[CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:11]
GUILE AHEAD AND CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER.
>> DEAR LORD, THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY AND THE CHANCE TO COME TOGETHER TO GROW OUR CITY AND LORD ASK THAT EACH THING WE DO JUST REMEMBERS THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE HERE AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ARE IMPACTED AND I ASK THAT YOU WILL BLESS THIS COMMUNITY WITH JOBS AND WITH HEALTH AND WITH STRONG FAMILIES THAT STICK TOGETHER, GOD. WE THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD AND SERVE AND WE THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THIS TOWN WITH EACH OTHER. I ASK THAT YOU GIVE US WISDOM TODAY AS WE CONSIDER THESE ISSUES AND BE WITH OUR FAMILIES AND KEEP US AND GUIDE US AND PROTECT US.
>> THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION IS THE FINAL AUTHORITY ON APPROVAL. THE DECISIONS OF THIS BOARD MAY BE APPEALED TO THE CITY COUNCIL THROUGH THE CITY SECRETARY NO LATER THAN TEN DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS MEETING.
APPEALS MUST BE IN WRITING. THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO SPEAK ON ANY ITEM UNDER DISCUSSION BY THE COMMISSION AFTER RECEIVING RECOGNITION BY THE CHAIR. THOSE WISHING TO BE HEARD SHALL APPROACH THE PODIUM, STATE YOUR NAME AND PURPOSE FOR APPEARING.
EACH SPEAKER IS REQUESTED TO LIMIT THEIR PRESENTATION TO NO
[MINUTES]
MORE THAN FIVE MINUTES. ADDITIONAL TIME MAY BE GRANTED.THE FIRST ITEM IS THE MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
LOOK AT THOSE AND DO WE HAVE - DISCUSSION ITEMS OR ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS?
>> SEEING NONE FROM UP HERE I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE THAT HAS COMMENTS FOR THE MINUTES TO THE PREVIOUS MEETING. SEEING NONE,LY CLOSE THE PUBLIC
HEARING AND LOOK FOR A MOTION. >> MOVE TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.
>> MOTION AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR.
[ZONING]
>> AYE. >> OUR FIRST ZONING CASE TODAY IS HISTORIC OVERLAY HOZ-2023-01. 302 PINE STREET AND MASON WILL TELL US ABOUT IT. THANK YOU.
>> HI. TODAY I'M GOING TO PRESENT YOU HOZ 2023-01. THE OWNER IS THIRD AND PINE LP.
THE AGENT IS TIM GRAVES. THE REQUEST IS TO ADD THE HISTORIC OVERLAY. THE LOCATION IS 302 PINE STREET.
THERE WAS THREE IN FAVOR AND NONE OPPOSED.
THE LANDMARKS COMMISSION MET APRIL 25TH AND APPROVED -- RECOMMENDED THEIR APPROVAL FOR THE OVERLAY.
HERE WE HAVE A LOCATION MAP. THE ZONING MAP.
HERE WE HAVE SOME PHOTOS OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY.
HERE IS THE NOTIFICATION MAP, THAT SHOWS THE THREE IN FAVOR.
THIS OVERLAY REQUEST IS CONSISTENT WITH SECTION 2.3.4.4 OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE. IT'S CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND FUTURE LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN.
IT'S CONSISTENT WITH SECTION 1.4.1.4 OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE. LANDMARKS COMMISSION RECOMMENDED APPROVAL. STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL AS WELL. DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
>> MASON, CAN YOU PUT THE ZONING MAP BACK UP?
>> RIGHT THERE. ARE THE OTHER HATCHED AREAS ON HERE OVERLAYS HISTORIC OVERLAYS DO YOU KNOW?
>> YES, THEY ARE HISTORIC OVERLAYS.
>> OKAY. ALL RIGHT. ANY QUESTIONS FOR MASON? THANK YOU, MASON. I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ANYONE LIKE TO COME UP AND VISIT WITH THE COMMISSION ABOUT THE ZONING CASE? SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
KEVIN, YOU'RE INVOLVED IN THIS ON THE OTHER SIDE IF YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT IT? WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THIS AND THE LANDMARKS AND JUST AS A HISTORIC PRESERVATION ARCHITECT, I AM ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT WHAT HE'S DONE WITH THAT BUILDING. REALERY APPRECIATE THE INVESTMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY.
IT LOOKS GREAT. >> I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE.
>> SECOND. >> MOTION TO APPROVE AND SECOND.
RANDY. ARE WE GOING TOO FAST FOR YOU?
>> WHAT WAS THE SECOND? >> MITCH.
>> MR. HALIBURTON. >> MS. FLEMING.
>> YES. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING.
NEXT CASE Z 2023-07 CHANGE ZONING FROM PDD 128 TO GENERAL
[00:05:02]
RETAIL AT 701 SOUTH BOULEVARD. >> TODAY I'M PRESENTING Z 2023-07. WE RECEIVED THE REQUEST TO' ZONE FROM A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT 128 TO -- THE REQUEST CAME FROM OWNER COFFEE MOMMA LLC IN. THE AGENT IS CJ CHENEY.
THE LOCATION IS 701 SOUTH JUDGE S -- PLANNED DEVELOPMENT 128 THAT ACTUALLY HAS AN UNDERLAYING BASE ZONE OF GENERAL RETAIL AND THEY'RE PROPOSING TO GO STRAIGHT TO GENERAL RETAIL.
HERE YOU HAVE THE PERMITTED USES.
YOU HAVE SOME IMAGES OF THE NEIGHBORING PROPERTIES ALONG WITH THE SUBJECT PROPERTY. WE SENT OUT NOTICES TO THE NEIGHBORS AND RECEIVED TWO IN FAVOR AND ONE OPPOSED.
THE PROPOSED REQUEST FOR GENERAL RETAIL IS CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WITH THE ZONING DISTRICT ESTABLISHED BY THE PLANNING DEVELOPMENT 128 AND GENERALLY ACCEPTED PLANNING PRINCIPLES AND ALSO WITH THE CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL.
STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS?
>> DIDN'T WE DO THIS CLASS LAST? >> TIME BEFORE LAST IN MARCH.
>> I DON'T SEE ANY DIFFERENT IN WHAT WE DID IN MARCH BECAUSE I LOOKED AT THE MARCH PACKET AND THE MINUTES SO WHAT'S THE
DIFFERENCE HERE? >> THE ADDRESS.
