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2016-06-09 PARKS, RECREATION AND BEAUTIFICATION BOARD MINUTESMINUTES — REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND PARKS, RECREATION, & BEAUTIFICATION BOARD, HELD ON THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 AT 8:15 A.M., AT 4141 BAILEY ROAD, PEARLAND, TX 77584. I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 8:15 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 Sean Ennis Board Member Chris Orlea Parks & Recreation, Director Leticia Castillo Parks & Recreation, Knapp Activity Center Supervisor Hannah Godsil Parks & Recreation, Special Events Coordinator Lindsay Taylor Parks & Recreation, Recreation Specialist - Events Melanie Lawson Parks & Recreation, Administrative Assistant May Moran Parks & Recreation, Sr. Office Assistant III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — May 12, 2016 Minutes were submitted and approved unanimously. IV. BOARD REPORT Mr. Wilson noted he spoke with parents that said the air quality in the Natatorium was much better. Mr. Mittica noted he attended Concerts in the Parks that past Friday. Mr. Mittica also noted he attended the City Council Meeting in support of Mr. Orlea. Mr. Stevens talked about an upcoming fee, or tax, currently being voted on. This will have to be another action item on next Monday's meeting due to there being a descending vote. Ms. Earl discussed a comment she received and stated there were issues with the kids going between (back and forth) the splash pad to the playground area at Southdown Park — the kids that come from the splash pad get the dry equipment wet. Ms. Earl inquired to whether or not we have received this type of complaint before. According to Mr. Orlea, there are safety components built into place as to where the dry components of the playground can handle becoming wet, but do not see this changing in the future. Mr. Stevens noted that a patron came to him inquiring as to whether or not we will be installing trash receptacles along the trail system. Mr. Orlea noted that new receptacles have been ordered and they will be installed within the next month. Mr. Stevens noted he has been walking around the city and noticed that many of the sidewalks look different from one another and do not have a uniform look. Mr. Orlea explained there is a sidewalk program in place managed by the Public Works department. However, if the sidewalk plays into the aesthetic design of the business, the City cannot legally intervene. Mr. Stevens also discussed the ramps leading onto the sidewalks are made up of the "dots" (truncated) design as opposed to the cut/sliced concrete. Mr. Stevens has noticed people having accidents on these particular entry ramps. Mr. Orlea explained these are installed depending on where the intersection is. In some circumstances, we are required by law to use the truncated ramps. Mr. Orlea also noted that he would check into this at the next meeting. Ms. Cade asked if geocaching is allowed on the trail system. Mr. Orlea noted it is allowed if native turf is not disturbed. Mr. Orlea noted that he would have Kendrick Gray from Natural Resources reach out to Ms. Cade to discuss this. V. DIVISION PRESENTATION - Knapp Activity Center Ms. Castillo presented on the Knapp Activity Center and noted that membership has increased in the past two years by 48.5%. Participation in activities have increased by 31%. Ms. Castillo discussed that she believes her success at the Center has to do with the initiation of the values that Parks & Recreation puts on the 4-Qs factors: Quality facilities, Quality programming, Quality services for a Quality life. Ms. Castillo explained that research indicates that active Seniors live longer, healthier lives. The center offers a vast array of activities for Seniors to keep active. Ms. Castillo discussed the many programs the Knapp Activity Center offers. Ms. Castillo talked about the great success of the Around the World program in which different countries are celebrated and food from the highlighted country is usually served. Ms. Castillo also talked about the Senior Olympic games — this is the first year they have been initiated at Parks & Recreation and it was a huge success. Ms. Castillo has started "Knapp has Talent." Spring fling, pool tournaments, bingo extravaganza, games days, quilting, Karaoke, gardening, clogging have been added to the extended programming schedule. Ms. Castillo initiated the walking program for seniors at the Recreation center 5x a week, and Pickle ball has also become part of the extended programming at the Recreation Center. Mr. Orlea noted that he has been very happy with the great success of Ms. Castillo's programming at the Knapp Activity Center. Mr. Stevens noted that the Parks Board needs to be ready to support the Knapp Activity Center as our senior population in Pearland is growing extensively. VI. CELEBRATION OF FREEDOM UPDATE Ms. Godsil and Ms. Taylor updated the Board on the upcoming Celebration of Freedom event. Ms. Godsil passed out VIP and parking passes to the Board. Ms. Godsil asked the staff to be there by 6:15pm. At 6:30pm. introductions will begin. Mr. Mittica will be assisting with shuttles and check -in, and Ms. Weaver will be assisting with the VIP and handicap lots. VII. STAFF REORGANIZATION UPDATE Mr. Orlea began by discussing Parks & Recreation reorganization. Changes include the following: • Heather Smith has left the Parks & Recreation department • Lindsay Taylor is now part of the Events team • Randi Wyatt is our new Recreation Manager • Andre Walker is now Customer Service Supervisor • Vacant position for Facility Supervisor is open • Vacant position for Program Coordinator (interviews underway) • Tim Graf, Urban Forester has left Parks & Recreation and his position is now open • Recreation Attendants are now Facility Attendants Mr. Stevens noted that the speakers on the north side of the building, on the second floor, are difficult to hear. Mr. Stevens also inquired about the broken window in the Racquetball court. Mr. Orlea noted the glass has already been replaced. VIII. PARKS & RECREATION MONTH PROCLAMATION UPDATE (June 27th) Mr. Orlea noted that the City Council meeting on June 27th @ 6 p.m. will be proclaiming June as Parks & Recreation month with a proclamation being signed by Mayor Tom Reid. IX. DEPARTMENT UPDATES • GGCPARDA is having an amateur photography contest to celebrate Parks & Recreation month. The theme is "Parks make life better." 1st place is a $500 cash prize; 2nd place is a $250 cash prize, and 3' place is a $100 cash prize. • Weekly operations reports continue to come out. If the Board has questions, please let us know. • Mr. Orlea will be in Minneapolis, MN on June 16th to accept the Alliance for Innovation award. • Camps could possibly become larger in the near future, but currently space is the defining issue and public survey says there is not a need. X. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:27 a.m. The - • i - • respectful) top �IL AI wson Admini ative Assi itted by: Minutes appr ed as submitted and/or corrected this i �,1/4 day of v�y 11 t� i 6. tevens, Chairman