Aug 17, 2021 Parks and Recreation

[CALL TO ORDER ]

[00:00:06]

>> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. IT IS AN EXCITING TIME FOR PARK CENTER. WE HAVE A SMALL GROUP OF KIDS GETTING READY TO HEAD TOWARD WILLIAMSPORT THAT PLANNER PARKS WHICH IS EXCITING. MY 12-YEAR-OLD THAT LOST IS LESS EXCITED BUT HE'S ALSO KIND OF EXCITED. AND OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT GO AROUND THAT WE SHOULD BE MINDFUL OF.

>> YOPLAITYOU ALL PRAY FOR ME, PLEASE.

>> FATHER WE THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE IN A GREAT COMMUNITY AND TO SERVE A COMMUNITY. I PRAY OUR DECISIONS TODAY AND THE CONVERSATION AND EFFORTS THAT WE PUT FORTH ON BEHALF OF OUR CITY WILL BE HONORING TWO.

I PRAY YOU WILL BLESS THE FAMILIES AND WE PRAY FOR THE SITUATION IN OUR WORLD.

IT'S A MESS, FATHER. WE KNOW YOU ARE NOT SURPRISED BY THINGS AND LORD THAT YOU ARE LORD OVER EVERYTHING. SO WE JUST GIVE YOU PRAISE AND THAT, FATHER.

BE WITH US AND WE ASK FOR YOUR WISDOM AND GUIDANCE AND WE PRAY THIS IN YOUR SUN'S NAME.

[PUBLIC COMMENTS ]

AMEN. >>>AT THIS TIME WILL HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT. WE WILL HAVE OPPORTUNITY LATER IN THE MORNING TO ENTER INTO THE PUBLIC COMMENT AS WELL. IF YOU HAVE A PUBLIC COMMENT KEEP YOUR REMARKS TO TWO MINUTES OR LESS AND WILL HOLD THAT TO WE GET TO OUR MEETING.

IS THERE ANYBODY THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT AT THIS TIME?

>> GOOD MORNING. I WANT TO SPEAK ABOUT WHAT WE ARE DOING IN SEARS PARK.

WE HAVE A GREAT PARK. THANK YOU FOR THE TREMENDOUS WORK THAT YOU DO NOT JUST AT SEARS BUT AT ALL PARKS. I'M HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR CHANGING THE NAME OF SEARS TO CAESAR CHAVEZ. BUT THANK YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL JOB THAT YOU ARE DOING AT SEARS PARK. THE STAFF, LESLIE, RICHARD AND CHRIS, GREAT PEOPLE.

THANK YOU. >> WE WILL COME BACK TO THAT AGENDA ITEM SHORTLY. THANK YOU.

ANY OTHERS? OKAY. NEXT WE WILL MOVE TO AN

[1. Minutes (Discussion and Action) ]

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

[2. Letter of Support for Texas Parks & Wildlife Grant (Discussion and Action) ]

>> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE OPPOSE? MOTION CARRIES. LET'S MOVE INTO OUR AGENDA ITEMS. OUR FIRST AGENDA ITEM IS ITEM NUMBER TWO A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE GRANT.

>> GOOD MORNING. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICES.

THIS MORNING WE ARE GOING TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE -- IT'S THE HABITAT GRANT FROM TEXAS PARK AND WILDLIFE. WE HAVE THE EXPERT WITNESS SO I MAY MISS SOMETHING BUT HE CAN FILL IN GAPS IF WE NEED TO. BASICALLY, WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO IS ASK FOR GRANT MONEY TO INSTALL A FISHING DOCK AT LAKE FORT PHANTOM. IT'S THE OFFICIAL PARK DESIGNATED AREA. WE ARTY HAVE A BOAT RAMP THERE AND IT'S A GOOD LOCATION WITH A PARKING LOT ALREADY IN PLACE TO BE ABLE TO PUT A CONCRETE WALKWAY OUT TO THIS FISHING DOCK, MAKE IT ADA ACCEPTABLE FOR ANYONE TO BE ABLE TO FISH THERE.

WE HAVE ANOTHER DOCK ON THE NORTH END OF FORT PHANTOM BUT IT'S DIFFICULT TO GET TO OR SOMEONE IN A WHEELCHAIR. WE FEEL THIS IS IMPORTANT. FISHING HAS BECOME A LOT MORE POPULAR OVER THE LAST 18 MONTHS, AS HAS ALL OF OUR PARKS AND PARK USAGE.

THIS WILL ALSO INCLUDE BANK STABILIZATION TO ALLEVIATE SOME EROSION AND CREATE A BETTER HABITAT FOR BAITFISH AND THAT TIME OF THING. WE ARE ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT ON THIS. THERE IS A LETTER OF SUPPORT IN YOUR PACKET AND WE ARE JUST ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT ON THIS PROJECT.

ANY QUESTIONS? >> YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD? WELL, JUST TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE CONTEXT, FORT PHANTOM HAS A VERY UNIQUE SITUATION IN THAT IT HAS A LOT OF PLENTIFUL CITY LAND THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACCESS HERE THEY'VE DEVELOPED A LOT OF TRAILS IN THESE AREAS OF THE PROPERTY WHERE THEY HAVE UNSANCTIONED LADY DRIVEN THERE VEHICLES OVER TIME.

LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS HAD SOME ISSUED -- ISSUES WITH AREAS IN ITS CREATED USER CONFLICTS WHICH HAS LED TO CLOSURE OF SOME OF THESE POPULAR FISHING SPOTS.

[00:05:01]

SO THIS IS SOMETHING WHERE HAVING THIS AMENITY AT THE EAST LAKE BOAT RAMP WOULD OFFER A FACILITY THAT IS ADJACENT TO A PUBLIC BOAT RAMP AREA THAT HAS AMPLE PARKING.

IT CAN BE EASIER TO MAINTAIN BY THE CITY. AND THEN ON TOP OF THAT, THIS NEW GRANT PROGRAM IS 100 PERCENT REIMBURSABLE. IT IS INTENDED TO FUND SHORELINE-BASED ACCESS FOR ANGLERS, JUST TO CREATE EASIER CONVENIENCES, MAKE THINGS MORE MODERNIZED AND ALSO WILL FUND HABITAT ENHANCEMENT EFFORTS TO MAKE FISHING BETTER.

HOPEFULLY DOWN THE LINE WE ARE WANTING TO GROW THE PROGRAM TO MUCH LARGER GRANTS.

THE GRANTS ARE UP TO 50,000 WITH THE HOPES THAT EVENTUALLY WE CAN GET THESE TO BE IN THE HUNDREDS. AND SO THIS IS A NEW GRANT PROGRAM THAT IS SUPPORTED BY THE SALE OF FISHING WATER LICENSES. THAT'S WHAT'S FINDING THESE TYPES OF PROJECTS.

AND SO WE HAD BEEN DISCUSSING THE RESERVOIRS PLANT AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WAS IDENTIFIED AS A NEED FOR FORT PHANTOM. IT'S ONE DROP IN THE BUCKET TO HELP TACKLE SOME OF THE USER CONFLICT ISSUES OUT THERE. AND WITH ANY ACTION I WILL BE

RECUSING MYSELF. >> WELL SAID ALL THE WAY

AROUND. >> THE ONLY COMMENT I'VE GOT IS THAT THAT IS ON THE SHALLOW END OF THE LAKE. IS THERE -- YOU KNOW WHEN THE LAKE GOES DRY, THAT ALREADY UP THERE, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE WATER BULLET GET TOO LOW TO BE

USED? >> THAT IS A POTENTIAL ISSUE THAT COULD HAPPEN. WE TRY TO IDENTIFY AN AREA OF THE OUTSIDE OF THE LAKE WHERE IT WOULD BE THE MOST ACCESSIBLE TO DEEPER WATER. BUT WE ARE IN WEST TEXAS.

UNFORTUNATELY A LOT OF THIS FLUCTUATES. IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS PROTOTYPE, THE DOCK THAT THEY ARE LOOKING AT HAS THE ABILITY TO BE ADJUSTED BASED ON WATER LEVEL AND IT IS A FLOATING DOCK. THE ONE AT JOHNSON PARK CURRENTLY IS ALSO ONE THAT CAN BE ADJUSTED AS WELL. THIS IS GOING TO BE A LARGER DOCK AND MORE STABLE AND WILL LIKELY REQUIRE LESS MAINTENANCE.

>> I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA. I'M JUST CONCERNED IF WE COULD LOAD LIKE WE DID 10 YEARS AGO, IT MIGHT BE SITTING OUT THERE WITH NO WATER. BUT I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA.

A LITTLE DOCK LIKE AT KIRBY LAKE, THERE'S ALWAYS SOMEBODY OUT THERE FISHING.

AND SO I THINK IT IS A GREAT IDEA. BUT THAT IS MY ONLY CONCERNS.

>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS?

>> I MOVE WE APPROVE IT. >> I SECOND.

>> SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. A POST? MOTION PASSES. YOU HAVE YOUR LETTER OF SUPPORT.

[3. Abilene Zoological Society Agreement (Discussion and Action) ]

>> LET'S MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER THREE. THAT'S THE SOCIETY AGREEMENT.

THIS WILL BE DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION.

>> THIS IS THE AGREEMENT THAT THE CITY OF THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY HAS BEEN WORKING ON FOR CLOSE TO A YEAR AND THE AGREEMENT THAT WE HAD WITH THEM WAS 10 YEARS OLD AND EXPIRED.

