Jun 20, 2023 Parks and Recreation

[CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:14]

>> FATHER, THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY. WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR MERCY AND GRACE IN OUR LIVES. FATHER, THANK YOU FOR BLESSING US LIVING IN A GREAT CITY.

WITH A LOT OF GREAT THINGS HAPPENING IN ABILENE.

YOU KNOW YOUR HANDS ARE ON THAT. LORD, GUIDE US TODAY AS WE MAKE DECISIONS. FATHER, HELP US TO HONOR YOU. PROCESS, THOUGHTS, EVERYTHING WE DO. PRAY BLESSINGS ON EVERY FAMILY THAT HERE IN ATTENDANCE TODAY. PRAY IN JESUS NAME, AMEN.

>> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS MORNING. GET STARTED. THANK YOU FOR OFFERING A WORD. ON OUR BEHALF. BEFORE WE GET STARTED PREPACKAGED AGENDA TODAY PRE- PUBLIC, ANY COMMENT ON ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND STATE YOUR NAME.

YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK. LOOKS LIKE WE'LL GO AHEAD AND CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT

[1. Minutes (Discussion and Action)]

>> MOVE, WE ACCEPT THE MINUTES. >> SECOND. >> ALL IN

[2. Service Award]

FAVOR SAY, I. >> WE APPROVE THE MINUTES. THAT WILL GO INTO ITEM NUMBER TWO.

THAT IS A SERVICE AWARD.

>> GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. BOBBY BROWN DIVISION MANAGER SENIOR AND AQUATICS. I KNOW A LOT OF TIMES WHEN YOU DO THE SERVICE AWARDS PRETENDED. THE SAME THINGS. I'M GONNA SAY THE SAME THINGS.

I THINK I TELL YOU EVERY DAY HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO. MY FINGERPRINTS ALL OVER THIS. IN APPRECIATION FOR WHAT YOU DO.

HE DOES A LOT MORE THAN DRIVE AND TAKE CARE OF THE BUS. HE DOES EVERYTHING FROM HELPING US KEEP THE PLACE CLEAN. HANGING DECORATIONS TO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO KEEP THE PLACE GOING.

I TELL HIM AND HARRY EVERY DAY HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE WHAT THEY DO. I'M TELLING YOU AGAIN, REPRESENTING THE WHOLE CITY. WE APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE AND WHAT YOU DO. HERE'S A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR YOU.

IF YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING YOU CAN.

>> VERY NICE IT'S BEEN AN EASY JOB. I ENJOY IT. I NEEDED SOMETHING AFTER I

RETIRED TO KEEP ME GOING. I'VE BEEN DOING GOOD. >> WHAT ARE YOU RETIRING FROM? >> A FEW THINGS IN LIFE MAY BE.

TRANSPORTING OUR LOVED ONES. WE SO MUCH APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO.

I LOVE YOU FOUND SOMETHING THAT KEEPS YOU GOING AND KEEP YOU BUSY. ALSO SOMETHING SO

IMPORTANT. SOMETHING YOU HAVE A PASSION FOR. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

[3. Resolution: Local Park Non Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant (Discussion, Public Hearing and Action)]

>> MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER THREE. RESOLUTION LOCAL PARKING ON A RECREATION GRANT

DISCUSSION PUBLIC HEARING AND POTENTIAL ACTION. >> WERE IN THE PROCESS OF APPLYING FOR A GRANT. LOCAL PARK NON-URBAN OUTDOOR RECREATION GRANT.

ONE OF THE ITEMS IS PART OF THE GRANT TO HELP YOUR POINTS. ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

ONE, HAVE A MASTER PLAN THAT HAS BEEN APPROVED INVOLVED WITH THE STATE. WE HAVE THE MASTER PLAN APPROVED. WERE IN THE PROCESS OF FILING IT WITH THE STATE. SECOND PART IS, ALWAYS LOOKS BETTER IF WE HAVE A LETTER OF SUPPORT FROM OUR GOVERNING BODY.

WE ARE REQUESTING A LETTER FROM PARKS BOARD.

THEN WE'LL MOVE ON TO REQUEST OF LETTER FROM CITY COUNCIL AS WELL.

