>> WE THANK YOU FOR THIS GREAT CITY, OUR WONDERFUL STAFF AND
[00:00:06]
THE CITIZENS WHO LOVE WHERE THEY LIVE.PLEASE GUIDE OUR DECISIONS AND GIVE US WISDOM TO SERVE IT.
IN YOUR NAME WE PRAY, EH MEN. >> THANKS.
AT THIS TIME, WE'LL OPEN THE FLOOR TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT ANYTHING REGARDING THIS BOARD OR ANYTHING ELSE. PLEASE STEP FORWARD.
STATE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES FOR YOUR COMMENTS. AND SEEING NO ONE COMING FORWARD, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION THIS
[1. Minutes (Discussion and Action)]
MORNING. YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU IN YOUR PACKET THE MINUTES FROM LAST MEETING.WE'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO MAKE ANY CHANGES, DELETIONS,
ADDITIONS. >> I MOVE WE APPROVE THE MAY
>> ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. >> ALL OPPOSED.
[2. Service Award (Discussion)
]
>> NORMALLY THE DIVISION MANAGER DOES THIS BUT SINCE THE CHILLER IS DOWN AT CITY HALL, MOST OF THE STAFF ARE HERE EXCEPT FOR THE MANAGER. HOPEFULLY WE CAN HAVE AIR-CONDITIONING BEFORE WE LEAVE THIS MEETING TODAY.
BUT ALSO, I HIRED AUGIE FIFTEEN YEARS AGO SO I'M NOT SURE IF THAT AGES ME OR AGES AUGIE. WE ARE VERY EXCITED.
WE'VE TALKED A LOT OF RANGER GAMES.
AUGIE HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL ASSET TO THE CITY OF ABILENE.
HE STARTED OUT AS THE MAINTENANCE PERSON FOR RECREATION AND THEN MOVED OVER TO FACILITIES.
HE ALSO IS THE MASTER THAT TAKES CARE OF ALL THE KEYS FOR THE CITY OF ABILENE SYSTEM. HE HAS A REALLY BIG JOB.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE AUGIE AND ALL HE DOES AS WELL AS ALL OF THESE GUYS. THEY ALL HAVE THEIR SPECIALTY THAT THEY WORK IN, AND THEY ARE FEW BUT MIGHTY.
WE ONLY HAVE ELEVEN PEOPLE IN THIS DIVISION TAKING CARE OF OVER 400 BUILDINGS. SO THEY HAVE A VERY DAUNTING TASK. BUT I WANTED TO TAKE THIS TIME TO THANK AUGIE AND HAVE A COIN FOR FIFTEEN YEARS FROM THE CITY AND THERE WILL BE A LITTLE GIFT IN YOUR CHEQUING CHECKING
ACCOUNT THIS MONTH. >> NOT MUCH TO SAY.
JUST KEEP GOING, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.
A FEW MORE YEARS, I THINK, AND MAYBE I CAN HANG IT UP.
IT'S A PLEASURE WORKING FOR THE SEE AND PARKS ARE LOOKING GOOD.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU DO.
[ EXECUTIVE SESSION]
OUR NEXT ITEM PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 5 A GOVERNMENT BODY MAY CONDUCT A CLOSED MEETING TO DELIBERATE THE PURCHASE, EXCHANGE, LEASE OR VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY IF DELIBERATION IN AN OPEN MEETING WOULD HAVE A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON THE POSITION OF THE GOVERNMENTAL BODY IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE THIRD PERSON.ADDITIONALLY, SECTION 551.087 ALLOWS THE GOVERNMENTAL BODY TO DISCUSS OR DELIBERATE ON COMMERCIAL OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION THAT HAS BEEN RECEIVED FROM A BUSINESS PROSPECT THAT THE GOVERNMENTAL BODY SEEKS TO HAVE LOCATE, STAY OR EXPAND IN OR NEAR THE CITY OR WITH WHICH THERE MAY BE ONGOING NEGOTIATIONS TO DELIBERATE THE OFFER OF A FINANCIAL OR OTHER INCENTIVE TO A BUSINESS PROSPECT.
FURTHER, SECTION 551.071 PROVIDES THAT A GOVERNMENTAL BODY MAY SEEK ADVICE FROM ITS ATTORNEY REGARDING A PENDING OR CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION SUBJECT, SETTLEMENT OFFER OR ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE INFORMATION.
AFTER DISCUSSION IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, ANY ACTION OR VOTE MAY BE TAKEN AND WILL BE TAKEN IN PUBLIC.
SO AT THIS POINT IN TIME THE PARKS BOARD OF THE CITY OF ABILENE WILL ADJOURN INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS ANY MATTERS LISTED BELOW ON THE AGENDA AS AUTHORIZED BY THE
TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION. >> OKAY.
WE SHALL RESUME. NO ACTION WAS TAKEN IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AND THE EXECUTIVE SESSION HAS BEEN ADJOURNED.
[4. Parks Assessment (Discussion, Public Hearing and Possible Action)]
NEXT ITEM. PARKS ASSESSMENT.LESLIE? >> GOOD MORNING AGAIN, LESLIE
[00:05:12]
ANDERS, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION.IT'S MUCH EASIER FOR ME TO STAND ON THIS SIDE WHERE I'LL BE ABLE TO LOOK AT YOU. IN OUR PREVIOUS MEETING, WE HAD TALKED ABOUT DOING AN ASSESSMENT OF OUR PARKS AND JESUS C
>> CDIAGNOSE CORONADO WENT OUT AND EVALUATED EVERY SINGLE PARK THAT WE HAVE IN ABILENE.
