[00:00:05]
>> GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE. WE ARE HERE FOR THE ADVISORY BOARD FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
IT IS OUR SEPTEMBER MEETING. WE HAVE A REALLY FULL AGENDA TODAY. SO WE WILL GET STARTED.
IS THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS TODAY?
[ MINUTES]
NO. ALL RIGHT.THEN IF WE CAN LOOK AT THE MINUTES FROM OUR LAST MEETING.
EVERYONE GET A CHANCE TO LOOK AT IT?
>> OKAY. >> I MAKE A MOTION WE ACCEPT THE
MINUTES AS WIN. >> I WILL SECOND.
>> SO MOVED AND MOTIONED THAT THE MINUTES FROM THE JULY MEETING HAVE BEEN APPROVED. AND WE DON'T NEED TO VOTE.
>> YOU CAN DO A VOICE VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> I WAS LIKE WE HAD THIS DISCUSSION.
[2. City Mission and Board Resolution (Discussion)]
NO. OKAY.SO WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON DOWN TO THE AGENDA ITEMS. AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 2 IS CITY MISSION AND BOARD RESOLUTION.
DISCUSSION. AND I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT WE WERE PROVIDED TODAY, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS, THAT WE WANT TO START PUTTING IT ON OUR AGENDA.
SO WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS -- I AM STARTING THIS MEETING AND HERE ON OUT, OUR BOARD -- OUR CITY DOES HAVE A MISSION.
IT IS TO WORK TOGETHER TO BUILD A COMMUNITY OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY FOR PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.
AND THEN OUR BOARD RESOLUTION IS THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE BOARD IS TO SERVE AS A POINT OF CONTACT AND A VOICE FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF ABILENE TO THE CITY COUNCIL CONCERNING MATTERS OF ACCESSIBILITY. USE AND BENEFIT TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TO REVIEW AND DISCUSS MATTERS REFERRED TO THE BOARD BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITY MANAGER AND TO PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CITY COUNCIL.
>> WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE TRANSLATING.
>> IS THAT WORKING TODAY? DO WE KNOW?
>> WE DO. >> YOU GUYS DO HAVE IT?
>> YES. >> I WAS LOOKING AT THIS ONE.
>> THANK YOU. SO REALLY I DON'T KNOW IF THERE NEEDS TO BE A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE CITY MISSION AND BOARD RESOLUTION. REALLY WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT AT THE LAST MEETING IS THAT WE WERE JUST GOING TO START MAKING SURE THAT WE MADE SURE THAT IT WAS READ AT THE BEGINNING OF EVERY MEETING. SO I'M OKAY.
[3. Proclamation Recognizing October as Disability Awareness Month (Discussion)]
OKAY. WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO IS GO ON DOWN TO THE DISCUSSION OF PROCLAMATION AND RECOGNITION OF OCTOBER AS DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH.DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING FOR THAT? >> I DO, YES.
>> OKAY. >> SO IN RECOGNITION OF DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH BEING OCTOBER, THE CITY COUNCIL WILL HAVE A RESOLUTION. I CAN HEAR IT.
CAN YOU HEAR IT GOING THROUGH? >> YES.
>> THEY'LL HAVE A PROCLAMATION ON THE MEETING OF OCTOBER 8TH AT 8:30 IN THE MORNING IN THIS ROOM.
YOU'RE ALL WELCOME TO COME AND WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO COME AND BE
THERE FOR THAT PROCLAMATION. >> SHE DID GET IT, OKAY.
>> AND THEN THE ONLY DISCUSSION THAT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE WITH THAT IS THERE ANY BUSINESSES OR ORGANIZATIONS THAT YOU FEEL LESLIE NEEDS TO REACH OUT TO SINCE THEY WORK WITH THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY OR WE WOULD JUST LIKE THEM HERE?
>> I WAS GOING TO SAY REC FOR SURE.
[00:05:04]
>> INVITED A COUPLE PEOPLE. >> OKAY.
>> CITYLINK, OF COURSE. >> OF COURSE.
>> ANYONE ELSE? I WOULD THINK DRI.
>> ALL OF THE DISABILITY -- >> DISABILITY IN ACTION.
>> ADRC. >> CAN YOU HEAR IT NOW?
>> YES. >> IT DIDN'T SOUND LIKE MINE WAS ON. ADRC.
WORK FORCE. >> YEAH, WORK FORCE.
THEY HAVE A DEPARTMENT THAT WORKS WITH THE DISABILITY
COMMUNITY. >> WORK FORCE SOLUTIONS.
>> YES. AND THAT INCORPORATE THE SCHOOLS TOO. SALVATION ARMY.
>> REGION 14. >> PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
>> WEST TEXAS REHAB, PENDRIC REHAB.
>> YEAH. >> THOSE ARE SOME GOOD ONES.
>> ANY OTHER BOARD MEMBERS HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS?
>> THAT COVERS ALL THE ONES THAT I KNOW.
>> THAT COVERS ALL THE ONES SHE KNOWS.
OKAY. THEN, YES, PLEASE PUT IT ON YOUR CALENDAR. BOARD TO BE HERE OCTOBER 8TH.
AND IT'S AT 8:30 IS WHEN THE CITY COUNCIL STARTS.
[4. CityLink Presentation (Discussion)
]
AND WE'RE NOT PUTTING HIM IN THE HOT SEAT.
GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY. AND THANK YOU FOR WELCOMING
>> JUST WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK YOU AND THE TEAM FOR ALLOWING ME TO SERVE THE RESIDENTS OF ABILENE.
IT'S BEEN A YEAR NOW. >> WHOA HOO!
>> WE HAVE DONE A LOT. WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO A LOT UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION MR. GREEN, ALONG WITH TRANS-DEV AND THE AVP, WE HAVE A LOT OF PLANS FOR CITYLINK. IT'S BEEN ONE OF MY GREATEST PLEASURES. SO I WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH THE REGULAR METRIC REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST.
OUR BA-2 AREA HAD -- BA-1 AREA HAD 3847.
OUR BA-2 AREA HAD 582. OUR NUMBER ON-TIME TRIPS WERE 3362 WITH 85% ON TIME PERFORMANCE.
>> I DON'T HAVE THOSE NUMBERS. >> KUWCAN YOU WAIT A MINUTE.
I DON'T HAVE THE SAME NUMBERS AS YOU.
>> ON THE PRESENTATION. >> I'M ON THE SLIDE.
I WILL GET TO THE SLIDE. >> HERE IT IS.
IT'S MIXED AT THE END. >> THE NORMAL REPORT IS THE NEXT
>> YOU'RE GOOD. >> I WAS SITTING HERE GOING --
>> WHY EVERYONE IS CONFUSED. >> BLAME IT ON JOANNE.
>> YEAH. >> WE NEED TO PAY ATTENTION.
>> CAN YOU DO IT AGAIN? >> ABSOLUTELY.
SO I WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WE DID NEW THIS YEAR AT CITYLINK.
ONE OF THE BIGGEST ROADBLOCKS OR OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE HAD WAS PARTNER WITH A NEW RIDE APP THAT ALLOWED FOR A HUGE PART OR PORTION OF OUR CUSTOMER BASE TO BE MORE INFORMED QUICKLY INFORMED, IT ALLOWED FOR THE OPERATORS AND DISPATCHERS TO GET BETTER ON-TIME PERFORMANCE AND BETTER RESPONSE TIME.
FROM THE INCEPTION OF JUNE 1ST UP UNTIL AUGUST 26TH, THAT WAS
[00:10:01]
THE DEADLINE FOR ME TO SEND THESE NUMBERS IN, TAKE A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS. THE 8428 TRIPS IN THE BA-1 AREA, 1788 IN THE BA-2 AREA WITH THE TOTAL TRIPS OF 10216.WE HAVE 425 SENIOR CENTER RIDES AND A TOTAL OF 433 SENIOR CENTER TRIPS IN TOTAL. THESE ARE THE NUMBERS THAT GET ME EXCITED RIGHT HERE IS THIS ON-TIME PERFORMANCE.
IF YOU GO BACK INTO THE ARCHIVES, WHEN OUR TEAM FIRST GOT TOGETHER, THEY WERE AT THE 60%, 70% ON-TIME PERFORMANCE.
I CAN TELL YOU WITHOUT HESITATION IT IS NOTHING THAT I DID ON MY OWN. IT HAS BEEN A TEAM EFFORT, A GROUP EFFORT TO GET THESE NUMBERS TO WHERE THEY ARE TODAY.
NOW, YOU HAVE 87.18 ON TIME PERFORMANCE NOW.
90% LEAVE ON TIME, 80% ARRIVE ON TIME.
AND SO ON AND SO FORTH. WE HAVE A 92% REVIEW.
THAT'S A BIG DEAL. >> THAT IS A BIG DEAL.
>> THAT'S REALLY GOOD. YOU KNOW, BEHIND THE SCENES IT'S OFTEN ASKED, WHAT ARE WE DOING DIFFERENT? WHY ARE PASSENGERS AND CUSTOMERS HAPPY TO ACTUALLY GET ON BOARD CITYLINK UNITS NOW? AND I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT THE BIGGEST CHANGE THAT WE INCORPORATED WAS THE ENTIRE ENGAGEMENT PROCESS. THAT ENGAGEMENT PROCESS HAS -- STARTS WITH OUR ELIGIBILITY COORDINATOR RUNS ALL THE WAY UP TO THE AGM, AND THEN OF COURSE I GET TO BE PART OF THE TEAM.
WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT CITY LINK IN THE TOWN OF ABILENE, ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS I FOUND INTERESTING IS WHAT YOU WERE DOING IN 2024 TO 2025. DURING THE WEEK YOU HAD OVERALL AVERAGE OF 214,000 RIDES FOR THAT YEAR.
ON THE WEEKENDS, YOU HAD 243,000.
2025 AND 2026, WE HAVE CLOSE TO 3,000 MORE RIDERS.
3,000 MORE RIDERS. IF YOU LOOK AT THE RESPONSE THAT IS EVERYTHING FROM POWER TRANSIT ON CALL ZIP ZONE, THESE NUMBERS ARE REMARKABLE. IN 2024 THROUGH 2025, THE AVERAGE POWER TRANSIT WAS 30,000, CLOSE TO 31.
EVENING WAS 6,000, CLOSE TO 7,000.
ON CALL WAS ABSOLUTELY CLOSE TO 10,000 RIDES.
LOOK AT THE DIFFERENCE NOW. WE ARE CLOSE TO 7,000 MORE COMPLETED TRIPS. SAME UNITS, SAME OPERATORS, SAME ROUTES AND AREA. WHAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE? IN ITS MOST SIMPLISTIC FORM, THE DRIVING FORCE IS THE NEW APPLICATION THAT WE'RE USING THAT IS SPARE AND THE AMOUNT OF ENGAGEMENT THAT WE HAVE AS A TEAM TOWARDS OUR PASSENGERS AND CUSTOMERS. NOW, SPARE IS AN APPLICATION THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO UTILIZE IT.
WE UTILIZE IT OVER ALL OF THE ON-DEMAND RESPONSE VEHICLES.
IF AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE WE FEEL LIKE PUTTING ALL THE EGGS IN ONE BASKET WE PUT IT ON FIX TOO.
WE CONTROL EVERYTHING WE PUT ON SPARE AND SPARE ALLOWS US AND GIVES US ON-TIME REPORTS, WHICH ARE LIVE REPORTS SO WE CAN THEN GIVE IT TO THE PUBLIC. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH BECAUSE I DON'T WANT EVERYBODY TO THINK, WOW, WHAT A GREAT YEAR, NO, THERE HAVE BEEN SOME STRUGGLES.
THERE IS SOME STRUGGLES NOW. AND ONE OF THE BIGGEST STRUGGLES THAT WE'RE HAVING IS THE PUBLIC NOT KNOWING ABOUT THE APPLICATION AND WHAT THE APPLICATION CAN AND CANNOT DO.
ONE OF THE BIGGEST SITUATIONS OR ROADBLOCKS THAT ARE LIMITING THE AMOUNT OF RIDERSHIP WE HAVE. I WOULD ENCOURAGE ALL OF THE PASSENGERS TO PLEASE GO ON TO THE CITY OF ABILENE WEBSITE, THEY CAN DOWNLOAD THE APP WHETHER IT'S THROUGH ANDROID OR APPLE. AND IT'S VERY SIMPLISTIC.
IT IS GEARED TOWARDS EVERYBODY IN OUR COMMUNITY.
[00:15:03]
AND I TALKED ABOUT PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.WHAT WE SEE HERE IS THE AGM AND ELIGIBILITY COORDINATOR.
