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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRBMINUTES120308WUP Parks and Recreation Board MINUTES DECEMBER 3, 2008 6:30PM Monthly Meeting Russ Schulze CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM TYPE OF MEETING CHAIR NOTE TAKER ATTENDEES Mardi Turner Russ Schulze, Janine Schueppert, Mardi Turner, Tim O'Connor, Brian Fiegel, Charles May (by teleconference), Helen Talianchich, Dave Agerton VISITORS Jeff Garber (PGAL), Michael Ross, Kathy Wright, Scott Hamrick, Frank Griffin 1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 6:32 pm by Chairman Russ Schulze. VI. Jeff Gerber of PGAL presented two possible alternate layouts for the facilities at the Recreation Center based on the possibility of acquiring two properties on West Point in the short term. If those two properties were acquired, we could eliminate the entrance on Bellaire and have two entrances off of West Point. We could also add 11 more parking spaces and make the parking lot more "user friendly". If the new pool is located outside of the footprint of the old Recreation Center building, we can begin construction on the new pool earlier. The existing building has hazardous materials that must be removed (lead paint and asbestos) before demolition can begin. Relocating the pool to the south end of the site would make the construction easier. Helen said that if the Recreation Center building is at the south end there is a more open feel and an unobstructed view of the site. Mardi noted that we moved the pool to the middle because of safety concerns and ambience; putting it back in the front is a net loss. Helen asked if there would be a problem with moving the building back to the south end? Jeff said that there was a benefit to having the building in the middle to ease people flow through central control point. We need to figure out the best way to solve all of the problems. Janine: We can get some additional green space if we move the pool to the south end - fence and landscaping would provide separation from Bellaire and the pool would have three sides with landscaping and/or lawn. Helen: The building would block off Bellaire and you would have green space on two sides. Janine: Actually you would have parking on two sides and only one side would have green space. Jeff: At the south end you would have more south and west sun exposure for pool users. There are lots of factors and no "right answer". We need to find the solution that satisfies as many issues as possible, the "best" solution. But if we want the pool in the center, then we will go in that direction. Michael Ross: We thought what we had gleaned from the process that the central location was desirable for the building for entrance and egress for patrons, as with the two entry ways on West Point. Helen: A building in the center of a five acre site loses the sense of open space and that is aesthetically an error. Jeff: We probably want the building and the pool to appear as a single structure. The locker rooms for the pool will be in the Recreation Center building. Pool area will be much more open if it is at the south end. Helen: Visually, in the summer you should be able to see all the way through to the ball fields. Russ: If we acquire the corner lot (West Point and Bellaire) and build something there, then it might make sense to have it closer to the building for control. Tim: We need to be able to control ingress and egress effectively. Janine: We need to weigh the visual impact vs the feel of the facility for the users. Jeff: Where things sit on the site is a big decision because of the impact on the project schedule. Janine: Can we get the abatement process moving? Jeff: It is. There are nine contractors interested in the project. The bids will be opened on December 11 at 2 pm. Michael: The contractors' responses will be opened on December 11 and subjected to established evaluation criteria. There is a weighting scheme for financial stability, references, etc. Then we will short list them for interviews. Ultimately we will recommend a single Construction Manager to City Council. The city's finance director, Tim O'Connor, the assistant City Manager, and Jeff will assist me in the evaluation process. We'd like to have the enclosed pool open by next winter. Russ: We'll be having a series of meetings with the public to keep them informed of how we are moving forward. Janine: If we acquire only one of the two properties, do we still have enough room to have two entrances off of West Point? Jeff said that he would have to verify the West U standards. We don't want the entrances to be too close to one another; otherwise there might be traffic problems. Janine: Do you have a site plan that you would recommend at this point? Jeff: We are still in the discovery stage. The big question is how do we get to a new pool open for next winter? There are a lot of positives to having the pool in the center. Michael: But that positioning (in the middle) could impact our ability to have the pool open next winter. Jeff said that this is a long term solution and we don't want to make the wrong decision for the long term. He also has concerns about