July News Releases


July 29, 2010

 

Abilene to Receive Grant for South Downtown (SODA) Improvements

ABILENE, TX – The City of Abilene today succeeded in obtaining a reimbursement grant for pedestrian, landscaping and median improvements along South 1st Street within the south downtown area (SODA). The federal funding managed and awarded by the Texas Transportation Commission will be used to install sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, landscaping and medians from Locust St. to Butternut St.     

The City submitted its request totaling $701,165 in December 2009 as a part of the Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program.  Program funds were awarded through a highly competitive process administered by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The South First Street project was one of only 54 selected out of 200 qualifying nominations for a share of the approximately $76.6 million awarded across the State today. Eight projects were authorized in the Western TxDOT Region. Eligible Enhancement Program projects include non-traditional surface transportation projects meeting federal guidelines including pedestrian and bicycle improvements, safety and education projects, scenic and landscaping enhancements, preservation of historic transportation related facilities    

 

In May the City approved a master plan for the south downtown area.  The plan coined the term “SODA” to describe an area bounded roughly by Treadaway Blvd., S. 7th St. Butternut, S 1st St. and including an area north of N 1st St. bounded by Treadway Blvd N. 6th St. and Pine St. The South Downtown Plan includes recommendations for redevelopment and revitalization of an area south of the current downtown core that was once a bustling center of commerce but which is underutilized today.  The plan calls for adaptive reuse of historic buildings, and promoting a mixture of pedestrian-friendly commercial, residential and light industrial uses.  

 

July 27, 2010

City Council Budget Workshops conclude; First public hearing on tax rate set for Aug. 12

ABILENE, Texas – During day two of the Budget Workshops, the City Council today unanimously approved the first reading of the tax levy and budget ordinances for the revised Fiscal Year 2009-2010 (FY 10) and proposed Fiscal Year 2010-2011 (FY 11) budgets, as presented by City Manager Larry Gilley, with one addition. The proposed FY 11 budget will now include a new initiative for the Abilene Fire Department’s tactical operations involving paramedic service. Public hearings will be held next month and in September on the proposed FY 11 budget and tax rate. The proposed budget is available here.

 

During the Budget Workshops, the City Council compromised in order to accommodate the Abilene Fire Department’s original $490,000 budget request for paramedic service. Instead of funding the entire request, the City Council approved the FY 11 purchase of nine cardiac monitors for $229,500 by borrowing money from the Fleet Replacement Fund. This money will be paid back to the Fleet Replacement Fund over a five year period. The additional $25,000 for program medical direction will be funded through the General Fund. The funding for three field resource medics at $235,500 was not included in the proposed FY 11 budget. However, the City Council called for any increase in sales tax revenue in FY 11 to go towards the funding of these personnel. The proposed FY 11 budget is projecting that sales tax revenue will remain flat. Abilene Fire Chief Ken Dozier said the department would use a current fire employee from Training to serve as a staff resource medic until funding permits the hiring of the three field resource medics which may occur one at a time. 

 

The proposed FY 11 General Fund budget is $69,541,630. If approved, the FY 11 budget will be funded at a tax rate of 69.86 cents. This tax rate would reflect a .54 cent or just over a half-cent increase per $100 assessed valuation. For the average home value of $85,642, this would amount to an annual increase of $4.62. In the proposed FY 11 budget, city programs and services remain in tact. No furloughs are scheduled. Water, sewer and solid waste rates remain unchanged. There are no adjustments to City fees. A three percent salary increase for non-civil service employees is included in the proposed budget. Non-management employees have not received a salary increase since 2008. Management-level employees have not received one since 2007.

 

The City Council will hold public hearings on the proposed tax increase during the Thursday, Aug. 12. and Thursday, Aug. 26 council meetings. A second reading, public hearing, and vote on the budget ordinance and proposed tax levy are scheduled for the Thursday, Sept. 9 City Council meeting. The 2011 fiscal year will begin Oct. 1, 2010 and end on Sept. 30, 2011.

