Jul 20, 2021 Parks and Recreation

[00:00:11]

HERE. WE ARE GOING TO GET STARTED. >> WE THANK YOU FOR THIS GORGEOUS DAY THAT WE HAVE TODAY. THANK YOU FOR THE PROVISION AT LIFE AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU GIVE TO US, LORD. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

FATHER, WE PRAY TODAY'S MEETING WE WOULD HONOR YOU WITH OUR WORDS AND WITH OUR EFFORTS AND ENJOY THE CITY THAT WE LIVE IN, FATHER. THAT'S A BLESSING AS WELL.

[PUBLIC COMMENTS]

IN YOUR NAME, AMEN. >> AS WITH EVERY MEETING, WE WILL BEGIN OUR TIME WITH PUBLIC COMMENTS. THIS WILL BE THE FIRST AGENDA ITEM.

AS WE GO THROUGH SPECIFIC AGENDA ITEMS, WE WILL SPEAK TO EACH ONE INDIVIDUALLY.

WE HAVE FOLKS FOR SPECIFIC ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA. DURING ALL OF OUR COMMENT SESSIONS, PLEASE KEEP YOUR COMMENTS TO THREE MINUTES OR LESS AND YOU WILL HEAR SOME SOUNDS SHOULD YOU GO OVER THAT TIME. AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP TO PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ANY AGENDA ITEM BOTH ON OUR LIST TODAY OR OTHER.

PLEASE COME FORWARD AND STATE YOUR NAME AND LET US KNOW WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT.

>> GOOD MORNING. BOARD MEMBERS AND CHAIR FOR THE PARKS AND REC CENTER, YOU MAY KNOW WHAT I'M HERE FOR. IT'S ABOUT COBB REC CENTER. ON JUNE 29, WHEN I CAME TO HAVE LUNCH, SOME SENIOR SAID, DID YOU HEAR WE ARE CLOSING DOWN FRIDAY? I SAID, WHY? THEY SAID, CITY HALL SAYS. I SAID, OH, OKAY.

WELL, OKAY. WE COME IN WEDNESDAY TO EAT, AND WE ARE TOLD AT THE DOOR, DON'T TALK TO THE MEDIA, YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO TALK TO THE MEDIA IN THE BUILDING OR THE PARKING LOT. OF COURSE, I TOLD THE OLDER SENIORS, THE ONES IN THEIR 80S, THAT'S A RED FLAG. THAT MEANS THEY'RE TRYING TO COVER UP SOMETHING WHEN THEY TELL YOU DON'T TALK TO THE MEDIA. SO THEN THE REPORTER WAS GOING AROUND, AND SHE ZOOMED IN. THE SIGNS ON THE DOOR ARE LIKE TREES IN THE FOREST.

YOU DON'T EVER LOOK AT THEM. THE REPORTER DOING THE STORY HAD ZOOMED IN, AND SO I WAS TAKING SCREENSHOTS SO I COULD READ IT. IT SAID WEDNESDAY TO THE 30TH, THIS IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE.

BY FRIDAY, THE SECOND, LITTLE GREMLINS OR SOMETHING CAME AND SAID, CLOSED UNTIL SUPPOSEDLY AUGUST.OMEONE HAD TO CHANGE THEIR STORY AROUND. THE INTERVIEW ON THE MEDIA SAID, OH, WELL, WE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE. WE OPENED BACK UP IN APRIL.

AT THE COUNCIL MEETING, I SAID, YOU'RE ALWAYS BRAGGING ABOUT THESE THREE UNIVERSITIES, AND ALL THESE PEOPLE TO PICK FROM FOR EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, BUT YET YOU CAN'T FILL THE TWO POSITIONS ON THE REC CENTER. ONE SAYS, REC CENTER COORDINATOR, $40,000 PER YEAR.

THE OTHER SAYS, PART-TIME KID. IN OTHER WORDS, YOUTH TYPE DEAL, AT SEARS.

THAT'S PART-TIME. WHAT HAPPENED IS WE WERE TOLD IN MAY THERE WILL BE SOME KIDS HERE, BUT THEY WON'T AFFECT YOUR LUNCH. AND THEN ALL THE SUDDEN WE WERE TOLD, WE HAVE TO CLOSE AT 1:00 BECAUSE I HAVE TO GO TO SEARS AND TAKE CARE OF THE KID PROGRAM OVER THERE. THE PROBLEM IS, WE THE PEOPLE PAY YOU THE GOVERNMENT TO RUN OUR BUILDING. IT'S OUR BUILDING. OUR PARKING LOT.