THE ADDRESS WAS PUBLISHED INCORRECTLY.
>> OKAY. SO IT'S REALLY THE SAME CASE.
>> NOTHING HAS CHANGED. IT IS STILL THE SAME REQUEST.
THERE'S STILL PROPOSING GENERAL RETAIL.
IT WAS JUST THE ADDRESS THAT WAS INCORRECTLY PUBLISHED.
THANK YOU. >> THE SECOND NOTICE, THE OBJECTION, DID THEY ADD ANYTHING?
>> THEY DIDN'T ADD ANYTHING. IT'S STILL THE SAME ISSUE WITH
THE TRAFFIC CONCERNS. >> THE TRAFFIC ISSUES.
>> AND WITH IT BEING ACROSS FROM A SCHOOL ZONE AND HAVING THOSE
NO PARKING ISSUES. >> OKAY. THANK YOU.
>> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU.
I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE LIKE TO COME UP AND ADDRESS THIS CASE? SEEING NO ONE,LY CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
I GET WHY WE NEEDED LEGALLY TO REISSUE IT BUT WE ALREADY APPROVED SGLIT WE HAD A GOOD DISCUSSION.
>> I WOULD MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.
>> MOTION AND SECOND. BRAD AND KEVIN.
>> YES. >> MOTION APPROVED 5-0.
ZONING CASE Z-2023-11, CHANGE ZONING FROM LIGHT INDUSTRIAL TO HEAVY INDUSTRIAL AT 4962 FM 18.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON AGAIN. TODAY WE HAVE ZONING CASE 2023-11. THIS IS A REQUEST TO REZONE FROM LIGHT INDUSTRIAL TO HEAVY INDUSTRIAL.
THE OWNER IS BRIDGE STONE FOR THE PROPERTY AT 4962 FM 18.
AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, THIS IS JUST EAST OF THE CURRENT FACTORY ON FM 18. CURRENTLY THE FACTORY IS ZONED HEAVY INDUSTRIAL. LAST MONTH YOU SAW A CASE FOR THE PROPERTY TO THE WEST THAT GOT ALSO REZONED HEAVY INDUSTRIAL. AND TODAY WE'RE LOOKING AT THE PROPERTY TO THE EAST WHICH IS ALSO OWNED BY BRIDGE STONE BANDAG TO BE REZONED FROM LI TO HEAVY INDUSTRIAL.
SO YOU WOULD HAVE THAT WHOLE LITTLE CLUSTER OF HEAVY INDUSTRIAL. IF THIS WERE TO CARRY ON.
THESE ARE THE PERMITTED USES IN LIGHT INDUSTRIAL.
AND HERE ARE THE PERMITTED USES IN HEAVY INDUSTRIAL.
SO YOU CAN SEE HERE WE HAVE THE NEIGHBORING PROPERTY OF THE EXISTING FACILITY SUBJECT PROPERTY IS CURRENTLY VACANT AND THE PROPERTY JUST SOUTH OF THERE IS ALSO JUST VACANT LAND.
WE SEND OUT NOTICES AND RECDIDN RECEIVE ANYTHING BACK IN FAVOR
[00:10:01]
OR OPPOSED. WE FOUND THIS ON CAN CYST NITTY WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, THE SURROUNDED USES IN ZONING GENERALLY ACCEPTED PLANNING PRINCIPLES AND IT'S ALSO MEETS THE CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL IN THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE.STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL. AND I'M HAPPEN FOY ANSWER ANY
QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. >> WILL YOU GO BACK TO THE ZONING MAP, PLEASE?
>> LAST MONTH IT WAS 4678. IS THE ONE WE CHANGED LAST MONTH
>> OKAY. SO WHAT IS IT? 51 -- MAYBE -- SIT 61 OR 5154?
THAT'S A MOBILE HOME I THINK. >> CORRECT.
>> SO WHAT DOES HEAVY INDUSTRIAL DO UP AGAINST THAT?
>> THEY'LL JUST HAVE TO DO ADDITIONAL BUFFERING.
>> OKAY. TO BUFFER UP AGAINST THAT.
>> WHEN THEY DO CHOOSE TO DEVELOP.
>> WHY IS BANDAG WANTING TO DO THIS?
>> TO FACILITATE EXPANSION AT A FUTURE DATE.
RIGHT NOW THEY HAVE AN EXPANSION AT THEIR LOCATION 4750 WHICH ALSO TRIGGERED THEM TO REZONE THE PROPERTY TO THE WEST BECAUSE THE PARKING LOT WAS EXPANDING AND THEY'RE GOING THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS AND THEY HAVE PLANS TO EXPAND.
THEY WANTED TO JUST GO AHEAD AND DO THE OTHER PORTION AS WELL.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU.
I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO COME UP AND
ADDRESS THE ZONING CASE FOR US? >> SAM CHASE WITH CHASE AND WALLS PLLC HERE AS THE DESIGNATED AGENT FOR BRIDGE STONE BANDAG. WE WERE HERE LAST MONTH.
APPRECIATE THE COUNCIL. I'M SORRY, THE COMMISSION AND CHAIRMAN ROSENBAUM, TIM AND RANDALL AND MS. IVY.
WE BELIEVE THAT -- WE AGREE WITH MS. IVY THAT THIS MATTER MEETS ALL THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND THE LDC.
WOULD APPRECIATE THAT YOU AGREE WITH THIS.
LAST MONTH WE WERE HERE ON THE WEST SIDE REZONE.
THIS MONTH WE'RE ON THE EAST SIDE.
I SPOKE WITH MS. IVY YESTERDAY AND THERE WAS SOME QUESTION RAISED ABOUT SOME EQUIPMENT OUT THERE AND THAT IS TEMPORARY EQUIPMENT FOR THE PARKING AREA TO BE ABLE TO GET THE EQUIPMENT OUT OF THE WAY FOR THE ADDITION BEING ADDED.
BUT WE THINK THIS IS IN LINE AND WE CERTAINLY WOULD ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE AND APPRECIATE THAT BRIDGE STONE BANDAG IS CONTINUING TO STAY WITH US IN ABILENE AND EXPAND.
IF YOU GOT ANY QUESTIONS WE'LL ANSWER THEM.
OTHERWISE, WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE.
