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HomeMy WebLinkAbout16 05 PRB MinutesWUP Parks and Recreation Board MINUTES MAY 18, 2016 6:30PM REC CENTER – CONFERENCE ROOM TYPE OF MEETING Monthly Meeting CHAIR Kevin Boyle SECRETARY David DeAnda ATTENDEES Peter Billipp, Kevin Boyle, Stephen Da miani, David DeAnda, Tracy Larson, David Jennings, Donna Petrone, Mark Prescott and Melissa Pifko Tim O’Connor (Staff) VISITORS West University residents: Al ida Drewes and Ramsey Elder I. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by chair Kevin Boyle. II. Approval of the April 6th Minutes: Motion to approve by Melissa with second by Mark. III. Citizen Comments: Comments from Alida. She was given three minutes to speak. Stated that she feels that this board and council are ignoring the will of the pe ople. She feels that the will of the people is to have more open gree n space. All she sees is more fences and large equipment. Stated that is unclear to her who runs the board, the citizen board members or Tim O’Connor that person that is generally sitting at the head of the table. She feels that will of the people is being ignored. She stated that she is not going away, that she here to stay. That we might as well get used to it. Stated that due to Texas Open Meetings Act she has the right to speak. Also, stated that we spend an enormous amount of money on parks on west side with no money spent on east side. Cited the new work at Colonial Pool as an example of such discriminatory conduct. IV. Friends Overview: Mark Prescott stated that last week they had Star Citizens lunch. It was a great success. Looking forward to next ye ar’s anniversary of Fathers & Flashlights. Friends voted to approve the funding of fitness stations. Last week was last meeting for this season. Will not meet again until September. V. Park Acquisition Update: Survey that was di scussed last month has been tabled. Kevin stated that a resident has passed away and dona ted his two lots and some funds to develop a park dedicated to passive green space. It is approximately 20,0000 square feet. Donation is subject to naming park after the mother of the deceased. Further details will be disclosed as legal issues are still being worked through. St ated that this is the reason that our meeting was delayed. Mayor should be making a publ ic statement hopefully later this week. VI. Colonial Park Redevelopment Update: Tim stated that there was over 85 people at the dedication. Project is essentially complete. Tim stated that some feedback has been received about keeping the fences up. There has been some concern about the distance between the pool and the new area. Kevin stated that fewer barr iers may decrease the separateness to diminish the perception that kids are now the responsibility of the lifeguards. We now have more pool seati ng than pool capacity. Step up sinks have been installed and hopefully they will be instal led at Recreation Center soon. VII. Park Ambassador Reports: The black material that has been placed on top of turf at Weir Parks and Recreation Board Minutes page 2 Park seems to be working well. Tim stated that it will extend the life of the turf and increase safety. Stephen stated that there is not a recycle container outside of Colonial Pool. Tim stated that they have not had much luck with recycling but he will make sure that one is placed there for future use. Stephen also stated that he had seen rats by the play structure at the Recreation Center. Suggested a sanitizer station but concern was raised regarding potential alcohol poisoning. Tim st ated that he will discuss with pest control expert to see what he recommends. V III. Staff and City Counc il Updates: Council Update : Mardi Turner out of town so no update from Council. Directors Update : Fitness Station: (Covered after Friends). Tim discussed the fitness stations that Friends has agreed to fund. They are adult stations but there will be no step up for kids. Safety bases have been set up for each station for addi tional safety. This re quires the approval of the Park’s Board in order to use Friends. Me lissa moves to approve with second by Peter. Motion passed unanimously. 2016 Boo Run: Will likely be taken over by th e City of West University. Race had over 1000 runners last year. Plan to work with the sc hool to ensure that race is advertised at the school as it has in the past. Certain procee ds of the race will be dedicated to a park feature such as the purchase of solar powered Big Belly trash system. Other features will also be considered and brought to the Board. Senior Age Resident Tax Exemption Recommendation: The Senior Board went to council last week and had a good dialogue with Council. Asked that exemption be increased to $240,000. Final proposal still needs to be presented to Council. West-side parking upgrades: Board has been updated in weekly report. IX. Park’s Master Planni ng Update: Addressed in agenda Item V. X. New Business: Kevin stated that special events committee to be restarted. Asked Board members to contact Tim if interested. Kevin proposed that no meeting be held in summer (similar to Friends) but keep an open mind to having a special meeting if needed. Next meeting would likely be scheduled for September 7 th . Kevin encouraged Board to continue to send park ambassador reports to Tim over the summer as parks are heavily used during such time. XI. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 7:20 pm.