THEY WERE ENGAGING. I REMEMBER THIS ONE WAS IN THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR WHEN I FIRST GOT HERE.
THEY WERE ENGAGING AT ROSE PARK SENIOR CENTER.
I'LL TELL YOU THAT ONE WAS A SPECIAL ONE FOR ME BECAUSE I GOT TO MEET ONE OF OUR PASSENGERS WHO HAPPENS TO BE OR WAS THE MOM OF ONE OF OUR EMPLOYEES. AND SHE'S NO LONGER WITH US.
BUT HER FEISTINESS IS WELL WITHIN OUR OFFICE ON A DAILY BASIS AS I HAVE THE HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO WORK WITH HER DAUGHTER. ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT THAT MANY, MANY LOCATIONS LACK IS THAT EVERYBODY WANTS TO WORK BEHIND THE DESK AND ONLY LOOK AT THE NUMBERS.
WELL, THE NUMBERS ARE ACTUALLY PEOPLE.
SO WE HAVE ADOPTED A BELIEF SYSTEM THAT WE WANT TO KNOW WHO'S RIDING OUR UNITS. WE DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU IN THE CAMERA. WE WANT TO SAY HELLO TO YOU, SAY GOOD MORNING, WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR ISSUES OR CONCERNS AND WE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY DOING THAT FOR 12 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS.
THE NUMBERS HAVE RISEN FOR 12 12 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO STOP OR DIVERT FROM THE FORE MAT.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW WHO WE ARE AND HOW WE'RE TRYING TO BUILD AND GO FORWARD.
THERE'S A NEW LOOK FOR CITYLINK. AND THIS IS IMPORTANT AS WELL, RIGHT? BECAUSE CITYLINK, AGAIN, WHEN I FIRST GOT HERE, IT LOOKED LIKE YOUR AVERAGE BUILDING DOWNTOWN, RIGHT? WE ARE NOT AN AVERAGE BUILDING NOR AN AVERAGE BUSINESS DOWNTOWN.
WE ARE AN EXCEPTIONAL BUSINESS THAT GIVES EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE TO THE CITY AND WE WANTED EVERYBODY TO KNOW WHERE THEY CAN COME FOR THAT EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE.
SO THROUGH THE DIRECTION OF THE DIRECTOR, WE WERE ALLOWED TO PAINT THE BUILDING IF FRESH PAINT AND THAT WILL BE GOOD FOR FIVE TO TEN YEARS, AND FOR OUR STREET OR OUR BUILDING CROSSWAYS, WE RECONCRETED ALL OF THAT.
LET ME TELL YOU WHY THAT'S IMPORTANT PARTICULARLY FOR OUR POWER TRANSIT OR THE DISABLED COMMUNITY.
YOU'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET A SAFER RIDE FROM A UNIT AND BE ABLE TO CROSS ALL OF OUR LANES MUCH SAFER THAN IT WAS BEFORE.
BEFORE WE HAD ASPHALT, RIGHT? WHEN YOU HAVE ASPHALT, IT'S COMMON. YOU WILL GET ROCKS AND INDENTATIONS AND ALL OF THOSE WONDERFUL THINGS.
WE NOW HAVE A SMOOTHER RIDE FOR ALL TYPES OF MOBILITY DEVICES.
UP UNTIL THE DOOR. THAT WAS MONTHS OF PLANNING.
MONTHS OF GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH THE DIRECTOR AS HE LED ME TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS AND TO UNDERSTAND THE PURCHASING POLICY FOR THE CITY OF ABILENE AND THE THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
I'M GRATEFUL WE WERE ABLE TO GET THAT DONE.
NOW, I ALSO HAD BROUGHT TO THE BOARD IN OUR LAST MEETING A PROJECT THAT I'M WORKING ON WITH THE COMPANY CALLED ON SIGN, AND THAT IS THE INFORMATION THAT WE GIVE OUT ON THE TVS THROUGHOUT MY BASE. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I ABSOLUTELY WANTED TO VEER AWAY FROM WAS HAVING TV SHOWS IN THE LOBBY. IT SHOULD BE INFORMATIVE.
IT SHOULD BE INFORMATION THAT EVERYBODY CAN SEE OR HEAR.
AND I'M WORKING CLOSELY WITH THEM.
WE HAVE IT TO WHERE WE CAN GET OR PUT LIVE INFORMATION ON IT THUS FAR. I'M STILL WORKING WITH THEM TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO HAVE THE VOICE CONTROL OVER IT.
SO I'M STILL WORKING WITH THEM. THAT'S AN ONGOING PROCESS.
AND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE WORKING HARD TO GET THROUGH IT.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S NOT ON MY REPORT THAT I THOUGHT I WOULD SURPRISE THE BOARD WITH IS PROJECT THAT I'M WORKING ON THAT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT NOT ONLY TO ME AND THE STAFF BUT I THINK WOULD BE IMPORTANT TO ALL OF YOU, I'M WORKING WITH THE LOCAL PRINTING COMPANY HERE DOWNTOWN WHERE WE ARE MAKING ALL OF OUR ROUTES MAPS INTO BRAILLE AS WELL.
THESE WILL BE PLACED AT THE CITYLINK HUB.
THE IDEA CAME FROM OUR TEAM. AGAIN, IT WASN'T ME.
I'M NOT THAT SMART. BUT IT CAME FROM OUR TEAM AND
[00:20:01]
HOW WE CAN GET MORE OF OUR PASSENGERS WHO UTILIZE THE POWER TRANSIT DIVISIONS, HOW TO GET THEM TO TRY FIXED ROUTE MORE.AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE NOTICED WAS THAT WE DON'T HAVE A WAY FOR THEM TO KNOW, WELL, THIS IS WHERE THIS BUS GOES.
THIS IS -- WITHOUT THEM HAVING TO ASK.
SOME MORNINGS NOBODY WANTS TO TALK TO JOE WITH A CUP OF COFFEE. THEY CAN JUST GO AND READ IT FOR THEMSELVES. WE WANT TO GIVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THE ENTIRE CITY. WE WILL START OUT AT THE HUBS.
IF IT WORKS WELL, THEN WE'LL MOVE ON TO PUTTING IT ON THE BUSES. THAT CONCLUDES THE REPORT AND THE SLIDE SHOW. BUT I JUST WANT TO REITERATE AGAIN THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US, THANK YOU ALLOWING ME TO BE PART OF THE CITYLINK TEAM FOR THE PAST YEAR.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH ALL OF YOU.
AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO GROWTH WITH THE CITY OF ABILENE.
SO THANK YOU. IF ANYBODY HAS ANY QUESTIONS,
PLEASE. >> SO WE STILL NEED TO GET DOWN TO VISIT YOUR NEW FACILITY. SO WE NEED TO GET THAT ON THE CALENDAR. WE DIDN'T GET THAT DONE BETWEEN
I UNDERSTAND THAT IT HAS TO GO THROUGH CERTAIN OFFICES FIRST.
AND SO WHENEVER YOU MAKE THE CALL, WE WILL BE READY AND AVAILABLE. WE WOULD LOVE TO GIVE YOU A
>> YEAH. >> OR RICHARD ABOUT WHEN.
>> SO, YEAH, GREAT JOB. YOUR TEAM HAS JUST BEEN REALLY
-- >> WHAT A TURN AROUND FOR SURE.
>> CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU MA'AM.
>> WHEN YOU SAY TEAM, IT DOESN'T JUST MEAN THE PEOPLE IN THE OFFICE. I KNOW THAT.
>> IT'S THE DRIVERS TOO. >> IT'S THE DRIVERS.
IT'S JUST EVERYTHING. >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> HOW ARE WE DOING -- I KNOW IN OUR LAST MEETING, WE TALKED ABOUT GETTING THIS INFORMATION OUT.
AND I KNOW YOU WERE GOING TO WORK WITH THEIR COMMUNITY
PERSON. >> WITH THE MARKETING TEAM.
>> YEAH. >> ABOUT CONNECTING WITH OTHER.
HOW IS THAT GOING? >> SO WE HIT A LITTLE BIT OF A DELAY. BUT IT'S STILL ENGAGING.
>> OKAY. >> I AM WORKING WITH THE MARKETING TEAM. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO ON THEIR END. THEY HAVE GIVEN ME A SPECIFIC
>> BUT WE ARE DELAYED ON OUR END.
>> OKAY. >> THAT IS STILL AN ABSOLUTE THING THAT WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO.
>> YOU'LL TOUCH BASE WITH ME WHEN YOU CAN.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING THAT OUT.
AND AS YOU CAN SEE, MA'AM, I STILL HAVE YOUR BUSINESS CARD RIGHT IN MY WALLET. WHEN WE'RE READY, WE ARE READY.
>> OKAY. >> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS DELAYED US, RIGHT, IS THE PROCUREMENT OF TWO NEW POWER TRANSIT VEHICLES. IT HAS DELAYED MY TIME A LITTLE BIT. I HAVE TO FOCUS THIS.
I CAN'T HAND HALF A PACKET TO THE DIRECTOR OR YOU WON'T SEE ME HERE THIS YEAR. I HAVE BEEN FOCUSED WITH THE TEAM. AND I THINK THE CREDIT SHOULD GO TO AMANDA COURTNEY, SHE WAS ABLE TO GET THE FUNDS NEEDED.
SHE DID THE WORK. I'M JUST DEALING WITH THE SALESSEEM. SALESPEOPLE.
ONCE WE GET THAT COORDINATED CORRECTLY, IT WOULD BE THOSE VANS WE WOULD BE USING IN ORDER TO MAKE THE VIDEO.
BECAUSE I KNOW THAT SOME OF THOSE BUSES ARE PRETTY OLD.
>> WE'RE WORKING REALLY HARD. WHEN I SAY WE, AGAIN, I DIRECT
MY FOCUS TOWARDS AMANDA. >> I KNOW.
>> WE'RE WORKING REALLY, REALLY HARD TO REQUEST ANY TYPE OF FUNDING AVAILABLE, RIGHT? ANY FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES, AMANDA STAYS DILIGENT ON THAT. AND, YOU KNOW, AS SOON AS WE GET IT, AND WE CAN SAY YES, THEN USUALLY TAKES ABOUT THREE TO FOUR WEEKS BEFORE I HAVE AN OFFICIAL PACKET READY TO SEND TO THE DIRECTOR. AND THEN TO GO THROUGH THAT
>> SO THE INTENT IS THERE. WE KNOW THAT WE NEED NEW UNITS.
AND WE'RE TRYING TO GO AS FAST AS WE CAN.
BUT, YOU KNOW, AS A DIRECTOR TELLS ME, WE HAVE TO BE PRECISE
[00:25:06]
AND CAUTIOUS ABOUT THE LAW IS CHANGING SO QUICKLY.WHAT PROCUREMENT POLICY THAT WAS GOOD SIX MONTHS AGO IS NO LONGER GOOD TODAY BECAUSE THE LAWS CHANGED IN JULY.
>> YEAH. I WAS JUST READING AN ARTICLE ABOUT ACCESSIBILITY VEHICLES LIKE PERSONAL AND FOR THEM THERE'S A LOT OF CHANGES THAT ARE BEING DONE.
>> YES. >> SO THAT'S A PERSONAL VEHICLE.
>> I CAN'T IMAGINE FOR COMMERCIAL.
>> YEAH. FOR A PUBLIC VEHICLE.
>> YES, MA'AM. >> I TOTALLY EMPATHIZE WITH YOU GUYS. OTHER THING IS AM I RIGHT WE ARE OCTOBER 1ST, WE ARE GOING UP IN PRICING?
>> THAT IS CORRECT. >> IT'S THE SECOND HALF OF WHAT
WE STARTED LAST YEAR? >> THAT IS CORRECT.
>> YOU CAN EXPECT AS IN ANY LOCATION, RIGHT, WHEN PRICING GOES UP, YOU CAN EXPECT AN INFLUX OF DELAYS.
>> YEAH. >> THIS IS JUST A FACT, BECAUSE THE PHONES ARE GOING TO RING AND NOW DISPATCH WILL HAVE TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS OVER THE PHONE, RIGHT, BUT WE ARE PREPARED.
SO WHAT WE DID IS THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE I.T.
DEPARTMENT ALONG WITH SPARE, WE HAVE GOTTEN EVERY DESK A PHONE.
SO THAT WE CAN HAVE CONCENTRATED DISPATCHERS WHO ARE FOCUSED ON THE RIDER APP AND THE SCHEDULING OF THOSE RIDES WHILE SOMEBODY ANSWERS THE PHONE IN ANTICIPATION OF ALL THE CALLS WE ARE GOING TO GET. SO WE ARE READY FOR IT.
IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE DISCUSSED INTERNALLY.
AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL ONLY LAST A COUPLE DAYS.