WE HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATING THIS NEW ONE. SOME OF THE KEY POINTS ARE -- WIDELY -- THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY IS A 5013C. THEY ARE FUNDRAISING ARM FOR THE ZOO AND DO SIGNIFICANT THINGS TO HELP THE ZOO KEEP MOVING FORWARD.

THIS IS AN AGREEMENT FOR A FIVE YEAR WITH THE OPTION FOR ANOTHER FIVE-YEAR RENEWAL.

IN THE SOCIETY DID APPROVE THIS AT THEIR MEETING 1 AUGUST SO THEREFORE, COMES TO THE PARKS BOARD FOR APPROVAL. IF YOU APPROVE TODAY, IT WILL MOVE ON TO CITY COUNCIL.

>> ARE THERE ANY SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES FROM THE PREVIOUS AGREEMENT?

>> THE MAJOR CHANGES ARE REALLY MORE CLARIFICATION AND THE ROLES OF STAFF VS. SOCIETY AND FUNDING, MAKING SURE THAT THERE IS VERY CLEAR ACCOUNTS THAT -- FOR ZOO OPERATIONS AS WELL AS FOR THE FUNDRAISING GRANT PORTION SO THAT THOSE MONIES DO NOT GET MIXED.

WHEN THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT WAS WRITTEN, STAFF WAS HALF CITY STAFF AND HAVE SOCIETY STAFF.

[00:10:03]

EVERY YEAR WE WERE HAVING TO COME BACK WITH AN ADDENDUM IN THAT PLANE SET UP AND CLARIFIES THAT STAFF ARE ALL CITY STAFF UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE CITY MANAGER.

>> I MOVE WE EXEMPT THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY AGREEMENT.

>> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR OF THE ACCEPTANCE SAY AYE. NEGATIVE?

>> THE MOTION CARRIES AS WELL. ALL RIGHT WE WILL NOW MOVE INTO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FOUR.

[4. Sale of Alcohol at Rose Park Baseball Field to Support Prospective Professional Minor League Baseball Program (Discussion and Action) ]

POTENTIAL ACTION. >> IF YOU REMEMBER, I BELIEVE IT WAS BACK IN MAY, I BROUGHT THE HYPOTHETICAL DISCUSSION IF WE WOULD -- IF THE PARKS BOARD WOULD ENTERTAIN THE IDEA OF HAVING POSSIBLE ALCOHOL SERVICE AT A CITY PARK FOR BASEBALL.

THROUGH THAT CONVERSATION, WE HAVE BEEN TALKING TO A GROUP THAT IS INTERESTED IN BRINGING A MINOR-LEAGUE BASEBALL TEAM TO ABILENE. SCOTT KIRK IS HERE TO GIVE A PRESENTATION. WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR TODAY IS ONE OF THE KEY THINGS IS WHETHER WE WILL ALLOW ALCOHOL OR NOT. AND IF THE PARKS BOARD APPROVES TODAY TO ALLOW ALCOHOL, YOU WOULD BE MAKING THE RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL WHO ACTUALLY HAS THE ULTIMATE AUTHORITY ON WHETHER ALCOHOL IS ALLOWED IN A PARK OR NOT.

SO WITH THAT I WILL TURN THE PODIUM OVER TO SCOTT. AND IF ALCOHOL IS APPROVED, WE WILL STILL NEED TO NEGOTIATE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING THAT WILL COME BACK TO THE PARKS BOARD AT A LATER DATE IF ALCOHOL IS APPROVED TODAY.

>> IF WE HAVE TO GO WITH TEXAS ALCOHOL AND BEVERAGE COMMISSION FOR APPROVAL FOR THAT?

>> THE WAY OUR ORDINANCE READS IS ANYONE SERVING ALCOHOL IN A PARK HAS TO BE LICENSED THROUGH TA BC. IT WOULD BE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE A LICENSE PERSON SERVING ALCOHOL. THAT WOULD BE THE MEMORANDUM OF

UNDERSTANDING. >> THIS IS SIMILAR TO WHAT WE ENACTED A FEW YEARS AGO NELSON SOFTBALL AND THE ZOO AND THE VEGETABLE GARDENS?

>> IT WOULD BE ADDING ON ONE MORE LOCATION.

>> RIGHT. BUT IT WOULD FALL UNDER THOSE RESTRICTIONS AND STRUCTURE AND

ALL THAT? >> CORRECT.

>> WITH THAT INCREASE OUR SECURITY CONCERNS? WE WILL GET TO THAT IN A MINUTE

I GUESS? >> WILL GET TO THAT IN A MINUTE. [LAUGHING].

>>. [LAUGHING]

>> THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE. >> I THINK UNDER THE CURRENT STRUCTURE, WE DO HAVE GUIDELINES.

>> YES. >> FOR SECURITY BASED ON THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE IN ATTENDANCE. SO I THINK THAT IS PROVIDED FOR IN OUR EXISTING AGREEMENT. FOR THAT SECURITY. YEAH.

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. LET'S GO ON WITH YOUR PRESENTATION.

>> BOARD THANK YOU. MY NAME IS SCOTT KIRK. I HAVE TO SAY WHEN I GET CALL TO DO THINGS -- I DON'T OFTEN HAVE TO ADDRESS THE BOARD BUT I FEEL LIKE I'VE BEEN INVITED TO DINNER AND I'M ONE OF THE ENTRC)ES. I DON'T FEEL THAT WAY TODAY.

MOST OF YOU ALL I'VE KNOWN FOR YEARS AND I FEEL I'M AMONG FRIENDS WHICH I THINK I AM. THE GROUP THAT WE ARE BRINGING IN HAS SAID ONE OF THE LINES FROM THE MOVIE MONEYBALL BY BRAD PITTS CHARACTERS HOW CAN YOU NOT BE ROMANTIC ABOUT BASEBALL? WE WANT TO BRING MINOR-LEAGUE BASEBALL TO ABILENE. WE ALSO HAVE THE ADDED BENEFIT OF RESTORING ROSE PARK -- OR THE BIG-LEAGUE FIELD AT ROSE PARK FOR WHAT IT WAS INTENDED FOR.

BACK IN MAY I HAD A DISCUSSION WITH A COMPANY IN FORT WORTH THAT DOES ATHLETIC FIELDS ABOUT WHAT IT WOULD TAKE AND THE WOMAN I WAS TALKING TO SAY WE LOVE PROJECTS LIKE THIS.

THIS IS BRINGING IT BACK TO WHAT IT WAS INTENDED FOR.

ROSE PARK IS OBVIOUSLY AN HISTORIC PARK IN THE CITY. IT WOULD HELP MAKE IT -- OR REINFORCE IT AS A CENTER OF ACTIVITY. THE -- I WANTED TO STRESS HERE THE LAST POINT. WE ARE DOING THIS WITHOUT ASKING FOR ANY PUBLIC MONEY.

THIS WOULD BE PRIVATE DONATION SPONSORSHIPS, PARKS WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO FINANCE.

OKAY. AGAIN, MINOR-LEAGUE BASEBALL IN A SNAPSHOT.

[00:15:03]

WE ALWAYS SAY THAT IF OUR FANS ARE LEAVING THE STADIUM HAPPY AND THEY CAN'T TELL YOU THE SCORE OF THE GAME, WE HAVE REALLY DONE OUR JOB THAT NIGHT.

THE LEVEL OF PLAY, WE SAY IT'S GOING TO BE AA CALIBER. THE REASON WE SAY THAT IS IT CHANGES THAT MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL IS MADE TO MINOR-LEAGUE BASEBALL THE LAST YEAR. 42 CITIES HAVE HAD THEIR MINOR-LEAGUE BASEBALL TAKEN FROM THEM. MOST OF THEM ARE GOING TO INDEPENDENT BASEBALL.

BUT THIS -- IN ADDITION TO THAT, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL HAS CUT THEIR DRAFT MORE THAN IN HALF. SO THEY GO 20 ROUNDS INSTEAD OF NEARLY 50 ROUNDS.

THAT MEANS THERE'S NEARLY 900 PLAYERS WHO IN YEARS PAST WOULD HAVE GOTTEN A CHANCE TO PLAY MINOR-LEAGUE BASEBALL, AND AFFILIATED BASEBALL THERE AND HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.

THEY'RE GOING TO LOOK AT SOMEWHERE ELSE TO PLAY AND I THINK THAT PRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO US AND OTHER INDEPENDENTLY BASEBALL.

AS AN EXAMPLE ARE SON WAS DRAFTED IN THE 21ST ROUND OF 2005 BY THE WASHINGTON NATIONALS. TODAY HE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DRAFTED.

OKAY. THIS IS A GOOGLE EARTH IMAGE OF THE BIG-LEAGUE FIELD AT ROSE PARK. SEVERAL YEARS OLD. THAT TURF -- AND HATS OFF TO THE CITY. THAT TURF LOOKS SO MUCH BETTER THAN IT DID WHEN I FIRST STARTED LOOKING AT THAT FIELD IN 2009. IT'S A -- IF IT WASN'T FOR THE FENCES YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE IT AS A BASEBALL FIELD.

