May 21, 2024 Parks and Recreation

[CALL TO ORDER]

[1. Service Awards (Discussion)]

[2. Minutes (Discussion and Action)]

[3. Vote for Chairperson (Discussion, Public Hearing and Possible Action)]

[4. Vote for Vice Chairperson (Discussion, Public Hearing and Possible Action)]

[5. Lake Fort Phantom Master Plan (Discussion)]

[00:06:40]

>> WELCOME, RYAN. >> IN QUEUE. I APPRECIATE

[00:06:46]

THE MASTER PLAN FOR PARKING RECOGNITION -- PARKS AND RECREATION. IN DECEMBER, LATE 2023, WE DID KICK IT OFF, AND THEN JUMP TO TODAY BEING MAY 21ST, 2024, A NUMBER OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED . STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS. THIS IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT FROM WHAT I'M SEEING HERE. AS WELL AS A PUBLIC DESIGN STUDIO. THE PROJECT SCOPE DID INCLUDE AN INVENTORY ANALYSIS, WHICH WE WENT INTO AN OVERALL ANALYSIS OF WHAT WAS THERE IN THE PAST. I WILL EMPHASIZE WHAT COULD BE THERE. ILLUSTRATIVE IMAGERY AND E- , WHICH WE WILL GO OVER A LITTLE BIT LATER IN THE PRESENTATION. THE PLANNING AREA IS PRETTY FAST. INCLUDED MULTIPLE SITES ACROSS THE NORTH SIDE, EASTERN SIDE AND SOUTHERN SIDE OF THE ENTIRE LAKE.

INCLUDING THE NORTH, WHAT WE ARE CALLING THE PROMENADE DECK CONDUCTS -- THAT CONNECTS IT TO THE BEACH ON THE EASTERN SIDE, THE NORTHEAST BOAT RAMP . IT IS A PRETTY -- YET SMALL PIECE OF THE LAKE. BEING THE SOUTHEAST BOAT RAMP, WHICH TO MY KNOWLEDGE IS THE LARGEST BOAT RAMP CURRENTLY ON THERE RIGHT NOW. AND THEIR TRAILS IMMEDIATELY NEXT TO IT TO THE EAST. FROM ALL OF THAT, THAT IS QUITE A FEW SITES, SO HE WANTED SOME FEEDBACK . WE ENGAGED THE COMMUNITY SURVEY, STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS, LIKE I MENTIONED. AND AS WELL AS A PUBLIC DESIGN STUDIO. TO DIVE INTO THAT A LITTLE BIT, THE COMMUNITY SURVEY , TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, WAS PRETTY INCREDIBLE. IT HAS BEEN PRETTY INTEGRAL IN ALL OF IT. THE AMOUNT OF FEEDBACK WE

[00:10:07]

AS WELL AS FINDING POTENTIAL SAFETY SIGNS, AS WELL. WE WANTED TO BE A DRAW. PROBABLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST WAS A DESIRE FOR A BRAND-NEW SIGNATURE MARINA. WE HEARD YOU. BELIEVE ME. AND AS WELL AS A DESIRE FOR A MUSIC VENUE, OR JUST OVERALL,

AN EVENT SPACE. >> STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS WERE CONDUCTED WITH SEVERAL FOLKS, INCLUDING THE LAKE -- ASSOCIATION, BOAT RENTALS, SELLING ASSOCIATION, SUP.

CONSULTANTS FOR EVEN PUTTING IN A WAITE PARK. AND OF COURSE, ABILENE CITY STAFF.

IT WAS CONDUCTED LATER THIS YEAR. I WAS HONORED TO GO AND BE A PART OF IT, SOME OF THE BEST FEEDBACK I'VE GOTTEN WAS HERE. TALKING WITH PEOPLE WHO KNOW THE LAKE BACK AND FORTH. I WAS ABLE TO GO TO THIS ONE. WE STILL HAD A GREAT TURNOUT.

TAKEAWAYS FROM OUR PUBLIC DESIGN STUDIO INCLUDED , DEFINITELY AGAIN, WE NEED A MARINA, RESTROOMS, MORE LIGHTING, MORE SECURITY, AND OF COURSE, MORE EMERGENCY ACCESS FOR WHAT WE WILL BE PROPOSING. BEFORE WE GO FORWARD WITH THIS, I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT , THESE ARE VERY CONCEPTUAL . THEY ARE VERY PRELIMINARY. THE FUNDING IS NOT IN PLACE YET. WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WHEN HE A LOT OF DESIGN. A LOT OF FEEDBACK, AND A LOT OF COORDINATION. THESE ARE LONG-RANGE PLANS WITH A LOT OF REALLY COOL FUN STUFF. SO WE WILL GO IN A LITTLE BIT, THIS IS WHERE WE WILL BREAK IT DOWN A LITTLE BIT. WE WILL SOON IN, TALK ABOUT EXISTING CONDITIONS, AND GO INTO SOME OF THE IDEAS.

