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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks Board Minutes 01-11-2023 MINUTES JANUARY 11, 2022 6:30PM IN PERSON, CITY HALL TYPE OF MEETING Parks and Recreation Board Monthly Meeting CHAIR Will Bertron SECRETARY Richard Cunningham filling in for Evan Mintz ATTENDEES Members Present: Sami Morrison, Will Bertron, Richard Cunningham, Amar Patel, Manish Agrawal, Stephen Damiani, Lulu Lopez, Laura Turley, Arlene Wells, Bret Bingham Staff: Susan White Council Liaison: John Montgomery VISITORS WUP City Council member John Barnes Farrell Buller, Principal, 110% (Consultant) Clay Bret, WUP resident, Brittany Bates, Recreation Manager I. Call to Order: Will Bertron called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. II. Citizen Comments: Clay Bret, 2730 Albans, re: In favor of the Edloe Street pathway. Complemented all involved and pointed out that it will improve safety for nearby residents. III. Meeting Minutes: Manish Agrawal moved to approve the minutes of the September PRB meeting and Amar Patel seconded; approved unanimously. IV. Friends Update: Sami Morrison, Friends Board Chair: Noted that the Park Lovers’ Ball is sold out, but that there is still a need for donations. Sponsorships available for Whisky Blackjack and Wine Pull. Sami will send links for more information. V. Council Update: John Montgomery, Mayor Pro Tem: Council accepted a bid for the Edloe Street project. The work could be completed as early as May 2023. John also noted that Mayor Susan Sample will give her annual address on the state of the city, Thursday, January 12 at 6:00. Results of the recent citywide resident survey were very good. Some 900 residents responded. Results are available. The polling organization noted that it was exceptional to have such a high percentage (90 percent) of residents say they would recommend West University Place to their family and friends. City parks were top of the list amenities. VI. Parks Update: Susan White, Parks & Recreation Director: Have received an updated Wier Park survey and have begun looking for architect for pricing and concepts. Put out call for residents who would like to serve on the Wier Park User Group. Will be replacing padding under the artificial turf surface in the play area because it is hindering drainage. Will add drainage to the playground area. Several issues are increasing the cost. Susan also Parks and Recreation Board Minutes page 2 discussed fall zones around playground equipment. There are many considerations including accessibility requirements. Soliciting bids now. VII. Park Ambassador Reports & Remarks: Colonial Park, Amar Patel. Most of the Christmas trees have been cleared out. Susan complemented Brittany Bakes for her quick action that avoided serious damage to the pool equipment during the recent hard freeze. - Friends Park: Sami Morrison – Christmas decorations are being removed this week. - Huffington Park: Brett Bingham – Looks good. Drainage issue has been resolved. - Jennie Hughes Park: Laura Turley – All looks good. Susan noted that the city’s landscaping contractor is cutting back vegetation that was damaged during the freeze, when wait to see what grows back and what needs to be replaced. - Judson Park: Richard Cunningham – Nothing to report. - Recreation Center: Manish Agrawal – Looks great. Asked about reporting items online. Will Bertron noted that early morning swimmers had requested opening the pool even earlier. Will explained to the group that we are gathering information and will not make changes until we have sufficient data to support changes. He added that there are new benches around the pool, which the swimmers’ group appreciated. - Whitt Johnson Park: Arlene Wells – All looks good. - Wier Park: Lulu Lopez – Looking great. The park is being heavily used. Near tennis entry, there is an irrigation leak. Susan noted that it is being addressed. VIII. Consultant Report: Farrell Buller, 110%. Farrell made a presentation with slides to illustrate points about the financial sustainability strategy, then followed with a group exercise to rank service categories. General discussion about points that she raised. Farrell noted that her company will evaluate results of the ranking exercise before the next board meeting. IX. Motion to Adjourn: Sami Morrison / Manish Agrawal. Unanimous approval, 8:25 p.m.