Aug 16, 2023 Parks and Recreation

[CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:09]

>> ALL RIGHT GOOD MORNING. WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED. THANKS EVERYBODY FOR JOINING US THIS FANTASTIC FIRST DAY OF A IFERLTSD PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WE ARE READY TO BE OVER SO THANK YOU FOR OUR TEACHERS.

WE'RE GOING TO GET STARTED WITH THE INVOCATION FROM ROBIN.

>> WOULD YOU BOW PLEASE. DEAR FATHER.

WE THANK THE CITY FOR THE STAFF AND ALL THE RESOURCES WE'VE GIVEN US. LORD PLEASE PROTECT THE CHILDREN COMING AND GOING DURING THIS NEW SCHOOL YEAR, PLEASE HELP US MAKE WISE DECISIONS AND DO WHAT'S BEST IN OUR COMMUNITY.

IT'S IN YOUR NAME WE PRAY AMEN. >> TO BEGIN WITH OUR MEETING WE CAN START WITH THE PUBLIC COMMENTS SECTION.

COME FORWARD AND STATE YOUR NAME.

YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK ON ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA.

WITH THAT WE'LL OPEN THE FLOOR FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

AND WITH THAT, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION.

WE'LL HAVE SEVERAL AGENDA ITEMS TO REFER TO LATER.

[1. Minutes (Discussion and Action]

>> I MOVE WE APPROVE OUR JULY 17TH MEETING AND MINUTES.

>> ALL IN FAVOR, ALL OPPOSED, MOTION CARRIES, WELCOME.

[EXECUTIVE SESSION]

THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD OF ABILENE WILL ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING ITEMS, 610 EAST SOUTH WHREFNT AND SOUTHWEST PARK AND NELSON PARK.

WE WILL RETURN FOLLOWING OUR EX

>> DID WE ALL MAKE IT BACK? WE DID.

ALL RIGHT WE HAVE RETURNED FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION FOLGT 551.071, CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY AND 551.092, NO ACTIONS OR VOTES WERE TAKEN DURING THAT TIME. ITEM 3, PRESENTATIONS

[3. 2023 Zoo Bond]

ZOO BOND. >> JESSE POTABOM ZOO DIRECTOR.

MOST RECENTLY, CITY COUNCIL HAS APPROVED FOR THE ZOO TO BE ON A BOND. I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH A FEW SLIDES WHAT THAT'S GOING TO ENTAIL.

WE DID COME UP WITH A BOND ABOUT A YEAR AGO, 22 ACRES TO THE NORTH OF THE ZOO WHICH SHOULD BE DEVELOPED HOPEFULLY WITH THIS BOND IN THE NEXT TEN TO 15 YEARS.

WE'RE FOCUS BEING ON PHASE 1, PART OF THE BOND COME NOVEMBER.

WHAT IT ENTAILS IS A RHINO EXPANSION.

THE LEFT HAND CORNER THAT RHINO SYMBOL, CURRENTLY THAT IS WHERE THE HYENAS WERE, THE LIONS WERE ON ANOTHER CIRCLE.

IT ALSO INTAILTS A MULTISPECIES YARD, WHICH COULD CO-HABITATE WITH THE DRAFT. MANAGE OUR DRAFT HERD.

CURRENTLY WE ONLY HAVE ONE PEN FOR OUR DRAFT HERD.

ONE BUM SITS IN THE BACK OF THE BARN AND IN THIS PHASE HE WOULD BE ALLOWED TO BE ON DISPLAY WITH GUESTS TO SEE HIM HIS MAJESTIC HEIGHT AND EVERYTHING. ALSO ENTAILS A HOLDING BARN.

A LION EXHIBIT AS WELL AS A BRAND-NEW SPECIES, CHEETAH EXHIBIT AND MEERKAT EXHIBIT. THE RENDERINGS WE HAVE ALL SEEN.

BANDSTAND, AMPHITHEATER, EVENT LAWN, THE MEERKAT EXHIBIT, THE LION EXHIBIT WHICH WILL PAY A LITTLE BIT OF TRIBUTE TO OUR AIRPORT, AIRPORT STRIP HAVING THE AVIAN SORT OF AIRCRAFT RIGHT THERE FOR KIDDOS TO INTERACT WITH THE LIONS MORE CLOSELY.

CHEETAH EXHIBIT, WE DID ADD A BOARDWALK, THE CHEETAHS ARE PRETTY FLOOR TO CEILING GLASS PANELING.

AND THEN RECENTLY WE HAD PARK RENDER UP OUR TWO STORY CAFE AND JUST EXPLAIN WHY THE COST IS SO SIGNIFICANT.

BECAUSE IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS VERY UNIQUE TO ABILENE.

THIS IS NOT A TURNKEY CAFE OR RESTAURANT.

[00:05:02]

THAT'S WHERE THE COSTS GO. THE LION EXHIBIT IS PART OF THE CAFE, PART OF THE RESTAURANT HENCE A LOT OF EXPENSE, AN EXPERIENCE OF SEEING THESE LIONS UP CLOSE, OUTSIDE AND INSIDE WHILE YOU'RE DINING. NEXT IS CHEETAH EXHIBIT, YOU COULD SEE A CHEETAH RUN, WE ARE DOING THE CHEETAH RUN ONCE OR TWICE A DAY, WHERE DID CHEETAH WILL GO ZERO TO SIX FEET ON A LURE LINE AND WE'LL DO THAT PRESENTATION DAILY.