IN MAY, WE GAVE A PRESENTATION TO CITY COUNCIL ABOUT WHERE WE ARE IN THAT ASSESSMENT AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT I'M GOING TO RUN THROUGH WITH YOU TODAY. IF YOU SAW THAT CITY COUNCIL MEETING, IT'S GOING TO BE THE SAME SLIDES THAT I'M PRESENTING TO YOU. BUT BECAUSE PARKS ARE GOVERNED BY PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD IT'S IMPORTANT TO STAFF TO HAVE GUIDANCE FROM PARKS BOARD ON WAYS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS INFORMATION NOW THAT WE HAVE IT. THE FIRST SLIDE AN OVERVIEW OF EVERYTHING THAT THE PARKS EMPLOYEES HANDLE.
IN THIS POINT, WHEN I'M TALKING ABOUT PARKS, EVEN THOUGH WE ARE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT, YOU KNOW, OF 100 EMPLOYEES, I'M REALLY TALKING SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE PARKS DIVISION AND THE THIRTY PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THAT DIVISION.
SO THEY MAINTAIN -- WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE IS THEY MAINTAIN MORE THAN JUST PARKLAND.
SO THAT'S REALLY WHAT THIS SLIDE WAS FOR IS TO SHOW CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITIZENS ALL THE VARIOUS THINGS THAT THIS GROUP OF THIRTY MEN AND WOMEN MAINTAIN, WHICH IS 702 ACRES OF PARKLAND AND MUNICIPAL GROUNDS, 174.4 ACRES THAT ARE CEMETERY MEDIANS, UNDEVELOPED, 190,760 SQUARE FEET OF LANDSCAPING, 72,000 LINEAR FEET OF IRRIGATION, AND 47.9 ACRES OF CEMETERY, WHICH INCLUDES BURIALS, HEADSTONE LEVELLING AND CLEANUPS.
I'M NOT GOING TO READ THROUGH ALL OF THIS BUT IT ENDS UP BEING 21 NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUNITY PARKS, 10 SPECIALTY PARKS AND 11 MUNICIPAL GROUND NONPARKLAND. SO THAT'S A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF INVENTORY THAT OUR MEN AND WOMEN TAKE CARE OF.
SOME OF THE ADDITIONS THAT WE HAVE HAD IN THE LAST FEW YEARS OR THE LAST THREE TO FIVE YEARS, WE DID ADOPT THE PARKS MASTER PLAN IN 2023. THAT WAS WHAT WAS PRESENTED TO PARKS BOARD A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO.
AND WE DID OPEN TWO NEW RECREATION CENTERS, A NEW DOG PARK, THE CEDAR CREEK TRAIL. I WILL SAY THAT FOR REFERENCE, THE SEARS PLAYGROUND IS A NEW PLAYGROUND BECAUSE THE ONE PRIOR TO THAT BURNED DOWN DUE TO ARSON.
IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. ONE A THE CARVER PARK HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE GV DANIELS RECREATION CENTER. WHERE THE PLAYGROUND USED TO BE IS THE ENTRANCE INTO THE CENTER. WE HAD TO MOVE THE PLAYGROUND OVER. THAT PLAYGROUND WAS AT THE END OF LIFE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ANYWAY.
WE HAVE REPLACED ALL THE PARK SIGNS, ADDED SHADES TO ALL OF OUR SPLASH PADS, ADDED A STORYBOOK GARDEN.
HAD A VERY SUCCESSFUL CALF FESTIVAL I BELIEVE WITH RECORD ATTENDANCE BUT I WILL LEAVE THAT UP TO THE CULTURAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL TO ANNOUNCE. FESTIVAL DISTRICT.
A LOT OF PEOPLE AREN'T SURE WHERE THAT IS BUT THAT IS THE AREA BETWEEN THE HOTEL AND THE CONVENTION CENTER.
THAT PARKS MAINTAINS. LAST WEEK, WE ALSO OPENED CYPRESS STREET AND CYPRESS PLAZA WHICH WAS A HUGE HIT IF YOU WERE DOWNTOWN LAST WEEK WITH ALL OF THE FAMILIES AND THE KIDS THAT WERE AROUND. WE DID HALF A MILLION DOLLAR OF IMPROVEMENTS TO STEVENSON PARK. WE DID CLOSE TO $200,000 OF IMPROVEMENTS TO NELSON WILSON PARK.
WE DID RECEIVE A GRANT FOR TWO NEW FISHING PIERS AND THIS WEEK WE ALSO RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THATLAST WEEK THAT WE RECEIVED A GRANT TO DO THE DESIGN FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO NEW BOAT RAMP.
SO THAT IS SOMETHING NEW THAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST WEEK.
