Jul 19, 2022 Parks and Recreation

[CALL TO ORDER]

[PUBLIC COMMENTS]

[00:01:35]

TO SEE THE ROLE MODELS OF THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE COME BEFORE THEM. AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS. I KNOW MOST OF YOU KNOW HER AND WE ALL MISS HER WITHOUT A DOUBT. THAT'S MY PLEA THIS MORNING, TO HAVE ALL THE PARKS AND RECREATION CENTERS OPEN TO PHOTOS AND LITTLE BIOS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN CONTRIBUTORS TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD THANK YOU

>> YES, PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM NUMBER 2.

AT THIS TIME, THEN WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT. AS I SAID, WE WILL COME BACK COUPLE OF THESE PIECES FOR PUBLIC HEARING.

[1. Minutes (Discussion and Action)]

>> I HAVE READ ALL THE MINUTES AND I APPROVE THEM.

>> AND I SECOND THEM. >> MOVED AND SECONDED IT.

>> [LAUGHING]. >> I APPRECIATE THAT.

I'M GLAD I DIDN'T CATCH IT. ONE OF US CAN SPELL.

>> ALL IN FAVOR, SAY I. >> I.

[2. Ovelia Campos Memorial Picture (Discussion, Public Hearing and Action)]

>> OPPOSE? MOTION CARRIES. AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 2. POTENTIAL ACTION. THIS IS FOR THE MISS CAMPOS ME MEMORIAL PICTURE BY LESLIE.

>> YES, WE HAVE A REQUEST TO HANG THE PICTURE OF OLIVIA CAMPOS AND RECEIVED A LITTLE BIO. BORN IN ABILENE.

GRADUATED FROM ABILENE HIGH SCHOOL IN 1969. WORKED FOR ABILENE ISD FOR 48 YEARS. FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE LEADERSHIP COUNSEL AND REVITALATION COMMITTEE. SEVERAL ISD INCLUDING THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMITTEE. AND ABILENE ISD BOND COMMITTEE AS WELL AS OTHER COMMITTEES AND THINGS.

SHE AND OLIVIA OR OVY, OVY WAS KNOWN TO ALL OF HER FAMILY FRIENDS. AND DIE HARD IN THE COMMUNITY. WE DO HAVE A PICTURE OF MRS. DANIELS. THIS IS THE FIRST REQUEST COMING BEFORE PARKS BOARD TO HANG THE PICTURE OF SOMEONE THE BUILDING IS NOT NAMED AFTER. AND REQUIRES PARKS BOARD APPROVAL.

SHE WAS A HUGE MEMBER OF THE ABILENE COMMUNITY FOR MANY, MANY DECADES. BUT PARKS BOARDS DECISION TO START HANGING PICTURES OF PEOPLE. THERE WAS A PICTURE THAT WAS GIVEN TO US, TOO LARGE FOR US TO SCAN TO BE ABLE TO SHOW YOU TODAY. BUT MANY OF YOU KNOW HER AND WORKED WITH HER IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> SHE PASSED AWAY OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR?

>> YES. >> ACCORDING -- YES.

THE ONLY COMMENT I'VE GOT THAT YOU MENTIONED A PORTRAIT. DO WE

[00:05:02]

THERE? 8X10 OR 3X5 PICTURE? >> IT WOULD BE UP TO PARKS BOARD. AT THIS TIME, DON'T HAVE A SIZE LIMIT. BUT ALL BEEN FAIRLY CONSISTENTLY THIS SIZE. 11X16.

>> YEAH. >> WE HAVE TO APPROVE THAT.

OKAY. >> LESLIE, HOW DO YOU DETERMINE

WHERE THEY'RE HUNG? >> THAT WOULD BE UP TO STAFF.

UNLESS PARKS BOARD GAVE US DIRECTION.

>> IS THE DISCUSSION HERE THAT WE CAN HANG PICTURES OF FOLKS NOT NAMED AFTER OR THAT WE ARE APPROVING EVERY PICTURE THAT GOES INTO EACH RECREATION CENTER?

>> YOU WOULD BE APPROVING ANY PICTURE THAT GOES INTO RECREATION CENTER. BUT THIS IS THE FIRST ONE COMING BEFORE YOU THAT THE BUILDING IS NOT NAMED AFTER THAT PERSON.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION.

>> RECOMMENDATION TO GO TO CITY COUNCIL OR GO STRAIGHT TO US?

WE'RE THE FINAL? >> YOU'RE THE FINAL.

>> WOULD IT BE HELPFUL TO STAFF IN THE FUTURE? WE LOOKED AT VERY SHORT CONCISE POLICY ON THIS? CAN WE ADD THAT TO THE

NEXT MEETING? >> YES.

>> ON JUST GOING FORWARD. >> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION?

>> I THINK THAT'S A GOOD IDEA. BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO CONSIDER, IS THERE A LIMIT TO HOW MANY PHOTOS GOING TO HANG. ONE PER RECREATION CENTER? I THINK A POLICY WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA.

>> CONSISTENT ACROSS THE BOARD WHERE WE KNOW THE POLICIES AND THE PUBLIC KNOWS THE PROTOCOL HOW TO MAKE THOSE THINGS HAPPEN.

LIST. ANYMORE DISCUSSION BEFORE GOING INTO PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE? OKAY. AT THIS TIME. ENTER PUBLIC HEARING.

AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, COME TO THE MICROPHONE AND 2 MINUTES ON

THIS PARTICULAR ISH ISSUE. >> I'M SAMUEL GARCIA I'M HERE TO SPEAK AS BOARD OF PUTTING PICTURE IN CESAR CHÁVEZ.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A POLICY THING, PULL IT UP THEN. THIS IS ABOUT OVIE AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED. IT'S A NO-BRAINER.

WHEN YOU DO YOUR POLICY, KEEP IT BROAD, DON'T TRY TO GET DOWN TO 3X5, WHATEVER. YOU WANT TO GET SITUATIONS PEOPLE ARE HONORED.

WHEN I MOVED TO ABILENE I LEARNED LEGIT, JUDGE ELI, ALL THESE NAMES. OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, I LEARNED ABOUT WHO THESE PEOPLE WERE. THE ONE THING DRO LEADERS IN THAT COMMUNITY, WELL, SHE WAS ONE OF OURS. AND I WANT WHEN SOMEBODY MOVES HERE 20 YEARS FROM NOW, AND THEY RUN OVER TO CESAR CHÁVEZ FOR A TYPE OF EVENT, I WANT THEM TO KNOW WHO SHE WAS, RECOGNIZE THE NAME.

TO GOOGLE THE NAME SO SHE CAN KNOW WHAT SHE DID FOR THIS COMMUNITY. AND SHE LOVED THIS COMM COMMUNITY. THIS IS WHAT SHE WAS ALL ABOUT. SHE PROBABLY UPSET FOR ME FOR WEARING GJEANS AND A SHIRT BECAUSE SHE WAS ALL ABOUT MAKING THINGS LOOK RIGHT. BUT FORGIVE ME BECAUSE SHE ALWAYS DID. I LOVE OVIE AND EASY VOTE FOR YOU. THANK YOU.

>> OPPORTUNITY TO SAY SOMETHING ELSE.

>> SURE. COME ON. >> BILL ENGRES. REVITALIZATION

[00:10:08]

AT SERIS PARK, SHE WAS ONE OF THE MAIN ORGANIZERS. SERVING THE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE A 16TH OF SEPTEMBER CELEBRATION, SHE WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT. THERE WASN'T ANYTHING GOES ON AT SEARS PARK TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY HAVING A GOOD TIME. I CALL HER AN ADVOCATE FOR UNDER UNDERSERVED. AS YOU CAN SEE BY HER RESUME, PMZ AND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY. GOOD TRIB TRIBUTE FOR AND ALL THE LEADERS IN THE

COMMUNITY TO BE RECOGNIZED. >> STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING IF ANYBODY ELSE WOULD LIKE TO COME TO THE MICROPHONE.

AT THIS TIME, CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON AGENDA ITEM 2. MOVE

INTO ACTION ON THIS ITEM. >> I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE DISPLAY OVIE'S CAMPUS'S PICTURE IN CEASAR CHÁVEZ RECREATION CENTER AND MAYBE A SHORT BIO WITH THAT.

>> I SECOND. >> MOTION SECONDED. AM I STILL PERMITTED TO ASK A QUESTION BEFORE GO TO THE BOARD?

ASHLEY, STANLEY TODAY? >> YES, I AM.

>> SHOULD WE GO FORWARD WITH THIS AT THIS TIME? AMEND A POLICY GOING FORWARD OR POLICY PRIOR TO MAKING THIS DECISION.

>> STAFF POLICY MOVING FORWARD. THAT CAN BE A SEPARATE ITEM MOVING FORWARD. YOU CAN ADDRESS THIS TODAY AS CAME TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THAT'S THE ONLY QUESTION I HAD.

ANYBODY ELSE HAVE MORE QUESTIONS BEFORE WE GO FORWARD?

>> NO. I JUST WOULD LIKE TO SAY AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS AND OTHERS, I WANT IT TO BE LOCAL PEOPLE. THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF A POLICY FOR ME. MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE, THAT WE HONOR OUR FROM

ABILENE. >> AGREED.

>> MR. ENGREZ SAID I WROTE ADVOCATE FOR ABILENE AND I WANT TO SERVE. THANK YOU FOR THAT. GREAT ADDITION.

>> I THINK ANY TIME WE CAN PAY HOMAGE TO PEOPLE THAT HAVE SERVED THE COMMUNITY AND EVEN IF YOU DON'T PERSONALLY KNOW THEM, JUST TO KNOW THEY'VE EFFECTED OTHER PEOPLE IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND SETTING EXAMPLE FOR OUR YOUTH, GREAT FOR OUR YOUTH TO SEE SOMETHING TANGIBLE. GETS THEIR MINDS INTRIGUED, THEY ASK QUESTIONS AND WHEN YOU HAVE, CAN PASS DOWN THE HISTORY AND

MANTLE, GOOD THING. >> WITH THAT, WE HAVE A MOTION FOR US FIRST AND SECONDED. ALL IN FAVOR OF DISPLAYING A PICTURE OF MISS CAMPOS AT THE CESAR CHÁVEZ RECREATION CENTER SAY I.

>> I. >> OPPOSE? MOTION PASSED.

[APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU Y'ALL FOR COMING

[3. Approve application for America the Beautiful grant to assist with creation of grassland and wetland areas (Discussion, Public Hearing and Action)]

TODAY. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

>> THANK YOU. WITH THAT, MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 3, AS WE SUGGESTED, OUR POLICY, COME BACK TO THE POLICY PIECE AS WELL. WE WILL MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 3, AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL THE GRANT FOR WETLANDS AREAS. I

BELIEVE J-- >> I'M EXCITED TO BE HERE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT AMAZING GRANT OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE. BY

[00:15:01]

AS WE GET SOME RAIN, THAT MIDDLE LAKE WOULD REFILL WITH WATER.

