[CALL TO ORDER]
[PUBLIC COMMENTS]
[00:00:58]
>> ALL RIGHT, GOOD MORNING. IT IS 8:30. THANK YOU, EVERYONE,
FOR BEING HERE THIS MORNING. >> OKAY, WOULD YOU WILL PRAY WITH ME, PLEASE? THANK YOU ALL FOR THIS DAY. WE THANK YOU FOR THE BEAUTIFUL SEASON WE ARE IN. THANK YOU FOR THE WHETHER THAT IS OUT THERE. WE NEED RAIN, AN WE BESEECH YOU ON THAT, FATHER.
WE ASK THAT YOU GUIDE US TODAY IN OUR MEETING. HELP US TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT WOULD NOT ONLY BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITY, BUT HONO YOU. WE ASK THESE THINGS IN YOU NAME, AMEN.
>> AS I SAID, THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE THIS MORNING. BEFORE WE GO INTO OUR FULL MEETING, WE OFFER A TIME FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS. IF YOU DO HAVE A PUBLIC COMMENT THIS MORNING, PLEASE COME FORWARD, STATE YOUR NAME, AND YOU WILL HAVE THREE
MINUTES TO COMMENT. >> HOW IS IT GOING? CAN MORING.
MY NAME IS EDDIE PUGH, AND I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING VERY SERIOUS TODAY. I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE OF THAT RAPE IS NOT OKAY, AND THERE IS A PASTOR HERE IN TEXAS. AS AMOS RAY SANDOVAL, AND HE WAS DRUNK, CRAWLED ON TOP OF A STAFF MEMBER, AND RAPED HER, AND HE WAS NOT ARRESTED. HE WAS GIVEN A SEVERANCE PACKAGE, AND HE ONE AWAY. ON TOP OF THAT , HE HAD A WOMAN KICKED OUT OF A SO-CALLE WOMAN'S HOME, AND SHE WAS DRUGGED AND RAPED MULTIPLE TIMES. SHE ENDED UP IN A CRACK HOUSE , AND IT TOOK US A WHILE TO GET HER OUT OF THERE. AND THEN, THERE WERE 214-YEAR-OLDS A 14-YEAR-OLD AND 16-YEAR-OLD BOY WHO WAS RAPED AND SEXUALLY ABUSED . IT WAS A HALFWAY HOUS WITH THE CITY IS CALLING IT. IT'S NOT A HALFWAY HOUSE AND THEY DON'T HAVE A LICENSE BY TH STATE OF TEXAS TO BE A HALFWAY HOUSE. THE ALSO CAN QUALIFY TO BE A FAITH-BASED HOME , BECAUSE THEY DON'T MEET THE EXEMPTION FOR THAT. THEY ALLOW MINORS IN THE HOME , THEN THERE IS SPECIFIC LITERATURE AND ADVERTISEMENT THE NEED TO HAVE. NOBODY SIGNS THE APPROPRIATE DECLARATIONS , AND THEY ARE MINISTERING MEDICATION IN THE HOME. THAT IS NOT ALLOWED EITHER. SO, IT NEEDS TO BE SHU DOWN. THE CITY IS FULLY AWARE O IT, BECAUSE THE CITY MANAGER , ROBERT HAMA , AND TIM LITTLE WAS FULLY AWARE OF THIS. YOU SENT EMAILS TO THE CONCERNED RESIDENTS WHO LIVED AROUND THAT STATING THAT IT IS GOING TO BE A HALFWAY HOUSE, AND IN ORDER T GET THAT CONDITION APPROVED , THEY HAVE TO HAVE THAT HOME THERE. HE SAYING THAT BECAUSE OF FEDERAL AND STATE PROTECTION WHICH IT DOES NOT, BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE A LICENSE. LIKE I SAID, MAYOR HURT IS ABOUT THIS THE CITY COUNCIL , POLICE CHIEF , DR. PATTERSON, WHO IS WANT TO PURCHASE THAT HOME FOR RAY SANDOVAL , AND RENTED IT TO HIM . IS THE FOUNDER DAVID MCQUEEN KNOWS ABOUT THIS , AND HE TOLD ME IF THEY DO SOMETHING -- IS WHAT HE'S ATTACHED TO, SO I WAN TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON THERE AS WELL. BUT RAY SANDOVAL NEEDS TO BE ARRESTED BASED ON THE FAC THAT HE COMMITTED A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR BY NOT REPORTING THAT SEXUAL ABUSE CASE. I FOUN OUT A YEAR LATER THAT HE DID NO EVEN REPORTED. UNTIL SOMETHING IS DONE, I JUST WANT THE CITY T KNOW THAT I WILL CONTINUE TO PROVE AND PROTEST. SO, THANK
YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> WE APPRECIATE IT. IF YOU WOULD PLEASE COME FORWARD AND STATE YOUR NAME, YOU WILL HAVE
[00:05:02]
THREE MINUTES. >> I'M ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF TH ROTARY CLUB . CAN I PASS THESE OUT TO YOU ALL?
- LOW VOLUME ] >> PAUL, COULD YOU WEEK TO THE MICROPHONE SO ARE YOU? THANK YOU.
>> WE ARE ARTY HAVE A FOR MILLI MEMBERS AROUND THE GLOBE, AND W MAKE THESE PIECE GOALS ALL OVER THE WORLD. WE WANT TO PUT ONE U HERE IN ABILENE. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE ONE WE ARE DOING AND WANT TO DO THAT WILL BE MAD PUBLIC, MADE OUT OF LIMESTONE.
IT CAN BE SAFE AND SECURE FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE AROUND. WE HAVEN'T EXACTLY DECIDED WHERE THE LOCATION IS YET . WE HAVE SEVERAL OPTIONS IN OUR MIND THA WE WANT TO DO. SO, WE FEEL LIK THIS WOULD BE GREAT SUPPORT FO THE COMMUNITY AND WE WOULD LOVE FOR Y'ALL TO CONSIDER THIS. THANK YOU.
