Sep 12, 2023 Citizens Advisory Board for People with Disabilities

[00:00:02]

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. IT IS 3:13 ON SEPTEMBER 12, AND WE ARE GOING TO START THE CITIZEN'S ADVISORY BOARD FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES MEETING.

[PUBLIC COMMENTS]

DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS?

YES. >> MY NAME IS CHARLES MICHAEL.

OH, THE TIMER IS STARTING NOW? >> CAN YOU SPEAK A LITTLE BIT

LOUDER WHEN YOU TALK IN. >> OKAY.

MY NAME IS CHARLES MICHAEL. I'M A RESIDENT OF ABILENE, TE TEXAS. I REALLY WONDER HOW CITY LINK IS DOING RIGHT NOW I DIDN'T EXPECT ANY CHANGES TO BE IMMEDIATE WHEN I FIRST CAME HERE TO SPEAK ON THIS SUBJECT ON JULY 11.

SO FAR, IT IS ALMOST AS IF THINGS HAVE GOTTEN WORSE.

AS I HAVE SAID, I CAN'T POSSIBLY FIT EVERYTHING THAT I WANT TO SAY ON THE MATTER IN JUST THREE MINUTES.

SO PLEASE BEAR WITH ME. IT SEEMS LIKE CITY LINK IS SOMEHOW LESS STAFFED THAN IT WAS TWO MONTHS AGO.

ACCORDING TO THE PERSON THAT DROVE ME HERE.

THEY ARE DOWN BY SIX OR SEVEN PEOPLE SINCE JULY.

I CAN'T BOOK HALF THE RIDES I WANT TO BECAUSE ON THE APP, IT SAYS "THIS TRIP CANNOT BE SCHEDULED DUE TO RUN AVAILABILITY. THIS USUALLY OCCURS WHEN I TRY TO GO SOMEWHERE IN THE EARLY AFTERNOON FROM THE NOON TO 5:00 P.M. TIME FRAME. TO MY UNDERSTANDING, THIS IS BECAUSE THE CITY LINK DRIVERS ARE BUSIEST IN THE AFTERNOONS.

I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE. ON AUGUST 29, I WAS SCHEDULED TO GO HOME FROM THE MALL ON-- AT 4:45 P.M.

THEY CAME ON TIME. I REMEMBER SPENDING UPWARDS OF 20 MINUTES IN THE VEHICLE BEFORE I ARRIVED HOME.

I ENJOYED THE RIDE, THOUGH. YOU CAN SEE HOW INCONVENIENT THAT IS. AND AS I IMAGINE, IT IS STRESSFUL FOR THE AVERAGE WORKER.

I DON'T WORK AT CITY LINK. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE WORKING CONDITIONS ARE LIKE. ASIDE FROM BEING IN THEIR BUSES AND CARS SO MUCH. I ONLY KNOW WHAT VARIOUS EMPLOYEES, FORMER AND CURRENT HAVE TOLD ME ABOUT WORKING AT CITY LINK. TO THOSE OF US WHO DON'T HAVE CARS OR IN SOME CASES, ARE LITERALLY NOT ABLE TO DRIVE, THIS IS MORE THAN AN INCONVENIENCE.

IN A PERFECT WORLD, THE EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE RELATIONSHIP WOULD BE IMMATERIAL. EVERYTHING WOULD BE WORKING ABSOLUTELY WONDERFULFULLY. THERE WOULD BE NO SUCH THING AS COMPANIES BEING UNDERSTAFFED. TO BE PRAGMATIC ABOUT IT NOW, THIS IS WHY I THINK SOLUTION I PROPOSED TWO MONTHS AGO RAISING THE PAY RATE IS SUCH A GOOD IDEA TO SOLVE THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT PROBLEM. FIRST OF ALL, IT IS WHAT THEY WANT. NOT ONLY WHETHER THE CURRENT EMPLOYEES ENJOY GETTING A PAY RAISE, BUT THERE WILL BE GREAT INCENTIVE FOR POTENTIAL NEW EMPLOYEES TO COME IN AND WORK IN THE FORM OF THAT HIGHER PAY RATE.

ALL WE NEED NOW IS TO TAKE THAT ACTION.

THAT IS IT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MICHAEL. >> CHARLES?

>> CHARLES. >> MY LAST NAME IS MICHAEL.

>> SORRY. >> IT IS OKAY.

>> DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY COMMENTS BECAUSE WE CAN DISCUSS THIS, BECAUSE WE HAVE CITYLINK ON THE AGENDA?

>> WHERE IS THE CITYLINK REPRESENTATIVE?

>> SHE IS RIGHT BEHIND YOU. >> BOBBY.

>> WAS THAT ACCURATE ENOUGH? OKAY.

(INAUDIBLE). >> SOUNDS GOOD.

>> SOUND GOOD. >> YES.

>> DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY -- >> I'LL TAKE MY CAMERA BACK.

>> COMMENTS? SO CHARLES, IF YOU DON'T MIND, I'M GOING TO HAVE CITYLINK, WHEN WE GET TO THAT POINT IN OUR AGENDA, BE A PART OF THIS DISCUSSION.

AND THERE IS SOME PEOPLE ON THE BOARD THAT ACTUALLY USE CITYLINK, TOO. WE WILL HAVE THAT DISCUSSION.

OKAY? AWESOME.

[1. Approval of Minutes from July Meeting (Discussion and Action) ]

JULY MEETING? >> I'LL MAKE A MOTION.

>> IS THERE A SECOND? >> I'LL SECOND.

>> THANK YOU. AND SO WE ARE GOING TO GO AHEAD

[2. CityLink Update (Discussion) ]

[00:05:11]

>> HELLO. I DON'T KNOW IF EVERYBODY KNOWS WHO I AM. BOBBY SISK.

I WORK AT CITY-- LINK. I WILL HAVE YOU LOOK AT THAT, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON THAT. WE CAN ADDRESS THAT AND THEN I CAN ADDRESS SOME-- WHEN PEOPLE HAVE TWO FIRST NAMES, I GET CONFUSED SOMETIMES. F (LAUGHTER) I'M SO SORRY.

WELL, THAT IS GOOD. WE ALL HELP AND STUFF.

IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS ON THE NUMBERS OR ANYTHING? WE GOT THAT. WE WILL GET THAT.

THEN WE CAN MOVE FROM THERE. >> DO YOU WANT TO SAY A FEW THINGS ABOUT THE NEW PILOT PROGRAM?

>> I DO. I DO.

ACTUALLY. I BROUGHT A LITTLE MATERIAL WITH US. WE DID INITIATE WHAT THEY CALL-- IT IS A MICRO-TRANSIT SYSTEM. IT IS CALLED THE ZIP ZONE.

THAT WENT LIVE ON AUGUST 28. OF 2023.

SOME OF THAT, TOO, WE HAD TO BRING IN FOR TRAINING.

AND GET THAT TO GO LIVE. THIS IS SOMETHING, I BELIEVE, THEY HAVE WORKED ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW.

IT IS GOING TO AFFECT THE NORTHERN PORTION OF ABILENE.

I EVEN BROUGHT A MAP SO I WOULD HAVE ALL MY BOUNDARIES.

WHAT IT IS, IT IS AN ON-DEMAND SERVICE.

YOU CAN CALL. WE DO HAVE AN APP.

YOU CAN EITHER CALL THE STATION AND GET A RIDE, OR THERE IS AN APP FOR IT THAT YOU CAN DOWNLOAD.

YOU CAN BOOK YOUR TRIPS ON-LINE. YOU ASK FOR IT.

