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1993-10-09 Parks, Recreation and Beautification Board Minutes October 1993 Minutes MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND PARKS , RECREATION AND BEAUTIFICATION BOARD, FIELD ON SATURDAY , OCTOBER 9 , 1993 , AT 8 : 30 A.M. , AT THE PEARLAND COMMUNITY CENTER, 3523 LIBERTY DRIVE , PEARLAND TEXAS . The meeting was called to order at 8 : 34 a.m. with the following present: Bill Chase Chairperson Bari Scherrer Chairperson Pr I 27111P-r" James Skipper Secretary - u Retta Absher Board Member NOV 6 1993 CITY of PEARRLAND Toc:Lie McComb Board Member CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE Bob Pond Board Member A. Miller Council Liaison "�: Hersh Parks & Recreation Director :sherry Reed Parks & Recreation Secretary Absent, from the meeting: Board Member Gary Walters . Others in attendance: Scott Toilet, Student Ministries Pastor, First Baptist Church, Pearland, Texas. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Tootie McComb brought up the issue of whether the Board had rescinded the motion to send a thank you, or certificate of appreciation to Elvira Moore. Bill Chase informed the Board, that this issue will be discussed in New Business. James Skipper made a motion that the minutes of the September 13 , 1993 Board Meeting be approved as presented. Retta Absher seconded the motion. "Motion passed 3 - 1 -1, with Bari Scherrer, James Skipper, and Bob Pond voting for the motion, Tootie McComb voting against, and Retta Absher abstaining. " STAFF REPORTS: McLean Park Project- Ed Hersh reported the consultants are working on the construction plans with a target date for completion by the end of November. Grant Application for Independence Park Trail- Ed Hersh reported that the State is still waiting for Federal Funds to be made available. Ed said that he anticipates an updated report in November. Tootie McComb raised a question of how much money the Hike & Bike Trail Committee will be donating. Ed reported that they intend to fund the City's portion, $8 , 000 . 00 , in full . Softball Update- Ed Hersh reported that there are presently 6 teams in the Wednesday night league. A question was raised about the usage of the present fields to warrant expansion of fields at the McLean Park location. Ed Hersh reported that at the present time, the field is being used by a Sunday night Co-Ed league and a Wednesday night Men's league. He also stated that there are also plans to form a Monday night league and a Thursday night league, with many requests for a Tuesday night league. He reported the field is being well utilized. Mr. Hersh introduced Scott Tollett, Student Ministries Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Pearland, Texas . Ed stated that Scott has assisted him as a liaison to establish Church Leagues . Tootle McComb brought up the question of the referee fees . Ed informed the Board that umpire fees are included in the team entry fees. Swimming Pool Update- Ed Hersh reported that the 1993 season was very successful . Attendance in 1993 was 20 , 874 compared to the 1992 season attendance of 13 ,103 . He stated that this is not a true comparison to 1992 , due to the fact that the pool was closed for the first month of the 1992 season. Bob Pond reported that the average pool revenue has been approximately $18 , 000 . 00 per summer. The 1993 pool revenue was $20 , 263 . 00 . Financial Report- Ed Hersh reported that the numbers on the Financial Report are ones that the Board can be provi of. Janet Eastburn, Finance Director, has not seen revenue n„n:Jars this impressive from the Parks & Recreation Dept. in several years . Tootle McComb raised the question of whether or not the NSF checks were being taken care of. Ed reported that the department has cracked down on that problem and they are being taken care of . Facility Activity Report- Ed Hersh reported that the week of October 8 , 1993 had completed the third week of classes for the fall session, and that enrollment is up to 400. The department is still having calls from people who want to register, even though they would be coming into the middle of a class . Tootle Mc Comb brought up the question of the Karate classes being too large. Ed Hersh stated that he has discussed class enrollment with the instructor, Bill Gray. Mr. Gray assured the staff that he would have additional instructors to accommodate the class. Tootle McComb commented on some classes having low attendance numbers and asked Ed Hersh what level he used to determine whether a class was to be held or cancelled. Ed Hersh said that attendance numbers differ from the enrollment numbers, and that minimum enrollment is 6 people to make a class. However, if a popular class has numbers lower than that, he may let the class go on to see if there will be a more positive response. PARK BOARD CHAIRMAN'S REPORT: Bill Chase reported on the positive improvements and new equipment that had been installed at Rotary Playground in Independence Park. Retta Absher raised a question of the need to send the Rotary a letter of appreciation. Ed Hersh replied that he had already sent a thank you note. Bob Pond raised the question of what effect