>> HELLO. I AM DONNA ALVES, AND I AM A CITIZEN OF THIS FAIR CITY. SINCE 1968. I AM HERE TODAY TO SPEAK ABOUT THE PEAC POST. THERE ARE ONLY 250,000 OF THEM WORLDWIDE. THEY STARTED AFTER WORLD WAR II WHEN THE JAPANESE WANTED TO PUT ONE IN TO BRING WORLD PEACE TO EVERYBODY THOUGHT PROCESS. WHA WASN'T SAID WAS WITH THIS PIECE POKE, HE WANTED TO GO AHEAD AND DEDICATE IT TO ONE OF OUR ROTAR MEMBERS, KILL CHRISTIANSEN , WH DIED RECENTLY. SHE WAS A MOTIVATOR, SHE WAS INVOLVED IN NONPROFITS, AND SHE GAVE A LOT TO THE COMMUNITY BY THE PICTURE REPOSTED ALMOST ON A WEEKLY BASIS TO MAKE ALL OF US LOVE OU CITY MORE. TWO SIGNS THAT WE REALLY WANTED TO FOCUS ON WAS THE STORYBOOK GARDEN , BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE SHE WALKED HER DOGS, AND SHE PERMITTED PEOPLE TO GO SEE THE GARDEN, AND SHE WAS A PART OF DOWNTOWN. SHE LIVED DOWNTOWN, SHE WORKS DOWNTOWN, AND SHE WANTS TO ROTARY DOWNTOWN. SHE WAS A MEMBER, SHE WAS ON THE EXECUTIVE BOARD, THEN SHE BECAM PRESIDENT, THEN SHE BECAME DISTRICT DIRECTOR. SHE WENT TO OVER 30 COUNTIES, 70 MEETINGS AND ONE YEAR TO PROMOTE ROTARY AND TO PROMOTE ABILENE IN THE PROCESS. ONE PLACES THE STORYBOOK GARDEN. PEOPLE ASK HOW DOES THAT FIT IN THE STORYBOOK? I DON'T KNOW. WE ART HAVE AN IRON TREE THERE WITH LEAVES THAT YOU CAN BUY A MEMORIAL OR HONORARY HIM, AND WITH THAT BIG LIMESTONE PLAQUE THAT HAS PEOPLES NAMES ON THEM.
I THOUGHT THE NAMES WOULD BE O THE LEAVES, BUT THAT IS A MUCH BETTER PLAN ON THE PLAQUE WHERE YOU COULD SEE IT. SO, MY FAMILY OF ORIGIN, AS WELL AS MY CURREN FAMILY ARE NOW ON THERE. AT THE END OF THE GARDEN IS A TRELLIS, WITH READS AND BIRDS THAT YOU CAN GIVE MEMORIALS OR HONORARY'S. THAT WOULD BE A NICE PLACE FOR A PIECE POKE. ANOTHER PLACE WOULD BE VERY IMPERFECT. WHY NOT IN A PARK WITH TWO LIKE-MINDED WOMEN WHO GIVE TO THEIR COMMUNITY? WHY NO CHANGE THE NAME? THE ONLY REASON I KNOW WHAT THAT IS , I WAS FRIENDS WITH HER ADOPTED DAUGHTER. SO, THAT IS A GREAT PLACE TO HAVE A PIECE POKE TO
[1. Minutes (Discussion and Action)]
HONOR KAYLA THAT WE HONOR HER. AND THAT PARK IS ALREADY --. I KNOW WHAT PARENT IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE A FAVORITE, BUT OF ALL THE SCULPTURES IN ABILENE, THIS ONE IS MY VERY FAVORITE. I GUESS[2. Service Award (Discussion)]
THEY RELATE TO HER. I DON'T KNOW. BUT, PLEASE CONSIDER. WE HAVE BIGGER FISH TO FRY THAN PUTTING A PIECE POKE DOWNTOWNABILENE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> WE ARE STILL NEED PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION. IF ANYONE ELS HAS PUBLIC COMMENTS, PLEASE COM AND STATE YOUR NAME. WITH THAT WE WILL CLOSE IT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PUBLIC COMMENT THIS MORNING. WE WILL NOW GO INTO OU FORMAL MEETING. WE WILL START WITH A REVIEW OF LAST WEEK'S MINUTES. THIS WILL BE A DISCUSSION AND ACTION.
>> I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 19TH, 2023 MINUTES.
>> ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE? >> AYE.
[00:10:04]
>> ALL OPPOSED? IN CARRIES. WE WILL NOW GO TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER TWO. THIS WILL BE A SERVICE AWARD. THIS WILL BE A DISCUSSION LED BY RICHARD. OR, ABOUT RICHARD I GUESS.
>> THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY, NOT TOO OFTEN DO I GET TO STAY DOWN HERE . MANY OF OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN HERE FIVE, 10, AND 15 YEARS. BUT THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE RICHARD. HE STARTED WITH THE CITY AS A SUPERVISOR AND BECAM THE PARKS DIVISION MANAGER. NOW, HIS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR PARKS AND RECREATION. RICHARD HAS BEEN WITH US FOR 15 YEARS, AND IS A PHENOMENAL JOB. HE AL OVER ABILENE. IF YOU NEED A SHORTCUT, RICHARD IS THE FIRST ONE TO ASK. HE CAN GET YOU ANYWHERE FASTER THAN ANYONE ELSE. SO, I JUST WANTED TO TAK THIS OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE RICHARD AND HIS 15 YEARS OF
SERVICE. >> IT'S AN HONOR TO WORK FOR TH
[3. Capital Improvement Grant (Discussion, Public Comment and Possible Action)]
CITY , BUT IT IS ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE A JOB THAT YOU ENJOY COMIN TO. WHETHER IT IS THE PORES WE WORK WITH OR THE PEOPLE THAT WCAN LAUGH AND CUSS AND -- >> NOT CUSS.
>> AND STEAM OUT EVERY DAY. THANK YOU.
>> HEY, THANK YOU. >> THANKS, RICHARD.
>> RICHARD, I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER HEARD YOU SAY ABSOLUTELY NOT DO ANYTHING BEFORE. EVEN WHEN YOU'RE SMILING WHEN IT IS CLEAR THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO SMILE ABOUT AN ANSWER ABOUT SOMETHING, YOU ARE LIKE, WE WIL FIGURE IT OUT. I THINK THAT SAYS A LOT ABOUT YOU. SO, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR 15 YEARS. IT HA BEEN AMAZING. WE MOVE ON THE T AGENDA ITEM NUMBER THREE, WHICH IS CAPITAL GOVERNMENT GRANT. THIS WILL BE DISCUSSION, PUBLIC COMMENTS, AND POTENTIAL ACTION.
>> THIS ITEM COMES BEFORE YOU TODAY. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CITY COUNCIL RECOGNIZED OVER TH LAST YEAR AND THROUGH THE BUDGETING PROCESS IS THE NEED T INVEST BACK INTO OUR PARKS.
SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE STRUGGLE WITH IS BEING ABLE TO COME UP WITH THE RESOURCES TO MAKE MUCH-NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS.
