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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/09/1997 - Regular Minutes - Parks Board CITY OF COLLEGE STATION PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 9, 1997 -- 7:00 P.M. CENTRAL PARK CONFERENCE ROOM 1000 KRENEK TAP ROAD MEMBERS: Elizabeth Cunha, Chair; Bob DeOtte; John Crompton; Chris Barzilla; Gary Halter and Mike Manson ABSENT: Debra Anderson, Vice Chair STAFF: Steve Beachy, Director; Eric Ploeger, Asst. Director; Jane Kee, City Planner; Curtis Bingham, Operations Superintendent; Tony Scazzero, Athletics Supervisor; and Bridgette George, Staff Assistant VISITORS: Cindy Wilson, Sharon Henson, Brian Barrett, Powell Robinson, Glenn Schroeder,Julian,McMurray The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. ) 1. Approval of Parks and Recreation Board Minutes --August 12, August 19, August 27, 1997: Minutes were approved as submitted. 2. Hear Visitors: Mr. Powell Robinson was speaking on Dennis Jantzen's behalf, who was absent due to a prior commitment. Mr. Robinson displayed several T- shirts and hats showing his participation and support for various organizations that offer youth girls softball. He stated that some prior documents presented by City staff miscommunicated information regarding girls softball and clarified that the City's league is not the same as the ASA tournament teams that travel throughout the state. Mr. Robinson stated that he pays $100 per month for his daughter to play on the tournament team. He stated that there are 12 players on the team, with 9 from Bryan, but it is billed as College Station team. Elizabeth asked for clarification regarding the city league and ASA. Tony Scazzero stated that the city staff,.after looking carefully at various girl softball regulations both locally and nationally, chose to be sanctioned by ASA due to the fact that ASA regulations are also used throughout high schools, universities, and even the Olympics. He stated that ASA has different regulations than Little League. Tony stated that in order for tournament teams to advance and play in state-wide tournaments, they must play at least four games in the city league. As ASA Commissioner, Tony must verify whether or not the tournament team is from this district. Mr. Powell stated that the traveling team has to have insurance to play in ASA tournaments, and that teams are formed by parents not by the city. Those parents are responsible for any fees associated with the tournament team. Mr. Powell stated that he likes ASA tournament ball, but would like the girls to be treated like the boys in Little League. He would like the advanced girls to be able to advance to tournaments. He would like the city to support the girls just as the City is providing for the field maintenance, etc., for the boys. Chris Barzilla stated it's not the City's fault that only twelve girls signed up for tournament play. Mr. Powell stated that there are only eight games and then the season's over. He stated that it's an added incentive to have an all-star team. He mentioned that Little League does not want to lose the control of the Southwood Athletic fields. Mr. Powell would like the City to support Little League girl's softball at the same time Little League baseball is going on. Mr. Power l l stated that the four ASA softball teams played each other in a double elimination tournament. With Little League they would have played more teams in tournament play. He stated that he would like a list of city participants and Little League participants to do a survey. Sharon Henson, stated her daughter played Little League baseball with boys and then went to City softball. She stated that the coach quit after three games and that she had to fill in as the coach. Ms. Henson stated that the level of play is not as structured in the city league as in Bryan's Little League softball. She mentioned that a rule was changed three weeks into the season and the bases were moved up right before a game. Julian McMurray stated that everybody in. Central Texas has girls little league softball except in College Station. He reiterated that girls do not have the same opportunities as the boys. He doesn't believe that College Station provides a good s:... enough place to play for girls. Mr. McMurray stated that currently the city runs a fall, spring, and summer program and suggested that the city offer a fall and summer program, and let Little League offer softball in the spring. Brian Barrett had a son go through Little League and a daughter that followed. His daughter currently plays softball in Bryan. He stated that Little League gets more press than the city league. He also stated that if softball was offered by Little League, it would not be a success instantly, but would build after a while because of the publicity. Bob stated that kids are dropping out of athletics around the age of 14 years old. He also mentioned that the city can tell Little League whether they can use the city fields or not, but not how to run the program. The city cannot force them to offer softball for girls. Elizabeth would like to do what the majority of citizens would like. She stated that she would like to see a survey performed every spring. The only thing the Board has to go on is the survey that was done in Fall of 1996, where the majority supported the city league, as opposed to Little League. Mike asked why visitors were here instead of talking to Little League. They said that Little League said the City would take their fields away if they offered girls softball. Mike suggested a meeting with city staff, the board, Little League and girls softball supporters. Parks&Recreation Board 10/1 0/97 Page 2 .................. that ASA has two levels of championship