2009-01-15 PEARLAND 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, JANUARY 15, 2009 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 8:09 a.m.
IL BOARD MEMBER ROLL CALL
Ben Carranza
Chairperson
Kevin Fite
Vice Chairperson
Ed Miller
Board Member
Marjorie Wilcoxson
Board Member
Laura Austin
Board Member
Helen Beckman
Council Member
Neal Wes
Guest, Planning and Zoning Board
Jon Branson
Parks and Recreation Director
Randi Wyatt
Parks and Recreation Office Coordinator
John Walters
Parks and Recreation Urban Forester
Alicia Rodriguez
Parks and Recreation Customer Service Clerk
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —November 20, 2008
Ms. Wilcoxson made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Mr. Miller
seconded the motion and the motion carried 4 to 0.
Ms. Austin, board member joined the meeting at 8:11 am, after the motion was
made.
FV. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE CITY OF
PEARLAND GREEN POLICY
Mr. Branson began by providing the Board with a document explaining the City
Council's Goal #7, Green Policy. Mr. Branson wants to keep the Board informed
by discussing what has been done to date.
A group of various City employees have been working on Council's Goal #7 by
gathered information from other Cities throughout the Country, looking at
standards and guidelines followed within those organizations to promote
sustainable design. The group has looked at several policies from other cities, i.e.,
purchasing policy, vehicle policies, water conservation, planting of various trees.
The group is researching incentives the City might be able to provide builders
an&or companies that want to establish green buildings or green technology.
Offering incentives may attract these types of businesses and type of construction
here in Pearland.
Staff is reviewing the City's internal existing codes and ordinances to detennine if
they could be tweaked or changed to help individuals that would like to receive
LEED Certification. The findings of this research are that if a contractor adheres
to the City's current codes and ordinances they could received roughly eight (8)
points towards LEED Certification.
The Urban Forester and Parks and Maintenance Superintendent have
recommended that we change the requirements in the Tree Ordinance to allow
native type plantings that would assist with water conservations.
Staff is looking at updating the City's purchasing policy, for the use of recycled
products, i.e., paper, picnic benches, cleaning materials, fuel efficient vehicles,
etc. A Green Building Policy recommendation has been made stating that the
renovation of existing City Facilities and construction of new City Facilities
follow Green Standards.
The Board agreed that no additional input was needed from this Board for
Council to consider the recommended policies and procedures. A motion was not
required as this was a discussion.
V. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING BI -LAWS AND
THE VITAL ROLE OF CITIZEN -BOARD MEMBERS
Mr. Branson discussed the overall role of a Board Member. National Recreation
and Parks Association produced a video for Parks and Recreation Departments
and Citizen -Board Members. The board then proceeded to watch the video.
Mr. Branson briefly discussed the recommended bi-laws of the Board. This
Spring he plans to have a separate meeting from the regular meetings for
members to set goals and refocus for the new year. Scheduled to go before City
Council at the last regular workshop of this month are the recornrnended By-laws
for the Board, the Code of Ordinances and Primary User Group Policy. Mr.
Branson this discussed the functions of the Board and encouraged advocacy for
the Parks and Recreation Department and the City.
Mr. Branson updated the Board regarding the Parks and Recreation Master Plan,
approved by Texas Parks and Wildlife in 2005. Every five years the Master Plan
must be updated, therefore, in 2010 department will be going through that process
with the involvement of the board.
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A motion was not required as this was a discussion.
VI. DIRECTOR'S REPORT
City Hall, Library and Community Center:
The Pearland City Hall, the Cormnunity Center and the Library took a direct hit
from Hurricane IKE. All three buildings were substantially damaged as a result
of the storm. Since our last meeting bids have been received and awarded for
mold remediation. Renovation began at the Library and City Hall on January
12`x'. The library is scheduled to be completed in early April of this year with City
Hall scheduled to be complete in late May or early June. Since the Community
Center will be occupied during construction of City Hall, renovation of the
Community Center will take place on nights and weekends until everyone has
moved back into City Hall.
Natatorium and Recreation Center:
The plans and specifications are essentially complete at this time. It is anticipated
the bids will be received on February 27, 2009, and or February 5, 2009. Once
construction begins, the project is estimated to take 13 months to complete.
Phase I of the Trail Connectivity Project:
The City is currently in the process of trying to acquire an easement along the
back portion of the properties location in the Ryan Acres Subdivision. The plans
and specifications for the project are approximately 75% complete at this time. It
is anticipated the project will be advertised for bid later this spring.
Centennial Park South Expansion:
As of October of 2008, the project was substantially complete. The Grand
Opening for the new improvements is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April
4, 2009, at 1:00 p.m.
Orange Street Park/Hunter Park
The Council officially adopted a resolution at the August 25, 2008, meeting
naming the park Hunter Park. Due to budgetary concerns regarding expenditures
related to IKE this project is temporarily on hold.
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Woody Street Park:
Additional work in house is scheduled now through April with Substantial
Completion scheduled for April 15, 2009.The project should be substantially
complete in February.
Water Lights District and Presidential Park:
The consultant has finalized the conceptual drawing for the proposed park and has
presented it to Staff and the PEDC. No further action will be taken on this project
until it is determined how the improvements can be funded.
Presentation for Neil Nest with the Planning and Zoning Commission:
Mr. Neil West of the Planning and Zoning Commission would like to present a
proposal to the Board regarding recommended changes to the Tree Ordinance.
Since this is not a posted agenda item, no discussion took take place on this item
by the Board. The item will be placed on the Board's future agenda for
consideration in February.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:23 a.m.
These minutes respectfully submitted by:
Randi Wyatt` -.J
Parks Office Coordinator
Minutes approved as submitted and or corrected this l- day of
1 Jk' l,t�-�l^ 2009.
J
Ben Cat rr , Chairperson %T-
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