WE WOULD BRING IN SOME MORE NATIVE FISH INTO THAT MIDDLE LAKE. AS WELL AS ADD SOME FISHING DOCKS AND CREATE A HIKING, JOGGING PATH GOING AROUND THAT MIDDLE ENTIRE LAKE AND CONNECT TO THE OTHER TRAILS AROUND THAT AREA.

OFFER ADDITIONAL RECREATION THAT'S NEARBY TO OUR COMMUNITY.

IT'S SITUATED A LITTLE BIT FURTHER FROM THE ROAD FOR ANY OF OUR PEOPLE THAT WANT TO BE OUT FISHING, AS WELL AS FIRTHSER FURTHER AWAY FROM THE BALLPARK, SO QUIETER ENVIRONMENT AND IMMERSIVE IN NATURE. AND THE HIKING AND JOGGING PATH, EXISTING BIRD MIGRATION PATH, BIG COUNTRY LOOP. SO AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, DURING CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR, GREAT SPOT FOR BIRD WATCHING. SO PEOPLE CAN ENJOY THE AMAZING BIRDS MIGRATING THROUGH THAT AREA. PROPOSING FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE NORTH LAKE AREA, CONVERT A SECTION OF IT INTO A WETLANDS.

TO DO THIS, DIG A VERY DEEP BASIN AND HOPEFULLY IN TIMES OF DROUGHT LIKE WHAT EXPERIENCING NOW, BECAUSE OF THE FILLED WITH WATER, REMAIN TO CONTINUE TO HAVE WATER IN IT. RETURN ALL OF THE NATIVE FLORA AND FAUNA INTO THE AREA AS WELL AS NATIVE SPECIES. MIGRATION MATERN AND THINGS LIKE THAT, HAVE SOME OF THOSE ANIMALS IN THE WET LLANDS AREA.

BRING ALL OF THE NATIVE GRASSLANDS AND TREES AND PUT IN ADDITIONAL NATIVE ANIMALS WE HOPE INCLUDE BISON. AS YOU ALL KNOW, BISON ARE FEROCIOUS EATERS SO NEED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SPACE TO MAINTAIN THE GRASSLAND AREAS. WITH 5 ACRES COMMITTED TO THAT, ENOUGH SPACE TO MAINTAIN BISON OUT THERE.

TO DO ALL OF THAT, WE WOULD HAVE TO CREATE A BARRIER FENCE AROUND THE WETLAND AND GRASSLAND. IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN].

GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO TIE IN A BOARD WALK SO VISITORS TO THE ZOO CAN SEE THAT AREA. AMAZING, EXPENSIVE VIEWS TO THAT AREA WITH THE BISON THROUGHOUT IT. IF THIS PROJECT IS FUNDED THROUGH THIS PROJECT ALTER ZOO'S EXISTING PERIMETER TO INCLUDE THE WETLANDS AND GRASSLANDS RESTORATION.

>> WHAT QUESTIONS DO WE HAVE? >> WHAT ALL FINANCIAL DOES THIS

PROVIDE? >> WE ARE NOT ASKING THE CITY FOR ANY FUNDS. THE GRANT, ASKING FOR 1 POINT 5 MILLION.

>> ASK WHO FOR 1 POINT 5 MILLION.

>> ASKING AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL GRANT.

[00:20:03]

>> THIS IS 100% GRANT. LOT OF TIMES BRING BEFORE YOU MATCHING GRANTS OR PERCENTAGE GRANTS, THIS IS 100% GRANT SO FUNDED BY AMERICA THE BRUTEFUL. THE MOTION BEFORE YOU TODAY IS FOR YOUR VOTE OF SUPPORT TOWARDS THIS GRANT THAT DENAY CAN INCLUDE IN THE PACKET TO SUBMIT LATER ON THIS WEEK.

>> WHAT IS THE CITY RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTENANCE AND UP KEEP?

>> THAT'S UP TO THE ZOO. ACTUALLY FALL UNDER AGENDA ITEM

NUMBER 4. >> OKAY. HADN'T GOT THERE YET.

>> HADN'T GOT THERE YET. >> I'M GLAD TO SEE SOMETHING GOING ON OUT THERE TO ME, IT'S BEEN AN EYE SORE. I HATE TO SAY IT, A LOT OF PEOPLE GIVE KIDS DUCKS FOR EASTER AND WHEN TOO MESSY OR TOO BIG TO KEEP, TAKE THEM OUT THERE AND LET THEM GO.

LAST TIME I WAS OUT THERE, IT WAS REALLY AN EYE SORE. GLAD

GOING TO DO SOMETHING WITH THAT. >> BEAUTIFUL VISION.

>> YOUR PICTURE LOOKS WONDERFUL, YEAH.

>> IT'S GREAT TO HAVE ANOTHER RESOURCE FOR FUNDING. HIGHLY

COMPETITIVE GRANT, DO YOU KNOW? >> WE ANTICIPATE IT WILL BE A COMPETITIVE GRANT. THERE IS SOME UNIQUENESS TO LOCATION IN ABILENE TO COMPETITIVE EDGE TO IT. AND HAVING DIS AIR FORCE BASE TO WHERE THIS IS TAKING PLACE.

>> WHEN DO THEY LET YOU KNOW? >> FIND OUT IN NOVEMBER, PRETTY

QUICKLY. >> NOT TOO LONG.

