HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation Minutes 2014-03-26 Regular Parks and Recreation Board
Minutes
March 26, 2014
Board Members in attendance
David Montz
Tom Goodwin
Steve Heever
Mel Measles
Mary Giles Wise
James Toney, staff
Kimberly Ramirez, Staff
Morad Kabiri, Assistant City Manager
Guest David O'Farrell
Guest Jim Gerland
Guest Lance Haas, Pearland resident
1. Call to order: Meeting was called to order at 6:33 pm
2. Communications from the public/committee liaisons: David O'Farrell
attended the meeting he informed the board that a homeowner who lives
along the clear creek near 1776 is willing to deed over his easement, it's
beautiful over there, if you guys are interested then I will do my best to get
owners approval. Tom stated he is definitely interested. David stated he's not
sure where the Galveston county drainage district easement is. James stated
the drainage district easement is only for maintenance. James stated if we start
piecing a few of the easements together maybe we can get others to follow
suit. David stated the homeowners are mainly concerned about the safety
issue, possibly installing a 4 or 5 ft. fence along the trail. Pearland resident,
Lance Haas stated that Pearland has the ultimate disclaimers for the trails. Mr.
Haas stated, dog parks, their magnet for crime, it's a proven fact that vandalism
is high; camera would be a suggestion and police hitting it hard. The Pearland
resident stated the Clear Creek access is extremely difficult. Anybody wants to
'know how it would effect a canoeist I would be happy to help. James stated
we are working with a company that is designing it for us but we have to make
sure it's Ok'd by the drainage district.
3. Discussion regarding accessing and prioritizing park land. James stated that
we are going to discuss prioritizing which areas of land would be best for what
and so when the need comes up we can go back to our list. Tom stated let's
start on the green space park. Whitcomb and utilizing the whole creek system,
kayaking and canoeist and then add hike and bike trails. That's number one for
me and you're not looking at a tremendous cost. Morad stated if the rezoning is
not approved, that land is still in the floodplain. Tom stated the other piece of
green space land is the sun meadow golf course. Morad stated it's similar to the
Whitcomb property; the fairways are very difficult to develop. Tom stated that
the 5 or 6 homeowners I've had talk to would be happy to have hike and bike
trails. Mary asked if the bank has been approached by the city on the land,
James stated no. Mel suggested the land behind Stevenson Park, parks board
stated that would be number 2. Morad stated that a property near Old City
property is available as well. Ball fields, Tom suggested FM 528 Lundy, David
suggested the 46 acres across the sports park, James stated the Georgetown
property. They want to sell the property to us, 16 acres. David asked do you
have any ideas on how much it would cost to build fields on this property.
James stated this property could be used for multipurpose fields, Steve stated
we need more ball fields. Tom stated for the price, I would like to have youth
sports fields to be protected. That's a big seller to me. David stated for the
price is a no brainer. Steve suggested 2 dedicated ball fields for Pony and have
the rest multipurpose. This frees up a Little League field at Renwick. James
asked if they are any discussion on building fields up front at Renwick, Steve
stated yes, there's room for tall fields. Mel asked about a parking requirement
for ball fields, James stated yes theirs a requirement.
4. Discussion regarding annual report to Council: James stated we need to
stick to the master plan; an update is coming in another year.
James stated that Eagle Scout, Cooper Dixon has raised $4,500 so far and will
stop fund raising mid-April and has met with Disc golf groups concerning the
design of the disc golf course, once the Galveston County Drainage District
approves it we can start building. James stated between the Cooper and the
City we have around $10,000 to build the disc golf course and since we are
designing the course in house that would save funds. James stated the Hike
and Bike trails can be designed in house as well.
5. Discussion and possible action regarding recommending the use of parks
dedication funds to assist in the purchase of a storage facility for the Broncos
Youth Football Team at Centennial: David stated we already have existing
problems in other parks and we're about to spend funds spend $40,000 for one
group. David is not in favor on spending any money for the benefit for only one
organization. He agreed with Penny's email, everybody has needs; it should be
available for everyone. There's nowhere to keep anything out there except
your own personal garages. I'm in favor to build 4 cubbies for all the groups to
use a storage facility. Steve asked who else are out there, school district,
soccer and football. Mary stated I feel the same way, I think the 4 cubbies
would be a great idea if they help pitch in. David asked if there's a big enough
space to build a building; a shared facility. Adult flag football uses the storage
for flag football and the city mule. David stated it would be a great idea for a 4
way split. David stated theirs needs to be more thought process for one final
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storage facility. Tom stated that a primary user group needs to invest in their
primary usage facility; Friendswood Little League is the perfect example. Theirs
some expectations from either side. It's awful bold of Broncos to ask for a
storage facility from the City of Friendswood. I like David's idea. James stated
the funds will come from the parks dedication fund. Steve asked if there's any
way that we can contact the soccer folks to see what they will be willing todo or
not do, if they don't want to participate we can move on, we can approach
FISD. I think the multiuse facility is a good idea instead of using for solely one
group because we could offend other user groups. Possibly discuss at Michael's
sports group meeting and get all parties involved now. David stated he can
discuss with Trish and he can contact David Smith. Mary asked if the building
has already been designed, James stated no. Tom stated to table until parties
are contacted. David wants to recognize that they are putting forward capital
improvements towards the use of the park. Steve asked if there could be a
possibility to rent the facility for user groups. David stated soccer's current
storage facility is in Clear Lake. David stated it's a good time for a discussion
with FISD and other user groups.
6. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 7:44pm.
Approved by:
Kimberly Ramirez
Date:
May 14, 2014