[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6631334,"mediaKeyId","2680174-b002ac42f01de16387e7a2f5660376c0","parentId",2680174,"title","Sol Ross Senior Center users seek update; officials say relocation options still under study","audioSeconds",118,"startMs",192000,"endMs",310000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2680174-b002ac42f01de16387e7a2f5660376c0&start=192&end=310","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2680174-b002ac42f01de16387e7a2f5660376c0/thumbnail_192000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6631334/Waco/McLennan-County/Texas/Sol-Ross-Senior-Center-users-seek-update-officials-say-relocation-options-still-under-study","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631334-d3af91915ab45d87161db73f2ce7295a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771058994&Signature=A9ElPCDRpfz8o9rJWpsgD4l~VUdKHfrEaGM2m6eoINOHu~CKJfC1e3gNX8WRuuqG7zYpYH5Y6GEOQt8E7HOM00dNVIs5XDWDgJayfaTElFtOewUyj-4JrN0onGxiltKQjHXAFo~FAT2nfV3L2aF9A8xb6JUwD~A~wmqx-Jm7ubcCaWfzx~Qz7ApTHlZsFrU0~diFHAbaz~PJKF1U3chQSsDSaya98bZSRRj1dqKnHnTGbd-TKLrEbmVoobbIm2TaonjcctObxs8GyUJ68DtiakH7jrWIAb899PgAlr81crEXVUd9NgIdFUghClfSb9JJFmrJPFX6rMr7fPcuBEKakw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Waco, TX","date","2025-03-19T02:18:46.047Z","article","A resident who identified himself as Terry Brinkerhoff told the Waco City Council on March 18 that senior-center users have not yet received an update about the Sol Ross Senior Center and asked the city to keep them informed as staff explores temporary and permanent relocation options.

\"Please don't write us off,\" Brinkerhoff said, describing the senior center’s Thursday dance club attendance (he estimated 50–90 participants regularly and more than 300 members overall) and citing two possible temporary sites under consideration: a location near the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and the Lions Club Den.

Mayor Holmes acknowledged the concern and said the council and staff are \"still studying that.\" City Manager Bridal Ford and other council members later referenced continuing efforts on housing and other infrastructure items in the meeting, but no formal update or action on the Sol Ross Senior Center was taken during the work session.

Council action: none. The item was public comment requesting a staff update; city staff and council said they will continue to study relocation options and provide updates when available.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Work Session (March 18. 2025)","oneSentenceSummary","A senior center user told the council the center’s future remains uncertain and asked for an update; council and city manager said staff are still studying temporary locations and long-term plans.","taxTitle","Waco, McLennan County, Texas","taxId",2807,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6631338,"Interim aviation director urges lease, parking and rate changes to reduce airport subsidy",1974,3912000,5886000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2680174-b002ac42f01de16387e7a2f5660376c0&start=3912&end=5886","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2680174-b002ac42f01de16387e7a2f5660376c0/thumbnail_3912000.jpg","/articles/6631338/Waco/McLennan-County/Texas/Interim-aviation-director-urges-lease-parking-and-rate-changes-to-reduce-airport-subsidy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631338-81cf2a9e0ec26875c68186c11e204733/orig.mp4?Expires=1771058994&Signature=TsP0Y2O7P0hycjBFidiq71uHhU5YkjKBE9e8OFIZscvUA1clMRXz6GwMSsLHT3p2bKzfETPy9U3m8ANwWoy~aGBqQxyIYizp5Nxeb6MQJlYxITYlhSqHkBBWQo9bO8wdA2JCv7-IAv5bJiJFoS5Tj6A3SMWNGeM~DIIF~HNw8kNLlJ6trqfTGRKliPWFvFb3foio6TGrk37Wa99kxFLPD-BiGss1-lIVhqF9ppWM1~VL0qZ6pmkT8IS3c0KFTkmXLga3FlK-~~Y6YuneSVzRXs2dFsUwVeWv3y-mNyMCP~GZdwtCZSNX0ss6KqqDxFt7caDnbW1LCyojrHXGx2gWvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","An interim director's assessment presented to the Waco City Council on March 18 identified lease practices, below-market rates and free parking as primary contributors to the airport’s annual need for a city subsidy and outlined options to make the airport more financially self-sustaining.

Michael Riesman, interim director of aviation, told the council the airport currently records about 74 based aircraft and about 100,000 annual aircraft operations. American Airlines is the airport’s sole scheduled carrier, operating six daily flights; in calendar year 2024 the airport recorded 56,537 enplanements. \"The airport is capable of both self sustainability as well as being an economic generator for the community,\" Riesman said.

Riesman said a detailed analysis of airport leases showed many commercial tenants use significant apron and staging space that is not included in their leasehold footprint; city staff currently collect about $250,000 a year in rent on buildings but estimated that collecting rent on the additional exclusive-use areas could raise annual rent collections to more than $650,000. He also said many leases include infrequent CPI adjustments that allow rents to fall behind fair market rates over time; some nonprofit tenants pay nominal rent for large acreage leaseholds.

