[CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:24]
>> OLEN THREE. -- 3:03. MOVED TO START THE MAYOR'S ADVISORY BOARD OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
>> ITEM ON THE AGENDA, HIS PUBLIC COMMENTS. DO YOU ALL HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? IT LOOKS LIKE I SEE
[MINUTES ]
NONE. WE ARE GOING TO GO DOWN TO THE AGENDA ITEM NUMBER ONE.THE MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING. DID EVERYONE GET A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE JULY MEETING AND ITS? OKAY. YOU
>> SCROLL DOWN A WAYS. >> IT IS NOT IN THE PACKET.
>> WE CAN WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT MEETING TO APPROVE.
>> AWESOME. >> NEXT MEETING, APPROVED IN THE JULY MEETING MINUTES. WITH THAT BEING SAID, WE ARE GOING
[2. Marketing Opportunities (Discussion) ]
TO BE GOING DOWN TO AGENDA ITEM TWO. COULD YOU, PLEASE?>> TAKE THIS ONE. >> CAN YOU PULL FORWARD A LITTLE BIT? YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO PULL FORWARD THE BASE PIECE.
>> FANTASTIC. THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
>> THANKS FOR COMING. >> IT HAS BEEN A DISCUSSION ABOUT GETTING THE WORD OUT. MARKING THE OPPORTUNITIES. SO MUCH MESSAGING THAT YOU WOULD PROBABLY LIKE TO GET OUT THERE.
INTO THE WORLD. WHAT THAT COULD DO FOR NOT ONLY THE ADVISORY BOARD, BUT FOLKS WITH DISABILITIES IN GENERAL.
APPARENTLY, WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO WITH THAT. WHAT WE CAN DO TODAY, IF YOU WANT TO WALK THROUGH THIS TOGETHER, OR WE CAN TAKE IT ALL IN. MARINATE ON IT. WHETHER IT BE A VIDEO, A VIDEO COUPLED WITH DIFFERENT KINDS OF GRAPHICS, A NICE, LITTLE CAMPAIGN. WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE. WE JUST NEED TO WORK THROUGH THE GHOST PROCESS. GOALS, STRATEGIES, TACTICS FOR THAT. REALLY WANTING TO HEAR FROM YOU ALL, WHAT YOU WANT TO COME FROM THIS. OBVIOUSLY, THERE ARE 1 MILLION DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS YOU COULD TAKE. SO MANY MESSAGES AND BITS TO COMMUNICATE WITH PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO ENCOMPASS, AND WILL FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY DEAL WITH. THE FIRST BIG QUESTION, WHAT SINGULAR GOAL, AS THEY WOULD LIKE TO REACH? WHAT SAY IT IS SOMETHING LIKE A VIDEO. IT IS REALLY NICE IF WE CAN PUT TOGETHER SOME VIDEO CONTENT.
THIS CAN BE SHORTER FORMATS. THIS CONTINUES TO PUSH OUT. AS WE KNOW ON SOCIAL. AS FAR AS SALES, SALES PEOPLE TAKE SOME TIME. WHEN I WENT THROUGH SOME SALES STUFF, IT WAS SOME CONTEXT. THIS HAS GONE UP IN TODAY'S WORLD WITH SO MUCH COMING AT US. WHATEVER THAT ONE MESSAGE MIGHT BE, WE WANT TO GO AHEAD AND HAMMER OUT. DIFFERENT FORMATS, DIFFERENT TIMES. IF WE GO AHEAD, WE HAVE A LARGER VIDEO, CHOP IT UP, WE HAD
[00:05:03]
DIFFERENT FORMATS. WE COUPLE IT WITH DIFFERENT GRAPHICS, WE SCHEDULE IT OUT. IS IT A THREE OR SIX MONTH CAMPAIGN? THIS IS A DIFFERENT MESSAGE. THE FIRST BIG QUESTION, IS WHAT GOAL YOU WOULD ALL LIKE TO REACH. SECOND, ONCE WE ESTABLISH THAT, WE GET TO THE OBJECTIVE. I KNOW THE FIRST LEARNING, THE GHOST PROCESS, THE GHOST PROCESS WAS THE HARDEST TO GET MY MIND AROUND. REALIZING THE OBJECTIVE IS REALLY THAT MEASUREMENT PIECE. WE HAVE THIS GOAL. HOW ARE WE GOING TO KNOW THAT WE OBTAINED IT? WE HAVE TO STEP BACK, AND THINK, WHAT IS THE REAL LIFE THING? WHAT IS THE CHANGE OR OUTCOME THAT WE CAN TANGIBLY TALLY? WE CAN PROVE THAT WE GOT THAT TO OUR GOAL.WE CAN DRILL DOWN. WHAT STRATEGY DO WE WANT TO USE TO REACH THAT? THERE CAN BE MORE THAN ONE. AFTER THAT, IS WHERE WE GET TO THE TACTICS. WE CAN SPEAK WITH THEIR STRATEGY TO REACH THAT OBJECTIVE, AND SAY THAT WE OBTAINED IT AND GOT TO OUR GOAL. FIRST TIME, GOING THROUGH A GHOST PROCESS. I HAVE A LOT OF TACTICS OF MY HEAD. LET'S DO THIS. LET'S DO THAT.
WE HAVE ALL THESE COOL THINGS TO DO. WHAT ARE THEY SPEAKING TO? HOW ARE THEY MEASURING THEIR SUCCESS? DO THEY LEAD TO THE A COMPASS AND OR ATTAINMENT OF THAT GOAL? THAT'S WHAT WE COULD, AND WHAT SOME OF THOSE THOUGHTS OR FEELINGS MIGHT BE ABOUT A GOAL. IT COULD BE HELPFUL, JUST TO SAY LET'S GATHER AROUND ONE GOAL POINT. THIS IS ONE WAY WE WANT TO MEASURE WHETHER OR NOT WE REACHED THAT POINT. TELL ME
WHAT YOU THINK. >> I THINK FIRST AND FOREMOST, WE REALLY NEED TO WORK ON PROMOTING THIS BOARD. I FEEL LIKE IT COULD BE A BIG BENEFIT TO OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, TO REALLY KNOW MORE ABOUT WHO WE ARE, AND WHAT WE ARE DOING FOR THE CITY OF ABILENE. I FEEL LIKE THAT IS A BROAD STATEMENT, WE COULD CHISEL IT DOWN TO DIFFERENT PLACES. I FEEL LIKE BEING ON THE BOARD FOR A WHILE NOW, WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH NOTICE OR RECOGNITION IN THE COMMUNITY. WHEN I BRING IT UP, I HAVE NO IDEA THAT THIS EXISTED. MAYBE FINDING WAYS TO PROMOTE THAT FOR NOW. USE THAT TO SCAFFOLD ON TWO DIFFERENT THINGS, THIS IS GOING TO BRING TO OUR ATTENTION.
