2009-07-16 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, JULY 16, 2009 AT 8:00 A.M., IN THE PARKS AND RECREATION
DEPARTMENT CONFERENCE ROOM, AT 2947 BROADWAY STREET, PEARLAND,
TEXAS
I.
II.
IH.
IV
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 8:10 a.m.
BOARD MEMBER ROLL CALL
Ben Carranza
Marjorie Wilcoxson
Laura Austin
Quentin Wiltz
Tom Gibbs
Ed Miller
Chairperson
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Helen Beckman Guest
Michelle A. Smith Parks and Recreation Director
Randi Wyatt Parks and Recreation Office Coordinator
Ed Grossenheider Parks and Recreation Parks Superintendent
APPROVAL OF MINUTES — May 21, 2009
Ms. Wilcoxson made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Mr. Gibbs
seconded the motion and the motion carried 6 to 0.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING ADOPT -A -PARK
PROGRAM
Mr. Grossenheider has developed an Adopt -A -Park Program for the Parks and
Recreation Department. He would like to present the program to the board for
approval. This program will be similar to adopt -a -spot program on the hi -ways;
just instead that parks can be adopted by organizations, individuals, or HOA's. In
return the organizations or individuals would receive signage recognizing that
they have adopted a park. The group would need to volunteer a minimum amount
of hours per month to the park. Volunteer type duties can include things such as
detailed trash pickup, i.e., cig butts. If applicable to the park, the groups could
participate in Special Projects such as painting facilities, installing park benches,
etc.
The main purpose of the program is giving the community a sense of ownership
and pride in the parks. It's a program that has worked well in other Parks and
Recreation Departments; therefore, we would like to begin the process here in
Pearland. The information and application can be placed on the website,
including reporting forms for the groups to send back to Staff with issues that
need to be addressed and to show their volunteer hours. The department would
provide trash bags or tools needed to complete Special Projects. With the program
being a formal process, we can register the citizens and track their hours which
can be sent in to the state to record their volunteer hours.
Mr. Gibbs made a motion to accept the Adopt -A -Park program as presented. Ms.
Austin seconds the motion; it carries 6 to 0.
V. DISCUSSION REGARDING A BOARD RETREAT
At the last meeting Ms. Smith began the discussion of a board retreat. She is
bringing the tentative staffing list and agenda for the board's feedback. After
looking at the number of staff, activities, goals to be set the schedule will have to
be a full day retreat, preferably on a weekday.
Tentative list of Staff Members includes Coordinators, Parks Supervisors,
Recycling Center Coordinator, Assistant Director and Aquatics Manager. Ms.
Smith would like each staff member to give a brief description of what their
division entails. These responsibilities may be able to be linked to the Parks
Board goals. Ms. Smith has scheduled the Staff to participate in the morning
activities and then after lunch allow time for the Board Members to work on goal
setting.
Ms. Smith is still searching for facilities to host the Board Retreat. With the focus
being on team building, goal setting, improve communication and for it to not be
an expense. Remembering that public dollars are being used to do these activities
and we need to be responsible and reasonable with our functions.
No action is needed on this discussion
VI. DIRECTOR'S REPORT
City Hall, Library and Community Center:
Employees have relocated back into City Hall and the Community Center is
getting back to normal operation. We are currently accepting and prepared to host
rentals at the facility and expect to be offering our programs again in the Fall.
Natatorium and Recreation Center:
Construction is underway and progressing nicely. Both pools have been
excavated and slab and parking lots have been/are being poured. The sanitary
sewer work is scheduled to be completed by July 10th and we are expecting to see
structural steel delivered to the site the week of July 27t'. 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. We hosted a meeting with the
homeowners on June 23`d to address some concerns and get feedback. We are
still continuing with the plan however some alternatives are being considered.
We are anticipating the project will be advertised for bid this Fall as opposed to
during the summer.
Hunter Park (formally known as Orange Street Park)
Due to budgetary concerns regarding expenditures related to IKE this project is
temporarily on hold.
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.
Grants
In partnership with Keep Pearland Beautiful we have submitted two applications
for HGAC grants. One grant is for recycling containers to be located at various
city and school facilities and the other application is for light bulb crushing
equipment that will allow us to expand our services at the Stella Roberts
Recycling Center.
Community Garden
We have been approached by an individual/organization that is interested in doing
a variety of gardening projects. We, as a staff, feel it is possible to continue
discussions regarding a partnership to do a community garden project. A
committee of staff members has met and are currently looking for property we
feel will be appropriate for this program.
Assistant Director
Interviews have been done for this position. An offer has been made and the
individual has accepted. I will be ready to announce the new employee as soon as
all physical and drug screen information comes back clear.
K
At the end of the director's report, Mr. Carranza stated that the July 4h Event was
a great success this year and commend the Parks and Recreation Department for
the great efforts. Mr. Carranza also informed the board of his decision to step
down from his position on the Parks Board as Chairperson and stated that this
would be his last meeting. He has taken a different opportunity that has become
available in public service.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:18 a.m.
These minutes respectfully submitted by:
Randi Vikattj
Parks Office Coordinator
Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this ;�;Aay of
�, 2009.
vin Fite,
Vice -Crrson
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