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2006-09-14 PARKS, RECREATION AND BEAUTIFICATION BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTESMINUTES — REGULAR MEETING OF THE PEARLAND PARKS, RECREATION AND BEAUTIFICATION BOARD, OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, HELD ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2006, AT 8:00 A.M., 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 8:07 a.m. H. BOARD MEMBER ROLL CALL Laura Austin Tom Gibbs Ben Carranza Joe Miller Ed Miller, Sr. Michelle Smith Randi Wyatt Mike Hodge Cara Nesby Andrea Brinkley Sheila Condon Richard McNamara Bob Randall Board Secretary Chairperson Vice Chairperson Board Member Board Member Interim Director of Parks & Recreation Parks & Recreation Office Coordinator Assistant City Manager City Project Manager City Project Manager Clark, Condon & Associates, Consultant Clark, Condon & Associates, Consultant Randall-Portefield, Consultant III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —June 22, 2006 Mr. Gibbs announced that the minutes from June 22, 2006 would be tabled to the next meeting. IV. DISCUSSION AND UPDATE THE HIKE & BIKE MASTER PLAN Mrs. Smith advised that she has discussed the Master Plan with the consultant. We now have a tentative schedule. She added that we recently went on a Discovery Tour on the 31St of August. They are currently working on a sidewalk and existing trails inventory that is to be provided to her next week. They will then go in and do an inventory of existing private trails and anything that is up coming or that is planned in the books, be it a plat or not. Then the information will be submitted to us. We have a tentative Public Hearing on October 23, 2006. It will be a Public Hearing for the initial plan. Mrs. Smith then stated that she would be happy to answer any questions pertaining specifically to the plan. She advised that she has a timeline that is for review from the consultant. V. DISCUSSION AND ACTION REGARDING CAPITAL BOND PROJECTS Mrs. Smith stated that the update regarding the Capital Bond Project is that we have had four kick off meetings, two of which, we have presenters here today to get feedback as to how best to program each project. Mrs. Smith advised that the other projects are still being worked on, and the Parks Board will have an opportunity to ask questions. She then asked if anyone had any specific questions about the projects or the status of the projects. Mr. Gibbs asked what is the status of the swimming pool with the school board. Mrs. Smith advised that she has a meeting this afternoon with the school and a potential architect. Mrs. Smith advised that she feels after this meeting, we will have a better direction. Mrs. Smith stated that there is no action being taken at this time, only discussion. VI. DISCUSSION AND DESIGN FOR INDEPENDENCE PARK — SHEILA CONDON Sheila Condon and Richard McNamara with Clark, Condon and Associates are here today to give a presentation. They are here to get input and discovery regarding the project at Independence Park. Mr. McNamara met last week with Cara Nesby, Project Manager, Trent Epperson, Project Director and Michelle Smith, Interim Director to get a kick-start on the project. 'Therefore, this meeting is just a quick reference for what is out there. Ms. Condon asked for input or suggestions for the park. She stated that there are a lot of elements in the CIP. She advised they want to cover all that they can. Ms. Condon asked if any of the elements have changed or have more been added. She advised that also for the Master Plan there are several citywide needs that are listed and identified. Per the Master Plan there are also potential residential inputs from the survey. Ms. Condon stated that she feels it is important to pick up the needs from the CIP but also from the Master Plan, as a cross reference. Mr. McNamara asked if we needed to put a playground in the Rotary Park because of the playground that is currently there. Mrs. Smith advised that she would have to do further research on that issue. Mr. McNamara asked if there were any stipulations regarding removing anything out of the park or where there any elements that needed to stay at the park. Mr. McNamara asked Cara Nesby if she was able to find out any information on the detention size. Ms. Nesby stated that she spoke with Doug Kneupper in Engineering. Mr. Kneupper advised Ms. Nesby that the detention is going to double in size but there are no engineering plans at this time. 2 Mr. Gibbs stated that would take up a lot of the park. Ms. Austin stated that is a big change. Mr. Gibbs then advised that we could use this to our advantage. Ms. Nesby agreed and stated that it is a big amenity. Mr. Carranza asked if we are going to double the size of the detention, where is the parking and traffic flow in and out of it. Ms. Condon stated that is part of the elements of the park. Mr. McNamara stated that was good question. He then asked is there a desire to have access from Pearland Parkway as an entry to the park from either side, but not a drive through. He advised making the entrance double access with speed bumps so that people aren't using the park as a road. Mr. Gibbs advised that he feels the entrance to the park is very obscure. Ms. Condon agreed. Mr. Gibbs stated that Independence Park is our biggest park and he feels we should give it a grand entrance. Mr. Joe Miller asked how much parking would be added to the park. Ms. Condon stated that they did not have an exact figure available and it will be based on the programs or fields added to the park. A discussion ensued regarding the pool at Independence: Park. Mr. McNamara wanted to know what degree of a water feature where we: wanting. What degree is desired for the Spray Park? Mr. Gibbs advised that he would like a neighborhood style pool/recreational pool verses the competitive pools. A discussion began about the likes and dislikes of each kind of pool. Mr. Gibbs advised that he liked the lazy river at Angleton. Mr. Carranza suggested a shaded area around the pool is needed. Ms. Austin stated that she did not like the pavilion at Independence Park very much. She stated that it was outdated. Ms. Condon asked for input regarding a dog park. Mr. Gibbs agreed that a dog park is needed. Ms. Austin requested the need for dog clean up stations around the park. Mr. Carranza advised it would be nice because it would be accessible to the neighborhoods. Mr. Joe