YOU SET YOUR TIMES UP. YOU ASK FOR IT.

THERE IS ONE THAT SAYS RIGHT NOW YOU CAN DO THAT.

WE WILL BE THERE. IT IS EITHER $3 OR WE DO ACCEPT DAY PASSES. ON THAT.

THE DAY PASS, YOU COULD RIDE ALL DAY.

IT DOES CONNECT WITH ROUTE 9 AND RUTH AND ROUTE 12.

I KNOW 10 WILL BE CHANGING TOWARD THE END OF THE MONTH.

YOU CAN CONNECT WITH THAT IF YOU DO NOT LIVE IN THE ZIP ZONE.

YOU CAN CATCH THAT ON NORTH TENTH OR THE PUBLIC LIBRARY ON MOCKINGBIRD. THAT WOULD ACCESS, I BELIEVE, ROUTE 12 AND ROUTE 9. THAT WOULD CARRY YOU ON FURTHER.

WEST WE HAVE OUR BOUNDARIES. IT IS I-20 UP TO MOCKINGBIRD DOWN NORTH 10 FORT RT. THEN BACK OVER TO I-20.

THAT IS GOING TO ENCOMPASS SOME OF THE AREAS THAT WE HAVE NOT BEEN SERVING AND STUFF. THAT IS A CURB-TO-CURB SERVICE.

NOW, IF YOU DO LIVE IN THE ZIP ZONE, THEY WILL COME TO YOUR HOUSE. PICK YOU UP.

AND AGAIN, THIS IS THE ONLY A AREA.

I DO HAVE A MAP IF YOU NEED IT. I DID BRING BROCHURES IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE. THAT THE HOURS ON THE ZIP ZONE ARE 6:00 TO 6:00. IT KIND OF MIMICS OUR 6 ROUTE.

YOU CAN USE THOSE TOGETHER. IN CONJUNCTION WITH SOME OF THE OTHER SERVICES THAT WE HAVE. WE ARE HOPING THAT REALLY CATCHES ON. AND STUFF.

I GOT A LITTLE TRAINING ON IT. I GU GOT TO PLAY WITH IT.

WE TRAINED ON THE 15TH AND 16TH OF AUGUST.

WE DID HAVE SOME PEOPLE PULLED IN AND SOME OTHER PEOPLE KIND OF DOING EXTRA DUTY FOR US WHILE WE WERE TRYING TO GET EVERYBODY TRAINED AND UP TO SPEED ON THAT. THERE IS A DESIGNATED VAN THAT DOES SAY ZIP ZONE VERSUS CITYLINK.

IT IS ONE OF THE NEWER VANS WE GOT IN, I BELIEVE, LAST YEAR.

IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN. WE ARE HOPING THAT REALLY TAKES OFF. LIKE I SAID, IT KIND OF MIMICS WHAT WE HAVE ON THE SOUTH SIDE ON THE ON-CALL.

SO AGAIN, THIS IS MORE FOR THE NORTH SIDE.

WE ARE HOPING TO OFFER MORE SERVICES.

I KNOW MORE AND MORE BUSINESSES ARE MOVING OUT THAT WAY.

SO THEREFORE, WE ARE HOPING TO CATCH THAT INSTEAD OF EXTENDING YORKS NOW, THE BIG FIXED ROUTES. AND YOU WON'T HAVE TO WAIT THAT HOUR FOR IT TO COME BACK AROUND TO TAKE YOU BACK HOME.

ANY QUESTIONS? WE ARE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS. WE HAVE REALLY BEEN PUSHING IT OUT IN THE LANES. HI, DEBRA.

WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU, MA'AM? >> WELL, I HAVE HAD A FEW OF MY

[00:10:01]

MIGHT -- >> WE HAVE THE APP.

WE HAVE SOME BROCHURES. WE DO HAVE A BIGGER MAP.

I DON'T KNOW. YOU COULD CALL THE STATION.

WE WOULD BE GLAD TO ASSIST YOU. YOU KNOW, IF YOU LET US KNOW WHERE YOU WANT TO GO OR SOMETHING.

WE CAN VERBALLY LET YOU KNOW IF THAT IS IN THE AREA AND HOW WE COULD PROCEED WITH THAT. I MEAN, I DON'T THINK WE HAVE ANYTHING AUDIO RIGHT NOW IN PLACE THAT YOU COULD CALL AND JUST GET AN AUDIO UPDATE ON THAT.

>> KIND OF A DESCRIPTION, YOU KNOW.

MAYBE THE MAJOR AREAS THAT IT WENT, MAYBE.

WHERE WE HAVE SOME KIND OF IDEA. >> I WILL TELL YOU WHAT.

LET ME PULL OUT A BROCHURE. LIKE I SAID, NORTH 10TH IS ONE BOUNDARY. UP MOCKINGBIRD, IT COMES AROUND I-20. IT ENCOMPASSES, LIKE VOGUELE, AMBLER, NORTH 18TH. SOME OF HIGHWAY 83, 84.

WEST STAMFORD. NORTH 14TH IN THERE.

ARNOLD AND THE STEFFENS STREET. I DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THAT WAS.

I HAD TO ASK. I'M SORRY.

IT WAS WAY OUT ON SOUTH 1ST. I DIDN'T REALIZE.

THAT A LOT OF BROCHURES WILL TELL YOU YOU CAN KIND OF GET TO THESE THINGS BY IT. THIS ONE HAS BEEN REVISED A COUPLE OF TIMES. I'M NOT SEEING ANY-- OKAY.

POPULAR DESTINATION, CHRISTIAN SERVICE CENTER.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEPARTMENT. THE DAY NURSERY.

FIVE POINTS INDUSTRIAL PARK. THE LIBRARY AT MOCKINGBIRD.

THEN UNITED ON NORTH WILLIS AND 10TH.

THAT IS CVS. KIND OF IN THAT AREA.

YOU CAN GET TO THE GROCERY STORE AND BACK A LITTLE BIT FASTER TO YOUR PHARMACY A LITTLE BIT FASTER, IF YOU LIVE-- YOU KNOW, IF YOU UTILIZE THAT AREA OF TOWN.

IT IS ACTUALLY MY AREA OF TOWN. I LIVE JUST A LITTLE BIT NORTH OF MOCKINGBIRD. ON SHELTON.

I THINK IT IS NORTH. NO, IT ISN'T.

I DON'T KNOW MY DIRECTIONS, OBVIOUSLY.

IT IS A LITTLE EAST OF MOCKINGBIRD.

I WAS KIND OF EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

IS-- DOES THAT HELP YOU ANY? >> YES.

I HAVE A SPECIFIC QUESTION ABOUT THE MALL.

YOU SAID THERE USED TO BE A BUS 6 THAT CAME BY EL CHICO'S AND SOME OF THE AREA. NOW IT JUST SAYS "ON CALL." I GUESS I PROBABLY NEED TO CALL AND TALK ABOUT THAT.

BECAUSE -- >> OKAY.

YOU CAN DO THAT. I'M NOT FOR SURE EXACTLY WHERE.

I KNOW THE 6 GO GOES TO THE MALL.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT COMES INTO EL CHICO'S WITH ALL THE CONSTRUCTION AND STUFF. THAT COULD BE.

WE HAVE AN ON-CALL BUS YOU CAN CATCH THERE.

THAT SERVICE IS KIND OF LIKE THE ZIP ZONE.

IT WILL SERVICE THE SOUTH SIDE. IT TAKES YOU IF TO HENDRICK SOUTH. SOME OF THE DOCTOR'S OFFICES PAST THE MALL. YOU CATCH IT AT THE MALL.

