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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation Minutes 2014-03-18 Regular Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes March 18, 2014 Board members in attendance Tom Goodwin Penny Burke Mel Measles Lee Revere David Montz Mary Giles Wise James Toney, Director of Community Services Kimberly Ramirez, Staff Nick Haby, Staff John Scott, Council Liasion Morad Kabiri, Asst. City Manager Guest Jeff Anderson Guest Steven Golz Guest Lynton Smith Guest Mihn Tran Guest Jim Gerland Guest Janis Lowe 1. Called to order: The meeting was called to order at 4:10 p.m. 2. Communication from public/committee liaisons: James stated Broncos have come to us to help fund 2 equipment blds at Centennial, their asking for$24,000 1 would like to know if yall support that. James stated we do have money available in the parks dedication fund. 3. Discussion and possible action regarding February 12, 2014 minutes: Mel made a motion to approve the minutes as presented, Penny second the motion and the motion passed unanimously. 4. Presentation from Jeff Safe and Jeff Anderson regarding Park land: Jeff Anderson with Beazer homes attended the meeting to discuss the Whitcomb property track which is under contract to submit a rezoning request; mix used to single family. We were denied the first time. We didn't do a good job with council and what this property offers to the city. Most of you have probably been there, it's a gorgeous property. The possibilities of trail system that would connect all thru the city, canoes, fishing areas all kinds of stuff. Detention ponds where you can put field on. We are here to try to get feedback from you and what you're interested in and ask for your support for an upcoming council meeting. He showed the board the land plan, blue area is for the detention flood plain litigation. Open to suggestions and ideas. Really like to hear from the board and what their thoughts are and what you would like to see in the area. Tom stated he was fortunate enough to drive the property that meets all three needs, commercial, housing and parkland. Looking on this side of town to find our vision of a hike a bike trail. This particular property and seeing all the aspects of it, the historical value and natural beauty including the cemetery. Eco-tourism, kayaking down the creek. The creek has to be our vision; Tom stated he was thrilled to get to look at it. Penny asked Morad how he feels about it. Morad stated it's not a staff opinion. There is a cost of maintenance, at parks board level and council level of the concern of maintenance in the future. Penny stated the need for a park in the Harris county side. We have a lot of residents that live on the Harris county side and heard comments that they feel they don't get enough attention on this side of the creek. Penny stated we would have a wonderful piece of land and hope to obtain it. Morad stated keep in mind West Ranch gave us 40 acres of land but they maintain it. Penny stated this is information we need to have in order to make this decision. We'll have to find out from our attorney to see if we can use bond funds to develop the land. Lee asked what the anticipated cost of maintence for the land is. Morad stated to leave it like it is, it could cost $3000 for mowing once a year, similar to Lake Friendswood, to have it like our other parks it could cost to $50,000. Lee stated theirs anticipation that this land will be developed. Mel suggested leaving it as a nature park; Tom stated it would fit the diameter of a sports park. Tom stated if you think of any of our parkland the only one that could compare; it would be similar to Centennial. That park is heavily used. Lee stated theirs no access to it. Tom stated the utilization of the park it would be defiantly used like Centennial. It's a great amenity for the residents. I can start at this park (trails) and end up in Stevenson. Morad questioned what if the city would say no to accepting the park, Jeff stated if would be a private HOA area. Jeff stated no structure like houses, would be in the green area. Morad stated to Penny he has not involved in the decision. Penny stated that council listens to staff quiet often and if staff isn't in support of it theirs no chance we're going to get this off the ground. John stated, the more you want to maintain the more we'll want to give you. Write in their deed restrictions that it will only be cut 100ft deep. Penny stated 1776 park stated it would not be mowed or manicured and would be nothing other than a nature park. Developers can see if this is something we want to do or not. Penny stated it was never meant to be a lawn. Lee stated how we choose to mow it doesn't matter, do we want it? Lee asked would it matter if we don't know what we want to do with it now. Jeff stated i dont think we have to know that now. Mel stated if yall donated it, if we ask for yall to help to develop it would yall consider. Jeff stated he would look at it. The business park, we don't own that. They only purchased the residential and the park land. Penny questioned where we go from here. Janis ask what do you want in the park, Mel stated he wanted nature, hike and bike trails, canoe portages. Tom stated