THANK YOU FOR COMING UP. >> THANK YOU.
ANYBODY ELSE? SEEING NO ONE,LY CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
DO WE HAVE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION OR A MOTION?
>> I'LL MOTION TO APPROVE. >> DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>> I'LL SECOND. >> KEVIN WILL SECOND.
>>> CASE Z 2023-13. CHANGE ZONING FROM AGRICULTURAL OPEN SPACE AND GENERAL COMMERCIAL TO JUST GENERAL COMMERCIAL AT 411 EAST SOUTH 11TH.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M ADAM HOLLAND.
I'M A PLANNER FOR THE CITY OF ABILENE PLANNING DEPARTMENT.
THIS IS CASE Z 2023-13. THIS IS OWNED BY DENNIS AND MOLLY DUNHAM AND IS A REQUEST TO REZONE TO GC.
IT'S LOCATED AT 411 EAST SOUTH 11TH STREET.
HERE'S A LOCATION MAP SHOWING THE AREA OF THE PROPERTY.
HERE'S A CURRENT ZONING MAP FOR THE EXISTING PROPERTY.
THERE'S SOME TO THE NORTH NORTHEAST OF THE PROPERTY.
AS WELL AS SOME AO TO THE SOUTH WHICH IS THE EXISTING THOMAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. HERE THE PERMITTED USES IN AO ZONING. FOLLOWED BY THE PERMITTED USES IN GC ZONING. HERE ARE SOME PHOTOS OF THE
[00:15:03]
PROPERTY AND NEIGHBORING PROPERTIES.YOU CAN SEE THERE'S AN EDWARD JONES ACROSS THE STREET.
AN OFFICE. TO THE EAST THERE'S SOME NONCONFORMING SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES AS WELL AS SOME OTHER COMMERCIAL USES IN THE AREA. WE SENT OUT NOTIFICATIONS AND RECEIVED NONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSED.
THE PROPOSED REQUEST FOR GC ZONING IS CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN SURROUNDING USES AND ZONING.
GENERALLY ACCEPTED PLANNING PRINCIPLES AND THE CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL IN THE LDC. I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE FOR ME.
>> DO YOU HAVE ANY INSIGHT -- LOOKS LIKE ALL OF THOSE LOTS
ALONG THERE ARE SPLIT. >> I BELIEVE THAT WAS JUST AN ARBITRARY LINE THEY PICKED WHENEVER THEY ADOPTED THE ZONING. THAT'S HOW IT WAS DECIDED.
>> OKAY. IT SEEMS LIKE A TRICK.
>> I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE LIKE TO COME UP AND VISIT WITH US AT THIS CASE? SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. IT'S STRAIGHTFORWARD TO ME.
>> I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE. >> MOTION TO APPROVE, BRAD.
>> BRAD AND SHANTE SECOND. >> MR. BAR YET.
[AGENDA ITEMS ]
5-0. >>> NOW WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO -- I BELIEVE THAT'S ALL OF OUR ZONING CASES.
WE'LL MOVE TO THE PARKS MASTER PLAN AND LESLI WILL COME UP WITH
A PRESENTATION ABOUT THAT. >> YOU'RE WELCOME TO STAY OR LEAVE. IT'S GOING TO BE VERY
INTERESTING RIGHT LESLI. >> EXCITING MASTER PLAN.
>> I RECOMMEND YOU STAY. IT IS EXCITING.
>> LESLI ANDREWS PARKS AND RECREATION.
WE'RE GOING TO REALLY SUMMARIZE THE 380 PAGES.
WE WENT THROUGH THIS PROCESS ALL OF 202.
IT WAS ROUGHLY A YEAR LONG PROCESS AND WHAT WE DID -- AND THE PURPOSE OF THE PLAN WAS REALLY TO SET THE GOAL AND VISION FOR PARKS AND RECREATION IN THE CITY OF ABILENE FOR THE NEXT TEN YEARS. TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE MOVING FORWARD IN THE DIRECTION THAT THE CITIZENS OF ABILENE WOULD LIKE TO SEE US GO ADDRESS ANY GAPS OR INEQUITIES IN OUR SERVICE DELIVERY AND PREPARING US FOR THE FUTURE.
THE COMPANY THAT WE ENGAGE TO DO THE MASTER PLAN IS -- THEY WORK ALL OVER THE NATION SO NOT ONLY WERE THEY COMPARING US TO THE SURROUNDING AREAS AND ALL OF TEXAS BUT ALSO ALL OF THE NATION IN SOME THINGS THAT PERPETRATE THEY WERE LOOKING AT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PRESENTING TO ABILENE OUR BEST FOOT FORWARD AND WHAT PARKS AND RECREATION NEEDS TO BE FOR THE CITY OF ABILENE. THERE WAS SOME STEERING COMMITTEE GUIDANCE. THIS WAS MADE UP OF KEY STAFF, BOARD MEMBERS, AND CITY OFFICIALS.
WE DID HAVE FOUR TWO HOUR IN PERSON MEETINGS AS WELL AS QUITE A FEW ZOOM MEETINGS. WE ALSO WANTED TO HELP PROMOTE AND ENGAGE AS MUCH PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AS WE COULD AS WE DETERMINED THE FUTURE FOR PARKS AND RECREATION.
THERE WERE FOUR STEPS TO THIS PROCESS WHICH IS WHY IT DID TAKE A YEAR. WE HAD TWO PEOPLE COME IN THAT WENT TO EVERY SINGLE PARK AND LOOKED AT EVERY SINGLE AMENITY AND GRADED EVERY SINGLE AMENITY AND IF Y'ALL REMEMBER HOW HOT IT WAS LAST SUMMER THOSE TWO PEOPLE WERE HERE I THINK FOR THE HOTTEST WEEK IN JUNE SO YOU WILL SEE SHADE STRUCTURE AS ONE OF THE KEY POINTS MOVING FORWARD IN A LOT OF THIS.
THEY HAPPENED TO PICK A VERY HOT IT WAS LIKE I DON'T KNOW 112, 114 FOR THE TWO OR THREE DAYS THEY WERE HERE BUT THEY WERE TROOPERS. THEY DID A VERY THOROUGH JOB OF LOOKING AT OUR PARKS AND APPRECIATE THAT.