THEN YOU CAN GO AROUND IN THAT AREA.

AGAIN, IF YOU LIVE IN THAT AREA. THEY WILL COME PICK YOU UP AT YOUR DOOR. TAKE YOU ANYWHERE IN THE AREA.

AND THEN TAKE YOU BACK HOME. IF NOT, THE BUS IS KIND OF LOCATED AT THE MALL. YOU CAN CALL A COUPLE HOURS AHEAD OF TIME. AND GET THAT.

YOU KNOW, JUST TO MAKE SURE WE ARE THERE WHEN YOU NEED THAT TIME. OR YOU CAN CATCH IT.

THEY WILL TAKE YOU AND BRING YOU BACK TO THE MALL.

I DO KNOW THE 6 WILL CONNECT BACK TO THE STATION.

>> RIGHT. >> YOU CAN CATCH YOUR OTHER

BUSES AND PURSUIT ON FROM THERE. >> OKAY.

THANK YOU. >> YES, MA'AM.

>> DEBRA, WOULD IT HELP THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED AND BLIND IF MAYBE, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU CALL CITYLINK, IT SAYS, PRESS ONE, PRESS, TWO, IF THERE WAS A PRESS THREE FOR ZIP LINE.

WOULD THAT HELP? >> I'M WRITING THAT DOWN.

IF YOU PRESS OPTION NUMBER TWO FOR THE-- THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO HELP YOU. IF NOT, I'M BOBBY.

ASK FOR ME. I'M USUALLY THERE MOST OF THE

TIME. >> OKAY.

>> I CAN GET YOU WHAT YOU NEED. IF I DON'T HAVE IT, I WILL GET

IT AND GET BACK TO YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> YES, MA'AM. >> SO CAN WE HAVE A DISCUSSION?

>> SURE. THERE HAS BEEN A RECENT SURVEY

[00:15:04]

HAS IT COME OUT YET? >> I DON'T KNOW HOW PUBLIC-- WE

WERE TOLD ABOUT IT IN A MEETING. >> OKAY.

I'M MEETING WITH THE BETTY HARDWICK DIRECTOR TOMORROW.

ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT HAS COME UP ON THE SURVEY IS

TRANSPORTATION. >> TRANSPORTATION.

>> LIKE, IT IS HUGE. LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS, THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF CHALLENGES AT CITY LINK.

I HAVE BEEN USING IT NOW FOR A LITTLE OVER A WEEK.

OFF AND ON FOR ALMOST TWO. YOU HAVE A LOT OF AMAZING CITIZENS THAT USE IT. THEY ARE VERY GRACIOUS.

AND YOU HAVE AMAZING DRIVERS. START WITH THAT.

YOU ARE GREAT. THE NEGATIVE PART, THOUGH, IS IF WE LOOK SPECIFICALLY WITHIN THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY AND A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT THEY USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FOR IS DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND I KNOW THAT YOU TRY YOUR BEST TO GET THEM THERE ON TIME WHEN IT IS A SPECIFIC APPOINTMENT, BUT I DO KNOW JUST WITHIN THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION, WITH THE CLIENTS, AT THAT PARTICULAR PLACE, THEY ARE JUST NOT GOING NOW.

AND THAT IS NOT GOOD. AND SO IT MAKES ME QUESTION HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING BECAUSE THEY TRY TO GO AND THEIR BUS IS LATE. OR THEY HAVE TO CANCEL THEIR APPOINTMENT BECAUSE THE BUS IS LATE.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP? >> I'M GOING TO LET YOU KNOW WE DID HAVE SOME EMPLOYEE TURNOVER LAST MONTH.

>> RIGHT. >> WE DO HAVE SOME HIRED.

WE JUST PUT TWO NEW ONES OUT. WE HAVE ANOTHER ONE IN TRAINING.

SO A LOT OF TIMES, IT IS FINDING A QUALIFIED CANDIDATE.

THERE IS SOME INTENSE TRAINING. IT IS NOT JUST-- OKAY, YOU ARE HIRED. HERE YOU GO.

HERE IS YOUR BURGER-FLIPPER, YOU KNOW.

SO THAT IS ONE THING THAT WE ARE RUNNING UP AGAINSTS IF ON THAT.

JUST TRYING TO DO. THAT WE HAVE HAD-- OH, SOME EMPLOYEES. WE HAVE ONE THAT HAS BEEN OUT FOR SIX WEEKS. SHE HAD AN INJURY.

THIS ONE WAS AN OLD ONE THAT SHE HAD SOME SURGERY ON.

SOME HAD SOME INJURIES OUTSIDE OF WORK.

THEY HAVE BEEN OUT FOR A LITTLE WHILE.

SO THAT HAS CONTRIBUTED TO IT, TOO.

THE ABSENTEEISM. YOU KNOW, WHEN THEY ARE ABSENT, WE TRY TO SCRAMBLE AND GET SOMEBODY IN THERE TO FILL IT.

LIKE I SAID, YOU WERE VERY GRACIOUS.

I DO APPRECIATE THAT. WE DO PRIDE OURSELVES IN TRYING TO BE THE VERY BEST THAT WE CAN BE.

LIKE I SAY, A LOT OF TIMES I MOVED TO ASSISTANT MANAGER.

WE SET UP FIVE INTERVIEWS AND ONE SHOWED UP.

YOU KNOW, IT IS KIND OF HIT OR MIS.

WE HAVE SOME FEELERS OUT THERE. WE HAVE A GOOD CANDIDATE.

THEY HAVE PRETTY GOOD BENEFITS, IN MY OPINION.

YOU KNOW, THERE IS JUST A LOT OF DIFFERENT FACTORS THAT PLAY INTO THAT THAT I CAN'T SPECIFICALLY POINT AT ONE SPECIFIC THING.

AS TO WHY THEY DON'T SHOW UP FOR INTERVIEWS OR, YOU KNOW, THING LIKE THAT. IF IT DOESN'T WORK OUT, I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT. DEFINITELY.

IT IS A MULTITIDE OF THINGS THAT WE ALL NEED TO GET OUR HEADS AROUND AND WORK. AND WORK OUT, YOU KNOW, TOGETHER. LIKE I SAY,-- MY BIGGEST ONE WOULD BE FINDING A QUALIFIED CANDIDATE.

OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, THE GOAL IS THEY WOULD LIKE FOR THEM TO HAVE A CDL AND THEN TO EVENTUALLY GET THE CDL.

[00:20:04]

WE DO START OUT WITH A NON-CDL. WE HAVE MADE SOME VANS-- THE MAJORITY OF THE VANS WERE CDL VANS.

WE HAVE ACCOMMODATED THAT TO WHERE MOST OF THEM ARE NOT NOW.

WE DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO HAVE THAT LICENSE.

WE STILL WANT TO TRAIN THEM. WE WANT THEM TO BE SAFE.

WE KNOW HOW TO USE THE EQUIPMENT.

HOW TO GET YOU ON, GET YOU OFF THE BUS.

GET YOU SECURED. THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> AND JOANNE, SHE TALKED ABOUT. THIS I WANT TO CLARIFY ONE THING. THE CITY CONTRACTS WITH CITY LINK, THEY ARE NOT CITY OF ABILENE EMPLOYEES.

WE CAN SHARE THIS INFORMATION. THEY ARE NOT CITY OF ABILENE

EMPLOYEES. >> SO ONE THING I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT. MAYBE GETTING-- I KNOW YOU GUYS HAVE WORKED WITH DISABILITY IN ACTION.

