May 12, 2026 Mayor's Advisory Board for People with Disabilities

[ CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:03]

>> JOANNE, WE ARE LIFE. >> WE'RE LIVE? GOOD. GOOD AFTERNOON.

IT IS 3:00, WE ARE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND START THE ADVISORY BOARD FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

AND FIRST ON THE AGENDA FOR TODAY IS PUBLIC COMMENTS.

ON ANYTHING ON THE ITEMS BELOW. AND THEN, IF YOU DO HAVE SOMETHING THAT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA, YOU CAN SPEAK.

WE JUST WON'T BE ABLE TO BRING THAT UP ON THE AGENDA UNTIL THE NEXT MEETING. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? WE'VE GOT A SKIMPY AUDIENCE

[ MINUTES]

DID EVERYONE GET A CHANCE TO LOOK AT IT?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ACCEPT THE MINUTES AS

WRITTEN. >> SECOND.

>> SECOND. >> OKAY, SO LET'S JUST GO AHEAD

[2. City Mission and Board Resolution (Discussion)]

>> LAST MONTH I WAS ASKED TO PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA AND THE CITY'S MISSION IS WE WORK TOGETHER TO BUILD A COMMUNITY OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY FOR PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.

THAT IS THE MISSION STATEMENT THAT CITY COUNCIL HAS ADOPTED

FOR THE CITY. >> OKAY.

AND THEN WE ALSO, IN YOUR PACKET IS THE RESOLUTION THAT BROUGHT THE MAYORS BOARD FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO LIFE.

IT WAS ADOPTED BACK IN 2017, AT THE TIME IT WAS CALLED THE CITIZENS ADVISOY BOARD FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

AND WE DID APPROVE A NAME CHANGE BUT THE RESOLUTION STILL HAS THE OLD NAME. AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY

QUESTIONS. >> ARE WE NEEDINGNG TO CHANGE TT

AT SOME POINT? >> I THINK IT HAS ALREADY BEEN ADOPTED. JUST THE NAME CHANGE.

THERE IS A RESOLUTION THAT DOES THE NAME CHANGE, THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN ADOPTED. BUT IT IS NOT REFLECTED BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HAVE ALL OF THIS OTHER STUFF IN HERE.

IT IS JUST THE NAME HAS GONE FROM CITIZEN ADVISORY BOARD TO MAYORS ADVISORY BOARD FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

>> VERY GOOD. >> THANK YOU FOR FOLLOWING UP ON

THAT. >> WE DO KNOW THAT THAT IS PARTLY WHY WE DID THAT LETTER SEVERAL YEARS AGO.

AND COMING BACK TO THIS. AND AT THAT POINT, THE COUNCIL FELT LIKE THE RESOLUTION WAS, LET'S KEEP IT THE SAME FOR RIGHT

NOW. >> CORRECT.

>> DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY COMMENTS?

>> I DO HAVE A COMMENT. THIS WAS THE RESULT OF A CONVERSATION WITH THE COMMUNITY PERSON WHO HAS DISABILITIES.

AND HIS THOUGHT WAS THAT WE SHOULD START EVERY MEETING BY CITING OUR MISSION STATEMENT. THE CITY'S MISSION STATEMENT.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN DOING THAT?

>> I THINK THAT WOULD BE ALL RIGHT.

>> LESLIE, YOU LOOK LIKE YOU SWALLOWED A CAT.

>> I'M LEAVING IT UP TO THE BOARD TO DECIDE.

THIS IS THE CITY'S ADOPTED MISSION STATEMENT.

IF WE PRINT IT ON OUR AGENDA, THERE'S NOTHING STOPPING US FROM DOING THAT. WE CANNOT ADOPT A MISSION STATEMENT THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM CITY COUNCILS, THERE'S NOTHING -- THAT IS REALLY UP TO THE BOARD.

IF YOU FEEL THAT IT'S IMPORTANT OR NECESSARY.

>> I THINK IT WOULD LET THE AUDIENCE KNOW WHERE WE START.

>> I DO AGREE WITH THAT. THAT WOULD SHOW SOME

[00:05:07]

AND THE MAYORS BOARD FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

>> SO IF YOU SUGGEST THAT THIS STATEMENT -- AND THIS IS THE STATEMENT FOR THE CITY OF ABILENE, CURRENTLY NOT THE BOARD. MY INPUT WOULD BE, I'M DEFINITELY NOT OPPOSED TO SEEING A STATEMENT AT THE BEGINNING, I AGREE AND I THINK THAT IS WELL IN CLARIFYING WHY WE'RE HERE, BUT WE CAN OFFER PEOPLE. MY INPUT WOULD BE THAT IF WE ARE GOING TO SAY SOMETHING TO ADDRESS OUR MISSION, IT SHOULD BE SOMETHING MORE DIRECT TO CONCERNING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. SO ON THIS PAGE WITH THE RESOLUTION UNDER PART TWO, IT SAYS THE PURPOSE OF THE BOARD, IF WE WOULD BE ALLOWED TO MAKE THAT STATEMENT AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH MEETING, I THINK THAT IS A LITTLE BIT MORE TARGETED TO OUR SPECIFIC PURPOSE VERSUS JUST SAYING THIS IS MORE OF A WHOLE UMBRELLA STATEMENT FOR THE CITY. BUT I AM ON BOARD WITH MAKING SOME TYPE OF STATEMENT AT THE BEGINNING.

>> SO WOULD WE BE ALLOWED TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT? WE DON'T CALL IT A MISSION STATEMENT.

>> KELLY, YOU CAN CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, IF YOU USE THE COUNCIL'S ADOPTED MISSION STATEMENT AND YOU ALSO USE PART TWO AS WRITTEN, THAT IS AN ADOPTED VERBIAGE.

IF YOU DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT, THEN WE'VE GOT TO GET APPROVALS.

>> OKAY. >> YOU CAN JUST SAY SOMETHING WHENEVER WE HAVE -- OR JOANNE CAN SAY IT AND JUST SAY A REMINDER, THE PURPOSE AND THEN CONTINUE ON WITH THAT DIRECT

AUTHORITY. >> I'M JUST THROWING IT OUT THERE, A CONCERNED CITIZEN BROUGHT IT TO ME.

>> DO WE NEED TO VOTE ON THAT HAPPENING?

>> YOU CAN'T, BECAUSE WE HAVE THIS DISCUSSION.

IT IS NOT AN ACTION MATTER SO IT CANNOT BE VOTED ON TODAY.

IF THIS IS THE DIRECTION THE BOARD AS A WHOLE FILLS, WE CAN

GO INPUT ON THE NEXT MEETING. >> WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IT ON

THE AGENDA FOR THE NEXT MEETING? >> YES.

>> WE CAN PUT IT ON THE AGENDA. >> YES.

>> YOU KNOW, ONE THOUGHT SINCE IT IS HERE, YOU COULD ALWAYS JUST READ THE PURPOSE IS ALREADY GIVEN TO YOU BY CITY COUNCIL.

IF YOU WANTED TO READ THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING ON THE

RESOLUTION. >> THAT'S WHAT WE WERE THINKING ABOUT. 'S.

>> AS WRITTEN, PUT IT ON ALL AGENDAS MOVING FORWARD IS THE

FIRST THING THAT IS READ? >> YES.

>> THAT WE WORK TOGETHER, OR THE PURPOSE?

>> THE PURPOSE. >> SOME BOARDS HAVE THINGS THEY JUST READ AT THE BEGINNING OF A MEETING WITHOUT HAVING ON THE

AGENDA. >> BUT JUST PUT ON THE AGENDA SO WE CAN MAKE A DECISION ON IT NEXT TIME AS AN AGENDA ITEM.

>> THE GOOD THING IS THE AGENDA IS OUT THERE EVERY MONTH.

