Feb 20, 2024 Parks and Recreation

[CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:15]

AHEAD AND GET STARTED. IT IS PAST 8:30. BEFORE WE GO INTO ANY WORK TODAY, WE WILL START WITH OUR INVOCATION.

>> DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER, LET'S PAUSE FOR A MOMENT AND THANK YOU FOR THE MANY WAYS THAT YOU HAVE BLESSED US. GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF THOSE GATHERED IN THIS ROOM. I PRAY THAT YOU WILL BE WITH US AS WE GO THROUGH THE AGENDA AND GUIDE OUR DISCUSSION AND YOU WILL GUIDE OUR DECISIONS. WE ARE SO THANKFUL TO BE IN THE COMMUNITY OF ABILENE AND WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR OUR LEADERSHIP. JUST GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE YOU IN MANY WAYS. I PRAY THAT WE WILL BE A REFLECTION FROM YOUR GOODNESS, YOUR KINDNESS, AND YOUR GRACE. IN

YOUR NAME, I PRAY, AMEN. >> WE ARE JOINED WITH A NEW PARKS MEMBER. TONY. WE LOST ONE A FEW MONTHS AGO. WE HAVE GONE THROUGH THE PROCESS OF FINDING A REPLACEMENT. JACK, WILL YOU TAKE A MOMENT TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

>> MY NAME IS JACK HEARD. I AM A TRIAL LAWYER AND I HAVE MY OWN PRACTICE HERE IN TOWN. I LIKE TO JOG, I LIKE TO PLAY VOLLEYBALL, I'VE USED A LOT OF THE RECREATION IN THE CITY FOR THAT. SKATEBOARDING IS PROBABLY MY MAIN HOBBY. LONG WALKS ON THE BEACH. I'M VERY EXCITED AND LOOKING FORWARD TO SERVING

WITH YOU. THANK YOU. >> YOU BRING DIVERSITY TO US THAT WE DID NOT HAVE. I WOULD LIKE A LONG WALK ON THE BEACH LESSON. WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE YOU JOINING US. PRIOR TO GOING INTO THE AGENDA ITEMS, WE WILL GO INTO PUBLIC COMMENT. IF YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT ON ANY OF THE AGENDA ITEMS TODAY. COME FORWARD, STATE YOUR NAME, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. IT LOOKS

[1. Scott Wylie, Recreation Maintenance - 5 Year Service Award (Discussion)]

WE WILL START WITH SERVICE AWARDS THIS MORNING.

PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS. WE WILL START

WITH ITEM ONE. >> GOOD MORNING, FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW ME, I AM RICHARD ROGERS. TODAY WE ARE HONORING FIVE YEARS WITH SCOTT WILEY AS AN EMPLOYEE OF THE CITY. SCOTT IS A MAINTENANCE SPECIALIST FOR RECREATION. HE WORKED BY HIMSELF A LOT AND IS SELF MOTIVATED. A RARE COMBINATION OF SKILL AND WILLINGNESS TO WORK THAT WE DO NOT FIND OFTEN.

I DON'T HAVE TO DO MUCH. HE TAKES CARE OF EVERYTHING. AN EXCELLENT EMPLOYEE. MAYBE I WILL LEAVE BEFORE YOU DO.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND YOUR WORK. WE APPRECIATE IT. ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY?

>> IT IS AN HONOR FOR ME TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY THAT I LIVE IN. I AM PROOF THAT IF YOU DO SOMETHING THAT YOU LOVE, YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORK. COMING TO WORK EVERY DAY IS SOMETHING THAT GIVES ME PLEASURE. I'M THANKFUL FOR THE RECOGNITION AND I AM THANKFUL FOR MANY MORE YEARS.

>> WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PROJECT THAT YOU WORKED ON?

>> I STARTED WITH AQUATIC STUFF LIKE SPLASH PAD'S. I GOT A LOT OF JOY OUT OF THAT BECAUSE THERE WERE ISSUES WHEN I STARTED AND SOME THINGS DID NOT WORK WELL. AFTER A WHILE, I GOT THINGS WORKING. I GET TO GO TO PARKS. THE EQUIPMENT WOULD STOP AND I WOULD GET CALLED OUT TO GO. THEN I CAN TURN ANYTHING BACK ON. THE KIDS WOULD BE OVERJOYED. I WILL NOT FORGET THE FIRST TIME A LITTLE BOY CAME OVER AND SAID, THANK YOU.

THAT WILL CURE JUST ABOUT ANYTHING.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMITMENT. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE

[00:05:02]

>> THANK YOU. >> A LITTLE MEDALLION WITH FIVE YEARS ON THERE. YOU SHOULD SEE A LITTLE EXTRA IN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT. THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE YOU.

