2016-05-12 PARKS, RECREATION AND BEAUTIFICATION BOARD MINUTESMINUTES — REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND PARKS, RECREATION, &
BEAUTIFICATION BOARD, HELD ON THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 AT 8:15 A.M., AT 4141
BAILEY ROAD, PEARLAND, TX 77584.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 8:17 a.m.
II. BOARD MEMBER ROLL CALL
Buck Stevens Chair
Ted Mittica Vice -Chair
Bethany Earl Board Member
Mike Wilson Board Member
Cheryl Weaver Board Member
Layni Cade Board Member
Chris Orlea Parks & Recreation, Director
Carry Capers Parks & Recreation, Assistant Director
Melanie Lawson Parks & Recreation, Administrative Assistant
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — April 14, 2016
Minutes were submitted and approved unanimously.
IV. BOARD REPORT
Mr. Mittica reported that he attended the Earth Day event in conjunction with Keep
Pearland Beautiful and believed the event has the potential to be much larger. Mr.
Mittica also attended Concerts in the Park and enjoyed the event.
Mr. Wilson attended Earth Day and also noted the turnout could have been larger. The
Pearland Girls Softball Association had their playoffs and 24 teams were in attendance.
Mr. Wilson congratulated Mr. Stevens on winning one of the fundraising events that took
place.
Ms. Earl noted she attended Earth Day briefly but enjoyed the event. Ms. Earl also noted
she saw people walking on the JHEC trail. Ms. Earl attended a Life Skills event that
featured local artists and designers.
Ms. Cade noted she attended Earth Day and had fun. She also noted the snake handler
left while she was handling a snake, but enjoyed the rest of the event.
Mr. Stevens noted that he participated in the Final Four, and is volunteering for the
Super Bowl. Mr. Stevens attended Earth Day and thought that the turnout was good.
Mr. Stevens talked about the drug -take -back program, and also talked about being a
judge at the car show for Frontier Day in Alvin. Mr. Stevens noted he was unable to
attend the KPB Board retreat, and also talked about Pearland becoming a destination
city.
V. DISCUSSION REGARDING BUDGET/SUPPLEMENTAL REQUESTS
Mr. Orlea noted that with one minor tweak, the budget is being recommended to
procede. Supplementals being submitted are for tuition reimbursement and Super Bowl
activities. Winterfest will be expanded to become an external attraction by adding a
concert to the event. Parks & Recreation is presenting a $9 million budget for next year
and the department is completing a zero -based budget.
VI. DISCUSSION REGARDING UPDATES ON CAPITAL PROJECTS — Parks, Facilities,
and Trails
Mr. Orlea discussed the progress of Independence Park and its continued renovation.
The property will be a destination type park with an event venue and amphitheater. The
Convention and Visitors Bureau will be included in the future planning of programming
and KPB will be assisting with the inclusive playground. Independence Park should be
completed by March 2017. Mr. Stevens asked if there is land set aside for youth
activities. Mr. Orlea noted that the architect is currently looking into what can be done
for youth activities while efficiently utilizing taxpayer dollars.
Mr. Orlea noted that Shadow Creek Ranch is approximately 3-4 months out from being
fully completed. Mr. Orlea noted the JHEC trails have been well received and are being
utilized. The trail plan is being loaded into an app by Google so the trail can be used
interactively.
Mr. Orlea discussed the Tom Reid library expansion. Mr. Orlea talked about an
additional 10,000 sq ft. will be added to the library, and larger rooms could potentially be
available for outside organizations and docking stations for electronics will be available.
Mr. Orlea talked about Centennial Park and the Fite Road extension projects are back
on track. The Clear Creek, Green Tee and Shadow Creek Ranch trails have had their
funding secured. The design contract for the Dolores Fenwick Nature Center has been
awarded and will be fully managed by the Natural Resources division of Parks &
Recreation.
VI1. DISCUSSION REGARDING H-GAC BIKES/PEDESTRA1N COMMITTEE PROJECT
Mr. Orlea asked the Board if they were okay with the trail counter being included in the
CIF. Mr. Stevens noted the Board has the ability to go onto the H-GAC website and look
through the available meetings and keep themselves up-to-date on upcoming and
ongoing projects.
VIII. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING NAMING CONNECTIVITY
TRAIL SEGMENTS
Mr. Orlea discussed some potential names for the connectivity trail loops. They include:
• Bald Eagle Loop
• Pelican Loop
• Egret Loop
• Spoonbill Loop
• Monarch Loop
• Wetland Loop
• Cypress Loop
• Pecan Orchard Loop
• Catalpa Loop
Mr. Orlea noted that all these names contain natural components of each trail. Ms. Cade
noted we need to make sure that citizens walking the trails know where, and how, the
names originated. Mr. Orlea noted that trails will also be color -coded that will include
additional information on each trail.
Mr. Wilson motioned to have the trail loops named based on the natural resources on
each trail. Ms. Weaver seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.
IX. PRESENTATION FROM ATHLETICS DEPT. — Charles Payton
Mr. Payton was unable to make this meeting and Mr. Orlea presented in his absence.
Mr. Orlea noted there has been some scheduling issues with RSAs. Mr. Orlea talked
about making as much usable space at Hickory Slough so that most, or all groups are
included in using the field. In that, RSAs will most likely be reassigned. Mr. Orlea
wanted to update board members should they be approached by RSAs.
X. DEPARTMENT UPDATES
• Parks Board was consulted on the Shadow Creek Ranch logo.
• Great Gulf Coast Parks and Recreation Director's Association will be holding a
luncheon next week. Sparkle Anderson will be presenting on the topic of what
smaller cities can do to enhance their presence.
• Woodcreek Park will install a Pickleball court once Fire Station 3 has been
demolished. Beautifying the site is the main objective.
• The City of Pearland will be hosting 2 International Fellows — one from the
Philippines and the other from Indonesia.
• Staff changes: Natural Resources has become a new division. Lindsey French
increased her hours to 32 p/wk. Randi Wyatt is the new Asst. Facility Manager.
Andre Walker is the new Office Supervisor. May Moran has relocated to the 2'
Floor. Fitness Attendants have been reclassified as Facility Attendants.
• Network upgrades at the RCN have been completed.
• The Parkland Dedication Ordinance has been put on the Council Agenda.
• The Earth Day festival is being looked at and will possibly be changed next year.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 10:11 a.m.
These
awson
spay; submitted by:
Adminis rative Assistant
Minutes approv-d as submitted and/or corrected this % - day of JL) I' ,
Buck Stevens, Chairman