IT'S NO DIFFERENT THAN GIVING AN INTERVIEW IN THIS ROOM, OUTSIDE, IN THE PARKING LOT.

IT'S OUR BUILDING. SO WHEN YOU TELL US, DON'T DO AN INTERVIEW, IT MAKES YOU WONDER WHAT'S GOING ON. THAT TELLS CLEARLY THAT SOMETHING WAS GOING ON AND THEY WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THEIR STORY WAS. THE DEAL WAS, PLEASE DON'T CLOSE THE SENIOR CENTER. WE HAVE THREE PEOPLE THAT WALK THERE.

YOU SAY YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO OPEN IT BACK UP IN AUGUST, BUT OUR ISSUE IS JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE CLOSES AT ROSE IT'S NOT OUR PROBLEM. YOU TOOK OUR DIRECTOR OVER THERE. THEY WILL PROBABLY FILL YOUR POSITION WAS SOMEBODY NEW.

THAT'S MY THOUGHTS THIS MORNING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH REC BOARD

FOR LISTENING TO THAT. >> WE APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS. I KNOW THERE WERE SOME DECISIONS TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE SUMMER. CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT I

BELIEVE AUGUST 16 TO REOPEN MOST OF OUR SERVICES? >> YES, SIR.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING THAT TO OUR ATTENTION. ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE ON ANY ITEM TODAY? SEEING THERE ARE NONE, WE WILL MOVE ON TO OUR MAIN AGENDA ITEMS TODAY. THE VERY FIRST THING WE ARE

[2. Service Award (Discussion)]

[00:05:01]

GOING TO DO AS A SERVICE AWARD. ANGELA IS GOING TO COME ON UP. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.

THIS IS A WELL-DESERVED AND WELL-EARNED 10 YEAR APPRECIATION FOR CITY OF ABILENE. ANGELA KOONSMAN IS ONE OF OUR COOKS AT THE SENIOR CENTER.

SHE HAS ALSO SERVED AS A DRIVER. IF YOU WANT TO SEE HER SMILE, ASK HER OPINION ON DECORATIONS ON ARTS AND CRAFTS PROJECTS. ANGELA, WE REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE THE PAST 10 YEARS. I KNOW I HAVE ENJOYED SEEING YOU AT WORK. I'VE ENJOYED YOUR CONVERSATION. I THINK EVERYONE HERE FEELS THE SAME. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS IN THERE. (LAUGHS) WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY

ANYTHING? >> IT'S JUST BEEN MY PLEASURE TO WORK WITH THE STATE OF ABILENE. I FEEL LIKE I HAVE BEEN HERE MY WHOLE LIFE.

IT'S BEEN MY PLEASURE. I'VE ENJOYED EVERY MINUTE OF IT.

>> WE APPRECIATE YOUR COMMITMENT. THANK YOU.

(APPLAUSE). >> I WAS SO EXCITED TO THANK ANGELA FOR HER TIME I MISSED APPROVING THE MINUTES FOR LAST MEETING. WHEN YOU HAVE GOOD NEWS, IT'S

[1. Minutes (Discussion and Action)]

I WILL TAKE A MOTION TO REVIEW, OR LET'S TAKE A MOTION TO REVIEW AND CONFIRM.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND? >> SECOND.

>> ALL IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE MINUTES FROM THE LAST MEETING SAY AYE.

[3. Request to Name the Lake at Nelson Park In Honor ofiimmy Tittle (Discussion and Action)]

WE WILL GO ON TO AGENDA ITEM 3, THE REQUEST TO NAME THE LAKE AFTER JIMMY TITTLE.

DISCUSSION AFTER. I REALIZE WE RECEIVED A NUMBER OF LETTERS FOR THIS THAT WE'VE HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW. THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THE CITIZENS WHO PROVIDED THOSE FOR US. WAS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO COME FORWARD TO SPEAK ON

BEHALF OF THIS SPECIFIC AGENDA ITEM? >> MY NAME IS PAUL CANNON.