BUT THAT TURF IS GOOD AND STRONG. THE -- THE OUTFIELD -- THERE IS A GENTLEMAN IN TOWN NAMED ANDREW BALDWIN. HE PLAYED WITH MY SON AT TEXAS A&M IN 2005. I GOT THEM OUT THERE AND SAID ANDREW, AM I SEEING A GOOD OUTFIELD HERE? HE SAID IT NEEDS TO BE LEVELED IN SOME PLACES BUT YES IT'S PLAYABLE. IT'S VERY GOOD TURF OUT THERE. GOOD, STRONG TURF.

WE WERE LOOKING AT UPDATES THERE. AND I WILL GO OVER THESE IN MORE DETAIL. THE INFIELD, YOU WILL SEE THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AN ARTIFICIAL TURF INFIELD OF INSTALLING ONE THERE. ONE OF THE UNUSUAL THINGS ABOUT BASEBALL FIELDS IS THAT 75 PERCENT OF THE GAME TAKES PLACE ON 25 PERCENT OF THE PLAYING SURFACE, BUT IT COSTS JUST AS MUCH TO PUT ARTIFICIAL TURF ON THE OUTFIELD IS INFIELD EVEN THOUGH HE DOESN'T SEE AS MUCH PLAY. THAT'S WHY YOU SEE A LOT OF PLACES -- THREE HIGH SCHOOLS IN ABILENE -- HAVE ONLY PUT ARTIFICIAL TURF ON THEIR IN FIELDS.

OUR INTENT IS TO REMOVE MOST OF THE FENCE EXCEPT THE OUTFIELD FENCE AND PUT A PERIMETER FENCE AROUND IT. AND THEN A RETAINING WALL. PROBABLY A FOUR FOOT FENCE TO SEPARATE THE PLAYING SURFACE FROM THE FANS. THESE ARE FOCAL POINTS BECAUSE WERE REALLY TRYING TO TRANSFORM A FIELD INTO SOME SORT OF STADIUM.

OKAY. THIS TO ME HAS BEEN INTERESTING.

BLUE CHAIRS -- IF YOU DO A GOOGLE SEARCH IT'S GOING TO TELL YOU DO WANT BLEACHED HAIR.

BLEACH CHAIR YOU CAN PUT A COMFORTABLE SEAT ON AN EXISTING ALUMINUM PLANK.

MCMURRAY IS DOING -- IS MAKING AS PART OF THEIR STADIUM AS ORDERED.

SOME OF THESE CHAIRS TO MAKE A PREMIUM SEATING AREA OUT OF PART OF THEIR STANDS.

VERY COST-EFFICIENT WAY TO DO THAT. THAT IS THERE BASELINE MODEL.

THEY HAVE -- THEY EVEN HAVE ONE MODEL THAT COMES WITH AN ARMREST AND A CUPHOLDER THAT WOULD GIVE YOU AS GOOD A CHAIR THAT YOU COULD GET IT ANY STADIUM.

GRASS CHAIR SEATING. I THINK THIS WOULD MAKE A GOOD GENERAL ADMISSION AREA.

MUCH LIKE BERMS ARE, A LITTLE MORE AESTHETIC THAN A BERM. THIS IS -- THE RENDITION IS

[00:20:16]

IT'S NOT DONE A WHOLE LOT OF PLACES. IT KIND OF GIVES YOU THE FEEL OF AN AMPHITHEATER.

DUGOUT SWEETS. IT WOULD BE OUR VERSION OF A LUXURY SLEET -- SUITE THAT WOULD BE CLOSE TO THE FIELD AND OFFER FANS A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE OF THE GAME.

THESE ARE FOR MY PEOPLE, SENIOR CITIZEN SEATING. AS I TOLD MY PARTNER, I SAID SOME OF US DON'T LIKE TO SET VERY LOW BECAUSE WE HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING UP.

AND SO WE WOULD DESIGNATE SOME OF THE AREA IN THE TERRACE SEATING FOR SENIORS OR PEOPLE WITH -- WHO HAVE TROUBLE GETTING UP FROM SITTING IN A LOW POSITION.

THE SCORE BOARD. THIS WILL BE DRIVEN BY BUDGET. THE -- IT WOULD BE GREAT TO HAVE A VIDEO BOARD. I'M NOT SURE WE WOULD HAVE THAT IN OUR BUDGET.

OF -- A NON-LED SCOREBOARD ARE VERY MUCH AFFORDABLE. OBVIOUSLY, THE FIELD NEEDS AN UPGRADE IN ITS SCOREBOARD.

STADIUMS TODAY HAVE GATHERING AREAS. SO WE WOULD WANT TO PUT IN A PICNIC AREA. A PLACE WHERE WE SELL OUR -- WE PROBABLY WOULD LIMIT THE SALE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES TO ONE AREA AND TO CREATE A SPOT THEY ARE FOR THE FANS ENJOYMENT.

ONE OF THE REASONS WE ARE GOING TO APPROACH THE CONCESSION STANDS IS BY THE USE OF FOOD TRUCKS. WE INTEND TO OWN ONE OF THE FOOD TRUCKS, BUT TO CREATE A PLACE -- AND I'LL SHOW IT TO YOU IN A SUBSEQUENT SLIDE OF WHERE WE PLAN TO PUT THEM.

BUT THIS WOULD ENGAGE OTHER PEOPLE AND GIVE A GREATER VARIETY OF FOOD TO OUR CUSTOMERS.

AS WE SHOW THE TURF, PUTTING AN ARTIFICIAL TURF ON THE INFIELD ONLY, I WILL BE HONEST WITH YOU. I HAVE NOT RULED OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF TURFING THE ENTIRE FIELD. I KNOW WE NEED TO WORK WITH ENGINEERS BECAUSE THAT WILL AFFECT RUNOFF WATER FROM THERE. THE FIELD DRAINS WELL AS IT IS. WHOEVER DESIGNED THE FEELING 1966 DID A GOOD JOB OF PUTTING IT IN. IT DRAINS REALLY WELL EVEN TODAY.

ANOTHER VIEW OF THAT.

I ALWAYS GET TOLD NOT TO CALL IT A BASEBALL STADIUM. IT IS A MULTIPURPOSE VENUE.

TO USE IT MORE AS A CENTER FOR OTHER ACTIVITIES. IT CAN BE USED -- I DON'T THINK WE PLAY A WHOLE LOT OF THE CROSS IN ABILENE, BUT WHO SAYS WE WON'T IN THE FUTURE? OKAY. -- HAVE LOST SOME OF MY SLIDES HERE.

I'M SORRY. YEAH.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE ASKED IS THERE JUDGMENT ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE ASKING FOR OBVIOUSLY HERE IS THE ABILITY TO SELL ALCOHOL AND GIVE US PERMISSION TO APPLY FOR A LIQUOR LICENSE. WE CANNOT DO THIS WITHOUT IT, TO BE QUITE HONEST.

THE ALCOHOL SALES, WE ARE RIGHT IN LINE WITH EVERY OTHER PROFESSIONAL SPORT.

ALCOHOL SALES ACCOUNTS FOR ABOUT 50 PERCENT OF OUR GROSS REVENUE.

100 PERCENT OF OUR NET. WE ARE BEST IN OUR PRO FORMA, OUR BEST CASE SCENARIO WITHOUT IT SHOWS US LOSING ABOUT 30 OR $40,000 HERE. WE HAVE TO HAVE IT.

HERE WE GO. IN THIS, THE -- ONE OF THE THINGS LIKE THE SCOREBOARD THAT SHOWS THAT IN RIGHT FIELD Ã MEANT PROBABLY AS WE DISCUSSED IT WOULD PROBABLY BE IN LEFT FIELD SO THAT EVERYBODY IN THE STADIUM WOULD HAVE A VIEW OF IT.

WE ARE LOOKING AT ABOUT BUILDING A STADIUM FOR ABOUT 800 PEOPLE.

I THINK THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF IT COULD HOLD AS MANY AS 1200 BUT NOW WERE LOOKING AT ABOUT 800 PEOPLE. ONE OF THE POINTS I WANT TO MAKE ABOUT -- AND MR. GOODMAN

[00:25:05]

AS I SAID, IT IS EXTREMELY -- IT'S NOT JUST EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO HAVE FOR OUR SUCCESS. I WOULD WELCOME ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE.

>> YOU HAVE PLANS AS FAR AS HOW YOU'LL STAFF THE SECURITY GUARDS?

>> AT THIS POINT NOW. WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN THAT FAR YET. I WAS PREMATURE AT THIS POINT, BUT WHETHER IT IS HIRING, YOU KNOW, HIRING OFF-DUTY OFFICERS THAT'S WHAT WE DO.

MY PARTNERS BEEN IN THIS BUSINESS FOR 25 YEARS. HE KNOWS WHAT TO DO ON THAT.

>> LESLIE, IS THAT WHAT TYPICALLY HAPPENS WITH THE NELSON SOFTBALL, THE ZOO, VEGETABLE GARDENS, IS A COMMON PRACTICE TO HIRE OFF-DUTY OFFICERS?

>> YES. THEY'LL HAVE DIFFERENT PEOPLE. SOMETIMES IT'S VOLUNTEER AND SOMETIMES IT'S HIRING DEPENDING ON IF SOMEONE IS WILLING TO VOLUNTEER.

BUT IT DOES HAVE TO BE A REGISTERED, CERTIFIED, PEACE OFFICER OF SOME SORT.

>> YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE ECONOMICS ALSO PLAYS A PART IN SECURITY.