 

The Budget Workshops will rerun Mondays at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 8:00 a.m. on TV Channel 7. TV Channel 7 is available on Suddenlink Cable Channel 7 and broadcast Channel KXN-TV.    

 

National Stop on Red Week begins Sunday, August 1   

ABILENE, Texas – The City of Abilene is continuing to raise awareness about the dangers red light running poses to drivers and pedestrians by participating in “National Stop on Red Week”, August 1 – 7. The Abilene Police Department will also step up red light enforcement during the coming week.

 

“Red light running leads to dozens of injuries and even death in Abilene’s intersections,” Assistant Police Chief Doug Wrenn explained. “We as drivers can all do our part to reduce crashes, injuries and the tragic loss of life by stopping when the light turns red.”

 

Police statistics found in 2009, 292 traffic accidents in city limits were caused by drivers running red lights. This traffic violation made up about 7.4 percent of all traffic accidents in Abilene in 2009. The City’s red light safety initiative began in January 2008. Within a two year period, there has been a 32 percent decrease in the number of red light running accidents in Abilene. The decline is attributed to increased traffic enforcement, a public awareness campaign and increased court fines for red light running violations.

 

The week long event was started in 2001 by the National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running.     

 

July 26, 2010

 

City pools closed on July 31 due to lifeguard shortage

ABILENE, Texas – Safety concerns over the number of lifeguards available to work next Saturday, July 31 will result in both City pools, Rose Park Pool, 2642 S. 9th Street, and Stevenson Park Pool, 541 EN 7th Street, being closed for the day. The ratio of lifeguards to swimmers would have been inadequate to ensure appropriate monitoring of the pools. Lifeguard staffing will return to normal the next day so the pools will reopen to the public on Sunday, August 1 at 1 p.m.

 

Normal hours of operation for Rose Park Pool are 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $3.00 per person for adults, age 16 and older, and $2 for youth, age 6 - 15. A concession stand is available.

 

Normal hours of operation for Stevenson Park Pool are 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $1.00 for age 6 and up. Children 5 and under at both pools are admitted free with a paying parent or legal guardian.

 

The City’s pool season began on Saturday, June 5 and runs through Sunday, August 22.

 

July 22, 2010

 

Football-themed video explains City of Abilene budget process

ABILENE, Texas – Football players, cheerleaders, spectators and a budget coach put on their game face to explain what a city budget is all about in a new video called “Game Plan: Budget”. As the City Council prepares to discuss the proposed Fiscal Year 2010 – 2011 budget, learn about the City of Abilene budget process through this football-themed video. “Game Plan: Budget” will debut 8:00 a.m. this Friday, July 23, on TV Channel 7, the City’s education/government channel.

 

The six-minute long video, produced by the Communications & Media Relations Office, uses football analogies to illustrate the ins and outs of municipal budgeting. Director of Finance Mindy Patterson serves as the “budget coach” in the special program. The video will air on Fridays at 8 a.m., Saturdays at 9:00 p.m. and Sundays at 6:00 p.m. through Friday, August 20. TV Channel 7 is available on Suddenlink Cable Channel 7 and broadcast Channel 7 KXN-TV.

 

“Game Plan: Budget” will also be available for viewing online on the City’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/AbileneTelevision.

 

July 21, 2010

 

Municipal Golf Course Advisory Board recommends continuing operational fee for Maxwell Golf Course

ABILENE, Texas – During this afternoon’s meeting, the Municipal Golf Course Advisory Board unanimously approved making a recommendation to the City Council to continue the operational fee for Maxwell Golf Course. Currently, the City of Abilene provides $6,000 per month to West Texas Golf Systems to operate the municipal golf course. The City Council will consider the board’s recommendation about Maxwell Golf Course at a future public meeting.

 

Maxwell Golf Course, designed with the average golfer in mind, is located at 1002 S. 32nd Street. For more details about the course, go to www.golfmaxwell.com or call 325-692-2737.