THEN WE WENT INTO THE ENGAGEMENT PIECE WHERE WE DID SURVEYS, WORKSHOPS. WE DID THE ENVISIONING AND THEN DEVELOPED THE ACTION PLAN. THIS WAS PRESENTED TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD IN FEBRUARY AND IN MARCH IT WAS APPROVED.
WE MISSED THE DEADLINE TO BRING IT TO Y'ALL IN APRIL WHICH IS WHY WE ARE HERE TODAY. WHAT THE DATA TOLD US WHEN WE DID THE EVALUATION WAS BASED ON AVAILABILITY OF ALL OF OUR PARKS AND THE RECREATION AMENITIES, 33% OF THE PEOPLE ARE LOW TO MEDIUM LOW ECONOMIC LEVEL. 19% ARE IN THE HIGH TO MEDIUM
[00:20:03]
HIGH. ONLY 20% LIVE WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF A PARK. AS Y'ALL KNOW, WALKABILITY IN ABILENE WE'RE NOT ALWAYS ON THE HIGHEST OF ALL OF THOSE CHARTS AND SO THE ABILITY TO WALK TO OUR PARKS CAME OUT AT 20%.ONE OF THE MOST ASTOUNDING THINGS THAT WE LEARNED WAS 82% OF RESPONDENTS VISITED PARKS SIX OR MORE TIMES WITH 50% VISITING 20 OR MORE TIMES. THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IS 75% VISIT ONE PARK ONE TIME A YEAR. AND SO WE HAD 82% OF ABILENENS GOING TO OUR PARKS AT LEAST SIX TIMES OR MORE SO PEOPLE IN ABILENE ARE USING OUR PARKS AND FACILITIES.
THEY NOTICED THE POPULATION WAS GROWING AND AGING.
WE HAD OUR SENIOR POPULATION SEEMING TO BE INCREASING WITH OUR CHILDREN POPULATION APPEARING TO DECREASING AND SOME OF THE SITE ASSESSMENTS DETERMINED WITH ATHLETIC FIELDS NEEDED UPGRADING AND LAND AVAILABILITY FOR IMPROVEMENTS.
ONE OF THE THINGS IN OUR PARKS WHILE WE HAVE QUITE A FEW PARKS AND THEY'RE VERY NICE SIZED PARKS, WE DON'T HAVE A WILL THE OF PARK -- HAVE A LOT OF PARKS REPRESENTING ALL AREAS IN ABILENE. THAT EVERS ONE THING THAT CAME OUT IN THE DATA. IN THE BENCHMARKING AGAINST THE 46 AGENCIES ACROSS SEVEN STATES YOU WILL SEE OUR PLAYGROUNDS, ARE LOW. OUR TENNIS COURTS ARE DOING GOOD COMPARED TO THE STATE NOT QUITE SO UP TO NATIONAL AVERAGE.
BASKETBALL WE'RE IN NEED OF THOSE.
OUR DIAMOND BALL FIELDS FOR THE YOUTH YOU WILL SEE WE'RE WAY ABOVE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE FOR WHAT WE OFFER BUT WHAT WE DO OFFER IS ALSO VERY OLD AND SO THERE IS SOME INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS THAT DO NEED TO BE LOOKED AT TO BE MADE IN OUR DIAMOND FIELDS. AND THAT IS BOTH FOR SOFTBALL, BASEBALL, AND ADULT. AND THEN RECTANGULAR FIELDS, THEY CALL IT RECTANGULAR. I CALL IT FLAT FIELDS.
SOME CALL IT SOCCER OR FOOTBALL DEPENDING ON THE SPORT.
BUT BASICALLY THAT IS A FLAT FIELD ANY SPORT CAN BE PLAYED ON. YOU WILL SEE THAT ABILENE IS VERY, VERY LOW IN THAT CATEGORY. OUR STAFFING IS LESS THAN THE BENCHMARK. WE ONLY HAVE 6.8 STAFF PER 10,000 VERSUS 8.6. THEY SAY WE ARE 3.5% LOW ON STAFFING COMPAREDED TO WHAT WE ARE CURRENTLY MAINTAINING BEFORE WE EVEN START ADDING ON AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE.
WE DO HAVE LOW SERVICE LEVELS. WHAT OUR GUYS DO IS -- OUR PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT IS BOTH MALE AND FEMALE.
WHAT THEY DO IS OUTSTANDING FOR THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WE HAVE IN ALL THE THINGS AND SERVICES THAT THEY PROVIDE.
YOU'LL SEE THE OPERATING EXPENDITURES PER CAPITA.
WE HAVE $59 VERSUS THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF $97.
AND THEN WE ARE ALSO -- OUR ACREAGE GOING BACK TO THE -- WE HAVE A LOT OF LARGE PARKS BUT NOT COVERING A WHOLE AREA.
WE HAVE 9.1 ACRES PER -- VERSUS 11.5 FOR THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.
MOVING INTO THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PART, WE DID DO A WEB BASED AND HAND OUT SURVEY. 93% WERE ABILENE RESIDENTS.
7% LIVED OUTSIDE AND WE DID HAVE 20 STAKEHOLDER GROUP MEETINGS OVER A TWO AND A HALF DAY PERIOD REPRESENTING ALL P KINDS OF DIFFERENT AREAS OF PEOPLE THAT WE KNOW USE OUR PARKS ON A REGULAR BASIS AND THEN WE DID ALSO HAVE AN OPEN HOUSE WHERE PEOPLE GOT PRETEND MONEY TO GO VOTE BY THEIR DOLLARS ON WHERE THEY WOULD LIKE FOR US TO SPEND OUR TIME AND EFFORTS.
SO THERE WAS A LOT OF REALLY GOOD FEEDBACK THAT WE RECEIVED FROM THAT. THE COMMUNITY PRIORITIES FOR INVESTMENT REALLY FELL DOWN INTO THREE CATEGORIES, FACILITIES, AND SYSTEMS OFFERING MORE EVENTS AND PROGRAMMING, MORE THINGS FOR YOUTH AND ADULT, MORE THINGS FOR ACTIVE ADULT PROGRAMS. MINOR PLUG RIGHT HERE. THIS IS SENIOR CITIZENS MONTH.
AND OUR SENIOR GROUP DECIDED TO SEE IF ANYBODY WANTED TO GO TO THE ACU BASEBALL GAME SO WE HAVE 40 TO 50 FROM OUR PROGRAMMING GOING TO THE BASEBALL GAME TONIGHT.