Parking is the airport’s largest uncollected revenue source, Riesman said: the facility has just over 500 public spaces and an average of about 250–300 vehicles parked on any given day, and seasonal demand sometimes overflows paved lots. Riesman said a conservative example — charging $5 per day — would generate roughly $450,000 of gross annual revenue from parking; higher daily rates or weekly caps could increase that total.

Riesman reviewed runway, pavement and facility conditions (primary runway 7,100 feet; secondary runway 5,100 feet), noted some pavement areas in poor or serious condition (with projects planned or underway), and described the airport’s significant aeronautical businesses — including Blackhawk Aerospace, Sentex Aerospace and RAM Aircraft — that have national or global reach.

Council members asked about comparable airports and about the feasibility of renegotiating leases; Riesman and staff recommended an independent rates-and-charges and fair-market-value study to inform lease changes and advised that any policy changes would prompt pushback and require time to implement. City Manager Bridal Ford asked staff to prepare a written parking-rate analysis and peer comparisons for council review; he said he would deliver that paper for council feedback in the coming weeks.

Council action: None taken. Council requested staff follow up with a written analysis of parking and comparative rates and asked staff to consider a consultant-led rates and charges study to evaluate fair-market rents, apron charges and parking policies.","An interim assessment of Waco Regional Airport operations recommended updating lease practices, adopting market-based rates, and considering paid parking to reduce the airport's reliance on a general-fund subsidy.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6631343,"Council hears STEAM Center programming plan, council support sought to proceed with pilot phase",1316,2270000,3586000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2680174-b002ac42f01de16387e7a2f5660376c0&start=2270&end=3586","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2680174-b002ac42f01de16387e7a2f5660376c0/thumbnail_2270000.jpg","/articles/6631343/Waco/McLennan-County/Texas/Council-hears-STEAM-Center-programming-plan-council-support-sought-to-proceed-with-pilot-phase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631343-fada846f1a40394824527975a08b34f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771058994&Signature=YJVxIXODxaKd9hkKrOIfGAok4~C4kLF5QtKFUuWx10YZDf1BsVaYB9fdFWKKUv420PLHo~Yj8KdLenElR0OGepfKzgjyb33HktQQFUvS4tHkJ9TdwkWEXptFkjDylG04RvZeYltGo1uuAVmGb9Ws09VkX7xy6UazULRXxfddO5Tcm29pxKzsC4YttHDEyN3JDciNsgps~sQRBFz7L0mtV6OpRlsDIIbtKSSd9vp-vUpAw05uQ6~I2aRWOxHWw97o1tLUijQn1l~eOGqHiFR684E0ZwrvpMc1g-My6jpjxlkQMIzuOGmg8l2UrJa6Rc0RPOm22BQvdLqNHcUnI-V7rA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff and Transformation Waco outlined a three-phase programming and partnership plan for the Bledsoe Miller STEAM Center at a March 18 Waco City Council work session and asked the council to authorize continuation into curriculum development and pilot programming.

Roberto Zapata, director of library services, said the city entered a consultant agreement with Transformation Waco in December 2024 to develop a programming and partnership strategy and that phase 1 (partnership strategy) was completed in March 2025. \"The programming vision for the STEAM Center was developed in collaboration with the city of Waco and is built around four key strategies,\" Zapata said, citing partnership development, alignment with education standards, hands-on learning and promoting access.

Transformation Waco described four programming pillars: pre-K through 12 academic achievement, workforce development and career readiness, lifelong learning for adults and older residents, and community and cultural connections. The consultant and city staff reported outreach or discussions with K–12 districts (Region 12, Waco ISD, La Vega ISD), employers (Mars Wrigley, Cisco), higher education (Baylor University, McLennan Community College), and cultural partners (Mayborn Museum, Cameron Park Zoo, Creative Waco).

Phase 2 would run roughly March–August 2025 and focus on refining target-audience programs, contractor and sponsor recruitment, pilot testing selected programs and developing curriculum. Phase 3 (September–December 2025) would handle facility setup, equipment testing, operational readiness and a Year 1 programming schedule ahead of the center’s opening.

Parks and Recreation Director Jonathan Cook presented a proposed themed playground design for the site — a 32-foot-tall “spaceship” structure with inclusive surfacing, shaded areas, and interactive elements intended to connect outdoor play with the STEAM Center’s learning objectives. Cook said the city plans to contract with a playground vendor and install the structure in time for pre-opening events.

Council members expressed broad support for the multi-partner approach and for continuing to involve local industry and universities in curriculum design. Several members asked that phase 2 include deeper collaboration with Baylor University and other higher-education partners; councilors also praised outreach to workforce and technology partners.