AND PEOPLE WOULD PHYSICALLY SEE IT.

>> IF HE WRITE IT ON THE AGENDA. >> BUT WE CAN DISCUSS THAT NEXT

MEETING. >> I CAN PUT IT ON NEXT MEETING.

THANK YOU. >> ANY OTHER DISCUSSIONS? I DO LIKE THE CITY MISSION STATEMENT.

JUST FOR REFERENCE, WHEN DOES THE FISCAL YEAR START FOR THE CITY? OCTOBER?

>> OCTOBER FIRST. >> THAT IS WHAT I THOUGHT.

[3. Champions Day at Adventure Cove (Discussion)]

ADVENTURE COVE. >> THIS IS TO LET THIS BOARD NO AND SO YOU CAN LET ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY KNOW, THAT ADVENTURE COVE WILL BE HAPPENING WITH TWO CHAMPIONS DAYS THIS YEAR. ONE IS JUNE 20TH AND ONE IS JULY 18TH. IT IS FROM 9:00 A.M. UNTIL

[00:10:02]

IT IS FREE ADMISSION FOR GAS WITH DISABILITIES AND 50% OFF FOR FAMILY MEMBERS THAT ATTEND WITH THAT PERSON.

SO THERE WILL BE TWO DAYS THIS YEAR.

>> AND WHAT IS CHAMPIONS DAY? >> I WAS GOING TO SAY, DO WE

KNOW WHAT IT IS? >> IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO COME AND SWIM AND ENJOY ADVENTURE COVE, THAT MAY NOT BE COMFORTABLE COMING WHEN IT IS A GENERAL SESSION THAT HAS ALL 500 PEOPLE. IS MORE OF A DEDICATED TIME AND THE LIFEGUARDS ARE TRAINED TO WATCH FOR DIFFERENT THINGS, PEOPLE THAT ARE SENSITIVE TO SOUND, SENSITIVE TO DIFFERENT -- IT RUNS THE GAMUT. BUT IT IS MORE OF A DEDICATED TIME FOR THEM TO SWIM IT. NOT THAT THEY CAN'T SWIM ANY TIME THAT THEY WANT TO. BUT ANY OTHER TIME IT IS ALSO NOT FREE FOR THE PERSON AND 50% OFF FOR THEIR FAMILY.

IT IS FULL PRICE. >> I REMEMBER MY ADVENTURE COVE ADVENTURE. YOU GET ON THOSE INNER TUBES AND YOU JUST RUN INTO EVERYBODY. BUT EVERYBODY ELSE RUNS INTO YOU. [LAUGHTER] I HAD A BLAST. MAYBE SO, SHE IS A GOOD ONE.

JUNE 20TH AND JULY 18TH. >> JUNE 20TH AND JULY 18TH.

>> IT IS IN THE STUFF IN YOUR FOLDER.

[4. Dream Night at Abilene Zoo (Discussion)]

>> LET'S GO AHEAD AND MOVE ON DOWN TO DREAM NIGHT AT THE

ABILENE ZOO DISCUSSION. >> WE HAVE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT THIS BEFORE THE BOARD IN THE PAST.

THIS IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY. IT IS CALLED DREAM NIGHT AND IT IS SPECIAL HOURS AT THE ABILENE ZOO.

IT IS FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, CHRONIC ILLNESSES OR DISEASES. AND IT IS AN EVENING EVENT FOR FAMILIES TO RECEIVE FREE ADMISSION, COMPLEMENT RETRAINING, CAROUSEL RIDES, GIRAFFE ENCOUNTERS AND HANDS-ON ANIMAL INTERACTIONS. IT IS JUNE FIFTH, STARTING AT

6:00 P.M. >> THAT IS A ZOO QUESTION.

>> SHE'S A KID AT HEART. >> IT'S OKAY.

YOU COULD BE THERE, THAT'S FOR SURE.

>> NOT GOING TO LIE, IT WOULD BE A GOOD WAY TO GET THE INFORMATION ON HOW WE HELP. SO THEY KNOW -- THEIR FAMILIES

AND STUFF. >> THAT IS A GOOD POINT.

>> WHAT ARE YOU THINKING? >> THIS IS JUNE FIFTH.

THAT IS LIKE, WHAT? THREE AND A HALF WEEKS AWAY? THAT IS A DISCUSSION THAT WE CAN STILL HAVE.

>> OKAY. >> LIKE -- WE HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB WITH THE MARKETING, WITH THE VIDEOS AND STUFF.

BUT THE PLACES THAT WE KNOW THERE'S GOING TO BE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, MAYBE THE MEDIA COULD WORK WITH FLYERS OR SOMETHING TO REMIND PARENTS, HEY, THIS IS AVAILABLE.

BUT THAT IS A MEDIA QUESTION. SO WE COULD BRING THAT UP WITH THEM. I HAVE HEARD GOOD THINGS ABOUT THIS THE WHOLE TIME I HAVE BEEN HERE.

AND I KNOW THAT HAVING THIS BOARD AROUND FOR AS LONG AS IT IS BEEN AROUND NOW, YOU GUYS -- I LOOK AT YOU GUYS AND I KNOW YOU ARE NOT IN CHARGE OF THAT ANYMORE.

BUT THE ZOO REALLY DOES DO A GOOD JOB TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS INCLUSIVE. SO BEGINNING AT 6:00, HOW LATE

[00:15:04]

IS IT OPEN? >> THEY DIDN'T GIVE US THAT TIME, THE SLIDE WAS CREATED BY THEM AND THEY DIDN'T GIVE US AN END TIME. I'M NOT SURE IF IT IS 8:00 OR

9:00, I HONESTLY DON'T KNOW. >> YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THE KICK

OUT TIME IS? >> I DON'T.

[LAUGHTER] BEDTIME?

>> I KNOW, BEDTIME! BEDTIME FOR THE ANIMALS!

[5. Special Events Accessibility Checklist (Discussion)]

AND THEN I KNOW THAT THIS IS A DISCUSSION, BUT IT IS A DISCUSSION LAST MEETING. SO I WOULD HOPE THAT WE COULD MAYBE VOTE ON THAT THIS AND MOVE IT FORWARD.

>> DEPENDING ON HOW YOU ANSWER ALL OF THESE QUESTIONS ON WHETHER YOU WANT IT ON THE ABILENE LIST OR NOT ON THE ABILENE LIST, WE COULD CREATE THE FINAL FOR YOU TO VOTE.

AS LONG AS IT IS STILL UNDER DISCUSSION, WE DO, WE DON'T ADD THIS AND TAKE AWAY THAT. WE HAVE BEEN LEAVING IT AS A

DISCUSSION. >> AND JUST BECAUSE WE VOTE ON IT, DO WE HAVE TO VOTE ON IT EVERY TIME THAT WE MAY ADD SOMETHING? OKAY.

>> ONCE YOU VOTE ON IT, ANY TIME YOU CHANGE IT HAS TO BE VOTED ON

AGAIN. >> OKAY.

JUST LOOKING AT WHAT IS BEFORE YOU AND WHAT I HAVE LOOKED AT,

THIS IS A REALLY GOOD START. >> I AGREE.

>> A CHECKLIST. MY QUESTION WOULD BE, -- IT IS

EVEN RIGHT THERE. >> AND THERE ARE THREE SLIDES.