 

July 20, 2010

 

Abilene Fire Department: House fire on Jameson Street

Shortly before 10 a.m. this morning, Abilene 911 received a call from a homeowner stating her kitchen was full of smoke.  Abilene firefighters responded to the call in the 2000 block of Jameson Street and found live fire inside a kitchen wall near an electrical outlet.  The fire was immediately attacked and one of the home’s occupants was treated at the scene by firefighters for minor smoke inhalation.  The fire was brought under control in less than twenty minutes.  Electrical power feeding the residence was disconnected by an American Electric Power representative in order to prevent an electrocution hazard to responders and to eliminate the chance of other fires starting from damaged electrical wiring.  Damage to the home was limited to a kitchen wall and a small portion of the kitchen ceiling and is estimated to be around $5,500.

 

The home’s two occupants were able to escape on their own but one fifty-six year-old female suffered minor breathing problems due to smoke inhalation.  The other occupant, a thirteen year-old female appeared to be uninjured.  Neither occupant was transported to the hospital.

 

Abilene Fire Department investigators determined the fire began as the result of improperly installed electrical wiring.

            

July 19, 2010

 

From the Abilene Fire Department: Heat lamp incident at Abilene Zoo

On Saturday, July 17th at 11:45 PM, units of the Abilene Fire Department responded to the report of a possible structure fire in the 2000 block of Zoo Lane.  A night watchman reported seeing smoke in the restrooms of the Creepy Crawler Center, the Abilene Zoo’s reptile building.  The first unit arrived to find smoke in the restrooms and throughout the building but no visible fire. Crews searched for the source of the smoke for several minutes before discovering a smoldering heat lamp atop the Spitting Black Cobra cage.  After carefully removing the lamp, firefighters ventilated the building to reduce the elevated level of carbon monoxide.  Once the atmosphere was determined to be safe, the zoo curator, the night watchman, and a herpetologist removed the snakes from the area so the smoldering cage could be further examined. Once it was determined no further danger from fire or smoke existed, fire crews left the facility in the care of zoo personnel.

 

From the Abilene Fire Department: Commercial building fire

Shortly after 2 a.m. this morning, units of the Abilene Fire Department were dispatched to a structure fire in the 800 block of Walnut Street.  First-arriving units discovered a small commercial building with heavy fire involvement and immediately attacked the fire while searching for possible victims.  One dog was found to have perished in the blaze.  The fire was brought under control less than thirty minutes after Fire Department arrival but the building and its contents suffered approximately $35,000 in damage.

 

This fire is still under investigation.  The owner and the occupants of the building have been notified and are currently looking to see if anything can be salvaged.  In all, six units with eighteen personnel responded to this incident.

 

July 16, 2010

 

Spring Texas Author Series available through video on demand

ABILENE, Texas – The 2010 Spring Texas Author Series is now available on Suddenlink Communications’ video on demand (VOD) service. The series, sponsored by the Friends of the Library and the West Texas Book & Music Festival, features interesting authors as they discuss their works during the noon brown bag programs at the Abilene Public Library’s downtown location.

 

The VOD service means Suddenlink cable subscribers can access the five author programs, through their remote, at any time from now through the week of August 22, 2010. To watch the programming, go to ONDemand and then Abilene Local/Marketplace/Education. The authors featured are Judy Barrett of Taylor who discussed her latest book, “What Can I Do with My Herbs?”; Abilene poets Jim Wilson, Greg Young and Barbara Rollins who offered selections of their works in celebration of National Poetry Month; Randy Harris of Abilene Christian University who discussed the controversial chapter “America or Christianity?” from his book “God Work: Confessions of a Standup Theologian”; John Lukacs who discussed his book “Escape from Davao” about the only successful escape from a Japanese prisoner of war camp during World War II – Lt. Col. William E. Dyess, for whom Dyess Air Force Base is named, was one of the escapees; and Rob Fink of Hardin Simmons University who discussed his new book, “Playing in Shadows: Texas and Negro League Baseball”.

