2014-08-06 PEARLAND PARKS, RECREATION AND BEAUTIFICATION BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTESMINUTES — REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND PARKS,
RECREATION, & BEAUTIFICATION BOARD, HELD ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6,
2014 AT 8:30 A.M., IN THE PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT 2°d FLOOR
CONFERENCE ROOM IN THE RECREATION CENTER AND NATATORIUM AT
4141 BAILEY RD, PEARLAND, TX 77584.
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 8:36 a.m.
II. BOARD MEMBER ROLL CALL
Todd Trbula Chair
Heidi Wiess Co -Chair
Marjorie Wilcoxson Board Member
Buck Stevens Board Member
Michelle Graham Parks & Recreation, Director
Rosalyn Epting Parks & Recreation, Assistant Director
Lucy Hooper Parks & Recreation, Administrative Assistant
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —June 4, 2014
Mr. Stevens made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Ms. Wiess seconded the
motion and the motion carried 4 to 0.
IV. BOARD REPORT
At this time the board members had the opportunity to share any recent involvement they
may have had with the community since the last meeting.
V. DISCUSSION REGARDING MASTER PLAN UPDATE
Ms. Graham began by explaining the Master Plan project including how we update the
plan every five years and the new company we have assigned to help us with this process.
Ms. Graham also described the project team and how it consists of other City
departments. She also stated the consultant schedule, the importance of public meetings,
focus groups during the process, and the importance of participation. Ms. Graham
continued to describe the focus groups list and requested input from the Parks Board on
groups we may have missed. A discussion ensued regarding the Master Plan Update.
VI. DISCUSSION REGARDING CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
Ms. Graham began by explaining the Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) budget, stating
it will go to Council on the 11 a, and that it is planned out for five years but only funded
one year at a time. She then began describing the projects and funding available. Mr.
Stevens asked if the numbers included grant money. Ms. Graham stated it could, that the
detailed sheet will state where the money is coming from. A discussion ensued regarding
the CIP.
VII. DISCUSSION REGARDING CITY ORGANIZATION & RESTRUCTURE
Ms. Graham began by explaining how Mr. Pearson has been realigning and repurposing
some departments and City structure. She then described specific changes including title
changes and responsibility changes regarding Mr. John Branson becoming the Deputy
City Manager, Mr. Trent Epperson becoming the Assistant City Manager, and Mr. Matt
Buchanan becoming the Executive Manager of Development Services. She also
mentioned the move of Animal Control to the Police Department and the desire to hire a
Chief Information Officer and a Management Analyst.
VIII. DISCUSSION REGARDING BOARD RULES, RESPONSIBLITIES, & ORDER
OF BUSINESS
Ms. Graham began by explaining the City Council approved a resolution regarding their
rules and guidelines, formalizing them in one document. She stated that we will be
amending the resolution and using the structure to create the same guidelines for the
Parks Board. The updated copy should come as a draft at the September meeting.
IX. DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Parks & Amenities
W Pearland
In accordance with our goal to provide recreational facilities that meet the present and
future recreation needs of the community staff have been working with the organized
group, SK8 Pearland, to create a concept design for a future skate/all wheels park in
Pearland. On July 30th the initial visual concept was revealed at a meeting hosted at the
Recreation Center and organized by SK8 Pearland. The group will continue to pursue
funding and develop support for this project as there are currently no city funds allocated
for the construction. The group has set a goal of $150K with the concept shown as a
projected $1 million amenity.
BMX
Also in accordance with the goal listed above staff have been working with the local
BMX group to explore the possibilities of a partnership between the city, the group and
the school district. City and school district staff met in July to discuss the project. City
staff is moving ahead with coordination of other departments to establish all regulations
and requirements for the possible development. In order to proceed after that, staff will
be requesting a formal acknowledgement from City Council and/or Administration that
there is support for this type of facility.
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Mountain Biking
As a follow up to a request regarding mountain biking trails, the attached memo was
submitted to City Council in a Thursday packet. I have included this for you so you are
aware as well.
Max Road Sports Complex
There was a memo submitted to Council in a Thursday packet and I have included that
information here for you as well.
Shadow Creek Ranch Sports Complex
The award for construction contract of the Shadow Creek Ranch Sports complex was
awarded on July 28th. The project awarded is just over $6.5 million. There were items
removed from the project due to funding. Staff is continuing to pursue various options in
the way of alternative funding, grants, etc. Construction should start within the next 30-
60 days.
Programs
July 4rh Celebration of Freedom
Due to weather complications our event this past July 4th was not what we expected in the
way of entertainment, attendance, fireworks, etc. I have included a memo that was
submitted to City Council related to the issues and resolution related to the fireworks
display.
Parks & Recreation Month
This past July Pearland Parks & Recreation participated in National Park and Recreation
Month "Out Is In". We hosted a social media contest to encourage citizens in getting out
into the parks. We had several participants submit photos on Facebook to show how they
were getting out. We awarded the top 5 voted by most "likes". The prizes ranged from a
3 month membership to the Recreation Center and Natatorium, Canes Gift Cards, and a
four week boot camp with Camp Gladiator. The images submitted were all displayed in
the art gallery of the RCN for the month of July.
