October News Releases


October 28, 2009

                                                                                                      

Next Abilene Neighborhood Initiative community meeting set for this Thursday

ABILENE, Texas – Concerned citizens are invited to come together this Thursday, October 29 for an Abilene Neighborhood Initiative (ANI) community meeting to discuss ways to make improvements to the Holiday Hills neighborhood.  The gathering will begin with a cookout at 6:00 p.m. at the Holiday Hills Baptist Church located at 5309 Capitol Avenue, followed by a community conversation around 6:30 p.m. inside the church. The boundaries of the Holiday Hills neighborhood are defined as to the north, N. 10 St.; to the south, N. 1st St.; to the east, Winters Freeway; and to the west, Wall St.

 

The Abilene Neighborhood Initiative, lead by Councilman Anthony Williams, officially got underway in August 2009. The purpose of ANI is to improve the quality of life in four neighborhoods (Alameda, Carver, Butternut/Chestnut and Holiday Hills) and fulfill key elements of the City of Abilene’s Comprehensive Land Use and Development Plan for infill development and redevelopment.  ANI is being implemented through a partnership among the City of Abilene, congregations, Connecting Caring Communities and other stakeholders.

                                                                                                    

City of Abilene recognized for financial audit

ABILENE, Texas –The City of Abilene was recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting is the highest form of recognition the GFOA awards for governmental accounting and financial reporting. This honor is a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

 

Director of Finance Mindy Patterson held the principal responsibility for preparing the award-winning CAFR. As a result of her efforts, she is the recipient of the Award of Financial Reporting Achievement. Mindy has been with the City of Abilene for 18 years, and has been the Director of Finance for one year.

 

“The Finance Department is very proud to be recognized for its excellence in financial reporting,” Patterson said. “We are honored to receive this award and have worked extremely hard to assure accurate accounting records.”

             

Abilene’s financial report demonstrates a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” and clearly communicates the financial story to motivate others to read the report. Reports are judged by an impartial panel to meet these high standards of the program.

 

The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving approximately 17,500 government finance professionals with offices in Chicago, IL and Washington, D.C.

 

October 26, 2009

                                                                                                    

Most City offices closed for Veterans Day

ABILENE, Texas – Most City of Abilene offices and community service centers will be closed on Wednesday, November 11 in observance of the Veterans Day holiday with the exception of those providing life safety services such as fire and police protection.

 

The Abilene Animal Shelter will be closed November 11. Citizens with an animal related emergency should contact the Abilene Police Department at 673-8331 and an Animal Services Officer will be dispatched to handle the call. The shelter will open once again on Thursday, November 12 and resume its normal business hours. 

 

Solid Waste Services division offices will not be open November 11, but Commercial roll off container collection will run on the regular schedule. Residential and other commercial collection does not normally occur on Wednesday and is not affected by the holiday. There will be no bulk and brush collection on November 11. The Environmental Recycling Center will also be closed for the holiday.

 

The Municipal Court will also be closed on November 11. All citations due November 11 will be due on November 12 with no penalty.

 

Other City closings for November 11 include: City Hall, Health Division, all Abilene Public Library locations, Abilene Civic Center, the Development Corporation of Abilene, the Airport Administration Office and City Recreation and Senior Citizen centers.

 

CityLink Transit will run on November 11. The Abilene Zoo will be open regular hours.

 

The Water Services Center, 701 E. Hwy. 80, will be open on November 11, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., to take delinquent payments for customers whose water has been turned off and for new customers needing water service. For water emergencies, sewer problems and reports of water conservation ordinance violations, citizens may call the Water Services Center’s emergency hotline, 676-6000, seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

 

October 23, 2009

 

Mayor's Council on Physical Fitness promotes favorite fitness activity of the month

ABILENE, Texas – The Mayor’s Council on Physical Fitness is promoting a favorite fitness activity of the month. For October, it’s cycling.

 

“Cycling is a low-impact aerobic activity that is suitable for nearly all age groups”, said Dennis O’Connell, Mayor’s Council on Physical Fitness Vice-Chair. “It doesn’t take a huge time commitment plus it helps increase muscle endurance and cardiovascular fitness. It’s a great stress reducer also.”

 

The Mayor’s Council on Physical Fitness is donating water for the 2009 Wheels for Life bicycling event, which is being put on by Biketown. The event is taking place tomorrow, October 24 at Primetime Family Entertainment Center, 4541 Loop 322. Registration, which is $25/person, begins at 7:00 a.m. with a 7:30 a.m. start. For more details, go online to www.myfitnessabilene.com.