THERE IS OTHER ORGANIZATIONS HERE WITHIN ABILENE THAT WORK WITHIN THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY. MAYBE IT IS TIME THOSE ORGANIZATIONS AND CITY LINK AND MAYBE SOME OTHER PEOPLE-- SEE IF

WE CAN FIGURE OUT SOME OPTIONS. >> THAT IS AN EXCELLENT IDEA.

THEY USUALLY TRY TO WORK WITH DIFFERENT ONES.

DISABILITY IN ACTION IS ANOTHER ONE.

NO. WHAT IS THE ONE ON WILLIS?

>> THAT IS DISABILITY -- >> YES.

I GET THOSE TWO MIXED UP. WE DO WORK-- I KNOW IF IT IS A MEDICAL THING WE CAN UTILIZE THEM.

ALEXIS CARROLL HAS BEEN PRETTY GOOD.

SHE IS IN OUR MOBILITY MANAGER GROUP FOR THE REGION.

WE DO TRY AND REACH OUT TO SOME. I THINK THAT IS AN EXCELLENT IDEA. I WOULDN'T BE OPPOSED TO, YOU KNOW-- I'M SURE NOBODY AT CITY LINK WOULD-- TO IMPROVE ON WHAT

IT IS WE HAVE. >> YEAH.

I THINK THOSE ARE THE NUMBERS THAT CONCERN ME THE MOST.

>> YOU LOOK AT THE ON-TIME AND THEN YOU LOOK AT THE LATES, THEY

ARE LIKE ALMOST-- LIKE -- >> 75%.

>> YEAH. THAT IS A LOT OF LATE TRIPS.

REMIND ME AGAIN WHAT THE DEFINITION OF A LATE TRIP IS.

>> A IT WILL TRIP, WE HAVE A WINDOW OF TIME WHEN YOU NEED TO BE SOMEPLACE. WE HAVE A WINDOW THAT IS 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO 15 MINUTES AFTER.

SO IT IS KIND OF A LITTLE 30-MINUTE WINDOW THAT OUR SYSTEM PUTS THIS IN. IT DOES TRY TO ROUTE, YOU KNOW, THE CLOSEST ONES IN THIS GROUP AND OVER HERE SO WE ARE NOT ZIGZAGGING ALL ACROSS THE CITY. BUT TYPICALLY, F ANYTHING OUTSIDE OF THAT WINDOW, WE ARE CONSIDERED LATE.

>> OKAY. ANY COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS?

>> AT OUR LAST MEETING, THERE WAS A DISCUSSION.

THERE WAS A NEW SYSTEM GOING IN PLACE.

IT WAS CAUSING GLITCHES WITHIN-- WITH THEM NOT BEING ON TIME.

IS THAT -- >> WE HAVE HAD SOME UPDATES TO OUR SYSTEM. AT SOME POINT, SOME SOMETIME, IT WAS HAVING US GO WAY OVER OR UP OVER AND OVER.

NOT ON THE ROAD OVER THE OVERPASS.

BUT THROUGH THE FIELD TO GET TO THIS DESTINATION.

AND IT WOULD SAVE THREE MINUTES. WE DON'T KNOW IF WE WANT TO GO CROSS-COUNTRY TO SAVE THREE MINUTES.

YOU KNOW. WE DID GET AN UPGRADE ON THAT.

THAT IS MY UNDERSTANDING. IT WAS A SERVER UPGRADE BY OUR SOFTWARE COMPANY. JUST GETTING AROUND, WE HAVE HAD SOME CONSTRUCTION IN TOWN. WE ARE TRYING TO AVOID THOSE AREAS. SO WE CAN BE A LITTLE MORE TIMELY. YOU KNOW, OUT AROUND THE MALL, IT IS, YOU KNOW, THAT IS NOT AN EXCUSE.

[00:25:02]

I HAVE TO SAY, YOU KNOW, IT IS KIND OF, YOU KNOW,--

>> THAT WAS KIND OF AN IMPACT ON TRIP TIMES.

>> YES. >> THEY HAVE TO FOLLOW EXCEPT

FOR OFF-ROAFDING. >> RIGHT.

THERE IS A LOT OF-- RIGHT, RIGHT.

YOU KNOW, WE DO TRY TO GET THEM IN ORDER AND TRY TO GROUP THEM CLOSE SO WE ARE NOT GOING OUT TO THE MALL TO PICK UP SOMEBODY TO BRING THEM OVER TO HENDRICK NORTH TO BRING SOMEBODY OVER HERE. THE SOFTWARE SUPPOSEDLY MAKES A FEASIBLE ROUTE. SOMETIMES THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN.

SOMETIMES IF SOMETHING HAPPENS, IF WE WISH TO HAVE A BREAKDOWN OR SOMEBODY GETS SICK AND HAS TO GO HOME, THEN ALL THOSE TRIPS HAVE TO BE REROUTED AND KIND OF MANUALLY FIT-- YOU KNOW, MESHED IN. THAT WOULD BE A BETTER WORD THAN "FIT." IT IS A LOT OF FACTORS, YOU KNOW. IF WE HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT.

OR IF SOMETHING LIKE THAT WAS TO HAPPEN.

THEN WE PULL OVER, YOU KNOW. I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS A PRIVILEGE. MY FIRST ACCIDENT.

A BIG BUS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT.

A GUY REAR-ENDED HIM. WE HAVE TO WAIT ON THE POLICE.

WE HAVE TO BRING PEOPLE OUT. OF COURSE, THAT THROWS THE ROUTE

OFF. >> RIGHT.

>> YOU KNOW, THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS THAT FACTOR INTO THESE THINGS. BUT ANY SUGGESTIONS OR ANYTHING WE CAN COME UP WITH? BECAUSE LIKE I SAID, I KNOW MOST OF THE PEOPLE AT CITY LINK, THANK YOU FOR THE COMMENTS ON THAT. THERE ARE SOME GOOD PEOPLE.

WE WANT TO GIVE GOOD SERVICE. WE WANT TO BE ON TIME.

WE WANT TO-- YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES IT IS OUT OF OUR CONTROL.

SOMETIMES WE DO HAVE MORE CONTROL.

>> I'M SURE IT IS FRUSTRATING. PEOPLE LEAVE AND YOU HAVE TROUBLE BOOKING TRIPS AND WHATNOT.

>> WE CAN BOOK THEM ALL DAY LONG.

IF WE DON'T HAVE SOMEBODY TO DRIVE, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? THAT IS KIND OF-- I DON'T KNOW IF THEY HAVE THE ZIP ZONE.

QUITE A WHILE, YOU HAVE SEEN OUR OVERHEADS ON THE BUSES HIRING DRIVERS. HIRING DRIVERS.

HIRING DRIVERS. >> THEY ARE STILL THERE.

>> YOU KNOW. >> HOPEFULLY, WE CAN FIND A WAY

TO -- >> RIGHT.

AND SAFELY. YOU KNOW.

WE WANT TO DO THINGS SAFELY. THAT IS ONE OF OUR CONCERNS, TOO. YOU KNOW.

THAT DOESN'T DO US ANY GOOD IF WE DON'T GET YOU THERE SAFE.

YOU MIGHT BE ON ON TIME, BUT IF IT IS NOT SAFE, THAT IS A MOOT POINT THERE. JOANNE, IF YOU WANT TO GET WITH ME, I'LL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO --

>> YOU ARE THE NEW ASSISTANT. >> GENERAL MANAGER.

>> GENERAL MANAGER. IS TRUMAN?

>> HE IS NOW THE EVENING SUPERVISOR.

