H.O.P.E. CENTER WEEK – Abilene vice mayor John Ray read a proclamation noting April 29-May 5 as Helping Our People in Emergencies Center Week. Pictured listening included from left, (back row) H.O.P.E. Center board members Tony Geiger, Robert Frasier and Al Day; (front row) Ray and mayor Dennis Weishaar. Not pictured, but present, were commissioners Lynn Peterson, Angela Casteel and Brenda Finn Bowers. (Photo by Dave Bergmeier)
Under public comments, Jean Herrera, 2264 Fair Road, told the Abilene City Commission during its Monday meeting that coupons and box tops that are often discarded could help local schools. She said those coupons, when added together, could generate monies for local schools through the Boxtops for Education. For example, 1,000 Best Choice brand labels can generate $30. Other famous brands offer similar programs.
Herrera said she could envision senior citizens and youth being able to help.
“There are a lot of avenues to get behind,” Herrera said.
Schools have been in the news because of fiscal restraints and any monies generated could help students, Herrera said.
Mayor Dennis Weishaar asked that she write down the idea and forward it to city manager David Dillner. The commission would then schedule the matter for discussion at a future work session.
Dillner said Cottage Avenue, from Buckeye to Campbell, was designated a two-way street on a temporary basis to reduce traffic congestion as a result of the East First reconstruction project.
Dillner read a thank you note from Quality of Life Coalition director Katie Allen as she thanked the city for its support of the coalition.
In other action the commission:
• Approved a $24,000 bid from Mid-American Courtworks, Wichita, to resurface tennis and basketball courts in Eisenhower Park. Parks and recreation director Jane Foltz said both were budgeted items and Mid-American was the same company that surfaced the courts for Abilene High School. The last time the park courts were resurfaced was 10 years ago.
• Approved a $14,162 bid from Utility Solutions, Tonganoxie, for the sewer manhole rehabilitation program. Public works director Lon Schrader said the program is an annual one undertaken the past decade. He said the city had four good bids and actually the costs were down per vertical foot.
• Recognized wastewater and water plant operator Chad Lokken, who completed a 16-week training course and had a 94 percent score for the class. Lokken recently received a class 2 operator’s certification.
• Was introduced to Shane Wilson, a new police officer.
• Read a proclamation noting April 29-May 5 as Helping Our People in Emergencies Center Week. The center was established in 1991 to help people in need with shared resources in the community.
Board member Al Day said he appreciated the support of the community, city and Abilene’s governing body.
“We are excited about how we are growing and expanding,” Day said.
“Thank you for all you do,” said city commissioner Lynn Peterson.
Weishaar said the H.O.P.E. Center is an example of how a community can come together to help those in need.
• Approved a consent agenda that included April 9 minutes, payroll of $130,295.17, bills of $238,241.09, and memorandum of understanding with a lease agreement for city-owned property at the Abilene Municipal Airport with Garey Gjerstad.