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2006-06-22 PARKS, RECREATION AND BEAUTIFICATION BOARD SPECIAL MEETING MINUTESMINUTES — SPECIAL MEETING OF THE PEARLAND PARKS, RECREATION AND BEAUTIFICATION BOARD, OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, HELD ON THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2006, AT NOON, IN THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT CONFERENCE ROOM, AT 2947 BROADWAY STREET, PEARLAND, TEXAS I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 12 noon. H. BOARD MEMBER ROLL CALL Laura Austin Board Secretary Tom Gibbs Chairperson Scott Sherman Board Member Ed Miller, Sr. Board Member Rhonda Cyrus Director of Parks & Recreation Michelle Dunn Recreation Superintendent Mona Miller Parks & Recreation Office Coordinator Bret Keast Kendig-Keast, Consultant Sarah Pearson Kendig-Keast, Consultant Assistant Mike Yost Hike & Bike Trail Committee Member Alan Mueller Hike & Bike Trail Committee Member Helen Beckman Hike & Bike Trail Committee Member Mrs. Cyrus asked that the we go directly to item IV regarding the Hike and Bike Master Plan because the consultant, Bret Keast was in attendance to discuss this item. She also pointed out that this is a joint meeting with the Parks Board and the Hike and Bike Trail Committee. She added that the we have received two hundred and thirty eight on-line trail survey results and numerous paper ones that will be input on-line. Mrs. Cyrus stated that the survey will be available through June 30t'. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — June 8, 2006 Mr. Sherman made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Austin, to approve the minutes as submitted. Motion passed 4 to 0. IV. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE HIKE & BIKE MASTER PLAN Mrs. Keast explained that he wanted to walk through the plan process with the Parks Board and Hike and Bike Trail Committee. He stated that he has been working with staff to identify things such as pipeline easements, drainage easements, and other places that trails could be placed. He added that we want to connect the dots in order to get people from one place to another via trails. He gave examples of getting kids to and from school, and people from their homes to parks and community buildings. Mr. Keast asked those in attendance if there were other buildings that they felt were important to tie trails to. Mr. Gibbs mentioned the Pitch, Putt and Play facility on O'Day Road. Mr. Mueller asked if the maps that have been prepared showed existing trail systems through Silverlake and Shadow Creek Ranch. Mr. Keast stated that he has not had time to review the maps, but that he will be sure those trail systems are shown for possible connectivity. Mrs. Beckman mentioned that Highland Glen also has a trail system within the subdivision. Mr. Gibbs stated that West Oaks has a nice jogging trail. Mr. Miller added that Pine Hollow does also. Mr. Keast stated that the next step would be to sit down and draw with markers to identify linkages for these corridors. He added that next, we will determine whether we can eventually access those corridors or not and weed out those that we cannot. He explained that he will rely heavily on this group to provide as much information to him as possible because they are so much more familiar with Pearland than he is. Mr. Keast stated that we would then begin meeting with the different entities that own these easements, existing trail systems, etc. and work toward a partnership to tie those into our trail system. He clarified that off street trails will be our first priority. A discussion ensued regarding existing trail systems, some of which cross private property. Mr. Keast explained that there would be some issues with acquisition or easements on these private properties. In addition, Mr. Keast added that we would review the subdivision ordinance to see if we need to add requirements for new developments to provide trail rights of way. Mr. Keast explained that we would be meeting with private groups such as the bike clubs, jogging clubs, etc. to get their input, as we did with the Parks Master Plan. He went on to say that there are some federal funds available for these types of projects, but of course, they also have many requirements that the City would need to meet in order to receive those funds. Mr. Keast stated that after all alternatives are determined, we would draw our master plan from those results. He added that we would create a color -coded trail system by surface type. Then, we would identify connectors and trail head locations with small parking areas with 8-10 parking spaces. He also explained that, during the process, we would need to identify any constructability issues such as low bridges, major roadways, large ditches, etc. A discussion ensued regarding parkland and other trail systems that might be tied into our trail system. Mrs. Cyrus mentioned to the group that Michelle Dunn would be Interim Director when she leaves. She stated that there has been a really good effort in improving our Parks and she wants to keep that effort going even after she is gone. Mrs. Cyrus stated that we would be taking a "Discovery Tour" on July 26'x' or 27th to view Alvin and Seabrook's trail systems. 2 Mr. Keast and the Hike and Bike Trail Committee members left the meeting. The Parks Board meeting continued. V. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS Mrs. Cyrus explained that we need a recommendation from the Parks Board for the CIPs. She stated that we have chosen the most diversified projects out of all of the projects identified. She added that these projects are diversified is their users groups as well as geographically. Mrs. Cyrus explained that City Council will look at these CIPs again this next Monday. Mr. Sherman made a motion, seconded by Mr. Miller, to approve the CIPs as submitted. Motion passed 4 to 0. VI. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE TREE ORDINANCE Mrs. Cyrus stated that the Parks Board had made a recommendation on the Tree Ordinance changes in February. The explained that these proposed changes were passed onto City Council to consider. However, when City Council considered these items, Council instructed staff to go with a "middle of the road" ordinance and take it back to the Parks Board for their recommendation. A discussion ensued regarding the proposed changes. Much concern was expressed for the loss of our large historic trees. Mr. Sherman asked if the development community had any problems with the ordinance changes when it was presented to them. Mrs. Cyrus answered that she only received two comments back from the development community. One comment was to add pine trees to the protected list. The second comment was ???????? Mrs. Cyrus explained that we have asked for an Urban Forester position in the budget in order to help enforce protection of the trees. Mrs. Beckman, Keep Pearland Beautiful Chairperson, stated that KPB feels very strongly that we should maintain the original recommendation and push for some sort of preservation ordinance, not a replacement ordinance. Mr. Sherman made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Austin, to approve their original recommendation for changes to the Tree Ordinance. Motion passed 4 to 0. VII. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING A BOARD MEMBER ATTENDANCE POLICY Mrs. Miller explained that members have a copy of the City Council's attendance policy. Mrs. Beckman stated that it is a good policy to have in place just in case you need it. Mrs. Cyrus commented that it sets the expectations for the board members. Mr. Sherman made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Austin, to approve the attendance policy for the Parks Board. VIII. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE PARKS, RECREATION AND BEAUTIFICATION BOARD POSITION Mrs. Cyrus explained that we have one vacant position and one member that can not attend meetings very often. She stated that we have three applications on file for new members. She would recommend replacing the member that has a low attendance, therefore, we would recommend two new board member positions. Mr. Miller made a motion, seconded by Mr. Sherman, to approve removing one member from the Board and recommending that Council appoint two new members. Motion passed 4 to 0. IX. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Mrs. Cyrus stated that she does not have a report this time since this is a special meeting. X. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 1:03 pm. These minutes respectfully submitted by: CAP,IV � UUP Mona Ann Miller 1�� j o, gclr Parks Office Coordinator Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this day of 2006. Thomas Gibbs, Chairperson 4