IF SOMEBODY'S INTENTION IS TO GET DRUNK SOME NIGHT AND DO IT, THERE'S MORE EFFICIENT WAYS TO DO IT THEN 4 TO -- FOUR DOLLARS OR FIVE DOLLARS FOR A CUP OF BEER.

SOMETIMES THE INCIDENCE OF DRUNKEN BEHAVIOR -- THEY GET REPORTED AND REPORTED HEAVILY.

BUT THEY ARE FAIRLY RARE. >> WHAT ABOUT PARKING?

>> PARKING. THERE'S QUITE A BIT OF PARKING THERE.

THE PARKING LOT ON SOUTH NIGHT IS ABOUT 150 CARS. AT THE ARMORY, THERE ARE OPEN LOTS. ABOUT ANOTHER HUNDRED. THERE'S OVER HUNDRED SPOTS THERE. ON THE LOT THAT IS -- FACES ARROW, THERE'S ABOUT 220 SOMETHING PARKING SPOTS.

I NOTE THAT ADVENTURE COVE USES THAT PARKING LOT, TOO. THEY CLOSE AT 7 PM.

OUR GAMES ARE AT 7:30 PM. I DON'T THINK THAT'LL BE A BIG ISSUE.

THERE IS PLENTY OF PARKING.

WE ARE FIGURING THAT IF WE GET 800 PEOPLE, WE WILL HAVE PROBABLY LESS THAN 300 CARS.

SO I THINK THERE'S PLENTY OF PARKING.

>> SCOTT, CAN YOU REFRESH MY MEMORY. I'M CONFUSED ON THE GROUP THAT IS ORGANIZING AND IMPLEMENTING AND RAISING THE MONEY FOR THIS.

>> IT'S ABILENE SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT IS THE NAME OF THE COMPANY.

>> HAS ANY MONEY BEEN RAISED? >> WE HAVE NOT RAISED MONEY FOR CAD BECAUSE WE DO KNOW IF WE COULD PLAY HERE YET. [LAUGHING].

>> BUT NOW YOU KNOW. >> WE DON'T KNOW NOW.

WE CAN PLAY HERE WITHOUT THE -- WITHOUT THE LICENSES.

I MEAN, IF WE DON'T GET THE LICENSE, TO BE QUITE HONEST, WE WILL MOVE FORWARD.

>> THIS IS KIND OF THE LINCHPIN?

>> THIS IS THE FIRST STEP IN A HUGE STEP.

>> WHAT YOU SEE IS YOUR TIMELINE?

>> WE WOULD LIKE TO ROLL OUT MARKETING THE FIRST OF THE YEAR, MAYBE NOVEMBER IF WE CAN.

RAISE MONEY BEFORE THAT. YOU KNOW, A 15 MOUNDS ROLLOUT FOR THE TEAM TO PLAY IN 2023.

>> I'VE GOT A FEW QUESTIONS. >> YES, SIR.

>> WILL TO BE ANY FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ON THE CITY?

>> NO. >> AND THE SECOND QUESTION IS MAINTENANCE AFTER THE FACILITY IS COMPLETED?

>> WE WOULD BE -- IN THE AGREEMENT THAT WE PROPOSE, DURING THE SEASON, WE WOULD BE

IN CHARGE OF THE MAINTENANCE. >> OKAY.

>> OF THE FIELD. IN THE STADIUM.

>> NO REQUIREMENT ON THE BOARD OR THE CITY PARK AND RECREATION TO MAINTAIN THE FIELD?

YOU WILL TAKE CARE OF THAT? >> WE WILL TAKE CARE OF THAT.

[00:30:04]

>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE CLEAR ON OUR UNDERSTANDING. WE ARE NOT GOING INTO THE FULL DISCUSSION OF BASEBALL WE ARE DISCUSSING WHETHER OR NOT WE CAN SELL ALCOHOL AT ROSE PARK FOR THIS EVENT. I THINK THESE ARE GREAT QUESTIONS AND HE GOES TO THE

WHOLE. >> YEAH.

TO YOUR POINT, MR. PITTMAN. WE HAVE TWO -- ONCE WE GET PAST THIS AND WE HAVE OUR NEGOTIATION WITH THE CITY ABOUT WHAT IS EXPECTED OF WHAT PARTY.

>> THAT'S ALL FOR CLARIFICATION FOR ME. LESLIE I THINK I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU. WE CAN MAKE THIS PRETTY MILD OR INSULAR.

IF WERE TALKING ABOUT ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION OR SALES, WE CAN TALK ABOUT JUST AT THE BASEBALL FACILITY, JUST AT ROSE PARK. THAT CAN BE HER SUGGESTION AS OPPOSED TO A LARGER -- THANK

YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP. >> WE ARE ASKING FOR SPECIFIC -- IT IS FOR OUR GAMES, FOR OUR EVENTS THERE AND THAT ONLY. WE ARE NOT INTERESTED IN

OPENING UP A BAR OUT THERE. >> JUST FOR CLARIFICATION PURPOSES, DURING THE OFF-SEASON OR DURING TIMES WHERE THE TEAM IS ON THE ROAD AND NOT PLAYING NOT STADIUM, IS NOT FACILITY AVAILABLE TO RENT TO PRIVATE GROUPS?

>> YES. >> AND WITH THIS REQUEST COVER THAT OR WOULD THEY HAVE TO COME TO THE PARK'S BOARD WITH A SEPARATE REQUEST FROM THE

BASEBALL TEAM? >> IT DEPENDS ON HOW YOU WORD YOUR MOTION TO CITY COUNCIL AND HOW CITY COUNCIL WORDS THEIR MOTION.

WHAT I ANTICIPATE RIGHT NOW IS WE ARE ASKING FOR PARK'S BOARD TO CONSIDER ALCOHOL SALES AT BIG-LEAGUE FIELD IN ROSE PARK WHICH IS SPECIFIC TO THIS LOCATION.

IF THAT IS THE EMOTION THAT IS MADE, THEN IT WOULD BE AVAILABLE YEAR ROUND.

IF THERE WAS AN AFTER HOURS RENTAL OR AN OFF-SEASON RENTAL, IT WOULD BE ALLOWED.

IF YOU SAY -- IF THE MOTION FROM PARK'S BOARD RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL IS TOO LIMITED TO BASEBALL ONLY, THAT WOULD BE IN YOUR MOTION, BUT IT WOULD ULTIMATELY BE UP TO CITY COUNCIL AND WHAT THEIR MOTION IS.

>> I'M JUST THINKING ABOUT IT ON A CURSORY BASIS. I THINK I WOULD BE FAVORABLE TO PASSING A MOTION THAT DOES LIMIT IT TO THE BASEBALL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES AND LET EACH PRIVATE EVENT, SHOULD THERE BE AN EXTENT ON THEIR OWN, THEY WOULD HAVE TO COME THROUGH THE PARKS AND REX DEPARTMENT TO MAKE THE CRITERIA AND QUALIFICATIONS THAT WE'VE IMPOSED BOTH ON NELSON SOFTBALL, THE ZOO AND ON FESTIVAL GARDENS AND BE

STANDALONE. >> IN THAT CASE WHAT YOU ARE RECOMMENDING IS TO ALLOW ALCOHOL AT BIG-LEAGUE FIELD.

>> OKAY. >> AND NOT PUTTING IN THE MOTION ALLOWING ALCOHOL AT BIG-LEAGUE WHEEL FOR BASEBALL ONLY.

IF YOU DO THAT, IF THAT IS IN THE MOTION THAT IT CAN ONLY BE FOR BASEBALL.

IF YOU SAY WE RECOMMEND ALLOWING ALCOHOL IN BIG FIELD AT ROSE PARK TO CITY COUNCIL, THEN IT OPENS IT UP FOR DURING OFF-SEASON THAT WOULD BE PART OF THE MOU THAT WE NEGOTIATE.

IT COULD COME BACK TO STAFF AND PARK'S BOARD IN THOSE SITUATION THAT WOULD BE PART OF THE MO

YOU THAT WE AGREE TO OFF NEXT. >> I THINK I UNDERSTAND.

>> FURTHER QUESTIONS? >> WOULD WE LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO CITY COUNSELOR WILL BE LIKE MORE INFORMATION?

>> I WILL MAKE THE MOTION. THAT WE RECOMMENDED TO CITY COUNCIL FOR THEIR APPROVAL.

>> ON MOTION. >> OKAY.

GOING BACK TO WHAT YOU SAID. I THINK I'M GOING TO REPEAT THIS CORRECTLY.

MAKE A MOTION THAT WE RECOMMEND TO CITY COUNCIL THAT THEY WOULD APPROVE THE SALE OF ALCOHOL AT BIG-LEAGUE FIELD SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS AND STIPULATIONS OF OUR EXISTING PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD REQUIREMENTS AT PUBLIC FACILITIES THAT IS CURRENTLY ON THE BOOKS.

DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? >> YES.

DO YOU WANT THAT LIMITED TO -- ASSUMING -- ASSUMING THE MOU WAS AGREED UPON OR JUST

ALLOWING. >> I ASSUME IT WOULD BE AGREED UPON. I WOULD ADD THAT PART OF IT. YEAH.

IS THAT RIGHT? DOES THAT SOUND GOOD. [LAUGHING]

>> I SECOND YOUR MOTION. YOUR LONG MOTION.

>> I ALWAYS GET THE LONG MOTIONS. [LAUGHING] I DON'T KNOW WHY.

