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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/12/2002 - Regular Minutes - Parks Board EEEENEEEEpnogggrgtggrgAlgggfggfjpgg14yWgpfitodTuesday,November 12,2002, at 7 00 p m eioEEEEEnolmEIEBEEms EmggmiiiinagoioEEIEBEEEIEIEIBEBIEIEEIEThiellEklitilTeiit Centerillitilliell111111111111101•111111111111111 1600 Rock Prairie Road Staff Present: Steve Beachy, Director of Parks and Recreation; Eric Ploeger, Assistant Director; Peter Vanecek, Senior Park Planner; Peter Lamont, Recreation Superintendent; David Hudspeth, Athletic Supervisor; David Gerling, Recreation Superintendent; Vera Solis, Aquatics Supervisor; Dana Albrecht, Instruction Supervisor; Jenny Hartsfield, Assistant Instruction Supervisor; Lance Jackson, Lincoln Center Supervisor. Board Present: John Nichols, Chairman; Jodi Warner; Don Allison; Bill Davis; Glen Davis. Board Absent: Larry Farnsworth; Glenn Schroeder. Guests: Tim Crowley, Developer Wallace Phillips, Developer Visitor: Dawn Phillips, 4304 Clipstone, College Station L Call to order: The meeting was called to order by Chairw an John Nichols at 7:08 p.m. 2. Pardon — possible action concerning requests for absences of members from hrBoileldDeravaiss emxcaudesead.mDotoionnAtlolisaocncespetctohnedaebdstehnecemsootfioLnarrily Fwarnersewionrtfh and Glenn and the motion passed unanimously. 3. Hear visitors: No one spoke during this item. 4. Discussion, consideration, and possible approval of minutes from the regular meeting of October 8, 2002: Bill D. made a motion to approve the minutes pending the revision to item#11 to read "He said that the City should explore the possibility of installing a closed circuit observation unit." Don A. seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion passed unanimously. 5. Discussion, consideration, and possible action concerning a park land dedication request for the Simmons Addition (Zone 10): Pete Vanecek stated that the proposed single-family, one dwelling unit development is located on Baron Road (refer to Park Land Dedication Checklist). The total land dedication requirement Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Regular Meeting Tuesday, November 12, 2002 Page 1 of 7 would be .0009 acres. The total cash dedication requirement would be $556. Staff recommends acceptance of the fee in lieu of land. Bill D. made a motion to accept the fee in lieu of land for the Simmons Addition. Glen Davis seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion passed unanimously. 6. Discussion, consideration, and possible action concerning a park land dedication request for the Harvey Hillsides Subdivision (Zone 4): Pete V. stated that the proposed single-family, one dwelling unit development is located on Pamela and Harvey Road (refer to Park Land Dedication Checklist). The total land dedication requirement would be .0009 acres. The total cash dedication requirement would be $556. Staff recommends acceptance of the fee in lieu of land. Bill D. made a motion to accept the fee in lieu of land for the Harvey Hillside Subdivision. Jodi Warner seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion passed unanimously. 7. Discussion, consideration, and possible action concerning a park land dedication request for Champions on Luther Street (Zone 7): Pete V. stated that the proposed multi-family, 40 dwelling unit development is located on the south side of Luther Street, intersects with a private street, and is east of FM 2818 (refer to Park Land Dedication Checklist.) The total land dedication requirement would be .32 acres. The total cash dedication requirement would be $18,080. Staff recommends acceptance of the fee in lieu of land. Bill D. made a motion to accept the fee in lieu of land for the Champions on Luther Street Apartments. Glen D. seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion passed unanimously. 8® Discussion, consideration, and possible action concerning a park land dedication request for the Spring Creek Townhomes (Zone 10): Tim Crowley stated that this project has previously been to the Board (refer to Advisory Board Minutes dated February 13, 2001, Item #5). He said that this project was last presented to the Board two years ago, and that they are bringing this item back to the Board again for informational purposes, rather than for approval because there are certain things that he and his partner, Wallace Phillips, are hoping to clarify. Mr. Phillips had submitted a proposal for a plat for the Spring Creek Townhomes (Mr. Phillips is also the Developer for the Castlegate Subdivision). Mr. Crowley stated that he originally owned the 735-acre tract of land with Mr. Phillips, their being partners on the Castlegate Subdivision and Spring Creek Townhomes. He was present approximately two years ago for the presentation to the Board concerning the entire tract of land and for the proposed park land dedication on the northern side of Highway 40. He said that the proposal, as he recalls, was for an Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Regular Meeting Tuesday, November 12, 2002 Page 2 of 7 original park land dedication of essentially all of the items in green (which items, he pointed to on a map). One of the key themes they have had throughout the years is to tie together the greenways and the hike and bike trails throughout the tract. He showed another area of approximately 20 or 30 acres of protected greenbelts, which they added as part of the 404 permit. He showed another area of an approximate 14- acre regional detention pond. They came to the parks department showing how the detention area could be used for jogging, how they had designed slopes for it, and how the trails systems would integrate. When they presented the item to the Board two years ago, there were some concerns. The first concern was that the Board would like some additional land for a traditional park, so the request was made to come up with an additional parcel of land that connected to the tract. The other items of concern were landscaping around the detention pond, and access to the roadways. He recalls that the idea was that they would come up with proposals with staff, and finalize things as they went through the platting process. He said that they believe that they have a file that will show how they followed up with staff. He pointed