UP HIGH ADA RAMP EXPERIENCE BOARDWALK, AGAIN THAT'S THE MAJESTIC SIZE OF THE CAFE, ROUGHLY 15,000 FEET, BOTTOM FLOOR AND TOP FLOOR TOGETHER. ABOUT 8,000 THAT SQUARE FEET IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. SO LOOKING AT THE FLOOR PRANCE, THE BOTTOM LEVEL IF YOU REMEMBER THAT SORT OF ARROW POINT THAT IS BY NUMBER 5 THAT'S THE ENTRY POINT FOR OUR GUESTS.

IF YOU GO STRAIGHT AHEAD YOU WILL SEE NUMBER 7 POINTS OF SALE. COMFORTABLY SEATS 160 GUESTS.

NUMBER 12 AND 13 SHOWS INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR BATHROOMS. ONE OF THE THURNLINGS WE LACK AT THE ZOO WE ARE NOT EFFICIENT ENOUGH WITH OUR RESTROOMS WHEN WE ARE BRINGING IN THREE TO 7,000 GUESTS. WE'RE NOT TO OUR STANDARDS THAT WE NEED TO BE WITH RESTROOM FACILITIES.

THIS WILL HELP CONTRIBUTE TO THAT.

NUMBER 17 STORAGE AND UTILITIES, 18 IS STAFF BREAK ROOM, IF YOU LOOK VERY ON THAT PINK SQUARE, THAT NUMBER 19 THAT'S A BRIDE'S ROOM BUT IT'S ALSO A MULTI-- OTHER USES ROOM.

THIS WILL BE -- THIS THE NOT NEW TO ZOOS.

ZOOS LATELY HAVE BEEN CONDUCTING A LOT OF WEDDINGS AT THEIR ZOOS, USUALLY THEY ARE BOW TAN CAM GARDENS.

THEY HAVE THE ANIMALS ASPECTS SO THERE IS A LOT OF WEDDINGS AT THE ZOO AND THAT IS WHAT WE WAN TO ENCOURAGE.

THIS WILL ALSO HAVE THE GROOM'S ROOM AS WELL AS RESTROOMS BUT THIS CAN ALSO BE USED FOR ROCK AND ROAR, IT'S GOING TO BE MULTIUSE. GO UP TO NUMBER 20 THAT'S GOING UP THE STAIRS ON THE SECOND ELEVATION OR THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE, THAT'S GOING TO BE THE TERRACE WHERE GUESTS CAN SORT OF HAVE THE OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE OF DINING BUT AN OVERHANGING ROOF, THAT WILL HOLD ABOUT 120 GUESTS AND THEN IF YOU GO TO THE MEZZANINE, THAT IS ACTUALLY RIGHT AT THE STAIR TOP WHERE YOU CAN GO TO THE BALCONY AND SEE DOWN ON THE GUESTS ON THE BOTTOM FLOOR AS WELL, SEE ON THE GLASS PANELS, THE LIONS AND CHEETAHS.

WE'LL HAVE RESTROOMS THERE AT NUMBER 14 ON THE CORNER THERE MILLION THIS ROUGHLY HOLDS APPROXIMATELY ABOUT 350, 360 FOLKS INSIDE DINING. THERE'S A LOT MORE DINING ON THE OUTSIDE AS WELL. FOR TOTAL COST WE'VE BROARN DOWO PHASES. EVENT STAGE, MULTISPECIES HABITAT FOR A TOTAL OF ABOUT $9 MILLION.

PHASE 1 B KILL BE A TOTAL OF ABOUT $15.5 MILLION OVERALL COST ABOUT 25 MILLION. IT WAS APPROVED BY COUNCIL ON AUGUST 10TH. SO IT WILL GO TO VOTE ON NOVEMBER CENT. IF IT IS APPROVED JANUARY AFTER THE HOLIDAYS WE WILL START DESIGN, BEGIN DESIGN.

SPRING OF 2024 WILL OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN LAUNCH. FOR THE LAST AMOUNT OF DOLLARS THAT WE NEED TO RAISE. SPRING OF 25 WILL BREAK GROUND, SPRING OF 26 WE'LL OFTEN THAT PHASE 1A AND SPRING OF 27 WE'LL OPEN PHAE 1B AND THAT'S IT. ANY QUESTIONS?

>> CAN YOU COMMENT ABOUT REVENUE, IN THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING I WAXED YOU COMMENTED ABOUT REVENUE AND RESTAURANTS AND HOW WELL THEY DO. CAN YOU GIVE US A LITTLE BIT OF

BACKGROUND ON THAT? >> SURE.

PER PERSON COMING INTO THE ZOO THEY DROP $1 IN CONCESSIONS, OUR GIFT SHOP MAKES $4. 1 ON CONCESSIONS, 4 ON CONCESSIONS. WHERE I COME FROM, THAT IS POLAR OPPOSITES. FOOD AND BEVERAGE $8 PER PERSON AND $3 ON GIFT SHOP. WE'RE BEATING THEM ON GIFT SHOP BUT NOT ON FOOD AN BEVERAGE. THAT'S THE AMOUNT OF ANNUAL DOLLARS THAT THE ZOO TAKES IN. SOME PEOPLE BRING IN THEIR PICNIC LUNCH. WE WANT TO GIVE THEM EXPERIENCE AND INCENTIVIZE THEM TO HAVE THIS EXPERIENCE.