WITH THAT BEING SAID. THE AWARD AMOUNT IS UP TO $750,000. THIS IS FOR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ABILENE YOUTH SPORTS AUTHORITY . TO HELP WITH SOME OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE WANT TO DO IN SUPPORT OF THAT PROCESS OF HAVING FLAT FIELDS.

[00:05:04]

WE WANTED TO GET THE REQUEST BEFORE YOU TODAY. AT LEAST FOR YOU TO START LOOKING AT IT. MICHAEL, BY THE WAY. WELCOME TO PARKS BOARD.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE. MICHAEL, ACTUALLY WORKS FOR PARKS AND WILDLIFE. DO YOU WANT TO

SPEAK TO ANYTHING? >> CERTAINLY THIS GRANT IS AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR VARIOUS DEITIES TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND THEIR EFFORTS FOR RECREATION.

INCREASE AMENITIES FOR FACILITIES. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I KNOW CITY OF ABILENE GREATLY BENEFIT GREATLY FROM. AS FAR AS MY ACTION ON THE BOARD. TODAY I PROBABLY FOR WORKING FOR THE DEPARTMENT. THIS IS SOMETHING WE'RE BEING AND I AM AN EMPLOYEE OF THE DIVISION WITH TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE. HAVING SOME STATEMENT HOW THE MONEY IS SPENT. THAT WILL BE SOMETHING I MIGHT BE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. I WOULD SAY THAT IS AN IS AN AWESOME OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CITY TO BE ABLE TO BE ABLE TO EXPLORE. CERTAINLY ASIDE FROM FLAT FIELDS THAT ARE A VARIETY OF OTHER USES THIS GRANT CAN BE USED FOR. THAT COULD BENEFIT OUR CITY. STRONGLY CONSIDER THAT. I'D LIKE TO YOU TO STRONGLY CONSIDER THESE GRANTS IN THE FUTURE. JUST A LITTLE BIT OF CONTEXT. JOHNSON PARKS ENDED BY ONE OF THESE GRANTS MANY YEARS AGO. THIS IS SOMETHING

WOULD COVER PLAYGROUNDS, FLAT FIELDS. BATHROOMS COVER A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS. >> ANNUAL

PROCESS EVERY YEAR. WE COULD APPLY FOR ONE. IS THAT WHAT I'M UNDERSTANDING? >> DOING

THE YOU TO HAVE STAFF DRAFT A LETTER FOR TO LOOK AT IT? IS THAT WHAT THE PROCESS? >> WE DRAFTED A LETTER NOT PART OF THE PACKAGE. WE CAN SEND IT TO YOU OR MAKE IT PART OF THE PACKAGE. LEGALLY IS NOT A REQUIREMENT IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE LETTER B COULD DO THAT. WE DID NOT DO IT TODAY. WHAT'S BEFORE YOU TODAY IS THE RESOLUTION GIVEN DAVID THE AUTHORITY TO SIGN A LETTER. IF MICHAEL HAS TO RECUSE HIMSELF WE DON'T HAVE A QUORUM TO BE ABLE TO PAST IT. WE WOULD NEED TO MOVE THIS EITHER TO A SPECIAL CALLED MEETING, OR THE

JULY MEETING. DEPENDING ON THE TIMELINE. >> RIGHT.

>> TO FEEL LIKE IT'S TOO LATE IF YOU MOVE IT TO THE NEXT MEETING? >> I'M VERY WORRIED IT WOULD BE TOO LATE. IT'S DUE JULY 31. THE NEXT MEETING THE WAY THE CALENDAR FALLS IS ONLY TWO DAYS BEFORE THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING. THAT MAKES ME A LITTLE NERVOUS. WE WILL

PROBABLY. >> CAN YOU SEND OUT ELECTRONICALLY? >> NOT FOR A VOTE.

>> I WOULD SUGGEST THAT OBVIOUSLY THE GRANT IS VERY SIZABLE. WOULD BE VERY BENEFICIAL. I WOULD SUGGEST AT YOUR CONVENIENCE REALLY IS POSSIBILITY YOU LOOK AT A SPECIAL CALLED MEETING AND START LOOKING AT A DATE FOR THAT SO WE CAN FOLLOW THROUGH.