 

For November, the favorite fitness activity of the month is disc golf.

Citizens serving on the Mayor’s Council on Physical Fitness are: Dr. Pug Parris (Chair), Dr. Dennis O’Connell (Vice-Chair), Dr. Tanya Brice, Joy Hedges, Mary Herron, Bill Horn, Dr. Dan Munton, Liz Rotenberry (former Chair), Deonna Shake and Karen Stover.

Mayor Archibald established the Council on Physical Fitness in March 2008.

 

October 22, 2009

 

Parks maintenance rodeo underway at Oscar Rose Park today  

ABILENE, Texas – Teams from Abilene, Abilene Christian University, Amarillo, Lubbock, Midland and Odessa are competing today in the annual Tri-Region Rodeo at Oscar Rose Park. The parks maintenance competition is happening near the playground section of the park, located at S. 7th and Barrow Streets. The teams are competing in a variety of categories including backhoe, truck & trailer drive, nail driving, backpack blower, irrigation set up, weed identification and riding mower obstacle course. The event is expected to run through at least 4:00 this afternoon, with a lunch break from 12:00 p.m. – 1 p.m.

Each team competes for points and the overall winner will compete at the state competition to be held in Frisco. Awards will be given at the MCM Elegante Suites, 4250 Ridgemont Drive, between 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. tonight.

The Tri-Region Rodeo is put on by the Texas Recreation and Park Society (TRAPS).

 

October 21, 2009

 

Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District receives additional H1N1 vaccine

ABILENE, Texas – The Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District announced today that it has received a second very limited supply of the H1N1 flu vaccine. This latest shipment consists of 100 doses of injectable vaccine in multi-dose vials. Earlier this month, the Health District received an initial shipment, consisting of 100 doses of nasal spray vaccine. Due to the small amount of vaccine received, vaccination clinics for the general public are not possible at this time. More shipments of the vaccine are expected over the next few weeks.

 

In order to utilize the vaccine most effectively, and to address the priority populations identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this shipment will be utilized to vaccinate pregnant women who do not have access to a vaccination from a private physician, and for health care workers. Women who are pregnant may call the Health District at 692-5600 to obtain additional information and an appointment until the vaccine supply is exhausted. Women who have a regular physician should first inquire about availability from their private provider. The CDC indicates that vaccine will be available in small amounts for the next few weeks, with the supply expected to increase in 3 - 4 weeks. The amount of vaccine that the Health District will receive in addition to this week’s shipment remains unknown.

 

For more information online regarding H1N1 influenza, go to the Texas Department of State Health Services at www.TexasFlu.org or to the City of Abilene website, www.abilenetx.com and view the Hot Items sections, located under City Spotlight. Information is also available through 2-1-1 Texas A Call for Help by dialing 2-1-1 or for cell phone users, by dialing 673-8211.

 

October 19, 2009

 

Texas Author Series to air on TV Channel 7

ABILENE, Texas – TV Channel 7, the City’s education/government channel, will begin airing the Texas Author Series later this month. The fall lineup, featuring three programs, features talks by interesting Texas authors.

 

The hour-long Texas Author Series program will air on the following days and times starting October 21, 2009 through Sunday, December 13, 2009:

 

The authors are Joe Nick Patoski, a veteran Texas magazine writer and author whose biography of Willie Nelson: An Epic Life won the TCU Book Award as the best Texas Book of the Year; Sherri McLeroy of Aledo who will tell true Texas Tales from her book, Bragging on Texas, a collection of about 50 stories of Texas firsts and bests; and author Gerald Saxon and photographer Jack Graves who will share a great new coffee-table book, Historic Texas from the Air, featuring photographs of historical Texas sites. including downtown Abilene and Fort Phantom Hill.

 

The public can also attend the noon brown bag programs in person. They will take place on three Mondays – October 19, November 2 and November 16 – in the main library branch’s auditorium, 202 Cedar Street. The programs are free to attend. As usual, sandwich plates will be available for $4, or you can bring your own lunch. Drinks will be provided by the Friends of the Library. Authors will sign books after their presentations. The Texas Author Series is sponsored by the Friends of the Library and the West Texas Book & Music Festival.

 

TV Channel 7 is available on Suddenlink Cable Channel 7 and broadcast Channel 7 KXN-TV.

 

October 16, 2009

 

Celebrate Halloween at the Fall Festival 

ABILENE, Texas – G.V. Daniels Recreation Center is partnering with the Carver Youth Council and Interested Citizens of Abilene North (ICAN) to host the annual Fall Festival  happening 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 31, 2009. The free event will take place at the recreation center, 541 North 8th Street. Festival goers will have treats like hamburgers, hotdogs and nachos. They can also play games to win candy and participate in a cake walk. Organizers say the event provides the community a safe place to spend Halloween.