THAT'S ONE NEW PROGRAM THAT CAME OUT OF SOME OF THESE CONVERSATIONS TO BE ABLE TO OFFER OUR SENIORS TO HELP GET THEM OUT. KEEP THEM ACTIVE.
KEEP THEM ENGAGED IN THE COMMUNITY.
FACILITIES WE DO NEED TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO RESTROOM SHADE AND SUPPORTING AMENITIES AS YOU KNOW FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS WE'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RECREATION FACILITIES AND HOW THEY ARE ATTEND OF LIFE. WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO MAKE
[00:25:01]
IMPROVEMENTS THERE. PLAYGROUNDS TYPICALLY HAVE A 20 TO 25-YEAR LIFE SPAN AND WE HAVE MANY BEYOND THAT LIFE.PLAYGROUNDS AS YOU KNOW WE HAD A FIRE AT SEARS PARK AND WE HAVE NOW ORDERED A NEW PLAYGROUND FOR THAT BUT THE LAST TIME WE ORDERED A PLAYGROUND IT TOOK A YEAR TO BE ABLE TO GET IT IN.
SO THAT PROCESS HAS BEGUN. BUT IT DOES NOT HAPPEN QUICKLY ANYMORE. AND AGAIN ATHLETIC FIELDS PICKLE BALL COURTS. IF YOU WERE AT THE HOPE HOUSE YOU SAW A GROUP COME IN AND BRING THEIR PADDLES AND BALLS WITH THEM. PICKLE BALL IS A VERY BIG GROWING SPORT IN ABILENE AND THEY'RE A VOCAL GROUP.
SO WE HAVE BEEN HAVING MEETINGS WITH THEM TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO MEET THEIR NEEDS HERE IN ABILENE.
THEN IN THE SYSTEM IT'S ALL ABOUT UPGRADING CONNECTIVITY AND REALLY PEOPLE ARE WANTING MORE NATURE'S ABILITY TO GET TO GET INTO NATURE. SOME OF YOU KNOW WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF PUTTING IN THE TRAIL AT CEDAR CREEK AND WHILE IT IS NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC YET PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO WALK ON THAT AND IT IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL.
PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE WHAT ARE A TREASURE IT IS HERE IN ABILENE.
WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT STRATEGIC PLANNING AND DEVELOPED VALUES AND GOALS. INCLUSIVITY AND INNOVATION.
WE REWROTE OUR MISSION AND VISION STATEMENTS.
REALLY THAT CAN MEAN WHATEVER YOU WANT IT TO MEAN.
WE REALLY FOCUSED ON BEING THE GOLD STANDARD FOR ABILENE.
WHAT IS IT THAT THE ABILENE COMMUNITY WANTS NOT COMPARING TO A MAJOR METROPLEX AREA. WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET THERE.
AND DOING ALL THAT WHILE BEING GOOD STEWARDS BOTH WITH OUR RESOURCES PHYSICALLY AND COMMUNICATION ALL THE THINGS THAT GO INTO BEING ABLE TO OFFER THIS.
THE OPERATIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS WERE TO STRIVE TO REACH THE NEW VISION FOR PARKS AND RECREATION. MAKING SURE WE'RE CONTINUOUSLY ENGAGING THE CITIZENS IN THEIR FEEDBACK.
THIS IS NOT A WE HAD THESE MEETINGS LAST SUMMER AND IN TEN YEARS WE'LL DO IT AGAIN. IT'S THE CONSTANT INTERACTION WITH THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE STAYING ON TOP OF MOVING FORWARD WITH WHAT REALLY IS THE NEEDS.
BECAUSE OVER A TEN YEAR PERIOD THINGS CHANGE.
IF Y'ALL REMEMBER BACK FIVE YEARS AGO THINGS HAVE CHANGED A LOT. TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE CHANGE AS MUCH AS WE CAN AND IMPLEMENTING NEW PARTNERSHIPS LIKE WHAT WE HAVE DONE FOR THE PROPOSED FLIGHT FEELS -- LOOKING FOR OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUNDING SOURCES AND PARTNERSHIPS WHETHER IT BE ESTABLISHING A PARKS FOUNDATION SEEKING GRANTS, WORKING WITH PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.
BEING MORE ACTIVE IN TRYING TO REACH OUT TO THOSE GROUPS WORKING WITH THOSE GROUPS TO REALLY BE ABLE TO MOVE ABILENE ALONG. CONTINUING TO ADDRESS DEFERRED MAINTENANCE. CONTINUING TO LOOK AT STAFFING LEVELS. PARKS IS NO DIFFERENT THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD. YOU KNOW.
TRYING TO GET STAFF WE ALWAYS HAVE A COUPLE OF VACANCIES.
TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT EVEN FOR THE POSITIONS THAT WE DO HAVE THAT WE'RE ABLE TO ENTICE PEOPLE TO COME WORK FOR US.
IT'S NOT ALWAYS FUN. BECAUSE WE DO HAVE HOT AND COLD DAYS. WE HAVE A LOT OF PRETTY DAYS IN BETWEEN. IT IS A LOT OF HARD WORK.
SOME OF THE BROAD CAPITAL RECOMMENDATIONS ARE REALLY UPGRADING AND IMPROVING EXISTING PARKS.
REALLY LOOKING AT OUR BASEBALL SOFTBALL COMPLEXES.
TAKING A HARD LOOK AT OFFERING PICKLE BALL OR RECREATION CENTERS AS YOU WILL SEE SHADES AND RESTROOMS. THEY WERE OUT IN EVERY PARK. ACTUALLY MORE THAN ONCE.
LOOKING AT OUR PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AND REALLY LOOKING AT ADDING TRAILS AND PARKS AND CROW ATEING LINKAGE IN THE COMMUNITY TO GIVE PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET OUT AND EASTBOUND JOY AS MUCH AS THEY POSSIBLY CAN. THE TOP TEN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR EXISTING WERE PLAYGROUNDS, RESTROOMS, SHADE, RECREATION CENTERS, ADA ACCESS. A LOT OF THIS IS REPEAT AT BASEBALL, SOFTBALL TRAILS, PICNIC TABLES.
SIGNAGE. A NEW DEVELOPMENT AGAIN THE FIELD AND THE FLAT FIELDS PAVED PARKING TRAILS.