WE WILL START A JOHNSON PARK. HEAVILY UTILIZED . THERE IS AN EXISTING BOAT RAMP. CIRCLING AROUND EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURES SUCH AS PLAYGROUND, DISC OFF , WHICH IS A FULL DISC GOLF COURSE. AND OF COURSE, ANOTHER BOAT WENT. SORRY. THIS IS A DIFFICULT CONCEPT PLAN -- TYPICAL CONCEPT PLAN. WE WERE NOT DIVE INTO THIS, BELIEVE ME, AS MUCH AS I WANT TO. WE WILL RESERVE THAT FOR OUR OPEN HOUSE WHICH IS RESERVED FOR JUNE 11TH. WE WILL GO INTO THAT A LITTLE BIT LATER. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS, WE WILL RESUME INTO A COUPLE OF KEY AREAS WITHIN EACH OF THE SITES. AND GIVE OR TAKE, IT MAY BE MORE DETAILED FOR WHATEVER ONE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT. THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY AND GREAT LOCATION ALONG THE LAKE.

EVERYONE HERE KNOWS ABOUT JOHNSON PARK, EVERYBODY HAS PROBABLY GONE FOR. IT IS HONESTLY AN OPEN CANVAS TO PUT SIGNATURE PIECES OF ARCHITECTURE . THE FIRST ONE WILL START ON THE EASTERN SIDE, WHICH IS IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO ALL OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE. THE OPEN SPACE IN THE PARK WITHIN THE PARK ITSELF. WE ARE PROPOSING WILL BE CALLED THE LODGE. IT WILL BE A SIGNATURE LANDMARK, SIGNATURE PIECE OF INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WILL BE THERE FOR ALL OF THE TOURIST VISITING. OBVIOUSLY, LODGING. BANQUET AND RECEPTION SPACES, A POTENTIAL RESTAURANT AND BAR, SUPPLEMENTED BY A BEER GARDEN, YARD GAMES. INDOOR FITNESS, SPA, SAUNA. WHEN PEOPLE ARE

[00:15:04]

RUSSIANS, RENTALS. WILL INTRODUCE A HANDFUL OF AMENITIES FOR FOLKS TO ENJOY THE LAKE, WHICH INCLUDES BOATS, PADDLES, WATERSPOUTS -- WATER SPORTS , KAYAK, ROW, AND AQUA CYCLE. YOU CAN THANK MY WIFE FOR MENTIONING AQUA CYCLES. I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW IT EXISTED UNTIL ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO. AND A CONVENIENCE STORE AND A RESTAURANT. MOVING WEST, THERE IS A NATURALLY LARGER AT JACKSON PARK, WHICH IS PRETTY UNIQUE. THE CONSTRAINTS REGARDING UTILITY AND ROADWAY.

BUT IT IS WITHIN THE PARK ITSELF. WE ARE CALLING ADVENTURE TOWERS. IT IS A GREAT IDEA TO INCORPORATE THE REVENUE GENERATING IDEAS. AND WHAT WE ARE CALLING ADVENTURE TOWERS, IT WILL BE A CONTROLLED ACCESS FOR THE, INCLUDING HILLS, SLIDES, PLAYGROUNDS, WHICH WILL INCLUDE AN ALL-INCLUSIVE ASPECT IF WANTED AND DESIRED. ADULT SWING SETS OVERLOOKING THE HOUR, WHICH I WOULD LOVE TO DO, BY THE WAY. DEAN ROAD COURSES, ADVENTURES AND LINE COURSES WITH LARGE TOWERS OVERLOOKING THE LAKE. WATER PLAY AND MISSED ZONES . A FITNESS AND AGILITY COURSE, AND -- THIS IS 1082, THE EXISTING DAM ROAD. GETS THE JOB DONE, STRICTLY PARTICULAR. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT PEOPLE RIDING BIKES STILL USE IT. HOWEVER, IT IS PRIMARILY BUILT FOR CAR MAINTENANCE, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS. TYPICAL FOR A DAM STRUCTURE. WE DO UNDERSTAND THAT SINCE A NEW ROAD TO TURNING TO A FUTURE ALIGNMENT. IT IS GOING TO BE IN PLACE, OR IS PLANNED TO BE IN PLACE. IT IS A COMPLETE REINVIGORATION , A RECONCEPTUALIZATION OF THIS PARTICULAR SPACE THAT WILL INCLUDE ENHANCED PLAZAS, FISHING DOCKS, WATER ACCESS, SCENIC OVERLOOKS. AND WHAT WE ARE CALLING A LANDMARK, WHICH IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR A PUBLIC ART PIECE, HISTORICAL PIECE, SOMETHING TO BE COMMISSIONED . THIS IS A HIGH-LEVEL CONCEPTUAL SKETCH JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA FOR THE LAY OF THE LAND, SO TO SPEAK. IF YOU WERE TO TAKE THE VERY VEHICULAR CENTRIC ROAD, TRANSFORM IT INTO SOMETHING THAT'S MORE PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY, YOU CAN HAVE A PEDESTRIAN ACCESS FROM BOTH JOHNSON PARK AND WHAT WE ARE CALLING BOULDER BAY , WHICH WILL TALK ABOUT IN A SECOND. IT WILL INCLUDE SHAPED STRUCTURES AND -- FOR EMERGENCY MAINTENANCE . MOVING ON TO BOULDER BAY, WE ARE COINING THAT. I KNOW IT IS NOT THE PROPER TERM, BUT IT IS A REALLY COOL SITE. HALF OF THE SITE IS BUILT WITH LARGE BOULDERS, HINTS BOULDER BAY. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY HAVE DIFFERENT PLANS TO FILL THIS SITE TO ELEVATE IT. AS YOU CAN SEE RIGHT NOW, THAT BLUE LINE IS THE FLOODPLAIN. THAT DICTATES WHAT WOULD DEVELOP THE ZONE . IF WE WERE TO FILL IT UP A LITTLE BIT MORE, THAT WOULD MAKE THIS POSSIBLE. RIGHT NOW, THERE IS INFORMAL CAMPING, A