SO, CITY COUNCIL SET ASIDE $300,000.00 TWO GO INTO OUR PARKS FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN THOS VARIOUS AREAS, WHETHER IT IS, YOU KNOW, A BASEBALL DIAMOND, O A BATTING CAGE, OR DISC GOLF, OR RESURFACING HOCKEY , OR REALLY, WHATEVER IT MAY BE USED FOR. SO, WHAT IS BEFORE YOU TODAY IS AN APPLICATION, AND I IS IN YOUR PACKETS, FOR YOU TO REVIEW. IT WOULD BE AN ONGOING OPPORTUNITY FOR LEAGUES WHO WANT TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO B ABLE TO APPLY TO THE CITY FOR SOME MATCHING FUNDS . IT IS ONL $300,000.00 THAT WE HAVE SET ASIDE TO THE GRANT, AND THAT WOULD BE $1000-$300,000 ZERO. IT DOES REQUIRE THE LEAGUE OR THE ENTITY TO MATCH THE PERCEN OF WHATEVER THE PROJECT WOULD BE. I AM SCANNING THROUGH THIS REAL QUICK. THIS IS A WONDERFU OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO REALLY TRY AND INVEST IN OUR PARKS. ON OF THE THINGS THAT THE PARKS MASTER PLAN DID SEE WAS, AGAIN, ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANT TO FOCUS ON IS MAKING IMPROVEMENTS. THERE ARE QUITE A FEW LEAGUES THAT COME TO US WANTING TO MAKE INVESTMENTS, BU BECAUSE OF THE DOLLAR AMOUNT , THEY MAY BE ABLE TO FUND RAISE FOR A LITTLE BIT, BUT NOT BE ABLE TO COVER THE WHOLE PROJECT SO, THIS WOULD BE A GREAT WAY FOR US TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE OUR PUBLIC PARTNERSHIPS THAT WE DO THROUGHOUT ABILENE, AND BE ABLE TO COME IN AND REALLY MAKE THESE IMPROVEMENTS. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE WERE LOOKING AT, IF THIS WAS APPROVED BY THE PARKS BOARD TODAY, IS BASICALLY WE WOULD SEND OUT A NOTICE TO ALL OF OUR LEAGUES OPENING UP O NOVEMBER 1ST. IT WOULD BE DECIDED BY A COMMUNITY WITH APPROVAL OF INSTRUCTION ON HOW THE MAIN FUNDS ARE RELEASED.
BUT REALLY, JUST ABOUT ANY PROJECT IT RELATES TO IS APPLICABLE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE. THIS IS ONLY FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IT IS NOT FOR OPERATIONAL EXPENSES , OR, YOU KNOW, T-SHIRTS, OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT THIS IS JUST FOR INFRASTRUCTURE THAT DOESN'T MEAN IN OUR PARKS.
>> AND YOU SAID IT WOULD BE DECIDED BY A COMMITTEE?
>> YES. A COMMITTEE OF CITY STAFF.
>> AND I WOULD JUST ADD, ANY IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PARKS TO
[00:15:03]
COME TO THIS BOARD -->> I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO STAFF. YOU HAVE COME UP WITH A GRANT REQUEST FOR HIM THAT DOE NOT TAKE YEARS TO FILL OUT OR TOO MUCH PAPERWORK. I KNOW THA IS NOT EASY TO DO, SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THE TIME WE HAVE PUT INTO THAT. I THINK A VOLUNTEER COULD EASILY FILL THIS OUT. SO, THANK YOU FOR SIMPLIFYING THE PROCESS. THANK YOU TO THE CITY FOR PUTTING THE MONEY ASIDE.
IT'S A GOOD START. >> I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA.
ANY ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR FUNDING TO OUR PARKS IS A GOOD
IDEA. >> WE NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> THIS DOES CALL FOR PUBLIC COMMENT SO, DOESN'T IT? SORRY
ABOUT THAT. >> JUMPED ON THE GUN AGAIN.
>> THERE ARE SOME GOOD THINGS GOING ON HERE.
>> WE WILL NOW GO INTO PUBLIC COMMENT ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR AGENDA ITEM, NUMBER THREE. IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT THIS POTENTIAL GRANT IDF, PLEAS COME FORWARD AND STATE YOUR NAME, AND YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. WITH THAT, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. EVERY TIME I DO THAT, I FEEL LIKE I'M
JUST MAKING MYSELF TALK. >> ] MY NAME IS EDDIE PUGH BY THE WAY. FOR THE PARK IMPROVEMENT, I AM ALL FOR. I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA. THAT WILL DEFINITELY BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY. I KNOW I HAD TIME EARLIER, BUT I WANTED TO MENTIO SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY WHILE I WAS PROTESTING. A WHITE LADY CAME INTO THE BUILDING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT HER ROLE IS , BUT SHE TOLD ME THAT PEOPLE WERE LAUGHING A YOU ABOUT GETTING THINGS DONE.
SHE MADE IT A POINT TO SAY THAT IF YOU ARE BLACK, THEY WOULD HAVE ALREADY GOTTEN YOU. WE DO FIND OUT WHO SHE IS AND WHO SH
[4. Rotary Peace Pole (Discussion, Public Comment and Possible Action)]
WAS REFERRING TO WHEN SHE SAID THEY WOULD HAVE GOTTEN YOU YOU ARE BLACK. SO, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT. THANK YOU.>> OKAY. WE ARE STILL NEED PUBLIC COMMENT FOR AGENDA ITEM THREE. IF YOU HAVE MORE PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THAT, PLEASE COME FORWARD. AT THIS TIME, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THA
ITEM. ANY POTENTIAL ACTION? >> I WILL VOTE TO MOTION THAT.
>> MOTIONED AND SECONDED. ALL IN FAVOR OF THIS GOING FORWARD,
>> ALL OPPOSED? THAT MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. I THINK IT IS AN EXCELLENT IDEA. WE WILL THEN GO TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FOUR. THIS IS THE ROTARY PIECE PULLED DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL COMMENT THAT WE HAVE HEARD SOM ALREADY.
>> THIS ITEM YOU WILL TABLE LAST MONTH, SO WE ARE BRINGING BACK BEFORE YOU THIS MONTH FOR DISCUSSION ON WHETHER THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE PARKS BOARD WANTS TO APPROVE TO BE PLACED
IN ONE OF OUR PARKS DOWNTOWN. >> STAFF LOOKED AT THESE TWO SUGGESTED LOCATIONS . HAVE WE CONSULTED WITH THE FAMILY OF
CULTURAL AFFAIRS? >> THE STAFF HAVE LOOKED AT THESE TWO LOCATIONS . I DID HAV A CONVERSATION WITH A MEMBER O THE FAMILY WAS NOT IN FAVOR OF THIS GOING INTO THE PARK.
CULTURAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL DID ALSO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH LYNN LETTING HER KNOW THAT THIS WAS A POTENTIAL ITEM COMING FORWARD . WE DID NOT HAVE EXTENSIVE CONVERSATION ABOUT, FOR, OR AGAINST, JUST THAT THI WAS A FOR CONVERSATION. AND FO THIS PEACE POLE, WITH THE PARKS BOARD IS BEING ASKED TO APPROVE OR NOT APPROVE IS THE PLACEMENT INTO ONE OF THESE PARKS. IF PARKS BOARD DENIES THIS REQUEST , IT CAN STILL POTENTIALLY GO DOWNTOWN, IT WHICH IS NOT GO INTO ONE OF THE PARKS. IF CITY COUNCIL -- YOU MEAN, IF PARKS BOARD DOES APPROVE IT TO GO INT ONE OF THE PARKS, THEN THE STAF WOULD HAVE A MEMORANDUM OF
[00:20:01]
UNDERSTANDING OR SOMETHING OF THAT SORT WITH ROTARY ABOUT TH PLACEMENT, THE MAINTENANCE, AND ALL OF THAT , THE LOCATION, AND ALL THOSE KINDS OF THINGS. BUT THE FIRST EPISODE PARKS BOARD T REDUCE A YES OR NO IT CAN BE PLACED IN THE PARK. AGAIN, IT DOES NOT MEAN IT CAN'T BE SOMEWHERE ELSE DOWNTOWN , BUTYOU GUYS CONTROL THE PARKS. >> WERE TALKING ABOUT A LOW-MAINTENANCE SCULPTURE IS WHAT WE HAVE UNDER
CONSIDERATION. >> THAT IS WHAT ROTARY HAS A ROOT APPROACHED US WITH. THE PICTURES THAT WE ENDED UP WITH EARLIER IS WHAT I HAVE ALSO SEE AS THE IDEA. AGAIN, WE HAVE NO ENTERED INTO THE AGREEMENT YET, SO I DON'T HAVE THE SPECIFICS OF THIS EXACT MATERIAL, THIS EXACT HEIGHT, THIS EXACT SHAPE ALL I KNOW IS THAT THEY ARE INTERESTED IN PUTTING IT IN LIMESTONE IN DOWNTOWN, PREFERABLY ONE OF OUR PARKS.