>> REALLY, UNDERSTANDING WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO. MEASURING SUCCESS, MAYBE IT IS A DIFFERENT POINT OF CONTACT
SOMEWHERE. >> WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT OBVIOUSLY ONE OF THE OTHER OBJECTIVES, THAT GETS WITH THAT. EDUCATING ABOUT THIS BOARD. ALSO EDUCATING HOW TO INCLUDE HOW PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES -- AND THEN, TO HAVE MORE PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEY CAN BRING THEIR VOICE TO THIS BOARD. WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE ABILENE, WHAT IT IS. A GREAT COMMUNITY. BEING ALL-INCLUSIVE. I'M KIND OF GOING FORWARD A LITTLE BIT. YOU MENTIONED STRATEGIES. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE DISCUSSED, IS EACH OF THE BOARD MEMBERS. THIS IS WITH AN ORGANIZATION, OR A BUSINESS THAT WORKS WITHIN THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY.
>> YEAH. >> KIND OF LIKE THE BIG
BROTHER. BIG SISTER PROGRAM. >> THAT WORKS REALLY NICELY. WE HAVE THIS INFORMATION FLOATING OUT. YOU MIGHT BE SEEING IT NEXT WEEK. SEEING IT INTERACT WITH 20 GUYS. IT FEELS LIKE WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON HOW TO INCLUDE FOLKS WITH DIFFERENT DISABILITIES, ARE YOUR VOICE IS HEARD, THAT COULD BE IMPACTED TO PROMOTE THE BOARD ITSELF, AND WHAT YOU ALL DO. HERE'S YOUR AVENUE, FOR SUBMITTING
[00:10:05]
CONCERNS, OR DIFFERENT THOUGHTS ABOUT HOW THINGS CAN BE IMPROVED. IT IS AWESOME TO HAVE ANOTHER PERSON WITH STRATEGIES HAPPENING TO ANOTHER COUPLE. I'M WONDERING IF WE ARE GOING AT A GENERAL GOAL OF PROMOTING THE BOARD. WHAT IT DOES, AND HOW YOU CAN INTERACT. WHAT CAN WE USE TO MEASURE HOW WELL THAT IS WORKING OR NOT WORKING? IS IT MAYBE JUST A POINT OF CONTACT OF EMAILS THAT YOU ALL RECEIVED? I DON'T KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY ONLINE QUESTIONS FOR FOLKS TO REACH OUT, AND TAPYOU ON THE SHOULDER. >> I THINK ONE OF THEM, HOW MANY TOPICS THE COMMUNITY BRINGS THAT WE ACCOMPLISH. THE FIRST SEVERAL YEARS, I FEEL LIKE THIS BOARD WE DEALT WITH A LOT WITH A.D.A. WITH ENABLING. I FELT LIKE THERE WERE A LOT OF OUTCOMES AND PRODUCTIVITY. NOW, YES WE NEED TO FOLLOW-UP WITH THOSE. NOW, IT IS MARKETING THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY AS A H.O.M.E. ACT -- HOLE INVOLVED. ABILENE, HAS MANY CITY EVENTS.
MAYBE EACH YEAR, WE TACKLE ONE OR TWO OF THOSE EVENTS, AND TACKLE THOSE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE PART OF THOSE EVENTS. MAKE THAT EVENT SUCCESSFUL. INCLUSIVE, -- SUCCESSFUL BY
BEING INCLUSIVE. >> THIS WOULD HAVE TO BE A REALLY FUN OPPORTUNITY. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS PARADE. YOU CAN DO AN AUDIT OF THE GRID ARE YOU ABLE TO GET IN A WHEELCHAIR? YOU HAVE ACCESS TO THIS AREA. THERE ARE SOME FOLKS SEEING SOME THINGS THAT ARE COMPLIANT. EVEN LETTING A PERSON IN A WHEELCHAIR NO, THERE IS SPACE FOR YOU HERE.
>> WE TALKED ABOUT DOING A COMPANY THAT COMES IN. THERE IS A CHECKLIST OF THE CITY THAT THEY DO. ARE YOU COMPLYING TO THIS AND THIS? ENFORCING IT, ENCOURAGING THOSE COMPANIES.
WORKING WITH THE CITY TO HAVE AN INCLUSIVE CHECKLIST. ONE OF THOSE, WITH THERE BE A DESIGNATED AREA FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AT THE PARADE? DOES THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY KNOW WHERE THAT IS? WITH AUTISM, MOST DIFFERENT TYPE OF DISABILITIES, IS THERE A QUIET SPACE? DO THEY NEED THAT QUIET SPACE? IF THE ELECTRIC CHAIR DIES, DO WE KNOW WHERE THAT AREA IS? THOSE TYPE OF THINGS.
>> IF WE CENTER AROUND A VIDEO PIECE, THIS INCLUDES THE SUPPORTING CONTENT. IT FEELS LIKE WE NEED A LANDING PAGE OF SOME SORT. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO CONNECT WITH IT. YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THOSE THINGS AS A DISABLED INDIVIDUAL, OR AN EMPLOYER, HERE IS AN EASY CHECKLIST OF THINGS THAT MAKE
YOUR WORKPLACE MORE FEASIBLE. >> ONE OF THOSE STRATEGIES, COULD BE ABLE. THIS IS ON THE COMMITTEE LIST FOR THAT CITY.
MAYBE, WE HAVE THAT SPECIFIC PAGE THAT YOU CAN CLICK ON TO A COMMITTEE MEMBER. YOU CAN GET THE BIO, AND YOU CAN KNOW WHY THEY ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS TOPIC.
>> IF YOU HAVE THAT LANDING SPOT, YOU CAN GO TO WHAT SEEMS
APPROPRIATE. >> I KNOW THAT SAN ANGELO, THAT BOARD WORKED WITH THE CITY. LAST YEAR, PARADE OF CHRISTMAS PARADE. TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAD SET UP VARIOUS ACCESSIBLE SPOTS. ACCESSIBLE PARKING THAT WAS CLOSER TO WHEELCHAIR SPECIFIC MOBILITY DEVICE SEATING. THEY WEREN'T INTERFERING WITH THE CROWD AROUND THEM. THEY WEREN'T IN FRONT OF PEOPLE IN A GENERAL AREA. THE NICE SECTION. THEY
[00:15:02]
DID SOME OTHER THINGS. THEY PARTNERED WITH SOME OTHER LOCAL DISABILITY AGENCIES. THEY CREATED A COUPLE OF QUIET PLACES. OPERATIONS FROM SENSORY STUFF, TO HELP WITH THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO MIGHT NEED IT. I BELIEVE THEY HAD AN INTERPRETER FOR SOME STUFF. THEY WERE JUST TARGETING ALL OF IT. THIS IS TO MAKE THE EVENT MORE WELCOMING, TO EVERYONE. MY UNDERSTANDING, IT WAS A BIG SUCCESS. ESPECIALLY HAVING MORE ACCESSIBILITY PARKING. THAT IS A BIG CONCERN FOR THEM OUT THERE. THEY WERE ABLE TO GET SOME PARKING LOTS TO AGREE.THIS WAS A HUGE POSITIVE FEEDBACK. THIS IS GOING TO BE
MORE ACCESSIBLE. MORE ACCESS. >> ARE WE REALLY GOING?
