2009-03-19 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, MARCH 19, 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 8:07 a.m.
II. BOARD MEMBER ROLL CALL
Ben Carranza
Chairperson
Kevin Fite
Vice -Chairperson
Ed Miller
Board Member
Marjorie Wilcoxson
Board Member
Tom Gibbs
Board Member
Helen Beckman
Council Member
Jon Branson
Assistant City Manager
Randi Wyatt
Parks and Recreation Office Coordinator
John Walters
Parks and Recreation Urban Forester
Ed Grossenheider
Parks and Building Superintendent
Angelica Smith
Parks and Recreation Customer Service Clerk
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — February 19, 2009
Ms. Wilcoxson made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Mr. Gibbs
seconded the motion and the motion carried 5 to 0.
IV. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING REVISIONS TO
THE TREE ORDINANCE (UDC)
Mr. Branson began by discussing the agenda items for the January meeting, where
Mr. Neil West from the Planning and Zoning Commission was in attendance. Mr.
West spoke to the board about proposed revision to the Tree Ordinance. A
specific topic that Mr. West discussed was that the current Tree Ordinance only
addresses Protected Trees. Mr. Branson reiterated the example of Mr. West;
according to the current ordinance a stand of pine trees can be clear cut by a
developer because pine trees are not a protected tree. However, Mr. West felt that
the ordinance should be changed to protect trees in such situations.
Mr. Branson felt it was important to put this topic back on the agenda so that the
board had the opportunity to discuss the current Tree Ordinance. Mr. Walters,
Urban Forester joined the meeting to assist with discussions and provide
additional information regarding possible changes.
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Mr. Walters and the board discussed at length the Tree Ordinance and Protected
Tree List that is presently in the Unified Development Code, UDC. The board
continued to agree that the list and ordinance need to be more restrictive and
would like more time to determine what additional information needed to be
listed. The board also discussed developing a policy that identifies Heritage
Trees. Such a plan would include trees being identified and a list maintained.
A decision was made to discuss at the next meeting potential edits to ordinance,
potential adoption of the proposed changes to the Protected Tree List, and the
development of a Heritage Tree Policy.
Topic tabled to the next meeting.
V. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING CODE OF
ORDINANCES
A few weeks ago, a Draft Code of Ordinances was presented to Council, with no
objections. Mr. Branson directed the board to review the proposed changes to the
approved Code of Ordinances, provided in the handouts.
Currently, in Section 21 ''/z, in the code book, this section begins with the Parkland
Dedication Ordinance and other policies. Mr. Branson proposes changing the
order of the policy by putting section 21 '/� 1 through 21 1/2 28 as the beginning
section under Parks and Recreation.
The current policy has already been reviewed and approved by the board except
the following items:
Section 21 % 17 Playing golf being prohibited in certain areas
Section 21 '/2 22 Motor Vehicles are prohibited in certain areas
Section 21 'h 26 Prohibit glass containers at City Parks
Section 21 '/2 27 Obedience of Park rules and signage
Motion to accept proposed changes as shown made by Mr. Gibbs. Motion
seconded by Mr. Fite and carried 5 to 0.
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VI. DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Mr. Branson provided the results for the Texas theme Kiosks for the Hike and
Bike Trail.
Mr. Branson stated that this was his last Parks Board meetings as the Director.
Michelle Smith will return from maternity leave as the Director of Parks and
Recreation as Mr. Branson has been promoted to Assistant City Manager.
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
12th. 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. The Library reopened for business earlier this week
on March 16, 2009. The City Hall renovation and Community Building
renovation are ahead of schedule and within budget. It is anticipated all offices
will be relocated back to their permanent locations prior to May 1, 2009.
Natatorium and Recreation Center:
Bids were received on Thursday, March 5, 2009. Bid award is scheduled for
March 30, 2009. The apparent low qualified bidder's base bid is within budget.
Assuming the bid is awarded at the March 30th Council meeting, a ground
breaking ceremony will take place in late April.
Phase I of the Trail Connectivity Project:
The City is currently in the process of moving forward with the acquisition of 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 sura mer.
Centennial Park South Expansion:
As of October of 2008, the project was substantially complete. The Ribbon
Cutting Ceremony for the new improvements at Centennial Park South are is
scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 4, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. Parks,
Recreation and Beautification Board members are encouraged to attend.
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:
Additional work in house is scheduled now through April with Substantial
Completion set for April 15, 2009. The jogging trail was finished last week. The
parking area including bollard installation should be finalized this week with
Bermuda grass seed installation scheduled for the first week in April.
Water Lights District and Presidential Park:
The consultant has finalized the conceptual drawing for the proposed park and has
presented the design to Staff and the PEDC. No further action will be taken on
this project until it is determined how the improvements will be funded.
VH. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:28 a.m.
These minutes respectfully submitted by:
Randi Wyatt
Parks Office Coordinator
Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this IP day of
12009.
-Ut4n
Ben Cananz , Chairperson
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