>> OKAY. >> HE TOOK BACK EVENINGS.

WE LOST OUR EVENING SUPERVISOR DURING AUGUST.

WE HAVE HAD SOME SHIFTING GOING ON.

LIKE I SAY -- >> JUST REMIND THE BOARD AGAIN,

WHO IS THE GENERAL? >> IT IS LAUREN STEPHENS.

SHE TOOK BOBBY SHARPE'S PLACE. SHE IS A VERY SMART-- I'M GETTING SOME VERY GOOD TRAINING FROM HER.

I FEEL BLESSED TO HAVE HER. I WAS IN THE MEDICAL FIELD FOR YEARS. IT IS KIND OF...

>> BACK TO OUR PUBLIC COMMENT. IS THERE-- I KNOW WHEN CHARLES WAS HERE LAST MEETING, HE MENTIONED THE SALARY, THE PAY.

THAT IS REALLY NOT OUR DOING. >> YEAH.

>> THIS IS REALLY OUT OF OUR CONTROL.

>> YES, MA'AM. MINE, TOO.

YOU KNOW, THAT IS KIND OF, YOU KNOW, I'M SHOT FOR SURE ON THAT EXACTLY HOW THAT COMES ABOUT. YOU KNOW, I KNOW-- I HAVE BEEN THERE A COUPLE OF YEARS. I KNOW WE'VE GOTTEN AN INCREASE

EACH YEAR I HAVE BEEN THERE. >> YES.

>> SO YOU KNOW, THAT IS SOMETHING.

BUT AGAIN, I MIGHT REFER BACK A LITTLE BIT TO THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY. WWE DO HAVE LOTS OF SCHOOLS HERE TRA TRAINS NURSES, AND MAY MAY GET TO HENDRIX AND WORK THAT YEAR TO GET THEIR LITTLE LOANS AND WHATEVER ELSE PAID OFF.

THEN A LOT OF TIMES THEY ARE GONE TO A BIGGER AREA TO WHERE

THE MONEY IS MORE SUBSTANTIAL. >> RIGHT.

>> THAN WHAT ABILENE PAYS. I HAVE SAT IN MANY SEMINARS ABOUT HOW MUCH IT COSTS TO GET AN EMPLOYEE, TO TRAIN ONE.

[00:30:02]

>> YES. >> VERY MUCH SO.

IT BEHOOVES EVERYBODY WHEN WE CAN DO THAT.

>> I HAVE A QUESTION. >> YES.

>> I WAS JUST CURIOUS, AS FAR AS-- YOU SAID YOU USE SOFTWARE.

DOING THE SCHEDULING? >> YES, SIR.

>> AND EVERYTHING. DOES IT HAVE ANY CAPACITY TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE CONSTRUCTION THAT IS OUT THERE RIGHT NOW? THEY JUST STARTED TEARING UP SOUTHWEST DRIVE, SOUTH 27TH AREA.

IT IS A BIG MESS. OF COURSE, BUFFALO GAP IS

TERRIBLE. >> RIGHT.

I KNOW WE VERBALLY DSHES DISPATCHERS AND STUFF WILL CALL IN WHEN THERE IS A WRECK OR SOMETHING.

WE WILL AVOID THAT TO KIND OF GO AROUND.

>> RIGHT, RIGHT. >> THAT IS A QUESTION I'M NOT FOR SURE. LY TAKE IT BACK, AND I CAN LET JOANNE OR ANYBODY KNOW IF WE COULD PROGRAM THAT IN SOME WAY TO WHERE IT COULD FIGURE A CLOSER ROUTE WITHOUT --

>> I KNOW A LOT OF THE GPS SYSTEMS WILL SHOW CONSTRUCTION.

>> OKAY. >> YOU CAN GO AROUND AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT. I WAS JUST CURIOUS.

THAT IS A BIG MESS. I HAD TROUBLE GETTING...

>> I TRY TO AVOID THAT AREA, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.

I WILL LET YOU FOE FOR SURE. I WILL LET YOU KNOW FOR SURE.

TRUMAN WAS-- HE GOT IN ON THE TRAINING ON THE SOFTWARE.

WHERE I KNOW SOME OF IT. THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING I CAN TAKE BACK DEFINITELY AND ASK. AND SEE IF THERE IS SOME WAY WE CAN, YOU KNOW-- I DO KNOW THAT THEY CALL IN AND SAY OKAY, WE HAVE A WRECK. SO AND SO.

AVOID THAT AREA. YOU KNOW, WHEN WE DO KNOW, WE VERBALLY LET THE DRIVERS KNOW GO AROUND.

X, Y, Z TYPE THING. LIKE I SAID, I CAN MAKE SURE WE

IF THAT IS OKAY WITH EVERYBODY. >> YUP.

>> THAT WAS A VERY GOOD QUESTION.

>> I WAS JUST CURIOUS ON THAT. YOU KNOW, BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A BIG PROBLEM IN ABILENE RIGHT NOW.

>> WE ARE GROWING. AREN'T WE?

>> YEAH. >> MICHAEL,-- MICHAEL.

CHARLES, I WOULD GO BACK TO YOUR COMMENTS, AND I WOULD SAY, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THE LEADERSHIP OF ABILENE-- IS THE CITY COUNCIL BOARD MEMBERS. I WOULD FIGURE OUT WHO YOUR CITY COUNCIL BOARD MEMBER IS AND MAKE A POINT TO TALK WITH THEM.

BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW-- I DON'T WANT YOU TO FEEL LIKE YOU ARE TELLING US THESE THINGS, BUT THEY ARE THINGS WE CAN'T DO.

BUT I DO WANT YOU TO ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF, SO THAT IS WHY I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO MEET WITH YOUR LOCAL BOARD MEMBER FOR THE CITY. ON THE WEBSITE?

>> ON THE WEBSITE OR JUST OUTSIDE OUR DOORS, THERE IS AN OFFICE, THE LADY'S NAME IS KAREN.

SHE COULD HELP YOU GET THAT INFORMATION.

>> AND JUST SO YOU KNOW, CHARLES,LY TAKE THIS BACK TO MY SUPERVISOR. WE WILL WORK ON IMPROVING.

ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY COMMENTS, QUESTIONS? SUGGESTIONS? WE WILL TRY TO GET SOMETHING WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS.

TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP WITH THE APPOINTMENTS AND THE LATE-- WORKING WITH THE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.

>> DO YOU HAVE ANY WORK NUMBER? >> MM-HMM, YUP.

>> ANYBODY ELSE NEED IT OR WANT IT? I'M GLAD TO SHARE. IF NOT, JOANNE HAS IT.

(LAUGHTER) ALL RIGHTY. ANYTHING ELSE?

>> THANK YOU. YES, MA'AM.

THANK YOU. >> SO LET'S MOVE ON TO AGENDA

[3. Present and Future of Citizens Advisory Board for People with Disabilities (Discussion, Public Hearing and Possible Action) ]

[00:35:07]

THAT WAY WE CAN WORK WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF ABILENE TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD. TO SO WITH THAT, ANYONE HAVE ANY

COMMENTS, QUESTIONS? >> I FEEL LIKE THIS LETTER WILL HELP, HOPEFULLY, MOVE US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND SHOW THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITY MANAGER THAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO CREATING AN ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL COMMUNITY.

THAT YOU KNOW, WE VALUE ALL THE CITIZENS HERE, WHETHER THEY ARE BORN WITH A DISABILITY, DOWN THE LINE ACQUIRE A DISABILITY, THAT THIS IS A SPACE FOR THEM TO FEEL LIKE THEY CAN LIVE SAFELY.