>> YEAH. I DO KNOW, JUST TO LET YOU KNOW, I DID USE THE APP TO GET HERE, BUT UNFORTUNATELY AT THE END, I DID HAVE TO CALL THE DISPATCHERS, BECAUSE IT WAS -- THE TRIP WAS GETTING ME HERE AFTER THE MEETING.
SO I KNOW THAT THAT APP IS STILL GOING TO HAVE GLITCHES EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, BUT AS LONG AS WE -- AND YOU GUYS ARE DOING GREAT WITH THIS, THAT THE DISPATCHERS KNOW THERE'S A GLITCH AND CAN PICK IT UP WHERE THE GLITCH HAPPENED AND JUST GET EVERYTHING COMPLETED WOULD BE GREAT.
>> WE HAVE 24-HOUR MONITORING ALONG WITH THE DISPATCHERS AND ALL OF THE MONITORS HAVE IT ON THEIR OWNS.
WHEN THINGS LIKE THAT ARISE, WE'RE DEFINITELY ON TOP OF IT.
ONE OF BIGGEST THINGS THAT I AM OPPOSED TO IS LOW OTP, IT MEANS ON-TIME PERFORMANCE. I ALWAYS TELL THE STORY NO BOSS WANTS TO HEAR THAT MY BUS WAS LATE.
THAT'S WHY I'M 30 MINUTES LATE. HE OR SHE DOESN'T CARE BECAUSE THAT'S NOT WHAT YOU GUYS HAD AGREED TO IN THE INTERVIEW.
>> RIGHT. >> IT'S OUR JOB AS THE LOCATION TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET YOU EITHER THERE EARLY OR ON TIME.
IN ORDER FOR US TO DO THAT, WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN AND BE VIGILANT FOR IT. WE HAVE SUPERVISORS CONSISTENTLY WATCHING THE APP AND MOVING THINGS WHEN NECESSARY.
>> YEAH, THEY'RE GREAT. >> WE HAVE A BIWEEKLY MEETING WITH THE APPLICATION MANAGERS ON THE I.T. SIDE.
WE HAVE A BIWEEKLY MEETING WITH THEM.
SO, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE NEED TO MOVE THINGS, WE NEED RESPONSES QUICKLY FROM THEM. THEY'VE BEEN A GREAT PARTNER THUS FAR. BUT, YOU KNOW, I'M A BIG FAN OF LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE HONEYMOON, RIGHT?
SO... >> I WILL SAY I HAVEN'T HEARD AND GRANTED I HAVEN'T HAD AS MANY RIDES LATELY, BUT I HAVEN'T HEARD THE DRIVERS HAVE AS MANY ISSUES.
HOW ARE WE DOING WITH THE GROUP HOMES?
>> GLAD YOU ASKED ME THAT. I WAS PRIVY TO GET TO MEET MS.
TIFFANY, I BELIEVE HER NAME IS. >> YEAH.
>> WE ARE ON A SPEED DIAL FIRST CALL BASIS NOW.
>> OKAY. >> WE ARE DOING SO MUCH BETTER.
SO WE HAVE BETTER COMMUNICATION. SHE UNDERSTANDS WHAT THE NEED -- WHAT WE NEED IN ORDER FOR US TO GIVE HER THE BEST SERVICE FOR THE HOUSES. AND EVERY MORNING WE SEND OUT AN EMAIL LETTING HER KNOW WHAT UNITS ARE COMING, WHAT TIME THEY SHOULD BE THERE. SO WE START COMMUNICATING RIGHT AROUND 9 A.M. WE DO IT AGAIN AT 2:00.
[00:30:04]
THUS FAR, WE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL TOGETHER.>> COMMUNICATION. >> THAT'S IT.
>> YEP. >> I NEED TO KNOW WHAT THEY NEED IN ORDER FOR US TO SUPPLY IT, RIGHT?
>> RIGHT. >> AT THE SAME TIME, IF WE SUPPLY IT, WE NEED FOR YOU TO DO YOUR PART.
ME AND HER HAVE BEEN WORKING PRETTY GOOD.
THINGS ARE GOING WELL. >> GOOD.
>> LIKE I SAID WE ARE ON SPEED DIAL OF EACH OTHER'S PHONES.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS?
>> ANYONE ELSE GOT ANYTHING? >> YEAH, I KNOW YOU'RE NOT ON YOUR HONEYMOON PHASE ANYMORE. I KNOW YOU ARE WITH THE TEAM GRINDING AND I JUST KNOW THAT ABILENE APPRECIATES EVERYTHING
THAT YOU'VE DONE. >> THANK YOU.
>> ESPECIALLY THE COMMUNITY THAT USES PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.
>> KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. >> YES.
>> THANK YOU, EVERYBODY. >> SO WE WILL GO DOWN NOW TO
[6. Emergency Management (Discussion)]
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 6 THAT IS THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.>> VINCENT CANTU IS NOT WITH THE CITY AND WITH A NEW JOB.
WE GOT AN UPGRADE, ANGELA BAKER. SHE'S THE DEPUTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR, I BELIEVE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME COME AND SHARE WITH YOU. I WANT TO SHARE INITIAL INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE IN PLACE AND THINGS WE'RE ALREADY DOING AND EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT ABOUT PLANS AND HOW THEY FUNCTION. ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS I HAVE FROM YOU. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WE HAVE ESSENTIAL SUPPORT FUNCTION ESF PLANS.
AND THEY OPERATE ON A HIGH LEVEL AND WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DIFFERENT THINGS. THEY DON'T NECESSARILY GIVE PROCEDURAL AND HOW THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN BUT WHO IS IN LARGE AND HIGH LEVEL THINGS THAT MUST HAPPEN DURING AN INCIDENT.
WE WORK IN WHAT WE CALL ALL HAZARDS RESPONSE SO WE DON'T HAVE A FLOOD PLAN, WE DON'T HAVE A FIRE PLAN.
WE HAVE A PLAN ABOUT PUBLIC WORKS.
IT'S FOR TRANSPORTATION. AND IT ADDRESSES HOW THE DIFFERENT DIVISIONS AND SUPPORT FUNCTIONS WILL OPERATE IN THE EVENT OF ANY INCIDENT OR DISASTER OR EMERGENCY.
WITH THAT, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE STATE HAS IMPLEMNTED LATELY LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION, I BELIEVE, WE'RE NOW REQUIRED TO HAVE WELFARE CHECKS AFTER EVERY INCIDENT.
THINK BACK TO 2021 WINTER STORM THAT WAS A GAP THAT THE STATE IDENTIFIED THAT A LOT OF JURISDICTIONS HAD THAT PEOPLE WERE NOT BEING ABLE TO CHECK. WE NO LONGER LIVE IN THE SOCIETY WHERE WE KNOW THE NEIGHBORS AND KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAS A NEED.
SO YOU KNOW YOU NEED TO CHECK ON THEM WHEN THAT TYPE OF INCIDENT HAPPENS. WE'RE NOW REQUIRED TO DO A WELFARE CHECK AFTER EVERY INCIDENT.
WITH THAT, WE HAVE TO HAVE A DATABASE, A SOURCE WE'RE LOOKING FOR. THE STATE OF TEXAS FOR SOME TIME HAD THE STATE OF TEXAS EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE REGISTRY OR STEER THAT IS A VOLUNTARY REGISTRY FOR THOSE WHO ARE IDENTIFYING THEMSELVES AS NEEDING ASSISTANCE IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY.
SO WE'RE USING THAT DATABASE TO DO THESE WELFARE CHECKS.
THE WINTER STORM -- NOT WINTER STORM, WIND STORM WE HAD ABOUT A MONTH AGO WAS THE FIRST TIME TO REALLY KIND OF IMPLEMENT THE STEP. AND WE FOUND THAT WE WERE EXPECTING TO HAVE MAYBE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN OUR DATABASE AND HAD MAYBE 120. AND SO THAT WAS A REALIZATION THAT WE NEED TO DO BETTER AT IMPROVING THE INFORMATION, THE PUSH WE HAVE BEEN TALKING TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT TO FIND WAYS TO GET THE INFORMATION OUT AND ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO SIGN UP. IT'S ALSO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT EXPIRES ANNUALLY. AND SO IT'S NOT YOU SIGNED UP AND IT'S A GOOD THING BECAUSE APPARENTLY BEFORE THEY DIDN'T HAVE IT EVER EXPIRE. THE DATABASE WAS JUST UNMANAGEABLE BECAUSE THE PEOPLE BEING THERE THREE, FOUR TIMES BECAUSE THEY MOVED, THINGS LIKE THAT.
SO WE'RE WORKING ON PLANS TO BE ABLE TO PUSH THAT AND HAVE A GOOD CAMPAIGN AND HAVE A METHOD IN PLACE TO GET AN ANNUAL RENEWAL NOTICE. THE STATE DOES ONE.
WE FIGURE WE MIGHT AS WELL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT TO LET EVERYONE KNOW AT THE SAME TIME. DURING THE WINTER -- WIND STORM, WINTER IS ON MY MIND DURING THE HEAT.
[00:35:02]
DURING THE WIND STORM, WE CAME ACROSS WE WERE ABLE TO GO THROUGH THE PHONES AND CALL AND ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE ON THE LIST.BUT WE DID SEE THAT FOR A FEW PEOPLE WE NEED SOMEONE TO GO AND KNOCK DOORS. THROUGH THE PROCESS OF DISCUSSIONS WITH CHIEF FLORES AND SEARAY WE CAME TO REALIZE WE HAD A GROUP IN PLACE THAT'S PERFECT FOR THIS.
THAT'S THE CRT, THAT THEY ALREADY ARE ABLE AND USED TO DOING WELFARE CHECKS WITH A DIFFERENT VIEWPOINT AND KNOW HOW TO APPROACH THE SITUATION. THE COMMUNITY RESPONSE TEAM IS
COMPRISED OF MENTAL HEALTH -- >> THROUGH BETTY HARDWICK.
>> CORRECT. >> THAT WAY THERE'S PEOPLE WHO ARE EQUIPPED AND READY TO GO. AND THEY JUMPED RIGHT ON.
THEY ARE LIKE THIS IS OUR WHEEL HOUSE.
THIS IS WHAT WE LOVE TO DO. SEE, THEY HAVE ALREADY WRITTEN IT INTO THE POLICY AND PROCEDURES OF WHAT THEY WILL DO AND HOW THEY WILL RESPOND. WE'RE CONTINUING TO EVOLVE.
EVERY INCIDENT AND DISASTER WE LEARN SOMETHING NEW AND TRY TO MAKE IT BETTER FOR THE NEXT TIME.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE ALSO LOOKED AT AS WE'RE HOPING WE'LL HAVE AN INCREASE IN ā THE DATABASEINTHE REGISTRY, WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE MORE PEOPLE HELP DO PHONE CALLS.
IN ORDER TO DO THAT, WE WANT PRESCRIPTED MESSAGING AND ALMOST A FLOWCHART TO HELP TO DO JUST IN TIME TRAINING WITH REALLY ANYONE TO BE ABLE TO HELP GET THE PEOPLE CALLED AND CONTACTED IN A TIMELY MANNER TO WHERE IT'S NOT JUST TWO PEOPLE TRYING TO MAKE THE PHONE CALL OF MAYBE HOPEFULLY AT SOME POINT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, AND SO THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE ALSO WORKING WITH THE COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT WITH.
THAT'S THE WELFARE CHECKS AND THINGS IN PROCESS RIGHT NOW.
>> MAY I ASK A QUESTION ABOUT THAT?
>> YES, MA'AM. >> I'M WONDERING IF YOU'RE WORKING WITH DIFFERENT GROUPS IN THE CITY WHO ALREADY ARE ESTABLISHED LIKE BETTY HARDWICK CENTER.
I BRING IT UP BECAUSE I WORKED THERE AND THAT'S MY KNOWLEDGE BASE. WHERE THEY COULD SEND INFORMATION TO YOU ABOUT PEOPLE THAT THEY WORK WITH THAT THEY
KNOW WOULD NEED THAT ASSISTANCE. >> WE SHARE THE INFORMATION FOR STEER. I PRINTED UP ONE OF THE COPIES.
THIS IS THE FLYER THAT THE STAT% HAS.
IT'S VERY SIMPLISTIC AND STRAIGHT FORWARD.
AGAIN, WE LIKE TO MAKE THINGS OUR OWN.
AND SO SOMETHING I WANT TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT ON HOW DO WE GET THIS OUT TO EVERYONE? ONE OF THE IDEAS THAT BLAINE AND I KIND OF TALKED ABOUT IS SEEING IF WE COULD UTILIZE CITY SERVICES LIKE THE WATER DEPARTMENT DATABASE TO WHERE ANNUALLY AT THE SET TIME AND DATE, YOU SEND OUT A CARD OR SEND OUT ATTACHMENT.