[2. Minutes (Discussion and Action) ]

>> WELL DONE, CONGRATULATIONS. NEXT IS THE REVIEW OF THE MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING. THIS IS DISCUSSION AND

ACTION. >> WE MOVED TO APPROVE THE

MINUTES. >> SECOND.

[3. Baseball/Softball Expansion Project (Discussion, Public Hearing and Possible Action)]

>> ALL IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE MINUTES, SAY AYE. ALL RIGHT, WE WILL GO INTO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER THREE. DISCUSSION, PUBLIC HEARING, POTENTIAL ACTION.

>> THANK YOU. OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF CHANGES IN THE BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL WORLD IN ABILENE. WE ENTERED INTO A CONTRACT TO STUDY SOFTBALL NEEDS. IN THE MEANTIME, WE HAVE HAD SOME MEETINGS WITH BASEBALL ABOUT THEIR MEETINGS. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TAKING CARE OF LEAGUES AND KIDS AND LOCAL COMMUNITY AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE, VERSUS THE TOURNAMENTS. AND THE VISITORS BUREAU. BRINGING PEOPLE IN FROM OUT OF TOWN. I CAN LOOK VERY DIFFERENT. IN TRYING TO WRAP OUR ARMS AROUND THE NEED FOR BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL ON THE LOCAL LEVEL AND IF WE WANT TO ENTER MORE IN TO THE STATEWIDE LEVEL, THERE NEEDS TO BE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT DOLLARS THAT NEED TO GO TOWARDS THAT ENDEAVOR.

BUT THE CITY MANAGER HAS ASKED IS IF THE PARKS BOARD WILL ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE, IT CAN BE YOURSELF, YOU CAN CHOOSE SOMEONE TO SERVE ON THE TASK FORCE. TO MEET WITH STAKEHOLDERS WITH THE SOFTBALL SIDE. THEY HAVE CONTINUED TO WORK WITH US AND CHANGE HIS SCOPE ON BEING ABLE TO PACKAGE THIS ALL INTO ONE OPTION. FOR THE TAX FORCE TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL ON WHAT THEY FEEL IS THE BEST AVENUE MOVING FORWARD FOR BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL. THE ITEM BEFORE YOU IS REALLY REQUESTING YOU TO ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE. I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS.

>> DO YOU HAVE A TIMELINE ON THE TASK FORCE?

>> I DO NOT HAVE A TIMELINE. I WOULD SAY SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. WE HAVE ONLY HAD THE FOCUS GROUPS AND STARTED ON THE SOFTBALL SIDE. WE WERE DOWN THE PATH BEFORE WE DECIDED TO ADD BASEBALL IN TO MAKE SURE WE ARE COVERING ALL OF IT. 3-6 MONTHS.

TARA GOING TO BE LEADING SETTING THAT UP?

>> WILL BE IN CONJUNCTION WITH STAFF. YES. NO, IT WILL BE STAFF SETTING IT UP. ONE OF THOSE TWO. PEOPLE CAN MEET.

>> YOU ARE REQUESTING SOME OF THIS BOARD TO BE ON THE TASK

FORCE. >> THAT IS YOUR CHOICE. AS A BOARD MEMBER, YOU CAN SAY, I WANT TO SERVE. I DON'T HAVE TIME. I WANT SOMEONE TO REPRESENT ME. THAT IS YOUR

CHOICE. >> DO WE NEED TO BRING THIS BACK NEXT MONTH FOR IT IS? MAYBE THEY CAN VOTE TO ESTABLISH THE TASK FORCE. IT DEPENDS ON HOW SPECIFIC YOU WANT THE MOTION TO BE. THEY CAN ONLY HAVE THREE MEMBERS OF THIS

[00:10:06]

>> CORRECT. >> IF THE BOARD WANTED TO SET A NUMBER OF PEOPLE. YOU CAN PICK SOMEBODY. SOMETIMES THE COUNCIL DOES THAT. ALLOWING COUNCILMEMBERS TO PICK WHO IS ON THE TASK FORCE. YOU CAN DO THAT. IF A BOARD MEMBER WANTED TO BE ON THE TASK FORCE THEMSELVES.

>> PERHAPS WE CAN COME BACK AND ANNOUNCE WHO THAT WAS. OR MAKE A MOTION TODAY TO CREATE A TASK FORCE. EACH PERSON CAN NOMINATE ONE PERSON OR PICK THEMSELVES. IF THAT MAKES SENSE. I THINK

THAT WOULD SATISFY IT. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR LESLIE ON THIS? THIS ACTION DOES HAVE TO GO INTO PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE WE CAN HAVE A VOTE, CORRECT? WE WILL CLOSE THE DISCUSSION AT THIS POINT. IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO COME AND SPEAK ABOUT, STATE YOUR NAME AND YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES. ALL RIGHT, FOR THAT, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOVE ON TO POTENTIAL ACTION.

