The Amarillo Parks and Recreation Department will host a series of public input meetings throughout the city. In addition to learning about the proposed updates to the 2012 Parks and Recreation Master Plan, attendees will also get a review of the completed capital improvements from 2007 to 2011. The Parks Administration staff will also ask citizens to provide input on proposed Parks and Recreation improvements, as well as programs, for 2012 to 2017.

“The services and facilities offered through the Parks and Recreation Department truly add to the quality of life in Amarillo,” says Larry Offerdahl, director. “That’s why we want feedback from our citizens on the future of our Parks Master Plan because they are the ones reaping the benefits.”

Citizens are invited to attend one or more of the public input meetings:

• Monday, May 21, 2012, North Branch Library (1500 NE 24^th), 7 p.m.
• Thursday May 24, 2012, SW Branch Library (6801 SW 45^th), 7 p.m.
• Tuesday May 29, 2012, Woodlands Elem. School (2501Coulter), 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 5, 2012, East Branch Library (2232 E. 27^th), 7 p.m.

Following the series of meetings on the proposed Parks Master Plan, citizen input will be compiled and presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission at its June 12, 2012 meeting.  The commission’s final recommendations will be forwarded to the Amarillo City Commission for consideration in July 2012.

For additional information on the update of the Park Master Plan, please call 378-4290.

“‘Every Drop Counts’ isn’t just a theme for the City’s water conservation campaign,” says Assistant City Manager Dean Frigo, “it’s a way of life that all citizens are encouraged to embrace. In addition to the educational component, Amarillo has taken several measures to reduce water use throughout the City, particularly in the area of landscaping.”

BusinessConnection will be held Thursday, May 10 at the Amarillo Civic Center. Doors open to Chamber members at 10 a.m. for the Business-to-Business Show and at 1 p.m. to the general public. Tickets will be available at the door for $5 each.

Visit the City’s water conservation booth (H 111) in the Heritage Ball Room to learn more about water conservation. There will be giveaways, displays, water conservation games and a rainwater harvesting barrel to help demonstrate the various ways citizens can help conserve water. City staff and commissioners will be available to answer questions as well. The public also is invited to visit the Amarillo Public Library booth (N 58) in the North Exhibit Hall and the Potter & Randall County Local Emergency Planning Committee/Office of Emergency Management’s booth (S 48) in the South Exhibit Hall.

For more information about BusinessConnection 2012, visit www.amarillo-chamber.org and for more information on water conservation, visit the City of Amarillo’s water conservation website at http://water.amarillo.gov

“When building safety and fire prevention professionals inspect buildings during and after construction, we help to ensure that the places where you live, learn, work, worship and play are safe,” said Scott McDonald, Amarillo’s building official.

During Building Safety Month, the City of Amarillo’s Building Safety department will host an Open House each Tuesday in room 105 of City Hall. Refreshments will be provided. There will also be displays in the lobby of City Hall dedicated to Building Safety awareness.

The City of Amarillo will partner with community businesses and organizations to highlight different aspects of building safety each week:

• Week of May 7: Energy and Green Building
• Week of May 14: Disaster Safety and Mitigation
• Week of May 21: Fire Safety and Awareness
• Week of May 28: Backyard Safety

An art contest involving area elementary schools will be sponsored by the local chapter of Associated General Contractors (AGC) and USAA which is a Texas-based and Texas Department of Insurance regulated insurance provider.  

Tuesday, May 1

• Proclamation by the Amarillo City Commission declaring May as Building Safety Month

Thursdays in May

• Elementary school activities with prizes and a Pizza Party for the winning class for each  campus sponsored by AGC and USAA

Saturday, May 12

• Pride Home Center, 3503 NE 24^th Ave, is partnering with Building Safety and other community organizations to provide information and activities for the whole family from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Activities include free bird house kits for children, workshops and a cookout will be provided. The Amarillo Fire Department’s Safe House and a fire truck will be featured.

Saturday, May 19

• Sutherlands Lumber, 4717 S Washington, is partnering with Building Safety and other Community organizations to provide information and activities for the whole family from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Activities include free bird house kits for children, workshops and a cookout will be provided. The Amarillo Fire Department’s Safe House and a fire truck will be featured.

More events are being developed for this celebration and information will be provided as it becomes available. Community partners participating in Building Safety Month include Xcel Energy, Atmos Energy, AISD, MMM Plumbing Heating & Air, A & R Mechanical Service, Texas Panhandle Roofers Association, Texas Panhandle Builders Association and many more.  Building Safety Month is sponsored nationwide by a non‐profit subsidiary of the Code Council. 

For more information on Building Safety, visit http://www.amarillo.gov/?page_id=95.