I DON'T THINK WE WANT TO MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY. >> I WAS WAITING ON SOME WORDS. I'M SO GLAD YOU'RE BACK. I APPRECIATE YOUR PERSPECTIVE AS WELL. THE CHARACTER WOULD YOU HANDLE EVERY SITUATION ESPECIALLY THIS ONE. WHILE IT IS INCONVENIENT. IF THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

CERTAINLY PLUMMET TO A SPECIAL CALLED MEETING. THIS DOES TAKE A PUBLIC HEARING AS WELL, RIGHT?

>> SINCE IT'S ON THE AGENDA. >> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION BEFORE WE GO INTO PUBLIC MEETING? PUBLIC HEARING.

WITHOUT WILL ENTER INTO A PUBLIC HEARING. ANYBODY LIKE TO COME AND SPEAK ON THIS? PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME YOU HAVE A FEW MINUTES.

WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ONE. SOUNDS ACTION WILL BE TO CALL A

SPECIAL CALLED MEETING. >> ONE QUESTION TO

CAROLCLARIFICATION CAN BE CALLED FOR SINGLE ITEM? >> YES.

[4. Aquatics Report (Discussion)]

[00:10:02]

>> THAT WILL MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FOUR.

PRODUCTS REPORT THIS WILL BE A DISCUSSION.

>> AGAIN, BOBBY BROWN DIVISION MANAGER. WE HAVE OUR SWIM LESSONS GOING AT THE SWIM CENTER THERE. HAVE THE DIFFERENT SKILL LEVELS.

BUT THE PRICE UP THERE IN THE COST OF THEIR $75 EACH. FOUR SESSIONS MAY BE THE FIRST SESSION. EIGHT CLASSES PER SESSION. IT'S GOING WELL.

THINGS ARE GOING WELL OVER THERE SO FAR. I GOT TO VISIT LAST WEEK.

I BROUGHT THE KIDS OVER. IT'S GREAT. >> HOW MANY KIDS?

>> 291 KIDS. THEY WERE HAVING A BALL.

SO FAR EVERYTHING OVER THERE IS GOING GREAT. SHE'S GOT SOME OTHER THINGS THE SENIOR EXERCISE CLASS SHOW THAT STARTED OVER THERE. THE SENIORS ARE REALLY WAITING ON IT. TRYING TO GET SOME THINGS GOING SLOWLY. A LOT OF LIFEGUARDS.

SOME OF THESE THINGS ARE NEW TO THEM.

OVERALL, SEEMS TO BE GOING GREAT OVER THERE. EVERYBODY'S GETTING ALONG REAL WELL. THEY

ARE DOING THEIR JOBS. IT'S A GREAT ATMOSPHERE THIS YEAR. >> AWESOME. ANY QUESTIONS?

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR REPORT. MOVE INTO THE AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FIVE. PARKS REPORT BE A

[5. Parks Report (Discussion)]

>> CHRIS GIBSON ASSISTANT DIRECTOR PARKS AND RECREATION. I'M FILLING IN TODAY. HE DECIDED TO TAKE SOME TIME OFF. YOU'RE GETTING THE CLEAN UP HERE FOR ON DECK.

WE HAD A HISTORICAL MARKER PLACED AT THE CEMETERY I BELIEVE JUNE 3 FOR MR. WASHINGTON. CEREMONY WENT REALLY WELL. A COUPLE PICTURES OF THE ACTUAL MARKER ITSELF.

WANTED TO HAVE THE SAME HISTORICAL FIELD SOME OF THE OTHER MARKERS THAT EXIST.

THE CEMETERY ALREADY HAS. IT KINDA GOES WITH THAT. AN INTERESTING STORY IF YOU GET A CHANCE TO GO OUT THERE AND TAKE A LOOK AT IT WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT.

IT IS A SHOUT OUT TO WHAT SOME OF OUR HEROES AND COWBOYS BACK IN THE DAYS WENT THROUGH. HE WAS A PART OF THAT. THAT WAS PRETTY EXCITING. WE ALSO HAD OF COURSE A FESTIVAL.

ONE OF THE LARGEST POSSIBLE OF THE YEAR. WE LOOK FORWARD TO IT.

THEN IT WANTED TIME AND ENERGY GETTING IT PREPARED AND READY.