to a map and explained that the sections in green was the land (totaling 80 to 100 acres) that was added to make a total parks area with the center point being greenways and hike and bike connectivity. They have had the City Council, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and earlier Parks and Recreation Advisory Boards come out to the property and to hike the whole area. He said that he would love to give the Board a tour. He said that they would like to pull the files, go back through them with staff, and try to reach an agreement as to what the status was before this item is brought back to the Board. Glen Davis asked how much of the land would be usable in a park setting. Mr. Crowley responded that very little of it would be used as a traditional park setting. The idea would be to leave a good bit of it natural. He added that was why the earlier Parks Board requested that some land be added to it. Bill D. asked how much acreage would be added to the land. Mr. Crowley responded that it would be approximately 5-7 acres. Glen D. asked if the dedication would meet the requirements for park land dedication. Mr. Crowley responded that the minutes reflect that the Board had approved the dedication in principle, pending resolution of some concerns that the Board had. They thought that after visiting with staff, those concerns had been resolved. Steve said that the park land dedication was accepted in principle, but the final dedication never came back to the Board for a vote. Steve said that the appropriate thing to do would be to review the site plan, and to have the Board take a site tour of the property. Mr. Phillips discussed the proposed park land dedication for the Spring Creek Townhomes. The proposed multi-family, 142 dwelling unit development is located at the extension of Decatur and Oxburge drive, west of Highway 6, North of Greens Prairie Road. The total land dedication requirement would be 1.136 acres. The total Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Regular Meeting Tuesday,November 12, 2002 Page 3 of 7 cash dedication requirement would be $41,464. Staff recommends applying the 1.136 acres required dedication toward a future park to be dedicated to serve the entire Crowley Tract, and accepting the $41,464 cash dedication. Mr. Phillips would like credit for the development of a detention/retention pond in the Castlegate Subdivision (Zone 13) to apply toward the required park land dedication for the Spring Creek Townhomes (Zone 10). After some discussion, the Board was in consensus on taking a tour of the site. This item will be on a future Board agenda. There was no action taken on this item. 9. Discussion, consideration, and possible action concerning a park land dedication request for the Magnolia Place Dormitory (Zone 2): Pete V. stated that this development is located on the 700 block of Dominik Drive. The park land dedication had already been accepted, and the development is currently under construction. Eric Ploeger stated that the dedication item had been brought to the Board as an informational item. He explained that in the past, the Department would accept without Board approval park land dedication requests that would be obvious cash dedications (whereas now, these items are brought to the Board for approval). This request was for 196 multi-family dwelling units, for a dedication requirement of 1.568 acres. The total dedication fee was $57,232. Eric said that he wanted to bring this item to the Board's attention because he wanted to show the Board that there would be an increase in the park land dedication funds in Zone 2 due to the previous acceptance of the dedication of the fee in lieu of land. Bill D. made a motion to accept the report from staff Don A. seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion passed unanimously. 10. Presentation, discussion, and possible action concerning leisure program evaluations for the Parks and Recreation Department's Aquatic Programs: Steve stated that this item is related to City Council Vision Statement#2, Strategy 2.b (Review of Leisure Service Programs). Steve asked staff to prepare reports to show the Board who the Department is serving, and what the cost and benefits of our programs are. He welcomed the Board to give staff their feedback and recommendations for future improvement to the programs. Vera Solis, Aquatics Supervisor, gave a report and slide presentation on pool programs (refer to program evaluation forms). • Swimming Pools: Staff does not recommend any changes in the general operation of the swimming pools. • Junior Lifeguarding: Staff recommends charging an additional $5 per participant, decreasing the class meeting time per day by one half hour, and meeting two times per week. • Pool Parties: - Theme Parties: Staff would like to survey other areas that provide this type of party service to determine if the City is competitive in the market. Staff would also like to change some of the items that they are offering, to increase the profit level. Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Regular Meeting Tuesday, November 12, 2002 Page 4 of 7 - Pavilion Parties: Staff does not recommend any changes to pavilion parties. - After Hour Parties: Staff does not recommend any changes to after hour parties. - Pool Trout Fishout: Staff is recommending an increase in the fee to $2.50 per participant with a five (5) fish limit. • Texas Superguard: Staff does not recommend any changes to the Texas Superguard program. • Texas Public Pool Conference: Staff does not recommend any changes to the Texas Public Pool Conference program. It is anticipated that the conference will be bid out in the year 2004. Glen D. asked Vera if there was a change in participation after the pool fees were increased last year. Vera responded that overall, participation stayed about the same; however, there was a slight decrease in participation at Adamson Lagoon. Glen D. asked Vera if she felt that the fees were fair. Vera responded that she felt that they were. Jenny Hartsfield, Assistant Instruction Supervisor, gave a report on Swim Lessons and Water Aerobics (refer to program evaluation forms). • Swim Lessons: Staff does not recommend any changes to the swim lessons program. • Water Aerobics: Staff does not recommend any changes to the water aerobics program. Glen D. asked