[00:20:01]

WHY NOT? ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU CAN GO DO THE CAMPING AND STUFF WE ARE PROPOSING HERE. AND THEN MOVING DOWN TO THE EAST, WHICH IS KIND OF THE ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREA, OR MERELY IN THE FLOODPLAIN. OUR PROPOSAL IS NOT TO MESS WITH THAT MUCH, BUT PROVIDE IT. INCLUDING HIKING AREAS, CAMPING AND NATURE TRAILS, BIRD WATCHING OPPORTUNITIES. WHAT IS INTERESTING ABOUT THIS, OUR PROPOSAL ALSO INCLUDES AN ENHANCED BEACH TO PROTECT IT. THAT IS JUST THE SOUTHERN EDGE . SMALL, BUT MIGHTY. THIS IS THE NORTHEAST BOAT RAMP.

PROBABLY THE SMALLEST, YET MOST INFLUENTIAL BOAT RAMP ON THE LAKE. HOWEVER, IT IS WHERE THE BOATS LAUNCH, IT IS THE SAILING BOAT LAUNCH. WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING ARE VERY MINIMAL, NOTHING VERY IMPACTFUL. THE DEDICATED SHORELINE FOR FISHING, AN UPDATED PER BILLION -- PAVILION . AND UPDATED PARKING, WHICH I THINK IS THE MOST IMPORTANT, THE EXPANDED BOAT LAUNCH. AN ENHANCED BOAT MUCH. ALSO A CONNECTOR CONNECTING TO A SCENIC OVERLOOK FOR SCENIC AND PICNIC SPACES.

THIS IS WHAT WE ARE CALLING THE COVE. IT IS A SENSITIVE AREA REGARDING RESIDENTIAL ADJACENCIES . HEARD THAT AND TAKE NOTE OF IT. THE ONLY THING GOING FOR THIS SITE AT THE MOMENT IN HIS CURRENT CONDITION, IT DOES HAVE AN INFORMAL BEACH. AN INFORMAL FOOT TRAIL. WHAT WE SAW IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND UPON THE WATERFRONT FOR PUBLIC ACCESS.

FOR SOME REASON, I LIKE THE WAY THIS PLAN LOOKS. IF WE ZOOM IN , I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT A FEW THINGS. WE ARE PROPOSING KIND OF THAT MIDDLE IMAGE WITH THE SUNSET AND THE BOARDWALK OVERLOOKING THE WATER. IN SIMILAR FASHION, WE WILL PROPOSE THAT HERE. WE WILL SUPPLEMENT THAT WITH DEDICATED SWIMMING AREAS ON BOTH SIDES. A DEDICATED FISHING AREA THAT IS RECONSTRUCTED FOR HABITAT RECREATION ZONE. THAT IS ALL CONNECTED TO THE CENTRAL PAVILION, REALLY ANCHORING A LARGE-SCALE EVENT SPACE, FLEX SPACE. AND WHAT WE LIKE TO CALL A KITE BLUFF . HAVING KIDS -- SURE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN HERE HAVE KIDS -- AND TEACHING MY DAUGHTER HOW TO FLY A KITE. IT WILL BE NICE TO BRING MY DAUGHTER OUT TO FLY A KITE, ESPECIALLY ON THE WATERFRONT. ON THE TAIL END , THE EXCESS POINT OF THIS PARK, WE ARE PROPOSING VERY LOW IMPACT IMPROVEMENTS, HIKING AND NATURE TRAILS. OF COURSE, THE PRESERVATION ZONE. THIS IS THE SOUTHEAST BOAT RAMP. IT DOES INCLUDE INFORMAL CAMPING, FISHING, INFORMAL BEACH, WHICH

[00:25:04]

IT ALSO INCLUDES THE PLAYGROUND CENTRAL PAVILION, THE FLEX SPACE, MOUNDS AND HILLS ALLOWING PEOPLE TO EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENT VIEWS OF THE SILO. AND IF THAT WASN'T ENOUGH, WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING ON THE WATERFRONT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FOLKS TO GET AN EVEN BETTER VIEW OF THE LAKE.