>> WHAT? >> THERE IS THREE SLIDES OF INFORMATION. SO I CAN READ ALL OF THESE OFF AND MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ONE. YOU CAN DISCUSS ALL THREE AS A

WHOLE. >> SO DEBORAH -- WE WILL READ IT. THE FIRST ONE -- THE FIRST ONE SAYS, PLEASE INDICATE AN EMERGENCY CONTACT TABLE WITH PHONE NUMBER. AND THEN THE SECOND IS THAT THERE IS A DESIGNATED LOCATION ARE THERE ACCESSIBLE WALKWAYS AVAILABLE? IS THERE A DESIGNATED QUIET AREA? WILL ADA ACCESSIBLE BATHROOMS BE AVAILABLE? IS THERE AN AREA FOR SERVICE DOGS TO REST IN OR RELIEVE THEMSELVES? HAVE YOU PROVIDED A REQUEST FOR ACCOMMODATION STATEMENT WITHIN ALL MARKETING MATERIALS? IF AN ADA ACCOMMODATION IS NEEDED, PLEASE CONTACT, NAME, CONTACT PERSON AND PHONE NUMBER UP TO 72 HOURS BEFORE THE EVENT. IS THERE A PLAN IN PLACE TO PROVIDE SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER ASSISTED LISTENING DEVICES, BRAILLE OR OTHER ALTERNATIVE FORMATS IF NEEDED? AND THEN THE NEXT PAGE SAYS, HAVE STAFF VOLUNTEERS OR OTHERS BEEN TRAINED ON WAYS TO ASSIST PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES? ARE ALL FOOD AND BEVERAGE VENDORS LOCATED ON AN ACCESSIBLE PATH OF TRAVEL? ARE ALL CELL COUNTERS AT A HEIGHT OF 34 INCHES OR LESS? AND CANE DETECTABLE.

ARE 5% OF ALL TABLES IN THE SEATING AREA ACCESSIBLE? ARE ALL DISPLAYS AND/OR EXHIBITS LOCATED ON AN ACCESSIBLE PATH OF TRAVEL? IS THERE A MINIMUM 5-FOOT TURNING SPACE IN FRONT OF OR INSIDE OF AN EXHIBIT AREA? IF SEATING IS PROVIDED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, ARE THERE VARIED

[00:20:01]

AND THEN IN PARADE, DESIGNATED AREA PROMOTED FOR ADA VIEWING AREA. FOOD TRUCKS NEAR ADA AREA, SIGNAGE THAT SAYS DESIGNATED ADA VIEWING AREA, HAVE YOU SPOKEN WITH VENDORS ABOUT THE NEED FOR THEM TO BE ACCESSIBLE? DO YOU HAVE A PARKING PLAN FOR DESIGNATED ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACES AND/OR DESIGNATED LOADING AND UNLOADING AREA?

>> THAT IS A REALLY GOOD LIST. >> I THINK THAT IS VERY THOROUGH. AND IT HITS EVERY POINT WE

TALKED ABOUT. >> THIS HAS TO TALK TO THE

PARADE, IS THAT WHY? >> ANY SPECIAL EVENT.

>> DOES THE CITY NOT HAVE -- >> WHAT WE WERE THINKING OF, DEBORAH, WE HAVE A SPECIAL EVENTS SOFTWARE THAT ANY ORGANIZATION DOING A SPECIAL EVENT, IF IT HITS TO A CERTAIN CRITERIA LEVEL OF NUMBER OF PEOPLE, THERE'S A CERTAIN PROCESS THAT THEY HAVE TO GO WITH.

WE COULD ATTACH THIS AS A CHECKLIST FOR THEM TO GO THROUGH WE CANNOT FORCE THEM TO DO THIS. BUT IT WOULD BE SOMETHING FOR THEM TO HAVE TO RUN THROUGH TO SEE IF -- NOT ALL EVENTS WILL NEED ALL OF THIS STUFF. BUT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO RUN THROUGH IT, NO MATTER WHAT THE EVENT IS OR WHERE IT IS LOCATED.

TO SEE IF THEY HAVE THOUGHT OF ALL OF THESE THINGS.

BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES IT IS THINGS PEOPLE WOULD NOT THINK

ABOUT. >> THANK YOU, THAT SOUNDS GOOD.

>> WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS?

>> IF Y'ALL ARE GOOD WITH THIS AND DON'T HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANT ME TO REMOVE OR ADD, THEN I CAN PUT IT ON NEXT MONTH'S AGENDA

FOR ADOPTION. >> I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT.

>> I HAVE ONE, JUST ONE. AND IT KIND OF TIES US INTO NUMBER 6, COMING IN. THE CITY LINK.

AND MY QUESTION IS, SO THERE HAVE BEEN SOME EVENTS THAT HAVE COME UP AND WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT ONE RIGHT NOW.

THAT OCCUR IN THE EVENINGS OR THEY OCCUR ON SATURDAYS.

AND IF THEY OCCUR IN THE EVENINGS, THE COST FOR TRANSPORTATION GOES UP. I DON'T -- I'M SURE THERE IS A LOT THAT WE NEED TO TAKE PLACE FOR THIS.

BUT JUST A QUESTION, IF IT IS A CITY EVENT AND THIS IS SHOWING EVEN MORE INCLUSION, IF IT IS A CTE EVENT, WHAT WOULD IT TAKE FOR THERE TO BE A -- AND I KNOW THIS HAS SOME LEGAL ISSUES.

WHAT WOULD IT TAKE -- BECAUSE CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW, IF PEOPLE WANT TO GO AND IT IS NOT WORK IN THE EVENING, I'M LOOKING AT OUR DIRECTORS OF CITY LINK, IF IT IS NOT WORK IN THE EVENING AND IT IS NOT EDUCATION, THE PRICE GOES UP SUBSTANTIALLY.

CORRECT? >> YES, I'M NOT SURE WHAT IT IS RIGHT NOW. IT MAY BE MORE NOW.

>> YES. WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO MAKE IT --

[00:25:04]

>> MY FIRST QUESTION FOR YOU IS WHAT YOU'RE THINKING THINKING OF IN YOUR MIND THAT IS A CITY EVENT?

>> THE PARADES. >> BUT THOSE ARE NOT CITY EVENTS. THERE'S ONLY ONE, THE CHRISTMAS PARADE, LAST YEAR IS THE FIRST TIME THE CITY HAS HOSTED AN EVENT. THE REST OF THE PARADES ARE DONE BY ORGANIZERS. THERE IS AN APPROVAL PROCESS THAT WE HAVE TO SIGN OFF ON FOR THEM TO USE OUR ROADS.

BUT THEY ARE NOT CITY EVENTS. SO THERE IS A DISTINCT -- I WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SPECIAL EVENT THAT AN ORGANIZER REQUEST THAT THE CITY SAYS YES, THEY CAN USE OUR STREETS, THEY CAN BLOCK -- THAT IS DIFFERENT THAN A CITY

HAVING AN EVENT. >> SO THIS WOULD ONLY BE FOR A

CITY EVENT? >> THIS COULD BE -- BECAUSE WE CANNOT MANDATE IT, THIS IS REALLY US TELLING ANY EVENT RUN THROUGH THIS CHECKLIST AND SEEING IF IT APPLIES TO YOUR EVENT. BUT THAT CAN BE FOR ANY SPECIAL EVENT. ANYONE WHO GOES INTO OUR SYSTEM WOULD HAVE ACCESS TO THIS CHECKLIST.

IT WOULD NOT BE FOR CITY ONLY. >> SO... SO A GOOD EXAMPLE -- A COUPLE, WE HAVE THE GRACE EVENT COMING.

AND WE HAVE THE DOWNTOWN BLOCK PARTY COMING UP.

THOSE ARE BIG EVENTS. IF THEY LOOK AT THIS AND THERE IS A SPOT, COULD THERE BE A SPOT ON THAT SOFTWARE SAYING YES, WE HAVE READ THESE AND WE WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE COMPLY TO THIS.

COULD THAT BE ACKNOWLEDGED AS AN EVENT THAT IS ADA ACCESSIBLE AND WE CAN MAKE THE COST FOR THAT EVENT BACK IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO COME DOWN? MAKE IT AVAILABLE?