I PROBABLY WAS AMONG THE INSTIGATORS OF THIS REQUEST. MR. TITTLE IS A DEAR FRIEND OF MINE AND MANY OTHERS REPRESENTED HERE TODAY. JIMMY BEING THE PERSON HE IS, ASKED HIM A DIRECT QUESTION ONCE ABOUT HIS CAREER AND THE PROJECTS HE'S BEEN INVOLVED WITH AND WHAT HE'S MOST PROUD OF. HIS RESPONSE WAS THE ZOO.

WE WENT ON TO TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT MORE AND REALIZED THE ZOO LAKE HAD NEVER BEEN NAMED. IT WAS AN ELEMENT OF THE PLANNING DESIGN THAT HE WAS INSTRUMENTAL PUSHING THROUGH. IT IS A GEM IN OUR CITY.HE IS A GEM.

HE'S 93 YEARS OLD. I THINK IT WOULD BE A HIGH HONOR FOR HIM.

WE ARE HERE WITH HIS BLESSING. HE KNOWS WE ARE MAKING THIS REQUEST.

I CAN'T IMAGINE THERE'S ANY CONTROVERSY OR ANY PERSON HERE THAT WOULDN'T ACCEPT THIS IS A WONDERFUL THING TO DO FOR A MAN THAT SHOULD BE HONORED IN OUR COMMUNITY IN A LARGE WAY.

I HOPE YOU WILL ALL MAKE THE DECISION TO SUPPORT THIS REQUEST.

AND THEN I ALSO HOPE TOGETHER WE WILL COME TOGETHER IN A CEREMONIAL WAY AND ATTEMPT TO DO SOMETHING THAT RECOGNIZES THE MAN AT A FUTURE POINT IN TIME.

WE REQUEST THAT BE CONSIDERED AS WELL. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. . >> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS CHRIS MCNAIR, PRESIDENT OF THE ABILENE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

I LIKE TO SAY WE LOVE THE IDEA OF NAMING THE LAKE AFTER JIMMY TITTLE AND UNANIMOUSLY ENDORSED THAT. THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCUSSION, ALL POSITIVE, AND ALL IN FAVOR.

THANK YOU. >> MR. CHAIRMAN, SEEING THAT NO ONE ELSE WANTS TO COME UP IN COMMON, I WOULD LIKE TO ECHO THE COMMENTS OF BOTH CHRIS AND PAUL.

THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT HAVE JIMMY TITTLE'S NAME ATTACHED TO IT.

NOT NAME ATTACHED TO IT, BUT HAVE HIS FINGERPRINTS ON IT. HE HAS BEEN AN OUTSTANDING CITIZEN, INVOLVED CITIZEN, AND SOMEONE WHO CARES ABOUT ABILENE.

WITH THAT IN MIND, I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE NAME THE ZOO LAKE JIMMY TITTLE LAKE.

>> I SECOND THAT. >> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> ANY NEGATIVE?

[00:10:05]

THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH. (APPLAUSE) IT IS ALWAYS A NEAT THING TO SAY A LONG TIME ABILENIAN WAS SOMETHING THAT WILL BEAR HIS NAME, SO WELL DONE.

>> MR. CHAIRMAN, WE HAVE REQUESTED TITTLE LAKE. >> WE WILL MAKE THAT KNOWN.

>> I ACCEPT THAT AMENDMENT. TITTLE LAKE.>> SECOND THAT. >> WE WILL MOVE ON TO AGENDA

[4. Request to Rename Kirby Lake Park Softball Field I In Honor of David “Oly” Olson (Discussion and Action)]

"OLY" OLSON. ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THIS?>> I DO NOT

BELIEVE THEY WERE ABLE TO COME TODAY. >> AS SOMEONE WHO KNEW DAVID AND HIS WIFE MARILYN, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE NAME FIELD ONE AT KIRBY LAKE

SOFTBALL PARK THE DAVID "OLY" OLSON FIELD. >> DO I HAVE A SECOND?

>> SECONDED. >> 40+ YEARS AT WILEY, STANDING BEHIND THE PLATE I CAN'T

IMAGINE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE.

>> ANY NEGATIVE? LOOKS LIKE THIS MOTION PASSES AS WELL.

THANK YOU FOR THAT, ROBIN. LET'S MOVE ON TO THE PARKS BUCKS MARKETING UPDATE.

[5. Parks Bucks Marketing Campaign Update (Discussion)]

THIS WILL BE DISCUSSION FOR BOARD. >> CHRIS GIBSON, YOUTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT. WANT TO GIVE YOU A QUICK UPDATE FOR THE BOARDS RECOMMENDATION THAT WE FOLLOW-UP THE JULY MONTH WITH THE RECOGNITION OF PARKS AND REC MONTH.