[00:10:01]

>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU, THAT LOOKED AWESOME,

PROASHTD IT. >> THANK YOU.

[4. 2023 Parks and Recreation Bond]

>> ALL RIGHT, SO WE'LL GO ON WITH AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 4, OUR

2023 PARKS AND RECREATION BOND. >> TWO OTHER ITEMS THAT CITY COUNCIL APPROVED TO GO TO A VOTE ON NOVEMBER 7TH, IS RECREATION CENTER BOND WHICH WOULD BE FOR GB DANIELS RECREATION CENTER AND CB DANIELS RECREATION CENTER. THIS IS A RENDERING OF WHAT IT POTENTIALLY COULD LOOK LIKE. WHEN WE DID OUR FEASIBILITY STUDY, RECREATION FEASIBILITY STUDY IN 2019, 2020, THIS WHEREAS THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC.

WE HAD GROUPS THAT MET, WE HAD SURVEYS YOU KNOW WE HAD OPEN MEETINGS. WE HAD STAKE HOLDER MEETINGS AND THIS IS REALLY WHAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR.

OF COURSE THIS WAS PRESENTED TO PARKS BOARD AND CITY COUNCIL, RIGHT BEFORE COVID HILT AND SO, YOU KNOW, THAT PUT A HOLD ON EVERYTHING. AND WE'RE BRINGING IT BACK.

BUT REALLY THE NEEDS HAVE NOT CHANGED SINCE THAT TIME.

AS FAR AS, YOU KNOW, AREAS FOR THE SENIORS, PARTY ROOMS, CHILD WATCH AREAS, PLAYGROUNDS, ARTS AND CRAFTS, TEEN ROOM.

WE DID ASK THE QUESTION THE FEASIBILITY STUDY IF THIS WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE WOULD SUPPORT.

THIS IS THE LOCATION THAT GV DANIELS.

WHAT WE WOULD DO IS THAT WE WOULD DEMO THE CURRENTLY BUILDING AND BUILD THIS ONE IN ITS LACE.

YOU'LL SEE THE ORIENTATION CHANGES.

THE PLAYGROUND WOULD HAVE TO MOVE BUT THE BASKETBALL COURT WOULD NOT CHANGE. IT WOULD STAY OPEN WHILE ALL OF THIS IS GOING ON. BUT AT GV DANIELS THERE ARE NINE DOORS THAT GO IN AND OUT OF THAT BUILDING AND IT IS REALLY HARD TO MAINTAIN AND WATCH ALL THE DOORS OF WHERE PEOPLE CAN GO IN AND OUT. THIS GIVES US THE ABILITY TO REALLY MONITOR WHO IS COMING IN AND OUT AND WHO HAS ACCESS.

>> HOW MANY DOORS CURRENTLY? >> NINE DOORS CURRENTLY.

WE WOULD DEMOLISH THE CURRENT CESAR CHAVEZ PLACE, YOU CAN SEE ITS ORIENTATION, THERE IS A PHASE 2 IF AT SOME POINT IN TIME THEY CHOOSE TO DO IT THEY HAVE THE LAND THERE.

IT IS BASICALLY THE SAME DESIGN IN BOTH LOCATIONS.

WE WOULD ONLY DO ONE AT A TIME SO WE MAKE SURE WE ARE CONTINUING TO SERVE THE PUBLIC WHEN THE PROJECT WAS GOING ON.

THE COST PROPOSED IS -- IT'S A $28 MILLION REQUEST FOR THE BOND. 50% TO CHAVEZ AND 50% TO GV DANIELS. THAT DOES INCLUDE THE DEMO, THE CONSTRUCTION THE DESIGN AND FF & E.

ANY QUESTIONS ON RECREATION BEFORE I GO ON TO --

>> IN CASE THE PUBLIC DOES NOT KNOW, CESAR CHAVEZ IS AT THE PARK, I CAN'T REMEMBER G VMPLET DANIELS CROSS STREETS WHERE ARE THOSE? NORTH SIDE OF TOWN, OKAY.

>> IS THE PROPOSED BOND ISSUE ARE THEY GOING TO BE SEPARATE ITEMS OR ARE THEY GOING TO BE ANNAL ALL OR NONE?

>> THEY ARE TOGETHER, BOTH RECREATION CENTERS ARE TOGETHER

FOR $28 MILLION. >> IS THAT SEPARATE FROM --

>> THAT IS SEPARATE FROM THE ZOO AND SEPARATE FROM THE TRAIL.

SO THERE WOULD BE THREE PROPOSITIONS.

THE THIRD ITEM IS KIRBY LAKE TRAIL.

THIS IS BUILDING A TRAIL AROUND KIRBY LAKE.

IT IS THE QUEAFNT BASICALLY MUCH A 10K.

WE DID A KIRBY LAKE MASTER PLAN AND THIS WAS ALSO PART OF SOME OF THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE WERE INTERESTED IN SEEING OUT THERE.

IN ALL THE SURVEYS WE'VE DONE AND IN THE MASTER PLAN HIKING AND BIKING WERE -- ALWAYS RANK WAY UP HIGH.

