Mar 19, 2024 Parks and Recreation

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AT THIS MONTH PARK AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING. WE ARE SO EXCITED THAT EVERYONE IS HERE. WE HAVE A GREAT AGENDA THIS MORNING. WE WILL START WITH OUR INVOCATION.

>> PLEASE THAT WITH ME. WE THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY THAT YOU HAVE MADE . WE CHOOSE TO REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT. WE THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT CITY OF ABILENE , AND WE EFFORT TO BE WITH US AS WE MAKE DECISIONS THAT ARE BEST FOR OUR CITY , AND THAT OUR COMMUNITY WILL CONTINUE TO SHOW UP FOR OUR AGENDA. AND ALL THESE THINGS WE ASK IN YOUR PRECIOUS NAME,

[PUBLIC COMMENTS]

JESUS CHRIST. AMEN. >> AMEN. ALL RIGHT, BEFORE WE GET STARTED WITH OUR FORMAL AGENDA, WE WILL START WITH THE TIME OF PUBLIC COMMENT. PLEASE COME FORWARD AND STATE YOUR NAME. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK ON ANY AGENDA ITEM THIS

MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING. BILL SEARS, THE ADVOCATION COMMITTEE. I JUST WANTED TO SHOW UP AND SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE WONDERFUL WORK THAT YOU HAVE DONE OVER AT SEARS PARK. THE PLAYGROUND IS BEING USED, AND USED, AND USED. THEY WERE EVEN CLIMBING THE FENCE TO USE IT.

IT WAS A WONDERFUL RIBBON-CUTTING THAT WE HAD. YOU ALL HAVE DONE A TREMENDOUS JOB, AND THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DO. SO, I WAS ASKED IF I WAS COMING TO COMPLAIN, AND I SAY COMPLETE ABOUT WHAT? AND I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU PERSONALLY. AND I HAVE A COUPLE OF OTHER MEETINGS TO GO

TO, SO I WILL TAKE OFF. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE

CITY, AND THE COMMUNITY. >> THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE THAT. AND I APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE, BECAUSE I KNOW YOU GET PAID THOSE BIG BUCKS TO DO IT.

>> WE APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU. WE ARE STILL THE PUBLIC COMMENT TIME IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO COME UP AND SPEAK. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. WITH THAT, IT LOOKS LIKE WE CAN CLOSE THE

[1. Minutes (Discussion and Action)]

>> AND IF WE APPROVE THE MINUTES AS PRINTED?

[2. Rose Park Stormwater Project (Discussion, Public Hearing and Possible Action)]

>> LET ME TURN ON MY MIKE. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE?

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> ALL OPPOSED? WITH THAT, WE WILL MOVE INTO OUR AGENDA ITEMS , NUMBER TWO, ROSE PARK STORMWATER DISCUSSION, PUBLIC HEARING, AND THEN A POSSIBLE

ACTION. >> GOOD MORNING. WHAT IS BEFORE YOU WAS SENT TO YOU PRIOR TO THIS MEETING TO REVIEW THE DECEMBER PUBLIC MEETING THAT STORMWATER HAD TO DISCUSS THE IMPROVEMENTS THEY ARE GOING TO BE DOING. THE PART THAT REALLY AFFECTS THIS BOARD IS WHAT THEY ARE DOING IN ROSE PARK ON BOTH THE EAST AND WEST SIDE OF THE BARROW. WHILE THERE ARE A LOT OF SLIDING SCREENS, WE ARE GOING TO MAINLY FOCUS ON THOSE DEALING WITH PARKS, BUT I JUST WANTED TO BE CLEAR THAT OUR JURISDICTION IS REALLY JUST ON THE PARK SIDE OF THINGS. AND WITH THAT, I WILL HEADED OVER TO SERENA.

>> GOOD MORNING, BOARD MEMBERS. I AM THE STORMWATER MANAGER.

>> OKAY. SO, THIS IS THE PRESENTATION THAT WE GAVE AT THE ROSE PARK CENTER. ACTUALLY, WE GAVE PUBLIC UPDATES BACK IN DECEMBER . I WILL NOT GO OVER THE WHOLE PRESENTATION , BUT I WILL MORE SO GO OVER THE MAIN IDEAS TO BRING TO YOU. THIS IS WHAT WE WILL BE DOING AT THE ROSE PARK. I WILL TAKE ANY COMMENTS FROM YOU ALL TO SEE BEFORE WE GO AHEAD WITH ANY FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS ON IT. SO, THAT IS THE QUICK AGENDA FOR THE MEETING PRESENTATION. LIKE I SAID, I WILL NOT BE GOING IN DETAIL WITH ALL OF THEM, BUT I WILL GO IN DETAIL WITH PART OF THEM. THERE IS A FIRM THAT DID THE DESIGN ON THIS. ONE OF THEM PAID TOGETHER. THE PROJECT BACKGROUND, YOU KNOW ABILENE , BACK IN 2017 , WE STARTED A

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THOSE ARE THE CHILL POINTS WHERE WE HAVE POTENTIAL SLEEPING PROBLEMS. SO, APPARENTLY WE CANNOT DO ALL OF THEM , SO WE HAD TO PRIORITIZE THE NUMBER OF PROBLEMS THAT WE CAN ADDRESS . SO, YOU CAN SEE THE MAIN THING THERE IS 15 OF THEM ARE IN CATALOG CREEK. THAT IS A VERY ORGANIZED CREEK THE FLOWS PRIMARILY THROUGH THE ARBOR AREAS OF ABILENE.

