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Staff Present: Steve Beachy, Director of Parks and Recreation;Eric Ploeger, Assistant
Director;Pete Vanecek, Senior Park Planner; Curtis Bingham, Parks Operations
Superintendent; Marci Rodgers, Senior Services Coordinator; Kris Startzman,
Board Secretary.
Board Members Present: Chris Barzilla, Chair; George Dresser, Co-Chairman;Bill Davis;
Sarah Birkhold; Susan Allen; Glen Davis; John Crompton.
Board Members Absent: John Nichols.
Visitors: Guy Denoux: 6465 Gibbs Circle, College Station, Texas 77840
Kim Kowalkowski: 950 Colgate Drive, Apartment#258, College Station, Texas 77540
Becky Hogan: 301 Holleman Drive East#723, College Station, Texas 77840
1. Call to order: The meeting was called to order at 7:10 PM.
2. Hear visitors: Guy Denoux introduced himself as the new Chairman of the College
Station Little League and expressed a desire to observe the meeting.
3. Discussion of quorum requirements and excused absences for appointed
board/committee members from meetings: Steve said that this is the new City Council
Ordinance (passed on August 12, 1999)that pertains to all City appointed boards and
committees. Excused absences would include vacation, illness, a family emergency,jury
duty, and out-of-town business trips. Unexcused absences would include the failure to
inform the Chairman or Board Secretary prior to a scheduled meeting of a valid reason or
good cause for his/her absence, and any other absence not listed under"excused".
4. Pardon—Consider requests for absences of members from meetings: Glen Davis
made a motion to accept the absence of John Nichols as excused. Sarah Birkhold
seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion passed 7-0.
5. Approval of minutes from Regular Meeting of August 10, 1999: George Dresser made
a motion to approve the minutes from regular meeting of August 10, 1999. Glen
seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion passed 7-0,
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Parks and Recreation Board
Regular Meeting
Tuesday,September 14,1999
o:Bo ardlMin utes99/914-99.doc
6. Presentation,discussion, and possible action concerning a potential revenue project
and revenue sources: Steve said that this item is related to discussion from the last
Board meeting of August 10, 1999. Chris Barzilla had spoken with Bob Bearden from
the State Comptroller's Office regarding a hotel/motel tax that is used to fund the major
stadiums like the ones in Houston and Arlington. Chris mentioned that the tax law is
very broad, and thinks that Veterans Park and Athletic Complex can be funded with this
tax. He said that instead of raising bond money through ad valorem taxes, a 2%tax could
be added onto hotel/motel, which goes straight to a venue tax. Chris said that with this
tax increase, the City would be able to sell the current bonds. Chris thinks that the
current hotel/motel tax for Bryan/College Station is at 13%. He compared hotel/motel
taxes from other cities to the tax for Bryan/College Station. Dallas, Austin, and San
Antonio have a hotel/motel tax of 15%,whereas Houston has a 17% tax. Chris said that
ad valorem taxes couldn't be used for the maintenance of facilities, but that sales tax can.
The reason that Chris would like to look at this tax increase is because the City is looking
at three more bond elections. If it increases its hotel/motel tax, the City could sell the
current bonds, and start bringing revenue into the city. Chris reminded the Board that
this is a tax that is paid for by people that come in and visit the city, and stay in hotels and
motels. Mr. Bearden said that it could be used for projects such as Veterans Park and
Athletic Complex, even though it was bought with bond money. He also said that the
Department may also be able to apply for grants in addition to this tax the Department
would have to talk with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department relating to the
application of grants.
Chris said that in order to start the process,the City would need to write something up
and send it to the Comptroller's Office to determine whether this can be done. If it can
be done, then it would have to be put to a vote by the citizens. Before the City does this,
it would have to meet with the Hotel/Motel Association. Mr. Bearden said that he wasn't
sure why other small cities didn't take advantage of this tax. There is a misconception
that the tax is used only for big venues and professional ball teams.
Chris mentioned that the downside is that the tax rate on hotels and motels will increase
by 2%. But he doesn't think that people will stop using them if we increase the tax rate
by this percentage. George asked what would need to occur to make this happen? Chris
said that he would like to have the City's Legal Department look into the matter and also
present it to the Hotel/Motel Association in a way that will let them know that this 2%
increase would not reduce their occupancy rate.
John moved that the Department request that the City's Legal Department look into the
proposed 2% hotel/motel tax increase and find out if it is legally viable, before the
Department talks to the Hotel/Motel Association or the City Council. Once the
Department has information that this tax is feasible, it will go forward with its request.
Bill Davis seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion passed 7-0. Chris will
also present this proposal to Tom Brymer(Acting City Manager), for his input as well.
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Parks and Recreation Board
Regular Meeting
Tuesday,September 14,1999
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,7. Presentation,discussion, and possible action concerning senior programs: Steve said
that programs for senior citizens has been one of the City Council's Strategic Issues over
the last couple of years. In December 1998, the Parks Department hired Marci Rodgers
as the Senior Services Coordinator.