[LAUGHING] >> MOVED TO APPROVE THIS MOTION. EVERYONE SAY AYE OPPOSE?

>> YOU HAVE OUR SUPPORT. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. I LIKE THAT YOU PUT A UT THING

[00:35:06]

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY SOMETHING THAT THERE'S TOO MANY AGGIES IN THE ROOM?

[5. Request to Charge Fees at Festival Gardens (Discussion and Action) • LULAC requests to charge entrance fee ofSlO per person to attend a concert in Festival Gardens ]

>> THAT'S RIGHT. >> WERE GOING TO MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM 5. REQUEST TO CHARGE FEES AT FESTIVAL GARDENS.

>> WE HAVE HAD A REQUEST. AS YOU ALL KNOW THAT LULAC HAS A HUGE TOURNAMENT OVER LABOR DAY WEEKEND. FOR MANY YEARS NOW, THEY HAVE HAD THEIR COACHES MEETING AT FESTIVAL GARDENS ON THE FRIDAY NIGHT LEADING INTO THE LULAC TOURNAMENT.

THIS YEAR THEY'RE REQUESTING TO ALSO HAVE A CONCERT AT FESTIVAL GARDENS BETWEEN WHEN THE COACHES MEETING IS, BUT -- AS THEY ARE HEADING INTO THE KICKOFF FOR THE TOURNAMENT.

THE HOURS ARE NOT COMPLETELY SET, BUT I WAS TOLD MAYBE UP UNTIL ABOUT 11 PM.

IF THEY DO CHOOSE TO HAVE THE CONCERT THERE, THEY ARE REQUESTING TO BE ABLE TO CHARGE A $10 ADMISSIONS. THEREFORE THE REQUEST HAS TO COME TO THE PARK'S BOARD TO BE

APPROVED. >> I MOVE WE ALLOWED THEM TO

CHARGE THE $10. >> MOVED AND SECONDED.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THAT MOTION CARRIES AS WELL.

[6. Request to Rename Arthur Sears Park to Cesar Chavez Park (Discussion and Action) ]

>> WILL MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER SIX REQUEST TO RENAME ARTHUR SEARS PARK TO CESAR CHAVEZ PARK. THIS WILL BE DISCUSSION FROM THE BOARD.

IF YOU COME AS PART OF A COMMENTS SECTION, LIMIT YOUR DISCUSSION TO TWO MINUTES BUT I

BELIEVE WE HAVE A PRESENTATION. >> YES.

WE RECEIVED TWO LETTERS ASKING PARK'S BOARD TO ENTERTAIN THE IDEA OF RENAMING ARTHUR SEARS PARK TO CESAR CHAVEZ PARK. AS YOU KNOW, WE HAD A CESAR CHARVEZ RECREATION CENTER LOCATED IN SOUTH PARK AND DO TO THE BUILDING DETERIORATING WE HAD TO DEMOLISH THE BUILDING SO WERE LOOKING FOR ANOTHER PLACE TO RENT KNOW RENAME TRANSECTS AND RECOGNITION TO HIM AND ALL THAT HE HAS DONE. I BELIEVE THERE ARE A COUPLE PEOPLE HERE THAT WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SPEAK TOWARDS THIS ITEM. BUT WHAT IS BEFORE YOU IS THE

REQUEST TO RENAME THE PARK. >> I WANT TO THANK THE CITY STAFF FOR THEIR RESEARCH. I THINK ALYSSA -- WHO WAS NOTED ON THAT.

THAT WAS A GOOD WORK PRODUCT AND I APPRECIATE IT.

>> I AGREE. >> VERY MUCH.

>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME FORWARD TO SPEAK ON THIS AGENDA ITEM?

>> BILL. YOU KNOW, THIS IS A DIFFICULT THING.

I'VE LIVED THERE ALL MY LIFE. I KNOW THE SEARS FAMILY I KNOW THE CONTRIBUTIONS THEY HAVE MADE IN THE SEARS PARK AREA. THE ROAD THAT GOES BEHIND THE LITTLE LEAGUE FIELD, THE SEARS FAMILY DONATED A LOT OF LAND THAT WAS RIGHT THERE WHICH I'M SURE YOU ARE AWARE OF THAT.

BUT THEY DID NOT DONATE THE LAND WHERE SEARS PARK SITS. THEY DONATED THE LAND SOUTH OF THAT AFTER THE DONUT SHOP. THERE'S A LOT OF HISTORY THAT GOES WITH IT.

WE ARE NOT TRYING TO DIMINISH ANYTHING WITH ARTHUR SEARS. I KNOW HIS FAMILY.

AS A MATTER FACT, I'VE ACQUIRED PROPERTY FROM THEM. HE HAS PASSED.

IT'S A DIFFICULT DECISION TO MAKE BECAUSE OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE FAMILY.

OKAY? AND I UNDERSTAND THAT. BUT I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS NEIGHBORHOOD IS PREDOMINANTLY A HISPANIC NEIGHBORHOOD. WE HAVE A WONDERFUL PARK.

THE STAFF HAS DONE A TREMENDOUS JOB AND YOU ALL HAVE APPROVED A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE GONE ON IN SEARS PARK. BUT WE FEEL THAT THIS WOULD REUNITE THE COMMUNITY WITH THE NAME THAT THEY CAN IDENTIFY WITH. AND ARTHUR SEARS ISN'T GOING AWAY. IN THE HISTORY BOOKS. IT'S BEEN AROUND FOR GOSH, FOR A LONG TIME. SO I'M ASKING THAT WE MOVE FORWARD AND CHANGE THE NAME TO CESAR CHAVEZ. AND I THINK THAT OUR COMMUNITY WILL TAKE ÃMACQUARIE HAVE A LOT OF PRIDE IN THE PARK. WE'VE GOT ONE OF THE BEST PARKS IN TOWN WITH ALL OF THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON. IF YOU HAPPEN TO DRIVE BY AMBLER LOOK AT THE SPLASH PAD.

IT'S A WONDERFUL IDEA. THEY ARE THERE AT 7 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING.

I HEARD THEM SCREAMING LAST NIGHT WHEN THE STORM CAME IN. I COULD HEAR THE KIDS SCRAMBLING AND THAT WAS THAT 5 O'CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON. RESPECTFULLY I ASKED THAT WE DO

[00:40:14]

THE NAME CHANGE. >> I DO HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU. AS A LONGTIME FAMILY FRIEND OF THE SEARS FAMILY, HAVE YOU REACHED OUT TO DISCUSS THIS WITH THEM?

>> NO. I HAVE NOT. DAN WAS MY CONNECTION TO SEARS PARK AND HE HAS PASSED. AND HIS SON AND DAUGHTER -- SOMEWHERE IN THE SAN ANTONIO AREA. IN SOME OF THE -- SOME OF THE OFFSPRINGS OF MR. SEARS, MOST OF THEM ARE GONE. I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYONE LEFT IN THE HODGES FAMILY IN ABILENE. I'M NOT SURE. SO I HAVEN'T REACHED OUT TO THEM. I THINK LESLIE AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT MAYBE SHARING THE NAME, YOU KNOW. BUT WHEN I LOOK AT COBB PARK IT'S CALM PARK TOWARD THE CENTER AND CAR PARK FOR THE PARK. WHEN I LOOK AT THE OTHER PARKS, ROSE PARK IS ROSE PARK. SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SEARS TURN INTO CESR CHARVEZ PARK

AND RECREATION CENTER. >> THANK YOU.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE

THIS MORNING. >> OKAY.

THANK YOU MR. PITTMAN.

>> MY NAME IS SAMUEL GARCIA. JACK GUZMAN, THE PRESIDENT ASKED ME TO ATTEND ON HIS BEHALF. THIS OUGHT TO BE AN EASY VOTE FOR YOU.

THIS IS -- WHEN YOU LOOK AT REPRESENTATION, ESPECIALLY IN A PREDOMINANTLY HISPANIC COMMUNITY YOU ARE HAVING YOUR COMMUNITY THINGS THAT REPRESENT YOU THAT THINGS THAT YOU CAN BE CONNECTED TO. A FEW YEARS AGO, WHEN WE BUILT OUR TEAM IS ELEMENTARY, AIC, WE FOUND A TEACHER WHO REPRESENTED THE ESSENCE OF THAT NEIGHBORHOOD AND SAID YOU KNOW WHAT, WE NEED THE KIDS TO CONNECT TO MARTINEZ. SO IT MADE A LOT OF SENSE THEY COULD RELATE TO HER STORY. THEY COULD RELATE TO HER. THIS IS THE SAME THING THIS IS ABOUT MAKING SURE THE LOCAL COMMUNITY IS ABLE TO RELATE TO SOMEBODY THAT FOUGHT FOR -- CESAR CHARVEZ WAS AN AMAZING HUMAN BEING THAT DID THINGS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT MADE A DIFFERENCE IN ALL WORKERS. NOT JUST HISPANIC WORKERS.

AND I KNOW WHEN I MOVED -- RIGHT AFTER I MOVED HERE IN 2000 THEY NAMED THE PARK -- THE REC CENTER AFTER HIM. THAT GETS CLOSE DOWN. SO THERE IS A LACK OF REPRESENTATION FOR THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY AND THERE IS A -- THERE IS SOMETHING THAT -- THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT. I HAVE HEARD NO OPPOSITION TO IT.