SO, IN THE FINAL REPORT THAT WAS SUBMITTED TO COUNSEL , COUNCIL APPROVED THE REPORT BACK IN JANUARY 2020. THERE ARE TOP NINE PROJECTS THAT ENDED UP ON THE BOARD. THE COUNCIL SAID WE WANT STUFF TO WORK TOWARDS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN TO IMPLEMENT ALL OF THE NINE PROJECTS IN THE NEXT 25 YEARS. THAT IS A LONG TIME FRAME. BUT, THE THING IS YOU CAN SEE IN THE NEXT SLIDE IS THE COST. THIS IS A 2019, 2020 TIME FRAME. MOST OF THOSE PROJECTS COST CODE CLOSE TO THREE TO $5,000,000.00. ALL OF THE STORMWATER PROJECTS ARE MOSTLY DONE THROUGH THE UTILITY FEE WE HAVE , AND THE UTILITY FEE IS VERY NONMOVING. $3.00, $4.00 PER HOUSEHOLD DEPENDING ON WHAT KIND OF HOUSEHOLD YOU HAVE. SO, CONSIDERING THE INFLATION, YOU ALL KNOW WHAT HAPPENED FROM 2019 TO 2022.

SO, I THINK THE MEDICAL COSTS SHOULD BE AND LAMENTED NOW ON THESE PROJECTS. WITH THE INCREASE IN FEE, WE GET APPROXIMATELY $850,000.00 TWO TEMPERAMENT THESE PROJECTS.

SO, THE LIMITATION STARTED IN 2022. SO, THIS IS THE PRIMARY PROJECT. YOU CAN SEE THE FIRST ONE, NUMBER TWO, IS CREEK TO SOUTH SEVENTH. THAT IS WHERE THE PARK IS, AND THAT IS WERE THE WATER SHIP IS THAT WE ARE TRYING TO ADDRESS. SO, YOU CAN SEE THE COST THERE IS CLOSE TO $1,000,000.00. THE PROBLEM IS PRIMARILY WE HAVE CERTAIN POINTS THAT IS A COHORT, RIGHT THERE ON SOUTH 11TH , THERE IS A LOT OF FLOODING THAT HAPPENS IN THAT AREA. THERE IS SOME CROSSING AS WELL AT SIMON STREET. EVERY TIME IT IS CREATED, THE STREET CLOSES. IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO ACCESS THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF THAT AREA. HERE ARE SOME MORE PICTURES. IT SHOWS REFLECTION IN THAT AREA.

AND SOLUTION, THERE ARE FOUR POINTS THAT WE IDENTIFIED IN THAT CERTAIN AREA WE CALL THE STORMWATER WORLD IN THE WATERSHED. PRIMARILY, OSCAR ROSE PARK CHANNEL, WE INTENDED TO WIDEN THE CHANNEL A LITTLE BIT IN THAT AREA. WE CALL THEM IN LINE DETECTION PONDS. AND THERE ARE SOME OTHER IMPROVEMENTS THAT I WILL DISCUSS IN FURTHER SLIDES.

THERE ARE A COUPLE OF OTHER AREAS WHERE WE SAW SOME CITY LAND THAT WE CAN CONVERT INTO A DETENTION TO SLOW DOWN THE FLOW OF WATER. AND OBVIOUSLY, THE SAME AS STREET BRIDGE, THAT IS THE ONE I WAS TALKING ABOUT WITH THE WATER CROSSING.

PEOPLE CAN STILL ACCESS IT WHEN IT RAINS. SO, AS I SAID, THERE IS CITY-OWNED LAND THERE NEAR THE CREEK, WHICH WE ARE TRYING TO UTILIZE IN THAT AREA. WE FINISHED THE SURVEY , AND WE DID THE DESIGN, I WOULD SAY, LIKE NOW, THE SCHEMATIC DESIGN IS COMPLETE. IT IS JUST THE ENGINEER IS WORKING ON THE CONSTRUCTION PLANS FOR THE USE. WE DID ONE PUBLIC MEETING BACK IN DECEMBER, AND FROM THE PUBLIC MEETING, WE DID NOT HEAR ANY DRASTIC HEY, STOP THIS PROJECT KIND OF A DEAL. WE HAD SOME COMMENTS THAT WAS THERE AS WELL. WE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF COMMENTARY ON THEIR, AND I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THE PROJECT, BECAUSE IT SHOWS A LOT OF REALLY FROM FLOODING IN THAT AREA. SO, THOSE ARE THE FOUR AREAS SHOWN A LITTLE BIT MORE

