Apr 19, 2022 Parks and Recreation

[CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:10]

>> THIS MEETING OF OUR PARK AND RECREATION BOARD WE'RE GOING TO

START OUT WITH OUR INVOCATION. >> FATHER WE THANK YOU IF THIS DAY, WE THANK YOU FOR THE SPRING AND FOR THE WEATHER THAT GREETS A NEW BEGINNING. FATHER WE JUST PRAY FOR RAIN FOR OUR LAND. LORD WE'RE IN NEED OF IT.

LORD WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD OPEN UP THE HEAVENS AND SHOWER RAIN UPON OUR LAND AND OUR COMMUNITY. FATHER WE JUST PRAY FOR GUIDANCE AND WISDOM AS WE MAKE DECISIONS TODAY.

FATHER WE JUST ASK THAT WE WOULD HONOR YOU IN ALL THAT WE IN THAT AREA. BLESS EACH ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE TODAY. THANK YOU FOR THE VOLUNTEERS AND PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT ARE INTERESTED IN MAKING ABILENE BETTER. GUIDE US AND LEAD US AND WE

THANK YOU IN JESUS' NAME. >> GOOD MORNING, THANK Y'ALL FOR

[PUBLIC COMMENTS]

I WILL ACKNOWLEDGE WE'LL HAVE SOME TIME FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON AGENDA ITEMS 3-R 3, 4 AND 5 LATN THE MEETING.

AT THIS TIME ANYONE CAN COME FORWARD ABOUT ANYTHING ON THE

AGENDA. >> HELLO, GOOD MORNING.

I JUST WANTED TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY AND INTRODUCE MYSELF. MY NAME IS ROBERT LOPEZ AND I AM THE NEW VICE PRESIDENT OF THE ABILENE CONVENTION OF VISITORS BUREAU. MY FIRST DAY WAS MARCH 21ST SO I'M PRETTY CLOSE TO ABOUT A MONTH IN.

AND EVERYTHING I'VE HEARD ABOUT THE COMMUNITY AND EVERYTHING THAT DREW ME TO THIS COMMUNITY IS RIGHT.

ITS PEOPLE ARE PRETTY AMAZING AND VERY HELPFUL.

A LITTLE HISTORY ABOUT ME, I COME FROM MCALLEN TEXAS WAY DOWN IN THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY WHERE I SERVED FOR TEN YEARS, SEVEN OF THOSE YEARS DIRECTOR OF SALES AND THREE AS VICE PRESIDENT OF THE ORGANIZATION. AND AS MY WORK HISTORY PERTAINS TO PARKS AND REC. MCALLEN I HAD A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT.

I OWE A LOT OF SUCCESS TO THE PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT.

WE HAD A BOOMING SPORTS TOURISM INDUSTRY IN SOUTH TEXAS.

IT DIDN'T REALLY EXIST UNTIL THE PARKS DEPARTMENT OPENED A NINE FIELD MULTISPORT COMPLEX FOR FIELD SPORTS.

AND THEN SOFTBALL AND BASEBALL COMPLEX SOON TO COME IN THE FUTURE. I ATTENDED EVERY PARKS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING, MADE SURE I KNEW EVERYTHING THAT WAS GOING ON.

YOU'LL SEE MY FACE HERE A LOT SO I KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON AND I'M UP TO DATE ON ALL THE LATEST HAPPENINGS.

WHAT I REALLY LOVE ABOUT PARKS AND REC IS THAT I'VE LEARNED THEY DO A LOT MORE THAN JUST PARKS YOU SEE.

YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THE MAINTENANCE AROUND TOWN, YOU KNOW, MAKING THE CITY LOOK BEAUTIFUL, PARKS AND REC REC HAA LOT TO DO WITH THAT. I HAVE FONDNESS FOR THE GUYS OUT THERE THAT ARE AT THE PARKS ALL DAY LONG IN THE SUN AND THE COLD. YOU KNOW, HOPEFULLY IN THE RAIN SOMETIMES, TOO. BUT THEY'RE OUT THERE DOING THE HARD WORK. I WAS OUT THERE WITH THEM AND I LEARNED A LOT FROM THEM. ONE QUICK STORY, WE HAD A TOURNAMENT THAT HAPPENED ON A SATURDAY AND THEN SUNDAY MORNING I SHOW UP AT 7:00 A.M., AND THERE WAS TRASH LEFT OVER FROM THE TOURNAMENT THE NIGHT BEFORE. AND IT WAS TWO GUYS COVERING THIS 40-ACRE COMPLEX. AND I SAID, HEY, GUYS WE NEED TO PICK UP THE TRASH BEFORE THE CARS -- BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL PEOPLE DRIVE BY AND SEE IT. WE NEED TO PICK THAT TRASH UP.

THEY WERE LIKE, YEAH, WE GOT IT, DON'T WORRY.

I TRUSTED THEM. I DON'T KNOW HOW THESE GUYS ARE GOING TO DO THAT IN THE NEXT 20 MINUTES.

WELL, THEY PULLED OUT THE BLOWER AND THEN THEY JUST BLEW IT ALL INTO ONE CORNER OF THE PARK AND PICKED IT UP.

AND I SAID, WOW, THEY KNOW HOW TO WORK SMART, NOT HARD.

THEY'VE DONE THIS A FEW TIMES. THE POINT OF THE STORY IS I LEARNED A LOT FROM PARK AND RECY. HOPE TALEARN A LOT FROM TW ABILENE PARK AND RECS OPERATE. I ALWAYS KNOW PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENTS AS DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP, HELP OTHER DEPARTMENTS ACCOMPLISH THEIR GOALS, ALWAYS.

AND I'VE ADOPTED THAT MOTTO FROM LEARNING THAT FROM PARKS AND RE KRERKS. REC.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU BE SUCCESSFUL? I SAY THAT TO YOU. WE'RE HAPPY TO HELP, THAT'S WHAT

[00:05:01]

>> WELCOME TO ABILENE. >> MY FAVORITE PART OF YOUR STORY AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE FOLKS THAT ARE ACTUALLY DOING THE WORK AND THAT WE GET SOME OF THE CREDITS.

BUT FOR THE FOLKS THAT ARE AT THE BACK OF THE ROOM AND PEOPLE HERE IN ABILENE WE HAVE SOME OF THE HARDEST WORKING FOLKS IN THE COUNTRY AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED. THANKS FOR COMING SCWEER EXCITED AND WE'REEXCITED TO HAVE YOU IN. ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS THAT WOULD LIKE TO BE MADE. APPEARS THERE ARE NONE.

WE'LL MOVE ON TO OUR FORMAL MEETING.

[1. Minutes (Discussion and Action)]

>> I MOVE WE APPROVE THE MINUTES.

>> SECONDED. >> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

[EXECUTIVE SESSION]

ONE, THE MASTER PLAN 551.071. CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY.

551.072 DELIBERATIONS ABOUT REAL PROPERTY.

WE'LL RECONVENE HERE >> WE55.071 CONSULTATION WITH AN ATTORNEY. 55.072 DLIB DELIBERATIONS ABOUL PROPERTY. NO ACTIONS WERE TAKEN DURING

[3. Request to Rename Lee Park (Discussion, Public Hearing, and Action)]

REQUEST TO RENAME LEE PARK. >> BEFORE YOU IS THE MAP OF LEE PARK. THERE HAS BEEN A LITTLE CONFUSION IN THE PAST ON THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LEE PARK AND LEE COMPLEX. LEE CLEKS HCOMPLEX IS NAMED STAD COMPLEX. IT IS MANAGED BY THE CITY.