 

For more information, call G.V. Daniels Recreation Center at (325) 676-6443.

 

October 14, 2009

 

Health district, medical centers partner to keep Abilene healthy

Abilene Regional Medical Center, Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District and Hendrick Health System are partnering to keep Abilene healthy this flu season. The health district and medical centers are collaborating to communicate tips to the public on staying well and responding to influenza-like symptoms.

 

All three organizations are distributing a “Recommendations for Persons with Influenza-Like Symptoms” flyer to the public to assist individuals with seeking the proper type of care if they have flu-like symptoms. The flyer lists symptoms and gives recommendations on when to stay home, when to call a physician and when to seek emergency care.

As part of the collaboration, the three organizations also plan to run a series of public service announcements focusing on how to “WHACK the Flu” this flu season. The “WHACK the Flu” acronym gives individuals five simple tips to keep themselves and others well this fall and winter:

 

W – Wash hands often and thoroughly
H – Home if sick (24 hours after fever subsides)
A – Avoid touching your eyes, ears, nose and mouth
C – Cover cough or sneeze
K – Keep away from coughers and sneezers

 

Click here for the flyer about recommendations for persons with influenza-like symptoms.

 

For additional information on influenza, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site at www.cdc.gov/flu. For information about getting a flu vaccine, contact your primary care physician, local pharmacy or the Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District.

 

Mayor’s Council on Physical Fitness awarded $7,500 state grant

ABILENE, Texas – Mayor Norm Archibald announced today that the Mayor’s Council on Physical Fitness is the recipient of a $7,500 grant from the Governor’s Advisory Council on Physical Fitness. The third phase of the grant will go toward the board’s mentoring of other cities in establishing and setting up their own Mayor’s Fitness Councils.

 

Back in June 2008, the Mayor’s Council on Physical Fitness was awarded $24,000 in the grant’s first phase which was applied to the development of community wellness and fitness programs as well as to conduct a community fitness resource and needs assessment. In November 2008, the board received $56,000 in the grant’s second phase which went toward a community-wide awareness campaign to enhance access to and awareness of opportunities for physical activity within Abilene. Over the past year, the Mayor’s Council on Physical Fitness has sponsored more than a dozen fitness-related events and launched www.MyFitnessAbilene.com, a website that serves as a clearinghouse of fitness activities and events in the Abilene area.

 

Citizens serving on the Mayor’s Council on Physical Fitness are: Pug Parris (Chair), Dennis O’Connell (Vice-Chair), Tanya Brice, Joy Hedges, Mary Herron, Bill Horn, Dr. Dan Munton, Liz Rotenberry (former Chair), Deonna Shake and Karen Stover.

 

Mayor Archibald established the Council on Physical Fitness in March 2008.

 

October 8, 2009

  

City Council adopts Airport Zoning Ordinance with amendments

ABILENE, Texas – During today’s meeting, the City Council approved an amended version of the Airport Zoning Ordinance. The new ordinance was enacted with input given by many residents of the View-Caps area, Dyess Air Force Base and the Planning and Zoning Commission. The Airport Zoning Ordinance affects areas both inside the City limits and portions of the extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) in the area surrounding Abilene Regional Airport and Dyess Air Force Base. Here are some of the highlights of the revisions:

 

 

 

 

 

The ordinance was originally adopted on May 15, 2008 but a temporary suspension was approved on December 18, 2008 for 120 days with the extension of another 120 days approved on April 23, 2009. The suspension came about due to questions and concerns raised by View-Caps area residents over the implementation of regulations around Dyess Air Force Base related to compatible land uses and noise zones. Over this period, City staff held ten meetings with the resident group to discuss appropriate changes to the ordinance.

 

The ordinance addresses four key issues: noise, height, land use and permitting. It incorporates one goal of the City of Abilene Comprehensive plan which is to control incompatible encroachment around Abilene Regional Airport and Dyess Air Force Base. Compatible Land Use is defined as a use of land adjacent to or in the vicinity of an airport that does not endanger the health, safety or welfare of the owners, occupants or users of the land because of levels of noise or vibrations or the risk of personal injury or property damage created by the operations of the airport including the taking off and landing of aircraft.

 

The amended version of the Airport Zoning Ordinance will take effect October 28, 2009.

