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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/21/1995 - Regular Minutes - Parks Board PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1995 - 7:00 P.M. CENTRAL PARK CONFERENCE ROOM 1000 KRENEK TAP ROAD MEMBERS PRESENT: George Dresser, Chair; Ron Gay, Vice Chair; Bob DeOtte; Carol Reynolds; and Nancy Crouch, Council Liaison MEMBERS ABSENT: Greg Taggart and Barry Harding STAFF PRESENT: Steve Beachy, Director; Eric Ploeger, Asst. Director; Curtis Bingham, Parks Operations Supt.; Linda Waltman, Recreation Supt.; Sheila Walker, Programs Supv.; Bridgette George, Staff Assistant I. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:13 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes were approved as presented. III. HEAR VISITORS: No visitors were present. IV. UPDATE ON WOLF PEN CREEK EVENTS: Sheila stated that she is focusing on increasing local support of the facility with multi-events of family-type series. This will include ticketed events as well as free events targeted towards a wide variety of citizens. Sheila has scheduled fifteen family events for the '95 season. These will include five movies and ten concerts geared towards the whole family. The movies will be either "G" or "PG" rated. She stated that the local media has been providing a lot of support. Sheila is in the process of producing a "Visitor Card" where patrons can have it stamped when they attend these events. If the card has been stamped ten or more times the patron can enter their card in a drawing for trips to New Orleans, Las Vegas, Fiesta Texas, Jacuzzi Suites at the Hilton, and others. Sheila passed out and reviewed the tentative schedule for Wolf Pen Creek events. She mentioned that in addition to the scheduled family events there were several ticketed events put on by promoters. Willie Nelson is scheduled for March 4. She also said that two previous artists that have played at the amphitheater before are trying to book April 8, for a concert. Sheila is pleased that artists are satisfied with the amphitheater because it is resulting in repeat business. On April 22, there will be a JazzFest/Kidfest. The event will include three helicopters from the military, tethered hot air balloon rides, food booths, etc., that will be located on Holleman Drive, which will be blocked off like it was for the Barney concert. The jazz festival will be a free all-day event. April 23, will be a free Earth Day Celebration Concert to include an informational and activity-type area geared towards earth day, recycling and the environment. Sheila mentioned that there are a lot of organizations from A&M that are excited about participating at this event. "Big Head Todd and the Monsters" will be the music group performing for that event. On May 10, "Jackopierce" will be in concert for the second year. Sheila stated that last year's concert was a big success. On May 12, Sheila is scheduling a family oriented "rock alternative" concert Parks & Recreation Board Regular Meeting February 21, 1995 Page (2) geared towards teenagers and their parents. A "Safe Summer Kick-Off Party" is scheduled for May 19. The College Station Police Department band "Blue Heat" will play a short concert followed by the movie "The Pagemaster" (PG). The Fire Department will have their Fire Safety House on site and will also be teaching kids how to use fire extinguishers. Sheila also mentioned that all organizations that have any summer activities going on in the Brazos Valley will be on hand to help promote a "Supervised Summer." A Christian Music concert is scheduled for June 23. Sheila is planning a homemade ice cream contest by local churches at the event. She is working on prizes for the winning church, possible a party at Putt Putt, Adamson Lagoon, or the equivalent. A Spanish music concert is scheduled for July 14, in conjunction with the Spanish Fire School in town that week. Registrations for the school have exceeded 800 firemen, some of which will be traveling with their families. Sheila mentioned that last year a local radio station had a watermelon party for that group and it was well attended. Sheila mentioned that sometimes the timely scheduling of events is beyond her control as some promoters don't finalize contracts with people until up to three weeks before the event. She reminded the Board that the schedule she passed out was a tentative schedule and changes weekly. She also mentioned that she has been working with several local organizations which continuously put on conferences. The Convention and Visitor's Bureau pointed out certain conference dates and told Sheila that a concert booked on that date would benefit their conference. She mentioned that was why some of the dates already sfNeduled were picked on those days. 7) Ron asked Sheila to make sure that the gentleman, who was so adamaKt about how the City decided the beer vendor last time, received that information this time. Steve stated that the Purchasing Department handled the whole process this time as they do with other bids for the City. The notice was advertised in the newspaper, as well as notification to local beer vendors. Steve mentioned that the previous beer vendor did not submit a bid this time, however, four other bids were received. Selection of the current vendor was determined by the sales percentage offered to the City, how the vendor intended on providing the service (including training of their employees), as well as the status of reference checks at both the Police Department and TABC. Steve mentioned that the contract was for one year, plus an additional year to continue at the City's