if staff reviews the scheduling for swimming programs from time to time to dete ine if there are space conflicts at the swimming facilities. Steve said that staff is faced with the challenge of balancing the swimming programs to try to meet the different programming needs. He explained that if the need for space presents too much of a scheduling conflict, staff may be faced with having to reduce the programs and/or to limit participation. Glen D. asked if there was a method to track, over the next six months, the number of people the Department has to turn away due to limited class space. After some discussion, Steve said that staff could develop a method that would not only track the number of people that are turned away due to lack of class space for swim lessons, but also track the number of people that are turned away due to lack of other facility space (i.e. pavilions and ball fields). David Hudspeth, Recreation Supervisor, gave a report on the Stroke Clinic and Swim Team programs (refer to program evaluation forms). • Stroke Clinic: Participation is maxed out. Staff recommends having exclusive use of the Natatorium during clinics, and allowing for additional classes to allow for more participation. Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Regular Meeting Tuesday, November 12, 2002 Page 5 of 7 Bill D. asked if there are any economically disadvantaged people who would participate in the stroke clinic if they had the opportunity. Steve said that there is the possibility that people can use park bucks to help pay for the programs. Bill D. stated that he wanted to make sure that we are reaching everyone. David H. said that at the time, there is really no method to estimate this because many people use parks bucks. • Swim Team: Participation is close to being maxed out. Staff recommends lowering registration maximums for each age group and hiring more coaches to be able to provide better individual instruction. After some discussion, John N. asked staff if they have seen anything in aquatics programs around the country that could be incorporated into the Department if funding were available. Vera S. responded that interactive play structures are popular now. This item was a report only, and no motion was made. 11. Report, discussion, and possible action concerning a master plan for the Lincoln/Tarrow area: David Gerling stated that this item was intended to update the Board on the status of a survey that the Department is conducting for the adults and children who attend the Lincoln Center. Staff will set up a joint meeting with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the Lincoln Center Advisory Committee to discuss a proposal for the Lincoln/Tarrow area. Bill D. asked what selection process was used for distribution of the surveys. Lance Jackson responded that the surveys were distributed to users of the Lincoln Recreation Center, as well as to renters and passers-by. This item was a report only, and no motion was made. 12. Discussion, consideration, and possible appointments to the Lincoln Center Advisory Committee: Lance Jackson made a recommendation to appoint Annie L. Williams, Carl Detloff, and Bobbie Smith to the Lincoln Center Advisory Committee. Bill D. made a motion to accept Lance's recommendation. Don. A. seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion passed unanimously. 13. Report, discussion, and possible action concerning the future Capital Improvement Program: Steve said that the City Council would be appointing a citizens committee on November 21, 2002. This item was a report only, and no motion was made. Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Regular Meeting Tuesday, November 12, 2002 Page 6 of 7 14. Report, discussion, and possible action concerning the Veterans Memorial dedication ceremony held at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex on November 11, 2002: Steve said that there were approximately 1,300 to 1,500 people at the dedication ceremony. The event itself was organized under the direction of the Memorial for All Veterans of the Brazos Valley, Inc., with the Parks and Recreation Department and other City departments serving in a supporting capacity. Steve said that the grand opening for the park has been scheduled for May 17, 2002. This was an informational item only, and no motion as made. 15. Report, discussion, and possible action concerning the current Capital Improvement Program: Eric Ploeger discussed the Bee Creek Light Pole Replacement Project. He said that this project was budgeted in 1997, and the funding was approved in 1998. The current lights are approximately fourteen years old. He added that a mechanical engineer who looked at the lights determined that not just the lights, but the lights, poles, and wiring all needed to be replaced, raising the cost of the project. Eric recommended the possibility of using money that was budgeted for tennis courts at Southwood Valley Athletic Complex to pay for the additional cost of the project. He added that the current Recreation, Park, and Open Space Master Plan projection does not call for any additional tennis courts until the year 2012. Bill D. made a motion to accept the recommendation from staff to use the funds that were budgeted for the Southwood Valley Athletic Complex tennis courts for the Bee Creek Light Pole Replacement Project. Glen D. seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion passed unanimously. 16. Review, discussion, and possible action concerning Board and Departmental Goals and Objectives, and City Council Strategies: Glen D. asked why some of the Park Land Dedication projects were listed "on hold." Eric P. responded that they were listed that way primarily because the Department currently has higher priority projects that are specific to athletic sports starting in the spring. This item was a report only, and no motion was made. 17. Discussion of next meeting dates and possible agenda items: The next regular meeting of the Board will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 2002, at 7:00 p.m., at the EXIT Teen Center. 18. Adjourn: Bill D. made a motion to adjourn. Jodi W. seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the meeting adjourned at 9:41 p.m. Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Regular Meeting Tuesday, November 12, 2002 Page 7 of 7