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Amarillo City Council unanimously approved Tuesday an amendment to a multimillion-dollar contract that will more than triple the pump/drainage capacity of Playa 6, also known as Lawrence Lake. The council-approved guaranteed maximum price for Lawrence Lake Pump Station and Force Main is $14,255,589. The historic project is funded through 2023 drainage bond funds and will increase the daily drainage/pump capacity of Lawrence Lake from 3-4 million gallons a day to 15 million gallons.  “This project is the equivalent of putting a five-story building in the ground,” said City of Amarillo Managing Director of Capital Projects Jerry Danforth. “This is something you might see in the Houston market.” The project includes installation of a 30-inch force main from Lawrence Lake to Bell Street. It includes a deep foundation wall system made of overlapping drilled concrete piles, commonly used for deep wet wells and underground utility structures.  Depending on weather conditions, the project will begin in 30-40 days and will take a year to complete. To see the related presentation to council (including pictures of similar projects), go to Item 7.2 on the city council video agenda: https://amarillotx.new.swagit.com/videos/389083 For more information, contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at (806) 378-5219 or by email at David.Henry@amarillo.gov.

Cleanup/debris removal and temporary housing assistance is available for residents impacted by the recent fire at the City of Amarillo landfill. Impacted residents needing cleanup of their property or assistance with temporary housing can contact the 211 Texas Panhandle/United Way Helpline. Dial 211 from any phone. The 211 Texas Panhandle/United Way Helpline website is: www.uwamarillocanyon.org/2-1-1-texas-panhandleunited-way-helpline In addition, the Texas Panhandle Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) is working on casework for impacted residents and have numerous work orders for clean-out work to clean damaged residences and separate debris for removal. (Please see the attached FEMA Debris Management Guide for debris pickup requirements). VOAD can be contacted via the 211 helpline. The VOAD website is: https://txpanhandlevoad.org/ Landfill fees for impacted residents hauling debris to the landfill have been waived as of May 26. The fee waiver is exclusively for impacted property owners conducting their own debris removal. Property owners are asked to please provide proof of residence to the gate attendant. The Texas Panhandle VOAD also has short-term housing available with a partnership through Airbnb.org. Requests can be made via the 211 Helpline and must be made by June 4. For more information contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at 806-378-5219 or by email at david.henry@amarillo.gov.

Animal Management & Welfare (AMW) is excited to announce a special Graduation Adoption Event taking place May 21-23. The event is designed to help some of the shelter’s longest-resident animals “graduate” from shelter life into loving forever homes. During the three-day event, all animals that have been in the shelter’s care for 50 days or more will be available for adoption at 50% off standard adoption fees. Currently, 22 long-stay animals are waiting for a second chance, and this initiative aims to spotlight them and connect them with families ready to welcome a new pet. Adding to the fun, the shelter is offering “Diploma Discounts” for students of all ages. Community members are encouraged to bring a recent report card or diploma, with additional adoption fee discounts based on academic performance. Students with straight A’s can receive up to an additional $20 off their adoption fee. “Our long-stay animals have been waiting patiently for an opportunity to find a home,” said Kali Dennis, Outreach Manager at AMW. “We want to give them the recognition they deserve as they ‘graduate’ into the next chapter of their lives.” With the arrival of summer, now is an ideal time to adopt. Families often have more flexibility in their schedules, allowing for a smoother transition and more time to bond with a new pet. All adopted animals will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and ready to go home with their new families. The community is encouraged to attend, meet these deserving animals and help give them the fresh start they’ve been waiting for.

Since 2020, the City of Amarillo Animal Management and Welfare Department (AAMW) has offered a quick and convenient way for residents to help animals – the AAMW Pet Pantry. The AAMW Pet Pantry is located at the AAMW shelter (3501 S. Osage St.). The pantry, which includes shelves for free pet food and pet supplies, is made possible thanks to the generosity of the Amarillo community and several sponsors who have contributed resources. “The AAMW Pet Pantry helps support citizens in caring for their pets, with the aim of preventing shelter surrenders based on financial hardship,” said AAMW Outreach Manager Kali Dennis. “Most of our recipients are folks who truly care about their pets and want to be responsible pet owners, so we want to do everything to keep these animals in their homes with the people who love them. Diverting shelter surrenders saves space in the shelter, saves taxpayer dollars and ultimately saves lives.” So far this year, the AAMW Pet Pantry has distributed 1,323 bags of dog food and 482 bags of cat food – helping 537 citizens care for their animals. The AAMW Pet Pantry exists because of donations – financial and directly in terms of pet food/supplies. Those wishing to help can bring monetary or pet item donations to the shelter during business hours (Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) AAMW also has an Amazon wish list for pets. For all the information and current AAMW needs, go to: amw.amarillo.gov/adoption-and-resources/how-can-i-help/donations Through the years, donors to the AAMW Pet Pantry include Chewy, Greg Lair Automotives, Amarillo Collegiate Academy (first grade class), Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and generous donations from citizens. Citizens needing assistance from the pantry can come to the counter at the Intake Office and a staff member will help. Availability is

In observance of Memorial Day (May 25), City of Amarillo (COA) offices will be closed Monday (May 25). The COA service schedule for the week of Memorial Day: The schedule for Solid Waste services: Ross Rogers and Comanche Trail Golf Complexes will have normal hours of operation.