LEE PARK IS UNDER THE GOVERNANCE OF THE PARK AND RECREATION BOARD AND MANAGED BY THE CITY. JUST TO GIVE A LITTLE TIMELINE ON WHERE WE ARE, ON DECEMBER 21ST, 2021, PARKS AND REC FACILITY ADOPTED THE NAMING POLICY ON JANUARY 18TH AN APPLICATION WAS PRESENTED TO CHANGE THE NAME OF LEE PARK TO STAFFORD PARK. MARCH 15, THE APPLICATION PRESENTED TO RENAME LEE PARK TO VALENTINE PARK.

PARKS BOARD CHOSE ACCORDING TO THE POLICY TO NAME A SUBCOMMITTEE. THAT SUBCOMMITTEE MET ON APRIL 12TH. ON APRIL 19TH WHICH IS TODAY IS THE FIRST READING AND PUBLIC HEARING BY THE POLICY TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSALS ON RENAMING LEE PARK TO EITHER STAFFORD PARK OR VALENTINE PARK. AND THEN ASSUMING THAT Y'ALL VOTE TO MOVE THIS FORWARD, A SECOND READING AND FINAL READING AND PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED FOR MAY 17TH.

WE DO HAVE WILLIE FORD HERE TODAY.

HE WAS ON THE SUBCOMMITTEE AND WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A

PRESENTATION FROM THAT MEETING. >> THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS WILL FORD.

I RECENTLY RETIRED FROM THE ABILENE POLICE DEPARTMENT AFTER ALMOST 37 YEARS. I CURRENTLY WORK AS AN INVESTIGATOR WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

I WAS ASKED TO SERVE ON THE SUBCOMMITTEE IN REFERENCE TO THIS AGENDA ITEM. AND WE MET.

AS HAS BEEN SAID ON APRIL 12TH.

AND WE DISCUSSED THE MATTER. AFTER LOOKING OVER ALL THE INFORMATION THAT WE WERE GIVEN, WE MADE A UNANIMOUS DECISION TO NAME THE PARK AFTER COACH VALENTINE.

WE DECIDED BOTH PARTIES ARE VERY WELL DESERVING OF HAVING THE PARK NAMED AFTER THEM. BUT WE CONSIDERED SEVERAL THINGS IN ORDER TO MAKE OUR DECISION. ONE BEING COACH -- ONE OF THE CRITERIA FOR HAVING A PARK NAMED AFTER YOU IS THAT YOU MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION DIVISION.

COACH VALENTINE SERVED AT STEVENSON PARK FOR OVER 23

[00:10:04]

ALSO, COACH VALENTINE WOULD REPRESENT AN ERA -- I UNDERSTAND HE RETIRES IN 1987. SO YOU HAD A WHOLE GENERATION OF PEOPLE FROM '87 BACK THAT KNEW OR WAS COACHED OR AFFECTED -- IN SOME WAY. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS CONSIDERED WAS THE FACT THAT, AGAIN, THE STAFFORDS, TOTALLY DESERVING OF THE HONORS THEY'VE BEEN GIVEN.

WE KNOW THAT THE STREET, A STREET HERE IN ABILENE, STAFFORD STREET, WHICH IS IN FRONT OF MT. ZION BAPTIST CHURCH WHERE I ATTEND IS NAMED AFTER THE STAFFORDS, AND RIGHTFULLY SO.

AS LESLIE HAS JUST STATED, THE SCHOOL, LEE SCHOOL HAS BEEN NAMED AFTER THE STAFFORDS AS WELL AS LEE COMPLEX.

WE FELL LIKE IT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THE WEALTH, SO TO SPEAK, IN HONORING COACH VALENTINE AND HAVING SOMEONE ELSE OF HIS STATURE TO BE ABLE TO BE RECOGNIZED AS WELL.

WE WERE UNANIMOUS IN OUR THOUGHTS, AND OUR RECOMMENDATIONS ON THIS MATTER. THANK YOU.

>> MR. FORD ON BEHALF OF THE COMMITTEE, THE BOARD, WE APPRECIATE YOU AND THE REST OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING AND THE TIME YOU TOOK TO THINK THROUGH THIS AND FOR YOUR SUGGESTION.

I KNOW IT'S NOT AN EASY DECISION.

OBVIOUSLY, WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND YOUR THOUGHT TO THIS.

AT THIS TIME WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF PUBLIC HEARING.

ANYONE IS INVITE TODAY COME VITED TO COME SPEAK.WE ASK YOU O TWO MINUTES OR LESS AND WE'LL GO FORWARD WITH THE REST OF OUR

MEETING. >> GOOD MORNING.

PARKS AND RECS BOARD, MY NAME IS SHAWNTE FOR THE RECORD.

I'M HERE IN PLACE OF DR. JACKSON.

AND WE KNOW THAT THIS IS A HARD CHOICE RENAMING THE PARK.

I THINK WHEN DR. JACKSON STARTED THE WHOLE SCHOOL NAME CHANGE AND THE WHOLE NAME CHANGING, HE JUST WANTED TO PAY HOMAGE TO THE WHOLE STAFFORD FAMILY. AND THE WHOLE POINT WAS THE LEGACY HAS ALWAYS BEEN LEE ELEMENTARY, LEE PARK, LEE COMPLEX. KEEPING THAT TRILOGY RIGHT THERE. WE DIDN'T KNOW -- I DIDN'T KNOW A LOT ABOUT COACH VALENTINE. I STARTED TO DO SOME RESEARCH.

AFTER THE LAST MEETING. AND IT'S JUST AN HONOR, PEERED, NAMING A PARK AFTER OUR BLACK LEADERS THAT SERVED AND DONE SO MUCH BEFORE ABILENE -- SO WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE NAME CHANGE.

I JUST WANTED TO GIVE REFERENCE FOR DR. JACKSON FOR ALL HIS HARD WORK HE DID TRYING TO COME AND DO THE RIGHT THING IN KEEPING 2G THE WHOLE TRILOGY, STAFFORD PARK, STAFFORD COMPLEX.

I KNOW HOW HARD HE WORKED ON THIS AND WE ARE STILL GRATEFUL FOR THE VALENTINE PARK. WE ARE LOOKING TO, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER WE HAVE TO DO TO WORK TOGETHER.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BETTERMENT OF ABILENE.

GETTING THE WHOLE NAME LEE OFF IS THE WHOLE GOAL.

STLAWAS LONG AS WE DID THAT, WEE GOOD.

THANK YOU GUYS. >> GOOD MORNING.

I'M THE SENIOR PASTOR OF THE BATTLE VIEW BAPTIST CHURCH.

34 YEARS IN THAT POSITION. ALSO I'M THE CURATOR OF THE CURTIS HOUSE CULTURE CENTER THAT HOUSES THE BLACK HISTORY OF THE

[00:15:01]

HE TOUCHED THE LIVES OF MANY, MANY STUDENTS.

AND, ALSO, WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN HAVING MANY OF THOSE STUDENTS THAT HE COACHED TO SERVE AS LIFEGUARDS AT THE PARK ITSELF.