playthat the girls in the city Tony statedp p league are eligible to play in. He also said that the prime season for girls softball is in the spring. Y Ton mentioned that the city was asked to take over the girls softball program when it was in real trouble. They have worked hard to build the program over the past few years. He stated that the program was built where the majority of the benefits would serve the most girls. Chris motioned to have a Parks Board, Little League, and citizen representative g meet and discuss the issue further. The motion was seconded by John and passed. CindyWilson asked why the city can't just try Little League next spring. Bob stated that he doesn't see a reason to change yet. He said that he doesn't want to see a successful program moved when there's not a real reason to. He would hate the city to have to rebuild the program back up again. 4. Lincoln Center Advisory Committee Appointments: Gary motioned to appoint James Steen for a 2-year term. The motion was seconded by John and passed. Bob motioned to appoint Malvonee Merchant. The motion was seconded by Chris and passed. The board decided ;to defer consideration of other appointments until further applications are received. The board agreed that Larry Johnson should continue as Chair. Bob motioned to defer the appointment of Vice Chair until the next meeting. The motion passed. Gary motioned that the committee increase from six members to seven members, with three appointments in odd years and four appointments in even years. The motion passed. Center AdvisoryCommittee: Garymotioned to reappoint Jennifer . .... Conference pP çcBartThe motion was seconded by Mike and carried. The Board expressed their Center Advisory to meet with the Conference Committee. Steve stated that he would set up a meeting. 5. Discussion of Parkland Dedication Ordinance: Steve stated that this is in the City's Comprehensive Plan. John believes that the ordinance was appropriate at the time it was passed and should be reviewed. He stated that new development should provide the same quality parks as the rest of the city standards. He also stated that he believes when new development occurs, the developer should pay for the cost of park development, not the citizens on bond issues. Steve suggested forming a subcommittee to include the Parks Board, someone in the development community, :the Planning & Zoning Commission, with expert advice from attorneys. Jane stated that with continued work, this could go to Council for approval within about six months. Bob motioned to appoint John and Gary to the committee. Jane stated that she has already informed the chair of the Planning & Zoning Commission that the Board was visiting this issue. Jane will discuss this at their next meeting. She also mentioned that one suggestion would be to change the length of time from 2 to 5 years, which is recommended in the Comprehensive Plan. *CIA1(5-- 6. Discussion of Parks Master Plan Project: John stated that the Resource Committee (j'\ will meet the following day for discussion on Lick Creek Park. JsAwr<class is developing a market research survey for economic—impact of tournaments. He )0Aiii'L COtt\ \(2,f) Parks&Recreation Board 10/10197 Page 3 koieir mentioned that Scott Sithaiiffer's class will create a parks master plan as complete as they can. A public hearing has been scheduled for the spring of 1998 for master plan input. Steve is hoping to take information from the comprehensive plan and TAM U's plan for a more specific plan for the city. 7. Discussion of Fitness Events: John stated that they were very successful in the past and would like to see the events brought back. He would like staff to work with past participants to organize the events again. He suggested that staff check with the past participants to see if they would like to form a group to provide resources for the events. 8. Board Goals Report: Steve stated that the Wheeler's would not deal with the Trust for Public Land because of the insult in the price offering for the land. Steve stated that he is waiting for the reengineering study. .9. Another meeting has been scheduled with the architectur class for work on the teen center. Construction should start the following day. Bob stated that September 30, should be the first meeting of the Recreational Sports Association. aiirn Elizabeth spoke with residents in the Spfi-ng-L I area. and they were concerned about students inundating Madeley Park. They ere glad to hear that the Spring Loop Park would be developed. 9. Capital Improvement Program Report: Ric stated that the Wayne Smith Baseball Complex preconstruction meeting is scheduled for the following Thursday. 10. Other Business/Board Concerns: Elizabeth reminded the members about the Council Appreciation dinner. Some discussion took place regarding having a joint meeting with Bryan Parks Board on October 14. The Board discussed the meeting and decided to have a regular meeting at the regular time because of pressing issues, and decided to do the joint meeting later as a social. Bob stated that he would like to discuss smoking at the Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater at the next meeting. He also asked about the sound issue. Steve stated that nothing else has been done. John is concerned about the city not working with the school board on projects that include the purchase of land and development of facilities. He is looking for a formalized. procedure. Gary suggested that Elizabeth contact the Mayor regarding this issue. Chris would like the city to look into developing a tennis center in the city, like Arlington, that could potentially bring in tournaments. 11. Adjourn: The meeting adjourned at 10:16 p.m. , • Parks&Recreation Board 1 0/1 0/97 Page 4