HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/08/1996 - Regular Minutes - Parks Board .................................... ..
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CITY OF COLLEGE STATION
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1996 - 7:00 P.M.
CENTRAL PARK CONFERENCE ROOM
1 000 KRENEK TAP ROAD
MEMBERS PRESENT: Elizabeth Cunha, Vice Chair; Bob DeOtte; Debra Anderson, Carol
Reynolds and Mike Manson
MEMBERS ABSENT: Ron Gay, Chair and Gary Halter
STAFF PRESENT: Steve Beachy, Director; Peter Vanecek, Senior Planner; Bridgette
George CPS, Staff Assistant
VISITORS: Texas A&M University students: J. C. Day, Brittany McDonald,
Melanie McCulley, Duncan Wood, Kathryn Whaley, and Jennifer
Jones
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.
1. Approval of Minutes -- September 12, 1996: Minutes were approved as submitted.
II. Appointment of Conference Center Advisory Committee Members: Three positions were
vacant on the committee. No new applications were received, but three current members
applied for reappointment. Bob voiced his concern about having two members, Mr. & Mrs.
Molina, from the same family serve on the committee. Debra stated that just because they are
married doesn't necessarily mean they will support the same issues. Steve stated that members of
the committee are not in a position to affect any hiring at the Conference Center nor commit
funds from there. Further discussion took place regarding this issue. Bob motioned to appoint
Eileen Sather and Mollie Guin, Mike seconded the motion. The motion carried. Carol motioned
to appoint Alma Molina, Debra seconded. Bob abstained. The motion carried. The board
voiced their interest in meeting with both the Lincoln Center and Conference Center Advisory
Committee members. Steve stated that he would make arrangements for meetings with the
Lincoln Center Advisory Committee in November and the Conference Center Advisory
Committee in December. Both meetings would be at the regular Parks and Recreation Board
meeting times, 7:00 p.m., but will meet at their respective facilities.
III. Update and Discussion of City's Comprehensive Plan: Steve did not have any new
information to report, but stated that the changes the Board recommended several months ago
had been incorporated into the plan. At the conclusion of the pubic hearing, the Planning and
Zoning Commission voted to recommend that the plan be submitted to City Council for their
consideration. The Council will then consider the plan at the November workshop meeting and
willp Y ossibl vote to adopt the plan that night. The Board voiced their concern regarding the
survey that only 171 citizens responded to. They believe that the responses were not
Parks Board Minutes October 8, 1996 Page 1 of 3
representative of the citizens of College Station, not to mention the low number that responded.
Bob motioned to draft a letter to the Mayor and City Council stating their serious concerns
regarding the inclusion of the survey data and to consider removing it from the final document,
and to apply such disclaimers that would render it unlikely to be used for future decision making.
Mike seconded the motion, the motion carried.
IV. Discussion of Parkland Dedication: Elizabeth informed the Board that Shenandoah has
been a subdivision since 1983. To this date that subdivision does not have a park that is
accessible by bike route. The closest park is over 2 miles away and one must travel on the access
road to get to it. There are currently no funds in that zone. Jane Kee, City Planner, informed
Elizabeth that the Mr. Frehling, the Shenandoah developer, was told not to pay the parkland
dedication funds until the Board was finished discussing the possibility of the Shenandoah
Homeowner's Association donating land to the city. Elizabeth spoke with the homeowner's
association and they stated that they have no intention of donating land to the city. Jane told
Elizabeth that Mr. Frehling would pay the money when he plots Phase IV which should be soon.
Elizabeth would like to ask Mr. Frehling to pay his dedication funds now, $34,000, and purchase
the land while prices are cheap. Hopefully within a couple of years more development will
occur, producing additional funds for that zone. Elizabeth heard that the school district was
planning to build a school on Baron Road. Steve stated that he's not sure if they've acquired that
site for a middle school yet or not. He stated that there is a possibility of a joint venture for a
park. Steve stated that he would check with the school district on whether they've selected a site
for a school. He will also check the price of land in that area.
V. Capital Improvement Program Report: Peter reported that Pebble Creek Park is complete
except for a few punch list items. The architect is working on the final plans for the Wayne Smith
Baseball Complex. Steve mentioned that a few properties still need to be acquired. Hopefully
the project will go out to bid in January 1997 and games will be played in the Spring of 1998.
Steve informed the board that the Wolf Pen Creek Masterplan will be revised to depict what is
actually occurring in that district, which is different from the original masterplan. He mentioned
that money was allocated from the Tax Increment Financing District that will go to the firm that is
working on the drainage utility district to address the silt problem at Wolf Pen Creek. The
masterplan revision will be done in-house with Parks, Development Services and Engineering
staff. It will involve a public hearing process to try to overcome some of the negative aspects that
occurred initially. Both critics and proponents of Wolf Pen Creek will be asked for input during
the revision process.
Vi. Other Business/Board Concerns: Elizabeth mentioned that she would like to talk about
vandalism at Lincoln Center when the Board meets with that committee. She is concerned about
the amount of glass in the sand on the playground. Kids are inclined to play in the sand and
she's concerned about the dangers. She spoke with Curtis Bingham, Operations Superintendent,
about the problem and he stated that the playground is checked regularly for glass but it
continues to be a problem.
Mike mentioned that the Rio Brazos Audubon Society has scheduled a trip at Lick Creek Park on
Saturday, October 26, at 8:00 a.m. The event will probably last half a day. Steve mentioned that
at the last Historic Preservation Committee meeting, an archaeologist, who has conducted several
studies at Lick Creek, made a presentation showing evidence that Lick Creek Park had prehistoric
habitation, as well as 19th century habitation. The archaeologist would like to pursue a full site
investigation.
Parks Board Minutes October 8, 1996 Page 2 of 3
Bob mentioned that the Sports Advisory subcommittee would be meeting the following Monday
at 4:00 p.m.
Steve mentioned that the Natatorium programs are going well. Additional lighting has helped
with the lighting problem.
Vii. Adjourn: The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
APPROVED: 411
Ron Gay, Board Cha r
tz. 14
Date
Att- t: AIPALdil
Bridgette7eAL PS, Board SecrOry
Date
Parks Board Minutes October 8, 1996 Page 3 of 3