WE HAVE FOUR TRAILS THAT ARE ALMOST COMPLETE.
WE STILL HAVE A WAYS TO GO. LOOKING AT WATERFRONT AMENITIES LOOKING AT PICKLE BALL COURTS, MAYBE A NEW DOG PARK, EXPANDING ADVENTURE COVE. REALLY FOCUSING ONE OF THE
[00:30:03]
THINGS PEOPLE WANT TO HIKE AND BIKE WHETHER IT'S NATURE TRAIL AND IT'S AN UNPAVED SURFACE OR A PAVED SERVICE THEY'RE LOOKING FOR BOTH IT IS GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF WORK, A LOT OF PARTNERSHIP, AND A LOT OF REALLY LACKING AND SEEING WHERE MAYBE SOME LOW HANGING FRUIT. WHAT SOME OF THE THINGS, QUICK WINS WE CAN DO AS WE START MOVING THIS PLAN FORWARD.IT IS OUR MISSION AND VISION AND HOW DO WE GET THERE.
REALLY A SUMMATION OF WHAT I BELIEVE IS DESIRED.
LIKE I SAID WE PRESENTED THIS TO PARKS AND RECREATION IN MARCH.
WE'RE BRINGING IT TO PLANNING AND ZONING FOR OUR APPROVAL.
YOU APPROVED THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND WE REALIZE WE WERE MENTIONED IN THERE AT LEAST 23 TIMES.
IF YOU DO APPROVE THE PLAN TODAY, IT IS SCHEDULED TO GO TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR FINAL APPROVAL ON MAY 25TH.
WITH THAT I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> I DIDN'T READ ALL 380 PAGES. I READ WHAT YOU TOLD ME TO READ BUT I'M GOING TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT HERE.
BACK UP JUST A SECOND AND GIVE US HOW PARKS WORKS INTO YOUR -- IN THE OVERALL SCHEME OF THE WAY THE CITY OPERATES.
HOW DOES THE PARKS DEPARTMENT WORK INTO THAT AND HOW DOES THE PARKS BOARD INTERACT WITH THAT. THAT HIGH LEVEL OF THE INTERACTION AMONG THE CITY OF HOW THE PARKS WORKS.
>> MY DEPARTMENT I'M THE PARKS AND RECREATION OR DIRECTOR OR PARKS AND RECREATION. TY OVERSEE PARKS, RECREATION, SENIORS, AQUATICS. AS WELL AS OUR MUNICIPAL TENNIS CENTER GOLF COURSE AND CEMETERY. SO THAT'S KIND OF WHAT IS UNDER MY UMBRELLA. I ANSWER DIRECTLY TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD. THEY ARE ACTUALLY A PART OF THE CITY'S D'ARTER JUST LIKE PLANNING AND ZONING IS.
SOME DECISIONS ARE RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCILS AND SOME ARE FINAL STATION DECISIONS.
THEY MAKE THOSE AT THEIR LEVEL. THEY'RE VERY ACTIVE IN THE CITY.
VERY ACTIVE IN OUR PARKS RECREATION HELPING US ESTABLISH POLICIES. MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE BEING GOOD STEWARDS OF THE CITY'S DOLLAR AND MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE TAKING CARE OF EVERYTHING THAT IS PUT UNDER OUR UMBRELLA
TO TAKE CARE OF. >> SO DO YOU REPORT UP THROUGH MR. RISER OR DIRECTLY TO THE CITY MANAGE SENATOR.
>> I REPORT DIRECTLY TO DEPUTY CITY MANAGER MINDY PATTERSON.
>> WHO CONTROLS THE BUDGET? THERE'S A PARKS WORD -- DOES THE PARKS BOARD RECOMMEND HOW THESE WILL BE DONE OR IS THAT SOMETHING YOU FEED IN AND THEY APPROVE THAT?
>> THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE ONE THAT APPROVES THE BUDGET.
THEY'RE THE ONES THAT ACTUALLY ARE THE FINAL SAY ON WHAT DOLLARS ARE SPENT. PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD THEY APPROVE IF THERE'S GOING TO BE AN IMPROVEMENT IN A PARK IT HAS TO BE APPROVED BY PARKS AND RECREATION.
THEY DON'T APPROVE, YES, YOU CAN SPEND 20 VERSUS 30,000.
THEY SAY YES YOU CAN PUT A BALL FIELD IN THIS LOCATION IN THIS PARK AND THEN THEY MOVE IT ON TO CITY COUNCIL TO SAY, YES, AND HERE'S THE MONEY THAT YOU CAN GO USE TO SPEND THAT.
THEY'RE MORE OF DECIDING WHAT AMENITIES, WHAT POLICIES, F FACILITIES WE'RE GOING TO HAVE HAVE.
CITY COUNCIL DECIDES THE MONEY SPENT AND WHAT PARKS.
>> I KNOW YOU'RE ON THE SPOT HERE.
DO YOU GET A BIG CHUNK OF BUDGET OR HOW DOES YOUR -- LET'S SAY WE WANT TO TRY TO EMPOLICEMEN A BUDGET.
HOW DO YOU GET MORE FUNDING? >> THAT IS THE MILLION DOLLARS
[00:35:05]
QUESTION. SO IF YOU HAVE A MILLION DOLLARSI'M HAPPY TO ACCEPT IT TODAY. >> SURE.
>> IT REALLY IS GOING TO COME DOWN TO PARTNERSHIPS.
IT'S REALLY GOING TO COME DOWN TO LOOKING AT WHAT RATED HIGHEST. SOME OF THESE THINGS IN THE ZERO TO TWO YEARS WE HAVE ALREADY STARTED WORKING ON AS FAR AS TALKING TO THE BOND COMMITTEE ABOUT RECREATION CENTERS OR TRAILS AROUND LAKE KIRBY. THERE'S OTHER THINGS THAT WE'VE GOT PLANS IN PLACE SO AS SOON AS SOME DOLLARS BECOME AVAILABLE, SOMETIMES IT'S A BOND. SOMETIMES IT'S CIP FUNDING, MIP FUNDING. SOMETIMES IT'S THINGS WE CAN DO WITHIN OUR GENERAL FUND. WE ALSO WORK WITH PRIVATE ENTITIES. I'VE HAD A SITUATION WHERE I HAD A GROUP COME TO ME AND SAY I HAVE $200,000 I HAVE TO SPEND BY AUGUST 31ST, CAN YOU HELP ME? SURE I CAN.