 

The 2010 Spring Texas Author Series previously aired on TV Channel 7, the City’s education/government channel, which is available on Suddenlink Cable Channel 7 and broadcast Channel 7 KXN-TV. More information is available about TV Channel 7 online, http://www.abilenetx.com/Press/TVschedule.htm.

 

Lake Fort Phantom Hill Parks Improvements Project to get underway

ABILENE, Texas – The City of Abilene, with assistance from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, is about to begin major improvements to Lake Fort Phantom Hill parks. As a result, Johnson Park will be closed to the public starting Tuesday, July 20 in order for construction to proceed safely and efficiently. SeaBee Park and the public boat ramp known as the “north ramp” will remain open to the public. The Lake Fort Phantom Hill Parks Improvements Project is expected to be completed by early July 2011.  

 

Improvements will include the following:

  • Johnson Park - pavilions, picnic facilities, restrooms, a playground, paving, parking and other recreational amenities.

  • SeaBee Park - restrooms, a pavilion, nature observation facilities, paving and parking.

  • North Boat Ramp - parking, paving, ramp extension and a wave attenuation device intended to reduce wind and wave action on the boat unloading area.

 

While the City considered keeping Johnson Park open with limited public access, it was determined that the safest approach was to close the park during construction. In addition, the contractor will have a larger window of favorable weather to get the project in full swing before the winter time. The project’s completion date is also in time for families to celebrate Independence Day at the new and improved Lake Fort Phantom Hill area parks next summer.

 

The total project cost is approximately $2.37 million. The City was able to leverage $1.5 million from the May 2006 Bond Election and City-issued Certificates of Obligation along with in-kind services to secure almost $900,000 in State and Federal funds for the parks improvements.

 

July 13, 2010

Parks and Recreation Board approves first alcohol sale permit for i nvitation-only fundraiser at Abilene Zoo

ABILENE, Texas – During this morning’s meeting, the Parks and Recreation Board unanimously approved a request for a permit to sell beer and wine at an invitation only-fundraiser at the Abilene Zoological Gardens. This is the first request that the board has received since the City Council approved allowing the sale of alcohol and beer at invitation-only events held by non-profit organizations at the Abilene Zoo within the perimeter fence of the Education Building only, during non-business hours, earlier this year.

 

The Abilene Zoological Society (AZS) requested the permit for a Texas backyard-themed invitation-only event scheduled for 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010. An AZS representative told the board that they will have appropriate security to accommodate the anticipated attendance of 300-350 people. AZS must abide by the Park and Recreation Board guidelines which require the use of caterers that are licensed by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC). The permit is also contingent upon AZS having insurance for the fundraiser.    

 

In other action, the Parks and Recreation Board recommended charging a fee for after school care at the City’s recreation centers at a monthly rate of $20 for the first child, $15 for the second child and $10 for three or more children. If the fee is approved by the City Council, a discount would be offered to families needing financial assistance following the same federal guidelines currently used for the Summer Playground program. After school care has been offered at no charge. The projected revenue is between $43,000-$68,220 annually. The Parks and Recreation Board recommendation will now go before the City Council for consideration in the near future.

 

In addition, the board recommended increasing the fees for the Summer Playground program by $10. Session 1 and 2 would cost $90 and session 3 would cost $75. Based on current enrollment, this recommended change would bring in another $14,000. The board also recommended increasing the fee from $30 to $40 per month for non-State contract participants in Adaptive Recreation. Based on current participation, the projected revenue is approximately $3,000. These recommendations will go before the City Council for consideration in the near future.

 

The board also considered Dog Park Guidelines for the Camp Barkeley Dog Park, a public/private venture between the City of Abilene and the non-profit The Park People. The board approved the guidelines for the dog park which is named after a World War II camp in Abilene. The guidelines involve rules of conduct such as no food allowed in the park area and a limit of two dogs per person per visit. The complete list of Dog Park Guidelines can be found here. The dog park is expected to open within the year.     