AT LEAST GONE DOWNTOWN TO SEE THE KIDS RUNNING AROUND IT'S PRETTY EXCITING. TO PARTICIPATE IN. PLACE ANOTHER SCULPTURE THERE. IT'S FROM THE BOOK 'THE ROUGH PATCH' OUR GUYS PLEASE THE BENCH AND THE WHOLE PLACE THE ACTUAL SCULPTURE LIKE WE DO EVERY YEAR IT'S BEEN ADOPTED INTO OUR COLLECTION OF SCULPTURES. IF YOU GET A CHANCE TO GO BY AND CHECK IT OUT. IT'S A GREAT PIECE. ANOTHER PIECE DONE BY STEVE. VERY NICE.

WE HAVE PARKS AND REC COMING UP JULY.

WERE GOING TO BE PARTICIPATING IN SEVERAL ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE MONTH.

WE WILL HAVE ONE OF THE ACTIVITIES OF COURSE BRINGING BACK IS OUR APP THAT ALLOWS YOU TO GO THROUGH DIFFERENT QUESTS YOU WILL. TAKE TWO DIFFERENT PARKS. HOPEFULLY FIND A PART TO DO THE ACTIVITIES FOR TURN THOSE INTO THE APP AND SUBMIT THOSE. IT'S A LOT OF FUN. WE STARTED THIS LAST YEAR. AS FAR AS THAT GOES. WANTED TO DO IT AGAIN. IS VERY MUCH AN EXPLORATION TYPE ACTIVITY. IT EXPOSES. I THINK ABOUT 13 DIFFERENT THINGS WILL BE DOING THROUGHOUT THE DIFFERENT PARKS. TO GET SOME EXPOSURE TO SOME OF THE PARTS YOU MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR WITH. IT'S A FUN ACTIVITY. HAS REALLY ENJOYED GOING OUT AND HELPING TO DEVELOP THOSE ACTIVITIES. WE HOPE TO GO OUT AND DO THAT. OF COURSE AFTER YOU'VE DONE THE SCAVENGER HUNT AND COMPLETED THAT. WE DO EXPECT THIS YEAR. COMPLETED IT ALL. YOU GET TO

PARTICIPATE IN THE CELEBRATION. >> DID NOT SAY THAT WORD APPROPRIATELY. THERE IS MORE R'S IN IT. HOPEFULLY THAT WILL RESPONSES. AND DO MORE ACTIVITY FROM THAT. THAT'S KIND OF THE GOAL THERE. WE HAVE SOME OTHER EVENTS GOING ON. WANT TO INCLUDE THIS TO

[00:15:01]

SUMMER SEASON STARTED. WE USUALLY DEAL WITH VANDALISM THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WE DO SEE AN INCREASE IN MATH. THAT TYPE OF ACTIVITY ONCE WE START THE SUMMER SEASONS. WE'VE HAD ABOUT 149 HOURS OF COST LABOR HOURS PUT INTO JUST RECOVERING FROM SOME OF THE VANDALISM THAT OCCURRED IN OUR PARKS. SOME OF OUR COSTS THERE. ALMOST $3500. NOT INCLUDING SUPPLIES WERE ALMOST A $3700 IN VANDALISM. ALREADY BEGINNING THE SEASON.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE DO AS PART OF PARKS AND BUSINESS. IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE ENJOY. WE DO KNOW IT'S GONNA HAPPEN AS IF PART OF IT. TRY TO GET ON AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.

OUR GUYS HAVE GOTTEN SO GOOD AT TRYING TO HELP RECOVER FROM SOME OF THE VANDALISM THAT OCCURS TO SOME OF THE FACILITIES. WERE CALLED IN A LOT OF TIMES EVEN IF IT'S NOT THE PARK. IF IT'S A FACILITY OUR GUYS ARE UNSEEN TO GO HELP AND TRY TO MAKE THAT REDUCED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. COVER OVER AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN. JUST PART

OF IT. THAT IS WHAT WE'VE GOT. ANY QUESTIONS? >> ARE WE EVER CATCHING ANY OF?