it's quick to see its potential, the old Whitcomb structures, f which could be an area where Boy Scouts use. Tom stated there are 3 oaks trees that are 175 years old. Ball park aspect of it could meet the need for practice, for this subdivision for little league practice. If Pony or Friendswood Little League wants to set up more power to them. They don't even have to be fenced. Jeff stated the 26 acres is the size we need we can change the configuration. Tom stated I can see 3 distinct portage areas. Especially the residents can use this as portage and they can utilize a spot for parking. The rest of it can be Eagle Scout projects. Janis stated John Britton Bailey was granted land from colonist from Stevenson F Austin; his granddaughter is buried on the property. It has a lot of historical significance it's never left the family. Theirs 11 people buried there. Mary questioned some of the bond money being used, some of the bond money can be used for that, Morad stated we have to advice the city attorneys. Lee questioned if we could buy it for the cost of what we want it for. Tom stated distribution of the bond money I don't see a huge capital investments or a huge dollar sign on it. From the parks side I don't think we get this chance very often. Jeff stated I don't know what your obstacles are to create the hike and bike trails and possibly create lots that go down to the creek but I think it should be a park. John stated you have to be careful on what you can do in the floodplain. City, Harris County, the army core of engineers has to approve on what can be done with this property. Penny asked do you want to do a joint venture with Galveston County. Tom stated we can connect a trail system to El Franco Lee. Tom stated the parks board can see the validating of this land to be developed into a park. Jeff stated we have to be approved for rezoning before we can move forward with making this park land. Jeff stated I don't think we did a good job selling the potential park space to the city. Penny made a motion to recommend to council the acceptance of the land for the purpose of a park and support the Beazer home development as it's presented, Mel second the motion and the motion passed unanimously. Tom stated the Whitcomb property has been on their radar for many years and glad the Beazer property had stepped up to offer this. David asks how long will the city take to make this park a viable park. James stated we don't have the funding right now, Morad stated or if the developer helps develop the property. Janis asked if Beazer can convey to the survey if it's zoned as a park, Jeff stated yes, we can probably do that. David asked if there will be restrictions on what is developed or put out there, Morad stated yes. John stated I've been very supportive of this project but as a parks perspective there will be a lot of hurdles to go over to develop the property. Morad stated we need to discuss access and parking when it comes to ball fields. The city needs to know what we're accepting and the cost of what we're going to incur down the road. Morad stated that this is a beautiful piece of property but just wanted to let yall know it will take time to develop. Penny asked what this land appraises at; Jeff stated he can get that info for it. The heirs that are buried on the property have partial interest in the property. The HOA won't own it, but the HOA will maintain it. 5. Discussion regarding assessing and prioritizing park land: Morad stated we have a bond that passed in November council asked staff how we can finish the project in a certain amount of time. What the needs of the community are, find properties that would benefit the community. We need some level of prioritization. Morad stated parks bond proposition has 2 million dollars to work with, how far will that go and that's why we need that prioritization from the parks board. Lee asked can we get some clarity on how exactly it can be used, was their specific tracks that were listed on the bond. The 2 million is a free for all and not specific to a certain location. What type of parks does this group feel that the city needs? If we purchase something outright we need to go thru environmental. Tom stated parks are different from streets or facilities. The property that sits behind my house could be made into a sports complex. Tom stated if the Whitcomb came into fruition, then sports parks moves up to the top. Penny asked if there's a street to it. The church would like to do a land swap with the city. The church (FCC) will be letting the city use some of their green space for athletic practice. Jim stated their asking 575, their won't be an issue with development if its parkland. Penny asked if the seller is interested in negotiating. Jim stated no, 24 acres. The closest entry to this will be on FM528. James asked if they protest the ball field lights. Tom stated I'm very interested in it for ball fields. James stated we need a list for ball fields and hike and bike trails. Tom stated our entire hike and bike trails property would have to be Creekside. 6. Discussion regarding annual report to Council: Table 7. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 5:54 p.m. Approved by: Kimberly Ramirez Date: May 14, 2014