SO I THINK IN HONOR AND A GREAT -- CONTRIBUTED TO THAT -- TO HIS NAME, TO HIS FAMILY, TO MANY OF HIS STUDENTS, ALUMNIS AS WELL AS JEFFERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL WOULD BE A GREAT HONOR TO HAVE THAT PARK NAMED AFTER JAMES E. VALENTINE, SR.

THANK YOU THIS MORNING. >> WHEN YOU WAS A LITTLE KID AND YOU SIT AROUND AND HEAR PEOPLE TALK, AND MY DADDY USE TODAY TALK ABOUT COACH VAL THIS, SO WHEN YOU'RE YOUNG YOU TRY TO PROCESS THIS MAN MUST BE MEAN OR SOMETHING.

SO WHEN I GOT TO THE 7TH GRADE, I HEARD THAT COACH VALENTINE WAS GOING TO BE OUR COACH.

I SAID THE VALENTINE THAT COACHED MY DAD? SO IT WAS HIM. AND THROUGH THE YEARS, YOU KNOW, YOU REALIZE THAT THEY WASN'T TALKING BAD ABOUT HIM, IT WAS RESPECT. AND YOU KNOW ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS IN THE WORLD IS TO TEACH SOMEBODY ELSE'S KIDS.

BUT YOU KNOW, HE WAS SPECIAL. AND HE TOOK US.

YOU KNOW, WE PROBABLY NEVER KNOW HOW MANY BOYS HE TOOK AND MADE MEN. SO, YOU KNOW, I'M HERE FOR COACH VAL AND I PRAY -- YEUNDZ HE WASD HE WAS A HERO TO US.

KIDS TALK ABOUT MICHAEL JORDAN AND THIS AND THAT BUT YOU HAVE HEROES HERE IN TOWN. COACH VAL WAS ONE.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS ROBERTA THOMPSON, AND I'M A LONG TIME RESIDENT OF ABILENE.

26 YEAR EMPLOYEE OF THE CITY WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.

HI, HOW ARE YOU DOING? LONG TIME, NO SEE.

AND I STAND BEFORE YOU IN SUPPORT OF NAMING COACH VAL, VALENTINE PARK AFTER COACH VAL. YOU HEARD ABOUT HIM BEING AN EDUCATOR. I DON'T WANT TO TELL YOU HOW MUCH OLDER I AM THAN THE OTHERS IN THE BACK, BUT HE, TOO, WAS MY TEACHER. HE WAS MY HISTORY TEACHER.

YOU'VE HEARD THAT HE WAS ALSO DEEPLY INVOLVED IN SPORTS AND PARKS AND SWIMMING. BELIEVE IT OR NOT, I AM 15, 16 YEARS 0E OLDER THAN MY BABY BROR AND HE TAUGHT HIM.

HE TAUGHT HIM HOW TO SWIM AND HE HAD NOTHING BAD TO SAY ABOUT COACH VAL. NEITHER ABOUT MR. STAFFORD.

THEY WERE MY TEACHERS. AND I'M A PRODUCT AND ALL OF THOSE -- HER PARENTS, ALL Y'ALL. WE'RE HONORED TO BE ABLE TO SAY WE BESEECH YOU TO NAME THAT PARK COACH VAL.

I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU SOMETHING HE TAUGHT THAT YOU DON'T FIND OFTEN ANYMORE. HE WAS AN EDUCATOR.

HE DID COACH, HE BROUGHT THE FOOTBALL TEAM TO CHAMPIONSHIP BUT HE TAUGHT LIFE LESSONS. HE TAUGHT US THAT LIFE WASN'T ALWAYS FAIR. HE TAUGHT US THAT OUR STRENGTH -- YOU HEARD THAT SAYING, WELL, YOU GOT STRENGTH AND WEAKNESSES. HE TERMED THEM STRENGTHS AND

[00:20:04]

HE HAD SUCH STEADFASTNESS AND COMMITMENT TO CHILDREN AND TO YOUTH. EVEN AS HE GREW OLD, HE DID.

AND SO I COULD SEE THIS PARK BEING NAMED STAFFORD IN THIS AREA AND COACH VAL IN THE OTHER. I TELL YOU THEY WERE COLLEAGUES AND THEY WOULD BE PROUDLY WALKING HAND IN HAND TOGETHER IF THAT PARK WAS SO NAMED AFTER THE TWO WHO WORKED TOGETHER.

IT WOULD BE A PRIVILEGE, AN HONOR, AND I TELL YOU SOMETHING FOR ABILENE TO BE PROUD OF. I KNOW WE WOULD.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS EDWARD SHEPHERD AND I WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE IN ABILENE. I GRADUATED FROM ABILENE HIGH IN '76, CLASS OF '76. I HAD THE PLEASURE OF GROWING UP WITH THE STAFFORDS. I'M 64.

I GREW UP ALSO WITH THE VALENTINE FAMILY, ME AND HIS DAUGHTER GRADUATED TOGETHER, CLASS OF '76.

AND THROUGHOUT THE CITY, COACH VALENTINE WAS JUST KNOWN AS COACH. AND IF COACH SAID NO, THAT'S WHAT HE MEANT. AND HE HAD AN EQUALIZER TO MAKE YOU UNDERSTAND THAT. IF YOU DIDN'T SAY -- WHAT HE TOLD YOU TO DO. I HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT FOR COACH BECAUSE HE TAUGHT US HOW TO SWIM AND HE TAUGHT US HOW TO RESPECT OUR ELDERS. HE TAUGHT US HOW TO RESPECT OURSELVES. THIS WOULD BE A PLEASURE FOR ME.

ALL OF MY CLASSMATES -- TO GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO TELL OUR GRANDKIDS AND GREAT GRANDKIDS ABOUT THIS GREAT MAN.

WE HAVE A LOT OF -- THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE IN ABILENE AND AROUND THE STATE AND OTHER CITIES WAITING FOR THIS DECISION TO BE ABLE TO COME HOME AND ONCE AGAIN RECOGNIZE COACH VALENTINE.

AND IT'S ALREADY BEEN SAID, I KNOW THE STAFFORDS WOULD BE FINE WITH THIS. YOU KNOW.

IT WOULD JUST BE SUCH GREAT HONOR.

I'D LIKE TO SAY THIS, WHEN THE POOL WAS GETTING DEMOLITION, I WENT AND GOT TWO BRICKS AND I WENT AND GOT A BOARD THAT HAD THE RULES ON IT FROM THE POOL. AND THE BOARD AND ONE OF THE BRICKS, AND I STILL GOT ONE. SO I'M HOPING THAT ONCE WE -- THIS GETS APPROVED THAT WE CAN PUT ONE OF THOSE BRICKS TO

COMMEMORATE COACH VAL. >> THANK YOU.

>> HELLO. BILLY MCRAY.

BORN AND RAISED HERE, BEEN HERE ALL MY LIFE.

WHEN THE -- WHEN I HEARD OF THE PARK COMING UP FOR RENAMING, I THOUGHT, OKAY, I LIVE IN A NEIGHBORHOOD WITH THE STAFFORDS.

I DIDN'T GO TO SCHOOL UNDER THEM.

BUT THEY ALREADY HAD SOME THINGS GOING ON, NAMES WAS IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT PLACES. THE SCHOOL AND THE COMPLEX, AND I WASN'T SURE ABOUT THE COMPLEX. I LATER FOUND OUT ABOUT IT.

[00:25:05]

SO I STARTED BRAINSTORMING, RUNNING IT PAST SEVERAL PEOPLE.

AND I COME UP WITH COACH VALENTINE'S NAME.