AND ACCESSIBLY. IS THAT A WORD?

>> YES. ACCESSIBLY IS A WORD.

DEBRA, I DON'T KNOW, WERE YOU ABLE TO LOOK AT THE LETTER?

OR SEE IT? >> I MUST HAVE MISSED IT.

BECAUSE -- >> PROBABLY DID NOT.

BECAUSE DEBRA, I REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU HEAR WHAT IT SAYS.

I'M GOING TO TAKE A MOMENT AND READ IT.

>> THANK YOU. >> YOU ARE WELCOME.

SO IT SAYS "DEAR CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL, THE CITY OF ABILENE CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP BE THE VOICE OF OUR GROWING DISABILITY COMMUNITY FOR THE PAST 7 YEARS.

DURING THIS TIME, WE HAVE MADE SOME REMARKABLE CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR GREAT CITY BY BRINGING EVERYONE TO THE TABLE. WE WOULD LIKE TO FURTHER CONTINUE THIS PARTNERSHIP BY SHARING SOME OF THE BOARD'S THOUGHTS AND FURTHER IDEAS TO HELP ENSURE ADA AND LIFE COMPLIANCE IN OUR CITY. TO REFRESH YOUR MEMORY AND SHARE WITH OUR NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS, WE HAVE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ABILENE CONVENTION CENTER, CITY HALL, PARKS AND REC, ZOO, THE AIRPORT AND POLICE DEPARTMENT. OUR FUTURE CONSIDERATION WOULD BE TO CONTINUE MONITORING THE ENTITIES RUN BY THE CITY AND NEW DEVELOPMENTS THAT WILL COME WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

WHEN ALL IS USED IN THIS PLAN, THE CITIZEN'S ADVISORY BOARD WOULD HELP ENSURE THAT ALL ARE REPRESENTED IN THIS GROWTH.

WITH THIS PROGRESS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, WE BELIEVE IT IS ESSENTIAL TO CONTINUE TO MEET EVERY OTHER MONTH TO ENSURE WE ARE STAYING CURRENT AND INVOLVED IN ITS VARIOUS PHASES OF ITS GROWTH. ONE OF OUR GOALS IS TO BE ESTABLISHED IN AIDING THE COMMUNITY AND THOSE THAT SERVE IN LEADERSHIP TO UNDERSTAND AND SUPPORT THOSE WITH DISABILITIES IN OUR COMMUNITY AND ALLOW THEM TO FEEL INCLUDED AND INVOLVED.

OUR GOALS WE HAVE ARE DEFINED WAYS TO SHARE, OUR INFORMATION WITH THE COMMUNITY TO FURTHER EDUCATE THEM ON ALL THE PURPOSE AND NEEDS FOR THIS BOARD. CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY TO COME FORWARD WITH IDEAS AND SUGGESTIONS AND BRING MORE LIFE AND ADA COMPLIANCE.

AND GAINING ATTENDANCE IN OUR MEETINGS.

FOR THESE GOALS TO HAPPEN, WE WOULD ASK THAT THE CITY LEADERSHIP HELP PROMOTE AND SHARE THIS GROUP.

THE BOARD DOES HAVE A SUGGESTION ON THIS MATTER THAT CAME FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE. THEY SUGGESTED CHANGING THE NAME OF THE BOARD TO THE MAY YEAR'S BOARD FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. THEY STATED BY DOING THIS, IT GIVES MORE CREDIBILITY. IN CLOSING, WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN, ALL FOR THE SUPPORT AN ENCOURAGEMENT YOU HAVE GIVEN TO US OVER THE YEARS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING OUR PARTNERSHIP AND BEING A PART OF THE THRIVING COMMUNITY THAT WE ALL STRIVE FOR ABILENE TO BE. I WOULD LIKE TO NOT JUST PUT SINCERELY, BOARD CHAIR. BUT INSTEAD PUT, "SINCERELY, THE CITIZEN'S ADVISORY BOARD," AS A WHOLE.

>> YOU ARE OKAY WITH THAT. >> I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GOOD

IDEA. >> I HAVE ONE QUESTION.

[00:40:02]

>> WE DECIDED -- >> I DON'T KNOW.

>> TO STAY AS IT WAS. >> EVERY OTHER MONTH? WE WENT BACK AND FORTH SO MUCH, THAT I GISES GUESS I OVERLOOKED THAT. OKAY.

THAT WORKS. >> DO YOU FEEL LIKE IT MAKES SENSE? DO YOU FEEL LIKE WE ARE TO THE POINT BUT NOT, LIKE, THIS IS HOW WE WANT IT, NEED IT?

>> I THINK IT COVERS AND SHOWS WHAT HAS BEEN DONE AND WHAT WE THINK NEEDS TO BE DONE IN THE FUTURE.

IT COVERS BOTH OF THOSE. BUT GIVING US ENOUGH SPACE.

>> WHEN YOU SAY THAT, I WOULD HOPE THAT THAT MEANS BRANCHING OUT WITH THE LEADERSHIP, NOT JUST US DOING.

>> OH, YES. >> YES.

>> AS A COHESIVE GROUP. >> A GOOD BALANCE.

>> DO YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS? >> I THINK IT SOUNDS GREAT.

>> OKAY. >> THIS IS SOMETHING WE DON'T NEED TO VOTE ON. IS IT?

>> IF YOU ARE GOING TO SEND A LETTER ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, I

WOULD RECOMMEND IT. >> OKAY.

>> YEP. THAT HAS BEEN LOOMING FOR A

WHILE. >> I KNOW THERE WAS A LOT OF CONVERSATION. AND IT MAYBE FELT PATRIOT PAINFT HERE. I APPRECIATE YOU HELPING US KIND

OF NAVIGATE. >> I UNDERESTIMATED THE LENGTH--

SO... >> WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING

PATIENT WITH US. >> WE DID.

NO, NO, NO. WE DID NOT.

WE STARTED GETTING EXCITED. SORRY.

ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. >> AYE.

>> ALL OPPOSED? NAY? NO. OKAY.

GOOD. IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND MOTIONED THAT WE WILL GET THIS LETTER TO THE CITY MANAGER WHO WILL TAKE THIS ON. TO THE NEXT APPROPRIATE STEPS.

GREAT JOB, BOARD. I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF

[4. Upcoming Board Topics (Discussion) ]

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU ALL. I KIND OF WOULD LIKE TO HEAR WHAT THE LEADERSHIP SAYS BEFORE WE MAKE A LOT OF DECISIONS ON WHAT TO LOOK AT. I WILL SAY ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE NOT LOOKED AT IS THE LIBRARIES.

AND AREN'T THOSE CITY ENTITY -- >> THE LIBRARY IS THE CITY ENTITY. MOCKINGBIRD AND THE MALL, SOUTH BRANCH ARE LEASED PROPERTIES. THE ONE DOWNTOWN IS CITY-OWNED.

>> OKAY. SO THAT WOULD BE THE ONE THAT I

WOULD ENCOURAGE WE LOOK AT. >> THERE IS VERY LITTLE CHANGES WE COULD DO THERE. BECAUSE IT IS LEASED PROPERTY.

>> I FEEL LIKE THAT ONE, THOUGH, I HAVEN'T PERSONALLY --

>> RAN INTO ANYTHING THAT JUMPS OUT.

AT ME. BUT I THINK YEAH, THE DOWNTOWN

[00:45:01]

>> I'M SURE. >> YEAH.