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AGAIN, THIS IS 10, 25 YEARS STRONG. THOSE ARE OUR PRELIMINARY PLANS. SO, THIS IS A SOUTH TENT AREA. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE TENSION, AND THAT IS THE SAME AS STREET COHORT THAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. SO, THERE ARE A FEW THINGS IN THIS AREA. WE WANT TO IMPROVE DETENTION IN THAT PARTICULAR AREA, AND WE SEE A PARK BENCH THERE. THERE ARE SOME AMENITIES IN CONSTRUCTION PLANS. THOSE BENEFIT COMMUNITIES FALL WITHIN THE RANGE THAT WE WILL BE DOING CONSTRUCTION. SO PRIMARILY, THE PROJECT IS TO CONVERT THAT AREA INTO IN LINE DETENTION. IN MIND ATTENTION IS WHERE YOU CAN CREATE ATTENTION AREA . AND THERE ARE SOME IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE CAN DO ON THE DOWNSTREAM PART OF SOUTH SEVENTH STREET. THAT STREET HAS A SIDEWALK, BUT THE SOUTH SEVENTH STREET DOES NOT HAVE A SIDEWALK. SO, WHILE WE DO THIS PROJECT , IF WE HAVE MONEY, I WILL ADD A SIDEWALK TO THAT AREA. AND IF YOU GET THE GUARD WHEELS OFF OF THAT PARTICULAR COHORT DOWNSTREAM ON THE SOUTH SEVENTH STREET , THAT GUARDRAIL IS IN VERY BAD SHAPE. SO, OUR INTENTION IS TO CREATE A NEW GUARDRAIL. BUT AGAIN, IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE FUNDING. ALL OF THOSE IMMUNITIES ARE NOT PART OF THE STORMWATER PROJECT. THE STORMWATER PROJECT IS TO HANDLE THE STORM WATER CYCLE OF THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE ON HAND. SO, THERE ARE TWO EASEMENTS THAT WE ARE PURSUING. THOSE TWO , WE ALREADY HAVE SOME EASEMENTS IN THAT AREA. SO, OUR LAND MANAGEMENT, THEY ARE TRYING TO SEE HOW MUCH MORE WE NEED IN THOSE TWO AREAS. IF WE EVEN AT ALL NEEDED. IF NOT, WE DO NOT HAVE ANY CHOKEPOINTS .

THE EASEMENTS ARE NOT RESTRICTING US IN THIS PROJECT , BECAUSE MOST OF THIS IS OUTSIDE OF THE CITY LIMIT. SO, THIS IS THE WETLANDS MAP IN THAT AREA. WHEN WE DO THIS PROJECT, WE HAVE TO SHOULD TO THE STATE THAT WE HAVE PROJECT IMPROVEMENTS. THERE IS A NATIONWIDE PROJECT THAT WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT IT DOES NOT IMPACT , AND WE ALSO HAVE TO SHOW TO THE STATE THAT WE HAVE THIS PROJECT THAT IS NOT GOING TO IMPACT THE WATER QUALITY. THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER DEPARTMENTS THAT WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT OUR ENGINEERS ARE STILL WORKING THROUGH. AND THAT IS THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY THAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. THIS MAP IS A VERY OLD MAP. LIKE I SAID, THERE IS 100 YEARS HISTORY TO THIS PARK, AND WE ARE ENSURING THAT WE MIGHT HAVE TO TAKE SOME AREAS TO ENSURE THAT WE SATISFY THE DEPARTMENTS FROM THE HISTORICAL COMMUNICATION. SO, FUNDING, THIS IS THE BIGGEST ASPECT OF THIS PROJECT . WE HAVE DESIGN COST OF $259,000.00 , WHICH WE ALREADY UNENCUMBERED, AND STORMWATER HAS COMPLETE REFUNDED INTO IT. CONSTRUCTION WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $1,000,000.00, INCLUDING THE IMMUNITIES THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT. IF WE DON'T TO THE AMENITIES, IT MIGHT GO A LITTLE OVER. BUT WE DO NOT HAVE FUNDING AS OF NOW READILY AVAILABLE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION. SO, MR. HANNAH IS A PROPONENT OF GO FIND FREE MONEY . WE HAVE APPROVED GRANTS, AND THERE IS A DIVISIONAL FREE PLAN AFTER THE HURRICANE . BACK IN 2017, TEXAS STATE STARTED A REGIONAL EFFORT TO COMBINE ALL OF THESE BIG, FLAT PROJECTS ALL ACROSS THE STATE. SO, ALL OF THE NINE

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AND ACTUALLY, THREE OF THEM WERE FOR THE PROJECT. ALTHOUGH THEY ARE NOT FUNDED YET , THEY WERE NOTED AS MITIGATION PROJECTS. SO, THAT IS A GOOD THING. AND ON TOP OF IT, WE APPLIED FOR TWO BIG GRANTS. ONE IS THE BRICK GRANT , AND THE OTHER ONE IS A FLOOD MITIGATION ASSISTANCE GRANT. THAT IS THE ONE THAT I WILL BE STRESSING ON, BECAUSE THAT IS THE ONE THAT WE GOT SELECTED FOR I WILL SAY AT THIS POINT IN TIME. WE ARE ONE OF THE 38 TEXAS APPLICATIONS THAT WERE IDENTIFIED FOR FUNDING. BUT WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE FUNDING IT. WE ARE STILL WORKING WITH THE STATE AND FEMA FORGETTING THAT FUNDING. IF WE GET THAT FUNDING, WE WILL GET $726,000.00 FROM FEMA. THAT IS FEMA MONEY. BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THE PROJECT, 90% WILL BE FUNDED BY THE FEDERAL, AND 10% WILL BE FUNDED BY LOCALS THAT WAS SAID. THIS IS NOT 100% DONE YET . THIS IS IN THE PIPELINE. I AM STILL WAITING ON THAT FINAL CALL FROM FEMA, AND THEN THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD. SO, THIS IS THE FUNDING THAT WE ARE BANKING ON TO BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECT.