ALL WONDERFUL THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THE PARKS DIVISION, BUT THAT IS ACTUALLY WITH THE SAME AMOUNT OF PEOPLE IF NOT A FEW LESS. SO JUST WANTED TO BRING THAT FORWARD. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DID --
[00:10:03]
THIS IS A SUMMATION OF I WOULD SAY PROBABLY 25 HOURS OR MORE OF WORK BY THE PARKS STAFF. THEY DO HAVE INFORMATION ON ALL OF THESE PARKS, BUT VERY HIGH LEVEL.WHAT THIS SHOWS -- THIS IS A COUNT BY PARK.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT TWELVE PARKS THAT NEED REST ROOMS, REMODELED, THAT'S TWELVE PARKS. SOME PARKS DON'T HAVE ANY RESTROOMS. SOME PARKS HAVE MULTIPLE RESTROOMS. THERE'S TWELVE PARKS THAT DO NEED A RESTROOM THAT NEEDS TO BE REMODELED OR REPLACD WITHIN THEM. SO THAT KIND OF EXPLAINS HOW THIS MOVES FORWARD. LIGHTING.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU ALL HAD MENTIONED TO US LAST TIME IS TO REALLY LOOK AT SAFETY WITHIN OUR PARKS SO YOU WILL NOTICE THAT 16 PARKS HAVE A VERY HIGH LEVEL OF NEED FOR IMPROVED LIGHTING FOR THE SAFETY ASPECT OF BEING ABLE TO USE THOSE PARKS. WE'VE HAD A WONDERFUL PARTNERSHIP WITH AEP ON HAVING LIGHTS PUT AROUND TRAILS IN MANY OF OUR PARKS THAT IS MAINTAINED BY AEP BUT AS TIMES HAVE CHANGED, AS TRAILS HAVE CHANGED, AS PROGRAMS HAVE CHANGED, THAT DOESN'T MEAN NEW ONES HAVE BEEN ADDED ON.
THEY'VE JUST BEEN VERY GENEROUS IN WHAT THEY HAVE DONE IN THE PAST IN MAINTAINING THOSE. SO IT'S A WONDERFUL PARTNERSHIP.
DOES NOT NEED THAT WE DON'T NEED TO DO SOME PRETTY MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS WHEN IT COMES TO LIGHTING.
AGAIN, THERE'S MANY OF THESE THINGS THAT I COULD TALK TO.
HARD SCAPE, WHAT THAT INCLUDES IS PARKING LOT, ROADS, TRAILS, REALLY THE ASPHALT, CONCRETE INFRASTRUCTURE, FENCING, THINGS LIKE THAT WITHIN THE TRAILS. WE JUST LUMPED ALL OF THAT INTO HARD SCAPE. SO THAT YOU ARE AWARE.
LEVELS OF AMENITIES. THESE ARE OUR BIG BELLIES, WEIGH STATIONS. IN BIG BELLIES, THOSE ARE ONLY IN THE SPLASH PADS. ALL SEVEN ARE MORE THAN TEN YEARS OLD AND NEED TO BE REPLACED.
THAT SAYS A HUNDRED PERCENT. IT'S A HUNDRED PERCENT OF SEVEN.
WHEN YOU'RE TALKING PICNIC TABLES, WE HAVE 228 PICNIC TABLES, 168 NEED SOME LEVEL OF REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT.
SO AGAIN, IT'S A MAJORITY OF OUR PICNIC TABLES BUT I DID WANT TO PUT THESE PERCENTAGES. THEY'RE RELATIVE TO THE NUMBER THAT WE HAVE IN OUR INVENTORY. SO THAT DOES MATTER WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT THESE STATISTICS. PARK STAFFING LEVELS.
WE DID TALK ABOUT THIS A LITTLE B BIT. BACK IN 2020 WE HAD 44 FULL-TIME EQUIVALENTS. THAT WAS ACTUALLY FOURTEEN OF THOSE WERE TEMPORARY STAFF THAT WE WOULD HIRE BASICALLY MARCH THROUGH NOVEMBER TO HELP US WITH THE MOWING SEASON, SO OUR PERMANENT STAFF COULD STILL BE MAINTAINING THINGS.
IN 2020, WE DID LOSE THOSE FOURTEEN SEASONAL WHICH WAS THE EQUIVALENT OF SEVEN FTES. IN 2021, THE CITY OUTSOURCED THE MOWING OF THE CEMETERY AND SO TO OFFSET THE COST OF OUTSOURCING THAT CONTRACT, WE LOST THREE FULL-TIME POSITIONS.
THE PROBLEM IS THE BURIALS, THE HEADSTONE LEVELLING, THE MEETING WITH THE FAMILIES, THE CLEANUPS, THAT DID NOT GO AWAY.
THAT DID NOT MOVE TO THE CONTRACT.
SO WHAT WE ENDED UP HAVING IS A CEMETERY THAT WAS NOT BEING MANAGED TO THE LEVEL OF OUR EXPECTATIONS OR THE CITIZENS' EXPECTATIONS. SO WE ENDED UP HAVING TO MOVE TWO PARKS EMPLOYEES FULL TIME TO THE CEMETERY TO CONTINUE BEING ABLE TO MANAGE THE CEMETERY TO THE LEVEL THAT CITIZENS EXPECT.
THERE WERE THREE POSITIONS FROZEN.
PIE WE DID PUT A PROPOSAL TOGETHER THAT WE PRESENTED TO ADMINISTRATION AND IT'S A FIVE-YEAR PLAN TO TRY AND START BUILDING BACK UP OUR PARKS DIVISION AND EMPLOYEES.
WE'RE GETTING BACK TO OUR 2020 LEVELS.
[00:15:03]
IT IS AN EVALUATION OF THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES PER CITIZEN ON WHAT SHOULD BE MAINTAINING OUR PARKS WHEN YOU'RE PREDICTING FIVE YEARS OUT, WE DON'T COMPLETELY KNOW WHAT OUR POPULATION WILL BE SO THAT RED LINE MAY FLUCTUATE JUST A LITTLE BIT. THESE ARE PREDICTIONS.THE KIYOTAKE WAIST WERE 41% OF THE CAPITAL ASSETS HAVE HIGH LEVELS OF CAPITAL I AM MRUCHLT NEEDS.