>> AND WE ASK ABOUT THAT? >> WHEN WE OPEN IT UP FOR PUBLI
COMMENT. >> I AM ALL OVER IT TODAY. I AM
SORRY. >> I GUESS SINCE I AM THE ONE WHO SPOKE UP , AND PROBABLY PAR OF THE REASON WE TABLED IT IS M CONCERN WAS MORE THE STORYBOOK GARDEN BEING A PLACE WHERE THERE ARE SCULPTURES FOR CHILDREN , AND IT IS MORE CHILDLIKE, AND HAS TO DO WITH CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATIONS. SO, I JUST STRUGGLED A LITTLE BIT, BECAUSE WE HAD NO INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT IS A PEACE POLE, AN WHAT DOES IT STAND FOR. I JUST THOUGHT WE DEFINITELY NEEDED , THINK, THIS WHOLE BOARD WOULD AGREE WITH THE IDEA OF KAYLA BEING HONORED. IT WAS JUST THE THOUGHT IS A PEACE POLE IN THE STORYBOOK BURDEN WAS THE MOST APPROPRIATE? OR WOULD THERE BE SOMETHING BETTER?
>> HAVE YOU TALKED TO DAVID CHRISTIANSEN AT ALL?
>> BUT AGAIN, TO CLARIFY, WE AR NOT MAKING A DECISION ON THE LOCATION RIGHT NOW. WE ARE JUS GIVING A YES OR NO ON THERE BEING A PEACE POLE JUST IN GENERAL. CORRECT?
>> NO. YOU WOULD BE APPROVING WHETHER IT CAN GO IN A PARK. I
WHICH PARK SPECIFICALLY. >> I WOULD THINK IN KEEPING WITH WHAT WE HAVE HAD IN THE PAST WITH PARKS AND THINGS, WE HAVE THIS DISCUSSION WITH ANOTHER PARK . PRIOR TO REVIEWING THE REC CENTER , YOU KNOW, I THINK WE HAVE TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT INTO CONSIDERATION WITH THE FAMILY. I DON'T KNOW THAT WITHOUT FURTHER INFORMATIO OR WITHOUT DOING RESEARCH BEYON THAT , I DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE STORYBOOK GARDEN. IF THERE IS AN OPPOSITION WITH THE FAMILY , MAYBE WE NEED TO TAKE THAT INT CONSIDERATION.
>> AS YOU RECALL, YOU REMEMBER WITH THE RECREATION CENTER , WAS THERE A PROCESS IN WHICH WE WENT THROUGH FOR THAT?
>> THERE IS A PROCESS. THERE IS AN APPLICATION THAT WOULD NEED TO BE FILLED OUT. THERE IS A PETITION I BELIEVE WITH 150 SIGNATURES THAT WOULD NEED TO BE SIGNED. THAT IS THE PROCESS
THAT PARKS BOARD ADOPTED. >> IS THAT FOR ALL? I WISH I HA AN IN FRONT OF ME. THAT FOR EVERYTHING OR IS IT FOR THAT
PARTICULAR PART? >> IT WAS FOR ALL PARKS.
>> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION BEFORE WE GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT ON THAT ITEM? ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? WITH THAT, WE WILL ENTER INTO PUBLIC COMMENT. IF YOU DO HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY, PLEASE COME, STATIONING, AND COME FORWARD. IF WE DO HAVE QUESTIONS, CAN WE
RE-ENGAGE AT THIS POINT? >> YES.
>> PERFECT. >> HELLO. I AM DONNA ALBUS, AN I STILL LIVE IN ABILENE, AND WILL CONTINUE TO LIVE IN ABILENE. RIGHT NOW, AND GEORGETOWN, THERE ARE 11 SCHOOL CAMPUSES THAT ARE PUTTING UP PEACE POLE'S. THEY ARE ENGAGING THE STUDENTS IN THE DESIGN OF THE GARDEN WHERE THE PEACE POLE GOES. IN RESPONSE TO LEE'S COMMENT ABOUT NOT BEING AN APPROPRIATE PLACE IN STORYBOOK GARDEN, AS I STATED EARLIER, WE ARTY SET A PRECEDENT FOR HONORING MEMORIALS IN THAT PARK IN THE PARK DOWNTOWN IS A CITY PARK. YOU ARE NOT CHANGING THE
[00:25:06]
NAME OF THE PARK, JUST ADDING THE STRUCTURE IN THAT PARK. I DID TALK TO LINDSAY, AND SHE, A THE TIME IT WAS BROUGHT UP, WAS OPPOSED TO IT. I HAVE NOT TALKED FURTHER WITH HER , BUT WOULD BE GLAD TO DO THAT IF THAT IS THE APPROPRIATE PLACE T PUT IT. IT JUST SEEMS THAT HAVING A PLACE DOWNTOWN WOULD BE THE RECOGNITION THAT WE NEED FOR KAYLA. WE DON'T WANT ANYTHING MASSIVE. WE JUST WANT TO HAVE A SIMPLE THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR OUR CITY HOW YOU BROUGHT RECOGNITION TO US, YOU HAVE SHOWN THE BEAUTY NOT ONLY TO US INDIVIDUALLY, BU TO US AS A WHOLE. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS. HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT IF MICHELANGELO WOULD HAVE BROUGHT DAVID TO BE PUT IN ONE OF OUR PARKS? WHAT KIND OF OBJECTION WE WOULD HAVE HAD? HONESTLY, FOLKS. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A PEACE POLE! THANK YOU.QUESTION. DO YOU HAVE ACCESS T SPECS ON A PEACE POLE?
>> PAUL, WE NEED YOU TO COME UP TO THE MICROPHONE, PLEASE.
>> I NOTICED IN THIS HANDOUT THAT YOU GAVE US, THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF A VARIETY, BUT THEY ARE ALL PRETTY CONSISTENT.
SO, I WAS JUST CURIOUS IF THER IS ANYTHING -- EFFORT OR HE DOES ANYTHING FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT IS RATING IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES. IT COULD BE, I MEAN THE ONE IN THAT PICTURE IS SIMILAR TO WHAT WE HAVE IN MIND SOMEWHERE BETWEEN FOUR AND SIX FEET TALL PLANTED IN THE GROUND SO, IT WILL BE SECURE. IS SOMEBODY OTHER CHILD UP BUMPS U AGAINST IT , IT WON'T GO HURTIN ANYBODY. WE DON'T HAVE ANY
SPECIFICATIONS. >> AND ROTARY IS COMING UP WITH
THE FUNDS TO DO THE PROJECT? >> WE WILL, YES.