AND THAT'S HOW WE GOT THE NATURE PARK OUT AT KIRBY LAKE WITH THE DINOSAUR BONES AND THE BOARDWALK AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
AND SO IT'S REALLY A LITTLE BIT OF ANYTHING.
YOU CAN COME UP AND WE CAN HAVE A REALLY VOCAL GROUP SAY THIS IS WHAT WE REALLY NEED LIKE PICKLE BALL.
YOU KNOW. AND IT GOES THROUGH THE PROCESS.
CITY EVALUATES IT. PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD EVALUATE IT AND IT GOES ON TO CITY COUNCIL OR SOMEBODY COULD COME TO US WITH THE FUNDING SIDE AND SAY WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO PARTNER WITH US? WE WOULD LIKE TO DO THIS.
SO IT CAN HAPPEN ANY NUMBER OF WAYS.
>> I'M CURIOUS ON THE SLIDE THAT -- EXCUSE ME, TALKED ABOUT THE FUNDING PER -- WAS THAT PER CAPITA, PER 10,000 THAT WERE LIKE HALF THE NATIONAL AVERAGE. IS THAT RIGHT?
>> $59 TO $97. AND I GUESS DOES YOUR DEPARTMENT GET A CERTAIN A LOTMENT FOR -- AL LOTMENT FOR CALENDAR YEAR?
>> ALLOT WE ARE # 9% FUNDED THROUGH THE GENERAL FUND UNLESS THERE'S MIP FUNDING FOR SPECIFIC PROJECTS.
AND WE SUBMIT OUR BUDGET IN MAY JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER DIRECTORS AND DEPARTMENTS AND IT GOES THROUGH THE COMPARISON TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND DIRECTORS AND NEEDS.
IT GOES ON TO CITY COUNCIL AND THEIR WORKSHOP AND SO THERE'S -- SOMETIMES WE HAVE LARGE ASKS. SOMETIMES IT'S A LOT OF LITTLE ASKS DEPENDING ON THE YEAR. ARE AND WE JUST KIND OF GO THROUGH I GUESS THE SAUSAGE FACTORY SO TO SPEAK TO SEE HOW MUCH FUNDING -- THERE'S A LOT THAT DEPENDS ON THAT AND SO I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO THE CITY COUNCIL SIDE OR THE CITY MANAGER SIDE ABOUT HOW ALL THAT WORKS BUT IT IS DECIDED ULTIMATELY BY
CITY COUNCIL. >> SO BASED ON THOSE TOP TEN OR SO PRIORITIES IF YOU JUST HAD AND WHAT YOU'VE HISTORICALLY GOTTEN THE LAST TWO OR THREE YEARS HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE DO YOU THINK TO DO YOUR TOP TEN OR SO TO DO?
>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION. >> THAT'S MAYBE NOT A FAIR
>> I'M ROUGHLY CURIOUS. TEN YEARS OR --
>> I WOULD SAY OUT OF OUR PARKS MASTER PLAN LAST -- THE LAST PARKS MASTER PLAN. NOW, YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND COVID WAS PART OF THAT TIMEFRAME.
BUT I DID NOT RUN THE FIGURES BUT I'M GOING TO SAY WE DID 30 TO 40 MAYBE 50% OF WHAT WAS RECOMMENDED IN THAT.
BECAUSE SOME OF THESE THINGS OF THE 122 THEY MAY TAKE $0.
IT JUST MAY BE DOING A DIFFERENT POLICY.
WHEN YOU START TALKING ABOUT REPLACING RECREATION CENTERS THAT'S GOING TO BE 13 OR $14 MILLION THAT'S A BOND AND THAT'S COMPLETELY OUT OF OUR HANDS.
IT'S A RECOMMENDATION BUT WHILE IF SOMEBODY SAYS WE CAN MAKE A RECOMMENDATION ON DIFFERENT PROJECTS REALLY THAT DECISION MAKING IS OUT OF OUR HANDS. ONE THING THAT WE DO IS WE DO KEEP A RUNNING LIST OF ALL OF OUR AMENITIES.
WE DO ACTIVELY LOOK AT OUR AMENITIES EVERY MONTH.
YOU KNOW. WE REPLACE -- I MEAN, OUR STAFF IS AMAZING. DO I THINK WE CAN DO 100% OF IT? NOT REALISTICALLY. A LOT OF THIS MAY BUT STARTING
[00:40:05]
THE VISION TO BE ABLE TO MAKE IT INTO A PLAN TO BE ABLE TO BRING IT TO FRUITION. I WISH IT COULD HAPPEN FASTER.ADVENTURE COVE EVERY TIME I'M THERE PEOPLE ARE SHOCKED.
THEY'RE GETTING WELL UTILIZED BUT I WAS WONDERING I'M GLAD TO SEE THE 82 RESPONDENTS VISITING OUR PARKS.
THAT'S REMARKABLE FOR A COMMUNITY OUR SIZE.
I HAVE NOT SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
>> THANKS FOR YOUR GOOD WORK. >> THANK YOU.
>> YOU KNOW I'M A BIG FAN. I SEE THAT I MADE THE SLIDE THERE. [LAUGHTER].
>> AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK Y'ALL.
I DON'T PRESENT TO PLANNING AND ZONING VERY OFTEN BUT I WORK WITH MANY OF YOU REGULARLY IN OUR PARKS AND RECREATION AND DIFFERENT PROJECTS AND STUFF WE HAVE.
WE WOULD NOT BE WHERE WE ARE TODAY IF IT WAS NOT FOR ALL OF YOUR INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.
>> THANK YOU. SORRY I PUT YOU ON THE SPOT.
I KNOW OUR FOCUS IS THIS DOCUMENT THAT WE HAVE HERE SO WE NEED TO DIVERT OUR FOCUS BACK TO -- WE'RE HERE TO APPROVE THIS DOCUMENT OR RECOMMEND IT MOVE ON TO CITY COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL.
>> AND THIS IS THE PART WHERE WE GET PUBLIC INPUT AND I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE LIKE TO VISIT WITH US ABOUT THE PARKS MASTER PLAN?
>> SAM CHASE HERE. I DIDN'T KNOW THAT THIS WAS ACTUALLY GOING TO BE DISCUSSED TODAY.
