2009-05-21 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, MAY 21, 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.
II. BOARD MEMBER ROLL CALL
Ben Carranza
Chairperson
Marjorie Wilcoxson
Board Member
Laura Austin
Board Member
Quentin Wiltz
Board Member
Helen Beckman
Council Member
Michelle A. Smith
Parks and Recreation Director
Randi Wyatt
Parks and Recreation Office Coordinator
Ed Grossenheider
Parks and Recreation Parks Superintendent
Andres Pena
Guest Speaker
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —April 16, 2009
Ms. Austin made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Ms. Wilcoxson
seconded the motion and the motion carried 4 to 0.
IV. PRESENTATION REGARDING EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT
Ms. Smith introduced Andres Pena, a local Eagle Scout to the board. Mr. Pena
would like to present the board with his ideas about an Eagle Scout Project for
Old Settler's Cemetery. After his presentation, Ms. Smith would like the board to
provide any suggestions or comments pertaining to the project.
Mr. Pena began by telling the board about himself. He has been an active
member in the Scouting program for 8 years and is currently an Assistant Senior
Patrol Leader. He is a sophomore at Pearland High school. He is in Troop 464
which is charted by First United Methodist Church and there are just under 100
registered Scouts. His Troop actively gives back to the community by
participating in various volunteer efforts.
An Eagle Project is defined by Wikipedia as: A Scout in the Boy Scouts of
America (BSA) to demonstrate leadership of others while performing a project for
the benefit of his community. This is the culmination of the Eagle Scout
candidate's leadership training, and it requires a significant effort on his part. The
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project must benefit an organization other than the BSA, but it cannot be
performed for an individual or a business, be solely a fundraising project, or be
commercial in nature. A written project plan developed and approved by the
Scoutmaster, the Troop Committee, the Eagle Board, and a community
representative. A plan must be thoroughly documented, highly detailed and
include cost and timing. The project must provide a service and demonstrate
leadership.
Mr. Pena showed pictures of Old Settler's Cemetery to the board and gave ideas
of how he intends to hnprove the Cemetery. He proposes to build a handicapped
accessible pedestrian bridge into Old Settler's Cemetery. Currently, a ditch
surrounds the cemetery which makes it very difficult to access. He would also like
to landscape a portion of the front section with low maintenance plants.
Mr. Pena would like to fabricate a bridge to go from the street to the gates of the
cemetery so it is easier for all people, including special needs, to access. The
bridge would be about 6 feet in width and 10 feet in length.
The consensus of the board was that the project was warranted and then
appreciated Mr. Pena's ideas and concerns. The board would like to continue to
see projects such as these in the firture at City locations.
V. DISCUSSION REGARDING A BOARD RETREAT
Ms. Smith wanted to address the idea of a board retreat to get an idea of what
would interest the board. At the retreat the board and staff could discuss
direction, set goals, work towards updating the Master Plan, future planning, the
boards role within the department, etc.
After discussing different ideas it seems that planning may start with the retreat
being in September or October 2009, off site but remain locally, a half day or full
day time frame was a good option as well as holding the retreat on either a
weekday or weekend, and to include at minimum the programming staff. Ms.
Smith will take this input and work towards creating an agenda to bring back to
the board.
VI. DIRECTOR'S REPORT
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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. The Library repairs are complete and that facility has resumed
operations. Renovations have continued at City Hall and the Community Center
and employees are scheduled to be relocated back to City Hall May 26-28.
Natatorium and Recreation Center:
Construction is underway and progressing nicely. We have had some minor
issues but have been able to work those out. The project is anticipated to be under
budget and, according to the current project schedule, will be completed by the
end of June of 2010.
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. Offers have been made for those properties and our Acquisitions
Coordinator is working on those negotiations. The plans and specifications for
the project are complete and have been reviewed by staff. It is anticipated the
project will be advertised forbid early this summer.
Hunter Park (formally known as Orange Street Park)
Due to budgetary concerns regarding expenditures related to IKE this project is
temporarily on hold.
Woody Street Park:
Bermuda grass seed installation is scheduled for later this month and will
complete this project.
Water Lights District and Presidential Park:
No further action will be taken on this project until it is determined how the
improvements will be funded.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
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The meeting adjourned at 8:57 a.m.
respectfully submitted by:
Randi NWatt
Parks Office oordinator jj t
Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this l day of
2009.
Ben Carranza Chairperson
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