63% OF THE AMENITIES HAVE HIGH LEVEL OF AMENITY REPLACEMENT NEEDS. AND 41% EVER THE EVALUATION FALLS BELOW THE BENCHMARK STAFFING LEVEL.
ALL OF THIS WAS PRESENTED TO CITY COUNCIL AT THEIR WORKSHOPS.
SINCE THEN, STAFF HAS HAD TO SUBMIT OUR BUDGET TO ADMINISTRATION AND ADMINISTRATION IS EVALUATING ALL OF THE BUDGETS AND WILL BE MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL IN JULY. AND SO WHAT STAFF HAS REQUESTED IS AGAIN WHAT WAS PRESENTED HERE ABOUT TRYING TO UNFREEZE THOSE POSITIONS AS WELL AS SOME POTENTIAL FUNDING TO START MAKING SOME IMPROVEMENTS ON AMENITIES AND STARTING THE PROCESS ON -- HELPING WITH DEFERRED MAINTENANCE.
AT THIS POINT, I CAN'T SAY IF THAT'S GOING TO BE FENCING IF THAT'S GOING TO BE REPLACING PICNIC TABLES, IF THAT'S GOING TO BE WORKING ON LIGHTING. THAT IS STILL YET TO BE DETERMINED. SO WE ARE LOOKING FOR A LITTLE GUIDANCE FROM PARKS BOARD ON IF THERE WAS AN AREA YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE ADMINISTRATION FOCUS ON OR THAT YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY MANAGER FROM PARKS BOARD ON AREAS THAT ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO YOU NOW IS THE TIME TO GIVE ME THAT FEEDBACK AND THEY WILL TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION.
AS THEY ARE PUT THIS THE BUDGET TOGETHER BEFORE PRESENTING IT TO CITY COUNCIL. AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT IS CITY COUNCIL'S BUDGET WHERE THEY PUT THE FUNDING, IT WILL BE THEIR PRIORITIES THAT WE WILL BE GOVERNED BY BUT THEY DO APPRECIATE HEARING FROM PARKS BOARD ON WHAT YOUR OPINIONS ARE.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO STRESS LIGHTING AND HARD SCAPE ON THE ISSUE OF SAFETY. WE WANT OUR PARK CITIZENS TO BE SAFE AND I THINK THAT MAKES OUR CITY SAFE.
>> IT WOULD SEEM TO ME THAT IN AN EFFORT TO MAYBE ALONG THE SAME LINES OF WHAT ROBIN IS SAYING, THAT MAYBE AN EMPHASIS -- ALL THREE OF THESE AMENITY REPLACEMENTS AND STAFFING ARE ALL THREE IMPORTANT, AS IT RELATES TO CAPITAL I AM IMPROVEMENTS VERSUS AMENITIES, IMPROVEMENTS OR REPLACEMENTS, MAYBE A LITTLE BIT MORE FOCUS ON THE AMENITY REPLACEMENTS SO THAT THEY DON'T BECOME PART OF THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS NEED, REPLACING AND MAINTAINING WHAT WE HAVE.
TRYING TO KEEP IT IN GOOD STATE AS WELL AS POSSIBLE AND THEN TAKE WITH THE NEW IMPROVEMENTS AS THEY COME.
PRIORITIZE THOSE. IT MIGHT BE TO FOLLOW.
>> LIGHTING WAS THE FIRST THING THAT CAME TO MIND FOR ME.
YOU WANT PEOPLE TO ENJOY THE PARKS AND HAVE A GOOD EARNS SPOO AND PART OF THAT IS KEEPING THINGS IN GOOD CONDITION.
>> THE SHADE STRUCTURES HAVE BEEN VERY WELL RECEIVED.
THANK YOU FOR JUMPING ON THAT. >> YOU'RE WELCOME.
>> AT THIS POINT IN TIME, WHAT IS YOUR NEED FOR THIS BOARD TO ENDORSE OR APPROVE WHAT YOUR STAFF IS DOING AND RECOMMEND TO
CITY COUNCIL? >> YOU'RE WELCOME TO OPEN IT UP
[00:20:09]
FOR COMMENTS OR IF YOU WANT TO MAKE THE RECOMMENDATION, WHAT I HAVE HERE IS SAFETY WITH AMENITIES AND DEFERRED MAINTENANCE OVER NEW CONSTRUCTION ARE THE THREE ITEMSTHAT I WROTE DOWN. >> AT THIS POINT IN TIME, WE'LL OPEN IT UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. ANYONE HAVING ANYTHING TO -- ANY COMMENTS TO MAKE OF THAT WHAT WAS JUST PRESENTED CAN STEP FORWARD TO THE MICROPHONE AND STATE YOUR NAME AND YOUR ADDRESS AND YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS.
WE'RE OPEN FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. SEEING NO ONE COMING FORWARD, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION.
AT THIS POINT IN TIME, WE'LL TAKE A MOTION FROM THE BOARD TO RECOMMEND THAT STAFF FOLLOW THROUGH WITH RECOMMENDATIONS TOWARDS THE CITY COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION FOR THAT.
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT THE STAFF EMPHASIZE LIGHTING AND SAFETY AS WELL AS MAINTENANCE OVER NEW PROJECTS.
>> SECOND? >> IF YOU DON'T MIND SINCE THE MAYOR WALKED IN IF YOU WOULD RESTATE THE MOTION SO HE CAN
HEAR. >> I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT THE PARK STAFF FOCUS ON LIGHTING AND HARD SCAPES AND MAINTENANCE OVER NEW PROJECTS. DID I HEAR A SECOND?
ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. >> AYE.
>> OPPOSED? >> ANNOUNCER: MOTION CARRIES.
[5. Resolution: Reservation of Parkland to Lease to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) (Discussion, Public Hearing and Possible Action)]
>> THE NEXT ITEM BEFORE YOU IS A RESOLUTION FROM PARKS BOARD.
MICHAEL HOMER WORKS FOR TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE SO HE HAS TO ABSTAIN FROM THIS CONVERSATION. I DO REQUEST THAT YOU NOT ASK HIM ANY QUESTIONS. ANY QUESTIONS BE DIRECTED TOWARDS ME. THIS GOES BACK TO -- THIS HAS BEEN SOMEWHAT OF AN ONGOING CONVERSATION FOR A COUPLE YEARS BETWEEN THE CITY OF ABILENE AND THE PARKS BOARD.
THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE TAYLOR COUNTY OFFICES ARE LOOKING AT THE POTENTIAL FOR NEW LOCATION IN ABILENE THEY DO NEED TO STAY IN TAILOR COUNTY. PREFERABLY IN THE CITY LIMITS.
SO THEY APPROACH THE CITY OF ABILENE ABOUT POTENTIALLY HAVING THREE TO FIVE ACRES AT THIS IS FOR THE APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION TO ALLOW REALLY SOMETHING VERIFIED WITH SIGNATURES THAT TEXAS AND PARKS AND WILDLIFE CAN THEN TAKE TO THE STATE AND SAY THE CITY IS PACK BACKING THIS REQUEST SO THAT THEY CAN ASK FOR THE APPROPRIATE FUNDING THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE CYCLE TO BE ABLE TO BUILD THESE OFFICES IN THESE NEW OFFICES IN TAYLOR COUNTY.
ONE CAVEAT THAT WAS STATED IS PARKS BOARD WANTED TO MAKE SURE WHEN WITHED THIS CONVERSATION IN EXECUTIVE SESSION THAT THERE AT LEAST BE AN EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT TO THIS.
AS YOU KNOW, TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE HAS A BIG EDUCATION COMPONENT TO A LOT OF THINGS THAT THEY DO, SO THEY DID NOT SEE THIS AS BEING BEYOND THEIR SCOPE OF WHAT THEY NORMALLY DO ANYWAY. SO AGAIN, WHAT IS BEFORE YOU IS
[00:25:05]
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF ABILENE TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE TO GIVE THEM THE ABILITY FOR UP TO SIX YEARS WHICH IS REALLY TWO LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS TO SECURE THE FUNDING. ONCE THE FUNDING IS SECURED BY THE STATE, WE WILL COME BACK BEFORE PARKS BOARD WITH AN ACTUAL AGREEMENT, A LEASE AGREEMENT, ON THE LENGTH OF THE LAND, THE COST, THE EXACT THREE TO FIVE ACRES BECAUSE THAT'S ALSO GOING TO BE DETERMINED ON HOW MANY DIVISIONS COME IN ON WHETHER THEY NEED THREE ACRES, WHETHER THEY NEED FIVE ACRES, HOW MANY PEOPLE AND PARKING. A YOU WILL OF THAT WILL BE DETERMINED AT THE STATE LEVEL ONCE THE FUNDING IS APPROVED.>> ANY QUESTIONS? >> AT THIS POINT THEN, WE WILL OPEN THE FLOOR FOR PUBLIC COMMENT FROM ANYONE WISHING TO MAKE COMMENT ABOUT THIS TICKTUM. PLEASE COME FORWARD TO THE MICROPHONE. STATE YOUR NAME, YOUR ADDRESS, AND YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES. SEEING NO ONE COMING FORWARD, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION.
AND WE HAVE BEFORE US RESOLUTION.
WE NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE. THE RESOLUTION.
TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PARKS LAND LEASE PROCESS.
DO I HAVE A MOTION FOR THAT? >> A MOTION WE APPROVE THIS RESOLUTION FOR THE REQUEST LEASE PARK LAND.
I THINK TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE IS A GOOD PARTNER AND I THINK WE
SHOULD CONSIDER THIS. >> WE HAVE A MOTION.
>> THANK YOU. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
THANK YOU. WE'LL MOVE INTO OUR REPORTS.
[6. Aquatics Report (Discussion)
]
>> A QUICK UPDATE ON OUR AK WATTICS.
WE'RE HIGHLIGHTING OUR CHAMPIONS DAY COMING UP JUNE 20TH, AND JULY 18TH, FROM 9 TO 11. IT'S FREE ADMISSION TO THE GUESTS WITH A DISABILITY. IT'S 50% OFF UP TO FOUR HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS. SO THIS EVENT IS ONE OF THE PROBABLY THAT OUR STAFF, OUR CONTRACTING STAFF, ENJOY THE MOST. THEY REALLY ENJOY BEING ABLE TO INTERACT WITH THESE CITIZENS AND PROVIDING THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME IN AND ENJOY THE FACILITIES.
SO IT'S AN EXCITING EVENT. WE HAVE ACTUALLY OPENED IT UP TO TWO DAYS NOW. WE USED TO JUST DO ONE.
BUT IT WAS SUCH A BELOVED ACTIVITY FOR OUR CITIZENS, WE WENT AHEAD AND EXPANDED IT TO TWO.
WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT. AND I BELIEVE THAT'S IT FOR AQUATICS. ANY QUESTIONS?
[7. Parks Report (Discussion)
]
>> WE WILL MOVE TO PARKS REPORT. CHRIS DEPEND.