The ordinance defines graffiti as markings – including inscriptions, slogans, drawings, stenciling, symbols, letters, numerals, and paintings – made on a person’s property without permission – with paint, an indelible marker, or an etching or engraving device. Although graffiti is a criminal offense under state law (Texas Penal Code, sec. 28.08), the City felt additional measures were needed locally to curtail this activity.

If your property has been the target of graffiti, the City is here to help. This new ordinance puts in place a process where property owners can authorize the City of Amarillo onto their property for graffiti removal purposes.

“Our research has shown that the faster you remove that graffiti, the quicker you discourage the tagger,” says Marcus Norris, city attorney. “I would also like to add that this ordinance is not designed to punish property owners. Rather, it is intended to encourage property owners to take action when their property has been defaced.”

When graffiti is found to exist, the City’s Building Official will offer to remove the graffiti from the owner’s property free of charge, to the extent required by state law. The owner may accept the offer by executing a release with the Building Official within five (5) business days from the date of the offer.

If the property owner refuses, the free-cleanup offer is rescinded. That is followed by a 15-day period in which the property owner is required to clear away the graffiti. If the property owner chooses to not clean up the graffiti, the City could remove the graffiti and bill for expenses incurred, including:

• $75 administrative fee for administering the abatement process and inspections
• Actual costs incurred by City for giving required notices
• $75 for a hearing contesting the finding of a graffiti nuisance
• Actual costs incurred by City to enter remove or otherwise abate the graffiti, at the rate of $50 per hour for labor plus equipment and supply costs 

Amarillo’s anti-graffiti ordinance also makes it illegal for a minor to possess aerosol paint of any sort, an engraving device or an indelible marker. Parents or guardians of a child under the age of 17 could be held responsible for their children’s actions if they violate anti-graffiti laws. Of course, there are exceptions which include times when the child in possession of the materials is:

•  accompanied or supervised by a parent, guardian or teacher, in connection with a “bona fide” school project, or by a job supervisor
• on property where the child resides
• carrying the materials in the “immediate course and scope” of an event supervised by a governmental entity, school, church or youth organization
• transporting the materials for a lawful purpose on behalf of, or at the direction of, a parent or guardian

However, if a parent or guardian of a child “intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or with criminal negligence” permits the child to create graffiti on another person’s property without permission, the parent or guardian could face a $500 fine.   

The anti-graffiti ordinance will become effective May 18, a day before a city-wide cleanup campaign dubbed “Take Back the Wall” gets underway.  The City has already received at least 60 waivers from property owners asking for assistance in cleaning up graffiti. For more information on Amarillo’s anti-graffiti efforts, visit www.TakeBackTheWall.com or to report graffiti, call Building Safety at 378-3041.

The purpose of the public hearing is to receive comment and input from the public regarding potential actions that could be recommended by the Traffic Commission with regard to a texting/cell phone ban. 

The Traffic Commission makes recommendations concerning school safety; education and publicity, including coordination of activities to promote traffic safety; traffic engineering, including speed studies; parking regulations; one-way or two-way streets; traffic control devices. In addition to making recommendations to the City Commission for methods of improving traffic conditions, the Traffic Commission hears all traffic-related items and makes recommendations for Traffic Ordinance amendments including speed limits, dual turn lanes, and one-way streets and alleys and for resolutions like parking restrictions.

Members of the Traffic Commission are appointed by the Amarillo City Commission.

The public is encouraged to attend and provide feedback regarding this issue of public safety.

Registration for volunteers begins at 8:30 a.m. at the event registration area located on the southeast corner of Thompson Park. All work projects will begin at 10 a.m. and be completed by 2 .pm. Lunch will be provided for all registered volunteers from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. by Carpet Tech of Amarillo.

In addition to our major project sponsors, the following businesses or corporations have contributed funds and/or products to ensure the success of the Thompson Park Regeneration 2012 Project:

•  B & W Pantex
• Carpet Tech      
• Allied Waste Services
• Cielo Wind Services, Inc.
• Carpet World
• Big Brothers Big Sisters

Cielo Wind Power, LP of Austin, Texas, a corporate Regeneration 2012 Project sponsor, is the largest independent wind power company in the United States. This marks the company’s sixth year of supporting students and education by pledging $10,000 in scholarships to school districts throughout the Texas Panhandle. As part of the festivities, the scholarship award recipients will be honored at Saturday’s event, which they will be able to attend free of charge. The honorees will also plant a tree donated in their name by Cielo Wind Power, LP. Cielo will also host a hospitality tent with educational games, drinks, giveaways, and treats.

In addition to the event sponsors, the City of Amarillo will have a “Be Water Wise” tent dedicated to water conservation education. Games and giveaways will be part of the fun along with information on how you can help save on your water bill – and save water at the same time.

All registered volunteers will receive an event wristband that provides a $2 discount on a regular Wonderland stamp. Wonderland is also donating seven trees to honor citizens or Amarillo businesses that register the most volunteers to participate in Regeneration 2012.  