>> I THINK THAT IS A MUCH BIGGER QUESTION THAN ANYONE IS PREPARED TO ANSWER TODAY. [LAUGHTER]

>> THAT IS WHY I JUST WANT TO PUT IT OUT THERE, TO START

THINKING ABOUT -- >> I ALSO THINK IT IS A CITY

LINK QUESTION. >> AND DAWN GREEN AND I BOTH HAD THIS MEETING TODAY AND BOTH HAD A DIFFERENT MEETING TODAY SO WE DIVIDED AND CONQUERED. I'M AT THIS ONE AND HE IS AT THAT ONE BACK HE WOULD DEFINITELY HAVE TO WEIGH INTO THAT. I DO NOT KNOW THE LEGAL

RAMIFICATIONS FOR ALL THAT. >> THERE IS SOME LEGAL?

>> THERE WOULD BE COMPLIANCE. AND IT GOES FROM JUST BEING A -- HERE'S A LIST, BUT DO YOUR VERY BEST TO FOLLOW THIS, JUST CHECKING THAT BOX SAYING THAT THEY HAVE DOES NOT GUARANTEE

THAT THEY DID. >> RIGHT.

>> SO THAT GETS INTO A HOLE -- THERE IS NOBODY THAT CAN GO TO ALL OF THE EVENTS AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY DID.

>> I JUST KNOW THAT THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THE CITY THAT AREN'T ABLE OR ARE NOT ATTENDING CITY EVENTS BECAUSE THE COST IS TOO MUCH. WITH THAT THEY CANNOT GET THERE.

>> I'M JUST THINKING, THIS IS LITERALLY ME SPITBALL IN, OKAY? BUT WHAT IF WE PUT ON HERE, WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO OFFER A DISCOUNTED PRICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES? AND THEN IT WOULD BE UP TO THE ORGANIZER TO PUBLISH THAT.

SO IF A CITIZEN WANTED TO COME, THEY COULD CONTACT THE ORGANIZER FOR THAT COST BREAK? AND THAT WOULD BE BETWEEN THE ORGANIZER AND THAT INDIVIDUAL IN THE CITY WOULD NOT BE A PART OF

THAT. >> I THINK ANOTHER QUESTION IS JUST TO SIMPLY PUT IT TO CITY LINK AND SAY WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO REVIEW YOUR PROCESS TO THE SPECIAL EVENTS? I THINK THAT WOULD BE EASIER IN THE LONG RUN THAN ALL OF THIS

JUMPING THROUGH HOOPS. >> BUT THERE IS SOME LEGAL STUFF WITH THAT. BECAUSE LEGALLY, WITH THE GRANTS THAT THEY HAVE, THEY SPECIFICALLY HAVE TO BE FOR WORK OR EDUCATION. THEY CANNOT JUST BE LIKE --

[00:30:04]

>> THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT IT.

>> SO JUST SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.

AND THAT IS THE THING. THE REASON WHY -- JUST SO EVERYONE KNOWS, THE REASON WHY CITY LINK IS A PART OF EVERY MEETING IS BECAUSE LEGALLY, THEY HAVE TO HAVE A MEETING -- I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT -- LIKE EVERY SIX MONTHS AND WHEN OUR BOARD STARTED, THEY WERE NOT GETTING THE QUORUM.

SO THEY CAME IN WITH US TO BE A PART OF THE MEETING.

SO THAT IS WHY THEY ARE A PART OF -- JUST TO LET YOU KNOW WHY THEY ARE A PART OF THE AGENDA EVERY TIME WE MEET.

BECAUSE LEGALLY, THEY HAVE TO HAVE SOME CONNECTION WITH THE CITY AND THE BOARD. SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, I THINK THAT MAY BE SOMETHING THAT MAY BE CITY LINK CAN BRING UP.

MAYBE NEXT MEETING, MAYBE YOU GUYS CAN LOOK INTO THAT.

I KNOW THAT JOE IS SQUIRMING, I'M SORRY! I SEEM TO PUT YOU GUYS IN THE HOT SEAT EVERY TIME YOU COME.

AND THEN ALONG WITH THAT, THAT IS IT.

JUST -- I JUST WANTED -- I JUST KNOW THAT ABILENE, JUST LIKE OUR MISSION STATEMENT SAYS, ABILENE REALLY DOES TRY TO MAKE IT AS INCLUSIVE AND ABLE FOR EVERYONE AS POSSIBLE.

AND I NOTE THAT IS A CHALLENGE. ANY OTHER COMMENTS?

[6. CityLink Report (Discussion)]

>> OUT OF THE HOT SEAT, INTO THE FRYING PAN!

[LAUGHTER] >> GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE.

HOT SEAT... >> I'M SORRY!

>> YOU KNOW WHAT? RESPECTFULLY, IT IS A QUESTION FOR DAWN. WHAT I CAN SAY OF THE INFORMATION I DO KNOW IS THAT ANYTHING THAT HAS TO DO WITH PRICING MUST BE APPROVED BY DAWN AND THEN CITY COUNCIL.

SO IT IS NOT LIKE WE CAN JUST SAY YES, WE WOULD LOVE TO DO THIS FOR THE COMMUNITY. WE DO NOT, AT OUR LEVEL, HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO ANY OF THAT. BECAUSE CITY COUNCIL HAS APPROVED NUMBERS AND WE HAVE TO FOLLOW THOSE NUMBERS.

SO THAT IS WHERE I WILL LEAVE IT.

BUT GOOD AFTERNOON. WE DO COME BEARING SOME GOOD NEWS. ARE NUMBERS WERE 3217 FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL. I'M SORRY, BA.2 WAS 529, BA1 WAS 3217. ARE NUMBER OF ON-TIME TRIPS WAS 2477. BUT ARE ON-TIME PERFORMANCE HAVING A SMALL DIP TO 72.95. THE APPLICATIONS WE RECEIVED WERE 24 AND WE DENIED FIVE OF THEM.

THAT IS ALL OF THE INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE FOR THE REPORTING.

DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME?

REGARDING CITY LINK. >> JUST TO ASK FOR AN UPDATE, WHERE ARE YOU ON WORKING THROUGH SOME OF YOUR SIX-MONTH GOALS

THAT YOU CAME WITH? >> I'M GLAD YOU ASKED THAT I'M VERY HAPPY TO REPORT TO THE BOARD, AS I HAVE REPORTED TO DAWN A COUPLE DAYS AGO, THAT WE ACCOMPLISHED ONE OF OUR BIG

[00:35:05]

IT IS NO LONGER JUST FOR ZIP ZONE, WE ARE NOW GOING TO OPEN IT UP FOR THE ENTIRE DEMAND RESPONSE.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR THE AVERAGE INDIVIDUAL? IT SIMPLY MEANS THAT THEY WILL GET A BETTER READ, THEY WILL GET A FASTER RESPONSE TIME AND THE FASTER RESPONSE TIME ON THE APPLICATION OR OVER THE PHONE SIMPLY MEANS THAT WE CAN GET TO OUR PASSENGERS AND CUSTOMERS FASTER AND MORE EFFICIENTLY.

SO WHAT WE WERE USING IN THE PAST, TECHNOLOGY CHANGES, THINGS GET A BIT MORE SEASONED, RIGHT? WE HAVE THIS NEW WRITER APP THAT HAS PROVEN ABILITIES AND LARGER MARKETS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

I HAVE PERSONALLY WORKED WITH THIS APPLICATION INTO OF OUR LOCATIONS. THERE ON-TIME PERFORMANCE HAS PROVEN TIME AND TIME AGAIN, IN SMALL AND LARGER MARKETS, TO BE RAISED BY ABOUT 20%. SO ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS, THIS APPLICATION IS GOING TO BE SO MUCH EASIER.