>> I'M SURE THERE IS SOMETHING. >> WELL, I CAN REACH OUT TO THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR AND SEE IF SHE IS AVAILABLE FOR A NEXT MEETING.

WE COULD HAVE THE MEETING THERE AND TOUR THE LIBRARY AT THE SAME

TIME. >> THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

>> DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE SOME SUGGESTIONS?

>> I DO HAVE ONE QUESTION. NOT ON THE BOARD TOPIC.

ISN'T OCTOBER DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH? I HAVE NOT REACHED OUT TO THE CITY SECRETARY ABOUT A PROCLAMATION. I WANTED TO CONFIRM AT THIS MEETING IF THAT IS SOMETHING WE WANTED TO DO.

AND MAKE SURE SOMEBODY CAN BE THERE IF WE DO PUT IT ON THE

AGENDA. >> I THINK THAT IS A GOOD IDEA.

THAT IS ANOTHER STEP. ATTENDANCE TO COUNCIL MEETINGS-- WHAT COUNCIL MEETING WOULD THAT BE?

>> THE FIRST ONE WHICH WOULD BE OCTOBER 12.

WAIT. OCTOBER 12 AT 8:00 P.M.

>> IT WOULD BE AWESOME IF THE CITY MANAGER COULD LOOK AT THAT AND MAYBE HAVE MAYBE THE FUTURE OR WHERE THIS BOARD IS GOING AT THAT POINT, TOO. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

>> I DO. THAT WOULD BE AN AGENDA ITEM.

THAT WOULDN'T BE PART OF THE PROCLAMATION.

>> RIGHT. YES.

>> I WAS GOING TO ASK, COULD THAT BE A TIME WHERE MAYBE THEY SHARE WHO-- MAYBE SOME GROUPS COULD GIVE US A LITTLE PLUG.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF THE BOARD I IS-- IF THAT HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED. LIKE, THIS BOARD.

LIKE, THE PEOPLE WHO -- >> THE WAY YOU ARE THINKING OF

MOST BOARDS ARE NOT. >> RIGHT.

>> I MEAN, THERE IS A BOARD. THEY DON'T RECOGNIZE THE BOARD OR THE PEOPLE SERVING ON THE BOARD.

TYPICALLY. >> I WOULD DEFINITELY SAY-- I CAN GET YOU, I MEAN, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HAS ALL OF THOSE PROCLAMATIONS THAT YOU COULD USE AND TWEAK THEM FOR

ABILENE. >> WE DID IT LAST YEAR.

>> YES. >> JAMIE WAS THERE.

>> YEAH. I JUST SUBMITTED HOWEVER ON-LINE. HUNTER AND I CAME TO DO THAT.

IT WOULD BE GOOD.% I MEAN, I THINK IF WE HAD US AND MAYBE WE FOUND OTHERS THAT SERVE DISABILITY COMMUNITY, SELF-ADVOCATES TO COME UP AND BE PART OF THAT.

JUST TO KIND OF, YOU KNOW, NOT JUST SO THEY CAN SEE US.

SO BACK TO THE TOPIC. LIBRARY.

YES. WITH THE PROCLAMATION.

AND IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT?

>> I KIND OF AM WITH YOU ON WAITING TO SEE WHAT THE CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL HAS TO SAY ABOUT OUR LETTER.

MAYBE THEY HAVE INPUT THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE US OR, YOU

KNOW, GIVE US TIME. >> WHAT, DEBRA?

>> I SAID THAT WOULD BE GOOD. THAT IS A GREAT IDEA.

>> I PERSONALLY THINK, SINCE WE HAVE SENT THIS OFF, THAT KIND OF PUTS THE BALL IN THEIR COURT. AND THEN KIND OF MAYBE TAKE THAT FEEDBACK, IF THEY HAVE IT BY OUR NEXT MEETING AND MAYBE INCORPORATE THAT INTO THE AGENDA.

IF, OBVIOUSLY, AND THEN MAKE FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS OR ADDRESS ANYTHING THAT THEY MAY HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT.

YOU KNOW, SO IT LEAST TIME. WE DON'T WANT TO PUT A BUNCH OF

[00:50:01]

>> THAT IS A FULL AGENDA FOR NOVEMBER.

THAT WILL BE A FULL AGENDA. >> YEAH.

IT WOULD BE. AND THEN THE NEXT ONE WOULD BE

NOVEMBER. >> HOLY COW.

>> I KNOW IN JANUARY, I KNOW I'M LOOKING AHEAD.

SO IN JANUARY, ONCE YOU HEAR FROM THE LEADERSHIP OF ABILENE, I WOULD SUGGEST THAT JANUARY BE A TIME WHERE WE PUT TOGETHER THE JEER'S AGENERAL-- THE YEAR'S AGENDA.

EVER SINCE WE HAVE HAD THIS BOARD, DEPENDING ON WHAT WE H HAVE-- WHAT THE FUTURE LOOKS LIKE FOR IT AND WE WILL KNOW MORE IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS, I STILL THINK WE NEED TO DO SOME TYPE OF DISABILITY AWARENESS EVENT AT SOME POINT.

THAT NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING THAT ONE OF US ON THE BOARD MAY HEAD UP AND HELP WORK ON. THAT IS MY TWO SUGGESTIONS.

ANYTHING ELSE? >> A PUBLICATION OF MATERIAL TO HAVE FOR THE COMMUNITY. AGAIN, IT WAS ONE OF THOSE, I WE KIND OF TOUCHED ON, I DON'T REMEMBER KIND OF A RESOLUTION TO THAT. OF JUST TO BRING MORE AWARENESS.

>> I THINK THAT IS BROUGHT UP IN THE LETTER.

>> YEAH. >> HOW DOES THE COMMUNITY KNOW-- I MEAN EVERYBODY KNOWS WHEN THE COUNCIL MEETINGS ARE.

I MEAN, I FEEL LIKE THAT IS PRETTY-- BUT I KNOW WE HAVE AN ON-LINE CALENDAR. NOT EVERYBODY UTILIZES OUR WEBSITE. ARE THERE OTHER WAYS THAT THIS

MEETING AND WHAT WE DO GETS OUT? >> THE SAME WAY AS PARKS BOARD AND PLANNING AND ZONING. IT IS ALL ONE SET FORMAT.

NOW, IF YOU INDIVIDUALLY CHOSE TO SHARE IT WITH OTHER PEOPLE, YOU ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO DO THAT.

BUT THE CITY DOES ALL BOARDS. >> OKAY.

>> THE SAME. >> I STILL-- PSAS.

>> THAT IS WHAT I WAS -- >> THAT IS WHAT YOU WERE TRYING

TO THINK OF. >> YES.

THIS IS WHY I HAVE JOANNE AROUND.

SHE THINKS WHEN I CAN'T. >> THE PSAS, THOUGH, I THINK NEED TO COME FROM THAT IS NOT A CITY THING.

THAT WOULD BE A MEDIA MARKETING THING.

WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT CITY MEDIA MARKETING HELPING WITH THAT.

THAT STILL NEEDS TO GO BACK. TO US LOOKING AT SOME OTHER

MEDIA, TOO. >> HELPFUL TO INVOLVE OTHER ENTITIES LIKE WHATEVER ONE YOU NAMED A WHILE AGO.

DISABILITY IN ACTION. >> DRI.

>> SOMETHING. >> THESE ARE THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT I'M HUMBLED TO KNOW THAT WE STILL HAVE A FULL BOARD. THESE ARE THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT WAYS TO GET THEM MORE INVOLVED.

LIKE I'M SENT HERE THINKING OF-- I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW THIS, BUT THE LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND.