WE HAVE ALSO BEEN ASKED TO PUT TOGETHER A CAMPAIGN FOR PARKS BUCKS PROGRAM SPECIFICALLY.

THE GRAPHIC YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE MAILING FLYER THAT WILL BE INSERTED INTO THE SEPTEMBER MAIL OUT FOR THE WATER BILLS. WE HAVE SENT IN ABOUT 35,000 INSERTS IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT ALONG WITH SOCIAL MEDIA.E HAVE DONE A CAMPAIGN THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE PARKS BUCKS PROGRAM, HISTORY BEHIND THE PROGRAM, SOME THINGS IT HAS DONE THROUGH THE PROGRAM, AND WE HAVE HAD PRETTY GOOD FEEDBACK AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT THERE. WE ARE DOING THE CAMPAIGN. WE ARE WORKING THROUGH THAT CAMPAIGN AND HOPE TO HAVE A LOT OF SUCCESS FROM IT. THIS IS ACTUALLY A TWO SIDED FLYER AS WELL. THE OTHER SIDE HAS A FORM YOU CAN FILL OUT AND MAIL BACK IN.

I JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU A QUICK UPDATE ON WHERE WE ARE AND THAT'S BEING DONE.

>> THAT LOOKS GREAT. I LOVE THE SOCIAL MEDIA ASPECT OF IT.

WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO TELL THE STORY BETTER AND BETTER OF WHAT THE BUCKS ARE

DOING, SO THAT'S FANTASTIC. >> COULD WE SEE THE QR ODE ON ONE SIDE OF THE FLYER THAT

WOULD LINK TO THE E-MAIL? >> IT WILL LINK TO THE WEBSITE. YEAH.

YOU BET. THANK YOU. >> ONE OF THE QUESTION.

FOR PARKS BUCKS, DO THEY ONLY GO THROUGH THE WATER BILL, OR ARE WE ABLE TO MAKE OTHER

DONATIONS? >> YOU CAN MAKE SEPARATE DONATIONS AS WELL.

WE HAVE THAT ON OUR WEBSITE. WHEN YOU GO TO THE PARTS MS. ALBUS WEBSITE.

>> GARY WAS TALKING ABOUT A VERY GENEROUS DONATION, SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE HE KNEW.

[6. Aquatics Report (Discussion)]

>> WE WILL BE LOOKING FOR THAT, GARY. THANK YOU.

(LAUGHS). >> WILL MOVE ON TO THE AQUATICS REPORT.

>> I AM NOT PUSHING THE RIGHT BUTTON HERE. LET ME GO BACK.

WE HAD THE FIRST DRIVE-IN MOVIE THE 23RD OF LAST MONTH. I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NAME OF IT AS USUAL. IT WENT WELL.E HAD GOOD PARTICIPATION.

WE HAVE THE NEXT DIVE IN MOVIE FRIDAY. IT WILL BE HEALTH.

WE ARE GOING TO DO CHRISTMAS IN JULY. ONE OF OUR EMPLOYEES OVER AT THE SENIOR CENTER HE'S GOING TO BE SANTA CLAUS. WE ARE TRYING TO GET HIM TO

[00:15:04]

(LAUGHS) HE'S GOING TO BE SANTA CLAUS AND WE ARE GOING TO DECORATE AND PUT A CHRISTMAS TREE UP AND TREAT THE KIDS WITH CANDY CANES AND MAKE THEM FEEL LIKE A LITTLE EARLY CHRISTMAS. THE LAST ONE OF THE SEASON WILL BE 13 AUGUST WHICH WILL BE THE PEANUTS MOVIE. ARE CHAMPIONS DAY IS COMING UP ON THE SEVENTH FROM 9:00 UNTIL 11:00. IF SOME OF YOU REMEMBER, WE HAD OUR FIRST CHAMPIONS DAY LAST YEAR. IT IS FOR THE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED CITIZENS.