>> I MAKE A MOTION THAT A TASK FORCE BE CREATED FOR SOFTBALL AND BASEBALL IN CONNECTION WITH THE CHOSEN PARTIES.

>> SECONDED. THANK YOU FOR THAT. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES FOR THE TASK FORCE. THANK YOU FOR THE WORK ON THAT. IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME PROJECT COMING. THAT

[4. New Dog Park Location (Discussion, Public Hearing and Possible Action)]

>> ONE THING I WILL SAY IN REGARDS TO BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL, WE WILL BE DOING A PUBLIC SURVEY AS PART OF THE PROCESS. WE WILL MAKE SURE WE GET THE FEEDBACK OF ALL BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL PEOPLE. RA, A NEW DOG PARK LOCATION.

SIX MONTHS AGO WE CAME AND ASKED ABOUT POTENTIAL LOCATIONS TO MOVE THE DOG PARK WITH THE RENOVATIONS THAT ARE HAPPENING AT NELSON PARK, WE WILL NEED TO MOVE THE DOG PARK. THERE QUITE A BIT OF ANALYSIS THROUGH VARIOUS LOCATIONS, WE HAVE A SELECTION. WE WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THE DOG PARK. THIS IS PARKLAND. IT IS BEHIND WHAT IS GOING TO BE THE NEW ANIMAL SERVICES CENTER. IT IS GOING TO BE GOING DOWN THE ROAD ON SOUTH 11TH AND NELSON PARK. WE WANT TO KEEP THE NAME CAMP BERKELEY.

WE WILL RELOCATE MEMORIAL ITEMS IN THE CAMP CURRENTLY TO THE NEW LOCATION. THERE WILL BE A PERIOD OF TIME WHERE CAMP BERKELEY IS CLOSED. THE CONSTRUCTION IS BEGINNING TODAY. I GOT A CALL AT 7:00 THIS MORNING THAT IT WILL BEGINNING TODAY. WE WILL KEEP AS MUCH OF THE DOG PARK OPEN AS LONG AS WE CAN. THERE WILL BE A PERIOD WHEN THE DOG PARK CAN BE CLOSED. THE DESIGN OF THE NEW PARK IS UNDERWAY. I EXPECT TO HAVE A DRAFT OF THAT BY THE END OF THIS MONTH. CONSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT LAST VERY LONG. THE PROCESS IS MOVING IN. WE WILL GET IT DONE AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN. IT IS ACROSS THE CREEK FROM WHAT MOST PEOPLE THINK. THAT WAS ONE OF THE THREE LOCATIONS THAT THE PARKS BOARD HAD RECOMMENDED FOR CONSIDERATION. I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. IT WILL NOT LOOK EXACTLY LIKE THIS. IN THE DESIGN, THERE ARE A FEW

CHANGES WE WILL BE MAKING. >> LESLIE, ONE QUESTION, THIS IS GOING PERPENDICULAR TO THE SCREEN RIGHT BEHIND THE MAIN

FACILITY? >> THE ACCESS TO IS OFF OF EAST

[00:15:07]

SOUTH 11TH? >> IT IS NEXT TO THE ANIMAL SERVICES CENTER. YOU CAN GO TO THE SHELTER WERE STRAIGHT TO

THE DOG PARK. >> IS THERE ANY TALK OF THE WALKOVER ACCESS BRIDGE TO THE DOG PARK? TO THE EAST SIDE?

>> THERE IS NOT CONVERSATION OF A BRIDGE OVER THE WATER. THERE IS CONVERSATION AND A SIDEWALK THAT IS GOING IN ON EAST SOUTH 11TH. THEY WILL HAVE TO WALK BACK TO 11TH ON THE SIDEWALK.

AT THIS POINT, THERE IS NOT A BRIDGE GOING OVER THIS

LOCATION. >> ALL RIGHT.

>> I THINK IT IS A GREAT IDEA. I THINK BEHIND THE SHELTER IS A GOOD IDEA AND WILL BE BENEFICIAL. IT SENDS A GOOD MESSAGE. THERE IS A LOT OF HISTORY AND I THINK IT IS GOOD THAT WE ARE HOLDING ONTO THAT. FOR PEOPLE WHO DONATED TO IT MANY YEARS AGO. I THINK IT IS A BEST CASE SCENARIO OUT OF THE

OPTIONS THAT WE LOOKED AT. >> CAN YOU TELL ME HOW MANY OTHER DOG PARKS WE HAVE IN ABILENE. THIS ONE THAT IS SHUT DOWN TO THE PUBLIC, WE CAN PROMOTE THE OTHER DOG PARKS.

>> THIS IS THE ONLY ONE. >> THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT.

