HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRBMINUTES070799City of West University Place Parks & Recreation Board Meeting
July 7, 1999
MINUTES
Members Present:
Evans Attwell
Will Bertron
Marcela Chenesi
Tim Hansen
Connie Spencer
The meeting was called to order at 7:45.
Staff & Guest Present:
Mark Mailes
Burt Ballanfant
Minutes from the June 2, 1999 meeting were read, and a motion to approve was made
by Will Bertron, seconded by Evans Attwell and unanimously approved.
Huffington Park Playhouse Uadate
Will Bertron led a review of Kathy Hall's preliminary design plan for the proposed
playhouse at the park. Will reiterated that Kathy will raise all funds required to build the
structure that are not provided by the Friends of West University Parks and other
sources. The position and size of the playhouse in the park was discussed. Will
indicated that the next steps in the process are for Kathy to (i) meet with Mark Mailes at
the park to review the design and related issues and (ii) get an estimated cost of the
structure.
Whitt Johnson Park/July 12 1999 City Council Meeting
Burt Ballanfant indicated that council would review the height of the second basketball
goal at Whitt Johnson Park at the upcoming council meeting. Mark Mailes said he would
provide research on this issue that supports a 10 foot goal at this meeting.
West U. Elementary Playground Renewal/ City Center Renewal
Will Bertron provided an update on the status of this initiative. Will said that John Threet
(sp?), principal of West U. Elementary, is coordinating the various parties involved in this
effort and that it is hoped that the renovation of the West U. Elementary will be
completed by summer of 2000. There was discussion among the group regarding
whether or not to include the Rice pocket park in developing the master plan for the city
center. Burt Ballanfant (i) emphasized the need (a) to include the Rice pocket park in
the master plan discussions regarding the city center renewal and (b) for school and city
officials to communicate closely during this process to ensure that all related projects are
compatible with one another and (ii) suggested that merchants on the east side of Edloe
do not need to be included in the planning of the West U. Elementary playground
renovation.
City of West University Place Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes
July 7, 1999
Page 2
Evaluation of Colonial Park Master Planner Qualifications
Five firms submitted their qualifications to serve as the master planner for Colonial Park
and - if it becomes available - the YMCA. Tim Hansen led a review of each firm and
suggested criteria for evaluating them, including current capacity and experience in
working with small parks involving a variety of constituencies.
Tim suggested that the Board select three of these firms which would then be asked to
submit a more specific proposal to serve as master planner for this project based on a
request for proposal (RFP) which would be drafted by Tim Hansen and the rest of the
Board. After much discussion, the Board recommended three firms be asked to submit
such a proposal: (i) White Oak Studio, (ii) Clark Condon Associates, and (iii) SLA Studio
Land.
Connie Spencer motioned that a RFP be drafted and approved by the Board and - upon
approval - be sent to the three recommended firm noted above. Will Bertron seconded
the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Other Business
Tim Hansen suggested that it would be beneficial for the Board to discuss the city of
Bellaire's master parks plan at the next meeting. All Board members agreed, and
Connie Spencer said she would make copies of the plan for the next meeting.
A motion to adjourn was made by Connie Spencer and seconded by Marcela Chenesi.
The motion was approved unanimously, and the meeting was adjourned at
approximately 9:15 p.m.