ramp Installations Restroom Paint Renovations Winter Cutback and Miscellaneous Projects Parks Board January 2021]
THIS IS CORONADO PARKS DIVISION MANAGER.SO LAST TIME I WAS HERE WE TALKED ABOUT HOW WE WERE GOING INTO OUR WINTER PROJECTS. SOME OF THE WINTER PROJECTS WE WERE DOING THIS YEAR, ONE OF THE THINGS WE WERE DOING IS WE WERE ASKED TO INSTALL AN ADA RAMP AT THE COMMUNITY THEATER. WE DID THAT.
THAT WAS ONE OF OUR FIRST PROJECTS THAT WE DID.
THAT BEING SAID, THEN WE IDENTIFIED A COUPLE MORE LOCATIONS WHERE WE FELT THE NEED THAT WE NEEDED SOME MORE ADA RAMPS. WE HAVE DONE -- GONE THROUGH AND ACTUALLY INSTALLED FOUR SO FAR.
ONE AT THE COMMUNITY THEATER AND ONE AT COBB -- SORRY, THREE AT COBB PARK. ONE BY THE PLAYGROUND AND ONE NEAR THE ACTIVITY BUILDING AND ANOTHER ONE BY THE PAVILION.
THE SECOND PICTURE ON THE RIGHT IS AT CAL YOUNG.
THAT'S AN EXTENSIVE RAMP THERE.
THAT PLAYGROUND WAS PRETTY FAR AWAY FROM THE PARKING LOT.
WE JUST FELT LIKE WE NEEDED TO PROVIDE AN ENTRANCE TO SOMEBODY WITH A WHEELCHAIR TO GET THERE.
THAT'S WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW.
WE HAVE GONE THROUGH AND WE BREAK INTO DIFFERENT GROUPS AND WE HAVE A PAINTING CREW. SO FAR THIS WINTER THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH AND PAINTED AND CLEANED UP THE RESTROOMS AND THE PARKS, AND THEY DO THAT EVERY YEAR.
THEY GO THROUGH THERE AND CLEAN THEM UP AND PAINT THE WALLS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE AND TRY TO MAKE THEM LOOK BETTER
[00:35:02]
FOR THE NEXT SPRINGTIME WHEN IT COMES AROUND AND WHEN THE PARKS ARE BACK UP. THEY DO A GREAT JOB OF DOING THAT. MIKE MCBRIDE WHO IS OUR HORTICULTURE GURU SETS A SCHEDULE OF CUTBACKS ON ALL OF OUR FACILITIES. HE BREAKS IT DOWN TO SEVERAL LOCATIONS AND WHAT PLANTS ARE THERE AND SETS A SCHEDULE OF WHAT CUTBACKS TO DO AS WE GO THROUGH THE SEASON.YOU CAN SEE THERE IS PRETTY EXTENSIVE LAND SCAPING AS -- LANDSCAPING. WE STAY PRETTY BUSY IN THE WINTER MONTHS AS WELL. IT IS NOT JUST DURING THE
MOWING SEASON. >> THAT'S AWESOME.
HAVE I A QUESTION ABOUT THE RAMPS YOU GUYS BUILT.
SO WE ARE GOING TO GO THROUGH AND SEE ANY NONCOMPLIANCE WITH
ADA AND ADDRESS THOSE? >> YES.
>> I THINK IT IS FANTASTIC. THAT'S A PROBLEM A LOT OF US DIDN'T REALIZE WE HAD. A LOT -- YOU ARE COMING UP
WITH A WAY TO ADDRESS IT. >> WE ARE ADDRESSING IT LITTLE BY LITTLE. MORE THAN ANYTHING FIRST FOCUS ON PLAYGROUNDS AND BATHROOMS, BUT THEN WE WILL GO THROUGH AND IDENTIFY MORE AREAS WHERE WE NEED THE RAMPS.
>> THAT'S AWESOME. >> THANK YOU.
[12. Zoo Report (Discussion) Christmas Celebration January 19 2021 Zoo Parks Board Presentation]
>> JESSE POTOBAN, ABILENE ZOO DIRECTOR.
>> WANTED TO GIVE EVERYBODY AN UPDATE ON THE MADAGASCAR CAMPAIGN. WE ARE CLOSE TO BEING DONE.
