2009-11-19 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, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 AT 8:00 A.M., AT WESTSIDE EVENT CENTER,
MEETING ROOM, AT 2150 COUNTRYPLACE PARKWAY, PEARLAND, TEXAS
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 8:34 a.m.
H. BOARD MEMBER ROLL CALL
Kevin Fite
Vice -Chairman
Marjorie Wilcoxson
Board Member
Tom Gibbs
Board Member
Laura Austin
Board Member
Kelly Moody
Board Member
Ed Miller
Board Member
Quentin Wiltz
Board Member
Michelle A. Smith
Parks and Recreation Director
Rosalyn Epting
Assistant Parks and Recreation Director
Randi Wyatt
Parks and Recreation Office Coordinator
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — October 22, 2009
Ms. Wilcoxson made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Ms. Austin
seconded the motion and the motion carried 7 to 0.
IV. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING BOARD
MEMBER ELECTIONS
Ms. Smith stated that the objective today is to elect a Chairman and a Vice -
Chairman; the two positions that are required in the bi-laws.
Mr. Gibbs and Mr. Miller stated they were comfortable with the nominations
being verbal verses anonymous; no one on the board disagreed.
Mr. Gibbs nominated Kevin Fite for Chairman; no other nominations were made.
The board called for a vote all in favor; the vote carried 7 to 0; with Mr. Fite
accepted the position on the board.
Mr. Miller nominated Marjorie Wilcoxson for Vice Chairman but she respectfully
declined.
Ms. Wilcoxson nominated Quentin Wiltz for Vice Chairman; no other
nominations were made at this time. The board called for a vote all in favor; the
vote carried 7 to 0; with Mr. Wiltz accepted the position on the board closing the
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elections.
V. DIRECTORS REPORT
Natatorium and Recreation Center:
Construction is underway and progressing nicely. 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:
Staff has is continue to proceed as planned with a few minor alterations to the
trail. New offers to home owners are pending and have not settled. We are still
anticipating the project will be advertised for bid this Fall.
Hunter Park (formally known as Orange Street Park)
Additional funding has been allocated for this project in the next fiscal year and I
need to confirm that we are cleared to proceed. I have met with the consultant
and we discussed some possible alterations to the park amenities. At this point, if
we are given approval to proceed then we will proceed with the plans as they are
and not make any significant changes to the amenities.
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
We have received a grant from NRPA for $5,000 that will allow us to add some
attractions at our KidFish event in November. We have applied for a grant for
injured service personnel to purchase some adaptive equipment for the Recreation
Center and I will be submitting an application for the Max Road Sports Complex
to upgrade one of the fields to synthetic turf.
Community Garden/Farmer's Market
We are continuing work on the Community Garden however the lead on this
project will be the YMCA as the garden is being proposed on their property. I
have met with the Director of the YMCA, Jennifer Strickland and we both
decided to proceed in that manner. We are also continuing to work with the same
group, Bay Area Homesteading, to start a Fanner's Market. There has been some
opposition however the project has been supported for the most part.
Council Meetings
Upcoming items include changes to the Tree Ordinance, Inter -local agreement
with PISD for a facility lease agreement, awarding bid for Centennial Park
Restroom
Ms. Moody discussed a letter from Gateway/ Spectrum Area on Hwy 288. It is a
letter requesting input from the board members. Ms. Smith stated that the board
would more than likely benefit from the information shared at the meetings and
supported the iteration as she has been invited to some of the meetings as well. It
was at the discretion of the board members if they attended as it is not a
requirement.
VI. CONDUCT BOARD RETREAT
At this time, Ms. Smith asked the board to move into the Banquet Hall of the
Westside Event Center where the Board Retreat will be hosted along with the
other department staff. This part of the meeting will not be audio taped. Any list
or documents produced during the retreat will be attached as minutes.
Conducted Retreat then the board took a tour of the construction site of the
Recreation Center and Natatorium.
Executive Feedback Summary
Purpose and Direction
• Understand and support needs of the Community and Staff.
• Serve as advocate between the Community and City.
• Serve in an advisory role for the Parks and Recreation Staff.
• Effectively communicate with City Council.
Board's Expectation of Staff
• Enhance involvement of long-term planning and decision-making process.
• Be provided more information on plans and needs.
• Mark Board award of projects so that the Board is able to provide adequate
support.
• Provide Board with increased opportunities for involvement in activities and
projects.
• Increased communication between Board and all staff.
Staffs Expectations of Board
Advocacy
• Parks Board attend Council meetings to support Department.
• Parks Board know and promote the Vision/Mission and Goals to the
Community and other organizations. (i.e. Civil, HOA, etc.)
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• Parks Board assist and establish contacts within the Community.
Communication
• Parks Board as eyes and ears of the Community to the Department.
• Parks Board communicate individual areas of interest to the Parks Director.
• Know and communicate various functions of the Department to the Public.
2010 Suggested Priorities
1. Board should be visible to Community at large.
a. Be a spokesperson at various organizations. (i.e. Church groups, PTAs,
Rotary Clubs)
b. Actively participate in at least (3) three events/programs/projects.
c. Provide constructive feedback to Parks and Recreation Department to
address community needs.
2. Board should be advocate for Parks and Recreation Department and the
Community.
a. Attend City Council meetings pertaining Parks and Recreation
Department issues.
b. Relay information gathered from Parks and Recreation Department to
Community and Council.
c. Assist in identifying resources to aid in meeting the needs of the public
at large.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
After the tour completed, Mr. Gibbs made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Ms.
Moody seconded and it carried 4 to 0. (only 4 board members present at the end
of the tour)
The tour adjourned at 4:51 p.m.
These minutes respectfully submitted by:
Randi Wyat
Parks Office Coordinator
nutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this day of
2009.
vin Fite, Chair ran
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