HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks Board Minutes December_4_2024 EditedMINUTES
West University Place Parks and Recreation Board (PRB) Meeting
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
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Location: City Hall conference room
Chair: Stephanie Magers
Secretary: Richard Cunningham
Board members present: Sarah Barrett, Rebecca Brownlie, Richard Cunningham, Stephen Damiani, Ryan Firth, Maryann Grahmann, Lauren Griffith, Laura (Lulu) Lopez, Stephanie Magers, Sami
Morrison, and Arlene Wells
Staff: Susan White
Council members: Shannon Carroll
Visitors: Alida Drews, Nina Springer, Brittany Bakes, Shahida Sulaiman
Call to Order: Stephanie Magers called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m.
Citizen Comments: Alida Drews addressed council providing her opinions and requesting consideration of a dog park within the city Shahida Sulaiman addressed council as well asking if
the City would consider a Ramadan display in February similar to Bellaire’s display.
Approval of the minutes from the October 1 PRB meeting: Approval of the October 1 PRB Minutes will be done at the January 8 PRB meeting.
Pickleball / Tennis Committee Update: Nina Springer and Brittany Bakes noted that they have been gathering data to improve the reservation system. New reservation software will be installed
soon. Based on the feedback received so far and research that was compiled, they see no need to update current reservation policies now.
Programming Committee Update: Committee members Beck Brownlie, Stephen Damiani, Maryann Grahmann, and Lulu Lopez discussed the most recent fall events and holiday plans. The tree lighting
was a success.
Recreation Center Update: PGAL architect Justine Markowski discussed potential facilities additions, including a possible indoor playground.
Council Update: Council member Shannon Carroll discussed the Facilities Master Plan and the Wastewater Master Plan. The bids on several projects are coming in higher than expected. City
Council is considering a two-stage approach to capital expenditures.
Friends Overview: Sami Morrison reported that this year’s Fathers & Flashlights event netted about $121,000. She added that the 2025 Park Lovers’ Ball, scheduled in February at the Post
Oak Hotel, is already 75 percent sold out.
The Friends of West U Parks Fund has reimbursed the City $1 million for the recently completed renovations and upgrades to Wier Park.
Parks & Recreation Update: Susan White noted that all PRB positions will expire on August 31, 2025, but may continue until new board members are in place. Susan discussed the Parks and
Open Space Master Plan, as well as ordinance updates such as restrictions on motorized vehicles and pets in the parks.
Park Ambassador Reports:
Colonial Park West playground and decks – Lauren Griffith – all looks good.
Edloe Street Pathway – Richard Cunningham noted that the Harris County Poor Farm historical marker will be dedicated on December 11.
Huffington Park – Ryan Firth – all looks good.
Friends Park – Sami Morrison – all looks good.
Judson Park – Stephanie Magers – all looks good.
Recreation Center – Rebecca Brownlie – all looks good.
Colonial Park East – Maryann Grahmann – all looks good.
Colonial Park Pool –Stephen Damiani – all looks good.
Wier Park – Lulu Lopez – improvements look fantastic. Lighting should be explored near the area of the basketball court as it is quite dark after sunset.
Jennie Hughes Park – Sarah Barrett – all looks good.
Whitt Johnson Park – Arlene Wells – all looks good.
Old Business: None.
New Business: The next PRB meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, in the conference room at City Hall.
Adjourned: By unanimous consent at 7:40 p.m. Began executive session related to security matters that ended at 7:45 p.m.