May News ReleasesMay 30, 2008 Director of Finance David Wright retires after nearly 30 years of public service ABILENE, Texas – After 28 years with the City of Abilene, Director of Finance David Wright announced his retirement this week. Wright began as a City Controller in December 1979 and was promoted two and a half years later to Director of Finance, a position he held for more than twenty-five years. “Abilene is a great community to live and work and I am pleased that I was given the opportunity to serve it,” said David Wright. “I am appreciative of the confidence shown in me to provide the City’s financial management and affairs. I have worked with some of the best people in my career but it’s time for me to pursue other opportunities.” While now officially retired, Wright has offered to assist the City of Abilene and its financial staff for the remainder of the fiscal year which runs through September 30, 2008. City Manager Larry Gilley expressed, “Although I knew this day would come at some point, I am saddened that David decided to retire when he did. During his tenure with the City, David has served the citizens of Abilene well during financial booms as well as uncertain times. His astute fiscal leadership will be missed.” Wright originally came to Abilene from the City of Palestine where he was the Administrative Services Director. Previously, he was a Management Analyst with the City of Sherman for more than two years. He is also a past president of Government Finance Officers Association of Texas (GFOAT) and served four years on the Board of Directors of Texas Municipal League (TML). He has also been recognized as an Outstanding Management Accountant by the Abilene Chapter National Association of Accountants. The Abilene Rotary Club recognized him with the Service Above Self award. He was also awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). Wright holds a master’s degree from East Texas State University and a bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Deputy Director of Finance Mindy Patterson will act as the Interim Finance Director. A search is underway for Wright’s replacement. Red light running fines to go up June 1 ABILENE, Texas – Municipal Court Judge Keith Barton has increased the fine amount on red light violations in Abilene. The $40 increase will go into effect June 1, 2008. Court officials say the fine was increased to help reduce the number of red light running incidents. The current amount for this traffic violation is $160 ($63 fine plus $97 court cost). As of June 1, the fine amount will be $200 ($103 fine plus $97 court cost). The court does not control court costs; those fees are mandated by the state of Texas. The municipal court judge sets the fine amounts. For this particular violation, the maximum fine amount allowed by law is $200 plus $97 in court costs.
May 29, 2008 City Council Workshop for June cancelled ABILENE, Texas – The City Council Workshop, scheduled for Thursday, June 5, is cancelled due to preparations underway for budget discussions. The month of July will feature several City Council workshops concerning the Revised Fiscal Year 2007-2008 Budget and the Proposed Fiscal Year 2008-2009 Budget.
May 27, 2008 Maintenance work scheduled for portion of Winters Freeway this week ABILENE, Texas – This Wednesday, May 28 and Thursday, May 29, drivers may encounter lane closures for a portion of Winters Freeway as City of Abilene crews perform scheduled maintenance work on the freeway’s lighting. Work will begin Wednesday just north of the N. 1st Street entrance ramp and continue southbound. This will involve adjacent lane closures where the lights are next to the road. On Thursday, crews will work on the northbound section. Drivers are asked to be cautious and reduce speeds in the roadway work zones. The maintenance work was postponed from earlier this month due to an equipment issue and weather conditions. Abilene Police Records to temporarily close ABILENE, Texas – The Records Division at the Abilene Police Department will be closed from Wednesday, May 28 through Friday, May 30 for renovations. Anyone wishing to purchase accident reports may still do so on-line at www.abilenetx.policereports.us for $6.00. The Records Division expects to reopen for business on Monday, June 2.
May 23, 2008 Community Outreach Survey findings now available online ABILENE, Texas – The 2007 City of Abilene Community Outreach Survey found that maintenance of city streets, providing economic development and solving traffic problems topped the list of important issues facing Abilene. Survey respondents also ranked the Fire department, Police department, library programs/services, senior citizen centers/programs and garbage pickup as the city’s top rated services. The entire survey and its results are now available online on the City of Abilene website, www.abilenetx.com. In October 2007, 1,800 surveys were mailed to randomly selected Abilene households. City leaders conduct the survey to obtain feedback from citizens regarding public services, programs and facilities. This is the third year that the City has conducted the survey.