AT THIS LOCATION, IT IS A NEAR 360 DEGREE VIEW OF THE LAKE IN ITS ENTIRETY. THE SMALL OVERLOOK , STRATEGICALLY DESIGNED TO OFFER REFUGE FOR FOLKS WHO JUST WANT A GREAT VIEW. CB PARK -- WE ARE ALMOST DONE. WE ARE ON 7 OUT OF 8. THE FLOODWAY AND FLOODPLAIN, THERE IS NOT A WHOLE LOT OF AVAILABLE ZONE. WE ARE PLANNING TO ENHANCE AND BUILD UPON SUCH AS FISHING, CAMPING, BIRD WATCHING. AND MY FAVORITE, WHICH IS THE REMOTE CONTROL RC AIRCRAFT. I HAVEN'T SEEN THAT BEFORE, SO THAT'S PRETTY AWESOME. OFF-ROAD VEHICLES, SCENIC OVERLOOKS, RESTROOMS, AND PICNICKING. THERE IS A LOT TO IT, SO LET'S ZOOM IN. THIS IS THE ONLY SITE ON THE ENTIRE LAKE THAT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FOCUSED NATURE CENTER. EVERYTHING HERE FLUCTUATES VERY HEAVILY. IN TERMS OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENT.

IT IS A GREAT DESTINATION FOR WILDLIFE. WILL PROVIDE A NATURE CENTER THAT EXPANDS UPON THAT. THE NATURE CENTER WILL INCLUDE CLASSROOMS, OPPORTUNITY FOR COLLEGE PARTNERSHIPS. I THINK THAT IS A REALLY COOL IDEA. I WISH I HAD THAT OPPORTUNITY.

THE PRO SHOP PHOTOGRAPHY OPPORTUNITIES, GIFT SHOP APPAREL, AND OF COURSE, MORE ROOM FOR SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE. WE ARE CALLING THIS THE DISCOVERY AREA. FOR EVERY NATURE CENTER, YOU PROBABLY NEED SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THIS. THE DISCOVERY AREA WILL INCLUDE A DEMONSTRATION GARDEN, BOTANICAL GARDEN, THEMED PLAY AREA, VENUE SPACES , OUTDOOR KITCHEN THAT'S IF DESIRED. AND THEN SINCE THIS IS THE MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREA ON THE ENTIRE PLAN, THE IDEA IS TO BASICALLY ENHANCE THAT WITH VERY LOW IMPACT IMPROVEMENTS. THERE ARE A LOT OF LINES HERE. DON'T LET THAT SCARE YOU. IT IS JUST A LOT OF GREAT IDEAS FOR TRAILS.

I WILL LIST THEM OUT VERY QUICKLY. THAT INCLUDES BIRD AND

[00:30:03]

FISHING TRAILS, AND MY FAVORITE, STARGAZING TRAILS.

I'VE NEVER HEARD OF THAT BEFORE, BUT IT SOUNDS PRETTY COOL. THIS IS ANOTHER SITE IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE EAST OF CB -- SEA BEE. AS WELL AS THREE, OR SEVERAL DIFFERENT OVERHEAD UTILITIES. WE WILL COVER THAT ENCLOSES THE SECOND.

IT DOES INCLUDE INFORMAL WALKING PATHS, VERY, VERY HIGH WATER LEVELS. THIS WAS PROBABLY ONE OF THE ONLY SITES WILL SIMPLY NEED MORE COORDINATION, MORE FEEDBACK . YOU CAN SEE THE LINE IS GOING NORTH/SOUTH. WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING IS VERY LOW IMPACT, INCLUDING A PRESERVATION ZONE THAT IS INUNDATED WITH WALKING TRAILS, HIKING TRAILS, RESTROOMS. THOSE TYPES OF THINGS. VERY LOW IMPACT. I KNOW THAT THIS TONIGHT, BUT JUST IGNORED IT. THIS MORNING,, PARKS PERSPECTIVE, I WILL LEAVE THIS OUT. DO YOU THINK EVERYTHING ALIGNS WITH Y'ALL'S VISION? AND ARE WE AS DESIGNERS, CONSULTANTS, OVERLOOKING EVERYTHING -- ANYTHING? JUST THINGS FOR CONSIDERATION. OUR NEXT STEPS MOVING FORWARD, WE ARE HOPING TO FINALIZE CONCEPT PLANS FOR ALL THE FEEDBACK WE ARE GETTING BOTH TODAY , AND MOVING FORWARD. WE ARE PLANNING TO HAVE A PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE EARLY JUNE, SPECIFICALLY JUNE 11TH. LOOK OUT FOR A FLYER THAT SHOULD BE COMING OUT PRETTY SOON, I THINK. THE GOAL IS TO GAIN PUBLIC INSIGHT. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THESE PLANS HAVE BEEN PRESENTED TO THE PUBLIC.

THAT IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO DIVE IN AND LOOK AT A LITTLE MORE DETAIL. THE PARK CONSIDERATION IS SLATED FOR MID-JULY. WE WILL GO IN AND REFINED THE CONCEPTS. AND THEN IF EVERYTHING GOES SMOOTHLY, FINGERS CROSSED, EVERYTHING WILL BE PRESENTED AT CITY COUNCIL LATE JULY FOR THIS YEAR. WITH THAT, I WILL OPEN THE FLOOR FOR QUESTIONS . I REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S

TIME. THANK YOU SO MUCH . >> YOU HAD MENTIONED A COUPLE OF ENTERPRISE LOCATION S . I WOULD MAKE THE SUSPICION , OR GUESS THAT IS SOMETHING THE CITY WOULD RUN? OR WOULD THAT BE A THIRD PARTY VENDOR ARRANGEMENT?