NOW THE BIG QUESTION IS WHEN IS THE ROLLOUT? SO WE ARE GOING TO ROLL OUT IN THE BEGINNING OF JUNE.

IT WILL NOT BE IMMEDIATE FOR EVERYTHING TO GO OKAY.

NO ROLLOUT IS EVER 100% COMING OUT THE GATE.

WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT THE EXPECTATION IS THAT BY THE END OF JUNE, THE APPLICATION WILL BE IN ITS FULL POTENTIAL.

THAT IS JUST ONE OF THE GOALS. ANOTHER GOAL, AGAIN, GETTING THE BLESSING, WILL BE DOING SOME REVITALIZATION.

AND WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS THAT THERE MAY BE SOME NEW CONCRETE,'S NEW ASPHALT, NEW PAINTS FOR OUR EXTERIOR.

WHY IS THAT SUCH A BIG DEAL? IF YOU GO DOWN RIGHT NOW TO CITY LINK OF ABILENE, WE LOOKED ANTIQUATED, RIGHT? NO ONE KNOWS WE ARE THERE. WE HAVE HAD WONDERFUL COOPERATION WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS, BUT THE CITY OF ABILENE, WE HAVE NEW LIGHTING AND THOSE ARE NICE THINGS, RIGHT? BUT THERE IS NOTHING THAT CALLS OUT AND SAYS, THERE GOES CITYLINK.

SO AGAIN, WITH THE BLESSING OF THE DIRECTOR, I HAVE BEEN APPROVED TO MOVE FORWARD SO THAT BY THE END OF JUNE, WE WILL HAVE REVITALIZING COLORS. YOU WILL NOT MISS THE CITYLINK BUILDING AT THE END OF JUNE. SO THOSE THINGS ARE APPROVED, UP AND RUNNING. WE HAVE GONE ALONG THE PROPER STEPS AND GOTTEN ALL OF THE APPROVALS WE NEED.

SO THERE IS ANOTHER UPDATE FOR THE RESPONSE.

AND I THINK THE LAST POINT I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT, THE DECLINE IN OUR NUMBERS FOR ON-TIME PERFORMANCE IS STRICTLY DO FOR PROMOTIONS. WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS THAT I DIDN'T HIRE FROM OUTSIDE. I HAVE BEEN MANEUVERING AND PROMOTING EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN HERE -- THEY ARE FROM THE CITY OF ABILENE BUT NO ONE HAS GIVEN THEM A SHOT.

SO WE HAVE REPOSITIONED -- REPURPOSE, IF YOU WILL CATCH INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN WITH CITYLINK FOR A LONG TIME AND THEY WERE JUST NOT ALLOWED TO DO OTHER PARTS OF THE BUSINESS.

SO WE HAVE SELECTED PROBABLY FIVE NEW DISPATCHERS THAT WERE OPERATORS. AND SO THEY ARE GETTING THEIR BEARINGS. THIS IS GOING TO BE AMAZING FOR THE PASSENGER EXPERIENCE. BECAUSE IT IS ACTUAL OPERATORS WHO ARE NOW DISPATCHERS. SO THEY KNOW.

THEY KNOW THE STREET, THEY KNOW WHAT DOCTOR'S OFFICE -- WE DON'T NEED GOOGLE MAPS TO BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND IT.

THEY KNOW BECAUSE THEY WERE ACTUALLY THERE ONLY A SHORT TIME AGO. SO A LOT OF MOVING PARTS, WITH ALL OF THE FRUITION TO BE SEEN ON A DAILY BASIS.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU DO.

>> THANK YOU, MA'AM,, APPRECIATE IT.

DON'T FORGET TO TELL DAWN. [LAUGHTER]

>> DEBRA WOULD LIKE -- EVERYBODY IS SO COURTEOUS AND EVERYTHING.

AND THAT IS REALLY A CHANGE AND WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT THE

[00:40:02]

AND I HAVE TAKEN THAT OPPORTUNITY.

SO SOME OF THE THINGS YOU MAY HEAR ON THE MICROPHONE START YOUR RIDE ARE A HELLO FROM THE GM, A SAFETY MESSAGE FROM THIS TEAM. YOU MAY HEAR CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR OPERATORS. I MAKE SURE THAT THE PASSENGERS KNOW THAT WE ARE HERE. BUT ALSO, I MAKE SURE THAT THE TEAM IS GETTING CONSISTENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.

RIGHT? AND I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE WERE USED TO BEFORE.

>> THEY'RE HAPPY, THAT IS A GOOD THING.

>> THAT'S THE MAIN THING, RIGHT? IF THERE HAPPY TO COME TO WORK THEN WE HAVE A RETENTION THAT IS HIGHER AND THAT ALSO MEANS THAT MAY BE, JUST MAYBE, WE GET TO KEEP THEM AND NOT HAVE ONLY FIVE SENIOR OR -- SR. OPERATORS, BUT WE GET TO HAVE PEOPLE WHO WILL STAY LONGER THAN THE FIVE AND SIX YEARS THAT THEY WERE STAYING. RIGHT? SO WE THANK YOU FOR THE COMPLIMENT AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING MORE OF OUR COMMUNITY IS THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?

>> I HAVE AN EVENT QUESTION AND ANOTHER QUESTION.

BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN DOWNTOWN MORE LATELY.

SO WHEN A PERSON WHO USES THE ADA TRANSIT -- I KNOW THAT IT IS A CHALLENGE FOR THEM TO FIGURE OUT A SPOT TO PARK, TO GET THE DOOR TO DOOR SERVICE. AND I KNOW THIS IS A QUESTION FOR DON, BUT I KNOW YOUR TRANSPORTATION AS WELL.

AS WE KEEP GROWING IN ABILENE, AND PEOPLE USE PUBLIC TRANSIT MORE, I FEEL LIKE THERE NEEDS TO BE SPOTS WHERE THOSE BUSSES CAN PARK SAFELY, LIKE WHEN I WAS AT GRAIN THEORY, WE PARKED RIGHT THERE ON THE CORNER AND I DID NOT FEEL SAFE FOR THE PEOPLE AROUND. I KNOW THAT THERE IS PARKING -- PARKING SPOTS. BUT THAT'S JUST SOMETHING I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT IN THE FUTURE.

WHERE DOES PUBLIC TRANSIT FIT AS WE KEEP GROWING?

>> AND I CANNOT ANSWER FOR THE DIRECTOR, BUT I CAN ANSWER BASED ON MY OWN EXPERTISE. THE CITY HAD THE SAME TYPE OF ISSUE DOWNTOWN. AND SO THEIR ADVOCATES OVER THERE BROUGHT UP THE SAME QUESTIONS AND I GAVE THE SAME ANSWER I WILL GIVE YOU NOW. DOWNTOWN RIGHT NOW HAS ENOUGH SPACE FOR ANY OF OUR UNITS TO DROP OFF ACCORDINGLY, IF YOU GIVE US TO PARKING SPOTS. RIGHT? SO THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN GO OUT AND SAY HEY, GRAIN THEORY, AND WE HAVE TWO PARKING SPOTS? NO, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THE COMMUNITY DOES OR CITY COUNCIL.

WE CAN FIT A BUS WITHIN TWO PARKING SPOTS SAFELY AND STILL BE ABLE TO PULL OUT WITHOUT DAMAGING ANYBODY ELSE'S PROPERTY. AND AGAIN, THE REASON I KNOW THIS IS BECAUSE THAT IS HOW I DID THE FREE SHUTTLE IN OUR PARTNERING COMMON. 'S WHAT I DID WAS I JUST ASKED.