 

Public Input sought for South Downtown Master Plan

ABILENE, Texas – Citizens are welcome to provide input regarding a master plan for the South Downtown Abilene area. This area is bounded by North 6th Street on the north, South 7th Street on the south, Treadaway Boulevard on the east and Pine and Butternut Streets on the west.  Interested parties may send comments or questions to:

 

Planning and Development Services

555 Walnut Street, Room 100

P.O. Box 60

Abilene, TX 79604-0060

Phone: (325) 676-6237   Fax: (325) 676-6242

planning@abilenetx.com

 

A copy of the October 6, 2009 presentation given by the City of Abilene’s consultant, Halff Associates, is available here, in the Hot Items section of the City website. The presentation provides an overview of the possibilities for South Downtown and what factors should be considered when developing a master plan.

 

October 7, 2009

                    

Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District receives very small amount of H1N1 vaccine; more is expected soon

ABILENE, Texas – The Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District announced today that it has received a very limited supply of the H1N1 flu vaccine. The first shipment consisted of 100 doses of nasal spray vaccine. This initial shipment will not be made available in public clinics. More shipments of the vaccine are expected over the next few weeks.

 

With more vaccine shipments expected to trickle in, the Health District plans to utilize the initial shipment as part of a community safety net. Exactly who will get this and subsequent vaccine is dependent on the amount received in future shipments. The amount of vaccine that the Health District will receive in addition to this week’s shipment remains unknown.

 

The H1N1 nasal spray is a live virus so the vaccine should not be given to children younger than 2 and adults 50 years and older, pregnant women or anyone with a weakened immune system. People who suffer from chronic illnesses should also not be given the vaccine.

 

For information regarding H1N1 influenza, the Health District recommends viewing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu; the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) website, www.flu.gov; or contacting a medical professional for more information. Information will also be available on the City of Abilene website, www.abilenetx.com, in Hot Items, located in the City Spotlight section.

 

Shelter pets get into the Halloween spirit during Operation Booo Wow

ABILENE, Texas – Come on out to the Abilene Animal Shelter on Halloween and give the shelter animals a well deserved trick-or-treat as part of Operation Booo Wow. Donations of new pet toys and treats for cats and dogs will be accepted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 31 at the shelter, 925 S. 25th Street. The public is invited to stop by the shelter in costume as volunteers and animals will don some spooktacular outfits for Operation Booo Wow.

 

Suggestions for tricks and treats include rubber or nylon based toys and any type of treats except for homemade. Biscuit type treats are preferred. The shelter is also always in need of newspapers, towels and blankets, and a severe need for kitty litter and dry dog/cat food.

 

In addition, the Abilene Animal Shelter has these tips to keep Halloween from being a fright for your pets and trick-or-treaters:

 

 

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

 

October 6, 2009

Abilene Fire Department cares enough to wear pink

ABILENE, Texas – Abilene firefighters are wearing pink this month as part of the “Care Enough to Wear Pink” campaign. The Abilene Fire Department (AFD) is selling pink t-shirts and koozies to raise cancer awareness. The t-shirts, with the AFD logo on the front and the words “Abilene Fire Rescue” on the back, are $15 each and pink koozies with the AFD logo are $5 each. The t-shirts and koozies are available for purchase at Fire Station #2, 901 ES 27th Street. Proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network.

 

Everyone is also invited to wear something pink to show they “care enough” about cancer awareness on Friday, October 23, 2009. During “Pink Day in Abilene”, the Pink Heals Tour from Phoenix, Arizona will bring three pink fire engines into town around 4:30 p.m., making their first stop at the Abilene Civic Center. A ceremony will take place on the front steps, with cancer survivors in attendance. The event will move inside if there is inclement weather.

 

The Pink Heals Tour will make appearances during the following times and locations:

Friday, October 23

 

Saturday, October 24

 

The Abilene Zoo is also supporting the cause by hosting “Pink Day at the Zoo”. For every visitor who wears pink on Saturday, October 24, the Abilene Zoological Society will donate 10% of the ticket price to the Pink Heals Tour.

 

October 2, 2009

 

Andrews to serve as Senior Citizens/Recreation Administrator  

ABILENE, Texas – The new Senior Citizens/Recreation Administrator is being promoted from within the City of Abilene. Water Utility Systems Manager Lesli Andrews, a nearly 6-year City employee, will assume her new duties as Senior Citizens/Recreation Administrator on Monday, October 12, 2009.

 

“Lesli has demonstrated her leadership abilities through successful project management, dedicated team work and team building,” Director of Community Services Mike Hall noted. “We have very active recreation and senior citizen programs available to citizens, and Lesli will continue to enhance these programs and facilities in the future.”

