HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRBMINUTES110806Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, November 8, 2006
West University Place, Texas
Call to Order: Co-Chairperson Janine Schueppert at 6:45pm.
II. Introductions: None since no members of the public were present.
III. Citizen's Comments: None.
N. Review and Approval of October 4, 2006 Parks Board Meeting Minutes: Janine
A. A motion was made to approve the minutes from the October Board meeting. The motion was
unanimously passed.
V. Friends Board Report: Joni
A. Joni was not present at the meeting thus there was no update.
VI. Rice Pocket Park Task Force Update: Joni & Tim
A. The geotechnical serviced have been contracted. The services include soil samples.
VII. Staff Reports:
A. 2006 Bond Election
The idea of post-vote polling to determine why people voted for or against the propositions
was discussed. The Board views the failure of Proposition 2 (the Recreation Center rebuild) as the
most pressing due to the failing nature of the building. The possibility of future public/private
ventures in the establishment and running of programs was discussed. The Board discussed the
possible weaknesses of the bond package and felt that the planning of the future of Colonial Park
and the Recreation Center was beyond the scope of citizens and a professional firm should be hired
to conduct further research. The Board prepared the following statement and recommendation to be
presented to Council at their workshop Monday, November 13, 2006, which summarizes the Board's
discussions of the bond election:
The Parks Board met last evening, November 8, 2006, and one of the primary topics
of discussion was the November 7, 2006 Municipal Bond Election. The consensus
of the Board is that in light of the very close results in the recent bond defeat of
propositions 1 and 2, they feel it is imperative that the exact nature of the
community's concerns regarding the current facilities be more carefully studied. The
election results on all three proposals were within five points of each other, with
approximately 55% of registered voters turning out. While the issue is still fresh on
the minds of the residents, the Board would like to direct attention to addressing the
specific public concerns. From public media and discussion it appears that many
people who voted against propositions 1 and 2 were not necessarily opposed to
improving the Park and Recreation facilities. They were however concerned with the
"price tag" and there seemed to be a fear of "writing the City a blank check". The
Board would like to clearly address these concerns by means of hiring a qualified
firm to effectively conduct the necessary research and development elements
regarding the redevelopment of the Colonial Park Recreation Center & Swimming
Pool and the West University Recreation Center, to include a quantitative study that
ranks demand for amenities and identifies an acceptable price point. We feel the
project needs to be time sensitive, in order to have a new bond proposal in front of
the voters in the May 2007 city elections. Otherwise; the existing facilities will
continue to deteriorate without any decisive plans/action and the next nearest
window of opportunity to present a bond election would be in November 2008. The
West University Place Parks and Recreation Board respectfully recommends that
City Council consider the following course of action:
Hire a professional market research firm to perform a systematic analysis of the
community demand and willingness to support the redevelopment of recreational
Special Session Agenda, January 15, 2001
amenities within the community, with regard to the facilities at both Colonial Park and
the West University Place Recreation Center. (December 2006 through January
2007)
Follow the Market Research with employing a Design Firm to:
Develop preliminary designs for the preferred development
Project Phasing Plan for the preferred development
Provide firm cost estimates with line items points
Develop a comprehensive operations and maintenance budget for the preferred
development
( February through March 2007 )
Appointment of a Bond Committee to effectively and publicly promote and discuss
the particulars of the proposed bond package, preferably 60+ days in advance of the
election
( April through May 11, 2007 )
B. PARD User Fees
The Board did not discuss PARD user fees.
IX. Board Reports:
A. Park Ambassador Reports: None
B. PARDner's Program Update: The PARDners committee would like to look into the best
practices of similar programs by contacting organizers in order to determine what will be the
best approach in our area. Something to consider is whether our citizens are tapped out on
volunteerism or whether there is an available pool of volunteers. Another option discussed
was PARDners linking with area school(s) to increase volunteer participation. Using the
block captains and block parties to promote the program was also discussed.
C. Shade Committee: No new discussions.
D. Park & Beautification Committee: No new discussions.
E. Concert in the Park Series: No new discussions.
X. New Business: None.
XI. Adjournment: at 8:10.
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