HERE IS JUST SOME OF THE GROWTH THAT'S HAPPENING OUT IN THAT AREA THAT WE'RE FOLLOWING. THIS IS A $9 MILLION PROPOSAL.

IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IN ESTIMATES.

THIS IS FOR THE TRAIL, SOME IMPROVED PARKING, AND ALL THINGS THAT GO WITH TRAILS WHEN YOU BUILD THEM.

ONE THING I WILL NOTE IS FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO H ARE AWARE, THERE ARE IMPROVEMENTS AT MAPLE STREET, ONE LOCATION ALREADY DESIGNED TO MEET UP WITH THE MAPLE TRAIL IN THE -- IF THIS IS APPROVED BY THE CITIZENS, WE WOULD MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A

[00:15:03]

ANY QUESTIONS. >> ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION. WE MOVE ON THEN TO AGENDA ITEM

[5. Boy Scouts Building Lease (Discussion, Public Comment and Possible Action) • Lease Agreement Information]

THIS WILL BE DISCUSSION POTENTIAL PUBLIC COMMENT AND

POSSIBLE ACTION. >> WE HAVE A BOY SCOUT BUILDING THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE PROBABLY DON'T EVEN REALIZE IT'S THERE.

IT'S LOCATED ON THE CORNER OF SOUTH 9TH AND BARROW.

THERE WAS SOMEONE WHO LEASED IT A FEW YEARS AGO.

AND THAT TROOP FOLDED. AND SO WE HAVE LOOKED AT

PARTNERING WITH TEXAS -- >> TEXAS TRAILS COUNCIL.

>> TEXAS TRAILS COUNCIL AND SO WHAT'S BEFORE YOU IS A LEASE TO ENTER INTO A LEASE WITH TEXAS TRAILS COUNCIL FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO PUT BOY SCOUT TROOPS BACK INTO THAT BUILDING.

WE DID DO AN EVALUATION OF THE THINGS THAT WERE LOCATED INSIDE THE BUILDING, AND FARTHER OF THE LEASE IS ALLOWING THEM TO USE

WHAT IS INSIDE THE BUILDING. >> IS THAT THE PLACE WHERE

THEY'VE BEEN PLAYING BRIDGE? >> NO, THAT'S A DISHT BUILDING.

THAT IS THE BUILDING IF YOU'LL -- IT WILL BE -- IT IS A DIFFERENT BUILDING. THAT IS THE BUILDING JUST TO THE RIGHT OF THIS PICTURE, RIGHT WHERE THE 9 IS IS THE GREEN CIRCLE. THE GREEN CIRCLE IS THE BOY

SCOUT BUILDING. >> GOT YOU.

>> THIS IS A NINE YEAR LEASE WITH AN OPTION FOR A NINE YEAR RENEWAL. IT IS $50 FOR FIVE YEARS AND THEN IF THEY CHOOSE TO RENEW IT FOR ANOTHER FIVE YEARS IT WILL BE ANOTHER $50. THEY DO PAY ALL OF UTILITIES AND THEY DO THE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS OF THE FACILITY.

THE CITY WOULD CONTINUE MOWINGS THE PARK.

MOWING THE PARK AND WITH THAT I'M HAPPY

TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. >> WHERE ARE THEY MEETING NOW?

ARE THEY MEETING ANYWHERE? >> I BELIEVE THEY ARE LOOKING FOR A LOCATION. I'M NOT SURE WHERE THEY ARE

MEETING NOW. >> THEY DON'T HAVE A CURRENT

LOCATION. >> HUH-UH.

>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? WELL THAT WE WILL MOVE INTO PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS PARTICULAR AGENDA ITEM.

PLEASE COME TOWARD STATE YOUR NAME AND YOU'LL HAVE THREE

MINUTES TO PLEAD YOUR CASE. >> MICHELLE LEWIS REPRESENTING TEXAS TRAILS COUNCIL. AND DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS THERE ME ABOUT THE TROOP MOVING IN OR ANY OF THE PROCESSES WE'VE GONE THROUGH TO GET THIS?

>> HOW MANY KIDS ARE YOU HOPING TO SERVE WITH THIS?

>> WE ARE HOPING TO SERVE UPWARDS TO 25.

IT'S A GROWING TROOP. >> AND WILL THIS BE BENEFITING ONE PARTICULAR TROOCH OR SEVERAL?

>> ONE TROOP FOR NOW AND POSSIBLY ANOTHER TROOP OR TWO IN

THE FUTURE. >> HOW MANY TROOPS ARE THERE?

HOW MANY TROOPS ARE THERE? >> IN ABILENE?

>> YES. >> ABOUT TEN TO 12.

IN THE ABILENE AREA. BUT WE'RE LOOKING AT STARTING A FEW MORE TROOPS IN THE AREA AND THEY WILL NEED HOMES.

SO WE ARE LOOKING TO BRING LIFE BACK TO THIS BUILDING.

>> YOU HAD MENTIONED THE PROCESS OF KIND OF WHAT YOU'VE GONE THUS FAR. WOULD YOU TAKE US THROUGH THAT

BRIEFLY? >> WELL, THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE RIGHT AFTER COVID. AND THAT'S WHEN WE TOWNLD OUT THAT THIS ONE PARTICULAR TROOP WAS NO LONGER GOING TO BE SUPPORTED BY THEIR CHARTERED ORGANIZATION.