>> IT IS A GREAT TIME. >> GETTING A SPOT.
>> IT IS A LOT OF PEOPLE. >> POWER CHAIRS AND STUFF. THIS REQUIRES MORE SPACE TO MANEUVER. REGULAR PARKING SPOTS, YOU NEED A RAMP FOR THESE. YOU CANNOT USE THEM, UNLESS IT IS A REGULAR PARKING SPOT. THAT STARTS TO LIMIT FOR A LOT OF FAMILIES. THEY CAN BE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY GET THAT INDIVIDUAL IN AND OUT OF THEIR VEHICLE.
>> ALL RIGHT. FANTASTIC. I THINK AS WE MOVE FORWARD, I WILL JUST COMMUNICATE WITH YOU DIRECTLY. THOSE HIGH POINTS OF THE FUNCTION FOR THE BOARD. THIS IS THE INFORMATION YOU WANT TO SOLICIT JUST FROM THE GENERAL REPUBLIC. THIS IS JUST A GOOD GATHERING POINT. THIS WOULD BE A SCRIPT OFF OF THAT.
THIS IS JUST A QUICK LANDING PAGE ON THE WEBSITE. WE CAN COME UP WITH A QUICK LINK TO IT. YOU CAN JUST THROW OUT TO FOLKS. HERE YOU GO. YOU CAN SEE THAT MIRRORED.
>> WE CAN PROMOTE THAT. THIS IS THE PAGE TO THE COMMUNITY. THEY WILL KNOW THAT IS WHERE THEY CAN GET THAT INFORMATION.
OBVIOUSLY, THIS BOARD IS NOT THE COUNTY. SPECIFICALLY, THE CITY. LET'S TAKE THE EXAMPLE OF THE CHRISTMAS PARADE. WE CAN HAVE THESE ACCOMMODATIONS. I KNOW THAT YOU KNOW THE FIRST THURSDAY. WE CAN WORK TOWARDS THAT. THAT IS A CITY EVENT. IT
IS NOT A CITY EVENT. >> THIS IS RIGHT HERE EITHER.
>> RIGHT. >> I THINK AS A BOARD, WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO BE A RESOURCE. THIS IS FOR THE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT A LOT OF NONPROFITS IN THE CITY, AND WHAT THEY WORK WITH. THIS IS THE GO TO PLACE. YEAH. IT CAN
BE A BIG UNDERTAKING. >> WE CAN GET SOME WORDS
TOGETHER. >> I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF THE BOARD MEMBERS, HAVE THOUGHTS OUT THERE. THAT'S WHAT WE ARE GOING TO GO WITH. IT IS NOT JUST THE CHAIR SHOW.
IT IS THE BOARD SHOW. >> I WANT TO MAKE SURE,
>> THIS IS THE TIME FOR THEM TO LET YOU ALREADY KNOW. WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT EDUCATION. WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE MARKETING APPROACH. ALSO, THE
NETWORKS. >> KNOW THAT THE WHOLE
[00:20:01]
COMMUNITY POSING WITH IT. >> 12 MILLION PEOPLE WATCHING
AT ONE TIME. >> MAYBE A CRAWLER. MAYBE THEY HAVE GOTTEN CRAWLERS BEFORE. THAT CAN BE DONE. ADVERTISING WHEN WE HAVE PARKING. NOT JUST SHOW UP, AND THERE IT IS. WE
HAVE THESE THINGS FOR YOU. >> A LOT OF THAT, IS WHATEVER WE PUT TOGETHER. THE STATIONS ARE HAPPY TO TAKE IT. WE ARE AT THEIR MERCY WHERE THEY CAN THROW US IN FOR FREE.
>> THAT IS OKAY. >> THAT IS FINE, RIGHT?
>> THERE HAVE BEEN A COUPLE OF PROMOS STUCK INTO THOSE
COMMERCIAL RATES. >> AND NOW WE KNOW.
>> THIS IS MAYBE WHERE THE TEXAS WORKFORCE COMES IN. JOBS AND THE CITY, I FEEL LIKE WE COULD BE PART OF SOME OF THEIR FARES. I DON'T KNOW IF THE CITY EVER WORKS WITH THOSE TYPES OF AFFAIRS. WORK FARES. LIKE THEY HAD.
>> THIS IS LIKE FROM SOME OF THE YOUNGER KIDS AT THOSE EVENTS. THEY REALLY MAKE IT OUT TO THOSE.
>> ARE WE CONNECTED WITH THE CONVENTION CENTER? DID WE
FIGURE IT OUT? >> WE OWN THE BUILDING. IT IS
MANAGED BY A THIRD PARTY. >> COULD WE ENCOURAGE THAT THIRD-PARTY OR NOT? I'M JUST ASKING.
>> WE CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION. IT WOULD BE UP TO THEM.
>> AWESOME. >> WE WILL CONNECT. WE WILL JUST START JOTTING THE WORDS DOWN. WE HAVE SOMETHING THAT WE WANT TO DIP INTO, SHARE FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS. I THINK FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS, IT IS PRETTY CUT AND DRY. JUST GETTING THAT BASIC INFORMATION OUT THERE FOR EVERYBODY. THIS IS MY PET PEEVE OF EVERYONE ELSE.
>> I THINK FROM THERE, IT WILL OPEN THE DOOR TO NEW CONVERSATIONS AND QUESTIONS. WE CAN TAKE FROM THERE, AND HOWEVER WE NEED TO LOOK AT THAT LANDING PAGE. WE HAVE OTHER PSA'S ABOUT THINGS GOING ON. WHAT WE ARE CURRENTLY DOING IN THE COMMUNITY. I FEEL LIKE THAT WILL OPEN AND GIVE US A BIG SEGWAY. THIS IS FROM FUTURE TOPICS.
>> ABSOLUTELY. >> ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE
BOARD? >> I THINK THAT IS GOOD.
[3. Developing a Special Event Plan (Discussion)]
>> NEXT ON THE AGENDA, DEVELOPING A SPECIAL EVENT PLAN DISCUSSION. WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
WHAT I MEAN BY A SPECIAL EVENT PLAN, I KNOW THAT SEVERAL YEARS AGO, SEVERAL YEARS AGO, I THINK THERE WAS A DAY THAT SOME OF THE LEADERSHIP OF ABILENE, TOOK ON SOME DISABILITIES. FOR A DAY. THAT HAPPENED BEFORE MY TIME. I THINK IF WE CAN ALSO GET AN EVENT, DURING DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH, WHICH IS OCTOBER, WE NEED TO START TALKING ABOUT THIS NOW.
ESPECIALLY WHEN WE ARE MEETING EVERY OTHER MONTH. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO TALK ABOUT IS THE BOARD, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE THAT EVENT TO BE? WITH THE LEADERSHIP THAT WE HAVE, HERE IN ABILENE, THEY HAVE BEEN VERY GOOD AT DOING A PROCLAMATION.