 

July 12, 2010

 

Mayor Archibald congratulates local finalist in national talk show contest

ABILENE, Texas – As the mayor of Abilene, Mayor Norm Archibald extended his well wishes to Abilene’s own Dr. Tony Roach who has been chosen as a finalist to host a national talk show on OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network. Dr. Roach is the Preaching Minister of the Minda St. Church of Christ.

 

“I am extremely proud of Dr. Tony Roach for making it this far in the national competition,” Mayor Norm Archibald noted. “Dr. Roach is taking his positive message to the country and will represent Abilene well.”

 

Dr. Roach is among the top five finalists of the online television show submissions. In addition, there are 35 other contestants chosen from casting calls and other submissions. Ultimately, ten will be chosen for the Your OWN Show reality series. The winner of the reality show will receive his/her own talk show on OWN in 2011.

 

Proposed Fiscal Year 2011 budget unveiled

ABILENE, Texas – Earlier today, City Manager Larry Gilley filed his proposed Fiscal Year 2010-2011 (FY 11) budget with the City Secretary’s Office. The FY 11 proposed General Fund budget is $69,516,630 as compared to the FY 10 original budget of $70,543,980 which is a decrease of 1.45 percent. The proposed budget is available online on the City of Abilene website here.

 

Here are highlights of the proposed FY 11 budget:

  • City programs and services remain in tact

  • On February 25, a number of potential program reductions were presented to the City Council in the event that fiscal strategies  implemented in Fiscal Year 2010 (FY 10) were not enough to compensate for declining sales tax revenue. None of these suggestions are proposed to be acted upon in FY 11.

  • No furloughs scheduled

  • Employees participated in three furloughs, or unpaid days off, during FY 10. The furloughs resulted in an approximate cost savings of $161,570 per day. The proposed FY 11 budget does not include a furlough program.

  • Fees stay the same

  • No adjustments to the fee schedule are in the proposed budget.

  • Water rates remain static

  • Water rates are proposed to remain unchanged.

  • Sales tax revenue projected to be flat

  • Sales tax revenue remains volatile. The June rebate was down from a year ago but the July rebate, which reflects May sales, showed a 10.55 percent increase from July 2009. However, based on this rebate, sales tax is 4.88 percent below last year. For the coming fiscal year, the proposed budget calls for a zero percent increase in sales tax revenue from FY 10. Sales tax revenue makes up about 35.5 percent of the City’s General Fund.

  • Tax rate of 69.86 cents

  • This proposed tax rate reflects a .54 cent increase per $100 assessed valuation. For the average home value of $85,642, this amounts to an annual increase of $4.62. The rate will be allocated between the General Fund and the Debt Service Funds. The FY 11 general fund expenditures will require a tax rate of 48.12 for the General Fund. The FY 10 rate was 46.93. In addition, 21.74 will be the required for the Debt Service Funds compared to the FY 10 rate of 22.39. The decrease in the debt service rate is due to the refunding of bonds in FY 09 and FY 10.

  • Three percent salary increase for non-civil service employees

  • Fair compensation contributes to the stability of the workforce. Non-civil service employees have not received a salary increase or a cost of living adjustment for several years. Non-management employees have not received a salary increase since 2008. Management-level employees have not received one since 2007.

 

When the budget process began in February, there was a projected $4 million deficit for FY 11. This projection was due to the impact of fully funding the annualized salaries of fire and police civil service personnel who received the remainder of the salary increases agreed upon through the meet and confer process during the FY 10 budget year, having to replace the funding for the furlough days taken during FY 10 to decrease operating costs, and the loss of sales tax revenue.  The City was able to overcome this projected deficit through the voluntary retirement program, an increase in franchise fee revenue as well as property tax revenue, and the holding of numerous vacancies within the City.

