2019-12-12 PARKS, RECREATION AND BEAUTIFICATION BOARD MINUTESMINUTES — REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND PARKS, RECREATION, &
BEAUTIFICATION BOARD, HELD ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12 AT 8:30 A.M., AT 4141
BAILEY ROAD, PEARLAND, TX 77584.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Meeting was called to order at 8:35 a.m.
II. BOARD ROLL CALL
Ted Mittica
Charles McMurrey
Katie Chennisi
Christopher K Orlea, PhD
Carry Capers
Rose Hinojosa-Mandola
Mychal Mitchell
Lindsey Taylor
Brandon Torres
NOT IN ATTENDANCE
Bethany Earl
Ken Rice
Jeff Webb
Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Parks & Recreation, Director
Parks & Recreation, Assistant Director
P arks & Recreation, Executive Assistant
P arks & Recreation, Special Events Coodinator
P arks & Recreation, Special Events Specialist
Parks & Recreation, Athletics/Aquatics Manager
Vice Chair
Board Member
Board Member
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Mr. Mittica to approve the November 2019 minutes. Ms. Chennisi
made a motion and Mr. McMurrey seconded the motion with the amended edits. The
motion was approved.
IV. BOARD REPORT
Mr. Charles McMurrey reported that the Christmas events went well. Traffic setup was
streamlined.
Mr. Ted Mittica reported attending the Hometown Christmas Events, and noted that the
parking could be improved. Appreciated August Vandiver's assistance at the vendor
check -in, and noted his impressive work. In reference to the parade, all floats and walking
groups checked in except for four.
Ms. Katie Chennisi reported that she heard positive remarks regarding the Christmas
events. Ms. Chennisi celebrated her son's birthday at Independence Park and noted lack
of access to picnic tables. Ms. Chennisi's daughter attended the Deleores Fenwick Nature
Center and reported that the activites were catered to younger audiences. Ms. Chennisi
attended the Safe Routes to School Conference, and has notes and presentations to
share relevant to Parks systems. Shared flier and information regarding a healthy
community challenge, It's Time Texas Community Challenge 2020.
V. DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION - ELECTIONS
Mr. Mittica noted that bylaws for elections should have taken place in October to elect
Chair and Vice -Chair The meeting did not have a quorum, so this agenda item will be
postponed until the January meeting.
VI. PRESENTATION — WINTERFEST
Mr. Mychal Mitchell noted he would share information regarding the events, Hometown
Christmas Festival and Parade. Mr Mitchell commended the Parks team for extensive
decorating of Independence Park and for constructing various pieces for the event. Mr.
Mitchell thanked volunteers for their support with the decorations. The event's traffic plan
was executed thanks to the Police Department, Traffic and Public Works and their efforts
to create a consistent traffic plan.
The Hometown Christmas Festival had an estimated attendance of 3,500 guests, five food
vendors, and nine craft vendors. Facebook's Hometown Christmas posts from December
2-8 had 775 page views, reached 30,000 people, and received 10,000 post engagements.
Mr. Mitchell reported a 19% increase in website traffic during the event week over 2018.
The Hometown Christmas Parade's live stream on Facebook had a viewership of over
4 000 individual accounts.
Winterfest will take place at Independence Park and it will feature 20,000Ibs of snow, a
craft vendor alley, petting zoo, interactive zone, kids zone, snow zone, and winter zone.
Mr. McMurrey and Dr. Orlea commented on the excellence in security at the events.
VII. PRESENTATION — TAAF WINTER GAMES
Mr. Brandon Torres reported that TAAF Wintergames will take place January 18-20, and
invited the Board to attend. There will be 14 total events throughout the City that includes
youth and adult sport participants. The event is an Olympic style event where amateur
athletes compete for medals Over 2,000 athletes participated last year. Mr. Torres noted
the economic impact that the event has on the City. The 2020 event will expand the
pickleball footprint to nine pickleball courts, and it will be a sanctioned event.
Starting and ending times for each event will be shared online at taaf.com/wgot2020. The
website will have the most up-to-date times slots as they vary based on participation,
weather, and other conflicts.
Mr. Torres reported that in 2018, TAAF featured an adaptive sport for the first time; the
event was wheelchair rugby. In 2019 the adpative sport was adaptive archery. For 2020,
the adaptive sport opportunities will continue Through a partnership with the City of
Pasadena and a lifting group, TAAF 2020 will have a Para -Lifting Competition.
TAAF Winter Village is a new event that will take place on the Saturday night of the 3-day
event, for the participants and the community to gather and watch a sports-themed movie
at Independence Park and enjoy smores.
VIII. DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Dr. Orlea shared recent Department news:
• Recent Job Assessment Questionaires and white papers have been submitted.
The composition of the administrative team is under review, requesting a new
position and reclassification of current position.
• 2019 Bond Election Recapitlization Plan was shared with the board that highlights
impact areas per year.
• Independence Pool Demolition will be completed by Spring. The space will be
stabilized for additional green space or parking.
• Independence Park Bridge is in the award process, anticipated construction will
take place in the Spring.
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Maser Plan Chapter 1 and outline for Chapter 2 have received feedback. Chapters
1 and 2 will be shared with the board prior to the Janaury meeting which includes
presentation from Halff Associates.
P arks & Recreation, along with Tracey at the CVB, are exploring the potential to
become the host city for Circus Espana. This act has been acclaimed and
successfully produced across the country, and if all needs align we could see the
production available for a 10-day span near spring break.
P earland in Motion publication was late this session, however, sign ups are active.
N ew policy will improve future publication timelines.
During the Christmas Tree festival at the Pearland Town Center, there were some
concerns from residents that appeared on Social Media. We were unable to
determine any merit to the claims, and have since reached out to the Town Center
to provide for greater cross -promotion for future events.
N atural Resources Team led efforts for a new REI Co -Op MOU/Sponsorship
Agreement. This will present new sponsorship opprotunities for the department.
Dr Crompton of Texas A&M has invited our department to contribute data to a
publication that will serve as a refresher to the 2004-2005 peer -reviewed research
on utilization of Parkland Dedication, and associated policies.
Emergency Management Trainings have been identified, and the Department
should be ready to provide a list of credentials to the Board in Spring '20.
Forever Parks Foundation members, Parks and Recreation staff Carry Capers and
Jason O'Mara attended the Foundation School Conference. From the new
'earnings, Dr. Orlea will now take on a larger role in the Forever Parks Foundation
Board.
Accomplishments for 2019 video was shared with the Board.
IX. ADJOURMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 AM.
These inut s re pectfully submitted by:
Chst.pher K Orlea, PhD Director — (transcribed initially by Rose Hinojosa-Mandola)
Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this%T/9 day of f/94)414,1*
2020.
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Ted Mittica, Chairman
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