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2009-04-16 PEARLAND PARKS, RECREATION AND BEAUTIFICATION BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTESMINUTES — REGULAR MEETING OF THE PEARLAND PARKS, RECREATION AND BEAUTIFICAT BOARD, OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, HELD ON THURSDAY, q 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 8:02 a.m. Ben Carranza Chairperson Kevin Fite Vice -Chairperson Ed Miller Board Member Marjorie Wilcoxson Board Member Tom Gibbs Board Member Helen Beckman Council Member Michelle A. Smith Parks and Recreation, Director Randi Wyatt Parks and Recreation, Office Coordinator John Walters Parks and Recreation, Urban Forrester Katy Bower Parks and Recreation, Recreation Specialist Julie Diaz Parks and Recreation, Recreation Center Manager Angie Sanders Parks and Recreation, Special Events Specialist HI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —March 19, 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 REVISIONS TO THE TREE ORDINANCE (UDC) Ms. Smith explained that Mr. Walters would discuss the potential revisions to the Tree Ordinance that were discussed by the board at the last meeting. Mr. Walters stated that he inserted the changes into the appropriate places for the ordinance for review. The Protected Tree List and Landscape Tree List have been added to the Criteria Manual which is primarily used for Tree Surveys. The proposed changes to the Tree Ordinance are under Section 29.1/2 Tree and Vegetation Ordinance: adding definitions to parks trees, median trees, planting and pruning standards. Mr. Walters added Sections 29.1/2.31 Guidelines for care of public trees and 29.1/5.32 Tree Inventory and Management Plan. The department is already doing working under these guidelines however; it needs to be official by including the standards in the ordinance. These guidelines are in compliance with the Tree City USA. Mr. Walters explained the requirements of pruning, caring for trees, violations and standards. Tom Gibbs joined the meeting at 8:11 am. A discussion about the definitions of Heritage Trees took place. Tree Protection requirements of trees in the flood plan and Old Town Site were defined. It was decided that more discussion needs to take place regarding the UDC. Ms. Smith stated that she would like to review potential changes to the UDC and report back to the board at a later date. A decision about the Tree Ordinance can be made today without this particular area being defined. A motion to adopt the proposed changes to the Tree Ordinance/Unified Development Code as presented was made by Ms. Wilcoxson. Ms. Austin seconded the motion and it carried 7 to 0. V. PRESENTATION REGARDING THE YOUTH ACTION COUNCIL Ms. Smith wanted to give the board an opportunity to learn about the various programs the department offers. Youth Action Council (YAC) is relatively a new program that has been revitalized and implemented. Katy Bower, Recreation Specialist is here to give the board a brief summary of the program and answer any questions. There is no need for action on this item as it is for informational purposes only. Ms. Bower stated that nationwide teenagers get a negative perception for being unreliable, not caring or being lazy. Mary Kate Ward, Recreation Specialist and Ms. Bower have started YAC here in Pearland to assist participants becoming better connected with the community and strengthen leadership skills with hopes of one day becoming a future leader of Pearland. YAC is a youth action council for youth ages 14-18 years old. There is an application process and interview to join the council. Currently, there are two members actively participating in volunteer opportunities throughout the City on various projects and at special events. A discussion ensued on how Staff anticipates the program will continue to develop. Ms. Smith stated as a department she realized focus had been on preschool aged children and Senior Citizens, which left a huge age gap. Ms. Smith complemented Staff that have been working on the YAC program which is geared towards middle aged youth. Even though the participation has been small, Staff has been committed to the council and has been having the participants interact with the department and attended the annual conference. She is looking forward to what the group can bring to the community and where they are headed. 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. 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 30`h 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 summer. 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. 518 Medians, West of 288, are still under the management of the contractor and on hold. Ms. Smith will get back to the board with more information after review. The Oak Trees of Southdown were discussed in the previous meeting. John Walters is currently contacting the HOA to find out what happened to the trees at the entrance of the neighborhood. He will respond to the board when new information becomes available. At the last meeting overwatering of Cullen was discussed and to be investigated. Ms. Smith stated there was an irrigation issue that Staff has fixed. A new picture of Stella Roberts has been donated to the Recycling Center. Mr. Miller requested a plaque with signage to be installed under her picture. The signage at the front entrance of the center is currently being changed out to state Stella Roberts Recycling Center. Trail Treckers event will be held on April 181h at Centennial Park. Keep Pearland Beautiful will be planting trees through grants along the walking trail. 0 Additional work in house is scheduled now through April with Substantial Completion scheduled for April 15, 2009. The jogging trail has been laid out, materials have been ordered for the trail and installation of the trail will be completed within the next two weeks. 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. VII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:03 a.m. These minutes respectfully submitted by: NAW - Randi Wyatt Parks Office Coordinator Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this I q day of MAY -C" 2009. Z�1cemop? '10 Ben CarranzaVChairperson 11