IF WE DON'T GET THIS GRANT , THEN WE WILL CUT SOME OTHER GRANTS. AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE THE FEES THAT ARE AT SLOW PACES, BUT WE ARE WORKING ON IT TO IMPROVE ON THE FEES AS WELL FOR THESE PROJECTS. BUT IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES, IT'S A VERY GOOD PROJECT THAT IF YOU LIKE WE CAN ACCESS SOME FUNDING A LITTLE BIT TO FUND THOSE IMMUNITIES THAT I AM TALKING ABOUT. WE ARE VERY OPEN TO THOSE. SO, THE FIRST MEETING WAS DONE ON DECEMBER 5TH. THAT IS A PRIME THING TO BE ABLE TO COMPETE FOR THE FUNDING. WE DID THE PUBLIC MEETING , AND THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY, AS I MENTIONED, WE HAVE NOT DONE THAT ECOLOGICAL SURVEY YET BECAUSE IT WILL COST ANOTHER $25,000.00 TWO TO THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY. SO, WE ARE WAITING ON THAT FUNDING FROM FEMA TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO FUND IT, BECAUSE THAT IS ONE OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THEIR FUNDING. AND THERE ARE OTHER AMENITIES THAT FEMA SAID. LIKE, IN THE GRANT PAPERWORK WE SUBMITTED, THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT FEMA SAID THAT WE WILL FUND, AND THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT IF WE PUT IN THAT PARK BENCH AND REPLACE IT WITH A SIMILAR KIND OF BENCH, THEN WE WILL FUND THAT BENCH. BUT IF WE RAISE UP THE VALUE OF IT AND PUT IN A $10,000.00 BENCH THERE, THEN THAT IS NOT THE COST. SO, WE ARE STILL WORKING .

CONSTRUCTION IS TO BE DETERMINED. WITH ALL THE FACTORS THAT I MENTIONED ABOUT THE FUNDING, WE DON'T HAVE A CONCRETE DATE TO START THE CONSTRUCTION. BUT, THAT IS THE OSCAR ROSE PARK IMPROVEMENTS. IF THIS PROJECT IS APPROVED BY IN MINISTRATION AND COUNSEL, ONCE EVERYTHING IS FINAL, THAT WHOLE AREA WILL HAVE MUCH MORE IMPROVEMENTS. THE PUBLIC SHOULD STILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY THE OPEN AREA, BECAUSE IT IS AN OPEN SPACE , IT WILL JUST MAKE IT MORE LIKE A DETENTION AREA.

I ALWAYS USES DUAL-PURPOSE AMENITY BY WALMART. PEOPLE PLAY SOCCER IN THAT FIELD. WHEN IT RAINS , THAT FIELD ACT AS A DETENTION POND. SO SIMILAR, THIS AREA WILL NOT HAVE ANY CHANGE IN THE LAND-USE. PEOPLE CAN STILL USE IT AS A OPEN SPACE. AND POTENTIALLY, WE CAN ADD MORE BENCHES IF NEEDED. AND ALSO, WHEN IT RAINS , THE SAME WILL BE USED FOR THE DETENTION.

SO, I HAVE AN EXHIBIT BOARD. I DID NOT BRING ALL OF THE EXHIBIT BOARDS , BUT I HAVE ONE FOR OSCAR ROSE PARK IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A CLOSER LOOK IN THE AREA. SO, THERE IS A SMALL PATHWAY THE KIND OF CUTS ACROSS. THAT MIGHT FALL IN THE PROJECT AREA . WE MIGHT HAVE TO, I DON'T KNOW YET BECAUSE IT IS TOO EARLY SINCE THE CONSTRUCTION PLANS ARE NOT

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TOO MUCH OF YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. IF YOU DON'T MY GOING BACK TO THE OSCAR ROSE PARK BENCHES? ONE THING I WILL SAY IS , KNOWING THE POTENTIAL OF THIS COMING, WE HAVE ASKED STAFF TO WATCH THIS PICNIC AREA APPEAR IN THE CORNER FOR USAGE TO SEE HOW MUCH IT WAS USED, AND IT IS NOT USE VERY MUCH AT ALL. SO, IF THEY GET THE FUNDING AND THIS IS APPROVED , I DO NOT FORESEE IT BEING ANY KIND OF MAJOR IMPACT ON OUR PARKS IF WE WERE NOT ABLE TO GO BACK WITH THE PUNCHES, TRASH CANS, AND THINGS LIKE THAT , BECAUSE IT IS NOT A HIGHLY USED AREA. THERE ARE OTHER AREAS OF THE PARK BUT I THINK WE CAN PUT THE BENCHES AND TRASH CANS IN FOR EASIER ACCESS. SO, WITH THE TRAIL, ONE OF THE PROPOSALS THAT I SUBMITTED WAS WE JUST RECENTLY REDID, YOU KNOW, THREE TRAILS IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. BUT WE WEREN'T ABLE TO REDO ROSE PARK. SO, ONE OF THE THINGS I PROPOSED IS MAYBE REDOING THE ROSE PARK SIDEWALK IN THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO IF FUNDING IS AVAILABLE. AND IF THAT HAPPENS, OUR RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE TAKING OUT THAT CURVE, AND STRAIGHTENING IT OUT JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE SO THAT IT DOES FREE OUT THE AREA FOR THE CREEK TO FLOW, AND NOT IMPEDE ON THE DESIGN. SO, YOU KNOW, THE CHICKEN AND THE EGG, WE ARE NOT SURE WHICH IS COMING FIRST, BUT WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THE ROOM IS AVAILABLE AND STILL GIVING AMENITIES TO THE PUBLIC THAT THEY WANT. SO, THERE CAN BE PRACTICES. THERE CAN BE SHARPER PRACTICES. BUT WHEN IT RAINS IN THE WATER IS IN TRAITS, IT ALSO USES THE DETENTION PROCESS. WE ARE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY

QUESTIONS. >> ANY COMMENTS OR ANY QUESTIONS? WE GAVE COMMENT CARDS TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO CAME TO THE PUBLIC MEETING , AND WE GOT SOME GOOD COMMENTS .

WE HAVE TWO THAT SOUNDED NEGATIVE, NOT BECAUSE OF THE PROJECT , BUT BECAUSE NOTHING HAPPENS AROUND HERE . WE ARE STILL SKEPTICAL ON OF THIS WILL HAPPEN OR NOT. WE DID NOT HEAR ANY MAJOR PUSH BACKS. SO, AS LESLIE SAID, THIS IS A GOOD PLACE . I AM AN ENVIRONMENTAL GUY , BUT THE TRAILS ARE ALWAYS A BIG THING. WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A GREAT TRAIL ALONG THE CREEK. IT IS A VERY URBANIZED CREEK . I MEAN, IF YOU SEE AT HOME , YOU CAN SEE A BIG DIFFERENCE. CAT CLAW IS VERY COMMERCIALIZED AND URBANIZED. WE HAVE URBAN BUSINESSES ALL ACROSS THE CATWALK , AND IT'S PRETTY MUCH LIKE A GOLF COURSE. THERE ARE AREAS THAT HAVE NO GREENERY ON THEM UNFORTUNATELY. BUT IT IS A TRUTH OF LIFE WHEN YOU HAVE AN URBANIZED CREEK. OKAY, I HEAR NOTHING ELSE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO BE HERE.

>> DO WE KNOW WHAT A FUNDING FOR THE GRANT IS?

>> I HAVE BEEN ASKING FEMA THIS QUESTION. WE HEARD FROM FEMA, IT TAKES ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE YEAR TO HEAR BACK. WHAT I TOLD THEM IS I COULD USE SOME OF THE FUNDING THAT THEY ARE GIVING INTO THE DESIGN PART OF IT AS WELL. SO, THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE ARE PUSHING THE DESIGN TOO FAST.

BUT, WHAT I HEARD IS JUNE . EVEN BEFORE COMING TO THIS MEETING , BEFORE SENT THEM A NOTE SING HEY, HAVE YOU HEARD

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WE ANSWERED THOSE LESSONS FROM THE BUDGET STANDPOINT , BUT THAT IS ALL WE HAVE GOT. IT CAN BE THIS MONTH, IT CAN BE JUNE . TEXAS IS NOT A BIG FAN FOR WINNING THESE PROJECTS, AND ABILENE I CAN TELL ALMOST NEVER WINS FEMA FUNDING . AND THERE ARE OTHER ASPECTS TO IT AS WELL. TEXAS ITSELF DOES NOT GET SO MUCH FUNDING FROM FEMA ON THE OTHER END, AND THAT CHANGED THIS YEAR, BECAUSE 38 GOT SELECTED FROM TEXAS .

THAT'S VERY UNUSUAL . IF YOU COMPARE FROM THE OTHER YEARS, THEY HAD ONLY MAYBE THREE OR FOUR. THEY WERE VERY SELECTIVE TO BE PART OF THAT. 38 APPLICATIONS, THAT'S VERY OKAY. WE ARE CELEBRATING BECAUSE OF THAT FACT. WE HAD TO APPLY THE THROUGH THE STATES, AND WE APPLIED IT TO THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT WATER BOARD. THE OTHER GRANTS WE APPLIED THREE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENT. WE WERE A SUB APPLICANT TO THEM. OUR CHANCES ARE ABOUT 90%, I WOULD SAY. WE WERE JUST CAUGHT IN THE PROCESS WHERE THEY ARE STILL IDENTIFYING THE FUNDING FOR THAT. BY JUNE, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO HEAR ON IT FOR THIS

MONTH. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >> FOR THIS POTENTIAL AGENDA ITEM, WE HAVE TO GO TO PUBLIC HEARING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. AT THIS POINT, WE WILL THROW IT OUT IF ANYONE ELSE HAS ANY OTHER DISCUSSIONS FOR THIS ITEM. IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY, PLEASE COME FORWARD, SEE YOUR NAME, AND YOU WILL HAVE A COUPLE OF MINUTES. WITH THAT, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. LESLIE, FOR CLARIFICATION HERE , CAN YOU STATE THE NECESSARY ACTION

HERE? >> I BELIEVE THIS IS MORE INFORMATIVE. I AM SURE THEY WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO MAKE A MOTION FOR YOU TO BE IN SUPPORT OF THIS PROJECT. IT HELPS MAKE HIS GRANT APPLICATION STRONGER. BUT, IT IS UP TO YOU WHETHER OR NOT YOU WANT TO SAY THANK YOU OR TAKE AN ACTION.