I JUST DIDN'T LOOK FAR ENOUGH ON MY AGENDA.
I'M REALLY GLAD TO HEAR THAT IT IS REACHING THIS LEVEL.
IN 2003 AND 4 WHEN I FIRST RAN FOR AND GOT ELECTED TO THE COUNCIL, THERE HAD NOT BEEN A PARKS MASTER PLAN IN 20 YEARS.
AND I PUSHED REALLY HARD TO GET THAT DONE IN THE CITY APPROVED SPENDING QUITE A BIT OF MONEY IF I RECALL RIGHT.
MAYBE $250,000 TO GET A PLAN. AND IT HAD GREAT THINGS IN IT.
MANY OF WHICH ARE MENTIONED TODAY BUT AS I THINK MS. ANDREWS SAID SOMETIMES WE CAN'T GET IT MOVING AS FAST AS WE WOULD LIKE AND SO IT EVENTUALLY GOT PUT ON THE SHELF AND NOT EVERYTHING APPROVED AND THEN ANOTHER ONE CAME UP AND NOW THIS ONE AND I'M VERY PERSONALLY EXCITED THAT THIS IS HAPPENING.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO MR. RICE AND MR. HANNAH AND EVERYONE ELSE MAKING THIS A PRIORITY TO GET IMPLEMENTED BECAUSE IT'S SO CRITICAL TO THE GROWTH AND FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY AND WHILE I HAVE NOT EXAMINED THIS PLAN LIKE I DID WHEN THE ONE WE WERE ON THE COUNCIL I'M SURE IT'S VERY SIMILAR AND THERE'S MORE WE CAN DO MORE OF. I'M ALSO ON THE FOUNDING BOARD AND CONTINUING THE BOARD OF THE ABILENE YOUTH SPORTS AUTHORITY.
AND THE DODGE JONES COMPLEX. WE'VE ADDED BAUFKT BALL COURTS.
WE'RE IN THE PROCESS WITH PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY AND PRIVATE MONEY ADDING SOCCER FIELDS, FLAT FIELDS.
WE'RE DOING OUR BEST TO HELP WITH THIS PROJECT.
AND WE WOULD CERTAINLY ENCOURAGE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU AND ANYBODY THAT HEARS ABOUT IT TO STEP UP AND ABSOLUTELY
[00:45:03]
ENTHUSIASTICALLY ENCOURAGE THE CITY TO DO WHATEVER THEY CAN AND SPEND WHATEVER REASONABLE BUDGET THEY CAN ALLOCATE TO MAKING THE PLAN WORK AND GET IT IMPLEMENTED BECAUSE WE NEED IT NOW.WE'VE NEEDED IT A LONG TIME AND SOME THINGS HAVE BEEN DONE BUT THERE'S A BUNCH MORE THAT CAN BE DONE.
I REALLY APPRECIATE MS. ANDREWS AND THE REST OF YOU FOR LOOKING AT THIS IN A VERY POSITIVE WAY. EVEN THOUGH IT'S GOING TO COST US A LITTLE MONEY IT'S GOING TO BE WELL WORTH IT TO EVERYONE.
THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
>> THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE YOU.
>> ANYBODY ELSE? I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. I WILL SAY THAT I TOOK MORE TIME TO STUDY IT THAN MAYBE I NEEDED TO AND WASN'T WORKING BUT THIS WAS A WELL THOUGHT OUT PLAN AND IT'S GOT VERY ACHIEVABLE GOALS IN LONG RANGE. IT'S VISIONARY.
BUT THERE'S ALSO IMMEDIATE GOALS AND THEN IT'S THINGS THAT YOU CAN THINK ON AND BUILD ON AND IT MAY NOT COME TO FRUITION TODAY OR TOMORROW BUT MAYBE A YEAR FROM NOW.
SO I THINK IT'S A VERY -- I THOUGHT IT WAS A VERY GOOD PLAN WITH -- IT BOILED DOWN INTO ONE SHEET AND ANY TIME YOU CAN TAKE A 380 PAGE -- IT'S A GOOD PLAN. SO.
>> AND WE ALSO KNOW THAT ANYTHING WITH THE CITY TAKES TIME, IT'S NOTHING FAST. IT IS NOT FAST TRACKED AND CITIZENS DON'T REALIZE HOW MUCH IN THE BACKGROUND HAS TO BE DONE AND APPROVED AND THEY JUST WANT IT NOW AND IT IS A PROCESS.
>> I WOULD APPLAUD YOU AND YOUR STAFF.
AS YOU SAID, YOU'RE DOING MORE WITH LESS PEOPLE AND AS SOMEBODY WITH A 4-YEAR-OLD WHO ALWAYS NEEDS TO USE THE RESTROOM ANY TIME WE'RE AT A PARK THE ABILITY TO KEEP SO MANY RESTROOMS GOING TO KEEP EVERYTHING SO WELL MAINTAINED TO KEEP CLEAN I FEEL LIKE OUR PARKS ARE WITH THE AMOUNT OF STAFF THAT YOU HAVE I THINK IS INCREDIBLE. AND I WOULD SAY HOPEFULLY AS WE PUSH THIS FORWARD JUST KIND OF GOD SPEED AND I HOPE THROUGH BONDING AND BUDGETARY ALLOCATIONS OR WHATEVER IT IS THE ACHIEVABILITY SHORT RANGE GOALS CAN GO QUICKLY AND LONGER RANGE PLANS CAN START ROLLING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND THANK YOU FOR GOING THROUGH A LONG PROCESS TO GET TO A GOOD PLAN THAT'S NOT CRAZY BUT VERY METHODICAL OF HOW WE CAN MOVE
FORWARD. >> SO DO WE NEED TO OFFICIALLY TAKE ACTION AND MAKE A RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL?
>> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE.
>> YOU DESERVE IT. YOU'VE DONE SO MUCH.
>> MOTION AND YOU SECONDED IT. >> YES.
>> ENTHUSIASTIC YES. >> TWO CHECKS.
>> MOTION APPROVES 5-0. AND I BELIEVE THAT'S THE END OF OUR AGENDA AND WE APPRECIATE EVERYONE COMING AND WE APPRECIATE YOU AND YOUR STAFF AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO. ALL RIGHT.
AND WE ARE ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.