SOMETHING THAT EVEN FOR THOSE WHO ONLY GET, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE BILLING BY EMAIL, THAT THEY STILL WILL RECEIVE SOMETHING THAT IS A REMINDER OR AN APPEAL TO SIGN UP.
AND SO WITH THAT IS ONE OF THE WAYS WE THOUGHT ABOUT TRYING TO GET THE INFORMATION OUT. AND THEN HAVING SOMETHING AGAIN MORE THAT WE CAN HAND OUT AND DISTRIBUTE THAT WOULD NOT ONLY HAVE INFORMATION FOR STEER, BUT ALSO FOR CODE RED THAT IS THE MASS NOTIFICATION SYSTEM WE'RE UTILIZING FOR THE CITY RIGHT
>> THAT WOULD HELP WITH, FOR INSTANCE, THERE IS GOING TO BE A STORM OR TORNADO COMING OR THINGS LIKE THAT THAT PEOPLE
SIGN UP FOR AS WELL. >> IS CODE RED ANNUAL?
>> NO. CODE RED IS ONCE YOU SIGN UP, YOU ARE SIGNED UP UNTIL YOU GO INTO YOUR ACCOUNT AND YOU REMOVE YOURSELF OR YOU CHANGE HOW YOU WANT TO RECEIVE YOUR
INFORMATION. >> I HAVEN'T GOTTEN THAT FOREVER. OKAY.
>> IT'S A MULTI-FACETED WAY OF CONTACTING PEOPLE.
>> THEY DID HAVE A CYBER INCIDENT LAST NOVEMBER.
>> YEAH. >> AND AFTER THAT HAD TO RESTORE THEIR DATABASE TO, GOSH, I WANT TO SAY MAYBE MARCH.
SO WE'RE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO GET THAT BIG PUSH OUT TO GET -- MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE LOGGING IN AND SIGNING IN, BECAUSE BEFORE, YOU COULD JUST REGISTER -- YOU COULD SIGN UP AS A GUEST. YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO CREATE AN ACCOUNT. BUT I'M SURE ALL OF US KIND OF FORGET HOW WE SIGN UP FOR THINGS.
IT'S HARD TO UPDATE THAT INFORMATION.
THE NEW PROGRAM OR PLATFORM CODE RED IS USING REQUIRES EACH INDIVIDUAL TO CREATE AN ACCOUNT. IT WILL BE EASIER FOR THEM TO
UPDATE. >> HOW DOES THE PERSON SIGN UP
FOR CODE RED? >> WE HAVE A QR CODE OR GO --
VINCENT HAD IT MEMORIZED. >> SORRY.
>> YOU CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE. WEB PAGE ABILENE TX.GOV/EM AND SCROLL DOWN THE LINK FOR CODE RED FOR THE LOGO.
[00:40:01]
AND THEN THERE'S ALSO -- YOU CAN TEXT AND I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NUMBER OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD. BUT THERE'S SEVERAL WAYS THATYOU CAN SIGN UP FOR. >> ALL THAT INFORMATION IS ON
>> WITH STEER, DO INDIVIDUALS NEED TO CALL 211 STILL FOR THAT?
>> WEBSITE. >> STEER HAS THEIR OWN WEBSITE
>> AND IT'S STEAR.TEXAS.GOV. >> THAT IS A PLACE TO SIGN UP AND CREATE THEIR OWN ACCOUNT AND EVERYTHING.
SO IN THE MEAN TIME, THAT'S DEFINITELY -- A PLACE THEY CAN DO IT. THEY CAN CALL 211.
BUT, AGAIN, THERE'S THE WEBSITE. THIS ONE, THE HANDOUT HAS A QR CODE THAT CAN BE SCANNED. THAT'S SOMETHING AGAIN AS WE LOOK TO DISTRIBUTION, WE WOULD INCLUDE THE INFORMATION ON WHAT
WE PUSH OUT. >> I WILL SAY I LEARNED ABOUT IT BACK DURING THE WIND STORM BECAUSE MY SON IS MEDICALLY COMPLEX. WE LOST POWER.
IT WAS A WHOLE ORDEAL. I LEARNED ABOUT IT FROM OUR NURSING AGENCY THE NEXT DAY. SO MAKING SURE THOSE NURSING AGENCIES HAVE THIS INFORMATION TOO, BECAUSE I WAS LIKE I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO. YOU KNOW, WE CAN'T FEED HIM.
WE CAN'T DO A LOT OF HIS SUPPORT THAT WE NEEDS.
AND THEY WERE LIKE, OH, IS HE NOT ON THIS? I SAID I HAVE NO IDEA. I FILLED IT OUT THAT MORNING.
BY 4:00 THAT EVENING -- THAT AFTERNOON, SOMEBODY FROM THE CITY CALLED TO VERIFY WE HAD POWER, THAT THINGS WERE GOOD.
IT'S QUICK GETTING IT OR LAT LEAST FOR THAT DAY IT WAS QUICK GETTING THE INFORMATION. I WAS SHOCKED THE SAME DAY THAT I REGISTERED WE HEARD BACK FROM SOMEBODY.
>> I'M GLAD THAT WORKED OUT FOR YOU.
A LOT OF TIME IT'S NOT. WE HAVE FORTUNATE STORIES FROM HURRICANE HARVEY WHERE PEOPLE THE LAST MINUTE WERE CALLING AND TRYING TO GET SIGNED UP. BUT, AGAIN, THE DATA REGISTRY ONCE THINGS START GOING DOWN, YOU HAVE THE LIST AND DOESN'T NECESSARILY MAKE IT THROUGH ESPECIALLY IF INTERNET OR ELECTRICITY IS IMPACTED BY THE INCIDENT.
AGAIN, THERE CONTINUE TO BE WAYS THAT WE SEE NEEDS FOR IMPROVEMENT. AND, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS IS HOW DO WE GET THIS OUT? HOW DO WE GET MORE PEOPLE SIGNED UP? BUT ALSO HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THERE'S THE CORRECT COMMUNICATION OF WHAT IS POSSIBLE. BECAUSE SOME INCIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO DO A LOT OF SERVICES AND PROVIDE THEM QUICKLY.
OTHER INCIDENTS WE MAY NOT. AND SO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE ALSO MAKING THEIR OWN PLANS. AND THINKING THROUGH THEIR OWN NEEDS. AND THIS IS JUST ONE OF THE COMPONENTS AND NOT THE SOLE COMPONENT FOR WHAT THEY NEED.
>> I WANTED YOU TO REPEAT THAT STEAR WEBSITE, TEXAS SPELLED
>> YES, MA'AM. WE'RE LOOKING ON HOW TO GET THE INFORMATION OUT. HOW TO BUILD THE DATABASE.
BUT ALSO HOW TO COMMUNICATE CORRECTLY THAT PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT EXPECTATIONS. AND THEN HOW DO WE NETWORK WITH LOCAL VENDORS, LOCAL COMMUNITIES, NURSING HOME HEALTH CARE CENTERS, DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT FOR FOLKS TO BE ABOUT TO CONNECT RESOURCES IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY.
IT GOES INTO NEXT THING IS SHELTERS AMERICAN RED CROSS WERE IN AGREEMENT WITH US TO RUN AND MANAGE THE SHELTERS IN THE EVENT OF EMERGENCY OR SHELTER. AND WE SPOKE WITH THEM NOT LONG AGO. THEY STRIVE TO HAVE ADA COMPLIANCE IN WHAT THEY DO. AND SO THAT'S ONE OF THINGS WE WILL CONTINUE TO REINFORCE WITH THEM.
THAT THERE'S AN EVALUATION THAT MEET THE STANDARDS.
THERE ARE AREAS TO LOOK AT AND THINK THROUGH AND THAT INCLUDES THOSE THAT DON'T HAVE FUNCTIONAL OR MOBILITY ISSUES BUT PERHAPS HAVE THE DEMENTIA OR AUTISM, THINGS LIKE THAT.
HOW DO WE ACCOMMODATE? HOW DO WE HELP THOSE FOLKS IN THE EVENT OF AN SHELTERING, MASS SHELTER SITUATION? WHAT TO DO AND WHAT TO PROVIDE? AS EVERYONE, THERE'S LIMITED RESOURCES. WE WANT TO LOOK INTO IT AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO AND THOUGHT WE CAN GIVE TO THAT.
>> THERE IS AN AUTISM NONPROFIT HERE THAT MIGHT BE WORTH CONNECTING WITH. WE HAVE DONE LIKE A SENSORY ROOM AT THE CAF FESTIVAL AND STUFF. IT'S CALLED THE BIG COUNTRY
>> THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP WITH, YOU KNOW, PROVIDING SOME
[00:45:05]
IDEAS OR RESOURCES IN THAT EVENT.ONE OF THE THINGS THE NIGHT THAT HIT ME WAS WE HAD NOWHERE TO GO, BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T OPENING ANY COOLING SHELTERS, WE HAD NO AC, MY SON IS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM.
BUT CAN'T SWEAT. WE HAD -- WE WERE LIMITED AND HOTELS WERE CHARGING 2 AND $300. WE WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT -- WE HAD A GENERATOR, BRAND NEW BUT IT MALFUNCTIONED.
SO I HAD BROUGHT UP THAT LIKE IN THIS SITUATION, YES, THE GENERAL PUBLIC COULD PROBABLY HAVE SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT.
WHEN YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT AUTISM SPECTRUM SENSORY, THOSE WITH MEDICAL COMPLEXITIES THAT CAN'T REGULATE THE BODY TEMPERATURE. THE FIRST THING THEY WILL DO IS FLOOD THE ERS, WHAT DO THEY HAVE? THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO GET AIR CONDITIONING AND ELECTRICITY.
THAT WAS THE NEXT THOUGHT IS GO SIT IN THE WAITING ROOM JUST TO HAVE ELECTRICITY TO CHARGE THE FEEDING PUMP AND NEBULIZER AND KEEP HIM COOL AND CALM. YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT IT OVERLY PACKED. I BROUGHT IT UP AND SAID FOR THE REST OF THE PEOPLE IT PROBABLY WILL BE WE DON'T NEED IT AND SLEEP THROUGH IT AND TOUGH IT OUT.
FOR MANY OF THE POPULATION THAT RELAY ON MACHINES AND EQUIPMENT THROUGH THE NIGHT WITH NO POWER CAN BE DANGEROUS AND DETRIMENTAL TO THE HEALTH AND WELL BEING. DEFINITELY SOMETHING I HAD BROUGHT UP THAT, YOU KNOW, MAYBE NEXT TIME FIND ONE -- EVEN IF IT'S ONE PLACE BUT TO CONSIDER THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE ANY WHERE ELSE OR DON'T HAVE THE MEANS TO HAVE THE GENERATOR OR BATTERY OPERATED THINGS OR MAYBE BATTERY OPERATED THINGS ALREADY DIED. YOU CAN'T RECHARGE THEM WITH NO POWER. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I DID BRING UP RIGHT AFTER THIS HAPPENED IS OUR MEDICALLY
COMPLEX AND DISABLED COMMUNITY. >> RIGHT.
AND THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS I NOTICED AFTERWARDS SEEING ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT PEOPLE WERE COMMENTING THERE WASN'T THAT CLEAR COMMUNICATION OF WHERE FOLKS THAT HAD MEDICALLY -- ELECTRICITY DEPENDENT MEDICAL DEVICES COULD GO.
THAT'S AGAIN SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO WORK WITH THE PARTNERS TO REALIZE WHAT RESOURCES ARE OUT THERE AND AVAILABLE AND MAKE SURE THAT OUR COMMUNICATION IS BEING -- IS MORE FORWARD LEADING
THAN IT WAS IN THE INCIDENT. >> WITH THE ISSUES WITH THE WIND STORM THAT NIGHT IS ACTUALLY THE NEWS STATIONS, SEVERAL OF THEM
>> SO THAT -- I KNOW THAT WAS A CHALLENGE FOR THE CITY TO GET THAT INFORMATION OUT. BUT MAYBE WHEN JUST A SUGGESTION, YOU DO START LOOKING AT THOSE PLACES, IF THEY CAN JUST BE CONSISTENT PLACES, YOU KNOW.
>> YEAH. THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS.
WE LOOKED TO SEE WHAT PARTNERS -- FIRST WE LOOKED WHAT PARTNERS ARE ALREADY DOING SOMETHING. WHO IN THE COMMUNITY IS ALREADY EQUIPPED AND RESOURCED TO FULFILL A NEED.