>> ON OCCASION APPENDS WHAT HAPPENS. PUTTING MORE THINGS IN PLACE TO TRY TO HELP DETER AS MUCH AS ANYTHING ELSE NOT MAKE IT SUCH AN EASY OPPORTUNITY FOR SOMEBODY THAT'S WANTING TO DO SOME OF THE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES. IT WANTED TIMES IT'S YOUNGER GROUPS DOING IT. THAT'S WHAT WE'VE SEEN UPTAKE IN THE SUMMERTIME. HAVE MORE TIME ON THEIR HANDS. THEY LIKE TO GET IN A LITTLE MISCHIEF. WE TRIED TO DO WHAT WE CAN. WE CANNOT CONTROL ALL THE TIME. WE PREPARE AND GET READY FOR IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

[6. Recreation Report (Discussion)]

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER SIX. THIS WILL ALSO BE OPEN FOR

DISCUSSION. >> RECREATION DIVISION MANAGER.

AS CHRIS AND BOBBY SAID. SUMMER CAMP IS IN FULL SWING. WE PARTICIPATE IN THE FEAR WE DID TAKE 291 CHILDREN TO THE COVE LAST MONDAY. EVERYBODY HAD A BLAST.

EXCITED TO BE BACK IN SUMMER. AS CHRIS SAID DOING SOME NEW EVENTS FOR PARKS AND REC.

DOING A KIDS TREAD FAST 2023. OFFER THREE COURSES PER CAN HAVE A BIG WHEEL AND TRIKE COMPETITION. WILL HAVE A STANDARD BIKE AND CAN HAVE BIKES WITH TRAINING WHEELS.

HOPING TO GET THE LITTLE ONES MORE INVOLVED IN PARKS AND REC. HE WANTED TO BE SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY. FAMILIES HAVE CHILDREN OF ALL AGES. HOPEFULLY THIS EVENT GOES VERY WELL. WILL START OUT BY THE PLAYGROUND. BILL GET TO PLAY TILL IT'S TIME TO GO. HOPEFULLY LITTLE PRAIRIE DOGS WILL BE OUT THEY LOVE CHASING THOSE AROUND. TIMES FOR STARTING AND PARENT CHEERING SECTION. HOPING FOR GREAT PARTICIPATION.

DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND WILL BE DOING THE SKATE 180 AGAIN. ONE OF MY FAVORITE EVENTS TO SEE A PART OF ABILENE THAT WE HAVE SOMETIMES. I MADE A LOT OF FRIENDS LAST YEAR I'M EXCITED TO GET TO MEET WITH THEM. WE HAVE A COMPANY FROM WICHITA FALLS THAT SPECIALIZES IN SKATEBOARDING. I DO NOT KNOW MUCH ABOUT SKATEBOARDING. THAT'S WHERE I LEARNED ALL MY LINGO. HAVE TO SHARE THE LINGO WHEN I GET BACK. MAY HAVE TO BE REFRESHED ON. MOVIE IN THE PARK THAT WILL BE FRIDAY, JULY 7. I'M HAPPY TO SAY WILL BE WATCHING THE NEW SUPER MARIO BROTHER MOVIE. WERE EXCITED TO SHOW THAT. I KNOW KIDS REALLY LOVE THAT MOVIE. WHO DOES NOT LOVE MARIO. HOPEFULLY EVERYBODY COME OUT AND STARTS AT SUNSET. PIZZA AND POPCORN THAT'S WHAT EVERYBODY LOVES TO BRING. ANY QUESTIONS?

>> ONE THING I WILL SAY. THEY KEEP TALKING ABOUT SUMMER CAMPS. WE HAVE FOUR RECREATION CENTERS THAT ALL HAVE A MAX CAPACITY OF 100 KIDS. THREE OF THEM ARE SOLD OUT WITH DEPENDING A WAITING LIST OF A COUPLE PROBABLY HAVE A FEW SPOTS LEFT IN THE FOURTH ONE.

[00:20:02]

>> THE KIDS IN THE REC CENTER HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN HOW THIS SWIM WAS THAT A WHOLE

SEPARATE THING? >> THAT'S A WHOLE SEPARATE THING. >> JUST BEING IN THE COMMUNITY IT'S AMAZING TO ME HOW MANY KIDS HAVE NOT HAD SWIM LESSONS. IT MAKES ME SAD.