>> GOOD, GOOD. >> ONLY QUESTION I HAVE, ARE THERE WAYS FOR US TO, ASSUMING GO FORWARD WITH THIS, EXPECTATION WE WOULD. ARE THERE WAYS FOR US TO INCREASE THE...

INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD WE CAN GET THIS GRANT FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE? I MEAN A LOUDER VOTE OF CONFIDENCE WE CAN OFFER AS WELL OR IS THIS WHAT ASKING FOR?

>> AT THIS TIME, THIS IS WHAT WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD AND SUBMIT

THE GRANT. >> THANKS. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?

>> I RECOMMEND WE SUPPORT THIS. >> YEAH.

>> I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA, GREAT PROGRAM.

>> DO YOU RECOMMEND IT WITH A MOTION?

>> I DO. >> SO MOVED.

>> MOVED AND SECONDED. >> ALL IN FAVOR FOR APPROVING THIS FOR AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL SAY I.

>> I. >> OPPOSE? MOVE FORWARD WITH

[4. Approve including the proposed Grasslands and Wetlands areas in the zoo perimeter, and including Festival Gardens in the Nelson Park area (Discussion, Public Hearing and Action)]

>> YES. YEAR OR 2 AGO WHEN APPROVED OUR AGREEMENT WITH THE SOCIETY, THE 3 LAKES, WHAT WE CALL THE TIDAL LAKE, MIDDLE LAKE AND NORTH LAKE ARE CONSIDERED PART OF PARKS AND THE PARKS DIVISION JURISDICTION. AND THEN PART OF THE FOOT PRINT IS FESTIVAL GARDENS WHICH IN THE NEW AGREEMENT BECAME PART OF THE ZOO'S FOOTPRINT. WHAT IS BEFORE YOU TODAY, IS FOR CONSIDERATION, LEAVING FESTIVAL GARDENS AS PART OF THE PARKS DIVISION FOOT PRINT. ONE OF OUR MAJOR VENUES WE RENT OUT AND IN EXCHANGE, GIVING THE MIDDLE LAKE AND THE NORTH LAKE TO THE ZOO SOCIETY'S CONTRACT FOR MAINTENANCE SO THAT THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO APPLY FOR THESE GRANTS AND HAVE THE MAINTENANCE AND THE UP KEEP MOVING FORWARD IS ALSO THE ABILITY TO HAVE FOR FURTHER FUND RAISING AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

OKAY. [INAUDIBLE].

>> LESLIE, PROPOSAL ALREADY BEEN TO THE ZOO SOCIETY?

>> NO IT HAS NOT. >> IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TABLE THIS AND LET IT GO TO THE ZOO SOCIETY AND SEE IF THEY ARE -- THIS DOES NOT HAVE TO BE DECIDED TODAY. BUT IF WE DO RECEIVE THE GRANT, IT WILL, THIS WILL, THE DECISION ON THIS WILL HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT. BUT THIS HAS NOT BEEN TO THE SOCIETY YET BECAUSE

[00:25:01]

THURSDAY. [LAUGHING]. >> GOOD JOB. GOOD TIMING.

SO THIS IS JUST NORTH LAKE ROAD AND FESTIVAL GARDENS AS WELL?

>> WE'RE ASKING FOR THE PARKS DIVISION TO RETAIN FESTIVAL GARDENS AND GIVING THEM THE NORTH LAKE OR MIDDLE OF NORTH LAKE. I THOUGHT NORTH LAKE, CHRIS THOUGHT MIDDLE.

>> MIDDLE OF NORTH LAKE. >> JUST A SWAP OF RESPONSIBILITY

IN WHO MAINTAINS IT. >> OKAY. UH-HUH.

>> WE'VE DONE THESE KIND OF SWAPS BEFORE OVER THE YEARS AND HAS GONE SMOOTHLY IN AN EXPANSION, CORRECT?

>> CORRECT. THIS WAS AN AREA THAT THE ZOO MENTIONED A FEW MONTHS AGO WE HAD CONVERSATION ABOUT THEM WANTING TO EXPAND INTO THIS AREA. THIS GRANT CAME ABOUT THAT GIVES US OPPORTUNITY

TO MOVE UP THAT TIME TABLE. >> I GUESS I'M JUST A LITTLE BIT CONFUSED. IF WE DON'T APPROVE IT TODAY, YOU SAY THAT COULD

EFFECT THE GRANT? >> SHE HAS A DEADLINE.

>> DEADLINE IS THURSDAY, DOESN'T EFFECT THE GRANT BUT DOES EFFECT THE ON GOING MAINTENANCE AND WHO CONTROLS THOSE DECISIONS. IF YOU DO NOT APPROVE IT, REMAIN WITH PARKS BOARD AND THE PARKS DIVISION. IF YOU DO APPROVE THIS EXCHANGE, PENDING APPROVAL OF THE SOCIETY AND CITY COUNCIL, THEN THE MAINTENANCE AND ON GOING UP KEEP WILL FALL UNDER THE ZOO.

>> I DO HAVE A LITTLE CONCERN WITH US ACTING WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OR AT LEAST KNOWLEDGE OF THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

THAT'S MY ONLY CONCERN. NO PROBLEM WITH SUPPORTING THAT

BUT -- >> SO I KNOW THAT THE ENTIRE BOARD [INAUDIBLE] SO QUICKLY THAT [INAUDIBLE].