OCTOBER, IS ALSO EMPLOYMENT MONTH. AND IT IS DISABILITY
[00:25:07]
AWARENESS MONTH. AND, IT IS WHITE CANDY CANE MONTH. RIGHT.WHAT WE NEED TO DECIDE, IF WE ARE GOING TO DO AN EVENT, WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE? WE TALKED AT ONE TIME, DOING IT ON A DAY, AROUND A COUNCIL MEETING. HAVING THEM WALK TO THE CONVENTION CENTER. THIS IS WITH THE COUNCIL, HAVING A DISABILITY. HAVING TRUCKS RIGHT THERE, AND HAVING BOOTHS FOR PEOPLE, AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT WORK WITH THEM IN DISABILITY, AS PART OF THE RESOURCE FAIR. WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THAT. WE
HAVE NEVER DONE IT. >> I KIND OF LIKE THE IDEA OF GIVING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR AN INDIVIDUAL TO EXPERIENCE WHAT OTHER DISABILITIES ARE LIKE. I BELIEVE REGION 14, WILL HAVE THOSE EXCESS ABILITIES AND ITEMS TO DO SO. I FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE AVENGED OUR GENERAL COMMUNITY THEMSELVES. PROBABLY CURIOUS, TO KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENT, SENSORY ISSUES, MOBILITY, I CAN'T REMEMBER. THEY REALLY GOT A BIGGER UNDERSTANDING OF WHY THEY ARE HERE. WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO ADVOCATE IN THE COMMUNITY, TO BE MORE INCLUSIVE AND OPEN. I REALLY JUST LOST MY TRAIN OF THOUGHT. MAYBE THAT IS HAVING A BIG SETUP, TO GO AND JUST GO HOWEVER THEY ARE ABLE TO SET IT UP. RESOURCES, MAYBE THEY HAVE SOMEONE NOW WITH A PRESENTATION. KIND OF SHARE, --
>> WHAT IT IS LIKE TO HAVE A DISABILITY. LIVING IN OUR COMMUNITY. WHETHER IT IS POSITIVES. MAYBE THEY WOULD HOPE TO SEE IMPROVED THINGS LIKE THAT. THE COMMUNITY HAS OPPORTUNITIES TO COME OUT. REALLY, LEARN MORE. GOING TO BE ACTIVE UPON. THIS COULD BE EYE-OPENING TO THOSE THAT DIDN'T FOCUS, OR DIDN'T REALIZE THIS BEFOREHAND.
>> I AM HEARING, IF WE DID THE MENTIONED BEFORE, WE HAVE SEVEN ON THE BOARD. IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, I WOULD LIKE TO DO GROUPS. MEANING A BOARD MEMBER WOULD BE IN CHARGE OF THIS. A BOARD MEMBER WOULD BE IN CHARGE OF THIS. IT WOULD BE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FIND PEOPLE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, THAT WOULD HELP WITH WHAT YOUR COMMITTEE DOES. WHAT WOULD YOU
>> I LIKE WHEN I HEAR THAT. THAT SOUNDS FUN. OF COURSE, THIS WOULD NEED TO GO TO THE CITY COUNCIL. TO BE APPROVED.
>> THIS WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH, AT LEAST ADMINISTRATION, OR CITY COUNCIL. THERE IS NO BUDGET TO PUT ANY KIND OF EVENT ON. I WOULD NEED TO TALK WITH ADMINISTRATION. I MUST HAVE MISUNDERSTOOD YOU. THIS ITEM, WAS TO DISCUSS A PIECE OF PAPER THAT WAS HANDED OUT FOR THE SPECIAL EVENT TO DO THINGS AND MAKE THEM MORE ACCOMMODATING.
NOT YOU ARE PLANNING A SPECIAL EVENT.
>> WE CAN GO BACK TO THAT. >> GO IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION FROM WHAT I HAD IN MY NOTES. ABOUT WHAT YOU ALL WANTED TO
[00:30:03]
TALK ABOUT WITH IT. >> IF YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO
VISIT WITH ADMIN, I CAN. >> LET ME SEE WHAT THAT PROCESS WOULD BE. THERE IS A WAY THAT WE CAN HAVE THAT INFORMATION BY JANUARY. WE CAN SPLIT UP THE BOARD WITH COMMITTEES OR GROUPS. THEY WOULD WORK WITH WHATEVER THE BOARD WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT IF AND TO LOOK LIKE. THERE MAY BE SOME ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN THE CITY, THAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR THOSE.
THEY WORK WITH THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY. THERE ARE SOME GRANTS OUT THERE, THOSE ORGANIZATIONS COULD GET. THAT IS NEXT MONTH. ONCE THE CITY COMES BACK, WITH WHAT GROUP YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE IN CHARGE OF, YES.
>> YOU ARE LOOKING AT CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. DID YOU SEE THAT INCLUDE MAYBE PRINCIPLES? DOES THIS INCLUDE LEADERS AND BUSINESS OWNERS? THE CITY COUNCIL HEARS US ALL THE TIME.
THIS INCLUDES OTHER PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.
>> THIS SAYS TO BE INCLUSIVE IN WHO WE ARE INCLUDING.
>>-NEXT MEETING, WE CAN ADD MORE ITEMS TO THE LIST THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT. I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO CONSTRUCT A LIST OF TOPICS, PROCEDURES, THAT WOULD ALL HELP AN EVENT TO BE MORE INCLUSIVE. WE TALKED ABOUT IT WHEN WE WERE JUST TALKING WITH MARI. NOTICEABLE, ACCESSIBLE PARKING. NOTICEABLE SEATING AREAS., FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
>> WE NEED A LIST OF INTERPRETERS. THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING COMMUNITY, WOULD FEEL COMFORTABLE GOING AND KNOWING THAT THEY CAN UNDERSTAND AND BE ABLE TO HEAR.
THERE IS NO ONE THERE, UNLESS THEY BRING SOMEONE ON THEIR OWN. THIS IS LIKE THEIR OTHER INDIVIDUAL. THAT WOULD BENEFIT FROM IT. YOU KNOW, HOW ACCESSIBLE IS IT FOR SOMEONE WHO USES A WHITE CANE? HOW MANY OBSTACLES WOULD BE IN THEIR WAY? I THINK THAT WOULD FALL INTO THE MOBILITY FOLKS.
>> MAYBE HAVING SOMEONE AVAILABLE, YOU CAN CHECK IN.
SOMEONE CAN HELP GUIDE THOSE PEOPLE. THIS IS THE VISUAL.
THEY NEED THAT EXTRA SUPPORT. THEY ARE A LITTLE BIT CROWDED.