WE COULD WORK WITH THEM. GETTING THEM MORE INVOLVED SO

[00:55:03]

YOU KNOW? AND LET THEM KNOW WHEN OUR MEETINGS ARE. AND IF THEY HAVE ANY CONCERNS, YOU COULD BRING THOSE TO THE BOARD.

OR HELP THEM COME DURING PUBLIC SPEAKING.

>> I WOULD BE GLAD TO DO THAT. >> THAT IS WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THE UPCOMING YEAR. EACH ONE OF US TAKES AN ORGANIZATION HERE IN ABILENE THAT WORKS WITH THE DISABILITY

COMMUNITY. >> ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT MAKING THIS AN ITEM FOR THIS NEXT MEETING OR --

>> THIS IS JUST SOMETHING AS BOARD MEMBERS, ENCOURAGING THEM TO WORK-- YES. SO IT IS NOT JUST OKAY, HERE IS OUR TOPICS. FOR THE MONTH.

YOU ARE WORKING WITH AN ORGANIZATION FOR A YEAR AND HELPING THEM FIGURE OUT HOW THEY COULD BE MORE INVOLVED IN

ABILENE. >> HAVE WE BROUGHT IN ADAPTIVE REC TO HAVE THEM KIND OF TALK AND SHARE ABOUT HOW THEY ARE--

BECAUSE THEY ARE A CITY... >> THAT IS A CITY BUILDING.

WE NO LONGER MANAGE THAT PROGRAM.

WE OUTSOURCE THAT TO BETTY HARDWICK.

WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT IS BEYOND THE SCOPE OF TODAY.

IT WILL DEPEND ON THE FEEDBACK FROM CITY COUNCIL.

>> RIGHT. >> RIGHT.

>> AS A BOARD MEMBER, YOU CAN WORK WITH AN ORGANIZATION AND HELP THEM BE MORE INVOLVED IN ABILENE.

>> WE START DOING THIS IMMEDIATELY?

>> THAT WOULD BE GREAT. THEN IN JANUARY, YOU WOULD BE, LIKE, THE JACK RABBIT COMPARED TO ALL OF US.

>> YEAH. >> I'M AFRAID I'M NOT GOING TO MAKE IT IN JANUARY. THEY SCHEDULED ALL MY STUFF THAT

WEEK. >> THAT IS OKAY.

>> I MEAN, I CAN STILL GET STARTED ON IT.

>> YES. >> IF I CAN'T MAKE IT, I CAN SEND A REPRESENTATIVE OR WHATEVER NEEDS TO BE DONE.

>> YEAH. THEY COULD SPEAK DURING PUBLIC--

YEAH. >> I THINK HAVING THE PUBLIC COME AND SPEAK ON THEIR BEHALF, TOO, KIND OF HELPS, YOU KNOW, SHARE MORE THAN JUST HEARING IT FROM US.

HAVING THEM, YOU KNOW, BE A SELF-ADVOCATE, AND YOU KNOW, WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE COMES ACROSS MORE SO THAN JUST US.

I MEAN, I KNOW THAT IT IS NICE THAT WE CAN SHARE THAT BECAUSE WE ARE PART OF WHATEVER THAT COMMUNITY IS.

I FEEL LIKE THERE IS MORE POWER BEHIND THOSE THAT ARE PERSONALLY EXPERIENCING IT AND SHARING IT TO COME IN.

LIKE CHARLES HAS. LIKE, YOU KNOW, CHARLES COULD TELL US. BUT I FEEL LIKE THERE IS A LOT MORE POWER BEHIND IT WHEN HE TAKES THE TIME OUT OF HIS DAY TO COME SHARE HIS CONCERNS. I FEEL LIKE IT REALLY PUTS A

PERSONAL TOUCH TO THE MATTER. >> MAYBE ONE OF THEM WANTS TO COME UP AND SHARE THAT DURING PUBLIC COMMENT.

THAT MIGHT HELP SHED-- OPEN THE DOOR MORE FOR WHATEVER THAT

BARRIER OR NEED MAY BE. >> BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT PUBLIC

COMMENTS ARE FOR. >> YEAH.

>> PUBLIC COMMENTS ARE FOR THE CITIZENS TO HELP US KNOW WHAT WE NEED TO WORK ON. SO THAT IS JUST MY SUGGESTION FOR 2024. AS A BOARD MEMBER, WORKING TO

GET THE COMMUNITY MORE INVOLVED. >> I WAS JUST THINKING ALSO, I HAD NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT THIS BEFORE.

WE ALWAYS TEND TO CONCENTRATE ON PEOPLE WITH PERMANENT DISABILITIES. IT MIGHT BE GOOD FOR US TO PROMOTE IT IN SOME WAY AND WORK SOMETHING OUT.

YOU KNOW, I DEAL MORE WITH THE PHYSICAL STUFF.

I'M IN A WHEELCHAIR. THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE I SEE AT REHAB AND EVERYTHING THAT THEY HAVE NEVER CONSIDERED ANY STUFF LIKE THIS BEFORE. THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO STUFF AND DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING WE CAN DO, WORKING WITH TEMPORARILY DISABLED PEOPLE.

>> SO WHERE THAT COMES IN IS-- IT COMES BACK TO PUBLIC COMMENTS. LIKE, YOU KNOW, IF THEY SEE SOMETHING WITHIN THE CITY, THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE.

[01:00:04]

BECAUSE I HAVE ONE ISSUE. YOU KNOW? IT DEALS WITH SOMETHING IN THE CITY.

THEY ARE NOT GOING TO GO TO DISABILITY AND ACTION OR ANYWHERE ELSE. IF THEY CAN USE THAT PUBLIC COMMENT-- AND I THINK THAT IS THE ONE THING THAT I REALLY FEEL WITHIN ABILENE, PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO-- WELL, THEY HAVE BEEN KNOWING THIS FOR A WHILE. THOSE PUBLIC COMMENTS ARE ESSENTIAL. IT GUIDES THE LEADERSHIP.

>> WE DON'T HAVE THE COMMUNITY INVOLVED WITHIN THIS BOARD, THEN REALLY THAT IS WHAT THE PURPOSE IS.

>> YES. AND SO AS BOARD MEMBERS, WE HAVE TO GET THE COMMUNITY THAT WE ARE REPRESENTING INVOLVED.

THAT IS NOT WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING.

IN MY-- YOU KNOW? AS MUCH AS I THINK WE COULD BE IN THE FUTURE. TO HELP THE COMMUNITY.

SO-- WELL, EVEN THOUGH I AM USING CITY LINK, AND WE WILL BE HERE FOR A LITTLE BIT, I DON'T WANT TO WASTE EVERYONE'S TIME.

DO YOU GUYS HAVE ANY OTHER COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS? THANK YOU. I DON'T THINK I SAY THIS ENOUGH.

THANK YOU FOR OUR CITY ATTORNEY THAT IS HERE.

EVERY MEETING, MEDIATOR HERE FROM THE CITY.

EVERY MEETING. HELPING US STAY GUIDED.

AND ON TRACK. BECAUSE IF THEY DIDN'T, WE WOULD BE HERE GOING LIKE A HAMSTER SPINNING WHEELS.

GETTING NOWHERE. SO LAST TIME, EVERYTHING GOOD.

ANYTHING ELSE WE WANT TO BRING UP? OKAY. IF THAT IS SET, THEN IT IS-- THE TIME IS 4:16. SEPTEMBER 12.

AND THE CITIZEN'S ADVISORY BOARD FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES HAS BEEN ADJOURNED.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.