>> [LAUGHING]. >> STATE MY NAME AGAIN? SO THIS GRANT CAME ABOUT SO QUICKLY THAT OUR ENTIRE BOARD HAS NOT BEEN BRIEFED ON IT. DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE HAS BEEN BRIEFED ON THIS. SOUNDS LIKE INT INTERNALLY, WE HAVE A LOT OF SUPPORT. THERE IS A LOT OF INTEREST OF TAKING OVER THE NORTH LAKE AREA AND WETLANDS AND GRASSLANDS TO BRINGING BISON BACK. THAT'S HIGH PRIORITY. SO THE EXCHANGE FOR FESTIVAL GARDENS WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS

VERY REASONABLE AND ON BOARD. >> NOT TRYING TO BE A TROUBLE MA MAKER. I JUST FEEL A LITTLE BIT UNCOMFORTABLE OVER STEPPING THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. BUT --

>> BUT A ZOO STAFF, YOU FEEL LIKE THIS IS THE OPTION

>> MAKES A -- NO. IT REALLY MAKES A GOOD SYNERGY HAVING THE FESTIVAL GARDENS THERE AND AVAILABLE AND I BELIEVE YOU'RE REFERRING TO THE FLAT FIELDS THAT ARE GOING IN. AND HAVING FESTIVAL GARDENS STILL UNDER PARKS JURISDICTION WHERE ABLE TO RENT OUT TO LARGE PARTIES OR LARGE GROUPS OR BEING ABLE TO PARTNER WITH AYSA AND ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE'RE BOOKING THINGS, STAYING IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER SO NOT OVERLAPPINGBOOKINGS MAKES A REALLY GOOD DECISION.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE, HOW MUCH FESTIVAL GARDENS IS BOOKED. VERY EXTENSIVELY BOOKED AND TAKES A LOT OF TIME TO MANAGE ALL OF THOSE RESERVATIONS. SO THIS WOULD REMAIN WITHIN THE PARK

[00:30:11]

>> THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION. I GUESS I NEED TO ASK 2 QUESTIONS, IS THE CITY IN FAVOR OF THIS?

>> THE STAFF IS SUPPORTIVE OF THIS.

>> DO YOU FEEL LIKE THE ZOO IS IN SUPPORT OF IT?

>> YES. THE ZOO IS IN SUPPORT. >> OKAY. APPEAL BETTER.

>> [LAUGHING]. >> THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO EXPLAIN FOR US AS A GROUP. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION BEFORE WE CLOSE OUR PUBLIC HEARING? BEFORE WE CLOSE THE PUBLIC

HEARING? >> THE SWAP HAS NO BEARING ON WHETHER THE AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL IS OBTAINED, CORRECT?

>> CORRECT. >> ALL RIGHT. WITH THAT, WE WILL CLOSE OUR PUBLIC HEARING AND DISCUSSION PORTIONS OF THIS

AND MOVE TO POTENTIAL ACTION. >> [INAUDIBLE] THAT WE APPROVE.

>> MOVE THAT WE APPROVE. >> I'LL SECOND.

>> ALL IN FAVOR OF AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 4, SAY I.

>> I. >> OPPOSE? LOOKS LIKE IT

[5. Aquatics Report (Discussion)]

GO INTO AJEN AJEGAGENDA ITEM NU >> BOBBY BROWN, SENIORS DIVISION. WE DECIDED TO HAVE 2 OF CHAMPIONS DAY. IN THE PREVIOUS SEASONS WE HAD CHAMPIONS DAY, CITIZENS HAD SO MUCH FUN IN THE WATER. DECIDED AT LEAST TO DO IT TWICE. THE FIRST ONE WE HAD THIS YEAR, THE WEATHER WASN'T SO GREAT. BELIEVE IT OR NOT, HAD A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN THAT DAY. ONLY ABOUT 50 PARTICIPANTS THAT DAY.

GREAT DAY. WE SEEN BETTER. I HOPE IT STAYS HOT ENOUGH FOR THEM TO COME. BUT WANT THE WEATHER TO BE WARM ENOUGH.

EXPECTING MORE TO COME ON THE TWENTY-THIRD.

>> IF RAINS, JUST HAVE ONE EVERY WEEK.

>> THEY WOULD LOVE THAT, I'M SURE.

>> FOR THE 4TH OF JULY, KUDOS TO THE LIFEGUARDS. WE ALL KNOW AGAIN IT'S BEEN SO HOT OUTSIDE. AND THESE KIDS ARE THERE, THEY'RE RUNNING THIS PLACE, THEY'RE HAVING FUN. THEY DECIDED TO TIE DYE SOME T-SHIRTS AND PUT ON FACE PAINT. THEY CELEBRATED THE FESTIVITIES OF THE 4TH JULY AND TURNED OUT GREAT. THEY DECIDED TO DO THIS, DIDN'T COME FROM US. THEY ASKED IF THEY CAN DO IT AND LET THEM DO IT. AND WE JUST WANTED TO SHOW HOW MUCH FUN THOSE KIDS ARE HAVING AND KUDOS TO THEM FOR KEEPING THE FACILITY GOING. IT'S SO HOT OUT THERE.