THAT SHUTTLE WAS SPECIFICALLY BASED TO GO FREE AROUND ALL OF THE DOWNTOWN AREA, TO STOP AT ALL OF THE MAJOR RESTAURANTS AND/OR BUSINESSES. I ASKED FOR TWO CAR SPOTS ON EACH CORNER ON A FRIDAY OR A SATURDAY.

THAT COMMUNITY WAS THE ONE THAT TOOK IT FROM THERE.

I ONLY GAVE THEM THE REAL-LIFE DIMENSIONS ON WHAT IT WOULD TAKE FOR US TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT. THAT COMMUNITY SAID YES, GIVE IT TO THEM. SO I SAID WHY DON'T YOU PUT CONES AND BLOCK IT OFF? THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WE COULD DO HERE. HERE IS IN ABILENE, AND SOMETHING WE COULD ACCOMMODATE AS A TRANSPORTATION PROVIDER.

BUT THAT IS SOMETHING ON THE CITY COUNCIL SIDE.

BUT I CAN TELL YOU IT HAS BEEN DONE BEFORE, I CAN TELL YOU IT IS SIGNIFICANTLY EASY, IS VERY EASY.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE FUNDS INVOLVED.

IT JUST HAS TO BE A WILLINGNESS FROM THAT INDIVIDUAL, THOSE INDIVIDUAL BUSINESSES. BECAUSE YOU ALREADY HAVE EVERYTHING ELSE IN PLACE. OKAY?

>> I'M A MEMBER OF THE DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION.

[00:45:03]

BUT IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING, YOU'RE ALWAYS WELCOME TO COME AND SPEAK

IT OUR MEETING, ABSOLUTELY. >> IT WAS NOT FROM THE CITY, IT

WAS THE DOWNTOWN, RIGHT? >> CORRECT.

THEY ASKED ME TO QUESTION THE SAME WAY YOU ASKED THE QUESTION.

I BROUGHT UP A FAST, EFFICIENT SOLUTION.

IT WOULDN'T COST ANYBODY TONS OF FUNDS.

IT IS AS SIMPLE AS PLACING CONES DIRECTLY ON THE CORNER.

RIGHT? IT IS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT IF YOU'RE PLACING IT IN BETWEEN THE BLOCK.

IF YOU PUT IT ON ANY ONE OF THE CORNERS, IN THE LENGTH OF TWO MIDSIZE VEHICLES, THEN ANY OF THE POWER TRANSIT VEHICLES OR EVENING SERVICE VEHICLES CAN PULL IN AND PULL OUT SAFELY EACH

TIME. >> I WILL TELL YOU, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE BEEN BACK THERE LATELY, BUT THE CITY DID DO A FANTASTIC JOB WHEN THEY RESTRUCTURE THE PARKING LOT ACROSS FROM US ANOTHER IS A HANDICAPPED SPOT THAT HAS GOT PROBABLY -- I DON'T KNOW, IN TERRIBLE -- 50 FEET, 60 FEET OF THE WHITE STRIPED LINES. SO IT HAS SIGNS ALSO, NO PARKING HERE, SOME WHITE LINES. AND THEN ALSO I WITH THIS PEDESTRIAN PLAZA COMING, HALF IS GOING TO BE THE PLAZA AND HALF ARE GOING TO THEN BE RENOVATED INTO MORE PARKING SPOTS.

SO I DO BELIEVE MORE DOWNTOWN ACCESSIBILITY IS FAR AS PARKING, DROP-OFFS, AREAS LIKE THAT ARE COMING.

I THINK THE CYPRESS STREET PROJECT HAS CERTAINLY HELPED A LOT WITH THAT. AND I KNOW THAT THEY ARE EVENTUALLY LOOKING AT DOING WALNUT THE SAME WAY.

I KNOW THAT IS ON THE HORIZON. >> BECAUSE I KNOW THAT I WENT TO THE ASSOCIATION SEVERAL YEARS AGO.

LIKE WHEN WE STARTED LOOKING AT DOWNTOWN, YEARS.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WAS ASKING WAS, WHERE'S THE ACCESSIBLE PARKING? AND THERE ARE -- LIKE I SAID, I WAS JUST ON THE BUS. BUT IN THE PAST, THE PARKING WAS ON THE ENDS OF THE BLOCK. AND SO WHAT THAT MEANT -- AND SO WHEN I HAD TO PARK, AND THEY HAD MOBILITY ISSUES, THEY STILL HAD TO WALK LIKE HALF A BLOCK. BUT IF THEY HAD ACCESSIBLE PARKING ON THE ENDS AND LIKE ONE OR TWO IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BLOCK, AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO WALK A WHOLE -- AS MUCH, OBVIOUSLY. SO WE FIGURED OUT FROM THE CITY, THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE LIKE -- I CAN'T REMEMBER IF THIS WAS BEFORE COVID, IT WAS LIKE A COUPLE THOUSAND.

SO WE WERE LOOKING AT GOING TO THE BUSINESSES AND GOING HEY, WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO -- THAT WAS THERE PARKING.

WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO LET US PUT -- I KNOW THAT THERE IS A LOT OF INTRICATE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE.

BUT IT IS GOOD TO KNOW THAT YOU FEEL LIKE THERE IS MORE ACCESSIBLE PARKING COMING. AND IT IS GOOD TO KNOW THAT IT

WOULD BE EASY FOR A BUS -- >> OR A SMALL UNIT.

I DON'T WANT TO GIVE FALSE HOPE ABOUT THE LARGER UNITS.

BUT FOR A POWER TRANSIT UNIT OR AN EVENING SERVICE UNIT, AS THE CITY STANDS RIGHT NOW, IT WOULD BE VERY SIMPLE.

AS LONG AS IT WERE ON THE CORNERS, RIGHT? BECAUSE I HAVE DONE IT BEFORE AT THE SAME SIZE AND WITH ON CITY BLOCKS. I KNOW IT CAN BE DONE.

>> WE HAVE IT, IT IS ON THE CORNER, IT IS IN THE PARKING LOT ACROSS MY BUILDING BUT ON THE CORNER OF PINE STREET AND NORTH SECOND, THERE IS AN ADA SPOT THAT IS ON THE CORNER AND HAS GOT THE SAME THING, THE GIANT WHITE LINES.

SO THERE SHOULD BE PLENTY OF PARKING THERE.

I DON'T KNOW OTHER SPECIFIC PLACES DOWNTOWN, I ONLY WORK

RIGHT THERE. >> TO BE HONEST, JUST AS A BOARD, I THINK OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY PERSON IS ABLE TO GET TO THE PLACES THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO GET TO.

SO AS LONG AS SPEAK KEEP WORKING ON THAT, IT SOUNDS LIKE THAT

[00:50:02]

BRINGING IT UP WITH DAWN. >> I CAN.

I CERTAINLY WILL. I KNOW THAT AT THE MOMENT, HE IS BUSY FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK. BUT WE COULD ABSOLUTELY HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT, ABSOLUTELY.

>> IF WE CAN FOLLOW IT UP AT THE NEXT MEETING, WHERE WE ARE WITH

THAT. >> HE MAY WANT TO COME SPEAK TO IT ON HIS OWN. OR HE WILL GIVE ME SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS. ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS

OR CONCERNS FOR CITY LINK? >> YOU ALL AT CITY LINK ARE DOING A GREAT JOB. I'VE NOTICED A LITTLE BIT OF CHANGE AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS THE COMPUTER SYSTEM, IT IS PROBABLY NOT GOOD THAT I'M USING YOU GUYS.

I GUESS IT IS. I DO! BUT I WILL SAY THAT FOREVER -- THERE WAS A TIME SEVERAL YEARS AGO, I WAS GETTING TEXTS LIKE 2P TIME.

AND THOSE HAVE STOPPED. NOW I'M GETTING VOICE MAIL, 7-1.

IS THERE A REASON WHY THAT IS CHANGING?