>> WHAT ARE THE BOARD THOUGHTS?

>> ARE THERE ANY OTHER ACTIONS THAT THE ENGINEERS ARE HAVING TO TAKE WITH ANY OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT?

>> THAT AT THIS TIME. THEY HAVE EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO APPLY FOR DEPARTMENTS. THE FIRST OF THE COMMISSION WE HAVE NOT STARTED YET. IT IS NOT LIKE A MAJOR REQUIREMENT FOR US TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT , BUT IT IS A REQUIREMENT FOR THE GRANT. IF WE GET THE GRANT , AND WE ALREADY INCLUDED THAT INTO SUBM SUPPOSED TO GET , $25,000.00 IS FOR THAT STUDY, AND THAT STUDY WILL TAKE THREE MONTHS . SO, WE INCLUDED EVERYTHING INTO THAT SCHEDULE. WE ARE WAITING THE FUNDING TO START. WE SUBMITTED THE APPLICATION TO THEM, AND WE GOT A RESPONSE IN THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION SAYING YES, THIS'LL QUALIFY FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO DO SOME DIG TESTS . SO, THAT IS ONE BIG THING . AND THEN ONE NATIONAL WHITE PERMIT, THAT IS ANOTHER BIG ISSUE . AS STORMWATER, WE DO A LOT OF IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CITY , AND WE HAVE A GOOD FEELING OF WHAT IS OUT THERE.

THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS ARE PRIMARILY FLOOD WAYS IF WE ARE IMPACTING BUILDING PERMITS. SO, DEPARTMENT -WISE, I THINK WE ARE GOOD . FUNDING WISES IS THE ONE THAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR. BECAUSE WHAT THE START THE PROJECT, YOU WANT TO DO

[00:30:02]

>> ONE OF THE THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PUBLIC HEARING, AND IT WAS NOT TOUCHED ON. THEY WILL NOT , AND CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, THEY WILL NOT ACTUALLY BE TOUCHING THE BASE OF THE CREEK. THIS IS WHAT THEY ARE DOING ON MORE OF THE UPPER LEVELS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE WATER IS FLOWING. ONCE YOU GET PAST A CERTAIN LEVEL, HOWEVER MANY FEET DOWN CANNOT BE TOUCHED. AND THAT WAS MADE CLEAR ON THE PUBLIC HEARING IN

DECEMBER. >> RIGHT.

>> THAT'S WITH THE WATER DEPARTMENT. WE TOUCH THE BASE OF THE CREEK, THAT WE WOULD NEED A NATIONWIDE PERMIT , AND THAT IS A PROCESS THAT WILL TAKE AT LEAST A YEAR. SO, WE ARE NOT TOUCHING THE BED OF THE CREEK.

>> THERE MAY BE SOME OTHER THINGS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO VISIT WITH YOU ABOUT , BUT I THINK I COMMEND THE WORK.

THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING HERE, ESPECIALLY FOR THE SURROUNDING RESIDENTS. I THINK IT IS GOING TO BE EXCELLENT.

>> THAT IS THE REASON WHY THE COUNCIL IDENTIFIED , AT THAT TIME, BACK IN 2017, WE MET ME THE MASTER DONATION PLAN, I HAVE THAT HERE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET INTO THE DETAILS.

THIS IS THE NUMBER TWO PROJECT. THE NUMBER ONE PROJECT, WE ARE NOT DOING IT. THAT'S TOO BIG OF AN IMPACT THAT WE WILL HAVE ON THE PROPERTIES AND PROPERTY VALUES. THIS IS THE NUMBER TWO PROJECT IN THE FOUR TO SIX PROBLEM AREAS THAT WERE IDENTIFIED. SO, THERE IS A REASON FOR THAT. BUT THOSE AREAS GET FLOODED, EVEN WITH A SMALL RAINFALL THAT WE GET.

THIS WILL AT LEAST RELIEVE THE SMALL RAIN FALLING. ANY OTHER

QUESTIONS? >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. DO WE HAVE A

MOTION? >> I SO MOVE THAT WE SUPPORT STORMWATER PROCEEDING FURTHER WITH THEIR PLAN. THIS WILL HELP CREATE THE DETENTION BASIN . I DON'T KNOW IF WE NEED TO ADD ANY OTHER ELEMENTS AS FAR AS THE SIDEWALK IN RELOCATING

PARK BENCHES? >> NOT AS THIS TIME. WHEN WE GET FURTHER ALONG WHEN THEY KNOW THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE THE FUNDING , AND WE START GETTING MORE INTO THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE OF WHAT IS POSSIBLE AND NOT POSSIBLE , WE CAN COME BACK TO THE BOARD TO ACTUALLY APPROVE THOSE AMENITY IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PARK. THIS IS MORE OF JUST SUPPORTING THE PLAN TO MOVE ONTO THE NEXT PHASE.

