HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation Minutes 2014-12-14 Regular Parks and Recreation Board
Minutes
February 12, 2014
Board members in attendance
Penny Burke
David Montz
Justin Kimball
Mel Measles
Steve Heever
James Toney Director of Community Services
Kimberly Ramirez, Staff
Michael'Boyett, Staff
Lance Haas, Guest
Ken Hinajosa, Guest
1. Call to order: The meeting was called to order at 6:38 pm
2. Communications from the public/committee liaisons: Lance Haas from
Pearland attended the meeting to discuss the canoeing launch at 1776 Park.
Ken Hinajosa, attended the meeting to represent the girls' softball organization.
He stated he wants the parks board to consider the sports park improvements
with bond funds a priority James stated that staff would like to know from the
parks board about possible land acquisition. DR Horton was going to give the
city a 16 acre track, now they want to sell 25 acres the city as park land. The
question is, is this something the Parks board wants to pursue? David stated he
would like to see that plat, James stated it will be ball fields and hike and bike
trails. What type of fields David asks, James stated multipurpose fields. James
asked do we want to purse that. David stated he does but he wants to see a
plat. Parks board stated they are interested but they want more detail. Penny
suggested on acquiring the property at the end of Shadwell. James stated
Parks board needs to submit a letter of recommendation. James stated that
Cooper Dixon is working on fundraisers for the Disc Golf Park at 1776; his timeline
for completion is April 12th. James stated we working with a company out of
Austin, which is called Hawk Design They, will establish the course and then
establish the walking trail. It will be a 9 hole course which will cost between 6
and 10 thousand dollars, the higher end is for 2 courses. James wants to keep it
at a 1 course. Dog Park; Fencing is very expensive, we're needing a 6 foot
fence, galvanized fencing. The dog park will be divided for small and large dogs
and an open play area. James stated that the fencing has to be approved by
FEMA but we need to look at considering installing breakaway fencing. James
stated he's having trouble finding a vendor that supplies breakaway fencing.
3. Discussion and possible action regarding December 11, 2013 minutes: Mel
made a motion to approve the December 11, 2013 minutes as corrected, Justin
second the motion and the motion was passed unanimously.
4. Discussion regarding an update on the park bond: James stated that
council met last week and council wants the bond paid back within 15 years.
They voted on a 7 year package to have all projects completed within that
time. David asked when do we get started. James stated that there will be a
work session at the next council meeting and they will start discussing when they
will start with the issuances. James stated that there will be a budget
amendment that will put in place that will allow the city to pay themselves
back. James stated that he has been working on getting estimates on lighting
at Centennial, the basketball pavilion and other projects. James stated the first
issuance will be the library, park projects meaning all of Centennial, Girls' softball
complex; 2 new fields, the Lake, Stevenson Park and Fire Station programming.
The second issuances will be the actual building of the fire station, concession
stand and parking at the sports park.
5. Discussion and possible action regarding charging user fees to youth sports
groups: James stated the parks department recently had a meeting with the
youth sports groups. Michael stated it was a very productive meeting; he had 2
representatives from each sports group attend. The main focus of the meeting
was player safety and policing events. Michael stated that recently the Broncos
had a Super Bowl for youth football and an altercation occurred at the game.
Michael stated he wants to come up with a plan to create a positive
atmosphere for the parents and children. David stated that former mayor, Dave
Smith is now the President for Space City Futbol, they implemented using a field
marshal they monitor the crowd. Steve stated that Little League is having
parents participate in training from the Positive Coaching Alliance. Steve stated
that Little League does have a code of conduct; the challenge is that parents
have not been required to take the training from PCA. At some point you have
to have some accountability with the parents. Steve stated that we have asked
the parents or leave the park for the remainder of the game if an altercation
arises. Michael stated they discussed the user fees at the meeting and the
majority of the group requested not to have user fees charged for the users
groups. David stated that each organization should be treated individually. I
think each group should report back to this board annually on maintenance or
capital investments of the fields they used. David stated the time is going to
come down that were going to run out of money or were going to have to
figure out where the money is coming from. If the fees has to rise to the
challenge to meet the quality of the fields it has to come from the people who
use it. Board chose to table discussion.
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 8:43 pm
Approved by:
Kimberly Ramirez
Date:
March 18, 2014