>> YES. OPEN FOR DISCUSSION FOR THE FUTURE. PROBABLY A MIXTURE

OF BOTH. >> A MIXTURE OF BOTH? OKAY.

>> MORE SO ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE LAKE.

>> OKAY, ANYBODY ELSE? >> MR. BROWN, YOU MENTIONED EARLIER THAT Y'ALL GOT REALLY GOOD FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY SURVEY. I AM JUST CURIOUS WHICH ASPECTS OF THIS PLAN WERE PARTICULARLY INFLUENCED OR INFORMED BY THE FEEDBACK THAT YOU GOT IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> REALLY THE LOCATION OF A LOT OF THINGS. A LOT OF THE ENHANCEMENT BUILT ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE. SO FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN WE STARTED THIS, WE LOOKED AT HOW WE CAN ENHANCE WHAT IS EXISTING. FOR EXAMPLE, BOULDER BACK IS A GREAT EXAMPLE. A LOT OF THE IDEAS WERE TO PRESERVE THE SHORELINE MUCH AS FAR.

ENHANCE, AND/OR EXPAND CODE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE BOAT RAMPS ACTUALLY WORK. A LOT OF THE FEEDBACK! PLEADED HUGE, GREAT BIG IDEAS THAT WE NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT. LOOKING AT MORE LOW-IMPACT STUFF. THE FEEDBACK FROM THE CITY AND THE PUBLIC WAS LIKE, LET'S GO BIG. I WANT TO SEE BIG. THAT INCLUDED A MARINA, AGILITY COURSES. IT WAS GREAT FEEDBACK. HOPEFULLY I

ANSWERED YOUR QUESTION. >> THANK YOU.

>> SINCE YOU ASKED ONE OF MY QUESTIONS, I STILL HAVE TWO MORE. FISHING DOCK AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH ARE INCLUDED IN THIS. YOU HURT THE PEOPLE. I APPRECIATE THAT. I

[00:35:07]

MATT YOU ARE WELCOME. >> THANK YOU, THAT'S AN AMAZING LIST. MY QUESTION ON SOMETHING I WANTED TO KNOW, HAVE YOU EXPLORED A DARK SKY --

>> YES. TWO LOCATIONS. ONE BEING SEA BEE AND ONE BEING THE

SOUTHWEST PROGRAM. >> EXACTLY.

>> AND PHOTOGRAPHY? >> YEAH. RECENTLY LOW-IMPACT LIGHTING, IT DOESN'T IMPACT HOW PEOPLE EXPERIENCE THE EXISTING CHARACTER OF THE SPACE.

>> ALSO GOOD FOR WILDLIFE AND HUMANS.

>> YES, TWO LOCATIONS. >> I MIGHT MENTIONED THE -- FOR THE BENEFIT . BUT YEAH, THERE COULD BE SOME POSSIBILITY FOR THAT IN ONE OF THE OTHER LOCATIONS. MAYBE ON THE NORTHEAST BOULDER BAY . IS THAT WHAT YOU CALLED BOULDER BAY? YEAH. THE POSSIBILITY TO GIVE US ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE FOR

PEOPLE WHO LIKE SKATING. >> YEAH, DON'T GET ME TOO EXCITED. THAT SOUNDS GREAT. I WOULD LOVE TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

SKATEBOARDING -- MET >> THAT IS ANOTHER GREAT IDEA.

>> OKAY. ANYONE ELSE? MICHAEL?

>> I GOT A LOT OF QUESTIONS . PROBABLY MORE SO THAN I WILL BE ABLE TO ASK IN THE BOARD MEETING. I MAY PULL YOU ASIDE

AND ASK YOU SOME QUESTIONS. >> OKAY. SOUNDS GOOD. VERY

GOOD. >> LOTS OF QUESTIONS FOR THE FUTURE. I KNOW WE PROBABLY DON'T HAVE THE ANSWERS RIGHT NOW. HE'S ALREADY MENTIONED ABOUT WORKING CURRENTLY ON THE FUNDING, HOW MUCH FOR THOSE IN-DEPTH QUESTIONS. JUST GREAT TO SEE THINGS THAT ARE FAMILY FORWARD, YOUTH FORWARD . IT LOOKS GOOD , AS FAR AS THIS CONCEPT.

>> IS IT TOO AMBITIOUS? >> I THINK THE BIG THING THAT I SEE, WE HAVE A LOT OF REALLY GOOD IDEAS. YOU KNOW, WHEN WE DEVELOP A MASTER PLAN, WE GENERALLY GO FOR THE PIE IN THE SKY STUFF, HOPING WE CAN TACKLE THESE THINGS IN STAGES. I THINK HAVING AMBITION IS NOT A BAD THING. WHEN WE COME UP WITH MASTER PLANS, I THINK AS A BOARD, AS A WAY WE RECEIVE FEEDBACK, WE CAN PRIORITIZE HOW WE ADDRESS THESE. AND WE HAVE DEVELOPED MASTER PLANS IN THE PAST. I THINK SOMETIMES, IT'S OVERLOOKED. I THINK AS WE PURSUE THIS, LEARNING AND GETTING MORE FEEDBACK, HOW WE PRIORITIZE ADDRESSING SOME OF THESE NEEDS, ONCE THIS IS FINALIZED, IT NEEDS TO BE PROBABLY THE NEXT STEP. THEN WE START FUND -- LOOKING FOR THE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES. I WOULD NOT CATEGORIZE THIS AS TOO AMBITIOUS. YOU WILL NOT REACH A GOAL AND LIST -- UNLESS YOU SET IT. LOOKING TO WHAT COULD BE. IN LOOKING, AS MICHAEL SAID, TRYING TO COME UP WITH WAYS TO GET THERE.