Planning & Administration
Staff development
In line with our goal to ensure the success of the organization through the continued
development of the staff, Chris Orlea tested for and passed his CPRE exam so is now a
Certified Parks and Recreation Executive.
Volunteer and Community Service
The department has an objective to encourage volunteers to participate in the delivery of
department services and during the month of July we used 31 volunteers for a total of
180.71 volunteer hours. Volunteers performed various functions such as assistance with
adaptive recreation programs, data entry, as well as event support. We also work with
volunteers on a variety of Community Service projects. In July we had one Girl Scout
troop plant a lemon tree along the edible trail but have been working with a corporation
and other scouts on other upcoming 3projects planned for August and September.
Master Plan update
The update for the Master Plan was approved by Council in July and there was an initial
kick off meeting held in July as well. The consultant selected was Green Play, LLC and
they will be in town in August for their kick off meeting with staff and then again at the
end of September hosting a variety of community meetings and focus groups.
Environment & Natural Resources
JHEC project
The City has entered into an MOU with Texas A&M affiliate, Texas Sea Grant. This
group provides all of the resources to propagate and restore wetlands, primarily in urban
settings. Over the past several months we have had subsurface topography reports
collected, site visits from engineers, biologists, and botanists, and many conversations to
evaluate the John Hargrove Environmental Complex ponds. After careful planning it
seems the site is perfectly suited to plant wetlands at the West end as an educational
showcase for the future Dolores Fenwick Nature Center. In an attempt to extend the reach
of this educational opportunity, the City is attempting to form an alliance between the
established group and PISD — specifically Magnolia Elementary. In this endeavor we
hope to use Magnolia Elementary as the host site for the wetland farm that will provide
the plants for our future project. This entire undertaking is going to be grant funded, and
highlight some of the vestigial landscape of the Texas Gulf Coast.
Communication
Branding guideline changes
In the past two years, an increased emphasis has been placed on City branding and the
Communications Department has worked to establish consistent City-wide brand
guidelines. We, being one City, are transitioning into using one logo. While the Parks and
Recreation logo has been used for a number of years and residents recognize the Parks &
Recreation logo, it is important for brands to evolve to meet the needs of the changing
city. A significant part of our brand identity should lie with the City of Pearland logo
therefore the logo for Parks & Recreation will be phased out.
On August I" staff began the process of phasing out the Parks & Recreation logo. Logo
listings on things like marketing collateral, stationary, forms, the website and social
media will change quickly. Changes on other items such as equipment, signs, and
apparel will be more gradual, however; should be converted by the end of the year.
Woodcreek HOA
The City of Pearland inspects playgrounds in accordance with national standards. During
one of those inspections, at Woodcreek Park, it was determined that the play structure
had become unsafe and needed to be removed. The department made an attempt to
contact the HOA that was on file to alert them of the impending removal. After two
weeks of unsuccessful attempts to make contact with the residents, the play structure was
removed. After removing the play structure the department received calls inquiring to the
changes occurring at the park. It was determined that the best way to communicate with
this group was to speak as a guest at a 4scheduled Neighborhood Association meeting.
Michelle Graham and Chris Orlea were both in attendance to the July meeting of the
Woodcreek Neighborhood Association. During this meeting residents were educated on
safety inspections, and some of the issues that have been dealt with at this particular site.
The City delivered a survey asking residents to prioritize park amenities to help guide the
direction of restoration as funding and the master plan dictate. The results of that survey
were retained to be shared with the consultant hired to perform the new master plan
update. In the interim of city funding, the group has decided to begin collecting funds to
be used within their neighborhood. A meeting has been setup to help the group utilize an
established non-profit to hold the money in trust until a balance is sufficient to fund an
update.
Library Board
In order to maintain strong communications with other public agencies, the department
reached out to the Library staff in July and will begin attending the quarterly meetings of
the Library Board. Their next board meeting is scheduled in October.
Tourism
PEAK Swim Meet
Friday, July 18 —Sunday, July 20 the Pearland Recreation Center and Natatorium was the
host site for Pearland Aquatics "Gulf Swimming Long Course Summer Champs". This
was the third summer that our facility has hosted the meet. This year's attendance ranged
from 900 — 1800 swimmers, coaches, volunteers and spectators over the three day period
and utilized the entire natatorium, including the meeting room, as well as one of the
gymnasiums. We did have one issue with code compliance related to occupant numbers
however organizers were cooperative and assisted in stopping the meet to help us gain
compliance with the fire code and we received many compliments on some adjustments
we had made to assist with increase air circulation in the facility.
X. ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Wilcoxson made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Stevens seconded the motion
and the motion carried 4 to 0.
The meeting adjourned at 9:33 a.m.
Thesem
inutes espectful submitted by:
cy Ho ervy Hor
Administrative Assistant
Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this day of ,
2014.
— J
d Chairman
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