AND THEIR CHARTERED ORGANIZATION GRACIOUSLY HAS LET THEM STAY WHERE THEY ARE UNTIL WE TOWND SOMETHING FOR THEM TO MOVE INTO.

-- FOUND SOMETHING FOR THEM TO MOVE INTO.

AND WE HAVE GONE THROUGH FINDING OUT WHO WE NEED TO CONTACT FOR THE BUILDING, TRACKING DOWN THE KEYS, TRYING TO FIND PERSONNEL IN THE CITY WHO WE TALKED TO, FINALLY, THE LAST FEW MONTHS IT'S MOVED PRETTY RAPIDLY BACK AND FORTH.

AND THEN A LEASE WAS DRAWN UP. WE WENT THROUGH IT.

IT WAS SIGNED AND RETURNED. WE THOUGHT IT WAS ALL DONE.

AND HERE WE ARE. >> AND I WILL JUMP IN THERE.

PART OF WHAT HAS TAKEN US SO LONG IS THERE WAS A CURRENT CONTRACT WITH THE OLD GROUP. AND WE HAD TO DO OUR DUE DILIGENCE IN TRYING TO TRACK THEM DOWN WHEN WE WEREN'T ABLE TO TRACK THEM DOWN, YOU KNOW, WE TRIED LOOKING AT THEIR HOST

[00:20:04]

SO IT HAS BEEN A PROCESS. BECAUSE WE HAD TO GET OUT OF THE OLD LEASE AND GIVE DUE DILIGENCE BEFORE WE COULD GO INTO THE NEW LEASE. SO THIS IS THE LAST STEP IS -- AND THEN IF Y'ALL APPROVE IT TODAY THEN THE CITY WILL BE AUTHORIZED TO SIGN THE LEASE AND THEY COULD MOVE IN VERY SOON

THEREAFTER. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT CONTEXT.

THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?

>> I MOVE APPROVAL. >> OKAY.

WE WILL CLOSE THE -- THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT.

WE'LL GO AHEAD AND CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT AND WE WILL MOVE TO POTENTIAL ACTION. SOUNDS LIKE WE HAVE A MOTION TO MOVE TO APPROVE. SECONDED.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> TO THE NEGATIVE? MOTION PASSES SO YOU GET YOUR BUILDING SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PROCESS.

>> AND PATIENCE. IT IS A PROCESS.

[6. Improvements to Kirby Lake Softball Complex (Discussion, Public Comment and Possible Action) • Proposed Dugout Improvements]

>> AND PATIENCE, ABSOLUTELY. ALL RIGHT WE WILL GO AHEAD AND MOVE TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 6, IMPROVEMENTS TO THE KIRBY LAKE SOFTBALL COMPLEX, DISCUSSION PUBLIC COMMENT AND POTENTIAL

ACTION WILL GO HERE AS WELL. >> AT KIRBY LAKE WE HAVE SOFT BALL FIELDS. WE HAVE A GROUP THAT'S INTERESTED IN MAKING IMPROVEMENTS, WALLY FAST PITCH SOFTBALL. Y'ALL SHOULD BE FAMILIAR WITH THEM. THEY DO PUT ON A LOT OF TOURNAMENTS OUT THERE BRINGING A LOT OF PEOPLE TO ABILENE AND THEY HAVE REQUESTED TO REALLY REPLACE THE EIGHT EXISTING DUGOUTS FOR A COST OF $76,400. THROUGH THE TOURNAMENTS AND PARTNERSHIPS THAT WE HAVE HAD AND THIS IS 100% FUNDED BY WALLY FAST PITCH SOFT BALL. THIS IS A PICTURE OF CONCEPTUALLY WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE.

THIS IS THEIR EIGHT NEW IMPROVED DUGOUTS.

TYPICALLY IF IT'S JUST A REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT, WE TEND TO HANDLE THAT AS STAFF. THEY ARE ACTUALLY LOOKING AT EXPANDING THE DUGOUTS. THEY WILL BE A LITTLE LONGER, THEY WILL ARE A LITTLE DEEPER AND THEY WILL BE MADE IN A WAY THAT GIVES SAFETY FOR BALLS THAT ARE FLYING AROUND AND KIDS PRACTICING. SO IT WAS ENOUGH OF A CHANGE THAT IT DOES NEED PARKS BOARD APPROVAL.

>> AROUND THEN THE MAINTENANCE OF SAID DUGOUTS WILL FALL TO THE

CITY OR FALL BACK TO WALLY? >> IT WILL POSSIBLY BE BOTH.

THE DAY-TO-DAY MAINTENANCE WILL FALL ON WALLY BUT BECAUSE THIS IS ON PARK LAND ULTIMATELY IT WILL COME BACK TO THE CITY IF SOMETHING MAJOR NEEDS TO BE DONE.

>> BASICALLY THE TERMS THAT WE HAVE NOW, CORRECT?

>> UH-HUH. >> OKAY.

>> THEY HAVE CERTAINLY DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB IN THE PAST.

MORE QUESTIONS WE HAVE FOR LESLIE?

>> I JUST APPRECIATE STAFF CONTINUING TO WORK WITH PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS. AND UPGRADING FACILITIES.

SO I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION W- >> WE HAVE TO GO TO PUBLIC

COMMENT. >> OH SORRY, PUBLIC COMMENT.

