HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation Minutes 2013-12-11 Regular Parks and Recreation Board
Meeting Minutes
December 11, 2013
Board member in attendance:
Penny Burke
John Scott
Mary Wise
Justin Kimball
Lee Revere
Tom Goodwin
James Toney, Director of Community Services
Kimberly Ramirez, Staff
1. Call to order: The meeting was called to order at 6:52 p.m.
2. Communications from the public/committee liaisons: James informed the
board that we will be installing irrigation & landscaping from Beamer to FM518
with grant funding. We're removing the existing trees and planting new trees. It
will be a sporadic design. As far as the bridge connecting Old City Park and
Stevenson, James informed the board that he met with contractor; we walked
the site and will have the plans ready in 3 weeks. Once that is done we will go
back to council and get authorization the use funding for the bridge. The
entrance sign that was hit at FM2351 and Beamer will be back up soon. Imperial
Estates has been renamed 1776 Park, we have received quotes for canoe
portage. Cooper Dixon has been doing his research and acquired a fundraiser
for a disc golf course at 1776 Park.
3. Discussion and possible action regarding November 20, 2013 minutes: Penny
made a motion to approve the minutes as presented, Justin second the motion
and the motion passed unanimously.
4. Discussion and possible action regarding prioritizing bond projects: Tom
thanked the board for supporting the bond. James stated that council gave
them some direction; mainly they set up a tentative 5 to 10 year plan. James
informed the board that we need to be prepared to identify low ticket items
from each park. Our main priority is the lake; we may want to slow down and
move the lake down the priority and possibly add lighting at Centennial or build
fields at the sports park. John stated that council is going to decide how to issue
bonds; the bonds will be issued in a series of issuances. One thing I'm certain of
is council will prioritize the items on the bond. No one is more organized than this
board with the Parks Master Plan. More than likely parks will get the 2nd
issuance. Tom stated that he doesn't appreciate that parks is low on councils list.
Penny stated maybe take a vote on what we think is priority. John stated that
council wants to move the bond project quickly. John suggested that y'all need
to be ready to go. Staff is consistently meeting with contractors and we will be
ready with numbers. Lee made a motion to wait to see how much things cost
and then we'll talk about it then. Tom stated we need to understand the
functionality of our parks system now. Tom stated we need tools from staff and
council. Lee asked are we able to flush out the details in the interim so we can
make that accurate prioritization. Lee stated she doesn't have enough
information to make a decision to prioritize. James stated more additional lights
will be added to Centennial in the parking lot near the amphitheater. Send the
breakdown of the projects to board members. Penny would like to meet with
West Ranch to discuss development of the Lake. Penny stated this is a goal of
the parks board. Lee questioned if we pick the sports park how long will it take
to do the drawings and development. James stated that lighting has already
been done. The building needs to be looked at. We already have a numbers
back for the 2 fields and the parking lot. Their needs to be a discussion on how
the concession will be built. James stated that we could get the numbers for
the improvements within 6 to 8 months. James stated keep in mind that we
don't have to do the entire complex at one time and girl softball would agree
with that. The sports park, Centennial Park and the Lake are the top three.
5. Discussion and possible action regarding charging user fees to youth sports
groups: James stated if you recall that when we brought this plan to council, it
was shot down. The item that was taken out was, we were not going to charge
any user groups, user fees. The question is do we want to charge youth sports
group a user fee, we can keep the policy as is, but we need to look at this and if
it's something we want to do. Tom stated that it's a good motivator for other
youth groups to keep that fee in place and that fee can be waived for in kind
service. If a group that doesn't want to do improvements they will need to pay
a fee. James stated that it cost $27.91 per resident to pay for park usage per
year. A primary user group will have to consist of 85% Friendswood residents.
Tom stated that the user group that has the biggest issue with this is Girls Softball.
Paul stated we do charge a nonresident fee but yet the adults play out there as
well, maybe more than half are not Friendswood residents. Tom proposes that
there is a user fee or put in sweat equity. Penny made a motion that we charge
nonresidents a $25 fee to participate in youth sports in Friendswood. Board
decided to Table discussion.
6. Discussion regarding disorderly conduct as Sporting Events on City Property
(Penal Code): James questioned should it be required to have security at youth
sports games. There is talk that we're not being fair with that the school district is
requiring security at youth sports events and currently the city is not requiring
youth groups to have security at their events. James asked do we want to start
with education. Possibly educate the parents and players of the laws and make
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it a mandate that we have a police officer talk to the parents at the parent
meetings for each youth group. James stated that the initiative will be done in
the new groups that Michael and Drew will be over with meeting quarterly with
the youth sports groups. John stated there is no way that a youth group should
be responsible for the actions of the parents. What I've seen with my kids, the
coach will give the parents the lecture on the rules, is it worthwhile at all for the
leagues to have a police officer go over the penal code? Tom stated for the
city's image, theirs a list of things that primary user groups have to do and this
would be nice to add to the penal code for the user group.
7. Discussion regarding and possible action regarding electing a vice chair for
the Parks and Recreation Board: Lee made a motion to appoint David Montz as
the official vice chair to the Parks and Recreation board, Penny second the
motion and the motion passed unanimously.
8. Discussion and possible action regarding updating the Parks and Recreation
Board bylaws: made a motion to
9. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:05pm.
Approved by:
Kimberly Ramirez
Date:
February 12, 2014