ONE OF THE GOOD THINGS I SAID NOW THAT THE COVE IS OFFERING SWIMMING LESSONS MONDAY WHEN WE WENT IN PART OF THE POOL WAS ROPED OFF. THEY WERE DOING SWIM LESSONS A LOT OF KIDS

ASKED. THERE LIKE THEY DID NOT KNOW THEY DID SWIM LESSONS TELL MOM AND DAD. >> I MET A FEW.

I DIDN'T TAKE THE FLYER.

>> IT'S GOOD THAT THEY COULD SEE IT'S AN OPTION HERE NOW.

I HOPE THAT WILL WORK REALLY WELL. >> THANK YOU.

[7. Seniors Report (Discussion)]

>> ONCE AGAIN BOBBY BROWN. DIVISION MANAGER.

WE HAVE ONE OF HER SENIORS THAT HE IS NEW. HIS NAME IS RON ELLIS. HE'S A PROFESSIONAL BARBECUE. HE WAS HE'S RETIRED. SHOWCASE COMPETITOR HE HAS WON SEVERAL EVENTS FOR THINGS LIKE THAT. WHEN YOU TALK TO HIM THAT'S WHAT HE TALKS ABOUT. WE DECIDED TO SEE IF HE WANTED TO HELP OTHERS AS FAR AS GIVE THEM SOME TIPS ON HOW TO LIGHT A FIRE. WHATEVER WERE BARBECUING. JULY 4 WAS COMING UP. TRY TO PUT ON THE THIRD. THAT WAY THE NEXT DAY WHOEVER WAS BARBECUING THEY WOULD KNOW WHAT THEY WERE DOING. MR. ELLIS IS A VERY NICE GUY.

HE SAID HE WOULD LOVE TO TRY TO GIVE TIPS TO PEOPLE BEFORE HE LEAVES HIS PLACE. HE LOVES BARBECUE. HE MAKES HIS OWN BARBECUE SAUCES. THOSE TYPE OF THINGS IF YOU TALK TO HIM.

THAT'S THE CONVERSATION YOU WILL HAVE WITH HIM. FIGURED THAT WOULD PUT THEM IN THE CLASSROOM LET THEM SIT THERE AND TALK TO SOME OF THE SENIORS. GIVE THEM SOME TIPS ON COOKING BARBECUE. WITHOUT THAT THAT BE GREAT. HIS DAUGHTER CAME TO VISIT US TO QUESTION US ABOUT WHAT HE WAS GOING TO BE DOING. SHE JUST KINDA LAUGHED. THAT'S WHAT HE TALKS ABOUT ALL THE TIME ANYWAYS. I THINK THOUGHT WAS GONNA BE A PROFESSOR ON GETTING PAID OR WHATEVER. OR SHE THOUGHT IT ANYWAYS. I THINK THAT'S GONNA BE A GREAT CLASS FOR US. THAT TIME AGAIN. TALENT SHOW COMING UP IN AUGUST. GETTING READY TO DO OUR TALENT SHOW AUDITION THURSDAY, JULY 13. LAST YEAR I THINK IF HE COULD REMEMBER EVERYBODY THE AUDITION GO ON THE SHOW. I'M HOPING IT GOES THAT WAY AGAIN THIS YEAR. IF WE GET TOO MANY PEOPLE TO AUDITION AND SOMEBODY'S NOT GONNA MAKE IT. THEN WE'LL GO BACK TO THE WAY WE USED TO BE SOMEBODY'S GOING TO BE UPSET. HOPEFULLY WE'LL GET EVERYBODY IN THE SHOW. THE ALREADY EXCITED OF COURSE. WORKING TO BLOCK IT OFF AGAIN AND KEEP THE OTHERS FROM PEEPING IN AND SEEING WAS AUDITIONING. THEN HE USED SOME OUTSIDE PEOPLE THIS YEAR TO HELP US DO THE JUDGING AND GET THEM ON THE SHOW. AS USUAL ALWAYS EXCITED ABOUT THAT. THIS PARTICULAR EVENT.

>> ANY QUESTIONS? ARE YOU AUDITIONING THIS YEAR? >> ONLY DID I DO IF YOU WOULD. >> I DO NOT MEET THE CRITERIA. [LAUGHTER]

>> HAVE TO HAVE TALENT.