MIND YOU, I DIDN'T GO TO SCHOOL, I WENT TO WOODSON ELEMENTARY.

HE WASN'T THERE, HE WAS A COACH AT THE HIGH SCHOOL.

BUT I WENT TO THAT PARK -- WENT TO THAT SWIMMING POOL ALL THE TIME. I CAN SEE HIM TODAY SITTING THERE RIGHT INSIDE AT THE DOOR WATCHING WHAT GOES ON OUT THERE.

AND THEN LATER ON, I TOOK MY SWIMMING LESSONS UNDER HIM AND THE WHOLE NINE YARDS. VERY QUIET GENTLEMAN, BUT WHEN HE SPOKE, BELIEVE ME, EVERYBODY HEARD HIM.

AND I JUST THINK THAT WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING IN RECOGNITION OF HIM. AND THIS PARK IS SMALL, BUT YET IT MEANS A LOT IF WE COULD GET HIS NAME THERE.

AND WE APPRECIATE YOU ALL AND YOUR CONSIDERATION.

THANK YOU. >> I'M TONYA VALENTINE JOHNSON.

DADDY IS JAMES VALENTINE. I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY. THANK YOU ALL FOR CONSIDERING.

HE WAS DADDY, BUT HE WAS A MENTOR TO ME.

AND IT JUST MEANS A LOT TO BE ABLE TO THINK THAT THERE ARE SO MANY IN THE COMMUNITY THAT THOUGHT SO HIGHLY OF HIM.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> HELLO, MY NAME IS TONY PHILIPS.

I'M LONGTIME RESIDENT OF ABILENE, TEXAS, BORN AND RAISED HERE. FISECOND SCHOOL I WENT TO WAS JAMES BUOY I THINK IT WAS CALLED.

I WALKED THERE EVERY DAY. THE SECOND SCHOOL I WENT TO WAS JEFFERSON JR. HIGH AS WE CALLED IT.

I PLAYED SPORTS AT BOUIE. PLAYED FOOTBALL, AND HAD COACHES. THEN I GOT OVER TO JEFFERSON JR.

HIGH AND FIRST TIME I MET A BLACK MAN THAT WAS A COACH AND A TEACHER. REPRESENTATION IS VERY IMPORTANT. YOU FLIP THE SCRIPT, WHITES WOULD FEEL THE SAME WAY. IF THEY WERE AROUND A BUNCH OF BLACK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THIS ONE WHITE GUY COMES ALONG YOU'D FEEL THE SAME WAY WE FEEL. HE, ALSO, WHEN I PLAYED AT JEFFERSON, BEING THAT MINORITIES ARE VERY LOW IN NUMBERS IN THIS CITY, WE LEARNED HOW TO GET ALONG WITH OTHER RACES.

AND HE HUS HAD OTHER RACES THAT SIGNED A PETITION.

SOME THAT LIVED HERE, SOME THAT DON'T LIVE HERE.

COACH VALENTINE WAS AN EQUALIZER.

HE LOVED EVERYBODY. HE KNEW HOW -- AS THAT GENTLEMAN SAID ABOUT GETTING -- WHEN YOU DIDN'T DO WHAT YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO. I REMEMBER GETTING A PADDLING FOR MY GRADES BECAUSE I WANT TODAY FLAY FOOTBALL.

ED TO PLAY FOOTBALL.

HE CALLED US BY LAST NAMES. HE USE TO USED TO CALL ME PHILI.

HE WAS MY SURROGATE DADDY WHEN I WASN'T AROUND MY PARENTS.

HE WOULD BE GREAT PERSON TO HAVE THAT PARK NAMED AFTER.

THE OTHER THING WAS I SPENT A LOT OF TIME AT STEVENSON SWIMMING POOL AND I WAS DISAPPOINTED WHEN THEY CLOSED IT DOWN BUT I UNDERSTAND THEM HAVING TO CLOSE THAT SWIMMING POOL DOWN. BEING AT THAT POOL AND SEEING HIM SITTING IN IN THE LIFEGUARD CHAIR.

[00:30:04]

KIND OF MAN I WANT TODAY GROW UP ED TO GROW UPTO BE AND I THINK E THAT. HE WOULD BE THE PERFECT PERSON TO HAVE THAT PARK NAMED AFTER HIM.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> ANYBODY ELSE WOULD LIKE TO COME UP? AT THIS TIME WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. I'D BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T SAY THIS, Y'ALL HONORED TWO FAMILIES TODAY.

IN A PRETTY SPECIAL WAY. WHILE WE HAVE TO MOVE THINGS ON TO A SECOND HEARING AND THERE WILL BE FURTHER DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS DOWN THE ROAD, THOSE MEN WOULD BE PROUD TO HEAR WHAT YOU'VE SAID IF THEY WERE HERE TODAY.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WORDS. IT'S -- REPRESENTATION IS IMPORTANT. WE APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. WE'LL MOVE ON TO OUR DISCUSSION AT THIS TIME FOR OUR REQUEST TO RENAME LEE PARK.

ANY DISCUSSION OR -- >> I MOVE WE PUSH FORWARD TO THE

SECOND READ. >> SECOND.

>> NAMING LEE PARK AFTER JAMES E. VALENTINE SR.

>> SECOND. >> MOVED AND SECONDED.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. OPPOSED? THE MOTION WILL CARRY ON TO OUR NEXT MEETING.

>> THANK YOU EVERYBODY, TOO, AS WELL.

I CAN APPRECIATE, BECAUSE OF MY AGE, THE EQUALIZER.

WE'VE ALL SEEN ONE SOONER OR LATER, YOU KNOW.

I KNOW THEY DON'T HAVE EQUALIZERS MUCH ANYMORE, BUT YOU STILL HAVE FOND MEMORIES, BELIEVE IT OR NOT.

>> THAT'S FUNNY. WE'LL MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR

[4. Presentation of the 10 Year Zoo Master Plan (Discussion, Public Hearing, and Action)]

HEARING AND ACTION FROM JESSE. >> JESSE, ZOO DIRECTOR.

I'M HERE TO POSE THE ZOO'S TEN YEAR MASTER PLAN THAT WAS CONTRACTED OUT BY PARK HILL CONSULTING.

WE HAVE COME TO THE COMPLEUNGZ COMPLEUNCONCLUSIONOF MOVING ON K 40 ACRES. THIS HAS BEEN IN PROGRESS OF DECADES OF TAPPING INTO THIS BACK 22 ACRES. IF YOU SORT OF TAKE AN IMAGINARY LINE ON THE MIDDLE LINE OF THE PARKING LOT AND GO STRAIGHT UP, BECAUSE THAT IS ACTUALLY NORTHEAST -- NORTHWEST, THAT'S PRETTY MUCH WHERE OUR BORDER IS. ALL THE MATERIAL ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE WOULD BE THE EXPANSION.

THE GOAL OF THIS EXPANSION THAT THE BOARD HAS REQUESTED TO NOT SOLICIT THE INFORMATION BECAUSE WE'LL BE PRESENTING AT OUR GALA ON APRIL 30TH. WE IMPLORE Y'ALL TO ATTEND TO GET ALL THE DETAILS. IT'S OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT. NO, THE PUBLIC CAN ATTEND OUR GALA. IT'S THE NUMBER ONE FUNDRAISER.

ALL THESE FUNDS ARE GOING TO GO DIRECTLY TO THE MASTER PLAN WHICH WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY TEN YEARS.