HAVING TO TAKE LOTS OF TURNS OR WHAT NOT TO GET THERE. HAVING
SOMEONE TO PROVIDE THAT. >> IN OTHER CITIES, I HAVE SEEN THIS, IN AN EMERGENCY, THIS COULD BE THE INFORMATION BOOTH, CITY EVENTS, THAT LET YOU KNOW THE THINGS THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT. A LOT OF THIS, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT VISUAL
[00:35:12]
DISABILITIES. THERE ARE INVISIBLE DISABILITIES.DIABETES, YEAH. >> I'M SO SORRY. CAN YOU GET
CLOSER? >> THAT IS AS FAR AS IT WILL
>> YOU ARE GOOD. >> I'M GOING TO SAY LOWER IT
DOWN. RIGHT THERE. >> YOU MAY HAVE TO SPEAK
LOUDER. >> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT YOU,
DEBORAH. >> I'M GOING TO SPEAK LOUDER.
>> OKAY. >> YOU HAVE WORKED WITH INDIVIDUAL, WITH AUTISM. WILL THAT LOOK LIKE TO MAKE AN EVENT? WHAT IS GOING TO BE MORE?
>> THE CALF HAS STARTED THAT SENSORY CREATED AREA, FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE BEEN PART OF A VERY BUSY, STIMULATING EVENT. TRYING TO CALM DOWN THE SENSORY RIGHT SPACE. THEY CAN GO. THE ZOO, ALSO PARTNERED WITH -- I CAN'T THINK OF THE ORGANIZATION. THEY WERE GIVEN A DRAWSTRING BAG WITH HEADPHONES, FIDGETS, MAP, VISUAL, STORY, THINGS TO HELP THEM. CULTURE CITY. THEY DO STUFF FOR THE MIXED SPORTING EVENTS, AND THINGS LIKE THAT. THEY PROVIDE THESE BAGS, CALM DOWN ITEMS, HEADPHONES, THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT CAN HELP REGULATE THE SENSORY NEEDS. STIMULATING, OVERWHELMING THESE ENVIRONMENTS. YOU KNOW, IF THE VENUE PERMITS A SPACE ESPECIALLY, IT CAN BE VERY CROWDED AND OVERWHELMING.
>> SO FAR, I HAVE THE RESOURCE LIST OF INTERPRETERS. NOTICE FOR ACCESSIBLE PARKING, DESIGNATED SEATING AREA.
INFORMATION BOOTH, SENSORY AREA. CHARGING AREA. HOW DO WE HELP WITH THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING TO MAKE EVENTS? -- MORE
INCLUSIVE? >> REDUCE THE AUDIO STIMULUS.
WE NEED SOCIAL MEDIA LIKE SNAPCHATTED, TIKTOK BURIED OTHER SOCIAL MEDIAS AND FACEBOOK'S. MOST OF THEM COMMUNICATE. IT IS FINE THROUGH THESE EMAILS. WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE IT SPECIAL EVENT. YOU WANT THEM TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT WILL MAKE IT MORE FUN. LIKE GOING TO THE PARK. WISH WE WOULD HAVE PROBABLY DONE THAT. THIS IS PRIME TIME. THIS IS WHAT THEY HAVE. THIS CATERS TO A SPECIFIC GROUP.
]. THIS IS WHAT THEY HAVE BUILT RIGHT NOW AS WE SPEAK. THIS IS PART OF THE EVENT. WE GET THIS SHARED. WE CAN DO A 3K WALK,
[00:40:04]
WHAT IS THE NAME OF THAT? >> YES. ABOUT TWO MILES, WE CAN WALK HERE. WE CAN COMMUNICATE AND SUPPORT THE COST. THIS IS THE HARD OF HEARING DEMOGRAPHIC. THIS IS VERY HARD WITH THIS. WE JUST HAVE TO GIVE THEM A GOOD REASON TO COME.
>> DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS ON THAT?
>> LIKE WHAT? WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?
>> HOW DO WE GET THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING COMMUNITY MORE INVOLVED? I KNOW THAT COMMUNICATION IS CHALLENGING.
>> THIS IS A VERY STUBBORN GROUP. THIS IS WHAT I WANTED. I WILL TELL YOU THIS. WE HAVE BEEN HAVING COFFEE.
>> IS THAT GROWING? >> I AM NOT SURE ABOUT THAT. WE CAN MAKE THAT GROW. FIRST SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH.
>> THAT IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE PUT ON THE CALENDAR, ON THE WEBPAGE. THE BOARD IS WANTING TO WORK ON. AND, THAT COULD BE PROMOTED. HOPEFULLY THROUGH THE STATIONS THAT WE CURRENTLY
HAVE. THIS IS IN ABILENE. >> LIKE I'M SETTING,
INAUDIBLE ]. >> I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS OUT THERE. WE KNOW THAT WE WOULD TELEVISE IT ON THE TV. THIS IS THE CHRISTMAS BREAK. THEY TELEVISE IT ON A LOCAL STATION. IF THERE WERE A WAY, THERE COULD BE A DEVICE, OR AN APP, THIS IS ON A PERSON'S PHONE WHO HIS -- IS DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING THAT COULD READ WHAT GROUP IS COMING BY, IF WE WERE DOING THE CHRISTMAS PARADE, AND THE DESIGNATED AREA WAS CLOSE TO WHERE THEY ARE TELEVISING IT, THEN THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING CAN HAVE IT ON A TEXT, POSSIBLY. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING LIKE THAT OUT
THERE. >> DO YOU KNOW OF ANYTHING?
>> THIS IS STAT. CAN WE REACH THE TARGET?
>> YEAH. >> THERE'S A LOT OF SOCIAL MEDIA, REALLY. FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM.
>> THEY HAVE THE CLOSED CAPTIONING ON THERE?
>> INTERPRETING? >> THEY SHOW IT ON TV.
>> THEY ARE SHOWING THIS KIND OF RESOURCE. HOW ARE YOU
RELYING THAT? >> I KNOW THAT IT IS TELEVISED ON TV. I'M LOOKING AT YOU. IS IT ALSO TELEVISED ON THE
[00:45:03]
CITIES? CITIES NETWORK AND WEBPAGE?>> I WAS JUST GETTING INTO LESLIE'S WORLD TOO. THIS IS WEST TEXAS. THEY OWN THE PARADE.
>> THE CITY ITSELF, DOESN'T OWN ANY PARADE. THE BEST WAY, MIGHT BE GOING THROUGH FOR EXAMPLE, THE CHRISTMAS PARADE THAT NEEDS TO BE GOING. I'M GUESSING THAT THERE IS CAPTIONING AVAILABLE AS YOU ARE WATCHING IT.
>> THE WORK IS BEING DONE SOMEWHERE.
>> IF YOU DON'T -- WATCHING THE PARADE ON FOX, DOES THAT
COME ACROSS? >> I THINK YOU HAVE TO CLOSE ON -- TURN ON CLOSED CAPTIONING WITH YOUR TV.
>> THAT COULD BE SOMETHING ON YOUR PHONE. YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE FOX APP TRADE YOU ARE WATCHING THE PARADE. IT MAY DO
IT. >> I'M LOOKINGAT THE CAPTIONING. THEN YOU ARE SEPARATING. THIS IS AT HOME, WATCHING IT. UNLESS IT IS ON THE APP, AND THEY CAN DO THE CLOSED CAPTIONING. WE DON'T WANT THE COMMUNITY TO HAVE TO BE AT HOME WATCHING IT. IF THEY REALLY WANT TO EXPERIENCE IT.