>> WHAT IS THE COMMUNICATION PLAN? IS THERE ANY SIGNAGE?

>> WE ARE GOING TO TRY. THAT IS BECOMING A ROAD. IT WILL BE HARD FOR US TO PUT A SIGN THERE. THROUGH THE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT, WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO COMMUNICATE TO THE CITIZENS WHAT WE ARE DOING IN THAT TIMELINE. NEWLY THIS WILL ALSO BE SUBMITTED THROUGH A PRESS RELEASE FOR THE COMMUNICATION WHERE CITIZENS CAN BE ALERTED OF THIS CHANGE.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF THERE WILL BE A PRESS RELEASE. THERE WILL BE A NOTIFICATION THAT THE OLD DOG PARK WILL BE CLOSING DUE TO CONSTRUCTION AND THE NEW ONE IS ON ITS WAY AND THEN WHEN WE KNOW A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE TIMELINE OF WHEN IT IS GOING TO BE OPEN, WE WILL COMMUNICATE THAT AS WELL. I WOULD EXPECT A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY AS WELL.

>> WILL THERE BE COMMUNICATION AT THE DOG PARK IS MOVING?

>> WE WILL TRY. THAT WILL BE UNDER CONSTRUCTION. YOU WILL BE

FENCED OFF FOR CONSTRUCTION. >> IT MIGHT NOT BE A BAD IDEA TO PUT OUT A BRIEF PRESS RELEASE. YOU KNOW.

>> MORE SO JUST TO HYPE UP THE NEW PROJECT. THERE MAY BE PEOPLE WHO ARE UPSET ABOUT IT BEING TEMPORARILY CLOSED.

ESPECIALLY GIVEN ITS LOCATION. IT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE. I THINK YOU WILL GET A MUCH MORE POSITIVE VIEW MOVING FORWARD, SHOULD WE NOT HAVE THAT COMMUNICATION.

>> THIS IS A REACTIVE MEASURE. THIS IS SUCH A WIN. IS THAT A CONCERN? ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR LESLIE ON THIS? WITH AGENDA ITEM FOUR WE WILL GO INTO PUBLIC HEARING. YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND SPEAK ON THIS ISSUE. I WAS REALLY HOPING SOMEONE WOULD COME FORWARD FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING. WE WILL GO AHEAD AND CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOVE TO THE POTENTIAL ACTION FOR THE NEW DOG PARK LOCATION. DO I HAVE A MOTION FOR THE NEW DOG PARK?

>> A MOTION TO PROCEED WITH THE RELOCATION OF THIS DOG PARK TO

[00:20:06]

THE COUNTY. >> APPROVED.

>> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. THE MOTION CARRIES. LET'S MOVE FORWARD TO THE DOG PARK. THANK YOU TO THE CITY FOR ALL THE WORK ON THIS. IT HAS BEEN A DIFFICULT JOB AND PROJECT. WE THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK YOU

[5. Capital Improvement Grant Application Projects (Discussion, Public Hearing and Possible Action)]

GUYS HAVE DONE. >> WE WILL LOOK CLOSELY AT THE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE INFORMING THE

PUBLIC. >> WE WILL GO TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FIVE FOR THE APPLICATION PROJECTS. THIS WILL BE DISCUSSION, PUBLIC HEARING AND POTENTIAL ACTION.

>> GOOD MORNING. I WILL SKIP THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR PART FOR RECREATION. WE ARE EXCITED TO BRING THIS FORWARD. WE WERE BLESSED IN 2023 TO GET THE FUNDING TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT. WE GOT IT TOGETHER AND THE LEAGUE REACTED LIKE WE KNEW THEY WOULD. THEY WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN THESE PROJECTS. WE HAD A FEW SUBMITTED. I WILL RUN THROUGH A QUICK. WE HAD $286,000 THAT HAVE BEEN APPLIED FOR AND WE ARE HOPING AFTER TODAY TALKING TO YOU GUYS THAT IT WILL BE AWARDED. THERE IS SO MUCH INFRASTRUCTURE WORK THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN. WE ARE JUMPING RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF IT. JUST A REMINDER, THIS GRANT, THE APPLICATION DOES REQUIRE 20% OF THE LEAGUE TO GIVE BACK FOR 20% OF THE PROJECT OVERALL COST. YOU WILL SEE TWO NUMBERS THROUGH ALL OF THIS. THE FIRST IS THE COST AND THEN THE MATCH THAT WE WILL DO THROUGH THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT.

