[{"_1":2,"_114":-5,"_115":-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",[32,74,84,94,104],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6540105,"mediaKeyId","3462683-be36bc08498f8d04fce6fa9148a17fe5","parentId",3462683,"title","Parks director announces new Storybook Gardens sculptures; council reappoints board member and appoints newcomer","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",859000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3462683-be36bc08498f8d04fce6fa9148a17fe5&start=859&end=859","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3462683-be36bc08498f8d04fce6fa9148a17fe5/thumbnail_859000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6540105/Abilene/Taylor-County/Texas/Parks-director-announces-new-Storybook-Gardens-sculptures-council-reappoints-board-member-and-appoints-newcomer","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540105-7a4eab9c32cb07319ff40a3b44ef7a9a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436871&Signature=owZGvfcbXt6chEluRZAOvwM4RHSaC9RlTQ-acZCyzyPJpnJ23tTjsDVhQoRSL8z3z6dolfpfT9YS7l96vZlDN~EPJM9C53m83ZCtv3-uFOkkjK8Riws0qPPQnD594q2kVJaOiWe9M6nfeuSW~GAmzhwEDf4d7P6HcdxsKHtuOi9Nt9p3d6fM3mRXI72aAZqG3bT2lZatockvYKyU2JIfh6VWAdVQWzk0~CjPf1EriPMkZ6Fu~JpH6qKHvRaKk0~6uqmLUcQjeYC-Ee~9oeNNtW8a4RHdYoRyk~7z9NBOxRV8ejJJjHITM3NKTai~sbLxTQTo18qKnBBM-tBdRMl0ZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Abilene","date","2025-05-23T00:00:00Z","article","Leslie Andrews, Director of Parks and Recreation, told the Abilene City Council that several new sculptures for the CAF Festival are being installed in the Storybook Gardens / Clear Fork Bank area and that installation was underway and expected to be ready in time for the festival.

Andrews described planned pieces including turtles along a fountain, a “Plum the Peacock” sculpture and a feature called the Giving Tree. She said the artwork will expand public sculptures in the city and that installation had begun this week.

Later in the meeting, the council voted to reappoint Jack Heard and to appoint Roston Calerman to the Parks and Recreation Board. The appointments were approved by roll-call votes.

Ending: Parks staff will proceed with sculpture installation and update council and the public as needed; appointees will be notified and the board roster updated.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Abilene - City Council - May 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Parks & Recreation staff said new sculptures for the CAF Festival are being installed in Storybook Gardens; the council also approved the reappointment of Jack Heard and the appointment of Roston Calerman to the Parks and Recreation Board.","taxTitle","Abilene, Taylor County, Texas","taxId",2817,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":42,"_43":77,"_45":77,"_46":78,"_48":79,"_50":80,"_52":81,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":82,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":83,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6540109,"Resident urges council to address neglect at local cemetery",373000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3462683-be36bc08498f8d04fce6fa9148a17fe5&start=373&end=373","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3462683-be36bc08498f8d04fce6fa9148a17fe5/thumbnail_373000.jpg","/articles/6540109/Abilene/Taylor-County/Texas/Resident-urges-council-to-address-neglect-at-local-cemetery","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540109-dfff7bcf84765474652016778ff1802c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436871&Signature=FW3jSYEn-HmnuzysocgU5x3stIEbH8Gj7OT~Br2q6SDX3SSRpHChri9RQCM660tYKVv2BmpnbN39X~ySJragTSdicVZZOfWYfC-JzbP7GVd8puDezoAoxntbCi4dyYFE56kdJKbBTGGIXiFFHSB9AH2B1M01orh3OsZf6JZT614Dafav680RXR9CA8y4vIBQjuwkho9dbhH7TZJRgXj9QEi73xpXGGqejCBPXM5qhXdL6iUJwIuiBtnBwXdJfSb6VUL6nI92uxYRYQoZPiSgvQ391VXBVvftKnhcaD-wy9nzpNp-sBOHIYUrDSYcC8fnYX4M~PtqPmOoGrXwNFEZOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During public comment, Pete Stokes Acosta Jr. told the Abilene City Council that a local cemetery has suffered long-term neglect and urged council members to inspect the site and address maintenance and road issues.

\"It's neglected, and it's abused,\" Acosta said, describing damaged floral tributes and poor roads within the cemetery and saying his family has maintained graves there for decades. He said family items had been removed and that veterans’ markers also appear poorly maintained compared with newer cemeteries. Acosta said his family has photographs documenting the condition and offered to provide them to the council.

Mayor Shane Hurt and staff encouraged Acosta to email the photos to council@abilenetx.gov so they could be reviewed. The public-comment period closed with no formal council action on the matter during the meeting.

