HomeMy WebLinkAbout16 03 PRB MinutesWUP Parks and Recreation Board MINUTES MARCH 9, 2016 6:30PM REC CENTER – CONFERENCE ROOM TYPE OF MEETING Monthly Meeting ACTING CHAIR Melissa Pifko SECRETARY David DeAnda ATTENDEES David DeAnda, Melissa Pifko, Stephen Damiani, Sheri Harber, David Jennings, Tracy Larson and Wayne Franklin Tim O’Connor (Staff) Mardi Turner (City Council) VISITORS West University resident: Alida Dr ewes, Ramsey Elder and Dick Yehle I. Call to Order: The meeting was called to or der at 6:30 pm by vice-chair Melissa Pifko. II. Approval of the February 3rd Minutes: Moti on to approve by David with second by Stephen. III. Friends Overview: Mark Prescott is out of to wn. Tim reported on behalf of Mark. Stated that thus far Park Lover’s Ball raised appr oximately $375,000. Still looking for sponsor for Party on the Patio. Next Friends Meeting is April 13 th . IV. Colonial Park Redevelopment Update: Tim stated that he is excited a bout progress. Despite the rain , project is ahead of schedule. Reminded group that project is entirely funded by Friends. V. Board Member Updates and Committees: Park Ambassador Reports: Wayne stated that the barbeque equipment at Judson looked weathered, commented that it likely needs to be cleaned. Stephen stated that he utilizes the Recreation Center and that everything looks good. He stated that he uses Judson Park as well and he feels that it is under-utilized. Not as crowded as Weir Park. Tracey stated that water fountains at Colonial are al ways clogged due to sand. VI. Staff and City Counc il Updates: Council Update : Mardi Turner stated that they are scheduled to have another workshop next week to discuss land acquisition for pa rks. Looking at 2 properties, neither are currently available. Next week they w ill discuss how to proceed . Either appoint a taskforce or walk away. She also discussed the new trash pick-up and lawn waste communications issues. Directors Update : Pedestrian Railroad Crossing: As part of Evelyn Park development, exploring with City of Bellaire safe pedestrian crossing not only at Bellaire Blvd but also at Bissonnet. Engineers
Parks and Recreation Board Minutes page 2 and City Managers working on project. Joint Parking: The city of Bellaire and West U city managers working on over-flow parking agreement with Evelyn Park. Cities evaluating sharing of cost (this is a long term project). West-side parking upgrades on WUP Recrea tion Center campus: Tim discussed the planned relief parking. Would increase park ing spaces by 40%. Tim stated that he is hoping this will move quickly. Currently no tifying immediate neighbor s. The parking will not have an exit to Community. The in gress/egress will be off Bellaire. West Leisure Program: Tim discussed the pr ogram. Reminded board that program is available online. Mardi reminded members that the westutx.gov website has a ton of information. She congratulated Tim on th e honor/award (Gold Medal) received by the West University Parks and Recreation Department. Park’s Master Planning Upda te: Tim stated that the priorities were discussed at prior meeting. Weir Park is the first priority. Two board me mbers have expressed interest in task force. Would like to see another Park’s Board member. Hoping that appointments will happen by March or April 2016. Will defini tely obtain bids for the work that needs to be done. If it ends up being complete redevelopment, it will be an intrusive project that may take up to a year to complete. VII. Citizen’s Comments: Alida Drewes addressed the Board. Ms. Drewes had an issue with prior minutes. Stated that minutes that had been posted were wrong and th at they did not properly reflect what she had communicated. St ated that focus on west-side is wrong and that survey need to be done. Suggested that Friend’s Park shoul d be converted to senior park. Former councilmember Dick Yehle also made comments. Stated that he wanted to throw out idea with respect to acquisition of land for park on east-side. His notion is that we sh ould look at the needs of the east-side and define the type of park that is needed. He stated that city needs to try something different. Councilmember Turner stated that Council’s next step will be to decide whether they should proceed with land acquisition at a ll. Tim stated that Dick had previously communicated his comments to him and Council. Dick to send copy of letter to Tim so that it can be shared with Park’s Board. V III. Old Business: Tracy asked about park at West U Elementary. Park has further deteriorated. Tim to follow up again with the principal of the school. VIII. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 7:35 pm.