THEY COME AND BRING THEIR FAMILIES AND THEY COME OUT AND WE LET THEM ENJOY THE POOL FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS. LAST YEAR I CAN'T REMEMBER, BUT I KNOW WE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT SHOWED UP FOR THIS EVENT. AS A MATTER OF FACT, THEY HAD SO MUCH FUN THEY WANTED US TO SET UP TWO. WASN'T ABLE TO DO THAT THIS YEAR, BUT IF THIS TURNS OUT LIKE IT DID LAST YEAR MAYBE WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO IT TWICE DURING THE SUMMER SEASON SO THEY CAN COME OUT AND ENJOY THE POOL AS WELL. A FREE ENTRANCE FOR THOSE PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND $4 PER PERSON FOR THE FAMILY, AND THEN THAT GOES DOWN DEPENDING ON HOW MANY MEMBERS IN THE FAMILY. OUR SENIORS.

[7. Seniors Report (Discussion)]

WE HAVE ACTIVITIES PLANNED. THE TALENT SHOW WE DIDN'T GET THE HABIT LAST YEAR WITH COVID.

THIS YEAR INSTEAD OF GOING TO THE CONVENTION CENTER WE ARE GOING TO DO THE TALENT SHOW AT THE SENIOR CENTER. WE HAVE SET IT UP AS FAR AS HOW WE THINK IT SHOULD LOOK.E CAN GET SEVERAL CHAIRS IN THERE AND PEOPLE ARE EXCITED. WE HAVE AUDITIONS COMING UP ON THE 23RD AND 30TH. IT'S PRETTY FULL. THE SHOW ITSELF WILL BE ON 21 AUGUST. THEY ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT. THEY ARE EXCITED ABOUT HAVING IT AT THE SENIOR CENTER. WE THINK WE MAY SELL SO MANY TICKETS WE MAY HAVE TO HAVE TWO SHOWS. IT WILL BE GREAT. THE POOL TOURNAMENT COMING UP FRIDAY THE SIXTH AT 9:00 A.M. IF THERE ARE ANY POOL SHARKS IN HERE, YOU ARE WELCOME TO COME

OVER AND TRY YOUR LUCK WITH OUR POOL SHARKS OVER THERE. >> ANY QUESTIONS FOR EVENTS WITH OUR SENIORS?> I HAVE ONE QUESTION. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT PEOPLE WHO CANNOT DRIVE, WOULD YOU STATE WHAT OPTIONS THERE ARE? ARE THERE ANY TRANSPORTATION

OPTIONS WE CAN PUT OUT TO THE PUBLIC? >> AT THIS TIME, WE DON'T HAVE ANY TRANSPORTATION WE CAN PROVIDE. WE HAD SEVERAL PHONE CALLS WHERE PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT IT, AS WELL AS THE MEDICAL TRANSPORT FOR PEOPLE TO GO TO THE DOCTOR. THOSE SERVICES WERE CUT WHEN WE HAD BUDGET CUTS IN DECEMBER.

>> I WOULD JUMP IN HERE. I KNOW THE SENIOR PROGRAM DOESN'T DIRECTLY CABDRIVERS ANY LONGER, BUT WE DID WORK WITH DON GREEN AND CITY LINK AND THEY ARE AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES. WE CAN GET THAT INFORMATION OU .

>> THAT'S WHAT I HAD HEARD. I WAS JUST CONFIRMING CITY LINK.

>> WE ALSO HAD ONE OF OUR SENIORS WHO RETIRED FROM THE CITY RECENTLY.

SHE IS GETTING FREE PASSES, DAILY PASSES, FOR SOME OF THOSE WHO NEED SOME ASSISTANCE IN TRANSPORTATION. WE HAVE THOSE AVAILABLE FOR SENIORS.

>> THANK YOU. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? AS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED TODAY, WE KNOW OUR SENIORS, OR SENIOR PROGRAM, HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY SOME OTHER THINGS THIS YEAR. YOU GUYS HAVE DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB SHUFFLING AND LOOKING FOR

[8. Parks Report (Discussion)]

[00:20:11]

WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE PARKS REPORT. >> GOOD MORNING.

RICHARD ROGERS. JESUS APPARENTLY IS TIED UP THIS MORNING.

I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HE'S GOT ON HERE, BUT WE WILL LOOK AT THE SLIDES.

>> THOSE ARE MY FAVORITE MEETINGS. (LAUGHS).

>> OBVIOUSLY, WE'VE HAD A LOT OF DAMAGE THROUGH THE WINTER WITH OUR VEGETATION.

THIS LOOKS LIKE PINE STREET. THINK THEY'RE GOING THROUGH REMOVING SOME DEAD VEGETATION.