REPLACING CHAIN-LINK FENCES FROM ONE OF THEIR FEELS. YOU WILL SEE A COMMON THEME HERE. WITH SOFTBALL AND BASEBALL HAS GROWN, IT HAS REQUIRED US TO DO INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE DUGOUT. IT IS NOT BIG ENOUGH. WE ARE TRYING TO GET THAT TAKEN CARE OF. THE ESTIMATED COST IS $106,000. THE GRANT WILL PAY $85,000. THE LEAGUE WANTS TO EXTEND COVERAGE OVER BATTING CAGES. THEY HAD AN ESTIMATED PROJECT COST WITH GROUND -- GRANT FUNDING COMING IN. THERE ARE A COUPLE OF APPLICATIONS. THEY WANT TO INSTALL A NEW HVAC SYSTEM IN THE CONCESSION ERAS. THEY WANT TO DO SOME IMPROVEMENTS ON THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF SOME OF THESE. THE INSTALLATION OF HVAC IN THE PRESS BOX. THE TOTAL PROJECT COST OF THAT WITH THE GRANT FUN COMING IN. ANOTHER APPLICATION WAS THE INSTALLATION OF EIGHT NEW BATTING CAGES. THE PROJECT COST PER CAGE IS $25,000. WE DID NOT HAVE FUNDING APPROVED FOR THIS AND WE ARE NOT REQUESTING FUNDING RIGHT NOW. WE MIGHT TRY TO WORK WITH THEM LATER ON. TODAY WE JUST WANT THE OVERALL ADDITION OF THE BATTING CAGES. THAT WAY AS THE MONEY DOES BECOME AVAILABLE , WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH THOSE PROJECTS AND EXTEND THE INFRASTRUCTURE. WHY LITTLE LEAGUE? WE WANT TO EXPAND THE DUGOUT ON FOUR FIELDS. WITH THE REQUESTED GRANT FUNDING OF $42,000. SO THAT WE CAN EXTEND THOSE DUGOUTS. WE ALSO HAVE ABILENE HOCKEY WHICH REQUESTED SOME GRANTS AS WELL. WE ARE REAL EXCITED ABOUT GETTING THAT GOING AND GETTING IT DONE. AND INITIAL IMPROVEMENTS. INITIAL COST IS 27,000 WITH A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT. ANOTHER APPLICATION FOR ABILENE HOCKEY. THE GRANT FUND WILL COME IN. ANOTHER PROJECT IS TO INSTALL THE CONCRETE SLABS AND BENCHES. ABILENE SOUTHERN. THEY HAVE SOME AREAS THEY WOULD

[00:25:09]

>> ON THE SOFTBALL APPROVAL FOR THE FOUR ADDITIONAL BATTING CAGES , IT IS $100,000 FOR THAT PROJECT?

>> WE ARE APPROVING THE ADDITION OF THE BATTING CAGES.

FORWARD WITH THAT? >> WHAT YOU ALL APPROVE IS THE INFRASTRUCTURE, CITY COUNCIL IS THE ONE THAT APPROVES THE FUNDS? WHAT YOU WILL BE APPROVING TODAY IS THE ABILITY FOR THEM TO ADD THE BATTING CAGES. IF YOU WANT TO WAIT UNTIL THE FUNDING IS AVAILABLE, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO APPROVE

THAT. >> I THINK WE NEED HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE INFORMATION ON THE FOUR BATTING CAGES. I DON'T WANT TO APPEAR LIKE WE ARE GIVING THEM A BLANK CHECK.

FUNDS TODAY. THE REST OF THE PROJECTS, I HAVE NO PROBLEM

WITH. >> HAD NO PROBLEM WITH THE BATTING CAGES. I JUST WISH WE HAD A LITTLE BIT MORE FINITE INFORMATION. YOU KNOW WHAT WOULD GO WITH THAT PROJECT.

>> OKAY. >> IF I UNDERSTOOD CORRECTLY, THESE ENTITIES, THEY ARE STANDING FOR 20% INVESTMENT IN THE CITY FOR THE FUNDS THAT WE ARE ALLOCATING.

>> CORRECT. >> DO THEY HAVE THE FUNDING IN

PLACE? >> THEY HAVE TO HAVE A PLACE

FOR THE CONTRACT. >> THE CITY WILL BE MANAGING THESE CONTRACTS. WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE IT IS WITHIN LOCAL AND STATE REGULATIONS. WHEN WE HAVE THE 80% MATCH, WE WILL EXECUTE THOSE CONTRACTS. WITH ALL THE PURCHASING REQUIREMENTS, BIDDING AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> PERHAPS WE WILL HEAR MORE. I AM CURIOUS. THESE ARE STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS THAT CARRY OUT. WITH THE FOUR ADDITIONAL BATTING CAGES, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS A GOOD