Council action: None taken at the meeting. Staff requested council approval to proceed with phases 2 and 3; council voiced support and asked staff to return with additional programming and partnership details for review.

The council discussed funding commitments and noted a prior donor commitment from Baylor of approximately $500,000 that is payable on certificate-of-occupancy terms referenced by staff. Staff also confirmed a plan to continue seeking grant and private support to minimize direct city operating costs.","City staff and Transformation Waco presented a three-phase programming and partnership strategy to open the Bledsoe Miller STEAM Center later in 2025; the plan includes curriculum aligned to education standards, workforce partnerships and a large, inclusive playground slated for installation ahead of the grand opening.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6631348,"Waco officials highlight Pet Circle adoption gains as shelter capacity strains persist",901,1106000,2007000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2680174-b002ac42f01de16387e7a2f5660376c0&start=1106&end=2007","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2680174-b002ac42f01de16387e7a2f5660376c0/thumbnail_1106000.jpg","/articles/6631348/Waco/McLennan-County/Texas/Waco-officials-highlight-Pet-Circle-adoption-gains-as-shelter-capacity-strains-persist","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631348-1da6fa3952d7b734ab52e4ea7a76a751/orig.mp4?Expires=1771058994&Signature=N1ji6cEhLgwSukmJdNKFOhQDN~KZh1-LgF5U5cRrPFY-4YQuqvwKcpBHmj9dli5RZc2fBnNB4C0~3rpAJNan60GoKfjnysdvMdllKQB8WuYtiH5Ijrg1JoDc7crgD7T3yeayUCWH0W7i7mAV-JbfqKFYDf33RUAYRPJv6VC-dmYuuxwEgASgv-VwQbDBScYISdv6Yf8P~L9CGn8h2kCOrq7hDyE-qHeuFkUZtW9oOIEOR1kwm3keRQcBqeXHQDngMFWnttAJXnwtUKB32C9WiWOwgmh6Gx3zjk509tT5xEC2eIy6fpHSRC8PFDmGG2u83-MOj~oEWrFT0Vuzrm-j1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pet Circle staff told the Waco City Council on March 18 that the city-run animal shelter has achieved sustained adoption outcomes since the city resumed operations but is frequently operating at or above capacity.

Melissa Sheldon, director of animal services at Pet Circle Regional Animal Center, reported that since the city brought shelter operations in-house on Sept. 7 the facility has adopted more than 1,000 animals, transferred several hundred to rescues and reunited a couple of hundred with their owners. \"We are where we are today because of the support of the community,\" Sheldon said.

The presentation to the council included data on intake and length of stay. Sheldon said median length of stay in the shelter is about 22 days for dogs and 10 days for cats. Foster stays are longer: she reported about 91 days for dogs and 73 days for cats in foster care. Shelter staff said length-of-stay trends mirror national increases and that long stays increase overall shelter capacity pressures.

Sheldon described programs that staff have launched or expanded since September, including a volunteer program, a pet food pantry, short-term trial programs such as a \"Sleepover Rover\" trial night and a one-day \"Bark Break\" program intended to give animals a break from kennels and increase their adoptability. She also described a national transfer program for rescues: she said it currently costs about $150 to transport an animal out of state, in addition to internal medical prep costs for vaccines and certificates; since Sept. 7 she said 262 animals have gone to rescue (184 in-state, 78 out-of-state).

Council members praised staff and emphasized community actions that can reduce shelter demand, such as spaying and neutering, microchipping and fostering. When asked about current capacity, Sheldon said the shelter was \"very full. I think we have every kennel full, if not more kennel, more animals than we have kennels.\" City Manager Bridal Ford and council members noted Pet Circle's retention of \"no kill\" status since 2016 and commended staff for data collection and community outreach.

The council and staff also discussed volunteer needs, ongoing fundraising (including merchandise sales) and outreach to model programs in other Texas shelters. Sheldon and council members asked for continued community support to maintain outcomes.

Council action: none. The item was an informational work-session presentation; council did not take formal action during the meeting.

The council packet and the Pet Circle website were cited as sources for program details and a shelter dashboard that separates long-term kennels from shorter-term or puppy kennels to provide a more accurate public view of capacity.

Sheldon closed by urging continued community engagement to maintain outcomes and reduce shelter pressure as spring — historically a busy season — approaches.","City and Pet Circle staff told the City Council that adoptions and transfers have kept the municipal shelter at \"no kill\" status since the city brought operations in-house, but shelter length of stay and near-constant overcapacity remain concerns heading into spring.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sol Ross Senior Center users seek update; officials say relocation options still under study

Interim aviation director urges lease, parking and rate changes to reduce airport subsidy

Council hears STEAM Center programming plan, council support sought to proceed with pilot phase

Waco officials highlight Pet Circle adoption gains as shelter capacity strains persist