>> AND WHAT ABOUT THE MAINTENANCE OF THE PROJECT?
>> WITH THE WAY THE DESIGN IS THERE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT
MAINTENANCE WILL BE NEEDED. >> WELL, LIMESTONE WOULD BE
GOOD. >> IT MATCHES WHAT IS ALREADY THERE. WE JUST WANT THE WORLD TO KNOW THAT WE ARE IN FAVOR O
THIS. >> HAS A ROTARIAN BE HONORED LIKE KAYLA IN THE PAST WITH A MEMORIAL?
>> MANY TIMES. >> WAS A SOMETHING PERMANENT?
>> THOUSANDS OF TIMES, ACTUALLY. ALL OVER THE WORLD.
>> BUTTON ABILENE? >> I'M NOT SURE. BRITTANY HUGHES WAS A ROTARIAN FOR YEARS . BOB HUNTER WAS A ROTARIAN.
THEY HAVE BEEN HONORED MANY, MANY TIMES. I DON'T KNOW IF ANY
OF IT WAS PERMANENT. >> SO, DO YOU SEE THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF MORE PEACE POLES FOR HONORING ROTARIANS IN THE
FUTURE? >> I DON'T KNOW, POSSIBLY? THERE ARE THOUSANDS AROUND THE WORLD. SO, I DON'T KNOW. IT'S NOT LIKE KAYLA'S NAME IS GOING TO BE ON IT . IT IS JUST THANKING HER FOR THE DEDICATION . WE DEDICATED TO HER, BUT HER NAME WOULD NOT BE ON IT. BUT, THERE WOULD BE A PLAQUE ON IT THAT SAYS THAT THIS IS FOR ROTARIANS.
>> I'M A LITTLE SAD HER NAME WILL NOT BE ON IT.
>> OH. >> I AM JUST SAYING, I JUST THINK , I HONOR YOUR THOUGHT AND THE ROTARY WANTING TO HONOR HER. YOU KNOW, I JUST WISH IT WAS SOMETHING -- I AM SITTING IF YOU SEE THE PEACE POLE, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IS HONORING HER I THINK THAT WAS MY COMMENTS A THE LAST MEETING, WITH THAT MORE RESEARCH NEEDED TO BE DONE , OR IF THERE ARE BENCHES IN STORYBOOK PARK THAT HAVE PEOPLE'S NAMES ON THEM . YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU WALK BY THE BENCH, YOU ARE, LIKE, OH. I KNO THAT PERSON. AND THEN THERE IS QUOTE. THERE ARE BENCHES THROUGHOUT. THAT WAS JUST MY THOUGHT . IF WE ARE HONORING HE
-- >> WE COULD DO THAT IF THAT'S
[00:30:01]
WHAT YOU WANT. >> THAT WAS JUST SOMETHING I THOUGHT ABOUT WITH THE BENCHES. I THINK THAT IS FOR THE CULTURAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL. I AM NOT SURE. MY THOUGHT WAS JUST EXPLORING OPTIONS. I JUST WANT TO GIVE HER THE HONOR SHE
DESERVES. >> ON THAT NOTE, ANY OTHER
QUESTIONS? THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU.
>> STANLEY, FOR A POINT OF ORDER, WHAT WE WOULD BE APPROVING TODAY WOULD BE TO ALLOW IT IN THE PARKS ARE NOT WITH THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING TO GO BACK TO PARKS BOARD FOR APPROVAL AS WELL.
>> THAT WOULD BE UP TO THE BOAR . IF THEY WANT TO JUST APPROVE THE PLACEMENT IN A CERTAIN PARK AND FOR THE SPECIFICS TO COME BACK , AS I BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS AS TO WHAT THIS WOULD ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE, AND SAY. SO, IF THEY WANTED TH SPECIFICS TO COME BACK AND YOU WANT TO SOME SORT OF AN AGREEMENT WITH THE ROTARY, AT LEAST NOT IN AGREEMENT , BUT THESE ARE THE SPECIFICS FOR THE BOARD TO LOOK AT AND SAY YES, THIS LOOKS GOOD . IF YOU WANT T DO THAT ALL AT ONE TIME, WE CAN
DO THAT AS WELL. >> AS I UNDERSTAND, WE CAN VOTE TO APPROVE PLACEMENT WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT IT MIGHT BE A PEACE POLE , IT MIGHT BE A BENCH, OR SOMETHING , BUT THAT WOULD COME BACK AT ANOTHER TIME .
>> IS OUT OF THE WAY YOU WON'T WANT TO DO IT, YES.
>> I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE MULTICULTURAL NATURE OF A PEACE POLE IN THE MESSAGE AND I HOPE THAT WE SEE MORE OF THESE. SINC READING ABOUT THEM LAST TIME , THE CONCEPT IS VERY UNIQUE . TO ME, IT WAS UNIQUE , AND I REALL APPRECIATE THE THOUGHT THAT WAS BEHIND THE CONCEPT. I THINK THAT IS A GOOD THING FOR US TO
LEARN ABOUT. >> IT SEEMS LIKE PROBABLY THE MOST APPROPRIATE THING TO DO , OR IF THERE IS A HORSE RACE, TH ONE THAT HAS THE LEAD IN THE RACE IS STORYBOOK GARDENS . SO, I GUESS WITH THAT IN MIND , I WOULD MOVE THAT WE WOULD ALLOW IN THE STORYBOOK GARDEN IN MONEY BIT TO BE DETERMINED IN HONOR OF KAYLA CHRISTIANSEN. AND, WE WILL MOVE FORWARD TO FINDING THAT APPROPRIATE SPOT OR LOCATION IN MIND TO DO THAT.
[5. Parks Foundation (Discussion, Public Comment and Possible Action)]
BACK TO THE PARKS BOARD? >> YES, I DO. THANK YOU FOR
THAT. YES. >> I SECOND THAT. YES.
>> I THINK YOU HAVE YOUR SUGGESTION.
>> I THINK YOU UNDERSTAND IT. >> ALL IN FAVOR OF FILING A MONEY BIT TO BE DETERMINED AT A LATER DATE THAT WILL COME BACK TO THE PARKS BOARD FOR APPROVA FOR REVIEW , PRIOR TO, IS THAT CORRECT? THIS IS THAT THE STORYBOOK GARDENS. IF YOU ARE I
>> ALL OPPOSED? RA, WE WILL LOOK INTO THE CONVERSATION.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME THI MORNING. AFTER THAT, WE WILL GO ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FIVE. THAT IS THE PARKS FOUNDATION DISCUSSION, PUBLIC COMMENT, AND POTENTIAL ACTION.