Ending: Council accepted the public comment and asked the speaker to submit evidence by email for staff review.","A lifelong Abilene resident told the council the city-managed cemetery is neglected, asked the council to inspect the site and deliver equitable maintenance, and offered to share photographs documenting the condition.",{"_33":85,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":86,"_41":42,"_43":87,"_45":87,"_46":88,"_48":89,"_50":90,"_52":91,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":92,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":93,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6540114,"Council awards $1.7 million contract to rebuild Great Lakes Drive to concrete for truck traffic",1802000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3462683-be36bc08498f8d04fce6fa9148a17fe5&start=1802&end=1802","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3462683-be36bc08498f8d04fce6fa9148a17fe5/thumbnail_1802000.jpg","/articles/6540114/Abilene/Taylor-County/Texas/Council-awards-17-million-contract-to-rebuild-Great-Lakes-Drive-to-concrete-for-truck-traffic","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540114-6d4a5da647cca99d1785eee068912768/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436871&Signature=KUS3NXmOdV7YfGr81BWRKVXj1EdPgVdwhlOyRaEcB4IaK3VfNG-fwAQzkt8Cq-XSpX4BMj1d6zeaW~YP0OqMV2n1-YXVSdb2S9KMUEq2rt~FgjFBmmVhBXgQNTHXlOV327ay4Yu~aKICmO43FAL83rNMwp~tPbMS~pWpah~J7bRytNA3tEUJAij2VOfdUQbBeEyPjE-jYsi9S2vH~U2DxbS7RiuWMtJqnsJBzvZNciVIe4BKtEy7ay6QhfjQjjJtgHEsLMVd2TPp~KxnBAFdiYWtppwGbfVEdwTvCUQf4DcTtcA-WRC5jz8a-uNsYsBflwBGu1fATS~ATo4ywh421w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Abilene City Council voted to award a reconstruction contract for Great Lakes Drive, the street adjacent to Great Lakes Cheese, to Bonnke Brothers for $1,700,000.

Max Johnson, Director of Public Works, described the project as converting the existing asphalt roadway to concrete to accommodate heavy truck traffic. Johnson said staff opened three bids on April 8 and recommended Bonnke Brothers under a best-value evaluation rather than awarding to the lowest-priced bidder.

Council members asked why the recommended contractor was not the lowest bidder and discussed the city’s best-value scoring and workload considerations; Johnson said staff considers past performance, quality and the contractor’s workload when making recommendations and that those criteria were documented in the packet for item 10. The project allowance/contingency cited by staff was $200,000.

Council member Beard moved approval; Council member Price seconded. The roll-call vote was unanimous and the motion carried.

Ending: Public Works said it will publish project schedules and provide public updates about lane impacts and timelines as construction proceeds.","The council approved a $1.7 million contract to convert a heavy-truck route near Great Lakes Cheese from asphalt to concrete. Staff recommended the award on a best-value basis and included a $200,000 project allowance.",{"_33":95,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":96,"_41":42,"_43":97,"_45":97,"_46":98,"_48":99,"_50":100,"_52":101,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":102,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":103,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6540119,"Council approves airport design amendment to align plans with expanded concept",969000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3462683-be36bc08498f8d04fce6fa9148a17fe5&start=969&end=969","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3462683-be36bc08498f8d04fce6fa9148a17fe5/thumbnail_969000.jpg","/articles/6540119/Abilene/Taylor-County/Texas/Council-approves-airport-design-amendment-to-align-plans-with-expanded-concept","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540119-8f585573b22df372aea6f2dc2358a73f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436871&Signature=Jh4Oww8gID1xSBnC5WyZW9h5QOpFZAsR5JLzE~rwc2loJEvy3RMfkx21WWG9v7g~qCdq7KSqcMzYecr5-a3uln4xKEDbDuDjEYFfzIcAnJpHtwvq349uG5ZQtwsW7alot2mix5a8e9xVKaS8~xmU2oEZWZe0KnUIGQgkp9cALuOhGyPQes2OWlzEvnB76CV2ZI6RDQc6EAbskEVyigKl3cdE8btvBxBLhHkHudT58lx0hWBSBqFiZ64Co-pA9jYYKOFKLGABpgtzvFrSB20lw7dLHs7HN9GRq9q9T3zQXGH3ziER8C00oGHboCjYEUFUK2vfp0trJ9ALgZPkMVOqJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Abilene City Council voted to approve a task-order amendment to advance airport design work so the deliverables match the expanded concept that emerged during recent charrettes.

Don Green, Director of Transportation Services, told the council that notes in the packet contained carryovers from an earlier task order and that additional topography and lidar work required because of an expanded scope produced by the charrettes had increased one consultant line item by about $29,000. Green said the amendment is intended to provide full design for features shown in the concept renderings presented earlier to council.