>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >> I DON'T THINK SO. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> GO TO THE REPORT THIS

[8. Zoo Report (Discussion)]

>> GOOD MORNING. DEVELOPMENT MANAGER AT THE ABILENE ZOO. FILLING IN FOR JESSE THIS MORNING IS OFF VISITING FAMILY.

AT THE ZOO WE HAVE NEW ANIMALS COME IN. WE HAVE THIS HUBERT A BONGO CAME FROM US FROM THE HOUSTON ZOO. BONGOS CRITICALLY ENDANGERED. REALLY EXCITED TO HAVE HE WORKED WITH US. WE ANTICIPATE WE WILL SEE AT LEAST ONE MORE HOPEFULLY TOMORROW.

HOPEFULLY ONE OF THOSE BEING A FEMALE. HUBERT IS TWO YEARS OLD. WE ANTICIPATE WILL HAVE HIM FOR QUITE AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. HOPEFULLY HAVE SOME BONGO BABIES.

WE ALSO ACQUIRED TWO BALD EAGLES. TOOK US JUST ABOUT OVER A YEAR TO ACQUIRE ALL THE PERMITTING THAT WE NEEDED TO HOUSE THE BALD EAGLES. AS SOON AS THOSE PERMITS CAME THROUGH. SOME OF OUR FOLKS TRAVEL DOWN TO FLORIDA. THEY PICKED UP LUKE AND SPARKY.

THEY ARE BOTH COMING TO US FROM FLORIDA. THEY'RE BOTH DEEMED NON-RELEASABLE. ONE OF THEM IS FLIGHTED AND ONE IS NOT FLIGHTED.

[00:25:03]

REALLY BEAUTIFUL. COME ON BY. >> WHAT IS FLIGHTED MEAN? >> THERE ABLE TO FLY OR NOT ABLE TO FLY. ONE OF THEM SPARKY, HE IMPALED HIMSELF ON A CELL PHONE TOWER. HIS WING IS DAMAGED.

HE IS UNABLE TO FLY. HE GETS AROUND REALLY WELL. HE HOPS AROUND QUITE A BIT. HE COULD GET UP TO THE HIGHEST PURCHASE IN THAT HABITAT. HE'S DOING WELL. VERSUS LOU IS ABLE TO FLY. LOU HAS A GENETIC TRAIT. HIS COLORING HOLE ALWAYS PROBABLY HAVE SOME WHITE SPOTS WITHIN HIS COLORING PATTERN.

HE ALSO WAS BORN WITH SOME PINCHED FEATHERS. WHILE HE CAN FLY, YOU WILL NEVER BE AT 100 PERCENT FOR FLYING. WHILE HE WAS DEEMED NONRELEASABLE. GOOD QUESTION.

WE HAVE A REALLY FUN STORY. EINSTEIN IS A GREAT CORNELL HAS BEEN FOR MANY YEARS. LAST YEAR WAS THE FIRST TIME SHE CLUTCHED OUT RIGHT ABOUT THE TIME WE GOT A LITTLE BABY I WILL LET IN. OUR STAFF BUT WELL, MAYBE SHE'LL ACCEPT THAT I WILL OWLETTE.

SHE DID LAST YEAR FOR THE OWL IS VERY SUCCESSFUL WAS RELEASED. IT HAPPENED AGAIN THIS YEAR. SO OUR TEAM PUT THIS LITTLE BABY OWLETTE. SHE ACCEPTED HIM OR HER. THEY'RE DOING VERY WELL. WE WILL FIND OUT HERE IN THE NEAR FUTURE WHETHER OR NOT WERE ABLE TO RELEASE THIS OWL. ANOTHER FANTASTIC SUCCESS STORY

PRETTY UNUSUAL FOR AN OWL TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS. WORK CITED. >> THE PICTURE ON THE

LEFT IS SO CUTE. ALMOST LOOKS LIKE A PIXAR PICTURE. >> THEY ARE SO CUTE. JUST A FEW DAYS

OLD WHEN HE CAME IN. >> EINSTEIN LOOKS DON'T MESS WITH MY BABY. >> YES.

