2021-07-08 PARKS, RECREATION AND BEAUTIFICATION BOARD MINUTESMINUTES – REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND PARKS,
RECREATION, & BEAUTIFICATION BOARD, HELD ON THURSDAY, JULY 8, 2021 AT 8:30
A.M., VIA IN-PERSON/TELEPHONE/VIDEO CONFERENCE.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Jeff Webb called the meeting to order at 8.40 a.m.
II. BOARD ROLL CALL
Jeff Webb Chairman
Charlie McMurrey Board Member
Dennis Jackson Board Member
Nancy Bankson Board Member
Zachary Boyer Board Member
Carry Capers Parks & Recreation, Director
Kevin Carter Parks & Recreation, Assistant Director
Ellen Stansbury Parks & Recreation, Executive Assistant
Sydawnie Douglass Parks & Recreation, Program Manager
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Mr. McMurrey to approve the June 10 minutes, with one minor
change, removing Assistant from Ms. Capers title, and Mr. Zachary Boyer seconded the
motion. The motion was unanimously passed.
IV. BOARD REPORT
Ms. Nancy Bankson stated that she would like to see a memo go out to the Parks and
Recreation summer camp parents regarding the delta variance and increase in COVID
cases in the Galveston area recently; asking parents to provide a mask for their children
and that all children follow the safety guidelines when attending summer camp. Ms.
Capers assured Ms. Bankson that the City’s Emergency Management department stays
very closely connected with the Brazoria County Health department about what action are
being taken and any recommendations. We encourage all our camp counselors to take
precautions and to keep the kids in camp safe. We also send out regular messaging to
all camp parents to let them know what safety measures we have in place and what they
can do to help.
Mr. Zach Boyer mentioned how much he enjoyed the Celebration of Freedom event.
Mr. Charlie McMurrey mention how much he also enjoyed the Celebration of Freedom
event; and suggested regarding the firework display to have a bigger grand finale. Mr.
McMurrey also suggested having a plane fly-over. Ms. Carry Capers mentioned that a fly-
over was scheduled; but unfortunately, it was cancelled 2 days prior to the event due to
issues with the airplane.
Mr. Jeff Webb shared that he also enjoyed the Celebration of Freedom event and how
everything was clean and very well managed.
Mr. Dennis Jackson echoed those thoughts regarding the Celebration of Freedom event.
Mr. Jackson stated that he had an interested party in the Forever Parks Inclusive
Playground; that he would like Ms. Kamkar to give her presentation.
Mr. Richard Vaughan shared that he attends the recreation center daily and is very
impressed with how well maintained the facility is.
V. DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION – Recognition of July as Parks & Recreation
Month in the City of Pearland
Recognition of July as Parks & Recreation Month in the City of Pearland.
Ms. Sydawnie Douglass, Parks and Recreation Program Manager shared with the board
“Recognition of July as Parks & Recreation month”. Every, year the National Recreation
and Park Association (NRPA) recognizes Park & Recreation month during the month of
July. The theme is “Our Park & Recreation Story” and this year we aim to highlight the
story of how our community is stronger, more vibrant and more resilient because of
parks and recreation.
A motion was made by Mr. Charlie McMurrey to the board to formerly recognize July as
Parks and Recreation month; and Mr. Dennis Jackson seconded the motion. The motion
was unanimously passed.
Chairman Webb also encouraged the board to share their stories on social media.
VI. DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION - Update to RSA Facility Use Agreements
Mr. Charlie McMurrey moved that we table the item RSA FUA. seconded Mr. Zach Boyer
as we were having technical difficulties sharing the agreements with the board. Motion
was passed.
VII. DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION - Vision & Pillars
Ms. Capers shared the Parks & Recreation Department’s Vision & Pillars with the board.
Our Vision: We’re building a healthy, connection and vibrant community that enriches lives
through exceptional experiences)
Out Pillars: Health & Wellness, Cultivate Experiences, Social Equity, Environmental
Stewardship
Mr. Zach Boyer echoed by Ms. Bankson agrees that all the pillars together makeup our
vision.
A motion was made by Mr. Zach Boyer to approve the Vision & Pillars, and Mr. Dennis
Jackson seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
VIII. DIRECTORS REPORT
• Celebration of Freedom July 4 Event
There was at least 10,000 people that attended the event in person and
approximately 30,000 people that tuned in via our Sky Wonder app. The event
this year didn’t have any inflatables; we replaced those due to COVID restrictions
with our strolling entertainers, which overall were very successful.
• South Seoul Festival will take place this Saturday July 10 at Independence Park.
Tickets can be purchased online for this event. Korean-American Society of
Houston is bringing their summer music festival to Pearland. Pearland Parks &
Recreation’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion’s tent will be at the event for an
opportunity to win some prizes.
• Pints for Parks at Vallenson’s – July 17.
Entry is Free - Forever Parks’ Foundation Fundraiser Raffle tickets are $10
each/$20 for 3 for a chance to win gift baskets. Chairman Webb will email
photos of the baskets to the board.
• Wild Pear’s Christmas in July 8K at Independence Park – July 17
• Installation of our first little free library, where gently used books will be
exchanged within our community, and others can come and borrow books. Once
it is installed, we will share pictures.
• Eagle Scout Project – we were approached by an Eagle Scout that has a huge
passion for mountain biking and getting out onto the trails. He is building some
bicycle repair stations that don’t require electricity, so can be installed in some of
our more remote locations along the trail.
• Shadow Creek Ranch building progress is ongoing. All the lights are up, and the
parking lot lights will go up next. The turf is getting prepared, as well as the
miracle field and then some final concrete work.
• Nature trail Phase II section connects the existing Shadow Creek Ranch Nature
Tail to phase II. We are going to be looking at a combined ribbon cutting once
Ivy Park Bridge and the connection base is there. You will be able to go from
Fort Bend county line all the way over to Ivy Park bridge with that connection.
• Irrigation System – we will have our first meeting for the recapitalization project of
our irrigation design in the next couple of weeks.
• Dog Park Fencing project is ongoing again, due to the weather it has been
delayed.
• GIS department is working with us to improve our coded trail marker program, so
emergency response can be notified of what marker number you are at in case of
an emergency.
IX. ADJOURMENT
Chairman Webb adjourned the meeting at 9.59 a.m.
These minutes respectfully submitted by:
______________________
Carry Capers, Director – (transcribed initially by Ellen Stansbury)
Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this 18th day of June 2021.
______________________
Jeff Webb, Chairman