>> AS I TELL MY CHILDREN, TAKE SMALL BITES, AND YOU WILL

EVENTUALLY GET THERE. >> YEAH.

>> I LIKE THE CONCEPTS FOR THE PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN HERE.

ANDY TOURISM DOLLARS. I THINK THOSE ARE ALSO OFTEN OVERLOOKED. BUT I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT THEY ARE TALKING TO STATE AGENCIES, LOOKING AT THE ENVIRONMENTAL

IMPACTS, AS WELL. >> GOOD JOB. THANK YOU.

>> OKAY. ANY MORE QUESTIONS? >> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS CLEAR THAT TODAY, FOR THE PUBLIC, THAT TODAY WAS FOR FEEDBACK. WE WILL BE HAVING ANOTHER PUBLIC HEARING OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO GIVE US FEEDBACK BEFORE IT BECOMES

THE FINAL PLAN. >> AND THOSE WILL BE PUBLICIZED

[00:40:04]

FOR THE PUBLIC TO KNOW. >> YES. WE ACTUALLY RECEIVED THE DRAFT FLYER FOR JUNE 11TH YESTERDAY OR TODAY. SO WE WILL BE GETTING THAT OUT TO EVERYONE. MET OKAY, VERY GOOD.

[6. Carver Park Plat (Discussion, Public Hearing and Possible Action)]

>> REALLY APPRECIATE THE TIME.

>> YOU BET. OKAY, WE MOVE ON TO OUR NEXT ITEM, CARVER PARK

PLAT. >> THE REASON THIS IS BEFORE YOU TODAY, AS YOU ARE AWARE, THE 2023 BOND WAS APPROVED FOR THE NEW RECREATION CENTER. PART OF THAT PROCESS, WE NEED TO APPROVE A NEW PLAT FOR THAT PARK. I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME ADAM UP TO THE PODIUM, AND HE WILL GIVE THE PRESENTATION. MET

OKAY. >> MY NAME IS ADAM. I AM A CITY PLANNER FOR THE CITY OF ABILENE. THIS IS A CITY PLAT FOR THE NEW CARVER PARK ADDITION. THIS IS LOT 1, BLOCK A. IN THE CITY STAFF IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF THIS PLAT. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE

FOR ME. >> THIS ALSO CONTEMPLATES THE

NEW REC CENTER THERE? >> I BELIEVE SO.

>> OKAY, GOOD. >> THIS IS A FORMALITY.

>> OKAY. ALL RIGHT. DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

>> ADAM, ANY NEIGHBORHOOD FEEDBACK?

>> NO. THIS IS JUST THE SUBDIVISION OF THE LAND. IT WAS PREVIOUSLY SPLIT UP IN ABOUT EIGHT OR 10 DIFFERENT LOTS.

THIS IS JUST JOINING ALL OF THEM TOGETHER AS ONE LOT.

>> OKAY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? OKAY. ALL RIGHT. AT THIS TIME, WE WILL OPEN UP THE FLOOR FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CARVER PARK RE-PLATTING . ANYONE WANTING TO SPEAK ON THIS ISSUE? I INVITE YOU TO COME ON THE PODIUM AND STATE YOUR NAME.

YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES. WE ARE NOW OPEN FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. OKAY. SEEING NO ONE COMING FORWARD, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION. WANT TO GO THROUGH THIS RE-PLATTING . A MOTION TO SECOND?

>> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE .

[7. Aquatics Report (Discussion)]

REPORTS WITH AQUATICS, CHRIS. >> GOOD MORNING. WE HAVEN'T HAD IT IN THE PRESENTATION FOR A WHILE. THAT IS WHAT WE WANTED TO TALK ABOUT. WE DO HAVE ONE SPLASH PAD THAT WILL COME IN THE FUTURE. WE WILL HAVE A RIBBON-CUTTING FOR THAT EVENT.

WE WILL GET SOME INFORMATION OUT SOON. WE KNOW FOR SURE WE CAN GET THAT PAD UP AND RUNNING. OPEN OFFICIALLY SATURDAY, MAY THE 18TH, IT WAS THE FIRST DAY FOR THE WEEKEND.

AND THAT WILL BE THIS NEXT SATURDAY . IT WILL OPEN THE REGULAR SEASON HOURS, SO THAT WILL BE READY TO GO. I DID WANT TO LET YOU KNOW ABOUT THE SWIMMING LESSONS THIS YEAR.

EXCUSE ME. WILL HAVE FOUR WEEK SESSIONS ON WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY. THE TIMES VARY FOR DIFFERENT SESSIONS, OF COURSE.