>> I PROPOSE THAT WE MOVED TO SUPPORT THE PROPOSED PLAN.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE? ALL OPPOSED? YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS. THIS IS A UNIQUE PASSION TO HAVE, AND A UNIQUE SKILL SET. SO WE APPRECIATE WHAT YOU ARE DOING FOR THE CITY. THIS IS AWESOME. WELL DONE. ALL RIGHT, WITH THAT, WE WILL MOVE INTO

[3. Parks Report (Discussion)]

BE A DISCUSSION. >> GOOD MORNING. PARKS DIVISION MANAGER . IF YOU GUYS WERE OUT LAST WEEK FOR THE RIBBON CUTTING AT THE PLAYGROUND, IT WAS A GREAT PLAYGROUND . I WAS EXCITED ABOUT IT. BUT ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS WE HAVE BEEN WORKING AT AT SEARS PARK AS WELL IS WE ARE CONVERTING THE OLD TENNIS COURT INTO A FULL-COURT BASKETBALL COURTS . WE HAVE PURCHASED THE BASKETBALL GOALS AND INSTALLED THOSE. RIGHT NOW WE ARE WAITING ON THE SERVICE COMPANY

[00:35:04]

HE'S TRYING TO THIS IN SOONER, BUT RIGHT NOW WE ARE LOOKING AT MIDDLE APRIL. SO, MORE ON THAT COMING SOON. ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS WE HAVE WORKED ON IS THE SPLASH PAD COMING TO VALENTINE PARK. WE WANTED TO PUT A PAVILION OUT THERE. WE HAD THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY PUT IN THE PAD FOR US , BUT WE ACTUALLY BOUGHT THE PAVILION , AND ORGANIZED AND INSTALLED THE PAVILION. AS YOU GUYS CAN SEE THERE, IT IS ABOUT 95% COMPLETE , BUT WE PRETTY MUCH HAVE ALL THAT INSTALLED AS WELL. SO, THAT WILL BE A NICE ADDITION TO THE BOARD. JUST TO GIVE YOU AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT WE HAVE DONE THIS WINTER, WE STARTED DECEMBER 1ST OF 2023, AND WENT THROUGH LAST WEEK OF MARCH 8H.

WE HAD 12 PROJECTS THAT WE COMPLETED. WE ALSO HAD SOME VEHICLES THAT WERE REPAINTED. THEY PRETTY MUCH GET REPAINTED EVERY YEAR, BUT THIS YEAR, WE WERE ABLE TO COMPLETE 10 OF THEM. WE COMPLETED 421 WORK ORDERS, AND 50 LABOR HOURS JUST FOR THAT. LAST BUT NOT LEAST , YOU GUYS KNOW WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE MASTER PLAN FOR THE LAKE . SO, COMING UP ON THURSDAY, MARCH 28TH FROM 5:00 TO 7:00, WE WILL HAVE A PUBLIC INPUT MEETING. THIS WILL BE LOCATED ACROSS THE STREET AT THE PUBLIC HEALTH DISTRICT. IT 15 NORTH FIFTH STREET. SO, WE ASKED THE PUBLIC TO COME OUT, SHARE SOME OF THEIR BIG, BOLD IDEAS WITH US, AND SEE WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE. WILL HAVE EVERYONE COME OUT ON MARCH 28TH FROM 5:00 TO 7:00. THAT IS ALL

I HAVE. >> OKAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH THAT YOU CAME TO US WITH. CAN YOU TAKE US THROUGH A 32ND VERSION OF SEARS PARK , AND GIVE US A REMINDER TO THE CITY

AS TO WHAT HAPPENED? >> YEAH. JANUARY 13TH, WHICH IS MY BIRTHDAY, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, JANUARY 13TH OF 2023 I BELIEVE, THE SEARS PLAYGROUND WAS BURNT DOWN . SO, WE ASKED STAFF TO REMOVE ALL OF THOSE AREAS THAT WERE AFFECTED . IT WAS PRETTY MUCH A TOTAL LOSS. SO, WE STARTED WORKING WITH THE PLAYGROUND COMPANY TO PUT DOWN SOME DESIGNS. ONCE WE KNEW WE HAD THE FUNDING, WE HAD A PUBLIC INPUT NOT TOO LONG AFTER THAT. I BELIEVE IT WAS IN APRIL, AND THE PUBLIC CAME OUT AND CHOSE WHICH PLAYGROUND THEY WANTED TO GO WITH. AFTER THAT , IT WAS PRETTY MUCH READY FOR THE PLAYGROUND REDOING SIDEWALKS AND ALL THAT STUFF. WE WAITED FOR THE PLAYGROUND TO GET PRODUCED AND SHIPPED TO US , AND IT CAME IN FEBRUARY, AND THE PLAYGROUND DID A REALLY GOOD JOB AND THAT THEY DID A QUICK , AND THIS TIME, WE DID NOT HAVE AS MANY ISSUES WITH THE TURF. SO, WE HAVE THE RIBBON CUTTING LAST WEEK. IN TOTAL, THE PROJECT IS ABOUT $277,000.00. BUT IT TOOK A LOT OF EFFORT NOT ONLY FROM STAFF, BUT ALSO CONTRACTORS . WE LOOKED AT A YEAR PROJECT, WHICH IS ALMOST OVER , BUT THAT IS BACK IN THE GROUND, AND EVERYONE IS HAVING FUN.