THIS IS SOMETHING I'M PROUD OF BECAUSE BEEN TALKING ABOUT DOING THIS FOR THE LAST 3 SEASONS AND FINALLY GOT IT GOING. AND I WAS REALLY HESITANT ABOUT IT. BUT WE GOT OVER 25, AVERAGING OVER 25 PEOPLE IN THE SENIOR WALKING CLASS THERE. SO EXCITED ABOUT THAT. THEY COME OUT AND THEY WALK. LIKE I SAID, THEY WALK WITH THE RIVER AND THEN AGAINST THE RIVER FOR RESISTANCE FOR EXERCISE. AND SEVERAL OF THOSE PARTICIPANTS ARE COMING FROM THE SENIOR CENTER AND OTHERS FROM THE NEIGHBORHOODS. SO I THINK A GREAT TAKE OFF BETWEEN THE SENIORS AND AQUATICS AS FAR AS GETTING SENIORS TO USE THE FACILITY. REALLY EXCITED ABOUT

[6. Seniors Report (Discussion)]

[00:35:02]

AND THEN AUDITIONS AGEN NEXT FRIDAY AND ALREADY GOT 25 ACTS SIGNED UP. EXCITED ABOUT IT. FREDER FREDERICKSBURG, ANOTHER ONE I QUESTION. OCTOBER 15TH, GOING TTO FREDERICKSBURG AND DO SHOPPING AND HAVE SNACKS ON THE BUS ON THE WAY. I THINK SO FAR, 20 PEOPLE THAT HAVE SIGNED UP FOR IT. SO WE'RE DOING PRETTY GOOD WITH THAT. SO EXCITED ABOUT THAT AS WELL.

THE WOODSTOCK GAME NIGHT. I FORGOT ABOUT THAT.

>> [LAUGHING]. >> THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS STAFF HAS COME UP WITH WOODSTOCK GAMES, MUSIC AND THINGS LIKE THAT. OVER AT COBB PARK SENIOR CENTER THURSDAY JULY 24TH 6:00 TO 8:00. I DON'T KNOW IF I WANT TO GO THERE, CAN'T GROW MY FRO

BACK THESE DAYS. >> THAT WAS FUNNY.

>> [LAUGHING]. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> THANK YOU. ALWAYS ENTE ENTERTAINING AND GOOD TO HEAR.

[7. Parks Report (Discussion)]

AGENDA ITEM 7 WITH JESUS. >> GOOD MORNING. PARKS DIVISION MANAGER. GET A COUPLE OF PROJECTS IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. ONE OF THEM, THIS FLOWER BED IN FRONT OF EBERMAN PARK. I WENT TO STAFF AND SAID, WE NEED TO MAKE THIS BED A LITTLE MORE, ATTRACT A LITTLE MORE ATTENTION. AND LANDSCAPE CREW CREATED IN REORG, THEY WENT OUT AND FOUND SOME STONE AND PUT THAT STONE BOARD IN THE FRONT AND ADDED MULCH AND MAKES THE FLOWERS POP NOW. SO IF YOU BEEN BY THAT, YOU CAN SEE THAT. STARTING TO TREND NOW. START TRYING TO DO THIS IN SOME OF, ALL OF OUR BEDS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

4TH OF JULY, WE HAD OUR STAFF GO OUT AND HELP FOR THE SET UP OF THIS. OUR STAFF PLACED OVER 100 T-POSTS. JUST TO KIND OF CREATE A BORDER WHERE PEOPLE WOULDN'T PARK IN THE GRASS. YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW HARD THAT WAS. DRIEST IT'S BEEN SO TOOK A LOT OF EFFORT FOR THE GUYS TO DO THAT. DID A GREAT JOB AND ALWAYS WITH A SMILE [INAUDIBLE].

WE'RE GOING TO DISPLAY SOME OF THAT. SKATE PARK, AMAZED AT SOME OF THE WORK THOSE GUYS DO. ALSO, WE'VE HAD OUR MASTER PLAN SURVEY OUT FOR ABOUT A FEW WEEKS NOW. SO JUST WANT TO GIVE A REMINDER FOR PEOPLE IF THEY WANT TO GO ONLINE AND DO THE SURVEY, LET US KNOW WHAT THEIR THOUGHTS ARE AND WHERE WE SHOULD GO AS A DEPARTMENT. YOU CAN ALSO SCAN THE QR CODE ON OUR WEBSITE IF YOU WANT TO DO IT THAT WAY. BUT REALLY THINK ABOUT GOING ONLINE AND GIVING US YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHAT DIRECTION

[00:40:01]

>> I HAVE A QUESTION. AFTER YOUR GREAT SKATEBOARD EVENT, GOT A LOT OF FEEDBACK. I KNOW THERE WAS VANDALISM AFTER THAT AT THE PARK. CAN YOU SAY WHERE THAT RESTORATION STANDS?

>> SO GRAFFITI'S ALL CLEANED UP. STATE WE DO NOT USE PAINT. I KNOW SOME OF THE CONCERN WAS WE USE PAINT AND MAKES IT SLICK.

WE USE SLURRY AND THAT'S WATERED DOWN CONCRETE. SO COVERS UP THE GRAFFITI BUT WHEN DRIES UP, CONCRETE, NOT PAINT. SO ALL CLEANED UP. EVERYTHING'S OPEN. IT WAS JUST A LOT OF VULGAR STUFF THAT WAS OUT THERE. A LOT OF VULGAR LANGUAGE, SOME STUFF THAT WE DIDN'T WANT TO SEE OUT THERE AND THAT'S THE REASON WHY.