THERE ARE FOUR SKILL LEVELS. PRESCHOOL, LEVEL 1, TWO, AND THREE. TAKE A LOOK ONLINE ON OUR SITE. WE WILL ALSO HAVE SOME SOCIAL MEDIA THAT IS GOING OUT ABOUT SOME OF THIS INFORMATION. THAT IS YOUR AQUATICS REPORT.

[8. Parks Report (Discussion)]

>> OKAY, ANY QUESTIONS. >> OKAY, PARKS REPORT. JESUS ,

YOU ARE BACKUP . >> JESUS CORONADO, PARKS MANAGER. ONE OF THE PROJECTS WE WORK THROUGH THE WINTER, FOR GETTING READY, AND JUST BEFORE THE SPLASH PAD'S OPEN, WE GOT

[00:45:01]

AND I BELIEVE IT WAS A TOTAL OF NINE SHADE STRUCTURES RANGING AT THE PARK, -- AND AT THE NEW SPLASH PAD COMING ONLINE, WHICH IS AT THE COACH VALENTINE PARK. ALL OF THIS WAS DONE IN-HOUSE .

THE CONCRETE, EVERYTHING WAS PUT TOGETHER. ACTUALLY WENT OUT THERE WITH THE GUYS A COUPLE OF DAYS, GETTING IN MY OFFICE IN MY HELMET -- ELEMENT. GETTING TO KNOW THEM A LITTLE BIT BETTER. AND THEN WE GOT EVERYTHING DONE RIGHT BEFORE THE SPLASH PAD OPENED. I'M REALLY PROUD OF YOU GUYS FOR TAKING THIS INFO. HE SAVED A LOT OF MONEY BY DOING THIS IN-HOUSE, FOR SURE. AS YOU CAN SEE, WE ALSO ADDED PICNIC TABLES UNDERNEATH EACH ONE OF THOSE SHADE STRUCTURES, AS WELL, SO PEOPLE HAVE A PLACE TO SIT DOWN WHILE WATCHING THE KIDS PLAY. I BROUGHT MY COMPUTER EARLIER. MIKE HAS REALLY TAKEN A DEEP DIVE WITH THIS NEW LANDSCAPE CREW, TRYING TO IMPROVE A LOT OF THINGS. WE GOT IMPROVEMENTS AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, AS WELL AS -- PARK. ALSO HAVE REDONE THE NORTH SIDE OF CITY HALL HERE. WE DID THE LANDSCAPE, CONTINUING THAT. WE STILL HAVE SOME THINGS TO WORK ON IN THE FRONT. YOU CAN SEE THE LANDSCAPE AROUND THE SCULPTURE TURNED OUT REALLY NICE. WE ARE REALLY PROUD OF THAT, AS WELL. THE LANDSCAPE CREW IS ON A REALLY GOOD JOB OF IMPROVING THOSE SPACES. MIKE HAS A PASSION FOR THAT. I'M GLAD HE DOES. HE KNOWS A LOT MORE ABOUT THIS THAN I DO. THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IT FOR US.

[9. Recreation Report (Discussion]

>> VERY GOOD. ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

RECREATION REPORT. MACE -- MISS ANN.

>> AS YOU KNOW, IT IS SUMMERTIME FOR US. WE ARE BUSY, GETTING READY FOR SUMMER CAMP EVERY DAY. MORE AND MORE CHILDREN HAVING SIGNED UP EVERY DAY. THE NUMBERS ARE BUILDING UP EVERY DAY. WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF SPOT IN SOME SESSIONS, BUT THAT'S A GOOD THING. WE LOVE HAVING ALL THE CHILDREN.

MICHAEL, YOU FINALLY GOT IN. IT WILL BE JUNE 3RD THROUGH AUGUST 9TH. WE WILL START STAFF TRAINING NEXT WEEK. I WANTED TO SHARE SOME OF OUR VOTERS -- PHOTOS FROM THE MOTHER SUNDANCE. IT WAS A SUCCESS. THEY REALLY GOT INTO THEIR COSTUMES . SOME OF THEM REQUIRE THAT THEY WERE DRESSING UP.

THEY HAD A LOT OF FUN. AND THEY LIKED ALL THE FUN GAMES THEY HAD. ONE OF THE LITTLE BOYS RAN UP AND GOES, MY MOM JUST FINISHED SEWING THIS. WE MADE IT JUST IN TIME. I WAS LIKE, WELL, YOUR MOM DID GREAT. HE WAS SO PROUD OF HER PROJECT.

THEY LEARNED A COUPLE OF NEW DANCES, AND IT'S REALLY FUN BECAUSE BOYS DON'T NORMALLY DANCE. ONE BOY SAID, I WILL GO HOME AND PRACTICE. AND I SAID, WELL, YOU GO. WE ARE STARTING NEW CLASSES THIS SUMMER, STARTING A ANIME AND MANGA ART CLASS. THAT IS STARTING THIS WEEK , MAY 23RD. WE ARE VERY EXCITED, BECAUSE WE ARE TRYING A NEW ART WORLD. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, COED VOLLEYBALL SIGN-UPS ARE STILL OPEN SO YOU CAN PLAY VOLLEYBALL AT ROSE PARK. AND IT IS INSIDE. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE OUTSIDE IN THE HEAT. ANY QUESTIONS?