>> THIS IS MAYBE TWO YEARS AGO, THAT I HELP THEM WITH THE ACTUAL BROADCAST. THEY WERE LIFE TO TAKE. THEY WERE NECESSARILY GOING LIVE AT 6:30 P.M. I'M NOT SURE IF THEY ARE ACTUALLY GOING LIVE TO AIR AT 6 130. REPLAYING IT AT A
DIFFERENT TIME. >> AGAIN, IF YOU WERE STANDING ON PINE, YOU CAN GET THERE. HOW ARE YOU REPLAYING ON SATURDAY? IT LOSES THAT EFFECT OF HAVING THAT. I GUESS IT IS JUST AN EFFECT OF HAVING THAT INVESTMENT GROUP. WITH THAT EXAMPLE COMPARED TO US FOR EXAMPLE, WHERE WE PAY AN EXTRA -- EXTRA PREMIUM FOR THEM TO PROVIDE THE ACTUAL TRANSCRIPT, SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO RELY ON WHAT THE TV MIGHT BE DOING WITH CLOSED CAPTIONING. OF COURSE, WE PAY FOR THE LANGUAGE SERVICE AND ALL OF THAT. IT IS ALL ABOUT THAT COMPANY INVESTING, AND WHAT THEY ARE OFFERING FOR FOLKS SO THEY CAN ENJOY THAT
PIECE. >> I THINK THE MARKETING IS ALSO GOING TO BE ESSENTIAL TOO. THESE COMPANIES ARE COMING IN AS BIG A COUNTRY CITY THAT WE ARE. IF THEY COME IN, AND THEY SEE THAT THE CITY IS SUPPORTING THIS, THAT ALSO SHOWS CREDIBILITY. THIS IS TO WHAT THE BOARD WANTS. WHAT IT IS STRIVING FOR. THAT IS ANOTHER REASON WHY I THINK THAT THE MARKETING IS ESSENTIAL. THEN, WE KNOW THAT THE LEADERSHIP AND THE CITY IS BEHIND THIS. THIS IS A HUGE STEP FOR A CITY. NOT VERY MANY COMMUNITIES DO THIS.
>> SHARING THAT EXTRA LIGHT ON SOMETHING. LOOK AND SEE.
>> I WOULD LOVE FOR ABILENE, SEVERAL YEARS AGO, WITH THE LEADERSHIP WHEN I SPOKE, IT WOULD BE AMAZING FOR A BIG COUNTRY, TO BE THE EXAMPLE OF HOW TO MAKE YOUR COMMUNITY ALL ACCESSIBLE. IT IS GOING TO TAKE BABY STEPS. THE FIRST ONE IS MARKETING, I THINK. BACK TO THE QUESTION ABOUT THE APP, IF THERE ARE THINGS THAT YOU SEE CAN HELP IN A FIT, THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING COMMUNITY, THIS BOARD IS VERY ECLECTIC. THERE IS A REASON WHY WE ARE ON THE BOARD. THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING, IT IS GREAT FOR YOU TO COME TO THE BOARD. AND EDUCATE US ON THE BOARD. THIS IS ON WHAT IS UP
[00:50:01]
THERE TO MAKE THE COMMUNITY MORE INCLUSIVE. YOU ARE RIGHT.THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING COMMUNITY IS VERY CHALLENGING TO GET THEM INVOLVED. IT IS VERY CHALLENGING. TO ME, I FEEL LIKE THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING COMMUNITY, IS A COMMUNITY WITHIN ITSELF. SOMETIMES THEY JUST DON'T GET INVOLVED IN ALL OF THE OTHER THINGS. BECAUSE IT IS A CHALLENGE. IF WE CAN BREAK DOWN THE CHALLENGES, THAT IS WHAT WE ARE HERE FOR. SAME WITH HAVING DEBORAH ON THE BOARD. I LOOKED TO HER, AND THE BOARD DOES. HOW CAN WE MAKE THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED AND BLIND INCLUSIVE WITH THE COMMUNITY?
>> THIS BOARD IS WANTING TO KEEP THE COMMUNITY. AS BOARD MEMBERS, WE NEED TO EDUCATE EACH OTHER, SO THAT WE CAN EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE GOT SIX THINGS ON THE INCLUSION LIST. SO FAR. WHAT I WOULD ENCOURAGE, IS WHAT WE NEED TO DO. BETWEEN NOW AND JANUARY, PLEASE TAKE SOME TIME TO THINK OF WAYS THAT WE CAN MAKE EVENTS MORE INCLUSIVE. ONE OF THEM, LET'S BE HONEST, HAVING AN ACCESSIBLE PORTABLE POTTY.
>> THAT IS A BIG ONE. THAT IS A BIG ONE. HAVING ACCESSIBLE
>> YOU DIDN'T THINK ABOUT THAT?
>> IF IT IS EVENTS THAT HAVE AISLES, WHAT IS THE WIDTH? HOW DO YOU MAKE THE AISLES MORE? HOW ARE THEY MORE ACCOMMODATING? YES, THE OTHER THING IS, AND THIS KIND OF GOES BACK TO -- GOING BACK? I HAVE REDID THE WALK-THROUGH AT OUR CONVENTION CENTER. TALKING ABOUT BECAUSE THERE WAS A RANT.
THE OTHER ONE DIDN'T HAVE THE RAMP. EVERYONE WAS LIKE, IT WAS GOING TO COST A LOT OF MONEY TO BUILD THE SECOND RENT, TO MAKE THIS EXIT ACCESSIBLE. REALLY, AS LONG AS THERE ARE DESIGNATED ACCESSIBLE EXITS, EMERGENCY EXITS, AND THEY KNOW WHERE THOSE ARE, THAT IS WHAT MATTERS. A LOT OF TIMES, PEOPLE ARE THINKING OF MAKING THINGS INCLUSIVE. YOU HAVE TO SPEND LOTS OF MONEY. IT IS REALLY NOT THAT. IT IS, BUT IT ISN'T.
>> IT IS A MATTER OF COMMUNICATION.
