HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/11/2025 - Regular Minutes - Parks Board
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD AGENDA
Tuesday February 11, 2025
Minutes
Staff Present:
Kelsey Heiden, Director of Parks and Recreation; Gene Ballew, Recreation Manager; Andrea
Lauer, Business Services Manager; Stephan Richardson, Operations Manager
Board Present:
Thomas Marty; Neo Jang; Amy Arredondo; Kevin Bishop; David Scott; Cheletia Johnson;
Kimberly Topp; Andrew Arizpe; Anthony Branch
Council Present:
None
1. Call meeting to order and consider absence requests. With a quorum present, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was called to order on Tuesday, February
11, 2025 @ 6:02 p.m. No absence requests received. 2. Hear visitors. None present.
3. Informational Items
3.1 Welcome new Board Members. Cheletia Johnson, Neo Jang, Andrew Arizpe, and
Kimberly Topp introduced themselves to the Board.
3.2 Discussion on Board overview. Kelsey introduced Thomas Marty as the Board
Chair. This Board acts in an advisory capacity to staff and ultimately City Council.
All members must complete the Open Meetings Act Training and the agendas are posted 72 hours in advance. The members will get the packet on the Friday before
the meeting. She also went over the procedure for hear visitors stating that they
are allowed to speak for 3 minutes.
3.3 Presentation and discussion by the Director of Parks and Recreation on
matters pertaining to the Board. The City of College Station was officially
designated as a Bird City in January, we are one of five communities in Texas, Parks
was also officially awarded the Texas Parks and Wildlife matching grant for $750,000
for trails. Brison Park was designated as a Lone Star Legacy Park, we are one of 78
parks in Texas, Sherry Frisk was the lead on this application.
3.4 Presentation and discussion on Parks and Recreation Department Purpose
Statement. Kelsey went over our current Purpose Statement and then went over
the two options that staff picked. The goal for the new Purpose Statement is to be
short, concise and based on the understanding of our audience, their needs and our
role in serving those needs. We will revisit this item in March and try to get a vote
on which option is best.
3.5 Presentation and discussion on Chapter five of the College Station
Comprehensive Plan. Kelsey gave a brief overview of the Plan stating that it sets
the framework for the City’s parks and recreation system and greenways.
3.6 Presentation, discussion on 2022 Park Bond Projects Update. Kelsey gave an
update on Bee Creek and Central Tennis Courts, Central Park Operations Shop,
Bachmann Senior and Little League Buildings, Anderson Pickleball/Futsal Courts,
Thomas Park and Lincoln Center Area improvements.
3.7 Presentation and discussion on Texas Independence Park at Midtown
Update. Kelsey went over the concept design which includes a Bike Park and Bike
Park Hub, Pump and Tyke Tracks, Destination Playground, Pavilions, Dog Park,
Fishpond, Disc Golf and XC Trails.
3.8 Presentation and discussion on baseball field project update. Kelsey stated
that the intent is to develop three new baseball fields at Veterans Park, with an
estimated budget of $20 million for design and construction.
4. Regular Agenda 4.1 Presentation, discussion, and possible action on the approval of minutes
from the previous meeting. Upon a motion made by David Scott and a second by Kevin Bishop, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board voted nine (9) for and
none (0) opposed to approve the minutes as written. The motion passed
unanimously.
4.2 Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the March Parks
and Recreation Board meeting date. The Board did not wish to move or cancel
the March meeting, it will remain on March 11th.
5. Discussion and possible action on future agenda items. Mission Statement,
Chapter 5 and Rec Center.
6. Items of Community Interest. None
7. Adjourn. Upon a motion made by David Scott and a second by Cheletia Johnson, the
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board voted nine (9) for and none (0) opposed to
adjourn the meeting 7:07 p.m. The motion carried unanimously.
This building is wheelchair accessible. Persons with disabilities who plan to attend this meeting and who may need accommodations, auxiliary aids, or services such as interpreters, readers, or large print are asked to contact the City Secretary’s Office at (979) 764-3541, TDD at 1-800-735-2989, or email adaassistance@cstx.gov at least two
business days prior to the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made. If the City does not receive notification at least two business days prior to the meeting, the
City will make a reasonable attempt to provide the necessary accommodations