[10. Seniors Report (Discussion)]

>> ALL RIGHT. SENIORS, CHRIS? >> CHRIS GIBSON, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND REC. THIS IS A PRETTY POPULAR CLASS. IT STARTED MAY THE SEVENTH AND GOES THROUGH TUESDAY. KNOWING ABOUT THE CLASSES THAT ARE AVAILABLE. THIS IS LED BY PROFESSIONAL PHYSICAL THERAPISTS. IT IS A WELL THOUGHT OUT, WELL PROGRAMMED EVENT. WHEN YOU GO THERE, YOU WILL GET SOME GOOD ACTIVITY GOING ON. JOIN US ON TUESDAYS, 5:15, AND DO SOME CIRCUIT TRAINING WITH US. CHAIR YOGA IS BACK. WE HAD ONE I GUESS A MONTH AGO, I BELIEVE IT WAS. IT WAS PRETTY POPULAR, ENOUGH FOR US TO CONTINUE ON. IT IS A FREE EVENT ON WEDNESDAYS. JOIN US FROM 11:00 TO 11:18. NOT 11:19, 11:20,

[00:50:01]

[11. Zoo Report (Discussion)]

>> VERY GOOD. THANK YOU. CHRIS, THANKS A LOT. JESSE, YOU ARE UP. SMACKED THANKS. MOST RECENTLY, WE JUST HAD OUR SUCCESSFUL HATCHING OF A VERY ENDANGERED BIRD. THIS IS PART OF OUR SPECIES SURVIVAL PLAN. VERY AWESOME FOR US. THE SIBLING IS STILL IN THE EXHIBIT, AS WELL. YOU WILL SEE THREE MATURE LOOKING BIRDS. OF COURSE WITH THAT ONE, WE JUST HAD TWO MORE EGGS,. POSSIBLY HAVE A FOURTH. WE WILL SEE IF MOM AND DAD PROCREATED SUCCESSFULLY. THAT WOULD BE FOUR SECRETARY BIRDS IN A MATTER OF TWO YEARS. WE ALSO HAD OUR VERY FIRST PIGLET FROM A RED RIVER HOG. THEY USUALLY HAVE A LITTER OF ABOUT 1 TO 4. SHE JUST HAD ONE. YOU CAN SEE HER ANY TIME YOU COME TO THE ZOO. THEY DO GROW FAST, SO COME LOOK AT IT. IT IS A FEMALE. RECENTLY, WE RECEIVED ANOTHER FEMALE DRAFT -- GIRAFFE. SHE IS ALSO PART OF THAT SSP, SPECIES SURVIVAL PLAN. LITERALLY KEEPING THE GENETIC OF THE SPECIES IN ONE GROUPING TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE APPROPRIATE GENETICS. COME SEE HER. THE COOL THING ABOUT HER IS HER SPOTS. I'VE NEVER SEEN A GIRAFFE PRINT LIKE THIS. THAT IS VERY UNIQUE TO HER, SO SHE IS VERY EASY TO TELL APART FROM THE OTHER GUYS. INTO UPGRADES, WE RIPPED OUT A BUNCH OF COBBLESTONE. THEY CAME IN AND GAVE A GOOD DONATION. WE RIPPED OUT THE COBBLESTONE, AS WELL AS MAKING IT ALL A.D.A.

ACCESSIBLE. THAT WAS NOT A.D.A. ACCESSIBLE APPROVED, IT WAS GRANDFATHERED IN. WE CORRECTED THAT, NOW IT LOOKS VERY NICE AND CLEAN. THAT ALSO GOT REDONE, YOU CAN SEE WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE NOW. GIVE A LITTLE HOMAGE TO THAT LOOK THAT THE STONE HAS, AS WELL AS THE SURFACE FOR GUESTS TO SIT DOWN, NOT TRIPPING OVER WHEN THE KIDS WANT TO CLIMB OVER EVERYTHING.

COMING UP, WE ARE OPENING THE ZOO ONE HOUR EARLY AND CLOSING IT ONE HOUR EARLY FOR THE FOLKS TO COME SEE THE ANIMALS BEFORE THE TRIPLE DIGIT HEAT WAVE. THAT WILL BE FOR THE THREE MONTHS FROM JUNE ALL THE WAY TO AUGUST 31ST. THEN IT WILL GO BACK TO ITS NORMAL OPERATIONAL HOURS OF 9:00 TO 5:00 AREA .

THIS IS A COUNTRY ARTIST FROM THE LATE '90S, EARLY 2000'S.

HE HAS ABOUT 5-6 HITS ON THE RADIO. CHECK HIM OUT JUNE 14TH.

IT WILL BE ON OUR EVENT LAWN. THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS INCLUSIVE TO THIS. SO IF YOU HAVE ANY KIDDOS AND YOU LIKE -- THEY CAN WRITE THE TRAIN WHILE YOU ENJOY AND -- AN ADULT

BEVERAGE. >> OKAY, ANY QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT. THANKS, JESSE. APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH. OKAY.

THAT'S THE COMPLETION OF OUR AGENDA FOR TODAY. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE WE NEED TO BRING UP FOR THIS BOARD? DOES ANYONE HAVE ANYTHING?

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.