I'M ASSUMING THAT SINCE THE REPRESENTATION FROM THE SEARS SITE IS NOT HERE MAYBE THEY'RE HERE AND THEY'RE GOING TO SPEAK, IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE. YOU CAN'T COME TO A PARK'S BOARD MEETING -- IT INDICATES TO ME THAT MAYBE THERE IS NOT ANY RESISTANCE TO THIS.

SO I THINK THIS IS -- I THINK WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE SOMETHING THAT YOU SHOW THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY THAT YOU WANT TO GIVE THEM SOMETHING THAT THEY CAN RELATE TO.

>> HOLD ON. I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU AS WELL.

I THINK YOU DID BRING UP AN EXCELLENT POINT AS FAR AS THERE'S NOT ANYONE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FOR THIS CONVERSATION. HAVE YOU REACHED OUT TO THEIR FAMILY AS WELL?

>> NO I WOULD NOT KNOW WHERE TO START. AND BECAUSE IT'S NOT -- TO ME, WHEN I LEARNED THAT THE AREA THAT IS BEING CONSIDERED WAS NOT DONATED.

THE PARKS PART WAS NOT DONATED. IT WAS PURCHASED BY THE CITY, A CHUNK OF THAT.

THEN I THOUGHT WELL, THIS IS A CITY PARK. THIS IS SOMETHING WE PURCHASE.

THE FACT THAT IT CAME FROM THE SEARS FAMILY IS NOT A DISRESPECT BUT THE WORLD CHANGES. IN THE COMMUNITY CHANGES. AND IF WE NEVER ADAPT TO THAT WE ARE STILL GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE SCHOOLS NAMED AFTER ROBERT E LEE.

WERE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE SCHOOLS NAMED AFTER CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS WHICH WE ALL PREDOMINATE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY FOUND THAT YOU KNOW WHAT? THAT WAS NOT A GOOD IDEA. SO THE IDEA THAT YOU CAN'T CHANGE THAT YOU CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT THE LOCAL FOLKS THAT ARE PAYING TAXES AND ARE PART OF THE COMMUNITY -- INCLUDING SO MUCH OF THEIR HEART AND SOUL. BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST BECAUSE ABOUT MONEY.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE SPLASH PAD. GOING VISIT THE LITTLE LEAGUE. GO VISIT THE NORTH SIDE LITTLE

[00:45:11]

SEE THE HEART AND SOUL OF WHAT THEY DID. THE CITY HAS DONE A GOOD JOB AND PUT MONEY BACK IN IT. I PUT THOSE FIELDS UP AGAINST ANY AND THE COMMUNITY.

THAT'S NOT JUST FACILITIES THAT YOU PURCHASE THAT'S HEART AND SOUL FROM FAMILIES, MOMS AND DADS, BROTHERS AND SISTERS THAT ARE IN IT. SO THE IDEA THAT THEY -- THEY OWN IT FROM A STANDPOINT OF THEIR HEART AND SOUL BEING IN IT.

SO THIS IS NOT ABOUT NECESSARILY LOOKING AT DISRESPECTING ANYBODY.

THE WORLD CHANGES. AND IF YOU DON'T ADAPT TO THAT THEN YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT EVEN UNDERSTANDING. ONE OF THE SUGGESTIONS WILL BE BILLED MARTIN -- MARTIN MARTIN TO -- ARNAZ ELEMENTARY. WHAT IS THAT MEAN? NOW -- AND I'VE TALKED TO ALL THOSE FOLKS. YOU WANT TO UNDERSTAND HOW WERE THEY GOING TO RELATE TO IT. THEY HAVE A PICTURE OF MR. MARTINEZ UP THERE, THE LADY THAT TALKED AT COLLEGE HEIGHTS THAT UNDERSTOOD WHAT IT MEANT TO TAKE KIDS AND TEACH KIDS.

THAT'S THE SAME IDEA HERE. IF SOMEBODY SEES -- IF THEY SEE CESAR CHARVEZ HIS PHOTOGRAPH HER STORY, THOSE KIDS ARE GOING UNDERSTAND THAT BECAUSE THEIR GRANDMOTHER OR GRANDFATHER WILL RELATE TO THAT. RIGHT NOW THERE'S NOT A WHOLE LOT OF RELATING GOING ON.

I KNOW THAT SOUNDS HARD TO BE ABLE TO SAY WELL, IT'S NOT ABOUT DISRESPECTING THAT FAMILY COMMENTS ABOUT MAKING THE RIGHT CHANGE AT A TIME WHEN IT'S DIFFERENT.

IT IS NOT THE SAME DEMOGRAPHIC THAT IT WAS PROBABLY WHEN IT WAS FIRST NAMED.

>> OKAY. THANK YOU.

>> UH-UH. [AFFIRMATIVE]. .

>> I DO HAVE A QUESTION. WITH REFERENCE TO A DAVID ASKED, DO WE KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY -- I MEAN, IT'S A MATTER OF -- WE HAVE A PRESIDENT SAID WITH PREVIOUS PARKS WE HAVE DONE THINGS LIKE THIS AND WE HAD TO CHECK WITH HER MAKE EVERY EFFORT THAT WE COULD TO AT LEAST REACH OUT TO FAMILY MEMBERS THAT ARE RELATED. HAVE WE -- IS THERE ANY --

>> NOT. >> FAMILY REPRESENTATION LEFT

THAT WE WOULD NOT WANT TO. >> WE -- STAFF HAS NOT ATTEMPTED TO REACH OUT TO ANY FAMILY MEMBERS OR TO ANY -- TRY AND DO ANY SEARCH TO SEE IF THERE ARE FAMILY MEMBERS HERE.

WE DID DO RESEARCH ON THE PROPERTY AND MRS. SEARS HAD DONATED LAND TO THE CITY, BUT -- IN 1949. THAT WAS NOT WHERE THEY WANTED TO ESTABLISH A PART.

SO THEY DONATED THE LAND BACK AND PURCHASE THIS PROPERTY. IN THE DEED, WE COULD NOT FIND ANY RESTRICTIONS ON THE NAME. THAT WAS BACK IN 1949.

SO AS FAR AS RESEARCH ABOUT THE ABILITY FOR A PARKS' BOARD TO CONSIDER THIS, WE ARE ABLE TO DO THAT BECAUSE THERE ARE NO RESTRICTIONS BUT WE HAVE NOT REACHED OUT TO ATTEMPT TO

LOCATE ANY FAMILY IN THE AREA. >> I KNOW WE HAVE DONE THAT IN THE PAST WHENEVER THIS HAS COME, TWO OR THREE YEARS AGO THERE WAS AN ISSUE THAT CAME UP WITH A PIECE OF LAND I THINK OVER SOUTHWEST DRIVE IS THAT WHERE IT WAS?

>> I'M TRYING TO REMEMBER EXACTLY WHERE WAS.

>> I DON'T REMEMBER. >> ANYWAY.

I KNOW THERE WAS A PRECEDENT SET ON THAT.

I MEAN, JUST TO BE -- I'M NOT OPPOSED. I'M NOT SEEKING THIS AS AN OPPOSITION TO DOING THIS IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THAT -- CANNOT QUESTION WHAT MR. GARCIA SAID, ABOUT THE FAMILY BEING IN COMFORT IF THERE IS FAMILY HERE THAT WE LOOK INTO THAT.

>> I AGREE. >> JUST FROM A COURTESY STANDPOINT AND FOLLOWING A PRECEDENT THAT WAS SET BEFORE BEFORE WE MAKE A RECOMMENDATION. ONCE AGAIN, I'M NOT OPPOSED TO SPEAKING OUT IN OPPOSITION OF THIS. I DON'T WANT TO CONSTRUED AS THAT AT ALL.

SO I WOULD JUST RATHER BE SAFE THAN SORRY AND CREATED CONTROVERSY THAT DOESN'T NEED

TO BE CREATED. >> OKAY.

>> I AM IN AGREEMENT. I WOULD FEEL BETTER IF I KNEW AT LEAST AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO

CONTACT FAMILY. >> AND BY THE WAY, I DO RECOGNIZE AND AGREE WITH THE TENET OF WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO HERE WITH HONORING CESAR

[00:50:08]

OUT IDEAS OUT. >> NAME THE REC CENTER CESAR

CHARVEZ. >> YOU NEED TO COME TO THE

MICROPHONE. >> GARY I'D LET YOU LOOK AT IT THIS WAY. COMP PARK IS COMP PARK. SEARS PARK -- SO WHEN I CENTER THE -- IF WE HAD TO DO A COMPROMISE, THAT WOULD BE A GOOD COMPROMISE.

BUT I FEEL LIKE IF WE COULD JUST RENAME THE WHOLE PARK, WE WOULD BE IN A BETTER SITUATION INSTEAD OF TRYING TO SAY WELL LET'S MEET OVER AT SEARS PARK BECAUSE IT'S STILL GOING TO BE SEARS PARK. IF WE CHANGE IT TO CESAR CHARVEZ IT'S GOING TO BE LET'S MEET OVER A CESAR CHARVEZ AND THERE'S NOT A DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE REC CENTER IN THE PARK. IT'S ALL ONE UNIT.

>> JUST TO CLARIFY UNTO -- MR. HENRIQUEZ IS RIGHT. SEARS RECREATION CENTER IN SEARS PARK, COMP RECREATION CENTER IS IN COMP PARK. BUT JUST FOR TRANSPARENCY, CESAR CHAVEZ WAS LOCATED IN SOUTH PARK AND GD DANIELS REC CENTER IS LOCATED IN CARVER

PARK. >> WE ARE SPLIT 50-50 ON THAT.