AS WE LOOK JUST ALONG WITH THE COOLING AND WARMING CENTERS THAT WE LOOK FIRST TO, CITY LIGHTS, LOVING CARE, ALL VACCINATION SA, FOLKS INVOLVED IN THAT. THIS WAS A DIFFERENT SITUATION THAN THE TEMPERATURE IS HOT OR TEMPERATURE IS COLD.
>> RIGHT. >> IT WAS AN INFRASTRUCTURE FAILURE. THAT'S WHEN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT MORE COMES IN AND IS MORE PROACTIVE IN THOSE INCIDENTS.
WE'RE STILL IN PROCESS OF TRYING TO FLUSH THAT OUT AND UNDERSTAND WHAT WE CAN DO, BUT DEFINITELY HOW WE CAN COMMUNICATE BETTER, HOW CAN WE GET MORE RESOURCES AVAILABLE.
AGAIN, JUST HAVING THE COMMUNICATION ESTABLISHED WITH 211 SO THAT WHEN WE DO HAVE SOMETHING LIKE WHEN IT'S A DIFFICULT TO PUSH THE MESSAGE OUT, BECAUSE OF INFRASTRUCTURE FAILURE, THAT PEOPLE KNOW THEY CAN CALL 211 OR IF THEY GET REGISTERED OR STEAR, WE HAVE THE NUMBER TO CALL AND MAKE CONTACT.
IF WE CAN'T GET ON THE PHONE, WE GO AND DO A DOOR KNOCK.
SO THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS WE'RE LOOKING AT TRYING TO INCREASE THE OUTREACH TO THOSE WITH FUNCTIONAL AND ACCESS NEEDS TO GET THEM TO SIGN UP, HELP THEM ALSO BECOME BETTER EDUCATED OR MORE EDUCATED ON WHAT THEY CAN DO AND PLANS THEY CAN MAKE AND WHAT RESOURCES THEY CAN LOOK AT.
WE HAVE DONE A FEW PRESENTATIONS BUT REALLY IS ATTENDANCE.
IT'S GETTING PEOPLE TO COME OUT AND SEE WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE SHARING. THAT'S ONE OF THE STRUGGLES THAT WE HAVE HAD. I JUST WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO CITYLINK FOR THE WONDERFUL RESPONSE LAST SPRING.
WE HAD AN APARTMENT COMPLEX THAT WAS KIND OF ONE OF THOSE ONE
[00:50:09]
STOREY COMPLEX AND IT WAS SENIORS WITH MEDICALLY DEPENDENT DEVICES. THEY NEEDED TO EVACUATE BECAUSE OF A GAS LEAK AND SET UP A SHELTER.I CALLED AND TALKED TO DON AND HE GOT IT -- THE BALL ROLLING.
AND THEY SHOWED UP IN AN AMAZING WAY WITH JUST IN FORCE WITH SEVERAL BUSES, SEVERAL OF THE BUSES THAT WERE EQUIPPED FOR THE MOBILITY AND THEN IT TURNED OUT THAT WE HAVE -- THERE WAS A COMMUNICATION MISTAKE BETWEEN THE RED CROSS REPRESENTATIVE OF HOW MANY PEOPLE NEEDED TO BE EVACUATED AND HOW MANY WANTED TO BE EVACUATED. WE HAD TWO PEOPLE.
IT WAS THE BEST ATTITUDE FROM CITYLINK.
THEY SAW THIS AS AN EXERCISE. THIS IS OUR WAY TO TEST OUT THAT RESPONSE TIME. AND SO I JUST APPRECIATED NOT ONLY THE RESPONSE THEY GAVE, BUT ALSO THE ATTITUDE OF WANTING TO TEST AND WANTING TO SEE, HEY, THIS IS FOR US THAT ADVANTAGE TO SEE WHAT WORKED WELL AND WHAT DIDN'T.
AND SEEK THAT OPPORTUNITY FOR IMPROVEMENT.
>> DO Y'ALL UTILIZE OR EVER HAVE I GUESS A NEED WHEN WE HAVE DISASTERS THAT HIT THAT MIGHT TAKE OUT THE EM DELIVERIES OR EQUIPMENT, DO YOU HAVE A RESOURCE FOR THAT? IF NOT, I HAVE ONE THAT MIGHT BE HELPFUL ALSO.
LIKE, BACK WHEN WE HAD WINTER STORM AND THINGS COULD NOT COME THROUGH, WE HAD FAMILIES WHO COULDN'T GET FORMULA, MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT THAT WERE LIFE-SUSTAINING FOR THEIR FAMILY MEMBER OR THEIR CHILD. THERE IS A NONPROFIT HERE IN ABILENE AND IN BAIRD THAT DOES HELP PROVIDE AND WE KIND OF TEAM UP WITH SAN ANGLO TOO THAT HELP IN THE EVENT THAT THEY CAN'T GET ACCESS THAT THE -- IT'S CALLED JOY PROJECT NETWORK.
MEGAN KIRK IS THE FOUNDER FORMALLY WITH JOSEPH THOMAS FOUNDATION THAT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.
BUT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO MEDICAL SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT, FORMULA, INCONTINENT THINGS LIKE THAT AND WHEELCHAIRS AND NEBULIZERS AND ALL OF THAT. WE PARTNER WITH ACCESSIBILITY FIRST OUT OF SAN ANGLO BACK AND FORTH IF THEY HAVE EQUIPMENT THAT WE NEED OR WHATNOT. IN THE EVENT THAT TRAVEL IS IMPAIRED OR, YOU KNOW, UNFORTUNATE LIKE THE WILDFIRES THAT WE HAD WHERE THEY CAN ONLY TAKE SO MUCH AND THEY MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE, YOU KNOW, ALL OF THEIR EQUIPMENT OR FORMULA AND INCONTINENT SUPPLIES, IT TAKES FOREVER FOR INSURANCE TO GO THROUGH ALL OF THAT TO GET IT TO THEM.
THERE ARE RESOURCES HERE THAT HAVE -- THAT TYPICALLY HAVE THAT
KIND OF STUFF ON HAND TO GO OUT. >> OKAY.
I MIGHT TRY TO GET THE CONTRACT INFORMATION FROM YOU, BECAUSE -- WE WOULD -- OUR FIRST INITIAL STEP IS WORK WITH PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR SOME RESOURCES AND SEE WHAT THEY HAVE AVAILABLE. AND THEN WE WOULD GO TO THE BIG COUNTRY VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS AID AND DISASTER.
AND SO THOSE THAT -- THAT'S HOW THE PROCESS USUALLY FLOWS.
IT'S HAVING THE RESOURCES BECAUSE NOT EVERYONE FOR WHATEVER REASON MAY NOT WANT TO JOIN.
BUT STILL BE ABLE TO KNOW WHAT IS OUT THERE AND WHO IS THE CONTACT. IT JUST HELPS WHEN GROUPS ARE PART OF THAT FOR US. BECAUSE FOR US, THERE'S JUST TWO
>> AND SO BEING ABLE TO LET THE VOAD KIND OF REALLY --
>> I REACHED OUT TO SEE BECAUSE OF THE WORK THAT I DO PLUS BEING CONNECTED WITH JOY PROJECT NETWORK AND STUFF, EXPRESSED INTEREST IN VOLUNTEERING OR GETTING INVOLVED JUST BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE RESOURCES I HAVE ACCESS TO.
DEFINITELY HELPFUL TO KNOW WHAT RESOURCES AND GET CONNECTED.
AGAIN, A LOT OF TIMES WE THINK OF ABILENE AS A SMALLER COMMUNITY TIGHT KNIT. WE AREN'T.
WE'RE 130 PLUS. >> AND GROWING.
>> WE DON'T ALWAYS KNOW WHAT RESOURCES ARE OUT THERE.
IT'S GREAT TO GET THE CONNECTIONS THAT CAN HELP CONNECT TO SOMEBODY ELSE OR JUST HAVE IT ON THE LIST OF SOMEONE THAT WE CAN CALL FOR SPECIFIC NEEDS.
SO THAT'S KIND OF THE MAIN THINGS I WANTED TO ADDRESS.
WE WILL BE WORKING WITH LESLIE AND RICHARD ON THE PLAN THAT'S
>> AND JUST SEEING WHAT WE CAN DO WITHIN THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE IN THE COMPLIANCE AREA.
BUT ALSO WE'RE IN THE SPACE WHERE WE CAN HELP PEOPLE IN REAL
[00:55:06]
AND TANGIBLE WAYS. DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY OTHERQUESTIONS? >> I KNOW THAT NICKY BROUGHT UP, YOU KNOW, WORKING WITH BUDDY HARDWICK AND WHEN WE WERE DOING CARE COORDINATION AND STEAR WAS A PART OF THAT PROCESS.
THOSE ORGANIZATIONS THAT WORK WITH THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY I KNOW SEVERAL H HAVE STARE AS THE PROCESS.
THEY'RE ENCOURAGE TO SIGN THE PARTICIPANTS.
SO JUST ONE WAY MAYBE YOU CAN GET THE WORD OUT EVEN MORE.
>> RIGHT. I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS WE NEED TO LOOK AT IS WHY -- BECAUSE ALREADY PUBLIC HEALTH IS PUSHING IT OUT AND BUDDY HARDWICK IS PUSHING IT OUT AND DISABILITY IN ACTION IS PUSHING IT OUT.
WHY AREN'T PEOPLE SIGNING UP? JUST KIND OF HAVING THE -- TRYING TO EVALUATE THAT AND SEE HOW WE CAN IMPROVE THAT.
THAT'S WHERE THE ISSUES ARE AND --
>> I PERSONALLY THINK ONE OF THE REASONS IS BECAUSE I DON'T THINK PEOPLE WHEN THEY THINK OF THET,N EXAMPLE, IS THAT'S WHERE YOU GO TO GET THE SHOTS OR DO THIS OR THAT.
THEY DON'T KNOW THAT COULD BE A RESOURCE HUB.
>> THEY ARE SHARING THE INFORMATION.
STEAR IS A STATE-LEVEL PROGRAM. >> RIGHT.
>> MAYBE THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS OF NOT HAVING -- I'M NOT SURE. WE WANT AT THE SAME TIME TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ANY AGENCY OR ORGANIZATION THAT IS ENCOUNTERING PEOPLE THAT WOULD HAVE THE NEED OR BENEFIT FROM
SIGNING UP. >> MAYBE YOU NEED TO GO OUTSIDE OF THE COMMUNITY THAT YOU WOULD THINK WOULD NEED THE RESOURCE, BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S ONE THING IS WE LOOK AT THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY AND THAT'S WHERE YOU GO.
BUT SOMEHOW THEY MAY NOT GET THE INFORMATION.
THEY WOULD GET THE INFORMATION FROM A PERSON WHO'S NOT A PART OF THAT COMMUNITY. , SO...
>> THAT'S WHERE WE WERE LOOKING AT HOW TO MAKE IT AN ANNUAL THING AND SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE BEGIN TO EXPECT AND GET ON THE REGULAR BASIS. AGAIN, IT'S SOMETHING THAT GOES OUT ONCE A YEAR WITH WATER BILLS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO WHERE, AGAIN, YOU GET THE PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE GOING TO THIS ORGANIZATION OR ENCOUNTER PUBLIC HEALTH BUT THEY ARE
GETTING THE INFORMATION. >> YES.
>> OR THEY THINK BECAUSE AFTER I HAD LEARNED ABOUT IT, I SHARED IT ON MY WORK SOCIAL MEDIA PAGE AND I HAD PEOPLE REACH OUT AND WERE LIKE I THOUGHT WHEN WE WERE SIGNING THIS PAPER WORK FOR THIS WAIVER THAT WE'RE ON OR THIS NURSING AGENCY, THAT WAS PART OF IT. I NEVER GOT A CALL.
I SAID I ENCOURAGE THEM TO CHECK AND VERIFY.
I SAID, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE THAT'S PART OF THE DEAL IS ONCE THEY HAVE YOUR NAME ON THE REGISTRY, THEY CALL WHO IS, YOU KNOW, ON THERE. I SAID I ENCOURAGE THEM TO DOUBLE CHECK THAT WAS PART OF OR MAY HAVE SIGNED IT A YEAR AGO AND NEVER RESIGNED UP BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T REALIZE IT WAS AN ANNUAL SIGNUP. I SIGNED UP A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND SON AND DAUGHTER GOT NURSING AND WHY DIDN'T I GET A CALL? I SAID IT'S ANNUAL. YOU HAVE TO DO IT FIRST OF THE YEAR. SHE WAS LIKE OH.
I A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE IT HAS TO BE AN ANNUAL RENEWAL WHICH WAS GOOD TO KNOW. I ALREADY PUT IT IN THE CALENDAR BECAUSE I WILL FORGET BETWEEN NOW AND THEN.
