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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks Board Minutes 4-6-22 MINUTES APRIL 6, 2022 6:30PM IN PERSON, CITY HALL    Type of meeting Parks and Recreation Board Monthly Meeting  Chair Will Bertron  secretary Evan Mintz  Attendees Members Present: Will Bertron, Amer Patel, Evan Mintz, Stephen Damiani, Brett Bingham, Richard Cunningham, Manish Agrawal, Arlene Wells, Lulu Lopez and Laura Turley (via phone) Staff: Susan White Council Liaison: Mayor Pro Temp John Montgomery  visitors Additional Attendees: Council Member John Barnes     Call to Order: Will Bertron called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Citizen Comments: Council Member John Barnes discussed the ongoing effort to renew the West U garden club as a multigenerational organization that goes beyond a traditional club, looking at native planting, pollinator issues, and partnering with schools, scouts and other groups. Meeting Minutes: Minutes for the February PRB meeting were approved unanimously. Council Update: John Montgomery Council Member Montgomery discussed the proposed Master Plan, which involves rebuilding the fire station, City Hall, library, community center, and maintenance facility. The city is eager to hear feedback on this plan. A question was raised about why the proposed library is only one story. Also the question of pedestrianizing the area was raised as well, in addition to the possibility of multistory shared parking facility. Chair Bertron raised a question he had heard: Why doesn’t West University coordinate more with the Upper Kirby District, especially to help maintain Bissonnet Street? The Sustainability Task Force has offered its recommendations to the city. The city is also working on reducing runoff inflow into wastewater treatment system. The city made an Arbor Day declaration for April 29th. The city also signed a contract extension with Southside Place to provide inspection and EMS services. The traffic signals on Wesleyan are being redesigned. Friends Update: Fathers and Flashlights registration starts after Labor Day. Sponsorships are being solicited. The Park Lovers 2023 ball has been scheduled for Feb. 11, 2023 at the Four Seasons Downtown. Parks & Recreation Update: Susan White Edloe Street Pathway: We’re waiting on an 80/20 grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife, but the city can’t put out bids until we know the results. Receiving this grant would likely require environmental impact permitting. We’re also pursuing an AARP Walkable Communities Grant, which is $5-50,000, and will be much quicker. Judson Park: Council will be addressing the redesign on Monday. There are some updates, notably the backboard, in addition to the historical marker. The recommendation is that the backboard stay in the current location, but there is a quieter option available that may be included in the future. The Poor Farm historic marker is being moved because researchers have discovered the actual location of the farm is misleadingly marked on a 1915 topographical map. Tennis and Pickleball Committee: An equal number of pickleball players are being added to the committee. New divider fencing is being put in at Weir Park, along with pickleball lines. Tennis lines will remain white, pickleball will be blue. Programming Committee Report: There is a focus on multigenerational events, and emphasizing that events are open for all ages. Fees: There will have to be an increase in fees to cover pay increases necessary to attract quality applicants for part-time positions in the Parks Department. Upcoming events: Membership Drive will be held in conjunction with the Crescent Circus. The Easter Spring Festival on Saturday, April 9th at the West U Rec Center. Parks & Recreation Update: Will Bertron Weir Park: The timeline involves discussion and design for 2022, and construction in 2023. The committee discussed issues about reorienting the basketball court; expanding the fence line to accommodate more park space, including the handicapped parking space, which is not legally necessary; moving the picnic tables; ensuring direct ramp access to the park entrance for bikes and wheelchairs; ensuring play areas are properly shaded; protecting tree roots; potential decks construction over tree roots next to the basketball court; restroom access; and new playground equipment. Park Ambassador Reports & Remarks Colonial Park: Amar Patel (east) a water fountain is being repaired; Evan Mintz (west) Prelude music was a great success – an estimated 250 people. But a food truck would have been nice. Repairs are needed on the north deck. Stephen Damiani (pool) still not pool season yet. Friends Park: Sami Morrison – Huffington Park: Brett Bingham – The park is great, busy and kids love it. Jennie Hughes Park: Brett notes that it is doing well. Judson Park: Richard Cunningham – Nothing of note Recreation Center: Manish Agrawal – Question about whether some different material could be used on the gravel track around the field. Whitt Johnson Park: Arlene Wells – Looks good. Some parts of the fences may need to be replaced behind the basketball court. Wier Park: Lulu Lopez – The gates are working! Adjournment: Motion to Adjourn – 8:27 pm.   Friends Update: Fathers and Flashlights registration starts after Labor Day. Sponsorships are being solicited. The Park Lovers 2023 ball has been scheduled for Feb. 11, 2023 at the Four Seasons Downtown. Parks & Recreation Update: Susan White Edloe Street Pathway: We’re waiting on an 80/20 grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife, but the city can’t put out bids until we know the results. Receiving this grant would likely require environmental impact permitting. We’re also pursuing an AARP Walkable Communities Grant, which is $5-50,000, and will be much quicker. Judson Park: Council will be addressing the redesign on Monday. There are some updates, notably the backboard, in addition to the historical marker. The recommendation is that the backboard stay in the current location, but there is a quieter option available that may be included in the future. The Poor Farm historic marker is being moved because researchers have discovered the actual location of the farm is misleadingly marked on a 1915 