For additional information on Regeneration 2012, please call 378-6010.

The purpose of the public hearing is to share information received by the Traffic Commission regarding distracted driving including ordinances and results from cities that have texting/cell phone restrictions on the books and to receive comment and input from the public regarding potential actions that could be recommended by the Traffic Commission.

In addition to making recommendations to the City Commission for methods of improving traffic conditions, the Traffic Commission hears all traffic-related items and makes recommendations for Traffic Ordinance amendments including speed limits, dual turn lanes, and one-way streets and alleys and for resolutions like parking restrictions. The Traffic Commission also makes recommendations concerning school safety; education and publicity, including coordination of activities to promote traffic safety; traffic engineering, including speed studies; parking regulations; one-way or two-way streets; traffic control devices. Members of the Traffic Commission are appointed by the Amarillo City Commission.

A second public hearing is also scheduled for next Wednesday, April 25, at 5:30 p.m., also in the City Commission Chambers. The public is encouraged to attend hearings and provide their feedback regarding this issue of public safety.

The purpose of the GAMRC is to serve the citizens of Potter and Randall Counties by establishing a team of properly trained and credentialed volunteers to strengthen the public health infrastructure, and to improve emergency preparedness for crisis response.  It is open to both medical professionals and other interested nonmedical individuals who want to respond to their community in the event of a disaster. Nonmedical needs would include:

•  Translators/Interpreters
• Data Processing
• Managers and Planners 
• Public Information Support
• Medical Support Roles

If you are unable to attend this meeting, but would like more information on becoming a GAMRC volunteer, please contact Richard Todd at 378-6335.

Reservations for this information luncheon are required by Noon on Tuesday, March 27, so please RSVP by calling 378-6335 or 378-6336.

In addition to honoring Bill & Alice O’Brien, the ceremony will also acknowledge the many private donations that provided a significant portion of the funds needed to support the construction of this state-of-the-art education center. A total of $315,963 was raised from grants and private donations and an additional $270,000 was received from zoo visitor entrance fees during the last two years.

The ceremony will include Amarillo Mayor Paul Harpole, Amarillo City Commissioners and Amarillo Zoological Society Board members, as well as honored guests, education center donors, zoo supporters and zoo staff. The public also is invited to participate in the special event.

The facility, which will give the Zoo the ability to provide year-round educational programs, events and interpretive exhibits to thousands of visitors annually, will span 3,669 square feet. Tri-State General Contracting Group of Amarillo was awarded a construction contract of $585,820. The estimated completion date is scheduled for late September of this year.

For questions or more information regarding the groundbreaking ceremony or the new Bill & Alice O’Brien Education Center at the Amarillo Zoo, please contact Sonja Gross, community relations coordinator, at (806) 378-3549.

If approved, the Storm Water Drainage Utility would allow the City to manage storm water drainage facilities more effectively, and address drainage complaints in a more timely fashion. Currently, City funding for drainage management does not meet the community’s needs. That’s because, historically, the City has relied on the General Fund to support the construction of projects to reduce flooding and for maintenance of drainage infrastructure such as storm drain systems, ditches/channels, and roadway culverts.  Each year, the City’s drainage management program competes with other general government activities for the limited General Fund capital resources. In other words, the available funds are allocated to priority projects that include many items of essential basic infrastructure. Often, drainage projects are unable to be fully funded due to other needs and limited funds.

If adopted, the Storm Water Drainage Utility would impose a user-fee on developed properties within the city limits to fund proposed Storm Water Drainage Utility functions. This is a common funding mechanism throughout Texas, and the funds are dedicated only to appropriate drainage and drainage management projects and cannot be used for other purposes.  

As an example of needs that could be addressed by a Drainage Utility, there are currently 55 identified drainage improvement projects for which preliminary engineering evaluation and cost estimations have been completed. The total design and construction costs for these projects are estimated at $66,000,000. The Drainage Utility would, over time, provide the necessary funding for these capital projects while also funding the ongoing system maintenance needs.

If you would like the opportunity to provide feedback on this proposal designed to provide better life safety and property protection drainage services, you are invited to attend the public hearings and ordinance readings:

• First Public Hearing will be held during the Amarillo City Commission regular meeting, Tuesday, March 27, 3 p.m., Commission Chamber on the third floor of City Hall
• Second Public Hearing and first reading of the ordinance will be held during the Amarillo City Commission regular meeting, Tuesday, April 3, 5:30 p.m., Commission Chamber on the third floor of City Hall
• Second and final reading of ordinance will be held during the Amarillo City Commission regular meeting Tuesday, April 10, 3 p.m., Commission Chamber on the third floor of City Hall

For more information on the proposed Storm Water Drainage Utility, visit the City’s website at www.amarillo.gov and click on the Drainage Utility Informationtab at the bottom of the home page.