>> IT'S NOT OFTEN THAT YOU GET TO SEE THE FIRST BIT OF LABOR , AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THAT IS IMPACTED THE COMMUNITY. I THINK I SAID IT THAT DAY, BUT IT IS SO SAD WHEN SOMEBODY BURNS SOMETHING DOWN IN THE COMMUNITY. SO, THANK YOU GUYS

SO MUCH FOR THAT. >> YOU GUYS HAD AN IMPACT ON THAT AS WELL , AND WE APPRECIATE THAT. WITH YOUR SUPPORT, WE HAVE A GREAT STAFF . AND WE ALL THANKED PATRICK

[4. Recreation Report (Discussion)]

FOR WHAT HE DOES. THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT. WITH THAT, WE WILL GO INTO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FOUR.

>> GOOD MORNING. ANNA HALL, RECREATION DIVISION MANAGER.

AS I CAN SAY, WE HAD SPRING BREAK CAMP AT CHAVEZ, AND THE KIDS LOVED THAT NEW PLAYGROUND. THEY WERE VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT. THEY WERE LIKE, WOW! WE ARE THE FIRST ONES TO CUT THE

[00:40:04]

SORRY. I GOT MY DAYS CONFUSED. WE WILL HAVE OUR EASTER EGG HUNT AT STAFFORD COMPLEX . WE HAVE DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS ON HOW WE ARE BREAKING THAT UP, SO EVERYONE HAS A CHANCE TO HUNT AND TO MEET THE EASTER BUNNY. WE ARE ALSO HAVING A LOVE YOUR EARTH KITE FEST. WE WILL BE HAVING THAT AT REDWOOD PARK OUT IN THE BIG FIELD , AND WE WILL PROVIDE KITES FOR ANYONE THAT NEEDS ONE. WE WILL HAVE KEEP HAPPILY BEAUTIFUL OUT THERE AS WELL. IF YOU'RE OUT AND ABOUT ON THAT DAY, PLEASE COME FLY A KITE! DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

>> YOU CAN BRING YOUR OWN OR YOUR PROVIDING ONE?

>> YES. THERE IS NO EXCUSE WHY YOU CAN'T MAKE IT.

>> THAT IS AWESOME. ANY THOUGHTS OR QUESTIONS? YEAH, IT IS ALWAYS FUN TO WATCH THOSE KIDS . I AM SURE THEY WERE

[5. Seniors Report (Discussion)]

REALLY EXCITED. >> THEY WERE.

>> ALL RIGHT. LET'S GO TO OUR SENIORS REPORTS DISCUSSION.

>> GOOD MORNING, BOARD. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND REC. SO, WE ARE ALSO GOING TO HAVE A REPORT FOR SENIORS HERE. IT IS CALLED BIG EGG BINGO AT THE SENIOR CENTER COMING UP THIS MARCH 28TH. SO, IT WILL BE A REALLY FUN EVENT.

IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO THE SENIOR CENTER DURING BINGO, YOU ARE MISSING OUT. IT IS QUITE EXCITING. WE ALSO HAVE AN EVENT COMING UP ON MONDAY, MARCH 25TH. IT IS THE MARCH HARE TRAVEL. THIS IS AN INTERESTING THING AS WELL.

BEING ABLE TO LEARN ABOUT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. THIS TIME, WE'LL BE TALKING BUT D.C. AND CHICAGO. HOW THIS WORKS IS A WILL SHOW VIDEOS AND PICTURES AND HAVE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THOSE AREAS, AND ALMOST HAVE A VIRTUAL THING. IT IS ALSO EXPERIENTIAL BASED, BECAUSE THEY WILL BE HAVING SNACK FROM THE LOCATION AND DIFFERENCES OF THINGS DURING THAT EVENT. IT'S A GREAT WAY TO LEARN ABOUT IT WHILE STAYING IN THE NICE CONVENIENCE OF OUR SENIOR CENTER. SO, IT IS A NEAT EXPERIENCE. WE HAVE THE CORN HOLE TOURNAMENT COMING UP. IT IS A GOOD TIME FOR EVERYONE AT THE CORN HOLE TOURNAMENT. MONDAY, MARCH 15TH , IT'S WAS ABOUT 1:00 P.M.

YOU CAN REGISTER BETWEEN APRIL 1ST AND APRIL 15TH. YOU WILL NOTICE, AGAIN, SNACKS INCLUDED. ALL RIGHT. ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT

OUR SENIOR REPORT? >> I DON'T THINK SO. WELL,

[6. Zoo Report (Discussion)]

[00:45:03]

>> THANK YOU. I WILL GO TO DRESS UP THE EVENING OF THE 20TH. ANY OTHER THINGS FOR US TO DISCUSS THIS ITEM THIS MORNING OR ANY OTHER AGENDA ITEMS? I DON'T THINK SO. WITH THAT, WE THANK CITY STAFF FOR ALL THAT YOU DO. SO, THANK YOU SO MUCH

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.