Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRB Meeting Minutes April 2, 2025 FINAL 1 MINUTES West University Place Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Wednesday, April 2, 2025 ______________________________________________________________________ Location: West U City Hall conference room Chair: Stephanie Magers Secretary: Richard Cunningham Board members present: Stephanie Magers, Richard Cunningham, Rebecca (Beck) Brownlie, Sarah Barnett, Laura (Lulu) Lopez, Lauren Griffith, and Arlene Wells Board members absent: Sami Morrison, Ryan Firth, Stephen Damiani, and Maryann Grahmann Staff: Susan White, Brittany Bakes Council members: None Visitors: Margaret Salem, Kalie Rainsberger, Corrinn Davis, Allison Kozdron, Nina Springer, Alida Drews, and David Beach I. Call to Order: Chair Stephanie Magers called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. II. Citizen Comments: Alida Drews noted the PRB meeting location was incorrect on the West U website. She also shared concerns regarding City services. III. Approval of the minutes from the February 27, 2025 PRB Meeting: Rebecca Brownlie motioned, and Sarah Barnett seconded. Approved unanimously. IV. Recycling & Solid Waste Reduction Board Presentation: Corrinn Davis and Allison Kozdron spoke to the mission of the Recycling Board to make recommendations to residents and City Council members on recycling, water conservation, and the handling of solid waste. Corrinn noted that May 3 will be the next time residents can bring textiles, scrap metal, and electronic items for recycling. She described the various activities of the Recycling Board and noted the benefits of recycling and composting. V. Pickleball/Tennis Committee Recommendations: Committee Chair Nina Springer and Recreation Manager Brittany Bakes presented a list of recommendations based on a recent survey of West U residents. Data shows that the tennis courts are getting used, especially during prime time. She reviewed options and suggestions for dual-use (tennis or pickleball) courts. One area of concern was the potential hazard of having a fence between the Wier Park courts. The committee recommends removing the short part of the middle fence to reduce the risk of players running into or tripping over it and only leaving the portion towards the back of each court to capture balls. Discussions included a review of possible pickleball court locations within or near the city, and the possibility of creating a smart-phone app for reserving (and cancelling reservations) for tennis and pickleball courts. What to do about people who reserve courts but do not use them is an ongoing issue. One member of the Tennis and Pickleball Committee, Margaret Salem, spoke about the desire for additional pickleball courts and presented the results of several studies and surveys that her committee conducted. She noted that based on their findings, adding pickleball court striping (four pickleball courts total) to the two tennis courts in Wier Park is the most effective solution. Recommendations: 1) to restripe tennis courts at Wier Park to create four pickleball courts; 2) to remove a portion of the fence between the tennis courts; 3) to 2 create a smart-phone reservation app, and 4) to address the issue of cancellations. Next steps will be to share the proposed changes with the public and provide a commentary period. After the committee reviews the feedback, they will present their final recommendations at the May 7 PRB meeting. VI. E-Bikes and Pets in Parks Ordinances: At previous PRB meetings, there has been discussion about the need for a city ordinance to regulate the use of electric bikes, scooters, and electric riding toys within the parks. Exceptions will be granted for ADA-approved mobility devices. Currently, the city has no legal grounds to restrict them. The concern is that they can provide a hazard to other park users. E-bikes and electric scooters are typically faster than the average bicycle, and electric riding toys are used by small children who often lack the skill and coordination to control them. PRB’s recommendation is to add restrictions for E-bikes and other electronic ride-on apparatuses that exceed three miles per hour. The PRB and staff also raised the issue of exemptions to the existing pet ordinance. It needs to be adjusted to allow variances for specific situations, such as pet days or special event involving animals in the park. Currently, pets are not allowed in city parks. Parks Board members discussed various options. These items will go before the City Council on April 14. VII. PGAL Recreation Center Design Update: Susan White discussed with PGAL modifications to the proposed design to create more openness in the fitness center area. She presented those ideas to the board and noted that some changes will require clearance from the city’s fire marshal. PRB members discussed the pros and cons of possible changes to the fitness area and other modifications. Susan will share those comments with PGAL. Plans to include an indoor playground are being reconsidered. Much will depend on the results of the May 3 election and support for Proposition D. City Council has approved the creation of a Family Board that will be under Parks and Recreation’s purview. The goal is to further the interests of families, particularly in safety issues such as park connectivity, pedestrian crosswalks, and playground activities. Susan White is preparing an outline of the new board’s responsibilities that will be presented to the City Manager. VIII. Parks & Recreation Update: Susan noted that there will not be any fee increases for 2026. Final decisions on new Recreation Center software are being made now. Susan White noted that we will be sticking with the same software provider, but we will be switching to their cloud-based solution. The provider will host the system and keep the software up to date. New features include a mobile app for tennis reservations and instant notification of class cancellations. The provider will begin training Parks and Recreation staff members on the new software as early as July or early August to prepare for a rollout in the fall. Susan shared several designs for new Colonial Park West End signage. The first Arts in the Park event, held Saturday, March 29, was not well attended. Susan suggested that the event could be better promoted in the future, further in advance, as well 3 as potentially on a different day/time. Feedback will be solicited from the Programming Subcommittee. The Spring Festival will be held on April 12 at Colonial Park rather than the Recreation Center. IX. Park Ambassador Reports: Colonial Park West playground and decks – Lauren Griffith: new Adirondack chairs are in and will be placed soon. Edloe Street Pathway – Richard Cunningham: no issues to report. Huffington Park – Ryan Firth: (not present) Friends Park – Sami Morrison: (not present) Judson Park – Stephanie Magers: no issues to report. Recreation Center – Rebecca Brownlie: reported positive feedback on the new track / pathway on the west side of the Recreation Center. Colonial Park East – Maryann Grahmann (not present) Colonial Park Pool –Stephen Damiani (not present) Wier Park – Lulu Lopez: no issues to report. Jennie Hughes Park – Sarah Barrett: no issues to report. Whitt Johnson Park – Arlene Wells: no issues to report. X. Old Business: None XI. New Business: The next PRB meeting will be Wednesday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the conference room at City Hall. Also, the June 4 PRB meeting will be moved forward to Wednesday, May 28. XII. Adjournment: By unanimous consent at 10:31 p.m.