option. He said the biggest difference with this vendor is the gross percentage offered which went from 15% to 35%. The vendor has proposed selling the beer at $2.50 per cup which is $0.25 higher than last year. But this should help encourage less drinking. George stated that he is pleased with all of the family events scheduled for this year, and asked how they will be paid for. Sheila mentioned that the free events will be paid for through the current budget and reminded the Board that those events require much less staffing because there is no need for ticket takers, money counters, etc. Also, those events are scheduled on Friday, which will result in staff being able to set up for the event during regular work hours, instead of having to pay them extra on the weekends to set up. She mentioned that the promoters are charged for all the city staff required at their events, not the City. Sheila's second goal has been to increase promoter interest in the facility. She handed out a presentation folder that included a one-page summary of the area, the local market and the facility, as well as other information. She has been sending this out nation-wide to various promoters, management agencies, booking agencies, etc. She has received an overwhelming response to these folders. Last week she had two promoters ask if the City was interested in exclusive deals. Sheila explained that an exclusive deal is where the promoter has a contract to book, organize, and bring in artists for all paid events at the amphitheater. Staff would set some standards for these events and the promoter would be responsible for booking a set amount of events. The amphitheater would still be available for free events and private rentals. Ron asked what level of performer would come to the amphitheater considering the size. Sheila mentioned that she is concerned more with the serving capacity of patrons than the seating capacity. She stated that The Backyard in Austin can only seat 2,500 and they have had Rod Stewart, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, etc. Sheila also mentioned that the facility is now listed in all the major trade publications for amphitheaters, convention centers, entertainment halls, etc. Parks & Recreation Board Regular Meeting February 21, 1995 Page (3) Bob asked if staff cared who the artists were at all. Sheila mentioned that there were no restrictions on who could or could not be booked at the amphitheater. Bob mentioned that his wife was surprised that the City would book an artist who was just arrested for marijuana. Sheila stated that there's a probability that some of her other artists have been in the same predicament but it hasn't been advertised like Willie's. She mentioned that it would be difficult to judge who should or should not perform at the amphitheater, and wasn't sure who should make that determination. Sheila passed out VIP passes to the Parks Board members that admits them and one guest to all ticketed events. Ms. Crouch asked if the dredging would be completed before the Willie Nelson concert. Eric stated no and said that the City is still processing the bids. He stated that two months would be an optimistic estimate for completion. V. DISCUSSION OF CITY COUNCIL ISSUES: Steve mentioned that City staff are currently developing action plans for the Council's Strategic Issues. He mentioned that they have been divided up into project teams for the top 25 council issues. Various staff members throughout the City have been assigned to these issues. Steve stated that these action plans are due in the City Manager's office the following Thursday, March 2. The following discussions took place on the issues involving Parks staff. #3 - ONE-STOP HEALTH FACILITY: Ms. Crouch mentioned that 15% of the City's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds go to social service agencies. She stated that this concept (One-stop Health Facility), would likely be located across Eleanor from Wayne Smith Park, as in the Lincoln Center/Wayne Smith Masterplan. She stated that currently these funds go to the Food Bank, Crisis Hotline, Health for All, etc., which is used for citizens throughout the county. She mentioned that these funds would not be taken away from these entities but would be used to provide services specifically for College Station residents, instead of citizens from areas outside of College Station. Also, a lot of College Station residents have transportation problems in accessing these services. Steve mentioned that right now some social services are provided at the Lincoln Center one day a week, however, if this concept came to a reality the Lincoln Center could be used as a true recreation center as it was intended to be. Ms. Crouch mentioned that Dale Marsico and his group are in the process of starting a one-stop shop concept in downtown Bryan and that the Bryan City Council has already verbally committed their CDBG funds to go towards it, and he's assuming the College Station City Council will do the same. She stated that a joint county/city council meeting will be held to talk about this issue. Ron asked why the Parks Department was involved in this issue about a health facility. Ms. Crouch informed the Board that these issues are just concepts for now, nothing is final as to when or if the building would even be built. Ron doesn't want a facility to be built that may duplicate other services and then be vacated for another facility, leaving the Parks Department with an empty building. Steve mentioned that if the One-Stop Health Facility was built, it would not be taken care of by Parks, the Facility Maintenance Division would