2004-11-08 CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING MEETING MINUTESMINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PEARLAND, TEXAS, HELD ON NOVEMBER 8, 2004, AT 6:30 P.M., IN THE
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 3519 LIBERTY DRIVE, PEARLAND, TEXAS.
The meeting was called to order with the following present:
Mayor
Mayor Pro -Tem
Councilmember
Councilmember
Councilmember
Councilmember
City Manager
City Attorney
City Secretary
Tom Reid
Charles Viktorin
Richard Tetens
Woody Owens
Larry Marcott
Kevin Cole
Bill Eisen
Darrin Coker
Young Lorfing
Others in attendance: Deputy City Manager Alan Mueller; Executive Director of
Community Services Nick Finan; Executive Director of Economic Development
Corporation Fred Welch; Public Affairs Liaison Lynn Munford; Parks & Recreation
Director Rhonda Cyrus; Director of Human Resources and Safety Management Mary
Hickling; Purchasing Officer Gordon Island; Project Director Joe Wertz; Senior Planner
Theresa Grahmann.
PURPOSE OF HEARING — TO RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENT AND TESTIMONY
REGARDING AN UPDATE TO THE MASTER PARK PLAN. Ms. Rhonda Cyrus,
Director of Parks and Recreation.
STAFF REVIEW
City Manager Bill Eisen stated Council had a chance to hear previously from Director of
Parks and Recreation Rhonda Cyrus regarding the City's Master Park Plan and
proposed changes in and around the Magnolia Corridor. The purpose of this Public
Hearing is to take testimony on some of those modifications in order to move forward
with possible grant eligibility.
Director of Parks and Recreation Rhonda Cyrus stated the Master Park Plan will be
briefly discussed and also the current criteria for the priority list. The list is as follows:
swimming pools, soccer fields, hike and bike trails, recreation center, tennis complex,
miniature golf course, theatre, public golf course. According to the Texas Department of
Parks and Wildlife, the current City of Pearland Master Park Plan is outdated. The City
is given one opportunity to update the Master Park Plan in regards to the upcoming
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grant submission in January. There have been some changes in the community over
the past years. One of the changes that took place was due to a referendum, which
was held a number of years ago. Pearland is also growing very rapidly and the needs
of the community have changed. The new priorities will meet the current goals. The
number one goal is to enhance the environment by contributing to the quality of life. It
will provide connectivity for a corridor, increase recreational opportunities for the citizens
of Pearland, identify green space opportunities, increase awareness of the environment
through educational opportunities, and promote a healthy environment. She gave
additional information regarding the grant submittal process. The new Master Park Plan
will integrate a parks theme by multiuse of City facilities. It will make essential space for
leisure time activities, which will become increasingly important as the citizen population
grows in Pearland. Facilities will do this by offering facilities based upon the needs
listed in the plan, increasing the amount of trails and connectivity, and preserving points
of historical significance and natural beauty. The priorities were based upon
referendum results, recreation needs analysis, customer surveys, discussions with
Texas Parks and Wildlife, input from Ion Design, and input from the community
completed by the YMCA. She gave information regarding the parks plan time table. In
closing, she stated the project will build partnerships.
Bryan Kline of Ion Design stated this plan will be submitted to the Texas Department of
Parks and Wildlife by the end of November. This is really an update to the City's current
Master Park Plan.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Michael Klaus, 5016 Groveton, addressed Council and stated he is in complete
agreement with getting this project completed. He stated some additional possibilities
to be included in the plan are areas around Clear Creek.
Robbie Gil of the Pearland YMCA addressed Council and stated he supports the
project. A lot of hard work has taken place by taking a small plan that first started as a
skate park and building on it to impact the entire community.
Executive Director of Keep Pearland Beautiful Linda Cowles addressed Council and
stated Keep Pearland Beautiful stands in full support of the Master Park Plan.
Keith Blasingame of the Pearland YMCA addressed Council and stated he supports the
project and thinks it will be an excellent addition to the City.
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COUNCIL/STAFF DISCUSSION
Mayor Reid stated he is a very strong advocate for the Master Park Plan update. The
right people are present within the City to make this happen. This would also work in
conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce efforts to increase tourism within the City of
Pearland.
Councilmember Owens stated this is a great advantage for Pearland. This is a good
opportunity. He would like to see Brazoria County help with the efforts as well.
Mayor Reid stated the concept of the skate park was taken and made into a master
community wide effort by the Director of Parks and Recreation Rhonda Cyrus.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 7:24 p.m.
Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this the 13th day of December ,
A.D., 2004.
Tom Reid
ATTEST: Mayor
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