>> YES. AND SO, THAT'S WHY I UNDERSTAND THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING COMMUNITY. THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED, AND BLANKET COMMUNITY. IT IS CHALLENGING AT TIMES TO GET OUT. REALLY, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE REPRESENTATIVES NOT JUST ON THE BOARD, BUT FOR YOUR COMMUNITY TO COME OUT. THE BOARD CAN HEAR FROM YOUR COMMUNITY. I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE ALL OF THESE
[00:55:06]
POLITICAL POCKETS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, HAVE A VOICE. THAT IS WHAT THIS BOARD IS FOR. THAT IS WHY WE ARE TALKING ALSO ABOUT MARKETING RIGHT NOW TOO. TO GET THAT OUT THERE. FOR JANUARY, OBVIOUSLY, THINK ABOUT WHICH GROUP YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE IN CHARGE OF. AND, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS AND IS. WE DO KNOW THAT IF THE BOARD DECIDES THAT WE WANT FOOD TRUCKS, THEN THERE NEEDS TO BE A GROUP THAT CAN GET THAT INFORMATION, TO SEE IF WE CAN GET FOOD TRUCKS. IF WE WANTED TO DO AN ACTIVITY AREA ABOUT ALL TYPES OF DISABILITIES, WHO WOULD BE IN CHARGE OF THAT? IF YOU GUYS THINK OF OTHER ACTIVITIES, BESIDES WHAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT, BRING THAT TO THE TABLE.REALLY IN JANUARY, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A CALENDAR PRETTY MUCH SET. IF THE CITY AGREES WITH THE EVENT. THAT WAY, WE ARE NOT SCRAMBLING. IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, IF YOU WANT TO DO AN EVENT IN OCTOBER, WE MEET IN JANUARY, AND IN MARCH. WE MEET IN MAY.
WE MEET IN JULY, AND SEPTEMBER. THAT'S FIVE MEETINGS, AND A LOT OF PLANNING. WHEN I WAS LISTENING TO YOU, ABOUT CEDAR CREEK, THE PATH, THAT WOULD BE COOL IF WE DID A WALK ON THE PATH, AND THEN PEOPLE COULD STOP ALONG THAT PATH, AND DO CERTAIN ACTIVITIES. HERE IS AN AREA FOR WHAT IT WOULD LIKE -- BE LIKE TO BE ALIGNED OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED.
>> THEY CAN HAVE ALL KINDS OF FUN.
>> I ALSO WANT US TO NOT GET OUR HOPE SO BIG, PLAYING THIS BIG THING, THEN IT IS NOT SUCCESSFUL EITHER. THIS IS ONLY THE FIRST ONE. TALKING ABOUT HOW WE SHOW THE MARKETING IS WORKING, WE HAVE SUCCESSFUL EVENTS. PEOPLE ARE GETTING MORE INVOLVED. WE WILL NEED TO SET THAT UP. WHAT DO THE OUTCOMES LOOK LIKE? THAT'S GOING TO COME FROM THE BOARD TOO. PLEASE DON'T MAKE THEM TOO BIG READ PLEASE MAKE HIM SUSTAINABLE.
THINGS THAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH. THAT'S ANOTHER THING THAT WE WOULD TALK ABOUT IN JANUARY. ONCE WE GET TOGETHER. ANY OTHER THOUGHTS? YES. I WAS LOOKING AT IT. NO? OKAY. IF YOU GUYS HAVE IDEAS, AND YOU THINK ABOUT THEM, CONTACT LESLIE. YOU CAN GET THEM TO ME, YOU CAN START GETTING MORE OF A LIST. I KNOW THESE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS ARE GOING TO BE CRAZY, BECAUSE IT IS THE HOLIDAYS. IF SOMETHING COMES UP, REACH OUT TO LESLIE.
WE CAN START COMBINING THAT LIST. ANYTHING ELSE? NO?
>> BE THINKING OF WHAT YOU WANT THAT EVENT TO LOOK LIKE. I THINK WE HAVE GOT SOME IDEAS. DO WE NEED TO PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER TO SHOW TO THIS CITY WHAT WE ARE THINKING ABOUT?
[Items 4 & 5]
[01:00:04]
>> LET ME ASK A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS AND GETTING SOME MORE
INFORMATION FIRST. >> LET THEM KNOW IF IT IS MONEY. WE MAY BE ABLE TO HELP WITHIN THAT ORGANIZATION.
>> LET'S MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FOUR. I THINK THAT
IS MR. GREEN. >> THAT IS. DON GREEN, DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF ABILENE. GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY. SINCE THE LAST MEETING, ABLE TO RESTORE THEIR PARATRANSIT SERVICE. THIS IS OUTSIDE THE THREE-QUARTER MILE FROM HER BUS STOPS. WE WERE VERY HAPPY TO DO THAT ON OCTOBER 7TH. STILL OUT REGISTERED PARATRANSIT RIDERS.
INFORMING THEM OF THE REGISTRATION OF THAT SERVICE.
CITYLINK, MOVING THROUGH THOSE SHORTAGES OF DRIVERS. THEY ARE IN GOOD SHAPE RIGHT NOW. LOOKING AT WAYS IN THE FUTURE, TO SOAR THE INEVITABLE. TRYING TO GET INTO THAT POSITION QUITE SO QUICKLY INTO THE FUTURE. ANYWAY, I'M VERY HAPPY THAT WE ARE PROVIDING THIS SERVICE AGAIN. ANY QUESTIONS ON THAT?
>> SEVERAL OF US HAVE USED THAT. I WOULD JUST SAY, YOU HAVE HAPPIER BUS DRIVERS RIGHT NOW TOO. THIS WAS INEVITABLE.
THERE ARE DRIVERS. I APPLAUD YOU FOR THAT. ALSO, I WILL KNOW THAT FOR A MINUTE. I HAD MENTIONED THIS AT THE LAST MEETING. I DO WANT TO GET THE WRONG INFORMATION OUT THERE.
YOU CAN CALL BEFORE 3:00. THIS IS THE NEXT DAY SCHEDULE. THIS IS IN ADVANCE. IS THAT CORRECT? THIS IS THE ABILENE PEOPLE THAT ARE USING IT. IT IS NOT 3:00 YET. WE GOT THE NUMBERS.
>> I WANTED TO POINT OUT IN OCTOBER. THE NUMBERS IN OCTOBER, REFLECT ONLY THREE WEEKS OF HAVING THE SERVICE. WE CAN SEE THE ON-TIME PERFORMANCE THAT WAS UP. 70%. EVEN ADDING THROUGH THAT. HAVING THE FULL STAFF, HAS MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE. AGAIN, AS YOU POINTED OUT, I THINK THAT STRESS LEVEL, HAS REDUCED SIGNIFICANTLY.
>> DEFINITELY, EVEN IF LIFE CHANGES, PERSONALLY, BACK TO DRIVING, I HAVE ALREADY TALKED TO THE LEADERSHIP. I'M GOING TO BE WRITING AT LEAST ONCE OR TWICE PER MONTH. IF YOU DON'T USE IT, YOU DON'T KNOW. I WOULD ENCOURAGE. THERE WILL BE MORE PASSENGERS. I WOULD ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO USE CITYLINK AS A SERVICE, IF POSSIBLE. NOT EVERY CITY HAS BUT WE HAVE. I KNOW THAT WE ARE ALWAYS WORKING TO MAKE IT BETTER. I APPLAUD YOU. DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY COMMENTS?
>> I HAVE ACTUALLY JUST RECENTLY SHARED WITH THE FEW FAMILIES. THEY DON'T HAVE THEIR OWN TRANSPORTATION AND SERVICE. THEY HAD NO IDEA THAT TRANSFER WAS AVAILABLE.