CLOSED IT DOWN MAINLY TO LET THE SLURRY DRY. IT WASN'T BECAUSE SOMETHING WE COULDN'T HANDLE. THIS IS THE SECOND OR THIRD TIME USED SLURRY THERE. LAST FEW TIMES, HAD SKATERS AT THE SAME TIME TRYING TO DO THAT. SO GO THROUGH THE SLURRY AS IT WAS DRYING AND CREATES A SITUATION WHERE SOMEBODY MIGHT SLIP AND FALL AND DIDN'T WANT TO CREATE THAT SITUATION. THAT'S WHY WE

CLOSED IT DOWN. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> HOW LONG CLOSED DOWN FOR? >> LESS THAN A DAY. I THINK OUR GUYS GOUT OUT THERE SOMETIME BEFORE LUNCH AND GOT IT DONE AND FOR THE REST OF THE EVENING TO LET IT DRY UP AND DRY THE NEXT

MORNING. >> OUR PEOPLE IN OUR CITY ARE UNBELIEVABLE. THINGS THEY CAN PULL OFF IN SUCH A QUICK TURN AROUND. AND FIXING ISSUES THAT COME UP.

COMPETITION, . >> WAS THE COMPETITION BY AGES?

>> IT WAS BY AGES AND A JAM SESSION. SO IT WASN'T EVERYBODY WENT ONE BY ONE. THE AGE GROUP GO TOGETHER AND SEVERAL PARTICIPANTS COMPETING AND BASICALLY GRADED THEIR TRICKS AND THEIR SKILLS. BUT, YES, THEY WERE DIFFERENT AGE DIVISIONS. AND WE HAVE LITTLE KIDS ALL THE WAY UP TO ADULTS

COMPETING SO. >> NEXT YEAR, LEE.

>> [LAUGHING]. >> I HAVE SOME GOALS.

>> YEAH. WELL, LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU NEXT YEAR THEN.

>> I NEED TO BE VERY PADDED. >> WE PASS BY, TALK ABOUT THIS IN LAST MEETING AS WELL. BUT PASSED BY LAST WEEK AND, MAN, I DIDN'T KNOW WE HAVE A NEW PARK. WE HAVE NEW SIGNS AND LOOK AMAZING. YOUR TEAM'S DOING A FANTASTIC JOB AT THAT AS WELL.

>> PRETTY CLOSE TO GETTING THE OTHER ONES DONE.

>> THEY LOOK GREAT. >> THANK YOU.

[8. Recreation Report (Discussion)]

>> THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT. CHRIS FOR THE

RECREATION DEPARTMENT REPORT. >> ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, STANDING IN FOR ANN TODAY. TALK ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE GOING ON. SEE SOME CROSS OVER AT THE VERY FIRST SCREEN. TALKED MORE ABOUT SKATEBOARD COMPETITION. YOU CAN TELL, WE'RE PRETTY EXCITED ABOUT IT. LOOKING AT WHAT WE CAN DO IN THAT AREA FOR A WHILE. CAME UP FROM JESUS AND ANN AND OTHERS GOT TOGETHER AND DECIDED THIS WOULD BE A COOL IDEA. TO THE LEFT, THE PICTURE ON THE LEFT IS GRAFFITI ART. PEOPLE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT GRAFFITI ART IS, AND THAT'S AN ART FORM AND SO WANTED TO INVITE THE COMMUNITY OUT TO SEE WHAT IT'S LIKE. HAD LOCAL ARTISTS COME UP AND SET UP TENTS AND THEY PRODUCED SOME OF THIS AMAZING STUFF. AND WANTED TO BE ABLE TO SHOW WHAT TRUE GRAFFITI ART COULD LOOK LIKE.

PRODUCED SEVERAL ARTS FOR US. TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO DISPLAY THOSE THROUGHOUT THE PARK, LOCATION THAT'S SAFE SO CAN SEE. COOL STUFF. THE COMPETITION AGAIN, IT WAS A GREAT, WE FELT FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WE WERE DOING. WE BROUGHT IN SOME FOLKS THAT KNEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING ANN AND I AND SOME OF THE OTHER FOLKS LEARNED A NEW LANGUAGE. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT A A ALLY UP AND HALF HIP TURN. WOW, OKAY. SO IT WAS REALLY EDUCATIONAL AT THE SAME TIME. WE HAD OVER 200 PEOPLE THAT ACTUALLY CAME OUT. AND IT WAS INTERESTING BECAUSE THEY STOOD AROUND THE FENCE. NONE OF THEM SAT IN THE BLEACHERS. ALL WANTED TO SEE THE TRICKS AND SEE EVERYTHING GOING ON. AND IT WAS

[00:45:03]

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT. TOP RIGHT CORNER, HARD TO SEE BUT SOMEBODY DOING A TRICK ON THE RAMPS THEY USE THERE. SO THAT WAS A REALLY EXCITING EVENT FOR US. DECIDED TO DO IT COOLER TIME OF THE YEAR NEXT YEAR. OR THIS SEASON MAYBE.

SO AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM IS UNDER WAY STARTING ON MONDAY FOR REGISTRATION. WE'VE BEEN GETTING LOTS OF PHONE CALLS IN, A LOT OF FOLKS GOING ON ONLINE SIGNING UP FOR THE ACTUAL PROGRAM. SO IT'S FOR AGES 6 TO 13 IS OUR AGE GROUP, 3:00 TO 6 P.M. AND THEN WE DO $15 PER WEEK. WE DO HAVE A WAVE, A FEE WAIVER IF YOU QUALIFY FOR THE FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH PROGRAM.

