2008-01-17 PEARLAND PARKS, RECREATION AND BEAUTIFICATION BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTESMINUTES â REGULAR MEETING OF THE PEARLAND PARKS,
RECREATION AND BEAUTIFICATION BOARD, OF THE CITY OF
PEARLAND, TEXAS, HELD ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2008, AT 8:00
A.M., IN THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT CONFERENCE
ROOM, AT 2947 BROADWAY STREET, PEARLAND, TEXAS
L CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 8:07 a.m.
II. BOARD MEMBER ROLL CALL
Ben Carranza
Chairperson
Joe Miller
Vice -Chairperson
Tom Gibbs
Chairperson
Laura Austin
Board Member
Ed Miller
Board Member
Marjorie Wilcoxson
Board Member
Jon Branson
Parks and Recreation Director
Michelle Smith
Parks and Recreation Superintendent
Ed Grossenheider
Parks and Building Superintendent
Randi Wyatt
Parks and Recreation Office Coordinator
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES â December 20, 2007
Mr. Joe Miller made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Mr.
Ed Miller seconded the motion and the motion 4 to 0.
IV. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING GREEN
BUILDING POLICY
Mr. Branson stated the policy that was recommended by the board was
presented to Council in November for their consideration. Mr. Branson
advised that the City Council is in favor of a green building policy;
however, he feels the consensus of the council was that they did not want
to be limited by items (2 â 7) two through seven in the policy.
Mr. Branson asked the board to consider taking out the minimum
requirements (items 2-7) and simply stating that the building is required to
be certified. He feels that Council will approve and adopt the policy with
such language. A discussion ensued regarding the language and specifics
of the Green Building Policy.
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The board agreed that the language should be, "It is the goal of the City to
reach the highest level possible for the project, with the minimum
certification being the requirement".
Mr. Joe Miller made a motion to accept the policy as stated with
modifications to page (4) four, section (4) four; exclude items (2-7) two
through seven and modifications to items one as discussed in the meeting.
Mr. Gibbs seconded the motion and the motion carried 6 to 0.
V. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING PARKS
AND RECREATION CODE OF ORDINANCES
Two meetings ago, the code of ordinances for the department as well as
by-laws for the department were discussed. Most Parks and Recreation
Departments have a set of general operation rules, however, the City of
Pearland Parks and Recreation Department did not have these rules. In
looking for these rules, Mr. Branson did find that the department has
information regarding a Park Dedication as well as a Tree Mitigation
located in the Code of Ordinances.
Mr. Branson presented the board with an overall list of items to review as
a draft Code of Ordinances. The codes define the overall mission and
guidelines for Parks and Recreation operations. Mr. Branson reviewed
each section with the board in detail.
Mr. Branson asked that a vote not to take place today, he would like staff
to have the opportunity to review the codes before the board takes action
on the item. The Code of Ordinance has been tabled at this time.
VI. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING PARKS
AND RECREATION BY-LAWS
Mr. Branson submitted a final copy of the Parks and Recreation By-laws
for the boards review. The board reviewed the by-laws and felt that they
were sufficient for the department.
Mr. Joe Miller made a motion to accept the Parks and Recreation By-laws
as stated. Mr. Gibbs seconded the motion and it carried 6 to 0.
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VII. DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Ms. Smith stated that there is a tentative opening date for the Knapp
Senior Center of early March 2008. The walls are up and the crews are
painting. There will be a grand opening with a date to be determined as
the project comes to an end. The temporary building is going well;
attendance is down, but that was expected.
Ms. Smith informed the board that the Parks Department submitted six
nominations to TRAPS for 2008 awards at the state level. The Senior
Center received the Arts and Humanities Award last year therefore
TRAPS submitted the award to NRPA. Now the department has a
submission for a National Award. Monday night Ms. Smith went to
America Planning Association, APA in Houston to receive an award and
recognition in the area of Enhancing Public Spaces with the Hike and Bike
Master Plan. NRPA has a Gold Metal Award Program that the department
is looking into, this is an award is based on the review of a department for
a five year time period.
Mr. Grossenheider advised that construction at Centennial Park will begin
on January 7, 2008. The construction will consist of a bridge, pavilion,
parking, and site preparation for a splash pad as well as utilities for future
restrooms.
Weather has played a big part in the delay of Woody Park. Mr.
Grossenheider stated that the playground is ready to be installed after the
stump grinding is complete.
Mr. Grossenheider brought good news by advising that the Bark Park at
Independence Park has been opened for a month now. It has been getting
a lot of use, especially the obstacle course. There are still improvements
to be made, including a small dog area and shade structures.
Mr. Branson stated that Clark Condon and Associates have been awarded
as the Consultants for the Hike and Bike project, hopefully to complete the
plans and specifications within four months. The project is on schedule to
be completed in December 2008. Tomorrow morning, Mr. Branson will
be on Fox 26 News doing an interview at the parks regarding the Hike and
Bike Trail as well as the owner of the Pearland Cycles Shop.
Mr. Branson advised that the Interlocal Agreement between the City and
PISD has been approved. The Consultant, PBK, has been awarded for the
Recreation Center and Natatorium project. They will be having their first
meeting in January 2008, it will take approximately six months for the
plans to be developed with construction to begin around October or
November 2008.
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Monday the City Council approved the contact with USA Sports Alliance
to raise funds in the amount of 2.5 million for that Shadow Creek Ranch
Sports Complex, with a goal of raising 12.50 million with 10% paid to
secure that money. USA has 180 days to produce the funds. If this takes
place, the sports complex will move up in the project schedule.
Mr. Branson attended a meeting this week regarding the development of
the Water Lights District, Presidential Park and Gardens. This is going to
be a new development at Hwy 288 by BPS. It will be an accumulation of
commercial, residential and entertainment district. One of the components
of this park would be forty-two statues of former Presidents will stand the
park. Issues to be resolved include, maintaining the park, a City park or
who will a private park. The thoughts are that the City will own it and
operate the park. It will end up being an educational park along with a
scenic trail and water gardens.
Mr. Grossenheider wanted to inform the board that the Parks Department
is very proud that two of its employees received awards for the Citywide
Employee Recognition Program. Eric Hammond received the Employee
of the Quarter Award and Colene Cabezas received the Employee of the
Year Award at this year's Thanksgiving Luncheon. As well as the
department received an award from Keep Pearland Beautiful. This
department is being recognized throughout the City, which is in line with
our vision.
Ms. Smith advised Colene Cabezas has been promoted from Special
Events Coordinator to Recreation Superintendent. Carry Watts was then
promoted to the Special Events Coordinator. Three new Recreation
Specialist have been hired therefore the only position left open right now
is the Special Events Specialist position.
Mr. Joe Miller took a discovery tour with Keep Pearland Beautiful to see
Fayette County's Glass Crusher. KPB is looking into purchasing the
machine for the recycling center. The recycling center takes in a large
consumption of glass each month, once crushed the glass can be used in
several different ways.
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VIII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m.
These minutes respectfully submitted by:
Randi Wya
Parks Office Coordinator
Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this tâI day of
2008.
GSM
Ben Carr za, Chairperson
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