Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout8 Jan 2025 Parks Rec Board Minutes FINALWEST UNIVERSITY PLACE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES January 8, 2025 ______________________________________________________________________________ Location: City Hall Chair: Stephanie Magers Secretary: Beck Brownlie (standing in for Richard Cunningham) Board members present: Sarah Barrett, Beck Brownlie, Stephen Damiani, Ryan Firth, Maryann Grahmann, Lauren Griffith, Laura (Lulu) Lopez, Stephanie Magers, Sami Morrison, Arlene Wells Board members absent: Richard Cunningham Staff: Susan White and Assistant Police Chief Gary Ratliff Visitors: Justine Markowski (PGAL) and Alida Drewes Call to Order: Stephanie Magers called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. Citizen Comments: These were raised at section VIII of the agenda, providing responses under the Rec Center update (see below in minutes VIII.A.). Approval of minutes October 1, 2024 Meeting Minutes: motion to approve by Ryan Firth, seconded by Stephen Damiani. Passed unanimously. December 4, 2024 Meeting Minutes: motion to approve by Lauren, seconded Sarah Barrett. Passed unanimously. Introduction of Assistant Police Chief Gary Ratliff Mr. Ratliff gave the Board the background on his career before joining West U City Police. He advised the Board he is reviewing staff numbers in the West U force and number on patrol. Board asked about the impact of the virtual gate. Mr. Ratliff informed that the virtual gate at a minimum lets other neighborhoods know that West U takes safety seriously. He will analyze more data over the next few months. Recreation Center Update and Potential Survey Questions: PGAL One of the survey questions relates to the request for an Indoor Playground. JCC indoor playground pictures presented to the Board (for up to ages 4-5) so that an indoor playground could be envisioned at the Rec Center (a potential location). Update on draft plans for the Rec Center – plans presented by Justine and Susan White. Plan shows an opened-up weights and stretch area at the top of the stairs on the second floor, doubling the space. Pony wall to ensure use of a pass so only members can use the cardio and weights room. Stretching area will potentially be where the treadmills are currently. Viewing area for the pool still being discussed, as well as other potential items to add to the Rec Center. Rec Center Survey draft will be sent by Susan White to all Parks Board members for review, and then to users of the Rec Center (residents). After discussion about the population that will get the survey, the Board also requested it be sent to Colonial Park Pool users as well. Will include options of indoor playground, expansion of cardio/weight/stretching area, use of multi-purpose room. Draft survey planned to be sent at end of January. Board advised for the survey to include wording to confirm that changes are to be funded by Friends of West U Parks, not taxpayer dollars. Publics Works Director position is open. interviews held this past week. Pedestrian mobility – City Council has requested a review to be done. If there is a stop sign or traffic light always being run, can call the police and they will assign an officer to the junction. Council Update: Shannon Carroll Work has been done along the north end of Poor Farm Ditch. Now the southern portion is being reviewed and should be repaired soon. This project must be done in coordination with Harris County as they are the actual owners of the waterway. Facilities Master Plan – Council has continued to gather feedback from residents and West U Baptist church. After much feedback from residents, the decision was made to keep the fire station at its current location and just update it. The water tower was discussed about its possible relocation or disguising it. Friends Overview: Sami Morrison, Friends Board Chair Park Lovers Ball February 8, 2025 – expecting about 600 – 700 people. Planning is going well with sponsorship and underwriting. There are still a few sponsorships left. Fathers & Flashlights – November 8 – 9, 2025 – New chairs are Kelly Hill, Angela Androphy, and Deanna McQuade. Friends Board has approved for up to $82,000 to be spent on the Colonial Park Improvements. Parks & Recreation Update: Susan White, Parks & Recreation Director Parks & Open Space Master Plan Citizen Alida Drewes expressed her desire to have a dog park in West U, as well as commented on the Master Plan. Improvements are being made to the Byron deck at Colonial Park. The area next to the deck will be turfed, and chairs (both adult and children) and coffee tables will be placed there. Currently the park has no seating with a back, so these new chairs will provide seats all with backs. Downlighting will be placed on the trees so that users can enjoy the park in the evening. Breakdown of the expenses for the update to the park (sod, turf, furniture, fence painting, lighting etc.) adds up to $82,000; funding all provided by Friends of West U Parks. As it is over $50,000, will still need to be approved by City Council on February 10. Ordinance changes – motorized vehicles and pet exceptions in parks Draft will go for approval by council on February 10 for the motorized vehicles. Will result in signage changes in parks if approved. Parks Board will get to review the wording for these ordinances. Pet friendly events are still being reviewed at the parks, and more information on the language of that ordinance will be reviewed by the Parks Board prior to going to Council. Tennis Committee Survey: Ryan Firth Survey will go out to understand what individuals like to play – tennis, pickleball, or both. Considering how can tennis courts be reconfigured to allow more pickleball play. Results will be received in Feb, and the Committee will reconvene in March to go through the findings. Other Parks & Recreation Updates The Recreation Center reservation system (courts, all activity bookings) upgrades are being looked at. Staff have interviewed six potential vendors in conjunction with the City’s Finance Director. City Council is reviewing the entire ERP system (including Rec Center reservation system) to determine what is needed to be effective. Users of the reservation system need to conduct testing on any new system prior to going live. Hoping to have new system decided by end of 2025. West U Rec Center track – grading work is happening now. Track will be of green and black color mix which will retain less heat in summer. Susan will ask about irrigation plan to ensure trees can be planted around the track (before it is completed) so that there is shade. Confirmed to the Board that this upgrade is all funded through the proceeds of West U Fun Runs. Polar Bear Plunge on January 1 had 95 participants. Historical Marker on Edloe Pathway has been unveiled. Thanks to Richard Cunningham who did all the research for this. Park Ambassador Reports & Remarks Edloe Street Pathway – Richard Cunningham – heritage marker in place. Huffington Park – Ryan Firth – no updates. Friends Park – Sami Morrison – one of the three benches looks uneven and needs repair. Judson Park – Stephanie Magers – no updates. Recreation Center – Rebecca Brownlie – no updates. Colonial Park East – Maryann Grahmann – no updates. Colonial Park Pool – Stephen Damiani – no updates. Wier Park – Lulu Lopez. Susan confirmed the signs have arrived to clarify the light switch for the basketball courts, which are inside the tennis court. Stephanie noted the black cover was missing over the hinge on the Nottingham gate. Jennie Hughes Park – Sarah Barrett – no updates. Whit Johnson Park – Arlene Wells – no updates. Order of Business: Stephanie Magers, Chair Old Business: None New Business: None Adjournment: Chair adjourned the meeting at 8:21 p.m. .