>> HERE. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, PARKS AND RECREATION. TAKING JESUS CORONADO, OUR DIVISION MANAGER'S SPOT. HE DECIDED HE WANTED TO TAKE A FEW DAYS OFF AND HERE I AM. SO I WILL DO MY BEST.
OUR PARKS REPORT, WE DO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT A FACT THAT WE DID HAVE ONE OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS IN PARKS, CHRIS JACKSON, WAS FEATURED IN OUR CITY -- WE CALL IT WALNUT STREET JOURNAL.
AND CHRIS IS A VERY INTERESTING YOUNG MAN.
VERY DRIVEN. HE'S A FORMER BODYBUILDER, HAS SPENT A LOT OF TIME COMPETING AT A VERY HIGH LEVEL.
IT'S PROBABLY -- I'M NOT GOING TO SAY THIS IS UNIQUE BECAUSE IT'S NOT. MOST OF OUR PARK STAFF ARE SO DEDICATED AND DEVOTED TO WHAT THEY DO EVERY DAY, BUT IT'S GREAT TO SEE ONE OF OUR STAFF'S HIGHLIGHTED IN THIS WAY.
IT SHOWS THE REFLECTION OF WHAT OUR PARK STAFF -- WHAT THEY DO EVERY DAY. WE WANT TO TAKE NOTE OF THAT AND SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO CHRIS FOR THAT.
AND APPRECIATE HIS DEDICATION. AS WE ALL COME OFF CALF WEEK, A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THIS BUT OUR PARK STAFF ARE THE ONES THAT DO THE INSTALLATIONS ON ALL THE SCULPTURES THAT COME INTO ABILENE. THIS YEAR WE DID A RECORD NUMBER OF SCULPTURES INSTALLATIONS. WE HAD NINE FOR THE HUNDRED ACRE SERIES THAT CALF FOCUSED ON. WE HAD STAFF WORKING NOT ONLY THE ENTIRE WEEK BEFORE AND THE WEEK OF CALF THAT WE HAD STAFF MEMBERS THAT CAME OUT FROM SIX O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING AND WORKED UNTIL 11 AT NIGHT TRYING TO GET THESE SCULPTURES INSTALLED. IF THAT DOESN'T THE DEDICATION,
[00:30:06]
I DON'T KNOW WHAT DOES. BIG SHOUT OUT, NEXT TIME YOU SEE OUR PARK STAFF, SHAKE THEIR HAND, TELL THEM HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE WHAT THEY DO. IT'S A TALENTED GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT DO THIS. SO WE JUST WANT TO PUT A CALL AFTER THAT AND GRATEFUL FOR HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVICE OUR CITIZENS. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT JESUS LIKES TO DO AND LESLIE LIKES TO DO IS POINT OUT A FUN FACT FOR PARKS. I DON'T KNOW WHY WE'RE SO OBSESSED WITH TOILET PAPER BUT WE BRING IT IN EVERY TIME WE DO NEW EMPLOYER ORIENTATION. WE TOOK ANOTHER TACT AND SAID THAT OUR PARK RESTROOMS GO THROUGH ALMOST 5,000 ROLLS OF TOILET PAPER A YEAR. WE'RE GOING TO STRIVE FOR 5,000 THIS NEXT YEAR. THAT'S OUR GOAL.EIGHT MORE. IT'S ABOUT -- JESUS LOVES THIS STUFF -- HE'S 514,176 LINEAR FEET, THE DISTANCE TRAVELLED BETWEEN ABILENE AND THE CITY OF STEPHENVILLE.
WOULD BE ENOUGH END TO END. THERE YOU GO.
IT'S THE FUN FACT FOR OUR OBSESSION WITH TOILET PAPER AND PARKS. I DON'T KNOW WHY.
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME?
>> ANY QUESTIONS FOR RECREATION AND TOILET PAPER?
>> IS THAT ONE PLY OR TWO PLY? >> I'M GOING TO SAY ONE PLY.
WE'RE VERY COST CONSCIOUS AS WELL.
>> VERY GOOD. WE HOPE WE DON'T SET THAT RECORD. THAT INDICATES A DIFFERENT PROBLEM. ANYWAY, ALL RIGHT.
[8. Recreation Report (Discussion)
]
NOW RECREATION. >> GOOD MORNING.
LET'S DO OUR RECREATION REPORT. AS YOU KNOW, THE REC CENTERS HAVE OPENED UP AND WE HAVE BEEN BUSY BUSY BUSY.
I WILL SAY WE HAVE AN AWESOME TEAM THERE.
SO THEY ARE BRINGING NUMBERS IN EVERY DAY.
WE'VE BEEN DOING WEEKLY NUMBERS ON HOW MANY HAVE BEEN COMING TO THE DOOR AND PARTICIPATING IN OUR PROGRAMS. HERE'S SOME OF THE NUMBERS FOR THE WEEK.
LIKE THE FIRST WEEK OF MARCH, WE HAD GV1,210 AND SEARS HAD A LITTLE BIT MORE AT 1,373. WE HAVE PEOPLE COMING INTO THOSE DOORS AND I DIDN'T GET THE LAST WEEK OF MAY ON THERE ON THE 24TH, IT WAS 1,030, GV DANIELS, AND 1,358 AT SEARS.
WE'RE STARTING OUR NEW PROGRAMMING.
IT'S VERY EXCITING TO SEE WHAT THEY'VE COME UP WITH.
