HomeMy WebLinkAboutWUSB 05.10.18West University Senior Board Meeting Minutes May 10 , 2018 Presiding: Selby Clark presided and called the meeting to order at 2:04 PM Present: Selby Clark, Ruth Becker, Joan Johnson, Stan McCandless, George Baker, John Palmer, Sarah Ballanfant, Rebecca Dozier, Candyce Beneke, Judy Faulkner Staff: Toby Brooks, Susan White , Jeremy Veld Council Liaison: Kelly Burke Absent: Carlos De La Torre, Tom Brombacher, Susan Davis, Ann Crowley, Virginia Lootens Minutes: April minutes were unanimously a pproved. George Bak er will begin taking minutes at the June meeting. Citizen Comments: Ms. Drewes commented on: Sen ior board members did not raise objection to increase in water rates by the City C ouncil and suggested board send representative to next Council meeting. She requested help to f igure out her electricity rates and thinks there are other senior citizens who might need assista nce. Also said she thinks there should be a tax exemption for seniors so they can stay in their homes. Requests healt hy food be provided at board meeting instead of cookies. Her last reques t was for the city to provide a trainer at the gym for all interested seniors. Joan replied that the senior tax exemption list did not have man y names due to lack of requests and that no t many residents defaulted on their property taxes so need for change is not notable. John commented that city has no choice about water rates as they are passed on to homeowners from the City of Houston. Candyce explained that the city will pay back any o verpayments for any services if needed. George explain ed there is a process to appeal property taxes and they have to accompanied by a quote from a contractor. City Council: Kellye Burke reported city council is interviewing Executive R ecruiting companie s so they can begin recruiting for City Manager position in 2019. Reminded everyone it is hurricane season and to be prepared. Parks and Recreation Report : Susan introduced new Administrative Manager Jeremy Veld. Although new in the position, Jeremy is not new to the Parks & Rec Dept. He has worked in Senior Services and most recently was promoted from Assistant Recreation Manager. Colonial Park Pool is open for the season on weekends until the full schedule begins in June. The new concessionaire seemed very well -received. People are happy to see healthier options on the menu. Programming – Received feedback from the members on the Easter Spring fest ival, Outdoor Event series in April at the east end of Colonial Park, and the Party on the Patio is c omin g up next month.
Tennis –Kinks worked out with the software. The Draft policy went into effect on April 23 for a 3 month trial period. An email wa s sent to all tennis members, and anyone who made a tennis reservation in the past year, and all Parks & Rec News subscribers. Signage has also been posted on the courts with the online reservation and trial policy. Fees –Jeremy Veld has been working w ith Parks Board Members Sypros Maragos and Scooter Lerner, along with Senior Board rep Ann Crowley on the fee recommendations for the 2019 Budget. Jeremy presented the proposed fees to the Board and answered questions. For those unable to attend the meet ing, Susan will email the board members all of the fee information. Hughes Park – We received 7 bids on 4/19, and were extremely lucky with the low bidder, Landscape Art. Staff completed site visits and reference checks last week, and all feedback has been extremely favorable…The lowest construction amount would be $280, 136 without t he masonry wall and without the front porch shade cover . It is an additional $37,596 if the Masonry Wall is included. It is an additional $56,529 for the shade cover. The highest construction amount would be $374,261 if both options are selected, which e quates to a not to exceed funding request of $367,000 with contingency and other remaining expenses factored in. As a reminder, for simplify and clarity for bidders, the porch cover and masonry fence were included in the bid as delete alternates to show t he most restrictive conditions. For example, if the brick wall is added, it would have to come in the park 3ft on the west side. This will be presented to Council on May 14. APAC: No report, Virginia Lootens absent Good Neighbor Team: Toby reported the next meeting is scheduled for the following Thursday at 1 PM, May 17 Activities and Previews: Toby bypassed this as time was running out. Old Business: Stan McCandless had some opinions related to the West U Baptist using the Community Building on Sundays. Meeting Adjourned: Becky Dozier motioned to adjourn and Joan Johnson seconded the motion