May 22, 2008 City pools set to open end of month ABILENE, Texas – Rose Park Pool, 2642 S. 9th Street, and Stevenson Park Pool, 541 EN 7th Street, will open Saturday, May 31 for the summer season. The season is scheduled to run from May 31, 2008 through August 24, 2008. “We are looking forward to a great season at our city pools,” Recreation/Senior Citizen Administrator Carl Scott said. “Unfortunately last year, we were forced to close the pools down early due to staffing shortages. Lifeguards continue to be in high demand community-wide. However, we hope to avert a similar situation this year by emphasizing the need for lifeguards to honor their commitment to the entire pool season.” Hours of operation for Rose Park Pool will be 1p.m. - 6p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $2.00 per person and a concession stand is available. Hours of operation for Stevenson Park Pool will be 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $.50 for ages 6 – 15 and $1.00 for ages 16 and over. Children 5 and under are free with a paying parent or legal guardian. Both swimming pools are also available for private rental on Mondays or after regular pool hours. Reservations can be made by calling Community Services at (325) 676-6217.
May 20, 2008 Register now for Abilene Late Night Basketball ABILENE, Texas – High school aged boys can play ball and learn life lessons during this summer’s Abilene Late Night Basketball League. Registration for the free basketball league is currently underway at G. V. Daniels Recreation Center, 541 North 8th Street. The program runs from Tuesday, June 3 through August 7. Game days are scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. at G.V. Daniels Recreation Center. The Basketball League’s theme is “Winning in the Game of Life!”. Councilman Anthony Williams (Place 3) and G.V. Daniels Recreation Center Coordinator Terrence Crisp, who volunteers his time as the league’s director, recently announced the Late Night Basketball League’s second season. The program provides young men with lessons that they can use both on and off the court. Players will hear from a different guest speaker each week before game time. Topics will include goal setting, money management, gang activity and substance abuse. In the 1990s, Councilman Williams volunteered his time as director of a late night basketball league for area youth. He led last year’s successful effort to bring back a similar program. In 2007, more than fifty players on six teams with a dozen coaches /mentors and a pool of eight referees participated in the free program. Organizers credit the league’s most recent success to the support of several groups and the community. The City of Abilene is providing the facility for the league.
For additional information about the Abilene Late Night Basketball League, call (325) 676-6443. City University 2008 taking applications ABILENE, Texas – Citizens have until Friday, August 8 to submit an application for the 2008-2009 session of City University. The program runs for 9 months with the orientation session scheduled for Thursday, August 21. This session is limited to 30 people. Director of Administrative Services Ronnie Kidd says, “This is a wonderful experience for citizens. City University provides an opportunity to go behind the scenes of City facilities and see first-hand how the City works to build a community of the highest quality for present and future generations.” The community leadership program is a way for participants to become better informed about City services and processes, learn how to access government and elected officials, and explore the value of serving on City boards and commissions. City University applications can be obtained on the City’s website at www.abilenetx.com or at 555 Walnut Street, Room 101, Abilene, TX. Tuition is $50 for the program which will help cover course materials and light meals.
May 19, 2008 Most City offices closed for Memorial Day ABILENE, Texas – Most City of Abilene offices and community service centers will be closed Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day. The Animal Shelter will be closed on May 26 but will be open on Saturday, May 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Citizens with animal-related emergencies should call the Abilene Police Department at 673-8331 and the animal control officer on duty will be dispatched to handle the call. The Shelter will resume normal hours on May 27 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Solid Waste Division will provide all scheduled residential and commercial container collection on Memorial Day. There will be no brush or bulky collection on Monday. That collection will resume on Tuesday, May 27. The Environmental Recycling Center (ERC) will be open normal hours Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25. The ERC will be closed Monday. The Municipal Court will also be closed Memorial Day. All citations due May 26 will be due May 27. CityLink Transit will not run on Monday. Other holiday closings include City Hall, both Public Library locations, Civic Center offices and the Water Utility Office. However, the Water Service Center on 701 E. Highway 80 will be open May 26 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to accept delinquent payments to continue water services and to set up services for new customers. The Water Emergency Repair Service’s hotline, 676-6000, is also available 24 hours a day to report water and sewer problems. The Abilene Zoo is open regular hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 26. Austin Elementary to receive Keep Abilene Beautiful Award ABILENE, Texas – Keep Abilene Beautiful (KAB) will award the Janet Parkey Environmental School Award for 2008 to Stephen F. Austin Elementary School during a special ceremony tomorrow. The award consists of a $500 dollar prize, an engraved large star garden stone and a reception in the school’s honor. KAB gives the award every year to a school which demonstrates exceptional environmental awareness and participation. The award ceremony will take place at the Austin Elementary campus, located at 2341 Greenbriar, on Tuesday, May 20 beginning at 10 a.m.