WE'RE WORKING A LOT ON GETTING SOME MORNING THINGS GOING FOR PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY WITH IT BEING SUMMER AND THE CHILDRN ARE AT HOME. MOMS NEED A BREAK SO WE'RE OFFERING YOGA. YOGA IS A DROP-IN OR SIGN UP FOR THE WHOLE CLASS SESSION. WE HAVE OPTIONS ON MORNING CLASSES AND EVENING CLASSES AND HAS BEEN VERY RELAXING.
IF YOU CANNOT GET ON THE FLOOR, YOU DO HAVE THE OPTION TO PARTICIPATE IN CHAIR YOGA BECAUSE CHAIR YOGA IS GOOD ALSO.
WE HAVE A REALLY AWESOME TEACHER, MICHELLE, WHO IS VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE. WE WERE LUCKY TO GET HERE.
ALSO ON SATURDAYS, AT GV DANIELS IN JUNE, IT WILL TURN -- IN JULY IT WILL BE AT SEARS. WE HAVE AN AWESOME INSTRUCTOR AMY OFFERING ZUMBA CLASSES. YOU CAN GO IN THERE AND DO SOME ZUMBA IF YOU'RE READY TO GET UP AND GO.
BE 3 WE ALSO STARTED A PE HOUR SINCE CHILDREN ARE HOME.
THE KIDS HAVE REALLY LIKED IT. WE GOT A REALLY NICE E-MAIL THE OTHER DAY FROM A MOTHER THAT HER CHILD WAS AT SEARS PARTICIPATING AND SHE WAS VERY EXCITED THAT THE STAFF KNEW HER CHILD'S NAME ALREADY. THEY ARE MAKING CONNECTIONS AND VERY PROUD OF THEM. THE GOOD WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING. SO THE PE HOUR, IT'S LIKE A STRUCTURED PE WHERE IT GETS THEM MOVING AND GOING.
THEY REALLY ENJOYED THAT. ALSO WE HAVE ON FRIDAYS, READY SET PLAY. AND THAT'S ALSO GETTING THEM MOVING. WE WANT TO GET THEM TO BURN THEIR ENERGY UP. THEN THEY SOMETIMES RUN OUT TO THE SPLASH PAD AND THEN GO TO THE LIBRARY.
VERY BUSY. THERE'S NOT A DULL MOMENT AT THE REC CENTERS. WE DO HAVE MOMS WITH LITTLE BABIES. WE DID START A STROLLER CLUB.
THAT IS OVER AT GV DANIELS ON MONDAYS AT 10:30.
SO MOMS CAN WALK THEIR LAPS WITH CHAT AND WALK.
THEY ARE LOVING THE INDOOR TRACK BECAUSE IT GETS HOT PRETTY
[00:35:01]
EARLY. ANY QUESTIONS ON RECREATION?[9. Seniors Report (Discussion)
]
OTHER PLANNING OUR SENIOR DAY TRIP TH YEAR WE ARE GOING TO GRAND BERRY IN OCTOBER AND IT'S THE HARVEST MOON FEST.
THEY'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT. THAT BUS WILL BE FULL.
WE WILL START SELLING TICKETS HERE SOON IN JULY.
THIS WEEK IS FATHER'S DAY BINGO. IT IS MEN ONLY.
AND THE WOMEN HAVE MOTHER'S DAY SO WE HAD TO REMIND THEM THAT THEY HAD THEIR TURN NOW. THIS IS THE MEN'S TURN.
I WILL SAY THIS HAS BEEN A BIG HIT, WATER WALKERS.
WE HAVE THEM MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS, THEY GET TO GO TO VENTURE COVE AND WALK AT THE RIVER.
WE'VE HAD SUCH A GOOD NUMBER OF PEOPLE COMING IN THAT THEY'VE BEEN GOING TO WALK AND HAVING LUNCH WITH US TO PARTICIPATE IN THE AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES FOR EXERCISE CLASSES.
IT'S BEEN A VERY BIG HIT. I WAS TOLD BY HANNAH FROM THE VENTURE COVE THAT THE FIRST DAY THERE WAS A LINE ALL THE WAY OUT TO THE STREET FOR THEM TO COME IN.
THEY'RE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF WATER WALKERS.
IT'S GOOD IT SEE THEM MOVING. ANY QUESTIONS?
>> ANY QUESTIONS FOR ANNE? VERY GOOD.
[10. Zoo Report (Discussion)
]
ZOO REPORT, PLEASE. >> ZOO DIRECTOR.
WE ARE HAVING A BABY BOOM AS WE SPEAK.
OUR FUSA FEMALE HAD THREE PUPS. SHE HAD A FEW PUPS ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO AND WE CONVINCE DENTALLY HAD THE SAME LITTER SIZE, ONE FEMALE AND TWO MALES. THEY HAVE GROWN MORE SINCE THIS PHOTO. THEY WILL NOT BE ON DISPLAY FOR ANOTHER MONTH OR TWO. WE'LL ANNOUNCE THAT WHEN THAT HAPPENS. WE FOUND THE BABY NOT HOLDING ONTO MOM SO WE HAD TO INTERVENE. WE DID TRY TO MILK MOM TO SEE IF SHE WOULD LACTATE. WE HAD TO INTERVENE AND NOW WE ARE HAND REARING BUT HE IS THRIVING.
IT'S A LITTLE MALE. AND WE'LL KEEP YOU UPDATED ON HIS GROWTH AND OUR GOAL IS ALWAYS GET HIM BACK WITH THE PARENTS AS BEST IF WE CAN. IF NOT, WE 3 YOU THEM NEXT TO MOM AND DAD WHILE WE'RE FEEDING THEM.
