AMARILLO, TEXAS -- Commissioners approved proposals this past September that were within budget, and some of those proposals were acted upon in Tuesday's meeting at City Hall.
The City of Amarillo is purchasing 42 ballistic vests for the Amarillo Police Department. These vests will go to the new officers, as well as replace vests that are becoming worn.
"Any part of keeping our police force safe is important to the City," Amarillo City Commissioner Ellen Robertson-Green stated. "And a big part of keeping our police force safe is to make sure they have bulletproof vests. You only have one chance to make sure that bulletproof vest is going to work."
Also on the commissioners' agenda was the approval of a $418,300 contract to remodel ten dressing rooms, two public bathrooms, the Old Headliner Room and the laundry room at the Amarillo Civic Center. Robertson-Green said the upgrades are necessary in order to be in compliance with the ADA.
"It's important for us to attract events and venues to the Civic Center. It brings in sales dollars to the entire city and, so, we've got to have a Civic Center that meets the requirements and the needs of people and events who come here."
The City of Amarillo has also made an agreement with AISD to prepare and deliver meals to 40 sites during the 2012 Summer Food Service Program. AISD rates are 67 cents for snacks and $2.61 per lunch, both of which will be reimbursed by the City. Robertson-Green said commissioners are anticipating about 6,800 students will be served by the program each day.
"We've got thousands of children, especially in Potter County, that are living in poverty and these kiddos don't get anything to eat that often at home," she pointed out. "The only meals they get are breakfast and lunch and those come from the school day. And, so, during the summer when they're not in school, we need to feed those kids."