HAPPY TO HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC P. >> WITH THAT WE WILL GO INTO PUPUBLIC COMMENT. STATE YOUR NAME.

>> BRIAN NELSON, WE HAVE BEEN RAISING THE MONEY FOR QUITE A WHILE FOR THIS STUFF. WE HAVE 12 TOURNAMENTS A YEAR THREE LEAGUES AND IT IS A WAY TO GET BACK BASICALLY.

ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME? >> BRIAN HOW MANY PLAYERS DO YOU

TYPICALLY HAVE RIGHT NOW? >> SPRING BALL WE HAD ABOUT 400.

THERE IS 1100 TOTAL IN ABILENE. FAULT BALL WE'LL HAVE AROUND 50 TEAMS, AROUND 500 AND THEN SUMMER LEAGUE WE'LL HAVE 288

THOSE ARE HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS. >> 12 TOURNAMENTS, GOOD ECONOMIC IMPACT. THANK YOU.

>> WHAT OTHER QUESTIONS DO WE HAVE? Y'ALL HAVE CERTAINLY DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB IN THE PAST.

>> APPRECIATE. >> APPRECIATE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS. IN OUR COMMUNITY SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE BIT OF A THEME FOR ABILENE AND JUST CONTINUES.

>> CERTAINLY SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE.

>> ALL RIGHT THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> YES. >> SO NOW I CAN MAKE A MOTION?

>> NOW ROBYN CAN MAKE WHATEVER MOTION SHE WANTS TO.

>> I MAKE A MOTION WE ACCEPT THE PROPOSED KIRBY LAKE SOFTBALL IMPROVEMENTS, THANK YOU TO OUR PRIVATE PARTNERS.

>> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE, OPPOSED, MOTION PASSES.

[00:25:01]

[7. Aquatics Report (Discussion) • Weekends Only / Started August 13th]

>> GOOD MORNING EVERYONE, BOBBY BROWN DIVISION MANAGER, AQUATICS AND SENIORS. IT'S EXCITING TO SEE ALL THESE THINGS THAT'S HAPPENING IN ABILENE.

IT REALLY IS. GOOD TOURNAMENTS BY THE WAY, I DO COME OUT THERE TO THOSE TOURNAMENTS.

SO VENTURE COVE IS, A LOT OF LIFEGUARDS GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND SO THEY GET SHORT STAFFED AND KIND OF MAKE IT THROUGH.

DON'T HAVE A CONFIRMATION YET ON THEIR LAST DAY, LAST DAY IS USUALLY THE WEEK AFTER LABOR DAY.

I DON'T HAVE A CONFIRMATION IF THEY ARE GOING TO STOP ON LABOR DAY, I DIDN'T GET THAT CONFIRMATION YET.

I DID GO OVER AND VISTA THE OTHER DAY AND THEY'RE WORKING IT OUT TO COVER. PEOPLE ARE STILL COMING.

THE NUMBERS STAYED UP AND ALL SO EVERYTHING LOOKS GREAT OUT THERE. THAT'S IT ON THAT.

>> ANY QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION POINTS? ALWAYS HEAR AMAZING THINGS. I KNOW MY SON AND A BUNCH OF HIS BUDDIES WENT OUT THERE THIS LAST WEEKEND, WE LIKE TO HAVE ONE

LAST BASH OUT THERE. >> THEY ARE COUNTING DOWN.

THE SENIORS DID THEIR EXERCISE CLASS OUT THERE.

THEY DOFD OF LOVED IT. THEY HAD UP TO 60 SENIORS TO GO TO THE EXERCISE CLASS. IT WORKED OUT WELL AND THEY LOVED IT AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE AND GROWS

THAT PROGRAM AS WELL. >> IT'S AWESOME.

[8. Parks Report (Discussion) • Vaughn-Camp Repair • BBQ Grill Replacements • Cobb Playground Repair]

>> OKAY WITH THAT WE'LL MOVE INTO OUR PARKS REPORT.

THIS WILL ALSO BE A DISCUSSION. >> GOOD MORNING, THIS IS COR NAD OAZ PARKS DIVISION MANAGER. WE HAD SUNNY VANDALIZE THE CAMP OUT AT THE CAMP. HANGING DOWN ON THE MIDDLE, PRETTY DOWN, SOME OF THE ANCHOR BOLTS ON THE POST CAME UP.

GUYS WENT BACK UP THERE, TINED IT BACK UP AND YOU CAN SEE THE NET'S BACK UP FOR THE PICKLE BALLERS TO GO BACK AND START PLAYING AGAIN. ONE OF THE REQUESTS THAT WE HAD FROM THE PUBLIC WAS TO START REPLACING THE BARBECUE GRILLS AT SOME OF OUR PARKS. AND WE HAVE REPLACED THREE SO FAR. WE REPLACED ONE AT SCARBOROUGH ONE AT JOHNSON AND ONE AT STEPHENSON.

ONCE WE ROLL OVER TO THE NEXT BUDGET WE'LL START ADDRESSING THE ONES THAT ARE IN THE WORST SHAPE.

AND CONTINUE TO REPLACE THOSE AS WE GO.

COBB PARK PLAYGROUND, THE TOOL CAME IN, THE GUYS WENT OUT THERE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND PUT IT BACK UP.