GIVE THAT ANTEATER SENSATION. SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE CROWN LEEM UR. FIRST LEMUR BORN AT THE ABILENE ZOO. DAD IS MORE INTERESTED THAN MOM.
MOM DID NOT WANT TO HAVE HIM AT ALL.
WE INTERVENED WITH HIM AS WELL. YOU CAN SEE THERE ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE, HE'S HOLDING A LITTLE FLUFFY LEMUR AND PARENTS ARE EATING NEXTS TO HIM AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN PUT HIM BACK WITH HIS MOM AND DAD AS WELL IN THE FUTURE.
AND WE JUST HAD OUR SECOND FEMALE GIRAFFE BORN.
THE FIRST ONE WAS A BOY. THIS ONE WAS FEMALE.
THEY HAVE BEEN NAMED. HER NAME IS GOING TO BE LOU.
THE LITTLE BOY'S NAME IS KK RAY. AND WE STILL HAVE MORE HOPEFULLY ON THE WAY. THEN THE UNFORTUNATE NEWS ABOUT KETO. KETO IS HARD DECISION BY THE STAFF. A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW KETO'S STORY WITH YOU HE CAME TO US COMPROMISED.
HE WAS BORN A FOSSIL RIM. HE WAS HOBBLED WHICH MEANS HE COULDN'T STAND ON HIS OWN FOR A GOOD DAY OR TWO.
SO THE STAFF HAD TO INTERVENE, HAND REAR HIM AND THEN THEY ASKED IF ANYBODY WANTED TO HAND REAR FOR THEM AND WE TOOK HIM IN. OVER TIME WE COULD TELL THERE'S SOMETHING GENETICALLY NOT RIGHT WITH HIM AND HAD TO DEAL WITH HIS NECK AND SPINAL AREA. WE DID LOTS OF THERAPEUTICS ON HIS NECK ONCE WE LEARNED WHAT THE CONCERNS WERE.
IT'S BEEN TALKED ABOUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR A GOOD SIX, EIGHT MONTHS AND IT CAME TO THAT POINT WHERE WE WERE DOING CHIROPRACTIC WORK AND ACTUALLY ABOUT TO DO ACUPUNCTURE WORK AND WE HAD AN EQUINE THERAPEUTIC BLANKET THAT WAS A VERY COSTLY ELEMENT TO HELP HIM FEEL BETTER. UNFORTUNATELY, THE SCORING OF HIS BODY CAME DOWN PRETTY LOW. WE HAD TO MAKE A DIFFICULT DECISION. A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY KNEW KITO. OUR HEARTS AND PRAYERS ARE OUT TO THE STAFF THAT HAD TO GO THROUGH THIS.
UPCOMING EVENTS, WORLD GIRAFFE DAY, USUALLY THE LONGEST DAY OF THE YEAR, JUNE 21ST. WE ALWAYS CELEBRATE IT ON A SATURDAY TO GET MORE TRACTION. WE'LL BE CELEBRATING CONGO, THE BIG BULL, HIS BIRTHDAY. WWE BE DOING BEHIND-THE-SCENES GIRAFFE TOURS. A LOT OF PEOPLE COME TO THE DECK. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY BEHIND THE SCENES. WE'LL BE DOING PAINTING EXPERIENCES, ANIMAL COUNTERS, YOGA ON THE TERRACE.
THAT'S GOING TO BE AN UP CHARGE. THERE WILL BE LOTS OF FUN THINGS FOR THE KIDDOS AS WELL, CUT-OUTS AD PAINTINGS AND COLOURING.
COME CHECK US OUT. CURRENTLY WE STARTED ROARING MORNINGS A HUGE SUCCESS LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF THE HEAT OF ABILENE. WE HAVE NOW OPENED THE ZOO ONE HOUR EARLY. THAT ALLOWS OUR GUESTS TO COME IN EARLY BEFORE THAT SUN HEATS UP AT HIGH NOON AND IT'S ALREADY
[00:40:01]
A HUNDRED DEGREES. FROM JUNE 1ST TO AUGUST 31ST.IT IS THE BEST TIME TO SEE ANIMALS IS RIGHT IN THE MORNING ONCE IT GETS PAST 11 O'CLOCK THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, THEY'RE HUNKERING DOWN. WE HAVE PROTOCOLS FOR OUR ANIMALS TO GET ACCESS TO DENSE OR WARM HOLDING OR COOL HOLDING AND THAT'S WHERE THEY HANG OUT, JUST LIKE US HUMANS HERE.
TRYING TO GET IN THE AC. WE HAVE DINO RANCH COME TO THE ZOO. THIS IS GOING TO BE A CARICATURE EVENT THEY PERFORM AND DO THREE SHOWS AND FOUR MEET AND GREETS SO PEOPLE CAN GET A PHOTO. IF YOUR KIDS OR GRANDCHILDREN WATCH DINO RANCH. IT IS FEE FOR MEMBERS AND REGULAR GUEST ADMISSION WAS INCLUDED WITH THIS.
THAT'S IT. >> ANY QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT. VERY GOOD.
THANK YOU, JESSIE AND STAFF FOR YOUR REPORTS AND EVERYTHING.
ALL THE GREAT JOBS THAT YOU GUYS DO IN RUNNING THE PROGRAMS OF PARKS AND RECREATION. SO ANYTHING ELSE THAT WE NEED TO BRING UP FROM WE ADJOURN? OKAY.
IF NOT, THEN WE WILL STAND ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.