May 16, 2008 Keep Abilene Beautiful award winners announced ABILENE, Texas – Three businesses received awards Thursday evening for their commitment to keeping Abilene beautiful. XStream Auto Clean, located at 4002 Buffalo Gap Road was awarded the Mayor’s Water Conservation Award for its part in helping conserve water by recycling up to 70% in the wash process. XStream Auto Clean is on the cutting edge of water conservation technology. Szechuan Chinese Restaurant located on 3425 South 1st Street received the Donna Albus Beautification Award for its attractive new building and landscaping efforts. The landscape which includes a 42,000 gallon pond and 6 waterfalls helped revitalize the west end of South 1st Street. The Habitat for Humanity Re-Store located at 101 Fulwiler Road recieved the Dean Adams Recycling Award. The store is environmentally conscious by making reusable materials available to residents. The City of Abilene’s Solid Waste Services received the Outstanding Service Award for assisting in the recycling, conservation and beautification efforts of the citizens of Abilene. Another successful year for City University ABILENE, Texas – City University graduated 26 residents from the community leadership program earlier this week. The participants successfully completed the 9-month long City University in which they became better informed about City services and processes, learned how to access government and elected officials and explored the value of serving on City boards and commissions. City University graduates for 2007-2008 are Tiffany Anderson, Patricia Bailey, Christine Brockman, Alice Brown, Lori Bunton, Andrew Carlson, Patricia Dodini, Casper Dury, Jane Dury, Dewanaha Edwards, Julie Folwell, Loretta Fulton, Jeff Goza, Alice Jackson, Courtney Jackson, Connie Jennings, Diane Kirkham, Christina Moscarelli, Anita Olguin, Warren Pangburn, Mary Perkins, Larry Sanders, Nathan Varble, Ray Williams, Chuck Wilson and Charlie Wolfe. The 2007-2008 program began with an orientation session in August and ended on Thursday, May 15, 2008 with a behind the scenes tour of the Abilene Zoo. City University participants met each month at various city facilities throughout the community. Registration is underway for the next session of City University. Participants are required to attend at least seven of the nine classes plus the 3-hour Orientation Session on Thursday, August 21, 2008. Applications can be obtained on the City’s web site at www.abilenetx.com or at 555 Walnut Street, Room 101, Abilene, TX. The deadline to submit applications is 5 p.m. Friday, August 8, 2008. Tuition is $50 for the program which will help cover course materials and light meals.