>> THIS ITEM IS BEFORE YOU TODAY. WE HAVE HAD MANY CONVERSATIONS WITH PARKS BOARD PROBABLY OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS ABOUT WHETHER ABILENE NEEDS A PARKS FOUNDATION. ONE OF THE ITEMS WE BROUGHT BEFORE YOU, THE 2023 MASTER PLAN , ONE OF THE ITEMS ON THAT WAS THE CONVERSATION ABOUT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARKS . SO, NOT ALL THE FUNDING FOR PARKS I COMING FOR THE GENERAL FUND. THE PARKS FOUNDATION WAS ONE OF THOSE ITEMS THAT WAS ON THE TABLE FOR DISCUSSION. AND WHIL WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT IT MANY TIMES OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS IN VARIOUS FORMS, THERE HAS NEVER BEEN, THAT WE COULD FIND, A MOTION FOR PARKS BOARD SAYING THAT WE AGREE AND THINK THAT ABILENE IS TO ESTABLISH A PARKS FOUNDATION. SO, WHAT IS BEFORE
[00:35:02]
YOU TODAY IS THE CONVERSATION OF DOES ABILENE NEED A PARKS FOUNDATION? DOES PARKS BOARD APPROVE A PARKS FOUNDATION? IF YOU MOVE THAT A PARKS FOUNDATIO IS APPROPRIATE FOR ABILENE , STAFF WOULD WORK WITH THE GROUP. THEY WOULD WORK TO HEL ESTABLISH A FOUNDATION. THIS WOULD BE SEPARATE FROM THE BOAR OF DIRECTORS, BUT BEFORE GOING DIRECT, WE DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE PARKS BOARD DOES SUPPORT.>> WE HAD A PRESENTATION ITEM A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO FROM THE PARKS BOARD PARKS RECREATION STAFF. THEY CAME TO US, AND EXPLAINED HOW THEY HAD A PARKS FOUNDATION, AND HOW THEY OPERATED. AND I BELIEVE , CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG , THEY ACTUALLY HAD FUNDS ON THE WATE BILL. IS THAT HOW THEY DID IT?
>> THEY DID THERE THROUGH THE VERSION OF PARKS BLOCKS. WE HAVE PARKS BLOCKS , BUT IF YOU WILL REMEMBER A FEW YEARS AGO, WE DID RESEARCH AND SOME OF THE LAWS AND REGULATIONS HAVE CHANGED. THE WAY THEY HAD THEIR SET OF, WE ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO DO PARKS BUCKS IN THAT FORM. BUT, THAT IS HOW THEY GOT THER
PARKS FOUNDATION ESTABLISHED. >> WHAT I WAS TRYING TO SAY IS THEY HAD A VERY VIBRANT PARKS FOUNDATION FIXING --
>> PLAYGROUNDS. >> PLAYGROUNDS, DOING VARIOUS PROJECTS IN THE CITY OF ODESSA. IT WAS QUITE IMPRESSIVE. AS LESLIE HAS MENTIONED, WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS OFF AND ON FO A BUNCH OF YEARS. I WOULD SURE LIKE TO SEE STAFF COME UP WITH MAYBE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO MAKE PROGRESS WITH OUR PARKS , ENHANCE OUR PARKS, IMPROVE OUR
PARKS, EXPAND OUR PARKS. >> I THINK OUR FOREFATHERS AND FOREMOTHERS HAVE DONE A GOOD JO OF SETTING A PRECEDENT FOR US.
I FEEL LIKE WE ARE BEING CALLED TO DO THE SAME. I WOULD LIKE T SEE A FOUNDATION FORMED THAT W CAN APPLY FOR GRANTS, TAKEN MONEY, DO THINGS, AND BENEFIT OUR WATER COMMUNITY . AS WE LEARNED DURING COVID, WHEN BUDGETS WERE LOW, THIS MAY GIVE US ANOTHER TOOL TO IMPROVE THE COMMUNITY.
>> I'M ALWAYS A FAN OF FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ALONGSIDE THE EFFORTS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN DONE. I AM GLAD THIS IS COMING
[6. Parks Report (Discussion)]
BACK TO THE TABLE. THIS IS SOMETHING I HAVE BEEN A FAN OF IN THE PAST. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION BEFORE WE GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT? WE WILL GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT HERE FOR DISCUSSION ON A PARKS FOUNDATIO SPECIFICALLY. IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT THAT, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND STATE YOUR NAME. YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES. AND WITH THAT, WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. WE WILL MOVE TOWARDS POTENTIAL ACTION.>> I MAKE A MOTION FOR STAFF T EXPLORE PARKS FOUNDATION.
>> THAT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE
>> ALL OPPOSED? GREAT. AT THIS POINT, WE WILL MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER SIX. THAT IS OUR PARKS REPORTS. THIS WOULD B
A DISCUSSION. >> GOOD MORNING. IF YOU NOTICE WE ARE TURNING SOME DIRT OUT HERE IN FRONT OF THE LAWN. THAT IS FOR THE STRENGTH -- STRIKES, I AM SORRY, I CANNOT TALK THIS MORNING. STAFF HAS BEEN WORKING ON LAYING OUT THE GROUND , AS WELL AS REDESIGNIN THE IRRIGATION. THIS IS GOING TO BE A PLACE WHERE THE TRAIN SCULPTURE WILL BE ENHANCED.
IT'S A GREAT LOOKING LANDSCAPE, SO WE ARE PREPARING FOR THAT.
STAFF HAS BEEN WORKING HARD ON THAT. SO, WE ARE JUST WAITING FOR THE TRAIN TO COME IN AND WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH THE NEXT STEPS. OSCAR ROSE RECREATION, WE HAD TO DO SOME WORK ON THE DRAINAGE AS YOU CAN SEE THERE O THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE OF THE PICTURE. THERE IS AN ENTRANCE TO THE BACK OF THE RECREATION
[00:40:03]
CENTER THAT WAS INSTALLED , AND WITH THE RAIN THAT WAS HAPPENIN AT THE TIME , THERE WAS SOME FLOODING BACK THERE, SO STAFF WAS DIRECTED TO RE-CREATE THAT GROUND BACK THERE, AND THEY HAV DONE THAT. SO, HOPEFULLY NEXT TIME WE GET A HUGE RAIN , THAT HAS DONE A GOOD JOB SO FAR. IF NOT, WE WILL FIX IT. LAST THING I HAVE IS NEXT WEEK , WE WILL HAVE OUR TRUCKS CONFERENCE AND OUR MAINTENANCE RADIO. THE MAINTENANCE RADIO AND THE CONFERENCE HAVE NOT BEEN AROUND SINCE 2019 FOR THIS WEST REGION, SO WE DECIDED TO HOST THIS YEAR. THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR IT HAS BEEN BACK SINCE THEN, SO WILL HAVE A MAINTENANC RADIO ON OCTOBER 25TH IN FESTIVAL GARDENS. WITH THAT ENTAILS THAT WE INVITE ALL THE OTHER CITIES IN THE WEST REGIO TO COMPETE AGAINST EACH OTHER , SO, WE WILL HAVE SOME COMPETITIONS OUT THERE. BACKHOE, ALL OF THOSE THINGS THAT THE GUYS WORK EVERY DAY ON. IF YOU GUYS WANT TO COME OU AND CHECK THAT OUT, WE WILL HAV TWO TEAMS FROM ABILENE. THEY WILL COME FROM THE PARKS DEPARTMENT OR DIVISION THAT WIL BE PARTICIPATING IN THIS. SO, I YOU WANT TO COME OUT AND SUPPORT, WE WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. AND THEN THE NEXT THING IS WE WILL BE HOLDIN OUR WORKSHOP . THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FOLKS IN PARKS AND RECREATION PROFESSIONS TO COME AND GET SOME EDUCATION UNITS, SEE THEM BE USED , AND W WILL JUST KIND OF GET TOGETHER. SO, THAT IS COMING UP NEXT WEEKTHAT? >> FOR THE MAINTENANCE RADIO SO FAR, WE HAVE 30 PEOPLE SIGNED UP, AND THE CONFERENCE IS ABOUT THE SAME AS THE RODEO. THE REGISTRATION IS OPEN UNTIL THE 20TH. AS OF RIGHT NOW, THAT IS WHERE IT STANDS.