topographical map. Tennis and Pickleball Committee: An equal number of pickleball players are being added to the committee. New divider fencing is being put in at Weir Park, along with pickleball lines. Tennis lines will remain white, pickleball will be blue. Programming Committee Report: There is a focus on multigenerational events, and emphasizing that events are open for all ages. Fees: There will have to be an increase in fees to cover pay increases necessary to attract quality applicants for part-time positions in the Parks Department. Upcoming events: Membership Drive will be held in conjunction with the Crescent Circus. The Easter Spring Festival on Saturday, April 9th at the West U Rec Center. Parks & Recreation Update: Will Bertron Weir Park: The timeline involves discussion and design for 2022, and construction in 2023. The committee discussed issues about reorienting the basketball court; expanding the fence line to accommodate more park space, including the handicapped parking space, which is not legally necessary; moving the picnic tables; ensuring direct ramp access to the park entrance for bikes and wheelchairs; ensuring play areas are properly shaded; protecting tree roots; potential decks construction over tree roots next to the basketball court; restroom access; and new playground equipment. Park Ambassador Reports & Remarks Colonial Park: Amar Patel (east) a water fountain is being repaired; Evan Mintz (west) Prelude music was a great success – an estimated 250 people. But a food truck would have been nice. Repairs are needed on the north deck. Stephen Damiani (pool) still not pool season yet. Call to Order: Will Bertron called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Citizen Comments: Council Member John Barnes discussed the ongoing effort to renew the West U garden club as a multigenerational organization that goes beyond a traditional club, looking at native planting, pollinator issues, and partnering with schools, scouts and other groups. Meeting Minutes: Minutes for the February PRB meeting were approved unanimously. Council Update: John Montgomery Council Member Montgomery discussed the proposed Master Plan, which involves rebuilding the fire station, City Hall, library, community center, and maintenance facility. The city is eager to hear feedback on this plan. A question was raised about why the proposed library is only one story. Also the question of pedestrianizing the area was raised as well, in addition to the possibility of multistory shared parking facility. Chair Bertron raised a question he had heard: Why doesn’t West University coordinate more with the Upper Kirby District, especially to help maintain Bissonnet Street? The Sustainability Task Force has offered its recommendations to the city. The city is also working on reducing runoff inflow into wastewater treatment system. The city made an Arbor Day declaration for April 29th. The city also signed a contract extension with Southside Place to provide inspection and EMS services. The traffic signals on Wesleyan are being redesigned. Friends Update: Fathers and Flashlights registration starts after Labor Day. Sponsorships are being solicited. The Park Lovers 2023 ball has been scheduled for Feb. 11, 2023 at the Four Seasons Downtown. Parks & Recreation Update: Susan White Edloe Street Pathway: We’re waiting on an 80/20 grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife, but the city can’t put out bids until we know the results. Receiving this grant would likely require environmental impact permitting. We’re also pursuing an AARP Walkable Communities Grant, which is $5-50,000, and will be much quicker. Judson Park: Council will be addressing the redesign on Monday. There are some updates, notably the backboard, in addition to the historical marker. The recommendation is that the backboard stay in the current location, but there is a quieter option available that may be included in the future. The Poor Farm historic marker is being moved because researchers have discovered the actual location of the farm is misleadingly marked on a 1915 topographical map. Tennis and Pickleball Committee: An equal number of pickleball players are being added to the committee. New divider fencing is being put in at Weir Park, along with pickleball lines. Tennis lines will remain white, pickleball will be blue. Programming Committee Report: There is a focus on multigenerational events, and emphasizing that events are open for all ages. Fees: There will have to be an increase in fees to cover pay increases necessary to attract quality applicants for part-time positions in the Parks Department. Upcoming events: Membership Drive will be held in conjunction with the Crescent Circus. The Easter Spring Festival on Saturday, April 9th at the West U Rec Center. Parks & Recreation Update: Will Bertron Weir Park: The timeline involves discussion and design for 2022, and construction in 2023. The committee discussed issues about reorienting the basketball court; expanding the fence line to accommodate more park space, including the handicapped parking space, which is not legally necessary; moving the picnic tables; ensuring direct ramp access to the park entrance for bikes and wheelchairs; ensuring play areas are properly shaded; protecting tree roots; potential decks construction over tree roots next to the basketball court; restroom access; and new playground equipment. Park Ambassador Reports & Remarks Colonial Park: Amar Patel (east) a water fountain is being repaired; Evan Mintz (west) Prelude music was a great success – an estimated 250 people. But a food truck would have been nice. Repairs are needed on the north deck. Stephen Damiani (pool) still not pool season yet. Friends Park: Sami Morrison – Huffington Park: Brett Bingham – The park is great, busy and kids love it. Jennie Hughes Park: Brett notes that it is doing well. Judson Park: Richard Cunningham – Nothing of note Recreation Center: Manish Agrawal – Question about whether some different material could be used on the gravel track around the field. Whitt Johnson Park: Arlene Wells – Looks good. Some parts of the fences may need to be replaced behind the basketball court. Wier Park: Lulu Lopez – The gates are working! Adjournment: Motion to Adjourn – 8:27 pm.