THEY ARE SUFFERING MUCH LIKE THE SENIOR PROGRAM WITH GETTING EMPLOYEES.

I THINK HAVE BEEN AVERAGING ABOUT SIX PEOPLE DOWN OUT OF THEIR CREW.

IT'S A LITTLE BIT DELAYED, BUT THEY'RE WORKING HARD TRYING TO GET ALL OF THAT KIND OF STUFF DONE. WE HAD TO DO SOME REPAIR ON THE DOCK.

THOSE THINGS TAKE A BEATING IN THE WIND AND SUN THAT WE HAVE HERE.

MAYBE YOU CAN TELL THAT'S A BRAND-NEW SECTION IN THE CENTER THAT'S NICE AND CLEAN.

A LOT OF CONCRETE WORK. A LOT OF IT GOES ON AT THE STORYBOOK GARDEN.

THIS IS THE INSTALLATION. OTIS THE TRACTOR THAT THEY HAVE GOTTEN IN FOR THE C.A.L.F.

FESTIVAL. THE GUYS LOVE DOING IT AND GALS TOO.

NOT JUST THE GUYS. THEY DO A GREAT JOB. >> I DON'T THINK ANY OF US WERE ABLE TO ATTEND THE C.A.L.F. FESTIVAL, BUT WE HAD FOLKS FROM LITERALLY ALL OVER THE WORLD.

I HEARD SO MANY POSITIVE THINGS ABOUT OUR FACILITIES, AND THE WORK THAT ARE GUYS AND GALS DO.

>> THANK YOU. I WILL PASS THAT ALONG. ALL RIGHT.

[9. Recreation Report (Discussion)]

>> WILL MOVE ON TO RECREATIONAL. >> GOOD MORNING.

HELLO EVERYONE. IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU. >> GOOD MORNING.

>> AS YOU KNOW, IT'S ALMOST TIME FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL.WE ARE STARTING REGISTRATION AS OF YESTERDAY FOR AFTER SCHOOL AT COBB PARK, ROSE PARK AND GV DANIELS.

WE ALREADY HAVE PEOPLE REGISTERING.E ARE READY TO ROLL.

WE ARE DOING WELL GOING THROUGH APPLICATIONS AND GETTING EMPLOYEES HIRED.

BACK TO SCHOOL WILL BE HERE IN NO TIME. ALSO, BACK TO SUMMER.

WE ARE HAVING A REALLY GOOD TIME. STAFF GOT CREATIVE.

EVERY MONDAY STAFF GOES TO THE COVE AND ENJOY WATER DAY. THEY WENT TO JOHNSON PARK THE OTHER DAY AND HAD A BLAST LOOKING AT TADPOLES AND FINDING LITTLE FISH THAT THEY WANTED ME TO GO LOOK AT. THEY HAD A REALLY GOOD TIME OUT THERE.

THEY ALSO ENJOYED THE ZOO. THEY WERE GOING ON AND ON ABOUT THE DRAFTS.

GIRAFFES. I DON'T GET TO GO ON ALL OF THESE TRIPS.

I'M A LITTLE JEALOUS SOMETIMES. THEY GET TO GO TO THE FAMILY LIFE CENTER.

THEY'VE BEEN VISITING PLACES ALL AROUND TOWN. EVERY CAMP THAT WE HAVE IS AT MAXIMUM CAPACITY. WE HAVE 100 CHILDREN ENROLLED IN EVERY CAMP AT EVERY CENTER.

WE HAVE BEEN REALLY BUSY. >> ONE THING I WOULD JUMP IN REAL QUICK IS A LOT OF PEOPLE DO NOT REALIZE THAT BETWEEN RE-CREATION AND THE ZOO, AND THE AQUATIC CENTER, WE NORMALLY HIGHER OVER 150 TEMPORARY STAFF. DUE TO THE TIME WE HIRED THE STAFF, WHICH WAS BACK IN FEBRUARY, MARCH, EARLY APRIL, TIMEFRAME, THAT'S WHY WE ARE HAVING A LOT OF ISSUES AT THIS POINT. WE JUST DIDN'T GET ENOUGH PEOPLE THAT WERE APPLYING TO WORK FOR THE SUMMER, WHICH IS WHY WE HAVE HAD TO REALLY RESTRICT SOME OF WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO DO. SUMMER PLAYGROUND DOES END AUGUST 13, AND WE GO BACK TO REGULAR PROGRAMMING AUGUST 16. WE HAVE EVERY INTENTION OF BEING OPEN AND AVAILABLE ON AUGUST 16 FOR ALL OF OUR NORMAL SENIOR PROGRAMMING, AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMMING, SPECIAL EVENTS, ALL OF THOSE ITEMS. THE ZOO DO HIRE TEMPORARY STAFF SEASONALLY AS WELL AS JUST FOR THE SUMMER. IT'S VERY INTENSIVE FOR THE

SUMMER, BUT THEY HAVE PEOPLE APPLY. >> STILL OPENINGS.

