HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRBMINUTES050907Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
West University Place, Texas
► Call to Order: Chairman Russ Schulze at 6:35pm.
Mr. Schulze directed Tim O'Connor to take meeting minutes, due to the iliness/absence of
Board Secretary Laura Theis.
► Introductions:
Board Members Present: Russ Schulze, Janine Schueppert, Mardi Turner, Joni Fichter,
Helen Talianchich, Dave Agerton, Charles May - Tim O'Connor. Members of the Public
Present: Ramsay Elder and Eva Ruth.
► Citizen's Comments: No Public Comment
► Review and Approval of April 4 2007 Parks Board Meeting Minutes:
A motion was made by Mardi Turner and seconded by Charles May to approve the minutes from the
4/4/07 Board meeting. The motion was unanimously passed.
► Friends Board Report: Joni Fichter
• 2007 Park Lovers Ball generated over $240,000.00 in revenue, allowing for the full
Lewis Foundation Matching Grant of $500,000.00 to be realized.
• The Hotel ZaZa is scheduled to be the host facility for the 2008 Parks Lover Ball. Ball
planning is currently underway, with the Event Chairperson position yet to be filled.
Joni asked for anyone interested in serving or nominating someone, to please
contact either her of Donna LaMond.
• Joni publically thanked Councilman Yehle for his efforts is securing a $25,000.00
donation from ComCast Communications.
• Friends is Investigating the possibility of conducting a Community Garage sale this
Fall, as a fundraising effort.
• Parks Guild, headed by Leah Ragiel, has begun preliminary goal and objective
planning.
► Park Acquisition Sub-Committee Update: Russ Schulze & Janine Schueppert
Russ and Janine reported that the Sub-Committee had extensively studied a number of
potential properties over the course of the past two months and had made a formal
recommendation to City Council on a particular property. Due to the confidential and
sensitive nature of real estate acquisition, when the City is involved, they stated that specific
properties would not be announced publicly, until formal action was taken by City Council.
► Park Planning Project Update: Russ Schulze & Janine Schueppert
Russ and Janine reported that Carter & Burgess had conducted four (4) Public Workshops
and one (1) Town Hall Meeting to-date. Russ asked that each member of the Parks Board
who attended any or all of the Workshops & Town Hall Meeting to comment on their
observations. Comment was provided by Dave Agerton, Mardi Turner, Russ Schulze, Janine
Schueppert, Helen Taliasnchich and Charles May. In order to establish an accurate record of
Board Members comments, it is requested that all attending members provide a written
summary of their observations and thoughts for the record.
Page Two - May 9, 2007 Parks Board Meeting Minutes
Staff Reports:
► Rice Pocket Park Task Force Update: Tim O'Connor & Joni Fichter
The recommendation to move forward with the construction, funding and naming of Rice
Pocket Park will be presented to City Council on May 28, 2007. The packet will include 1)
Request for Council to authorize the City Manager to enter a contractual agreement with
Millis Development & Construction Inc., for the construction of the park, 2) Approve full-
funding for the project and 3) Officially name the park Friends Park.
► Operational Update: Tim O'Connor ( written report provided )
Board Reports:
► Park Ambassador Reports:
Colonial Park: Janine inquired as to the status of the re-staining of the wooden Playground
structures, the shade structure over the baby pool and the slipping hazard at the wooded
pool deck. O'Connor reported that the playground structures would be re-stained before the
Memorial Day weekend, the shade structure had been re-built and should have the new
shade cover in place before the end-of-school and that the wooden deck runway had been
provided a slip proof application of sand and deck stain.
Huff ington Park: Helen inquired as to the possibility of facilitating a "park user survey", to
determine what amenities the regular park users would like to see incorporated. Russ asked
that she please hold off pursuing a survey until after the Park Planning effort is completed.
Helen was concerned about the need to develop a Capital budget, of playground upgrades.
O'Connor stated that the Friends were working toward that end, by developing a five-year
playground replacementtupgrade plan, to be funded through the annual Park Lover's Bail
events. Helen also suggested that the Bluebonnets be mowed under at Liberty Hill Park, as
they have past their glory days for this year. O'Connor stated that Liberty Hill Park had been
mowed on May 4th and the Bluebonnet planting would be renewed in the Fall of 2007.
Whitt Johnson Park: Mardi inquired as to the status of the $13,500.00 in private donations,
made exclusively for Whitt Johnson Park. O'Connor stated that the funds had been received
by and were being held by the Friends, until a final decision on how to best use the funding
was determined. Mardi indicated that she would visit the park and develop a
recommendation.
Eagle Scout Projects: Helen and Mardi agreed to meet on Sunday, May 13 and take a "tour"
of park properties. They will submit a list of potential spots for beautification projects, to be
facilitated by interested and qualified Eagle Scout Candidates.
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Page Three - May 9, 2007 Park Board Meeting Minutes
► New Business:
Charles May suggested that the position of Classical Concert Chairman be continued, to not
only allow for thorough marketing and promotion of the event, to insure that quality
entertainment is secured and to investigate the possibility of the event underwriters being
secured for the 2008 concert series, but to also provide oversight to staff. O'Connor stated
that he felt that the role of the Parks Board was best served In an " ambassador" role,
specifically serving as Master of Ceremonies, providing entertainment suggestions and
logistical advice. He stated that staff was very capable of coordinating the planning and
logistical elements of community events and that to have Board members involved in the
regular business could be problematic. Russ asked, in the best interest of time, that the
Board visit these matters on a case-by-case basis and not attempt to reach conclusion at this
time.
►Adjournment: Chairman Russ Schulze adjourned the meeting at 8:15pm.
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