Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRBMinutes050609WUP Parks and Recreation Board MINUTES MAY 6, 2009 6:30PM CITY HALL-COUNCIL CHAMBERS Monthly Meeting Russ Schulze Mardi Turner Russ Schulze, Dave Agerton, Mardi Turner, Janine Schueppert, Charles May, Robert Schulz, Helen Talianchich, Tim O'Connor (staff) Michael Ross, Jeff Gerber (PGAL), Haley Panton(WTI), Jane Rasi, Marco Rasi, Brittany Bakes (staff), Nina Springer, Frank Griffin, Scott Hamrick, Wendy Keitel, Anton P. Nielsen, John Sickman, Jeff Horowitz, Cathy Wright, Ed Knightly, George Boehme, Chuck Guffey (council), Stever Segal, james Whitehead, Bob Kelly (mayor), William Vanderbloemen, John Cadena, Cierra Cadena. Linda Dav. Linda Driskill Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 6:35 pm by Chairman Russ Schulze. II. Review and Approval of April 1, 2009 minutes - approved. III. Presentation - Colonial Park Pool Design Janine Schueppert introduced the presentation by reviewing the comments that have been received from the community regarding the initial design for the Colonial Park Pool. The response has been largely positive (75 of 98 comments received), with 23 commenters taking issue with some aspect of the design. She provided board members with copies of her tabulation of the comments. Jeff Gerber (PGAL) then reiterated the charge that PGAL and WTI had received from Council regarding the required design features for the Colonial Park Pool: 1. Multigenerational 2. Flexible use 3. Simultaneous use (by different user groups) 4. Complementary with the fitness pool at the Recreation Center 5. Low density feel Jeff and Haley Panton (WTI) reviewed the initial design proposal. Jeff then presented two modified designs: A2: Keeps each lap lane at a common depth and adds a shade feature at the end of the lap lanes B: Replaces the "lily pad" area with a circular area that can be used for water basketball. Jeff and Haley then discussed the proposal received today from Dave Agerton. He said that it was similar to where the PGAL plan began, but that it has some challenges. 1. The slope (of the pool bottom) required by the Texas code would mean that the pool would be at least 15-20 feet longer, which would add substantially to the cost. 2. The larger pool would in turn reduce the deck size and move the drop slide off of the deck completely. 3. The lap lanes are mostly in 5 feet or more of water, which wouldn't allow for water aerobics in that space. 4. Zone 3 (deepest) is larger, but usage density is statistically higher in the shallower zones 1 and 2. 5. There is a disconnect between the deep end and zones 1 and 2 when programmed activities are taking place in the lap zone. 6. The new slide (proposed) would have to be roped off which would cut down on usage 7. To accommodate the required slope, the deck would need to be pushed out into the equipment area, which would mean the equipment would have to move. Jeff personally recommends option Al or A2. Michael Ross said that staff recommends option A2 based on the response from the community and on the work done by PGAL and WTI. Robert Schulz moved that the Board accept option A2. Mardi Turner seconded the motion Helen Talianchich asked if we could have 25 yard lap lanes. Jeff said yes, but that we cannot exceed the budget for the pool. Adding the lap lanes has already added $200,000 to the cost of the pool, and he would need to find $50,000 more to increase their length. Dave Agerton asked how much the water walk ("lily pad") area costs. Haley said it was about $50,000. Charles May said that he didn't feel that there was enough space for free play in the shallower zones. Haley said that zones 1 and 2 will be the most heavily used and that's where the most space has been allocated, in addition to the lap lane area (3 1/2 - 4 feet deep). She said that those two zones are great for everyone up to pre-teens. Robert asked if there were any restrictions on diving (depth requirements). Haley responded that the water must be 5 feet deep for diving. Dave said that he had heard that WTI had built a leisure pool at UT and that the most popular activity was water basketball. Haley agreed that water basketball is very popular with pre-teen and teen groups. Dave asked what the depth requirement was for water basketball, and where the areas were located. Haley responded that 3 1/2 to 4 feet was generally needed, and that there are basketball areas planned for the water walk and the lap lane areas. Charles asked about adding shade in the pool, in zones 1 and 2. Haley explained that there are two umbrellas (20 feet) anchored on the deck covering parts of zone 1 and that additional shade will be provided on the deck that are not pictured on the pool plan. Helen asked when we could see a plan with more free play space. Michael Ross said that the requirement for more free play space would have to be the consensus of the Board and of Council. Dave asked Jeff which option he prefers. Jeff said that option A2 has "more fun in it". He thinks the water walk area will be very popular and that A2 fulfills all of the requirements that Council had charged. Haley said that the water walk may look like a fad, but this kind of amenity has been around for 15 years. We can always add a slide or additional basketball hoops if the popularity of the water walk fades over time. Helen asked when the Colonial Park pool will be open and how much staff will be needed. Michael said that the plan is for the pool to be open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, plus weekends as appropriate. They are planning for 4 to 6 lifeguards, depending on the activities scheduled. Russ then called for a vote on the motion to approve Option A2. The vote was 7 in favor, 1 opposed, and 1 absent. Helen indicated that she did not feel comfortable voting; that the decision is being rushed and that she feels that the pool season should be longer. IV. Citizen Comments Nina Springer: Appreciates all of the information provided, but is nervous because answers about scheduling are not forthcoming. She urged us to please consider the whole package for the whole community. John Sickman: Asked if the kiddie area could be increased to the south. Linda Driskill: Interested in the strategic plan with regard to 1. Generating adequate revenue with only a three month season 2. Additional costs for maintenance and staff 3. Forgetting to tell the consultants to keep the costs down She feels that we need a special meeting of the Parks Board to ameliorate the separation of planning regarding the interacting factors (of the two pools). Beth Lane: Thinks we are going to use this pool "like crazy" and that we should stop dickering. V. Friends Board Report - Russ read Joni's written report, which is appended to these minutes. VI. Staff Reports Tim reported that two of the Eagle Scout projects have been completed. He has also submitted weekly reports via email to all members of the Board. VII. Board Reports Janine said that Judson Park looks good and asked about the hanging wooden swing at Colonial Park. Tim will check the status. Helen has sent a note regarding fence material for the Huffington Park improvements. She suggests that we do not use what was used at Weir Park. New Business Janine asked for suggestions of people interested in serving on a task force to decide on water play equipment for the Colonial Park Pool. IX. Adjournment - the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm The next regularly scheduled meeting will be on June 3, 2009 at 6:30 pm. Sent: Wednesday, May 06, 2009 10:24 AM To: Tim OConnor; janine_home@yahoo.com; rkschulze@sbcglobal.net Subject: tonight Sorry I cannot attend tonight but please use this as my vote in support of plan A and see the info below Friends Board Report: Thanks to Sue Hanna, Stephanie Roman and all of you who volunteered at and or cleaned out your closets and garage then donated items to our second annual WU Garage Sale! Nasty weather but it was a great success! Dollars soon. Donna and I met with Elizabeth Karkowsky to get a PR plan in place and are appreciative that Susan Sample has said she will help Elizabeth. We will put a calendar in place to do pre and post event press on all Friends activities, park groundbreakings and dedication ribbon cuttings, etc. We reminded all to get out and vote on May 9u, if you have not early voted! Be conscientious of those who are pro-parks! PLB plans are in the works but no definite date or place yet. Watch for details. We will not meet in June or July but all will be hard at work on their specific projects.