>> WE WERE JUST ON THE PHONE -- WE WERE JUST ON THE PHONE WITH THE VENDOR. WE WERE JUST ON THE PHONE WITH THE VENDOR. WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT THE VENDOR IS PUSHING SOME NEW STUFF ONTO THEIR WEBSITE AND INTO THE APPLICATIONS. THEY WARNED US WHERE THEY TOLD US THEY TOLD US THERE MAY BE SOME GLITCHES THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO SEE. HERE IS MY THING, RIGHT.

WE'RE GOING TO DO PART OF THEIR BUSINESS WITH THIS VENDOR.

AND WE LET THEM KNOW THAT TODAY. SO NO ONE LEFT HAPPY, NO ONE LIKES TO BE FIRED. BUT WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO LIVE UP TO WHAT I SAID I CAME HERE TO DO.

SO THIS NEW APPLICATION WE ARE UTILIZING WHICH IS CALLED SPARE, THAT APPLICATION WILL GET RID OF ALL OF THOSE GLITCHES.

THEY HAVE A PROVEN TRACK RECORD. AND I CAN ONLY GO FOR MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. WE USE THEM IN AUSTIN WHEN I WAS IN THAT MARKET, THEY WERE PHENOMENAL.

IF YOU DO THE NUMBERS, THIS PARTICULAR LOCATION IS ONE-TENTH OF THAT PARTICULAR MARKET, RIGHT? SO HOW GREAT ARE THEY GOING TO BE FOR US? ON TOP OF WHICH, LIKE YOU WHO USE OUR SYSTEM, I PERSONALLY WATCH. THERE IS NOT ANYTHING ON SPARE THAT I WILL NOT CALL ABOUT AND SAY HEY, HOW COME I DON'T HAVE THAT? HOW COME THAT ISN'T IN MY DEAL? OR WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE. WHEREAS THE VENDOR WE WERE USING DIDN'T HAVE THAT COMMUNICATION. WHEN THE QUESTION WAS ASKED TODAY, WHY HAVE YOU DECIDED TO GO WITH ANOTHER VENDOR? ONE OF MY LEADERSHIP TEAM SAID I HAD NOT SEEN THAT INDIVIDUAL AND I HAVE BEEN HERE FIVE YEARS. HOW ABOUT THAT? I'M REAL BIG ON IF WE ARE PAYING YOU AND YOU ARE NOT DOING US A FAVOR, YOU WERE DOING US A SERVICE.

YOU ARE PAYING FOR A SERVICE. PART OF THAT SERVICE -- PART OF THE CORE ELEMENT OF EVERY SERVICE NEEDS TO BE CUSTOMER SERVICE. NOT EVERY TIME I COME TO THE BOARD ARE YOU GOING TO SMILE AT ME, WILL BE LIKE A JOKE, YOU SAID THIS IN THIS, YOU GOT TO FIX THAT.

BUT 90 BE ABLE TO SHOW UP SO I CAN GET THE INFORMATION AND THEN DO SOMETHING WITH IT. YOU CAN'T BE THE DIRECTOR CALLING ME AND SAYING HEY, I GOT TO GO IN AND STAND IN FRONT.

SO I EXPECT A SAME THING FROM MY VENDORS.

AND THAT'S ALL WE GOT A NEW VENDOR AND ALL THOSE PROBLEMS SHOULD BE GOING AWAY. BUT I WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY, LIKE ANY TECHNOLOGY, WHEN IT ROLLS OUT, IT WILL NOT RULE OUT FLAWLESSLY. IT WILL TAKE A MINUTE, RIGHT? SO I'M NOT GUARANTEEING THEN ONE WEEKEND IT'LL BE THERE.

WHAT I'M SAYING IS THE DEADLINE, THE GOAL IS THAT BY THE THIRD WEEK OF JUNE, IT SHOULD BECOME ACROSS-THE-BOARD.

WE WILL BE ABLE TO ANSWER MORE QUESTIONS, WE WILL BE ABLE TO

[00:55:02]

WE WILL BE ABLE TO DIRECT OUR TRAFFIC OF BUSSES IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. BASED ON THEIR LOCATIONS.

SOMETHING THAT WE WERE HAVING DIFFICULTY DOING WITH THE APPLICATIONS THAT WE ARE USING CURRENTLY.

SO THOSE CHANGES ARE THERE. WHAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT, NOW

WE WERE PUTTING IT INTO ACTION. >> I JUST KNOW I FELT COMFORTABLE. OTHER -- EVERYONE I WOULD THINK IS STILL GETTING THE NIGHT VOICE MAILS OR TAX BUT THEN THOSE STOPPED AND THEN I WASN'T GETTING ANYTHING.

SO THE TIME FROM THE NIGHT BEFORE TIME THAT I RECEIVED, I WASN'T GETTING AN UPDATE THAT DAY.

AND SO THERE HAD BEEN A COUPLE RIDES THAT I HAD MISSED BECAUSE I WASN'T GETTING THAT. AND SO THE ISSUE -- I JUST DON'T FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE RIGHT NOW WITH -- I KNOW IF I'M HAVING THAT ISSUE AND I DON'T FEEL TRUSTING, THIS SYSTEM -- IS

THERE OTHER PEOPLE? >> THAT IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST PINCH POINTS. IS THAT -- I LOOK AT DATA ALL DAY, RIGHT? AND SO YOU CANNOT TELL ME I HAVE, SAY, 25 PEOPLE WHO MISS THEIR TRIP OR 25 PEOPLE WHO RAN LATE. YOU CANNOT TELL ME THAT.

BECAUSE ALL MY PEOPLE ARE WORKING.

SO IF ALL MY PEOPLE ARE WORKING, FOR YOU THAN SAYING THAT I'VE GOT 25 LAZY PEOPLE ON MY STAFF? SO THE DATA WAS NOT COINCIDING WITH WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN REAL LIFE.

SO WHEN THAT STARTS TO HAPPEN, EXCUSE EVERYTHING ELSE.

FROM SCHEDULING -- THE NUMBERS JUST GO SO LEFT.

SO WHEN IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION, WE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN THE SEARCH. AND NOW WE HAVE THE SOLUTION.

SO I WANT TO BE ABLE TO GAIN YOUR TRUST AGAIN, I DEFINITELY WANT THE COMMUNITY TO TRUST US AT CITY LINK AND TRUST US IS THE NUMBER 1 TRANSPORTATION PROVIDER HERE IN ABILENE.

WE WILL HOLD A MARKETING PROMOTION TO LET EVERYONE KNOW WHEN WE ARE UP AND RUNNING. THERE WILL BE SOME NEW THINGS ON THERE THAT I CANNOT SAY YET, WAITING ON THE BLESSING.

BUT GIVEN MY BATTING PERCENTAGE WITH THE DIRECTOR, I THINK IT WILL BE APPROVED. AND IF HE APPROVES THEN I WILL HAVE A MUCH BETTER UPDATED REPORT FOR THE NEXT MEETING.

WE WANT TO GAIN YOUR TRUST. AND IF WE DON'T KNOW WHERE WE NEED TO IMPROVE, THEN WE CANNOT FIX IT.

SO MY NUMBER IS PUBLIC RECORD NOW, WE ARE JUST A PHONE CALL AWAY. IF A CUSTOMER HAS THE ABILITY TO GIVE US A CALL, THEN ANYBODY HAS THE ABILITY TO CALL ME DIRECTLY.

AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO WAIT, WE DON'T NEED FIVE EMAILS TO TAKE ACTION, YOU CALL, WE ARE GOING TO TAKE ACTION AT THAT MOMENT.

>> AND I WILL SAY THAT IS WHERE THE MANAGEMENT HAS BEEN -- WE CAN TELL THAT HAS CHANGED. JUST LIKE WHEN DEBORAH SAID, IF THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE LIKE THIS IN THE PAST, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF THE RIDERS JUST GOT FRUSTRATED.