SO THAT IS AN OPTION. >> THANK YOU.

>> ONE OTHER THOUGHT IS THE AGENDA SAYS REQUEST TO RENAME SEARS PARK TO CESAR CHARVEZ AND WE HAVEN'T SPECIFIED RENAMING THE REC CENTER AS AN OPTION. MY SUGGESTION, IF YOU WANT TO CONSIDER THAT IS TO PUT IT BACK ON THE AGENDA SO BOTH OPTIONS WOULD BE ON THE AGENDA.

>> FOR OUR NEXT MEETING? >> THAT'S UP TO YOU.

>> I'M JUST SAYING THE CITY IS NOT ON THE AGENDA. SO I WOULD SUGGEST IF YOU WANT TO EXPLORE THAT, GO AHEAD AND BRING IT UP ON A LATER AGENDA. IF YOU WANT TO ADD THAT OPTION.

>> RIGHT. >> WELL I WOULD ENCOURAGE STAFF AGAIN, HEAR MY HEART, BILL. PI JUST FEEL LIKE I WOULD LIKE TO DIRECT STAFF TO PULL OUT ALL THE STOPS TO FIND FAMILY AND IF NONE EXISTS, THAT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT -- THAT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT ISSUE. BUT I THINK OUT OF RESPECT, WE WOULD DO THAT FOR ANY PARK FOR COMP PARK -- FOR STEVENS, FOR ANY OF THAT. SO I THINK I WOULD LIKE TO DIRECT STAFF TO FIND IF THERE ARE ANY LIVING RELATIVES ESPECIALLY THOSE HERE IF THERE ARE SOME IN ABILENE. AND AT LEAST CONSULT WITH THEM AND ASK THEM ABOUT THAT.

IF WE FIND THEM. IF WE DON'T FIND ANY, THEN YOU KNOW, HERE WE GO.

WE CAN DO THAT. >> AND I DO LIKE BRINGING BACK OPTIONS JUST FOR NO OTHER REASON I DO APPRECIATE YOUR TIME THIS MORNING.

>> DO WE NEED A MOTION? >> WILL NEED A MOTION IN ONE

DIRECTION RATHER. >> KELLY DO WE NEED A MOTION?

>> WILL YOU CAN GO WITH THE DIRECTION TO BRING IT BACK OR YOU CAN TABLE IT UNTIL THE NEXT MEETING OR YOU CAN TABLE IT TO A CERTAIN DAY BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A MOTION TO TABLE

IT. >> I WOULD JUST SUGGEST FOR THE RECORD THAT WE DIRECT STAFF TO RESEARCH ANY ERRORS, ANY DESCENDENTS FROM THAT STANDPOINT. AND I THINK -- IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, BASICALLY, IT'S

ESSENTIALLY TABLING IT. >> WHILE I MEAN, YOU ARE ASKING STAFF TO BRING IT BACK. SO YEAH. YOU CAN SAY TABLE IT UNTIL THE NEXT MEETING AND THEN PUT IT ON THE NEXT MEETING.

>> WHATEVER. >> OF LESLIE THINKS THAT'S -- SO -- I THINK WE HAD A MOTION? [LAUGHING] DID WE HAVE A MOTION OR -- IT WAS WITHDRAW THE

[00:55:02]

MOTION OR IS THERE A SECOND? >>.

>> CAN WE SAY UNTIL THE STAFF IS DONE THE RESEARCH?

>> WHY DON'T I CHANGE IT TO A RECOMMENDATION UNTIL -- THAT WE TABLE IT UNTIL WE HAVE FURTHER

INFORMATION. >> SOUNDS GOOD.

>> AGREED. WE WILL TABLE IT. WE WILL BRING YOU BACK TO OUR NEXT MEETING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR -- THE INFORMATION.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE. SO, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT UP.

AND I APPRECIATE YOUR LETTER AND THE OTHER LETTER AS WELL.

>> WELL DONE AND WELL SAID. >> I LOVE THAT WE HAVE INTERACTION IN THESE MEETINGS. IT MAKES MY DAY. SO WELL DONE.

[7. Aquatics Report (Discussion) • Adventure Cove ]

>> WE WILL MOVE ON TO OUR NEXT ITEM. THAT WILL BE THE BEGINNING OF OUR REPORTS. AND SO, LET'S GO AHEAD AND LOOK AT THE AQUATICS REPORT.

THIS WILL BE JUST A DISCUSSION. >> GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.

>> IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL. >> LET ME TAKE THIS OFF -- WELL

I CAN SEE IT NOW. >> ADVENTURE COVE. WE ARE STILL GOING THROUGH OUR AQUATIC SEASON AS YOU ALL KNOW WE STARTED OUT WITH LESS GUARDS AND STAFF. WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STAY RIGHT ON TOP OF THE BUBBLE AND MAKE THINGS HAPPEN. SO WE ARE STILL GOING. WE START OUR WEEKENDS ONLY THIS WEEKEND. WE JUST FINISHED UP WITH A COUPLE OF SPECIAL EVENTS THAT WE HAVE HAD. LAST FRIDAY WE DID OUR -- ANOTHER DIVE IN MOVIE.

IT WAS THE PEANUTS MOVIE. WE DIDN'T HAVE AS MANY PEOPLE AS WE NORMALLY WOULD HAVE AT THE OTHERS, BUT I THINK THE LAST COUNT WAS LIKE 137 PEOPLE. IT WAS NICE AND PEACEFUL AND QUIET. I SIT THERE AND I ENJOYED MOST OF THAT MOVIE UNTIL I HAD TO LEAVE RIGHT BEFORE 10 O'CLOCK AND GO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER. BUT IT WAS NICE.

IT REALLY WAS. SO THE PEOPLE ARE STILL COMING. LET'S SEE HERE.

I WILL OPEN OUR LAST FULL DAY WILL BE LABOR DAY WHICH IS MONDAY THE SIXTH.

THAT'S MY BIRTHDAY. SO I GUESS I HAVE TO WORK ON MY BIRTHDAY BUT THAT'LL BE OUR LAST FULL DAY AND ON THE FOLLOWING WEEKEND WILL HAVE TO SPLASH WHICH WE ALWAYS END THE SUMMER WITH. I KNOW THAT WILL BE A GOOD EVENT.

IT ALWAYS IS. SENIORS. OUR SENIORS HAVE BEEN PRETTY

[8. Seniors Report (Discussion) • Program Activities • Senior Talent Show ]

WE HAD OUR TALENT SHOW COMING UP THIS SATURDAY. IT'S GOING TO BE AT THE CENTER THIS YEAR. I THINK IT'S 1 O'CLOCK. IT'S 1 O'CLOCK OR TWO.

THAT WAY WE'LL GET A GOOD SEAT. THEY'RE EXCITED. WE NORMALLY HAVE 20 ACTS WHEN WE DO IT. BUT WE HAD 37 AUDITIONS. SO WE BUMPED IT UP TO 24 ACTS THAT WE WILL HAVE THIS SATURDAY. AND IT IS DISAPPOINTING WHEN YOU HAVE SOME THAT DON'T MAKE THE SHOW. BUT THEY GO AFTER IT EVERY YEAR AND THEY'RE NOT DISAPPOINTED. IT'S A COMPETITIVE THING. SO IF YOU CAN COME OUT SATURDAY

COME OUT. >> WHAT TIME? I THINK IT'S AT 2 O'CLOCK BUT I'M TELLING YOU TO COMMENT ONE. THAT WAY I KNOW YOU WON'T MISS IT. I KNOW IT'S 1 O'CLOCK. IT'S ALWAYS A GOOD SHOW EVERY YEAR. WE DID NOT GET TO HAVE IT LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

AND SO WE DECIDED TO DOWNGRADE A LITTLE BIT AND HAVE IT AT THE CENTER THIS YEAR.

AND THE PEOPLE ARE EXCITED ABOUT HAVING IT AT THE CENTER. SO WE WENT IN THERE AND WE -- I THINK IT'S 103 CHAIRS THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO SET UP WILL PUT A STATION THERE AND WE'VE GOT EVERYTHING GOING ON THIS WEEK WE ARE MOVING THINGS AROUND AND DECORATING AND GETTING READY.

SO IF YOU CAN COME OUT WE'D LIKE TO SEE YOU COME OUT. IT'S A GREAT SHOW.

GEMINI QUESTIONS? I DON'T THINK SO.

[9. Parks Report (Discussion) • Minter Park • Redbud Park • Sculpture Replacement • Scars Park ]

>> GOOD JOB. WE WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR PARKS REPORT GOOD MORNING.

SO, IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS WE BEEN DOING SOME PROJECTS ONE OF THEM WAS THE

[01:00:07]

WE HAVE SOME VANDALISM THROUGHOUT ALL OF OUR PARKS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT ONE OF OUR GUYS DO AND A LOT OF TIMES WE POWER WASH A LOT OF THE STUFF OFF.

AT REDBUD PARK IT WOULD NOT COME OFF. SO THE GUYS USED A MIXTURE OF CONCRETE WITH WATER, CHOSE TO USE IT AS A COATING TO COVER THAT UP AND THEY DONE A GOOD JOB ON THAT. SO WE STARTED USING THAT WHEREVER WE NEED AND SEE FIT THAT IT NEEDS TO BE USED THE MONUMENTS THROUGH SOUTH SEAT ARE CHANGE EVERY YEAR.