OUR TENTATIVE DATE IS THE FIRST WEEK OF MARCH AND I AM HOPING TO HAVE THE EXACT DATES FOR YOU BY THE NEXT BOARD MEETING. I WANTED TO GIVE UH PREVIEW OF THE -- GIVE YOU A PREVIEW OF THE RESTROOM AND THE SUBWAY TILES WE ARE USING. IT IS A CHAMELEON IN THE SHOWCASE AREA. WE HAVE HALF THE CONCRETE DOWN. IT IS WALKABLE AT THIS TIME.
IT IS JUST NOT OPEN TECHNICALLY WITH ANIMALS.
PEOPLE CAN WALK THROUGH IT, BUT NOT TECHNICALLY OPEN.
IF NOT, YOU CAN WALK THROUGH IT AND IT WILL BE OPEN HOPEFULLY BY THE FIRST WEEK OF MARCH.
WE JUST DID OUR CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION AND IT WAS A HUGE SUCCESS. IT WENT DECEMBER 18TH TO THE 23RD FROM 4 TO 10 P.M. WE HAD AN AVERAGE OF 10 AND IT IS TWO TO THREE -- 2,000 TO 3,000 PEOPLE.
THE ZOO WAS OPEN AND EVERYBODY WAS RESPECTFUL OF EACH OTHER AND KEPT THEIR DISTANCE AS WELL AS WEARING THEIR MASK.
WE TRANSFORMED THE WHOLE ZOO IN ZONES WITH LOTS OF LIGHTS AND EXPERIENCES AND WE HAD GREAT SPONSORSHIPS.
THEY HELP FUND A LOT OF THIS COST AS WELL AS SMALLER SPONSORSHIPS. THE BELT WAY AND PARK HILL, THESE ARE ALL GREAT CONTRIBUTORS THAT HELPED US SET A MAJORITY OF THE COSTS AND WE HAD A GREAT, GREAT TIME. WE WILL ENDED -- WE WILL END IT WITH SORT OF -- ACTUALLY ALL OF THE PICTURES THAT SIGNIFY WHAT WE DID AT THE EVENT.
THEY DID OUR MRS. CLAUS BAKERY TENT.
SOME ADULT KIDS GOT COOKIES. THERE ARE REAL FIRE PITS INSTEAD OF PROPANE SO YOU GOT A CRISP S'MORES TASTE INSTEAD OF A PROPANE SMORE. WE HAD AN ICE SKATING RINK.
LAST YEAR WE RENTED IT ONLY TWO DAYS AND THIS YEAR IT WAS EVERY NIGHT. THERE WERE BEAUTIFUL ICE SCULPTURE. THIS ONE IS MACHO RHINO.
WE HAD REINDEER. WE HAD A CONNECTION WITH SANTA CLAUS AND HE BROUGHT DOWN SOME REINDEER.
IT WAS A GREAT EVENT AND WE HAD A GREAT TIME.
>> IF YOU DIDN'T GO TO THIS EVENT I WANT YOU TO MARK ON YOUR CALENDAR FOR 2021 WHATEVER DATES.
YOUR STAFF, YOUR MARKETING PEOPLE, YOUR WHOLE CREW, THEY DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN TO GO THROUGH AND LOOK AT. MY WIFE -- WE DIDN'T HAVE GRANDKIDS EVEN AND WE WERE REALLY, REALLY ENJOYING IT.
KUDOS TO THE STAFF AND TO YOUR LEADERSHIP AND TO MARKETING PEOPLE THAT PUT IT ALTOGETHER.
IT WAS A GREAT SUCCESS. >> I COULDN'T AGREE ANYMORE.
SAW YOU THERE. OUR FAMILY THOUGHT IT WAS AMAZING. THEY LIKED IT SO MUCH THEY CALLED GRANDPARENTS IN AUSTIN AND THEY SAID THIS IS COOLER THAN ANYTHING WE HAVE HERE. WE WENT TO FORT WORTH AND THEY
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WENT TO A HOTEL LATER THAT WEEK AND SPENT TWO NIGHTS AND DID ALL OF THEIR CHRISTMAS STUFF.THEY SAID, MAN, THIS IS FUN, BUT THAT ZOO THING WE DID WAS SO MUCH MORE FUN IN ABILENE. IF YOU CAN GET AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD, 10-YEAR-OLD, 12-YEAR-OLD TO SAY THAT, THAT'S AMAZING. OUTSTANDING JOB.
>> ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR THINGS TO SUCCESS DOSH DOSH -- TO DISCUSS? WE WILL GET ROBIN OUT OF HERE IN TIME FOR HER PHONE CALL SHE HAS A
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.