[00:25:15]

IT'S OPEN FOR CHILDREN AGES 5 TO 12. REGISTRATION IS GOING ON NOW.

WE PLAN ON HAVING FOUR DIVISIONS, SIX, EIGHT, 10, 12. WE PLAY AT LEE ATHLETIC COMPLEX ON SATURDAYS. WHOEVER WINS EACH DIVISION WE WILL SEND THEM TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT IN NOVEMBER. HOPEFULLY THAT WILL GET US ON THE MAP.

>> IS THIS THE FIRST YEAR WE HAVE DONE YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL FOR THE CITY?

>> A LITTLE BIT MORE HISTORY ON THAT IS THERE WAS A NONPROFIT THAT DID FOOTBALL FOR ABILENE.

IT WAS TACKLE FOOTBALL. THERE WAS NO WAY FOR US TO PUT TOGETHER TACKLE FOOTBALL.

WHEN THE GROUP DECIDED TO FOLD THIS YEAR, THERE WAS NO WAY FOR US TO BE ABLE TO PUT THAT TOGETHER. TAAF STANDS FOR TEXAS ATHLETIC FEDERATION.

WE WERE QUICKLY ABLE TO PULL UP THE RULES AND BE ABLE TO OFFER SOMETHING FOR THE YOUTH.E ARE WORKING WITH A COUPLE OTHER NONPROFITS TO HOPEFULLY BE ABLE TO OFFER EITHER FLAG OR TACKLE FOOTBALL MOVING FORWARD. JUST TO HAVE SOMETHING FOR THE KIDS IN ABILENE TO HAVE

SOMETHING TO DO THIS YEAR, THIS IS WHAT WE ARE ABLE TO OFFER. >> THAT'S GREAT.

>> WE DO ENCOURAGE KIDS TO COME OUT AND SIGN UP. >> DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY

QUESTIONS FOR ME? >> GREAT THINGS GOING ON. WELL DONE.

[10. Zoo Report (Discussion)]

>> JESSIE, ZOO DIRECTOR. MY SLIDES ARE ALL ABOUT THE ANIMALS AND THE ZOO.T'S ALL ABOUT ANIMALS. THE LATEST UPDATE, MR. ALBERT THE ALLIGATOR.

WE HAD SOME CONCERNS BECAUSE IT WASN'T EATING AFTER HIS HIBERNATION.

WE SUSPECT THE LONG, NASTY WINTER TRIGGERED HIS LACK OF APPETITE.

WE DID DO A FULL WORKUP ON HIM, AND EVERYTHING CAME BACK INCONCLUSIVE.

WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON. OUR VETERINARIAN GAVE HIM A SERIES OF VITAMINS AND ANTIBODIES. AFTER THREE WEEKS HE JUMPED INTO GEAR ANDBACK TO NORMAL. UNFORTUNATELY, WE DON'T HAVE EXACTLY WHAT WAS WRONG WITH HIM. WITH REPTILES AND BIRDS, BLOODWORK IS A LOT DIFFERENT THAN MAMMALS. WE DON'T HAVE A CLEAR PICTURE OF WHY HE WENT THROUGH THIS COMING OUT OF THE WINTERIZATION MODE, BUT HE'S BACK TO NORMAL AND EATING EVERY SUNDAY. IF YOU WANT TO COME SEE HIM EAT, 11:00 SUNDAYS.

HE'S DOING JUST FINE. I DO WANT TO REMIND YOU HE'S ONE OF THE OLDEST ALLIGATORS THAT I KNOW OF. HE IS 65 YEARS OLD. WE WANT TO PREPARE EVERYBODY THAT THIS IS A VERY GERIATRIC GATOR. WE WILL SEE HOW HE GOES THROUGH THE NEXT WINTER. OUR CAMELS WERE SURPRISED OUT. THEY WENT TO A LOCAL CAMEL RANCHER. THEY HAD BECOME SEXUALLY MATURE.