Council members pressed staff for clarity on cost and scope. Councilman Reagan asked whether the amendment meant the city would exceed the budget voters approved; Green said the $70,000,000 project budget is based on the concept the amended task order will design for. Reagan also referenced an amendment figure discussed in the meeting context of roughly $1,400,000 for additional design work; Green described specific line-item changes (e.g., topography) and said staff will correct packet notes that were carryovers.

Tammy Fogel, a resident and public commenter, praised Green’s memo as thorough and said it clarified funding sources and budget responsibilities; she also noted that one commenter’s calculations showed the city’s share of a large grant package would be about 5 percent while most funding would come from grants.

Councilman Yates moved approval; Council member Price seconded. The council recorded unanimous roll-call votes in favor and the motion carried.

Ending: Staff told council it will post corrected, updated documentation for public review on the ABI Next Great project website.","The council approved a task-order amendment to expand airport design work so the plans match the concept developed during recent charrettes; staff said the change aligns design with the $70 million project scope presented to voters.",{"_33":105,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":106,"_41":42,"_43":107,"_45":107,"_46":108,"_48":109,"_50":110,"_52":111,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":112,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":113,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6540124,"Votes at a glance: council approves consent items, airport design amendment, road contract and board appointments",362000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3462683-be36bc08498f8d04fce6fa9148a17fe5&start=362&end=362","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3462683-be36bc08498f8d04fce6fa9148a17fe5/thumbnail_362000.jpg","/articles/6540124/Abilene/Taylor-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-council-approves-consent-items-airport-design-amendment-road-contract-and-board-appointments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540124-65eeb517c5acbe9cf235c1cdb2d191a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436871&Signature=J2zW2spklmBCOt4TckjO9hWDlucf7X0f7iyH-JkTcg8J7FeDSsa9i4iMPw9GNtZwRB4ArFrjG49-Pqg0q~DUrD9M81fDhKgceVbcKFwsCKB3-89RpfqP-XEN4ZTVWaJxnz1LvkW5nqLtAwNO4Cnw58irMJAgmIwyg9Cjb~bm4IbkiloRUxL6OezZgZI52gWnJBg5kGqi0HexeAustRf6yssmSEJkhAj9Vjxlvx-au9sXYASIuQh6-P3rsSovVOK7FjOCGlNds~8nKo7mk4Vv0PHQwT3Hm2ZrxmHk9bKbPuetwzWEG25Kfu49uXEjp93mXQ7khBWbKfX737lUXZG~sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Abilene City Council approved a package of routine consent items, a task-order amendment for the airport design, a road reconstruction contract for an industrial route and several board appointments during its morning meeting.

The council approved consent agenda items 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 by voice vote after removing items 4 and 9 for separate consideration. Item 4 (public hearing) and item 9 (airport design task-order amendment) were later taken up individually and approved.

Separately, the council awarded the Great Lakes Drive reconstruction contract to Bonnke Brothers in the amount of $1,700,000 with a project allowance/contingency of $200,000; that project had three bids opened on April 8, and staff recommended Bonnke Brothers based on a best-value determination rather than lowest bid.

The council approved a task-order amendment for further airport design work that staff said was needed to cover an expanded scope developed during recent charrettes; council discussion clarified that the overall project budget remains tied to the roughly $70,000,000 figure presented to voters and that the amendment brings the design work up to the concept shown to voters. A public commenter noted that the city’s share of a large grant package would be about 5 percent, with most funding provided by external grants.

The council also approved two Parks and Recreation Board appointments: the reappointment of Jack Heard and the new appointment of Roston Calerman.

No votes or formal action were taken during the executive session the council recessed into; the mayor said no votes were taken in executive session when the meeting returned to open session.

Votes recorded on individually considered items matched the motion calls recorded at the meeting and were announced as carried by the mayor or acting chair at each roll call.

Ending: The meeting recessed to executive session at 9:09 a.m. under Open Meetings Act sections covering attorney consultation, real property, gifts, personnel, security devices and economic development; it reconvened at 9:41 a.m. with no executive-session action reported.","At its meeting, the Abilene City Council approved a consent package of routine items, a design amendment for the airport project, a $1.7 million road reconstruction contract and several board appointments. Public comment and council questions accompanied the airport and road items.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parks director announces new Storybook Gardens sculptures; council reappoints board member and appoints newcomer

Resident urges council to address neglect at local cemetery

Council awards $1.7 million contract to rebuild Great Lakes Drive to concrete for truck traffic

Council approves airport design amendment to align plans with expanded concept

Votes at a glance: council approves consent items, airport design amendment, road contract and board appointments