WITH THE FAMILIES I WORK WITH, GO AHEAD AND PUT JANUARY 1 REMINDER GO AHEAD AND RE-SUBMIT THAT DOCUMENT.
MAYBE LOOKING AT THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TOO, YOU KNOW, MAYBE GIVING THEM THAT INFORMATION THAT THEY MIGHT GIVE TO SAY LIKE THE SCHOOL NURSE THEY MAY BE LIKE, OH, THIS MIGHT BE HELPFUL FOR THESE FAMILIES THAT, YOU KNOW, ARE COMING IN TO GET MEDICATION OR HAVE SPECIFIC NEEDS, YOU KNOW, THAT MIGHT BE SOMETHING THAT MIGHT BE WORTH LOOKING INTO IF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS IS LOOKING TO DISTRIBUTE THE INFORMATION.
>> THAT'S WHAT WE CAN LOOK AT WITH THE DIFFERENT AVENUES AND COMPREHENSIVE CAMPAIGN. ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO MENTION IT IS NOT A GUARANTEE OF HELP.
NOT A GUARANTEE YOU WILL GET A CALL.
[01:00:05]
WITH TWO YEARS AGO LEGISLATIVELY AND HAVE PROCEDURE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE SIGNED UP FOR STEAR. THAT'S A CHANGE.THAT MAY HAVE BEEN -- NOT EVERY COUNTY HAS STEAR.
ABILENE TAYLOR DOES. DOESN'T MEAN THAT JONES OR CALLAGHAN OR THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES.
AGAIN, THAT'S WHERE WE GET INTO WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE EDUCATING AND GIVING RIGHT EXPECTATION WHAT SIGNING UP MEANS SO PEOPLE CAN PLAN. AND KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.
NEVER WANT SOMEBODY TO BE WAITING AND THINKING SOMEBODY IS
GOING TO COME AND HELP. >> NO.
MANY OF THE FAMILIES I ALREADY WORK WITH, THEY ALREADY HAVE PLANS BUT THIS IS LIKE AN ADDED -- IS THERE -- I KNOW YOU MENTIONED THERE ARE SOME COUNTIES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED.
IS THERE A POTENTIAL TO START INCLUDING THOSE?
>> COUNTY LEVEL DECISION. BETWEEN COUNTY AND STATE.
>> I THINK YOU ANSWERED THE QUESTION.
ABILENE TAYLOR COUNTY OR WHOLE AREA, YOU ANSWERED.
>> IT IS A COUNTY LEVEL AND YOU CAN GO ON AND PEOPLE ENTER THE ADDRESS SHOULD TELL THEM WHETHER STEAR IS ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY
OR NOT. >> I WANT TO SAY IT'S A GREAT IDEA TO DO STUFF. MY ENTIRE JOB IS MARKETING AND GETTING PEOPLE TO SIGN UP FOR STUFF.
AND EVERY DOOR DIRECT MAIL IS SOME OF THE BEST RESPONSE.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE QR CODES.
I LOVE BY THEM. QR CODE HELPS AND TAKES US TO THE APPLICATION. GOOD IDEA FROM THE MARKETING PERSON. GOOD JOB.
>> THANK YOU. THAT'S NOT MY SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE. I WILL GET WITH THE MARKETING FOLKS. HAVING THE VARIETY.
THAT'S WHAT DOWN HERE, I WANT TO REPLICATE THAT WHERE QR CODE, LOG-IN, CALL. WE KNOW THAT DIFFERENT PEOPLE ARE MORE COMFORTABLE WITH DIFFERENT FORMS OF COMMUNICATION. BUT BY DIRECT MAIL-OUT AT LEAST WE KNOW PEOPLE ARE GETTING IT. IT IS GETTING TO EVERYONE THAT IS -- HAS AN ADDRESS OR WIDESPREAD AS WE CAN ENSURE AS
POSSIBLE. >> THEY WORK WITH DURING THE NEWS TO HAVE THEM CRAWL THE MESSAGE ACROSS.
AND GOES TO A WIDE AUDIENCE. NOT JUST THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY OR THE PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, BUT EVERYONE.
IF I KNOW SOMEBODY, I CAN TELL THEM ABOUT IT.
>> YEAH. LIKE I SAID, WE WILL GET WITH THE PEOPLE BACK HERE THAT HAVE ALL THE GOOD CONTACTS WITH THEM AND UNDERSTANDING HOW TO PUSH THINGS OUT.
AND AGAIN TRY TO ATTACH -- ATTACK THIS PROBLEM TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE MORE PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF IT AND THAT HOPEFULLY MORE
PEOPLE ARE SIGNING UP. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> YES. >> SO WE'RE GOING RIGHT ALONG.
[7. City of Abilene ADA Assessment (Discussion, Public Hearing, and Possible Vote)]
WE ARE UP TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 7, WHICH IS THE CITY OF ABILENE ADA ASSESSMENT DISCUSSION. THAT DEALS WITH POSSIBLE PUBLICHEARINGS AND POSSIBLE VOTE. >> Y'ALL GOT LUCKY SHE SHOWED
>> I HAD HIM READY. I GAVE HIM EVERYTHING.
WHAT I WANTED TO BRING BEFORE YOU TODAY IS WE HAVE THE DRAFT OF THE ACCESSIBILITY PLAN FROM THE CONSULTANT.
AND SO WE ARE LOOKING FOR FEEDBACK FROM THE DISABILITY BOARD EITHER TODAY AT THIS MEETING OR BY EMAIL OVER THE NEXT WEEK. SOME OF THE KEY POINTS IN THE ACCESSIBILITY PLAN AND ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO MAKE SURE TO EMPHASIZE, THIS IS A SNAPSHOT WHERE WE ARE TODAY AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE. THE ACCESSIBILITY PLAN IS REALLY JUST SAYING THAT WE ARE PLANNING TO DO SOMETHING AND THE NEXT STEP WILL BE THE SELF-ASSESSMENT AND THE TRANSITION PLAN.
THERE IS FUNDING THAT WAS PROPOSED IN THE FY-'27 BUDGET.
IT HAS GONE THROUGH THE FIRST READING, THE SECOND READING WILL BE ON SEPTEMBER 10TH. SO ASSUMING THERE'S NO CHANGES, WE WILL HAVE FUNDING FOR FY-'27 TO GO INTO THE NEXT PHASE FOR THE SELF-EVALUATION AND TRANSITION PLAN.
>> HOW MUCH WAS THAT, DO YOU KNOW?
>> WHAT WE ASKED FOR WAS A HUNDRED THOUSAND.
WE PUT ON THE STREET AN RFP IN OCTOBER.
HOW MUCH IT WILL ACTUALLY COST WILL DEPEND ON WHO RESPONDS TO
[01:05:02]
THE RFP IN THE NEGOTIATIONS FROM THERE.BUT RIGHT NOW WE'RE BUDGETED FOR HUNDRED THOUSAND.
>> AND THE RSP WOULD BE FOR LIKE WORKING WITH THE CONSTRUCTION,
THE INFRASTRUCTURE? >> RFP IS TO GET A CONSULTANT.
>> IT WOULD BE A CONSULTANT, OKAY.
>> TO HELP US START THE EVALUATION PLAN AND THE TRANSITION PLAN. NOT THE ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS. THAT WOULD BE THE NEXT STEP.
>> OKAY. >> THIS WOULD BE MORE THE CONVERSATIONS AND DESIGN. REALLY WHERE DO WE START IN THE
THE NEXT IS THE PRIORITIES AND WE CAN'T DO EVERY BULLET POINT IN ONE YEAR. THAT'S JUST TOO MUCH.
AND SO THE CONSULTANT AFTER LOOKING AFTER THE ACCESSIBILITY PLAN AND GETTING A BETTER FEEL FOR ABILENE WILL BE ABLE TO HELP US FINE TUNE THIS LIST. WE KNOW WE HAVE TO DO ALL OF IT.
WE JUST CAN'T DO ALL OF IT AT THE EXACT SAME TIME.
THEY WILL HELP US PRIORITIZE THAT.
>> OKAY. >> THE AREAS ARE GOING, WELL, THEY WILL HELP SET THE TIMELINE FOR THE SELF EVALUATION AND THE TRANSITION PLAN. HELP US WITH THE WEBSITE, PROGRAM SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES AND POLICIES AND BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES, PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAYS AND PEDESTRIAN ROUTES, BUS STOPS AND SHELTERS, DESIGN STANDARDS, PREVIOUS ADA COMPLAINTS, LEASE AGREEMENTS AND CONTRACTS AND EMERGENCY PLAN AND EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES. SO THOSE ARE ALL THE DIFFERENT AREAS THAT WE ARE GOING TO TOUCH ON OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS AND THEY WILL HELP US PUT THAT INTO THE PRIORITY.
STAFF IS CURRENTLY REVIEWING ALL OF THIS.
IT HAS BEEN SENT OUT TO ALL OF THE DIRECTORS.
THEY HAVE UNTIL FRIDAY OF THIS WEEK TO GET THEIR COMMENTS BACK TO US. IT'S COMING BEFORE YOU TODAY.
I KNOW IT WAS SENT TO YOU LAST WEEK FOR Y'ALL TO HAVE TIME TO START LOOKING AT. DEPENDING ON WHEN I STOP TALKING, WHAT COMMENTS AND STUFF THAT YOU HAVE FOR US AND WHATEVER I RECEIVE BY EMAIL IN THE NEXT WEEK, WE WILL TAKE ALL OF THAT AND GIVE IT TO THE CONSULTANT.
THEN IT WILL BE GOING TO CITY COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 8TH.
THE FINAL DRAFT WILL BE GOING TO CITY COUNCIL.
THE SAME DAY WE ARE INTERESTING THE PROCLAMATION FOR DISABILITY MONTH, WE WILL HAVE ON REGULAR AGENDA THE CITY COUNCIL'S ABILITY TO ADOPT THE ACCESSIBILITY PLAN.
AND THEN ONCE CITY COUNCIL ADOPTS THE ACCESSIBILITY PLAN, THAT'S WHEN WE WILL RELEASE THE RFP TO MOVE INTO THE NEXT PHASES. SO WITH THAT, I AM HAPPY TO -- RICHARD IS VERY HAPPY TO START TAKING NOTES.
>> THE HUNDRED THOUSAND, THAT'S GOING TO BE FOR THE PERSON WHO WE SELECT FROM THE RFP TO UTILIZE TO HELP IMPLEMENT ALL THE BULLET POINTS FROM THE PREVIOUS PAGE.
>> CORRECT. >> SO BASICALLY THEIR BUDGET IS
HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS? >> THEIR BUDGET IS HUNDRED
>> THEIR BUDGET IS HUNDRED THOUSAND.
DEPENDING ON WHERE THEY DETERMINE WE NEED TO PUT OUR FOCUS, IT MAY BE SOMETHING WE CAN DO INTERNALLY WITH STAFF WE ALREADY HAVE. WE REALLY ALREADY STARTED ON THIS ON SOME HR PRACTICES, SOME OF THE THINGS WE'RE DOING WITH THE WEBSITE, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE BECOME AWARE OF STUFF, THERE'S THINGS WE CAN DO IN HOUSE THAT WE ARE DOING AS SOON AS WE FIND OUT ABOUT IT. IT'S AN ONGOING PROCESS.
BUT THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO REQUIRE THE CONSULTANT TO HELP US WITH OR REQUIRE A THIRD PARTY, THIS WILL HELP US GET GOING IN THAT DIRECTION. I CAN'T SAY HOW MANY YEARS IT'S
GOING TO TAKE. >> THAT'S MY NEXT QUESTION, THE
RFP WILL STATE THE TIMELINE. >> YEARS AND MILLIONS OVER THE NEXT X NUMBER OF YEARS. IT WILL BE AN EXTENSIVE PROCESS.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF THE RFP WOULD STATE IN -- BECAUSE SOME OF THE RFPS I'VE BEEN A PART OF WILL SAY YOU HAVE THIS MUCH MONEY OVER THE COURSE OF THREE YEARS OR FIVE YEARS WITH, YOU KNOW --
>> WE'RE REALLY HOPING FOR YEAR 1 TO HELP US PUT IN THE PLAN SO WE CAN ASK FOR HIGHER DOLLARS TO BE ABLE TO TACKLE THESE FASTER.
AND SO SIMULTANEOUSLY WHILE WE'RE DOING THE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO IN-HOUSE AND DOING THE THINGS THAT MAYBE AN EVALUATION OF THE WEBSITE ARE GOING SIMULTANEOUSLY WE VALUATION AND POTENTIAL CONSTRUCTION OF SIDEWALKS.