May 15, 2008 Road work on John Knox Drive scheduled to begin Saturday ABILENE, Texas – Street reconstruction on John Knox Drive will begin on Saturday, May 17 from Curry Lane to Ridgemont Drive. Work is expected to last approximately three weeks. During this time, John Knox Drive will be closed to traffic. All properties along John Knox Drive will have alternative access off of Curry Lane, Ridgemont Drive, Rolling Green Drive and Cedar Run Road. These streets should be used by motorists as an alternative route to their destination. City & Abilene Independent School District launch survey on walking and biking to school ABILENE, TX –The City of Abilene and the Abilene Independent School District (AISD) are working together to learn more about why some students walk and ride their bicycles to school and why others don’t. The City and AISD are asking citizens, parents and care givers to log on to either the City or AISD web sites and complete a short 5 to 10 minute survey about student walking and biking habits and concerns. Information obtained through the survey will be used to help develop a plan promoting walking and bicycle ridership under the national Safe Routes to School Program (SRTS). The term “Safe Routes to School” was first coined in Denmark in the 1970s. Since that time, Safe Routes to School has spread internationally. There are active programs throughout Europe, in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. In 2007, the City successfully competed for a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) to help develop a local SRTS plan. The SRTS program is intended to reverse the decline in children walking and bicycling to schools. In 1969, almost half of all students walked or biked to school. Today, according to the Safe Routes to School National Partnership, that number has dropped to less than 15% nationally. Locally, officials estimate that less than 10% of Abilene students walk or ride a bicycle to school. The Partnership concluded this has contributed to kids today being less active, less independent and less healthy than 30 years ago. As much as 20 to 30% of morning traffic has been shown to come from parents driving their children to schools, and traffic-related crashes are the leading cause of death and major injury for children, ages 1 to 17, in the U.S. Walking and bicycle ridership:
Members of the public can complete the 20-question online survey at the City’s web site, www.abilenetx.com or AISD’s website, www.abileneisd.org and click on “LINKS”. Copies of the survey may also be obtained by sending an email request to ed.mcroy@abilenetx.com. Paper copies may be picked up and dropped off at any of the following locations:
For additional information or questions, please contact: Planning and Development Services P.O. Box 60 555 Walnut Street, Room 100 Phone: (325) 676-6237 Fax: (325) 676-6242 Keep Abilene Beautiful to announce business award winners ABILENE, Texas - The Keep Abilene Beautiful Board will announce the winners of their three business awards during the Chamber Business After Hours tonight at the T & P Events Center. The reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. and run through 7:00 p.m. The three business awards to be given are the Mayor’s Water Conservation Award, the Donna Albus Beautification Award and the Dean Adams Recycling Award. The T & P Events Center is located on 901 North 1st street. May 13, 2008 Maintenance work scheduled for portion of Winters Freeway ABILENE, Texas – This Wednesday, May 14 and Thursday, May 15, drivers may encounter lane closures for a portion of Winters Freeway as City of Abilene crews perform scheduled maintenance work on the freeway’s lighting. Work will begin Wednesday just north of the N. 1st Street entrance ramp and continue southbound. This will involve adjacent lane closures where the lights are next to the road. On Thursday, crews will work on the northbound section. Drivers are asked to be cautious and reduce speeds in the roadway work zones. Update on May 14, 2008: Maintenance work on a portion of Winters Freeway's lighting, scheduled for Wednesday, May 14 and Thursday, May 15, is postponed until sometime next week due to an equipment issue and weather conditions.
May 9, 2008 City Council makes appointments to Red Light Camera Citizens Advisory Committee ABILENE, Texas – During the Thursday, May 8 City Council meeting, City Council members each appointed an individual to serve on the Red Light Camera Citizens Advisory Committee. The appointees are: Mark Bottila, Don Bridges, Kevin Roberts, Larry Gill, Jim Potts, Hester Wood and Duane Donaway. Currently, City staff is researching ways to reduce red light running in Abilene. These methods include public education, traffic engineering, police enforcement and lastly, the installation of red light cameras. When the results of a traffic engineering study are complete, the Red Light Camera Citizens Advisory Committee will review the results as well as the effectiveness of efforts currently underway to improve intersection safety. Among other items, the traffic engineering study will review the frequency of red light running in intersections with the highest number of accidents. No decision has been made yet whether the study will be conducted by City staff or a company that specializes in traffic studies. The study is expected to get underway early this summer. If red light cameras are recommended, the committee would also advise the City Council on the installation and operation of a photographic traffic signal enforcement system. As per state law, fines collected through red light camera violations are used to pay for the installation, operation, administration and maintenance of the system. 