THE GOALS OF THIS MASTER PLAN WAS ONE TO INCREASE ATTENDANCE.

YOUR LITTLE ZOO IS GROWING AND SO IS YOUR TOWN AS WELL AS ALL OF WEST TEXAS. OUR ATTENDANCE HAS SORT HAVE BEEN SLOW IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS AT 225, 230, 225,000, 230,000, THIS PAST YEAR WE HIT A RECORD OF 265,000 AND WE'RE PROJECT TOEDTO HIT $275,000. FORECAST IS GOING OVER $300,000.

CONCESSIONS, A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T LIKE TO GO HOME AND COOK AS MUCH AS THEY USED TO. THE CONVENIENCE OF GRABBING A NICE QUALITY HAMBURGER OR HOT DOG AT THE ZOO IS ONE OF OUR MAIN GOALS AS WELL. OUR SUMMER CAMPS HAVE EXPANDED.

THEY SELL OUT IN TWO DAYS IF NOT ONE DAY.

WE WANT TO EXPAND THAT. THE COMMUNITY IS SCREAMING HOW DO I GET MY KID IN SUMMER CAMPS. A COMPONENT OF THAT IS EXTENDING TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. ALSO INCREASING THE LENGTH OF STAY. A LOT OF WEST T TEXANS STAY UP O

[00:35:05]

NEXT ONE IS MAKE THE FACILITIES MORE EFFICIENT FOR ZOO AND AFTER HOUR RENTALS. THERE'S A COUPLE OF SPACES IN THERE YOU CAN POSSIBLY SEE THAT HELPS FOR EFFICIENCIES FOR DELIVERIES AS WELL AS A NICE HOPEFULLY -- A NICE CALIBER SORT OF CONCESSIONS AREA YOU CAN HOUSE OUT FOOD AND BENCHES AS BEVERAGES FO CONTRACTED VENUES THAT HAVE FOOD AND BEVERAGES AS WELL. LASTLY IS INCREASING OUR CONSERVATION MESSAGING WHICH MEANS INCREASING OUR SPECIES COLLECTION. DIVERSIFIES OUR SPECIES COLLECTION. THERE'S A LOT OF ANIMALS OUT THERE THAT NEED TO BE PROTECTED THAT OUR COMMUNITY DOESN'T KNOW ABOUT. THIS EXPERIENCE WOULD ALLOW THAT TO BRING IN SEVERAL NEW SPECIES THAT HAVE A GREAT CONSERVATION MESSAGE TO EDUCATE OUR PEOPLE, AS WELL AS THE GLOBE OF WHAT'S GOING ON WITH OUR PLANET WHEN IT COMES TO POACHING, HUMAN ENCROACHMENT AND ENVIRONMENTS AND THEN OBVIOUSLY CLIMATE CHANGE. THIS WOULD BE ANOTHER HUGE COMPONENT OR GOAL FOR US TO SOLICIT TO THE PUBLIC IN THIS TEN YEAR PLAN. THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IT.

IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS? >> ARE YOU CONTEMPLATING -- WHAT WE'RE DOING IS -- WITH OUR ACTIONS TODAY -- ARE YOU CONTEMPLATING ANY USE OF PUBLIC MONEY AT ALL, OR IS THIS ALL

GOING TO BE RAISED PRIVATELY? >> OUR GOAL IS MAJORITY WILL BE PRIVATELY WITH THE ABILENE ZOOOLOGICAL SOCIETY AS WELL AS THE GROVER NELSON FOUNDATION. IF THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THE PARKING LOT IT'S CHALLENGING FOR THOSE FOLKS TO ASK FOR MOINS WHEMONEYSWHEN IT'S FOR PARKING .

THE ATTENDANCE IS GOING TO GROW. THE ZOO'S PARKING LOT CURRENTLY STILL LOOKS LIKE A RUNWAY. IT'S VERY LONG AND NOT VERY OPEN AND INVITING. TRY TO REFORMAT THAT.

AS WELL AS THE EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT.

I THINK THAT'S VERY BIG. IT'S THE REASON WHY MY FAMILY AND I CAME HERE IS THE EDUCATIONAL COMOINT AND THE COMPONENT.WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE E OPPORTUNITY IN THE FUTURE OF SOME TYPE OF BOND TO HELP WITH THOSE TWO AREAS.

BUT EVERYTHING ELSE WHEN IT COMES TO ATTRACTIONS, ANIMAL EXHIBITS, THE SOCIETY AND THE GROVER NELSON FOUNDATION ARE CONFIDENT THAT THAT'S GOOD STUFF TO SOLICIT FOR LOCALS AND OTHER COMMUNITIES WHEN WE'RE ASKING FOR MONEYS.

>> AND YOU TALKED ABOUT ATTENDANCE.

I DON'T WANT TO ASSUME, BUT I WOULD THINK THAT THE ADDITIONAL ATTENDANCE WOULD HELP TO OFFSET THE COSTS DOWN THE LINE, IS THAT

THE IDEA AS WELL? >> ABSOLUTELY.

SO THE BEST WAY YOU CAN SUPPORT YOUR ZOO IS SIMPLY COME.

A LOT OF PEOPLE, EVEN GET A MEMBERSHIP.

THAT IN ITSELF SUPPORTS THE ZOO. OUR BIGGEST COST IS PAYROLL.

WE WANT TO CREATE QUALITY EXPERIENCES, I NEED TO PAY QUALITY PEOPLE IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THOSE PEOPLE.

THAT HELPS OFFSET A LOT OF THOSE COSTS.

SO PAYROLL. EXPANSIONS OF THE EXHIBITS COULD POSSIBLY INCREASE TICKET PRICIN IN THE FUTURE OUT OF THIS TEN YEAR PLAN. THAT'S TO TRY TO OFFSET THE COST. WE WE KNOW WHAT INFLATION IS DO.

WOOD AND STEEL IS NOT CHEAP AND THIS WOULD BE A LOT OF WOOD AND STEEL. AS FAR AS THE ANIMALS WE ARE PART OF AZA, WE'RE PART OF A CONSORTIUM OF THESE ANIMALS SO WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY THESE MAGNIFICENT PRICE TAGS FOR OUR BEAUTIFUL NEW SPECIES. WE GET THEM PRETTY MUCH FOR FREE. SO WE JUST REACH OUT TO OUR AZA ARMS. A LOT OF OTHER ZOOS ARE DOING GREAT BREEDING. WE JUST HAVE TO PAY FOR THE

TRANSFER. >> THAT'S AWESOME.

>> LIKE TO JUST -- YOU KNOW, PUTTING TOGETHER A MASTER PLAN IS NOT AN EASY JOB. A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE INVOLVED IN THAT AND I'D TO THANK ALL THE PEOPLE WHO PARTICIPATED IN PUTTING THAT MASTER PLAN TOGETHER.

>> SURE THING. WE HAD A LOT OF OUR LEADERSHIP AT THE ZOO, OUR MANAGERS PARTICIPATE IN THAT.

I WANT TO THANK THEM. THE OTHER FOLKS I'D LIKE TO THANK IS OUR ABILENE SOCIETY BOARD AS WELL AS SOME MEMBERS OF GROVER NELSON AND S OUTSIDERS LE LARRY GILL.

IT WASN'T MY DECISION, IT WAS A GROUP DECISION WITH THESE PEOPLE AND THIS IS WHERE WE LANDED. YES, I THANK AND APPRECIATE ALL

[00:40:05]

>> WELL SAID. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.