NOT GOING TO BE WE DO ONE AND FINISH IT AND DO THE NEXT.
THERE'S GOING TO BE MANY THINGS HAPPENING SIMULTANEOUSLY.
>> LIKE A WORKING DOCUMENT THE WHOLE TIME?
>> IT WILL BE A WORKING DOCUMENT THE WHOLE TIME.
>> PERFECT. >> TELL US WHAT KIND OF PERSON OR QUALIFICATIONS YOU'RE LOOKING FOR IN THIS CONSULTANT?
>> WE ARE REALLY LOOKING FOR SOMEBODY WHO IS VERY INVOLVED IN THIS FIELD. SOMEBODY WHO HAS HISTORY WITH DOING THINGS LIKE THIS. THEY CAN GIVE US EXAMPLES OF WHAT THEY'VE DONE IN THE PAST, THEY CAN GIVE US CITIES THAT WE CAN CALL FOR REFERENCES. THEIR EXPERIENCE -- WE'RE MORE INTERESTED IN THE EXPERIENCE AND WHAT THEY HAVE DONE WITH TEXAS.
[01:10:02]
IT'S GREAT THEY HAVE DONE IT IN OTHER STATES, BUT WE ARE REALLY FOCUSED ON THE LAWS AND REGULATIONS OF TEXAS.THEIR EXPERIENCE IN TEXAS IS GOING TO BE VERY IMPORTANT.
ACCESSIBILITY AS IN THE -- ARE THEY ABLE TO HELP US MOVE QUICKLY IS GOING TO BE PART OF THE CRITERIA AS WELL.
IT'S ONE THING TO ENTER INTO THE CONTRACT.
IF THEY DON'T HAVE TIME TO HELP US MOVE QUICKLY, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE PARTNER WITH SOMEBODY THAT CAN REALLY MOVE THIS
FORWARD FOR US. US. >> ALSO MAYBE CONSIDERING SOMEBODY WHO HAS WORKED IN TEXAS BUT WORKED IN CITIES OUR SIZE.
I MEAN, TO HAVE SOMEBODY FROM HOUSTON BUT HOUSTON IS SUCH A LARGER INFRASTRUCTURE, YOU KNOW, I FEEL LIKE FOCUSING ON SOMEBODY WHO HAS HAD MORE EXPERIENCE WITH OUR SIZE WOULD BE PROBABLY IDEAL, JUST BECAUSE YOU KNOW, I FEEL LIKE WE FUNCTION A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY THAN THE LARGER CITIES, SO IT MIGHT -- YOU KNOW,
BE MORE FITTING -- >> I GREATLY AGREE WITH YOU.
WHAT I WILL SAY IS THE RULES ARE CHANGING.
I SHOULDN'T SAY THE RULES ARE CHANGING, BUT WHAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION -- THIS IS ACTUALLY HOUSED UNDER THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
WE ARE REALLY FOLLOWING WHAT THEY TELL US AND THEY ARE DEVELOPING THEIR PROCESSES AS WE GO SO WE CAN ONLY GO AS FAST AS THEY DO, IN ALL HONESTY. SO YES, WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE WORKED IN OTHER CITIES OUR SIZE BUT CONSIDERING THEY'RE ALSO DEVELOPING IT AS THEY GO, WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO BE DOING THIS ALONG WITH OTHER CITIES AT THE
SAME TIME. >> YOU KNOW THIS, BUT YOU KNOW, THERE'S WHAT -- ISN'T THERE FIVE CITIES THAT ABILENE KIND OF
LOOKS AT AS EXAMPLES -- >> SISTER CITIES.
WE HAVE TEN. >> IS IT TEN? SORRY. TEN.
DIDN'T ONEDENTON IS ONE OF THEM. DENTON HAS DONE A LOT WHEN IT COMES TO THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY.
>> OH, YEAH. >> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNEW THAT. BUT THAT IS ONE PLACE I WOULD LOOK AT FOR SOMEONE OR A CORPORATION OR A COMPANY.
THE OTHER ONE -- AND I DON'T THINK IT'S A SISTER CITY, BUT THE STATION, COLLEGE STATION IN BRYANT, TEXAS, THEIR UNIVERSITY ACTUALLY DOES A PROGRAM THAT WORKS WITH THE DISABILITY
BUT IT'S ALSO STEERED THROUGH THEIR INDEPENDENCE INC OFFICE, SO THOSE THREE CITIES ARE REALLY UP TO DATE WITH TEXAS AND WITH WORKING WITH A COMMUNITY KIND OF ABOUT ABILENE'S SIZE AND
>> HUH? >> I SAID UNLESS IT'S FOOTBALL GAME DAY, THEN THEY QUADRUPLE IN SIZE.
>> YEAH, EXACTLY. BUT THOSE -- WHEN YOU'RE LOOKINE
ARE SOME CITIES I WOULD LOOK AT. >> WHEN WE DID THE EVENT LIST, I ACTUALLY GOT THAT FROM BRIAN COLLEGE STATION SO --
>> OH, WOW, THAT'S GOOD. >> AND THAT'S THE ONE THAT I WAS LOOKING AT TOO. SO YEAH.
>> YEAH, THEY WERE KIND ENOUGH TO SHARE THAT WITH US, SO A LOT OF THE INFORMATION THAT WE PRESENTED REALLY CAME OFF THEIR
LIST. >> AND THEY'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR OVER TEN YEARS. LIKE WHEN I MOVED TO TEXAS, THEY WERE JUST STARTING. SO THEY HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE UNDERNEATH THEIR BELT, BUT THAT'S WHERE I LOOK TO WHEN I'M
LOOKING AT STUFF FOR ABILENE. >> SO ARE ALL THESE CITIES IN TEXAS DOING THIS AT THE SAME TIME, IS THIS ROLLING OUT ACROSS
THE STATE? >> IT IS ROLLING OUT ACROSS THE
STATE -- >> -- COMPETITION FOR THIS
PERSON. >> IT IS ROLLING OUT ACROSS THE STATE BUT THERE'S NO TIME LINE ON ONE CITY DOING IT OVER ANOTHER CITY. EVERYBODY'S AT A DIFFERENT STAGE SO I DON'T ANTICIPATE THERE TO BE AN ISSUE --
>> I JUST DON'T WANT EVERYBODY LOOKING FOR THE SAME PERSON AT
THE SAME TIME. >> I DON'T ANTICIPATE THAT AT THIS POINT, NO. WHEN WE GET THE RESPONSES TO THE RFP A, I MAY BE PROVEN WRONG, BECAUSE EVERYBODY -- IT'S FOR MUNICIPALITIES WITH MORE THAN 50 EMPLOYEES, WHICH WE VERY MUCH
[01:15:06]
QUALIFY FOR. >> JUST A LITTLE.
>> BUT THE REQUIREMENTS THAT -- FROM TXDOT, THAT IS A FAIRLY -- I MEAN, THE LAWS HAVE BEEN IN PLACE FOR DECADES.
THE REQUIREMENTS FROM TXDOT ARE FAIRLY NEW.
AND SO EVERYBODY IS AT A DIFFERENT SPOT IN THEIR JOURNEY.
AND WHERE THEY NEED TO PUT THEIR EMPHASIS.
>> AND I WOULD HOPE -- I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY, DENTON IS FARTHER ALONG IN THIS PROCESS THAN ABILENE IS, BUT I WOULD HOPE THAT WE -- WHAT WE'VE DONE IN THE LAST ALMOST TEN YEARS, WHEN YOU LOOKED AT THIS, THERE WAS QUITE A BIT ALREADY DONE.
SO -- BUT I ALSO KNOW THAT THEY'RE ADDING MORE.
>> CORRECT. >> AND THERE'S MORE BOUNDARIES.
>> SO CAN I ASK A PERSONAL QUESTION? I KNOW THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE A VERY FULL AGENDA WITH YOUR JOB AND NOW YOU'RE TAKING ON ANOTHER WHOLE NEW JOB.
IS THIS DOABLE -- I KNOW YOU HAVE TO SAY YES BUT I WANT TO
KNOW WHAT -- >> SHE'S UNDER DURESS.
>> AND YES, IT IS NORMAL TO HAVE OTHER DUTIES AS A SIDE BUT I AM NOT DOING THIS ALONE. YOU CAN ONLY HAVE ONE LISTED NAME ON YOUR WEBSITE AS THE COORDINATOR OR YOUR POINT OF CONTACT IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS, SO THAT IS MY NAME BUT I AM NOT DOING IT BY MYSELF AS FAR AS THE CITY.
THERE IS ACTUALLY A COMMITTEE -- >> I WAS WORRIED ABOUT YOU.
>> WELL, THANK YOU. THERE IS A COMMITTEE THAT IS HELPING WITH THIS. IT'S BY NO MEANS ME ALONE.
I HAPPEN TO BE ALREADY THE LIAISON TO THIS BOARD --
>> THAT MAKES SENSE. >> SO IT MAKES SENSE FOR ME TO BE NAMED THE COORDINATOR, BUT YES, I AM NOT DOING THIS ALONE.
>> TWO SALARIES? >> NO, MA'AM.
>> NICE TRY. >> I'LL SUPPORT IT.
>> I APPRECIATE THAT. HOW ABOUT A THANK YOU AND I WILL
TAKE IT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> WE'LL MAKE HER LIFE EASIER, HOW ABOUT THAT.
>> WHAT DOES THE COMMITTEE CONSIST OF FOR THE CITY?
>> THE COMMITTEE IS -- RIGHT NOW IT'S MYSELF, FROM THE FACILITY SIDE. IT IS TIM LITTLEJOHN FROM THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SIDE. IT'S MAX JOHNSON THAT COVERS PUBLIC WORKS. AND ANNETTE COOPER THAT IS IN HR. AND THEN JEANINA IS ALSO MY SUPPORT FROM AN ADMINISTRATIVE SIDE OF THE HOUSE.
>> AND WE WILL ADD PEOPLE TO THE COMMITTEE AS WE NEED THEM IN THESE VARIOUS AREAS, LIKE WITH THE WEB SIDE.
THAT DOESN'T FALL UNDER ANY OF US SO THEN MARI WILL BE BROUGHT IN AND HER STAFF. ANGELA BAKER ALREADY HAD A COUPLE OF MEETINGS WITH HER, SHE'S THE ONE THAT VISIT WUD ABOUT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. SHE WILL BE THE POINT OF CONTACT WHEN WORKING WITH THAT. SO WE WILL GO TO THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS IN THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS WHEN THAT'S THE AREA
THAT WE'RE DISCUSSING. >> THAT MAKES SENSE.
>> I JUST NOW THAT ONCE THE RFP AND WE HAVE ESTABLISHED THAT PERSON, PART OF THAT IS IS CREATING A PLAN, CORRECT, WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ABILENE COMMUNITY TO BE A PART OF THIS.
>> PART OF THE ACCESSIBILITY PLAN THAT WAS IDENTIFIED THAT WILL BE PART OF THE SALVATION -- SALVATION, THE SELF-EVALUATION AND MOVING FORWARD WILL BE HOW WHICH WORK TOGETHER WITH OTHER COMMUNITY PARTNERS, YES. I CAN'T SAY THAT WILL BE YOUR ONE BUT THAT WILL BE PART OF IT. AND THERE WILL BE REGULAR FEEDBACK THAT THIS BOARD WILL GIVE US.
>> I JUST KNOW, LIKE JUST SITTING HERE, WHO WAS IT THAT SAID 130,000 PLUS? THAT IS 15,000 MORE THAN WHEN I STEPPED IN ABILENE TEN YEARS AGO.
>> WE'RE EXPECTED TO GROW ANOTHER 10,000 --
>> THAT ALSO MEANS THAT THAT THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY IN COMMUNICATION IS JUST GOING TO BECOME MORE CHALLENGING SO I'M GLAD THAT WE'RE WORKING ON THIS NOW, AND IF WE CAN GET SOMETHING ESTABLISHED THAT AS WE GROW, IT WON'T BE AS FRUSTRATING, NOT NO-
THAT'S A HARD WORD. >> OVERWHELMING.
>> YEAH, FOR THE COMMUNITY -- THE COMMUNITY, I JUST KNOW, WANTS TO KNOW THAT THEY'RE BEING HEARD AND JUST LIKE ANGELA, YOU'VE HAD TROUBLE GETTING INFORMATION OUT TO THE
[01:20:01]
COMMUNITY, I MEAN, WE'VE HAD TROUBLE GETTING INFORMATION OUT ABOUT THIS COMMITTEE, AND SO THERE'S JUST SOMETHING ABOUT ABILENE THAT -- IT'S HARD TO GET INFORMATION OUT SOMETIMES.BUT I DO HOPE THAT THROUGH THIS PROCESS, THAT LINK GETS STRONGER WITHIN THE CITY AND THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY.