 

Andrews joined the City of Abilene in November 2003 as the Keep Abilene Beautiful Coordinator. In early 2005, she was promoted to Community Enhancement Division Manager. She then became the Water Utility Systems Manager n February 2007. Andrews also was employed by the Cleburne Chamber of Commerce as Executive Vice President and the Abilene Chamber of Commerce as Director of Business and Education Services. She is a Certified Public Manager and holds an Organization Management for Chamber Executives Certification. Andrews earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas and her master’s degree in public administration from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.

 

Her professional and community involvement includes the American Society for Public Administration; Texas City Management Association, Region 3 Membership Committee representative; Wylie Fastpitch Softball Association board member; Ballet Abilene Board and Guild member; and Abilene Philharmonic Guild member. She is a graduate of Leadership Texas and Leadership Abilene. Andrews is married with three children.

 

The Senior Citizens/Recreation Administrator position became open when Carl Scott retired from the City of Abilene in August.

 

Give the City your ideas for capital projects

ABILENE, Texas – The City of Abilene is requesting citizen suggestions for potential projects or general comments on priorities for the upcoming 2010-2014 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). CIP projects involve major construction or acquisition and are long-term investments rather than day-to-day operating expenses. Each year, the City adopts a new 5-year plan to identify needed capital projects and to coordinate their financing and timing. Qualifying CIP projects include: 

 

 

City staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission use citizen suggestions to help develop and prioritize recommendations to the City Manager. The City Manager then forwards a recommendation to the City Council for final approval in the spring of 2010. The 2009-2013 CIP included over $2.5 million in improvement projects.

 

Members of the public can participate by attending a public hearing of the Planning and Zoning Commission to be held in the City Council Chamber, City Hall, 555 Walnut Street, at 1:30 p.m. on November 2, 2010. Information may also be obtained online at http://www.abilenetx.com/PlanningServices/CIPPage.htm. Finally, interested persons may send comments or questions to:

Planning and Development Services

555 Walnut Street, Room 100

P.O. Box 60

Abilene, TX 79604-0060

Phone: (325) 676-6237   Fax: (325) 676-6242

planning@abilenetx.com

 

Click here for the CIP Program schedule.

 

     Discounted dog adoptions offered during Adopt-A-Dog Month

ABILENE, Texas – The Abilene Animal Shelter is celebrating the American Humane Association’s national Adopt-A-Dog Month by offering a 10% discount on dog and puppy adoptions from Monday, October 12 – Saturday, October 31. During this period, the cost for adopting an unaltered dog is $72 and a spayed/neutered dog is $31.50.

 

“Come to the shelter and rescue a homeless dog,” said Animal Services Manager Aaron Vannoy. “We have many dogs waiting for a forever home: large, small, mixed breeds, even purebreds. There’s never been a better time to find your loveable, four-legged companion.”

 

Fees include the cost of adoption, City license, rabies vaccination and spay/neuter procedure when necessary.

 

The shelter, located at 925 South 25th Street, is open 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, and is closed Sunday and all major holidays.

 

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

 

October 1, 2009

 

Another year for record attendance at the Abilene Zoo

ABILENE, Texas – For the second year in a row, more people than ever before are visiting the Abilene Zoo with its 500 animals representing 160 species. Zoo officials report 172,343 people visited the zoo in Fiscal Year 2009. That’s 10,379 more zoo visitors than the previous fiscal year’s attendance. Zoo Director Bill Baker credits the latest record attendance numbers with the zoo’s newest additions and facility upgrades which are helping fulfill the zoo’s 10-year master plan.

 

Baker remarked, “I am excited to see that more people are coming to the zoo as well as making return trips than ever before. We continue to expand the exhibits here and offer more ways for the public to learn about the animals along with conservation efforts. The zoo staff is doing an incredible job in making the zoo a top notch facility and the number one attraction in Abilene.”

 

The zoo had 161,964 visitors in FY08 and 152,693 in FY07. The City of Abilene’s fiscal year runs from October 1 through September 30.

 

2009 brought many exciting new animals to the zoo including a white tiger, two black rhinoceros, maned wolves and ocelot kittens. The Wetlands Exhibit Series, which provides guests with a great vantage point to view species that inhabit our wetlands and coastal areas, opened this year as well. Next year will bring the opening of the Elm Creek Backyard Exhibit Series which will showcase animals native to Texas. This exhibit series will feature 18 animal exhibits including a cougar exhibit featuring our three cougar siblings.

 

The Abilene Zoo is located in Nelson Park, off Highway 36, at 2070 Zoo Lane. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays Memorial Day through Labor Day. The zoo is closed New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.