 

Throughout the current fiscal year, the City has implemented many cost saving measures. They have included the elimination of two management level positions, decreasing travel budgets, elimination of the two percent pay increase for non-civil servant employees including City Council appointees, three furlough days for  employees, directed transfers, and holding vacancies open. In addition, the Abilene Professional Fire Fighters Association and the Abilene Police Officers Association delayed scheduled pay raises for FY 10, 32 City employees retired through the voluntary retirement incentive programs offered in the summer of 2009 and the spring of 2010 which created a reduction in the workforce, and City departments cut $2.3 million from their revised FY 09 budgets.

 

The City Council will hold Budget Workshops to review the proposed FY 11 budget at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, July 26, Tuesday, July 27, and possibly Wednesday, July 28. The workshops will air live on TV Channel 7, the City’s education/government channel. TV Channel 7 is available on Suddenlink Cable Channel 7 and broadcast Channel 7 KXN-TV.

 

The 2011 fiscal year will begin October 1, 2010 and end on September 30, 2011.

 

Animal Services offers free flea and tick dips for dogs this Saturday

ABILENE, Texas – Animal Services announced today that free tick and flea dips are available for dogs this Saturday, July 17 from 11:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. at the Abilene Animal Shelter, 925 South 25th Street. Come through the animal shelter’s east gate and contact one of the employees for assistance with the dipping. The service is for dogs only.

 

“With the recent rains, we’re seeing more animals come into the shelter with fleas and ticks,” Animal Services Manager Aaron Vannoy explained. “By offering the flea and tick dips on a Saturday, we are providing another time for dog owners to bring their pets in and help rid them of these potentially disease-carrying pests.” 

 

The flea and tick dips are designed to kill any ticks and fleas on the pet at the time of the dip. However, owners will also need to treat the yard and any other areas the pet may come in contact with.

 

If you are unable to bring in your pet on Saturday, Animal Services will continue offering the flea and tick dips on Wednesdays between the hours of 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. through September 15.

 

For more information, call the Abilene Animal Shelter at (325) 698-0085.

 

July 9, 2010

 

From the Abilene Fire Department: Portland Street Structure Fire

Shortly before 8 p.m. Thursday, July 8, Abilene Fire Department crews responded to the call of a structure fire in the 200 block of Portland.  Firefighters arrived to discover light smoke issuing from a travel trailer parked next to house.  Firefighters also were met by the occupant who suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns to her upper body.  The attack crew searched the trailer and found that there had been a flash fire apparently caused by a propane cook stove.  The fire was out on arrival except for a few smoldering items that were extinguished by fire crews.  An EMS Group of firefighters cared for the burn victim until she was transported to Hendrick Hospital by Metro Care Ambulance. The travel trailer suffered extensive heat damage.

 

The occupant, a 63-year-old female, was attempting to boil some water at the time of the fire.  As stated above, she suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns to approximately 40% of her body, mainly on her upper torso.  Family members informed AFD personnel that the burn victim was being prepared for transport to the Parkland Hospital Burn Unit in Dallas. Fire investigators are searching for the exact cause of the fire at this hour and may not have a determination for some time.  Fire damage was confined to the trailer.

             

In all seven units and nineteen firefighters responded to the blaze.

 

Movie in the Park rescheduled for Friday, July 23

ABILENE, Texas – The City of Abilene’s Recreation Division and AEP Texas are sponsoring Movie in the Park on Friday, July 9. The free event will take place at 9 p.m. in the Rose Park Amphitheater, 2601 South 7th Street. Citizens are welcome to bring their favorite snacks, blankets, and lawn chairs to enjoy a night of fun with family and friends. The featured movie is “The Blind Side”.

 

For more information, call (325) 734-5301.

 

UPDATE: Due to the recent rains and chance for more inclement weather, tonight’s Movie in the Park is cancelled. The event is rescheduled for 9:00 p.m. Friday, July 23.

 

July 6, 2010

 

National Therapeutic Recreation Week is July 11 - 17

ABILENE, Texas – In celebration of National Therapeutic Recreation Week (July 11 – 17), Adaptive Recreation Services is hosting several events including a dance with special guests, PUSH AMERICA.  PUSH AMERICA cyclists have been riding all across the country on behalf of people with disabilities since 1988.