maintain it. #5 - COMMUNITY APPEARANCE: Ross Albrecht, Forestry Superintendent, is the Parks Department's representative to this issue. Steve stated that this has been a priority issue year's past. City staff have not met on this issue yet, but Steve believes it will pertain to streetscape and landscaping issues, as well as signage, banners, etc. #16 - GEORGE BUSH LIBRARY: Steve was appointed to the project team for this issue. He stated that the main concern will be the tourism impact resulting from the library. Steve mentioned that a large RV park should be considered in order to accommodate RV travelers, to include a building for conference rooms, a recreational park, etc. Ms. Crouch mentioned that she would like the City to develop tours of the University conducted by or through the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Steve would also like to see some "Points of Interests" displays in key locations for visitors to retrieve information from, such as locations for the amphitheater, Messina Hoy, the Bush Library, etc. Ms. Crouch mentioned that she saw a kiosk up in Dallas which is a computer Parks & Recreation Board Regular Meeting February 21, 1995 Page (4) where visitors touch the screen to retrieve information about activities in the city. She stated that this computer can play videos, CD roms, or other various applications. These computer kiosks run about $25,000. #18 - YOUTH AT RISK & #22 - RECREATION PROGRAMS FOR AGES 13-19: Linda is on both of these committees and she feels like these two issues are one in the same. She doesn't want to duplicate services already being offered throughout the city. Linda would like to make sure that the school district is involved in this process. She would like to survey current program users, as well as junior high and high school students to see what they want. Steve mentioned having teen night at the swimming pools, late night basketball at both Lincoln Center and at the school gyms. He also said the Police Department will be asking City Council for additional funds for a second officer at the high school. Ms. Crouch mentioned that the University of Maryland is hiring students straight out of college for one year, probably with grant money, and they're responsible for mentoring three at-risk kids each. This program is making a big difference in the lives of the children involved. #23 - FUTURE FACILITIES PLANNING: This project is geared towards City Hall and Central Fire Station. Steve doesn't believe the Conference Center is included in this project. George asked Steve to find out for sure if it was included. George asked at what point the action plans would become more than internal documents and made available to board members. Steve stated the action plans would first be completed in draft format and submitted to the Interim City Manager for review and will then be presented to City Council for their guidance in March. Steve said he could present more on the action plans after the presentation to council. VI. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM REPORT: Eric stated that the Oaks and Thomas project is about 50% completed. The handicap accessible playground is currently being installed. The WPC amphitheater rest room building project is progressing. The slab has been poured, the plumbing has been done, and the walkway is being constructed. The Southwood Pool project contract is being negotiated. The Sandstone Park project was approved by City Council on January 25, and the Planning staff are currently working on construction documents. VII. OTHER BUSINESS/BOARD CONCERNS: George mentioned that he is pleased with the section in The Eagle that is targeted towards City staff and events. He would like to see something written about the programs at Lincoln Center. Steve informed the Board that The Eagle is supposed to be writing up issues related to the bond election. Ron asked what the timeline was for the design phase of Woodway Park. Steve informed him that it did not look like that acquisition was going to happen. Ms. Crouch indicated the same. He said that the Department has tried to communicate with Texas A&M about doing a joint project on their property, but no response has been received. Steve has been in contact with Dennis Corrington with A&M. Ron asked about Jane Kee's contact with HOK and their progress with regards to parks and recreation. George received a memo from Jane assuring him that HOK was going to work on the Board's issues, but that they had been directed to work on other city issues first. Nancy mentioned that City Council added a few items for HOK to work on, which may be why they have not been able to delegate more time to parks issues. Ron asked if staff had a chance to work on what to do with a park for the Spring Loop area. Steve stated no. Parks & Recreation Board Regular Meeting February 21, 1995 Page (5) Bob discussed some items related to the bond election. He mentioned that he is getting good cooperation from Little League, but stated that they are prohibited by charter to formerly get involved. They are also unable to donate any monies from their organization to support the bond election. However, they are putting forth great effort to inform the public about supporting the bond election. He mentioned that they passed out over 300 flyers at little league sign-ups, as well as registering several people to vote. He also stated that unfortunately the soccer club had decided not to be associated with this effort to support the bond election. They are refusing to donate any money since little league isn't donating any. VIII. ADJOURN: The Board adjourned at 9:07 p.m. )