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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks Board Minutes 1-5-22 MINUTES JANUARY 5, 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, Amar Patel, Manish Agrawal, Evan Mintz, Stephen Damiani, Laura “Lulu” Lopez, Laura Turley, Arlene Wells, Brett Bingham Staff: Susan White Council Liaison: Mayor Pro Tem John Montgomery VISITORS Additional Attendees: Ilya Elyashkevich, Karen Yeager, David Marks I. Call to Order: Will Bertron called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. II. Citizen Comments: Ilya Elyashkevich (3925 Rice Blvd) talked about issues regarding tennis in West U, nothing that it is difficult to find court times and expressed concern about courts being diverted for other uses, and advocated for a new court being added. Karen Yeager echoed concerns about the difficulty in reserving West U tennis courts, and the appeal of using the court at Judson Park. She also expressed concern that Pickleball is loud and advocated to put a Pickleball court at the Rec Center instead of at an existing tennis court, and also asked for another tennis court to be added. III. Meeting Minutes: Minutes for the November 10 PRB meeting were approved unanimously. IV. Judson Park Improvements — Susan White A new, updated plan was presented that incorporated community feedback. This included adding pickle ball lines to the tennis court that will be perpendicular to the tennis lines, resurfacing the court, and adding new windscreens. It also includes a gaga ball court, maintenance for existing play structures, a bottle-filler and ADA-accessible drinking fountain, a new grill, a historic marker for the Poor Farm, removing a creosote pole, replacing lighting fixtures, adding a new tree and repainting the fence. The work is estimated at $125,000 plus 10% contingency. Improvement work is scheduled for over the summer, when park use declines. Board discussed concerns about pickleball at Judson, including noise and potential alternative locations, and comparative user demand for tennis courts vs. pickleball. The chair noted that Judson neighbors support adding the pickleball lines. Parks and Recreation Board Minutes page 2 Ideas for adding new tennis courts were discussed, including the possibility of delaying maintenance in order to add new facilities. Laura made a motion to accept the proposal as outlined with the recommendation to add pickleball at Weir courts as well. Manish seconded. It passed unanimously. V. Parks & Recreation Update: Susan White Edloe Street Pathway: Susan presented updated plans for the Edloe Street Pathway, including an expansion along the Tiny’s No. 5 parking lot. Three alternative designs were presented: one with exercise facilities, a second with benches, and a third with pet facilities. The board discussed using pollinator friendly plants, and whether the county can remove the chain link fence and trash trees along the ditch. An informal poll found: 7 passive, 1 active Polar bear pool party: It was 36 degrees for the first-ever polar bear pool party event. The water was warmer than the air and nearly 100 people showed up. There was some feedback at the hot cocoa was too hot. Holiday event recap: Questions were raised about consolidating events in future years VI. Friends Update: Chair: The Park Lovers Ball is still in person and tickets are still for sale, and are expected to quickly sell out because the venue is smaller than in past years. VII. Council Update: John Montgomery The holidays brough an expected lull in news. Engineering and construction design was approved for new flood prevention work. A new agreement between the city and tri- sports is in effect on cost sharing and responsibilities. The city renegotiated its contract to hire sanitation workers. The city is still working through tight labor markets and it is difficult to staff facilities. X. Park Ambassador Reports: Amar – Colonial East – Lights along the walking path aren’t as bright as new lights on the West side (apparently they are different types of lights). Christmas trees are being dropped at the park, though there is confusion about whether this is the right place to drop trees. Evan – Colonial West – A question was raised about easy access to trash cans Laura – JEH – the open space and gazebo is being enjoyed. A tree at the end of its useful life was taken out Stephen – Colonial pool – A light was out at Judson. QuickWestU app is a good way to report these issues. Arlene – Whit Johnson – Nothing to report Parks and Recreation Board Minutes page 3 Lulu – Weir – The ground was oddly soft but is better now Richard – Judson – Not present XI. Other Business: None. XII. Adjournment: Motion to Adjourn – 8:47pm.