WE'LL THEN MOVE INTO -- WE'VE HAD OUR PUBLIC HEARING, WE'LL HAVE OUR DISCUSSION. WERE THERE ANY PUBLIC QUESTIONS FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT? WITH THAT WE'LL CLOSE OUR PUBLIC HEARING PORTION OF THIS. AND WE'LL MOVE INTO OUR

DISCUSSION AND ACTION. >> I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THE MASTER PLAN AS PRESENTED. THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND ONE OF OUR BIGGEST TOURISM ATTRACTIONS, HISTORICALLY IN ABILENE. BEEN A PRIVILEGE OF BEING PART OF THE BOARD AND IT NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE ME THE AMOUNT OF TOURISM THAT COMES TO OUR ZOO. PEOPLE ARE TELLING ME ALL THE TIME THAT WE HAVE THE MOST UNIQUE ZOO FOR A TOWN THIS SIZE ANYWHERE IN THE STATE. SO I WOULD MOVE THAT WE MOVE FORWARD. MOTION WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE

MASTER PLAN. >> I SECOND.

>> MOVED AND SECONDED. BEFORE ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

OPPOSED. WE'LL MOVE FORWARD WITH T THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. WE'LL NOW MOVE TO AGENDA ITEM 5.

[5. Stevenson Park Update (Discussion and Public Hearing)]

IT WILL BE DISCUSSION AND PUBLIC HEARING.

>> GOOD MORNING, RICHARD RODGERS, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PARK AND RECREATION. AS YOU ALL KNOW WE'RE UPDATING STEVENSON PARK. IF YOU REMEMBER THIS RESTROOM THAT HAD A FLAT ROOF AND CINDER BLOCK WALLS AND SO WHILE IT'S THE SAME RESTROOM, IT'S BEEN COMPLETELY REDONE.

IT DOESN'T LOOK THE SAME. HAS A NICE ROOF AND AT SOME POINTS WE'LL ACTUALLY HAVE SHINGLES ON IT.

EVERYTHING INSIDE HAS BEEN CHANGED OUT AS WELL.

SO WE'RE REALLY HAPPY AND REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS PIECE OF THIS. THIS PROJECT REALLY INCLUDES BASICALLY THE RESTROOM, THE COURTS, WHICH WILL BE A TENNIS COURT AND BASKETBALL COURTS. YOU SEE THE -- THEY HAVE POURED THE BASE, AND THEY NEED TO SIT FOR 28 DAY AND THEY'RE READY TO STAND THOSE UP. THEY'RE GIVING IT AS MUCH TIME AS THEY CAN. WHEN THE ACTUAL LIGHTS THEMSELVES GET HERE THEY'LL GOING TO STAND TWHOAL THING UP.

WHOLE THING UP.THE THIRD ASPECTT IS THE PAVILION.

AND I WAS HAPPY TO COME AND STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY AND SAY WE'RE ANTICIPATING A MID MAY COMPLETION OF THIS.

BUT AS I SAT IN THE AUDIENCE THIS MORNING I RECEIVED AN E-MAIL THAT SAID THE PAVILION HAS BEEN DELAYED UNTIL SEPTEMBER. IT'S LIKELY THIS WILL LOOK LIKE THIS UNTIL SEPTEMBER UNLESS THEY CAN PUSH THAT THING FORWARD.

IT'S HOW EVERYTHING IS. STAFFING ISSUES TRYING TO GET THEM PAINTED BASICALLY IS WHAT IT SEEMS TO BE BASED ON THE E-MAIL. THANKFULLY THE RESTROOM AND THE COURTS ARE THE MORE IMPORTANT PART OF THIS.

BUT -- THEY'LL BE COMPLETED IN A TIMELY MANNER SO WE SHOULD HAVE THOSE READY TO GO THE FIRST PART OF JUNE.

ANY QUESTIONS? >> HAVE DELAYED BEEN COMMUTED WITH MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY THERE TO GIVE AN UPDATE?

>> JUST NOW. >> YOU DIDN'T TEXT THEM?

>> SHE WAS OUTSIDE SOMEWHERE -- >> KIND OF WHAT I WAS GETTING AT. INTERESTING.

WE CERTAINLY THANK YOU FOR THE WORK ON THIS.

IT'S CERTAINLY AN IMPROVEMENT THAT WAS MUCH NEEDED AND MORE REFLECTIVE OF HOW WE THINK ABOUT OUR CITY PARKS HERE IN TOWN.

REALLY WELL DONE. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?

>> YOU'RE NOT HAVING ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE SOURCING OF

MATERIALS? >> NOT THAT I KNOW OF.

JEFF WISE IS DOING THAT JOB AND HE DOES IT ALL OVER THE STASE STATEAND LIVES HERE. I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING THAT

WOULD DELAY THAT. >> YOU DONE ALL THIS IN HOUSE OR

YOU HAVING TO SUB -- >> ALL OF IT HAS BEEN SUBBED

OUT. >> THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT.

>> IT'S A BIG PROJECT. >> VERY GOOD.

>> I SAY ALL OF IT, WE DID -- OUR GUYS DID DO A LITTLE BIT HERE AND THERE WHERE WE NEEDED TO.

THEY'RE REPOURING SOME OF THE SIDEWALKS THAT WEREN'T INCLUDED

[00:45:01]

THE MAIN FOCUS, THE RESTROOMS, THE LIGHTS, THE RESURFACING, ALL

THAT HAS BEEN OUTSOURCED. >> THANK YOU THIS AGENDA ITEM DOES HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING. IF YOU'D LIKE TO COME FORWARD WITH ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS, PLEASE DO SO.

WE CAN'T REALLY ANSWER QUESTIONS SITTING UP HERE BUT YOU CAN COME FORWARD WITH ANY DISCUSSION POINTS.

>> GOOD MORNING. JUST NOW FINDING OUT ABOUT THE PAVILION. SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE PARK AND REC BOARD AND STAFF.

LESLIE, WE ARE IN CONTACT A LOT TRYING TO GET ALL THIS STUFF UP AND RUNNING BEFORE JUNETEENTH WHICH IS OUR BIGGEST EVENT OF THE YEAR IN THE PARK. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE WERE LOOKING AT IS PAVILION SPACES AND WHY THEY'RE SO IMPORTANT BECAUSE I THINK LAST YEAR WE SPENT RIGHT AT $4,000 IN TENTS OUT THERE FOR SHADE. SO A LOT OF MONEY, A LOT OF SPONSORS, A LOT OF DONATIONS WE HAVE TO RAISE FOR SHADE, GETTING THAT OUT THERE. SO HOT.

JUNE, I MEAN, I EVEN SUNBURNED. WE WERE HOT AND I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW I COULD SUNBURN BUT I DID. AGAIN, JUST THANKFUL FOR ALL OF THE HARD WORK THAT IS GOING INTO THIS.

WE HAVE SOME MORE THINGS THAT WE HAVE COMING OUT THERE FOR A JUNETEENTH THAT PARK AND RECS IS HELPING WITH.

THE CITY REALLY APPRECIATES STEVENSON PARK COMMUNITY REALLY APPRECIATES THE THINGS THAT IS GOING ON.

PEOPLE ARE HAPPY TO SEE CHANGE. HAVING SOMETHING NEW IN THIS AREA, JUST THE WHOLE DYNAMICS OF THE A FRAMES GOING ON THERE.

