The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About12-7-22 West U Parks Board Minutes MINUTES DECEMBER 7, 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: Sami Morrison, Will Bertron, Richard Cunningham, Amar Patel, Evan Mintz, Stephen Damiani, Lulu Lopez, Laura Turley, Arlene Wells, Bret Bingham Staff: Susan White Council Liaison: John Montgomery VISITORS I. Call to Order: Will Bertron called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. II. Citizen comments: No comments III. Meeting Minutes: Minutes from the Nov. 2, 2022 meeting were confirmed IV. Operational Analysis and financial sustainability strategy: Farrell Bueller, Consultant 100% Farrell provided a presentation on “Parks and Reconomics” – ensuring that resources are being allocated in a proper way. National studies have found that public parks and recreation expenditures are growing faster than revenues. It is important that parks departments have proper levels of cost recovery depending on the types of services provided. Questions were asked about the data available on West U Parks and Rec services, comparing West U Parks and Rec revenue sources to other comparable cities, and the ability to distinguish between facility use by West U residents and nonresidents. V. Friends Update: Sami Morrison, Friends Board Chair: Sami had to leave early, so Susan delivered the update on her behalf. Fathers and Flashlights was a success and netted more than $100k. Park Lovers Ball planning is underway – Feb. 11th at the downtown Four Seasons. There are sponsorship opportunities, and they are in need of cash donations this year. VI. Council Update: John Montgomery, Mayor Pro Tem: Parks and Recreation Board Minutes page 2 The Council is dealing with big items at the end of the year, including… - Planning for the West U Centennial (parade, events, logo design, swag, etc.) - The future of Poor Farm Ditch, a county facility divided between West U and Southside Place, which is starting to fall apart: The ditch is a critical part of flood infrastructure. Millions have been spent on studies but there has been no action. Council voted to authorize the mayor to endorse a new design and move forward. West U is engaging at a county and federal level for support. Council also approved a feasibility study for covering the ditch or alternative ideas for turning it into an attractive addition to the city. This will not impact the Edloe Street Pathway, which is currently being rebid. - Updating the city’s water infrastructure, which will be expensive and necessary. The recent boil water notice in the city of Houston underscores how important it is for West U have robust, independent water infrastructure. - The sale of the Ruffino Hills was publicly announced. VII. Parks and Recreation Update: Susan White, Parks and Recreation Director The Wier survey was completed. Staff has looked into the issue of the Wier Park tennis divider, and has added a topper that makes it more visible. The new tennis instructor system seems to be working well, and the department will wait until the end of May to make recommendations for updates and changes. The city had its tree lighting ceremony. The staff is going back to the drawing board about the laser light show, which was great during COVID but has run its course. Polar bear plunge in on Jan. 1. VIII. Park Ambassador Reports & Remarks - Colonial Park: Amar Patel (east). Not much change. It sure is popular at 5pm on a weekday! Evan Mintz (west) nothing to add, though Susan noted conversations have been had about redoing the deck, including a plan for replacing parts of the deck with artificial turf. But prices are mind-bogglingly high to rehab the deck. - Friends Park: Sami Morrison – - Huffington Park: Brett Bingham – Looks good. Susan notes a drainage concern had been addressed. The lawn was being overwatered, so watering levels and head locations were adjusted. - Jennie Hughes Park: Laura Turley – - Judson Park: Richard Cunningham – Susan noted that landscaping and gravel trail will be completed by the end of the month. - Recreation Center: Manish Agrawal – - Whitt Johnson Park: Arlene Wells – All looks good - Wier Park: Lulu Lopez – Looking great, especially packed over thanksgiving XI. Order of Business: Will Bertron, Chair a. Old Business: Parks and Recreation Board Minutes page 3 b. New Business: The next meeting is Jan. 4th, but HISD is out during that time. So it may make sense to change the meeting to the 11th. XII. Adjournment Motion to Adjourn – 8:15pm