BUT THERE IS A GOOD COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE DISPATCHERS, I FEEL, AND THE RIDERS AND THE DRIVERS THAT YOU STILL HAVE THE TRUST. I THINK WITH A LOT OF THE RIDERS. I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING NEGATIVE. WHAT I WAS SAYING -- I DIDN'T MEAN FOR IT TO SOUND NEGATIVE, I JUST WANTED YOU TO HAVE A HEADS-UP, THIS IS A CHANGE. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE SEEING IT FROM OUR END OF IT. LIKE I KNOW YOU ARE SEEING IT ON THE TECHNICAL END. BUT I DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WAS

BEING SHOWN ON THE RIDERS. >> WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY CONCERNS, ANY PUBLIC CONCERN FROM THAT. BUT I CAN GUARANTEE YOU THAT I WILL ALSO HELP ON THAT RIGHT AWAY.

BUT NOT HAVING TO WAIT. >> YOU ARE DOING GREAT.

[01:00:02]

>> THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS? THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT, WE ARE DOWN TO THE

[7. Upcoming Board Topics (Discussion)

• This item allows board members to recommend topics to be included and discussed at future board meetings.

AND THEN -- JUST WITH A FOLLOW-UP WITH THE CITY LINK WHERE THEY ARE WITH THE DOWNTOWN PARKING.

AND HOW WE MAY BE HELP WITH THE DISABILITY COMMUNICATIONS BEING MORE INVOLVED WITH THOSE EVENTS. JUST LAST SUNDAY -- JUST LAST WEEKEND IT WAS LIKE OUR BUSIEST WEEKEND IN ABILENE.

AND I DON'T WANT THAT TO BE AN EXCUSE FOR PEOPLE NOT GOING TO EVENTS. SO ANYWAY -- ANY OTHER TOPICS?

>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT ON THE PREVIOUS DISCUSSION TOPICS THAT WERE HAD. WE LOOK AT THE RECREATION CENTERS IT LOOKS SO GOOD ON PAPER BUT WHEN I DROVE PAST LAST WEEK AND THE KIDS WERE OUT THERE PLAYING AND CLIMBING ALL OVER THAT BIG STRUCTURE, IT WAS AWESOME.

I JUST HAD TO PULL OVER AND WATCH.

I WAS JUST THINKING OUR GROUP HAD SOME INPUT IN IT.

AND WILL PROBABLY GET TO BE INVOLVED IN THE GOOD THINGS THAT

THE CITY IS DOING. >> THANK YOU.

>> DID WE HAVE ANYTHING IN THE PAST THAT WE NEED TO GO BACK ON? OUR NEXT MEETING IS IN JULY. AND SO -- I KNOW.

AND SO JULY AND THEN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER.

SO WE HAVE TWO MEETINGS BEFORE THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

I WISH WE HAD THAT LIST. I WISH OUR CYBER -- WE NEED TO KEEP LOOKING. WE HAD A HUGE LIST BOARD OF ALL OF THESE CHANGES THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE.

WITH LIKE THE CONVENTION CENTER HERE AND WE PRESENTED IT TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN AND I DON'T HAVE IT.

>> HOW LONG AGO WAS IT? >> WHEN WE STARTED IN 2017.

>> IT PREDATES ME BEING ON THIS BOARD.

>> ME TO! >> UNLESS WE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. SO JUST FYI, I DID SIT WITH THE CONVENTION CENTER PEOPLE AT THE BIRTHDAY PARTY.

THERE WERE SOME PARKING ISSUES THE DAY BEFORE.

AND THE ABILENE BIRTHDAY PARTY. OR THE STATE OF THE CITY AND BIRTHDAY PARTY. AND I SAT WITH THEM AND WE TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THE PARKING ISSUES.

AND THAT WAS THERE MANAGEMENT. I THINK THAT THEY WOULD BE WILLING FOR US TO LOOK AT THEIR FACILITY AGAIN.

TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING WAS OKAY.

I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT WOULD WORK, BECAUSE THAT IS NOT THE

CITY -- >> IT IS A CITY-OWNED BUILDING, BUT THE GENERAL MANAGER IS OUT ON MATERNITY LEAVE.

AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE HER A CHANCE TO GET BACK BEFORE WE PUT THAT ON THE AGENDA. AND I CAN CHECK WITH HER WHEN

[01:05:02]

>> SOUNDS GREAT. I WOULD HAVE NOTICED THAT.

AND I JUST KNOW THAT THIS WAS -- THIS EVENT WAS PRIOR TO OUR LAST MEETING. BUT I WOULD SAY THAT IS MUCH AS THIS BOARD CAN SUPPORT CITY EVENTS, WE REALLY SHOULD BE DOING THAT. AND WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS THE STATE OF THE CITY AND BEING THERE AND JUST SEEING HOW ACCESSIBLE IT WAS, I JUST WANT AS A BOARD TO NOTE THAT THE CITY IS DOING A REALLY GOOD JOB TRYING TO MAKE IT AS ACCESSIBLE AS POSSIBLE. NEED TO -- I KNOW THAT YOU SAID THAT THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT WILL BE COMING.

WILL ANY OF THAT BE IN THE JULY'S MEETING? WAS IT WAIT THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR?

>> IS IT BLUE? >> THE REASON WHY I ASK -- FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO USE THE BOSS, I'M WONDERING IF WHEN WE TALK ABOUT MEETINGS, IF WE DON'T THINK IT IS GOING TO BE LIKE A TWO-HOUR MEETING, IF WE CAN LET THE BOARD MEMBERS KNOW THAT, SO THAT THEY DON'T SIT DOWN IN THE LOBBY FOR ANOTHER 45 MINUTES TO

AN HOUR. >> AND IN THIS MEETING, I WOULDN'T HAVE EXPECTED TO GO OVER AN HOUR, SO IT JUST DEPENDS ON THE TOPIC. THAT IS VERY HARD FOR US TO PREDICT. I WOULD SAY THAT UNLESS THERE IS A TOUR AT IT ON, WE TRY TO KEEP THE MEETINGS CLOSER TO AN HOUR.

BUT THERE'S JUST NO WAY OF GAGING THAT.

>> MAYBE THAT IS WHAT WE NEED TO START, AS BOARD MEMBERS, SAYING.

LIKE 4:30. AND THAT WOULD STILL GIVE AN

HOUR AND A HALF. >> I THINK THAT WOULD BE GOOD.

>> THAT WAY YOU GUYS DON'T HAVE TO SIT THERE FOREVER.

OR OTHER BOARD MEMBERS FEEL LIKE THEY NEED -- OKAY.

WELL, IN CLOSING, I JUST WANT TO THANK THE BOARD FOR DOING A GREAT JOB INCLUDING YOUR INPUT. AND IF YOU SEE ANYTHING DURING OUR TIME OFF THAT NEEDS TO BE DISCUSSED, PLEASE, JUST AS A REMINDER, BRING IT UP TO LESLIE SO WE CAN GET IT ON THE AGENDA.

AND WITH THAT BEING SAID TO, I SAY OUR MEETING IS OVER.

UNLESS THERE'S ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO BE A SECOND? I MEAN, FIRST. [LAUGHTER] I SAID SECOND! [LAUGHTER]

>> I WILL FIRST -- >> I WILL SECOND IT.

OH, MY GOODNESS, GUYS. >> A MOTION TO ADJOURN!

>> MY WHOLE BRAIN WAS LIKE -- PLEASE CUT THIS OFF.

[LAUGHTER] THANK YOU GUYS AND THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE IN JULY. AND I PROMISE WE WILL HAVE IT.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.