UNDERSTANDING. >> THE REASON THE STAFF IS RECOMMENDING FOUR INSTEAD OF AGE. DEPENDING ON THE DECORATIONS, WE DON'T WANT TO LIMIT THE LOCATION AND PUTTING BATTING CAGES THAT WILL NEGATE US FROM DOING IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FUTURE. BATTING CAGES ARE HIM POURING FOR KIDS TO WARM-UP FROM A SAFETY ASPECT. WHEN KIDS ARE PRACTICING, BALLS ARE FLYING EVERYWHERE. YOU WANT TO PROTECT THE YOUNGER SIBLINGS THAT ARE THERE. RIGHT NOW THEY DON'T HAVE ANYTHING, EIGHT IS A LOT AND IT WILL LIMIT THE INFRASTRUCTURE THERE POTENTIALLY UNTIL WE KNOW THE DIRECTION WE WANT TO GO, WE ARE

HESITANT TO RECOMMEND IT. >> CURRENTLY, HOW MANY OF THE PARKS HAVE BATTING CAGES RIGHT NOW?

>> I WANT TO CHECK, I'LL DO NOT KNOW OFF THE TOP OF MY

HEAD. >> PROBABLY, I AM GUESSING THAT THEY ARE TIED TO THE LITTLE LEAGUE'S THEMSELVES. SOFTBALL, BASEBALL, WHATEVER IT IS. SOUTHERN PROBABLY HAS ONE OR

[00:30:03]

>> THAT IS WHAT I WAS GETTING AT.

>> CORRECT, IT IS TIED TO THE LEAGUE. THEY ARE NOT JUST OUT IN THE PARK EVERYWHERE. EVERY LEAGUE THAT APPLIED FOR A GRANT IS RECEIVING SOME. THE ONLY ONE THAT WE PUT THE PAUSE ON IS THE BATTING CAGES. IT WOULD BE SIGNIFICANTLY OVER WHAT THE

BUDGET IS. >> AT THE PROPER TIME, STANLEY, IS IT THE PROPER PROCEDURE TO MAKE A MOTION TO TABLE THE ADDITION OF WILEY? AND DEAL WITH THE REST?

>> A MOTION COULD BE MADE TO APPROVE THE PROJECTS FOR THE BATTING CAGES THAT WOULD SATISFY IT AS WELL.

>> ANYMORE DISCUSSION FOR THIS BOARD BEFORE WE MOVE INTO PUBLIC HEARING? THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. WE WILL MOVE INTO PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS AGENDA ITEM. STEP FORWARD AND YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO MAKE A PRESENTATION. I NEVER FEEL MORE LIKE A TEACHER IN SCHOOL. EVERYONE LOOKS DOWN.

WITH THAT, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND WE'LL MOVE INTO POTENTIAL ACTION FOR ITEM NUMBER FIVE.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE GRANT RECOMMENDATION MOTIONS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION APPROVAL FOR ADDITIONAL BATTING CAGES UNTIL A DATE WHEN A BUDGET IS PRESENTED TO CREATE THOSE AND FACILITATE THOSE BATTING CAGES.

>> I SECOND. OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES AS WELL. THANK

[6. Parks Report (Discussion)]

ONLY BE DISCUSSION. >> GOOD MORNING, WE HAVE BEEN BUSY THIS WINTER. WE ARE GETTING READY TO GO INTO THE FALL SEASON. WE BREAK UP INTO SEVERAL DIFFERENT CREWS OF CONSTRUCTION AND ALL KINDS OF THINGS. WE HAVE BEEN GOING AROUND AND REPAIRING SOME PLAYGROUNDS AND GETTING PARTS AND AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN FOR THE REPAIRS TO ALAMEDA PARK.

ALSO, WE HAVE GOTTEN BACK INTO THE PARK SIGN AND INSTALLATIONS. WE HAVE DONE QUITE A BIT THIS WINTER. WE HAVE INSTALLED SIGNS AT SEARS, I CAN'T THINK OF ALL OF THEM OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD. ALL IN ALL, WE PUT IN 10 NEW SIGNS.

SOME OF THEM, YOU SHOULD'VE ALREADY SEEN THEM INSTALLED.

WE ALSO PUT IN ONE AND NELSON WILSON PARK AS WELL. THERE ARE SEVERAL. THE GENERAL INFORMATION FOR WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR AS FAR AS THE SEASON IS CONCERNED. TOTAL HOURS WERE 12,000 HOURS. 4539 TRASH AND LITTER CONTROL AND CLEANUP RESTROOMS. IRRIGATION WAS UNDER 3000. VANDALISM AND GRAFFITI, THERE IS STILL A LOT FOR THAT PARTICULAR THING, AND MAINTENANCE, SPENDING 6000 NON-FACILITY MAINTENANCE. WITH A TOTAL OF 37 85 HOURS ON ALL THESE TASKS THAT WE HAVE DONE THIS PAST YEAR JUSTIN SEASON. THAT IS IT FOR ME.