AND WE ASSISTED OUR ARTISTS IN CHANGING ONE OF THESE OUT WITH A NEW DISPLAY.

ACTUALLY WE DID THIS PAST MONTH. SO IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT OUR GUYS DO AS WELL. WE WORK IN CONJUNCTION TO HELP AND DO THIS AS WELL.

>> WE HAD SOME REQUESTS TO KIND OF SHORE UP A LITTLE BIT OF -- THE PATHWAY THAT GOES ONTO THE BRIDGE AT SEARS PARK. IT WAS ASPHALT AND IT WAS FAILING.

AND WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THOSE -- THE WALKING PATHS OUT AT SEARS AND SOME OTHER PARTS WITH CONCRETE. SO I TASKED STAFF TO OUT THERE AND KIND OF CREATE A BETTER SITUATION THEREFORE PEOPLE WITH WHEELCHAIRS AND MOTORIZED WHEELCHAIRS TO GO THROUGH OUR BRIDGE THERE AND THEY HAVE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB OF DOING THAT.

YOU CAN SEE THAT THE CONCRETE THAT THEY INSTALL -- AND THEY ALSO FABRICATED THOSE RAILS THEY ARE ON THE SIDES AS WELL. WE WERE DOING THAT ON BOTH SIDES, GETTING A LOT OF COMPLIMENTS FROM THE PEOPLE THAT USE THOSE WALKING PATHS OUT THERE.

IT'S A GOOD JOB BY THE GUYS. THAT'S PRETTY MUCH WHAT'S GOING ON IN OUR WORLD OF PARKS.

>> I AM ALWAYS BLOWN AWAY BY WHAT YOU CAN DO. WE NEED TO FIX ILLINOIS AND PLUMBING LET'S BUILD SOME RAILS, LET'S TEAR DOWN SCULPTURES.

IT'S LIKE THEY ARE GOOD AT EVERYTHING. WELL DONE.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF GUYS THAT DO A LOT OF THINGS WELL. AND IT'S A.

>> DO YOU DO HOME RENOVATIONS TOO? [LAUGHING]

>> I'M SURE SOME OF THOSE GUYS WILL DO THAT IF YOU ASKED THEM. BUT WE HAVE A GREAT STAFF.

WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE TALENTED AND DIFFERENT THINGS. IT'S A GOOD THING FOR US.

>> IT'S AWESOME. >> THANK YOU.

[10. Recreation Report (Discussion) • After School Program • Haunted Half Marathon ]

>> WE WILL MOVE ON TO OUR RECREATION REPORT.

>> GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. AND HALL RECREATION MANAGER. WE COMPLETED -- CAMPUS IN THE BOOKS. EVERYBODY'S READY TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND WE ARE HAVING AFTERSCHOOL AT ALL FOR RECORD CENTERS,.

AND WE ARE FILLING UP AS WE SPEAK. EVERYONE GETTING READY TO TRANSITION. GETTING ALL OF OUR SCHOOL SUPPLIES READY.

TIME TO GET OFF YOUR RUNNING SHOES AND GET THE DUST OFF. AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT COSTUME YOU'RE GOING TO BE IN.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR THAT AND IT WILL BE ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9.

ANY QUESTIONS? MICHAEL, WE HAVE A SPOT SAVED FOR YOU?

>> WE WILL SEE. >>.

[LAUGHING] QUICK SUMMARY. THANK YOU.

[11. Zoo Report (Discussion) • Philharmonic Concerts • Animal Updates • Annual Attendance ]

>> WELL DONE. >> I WILL COME SUPPORT YOU IF

YOU DO THIS. >> I FEEL LIKE THE TIN MAN LATELY. THE JOINTS.

>> LET'S MOVE ON TO ITEM 11. THAT'S THE OG REPORT.

>> ZOO DIRECTOR. OUR ROCK 'N' ROLL CONCERT SERIES ENDED BUT WE ARE GOING INTO OUR NEW CONCERT SERIES, THIS IS A SILVER LINING TO COVID.

[01:05:06]

THEY REACHED OUT TO US DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC AND WE SAID LET'S BRING PHILHARMONIC CENTERS TO THE ZOO. THESE ARE THE TWO DATES. THEY ARE SEPTEMBER 18 AS WELL AS OCTOBER 2. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO COME OUT. IT'S ALONG THE LAKE WALL.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL EVENING AND PHILHARMONIC CENTERS PUTS ON A GREAT SHOW.

>> RECENTLY WE ACQUIRED A NEW BIRD. THIS IS A MACAW SPEED.

SHE IS A MILITARY MCCALL. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE FAMILIAR WITH THEM.

WE HAD A SCARLET MACAW. RECENTLY WE LOST OUR SCARLET MACAW.

WE WERE LOOKING FOR A PARTNER IN A FAMILY HAD A SAME SIMILAR SITUATION WHERE THEY LOST A PARTNER MACAW AND THEY REACHED OUT TO US AND SAID WE NO LONGER WANT TO CARE FOR THIS BIRD.

THEY LIVE A LONG TIME. WE BROUGHT IN THIS BIRD AND I DON'T RECALL HER NAME.

SHE'S A BEAUTIFUL BIRD AND HOPEFULLY SHE'S IN QUARANTINE RIGHT NOW SHOULD BE IN DISPLAY IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS. AS WELL AS THESE BEAUTIFUL CHICKS.

THESE ARE OUR GROUND DWELLING -- GROUND DWELLING SPECIES. WE HAVE THEM AROUND THE DRAFT TERRACE AREA WITH THE BLUE DIAPERS. WE RECENTLY LOST OUR MAIL SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. AND HOPEFULLY ONE OF THESE TWO CHICKS IS A MALE.

THE ZOO BREEDS THEM WELL. THEY'RE PART OF OUR SPECIES SURVIVAL PLAN.

THEY'RE LOOKING FOR HANDOUTS FOR THE ZOO OR AN INSTITUTION TO HAND-REAR THEM.

OUR BIRD SPECIALIST WENT TO DALLAS AND PICKED UP THE EGGS AND INCUBATED THEM AND HATCHED THEM AT THE ABILENE ZOO. THEY ARE CARING FOR THEM AND HOPEFULLY ONE OF THESE GUYS IS A MALE AND HE'LL JOIN THE FEMALE AND WE WILL SURPLUS THE OTHER OUT TO AN INSTITUTION THAT IS CREDITED BY AZA.

LAST WE WANT TO SHOW YOU GUYS HOW THE ZOO IS DOING ATTENDANCE WISE.

WE ARE PROJECTING A RECORD SEASON IN THE HISTORY BOOKS OF THE ABILENE ZOO.

BACK IN 18 TO 19 WE HAD ABOUT 207,000 AND THAN THE PANDEMIC WE HAD HUNDRED 57, BUT THE ZOO AT THE MOST IS HAD ABOUT 249 THIS YEAR WERE PROJECTING AT LEAST 250,000.

I THINK IT WILL BE MORE THAN THAT. SO YOU CAN SEE THE BLUE LINES, AS THEY GO UP, WE'VE DONE A LOT OF GREAT THINGS. OCTOBER WE ALLOCATED WHO AT THE ZOO? WE ADDED A CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION AND IN MARCH WE SPRING BREAK EVERYBODY I THINK EVERYBODY WAS READY TO GET OUT OF THEIR HOMES AND ENJOY OUTDOOR EVENTS. WE DID HAVE A RECORD JULY, WHICH TYPICALLY IS THE HOTTEST MONTH. WE DID HAVE GREAT WEATHER. I CAN'T SAY I DID GREAT RINGS.

I THINK WE HAD GREAT WEATHER IN JULY. SO YOU WILL SEE THE TRENDS AND WERE PROJECTING AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER WILL BE RECORD-SETTING.

THAT IS IT. >> QUITE A FEW MONTHS THIS YEAR

HAVE BEEN GREAT WEATHER. >> AT LEAST.

>> AT LEAST THE LAST THREE YEARS SURPASSING ANY PREVIOUS.

>> YES. >> THE PREVIOUS TWO YEARS.

WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MAYBE JUNE, WHICH WAS PRETTY CLOSE TO 2018, 2019.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE CHARTS THERE. CONGRATULATIONS.

THAT'S EXCEPTIONAL. THAT IS GREAT. GLAD TO SEE IT.

>> IT IS OUTSTANDING. ARE YOU SEEING A HIGHER NUMBER OF ZOO MEMBERSHIPS AS WELL.

>> YES. >> WITH THE EVENTS BEING ADDED ON WE HAVE GIVEN HUGE DISCOUNTS FOR MEMBERS. WE FEEL THAT'S OUT OF THE VALUE OF THE MEMBERSHIP. SO PEOPLE REALIZE I MIGHT AS WELL GET THE DISCOUNT AND COME BACK ALL YEAR. WE ARE DOING VERY WELL AS WELL.

>> THAT'S AWESOME. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR

JESSE? >> CRUSHED IT.

WELL DONE. GREAT JOB.

>> THAT CONCLUDES OUR REPORTS FOR THIS MORNING. ARE THERE ANY OTHER ITEMS THAT ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO BRING AT THE AGENDA THIS MORNING?

>> ON MOVE WE CHAIR. >> SECONDED FROM EVERYBODY.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE OPPOSE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME THIS MORNING.

WE WILL

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.