 

Here is the schedule of events taking place at Adaptive Recreation Services, 2609 South 7th Street in Rose Park:

 

  • All week long – The public can participate in a silent auction. The proceeds will benefit Adaptive Recreation Services (ARS) in enhancing the daily programs for ARS participants.

 

  • Monday, July 12, at 12:30 p.m. – Speakers will share how Adaptive Recreation Services made a difference in their lives. ARS choir, Forever Friends, will perform followed by refreshments. The public is invited to attend.

 

  • Wednesday, July 14, at 1:30 p.m. – PUSH AMERICA arrives at Adaptive Recreation Services. Thirty PUSH AMERICA cyclists of the National Philanthropy of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity began their “Journey of Hope” in San Francisco, California on June 13, and are making a stop in Abilene. The cross-country trek concludes in Washington, D.C. on August 14. Each year, PUSH AMERICA makes a donation to Adaptive Recreation Services to enhance its programs. After the cyclists’ arrival, they will join ARS participants in a Friendship Dance. A puppet show about disability awareness for Rose Recreation children’s summer program will begin at 3 p.m. 

 

Camp Barkeley Dog Park groundbreaking this Friday

ABILENE, Texas – A groundbreaking ceremony for the Camp Barkeley Dog Park, located in Nelson Park on the east side of the Abilene Zoo entrance, is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. this Friday, July 9. The dog park project is the result of a public/private partnership between the City of Abilene and The Park People, a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization. The facility will become the first-ever dog park in Abilene. The dog park, which is named after a World War II camp in Abilene, is expected to open to the public within the next year.

 

According to the The Park People, $60,000 was raised for Phase 1 of the project. Phase 1 will involve the construction of fencing and gravel sidewalks, installation of benches, water fountains, doggie bag stations and trash receptacles, and irrigation and seeding of grass. Phase 2 concerns the planting of trees, irrigation, bulletin board and other signage. Phase II may also include shelters and other improvements. The dog park’s revised total cost is an estimated $100,000 to be raised entirely through fundraising.

 

In November 2009, the City’s Parks and Recreation Board approved a proposal by The Park People to develop the dog park in Nelson Park. The public/private venture will consist of a one acre leash-free fenced area for small dogs and a two acre leash-free fenced area for big dogs. The City of Abilene has agreed to provide the park land and basic maintenance such as mowing. The Park People said it will provide benches, trails, water fountains, and dog waste disposal stations. The dog park will be self-policing with rules posted. 

 

For more information about the dog park including upcoming events and fundraising efforts, go online to www.theparkpeopleabilene.org.

 

July 2, 2010

From Abilene Fire Department: Fire truck rollover accident

At 7:19AM this morning, radio traffic was received that no one on the Abilene Fire Department ever wants to hear.  A “Mayday” was heard over the radio given by one of Engine 5’s crewmembers followed by, “our engine has just rolled over”. 

 

Engine 5 was traveling South on Overland Trail, returning to the station from an Alarm Activation call at the Grove Apartments.  As the engine was approaching the Ambler intersection, the crewmembers reported the motor suddenly accelerating without cause.  As the driver tried to bring the engine to a stop, it slid sideways and then turned 180 degrees crossing the left hand lane of traffic.  As the tires of the engine came into contact with the shoulder of the road, they dug into the soft gravel causing the engine to flip onto its side.  At this time, the “Mayday” report was given and additional units were responded.  By the time secondary crews arrived all of Engine 5’s crew were able exit the vehicle on their own.  Luckily, no other vehicles were involved and all AFD members only sustained minor injuries.  As a precaution, all four crew members were transported to Hendrick Hospital were they were evaluated and released. 

 

The engine, valued at approximately $500,000, was a 1996 Sutphen and sustained heavy damage.  The engine was towed to a fire department facility were it will be evaluated further as to whether it can be economically repaired.  The accident is still under investigation but it appears that speed was not a factor.  It was raining just prior to and at the time of the accident and this may have impacted the situation.