>> IS THERE A WAY TO COMPARE THAT TO PREVIOUS YEARS?

MANPOWER WISE ? >> IT IS COMPARABLE. I WILL HAVE TO PULL THE NUMBERS FROM THE YEARS BEFORE THAT. WE SPENT

[00:35:05]

[7. Recreation Report (Discussion)]

YOU. >> WITH THAT, WE'LL MOVE ON TO

THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM. >> THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR PARKS AND REC WAS NOT ABLE TO BE HERE. WE HAVE THE BACKUP IN PLACE HERE. WE HAVE THE GIRLS NIGHT OUT. WHEN WE DO THOSE KIND OF EVENTS. WHAT ABOUT THE GUYS? STAFF CAME UP WITH THIS IDEA OF CALLING YOU GUYS AND GAMES. IT IS A TIME TO GET TOGETHER. THE EVENT WILL BE 7:00 TO 9:00. THIS WILL BE A TIME FOR GUYS TO COME OUT AND HANG OUT AND HAVE SOME SNACKS AND KIND OF ENJOY. POSSIBLY GET A GAME ON IF THERE IS SOMETHING GOING ON AT THE TIME. THAT KIND OF THING. HOOK AND YARN BASICS.

I DID NOT REALIZE HOW BIG OF A DEAL THIS WAS. CROCHET SEEMS TO BE A VERY POPULAR THING TO DO. WE HAVE QUITE A BIT OF THAT ACTIVITY AT THE SENIOR CENTER. WE HAVE A VERY TALENTED GROUP RIGHT THERE. WE WANTED TO HAVE A NIGHT DEDICATED TO THE HOOK AND YARN. I KEEP SAYING CROCHET. IT IS PRIMARILY LEARNING HOW TO DO BASIC CROCHET. WE ARE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE AGES 16 AND UP AND YOU CAN REGISTER ON JANUARY 29TH.

THE POPULAR FAMOUS PUPPY CLASSES. WE ARE STARTING AGAIN FOR THE NEW CLASS ON TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS FOR BEGINNERS.

TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS FROM 6:00 TO 7:00 WHERE THE LOCATION FOR BOTH CLASSES. THERE ARE REQUIREMENTS WITH THE AGE OF THE DOG. SEVEN MONTHS UP TO 10 WEEKS AND SEVEN MONTHS. WE WILL BREAK UP THE GROUPING THERE. ALWAYS A VERY POPULAR THING.

ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME. >> THAT IS NEW THIS YEAR. I

[8. Seniors Report (Discussion)]

>> HELLO, EVERYONE. WHETHER YOU KNOW IT OR NOT, MARCH MADNESS IS BOUGHT AND PAID FOR SO WE CANNOT CALL OUR EVENT MARCH MADNESS. YOU WOULD BE SURPRISED HOW MANY SENIORS TRY AND PARTICIPATE AND GUESS WHAT THE OUTCOME WILL BE ON THE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT. I AM MORE EXCITED ABOUT THE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL OVER THE MEN'S. WE HAVE OUR PREFERENCES. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEE WHO WILL COME OUT. THEY ARE PRETTY GOOD.

WE HAD A YOUNG LADY COME OUT FROM TEXAS A&M AGRICULTURE. SHE WANTED TO DO A SERIES OF CLASSES ON TEACHING SOME OF THE SENIORS SOME EASY RECIPES AND THINGS LIKE THAT, THE COST IS LESS, THE COOKING TIME AND STUFF LIKE THAT IS LESS. THE PROGRAM IS FOR THOSE SENIORS THAT QUALIFY FOR STATE ASSISTANCE. WE HAVE SEVERAL SENIORS THAT QUALIFY FOR STATE ASSISTANCE. WE LINK IT TO THE FOOD BANK PROGRAM. WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE GREAT TO KIND OF TIE IT TO THE ON THAT CERTAIN DAY. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THESE CLASSES AND THERE WILL BE A SERIES OF CLASSES. EACH CLASS CAN TAKE 4-6 MEETINGS TO COMPLETE IT. THEY WILL GET A TITLE OF CERTIFICATION. IT WILL TEACH THEM ON PURCHASING CHEAPER FOODS, PREPARING MEALS THAT DO NOT TAKE A LOT OF COOKING AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THAT WOULD BE A GREAT IDEA TO ADD FOR THE SENIORS. RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE MORE THAN 80 SENIORS THAT QUALIFY FOR FREE LUNCH. WE DO HAVE A GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP.

[00:40:08]

>> IS THAT GOING TO BE A ONE TIME THING?

