HomeMy WebLinkAbout15 04 PRB MinutesWUP Parks and Recreation Board MINUTES APRIL 1 , 201 5 6:30PM REC CENTER – CONFERENCE ROOM TYPE OF MEETING Monthly Meeting CHAIR Melissa Pifko ACTING SECRETARY David DeAnda ATTENDEES Kevin Boyle, Susan Reeves, David DeAnda , Moya Varner , Melissa Pifko, Burt Ballanfant, Donald Armstrong, Tracy Larson and Wayne Franklin T im O’Conn o r (Staff) Dick Yehle (City Council) VISITORS West University resident: A lida Drewes and Steven Segal I. Call to Order: The mee ting was called to order at 6:39 pm by chair Melissa Pifko . II. Approval of the March 1 1 , 201 5 Meeting Minutes : Motion to approve minutes made by Moya Varner and s econded by Susan Reeves. Motion approved. III. Friends Overview : Mark Prescott was absent so there was no official report from Friends Board. IV. Parks Master Planning Update : A copy of the adopted Master Plan was passed out to each board member. Plan was briefly discussed with Melissa requesting that each board member review in more depth when their time permits. V. Review of Preliminary Draft – Park Redevelopment Process : Matter tabled. To be discussed in May Park’s Board meeting. VI. Review of Preliminary Draft – Park Acquisition Process : Tim stated that not much can happen until after the completion of the upcoming city council election s. Tim passed out material s that had been previously used (approximately nine years old). Several possible property acquisition targets were discussed and Tim stated that it is likely that a Park Acquisition Task Force will be formed after the election. Tim stated that bonds previously approved w ill not “time out” in 2016 and can be used afterward so long as intent of use is maintained. Guest Steven Segal stated that in his opinion the bonds can only be used for a neighborhood park and not for nature r eserve type green space. Tim went over the park criteria form that was previously used and it was briefly discussed. Tim also passed out the results of the park survey that was conducted last year by the Park’s Board (headed by Moya Varner). Discussed whether results should be p ublished. Concern was that it was not scientific and it was recommended that it may be better for a summary to be published with the appropriate disclosures on how the survey was conducted.
Parks and Recreation Board Minutes page 2 VII. Board Member U pdates and Committees : Park Ambassador Reports: Colonial : Comment was made that Colonial looks good but that grass seemed long. Wayne asked about restrooms as he had noticed that they recently seemed messy and with towel supplies often lacking. Kevin stated that Colonial se ems to have a trash issue. Judson : Wayne stated that it looked good. Huffington Park : Tracy pointed our water fountain issue. Weir Park : Minor sink hole issue was discussed. Tim stated that was being addressed with possible coverage to come from warr anty. Friends Park : Nothing to report Colonia l Park Pool – Food Trucks & Cabanas: Wayne discussed the possibility of having food trucks at Colonial Park. Would not be a daily occurrence, would be on special occasions or on a specific scheduled day dur ing the weekend. He had previously discussed with Tim and understood that there may be legal/permitting issues to address as well as possible concerns from the Princess food contract that would need to be addressed. Tim stated that he had discussed wi th code/permit folks of the city and they had stated that it was doable. Tim suggested that it could possibly be done in conjunction with Party on the Patio. Kevin pointed out the noise pollution issue that may result if food trucks have to use their generators. Wayne also briefly discussed the concept of having cabanas at Colonial Park to increase the available shaded area and the utilization of the green space west of the pool that is under -utilized. Tim suggested the possibility of piloting the concept with 2 units. Kevin questioned the number of resident s that would benefit from such structures , suggested t hat resources be utilized in a manner that would benefit more resident. Tim stated that he would explore the concept of a larger shading structure that could be utilized by more residents. VIII. Staff and City Council Updates: Council Update : Council Member Yehle stated that Master Plan had formally been adopted by Council and he briefly discussed the proposed l and s wap with West University Ba ptist Church. Staff Update : Tim asked Board to inform him whether they want to continue serve on Park’s Board. Stated that each person that is interested in serving again would need to be reappointed by new City Council (post election). IX. Citizen’s Comments: Alida Drewes addressed the Board and asked that we keep an open mind as to input from residents. It was requested of Ms. Drewes that she refrain from commenting with regards to specific Parks and Recreation staff members. Ms. Drewe s commented that more Parks were needed on the East side of West University, that more green space was needed and suggested that we look to what Bellaire was doing with some of their parks. She stated that she did not support any additional parks in the W est side of the city. Steven Segal stated the he was running for city council. Encouraged those that were interested to reapply for park’s board position.
Parks and Recreation Board Minutes page 3 X . New Business: Tim reminded group that last year we had discussed in May meeting whether to have Park’s Board meeting s in the summer months. Requested that we have same discussion during May 2015 meeting . I X . Adjournment: Motion by Tracy Larson with second by Wayne Franklin to adjourn meeting. Motion passed and m eeting adjourned at approximately 8:08 pm . T he next meeting will be scheduled for May 6 . 2015 @ 6:3 0 pm .