the parking configuration with the pool at the south end. He thinks it miqht be inconvenient. Helen: But the people using the ball fields can use the parking at the back and that would be convenient for them. Mardi: Going back to the abatement question - do we have to do all of the abatement before we can demolish the building? Jeff: The building needs to be safe for the people who are working on the demolition. Russ: Do we know how long the abatement might take? Jeff said that the lead paint removal in a recent PGAL project took 60 days. Mardi: Didn't we do some asbestos abatement before we started using the building? Michael: Yes, but it was a different type of abatement designed to make the building usable. Jeff: In addition, the abatement process gets us "points" in our LEED certification for the building. Jeff indicated that he needs to know where the building is going to be by January. Helen requested feedback from the citizens in attendance. In response to a question regarding the underlying reasons for accelerating the development of the new pool, Michael Ross said that the desire is to take advantage of the economics in the construction industry today. The contractors are hungry. We want to get this pool finished for next winter so that we can begin construction on Colonial Park. We would also like to get the Rec Center building underway as soon as possible. Jeff thinks there are lots of compelling reasons to go with the pool on the south end. The opportunity became available when Ike knocked out the big tree near the current pool. This configuration allows more open and green space. Russ: If we acquire the two lots, we can increase green space as well. Janine: If we want the pool to feel like an outdoor experience, it makes more sense not to have it bordered by a parking lot. Jeff: We want to find the best solution. Helen would still like to consider the pool in the middle for aesthetic reasons. Janine: Do you want people seeing you when they drive into the parking lot? Helen: You have the same quantity of land and green space available regardless of where the pool is located. Mardi: Will we have another workshop between now and January? If Jeff needs to know in January where the major elements of the footprint are then we cannot just sit on this. Michael: Acquisition of the two lots is on the agenda for next week's Council meeting. Brian: What is the difference between the height of the building vs the pool? Jeff: That is not known at this time. Probably at least 2/3 of the height of the building, perhaps the same height. It depends on how the building is designed and engineered. Russ: Are we agreed that we recommend that Council consider the acquisition of the two lots on West Point? Group: Yes II. Citizen's Comments Frank Griffin: Would prefer pool as far away from the expanded traffic and carbon monoxide from Bellaire. Would not like to swim next to a busy street. Scott Hamrick: Stated that you can smell and feel Bellaire Boulevard when you are swimming in the Rec Center pool. He also expressed concerns about "drive by" smash and I'I grab opportunities with an entrance on Bellaire. He would like us to consider adding a therapy pool. III. Minutes: The minutes of the November 5 meeting were approved as written. IV. Friends Board Report: The Friends Board report was distributed with the materials for the meeting. V. Recognition of Lewis Family donation Russ: There have been conversations with the Friends Board and Friends Guild regarding some sort of naming opportunity to recognize the contributions made by the Lewis family for the Recreation Center. The Friends would like the Parks Board to make a recommendation to Council. The announcement would be made at the Park Lovers' Ball. Janine: Do we need to have a policy on naming rights before we proceed? Tim: There has been no movement on naming rights since it was first brought up several months ago. Mardi: The issue on naming rights had to do with outside and/or commercial interests contributing money in return for having their name on a structure or feature. I don't believe that it applies in this instance. Janine: We need to make sure that any action on this is consistent with the overall naming rights policy. Russ: As a general rule in fund raising, for a naming opportunity you need to be the source of at least 50% of the cost of a project. Tim: The naming rights policy is a longer term consideration. Council considering naming the pool in recognition of the Lewis' generosity is something that can be done without setting a precedent. We agreed to recommend that Council proceed with recognition of the Lewis family, pending their approval through their liaisons with the Friends Board. VII. Colonial Park Winter Operation Tim: Council has approved the funding for the purchase of a new heater for the Colonial Park pool. The heater has been ordered and should be installed before Christmas. The new heater will be usable in the new pool at the Recreation Center. The old heater will be re-incorporated into the new pool at Colonial Park. We have entered into an agreement with St John's School for their swim team to use the pool for practice. The non-resident swimmers are