>> IF ONE CLASS TAKES FOUR DIFFERENT DAYS, THEN WE WILL START AGAIN ON ANOTHER CLASS. IT WILL NOT ALWAYS BE THE SAME, IT WILL BE DIFFERENT EACH TIME. WE HOPE WILL BE A YEAR-ROUND

THING. >> ST. PATRICK'S DAY IS COMING UP AND WE CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH SOME TYPE OF PARTY. THE VALENTINE'S DAY PARTY LAST WEEK, IT WAS GREAT.

A MIXTURE OF MUSIC AND THEY WERE OUT THERE DANCING FROM COUNTRY AND WESTERN TO WHATEVER, THEY WERE HAVING A BALL. WE WILL DO IT AGAIN WITH GREEN PONCHOS AND THEY WILL GO AROUND PINCHING EACH OTHER AND THAT SORT OF THING. WE DO IT EVERY YEAR. MAYBE I SHOULD'VE EXTENDED THAT, ON THE SHOULDER.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT EVERY YEAR. THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT.

[9. Zoo Report (Discussion)]

>> ALWAYS A GOOD TIME. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> JESSE, THE ABILENE ZOO DIRECTOR. WE DID LOSE A WOLF NAMED HENRY. WE GOT HIM A YEAR AGO. HE WAS ABOUT 11 YEARS OLD.

HE IS UP THERE IN AGE. WE THINK HE HAD SOME TYPE OF G.I. ISSUE.

WE ARE WAITING ON THAT 100% CONFIRMATION. ALFREDO JUST CAME FROM EL PASO ZOO. HE WAS GERIATRIC. THEY ONLY LIVE TO BE 18-20 YEARS OLD. HE DIED OF NATURAL CAUSES. I WANTED TO COMMUNICATE THAT. WE DO HAVE ANOTHER OCELOT FEMALE. HENRY HAD A PUP SO WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT IN A MINUTE. WE HAD A PORCUPINE BORN IN JANUARY. GETTING VERY GROWN. THE HAIR BECOMES MODIFIED AND DENSE AND THAT IS WHERE THEY GET THE PORCUPINE LOOK. HE WILL GET DARKER OVER TIME. HE DID SO HIS SEEDS BEFORE HE PASSED. WE DO HAVE IS LINE HERE AT THE ZOO.

THIS BABYFACE MADE NATIONAL NEWS FOR THE MUG SHOT. SHE MADE NATIONAL NEWS. SHE IS ALAN ABOUT IN THE YARD WITH HER MOM.

WHILE DAYS, THIS IS AN AWESOME SHOW WE DO DURING SPRING BREAK.

IT IS FREE TO MEMBERS. YOU CAN WATCH A SHOW AT THIS EVENT FOR FREE. IT IS REGULAR ADMISSION FOR ALL THE OTHER GUESTS. IT IS JACK HANNA AT THE ABILENE ZOO. THERE IS CROWD PARTICIPATION.

THERE ARE WARTHOG. IT IS A FUN SHOW WHERE WE HAVE LOTS OF CROWD PARTICIPATION. IF YOU HAVE KIDS AND YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO, COME TO THE ZOO FOR THE SPRING BREAK.

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BLACK-TIE AFFAIRS. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO THIS EVENT, I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE IT. I ENCOURAGE THE PARKS AND RACKS COUNSEL, THAT WILL BE GREAT, IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO THIS EVENT, IT WILL BE VERY COOL.

THE MONEY SUPPORTED WITH THIS EVENT WILL GO TO THE CARIBBEAN COAT PROJECT. YOU WILL HAVE A BLEND OF BRIGHT BLUE, RED, PINK, ALL THE BRIGHT COLORS OF THE TROPICAL RAIN FOREST. THIS IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THIS IS PRIVATE.

HE WILL GO LIVE HERE IN A COUPLE DAYS. EVEN AN AVERAGE PERSON CAN PURCHASE A TICKET. IT'S NOT JUST FOR PEOPLE AFFILIATED WITH THE ZOO. APRIL 20TH. THOSE PROCEEDS WILL GO RIGHT THERE. YOU CAN SEE, IT IS FOR THE ACCREDITATION STANDARDS, WE HAVE TO UP GRADE THIS AREA. THE ANIMALS NEED TO BE ON DISPLAY YEAR-ROUND. THAT IS WHAT THIS PROJECT WILL DO. A LOT OF THEM ARE TROPICAL ANIMALS. WE HAVE TO PULL THEM AND PUT THEM IN THE BACK. THIS PROJECT WILL NOW ALLOW THAT.

IF YOU LOOK AT THIS RENDERING, YOU CAN SEE THE LIMESTONE AT THE BOTTOM LEFT CORNER. THIS IS A NICE WARM HOLDING BUILDING.

[00:45:05]

>> I DON'T THINK SO. ALL THESE THINGS GOING ON AT THE ZOO, IT IS AWESOME. ANY OTHER THOUGHTS OR QUESTIONS FOR TODAY YOU WOULD LIKE

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.