PEOPLE WORKING, TRYING TO GET RESURFACING, COLORS, SOMETHING CHANGING. SO, YOU KNOW, AS OUR PARK UPDATES, WE ARE, YOU KNOW, IN DIRECT COMMUNICATION ABOUT TRASH CANS AND HOW TO KEEP EVERYTHING NICE AND CLEAN.

WE JUST WANT TO SAY THANK OU FOR ALL OF Y'ALL'S HARD WORK THAT Y'ALL DO TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR JUNETEENTH IS NICE.

ALSO, I'M GOING TO BE TALKING TO RICHARD LATER ABOUT SOME MORE SHADE. BUT NO, REALLY THANK YOU.

THIS IS A REALLY BIG PROJECT. WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE -- GOING TO BE HOPING AND PRAYERFUL TO GET THIS THING UP AND RUNNING BY THE 17TH. THANK YOU AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENT AT THIS TIME? AT THIS TIME THEN WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION OF THIS.

WE ALSO HAVE TO SAY THIS, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS TO OUR ATTENTION. YOU KNOW, NOT A LOT MOVES -- THERE'S SO MANY MOVING PARTS IN THE CITY.

WE KNOW THERE'S GOING TO BE THINGS THAT ARE MISSED.

IT'S BECAUSE OF FOLKS LIKE THE STEVEN GROUP THAT ARE WILLING TO COME UP AND SAY, HEY, YOU KNOW WHAT, HERE'S OUR NEEDS.

THERE'S NO WAY IT'S ALL GOING TO GET DONE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE'VE GOT TO PRIORITIZE THINGS PIECE BY PIECE, BUT YOU'RE DOING AN AWESOME JOB AT THAT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. ALL RIGHT.

[6. Aquatics Report (Discussion)  Splash Pads  Summer Jobs]

THIS IS A DISCUSSION REGARDING OUR AQUATICS REPORT.

>> I GOTCHA. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.

BOBBY BROWN, DIVISION MANAGER FOR AQUATIC AND SENIORS.

I WANT TO SAY BEFORE I GET STARTED THIS HAS BEEN A TOUCHING DAY FOR ME. I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN ABILENE, TOO. I GREW UP IN STEVENSON PARK TOO.

I WAS SCARED TO GO SWIMMING UNTIL I SAW COACH VALENTINE SITTING THERE. THAT'S HONEST.

ALSO TO HEAR THE UPGRADES YOU'RE MAKING TO STEVENSON PARK, I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT IN ALL OF THE YEARS I'VE BEEN IN PARKS AND REC, IT'S BEEN OVER 40 YEARS I'VE DONE PARK AND REC AND THIS IS FOUR DEPARTMENTS I'VE WORKED FOR AND IT IS AN HONOR TO BE PART OF THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON AND THE WORK IN THE ADMINISTRATION THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IN PARKS AND RECREATION. WITH THAT BEING SAID, THE SPLASH PADS ARE OPENING THIS FRIDAY. AS YOU CAN SEE, THE WORKERS, THEY'VE GONE OUT AND THEY'VE WORKED ON SOME OF THE OXIDATION THAT'S ON THOSE POLES AND THE APPARATUSES.

[00:50:01]

THEY'VE BEEN OUT THERE WORKING DILIGENTLY TO GET THAT LOOKING GOOD. WE'VE HAD A FEW THINGS TO TINKER WITH TO GET IT RIGHT. BUT WE'RE GOING TO BE READY FRIDAY TO OPEN UP AND PEOPLE ARE ALREADY EXCITED ABOUT PLAYING IN THE WATER. HOPEFULLY THE COLD WEATHER IS GONE AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO ENJOY THIS UNTIL MAYBE MID OCTOBER.

ALSO, WE'RE LOOKING FOR LIVEGUARDS AND CONCESSION WORKERS AND YOU NAME IT. IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR.

WE HAD SOME -- LAST WEEK, I BELIEVE THERE WERE ABOUT A DOZEN LIFEGUARDS THAT WERE HIRED LAST WEEK.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR A LOT MORE OF COURSE AND WE'RE EXPECTING A LOT MORE. A LOT OF THESE KIDS DON'T PUT THEIR APPLICATION IN TILL LAST MINUTES WHEN SCHOOL IS OUT.

THAT'S WHEN THEY THINK ABOUT, OH, I NEED TO GET JOB.

WE'RE HOPING ALL THIS COMES THROUGH AND BY THE MIDDLE OF MAY WE'LL HAVE THE MAJORITY OF THEM ON AND READY TO GO SO THE END OF MAY WE CAN OPEN UP THE POOL AS WELL.

[7. Seniors Report (Discussion)  National Therapy Animal Day  Upcoming Events]

WHO LET THE DOGS OUT? WE THOUGHT THIS WOULD -- FIRST OF ALL LET ME SAY WE HAD NEW STAFF THAT SENIOR CENTER COMING IN WITH NEW IDEAS. THOSE SENIORS LOVE ANIMALS SO MUCH THERE AT THE SENIOR CENTER. WE THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD IDEA TO BRING THESE ENHANCED THERAPY SERVICE ANIMALS OUT ON THE 28TH. WE'LL BRING THEM AND HAVE THEM OUT ON THE PATIO FOR THOSE SENIORS THAT DESIRE TO GO OUT AND PET THEM AND KIND OF PLAY WITH THEM.

IT IS REALLY RELAXING AND STUFF, SO WE HOPE THAT THIS GOES OVER WELL. WE ALSO HAVE OUR MOTHER'S DAY BINGO COMING UP, AS WELL AS CINCO DE MAYO COMING UP.

ALSO DURING THE MOTHER'S DAY MONTH WE'RE THINKING ABOUT DOING A MOTHER'S DAY BREAKFAST BUT WE HAVEN'T DECIDED YET ON -- JANET IS IFFY ON THAT. WE'RE HOPING TO ALSO DO A MOTHER'S DAY BREAKFAST. THESE ARE OUR UPCOMING EVENTS AS WELL. WE'RE KEEPING THEM ACTIVE.

THEY'RE KEEPING US ACTIVE. >> FANTASTIC.

ANY QUESTIONS? >> THANK Y'ALL.

[8. Parks Report (Discussion)  Winter Project Season Hours  Mowing Season]

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

WE'LL MOVE ON TO OUR PARKS REPORT NOW.

THIS WILL BE ANOTHER DISCUSSION. >> GOOD MORNING, I'M THE PARKS DIVISION MANAGER. WE HAVE WOUND DOWN OUR WINTER PROJECT SEASON. I WANT TO GIVE YOU GUYS A LITTLE BIT OF INFORMATION ON WHAT WE -- THE HOURS WE SPENT DOING SOME DIFFERENT THINGS. OUR CONSTRUCTION CREWS SPENT 1600 HOURS ON CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, INCLUDING REDBUD PARK AND OTHER STUFF WE WORKED ON. TREE TRIMMING CREW SPENT A LITTLE UNDER 1600 HOURS. IT DOESN'T REFLECT HOW MANY TREES THEY WENT THROUGH. THEY WENT THROUGH A LOT OF TREES THIS YEAR. ALWAYS A GOOD THING FOR THE PARKS. WE STILL GOT WORK TO DO BUT WE GOT A LOT OF IT DONE. YOU GUYS CAN SEE THE REST OF THE HOURS THAT THE PAINTING CREW, THE IRRIGATION AND OUR CUTBACK CREW HAS SPENT. A TOTAL OF 6354 HOURS IS A LOT IN A WINTER SEASON. THEY DID GREAT JOB.