THIS WAS A CRAWL TUBE THAT WAS VANDALIZED AND PART OF IT WAS BROKEN PART OF IT WAS SET ON FIRE SO WE HAVE TO TAKE IT DOWN BUT IT FINALLY CAME IN SO IT'S BACK UP FOR THE KIDS TO ENJOY.

SO THAT'S ALL I GOT. >> ANY QUESTIONS?

[9. Recreation Report (Discussion) • Fall COED Kickball • Dog Training Classes]

WE'LL MOVE ON TO OUR RECREATION DISCUSSION, RECREATION REPORT,

THIS WILL ALSO BE A DISCUSSION. >> HELLO, CHRIS GIBSON, I'M STEPPING IN FOR ANN. SHE HAD TO GO COVER ONE OF OUR CENTERS SO WE COULD GET OPEN AND RUNNING THIS MORNING SO YOU GOT THE SECOND TEAM AGAIN THIS MORNING, SORRY.

OUR FALL COED KICK BALL IS KICK OFF, NO PUN INTENDED, $45 PER WE'RE GOING TO HAVE -- WE'RE LOOKING AT ABOUT TEN TO 12 PEOPLE PER TEAM. IT WILL START IN SEPTEMBER THROUGH OCTOBER. EVERY THURSDAY.

WE'LL BE PLAYING OVER AT ROSE PARK, T BONE FIELD.

SO IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN PLAYING THEY DID THIS JUST FOR ADULTS. FALL COED KICK BALL.

TIME TO SIGN UP FOR THAT AND GO TO ABILENETX.GOV, AND SIGN UP.

BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO HELP OUT THERE.

THE EVER POPULAR DOG TRAINING CLASS.

THIS ONE IS FOCUSED ON THE LITTLE ONES ON UP TO SEVEN MONTHS. AND THEN OVER SEVEN MONTHS SO IT'S BROKEN UP TO DIFFERENT SESSIONS.

YOU CAN GET THE PUPPIES TOGETHER KIND OF LIKE KIDS, THAT'S THE WAY IT'S GOING TO WORK. TEN WEEKS TO SEARCH MONTHS.

OVER SEVEN MONTHS WILL BE ON TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS.

THIS IS THE BASICS COURSE SO THIS IS STARTING THEM OFF AT THE VERY BEGINNING. IT WILL BE OVER AT COBB AGAIN AND IT OPENS UP, ACTUALLY IT OPENED UP ON THE 14TH SO IT WILL GO THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1ST AND AGAIN IF YOU ARE INTERESTED

[00:30:02]

[10. Seniors Report (Discussion) • 8 Ball Tournament • Tuesday Evening Fitness Class • Senior Talent Showchase]

>> THOSE SEEM TO BE POPULAR. WE'LL MOVE OVER TO OUR SENIORS REPORT. THIS WILL ALSO BE A DISCUSSION.

>> ME AGAIN. EXCUSE ME.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 30TH WE'LL HAVE OUR EIGHT BALL TOURNAMENT.

OUR POOL TOURNAMENT. THE GUYS ARE EXCITED.

I THINK LAST YEAR WE ACTUALLY HAD IT IN JUNE SO IT'S KIND OF BEEN DELAYED A LITTLE BIT THEY HAVE AGAIN ASKING AND PUSHING SO WE GOT IT TOGETHER FOR THESE GUYS.

WE'VE ALREADY GOT MORE PEOPLE THAT HAVE SIGNED UP THAN WE HAD IN THE TOURNAMENT LAST YEAR. SO THAT'S EXCITING.

THEY'RE IN THERE EVERY DAY. WE OPEN AT 8:30, THEY'RE IN THERE AT 8:30. WE CLOSE AT 4 AND WE HAVE TO PUT THEM OUT. SO THEY'RE PRACTICING GETTING READY THERE ALL THE EXPERTS THEY'RE THE BEST IN THE WORLD IF YOU TALK TO THEM AND ALL THAT. SO WE'RE KIND OF EXCITED THAT WE FINALLY GOT THIS PUT BACK TOGETHER.

OUR TUESDAY EVENING FITNESS CLASS.

WE'VE GOT A PHYSICAL THERAPIST THAT COMES OUT ON TUESDAYS TO HELP OUR SENIORS. IF Y'ALL REMEMBER WE WENT TO STAYING OFTEN LATE ON TUESDAYS AND WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET SOME THINGS GOING ON ON TUESDAYS TO BRING PEOPLE IN THERE.

SHE JUST HAPPENED TO SHOW UP ONT TUESDAY EVENINGS AND SHE WENT FOR IT. SO THAT'S GREAT, SOUNDS GREAT, I'LL BE OUT ON TUESDAYS WE'LL GET SOMETHING GOING.

SO A LOT OF OUR SENIORS WHO NEED SOME PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE IN WORK OUT, THEY HAVE SPECIFIC THINGS THEY WANT TO WORK ON SHE'S THERE TO HELP THEM TO CREATE THEIR EXERCISE PLAN AND THINGS THAT THEY NEED TO DO. AND SHE TAWRKS TO THEM ABOUT EATING AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.

SO THAT'S WORKING OUT REAL GREAT.

I WANT TO SAY THE FIRST NIGHT THAT WE DID IT THAT SHE SHOWED UP WE HAD LIKE 23 SENIORS TO SHOW UP.