the new road, coming through Independence Park, will have on the ballfields and Rotary Playground. Councilman D. A. Miller informed the Board that at the present time the City is working on redesigning the road, and there should be no affect to the Rotary Playground or the ball fields . COMMITTEE REPORTS: None UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Recommendation to Rename McLean Park: Tootie McComb made a motion to rename McLean Park, Centennial Park. Bob Pond seconded the motion. "Motion passed 5 - 0 . " Ed Hersh stated that this was the second Board Meetirl where this recommendation had been approved, and the recommendation would be forwarded to the next meeting of the Pearland City Council . It was requested that Park Board members attend this Council meeting. NEW BUSINESS: Motor Vehicles and Glass Containers in Park- Ed Hersh reported that he has spoken with the police department concerning this issue. Sgt. Javier Caballero informed staff there is an ordinance prohibiting glass containers in parks. Regarding motor vehicles, Sgt. Caballero stated that there is not an ordinance on the books, but the Police Dept. could enforce this as long as signs were posted on the site. Facility Use Agreement- Ed Hersh reported that many adults have expressed an interest in volleyball and basketball; however, there are no gymnasiums available for these activities. He discussed the opportunity to enter into a Facility Use Agreement with the First Baptist Church to use their gymnasium, in return for the Church to use the Pavilion and Pool in Independence Park. Tootie McComb made a motion to deny this agreement due to the fact that the Council was involved in negotiations with the Schools. Retta Absher seconded the motion. "Motion failed 3 - 2 , with Tootie McComb and Retta Absher voting for the motion and Bob Pond, Bari Scherrer, and James Skipper voting against the motion. " Tootle McComb made a motion to table this agreement until additional information can be brought forward. Jim Skipper seconded the motion. Councilman D. A. Miller brought up two questions he had on the subject: 1) Were the facilities already being used by someone during the times the Church has asked for them? 2) Does this interfere with the separation of church and state? He stated that the City is responsible for the insurance , even though we can't take the Church on under our umbrella, we are taking on additional responsibility. On a closing comment he added that the statement that City Council does have the final decision is a valid statement, but it is usually policy that when a recommendation is brought by the Board, it is usually approved. Ed Hersh informed the Board that the Parks Department will not be displacing anyone to make these facilities available for the Church. Ed stated that if the Agreement is tabled until the next meeting, it will be too late to start any programs for the winter. Tootle McComb questioned whether Ed Hersh had contacted the schools . Ed reported that several months ago, he had talked with the Superintendent of Schools who indicated that at the present time they had agreements with other organizations , and that it was difficult to reserve the gyms. "Motion failed 3 - 2 with Retta Absher and Tootle McComb voting for the motion, and Bari Scherrer, Bob Pond, and James Skipper voting against the motion. " The Board discussed questions on insurance , staffing, and maintenance. Ed Hersh stated that he and Scott Tollett would get with the attorneys to iron out problems to satisfy the insurance question. Ed Hersh said that the key issue was to have the Church cover themselves in our facility, and the City would cover itself in their facility. Bob Pond made a motion to forward this Agreement to City Council , with the stipulation that the Church furnish their insurance. Bari Scherrer seconded the motion. "Motion passed 3 - 2 , with Bari Scherrer, Bob Pond, and James Skipper voting for the motion, and Retta Absher and Tootle McComb voting against the motion. " Tootie McComb requested that the when this agreement is submitted to City Council for their consideration, the vote should show that this was not a unanimous vote. Statements Regarding Personnel Matters- Tootie McComb made a motion that the Board send a Certificate of Appreciation to Elvira Moore. Retta Absher seconded the motion. Discussion was held on whether this was a Personnel issue or a Board issue. "Motion failed 2 - 2 -1 with Retta Absher and Tootie McComb voting for the motion, and Bob Pond and James Skipper voting against the motion, Bari Scherrer abstained, and the Chairperson voted no. " COMMUNICATIONS: None DIRECTOR'S REPORT: None OTHER BUSINESS: Tootie McComb would like the Board to consider presenting Bob Pond a certificate of appreciation for the wonderful job he has done taking the minutes of the Park Board meetings. ADJOURNMENT: Bob Pond made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Retta Absher seconds the motion. "Motion passed 5-0. " Meeting adjourned at 10 : 00 A.M. Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this day of /1 4` 5.A,i3 , A.D. , 1993 . )7?,!),AA x c Bari Scherrer, Chairman, Pro tem ATTEST: James Skipper, Sec etary