50% of the revenue that is over and above these costs is required to go to the state of Texas for a regional trauma fund and the remaining 50% to the city’s public safety programs. May 8, 2008 Safety City expands safety lessons, thanks to Atmos Energy ABILENE, Texas – Safety City is adding to its safety messages, thanks to a recent donation by Atmos Energy Corporation. The natural gas utility company recently installed a display of various gas equipment at Safety City, located on South 7th Street. Safety City instructors will use the equipment to help children understand the dangers of playing on and around real natural gas apparatus located near their homes and schools. Safety City provides a safe environment for school children to apply the lessons of bicycle, pedestrian and general traffic safety that they learned in the classroom. The kids also learn about fire safety, stranger danger and school bus safety. May 5, 2008 Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District conducting Pandemic Flu Drill ABILENE, Texas – On Tuesday, May 6, 2008, the Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District will conduct a Pandemic Influenza Continuity of Operations Drill from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The Health District will continue to provide services that are normally offered on that day. Drills like this one are routinely conducted so the Health District will be prepared to respond to emergency events. Safety City to host Summer Safety Camp ABILENE, Texas- Safety City will host Summer Safety Camp over a two week period beginning in June. The camp is designed to teach safety in several areas including weather, dealing with animals, electricity, water, fire and bicycle/pedestrian safety. The first session will run from Monday, June 2 through Friday, June 6. This session will be for kids who have completed the 3rd and 4th grades. The second session will run from Monday, June 16 through Friday, June 20 and will be for kids who have completed the 1st and 2nd grades. The sessions run from 9 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. Safety City has invited professionals from around the community to help with the camp and speak with kids about safety. Cost to attend the camp is $25 dollars per child and space is limited so those interested are encouraged to sign up quickly. To reserve your spot, please contact Safety City at (325) 676-6096.
May 2, 2008 DCOA wins 2008 Workforce Best Practices Award ABILENE, Texas – On Thursday, April 24, the Development Corporation of Abilene, Inc. (DCOA) was awarded a 2008 Workforce Best Practices Award by the Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC) at its spring conference. TEDC is a state-wide association of economic development professionals, volunteers, and elected officials. The Award is given for exceptional contributions by a Texas community that has implemented successful workforce initiatives. Richard Burdine, DCOA chief executive officer commented, “The DCOA Board has invested in innovative job training programs to meet the work force needs of local industry; first with the Fast Track Welding Program, for which we won an award last year, and now with more general production worker training. Critical to the success of these programs is extensive involvement by our industry partners and delivery of outstanding training by West Texas Workforce Center (WTWC), Texas State Technical College (TSTC) and Cisco Junior College staff.” The Abilene program is the first in Texas to utilize training curriculum developed by the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC), an industry-led training, assessment and certification system focused on the core skills and knowledge needed by the nation’s production workers. The MSSC website is http://www.msscusa.org/. The pilot program, which began in March 2007, was delivered by WTWC and TSTC through a DCOA grant of $86,935. Out of 30 students in the pilot program, 20 completed the course and 14 students passed the certification tests and were employed by the industry partners. Industry partners included Abtex Beverage Ltd., Bandag, Inc., Coca Cola Enterprises, Fehr Foods, Hirschfeld Steel, Peerless Mfg. Co., Rentech Boiler Services, PWP Industries, Martin Sprocket & Gear, Micrometals, Rentech Boiler Services, Tigé Boats, Inc. and Zoltek Corporation. The success of the pilot program helped the consortium compete for and win a $429,489 Skills Development Fund grant from the Texas Workforce Commission to continue the program and provide training for 75 new workers and 111 current employees.
May 1, 2008 City unveils ABILENE411 Public Service Announcements ABILENE, Texas – How do citizens report a pothole or find out when they can water their lawn? These are questions that can be easily answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by using ABILENE411, the City of Abilene’s online citizen service center available only at www.abilenetx.com. On Thursday, May 1, new Public Service Announcements (PSAs) about ABILENE411 will make their debut on the Education/Government Channel, TV Channel 7, and other media outlets. They are designed to increase awareness about the web-based service that features frequently asked questions, ask a question and service requests. The three 15 second and one 30 second PSAs show citizens how convenient it is to use ABILENE411 to find answers to more than 500 city-related questions. Also, citizens can now make 22 types of service requests online that range from mosquito spraying to reporting high weeds. ABILENE411 became available to citizens on February 1, 2008.
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