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2009-02-19 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, FEBRUARY 19, 2009 AT 8:00 A.M., IN THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT CONFERENCE ROOM, AT 2947 BROADWAY STREET, PEARLAND, TEXAS ��7_\ 11 III ICIZI ' 1 s The meeting was called to order at 8:05 a.m. II. BOARD MEMBER ROLL CALL Ben Carranza Chairperson Kevin Fite Vice -Chairperson Ed Miller Board Member Marjorie Wilcoxson Board Member Laura Austin Board Member Quentin Wiltz Board Member Tom Gibbs Board Member Helen Beckman Council Member Jon Branson Parks and Recreation Director Randi Wyatt Parks and Recreation Office Coordinator John Walters Parks and Recreation Urban Forester Ed Grossenheider Parks and Building Superintendent III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —January 15, 2009 Mr. Fite made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Ms. Wilcoxson seconded the motion and the motion carried 6 to 0. IV. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING PARKS AND RECREATION PROPOSED LEGACY TREE POLICY Mr. Branson addressed the board by introducing Mr. Grossenheider and Mr. Walters who will lead the discussion regarding the Proposed Legacy Tree Policy. Ivlr. Grossenheider explained that he is proposing a program or policy that will allow residents of Pearland to donate a tree in memory of an individual that has contributed to the community or someone significant in their life that has passed away. Applications will not be accepted for pets. Mr. Grossenheider explained the thought behind this program will be meant to increase the amount of trees in Pearland and provide living memorials to individuals. Mr. Grossenheider anticipates establishing an Urban Forest area possibly at the Nature Center. This location is ideal because of its location, the trail and quiet nature of the park. 1 An application would be submitted and reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Beautification Board. Once approved, the tree would be planted and maintained by staff. A memorial would be placed in a Kiosk at the park. At the base of the Kiosk would be a seating wall so that people can set and read the names of the individuals on the plaques and overlook the Urban Forest. Specific criteria for the donated trees would have to be a minimum of (2) two inches in caliber and be trees that are currently on the protected tree list. The proposed dollar amount associated with the tree would be ($200.00) two hundred dollars. This fee would include the purchase and planting of the tree and the plaque. Records of trees donated would be kept at the Parks and Recreation Department. Mr. Grossenheider stated that several request have been made by residents for a memorial park, as recent as two weeks ago. A discussion ensued regarding the Urban Forest. Board Member Thomas Gibbs, joined the meeting at 8:17 am, before the motion was made. Ms. Wilcoxson made a motion to accept the Legacy Tree Policy as presented. Mr. Fite seconded the motion and the motion carried 7 to 0. V. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN UPDATE Mr. Branson began the discussion by advising the Master Plan was approved by City Council almost five years ago in December 2005. In January 2006 it was approved by Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW). If both priority number one and number two are met when applying for a grant application through TPW, the organization will receive priority points. In order to receive priority points from TPW when submitting grant applications the Master Plan must be current. Being that the Recreation Center and Natatorium project is scheduled to begin next month, the Prioritization of Projects needs to be updated. Mr. Branson is recommending that the board approve a supplement request of ($10,000) ten -thousand dollars, in the proposed budget for this year to utilize the same consultant that produced the exsisting Master Plan. The consultant will work with the department to update the plan and perform a survey of the parks as done in the past. Ms. Wilcoxson made a motion for the approval of summiting a supplement request in the amount of ($10,000) ten -thousand dollars in this budget year as presented. Mr. Fite seconded the motion and the motion carried 7 to 0. 2 VI. DIRECTOR'S REPORT City Hall, Library and Community Center: The Pearland City Hall, the Community 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'h. 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. Substantial completion of the all work was completed at the Library last week with the expected reopening the second week in March. The City Hall renovation and Community Building renovation are ahead of schedule and within budget. Natatorium and Recreation Center: The project is out for bid at this time. Bids are due on Thursday, March 5, 2009. Bid award is scheduled for March 16, 2009. A Mandatory Pre -Bid Conference is scheduled for today at 2:00 p.m. As of this morning a total of fifteen contractors have picked up plans and specifications. 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 90% complete at this time. It is anticipated the project will be advertised for bid early this summer. 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. Woody Street Park: 3 VII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:10 a.m. These minutes respectfully submitted by: NZA x Randi Wyatt Parks Office Coordinator Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this N day of 2009. Ben CarranzLf, Chairperson