Miller asked about landscaping. Ms. Condon advised that she has not heard any details regarding landscaping yet. Ms. Austin advised that KPB is starting a tree farm at SWEC. Ms. Condon asked for input regarding a bandstand in the park. Mrs. Smith stated that there is a need for an informal seating bandstand or Amphitheater for our events that are held there. Mrs. Smith advised that we have Winterfest and the July 4 Celebration, etc., at this park and it needs to be accessible and accommodate a large crowd. Ms. Condon suggested that we visit the Amphitheater at Friendswood. She advised that they have a very nice Amphitheater with lawn seating. A conversation ensued regarding other uses for the park:. Ms. Condon advised that she will now be in the process of thinking and laying out the plans by the October meeting. She advised that the Parks Board may email her any other thoughts or ideas that may come to mind. 3 VII. DISCUSSION AND DESIGN FOR SHADOW CREEK PARK — BOB RANDALL Mr. Bob Randall began talking by giving his background to the members. He advised that the awareness of outdoor space is becoming more important each year. Mr. Randall advised that he is not as tar along in his project as Ms. Condon because he just had his kick off meeting yesterday. He stated that he is actually going out the park today to see the area and make some determinations. Mr. Randall advised that per a study he was provided with on the park he generated a list of questions that he has handed out to the members. Ile would like to review a few of the questions today. His first concern is that Kingsley Drive splits the park. His idea is it to have a nature park on one side and an active park on the other side of Kingsley Drive. Mr. Randall advised that due to the Migratory Birds that will visit the park he did not want to put a soccer field with bright lights in the middle of the nature area. Although we may not see a daily impact, the animals will be affected. A discussion began regarding sidewalks. Mr. Ed Miller suggested that the sidewalks needed to be 8 — 10 feet wide, per the suggestion made by the Friendswood Parks Director during the last Discovery Tour. Mr. Gibbs suggested that we look at the sidewalks at Tom Bass Park. He advised that they are really nice. Mr. Randall proceeded to ask a few of the questions and get input. Question 1: Park Boundaries. How many acres on the right side of Kingsley Drive are going to be park purposes? Would anyone be opposed to splitting the park? Mr. Gibbs stated that we have a tendency in blocking off or fencing off parks from the neighborhoods and he feels like that this parks should be open access to the neighborhoods. Mr. Randall asked for input on Question 6: Cultural Resources? He stated that he wants to utilize the wetlands and wildlife areas. He suggested perhaps a butterfly garden and/or trees for songbirds. He stated that you could use plants as placement for other wildlife. Mr. Randall asked for input on Question 9: Open Space Requirements/Concerns - What does this park area mean to you? He advised that at the next meeting he will probably provide suggestions and sketches for the members to review. Mr. Gibbs advised that previously he had heard that the neighborhoods may put forth money for a water activity, but he is not sure about rafting. Mr. Gibbs stated that he believes the deal would be that the City would be expected to provide the land and perhaps money towards the activity. Mr. Randall explained that there is large body of water in the middle of the park that can really be utilized and make something out of it. rd Mr. Randall asked for input on Question 13: Economic opportunities — public and private partnerships? Mr. Randall asked if that is something that we even want to entertain. Mr. Gibbs stated that he remembers, Rhonda. Cyrus, Previous Parks Director, stating that they wanted something different at this park. Mrs. Smith stated that one of the stipulations that we had discussed with the White Water Rafting Group is that is if it is going to have a competitive element in it, it also has to be community accessible park that the general community could also use at other times. It is not going to be specifically used for competitive white water rafting training. It would need to be a community type center. Mr. Randall stated that it would require payment to play in. Mrs. Smith advised that there was a mixed discussion about both, payment and non-payment. Mr. Gibbs stated that the outside and everything around it should be open to the general public but to get on the river you would have to make a payment. Mr. Gibbs stated that there possibly could be a restaurant that could over look the river. Mr. Gibbs advised that there is not another facility in South Texas like this; therefore, we would attract the entire rafting enthusiast around. He also mentioned that the flow of water is very unpredictable here and this would provide some type of consistency. Mrs. Smith asked if what she is hearing, for the purpose ofthis meeting, is that we are open to public and private partnerships. VIII. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Mrs. Smith advised that there is not a formal director's report today. She stated that we are currently working on the CIP Project. Mrs. Smith advised that we may have a potential new director with in the next four weeks. Mrs. Smith stated that there is a proposal for the Orange Street Project. She advised that we have asked for work to be done behind Ace Hardware. It has come up in discussion for a name of the new park. She stated that the Parks Board might be asked to come up with some suggestions. Mrs. Smith advised that there has been a name thrown out there, Glenda Dawson. Mrs. Dawson was our State Representative that passed away this week. Mr. Carranza requested that we make sure that there are no negative drawbacks to the park before we name the park after Mrs. Dawson. He suggested that we might want to name a different or larger park after her. Mrs. Smith stated we should develop a Park Naming System. IX. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn made by Tom Gibbs. Motion seconded by Laura Austin. Passed 5 to 0. The meeting adjourned at 9:25 a.m. 5 These minutes respectfully submitted by: &nh I I I MLI& J - Randi Wyatt Ig Parks Office Coordinator Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this 2006. Y2p-�-C, - I Thomas Gib s, Chairperson 7 M { <� day of 0 0 012CIr ,