WE HAVE SOME FUN VIDEOS OF THE KEEPERS FEEDING WOULD GIVE THE FOOD TO EINSTEIN WHO WOULD TURN AROUND AND FEED THE CHECK. SHE GOT A LITTLE PROTECTIVE AS THEY SHOULD WITH THAT LITTLE BABY CHICK.

WE HAD AN ADDITION PUT ONTO HER WETLANDS STACKED IN THE WETLANDS OF THE AMERICAS THAT IS NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. THIS DECK NOW EXTENDS ALONG THE LAKE WALL. ALSO DOUBLE THE SIZE OF THAT WHIPPING CREAM HABITAT WHICH IS ANOTHER ENDANGERED SPECIES. THAT WAS FANTASTIC. WE ALSO REDID THE ENTIRE WIDTH CRANE DID NOT HAVE ELECTRICITY DURING THE MONTHS BUT HAD TO WHOOPING CRANES TO A HOLDING AREA ACROSS THE ZOO. DID NOT HAVE ELECTRICITY THERE. OUR KEEPERS CAN MOVE THE BIRDS INTO THE SWARM HOLDING BUILDING. IT'S A LOT LESS STRESS FOR THE BIRDS. LESS LIKELY THEY'LL GET INJURED IN THAT TRANSPORTATION. THAT BUILDING TURNED OUT VERY BEAUTIFULLY.

OUR SUMMER CAMPS HAVE ALSO KICKED OFF. WE ARE I WANT TO SAY LAST TIME I CHECKED WE WERE AT LIKE 90, 98, 99 PERCENT OCCUPANCY. WERE AVERAGING ABOUT 73 CAMPERS PER WEEK WILL HAVE NINE WEEKS TOTAL. WERE INTO WEEK TWO OF THAT. WE HAVE A COUPLE OF EVENTS COMING UP. WORLD YOUR ROUGH DAY COMING UP THIS SATURDAY.

THIS IS AN EVENT THAT WE FOCUS A LITTLE BIT MORE ON ART AND BRINGING OUR INTO THE LIVING ART THAT WE HAVE AT THE ZOO. WERE HOLDING A YOGA CLASS ACTUALLY TWO OF THEM. ON THE GIRAFFE TERRACE YOU COULD COME OUT AND ACTUALLY DO YOGA WITH THE GIRAFFES. WERE ALSO WORKING WITH A LOCAL ARTIST TWO IS DESIGNED A VERY UNIQUE AND CUSTOM BRICK BUILDING. A LEGO CLASS. YOU COULD COME OUT AND MAKE A GIRAFFE OUT OF THOSE BRICKS. RECOMMENDING IT FOR FIVE YEARS AND OLDER. WERE HAVING TWO OF THOSE CLASSES IN THE AFTERNOON. PLUS, WILL HAVE GIRAFFE KEEPER AND ALL THE REVENUE THAT WE GET FROM GIRAFFE MEETING AS WELL AS YOGA AND BRICK BUILDING CLASSES WILL GO TO SUPPORT GIRAFFE CONSERVATION EFFORTS AROUND THE WORLD. WE WROTEREALLY FUN ANNUAL EVENT. REDOING THE FIREWORKS AGAIN THIS YEAR. ANTICIPATE THIS WILL PROBABLY BE THE LAST YEAR THAT WE ARE ABLE TO DO THE FIREWORKS. WERE PARTNERING

WITH WEST TAX CONNECT. THAT WILL BE HAPPENING JULY 4 THIS YEAR. ON THAT DAY. >> WHAT QUESTIONS WE HAVE FOR HER? THANK YOU SO MUCH.

GOOD TO SEE MIKE BACK. WE MISSED HER EXPERTISE IN SO MANY THINGS WHEN YOU WERE AWAY.

GREAT TO HAVE YOU BACK. ALWAYS GOOD TO HEAR THE WISDOM WHICH YOU BRING TO EVERY SITUATION OR PART OF. OTHER ANY OTHER AGENDA ITEMS WE NEED TO DISCUSS TODAY? OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO

TALK FOR 30 MINUTES? >> NO, IT'S GREAT TO BE BACK. I MISS BEING A PART OF THE BOARD.

[00:30:07]

>> WE LOOK FORWARD TO ANOTHER GREAT YEAR THIS YEAR. OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE THE SUMMER KICKOFF ALREADY. WELL DONE

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.