IT'S A POPULAR PROGRAM AS YOU WELL KNOW. WE DO HAVE TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED TO ASD TO SOME OF OUR LOCATIONS SO GO OVER THAT INFORMATION WITH THEM. LIKE I SAID, OPENED YESTERDAY AND QUITE A FEW PEOPLE SIGNING U UP. SO PEOPLE WHO WANT TO PARTICIPATE, GET ONLINE AND SIGN UP AS SOON AS THEY CAN. THIS IS ARRGHAPALOOZA. SO A LONG WITH PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH, WHICH IS JULY, APROCLAMATION. GOT TOGETHER AND CAME UP WITH A NEAT IDEA, SCAVENGER HUNT. SO WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH THAT, DOWNLOAD APPLICATION, INSTALL ON YOUR CELL PHONE, PUT THE CODE IN AND WILL PUT YOU INTO THE ACTUAL SCAVENGER HUNT, I SAY WE LOOSELY, JESUS DONE MOST OF THE HEAVYLITING ON THIS, THROUGHOUT THE PARKS. IDEA IS TO GET PEOPLE OUT INTO THE DIFFERENT PARK AREAS. SO THIS GIVES THEM HINTS EITHER QR CODE OR VIDEO, SOME TYPE OF ACTION, MAYBE TAKING A PICTURE, SUBMIT IT THROUGH THEIR APPLICATION ON THE PHONE AND THEN GET POINTS FOR IT. AND IN THAT, PUZZLE PIECE ASSOCIATED TO CERTAIN ACTIVITIES. IF THEY COMPLETE ALL THE ACTIVITIES IN THE SCAVENGER HUNT, INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN ARRGHAPALOOZA BUT LIKE A FUN PARTY AT THE END OF THE YEAR. AND GET ACCESS TO ADVENTURE COVE. 1 COMPLETION PER FAMILY, GETS 4 PEOPLE IN.

THAT'S WHAT WE BEEN DOING. SUCC SUCCESSFUL, GOT SOME FUN VIDEOS IN AND POPULAR SO FAR. SO IF YOU GET A CHANCE, STILL HAVE TIME THROUGHOUT THE MONTH TO FINISH THAT OUT. ALL RIGHT. ANY QUESTIONS FOR

ME? >> ONE THING BEFORE WE MOVE ON, INTENDED TO OPEN THE PLAY GROUND AT ROSE PARK IN JULY AS PART OF PARK AND [INAUDIBLE].

>> GOOD QUESTIONS. FOR YOUR INFORMATION, CAN'T BELIEVE SIGNING UP FOR AFTER SCHOOL STUFF.

[9. Zoo Report (Discussion)]

>> I KNOW, I KNOW. >> THANK YOU, CHRIS.

REPORT DISCUSSION LED BY TODAY. >> ABILENE ZOO. SO WE HAD OUR TWIN BABY ANTEATERS WERE BORN A LITTLE WHILE AGO BUT JUST NAMED THEM. DAPHNE, THE FEMALE NAMED BY OUR STAFF HAND RAISING HER.

ARNOD, PUT IT OUT TO A FACEBOOK VOTE SO PEOPLE CAN DECIDE BETWEEN 2 DIFFERENT NAMES. ARNOD IS NAMED AFTER A GENTLEMAN

[00:50:07]

HELPING THEM GET ACROSS MAJOR HIGHWAYS DOWN THERE. IF YOU VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE, ARNOD DID AN AMAZING VIDEO FOR NAMING THE ANTEATER AFTER HIM. MOM AND ARNOD ARE OUT IN EXHIBIT. AND DAPHNE IS STILL BEING HAND RAISED BUT HAVING PHOTOS WITH ARNOD AND EVEN DAD. THEY'RE DOING WELL.

WE HAD SOME OTHER NEW ANIMAL ADDITIONS, BABY GIRAFFE BORN A FEW WEEKS AGO. BEEN OUT ON EXHIBIT AND DOING WELL. SHE DOESN'T HAVE A NAME YET. AND WE ALSO JUST RECENTLY HAD BABY CAPYBARAS BORN. WILL BE OUT IN EXHIBIT LATER ON.

PJ MASK IS A DISCOVERY PLUS SHOW FOR KIDS. AND CONSISTS OF 3 SUPER HEROES WITH SUPER POWERS AND GOING THROUGH ZOOS THROUGHOUT THE NATION AND KICKING IT OFF HERE IN ABILENE.

THIS IS THIS SATURDAY AND WILL HAVE A SCAVENGER HUNT AND CHARACTERS WILL DO APPEARANCES AND DO SOME SHORT SHOWS.

INCLUDED WITH MEMBERSHIP AS WELL AS GENERAL GATE ADMISSION THIS SATURDAY. AND THEN ROCK AND ROAR COMING UP ON AUGUST 13TH. DEEP BLUE SOMETHING KNOWN FOR BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S OPENING. AND SISTER HAZEL. AND THEY HAVE A FEW REALLY GREAT SONGS FOLKS WILL RECOGNIZE. SO LOOKING AT THE ROCK IN THE ROCK AND ROAR. GREAT EVENING. YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ON ALL OF THESE AT ABILENEZOO.ORG.

>> DOES ROCK AND ROAR SELL OUT? >> I DON'T KNOW ALL THE HISTORY ON IT. LAST YEAR DIDN'T SELL OUT. BUT 2000 FOLKS OUT FOR IT

THIS YEAR. >> A LOT OF PEOPLE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ARE THERE ANY OTHER ITEMS FOR US TO DISCUSS TODAY? OR DISCUSSIONS TO BE HAD? WITH THAT, I WILL GO AHEAD AND ADJOURN US. THANK YOU FOR THIS TIME THIS MORNING. START OFF,

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.