>> I THINK IT WILL. >> I DO TOO.
I HAVE NO DOUBT. >> THANK YOU FOR SHEDDING SOME LIGHT ON THE INNER WORKINGS OF ALL OF THAT.
WE'VE JUST BEEN KIND OF GETTING HIGH LEVEL AND I WOULD LIKE THAT LITTLE BIT OF A DEEPER DIVE, SO THANK YOU.
>> AS I DIVE DEEPER, I WILL BRING YOU ALL ALONG WITH ME.
>> WE NEED A SCUBA TANK. >> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU ALL -- I MEAN, SHE SAID FRIDAY.
TODAY IS TUESDAY. YOU SENT IT TO ALL OF US.
>> WHAT DO YOU NEED BACK FROM US BY FRIDAY?
>> REALLY, IF THERE'S ANYTHING IN THERE THAT YOU SEE IS INCORRECT OR SOMETHING THAT YOU THINK WE MISSED AND DIDN'T AT LEAST TOUCH ON. YOU KNOW, THE -- IF A COMMA IS WRONG, IF -- ALL THOSE KINDS OF THINGS WE'RE CATCHING, BUT IF THERE IS AN AREA THAT YOU SEE OF NEED THAT WASN'T TOUCHED ON ANYWHERE, THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO HEAR.
>> SO BY FRIDAY. >> THAT WILL WORK.
>> I GAVE THE DEADLINE OF FRIDAY.
I AM NOT GOING TO LOOK ON THIS SATURDAY OR SUNDAY, SO IF IT DOESN'T HIT MY INBOX, I NEED IT BY 8 O'CLOCK MONDAY MORNING.
>> OKAY. >> IT'S THIS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. YES, MA'AM, OKAY.
>> YEAH, YEAH. >> JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE.
>> AND I WILL SAY -- I WILL SAY, I MEAN, AND I DON'T REMEMBER -- I GAVE IT TO RICHARD TO TAKE NOTES ON, BUT IT'S LIKE 20 PAGES AND THEN THERE'S A BUNCH OF PAGES THAT LIST BUILDINGS.
I DON'T NEED Y'ALL TO EVALUATE -- I MEAN, IF YOU WANT TO LOOK AT ALL 500 AND SOMETHING BUILDINGS WE HAVE IN THE CITY, YOU'RE WELCOME TO. BUT STAFF HAS TAKEN CARE OF THAT. IT'S REALLY THAT IMPORTANT SECTION REALLY WHERE I PULLED OUT THESE THREE POINTS.
I THINK IT'S THREE POINT 1, 2, 3, 4, THAT'S REALLY THE AREA --
>> THAT CLARIFIES IT. ITEMS TO REVIEW, WEBSITE,
PROGRAMS -- YEAH. >> IF THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE WE COMPLETELY MISSED, I NEED TO KNOW THAT.
>> THAT NEEDS TO BE VERY MUCH LOOKED AT.
>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
ALL THE HATS. >> ALL THE HATS.
[8. Upcoming Board Topics (Discussion)
]
EXACTLY. >> WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON DOWN TO UPCOMING BOARD TOPICS. THIS IS A TIME FOR THE BOARD TO BRING UP ANY TOPICS THAT YOU ALL WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS.
SO IS THERE ANYTHING? WE'VE KIND OF ALREADY BROUGHT IT UP, OCTOBER 8TH. PLEASE BE HERE.
THE OTHER THING IS -- SO OUR NEXT MEETING IS NOVEMBER.
ONE OF OUR BIG CITY EVENTS IS THE PARADE THIS YEAR, CORRECT,
WE'RE DOING THAT -- >> WHAT PARADE?
>> CHRISTMAS PARADE. >> OH, YEAH, CHRISTMAS --
>> I'VE NOT HEARD IF THE CITY IS DOING THAT --
>> I SAW IT SOMEWHERE. >> MAYBE SO.
I HAVEN'T HEARD THAT. >> HAVE YOU -- WE SHOULD HAVE
ASKED LESLIE WHILE SHE WAS HERE. >> THE CITY IS ORGANIZING BUT IT IS SPONSORED BY --
>> I KNOW THERE WAS A WHOLE KERFUFFLE ABOUT IT LAST YEAR.
>> YEAH, I DON'T KNOW WHAT AEL IS.
I WOULD SAY WE NEED TO MAKE SURE LIKE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT LAST YEAR AND ESPECIALLY SINCE WE HAVE THAT EVENT CHECKLIST, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT IS IN PLACE, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT'S BEING DONE BY THE CITY.
>> YES, ABSOLUTELY. >> WE CAN COMMUNICATE THAT TO LESLIE. SHE'S GOT HER HANDS FULL RIGHT
HE'S THE OFFICIAL NOTETAKER. >> YES, HE'S WRITING DOWN THE --
>> YOU'RE AWESOME. >> I MEANT TO ASK THIS TOO, WITH THE PARADES, THE CITY -- DOES THE CITY OVERSEE ALL OF THEM OR
IS IT -- LIKE WEST TEXAS FAIR I- >> I THINK IT WAS JUST THE
[01:25:06]
CHRISTMAS ONE THAT -- YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A PROCESS BUT I THINK IT WAS JUST -- CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG -- THAT THE CHRISTMAS ONE THAT WE TOOK OVER THIS LAST YEAR.>> THAT'S CORRECT. THERE'S AN APPROVAL PROCESS FOR ALL OF THEM THAT COMES TO THE CITY.
>> LIKE THE VETERANS DAY PARADE, ALL THAT.
>> THE CITY DOES NOT RUN ALL OF THE --
>> THEY REQUIRE -- IT REQUIRES APPROVAL FOR ROAD CLOSURES AND
THOSE KIND OF THING SO -- >> DO THEY INCLUDE THIS LIKE ACCESSIBILITY CHECKLIST FOR THESE?
>> IT'S ALREADY SUPPOSED TO BE PART OF THE PACKET.
>> RIGHT. I DON'T KNOW THAT WE CAN REQUIRE
IT AT THIS POINT BUT -- >> NO, WE CAN'T REQUIRE IT.
>> I THINK WE'RE ALREADY INCLUDING IT AS PART OF THE
PACKET -- >> WE MADE IT ON THAT LAST
MEETING. >> I KNOW IT HAD BEEN A TOPIC OF
>> SO JUST TO BE CLEAR, THIS ITEM ALLOWS YOU TO SUGGEST THINGS YOU WANT ON A FUTURE AGENDA? IS THERE ANY CAPACITY IN WHICH YOU ARE WANTING THE PARADE TO BE ON -- OR DISCUSSION ABOUT IT, OY GOT THE DISABILITY CHECKLIST
COVERED, I BELIEVE AS FAR AS -- >> WE JUST NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN THE CITY AND WE HAVE THAT CHECKLIST AND DO WE HAVE THINGS IN PLACE THAT WE'RE SUGGESTING DONE, SINCE WE'VE
CREATED THIS LIST? >> SO YOU'RE SAYING YOU WANT TO PUT THAT TO DISCUSS ON THE NEXT BOARD MEETING?
>> MM-HMM, MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE WHAT WE NEED IN PLACE TO
MAKE SURE -- >> WHEN IS THE CHRISTMAS PARADE?
>> THE 1ST OF DECEMBER. >> I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE HAVING THIS DISCUSSION, IT'S NOT A DISCUSSION LIKE RIGHT BEFORE THE EVENT ITSELF WHERE IT DOESN'T LEAVE A LOT OF TIME --
>> IT'S USUALLY THE TUESDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING.
>> I'M SAYING YOU MIGHT JUST TALK WITH LESLIE BECAUSE IT MAY NOT NEED TO BE ON THE AGENDA UNLESS YOU WANT IT ON THE AGENDA AND THIS IS JUST A TIME TO SUGGEST FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS THAT WE CAN'T REALLY DISCUSS HERE. WE'RE JUST SUGGESTING FOR THE
FUTURE AGENDA. >> OBVIOUSLY CIRCLING BACK TO THE DISCUSSION THAT WE JUST HAD TO SEE WHAT THE OUTCOME WAS FROM THE VOTING, BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE ON THE 8TH.
AND THEN I'M SURE WE'LL PROBABLY NEED TO DISCUSS LIKE THE RFP AND LIKE THE PLAN GOING FORWARD. SO I WOULD DEFINITELY --
>> I'M NOT SURE IF WE WILL HAVE THAT MUCH SAY ABOUT THE RFP.
>> WE CAN ASK ABOUT -- I JUST THINK -- I MEAN, I WOULD THINK IT WOULD BE WORTH HAVING ON THERE TO SEE, LIKE, WHERE WE'RE AT, WHAT THE NEXT STEPS WOULD BE, SINCE IT WAS VOTED ON AT THE MEETING, THAT WILL BE, YOU KNOW A MONTH LATER.
>> FOLLOW UP. >> IT MAY HAVE ALREADY STARTED PUTTING TOGETHER THE RFPS AND HAD INTEREST OR WHATEVER SO I THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD TO FOLLOW UP AT LEAST ON THAT ONE FOR
SURE. >> AND I'M SURE LESLIE PLANS TO DO THAT EVERY TIME SHE HAS SOMETHING TO UPDATE, BUT I HAVE
THAT ON THE LIST. >> THAT'S JUST ONE -- I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE BIG THINGS IS --
>> I KNOW THAT WE'VE TALKED -- AND I KNOW THE -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT STEPS NEED TO BE DONE BUT I STILL WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO
DO A WALKTHROUGH. >> I HAVE THAT ON THE LIST
>> I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ELSE. I THINK WE JUST HAVE SO MUCH OUT THERE THAT WE JUST NEED TO PULL IT ALL TOGETHER.
>> I WONDER IF WE COULD DO -- SINCE IT SEEMS LIKE WE DON'T HAVE A LOT FOR THE NOVEMBER AGENDA, MAYBE IF THAT'S WHEN THEY CAN SCHEDULE THAT WALKTHROUGH, THAT GIVES THEM, YOU KNOW, TWO MONTHS THAT WE NEED TO ORCHESTRATE WITH
WHATEVER. >> IT WOULD BE A GOOD TIME,
WEATHER WISE AND LIKEWISE -- >> IT WILL BE A LOT COOLER.
>> EVERYBODY WILL BE WISHING FOR SUMMER AGAIN THEN PROBABLY SO --
>> DON'T GET TOO AHEAD OF YOURSELF.
>> WE HAD TALKED ABOUT DOING THAT MEETING THERE, LIKE HAVING A MEETING THERE. THE ONLY THING IS IS I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE THE INTERPRETATION AVAILABLE THERE.
>> CORRECT. >> SO IF WE DON'T, THEN WE WOULD NEED TO SEE IF WE NEED TO GET AN INTERPRETER.
SO -- >> AND THAT GIVES US TWO MONTHS
TO -- >> THAT'S SOMETHING TO LOOK AT.
>> THAT WOULD BE A LESLIE THING. >> YEAH, YEAH.
>> I FEEL LIKE IF THAT'S SUFFICIENT TO LESLIE, THAT WOULD MAKE A GOOD KIND OF ROUND OUT THE END OF THE YEAR MEETING.
>> ANYONE HAVE ANYTHING ELSE? I THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HARD WORK. WHEN IT COMES TO THE CITY, WHEN IT COMES TO THE BOARD, WHEN IT COMES TO JUST EVERYTHING.
[01:30:08]
I WILL SAY THAT ABILENE, WE KNOW FOR A FACT IS GOING THROUGH CHANGES AND I WILL SAY -- I AM A PRAYING GIRL AND I PRAY EVERY NIGHT THAT ABILENE -- WE HAVE WHAT WE NEED AND EVERYONE IN ABILENE HAS WHAT THEY NEED TO THRIVE.THAT'S A WORD THAT'S BEEN USED IN THE PAST FOR ABILENE.
I DON'T KNOW IF MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT, BUT ABOUT THRIVE HAS BEEN A WORD THAT HAS POPPED IN AND OUT QUITE A BIT IN ABILENE, IS THAT WE BE A CITY THAT THRIVES AND I THINK ONE OF THOSE WAYS IS BY ALL THE COMMUNITIES COMING TOGETHER.
>> ANYTHING ELSE? NO? WELL, THEN, IF NOT, IS THERE A MOTION?
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
>> I'LL SECOND IT. >> MOVED AND SECONDED.
WE CLOSE THE MEETING FOR SEPTEMBER'S MAYOR'S BOARD FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND WE WILL BE BACK HERE IN NOVEMBER.
>> WELL, FOR THE
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.