>> WHAT DOES THE STEAM FROM ABILENE GET IF THEY BE THE OTHE TEAM ? WHAT IS THE TEAM FOR ABILENE GET IF THEY BEAT THE
OTHER ABILENE TEAM? >> WHAT DO THEY GET?
>> JUST WE HAVE IT ON THE RECORD?
>> YEAH, TEAM BLUE AND TEAM RED IF TEAM BLUE WINS, THEY GET TO GO AND SAY RUBEN IN THEIR FACE.
>> I WILL TAKE IT. >> THE FIRST AND SECOND PLACE OF THESE COMPETITIONS WILL GO AND GET TO COMPETE FOR STATE AS
[7. Recreation Report (Discussion)]
WELL. SO, THEY ALSO WANT TO STA COMPETITION.>> ARE THERE ANY OTHER TEAMS BESIDES THE TWO FROM ABILENE?
>> I HAVE HEARD OF ODESSA HAS SHOWED SOME INTEREST . I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM, BUT SO FAR THAT IS ALL I KNOW. AMARILLO ABOUT OUT THIS YEAR. THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO PREPARE FOR THAT. SO, WE WILL SEE THEM AGAIN NEXT YEAR. WE WILL GIVE THEM A CHANCE NEXT YEAR. AS FAR AS I KNOW, ODESSA HAS EXPRESSED INTEREST. IF THE DO, GRATES, AND IF NOT, WE WILL SEND A LOT MORE PEOPLE TO STAY COMPETITION.
>> WE WIN EITHER WAY IF THEY AR HERE OR NOT.
>> EXACTLY. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT PRESENTATION. IT WAS GREAT. AL RIGHT. LET'S WANT TO AGENDA ITE NUMBER SEVEN. THIS WILL BE A RECREATION REPORT. THIS WILL BE
A DISCUSSION. >> GOOD MORNING. I AM VERY EXCITED ABOUT TRAPS. I'M GETTING MY BOOTS OUT, BECAUSE I CASE THEY NEED ME, I AM READY. WE ARE GETTING READY FOR OUR FALL FESTIVAL. STAFF HAS BEEN WORKING HARD GETTING THE WALLS UP FOR THE HAUNTED HOUSE, AND GETTING THE PLACE READY FOR OUR COSTUME CONTEST. THAT IS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, AND THAT IS FROM 6:00 TO 9:00. IN THE HAUNTED HOUSE OPENS AT 6:30.
AND THEY SAY BEWARE IF YOU ENTER. I ONLY LIKE TO GO AND WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON. I WILL DO THE DRY RUN. I DON'T LIKE TO GO IN THE DARK. ALSO, WE ARE GETTING READY FOR OUR BIG COUNTRY PUMPKIN CHASE. THIS TIME, WE HAVE ADDED TWO NEW RACE MATS. THERE IS A 1K AND A 5K TOTAL IF THERE AREN'T PEOPL WHO ARE READY FOR THE 10K. IT WILL BE AT JOHNSON PARK. IT WA JUST BEAUTIFUL OUT THERE. REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN . IF
[8. Seniors Report (Discussion)]
YOU WOULD LIKE TO START OUT, YO CAN DO THE 1K.>> I WAS HOPING FOR THE POINT T FIVE.
[00:45:02]
>> WILL PUT THAT IN THE NEXT YEAR. WE WILL DO IT FOR YOU.
>> OKAY, COUNTRY RUNNERS, YOU HAVE ASKED FOR HALF MARATHONS FOR YEARS. WE ARE DOING THEM NOW, SO COME SIGN UP.
>> YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU. >> I JUST WANT TO SAY STAFF HAS BEEN WORKING VERY HARD TO GET SOME NEW INTEREST AND MORE PEOPLE INVOLVED. SO, I AM VERY EXCITED AND PROUD OF THEM.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THAT. IT IS VERY EXCITING. NO, WE WILL MOVE ON TO OUR SENIORS REPORT. THIS WILL ALSO BE A
DISCUSSION. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. BOBB BROWN, SENIOR DISCUSSIONS. BY THE WAY, THAT IS A POINT TO FIV
WALK. >> THANK YOU. SIGN ME UP.
>> WE ARE GETTING READY FOR OUR FLU SHOTS ON THE 24TH. WE PARTNER WITH ONE PHARMACY EVERY YEAR WITH THIS. THIS YEAR, THEY DO NOT HAVE THE , I GUESS, THE SUPPLIES TO DO IT , SO WE GOT WITH ANOTHER PHARMACY, AND THEY SAID YES. SO, WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO OUR FLU SHOTS. SENIORS, THEY DO COME OUT FOR THAT. THAT AS WELL ATTENDED. OUR FESTIVITIES ARE OUR SENIORS ARE ALREADY ENJOYING OCTOBER. WE HAVE HAD WHICH IS , WE HAVE HA ZZ TOP , WE HAVE HAD MISS PIGGY , SO THEY'RE COMING OUT EVERY DAY. SOMEBODY HAS SOME KIND OF COSTUME , AND THEY ARE EXCHANGING TRINKETSAND CANDY AND STUFF. SO, THEY ARE ALREAD
[9. Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene (Discussion)]
GETTING INTO THEIR MOOD FOR THE HOLIDAY. AT 10:00, WE WILL HAV DANCING, REFRESHMENTS, COSTUME CONTEST. THEY ARE ALREADY GETTING INTO THE OCTOBER MOOD. SO, THEY ARE HAVING FUN. THATIS ALL I HAVE. >> ANY QUESTIONS? HAVE YOU
DRESSED UP AS ANYBODY YET? >> NOT YET. THEY ARE TRYING TO GET ME TO, AND I KEEP TELLING THEM I WILL COME AS BOBBY BROWN BUT THEY WANT ME TO COME IS THE OTHER BOBBY BROWN.
>> I THINK WE ALL WANT THAT. >>
TAKE PICTURES. >> IF I DO, YOU ALL WILL HEAR ABOUT IT. I TOLD THEM I NEED TH LITTLE GUMBY HAIR.
>> WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK.
>> THANK YOU. >> WE MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER NINE. THIS IS TEXAS STATE VETERANS CEMETERY IN ABILENE.
THIS WILL BE A DISCUSSION AS WELL.
>> HELLO, BERKS BOARD. AS YOU KNOW, WE HEADED ANOTHER GROUP OF FOLKS INTO OUR TEAM. WE TALKED IT OVER WITH MANAGEMENT, SO WE THOUGHT TODAY WOULD BE A GOOD DAY. THIS DIVISION WILL REPORT DIRECTLY TO THE PARKS BOARD AND THAT KIND OF THING, W JUST WANTED YOU TO MEET THE DIVISION MANAGER. WE ARE LEARNING A LOT OF NEW THINGS WHEN IT COMES TO THE STATE CEMETERY AND MANAGING THAT FOR VETERANS. SO, DETAIL IS NOT EVEN THE WORD TO PUT TO IT. IT IS EXTREMELY DETAIL ORIENTED, A THE WAY IT SHOULD BE FOR VETERANS. BUT, THEY REALLY WORK IT UP. WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE THEM AS PART OF THE TEAM. I WANTED TO INTRODUCE YOU TO OUR DIVISION MANAGER. SO, HE JUST WANTED TO SAY HELLO. HE DOES HAVE A FORMAL PRESENTATION OR ANYTHING OF THAT NATURE. THIS I BRAD KERR. HE IS OUR DIVISION MANAGER. WE HAVE GROUP OF ABOUT NINE FOLKS WHO MAINTAIN THAT LOCATION. I WILL JUST LET YOU SAY HELLO AND INTRODUCE
YOURSELF. >> WELL, GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS BRAD KERR, AND I AM THE DIVISION MANAGER. I HAVE BEEN
[10. Zoo Report (Discussion)]
THERE FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. I WAS WITH THE GROUNDS CREW, AND HAVE NOW MOVED UP INTO THE BIG OFFICE. EVERYTHING WE DO IS WIT PERFECTION , WHICH OUR VETERANS DESERVE NOTHING LESS. SO, HE SAID I DON'T HAVE A PRESENTATION. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, THEN I CAN ANSWER THEM.>> I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO FO OUR COMMUNITY, AND SERVING THOSE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. SO, THANK YOU FOR THAT. THAT I
>> WITH THAT, WE WILL MOVE INTO HOURS REPORT. THAT WILL ALSO BE
A DISCUSSION. >> I BELIEVE THE DIRECTOR. IF
[00:50:06]
YOU HAVE NOT HEARD LATELY, WE ACTUALLY ADDED A NEW TOUR. IS HE'S LOST WERE. SYDNEY THE SLOTH, AND SHE IS ABOUT TO GET BOYFRIEND AS WELL. SO, WE WILL BE HAVING A PAIR OF FLAWS.CURRENTLY, THE TOUR IS GETTING SOLD OUT. IT IS ABOUT THREE MONTHS OUT. ANOTHER THING, WE HAD AZA REACH OUT TO ALL OF OUR INSTITUTIONS ASKING TO RESCUE THESE ZEBRA FINCHES. WE RAISED ABOUT 100 ZEBRA FINCHES, AND UNFORTUNATELY, THEY WERE ABLE T MAINTAIN THEIR HEALTH, THEY WER CONFISCATED, AND AZA REACHED OU AND ASKED IF SOMEBODY COULD TAKE SOME. THEY ARE VERY CUTE, THEY TWEET A LOT, AND OUR GOAL IS TO FEED THEM WITH CUPS.
>> DID YOU HAVE TO SEND STUFF U THERE TO GET THOSE AS WELL? THE
DRIVE HIM DOWN? >> WE DROVE OUR STUFF UP THERE AND COLLECTED THEM. UNFORTUNATELY, 50 OF THEM HAVE PASSED AWAY DURING RESCUE AFTER BEING CONFISCATED. THEY WERE VERY MALNOURISHED , AND COULD BARELY EVEN FLY BECAUSE OF THEIR CAGES, SO WE HAD TO ACCLIMATE THEM INTO THIS AREA .
THEY ARE NOW FLYING ALL THROUGHOUT THE AVIARY. SO, WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 48. AND BOO AT THE ZOO IS A GREAT
FUNDRAISING EVENT. >> GHOSTS, GOBLINS, AND CREATURES OF THE NIGHT HAD GATHERED AT THE ZOO TO GIVE YOU A FRIGHT. WHO KNOWS WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER IN THE GREAT PUMPKIN PATCH. LIENS, LEMURS, AND BEASTS THAT HATCH. WILD ANIMALS, TRICKS, TREATS, AND MORE. THE ENTIRE ZOO IS YOURS T EXPLORE. THIS PLENTY OF MYSTERY AND GAMES TO PLAY , LIKE LAUNCHING PUMPKINS WITH A TRIBUTE SHEA. YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT THINGS WILL ENSUE. BE SURE TO JOIN US FOR YOU AT THE ZOO.
FOUR MORE DATES , SO PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ZOO. THIS I OUR BIGGEST FUNDRAISING EVENT. THERE'LL BE LOTS OF TREATS AND CANDY STATIONS, SO YOUR CHILDRE ARE GUARANTEED TO GET SOME CANDY. WE HAVE ALSO ZONES LIKE PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN COVE T THE PUMPKIN PATCH, AS WELL AS REPTILE WORLD, A SPIN ON JURASSIC WORLD, BUT WITH DINOSAURS. THIS BIG TERRA DONS LIKE A PTERODACTYL. YOU CAN GET SOME PHOTOS. IT'S A REALLY GREAT EVENT, SO PLEASE COME SUPPORT US.
>> THANK YOU. >> WELL DONE. AND WITH THAT, W WILL CONCLUDE OUR MEETING. THAN YOU, ALL, FOR BEING HERE THIS
COMMENT. >> SURE, I WOULD LOVE TO OPEN FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. ANYTHING DONNA THIS ONCE.
>> I JUST WANTED TO THANK THE PARKS AND REC FOR THE WORKS THA THEY ARE DOING OUTSIDE OF CITY HALL HERE GETTING PREPARED FOR THE TRAIN ENGINE. AS MOST PROJECTS HAPPEN , YOUR INITIAL PLAN ISN'T ALWAYS HELD TRUE. WANTED THE TRAIN ENGINE TO GO O THE CAT LITTER BOX OUT FRONT. THAT DID NOT WORK. SO, PARKS AND REC ADAPTED, AND IS NOW GOING TO THE SITE OVER HERE AT CITY HALL. BUT, FABULOUS WORK SO, THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH.
THANK YOU FOR ADAPTING THAT. IT WILL BE A SHOWPLACE . THE THOUGHT WAS PULL IN STORYBOOK GARDEN , AND MAKE US A TRIANGLE THAT CELEBRATES ABILENE AND OU WONDERFUL SCULPTURES . THE CITY HAS PLAYED A VERY IMPORTANT ROL IN THAT. JACK AND BECKY AND I WORKED FOR A YEAR AND A HALF
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.