Marci talked about what she has done since she started working with the seniors and what
she is looking forward to doing in the future. She said that currently, the City offers a lot
of programs for children and adults, but hasn't offered much for senior citizens. She said
that Bryan/College Station has become a retirement area. One of the first things that
Marci did when hired was put together an advisory committee, consisting of senior
citizens in the community. She did this after visiting with other committees and
organizations to receive their input. She has put together a committee of about 20
seniors, and they meet at 10:00 AM on the last Monday of each month. She talked about
the accomplishments of the committee, one being setting up computer classes for seniors
at the Lincoln Center. (The seniors made good use of the seven computers at the Lincoln
Center that were not being utilized during school hours.) Beginning computer courses for
all ages are now being offered through Xtra Education as well. Marci said that there has
been a lot of interest in this area.
Marci talked about some of the activities that are offered to seniors: day trips to Brenham
and the Antique Rose Emporium, wildflower tours, Christmas tree light tours, and ice
cream and watermelon socials. Marci is currently working with Dr. Sarah Richardson,
who teaches a Research and Methods class at Texas A&M University, to conduct a
survey to find out the interests, needs, and abilities of senior citizens in the community.
Marci will also have use of the new Teen Center from 8:00 AM-3:00 PM every day.
Marci said that according to the 1990 census, adults 65 and older represent more than
12% of the United States adult population. Predictions are that in the year 2025, the 65
and older population will outnumber the teen population 2 to 1,
S. Appointment of subcommittee to work on indoor recreation grant to build a
recreation center (to be located south of Barron Road): This item was tabled until the
next meeting.
9. Report, discussion, and possible action concerning implementation of the Wolf Pen
Creek Master Plan: Steve said that at this point, there are several active projects related
to the Wolf Pen Creek Master Plan, one of which sidewalks, a pedestrian bridge, and
lighting between the Kona Steakhouse and Johnny Carino's restaurants, will be put out
for bid during the next City Council Meeting. It will be the initial part of the trail system
that will connect the remainder of the Wolf Pen Creek Corridor. One of the other
projects is the George Bush Drive East extension from Harvey Road to Holleman. The
focus of the new construction will be from Dartmouth Street to Texas Avenue. Steve said
that the City is trying to work out the final design of the plan with the Corps of
Engineers. Another project that has been bid out and awarded is the traffic signals for
Dartmouth and Holleman, and Dartmouth and Southwest Parkway.
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Regular Meeting
• Tuesday,September 14,1999
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There is also a project to convertpart of the lake area into somethingother than a lake.
The City has submitted a plan to the Corps of Engineers and are currently working out
the details with them. Steve said that the Wolf Pen Creek Oversight Committee now
meets on a monthly basis. It is composed of representatives from the Parks and
Recreation Board,the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Design Review Board,the
Wolf Pen Creek TIF District, and the City Council.
Glen asked if there is money allocated for this project. Steve said that there is about five
million dollars allocated for the overall project. Glen asked if any of the money is at risk
due to timing. Steve replied that it isn't. Steve said that overall, the City is making good
progress on these projects.
10. Discussion and possible action regarding the Lick Creek Park Trail Grant
Application: George had requested this item to be on the agenda. He said that the reason
he wanted this to be on the agenda, was because he thinks that the Trail Grant
Application for Lick Creek Park,that was submitted to the Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department, was not funded because the application was not as well thought out as it
could have been. He would like to regroup the key players who had worked on the
application and have them redo it. John made a motion to invite Dr. Scott Schaeffer from
the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University, to
meet with a subcommittee with the idea of developing another grant proposal and
resubmitting it for the next grant cycle. Bill Davis seconded the motion. All were in
favor, and the motion passed 7-0. It was decided that Bill Davis, John Crompton, and
Scott Schaeffer would work on the application.
11. Consent Items:
Capital Improvement Report: Steve handed out the City Council's Strategic
Issues for FY2000. He said that many of the issues are capital improvement related.
Steve mentioned that the Teen Center is nearing completion. The opening will occur at
3:45 PM on September 20, 1999. He invited the Board to attend the opening of the Teen
Center and the Citizen's banquet that followed at 6:3O PM.
Glen asked if the City has started working on Edelweiss Park. Eric Ploeger responded
that some work has been done-the project should be complete by mid-November.
Discussion of next meeting date and agenda: Bill would like a synopsis of the
Bike Trail Project from when it was first submitted to when it was approved. Glen would
like some clarification on the $5 surcharge on user fees and how it would be
administered. Chris would like an update on the lights at the tennis courts at A&M
Consolidated High School.
12. Adjourn: Bill made a motion to adjourn. Glen seconded the motion. All were in favor
and the meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM.
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Parks and Recreation Board
Regular Meeting
Tuesday,September 14,1999
o:Board/Minutes99/9-14-99.doc