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Home My WebLink About02/11/1997 - Regular Minutes - Parks Board CITY OF COLLEGE STATION PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD REGULAR MEET!NG FEBRUARY 11, 1997 -- 7:00 P.M. CENTRAL PARK CONFERENCE ROOM 1000 KRENEK TAP ROAD MEMBERS: Ron Gay, Chair; Elizabeth Cunha, Vice Chair; Debra Anderson; Bob DeOtte; Carol Reynolds; Gary Halter; and Mike Manson STAFF: Steve Beachy, Director; Eric Ploeger, Asst. Director; Peter Vanecek, Senior Planner; Bridgette George, Staff Assistant VISITORS: A&M Students: Jennifer Lehman, 1801 Southwood Drive; Carre Huber, 2500 Central Park Ln #1801. The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. 1. Approval of Parks and Recreation Board Minutes -- January 14, 1997: The minutes were approved as submitted. ( 2. Hear Visitors: No comments were made by visitors who were there to observe the meeting for a class. 3. Discussion of a Proposed Land Donation for Park Zone 2: Ric informed the board members that he received a phone call from Mr. Ed Madely, an 85-year old Bryan resident. Mr. Madely, who has no heirs, has 5.16 acres located in College Station, that he is proposing to donate as a park. He is requesting that the area remain natural, with no fires and no smoking permitted in the park. He would like it named after his wife. The property is located behind Randall's on University Drive. The property which is surrounded by a 6 foot chain link fence, currently has no street access. L. A. Ford owns 2.7 acres ($30,000) which is adjacent to and NE of the area but is mostly a large ditch. Ric stated that if this additional land was purchased a bridge would have to be built in order to access the Madely property from that site. Shabeer Jaffar owns 3.3 acres ($75,000) that is adjacent to and just SE of the land and it's located directly behind Randall's. Ric stated that Jaffar's property would be a good piece of land to purchase and would allow access to Madely's property. The board discussed the fact that the land would be located in the same zone as the Spring Loop area, an area the board has listed as a goal to put a park in. The problem is that citizens would have to cross 29th Street to access the park from the Spring Loop area. Currently there is no public access to the land. Ric stated that there is a large creek that goes through both properties and they also have power lines. He also mentioned that the site was conducive to constructing a basketball court and/or jogging trails. Several questions were raised regarding whether the City could accept the land now and trade or sell it later. The board suggested taking a tour of the site prior to the next board meeting and then making a decision on what to do with the proposal. 4. Consideration of Sports and Recreation Association Bylaws Produced by the Sports Advisory Subcommittee: Bob stated that Mike called him with suggested changes which Bob incorporated into the bylaws and handed out at the meeting. Ron questioned Number 3 regarding minimum membership requirements and their financial report. He was concerned about new organizations that may not have that yet. Bob changed the wording to read a "Current financial report." Discussion took place regarding the word "reputable." Bob stated that the College Station Legal Department did not question that word nor ask that it be removed. Gary motioned to approve the bylaws as amended. The motion was seconded by Elizabeth. The motion passed. 5. Review of Parks and Recreation Board Goals: Ron reviewed the goals that were produced at the last meeting and asked for any additions. Bob suggested adding, "increased coordination with the school district in the development of programs and facilities." Steve mentioned that the department is currently involved with the school district in several areas such as Kids Klub, Xtra Education, the Natatorium, and the coordination and joint development of parks on or adjacent to school property. Bob stated that he has had conversations with Ross Rogers and he would like to see less programs offered at the same times as the High School's or Jr. High School's games. That way they may receive more support during their games. Steve stated that the department would be working diligently on Council Issues related to the Wolf Pen Creek master plan revision, the tourism plan, and the Teen Center. He also mentioned that the department is currently working on the following board goals #'s 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10. Steve stated that the department is working on five major projects that he would like to complete prior to starting any other projects such as a master plan for Lick Creek Park. The department would not have the time to put into a major project like that. Gary moved to approve the ten board goals. Bob seconded the motion. The motion carried. Bob also asked that the goals be ranked. Ron suggested ranking in conjunction with the department's goals. The Board goals were approved as ranked and a copy follows these minutes. 6. Capital Improvement Program Report: Ric reported that the last condemnation of the land for Wayne Smith Park will be April 8. The department will be able to bid the project in May. The board members discussed whether they should address the Council in request of additional staff to help with the increase in programs and facilities to the department. Steve stated that he believes the Council is aware of this issue. Ric reviewed the report and stated that there was no additional information to report. 7. Other Business/Board Concerns: Debra asked for further information on the condemnation of the land for the Wayne Smith project. Ric stated that the hearings in April were to establish the value of the property that the City will pay. Debra also asked about the land located off of Greens Prairie Rd. Steve stated that Parks&Recreation Board 3/12/97 Page 2 the area is in the development process and doesn't believe any plat has been filed. p No further contact has been made with him. Ron would like a response sent to Glen Carl s and would like a copy sent to the mayor. Ron asked about the archery issue that was mentioned in the Items of Interest. Steve stated that land adjacent to Lick Creek Park would be used on a temporary basis, with a 30-dayagreement, for archery. He said there will be no P Y g permanent buildingerected. They will be using mainly an open field, that goes back into the woods a short way. The department has agreed to purchase the materials but the archery club will build the fence. This will address the safety issue. No drastic changes will be made to the area. Elizabeth would like to see a trip out to Lick Creek Park prior to the board addressing a master plan for the park. Elizabeth asked about the bulldozing in Lick Creek Park. Steve said he wasn't aware of any and said he would check into it. Elizabeth mentioned that since there was so much controversy with.the quality of the softball programming she decided to sign up her child in another Parks Department program to evaluate training, etc. Elizabeth signed up her child in basketball and volunteered to be an assistant coach and stated that she was very impressed with how the program is run. Debra congratulated the department on the number and quality of the Xtra Education program. Mike inquired about programs for senior citizens. Steve stated that Xtra Education could possibly include programs targeted for that age group. Mike also mentioned that he would like to see handicap access at Lick Creek Park addressed in the master plan. Carol was concerned about the chin up bars at Brother's Pond Park. One was moved up higher but the other one was moved lower, much lower. Steve stated that he noticed that and doesn't know why it was lowered to that height. Gary inquired about the Trout at Adamson. Steve stated that they were moved to Cy Miller Pond. 8. Adjourn: The meeting adjourned at 8:40 Parks&Recreation Board 3/12/97 Page 3