paying non-resident membership fees for use of the pool. Thus far there have been only a few complaints from other pool users. Tim recognized Dave's efforts as an informal ambassador for the users of Colonial Park pool. VIII. Huffington Park Renovation Update Tim provided a hand out regarding the development meeting on Friday. IX. Whitt Johnson Treehouse - complaint regarding new treehouse Tim received a complaint regarding the new play structure. A copy of the letter was included with the materials for the meeting. He also provided the certification documents for the play structure. Helen heard from a lady across the street who also had concerns, but understood that the treehouse was for older children and that adult supervision was needed. She suggested that if it were more difficult to get up the ladder that it might prevent a little one from getting up to the platform. Tim: The equipment is designed for 5 to 12 year olds, not for smaller children, and not for adults. We already have a 5-12 year old structure at Whitt Johnson that presents the same hazards as the treehouse. The system is well thought out and well manufactured. We cannot make parents be responsible. Fencing the structure is not a solution, because a gate could easily be left open. Mardi: The "landing pad" is very soft and spongy. What is the depth of the substrate? Tim: It is 9 1/2 inches and it is foam. T. F. Harper indicated that a fence would require a larger fall zone and take up more green space. Tim has concerns about the writer's reference to the "irresponsibility" of the Friends in placing a "potentially dangerous" play structure at Whitt Johnson. Helen: The issue is to discuss the equipment, not what the lady wrote. Brian indicated that he would not let his two year old play on the treehouse by herself, and that she stays on the younger kids' play structures at Weir Park. These same issues exist at our other parks as well. Mardi: And as Tim has already pointed out we have an existing 5-12 year old play structure at Whitt Johnson. Helen: I've tried all the ladders. The stairs with the railing make it too easy to get up. Mardi: How is that different from the stairs on the other 5-12 year old play structure at Whitt Johnson? Helen: For the future, when we are acquiring equipment for the older children, perhaps we could make it more difficult for the younger children to access it. Helen also indicated that one of the leaf steps might, in fact, be loose. Janine said that during the day it is younger kids at Whitt Johnson, but after school is out the older kids take over. Perhaps in hindsight we. might have put in new equipment for both age groups at the same time. But that is not the way the funding comes in. Tim expressed concern about how staff should respond to the writer. He concluded that the equipment is safe for the recommended age group, that it is properly installed, and will not be modified or removed. He will meet with the parents in person at the park to discuss their concerns. X. Staff Reports No written report was submitted. Tim indicated that there is an issue on the amount that the insurance company is willing to pay and that Michael Ross is in discussion with them. There were some pleasant surprises - $19,000 for the roof at the Community Building; full reimbursement for the flooring at the Community Building. We will have to address the roof and the dry wall at Colonial Park as that facility will be open to the public for at least 18 to 24 months. Insurance funds for the Recreation Center will be directed towards the redevelopment. XI. Board Reports Janine asked about the shade structure on the large play structure at Colonial. Tim said that we are waiting on the final word on the insurance settlement for that and for some trees that may also be reimbursable both at Colonial and at Judson. Tim said that T. F. Harper had donated' a new tree and that it had been planted at Weir Park. The forester wants to start planting some new trees so that when the lace bark elms need to be removed we will have new trees started. We will be losing old growth trees on the east and south side of Colonial. We have gotten a lot of positive comments about the treehouse. Helen suggested that a deciduous tree be added at Whitt Johnson near where the crape myrtles are, on the south side. Janine suggested some modifications to the schedule and announcements related to the tree lighting ceremony. Charles: One of the metal braces on the roof of the gazebo at Colonial is loose, perhaps because of the hurricane. There is also a pipe loose in the sand pit of the volley ball court. And there is a tree leaning over near the gazebo - it may need to be restaked. Brian: Is there a special switch for the lights on the batting cages? Tim suggested he contact the Tri Sports equipment manager. XII. New Business Brian asked about investing in the parks bonds. Mardi: You need to send an e-mail to the city financial manager. Tim: The bond underwriter has indicated that they will only sell bonds through a broker. They will not sell bonds directly to individuals. XIII. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 pm. The next meeting will be on January 7, 2009 at 6:30 pm.