SO IT'S A GOOD CLASS TO WE'RE REAM EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

THERE 5:30 TO 630, SHE ACTUALLY GETS THERE AT 5, THERE IS USUALLY SOME SENIORS THAT AE ALREADY THERE, IT'S REALLY

EXCITING, IT'S A GOOD CLASS. >> OKAY.

>> OUR -- YOU KNOW, IT'S SUBSTANTIAL SHOW TIME.

WE'VE GOT 26 ACTS THAT WE HAVE ON THE TALENT SHOW.

THE TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW AND THEY ARE SELLING.

WORE GOING TO HAVE IT OVER AT THE ABILENE COMMUNITY THEATER, ACTING -- THE ACT BUILDING THIS YEAR.

AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO SEAT ABOUT 240 PEOPLE.

I THINK LAST YEAR WE SEATED ABOUT 215 AT OUR BUILDING.

WE ACTUALLY HAD TWORCHED SET UP. WE HAD TO PUT SOME EXTRA CHAIRS OUT AND SELL SOME EXTRA TICKETS BECAUSE THEY SHOWED UP.

THIS YEAR WE'RE GOING TO GO OVER TO THE ACT BUILDING AND DO IT.

IT'S A LOT MORE ACCOMMODATING, EVERYONE WILL BE IN A GOOD SEAT, BE ABLE TO SEE. AND WE'LL HAVE SOME HELP THERE FOR ANYONE BECAUSE IT IS KIND OF STEEP, YOU KNOW, GOING DOWN IN THERE. WE'LL HAVE PEOPLE TO HELP THOSE THAT GET IN THEIR SEAT AND GETTING OUT OF THERE.

WE THINK THIS WILL BE A BETTER LOCATION THERE, COST A LOT LESS THAN US HAVING IT AT OUR BUILDING.

WE'RE EXCITED. TICKETS ARE SELLING, EVERY DAY WE'RE COMING TO THE WINDOW, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY WE HAVE SOLD SO FAR SO IF YOU ARE COMING YOU BETTER GET YOUR TICKET.

ALL RIGHT. THAT'S IT.

>> CERTAINLY LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.

ANY QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU OR THE YOUR

[11. Zoo Report (Discussion) • 2023 Rock and Roar • MeetBluey • Members After-Hours]

>> ZOO DIRECTOR JESSE POTABOM. UP AND COMING IS OUR ROCK AND ROAR EVENT, SORT OF A ROCK 'N' ROLL MEETS RED DIRT COUNTRY SO THEY'VE GOT A GOOD SOUND, UP AND COMING.

THEY HAVE BEEN SELLING OUT OTHER SHOWS IN MIDLAND AND LUBBOCK.

DROP TIMES HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING PECOS AND THE ROOFTOP.

THAT IS SET OR THE SEPTEMBER 8TH AT 5 P.M.

PLEASE SUPPORT THE ZOO, THE AMBIENCE ARE GREAT, HOPEFULLY THE TRIPLE DIGITS ARE GONE, THE TRAIN AND CAROUSEL WILL BE FREE FOR THE KIDDOS, GO ONLINE TO ABILENEZOO.COM.

THEN WE HAVE BLUEY. BLUEY IS VERY PARTICULARLY.

IT IS AN AUSTRALIAN HEELER. A LITTLE SISTERS THAT HAVE A LOT

[00:35:04]

THIS WILL BE A CHARACTER, THERE WON'T BE A PRESENTATION.

SO IT'S TREE TO OUR MEMBERS AND PART OF YOUR ADMISSION IF YOU COME. SO YOU'LL GET A PHOTO OPPORTUNITY. THERE WILL BE FOUR TIMES THAT YOU GET A PHOTO OPPORTUNITY WITH BLUEY.

WE'LL HAVE AN UPCHARGE FOR THOSE WHO WANT MORE INTIMATE IN THE CLASSROOM. SPONSORED BY I HOP AND GET MORE INCLUSIVE UPSHOTS WITH BLUEY, THOSE TICKETS WILL BE ONLINE HERE SHORTLY. WE'RE PAIRING WITH ALL KIND, EIGHT TO TEN DOGS IS OUR GOAL TO ADOPT AND WE'LL GET PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES AND GET THAT ALL APPROVED ON ZOO GROUNDS AND THAT IS SEPTEMBER 23RD AND IT WILL BE ALL DAY.

AND THEN WE HAVE OUR MEMBERS AFTER HOURS.

THIS IS WHERE THE PUBLIC IS MORE OPEN TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR ABILENE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY TO VOICE ANYTHING THEY WANT TO SAY BUT WE ALSO BRING IN NEW MEMBERS TO OUR ABILENE SOCIETY, BRING IN A COUPLE OF NEW MEMBERS BUT THE PUBLIC CAN VOTE ON IT AS WELL SO THAT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. AND THAT WILL BE SEPTEMBER 26TH. AND THIS MEETING IS AT 6:30 P.M.

THIS IS FOR MEMBERS ONLY. SO YOU HAVE TO BE A MEMBER OF THIS ZOO IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE.

I SHOULDN'T SAY IT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

OPEN TO PEOPLE WHO PURCHASE A MEMBERSHIP AT THE ZOO AND THAT'S IT. QUESTIONS?

>> AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER. ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.

WITH THAT, WE WILL ADJOURN FOR THE MORNING.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. AND WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT MONTH.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.