WE'RE GETTING IMOO INTO OUR MOWG SEASON, WE STARTED MARCH 28TH.

NOT A LOT GROWING BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY RAIN BUT WE STILL HAD STUFF GROWING. THE GUYS MOW OVER 200 ACES OF LAND, AND WE'VE BROKEN UP INTO OUR NEW GROUPS.

ALSO WE HAVE OUR NEW LANDSCAPING CREW.

IF YOU'VE NOTICED SOME OF THE BEDS AROUND TOWN ARE A LOT CLEANER NOW. THEY'VE DIN D BEEN DOING A GREA.

WE HAD LITTER CREWS THAT WERE ABLE TO DO SOME CLEANUP.

THIS WEEKEND WAS TOUGH ON THE PARK AND THE GUYS ARE GOING THROUGH AND CLEANING THOSE UP AND WE WERE GLAD TO SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT FOR EASTER THIS YEAR. I BELIEVE THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IT FROM THE PARKS. ANY QUESTIONS?

>> THANK YOU. WE'LL MOVE ON TO OUR RECREATION

[9. Recreation Report (Discussion)  Coed Volleyball League  Spring Hike  Mother Son]

>> GOOD MORNING. RECREATION DIVISION MANAGER.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE WORKING ON COED VOLLEYBALL.

SO IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN PLAYING VOLLEYBALL, YOU CAN COME OUT AND JOIN OUR LEAGUES. $45 PER PLAYER.

GAMES WILL BE ON THURSDAY -- TUESDAY NIGHTS AND PRACTICE FOR OUR LEAGUES ONLY WILL BE ON THURSDAY NIGHTS.

IT WILL GIVE YOUR TEAM A CHANCE TO PRACTICE SO YOU CAN MAKE SURE YOU WIN THAT VOLLEYBALL GAME. ALSO COMING UP ON MAY 7 IS OUR SPRING HIKE AT CEDAR CREAK. IT'CRE CREEK.

[00:55:02]

THE SHIRTS ARE GOING TO SAY I LAVA YOU.

SO THE VOLCANO. SWREAL A BAS YOU KNOW MOMS AND A VERY SPECIAL BOND. OF COURSE, THEY'RE WELCOME TO BRING SOMEONE THAT THEY SEE AS A MOTHER FIGURE, ALSO.

THOSE TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW. ANY QUESTIONS?

>> THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE'LL WELCOME GESBEAK UP FOR OUR

[10. Zoo Report (Discussion)  Avian Influenza  Giant Anteater Pups  Red Oak Botanical  Zoobilation]

ZOO REPORT. >> IF YOU HAVEN'T HEARD WE'VE HAD AN INFLUENZA COME THROUGH WITH THE BIRDS AND WE HAVE BEEN CAUTIOUS SO WE PROACTIVELY DECIDED TO MOVE OUR BIRDS ALL INSIDE. YOU'LL POSSIBLY HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BIRDS.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE INFLUENZA BUT IT'S PASSING THROUGH THE NATION UP IN THE NORTHEAST AND MIDWEST.

IT'S STARTING TO DIE OFF A LITTLE BIT BUT WE GOT OUR FIRST CASE BY STEVENSVILLE AT A PHEASANT FARM.

THEY GAVE US A HEAD'S UP. IN TWO DAYS WE HAD THE MAJORITY OF OUR BIRDS LOCKED UP THAT WE THOUGHT WOULD BE SUSCEPTIBLE.

IF YOU GO TO THAT QR CODE, YOU CAN SCAN T. IT.

WE HAVE M MORE DETAILS. HOPEFULLY WE'LL HAVE THEM OUT IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS. WE WANT TO PROTECT OUR FLOCK AND THIS IS THE REASON WHY. WE DID HAVE OUR FIRST BABY GIANT ANTEATERS BORN AT THE ABILENE ZOO.

TTHEY HAD TWINS WHICH IS VERY RARE FOR THE SPECIES.

WE HAD A LITTLE BOY AND A LITTLE GIRL AND THEY BOTH LOOK LIKE THEIR PARENTS. YOU'LL LOOK THAT BACKS OF THE BABIES AND YOU'LL SEE A WHITE STRIPE ON ONE AND BLACK STRIPE ON THE OTHER. MOM HAS A BLACK STRIPE AND SO DOES THE BOY. THE GIRL HAS A WHITE STRIPE AND SO DOES DAD. IT'S A CUTE THING.

UNFORTUNATELY THE BABY FEMALE DID NOT GAIN AS MUCH WEIGHT AS WE'D LIKE. AGAIN, THIS IS NOT NATURAL, THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT THIS BABY WOULD FALL OFF MOM AND BECOME EMACEIATED AND PROBABLY PERISH. BECAUSE WE'RE THE ABILENE ZOO SHE IS THRIVING IN AN INCUBATOR AS WE SPEAK.

THE ZOOKEEPERS IS CARING FOR HER.

SHE'S BEING BOTTLE FED AND RAISED AND OUR GOAL IS TO APPROXIMATE HER BACK WITH MOM AND HER BROTHER.

YOU CAN SEE ONE OF THE PUPS RIDING ON MOM OUT ON EXHIBIT.

THE LITTLE GIRL IS IN THE BACK BEING HANDRAISED BY THE STAFF.

IF YOU'VE BEEN TO THE ZOO THIS TREE, I CALL IT THE HEART OF THE ZOO, IT'S A RED OAK BOTANQUAL. IT'S BEEN CHALLENGING FOR MY STAFF TO MAINTAIN LAWN AND OTHER TYPES OF PLANTS THERE WITHOUT PAYING A PREMIUM PRICE TAG. PARK AND REC SENT SOMEONE WHO WANTED TO DONATE SOME TYPE OF IN MEMORY OF AND REACHED OUT TO US, HEY DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THIS FAMILY COULD CONTRIBUTE TO.

WE DID A MEMORIAL THERE FOR THEM AND THEY DONATED THE FULL PLANT AND HORT CULTURAL WORK FOR THIS RED OAK BOTANICAL.

THE RED OAK IS BLOSSOMING SO YOU NEED TO COME OUT AND CHECK IT OUT. IT'S A GORGEOUS PART OF THE ZOO.

WE THANK THOSE SPONSORS. THEY WANT TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS BUT WE GAVE THEM A NICE LITTLE LITTLECEREMONY.

ZOOBILATION, WE FOCUS ON IT BEING SORT OF A TWIST OF THE 20S. IT'S SORT OF GOT THAT APPEAL.

IF YOU CAN ATTEND, AGAIN, THIS IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

YOU CAN GO TO ABILENEZOO.ORG AND GET YOUR TICKETS.

BUY A CHAIR OR A WHOLE TABLE. BUT, AGAIN, 100% OF THOSE PROCEEDS GO BACK TO PUTTING INTO THE MASTER PLAN FOR THE ZOO.

>> VERY GOOD. WHAT QUESTIONS DO WE HAVE FOR

JESSE? >> WE WORE YOU OUT ONCE DAY, SO NONE AT THIS TIME. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER AGENDA ITEMS OF NOTE WE NEED TO DISCUSS THIS MORNING? WITH THAT, I WILL CLOSE OUR MEETING, I THANK EVERYBODY FOR THEIR TIME THIS MORNING.

GRAIT

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.