HomeMy WebLinkAbout19 11 PRB minutesMINUTES NOVEMBER 13 , 2019 7:0 0 PM REC CENTER – CONFERENCE ROOM
TYPE OF MEETING Monthly Meeting
CHAIR Peter Billipp
SECRETARY Mary McCulloch
ATTENDEES
Members Present : Peter Billipp, Will Bertron, Maryann Grahmann , Brett
Bingham, Nina Pilson, Sami Morrison, Laura Turley , Jeff Chen , Mary
McCulloch, Mardi Turner
Members Absent: Lindsey Swiger
Staff: Brooks Smith and Susan White
Council Liaison: Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Trautner
VISITORS
I. Call to Order : T he mee ting was called to order at 6:32 pm by Peter Billipp .
II. Approval of September 4 th Meeting Minutes : Laura Turley made a motion to approve
with Jeff Chen seconding the motion . The m inutes were approved.
III. Ci tizen Comments : No citizens present.
IV. Friends Update : Sami Morrison
Fathers and Flashlights – great weather, phenomenal success. 528 kids total. $1 5 6,000
gross. Coffee glitch due to confusion with the Bellaire campout. Changes for next year
include adding some rules around bicycles and scooters, older kids wanting to hang out that
w eren’t registered. Like the later date. Park Lovers ’ Ball have already sold 8 -10 tables
including one for $25,000! Eight sponsors signed on so far already. Well ahead of
schedule for the 2/8/2020 event @ the Hilton Americas. The movie was a great idea as
well. Jeff liked the blankets.
V. Council Update : Kevin Trautner, Mayor Pro -Te m
Workshop on Buffalo Speedway . February 2020 will have a meeting to provide additional
information above and beyond what is on the website. The virtual gate process is moving
forward. Continued conversations regarding public and private partnerships with Friends
being the ideal mod el. The city doesn’t have real time information right now and there is a
lot of misinformation out there about T ri -sports. Everyone loves youth sports and the city is
supportive of our sports. To be a good steward of tax payers’ money council has decided
not to make cash donations to T ri -sports , but wil l continue in -kind support . Lastly, council
is coming to an end on the research about bees in the city. Most likely 100,000 bees (2 bee
colonies) would be the maximum plan allowed due to West U’s lot sizes.
VI. Staff Update : Susan White
1) Whitt Johnson park – reopening celebration on 11/17/2019.
2) Colonial Pool – Drop slide is being replaced with a spiral slide. The shade structure of
the new slide will be the same color as all of the other shades at the pool. The slide
will be completely closed and have numerous clear bands. Muted calm colors are
desirable. Green or blue? Members had mixed feelings on both of these colors. After
thinking it through the group voted in favor of green.
Parks and Recreation Board Minutes page 2
VII. Colonial Park East :
Looking into replacing the sa nd volleyball court with something different.
1) ZipKrooz 50 ft. product for $125,000 (2 tracks and a shade, materials and install and
wood fiber) is being considered. Questions came up about weight limits on this product
and also how often it needs repairs. Shade structures add about $45,000 and would
limit t o 2 tracks vs. 3. Brooks Smith is comfortable the quality and durability of this
product.
2) 5 -12 year old obstacle course called GameTime Challenge. Need to get a formal quote
on this idea and also figure out space limitations . Brooks was told the ideal surface for
this would be artificial turf. GameTime is considered a reputable company. Will asked
about changing the existing fence line to think outside the box.
3) Grass and Berms ($16,000) is the most cost effective but not as exciting.
Additional p layground improvements include repainting, considering replacement of tube
slide and chimney climber, powder coating the fences and current wood features. There
will be a large user group to come up with ideas with a focus on a sand replacement
element as well as imaginative play options. Susan pointed out the cost to make everything
turf might reach a prohibitive $340,000. We do need to completely change out the
engineered wood, which could cost approximately $30,000. Over the years this surface has
si mply been topped off. Entrance to park on Case St. needs some consideration. Solar
Lighting is being considered for the playground and around the walking trail for $30,000.
Brooks likes the solar option vs. wired lights that would require digging around the trees.
One thing to be thoughtful about is the tree cover and make sure the solar would be
optimally functional. Important to keep the light pointing down so that it doesn’t disrupt the
owls and other night animals. There is an option to put a timer on the lights to have them
turn off on a schedule. Mardi asked about doing the work in phases as Peter talked about
Friends anticipating these expenses. More solid cost estimates will be needed. Sami will
begin some conversations to raise awareness about Colonial Park East 2020 improvements.
VIII. Park Programming 5 -year Follow Up Survey Discussion
Doctor Walker from TX A&M will be here at the next meeting to go over our survey plans.
Usage within the park, tennis court multi -uses, rec center options, et c. A big component
will be the senior program needs. Laura asked what component of West U is in the senior
category and Mardi answered 1,200 households out of 5,500 total.
IX. Park Ambassador Assignments :
Colonial Park East (Will )
Colonial Park West (Nina )
Colonial Park Pool (Mary)
Friends Pocket Park (Sami )
Huffington Park (Maryann )
JEH Park (Laura )
Judson Park (Jeff )
Recreation Center Playground (Mardi )
Whitt Johnson (Brett)
Wier Park (Lindsey )
X. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 7:5 1 p.m.
Next meeting is scheduled for December 4 , 2019 .