WHEN THEY GET SEXUALLY MATURE, THEY ARE PRETTY AGGRESSIVE, ASSERTIVE.

THEY'RE JUST LIKE CATTLE. THEY ARE MEANT TO BE BRED AND HAVE BABIES.

WE DIDN'T FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THAT AT THE ZOO. WE DID SEND THEM OUT TO THE RANCHER. THEY WILL BE BACK FOR THE CHRISTMAS EVENT AND BE PART OF THE LIVE NATIVITY. IT WILL EITHER BE THEM OR LIVE SERIES OF OTHER CAMELS, SO COME SEE THEM WHEN WE HAVE THE CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION. WHAT DID WE DO TO REPLACE THEM? WE BROUGHT IN AND ANTELOPE SPECIES CALLED A ADDAX. THEY'RE FROM THE SAHARA DESERT.

IT GOES WITH THE TOPOGRAPHY OF THE ZOO. IT GOES WITH THE GREAT CONSERVATION MESSAGE. THESE GUYS ARE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED IN THE WILD.

THERE'S MORE ADDAX AND CAPTIVITY WITH RANGERS IN TEXAS.

I GUARANTEE IN THE FUTURE THEY WILL BE ASKING ZOOS LIKE ABILENE ZOO AND OTHERS TO PUT THESE GUYS BACK IN THE WILD. WE JUST ACQUIRED THREE FEMALES AND A MALE THIS FALL, AND THEY WILL BE PART OF THE BREEDING PROGRAM AND HOPEFULLY CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE SURVIVING SPECIES. LASTLY, THE SUMMER ZOOCATION. WE HAVE DONE KEEPER CHATS AND IT SURE DIDN'T DO THAT, BUT WE HAVE REBRANDED IT AND WANTED TO MARK THE 55TH ANNIVERSARY.

[00:30:01]

TIME. THAT IS IT. >> ANY QUESTIONS FOR JESSIE?

>> THE NEXT BOARD MEETING IS THE FIFTH? IS THAT RIGHT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT. ABILENE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. >> WHEREABOUTS OF MCMURRAY?

>> AUDITORIUM. >> OKAY. >> PERSONALLY, I'M A FAN OF THE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS. IT IS HARD TO SAY EARLY IN THE MORNING.

OBVIOUSLY, I WAS AT A COUPLE OF THOSE THIS LAST MONTH. THANKS ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND OTHERS. PERSONALLY, I HAVE A 10-YEAR-OLD WHO THOUGHT ZOO CAMP WAS THE GREATEST THING SHE HAS EVER BEN TO.

SHE'S ASKED THREE DIFFERENT TIMES IF WE COULD GO BACK TO ZOOM CAMP THIS SUMMER.

REALLY WELL DONE WITH THAT PROGRAM AND ALL THE THINGS YOU GUYS DO.

>> IT SELLS OFF FAST. WE ARE LOOKING FOR OPTIONS NEXT SUMMER.

WE DEFINITELY WANT TO GROW THE PRODUCT BECAUSE IT'S A HIGH DEMAND PRODUCT, ESPECIALLY IN THE COMMUNITY. IT USUALLY SELLS OUT IN ONE DAY.

WE NEED TO GIVE THE COMMUNITY MORE OPTIONS AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL HAVE A SOLUTION BY NEXT SUMMER. SHE CAN ALWAYS COME BACK EVERY YEAR WITHOUT BEING ON A

WAITLIST. >> SHE SAID, DID YOU KNOW THERE'S A MADAGASCAR EXHIBIT? I DIDN'T KNOW THAT. VERY WELL DONE. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR JESSIE? ANY OTHER ITEMS WE NEED TO BRING TO THE BOARD'S ATTENTION TODAY OR DISCUSS? WITH THAT, THANKS FOR EVERYONE'S ATTENDANCE TODAY, AND FOR THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE. THEY ARE MEANINGFUL. OUR BOARD IS ALWAYS GOOD TO MAKE THE FUN DECISIONS. WE GET TO HEAR ABOUT SOME PRETTY GREAT THINGS AND ALSO THE BAD THINGS GOING ON. IT'S AN HONOR TO SERVE YOU IN THIS WAY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT THIS MORNING.ITH THAT, I WILL TAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.

>> SO MOVED. >> I WILL SECOND IT MYSELF. I APPRECIATE

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.