CHILDREN HAVE APPOINTMENTS, OR WHATEVER. THEY WERE VERY THANKFUL TO KNOW THAT THEY HAVE THAT ACCESS WITH HIMSELF, OR FOR A FEELING FOR THOSE WHO MAY MAKE AND IF IT'S FROM IT. I AM VERY PLEASED WITH GETTING SET UP, AND HAVING THE EASE OF ACCESS OF USING IT. GOOD JOB FROM THE ONES THAT I AM HEARING
FROM. >> I KNOW THAT THERE IS A CHALLENGING SIDE TO THIS. I DO. REALLY, I JUST WANT TO KEEP
[01:05:13]
GOING FORWARD, MAKING EVERYTHING GOING FORWARD FOR THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY. ANY BOARD MEMBER HAVE ANYTHING ELSE>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE. ENDURANCE, I GUESS. WE HAD THE VA OUT OF SERVICE. BELIEVE ME, WE ALL FELT IT. WE KNEW THAT IT WAS IMPACTING OUR PASSENGERS. IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT CITYLINK TOOK LIGHTLY. FROM A MANAGERIAL STANDPOINT, NOT THE
SAME AT ALL. >> JUST A LITTLE BIT OF A STORY. I WROTE THIS TODAY TO GET TO WORK FOR THE FIRST TIME.
WE WENT AND PICKED UP DRI CLIENTS. THEY ARE SO HAPPY, TO BE BACK AMONG THE COMMUNITY. I KNOW THAT WAS PARKED. I KNOW THAT WAS A CHALLENGE. WHEN YOU HAVE THE COMMUNITY BEING ABLE TO BE INVOLVED, IT IS KIND OF LIKE HAPPY COMMUNITY, HAPPY LEADERSHIP. JUST KEEP IT UP. IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO, ESPECIALLY DURING THOSE CHALLENGING TIMES, YOU ALL DID USE MEDIA TO GET THE WORD OUT THERE. ANYTHING WE CAN DO THAT
IS IMPORTANT TO HELP, >> I'M GLAD THAT YOU BROUGHT THAT UP. KUDOS FOR HIGHLIGHTING THE ISSUE. WE HEARD ABOUT IT.
THEY EVEN FOLLOWED UP WITH AN ADDITIONAL STREET. THE NUMBER OF APPLICANTS FOR DRIVERS, AFTER THOSE OF STORIES AIRED, INCREASED. A GOOD DEAL. THAT HELPED GET THE WORD OUT. HELPED
US GET THROUGH THE SITUATION. >> YOU ARE RIGHT. KUDOS.
SOMETIMES WE DON'T USE ALL THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE. IT JUST GETS OVERWHELMING SOMETIMES I THINK.
>> SOMETIMES, WE WERE AFRAID TO TELL THE NOT SO GOOD STORIES.
YOU ALWAYS WANT TO TELL A GOOD STORIES. THE STORIES THAT REALLY EXPRESS OUR CHALLENGES. IN CONNECTION TO TURN AROUND AND HAVE A POSITIVE BACK LASH FROM KEEPING THAT ANALYSIS.
>> THANK YOU. >> I HAVE ONE MORE QUESTION.
>> FOR THE APPLICATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN DENIED, WHAT IS THE REASONING THAT THEY ARE VERIYING IT?
>> I AM GOING TO COMPLETELY SPECULATE. ALARM BELLS GO OFF ON THAT. NOT YET. I REALLY DON'T KNOW. I AM NOT PART OF THE PROCESS. IT COULD BE THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE A PHYSICIAN'S SIGNATURE ON IT, OR SOMETHING. THAT DENIAL, IS
JUST FOR THAT. >> THIS CAN REAPPLY FOR ANY
>> WE HAVE HAD TO WORK WITH THAT. WITH WHERE I WORK. IT IS REALLY JUST COMMUNICATION. LIKE YOU SAID, THEY CAN REAPPLY. ALL RIGHT. WE ARE LOOKING AT AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FOUR AND FIVE. THEY
[6. Upcoming Board Topics (Discussion) ]
WERE PRETTY MUCH TOGETHER. WE WILL BE LOOKING AT AGENDA ITEM NUMBER SIX. I'M GOING TO TURN TO LESLIE. I KNOW THAT WE HAVE TAKEN NOTES. I HAVE BEEN SEEING YOU WRITING OVER THERE. CAN YOU SAY WHAT WE KIND OF LOOKED LET?>> ONE OF THE BIG THINGS THAT IS ON THE JANUARY AGENDA, IS A PREVIEW OF THE DESIGN FOR THE TWO NEW RECREATION CENTERS. ONE OF THE ITEMS FOR THE SPORT, WE ARE ABOUT TO CONSTRUCT OR SEVERELY REMODEL A LOCATION. WE SHOW THAT THE BOARD, TO GET BACK INTO THIS STUFF. THAT IS GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME PENDING JANUARY. I HAVE ENDED THE MARKETING TO COME BACK, WITH
[01:10:04]
WHAT SHE PUTS TOGETHER OVER THE NEXT TWO MONTHS AS WELL AS ANOTHER ANSWER ON SPECIAL EVENTS, AND I'M GOING TO BREAK THOSE UP INTO TWO DIFFERENT ITEMS. WE BOTH HAVE THOSE BACK.>> OKAY. IF WE CAN FOLLOW UP WITH THE LIST, THAT WE STARTED WORKING ON TODAY, THE ACCESSIBLE, THE INCLUSIVE LIST.
>> THAT IS WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT. THE SPECIAL EVENT DOING IN OCTOBER, AND THEN THE LIST OF WHAT CAN HELP THE DIFFERENT AREAS IN THE COMMUNITY. THEY WANT TO ATTEND SPECIAL EVENTS.
THESE ARE THROUGH CERTAIN THINGS.
>> FYI, IF YOU HAVE TO GO BACK, AND LOOK AT IT, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WILL NEED TO. IF YOU START LOOKING AT AN EVENT THAT LOOKS LIKE THIS, IT WAS CALLED THE LIGHT COMPLIANT LIST. WE TALKED ABOUT THAT. 2017-2018. DO YOU REMEMBER THAT?
>> COVID HIT. >> THAT IS ANOTHER THING. FOR ANOTHER MEETING. SOMETIME THIS YEAR, WE PROBABLY NEED TO GO BACK, AND REVISIT THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE DID, FOR THE BUILDINGS THAT WE DID BEFORE COVID. THE A.D.A. STUFF.
WE DID THAT HERETO AT CITY HALL. THIS IS GREAT. YOU GUYS DID AMAZING ON THE TABLE. THIS IS THE FIRST FLOOR THAT I KNOW WE RECOMMENDED. JUST GOING BACK TO THE FIRST PART OF THE YEAR.
>> I HAVE A SUGGESTION. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT EVENTS. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A POSSIBLE RESOURCE? INSTEAD OF HAVING A RESOURCE FAIR, WE CAN JUST PUT TOGETHER A RESOURCE LIST THAT IS A LOT. THIS IS ACCESSIBLE TO THE HOME COMMUNITY. MARKET THAT.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.